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Biomedical subjects

Yoshiaki Okada

Publications and source records attributed to Yoshiaki Okada.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

[Experience of treatment for blunt traumatic out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest patients over 24 years: head injury v.s. non-head injury].

PURPOSE: We investigated blunt traumatic out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest patients whether any clinical differences between with and without head injury existed or not. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 332 blunt traumatic out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest cases that had been transported to our hospital between January 1980 and April 2003. They were divided into two groups, head injury (HI, n = 175) and non-head injury (NHI, n = 157). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to sex, age, mechanism of injury, witnessed arrest, bystander cardiopulmonary arrest, value of hemoglobin, value of base excess, and electrocardiogram on arrival. Averaged total abbreviated injury scale in the HI was greater than in the NHI, however return of spontaneous circulation in the HI was more frequent than in the NHI. Survival discharge rate was under 2% and good recovery case was none in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among lethal blunt traumatic injuries, there were no different backgrounds between with and without head injury. The return of spontaneous circulation in the blunt traumatic patients with head injury became higher than without head injury, however the outcomes were similarly extremely poor.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation↗

[A case of the usefulness of MR angiography and diffusion weighted image to evaluate migraine].

A 37-year-old male transported by an ambulance with severe pulsating headache after transient was scintillating scotoma and right hemianopia. He had experienced migraine attacks 2-10 times every year since he was 22 years old. His initial vital signs were stable, the neurological findings while he rested in bed were normal and the head CT examination showed no abnormality. MR angiography revealed narrowing of his cerebral arteries, especially noticeable on the left side. The headache improved after administration of eletriptan hydrobromide. The diffusion weighted image on the next day showed high intensity areas in the left cerebellar hemisphere, vermis, left insular and occipital lobe. The MRA indicated enlargement of the diameter of the cerebral arteries. These findings suggested the usefulness of MRA and diffusion weighted image to evaluate migraine.

Adult↗

[A case of head injury accompanied by minute hemorrhage-like artifacts created by multislice CT scans].

We demonstrated a head injury case accompanied by multiple small high-density artifacts in the middle of the brain created by multislice CT scanning, due to the malfunction of a detector involved in reconstruction of the mid images. We named these objects high-density spot artifacts. The high-density spot artifacts resemble minute hemorrhages which appear as diffuse axonal injuries. Radiologists and neurosurgeons should be familiar with this the existence of artifact.

Adolescent↗

PREP1, MEIS1 homolog protein, regulates PF4 gene expression.

We have previously demonstrated that homeodomain proteins, MEIS1 and PBXs, transactivate the PF4 gene through the novel regulatory element termed TME. This study focuses on Pbx regulating protein 1 (PREP1), a MEIS1 homolog protein, for its transcriptional activity in the PF4 promoter. PREP1 binds to the TME in HEL cells. PREP1 was expressed in human megakaryocytes that differentiated from CD34(+) cells. EMSA shows that either PREP1 by itself or PREP1/PBX complexes bind to the two TGACAG motifs in the TME and activate the PF4 promoter. Furthermore, PREP1 and PREP1/PBX complexes synergistically activate the PF4 promoter with GATA-1 and ETS-1. These data demonstrate that PREP1 is also an important transcription factor that regulates PF4 gene expression such as MEIS1. Additionally, these data imply functional similarities and differences between PREP1 and MEIS1 in the regulation of PF4 gene expression.

Base Sequence↗

Homeodomain proteins MEIS1 and PBXs regulate the lineage-specific transcription of the platelet factor 4 gene.

Platelet factor 4 (PF4) is expressed during megakaryocytic differentiation. We previously reported that GATA-1 and ETS-1 regulate the rat PF4 promoter and transactivate the PF4 gene. For the present study, we investigated the regulatory elements and their transcription factors responsible for the lineage-specific expression of the PF4 gene. The promoter activities of deletion constructs were evaluated, and a novel regulatory element termed TME (tandem repeat of MEIS1 binding element) (-219 to -182) was defined. Binding proteins to TME were strongly detected in HEL nuclear extracts by electrophoresis mobility shift assay (EMSA), and they were purified by DNA affinity chromatography. By performing Western blottings and supershift assays, the binding proteins were identified as homeodomain proteins, MEIS1, PBX1B, and PBX2. These factors are expressed in megakaryocytes differentiated from CD34+ cells in human cord blood. MEIS1 and PBXs bind to the TME as MEIS1/PBX complexes and activate the PF4 promoter. In nonmegakaryocytic HepG2 cells, GATA-1 and ETS-1 activate the PF4 promoter approximately 10-fold. Surprisingly, we found that additional expression of both MEIS1 and PBX2 multiplied this major activation another 2-fold. This activation was not observed when MEIS1 binding sites in the TME were disrupted. Furthermore, inhibition of the binding of endogenous MEIS1/PBX complexes to the TME decreased the promoter activity by almost one half, in megakaryocytic HEL cells. Thus, these studies demonstrate that the homeodomain proteins, MEIS1, PBX1B, and PBX2, play an important role in megakaryocytic gene expression.

