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Biomedical subjects

T Kuwahara

Publications and source records attributed to T Kuwahara.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

RNA polymerase beta-subunit gene (rpoB) sequence analysis for the identification of Bacteroides spp.

Partial rpoB sequences (317 bp) of 11 species of Bacteroides, two Porphyromonas spp. and two Prevotella spp. were compared to delineate the genetic relationships among Bacteroides and closely related anaerobic species. The high level of inter-species sequence dissimilarities (7.6-20.8%) allowed the various Bacteroides spp. to be distinguished. The position of the Bacteroides distasonis and Bacteriodes merdae cluster in the rpoB tree was different from the position in the 16S rRNA gene tree. Based on rpoB sequence similarity and clustering in the rpoB tree, it was possible to correctly re-identify 80 clinical isolates of Bacteroides. In addition to two subgroups, cfiA-negative (division I) and cfiA-positive (division II), of Bacteroides fragilis isolates, two distinct subgroups were also found among Bacteroides ovatus and Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron isolates. Bacteroides genus-specific rpoB PCR and B. fragilis species-specific rpoB PCR allowed Bacteroides spp. to be differentiated from Porphyromonas and Prevotella spp., and also allowed B. fragilis to be differentiated from other non-fragilisBacteroides spp. included in the present study.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed2006

[Primary biventricular repair for interrupted aortic arch with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and tricuspid valve regurgitation; report of a case].

An interrupted aortic arch was diagnosed in a 10-day-old girl weighing 3.3 kg, as was perimembranous ventricular septal defect (VSD) and severe tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR). The subaortic diameter was 3.6 mm and the aortic valve (3.7 mm in diameter) was bicuspid. We chose definitive repair, modified Yasui procedure, because of severe TR and no straddling of mitral valve. In primary biventricular repair, we undertook extended aortic arch anastomosis. Left ventricular outflow tract reconstruction consisted of intracardiac rerouting from the VSD to the pulmonary artery by using expanded-polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) and Damus-Kaye-Stansel (DKS) anastomosis. Right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction was performed by the Rastelli procedure with an ePTFE valved conduit. Moreover, we carried out semicircular annuloplasty for severe TR.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed2005

Effect of skin temperature on the ion reabsorption capacity of sweat glands during exercise in humans.

The effect of skin temperature on the ion reabsorption capacity of sweat glands during exercise in humans is unknown. In this study, eight healthy subjects performed a 60-min cycling exercise at a constant intensity (60% VO(2max)) under moderate (25 degrees C) and cool (15 degrees C) ambient temperatures at a constant relative humidity of 40%. The sweating rate (SR), index of sweat ion concentration (ISIC) by using sweat conductivity, esophageal temperature (Tes), mean skin temperature, and heart rate (HR) were measured continuously under both ambient temperatures. The SR and ISIC were significantly lower at the cool ambient temperature versus the moderate temperature. There were no significant differences in the changes in HR and esophageal temperature between these ambient temperature conditions, while the mean skin temperature was significantly lower at the cool ambient temperature by almost 3 degrees C (P < 0.05). The slopes of the relationships between Tes and the SR and ISIC were significantly lower and the thresholds of these relationships were significantly higher at the cool ambient temperature (P < 0.05). The ion reabsorption capacity of the sweat glands was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in a cool environment (0.21 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.52 +/- 0.06 mg/cm(2)/min at 15 and 25 degrees C, respectively) as evaluated using the relationships for SR and ISIC. The results suggest that the ion reabsorption capacity of the sweat glands is influenced by skin temperature during exercise in humans.

Body Temperature Regulation↗
PubMed2005

Changes in the index of sweat ion concentration with increasing sweat during passive heat stress in humans.

To investigate the pattern changes in the index of sweat ion concentration at skin surface with increasing sweat during passive heat stress in humans, we measured conductivity of the perfused water with sweat as the index of sweat ion concentration and sweat rate, continuously at the chest skin surface. Eight healthy subjects (22.4 +/-1.0 years) were passively heated by lower-leg immersion in a hot water bath of 42 degrees C for 50 min in an ambient temperature of 28 degrees C and relative humidity of 50%. The internal temperature (Tor) thresholds of sweat rate and index of sweat ion concentration were almost similar. Concomitant onset for the index of sweat ion concentration and sweat rate occurred but two types of linear regression lines were identified in the relationship between the index of sweat ion concentration and sweat rate at a boundary sweat rate value of 0.30 +/- 0.08 mg cm(-2) min(-1). The slope of the regression line at low levels of sweat (slope 0.02 +/- 0.01 V mg(-1) cm(-2) min(-1)) was significantly gradual compared with that at moderate levels of sweat (slope 0.30 +/- 0.08 V mg(-1) cm(-2) min(-1)) (P<0.05). These results suggest that at low levels of sweat the index of sweat ion concentration responds gradually with respect to sweat rate, which may be due to the ion reabsorption capacity of the sweat duct, and then the index of sweat ion concentration increased steeply with sweat rate.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Sandwich technique for closing of the large muscular Swiss-cheese type ventricular septal defects].

