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Biomedical subjects

E Tanaka

Publications and source records attributed to E Tanaka.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Effects of ruthenium red on the cellular functions and ultrastructure in intact ferret ventricular muscles.

The effects of ruthenium red (RR) on the cellular functions (intracellular Ca2+ handling and contraction) and permeation of the dye through the cell membrane were investigated in intact ferret papillary muscles. The intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), measured using aequorin, was simultaneously recorded with tension. The permeation of the dye through the cell membrane was studied with electronmicroscopy. The preparation was continuously stimulated at 0.2 Hz and treated with 50 microM RR at 30 degrees C. [Ca2+]i was increased by electrical stimulation (0.07 and 2 Hz) and rapid cooling (from 30 to 4 degrees C) (RC). In electrical stimulation, RR time-dependently decreased the peak light of aequorin without a significant change in the time course at 30 degrees C. However, in RC, treatment with RR for about 100 min significantly prolonged the decay time of the light signal and increased the peak light. The peak tension in RC was decreased after treatment with RR for a longer time. The pCa-tension relation of skinned preparations was significantly shifted to the right by 50 microM RR. In the RR (50 microM)-treated specimens, mitochondrial outer membranes were darkly stained if OsO4 was used for fixation. Even though the specimen treated with 500 microM RR was fixed without OsO4 and electron staining, the matrices of mitochondria became electron dense. We concluded that RR could penetrate into intact mammalian cardiac myocytes, and that RR inhibits the release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum in electrical stimulation, inhibits mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake, and decreases the Ca2+ sensitivity of the myofilaments.

Aequorin↗
PubMed1997

Correlations between the Temperament and Character Inventory and the Self-rating Depression Scale among Japanese Students.

The Temperament and Character Inventory measures four dimensions of temperament and three of character. The 125-item short version and the Self-rating Depression Scale were administered to 306 Japanese students. Their scores on the latter were significantly highly correlated with the scores on both temperament and character scales, positively correlated with Harm-Avoidance score, and negatively correlated with Self-directedness and Cooperativeness scores. It is suggested that scores on depression were related to Harm-Avoidance, particularly to fatigability, and immaturity of the autonomous self and cooperative interpersonal relationship.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Phorbol ester enhancement of IL-3-dependent proliferation of primitive hematopoietic progenitors of mice in culture.

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a Ca++- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase activated by diacylglycerol that is either released from cell membranes in response to certain growth factors or mimicked by 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). We studied the effects of TPA on interleukin-3 (IL-3)-dependent colony formation of mouse bone marrow cells from mice injected with 5-fluorouracil 2 days before examination in order to clarify the significance of PKC in the proliferation of primitive hematopoietic progenitors. Although TPA alone did not support colony formation, TPA in combination with IL-3 increased colony numbers from 1.5 to 2 times that formed with IL-3 and vehicle. TPA increased not only the granulocyte/macrophage colonies, but also the multilineage colonies. A sequential colony count showed that TPA, unlike IL-6, did not hasten the appearance of colonies. Because TPA enhanced IL-3-dependent colony formation derived from lineage-negative marrow cells obtained from mice that received 5-FU 2 days before, it is possible that it might act directly on primitive progenitors. Prolonged pretreatment of marrow cells with TPA prevented TPA-augmented colony growth. Calphostin C, a specific PKC inhibitor, and certain specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as genistein and herbimycin A, abrogated the enhancing effects of TPA on IL-3-dependent colony formation. These data suggest that TPA had a direct effect on the primitive progenitors and enhanced IL-3-dependent colony formation via activation of PKC and certain tyrosine kinases.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[2 cases of lung disease caused by Mycobacterium avium complex occurred in middle-aged women without underlying disorders, which we observed for more than 30 years].

We reported 2 cases of Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease occurred in middle-aged women without underlying disorders, which we could observe for more than 30 years. One case was a 42-year-old woman started with bloody sputum, and the other was a 43-year-old woman with cough and sputum. In both cases, chest X ray films were normal on their first visit. More than 15 years after their first visit, Mycobacterium avium complex was isolated from their sputum or bronchial washing. During the observation, a cluster of small nodules in the periphery of the lung and bronchiectasis appeared and deteriorated, and excretion of the bacilli increased gradually. Their past history and family history were normal. Since lung disease caused by Mycobacterium avium complex progresses very slowly, long-time observation would be necessary to consider its pathogenesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Non-A-E acute and chronic hepatitis in Japan].

