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Biomedical subjects

Y Abe

Publications and source records attributed to Y Abe.

At least 433 records · Page 24Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

[Analysis of T cell epitopes on birch pollen allergen].

Allergy to birch pollen is common in the Northern Europe, North America, and in Japan, mainly in Hokkaido Island. Previously, we have reported the positive association of birch pollen allergy in HLA-DR9 antigen. We also have identified the recognition sites in 17kDa protein (Bet v1), known as the major allergen of birch pollen, by using T cell proliferation assay against the trypsin digested materials of the 17kDa protein. In this study, overlapping synthetic peptides correspond to the Bet v1 sequences were used to investigate the specificity of T cell responses in two HLA-DR9 positive patients. Three of the epitopes, residues 35-52, 75-92, and 102-119, were recognized by T cells from both patients. These three epitopes include HLA-DR9 binding motifs. Then we established T cell clone specific to p75-92 residue. 78-89 peptide was the core sequence of the epitope for the T cell clone contained the anchor residues characteristic to HLA-DR9. Within the core sequence, five residues were identified as critical for recognition on the basis of inhibition of the T cell proliferative response against singly substituted analogue peptides.

Allergens↗
PubMed1997

[Early postirradiation changes in Na+ and fluid transport across alveolar epithelium in rats].

To study changes in Na+ and fluid transport that occur soon after irradiation of the thorax, we used fluid-filled isolated rat lungs. Irradiation 15 Gy of 60Co doubled the fluid absorption rate across the alveolar epithelium within 2 weeks, but fluid absorption had returned to the baseline values by 3 weeks after irradiation. The timing of this change in fluid absorption was parallel to the time course of Na+ escape across alveolar epithelium and the two correlated closely. These data suggest that a dysfunction of alveolar epithelial Na+ transport is involved in the development of pulmonary edema after irradiation of the thorax.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Dietary L-arginine supplementation normalizes regional blood flow in Dahl-Iwai salt-sensitive rats.

We performed the present study to determine 1) whether different organs undergo similar increase in vascular resistance in Dahl-Iwai salt-sensitive (S) rats, and 2) the effects of chronic oral L-arginine supplementation on the regional hemodynamics in S rats. Male 6 week old S rats and Dahl-Iwai salt-resistant (R) rats were maintained on an 8% NaCl chow for 4 weeks. One group (S or R rats) was maintained on tap water and the other group (S/Arg) of S rats received tap water containing L-arginine at a concentration of 1.5%. Organ blood flow and cardiac output were measured with microspheres in the conscious condition. Concerning regional hemodynamics, the flow rate of the kidney was lower in S rats than in R rats, but there were no differences between S and R rats in the flow rates of the brain, heart, lung, liver, spleen, intestine, skeletal muscle and skin. The flow rate of the kidney in S/Arg rats was maintained at a higher level as compared to that of S rats. Urinary excretion of protein and albumin in S/Arg rats was significantly suppressed when compared to S rats. Thus, the supplementation of L-arginine normalized the abnormality of renal hemodynamics accompanying salt-induced hypertension. It is suggested that the disturbance in the production of nitric oxide may induce salt-sensitive hypertension and the abnormality of renal hemodynamics in the S rats.

Albuminuria↗
PubMed1997

[Surgical correction of an incomplete endocardial cushion defect in a 66-year-old male with the remarkable pulmonary hypertension].

A surgical case of a 66-year-old male with an endocardial cushion defect (ECD) is reported. He had preoperative pulmonary hypertension (80/25 mmHg, Pp/Ps 0.61), hypoxia (63.7 mmHg) and decreased creatinin clearance (45.7 ml/min). Respiratory condition was New York Heart Association's (NYHA's) grade III. Angiocardiography showed a typical gooseneck deformity associated with mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitations with the cleft (Seller's grade II and III). As surgical correction, direct suture of the cleft in an anterior leaflet with mitral annuloplasty, patch closure of the ostium primum defect with Xenomedical patch and tricuspid annuloplasty were performed. Postoperative data were restored to NYHA grade I. decreased pulmonary artery pressure (43/21 mmHg) and resistances (Pp/Ps 0.36). The only three surgical treatments of an incomplete ECD were reviewed in over 65-year-old patients in Japan included one perioperative death. Although we suggest it should be actively taken surgical repair even in elderly patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[Quality control and cytogenetic analysis of human pre-embryos fertilized and cultured in vitro].

For the purpose to evaluate in vitro culture conditions of human preembryos, the efficacy of conventional culture and co-culture systems on embryonic development and genetic disorders was studied. Firstly, the development of cultured mouse embryos grown in standard media (Whitten's, GPM, HFT and Ham F10) or in HFT medium with different helper cell layers was compared. Embryonic growth was substantially reduced during in vitro culture, demonstrably by impaired cell proliferation, compared with in vivo controls. In in vitro fertilization and culture condition, SCEs of blastocysts were significantly increased. Development in co-culture with the feeder layers was notably better than in standard media. These results suggest that human preembryos could be rescued by the use of helper cells. Increased developmental rates and the cell numbers of blastocysts were the most evident morphological features of human preembryos that developed in co-culture with uterine luminal epithelial cells. However mosaicism may be caused by in vitro culture conditions and its onset may indicate when a disturbance in the embryonic development has occurred. It is advisable to perform further research into the mechanism of feeder cell-embryo interaction for understanding the optimal conditions of embryonic development in vitro.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[Bronchiolitis obliterans and no radiographic abnormalities in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis].

