Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Sawa

Publications and source records attributed to A Sawa.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Apolipoprotein E in progressive supranuclear palsy in Japan.

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rare neurodegenerative disease which shows several psychiatric and neurologic symptoms: pseudobulbar palsy, supranuclear ocular palsy, extrapyramidal rigidity, gait ataxia, and dementia. Almost all cases seem to be sporadic; therefore, the elucidation of risk factors is important to clarify the pathological mechanism. Apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4) is now well established as a risk factor of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here we report the ApoE allele frequency in PSP, which shares pathological findings such as neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) with AD. NFT is an important sign for the derangement of normal cytoskeletons in degenerating neurons. Although there was no significant increase in epsilon 4 allele frequency in the present series of PSP cases compared with that in the Japanese controls, there was a significant increase in the epsilon 2 allele frequency in PSP compared to controls.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Alpha-delta sleep in a case with non-24 h sleep-wake syndrome: quantitative electroencephalogram analysis of alpha and delta band waves.

Four all-night polysomnograms of a 39-year-old male patient with non-24 h sleep-wake syndrome were recorded. We analysed electroencephalograms (EEG) with the power spectrum method and the wave pattern recognition analysis of Fujimori. The EEG of the rest waking condition showed normal patterns. High-voltage diffuse alpha band waves were observed in sleep stages 2, 3 and 4. The integrated area of the alpha band waves in the analysis epochs showed a strong positive correlation to the delta band components in the power spectrum of the same epoch during sleep (correlation coefficients r = 0.762-0.815). Alpha band waves during sleep were clearly different from the alpha waves in the rest waking condition, with respect to slower peak frequency and the frontal dominant voltage distribution.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Rolipram, a phosphodiesterase-4-selective inhibitor, promotes the survival of cultured rat dopaminergic neurons.

We evaluated the effects of rolipram, a selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase (PDE) 4, on the survival of dopaminergic neurons in 13-day culture. Rolipram did not affect the survival of dopaminergic neurons in the absence of forskolin, but significantly enhanced the survival of dopaminergic neurons in the presence of 10(-5) M forskolin in a concentration-dependent manner (10(-8) - 10(-5) M). Rolipram also enhanced the neurotrophic effect of forskolin on total neurons including dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic neurons at a high concentration (10(-5) M), but did not affect the survival of cells containing glutamate or gamma-aminobutylic acid. A non-selective PDE inhibitor, 1-isobutyl-3-methylxanthine, caused a marked increase of dopaminergic neurons, whereas selective inhibitors of PDE2 and PDE3 showed far weaker effects. A PDE1 inhibitor, on the other hand, caused non-specific cell death in the presence or absence of forskolin. These findings suggest that rolipram has a potential to enhance the survival of dopaminergic neurons selectively by way of PDE4 inhibition.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMed1997

Rolipram, a selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 4, pronouncedly enhanced the forskolin-induced promotion of dopamine biosynthesis in primary cultured rat mesencephalic neurons.

A selective inhibitor of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) 4, rolipram, markedly enhanced the forskolin-induced increase of intracellular dopamine and dihydroxyphenylacetate (DOPAC, a metabolite of dopamine) levels in primary cultured rat mesencephalic neurons and the forskolin-induced increase of dopamine and DOPAC in extracellular medium. Selective inhibitors of PDE2, PDE3, PDE5 and PDE6 did not have such a promoting effect, and the PDE1 inhibitor vinpocetine and W-7 caused dopamine depletion in the neurons. These findings suggested that PDE4 plays a major role in regulating the intracellular cAMP level to control the dopamine biosynthesis in mesencephalic neurons, whereas PDE1 regulates dopamine release instead.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMed1997

[Values of amyloid protein A in serum of patients after thoracic surgery--preliminary report].

Initial results are presented on the usefulness of evaluating serum amyloid protein A (SAA) contents in patients operated for bronchial cancer. In the group of 20 analysed cases, blood was taken 1 day before and 1, 3, 7, 10 and 14 days after the surgical intervention, and in complicated cases-21 and 30 days after surgery. Erythrocyte sedimentation, leucocyte level, serum amyloid protein A content were measured. The extent of the intervention, the progression of the neoplastic process, clinical and radiological data were analysed. The control group consisted of 10 healthy volunteers. Amyloid protein A was evaluated by ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed on results obtained in 3 groups of patients, divided based on the extent of pulmonary resection. In all patients a statistically significant increase in SAA content was observed on the day preceding the surgery as well as 1, 3, 7 and 10 days after the surgery, in comparison with the control group. SAA level increase, in comparison with the preoperative examination, was statistically significant 1 and 3 days postoperatively in patients after pulmonectomy and only 3 days postoperatively after lobectomy. The lack of statistically significant differences in group 3 (after thoracotomy) resulted from very high preoperative values associated with the advanced progression of the neoplastic process.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Content of haptoglobin in blood serum in patients after thoracic surgery for various indications].

