Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Taijiro Sueda

Publications and source records attributed to Taijiro Sueda.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Echo-guided identification of key lumbar arteries supplying the spinal cord in a canine model.

The aim of this study was to anatomically verify echo-guided identification of key lumbar arteries supplying blood to the spinal cord and to examine whether changes in nerve root motion could be used for detecting malperfusion following aortic cross-clamping. In two beagle dogs, nerve root motion was monitored through the intervertebral disc using transesophageal echocardiography. Communications between each lumbar artery and the spinal vasculature were assessed by echogenic signals in the spinal cord following saline injection into each lumbar artery. Nerve root motion immediately disappeared after clamping the aorta and recovered as soon as it was declamped. These changes were induced specifically by clamping the aorta at the first lumbar level. The changes were instantaneous and may be beneficial because of minimal ischemic insult of the spinal cord. In dog #1, the result of the saline injection test was anatomically verified with the presence of a spinal branch. However, in dog #2 echogenic signals appeared in the muscles as well as in the spinal artery. A morphological study showed no spinal branch of the lumbar artery but only an indistinct artery in the intervertebral foramen. These findings probably account for those cases in humans where there is unsuccessful visualization of the Adamkiewicz artery by angiography. Consequently, the above two assessments identified the key artery. Cessation of nerve root motion following segmental clamping of the aorta and echogenic signals in the spinal cord following saline injection into a lumbar artery may represent the key artery with respect to hemodynamics and perfusion, respectively.

Animals↗

Genome scan for familial abdominal aortic aneurysm using sex and family history as covariates suggests genetic heterogeneity and identifies linkage to chromosome 19q13.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a relatively common disease, with 1% to 2% of the population harboring aneurysms. Genetic risk factors are likely to contribute to the development of AAAs, although no such risk factors have been identified. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed a whole-genome scan of AAA using affected-relative-pair (ARP) linkage analysis that includes covariates to allow for genetic heterogeneity. We found strong evidence of linkage (logarithm of odds [LOD] score=4.64) to a region near marker D19S433 at 51.88 centimorgans (cM) on chromosome 19 with 36 families (75 ARPs) when including sex and the number of affected first-degree relatives of the proband (N(aff)) as covariates. We then genotyped 83 additional families for the same markers and typed additional markers for all families and obtained a LOD score of 4.75 (P=0.00014) with sex, N(aff), and their interaction as covariates near marker D19S416 (58.69 cM). We also identified a region on chromosome 4 with a LOD score of 3.73 (P=0.0012) near marker D4S1644 using the same covariate model as for chromosome 19. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide evidence for genetic heterogeneity and the presence of susceptibility loci for AAA on chromosomes 19q13 and 4q31.

Adult↗

Autologous bone-marrow mononuclear cell implantation improves endothelium-dependent vasodilation in patients with limb ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Patients with limb ischemia were associated with endothelial dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to determine whether autologous bone-marrow mononuclear cell (BM-MNC) implantation improves endothelial dysfunction in patients with limb ischemia. METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluated the leg blood flow (LBF) response to acetylcholine (ACh), an endothelium-dependent vasodilator, and sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an endothelium-independent vasodilator, before and after BM-MNC implantation in 7 patients with limb ischemia. LBF was measured with a mercury-filled Silastic strain-gauge plethysmograph. The number of BM-MNCs implanted into ischemic limbs was 1.6x10(9)+/-0.3x10(9). The number of CD34+ cells included in the implanted BM-MNCs was 3.8x10(7)+/-1.6x10(7). BM-MNC implantation improved the ankle-brachial pressure index (0.33+/-0.21 to 0.39+/-0.17, P=0.06), transcutaneous oxygen pressure (28.4+/-11.5 to 36.6+/-5.2 mm Hg, P=0.03), and pain-free walking time (0.8+/-0.6 to 2.9+/-2.2 minutes, P=0.02). After BM-MNC implantation, LBF response to ACh was enhanced (19.3+/-6.8 versus 29.6+/-7.1 mL/min per 100 mL; P=0.002). The vasodilatory effect of SNP was similar before and after BM-MNC implantation. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that BM-MNC implantation augments endothelium-dependent vasodilation in patients with limb ischemia.

