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Biomedical subjects

K Sakai

Publications and source records attributed to K Sakai.

At least 811 records · Page 45Linked to original sources

Endoscopic ultrasonography findings in acute gastric anisakiasis.

To clarify the components of the thickened gastric wall in acute gastric anisakiasis, we evaluated endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) findings of acute gastric anisakiasis. Ten patients with acute gastric anisakiasis underwent endoscopic ultrasonography immediately after anisakiasis was diagnosed by endoscopy. In the acute phase of gastric anisakiasis, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) detected a thickening of the gastric wall made of mainly thickened third layer with low echoic changes. When EUS was performed 7 to 11 days later in seven patients, the EUS findings had normalized. We made clear EUS findings in acute gastritis due to gastric anisakiasis. Consequently, we found, by EUS, that the main inflammatory lesion in anisakiasis was in the submucosal layer of gastric wall.

Acute Disease↗

Rectal administration of perforated nifedipine capsules in acute severe hypertension in children.

Nine hypertensive children (mean age: 5.0 years (SD: 4.5), range: 10 months to 15 years) were administered nifedipine (capsule) rectally (0.2 to 0.5 mg/kg) when their blood pressures were over 170 mmHg systolic and/or over 110 mmhg diastolic, independent of their ages. The causes of hypertension were acute glomerulonephritis (n = 2), chronic glomerulonephritis (n = 2), renovascular hypertension (n = 4), and polycystic kidney (n = 1). Both systolic and diastolic blood pressures fell in all children after rectal administration of nifedipine, although the response of blood pressure was weak in one child with renovascular hypertension. Blood pressures were lowest at 30 to 60 minutes, and remained under 140 mmHg systolic and 80 mmHg diastolic at least for three hours. Side-effects were headache in one child, palpitations in two children, and facial flushing in three. All of these symptoms were mild, and no special treatment was required. These findings suggest that rectal administration of nifedipine may be effective and the most reliable way to treat young children with severe or urgent hypertension.

Acute Disease↗

Heterogeneity of immunohistochemical staining with pulmonary surfactant protein A among fractionated alveolar macrophages which involves metabolism of pulmonary surfactant.

Alveolar macrophages (AM) which are separated into four fractionated subpopulations (I, II, III and IV), represented differential immunohistochemical staining with antibody against pulmonary surfactant protein A (SP-A). In light microscopy, the least dense AM (fraction I) were intensely stained with antibody to SP-A in numerous granules of the cytoplasm, whereas the most dense cells (fraction IV) showed immuno-reactivity with the antibody in several granules distributed in the spreading and elongating cytosol. By Western blot analysis, antibody to SP-A recognized a triplet of nature molecules of SP-A in AM lysate. However, the antigen of the AM lysate almost disappeared when the cells were cultured for more than two days, which indicate that AM do not synthesize SP-A and have digested intracellular SP-A during the cultivation. Immunoelectron microscopically, AM of fraction IV sometimes had very large vacuoles including lamellar body-like structures, probably pulmonary surfactant immediately after taken up from the alveolar lumen by them, which were heavily deposited with gold particles indicating antigenic site of SP-A. Whereas cells of fraction I contained numerous cytoplasmic vacuoles that were frequently labelled with the immuno-gold particles and were not associated with lamellar body-like structures, which may indicate that the materials in the vacuoles are digesting. The results of this experiments suggest that pulmonary surfactant, layered on the alveolar epithelium, is in part taken up by higher dense AM and is digested during a process of their maturation in the direction of lower dense cells, which undergo an important role of metabolism of pulmonary surfactant by AM subpopulations.

Animals↗

[Emergency coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with severe pump failure complicating acute myocardial infarction].

