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Biomedical subjects

K Kudo

Publications and source records attributed to K Kudo.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Sensitive determination of methomyl in blood using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry as its oxime tert.-butyldimethylsilyl derivative.

A sensitive, selective and reliable method was developed to determine methomyl ¿methyl-N-[(methylcarbamoyl)oxy]-thioacetimidate¿, a carbamate insecticide in human blood, using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Dimethylglyoxime served as an internal standard (I.S.). Methomyl in the blood was converted to its oxime form by sodium hydroxide. The solution made acidic with hydrochloric acid was poured into a column packed with Extrelut. Methomyloxime and I.S. were eluted from the column with a mixture of dichloromethane-ethyl acetate-chloroform (65:25:10), transformed to tert.-butyldimethylsilyl derivatives, and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the electron impact mode. The calibration curves were linear in the concentration range from 1 ng/g to 100 ng/g and 100 ng/g to at least 5000 ng/g. The lower limit of detection was 0.5 ng/g. The absolute recoveries were 72-93% and within-day coefficients of variation were 3.1-5.6% at blood concentrations of 10 and 1000 ng/g. Two practical forensic applications are described.

Acetamides↗
PubMed1998

Expression of 5-lipoxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein mRNAs in the peripheral blood leukocytes of asthmatics.

Leukotrienes are a family of arachidonic acid metabolites with potent biological activities such as bronchoconstriction and leukocyte chemotaxis. Recent evidence has demonstrated that the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (FALP) products of arachidonic acid metabolism, leukotriene C4, D4 and E4, were increased in the serum and the urine of asthmatic patients. Therefore, we examined the expression of 5-LO and FLAP mRNAs in the peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) of 10 asthmatics and 10 controls. Both 5-LO and FLAP mRNAs of PBL in the asthmatic group were found to be significantly increased compared with those in the control group. These data suggest that up-regulation of 5-LO and FLAP mRNAs might be involved in the increased leukotriene synthesis and play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma.

5-Lipoxygenase-Activating Proteins↗
PubMed1998

Localization of carbohydrate chains of pig sperm ligand in the glycoprotein ZPB of egg zona pellucida.

The three glycoproteins of pig zona pellucida (ZPA, ZPB and ZPC) can be separated into ZPA and a mixture of ZPB/ZPC by gel-filtration HPLC. We have shown previously that the neutral complex-type N-linked carbohydrate chains obtained from ZPB/ZPC possess sperm-binding activity. Intact ZPB and ZPC cannot be separated from each other unless acidic N-acetyllactosamine regions of their carbohydrate chains are removed by endo-beta-galactosidase digestion. The endo-beta-galactosidase-digested ZPB retains the sperm-binding activity. Recently, we have reported that N-linked carbohydrate chains of N-terminal fragment (residues 137-247) obtained from endo-beta-galactosidase-digested ZPB are involved mainly in sperm binding [Yonezawa, N., Mitsui, S., Kudo, K. & Nakano, M. (1997) Eur. J. Biochem. 248, 86-92]. In this study, we separated the intact neutral N-linked chains from the ZPB/ZPC mixture into diantennary chains and triantennary and tetraantennary chains by affinity chromatography on Concanavalia ensiformis agglutinin. An in vitro competition assay revealed that triantennary and tetraantennary chains possess a sperm-binding activity stronger than that of diantennary chains. Three glycopeptides, having one Asn residue to which the carbohydrate chain is linked, were obtained by lysyl endopeptidase digestion of the heat-solubilized zonae containing intact ZPB and lysyl endopeptidase and chymotrypsin A digestion of endo-beta-galactosidase-digested ZPB. From sugar-mapping analysis of the carbohydrate chains from these glycopeptides and comparison with the carbohydrate structures of the main intact neutral N-linked chains of ZPB/ZPC, the triantennary and tetraantennary chains were shown to be localized mainly at Asn220 of ZPB, and diantennary chains were present on all the three potential residues (Asn203, Asn220 and Asn333). These results suggest that the carbohydrate chains linked to Asn220 of ZPB participate predominantly in sperm-egg binding.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Properties of ginseng saponin inhibition of catecholamine secretion in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells.