Acetylcholine↗

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 contributes to human atrial remodeling during atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-1, -2, and -9, and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 and the atrial structural remodeling during atrial fibrillation (AF). BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases, a family of proteolytic enzymes and TIMPs, regulate the extracellular matrix turnover in cardiac tissue. METHODS: Tissue samples were obtained from 25 patients without a history of AF (regular sinus rhythm [RSR]) and 13 patients with AF (paroxysmal AF: 6, chronic AF 7) undergoing cardiac operations. We performed a western blotting analysis of the MMP-1, -2, and -9, and quantitatively analyzed the expression of the MMP-9 and TIMP-1 by real time polymerase chain reaction and ELISA. The localization of the MMP-9 was investigated by in situ zymography and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The active form of the MMP-9 was significantly increased in the AF group in comparison to that in the RSR group (p < 0.05), but there were no differences between the groups in the protein level of the latent form of the MMP-9 and active and latent forms of the MMP-1 and MMP-2. We also demonstrated that the expression of the MMP-9 was significantly more increased in the atria of the AF group than in that of the RSR group for both the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) (AF: RSR; 1: 1.5) and protein levels (AF: RSR; 3.9 +/- 1.3 : 1.5 +/- 0.4 ng/mg atrium). The expression level of the MMP-9 was also higher in the PAF group than in the RSR group, however, the diameter of the left atrium was similar in both groups. The gelatinase activity and left atrium diameter were positively correlated (p < 0.05, R = 0.766). The relative expression of the mRNA for the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 was higher in the AF group than in the RSR group. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the MMP-9 was distributed within the perivascular area and under the epicardium of the atria. CONCLUSIONS: We clearly showed that the expression of the MMP-9 increased in fibrillating atrial tissue, which may have contributed to the atrial structural remodeling and atrial dilatation during AF.

Aged↗

Combined assessment of beta-D-glucan and degree of candida colonization before starting empiric therapy for candidiasis in surgical patients.

The purpose of the study was to investigate whether examination for plasma beta-D-glucan, a cell wall constituent of fungi, is useful for selecting surgical patients with Candida colonization who would benefit from empiric antifungal therapy. We administered fluconazole to postoperative patients with Candida colonization who have risk factors for candidemia and complained of persistent fever despite prolonged antibacterial therapy. We then analyzed the clinical outcomes regarding the number of sites colonized with Candida spp. and plasma beta-D-glucan. Of the 32 patients positive for alpha-D-glucan, 15 (46.9%) responded to the empiric therapy; only 9% of those who were negative responded (p < 0.01). In the multiple logistic regression analysis, being positive for alpha-D-glucan was a significant factor predicting response, with an adjusted odds ratio of 12.9 in patients with Candida colonization [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.07-80.73) (p < 0.01). In addition, the number of sites colonized with Candida spp. was a significant factor predicting response, with an estimated exposure odds ratio of 7.57 for those who were colonized at three or more sites compared with those colonized at one site (95% CI 1.20-47.70) (p = 0.031). In patients with Candida colonization, assessment of beta-D-glucan was useful for deciding whether to start empiric therapy for suspected candidiasis in surgical patients.

Adolescent↗

Pancreatic metastasis of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a relatively rare skin tumor that is considered to have intermediate malignancy; it demonstrates frequent local recurrence, but systemic metastasis is rare. We report a 49-year-old woman with pancreatic metastasis of DFSP who underwent total pancreatectomy with partial resection of the portal vein. Except for our patient, only two other cases of pancreatic metastasis of DFSP have been reported in the literature, to our knowledge. Radical resection may be considered for pancreatic metastasis of DFSP when there are no other metastatic lesions.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

Successful coil embolization for spontaneous arterial rupture in association with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV: report of a case.