It has been clarified that hepatitis C virus(HCV) is the major cause of acute and chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis. However, it is also clear that there still exist a group of patients with viral hepatitis who are seronegative for hepatitis A, B, C, D or E virus infections. In this article, epidemiological studies on such non-A-E hepatitis in Japan are reported. Since the introduction of blood screening with hepatitis B virus(HBV) core antibody and HCV antibody in addition to HBV surface antigen, incidence of posttransfusion hepatitis decreased remarkably to a level less than 1%. Therefore, occurrence of non-A-E posttransfusion is rare in Japan. As for acute sporadic hepatitis, about 20% of the patients were diagnosed as type non-A-E. Those patients with non-A-E acute sporadic hepatitis showed relatively mild hepatitis. About 5% of patients with chronic hepatitis was negative for both markers of HBV and HCV infections. Hepatitis G virus, a newly discovered hepatitis virus, accounted for only a minor part of acute and chronic non-A-E hepatitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

[GB virus C/hepatitis G virus infection in patients with chronic non-B, non-C hepatitis].

We tested HGV RNA in serum in addition to HBV DNA and HCV RNA to study the causative agents involved in chronic non-B, non-C hepatitis. Twenty five patients diagnosed as having chronic non-B, non-C hepatitis(negative for HBsAg and HCV-Ab), were investigated in this study. HGV RNA was detected by nested RT-PCR using primers in 5'-untranslated, NS3 and NS5 regions. Of the 25 patients, 4(16%) were positive for HGV RNA, only 1(4%) was positive for HBV DNA and none were positive for HCV RNA. Of the 4 patients with HGV RNA, 2 histologically has mild fibrosis and the remaining 2 had cirrhosis. One patient with cirrhosis also had hepatocellular carcinoma; HBV DNA was positive in this patient. All 3 patients with only the HGV infection had a mild histological grade. In conclusion, HGV infection was involved in 16% of Japanese patients with chronic non-B, non-C hepatitis. Chronic hepatitis G seemed to exhibit mild hepatitis activity.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1997

[Epidemiology of hepatitis G virus infection in Japan].

Hepatitis G virus(HGV) is a new RNA virus that is most closely related to members of the Flaviviridae family. HGV RNA was found in only a low percentage of patients with either acute or chronic non-A-E hepatitis. HGV appears to co-infect or superinfect in 10-15% of HCV infections, and in 5-15% of HBV infections. The prevalence of HGV infection(0.8%) among voluntary blood donor in Japan is similar to that for HCV infection. A history of blood transfusion was obtained in 50-60% of HGV RNA positive subjects. HGV was also detected in about 10% of hemodialysis patients. Finally, isolated HGV infection appears to have a low disease burden.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1997

[Evaluation of mycobacteria growth indicator tube (MGIT) for drug susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates].

Fifty six clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were tested for drug susceptibility in Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) containing 0.1 microgram/ml of INH, 1.0 microgram/ml of RFP, 3.5 micrograms/ml of EB and 0.8 microgram/ml of SM. These results were compared with those obtained by testing the same M.tuberculosis isolates by the absolute concentration method using 1% Ogawa egg slant containing 0.1 microgram/ml of INH, 10 micrograms/ml of REP, 2.5 micrograms/ml of EB and 20 micrograms/ml of SM. Fifty six isolates consisted of 18 pansensitive strains, 27 multidrug resistant strains and 11 single drug resistant strains. The results of individual drugs showed excellent agreement between the MGIT and the Ogawa methods, and overall agreement rate of the two methods were 96.4%. The results were just the same for all drugs in 48 out of 56 strains studied. The drug resistance could be observed much earlier by the MGIT method (mean 5.9 days) than by the Ogawa method (more than 21 days). In conclusion, the MGIT system could be a promising new drug susceptibility test which might become available in Japan replacing the Ogawa method.

Antitubercular Agents↗
PubMed1997

[A case of local recurrence of rectal cancer that achieved a complete response with high-dose interstitial brachytherapy].

