著者

Kentaro Asayama Hiroshi Yamadera Takao Ito Hideaki Suzuki Yoshihisa Kudo Shunkichi Endo

出版者

日本医科大学医学会

雑誌

Journal of Nippon Medical School (ISSN:13454676)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.70, no.4, pp.334-341, 2003 (Released:2003-08-29)

参考文献数

29

被引用文献数

73 173

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Previously, we reported that morning bright light therapy improved sleep time and cognitive function in Alzheimer type of dementia. We conducted a double blind study to examine the effects of melatonin on the sleep-wake rhythm, cognitive and non-cognitive functions in Alzheimer type of dementia. The subjects were 9 persons given a placebo (PLA), and 11 given melatonin (3 mg)(MLT). The mean age was 79.2±6.4 (17 females and 3 males). The drugs were given at 20: 30 each day for 4 weeks. We checked sleep time and activity by Actigraph through one week before and the 4th week after drug administration. Cognitive and non-cognitive functions were evaluated with the clinical dementia rating scale (CDR), and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS). We successfully recorded Actigraph data from 18 patients (PLA8, MLT10). The mean sleep time change ratio and SD of the administration of PLA in the night was-0.2±13.7%, and MLT was 33.2±37.6%. The mean activity counts and SD of the administration of PLA in the night was 29.8±77.0%; in MLT it was-44.9±21.9%. Melatonin significantly prolonged the sleep time (p=0.017) and decreased activity (p=0.014) in the night (21: 00∼6: 00) in the MLT group, although no significant difference in sleep time or activity in the daytime (6: 00∼21: 00) was recognized between the two groups. In comparison with ADAS cognition score changes, the mean change and SD in the PLA was 0.3±3.7; in MLT it was-4.3±3.6 points. In comparison with ADAS non-cognition score, the mean change and SD in the PLA group was-0.8±1.0, in the MLT group it was-4.1±2.2 points. There were also significant differences between the PLA and the MLT groups in the comparison with the score improvement of ADAS cognition (p=0.017) and non-cognition (p=0.002), otherwise there was no significant difference in improvement of MMSE between both groups.Melatonin administration had effect to improve sleep time and night activity, but no significant effect to improve daytime naps and activity. Although melatonin administration might has less strong effect on circadian rhythm than morning bright light therapy we previously reported, cognitive and non-cognitive functions were improved. Melatonin seemed to be useful for care of the Alzheimer type of dementia patients.

著者

Kenji Nakamoto Naka Shiratori Yusuke Nishio Shio Sugimoto Yasuko Takano Masashi Yamazaki Yutaro Tobita Tsutomu Igarashi Hiroshi Takahashi

出版者

The Medical Association of Nippon Medical School

雑誌

Journal of Nippon Medical School (ISSN:13454676)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.88, no.5, pp.506-508, 2021-10-25 (Released:2021-11-17)

参考文献数

12

被引用文献数

4

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Decreased vision and cystoid macular edema (CME) developed in phakic eyes of a patient who underwent laser iridotomy after changing the glaucoma eye drops from carteolol 2% long-acting ophthalmic solution to omidenepag isopropyl 0.002%. CME completely disappeared at approximately 2 months after discontinuation of omidenepag isopropyl in conjunction with the use of bromfenac sodium 0.1%.

著者

島田 隆

出版者

日本医科大学医学会

雑誌

Journal of Nippon Medical School (ISSN:13454676)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.68, no.5, pp.430-434, 2001 (Released:2001-12-28)

著者

折本 瑞恵 早川 潤 藤野 修 福永 慶隆

出版者

日本医科大学医学会

雑誌

Journal of Nippon Medical School (ISSN:13454676)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.69, no.1, pp.71-73, 2002 (Released:2002-03-01)

参考文献数

8

被引用文献数

2 2

著者

越野 立夫

出版者

日本医科大学医学会

雑誌

Journal of Nippon Medical School (ISSN:13454676)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.70, no.2, pp.124-128, 2003 (Released:2003-04-22)

