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Biomedical subjects

Y Okajima

Publications and source records attributed to Y Okajima.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Scintigraphic detection of recurrence of medullary thyroid cancer.

A case of recurrent medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) was evaluated with 123I-MIBG, 99mTc(V)-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), and 201Tl scintigraphy. This patient had been operated on for MTC in the right thyroid. Recently a left neck mass was noticed, and was suspected of being a recurrence of MTC based on increased plasma calcitonin (CT) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). He was operated on for the neck mass which revealed MTC, and papillary thyroid cancer was incidentally found in the left thyroid, but the CT and CEA levels remained high, and remaining MTC tumor was suspected. But the location of the tumor was unknown. Although 99mTc(V)-DMSA scintigraphy is generally believed to be superior in sensitivity to 123I-MIBG scintigraphy, it did not demonstrate the tumor site but 201Tl and 123I-MIBG did. Furthermore, 123I-MIBG scintigraphy has greater specificity for tumors which arise in the neural crest. Judging from the results of this case and cases reported in the literatures, both 123I-MIBG and 99mTc(V)-DMSA should be performed in the detection of recurrent MTC.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗
PubMed1995

A new method of estimating the distribution of muscle fiber conduction velocities.

A computer-assisted method of estimating the distribution of muscle fiber conduction velocities is described. An electrode array composed of 2 stimulating and 4 recording electrodes is used to record surface muscle action potentials (MAPs) in response to direct muscle stimulation. The velocity distribution and the single muscle fiber action potential (SFAP) are calculated from the recorded MAPs by an iterative method of estimation. The estimation is based on the assumption that the spatial orientation of each muscle fiber viewed from the recording electrodes is the same along the muscle fibers and a MAP is recorded as a linear summation of all SFAPs. The accuracy of this estimation is demonstrated using simulated MAPs. The method is also tested on MAPs containing simulated amplifier noise, stimulus artifact, and errors in distance between electrodes. Finally we applied this method to MAP recordings of the biceps brachii in 23 healthy subjects. The velocity distribution was successfully estimated in 20 cases. The average of the estimated distributions was smaller than that described by previous workers. The reasons for the difference are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

The absence of evidence of staphylococcal toxin involvement in the pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease.

To detect a causative superantigen and to clarify a possible role for staphylococci in Kawasaki disease (KD), culture supernatants of individual bacterial isolates from 11 acute-stage patients were studied. Toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) and antibody to TSST-1 and enterotoxins A (SEA), B (SEB), and C (SEC) in acute (mean, day 7) and late convalescent (mean, month 15) sera from 26 patients (12 with coronary artery aneurysms) and 22 age-matched controls were measured. Only 1 of 60 supernatants was mitogenic for human lymphocytes; it was 1 of the 4 Staphylococcus aureus isolates. Mitogenicity was neutralized by sera obtained after administration of intravenous gamma globulin (mean, week 4) but not by late convalescent sera. TSST-1 was detectable in 2 of 26 acute sera and 1 of 22 control sera. No KD but 1 control serum had IgM to TSST-1. IgG seroconversion rates to TSST-1, SEA, SEB, and SEC were 10%, 15%, 21% and 16%, respectively. These data do not support the involvement of toxin-producing staphylococci in KD.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1995

Cytokeratin fragment 21-1 in gynecologic malignancy: comparison with cancer antigen 125 and squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen.

We measured serum cytokeratin fragment 21-1 (CYFRA 21-1) levels by a solid-phase immunoradiometric assay in 102 healthy Japanese women, and set the reference value at 1.9 ng/ml (mean +2 SD of the serum levels based on a linear distribution). Pretreatment serum CYFRA 21-1 levels were also analyzed in 235 women with benign (n = 94) or malignant (n = 141) gynecologic disease, and were compared with the serum levels of CA 125 and SCC. The respective positivity rates for CYFRA 21-1 and CA 125 were 64.0 and 77.2% in ovarian malignancy, while they were 4.2 and 30.8% in benign ovarian masses. CYFRA 21-1 had an accuracy of 61.3% in diagnosing ovarian malignancy, which was higher than that of CA 125 (53.4%). The positive predictive value of CYFRA 21-1 for ovarian malignancy reached 94.1%, which was significantly (p < 0.005) higher than that of CA 125 (68.8%). These findings indicate the potential usefulness of CYFRA 21-1 as a tumor marker for ovarian malignancy. In addition, the positivity rates fo CYFRA 21-1 in cervical cancer (51.2%) and endometrial cancer (52.2%) were also similar to the respective rates for SCC and CA 125, which suggests that CYFRA 21-1 seems to be a general tumor marker for gynecologic malignancy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[The construction of a model for predicting adolescent smoking behavior from a 7-year follow-up survey].

