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Biomedical subjects

H Kamiya

Publications and source records attributed to H Kamiya.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Antioxidant changes in the hypertrophied heart due to energy metabolic disorder.

Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of both heart hypertrophy and heart failure. Hypertrophied heart, in response to pressure overload, is associated with an increase in antioxidant capacity and a decrease in oxidative stress. However, in the hypertrophied heart due to energy metabolic disorder, antioxidant capacity has not been investigated. Antioxidant changes in juvenile visceral steatosis (JVS) mice, a model of heart hypertrophy due to disorder of fatty-acid oxidation, were examined at 4 weeks (developing hypertrophy stage) and 8 weeks of age (established hypertrophy stage). Superoxide dismutase activity in the JVS mice was higher than that in control mice at 4 weeks of age and was not different from that in the control mice at 8 weeks of age. Glutathione peroxidase activity in the JVS mice at 8 weeks of age was lower than that in the control mice. Catalase activity showed no significant differences between the control and the JVS mice. Lipid peroxidation in the JVS mice was significantly reduced at 4 weeks of age and increased toward control levels at 8 weeks of age. The levels of vitamin E in the heart were increased in the JVS mice at 8 weeks of age. To determine whether antioxidants affect the pathogenesis of hypertrophy in this model, long-term treatments of vitamin E and 2-mercaptopropionyl glycine were performed. Vitamin E treatment partially reduced the heart hypertrophy in these mice. The present study shows that heart hypertrophy in the JVS mice is accompanied with increased antioxidant capacity as indicated in other animal models of heart hypertrophy. The precise mechanism of heart hypertrophy in JVS mice is still unknown, but oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of heart hypertrophy.

Animals↗

Ultra-short-acting cardioselective beta-blockade attenuates postischemic cardiac dysfunction in the isolated rat heart.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to test the effectiveness of ultra-short-acting cardioselective beta-blockade, landiolol hydrochloride, for warm heart surgery. METHODS: The isolated perfused rat heart preparation was used. After preischemic measurement of cardiac function, 3 min of coronary infusion of crystalloid cardioplegic solution (37 degrees C) with landiolol hydrochloride of various concentrations (1, 2.5, 5, and 10 mmol/l) or without it (control group) was performed, followed by 30 min of warm ischemic arrest. Finally, postischemic function was measured. RESULTS: The percentage recoveries of heart rate in hearts receiving 0, 1, 2.5, 5, and 10 mmol/l landiolol hydrochloride were 89.4+/-3.4%, 90.9+/-1.7%, 89.6+/-1.8%, 83.4+/-3.3%, and 74.3+/-1.9% (P<0.05 vs. 0, 1, and 2.5 mmol/l groups), respectively. The percentage recoveries of aortic flow were 55.6+/-3.1%, 62.8+/-3.3%, 75.0+/-4.2% (P<0.05 vs. 0 and 10 mmol/l groups), 65.3+/-5.3%, and 51.6+/-4.0%, respectively. Similar recovery profiles were observed with the first derivative of the rise in aortic pressure, stroke volume and stroke work. The total amount of coronary effluent in the hearts receiving 5 or 10 mmol/l was lower than in the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Landiolol hydrochloride has the potential to enhance postischemic cardiac function after the warm cardioplegic arrest. The optimal concentration for maximum postischemic functional recovery was 2.5 mmol/l, and recoveries of aortic flow and heart rate decreased in hearts receiving 5 mmol/l or more.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Kinetics of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in guinea-pigs, with special reference to the involvement of epidermal Langerhans' cells in the induction of immunity.

