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Biomedical subjects

M Fujikawa

Publications and source records attributed to M Fujikawa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Hepatitis G virus infection in a high-risk subgroup of hospitalized dental patients.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of hepatitis G virus infection was evaluated in dental patients whose clinical laboratory test results were positive for hepatitis C virus antibody, hepatitis B virus surface antigen, or elevated serum alanine transaminase concentrations. STUDY DESIGN: Frozen serum samples from patients with hepatitis C virus antibody (n = 63), hepatitis B virus surface antigen (n = 20), or alanine transaminase concentrations greater than 100 IU (n = 14) were assessed for GB virus C (GBV-C)/hepatitis G virus RNA by a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Six of 63 patients with hepatitis C virus antibodies had serum hepatitis G virus RNA (9.5%), and 2 of 20 subjects with hepatitis B virus surface antigen had hepatitis G virus RNA (10.0%). None of 14 patients whose alanine transaminase concentration was greater than 100 IU/L had hepatitis G virus RNA. Of 4 subjects with both hepatitis C virus antibody and hepatitis B virus surface antigen, 2 had hepatitis G virus RNA (50%). In the total study population (N = 92), 6 subjects (6.5%) had hepatitis G virus RNA. All hepatitis G virus-infected patients also had hepatitis C virus antibody. Neither serum alanine transaminase nor aspartate transaminase concentrations were different between subjects with and subjects without hepatitis G virus RNA. The lack of a relationship between hepatitis G virus infection and elevation of alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase might suggest that this virus is not truly a hepatitis virus. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalized dental patients are infected with hepatitis G virus at a prevalence similar to or slightly higher than that seen in the general population. Dentists should pay close attention to infection control with respect to the potential new hepatitis virus known as hepatitis G virus.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Artificial neural network as a novel method to optimize pharmaceutical formulations.

One of the difficulties in the quantitative approach to designing pharmaceutical formulations is the difficulty in understanding the relationship between causal factors and individual pharmaceutical responses. Another difficulty is desirable formulation for one property is not always desirable for the other characteristics. This is called a multi-objective simultaneous optimization problem. A response surface method (RSM) has proven to be a useful approach for selecting pharmaceutical formulations. However, prediction of pharmaceutical responses based on the second-order polynomial equation commonly used in RSM, is often limited to low levels, resulting in poor estimations of optimal formulations. The aim of this review is to describe the basic concept of the multi-objective simultaneous optimization technique in which an artificial neural network (ANN) is incorporated. ANNs are being increasingly used in pharmaceutical research to predict the non-linear relationship between causal factors and response variables. The usefulness and reliability of this ANN approach is demonstrated by the optimization for ketoprofen hydrogel ointment as a typical numerical example, in comparison with the results obtained with a classical RSM approach.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical↗
PubMed1998

Obui-himo syndrome.

Normal variants of the venous system are relatively common and rarely cause severe symptoms. We report the case of a 5-month-old baby who displayed cyanotic color and swelling of arms whenever she was carried on the mother's back with a special band "Obui-himo". It was demonstrated by venography that the symptoms were caused by the absence of a cephalic vein and compression of axillary veins with the Obui-himo. In any country with a custom similar to the Obui-himo, these symptoms, if clinically encountered, are an indication that venography should be performed.

Arm↗
PubMed1998

Usefulness of surface phenotype study of intrathyroidal lymphocytes obtained by fine needle aspiration cytology in autoimmune thyroid disease and malignant lymphoma of the thyroid.

