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Biomedical subjects

K Okada

Publications and source records attributed to K Okada.

At least 955 records · Page 53Linked to original sources

Augmentation of bovine leukemia virus (BLV)-specific lymphocyte proliferation responses in ruminants by inoculation with BLV env-recombinant vaccinia virus: their role in the suppression of BLV replication.

Lymphocyte proliferation responses were investigated in sheep and cattle, in which the replication of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) had been known to be suppressed by inoculation with recombinant vaccinia virus (rVV) expressing BLV envelope glycoprotein (gp60). Enhanced lymphocyte proliferation responses were observed in animals inoculated with rVV, regardless of whether they were naive or BLV carriers. These responses were roughly inversely correlated to the growth of BLV in the peripheral blood leukocytes. In contrast, there was no apparent correlation between humoral immune response and BLV growth. Based on these results, it was suggested that rVV rendered its suppressive effect of BLV replication primarily via augmentation of cell-mediated immunity.

Animals↗

Properties of nine continuous B-cell lines established from enzootic bovine leukosis tumors.

We established 9 cell lines from 63 tumor cases of enzootic bovine leukosis and studied their properties. Cells of all lines formed small clumps and floated in culture medium, indicating growth. Four of the 9 cell lines were surface immunoglobulin (SIg)-positive, but the remaining 5 line cells were negative for SIg or, if SIg was detected, the percentage of SIg-positive cells was very low. Tests for the properties of the cells with monoclonal antibodies to lymphocytes revealed that the established line cells are B-lymphocytes. Morphological observation also revealed that they had the morphology of B-lymphoblastic cell. The results of E and EAC rosette assay were negative, but 6 of 8 cell lines were positive for EA rosetting. All the 9 cell lines reacted with MoAb C-143, which recognizes the tumor-associated antigen (TAA) of the EBL tumor cell. All 9 cell lines produced bovine leukosis virus (BLV). These results suggest that the 9 cell lines are tumor cells derived from B-lymphocytes of EBL.

Animals↗

The measles outbreak in Chikuhou District, Fukuoka, Japan, 1990: correlation between herd immunity level and outbreak size.

A measles outbreak occurred in the Chikuhou district of Fukuoka, Japan from May to October 1990, during which 71 patients were cared for at the Itoda Public Hospital. Hospital records revealed a large outbreak in the adjacent town of Kanada. In order to characterize the outbreak, questionnaires were sent to all preschool-age children in Itoda (73% effective response) and in Kanada (76% effective response) requesting information about their vaccination and/or history of measles. The number of patients was 22 (4%) in Itoda and 63 (14%) in Kanada, most of these being preschoolers, while the vaccination rate was 61% and 44%, respectively. The herd immunity levels in age-specific groups were compared between the two towns. Before the epidemic, the immunity level of 1 year old children in Kanada, who showed the higher attack rate, was lower (18%) than that in Itoda (39%), while after the epidemic it rose above 60% in both towns. When we studied the correlation between the attack rate and the vaccination rate, or the number of children susceptible to measles (susceptibility rate) in each preschool, the attack rate correlated negatively with the vaccination rate (correlation coefficient [CC] = -0.818; P less than 0.01), and positively with the susceptibility rate (CC 0.860; P less than 0.01). The regressed equation on the correlation indicated that the immunity level should be more than 70% to keep the attack rate under 5% in preschools. After the epidemic, the immunity levels of all preschoolers reached above 70%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors↗

Cellular mechanisms of vasopressin and endothelin to mobilize [Mg2+]i in vascular smooth muscle cells.

The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of arginine vasopressin (AVP) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) on cytosolic free Mg2+ ([Mg2+]i) in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). [Mg2+]i was measured using the fluorescence indicator dye mag-fura-2. AVP and ET-1 at a concentration of 1 x 10(-9) M or higher induced the mobilization of [Mg2+]i and cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in a dose-dependent manner in rat VSMC. Atrial natriuretic peptide and sodium nitroprusside producing cellular guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate did not affect [Mg2+]i and [Ca2+]i. A diterpene activator of adenylate cyclase, forskolin, also did not alter [Mg2+]i and [Ca2+]i. The removal of extracellular Mg2+ enhanced the AVP-mobilized [Ca2+]i and did not change the AVP-mobilized [Mg2+]i. The Ca(2+)-free and nominally Mg2+/Ca(2+)-free states decreased the AVP-mobilized [Mg2+]i and [Ca2+]i. The Na(+)-free state enhanced the sustained, but not peak, level of the AVP-mobilized [Mg2+]i. These results indicate that AVP and ET-1 mobilize [Mg2+]i mediated through their intracellular second messenger [Ca2+]i and independent of extracellular Mg2+. Also, an increase in [Mg2+]i is indicated to stimulate the Na(+)-Mg2+ exchange to increase cellular Mg2+ efflux.

