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Biomedical subjects

Y Majima

Publications and source records attributed to Y Majima.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Role of transepithelial ion transport as a determinant of mucus viscoelasticity in chronic inflammation of the maxillary sinus.

Chronic sinusitis is a chronic inflammatory disease with fluid retention, most frequently in maxillary sinus. We measured both viscoelasticity of maxillary sinus fluid and bioelectric properties of maxillary mucosa in an attempt to correlate the mucus viscoelasticity with bioelectric properties. During sinus surgery, maxillary sinus fluid and maxillary mucosa were obtained from 15 patients with chronic sinusitis. Viscoelasticity was measured with an oscillating sphere magnetic rheometer within 24 h after sampling. Potential difference and short circuit current of maxillary mucosa mounted in Ussing chambers were measured before and after exposure of mucosal surface to amiloride. Both elasticity and viscosity showed significant positive correlation with percent inhibition of short-circuit current by amiloride. Our results indicate that the ion transport process plays a role in the determination of viscoelasticity of maxillary sinus fluid in chronic sinusitis.

Adult↗

A quantitative study of the ciliary area of experimental otitis media with effusion in cats.

A quantitative electron microscopic study was performed to determine the extent of the ciliary surface area of the middle ear epithelium in cats. In normal cats, 97.8% of the middle ear mucosa in the hypotympanum and 45.9% in the upper part of the bulla were covered by cilia. Eustachian tube obstruction (ETO) significantly reduced the ciliary area to 73.1% in the hypotympanum and to 16.2% in the upper part of bulla at 1 week after ETO. Instillation of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or cat polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) lysate into the middle ear cavity followed by ETO did not reduce the ciliary area, compared with ETO induced alone. Our results indicate that ETO reduces the ciliary area of the middle ear mucosa and that LPS or neutrophils do not enhance reduction of the ciliary area compared to ETO induced alone in this experimental condition.

Animals↗

Rheological properties of middle ear mucus in relation to goblet cell population in cat.

Seventeen mucoid middle ear effusions were collected from the tympanic cavity of 15 cats 1 or 2 weeks after tubal obstruction. Middle ear mucosa was also taken both from the tympanic cavity and bulla, and the number of goblet cells was counted. Both elasticity (G') viscosity (eta') of the mucoid effusion were determined with an oscillating sphere magnetic rheometer and compared with goblet cell count. There was a significant correlation between G' and goblet cell population in the tympanic cavity. A similar significant correlation was observed between eta' and goblet cells. The G' and eta' values of the mucoid mucus were much higher than the optimal viscoelasticity for mucociliary transport. Results indicate that the mucus obtained in this study mainly originated from the goblet cells, and that its viscoelasticity was beyond ideal values for mucociliary transport.

Animals↗

Rheological and biochemical properties of middle ear effusions from experimental otitis media in cats.

Both rheological and biochemical analyses were performed on middle ear effusions (MEEs) from cats with experimental otitis media with effusions (OME) induced by obstruction of the Eustachian tube. This study was undertaken in order to clarify the factors determining rheological properties (elasticity and viscosity) of MEEs. The viscoelasticity of the effusions had a positive significant correlation to fucose/total protein concentration (TPC), and a negative correlation to cathepsin B level/TPC. No correlation was observed between albumin level/TPC and viscoelasticity. These results indicate that in cats the rheological properties of MEEs depend on the level of secretory glycoproteins in MEEs and on the severity of inflammation in the early stage after tubal obstruction.

Albumins↗

The relationship between proteases activity and glycoprotein levels in middle ear effusions from experimental otitis media in cats.

The relationship between lysosomal proteases activity (elastase and cathepsin B) and levels of mucous glycoproteins in middle ear effusions (MEEs) was studied using a cat model of otitis media with effusion (OME) induced by Eustachian tube obstruction (ETO). The ratio of cathepsin B activity to total protein concentration (TPC) in MEE was 25.6 +/- 19.4 RFU/g x dl-1 at 1 week after ETO, and increased with the duration of OME. The ratio of elastase activity to TPC had a significant correlation to total leukocyte count. The ratio of fucose levels to TPC, which is one of the parameters reflecting levels of mucous glycoprotein, at 1 week after ETO was significantly higher than that at both 2 and 4 weeks after ETO. The percentage of glycoprotein levels absorbed to wheat germ lectin was highest at 1 week after ETO, and decreased with the duration of OME. In conclusion, mucous glycoproteins in cat occupy a larger portion of glycoproteins in MEE at the early stage of OME, and elastase and other lysosomal proteases may play a role in both stimulation of mucin release from goblet cells and mucin degradation. The balance of these processes seems to be a key factor determining mucin levels in MEEs.

