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Biomedical subjects

H Kojima

Publications and source records attributed to H Kojima.

At least 649 records · Page 36Linked to original sources

[Successful treatment of male urethritis with Chlamydia trachomatis by doxycycline].

Twenty male patients with urethritis caused by C. trachomatis were subjected to the clinical study of treatment with doxycycline (DOXY) 100 mg twice daily for 14 days. C. trachomatis was identified from urethral swab, both by direct fluorescein-conjugated anti-C. trachomatis species-specific monoclonal antibody technique (CTFA) and by culture using HeLa 229, in all cases before treatment. Almost complete agreement between CTFA and culture was obtained in the urethral swabs taken before treatment and after the 7th day of treatment. Disagreement between CTFA and culture especially CTFA-positive, culture-negative cases were observed at the third day of treatment. During the treatment course there might be the period where C. trachomatis antibody can be detected, but C. trachomatis can not be isolated by culture. After the 7th day of treatment C. trachomatis could not be identified neither by CTFA, nor by culture in all 20 cases, even after 2 to 5 weeks after the completion of the treatment. No notable side effect was experienced. Above results lead to the conclusion that treatment with DOXY 100 mg twice daily for 14 days is effective against male urethritis by C. trachomatis.

Administration, Oral↗

Studies by immune electron microscopy of hepatitis B surface antigen in PLC/PRF/5 cells.

Electron microscopic studies of the morphology of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) produced by PLC/PRF/5 cells in vitro were carried out. Aggregates of 20-nm spherical particles in 3-day culture supernatants were observed by immune electron microscopy (IEM). Aggregates of tubular structures were found with IEM in the extracts of the cells. Tubular structures 18 to 22 nm in diameter were seen by electron microscopy (EM) in the cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum in 2-3% of the cells. The tubular structures in the cytoplasm and extracts of PLC/PRF/5 cells resembled those observed in the hepatocytes of human carriers of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Intracellular localization of HBsAg in PLC/PRF/5 cells by direct peroxidase-conjugated antibody staining was observed on the tubular structures and the cisternal wall, which contained these structures. Rotation technique analysis indicated that the tubular structures were composed of 11 or 12 subunits.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

Effects of GM1 ganglioside on developing and mature serotonin and noradrenaline neurons lesioned by selective neurotoxins.

The effect of exogenous GM1 ganglioside on selective neurotoxin-induced lesions of serotonin (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NA) neurons in both the central and peripheral nervous systems has been investigated in developing and adult rats and mice by employing neuro- and histochemical techniques. 5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-HT) was used to lesion 5-HT neurons, and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OH-DA) was used to lesion NA neurons. In most lesion models investigated the neurotoxin causes primarily an axonal nerve terminal damage without notably affecting the perikarya. There was no evidence indicating that GM1 interferes with the primary and direct neurodegenerative actions of 5,7-HT or 6-OH-DA on 5-HT and NA nerve terminals, respectively. In all lesion models GM1 had in the chronic stage a counteracting effect on the neurotoxin-induced nerve terminal lesion or enhanced regrowth. The present results are compatible with the view that GM1 has a regrowth-stimulating effect and/or protective actions against secondary retrograde degeneration following the initial nerve terminal lesion induced by the neurotoxin.

5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine↗

Meiotic karyotype of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

A cytogenetic study of the meiotic chromosomes of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was undertaken by high resolution epifluorescence microscopy. Condensation of chromatin into separate chromosomes takes place during prophase I. At metaphase I, there are 16 separate and distinct bivalents which are roughly classified into three groups by morphological differences and DNA content.

DNA, Fungal↗

Effect of GM1 ganglioside on neonatally neurotoxin induced degeneration of serotonin neurons in the rat brain.

