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Biomedical subjects

A Sato

Publications and source records attributed to A Sato.

At least 397 records · Page 22Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

[Pneumonitis induced by the herbal medicine Sho-saiko-to in Japan].

We studied the clinical characteristics of pneumonitis induced by Sho-saiko-to (SST). Of 94 cases reported to a drug maker, 72 were judged to be SST-induced pneumonitis (52 men and 20 women, mean age 63.7 years). Most patients took SST for chronic liver diseases due to infection with the hepatitis C virus. The mean duration of SST therapy before the onset of pneumonitis was 50.2 +/- 42.1 days. Most patients presented with coughing, dyspnea, and fever of acute onset. Chest X-ray films showed diffuse ground-glass shadows and infiltration. Abnormally high levels of C-reactive protein and lactate dehydrogenase were common, as was hypoxia. Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed abnormally high percentages of lymphocytes and neutrophils and a low CD4/CD8 ratio. Although 64 of 72 patients survived after cessation of SST only or steroid therapy, 8 died of respiratory failure despite high-dose steroid therapy. Compared with patients who survived those who died were more likely to have an underlying lung disease, had been taking SST longer after the onset of pneumonitis, and had more severe hypoxemia.

Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems↗
PubMed1997

Mineralocorticoid receptors, salt, and hypertension.

This review, covering work from the Baker Institute and elsewhere, is divided into four sections. In the first a summary account of two areas-mineralocorticoid receptors and the enzyme 11 beta hyderoxysteroid dehydrogenase-will be given as background. Next is a brief consideration of the three single-gene causes of human hypertension described to date-glucocorticoid-remediable aldosteronism. Liddle's syndrome, and apparent mineralocorticoid excess-in all of which abnormal sodium handling is a feature. Third, the sequelae of aldosterone occupancy of nonepithelial mineralocorticoid receptors will be analyzed in some detail by reviewing studies on experimental mineralocorticoid hypertension and cardiac fibrosis from this laboratory and elsewhere. Finally, three recent studies from this laboratory will be presented: on putative 11-ketosteroid receptors in epithelial tissue, on glucose-PKC potentiation of mineralocorticoid effects on heart cells, and on the necessity for factors/ processes other than the conversion of cortisol to cortisone (or, in the rat, corticosterone to 11-dehydrocorticosterone) to ensure aldosterone-specific effects in mineralocorticoid target tissues.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1997

[Inhibition of 5-fluorouracil-cisplatin-induced stomatitis by oral cryotherapy: use of an ice-bar containing fibrinolysin and deoxyribonuclease combine (Elase)].

Stomatitis caused by a combined chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin (CDDP) is a serious problem in the course of treatment for patients with oral carcinoma. In the present study, we proposed a form of cryotherapy using an ice-bar containing fibrinolysin and deoxyribonuclease (Elase) to inhibit the stomatitis. The therapeutic effect of the ice-bar cryotherapy was evaluated in 20 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma who were undergoing 5-FU-CDDP chemotherapy. Nine of the 20 patients were given the ice-bar cryotherapy while the remaining patients were not. As a result, although there was no significant difference between the incidence of stomatitis in the groups with and without the ice-bar cryotherapy, the incidence of severe stomatitis with ulcers and/or eating disturbance in the 11 cases without the ice-bar cryotherapy (90%) was significantly higher than that in the 9 cases with the cryotherapy (44%) (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference in the clinical response rate of the 5-FU-CDDP chemotherapy was observed between the two groups.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

A retrospective evaluation of maternal serum screening for the detection of fetal aneuploidy.

A retrospective evaluation of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and unconjugated oestriol (uE3) levels in maternal blood in the second trimester was conducted for cases of aneuploid pregnancies identified from a series of women who underwent amniocentesis. Blood samples were collected from 1078 women just before genetic amniocentesis was performed, mainly for individuals of advanced maternal age (greater than 35 years). Twenty-five maternal serum samples from pregnant women with an aneuploid fetus, including 14 with Down's syndrome, were available for analysis of all three parameters. An algorithm to detect Down's syndrome was used for this analysis with a risk of > or = 1:299 classified as screen-positive, this being found for 20.4 per cent of the cases (220/1078). The actual Down's syndrome detection rate was 85.7 per cent (12/14), whereas the detection rate for all aneuploidies was 72.0 per cent (18/25). Those that were not detected were two cases of trisomy 21, one trisomy 18, two trisomy 13, three sex chromosome abnormalities, and one case of an additional marker chromosome. The data indicate that this tri-analyte test should be provided after thorough genetic counselling and informed decision-making regarding maternal serum screening for women who wish for a prenatal diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Prediction of outcome after acute exacerbation of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia].

