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Biomedical subjects

K Shimada

Publications and source records attributed to K Shimada.

At least 1,099 records · Page 61Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

[Identification of Mycobacterium avium complex isolated in Tokyo University Hospital using DNA probe procedure].

Mycobacteria other than Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated in Tokyo University Hospital during 1970-1980 were identified to the level of species using a commercial DNA probe Kit (Gen-Probe Rapid Diagnostic System for Mycobacterium avium Complex; Gen-Probe Corp., California, USA). The cell count to give a positive result, that is, the absolute hybridization of more than 10%, was 5 X 10(6) CFU/ml for M. avium and 1 X 10(6) CFU/ml for M. intracellulare, respectively. At this condition, compared with the conventional biochemical test, the DNA prove procedure showed sensitivity of 98.8% and specificity 100%. The agreement of the identification between the two methods was 99.1%. The isolation frequency at the level of species among 104 isolates tested in this method was: M. avium 72.1%, M. kansaii 7.7%, M. intracellulare 3.8%, M. gordonae 3.8% and others 12.5%. Thus, this DNA probe test to identify and distinguish M. avium complex gave a satisfactory result in its simplicity and accuracy.

DNA Probes↗
PubMed1990

[Clinical evaluation of antimalarial drugs].

We have analyzed the clinical data of 189 patients with malaria to establish antimalarial regimens in Japan. The causative parasite species were Plasmodium falciparum in 56 cases (30%), P. vivax in 132 (70%) and P. malariae in 1 (1%). The outcomes f malaria cases are as follows: Cure rats in falciparum and vivax malaria are 86% and 91%, respectively. Two patients died of falciparum malaria and recurrence occurred in 6 cases (11%) of falciparum malaria. Relapse was seen in 12 (9%) of vivax malaria. Chloroquine was most frequently used among antimalarial agents (in 123 cases, 65% of the total) for suppressing acute attacks. The efficacy of chloroquine was evaluated by classifying each case into three groups: chloroquine alone in group one, chloroquine in combination with other antimalarials in group two and other antimalarials except chloroquine in group three. The cure rate among each group is about 80% and there is no difference among them. However, it is noticeable that recurrence occurred when patients were treated with a combination of chloroquine and quinine. We have found a similar result as this in another old report in Japan. Primaquine is effective for eliminating hepatic tissue schizonts but in this study, relapse occurred in 12 cases of vivax, although primaquine had been used in 10 out of 12 cases. In primaquine group, relapse occurred at a similar rate between chloroquine and Fansidar cases. Further studies are needed to decide whether a larger dose of primaquine is appropriate for treatment of vivax malaria. Recovery periods from fever and parasitemia were compared between chloroquine and Fansidar cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Structures of human genes coding for cytokine LD78 and their expression.

LD78 is a member of a newly identified superfamily of small inducible proteins involved in inflammatory responses, wound healing, and tumorigenesis. Southern blot analysis of the EcoRI-digested human genomic DNAs, using previously isolated LD78 cDNA as a probe, showed that in each individual there are 4.2- and 4.8-kilobase-pair (kb) fragments and that some have an additional 6.5-kb fragment. The 4.2-kb fragment contained genomic DNA sequences corresponding to the LD78 cDNA and was named the LD78 alpha gene. The 4.8-kb fragment contained similar sequences, showing 94% homology to the LD78 alpha gene, and was named the LD78 beta gene. The LD78 alpha gene was present in a single or a few copies per haploid genome, whereas the copy number of the LD78 beta gene and of the 6.5-kb fragment hybridizable to LD78 cDNA varied among the samples tested. Treatment of human myeloid cell lines HL-60 and U937 with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) increased within 2 h cellular levels of the RNA hybridizable to LD78 cDNA. The human glioma cell line U105MG and primary culture of human fibroblasts also expressed the hybridizable RNA in response to PMA. Addition of cycloheximide had no apparent effect on this response in U937 cells and inhibited the response in fibroblasts, whereas it stimulated the response in HL-60 and U105MG cells. mRNA phenotyping experiments revealed that the LD78 alpha and LD78 beta genes were both transcribed in PMA-stimulated U937 cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Silent cerebrovascular disease in the elderly. Correlation with ambulatory pressure.

