Biomedical subjects

I Watanabe

Publications and source records attributed to I Watanabe.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Blood serotonergic mechanisms in type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus.

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5HT) is believed to play a role in vasospasm and increased platelet aggregability that in turn could contribute to atherosclerosis. The present study was designed to evaluate a possible participation of serotonin in the development of vascular complications in diabetes mellitus. Whole blood and plasma serotonin, the platelet uptake and release of the amine and serotonin- induced platelet aggregation were studied in 32 patients with Type 2 diabetes. The patients were divided into three groups according to the presence and advancement of retinopathy. Mean levels of blood serotonin content were significantly lower in diabetic patients. The concentration of the amine in the plasma was markedly increased in diabetes. It was correlated with vascular changes of the retina. We established that platelets from diabetic patients took up less serotonin when compared to the control group. Concomitantly enhanced spontaneous release of 5HT from platelets was observed. The platelets of diabetic patients showed increased response to serotonin. There was a relation between serotonin-induced aggregation and the presence of retinopathy. These results suggest that serotonin may be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic vasculopathy.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

A scintigraphic analysis of colonic movement in patients with colostomy: changes of colonic transit time after acquaintance with irrigation.

For the purpose of making a functional assessment of colostomy irrigation, eight patients were examined. Group A was composed of four patients whose experience of irrigation was less than one year. Group B was composed of four patients who had undergone irrigation for more than two years. The capacity of the remnant colon was determined by a barium enema. Next, 74 MBq of milking technetium 99 diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid (99mTc-DTPA) was instilled with a predetermined amount of water (37 degrees C). A dynamic scan was performed for 45 min. The mean evacuation time of Groups A and B were 6 min 56 s +/- 2 min 33 s and 13 min 27 s +/- 10 min 50 s, respectively. The mean half emptying time of Groups A and B were 142.5 s +/- 7.9 s and 309.0 s +/- 181.9 s. The results suggest that the remnant colon may be habituated with irrigation. Colostomy irrigation which uses a single instillation of a measured volume of tepid water is recommended.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Adaptation of transmissible gastroenteritis virus to growth in non-permissive Vero cells.

The CPK cells derived from swine kidney were infected with the attenuated TO-163 strain of transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) virus, and fused with uninfected Vero cells in the presence of polyethylene glycol. Repeated cocultivation of the fused cells with uninfected Vero cells rendered the virus to grow in Vero cells. The Vero cell-adapted virus acquired the ability to infect and produce cytopathic effects in several other non-permissive cell lines of non-porcine origin. No major differences in viral polypeptides were shown between the Vero cell-adapted TO-163 strain and its parent strain by indirect immunofluorescence and Western blotting using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to TGE virus.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1992

Effects of isoprenaline and ouabain on cytosolic calcium and cell motion in single rat cardiomyocytes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to develop a novel system to measure changes in cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and cell motion simultaneously in a single beating myocyte by digital imaging microscopy. METHODS: Indo-1 was selected as a fluorescent calcium indicator. The particular feature of our digital imaging microscopy is that, in order to avoid cell movement artifacts, two indo-1 fluorescence images of different wavelengths are obtained at the same time at 16.7 ms intervals using two SIT cameras. Isolated ventricular myocytes were used, prepared from hearts of male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 350 to 400 g. RESULTS: In continuously beating cells contracted by electrical field stimulation, we can visualise changes in [Ca2+]i and cell shape during contraction with pseudocolour images of the fluorescence ratios, and it was found that the onset of the calcium transient preceded that of the shortening of cell length. Both isoprenaline and ouabain enhanced the magnitudes of the calcium transient and cell contraction. Furthermore, isoprenaline shortened the half decay time of the calcium transient. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the newly developed system is useful for measuring rapid changes in [Ca2+]i in relation to cell motion, and is particularly suitable for measuring the calcium transients in a beating cardiomyocyte.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Development of a host-vector system in a Rhodococcus strain and its use for expression of the cloned nitrile hydratase gene cluster.