When a patient with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) presents with a vascular emergency, performing life-saving surgery can be difficult because of the profound fragility of the arterial tissue. We report the case of a 27-year-old woman with EDS in whom a spontaneous arterial rupture was successfully treated with transcatheter embolization. The patient was brought to our hospital in shock, with left lower abdominal pain. She had been diagnosed with EDS type IV following a colonic rupture 8 years earlier. An emergency angiogram revealed rupture of the left external iliac artery. The active bleeding was managed by transarterial embolization of the ruptured artery using stainless steel coils, which took 30 min to achieve. The patient has not suffered any further vascular complications during the year since this procedure. Transcatheter coil embolization may be a reliable option for treating sudden arterial rupture in patients with this syndrome.

Adult↗

Successful shrinkage of distal arch and proximal descending aortic aneurysm after transaortic endovascular stent-grafting.

OBJECTIVES: Although endovascular stent-grafting is available for atherosclerotic thoracic aneurysms, it is unknown whether the excluded thrombosed aneurysms shrink. We evaluated serial changes in distal aortic arch or proximal descending aortic aneurysms excluded space after transaortic stent-grafting. METHODS: Thirty-four patients with true distal aortic arch or proximal descending thoracic aortic aneurysms were treated by stent-grafts introduced via proximal arch aortic incisions. Follow-up included computed tomographs (CT) every 6 months in 31 patients. The maximum dimensions for excluded space and aneurysmal diameters were measured and evaluated to determine whether the aneurysmal space had decreased or shrunken following this alternative procedure. RESULTS: Two hospital deaths (5.9%) were caused by a cerebral embolism and a peri-operative myocardial infarction. Another case died from pneumonia a year after surgery. Thirty-one cases (91%) survived during follow-up, but one case suffered from paraplegia (2.9%). The follow-up period ranged from 10 to 72 months (average 39.3+/-27.2 months). There were no aneurysmal ruptures during follow-up. Post-operative serial CTs showed a disappearance or a significant shrinkage of the excluded aneurysmal space in 30 of the 31 cases (97%); one case suffered endoluminal leakage. CONCLUSIONS: Transaortic endovascular stent-grafting is feasible for distal aortic arch or proximal descending aortic aneurysms. The excluded aneurysmal space disappears or shrinks after successful stent-graft placement.

Aged↗

Early type A dissection with the aortic connector device.

A 75-year-old woman who had suffered type B dissection had coronary artery bypass grafting surgery using a mechanical aortic connector. Four days after the operation, she had a sudden syncope. CT demonstrated type A dissection, and an emergency operation was done, and postoperative course was uneventful. This case demonstrates that this connector should be used carefully in patients with a history of type B dissection.

Aged↗

Near-infrared spectroscopy for monitoring cerebral ischemia during selective cerebral perfusion.

