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Biomedical subjects

K Machida

Publications and source records attributed to K Machida.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Rapid identification by polymerase chain reaction of staphylococcal exfoliative toxin serotype A and B genes.

A new system was designed to detect staphylococcal exfoliative toxin A (ETA) and B (ETB) genes by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The primer pairs for the ETA gene (eta) were 20 and 20-mer, and its PCR product was a 741-bp eta fragment, while the primer pairs for the ETB gene (etb) were also 20 and 20-mer, and its PCR product was a 629-bp etb fragment. When these primers were simultaneously used in the PCR, the two types of ET were clearly detected as two bands in an ETA and ETB double-producer using only one colony within 3 hr. We examined 66 strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients with staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) and compared the results obtained by ELISA and PCR. The same results were obtained for 56 of the strains, i.e., 30 strains were ETA producers, 20 strains were ETB producers, and 6 strains were double-producers. However, positive results were obtained for 5 of the 10 non-ET-producing strains. Two of these strains were judged by PCR as ETA producers and three as ETB producers. Thus, PCR is very sensitive and rapid in detecting ETA and ETB gene fragments in colonies isolated from patients with SSSS.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Genetic identification of Staphylococcus aureus by polymerase chain reaction using single-base-pair mismatch in 16S ribosomal RNA gene.

Staphylococcus aureus is the most predominant and important pathogen in clinical microbiology. A DNA amplification assay using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was designed to identify S. aureus through a single-base-pair mismatch in the sequences of staphylococcal 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) genes. It was able to detect and identify S. aureus without requiring additional analytical techniques. Twenty-eight staphylococcal and non-staphylococcal strains were tested to verify the specificity of the assay, and only S. aureus strains gave a positive reaction. It may be possible to provide immediate and exact information for the identification of S. aureus.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Serum fatty acid composition in normal Japanese and its relationship with dietary fish and vegetable oil contents and blood lipid levels.

A survey was conducted on 110 normal Japanese adults (55 men and 55 women) to determine their caloric intake, dietary fat content and its origin (animal, plant, or marine). In addition, their blood lipid levels and fatty acid compositions were examined. Men in their 30s-50s consumed 2,600-2,800 calories and 60 g of fats, while women in the same age range consumed 2,000-2,200 calories and 52-58 g of fats. In both sexes, caloric, fat, and cholesterol intakes were lower for those in their 60s but protein and crude fiber consumption remained generally unchanged. When the dietary fats were classified according to origin, men and women in their 30s were found to consume less oil of marine origin. This appeared to be the result of a western style diet for Japanese adults in their 30s. Compared with men, women exhibited lower blood lipid levels. As age increased, the total cholesterol level of the blood rose in women. Thus the blood lipid level was generally equal in the two groups in their 60s. There was a positive correlation between the blood eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels and dietary consumption of fish oil. The marine/plant lipid ratio was positively correlated with the blood EPA/arachidonic acid ratio. Therefore, it was believed that the origin of the dietary fats consumed is a factor in determining the blood fatty acid profile. The linoleic acid (18:2), arachidonic acid (20:4), and 18:2 + 20:4 contents were negatively correlated to the total cholesterol level in the blood but positively correlated to the HDL-cholesterol level. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (18:2 + 20:4 + 20:5 + 22:6) were negatively correlated with the blood triglyceride level. From the findings presented above, we concluded that dietary fats not derived from animal sources should be classified into fish and vegetable oils to evaluate their dietary significance. We also noted that Japanese in their 30s consume less fish oil, indicating the western trend in their dietary lipid consumption.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Effects of roxithromycin on proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and production of lipopolysaccharide-induced cytokines.

