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Biomedical subjects

K Fukushima

Publications and source records attributed to K Fukushima.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Long-term follow-up study of West syndrome associated with tuberous sclerosis.

AIM: To analyze the evolution of seizures, electroencephalographic (EEG) features, seizure outcomes, and social outcomes, in order to formulate a basis for the long-term prognosis of West syndrome (WS) associated with tuberous sclerosis (TS). METHOD: The clinical profiles of 50 patients with TS, who presented with WS in infancy and had been monitored for more than 10 years after the initial examination, were analyzed. RESULTS: In 86% of the patients the seizure type did not change throughout the course of this study. However, 14% of patients had developed other types of seizures by the end of the follow-up period. The seizure outcome was unfavorable for patients with generalized seizures. Partial seizures were controlled in nine (64%) of the 14 patients, and normal or slightly subnormal intelligence accounted for seven of the 14 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, in patients with WS associated with TS, the seizure outcome and social activity depended on the type of seizure that developed during the course of this disorder. The outcome of patients with WS associated with TS seems to be better than that of WS in general.

Electroencephalography↗
PubMed2001

Trichosporon species infection in bone marrow transplanted patients.

Trichosporon species are emerging as opportunistic agents that cause systemic diseases in immunocompromised patients. Patients undergoing bone marrow transplant are submitted to intense and prolonged periods of neutropenia and consequently to several risk factors to fungal infections as the use of broad spectrum antibiotics and invasive devices. Two cases of fungal infections caused by Trichosporon asahii var. asahii and T. inkin in patients with bone marrow transplant are described T. asahii var. asahii was responsible for fungemia and the identification of this microorganism was later performed. T. inkin caused vascular accesses infection and was recovered from an implanted Hickman-Broviac catheter. Both patients were under oral fluconazole prophylaxis. The patient with systemic infection died despite the therapy with amphotericin B and the patient with catheter-related infection recovered from the fungal infection after catheter removal. Difficulties in the identification of this microorganism lead to delays in treatment and post-mortem diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

First isolation of Candida dubliniensis in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Candida dubliniensis is a newly recognized species closely phylogenetically related to Candida albicans and is commonly associated with oral candidiasis in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients. In this paper we report the isolation of three strains of C. dubliniensis, from AIDS patients, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil). The phenotypic identification was based on germ tube emission, abundant production of chlamydospores, assimilation of sucrose but not of xylose and the inability to grow at 42 degrees C. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis and genomic DNA sequencing confirmed the distinct genetic nature C. dubliniensis. Topics related to the epidemiology, isolation, phenotypical and genotypical identification of C. dubliniensis are also discussed.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2001

Effect of 3-hydroxymethylene-2-thioxopyrrolidine on growth of two species of mutans streptococci and their in vitro plaque formation.

3-Hydroxymethylene-2-thioxopyrrolidine (HMTP), the major product derived from radish mustard oil, was studied for its activity to inhibit the growth of mutans streptococci, their in vitro plaque formation and their glucan production. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (800-1600 mg/l) of HMTP at pH 7.0 was reduced to 200 mg/l by lowering the medium pH to 5.0. A dose-dependent inhibition of in vitro plaque formation was observed at 200-800 mg/l dose of HMTP. Production of water-insoluble glucan (WIG) was effectively inhibited by 45-98%, depending on HMTP dose (200-800 mg/l), while only 22% inhibition of water-soluble glucan (WSG) production was observed at an 800 mg/l dose.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2001

Effects of KE-758; an active metabolite of the new anti-rheumatic drug KE-298, D-penicillamine, bucillamine and auranofin on the proliferation of murine lymphocytes, and the production of nitric oxide by murine macrophages.