Animals↗

pH dependence of the action of arginine vasopressin in renal collecting tubule.

We determined whether extracellular pH (pHe) and intracellular pH (pHi) modulate the cellular actions of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in rat renal papillary collecting tubule cells in culture. AVP significantly increased cellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) production and cellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). pHe ranging from 6.8 to 8.0 distributed the pHi between 6.94 and 7.27. The acidified pHe reduced the AVP- and forskolin-induced cAMP production, the AVP-mobilized [Ca2+]i, and [3H]AVP receptor binding, and the alkalinized pHe enhanced the AVP- and forskolin-produced cAMP. Intracellular acidification occurred under three different conditions as follows: using carbonyl cyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), acetate buffer, and bicarbonate buffer with a reduced concentration of bicarbonate. Intracellular acidification significantly diminished both the AVP- and forskolin-induced increases in cAMP production and the AVP-mobilized [Ca2+]i but did not alter [3H]AVP receptor binding. Intracellular alkalinization by NH4Cl or chloride-free bicarbonate buffer, in contrast, augmented them. These results indicate that alterations in pHi modulate the cellular action of AVP to produce cAMP and mobilize [Ca2+]i in renal papillary collecting tubule cells. Also, reduced receptor binding of AVP is involved in the mechanism of the effects of low pHe.

Ammonium Chloride↗

Cerebral atrophy precedes the change in cerebral blood flow in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease: a short-term follow-up study.

Cerebral atrophy and the decrease in cerebral blood flow (CBF) progress with advancing age. Which of them takes first place, the changes in CBF or cerebral atrophy? We investigated longitudinal changes in CBF and cerebral atrophy in 14 patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease (CVD): 11 patients with supratentorial lacunar infarction and 3 with carotid transient ischemia attack who were neurologically stable during the 1-3 years of observation. Cerebral atrophy was estimated by the brain atrophy index (BAI): one of the CT area measurement methods, and CBF was measured using the 133Xe inhalation technique. While significant progression of cerebral atrophy was observed, there was no significant change in CBF. Cerebral atrophy precedes the change in CBF and CVD.

Aged↗

Cerebral plasminogen activator activity in spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rats.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In the spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rat, it is unclear whether plasminogen activator plays a role in the development of stroke. The present study was undertaken to investigate brain levels of plasminogen activator activity in spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rats and Wistar-Kyoto rats. METHODS: Plasminogen activator was purified from the brains of rats of both strains. The purification involved used ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration, a zinc chelate-Sepharose column, and a concanavalin A-Sepharose column. Fraction I (0.15 M KCl-soluble fraction) and fraction II (2 M KCl plus 6 M urea-soluble fraction) were purified from both strains. RESULTS: Total plasminogen activator activity in the original homogenates for fractions I and II derived from spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rats was increased to twice the level found in Wistar-Kyoto rats. The final product purified from fractions I and II in both strains of rats revealed single bands of plasminogen activator activity on enzymatic analysis with a molecular weight of 72,000. The purified product had stronger S-2288 amidolytic activity than S-2444 amidolytic activity, and it also displayed fibrin-binding ability. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated that there is an increased content of plasminogen activator in the brains of spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rats that might be related to the development of stroke.

Animals↗

The effect of enalapril maleate on cerebral blood flow in chronic cerebral infarction.

UNLABELLED: The influence of long-term oral administration of enalapril maleate (an angiotensin II-converting enzyme inhibitor) on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was studied in 10 patients with chronic cerebral infarction. The rCBF was measured by a 133Xe inhalation method before and after a mean of sixty-five days' administration of 5 mg of enalapril. RESULTS: Mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) was mildly decreased in 6 patients, but the average change in MABP was not significant (Endtidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PeC02) was not changed significantly. The mean rCBF was increased by 8% after administration of enalapril (0.05 less than p less than 0.1) There was no significant correlation between percent change in MABP and the percent change in rCBF. These results indicate that enalapril has not only antihypertensive action but also a beneficial effect on the cerebral circulation in patients with chronic cerebral infarction.

Administration, Oral↗

Effect of single oral administration of nilvadipine on cerebral blood flow in chronic cerebral infarction.

UNLABELLED: The effect of nilvadipine, a newly developed calcium antagonist, on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was investigated in 7 patients with chronic cerebral infarction. rCBF was measured by the 133Xenon inhalation method. Patients were given a single dose of 4 mg of nilvadipine after the first measurement of rCBF, and the second measurement was done one hour after the administration. All patients had hemiparesis and 2 of them had mild to moderate mental deterioration, but all patients could walk to the outpatient clinic by themselves. RESULTS: (1) rCBF of the affected side significantly increased by 22.7% after single oral administration of nilvadipine (p < 0.05). The increase of rCBF was significantly marked in frontal regions of the affected hemispheres. (2) No significant changes in blood pressure or end tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide were observed during the examination. These results indicate that nilvadipine has a potent selective vasodilatory action on the cerebral arteries in patients with cerebral infarction.

