Biomedical subjects

K Nishimura

Publications and source records attributed to K Nishimura.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1991

Search for immunobiological parameters predictive of clinical effects of OK-432 in patients with malignant ascites.

Although OK-432, a potent BRM, has been known to induce the remarkable improvement of clinical conditions in cancer patients through its strong effects on their immune capabilities, no specific immune parameters have been identified to best predict the clinical outcome after the OK-432 treatment. In an attempt to identify early parameters indicative of the clinical effects, we have administered 0.1 mg of OK-432 intraperitoneally to a total of 12 patients with malignant ascites and examined peritoneal fluid and peripheral blood obtained on 4 days before, 1, 3, and 7 days after the OK-432 injection using various immunobiological assays. Four weeks later, clinical improvements were evaluated by the disappearance of malignant cells from and/or substantial decrease in ascites. Four patients (responders) showed the improvements while 8 patients (nonresponders) showed no clinical evidence for improvement. In a few parameters among the many examined, significantly different patterns of changes were noted between responders and nonresponders. Thus, in nonresponder patients MO and T cell population returned to an initial low level after early increases (on days 1 and/or 3), while they remained increased day 1 through 7 in responders. In responder patients, the cytotoxicity of peritoneal mononuclear cells against K562 and Daudi cells were augmented on day 7, but not in nonresponder patients. The in vitro stimulation of the mononuclear cells with OK-432 enhanced the cytotoxic activity and induced the interferon (IFN) production in the responders but not in nonresponders. These parameters will be useful for the early prediction of the expected clinical effects of OK-432.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Ultrastructure of budding process of Malassezia pachydermatis.

The ultrastructure of Malassezia pachydermatis and its budding process was investigated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The innermost layer of the cell wall showed the serrated structure characteristic of the genus Malassezia. In the daughter cell, this structure became more defined as the cell grew. The mode of conidium ontogeny was monopolar blastic development with a collarette. The appearance was similar to that reported previously for Malassezia furfur, with the following difference: the budding base was 0.9-1.1 microns in diameter which was broader than that of M. furfur (0.5-0.7 microns).

Cell Wall↗

PubMed1991

Development of mock circulation models for the assessment of counterpulsation systems.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: This study entailed the development of mock circulation models to assess and compare the haemodynamic efficacy of extra-aortic counterpulsation (using trained skeletal muscle wrapped around the proximal descending aorta) and conventional intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation. DESIGN AND EXPERIMENTAL MATERIALS: Hydraulic Windkessel type lumped parameter models were used either in conjunction with native skeletal muscle or as a dynamic simulation of counterpulsation. The haemodynamic performance of the wrapped latissimus dorsi muscle of the normal sheep was assessed using an artificial load to simulate the pressurised proximal descending aorta. Mock circulation models of counterpulsation comprised Windkessel compliance chambers, laminar flow resistors, a blood analogue, a prosthetic blood pump, and a purpose made hydraulic counterpulsator. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: An electrically stimulated muscle wrap, 5 cm in length, previously trained for 2 weeks at 3 V and 35 Hz, was assessed for haemodynamic performance in a mock circulation: volume of fluid displaced = 14.1(SD 1.8) ml; pressure increase from 100 mm Hg = 14.9(2.1) mm Hg; external work per contraction cycle = 180(70)mJ; external mean power = 800(100) mW. In a simulation of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation, haemodynamic benefit (ie, an increase in proximal flow rate and endocardial viability ratio and a reduction in left ventricular stroke power) was assessed with respect to defined parameters. CONCLUSIONS: This paper demonstrates the potential of the mock circulation models both for the investigation of muscle wrap performance and for the comparison of extra-aortic muscle with intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation.

Counterpulsation↗

PubMed1991

Fungistatic activity of human neutrophils against Histoplasma capsulatum: correlation with phagocytosis.

The interaction of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) and Histoplasma capsulatum was studied. In limiting dilution assays and in a 2-h coculture system, PMNL were ineffective in killing H. capsulatum whereas Candida albicans was readily killed. Although PMNL could not reduce inoculum colony-forming units of H. capsulatum in short-term assays, they were highly fungistatic in 24- (47%-55%) and 72-h (65%-75%) cocultures. Phagocytosis of yeast cells by PMNL was 81.3% +/- 3.7%. Fungistasis persisted even though PMNL viability decreased with time. Fungistatic activity of PMNL was dose dependent. Fungistasis was verified by direct hemocytometer counts of fungal units. In transwell experiments, PMNL contact with H. capsulatum was required for fungistatic activity. Lymphocytes, PMNL lysates, or PMNL supernatants were not fungistatic in this system.