We report a case of local recurrence of rectal cancer that achieved complete response with high-dose interstitial brachytherapy. The patient was a forty-nine-year-old woman. In September 1995, she underwent abdominoperineal resection of rectum for rectal cancer (T4 N2 M0, moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma). In February 1996, she complained of genital bleeding. MRI examination revealed a mass of 70 x 22 x 20 mm in the pelvis, which was diagnosed to be recurrent rectal cancer with needle biopsy. Interstitial brachytherapy (60 Gy/twelve fractions/six days) was performed, and a complete response was achieved. One year after the treatment, no tumor was detected in the pelvis. No skin erosion, skin ulcer, urinary cystitis, nor ileitis occurred. High-dose interstitial brachytherapy delivers high-dose irradiation to a tumor while keeping the dose to the surrounding normal organs at a low level. This procedure may be an effective modality for local recurrence of rectal cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1997

Activity of KRM 1648 or rifabutin alone or in combination with clarithromycin against Mycobacterium avium complex in human alveolar macrophages.

SETTING: The activity of KRM 1648 (KRM), a new benzoxazinorifamycin, and rifabutin (RBT), alone or in combination with clarithromycin (CLA), was evaluated against Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) that multiplied in human alveolar macrophages (AM). DESIGN: AM were recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage, incubated in RPMI 1640 medium with 10% human AB serum, infected with four strains of MAC (of non-acquired immune deficiency syndrome [AIDS] origin), and then treated with each drug alone or in combination. After incubation for 7 days, colony forming units in each well were counted on 7H10 agar. RESULTS: Although concentrations between 0.2 microgram/ml and 20 micrograms/ml of both rifamycins showed clear dose-dependent activities against all MAC strains tested, only 20 micrograms/ml of each drug had modest bactericidal effect. In combination with 2.0 micrograms/ml of CLA, however, 0.2 microgram/ml of both drugs caused a bactericidal response against two of the four MAC strains examined. CONCLUSION: According to this human alveolar macrophage model of MAC infection, KRM and RBT in combination with CLA was found to be a promising candidate against human pulmonary MAC infection, and deserves clinical evaluation.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Effect of hepatitis G virus infection on chronic hepatitis C.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the effect of hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection on chronic hepatitis C. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University hospital in Matsumoto, Japan. PATIENTS: 189 randomly selected patients with histologically proven chronic hepatitis C, including 101 patients receiving interferon-alpha. MEASUREMENTS: Serum levels of HGV RNA were measured by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Clinical features, including liver histologic findings, hepatitis C virus (HCV) markers, and response of HCV to interferon-alpha were compared between HGV RNA-positive and HGV RNA-negative patients. RESULTS: 21 of 189 (11%) patients with chronic hepatitis C were positive for HGV RNA. On average, patients with HGV RNA were younger than those without HGV RNA (mean age +/- SD, 46.6 +/- 13.0 years and 51.7 +/- 10.7 years, respectively); other demographic and clinical features were similar. The HCV genotype and HCV RNA level were distributed similarly between patients with and those without HGV infection. Ten of 101 patients with chronic hepatitis C who received interferon-alpha were positive for HGV RNA. The rate of sustained HCV response to interferon-alpha in patients with HGV infection (30%) was similar to that in patients without HGV infection (36%). The HGV RNA level decreased during therapy in all 9 patients in whom this value was measured. However, only 2 of these patients had a sustained HGV response after discontinuation of therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who only had HCV infection did not differ from patients with HCV and HGV co-infection in clinical presentation, HCV RNA level, or response of HCV to interferon-alpha therapy. Thus, HGV infection had no apparent influence on the clinical or virologic course of HCV infection. Hepatitis G virus was uniformly sensitive to interferon-alpha therapy, but only a few patients had a sustained virologic response.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed1996

Calcium-dependent potentiation of M-current in bullfrog sympathetic neurons.

Whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings were made from cultured bullfrog sympathetic neurons to measure the steady-state activation curve of M-type potassium current. When measured with a calcium-deficient (10 nM) pipette solution M-conductance was 4.8 nS at -35 mV having the 50%-activation voltage at-20 mV. Respective values were 17.2 nS at -35 mV with the 50%-activation voltage at -42 mV when measured with a calcium-rich (1 microM) solution, indicating the hyperpolarizing displacement of the activation curve with high internal calcium. It is suggested that intracellular calcium ions can modulate kinetics of M-current which thereby regulate the number of M-channels being open at given membrane potentials.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Simultaneous determination of twelve benzodiazepines in human serum using a new reversed-phase chromatographic column on a 2-microns porous microspherical silica gel.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the simultaneous analysis of twelve frequently used benzodiazepines (BZPs) (bromazepam, clonazepam, chlordiazepoxide, estazolam, etizolam, flutazoram, haloxazolam, lorazepam, nitrazepam, oxazolam, triazolam and diazepam, internal standard) by using commercially available 2 or 5 microns particle size reversed-phase columns and a microflow cell-equipped ultraviolet detector. The separation was achieved using a C18 reversed-phase column (condition 1: 100 x 4.6 mm I.D., particle size 2 microns, TSK gel Super-ODS: conditon 2: 100 x 4.6 mm I.D., particle size 5 microns, Hypersil ODS-C18). The mobile phase was composed of methanol-5 mM NaH2PO4 (pH 6) (45:55, v/v), and the flow-rate was 0.65 ml/min (condition 1 and 2). The absorbance of the eluent was monitored at 254 nm. Retention times under condition 1 were shorter than those of condition 2. When the twelve benzodiazepines were determined, sensitivity and limits of quantification were about four to ten times better under condition 1 than under condition 2. The rate of recovery and linearity in condition 1 were approximately the same as those in condition 2. These results show that a new ODS filler with a particle size of 2 microns was more sensitive, provided better separation and was more rapid than that with conventional ODS filler.

