Biomedical subjects

H Hara

Publications and source records attributed to H Hara.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

Strain-related differences in susceptibility to transient forebrain ischemia in SV-129 and C57black/6 mice.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We explored susceptibility to injury after global ischemia in SV-129 and C57Black/6 mice, two commonly used-background strains in genetically engineered mice. METHODS: Mice (n = 84) were subjected to 15, 30, or 75 minutes of bilateral common carotid artery (BCCA) occlusion followed by reperfusion for 72 hours. BCCA occlusion was performed under halothane or chloral hydrate anesthesia, in one experiment, mean arterial blood pressure and regional cerebral blood flow (laser Doppler flowmetry) were matched by controlled exsanguination. Baseline absolute blood flow measurements were obtained in both strains using a tracer, N-isopropyl-[methyl 1,3-14C]-p-iodoamphetamine, indicator fractionation technique (n = 5 per group). Vascular anatomy of the circle of Willis was visualized by intravascular perfusion of carbon black ink (n = 10 per group). Cerebrovascular reactivity was assessed by measuring the diameter of pial vessels (intravital microscopy) to acetylcholine (ACh) superfusion (0.1 to 10 mmol/L) in a closed cranial window preparation (n = 29). RESULTS: Resting blood flow values did not differ between groups in striatum, cerebellum, and brain-stem regions. SV-129 mice were less susceptible than C57Black/6 mice to ischemic injury (0.0 +/- 0.0 versus 1.3 +/- 0.3 damage in hippocampal CA1 region after 30 minutes of ischemia in SV-129 and C57Black/6, respectively; P < .01). Cellular damage (grade 1 to 3 injury) comparable to 30-minute BCCA occlusion was achieved only after 75 minutes of ischemia in SV-129 mice (1.1 +/- 0.3). Ischemic damage was also significantly less in SV-129 mice after blood pressure and flow were matched during ischemia in halothane-anesthetized SV-129 mice (0.5 +/- 0.3 versus 1.4 +/- 0.2, P < .05), or after chloral hydrate anesthesia (0.4 +/- 0.2 versus 1.5 +/- 0.4, P < .05). Hypoplastic posterior communicating arteries were found in all 10 C57Black/6 mice and may explain the greater susceptibility of these mice to injury after BCCA occlusion. More robust vasodilation to ACh in C57Black/6 mice could also indicate genetic differences in responses to vasoactive substances. CONCLUSIONS: C57Black/6 mice exhibit enhanced susceptibility to global cerebral ischemic injury, an incompletely formed circle of Willis, and augmented pial vessel dilation to ACh compared with SV-129 mice. Our findings suggest that strain differences may confound results when genetically engineered mice generated from more than a single background strain are used.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed1997

Autosomal dominant transmission of Dejerine-Sottas disease (HMSN III).

Hereditary motor-sensory neuropathy type III (HMSN III) (Dejerine-Sottas disease) is a severe demyelinating neuropathy that is traditionally considered autosomal recessive. We report a father and daughter diagnosed with HMSN III by clinical, electrophysiologic, and pathologic criteria, thus showing that it may be transmitted in an autosomal dominant fashion in selected families.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

2-(3-Pyridyl)thiazolidine-4-carboxamides. 1. Novel orally active antagonists of platelet-activating factor (PAF).

In a search for novel platelet-activating factor (PAF) antagonists, we found that 1-(3-phenylpropyl)-4-[2-(3-pyridyl)thiazolidine-4-carbonyl] piperazine (3x) showed in vitro and in vivo PAF-antagonistic activities. Introduction of functional groups at the benzylic methylene carbon of 3x afforded some compounds with more potent PAF-antagonistic activity than 3x. Among them 1-(3-methyl-3-phenylbutyl)-4-[2-(3-pyridyl) thiazolidine-4-carbonyl]-piperazine fumarate (3al, YM264) was found to be one of the most potent PAF antagonists.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Inhibitory effect of lomerizine, a diphenylpiperazine Ca2+-channel blocker, on Ba2+ current through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in PC12 cells.

We investigated the effect of lomerizine, an anti-migraine drug, on the Ba2+ current through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells using a whole-cell voltage-clamp technique. Lomerizine inhibited the Ba2+ current with an IC50 value of 1.9 microM. Lomerizine and nicardipine were >4 times more potent than flunarizine, diltiazem, verapamil and dimetotiazine. The time course of inactivation induced by lomerizine was similar to that induced by nicardipine and flunarizine. These data indicate that lomerizine may inhibit the Ca2+ channel in a similar manner to nicardipine and flunarizine, and its potency is almost equal to that of nicardipine.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Changes in messenger RNA of pancreatic enzymes and intestinal cholecystokinin after a 7-day bile-pancreatic juice diversion from the proximal small intestine in rats.