Two different types of plasmid were isolated from strains of Rhodococcus rhodochrous. Two plasmids, of the same type but from different strains, were combined with Escherichia coli plasmids carrying antibiotic resistance markers to develop E. coli-Rhodococcus shuttle vectors. The ampicillin and kanamycin resistance markers served for selection in Rhodococcus. Electroporation was used to introduce recombinant plasmid DNA into R. rhodochrous ATCC 12674 at a frequency of 5 x 10(7) transformants per microgram DNA. With these host-vector and transformation systems, the nitrile hydratase and amidase genes of a Rhodococcus strain were introduced into the host strain and were efficiently expressed.

Acrylamides↗

PubMed1992

Resolution and some properties of enzymes involved in enantioselective transformation of 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol to (R)-3-chloro-1,2-propanediol by Corynebacterium sp. strain N-1074.

During the course of the transformation of 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol (DCP) into (R)-3-chloro-1,2-propanediol [(R)-MCP] with the cell extract of Corynebacterium sp. strain N-1074, epichlorohydrin (ECH) was transiently formed. The cell extract was fractionated into two DCP-dechlorinating activities (fractions Ia and Ib) and two ECH-hydrolyzing activities (fractions IIa and IIb) by TSKgel DEAE-5PW column chromatography. Fractions Ia and Ib catalyzed the interconversion of DCP to ECH, and fractions IIa and IIb catalyzed the transformation of ECH into MCP. Fractions Ia and IIa showed only low enantioselectivity for each reaction, whereas fractions Ib and IIb exhibited considerable enantioselectivity, yielding R-rich ECH and MCP, respectively. Enzymes Ia and Ib were isolated from fractions Ia and Ib, respectively. Enzyme Ia had a molecular mass of about 108 kDa and consisted of four subunits identical in molecular mass (about 28 kDa). Enzyme Ib was a protein of 115 kDa, composed of two different polypeptides (about 35 and 32 kDa). The specific activity of enzyme Ib for DCP was about 30-fold higher than that of enzyme Ia. Both enzymes catalyzed the transformation of several halohydrins into the corresponding epoxides with liberation of halides and its reverse reaction. Their substrate specificities and immunological properties differed from each other. Enzyme Ia seemed to be halohydrin hydrogen-halide-lyase which was already purified from Escherichia coli carrying a gene from Corynebacterium sp. strain N-1074.

Bacterial Proteins↗

PubMed1992

High-resolution scanning electron microscopic study of the mouse submandibular salivary gland.

The submandibular gland of the mouse was studied by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy, using the osmium-dimethylsulfoxide-osmium method. The three-dimensional structures of the intracellular membranous organelles of acinar cells were clearly revealed. The luminal surface of cisterns of the granular endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus exhibited particles of 8-15 nm in diameter. The secretory canaliculi presented short microvilli which were irregularly arranged. The striated duct cells were characterized by rich mitochondria arranged vertically in the basal portion. The lamellar mitochondrial cristae were noted in three-dimensional images. The luminal surface extended short microvilli, while that of the excretory duct cell presented complicated microplicae. The capillary endotheliocytes showed a few short microvilli, and their fenestrated areas were bordered by cytoplasmic crests. Fenestrae were 50-80 nm in diameter and showed a plug in their center. The basement membranes of the acini and capillaries showed a spongy structure with various strands and meshes. Collagenous fibrils crisscrossed on their surface.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

[Effect of stimulus intensity on visual stream segregation].

Two experiments were performed to examine the effect of stimulus intensity on VISS (visual stream segregation) which is a kind of beta movement first described by Bregman and Achim (1973). Six subjects were required to find the upper threshold of ISI for producing VISS under various conditions of the stimulus intensity in each experiment. The ISI threshold decreased as the stimulus intensity was increased. The result showed that VISS follows Korte's second law of apparent motion. When two of the four lights were flashed in high intensity and the rest in low intensity, the ISI thresholds varied with the arrangement of intensity among the four lights (stimulus intensity pattern). The results suggest that VISS is affected by the factor of similarity resulting from the intensity patterns of the lights.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

[A case of systemic lupus erythematosus complicated with monoclonal CD5 + B cell proliferation suspected as chronic lymphocytic leukemia].

