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Biomedical subjects

K Shimada

Publications and source records attributed to K Shimada.

At least 1,153 records · Page 64Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Swallowing reflex elicited by water and taste solutions in humans.

We investigated whether water and taste solutions are adequate stimuli for elicitation of the swallowing reflex from the pharyngolaryngeal region in humans. Subjects were five healthy males. Small amounts of water and taste solutions were applied to the posterior tongue of the subject as he reclined on a dental chair. The latency between the onset of application of the stimuli and the occurrence of swallowing was measured. Water was a most effective stimulus for elicitation of the swallowing reflex. The stimulatory effect was altered by anions, particularly Cl-, added to the water. Gustatory factors affected the latency of swallowing. The results suggest that humans have water-sensitive receptors in the pharyngolaryngeal region and that these receptors are responsible for initiation of the swallowing reflex by water.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Cardiovascular regulatory functions in elderly patients with hypertension.

To dissociate the effects of an elevated blood pressure on the cardiovascular regulatory functions from those of aging in the hypertensive elderly individual, resting hemodynamic measurements and circulatory autonomic functions in 30 elderly (mean age, 66 years) hypertensive (World Health Organization stages I and II) patients were compared with those in 30 healthy elderly (mean age, 65 years) normotensive volunteers. The elderly hypertensive group showed a significantly lower cardiac index and higher total peripheral resistance. beta-Receptor sensitivity, as determined by chronotropic dose of infused isoproterenol, and baroreceptor reflex sensitivity index, derived from phase II, but not phase IV, of Valsalva's maneuver, were only slightly but significantly reduced in the hypertensive group. The variability of heart rate at rest as an index of parasympathetic control of heart was similar between these two groups. Plasma norepinephrine level was significantly inversely related to resting mean blood pressure (r = -0.31, p less than 0.05) when analyzed as a whole group. Plasma renin activity, but not plasma aldosterone, was significantly decreased in the hypertensive group. To define the effects of age itself, these parameters in normotensive elderly subjects were also compared with those in 12 young normotensive subjects (mean age, 23 years). Although resting hemodynamic measurements did not differ, various circulatory autonomic functions were significantly different between these two age groups. The variability of heart rate in 24-hour ambulatory monitoring, beta-receptor responsiveness, resting vagal cardiac activity, and baroreceptor reflex sensitivity derived from phase IV of Valsalva's maneuver were significantly depressed in the elderly. Resting plasma norepinephrine level was elevated and renin-aldosterone system decreased in the elderly.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Synthesis of a novel cytokine and its gene (LD78) expressions in hematopoietic fresh tumor cells and cell lines.

The gene coding for the protein LD78 was isolated from stimulated human tonsillar lymphocytes by differential hybridization. The gene product consisted of 92 amino acids with characteristics of cytokines. LD78 gene transcripts were detected in eight of eight fresh samples of cells from patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) by Northern blot analysis. ANLL cells with monocytic features gave the strongest bands. RNA transcripts were found in two of three samples of cells from patients with adult T cell leukemia (ATL), eight of nine samples from patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) of B cell lineage, and one of the three samples from patients with T cell ALL. KG-1, HL-60, HUT 102, MT-2, and MJ cell lines expressed the LD78 gene constitutively. The LD78 protein was detected in culture supernatants and cell lysates of HUT 102, MT-2, MJ, and fresh ATL cells by Western blot analysis. This protein was not found in culture supernatants or cell lysates of monocytic leukemia cells and HL-60 cells, although LD78 transcripts were found in those cells. The discrepancy between gene and protein expression might be explained by the stability of the mRNA. Thus, the protein may be involved in the neoplastic transformation of hematopoietic cells.

Biological Factors↗
PubMed1989

Identification of menaquinone-4 metabolites in the rat.

Four metabolites of menaquinone-4 [MQ-4] were isolated from rat urine, bile and liver. From rat urine following intravenous or oral administration of [14C]MQ-4, two major metabolites were isolated and their aglycones were identified as 2-methyl-3-(5'-carboxy-3'-methyl-2'-pentyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone [K acid 1] and 3-(3'-carboxybutyl)-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone [K acid 2]. The aglycone of a third minor metabolite isolated from bile was tentatively identified as 2-methyl-3-(15'-carboxy-3',7',11'-trimethyl-2',6',10', 14'-hexadecatetranyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone [MQ-4-COOH]. The structures of the three aglycones, which were excreted into the urine or bile mainly as glucuronide conjugates, indicated that oxidative degradation of the alkyl side chain of MQ-4 had occurred by omega- and beta-oxidation. In addition, 2,3-epoxy-MQ-4 was identified in the liver of rats which were pretreated with warfarin and then dosed with [14C]MQ-4.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Effect of psychotropic drugs on the contents of melatonin, serotonin and N-acetylserotonin in rat pineal gland.

