PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

K Togashi

Publications and source records attributed to K Togashi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[The functional outcome of patients with subacute thyroiditis].

Whether with the passage of time subacute thyroiditis leads to hypothyroidism remains to be determined. Therefore, we evaluated the thyroid function including TRH test of 66 patients with a previous history of subacute thyroiditis and age-matched control subjects with special reference to the measurement of inorganic iodide. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to time lapse since the occurrence. Group 1 consisted of 24 cases followed up for 4 to 24 months. Sixteen cases in group 2 had their courses from 2 to 5 years, and group 3 was composed of 26 cases over the past 5 to 30 years. We selected 169 subjects without history of subacute thyroiditis and divided them into three control groups matched for age, each corresponding to the patient groups (group 1a, 2b and 3c, respectively). 41.7% and 29.2% of cases in group 1 had high basal levels of serum TSH (greater than 3.6 microU/ml) and delta TSH (the increment of TSH after TRH, greater than 46.8 microU/ml). In group 2, levels of serum T3 and T4 returned to normal ranges. However, in group 3, significant higher elevations in TSH and delta TSH than those in group 3c were observed, and the T4, FT4, T3 and FT3 levels were lower than those of group 3c (p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.05, respectively). 42.3% of cases in group 3 showed high TSH, and there were 4 cases with clinical hypothyroidism. Among the cases studied, a significant negative correlation (p less than 0.01) between levels of TSH and T4 was observed, while a correlation between TSH and delta TSH was positive (p less than 0.001). High levels of serum inorganic iodide were observed in 6.1% of cases and a correlation between inorganic iodide and TSH was significantly positive (p less than 0.01) not only in patients with subacute thyroiditis, but also in the control subjects. Antithyroid autoantibodies were detected in 42.4% of all the cases with subacute thyroiditis and also in 45.6% of all the controls. In group 3, MCHA was detected in 64.5% of the cases, and the frequency was higher than that of group 3c as well as that of 25% in group 2 (p less than 0.01), respectively. In 15.4% of the cases in group 3, the titers of MCHA were more than 40(2), and the titers of MCHA were significantly higher in patients with a long-term period after the onset of subacute thyroiditis than those with a short-term period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult

Relationship between cholesterol sulfate and intercellular cohesion of the stratum corneum: demonstration using a push-pull meter and an improved high-performance thin-layer chromatographic separation system of all major stratum corneum lipids.

To investigate the role of cholesterol sulfate (CS) as an intercellular glue or cement in the stratum corneum, we compared the relationship between CS levels and magnitude of the intercellular cohesion of the stratum corneum between the palm and the upper arm. Using a push-pull meter, the palm displayed approximately seven times the magnitude of cohesion of the stratum corneum as the upper arm (n = 11). CS and other stratum corneum lipids were extracted from the palm and the upper arm (n = 22) by a cup method and determined by our improved high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). Despite a great difference in the magnitude of cohesion (p less than 0.01), CS levels and ratios of CS to ceramides and CS to cholesterol in the stratum corneum showed no significant differences between the palm and the upper arm. Our results suggest that differences in CS cannot account for the differences in cohesion between palm and upper arm.

Adult

Study of uterine prolapse by magnetic resonance imaging: topographical changes involving the levator ani muscle and the vagina.

Alternations of the pelvic structure with an emphasis on those of the levator ani muscle, associated with uterine prolapse, were studied using sagittal magnetic resonance images obtained from 19 subjects without and 14 with uterine or vaginal prolapse of varied degree and 3 patients with Rokitansky syndrome who had undergone a McIndoe operation. Two additional patients with a grade III uterine prolapse were also studied before and 2-3 months after corrective surgery consisting of vaginal hysterectomy combined with anterior colporrhaphy and posterior colpoperineorrhaphy. Absence or presence of prolapse, irrespective of its grade, was found to be related to whether or not a reference line extrapolated from the levator plate crossed the pubis on sagittal images. This was the case as well in patients with Rokitansky syndrome with a neovagina and loss of such crossings was restored in patients with prolapse after surgery. Backward bending of the upper vagina noted in nonprolapse conditions was usually absent in patients with uterine prolapse. These results document that topographical changes involving the levator ani muscle and the vagina occur in association with uterine prolapse.

Adult

Degradation and distribution of brain natriuretic peptide in porcine tissues.