Does the average daily blood pressure correlate with hypertensive cerebrovascular disease better than the casual pressure, as has been reported in other target organ involvement? We investigated the associations of two abnormal findings on brain magnetic resonance imaging suggestive of a vascular etiology, low intense foci (lacunae), and periventricular hyperintense lesions on T1- and T2-weighted images, with both office and average daily blood pressure values in a population of 73 healthy normotensive and hypertensive elderly individuals (70 +/- 6 years old). Lacunae were detected in 34 subjects (47%); the number per subject ranged from 0 to 19 and was significantly correlated with advancing age. Furthermore, these changes were supposedly related to the average of noninvasive ambulatory (24-hour and during awake and asleep periods) pressure recordings but not to office pressures. The grade of periventricular hyperintensity was also significantly associated with advancing age and the average of ambulatory systolic pressure recordings, particularly during sleep, but not with office blood pressure. In comparisons of normotensive, "office hypertensive," and hypertensive subgroups, abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging were appropriate to the level of the 24-hour blood pressure measurements but not to that of clinic pressure. In hypertensive patients, the presence of electrocardiographic evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy was also associated with greater abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging. We conclude that ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is superior to casual pressure measurements in predicting latent cerebrovascular disease, which is unexpectedly common in apparently healthy elderly subjects.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

A case of pheochromocytoma producing parathyroid hormone-related protein and presenting with hypercalcemia.

A 54-yr-old man with a left adrenal pheochromocytoma showed mild hypercalcemia and elevated nephrogenous cAMP. Serum levels of PTH and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 were not elevated. Postoperatively, serum calcium and nephrogenous cAMP declined to normal ranges. Pathologically, the tumor was a benign pheochromocytoma. The clinical findings resembled those of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM), and PTH-related protein (PTHrP) immunoreactivity was detected in the tumor extract at a concentration of 80.7 pmol/g wet wt, which is high compared to levels in malignant tumors causing HHM. Production of PTHrP was further confirmed by the demonstration of PTHrP mRNA with Northern blot hybridization analysis. Gel filtration of the extract revealed the presence of at least two different molecules with both immunological and biological activities. One of the peaks appeared close to PTHrP-(1-34), and the other between cytochrome-c and BSA. The latter showed a higher bioactivity to immunoreactivity ratio. These data indicate the multiplicity of PTHrP molecules in pheochromocytoma and support the idea that PTHrP produced by pheochromocytoma causes hypercalcemia in a similar fashion as HHM.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1990

An enzymatic assay of chloramphenicol coupled with fluorescence reaction.

An alternative method for the assay of chloramphenicol using an enzymatic reaction coupled with a fluorescence detection system has been developed. Chloramphenicol was enzymatically acetylated by chloramphenicol acetyltransferase in the presence of acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) as the acetyl-donor, after which the liberated CoA-SH was derivatized with a fluorogenic reagent, 4-(aminosulfonyl)-7-fluoro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole. The assay was linear over the range of 2.5-40 micrograms/ml. Analytical recoveries of chloramphenicol at concentrations of 7.5 and 22.5 micrograms/ml, added to human serum, plasma, or a slightly hemolyzed serum, were in the range of 93.3 to 106.2%. The enzymatic assay was not affected by the presence of ten other antibiotics tested.

Chloramphenicol↗
PubMed1990

Duodenal mucosal hemodynamics in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Clinical studies show that patients with liver cirrhosis associated with portal hypertension have a high incidence of duodenal ulcer and duodenitis. However, little information is available concerning pathophysiological process of such duodenal diseases in liver cirrhosis. Hemodynamics of the duodenal mucosa was studied in cirrhotics with esophageal varices (68 cases) and in noncirrhotics with non-ulcer dyspepsia (37 cases) as well. In each group, hemoglobin concentration in the peripheral venous blood was measured, and mucosal hemodynamics was examined in 4 regions of the duodenum by endoscopic reflectance spectrophotometer. No significant intergroup difference was noted in the mean age or sex ratio. Hemoglobin concentration in the peripheral venous blood was significantly lower (p less than 0.01) in the cirrhotics. There were no significant intergroup differences in duodenal mucosal blood volume. However, the cirrhotics showed significantly lower oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in all regions of the duodenum (p less than 0.01). These results show that the cirrhotics with esophageal varices had relative increase in blood volume and decrease in oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in the duodenal mucosa. Such microcirculatory disturbances seem to predispose liver cirrhosis patients to duodenal injury.

Blood Volume↗
PubMed1990

The fine structure and elemental analysis of keratinized epithelium of the filiform papillae analysis on the dorsal tongue in the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis).

The filiform papillae of subadult alligator (120 cm-260 cm total length) tongues are examined by scanning electron microscopy and electron microprobe analysis. The filiform papillae form cone-like structures and are observed over the entire dorsal surface of a relatively long tongue with a round tip. The filiform papillae are composed of four layers; outer, upper intermediate, lower intermediate, and basal layer. The keratinized epithelial cells are analysed by the sulphur (S), and nitrogen (N) content levels. The S content is higher than that of N. In the anterior side of the filiform papillae, this content is lower than that in the posteriors. The S content is highest of all at about 2 microns in depth from the surface. These results suggest that the use of S concentration measurements may serve to be an effective tool for a simple, offhand evaluation of keratinization.

Alligators and Crocodiles↗
PubMed1990

Fine structure and histochemistry of the teeth of the tree frog (Hyla japonica).

