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Biomedical subjects

Y Fujii

Publications and source records attributed to Y Fujii.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

"In vivo cryotechnique" in combination with replica immunoelectron microscopy for caveolin in smooth muscle cells.

A novel "in vivo cryotechnique" with replica immunoelectron microscopy was developed for detecting caveolin localization on replica membranes prepared directly from living smooth muscle cells. After quick-freezing mouse duodenal walls by our "in vivo cryotechnique", the specimens were prepared for freeze-fracture and deep-etch replica membranes. Then they were treated with 5% SDS and 0.5% collagenase to keep some antigens on the replica membranes. The immunogold method could be used to clarify the localization of the caveolin antigen in relation to three-dimensional ultrastructures of living smooth muscle cells. Our new cryotechnique can provide native organization of functional molecules in living cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Autonomic nerve tumour with skeinoid fibres: ultrastructure of skeinoid fibres examined by quick-freezing and deep-etching method.

A case of gastrointestinal autonomic nerve tumour with skeinoid fibres (SFs) of the jejunum in a 79-year-old Japanese man, was examined by the quick-freezing and deep-etching (QF-DE) method. The tumour consisted of spindle cells with immunohistochemical reactions for vimentin, NSE and CD34. Electron microscopically, features of the neural cells of the myenteric plexus were observed. The QF-DE method demonstrated intercellular meshwork structures, consisting of thin filaments (7-15 nm), with granular deposits. Fully developed parts of the deposits formed nodular aggregates composed of irregularly surfaced thick fibrils (30-48 nm) with a tendency to linear arrangement (SFs). We detected many interconnecting thin filaments (ICTFs) between the SFs, which were pre-existing components in the meshwork, avoiding the granular deposits. The focal thickening formed by the connection between SFs and ICTFs revealed a periodicity typical of SFs (33-45 nm). We conclude that SFs are formed by decoration of the granular deposits along pre-existing intercellular meshwork structures.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗
PubMed1999

Ultrastructure of rat duodenal myenteric plexus revealed by quick-freezing and deep-etching method.

A quick-freezing and deep-etching (QF-DE) method was employed with whole-mount strips of rat duodenal muscle walls to exhibit the cytoskeletons of the myenteric plexus. Nerve fibers in the myenteric plexus, which contained fewer neurofilaments than other types of neurons examined, had many varicosed contours, and were bundled by enteroglial cells. Cytoskeleton arrays were rarely observed in the varicosed regions, where synaptic vesicles were often seen, although other nerve regions contained many neurofilaments running almost in parallel with the nerve fiber bundle. Enteroglial cells had short cytoskeletons predominantly across the cytoplasm, becoming thinner the around varicosed regions of the nerve bundles. Such enteroglial extruded areas were often in close association with neighboring nerve fibers, indicating intercommunications between the nerve fibers. In distal parts of enteric nerve processes, there were numerous synaptic vesicles, but few neurofilaments. Smooth muscle cells were closely associated with the enteric nerve processes. Fine network structures, responsible for the extracellular matrix, were present between the smooth muscle cells and the enteric nerve processes. These specific structures of the myenteric plexus could be important for signalling or for the transportation of neurotransmitters involved in gut motility.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Mesenteric venous thrombosis associated with protein C deficiency.

An 83-year-old man had gradually worsening abdominal pain and vomiting. Laparotomy revealed segmental intestinal infarction resulting from thrombosis in the superior mesenteric vein. Necrosed intestine was resected and anastomosis was performed successfully. The patient was anticoagulated with intravenous heparin and nafamostat mesilate followed by oral aspirin. He recovered rapidly. Blood chemistry revealed protein C deficiency, while protein S and antithrombin III levels were normal. Laboratory evaluation of these proteins may help define the cause of mesenteric venous thrombosis.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed1999

Prophylactic antiemetic therapy with droperidol in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

PURPOSE: The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is relatively high when no prophylactic antiemetic is given. We have studied the efficacy of a commonly used and well-established antiemetic, droperidol, for the prevention of PONV in patients undergoing LC. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 60 patients received placebo (saline) or droperidol 50 microg.kg(-1) (maximum dose, 2.5 mg) intravenously immediately before the induction of anesthesia (n = 30 of each). A standard general anesthetic technique was employed throughout. RESULTS: A complete response, defined as no PONV and no need for another rescue antiemetic medication during the first 24 h after anesthesia, was 57% and 83% in patients who had received placebo and droperidol 50 microg.kg(-1), respectively ( P < 0.05). No clinically serious adverse events were observed in any of the groups. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic antiemetic therapy with droperidol 50 microg.kg(-1) (maximum dose, 2.5 mg) is highly effective for preventing PONV after LC.