Roxithromycin (RXM), a new macrolide antibiotic, has a 14-member macrocycline ring structure which is similar to that of erythromycin. We investigated the effects of RXM on the proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the production of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) by PBMCs stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). At concentrations greater than 25.0 micrograms/ml, RXM suppressed the proliferation of PBMCs stimulated with phytohemagglutinin, probably due to cytotoxicity. When the PBMCs were incubated with RXM for 7 d, the number of adherent cells (monocyte/macrophages) increased. Incubation with RXM at a concentration of 25.0 micrograms/ml induced the greatest increase (p < 0.05). IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha were present 3 h after LPS-stimulation, and IL-1 beta production reached a peak at 12 h and TNF-alpha production at between 6 and 12 h, and then their production declined. RXM (25 micrograms/ml) suppressed the production of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha slightly during the entire course of the incubation. This suppression was dose-dependent. Anti-human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and anti-human macrophage colony stimulating factor antibodies had no effect on the RXM-induced proliferation of adherent cells. Suppression of the production of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha by RXM suggested that this drug might have anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1995

[Immunological investigations on pathogenesis of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome].

Staphylococcal exfoliative toxin (ET) is an extracellular product of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients with staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) which includes Ritter's disease, bullous impetigo and staphylococcal scarlet fever, and has been regarded as the causative agent of SSSS. The ET has not only a splitting effect at the granular layer of skin in human and mice but also an immunogenicity to human and mice. Using experimental animals and clinical specimens of patients with or without SSSS, the immunological investigation were performed and following results were obtained. 1) When some inbred and congenic resistant strains of mice were immunized with serotype A ET (ETA), they were divided into the high anti-ETA antibody producers (high responders) and the low responders. The gene controlling antibody response to ETA in mice is located in the I-A subregion in the major histocompatible complex (H-2 complex), and its function seems to be at least related to antigen recognition at the T-lymphocyte level. 2) Neonatal mice are generally susceptible to ETA regardless of their H-2 haplo-type. However, the neonatal mice born to a high-responder mother immunized with ETA were resistant to the subcutaneous challenge of ETA, but those born to an immunized low-responder mother were susceptible to the challenge. 3) The relationship between susceptibility and immune response to ETA in some mammalians could be divided into three groups: the possession of resistant skin and high production of antibody to ETA (rabbits and rats); the possession of resistant skin and low production of antibody to ETA (golden hamsters and guinea pigs); the possession of sensitive skin and various titers of antibody to ETA (humans and mice). 4) The incidence of ET producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus in various clinical specimens obtained from patients without SSSS was 12% (50 out of 418 strains) in our epidemiological investigation. The percentages of antibody to ETA in sera obtained from healthy males and females were 23% and 29%, respectively. Eventually, ET-producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus seem to be spread out wider than the microbiological result obtained from clinical specimens. 5) The mitogenic responses of lymphocytes isolated from patients with the first impetigo could be measured by using PHA, and the five-of them were in the low range, whereas lymphocytes from patients with recurrent impetigo were in the normal range on this survey. Maybe this results suggest the T lymphocyte functions of some patients with impetigo are deteriorated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Association of active pulmonary tuberculosis and malignant diseases: a clinical study].

The association of pulmonary tuberculosis and bronchogenic carcinoma has been reported by many authors, however, there are rather few studies about the association of pulmonary tuberculosis and other malignant diseases and how the latter affects the outcome of the former. Between 1980 and 1993, we had in our hospital 104 patients who had both active pulmonary tuberculosis and malignant diseases. Pulmonary tuberculosis was diagnosed at the time or after the diagnosis of malignant diseases in 74 patients, of whom 92% (68 patients) were males and 42% (31 patients) were over the age of 70. There were 23 stomach cancer (31%), and 15 lung cancer (20%). In 11 patients tuberculosis developed after the initiation of radiation and/or chemotherapy. 67 patients could be followed up for more than 6 months after the initiation of chemotherapy for tuberculosis and the negative conversion rate was as high as 95.5% at 3 months. The fact indicates that the association of malignant diseases does not influence the course of tuberculosis and that these patients could be treated safely in general hospitals, provided the diagnosis is made properly without unnecessary delay.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Long-term study of patients with sequelae of pulmonary tuberculosis after pneumonectomy--obstructive impairment and its causes].

