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Biomedical subjects

T Yanaga

Publications and source records attributed to T Yanaga.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Pacing-induced palmar sweating evaluated by unique hygrometer: possible implications of sympathetic activation during tachycardia.

Although reflex sympathetic activation is a major determinant of the haemodynamic tolerability of ventricular tachycardia (VT), the methods for evaluating this aspect during on-going VT remain invasive and complicated. Palmar sweating as an indirect but non-invasive measure of sympathetic activity was estimated by means of a unique hygrometer under right ventricular (RV) rapid pacing (up to 150 beats min-1) replicating VT, and concurrent monitoring of aortic blood pressure in five patients with various kinds of cardiac arrhythmias in our electrophysiological laboratory. The peak palmar sweating rate in arbitrary units was augmented as the RV pacing rate increased and was proportional to the pacing-induced fall in systolic blood pressure (SBP), with a correlation coefficient of more than 0.903 (P<0.006). The slope of linearity between the sweating rate and the fall in SBP varied among individual patients, with greater sweating amplitude in the younger patients even with the same extent of fall in SBP. This preliminary study suggests sympathetic acceleration caused by haemodynamic deterioration under simulated VT, and therefore this protocol may be able to predict the haemodynamic tolerability of sustained monomorphic VT.

Adult↗

Extracellular matrix regulation in the development of Syrian cardiomyopathic Bio 14.6 and Bio 53.58 hamsters.

The myocardium contains a collagen matrix composed primarily of collagen and fibronectin, which are major determinants of the myocardial architecture, structural integrity and mechanical properties. The present study was undertaken to determine the age-related changes of the accumulation and degradation of the collagen matrix in Syrian myopathic hamsters, of the Bio 14.6 and Bio 53.58 strains. Those hamsters were used as models for hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathy, respectively. The heart to body weight ratio in the Bio 14.6 strains was higher (P<0.05) than that in the age-matched F1b strains. In the Bio 53.58 strains, the heart to body weight ratio was higher at 8 and 42 weeks of age than that in the F1b strains. The collagen content increased from 22 weeks of age in both Bio hamsters compared with age-matched F1b hamsters (P<0.05). In both cardiomyopathic hamsters, the mRNA expressions for type I and type III collagen and fibronectin all increased with aging; however, the fibronectin expression in the Bio 14.6 strains increased more at 22 weeks of age than at 42 weeks of age. The left ventricular MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities in Bio 53.58 strains increased with aging. However, in the Bio 14.6 strains, although MMP-1 activities increased with aging, MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities decreased at 42 weeks of age in comparison to those at 22 weeks of age. Thus, the MMP activation differed between two cardiomyopathic models at the stage of heart failure, although the collagen synthesis was elevated in both models. In conclusion, it would seem that the relative balance between the synthesis and the removal of collagen may contribute to the changes in the left ventricular geometry in two different types of cardiomyopathy.

Aging↗

Successful treatment of cytomegalovirus colitis with ganciclovir in a patient with adult T cell leukemia lymphoma: case report.

An 84-year-old patient with adult T cell leukemia lymphoma (ATLL) developed diarrhea on day 5 of chemotherapy and was diagnosed with cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis. Sigmoidoscopy revealed multiple superficial erosions surrounded by a flare. Computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonogram of the abdomen revealed marked thickening of the colonic mucosa. There were 186 CMV antigen-positive leukocytes per 31,000 white blood cells (WBC). A colonic biopsy specimen showed typical CMV nuclear inclusions. Immunohistological study of the specimen was positive for CMV antigen. Administration of ganciclovir (DHPG) 500 mg/day for 14 days improved the diarrhea and other symptoms. On day 30 of the chemotherapy, the patient developed diarrhea again but was diagnosed with pseudomembranous colitis instead of CMV colitis. At that time, CMV antigenemia and a histologic study for CMV were negative. The stool was positive for Clostridium difficile toxin antigen. ATLL patients are believed to be immunocompromised hosts and often develop opportunistic infections such as CMV infection. Most suffer from CMV pneumonia at the end of their course of therapy. Few gastrointestinal (GI) CMV infections are seen in ATLL patients and details of CMV colitis have never been reported. When an ATLL patient develops diarrhea that barely responds to conventional therapy, CMV colitis and pseudomembranous colitis should be listed in the differential diagnosis.

Aged↗

A patient with a hemoglobin variant (Hb JLome) unexpectedly detected by HPLC for glycated hemoglobin (Hb A1c).

