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Biomedical subjects

T Sakurai

Publications and source records attributed to T Sakurai.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Subcutaneous and visceral fat distribution and daily physical activity: comparison between young and middle aged women.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of aging and physical activity on distribution patterns in subcutaneous and visceral fat. METHODS: Distributions of subcutaneous rat mass at six segments (face and neck, forearm, upper arm, trunk, thigh, and lower leg) were determined by adipose tissue thickness measurements by B mode ultrasonogram and body surface areas. Visceral fat mass was calculated by subtracting subcutaneous fat mass from the total fat mass determined hydrodensitometrically. Measurements were made on young and middle aged, trained and sedentary women (four groups). RESULTS: Per cent body fat was lower in trained than in sedentary individuals, both in the young and the middle aged subjects. The distribution of subcutaneous fat mass differed between sedentary and trained women. Trained young women had a reduced subcutaneous fat mass compared to sedentary young subjects in all segments except face and neck; the disparity between middle aged sedentary and trained women was limited to upper arm and trunk (P < 0.01 each), with no significant difference in face and neck, forearm, and lower limb segments. Differences in visceral fat mass between sedentary and trained subjects were similar for young and middle aged women (young, 2.5 v 3.7 kg; middle aged, 4.0 v 6.5 kg). CONCLUSIONS: Women who exercise regularly appear to accumulate less adipose tissue, especially in upper arm and trunk segments as they get older, with visceral fat mass remaining lower than in sedentary individuals.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1996

Natural history of superficial depressed colorectal cancer: retrospective radiographic and histologic analysis.

PURPOSE: To characterize the growth and developmental changes of superficial depressed colon cancer by using retrospective radiographic and histologic data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective study, the radiographs in patients with nine superficial depressed and those with 12 elevated (sessile or semipedunculated) colon cancers were analyzed. RESULTS: The initial superficial depressed lesions were 11.7 mm (mean) in diameter and took an average of 32.3 months to double in size. The initial elevated lesions were 15.7 mm (mean) in diameter and took an average of 8.6 months to double in size. The initial size of the former was not statistically significantly different from that of the latter; however, the doubling time of the superficial depressed cancers was statistically significantly slower than that of the elevated cancers. Superficial depressed cancers did not have concomitant adenomatous components, did not develop rapidly into advanced cancer, and did not change greatly from their original configuration; their growth rate was rather slow. Histologically, superficial depressed cancers showed a nonpolypoid growth pattern. CONCLUSION: Superficial depressed cancer develops more slowly than does elevated cancer, and this development follows a nonpolypoid growth pattern.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1996

An index of plasma refilling in hemodialysis patients.

During hemodialysis therapy, a large amount of water is removed from the patient's blood in a short time; however, blood pressure remains stable in most patients. As water is removed, the circulating serum proteins become more concentrated, resulting in a marked increase in the driving force which pulls water from the extravascular space into the blood vessels, by a process called plasma refilling. However, since a method for studying plasma refilling has not previously been proposed, it is not known what determines the plasma refilling capacity of hemodialysis patients. To evaluate the plasma refilling capacity of patients, we propose here a method for calculating an index of plasma refilling capacity, which we have called the plasma-refilling coefficient (Kr). In 14 patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis therapy, total serum protein was measured before hemodialysis, and hematocrits were measured hourly during hemodialysis. From the changes in the hematocrits, we estimated the changes in the circulating plasma volume and in the intracapillary oncotic pressure at each time point. The water removal rate was also measured hourly. From these values, we calculated Kr. An averaged volume of 2,692 +/- 219 ml of water was removed from each patient resulting in a decrease in the estimated circulating blood volume, while the hematocrit and the estimated intracapillary oncotic pressure increased gradually. Kr calculated after 1 h of hemodialysis varied widely between patients, 140.3-1,744.2 ml/mm Hg/h, and decreased gradually as water removal continued. The average Kr of 14 patients was 698.9 +/- 15.2 ml/mm Hg/h at the beginning of water removal, and it decreased to 405.3 +/- 75.4, 203.9 +/- 39.5, 130.2 +/- 20.5 and 93.9 +/- 14.3 each hour thereafter. The index of plasma refilling proposed in this paper is useful for examining capillary water permeability and the degree of plasma refilling in hemodialysis patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Cryopreservation of zona-hatched mouse blastocysts.

