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Biomedical subjects

K Hirabayashi

Publications and source records attributed to K Hirabayashi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Influence of fibril length upon ePTFE graft healing and host modification of the implant.

Influence of fibril length (porosity) upon synthetic vascular graft healing has not been investigated in detail. The purpose of this study was to determine the dependence of neoendothelial healing, cellular response, and biocompatibility on the fibril length of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) grafts with an internal diameter of 1.5 mm. ePTFE grafts of different fibril length, 20, 40, 60, and 90 microns, were implanted into the abdominal aorta of rats (n = 5 for each group). After 5 weeks, the implants were harvested and examined for neointimal and pseudointimal coverage by light microscopy and SEM. The hydroxyproline content of the implants was measured, and the distribution of collagen types was examined. The neointimal and pseudointimal coverage was related to the fibril length, and the neoendothelial healing was better on 60-microns and 90-microns grafts than on 20-microns and 40-microns grafts. The amount of hydroxyproline was also related to the fibril length, however, no significant difference could be observed between 60-microns and 90-microns grafts. Collagen types I and III were almost identically located in the middle portion of the implants. Our results demonstrate that the fibril length of ePTFE grafts affected neoendothelial healing and its affinity to collagen.

Animals

Mechanism of induction of micronuclei and chromosome aberrations in mouse bone marrow by multiple treatments of methotrexate.

Methotrexate (MTX), an inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), slightly induced micronuclei and this induction of micronuclei was enhanced by multiple treatments with the drug (Yamamoto et al., 1981; Hayashi et al., 1984; CSGMT/JEM.MMS, 1990). More micronuclei and chromosomal aberrations in mouse bone marrow cells were induced by multiple than by single treatment. The MTX level in mouse plasma and bone marrow showed little (or no) differences between single and quadruple treatments several hours after the injection(s). On the other hand, the DHFR activity in bone marrow cells 3 h after one and four injections was decreased to approximately 38 and 0%, respectively, of that in non-treated mice. Furthermore, the intracellular MTX level in the bone marrow cells (but not in total bone marrow) after four injections was about 10-fold higher than that after one injection. The amount of MTX bound to protein 3 h after four injections, as assayed by gel filtration (Sephadex G-25), was approximately 8-fold greater than after one injection. Therefore, the multiple-dose effects of MTX on the induction of micronuclei and chromosomal aberrations may be explained by the intracellular accumulation of MTX resulting in an enhancement of enzyme inhibition.

Animals

Spontaneous fracture of the odontoid process in rheumatoid arthritis.

Six cases of spontaneous fracture of the odontoid process in rheumatoid arthritis are presented. Fifty-one patients with atlantoaxial subluxation in rheumatoid arthritis underwent surgery between 1981 and 1990. This included six patients (in 10%) who had subluxation accompanied by fracture of the odontoid without apparent trauma. The mean patient age was 58 years and all had a long history of rheumatoid arthritis. No trauma was considered to be the cause of the fracture. This is a fracture caused by erosion and osteoporosis of the odontoid process due to rheumatoid synovitis, aging and steroid therapy. In addition, another cause is a dynamic load produced from the instability accompanying atlantoaxial subluxation working on the odontoid in cervical extension. It is important remember that the odontoid process is susceptible to spontaneous fracture.

Aged

A clinical study of degenerative spondylolisthesis. Radiographic analysis and choice of treatment.

Surgical treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis in 27 patients by means of anterior lumbar interbody fusion and in 14 patients by means of posterior decompression yielded average degrees of recovery of 77% and 56%, respectively. Preoperative analysis of myelograms, and computed tomographies after myelography indicated that anterior shifting of the inferior articular process of the slipping vertebra was the main factor responsible for compression of the nervous tissue in the early stages of degenerative spondylolisthesis. Patients in these stages should be treated by anterior lumbar interbody fusion. In the later stages of degenerative spondylolisthesis, osteophytes on the superior articular processes of the lower vertebra were an additional factor in compression, and patients should be treated by posterior decompression. Computed tomographies after myelography provided the key images for identifying pathologic processes in degenerative spondylolisthesis and selecting appropriate surgical procedures.

Adult

[Combination chemotherapy with 254-S, ifosfamide and peplomycin for advanced or recurrent cervical cancer].