Animals↗

Effect of induced-hypothermia on short-term survival after volume-controlled hemorrhage in pigs.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether induced hypothermia could prolong short-term survival after volume-controlled hemorrhagic shock (HS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen pigs with systemic heparin underwent blood withdrawal of 30 ml/kg over 15 min under spontaneous breathing with halothane anesthesia. The pigs were divided into three groups of five pigs each: Group 1, hemorrhage plus hypothermia with extracorporeal shunt circulation (ECSC); Group 2, hemorrhage plus normothermia with ECSC; and Group 3, hemorrhage alone. For Groups 1 and 2, arteriovenous ECSC was performed for 20 min during HS. The re-infused shunt blood was cooled down to approximately 15 degrees C in Group 1, whereas it was returned at 37.5 degrees C in Group 2. The pigs in Group 3 had no ECSC and were left at room temperature. All pigs were observed until their death or for a maximum of 240 min. RESULTS: The mean pulmonary artery temperature (T(pa)) of Group 1 animals decreased to 34.5 degrees C at 15 min after the initiation of ECSC, and thereafter remained at 35.5 degrees C after undergoing ECSC. The T(pa) values for Groups 2 and 3 animals remained at 37.5 degrees C throughout the experiment. All five pigs in Group 1 survived until 240 min, whereas all pigs in Group 2 and 3 of five pigs in Group 3 died before 215 min after blood withdrawal. A life table analysis revealed significantly increased survival in Group 1 compared with Group 2 (P<0.01) and Group 3 (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In lightly anesthetized pigs during volume-controlled HS, induced hypothermia may prolong their short-term survival for reasons that remain to be clarified.

Animals↗

Dissociation between gene expression and protein contents of tissue superoxide dismutase in a rat model of lethal burns.

The aim of this study was to examine the changes in the tissue Cu/Zn- and the Mn-SOD contents and gene expression following mild and severe burns in a rodent burn model. Thirty-eight male Wistar rats, weighing 208-278g, were divided into a sham burn group and two burn groups, with one receiving burns to 35% of the body surface and the other to 60%. Twenty animals of the burn groups were monitored daily for 7 days after injuries to examine survival. Six animals in the sham, 35 or 60% burn group were sacrificed at 3h postburn, and the blood, lungs and kidneys were collected for a biological analysis. The Cu/Zn- and Mn-SOD contents of the tissue and plasma specimens were measured using ELISA. The mRNA expressions of Cu/Zn- and Mn-SOD were determined by a Northern blot analysis. The survival rate of the 60% burn group for 7 days was 30%, whereas the survival rate of the 35% burn group was 100%. The mRNA expressions of Mn-SODs in the lung and the kidney were significantly higher in the 60% burn group than in 35% burn or sham burn group, as was the mRNA expression of lung Cu/Zn-SOD. Nevertheless, the tissue SOD contents in the 60% burn group (mortality 70%) did not exceed those in the 35% group. Based on these findings, tissue SOD synthesis is thus suggested to be inhibited in lethal burns in spite of a strong mRNA expression of SOD.

Animals↗

Kinetic analysis of the development of pancreatic lesions in mice infected with a murine retrovirus.

Sjögren's syndrome (SjS)-like sialoadenitis and exocrine pancreatitis were induced in mice infected with LP-BM5 murine leukemia virus, which induces a severe immunodeficiency termed murine AIDS (MAIDS). All mice with MAIDS showed advancing cellular infiltration around the pancreatic ducts as well as systemic exocrinopathy. The primary target tissue of the pancreas was acinar cells, and the pancreatic islets were well preserved until a late phase of the disease. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry demonstrated that CD4(+) T cells, Mac-1(+) cells, and B220(+) cells were major inflammatory components, and IFN-gamma and IL-10 were mainly detected on CD4(+) T and Mac-1(+) cells in the pancreas. Both Th1 and Th2 cells were found. TUNEL(+) apoptotic cells were mostly detected among pancreas-infiltrating cells. Fas ligand and TNF-alpha were also detected among pancreas-infiltrating cells, whereas Fas was rarely expressed in the pancreatic acinar cells. Thus, MAIDS mice could be valuable for analyzing the pathogenesis of autoimmune-related pancreatitis associated with SjS.

