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T Matsubara

Publications and source records attributed to T Matsubara.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

[Histological proof of indocyanine green angiography--healthy eyes].

PURPOSE: To determine the histological localization of indocyanine green (ICG) in the healthy rat eye and to correlate this with ICG angiographic findings. METHODS: After intravenous ICG dye injection, the rat eyes were enucleated and processed by freeze-substitution fixation with acetone. The tissue sections were stimulated with an 805-nm diode laser and observed with an infrared microscope with an intensified charge coupled device camera. The histological examinations of ICG localization were correlated with the ICG angiographic images. RESULTS: ICG dye did not leak from the retinal and iris vessels. However, in the choroid, extravasation of ICG from the choriocapillaris was observed. The extravascular ICG from the choriocapillaris slowly diffused to the choroidal stroma but did not diffuse to the neurosensory retina through the retinal pigment epithelium. CONCLUSIONS: Change in the localization of ICG in ocular tissue was demonstrated in the ICG angiographic findings. These results help to interpret clinical ICG angiographic findings.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Retinal microglia differentially express phenotypic markers of antigen-presenting cells in vitro.

PURPOSE: Retinal microglial cells of newborn Lewis rats were isolated and cultured, and the effect of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on microglial expression of the accessory molecules required for antigen presentation were studied. METHODS: Retinal microglia were isolated from newborn Lewis rats and cultured in media supplemented with either M-CSF or GM-CSF. Immunohistochemical tests using anti-macrophage complement receptor 3 (OX42) or anti-monocyte-macrophage (ED1) and DiI-ac-low-density lipoprotein (LDL) uptake were used to identify microglia. The effect on accessory molecule expression of microglial cells cultured under varying conditions (M-CSF, GM-CSF, and M-CSF plus IFN-gamma) was analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorter, using one of the following antibodies: anti-OX3, anti-OX6, anti-rat intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, anti-rat B7-1, or anti-rat B7-2. RESULTS: The cultured retinal microglia were positive for macrophage-related antigens (ED1 and OX42) and also showed uptake of LDL. Furthermore, ICAM-1 and B7-2 were expressed constitutively on these cells, and MHC class II and B7-1 were also expressed after IFN-gamma stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: In vitro, the retinal microglia express the molecules required for effective antigen presentation to CD4-positive T cells. These findings suggest that microglia may play a role in local antigen presentation, especially when they are exposed to IFN-gamma.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Atresia of the right atrial orifice of the coronary sinus with persistent left superior vena cava: a case report].

A 39-year-old woman presented with atresia of the right atrial orifice of the coronary sinus with a persistent left superior vena cava detected at cardiac catheterization. She was admitted with frequent episodes of angina at rest and on exertion. Coronary angiography, including spasm provocation test, yielded normal results. However, left coronary arteriography demonstrated a dilated coronary sinus and a persistent left superior vena cava draining into the innominate vein. The contrast medium leaked slightly into the right atrial cavity through the obstructed orifice of the coronary sinus. Atresia of the coronary sinus orifice is a rare malformation usually found at autopsy. Only 3 cases have been reported in Japan. This is the first adult Japanese case detected when the patient was still alive.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Effects of propionyl-L-carnitine on cardiac dysfunction in streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

The effects of orally administered propionyl-L-carnitine on cardiac dysfunction in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes were investigated. Wistar male rats were divided into four groups: untreated normal, propionyl-L-carnitine (daily for 4 weeks with 3 g/kg orally) -treated normal, untreated diabetic, propionyl-L-carnitine-treated diabetic. Four weeks after streptozotocin administration, plasma lipid levels were increased and myocardial carnitine content was decreased in untreated diabetic rats. These changes were significantly reversed by the propionyl-L-carnitine treatment. Assessment of cardiac function with isolated perfused working hearts revealed a depression of left ventricular developed pressure as well as both maximum positive and negative dP/dt in untreated diabetic as compared with that in normal hearts. Cardiac function at the higher left atrial filling pressures in the propionyl-L-carnitine-treated diabetic rats was improved significantly compared to that in untreated hearts. The data thus suggest that oral administration of propionyl-L-carnitine can reduce abnormalities of cardiac function, correlated with a significant increase in myocardial carnitine content and improved lipid metabolism in terms of lowered plasma lipids.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1998

Demonstration of a Ca2+/calmodulin dependent protein kinase cascade in the hog heart.

