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1.
J Environ Radioact ; 255: 106968, 2022 Dec.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36148707

In 2015 and 2016, atmospheric transport modeling challenges were conducted in the context of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) verification, however, with a more limited scope with respect to emission inventories, simulation period and number of relevant samples (i.e., those above the Minimum Detectable Concentration (MDC)) involved. Therefore, a more comprehensive atmospheric transport modeling challenge was organized in 2019. Stack release data of Xe-133 were provided by the Institut National des Radioéléments/IRE (Belgium) and the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories/CNL (Canada) and accounted for in the simulations over a three (mandatory) or six (optional) months period. Best estimate emissions of additional facilities (radiopharmaceutical production and nuclear research facilities, commercial reactors or relevant research reactors) of the Northern Hemisphere were included as well. Model results were compared with observed atmospheric activity concentrations at four International Monitoring System (IMS) stations located in Europe and North America with overall considerable influence of IRE and/or CNL emissions for evaluation of the participants' runs. Participants were prompted to work with controlled and harmonized model set-ups to make runs more comparable, but also to increase diversity. It was found that using the stack emissions of IRE and CNL with daily resolution does not lead to better results than disaggregating annual emissions of these two facilities taken from the literature if an overall score for all stations covering all valid observed samples is considered. A moderate benefit of roughly 10% is visible in statistical scores for samples influenced by IRE and/or CNL to at least 50% and there can be considerable benefit for individual samples. Effects of transport errors, not properly characterized remaining emitters and long IMS sampling times (12-24 h) undoubtedly are in contrast to and reduce the benefit of high-quality IRE and CNL stack data. Complementary best estimates for remaining emitters push the scores up by 18% compared to just considering IRE and CNL emissions alone. Despite the efforts undertaken the full multi-model ensemble built is highly redundant. An ensemble based on a few arbitrary runs is sufficient to model the Xe-133 background at the stations investigated. The effective ensemble size is below five. An optimized ensemble at each station has on average slightly higher skill compared to the full ensemble. However, the improvement (maximum of 20% and minimum of 3% in RMSE) in skill is likely being too small for being exploited for an independent period.


Air Pollutants, Radioactive , Radiation Monitoring , Humans , Xenon Radioisotopes/analysis , Air Pollutants, Radioactive/analysis , Radiation Monitoring/methods , Canada , International Cooperation
2.
Br J Cancer ; 99(3): 408-14, 2008 Aug 05.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18648364

To investigate the aetiological role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in breast cancer, we examined the presence, genotype, viral load, and physical status of HPV in 124 Japanese female patients with breast carcinoma. Human papillomavirus presence was examined by PCR using SPF10 primers, and primer sets targeting the E6 region of HPV-16, -18, and -33. The INNO-LiPA HPV genotyping kit was used to determine genotype. Human papillomavirus DNA was detected in 26 (21%) breast carcinomas. The most frequently detected HPV genotype was HPV-16 (92%), followed by HPV-6 (46%), HPV-18 (12%), and HPV-33 (4%). In 11 normal epithelium specimens adjacent to 11 HPV-16-positive carcinomas, 7 were HPV-16-positive. However, none of the normal breast tissue specimens adjacent to HPV-negative breast carcinomas were HPV-positive. The real-time PCR analysis suggested the presence of integrated form of viral DNA in all HPV-16-positive samples, and estimated viral load was low with a geometric mean of 5.4 copies per 10(4) cells. In conclusion, although HPV DNA was detected in 26 (21%) breast carcinomas and, in all HPV-16-positive cases, the HPV genome was considered integrated into the host genome, their low viral loads suggest it is unlikely that integrated HPV is aetiologically involved in the development of Japanese breast carcinomas that we examined.


Alphapapillomavirus/isolation & purification , Breast Neoplasms/virology , Alphapapillomavirus/genetics , Base Sequence , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , DNA Primers , DNA, Viral/genetics , Female , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Japan , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Viral Load
3.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18460418