The effect of exogenous GM1 ganglioside on the 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-HT; a selective serotonin neurotoxin) induced alteration of the postnatal development of central 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; serotonin) neurons has been investigated using neuro-chemical and immunocytochemical techniques. Neonatal 5,7-HT (50 mg/kg s.c.) treatment is known to lead to a marked and a permanent degeneration of distant 5-HT nerve terminal projections (e.g. in cerebral cortex, hippocampus and spinal cord), while projections close to the 5-HT perikarya in the mesencephalon and pons-medulla increase their nerve density. These regional alterations are reflected by decreases and increases, respectively, of endogenous 5-HT, [3H]5-HT uptake in vitro and number of 5-HT nerve terminals demonstrated by immunocytochemistry. Treatment of newborn rats with GM1 (4 X 30 mg/kg s.c.; 24 h interval) had no significant effect on the postnatal development of 5-HT neurons. GM1 administration had furthermore no effect on the 5,7-HT induced alteration of the regional 5-HT levels and [3H]5-HT uptake in the cerebral cortex acutely, indicating that GM1 did not significantly interfere with the primary neurodegenerative actions of 5,7-HT. At the age of 1 month a clear counteracting effect of GM1 was observed, in particular of the 5,7-HT induced 5-HT denervations. The 5-HT levels in the frontal and occipital cortex were reduced to 25 and 20% of control after 5,7-HT alone, while these values were 70 and 40%, respectively, after 5,7-HT and GM1 treatment. A similar antagonizing effect of GM1 was found in the frontal cortex when measuring [3H]5-HT uptake. GM1 treatment also caused a minor reduction of the 5,7-HT induced increase of the 5-HT levels in striatum and mesencephalon. Quantitation of 5-HT nerve terminal density in sections processed for 5-HT immunocytochemistry using an automatic image analysis system showed markedly more nerve terminals in the frontal and occipital cortex after 5,7-HT + GM1 compared to 5,7-HT treatment alone. Minor counteracting effects of GM1 were noted in the hippocampus and spinal cord (thoracic-lumbar) as evaluated by chemical 5-HT assay, although substantial counteracting effects were observed locally in these areas by quantitative immunocytochemistry.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine↗

GM1 ganglioside enhances regrowth of noradrenaline nerve terminals in rat cerebral cortex lesioned by the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine.

The effect of exogenous GM1 ganglioside on selectively noradrenaline-denervated rat cerebral cortex was investigated by measuring the spatial distribution of endogenous noradrenaline levels and by fluorescence histochemical analysis. A local noradrenaline denervation was produced by intracortical infusion of the selective catecholamine neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine for 3 or 7 days. The neurotoxin infusion caused an almost complete noradrenaline denervation in a restricted area around the infusion point as reflected by an almost complete long-term disappearance of noradrenaline nerve terminals and reduction of noradrenaline levels. There was with time a slow recovery of the levels, most likely related to a spontaneous noradrenaline nerve terminal regeneration. Post-treatment for 1 week with GM1 had very small effects on the 6-hydroxydopamine-induced reduction of the noradrenaline levels, while pretreatment with GM1 for 3 days before the neurotoxin infusion and continuing the GM1 administration for another 7-14 days significantly enhanced noradrenaline recovery, as observed both bio- and histochemically. GM1 had no effect on the 6-hydroxydopamine-induced noradrenaline depletion acutely, indicating that GM1 does not interfere with the direct neurotoxic actions of 6-hydroxydopamine. The present results thus indicate that exogenous GM1 enhances regrowth of noradrenaline nerve terminals which may be due to a regrowth stimulatory effect (regeneration/collateral sprouting) and/or related to protective actions of GM1 against retrograde degeneration of noradrenaline axons following the neurotoxin-induced lesion.

Adrenergic Fibers↗

Inhibition of autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction by monoclonal antibodies specific for the beta chain of HLA-DR antigens.

Recent studies using rabbit antisera to the separated HLA-DR alpha and beta subunits have suggested that alpha chain-specific, but not beta chain-specific, antisera inhibit T cell proliferative responses in primary and secondary human autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR). In the present study, with the aid of sequential co-precipitation assays and Western blotting methods, a monoclonal rat alloantibody 1E4, specific for the beta chain of rat class II molecules carrying an Ia determinant Ba-2.7, was characterized to recognize a monomorphic determinant located on the beta chain of DR antigens. This antibody and a murine monoclonal antibody HU-4, also specific for the beta chain of DR antigens, strongly inhibited both primary and secondary AMLR through a mechanism distinct from an antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity reaction. These results indicate that the inhibition of AMLR is not a unique feature of DR alpha-specific antibodies.