Thirty patients with severe pump failure (Killip's degree III or more) complicating acute myocardial infarction (MI) underwent emergency coronary bypass grafting (CABG). Average age was 66 years old and CABG was performed 2.6 days after the onset of MI. The patients were divided into two groups according to the mechanisms that can bring about severe pump failure: 19 patients had large MI alone (G-I). The other 11 patients had severe ischemia occurring either at areas distant from the site of coronary occlusion or in the previous area at risk (G-II). To estimate the ventricular wall motion quantitatively, the left ventricular wall was divided into 17 segments. Each segment was graded on a four-point scale: akinesis, 3; severe hypokinesis, 2; hypokinesis, 1; normal 0. Wall motion score was estimated by summing the number of asynergic segments score. In G-I, Cardiac index (CI (l/min/m2)) increased from 2.03 +/- 0.91 to 2.68 +/- 0.73 and pulmonary wedge pressure (PCWP (mmHg)) decreased from 28 +/- 5 to 15 +/- 5, 72 hours after the surgery (p < 0.01). In G-II, CI increased from 2.17 +/- 0.78 to 3.17 +/- 1.01 and PCWP decreased from 29 +/- 6 to 13 +/- 5 after the surgery (p < 0.01). There was no difference in preoperative and postoperative hemodynamics between two groups. The wall motion score at the risk area did not change postoperatively (from 16 +/- 7 to 17 +/- 9 in G-I, from 15 +/- 8 to 11 +/- 5 in G-II).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗

Efficacy of a new quinolone, levofloxacin in patients with surgical infections.

The pharmacokinetics and clinical efficacy of levofloxacin (LVFX, DR-3355), an optically pure S(-)-enantiomer of ofloxacin, were studied in patients after surgery. In the pharmacokinetic study, 4 patients undergoing bile drainage were given 2 100-mg tablets by mouth. Peak levels of LVFX were from 2.22 to 4.02 micrograms/ml of plasma at 2-4 hours after the oral administration, and from 7.5 to 11.3 micrograms/ml of bile at 2-6 hours. Forty-three patients with surgical infections, including 16 skin and soft-tissue infections and 12 wound infections, were treated with LVFX. Twenty-eight (70%) of the 40 patients whose results could be evaluated had excellent or good results; 42 (93%) of the 45 causative organisms identified were eradicated. An episode of diarrhea with chills and fever occurred in a 38-year-old man. The results suggested that LVFX has satisfactory antimicrobial effects in surgical infections.

Adult↗

[Effect of endoscopic local injection of OK-432 on regional lymph nodes in gastric cancer patients].

The effects of OK-432, a streptococcal preparation, administered intratumorally (OK-432 i.t.) on the change of lymphocyte subsets of regional lymph nodes were investigated in 26 gastric cancer patients. The results were as follows: 1) In the proximal lymph nodes, both non-metastatic and metastatic lymph nodes, and the proportion of CD3+ cells were slightly increased. 2) In the proximal lymph nodes without metastasis, the proportion of CD4+2H4+ cells and CD4+4B4- cells was increased about 10%. 3) In 4 of 15 patients who had metastatic lymph nodes macroscopic changes of the tumor and necrosis of metastatic lymph nodes by OK-432 i.t. were observed. In these lymph nodes CD8-CD11+ cells increased over 40%. These data suggested that the lymph node lymphocyte reaction by OK-432 i.t. may differ between metastatic lymph nodes and non-metastatic lymph nodes.

Flow Cytometry↗

[Assessment of the size and distribution of the coronary artery selected for bypass grafting using myocardial contrast echocardiography during coronary artery bypass surgery].

We assessed the size and distribution of the native coronary artery selected for bypass grafting, using myocardial contrast echocardiography by injection of sonicated agents into a saphenous vein graft, during surgical revascularization. A total of 69 saphenous vein grafts (LAD, 16; D1, 10; OM, 13; PL, 13; RCA, 17) were performed in 36 patients with right dominant system at preoperative coronary angiogram. The size of the area of revascularized myocardium was quantified with the ratio of its circumference to a full circle depicted on the left ventricular short-axis view at the mid-papillary level. The extents of the revascularized area to LAD stenosing at the proximal portion was 28 +/- 6% and stenosing at the intermediate portion was 23 +/- 6%. D1, 10 +/- 2%; OM, 17 +/- 3%; PL, 22 +/- 6%, RCA, 17 +/- 5%. The extent of the areas perfused by the totally occluded coronary arteries with collateral vessels was similar to those perfused by the partially occluded coronary arteries. In conclusion, myocardial contrast echocardiography enabled the intraoperative assessment of the geometry of regional myocardial perfusion, and was very useful for the intraoperative evaluation of the effectiveness of the indicated surgical procedure.