8-Iso-prostaglandin F(2)(alpha) (8-iso-PGF(2)(alpha)), a representative isoprostane, is a reliable biomarker for enhanced oxidant stress in vivo. Its urinary excretion has been proposed as a risk marker in patients with coronary heart disease. Isoprostane content has not yet been well elucidated so far in human coronary plaques. The aim of this study was to evaluate content of immunoreactive 8-iso-PGF(2)(alpha) in directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) specimens from patients with coronary heart diseases. Twenty-seven patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) and 8 vulnerable patients (5 patients with unstable angina pectoris and 3 with recent myocardial infarction) were subjected to DCA. The specimens from SAP consisted of 14 de novo and 13 restenotic lesions, whereas those from the vulnerable patients were all de novo lesions. Total 8-iso-PGF(2)(alpha) content in the DCA specimens from the vulnerable patients was significantly greater than that from patients with SAP (5.48 (2.70-10.43) versus 2.38 (1.19-4.32)ng/g tissue, median (interquartile range), P<0.05). There was no significant difference in total 8-iso-PGF(2)(alpha) content between de novo and restenotic lesions from patients with SAP (3.25 (1.48-5.05) versus 1.57 (0.62-2.47)ng/g tissue, respectively, P=0.895). Total 8-iso-PGF(2)(alpha) content in apparently normal peripheral artery specimens was only 0.34 (0.26-0.46)ng/g tissue. In conclusion, 8-iso-PGF(2)(alpha) was enriched in the DCA specimens from vulnerable patients, suggesting a crucial role of free radicals in formation of vulnerable plaques and a putative benefit of anti-oxidant therapy on these patients.


Angina Pectoris/blood , Coronary Disease/blood , Isoprostanes/blood , Acute Disease , Aged , Angina Pectoris/surgery , Angina Pectoris/urine , Atherectomy, Coronary , Coronary Disease/surgery , Dinoprost/analogs & derivatives , Dinoprost/blood , Female , Humans , Isoprostanes/urine , Male , Middle Aged , Myocardial Infarction/blood
4.
Acta Radiol ; 48(1): 80-8, 2007 Feb.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17325931

PURPOSE: To describe a method of producing a life-sized three-dimensional (3D) solid model of a scaphoid bone by combining multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) volume data and rapid prototyping technique using thin paper as material, and to evaluate the dimensional accuracy of the experimental model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We experimentally produced life-sized 3D solid models of 14 cadavers' scaphoid bones using high-resolution MDCT volume data, and evaluated the dimensional accuracy of the 3D solid models. RESULTS: The 3D solid model was almost perfectly produced in both size and shape (length, height, width, dorsal cortical angle, and landmarks of the scaphoid bone) compared to the real cadaver's scaphoid bone. In addition to accuracy, the cost and time for creating the model might be reasonable. CONCLUSION: This technique may be useful in assisting repair of scaphoid bone fracture.


Models, Anatomic , Paper , Scaphoid Bone/anatomy & histology , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Body Weights and Measures/methods , Cadaver , Hand/anatomy & histology , Humans , Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods , Reproducibility of Results , Scaphoid Bone/diagnostic imaging
5.
Clin Nephrol ; 66(6): 447-54, 2006 Dec.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17176917

Renal deterioration often occurs in cases of infectious endocarditis (IE), but, IE- associated nephritis with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) is rare. Patients with severe infection (e.g., IE) sometimes show positivity for cytoplasmic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (C-ANCA). Therefore, diagnosis and treatment are very difficult in cases of RPGN with IE and positivity for C-ANCA. Such cases are rare, only 12 have been reported in the English literature. Herein, we describe the case of a 50-year-old man who presented with RPGN with IE and tested positively for C-ANCA. He was referred to our hospital because of leg edema, purpura and renal dysfunction. Laboratory tests revealed serum creatinine elevation and positivity for C-ANCA and proteinase 3-specific (PR3)-ANCA. RPGN and acute renal failure were diagnosed. Hemodialysis and steroid therapy were started. Streptococcus oralis was isolated by blood culture. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed grade III mitral valve insufficiency with two vegetations. Therefore, IE was diagnosed. The steroid therapy was stopped, and antibiotic therapy was begun. Because there was no improvement, surgical therapy was performed. The operation was successful, but the patient died of brain hemorrhage. Our experience in this case indicates C/PR3-ANCA positive RPGN must be ruled out in patients with infectious disease, particularly IE, together with renal symptoms, and renal biopsy should be performed.


Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic/immunology , Endocarditis, Bacterial/complications , Glomerulonephritis/immunology , Acute Kidney Injury/diagnosis , Acute Kidney Injury/etiology , Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic/blood , Echocardiography , Endocarditis, Bacterial/blood , Endocarditis, Bacterial/immunology , Fatal Outcome , Glomerulonephritis/blood , Glomerulonephritis/complications , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Mitral Valve Insufficiency/diagnostic imaging , Mitral Valve Insufficiency/etiology , Mitral Valve Insufficiency/surgery
7.
Breast ; 14(1): 57-60, 2005 Feb.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15695082

A great deal of clinical experience has firmly established the concept of the sentinel lymph node (SN) in breast cancer. SN biopsy allows treatment without axillary lymphadenectomy and has made it possible to perform a surgical intervention via just a small skin incision. In partial resection of the breast (quadrantectomy), we use a double retractor to form a workspace under the skin via a small axillary incision. Resection does not require a large incision even in cases in which the cancer lesion is located in the upper inner or lower inner quadrant of the breast, as the endoscope allows the surgeon to see the workspace formed by the double retractors.


Breast Neoplasms/surgery , Endoscopy/methods , Mastectomy, Segmental/methods , Adult , Aged , Axilla , Female , Humans , Middle Aged
8.
Clin Nephrol ; 61(2): 144-50, 2004 Feb.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-14989635

We describe the case of a 51-year-old man with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and a 3-month history of facial edema. Laboratory tests upon admission for renal biopsy showed normal renal function and normocomplementemia. Serum HCV antibody (Ab) and cryoglobulin were positive. Renal biopsy specimens showed features of membranous glomerulonephritis. The likely cause was immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis associated with HCV infection. Reports of similar cases in the literature show the normocomplementemia and negative or slightly positive cryoglobulins observed in our case as well as seropositivity for circulating immune complexes containing HCV RNA. In our case, electron microscopic examination of the subepithelial glomerular lesions revealed massive virus-like particles within unusual multilayers of electron-dense deposits (EDDs), suggesting the existence of HCV in the glomeruli. In the addition to the unique histopathological feature the presence of La/SS-B antibody in his serum indicated an abnormal immune response associated with HCV. We advise him to undergo the therapy with new type of IFN such as pegIFN-alpha2a and/or anti-viral agent like ribavirin to achieve clinical and histopathological improvement.


Glomerulonephritis, Membranous/virology , Hepatitis C/complications , Glomerulonephritis, Membranous/pathology , Glomerulonephritis, Membranous/therapy , Hepatitis C/therapy , Humans , Male , Middle Aged
9.
Clin Nephrol ; 57(1): 69-73, 2002 Jan.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11837804

An otherwise healthy 20-year-old woman presented with an erythematous rash on her face as well as arthralgia and anemia. She also had systemic edema, proteinuria and hypertension. Laboratory data on admission showed hypocomplementemia, human parvovirus B 19 (HPV) DNA and both immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG antibodies to HPV in her serum. Renal biopsy specimens showed features of endocapillary glomerulonephritis under light microscopy. Electron microscopy showed massive subendothelial electron-dense deposits. No cause was probable other than immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis associated with HPV infection. In a review of this and similar cases reported in the literature, several characteristic features come to light: female dominance, onset in the second or third decade of life, hypocomplementemia, histologic renal endocapillary and/or mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis with subendothelial deposits and spontaneous recovery.


Glomerulonephritis/virology , Parvoviridae Infections , Parvovirus B19, Human , Adult , Anemia/etiology , Arthralgia/virology , Biopsy , Complement System Proteins/deficiency , Erythema/virology , Facial Dermatoses/virology , Female , Glomerulonephritis/immunology , Humans , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Immunoglobulin M/blood , Parvoviridae Infections/immunology
10.
J Med Virol ; 64(4): 513-8, 2001 Aug.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11468737

To demonstrate the association of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with primary epithelial neoplasms in the south part of Kyushu, Japan, 761 carcinomas consisting of 75 lung, 61 breast, 107 esophagus, 102 colon, 58 pancreas, 45 thyroid, and 313 gastric cancers were examined by EBER-1 in situ hybridization. EBER-1 was detected in 23 cases (7.3%) out of 313 gastric carcinomas, while none of the other carcinomas was positive for EBER-1. Twenty-eight (9.4%) out of 313 gastric carcinomas were differentiated poorly to moderately carcinomas with prominent lymphoid cell infiltration, similar to so-called lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma, and 19 cases (67.9%) were positive for EBER-1. Although two (2.6%) and 11(10.3%) out of 75 lung and 107 esophagus carcinomas were so-called lymphoepithelioma-like carcinomas, respectively, but EBER-1 was not detected in other epithelial neoplasms that originated from the lung, esophagus, breast, colon, pancreas, and thyroid in the south of Kyushu, Japan. As a result, EBV was associated with only some gastric carcinomas but not with other epithelial neoplasms originating from the lung, esophagus, breast, colon, pancreas, and thyroid in southern Japan.