Several studies have confirmed that epidermal Langerhans' cells (LC) play a central role in the induction of skin-related immunological events. In order to assess the role of LC in Chagas' disease, guinea-pigs were infected intradermally with Trypanosoma cruzi, sacrificed at different time-points, and their tissues were processed for routine histology, electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Parasitaemia was observed earliest at day 6 p.i. with 2 peaks at days 9 and 28, and disappeared on day 56 p.i. Parasite-specific serum IgG and IgM were first detected on day 12 p.i. The level of IgG gradually increased by day 84 p.i. All the infected guinea-pigs showed significant alterations in the distribution and morphology of epidermal LC during parasitacmia. The number of LC had significantly decreased in the epidermis by day 3 p.i., only returning to normal levels by day 56 p.i., although the number of LC in the underlying dermis increased concomitantly. Parasites were carried to the regional lymph node, where clustering of parasite-laden dendritic cells (DC) with lymphocytes was seen by electron microscopy. This evidence suggests that LC might be involved in antigen presentation in Chagas' disease.

Animals↗

"Apocrine" poroma: review of the literature and case report.

BACKGROUND: "Apocrine" poroma has recently been proposed as a new term to designate a distinctive benign skin neoplasm with differentiation toward the folliculosebaceous-apocrine unit. CASE REPORT: In support of alternative differentiation, a case of apocrine poroma is reported in a 73-year-old man. A nodule on the right upper abdomen, which was thought clinically to be seborrheic keratosis or basal cell epithelioma, was excised. HISTOLOGY: Histologically, this neoplasm heterogeniously consisted of poroma-like, sebaceous and follicular epithelial components. Since these components share the common embryologic origin of the folliculosebaceous-apocrine unit, this histologic pattern indicates apocrine differentiation of the tumor. CONCLUSION: This is an additional case to support the term "apocrine" poroma as a diagnosis.

Acrospiroma↗

Defect of protective immunity to Schistosoma mansoni infection in Mongolian gerbils involves limited recruitment of dendritic cells in the vaccinated skin.

In Mongolian gerbils, Meriones unguiculatus, the attenuated Schistosoma mansoni vaccine, is known to induce marginal or no resistance to a homologous infection. To clarify the base of defective acquisition of the resistance, we have focused on the induction phase of protective immunity to S. mansoni, i.e. cellular responses in the skin and skin-draining lymph nodes (SLN). Percutaneous exposure to normal or ultraviolet (18mJ/cm2)-attenuated cercariae induced comparable increases in SLN leucocyte counts, in contrast to other attenuated schistosome vaccine models in rodents where attenuated parasites induce more notable increases in SLN leucocyte counts than normal ones. Using serial sections, it was demonstrated that greater numbers of attenuated larvae remained for a longer period in the exposed skin than normal ones. Correlated with cellular responses in the SLN, attenuated and normal schistosomes elicited a comparable degree of response of epidermal Langerhans' cells/putative dermal dendritic cells that were visualized by immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal antibody to a gerbil major histocompatibility complex class II molecule (HUSM-M.g.30). It is speculated that in Mongolian gerbils limited recruitment of dendritic cells around attenuated S. mansoni larvae, at least partially, contribute to defective induction of protective immunity by the attenuated vaccine.

Animals↗

Vaccine-modified measles in previously immunized children in Accra, Ghana: clinical, virological and serological parameters.

Despite rapidly increasing measles immunization coverage, epidemics of measles occurred from January to March 2000 in some parts of Accra, the capital of Ghana. 44 cases of acute measles were diagnosed at three health facilities during the outbreaks, which we examined clinically and serologically. The peak incidence occurred among 6-12-year-olds, clinical symptoms were milder than the typical symptoms of measles, and fever was significantly less common. None of the cases developed complications and all recovered completely. Thirty-eight (86.4%) were tested serologically; IgM antibodies were detected in 73.7% and IgG antibodies in 84.2% during the acute phase. Milder symptoms in a significant number of cases with measles IgG antibodies suggest that these are vaccine-modified measles, attributable to waning antibodies and low circulation of wild type virus in an area of high vaccine coverage. Serological confirmation will be required for accurate diagnosis, if measles is to be eradicated or kept under control. It also seems likely that multiple dose immunization schedules will be needed in the future to maintain protective antibody levels and to protect children against measles in Ghana. This will eliminate the frequent outbreaks of measles involving immunized children.

Child↗

Relative importance of calcium-activated potassium channels in nipradilol-induced aortic relaxation in rats.

