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Biomedical subjects

K Inoue

Publications and source records attributed to K Inoue.

At least 649 records · Page 36Linked to original sources

Coronary artery bypass grafting in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus: role of perioperative active anti-retroviral therapy.

In a patient with severe ischemic heart disease and advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, vigorous perioperative treatment with anti-retroviral agents was given and coronary artery bypass surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass was successfully performed. This strategy could become the standard for patients with cardiovascular disease and advanced HIV infection. The following aspects of this case require further investigation: (1) lack of a reactive increase in the neutrophil count, (2) transient extreme reduction of lymphocytes, and (3) a relative decrease in the CD8+ cell ratio.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

A case of Graves' disease associated with autoimmune hepatitis and mixed connective tissue disease.

The patient was a woman of forty-eight. Liver dysfunction was pointed out at the age of forty-five. She was admitted to hospital because of her hyperthyroidism. Her palmar skin was wet and her fingers were swollen like sausages. She had a diffuse and elastic hard goiter with a rough surface. The serum levels of free T3 (9.6 pg/mL) and free T4 (3.76 ng/dL) were high and that of TSH (0.11 microU/mL) was low. The activity of TSH-binding inhibitory immunoglobulin (TBII) was 89%. The uptake rate of 123I to the thyroid was 55.1% and the uptake pattern was nearly diffuse. The goiter was proved to contain several nodules by ultrasonography, but aspiration cytology showed no malignant cells. She was diagnosed to have Graves' disease with adenomatous goiter. She also had high ALT (34 IU/L) and gamma-globulin (1.97 g/dL). She had positive antinuclear antibody (speckled type), positive anti-ribosomal nuclear protein antibody, and positive LE cell phenomenon. The liver biopsy revealed mononuclear cell infiltration with fibrosis in the portal area. These data indicated that she also had autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). The analysis of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) showed positive A11 which had been reported to relate to Graves' disease, and positive DR4 which had been reported to relate to AIH and MCTD. These results suggested that HLA would determine susceptibility to three distinct autoimmune diseases in this case.

Alanine Transaminase↗

The structure and function of folliculo-stellate cells in the anterior pituitary gland.

The folliculo-stellate cells (FS cells) in the anterior pituitary gland are characterized by their star-like appearance and their ability to form follicles. Although FS cells do not produce any pituitary hormones, their special tendency to surrounding endocrine cells with their long cytoplasmic processes suggests that they regulate endocrine cells by intercellular communication. In spite of many morphological and cytophysiological studies recently performed, a precise understanding of the major functions of FS cells in the pituitary gland remains obscure. We review here the morphological characteristics of FS cells and their suspected functions in the anterior pituitary gland. It is well established that the FS cell produces many kinds of growth factors, i.e., fibroblast growth factor, vascular endothelial cell growth factor and interleukin 6. The biological significances of these growth factors in the anterior pituitary gland are also discussed in this paper. The origin and differentiation of FS cells, especially the possibility that the FS cell is a kind of stem cell which has the potential to differentiate into endocrine cells, is also presented.

Animals↗

Molecular typing of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 isolated in Okayama Prefecture using pulsed field gel electrophoresis and random amplification of polymorphic DNA.

Three outbreaks and many isolated cases of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 occurred in 1996 and 1997 in Okayama Prefecture, Japan. In an attempt to investigate the route of these infections, the strains isolated from the 3 outbreaks (total 33 strains) and 15 isolated cases (total 15 strains) were investigated using random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). In addition, 10 strains from an outbreak in Tojo Cho, Hiroshima Prefecture (June 1996), 2 strains from the particular types of meat in Kochi Prefecture, and 42 strains isolated from bovine feces in a farm in Okayama Prefecture were also investigated in the same manner. PFGE was much more useful than RAPD for molecular typing of the clinical isolates, in that it allowed us to classify them into 10 PFGE groups. We noted that the strains differed according to the time and place of the outbreaks (or isolated cases). This indicates that O157:H7 infections in Okayama Prefecture were caused by different strains (although some cases were aggravated by the same strains as were found in other areas). The isolates from bovine feces were classified into 5 groups by PFGE profiles, but none of them were identical to those of the clinical isolates.

