PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Otsuka

Publications and source records attributed to G Otsuka.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Fibrin monomer could be a useful predictor of pulmonary embolism after total hip arthroplasty: preliminary report.

We examined 17 total hip arthroplasty patients in order to develop a method for the predictive diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) after joint arthroplasty. Scintigraphy revealed the presence of PE in 4 patients. Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), antithrombin III (ATIII), and thrombin-AT III complex (TAT) did not show significant differences between patients with and without PE. D-dimer 7 days after surgery showed significant differences between patients with and without PE. Fibrin monomer (FM) increased sharply after surgery, and it was significantly different between the patients with and without PE immediately after surgery and 2 days after surgery. Our findings suggest the importance of FM in the predictive diagnosis of pulmonary embolism after total hip arthroplasty, and 40 microg/ml or higher levels with our measurement method could represent a high-risk condition.

Aged↗

Endovascular trapping of giant serpentine aneurysms by using Guglielmi detachable coils: successful reduction of mass effect. Report of two cases.

Giant serpentine aneurysms (GSAs) are defined as partially thrombosed giant aneurysms with persistent serpentine vascular channels. Surgical management of these rare lesions is difficult because of their large size, complex structure, and unique hemodynamics. The authors report two cases of patients harboring GSAs with mass effect, which were managed effectively with endovascular treatment. The first patient was a 48-year-old man who presented with left homonymous hemianopsia caused by a GSA involving the terminal portion of the right internal carotid artery. The second patient, a 10-year-old boy, presented with tetraparesis from compression of the cervicomedullary junction by a GSA of the right vertebral artery. In each case, after confirming collateral flow by temporarily occluding the proximal artery, the aneurysm was trapped by placement of Guglielmi detachable coils at the sites at which the serpentine channels entered and exited the aneurysm. The midportion of each channel was isolated completely without packing, to maximize resorption of the devascularized mass. Mass effect and clinical symptoms rapidly improved in both cases, with no associated morbidity. We recommend endovascular trapping as a safe and effective therapeutic option for GSAs.

Carotid Artery Diseases↗

A potential role of activated NF-kappa B in the pathogenesis of euthyroid sick syndrome.

Euthyroid sick syndrome, characterized by low serum 3,5, 3'-triiodothyronine (T(3)) with normal L-thyroxine levels, is associated with a wide variety of disorders including sepsis, malignancy, and AIDS. The degree of low T(3) in circulation has been shown to correlate with the severity of the underlying disorders and with the prognosis. Elevated TNF-alpha levels, which accompany severe illness, are associated with decreased activity of type I 5'-deiodinase (5'-DI) in liver, leading us to speculate that high levels of this factor contribute to euthyroid sick syndrome. Here we demonstrate that the activation of NF-kappa B by TNF-alpha interferes with thyroid-hormone action as demonstrated by impairment of T(3)-dependent induction of 5'-DI gene expression in HepG2 cells. Inhibition of NF-kappa B action by a dominant-negative NF-kappa B reversed this effect and allowed T(3) induction of 5'-DI. Furthermore, we show that an inhibitor of NF-kappa B activation, clarithromycin (CAM), can inhibit TNF-alpha-induced activation of NF-kappa B and restore T(3)-dependent induction of 5'-DI mRNA and enzyme activity. These results suggest that NF-kappa B activation by TNF-alpha is involved in the pathogenesis of euthyroid sick syndrome and that CAM could help prevent a decrease in serum T(3) levels and thus ameliorate euthyroid sick syndrome.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB activation confers sensitivity to tumor necrosis factor-alpha by impairment of cell cycle progression in human glioma cells.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha has been shown to exert cytotoxic or cytostatic effects on tumor cells, but susceptibility to TNF-alpha varies among different types of cells. TNF-alpha activates a transcription factor, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), which induces a wide variety of genes and causes pleiotrophic responses. In this study, the relationship between susceptibility to TNF-alpha and activation of NF-kappaB was investigated in six human malignant glioma cell lines. Cell proliferation analysis revealed that only one cell line, SK-MG-1, was sensitive to TNF-alpha and that the other five, including U-251MG, were resistant. Electrophoretic mobility-shift assay showed that TNF-alpha strongly activated a subtype of NF-kappaB, the p50-p65 heterodimer, in all of the resistant cell lines tested. However, this activation was weak in the sensitive cell line, SK-MG-1. Activation of NF-kappaB by TNF-alpha in the resistant cell lines resulted in a significant increase of a reporter gene expression driven by NF-kappaB site, suggesting a possibility that activation of p50-p65 confers resistance to TNF-alpha. To test this hypothesis, we established a stable cell line that expresses an inducible dominant negative NF-kappaB (p65 DN) protein in one of the TNF-alpha-resistant cell lines, U-251MG. In the established clone, induction of p65 DN protein decreased TNF-alpha-dependent increase in the DNA binding of p50-p65 heterodimer and NF-kappaB-dependent reporter gene activity. Although no growth inhibition of this clone was observed by TNF-alpha treatment, induction of p65 DN together with TNF-alpha resulted in a significant decrease in cell number. Cell cycle analysis revealed that this growth inhibition was due to the impairment of cell cycle progression. These results indicate that an active NF-kappaB complex, such as the p50-p65 heterodimer, plays a crucial role in the progression of cell cycle in malignant glioma cells. Refractoriness to TNF-alpha treatment could be prevented by inhibiting NF-kappaB activation.