Members of the Ca2+/calmodulin dependent protein kinase (CaMK) family and a CaMK cascade have been identified and well characterized in the brain, but little is known about their equivalents in the heart. Thus only CaMKII and its function have been reported so far. Therefore, we purified and characterized CaMKI and CaMK kinase (CaMKK) as an associated activator from the hog heart for the first time. The heart CaMKI was revealed to be the alpha isoform of brain CaMKI with a molecular weight of 41 kDa to phosphorylate cardiac phospholamban peptide, and to exhibit autophosphorylation requiring CaMKK. Heart CaMKK was found as a 67 kDa band and proved to be a different kinase from that in brain. These data indicate the existence of a heart specific CaMK cascade, consisting of CaMKI and CaMKK, along with CaMKII, which should be taken into account in any consideration of Ca2+ signal transduction.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Compact superconducting ring at ritsumeikan university.

A compact superconducting storage ring (0.575 GeV and 300 mA) with a racetrack microtron injection system was installed at Ritsumeikan University and has been operated successfully since April 1996. As the radius of the circular electron orbit is small (0.5 m), it is possible to use a radiation beam of relatively high photon flux at a short distance from the source point. Beamlines have been constructed including those for XAFS, soft X-ray spectroscopy, VUV spectroscopy, fluorescent X-ray analysis, soft X-ray microscopy, X-ray diffraction/scattering and photoelectron spectroscopy; the photoelectron spectrometer is combined with an ion-beam-scattering spectrometer to obtain information both on the electronic states and on the atomic arrangements of a solid surface. In addition there are two beamlines, one for LIGA exposure and the other for synchrotron radiation ablation, which are devoted to producing new devices and materials. The synchrotron radiation facility is open not only to users in the University but also to researchers in industry, governmental institutions and other universities.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Clinical and molecular genetic study in seven Japanese families with spinocerebellar ataxia type 6.

We report on seven Japanese families with spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6) carrying small CAG repeat expansions in the calcium channel alpha1A subunit gene. The number of the expanded CAG repeat, ranged from 22 to 25, showed no intergenerational instability and had a significant inverse correlation with the age of onset. The clinical features of these patients were late onset progressive pure cerebellar ataxia with dysarthria and nystagmus, and are consistent with autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia type III (ADCA type III). Magnetic resonance imaging scan of the brain demonstrated cerebellar atrophy with no evidence of brainstem involvement. We propose that clinical phenotype of SCA6 is compatible with ADCA type III and SCA6 is one of the most common types of ADCA in Japan.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Thoracic spinal angiomyolipoma with extracanal extension to the thoracic cavity. A case report.

STUDY DESIGN: Case report and review of the literature. OBJECTIVE: To describe a 72-year-old man with thoracic spinal angiomyolipoma in the ventral aspect of the epidural space and extracanal extension to the posterior mediastinum, to discuss the clinical and radiologic features and unique biologic behavior of this entity, and to review of the literature on angiolipoma and angiomyolipoma. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Spinal angiolipoma and angiomyolipoma are rare tumors, which are localized almost exclusively in the dorsal epidural space of the thoracic spine. Most reported cases have no tendency to involve the surrounding tissue. METHODS: The authors describe the radiologic, surgical, and pathologic findings of this patient and review the findings from other reported cases. RESULTS: Anterior decompression was performed using a right transthoracic incision, and the neurologic symptoms improved immediately. There were no signs of recurrence of the tumor or neurologic deficit within a 2-year follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Results of a literature survey of these tumors support management by prompt and radical surgical intervention for long-term cure, even in cases in which the infiltrating nature is recognized.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Surgical treatment for carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus with major involvement in the neck or upper mediastinum.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus, most surgeons consider that esophagectomy is contraindicated in patients with clinical evidence of major extraesophageal involvement in the lower neck or peritracheal regions. However, metastases to these regions are commonly found even in early phases of carcinoma invasion. With recent progress in preoperative assessment, operative technique and adjuvant therapy, esophagectomy could possibly benefit appropriately selected patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed results in 42 patients who had major involvement in the neck or upper mediastinum and who underwent esophagectomy with systematic lymph node dissection. We operated upon patients unless lesions were assessed as definitely unresectable. Preoperatively, 32 had enlarged peritracheal nodes greater than 15 mm in diameter on computed tomography, 18 had hard unmobile tumors in the lower neck, 9 had recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, and 10 had findings suggestive of tracheal invasion. Preoperative radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy was given to 32 low-risk patients. RESULTS: The hospital mortality rate was 4%. Bowel reconstruction was completed in all cases. No macroscopically recognizable lesion remained after operation in 35 patients. Eight patients were alive 5 years after esophagectomy, including 2 who had had tracheal invasion and 1 with recurrent nerve palsy. The cumulative 5-year survival was 38%. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence of major involvement of the neck and/or upper mediastinum does not always contraindicate resection. Aggressive esophagectomy combined with perioperative adjuvant therapy yielded acceptable palliation and occasional cure in cases with technically resectable lesions.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1998

