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Biomedical subjects

T Okada

Publications and source records attributed to T Okada.

At least 685 records · Page 38Linked to original sources

[Characterization of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi strains newly isolated in Ehime Prefecture, Japan].

Five strains of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi were isolated in Ehime Prefecture during December 1987 to January 1990. Of these, two strains, the Yamazaki and Noma-3, were isolated at Noma area of Imabari city and three strains, the Kakiwara-10, -11, -12, at Kakiwara area of Uwajima city. The Yamazaki strain was isolated from a patient of tsutsugamushi disease and the other strains from wild rodents (Apodemus speciosus). These strains showed virulence in euthymic mice. The calculated LD50 of the Yamazaki and Kakiwara-10 strains showed 10(-3.0) and 10(-1.8), respectively. The immunofluorescent antibody test using thirty monoclonal antibodies to six representative strains, the Gilliam, Karp, Kato, Irie, Hirano and Shimokoshi, revealed that two strains isolated at Noma area, the Yamazaki and Noma-3, were identified as the Karp type and three strains at Kakiwara area, the Kakiwara-10, -11, -12, were identified as the Kato type. It was clarified that the serotypic differences were present among the strains isolated in Ehime Prefecture. Moreover, these five strains isolated in Ehime Prefecture did not react with the serotype-specific monoclonal antibodies to the Irie, Hirano and Shimokoshi strains known as the representative strains of so-called new type of tsutsugamushi disease, showing antigenic differences.

Animals↗

Analysis of left ventricular regional wall motion in normal neonates.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate neonatal circulatory change by quantitative analysis of left ventricular regional wall motion. DESIGN: Random prospective study. SETTING: Department of paediatrics in a teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: 66 neonates born after a normal pregnancy, labour, and delivery. INTERVENTIONS: Quantitative analysis of left ventricular regional wall motion was performed on cross sectional echocardiograms. M mode, cross sectional, and Doppler echocardiograms were obtained simultaneously. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Manually traced endocardial contours at end diastole and at end systole were realigned by superimposing the centre of the ventricular mass and the axis. The contours were divided into 24 segments with 24 radii of equal arc from the centre. Then the ratio of the change in area between the outline of the contour and the two hemiaxes was calculated automatically. RESULTS: There was hyperkinesis of the interventricular septum in the first 24 hours after birth which continued until the end of the first week. Simultaneous echocardiographic examination showed evidence of pulmonary hypertension, as indicated by an increase in the ratio of the right pre-ejection period to the right ventricular ejection time (RPEP/RVET) and of the diameter ratio of the pulmonary artery to the aorta and a shortening of the acceleration time of pulmonary arterial blood flow. These features disappeared within a week. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperkinesis of the interventricular septum may reflect circulatory changes that are characteristic of the early neonatal period.

Diastole↗

Cheiro-oral-pedal syndrome.

The cheiro-oral syndrome is a well-known peculiar sensory disturbance seen around the corner of the mouth and in the palm of the hand on the same side. However, sensory disturbance around the corner of the mouth, in the palm of the hand and in the foot on the same side (cheiro-oral-pedal syndrome) has not been reported until now. We examined 2 cases of cheiro-oral-pedal syndrome; the lesion responsible was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging to be in the medial lemniscus and in the ventral ascending tract of the trigeminal nerve.

Aged↗

Inhibition of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in vitro by anticancer platinum pyrimidine greens against Daudi cells.

Platinum pyrimidine greens inhibited the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis of tumor cells in the S phase of the cell cycle and exerted antitumor activity. Clear differences were observed in the activity between the samples prepared at 40 degrees C and at 75 degrees C. Using 3H-thymidine incorporation assay and cell cycle analysis we confirmed that the former had much stronger and more specific inhibitory activity against DNA synthesis than the latter. Reactivity of the 40 degrees C sample with deoxyguanosine monophosphate (dGMP) and deoxyadenosine monophosphate (dAMP) was, respectively, two and three times larger than that of the 75 degrees C sample.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

[Developmental study of the ventral scent gland of the Mongolian gerbil].