From favorable results with 254-S, a new cisplatin analogue, single administration, we have conducted a clinical study to investigate the efficacy of combination of 254-S, ifosfamide and peplomycin, each of which has a different dose limiting factor. A total of 45 patients, including 22 patients with stage III and IV cervical cancer and 23 cases with recurrent cervical cancer, were treated with at least two courses of 254-S (100mg/m2, iv. Day 1), ifosfamide (1,500mg/body, iv. Day 1-5) and peplomycin (5mg/body, im. Day 1-6), and tumor response was evaluated clinically and by CT scanning. The response rate obtained in patients with advanced disease was 81.8% (PR = 17, CR = 1) and that in cases with recurrence was 60.9% (PR = 12, CR = 2). Myelosuppression was the dose limiting factor. In the 121 courses, grade 3 and 4 of leucopenia and thrombocytopenia were observed with an incidence of 44% and 32%, respectively and DIC occurred in 3 cases with poor PS though they recovered after reducing the 254-S dose to 80 mg/m2. The other toxicities were mild except for alopecia. Anaphylaxia was observed in a case at the second administration though the patient recovered in 15 minutes. There was no death. As to prognosis, a significant prolongation of survival period was observed in recurrent cases and 4 cases are alive (NED) after one and a half year. In the advanced cases, until now 3 cases of stage IV have died from the disease. We have concluded that this regimen is effective as a neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced cervical cancer and useful for the treatment of recurrent cervical cancer.

Adenocarcinoma

[Sensitivity test for anti-tumor agents-3. MTT assay and its clinical effect].

MTT assay, a sensitivity test of anti-tumor agents was performed, and its clinical usefulness, was discussed. In 15 surgical specimens, the cell suspensions were prepared aseptically, and divided into three processing; namely, Papanicolaou (Pap) smears to confirm the malignant cells, MTT assay, and cell cultures in chamber slides. MTT assay was evaluated only when tumor cells in the chamber slide were observed 50% or more by Pap staining. Drugs judged to be effective were applied for patients, resulting in 64.2% of predictive accuracy in the sensitivity. Conclusions; 1) MTT assay was developed for sensitivity test of anti-tumor agents, 2) Strict assessment was carried out by the confirmation of cancer cells using chamber slides, 3) On clinical usefulness, predictability for the sensitivity was 64.2%, that for resistance was 100%, and over all predictability was 66.7% 4) MTT assay was useful for the determination of effective and for elimination of ineffective drugs.

Antineoplastic Agents

[The effect of elastase on aminonucleoside nephrosis--on renal vascular system].

This study was performed to investigated the relationship between cross sectional areas of glomerular arterioles and glomerular volume in rats with puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN)-induced nephrosis, which is an experimental model of glomerular sclerosis. We also evaluated the effect of an anti-arteriosclerotic agent, elastase on these parameters. Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups; control, PAN-treated (70 mg/kg i.p.), or PAN+elastase-treated (5 mg/kg/day i. m.) group. After 12 weeks of experimental period, microvascular cast of the kidney was prepared, and the cross sectional areas of afferent and efferent arterioles as well as glomerular volume were measured using scanning electron microscopy. In the juxtamedullary glomeruli with minor abnormalities, the efferent arteriole was narrower in PAN-treated rats than in the control rats and the elastase-treatment partially corrected it (control 55.7, PAN 35.9, PAN+elastase 43.7 x 10 microns 2). On the other hand, the cross sectional area of afferent arteriole was not different among the 3 groups. In glomeruli showing sclerosis, the cross sectional area of efferent arteriole correlated positively with the glomerular volume. There results suggest that constriction of the efferent arterioles contributes to the development of glomerular sclerosis in PAN-induced nephrosis. In addition, elastase possibly inhibits this process and thereby protect glomeruli from sclerosis.

Animals

[A case report of poststernotomy mediastinitis treated with the pectoralis major muscle flap after protracted wound irrigation].

A 8-year-old boy developed mediastinitis after direct closure of atrial septal defect. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was detected from the wound. Intermittent wound irrigation with povidone-iodine solution and vancomycin solution was protracted for two months. After the remission of MRSA infection, implantation of pectoralis major muscle flap was performed. Without recurrence of infection the wound was healed completely. Although pectoralis major muscle flap is an effective method of choice for mediastinitis, an appropriate timing of enforcing this method should be investigated hereafter.

Child

[The clinical and pharmacokinetic evaluation of two-route chemotherapy with cisplatin and sodium thiosulfate in combination with angiotensin II].

Thirty-six courses of chemotherapy with cisplatin (CDDP) and sodium thiosulfate (STS) were performed in 31 patients with gynecologic cancer 2 weeks after operation under the hypertensive condition induced by angiotensin II (AT-II). One hundred-fifty mg of CDDP/body was intraperitoneally administered while the usual systolic blood pressure was increased to 130-140% by AT-II. The hypertension was maintained for 15 minutes after finishing CDDP infusion, then 8g of STS was intravenously infused immediately after the cessation of AT-II. The urinary Pt level measured 15 minutes after finishing CDDP infusion was extremely low at 1.37 +/- 0.47 micrograms/ml, in spite of the significantly high levels of plasma total Pt (7.83 +/- 0.85 micrograms/ml) and filtrable Pt (4.02 +/- 0.55 micrograms/ml). This suggests that, during renal vasoconstriction induced by AT-II, the renal blood flow as well as renal uptake of CDDP was decreased. Plasma filtrable Pt levels were measured at 15, 30, 60 and 120 minutes after intraperitoneal administration of CDDP. At 15 and 30 minutes a significantly higher blood concentration was found than in the control group (p less than 0.05). However, CDDP-induced toxicities of the bone marrow, liver, kidney and alimentary tract were not increased. The extreme vasoconstriction in the kidneys and other organs induced by AT-II might have protected these organs from the toxicities of CDDP despite the fact that STS infusion was delayed by 15 minutes after CDDP infusion. STS infused immediately after the cessation of AT-II could neutralize the CDDP preventing the occurrence of toxicities.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angiotensin II