A 9-year-old girl, who has had a diagnosis as a Taussig-Bing anomary, underwent an original Jatene procedure (o-J) 2 months after birth. This time, she had a diagnosis of the muscular multiple ventricular septal defects (mVSD) and pulmonary stenosis after o-J. The mVSD was Swiss-cheese type and was large from the proximal of the infundibular septum to the apex and posterior of the septum. It was closed by the sandwich technique using a pair of felt patches, which of one was placed at right ventricular side and the other was at left ventricular side, slightly larger than the whole area of the mVSD. The patch fixation was placed with 1 stitch at the center between the patches and a few stitches around the right ventricular side patch to the ventricular septum. Postoperative cardiac function was uneventful regardless of the very large patches placed at the ventricular septum and the cardiac catheterization after 1 year postoperatively showed the pulmonary/systemic blood flow ratio was 1.0. This technique for the closure of the large Swiss-cheese type mVSD can be considered to be very effective.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗
PubMed2004

Betulinic acid augments the inhibitory effects of vincristine on growth and lung metastasis of B16F10 melanoma cells in mice.

We examined the antitumour effect of a combination of betulinic acid (BA) and vincristine (VCR) on murine melanoma B16F10 cells in vitro and in vivo. Betulinic acid, a pentacyclic triterpene, showed a synergistic cytotoxic effect on melanoma cells by combinational use of VCR. Betulinic acid and VCR induced cell cycle arrest at different points (BA at G1 phase and VCR at G2/M phase) and caused apoptosis in B16F10 melanoma cells. In the in vivo study, VCR inhibited metastasis of tumour cells to the lung. The addition of BA to VCR augmented suppression of the experimental lung metastasis of melanoma cells in C57BL/6 mice. The number of lung nodules of more than 1 mm in diameter in mice treated with BA and VCR was less than that in mice treated with VCR alone. These results suggest that BA is an effective supplement for enhancing the chemotherapeutic effect on malignant melanoma.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Inhibitory effects of Centella asiatica on azoxymethane-induced aberrant crypt focus formation and carcinogenesis in the intestines of F344 rats.

Effects of the water extract of Centella asiatica Linn. on formation of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and intestinal tumorigenesis in male F344 rats were investigated. Treatment with the extract significantly decreased the number of larger ACF (with four or more crypts per focus) in the large intestine in the early stage, while the number of methylated DNA adducts was not decreased compared with that in the AOM-treated group. In the post-initiation stage, the extract significantly decreased the total number of ACF and the number of larger ACF, accompanied by a decrease in the 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine-labeling index and an increase in the induction of apoptotic cells in the colonic mucosa. The incidences of neoplasms, the numbers of adenocarcinomas in the small intestines and entire intestines, and sizes of neoplasms in the entire intestines in rats fed C. asiatica extract at a dose of 10 mg/kg were smaller than those in rats given AOM alone (p < 0.05). The extract at a dose of 100 mg/kg significantly reduced the multiplicity of neoplasms in the small intestine (p < 0.05). These results suggest that inhibition of the formation of AOM-induced ACF by C. asiatica extract is associated with modification of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis in colonic crypts and that the extract has a chemopreventive effect on colon tumorigenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Pulmonary angiomyolipoma recurring 26 years after nephrectomy for angiomyolipoma: benign clinical course.

Angiomyolipoma (AML), a benign renal tumor, has various clinical forms, and the nature of AML is not sufficiently understood because of few reports of long-term observation. We report a 57-year-old female without tuberous sclerosis who developed multiple pulmonary AML 26 years after a right nephrectomy for renal AML. A computed tomogram demonstrated multifocal round lesions with lipid-like density throughout both lung fields. An open lung biopsy revealed a histological diagnosis of pulmonary AML. An abdominal computed tomogram was also compatible with splenic AML. She has been in good health for 12 years since the lung biopsy over the 38 years since the nephrectomy. This case suggests that multicentric AML can recur at distant organs even after long-term silence in a patient who has a past history of renal AML.

Angiomyolipoma↗
PubMed2004

[Successful staged repair of a symptomatic neonate of tetralogy of Fallot with severe absent pulmonary valve syndrome].

Tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve has been classified to a few groups. The most severe one is characterized by symptomatic onset immediately after birth. The others are no or slightly symptomatic at least during their neonatal period. In a severely symptomatic 12-day-old neonate of tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve who had required intubation immediately after birth, tight pulmonary banding and left side modified Blalock-Taussig shunt were performed on emergency basis. Consequently, prior massive pulmonary regurgitation was decreased significantly. Forty-five days after this first stage operation, he weaned from respiratory management. At 1-year-old, radical repair based on conotruncal repair, which consisted of patch closure of ventricular septal defect preserving the tricuspid septal leaflet function, resection of anterior wall of enlarged left pulmonary artery, and right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction using autologous tissue and a pericardial patch was performed. Bicuspid pulmonary valve, posterior one of procured autologous pulmonary wall and anterior one of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) respectively, was created to minimize deterioration of the pulmonary insufficiency. Although postoperative cardiac function was kept feasible showing his central venous pressure of 7 mmHg in the main, postoperative general course was eventful especially regarding the respiratory function. The patient was weaned from the prolonged ventilator management 5 months after this radical repair eventually. Generally, to diminish the massive pulmonary regurgitation in early lifetime period could reduce a progressive airway obstruction and minimize pulmonary tissue damage. However, even after the total correction in this case, considerable peripheral segmental pulmonary obstructive lesions were persistent according to the perfusion lung scanning with 99mTc macroaggregated albumin and 99mTechnegas ventilation lung scanning studies. This persistent, supposed to be innate, pulmonary obstructive lesions might prevent ordinal recovery after cardiac radical repair for this most severe subtype of absent pulmonary valve syndrome.

Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation↗
PubMed2004

[Valvuloplasty for mitral regurgitation immediately following Kawasaki disease without abnormal coronary arteries lesion; report of a case].

It is not uncommon that valve disease is complicated with Kawasaki disease (KD). However, it is rare to show normal coronary arteries simultaneously. We experienced a case of valvuloplasty towards the mitral regurgitation (MR) followed immediately after KD showing normal coronary arteries. A 3 year-old-female, with a diagnosis of KD at 4 months after birth, was referred to our hospital 5 months after birth. The echocardiography detected a moderate MR. The preoperative catheterization at 2.5 years old showed grade III MR, enlargement of left atrium and left ventricle, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) = 12 mmHg, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) = 675, and normal coronary arteries. Pulmonary hypertention was not revealed. The operative findings showed mitral valve prolapse due to the elongation of the chordae of the anterior leaflet. She underwent artificial chordal reconstruction using expanded polytetrafluoroethylene sutures and mitral annuloplasty by Kay-Reed method. The postoperative course was uneventful, and she was discharged on postoperative day 19.

Artificial Organs↗
PubMed2003

Augmenting effect of acetic acid for acidification on bactericidal activity of hypochlorite solution.

AIMS: Bactericidal activity of chlorine solution is enhanced by weak acidification. We compared the effects of various acids on the bactericidal activity of hypochlorite solution to establish a method for safe and effective use of an acidic hypochlorite solution. METHODS AND RESULTS: The bactericidal activities of acidic hypochlorite solutions that had been adjusted to pH 5.0 with hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, formic acid, phosphoric acid or sulphuric acid against Bacillus subtilis spores were compared. The acidic solutions prepared with hydrochloric acid and acetic acid showed the highest bactericidal activity, and all of the spores (5 x 106 cfu ml(-1)) were killed within 10 min. On the other hand, the solutions prepared with citric acid and lactic acid showed no bactericidal activity against any bacterial strains tested in this study despite the low pH. The amount of chlorine gas produced by the preparation using acetic acid was sixfold less than that produced from the preparation using hydrochloric acid. CONCLUSIONS: Acetic acid is the most suitable and safe acid for the preparation of an acidic hypochlorite solution. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results of this study provide useful information for establishing a method for safe and effective use of an acidic hypochlorite solution.

Acetic Acid↗
PubMed2001

C4d and C4bp deposition along the glomerular capillary walls in a patient with preeclampsia.

Complement (C) 4d and cofactor C4b binding protein (C4bp) are detected in the glomerular capillary walls of a patient with preeclampsia. A 32-year-old nullipara had proteinuria of 1.2 g/d and edema at the 33rd week of pregnancy. Gradually the urinary protein excretion increased, reaching 5.1 g/d at the 37th week. The patient also showed hypertension at this stage. After normal mature delivery, the level of the urinary protein excretion remained at 3 to 4 g/d. Renal biopsy performed by means of light and electron microscopy, 15 days after delivery, showed almost normal glomeruli and modest subendothelial widening. Immunohistochemistry indicated that immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgG, C1q, C3c, and C4c were not deposited in the glomeruli, whereas weakly positive IgM and fibrin-related antigen (FRA) were observed. Conversely, C4d, C3d, and C4bp were strongly deposited. Protein S (PS) also was observed, with a similar distribution pattern to that of C4bp. Immunoelectron microscopy showed the deposition of C4d along the capillary walls and of C4bp in the subendothelium. These findings suggest that the C4 activation process as well as the regulation process of C system and of the inflammatory coagulation axis by C4bp and PS may play an important role in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia, so-called glomerular capillary endotheliosis (GCE).