A case of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) complicated with monoclonal CD5 + B cell proliferation in peripheral blood and bone marrow is reported. A 59-year-old man suffering from left chest pain was admitted to the hospital because of thrombocytopenia (platelets 1.9 x 10(4)/mm3). The diagnosis of SLE was made from (1) pleuritis (2) autoimmune thrombocytopenia (3) positive anti-DNA antibodies, positive LE cell preparation (4) positive antinuclear antibodies. Prednisolone 60mg per day was started. From that time monoclonal CD5 + B cells began to increase in peripheral blood (maximum lymphocyte counts 11000/mm3, CD5 + B cells 77.6%) and bone marrow, and the complication of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was suspected. It is said that patients of CLL often have various autoantibodies, and in about 15% of CLL patients complicate autoimmune hemolytic anemia, but those who develop collagen diseases are rare. And while lymphoid malignancies occur more often in the patients of SLE in comparison with normal subjects, the reports of the patients who complicate the proliferation of monoclonal CD5 + B cells like CLL are very few. But from many facts that indicate the relation between CD5 + B cell or its proliferation and the production of autoantibodies or autoimmune diseases, we consider this case worth to be reported.

Antigens, CD↗

PubMed1992

[Reticular degeneration of retinal pigment epithelium].

Reticular degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelium (RDRPE) was found in 33 out of 3114 files (1.06%) of fluorescein angiography. The age distribution of the cases with RDRPE showed a peak in the 8th decade, and the average age was 73 years. No statistically significant sexual tendency was observed. Eighty five percent of cases had bilateral RDRPE. The linear, incomplete polygon type was found on the nasal quadrants in patients aged 50-70 years old. The complete polygon type was found in both nasal and temporal quadrants in patients over 70 years old. RDRPE and pigment epithelium degeneration at the posterior pole were found to be concomitant manifestations. It was concluded that RDRPE initially appears on nasal quadrants as a lineal, incomplete polygon pattern and in advanced cases complete polygon pattern appears on all quadrants of the peripheral retina.

Aged↗

PubMed1992

[A case of nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy associated with ventricular tachycardia and sick sinus syndrome].

We examined, a 64 year old man with hypertrophic nonobstructive cardiomyopathy (HNCM) accompanied with dizziness. Twenty-four hour ECG monitoring showed sinus bradycardia and sinoatrial block. Electrophysiologic study demonstrated inducible sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) by continuous rapid high right atrum pacing during which systolic blood pressure fell to 40 mmHg. Induced VT degenerated into ventricular fibrillation in ten seconds. We implanted a DDD pacemaker for sick sinus syndrome (SSS) and administrated 90mg/day of diltiazem for VT. Treadmill exercise test was carried out while the patient was taking diltiazem and no arrhythmia was induced. This case of HNCM is rare in that he presented both sick sinus syndrome and sustained VT.

Aged↗

PubMed1992

[Detection of ventricular late potentials comparison of 4 commercial high-resolution systems].