参考文献数

23

被引用文献数

4 5

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In recent years with ever-increasing numbers of pregnant women wanting to participate in sport activities, the question as to how safe maternal exercise is for mother and fetus has become more important. The effects of pregnancy on maternal cardio-respiratory system include increases in oxygen consumption, cardiac output, heart rate, stroke volume, and plasma volume. The increase in oxygen reserve seen in early pregnancy is reduced later, suggesting that maternal exercise may present a greater physiological stress in the third trimester. The aims of this article are 1) to comment on the evidence relating to the health risks and benefits of physical activity for pregnant women and their unborn fetuses and 2) to realize guidelines for management of maternal exercise. In the absence of either obstetric or medical complications, pregnant women can continue to exercise and derive related benefits. The type, intensity, frequency, and duration of the exercise seem to be important determinants of its beneficial effects. Evidence suggests that weight-bearing exercise produces a greater decrease in oxygen reserve than non weight-bearing exercise. Furthermore, to maintain a heart rate below 150 beats per minute during pregnancy, the intensity of weight-bearing exercise must be reduced. In addition, depending on the individual's needs and the physiologic changes associated with pregnancy, women may have to modify their specific exercise regimens. Although increases in the frequency of uterine contractions have been observed during physical activities, changes are often minimal. In response to moderate exercise, the increase in frequency of uterine contractions is gestation dependent and significant in the third but not in the second trimester. The physiological adaptations to exercise during pregnancy appear to protect the fetus from potential harm and, while an upper level of safe activity has not been established, the benefits of continuing to be active during pregnancy appear to outweigh any potential risks. All decisions about participation in physical activity during pregnancy should however be made by women in consultation with their medical advisers.

著者

Tomokazu Motomura Atsushi Hirabayashi Hisashi Matsumoto Nobutaka Yamauchi Mitsunobu Nakamura Hiroshi Machida Kenji Fujizuka Naomi Otsuka Tomoko Satoh Hideaki Anan Hisayoshi Kondo Yuichi Koido

出版者

The Medical Association of Nippon Medical School

雑誌

Journal of Nippon Medical School (ISSN:13454676)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.85, no.2, pp.124-130, 2018-04-15 (Released:2018-05-02)

参考文献数

14

被引用文献数

5 9

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More than 6,000 people died in the Great Hanshin (Kobe) Earthquake in 1995, and it was later reported that there were around 500 preventable trauma deaths. In response, the Japanese government developed the helicopter emergency medical service in 2001, known in Japan as the "Doctor-Heli" (DH), which had 46 DHs and 2 private medical helicopters as of April 2016. DHs transport physicians and nurses to provide pre-hospital medical care at the scene of medical emergencies. Following lessons learned in the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, a research group in the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare developed a command and control system for the DH fleet as well as the Disaster Relief Aircraft Management System Network (D-NET), which uses a satellite communications network to monitor the location of the fleet and weather in real-time during disasters. During the Kumamoto Earthquake disaster in April 2016, 75 patients were transported by 13 DHs and 1 private medical helicopter in the first 5 days. When medical demand for the DHs exceeded supply, 5 patients, 8 patients, and 1 patient were transported by Self-Defense Force, Fire Department, and Coast Guard helicopters, respectively. Of the 89 patients who were transported, 30 (34%) had trauma, 3 (3%) had pulmonary embolisms caused by sleeping in vehicles, and 17 (19%) were pregnant women or newborns. This was the first time that the command and control system for aeromedical transport and D-NET, established after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, were operated in an actual large-scale disaster. Aeromedical transport by DHs and helicopters belonging to several other organizations was accomplished smoothly because the commanders of the involved organizations could communicate directly with each other in person within the Aviation Coordination Section of the prefectural government office. However, ongoing challenges in the detailed operating methods for aeromedical transport were highlighted and include improving shared knowledge and training across the organizational framework. These are particularly important issues to address given the Nankai Trough and Tokyo inland earthquakes that are predicted for the near future in Japan.