OBJECTIVE: To minimize the neurological complications following cardiovascular surgery, it is essential to prevent an occurrence of cerebrovascular embolism and to detect and solve cerebral malperfusion without delay in the operating theater. Although we have introduced near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) monitoring for the purpose of detecting cerebral malperfusion, no criterion has been available. We searched for this criterion by examining the relationship of sustained drop in the regional oxygen saturation (rSO2) of the frontal lobes to the occurrence of neurological events. METHODS: The 59 consecutive patients undergoing aortic surgery with selective cerebral perfusion (SCP) were examined. The rSO2 was monitored throughout the surgery and the durations of drops in rSO2 to below 55% and those below 60% were determined for each patient. The durations of rSO2 drop and other surgery-related parameters were compared between the patients in whom neurological events occurred and those without such events. RESULTS: A total of 16 cases (27.1%) presented with neurological events. Newly developed cerebral infarction was documented in 6 of these 16 cases. Operation time and the durations for which rSO2 dropped were significantly longer for the 16 patients with neurological events than for the 43 patients without events (Op time: 546.8 versus 448.1 min, P=0.0064; rSO2 below 60%: 141.2 versus 49.8 min, P=0.0032; rSO2 below 55%: 66.6 versus 10.6 min, P=0.0011), while there was no significant difference in age, bypass time, aortic clamping time, SCP time, and circulatory arrest time between the two groups. In the 3 patients with infarcts suggestive to hypoperfusion, sustained decrease in rSO2 was observed, while it was not significant in the remaining 3 patients with infarcts suggestive to embolism. Among the 53 patients without infarction, transient neurological events occurred more frequently in patients with sustained drop in rSO2 below 55% for over 5 min (44.4% versus 5.7%, P=0.0014). CONCLUSIONS: A sustained drop in rSO2 during aortic surgery is closely related to the occurrence of neurological events following surgery. We recommend that recovery of drop in rSO2 below 55% should be addressed without delay. However, use of NIRS is limited for detecting embolic events or hypoperfusion in the basilar region.

Adult↗

Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor directly enhances proliferation of human troponin I-positive cells derived from idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy through specific receptors.

BACKGROUND: Our previous study showed that granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) enhanced bone-marrow-cell migration into the injured heart and that bone-marrow cells differentiated into cardiomyocytes. However, the number of bone-marrow-derived cardiomyocytes seems too small to have a direct, positive impact on pump function. Therefore, we hypothesized that G-CSF directly could affect the host myocardium through G-CSF receptors (G-CSFRs). METHODS: In experiment 1, we cultured normal mouse heart cells with G-CSF at concentrations of 0, 1, 10, 50, and 100 ng/ml. In experiment 2, we cultured heart cells derived from a recipient with idiopathic cardiomyopathy (IDCM) after heart transplantation. We compared the total number of heart cells and Ki67- and troponin I (TnI)-positive cells with/without G-CSF at 50 ng/ml. We also performed immunochemical staining of the heart specimen from a recipient with IDCM using a rabbit polyclonal anti-G-CSFR antibody. RESULTS: In experiment 1, mouse heart cells with G-CSF (50 ng/ml) proliferated maximally. In experiment 2, the total numbers of heart cells, Ki67-positive cells. TnI-positive cells, Ki67- and TnI-double-positive cells in the G-CSF group were greater than those in the non-G-CSF group at Days 14 and 28 (p <0.05). In the IDCM heart, G-CSFRs on cardiomyocytes were expressed heterogeneously and widely. CONCLUSIONS: Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor directly enhanced the proliferation of TnI-positive cells derived from a recipient with IDCM through the G-CSFR.

Adult↗

An evaluation of laparoscopic cholecystectomy after selective percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage for acute cholecystitis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and usefulness of laparoscopic cholecystectomy after selective percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage in patients with severe acute cholecystitis and patients with acute cholecystitis and severe comorbid disease. METHODS: According to whether percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage was performed before surgery, 133 patients with acute cholecystitis were divided into a percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage group (n=60) and non-percutaneous-transhepatic-gallbladder-drainage group (n=73). Background factors, safety, and postoperative course were retrospectively evaluated and compared between these two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the non-percutaneous-transhepatic-gallbladder-drainage group, the percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage group was significantly older (p=0.0009), had a higher frequency of comorbid disease (p=0.0252), and a worse American Society of Anesthesiology classification (p=0.0021). In individual statistical tests, body temperature (p=0.0288), white blood cell count (p=0.0175), and C-reactive protein value (p=0.0022) were significantly elevated in the percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage group; however, for frequency of comorbid disease, body temperature, and white blood cell count, significance was removed by correction for multiple testing of data. There was no significant difference in gender distribution, history of upper abdominal surgery, or body mass index between the two groups. The duration of surgery was marginally but significantly longer in the percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage group (p=0.0414; in a single statistical test; however, that significance was removed by correction for the multiple testing of data). Between the two groups, there was no significant difference in blood loss at surgery, frequency of postoperative complications, rate of conversion to open laparotomy, interval until oral feeding was resumed, and length of postoperative hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that satisfactory outcomes can be achieved with selective pre-operative gallbladder drainage in older and sicker patients with acute cholecystitis.

