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Biomedical subjects

K Yoshimura

Publications and source records attributed to K Yoshimura.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Epidemiology of suicidal ideation and help-seeking behaviors among the elderly in Japan.

This study offers an analysis of the elderly (over 65 years of age) among a general community population in terms of the percentages of: (i) persons with recurring thoughts of death and/or of committing suicide, and (ii) people who have consulted others, including medical professionals, with regard to these problems. Among 433 elderly over the age of 65 in one community in a town in Aomori Prefecture, 358 agreed to participate in the project. Forty-four participants (12.3%) responded that they had either 'thoughts of death' or 'thoughts of suicide', and these thoughts had continued for more than 2 weeks in 12 participants (3.4%). Only 15 of the 44 suicidal elderly responded that they had consulted someone about their problems. Although there are many elderly people exhibiting a subclinical depressive state with recurring thoughts of death or thoughts of suicide, the number of people who consult family members, professionals, or others is very low. This suggests the importance of community networking through educational activities so that people can more readily talk to and support one another.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic nephrectomy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic nephrectomy. METHODS: From June 1994 to November 1999, 10 patients underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy at Osaka University Medical Hospital and Osaka Rosai Hospital. Laparoscopic nephrectomy was performed either via transperitoneal or retroperitoneal approach under general anesthesia. These 10 cases were reviewed in respect of primary disease of the kidney, operative time, complications and postoperative convalescence. RESULTS: Of the 10 patients, five were preoperatively diagnosed as having a non-functioning kidney with hydronephrosis, two patients were diagnosed as having an atrophic kidney, two had renal cell carcinoma and one had renal pelvic tumor. The average operative time was 374 min (range 270-675 min). The mean blood loss was 330 mL (range 60-800 mL). One patient required transfusion due to postoperative oozing. The average hospital stay after operation was 7 days. No major postoperative complications were observed. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic nephrectomy is an option in surgically managing renal disorders, including malignancies, although it has a longer operative time compared to conventional open surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Torsion of a benign cyst arising from the tunica vaginalis testis.

We describe a rare case of torsion of a benign cyst originating from the parietal layer of tunica vaginalis. This case presented with acute scrotum. Surgical exploration revealed a cyst arising from the parietal layer of tunica vaginalis of which the pedicle was twisted. When a cystic mass is detected in the scrotum of boys with acute scrotum, torsion of a cyst in the cavum tunica vaginalis testis should be considered.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2001

Laparoscopic diagnosis and treatment of nonpalpable testis.

OBJECTIVE: Laparoscopy has become one of the important diagnostic modalities of nonpalpable testis and has been developed and applied in the treatment of this disease. In the present study, we investigated the usefulness of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of nonpalpable testis. METHODS: Laparoscopy was carried out under general anesthesia on 21 patients (23 testes) from October 1991 to October 1999. If the internal spermatic vessels and vas deferens made their way into the internal inguinal ring, the inguinal canal was dissected with an incision in the inguinal region to look for the testis. Patients with intra-abdominal testis underwent laparoscopic orchiopexy or orchiectomy. If the internal spermatic vessels terminated with a blind end intraperitoneally, making it impossible to identify the testis, the case was judged to be vanishing testis and the operation was finalized without any further examination. RESULTS: In eight of 23 testes (35%), the internal spermatic vessels and vas deferens made their way into the internal inguinal ring. The inguinal region was examined in all the eight testes. Orchiopexy was carried out on two testes and orchiectomy was carried out on six testes. An intra-abdominal testis was detected in eight of 23 testes (35%). Laparoscopic orchiopexy was carried out on seven testes. One-stage orchiopexy was carried out on two of the seven testes and two-stage Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy was carried out on five of the seven testes. Orchiectomy was carried out on the remaining testis. Blocking or lack of the internal spermatic vessels and vas deferens was seen in seven of the 23 testes (30%) and this condition was diagnosed as vanishing testis. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy for nonpalpable testis is considered to be the most effective technique for diagnosing the presence or absence of the testis and the location of the testis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Intrarenal bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy for carcinoma in situ of the upper urinary tract: long-term follow-up and natural course in cases of failure.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term efficacy of intrarenal bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy for the treatment of cytologically diagnosed upper tract carcinoma in situ (CIS) and report the time course in cases of failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fourteen renal units in 11 patients cytologically diagnosed as having upper urinary tract (UUT) CIS were treated with intrarenal BCG instillation. The BCG solution was administered by retrograde ureteric catheterization weekly for 6 weeks. RESULTS: Seven units were radiologically and cytologically free of disease at a median follow-up of 60 months. Two units which showed an initial response had recurrence with ipsilateral UUT CIS. The remaining five units did not respond to BCG. Of seven units with an initial negative response or recurrent UUT CIS, nephroureterectomy was undertaken in one because of coincidental renal cell carcinoma. In four of the remaining six units, invasive pelvic tumour developed at a mean follow-up of 20.5 months after the final instillation. Computed tomography showed wall thickening of the renal pelvis in two and mass-forming tumour in the renal parenchyma mimicking renal cell carcinoma in two. In three of these four cases, retrograde pyelography did not show typical findings of renal pelvic tumour, e.g. filling defect, infundibular obstruction or stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Intrarenal BCG is effective in the treatment of UUT CIS in a long-term follow-up. In cases with a poor response or ipsilateral recurrence of CIS, there is a high risk of developing invasive tumour. Close follow-up using computed tomography is recommended because of the atypical radiographic findings of such tumours.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2001