Initial results are presented on the usefulness of haptoglobin content monitoring in blood serum of patients after thoracic operations performed for various indications. 57 patients were analysed and divided into 3 groups based on the type of disease. Group 1 consisted of patients operated for malignant neoplasm. Group 2 consisted of patients with inflammatory changes and purulent complications within the thorax. Group 3 consisted of patients operated from other indications. The experimental samples of further 30 operated patients have not been analysed yet due to a delay in shipment of plates from Boehringer. The control group consisted of 31 healthy volunteers. In the experimental groups blood was taken 1 day before and 1, 3, 7, 10 and 14 days after the surgical intervention and in the case of complications-21 and 30 days after surgery. Erythrocyte sedimentation, leucocyte level, serum haptoglobin content, clinical and radiological data were analysed. Haptoglobin content was measured using the radial immunodiffusion method according to Manchini. Results were analysed statistically. The increase in serum haptoglobin content in patients after thoracic surgeries and after purulent complications, shows that haptoglobin is a sensitive acute phase indicator and its monitoring may be useful in evaluating the disease process. In advanced neoplastic processes haptoglobin content is a reflection of the progression of the disease process.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Effect of the cholesterol content of a formula on the lipid compositions of plasma lipoproteins and red blood cell membranes in early infancy.

We investigated whether or not a regular formula for full-term infants supplemented with cholesterol (cholesterol-fortified) would increase the plasma cholesterol concentration and alter the red blood cell (RBC) membrane lipid composition in healthy full-term infants compared with their breast-fed counterparts. At 1 mo of age, total plasma cholesterol and low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were significantly higher in the breast-fed infants than in the cholesterol-unfortified, formula-fed infants. At 3 mo of age, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were significantly higher in the breast-fed infants than in the two formula-fed infant groups. These significant differences had disappeared by 6 mo of age. Although the cholesterol-unfortified, formula-fed infants had lower proportions of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) in the RBC membranes compared with the breast-fed group at 6 mo, DHA and EPA concentrations in the cholesterol-fortified, formula-fed infants were not significantly different. The results of the present study suggest that the plasma cholesterol concentration and fatty acid pattern of the RBC membranes in infants fed a cholesterol-fortified formula may be much closer to those in breast-fed infants than in infants fed a cholesterol-unfortified formula.

Aging↗
PubMed1996

[Chronic pulmonary paracoccidioidomyosis in a Japanese Adult].

We encountered a case of chronic pulmonary paracoccidiodomycosis in Japan. A 53-year-old Japanese man, who had worked in Brazil from 1964 to 1969. Came to our hospital because of abnormal shadows on a screening chest roentgenogram. In 1989, he had been treated with fluconazole for mucocutaneous-lymphangitic paracoccidioidomycosis with oral ulceration and neak hymphadenitis. Chest roentgenograms and computed tomograms showed diffuse small nodular and emphysematous shadows. Microscopical examination of specimens obtained by transbronchial lung biopsy showed no abnormality. He was treated with oral fluconazole, and the abnormal radiographic shadows regressed. We believe that this was the first case of chronic pulmonary paracoccidiodomycosis in Japan.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed1995

5-HT1A-receptor subtype mediates the effect of fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, on marble-burying behavior in mice.

The effect of fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitor, was studied in a model of anxiety and/or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in mice. In the anxiety/OCD model, marble-burying behavior, marble-burying was significantly suppressed by fluvoxamine at 30 and 60 mg/kg, p.o. and the monoamine reuptake inhibitor clomipramine, at 60 mg/kg, p.o. No suppressive effect, however, was observed by the selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor desipramine at doses from 15 to 60 mg/kg, p.o. Suppressive effects were obtained by the serotonergic anxiolytic buspirone at 30 and 60 mg/kg, p.o. and the benzodiazepine anxiolytic diazepam at 10 mg/kg, p.o. The effect of fluvoxamine on marble-burying was slightly attenuated after repeated administration. On the other hand, both the effects of buspirone and diazepam completely disappeared after repeated administration. Effect of fluvoxamine on the marble-burying was unaffected by the 5-HT2 antagonist ritanserin. However, the 5-HT1A antagonist NAN-190 (1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-(2-phthalimido)butyl] piperazine) inhibited the suppressive effect of fluvoxamine on the marble-burying. From these results, the 5-HT1A-receptor subtype may be involved in the suppressive effect of fluvoxamine on the marble-burying, but the 5-HT2-receptor subtype is not involved in this effect.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1995

Neither the 5-HT1A- nor the 5-HT2-receptor subtype mediates the effect of fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, on forced-swimming-induced immobility in mice.

