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Biomedical subjects

Y Masuda

Publications and source records attributed to Y Masuda.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Cigarette smoking, blood pressure and serum lipids and lipoproteins in middle-aged women.

The relationship of cigarette smoking with blood pressure and serum lipids and lipoproteins was studied in the 3934 middle-aged women aged 40 to 59 years. After adjusting age, body mass index (BMI), alcohol intake and physical activity scores, the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DEP, respectively) did not indicate dose-dependent relationships. The largest significant mean differences in SBP (4.6 mmHg), DBP (3.9 mmHg), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (9.6 mg/dL), ratio of total cholesterol to HDL-C (TC/HDL-C) (0.8), triglycerides (TG) (22.9 mg/dL) and the logarithmic transformation of TG (Log TG) (0.26) were found between the non-smokers and smokers. When age, BMI, alcohol intake and physical activity scores were included in the forward stepwise multiple regression analyses, there were negative relationships found for cigarette smoking and SBP, DBP and HDL-C and positive relationships for cigarette smoking and TC/HDL-C, TG, Log TG and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Although the results are somewhat variable, the present study shows cigarette smoking is negatively associated with SBP and DBP and unfavorably associated with serum lipids and lipoproteins in middle-aged women.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[A survey on how medical student consider end-if-life care in the elderly].

We examined the way medical students think about end-of-life care in the elderly by a questionnaire survey. The major variables of the evaluation instrument included the students' idea of the special nature of end-of-life care for the elderly, the necessity for disclosure of the name of disease, consideration for patient's age on disclosure, advance directives concerning their life-sustaining treatment, and communication concerning preferences for end-of-life care. The final items on the instrument asked for student comments about end-of-life care in the elderly. We analyzed this qualitative data using the process of immersion/crystallization. We received 95 responses, and of these 65 (68%) provided written commentaries that were analyzed using qualitative techniques. Fifty-nine (62%) students pointed out the special nature of end-of-life care in the elderly and most of them (96%) needed the disclosure of the name of disease. Fifty-two (55%) students agreed with advance directives for end-of-life care and 88 (93%) students pointed out the importance of communication with regard to patients' preferences. Medical students' concerns about end-of-life care in the elderly related to three major domains: 1) patient-physician relationship; 2) the procedures of end-of-life care; and 3) emotional and intuitive comments. These results suggest that in the education of geriatric medicine the patient-physician's relationship about end-of-life care is important and we may need to introduce systematic lectures and practical training.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

[Factors contributing to dying at home in elderly patients who received home care service].

This study examine whether around-the-clock medical support is a contributing factor to dying at home, and also tried to identify other such factors. Visiting nursing records of 81 elderly patients who died at home or in hospital after receiving home care at two facilities, one with and one without 24-hour medical support respectively were examined retrospectively. The subjects were divided into two groups: those who died at home and those who died in a hospital or nursing home. The two groups were compared in terms of clinical and sociodemographic characteristics and preferences for dying at home, expressed by patients, families and medical staff. Those who died at home showed a significantly higher rate of total dependence (84.6% vs. 48.1%) at month before death. Dying at home was significantly more preferred by all patients, families and medical staff. The major reason for hospitalization was rapid deterioration of the patients' condition. The facility with around-the-clock medical service had a higher rate of dying at home (42% vs. 27%, p = 0.18). Also, patients, families, and medical staff associated with their facility showed a higher preference for dying at home. We concluded from the above that the contributing factors for dying at home are: 1) total dependence level of ADL at one month before the death, and 2) preference for dying at home expressed by the patient, family and medical staff. This study suggests 24-hour medical support should be a requirement for in-home terminal care. Supporting advice from the staff to the family seems to be another contributing factor.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Zaltoprofen prevents carbon tetrachloride-induced reduction of body weight in rats.

Previously we reported carbon tetrachloride-induced body weight loss in rats as a new model of wasting disorders. The oral administration of a low dose of carbon tetrachloride to rats reduced the body weight and food intake at 24 h with a minimal effect on plasma alanine aminotransferase activity. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 mRNA expression in the brain was not affected by carbon tetrachloride. Zaltoprofen, which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, prevented the carbon tetrachloride-induced body weight decrease, without preventing the carbon tetrachloride-induced loss of food intake. The present results suggest the possible application of this drug for the treatment of wasting disorders.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Prevention of concanavalin A-induced mice hepatitis by molsidomine.

