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Biomedical subjects

Akiko Tamura

Publications and source records attributed to Akiko Tamura.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[A new surgical technique for thoracic parathyroid glands: video-assisted thoracoscopy with intraoperative Tc-MIBI scintigraphy].

Ectopic mediastinal parathyroid glands are uncommon (1-11% of all cases of hyperparathyroidism). Median sternotomy used to be performed to resect them, with large and painful incisions that prolonged the length of hospital stay. Current imaging techniques (thoracic computed tomography and Tc-mibi scan) can accurately locate the ectopic glands, allowing minimally invasive exploration. We report a new surgical technique: video-assisted thoracoscopic resection associated with intraoperative Tc-mibi scintigraphy for ectopic mediastinal parathyroid glands. This technique allows minimally invasive access and reduces complications and length of hospital stay. Therefore we believe that video-assisted thoracoscopy could become the technique of choice in patients with high surgical risk and a fifth ectopic parathyroid gland. We report the case of a 49-year-old man in whom surgery was successful.

Choristoma↗

Different effects of difructose anhydride III and inulin-type fructans on caecal microbiota in rats.

The effects of different kinds of inulin-type fructans on caecal microbiota were evaluated in rats. Four groups of male Wistar rats were fed either a control diet, or diets containing 5% inulin, 5% fructooligosaccharides (FOS), or 5% difructose anhydride III (DFAIII) for two weeks. In the DFAIII group, caecal propionate, butyrate, counts of bifidobacteria, and total anaerobes were lower than in the inulin group, while caecal propionate, succinate, counts of bifidobacteria, and total anaerobes were lower than in the FOS group. Compared to controls, in the DFAIII group the counts of clostridia in caecum were increased by 3 log units. However, this change was statistically not significant. There were no differences between inulin and FOS groups for the pool of short chain fatty acids in caecum and bacterial counts. Results indicate that DFAIII has different effects on caecal microbiota compared to inulin and FOS and that these differences are most likely due to the alpha(3-->2) bonds in DFAIII.

Animals↗

Relation between benchmark dose and no-observed-adverse-effect level in clinical research: effects of daily alcohol intake on blood pressure in Japanese salesmen.

The benchmark dose (BMD) is defined as the dose that corresponds to a specific change in an adverse response compared to the response in unexposed subjects, and the lower 95% confidence limit is termed the benchmark dose level (BMDL). In this study, the threshold of daily ethanol intake affecting blood pressure was calculated by both the BMD approach and multiple logistic regression analysis to clarify the relation between the BMDL and no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP) and daily ethanol intake were explored in 1,100 Japanese salesmen. The SBP and DBP were positively related to daily ethanol intake (p < 0.001) when adjusting for possible confounders such as age, body mass index, and smoking status. The adjusted risk for hypertension (SBP >or= 140 mmHg or DBP >or= 90 mmHg) increased significantly when daily ethanol intake exceeded 60 g/day, and the categorical dose of interest was 60.1-90 g/day. The BMDL and BMD of ethanol intake for increased SBP and DBP were estimated to be approximately 60 and 75 g/day, respectively. These findings suggest that the BMDL and BMD correspond to the NOAEL and lowest-observed-adverse-effect level, respectively, if the sample number of clinical data is large enough to confirm the dose-response association.

Adolescent↗

Frontal assessment battery and brain perfusion image in Parkinson's disease.

The objective was to compare brain perfusion image using 3-dimensional stereotactic surface projection analysis of N-isopropyl-p-123I iodoamphetamine single photon emission computed tomography between Parkinson's disease patients with a high frontal assessment battery score and those with a low frontal assessment battery score. Thirty nondemented patients with Parkinson's disease were studied. Patients were divided into 2 groups: a high-scoring group whose frontal assessment battery score was 12 or more and a low-scoring group whose frontal assessment battery score was 11 or less. The high-scoring group included 21 patients, and the low-scoring group included 9 patients. They underwent N-isopropyl-p-123I iodoamphetamine single photon emission computed tomography, and we analyzed the data by the 3-dimensional stereotactic surface projection method. Results showed that left inferior parietal lobule and left supramarginal gyrus perfusion of the low-scoring group were significantly decreased compared with the high-scoring group. It is concluded that patients with Parkinson's disease may have frontal lobe dysfunction, but the decreased frontal assessment battery score may be caused not by progressed frontal lobe dysfunction but by parietal lobe dysfunction added to their preexisting frontal lobe impairment.

