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Biomedical subjects

O Yoshimura

Publications and source records attributed to O Yoshimura.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Comparison of muscular and articular factors in the progression of contractures after spinal cord injury in rats.

STUDY DESIGN: Experimental, controlled trial. OBJECTIVES: To identify the relationship between the muscular and articular factors in the progression of contractures after spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING: Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan. METHODS: In total, 48 female Wistar rats were used. The 24 experimental rats that underwent a spinal cord transection and the other 24 control rats that underwent a sham-operation were assessed at 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, or 24 weeks postsurgery. Knee joint motion was measured for flexion and extension. Myotomy of the transarticular muscles was then performed and range of motion was measured again. The degree of contractures was assessed by goniometry measuring the femorotibial angle before and after the myotomies. RESULTS: The spinal cord-injured rats demonstrated flaccid paralysis during the first few days postsurgery and thereafter spastic paralysis. Intra- and inter-rater reliabilities for all measurements were >0.814. Knee flexion contractures developed in the all experimental rats, and progressed for the first 12 weeks and plateaued thereafter. Both the muscular (48+/-5%) and articular (52+/-5%) factors contributed almost equally to the overall progression of the contracture. CONCLUSION: The present findings may shed light on the underlying pathophysiology of contractures and should help guide research towards finding the elucidation of contracture development after SCI.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Rapid cardiac adaptation to exercise demand signal and execution of maximal leg muscle contraction.

We investigated the neural regulation of the cardiac interval to an exercise demand signal and to a repeated exercise in 20 healthy human subjects. Electrocardiogram (ECG), muscle torque, and electromyogram (EMG) were simultaneously measured and their time relationships compared before and during the exercise. The R-R interval of ECG was directly increased by the exercise demand signal itself before the onset of EMG but not reflexly by muscle contraction. The cardiac interval decreased at the onset of exercise. Under the condition of repeated maximum eccentric training, the resting cardiac interval decreased prior to the exercise, whereas the brief increase in cardiac interval to the exercise demand signal remained unchanged. These results suggested that when autonomic nerve activity to the pacemaker is activated by the exercise demand signal, an initial effect of vagal nerve activity appears, and an effect of vagal nerve withdrawal and/or sympathetic nerve activity then appears. The responses of the heart and leg skeletal muscle at the onset of exercise are not synchronized, and the cardiac interval is controlled by vagal and sympathetic nerve activities to effect a transition to a high heart rate as quickly and smoothly as possible.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2001

[A modified administrated schedule for combination therapy with irinotecan and cisplatin as a neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer--a report of 2 cases as a pilot study].

To shorten the treatment term of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for locally advanced cervical cancer, a combination of irinotecan (CPT-11) and cisplatin was administered on a modified administrated schedule for 2 eligible patients as a pilot study. CPT-11 70 mg/m2 was administered (div) on days 1 and 8, followed by cisplatin 70 mg/m2 given (div) on day 1. Treatment was repeated every 3 weeks for a total of two cycles. Both patients showed a complete clinical response. No severer toxicities were observed than with the usual regimen, and both cases could undergo radical hysterectomy after NAC. The results suggest that this modified regimen of combination of CPT-11 and cisplatin can be effective as an NAC in cases of locally advanced cervical cancer, especially in terms of shortening treatment term. This regimen is worthy of further study.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Three-dimensional measurement of rolling in tetraplegic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the differences between traumatic tetraplegic patients who can roll and those who cannot. DESIGN: Motion analysis using 3-dimensional measurement. SETTING: Rehabilitation centers in southwestern Japan. PARTICIPANTS: Nineteen male participants, all of whom had traumatic C6 complete injury. METHODS: We used an electromagnetic device to examine the degree of spinal movement in axial rotation during rolling (shifting from supine to side lying). This system (3-Space Win) measures the position and orientation of sensors in space. Two sensors were mounted on a subject over the spinous process of T1 and L5. RESULTS: The spinal rotation of patients who could not roll was significantly lower than that of patients who could roll. (The average rotation of non-rollers was 31.5+/-17.5 degrees, while the average rotation of rollers was 66.3+/-17.3degrees). In this study, there were no statistically significant differences in the members of the two groups in terms of age, height, weight or time after injury. CONCLUSION: Rolling requires greater and adequate flexibility in the back of tetraplegic patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Possibility of independence in ADL (Activities of Daily Living) for patients with cervical spinal cord injuries--an evaluation based on the Zancolli Classification of Residual Arm Functions.