Cell Cycle↗

Protein adsorption onto ceramic surfaces.

Ceramics seldom have been used as blood-contacting materials. However, alumina ceramic (Al2O3) and polyethylene are incorporated into the pivot bearings of the Gyro centrifugal blood pump. This material combination was chosen based on the high durability of the materials. Due to the stagnant flow that often occurs in a continuous flow condition inside a centrifugal pump, pivot bearing system is extremely critical. To evaluate the thombogenicity of pivot bearings in the Gyro pump, this study sought to investigate protein adsorption, particularly albumin, IgG, fibrinogen, and fibronectin onto ceramic surfaces. Al2O3 and silicon carbide ceramic (SiC) were compared with polyethylene (PE) and polyvinylchloride (PVC). Bicinchoninic acid (BCA) protein assay revealed that the amount of adsorbed proteins onto Al2O3 and SiC was significantly less than that on PVC. The sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) indicated that numerous proteins adsorbed onto PVC compared to PE, Al2O3, and SiC. Identification of adsorbed proteins by Western immunoblotting revealed that the adsorption of albumin was similar on all four materials tested. Western immunoblotting also indicated lesser amounts of IgG, fibrinogen, and fibronectin on Al2O3 and SiC than on PE and PVC. In conclusion, ceramics (Al2O3 and SiC) are expected to be thromboresistant from the viewpoint of protein adsorption.

Adsorption↗

In vivo evaluation of the miniaturized Gyro centrifugal pump as an implantable ventricular assist device.

A miniaturized Gyro centrifugal pump has been developed to be incorporated into a totally implantable artificial heart. The Gyro PI (permanently implantable) model is a pivot bearing supported centrifugal pump with a priming volume of 20 ml. With the miniaturized actuator, the pump-actuator package has a height of 53 mm, a diameter of 65 mm, and a displacement volume of 145 ml. To evaluate the hemocompatibility and efficiency of the Gyro PI pump system, a plastic prototype (Gyro PI-601) was implanted into a bovine model as a left or right ventricular assist device (LVAD or RVAD), bypassing from the left ventricular apex to the descending aorta or from the right ventricular infundibulum to the main pulmonary artery. The calves were anticoagulated with heparin to maintain activated clotting times from 150 to 200 s. Four calves were supported for 23, 24, and 50 days in the LVAD studies, and 40 days in the RVAD study. The first calf died due to intrathoracic bleeding associated with sepsis. The second calf was euthanized for a low flow rate less than 2 L/min due to an obstructed inflow with growing pannus. The third and fourth calves were euthanized as scheduled. Renal and hepatic functions remained normal, and plasma free hemoglobin values were less than 8 mg/dL throughout the experiments. The fourth case showed flow rates of 4.83 +/- 0.57 L/min, input power of 6.16 +/- 0.49 W, and the inside temperature of the actuator of 43.5 +/- 0.52 degrees C. The pumps implanted in the fourth calf demonstrated no thrombus formation at the autopsy. These in vivo experiments revealed that the Gyro PI pump can provide adequate flow as an easily implantable, efficient, antithrombogenic, and nonhemolytic centrifugal LVAD or RVAD with miniaturized actuators.

Animals↗

Flow characteristics and required control algorithm of an implantable centrifugal left ventricular assist device.