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the methodologic problems of noninvasive registration of ventricular late potentials. METHODS: we compared the results obtained in the same patients with four different systems which were Marquette MAC1, MAC12, ART LP101 and FUKUDA VCM 3000. Filtering was employed digital forward direction, 100-300 Hz in MAC1, digital FFT, 40-250 Hz in MAC12, digital, bidirectional, 40-250 Hz in ART and analogue, forward direction 40-300 Hz in FUKUDA VCM 3000. DEFINITION OF LATE POTENTIALS (LPs): Filtered QRS duration (FQRSD) was 120 msec or more, root mean square voltage in the last 40 msec (RMSV) was 15 microV or less in MAC12 and ART. FQRSD was 130 msec or more, RMSV was 15 microV or less in FUKUDA. FQRSD was 20 msec or more after QRS obtained from low resolution leads in MAC1. SUBJECTS: 163 patients [control 13, PVCs 23, myocardial infarction 55, others 51, IVCD (RBBB, LBBB, IVCD) 21] were included in this study. RESULTS: 17.6% of all patients (except for IVCD) showed LPs with MAC12, 20.0% with ART, 30.3% with FUKUDA, and 14.1% with MAC1. 23.1% of the control group showed LPs with MAC12 and FUKUDA, but no cases showed LPs with ART and FUKUDA. 4.3% of the PVC group showed LPs with MAC12, 13.0% with ART and FUKUDA, but no cases showed LPs with MAC1. 25.5% of the myocardial infarction group showed LPs with MAC12 and MAC1, 30.9% with ART and 36.3% with FUKUDA. All four methods gave corresponding results in 65.4% of patients, 7.0% positive and 58.4% negative findings. FQRSD of MAC12, ART and FUKUDA was 110.2 +/- 18.1 msec, 105.2 +/- 20.4 msec and 125.8 +/- 22.8 msec respectively. Correlation coefficient (r value) in FQRSD was 0.90 between ART and MAC12, 0.74 between ART and FUKUDA, and 0.75 between FUKUDA and MAC12. RMSV of MAC12, ART and FUKUDA was 49.2 +/- 30.2 microV, 43.7 +/- 37.8 microV and 22.5 +/- 10.6 microV respectively. R value in RMSV was 0.59 between ART and MAC12, 0.38 between ART and FUKUDA and 0.43 between FUKUDA and MAC12. R value in high frequency low amplitude signals duration under 40 microV of LPs positive patients in MAC1 was 0.51 between ART and MAC 12, 0.18 between MAC12 and MAC1, and 0.32 between ART and MAC1. Most of the differences result from a different interpretation of the tracings. Especially LPs far from QRS offset could be registered with neither MAC12, ART nor FUKUDA.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed1992

[A case of invasion of the hyaloid artery into the lens].

A 6-year-old boy with hyaloid artery invasion into the crystalline lens is reported. Both lenses had localized opacities and some brown membranous tissue attached to the posterior lens capsule. He had bilateral persistent hyaloid arteries, and in the right eye this vessel penetrated the lens capsule and invaded the lens. The lens opacity had not increased for 6 years. In persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous we can often see the invasion of fibrovascular tissue into the lens, and this process usually leads to destruction and absorption of the lens. This is an unusual case because the lens showed no significant changes for long period of time in spite of vascular invasion into the lens.

Arteries↗

PubMed1992

[Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis following L-asparaginase therapy of acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

A 48-year-old female received serial combination chemotherapy including L-asparaginase (L-ASP) for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. After administration of L-ASP, the prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were prolonged, while fibrinogen and antithrombin III levels markedly decreased, so she was given fresh frozen plasma (FFP). But subsequently, she developed cerebral infarction in the left parietal region and further hemorrhagic infarction in the right parietal region, and died. Autopsy revealed superior sagittal sinus thrombosis and bilateral cerebral infarction, but no obvious thrombus in other organs. Coagulopathy following L-ASP therapy is well-known. In this case, the coagulation studies at the first attack showed that the plasma protein levels of coagulation and fibrinolysis factors decreased in spite of administration of FFP. Fibrin-fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) slightly increased. However there were no significant abnormalities in the platelet count, nor soluble fibrin monomer, which suggested no evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Thus, these findings suggest that L-ASP might be associated with the pathogenesis of thrombosis in this case.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

PubMed1992

[Studies on flow cytometric analysis of neutrophil functions of systemic lupus erythematosus].