A 53-year-old woman was given a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in 1988, and begun treatment with D-penicillamine in September 1992. She noticed dry coughing and exertional dyspnea that began in April 1993. Chest X-ray and CT films revealed no abnormal opacities. However, bronchiolitis obliterans was suspected because of a low FEV1% (23%). Examination of specimens obtained by thoracoscopic lung biopsy revealed constrictive obliteration by granulation tissue in proximal bronchioles and follicular bronchiolitis. Alveoli and respiratory bronchioles were intact. After corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide pulse therapy, FEV1% increased to 35%. At the time of this writing she was alive 2.5 years after hospitalization.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗
PubMed1997

[Relationship between learning behavior and genetic factor on immobility shown during forced swimming test].

The relationship between learning and genetic factor on immobility in mice during a forced swimming test (FST) has been studied. The duration of immobility during the FST did not change significantly after the administration of either scopolamine (2.5 mg/kg, ip) or cyclohexamine (150 mg/kg, ip), although both drugs produced impairment in the learning task. This suggests that the increase in immobility observed during the second trial of the FST may not be related to learning which could occur during the first trial. Concerning the strain difference, first, the duration of immobility in C3H mice was shorter than that in ICR, ddY, C57BL and BALB mice. Second, after receiving shock stress in a box, ICR, ddY and C57BL mice, but not C3H mice showed a marked decrease in locomotor activity when placed in the box again without shock. Also during the FST, both C57BL and ddY mice, but not C3H mice showed prolongation of immobility and reduction in swimming after shock stress. The changes in locomotor activity, and immobility and swimming during the FST caused by shock stress in ddY mice recovered to normal levels after treatment with imipramine. From these results, it is suggested that the immobility shown during the FST, which may be independent of learning and dependent on some genetic factor, is a suitable model of depression in animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[Cine display of postprocessed 3D MR images of the thoracic aorta].

We have developed a cine display of postprocessed 3D MR images of the thoracic aorta. Maximum intensity projection (MIP) images of the thoracic aorta in each phase were reconstructed from consecutive 2D-cine MR data sets, and displayed in a cine loop. The postprocessed 3D MR images clearly showed the relationship between major cervical branches and aortic pathologies such as aneurysms, and cine display presented the flow pattern in the aorta. 3D-cine MR angiography seems to be useful for follow-up studies of thoracic aortic diseases especially in patients with renal dysfunction.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Composite arterial conduits with internal thoracic artery and radial artery for a myocardial revascularization].

From April 1996 to December 1996, 15 patients were submitted to myocardial revascularization using composite arterial conduit with internal thoracic artery (ITA) and radial artery (RA). The age ranged from 51 to 76 years (mean age, 65.7 years); Forty patients were male. All patients had double or triple vessel disease or LMT disease. We used 28 arterial conduits including 15 left ITAs, 15 RA, 9 right gastroepiploic artery and one inferior epigastric artery. 15 RAs were anastomosed to LITAs and 15 composite arterial conduits were constructed (branched in 15). There was no operative deaths. Early postoperative angiographic controls demonstrated 93.3% (14/15) patency of composite grafts in 14 of 15 patients. The composite arterial graft using ITA and RA is feasible and the anastomoses so performed are completely safe.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[Pulmonary actinomycosis resembling an anterior mediastinal tumor].

A 25-year-old, previously healthy man was referred to us because of fever, left-sided chest pain, and an abnormal mass shadow at the left pulmonary hilum on chest X-ray films. Laboratory tests and fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed no abnormality. Thoracotomy was done because a mediastinal tumor was suspected. Surgery revealed that the left lingula was atelectatic and that the mass was in the left S4, not in the mediastinum. Pathological examination of tissue from the partially resected lung showed sulfur granules, and a diagnosis of pulmonary actinomycosis was made. At least 80 cases of pulmonary actinomycosis were reported in Japan between 1963 and 1995. Pulmonary actinomycosis is most common among men in the fifth and sixth decades of life, and almost all patients have oral disease. Pulmonary actinomycosis is often difficult to distinguish from lung cancer, because both appear as mass shadows on X-ray films, and almost all cases of pulmonary actinomycosis are diagnosed by thoracotomy.

Actinomycosis↗
PubMed1997

[Necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis diagnosed by video thoracoscopic lung biopsy].

A 28-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of chest pain. A chest roentgenogram and a chest computed tomogram revealed many nodular shadows on both sides. Examinations of specimens obtained by and by transbronchial lung biopsy during fiberoptic bronchoscopy were not diagnostic, and therefore video thoracoscopic lung biopsy was done. The lung lesion was characterized by aggregates of epithelioid cell granulomas, along with granulomatous and necrotizing angitis. We therefore diagnosed necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis, and began to administer prednisolone. The nodular shadows disappeared within four weeks. In this case video thoracoscopic lung biopsy was useful in the diagnosis of necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis in the lung.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Radial artery for coronary artery bypass graft].