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Changes in 99mTechnegas ventilation lung scan in a newborn with absent pulmonary valve syndrome.

A newborn infant with tetralogy of Fallot and absent pulmonary valve was successfully corrected in two stages. Absent pulmonary valve syndrome presenting in early infancy manifests severe respiratory symptoms that still make challenging both management and surgical treatment. This is ascribed to tracheobronchial compression by the extremely dilated pulmonary arteries, and to the resultant pulmonary obstructive lesions. We report herein the first findings of 99mTechnegas ventilation lung scanning in an infant with the syndrome to assess the pulmonary obstructive lesions.

Graphite↗
PubMed2001

Intraglomerular metastasis from pancreatic cancer.

Few case reports have shown the presence of metastatic tumor cells in renal glomeruli. We report one case with intraglomerular metastasis proved at renal biopsy. A 60-year-old man suffered from weight loss and fever of unknown origin. Urinalysis revealed proteinuria with cellular and granular casts. Because vasculitis was suspected, renal biopsy was performed. Presence of tumor cells occupying the glomerular capillary lumina was shown by means of light microscopy and electron microscopy. Laboratory findings revealed elevated leukocyte count (28.9 x 10(3)/mm(3)), serum granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) (77 pg/mL), and serum CA 19-9 (21,885 U/mL). The patient soon developed disseminated intravascular coagulation and died. Autopsy findings revealed pancreatic cancer showing positive staining for G-CSF and CA 19-9. Tumor cells in the glomerular capillary lumina showed positive staining for CA 19-9 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). These results suggest that the pancreatic tumor cells producing G-CSF were entrapped in the glomerular capillary lumina where they proliferated. This may have been the first step in renal metastasis.

CA-19-9 Antigen↗
PubMed2001

Common iliac artery aneurysm due to fibromuscular dysplasia in infants.

A seven-month old female with a huge aneurysm of the right common iliac artery and multiple stenoses of her bilateral renal arteries is described. At surgery, a Gore-Tex graft was interposed between the proximal common iliac artery and the external iliac artery. A histological examination of the aneurysmal wall was compatible with medial fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD). After surgery, her blood pressure was controlled in the normal range on medical treatment. This case would be the first case of a huge common iliac artery aneurysm due to FMD in infants.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction↗
PubMed2001

Genetic variation in 16S-23S rDNA internal transcribed spacer regions and the possible use of this genetic variation for molecular diagnosis of Bacteroides species.

The structural variation in 16S-23S rDNA internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) among Bacteroides species was assessed by PCR amplification and sequencing analysis, and its possible use for molecular diagnosis of these species was evaluated. Ninety strains of the genus Bacteroides, including the species B. distasonis, B. eggerthii, B. fragilis, B. ovatus, B. thetaiotaomicron, B. uniformis and B. vulgatus, produced one to three ITS amplification products with sizes ranging from 615 to 810 bp. Some Bacteroides strains could be differentiated at species level on the basis of ITS amplification patterns and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis using a four-nucleotide-recognizing enzyme, Msp I. The results of sequence analysis of ITS amplification products revealed genes for Ile-tRNA and Ala-tRNA in all strains tested. The nucleotide sequence, except for that in tRNA-coding regions, was highly variable and characteristic for each species, but a common sequence among B. fragilis, B. thetaiotaomicron and B. ovatus was observed. A digoxigenin-labeled oligonucleotide probe (named FOT1), which was designed from this conserved sequence, specifically hybridized to the ITS amplification products from B. fragilis, B. thetaiotaomicron and B. ovatus. These results suggest that the ITS region is a useful target for the development of rapid and accurate techniques for identification of Bacteroides species.

Bacteroides↗
PubMed2001

Significantly rapid relief from steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome by LDL apheresis compared with steroid monotherapy.

Rapid amelioration of hypercholesterolemia by LDL apheresis (LDL-A) was performed for long-standing nephrotic syndrome (NS) with hyperlipidemia due to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FGS) and the clinical data and prognosis were compared between LDL-A-treated and nontreated groups. Seventeen steroid-resistant NS patients treated with LDL-A (LDL-A group) and 10 NS patients treated with steroids only (steroid-monotherapy (SM) group) were compared. Serum cholesterol and phospholipid levels were significantly lowered only in the LDL-A group (p < 0.01, respectively). The LDL-A group showed a significant decrease of urinary protein (UP, p < 0.01) and increase of serum albumin (p < 0.05). Average time needed to achieve a decrease of UP to less than nephrotic range (< 3.5 g/day) was significantly shorter in the LDL-A group than in the SM group (p < 0.01). Although this is not a prospective study, it is highly expected that a rapid improvement of hypercholesterolemia by LDL-A in steroid-resistant NS will provide more rapid relief from NS than steroid therapy alone.

Adolescent↗