Adenocarcinoma/virology , Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/virology , Herpesvirus 4, Human/isolation & purification , Stomach Neoplasms/virology , Breast Neoplasms , Colonic Neoplasms , Esophageal Neoplasms , Female , Humans , In Situ Hybridization , Japan , Lung Neoplasms , Male , Middle Aged , Pancreatic Neoplasms , RNA, Viral/analysis , Thyroid Neoplasms
11.
Jpn Circ J ; 65(6): 526-30, 2001 Jun.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11407735

The human heart progressively becomes more tolerant to ischemia after repeated balloon inflations during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The present study investigated whether nicorandil, a hybrid between nitrate and an ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener, affects this ischemic preconditioning. Sixteen patients with stable angina pectoris caused by left anterior descending artery lesions were subjected to 2 balloon inflations of 2-min duration with a 3-min reperfusion period. Seven of these patients served as the control group and in the remaining 9 patients, nicorandil was administered intravenously (6 mg/h) throughout the PTCA procedure (nicorandil group). The lactate extraction ratio (LER) was obtained at 30 s after each ischemic event (LERpost-1 and LERpost-2) in both groups. In the control group, LERpost-1 was more negative than LERpost-2 (-185.7+/-74.2 vs -98.0+/-37.3%, p<0.01). The ratio of the sum of the ST elevation in the precordial leads during the second inflation (sumST-2, 0.94+/-0.66 mV) to that during the first inflation (sumST-1, 1.43+/-1.17 mV) was 0.72+/-0.16 in the control group, which was less than the ratio in the nicorandil group (1.06+/-0.13, p<0.01). Nicorandil abolished the difference between the 2 ischemic events (LERpost-1, -45.1+/-41.6 vs LERpost-2, -43.5+/-51.1%; sumST-1, 1.38+/-0.80 vs sumST-2, 1.46+/-0.90 mV). LER was less negative in the nicorandil group than that in the control group (LERpost-1, -45.1+/-41.6 vs -185.7+/-74.2%, p<0.01; LERpost-2, -43.5+/-51.1 vs -98.0+/-37.3%, p<0.05). Thus, nicorandil improved lactate metabolism during PTCA without significantly influencing ST-elevation. In conclusion, intravenous pre-administration of nicorandil appears to precondition the human heart during PTCA.


Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary/adverse effects , Ischemic Preconditioning, Myocardial , Nicorandil/administration & dosage , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Angina Pectoris/therapy , Electrocardiography , Female , Humans , Lactic Acid/blood , Male , Middle Aged , Myocardial Ischemia/drug therapy , Myocardial Ischemia/etiology , Nicorandil/pharmacology , Premedication , Vasodilator Agents/administration & dosage , Vasodilator Agents/pharmacology
12.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11334551

8-iso-prostaglandin F(2 alpha)(8-iso-PGF(2 alpha)), a representative isoprostane, has been reported to be a reliable marker for oxidant stress in vivo. To examine if 8-iso-PGF(2 alpha)is generated in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), we measured the level of immunoreactive 8-iso PGF(2 alpha)in the great cardiac vein as well as classical eicosanoids, 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1 alpha)(6-keto-PGF(1 alpha)) and thromboxane B(2)(TXB(2)) in the process of urgent coronary balloon angioplasty. Fourteen patients with anterior AMI were divided into two groups: the totally occluded (n=7) and the already perfused groups (n=7). In the former, transient elevation of 8-iso-PGF(2 alpha)was observed immediately after the angioplasty, i.e. the ratio of post-angioplasty level to pre-level was approximately 2.4 for 8-iso-PGF(2 alpha), 14 for 6-keto-PGF(1 alpha), and 5 for TXB(2). In the already perfused group, the levels of these eicosanoids were unchanged. In the totally occluded group, peak creatine phosphokinase in a peripheral vein was correlated with the level of 8-iso-PGF(2 alpha)(r(2)=0.841, P<0.01), but not with those of the other two eicosanoids. In conclusion, transcardiac 8-iso-PGF(2 alpha)generation is a reliable marker for the size of myocardium exposed to oxidant stress.