Changes in pulmonary function, chest X-ray films, and CT were retrospectively studied in patients with sequeae of pulmonary tuberculosis 30 years after pneumonectomy (PNX). Over more than 10 years, VC and FEV1% changed at a rate of 23.2 +/- 8.8 ml and 0.683 +/- 0.688% per year, respectively. In the patients studied 30 years after PNX (N = 30), VC was 900 +/- 210 ml, %VC 31.6 +/- 8.1%, and FEV1% was 67.2 +/- 6.8%. About half of these patients had mild airway obstruction. FEV1% was negatively related to the distance from the hilum to the diaphragm on the mid-clavicular line (on the chest films) divided by body height (r = -0.607). Therefore, we think that the airway obstruction may be due to overextension of the bronchi of middle and lower lobes. Emphysema was not found in 18 patients who had no sign of hyperinflation or herniation of the remaining lung to the PNX side on their CT, but it was found in one patient with these signs.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Home days ratio in patients treated with long-term oxygen therapy].

The home days ratio (days at home/observation period) is an important index for evaluating the efficacy of therapy for chronic disease. To compute the home days ratio in patients treated with long-term oxygen therapy, we retrospectively studied the records of 72 consecutive patients with chronic respiratory failure who received long-term oxygen therapy from the Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Ogaki Municipal Hospital. These patients were representative of those treated with long-term oxygen therapy in terms of age, cause of hypoxemia, blood gas values, and pulmonary function. The home days ratio gradually decreased; it was 92.7 +/- 15.2% during the first year, 87.5 +/- 24.0% during the second year, and 78.5 +/- 39.7% during the third year. The home days ratios in survivors (n = 39) were greater than in non-survivors (n = 33). For the first year: 96.7 +/- 7.5% vs. 85.8 +/- 21.9%, p = 0.034; for the second year: 99.0 +/- 2.6% vs. 71.4 +/- 31.0%, p = 0.004; for the third year: 96.0 +/- 9.0% vs. 48.4 +/- 53.1%, p = 0.081, for survivors and non-survivors, respectively. These data suggest that non-survivors can be distinguished from survivors soon after the start of oxygen therapy.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

[Long-term study of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis sequelae after bilateral thoracoplasty-airway obstruction and its causes].

Chest roentgenograms and results of pulmonary-function tests in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis sequelae 30 years after bilateral thoracoplasty were studied retrospectively to detect airway obstruction in these patients and to determine its causes. For periods of more than 10 years, vital capacity (VC) changed at a rate of 15.5 +/- 5.0 ml/year, and forced expiratory volume in one second as a percent of VC (FEV1%) changed at a rate of 0.546% +/- 0.380% per year (n = 13). Thirty years after thoracoplasty, the VC was 920 +/- 180 ml (%VC = 28.4% +/- 5.3%), and the FEV1% was 66.2% +/- 13.7% (n = 21). Thus, mild airway obstruction was found in about half of the cases. For each patient, the distance from the hilum to the diaphragm was measured along the mid-clavicular line on the side with fewer ribs resected, and this distance was divided by the patient's height. The results of that computation was found to be significantly and negatively related to FEV1% (r = -0.681, which suggests that longer bronchi in the lower and middle lobes on that side were associated with lower values of FEV1%. These findings are similar to those in patients with pulmonary tuberculous sequelae after total pneumonectomy. Over an average of 26 years, scoliosis, the vertebra showing the most bending, the intrapulmonary lesion, and the position of the diaphragm did not change, but the cardio-thoracic ratio increased.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

In vitro selection of RNA aptamers that can bind specifically to Tat protein of HIV-1.