Animals↗

Moderate hypothermia alters interleukin-6 and interleukin-1alpha reactions in ischemic brain in mice.

Female C57BL/6 mice were decapitated and their brains were removed and cultured at either 37 or 33 degrees C for 48 h to investigate whether or not moderate hypothermia alters the cytokine reactions in the ischemic brain. The interleukin-6 and interleukin-1alpha levels in the culture media were significantly elevated in a time-dependent manner. The interleukin-6 levels after the incubation at 33 degrees C were significantly lower than those at 37 degrees C. The interleukin-1alpha levels at 33 degrees C were significantly higher than those at 37 degrees C. The interleukin-1alpha levels incubated with interleukin-6 antibody were significantly higher than those without IL-6 antibody. At 37 degrees C, the mRNA expression of interleukin-6 was observed from 2 to 48 h after incubation, but the same expression of interleukin-1alpha was only detected until 12 h. Accordingly, the ischemic brain incubated at 33 degrees C showed a decreased interleukin-6 production in comparison with that at 37 degrees C and the level of interleukin-6 showed negative feedback for the production of interleukin-1alpha. The temperature should, therefore, be carefully considered when evaluating the cytokine reaction for cerebral ischemia.

Animals↗

Mild hypothermia prolongs the survival time during uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To test our hypothesis that during lethal uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock (UHS) in rats, mild hypothermia of either 36 or 34 degrees C would prolong the survival time in comparison with normotherma of 38 degrees C. METHODS: Twenty-four rats were lightly anesthetized with halothane and maintained spontaneous breathing. UHS was induced by blood withdrawal of 2.5 ml/100 g over 15 min, followed by 75% tail amputation. Immediately after the tail cut, the rats were randomly divided into three groups (eight rats for each); normothermic Group 1 (control, rectal temperature 38 degrees C), and mild hypothermic Groups 2 (36 degrees C) and 3 (34 degrees C). Hypothermia was induced and maintained by body surface cooling. The rats were then observed without fluid resuscitation until their death (apnea and no pulse) or for a period of 240 min maximum. RESULTS: The rectal temperature was cooled down to 36 and 34 degrees C in 5 and 10 min, respectively. The mean survival time, which was 76+/-26 min in the control group (38 degrees C), was nearly doubled by mild hypothermia, 178+/-65 min for Group 2 (36 degrees C) (P<0.01 vs. control) and 144+/-54 min for Group 3 (34 degrees C) (P<0.05 vs. control) (no significant difference between Group 2 and 3). Additional blood losses from tail stumps were not significantly different among the three groups. CONCLUSION: Mild hypothermia of either 36 or 34 degrees C prolongs the survival time during lethal UHS in rats.

Animals↗

Use of early-phase dynamic spiral computed tomography for the primary screening of multiple trauma.

The effectiveness of early-phase dynamic spiral computed tomography (CT) of the whole body for screening multiple trauma was compared with that of conventional incremental CT. Thirty-six patients with suspected blunt hemorrhagic injuries were prospectively assigned to undergo either standard uniphasic incremental CT or spiral CT enhanced during the early arterial phase. In comparison with incremental CT, the wider scan coverage in spiral CT resulted in the detection of more injuries. Spiral CT showed an excellent enhancement of both the arteries and parenchyma with a reduced volume of contrast material, however, more contrast artifacts were observed. All extravasations detected in spiral CT were from the arteries and required subsequent interventions including transcatheter embolization. Primary screening with early-phase dynamic spiral CT for hemorrhagic multiple trauma was found to be useful for determining the applications of subsequent angiographic intervention as well as evaluating lesions caused by injury.

Abdominal Injuries↗

Rapid body cooling by cold fluid infusion prolongs survival time during uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock in pigs.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine whether cold fluid infusion could rapidly decrease the core temperature and prolong survival during uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock in pigs. METHODS: Fourteen pigs under light halothane anesthesia and spontaneous breathing underwent initial blood withdrawal of 25 mL/kg over 15 minutes, followed by uncontrolled hemorrhage (5-mm aortotomy). Immediately after the aortotomy, the pigs were randomized to receive 500 mL lactated Ringer's solution at either 4 degrees C (group 1, n = 7) or 37 degrees C (group 2, n = 7) over 20 minutes through the internal jugular vein and observed until their death or for a maximum of 240 minutes. RESULTS: The pulmonary artery temperature of group 1 decreased to 35.5 degrees +/- 0.3 degrees C after the infusion, then remained at 35.5 degrees C during the observation period. Pulmonary artery temperature values of group 2 remained at around 37.5 degrees C throughout the experiment. The mean survival time was 220 +/- 45 minutes in group 1 versus 136 +/- 64 minutes in group 2 (p < 0.05, life table analysis). The additional intraperitoneal blood loss of group 1 was similar to that of group 2 (9 +/- 4 g/kg vs. 10 +/- 5 g/kg). CONCLUSION: In lightly anesthetized pigs during uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock, infusion with 4 degrees C lactated Ringer's solution (which seems to be feasible in the clinical setting) decreases the core temperature rapidly and prolongs survival.