Molsidomine is effective in reducing portal hypertension in cirrhosis, but its effect on hepatitis is not known. In the present study, the effect of molsidomine on hepatitis was examined using mouse concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatitis and mouse anti-Fas antibody-induced hepatitis. Treatment of mice with Con A caused elevation of plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) at 8 and 24 h (n=4). Pretreatment of mice with molsidomine (3, 10, 30 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) prevented Con A-induced hepatitis. Treatment of mice with anti-Fas antibody (150 microg/kg, i.v.) caused elevation of plasma ALT at 3.5 h. Pretreatment mice with molsidomine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) showed only 47% inhibition of anti-Fas antibody caused elevation of plasma ALT. The present results showed effectiveness of molsidomine in preventing Con A-induced mice hepatitis.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed2001

Zaltoprofen inhibits concanavalin A-induced decrease of body weight in mice.

Treatment of mice with concanavalin A (Con A) (12.5 mg/kg, i.v.) decreased the body weight at 24 h. This Con A-induced body weight decrease was accompanied by reduction in food and water intake. Zaltoprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The administration of Zaltoprofen (10 mg/kg) at 8 h after Con A treatment was found to inhibit the Con A-induced reduction in body weight. The food intake in mice treated with Con A plus Zaltoprofen (10 mg/kg) was four times greater than that in mice treated with only Con A. The present results showed inhibition of the Con A-induced body weight loss by Zaltoprofen and suggested its possible effectiveness for the treatment of "sickness behavior".

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[Clinical validation of accuracy of anatomical M-mode measurements: effect of harmonic imaging].

OBJECTIVES: Recent advances in ultrasound technology allow reconstruction of images from stored radiofrequency information and creating of M-mode echocardiograms along an M-mode cursor of any direction (anatomical M-mode echocardiography). METHODS: The accuracy of the measurements obtained by anatomical M-mode echocardiography was evaluated by comparing the measurements with those by B-mode echocardiography with or without harmonic imaging in 8 normal subjects and 14 patients with cardiac disorders. Measurements used the left ventricular short-axis image in 4 different directions (0 to 6, 3 to 9, 1 to 7 and 5 to 11 o'clock). RESULTS: Anatomical M-mode and B-mode measurements showed good linear relationships with correlation coefficients of 0.90 to 0.99 in any of the 4 directions. However, measurements in the lateral direction (3 to 9 o'clock) showed larger errors than those in the other directions (p < 0.05). With the use of harmonic imaging, the errors tended to become smaller, although it did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Anatomical M-mode echocardiography accurately measures the left ventricular internal diameter in any direction except the lateral direction. Harmonic imaging is useful to decrease the errors.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

[A case of malignant myoepithelioma in the lacrimal gland].

BACKGROUND: A case of malignant myoepithelioma in the lacrimal gland is reported. CASE: The patient, a 77-year-old male with increasing proptosis in the left eye was referred to us. Steroid therapy was not effective, therefore lateral orbitotomy was performed. RESULT: On pathological examination, the proper structure of actini was normal, but the cord of actini revealed the destruction layer tapering into the surrounding area. The tumor was composed of sarcomatoid changes with spindle-shaped cells, collagen fibers, and myxoid pattern. immunohistochemically, tumor cells were positive for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA). Electronmicroscopy showed desmosomes in intercellular junctions. CONCLUSION: Recently, there have been attempts to distinguish myoepithelioma from pleomorphic adenoma on the basis of cellular organization. In our case, duct formation was less than in pleomorphic adenoma. Therefore we diagnosed this tumor as malignant myoepithelioma.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

[Perioperative management of life-threatening intra-abdominal bleeding with intra-aortic balloon occlusion catheter].

