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Biomedical subjects

Y Aoki

Publications and source records attributed to Y Aoki.

At least 811 records · Page 45Linked to original sources

An experimental study on gastroschisis using fetal surgery.

Gastroschisis models were successfully created in three groups of fetal rabbits by means of fetal surgery. Anatomical and pathologic assessments were carried out on the neonates that had experimental gastroschisis. In group I surgery was performed on the fetuses of 21 days gestational age; in group II on the fetuses of 23 days; and in group III on the fetuses of 26 days, respectively. Five cases of experimental gastroschisis were made in each group. The body weights of those with gastroschisis were low as compared with those of normal neonates. Intestinal length decreased and wall thickness increased as the result of 5--10 days evisceration. Abdominal cavity decreased in volume in all cases and could not accommodate the eviscerated organs. The number and density of distal mesenteric vessels (vasa recta) was high in the shortened intestine in gastroschisis models. Therefore it can be reasonably assumed that the intestine is only contracted and the possibility of return to normal length remains.

Abdominal Muscles↗

The distribution of microfilariae in the skin of Guatemalan onchocerciasis patients: an evaluation of diagnostic potentials.

Quantitative examinations for the distribution and density of microfilariae were carried out on male Guatemalan onchocerciasis patients by taking 6 or 13 skin biopsies each from 74 subjects. We found that microfilariae were distributed most frequently on the iliac crest and secondarily in the scapular region; higher detection rates and greater microfilarial densities were seen in these areas. From these results we recommend the taking of biopsies from both of these anatomical regions so as to avoid false negative cases. The infected patients were classified into 3 groups (light, moderate and heavy infections) on the basis of the numbers of negative skin snips out of the 13 biopsies taken. In heavy infections, a higher densities of microfilariae were detected in the head and neck regions, as compared with the densities in the lower extremities (calf). The high concentration of microfilariae in these regions is of importance in relation to the development of eye lesions and/or transmission. Of patients who had microfilariae in the anterior segment of the eye some had negative skin biopsies frm the outer canthus, retroauricular region and neck.

Biopsy↗

Dermatological survey of onchocerciasis in Guatemala.

A comprehensive survey of onchocerciasis was performed on 1259 inhabitants in San Vicente Pacaya and the surrounding area. The total number of inhabitants examined was 1259, 763 males and 496 females. An examination of microfilarial density was carried out by the skin snip method. There were 610 microfilarial positives (50.4%) out of 1211 persons, 448 males (60.9%), and 162 females (34.1%). Nodules were examined by palpation, and there were 404 (32.8%) positives for nodule out of 1232 persons, 299 males (40.3%), and 105 females (21.4%). Eczematous dermatitis was seen in 149 persons, the generalized type in 13, and other types in 136. Depigmentation on the lower extremities was seen in 290 persons, the severity was graded from 0 to 4, and grade 1 depigmentation was seen in 91; grade 2, in 143; grade 3, in 52 and grade 4 in 4 persons out of 1159 individuals examined. The positives for lymphadenopathy (above grade 2) were 464 (41.2%) out of 1127 individuals. Itching was seen in 129 (18.3%) of 705 individuals examined by the inquiry card method. The correlation between skin changes and onchocerciasis was also analyzed. Those individuals who were microfilarial positive in the skin snip and eyes, and who had palpable nodules were defined as being onchocerciasis patients. There was a high frequency of eczematous dermatitis, depigmentation on the lower extremities and lymphadenopathy in the onchocerciasis infected group, compared with the non-infected group, but there was no difference in the rate of itching between them. Hanging groin, elephantiasis and "erisipela de la costa" were not seen in this endemic area, and the degree of skin changes was slight, compared with that reported in Africa thus far.

Adolescent↗

Multi-institutional study on the teratogenicity and fetal toxicity of antiepileptic drugs: a report of a collaborative study group in Japan.