Candida albicans↗

PubMed1991

SD-3211, a novel benzothiazine calcium antagonist, alone and in combination with a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, produces antihypertensive effects without affecting heart rate and atrioventricular conduction in conscious renal hypertensive dogs.

We compared the effects of SD-3211, a novel calcium antagonist, on blood pressure, heart rate, and atrioventricular conduction with those of diltiazem using conscious renal hypertensive dogs (one-kidney, one-clip type). We also examined the combined effects of these calcium antagonists with a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, propranolol, on these variables. Oral administration of SD-3211 (1.25, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg) resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in blood pressure without affecting heart rate. SD-3211 at all three doses significantly decreased systolic blood pressure. At 2.5 and 5 mg/kg the compound elicited significant decreases in mean blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Hypotension obtained with the highest dose of SD-3211 lasted for at least 9 h. No significant alteration in PR interval was observed in electrocardiograms after administration of SD-3211. Diltiazem, given orally at doses of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg but not 1.25 mg/kg, produced significant hypotension with little change in heart rate. The duration of hypotension induced by the highest dose of diltiazem was only 3 h. Diltiazem prolonged PR interval in a dose-dependent manner, causing second-degree atrioventricular block in some dogs. Combined administration of SD-3211 or diltiazem (2.5 mg/kg) with propranolol (30 mg/kg) resulted in enhanced hypotension with no alteration in heart rate. SD-3211 plus propranolol had little effect on the PR interval, whereas diltiazem plus propranolol caused a markedly enhanced prolongation. These results indicate that SD-3211 is an antihypertensive agent with long-lasting action and little effect on heart rate and atrioventricular conduction and, when administered alone or in combination with propranolol, may be useful in the treatment of hypertension.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1991

Killing of Histoplasma capsulatum by gamma-interferon-activated human monocyte-derived macrophages: evidence for a superoxide anion-dependent mechanism.

The interaction of human macrophages with the yeast form of the thermally dimorphic fungal pathogen, Histoplasma capsulatum, was studied. Macrophages derived from monocytes by culture in vitro for 3 days ingested H. capsulatum, but were neither fungicidal or fungistatic. In contrast, when monocytes were exposed to human recombinant gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN) during their differentiation into macrophages, those macrophages were able to reduce the number of ingested or adherent cfu of H. capsulatum by 44-75% in 2 h. Activation of macrophages for fungicidal activity by gamma-IFN was dose dependent and 500-1000 units ml were optimal. Antibody to gamma-IFN abrogated the gamma-IFN activation process. Killing of H. capsulatum by activated macrophages in 2-h assays could be inhibited by superoxide dismutase but not by sodium azide.

Cell Adhesion↗

PubMed1991

Principles of total care for children with leukemia--psychosocial interventions.

Today about 70% of children with leukemia are cured by intensive chemotherapy. Therefore how to deal with the children and their families before, during, and after the treatment has become a major concern for caregivers. And it is a fact that there are still a few patients who relapse and are destined to die. We are now taking care of two groups of patients. One group is truly cured and one group is dying. We have been trying to establish a good total care system that fits our society. We have formed medical teams which consist of doctors, nurses, and care workers. From our experience, we think the most important principle for the caregivers is frankness. Sometimes this is very difficult. Other important points of total care, especially from psychosocial aspects, are mentioned.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Existence of two components in the tonic contraction of rat aorta mediated by alpha 1-adrenoceptor activation.

1. The mechanisms involved in the contraction of rat aorta induced by the activation of alpha 1-adrenoceptors were studied. Phenylephrine induced a phasic contraction in the aorta incubated in Ca2(+)-free medium containing 0.5 mM EGTA. Subsequent addition of Ca2+ induced a tonic contraction, which exhibited a stepwise development, an initial phase lasting 3 to 6 min (tonic-I) followed by a superimposing second phase (tonic-II). 2. 2-Nitro-4-carboxyphenyl-N,N-diphenylcarbamate, which has been reported to inhibit phosphatidylinositol turnover, and H-7, a protein kinase C inhibitor, inhibited the tonic-I phase more effectively than the tonic-II phase. On the other hand, the tonic-II phase was more sensitive to nifedipine and cromakalim. 3. The rate of 45Ca2+ influx during the tonic-I phase in phenylephrine-treated muscles was not different from that in untreated muscles, while that during the tonic-II phase was significantly greater. Nifedipine inhibited the increased 45Ca2+ influx during the tonic-II phase, whereas H-7 did not affect the uptake during either phase. 4. These results suggest that the tonic contraction of rat aorta following alpha 1-adrenoceptor activation involves two different mechanism: one is directly related to consequences of the polyphosphoinositide cascade, probably to protein kinase C, and the other dependent on Ca2+ influx through nifedipine-sensitive Ca2+ channels.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

PubMed1991

Endometrial cysts: diagnosis with MR imaging.