OBJECTIVES: The surface phenotypes of intrathyroidal lymphocytes have been studied in various thyroid diseases. In most of the previous reports, intrathyroidal lymphocytes were obtained by surgical operation. We evaluated the usefulness of surface phenotype study of intrathyroidal lymphocytes obtained by fine needle aspiration in the diagnosis of Graves' disease, chronic thyroiditis, and malignant lymphoma of the thyroid. PATIENTS AND DESIGN: Eighty-seven untreated patients including 24 with Graves' disease, 59 with chronic thyroiditis, and 4 with malignant lymphoma of the thyroid, and 2 treated patients with malignant lymphoma of the thyroid were studied. Surface phenotypes of the peripheral lymphocytes and the intrathyroidal lymphocytes obtained by fine needle aspiration were analyzed using a FACScan and the monoclonal antibodies: anti-Leu5b/CD2, Leu4/CD3, Leu3a/CD4, Leu2a/CD8, and Leu12/CD19. Percentages of cells positive for each monoclonal antibody were calculated. In one case with malignant lymphoma, monoclonal antibodies to surface-immunoglobulin markers were also studied. RESULTS: In peripheral lymphocytes, the percentage of positive cells in each phenotype was almost normal in each disease. In intrathyroidal lymphocytes, the percentage of CD19 positive cells was increased, and the percentage of CD2 and CD3 positive cells was reduced compared to those of peripheral lymphocytes in each disease. The percentage of intrathyroidal CD19 positive cells was remarkably high in malignant lymphoma, constituting more than 70% of cells. In Graves' disease, a relative decrease in the percentage of intrathyroidal CD4 positive cells and an increase in CD8 positive cells compared to peripheral lymphocytes were observed. In 2 treated patients with malignant lymphoma of the thyroid, the intrathyroidal CD19 positive cells almost disappeared in a patient shortly after successful treatment, and reappeared to constitute 76% of cells in a patient in relapse. In one case with malignant lymphoma in which monoclonal antibodies to surface-immunoglobulin markers were studied, the clonality of the affected cells could be demonstrated; more than 70% of the cells were positive for kappa light-chain and mu and delta heavy-chain. This finding was proved by subsequent immunohistochemical study based on open biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Surface phenotype study of intrathyroid lymphocytes obtained by fine needle aspiration has limited utility in the evaluation or diagnosis of Graves' disease and chronic thyroiditis. However, this simple rapid method is very helpful in the diagnosis and follow up of malignant lymphoma of the thyroid.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Anaplastic transformation of a papillary carcinoma of the thyroid in a patient with Graves' disease with varied activity of thyrotropin receptor antibodies.

We describe a 75-year-old man who had had a lump in his neck for about 15 years. At his first visit to our hospital, poorly differentiated papillary carcinoma of the thyroid was diagnosed by means of aspiration cytology; x-rays revealed the presence of lung metastases. He was thyrotoxic with positive thyroid stimulating antibody (TSAb). He was reluctant to undergo surgery. In an early stage of the treatment for Graves' disease, he became hypothyroid with decreased TSAb activity and strongly positive thyroid stimulation blocking antibody (TSBAb), and rapid growth of the thyroid carcinoma with anaplastic transformation was observed. The increase in the size of the transformed thyroid carcinoma was shown to be exponential by ultrasonography. This is a rare case in which anaplastic transformation of the thyroid papillary carcinoma became apparent during treatment of Graves' disease with varied activity of thyrotropin receptor antibodies.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Endoscope-assisted transaxillary removal of glandular tissue in gynecomastia.

Gynecomastia is a condition commonly associated with puberty. An endoscope-assisted transaxillary procedure was used to treat a patient with this condition. An endoscope system was inserted into a 4-cm skin incision in the axilla, and the glands and adjacent fat were removed en bloc. The resulting scar in the axilla was small and inconspicuous, and the postoperative breast contour satisfied the patient. The endoscopic system provided a useful transaxillary approach. These results show that this method appears to be the most suitable one for surgical management of gynecomastia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Breast reconstruction after mastectomy without additional scarring: application of endoscopic latissimus dorsi muscle harvest.

Breast reconstruction with the latissimus dorsi muscle flap combined with a saline-filled implant was performed. Using an endoscope, additional operative scarring due to muscle harvesting was avoided. The operative techniques were easier than usual endoscopic surgery because most of the procedures were performed under direct vision. The procedures are presented in this article.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Familial isolated hyperparathyroidism due to multiple adenomas associated with ossifying jaw fibroma and multiple uterine adenomyomatous polyps.

