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Biomedical subjects

Y Takakura

Publications and source records attributed to Y Takakura.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[The TNK ankle: short- and mid-term results].

Total ankle replacement has been introduced in the last 30 years. The TNK ankle is build from ceramics, and it was continuously improved. This prosthesis has the longest fellow-up times. Seventy ankle prostheses of the newest generation has been implanted between 1991 and 2001. Of these, 67 prostheses were assessed clinically and radiographically after 62 months (range, 24 to 132 months). Three ankles have been revised. The clinical score improved for the patients with primary or posttraumatic arthritis from 34 to 86, and for the patients with rheumatoid arthritis from 45 to 74. Loosening was found in 4 ankles with non-rheumatoid arthritis, and in 17 ankles with rheumatoid ankles. Total ankle replacement has emerged to a valuable alternative to ankle arthrodesis, and satisfactory results have been achieved with the current implants. The bone-implant interphase might play a most important factor for success. There is evidence that the biologic advantages of ceramics may help to improve long-lasting success in total ankle replacement.

Adult↗

Low tibial osteotomy for varus-type osteoarthritis of the ankle.

In this retrospective study we have assessed the results of low tibial valgus osteotomy for varus-type osteoarthritis of the ankle and its indications. We performed an opening wedge osteotomy in 25 women (26 ankles). The mean follow-up was for eight years and three months (2 years 3 months to 17 years 11 months). Of the 26 ankles, 19 showed excellent or good clinical results. Their mean scores for pain, walking, and activities of daily living were significantly improved but there was no change in the range of movement. In the ankles which were classified radiologically as stage 2 according to our own grading system, with narrowing of the medial joint space, and in 11 as stage 3a, with obliteration of the joint space at the medial malleolus only, the joint space recovered. In contrast, such recovery was seen in only two of 12 ankles classified as stage 3b, with obliteration of the joint space advancing to the upper surface of the dome of the talus. Low tibial osteotomy is indicated for varus-type osteoarthritis of stage 2 or stage 3a.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Anatomical consideration of vascularized bone graft transfer from the medial calcaneus to the talus.

To investigate the possibility of use of the calcaneal branches of the posterior tibial artery as the pedicle for the vascularized bone graft to the talus, a detailed anatomical study was carried out on 30 fresh cadaver feet. Although there are several branches from the posterior tibial artery to the calcaneus, the largest posterior branch was defined as the main calcaneal branch. We recognized frequently a large branch nourishing the superior part of the calcaneus and named it the superior calcaneal branch. Twenty feet had the superior calcaneal branches. Pedicled bone grafts using the superior calcaneal branch to the postero-medial portion of the talar body were possible in 18 of 20 feet. Pedicled bone grafts using the main calcaneal branches were possible in 9 of 12 feet in which the superior calcaneal branches were not available. Finally, vascularized bone grafts were judged to be feasible in 27 feet (90%).

Adult↗

Bone viability of amputated limbs treated with hypothermia: assessment by evaluation of mRNA levels.

We evaluated rat bone viability using a bone viability index (BVI). To evaluate hypothermic ischaemic bone injury, 21 amputated hind limbs of Fischer rats were preserved at hypothermia (4 degrees C) for 1, 3 and 6 hours. To evaluate hypothermic ischaemia/reperfusion injury, another 28 amputated limbs were transplanted to recipient rats after hypothermic ischaemia for 3 and 6 hours, respectively. Total RNA isolated from each tibia was fractionated by electrophoresis and hybridised with 32P-labelled cDNA of GAPDH, and the radioactivity of intact and degraded GAPDH mRNA measured. BVI was calculated as follows, BVI = [A / (A + B)] x 100, where A and B represent the radioactivities corresponding to intact and degraded GAPDH mRNA bands, respectively. In the hypothermic ischaemic insult group, BVIs were comparable to those of controls. However, in the 3-hour hypothermic ischaemia/reperfusion group, BVI was lower than that of the controls. Likewise, there was a significant difference between the 6-hour ischaemia/reperfusion group and controls. These results showed that bone viability decreased even after just a 3-hour hypothermic ischaemia/reperfusion.