2-Mercaptomethyl-4-(4-methylphenyl)-4-oxobutanoic acid (KE-758), which is the active metabolite of 2-acetylthiomethyl-4-(4-methylphenyl)-4-oxobutanoic acid (KE-298), is a novel sulphydryl anti-rheumatic drug. In this study we analyzed the effect of KE-758 on the proliferation of murine lymphocytes, and on the production of nitric oxide (NO) by RAW264.7 murine macrophage cells. We compared its effect with other sulphydryl drugs such as D-penicillamine, bucillamine and auranofin. The proliferation of lymphocytes was measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation assay. Nitrite was measured using Griess Reagent. In the absence of copper ions, KE-758, D-penicillamine and bucillamine rarely affected the proliferation of concanavarin A (ConA) activated murine splenocytes. However, in the presence of copper, pharmacological concentrations of KE-758 but not D-penicillamine and bucillamine suppressed the proliferation of murine splenocytes through a hydrogen peroxide-dependent mechanism. Auranofin markedly suppressed the proliferation regardless of the presence of copper ions by reducing the cellular viability. Furthermore, only KE-758 markedly suppressed the proliferation of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) plus ionomycin activated murine whole blood lymphocytes (WBL) even in the absence of exogenous copper ions by a hydrogen peroxide-independent mechanism. Meanwhile, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or LPS plus interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) induced NO production by RAW264.7 cells were suppressed by KE-758 and auranofin but not by D-penicillamine and bucillamine. In conclusion, KE-758 is a novel immunosuppressive drug, which inhibits both lymphocyte and macrophage functions and its unique anti-rheumatic profile is distinct from that of D-penicillamine, bucillamine and auranofin.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Intraduodenal and intrajejunal administration of the herbal medicine, dai-kenchu-tou, stimulates small intestinal motility via cholinergic receptors in conscious dogs.

The aim of the present study was to study the effect and mechanism of action of intraduodenal and intrajejunal dai-kenchu-to, an herbal medicine clinically effective for uncomplicated postoperative adhesive intestinal obstruction, on upper gastrointestinal motility. Five mongrel dogs were equipped with four strain-gauge force transducers on the antrum, duodenum, and proximal and distal jejunum to measure contractile activity. Dai-kenchu-to (0.5, 1.5, and 3.0 g) was administered into the duodenal or proximal jejunal lumen. The effect of atropine, hexamethonium, phentolamine, propranolol, and ondansetron on intraduodenal and intrajejunal dai-kenchu-to-induced contractions was studied. Plasma motilin was measured by specific radioimmunoassay. Intraduodenal and intrajejunal dai-kenchu-to induced phasic contractions in the duodenum and proximal jejunum, respectively, and those contractions migrated distally. Phasic contractions induced by intraduodenal and intrajejunal dai-kenchu-to were inhibited by atropine and hexamethonium at all sites. Plasma motilin was not affected by dai-kenchu-to. Intraduodenal and intrajejunal dai-kenchu-to stimulates upper gastrointestinal motility at and distal to the administration sites through cholinergic receptors.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Cytotoxic effects of soluble factor in preeclamptic sera on human trophoblasts.

Evidence indicating abnormal biological behavior of trophoblasts has been seen in preeclamptic patients, but the mechanism is still unknown. We have previously shown that endothelial injury and neutrophil activation are induced by certain factors in preeclamptic sera. We investigated the effect of sera from eight preeclamptic and 11 normal pregnant women on cellular proliferation and viability of trophoblasts using 3H-thymidine incorporation and the trypan-blue dye exclusion test, respectively. Five of eight preeclamptic sera, but none of the normal pregnant sera, inhibited 3H-thymidine incorporation. The trypan-blue test revealed the sera reduced cellular viability. Gel permeation showed that the greatest growth-inhibitory activity corresponded to a molecular weight of 50 kDa. The serum-mixing test revealed this permeation and inhibitory preeclamptic sera suppressed the growth-promoting activity of normal pregnant sera in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggested the presence of certain factors in some preeclamptic sera that can affect cellular behavior of human trophoblasts.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Neuroprotection by estrogen via extracellular signal-regulated kinase against quinolinic acid-induced cell death in the rat hippocampus.