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a novel peptide that has actions similar to atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). The present study investigated BNP localization in the heart, ANP and BNP contents in several organs, and ANP and BNP clearance through these organs. In the morphological study, it was shown that porcine BNP-like immunoreactivity was mainly distributed in the granules of the atrium. The content of porcine BNP-like immunoreactivity in the atrium was extremely high, about 100-fold greater than in the ventricle. From the determination of porcine BNP and ANP contents of such organs as the heart, kidney and liver and also plasma, it was shown that porcine BNP concentration was approximately one order of magnitude lower than that of ANP, and clearance rates of ANP and porcine BNP from these organs were similar and not significantly different between the organs. These results suggest that the modes of secretion and degradation of porcine BNP are not the same as those of ANP.

Animals

Concentrations and molecular forms of C-type natriuretic peptide in brain and cerebrospinal fluid.

To develop a radioimmunoassay (RIA) specific for human C-type natriuretic peptide (hCNP), we used a highly specific antiserum raised in rabbits. Quantitative inhibition tests with various natriuretic peptides demonstrated that the 50% inhibitory dose of hCNP was 15 fmol, whereas those of other natriuretic peptides were 10(5)-fold higher, indicating a specificity satisfactory for determining concentrations of hCNP in tissues. Using this antiserum, we detected immunoreactive hCNP (ir-hCNP) in various regions of human brain and spinal cord, as well as in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The ir-hCNP concentrations in human neural tissues were approximately 10-fold higher than those of immunoreactive human atrial natriuretic peptide (ir-hANP). The mean (+/- SD) concentration of ir-hCNP (72.0 +/- 17.8 ng/L) in CSF also was 10-fold higher than that of ir-hANP (5.2 +/- 2.1 ng/L). Using gel-permeation chromatography, we identified two molecular forms of ir-hCNP in brain and CSF: a 2-kDa form corresponding to mature hCNP, which is composed of 22 amino acid residues (hCNP-22), and a 5- to 6-kDa form corresponding to an N-terminally extended molecule (hCNP-53). The latter form was predominant in brain; the former was the main constituent of hCNP in CSF. These results support the hypothesis that hCNP is a major natriuretic peptide, is synthesized in human brain, and functions in human central nervous tissues.

Aged

[A case of surgery for annuloaortic ectasia and aortic regurgitation complicated by ulcerative colitis and aortitis syndrome].

We performed an operation for AAE and AR complicated by ulcerative colitis and aortitis syndrome. The patient was a 20-year-old male who had been treated for ulcerative colitis in our hospital since 1983, when he was 18 years old. In 1985, he was admitted to our hospital for treatment and evaluation of left heart failure. He was diagnosed as having AAE and AR due to aortitis syndrome, and steroid therapy was started. He developed heart failure, and surgery was indicated. At operation, before clamping the aorta we made a composite graft. The ascending aorta and aortic valve were replaced by the composite graft, and button-shaped coronary ostia were sutured directly into the graft. His postoperative course was uneventful and he was discharged. He is now maintained on steroid therapy for his aortitis syndrome.

Adult

[Spontaneous intercostal lung hernia].

A 70-year-old man admitted our clinic because of a painful bulge in the left chest wall that had appeared following a bout of coughing. CT confirmed the presence of lung herniation at the left eight interspace. At surgery a 3 x 16 cm anterolateral defect in the site was confirmed. A patch of Gore-Tex (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) was fashioned and sewn into the defect with interrupted 3-0 Ethibond sutures. Spontaneous intercostal lung hernia is a rare lesion of thoracic wall and have not been reported in Japan. We describe a case with some reviewing.

Aged

Brain natriuretic peptides in human plasma, spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid.

In cases of heart failure, the plasma level of immunoreactive human brain natriuretic peptide (IR-hBNP) measured by radioimmunoassay increased 6- to 46-fold over normal level (4.1 +/- 1.0 pg/ml), depending upon the severity. These levels did not significantly correlate to the levels of IR-human atrial natriuretic peptide in individuals. A 4-kDa IR-hBNP, corresponding to authentic hBNP (1-32), was predominant in normal plasma. In cases of cardiac disease, larger molecules which were assumed to be precursors of the 4-kDa form were accumulated in plasma. IR-hBNP was detected in spinal cords (7-24 pg/mg protein) and cerebrospinal fluid (8-19 pg/ml) of patients with noncardiac diseases. The major molecular form corresponded to the hBNP (1-32).