Anti-Anxiety Agents↗
PubMed1996

Detection of hepatitis C virus specific core protein in serum of patients by a sensitive fluorescence enzyme immunoassay (FEIA).

A protein-capture fluorescence enzyme immunoassay (FEIA) was developed using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against recombinant hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein. Four hybridoma cell lines (5E3, 5F11, 515S, 1080S) were established and characterized. These monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) each had IgG1 and OgG2 isotypes, and recognized major B cell epitopes within the immunodominant nucleoprotein amino terminal subregion. Using mAb 5F11 as the first antibody to the solid phase and beta-D-galactosidase-conjugated mAb 5E3 as the second antibody to the protein, we established a specific HCV core protein capturing FEIA capable of detecting as little as 20 pg/ml of recombinant HCV core protein. HCV core protein in serum was detectable after treatment with 4.0% polyethyleneglycol, 0.5 NaOH, and 5% Triton X-100. The results of a peptide inhibition assay indicated that this FEIA is specific for HCV RNA positive sera. The quantity of HCV core protein detected in serum was significantly correlated to the level of HCV RNA. The detection limit for HCV core proteins was an HCV RNA per titer of approximately 10(4)/ml. Using this FEIA system, the detection ratio of HCV core protein in patients with chronic HCV infection was 92.3% (70/76).

Animals↗
PubMed1996

A prospective analysis of subacute thyroid dysfunction after neck irradiation.

PURPOSE: Exposure of the thyroid to therapeutic doses of external irradiation has been demonstrated to induce thyroid dysfunction. This study was designed to assess the relationship between irradiation and early thyroid dysfunction, prospectively. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty patients in whom the thyroid was incidentally exposed to therapeutic doses of irradiation were studied. The dose given to the thyroid was 40-54 Gy over 4-7 weeks. Thyroid function tests, including serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (free T4), free triiodothyronine (free T3), antithyroglobulin antibody, and antimicrosomal antibody, were performed prior to irradiation and at 3, 6, and 12 months after radiotherapy. RESULTS: Serum TSH levels did not change significantly at 3 months after irradiation (mean TSH level: 1.33 microU/ml before irradiation, 1.74 microU/ml at 3 months, p = 0.11). However, a significant elevation was noted at 6 months (mean TSH: 3.50 microU/ml at 6 months, p = 0.0001, vs. preirradiation), when TSH levels were higher than preirradiation levels in 19 of 20 patients. After irradiation, 13 patients remained in a euthyroid state (euthyroid group), while in the other 7 patients hypothyroidism occurred (hypothyroid group) and thyroid hormone-replacement therapy was performed. After 6 months, elevation of TSH was less significant in the euthyroid group, whereas elevation of TSH persisted continuously and exponentially in the hypothyroid group. Thyroid autoantibodies did not turn positive in any patient during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Damage of the thyroid develops in most patients when the organ is exposed to radiation. This radiation-induced damage is initially manifested within 6 months after irradiation.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Hopelessness in a community population in Japan.

The Japanese version of the Beck Hopelessness Scale was administered to a total of 154 community residents. The internal consistency (KR-20) was .86. The mean BHS score was 8.6 (SD = 3.9), approximately one standard deviation higher than the reported mean for an Irish general population. The BHS scores were found to be significantly correlated with the age and the number of people living together. Significant negative correlations were found with subjective physical fitness, self-confidence, satisfaction with accommodation and marital state, and adjustment in the work place. The mean BHS score was significantly higher among those individuals who had experienced early maternal or paternal death than those who had not.

Adult↗