We describe three siblings with hyperparathyroidism due to multiple parathyroid adenomas without evidence of other endocrinological abnormalities. A 22-year-old woman had two parathyroid adenomas complicated by multiple ossifying jaw fibromas. Her sister, aged 29, also suffered from primary hyperparathyroidism associated with two parathyroid adenomas one of which was also suspected to be a carcinoma. These two female patients had unusual multiple small uterine polyps, which were diagnosed as adenomyomatous polyps. Their brother, aged 17, had two parathyroid adenomas complicated by urolithiasis. These three patients are characterized by young adult-onset familial isolated hyperparathyroidism due to multiple adenomas with various complications including ossifying jaw fibroma and uterine adenomyomatous polyps. These clinical features are different from those of familial hyperparathyroidism associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1998

A clinical analysis of the recovery from sensory disturbance after sagittal splitting ramus osteotomy using a Semmes-Weinstein pressure aesthesiometer.

A number of studies of evaluation methods for sensory disturbance after sagittal splitting ramus osteotomy (SSRO) are known. To compare postoperative sensory disturbances among patients in different hospitals, a highly reproducible and standardized sensory test is required. In the present study, we measured the tactile threshold in the region innervated by the mental nerves in 45 patients (90 sides) after SSRO using a Semmes-Weinstein pressure aesthesiometer. The percentage of recovery to the normal level defined by Bell was 72.2% at one week, 82.2% at 4 weeks, and 90.0% at 8 weeks after SSRO. The recovery process was evaluated by classifying the postoperative sensory disturbance into 5 grade levels according to Bell's interpretation scale. The results showed that the SW sensory test is useful for evaluation of the recovery process from sensory disturbance after SSRO. Some improvements of this test were also discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Central island tongue flap.

Pedicled tongue flaps have proved to be an effective method of repairing defects due to tissue loss in the oral cavity. Their central position, mobility, and excellent blood supply make their use feasible in a variety of sites. This paper describes the use and applications of central island tongue flaps to reconstruct defects of anterior floor of the mouth. This procedure was conducted at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical University Hanover, introducing an improved surgical method and presenting the actual operation performed in our department. This method is considered superior for resurfacing the anterior floor of mouth defects because it is easy to perform and results in recovery of function and cosmetics.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1997

Effect of aging on regulation of brain stem circulation during hypotension.

This study was designed to determine age related changes in autoregulatory responses of the brain stem circulation in vivo. In anesthetized adult (4 to 6 months, n = 8) and aged (24 to 26 months, n = 7) Sprague-Dawley rats, local CBF to the brain stem was determined with laser-Doppler flowmetry and diameters of the basilar artery and its branches were measured through an open cranial window during stepwise hemorrhagic hypotension. In aged rats, the lower limit of CBF autoregulation shifted upward to 60 to 75 mm Hg from 30 to 45 mm Hg in adult rats. Dilator responses of the basilar artery (baseline diameter: 254 +/- 15 microns), large branch (109 +/- 23 microns), and small branch (44 +/- 10 microns) to hypotension were much smaller in aged rats than in adult rats. The maximum change in diameter of the basilar artery during profound hypotension was significantly smaller in aged rats (11 +/- 8%) than that in adult ones (23 +/- 12%, P < 0.05); that of the large branch was 12 +/- 8% versus 33 +/- 17% (P < 0.005); and that of the small branch was 17 +/- 7% versus 40 +/- 13% (P < 0.0005), suggesting greater attenuation of the responses in the smaller vessels. Thus, this study provides direct evidence that aging diminishes the compensatory dilatation of brain stem arterioles and arteries during hypotension and modifies the autoregulatory plateau of CBF, which seems to increase the risk of the brain stem ischemia during hypotensive conditions.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1997

Comparison between sporadic cytomegalovirus hepatitis and Epstein-Barr virus hepatitis in previously healthy adults.

