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Biomedical subjects

K Ishihara

Publications and source records attributed to K Ishihara.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

Antiepileptic effects of 20-hydroxyecdysone on convulsive seizures in spontaneously epileptic rats.

We examined the effect of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-HE), a neurosteroid found in insects that is involved in their developmental process, on both tonic convulsion and absence-like seizure in spontaneously epileptic rat (SER). When 20-HE was given orally to SER at 25-200 mg/kg, significant decreases of the tonic convulsion were observed with 100 and 200 mg/kg. Pretreatment of the animal with bicuculline (1 mg/kg, i.p.) antagonized the inhibitory effects of 20-HE. However, absence-like seizures were not affected by 20-HE. These findings indicate that 20-HE produces antiepileptic effects on tonic convulsion by acting on the modulatory site of GABA(A) receptors.

Administration, Oral↗

Effects of perospirone, a novel antipsychotic agent, on the dopaminergic neurons in the rat ventral tegmental area.

An electrophysiological study was performed to investigate the effects of cis-N-[4-[4-(1,2-benz-isozole-3-yl)-1-piperazinyl]butyl]cyclohexan e-1,2-dicarboximide hydrochloride (perospirone), a novel antipsychotic agent with high affinities for D2/5-HT2-receptors, on the dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) using chloral hydrate-anesthetized rats. DA neurons and non-DA neurons in VTA were identified according to the configurations of their action potentials and firing rates. Spontaneous firing of DA neurons was dose-dependently decreased by i.v. injection of methamphetamine (MAP). Most non-DA neurons were unaffected by MAP up to 2 mg/kg, but the firing was increased with MAP in 2 of 7 neurons. Perospirone injected intravenously reversed the MAP-induced decrease in spontaneous firing of DA neurons in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, i.v. injection of perospirone also inhibited the MAP-induced increase in firing of the 2 non-DA neurons. Similarly, inhibition of spontaneous firing in DA neurons by microiontophoretically applied DA was antagonized during iontophoretic application of perospirone. However, the firing of non-DA neurons, which were insensitive to DA, was not affected by iontophoretically applied perospirone. Since the DA neurons are inhibited by DA via D2-receptors, these findings suggest that perospirone acts on the D2-receptors to antagonize the dopaminergic inhibition of DA neurons in VTA.

Animals↗

Increase in swimming endurance capacity of mice by capsaicin-induced adrenal catecholamine secretion.

Increase in endurance swimming capacity caused by capsaicin (CAP), a pungent component of red pepper, -induced increase of fat metabolism in mice was investigated using an adjustable-current water pool. The mice administered CAP via a stomach tube, showed longer swimming time until exhaustion than the control group of mice, in a dose-dependent manner. The maximal effect was observed at a dose of 10 mg/kg while more than 15 mg/kg had no effect. The increase of endurance was observed only when CAP was administered two hours before swimming. After the administration of CAP, the serum glucose concentration rapidly increased and then decreased within 60 min, while the concentration of serum-free fatty acids gradually increased through 3 hours. The residual glycogen concentration of the gastrocnemius muscle after 30 min of swimming was significantly higher in the CAP-administered mice than in control mice, suggesting that use of the serum free fatty acids spared muscle glycogen consumption. The serum adrenaline concentration significantly increased with twin peaks at 30 min and two hours after administration of CAP. An experiment using adrenalectomized mice was done to confirm that the effect of CAP is due to increased energy metabolism through the secretion of adrenaline from the adrenal gland. The swimming endurance capacity of the adrenalectomized mice was not increased by CAP administration, although adrenaline injection induced a 58% increase in the endurance time. These results suggest that the increase of swimming endurance induced by CAP in mice is caused by an increase in fatty acid utilization due to CAP-induced adrenal catecholamine secretion.

Animals↗

Lipase-catalyzed synthesis of arbutin cinnamate in an organic solvent and application of transesterification to stabilize plant pigments.

Arbutin cinnamate was synthesized from arbutin (4-hydroxyphenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside) and vinyl cinnamate by regioselective transesterification with a bacterial lipase in acetonitrile. The product was identified by NMR and FAB-MS analyses. These spectra showed that one ester bond was formed between the primary alcohol moiety of the D-glucose of arbutin and the carboxyl residue of cinnamic acid. Furthermore, plant pigments such as isoquercitrin (quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside) and callistephin (pelargonidin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside) were also converted to their corresponding cinnamate esters in the same manner.

Acetonitriles↗

Sonographic appearance of hemorrhagic ovarian cyst with acute abdomen by transvaginal scan.