著者

富山 俊一

出版者

日本医科大学医学会

雑誌

Journal of Nippon Medical School (ISSN:13454676)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.70, no.3, pp.212-218, 2003 (Released:2003-06-25)

参考文献数

49

被引用文献数

2 2

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Since the report of Duke in which an allergic etiology was considered to be the cause of Meniere's disease, the hypothesis that a certain type of Meniere's disease is generated through immuno-pathological mechanisms has been advocated for 70 years. During this period, another entity of immune-mediated inner ear disorders, i. e., autoimmune inner ear disease was introduced. Fundamental immunological phenomena of the inner ear have been rapidly elucidated since 1980. The endolymphatic sac is the only site which contains immuno-competent cells within the inner ear. The inner ear is capable of mounting active immune responses when appropriately stimulated and the endolymphatic sac plays an integral function for inner ear immune response. Acutally, many reports have been published that link immunity and Meniere's disease with a variety of proposed immune-related etiologies from autoimmunity to non-autoimmunity. It is suggested that immune injury to the endolymphatic sac plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Meniere's disease. These functional and morphological circumstances strongly suggest that an immunological etiology of Meniere's disease is not theoretically unfounded.

著者

Qing Li

出版者

The Medical Association of Nippon Medical School

雑誌

Journal of Nippon Medical School (ISSN:13454676)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.74, no.2, pp.92-105, 2007 (Released:2007-05-14)

参考文献数

77

被引用文献数

34 58

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Organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) are widely used throughout the world as insecticides in agriculture and as eradicating agents for termites around homes. The main toxicity of OPs is neurotoxicity, which is caused by the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. OPs also affect the immune response, including effects on antibody production, interleukin-2 production, T cell proliferation, decrease of CD5 cells, and increases of CD26 cells and autoantibodies, Th1/Th2 cytokine profiles, and the inhibition of natural killer (NK) cell, lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activities. However, there have been few studies of the mechanism of OP-induced immunotoxicity, especially the mechanism of OP-induced inhibition of cytolytic activity of killer cells. This study reviews new mechanisms of OP-induced inhibition of the activities of NK cells, LAK cells, and CTLs. It has been reported that NK cells, LAK cells, and CTLs induce cell death in tumors or virus-infected target cells by two main mechanisms. The first mechanism is direct release of cytolytic granules that contain the pore-forming protein perforin, several serine proteases termed granzymes, and granulysin by exocytosis to kill target cells, which is called the granule exocytosis pathway. The second mechanism is mediated by the Fas ligand (Fas-L)/Fas pathway, in which FasL (CD95 L), a surface membrane ligand of the killer cell cross links with the target cell's surface death receptor Fas (CD95) to induce apoptosis of the target cells. To date, it has been reported that OPs inhibit NK cell, LAK cell, and CTL activities by at least the following three mechanisms: 1) OPs impair the granule exocytosis pathway of NK cells, LAK cells, and CTLs by inhibiting the activity of granzymes, and by decreasing the intracellular levels of perforin, granzyme A, and granulysin, which were mediated by inducing degranulation of NK cells and by inhibiting the transcription of the mRNAs of perforin, granzyme A, and granulysin. 2) OPs impair the FasL/Fas pathway of NK cells, LAK cells, and CTLs, as investigated by using perforin-knockout mice, in which the granule exocytosis pathway of NK cells does not function and only the FasL/Fas pathway remains functional. 3) OPs induce apoptosis of immune cells.

著者

Takashi Araki Masato Miyauchi Makoto Suzaki Taro Wakakuri Sonoko Kirinoki Naoko Onodera Taro Saigusa Akihiro Takana Hideya Hyodo Toshihiko Ohara Makoto Kawai Masahiro Yasutake Hiroyuki Yokota

出版者

日本医科大学医学会

雑誌

Journal of Nippon Medical School (ISSN:13454676)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.82, no.6, pp.295-299, 2015-12-15 (Released:2016-01-27)