Nipradilol (CAS 81486-22-8), a vasodilatory beta-blocker, has been shown to dilate smaller vessels than nitroglycerin does, and the vasodilative effects of nipradilol have been reported to be less mediated by cyclic GMP (guanosine monophosphate) than those of nitroglycerin. To test the hypothesis that cyclic GMP-independent potassium channels have a larger role in nipradilol-induced aortic relaxation than cyclic GMP-dependent mechanisms, the effects of a potassium channel blocker, tetraethylammonium (TEA, CAS 56-34-8), and of a guanylate cyclase inhibitor, methylene blue (MB, CAS 61-73-4), on nipradilol-induced aortic relaxation were investigated and compared with those on nitroglycerin-induced aortic relaxation in isolated rat aortic rings. Relaxation response was expressed as percent relaxation, which is a percentage of the tension developed by 10(-7) mol/l norepinephrine. Nitroglycerin and nipradilol similarly relaxed the aortic ring in a concentration-dependent manner (10(-9)-10(-4) mol/l). In contrast, desnitronipradilol, a nipradilol analogue which has no nitroxy group, induced almost no aortic relaxation. TEA at 10(-3) mol/l, which is selective for calcium-activated potassium channels, inhibited the aortic relaxation induced by nipradilol (10(-5) mol/l) to a significantly greater extent than that induced by nitroglycerin (10(-5) mol/l) (% relaxation: 30.0 +/- 6.8 vs. 51.1 +/- 6.1%, p < 0.05). MB (10(-5) mol/l) suppressed the relaxation by nitroglycerin slightly but not significantly more than that by nipradilol. (% relaxation: 54.7 +/- 9.9 vs. 64.6 +/- 5.7%). The combination of TEA and MB almost completely eliminated the relaxation induced by nipradilol as well as by nitroglycerin. Thus, cyclic GMP-independent calcium activated potassium channels may be more involved in the aortic relaxation by nipradilol than that by nitroglycerin in rats.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Purification of the major allergen of red soft coral (Dendronephthya nipponica).

Red soft coral (RSC; Dendronephthya nipponica, a marine coelenterate) causes spiny lobster fishermen living along the Pacific coast of Miyazaki Prefecture in Japan to develop occupational allergies, such as conjunctivitis, rhinitis, dermatitis and bronchial asthma. The aim of this study was to purify and to characterize RSC allergen, which causes occupational asthma in spiny lobster fishermen. The allergic responsiveness of spiny lobster fishermen to RSC was examined. The examinations included specific IgE production, skin test responses, lymphocyte stimulation tests and specific IgG production. We found that RSC has a strong sensitizing activity in humans at a molecular weight of 10 kD or more, while it has no IgE-producing activity at a molecular weight of less than 10 kD. Neither the nonatopic controls nor the atopic non-coral-allergic controls exhibited any RAST-binding activity to any fraction. For the purification and the identification of this new allergen component, repeated gel filtration of the RSC extract was performed on a Sephacryl S-200 column, followed by gel filtration on a Superose-6 column. The purified major allergen component Den n 1, which is separated on a Mono-Q column, showed intradermal responses, lymphocyte stimulating activity and specific IgG-producing activity in RSC-induced bronchial asthma patients. The 53-kD component was electroblotted on a polyvinylidene difluoride membrane. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of this new allergen component (Den n 1) was determined as Asp-Asp-Ile-Asn-Arg-Tyr-Ala-Phe-Asp-Asn-Lys-Ile-Asn- Asp-Lys-Leu-Phe-Asp-His-Trp-Gln-Ser.

Adult↗

Surgical treatment of primary cardiac tumors: 28 years' experience in Kanazawa University Hospital.