To investigate the relationship between the inhibitory effects of ginseng saponins (ginsenosides) on acetylcholine-evoked secretion of catecholamines and the structures of ginsenosides, we examined the effects of ginsenoside-Rg3 and -Rh2, which are panaxadiol saponins, 20(R)- and 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg2, which are epimers involving the hydroxyl group at C-20 of sapogenin, and other plant saponins on the acetylcholine-evoked secretion of catecholamines from cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. The ginsenoside-Rg3 (1-100 microM) and -Rh2 (10-100 microM) greatly reduced the acetylcholine-evoked secretion in a concentration-dependent manner comparable to that of ginsenoside-Rg2, a panaxatriol saponin, which was the most potent inhibitor in our previous study. 20(R)- and 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg2 (1-100 microM) similarly reduced the acetylcholine-evoked secretion. In contrast, saikosaponin-a, glycyrrhizin and the cardiac glycosides (100 nM-100 microM), digitoxin and digoxin, had no significant inhibitory effect on catecholamine secretion. Saikosaponin-c (10-100 microM), however, had an inhibitory effect, which was less than that of ginsenoside-Rg2 and -Rg3. These results strongly suggest that the inhibitory effects of ginsenosides on the acetylcholine-evoked secretion of catecholamines from bovine adrenal chromaffin cells are a unique property of ginseng. Further, the relationship between the inhibitory effects and the structures of ginsenosides is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Functional modification of agonist-antagonist electromyographic activity for rapid movement inhibition.

Subjects made a fast elbow extension movement to designated target in response to a go signal. In 45% of trials a stop signal was presented after the go signal, to which subjects were asked to stop the movement as rapidly as possible. The interstimulus interval (ISI), or time interval between the go and stop signals, was randomly varied between 0 and 200 ms. Electromyographic (EMG) activity was recorded from biceps brachii and triceps brachii. Subjects could sometimes completely inhibit initiation of the movements when the ISI was 0 ms, but could rarely do so when the ISI exceeded 100 ms. For responses that were initiated but stopped on the way, the amplitude of the movement decreased linearly as the time interval (=modification time) from the stop signal to EMG onset increased. The peak velocity increased linearly as the movement amplitude increased. This tendency was similar to those previously reported in step-tracking movements with various amplitudes. In spite of the similarity in the kinematics of the movement, the EMG pattern was different from that of step-tracking movement. While the initial agonist burst (AG1) decreased linearly after the modification time exceeded 100 ms, the antagonist burst (ANT) increased compared with the go trial for the modification time from 0 to 200 ms and decreased after the modification time exceeded 300 ms. This change of activation is analogous to functional modification of middle-latency reflex EMG response to load, or cutaneous perturbation. In conclusion, it is suggested that adaptive mechanisms, which would functionally modify the reflex responses, are also continuously working during voluntary movements in response to sudden changes in environmental information.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1998

Irinotecan (CPT-11) in combination with weekly administration of cisplatin (CDDP) for non-small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: CPT-11 (60 mg/m2 on days 1, 8 and 15) in combination with CDDP (80 mg/m2 on day 1) has shown promising antitumor activity for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) are leukopenia and diarrhea, with a wide variation among patients. To estimate weekly CDDP administration in combination with CPT-11, a phase I study for patients with advanced NSCLC was conducted. METHODS: Patients were treated with CPT-11 at a fixed dose of 60 mg/m2 together with CDDP at 27 mg/m2 (level 1, 6 patients), 33 mg/m2 (level 2, 12 patients), and 40 mg/m2 (level 3, 6 patients) with 1600 ml hydration on days 1, 8 and 15 over 4 weeks. During the treatment course, drug was not administered on the day it was due in the presence of leukopenia (< 3000/ml) and/or diarrhea. RESULTS: The planned administration was completed in 5 of 6 patients at level 1, 6 of 12 patients at level 2, and 2 of 6 patients at level 3. The most common toxicity observed was leukopenia (five patients with grade 3 and one patient with grade 4). Leukopenia was considered to be a DLT, and the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was level 2. Although there were patients who suffered from diarrhea (four patients with higher than grade 2), diarrhea was judged not to be a DLT with this weekly regimen. Nausea and vomiting were mild. Pharmacokinetic analysis of free platinum from CDDP demonstrated that the area under the curve (AUC) from 33 mg/m2 CDDP was 0.92 +/- 0.29 microg/ml h. In 13 patients evaluated for response, the response rate was 54%. CONCLUSION: The value of weekly administration of CDDP in combination with CPT-11 was shown by (1) diarrhea not being dose-limiting, (2) mild nausea, (3) well-maintained AUC of free platinum, and (4) promising activity.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Identification of beverages and beverage stains by GC/MS using aroma components as indicators.