We have previously demonstrated the bile-pancreatic juice (BPJ)-independent stimulation of pancreatic enzyme secretion in chronic BPJ-diverted rats. Pancreatic and intestinal adaptation to 7-day BPJ diversion was next examined. Pancreatic enzyme mRNA and cholecystokinin mRNA in the jejunal mucosa were measured in rats with BPJ diverted into the ileum (PBD rats) in comparison with the figures for rats with BPJ returned to the duodenum (normal rats) or laparotomized (Intact) rats under well-nourished conditions. Amylase mRNA in the pancreas was lower and trypsinogen plus chymotrypsinogen mRNA was higher in the PBD rats than in the intact rats. The change in pancreatic mRNA was similar to that in the specific activities of the enzymes after a chronic BPJ diversion. This finding suggests that these pancreatic enzymes were regulated by the mRNA level. The portal concentration of cholecystokinin in the postabsorptive period (exogenously non-stimulated status) was 4-fold higher in the PBD group than in the normal and intact groups. Cholecystokinin mRNA in the jejunal mucosa of PBD rats was somewhat higher than that of intact rats. These results suggest that intestinal cholecystokinin was predominantly increased at the translational or later stage by chronic BPJ diversion.

Absorption↗

PubMed1997

Effect of temporary closure of oronasal fistulae on levator veli palatini muscle activity.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to clarify electromyographically the effects of closing an oronasal fistula on levator muscle activity and oral air pressure in patients with velopharyngeal incompetence and in those with adequate velopharyngeal function. SUBJECTS: Five patients with adequate velopharyngeal function and six patients with velopharyngeal incompetence were studied. All subjects had an oronasal fistula at the anterior third portion of the hard palate in spite of primary palatal closure using palatal push-back operation. OUTCOME MEASURES: The smoothed electromyographic activity of the levator veli palatini muscle was measured with the fistula closed with a cotton swab dipped in saline and with the fistula left open. RESULTS: Under the closed fistula condition, oral air pressure was greater than that observed under the open fistula condition irrespective of velopharyngeal function. Levator veli palatini muscle activity was significantly lower in magnitude under the condition of closure than under the open condition in the patients with adequate velopharyngeal function, whereas in those with velopharyngeal incompetence, it was not significantly changed. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that velopharyngeal function is affected by temporary closure of an oronasal fistula, and that the magnitude of the effect is greater for subjects with adequate velopharyngeal function than for subjects with velopharyngeal incompetence.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Supplementation of methionine to a low soybean protein diet strikingly increases pancreatic amylase activity in rats.

Feed efficiency in rats fed a low soybean protein isolate (SPI) diet (100 g/kg diet) was dramatically improved with the supplementation of L-methionine (3 g/kg diet). Pancreatic amylase activity was low in rats fed a low SPI diet, and was much higher in the supplemented group than in the non-supplemented group. Pancreatic trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen contents (as activities of trypsin and chymotrypsin) were not changed with the methionine supplementation. In the small intestine, sucrase and leucine aminopeptidase in the jejunum and ileum were not clearly changed. In conclusion, a small amount of methionine supplemented to a low SPI diet especially induced pancreatic amylase among digestive enzymes. The factor involved in nutritional status, not the physiological action of methionine itself, may contribute the induction of amylase.

Amylases↗

PubMed1997

In vivo absorption of calcium carbonate and magnesium oxide from the large intestine in rats.

This study was conducted to evaluate the ability of the large intestine to absorb calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) from their sparingly water-soluble salts, and also to determine whether fructooligosaccharides (FOS) stimulate the absorption of these minerals in rat large intestine in vivo. Rats were fed Ca- and Mg-free diets with and without 5% FOS. An aqueous suspension of CaCO3 and MgO was infused into the stomach via a gastric tube or into the cecum via an implanted catheter. Coprophagy was prevented by using wire-mesh anal cups throughout the experiment so as to exclude the re-ingestion of feces as an oral mineral source. In rats fed an FOS-free diet, the absorption degrees of Ca and Mg infused into the cecum were the same as those infused into the stomach. The absorption degree of phosphorus (P) was slightly but significantly higher in rats with the infusion of Ca and Mg into the cecum than in rats with the infusion of Ca and Mg into the stomach. FOS-feeding increased the absorption of Mg to a similar extent in either case of infusion via cecal and oral routes, while FOS-feeding did not increase the absorption of Ca in rats with infusion of Ca and Mg into the cecum. We concluded that both CaCO3 and MgO are absorbed in the large intestine, and we ascertained that the increasing effect of FOS on the absorption of Mg took place mainly in the large intestine.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1997