As the clinical application of LVADs has increased, attempts have been made to develop smaller, less expensive, more durable and efficient implantable devices using rotary blood pumps. Since chronic circulatory support with implantable continuous-flow LVADs will be established in the near future, we need to determine the flow characteristics through an implantable continuous-flow LVAD. This study describes the flow characteristics through an implantable centrifugal blood pump as a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) to obtain a simple non-invasive algorithm to control its assist flow rate adequately. A prototype of the completely seal-less and pivot bearing-supported centrifugal blood pump was implanted into two calves, bypassing from the left ventricle to the descending aorta. Device motor speed, voltage, current, flow rate, and aortic blood pressure were monitored continuously. The flow patterns revealed forward flow in ventricular systole and backward flow in diastole. As the pump speed increased, an end-diastolic notch became evident in the flow profile. Although the flow rate (Q [l/min]) and rotational speed (R [rpm]) had a linear correlation (Q = 0.0042R - 5.159; r = 0.96), this linearity was altered after the end-diastolic notch was evident. The end-diastolic notch is considered to be a sign of the sucking phenomenon of the centrifugal pump. Also, although the consumed current (I [A]) and flow rate had a linear correlation (I = 0.212Q + 0.29; r = 0.97), this linearity also changed after the end-diastolic notch was evident. Based upon the above findings, we propose a simple algorithm to maintain submaximal flow without inducing sucking. To maintain the submaximal flow rate without measuring flow rate, the sucking point is determined by monitoring consumed current according to gradual increases in voltage.

Algorithms↗

Anatomical consideration for an implantable centrifugal biventricular assist system.

A miniaturized pivot bearing-supported centrifugal blood pump (Gyro PI) has been developed as a long-term biventricular assist system (BiVAS). In this study we determined the anatomical configuration of this system using a bovine model. Under general anesthesia, a left lateral thoracotomy was performed to open the chest. Two Gyro PI-601 pumps for left and right assists were placed in the preperitoneal pocket by a subcostal abdominal incision. The left pump could be placed along the dome of the diaphragm just beneath the apex of the left ventricle. The right pump could be placed next to the left pump. The inlet and outlet ports of both pumps penetrated the diaphragm. The inlet port of the left pump, with a length of 55 mm, was inserted directly into the apex of the left ventricle. A woven Dacron graft (150 mm long, 11 mm inner diameter) was placed between the outlet port of the left pump and the descending aorta. As for the right pump, a 100 mm long and 120 degree angled inflow conduit was placed between the inlet port and the right ventricular infundibulum. The outlet port of the right pump was connected to the main trunk of the pulmonary artery using a 90 mm long, 11 mm inner diameter Dacron graft. We could perform biventricular assistance to confirm the anatomical feasibility of the Gyro implantable centrifugal BiVAS.

Animals↗

Quantitative approach to control spinning stability of the impeller in the pivot bearing-supported centrifugal pump.

The Gyro C1E3 pump has been developed as a completely sealless centrifugal pump driven by a magnetic coupling system for long-term usage. The Gyro C1E3 pump is a pivot bearing-supported pump in which the impeller is supported with the top and bottom pivot bearings. In the Gyro C1E3 pump, the impeller spinning is affected by the force balance between the floating force (Ff[N]) of the hydrodynamic effect and the magnetic thrust force (Tf[N]). The authors quantitatively investigated the floating force of the impeller in vitro to determine the magnetic coupling distance (MCD[mm]) that would result in stable impeller spinning. In vitro tests were performed using a loop filled with 37% glycerin solution to obtain the relationship between the MCD and floating speed (Rf, rotational speed when the impeller starts floating [rpm]) and the relationship between the MCD and Tf. From the obtained relationships, we calculated Ff and determined the relationship between the Ff and the rotational speed (R). Furthermore, we determined the relationship between d (minimum required MCD [mm]) and R from the results of determining the relationship of the MCD and Tf and of the Ff and R. The following relationships were obtained: Rf = 6.24 x 10(4) x MCD-1.35; Tf = 5.27 x 10(3) x MCD-2.29; Ff = 4.71 x 10(-6) x RPM1.69; and d = 9.02 x RPM-0.85 where RPM is the rotational speed. It was demonstrated that the floating force of the impeller is a function only of the rotational speed in the pivot bearing-supported Gyro C1E3 pump. The floating force is estimated to be 10 N to 40 N at rotational speeds of 1,500 rpm to 3,000 rpm at which the Gyro pump may be used in most clinical situations. It would be possible to control the impeller position of the Gyro pump automatically at the stable spinning condition by controlling the adequate magnetic coupling distance based upon its relationship with the rotational speed which was obtained in this study.

Blood Viscosity↗

Preclinical evaluation of the Kyocera Gyro centrifugal blood pump for cardiopulmonary bypass.

