PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K Taki

Publications and source records attributed to K Taki.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural examination of smooth muscle cells in aortocoronary saphenous vein grafts.

In this study, phenotypic modulation and remodulation of smooth muscle cells and associated intermediate filament expression were demonstrated by means of immunohistochemistry and ultrastructure to understand the development of intimal hyperplasia in aortocoronary saphenous vein grafts. In nongrafted saphenous veins, all smooth muscle cells expressed vimentin and desmin and were of a contractile form. In saphenous vein grafts showing stenotic intimal hyperplasia (luminal stenosis < 75%), expression of desmin was notably lower, whereas that of vimentin was higher. The cells were shown to be of a synthetic phenotype, suggesting modulation from the original contractile form. In saphenous vein grafts showing occlusive intimal hyperplasia (luminal stenosis > 76%), desmin expression in smooth muscle cells was increased again, and such cells were of a contractile form, suggesting remodulation from the synthetic phenotype. Some of the smooth muscle cells of the synthetic phenotype were positive for an antibody against proliferation cell nuclear antigen. Smooth muscle cells of the contractile form were negative for this antibody. The study suggests that smooth muscle cells of synthetic phenotype are highly responsible for "growing" intimal hyperplasia of aortocoronary saphenous vein grafts.

Actins↗

General anaesthesia for cleft lip and palate surgery team activities in Cambodia.

Cleft lip and palate surgery team activities in Cambodia were launched in 1989 by a Japanese non-governmental organization. The objectives of the project were to provide appropriate surgical treatment and safe general anaesthesia for local patients, and also to teach general anaesthesia and surgery to local medical staff. A surgery team was sent on four occasions between 1991 and 1993 and a total of 130 patients received surgical treatment and general anaesthesia. Anaesthesia techniques employed included total intravenous anaesthesia in 70 patients and intravenous anaesthesia and low dose halothane in 60 patients. There were no major complications, such as airway obstruction or apnoea in the postoperative period. Total intravenous anaesthesia is an appropriate technique for patients in developing countries. The teaching of anaesthesia should be emphasized during the surgery team activities.

Adolescent↗

[Epidural buprenorphine does not improve diaphragmatic function after upper abdominal surgery].

We investigated the effect of epidural buprenorphine on diaphragmatic function using respiratory inductive plethysmography (RIP) in seven healthy patients after upper abdominal surgery. After surgery, changes of rib cage contribution to tidal volume (%RC) increased significantly from 25.3 +/- 7.3 (mean +/- SD) to 50.7 +/- 14.8% (P < 0.05). After the injection of epidural buprenorphine, visual analogue scale (VAS) score decreased significantly from 8.3 to 3.3 (P < 0.05). But, %RC was unchanged compared to the value before the injection. These results indicate that pain relief by epidural buprenorphine does not improve diaphragmatic function after upper abdominal surgery.

Abdomen↗

Vascular changes in acute Wernicke's encephalopathy.

The nature and distribution of vascular changes in acute Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) were analyzed in three autopsy cases. Lesions of the lateral vestibular nucleus of the medulla oblongata (three cases) and lateral ventricular wall (one case) were examined by reconstruction of 200 serial sections, and the capillary diameter in the tegmentum of the medulla oblongata was measured morphometrically in all cases. The vascular changes commonly found in and around the parenchymal lesions in all cases were: (1) dilatation and endothelial swelling of almost all vessels ranging from small arteries to veins, being especially severe with undulation in small arteries and arterioles, and (2) fibrinoid degeneration and hemorrhage involving selectively the arterioles and capillaries on the arterial side. These vascular changes in the medulla oblongata were essentially the same as those in the third ventricular wall, but differed in their severity. Capillary diameter in these cases was significantly larger than that in seven control cases. Such vascular changes, especially a dysoric change on the arterial side, could not be ascribed to secondary change following changes in the parenchyma, and were, therefore, considered to be a lesion essential to WE, as in the case of the parenchymal lesion.