参考文献数

10

被引用文献数

1

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Objective: Current data indicate that the rate of trauma in children during gymnastic formation is increasing, especially while creating a structure with a certain height, such as the human pyramid. The goal of the present study was to clarify the clinical characteristics of these injuries. Methods: In this single-institution review, all children treated for a gymnastic formation-related injury at Nippon Medical School Hospital from 2013 through 2015 were identified through the institution's registry. The injury mechanism was classified, and injury severity, interventions, and outcome were examined. Results: Eight children were treated for a gymnastic formation-related injury. They were 7 boys and 1 girl aged 10 to 15 years (mean age, 13.1±1.8 years). Neurotrauma ranging from concussion to spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality occurred in 6 patients (75%). No intracranial hemorrhagic lesions were detected. The Glasgow Coma Scale score on arrival was 15 in all 8 patients, and neurological deficits were present in 1 patient. No patient required surgical intervention. All patients made a full recovery after discharge from the hospital. No patients died. The average follow-up period was 2.1±0.9 weeks. Conclusions: Neurotrauma is a frequent result of gymnastic formation accidents in children. Healthcare workers and teachers should recognize this type of injury, and public education that targets parents should be introduced.

著者

Miwako Omori Yoshinobu Saito Yukiko Miura Toru Tanaka Takeru Kashiwada Kenichiro Atsumi Hiroki Hayashi Yuji Minegishi Kazue Fujita Arata Azuma Masahiro Seike Akihiko Gemma

出版者

The Medical Association of Nippon Medical School

雑誌

Journal of Nippon Medical School (ISSN:13454676)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.86, no.5, pp.296-300, 2019-10-15 (Released:2019-12-03)

参考文献数

23

被引用文献数

1

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We report a case of pneumonitis with alveolar hemorrhage induced by herbal medicines in a 73-year-old woman who was admitted to our hospital because of dyspnea and an abnormal shadow on a chest radiograph. She had received treatment with numerous drugs, including the herbal medicines Seisin-renshi-in, Chotosan, Rikkunshi-to, and Shakuyakukannzo-to. Chest radiography revealed diffuse ground-glass shadows in both lungs, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was progressively hemorrhagic. A culture of the fluid showed no evidence of microorganisms. Moreover, there were no findings suggestive of rheumatic disease or vasculitides. On the basis of this evidence, we suspected drug-induced diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. She discontinued all medicines and started treatment with corticosteroids. Her respiratory condition and chest radiographic findings improved. The timing of administration and rechallenge with other drugs suggested that the herbal medicines were the causative drugs. The primary concern was Seisin-renshi-in, because it contains Ougon (skullcap; a known cause of pneumonitis) and because a drug lymphocyte stimulation test was positive for Seisin-renshi-in. This is the first report indicating that Seisin-renshi-in may cause diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage due to herbal medicines is a rare but emergent disorder. Therefore, treating physicians should be aware that it may be caused by herbal medicines, including Seisin-renshi-in.

著者

Iwao Sugitani Naoyoshi Onoda Ken-ichi Ito Shinichi Suzuki

出版者

The Medical Association of Nippon Medical School

雑誌

Journal of Nippon Medical School (ISSN:13454676)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.85, no.1, pp.18-27, 2018-01-15 (Released:2018-03-15)

参考文献数

24

被引用文献数

23

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Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) accounts for only 1 to 2% of all thyroid carcinomas, but it is one of the most lethal neoplasms in humans. To obtain further insights into this "orphan disease," we have established the ATC Research Consortium of Japan (ATCCJ) in 2009. It represents a multicenter registry for ATC that have been treated in Japan. To date, 67 institutions have taken part in the collaborative research system and over 1,200 cases have been accumulated in its database. Using this big data, several retrospective studies were carried out to evaluate 1) prognostic factors to determine initial treatment policy, 2) significance of extended radical surgery for Stage IVB cases, 3) characteristics of ATC incidentally found on pathological examination and 4) pathological features of ATC with long-term survival. Moreover, the ATCCJ has conducted an investigator-initiated, nationwide, prospective clinical trial since 2012; namely, the feasibility, safety and efficacy study of weekly paclitaxel administration for patients with ATC (UMIN: 000008574). Revised Japanese guidelines for treatment of thyroid tumors are going to adopt the recommendations from the results of this research. Since 2016, the ATCCJ has started the phase II study assessing the efficacy and safety of lenvatinib, a newly developed tyrosine kinase inhibitor for ATC (UMIN: 000020773). Our nationwide clinical trial network will strengthen the activity to recruit orphan disease patients and may discover new strategies to conquer this dismal malignancy in the near future.

