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Biomedical subjects

H Yamaguchi

Publications and source records attributed to H Yamaguchi.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources

Effects of hyper- and hypoventilation on gastric and sublingual PCO(2).

We investigated the effects of hyper- and hypoventilation on gastric (Pg(CO(2))) and sublingual (Psl(CO(2))) tissue PCO(2) before, during, and after reversal of hemorrhagic shock. Pg(CO(2)) was measured with ion-sensitive field-effect transistor sensor and Psl(CO(2)) with a CO(2) microelectrode. Under physiological conditions and during hemorrhagic shock, decreases in arterial (Pa(CO(2))) and end-tidal (PET(CO(2))) PCO(2) induced by hyperventilation produced corresponding decreases in Pg(CO(2)) and Psl(CO(2)). Hypoventilation produced corresponding increases in Pa(CO(2)), PET(CO(2)), Pg(CO(2)), and Psl(CO(2)). Accordingly, acute decreases and increases in Pa(CO(2)) and PET(CO(2)) produced statistically similar decreases and increases in Pg(CO(2)) and Psl(CO(2)). No significant changes in the tissue PCO(2)-Pa(CO(2)) gradients were observed during hemorrhagic shock in the absence or in the presence of hyper- or hypoventilation. Acute changes in Pg(CO(2)) and Psl(CO(2)) should, therefore, be interpreted in relationship with concurrent changes in Pa(CO(2)) and/or PET(CO(2)).

Animals↗

Instantaneous orthostatic hypotension in children and adolescents: a new entity of orthostatic intolerance.

We are the first to report clinical characteristics and circulatory and catecholamine responses to postural change in 44 children with instantaneous orthostatic hypotension (INOH). The symptoms include chronic fatigue, orthostatic dizziness, weakness, sleep disturbance, syncope or near syncope, headache, and loss of appetite. We divided the patients into two groups: group I (30 patients) had either a recovery time for mean arterial pressure of >25 s or a recovery time of >20 s with a 60% or greater decrease in mean arterial pressure at the initial decrease; group II (14 patients) had a prolonged reduction in systolic arterial pressure of > 15% during the later stage of standing (3-7 min) in addition to the criteria for group I. INOH was characterized by a marked reduction in blood pressure at the initial decrease (mean, -55/-27 mm Hg systolic/diastolic). Delayed recovery time of >60 s was found in 21 of 44 patients and orthostatic tachycardia (>35 beats per minute) in 20 of 44. Plasma noradrenaline responses were significantly lower in group I and II than in controls at 1 min of standing and were lower in group II at 5 min of standing. These results suggest that mechanisms responsible for INOH may depend on insufficient sympathetic activation during standing, possibly due to centrally mediated sympathetic inhibition, thus causing impairment of quality of life including school absenteeism. INOH is an important pathologic condition in children with complaints of orthostatic intolerance and can be an unrecognized cause of chronic fatigue. This condition can be identified by using a noninvasive beat-to-beat continuous blood pressure monitoring system.

Adolescent↗

Enterochromaffin-like cells, a cellular source of uroguanylin in rat stomach.

Uroguanylin is an endogenous peptide ligand for guanylyl cyclase-C, an apical membrane receptor predominantly located in the gastrointestinal epithelium. It regulates intestinal and renal fluid and electrolyte transport through the second messenger, cyclic GMP. Uroguanylin messenger RNA and the peptide are present in rat stomach, but the cellular source has not been identified. We separated gastric mucosal cells by size into seven fractions (F1-F7) and enriched endocrine cells into F1-F3 using counterflow elutriation. Uroguanylin messenger RNA and peptide were found in F1-F3 by Northern blot analysis and an RIA specific for rat uroguanylin. Uroguanylin-producing cells were identified as endocrine cells by immunocytochemical methods using antisera for uroguanylin, prouroguanylin, and chromogranin A, as well as by in situ hybridization cytochemistry. Double-staining showed that uroguanylin and histamine are colocalized in enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells that release histamine, leading to the stimulation of gastric acid secretion from parietal cells. Uroguanylin is synthesized in ECL cells. These findings should contribute to elucidating the physiological functions of ECL cells and the cyclic GMP-mediated gastric ion transport mechanism.