Flow cytometric quantitative methods of (1) phagocytosis and (2) oxidative product formation by neutrophils were investigated by using whole blood. The neutrophil function of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients was analyzed by these methods. Kinetics of phagocytosis were investigated by using 1.97 microns fluorescent carboxylated microspheres (Polyscience, USA). The rate of phagocytosis (P) was increased logarithmically according to the T/C (target particle-to-cell) ratio (P = K1 x log (T/C ratio) +K2 K1, K2: constant). The value of Ph 50 were defined as the value of T/C ratio at which rate of phagocytosis was 50%. The PH 50 in SLE patients were statistically higher than in normal controls, which indicated the decreased phagocytic activity in SLE. Active SLE serum increased Ph 50 more than inactive SLE serum, and heat inactivated normal serum (30 min at 56 degrees C) increased Ph 50. Amount of oxidative products of neutrophils was measured by using dichlorofluorescein (DCF), which was converted from dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) in the cells. After pre-incubation in room temperature from sampling to assay, the DCF fluorescent intensity of neutrophil of a normal control was low and revealed one-peak histogram, but that of SLE neutrophils revealed two peaks in histogram. The 2nd peak of high fluorescent intensity was thought to be composed of the subpopulation of neutrophil. The rate of the cells with oxidative products in unstimulated neutrophils was higher in SLE patients than in normal control and correlated with some clinical markers of disease activities. These two flow cytometric methods were rapid and accurate, and the whole blood could be used without separation of neutrophils by these methods. These methods might be useful technique to investigate the neutrophil functions.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

PubMed1992

[A case of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) developing pan-dysautonomia].

A 43-year-old woman who had been diagnosed as primary Sjögren's syndrome since 1986 developed severe constipation, urinary retention, dizziness at standing and polyarthralgia in February, 1990. Laboratory tests revealed proteinuria, hypocomplementemia and high titer of anti-DNA antibody. Diagnosis of SLE was made and she was admitted to our hospital on April 2, 1990. Physical examination on admission showed that she also had asymmetric pupils, impairment of sweating, orthostatic hypotension, neurogenic bladder, gastro-intestinal dysmotility and the diminution of R-R interval variability during deep breathing on the electrocardiogram. These findings suggested that she had pan-dysautonomia but there were no signs of motor and sensory disturbance. Because other diseases such as diabetes mellitus and amyloidosis which induced dysautonomia could be ruled out, her pan-dysautonomia seemed to be due to SLE. After the treatment with steroid pulse therapy, most of her dysautonomia improved rapidly. However, some of the disturbance had persisted for a long time. Pan-dysautonomia has been rarely reported as a complication of SLE, and high dose of steroid therapy at the early stage should be considered.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

[Systemic lupus erythematosus associated with benign intracranial hypertension: a case report].

A case of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with benign intracranial hypertension (BIH) is reported. A 41-year-old male with a history of SLE starting in 1982 was admitted to our hospital in December 1989 because of headache and vertigo. Laboratory examinations on admission showed proteinuria, mild anemia, and positive antinuclear and anti-Sm antibodies. No abnormal findings except high pressure of 350 mmH2O were observed in his cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Fundoscopic examinations showed marked bilateral papilledema and retinal bleeding. Brain CT, MRI and angiography revealed diffuse brain edema without space occupying lesion and cerebrovascular diseases. Because there were no diseases such as endocrinological disorders, severe anemia, and no history of the administration of drugs which might cause intracranial hypertension, the diagnosis of BIH was made. Subsequently, he was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone therapy and osmotic diuretics and his clinical symptoms and pressure of CSF gradually improved. The decrease of CSF adsorption was observed with RI cisternography in our case. Psychosis, seizures and meningitis are common CNS manifestations in SLE patients. But BIH is very rare and its cause is unclear. Only 17 cases of SLE with BIH have been reported. The pathogenesis and treatment of BIH in SLE patients were discussed in this paper.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

"Pored-domes" of the fenestrated endotheliocyte of the glomerular and peritubular capillaries in the rodent kidney.

The fenestrated endotheliocyte of peritubular and glomerular capillaries in rat and mouse kidneys were observed with SEM and TEM. In the glomerular capillary, so-called "pored-domes" were found not only at the fenestrated areolae but also at the nuclear region of the endotheliocyte. At the region between filtration surface and nuclear region, they accumulated to construct a sponge-like structure. The endotheliocyte of peritubular capillary also showed small "pored-domes". The size and morphology of the pores in the "pored-domes" of glomerular and peritubular capillaries were similar to those of areolae fenestratae of the respective capillary. Based on the findings, we assumed that pored-domes and the sponge-like structure are the reservoir for the fenestrated area of the endotheliocyte to accommodate the rapid expansion of capillary lumen.

Animals↗