Albumins↗

Effects of endotoxin and neutrophil lysate on experimental otitis media with effusion in cats.

Middle ear effusion (MEE) from otitis media with effusion (OME) contains large amounts of chemical mediators and substances from bacteria, which may act on the mucosa itself and cause further changes in the inflamed mucosa and MEE. To clarify the effects of such substances in MEE, we instilled endotoxin (LPS) or allogeneic neutrophil lysate (NL) into the middle ear cavity of OME induced by Eustachian tube obstruction (ETO). ETO + LPS and ETO + NL groups showed retention of a large amount of MEE as a characteristic difference between ETO alone group and these groups. The instillation of LPS into the middle ear cavity of the ETO model significantly increased the number of total cells and the ratio of the concentrations of albumin to total protein in MEEs. The instillation of NL significantly increased the number of goblet cells in the middle ear. These facts indicate that the pathology of OME may change in response to various factors added to MEE. Hence, we propose that a vicious circle of self-mediated inflammation is a possible causative factor for chronic OME.

Animals↗

Quantitative histochemical study of secretory cells after short term tubal obstruction in the cat.

Quantitative histochemistry of goblet cells producing different types of glycoproteins was examined in cat middle ears with and without Euatachian tube obstruction (ETO). The goblet cell population significantly increased at 1 week after ETO and showed a tendency to decrease down to the normal level at 4 weeks after ETO. In the normal ears, approximately 85% of glycoprotein in the secretory cells were sulphated and 15% were neutral. ETO significantly increased goblet cell population containing sulphated glycoprotein at the expense of neutral glycoprotein. The results indicate that goblet cells can easily and within a short period be modified both in number and in intracellular glycoproteins by a tubal obstruction.

Animals↗

[Conventional X-ray versus CT in diagnosis of chronic sinusitis in children].

The interpretation of conventional radiographic views for sinusitis in children has given rise to considerable controversy. Thirty-three children (66 sides of sinuses) aged from 4 to 15 years who were suspected of having chronic sinusitis were studied to determine the accuracy of conventional X-ray examination, comparing the results with those of CT. Coronal CT was taken after conventional X-ray examination (Waters and occipito-frontal views), and the time interval between these two examinations was 0 to 14 days (average 5.1 days). The rate of correspondence in diagnosis of sinus pathology between conventional X-ray views and CT was 74.3% in the maxillary sinus and 40.9% in the ethmoid. The rate of overestimation with conventional X-ray views was 24.2% in the maxillary sinus and 56.1% in the ethmoid, while that of underestimation was 1.5% and 3.0% in the maxillary and the ethmoid sinus respectively. The incidence of false positives according to conventional X-ray views was 8.0% in the maxillary sinus and 33.3% in the ethmoid. Our results indicate that Waters view is sufficient to diagnose maxillary sinus pathology in children. However, additional radiologic examinations, such as CT, are necessary in investigating the pathologic conditions of the ethmoid sinus, since diagnostic significance of occipito-frontal view for ethmoid pathology is doubtful in children. A routine preoperative CT is recommended, which allows a detailed evaluation of pathologic changes and anatomical relations of the ethmoid before embarking a surgical intervention for the ethmoid sinus in children.

Adolescent↗

[Effect of recognition of head and neck malignancies on patients' psychosomatic condition and personality].