For patients with cervical spinal cord injuries to become independent in their ADL (Activities of Daily Living), residual arm function is very important. Also, age, sex, physical strengths, obesity, spasticity, pain, contracture and motivation are related. We investigated the possibility of independence in ADL for patients with cervical spinal cord injuries, carrying out our evaluation based on the Zancolli Classification of Residual Arm Functions. Zancolli classification C6BII is taken as the boundary level for ADL independence. Rehabilitation is not only controlled by the patients with cervical spinal cord injuries themselves but also by the ability of the rehabilitation staff. This implies that taking responsibility in rehabilitation important.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1996

Spinal cord injures in children observed over many years.

The known salient features of spinal cord injuries in children are that 1) plane X-rays may not show dislocations or fractures, 2) many of these injuries are complete transections, 3) many injuries are located at the level of upper thoracic spine, and 4) the duration of spinal shock is short. Complications such as pressure sores occur just as easily in children as in adults and the injuries tend to be just as intractable. Complications characteristic in children with spinal cord injuries are spinal deformity and hip dislocation. In this paper, we describe a case involving a C7 spinal cord injury caused by a fall when the patient was 3 years old. We have observed the physical complications for 15 years following that injury. We also report on other observed cases of spinal cord injury.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1995

Spinal cord injury in a child: a long term follow-up study. Case report.

The main features of spinal cord injuries in children are known to be that (1) plain radiographs do not show the bony injury; (2) many of the injuries are complete spinal cord injuries; (3) many involve the upper thoracic spine; and (4) the duration of spinal shock is short. Complications such as pressure sores occur just as easily in children as in adults and the injuries are intractable. Typical complications in children with spinal cord injuries are spinal deformity and hip dislocation. We discuss a patient with a C7 spinal cord injury caused by a fall when the patient was 3 years old, and the physical complications occurring during the 15 years following the injury.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Below-knee amputation for Charcot joint developing 40 years after spinal cord injury. Case report.

A Charcot joint developed following a spinal cord injury in a patient who had sustained a fracture-dislocation of the 12th thoracic vertebra and a spinal cord injury in a cave-in accident in a coal mine 40 years previously, and had since been assisted in walking with the aid of a short leg brace and a cane. Recently, the patient developed Charcot joints of the right knee and ankle, and the right ankle joint also became infected with a refractory open wound necessitating a below-knee amputation.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Ultrasonography and Doppler studies in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

In 40 twin pregnancies, the evaluation of hemodynamics by ultrasound was performed during the period January 1986 through September 1991. The blood flow velocities' waveforms in the umbilical artery, umbilical vein and tricuspid valve, and the total cardiac dimension, were obtained by ultrasonography in conjunction with 3.5 MHz pulsed Doppler ultrasound. Six patients with twin pregnancies were identified as having twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTS), on the basis of like-sex twins with monochorionic diamniotic placentation, vascular anastomosis in the placenta, and umbilical cord venous blood hemoglobin difference exceeding 5 g/dl at delivery. No distinctive findings for TTS were revealed by the measurement of umbilical artery blood flow velocity waveforms. However, cardiomegaly in 5 recipient fetuses and tricuspid regurgitation and biphasic umbilical vein waveforms in 3 recipient fetuses constituted characteristic features of TTS. Ultrasonography and a Doppler study might be beneficial in diagnosing TTS and evaluating the hemodynamics in a recipient fetus.

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed1991

Umbilical artery blood flow velocity waveforms in pregnancy complicated by diabetes mellitus.

Umbilical artery blood velocity waveforms were recorded by a pulsed Doppler system in the third trimester of pregnancy in 16 diabetic women (12 class B, 1 class C, 3 class D) and the waveforms were analysed for resistance index (RI = peak systolic velocity minus end diastolic velocity/peak systolic velocity). There was no significant correlation between the RI values and either serum glucose (r = 0.385) or fructosamine levels (r = 0.380). However, the RI values were raised in two cases with serum glucose levels of over 300 mg/dl. With a fall in serum glucose levels, the RI values returned to the normal range. No abnormal umbilical artery velocity waveforms were found when the serum glucose level was below 200 mg/dl.

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed1990

Power spectral analysis of heart rate variability in traumatic quadriplegic humans.