著者

Hisashi Matsumoto Kunihiro Mashiko Yuichiro Sakamoto Noriyoshi Kutsukata Yoshiaki Hara Hiroyuki Yokota

出版者

日本医科大学医学会

雑誌

Journal of Nippon Medical School (ISSN:13454676)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.77, no.1, pp.13-20, 2010 (Released:2010-02-15)

参考文献数

21

被引用文献数

7 17

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Background: Several reports have validated the criteria for damage control surgery (DCS). However, although metabolic acidosis and body temperature can be measured quickly, tests for predicting the severity of coagulopathy require special laboratory equipment and take 15 to 30 minutes. Such delays could be life-threatening for patients requiring DCS. The aim of this study was to establish simplified and practical criteria to enable rapid decision-making regarding the need for DCS. Methods: Thirty-four consecutive patients with unstable hemodynamics after initial fluid resuscitation who had undergone DCS for severe abdominal or pelvic injuries were retrospectively analyzed. The patients' characteristics, clinical courses, laboratory data, and outcomes were reviewed using the data contained in their medical records. Results: The overall survival rate was 55.9% (survivors group: n=19; nonsurvivors group: n=15), which was similar to the calculated mean probability of survival (Ps=0.5671). At the start of surgery, the systolic blood pressure (SBP) was less than 90 mm Hg in all cases in which surgery failed, and the mean SBP in the nonsurvivors group (69.6 ± 14.8 mm Hg) was significantly lower than that in the survivors group (93.2 ± 22.9 mm Hg, p=0.006). Except in two cases, the value of the base excess in the nonsurvivors group was less than -7.5 mmol/L, and the mean base excess (-11.5 ± 5.3 mmol/L) in the nonsurvivors group was significantly less than that in the survivors group (-5.5 ± 4.9 mmol/L, p=0.008) at the start of surgery. The core temperature at the start of surgery was less than 35.5°C in all cases in the nonsurvivors group. On the basis of these results, three indicators (SBP less than 90 mm Hg, base excess less than -7.5 mmol/L, and core temperature less than 35.5°C at the start of surgery) were identified. The success rate of DCS in patients who possessed all three indicators (28.6% ) was significantly lower than that in patients who did not possess all three indicators (75.0%; p=0.014). Conclusion: Our results indicate that surgeons should decide to perform DCS when only one or two criteria defined in this study are met and should not wait for all three criteria. Although our proposed criteria are not strict and may broaden the indications for DCS, leading to an increase in the number of DCS procedures, saving the lives of patients who have sustained severe torso trauma must be the priority; 'over-triage' may be acceptable in situations where an appropriate decision-making protocol has been followed.

著者

Daishu Miura Kimiyasu Yoneyama Yoshiaki Furuhata Kazuo Shimizu

出版者

日本医科大学医学会

雑誌

Journal of Nippon Medical School (ISSN:13454676)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.81, no.4, pp.211-220, 2014 (Released:2014-09-03)

参考文献数

26

被引用文献数

5 18

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Introduction: An important mechanism by which trastuzumab inhibits the growth of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer cells is the activation of a host tumor response via antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). Although paclitaxel has a synergistic effect in combination with trastuzumab, whether ADCC is enhanced by paclitaxel is not known. In the present study we examined whether adding paclitaxel to trastuzumab enhances ADCC and also investigated the kinetics of effector cells in ADCC. Materials and Methods: The subjects were 20 patients with HER2-positive breast cancer: 9 received the combination of trastuzumab (4 mg/kg as a loading dose and 2 mg/kg weekly) and paclitaxel (80 mg/m2 weekly) and 19 received monotherapy with trastuzumab. In blood samples (mononuclear cells) obtained before and 10 minutes after administration of chemotherapy, ADCC and the number of effector cells, including natural killer (NK) cells, monocytes, and CD64+ cells, were compared in each case. The ADCC was analyzed with a 51Cr releasing assay using the SK-BR-3 cell line, and the fractions of NK cells (both CD16+ [FcγRIII] and CD56+) and CD64+ (FcγRI) cells were analyzed with flow cytometry. Results: The mean ADCC level increased 20% after trastuzumab monotherapy and 126% (p<0.05) after combination therapy with trastuzumab and paclitaxel. All 9 patients receiving combination therapy had increased ADCC levels. The number of NK cells increased 51% after trastuzumab monotherapy and 112% (p<0.05) after combination therapy. No significant changes were found in monocytes (39% increase) or CD64+ cells (53% increase) after trastuzumab monotherapy, but monocytes decreased 40% (p<0.05) and CD64+ cells decreased 24% after combination therapy. Conclusions: Adding paclitaxel to trastuzumab significantly enhances ADCC, with levels twice as great as with trastuzumab monotherapy, through a rapid recruitment of NK cells. This finding suggests that the combination of trastuzumab and paclitaxel has a stronger-than-expected synergistic effect in HER2-positive breast cancer.