Animals↗

Analysis of heart rate variability during head-up tilt testing in a patient with idiopathic postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

A 16-year-old boy was diagnosed with idiopathic postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) during head-up tilt testing. During a passive tilt, the patient's heart rate (HR) increased by 30 beats/min within 5 min. After 25 min of tilting, his HR further increased to 133 beats/min and he began to complain of lightheadedness and weakness without hypotension. Power spectral analysis of HR variability during the tilt test revealed that the ratio of low and high frequency powers increased with the onset of orthostatic intolerance. Propranolol (10mg every morning) dramatically alleviated his clinical symptoms, and he has been asymptomatic with gaining weight after discontinuing his crowded train commuting.

Adolescent↗

Acute performance of steroid-eluting screw-in leads for atrial free wall pacing.

The aim of this study was to clarify the acute performance of steroid-eluting screw-in leads in comparison with that of nonsteroid screw-in leads for atrial free wall pacing. In 114 cases (68 males, 46 females, average age 70 years) with atrial free wall pacing by screw-in leads, pacing thresholds and P-wave amplitudes were compared at the time of implantation and 1 week later between 68 cases of nonsteroid and 46 cases of steroid-eluting screw-in leads. No significant differences were seen between the 2 groups at implantation in either voltage or current thresholds measured at pulse widths of 0.1, 0.3, 0.6, 1.0, 2.0 ms, or P-wave amplitudes. Pulse width thresholds at outputs of 2.5 V and 5.0 V were significantly lower for steroid leads 1 week after implantation (2.5 V: 0.34+/-0.27 ms nonsteroid vs. 0.12+/-0.08 ms steroid, p<0.001; 5.0 V: 0.12+/-0.08 ms nonsteroid vs. 0.06+/-0.02 ms steroid, p<0.01). P-wave amplitudes after 1 week were significantly higher for steroid leads (2.6+/-0.7 mV nonsteroid vs 3.0+/-1.2 mV steroid, p<0.001). Threshold rise, including pacing failure, was observed in 15 (22%) of the non-steroid leads, but in only 1 (2%) of the steroid leads. In conclusion, steroid-eluting screw-in leads suppress the acute rise of pacing thresholds in the right atrial free wall and their acute performance is better than that of non-steroid leads. These results suggest that appropriate low-output atrial pacing is feasible immediately after implantation.

Aged↗

Brachyury regulatory region active in embryonal carcinoma P19 cells.

Brachyury (T) is involved in mesoderm induction during early mouse development. We analyzed the region regulating expression of T in embryonal carcinoma P19 cells, which differentiate into mesoderm derivatives in vitro. Transfection of plasmids encoding reporter genes under the control of the 5'-flanking region showed positive regulatory elements between -298 and -129 bp are responsible for driving T expression in mesodermal cells.

Animals↗

Effects of PMA and transcription factors on ovine interferon-tau transactivation in various cell lines.

Interferon-tau (IFNtau) is produced by the trophectoderm of ruminant ungulates and its gene transactivation in vitro has so far been achieved only in human choriocarcinoma cells, JAR and JEG3. To examine if ovine IFNtau gene transactivation could be induced in cells other than JAR or JEG3 cells and its activation could be aided by the expression of a protooncogene(s), a transient transfection system was developed with the upstream region of ovine IFNtau gene that had been inserted into the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter plasmid (IFNtau-CAT). The effect of a protein kinase C (PKC) activator, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), on IFNtau-CAT transcriptional activity was examined in JEG3, human embryonic kidney (293), HeLa and Vero cells. Upon transfection and PMA treatment, ovine IFNtau gene was transactivated in two unrelated cell lines, JEG3 and 293 cells. Since IFNtau-CAT was not induced in HeLa or Vero cells, HeLa and JEG3 cells were further examined for their ability to support IFNtau-CAT transactivation in a co-transfection system. While the expression of c-myc, interferon regulatory factor 1 or 2 (IRF-1 or IRF-2) was not effective, CAT activity was strongly enhanced in both JEG3 and HeLa cells with the co-transfection of c-Jun or c-Jun plus c-Fos. These data suggest that ovine IFNtau gene transcription induced by PMA is not specific for trophoblast cells and a protooncogene, c-jun, is a downstream effector of PMA activated nuclear factors in its signal transduction cascade resulting in IFNtau gene transactivaion.

