Changes in plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptides after cardioversion of chronic atrial fibrillation.
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Adolescent↗
Biomedical subjects
T Kawada
Publications and source records attributed to T Kawada.
Urinary cadmium and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase excretion of inhabitants living in a cadmium-polluted area.
Urinary cadmium (Cd), N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), and creatinine levels were determined for 400 inhabitants living in Cd-polluted districts of Annaka City in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. The Cd pollution was mainly due to falling dust from a zinc smelter factory according to seasonal winds. The Cd-polluted areas were divided into five administrative districts around the factory. The geometric mean of the urinary Cd level of the inhabitants in the five districts, Nodono, Iwai, Ooya, Nakajyuku, and Itahana, were 2.95, 2.66, 2.45, 1.97, and 1.67 micrograms/g creatinine, respectively. The geometric means for Nodono and Iwai are statistically larger than that for Itahana (P less than 0.01). These results were well explained by the wind direction and proximity to the factory. In addition, a two-way analysis of variance on the urinary Cd level was made using place of residence and smoking habits. The effect was mainly due to the place of residence, and no interactions were found. There were statistically significant differences in NAG excretion among the five groups, but no difference could be found between two groups using a multiple comparison. Pearson's correlation coefficient between the logarithm of urinary Cd content and that of NAG was 0.203, but statistically significant (r = 0.462 without creatinine correction; P less than 0.01). The present results indicate the association of urinary Cd and NAG levels in a Cd-exposed population whose geometric mean of urinary Cd content is about 2 micrograms/g creatinine. We recommend a continuous survey of the minimum health effects of the Cd pollution using urinary levels of Cd and protein including NAG.
Acetylglucosaminidase↗
Validity of electrode placement at Fpz to detect alpha wave.
The possibility on placing electrodes at Fpz-A2 instead of C3-A2 was investigated to obtain a more stable configuration avoiding obstruction by the hair. Our original system of alpha wave detection by a microcomputer was used, and a total of 22 all-night hypnograms of five healthy young students was recorded. Pearson's moment correlation coefficients of alpha wave % between the two positions were 0.780-0.948. Except for one subject, alpha wave % taken at Fpz-A2 tended to be 3-5% lower than that at C3-A2. The above analysis indicates that using EEG electrode position of Fpz-A2 is valid and useful as a stable electrode configuration for a long-time monitoring.
Adult↗
Pretreatment with catalase or dimethyl sulfoxide protects alloxan-induced acute lung edema in dogs.
We tested the preventive effects of catalase, an enzymatic scavenger of hydrogen peroxide, or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a hydroxyl radical scavenger, on intravenous alloxan-induced lung edema in four groups of pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized, ventilated dogs for 3 h: saline (20 ml.kg-1.h-1) infusion alone (n = 5), alloxan (75 mg/kg) + saline infusion (n = 5), catalase (150,000 U/kg) + alloxan + saline infusion (n = 5), or DMSO (4 mg/kg) + alloxan + saline infusion (n = 5). Catalase or DMSO significantly prevented the increase in plasma thromboxane B2 and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha over 3 h after alloxan and the accumulation of extravascular lung water after 3 h [3.95 +/- 0.52 (SE) g/g with catalase, 3.06 +/- 0.42 g/g with DMSO] but not early pulmonary arterial pressor response. An electron microscopic study indicated that catalase or DMSO significantly reduced the endothelial cellular damages after alloxan. These findings strongly suggest that hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical are major mediators responsible for intravenous alloxan-induced edematous lung injury in anesthetized ventilated dogs.
6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
Serum apolipoprotein H levels in systemic lupus erythematosus are not influenced by antiphospholipid antibodies.
Anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) were recently discovered to recognize a complex consisting of phospholipids and apolipoprotein H (apo H). In this study, we determined the serum apo H levels in 36 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with or without antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), including aCL and lupus anticoagulants, to clarify the possible effects of aPL on apo H levels in vivo. The apo H levels were low in SLE patients as compared with 22 healthy controls. However, no associations were found between apo H levels and circulating aPL or clinical features of the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. A secondary hyperlipidemic state, which probably related to lupus nephritis (proteinuria) and/or prednisolone treatment, increased apo H levels in SLE patients.
Adult↗
Myocardial Na+ during ischemia and accumulation of Ca2+ after reperfusion: a study with monensin and dichlorobenzamil.