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) belongs to the family of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), which are serine-threonine kinases activated by phosphorylation in response to a variety of mitogenic signals. We previously reported that 17 beta-estradiol rapidly activates ERK in the rat hippocampus. However, the physiological role of this rapid activation of ERK by estrogen in vivo has not yet been elucidated. This study investigated whether ERK may participate in mediating the neuroprotective effects of estrogen against quinolinic acid (QA) toxicity in the rat hippocampus in vivo. Injection of QA into the hippocampi of male rats produced a loss of Nissl-stained neurons in the CA1 after 24 h. Prior administration of 17 beta-estradiol (50 pmol/animal) to the ventricles prevented the QA-induced decrease in Nissl-stained neurons. Pretreatment with U0126, an inhibitor of MAPK/ERK kinase, inhibited the rapid activation of ERK by 17 beta-estradiol in the rat hippocampus. Moreover, the neuroprotective effects of 17beta-estradiol against QA toxicity were blocked by the pretreatment with U0126. U0126 alone did not produce a loss of neurons. These results indicate that ERK mediates estrogen neuroprotection after QA toxicity in the rat hippocampus.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Characterization of CD44 expressed on alveolar macrophages in patients with diffuse panbronchiolitis.

Interleukin (IL)-8 may play an important role in neutrophil infiltration in the airways of patients with diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB). Furthermore, alveolar macrophages could produce IL-8 subsequent to CD44-hyaluronic acid (HA) interaction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the contribution of CD44 expressed on alveolar macrophages to the pathogenesis of DPB. We examined the concentration of soluble CD44 (sCD44) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and CD44 expression on macrophages in BALF from patients with DPB before and after low-dose, long-term macrolide therapy. We also assessed the HA-binding ability of alveolar macrophages as a functional analysis of the CD44 molecule. The sCD44 concentration in BALF was significantly lower in patients with DPB than in healthy volunteers. Percentages of alveolar macrophages expressing low CD44 (CD44 low(+)) and HA-nonbinding alveolar macrophages were higher in patients with DPB compared with healthy volunteers. Furthermore, macrolide therapy normalized CD44 expression and HA-binding ability of macrophages in BALF from DPB patients. Our findings suggest that alveolar macrophage dysfunction could result from abnormalities of CD44 expression in patients with DPB and that these events could contribute to the pathogenesis of DPB.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Identification and subtyping of Trichophyton mentagrophytes by random amplified polymorphic DNA.

Trichophyton mentagrophytes is one of the most common pathogens for human and animal dermatophytoses and known as a complex species with variable morphology, and ecologic and genetic backgrounds. We performed random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis on 43 human and 18 animal isolates of T. mentagrophytes along with other 10 anamorphic species of dermatophytes and three teleomorphic species of T. mentagrophytes. Using RAPD analysis with primer 5'-ATGGATC(G,C)(G,C)C-3' (ATGS), all T. mentagrophytes strains produced identical band patterns with those of Arthroderma vanbreuseghemii, one of the teleomorphs of T. mentagrophytes, regardless of their phenotypes. Therefore, T. mentagrophytes could be identified by RAPD analysis with primer ATGS. Using RAPD analysis with primer 5'-ATGGATCGGC-3' (ATG) on T. mentagrophytes, human isolates yielded two distinct subgroups related by their colony morphologies at the time of primary isolation from patients. Three morphologic types--cottony, powdery and persicolor--revealed identical bands whereas the granular type lacked one minor band (0.74 kbp). Animal isolates of T. mentagrophytes produced five band patterns and some of them were identical with those of human isolates. With primer 5'-GAAGGCTCCC-3' (OPAO-15), animal isolates of T. mentagrophytes showed diverse band patterns in contrast to the uniform band pattern of human isolates. These results suggest that RAPD analysis may be a useful tool to identify and subtype T. mentagrophytes complex.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Comparison of the expression of ABH/Lewis-related antigens in polypoid and non-polypoid growth types of colorectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Colorectal tumors can be classified based on their growth pattern into the polypoid growth-type (PG-type) and non-polypoid growth-type (NPG-type). To ascertain whether there is any relationship between the expression of particular blood group-related antigens (A, B, H, Lewis (Le)a, sialyl Le(a), Le(x), sialyl Le(x)) in a colorectal tumor, and a tumor having polypoid or non-polypoid growth, we examined 78 PG-type and NPG-type colorectal cancers. METHODS: Fourteen PG-type and 64 NPG-type colorectal carcinomas were subjected to immunohistochemical analyses by using monoclonal antibodies against A, B, H, Le(a), sialyl Le(a), Le(x) and sialyl Le(x). RESULTS: The patients with NPG-type carcinomas had a significantly younger age of onset, significantly smaller maximal tumor diameter, significantly higher rate of lymph node metastasis and significantly worse prognosis than those with PG-type carcinomas. Among the 32 tumors of patients with blood type A or AB, isoantigen A was expressed in a significantly larger percentage of NPG-type carcinomas than PG-type carcinomas (95.8 vs 62.5%, respectively; P=0.014). Among all 78 tumors, sialyl Le(x) antigen was expressed in a significantly larger percentage of NPG-type than PG-type carcinomas (90.6 vs 64.3%, respectively; P=0.010). Multivariate analysis using the logistic regression model revealed that isoantigen A and sialyl Le(x) expression were independent predictive risk factors for the development of NPG-type colorectal carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the expression of isoantigen A and sialyl Le(x) in a colorectal carcinoma partially determines whether the tumor will have polypoid or non-polypoid growth.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed2001