A rare hemoglobin variant, Hb JLome, was identified by chance in a male patient with diabetes mellitus (DM). The patient had no evidence of anemia or hemolysis. However, when his glycated hemoglobin (Hb A1c) was examined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to assess the state of his DM, an abnormal Hb was unexpectedly detected on the chromatogram. The morphology of the red blood cells was normal. A fast-moving band as well as a normally moving Hb band, of roughly equal intensities, were observed by cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis. The oxygen equilibrium curve was essentially normal (P50 = 3.59 kPa). In other words, the ability of the patient's Hb to carry oxygen was nearly the same as that of typical Hb A. The stability of his Hb in isopropanol was normal, and all the functions of his Hb that were tested were essentially normal. The identity of the abnormal Hb was finally determined, by sequencing the globin gene, to be Hb JLome, which is produced by a point mutation changing AAG to AAC at the 59th codon in exon 2 of the Hb beta chain. As previously reported, replacing the beta 59 lysine with asparagine does not affect the function of Hb or the red blood cells. There have been only five documented cases of Hb JLome in Japan. Interestingly, all these cases are from Kyushu Island. When an abnormal chromatogram for Hb A1c is unexpectedly obtained, it is worthwhile searching for an abnormal Hb, even if there are no signs that suggest its existence, such as anemia, hemolysis, erythrocytosis, or cyanosis.

Aged↗

[Risk factors for sudden death during hospitalization].

To determine the risk factors for sudden deaths in hospitalized patients, 209 patients (103 men and 106 women, age 76.7 +/- 12.6 years old, mean +/- S.D.) who died in 1996 were divided into two groups and their records were analyzed. One group, the sudden death group (SD), consisted of 16 patients who had stayed in the hospital for 2 weeks or more before the onset of symptoms that led to death within 24 hours. Those who died more than 24 hours after symptoms began were placed into the non-sudden death group (NSD). Fourteen patients who died within 2 weeks of admission were not analyzed in this study. Comparing the data of the two groups led to the following findings. First, the major causes of death in the SD group were exacerbation of chronic cardiac failure (5 cases), acute cardiac failure (2 cases), exacerbation of chronic respiratory failure (2 cases) and acute respiratory failure (2 cases). Second, patients in the SD group were significantly older than those in the NSD group, and had significantly more prescriptions for digitalis. Third, patients in the SD group had higher levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit, lower levels of BUN and a higher cardiothoracic ratio. Fourth, patients in the SD group had a higher incidence of ST abnormalities and T wave abnormalities in their electrocardiograms. Brugada syndrome or long QT syndrome were not seen in either group. Taken together, these findings suggest that aged patients with cardiac failure and myocardial ischemia may be at higher risk of sudden death.

Aged↗

Effect of dietary omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid supplements on cholesteryl ester transfer from HDL in cholesterol-fed rabbits.

We investigated the reactivities of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) in Japanese white rabbits fed either a low-cholesterol diet containing 0.1% cholesterol (Control group) or a diet containing 0.1% cholesterol plus 17.5% omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (omega-3 20:5, EPA) of 4.5% (w/w) total lipid (EPA group) for 6 weeks. The plasma total and LDL cholesterol levels and aortic cholesterol content were all significantly higher in the EPA group than in the control group. The aortic cholesterol content significantly correlated with LDL cholesterol (r = 0.81). HDL cholesterol levels tended to be lower in the EPA group compared with control group, which was not statistically significant. The plasma VLDL cholesterol levels did not differ significantly between the groups. In addition, no significant differences were observed in the plasma CETP activity or lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity between the groups. However, the cholesteryl ester (CE) mass transfer from fractionated HDL in the EPA group to excess VLDL and/or LDL as acceptors by purified CETP increased significantly compared with the control group, even if the acceptors were fractionated from either the EPA or the control group. Fatty acid analyses of CE showed that the omega-3 18:3, 20:4 or omega-3 20:5 fatty acid acyl groups in CE of HDL were significantly more transferred to apo B-containing lipoproteins compared with the 14:0,16:0, 18:0, 18:1 or 18:2 fatty acid acyl groups in CE of HDL during the incubation period. The amount of CE in HDL containing omega-3 18:3 and omega-3 20:5 fatty acid acyl groups was greater, while the amount of CE containing 18:2 fatty acid acyl groups was smaller in the EPA group than in the control group. These results show that although CETP itself did not change, the transfer of CE in HDL to apo B-containing lipoproteins by CETP increased in the rabbits fed a diet containing EPA as the HDL is modified by the diet, which may partly explain why atherogenicity was thus found to progress in the rabbits fed a cholesterol plus EPA diet.