Male and female in bred Mongolian gerbils aged 4, 5, 10, and 20 weeks were examined for the presence of a ventral scent gland macroscopically and histologically. It was found in about half of the gerbils aged 4 weeks and in all of the gerbils aged over 5 weeks. In adult male gerbils it weighed three times as much as in females. The ventral scent gland exhibited a sebaceous-like structure which consists of giant glandular cells with small vacuoles in the cytoplasm and the glandular cells displayed eosinophilic bodies contained within a duct, which are extruded through the lumen as holocrine-type secretion.

Age Factors↗

Effect of left atrial plication for the giant left atrium on left ventricular function.

Left atrial plication (LAP) following Kawazoe's method was performed on eight patients with mitral valve stenosis associated with a giant left atrium. To investigate the effect of LAP particularly on left ventricular function, the preoperative and postoperative left ventricular function in these patients were compared. The data were also compared to that of the non-left atrial plication (non-LAP) group with left atrial dimension of 60 mm or over. In the LAP group, there were significant differences between preoperative and postoperative data in the following parameters; New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, cardiothoracic ratio, mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), left atrial dimension, stroke volume index, ejection fraction and cardiac index. On the contrary, in the non-LAP group, there were significant differences between preoperative and post-operative data in the following two factors; NYHA class and PAP. The size of the left atrium in the non-LAP group remained unchanged over the course of long-term follow-up. Despite severe clinical symptoms and severely reduced cardiac function of the patients in the LAP group, cardiac function in all patients improved satisfactorily. This suggests that left atrial plication has a considerably beneficial effect on left ventricular function, and therefore, may be recommended for patients with a giant left atrium.

Adult↗

Retinal ganglion cells related to optokinetic nystagmus in the rat.

The nucleus of the optic tract (NOT) in the pretectum is the visuo-motor relay between the retina and preoculomotor structure in the pathway conveying signals responsible for optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) in both afoveate and foveate animals. Unilateral lesions of the NOT abolish OKN toward the side ipsilateral to the lesion. However, what parts of the retina and what kinds of retinal ganglion cells project their fibers into the NOT are still unknown. To examine this, horseradish peroxidase conjugated with wheatgerm agglutinin was injected into the NOT of the rat. Labeled retinal ganglion cells were diffusely documented in the contralateral side, whereas those situated only in the lower temporal crescent, were found in the ipsilateral side. Ganglion cells dominated in the range of small cells, i.e., W cells. Therefore, ganglion cells responsible for OKN are believed to be related to W cells. However, medium-sized and large cells were definitely labeled in the rat, suggesting possible participation of these cells in OKN.

Animals↗

A new anthelmintic cyclodepsipeptide, PF1022A.

The novel anthelmintic cyclodepsipeptide PF1022A was isolated from cultured mycelia of Mycelia Sterilia PF1022 (FERM BP-2671). It showed strong anthelmintic activities against Ascaridia galli in chickens. The structure of PF1022A was determined to be cyclo(D-lactyl-L-N-methylleucyl-D-3-phenyllactyl-L-N-meth ylleucyl-D-lactyl-L-N- methylleucyl-D-3-phenyllactyl-L-N-methylleucyl) by spectroscopic analyses and chemical studies.

Animals↗

[Clinical application of Dornier Lithotripter Compact for upper urinary tract stones].

The results of clinical application of a Dornier Lithotripter Compact (Dornier Medical Systems Co., Ltd.) on upper urinary tract stones are presented. Between October 1991 and June 1992, 30 patients with upper urinary tract stones were treated with ESWL in the Department of Urology, Kyoto University. Although 49 sessions for 32 stones in total were carried out without anesthesia, analgesics such as indomethacin and/or pentazocine were required in 37 sessions (76%). Stone-free rate 3 months after the last session was 12/30 cases (40%) and the success rate, the ratio of the patients without residual stone or with residual stones less than 4 mm to total 30 patients, was 18/30 (60%) at the point. Macrohematuria was seen after the treatment in 42/49 (86%) sessions, but it disappeared within 3 days in all instances. Pain necessitating analgesics after the treatment was seen in 16/49 (33%) sessions. Subcutaneous bleeding and fever-up of less than 38 degrees C were seen in 15/49 (31%) and 8/49 (16%) sessions, respectively, but bacteremia after the treatment was not detected in any case. No serious adverse effects were observed in blood chemistry. The Dornier Lithotripter Compact is considered to be useful in the treatment of renal and upper third ureteral stones.