A method to identify brown coloured beverages or beverage stains for criminological purposes was devised using aroma components as indicators. The examined beverages comprised three brands each of beer, coffee, cola and black tea, two brands of oolong tea, and four brands of green tea. Aroma components in each sample were efficiently concentrated with a porous polymer beads column (Porapak Q) and were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) using n-octyl alcohol as the internal standard. Specific aroma components were found in each beverage and beverage stain, for example cis-terpin hydrate in cola, and thus identification of beverages or beverage stains became feasible through the detection of these specific components. The present method was applied efficiently to two practical criminological cases.

Beer↗
PubMed1998

Etoposide-related acute promyelocytic leukemia.

The development of therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML) has become a growing concern over the past decade, because of the increase in the percentage of long-term survivors of primary malignancy. We reviewed 17 cases with etoposide-related acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) reported in the literature. The close association between treatment with etoposide for Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) and the development of etoposide-related APL was demonstrated among Japanese and Italians. Our data on the breakpoints (b/ps) of the PML and RARalpha genes are presented. It is suggested that chromatin structure might be more important than specific consensus sequence in the distribution of b/ps in etoposide-related APL.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Depression among caregivers of the elderly in need of care and their service utilization: a pilot study.

Twenty-four community residing elderly people in need of care, who were registered with the municipal welfare center in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, and their principal caregivers participated in the study. The principal caregivers completed a self-administered questionnaire involving their demographic status, provided data on their utilization of formal services and completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). The health visitors examined the activities of daily living (ADL) and mental status of these 24 elderly individuals. More than half the caregivers appeared to be depressed. The non-depressed caregivers used significantly more services than the depressed caregivers even after the caregivers' age was statistically controlled.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Comparative analysis of blood chemical values in primary ketosis and abomasal displacement in cows.

Blood chemical values, including ketone bodies, were measured in 25 cows with abomasal displacement (displacement group), 16 cows with primary ketosis (ketosis group), and nine normal controls to investigate the pathophysiology of abomasal displacement. Increases in aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), and ketone bodies (3-hydroxybutyric acid and acetoacetic acid) were observed in the displacement and ketosis groups. Total cholesterol increased significantly in the ketosis group but decreased in the displacement group. Glucose was significantly low and reversely correlated to ketone bodies in the ketosis group but was not low and was not correlated with ketone bodies in the displacement group. While NEFA was correlated to ketone bodies in the ketosis group, it was not in the displacement group. A correlation between the values of acetoacetic acid and 3-hydroxybutyric acid was seen in both the ketosis and displacement groups. The fact that blood chemical values in ketosis cows were clearly different from those in displacement cows suggest that the biochemical mechanism of ketogenesis is different between these two groups.

Abomasum↗
PubMed1998

[Mycobacterial lung infection in 8 patients with AIDS: clinical and radiological features].

The prevalence of mycobacterial infection in AIDS patients has increased in Japan. This report describes details of the clinical and radiological features of eight AIDS patients with mycobacterial disease (6 with M. tuberculosis infection and 2 with M. kansasii infection) in our hospital during the period from October 1995 through February 1997. Six of the 8 were men, and two were women. The mean age was 36.5 years. Six were Japanese, one was from Myanmar, and one was Malaysian. The median CD4 positive T lymphocyte counts (CD4 count) at the time of diagnosis of the M. tuberculosis was 75.5 (range 14-569/microliter, and the M. kansasii was 21.5 (range 19-24)/microliter. Clinical findings and symptoms of all patients were non-specific, but almost all patients had a cough and fever. In the radiographic findings, the patients of the M. tuberculosis group presented multiple hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy, miliary shadow, and obstructive pneumonia. Both M. kansasii patients showed a multiple infiltration shadow. There were no drug resistant strains in M. tuberculosis except on isolate with moderate resistant. to Streptomycin. These observations suggest that AIDS-associated mycobacterial disease shows atypical clinical and radiological features in some cases, especially in advanced stages of AIDS. Therefore, we need to recognize the characteristics of the clinical and radiological features of the patients with mycobacterial diseases and AIDS.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1998

Malignant lymphoma demonstrating sick sinus syndrome.

We report a case of T-cell-rich large B-cell lymphoma demonstrating sick sinus syndrome as a single initial symptom, followed by the retention of pericardial and pleural effusions. Intrapleural administration of interferon-alpha prevented reaccumulation of the pleural effusion for one and a half months, whereas systemic chemotherapy failed to control tumor growth in the skin and lymph nodes. The autopsy revealed involvement of the sinoatrial node of the heart by lymphoma cells.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

[A case of refractory bronchial asthma improving with treatments of sleep apnea syndrome].