[Clinical evaluation of cefpirome sulfate for severe infections in patients with hematological disorders. Hanshin Study Group of Hematopoietic Disorders and Infections].

We investigated the therapeutic efficacy and safety of cefpirome sulfate (CPR) in treatment of hematopoietic disorder-associated infections. A total of 219 patients were admitted to 12 hospitals of Hanshin Study Group of hematopoietic disorders and infections between April 1994 and March 1996 and were enrolled in this study. Most patients received intravenously infused CPR at a dose of 1 or 2 g twice a day for 3 days or more. Twenty nine patients dropped out or were excluded and remaining 190 patients were adopted for the evaluation. A overall response rate was 58.4% (111/190). Among neutropenic patients, the response rate was 50% (8/16) in patients whose peripheral neutrophil counts (PNC) remained less than 100/microliter throughout the observation period and was 53.7% (22/41) in patients with PNC remained less than 500/microliter. In contrast, in patient whose PNC was below 500 before the treatment but exceeded 501/microliter during of at the end of the treatment, the response rate was as high as 78.4% (29/37). When G-CSF was combined, the response rate became significantly (P < 0.05) higher, 68.5% (50/73), as compared with that, 52.1% (61/117), in patients without it. In cases in which the causative organisms could be identified, the organisms were eliminated in 81.8% (9/11) of the patients infected with Gram-positive bacteria, whereas in 100% (12/12) in those infected with Gram-negative bacteria. Skin eruption developed in 6 patients during the treatment with CPR, and vascular pain and parosmia in one each other. These symptoms subsided soon after discontinuation or even without discontinuation of CPR. Abnormal laboratory findings, mainly liver dysfunction, i.e. elevation of slight degree of serum transaminase levels, were observed. The values, however, turned to normal immediately after the cessation or completion of the treatment. In conclusion, CPR is considered to be an antibiotic of value with high efficacy and safety in treatment of hematopoietic disorder-associated infections.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

[A case of pleural metastasis of invasive thymoma with pulmonary metastasis responding to chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide and prednisolone].

The patient, a 48-year old male, was seen with hoarseness in December 1990. A chest radiograph and chest CT scan showed an anterior mediastinal mass. Median sternotomy revealed epithelial thymoma with involved partial lung and pericardium. After surgery, he received external radiation to the mediastinum. One year later he was given another 40 Gy external radiation in the cervical and mediastinal recurrence region. In May 1994, a chest CT scan revealed an extrapleural and bilateral lung mass. Histological examination revealed recurrent epithelial thymoma in the left cervical muscle biopsy, so treatment with cyclophosphamide and prednisolone were begun. A dose of 100 mg/body/day of cyclophosphamide and a dose of 10 mg/body/day of prednisolone were administered every 2 week. Complete remission was induced with four cycles of this treatment of cyclophosphamide and prednisolone. The chemotherapy was thus continued for 20 cycles in 14 months. This chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide and prednisolone appeared to be useful and safe for recurrent thymoma at the outpatient clinic level.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

PubMed1997

Pathogenesis of reduced egg production and soft-shelled eggs in laying hens associated with Leucocytozoon caulleryi infection.

The pathogenesis of reduced egg production with soft-shelled eggs in laying hens naturally infected with Leucocytozoon caulleryi was investigated. Many large schizonts of L. caulleryi schizonts were seen in the ovary and oviducts of chickens. Granulomatous and lymphocytic inflammation, edema, and pressure atrophy were associated with these schizonts. The uterine region that secretes the egg shell exhibited the most severe damage. These lesions in the reproductive organs may explain the mechanism for causing the reduced egg production and soft-shelled eggs in laying hens infected with L. caulleryi.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Production of env-deficient rous sarcoma virus (RSV) early after infection.