Animals↗

[An electroencephalographical study on timiperone, a new antipsychotic drug].

This investigation was undertaken to analyze the EEG synchronizing effects of timiperone in cats. The effects of timiperone on the brain-stem reticular and hypothalamic activating system, diffuse and specific thalamic projection system, and caudate spindle were investigated by the electroencephalographic method. Timiperone produced a weak inhibition of EEG arousal response induced by electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve almost without affecting that which was induced by stimulation of the mesencephalic reticular formation. Furthermore, timiperone suppressed the activation of neocortical EEG in response to stimulation of the posterior hypothalamus more selectively than that of limbic EEG. Neither the recruiting response to stimulation of the centro-median nucleus of the thalamus nor the augmenting response to stimulation of the ventro-postero-lateral nucleus of the thalamus was modified by timiperone. In addition, timiperone significantly potentiated the caudate spindle. The EEG effects of haloperidol were qualitatively similar to those of timiperone. These results indicate that the synchronizing effect of timiperone may be mediated by a suppression of an ascending reticular activating system and may influence the conscious levels and sleep-wakefulness cycle in cats.

Animals↗

[Electron microscopic study of metastatic hemangiopericytic meningioma].

Electron microscopic observations in a case of metastatic hemangiopericytic meningioma was presented. Cell origin of this tumor was discussed in detail from the point of the leiomyoblastic differentiation. The patient was a 49-year-old woman who was operated four times in the past for the cerebellar tentorial and the left parasagittal tumors. Six years after the first operation, metastatic lesions were found in the rib, the liver, the cervical vertebra and the sternum. Specimens were prepared from the intracranial and the rib tumors. On light microscopy the tumor cells with large nuclei and scant cytoplasm were proliferated around an endothelial-lined capillaries constituting obstructive or distended lumens. Mitoses and focal necrosis also existed. On electron microscopy the tumor cells were ovoid or ellipsoidal and had large irregular-shaped nuclei with conspicuous nucleoli. Knob-ended cytoplasmic processes occupying among tumor cells formed interdigitation. Microorganellae such as rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and mitochondriae were well developed. Glycogen granules were abundant. Some cells had a large number of 5-7nm microfilaments. Occasionally these filaments condensed into the dense body-like structure parallel to the cell surface. Pinocytic vesicles were not observed. Vascular channels varied in shape. The capillaries were lined by an endothelial cell. The endothelium had pinocytic vesicles under the plasmalemma and intracytoplasmic processes projecting into the vascular lumen. The neoplasmic cells and capillaries were surrounded by the basement membrane-like substance which consisted of amorphous and fibrous components.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cerebellar Neoplasms↗

[Effects of heart rate on body surface potential distribution in patients with atrial pacemaker].

Nine patients of sick sinus syndrome with atrial programmable pacemaker (3 males and 6 females, aged from 53 to 72 years) were studied to assess the effect of heart rate on the body surface potential distribution. Body surface maps (87 lead points) and M-mode echocardiograms were recorded at 20-beat increments of heart rate from 60 to 140 beats/min during atrial pacing. The potential changes of R and S voltages were evaluated quantitatively and were correlated with the changes of echocardiographically measured left ventricular dimension. As the heart rate increased, left ventricular dimension in end-diastole (LVDd) decreased gradually (Table 1), and a significant decrease was observed when the heart rate increased from 80 to 100 beats/min and from 100 to 120 beats/min, respectively, (p less than 0.05). With a decrease in LVDd, the distance between the left ventricular posterior wall and the anterior chest wall decreased and the left ventricular wall increased in its thickness. These changes, however, were not statistically significant. With an increase in the heart rate, R voltages decreased gradually in the left lateral chest and the sum of R voltages (sigma R) of six lead points in the left lateral chest including leads V5-6 decreased significantly when the heart rate increased from 60 to 100 beats/min and from 80 to 120 beats/min, respectively (p less than 0.02) (Table 2). On the other hand, R voltages remained unchanged in the left anterior chest during atrial pacing, then the sum of R voltages of six lead points in the left anterior chest including leads V2-4 and the sum of R voltages of 87 lead points did not show any significant changes (Table 2). An increase in the absolute value of S voltages was observed in the left anterior chest and the sum of S voltages of six lead points in the left anterior chest including leads V2-4 increased when the heart rate increased from 60 to 100 beats/min and from 80 to 120 beats/min, respectively (p less than 0.1) (Table 3) A decrease of R voltages in the left lateral chest was consistent with the reduction in LVDd (p less than 0.005). It is concluded that the changes in body surface QRS amplitudes during atrial pacing are related to those in the left ventricular dimension and that R voltages in the left lateral chest are fairly sensitive to see the changes in LVDd in cases with no abnormal wall motion of the left ventricle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Aged↗