Predictive factors for adolescent smoking behavior were examined prospectively in a cohort of 199 adolescents who participated in a survey in March 1983 and were followed up about 7 years later. In 1983, as junior high school students (grades 1-3), subjects completed a questionnaire which consisted of variables on smoking behaviors of subjects' family and friends, attitudes toward smoking, knowledge about the effects of smoking on health, and self-prediction of future smoking behavior. In 1990, a similar survey including variables on subjects' smoking behavior was again carried out. At that time, all were 20 years or older. It was found that the number of friends in 1983 who smoke was strongly associated with smoking behavior in 1983, and for both sexes smoking behavior in 1983 and self-prediction of future smoking behavior in 1983 were the factors which were associated with smoking behavior in 1990. Furthermore, a model for predicting smoking behavior was deduced from the foregoing results and the findings of prior studies. The covariance structure analysis supported the validity of the model and revealed that smoking behavior in 1983, number of friends who smoke, and self-prediction of future smoking behavior were important in predicting smoking behavior 7 years later.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Lumbar spinal fusion using the Diapason system.

Lumbar spinal fusion with the Diapason system was performed on 58 patients at Toho University Ohmori Hospital from November 1991 to November 1994. The first 44 consecutive patients were followed for more than 1 year, including 34 cases with degenerative diseases. Those 34 cases consisted of 22 men and 12 women, ages 19-78 years (average 47.4), with 49 vertebral levels; these patients were followed for an average of 26.3 months. The clinical improvement and rate of bony union after 1 year of surgery were examined and the intervertebral angulatory motion degree of fused vertebrae was measured using a radiographic functional photo image during 1 year. We also performed an experimental study to evaluate the rigidity of this system. There were no severe complications. Although there was no instrument breakage or screw migration, two cases of rod migration were observed in L5-S1 arthrodesis. A mean improvement rate of 84.3% in the Japanese Orthopaedics Association (JOA) score was revealed. Thirty-three of 34 (97.1%) patients demonstrated successful arthrodesis after their initial procedure. In 10 segments (20.4%) 3-5 degrees of angulatory mobility were still retained, and no angulatory motion was observed in 27 segments (55.1%) 3 months after the surgery; however, no angulatory motion was observed in 44 segments (89.8%) 1 year after the surgery. In our biomechanical study, we observed that the anterior intervertebral space became narrow and mobile with loading, but when the loading was removed, the space reverted to the initial site. This movement was thought to be due to a certain elasticity in the rod and screw, and not loosening at the connection level. This system was evaluated based on the results of both clinical and biomechanical study. Notwithstanding the fact that this method has been evaluated as semirigid fusion, it does provide satisfactory bony union in posterolateral fusion, with excellent clinical results.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[A psychopathological study of hypochondriacal symptoms in manic-depressive psychosis].