A case of Caroli's disease with hepatolithiasis, choledocholithiasis, and cholangiocarcinoma.

A 48-year-old woman with Caroli's disease accompanied by hepatolithiasis, choledocholithiasis, and cholangiocarcinoma is reported. Magnetic resonance imaging was useful for the diagnosis of the cholangiocarcinoma. The relationship between cholangiocarcinoma and hepatolithiasis, choledocholithiasis, and chronic cholangitis in Caroli's disease is discussed.

Adenoma, Bile Duct

Secretory expression of the human serum albumin gene in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We have fused a cDNA gene encoding mature human serum albumin (HSA) to several secretory leader-encoding sequences. The hybrid genes were cloned into an episomal vector under the control of several yeast promoters and then introduced into yeast cells. The GAL1 promoter in combination with either the native HSA pre-sequence or a modified HSA pre-sequence gave the highest production of immunoreactive HSA, 90 mg/liter being reached in a shake flask culture. The invertase pre-sequence, the mating factor alpha 1 prepro-sequence, and the modified HSA pre-sequence directed accurate processing. In contrast, the chicken lysozyme pre-sequence and the native HSA pre-sequence directed incorrect processing. Episomal vectors were unstable within the host cells under non-selective culture conditions. To improve the plasmid stability, the hybrid genes were incorporated into an integrative vector. Transformants carrying multicopies of the plasmid integrated at the LEU2 locus stably secreted HSA. The highest yield of 65 mg/liter in a shake flask culture was obtained with the combination of the yeast glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase promoter and the modified HSA pre-sequence. By constructing transformed strains containing multicopies of plasmids integrated at both the chromosome LEU2 and HIS4 loci, we have obtained a stable strain that continuously secretes as much as 85 mg HSA per liter of culture medium.

Amino Acid Sequence

Antiviral activities of glycyrrhizin and its modified compounds against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in vitro.

Chemically modified compounds of glycyrrhizin have been synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory effect on the replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Among them, the 11-deoxo compound having a heteroannular diene structure at the C and D rings proved as active against HIV-1 as glycyrrhizin in MT-4 and MOLT-4 cells. It completely inhibited HIV-1-induced cytopathogenicity in both cell lines at a concentration of 0.16 mM. The compound was also effective against HSV-1 with a 50% inhibitory concentration of 0.5 mM [corrected].

Antiviral Agents

[Studies on the massive flights of chironomid midges (Diptera: Chironomidae) as nuisance insects and plans for their control in the Lake Suwa area, central Japan. 1. Occurrence of massive flights of Tokunagayusurika akamusi].

Adult Chironomidae (Diptera, particularly Chironomus plumosus and Tokunagayusurika akamusi) emerging from eutrophic lakes or polluted bodies of water in Japan have become intolerable because they pose a severe nuisance and cause economic problems. In the Lake Suwa area, massive flights of adult midges of T. akamusi have occurred frequently, and caused problems in the daily life of local residents or for the tourist business. The author tried to clarify the biological and hygienic problems involved in these massive flights. In order to control adult midges, the distribution of larvae in the lake, the period and quantity of emergence from water, the time of flight, and the dispersal range of T. akamusi midges were studied. The results obtained are as follows: 1. Larvae of T. akamusi are distributed over the whole lake, especially in the east and southeast part with high densities. Mean biomass was about 100 g wet weight/m2 in Lake Suwa. On the shore near these areas, dense swarms of adult midges were found. 2. Emergence of T. akamusi from Lake Suwa was observed at the end of September and lasted till the middle of November. The emergence peaked in the middle of October. The time of flight was mainly at 17: 30-19: 30. 3. The dispersal ranges of adult midges were confirmed with two methods, i.e. the ordinary light trap method and a questionnaire survey of 544 residents. The result obtained with the questionnaire survey was consistent with that of the light trap method and the questionnaire survey made it possible to collect information in a wider area than the usual one. 4. T. akamusi midges reached areas over 3 km from the lake, but more than 90 percent of the midges flew within 500 m of the lake's shoreline. However, even in the more distant places where there was a source of bright light there were many adult midges. 5. The wind (at 18: 30) was the main factor which expanded the dispersal range of adults. We observed that many adults appeared after a strong wind (6-7 m/s). 6. Many adult midges were collected by light trap at the top of a building with a height of 45 meters.