Aged↗

Impaired visual acuity as a risk factor for visual hallucinations in Parkinson's disease.

Pathophysiology of hallucinations in Parkinson's disease is poorly understood. This study investigated relationships between visual hallucinations and visual acuity. Twenty-six consecutive patients with Parkinson's disease participated in this study. Patients were divided into two groups: patients with visual hallucinations (VH group) and those without visual hallucinations (no-VH group). Unaided and corrected eyesight was evaluated in all patients, and if frequent use of prescription glasses or contact lenses was involved, eyesight using these lenses was also measured as the patient's own best eyesight. If a patient did not use prescription glasses or contact lenses, the patient's own best eyesight was defined as the unaided eyesight. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that agonist use and best eyesight were different after the backward elimination method. Visual hallucinations were closely related not to uncorrected eyesight or unaided eyesight but to the patient's best eyesight. It is suggested that impaired visual acuity is a risk factor for visual hallucinations.

Aged↗

Difructose anhydride III does not contribute to body energy accumulation in rats.

We evaluated the body energy accumulation as fat and protein from ingestion of difructose anhydride III (DFAIII). Male Wistar rats were fed 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 g per d of sucrose or DFAIII added to a 7 g of basal diet for 20 d. Supplements of DFAIII did not increase whole body or peripheral fat or total body energy, whereas sucrose increased them in a dose-dependent manner. Dose-dependent increases in body water were observed in both groups. The body protein was influenced by the dose of sugars. The estimated available energy value of DFAIII was 0.263 kcal per gram; this value is one-fifteenth that of sucrose. Ingestion of DFAIII dose-dependently increased the cecal SCFA pool. DFAIII was not detected in feces, showing complete degradation of DFAIII in the intestine. These results indicate that DFAIII is a fermentable saccharide with quite low available energy for fat accumulation.

Adipose Tissue↗

Supplementation of difructose anhydride III enhanced elevation of plasma equol concentrations and lowered plasma total cholesterol in isoflavone-fed rats.

Equol, a derivative of daidzein produced by enterobacteria, has greater activity as a phyto-oestrogen compared with daidzein. Difructose anhydride III (DFAIII) is a newly manufactured non-digestible disaccharide with unique fermentation properties. The present study evaluated the prebiotic effects of DFAIII on equol production and on plasma cholesterol concentrations related to the changes in equol production. We compared plasma equol concentrations at 10.00 and 18.00 hours and faecal isoflavone excretion in three groups of seven rats (male Wistar-ST strain, 6 weeks old) fed a basal diet or a DFAIII or fructooligosaccharide (15 g/kg diet) diet containing 1 g soya isoflavones/kg diet for 20 d. Equol concentrations in the DFAIII group were higher than in the control and fructooligosaccharides groups, especially in the later phase of the light period (18.00 hours) throughout the experiment. Daizein and genistein concentrations did not change between the diet groups. The faecal ratios of equol:daidzein were very high in all groups, but the ratios were higher in the DFAIII group than the control and fructooligosaccharide groups on day 3, and this tendency continued throughout the experiment. On day 20, the plasma total cholesterol concentration was lowest in the DFAIII group. Additionally, the cholesterol concentrations were inversely correlated to plasma equol concentration in all the rats. In conclusion, DFAIII efficiently enhanced plasma equol concentrations, which may be associated with an increase in equol production and a decrease in equol degradation by enterobacteria. Higher plasma equol concentrations may contribute to the hypocholesterolaemic effect of DFAIII feeding.

Animals↗

Metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) uptake in Parkinson's disease also decreases at thyroid.

BACKGROUND: Decreased cardiac metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) uptake was reported in Parkinson's disease and this contributes to the differential diagnosis between Parkinson's disease and other forms of parkinsonism such as multiple system atrophy. However, decreased MIBG uptake of the thyroid has not been demonstrated. OBJECTIVE: To compare MIBG uptake of the thyroid among Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy and controls. METHODS: Twenty-six patients with Parkinson's disease, 11 patients with multiple system atrophy and 14 controls were examined in this study. Planar images were taken 15 minutes (early images) and 3 hours (late images) after intravenous injection of 111 MBq 123I-MIBG. RESULTS: MIBG uptake of the thyroid on early images decreased significantly in Parkinson's disease compared to controls (p < 0.0001) and multiple system atrophy (p = 0.018). MIBG uptake of the thyroid on early images decreased significantly also in multiple system atrophy compared to controls (p = 0.027). On late images, thyroid uptake differed significantly only between Parkinson's disease and controls (p = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: Our study is the first to demonstrate decreased MIBG uptake of the thyroid in Parkinson's disease. Sympathetic nervous denervation of Parkinson's disease occurred not only in the heart but also in the thyroid.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗

Brain perfusion differences between Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy with predominant parkinsonian features.