The effect of fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitor, was studied in the forced-swimming test, a model of depression, in mice. Fluvoxamine at 60 mg/kg, p.o. significantly decreased the immobility time in the forced-swimming test. A similar effect was observed by the selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor desipramine at the same dose. Furthermore, the suppression of immobility time was slightly potentiated by repeated administration of fluvoxamine, and a significant effect was observed at 30 mg/kg, p.o. The effect of fluvoxamine on forced-swimming was unaffected by the 5-HT2 antagonist ritanserin. On the other hand, the 5-HT1A antagonist NAN-190 (1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-(2-phthalimido)butyl] piperazine) potentiated the effect of fluvoxamine on forced-swimming. It is expected, however, that a 5-HT1A antagonist should antagonize the effect of fluvoxamine when 5-HT1A mediates the suppressive effect of fluvoxamine on the immobility time in forced-swimming. From these results, neither the 5-HT1A- nor the 5-HT2-receptor subtype is involved in the suppressive effect of fluvoxamine on the immobility associated with forced-swimming.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1994

Molecular diversity at the carboxyl terminus of human and rat tau.

Although a long terminal isoform of tau was historically the first identified clone, no such isform has been thus far reported among species other than mouse. We show here that there are homologues of the long terminal isoform in human and rat, but in various forms in contrast to mouse. There are generated by a combination of multiple splice sites, which causes distinct molecular diversity at the carboxyl terminus of human and rat tau.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed1993

Relationships between divisions of the middle bronchus and vascularization patterns in the middle lung lobe.

In 100 right human lungs the main bronchus, the pulmonary artery and the pulmonary vein were injected with 65% methyl methacrylate and then digested in sulphuric acid. The resulting specimens were studied to observe the divisions of the middle lobe bronchus and the types of arterial and venous vascularization of this lobe. The lobe was always entered by one lobar bronchus, which usually divided into two segmental bronchi. In 53% of the middle lobes with this bronchial pattern there was one artery. When the lobar bronchus divided into three branches, at least two arteries entered the lobe in almost all cases. Complete consistency between the pattern of bronchial division and that of arterial vascularization of the middle lobe was found in almost two-thirds of cases. Associations between patterns of bronchial division and of venous drainage from the middle lobe were found in slightly more than half of the cases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[The relationship between the anti-HCV titer and the state of chronic hepatitis C].

By dilution of the serum, we quantitatively analyzed anti-HCV to examine the relation between the anti-HCV titer and the state of chronic hepatitis C, and determined the effectiveness of interferon therapy. The anti-HCV titer was related with the state of chronic hepatitis C, but not as closely as GPT. Cases with blood transfusion had a lower titer of anti-HCV, weaker histological finding and better response to interferon than those without blood transfusion. The anti-HCV titer was not useful for determining the effectiveness of interferon therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Heterogeneity of postnatal development of ACh levels in brain regions of the mouse.

Acetylcholine (ACh) was measured from birth to the 78th day in 11 mouse brain regions. Three patterns of development emerged: ACh increased rapidly, overshot and returned to the adult level in midbrain-medulla-pons and cerebellum, ACh increased linearly to adult level in neostriatum and olfactory bulb and ACh increased linearly to a plateau and then increased to the adult level in the remaining regions.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1984

The effects of morphine, naloxone and capsaicin on C-fiber reflex and heat evoked discharge in acute spinal cats.

The electrophysiological effects of morphine, naloxone and capsaicin were studied on c fiber reflex and heat evoked discharge in adult spinal cats. C fiber reflex was recorded from the L7 Ventral root at the time of superficial peroneal nerve electric stimulation. Heat evoked discharge was recorded from the L7 ventral root at the time of hind paw heating. The drugs were injected slowly into the right cephalic vein. Our results can be summarized as follows: morphine depressed the excitatory neuronal activity of capsaicin; morphine followed by capsaicin was antagonized by 0.4 mg/Kg of naloxone; at the c fiber reflex, 2 mg/Kg of morphine depressed the neuronal activity; and at heat evoked discharge, 4 mg/Kg of morphine depressed the neuronal activity. These findings suggest that morphine depressed the effect of capsaicin and this effect was antagonized by naloxone. At the c fiber reflex, morphine was more sensitive than at heat evoked discharge.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

The effect of capsaicin on C-fiber reflex and heat evoked discharge in the acute spinal cat.

The effects of capsaicin were studied electrophysiologically on C-fiber reflex and heat-evoked discharge in adult spinal cats. The results can be summarized as follows: 1) 125 micrograms/Kg of capsaicin, administered intravenously, induced an increase in spontaneous discharge in the L7 ventral root; 2) 250 micrograms/Kg of capsaicin, administered intravenously, induced an increase in the C-fiber reflex response; 3) 125 micrograms/Kg of capsaicin, administered intravenously, induced an increase in the heat-evoked discharge; but 4) 25 micrograms/Kg of capsaicin, administered through the femoral artery, did not show significant alteration of the heat-evoked discharge. These findings suggest that capsaicin which produced a release of substance-P from primary afferent nerves may principally act on C-fiber and A delta-fiber. Capsaicin was much more effective on the heat-evoked discharge than on the C-fiber reflex when administered intravenously.

Afferent Pathways↗