Animals↗

Effects of the thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist on platelet deposition and intimal hyperplasia after balloon injury.

Thromboxane A2 (TXA2) after vascular injury plays an important role in the process of restenosis. S-1452, a potent and selective TXA2 receptor antagonist, blocks the receptors of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) as well as platelets. The purpose of this study was to determine whether S-1452 could reduce platelet deposition and intimal hyperplasia in vascular injury models. New Zealand White Rabbits (n = 41) were fed a 0.5% cholesterol diet. For the short-term study, eighteen rabbits after balloon injury of iliac artery were assigned to 3 groups; systemic administration of S-1452, single local administration of S-1452 using a local delivery balloon, and single local administration of saline solution. Platelet deposition in injured artery using 111In-labeled platelets was reduced by 50% in systemic administration and by 60% in local administration compared to saline infusion. For the long-term study, balloon injury of the iliac artery was performed 4 weeks after starting the 0.5% cholesterol diet. Twenty-three rabbits were classified into 4 groups; systemic administration of S-1452, oral placebo administration, single local administration of S-1452, and local administration of saline solution (control group). The platelet aggregation induced by U-46619 was significantly lower in the S-1452 group than in the control group. Systemic administration of S-1452 significantly reduced the intimal area (152 +/- 33 vs 735 +/- 135 microm2, p < 0.001) and number of cells in the intima (513 +/- 57 vs 993 +/- 57, p < 0.01) compared to controls. In contrast, a single local administration failed to reduce neointimal thickness. Systemic administration of S-1452 reduced intimal hyperplasia as well as platelet deposition in a rabbit injury model, but its single local administration inhibited only platelet deposition.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

Protection of immunosuppressed mice from lethal Candida infection by oral administration of a kampo medicine, hochu-ekki-to.

The protective effect of a Kampo medicine, Hochu-ekki-to (TJ-41) on experimental candidiasis in immunosuppressed mice was investigated. ICR mice were immunosuppressed by injection of prednisolone or cyclophosphamide, given TJ-41 orally and challenged intravenously with Candida albicans (day 0). Treatments with a daily dose of 1 g/kg/day of TJ-41 for 8 days from day-4 or for 4 days from day 0 significantly prolonged the life span of the Candida-infected mice pretreated with prednisolone. The latter treatment appeared to inhibit the colonization of Candida in kidneys of the infected mice. These results suggest that Hochu-ekki-to can be used as a therapeutic agent against candidiasis in patients with glucocorticoid-induced immunosuppression.

Administration, Oral↗

[An elderly case of giant infected liver cyst that decreased dramatically without percutaneous aspiration].

A 70-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for treatment of cholelithiasis. A giant liver cyst (6 cm in diameter) had been diagnosed three years earlier. On admission, she had low grade fever and hepatomegaly. High values were observed for WBC (9900/microliter), CRP (8.9 mg/dl), GPT (45 IU/l), ALP (1399 IU/l), gamma-GTP (333 IU/l) and LAP (249 IU/l). The diagnosis of infected liver cyst (8 cm in diameter) was made based on contrast-enhanced CT scan. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography showed no communication between the cyst and the intrahepatic bile duct. She was successfully managed with antibiotics and discharged without percutaneous aspiration the cyst. On abdominal CT scan 4 months after the discharge, the liver cyst had decreased dramatically in size (1 cm in diameter). The patient remains healthy without symptoms.