The intracellular cation contents were determined in isolated perfused rat heart using cobaltic EDTA as a marker of the extracellular space. In hearts in which Na+ accumulation was induced with monensin, a Na+ ionophore, during 20 min-ischemia which otherwise did not result in accumulation of Na+, the levels of Na+ and Ca2+ were significantly higher after reperfusion with a significant decrease in K+. While the recovery of the cardiac mechanical function (CMF) was complete after reperfusion in control hearts, the recovery was incomplete in monensin-hearts. Dichlorobenzamil (DCB), the most specific inhibitor of Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger, infused for 10 min before induction of ischemia in a dose of 10(-5) M, which produced a definite suppression of CMF (over 80%), inhibited the accumulation of Ca2+ and Na+ and the loss of K+ and ATP after 40 min-ischemia and reperfusion. The same dose of DCB given for 3 min before induction of ischemia and after reperfusion, which produced a less than 20% inhibition of CMF, failed to prevent the Ca2+ accumulation after 40 min-ischemia and reperfusion. These findings are at variance with the idea that the accumulation of Na+ during ischemia and the consequent augmented operation of Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange is responsible for accumulation of Ca2+ after reperfusion.
Adenine Nucleotides↗
[The effect of noise on sleep--changes in hypnograms of subjects exposed to repeated truck-passing sound].
The effect of traffic noise on sleep was evaluated in an experimental room using repeated recorded truck-passing sounds. The peak sound level was 55, 60 or 65 dB (A) with frequencies of three times per hour. The background noise of the exposure night was Leq 42 dB (A) and that of the control night was Leq 35 dB (A). The subjects were five students 23 to 24 years old. The sleep stage of each epoch with a 20-second duration was judged visually based on the criteria of Rechtschaffen & Kales and the data of the second night of noise-exposure and the control night were used. The sleep parameters used were total sleep time (TST), each sleep stage, % of sleep stage against TST, sleep efficiencies, sleep latency, REM latency, REM cycle, REM duration, waking from sleep, number of stage shifts, and subjective sleep judged by the OSA sleep inventory. A paired t test was used for the statistical analysis. TST, REM stage in minutes, and % of REM stage against TST of the exposure night were significantly decreased compared with those of the control night. Other objective and subjective parameters showed no changes during noise exposure. Dividing the all-night into halves, the amount and % of each sleep stage were compared between the exposure and control night. There was no change of sleep stage in the former half, but the % and amount of REM sleep in the latter half were significantly decreased as a result of the noise exposure. The decreases of REM sleep and % REM against TST, especially in the latter half of all-night sleep, were caused by the intermittent truck-passing sounds 20 to 30 times per night.
Adult↗
Effect of the continuity and sampling rate of polygraphy data on sleep stage by a computerized scoring system--a reliability study.
The percentage of each sleep stage determined by visual judgment was compared with computerized judgment using continuous and three intermittent sampling data. Comparison of stage agreements of four types of computerized judgments with visual judgment were also conducted. Hypnograms of six healthy young male students were recorded on each of five nights. Data of each subject were compiled individually, and the six data were analyzed. Agreement rate of the sleep stage by computerized judgment using continuous (method A), one-third (method B), one-ninth (method C), and one-fifteenth (method D) data with that of visual judgment were compared. The agreement rate of visual and computerized judgment using method A showed no difference from that between visual and computerized judgment using method B. There was a significant loss of agreement between visual and computerized judgment using method C or D compared with that between visual and computerized judgment using method A. Paired t-tests were conducted for each stage percentage against total sleep time of visual judgment and those of computerized judgments using method A, B, C, or D. There were no significant changes in any sleep stage percentages between visual judgment and computerized judgments using method A, B, C, or D. From sleep stage agreement and the degree of difference from visual judgment, the acceptable limitation of the sampling period was concluded to be one-third of continuous data.
Adult↗
[Instantaneous changes in sleep stage due to the sound of a passing truck].