Dinoprost/biosynthesis , Myocardial Infarction/metabolism , Myocardium/metabolism , 6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha/biosynthesis , Adult , Aged , Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary , Creatine Kinase/metabolism , Dinoprost/analogs & derivatives , F2-Isoprostanes , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Oxidative Stress , Oxygen/metabolism , Reperfusion , Thromboxane B2/biosynthesis , Time Factors
13.
J Cardiol ; 37(2): 119-20, 2001 Feb.
Article Ja | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11255696

BACKGROUND: The results of recent studies suggest that nitric oxide (NO) synthase may increase in the failing myocardium and that NO modulates the myocardial contractile response to beta-adrenergic stimulation. However, there are few data regarding the physiological role of NO in patients with heart failure. The aim of the present study was to address the role of NO in left ventricular contractile response to beta-adrenergic stimulation and corresponding oxygen expenditure in human heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 15 patients with heart failure due to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (mean ejection fraction 0.33). We examined left ventricular contractility (Emax, the slope of end-systolic pressure-volume relation), left ventricular external work (EW), myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2), and mechanical efficiency (measured as EW/MVO2) with the use of conductance and coronary sinus thermodilution catheters before and during dobutamine (DOB) infusion via a peripheral vein (4.8 +/- 0.3 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 i.v.). Heart rate was kept constant with atrial pacing. We carried out a similar protocol during the intracoronary infusion of the NO synthase inhibitor NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; 200 mumol). DOB increased Emax, EW, and MVO2 (by 77 +/- 17%, 39 +/- 5%, and 21 +/- 5%, respectively), leading to an increase in mechanical efficiency (25.4 +/- 3.1% to 29.6 +/- 4.1%). L-NMMA alone did not significantly change these variables. Although the concurrent infusion of DOB with L-NMMA increased Emax, EW, and MVO2 (by 140 +/- 21%, 64 +/- 9%, and 35 +/- 5%, respectively) more than DOB alone, mechanical efficiency did not increase further (24.3 +/- 3.3% to 29.5 +/- 4.5%) because EW and MVO2 increased in parallel. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, endogenous NO spares MVO2 through attenuation of left ventricular contractile response to beta-adrenergic stimulation while maintaining left ventricular energy-converting efficiency.


Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/physiopathology , Myocardial Contraction/physiology , Myocardium/metabolism , Nitric Oxide/physiology , Oxygen Consumption/physiology , Receptors, Adrenergic, beta/physiology , Dobutamine , Enzyme Inhibitors , Humans , Middle Aged , Nitric Oxide Synthase/antagonists & inhibitors , omega-N-Methylarginine/pharmacology
14.
Circulation ; 101(16): 1925-30, 2000 Apr 25.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10779458

BACKGROUND: The results of recent studies suggest that NO synthase may increase in the failing myocardium and that NO modulates the myocardial contractile response to beta-adrenergic stimulation. However, there are few data regarding the physiological role of NO in patients with heart failure. The aim of the present study was to address the role of NO in left ventricular (LV) contractile response to beta-adrenergic stimulation and corresponding oxygen expenditure in human heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 15 patients with heart failure due to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (mean ejection fraction 0.33). We examined LV contractility (E(max), the slope of end-systolic pressure-volume relation), LV external work (EW), myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO(2)), and mechanical efficiency (measured as EW/MVO(2)) with the use of conductance and coronary sinus thermodilution catheters before and during dobutamine (DOB) infusion via a peripheral vein (4. 8+/-0.3 microg. kg(-1). min(-1) IV). Heart rate was kept constant with atrial pacing. We carried out a similar protocol during the intracoronary infusion of the NO synthase inhibitor N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; 200 micromol). DOB increased E(max), EW, and MVO(2) (by 77+/-17%, 39+/-5%, and 21+/-5%, respectively), leading to an increase in mechanical efficiency (25.4+/-3.1% to 29.6+/-4.1%). L-NMMA alone did not significantly change these variables. Although the concurrent infusion of DOB with L-NMMA increased E(max), EW, and MVO(2) (by 140+/-21%, 64+/-9%, and 35+/-5%, respectively) more than DOB alone, mechanical efficiency did not increase further (24.3+/-3.3% to 29.5+/-4.5%) because EW and MVO(2) increased in parallel. Conclusions-These data suggest that in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, endogenous NO spares MVO(2) through attenuation of LV contractile response to beta-adrenergic stimulation while maintaining LV energy-converting efficiency.