Hemorrhagic ovarian cyst (HOC) which is one of the functional cysts, is often involved in acute abdomen leading to laparatomy intervention. The reason for this mainly lies in the fact that it is easily misdiagnosed as an organic mass because of the presence of lower abdominal pain and the variable appearance of ultrasonographic images at presentation. We analyzed 15 cases of HOC associated with acute abdomen, of which in 2 cases the disease was confirmed by laparotomy. The remaining 13 cases were followed-up clinically and by daily transvaginal sonography (TVS) from the first detection of the cyst until complete resolution. The TVS images showed a variety of changes; however, when the images or their magnified views were observed precisely, important diagnostic characteristics were found which were classified into 3 categories: type 1 images showed mixed hypoechoic and hyperechoic areas, the demarcation line between which appeared as a thin or thick septum-like echo of smooth formation; type 2 images showed hypoechoic background and vertical, horizontal, or lamellar thin or thick thread-like echoes with an overall reticular-like or sponge-like pattern; and type 3 images showed an overall hyperechoic and solid pattern. Type 1 and 2 images occurred more frequent (93.3%), and only 1 case had a type 3 image. In all image types, septum-like or thread-like echoes were seen, TVS type 1 and 2 images showed a clear division into hyperechoic and other areas with the passing of time which was finally changed into a cystic pattern and disappeared. Severe lower abdominal pain was present for 1 to 3 hours in 12 cases (80%), 4 to 6 hours in 2 cases (13.3%), and 11 hours in 1 case (6.7%). Other characteristics of HOC may be its most frequent occurrence in the young age group (10 to 20 years old, 80.0%) and in the luteal phase (84.6%). With operative cases, histopathological diagnosis was HOC. The clinical and particularly TVS findings described in the present study are of significant value in differential diagnosis of HOC with acute abdomen from other disorders presenting with acute abdomen.

Abdomen, Acute↗

Quarantine for contaminated pathogens in transplantable human tumors or infections in tumor bearing mice.

To quarantine human tumor samples for transplantation into immune deficient mice or tumor xenograft lines established and introduced from other institutions, we performed isolated implantation and passaging of tumors in a vinyl isolator, and microbiological examinations of sentinel mice kept together with tumor bearing mice. We examined 105 pairs of sentinel mice used to quarantine 907 tumors, and found six cases of contamination or infection with Staphylococcus aureus, 20 cases with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and one case with mouse hepatitis virus (MHV). It was, however, possible that Mycoplasma pulmonis contamination was overlooked because the microbe had been isolated from tumors passaged after quarantine, even though the results of the quarantine of these tumors showed no sign of pathogens. Direct culture of tumors for the microbe was recommended to improve the quarantine system.

Animals↗

Purification of EGIP-D-binding protein from the embryos of the sea urchin Anthocidaris crassispina.

Exogastrula-inducing peptides (EGIPs) are intrinsic factors that are present in eggs and embryos of the sea urchin Anthocidaris crassispina. They induce exogastrulation when added exogenously to the embryos. In the present study, we isolated an EGIP-D-binding protein (EBP) from a homogenate of mesenchyme blastulae. EBP had an apparent molecular weight of 33,000. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of EBP had a sequence homology to HLC-32 and bep4 identified in other sea urchin embryos. In addition to its ability of binding to EGIP-D, EBP also inhibited exogastrulation induced by EGIP-D. These results suggest that EBP plays an essential role in EGIP-D-induced exogastrulation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

D2 receptor activation in distinct striatal neurons in comparison with D3 receptors.

The role of D2/D3 receptors in striatum was electrophysiologically examined in vitro in chloralose-anesthetized rats. In addition, in vitro patch clamp method with rat brain slices was followed. Stimulations of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SN) in vivo elicited spike generation which was inhibited by microiontophoretically applied domperidone, a D2 antagonist. These domperidone-sensitive neurons were activated by microiontophoretic application of D2 agonists such as talipexole, quinpirole and bromocriptine as well as the D2 agonist, 7-OH-DPAT. They were also excited by either intravenous injection of bromocriptine or talipexole in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the SN-induced increases in neuronal firing were blocked during microiontophoretic application of domperidone. In patch clamp whole-cell recording large-sized cells, identified visually under Ramanosky microscope, were depolarized with repetitive firing on bath application of talipexole and 7-OH-DPAT at a current clamp mode. Talipexole-induced depolarization in the large-sized cell was similarly observed in the presence of TTX and high Mg2+ in Ca(2+)-free physiological solution. In contrast, the medium-sized cells were hyperpolarized on bath application of talipexole without being affected by 7-OH-DPAT. These findings suggest that the large-sized cells, which were presumably cholinergic interneurons, are activated by dopamine derived from the SN via D2 and/or D3 receptors, while the medium-sized cells are inhibited by dopamine via D2 receptors.

Animals↗

[Aortic arch surgery in the elderly].