著者

Gen Horiguchi Takafumi Aoki Hiromoto Ito

出版者

日本医科大学医学会

雑誌

Journal of Nippon Medical School (ISSN:13454676)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.78, no.4, pp.208-213, 2011 (Released:2011-08-26)

参考文献数

16

被引用文献数

1

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The main cause of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) remains unknown. Stiffness of the subcutaneous area of the volar aspect of the carpal tunnel is present in many patients and suggests that the stiffness of muscles attached to the transverse carpal ligament is increased. We performed an electrophysiological study to investigate muscle activities and to clarify whether the stiffness of muscles attached to the transverse carpal ligament is involved in the pathogenesis of CTS. The subjects of this study included 16 patients with early CTS showing no motor dysfunction. Both thenar muscles (opponens pollicis, abductor pollicis brevis, and flexor pollicis brevis) and hypothenar muscles (opponens digiti minimi, abductor digiti minimi, flexor digiti minimi brevis) were investigated. Surface electrodes were placed on each muscle, and maximum voluntary contractions with the thumb and little finger in opposition were maintained for 3 seconds in all patients and in 7 control subjects. Electromyographs were subjected to fast Fourier transform analysis, and the root mean square (RMS) and the mean power frequency (MPF) were determined for each muscle. The RMS of the opponens pollicis was significantly less in hands affected by CTS (292.8 μV) than in healthy hands (405.9 μV). The RMS did not differ between affected hands and healthy hands for the other 2 thenar muscles but did differ significantly for the hypothenar muscles. The MPF did not differ between affected hands and healthy hands for any muscle. The results show that electrophysiological differences are present among muscles innervated by the median nerve and that hypothenar muscles originally unrelated to median nerve dysfunction are also affected in early CTS. These results suggest that modulation of muscles attached to the transverse carpal ligament is involved in the pathogenesis of CTS.

著者

Ken Okamoto Takeshi Nishino

出版者

日本医科大学医学会

雑誌

Journal of Nippon Medical School (ISSN:13454676)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.75, no.1, pp.2-3, 2008 (Released:2008-03-21)

参考文献数

4

被引用文献数

8 20

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Xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) catalyzes the reaction of hypoxanthine to xanthine and of xanthine to uric acid. Inhibitors of XOR can thus decrease the concentration of uric acid in serum. Crystal structures of XOR bound with various inhibitors reveal that inhibitors can be categorized into three types, i.e. mechanism-based, structure-based, and hybrid types.

著者

Yoko Takayama Toshiaki Komatsu Tatsuhiko Wada Shin Nihonyanagi Takayuki Hoshiyama Tatsumi Moriya Shizue Shimamura Naoko Kajigaya Masanori Naito Osamu Takeuchi Yuki Bando Masahiko Watanabe Masatsugu Iwamura Hideaki Hanaki

出版者

The Medical Association of Nippon Medical School

雑誌

Journal of Nippon Medical School (ISSN:13454676)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.89, no.5, pp.513-519, 2022-10-25 (Released:2022-11-09)