Adrenergic beta-Agonists/administration & dosage , Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/metabolism , Dobutamine/administration & dosage , Myocardial Contraction/physiology , Nitric Oxide/metabolism , Oxygen Consumption/physiology , Adult , Blood Pressure/drug effects , Cardiac Volume/drug effects , Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/drug therapy , Diastole/drug effects , Energy Metabolism/physiology , Enzyme Inhibitors/administration & dosage , Female , Heart Failure/drug therapy , Heart Failure/metabolism , Heart Rate/drug effects , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Myocardial Contraction/drug effects , Myocardium/metabolism , Pulmonary Wedge Pressure/drug effects , Systole/drug effects , omega-N-Methylarginine/administration & dosage
16.
Ren Fail ; 20(5): 717-23, 1998 Sep.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9768440

The present study was undertaken to verify the hypothesis that infusion of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) might lower preload and be beneficial in the treatment of pulmonary congestion even without a diuresis in patients with acute renal failure (ARF) secondary to severe congestive heart failure (CHF). We studied 22 patients with ARF secondary to CHF. The mean age of the patients (14 men and 8 women) was 72 years (range 36 to 85 years). Seven of the patients had dilated cardiomyopathy, ten had ischemic heart disease, and five had valvular heart disease. ANP was infused intravenously and the following data before and 1 hour after the start of ANP infusion were recorded; urinary output, systemic blood pressure (SBP), pulmonary blood pressure (PBP), right atrial pressure (RAP), cardiac index (CI), heart rate (HR), and arterial blood oxygen partial pressure. Diastolic PBP were employed as pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. Urinary output did not change. Mean SBP decreased from 92 to 85 mmHg (p < 0.05), and mean PBP decreased from 34 to 28 mmHg (p < 0.01). Mean RAP decreased from 11 to 9 mmHg (p < 0.01) and diastolic PBP decreased from 25 to 19 mmHg (p < 0.01). HR did not change significantly and CI increased 2.4 to 2.5 mi/min/m2 (p < 0.05). Arterial blood oxygen partial pressure increased significantly from 71 to 82 mmHg (p < 0.05). In conclusion, ANP decreased preload and improved arterial blood oxygen partial pressure, though diuretic response to ANP is attenuated in ARF secondary to CHE. Infusion of ANP will be very beneficial in cases in which dyspnea and pulmonary edema due to elevation of preload are the principal clinical problems.


Acute Kidney Injury/drug therapy , Atrial Natriuretic Factor/administration & dosage , Heart Failure/complications , Hemodynamics/drug effects , Acute Kidney Injury/etiology , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Infusions, Intravenous , Male , Middle Aged , Prognosis , Treatment Outcome
17.
J Neurol Sci ; 152(1): 23-9, 1997 Nov 06.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9395123

This report concerns serial brain computed tomography (CT) images in two patients with corticobasal degeneration (CBD). The diagnosis of CBD was confirmed by neuropathological examination. In one case, we obtained serial brain CT images for one year and five months, and in the other, for three years and four months. The CT images showed that the anterior portions of the cerebrum atrophied progressively with the length of the disease. This was also seen in the CT images with respect to the caudate nucleus. Regarding radiological and pathological correlations, we consider that the progressive atrophy of the anterior portions of the cerebrum, seen in brain CT images, is ascribed to neuronal loss and gliosis in the anterior portions of the cerebrum. We also believe that the observed caudate nucleus atrophy is due to loss of neurons and gliosis in this structure, and also to the fibrillary gliosis of the cerebral white matter. The progressive atrophy of the caudate nucleus detected in brain CT is a valuable feature for the neuroradiological diagnosis of CBD.


Neurodegenerative Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Neurodegenerative Diseases/pathology , Aged , Caudate Nucleus/diagnostic imaging , Caudate Nucleus/pathology , Fatal Outcome , Female , Frontal Lobe/diagnostic imaging , Frontal Lobe/pathology , Gliosis/pathology , Globus Pallidus/diagnostic imaging , Globus Pallidus/pathology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Substantia Nigra/diagnostic imaging , Substantia Nigra/pathology , Tomography, X-Ray Computed
18.
Eur Heart J ; 18(6): 949-53, 1997 Jun.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9183586