Trihalomethane removal by activated carbon fiber.

For the safety of drinking water, trihalomethanes are removed by adsorption onto activated carbon fiber from single-component solutions. The amounts adsorbed onto adsorbents with large surface area and/or pore volume were small. Stronger surface hydrophobicity of adsorbent was correlated with a larger amount of trihalomethanes adsorbed. A trihalomethane with bromine was adsorbed to a greater extent than that with chlorine. The differences in the amounts adsorbed among trihalomethanes can be explained by the polarity of trihalomethane molecules. The amount of trihalomethanes adsorbed was mainly dominated by the strength of hydrophobicity of activated carbon fibers.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2001

The sensitivity of chlamydomonas photoreceptor is optimized for the frequency of cell body rotation.

For phototactic migration, Chlamydomonas scans the surrounding light environment by rotating the cell body with an eyespot located on the equator. The intensity of the light signal received by the eyespot should therefore change cyclically at the frequency of the cell body rotation. In this study, the response of the photoreceptor to cyclically changing light stimuli was analyzed using immotile mutant cells. To simulate the light intensity change perceived by a rotating cell, light stimuli were applied that consisted of a light phase with the intensity changing similar to a half cycle of a sine wave and a dark phase of the same length. The fluence rate at the peak of the sine wave was of the order of 10(19) photons m(-2) s(-1), i.e. high intensity at which phototaxis is saturated. A photoreceptor current (PRC) was produced at the onset of each light phase. Interestingly, its amplitude varied depending on the frequency and was largest at 1-5 Hz, a frequency range similar to the frequency of cell body rotation. Experiments on the kinetics of the PRC indicate that the response was small at low frequency because of the inactivation of the PRC before full activation. In contrast, at high frequency the PRC was suppressed by adaptation to the repetitive stimuli. These characteristic kinetics of the PRC should be important for Chlamydomonas cells to extract information from the signals generated by the cell body rotation.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy with a microwave tissue coagulator for small renal tumor.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is a challenging procedure due to the risk of excessive bleeding. We evaluated the usefulness of a microwave tissue coagulator during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for small renal tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January to July 2000, 6 patients with small renal tumors, from 11 to 25 mm. in diameter, underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy with a microwave tissue coagulator without renal pedicle clamping. There were 4 patients who underwent the transperitoneal and 2 who underwent the retroperitoneal approaches. RESULTS: Mean operating time was 186 minutes (range 131 to 239), and blood loss was minimal. Complications were mild and tolerable, and there was no significant deterioration of renal function. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy with a microwave tissue coagulator is a useful and less invasive method for treatment of select small renal tumors. Long-term followup of patients is warranted to determine the potential for cancer control with this method.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Multidrug-resistant and fluoroquinolone-resistant Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium definitive phage type 12 isolated from infantile diarrhea].

A 35-day-old male infant was admitted to our hospital, presenting a high fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. Multidrug-resistant and fluoroquinolon-resistant Salmonella serotype Typhimurium was isolated from his stool. The phage type of the strain was DT12. The strain was resistant to ampicillin, streptomycin, gentamicin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, and fluoroquinolones (levofloxacin; MIC 8 micrograms/ml, norfloxacin; 24 micrograms/ml, ciprofloxacin; 16 micrograms/ml, sparfloxacin; 32 micrograms/ml). He was cured by antibiotic therapy using fosfomycin (< or = 1 microgram/ml). We could not determine a route of infection. Domestic surveillance for fluoroquinolon-resistant Sallmonella is necessary.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed2001