In order to determine the factors responsible for the differentiation of cytomegalovirus (CMV) hepatitis and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) hepatitis, the clinical features and laboratory data of both types of hepatitis were retrospectively analyzed in 20 patients with CMV and 11 patients with EBV. While most signs and symptoms of CMV and EBV hepatitis showed no significant differences, we found that cervical lymph- adenopathy was more common in EBV hepatitis than in CMV hepatitis (p < 0.01). Frequency of epigastralgia was more common in CMV hepatitis than EBV hepatitis (p < 0.05). The percentage of peripheral blood monocytes in the white blood cell count in CMV hepatitis was greater than in EBV hepatitis (p < 0.01). Low CD4 levels and high CD8 levels made CD4/CD8 low in peripheral lymphocytes of both groups of hepatitis. Ten EBV hepatitis patients received antibiotics in the early stage of the disease in which two (25%) developed severe erythematous rashes. Four CMV hepatitis patients received antibiotics and did not develop rashes. Identification of early clinical parameters capable of differentiating CMV hepatitis from EBV hepatitis is important.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Age-related changes in response of brain stem vessels to opening of ATP-sensitive potassium channels.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine regional differences and age-related changes in the contribution of ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels to vasodilator responses in the brain stem circulation in vivo. METHODS: Changes in diameter of the basilar artery (baseline diameter, 270 +/- 5 microns [mean +/- SEM]), its large branch (112 +/- 5 microns), and its small branch (49 +/- 2 microns) in response to KATP channel openers levcromakalim and Y-26763 were measured through a cranial window in anesthetized adult (4 to 6 months) and aged (24 to 26 months) Sprague-Dawley rats. RESULTS: Topical application of levcromakalim and Y-26763 produced concentration-dependent vasodilation that was similar among the three vessel groups in adult rats. In aged rats, dilator responses of the branches, but not of the basilar artery, to the KATP channel openers were smaller than those in adult rats (P < .05). Glibenclamide, a selective KATP channel blocker, almost abolished this vasodilation in both groups of rats. Vasodilator responses to sodium nitroprusside were preserved in aged rats. CONCLUSIONS: In adult rats, there is no regional heterogeneity in vasodilator response to KATP channel openers in the brain stem circulation in vivo. In aged rats, although KATP channels are also functional in the brain stem circulation, dilator response of the microvessels but not of the large arteries to direct activation of KATP channels is impaired.

Aging↗
PubMed1996

Partial agonistic effects of OPC-14597, a potential antipsychotic agent, on yawning behavior in rats.

The present experiments were performed to examine the behavioral effects of OPC-14597, which acts on dopamine receptors in rats. OPC-14597 administered subcutaneously (SC) at doses of 0.1-5 mg/kg elicited yawning, as did OPC-4392 (0.5-2 mg/kg, SC) and (-)-3-PPP (2.5-10 mg/kg, SC). These yawning responses were blocked by intraperitoneal (IP) pretreatment with haloperidol (0.5 mg/kg) but were increased by pindolol (20 mg/kg, IP) or reserpine (5 mg/kg, IP), which per se did not elicit yawning. The yawning induced by talipexole, a selective dopamine D2 receptor agonist, was inhibited by OPC-14597 (0.5-5 mg/kg, SC) and (-)-3-PPP (10 mg/kg, SC). Apomorphine (0.5 mg/kg, SC), a dopamine D1/D2 receptor agonist, elicited stereotypy such as sniffing and licking but OPC-14597 (5-20 mg/kg, SC) did not induce this behavior. The stereotypy induced by apomorphine was inhibited not only by haloperidol (0.5 mg/kg, IP) and (-)-3-PPP (10 mg/kg, SC) but also by OPC-14597 (5-20 mg/kg, SC), without being affected by OPC-4392 (2 mg/kg, SC). In 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-treated rats, apomorphine (0.5 mg/kg, SC) elicited rotation behavior whereas OPC-14597, OPC-4392 and (-)-3-PPP did not produce this behavior. These findings suggest that OPC-14597 provokes yawning without causing stereotypy and rotation but markedly antagonizes the talipexole-induced yawning and apomorphine-induced stereotypy, and that OPC-14597 thus exerts partial agonistic effects on yawning behavior but antagonistic effects on stereotypy in rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The new muscarinic M1-receptor agonist YM796 evokes yawning and increases oxytocin secretion from the posterior pituitary gland in rats.

The present experiments were performed to examine the effects of a new muscarinic M1-receptor agonist, (-)-YM796 ((-)-S-2,8-dimethyl-3-methylene-1-oxa-8-azaspiro[4.5]decane L-tartrate monohydrate), on yawning and oxytocin secretion from the posterior pituitary gland in rats YM796, at doses of 2.5-50 mg/kg (SC), elicited yawning. The yawning response was markedly increased by pretreatment with a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, pindolol (20 mg/kg, IP), which per se did not elicit yawning. The yawning induced by YM796 (10 mg/kg, SC) in combination with pindolol (20 mg/kg, IP) was inhibited by scopolamine (0.5 mg/kg, SC), a muscarinic receptor antagonist, and pirenzcpine (300 micrograms/ rat, ICV) and EEDQ (N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline) (5 mg/kg, IP), muscarinic M1-receptor antagonists, but not by spiperone (0.5 mg/kg, SC), a dopamine D2-receptor antagonist, 4-DAMP (4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide) (100 micrograms/rat, ICV), a muscarinic M3-receptor antagonist, and [d(CH2)5, Tyr(Mc)2, Orn8]-vasotocin (100 ng/rat, ICV), an oxytocin receptor antagonist. YM796 at 2.5-50 mg/kg (SC) did not exert an action on prolactin levels but increased oxytocin secretion from the posterior pituitary gland in rats. This augmentation of oxytocin secretion by YM796 was inhibited by scopolamine (0.5 mg/kg, SC) and pirenzepine (3 mg/kg, SC), but not by mecamylamine (1 mg/kg, IP), a nicotinic receptor antagonist. The present findings obtained with YM796 suggest that the muscarinic M2-receptor stimulation participates in causing yawning behavior and oxytocin secretion in rats.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1996

Reversible primary hypothyroidism with blocking or stimulating type TSH binding inhibitor immunoglobulin following recombinant interferon-alpha therapy in patients with pre-existing thyroid disorders.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment with recombinant interferon-alpha (rIFN-alpha) may induce autoimmunity. We have evaluated the effect of rIFN-alpha on pre-existing thyroid disease with special reference to changes in TSH receptor antibody. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Five patients, who had a history of autoimmune thyroid disease diagnosed between 2 and 16 years earlier (three patients had Graves' disease while two had Hashimoto's thyroiditis), were treated with rIFN-alpha for chronic hepatitis C. Before, during and after rIFN-alpha therapy, we determined thyroid function, antithyroid antibody, thyroid echogenicity and the surface phenotype of the peripheral and intrathyroidal lymphocytes. RESULTS: Four of the patients developed overt hypothyroidism after 4-7 months of rIFN-alpha therapy, and two of them had a preceding history of low-uptake thyrotoxicosis. Recovery of thyroid function was observed in all four patients. Strongly positive blocking type TSH receptor antibody was detected and an increase in the percentage of CD19 positive cells in the intrathyroidal lymphocytes was also observed in three of the patients even though the goitre size increased in two of them. One of the patients became thyrotoxic later when stimulating type TSH receptor antibody became positive. Another patient suffered from reversible hypothyroidism although stimulating type TSH receptor antibody remained strongly positive throughout the clinical course. CONCLUSIONS: Our data thus indicated a high incidence of an unusual type of reversible hypothyroidism with TSH receptor antibodies in patients with chronic hepatitis C and pre-existing autoimmune thyroid disease after recombinant interferon-alpha therapy through a mechanism involving both the humoral and cellular immune systems.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Difficulty in differentiating thyrotropin secreting pituitary microadenoma from pituitary-selective thyroid hormone resistance accompanied by pituitary incidentaloma.

A 33-year-old woman with inappropriate secretion of TSH and a 2-mm pituitary microadenoma is described. She had a high serum free T4 concentration (31 pmol/L) with an inappropriately nonsuppressible serum TSH concentration (0.93 mU/L). The alpha/TSH molar ratio was 2.3 and magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium enhancement identified an area of low signal intensity in the left lateral pituitary gland. However, TSH secretion was not completely autonomous. There was a significant response to exogenous TRH stimulation and suppression by T3 administration. Therefore, it was difficult to rule out a nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma with concomitant pituitary selective thyroid hormone resistance syndrome. A 2-mm microadenoma was excised via transsphenoidal surgery. The tumor cells were immunoreactive to antisera to alpha-subunit and minimally immunoreactive to antisera to TSHbeta. The patient's thyroid function normalized after surgery without medication. Because the adenoma could become large and intractable if the patient was treated inadequately, early diagnosis and treatment are important in patients with TSH secreting adenomas.

Adenoma↗