A consecutive series of 16 patients over 75 years old who underwent aortic arch operations with hypothermic selective cerebral perfusion from 1994 to 1997 was analyzed. These patients (group O) was compared with 18 patients aged from 70 to 74-year-old (group M) and 38 patients under the age of 69 (group Y) who underwent aortic arch operation during the same period. There were 5 males and 11 females with a mean age of 77.8 years (range 75 to 86) in group O. Twelve patients were in aortic dissection and 4 patients were in atherosclerotic aneurysms. There were 5 hospital deaths (31.2%) in group O, 2 (11.1%) in group M and 2 (5.3%) in group Y. There was significant difference in hospital mortality rate between group O and group Y. Cerebral complication occurred in 2 patients (12.5%) and postoperative respiratory failure occurred in 7 (47%) in group O. Aortic arch operations for the elderly patients can be performed with increased but operative mortality in the elderly patients remains high. In this study, we discussed that influence of risk factors on the operative result and operative indication in the elderly patients.

Age Factors↗

Rigix plate system for anterior fixation of thoracolumbar vertebrae.

Only a few plate systems are available for anterior fixation of thoracolumbar vertebrae because of the difficulty in fastening a screw and a plate together. If the fixation is inadequate, the screws will become loose. The Rigix plate system consists of screws made of titanium alloy and a plate made of pure titanium. All screws used for internal fixation are screwed into the plate. This system permits the use of anchor screws, which facilitate exertion of force to compress the vertebral bodies together or to distract them from each other. In this study, Rigix plates were used in 24 patients (20 with burst fractures and 4 with metastatic tumors). In the 20 patients with fracture, internal fixation with a graft and a Rigix plate was performed after anterior decompression. In the four patients with malignant tumors, total spondylectomy was performed anteriorly and posteriorly, followed by implantation of a vertebral prosthesis, and then internal fixation with a Rigix plate combined posterior instrumentation with Diapson (Stryker Co., Tokyo, Japan) pedicular screws. Bone union was achieved in all patients. Neither breakage of instruments nor loosening of connections occurred in any case. In patients treated for bone metastases, the reconstructed spinal structure was able to be maintained for a long period. Of the screws used, five (5%) were not able to remain fixed as intended because they were inserted at inappropriate angles into the plate, but the fixation itself was excellent. Because of the low profile, ease of manipulation (mean instrumentation time was 25 min), and compatibility with magnetic resonance imaging, the Rigix plate is useful for anterior fixation of thoracolumbar vertebrae.

Adult↗

[Isolated retrograde amnesia following viral encephalitis].

We describe a patient who presented with isolated retrograde amnesia of 2-year duration after recovery from viral encephalitis. The patient was a 29-year-old right-handed male dentist and was admitted to our hospital with a complaint of generalized convulsion. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed mononuclear pleocytosis. Neuroradiological examinations (X-ray CT, MRI and 123I-IMP SPECT) revealed no significant abnormality. Immunological method showed no specific increase of viral antibody titers. However, with a tentative diagnosis of viral encephalitis, administration of acyclovir was started. After 3 weeks he became comprehensive, and several kinds of neuropsychological tests were performed. His intelligence and immediate memory were normal, and his procedural memory of dentist was intact. On the other hand, he could not recall any information about events, both personal and public, occurred within 2 years before the onset of present illness. His autobiographical memory disorder was also demonstrated using a series of weekly comic. In isolated retrograde amnesia following viral encephalitis like this case, memory of relatively short time duration, acquired prior to the onset of present illness, tend to be disturbed.

Acyclovir↗

[Two-staged repair of coarctation of the aortic arch with severe subaortic stenosis and ventricular septal defect].

Aortic arch coarctation proximal to the left subclavian artery is a rare anomaly. It is about 1% of all coarctation of the aorta. This 16 days neonate with coarctation of aortic arch with severe subaortic stenosis and ventricular septal defect was underwent two staged repair. In the first-stage operation, coarctation of the aortic arch was reconstructed by extended end to end direct anastomosis through posterolateral thoracotomy. In the second stage, we performed intracardiac repair with use of a technique which included resection of superior margin of conus septum through VSD and patch closure of VSD. The postoperative pressure study showed no gradient between left ventricle and left radial artery. The postoperative course was satisfactory. This patient is doing well.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Genomic structure of human BST-1.

BST-1 is an ectoenzyme expressed on human bone marrow Stromal cells and myeloid lineage cells, having both ADP-ribosyl cyclase and cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) hydrolase activities. In mouse, BST-1 is also expressed on lymphoid progenitors. We isolated chromosomal DNA segments of the human BST-1 gene. The human BST-1 gene consisted of nine exons and eight introns. The length of each exon was very similar to that of the Aplysia ADP-ribosyl cyclase gene. The flanking region of the BST-1 gene contained several potential binding sites for nuclear factors, NF-kappa B, p53, NF-IL6, CREB, PEA3, E2A, C/EBP, AP3, AP2 and SP1 and consensus sequences for gamma-IRE and ISRE like element.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗

Human BST-1 expressed on myeloid cells functions as a receptor molecule.