Adolescent↗

[Clinical evaluation of cefprozil granules in pediatric field].

Cefprozil (CFPZ, BMY-28100) granules were administered to 20 children with bacterial infections: acute tonsillitis 8, acute bronchitis 10, purulent lymphadenitis 1, urinary tract infection 1. Daily doses ranged 29-50 mg/kg. The drug was given orally, 3 times a day and the durations of administration were 5 to 9 days. Clinical efficacies were excellent in 16 cases and good in 4 cases, hence the overall efficacy rate was 100%. No side effects were observed in any of these cases. As for abnormal laboratory test values, thrombocytosis was observed in 1 case. From the above results, we consider CFPZ granules to be a useful drug for the treatment of pediatric patients with various bacterial infections.

Administration, Oral↗

[Magnetic resonance imaging: evaluation of the Blalock-Taussig shunts and anatomy of the pulmonary artery].

The morphology and circulation of the pulmonary arteries and shunt vessels were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 8 patients with cyanotic heart disease after a Blalock-Taussig shunt operation. Their ages ranged from one month to 17 years. MRI permitted assessment of the size and patency of the Blalock-Taussig shunts, as well as the size and morphology of the pulmonary arteries in all patients. Measurements of the vessel diameters on MRI correlated well with the angiographic measurements (main pulmonary artery, r = 0.98; right pulmonary artery, r = 0.98; left pulmonary artery, r = 0.98; and Blalock-Taussig shunt, r = 0.97). MRI successfully imaged 3 of 4 shunt obstructions and 3 of 4 pulmonary stenoses with high resolution. In assessing peripheral pulmonary stenosis or obstruction, MRI was superior to echocardiography, the latter being unable to image peripheral pulmonary arteries satisfactorily. We concluded that MRI is an excellent noninvasive method for serially evaluating the anatomy and function of Blalock-Taussig shunts and pulmonary arteries, which is particularly useful for children with cyanotic congenital heart disease.

Adolescent↗

Tissue-specific expression of two isoforms of chicken fibroblast growth factor receptor, bek and Cek3.

Chicken bek and Cek3 are isoforms of the fibroblast growth factor receptor which consist of primary structures that are identical except for a variation within the last of three immunoglobulin-like repeats in the ligand-binding domain. Northern blot analysis using isoform-specific probes revealed that the bek mRNA is expressed exclusively in lung, whereas the Cek3 mRNA is expressed prominently in brain and weakly in lung. We further localized these transcripts in brain and lung by in situ hybridization histochemistry. In lung, the expression of the bek and Cek3 transcripts was distinguished in the smooth muscle of the parabronchus and in the arterial adventitia. On the other hand, in brain, the Cek3 transcript was detected in three areas: the corpus medullare of the metencephalon (cerebellum), the archiastriatum of the telencephalon, and the ependymal cells of the ventriculare of the mesencephalon. Two putative exons corresponding to isoform-specific sequences, respectively, were found to be closely located on the chicken genome. These results indicate that bek/Cek3 isoforms are derived from the same premessenger and that their expression is regulated in a tissue- or even area-specific manner. Moreover, another potential isoform produced by a new splice site within the Cek3-specific exon has been isolated.

Animals↗

[Cold agglutinin hemolytic anemia complicating mycoplasma pneumonia].