BACKGROUND: The patterns of regional cerebral blood flow in Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy remain inconsistent. OBJECTIVES: To compare brain perfusion images of 123I-IMP SPECT between Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy with predominant parkinsonian features (MSA-P) and controls. METHODS: Eighty-two patients with Parkinson's disease, 10 patients with MSA-P and 14 controls were studied. We performed 3D-SSP and volume of interest analysis using 123I-IMP scintigraphy. RESULTS: Occipital perfusion of MSA-P increased compared to that of Parkinson's disease and perfusion in the cerebellum and primary sensorimotor cortex of Parkinson's disease increased compared to that of MSA-P. Perfusion in the putamen of MSA-P decreased compared to that of Parkinson's disease. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated perfusion differences in 123I-IMP SPECT between the two diseases.

Aged↗

N-isopropyl-p- 123I iodoamphetamine single photon emission computed tomography study of Parkinson's disease with dementia.

BACKGROUND: Intellectual deterioration occurs in 10-40% of patients with Parkinson's disease. However, there are many conflicting studies on its relation with brain perfusion and the nature of this dementing process remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: To compare cortical perfusion by SPECT using (123)I-IMP between Parkinson's disease patients with dementia and those without dementia and to investigate the correlation between dementia in Parkinson's disease and brain perfusion in various areas. METHODS: Fifty-two cases of Parkinson's disease and 10 control cases were studied. The Parkinson's disease with dementia group included 30 cases and the Parkinson's disease without dementia group included 22 cases. RESULTS: By multiple logistic regression method, we demonstrated significant hypoperfusion in the occipital cortex in Parkinson's disease with dementia. CONCLUSIONS: The cause of dementia in Parkinson's disease may vary. We demonstrated that occipital hypoperfusion was closely correlated to dementia in Parkinson's disease compared to frontal, parietal and temporal perfusion.

Aged↗

Multiple sclerosis following splenectomy as a treatment for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

A 27-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with tetraparesis, dysesthesia and hypoesthesia of all regions below the breasts, urinary disturbance, and difficulty in breathing. Since age 21 idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) was diagnosed and steroid therapy was continued. At age 26, she had splenectomy for her ITP. On admission, steroid pulse therapy was administered with a tentative diagnosis of transverse myelitis. Symptoms gradually ameliorated. At age 29, she gradually lost her left vision, and multiple sclerosis was diagnosed and steroid therapy was administered, and her left vision gradually ameliorated. There are several reports describing other autoimmune disorders that arise after splenectomy. Since the spleen acts as a major pool of type 2 helper T cells, it is plausible that peripheral type 1 helper T cell activity may increase after splenectomy, promoting the development of autoimmune disorders. We considered there would be a close relation between splenectomy for ITP and multiple sclerosis in this case.

Adult↗

The effects of di-D-fructofuranose-1,2':2,3'-dianhydride (DFA III) administration on human intestinal microbiota.

Di-D-fructofuranose-1,2':2,3'-dianhydride (DFA III) was shown to enhance Ca absorption in rat and human intestine. The effects of DFA III administration (9 g per day for 4 weeks that corresponded to 3-fold the optimal dosage of DFA III) on human intestinal microbiota were studied using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The major groups of human intestinal microbiota reported previously: the Bacteroides, the Clostridium coccoides group (Clostridium cluster XIVa), the Clostridium leptum group (Clostridium cluster IV), and the Bifidobacterium group were detected. The similarity of 30 DGGE profiles based on the V3 region (before and after administration to the 15 subjects) of the 16S rDNA were calculated using Pearson's correlation based on numbers, positions and intensity of bands, and then a dendrogram of DGGE profiles was constructed by the unweighted pair group method using arithmetic average (UPGMA) clustering method. By these analyses, no difference in DGGE profiles after DFA III administration was observed in healthy subjects, while two subjects with chronic constipation showed different profiles, namely on numbers, positions and the intensity of some bands. Their stools were softer and stool frequencies increased and they obtained relief from constipation.

Journal Article↗

Comparative effect of repeated ingestion of difructose anhydride III and palatinose on the induction of gastrointestinal symptoms in humans.