Depressive patients often have some hypochondriacal symptoms, but their various patterns are prone to be overlooked. The author presents statistical characteristics of 24 depressive patients (based on DSM-III-R, major depression, melancholic type), who have some hypochondriacal symptoms. Taking into consideration these statistical characteristics and a detailed analysis of representative cases, the author proposes a psychopathological perspective and classification of patients, who have hypochondriacal symptoms during manic-depressive psychosis. The author presents five characteristics, namely, (1) age during depression, (2) personality trait, (3) anxiety-agitation, (4) dependency, and (5) guilt feelings, as factors that raise the hypochondriacal symptoms in depressive patients. Based on such characteristics, depressive patients with hypochondriacal symptoms can be classified into 3 subgroups; the anxiety-agitation group, the dependency group and the guilt feeling group. Among the anxiety-agitation group hypochondriacal depression is considered as a mixed state of manic-depressive psychosis with the grandiosity of hypochondriacal idea and agitation as manic expressions. In personal relations, patients in the anxiety-agitation group are ego-centric ("eigenwelt-bezogen"). On the contrary, patients in the dependency group are often conscious of others, and their hypochondriacal symptoms mean an escape from reality and also the intention of a new personal relationship. In the guilt feeling group, hypochondriacal symptoms arise due to guilt obsessiveness. A difference in the 3 groups also appears in the discourse characteristics of the hypochondriacal symptoms. The discourse of patients in the anxiety-agitation group can be called a "Circle type" or "Go-round type", since their complaints are various, but have a common structure. Discourse in guilt feeling group can be characterized as a "Tied-up type" or "Standstill type", since they repeat only a fixed complaint in a depressive state. Discourse in dependency group does not have a regular linguistic structure, and the patients make a great deal of importance in complaining to others. In addition to such considerations, the author suggests an affinity between hypochondriacal symptoms and manic elements on the grounds that some patients have hypochondriacal symptoms in their manic state, and that depressive patients with hypochondriacal symptoms, especially in the anxiety-agitation group, as well as manic patients, are strongly concerned with the present. Treatment for hypochondriacal depression requires the therapist to recognize the individuality of the disease, to safeguard against suicide and other ramifications.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Vascularized iliac bone graft based on a pedicle of upper lumbar vessels for anterior fusion of the thoraco-lumbar spine.

A new option for the use of a vascularized iliac bone graft, based on the upper (first or second) lumbar vessels, has been developed. As a pedicled graft, this supero-posteriorly-based vascularized iliac bone graft can reach the vertebrae from T8 to the sacrum, and the lower sternum and thoracic cage. In this report, the vascular anatomy of the flap and clinical experience using it for anterior spinal fusion are described.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Alteration in protein-tyrosine phosphatase of rat epithelial cells by RSV-transformation: application of phospho-tyrosyl glutamine synthetase to the study of protein-tyrosine phosphatase.

We prepared phospho-tyrosyl glutamine synthetase (P-GS) with suppressed activity from a highly adenylylated glutamine synthetase and applied it to the assay of protein-tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) present in non-malignant rat liver cells (BRL) by RSV-transformation. The maximum PTPase activity toward P-GS was observed at neutral pH (pH 7.5-8.0) in the soluble and particulate fractions prepared from both BRL and RSV-transformed (RSV-BRL) cells. At low activity levels (< about 0.3 U), the PTPase activity in each fraction was proportional to the sample protein concentration (A280) and the specific activity of PTPase in the soluble fraction of BRL cells was about twofold higher than that in the soluble fraction of BRL cells, while those in particulate fractions of BRL and RSV-BRL cells were almost the same as each other. Soluble fractions of BRL and RSV-BRL were subjected to molecular-sieve and anion-exchange chromatographies. One major PTPase activity, with an M(r) of about 40,000 (40k), was detected in the BRL soluble fraction, and two were detected in the RSV-BRL soluble fraction with M(r)s of about 40k and 60k. The 40k PTPases in BRL and RSV-BRL had the same profiles on anion-exchange chromatography, but the 60k PTPase in RSV-BRL cells showed a different profile. We suggest that the RSV-transformation of BRL cells induced the appearance of the 60k PTPase in the soluble fraction.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Protein C deficiency found in a patient with acute myocardial infarction: a single base mutation 157 Arg (CGA) to stop codon (TGA).

Protein C has an important role in the regulatory mechanisms of coagulation and fibrinolysis. In patients with heterozygous protein C deficiency, there is an increased risk for thromboembolic disease, especially in the venous system. We describe a patient with protein C deficiency presenting with an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Direct sequence analysis of the whole protein C gene detected a single base mutation at exon 7; 157 [Arg(CGA) to stop codon (TGA): 6182 C to T]. Thus, the patient was suspected to have a deficiency of the protein C heavy chain molecule, resulting in both a low protein C antigen and activity level. The mutation was also found in the propositus' son and was confirmed by differential termination of the primer extension (DTPE).