A case of Mycoplasma pneumonia complicated with severe hemolytic anemia, which occurred as a result of a high titer of cold agglutinin is presented. A 49 year-old male was admitted because of fever, jaundice and dyspnea. Chest x-ray showed diffuse small nodular infiltrates throughout both lung fields. Laboratory studies disclosed the following values: Hb 4.6 g/dl, Ht 13.9%, reticulocyte 11.5%, direct and indirect Coombs' test positive, haptoglobin 38 mg/dl, ESR 145 mm/hr, cold agglutinin titer 1:2,048 mycoplasma antibody titer 1:640, PPD negative. The diagnosis of autoimmune hemolytic anemia associated with Mycoplasma pneumonia was made, and treatment with minocycline and prednisolone observed striking clinical improvement. It was suggested that the cold exposure was possibly a major factor in the pathogenesis of hemolysis in this patient.

Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune↗

[Acid-base balance and contraction of the cardiac muscle].

In cardiac muscle, intracelular pH (pHi) is regulated to close to 7.1, both by membrane transport systems (Na-H and Cl-HCO3 exchange) and intracellular H+ buffers. Internal acidosis depresses the contraction, while alkalosis increases it. Internal proton depresses the contraction even without altering the internal concentration of Ca (Cai). The proton blocks the Ca channels. However, as it releases membrane-bound Ca and the influx of Na via Na-H exchange increases Ca influx through Na-Ca exchange, pHi decrease is often accompanied by the Cai increases. The internal proton also affects the uptake and release of sarcoplasmic reticulum, Ca binding to troponin, actomyosin dynamics and variable catalytic processes.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

[Clinical evaluation of endoscopic injection sclerotherapy and esophageal transection].

We investigated the effects of EIS and esophageal transection on treatment of esophageal varices and the late result of EIS treatment group with that of surgical treatment group. One hundred and forty-seven patients underwent esophageal transection and 244 patients injection sclerotherapy in our institute. 1. The 5-year cumulative survival rate in patients with EIS was 58%, while 62% in those with transection. 2. Judging from the findings of varices after treatment which showed the negative red color sign, or changes from F2 or F3 to F1, the effect of two methods were 72% in operation group and 73% in EIS group, respectively. 3. There was no significant difference in the rates of rebleeding between EIS (7.8%) and operation (10.2%) groups. 4. Prognosis of esophageal varices treated with EIS or operation was considered to depend on the Child's classification. We conclude that endoscopic sclerotherapy should be considered to be the first choice of treatment for esophageal varices.

Adolescent↗

[Two cases of the brachiocephalic artery avulsion due to blunt chest trauma].

Two young adult patients with brachiocephalic avulsion due to blunt trauma are reported. Both of them were brought to the emergency room of St. Marianna University Hospital with the blunt chest trauma and lung contusion due to the traffic accident. A widening of the superior mediastinum and mediastinal hematoma surrounding the major branches of the aortic arch were demonstrated on chest roentgenogram and contrast enhanced CT scan, however, these evidences were not valuable for the diagnosis. Aortogram revealed an aneurysmal dilatation at the origin of the brachiocephalic artery in the first case and at its distal portion in the second case. Emergency operation was performed under the simple cross clamp of the brachiocephalic artery without any adjunct means. In the first case, 10 mm knitted Dacron graft was interposed between the ascending aorta and distal segment of the brachiocephalic artery. In the second case, the brachiocephalic artery was replaced with 10 mm knitted Dacron graft. The postoperative course was uneventful and no neurological deficit was noted in these cases.

Adolescent↗

[Coronary revascularization with bilateral internal thoracic artery grafts].

Thirty-two patients underwent coronary revascularization with bilateral internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts. Each patient received 2.7 grafts in average including double ITA grafts. Seventeen patients had the right ITAs as free grafts. The other sixteen were treated with 13 autologous veins and 9 right gastroepiploic arteries in addition. Fifty-five grafts out of 56 (98.2%) were proved to be patent at the time of hospital discharge. The postoperative morbidity included three reoperations for bleeding and one perioperative inferior myocardial infarction. One patient died of colon perforation after surgery and another died of cerebral infarction late after surgery. These results exhibited that coronary artery bypass grafting with bilateral ITA grafts had relatively low risks and could contribute to complete revascularization in patients with diseased coronary arteries.

Aged↗