Intra-thoracic aortic clamping using an intra-aortic balloon occlusion catheter (IABOC) is employed for patients with life-threatening intra-abdominal and/or extra-abdominal bleeding in spite of massive transfusion. For perioperative management, we inserted an IABOC preoperatively into a 59-year-old man with life-threatening intra-abdominal bleeding from an abscess formed around his traumatically injured pancreas. We could perform a safe operation in which bleeding was controlled by intermittently occluding the IABOC and the patient was thus prevented from developing into severe hemorrhagic shock. We experienced a usefulness of IABOC for a patient with life-threatening intra-abdominal bleeding uncontrolled due to intra-abdominal adhesion during the perioperative period. However, organ dysfunctions caused by ischemia and reperfusion following intra-aortic balloon occlusion must be prevented by shortening the occlusion time through use of an intermittent method such as described above.

Anesthesia, General↗
PubMed2001

[Prostatic cancer developing after transurethral resection of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia].

From January 1993 to June 1998, 319 cases were histopathologically diagnosed as prostatic cancer. In 7 of the 319 cases (2.2%) transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P) had been performed and a diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia had been made with the resected specimens. The interval between TUR-P and the diagnosis of prostatic cancer ranged from 22 months to 15 years. All the cases showed an elevation of the prostate specific antigen (PSA) value (6.4-399 ng/ml, Tandem-R: RIA) at the time of cancer diagnosis. In 2 cases, PSA was measured in cancer screening. The clinical stage was stage B1 in 2 cases, stage B2 in 2 and D2 in 3. Only one case had been regularly followed-up after TUR-P, in which cancer was diagnosed by needle biopsy 22 months after TUR-P, because of the sustained high PSA values. Since most of such patients have an advanced stage of prostate cancer, it is of importance to have periodical follow-up examinations after TUR-P. The measurement of PSA appears the most reliable means in this way.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

[The changes of PCBs and PCDFs as well as symptoms in Yusho patients for 30 years].

Two mass-food poisonings called Yusho and Yucheng occurred in Western Japan and Taiwan in 1968 and 1979, respectively. Blood samples from 5 Yusho patients and 3 Yucheng patients were collected several times from 1982 to 1998 and from 1980 to 1995, respectively, and analyzed for PCB and PCDF congeners. Fat base concentrations of 2,3,4,7,8-penta-CDF in the Yusho patients, which were responsible for about 70% of the dioxin toxicity, are estimated to be decreased from 60 ppb in 1969 to 0.8 ppb in 1997 with the median half-life of 2.9 years in the first 15 years after the onset and 7.7 years in the next stage of 15 years. Fat base concentrations of total PCBs in the blood of Yusho patients are estimated to be decreased from 75 ppm just after the onset to 2.3 ppm after passage of 30 years. Typical Yusho symptoms of acneiform eruption, dermal pigmentation and increased eye discharge were very gradually recovered with lapse of ten years. However, enzyme and/or hormone mediated sign of high serum triglyceride, high serum thyroxin, immunoglobulin disorder and others are persistently maintained for 30 years.

Acneiform Eruptions↗
PubMed2001

[Species differences in the in vitro metabolism of 2,4,5,2',3',4'-hexachlorobiphenyl].

In vitro Metabolism of 2,4,5,2',3',4'-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB138) was studied using liver microsomes from rats, hamsters and guinea pigs. Guinea pig liver microsomes formed four metabolites named as M-1, M-2, M-3 and M-4 and these metabolites were all increased to about 4-5 fold of untreated microsomes by pretreatment of phenobarbital. Liver microsomes of rats and hamsters showed much less activity to metabolize CB138 than those of guinea pigs. Only phenobarbital-treated microsomes produced very small amounts of M-3 in rats and M-1, M-2 and M-3 in hamsters, but untreated and MC-treated microsomes did not. When mass spectra of the methylated derivatives of M-1, M-2, M-3 and M-4 were measured in GC/MS, the former two possess the molecular ion of 354 and the latter two had the molecular ion of 388. In addition, the mass fragmentation pattern indicated that M-1, M-2, M-3 and M-4 are 2-OH-4,5,2',3',4'-pentachlorobiphenyl, 5-OH-2,4,2',3',4'-pentachlorobiphenyl, 3-OH-CB138 and 2-OH-3,4,5,2',3',4'-hexachlorobiphenyl, respectively. Of four metabolites, the chemical structures of M-3 and M-4 were supported by the synthesized authentic compounds. From these results, it is suggested that the metabolism of CB138 in guinea pig liver proceeds mainly via 2,3-epoxide as an intermediate and a PB-inducible P450, CYP2B18, is the most important isozyme in CB138 metabolism.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[Diagnosis and treatment of trigeminal neuralgia].