Arteries↗

[A successful surgical repair of acute postinfarction mitral papillary muscle rupture].

We reviewed a case who underwent early operation for acute postinfarction papillary muscle rupture. The patient was a 75-year-old male who was admitted to our hospital with cardiogenic shock required endotracheal intubation and intraaortic balloon support. The period to operation was 6 days from the onset of inferior myocardial infarction, and 2 days from the onset of postinfarction papillary muscle rupture. The posterior papillary muscle of mitral valve was totally ruptured and the mitral valve was replaced with a mechanical prosthesis (SJM 27 mm). Postoperative clinical course was not smooth, but the patient was going well. We believe to get good results for early operations of postinfarction papillary muscle rupture unless operative chances were lost.

Aged↗

Effects of pulmonary surfactant and surfactant protein A on phagocytosis of fractionated alveolar macrophages: relationship to starvation.

Pulmonary surfactant isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of rat lung contained a high content of surfactant protein A (SP-A) in starved for 2 days compared to fed controls, but this phenomena returned to baseline following more than 4 days starvation. As determined by immunoperoxidase staining of lung sections using SP-A antibody, SP-A could be consistently observed in nonciliated bronchiolar (Clara) cells, alveolar type II cells and some alveolar macrophages (AM). Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis of AM was enhanced by SP-A, which was dependent on the dosis and reached a maximum at 10 micrograms of SP-A/ml. Antibody to SP-A completely inhibited the enhanced response of phagocytosis. When exposed AM subpopulations, separated into four fractions (I, II, III and IV) by discontinuous Percoll gradient, to SP-A or pulmonary surfactant prepared from rats fed and starved for 2 days enhanced their phagocytic activity in high dense cells (III and IV), particularly to SP-A and pulmonary surfactant from rats starved for 2 days. Whereas little change in lower dense fractions (I and II) were seen in all exposures except for SP-A that enhanced the cells of fraction II. These results supported the concept that pulmonary surfactant and its apoprotein, SP-A, are a factor to regulate lung defense system including activation of AM that undergo different processes following starvation.

Animals↗

[A case of tuberous sclerosis with congenital brain tumor; an immunohistochemical study].

A case of tuberous sclerosis with congenital brain tumor was reported. The diagnosis was made on the basis of the pathological findings of subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, after surgery at the newborn period. After the neonatal period, the patient presented the classical triad of seizures, white spot of skin and mental retardation. The exact nature of tumor-forming giant cells remains controversial. We studied the nature of these cells using immunohistochemical method. GFAP, S-100 protein and NSE stains were all positive. This result suggested that the tumor cells had the features of both neurons and astrocytes.

Astrocytoma↗

Study on the relation between renal tubular disorders and glomerular dysfunction in the early phase of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in children.

To study the relations between renal tubular disorder and glomerular dysfunction in the early phase of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), we performed concomitant measurements of urinary beta-D-N-acetyl glucosaminidase (NAG), beta 2-microglobulin (BMG), and microalbumin in 29 of pediatric patients with IDDM, 15 normal controls, and 83 patients with non-diabetic ketoacidosis. Urinary NAG levels were significantly elevated in the IDDM patients compared with controls. Urinary BMG levels were also elevated in IDDM, however, they were not as prominent as NAG levels. Although urinary microalbumin levels were elevated in the IDDM patients, statistical analysis did not show any significant difference between the IDDM patients and controls. Urinary NAG and BMG concentrations were also increased in patients with non-diabetic ketoacidosis, suggesting a toxic effect of ketone bodies to renal tubular cells. Statistically significant correlations were noted both between urinary NAG and microalbumin and between urinary BMG and microalbumin. These results suggest that, in early phase of IDDM, microalbuminuria is preceded by elevations in urinary NAG and BMG levels, and that keton bodies have deleterious effects on renal tubular cells.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

Identification of the phosphorylation sites of H2B histone by a catalytic fragment of p72syk from porcine spleen.