Regulation of intracellular free Mg2+ concentration in isolated rat hearts via beta-adrenergic and muscarinic receptors.

Regulation of the intracellular free magnesium concentration ([Mg2+]i) was investigated in isolated rat hearts, using 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance (31P-NMR). [Mg2+]i was found to be slowly and significantly decreased during prolonged application of isoproterenol (ISO) through beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation, and restored by subsequent washouts. The ISO-induced decrease in [Mg2+]i was antagonized by addition of a muscarinic receptor agonist, carbachol (CCh). In the presence of atropine, CCh did not exert this effect. A water-soluble forskolin derivative, NKH477, which directly activates adenylate cyclase, also caused a decrease in [Mg2+]i, which could be antagonized by CCh, but a greater concentration was required as compared to the ISO case. The manner of [Mg2+]i regulation mimicked those noted for the action potential duration and the Ca2+ channel current, in which cAMP is known to act as a second messenger. Even in the presence of a Ca2+ channel blocker, verapamil, [Mg2+]i was reversibly decreased by ISO. Changes in the intracellular ATP concentration demonstrated any clear correlation with changes in [Mg2+]i. These results suggest that [Mg2+]i can be controlled by a balance of sympathetic and parasympathetic activities. cAMP may play a key role in the [Mg2+]i regulation via beta-adrenergic and muscarinic receptors, although some other metabolic pathways also appear to be involved. Hormonally induced changes in [Mg2+]i have possible clinical significance.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Effects of systemic and regional chemotherapy after hepatic resection for colorectal metastases.

BACKGROUND: Although the survival benefit of hepatic resection for colorectal metastasis has been established, some controversy remains regarding the significance of adjuvant chemotherapy after hepatic resection. METHODS: One hundred thirty-two consecutive patients who had liver resection for colorectal metastasis at our hospital between 1980 and 1997 were studied. After curative hepatic resection, 37 patients underwent systemic chemotherapy, administered orally or intravenously, and 38 patients underwent regional chemotherapy, given intra-arterially or intraportally. Forty patients had no adjuvant chemotherapy. The chemotherapeutic agents used for oral administration were uracil and Tegafur or Tegafur alone. Mitomycin C (MMC) or 5-FU was used for IV chemotherapy. Combinations of 5-FU/leucovorin or MMC/5-FU (doxorubicin) were used for regional chemotherapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were applied to test the significance of adjuvant chemotherapy for patient survival or disease-free survival. RESULTS: Overall 5-year survival was 42.2% (95% CL: 31.2%, 53.2%). Among the possible prognostic factors studied, univariate analysis showed a significant difference in survival based on the number of tumors and lymph node metastases in the hepatic hilum. There was a significant difference in disease-free survival based on adjuvant chemotherapy and lymph node metastasis. The multivariate analysis for patient survival selected four prognostic factors (P < .05), including adjuvant chemotherapy, lymph node metastasis, disease-free interval, and tumor size. The multivariate analysis for disease-free survival selected adjuvant chemotherapy, lymph node metastasis, and disease-free interval as significant factors. The most common recurrence site was remnant liver, regardless of adjuvant chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved survival and disease-free survival after hepatic resection for colorectal metastases. It did not decrease recurrence rate in the remnant liver.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1998

Cervicothoracic approach for total mesoesophageal dissection in cancer of the thoracic esophagus.