Production of defective virus particles during the early stage of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) infection of chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) was examined. RSV harvested 2 days post infection (2pi) had 10 to 30 times lower specific infectivity (focus forming units/unit reverse transcriptase activity) than 5pi harvest. Virus particles produced on day 2 contained less env proteins than particles harvested on day 5. The amount of other viral proteins was equal in particles harvested on day 2 and day 5. Analysis of infected cells revealed that these cells synthesized less env proteins on day 2 than on day 5. RSV RNA in infected cells was spliced normally on day 2. Infection at a low multiplicity of infection (moi) prolonged the production of defective particles. When infection was initiated by a low moi (0.01), particles harvested on day 5 had the same characteristics as 2pi particles after infection with a high moi (1.0). We conclude that the low infectivity of early harvest is due to the reduced amount of env proteins in virus particles, which is a consequence of the reduced env protein synthesis.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

[T cell vaccination--induction of anti-idiotypic immune response against TCR and shift of Th1/Th2 balance].

T cell vaccination, originally contrived and coinned by I.R. Cohen is the injection of autoimmune pathogenic T cell line/clone or T cell receptor peptides in an attempt to induce anti-idiotypic regulation to treat autoimmune disease. Establishment of many T cell lines/clones from various autoimmune animal model and successful injection of these cells as T cell vaccine have been reported, although the exact mechanism for vaccination effect has not been elucidated. However, recent reports suggest that not the clonal deletion or anergy but the shift of Th1/Th2 balance of disease-related T lymphocytes may be involved in the effect of vaccination.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

[Correlations between cell proliferating activity and apoptosis in the colorectal cancer and apoptosis in the mucosa adjacent to colorectal cancer].

To investigate the growth and progression of colorectal cancer, cell production versus cell loss in colorectal cancer was examined using the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) positivity rate and apoptotic index (AI). Cell loss was then examined using AI in the mucosa adjacent to colorectal cancer. The higher the PCNA positivity rate, the higher the apoptotic index in colorectal cancer. These results suggested that changes in cell production and cell loss may be closely correlated and play a role in the growth and progression of colorectal cancer. In patients with advanced colorectal cancer, the mucous composition of the adjacent mucosa was classified as sialomucin-predominant. Apoptosis at the proliferating zone in the mucosa adjacent to colorectal cancer (one or two glandular ducts) was also examined using the TUNEL method. This suggests that the mucosa adjacent to cancer is involved in apoptosis.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed1997

[Plateau iris configuration as a risk factor for malignant glaucoma].

To provide evidence for diagnosing malignant glaucoma, as well as to elucidate the pathogenetic mechanism of the disease, ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) is a useful tool. We examined the anterior segments of three patients with post-operative malignant glaucoma with UBM regarding the state before operation, the state of the opposite eye, and the state after the release of the cilio-lenticular block. Case 1 was a 76-year-old female who was diagnosed as having chronic angle-closure glaucoma (CACG) and was treated by trabeculectomy, phacoemulsification, aspiration (PEA), and simultaneous intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Case 2 was a 22-year-old male diagnosed as having CACG secondary to plateau iris syndrome and was treated by trabeculectomy. Case 3 was a 73-year-old female diagnosed as having normal-tension glaucoma with narrow angle and was treated by PEA and IOL implantation. Slit-like anterior chamber angle and anteriorly positioned ciliary body were observed in all 3 cases, which were identical to those Pavlin reported in 8 cases with plateau iris syndrome. UBM seems to be an important pre-operative examination to evaluate the risk of malignant glaucoma and to consider which surgical procedure and post-operative management is proper. The pre-operative configuration of the ciliary body may be associated with the onset of malignant glaucoma in some patients with CACG or narrow angle.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

[A man with systemic lupus erythematosus presenting with spastic paraplegia].