Adolescent↗

Effect of hemidiaphragmatic paresis caused by interscalene brachial plexus block on breathing pattern, chest wall mechanics, and arterial blood gases.

We investigated the effects of hemidiaphragmatic paresis caused by interscalene brachial plexus block on breathing patterns, chest wall mechanics, and arterial blood gas tensions using respiratory inductive plethysmography. Ten healthy patients received interscalene block with 20-40 mL 1.5% lidocaine with epinephrine. Rib cage contribution to tidal volume (%RC) increased from 28.9% +/- 9.7% to 50.0% +/- 8.3% (P < 0.01), respiratory frequency (f) increased from 14.6 +/- 3.2/min to 16.3 +/- 2.4/min (P < 0.05), and PaO2 decreased from 84.7 +/- 7.3 mm Hg to 78.0 +/- 9.5 mm Hg (P < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in tidal volume (VT), minute volume (VE), or PaCO2. These results indicated that VT, VE, and PaCO2 were maintained after interscalene block, apparently by increases in f and %RC to compensate for hemidiaphragmatic paresis caused by interscalene block. Nevertheless, PaO2 was reduced, presumably due to increased ventilation-perfusion mismatching. Recognizing that we studied healthy patients, the decrease in PaO2 may be more in patients with cardiopulmonary disease.

Adult↗

Triangular flap repair of the congenital earlobe cleft.

Repair of a congenital earlobe cleft was performed on 16 patients using a new surgical technique derived from the Tennison-Randall triangular flap operation for cheiloplasty. There were no complications. This method was applied because the deformities and desired outcomes in the congenital earlobe cleft are similar to those of the cleft lip. Many papers have described surgery for congenital and acquired clefts; the former differs from the latter in some respects. The techniques described for the repair of acquired clefts are not always appropriate for congenital clefts. In addition, some operations specifically designed for congenital clefts require more complicated techniques. Using our technique to correct lobule deformities with a triangular flap in proportion to the angle and extent of the cleft, a superior cosmetic result was obtained in the repair of longitudinal earlobe clefts.

Congenital Abnormalities↗

Plasma interleukin 8 and polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase concentrations in patients with septic shock.

We determined the plasma concentrations of interleukin 8 (IL-8), polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase (PMNE), and endotoxin in patients with septic shock in order to investigate the role of IL-8 and PMNE in the development of septic shock, especially in septic adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The IL-8 concentration in patients with septic shock was 6.28 +/- 9.00 ng/mL (mean +/- SD, n = 29), which was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than the concentration in septic patients without shock (0.35 +/- 0.35 ng/mL, n = 40). There was a significant correlation between the IL-8 concentration and the PMNE concentration at the onset of septic shock (r = 0.6916, P < 0.0001). The IL-8 concentration was also significantly correlated with the endotoxin concentration (r = 0.5584, P = 0.0016). There was a significant negative correlation (r = -0.8237, P < 0.0001) between the serum PMNE concentration and the oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) at the onset of septic shock. These results indicate that IL-8 and PMNE are produced in large quantities when septic shock occurs, and may play a role in the development of septic ARDS.

Adult↗

Acetazolamide-induced inhibition of carbonic anhydrase influences energy metabolism and respiratory work in healthy subjects.

To assess the usefulness of acetazolamide in weaning a patient from a respirator, we monitored the changes in the respiratory quotient ratio (RQ ratio), the ventilation volume (VE; l/min.), carbon dioxide elimination (VCO2; ml/min.), the oxygen consumption (VO2; ml/min.) and the metabolic energy expenditure (EE; Cal/day) for 6 hours before (baseline) and after the intravenous administration of acetazolamide, 6 mg/kg, in 12 healthy adult volunteers. The RQ ratio decreased significantly from 0.88 to 0.82 after the injection of acetazolamide, 6 mg/kg, and remained below baseline throughout the 6 hours of observation. VCO2 decreased significantly and VE increased significantly after acetazolamide administration. There were no significant changes in VO2 or EE. The RQ ratio increased only slightly, from 0.85 to 0.87, in the control group (no acetazolamide). No significant changes in VCO2 or VE were observed in the control group. Findings suggest that acetazolamide may alter the main pathway of energy metabolism from being carbohydrate-dominant to being fat-dominant, with a resulting fall in CO2 production to maintain the adequate work of ventilation. The inhibition of carbonic anhydrase by acetazolamide may be useful in reducing respiratory work in a patient who is weaned from a respirator.