Aged↗

Molecular and biochemical mechanisms of drug resistance in fungi.

This paper reviews the current status of our understanding of resistance mechanisms of three major classes of antifungal drugs for systemic use, amphotericin B (AMPH), flucytosine (5-FC) and several azole antifungals, in particular fluconazole (FLCZ), at the molecular and cellular levels. Although the number of reports of AMPH- or 5-FC-resistant fungal species and strains is limited, several mechanisms of resistance have been described. AMPH-resistant Candida have a marked decrease in ergosterol content compared with AMPH-susceptible control isolates. A lesion in the UMP-pyrophosphorylase is the most frequent determinant of 5-FC resistance in C. albicans. Recently resistance of C. albicans to azoles has become an increasing problem. Extensive biochemical studies have highlighted a significant diversity in mechanisms conferring resistance to FLCZ and other azoles, which include alterations in sterol biosynthesis, target site, uptake and efflux. Among them, the most important mechanism clinically is reduced access of the drug to the intracellular P450 14 DM target, probably because of the action of a multidrug resistance efflux pump, and overproduction of that target. However, other possible resistance mechanisms for azoles remain to be identified.

Amphotericin B↗

[Taxonomy of genus Malassezia: progress and problems].

The genus Malassezia is composed of lipophilic basidiomycetous yeasts which were recently shown to consist of seven species, one lipid-independent species, M. pachydermatis and six lipid-dependent species, M. furfur, M. sympodialis, M. globosa, M. obtusa, M. restricta and M. slooffiae. Based on this classification, we will be able to analyze pathogenicity or relationship between Malassezia-related diseases and each species.

Malassezia↗

Efficacy of antibacterial drugs in mice with complex infection by Candida albicans and Escherichia coli.

We investigated the effect of seven antibacterial antibiotics: kanamycin, gentamicin, tetracycline, minocycline, ampicillin, piperacillin and cefotaxime, on survival of mice infected sequentially with a lethal dose of Candida albicans and a sublethal dose of Escherichia coli. The mortality of C. albicans-infected mice was facilitated by the superinfection with E. coli. When administered to mice with C. albicans/E. coli complex infection, aminoglycosides and tetracyclines significantly prolonged the survival period as compared with the infected and untreated controls. The recovery of viable counts of E. coli from the renal tissues was rapidly reduced by the treatment with gentamicin or minocycline, compared to the untreated control. Thus it was concluded that nullification by the treatment with aminoglycosides or tetracyclines of the enhancing effect of E. coli superinfection on the lethality of C. albicans-infected mice is due to early elimination of E. coli from the kidney.

Ampicillin↗

Growing and differentiating characterization of aortic smooth muscle cell line, p53LMAC01 obtained from p53 knock out mice.

Recently we have established an aortic smooth muscle cell line, p53LMAC01 obtained from p53 knockout mice. This cell line showed some differentiated properties which were accelerated by 5-azacytidine treatment [1]. In this study, further characterization of p53LMAC01 cell line was investigated according to cell growth and differentiation, and especially focused into the changes of cell feature, actin filaments' formation, and changes of intracellular calcium concentrations to sympathetic nerve transmitter, norepinephrine. While the cell feature was changed from flattened shape to extended form during 4 days, actin filaments were developing, arranging in parallel to longitudinal direction, and gathering under the surface membrane. In 11 days many cells died and detached from substrate, while actin filaments became poor except for the surface membrane in the remained cells. Appearance of calcium response to noradrenalin needed several days after passage as well as a morphological change of the cells for the extended form and development of actin filaments. The calcium response was maintained on 11 days, which coincided with the result that the cells hold actin filaments under the surface membrane. These results suggest that p53LMAC01 cell line maintains several differentiated characters of adult smooth muscle cell and that their expression needs several days after passage.

Animals↗