This study investigated the spontaneous beat-to-beat variabilities in R-R intervals of six traumatic neurologically complete quadriplegic (QP) males and six age-matched healthy males (control) while they were at rest in the supine position in a climatic chamber (temperature 30 degrees C, relative humidity 60%) by means of autoregressive power spectral analysis. As shown by earlier studies, in the control group there were two major spectral components, a high-frequency (HF) component [center frequency 0.30 +/- 0.02 (SE) Hertz equivalent (Hz eq), power 767.5 +/- 384.6 ms2] and a low-frequency (LF) component (0.11 +/- 0.01 Hz eq, 707.5 +/- 198.8 ms2). On the contrary, in the QP group, only the HF component was observed (0.30 +/- 0.02 Hz eq, 421.8 +/- 134.7 ms2). The results suggest that 1) the disappearance of the LF component in the QP subject is presumably caused by the interruption of the spinal pathways linking supraspinal cardiovascular centers with the peripheral sympathetic outflow, and 2) the cervical spinal sympathetic pathways may be instrumental in the genesis of the LF component in humans.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Cerebral artery blood flow velocity waveforms in normal and small for dates fetuses.

Middle cerebral artery (MCA) blood flow velocity waveforms were recorded by a pulsed Doppler system in normal and small for dates (SFD) fetuses. Eighty four normal growth fetuses and 15 SFD fetuses were studied between the 28th and 40th gestational week. The flow velocity waveforms were analysed to determine the resistance index (RI = peak systolic velocity minus end diastolic velocity/peak systolic velocity). The results obtained were as follows: 1. The mean values of RI in the MCA had a peak of 0.802 +/- 0.049 at 32-33 gestational weeks and decreased gradually to a level of 0.686 +/- 0.087 at 40 gestational weeks. 2. In 8 asymmetrical SFD fetuses, the RI values for the MCA were below the normal range (mean -1.5 SD) in 6 cases and normal in 2 cases. 3. The RI values for MCA in all 7 symmetrical SFD fetuses were in the normal range.

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed1989

[Long-term post-treatment observation of a case with orthodontic treatment using occipito-mental anchorage only].

Occipito-mental anchorage (OMA) was used in a skeletal class III case with maxillary retrognathism. Long term observation of the patient post treatment revealed the following: 1. The facial profile was improved gradually until the end of treatment: but by 5 years after treatment, it had become slightly worse. 2. Improvement was seen in the maxillomandible relationship owing to the continuous slight advancement of the maxilla and the inhibition of the advancement of the mandible. And this relationship also showed long-term stability after treatment. Hardly any rotation of the mandible was found during the treatment. But clockwise rotation of the palatal plane during treatment and counterclockwise rotation after treatment were observed. 3. Regarding dental changes, labial inclination of upper incisors and lingual inclination of lower incisors owing to the improvement of overjet were seen during treatment. But they reverted to almost the same inclinations seen at the first examination by 5 years after treatment.

Child↗
PubMed1989

[The influence of green tea upon the improvement of iron deficiency anemia with pregnancy treated by sodium ferrous citrate].

Green tea is indispensable to our everyday life. In Japan it has long been common knowledge that the ingestion of green tea should be avoided before and after the intake of iron preparations. There have recently been some reports, however, that deny the effect of green tea on iron preparations. A study was conducted on pregnant patients with anemia, using sodium ferrous citrate (Ferromia). The drug was administered to a group of patients taking green tea and a group taking water. Our results can be summarized as follows. 1. Hemoglobin, serum iron and total iron binding capacity were markedly improved after the administration of the iron preparation, and there was no difference between these parameters in the two groups of patients. 2. There was a tendency for patients with hypochromia to show a more marked improvement in hemoglobin in both groups. 3. Anemia cured in 96.7% of patients in the green tea group and in 93.4% of patients in the water group after the oral administration of the iron preparation. 4. The incidence of side effects stood at 18.3% for the green tea group and 21.9% for the water group, there being no significant difference. No serious side effects were elicited in the present study.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Decreased superoxide dismutase-2 activity in a patient with ring chromosome 6.

Manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD-2) activity was measured in erythrocytes and leukocytes of a patient with ring chromosome 6. Compared to normal control individuals, SOD-2 activity in leukocytes of the patient was lower, whereas cuprozinc SOD (SOD-1) activity was normal. These findings suggest the cause of decreased enzyme activity is the effect of the ring form on production of the enzyme or inherent instability of ring chromosomes.

Body Height↗
PubMed1987

Malignant ganglioglioma of the spinal cord.

A case of tumor of the spinal cord with a long clinical history was described. At autopsy, the tumor was composed of a mixture of two elemental cells, i.e. matured but neoplastic ganglionic cells and anaplastic glial cells. The clinical manifestations suggested that the tumor in this case developed in a benign form with malignant evolution occurring during the latter part of its clinical course. The malignant evolution, however, was due to aggressive and anaplastic growth only of the elemental glial cells, while the cytologic features of the elemental ganglionic cells remained always benign.

Adult↗