The Kyocera Gyro pump has been developed as a completely seal-less centrifugal pump to overcome the problems of the conventional centrifugal pumps. The Gyro pump is a double pivot bearing-supported centrifugal pump with several specific design features, including its eccentric inlet port. We investigated the feasibility of the Gyro pump for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in a bovine model, comparing it with the BioMedicus pump (BP-80). Ten healthy calves (5: Gyro pump, 5: BP-80) underwent 6 h of mildly hypothermic CPB at approximately 33 degrees C. Both pumps provided more than 50 ml/kg/min without any incidents. The haemodynamics of both groups remained stable within the normal range. All haematology and biochemistry data demonstrated no significant differences between the two groups. However, values of plasma-free haemoglobin and lactate dehydrogenase were less throughout the experiments of the Gyro pump than those of the BP-80. To obtain flow equivalent to that of the BP-80, the Gyro pump needed less rotational speeds than the BP-80 (2749.7 +/- 233.3 versus 3170.6 +/- 300.8 rpm. p < 0.05). Less rotational speed in addition to the difference in operating principle may contribute to less blood damage during the CPB OF the Gyro pump. After pumping for CPB, no leakage or thrombus formation was observed in either pump. The present study indicated that the Kyocera Gyro pump can be applied as a centrifugal pump for CPB with the same performance as the BP-80 and with relatively less haemolysis than the BP-80.

Analysis of Variance↗

Expression of heat-shock-proteins in the differentiation process of chondrocytes.

To know the role of HSP70 in chondrocytes, HSP70 expressions under heat stress or in a non-stress condition were examined by using electrophoresis, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization. As a result, HSP70 was observed in proliferating chondrocytes in the micro-mass cultures without heat stress. In this culture, chondrocytes maintained the terminal differentiation potency. On the other hand, HSP70 did not appear in the chondrocytes in the logarithmic growth phase of the monolayer culture. In growth plates in vivo, HSP70 expressions in the chondrocytes located in the resting and hypertrophic zones were observed with immunohistochemistry. Appearance of HSP70 mRNA was also confirmed by in situ hybridization in the proliferating zone of growth plate. HSP70 can be expressed not only in chondrocytes under heat stress but also in the cells without stress, and the expression would be related to the terminal differentiation of chondrocytes. HSP70 is surmised to promote hypertrophy and calcification by stopping protein synthesis in chondrocytes which possess terminal differentiation potency.

Animals↗

[Relation between preoperative ventricular arrhythmias and postoperative results in aortic valve regurgitation].

Sudden death is a well known complication of aortic valve regurgitation and remains a common cause of late mortality after aortic valve replacement. Although malignant arrhythmias have been suggested as the cause of these outcome, there has been little information concerning the frequency and severity of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with aortic valve regurgitation. In order to evaluate the relation between the severity and/or frequency of ventricular arrhythmias and late postoperative results in patients with pure aortic valve regurgitation, 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiographic recordings were obtained before surgery in 107 patients without coronary artery disease. Grading of ventricular arrhythmias was based on a Lown method and compared with hemodynamic data. Ventricular premature beats were observed in 101 patients (94.4%) before operation. Multiformity was found in 10 patients (9.3%) couplets in 19 patients (17.8%) and ventricular tachycardia in 32 patients (29.9%). Patients with severe ventricular arrhythmias (Lown grade 3 or 4: 57.0%) had a higher left ventricular end systolic volume index (LVESVI) 153.1 +/- 76.4 ml/m2 vs 96.5 +/- 35.0 ml/m2 (p = 0.0001); a higher left ventricular end diastolic volume index (LVEDVI) 257.0 +/- 85.4 ml/m2 vs 206.5 +/- 58.3 ml/m2 (p = 0.0009); a lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 43.4 +/- 12.5% vs 54.2 +/- 9.8% (p = 0.0001). LVESVI was not related to the severity of ventricular arrhythmias, but was significantly related to the frequency (p < 0.05). All patients with late death were belonging to Lown grade 3 or 4 in severity and more than 30 beats per hour in frequency (28.6%). This study indicates that ventricular arrhythmias are common in patients with aortic valve regurgitation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aortic Valve↗

[Enhancement of cell growth by human interferons].

The effects of human interferons (HuIFN) on the human osteosarcoma cells were examined. HuIFN-alpha, -beta and -gamma enhanced dose-dependently the cell growth. There was no difference in the degree of the enhancement of the cell growth among HuIFN-alpha, -beta and -gamma. The higher the cell density was, the lower the degree of the enhancement of the cell growth. When HuIFN-gamma was neutralized with anti-HuIFN-gamma, the enhancement of cell growth was not found.

Adolescent↗