The value of 1.5-T magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in diagnosing endometrial cysts and differentiating them from other gynecologic masses was prospectively evaluated in 374 female patients with clinically suspected adnexal masses. A suggestive diagnosis of endometrial cyst was made when a cyst that was hyperintense on T1-weighted images exhibited homogeneous hyperintensity on T2-weighted images. A definitive diagnosis was made when a cyst that was hyperintense on T1-weighted images exhibited hypointense signal on T2-weighted images (shading) or when the lesion consisted of multiple hyperintense cysts on T1-weighted images (multiplicity) regardless of the signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Surgery was performed in 293 patients, and confirmation was obtained in 354 lesions. MR imaging enabled accurate diagnosis of 77 of 86 endometrial cysts and exclusion of the diagnosis of endometrial cyst in 263 of 268 other gynecologic masses with or without internal hemorrhage. The overall diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 90%, 98%, 96%, respectively. MR imaging seems to be an acceptable diagnostic test on which clinical decisions can be based in selecting treatment.

Adnexal Diseases↗

PubMed1991

VAB-6 chemotherapy causes spurious elevation of alpha-fetoprotein associated with liver dysfunctions.

In order to elucidate the mechanism of elevation of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) which we often observed during VAB-6 chemotherapy, we analyzed sequential changes of AFP, liver enzymes and bilirubin in 10 patients with evaluable disseminated testicular cancer who were treated with VAB-6 chemotherapy. None of the patients had previous liver disease or hepatic involvement. During the early phase of each course of chemotherapy, AFP showed a temporary elevation associated with reversible increase in liver enzymes and bilirubin. These changes returned to normal before the next course of chemotherapy. In each patient, marked tumor regression occurred as a result of VAB-6 chemotherapy. Nine of the 10 patients remain free of disease after treatment. We conclude that during VAB-6 chemotherapy, a temporary elevation of AFP is common, associated with reversible liver dysfunctions, and that this spurious elevation of the tumor marker, most likely caused by a heavy dose of cisplatin, should not be interpreted as related treatment failure.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Neurofibroma of the clitoris. A case report.

We report an unusual case of clitoral hypertrophy due to neurofibromatosis of the external genitalia. Because of no definite skin signs or other nervous or osseous symptoms such as are commonly found in neurofibromatosis, the patient was at first suspected of being a case of hermaphroditism. Finally, the disorder was properly diagnosed after laparotomy followed by clitorectomy. This patient seems to be the 12th case of clitoral neurofibroma reported in the English literature.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed1991

Young's syndrome: report of two Japanese cases.

Young's syndrome is characterized by azoospermia due to bilateral epididymal obstruction associated with chronic sinobronchial disease. We report two Japanese cases of Young's syndrome who were treated with microsurgical epididymovasostomy. The histopathology of the caput epididymis showed an obstruction at the most distal region of the ductuli efferentes. The incidence of Young's syndrome in patients with obstructive azoospermia was much lower for mongoloids than for Caucasians.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Endotoxin- and inflammation-induced depression of the hepatic drug metabolism in rats.

Carrageenan-induced inflammation and exposure to endotoxin considerably decreased the content of cytochrome P-450 and activities of ethylmorphine N-demethylase and meperidine N-demethylase, but did not decrease the activities of aniline hydroxylase or NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, compared with the respective activities in rats treated with carrageenan alone. These results suggest that under these experimental conditions, the two host-related environmental factors interact and enhance a decrease in rat hepatic microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes depending on the substrate used.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Separation of mounting-inducing pheromones of vaginal mucus from estrual heifers.

There is evidence that mucus of the female bovine genital tract contains pheromones that induce physiological and behavioral responses in other animals. To study these pheromones, vaginal mucus was collected from heifers either at estrus or during diestrus. The mucus was then applied to the hindquarters of the same animal during diestrus or to the hindquarters of herdmates during diestrus. The behaviors of the treated animal and its herdmates were then observed. To attempt to isolate the mounting-inducing substance, mucus was dialyzed or separated on ion-exchange resins. Diestrous heifers to which their own estrual mucus has been applied were nearly always mounted by herdmates (P less than .01). But, heifers to which another's estrous mucus had been applied were not mounted. This suggests that vaginal mucus contains not only estrus-related pheromones, but also individual distinctive odors. The dialyzable fraction of vaginal mucus and the neutral fraction, prepared by ion-exchange chromatography of the dialyzable solution of vaginal mucus, had a mounting-inducing activity on the herdmates, as did the application of an animal's own vaginal mucus. These findings suggest that mounting-inducing pheromones are relatively low molecular weight, neutral substances.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

[Primary carcinoid tumor of the testis with metastasis to the upper vertebrae. Report of a case].