In order to elucidate the effect of recognition of head and neck malignancies on patients' psychosomatic condition and personality, we applied the Cornell Medical Index Health Questionnaire (CMI) and the Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI) and collected medical and psychological data from 35 male (42-78 years of age; average 62.5) and 15 female (20-76 years of age; average 54.7) patients with malignant head and neck tumors (10 nose and paranasal, 8 oral, 8 pharyngeal, 14 laryngeal, 6 thyroid gland and 4 others). The two tests were done twice for each patients; at first immediately before hospitalization for treatment of the tumors at Mie University Hospital and secondly just before discharge from the hospital. The period of hospitalization ranged 1 to 13 months, average 3.3 months. At the end of hospitalization doctors and nurses who had mainly taken care of the patients estimated the patients' recognition of their malignancy by analyzing behavior and information mainly from their family and classified patients into three groups; Group R (Patients who recognized that they were patients with head and neck malignancies) comprised 22 patients, Group N (who did not recognize the condition) comprised 15 and Group U (who could not be classified into Groups R or N) comprised 13. Comparison among the three groups revealed the followings. 1) Patients in Group R were relatively young (average 56.3 years) and extrovert (estimated by MPI) and their somatic and psychological complaints registered on the CMI were less than those in other 2 groups. Psychosomatic condition after recognition that they had been patients with malignant tumors was better than before.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

[Effects of frequent antral lavage on chronic sinusitis in children].

Eighty cases of pediatric sinusitis (4 to 15 years old, averaged 8 years old) were treated with frequent antral irrigations. Antral puncture was made through the inferior meatus with a Kyoto University needle under topical or general anesthesia. Then a plastic tube of 14G Medicut intravenous cannula was left in place to serve as an indwelling catheter. Antral lavages were performed through this tube 3 times daily for 7 to 10 days. The opacity of the maxillary sinus at post-treatment was improved significantly compared with that at pre-treatment in Waters view. This improvement was continued even at about 5.7 months after treatment. The opacity of the ethmoid sinus was also improved significantly after the treatment in occipito-frontal view. Our results suggest that the frequent antral lavage is an useful therapeutic modality for pediatric sinusitis.

Adolescent↗

[Observation of cellular communication in the corneal endothelium using a small molecular weight fluorescent dye].

The metabolic and functional connection between corneal endothelial cells is thought to depend on the transfer of small molecules via gap junctions, as has been reported for other tissues. Cell-to-cell communication in the corneal endothelium was studied by monitoring the spread of fluorescence following the direct injection of Lucifer Yellow CH into single endothelial cells of the excised rabbit cornea. The image of the endothelial cells was observed during the injection and post-injection periods using specular microscopy and fluorescence microscopy. In the fresh cornea, the dye transferred readily from the injected endothelial cell to its neighbors. In damaged cells, dye transfer was slower or did not occur. After 5 hours of incubation in tissue culture medium 199, the specular microscopic image degraded, lowered cell membrane potential and decreased dye transfer rate were measured. This study showed that in normal corneal endothelial cells there were efficient cell communication channels between neighboring cells, and as the endothelium becomes less viable, cell communication is inhibited.

Animals↗

[The inhibitory effect of gamma-glutamylcysteinylethyl ester (gamma-GCE) instillation on experimental diabetic cataract formation in rats].

The effect of the instillation of gamma-glutamylcysteinylethyl ester (gamma-GCE), which has been reported to function as a precursor of glutathione, on cataract formation was examined in rats in which diabetes had been induced by Streptozotocin (STZ). Three days after i.p. treatment with 50 mg/kg body weight of STZ, male Wistar rats aged 6 weeks received instillations of gamma-GCE in solution or liposomes prepared with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) for a period of 9 weeks. Cataract formation and development were observed by use of a cataract camera every week. After 9 weeks' observation, the lenses were enucleated and the content of the lens GSH was measured. Instillation of gamma-GCE in solution or liposomes to STZ-diabetic rats not only inhibited cataract formation but also kept lens GSH level almost at the control level. In addition, the inhibitory effect of the instillation of gamma-GCE in liposome was stronger than that of gamma-GCE in solution. The present results indicate that the administration of gamma-GCE in solution or in liposomes inhibits diabetic cataract formation, possibly by preventing lens GSH depletion.

Animals↗

Relationship between dynamic viscoelasticity and biochemical parameters in whole sputum from patients with hypersecretory respiratory diseases.