[Clinical application of body surface mapping and its limitations].

The importance of detecting the high fidelity electrical activity of the heart was cited in respect to making diagnosis and providing optimal treatment. Standard 12 lead electrocardiograms (ECG) and vectorcardiograms (VCG) are used in daily practice with well-documented theoretical and experimental bases. However, this system is somewhat inadequate because of its simplicity both in records and basic assumptions. The development of a better lead system is thus mandatory for a high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity and for both qualitative and quantitative assessments of collected data. In recent years, great progress has been promised in "body surface mapping methods" by the medical application of computer technology, providing abundant information including four-dimensional displays; two-dimensional surface spreads of electricity as well as the magnitudes and time references. This method appears to be a powerful diagnostic tool, despite problems inherent in ECG and some unfavorable aspects yet to be settled. The present status, prospects and limitations of this new, powerful strategy are discussed.

Aged↗

[A comparison of the effects of baclofen and some other muscle relaxants on alpha-rigidity in rats].

Muscle relaxant effects of baclofen were compared with those of dantrolene, diazepam, chlordiazepoxide and tolperisone. When administered intraduodenally (i.d.), baclofen and dantrolene but not diazepam suppressed the sustained rigidity of forelimbs in anemically decerebrated rats, and ED50 values of the former two drugs were 2.9 and 22 mg/kg, respectively. Baclofen, dantrolene and diazepam reduced the phasic rigidity of the decerebrated animals induced by mechanical stimulation of hindlimbs, with their respective ED50 values of 6.2, 140 and 1.4 mg/kg, i.d. Both the rigidities were almost insensitive to chlordiazepoxide and tolperisone. With the exception of tolperisone, these drugs also produced a muscle relaxation in intact animals as measured by traction (rats), rotarod (mice), and grip-strength (mice) tests. ED50 or eD25 values were calculated to be in the following ranges: 5.6 approximately 12 mg/kg, p.o. for baclofen, 15 approximately 35 mg/kg, p.o. for dantrolene, 2.1 approximately 6.5 mg/kg, p.o. for diazepam and 33 approximately 64 mg/kg, p.o. for chlordiazepoxide. These results suggest that baclofen, unlike other drugs, may be effective in reducing both tonic and phasic rigidities at lower doses than those causing muscle relaxation in intact animals.

Animals↗

Occurrence of 2-O-acyl galactosyl ceramide in human and bovine brains.

Ester cerebrosides isolated from whale brain were demonstrated to be a mixture of 6-O-acyl, 2-O-acyl, 4-O-acyl, and 3-O-acyl galactosyl ceramides in that order of content (Yasugi, E., et al. (1982) J. Biochem. 91, 1121-1127). However, the existence of 2-O-acyl and 4-O-acyl galactosyl ceramides has not been reported for other mammalian brains. In the present work, ester cerebrosides isolated from bovine and human brains were examined in order to determine whether the above-mentioned substitution is only present in whale brain or also present in other mammalian brains. For determining the substituted positions of the acyl group on the galactose moiety, free hydroxyl groups of ester cerebrosides were protected with dihydropyran, deacylated by mild alkali treatment, and then subjected to permethylation. Finally, the methylated galactitol acetates obtained by hydrolysis and reduction were analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. By these procedures, ester cerebrosides obtained from bovine and human brains were demonstrated to be not only 6-O-acyl and 3-O-acyl galactosyl ceramides but also 2-O-acyl and 4-O-acyl galactosyl ceramides similar to those of whale brain.

Animals↗