We have previously identified and cloned BST-1 as a molecule which is overexpressed on the bone marrow stromal cell lines derived from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and which has the ability to support the pre-B cell growth. BST-1 is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored ectoenzyme having ADP-ribosyl cyclase and cyclic ADP-ribose hydrolase activities. In this report, we demonstrate that human BST-1 was expressed on monocytes, granulocytes in the peripheral blood of healthy donors, and macrophages matured in vitro. Cross-linking of BST-1 with a polyclonal anti-BST-1 antibody induced tyrosine phosphorylation of a 130-kDa protein (p130) in the human myeloid cell lines U937 and THP-1. Cross-linking of BST-1 overexpressed on a transfectant induced tyrosine phosphorylation of p130, dephosphorylation of the 100-kDa protein, and growth inhibition. These results suggest that BST-1 can deliver signals into cells and function as a receptor.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗

Peripheral alpha-linked N-acetylglucosamine on the carbohydrate moiety of mucin derived from mammalian gastric gland mucous cells: epitope recognized by a newly characterized monoclonal antibody.

To obtain a tool to study the structural characterization and the detection of mucin derived from the gastric gland mucous cells, we developed a monoclonal antibody, designated HIK1083, against mucin purified from rat gastric mucosa. In an ELISA, HIK1083 reacted strongly with the mucin purified from a deep layer of the corpus and antrum but only slightly reacted with that obtained from the surface mucosal layer. The reaction of mucin and HIK1083 was inhibited by the oligosaccharides obtained by the alkaline borohydride reduction of antigenic mucin. Two purified oligosaccharide alditols reacting with the monoclonal antibody obtained from the antigenic mucin had one and two peripheral alpha-linked N-acetylglucosamine residues, respectively, according to the evidence from NMR spectroscopy. Moreover, among the commercially available p-nitrophenyl derivatives of monosaccharides, only p-nitrophenyl-N-acetyl-alpha-D-glucosaminide inhibited the reaction of this monoclonal antibody and the antigenic mucin in a concentration-dependent manner. These results, as well as the immunohistochemical observations, indicate that alpha-linked N-acetylglucosamine residues are specifically attached to the peripheral region of the carbohydrate moiety of the mucin synthesized in and secreted from the gastric-gland-type cells, and indicate that the monoclonal antibody HIK 1083 recognizes this structure.

Acetylglucosamine↗

The tetravalent organic cation spermine causes the gating of the IRK1 channel expressed in murine fibroblast cells.

1. The activation kinetics of the IRK1 channel stably expressed in L cells (a murine fibroblast cell line) were studied under the whole-cell voltage clamp. Without polyamines or Mg2+ in the pipettes, inward currents showed an exponential activation on hyperpolarization. The steep inward rectification of the currents around the reversal potential (Erev) could be described by the open-close transition of the channel with first-order kinetics. 2. When the tetravalent organic cation spermine (Spm) was added in the pipettes, the activation kinetics changed; this was explicable by the increase in the closing rate constant. The activation of the currents observed without Spm or Mg2+ in the pipettes was ascribed to the unblocking of the 'endogenous-Spm block'. 3. In the presence of the divalent cation putrescine (Put) or of Mg2+ in the pipettes, a different non-conductive state suppressed the outward currents on depolarization; the channels instantaneously changed to the open state on repolarization. As the depolarization was prolonged, this non-conductive state was replaced by the non-conductive state that shows an exponential activation on repolarization. This phenomenon was attributed to the redistribution of the channels from the Put- or Mg(2+)-blocked state to the 'endogenous Spm-blocked state' during depolarization. 4. In the presence of the trivalent cation spermidine (Spd) in the pipettes, two different non-conductive states occurred, showing a faster and a slower activation on repolarization. The rectification around Erev was mainly due to the non-conductive state showing a faster activation, which appeared to be the Spd-blocked state. During depolarization, redistribution of the channels to the 'endogenous Spm-blocked state' also occurred. 5. In the presence of Spd, Put or Mg2+ in the pipettes, the voltage dependence of the activation time constant reflecting the unblocking of the 'endogenous Spm' was shifted in the hyperpolarizing direction. 6. Our results suggest that the 'intrinsic gating' that shows the time-dependent activation on repolarization, and that is responsible for the inward rectification around Erev, reflects the blocking kinetics of the tetravalent Spm.

Animals↗