The Tat protein of human immunodeficiency virus interacts specifically with its target RNA sequence, TAR, and activates viral gene expression at the early stage of infection. Here, we have used in vitro genetic selection strategy to determine what sequence or structural motifs might exist between RNA's that interact specifically with the Tat protein. Starting from a RNA pool that has a 120 base random sequence core, aptamers that bind specifically to the Tat protein were selected by repeating 11 rounds of selection and amplification. A comparative analysis of 64 aptamers that were isolated from the 11th generation revealed two main sequence classes. Interestingly, one of these two classes of aptamers had minimum of one U residues in bulge loop and 2 specific adjacent base pairs. This region is very much homologous to the core sequence of TAR RNA that is essential for the specific Tat-TAR interactions. Further analyses of the sequences from the 11th generation should reveal what kind of RNA structures are required in order to show a high affinity for the Tat protein.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

[Measurement of cerebral blood flow in normal subjects by phase contrast MR imaging].

Global cerebral blood flow (CBF) was quantitatively measured with a two-dimensional phase contrast cine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging technique in 24 normal subjects (mean age, 38.6 years; range, 12-70 years). Cine transverse images of the upper cervical region (32 phases/cardiac cycle) were acquired with a 1.5 Tesla MR imaging unit. In five subjects, measurement of CBF was performed before and after intravenous administration of acetazolamide (DIAMOX, 15 mg/kg). Inter- and intraobserver variations in flow volume measurement were small (r = 0.970, standard error of the estimate (SEE) = 2.9 ml/min, n = 80; r = 0.963, SEE = 4.6 ml/min, n = 40, respectively). In measuring flow velocity, they were inferior to those of flow volume measurement. On a visually determined setting of region of interest (ROI), reproducibly of the measurement of flow velocity was not satisfactory in this study. Thus only the results of flow volume measurement are presented. Mean summed vertebral flow volume (171 ml/min, SD = 40.6) was significantly less than mean summed internal carotid flow volume (523 ml/min, SD = 111). Total blood flow volume showed a significant decline with age (r = 0.45, p < 0.05). The mean proportions of carotid and vertebral flow volume to total flow volume were 75.3% and 24.7%, respectively, and showed no significant change with age. The left-to-right ratio of vertebral flow volume (1.39) was significantly higher than that of internal carotid flow volume (0.99, r = 0.05). After DIAMOX i.v., the mean rate of increase in total flow volume was 157%. Mean rates of increase in carotid and vertebral flow volume were 154% and 166%, respectively, which were not significantly different. In conclusion, this method is useful for estimating carotid and vertebral flow volume.

Acetazolamide↗
PubMed1994

Dietary analysis of Japanese patients with chronic pancreatitis in stable conditions.

In order to examine the malnutritional condition of outpatients with pancreatitis, a dietary investigation was conducted in Japanese patients with chronic pancreatitis (n = 38) and healthy subjects (n = 35) of the same age for 3-7 consecutive days, and the characteristics of their food intake were examined. The patients with pancreatitis took in less calories, fat, carbohydrate, and protein than the healthy subjects, by 900 kcal, 20 g, 150 g, and 20 g, respectively. On the other hand, the fat energy ratio in the patients was 20%, similar to that in the healthy subjects. Also, when the fat intake was classified according to origin, i.e., animal, marine, or plant, the proportions for animal (g) and plant (g) were low, while marine fat accounted for a significantly higher percentage than in the healthy subjects. The intake of cholesterol and Ca in the patients was significantly smaller than that in the healthy subjects, but no significant difference was observed in the intake per body weight of proteins and Ca. It seems, possible that the low calorie, low protein, low fat, and low carbohydrate intake may be factors in the malnutritional condition of the patients with chronic pancreatitis. Analysis of covariance and principal component analysis showed that the body weight of the patients was closely correlated with decreases of caloric intake and intake of carbohydrate. The above results revealed that low body weight in patients with chronic pancreatitis was closely related to the decrease of calorie and carbohydrate intake, in addition to maldigestion and malabsorption of nutrients.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Impaired hepatic function in segmental biliary obstruction demonstrated with a receptor-binding radiotracer.