Acute Disease↗

Telomere attrition in white blood cell correlating with cardiovascular damage.

Aging is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Chronological aging does not always parallel biological aging, but there is no reliable biomarker for the latter. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that telomere attrition in white blood cells is related to endothelial dysfunction and the extent of atherosclerosis, and thus may serve as a useful marker for biological aging. We evaluated telomere lengths in white blood cells by measuring the mean telomere restriction fragment length (mTRFL), as well as endothelial function by flow mediated dilatation (FMD) in the brachial artery, in patients with various degrees of cardiovascular damage and in normal subjects. Cardiovascular damage was assessed by a cardiovascular damage (CVD) score, with 1 point being given for the presence of each cardiovascular risk factor (hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes) and for each event (angina, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular event and peripheral vascular disease). Subset analysis of CVD score groups revealed that mTRFL and FMD decreased in the rank order of CVD score. Although mTRFL was inversely correlated with age, telomere index, defined as the ratio of TRFL to TRFL predicted by age, also decreased with increase in CVD score. These results indicate that telomere attrition in white blood cells is more closely associated with endothelial damage and atherosclerosis than is chronological aging, supporting the hypothesis that mTRFL in white blood cells is a useful marker for biological aging of the cardiovascular system.

Adult↗

Inflammatory aortic arch aneurysm with total occlusion of cervical branches.

We surgically replaced the aortic root and the complex arch in a patient with aortitis syndrome with total occlusion of the cervical branches. Cerebral perfusion was being maintained through the reversed flow of the vertebral artery from the bilateral mammary arteries. Though cerebral perfusion was continued through the prosthetic grafts attached to the subclavian arteries during the procedure, bilateral watershed cerebral infarction corresponding to the most distal part of the anterior- and middle cerebral arterial system developed. With regard to the near infrared spectroscopy as a brain monitoring method, we sought to discuss the limitations.

Aged↗

[Bacteria isolated from surgical infections and its susceptibilities to antimicrobial agents--special references to bacteria isolated between April 2002 and March 2003].

Tendency of isolated bacteria from infections in general surgery during the period from April 2002 to March 2003 were investigated in a multicenter study in Japan, and the following results were obtained. In this series, 334 strains were isolated from 131 (75.3%) of 174 patients with surgical infections. One hundred and seventy-one strains were isolated from primary infections, and 163 strains were isolated from post-operative infections. From primary infections, anaerobic Gram-positive bacteria were predominant, while aerobic Gram-positive bacteria were predominant from postoperative infections. Among aerobic Gram-positive bacteria, although the isolation rate of Staphylococcus aureus was the highest, followed by that of Enterococcus faecalis from primary infections, the isolation rate of E. faecalis was the highest from postoperative infections. Among anaerobic Gram-positive bacteria, the isolation rate of Peptostreptococcus spp. was the highest from both types of infections. Among aerobic Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli was the most predominantly isolated from primary infections, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in this order, and from postoperative infections, E. coli was the most predominantly isolated, followed by P. aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, and Citobacter freundii. Among anaerobic Gram-negative bacteria, the isolation rate of Bacteroides fragilis group was the highest from both types of infections. The isolation rate of aerobic Gram-negative bacteria from primary infections and that of aerobic Gram-positive bacteria from postoperative infections were high in the last several years. We noticed no vancomycin-resistant Gram-positive cocci nor P. aeruginosa producing metallo-beta-lactamase. But we noticed cefazolin-resistant E. coli probably producing extended spectrum beta-lactamase.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