Clinical Trial↗
PubMed1999

Changes of regional distribution of bone mineral according to age, gender, and activity.

To assess the pattern of bone mineral distribution over various parts of the skeletal system depending on age, gender, and level of activity, bone mineral content of the head, arms, trunk, and legs was measured and expressed as percentage of the whole-body mineral content (H%, A%, T%, and L%) by a QDR-4,500 (Hologic) in 814 subjects between ages of 20 and 99, 205 men and 609 women. In ambulant, self-supporting subjects classified as ADL 1, women had higher H%, lower A%, and lower L% at each age group than in men. In subjects older than 60 years of age, H% increased and L% decreased markedly in women, whereas these changes were milder in men. Women, but not men, showed definite fall of L% and rise of H% along with the decrease of the level of activity. In hospitalized female subjects with a lower level of activity, but not in ambulatory female subjects, fall of L% and rise of H% was noted after 1 year, unlike the results in their male counterparts. Mineral distribution changes over the whole body characterized by age, gender, and activity may serve as new indices for evaluation of skeletal changes caused by aging, lifestyle, and disease.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1999

Comparison of antiresorptive activities of ipriflavone, an isoflavone derivative, and elcatonin, an eel carbocalcitonin.

Thirty postmenopausal women with reduced bone mineral density were divided randomly into two groups based on the chronological sequence of their first visit to the Osteoporosis Clinic of Katsuragi Hospital. Group I was given 600 mg ipriflavone orally daily and group II was weekly injected intramuscularly with 20 units elcatonin, Asu1-7 eel calcitonin (carbocalcitonin). Lumbar spine BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and trabecular bone mineral density at the distal radius, cortical bone density, and relative cortical volume at the radial diaphysis by peripheral computed tomography before the beginning of the study and at the 4th, 8th, and 12th month. Markers of bone metabolism--serum total alkaline phosphatase, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, osteocalcin, intact osteocalcin, PICP and ICTP, and urinary pyridinoline, deoxypyridinoline, and calcium/creatinine (Ca/Cr)--were also measured at the same interval. Plasma parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin (CT) were measured at the same time. Radial trabecular bone density showed a significantly higher rate of increase in group I (ipriflavone group) than in group II (elcatonin group) at the 4th month, whereas lumbar spine BMD showed more pronounced increase in the elcatonin group than in the ipriflavone group throughout the study period. Bone metabolism markers tended to decline in both groups. Total and intact osteocalcin showed a significant fall from the baseline throughout the study period only in the ipriflavone group. Urine pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline showed a significant fall from the baseline at the 12th month only in the ipriflavone group. On comparing bone gainers with increase of lumbar spine BMD by 2% or more with bone losers with a decrease by 2% or more, only urine Ca/Cr was significantly different, lower in the former than in the latter, despite the general tendency for bone resorption markers to decrease in bone gainers and to increase in bone losers.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1999

Thymic neuroendocrine tumor (thymic carcinoid): a clinicopathologic study in 15 patients.

BACKGROUND: Thymic neuroendocrine tumor (carcinoid tumor) is rare, and prognosis for patients with this tumor has been difficult to predict. METHODS: The medical records of 15 patients were reviewed, and the patients were classified according to tentative TNM classification and histologic grade. RESULTS: Ten (66.7%) of 15 patients were male. Lymph node metastases were identified in 9 (60%) of 15 patients at the time of resection. There were one grade 1, nine grade 2, and five grade 3 tumors. Total resection was possible in 13 patients. Distant metastases developed in 10 (76.9%) of these 13 patients, although no local recurrence developed. Of these 10 patients, 6 died of distant metastases 5 to 25 months after the recurrence. Three patients are still alive, with metastases to the bone, spleen, and pleura 1 to 24 months after the diagnosis of recurrence. Two patients are presently tumor free (T1N0, grade 3 and T3N2, grade 2), but only 1 has survived beyond 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Thymic neuroendocrine tumor must be regarded as a malignant neoplasm that is prone to metastasize to mediastinal lymph nodes and to distant sites, even after total excision. Neither T and N classification nor histologic grade has been successful in predicting the outcome of a patient with this tumor. More aggressive management, including adjuvant therapies and reexcision of subsequent tumors, may result in increased survival.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

AP window and anomalous origin of right coronary artery from the window.

Aortopulmonary window (APW) is a rare malformation. We recently operated on a child with APW, ventricular septal defect, right aortic arch, and anomalous right coronary artery from the APW. This patient also had a chromosomal abnormality. He underwent the repair of this complex lesion in a staged operation.

Aortopulmonary Septal Defect↗
PubMed1999

Intrauterine volvulus without malrotation associated with segmental absence of small intestinal musculature.