To obtain suitable biochemical parameters for measuring the dynamic viscoelasticity of sputum, we examined the relationships of the dynamic viscoelasticity with the dry weight (DW) and the contents of fucose, a parameter of airway mucous glycoprotein (AMG), and total protein (TP) and major proteins in whole sputum. The DW and TP, albumin and IgG concentrations and elastase activity were higher in purulent sputum than in mucoid-mucopurulent sputum, but there was no significant difference in the concentrations of airway wall-derived substances, such as fucose and S-IgA in the two. In mucoid-mucopurulent sputum, the dynamic viscosity (eta') and elastic modulus (G'), an indicator of dynamic elasticity, were most closely correlated with the fucose concentration (r = +0.75, and +0.74, p < 0.005 at 1 Hz) and slightly correlated with the DW, TP and S-IgA, but not with the other parameters tested. In the purulent sputum, the eta' and G' correlated with the DW and concentration of TP (r = +0.70-0.80, p < 0.005), but not with any concentrations of fucose, S-IgA or albumin. The results indicate that as parameters for estimating the dynamic viscosity and elasticity of whole sputum, fucose is useful for mucoid-mucopurulent sputum whereas DW and TP are useful for purulent sputum.

Adult↗

Magnetic resonance imaging of small hepatocellular carcinoma.

Thirty-eight patients with small hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), size less than 20 mm, initially detected by ultrasound (US) and histologically confirmed, were examined by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, computed tomographic (CT) scan, and angiography. MR imaging demonstrated HCC nodules in nine (75.0%) of 12 patients with tumors less than 10 mm in diameter and in 22 (84.6%) of 26 patients with tumors 10-20 mm in diameter. In total, HCC nodules were detected in 31 of 38 patients (81.6%) by MR imaging. On the other hand, HCC lesions were found on CT scan in 14 of 26 patients (53.8%) and in 27 of 35 patients (77.1%) by angiography. With MR imaging, HCC nodules were demonstrated in 21 of 31 patients on both T1 and T2 weighted images, and 13 of 21 patients (61.9%) were shown to have low intensity areas or iso intensity areas on T1 weighted image, whereas the other eight patients (38.1%) were shown to have high intensity areas. All 21 patients were shown to have high intensity areas on T2 weighted image. Among 15 resected cases, four patients had a high intensity area on T1 weighted image, and a significant fatty change was noted in HCC nodules by histological study of the resected specimen. We suggest that MR imaging is a useful diagnostic imaging modality, even in small HCC of less than 20 mm.

Adult↗

The effect of middle ear effusions from children on in vitro ciliary activity.

In an attempt to clarify the effect of middle ear effusions (MEEs) on ciliary activity, the ciliary beat frequency (CBF) of nasal epithelium from normal subjects was determined following incubation in Hanks' solution containing effusions from pediatric otitis media with effusion. Both serous and mucoid types of effusions increased CBF 15 min after incubation. The mucoid type of effusion was then found to decrease CBF 6 h after incubation. Since the pH and osmotic pressure of the solution containing the effusions were within the physiological ranges for normal ciliary beating, our findings show that MEEs can influence CBF in vitro.

Child↗

Viscoelastic properties of middle ear effusions from pediatric otitis media with effusion and their relation to gross appearance.

The viscosity and the elasticity were measured in 146 individual middle ear effusions (MEEs) from 93 children with otitis media with effusion (OME). The effusions were classified into serous or mucoid type by their macroscopic appearance. The distribution of elasticity showed two peaks, corresponding to the peaks of serous and mucoid types of effusions. There were a small number of effusions in the intermediate range of elasticity, where the effusions were most effectively transported by the cilia. These findings suggests that the MEEs of pediatric OME are accumulations of rheologically suboptimal fluid in the middle ear cavity.

Child↗

Changes of lens protein particles during development and reversal of galactose cataracts. Study by laser scattering spectroscopy.

3-week-old Wistar rats weighing about 50 g were fed a 38% galactose diet which was subsequently replaced with a normal diet. We measured the protein particle diameters and the scattered light intensity in the transparent part of galactose cataractous lenses. The scattered light intensity of small particles with a diameter of approximately 0.02 microns, corresponding to alpha-crystallin, decreased with a galactose diet, whereas it increased with a normal diet.

Animals↗