Animals↗

Which cartilage is regenerated, hyaline cartilage or fibrocartilage? Non-invasive ultrasonic evaluation of tissue-engineered cartilage.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate ultrasonic evaluation methods for detecting whether the repair tissue is hyaline cartilage or fibrocartilage in new cartilage regeneration therapy. METHODS: We examined four experimental rabbit models: a spontaneous repair model (group S), a large cartilage defect model (group L), a periosteal graft model (group P) and a tissue-engineered cartilage regeneration model (group T). From the resulting ultrasonic evaluation, we used %MM (the maximum magnitude of the measurement area divided by that of the intact cartilage) as a quantitative index of cartilage regeneration. The results of the ultrasonic evaluation were compared with the histological findings and histological score. RESULTS: The %MM values were 61.1 +/- 16.5% in group S, 29.8 +/- 15.1% in group L, 36.3 +/- 18.3% in group P and 76.5 +/- 18.7% in group T. The results showed a strong similarity to the histological scoring. CONCLUSION: The ultrasonic examination showed that all the hyaline-like cartilage in groups S and T had a high %MM (more than 60%). Therefore, we could define the borderline between the two types of regenerated cartilage by the %MM.

Animals↗

Clinical features of the posterior horn tear in the medial meniscus.

INTRODUCTION: A lower threshold of suspicion is necessary for the appropriate diagnosis of a posterior horn tear in the medial meniscus. In these cases, radial tears or meniscus detachment from its insertion follow minor trauma and precipitate severe knee pain in middle-aged and elderly patients. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the key points for diagnosis through examination of the clinical features of this tear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Arthroscopic examination of 250 knees with medial meniscus tears (and no ligamentous injuries; over 40 years old) identified 26 knees (26 tears) with a posterior horn tear. Of these 26 tears, 16 were radial, and 10 were detached. RESULTS: Eighty-five percent of patients could recall discrete events that preceded the pain. They described these events as a click or a feeling of shock. Afterwards, most patients complained of severe pain or giving way. Hydrarthrosis involving more than 5 ml was present in 81%. Most radiographs (92%) appeared nearly normal. CONCLUSION: It is important to note that this type of tear of the posterior horn in the medial meniscus is not rare. Because this area is difficult to visualize arthroscopically, it may be overlooked unless the threshold of suspicion is lowered.

Aged↗

Effects of growth hormone (GH) on mRNA levels of uncoupling proteins 1, 2, and 3 in brown and white adipose tissues and skeletal muscle in obese mice.

We have investigated whether GH treatment influences the expression of UCP1, 2 and 3 mRNA in a KK-Ay obese mouse model. KK-Ay mice (n = 10) and C57Bl/6J control mice (n = 10) were injected subcutaneously with human GH (1.0 mg/kg/day and 3.5 mg/kg/day) for 10 days, and compared with mice injected with physical saline. The KK-Ay obese mice weighed significantly less (p < 0.01 : 1.0 mg/kg/day, p < 0.05 : 3.5 mg/kg/day) and had smaller inguinal subcutaneous and perimetric white adipose tissue (WAT) pads (p < 0.05 : 3.5 mg/kg/day), but increased skeletal muscle weight (p < 0.05). The brown adipose tissue (BAT) weight did not change significantly. Not only plasma free fatty acid and glucose levels but also plasma insulin levels decreased. The reduced HOMA-IR (homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance) values suggested that insulin resistance was improved by GH treatment. UCP1 mRNA levels increased after the 3.5 mg GH treatment by 2.8-fold (p < 0.01 vs. saline controls) and 2.0-fold (p < 0.05 vs. 1 mg GH treatment) in BAT, and by 6.0-fold in subcutaneous WAT (p < 0.05 vs. controls). UCP2 mRNA levels increased 2.2-fold (p < 0.05 vs. control) and 2.1-fold (p < 0.05 vs. 1 mg GH treatment) in BAT, and 2.0-fold (p < 0.05 vs. controls) in skeletal muscle. One mg GH administration also stimulated UCP1 mRNA expression by 2.5-fold (p < 0.05 vs. controls) and UCP3 mRNA expression by 2.8-fold (p < 0.05 vs. controls) in the muscle. On the other hand, lean mice showed no significant difference in body composition or plasma parameters. UCP1, 2 and 3 mRNA expression in lean mice did not show any significant change after treatment with GH. We conclude that GH treatment increased mRNA levels for not only UCP1, but also UCP 2 and 3 in BAT, WAT and muscle in a KK-Ay obese mouse model. These findings suggest that GH-induced thermogenesis may contribute to the reduction in WAT and energy expenditure.