We evaluated the safety and change in fermentability from repeated ingestion of difructose anhydride III (DFAIII) in humans. A randomized controlled single-blind crossover study with thirteen subjects was conducted. Each subject ingested 5 g of DFAIII or palatinose daily for 12 days, before and after which the subject was loaded with 10 g of DFAIII and had breath hydrogen measured from 0 to 9 h (DL test) to evaluate the fermentability of DFAIII. The defecation frequency and abdominal symptom score were the same between each ingestion period. Moreover, DFAIII ingestion had no influence on blood test results. Only the breath hydrogen excretion in post-DFAIII ingestion was slightly higher at h 8 than the pre-ingestion. Consequently, repeated ingestion of DFAIII for 12 days was as safe as palatinose ingestion, especially with respect to abdominal symptoms and blood test results, and its high resistance to enterobacterial fermentation in humans was not impaired.

Abdominal Pain↗

Cholesterol metabolism in rat is affected by protocatechuic acid.

The effects of protocatechuic acid on serum cholesterol and gene expression related to cholesterol metabolism in rats were investigated. Rats were fed a cholesterol-free diet with or without 5 g protocatechuic acid/kg diet for 4 wk. There were no significant differences in body weight and food intake among groups through the experimental period. The liver weight in the protocatechuic acid group was significantly lower than that in the control group. The serum total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)+intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL)+low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol concentrations in the protocatechuic acid group were significantly lower than those in the control group through the feeding period. The hepatic cholesterol concentration in the protocatechuic acid group was significantly higher than in the control group at the end of the 4-wk feeding period. The relative hepatic LDL receptor, apo B, apo E, lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and hepatic triglyceride lipase (HTGL) mRNA levels in the protocatechuic acid group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The results of this study suggest the possibility that the increase in the hepatic LDL receptor, apo E, LCAT and HTGL guessed by these mRNAs increase in the protocatechuic acid group lowers the serum total cholesterol level.

Animals↗

Evidence suggesting that difructose anhydride III is an indigestible and low fermentable sugar during the early stages after ingestion in humans.

We investigated the influences of difructose anhydride III (DFAIII), a novel commercially available disaccharide, on sugar metabolism, breath hydrogen and serum acetate in the early stages after ingestion to determine whether DFAIII is an indigestible sugar and to what degree it is fermentable in humans. This study was designed as a randomized controlled single-blind crossover test with 9 healthy subjects, who drink a 200 mL water solution containing 10 g of DFAIII, lactulose or sucrose following overnight fasting. Blood samples (for analysis of glucose, fructose, insulin, triacylglycerol, free fatty acids, and acetate) were collected at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 h after the ingestion and breath samples (for analysis of hydrogen and methane gases) were collected at 1 h intervals until 8 h after the ingestion. We also interviewed each subject hourly about the incidence and severity of specific abdominal complaints and other symptoms. The results revealed that ingestion of 10 g of DFAIII did not change the serum levels of glucose, fructose, and insulin, similarly to the case with lactulose, and no increase in breath hydrogen excretion was comparable to the case with sucrose. The incidence of specific abdominal symptoms tended to be lower after DFAIII ingestion than after lactulose ingestion. It thus turned out that DFAIII was indigestible and low fermentable in the early stages after ingestion.

Adult↗

Congenital cricopharyngeal achalasia: Diagnosis and surgical management.

BACKGROUND: Congenital cricopharyngeal achalasia is a rare condition in which a newborn presents with dysphagia, choking, nasal reflux, and salivation. Awareness of this condition is important because simple myotomy of the cricopharyngeus muscle often solves the problem. METHODS: The diagnosis and the surgical management of cricopharyngeal achalasia were reviewed based on 4 cases experienced over the last 13 years. RESULTS: The severity of the symptoms and the age of onset were dependent on the severity of achalasia. The cine-fluoroscopic swallow is an important diagnostic procedure. Surgery should be performed early enough for infants to learn how to swallow properly. The surgical procedure involves complete myotomy of cricopharyngeus, allowing the submucosa of the esophagus to bulge out in the posterior midline region. Postoperatively, nasopharyngeal reflux may resolve immediately or decrease over several months, depending on the timing of surgical intervention and the patient's ability to learn the act of swallowing. CONCLUSIONS: Early surgical intervention for this disease is recommended to achieve early recovery from dysphagia and to establish buccopharyngeal swallowing during the appropriate period of development.

Child↗