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

[Intracardiac repair of truncus arteriosus with severe truncal valve regurgitation in neonate].

The majority of infants born with truncus arteriosus associated with truncal valve regurgitation are seen within the first week of life with the manifestation of severe congestive heart failure. The patient reported herein was a 6-day-old male with severe congestive heart failure due to massive truncal valve regurgitation. Rastelli operation with simultaneous truncal valve plasty was undertaken. The truncal valve consisted of four cusps. One left cusp was small and prolapsed. The valvuloannuloplasty was performed to the small cusp. The patient was discharged and doing well at six months postoperatively, though mild degree of the truncal valve regurgitation was recognized. We believe that the plasty of truncal valve is an effective surgical procedure for the correction of sever truncal valve regurgitation in neonate.

Heart Failure↗
PubMed1994

[Knowledges of foodstuffs in relation to adult diseases in Japanese students--results from Japan Know Your Body Study].

As part of developing the Know Your Body (KYB) program for Japan, a questionnaire survey was administered assessing knowledge, attitudes, and behavior regarding cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, dietary lifestyle and exercise. The subjects, about 13,000 in total, were students in elementary, junior and senior high schools in 9 prefectures. The main results concerning knowledge of foods that cause or prevent adult diseases are as follows: 1) Correct responses on the relationship of excessive salt intake and hypertension were made by 39% of males and 41% of female in the fifth grade of elementary school. In the third grade of junior high school, the percentage of correct answer for the same question increased to 80% of males and females, and in the third grade of senior high school, it rose to 90% of males and 91% of females. No clear sex difference was seen in all the grades of school. 2) Less than 23% of the students from the first to fourth grade of elementary school knew the word "cholesterol" and could distinguish high cholesterol foods. In the sixth grade of elementary school, more than 50% of students knew the word "cholesterol". In the third grade of junior high school, more than 50% of students could distinguish high cholesterol foods correctly and recognized the relationship of excessive cholesterol intake to heart disease. These results provide a basis for determination of the age for introducing nutrition education. 3) The percentage of correct answers for distinguishing green-yellow vegetables, showed a clear sex differential. The percentage of correct answers concerning dietary fiber was 75% for males and 81% for females in senior high school.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Waveform analysis of compound nerve action potentials: a computer simulation.

A compound nerve action potential (CNAP) recorded from surface of the skin is composed of single nerve fiber action potentials propagating at various conduction velocities (CVs). Based on this assumption, we constructed two CNAPs simulating those at the digit elicited by stimulation of the median nerve at the wrist (CNAP-Wr) and the elbow (CNAP-El). Distribution of the nerve fiber CVs used for the simulation was estimated from actual recordings of 12 healthy subjects. Mean ratio of the CNAP amplitude (CNAP-Wr/CNAP-El) was 2.2, and that of the duration was 0.76. First, to analyze how CV distributions affect CNAP waveforms artificially in our computer program, we altered mean CV or standard deviation (SD) of the estimated distribution, and reconstructed CNAPs. Results indicated that as the mean CV was made slower, the ratio of the CNAP amplitude increased and that of the duration decreased. Similar changes of the ratios were also shown when the SD of the CV distribution was increased without changing the mean CV. Secondly, to make constructed CNAPs more similar to actual recordings, we added artificial noise to the constructed waves and had 11 electromyographers read onset and peak latencies. The average of maximum CVs calculated from the onset latencies of CNAPs-Wr was 62m/sec, and that from the latency difference between CNAPs-Wr and -El was 70m/sec. Both CVs were slower than the genuine maximum (77m/sec) given to the simulation program. The mean CV calculated from latency difference of the major positive peaks of the CNAPs was 62m/sec being close to the mode (62m/sec) or mean (60m/sec) value of the given distribution.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1993

Synthetic boundary cell in an analytical ultracentrifuge to determine the flotation coefficient of human serum lipoproteins.