Effect of glucagon, glicentin, glucagon-like peptide-1 and -2 on interdigestive gastroduodenal motility in dogs with a vagally denervated gastric pouch.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that inhibition of gastric motility and hypertrophy of the small intestinal mucosa were observed after ileo-jejunal transposition which induced hypersecretion of enteroglucagon. Our aim was to study the effect of four enteroglucagon-related peptides (glucagon, glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1, -2 and glicentin) on gastroduodenal motility and their mechanisms of action. METHODS: The effect of these four peptides on motilin-induced interdigestive contractions was studied in dogs with vagally denervated gastric pouches equipped with four strain gauge force transducers on the pouch, gastric body, antrum and duodenum. Whether or not nitric oxide synthase inhibitor or phentolamine and propranolol reverses the inhibitory effect of those peptides was also studied. RESULTS: Glucagon inhibited contractions in the pouch and stomach but had no effect on duodenal contractility. GLP-1 inhibited contractions at all sites. GLP-2 inhibited contractions in the pouch but did not affect motility in the neurally intact gastroduodenum. Glicentin had no effect on contractions at any site. Pretreatment with either a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor or phentolamine and propranolol reversed the inhibitory effect of glucagon, GLP-1 and GLP-2 on contractions in the pouch, but did not alter the inhibitory effect of glucagon and GLP-1 on motility in the neurally intact stomach and duodenum. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the effects of four peptides on gastroduodenal motility differ, and changes occur in the enteric neural modulation of motor activity after chronic surgical extrinsic denervation.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Butyric acid-induced T-cell apoptosis is mediated by caspase-8 and -9 activation in a Fas-independent manner.

Our previous study demonstrated that butyric acid, an extracellular metabolite of periodontopathic bacteria, induced apoptosis in murine thymocytes, splenic T cells, and human Jurkat cells. In this study, we examined whether CD95 ligand-receptor interaction is involved in butyric acid-induced T-cell apoptosis. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that expression of Fas in Jurkat and T cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells was not affected by butyric acid treatment. Furthermore, the expression of Fas and FasL protein in Western blotting was not affected by butyric acid treatment. Coincubation with blocking anti-Fas antibodies prevented Fas-induced apoptosis but not butyric acid-induced apoptosis. Anti-FasL antibodies also did not prevent butyric acid-induced apoptosis at any dose examined. Although cytotoxic anti-Fas antibody affected butyric acid-induced apoptosis, a synergistic effect was not seen. Time-dependent activation of caspase-8 and -9 was recognized in butyric acid- as well as Fas-mediated apoptosis. IETD-CHO and LEHD-CHO, specific inhibitors of caspase-8 and -9, respectively, completely blocked Fas-mediated apoptosis and partially prevented butyric acid-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that the Fas-FasL interaction is not involved in butyric acid-induced apoptosis and that caspase-8 and -9-dependent apoptosis plays an important role in butyric acid-induced apoptosis, as well as Fas-induced apoptosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Antifungal susceptibilities, varieties, and electrophoretic karyotypes of clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans from Brazil, Chile, and Venezuela.