To examine the clinical features of primary cardiac tumors, 34 patients who underwent surgical treatment from 1973 to 2000 at the Kanazawa University Hospital were analyzed and the literature was reviewed. The 34 patients were divided into 3 categories: (i) myxomas; (ii) benign non-myxomas; and (iii) malignant tumors. Twenty-three patients (70%) were diagnosed with myxomas, including 22 left atrial myxomas and 1 right atrial myxoma. Seven patients (18%) were diagnosed with benign non-myxoma tumors, including 3 hemangiomas, 1 fibroma, 1 rhabdomyoma, 1 pheochromocytoma, and 1 lipoma. Four patients (12%) were diagnosed with malignant tumors, including 2 angiosarcomas, 1 rhabdomyosarcoma, and 1 malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Among the myxoma patients, in-hospital mortality was 9% (2/23), late mortality was 10% (2/21), and no recurrent myxomas have been identified. Among benign non-myxoma patients there were no perioperative deaths; however, 1 patient died 11 years after surgery, with no linked cause. No recurrent tumors have been identified. Among malignant tumor patients, 1 patient died the day following surgery and the rest died within 14 months. Early and late results of surgery were acceptable for those patients with benign tumors, while the prognosis for patients with malignant tumors was very poor.

Adolescent↗

Estimating pulmonary capillary wedge pressures using Doppler variables of early diastolic left ventricular inflow.

The present study was performed to determine whether a multilineal regression model based on the early diastolic transmitral flow peak velocity (E) and the propagation velocity of early diastolic inflow (PV) could estimate the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP). PCWP and Doppler variables were simultaneously recorded in 30 patients. PCWP was estimated by multilinear regression analysis using E and PV. The predictive accuracy of the equation obtained from the analysis was tested prospectively in a separate group of 65 patients divided into 3 groups: left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction (Group A), LV hypertrophy (Group B), and preserved systolic function without hypertrophy (Group C). The initial results obtained in groups B and C, respectively, were: r=0.77; r=0.81. These results indicate that a multilinear regression model based on E and PV is a noninvasive method of accurately estimating PCWP in a variety of cardiac disease states.

Adult↗

Effects of HSP-117, a novel tachykinin NK1-receptor antagonist, on cisplatin-induced pica as a new evaluation of delayed emesis in rats.

The effects of a novel tachykinin NK1-receptor antagonist HSP-117 [(2S,3S)-3-[(5-isopropyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-7-yl)methyl]amino-2-phenylpiperidine dihydrochloride] on cisplatin-induced pica, i.e., the eating of nonnutritive substances such as kaolin were examined in rats. HSP-117 inhibited kaolin intake in a dose-dependent manner for 2 days. The 5-HT3-receptor antagonist ondansetron inhibited only on the first day, but not on the second day. These results indicate that the cisplatin-induced kaolin intake on the first day is related to both 5-HT3- and NK1 receptors, while only the NK1 receptor is involved on the second day. Thus, cisplatin-induced continuous pica in rats represents a useful model of not only acute but also delayed emesis.

Animals↗

A novel rhamnose-binding lectin family from eggs of steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) with different structures and tissue distribution.