Human serum lipoproteins were analyzed by a new modified synthetic boundary cell using an analytical ultracentrifuge. This cell allows the formation of the synthetic boundary at the bottom level of the cell with self-adjusting meniscus and baseline. Thus, the total amount of lipoproteins was seen as a single peak at first. During centrifugation, each component of the lipoproteins was separated according to its flotation characteristics. It was, therefore, possible to determine precisely all lipoprotein components, especially high-density lipoproteins, in the presence of a more rapidly migrating species and to calculate the flotation coefficient of each lipoprotein using the formula for sedimentation coefficient reported by Svedberg (Svedberg, T. (1925) Kolloid-Z. 36, 53-64.

Humans↗
PubMed1993

Immunohistochemical and immunoelectron microscopic study of cytochrome P-450 of human fetal livers (P-450HFLa): implications for an onco-feto-placental enzyme.

Cytochrome P-450 of human fetal livers (P-450HFLa) was demonstrated by the avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase technique in tissue samples as follows: human fetal organs, adult livers, human and cynomolgus placenta, and gynecologic organs which were obtained from 40 patients with gynecologic malignancies and 32 patients with benign diseases. P-450HFLa was clearly localized in the cytoplasm and membranes of the hepatocytes, and the fact was confirmed by an immunoelectron microscopic examination. In addition, a semiquantitative assay of staining intensity demonstrated that this enzyme tended to decrease with advancing age. These findings suggest that hepatic P-450HFLa synthesis is inversely proportional to age, and that this enzyme is one of the differentiation antigens. P-450HFLa was also detected immunohistochemically in other fetal organs. The present study thus confirms that P-450HFLa is not specific to the liver and is ubiquitous even in the fetus. Marked positive staining for P-450HFLa was demonstrated in villous syncytiotrophoblasts. In contrast, no positive staining was found in the cynomolgus-monkey placenta, unlike the case for many other placental antigens. These findings lead to the tentative conclusion that P-450HFLa is a feto-placental enzyme peculiar to humans. P-450HFLa was demonstrated to occur very frequently in gynecologic malignancies. The mean positivity rate for all gynecologic malignancies was 85%, while the rate was below 25% for benign gynecologic diseases, indicating that P-450HFLa is one of the onco-feto-placental enzymes. The present study thus suggests that this enzyme could be a promising new tumor marker for gynecologic malignancies.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Immunoradiometrical measurement of tissue polypeptide specific antigen (TPS) in normal, healthy, nonpregnant and pregnant Japanese women.

Using a monoclonal immunoradiometrical assay, we measured the concentrations of the specific epitope M3 of tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA), namely, tissue polypeptide specific antigen (TPS), in serum and amniotic fluid obtained from normal, healthy, nonpregnant and pregnant Japanese women (NHNJW and NHPJW). The cut-off value of the serum TPS level was set at 130 U/l, based on the mean +2 standard deviations in the NHNJW. The serial measurement of serum TPS levels demonstrated the significant temporal elevation of TPS level near the time of ovulation (+/- 3 days) in the ovulatory women. In the NHPJW, the mean serum TPS level and the positivity rate (> 130 U/l) increased with the advance of gestation, reaching 183.7 U/l and 66.7%, respectively, in the third trimester. Maternal serum levels were much elevated just before (mean: 982.3 U/l) and after (mean: 824.6 U/l) delivery, and were reduced to about one-fourth by 3 days. In addition, markedly high TPS concentrations were found in the retroplacental blood (one case: 9,076 U/l) and the amniotic fluid (mean: 11,650 U/l). The serum TPS level correlated well (r = 0.871) with the serum TPA level in the TPS range of 2-2,000 U/l, while a poor correlation (r = 0.273) was found in the TPS range of 2-500 U/l. The present study thus obtained fundamental data on TPS in Japanese women. The fluctuation and change of serum TPS levels during the menstrual cycle and in pregnancy should be taken into consideration when we apply TPS as a tumor marker for women.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Primary liposarcoma of the omentum.

This report is of a 54 year old female with omental liposarcoma. Diagnosis was made by ultrasonography, computed tomography, angiography and operation. The patient was treated by surgical excision. The histological examination revealed that the tumour was round cell liposarcoma. This is the first report to our knowledge of round cell liposarcoma of the omentum.

Angiography↗