Some patients with chronic idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) experience acute exacerbations (AE). Because the precise mechanisms of AE in patients with IIP remain unclear, the treatment for AE is not established and the efficacy of steroids is controversial. Consequently, it is difficult to predict outcomes in patients with AE of IIP. We therefore studied the relationship between clinical findings, efficacy of treatment, and clinical outcome in patients with AE of IIP. Thirty-two patients were enrolled, and were divided into two groups: 10 who were alive more than one year after the onset of the AE survivors, 8 men and 2 women, and 22 who died within one year of the AE (non-survivors, 17 men and 5 women). Survivors were significantly younger than non-survivors (59.7 +/- 9.9 vs 67.5 +/- 8.2 years, respectively, p < 0.05). The values of PaCO2 measured before the AE were higher in survivors than in non-survivors (43.0 +/- 3.7 vs 38.4 +/- 4.0 torr, respectively, p < 0.05). At the onset of the AE the levels of C-reactive protein in serum were higher in survivors than in non-survivors (13.9 +/- 7.9 vs 7.3 +/- 5.8 mg/dl, respectively, p < 0.05). Chest X-ray films showed progression of ground-glass shadows in both groups when the AE occurred; the radiographic findings did not differ markedly between groups. Of the 22 non-survivors, 7 had received medication before the AE; none of the survivors had received medication before the AE. At the time of the AE all patients were treated with steroid pulse therapy, and the dose of methylprednisolone used, did not differ significantly between groups. These data suggest that three factors are closely related to responsiveness to steroid therapy and to clinical outcomes after AE in patients with IIP: 1) age at the onset on IIP, 2) respiratory status before the AE, and 3) disease activity as reflected by inflammatory reactions.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1997

[A case of dyskeratosis congenita with acute interstitial pneumonia].

This is a rare case of Dyskeratosis Congenita (DC) with acute interstitial pneumonia. A 51-year-old man with DC was admitted to our hospital because of cough, sputum and fever. Chest X-ray film showed ground glass opacities in all lung fields for a while steroid's therapy proved effective, but about seven months later the patient's condition became serious. Methylprednisolone, cyclophosphamide and mechanical ventilation therapy were not effective. He died and an autopsy was performed. The lung specimen showed Organizing Diffuse Alveolar Damage, and some parts pointed to bacterial infection. But Pneumocystic carinii pneumonia and Fungal infections were not found. It is therefore necessary to conduct intensive examinations of lung involvement of patients with Dyskeratosis Congenita.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

Somatic regulation of autonomic functions in anesthetized animals--neural mechanisms of physical therapy including acupuncture.

This paper concerns somato-autonomic reflex responses in various visceral organs following somatic sensory stimulation in animals anesthetized to eliminate emotional factors. Various forms of somatic sensory stimulation can produce different autonomic reflex responses, depending on the visceral organs and which somatic afferents are stimulated. Some responses have a dominant sympathetic efferent involvement, whereas others have predominantly parasympathetic efferent involvement. Some responses have propriospinal and segmental characteristics, while others have supraspinal and systemic characteristics in their reflex nature. These somato-autonomic reflex responses may be functioning during physical therapy including acupuncture.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed1997

[Nasopharyngeal myiasis during mechanical ventilation].