Adult

[The effects on the thyroid gland of soybeans administered experimentally in healthy subjects].

To elucidate whether soybeans would suppress the thyroid function in healthy adults, we selected 37 subjects who had never had goiters or serum antithyroid antibodies. They were given 30g of soybeans everyday and were divided into 3 groups subject to age and duration of soybean administration. In group 1, 20 subjects were given soybeans for 1 month. Groups 2 and 3 were composed of 7 younger subjects (mean 29 y.o.) and 10 elder subjects (mean 61 y.o.) respectively, and the subjects belonging to these groups received soybeans for 3 months. The Wilcoxon-test and t-test were used in the statistical analyses. In all groups, the various parameters of serum thyroid hormones remained unchanged by taking soybeans, however TSH levels rose significantly although they stayed within normal ranges. The TSH response after TRH stimulation in group 3 revealed a more significant increase than that in group 2, although inorganic iodide levels were lowered during the administration of the soybeans. We have not obtained any significant correlation between serum inorganic iodide and TSH. Hypometabolic symptoms (malaise, constipation, sleepiness) and goiters appeared in half the subjects in groups 2 and 3 after taking soybeans for 3 months, but they disappeared 1 month after the cessation of soybean ingestion. These findings suggested that excessive soybean ingestion for a certain duration might suppress thyroid function and cause goiters in healthy people, especially elderly subjects.

Adult

Endothelin-1- and endothelin-3-like immunoreactivity in human cerebrospinal fluid.

Using highly specific and sensitive radioimmunoassays (RIAs) for endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelin-3 (ET-3), we have determined the concentrations of ET-1- and ET-3-like immunoreactivities (LI) in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The concentration of ET-3-LI (82.5 +/- 4.8 pg/ml) was about 1.5-fold greater than that of ET-1-LI (34.3 +/- 1.3 pg/ml). There was no significant correlation between ET-1-LI and ET-3-LI concentrations in human CSF (r = 0.44). Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed a single major component of ET-1-LI and ET-3-LI coeluting with authentic ET-1 and ET-3, respectively. It is suggested that ET-1 and ET-3 play a neuropeptide-like role in the central nervous system.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid

Endometrial cysts: diagnosis with MR imaging.

The value of 1.5-T magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in diagnosing endometrial cysts and differentiating them from other gynecologic masses was prospectively evaluated in 374 female patients with clinically suspected adnexal masses. A suggestive diagnosis of endometrial cyst was made when a cyst that was hyperintense on T1-weighted images exhibited homogeneous hyperintensity on T2-weighted images. A definitive diagnosis was made when a cyst that was hyperintense on T1-weighted images exhibited hypointense signal on T2-weighted images (shading) or when the lesion consisted of multiple hyperintense cysts on T1-weighted images (multiplicity) regardless of the signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Surgery was performed in 293 patients, and confirmation was obtained in 354 lesions. MR imaging enabled accurate diagnosis of 77 of 86 endometrial cysts and exclusion of the diagnosis of endometrial cyst in 263 of 268 other gynecologic masses with or without internal hemorrhage. The overall diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 90%, 98%, 96%, respectively. MR imaging seems to be an acceptable diagnostic test on which clinical decisions can be based in selecting treatment.

Adnexal Diseases

The 'oral 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 pulse therapy' in hemodialysis patients with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Many hemodialysis patients are still suffering from secondary hyperparathyroidism although 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) has been used to treat renal osteodystrophy for the last two decades. The main reason for its failure to correct the secondary hyperparathyroidism is that in patients, hypercalcemia occurs before adequate parathyroid hormone (PTH) suppression is obtained when a large daily dose of 1,25(OH)2D3 is started. In this study, the oral dose of 1,25(OH)2D3 (4.0 micrograms) was administered only twice a week at the end of hemodialysis ('oral 1,25(OH)2D3 pulse therapy'), in 19 patients with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism. Serum immunoreactive PTH started to decrease after 6 weeks of therapy, and the original level of 41.2 +/- 7.24 was reduced to 24.4 +/- 6.12 ng/ml by the end of the 6-month therapy (p less than 0.001). Serum alkaline phosphatase also was reduced by 64.4%. Three out of 19 patients suffered from hypercalcemia during the 4th month of therapy. Calcium supplement given to 6 other patients with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism did not lower serum PTH levels significantly after 6 weeks of therapy, although serum calcium levels increased and were sustained above 10 mg/dl for the last 5 weeks. These findings strongly suggest that the suppressive effect of the oral 1,25(OH)2D3 pulse therapy was attained by a direct action of 1,25(OH)2D3 on the parathyroid gland rather than by its ability to elevate serum calcium levels. In conclusion, the oral 1,25(OH)2D3 pulse therapy effectively lowered PTH levels in hemodialysis patients who cannot tolerate large daily doses of 1,25(OH)2D3.