AIMS: This study aims to visualize ultrasonically deformation of atherosclerotic plaques in human coronary arteries during vasoconstriction and vasodilatation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Intravascular ultrasound detected occult atherosclerosis in angiographically normal coronary arteries of eight patients with chest pain at rest. During the acetylcholine provocative test, intravascular ultrasound monitored deformation of the atherosclerotic plaques. At the last step of the test, intracoronary injection of isosorbide dinitrate caused vasodilation. Under control, acetylcholine-treated, and isosorbide dinitrate-treated conditions, cross-sectional areas of sonolucent circle and vessel lumen were measured. Subtraction of the latter from the former gave the area of atherosclerotic plaque. In the process of vasoconstriction and vasodilation, the plaque area did not change significantly. CONCLUSION: The cross-sectional area of the atherosclerotic plaque appeared to be constant during vasomotion of human coronary arteries.


Coronary Artery Disease/diagnostic imaging , Coronary Vessels/diagnostic imaging , Ultrasonography, Interventional/methods , Vasoconstriction/physiology , Vasodilation/physiology , Acetylcholine/administration & dosage , Adult , Aged , Chest Pain/diagnostic imaging , Chest Pain/physiopathology , Coronary Angiography , Coronary Artery Disease/pathology , Coronary Vessels/pathology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Probability , Reference Values
19.
Rinsho Byori ; 45(4): 321-7, 1997 Apr.
Article Ja | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9136595

We performed a nationwide Inter-assay including 112 laboratories for the standardization of prothrombin time (PT) and thrombotest (TT). The data were expressed as seconds, percentile and INR. INR was expressed by 2 methods; Method I (conventional method): INR was expressed using each ISI assigned for reagent or reagent-instrument at the respective laboratories and Method II (local standardization method): INR was expressed using each reference curve created with INR assigned standard plasmas at the respective laboratories. (1) Sample distribution of PT as well as TT was the smallest with the data expressed by Method II followed by Method I and then by percentile. The data expressed by seconds was widely distributed and not useful for the standardization of PT and TT. (2) Even the sample distribution obtained by Method II was dependent on the different ISI of the reagents, as it was found that the larger the ISI of the reagents, the wider the distribution of data. (3) The difference between PT and TT of each test plasma was analysed by t-test. It was found that the difference was insignificant when both data were expressed by Method II, but significant when expressed by Method I, suggesting that PT and TT were interchangeable with the use of Method II. (4) Sample distribution of percentile expression and INR with the use of method II was compared. It was revealed that the sample distribution of INR was smaller than that of percentile. It was concluded that INR expressed by the local standardization method was most useful for the standardization of PT and TT.


Prothrombin Time , Humans , Methods
20.
No To Shinkei ; 49(3): 277-82, 1997 Mar.
Article Ja | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9125734

A pathologically proven case of corticobasal degeneration (CBD) with marked psychiatric symptoms was reported. A 59-year-old female was admitted to our hospital in October 1989 because of her "forgetfulness". Her abnormal behavior began in August 1989, and she had no psychiatric signs before that time. On this admission she was diagnosed to have panhypopituitarism due to Sheehan syndrome. Cortisone and levothyroxine were administered, but her mental symptoms deteriorated. Strange behaviors such as buying same materials every day and wandering around all day long fully dressed with all of her jewels were observed. She could not perform her housework after March 1991. She was in a bed ridden state after 1992 and died in March 1993, at the age of 62. The total duration of her illness was 3 years and 7 months. Her clinical course resembled frontal Pick's disease. At autopsy advanced gastric cancer without metastasis and infarct of the pituitary gland were found. The weight of the brain was 987g and atrophy of the bilateral frontal lobes was evident on macroscopical examination. Neuronal loss, proliferation of the glia, and spongy state were observed in the superficial layer of the frontal cerebral cortex. Widespread appearance of ballooned neurones was also observed in the deep layers of the frontal cerebral cortex. Neuronal loss and gliosis were found in the striatum, pallidum, thalamus, and substantia nigra. There was neither senile plaques nor Pick bodies. Numerous argyrophilic threads were found by Gallyas-Braak method and all these pathological findings were compatible with the previously reported cases of CBD. Although CBD is considered as predominantly a motor disorder, there are a few reports of pathologically proven cases of CBD mimicking Pick's disease. These cases suggest clinical diversity of CBD and further investigations are essential to establish the disease entity of CBD and Pick's disease.


Basal Ganglia Diseases/pathology , Brain Diseases/pathology , Cerebral Cortex/pathology , Dementia/pathology , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Nerve Degeneration
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