Trigeminal neuralgia is a disease affecting older individuals. The clinical hallmark of trigeminal neuralgia is a sudden, excruciating paroxysm of pain in the area of the trigeminal nerve. Drug therapy is considered the first line of treatment for trigeminal neuralgia. Anticonvulsant carbamazepine has been used. If relevant pharmacotherapy has been tried without any effect, other procedures are selected. These procedures are microvascular decompression(a radical technique), glycerol trigeminal rhizotomy, percutaneous trigeminal nerve decompression and nerve block. Nerve block with neurolytic solutions and radiofrequency thermocoagulation is a simple, less invasive therapy. In order to avoid hypesthesia and dysesthesia, nerve block using a high concentration of local anesthetics is recommended. In recent years, stereotactic radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia has emerged as a new therapeutic modality.

Anticonvulsants↗
PubMed2001

Cellular biology of cryopreserved allograft valves.

Although analyzing the precise mechanisms of cryopreserved allograft valve failure may be difficult due to a number of crucial reasons and the interrelationships between the overlapping mechanisms, there is some evidence that cryopreservation is currently the best method of storing allograft valves. The present review shows the basic cellular biology of cryopreserved allograft valves for long-term durability, particularly relevant to allograft valve cellular viability, the immune response mainly caused by viable donor cells, and the preservation and regeneration of the intrinsic extracellular matrix. The present findings are as follows. First, cryopreservation produces serious damage to cytosolic and mitochondrial functions of both endothelial cells and fibroblasts, which may cause valve failure after implantation. Second, although the collagen synthesis of cryopreserved valves was relatively maintained, total protein synthesis was highly diminished and the collagenolytic ability was activated immediately after the thawing process. These findings imply that the cryopreservation itself may cause the collagen metabolism to become degradable, which will lead to valve failure. Further examination of collagen metabolism and modulation of the collagenolytic activity will be necessary to improve the tissue preservation for improved clinical use.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2001

[Persistent left-sided superior vena cava diagnosed after flow-directed pulmonary artery catheterization; report of a case].

We describe a case of persistent left-sided superior vena cava discovered after insertion of a pulmonary artery (PA) catheter. The diagnosis was suggested by chest X-ray after PA catheter placement and was subsequently confirmed by an echocardiograph. A 68-year-old man was admitted to our ICU because of septic shock induced by MRSA enterocolitis. In order to monitor the hemodynamic state of the patient, a PA catheter was inserted through the left subclavian vein after placement of a central venous and flexible double lumen catheters through the right internal jugular and subclavian veins, respectively. A chest X-ray showed the PA catheter passing along the left border of the heart. An echocardiograph showed the PA catheter passing through the coronary sinus into the pulmonary artery. Anesthesiologists and intensivists should be aware of the occurrence of left-sided superior vena cava in order not to mistake catheters placed in it as being in the arterial circulation or malpositioned outside of the venous circulation.

Catheterization, Swan-Ganz↗
PubMed2001

Outcomes of written living wills in Japan--a survey of the deceased ones' families.

A study was recently done to investigate the outcomes of written living wills in Japan, which, unlike the United States, does not legally recognize advance directives. This study collected demographic information and predictors of living will use among families and guardians who used the living will form provided by the Japan Society for Dying with Dignity. According to the results of the study, affliction with cancer and death in a hospital was the best predictor of written living will use. Research on physicians' treatment limitation and withdrawal behaviors in the clinical setting is needed to better understand the actual impact of living wills. Such research can provide better understanding of where boundaries of self-determination are drawn and how to respect autonomy in Japan.

Advance Directive Adherence↗