Administration, Oral

[Mediastinal parathyroid cyst].

A 66-year-old woman, having no complaint, admitted our clinic, because of a mass in the right superior mediastinum detected three years ago on chest X-ray. The operation was performed through the right thoracotomy in December of 1989. The thin-walled cyst located adjacent to the trachea between superior vena cava and back bones, occupied from beneath the innominate artery to the right main bronchus. The tumor (7 x 5 x 5 cm) weighing 80 grams had a smooth surface and contained watery fluid. Histological examination showed a cyst lined a monolayer of cuboidal epithelium. The cyst wall consisted of parathyroid tissue. Mediastinal parathyroid cyst is very rare. Since the first report of DeQuervain, 15 cases have been reported. These reports are reviewed.

Aged

[Studies on plasma immunoreactive human brain natriuretic peptide (hBNP) levels in patients with congestive heart failure and present forms of hBNP in human cardiac ventricle].

By using a specific radioimmunoassay (RIA) for human brain natriuretic peptide (hBNP), we measured immunoreactive hBNP (ir-hBNP) in plasma from patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). There appeared to be relationship between the enhanced ir-hBNP secretory activity and the severity of the failing heart as well as that of immunoreactive human atrial natriuretic peptide (ir-hANP). However, the secretion of ir-hBNP was augmented much more than that of ir-hANP in sever CHF patients. Gel permeation chromatography coupled with the RIA revealed that ir-hBNP in human ventricle is composed with gamma-hBNP and hBNP (1-32) as well as that of human atrium. However, we found differences of the gamma-hBNP/hBNP (1-32) ratio in atrial and ventricular tissues. These findings suggest that the hBNP secretion mechanism differ in the two areas of human heart.

Adult

[A specific and highly sensitive radioimmunoassay of human brain natriuretic peptide].

We established specific and highly sensitive radioimmunoassay (RIA) for the detection of human brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and confirmed the presence of BNP-like immunoreactivity (BNP-LI) in human circulating blood and the heart. The antibody used in this RIA did not react any known human atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). Gel permeation chromatography coupled with the RIA revealed that BNP-LI in atrium is composed with high molecular BNP and low molecular BNP. Furthermore, dominant form of BNP-LI in human plasma was thought to be low molecular BNP. Mean concentration of BNP-LI in plasma from normal subjects was 5.9 pg/ml, which was about 5 times lower than that of ANP-LI. Mean concentration of BNP-LI in human cardiac atrium was 45.6 ng/mg protein, which was about 40-fold lower than that of ANP-LI. Furthermore, concentration of BNP-LI in human cardiac ventricle was in a range of 0.1-4.8 ng/mg protein, being about 1/20 that of cardiac atrium. These data suggest that BNP synthesized in human heart and secreted into circulation.

Heart Atria

Brain natriuretic peptide is cosecreted with atrial natriuretic peptide from porcine cardiocytes.

Using primary cultures of atrial cardiocytes from neonatal pig, the secretion brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)-like immunoreactivities (LI) was studied in vitro. Porcine cardiocytes time-dependently secreted both BNP-LI and ANP-LI into medium under a serum-free condition, although the amount of BNP-LI secreted was about one-third that of ANP-LI. Phorbol ester and Ca2+ ionophore had less stimulatory effects on secretion of BNP-LI than that of ANP-LI. Reverse-phase HPLC of the conditioned medium revealed a single major BNP-LI component corresponding to synthetic porcine BNP(1-26). These data suggest that a small molecular weight form BNP, possibly BNP(1-26), is cosecreted with ANP from porcine cardiocytes.

Animals