We report a 38-year-old man systemic lupus erythematosus who presented with an acute onset of paraplegia and urinary retention. The man had a 12-year history of nodular cutaneous mucinosis and arthralgia. In 1994, he was admitted to our hospital with a sudden onset of weakness and numbness of the right leg followed by an emergence of similar symptoms in the left leg. His elder sister had died at 16 years of age after suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus for 6 years. On examination, the patient had skin rash on his chest, back, head, forehead, and extremities. The neurological examination revealed that his tongue deviated to the right on protrusion. The muscle power was reduced to 2-3/5 in the right leg and to 4/5 in the left leg. The sensory disturbance was noted in the lower extremities with predominant involvement of the right leg. Reflexes were increased in the right biceps, triceps, both patellas, and Achilles tendons. Babinski sign was noted bilaterally. Urinary retention and constipation were also noted. The results of the blood cell count and hepatic and renal function tests were normal. Serum levels of C-reactive protein and complements (C3, C4, CH50) were also normal. Serological examinations showed increased anti-DNA antibody (14 U/ml, [normal, < 6]). Antinuclear antibody was positive at a titer of 1:1380. CSF study showed an increased protein concentration of 83 mg/dl and an IgG level of 14 mg/dl with a normal number of cells. MR images revealed a T1-low, T2-high signal lesion at the upper part of the left ventral medulla. MR images of the brain and spinal cord were normal. The patient was diagnosed as having SLE. High-dose intravenous methylprednisolone (1 g/day) pulse treatment that was started 25 days after the onset of neurological symptoms, produced partial relief. Our case presented with paraplegia with a focal lesion in the left upper ventral part of the medulla on MR images. The incidence of male SLE is low, and paraplegia is a rare complication of SLE. Thus, the medullary lesion in SLE observed in our case appears to be rare. SLE should be considered as a cause of acute onset paraplegia or myelopathy.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

[A case of huge abscess extended from anterior neck to left lung and lateral chest wall].

62-year-old woman admitted our hospital with pain of left upper extremity from the left chest and dysphasia. Chest X-ray showed the huge mass shadow in the left lung field. Diabetes mellitus and inflammatory reaction such as high fervor, leukocytosis, CRP and ESR accentuation were recognized. Conservative therapy was done at first, but mass shadow on X-ray increased, and swelling appeared from the neck to the left lateral chest wall. And the same site appeared like subcutaneous emphysema. Computed Tomography showed mass shadow which was enlarged and spread in lung parenchyma and left chest wall with bubble image. Incision and open drainage was performed for the left chest wall but origin bacteria was detected in neither anaerobic nor aerobic culture of pus. Inflammation and mass shadow of left upper lung field have decreased gradually. The patient discharged without bronchoalveolar fistula. Abscess extending from the neck or chest wall with diabetes mellitus is very rare.

Abscess↗

PubMed1997

[Usefulness and early detection of acute exacerbation by peak expiratory flow rate in the management of asthma].

The monitoring of peak expiratory flow (PEF) and maintenance of a symptom diary have been proposed as means to monitor asthma severity. This study assessed via longitudinal analysis, the usefulness and limitation of daily PEF monitoring (amplitude percent mean) as an index for asthma severity, and the usefulness of recording daily intake of beta-agonists as a measure of symptom severity. Nine subjects with moderate to severe asthma were treated with inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP). Sustained-release theophylline and oral corticosteroids supplemented inhaled BDP according to both individual symptom prevalence and PEF measurements. The patients kept records four times daily of their PEF and asthmatic symptoms (cough, sputum and number of attacks), from the beginning to the end of treatment. They also recorded the daily frequency of beta-agonist inhalation (as needed for symptomatic relief). Minimum daily PEF (expressed as percent best) correlated significantly with symptom scores: cough (r = -0.69), sputum (r = -0.69) and attack (r = -0.69). Minimum PEF correlated strongly with the daily frequency of beta agonist inhalation (r = 0.76). Each symptom score and the daily frequency of beta-agonist inhalation was zero when the minimum PEF was approximately 80%. We evaluated the correlation between minimum PEF and daily PEF variability in all data (r = -0.72): for a minimum PEF > or = 20% (r = -0.72), a minimum PEF > or = 30% (r = -0.77), a minimum PEF > or = 40% (r = -0.82) and a minimum PEF > or = 50% (r = -0.80). We determined the correlation between minimum PEFs of > or = 35 to 45% in 1% increments and daily PEF variability in relation to the severity of asthma. With a minimum PEF > or = 40%, the strongest correlation was demonstrated between minimum PEF and daily PEF variability. Daily PEF variability was a reliable indicator for the management of asthma when the PEF > or = 40%. When the minimum PEF was 80%, daily PEF variability was approximately 10%. When the minimum PEF was 40%, daily PEF variability was 46%, and the daily frequency of beta-agonist inhalation was 2.6. We concluded that, 1) The target values of minimum PEF and daily PEF variability are 80% and 10% respectively in the treatment of asthmatic patients, 2) The daily frequency of beta-agonist inhalation is recommended as an indicator for the severity of asthmatic symptoms, and 3) Daily PEF variability in combination with the daily frequency of beta-agonist inhalation is very useful in the management and early detection of acute asthma.

Adolescent↗