Adipose Tissue↗

A case of tuberculous tenosynovitis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

A 52-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was infected with tuberculosis (TB) on her forearm and hand, after 16 years of steroid therapy. Debridements and anti-TB therapy were performed successfully. Recently, the risk of significant morbidity from TB has been on the rise; this appears to be a complication of steroid therapy used to treat AIDS and some collagen vascular diseases. It is thought that steroid therapy causes an increased risk of TB. In this paper, we report our experience of this SLE patient who developed tuberculous tenosynovitis. We suggest that TB infection must be considered in the differential diagnosis whenever a patient presents with a chronic wrist or hand inflammation that is non-responsive to steroid treatment. Once TB infection is suspected, both histopathological and bacteriological examinations should be performed. Emergent treatment includes surgical debridement and the institution of early anti-TB therapy immediately after completing histopathological examination.

Female↗

Can ultrasound predict histological findings in regenerated cartilage?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate regenerated articular cartilage quantitatively by introducing an ultrasonic probe into the knee joint under arthroscopy and analysing the A-mode echogram by means of wavelet transformation. METHODS: Three experimental rabbit models (spontaneous repair model, large cartilage defect model, treatment model) were examined using our ultrasonic evaluation system and a histological grading scale. From resulting wavelet map, the percentage of maximum magnitude was selected as the quantitative index of the ultrasonic evaluation system. RESULTS: The percentage maximum magnitude in the spontaneous repair model was 61.1%, that in the large defect model was 29.8% and that in the treatment model was 36.3%. There was modest correlation between the percentage maximum magnitude and the histological grading scale (r = -0.594) CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that ultrasound analysis can predict the microstructure of regenerated cartilage.

Animals↗

Orientation and distribution of collagen fibers in the sagittal plane of the human adult calcaneus.

Human right calcaneus bone, consisting of hydroxyapatite and collagen fibers, was cut in the sagittal plane which was parallel to the long axes of the calcaneus bone and the human lower limb, into samples approximately 1.5 mm thick. The angular dependence of transmitted microwave intensity at 12 GHz was measured for each sample, using Osaki's microwave method. The direction and the degree of collagen-fiber orientation for the cut specimens changed with changing position from the heel end to the anterior, along to the long axis of the calcaneus bone. The direction of orientation deviated by about -60 degrees from the direction of the long axis of the human lower limb, in the region between the heel end and the middle, and by about 60 degrees near the anterior. The position at which the orientation angle changed drastically from negative to positive corresponded to the neck defined as the position where a posterior face of the talus contacts the calcaneus. The results suggest that the mechanical stress applied to the neck of the calcaneus bone from the lower limb may effectively disperse, on average, in two different directions where the collagen fibers are oriented at the neck.

Aged↗

The role of tissue macrophages in the induction of proinflammatory cytokine production following intravenous injection of lipoplexes.