We report a case of myiasis caused by Phaenicia sericata during mechanical ventilation. An 86-year-old woman with bronchiectasis was admitted to our hospital with severe respiratory failure. Treatment with mechanical ventilation and sedatives was initiated. On the 10th day of hospitalization, about 20 white larvae were found in the patient's oral or nasal cavities. The larvae were removed and identified as Phaenicia sericata. No mucosal injury was found in the patient's oral or nasal cavity by endoscopic examination. The patient died of multiple organ failure caused by sepsis that had no association with myiasis. From the clinical course and the fly's life cycle, it is considered that the fly laid eggs in the patient's oral or nasal cavity while she was sedated during mechanical ventilation. Myiasis can occur even in a hospital.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Fertilization using male germ line-cells.

In recent years, favorable results have been achieved in patients suffering from azoospermia by microinsemination of spermatozoa taken from their testes. Microinsemination is being introduced in the treatment of patients who have no spermatozoa in their testes via their spermatid and spermatocyte. There are still doubts relating to immature male germ line-cells, such as whether they have, oocyte activating factors, the level of stability of DNA of cell nuclei, and the differences in chromosome numbers. The relatively few cases of gestation using the human spermatid treatment may be due to embryological problems resulting from the instability of nuclear DNA and the insufficiency of oocyte activating factors, which are the result of imperfect microinjection techniques. Improvements in techniques for the clinical application of spermatid and secondary spermatocyte, as well as the collection of basic data to confirm embryological safety are therefore necessary.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Morphine microinjected into the nucleus tractus solitarius and rostral ventrolateral medullary nucleus enhances somatosympathetic A- and C- reflexes in anesthetized rats.

The modulatory effects of morphine microinjected into localized areas of the brainstem on somatosympathetic A- and C-reflexes were examined in urethane-anesthetized rats. Somatosympathetic A- and C-reflexes were elicited in a branch of the inferior cardiac nerve by electrical stimulation of myelinated (A) and unmyelinated (C) afferent fibers in the tibial nerve. Morphine (0.002-0.2 microgram/50 nl) was microinjected into the rostral, intermediate and caudal parts of the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), the rostral ventrolateral medullary nucleus (RVLM), the caudal ventrolateral medullary nucleus (CVLM), the locus coeruleus (LC), the raphe magnus (RM), the periaqueductal gray (PAG), and the accumbens nucleus (Acb). Microinjections of morphine (0.2 microgram) into the intermediate and caudal NTS produced significant augmentations of the A- and C-reflexes, C-reflexes being more markedly enhanced than A-reflexes. Microinjection of morphine (0.2 microgram) into the RVLM produced a prominent increase in the C-reflex, the threshold dose for a significant increase being 0.02 microgram morphine. Microinjection of morphine up to 0.2 micrograms/50 nl into the other areas mentioned above had no significant effect on either reflex component. All opiate-induced increases of the reflex discharges could be reversed by intravenous application of naloxone (2 mg/ kg). The reflex augmentation induced by microinjection of morphine into the NTS may be caused by suppressing inhibitory baroreceptor information or by enhancing excitatory chemoreceptor information in the NTS. Augmentation of the C-reflex induced by microinjection of morphine into the RVLM may be caused by facilitating C-reflex pathways or by suppressing inhibitory neural circuits involved in the C-reflex within the RVLM.

Afferent Pathways↗
PubMed1996

Expression of biologically active fusion genes encoding the common alpha subunit and either the CG beta or FSH beta subunits: role of a linker sequence.

The gonadotropin/thyrotropin hormone family is characterized by a heterodimeric structure composed of a common alpha subunit non-covalently linked to a hormone-specific beta subunit. The conformation of the heterodimer is essential for controlling secretion, hormone-specific post-translational modifications and signal transduction. Structure-function studies of FSH and the other glycoprotein hormones are often hampered by mutagenesis induced defects in subunit combination. Thus, the ability to overcome the limitation of subunit assembly would expand the range of structure activity relationships that can be performed on these hormones. Here we converted the FSH heterodimer to a single chain by genetically fusing the carboxyl end of the FSH beta subunit to the amino end of the alpha subunit in the presence or absence of a natural linker sequence. In the absence of the CTP linker, the secretion rate was decreased over three fold. (The CTP sequence is the last 28 amino acids of the CG beta sequence and contains four serine-linked oligosaccharides). Unexpectedly however receptor binding/signal transduction was unaffected by absence of the linker. Molecular modelling of the tethers lacking the linker sequence show that the alignment of the alpha/beta domains in the single chain differ substantially from that seen in the heterodimer. These data show that the single chain FSH was secreted efficiently and is biologically active and that the conformation determinants required for secretion and biologic activity are not the same.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Structure-activity relationships of phomactin derivatives as platelet activating factor antagonists.