Animals↗

[Use of hemostatic clips for endoscopic hemostasis and closure of an esophageal laceration caused by a fish bone].

An 82-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of hematemesis. She had had a feeling of a foreign substance in her throat for one week after having eaten fish. On admission she had a fever of 38 degrees C, Hb of 5.8 g/dl, CRP level of 8.8 mg/dl, and bilateral pleural effusions. Endoscopy revealed a deep longitudinal laceration with active bleeding in the esophagus that also caused mediastinitis. Endoscopic hemostasis and closure of the laceration was done with hemostatic clips. The esophageal injury seemed to have been caused by a fish bone. After the treatments described here were carried out, the patient's condition rapidly improved.

Aged↗

[An elderly case of post-bulbar Dieulafoy's ulcer].

The case is a 79-year-old man who came to our hospital with melena as chief complaint. Emergency endoscopy showed spurting bleeding from a small ulcer. We diagnosed as Post-Bulbar Dieulafoy's ulcer and performed hemostatic procedure with hemostatic clips. The forth endoscopy (7 days after admission) showed fresh clot and oozing bleeding after the third hemostatic clipping. Although we performed hemostatic procedure with the injection therapy of hypertonic saline epinephrine solution (HSE). The effective hemostatic procedure is discussed with reference to some related literature.

Aged↗

Effects of hepatic HDL-related mRNAs on plasma prebeta HDL in cholesterol-fed rabbits.

This study was undertaken to determine; 1) the effect of cholesterol enriched diet on prebeta-migrating (prebeta) HDL levels, 2) the effect of the diet on plasma proteins and/or activities likely associated with prebeta HDL (cholesteryl transfer protein (CETP), lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and apolipoprotein (apo)A-I), 3) the effect of the diet on the corresponding hepatic mRNAs and 4) the correlation between the hepatic mRNAs and prebeta HDL. Rabbits were fed 0.1% (low) cholesterol (LC group, n = 6) or 0.5% (high) cholesterol diet (HC group, n = 6) for 6 weeks. Plasma CETP activities, plasma total apoA-I and prebeta apoA-I concentrations in the HC group were significantly increased (58.95 +/- 2.37%, 191.52 +/- 13.93 mg/dl, 44.21 +/- 1.14 mg/dl, respectively) compared with the LC group (39.36 +/- 3.62%, 152.85 +/- 8.61 mg/dl, 30.12 +/- 2.79 mg/dl, respectively)(p < 0.05). Plasma LCAT activities did not differ significantly (56.65 +/- 7.19 vs 57.41 +/- 8.21; HC vs LC). Hepatic CETP, LCAT and apoA-I mRNA levels were determined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Hepatic CETP mRNA levels, compared to GAPDH mRNA levels as a control, were increased in the HC group (2.226 +/- 0.115) compared with the LC group (1.649 +/- 0.170) (p < 0.05), while hepatic LCAT and apoA-I mRNA levels were unchanged. Thus, plasma concentration of prebeta HDL, CETP activity and the amount of hepatic CETP mRNA were increased in response to the dietary intake of cholesterol. Multiple regression analyses showed that only hepatic CETP mRNA levels had a positive correlation with plasma prebeta HDL concentration (p = 0.04). These results indicate that individual variations in hepatic CETP mRNA levels in rabbits fed a cholesterol diet probably has a major influence on the determination of plasma prebeta HDL concentration.

Animal Feed↗

The effects of renin-angiotensin system inhibition on aortic cholesterol content in cholesterol-fed rabbits.