An L-rhamnose-binding isolectin named STL3 (subunit Mr, 21.5 k) was isolated from eggs of the steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in addition to STL1 (subunit Mr, 31.4 k) and STL2 (subunit Mr, 21.3 k) that had been already isolated. STLs were composed of noncovalently linked subunits. The primary structures of STL1 and STL3 were analyzed by the combined use of protein sequencing and cDNA sequencing. A cDNA encoding STL2, of which the protein sequence had been previously studied, was also analyzed. The STL1 subunit (289 amino acid residues) had different structural properties compared to those of the STL2 subunit (195 amino acid residues) and the STL3 subunit (195 amino acid residues); e.g., the number of repeated domain (three for STL1, and two for STL2 and STL3), although all of them were composed of tandemly repeated homologous domains (40 to 53% identities). The lectin levels in various tissues and during the embryonic development showed that STL1 had different distribution and expression profiles from those of STL2 and STL3. Although STL1 could be detected in several tissues and serum of both male and female steelhead trout, STL2 and STL3 were only abundant in the ovary. STL2 and STL3 levels dramatically decreased just after hatching, however, the STL1 level increased temporarily. These results indicate that the multiple lectins from eggs of the steelhead trout form a novel rhamnose-binding lectin family with different structures and tissue distribution to share distinct functions in eggs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Aldose reductase inhibition ameliorates pupillary light reflex and F-wave latency in patients with mild diabetic neuropathy.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of an aldose reductase inhibitor, epalrestat, on autonomic and somatic neuropathy at an early stage in type 2 diabetic patients by assessing the pupillary light reflex and minimum latency of the F-wave. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 30 diabetic patients with subclinical or mild diabetic neuropathy were randomly allocated to a control group (n = 15) and epalrestat (150 mg/day) group (n = 15). After 24 weeks, the pupillary light reflex test, cardiovascular autonomic function tests, and nerve conduction study were performed. RESULTS: The beneficial effect of epalrestat on the pupillary light reflex was observed in the minimum diameter after light stimuli (P = 0.044), constriction ratio (P = 0.014), and maximum velocity of constriction (P = 0.008). Among cardiovascular autonomic nerve functions, the ratio of the longest expiratory R-R interval to the shortest inspiratory R-R interval during deep breathing was significantly improved by epalrestat (P = 0.037). Minimum latencies of F-wave of median and tibial motor nerves were significantly shortened by epalrestat (P = 0.002 and P = 0.001, respectively); however, no significant effects were observed in motor or sensory nerve conduction velocity. CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that epalrestat may have therapeutic value at the early stage of diabetic neuropathy and that the pupillary light reflex and minimum latency of F-wave may be useful indicators of diabetic neuropathy.

Aldehyde Reductase↗

Pharmacological properties of the potent epileptogenic amino acid dysiherbaine, a novel glutamate receptor agonist isolated from the marine sponge Dysidea herbacea.

Dysiherbaine (DH) is a marine sponge-derived amino acid that causes seizures upon injection into mice. In this report we investigate the behavioral effects and characterize the pharmacological activity of DH. DH induced convulsive behaviors in mice with ED(50) values of 13 pmol/mouse, i.c.v. and 0.97 mg/kg, i.p. In rat brain synaptic membranes DH displaced binding of [3H]kainic acid (KA) and [3H]alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) with K(i) values of 26 and 153 nM, respectively; in contrast, DH did not displace the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor ligand [3H]CGS-19755. DH displaced [3H]KA from recombinant GluR5 and GluR6 kainate receptor subunits expressed in HEK293 cells with K(i) values of 0.74 and 1.2 nM, respectively. In whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings from cultured rat hippocampal neurons, DH evoked inward currents from both AMPA and KA receptors with EC(50) values of 9.7 microM and 210 nM, respectively. AMPA receptor currents were blocked by GYKI 53655, whereas KA receptor currents were blocked by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX). Surprisingly, in calcium imaging experiments we found that DH also activated recombinant mGluR5 receptors but did not activate mGluR1 receptors. DH did not activate glutamate transporters or gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABA(A)) receptors. These results indicate that DH is a potent non-NMDA-type agonist with very high affinity for KA receptors, as well as a subtype-selective mGluR agonist. DH possesses the most potent epileptogenic activity among the amino acids yet identified. This novel excitatory amino acid may prove useful for evaluating the physiological and pathological roles of non-NMDA receptors, especially KA receptors, in the central nervous system.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

[A case of surgical treatment for cardiac tamponade caused by a ruptured coronary aneurysm accompanied by a coronary artery-pulmonary artery fistula].

A 67-year-old woman experienced a sudden severe pain in the area of her left shoulder and back. Three days later the pain recurred, after which she fell into shock and was taken to another hospital by ambulance. A plain chest CT scan showed a cardiac tamponade, while an enhanced chest CT scan demonstrated a coronary aneurysm in the left anterior descending branch draining to the pulmonary artery. Coronary arteriography revealed a saccular type aneurysm, 5 cm in diameter, with a coronary artery-pulmonary artery fistula. After pericardiocentesis, she recovered from her state of shock. The patient was then transferred to our hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery. Under a cardiopulmonary bypass, the stem of the aneurysm and the fistula were ligated and resected. She recovered smoothly and was discharged on the 24th postoperative day.

Aged↗