Phomactins, natural products isolated from the culture broth of marine fungus Phoma sp., were found to be active as PAF antagonists. This unique carbon skeleton led us to investigate the structure-activity relationship demonstrating that the lipophilicity at C-(7-8), acetoxy, (methoxycarbonyl)oxy, and 3-isoxazolyloxy substitution at C-20, and 2-beta-OH configuration at C-2 are all required for the enhancement of inhibitor activity.

Epoxy Compounds↗
PubMed1996

Cloning, sequencing and characterization of the gene encoding a principal sigma factor homolog from the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa K-81.

We cloned and sequenced the rpoD1 gene of Microcystis aeruginosa K-81, a unicellular colony-forming cyanobacterium that can perform photosynthesis involving light-responsive gene expression. The deduced amino acid sequence of RpoD1 exhibited extensive homology to the other eubacterial principal sigma factors. Primer extension and Western blot analyses revealed that the rpoD1 gene, which encodes a principle sigma factor homolog, had two transcription start points, P1 and P2. These transcripts, and the corresponding protein, constitutively appeared in M. aeruginosa, irrespective of light or dark conditions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

The role of the spinal cord as a reflex center for the somatically induced reflex responses of splenic sympathetic and natural killer cell activity in anesthetized rats.

Somatic afferent regulation of splenic natural killer (NK) cell activity by hindpaw pinching has been proven, in anesthetized rats, to be a reflex response whose reflex center is in the brain and efferent arc is a splenic sympathetic nerve. Using central nervous system (CNS)-intact and acutely spinalized anesthetized rats, the present study aimed to examine the possibility of whether afferent stimulation (pinching) of the skin over the abdominal segments could influence cytotoxic activity of splenic NK cells and splenic sympathetic nerve activity at the spinal segmental level. In CNS-intact rats, pinching stimulation of the skin of the abdomen with surgical clamps for 30 min did not significantly change cytotoxic activity of splenic NK cells although splenic sympathetic nerve activity increased slightly. In acutely spinalized rats the same stimulation reduced cytotoxic activity of splenic NK cells and was accompanied by an intense reflex increase in splenic sympathetic nerve activity. It is concluded that the spinal cord is capable of producing propriospinally the reflex suppression of cytotoxic activity of splenic NK cells via reflex activation of the splenic sympathetic efferent nerve following stimulation to the abdominal segments whose afferent information enters the spinal cord at the same segments or segments overlapping the splenic sympathetic outflow. A possible mechanism of inhibition of this spinal reflex by inhibitory descending pathways is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Systemic hypoxia facilitates somato-cardiac sympathetic A- and C-reflexes in anesthetized rats.

In rats anesthetized with urethane, electrical stimuli applied to tibial nerve afferents produced a somato-sympathetic A-reflex of 41 +/- 2 (mean +/- SEM)ms latency and C-reflex of 210 +/- 13 ms latency recorded in the left inferior cardiac sympathetic nerve. Hypoxia was induced by switching room air to nitrogen/oxygen gas mixture in the inspiratory line reducing end-tidal oxygen from about 18% FETO2 to 10% FETO2 and 6% FETO2 for 60s, respectively. During 6% FETO2 hypoxia, the amplitude of the somato-cardiac sympathetic A-reflex increased significantly to 138 +/- 13% of the control, and that of the C-reflex increased to 186 +/- 18% of the control. During 10% FETO2 hypoxia, the A-reflex increased insignificantly to 117 +/- 8%; the amplitude of the C-reflex was augmented significantly to 149 +/- 11% of the control. Peripheral carotid chemoreceptor denervation abolished the facilitatory effects of systemic hypoxia. It is concluded that carotid chemoreceptor stimulation enhances the responsiveness of somato-cardiac sympathetic excitatory reflexes originating in the hind limb receptors.

Animals↗