To investigate how the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) might be involved in cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis, we studied the effects of a nonsulhydryl angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, enalapril, and an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, E-4177, in cholesterol fed rabbits. Japanese white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups with the following dietary regimens: group A (n = 8) received a standard diet; group B (n = 8) had a 0.5% cholesterol diet; group C (n = 8) had a 0.5% cholesterol diet plus enalapril (10 mg/kg/day, p.o.); group D (n = 8) received a 0.5% cholesterol diet plus E-4177 (20 mg/kg/day, p.o.) and were fed these diets for 5 weeks. Enalapril or E-4177 had no significant effect on either the total plasma or the high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations. However, the aortic cholesterol content in groups C and D was equally significantly less than that in group B. The plasma and aortic ACE activities were significantly reduced only in group C compared with those in the other groups. The aortic ACE mRNA and AT1 mRNA levels were assessed by a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The aortic ACE mRNA level was only significantly less in group C than in any of the other groups. The aortic AT1 mRNA level increased significantly in group B compared with that in group A and was significantly and equally reduced in both groups C and D compared with that in group B. These data indicate that angiotensin II rather than ACE may therefore be related to aortic cholesterol content. It follows therefore that the inhibition of angiotensin II by either ACE inhibitor or angiotensin II (type 1) receptor antagonist may play a role in prevention of atherosclerosis.

Angiotensin II↗

Regression of hypertrophy after myocardial infarction is produced by the chronic blockade of angiotensin type 1 receptor in rats.

The efficacy of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors is well known to prevent the formation of angiotensin II (Ang II) by these agents. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the hemodynamic, biochemical, and morphological responses to Ang II receptor blockade with E-4177, 3-[(2'-carboxybiphenyl-4-yl) methyl]-2-cyclopropyl-7-methyl 3H-imidazol[4,5-b] pyridine, in rats with a healing myocardial infarction that had been induced by the surgical occlusion of the left main coronary artery. The left ventricular weight increased 8 and 12 weeks after infarction in comparison to that in sham-operated rats. Among the rats with experimental infarction, treatment with E-4177 significantly decreased the left ventricular weight. Although the infarct size was not affected by E-4177, its administration ameliorated the elevated end-diastolic pressure and reduced the systolic pressure. The effects of this agent on the levels of Ang II type 1 (AT1) receptor mRNA and ACe mRNA were evaluated in the non-infarcted myocardium by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and binding assays. Treatment with E-4177 reduced both the elevated AT1 mRNA and the number of Ang II receptors, but not the ACE mRNA or ACE activity. While the receptor affinity remained unchanged with this agent, the collagen concentration was decreased. On the other hand, the depressed Na+/Ca2+ exchange activity was restored in the non-infarcted myocardium at 8 and 12 weeks after injury to the level seen in the sham-operated rats. These findings suggest that the AT1 receptor antagonist, E-4177, has a beneficial effect on the hemodynamics in spite of the lack of any improvement in the infarct size. These observations may be partly attributed to the prevention of angiotensin II formation during the period of post-infarction healing.

Angiotensin II↗

Effects of enalapril on the collagen matrix in cardiomyopathic Syrian hamsters (Bio 14.6 and 53.58).

The hereditary cardiomyopathic strain of Syrian hamster has been extensively studied as a model of cardiomyopathy of heart failure. We attempted to determine whether an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, enalapril, prevents the increase in extracellular collagen matrix which connects the myocytes in cardiomyopathy. Enalapril was administered at an average dosage of 10 mg/kg per day to 10- to 20-week-old hamsters with hypertrophic (Bio 14.6) and dilated (Bio 53.58) cardiomyopathy, as well as to control Syrian hamsters (F1 beta). Collagen concentration estimated by hydroxyproline concentration and the collagen type III:I ratio significantly increased in the hearts of the Bio 14.6 and Bio 53.58 strains at 20 and 40 weeks of age as, compared with those in age-matched F1 beta hamsters. When Bio 14.6 hamsters were given enalapril for 10 weeks from 10 to 20 weeks of age, the collagen concentration, the collagen type III:I ratio and type III collagen mRNA expression were significantly decreased, compared with those in untreated animals of the same strain. After the administration of enalapril, scanning electron microscopic examination also revealed a decrease in fibrillar collagen accumulation in the interstitium and the network surrounding the cardiac myocytes. These prophylactic effects were not observed in the Bio 53.58 strain. These results indicate that the administration of ACE inhibitor prevents type III collagen production in the Bio 14.6 strain but not in the Bio 53.58 strain of Syrian hamster.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

[Surgical treatment of secondary chronic colonic pseudo-obstruction].

A 74-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of constipation and marked abdominal distension. She had become to be bedridden after cerebral infarction 10 years previously, and was tabescent due to vomiting. A left hemicolectomy and colostomy were performed because conservative therapy seemed to be ineffective. The postoperative course was good and her nutritional status improved.

Aged↗

Interleukin 1 alpha-induced expression of manganous superoxide dismutase reduces myocardial reperfusion injury in the rat.