Animals

[Studies on the massive flights of chironomid midges (Diptera: Chironomidae) as nuisance insects and plans for their control in the Lake Suwa area, central Japan. 2. Quantitative evaluations of the nuisance of chironomid midges].

In order to make clear the present "nuisance" caused by chironomid midges around a eutrophic lake, a questionnaire survey of 249 leaders of the Hygiene Self-governing Association of the cities of Suwa and Okaya and the town of Shimosuwa near Lake Suwa was conducted. The results are as follows: 1. More than 90% of the respondents had specific knowledge about the chironomid midge, but 40% of them didn't know about its role as a purifier in the lake. 2. More than 10% of respondents answered that they were "can not able to stand any more" massive flights of chironomid midges, and about half of them lived within 500 m of the lake shore. The damages "nuisances" were "running laundry or defacing walls (67.1%) and "contamination of food (15.3%)", suggesting that chironomid midges influenced the daily life of the residents. 3. The selected causes of massive flights of chironomid midges were "pollution in Lake Suwa" and "decreases in the numbers of birds and dragonflies" as well as others. This means that the deterioration of the environmental situation around the lake may cause the "nuisance" of chironomid midges. 4. The respondents were more strongly interested in counterplans for the control of the chironomid midges made by administrative authorities than in plans made by each family. 5. "The distance from the lake shore" was the major factor contributing to the impression of chironomid damage. "The occupation of the respondent" was the second important factor. To redirect the insect flights away from the residential area, and to decrease the number of adult midges coming from the lake, are thought to be the most important measures for the resolution of this problem.

Animals

[Studies on the massive flights of chironomid midges (Diptera: Chironomidae) as nuisance insects and plans for their control in the Lake Suwa area, central Japan. 3. Some experimental trials for control of nuisance midges and proposed counterplans].

In the present paper the author tried to forecast the massive emergence of adult Tokunagayusurika akamusi midges from Lake Suwa. Furthermore, several control measures for chironomids were examined. The results obtained are as follows: 1. The forecast for the emergence of adult midges from the lake. A survey of the chironomid larva population was carried out at three stations in the lake. T. akamusi emerged at about the tenth day after the decrease of the larval number and at this time the temperature of the bottom water was within the range of 11-18 degrees C. The flights of adult midges were closely related to environmental factors such as air temperature, the strength and the direction of the wind and the light conditions. 2. The attraction of adult midges to lamps of various colors and wattages was studied. A comparative study on various colors of lights of the same intensity (100 W) showed that white was more attractive to chironomids than yellow, and that both colors were preferred to red, green, or blue. The experiment on light intensity showed that 100 W was more effective than 40 W and 20 W and that no differences in preference were observed between 100 W and 60 W white lamps. Therefore, the light intensity was thought to be more important than color for the control of adult midges. 3. Cyprinus is the natural enemy of the larva and pupae of T. akamusi. The total numbers of adult T. akamusi emerging from Enclosure A (in which there were 10 times as many Cyprinus as in the natural lake water), Enclosure B (no predator was present), and Station C (the natural lake) were 458, 1108, and 684 ind./m2, respectively. It was estimated that 38% of larvae or pupae were eaten by the fish in the lake, and by putting Cyprinus into the water, the percentage increased to 58%. It seems that Cyprinus has a significant effect in reducing the number of midges in field trials. 4. The control of T. akamusi may also be achieved by employing general prevention, by physical and biological means, depending upon the nature of the breeding source, and the cooperation of inhabitants and persons concerned is necessary to carry out the control of adult midges. 5. The proposals for the control of the nuisance caused by chironomid midges are as follows: (1) To make the inhabitants aware of the ecological role of chironomids in the lake, and the importance of protection of the natural ecosystem.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals

Extracapsular spread of squamous cell carcinoma in neck lymph nodes: prognostic factor of laryngeal cancer.

Fifty-two patients with laryngeal cancer who underwent radical neck dissections were studied to provide further information on the prognosis of various clinical and histopathological parameters. Extracapsular spread (ECS) was found in 31% of patients with N1 nodes, and in 60% of patients with histopathologically positive nodes. The 5-year survival rate of histopathological findings was as follows: patients with no pathological evidence of neck metastasis (81%), patients with neck metastasis confined to the lymph node (no ECS) (76%), and patients with ECS (17%). The difference in survival rate between patients with no ECS and patients with ECS was statistically significant (P = .001). Staging classification, T-stage classification, the number of malignant nodes, the diameter of malignant nodes, and combined therapy had no prognostic importance. The most significant factor was the presence of extracapsular spread.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell