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Biomedical subjects

N Ishikawa

Publications and source records attributed to N Ishikawa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Change in aortic end-systolic pressure by alterations in loading sequence and its relation to left ventricular isovolumic relaxation.

BACKGROUND: A brief, sustained constriction of the descending and the ascending aortas produces systolic loads at different times during ejection, and descending intervention prolongs left ventricular (LV) relaxation more than ascending intervention. Although alterations in the sequence of loading the ventricle have been suggested as a cause of such load-induced relaxation abnormalities, the relation of the loading system to relaxation has been unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: LV peak systolic pressure was elevated by approximately 40 mm Hg by constricting the descending and ascending aortas in seven anesthetized dogs. The descending intervention increased aortic end-systolic pressure (AoESP, 110.4 +/- 9.3 to 150.8 +/- 11.5 mm Hg; P < .05), reduced aortic flow (P < .05), and prolonged LV relaxation (time constant [T], 31.9 +/- 4.4 to 69.8 +/- 12.8 ms; P < .05). LV ejection time was reduced, but the systolic time interval was unchanged. In contrast, ascending intervention decreased AoESP (111.9 +/- 11.4 to 101.5 +/- 10.3 mm Hg; P < .05), reduced aortic flow (P < .05), and prolonged T (31.2 +/- 5.4 to 42.2 +/- 8.3 ms; P < .05), whereas ejection time and systolic time interval increased (both P < .01). Prolongation of T was significantly greater during descending intervention (P < .05) and was associated with an increase in AoESP during descending intervention but a decrease in AoESP during ascending intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Descending intervention induced greater prolongation of T than ascending intervention. Prolongation of T was closely related to an increase in AoESP in the descending intervention but a decrease in AoESP in the ascending intervention. These data suggest that not only the loading sequence but also the pressure level at the onset of isovolumic relaxation determines LV relaxation.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Outcome of anterior decompression and stabilization for thoracolumbar unstable burst fractures in the absence of neurologic deficits.

STUDY DESIGN: This study investigated the outcome of anterior decompression and stabilization for "unstable" burst fractures without initial neurologic deficits in the thoracolumbar spine. OBJECTIVE: To determine the pain and work status of the patients, who underwent the anterior decompression and stabilization, to evaluate the relationship between residual back pain and the degree of kyphosis, and to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of surgery for burst fractures without initial neurologic deficits in the thoracolumbar spine. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: A retrospective review was conducted on 45 patients with unstable burst fractures in the thoracolumbar spine treated by anterior decompression and stabilization in our institutions from 1982 to 1993. Nineteen patients were available for this study. Ten patients were men and 9 were women. Their age at surgery ranged from 15 to 76 years (average, 46 years). The duration of follow-up ranged from 24 to 84 months (average follow-up, 54 months). METHODS: All clinical charts and radiologic data of these patients were reviewed by the first author. Their pain, work, and employment statuses were assessed by the scales proposed by Denis in 1984. RESULTS: Nine patients were rated P1, 7 were rated P2, 2 were rated P3, 1 was rated P5, 11 were rated W1, 3 were W2, 1 was W3, and 4 were rated W5. Even the physical laborers' return to work averaged 5 months after surgery (range, 3-12 months). The postoperative kyphotic angle ranged from -6 degrees to 45 degrees (average, 11 degrees), and it remained -5 degrees to 45 degrees (average, 12 degrees) at final follow-up. There was no statistical correlation between the kyphotic angle and the pain scale. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior decompression and stabilization for unstable burst fracture without initial neurologic deficits in the thoracolumbar spine has some advantages in the view of anatomical reduction and rigid stability that allows patients an early rehabilitation, return to work, and gainful employment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Decreased expression of nucleoside diphosphate kinase alpha isoform, an nm23-H2 gene homolog, is associated with metastatic potential of rat mammary-adenocarcinoma cells.

The nm23 gene [encoding nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK)] may act as a metastasis suppressor in certain tumor cells. We investigated the role of NDPK isoforms (alpha and beta) in the metastatic processes, using rat mammary-adenocarcinoma cell lines of poor (MTC) and high (MTLn3) spontaneous metastatic potential respectively. In these cell lines, as in most rat tissues, the alpha isoform (nm23-H2 homolog) was more highly expressed than the beta isoform (nm23-H1 homolog) at the mRNA and protein levels. When examined by Northern- and Western-blot analyses, expression of the 2 isoforms was reduced in highly metastatic MTLn3 cells compared with poorly metastatic MTC cells. The reduced expression was also associated with diminished NDPK-enzyme activity in the cell extracts. Southern-blot and RT-PCR-SSCP analyses suggested that the 2 genes were not grossly altered or mutated in their translation regions. MTLn3 cell clones transfected with NDPKalpha or NDPKbeta cDNA were all tumorigenic when implanted into the mammary fat pad of syngeneic rats. Among those, only clones transfected with the NDPKalpha gene exhibited reduced lung metastasis in a spontaneous metastasis assay.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1996

Early diastolic regional function of the hypertrophied left ventricle.

We analyzed cardiac catheterization data from 7 patients with aortic stenosis and 10 patients with nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy to compare left ventricular regional diastolic function. Left ventriculogram in the right anterior oblique projection was analyzed by the area method, and regional wall stress and regional area were computed for 4 regions in the mid-portion of the left ventricle. For each region, we assessed the percent area changes (normalized by end-diastolic regional area) and time constant for regional wall stress decrease during the isovolumic relaxation period. Regional non-uniformity during the isovolumic relaxation period was then evaluated by standard deviations for the percent area changes and for regional time constants of the 4 ventricular regions. In patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, both the standard deviations for the percent area changes and the regional time constants were greater (P < 0.05) than those in patients with aortic stenosis, suggesting the presence of pronounced non-uniformity of regional relaxation in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The time constant of left ventricular pressure decrease during early relaxation phase was significantly greater (P < 0.01), and the early diastolic peak filling rate of the global left ventricle was significantly smaller (P < 0.05) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Thus, early diastolic left ventricular regional non-uniformity was more pronounced in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy than in aortic stenosis, which was associated with the impairment of relaxation and early filling of the global left ventricle. These findings suggest that different mechanisms are responsible for diastolic dysfunction in primary versus secondary myocardial hypertrophy.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Inverse correlation between mRNA expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 and lymph node metastasis in human breast cancer.

We examined mRNA expressions of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA), its specific receptor (u-PR), and plasminogen activator inhibitors (PAI-1 and PAI-2) in 50 human breast cancers by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction method. The expressions of the genes are discussed in relation to the clinicopathological findings. In the overall population in breast cancers, a low level of PAI-2 expression was significantly associated with lymph node involvement (P < 0.0001). The u-PA, u-PR, and PAM expressions tended to be at high levels in such metastatic cancers. Also, positive expression of u-PA, u-PR, and PAI-1 was significantly correlated with negative expression of PAI-2. These results indicate that PAI-2 may play a critical role in the regulation of extracellular matrix degradation during tumor cell invasion and metastasis, and the expression of PAI-2 may be useful as a marker to evaluate the prognosis of breast cancers.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Intractable wheezing in infants with nasopharyngeal reflux.

Two infants with intractable wheezing and moist cough were referred to Chiba Municipal Kaihin Hospital. Their symptoms were persistent even after the usual treatment for respiratory disease. No definite etiological agents were detected. They usually gagged while feeding and barium swallow tests revealed nasopharyngeal reflux and cricopharyngeal incoordination. One of the patients had remarkably high titers of IgE and IgE RAST of cow's milk before she received treatment with thickened formula. She also had peripheral eosinophilia and nasal eosinophilia. These findings were thought to be caused by nasopharyngeal reflux. Four months after therapy commenced, those titers and symptoms were greatly reduced. The clinical and roentgenographic findings in these infants, and their response to therapy, strongly support a causal relationship between nasopharyngeal reflux and wheezing. Therefore, nasopharyngeal reflux should be considered when a baby has intractable wheezing, even when there is no developmental problem.

Deglutition↗
PubMed1996

Small-vessel radiography in situ with monochromatic synchrotron radiation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of a radiographic system with monochromatic synchrotron radiation to depict small vessels and peripheral secretory ducts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Radiography of various organs was tested in 14 anesthetized dogs and pancreatography was performed in an excised human pancreas by using the following system: monochromatic synchrotron radiation with an energy level just above the k absorption edge of iodine as an x-ray source and a high-definition TV system with a high-light-sensitivity image pick-up tube camera coupled with a fluorescent screen as a detector. RESULTS: This system allowed depiction of small vessels (diameter < 50-100 microns) of the heart (penetrating transmural artery), brain (perforating arteries that arise directly in the circle of Willis), and intestinal organs (vasa recta and their submucosal communications) and of small branches (down to the fifth order) of the pancreatic duct. CONCLUSION: The synchrotron radiation system may be useful for evaluating microcirculatory disorders and early-stage malignant tumors in various human organs.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Thyroid-stimulating hormone inhibits Fas antigen-mediated apoptosis of human thyrocytes in vitro.

The mechanisms of TSH-induced growth stimulation of thyrocytes in vivo have yet to be elucidated. We examined the antiapoptotic effect of TSH toward Fas antigen-mediated apoptosis of thyrocytes. Fas antigen was expressed on approximately 40% of unstimulated thyrocytes, and the expression was significantly inhibited by the addition of TSH in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment of thyrocytes with 8-bromo-cAMP mimicked the effect of TSH, suggesting that the inhibitory effect of TSH on Fas antigen expression was mediated by activating protein kinase A. In contrast, treatment of thyrocytes with either interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) or interferon- gamma (IFN gamma) markedly increased Fas antigen expression on thyrocytes, and these effects were inhibited in the presence of TSH. The expression of the protooncogene product Bcl-2 did not change after the addition of TSH, 8-bromo-cAMP, IL-1 beta, IFN gamma, or a combination of TSH and IL-1 beta or IFN gamma. When thyrocytes stimulated with either IL-1 beta or IFN gamma were treated with anti-Fas IgM mAb, the cells were committed to apoptosis, whereas this apoptotic process was significantly inhibited by the addition of TSH. These results indicate that the Fas antigen is functionally expressed on the surface of thyrocytes, and TSH inhibits Fas antigen-mediated apoptosis of thyrocytes through the inhibitory effect of Fas antigen expression, resulting in the promotion of growth of the thyroid gland.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1996

Defective organification of iodide causing congenital goitrous hypothyroidism.

A 26-yr-old Japanese woman with congenital goitrous hypo-thyroidism and sensorineural deafness underwent a thyroidectomy. Examination of the thyroid gland revealed characteristic features of multinodular goiter. The T3 and T4 content in thyroglobulin (Tg) were 0.03 and 0.02 mol/mol Tg, respectively. Iodide incorporation into Tg, using slices of the thyroid tissue, revealed that iodide organification of thyroid tissue from our patient was markedly lower than that of normal controls. Then, guaiacol and iodide oxidation activities of thyroid peroxidase (TPO) in our patient's thyroid tissue were lower than those of normal controls (guaiacol assay: 1.92 vs. 30.0 +/- 5.7 mGU/mg protein; iodide assay: 1.1 vs. 6.6 +/- 2.8 mIU/mg protein). Lineweaver-Burk plot analysis of the oxidation rates of guaiacol and iodide indicated that this patient's TPO had a defect in the binding of guaiacol and iodide, but the coupling activity of the patient's TPO was not decreased compared with those of two normal thyroids. In this case and in control subjects, Nothern gel analysis of TPO messenger RNA from unstimulated and TSH-stimulated thyroid cells revealed a 3.2 kilobase species in the former and four distinct messenger RNA species of 4.0, 3.2, 2.1, and 1.7 kilobases in the latter. Western blot analysis of TPOs obtained from this patient and from control subjects identified the same 107 kDa protein, using antimicrosomal antibody-positive serum. We analyzed the coding sequence in the patient's TPO gene by using polymerase chain reaction technique. A single point mutation of G-->C at 1265 base pair was detected only in the TPO gene, but this point mutation does not alter the amino acid residue. It is possible that posttranslational modification such as abnormal glycosylation may occur in the TPO molecules. Furthermore, it is possible that there are differences in the tertiary structures of the TPO molecules between our patient and normal subjects. The above abnormalities of TPO molecules may play an important role in our patient's dyshormonogenesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[A case of common bile duct cancer responding to MMC leucovorin, 5-FU, and UFT combination chemotherapy and radiation].

A case of unresectable common bile duct cancer involving the portal vein and with Virchow lymph node metastasis was treated with MMC, Leucovorin, 5-FU and UFT combination chemotherapy as well as radiation. The case was a 71-year-old female who was admitted to the hospital with vomiting and anorexia. Abdominal US study showed obstructive jaundice. The PTCD tube was pierced to dilate the intrahepatic bile duct. Bile juice cytology was class V. Abdominal CT showed paraaortic lymph node metastasis. Angiography revealed portal vein invasion, and the diagnosis was unresectable common bile duct cancer. We started anticancer therapy and radiation. The anticancer therapy selected was MMC, LEUCOVORIN, 5-FU and UFT combination chemotherapy. After 2 cycles of the treatment, Virchow lymph node completely disappeared and the symptoms diminished. These combination therapies were effective for common bile duct cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

[Questionnaire survey of AIDS examination recipients at government-run public health center regarding AIDS awareness promotion and HIV examinations].

An anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted among persons who had undergone screening for AIDS at public health centers under the auspices of 7 local government bodies (Hokkaido, Metropolitan Tokyo, Aichi Prefecture, Osaka Prefecture, Kobe City, Saga Prefecture, Okinawa Prefecture). There were 1,230 replies, for a response rate of 46.8%. Questions in the survey pertained to general knowledge of AIDS, information desired by the recipients, desired ways to foster awareness, and a desirable examination system. A comparison was made in terms of gender, marriage status (married, single) and age (less than 40 years of age, more than 40 years of age), respectively. The survey results were as follows. 1. Concerning the infection route, accurate response rate was low with regard to the mother-child infection, mosquito transmission, and use of contaminated needles. 2. Desired methods to promote AIDS awareness expressed among replies were given in the following order or frequency: "information via radio and TV," "spread of knowledge through telephone consultation," and "holding an AIDS Week or similar kinds of campaigns." 3. Information sought by respondents frequently included AIDS treatment, pathology, and spread. This trend was most obvious among those under 40 years of age. 4. As for the AIDS examination system, replies most often reflected the hope that the examination site would be the Public Health Center, the charge would be gratis, and that one could be examined at night during the week, and on days off. 5. For those undergoing examination where there was no actual concern of possibility of HIV infection, single persons, accounted for around 80% of the overall. 6. More than half of those who had been examined mentioned having experienced concerns about maintaining confidentiality at the time they were examined.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1996

[Environmental factors influencing sensitization and onset of Japanese cedar pollinosis among junior high school students].