Early postoperative results were studied in 50 cases of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) using a radial artery (RA). The patients ranged in age from 37 to 81 years, with the mean age of 61 years. Of them, 49 were male. An average of RA was 17.6 cm at completion of detachment and 15.6 cm when the graft was cut for use. The internal diameter before anastomosis an average of 3.7 mm on the proximal side and an average of 2.8 mm on the distal side. RA was anastomosed with ascending aorta in 47 cases, with the left internal thoracic artery in 2 cases and with the right internal thoracic artery in one case on the proximal side. RA was anastomosed with the left anterior descending branch area in 6 cases, with the left circumflex branch area in 40 cases and with the right coronary artery area in 4 cases on the distal side. There was no case of operative death, but one patient died while in hospital. The cumulative patency rate of the RA grafts was 95% (n = 40). Early postoperative results of the RA graft were satisfactory, therefore the RA graft were satisfactory, therefore the RA graft was an excellent alternative conduit for myocardial revascularization.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Thyroid disease and reproduction dysfunction].

Thyroid disorders have been implicated in a broad spectrum of reproductive disorders ranging from abnormal sexual development to menstrual irregularities and infertility. Hyperthyroidism in the male is thought to cause gynecomastia. In the female hypo and hyperthyroidism results in changes in cycles length and amount of bleeding. The hypothyroidism in the male has less clear-cut effect on the reproductive system. Long-standing, untreated hypothyroidism is associated with galactorrhea. These abnormalities are reversible with adequate thyroid supplementation or collection of hyperthyroidism. Thus during the investigation of hirsurism, menstrual irregularity, infertility, galactorrhea, and gynecomastia, the possibility of thyroid dysfunction must always be considered.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Pathological examination of radial artery--as a graft material for coronary artery bypass grafting].

To evaluate the usefulness of the radial artery (RA) as a graft material for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), the histologic studies of the RA were performed. Specimens were obtained from both sides of 10 RAs during the operations. The degree of arteriosclerosis was evaluated by two methods. The one was microscopic examination by a pathologist, while the other was used by NIH Image 1.57 system. Using this system, the pathological index of arteriosclerotic change was expressed as a ratio (Rx: internal luminal area/tunica media area) of the cross section. From the pathological view the tunica media of RA was rich in smooth muscle cells and poor in elastic fiber. And there was little arteriosclerosis in this artery. The mean Rx of the proximal side of RA was 0.177 +/- 0.033 and that of the distal side was 0.258 +/- 0.132. There was no significant difference between the two, but the proximal side of the RA was slightly larger than the distal. These results showed that RA has a low grade of arteriosclerosis. This was confirmed on microscopic examination. According to these results, the RA can be expected to be a suitable bypass material for CABG.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[A comparison of ultrasonography and cerebral angiography for the evaluation of extracranial carotid stenosis].

To investigate the usefulness of extracranial carotid ultrasonography for atherosclerotic plaque, we performed carotid ultrasonography and cerebral angiography (CAG) and classified the severity of the stenosis into 6 scores. We filmed 2-4 images (anterior, lateral, right anterior oblique and left anterior oblique views) for each vessel on CAG. There were 104 cases (169 vessels) with suspected or definite cerebrovascular disease. Both scores agreed in 67.5% of cases. In cases with over 50% stenosis on CAG, the scores agreed in 19 of 20 cases. But in cases with 50% or less stenosis on CAG, the scores agreed in only 95 of 149 cases. In most cases where scores were different, scores for ultrasonography were higher than those for angiography. The inconsistency of scores was attributed to eccentric plaque of early carotid atherosclerosis, uniform thickening of the intima-media complex and remodeling of the vessels. We filmed 4 images for 39 vessels to elevate CAG sensitivity for carotid stenosis. The results based on 4 images did not differ significantly from those based on 2 images. Carotid remodeling, or vessel enlargement in relation to the plaque area, was seen in 2 cases. Ultrasonography, which provided real-time information about both lumen and vessel wall characteristics, was necessary to make the diagnosis of carotid remodeling.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Involvement of dopaminergic neurons in mouse-killing aggression in rats.

The sites associated with dopamine neurons which produce mouse-killing aggression (muricide) were examined in the rat brain. Muricide appeared in 60-80% of rats after being fed a thiamine-deficient diet for 28 days. Microinjection of dopamine (500 ng/rat) into the olfactory bulb (OB) significantly suppressed muricide, whereas injection into other brain areas failed to do so. The incidence of muricide after dopamine injection was 40% at 5 min and 20% at 15-30 min. When 6-hydroxydopamine (8 micrograms/0.5 microliter), following pretreatment with desmethylimipramine (25 mg/kg i.p.), was injected twice into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) or the olfactory bulb (OB) in nonkiller rats during thiamine-deficient feeding, the occurrence of muricide gradually increased over time. The present results suggest that degeneration of dopamine neurons projecting from the VTA to the OB may be related to mouse-killing aggression in rats.

Aggression↗