The instantaneous effect of the sound of a passing truck on sleep of five male students, 23 to 25 years of age, was assessed. The peak levels of noise were adjusted to 55, 60, and 65 dB (A) with intervals of 18 and 13 minutes, and a frequency of one per hour. Background noise in the experimental room was Leq 42 dB (A). The sleep stage of each epoch was visually judged based on the criteria of Rechtschaffen & Kales. Data for pre-exposure epochs of sleep stage 2 and rapid eye movement (REM) were collected and 18 epochs, including two under noise exposure, were evaluated. Three sets of polygraphic data were sampled as controls from 10 minutes after 65 dB (A) exposure to the next exposure. Compared with the control, the percentage of stage 2 to shallower stages (stage 1, waking, or movement time (MT)) was significantly increased by exposure to 55, 60, and 65 dB (A). The change lasted for one minute with exposure to 55 dB (A), and 2 to 3 minutes with 60 and 65 dB (A). A decrease in the percentage of stage 2 to deeper stages was observed at 2 to 4 minutes after exposure to 60 and 65 dB (A). The percentage of stage 2 to MT increased at 60 and 65 dB (A). The percentage of stage REM to other stages increased with the exposure to 60 or 65 dB (A) within 4 minutes. The threshold of instantaneous change of stage 2 to shallower stages due to the sound of a passing truck was at the peak level at less than 55 dB (A), and that of stage REM to other stages at 55 to 60 dB (A).
Adult↗
[Validity of screening test for the evaluation of depressive state].
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Depression↗
Systems analysis of the carotid sinus baroreflex system using a sum-of-sinusoidal input.
The purpose of the present study was to determine the dynamic characteristics of the carotid sinus baroreflex system (CS) employing systems analysis. In 28 anesthetized and mechanically ventilated dogs with vagotomy, intracarotid sinus pressure (ICSP) was changed artificially. In protocol 1 (n = 7), we estimated the transfer function of the CS by means of a single sinusoidal input (SIN), the Gaussian white-noise input (GWN), and a sum-of-sinusoidal input (SUM). The transfer function of ICSP to systemic arterial pressure (SAP) was second-order delay with an identical corner frequency of 0.025 Hz and damping ratio of 0.7. The steady-state gain estimated using GWN (1.12 +/- 0.13) or SUM (1.13 +/- 0.08) was significantly smaller than SIN (1.69 +/- 0.25). In protocol 2, to find the reason why there was a difference among the estimated steady-state gains, we investigated the effect of ICSP pulsation on the open-loop gain of the CS. The maximum gain of the gain curve was decreased and the operating range was increased significantly with the 2-Hz pulsation. We could simulate the above phenomena by using a model with a nonlinear sigmoidal relationship between ICSP and SAP. The dynamic characteristics of the CS appeared to be changed by pulsation, but this phenomenon was attributable to the sigmoidal nature of the relationship between ICSP and SAP. Pulsation decreases the maximum gain and increases the operating range, which may contribute to stability of the CS and homeostasis of SAP.
Animals↗
[Prognostic value of urinary cytology in bladder tumor].
Retrospective analysis was carried out to evaluate the prognostic value of urinary cytology in bladder tumor patients. All of the 170 patients (107 superficial (less than T2), 60 advanced (greater than T1) and 3 unknown (TX)), who were followed after their first occurrence, had histologically diagnosed transitional cell tumors. Recurrence rate for superficial cases was higher (p less than 0.05) when urinary cytology, either before or after the initial treatment, was positive than when negative. Patients with positive urinary cytology before the initial treatment proved to show poor prognosis compared to those with negative cytology (p less than 0.01), and many of the positive cases were with advanced cancer. Urinary cytology seemed to be indicative of the neoplastic potential of bladder tumor.
Adult↗
[Frequency of the development of RNA-rich reticulocytes in allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipients].
We measured appearance rates of RNA-rich reticulocytes in 8 patients undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, using a Sysmex R-1000 reticulocyte counter which utilizes laser flow cytometry. The changes in proportion of RNA-rich reticulocytes (high fluorescence ratio: HFR) and maturation index (MI: HFR + middle fluorescence ratio/low fluorescence ratio) were compared with those of WBC, neutrophil or reticulocyte counts. Engraftment was defined as an HFR of greater than or equal to 5% or a MI of greater than or equal to 15%. Engraftment was confirmed significantly earlier by HFR (13.5 +/- 2.4 days) and MI (13.1 +/- 2.9 days) than by neutrophils (17.1 +/- 3.2 days) or reticulocytes (20.4 +/- 6.2 days). The maturation of reticulocytes would be a useful indicator for engraftment or recovery from marrow aplasia in cases of bone marrow transplantation.
Adolescent↗
[Two cases of the brachiocephalic artery avulsion due to blunt chest trauma].