Animals↗

Identification of a chromosome-targeting domain in the human condensin subunit CNAP1/hCAP-D2/Eg7.

CNAP1 (hCAP-D2/Eg7) is an essential component of the human condensin complex required for mitotic chromosome condensation. This conserved complex contains a structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) family protein heterodimer and three non-SMC subunits. The mechanism underlying condensin targeting to mitotic chromosomes and the role played by the individual condensin components, particularly the non-SMC subunits, are not well understood. We report here characterization of the non-SMC condensin component CNAP1. CNAP1 contains two separate domains required for its stable incorporation into the complex. We found that the carboxyl terminus of CNAP1 possesses a mitotic chromosome-targeting domain that does not require the other condensin components. The same region also contains a functional bipartite nuclear localization signal. A mutant CNAP1 missing this domain, although still incorporated into condensin, was unable to associate with mitotic chromosomes. Successful chromosome targeting of deletion mutants correlated with their ability to directly bind to histones H1 and H3 in vitro. The H3 interaction appears to be mediated through the H3 histone tail, and a subfragment containing the targeting domain was found to interact with histone H3 in vivo. Thus, the CNAP1 C-terminal region defines a novel histone-binding domain that is responsible for targeting CNAP1, and possibly condensin, to mitotic chromosomes.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

An arteriovenous fistula between the internal mammary artery and the pulmonary vein following blunt chest trauma.

A 67-year-old man suffered a traffic accident and was transferred to an emergency hospital close to the scene. He was diagnosed to have bilateral pneumohemothorax with a lung contusion, an anterior fracture dislocation of the C6-vertebra and a cervical cord injury at the level of C7. On the 48th day, massive hemoptysis was suddenly recognized. He was transferred in a state of shock to our hospital to undergo hemostasis for the bleeding. On the day of admission, a selective arteriogram showed extravasation from the left bronchial artery, for which embolization was carried out using Gelfoam. In spite of this treatment, his hemoptysis continued. On the next day, a selective left internal mammary arteriogram showed an arteriovenous fistula between the left internal mammary artery and the left pulmonary vein without any apparent extravasation. The arteriovenous fistula was successfully embolized using platinum fiber coils. The patient no longer demonstrated any hemoptysis after embolization.

Accidents, Traffic↗

Transcranial measurement of diffuse light reflectance from cold-injured brains in rats.

Diagnosis of brain edema is important to manage severe head injuries and diseases, but there is no method of noninvasive bedside monitoring of brain edema. We speculate that brain edema changes the optical properties of brain tissue. To verify this speculation, we perform transcranial measurement of diffuse light reflectance from cold-injured brains in rats. To induce edema, a liquid nitrogen-cooled copper probe of 3 mm diameter was applied to the right parietal bone for 60 s under anesthesia. The rat skull was irradiated with 633-nm HeNe laser light and 532-nm Nd:YVO4 laser light, which were used to investigate changes in light scattering and blood flow, respectively. Reflectance intensity was measured as functions of time and position on the skull. We found that reflectance intensities were significantly decreased around the cold injury at both 633 and 532 nm, while reflectance was increased in the cold injury at 532 nm, indicating that cerebral blood volume was decreased in the cold injury. Under the condition of decreased cerebral blood volume, the decrease in reflectance intensity around the injury suggests that the scattering coefficient of brain tissue was reduced due to edema formation in this area.

Animals↗

Measurement of burn depths in rats using multiwavelength photoacoustic depth profiling.

We perform measurement of photoacoustic (PA) signals for burned skin in rats in the spectral range of 500 to 650 nm. The wavelength dependence of PA signal amplitude shows characteristics similar to those of the absorption spectrum of hemoglobin, suggesting that the PA signal originates from blood in the uninjured skin tissue under the injured tissue layer. High-contrast signals are obtained in the spectral range of 532 to 580 nm. At 550 nm, a PA detector is scanned on the wounds and PA tomograms are obtained. The tomograms clearly show the zones of stasis, demonstrating that a 2-D PA measurement is useful for burn depth assessment.

Acoustics↗