Animals↗

Pneumococcal psoas abscess.

A 47-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of severe low back pain. A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a left sided psoas muscle abscess. On the first hospital day, US-guided drainage was performed. Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated from the pus. Thereafter, the open drainage of the abscess and antibiotic treatment were given with subsequent clinical improvement. Only 10 cases of pneumococcal psoas abscess have been previously reported in the world literature.

Female↗

Peritonitis due to Mycobacterium fortuitum infection following gastric cancer surgery.

Mycobacterium fortuitum is a well-documented cause of nosocomial infection. However, no studies have reported peritonitis with M. fortuitum as a postoperative complication. We describe a case of peritonitis with M. fortuitum biovariant peregrinum following gastric cancer surgery. Gram-positive bacterial infection coexisted. Although the source of the infection was unclear, the patient was successfully treated with drainage tube exchange and combination therapy consisting of sparfloxacin, clarithromycin, and imipenem/cilastatin sodium. Thus for postoperative infectious pathogens, not only bacteria but also nontuberculous mycobacteria should be considered.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Prostaglandin E(2)-activated housekeeping Cl(-) channels in the basolateral membrane of rat gastric parietal cells.

Cl(-) channels in the basolateral membrane of parietal cells within isolated rat gastric glands were studied by the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. The membrane potential (E(m)) of non-stimulated parietal cells changed as a function of the basolateral extracellular Cl(-) concentration (46 mV per decade), but E(m) did not change significantly as a function of the K(+) concentration. The extracellular addition of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2); 10 microM) increased the whole-cell Cl(-) current. A bifunctional prostaglandin EP3 agonist/EP1 antagonist, 5(Z)-7-[(1S, 2S,3S,5R)-3-(trans-beta-styren)sulfonamido-6,6-dimethylbi cyclo-(3.1. 1)hept-2-yl]-5-heptenoic acid (ONO-NT-012; 10 microM), also increased the Cl(-) current. Basal Cl(-) currents and the PGE(2)- and ONO-NT-012-increased Cl(-) currents were voltage-independent and inhibited by a Cl(-) channel blocker, 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoate (NPPB), at 500 microM. The single Cl(-) channel conductance was estimated to be 0.29 picosiemens (pS) by variance noise analysis. Both PGE(2) and ONO-NT-012 increased intracellular free Ca(2+) concentration in the fura-2-loaded parietal cell transiently. The present study has shown that housekeeping sub-pS Cl(-) channels are present in the basolateral membrane of rat parietal cell, and that the channels are regulated positively by PGE(2) via the EP3 receptor.

Animals↗

Differences in heart rate variability between young and elderly normal men during graded head up tilt.

An autoregressive spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) was used to analyze the differences in autonomic functions during graded head up tilt (HUT) between young and elderly men. After recording at the 0 degree position, the table was rotated to an upright position. The incline of the table was increased progressively to 15 degrees, 30 degrees and 60 degrees. The data obtained from seven young subjects (mean age of 20.0 years) and nine elderly subjects (mean age of 63.3 years) were analyzed. The high frequency components expressed by normalized units (HFnu) were used as the parasympathetic indicators, and HFnu decreased with tilt angle in both age groups. These results suggested that parasympathetic withdrawal have an important role in adaptation to an upright posture in both age groups. However, mean HF amplitude at the 0 degree position in elderly men was not significantly different from that of young men at 60 degrees tilt. A significant interaction effect (age group x tilt angle) was found for mean HF amplitude. The increase of the low frequency components expressed by normalized units (LFnu) and the LF-to-HF ratio in elderly subjects from 0 degree to 15 degrees seemed to be larger than that in young subjects. Sympathetic activities may be sensitive to lower levels of orthostatic stress in the elderly, and the elderly workers are easily affected by a change in workload. Therefore, keeping the workload lower and constant may be recommended to avoid excessive sympathetic activation among the elderly.