Two young adult patients with brachiocephalic avulsion due to blunt trauma are reported. Both of them were brought to the emergency room of St. Marianna University Hospital with the blunt chest trauma and lung contusion due to the traffic accident. A widening of the superior mediastinum and mediastinal hematoma surrounding the major branches of the aortic arch were demonstrated on chest roentgenogram and contrast enhanced CT scan, however, these evidences were not valuable for the diagnosis. Aortogram revealed an aneurysmal dilatation at the origin of the brachiocephalic artery in the first case and at its distal portion in the second case. Emergency operation was performed under the simple cross clamp of the brachiocephalic artery without any adjunct means. In the first case, 10 mm knitted Dacron graft was interposed between the ascending aorta and distal segment of the brachiocephalic artery. In the second case, the brachiocephalic artery was replaced with 10 mm knitted Dacron graft. The postoperative course was uneventful and no neurological deficit was noted in these cases.
Adolescent↗
[Pseudocoarctation associated with dissecting aneurysm of the aorta: a case report].
A case of pseudocoarctation with dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta and arch is reported. A 49-year-old man was admitted with chest pain and loss of consciousness. Angiogram showed kinking of the aortic isthmus and dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta. There was no pressure gradient between arms and legs. Prosthetic graft replacement of the ascending aorta was successfully performed by the use of total cardiopulmonary bypass with moderate hypothermia. Etiology of the development of pseudocoarctation is unknown, however, hypothesis that embryological abnormality of the aortic arch is one of the contributing factors has been widely accepted. This case was accompanied by bicuspid aortic valve. It is suggested that the developmental etiology of this case seems to be similar to that of classical coarctation of the aorta. Development of the dissecting aneurysm is supposed to be due to hypertension of the upper body during exercise, even though there is no pressure gradient at rest.
Aortic Dissection↗
[Management of personal health examination data for a population by use of a portable computer].
A new system was developed for processing annual personal health examination data with a portable microcomputer utilizing commercial software by converting the IBM formatted data file of the law mandated health examination for adults into an MS-DOS file. The sequential data file was further transferred into a random access data file by a simple program and software was developed for the presentation of annual personal data by table and graphs. Printout of data and selected comments filed on disc by the public health nurse or physician could become retrievable. This system is easily operated by a beginner in micro-computers from conversion of the original data to actual demonstration. This system was utilized for a small village of about 700 adults. By using part of the main memory as a RAM disc, presentation of 5 years' data was possible. File capacity was dependent on population size and also on the type of software for Japanese language input. In the case of a larger population, use of hard disc or expansion of memory may be recommended to shorten computer start-up time. Once necessary data has been placed into the field buffer's memory, retrieval of data requires less than one second. The results of health examination were usually provided by hard copies to village. But by use of this system, a more effective transfer of data between computerized systems by using a floppy disc is possible.
Humans↗
[A case report of ruptured mycotic aneurysm at the site of subclavian flap angioplasty].
Postoperative mycotic aneurysm of the thoracic aorta at the site of subclavian flap angioplasty (SFA) is very rare. A 6-year-old boy was admitted with a history of high fever for 10 days. He had undergone SFA at the age of 14 days and patch closure of VSD at 10 months. The chest X-ray film on admission revealed no abnormality. But, 7 days later, he suffered from frequent hemoptysis and chest X-ray film showed an abnormal mass shadow at the left upper lung field. Contrast enhanced CT scan and IV-DSA revealed a pseudoaneurysm of the aortic arch which had ruptured into the left upper lung. An extra-anatomical bypass was urgently made from the ascending aorta to abdominal aorta and the aneurysm was isolated by ligations of the aorta proximal and distal to the aneurysm. Aneurysmectomy combined with left upper lobectomy was carried out next day. Septic signs and hemoptysis dramatically improved after operation. Extra-anatomical bypass as a means of choice for the surgical treatment of the mycotic aneurysm greatly contributed to cure the severe ill patient. But a close follow up observation for the function of the graft is necessary.
Aneurysm, Infected↗
Lipoprotein lipase enzyme expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes is posttranscriptionally down-regulated by retinoic acid.
The effects of all-trans retinoic acid (RA) on the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, synthesis and mRNA content in 3T3-L1 adipocytes were studied. When fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes were exposed to RA, dose-dependent suppression of LPL activity was observed. The loss of activity reached a maximum of 60% of the control level and appeared to be due to an effect on synthesis of the enzyme, as judged from the decreased incorporation of [35S] methionine and [35S] cysteine into immunoprecipitable LPL. The LPL mRNA level remained unchanged under the same conditions. In contrast, no significant reduction in glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity or change in the morphological signature occurred on 24 hr exposure of 3T3-L1 adipocytes to RA. These results suggest that RA can specifically down-regulate LPL enzyme expression in adipocytes at the posttranscriptional level.
Adipose Tissue↗