Acetazolamide↗

Effects of neuropeptide Y on lung vascular permeability in the pulmonary circulation of rats.

The effects of neuropeptides on the capillary filtration coefficient in the vessels of the pulmonary circulation were examined, using isolated lung perfusion preparations from rats. Neuropeptide Y and neurokinin A elevated the filtration coefficient, and calcitonin gene related peptide diminished it. Neurotensin and substance P did not affect the value at concentrations less than 10(-7) M. The number of extravasated carbon particle deposits subsequent to tracheal application of neuropeptide Y during spontaneous respiration increased in a dose-dependent manner. From these results, we conclude that neuropeptide Y may increase vascular permeability in the pulmonary circulation.

Animals↗

Emergency and long-term extracorporeal life support following acute myocardial infarction: rescue from severe cardiogenic shock related to stunned myocardium.

There has been no report regarding therapy of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) that showed stunned myocardium echocardiographically and electrocardiographically in patients with acute myocardial infarction. ECLS was performed in eight patients with cardiogenic shock or arrest unresponsive to catecholamines and intra-aortic balloon pumping following myocardial infarction; these patients required prolonged external cardiac massage. After the initiation of ECLS, both blood pressure and metabolic acidosis improved in all patients. Four of eight patients were weaned from ECLS after a mean of 69.3 h, which was far longer than previously reported in patients with ischemic heart disease. Three of these patients survived, and cardiac function recovered to NYHA class II in two of the survivors and class III in the other. The other five patients did not recover from coma during ECLS and died. A marked improvement of ventricular wall motion was seen in two survivors with the disappearance of pathologic Q waves after the initiation of ECLS. No occlusion of the coronary arteries or bypass grafts was observed in any of the survivors. These findings suggested the existence of stunned myocardium with myocardial reperfusion. The recovery of stunned myocardium may be delayed for days or even weeks, hence the extended period of ECLS therapy was theoretically justifiable. We conclude that long-term ECLS is a useful therapeutic method for patients with severe cardiogenic shock that is related to stunned myocardium.

Adult↗

Focal hepatocellular necrosis and portal lymphocytic infiltration of the liver in chronic alcoholics: histopathological study of 40 liver biopsies.

Forty liver biopsies of hepatitis B surface antigen negative chronic alcoholics were histologically studied to assess the influence of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infection. A moderate degree of focal hepatocellular necrosis and/or portal lymphocytic infiltration (FHN-PLI) was observed in 28% of the specimens, being especially prevalent in advanced cases of fibrosis and cirrhosis, and significantly correlated with HCV-infection. Eleven of these cases were examined in detail: HCV-infection was detected in eight and lymphocytic infiltration was apparent in the portal area, accompanied by formation of lymph follicles. The FHN-PLI was ascribed to alcoholic hepatitis in two HCV-negative cases and was concluded to be of unknown etiology in the remaining one HCV-negative case. This study thus indicated that over two-thirds of cases of chronic hepatitis in alcoholics can be attributed to HCV-infection, with the remainder being at least partly related to alcoholic hepatitis. The prevalence of alcohol-induced chronic hepatitis based on immunopathological findings was unclear, but was probably less frequent than previously reported.

Adult↗

[Strategies of general anesthesia for cleft palate surgery in Cambodia].