We investigated the effects of pretreatment with interleukin (IL)-1 alpha on the expression of manganous (Mn) superoxide dismutase (SOD) mRNA and reperfusion-induced arrhythmias and the size of myocardial infarct in rats. Male Wistar rats received 10 mg intraperitoneal injections of human recombinant IL-1 alpha. Their hearts were thereafter isolated at 6, 12, 24, 36 h. A Northern analysis showed that Mn-SOD mRNA was mainly expressed in the heart and slightly in kidney, but not in any other organs. The expression of Mn-SOD mRNA peaked at 6 h after the injection of IL-1 alpha. The Mn-SOD protein content was most increased 12 h after injection. In the isolated heart model, the rats were pretreated with IL-1 alpha 24 h earlier and their hearts were perfused by the Langendorff method. After 20 min of ischemia which was induced by a ligation of a coronary artery, reperfusion-induced arrhythmias were observed. There were no significant differences in the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias between the IL-1 alpha pretreated and the untreated hearts. IL-1 alpha pretreatment significantly reduced the mean duration of the ventricular arrhythmias and also delayed the onset of arrhythmias. The effect of IL-1 alpha pretreatment was also investigated in a 30-min model of ischemia followed by a 3-min reperfusion in anesthetized rats. The infarct size expressed as a percentage of the area at risk was significantly reduced in the IL-1 alpha pretreated hearts compared with the untreated hearts. The left ventricular systolic pressure increased significantly in rat hearts pretreated with IL-1 alpha. Our results therefore showed that the pretreatment with IL-1 alpha induced the overexpression of Mn-SOD mRNA in the rat hearts and also suggested that pretreatment with IL-1 alpha 24 h before ischemia reduced the risk of ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Anesthesia, General↗

Modulation of adrenergic receptors during regression of cardiac hypertrophy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether alpha 1- or beta-adrenergic receptors are altered during regression of cardiac hypertrophy produced by antihypertensive agents. DESIGN AND METHODS: Cardiac hypertrophy was induced in rats by aortic banding. After 6 weeks banding the rats were treated with an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (enalapril), an alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist (bunazosin) or a beta-adrenergic antagonist (propranolol) for 6 weeks to induce regression. The numbers of alpha 1- and beta-adrenergic receptors, haemodynamics, tissue noradrenaline content and tissue ACE activity were measured. RESULTS: Regression of cardiac hypertrophy occurred after treatment of aortic banded rats with a high dose of enalapril, bunazosin or propranolol, and was accompanied by a reduction in systolic blood pressure. The number of alpha 1- or beta-adrenergic receptors was unchanged by propranolol treatment, but the number of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors was increased in the hearts of rats treated with bunazosin. A low dose of enalapril (3 mg/kg body weight) caused regression of hypertrophy without a concomitant reduction in blood pressure, and decreased the number of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors. The dissociation constants for alpha 1- and beta-adrenergic receptors were not different among the experimental groups, and the positive derivatives of left ventricular pressure was unaltered in rats treated with a low dose of enalapril but was reduced by the other drugs. CONCLUSION: Of the three drugs tested, only the low dose of enalapril affected adrenergic receptors during regression of cardiac hypertrophy, causing a decrease in alpha 1-adrenergic receptor number without a reduction in blood pressure. This effect may be explained by non-haemodynamic actions of the ACE inhibitor enalapril, probably by modulation of peripheral sympathetic activity.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Computer analysis of Holter electrocardiogram.

Computer analysis is indispensable for the interpretation of Holter ECG, because it includes a large quantity of data. Computer analysis of Holter ECG is similar to that of conventional ECG, however, in computer analysis of Holter ECG, there are some difficulties such as many noise, limited analyzing time and voluminous data. The main topics in computer analysis of Holter ECG will be arrhythmias, ST-T changes, heart rate variability, QT interval, late potential and construction of database. Although many papers have been published on the computer analysis of Holter ECG, some of the papers was reviewed briefly in the present paper. We have studied on computer analysis of VPCs, ST-T changes, heart rate variability, QT interval and Cheyne-Stokes respiration during 24-hour ambulatory ECG monitoring. Further, we have studied on ambulatory palmar sweating for the evaluation of mental stress during a day. In future, the development of "the integrated Holter system", which enables the evaluation of ventricular vulnerability and modulating factor such as psychoneural hypersensitivity may be important.

Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted↗