BACKGROUND: The clinical significance of lymph node involvement along the recurrent laryngeal nerves in cancer of the thoracic esophagus is still controversial. Although these lymph nodes are anatomically located in a well-defined compartment (proximal mesoesophagus), appropriate procedures for dissecting them are not well established. STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively investigated clinical results over the past 10 years in 276 patients who underwent systematic dissection of cervical, mediastinal, and upper abdominal lymph nodes. We routinely performed the cervical procedure before thoracotomy for total dissection of the proximal mesoesophagus and to minimize the operative risk. RESULTS: All macroscopically recognizable lesions were resected in 94% of the patients. The hospital mortality rate was 2.5%. Recurrent nerve palsy developed in 59 patients, but it was successfully managed without prolonged hoarseness in 50 of them. The recurrent nerve node group was most frequently involved (frequency of 25% in superficial cancer, 57% in non-superficial cancer). Supradiaphragmatic lymph node involvement was limited to the recurrent nerve nodes in 25% of the patients with positive supradiaphragmatic node. The 5-year survival rate in patients with positive recurrent nerve nodes was 34%. CONCLUSIONS: Dissection of the recurrent nerve lymph nodes is essential for curative esophagectomy even in the early phase of cancer invasion. Our cervicothoracic approach for total dissection of the proximal mesoesophagus yielded acceptable outcomes.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1998

Nephropathy and hypertension as manifestations in a 13-y-old girl with primary antiphospholipid syndrome.

Severe renal hypertension due to both unilateral renal arterial occlusion and renal thrombotic microangiopathy developed in a 13-y-old girl as a manifestation of primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. The combination of the intravenous high-dose urokinase therapy and oral anticoagulation therapy, comprising aspirin, warfarin and dipyridamole, was significantly effective in improving her renal function and preventing thrombotic events during an 18-month follow-up period.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Cerebrospinal fluid profile in patients with acute Kawasaki disease.

BACKGROUND: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis of infancy and early childhood for which there is currently no diagnostic test. The clinical presentation of KD may initially resemble other infectious diseases, including bacterial or viral meningitis. For this reason lumbar puncture (LP) is sometimes performed during the evaluation of these patients. To understand the range of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) changes that may be associated with acute KD, a retrospective review of unselected KD patients from three pediatric centers was performed. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was performed on KD patients evaluated during the first 10 days of illness who had an LP performed before the administration of intravenous gamma-globulin. RESULTS: During the 6.5-year study period, 46 KD patients underwent LP as part of their clinical evaluation. Of these patients 18 (39.1%) had CSF pleocytosis, 1 (2.2%) had a CSF glucose <45 mg/dl and 8 (17.4%) had an elevated CSF protein. Of the patients with CSF pleocytosis, the median white blood cell count was 22.5 cells (range, 7 to 320 cells), with a median of 6.0% neutrophils (range, 0 to 79%) and 91.5% mononuclear cells (range, 11 to 100%). CONCLUSIONS: In the present series approximately one-third of KD patients who underwent an LP had CSF pleocytosis with a mononuclear cell predominance. No patient had significant hypoglycorrhachia, and elevation of the CSF protein was uncommon. CSF abnormalities were similar between US and Japanese KD patients. The basis for the CSF pleocytosis in acute KD patients remains unknown.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1998

Renal needle biopsy along the retrograde puncture line of the renal calyx: a new promising technique.

The Biopty-gun is a useful tool in conducting percutaneous renal biopsies, but bleeding is still a significant complication. To reduce the rate of severe bleeding complications, we attempted a new method of renal needle biopsy using a retrograde access technique. Retrograde puncture of the renal calyx was performed using the Lawson nephrostomy kit. The 18-gauge needle of the Bioptygun was inserted along the puncture wire and fired. A 7-french pigtail catheter was retained in the renal pelvis for a few days following the procedure. This biopsy is a promising and safe technique.

Adolescent↗