A case of primary carcinoid tumor of the right testis with metastases to the cervical and thoracic vertebrae and epidural is reported. A 53-year-old man was first recognized as being with dysthesia of the left arm and shoulder in April 1986. In June, 1987, he was admitted to the Neurology service, complaining of sudden occurrence of abasia. Myelography and computerized tomography demonstrated an epidural mass and several high density areas in the vertebral bodies of Th1 and Th2. The patient underwent laminectomy from C7 to Th2. At operation, the neurosurgeons noticed a tumor mass in the right scrotum and requested our consultation. Thus right high orchiectomy was performed. Pathological examination including Grimerius' and Fontana-Masson's stain revealed carcinoid tumor of the right testis associated with metastases to the spinal column. Postoperatively, tumor maker studies revealed elevation of blood 5-hydroxytryptophan and marked increase of urinary 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid excretion. They showed remarkable decreases after a course of PVB chemotherapy. The patient has been under our observation as an out-patient for the past 27 months with metastases. This is the first case of primary carcinoid tumor of the testis with metastases so far reported in the domestic literature.

Carcinoid Tumor↗

PubMed1991

Effects of ulinastatin in experimental acute arterial occlusion in rats.

The effects of ulinastatin (human urinary trypsin inhibitor, UTI) were studied in experimental acute arterial occlusion in rats. The experimental model comprised concurrent cross-clamping of the abdominal aorta and bilateral femoral arteries for 4 hours. Blood was sampled for measurement of the enzymes 2 hours after release of the clamps. The rats were grouped according to method of infusing UTI and/or physiologic saline solution. When UTI was infused continuously from the start of clamping, the plasma creatine phosphokinase and plasma beta-glucuronidase levels were significantly lower than in the control rats (p less than 0.05). The results suggest that UTI prevents the destruction of the lysosomal membrane in acute arterial occlusion.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1991

[Comparison of acute bronchodilator response between cases of diffuse panbronchiolitis and pulmonary emphysema].

Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) is a disease characterized clinically by chronic airflow limitation, therefore patients with DPB are frequently treated with bronchodilators. However, there have been no reports on bronchodilator effects in patients with DPB. Because bronchodilator effects can be influenced by low baseline level of pulmonary function, we evaluated acute responses to inhaled metaproterenol (10 mg) in 31 patients with DPB and in 40 patients with pulmonary emphysema. Patients of both groups were clinically diagnosed, and, in addition, by usage of high-resolution computed tomography. All the subjects in both groups had a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC less than 0.7. There was no difference in baseline FEV1 between either group; FEV1 was 1.24 +/- 0.64 l (47.1 +/- 17.8% pred) in DPB vs. 1.24 +/- 0.64 l (51.0 +/- 19.0% pred) in pulmonary emphysema. Two indices, post FEV1/pre FEV1 and post FEV1-pre FEV1/predicted FEV1, were used for the judgement of bronchodilator response. Post FEV1/pre FEV1 was 110.3 +/- 9.3% in DPB and 119.9 +/- 17.1% in pulmonary emphysema. Post FEV1-pre FEV1/predicted FEV1 was 4.5 +/- 4.2% in DPB and 8.6 +/- 6.2% in pulmonary emphysema. Bronchodilator responses for both indices was larger in pulmonary emphysema than in DPB (both, p less than 0.01). It has been reported that post FEV1/pre FEV1 correlates negatively to baseline FEV1 and that post FEV1-pre FEV1/predicted FEV1 is positively correlated to baseline FEV1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

PubMed1991

[Ocular hypotensive effects of topically applied bunazosin, an alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocker, in rabbits and cats].

Effects of topically applied bunazosin, an alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocker, on intraocular pressure (IOP) and pupillary diameter were investigated in normotensive rabbits and cats, in addition to experimentally hypertensive rabbits. Bunazosin (0.005% to 0.1%) applied to both eyes significantly lowered IOP in a concentration-dependent manner in normotensive rabbits and cats. The unilateral application of 0.1% bunazosin significantly lowered the IOP in the treated eye, whereas it caused no significant change in the contralateral eye, suggesting that the effect of bunazosin is due mainly to a direct and local action and is not systemic. Bunazosin was also effective in experimentally hypertensive models induced both by water-loading and by alpha-chymotrypsin in rabbits. There was a significant correlation between the IOP decrease caused by bunazosin and the IOP value before the application, indicating that the IOP-lowering action of bunazosin is dependent on the height of the original IOP level. Bunazosin had no influence on pupillary diameter even when 0.5% was applied to rabbits. Topically applied bunazosin may be useful as a new antiglaucoma agent.

Administration, Topical↗