Adolescent↗

Adverse effects of excess DL-methionine in calves with different body weights.

Adverse effects of excess methionine were examined using 12 Holstein bull calves trained to maintain reflex closure of the reticular groove even after weaning at 5 wk of age. Two nitrogen balance experiments were conducted for 2 wk each from 6 wk (Stage 1; BW = 62 kg) and 12 wk of age (Stage 2; BW = 103 kg) by dividing the calves into three groups at each stage. Calves were fed a corn-soybean meal diet at 62 g/kg of metabolic BW at both stages. At Stage 1, feed efficiency (gain:feed intake) and nitrogen retention did not differ between the group supplemented with .333 g of DL-methionine and .111 g of L-lysine monohydrochloride/kg BW per day and the group supplemented with isonitrogenous diammonium citrate, although the level of DL-methionine was considered to be enough to induce toxicity. Conversely, administration of isonitrogenous casein increased nitrogen retention. At Stage 2, administration of the same levels of methionine and lysine resulted in reduced feed intake, depressed nitrogen retention, and BW loss. Conversely, administration of the isonitrogenous casein did not increase nitrogen retention compared with the supplement of isonitrogenous diammonium citrate. Administration of excess methionine and lysine increased plasma methionine concentrations up to 230 (Stage 1) or 190 micromol/dL (Stage 2). Plasma lysine concentrations were less than 24 micromol/dL at every stage. Administration of the amino acid mixture decreased plasma concentrations of branched-chain amino acids and phenylalanine more obviously at Stage 2 than at Stage 1. These results indicated that abomasal administration of .333 g of DL-methionine/kg BW per day induced methionine toxicity at Stage 2 but methionine imbalance at Stage 1.

Animals↗

Gene expressions of antiinflammatory mediators in THR retrieved interfacial membranes.

We investigated gene expression of antiinflammatory mediators in the interfacial membranes retrieved at hip revision arthroplasty using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Levels of RT-PCR products were compared with those of synovial tissue from patients with osteoarthrosis or rheumatoid arthritis. Antiinflammatory mediators such as type II interleukin (IL)-1 receptor, IL-4, IL-10, IL-1 receptor antagonist, and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) were expressed in the interfacial membrane. In interfacial tissue, the level of IL-10 was lower, but that of the IL-1 receptor antagonist higher than in diseased synovial tissue.

Adult↗

Surgical treatment for patients with cervical flexion myelopathy.

OBJECT: Cervical flexion myelopathy is a rare condition that mainly affects adolescent boys. In recent years, avoidance of neck flexion has been advocated as the treatment for cervical flexion myelopathy, and treatment with a cervical collar and surgery in which fusion of the cervical spine is performed have been found to be effective. However, previously reported series contained only a limited number of patients. The authors report their experience with treating 10 male patients in whom surgery was performed to correct cervical flexion myelopathy, and they evaluate the patients' surgical outcome. METHODS: The authors performed anterior decompressive surgery and fusion in the cervical spine by using a long bone graft after resection of one or two vertebrae in seven patients. The other three patients underwent posterior fusion of four or five laminae. After surgery, symptom progression was stopped in all patients, muscle strength improved in seven, and sensory disturbance was alleviated in another two. However, the muscular atrophy in the upper extremities, which was evident in nine patients preoperatively, improved in only two. CONCLUSIONS: Because some neurological improvement was seen in nine of 10 patients, it is believed that surgical fusion of the cervical spine is an effective treatment for patients with cervical flexion myelopathy.