A case of intrauterine intestinal volvulus without malrotation is presented, and 9 other cases from the world literature are reviewed. Bloody diarrhea, bluish discoloration of the abdominal wall (Cullen's sign), and a tense abdomen in neonates suggest midgut volvulus requiring prompt surgical management. On pathological examination, the neck of the twisted bowel in this case showed a half-circle defect of the intestinal muscle. This suggests that a segmental defect of the intestinal musculature could be secondary to volvulus.

Female↗
PubMed1999

Highly sensitive analysis for N-myc amplification in neuroblastoma based on fluorescence in situ hybridization.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The N-myc amplification status in neuroblastoma has been evaluated previously for the whole tumor by the Southern blot method. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) method to analyze N-myc amplification in neuroblastoma and compare the findings with those using the Southern blot method. METHODS: In 26 neuroblastoma primary tumors and metastatic lesions, the N-myc amplification status was evaluated by both the Southern blot method and FISH method. RESULTS: Of the 22 samples with no N-myc amplification using Southern blot, no cells with N-myc amplification using FISH were present in 21 of the samples. However, one metastatic liver lesion showed 16% of the nuclei to display more than 10 copies of N-myc based on FISH analysis. In the 4 remaining samples with N-myc amplification using the Southern blot method (17 copies, 15 copies, 6 copies, and 3 copies), the rates of cells with more than 10 copies of N-myc based on a FISH analysis were 79%, 68%, 94%, and 9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The FISH method can detect more accurately N-myc amplification than the Southern blot method either when the rate of cells with N-myc amplification is low or intratumor heterogeneity is present.

Blotting, Southern↗
PubMed1999

Results of surgical treatment of thymomas with special reference to the involved organs.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to clarify the significance of the particular involved organ as a prognostic factor and its relation to other previously reported factors. METHODS: The prognoses of 194 consecutive patients with thymoma who had undergone complete or subtotal resection were reviewed retrospectively. Survival was evaluated as actuarial freedom from tumor death. Analysis of prognostic factors was performed by the Kaplan-Meier method with the log rank test and Cox's proportional hazards model. RESULTS: The Masaoka staging system and involvement of the great vessels were the independent prognostic factors in the entire study group; age, sex, histologic subtype, completeness of resection, association of myasthenia gravis, or involvement of other organs were not factors. The 10-year and 20-year survivals were 99% and 90% in stage I, 94% and 90% in stage II, 88% and 56% in stage III, 30% and 15% in stage IVa, 0% and 0% in stage IVb, 93% and 83% in the absence of involvement of the great vessels, and 54% and 20% in the presence of it. Involvement of the great vessels was also the single independent prognostic factor in the patients with stage III disease although completeness of resection or involvement of other organs were not. The 10-year and 20-year survivals in patients with stage III disease were 97% and 75% in the absence of involvement of the great vessels, and 70% and 29% in the presence of it. CONCLUSION: Although the Masaoka staging system is a valuable prognostic factor, the category of stage III is heterogeneous and consists of 2 groups with distinct prognoses depending on involvement of the great vessels.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Neuroprotective effects of a dihydropyridine derivative, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-3,5-pyridinedicarbox ylic acid methyl 6-(5-phenyl-3-pyrazolyloxy)hexyl ester (CV-159), on rat ischemic brain injury.

CV-159, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylic++ + acid methyl 6-(5-phenyl-3-pyrazolyloxy)hexyl ester, is a dihydropyridine derivative that blocks the L-type Ca2+ channel and inhibits the calmodulin (CaM)-dependent pathway. In this study, we examined the effects of CV-159 on rat ischemic brain injury. CV-159 (5 and 10 mg/kg, p.o.) gave significant protection against delayed neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 region after 15-min transient forebrain ischemia. In contrast, the Ca2+ antagonists nicardipine (1 and 10 mg/kg, p.o.) and nifedipine (1 mg/kg, i.p.) and the CaM antagonist N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W-7, 500 ng, i.c.v.) had no effect on this hippocampal neuronal death. CV-159 also diminished the size of the brain infarct after permanent middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion, although physiological variables, including regional cerebral blood flow, were not affected. The increase in the water content of the infarcted cortex induced by MCA occlusion was significantly reduced by CV-159. On the other hand, neither nicardipine nor nifedipine affected the brain infarct size, volume or increased water content induced by MCA occlusion, as previously reported (A. Sauter and M. Rudin, Am. J. Hypertens. 4 121S-127S, 1991). These findings indicate that Ca2+ antagonists, such as nicardipine and nifedipine, and W-7 have no effect on rat ischemic brain injury. The results suggest that CV-159 protects against ischemic brain injury. This might be mediated by both blocking the L-type Ca2+ channel and inhibiting CaM-dependent function via Ca2+/CaM binding at a different binding site from that of W-7 to CaM (H. Umekawa, K. Yamakawa, K. Nunoki, N. Taira, T. Tanaka, and H. Hidaka, Biochem. Pharmacol. 37 3377-3381, 1988).