Experiments were conducted to determine the conditions for successful and efficient cryopreservation of hatched mouse blastocysts, using simple vitrification procedures. Hatched blastocysts were obtained by culture of morulae in vitro. Vitrification solutions used were EFS40 and GFS40, which were 40% (v/v) ethylene glycol and 40% (v/v) glycerol, respectively, diluted in PB1 medium containing 30% Ficoll (w/v) and 0.5 mol sucrose l-1. In the one-step method, embryos were directly exposed to the vitrification solutions at 25 degrees C for 0.5 or 2 min; in the two-step method, embryos were equilibrated with a dilute (10-20%, v/v) ethylene glycol or glycerol solution for 5-10 min, before a 0.5 min exposure to EFS40 or GFS40, respectively. They were then vitrified in liquid nitrogen. When the embryos were vitrified in EFS40, the post-warming survival rates, assessed by the re-expansion of the blastocoel during 16 h of culture, were higher in embryos that had hatched from the zona earlier (120-132 h after hCG) than in those hatched later (142-150 h after hCG); however, the highest survival rate was only 65%, which was obtained by a one-step method. When embryos were vitrified in GFS40, a high survival rate (89-94%) was obtained especially by the two-step methods. Vitrified blastocysts developed into live young just as well as did fresh blastocysts; survival was highest after transfer to recipients on day 3 or day 4 of pseudopregnancy. These findings show that hatched mouse blastocysts can be successfully cryopreserved by a simple vitrification method, and that a glycerol-based vitrification solution is more suitable than the corresponding ethylene glycol-based solution for the vitrification, probably because slower permeation of glycerol avoids toxic injury.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Three-dimensional structure of myeloid bodies in the retinal pigment epithelium of the frog, Rana pipiens.

The three-dimensional structures of myeloid bodies (MBs) in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of the frog (Rana pipiens) were studied by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. MBs were observed to be an assemblies of numerous membranous lamellae that were formed by a flattened saccule of the paired membranes in the RPE. On thin-section, they appeared as lenticular, crescentic, circular and spherical forms and were associated with adjacent smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) and nuclear membranes. The lenticular MBs were observed to be in connection with the crescentic, circular and spherical forms. Under scanning electron microscopy, the lenticular and crescentic MBs showed a pile of disc-liked lamellae, while the circular and spherical MBs displayed an onion-liked appearance. It was noted that some tubular SER remained in the center of the circular MBs, while the lamellae were compactly arranged and filled the central region in the spherical MBs. All crescentic and spherical MBs were continuous with the lenticular and crescentic MBs. These results suggest that the lenticular MBs may be a precursor form of another variety of MBs which may be transformed into the crescentic, circular and spherical forms by the curving and fusion of the lamellar membranes at the MB's free ends.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[A case of recurrent breast carcinoma with metastatic foci in the lung and pleura treated successfully with biochemical modulation of 5-fluorouracil by low-dose cisplatin].

A 65-year-old female received nipple preserved total glandectomy for breast carcinoma. A 250 mg dose of epirubicin was administered as an adjuvant. After a three-year disease-free interval, breast carcinoma recurred in the lung and pleura. We then used biochemical modulation of 5-fluorouracil by low-dose cisplatin. One course of biochemical modulation resulted in eighty-three percent tumor regression and complete disappearance of the pleural effusion for over six months.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Effects of fungal beta-glucan and interferon-gamma on the secretory functions of murine alveolar macrophages.

We investigated the effect of a fungal component, soluble beta-glucan, on secretory functions of murine alveolar macrophages (AMs) in vitro. Stimulation by beta-glucan (500 microg/mL) or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma; 100 U/mL) alone had a slight effect on AM functions, but when AMs were incubated together with beta-glucan and IFN-gamma, the production and secretion of some immune mediators, such as nitric oxide, interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), were markedly augmented. This combined effect of beta-glucan and IFN-gamma was based on a priming effect of IFN-gamma, because prestimulation with IFN-gamma followed by beta-glucan induced high nitric oxide production of AMs, but reversal of the sequence of treatments had only a slight effect. We also found that preincubation of AMs with IFN-gamma enhanced the binding of fluorescein-labeled beta-glucan on the AM surface, and this increased binding was abrogated to the control level by the addition of three species of soluble unlabeled (1-->3)-beta-D-glucans but not by soluble alpha-glucan. These data imply that the priming effect of IFN-gamma on the AM response to beta-glucan was dependent, at least in part, on the enhancement of beta-glucan specific binding sites on the AM surface. It was suggested that IFN-gamma is one of the principal factors controlling the pulmonary immune system against both severe fungal infection and inflammation via AM activation at the alveoli.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Management of aortoesophageal fistula due to thoracic aortic aneurysm].

Aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) is a rare but fatal disease without prompt diagnosis and treatment. A 82-year-old woman was admitted because of repeated hematemesis. Endoscopic examination suspected submucosal tumor with blood clot at the top on the mid-esophagus. The CT scan of the thorax and the aortography revealed a thoracic aortic aneurysm. AEF was diagnosed and the operation was performed. The ruptured aneurysm was resected and patched with Dacron graft. At the same time, subtotal esophagectomy with esophagostomy and gastrostomy were performed. The reconstruction at five weeks after operation induced oral intake. She died from an aspiration pneumonia five month later.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

A bovine mtDNA-binding protein to a conserved sequence adjacent to the termination associated sequence in the vertebrate mitochondrial displacement loop region.