Hare lip and cleft palate surgery team activities in Cambodia were launched in 1989 by a non-governmental Japanese organization, Operations Unies. The objectives of the project are to provide appropriate surgical treatment and safe general anesthesia for local patients and also to conduct technology transfer of general anesthesia and surgery to the local medical staffs. From June 1991 to January 1993, a surgery/anesthesia team was dispatched 4 times and a total of 130 patients received surgical treatments under general anesthesia. Anesthesia techniques employed included total intravenous anesthesia in 70 patients (54%) and intravenous anesthesia with 0.3-0.7% of halothane in 60 patients (46%). There were no major complications, such as airway obstruction and apnea, in the recovery room and in the ward. The reasons why we chose intravenous agents are difficulty in obtaining inhaled agents in Cambodia and lack of scavenging system in a operating room. Although halothane anesthesia with spontaneous breathing has been recommended in developing countries, total intravenous anesthesia could be one of the applicable techniques in these countries. In Cambodia, shortage of medical doctors and the absence of anesthesiologist constitute a major barrier to technology transfer in clinical anesthesia.

Anesthesia, General↗

[Distribution of glutathione peroxidase in the glomeruli of IgA nephropathy].

To study the role of reactive oxygen species in chronic renal disease, we studied the location of Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in glomeruli of patients with IgA nephropathy. In normal kidney, GSH-Px was localized in tubular cells, and not in glomeruli. In the kidney with IgA nephropathy, GSH-Px was detected in glomerular cells in addition to the tubular cells. As for the relation between the extent of GSH-Px and clinical findings, the following results were obtained. When GSH-Px are strongly stained in glomeruli, histological change of glomeruli was milder. Concerning the renal function, when GSH-Px was stained weakly, Ccr reduced significantly one year after the renal biopsy. Thus, when this enzyme are present in glomeruli, renal function appeared to be more preserved. These results suggest that this enzyme have the beneficial action for renal function as antioxidative factors in IgA nephropathy.

Adolescent↗

[Autosomal dominant spinocerebellar degeneration with pigmentary retinopathy in a Japanese family].

We report a pedigree of autosomal dominant spinocerebellar degeneration associated with pigmental retinopathy. The proband is a 75-year-old man. He noticed night blindness at the age of 10 years and a diagnosis of bilateral pigmentary retinopathy was made at age 63. At the age of 65 years, he developed dysarthria and difficulty in walking. At age 69, neurological examination revealed cerebellar signs, and brain CT scans showed mild atrophy of the brain stem and cerebellum. Repeated brain CT scans revealed slight progression of the brain stem and cerebellar atrophy. Molecular genetic studies showed the absence of any mitochondrial DNA mutation at 8993. The father of the proband exhibited cerebellar signs and pigmentary retinopathy. One older brother had cerebellar signs and another had pigmentary retinopathy. To our knowledge, hereditary spinocerebellar degeneration with retinal degeneration is rare in Japan. This study is the first full report on hereditary spinocerebellar degeneration with pigmentary retinopathy in Japan, although an abstract was published by Konishi et al. We also discuss the neuropathological discordance on hereditary olivoponto-cerebellar atrophy with retinal degeneration.

Adult↗

[Effects on hemolysis of the manually operated portable cardiopulmonary bypass system].

We studied the effects on hemolysis of our manually operated, portable cardiopulmonary bypass system with two self-inflatable reservoir-pumps in parallel by using bovine blood. The blood shed from both the jugular vein and the carotid artery, immediately after slaughter, was divided into three plastic containers, one for the control, one for manual circulation, and the other for conventional circulation with a roller-pump. Small bore catheters were intentionally placed into the inflow and outflow routes of both circulation systems to simulate clinical situations. Free hemoglobin and potassium in plasma were measured every 30 min during the experimental circulation for 120 min. The free hemoglobin in plasma increased gradually under manual circulation, but this increase was statistically insignificant when compared with the variances of those in the conventional circulation and the control blood groups. The values of the potassium in the plasma showed no differences among the three blood groups. Our manually operated, portable cardiopulmonary bypass system will be a valuable adjunct for emergency medicine.

Animals↗