Altered hepatic hemodynamics caused by temporary occlusion of the right hepatic vein: evaluation with Doppler US in 14 patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate with Doppler ultrasonography (US) the altered hepatic hemodynamics caused by temporary occlusion of the right hepatic vein. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 14 patients being considered for hepatic arterial infusion or transarterial embolization. In all patients, maximum peak velocity of the blood flow in the right portal vein was measured with Doppler US before and during the occlusion of the right hepatic vein. In 13 patients, color Doppler US was performed to evaluate Doppler signal in the portal venous branch in the occluded area before and during occlusion. Average peak velocity in the right hepatic artery in eight patients was measured by using a transducer-tipped guide wire before and during occlusion. RESULTS: Maximum peak velocity of the right portal vein significantly decreased with occlusion (P <.01). Hepatic venous occlusion changed the Doppler signal in the portal venous branch in the occluded area from hepatopetal to no signal in 10 patients; to weakened hepatopetal in two; and to hepatofugal in one. Average peak velocity of the right hepatic artery showed a decrease or plateau for 15-30 seconds after the start of occlusion and then a rapid increase to reach a plateau at around 75-90 seconds, with 1.5-2 times as much velocity as that before occlusion. CONCLUSION: Increase in hepatic arterial velocity is accompanied by a decrease in the portal velocity with temporary occlusion of the right hepatic vein; the expected increased drainage through the portal vein was almost undetectable.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Comparison of fibronectin content in urinary macromolecules between normal subjects and recurrent stone formers.

OBJECTIVES: Fibronectin (FN: 230 kD) is a multifunctional alpha(2)-glycoprotein distributed throughout the extracellular matrix and body fluids. Recent studies have shown that a variety of molecules, including FN, inhibit the endocytosis of calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals in vitro. We recently reported that FN was oversecreted from the renal tubular cells as a result of the stimulation of CaOx crystals, and inhibited the aggregation of CaOx crystals and the adhesion of CaOx crystals to the renal tubular cells. In the present study, we investigated the difference of FN content in urinary macromolecules (UMMs) between normal subjects and recurrent stone formers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Urinary parameters in relation to urolithiasis of normal subjects and recurrent stone formers were measured. Proteins in extracted UMMs from urine of normal subjects and recurrent stone formers were measured with a BioRad protein assay, GAGs in each UMMs with a modified DMB assay and the FN content with the ELISA method. RESULTS: In urinary parameters, citrate was significantly higher in urine from normal subjects (female) than normal subjects (male) or recurrent stone formers, and the other parameters showed no differences between each group. The protein concentrations in UMMs showed no differences between each group. Normal subjects (male and female) showed a significantly higher concentration of GAGs than recurrent stone formers (with and without silent stone). Compared with normal subjects and recurrent stone formers without silent stones, higher FN levels were found in recurrent stone formers with silent stones. Normal subjects showed a significantly higher concentration of FN than recurrent stone formers without silent stones. No difference in FN level was shown between normal subjects (male) and normal subjects (female). CONCLUSION: Recurrent stone formers with silent stones showed a significantly higher concentration of FN in UMMs than normal subjects. This finding suggests that FN might be oversecreted from the renal tubular cells as a result of the stimulation of CaOx stones in vivo. Recurrent stone formers without silent stones showed a significantly lower concentration of FN in UMMs than normal subjects. From this finding it is suggested that FN might play a role as a potent inhibitor of CaOx urolithiasis in a clinical setting.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Validation of the Japanese version of the NEO Five-Factor Inventory in a large community sample.

The NEO Five-Factor Inventory is the shortened version of the Revised NEO Personality Inventory. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the shortened version in the general population of Japan. This version was translated into Japanese and then administered to 2,051 adults in a rural town in Akita Prefecture. A total of 1,664 (81.1%) individuals gave valid answers. Internal reliability, assessed by Cronbach alpha for subscales, ranged from .60 to .77. The scales were only weakly correlated both with each other and with age. In a multiple regression analysis, only the Neuroticism scale score was a significant predictor of scores on the General Health Questionnaire. Factor analysis supported the theoretical structure of personality. Overall, the Japanese version showed good reliability and validity in this sample of the general population of Japan.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Tubeless cutaneous ureterostomy: the Toyoda method revisited.