A patient with cholangiocarcinoma underwent left-sided cholangiojejunostomy, and hepatic functional imaging with a receptor-binding radiotracer and SPECT was performed to evaluate the distribution of functional reserve. It revealed decreased accumulation in the regions with residual dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts, indicating several kinds of focal damage in hepatic function caused by segmental biliary obstruction. The radioligand may be useful in assessing regional hepatic function, and the high spatial resolution provided by SPECT appears to play an important role for this purpose.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Abnormal sympathetic innervation of the heart in a patient with myotonic dystrophy detected with I-123 MIBG cardiac SPECT.

Iodine-123 MIBG is a norepinephrine analog which can be used to image the sympathetic innervation of the heart. The authors report a patient with myotonic dystrophy whose I-123 MIBG SPECT revealed accelerated washout of I-123 MIBG from infero-posterior and a part of lateral wall, although Tl-201 SPECT showed no abnormal finding. The authors conclude that I-123 MIBG can be more sensitive in detecting the cardiac abnormality than Tl-201 SPECT in this disease.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗
PubMed1994

Background correction in estimating initial renal uptake. Comparison between Tc-99m MAG3 and Tc-99m DTPA.

A gamma camera method with no blood sampling assesses differential renal function based on initial renal uptake, and requires background correction. The effect of background correction on estimates of initial renal uptake was compared on renograms using Tc-99m MAG3 and Tc-99m DTPA renographies in 14 patients. Renal counts for 2-3 minutes were obtained using three sets of regions of interest (ROIs): rectangular renal and subrenal background ROIs, rectangular renal and perirenal background ROIs, and hand-drawn renal and subrenal background ROIs. Correlations between estimates of initial renal uptake by the three methods were higher for Tc-99m MAG3 renography than for Tc-99m DTPA imaging, suggesting higher reproducibility in evaluating differential renal function using Tc-99m MAG3 renography and a gamma camera method. Although the ratio of counts in the suprarenal area to those in the subrenal area was significantly higher for the right side in the Tc-99m MAG3 study, probably because of hepatic activity, the relative uptake in the right kidney for Tc-99m MAG3 did not differ from that for Tc-99m DTPA. Initial uptake of Tc-99m MAG3 was well correlated with, and about threefold that, of Tc-99m DTPA. It was suggested that initial renal uptake of Tc-99m MAG3 may be an alternative to that of Tc-99m DTPA, with less dependence on background correction in evaluating differential renal function.

Gamma Cameras↗
PubMed1994

[Effects of voluntary wheel running on health indexes in rats with SRBC-induced inflammation].

The effects of voluntary running exercise on health indexes in rats were studied before and after Sheep Red Blood Cell (SRBC)-induced inflammation. Male Fischer rats (SPF) 8 weeks of age were housed in individual sedentary cages (sedentary group) or in individual wheel-running cages (exercise group) for 4 months. Then all rats were injected with 20% SRBC (0.5 ml/100g body weight) i.p. Voluntary running activity averaged 1408m/day, reached a peak (2913m/day) at the 25th day and waned over time, reaching a plateau at the 60th day (about 1000m/day). In spite of a significant increase in food intake (117%), exercising rats gained significantly less weight (93%) than sedentary rats at all times in experimental period. The exercise group also showed a significant decrease in the value of serum triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (T. CHO) (TG p < 0.0002, T. CHO p < 0.03). The hematocrit (Ht) and hemoglobin concentration (Hb) were higher in the exercised rats, and at 4 days after i.p. SRBC, the difference became statistically significant (Ht p < 0.0002, Hb p < 0.003). Thus, protective effects against the decrease of Ht and Hb were demonstrated in the exercised group. Perhaps this inflammation did not impair liver function severely; sedentary rats had normal or slightly higher levels of GOT and GPT. On the other hand, exercised rats had lower GOT and GPT. Significant differences were found between the groups (GOT, GPT p < 0.0001).

Animals↗