A multi-institutional collaborative study was conducted concerning the course of pregnancy and delivery and the incidence of abnormal infants delivered of epileptic women. Of 657 women receiving antiepileptic drugs, 73% delivered live infants, 14% had miscarriage or stillbirth, and 13% underwent induced abortion. In contrast to the above findings, 80% of 162 patients not receiving antiepileptic drugs delivered live infants and 4% had miscarriage or stillbirth. The latter outcome was significantly increased in the medicated patients. In this series, 63 (9.9%) of 638 live births were malformed, 55 (11.5%) being from medicated mothers and 3 (2.3%) from nonmedicated mothers. The incidence of fetal malformation in medicated mothers was thus five times as high as that in nonmedicated mothers. Cleft lip and/or palate and malformations involving the cardiovascular system were found frequently in the infants from medicated mothers. General background factors that might exert teratogenic effects on pregnant patients with epilepsy were studied, and the potential toxicity of antiepileptic drugs to the fetus was also analyzed. In this regard, consideration should be given to whether the patient has partial epileptic seizures, whether the patient herself exhibits any malformation, or whether her previous pregnancy resulted in an abnormal outcome. The incidence of fetal malformation was the highest (12.7%) in the medicated patients who had epileptic seizures during the pregnancy. It is presumed on the basis of the results of analysis of the data that a combination of more than three drugs and a daily dose greater than a certain minimal level is likely to produce malformed infants.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

Multiple enzymatic defects in mitochondria in hematological cells of patients with primary sideroblastic anemia.

Activities of mitochondrial enzymes in blood cells from 69 patients with primary sideroblastic anemia were determined to elucidate the pathogenesis of the disease. In erythroblasts of patients with primary acquired type the activities of both delta-aminolevulinic acid synthetase and mitochondrial serine protease were inevitably decreased. The susceptibility to the protease of apo-delta-aminolevulinic acid synthetase prepared from erythroblasts of patients with this type was within the normal range, in contrast to that of pyridoxine-responsive anemia. The activities of mitochondrial enzymes such as cytochrome oxidase, serine protease, and oligomycin-sensitive ATPase, except citrate synthetase, were usually decreased in mature granulocytes of the patients. Patients with hereditary sideroblastic anemia also had decreased delta-aminolevulinic acid synthetase activity in erythroblasts, and decreased serine protease activity in both erythroblasts and mature granulocytes. Mature granulocytes obtained from patients with pyridoxine-responsive anemia before therapy had decreased cytochrome oxidase activity, however, the activity increased to a normal level when the patients were in remission. The activities of other mitochondrial enzymes in mature granulocytes were within normal range in these patients before pyridoxine therapy. The activities of these mitochondrial enzymes in lymphocytes were within normal range in all groups of patients with primary sideroblastic anemia. We suggest that patients with primary acquired, and possibly also those with hereditary sideroblastic anemia have impaired mitochondrial function in both erythroblasts and granulocytes. That only anemia is observed in these patients is because a functional abnormality of mitochondria in erythroblasts is most important because of the role of mitochondria in the formation of heme in erythrocyte development. In contrast to these two types of sideroblastic anemia, only delta-aminolevulinic acid synthetase in both erythroblasts and granulocytes seems to be impaired in patients with pyridoxine-responsive anemia.

5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase↗

Life span and distribution of Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae in mice.

Microfilariae of Onchocerca volvulus obtained from onchocercomas were inoculated subcutaneously into the inguinal region of mice. Microfilariae disseminated rapidly, invading the tail and lungs within 1 hr and the ears within 3 hr postinoculation. During the early period of infection microfilariae appeared in the eyes, ears, viscera, pelt, carcass, and tail; later, the microfilariae tended to accumulate in the tail. Liver microfilariae were recovered up to 12 wk postinoculation. Intraperitoneal inoculation and subcutaneous inoculation into the inguinal region resulted in the concentration of microfilariae in the tail, whereas inoculation into the scalp caused microfilarial accumulation in the ears.

Animals↗

Electroencephalographic findings in children with moyamoya disease.

The EEG findings in 25 children with moyamoya disease were studied. Characteristic findings such as posterior slow, centrotemporal slow (CT slow), "rebuildup" after the end of hyperventilation, and sleep spindle depression were observed. Posterior slow activity was mainly observed in the EEGs examined within a short period (mean, 10 months) after onset, CI slow activity after a longer period (mean,, 28 months), and a diffuse low-voltage pattern after these periods (mean, 56 months). Buildup after the end of hyperventilation, which we refer to as "rebuildup," was discovered in more than half of the cases.

Adolescent↗