A 29-year-old woman of the bronchial asthma was admitted to our hospital. Her asthmatic symptoms were refractory in spite of the administration of 30 mg of daily-oral prednisolone. During the asthma-attack, marked arterial oxygen desaturation was noted. So we doubted that she had obstructive sleep apnea complicated with obesity. Sleep Apnea Monitor revealed her nocturnal desaturation and frequent sleep apnea. To avoid the desaturation, we recommended her to keep prone position during the sleep. And both desaturation and asthmatic symptoms were dramatically improved. Nasal-CPAP also had been effective for them. These findings suggest that sleep apnea mediated oxygen desaturation may be one of the promotor of asthmatic symptoms.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[A case of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma responding to suppository of Tegafur].

We report a case of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) successfully controlled by the suppository administration of Tegafur alone. Five months after initiation of the drug, excellent reduction of tumors and decrease of serum alpha-feto-protein (AFP) level were seen without any side effects. Also, twenty-four months after of the treatment, no regrowth of tumors or increase in the serum AFP level was seen. Because Tegafur is a time-dependent agent, advanced HCC may be controlled by continuous administration for a long period.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic↗
PubMed1998

[Legionella pneumonia caused by aspiration of hot spring water after sarin exposure].

A 72-year-old man was exposed to the sarin gas attack in a Tokyo subway on March 20 th, 1995. After exposure, he noticed eye discomfort, chest tightness, headache and weakness of the lower limbs and oropharyngeal muscles. Despite these symptoms, he visited a hot spring on the same day with his family. On March 25 th, his muscle weakness progressed, and a low grade fever appeared. His muscle weakness disappeared 8 days after exposure to sarin, but respiratory failure rapidly developed, necessitating artificial ventilation within four day after hospitalization on March 28th. Chemotherapy with erythromycin, imipenem/cilastatin, and steroid pulse therapy was begu. PCR and culture of sputum collected by bronchofiberscopy were positive for Legionella pneumophila, serogroup I. His respiratory state improved, but subsequent infection with Pseudomonous aeruginosa. Enterobacter cloacae, and Candida tropicalis/glabrata caused his death 71 days after admission. Oropharyngeal muscle weakness caused by sarin-mediated cholinesterase inhibition was strongly suspected as the cause of hot spring water aspiration. Transbronchial lung biopsy revealed organizing pneumonia with fibrosis. Bronchoscopic findings included redness, edema and fragility of all visible areas of the airway, which was thought to be due to bronchitis caused by Legionellosis.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

A fatal case of hydrogen sulfide poisoning in a geothermal power plant.

An adult man entered an oil separator room to remove waste oil from a vacuum pump in a geothermal power plant. He suddenly collapsed and died soon after. Since hydrogen sulfide gas was detected in the atmosphere at the scene of the accident, poisoning by this gas was suspected and toxicological analysis of sulfide and thiosulfate in blood, brain, lung, femoral muscle was made using the extractive alkylation technique combined with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The concentrations of sulfide in these tissues were similar to those previously reported for fatal cases of hydrogen sulfide gas. The concentration of thiosulfate in the blood was at least 48 times higher than the level in control samples. Based on these results, the cause of death was attributed to hydrogen sulfide gas poisoning.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1998

[Reinfection tuberculosis at a day-laborers' facility equipped with a sauna].

Restriction-fragment-length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was used to study one outbreak of reinfection pulmonary tuberculosis at a day-laborers' facility equipped with a sauna. The results were interpreted in conjunction with clinical and epidemiologic data. The DNA prove was derived from the insertion sequence IS 6110. A 63-year-old man who stayed at a day-laborers' facility for eight months was found to have advanced cavitary lung disease with sputum smears strongly positive for acid-fast bacilli. One year later a 46-year-old man staying at the same facility for 24 months was also found to have sputum-positive tuberculosis. The 46-year-old man had undergone treatment for tuberculosis 16 years previously and showed radiographic evidence of previous lung damage from tuberculosis. The second man had no tubercule bacilli in sputum when the 63-year-old man was found to have sputum-positive tuberculosis. The organisms isolated from these two men were both drug sensitive and had a similar RFLP pattern which suggests that 63-year-old man was the source of this outbreak and that pulmonary tuberculosis in the 46-year-old man was caused by exogenous reinfection. We conclude that exogenous reinfection may have been one pattern of tuberculosis transmission in this high-risk environment.

DNA, Bacterial↗