Observations were carried out on the morphology of the teeth of the adult tree frog (Hyla japonica) at an ultrastructural level. Many small crystals pile up in the enamel layer which do not typical enamel rods. At the thin layered buccolingual region of the tooth, the matrices of crystals are arranged either regularly in the enamel layer or randomly in the dentine layer. In particular, the apical portion of the enamel layer is more regularly and mineralized. ATPase activity is located in multivesicular bodies, the round mitochondria and the lateral borders forming the infolding of the interdigitation of the ameloblast. The reaction is also found in small round vesicles in the enamel layer and the distal cell membrane during the maturation stage. During enamel formation of teeth of Hyla japonica, there is no Tomes' process. Instead secretory granular bodies contain ATPase, may control calcium entry into developing enamel of the ameloblasts. The content of ATPase is less than that of mammals. In contrast, the Tomes' process, containing much ATPase, is related to the pattern and arrangement of the enamel matrices in mammals.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1990

Noninvasive ambulatory blood pressure monitoring during clinic visit in elderly hypertensive patients.

The pressor response to blood pressure measurements in a routine outpatient clinic setting has not been adequately characterized. Blood pressure was monitored in 104 hypertensive patients, mean age of 62 years, by noninvasive automatic ambulatory monitoring device at 5 minutes interval throughout the time of their visits to our outpatient clinic. The average rise in systolic and diastolic blood pressures upon patients' visit to doctor's room was 17 and 7 mm Hg respectively. There was concomitant tachycardia (average rise 3 beats/minute). The rise in blood pressure and heart rate was significantly related to the value in the doctor's room, but was not related to either age, the value in the waiting room or treatment. The rise in systolic blood pressure was more prominent in female patients than in males. Blood pressure and heart rate returned to the baseline level by approximately 40 minutes after leaving the doctor's room. These results illustrate a transient rise in blood pressure during measurement by a doctor in an outpatient clinic. Noninvasive ambulatory blood pressure monitoring during clinic visit in hypertensive patients may be a potentially useful and convenient method for the better diagnosis of hypertension by abolishing the alerting reaction.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Determinant of cardiac hypertrophy in elderly hypertension].

In order to define the factors responsible for cardiac hypertrophy in elderly hypertension, blood pressures and non-hemodynamic humoral parameters were correlated with echocardiographic left ventricular mass (LVM) in 30 elderly hypertensive patients and 30 age-matched normotensive subjects with a mean age of 65 years. Arterial blood pressures were obtained either at the clinic, after supine rest, during maximal exercise test, or with a 24 hour ambulatory monitoring device at 10 minute intervals. Interventricular septum and posterior wall thickness, but not end-diastolic diameter, were significantly increased in the hypertensives than in the normotensives. LVM was significantly correlated with all of te blood pressure parameters, having the strongest association with the mean of ambulatory systolic blood pressures (r = 0.65, p less than 0.001). On the other hand, plasma norepinephrine (r = 0.09), plasma renin activity (r = -0.14), and atrial natriuretic factor (r = -0.08), though known to influence cardiac adaptation to hypertrophy in young or middle aged hypertensives, were not correlated wit LVM. These results suggest that the heart in elderly hypertension is characterized by concentric hypertrophy, the only significant determinant of which appears to be a hemodynamic factor. Unlike younger patients, sympathetic nervous and renin-angiotensin systems may not play an important role in the development of cardiac hypertrophy in the elderly.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[Perinatal management of congenital anomalies of the urinary tract detected in utero].

The routine use of maternal ultrasonography has led to frequent discovery of fetal anatomical abnormalities of the urinary tract. Herein we report on 35 cases with congenital urogenital anomalies which were found during the last 5 years by the prenatal ultrasonography and referred to our clinic either for treatment or consultation. 1. Findings of prenatal ultrasonography There were 12 cases of hydronephrosis, 7 of multicystic dysplastic kidney, 4 of megaureter, 3 of posterior urethral valve, 2 of ureterocele, 2 of vesicoureteral reflux and 5 other cases. Fetal anomalies were diagnosed during routine maternal examination, as intrauterine growth retardation, oligohydramnios, or the recurrent risk secondary to genetic risk factor or previous abnormal pregnancies. Prenatal diagnosis was made as early as 20 weeks of gestation in a case of hypoplastic urethra with large bladder diverticula. In about 30% of cases, abnormalities were found before 30 weeks of gestation. Oligohydramnios was evident in 5 cases. Prenatal diagnosis was correct in about 60% of cases. In the remainder the diagnosis was either incomplete or incorrect. Errors in the diagnosis resulted from difficulties in the differentiation of dilated ureter, intestinal dilation or intraperitoneal cystic masses. 2. Management in newborn periods Of the patients, 12 were treated urologically in newborn periods. Although patients with distended bladder and dilatation of upper tracts first underwent therapeutic placement of the urethral catheter, upper tract diversion with nephrostomy or tubeless ureterocutaneostomy was required in 2 because of continued elevation of serum creatinine levels. In 2 neonates nephrectomy was indicated for unilateral multicystic kidney, because the large cystic mass might compress the intestine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Autotransfusion in urological surgery--experience with transurethral resection].