参考文献数

33

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Background: Antibody testing is essential for accurately estimating the number of people infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This study aimed to investigate the influence of background factors on seroprevalence by testing for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in blood samples obtained from the staff of three hospitals. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted from June 8 to July 4, 2020, as part of a mandatory health examination. Leftover blood samples collected during the health examinations at each hospital were used to test for the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 RUO assay was used for antibody detection. The relationship between staff age, gender, body mass index, blood pressure, work environments with different exposure risks, place of residence, and campus location and seroprevalence was investigated. The data were anonymized prior to analysis. Results: A total of 3,677 individuals were included in the study, comprising 2,554 females (69.5%) and 1,123 males (30.5%). Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody (immunoglobulin G) was detected in 13 participants (0.35%). Seroprevalence was slightly higher in males than females (0.62% vs. 0.23%, P=0.08). By occupation, anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were found in 6 (0.75%) physicians, 6 (0.31%) nurses, and one individual (0.11%) in the medical personnel group, with slightly higher levels in physicians. No significant difference was noted in the seroprevalence in terms of all background factors. Conclusions: Our study shows that the background factors do not impact seropositivity rates. Thorough daily infection control and adherence to recommended health guidelines were found to reduce infection risk.

著者

Yukihiro Hara

出版者

The Medical Association of Nippon Medical School

雑誌

Journal of Nippon Medical School (ISSN:13454676)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.82, no.1, pp.4-13, 2015-02-15 (Released:2015-03-20)

参考文献数

80

被引用文献数

118 141

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In recent years, our understanding of motor learning, neuroplasticity and functional recovery after the occurrence of brain lesion has grown significantly. Novel findings in basic neuroscience have provided an impetus for research in motor rehabilitation. The brain reveals a spectrum of intrinsic capacities to react as a highly dynamic system which can change the properties of its neural circuits. This brain plasticity can lead to an extreme degree of spontaneous recovery and rehabilitative training may modify and boost the neuronal plasticity processes. Animal studies have extended these findings, providing insight into a broad range of underlying molecular and physiological events. Neuroimaging studies in human patients have provided observations at the systems level that often parallel findings in animals. In general, the best recoveries are associated with the greatest return toward the normal state of brain functional organization. Reorganization of surviving central nervous system elements supports behavioral recovery, for example, through changes in interhemispheric lateralization, activity of association cortices linked to injured zones, and organization of cortical representational maps. Evidence from animal models suggests that both motor learning and cortical stimulation alter intracortical inhibitory circuits and can facilitate long-term potentiation and cortical remodeling. Current researches on the physiology and use of cortical stimulation animal models and in humans with stroke related hemiplegia are reviewed in this article. In particular, electromyography (EMG) -controlled electrical muscle stimulation improves the motor function of the hemiparetic arm and hand. A multi-channel near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) studies in which the hemoglobin levels in the brain were non-invasively and dynamically measured during functional activity found that the cerebral blood flow in the injured sensory-motor cortex area is greatest during an EMG-controlled FES session. Only a few idea is, however, known for the optimal timing of the different processes and therapeutic interventions and for their interactions in detail. Finding optimal rehabilitation paradigms requires an optimal organization of the internal processes of neural plasticity and the therapeutic interventions in accordance with defined plastic time windows. In this review the mechanisms of spontaneous plasticity after stroke and experimental interventions to enhance plasticity are summarized, with an emphasis on functional electrical stimulation therapy.

著者

Hayashi Yamamoto Takahide Matsui

出版者

The Medical Association of Nippon Medical School

雑誌

Journal of Nippon Medical School (ISSN:13454676)

巻号頁・発行日

pp.JNMS.2024_91-102, (Released:2023-06-02)

被引用文献数

6

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Autophagy is a self-digestive process that is conserved in eukaryotic cells and responsible for maintaining cellular homeostasis through proteolysis. By this process, cells break down their own components in lysosomes. Autophagy can be classified into three categories: macroautophagy, microautophagy, and chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA). Macroautophagy involves membrane elongation and microautophagy involves membrane internalization, and both pathways undergo selective or non-selective processes that transport cytoplasmic components into lysosomes to be degraded. CMA, however, involves selective incorporation of cytosolic materials into lysosomes without membrane deformation. All three categories of autophagy have attracted much attention due to their involvement in various biological phenomena and their relevance to human diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Clarification of the molecular mechanisms behind these processes is key to understanding autophagy and recent studies have made major progress in this regard, especially for the mechanisms of initiation and membrane elongation in macroautophagy and substrate recognition in microautophagy and CMA. Furthermore, it is becoming evident that the three categories of autophagy are related to each other despite their implementation by different sets of proteins and the involvement of completely different membrane dynamics. In this review, recent progress in macroautophagy, microautophagy, and CMA are summarized.