Administration, Oral↗

pH dependence of inhibition of arginine vasopressin-induced adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate production by cellular sodium depletion in rat renal inner medullary collecting duct cells in culture.

The present study was undertaken to determine whether the change in cellular Na+ concentration ( [Na+]i) or cellular pH (pHi) is essential for the modulation by Na+/H+ antiporter of the cellular action of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in renal inner medullary collecting duct cells in culture. Extracellular Na+ depletion promptly decreased [Na+]i from 15.8 to 5.4 mM (P less than 0.01), which was closely related to the decrease in pHi (7.19 to 6.97; P less than 0.01). In the presence of 0.5 mM 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, AVP increased cellular cAMP production in a dose-dependent manner. This was significantly blunted in the Na(+)-depleted cells (1 nM AVP; 481.9 vs. 341.0 fmol/micrograms protein; P less than 0.01). When cells were incubated with the Na(+)-depleted medium containing 25 mM NaHCO3, [Na+]i decreased promptly, but the pHi remained unchanged. Under this condition, the AVP-induced increase in cellular cAMP production was not altered (1 nM AVP; 390.9 vs. 334.8 fmol/micrograms protein). Also, after the Na(+)-depleted cells were incubated in 20 mM NH4Cl, which promptly normalized pHi despite the decreased [Na+]i, the response of cAMP production to AVP was restored. Amiloride (1 x 10(-5)-1 x 10(-3) M), which blocks the Na+/H+ exchange, decreased pHi and AVP- and forskolin-induced cAMP production in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that the decrease in [Na+]i promptly inhibits AVP-induced cAMP production mediated through the reduction in pHi in renal inner medullary collecting duct cells.

Amiloride↗

Increases in cellular sodium concentration by arginine vasopressin and endothelin in cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells.

The present study was undertaken to determine whether arginine vasopressin (AVP), angiotensin-II, and endothelin (ET) increase the cellular sodium concentration ([Na+]i) in cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells. [Na+]i was measured using the fluorescence indicator dye sodium-binding benzofuran isophthalate. These three vasoconstrictor hormones increased cellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) and [Na+]i in a dose-dependent manner ([Na+]i: basal, 11.5; 10(-7) M AVP, 20.5; 10(-7) M angiotensin-II, 13.8; and 10(-7) M ET, 21.2 mM). The mobilization of [Ca2+]i was faster than that of [Na+]i. The AVP-induced increase in [Na+]i was completely blunted by the potent V1 antagonist d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP. Vasoconstrictor hormones produced a biphasic cellular pH (pHi) change, characterized by a transient acidification, followed by a sustained alkalinization. The Ca(2+)-free condition markedly reduced AVP- and ET-induced increases in [Ca2+]i and [Na+]i and biphasic changes in pHi. In the Na(+)-free state, the hormonally mobilized [Ca2+]i was significantly enhanced. Basal [Na+]i decreased to below 3 mM, and there was little increase in [Na+]i after the addition of vasoconstrictor hormones, suggesting that the source of [Na+]i is extracellular space. Only early acidification was obtained in the absence of a sustained alkalinization. The [Na+]i mobilization was closely related to the biphasic change in pHi. These results indicate that AVP, ET, and angiotensin-II increase [Na+]i in glomerular mesangial cells, and that the early mobilization of [Na+]i depends on Na+/Ca2+ exchange, and the sustained phase depends on Na+/H+ exchange. The hormonally mobilized [Ca2+]i is essential for the activation of Na+/H+ exchange, and an increase in [Na+]i is suggested to play an important role in cellular alkalinization.

Angiotensin II↗

Properties of agents that effectively entrap liquid lipids.

A droplet of an oil-in-water emulsion of methyl linoleate in a saccharide or protein solution that contained with a surfactant, a stabilizer, or both was dehydrated by drying equipment for a single droplet that resembled a spray drier. The lipid exposed on the surface of dehydated samples was extracted and measured by gas chromatography. Gum arabic or gelatin without additives resulted in little lipid being exposed; they were good entrapping agents. Little lipid was exposed with a pullulan solution containing lecithin, sugar ester, carboxymethylcellulose, or sodium caseinate but much was exposed with a maltodextrin solution containing any of the surfactants tested. When both the surfactant lecithin and the stabilizer xanthan gum were added to the emulsion prepared in a maltodextrin solution, lipid was not detected. The results suggested that effective entrapping agents of liquid lipids cause much emulsification, stabilize the emulsion (that is, they cause the continuous phase to be very viscous), and create a dehydrated matrix of fine, dense network layers.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Outbreaks of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis in children: correlation of serotype T4 with scarlet fever.