Recent studies have demonstrated that intravenous administration of a plasmid DNA-cationic liposome complex (lipoplex) induced significant proinflammatory cytokine production in blood and inhibited transgene expression in pulmonary endothelial cells. In this study, we examined the effects of gadolinium chloride (GdCl(3)) pretreatment on the biodistribution and induction of proinflammatory cytokine production and transgene expression after intravenous injection of a lipoplex in mice. GdCl(3) is known to transiently deplete liver Kupffer cells and spleen macrophages after intravenous administration. Intravenous administration of a lipoplex triggers high levels of proinflammatory cytokine production, such as TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and IL-12 in serum and a large amount of (32)P-labeled lipoplex accumulates in the liver 1 h after intravenous administration. However, pretreatment with GdCl(3) dramatically reduces serum levels of these cytokines and liver accumulation of the lipoplex. RT-PCR analysis showed that mRNA expression of TNF-alpha greatly increases in the liver and spleen after lipoplex injection and that pretreatment with GdCl(3) reduces mRNA expression in these organs. Messenger RNA expression of TNF-alpha in the liver occurs in non-parenchymal cells (sinusoidal endothelial cells and/or Kupffer cells). Inhibition of cytokine production by pretreatment with GdCl(3) leads to recovery of transgene expression in the lung following the second injection of lipoplex, which was reduced following the first injection of lipoplex. Thus, the present study demonstrates that tissue macrophages involving liver Kupffer cells and spleen macrophages are closely involved in TNF-alpha production following i.v. administration of the lipoplex. It is also suggested that avoiding lipoplex uptake and subsequent cytokine production by these cells would be a useful method of maintaining a high level of gene expression in the lung after repeated injections.

Animals↗

The functional anatomy of the human anterior talofibular ligament in relation to ankle sprains.

The anterior talofibular ligament is the most commonly injured ligament in the ankle. Despite considerable interest in the clinical outcome of treatment protocols, we do not know whether the distinctive pattern of localization of the injuries relates to regional differences in the structure and molecular composition of the ligament. To address this issue, ligaments were examined by histology and immunohistochemistry. Differences in the structure of its two attachments (i.e. entheses) were evaluated with quantitative, morphometric techniques, and regional differences in the distribution of collagens, glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans were determined qualitatively by immunolabelling. Morphometric analyses showed that bone density was less at the fibular attachment, but that enthesis fibrocartilage was more prominent. Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of a fibrocartilage (containing type II collagen and aggrecan) at the site where the ligament wraps around the lateral talar articular cartilage in a plantarflexed and inverted foot: the fibrocartilage is regarded as an adaptation to resisting compression. We propose that avulsion fractures are less common at the talar end of the ligament because (1) bone density is greater here than at the fibular enthesis, and (2) stress is dissipated away from the talar enthesis by the 'wrap-around' fibrocartilaginous character of the ligament near the talar articular facet.

Aged↗

Viability of hypothermic preserved muscle determined by gene expression levels.

We report a muscle viability index (MVI) that reflects mRNA degradation. The viability of hypothermically preserved (48C) rat skeletal muscle was evaluated using this MVI. To evaluate the hypothermic ischaemic insult of the muscle, 21 hind limbs of Fischer rats (three subgroups of seven limbs each) were hypothermically preserved for 1h, 3h and 6h, before harvesting the tibialis anterior muscle. To investigate reperfusion injury after hypothermic preservation, an additional 28 limbs were transplanted to recipient Fischer rats after hypothermic ischaemia for either 3h or 6h. The transplanted muscles were harvested on either day 3 or day 7 after transplantation. Seven fresh muscles were also harvested, and used as controls. In the 3h ischaemia group, the MVIs of both the hypothermic-ischaemia and the ischaemia-reperfusion subgroups were comparable to the controls. Likewise, there were no significant differences between the controls and the 6h hypothermic ischaemia and ischaemia-reperfusion subgroups. These results show that muscle viability is maintained with hypothermic preservation of up to 6h, and after reperfusion. Therefore, in clinical replantations the amputated extremity should be preserved under hypothermic conditions from the time of injury to the time of surgery.

Animals↗