Phosphorylated sites of calf thymus H2B histone were investigated with a catalytic fragment of 72 kDa protein-tyrosine kinase (p72syk). Three of five tyrosine residues in H2B histone can be phosphorylated by this kinase. In this analysis, H2B histone was thoroughly phosphorylated in vitro with [gamma-32P]ATP and the kinase, and then digested with a lysylendopeptidase. The resulting radioactive phosphopeptides were separated by a reverse-phase column on high performance liquid chromatography. Subsequent sequential Edman degradation of the purified phosphopeptides revealed that 40Y, 83Y and 121Y were phosphorylated. 121Y is the major phosphorylated residue in H2B histone. No phosphorylation was detected in 37Y and 42Y. Although the consensus sequence was not defined from these analyses, our data suggest that higher-order structure(s) in addition to primary one may participate in recognition of H2B histone by this protein kinase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The effect of a new immunosuppressive agent, FK-506, on xenogeneic neural transplantation in rodents.

This study examines the effect of a novel immunosuppressive agent FK-506 (FK) on the survivability of embryonic (E14) rat ventral mesencephalic tissue after intracerebral grafting to the lateral ventricle of adult mice. The recipient mice were given FK in doses of 10 mg/kg or 1 mg/kg for 2 weeks postgrafting, at which time they were sacrificed and histologically processed except for one group of animals on the high dose (10 mg/kg). In this group most animals died from side effects of the drug during the following days. Only the mice receiving the high dose of FK displayed healthy grafts without signs of rejection.

Animals↗

Neural organization for the long-term memory of paired associates.

Most of our long-term memories of episodes or objects are organized so that we can retrieve them by association. Clinical neuropsychologists assess human memory by the paired-associate learning test, in which a series of paired words or figures is presented and the subject is then asked to retrieve the other pair member associated with each cue. Patients with lesions of the temporal lobe show marked impairment in this test. In our study, we trained monkeys in a pair-association task using a set of computer-generated paired patterns. We found two types of task-related neurons in the anterior temporal cortex. One type selectively responded to both pictures of the paired associates. The other type, which had the strongest response to one picture during the cue presentation, exhibited increasing activity during the delay period when the associate of that picture was used as a cue. These results provide new evidence that single neurons acquire selectivity for visual patterns through associative learning. They also indicate neural mechanisms for storage and retrieval in the long-term memory of paired associates.

Action Potentials↗

The primary structure of Aspergillus niger acid proteinase A.

The complete amino acid sequence of the acid proteinase A, a non-pepsin type acid proteinase from the fungus Aspergillus niger var. macrosporus, was determined by protein sequencing. The enzyme was first dissociated at pH 8.5 into a light (L) chain and a heavy (H) chain, and the L chain was sequenced completely. Further sequencing was performed with the reduced and pyridylethylated or aminoethylated derivative of the whole protein, using peptides obtained by digestions with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and lysylendopeptidase. The location of the two disulfide bonds was determined by analysis of cystine-containing peptides obtained from a chymotryptic digest of the unmodified protein. These results established that the protein consists of a 39-residue L chain and a 173-residue H chain that associate noncovalently to form the native enzyme of 212 residues (Mr 22,265). This is, to our knowledge, the first time that such a protein with a rather short peptide chain associated noncovalently has been found. No sequence homology is found with other acid or aspartic proteinases, except for Scytalidium lignicolum acid proteinase B, an enzyme unrelated to pepsin by sequence, which has about 50% identity with the present enzyme. These two enzymes, however, are remarkably different from each other in some structural features.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Purification and characterization of N-acyl-D-glutamate deacylase from Alcaligenes xylosoxydans subsp. xylosoxydans A-6.

The purification and properties of N-acyl-D-glutamate deacylase from the cell extracts of Alcaligenes xylosoxydans subsp. xylosoxydans A-6 were studied. The two active fractions (peaks I and II) were obtained by a Mono Q column chromatography. The predominant enzyme (peak I) has been purified, 1960-fold to homogeneity and characterized. The enzyme was a monomer with a molecular weight of 59,000. The optimum pH and the isoelectric point were 8.0 and 5.5, respectively. The enzyme catalyzed the hydrolysis of N-acyl derivatives of D-glutamate. The Kms for N-acetyl, N-butyryl and N-propionyl derivatives of D-glutamate were 0.129, 0.066 and 0.01 mM, respectively.

Alcaligenes↗