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Preoperative oral granisetron for the prevention of vomiting after strabismus surgery in children.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of oral granisetron for the prevention of postoperative vomiting in children undergoing strabismus surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 120 children, 4-10 years of age, scheduled for elective strabismus surgery. INTERVENTION: Patients received oral placebo or granisetron at three different doses (20 microg/kg, 40 microg/kg, 80 microg/kg) 1 hour before surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A complete response, defined as no vomiting, no retching, and no need for rescue antiemetic medication, during the first 24 hours after anesthesia was recorded. RESULTS: A complete response during 0-24 hours after anesthesia occurred in 33% of those who received placebo, 40% who received granisetron 20 microg/kg, 83% who received granisetron 40 microg/kg, and 87% who received granisetron 80 microg/kg (P < 0.05, overall Fisher's exact probability test). CONCLUSION: Preoperative oral granisetron, in doses more than 40 microg/kg, is effective for preventing vomiting after strabismus surgery in children.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1999

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor protects against delayed neuronal death after transient forebrain ischemia in rats.

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, a member of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily, is a potent neurotrophic factor, which has a variety of biological activities that affect several types of neurons in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. In this study, we examined the effects of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor on delayed neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 region of rats after transient forebrain ischemia. In the control rats pretreated with the vehicle, transient forebrain ischemia-induced delayed neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 region was observed seven days after reperfusion. Pretreatment with glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (1.0 microg), which was directly microinjected into the right hippocampal CA1 region, gave significant protection against the delayed hippocampal neuronal death. On the contralateral side of the hippocampus, which was not injected with glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, delayed neuronal death similar to that seen in vehicle-treated control animals was observed. Intracerebroventricular glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (2.5 microg) injection also protected against delayed neuronal death. In addition, pretreatment with glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor gave significant protection against apoptotic cell death induced by brain ischemia in the hippocampal CA1 region, as determined by in situ staining for DNA fragmentation. These findings suggest that glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor plays an important role in delayed neuronal death induced by brain ischemia.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

T-cell development in human thymoma.

Human thymoma is derived from thymic epithelial cells and often associated with a large number of cortical thymocytes. Since thymic epithelial cells play key roles in T-cell development in the normal thymus, we hypothesized that the neoplastic epithelial cells of thymoma may support T-cell differentiation. We attempted to reconstitute the T-cell development in vitro by using neoplastic epithelial cells isolated from thymoma. CD34, a stem cell marker, was expressed on a proportion of CD4-CD8- cells in thymoma. These CD34+CD4-CD8- cells also expressed both IL-7R alpha-chain and common gamma-chain. Purified CD4-CD8- cells from thymomas were cultured with the neoplastic epithelial cells, and their differentiation into CD4+CD8+ cells via CD4 single positive intermediates was observed within 9 days' co-culture in the presence of recombinant IL-7. The CD34+CD4-CD8- cells purified from a normal thymus also differentiated to CD4+CD8+ cells in an allogeneic co-culture with the neoplastic epithelial cells of thymoma. In addition, a pleural dissemination from thymoma contained a large amount of cortical thymocytes. These results suggest that the neoplastic epithelial cells retain the function of thymic epithelium and can support T-cell development in thymomas.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Combination of granisetron and droperidol in the prevention of nausea and vomiting after middle ear surgery.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of granisetron-droperidol combination for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after middle ear surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-blind study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: 150 ASA physical status I patients (108 females, 42 males) scheduled for elective middle ear surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received granisetron 40 micrograms/kg (n = 50), droperidol 20 micrograms/kg (n = 50), or granisetron 40 micrograms/kg plus droperidol 20 micrograms/kg (n = 50) intravenously immediately before induction of anesthesia. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A standard general anesthetic technique and postoperative analgesia were used throughout the study. A complete response, defined as no PONV and no need for another rescue antiemetic, from 0 to 3 hours after anesthesia occurred in 78%, 56%, and 94% of patients who had received granisetron, droperidol, and granisetron plus droperidol, respectively. The corresponding incidence between 3 and 24 hours after anesthesia was 80%, 52% and 94%. Thus, a complete response within the first 24-hour postanesthetic period was greater in patients receiving granisetron-droperidol combination than in those receiving granisetron alone or droperidol alone (p < 0.05). No clinically adverse events were observed in any of the groups. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of granisetron and droperidol is more effective than droperidol or granisetron alone for the prevention of PONV after middle ear surgery.

Adult↗