PURPOSE: Cutaneous ureterostomy is a less invasive method of urinary diversion and an attractive option especially in patients at high risk. We retrospectively examined the long-term outcome of the method introduced by Toyoda. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since 1983 the Toyoda cutaneous ureterostomy has been performed in 61 patients (103 renal units) with a minimum of 3 months of followup. The ureteral patency rate was reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 92 renal units (89%) that achieved a tubeless condition 53 (51%) had no hydronephrosis, 23 (22%) had mild to moderate hydronephrosis without the need for treatment, 14 (14%) were not evaluated during followup and 2 (2%) were removed due to subsequent renal pelvic and/or ureteral carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: A high ureteral patency rate was achieved with the Toyoda cutaneous ureterostomy. This procedure is a reasonable alternative to other forms of urinary diversion.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

A new prognosis factor analysis based on nonhomogeneous Markov description.

To evaluate prognosis factors, Cox's proportional hazard model has been used. But it was found that the analytical ability was not sufficient. So we propose a new evaluation method combining Markov chain model and multiple logistic regression analysis to estimate the prognosis factors. Stage II breast cancer was chosen as the subject. The data was retrospective data gathered in National Cancer Center Central Hospital. As first step, a simple Markov chain model was constructed to describe the state transition of a breast cancer. Then the multiple property of each state transition was investigated in detail. And the patients who had gotten a recurrence for the first two and a half years were discriminated as the poor prognosis group by a nonparametric test (p < 0.05). And the result proved to corresponding with the clinical experience. As second step, three factors (n classification of pathological diagnosis, ductal spread, and estrogen receptor) were selected as the prognosis factors for the early death in Stage II breast cancer by a multiple logistic regression analysis. This new prognosis factor analysis could find out some scientific evidences. Especially, it was found to be remarkable efficient in proving clinically experienced observation.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed2001

Stereo-structural study of the lingual papillae and their connective tissue cores in relation to ageing changes in the human tongue.

This study describes the stereo structure of human lingual papillae along lifespan with particular emphasis to ageing. The following results were obtained. Numerous slender protrusions extend from the basal column of each filiform papilla of young human tongues and decrease in number with age. Many cases having an entirely flat area on the surface of the tongue without papillae were found in old age (Loss of protrusions and flattened epithelium). The number, thickness and length of each secondary protrusion of connective tissue core (CTC) of the filiform papilla decreases roughly proportionally with age (Ramification at the end of protrusions, and fused patterns of CTC of the filiform papilla). The CTC of fungiform papillae which have a corolliform structure, become thin with age. Numerous small rod-shaped secondary CTC are distributed under the epithelium of the vallate papillae in the young subjects and decrease in number and become irregularly distributed in older age. The fact that there is a great deal of individual variation of human lingual papillae regardless of age must be emphasized.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[The bone metabolic marker for organic dysfunctions].

Recently it is understood that bone metabolic markers are useful for monitoring bone diseases. On the other hand, metabolic disorders of calcium occur in some organic dysfunction, especially in renal dysfunction, and recent reports suggest that some bone metabolic markers might be useful to detect these disorders. This report refers to bone metabolic markers about renal and the other organic dysfunction.

English Abstract↗
PubMed2000

Syntheses of 4'-C-ethynyl-beta-D-arabino- and 4'-C-ethynyl-2'-deoxy-beta-D-ribo-pentofuranosylpyrimidines and -purines and evaluation of their anti-HIV activity.

4'-C-Ethynyl-beta-D-arabino- and 4'-C-ethynyl-2'-deoxy-beta-D-ribo-pentofuranosylpyrimidine and -purine nucleosides were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro anti-HIV activity. The key intermediate, 4-C-ethynyl- or 4-C-triethylsilylethynyl-D-ribo-pentofuranose, was prepared from D-glucose and glycosidated with various pyrimidine or purine bases. The arabinopyrimidine derivatives were prepared from the corresponding ribo derivatives via O(2),2'-anhydro nucleosides. The 2'-deoxy-ribo derivatives were synthesized by radical reduction of 2'-bromo or 2'- phenoxythiocarbonyloxy nucleosides. Among these 4'-C-ethynyl nucleosides, seven analogues proved to be potent against HIV-1 in vitro with EC(50) values ranging from 0.0003 to 0. 03 microM. These compounds also exerted activity against clinical and multi-dideoxy-nucleoside-resistant HIV-1 strains with comparable EC(50) values. Three such 4'-C-ethynyl-2'-deoxypurine analogues including 4'-C-ethynyl-2'-deoxyadenosine and 4'-C-ethynyl-2, 6-diamino-2'-deoxypurine were less cytotoxic [selectivity indices (SIs): 975-2733] than three 4'-C-ethynyl-2'-deoxycytidine analogues (SIs: 63-363). 4'-C-Ethynyl-5-fluoro-2'-deoxycytidine was least toxic (SI: >3333) and potent against all HIV strains tested.

Anti-HIV Agents↗