We evaluated the clinical features of 121 children who had group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) pharyngitis during 2 outbreaks in the Chikuhou district, Fukuoka, Japan, with respect to T types. During the first outbreak (November 1989-February 1990), T12 (50%) and T22 (27%) were the dominant T types isolated. During the second outbreak (January-April 1991), 64% of the typable strains were T4. Pus on the tonsils was less common and strawberry tongue more common in patients with eruptions than in those without. Skin eruptions were much more common in the patients infected with T4 than with other T types (p < 0.001). Despite a 10-day regimen of amoxicillin, 12/69 patients (17.4%) had evidence of GABHS on repeat cultures. The results suggest that T4 may be associated with a high incidence of scarlet fever. Serotyping should be performed to identify disease carriers and patterns of GABHS infection.

Adolescent↗

Synchronous double malignancy: adenocarcinoma of lung and malignant astrocytoma induced by asbestos exposure.

A 54-year-old male died of cerebellar herniation induced by brain tumor. Radiological examination of this case showed two separate tumorous lesions in the brain and lung. Autopsy proved malignant astrocytoma in the brain and coincidental alveolar cell carcinoma in the lung. He had a history of asbestos exposure for 8 years doing piping work in a shipyard. Furthermore, we detected a large number of asbestos bodies in the lung and one asbestos body in the brain. Therefore, this rare case of double cancer (malignant astrocytoma and lung cancer) might have been induced by asbestos exposure.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Protein and energy metabolism in patients with progressive muscular dystrophy.

Studies were made on whether body weight loss in patients with muscular dystrophy is due to reduced intake and/or abnormal expenditure of energy. For this, food intakes and various physiological variables were surveyed in totals of 310 patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) of 11 to 29 years old and 28 patients with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) of 30 to 47 years old. Energy and protein intakes, expressed on a unit body weight basis, in DMD patients were comparable to, or higher than the allowances for age-matched healthy controls, whereas those in LGMD patients were 92 and 94% respectively of these allowances. The basal metabolic rate (BMR), expressed as kcal/kg/day, of DMD patients of all ages was higher than that of controls, the difference increasing with age, and being about 20 to 30% higher than that of controls in older patients with DMD. The BMR of LGMD patients was nearly normal. The maintenance requirements of conventional dietary protein in DMD and LGMD patients were 1.26 and 0.84 g/kg/day, respectively. These values were about 68 and 12% higher than the normal adult value (0.75 g/kg/day), indicating decreased protein utilization and increased protein catabolism. Daily excretion of urinary 3-methylhistidine (3MH) per unit muscle mass (micrograms/mg creatinine) by MD patients was significantly higher than that by controls, indicating increased degradation of muscle protein. The BMR, maintenance protein requirement and 3MH excretion of DMD patients suggest that DMD is a hypercatabolic disease. Comparison of the energy and protein intakes with the allowances estimated in consideration of increased requirements showed deficiencies of energy and protein in DMD patients. Thus, we conclude that the underweight of the DMD patients resulted from nutrient deficiencies due to hypercatabolism, despite their considerably high intakes of energy and protein, expressed as per kg body weight. These deficiencies were confirmed by demonstrating decreased concentrations of free essential amino acids, particularly branched chain amino acids, in their serum. The values of variables of LGMD patients were intermediate between those of DMD patients and control subjects.

Adolescent↗

Predictions of energy intake and energy allowance of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and their validity.

Patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy are so malnourished that energy supplementation is crucial. Their degree of energy deficiency was assessed as difference between their energy intake and their energy allowance, which were deduced from easily measured parameters. A significant, negative relationship was found between the basal metabolic rate (BMR) (Y, %, BMR/standard BMR) and body weight (X, %, body weight/standard body weight) in the patients, from which the formula for the BMR was deduced to be Y = -1.116X + 174.5 (n = 202, r = -0.72, p less than 0.001). Thus, it is possible to estimate the energy allowance for individual patients by a factorial procedure from the presumed BMR and a factor for physical activity. In addition, their energy intake was calculated from a constant protein-energy % (14.6%) in their diet and nitrogen intake which was deduced from a significant positive correlation between their nitrogen intake (Y, mg/kg/day) and their nitrogen excretion in 24 h urine samples (X, mg/kg/day). This correlation conformed to the equation Y = 1.053X + 32.4 (n = 267, r = +0.76, p less than 0.001). The validities of the above predictions for energy intake and allowance were examined by plotting the degree of energy deficiency (% ratio of presumed intake/presumed allowance) against the concentrations of retinal binding protein, prealbumin and transferrin in the serum, because rapid turnover proteins are sensitive to energy deficiency. Significant positive correlations were obtained with both variables, suggesting that these predictions were valid.

Adolescent↗