With the purpose to avoid the risk of homologous transfusion, autologous blood transfusion was performed in 26 patients who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P). Autologous blood (200-400 ml/time, 1-3 times, total 200-800 ml, mean 381 ml) was predeposited 4 days to 3 weeks prior to elected TUR-P and was transfused during or just after the operation. Since the start of this program in February 1988, homologous transfusion rate was decreased to 13.1%, whereas it has been 22.3% in 203 cases between January 1984 and January 1988. The mean hemoglobin level fell to 81.6% of the predeposition level. However, the hemoglobin level recovered to 90.1% one month after operation. The circulatory condition of the patients with autologous transfusions was stabler than that of the patients with homologous transfusion or no transfusion. No clinical hemostatic problems occurred. In cases with mild to moderate volume resection of the prostate, this autologous blood transfusion is recommended.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[Spontaneous resolution of reflux in children with primary VUR].

Although the adverse effects of vesicoureteral reflux on the renal function and renal growth have been well documented, there is still controversy regarding the factors for spontaneous cure of reflux and the time required for the resolution. We performed a retrospective analysis of 829 ureters in 541 children who have been followed for more than 3 years since 1973. Reflux was judged as spontaneously cured only after 2 micturition cystourethrograms (MCU) had shown no reflux. In total reflux resolved in 220 ureters (26.5%) of 182 children (33.6%). Resolution rate was 39.5% in boys and 28.0% in girls, and there was statistically significant difference between both sexes. In children who had underwent urethrotomy on congenital urethral stenosis, e.g. bulbous urethral stenosis in the boy and distal urethral stenosis in the girl, resolution rate was 43% in boys and 23% in girls. Resolution rate according to VUR-grade was 85.5% in grade I and II reflux, 45.8% in grade III, and 6.7% in grade IV and V. Of 92 children who underwent urodynamic evaluations, 37% showed findings of unstable bladder. Renal scarring was observed in 7.3% of renal units which was significantly less frequent than the incidence among total renal units with reflux. Reflux was resolved in 30% of renal units without scarring and 10% of renal units with scarring. The incidence of small kidney in the spontaneously resolved group was 3.6%, which was significantly lower compared to the total renal units with reflux. The mean age at resolution of reflux was 5.7 years in boys and 7.5 years in girls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Clinical evaluation of Cernilton on benign prostatic hypertrophy--a multiple center double-blind study with Paraprost].

A multiple center double blind study was performed to study the effectiveness of Cernilton (CN) on benign prostatic hypertrophy in comparison to Paraprost (PP). Among a total of 192 patients, overall effect was studied on 159 patients, overall safety rate on 178 patients and rate of effectiveness on 159 patients. There were no differences between the two groups in the selected patients, criteria for exclusion and drop out cases or background data of the patients. Impression of patients and overall effect by committee and physician judgment were slightly higher in the CN group compared to the PP group, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. For the improvement in subjective symptoms, the rate of moderate improvement or more after 4 weeks by committee judgement was higher in the CN group compared to the PP group. The rate of improvement in protracted miction, which is an effective marker of urinary disturbance, was also higher in the CN group compared to the PP group. An analysis of objective symptoms showed a significant improvement in residual urinary volume, average flow rate, maximum flow rate and prostatic weight in the CN group. A significant improvement in the phased change of residual urinary volume was also seen in the CN group. No side effects or abnormalities in clinical test levels were noted in the CN group. By committee judgement, the rate of more than moderate effectiveness was 49.1% in the CN group compared to 41.2% in the PP group, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. By physician's judgment, the rate of more than moderate effectiveness was 49.4% in the CN group compared to 46.3% in the PP group, but there was also no significant difference between the two groups. These results suggested that Cernilton was an effective drug for benign prostatic hypertrophy.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of the human cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase gene.

Structural organization of the human cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase gene was determined by analyzing the phage clones obtained from two kinds of genomic DNA libraries, using mouse cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase cDNA as a probe. The gene is more than 32 kb long and is split into 9 exons by 8 introns of various sizes. The 5' and 3'-flanking regions and the exact sizes and boundaries of the exon blocks were determined. The 5' end of the gene lacks the TATA and CAAT boxes, but contains G+C rich sequences and one potential binding site for the transcription factor, Sp1. Comparison of the nucleotide sequence of 250 bp upstream from the translation-initiation site revealed that the sequences of binding sites for the nuclear proteins, previously identified in the mouse, are highly conserved between human and mouse cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase genes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