One hundred clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected and non-HIV-infected patients from Brazil, Chile, and Venezuela were separated according to varieties and tested for antifungal susceptibility. A high susceptibility to antifungal agents was observed among all the isolates. The electrophoretic karyotyping of 51 strains revealed good discrimination among Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans strains.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2001

Effects of 5-HT(4) receptor agonist prokinetic agents on the action potential parameters of isolated rabbit myocardium.

The effects of TS-951, a novel gastrointestinal prokinetic agent with 5-HT(4) receptor agonistic action, on the action potential parameters of isolated rabbit Purkinje fiber, ventricular muscle and sinoatrial node, and on the spontaneously beating rates of isolated rabbit right atria were compared with those of cisapride. TS-951 had no effect on the action potential parameters in both rabbit Purkinje fiber and ventricular muscle preparations. However, cisapride significantly prolonged action potential duration (APD) in both preparations. Both TS-951 and cisapride produced a negative chronotropic effect in rabbit right atria; TS-951 and cisapride at 3 x 10(-5) mol/l reduced the beating rate by about 20 and 40%, respectively. In the sinoatrial node preparations, TS-951 (3 x 10(-5) mol/l) as well as cisapride (10(-6) mol/l) prolonged cycle length and APD and reduced the diastolic depolarization rate. These results indicate that TS-951 does not appear to possess electrophysiological features leading to cardiotoxicity such as QT prolongation and, thus, torsades de pointes in common with cisapride.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2001

Pharmacological characterization of a novel 5-HT4 receptor agonist, TS-951, in vitro.

The pharmacological effect of a novel selective 5-HT4 receptor agonist, TS-951 (N-[endo-8-(3-hydroxypropyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-1-isopropyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3-quinolinecarboxamide) was investigated in vitro. TS-951 potently inhibited specific [3H]GR113808 binding both in guinea-pig striatum and in mouse brain. The affinity of TS-951 for the 5-HT4 receptor was higher than those of other agonists, 5-HT, cisapride, mosapride and renzapride. On the longitudinal muscle of the guinea-pig ileum, TS-951 caused a concentration-dependent increase in the amplitude of electrically induced submaximal twitch contractions. On the longitudinal muscle of the guinea-pig distal colon, TS-951 also caused concentration-dependent contractions. TS-951 is a high-affinity, selective and potent 5-HT4 receptor agonist. This compound therefore can be considered as a useful pharmacological tool for investigating 5-HT4 receptor-mediated events.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Purification and characterization of an oligo-isomaltosaccharide synthase from a Streptococcus sobrinus glucosyltransferase-I deficient mutant.

One glucosyltransferase (GTF) -I deficient mutant of Streptococcus sobrinus strain B13N was isolated through chemical mutagenesis with ethyl methanesulfonate, and characterized. This mutant, designated as B13N-Id, readily allowed us to purify a homogeneous oligo-isomaltosaccharide synthase (GTF-S) from its culture fluid. The purified GTF-S was only recognized with rabbit polyclonal antibody against recombinant GTF-S from an Ecsherichia coli MD124 clone expressing the B13N gtfS gene, and showed the almost same enzymatic properties as the recombinant enzyme. A double reciprocal plot of the B13N GTF-S for sucrose was biphasic, and the affinity for this substrate was high compared to that of GTF-S enzymes from other strains.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