Japanese cedar pollinosis has shown large increases especially in city areas, rather than in the rural, with increases being remarkable especially among people of young age. In order to elucidate factors for sensitization and onset of Japanese cedar pollinosis, a questionnaire survey was conducted and serum IgE antibody levels examined in junior high school students living in three different areas, i.e., city, seaside and mountainous areas in Aichi prefecture. Prevalence rate of Japanese cedar pollinosis, estimated from the number of students having both nasal or ocular allergic symptoms and positive RAST, was the 30.1% in the mountainous area with high Japanese cedar pollen count, being greater than the 15.3% in the city area and the 5.8% in the seaside area, both with low pollen counts. Among the students showing high serum mite (Dermatophagoides farinae) antibody levels, greater positive rates for sensitization to Japanese cedar or orchard grass pollens was observed, compared to mite-unsensitized students. This result suggests that sensitization to seasonal antigens may be corresponding to the capability for sensitization to the mites. Besides this finding, the analysis of replies to the questionnaires showed that students living in concrete or steel-frame buildings had greater serum levels of antibody to Japanese cedar pollen than those living in wood buildings, indicating a possible relationship between the pollen sensitization and indoor environments.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Evaluation of reserved hepatic function in patients with hepatobiliary tumor by 99mTc-GSA: effect of hyperbilirubinemia and usefulness of regional reserved hepatic functional imaging].

The evaluation of the reserved hepatic function was performed by 99mTc-galactosyl serum albumin (99mTc-GSA) in seventy patients with hepatobiliary tumor. The dynamic study was performed to evaluate global reserved hepatic function following the intravenous bolus injection of 99mTc-GSA, and the hepatic single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was obtained to assess the regional reserved hepatic function. The functional hepatic index (LHL15) was derived from liver time-activity data, and it was compared with serum total-bilirubin level, serum albumin level and plasma disappearance rate of indocyanine green (ICG15). In the patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, LHL15 value agreed well with ICG15 value, serum total-bilirubin level, and serum albumin level. Moderate or severe hepatic dysfunction was observed at 65.4% of these patients. In the patients with cholangiocellular carcinoma, a discrepancy of LHL15 value and ICG15 value was observed. Increment of the ICG15 value was correlated with that of the serum total-bilirubin level, whereas the correlations was not observed between the LHL15 value and the serum total-bilirubin level. These results indicate that 99mTc-GSA scintigraphy can evaluate the reserved hepatic function without the embellishment of jaundice. This method is useful for assessing the global and regional reserved hepatic function.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

[Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary trunk with myocardial infarction and severe left ventricular dysfunction in infancy--assessment of myocardial damage using SPECT studies with 201TlCl and 123I-BMIPP].

A 4-month-old male infant with Bland-White-Garland (BWG) syndrome complicated myocardial infarction was reported. Signs included tachypnea, coughing, and failure to thrive. However, there was no sign of myocardial infarction. A chest radiograph revealed cardiomegaly (CTR = 65%) and electrocardiogram showed abnormal Q waves in I, aVL, V6 leads. Cardiac catheterization and angiography revealed marked dilatation of left ventricle (end-diastolic volume = 384 ml/m2) and extremely depressed ejection fraction (16%), confirming the diagnosis of BWG syndrome. A 201TlCl-myocardial SPECT demonstrated apical defect and hypoperfusion in the anterolateral, inferoposterior walls, whereas 123I-beta-methyl-p-iodophenylpentadecanoic-acid (123I-BMIPP) SPECT showed a wider defect area. SPECT studies with 201TlCl and 123I-BMIPP, are useful to assess myocardial viability more accurately in BWG syndrome.

Coronary Vessel Anomalies↗
PubMed1995

Molecular cloning of mouse intestinal trefoil factor and its expression during goblet cell changes.

A cDNA encoding mouse intestinal trefoil factor (mITF) was successfully cloned and sequenced from the small intestine of C57BL/6 mouse by using the combination of reverse transcription-PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends methods. The gene was, similar to rat and human ITFs, mainly expressed in the small and large intestine. The mITF expression was up-regulated during the recovery phase after depletion of goblet cells in acetic acid-induced colitis. On the other hand, the expression in the jejunum was not altered, while goblet cell hyperplasia was induced by Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection. These results suggest that the mITF expression did not simply correlate with the number of goblet cells. The mITF may play an important role in the maintenance and repair of mucosal function of the rectum. Additionally, the mITF in the jejunum may play a role in alteration of the physicochemical nature of goblet cell mucins, thereby affecting the establishment of intestinal helminths.

Acetates↗