著者

Tomoo Jikuzono Shigekazu Suzuki Osamu Ishibashi Shoko Kure Atsuko Sakanushi Munenaga Nakamizo Masashi Kawamoto Ryuji Ohashi Tetsu Yamada Iwao Sugitani

出版者

The Medical Association of Nippon Medical School

雑誌

Journal of Nippon Medical School (ISSN:13454676)

巻号頁・発行日

pp.JNMS.2022_89-207, (Released:2021-04-19)

被引用文献数

2

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Background: Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the trachea (ACCT) is a rare cancer; ACCT with thyroid invasion is particularly rare. We first suspected anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) but diagnosed ACC after performing fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). A tracheal origin was confirmed after operation.Case Description: We report the case of a 77-year-old female presenting to our hospital with acute inspiratory dyspnea requiring emergency tracheotomy. Physical examination revealed a right anterior neck swelling with a hard and unmovable mass. Computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography (US) showed tumor extension to the right thyroid lobe, and between the first and third tracheal rings, which caused severe stenosis of the lumen. Next, we performed FNAC. Clinical findings were highly suspicious for ACCT with thyroid invasion. Thirty-five days after the first visit to our department, the patient underwent total laryngectomy, cervical esophagectomy, and thyroidectomy with bilateral selective neck dissections at another hospital. The tumor was located in the right posterior wall of the trachea, with extension into the right thyroid gland. Pathological examination showed an infiltrative carcinomatous proliferation with tubular and cribriform patterns. The tumor was classified as pT4N1. A definite diagnosis was made after histopathological analyis of the surgical specimen confirmed ACCT. The tumor was found to be positive for FABP7, a putative prognostic marker of ACC, and metastasized to the lungs 3 years after the surgery.Conclusions: ACCT with thyroid invasion is an extremely rare malignant neoplasm. FNAC was useful for differentiating ACCT from other diagnoses and enabled appropriate surgical treatment.

著者

Yoshimasa Kanawaku

出版者

The Medical Association of Nippon Medical School

雑誌

Journal of Nippon Medical School (ISSN:13454676)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.89, no.1, pp.33-39, 2022-02-25 (Released:2022-03-11)

参考文献数

46

被引用文献数

2

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In Japan, deaths in bathtubs or bathtub deaths are frequently investigated as unnatural deaths. About 19,000 bathtub deaths occur annually in Japan. This pattern of death has become a social issue in forensic pathology and emergency medicine and public health. It is assumed that the death of an adult by drowning in a bathtub cannot be avoided due to disturbance of consciousness. The PubMed database was used for literature search using the retrieval words, "bathing "OR" bathtub "AND" submersion "OR" drowning "OR" death "OR" cardiopulmonary arrest". From the epidemiological characteristics and pathophysiological findings of bath mortality in Japan, three etiologies of impaired consciousness have been proposed: acute ischemic heart failure, heatstroke, and blood pressure fluctuation. Moreover, other causes such as epilepsy and alcohol or drug intake cannot be ignored as potential risks for death in a bathtub. It is also important to note the possibility of suicide and, although extremely rare, homicide in a bathtub. Despite research, the exact causal relationship between bathtub bathing and death remains unclear. Further, the cause of death by postmortem investigation is not always easily determined. Hence, it is desirable to carry out a field survey of causes of death, including bathing conditions, and, wherever possible, a complete autopsy survey. An exclusion of critical cases such as crime-related death, suicide, drug poisoning, and carbon monoxide poisoning is optimal. Of the many hypotheses about the causes of bathtub mortality, the most consistent hypothesis will be medically inferred from the death history, case findings, and test results.