Adolescent↗

Clinicopathologic significance of protein induced vitamin K absence or antagonist II and alpha-fetoprotein in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Protein induced vitamin K absence or antagonist II (PIVKA-II) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) have been considered useful serum markers of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we examined the clinicopathologic significance of these tumour markers in patients with HCCs by measuring their serum levels and performing immunohistochemistry. We studied 349 Japanese patients with HCCs. Their serum PIVKA-II and AFP levels were determined by enzyme immunoassay before treatment. We examined the correlations between serum PIVKA-II and AFP levels and tumour size, presence of satellite nodules, histologic HCC grade, and concomitant liver diseases and subjected tumour tissues to immunohistochemical staining to detect PIVKA-II and AFP expression. The serum PIVKA-II levels of patients with poorly differentiated HCCs were significantly higher than those of patients with well and moderately differentiated HCCs (p<0.05) and they were higher in HCC patients with than without satellite nodules. The serum AFP levels were influenced significantly by concomitant liver diseases, but not by the other factors. Immunohistochemical staining revealed the PIVKA-II expression levels of poorly differentiated HCCs were higher than those of well and moderately differentiated HCCs (p<0.05). Some HCC cells were PIVKA-II-positive, others were AFP-positive, and some expressed both. The serum PIVKA-II concentration was a better indicator of HCC than AFP, as it was not influenced by concomitant liver diseases. The presence of PIVKA-II in serum correlated with the presence of satellite nodules and the histologic HCC grade, a result concordant with the immunohistochemical findings.

Aged↗

Cytotoxicity of a trial resin composite liner containing TiK2F6 on rat dental pulp cells.

The aim of this study was to assess the toxicological responses of a resin composite containing TiK2F6 and NaF in rat dental pulp cells. Trial resin composite liners were made, containing 3 wt% fluorides (TiK2F6 or NaF). These specimens were immersed in 5 ml of cell culture medium supplemented at 37 degrees C for 24 hours. The eluates were used for the experiments. We judged the cytotoxicity of the samples by the cell viability. The original elute solution was serially diluted and then the medium was exchanged for the dilute medium. The cell viability at 1, 2 or 5 days after commencement of re-culturing was calculated. The viability of cells in the eluate from the resin composite liners containing TiK2F6 and NaF decreased with time. The cytotoxicity of TiK2F6 was weaker than that of NaF at all times.

Animals↗

Release and recharge of fluoride by restorative materials.

This study investigated the release and recharge of fluoride by restorative materials. Resin-modified glass ionomers (RGIs), polyacid-modified composite resins (PMCRs) and resin composite containing fluoride were used for comparison of fluoride release. Non-fluoride-releasing resin composite was used as a control. The amounts of fluoride release from RGIs and PMCRs remarkably increased in the citrate-phosphate acid buffer compared with distilled water. The amounts of fluoride recharged in RGIs increased with the concentration of NaF solution, but those of PMCRs exposed to all concentrations of NaF solutions were less than 1.5 ppm. Neither resin composite containing fluoride and non-fluoride-releasing resin composite gave any evidence of recharge. RGIs and PMCRs affected by acid buffer solution could not recharge much fluoride even if they were immersed in the 1000 ppmF NaF solution. The results suggested that the matrix of RGIs and PMCRs functioned as a reservoir of fluoride, but the functions were lost by acid attack.

Adsorption↗

Inhibition of carious lesions in vitro around gallium alloy restorations by fluoride releasing resin-ionomer cement.

A new fluoride releasing resin-ionomer cement was used for bonding of gallium alloy restorations in vitro. Etching, priming, and fluoride releasing resin-ionomer cement were used in the experimental group (ARG), prior to placement of the gallium alloy restorations. Three different controls were used: gallium alloy only (G), no etching, fluoride releasing resin-ionomer cement, gallium alloy (RG), etching, priming, non-fluoride cement and gallium alloy (ACG). The mean shear bond strengths of ARG group to enamel and dentin were higher than those of the three control groups. Artificial secondary caries lesions around the restorations in the experimental group and the control groups were produced, using a strep. mutans culture. The microradiographs were examined for presence of a caries inhibition zone near the restoration. Caries inhibition zones were clearly detected around RG and ARG, but not around G and ACG. The results indicate that the fluoride releasing resin-ionomer cement provided good adhesion and caries inhibition in enamel and dentin.

Adhesiveness↗