We have found a sequence-specific mitochondrial (mt) DNA-binding protein in bovine mitochondria. The binding site designated Mt5 is adjacent to the termination associated sequence in the vertebrate mt displacement loop region and is interspecifically conserved. An UV-crosslinking and gel filtration demonstrated that a Mt5-binding protein (designated Mt5BP) exists in the mitochondria as a homodimer of an approximately 97-kDa polypeptide. The nucleotide sequence of Mt5 is homologous to that of the binding site for the recently reported mt pause-region binding protein (mtPBP) 1 from sea urchin embryo mitochondria. Gel mobility shift competition experiments indicated that Mt5BP can recognize human sequence couterparts for the mtPBP1-binding site. These results suggest that Mt5BP is related to mtPBP1 with respect to discontinuance of heavy-strand synthesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Growth impairment in infants with atopic dermatitis].

The study deals with the physical growth of 38 infants with atopic dermatitis and 11 controls. The SD scores of hight and wight in severe group was significantly lower than those of mild and modelate groups. And serum IGF-1 levels showed lower than those of mild and modelate groups. On the otherhand, the SD scores of weight and serum IGF-1 levels showed no significant difference between the patient with and without avoidance of allergenic foods, though a lot of patients belonged to severe group avoided their allergenic foods. These results suggested that pathogeneses of the impaired physical growth of severe atopic infants due to malnutrition because of their malabsorption. In conclusion, avoidance of allergenic foods may needs to prevent from the growth failure in severe atopic infants.

Dermatitis, Atopic↗
PubMed1996

[A basic study on gastric emptying test using barium grains and effect of drugs on gastric emptying in rats].

We reported an experimental study on a new non-invasive method for evaluation of gastric emptying by abdominal X-ray after administration of radiopaque barium grains. Adult male Wistar rats weighing around 200 g were used. After they were fasted for 24 hours, 1 ml of gruel mixed with 10 barium grains (1 mm diameter) was introduced into the rat stomach with a catheter. The rats were sacrificed at 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 minutes after the introduction of the gruel. X-rays were taken at each time point and grains in the stomach were counted in the X-ray photographs. All barium grains were emptied from the stomach in 150 minutes. After incision of the abdomen, the residual gastric contents were weighed. A positive correlation was found between the grains in the stomach and the weight of the contents. We studied the effects of cisapride, scopolamine buthylbromide and enprostil on the gastric emptying time by this method. Cisapride accelerated gastric emptying, whereas scopolamine buthylbromide delayed it. A prostaglandin E2 analog, enprostil delayed the gastric emptying. This method was found to be a simple procedure which is outstanding for quantitative determination and useful in evaluating gastric emptying functions.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Communication between intercostal artery and pulmonary vein--report of a case].

A 55-year-old man was admitted to our hospital complaining of recurrent hemoptysis and his chest X-ray abnormality. Bronchoscopic and cytologic examination presented us no endoscopic and cytologic abnormality. Intercostal angiography demonstrated communications between intercostal arteries (4th and 5th) and right upper pulmonary vein via the abnormal shadow. Mild verval disturbance after angiographic examination forced us to abandon interventional therapy. And we carried out operation. In the operation, we found massive fibrous adhesion between the parietal pleula and the visceral pleura. And we also found several small vessels pouring from chest wall to upper lobe. We cut all these vessels using electrocautery and ligated 4th and 5th intercostal arteries at the proximal point of the communication. The patient recovered uneventfully. But after five months from operation, he had hemoptysis again. Angiographic examination revealed re-anastomosis between intercostal arteries and upper pulmonary vein. Therefore we carried out right upper and middle lobectomy. After three months from re-operation, he lived well with no hemoptysis.

Arteriovenous Fistula↗
PubMed1996

[Three-dimensional-CT pancreatography under balloon-ERP in the pancreatic diseases--its method and usefulness].

Three-dimensional-CT pancreatography (3D-CTP) under balloon-ERP was carried out in 13 patients with the pancreatic diseases. Tapering stenosis of pancreatic duct in 2 patients out of 2 with pancreatic cancer, shape of cyst and relationship between cyst and pancreatic duct in 7 patients out of 7 with pancreatic cysts, and irregularity of wall of pancreatic duct in 2 patients out of 3 with chronic pancreatitis was reconstructed by 3D-CTP, stereographically. Moreover, the confluence of cyst and pancreatic duct in 3 out of 7 pancreatic cysts did not become clear on balloon-ERP, but it was distinct on 3D-CTP. It is suggested that 3D-CTP is useful in understanding pancreatic diseases stereographically, and can be applied to operative simulation, interventional radiology and differential diagnosis on them.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Object-oriented analysis and design of an ECG storage and retrieval system integrated with an HIS.

For a hospital information system, object-oriented methodology plays an increasingly important role, especially for the management of digitized data, e.g., the electrocardiogram, electroencephalogram, electromyogram, spirogram, X-ray, CT and histopathological images, which are not yet computerized in most hospitals. As a first step in an object-oriented approach to hospital information management and storing medical data in an object-oriented database, we connected electrocardiographs to a hospital network and established the integration of ECG storage and retrieval systems with a hospital information system. In this paper, the object-oriented analysis and design of the ECG storage and retrieval systems is reported.

Computers↗