In the dark phase, the effects of the psychotropic drugs on the contents of melatonin, serotonin (5-HT) and N-acetylserotonin (NAS) in rat pineal gland were examined. The pineal gland was removed at a certain period of time after subcutaneous injection of the drugs. 5-HT, NAS and melatonin contents in the pineal gland were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorometric detection. A dose-dependent decrease was observed for melatonin content in the administration of diazepam (DZP), hydroxyzine (HYZ), chlorpromazine (CPZ) or haloperidol (HPD). When imipramine (IPM) or amitriptyline (APL) was given to rats, pineal 5-HT content was significantly decreased. On the other hand, the administration of IPM or APL caused increases in pineal NAS and melatonin. Furthermore, the administration of phenytoin (PYT) revealed no changes in the content of pineal indoleamines. These results suggest that the psychotropic drugs widely used in clinical applications could cause significant changes in pineal indoleamine content.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Iron metabolism in the hepatocytes and Kupffer cells of rats receiving large amounts of iron dextran].

The author found marked differences in isoferritin patterns between the ferritins of hepatocytes and Kupffer cells in normal adult rats of the Wistar strain. This fact was considered to be a phenomenon of the heterogeneities recognized widely between these two cells from the embryological, morphological and physiological viewpoint. Accordingly, the iron metabolism of hepatocytes and Kupffer cells was studied separately in cells obtained from the livers of rats which had received iron dextran previously. Especially, the concentrations of iron and ferritin and isoferritin patterns in these cells were followed by rats given the different amounts of iron (25, 50, 150 and 200 mg given to the rats) 48 hours previously and also in time course experiment (2, 10 and 30 days) by the rats given 100 mg iron. Serum iron concentration and TIBC were increased markedly 48 hours after administrations of more than 100 mg iron. However RBC count, Hb concentration and Ht showed no changes related to iron administration. In the conditions settled by the author, there were no serious increases in the serum enzyme activities of GOT, GPT, LDH and gamma-GTP. Isoferritin patterns obtained from hepatocytes and Kupffer cells maintained the same characteristics except for a slight shift to the alkaline side in each peak with the respective controls in the rats receiving 100 mg iron. In this experiment, ferritin and iron concentrations in hepatocytes and whole liver showed similarly positive increases in a dose dependent manner, while the concentrations of both compounds in Kupffer cells arrived at their maximums with 100 mg iron and were decreased by larger administrations of iron. In the time course experiment, ferritin concentration increased in hepatocytes, Kupffer cells and whole liver, and arrived at the maximum at 2 days in Kupffer cells and at 10 days in the other two specimens. However the iron concentrations reached their maximums at 2 days respectively and returned almost to the control levels afterwards in all specimens. These results indicated the characteristics of iron metabolism in two kinds of cells, and suggested the differences in the structure and the metabolism of their ferritins.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

A supernumerary valvula in the pulmonary semilunar valve.

A supernumerary valvula of the pulmonary semilunar valve was found in a 51-year old, male Japanese. The valve was composed of three equal-sized valvulae and one smaller one with numerous fenestrations present. The supernumerary valvula was located between the anterior and right valvulae. We found this condition in one of 1407 cadavers examined.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

Papillary function of patients with juxtapapillary duodenal diverticulum. Consideration of pathogenesis of common bile duct stones.

The papillary function of cholelithiasis patients with and without juxtapapillary duodenal diverticulum (JPDD) was examined manometrically. The papillary function was evaluated on the basis of dP(0.5), the pressure difference between the resting pressure and the perfusion pressure. Patients with a dP(0.5) less than 5 cm H2O were considered to have papillary dysfunction. In cholecystolithiasis patients the incidence of papillary dysfunction was significantly greater in those with JPDD than in those without JPDD (p less than 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in dP(0.5) between those with and without JDPP because of the small number of patients involved. Also, in patients with choledocholithiasis there was no difference in the papillary function between those with and without JPDD. All who had JPDD showed papillary dysfunction. From our results, JPDD is suspected to have an important role in causing papillary dysfunction or loss of papillary muscle tone. This dysfunction may be closely connected with the formation of common bile duct stones.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Renal dysfunction in children with vesicoureteral reflux].

It is well recognized that reflux nephropathy is one of the commonest causes of end-stage renal failure (ESRF) in children. We made a retrospective study of 28 children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) who showed impaired renal function, as defined by either the serum creatinine of more than 1.0 mg/dl or BUN of more than 20 mg/dl. There were 20 boys and 8 girls, and the incidence of both sexes was 4.8% and 1.9% respectively. Of patients, proteinuria was detected in 22, and hypertension in 7. Five patients progressed to ESRF during his or her clinical course. About half of the patients in this series presented proteinuria or growth retardation which had led to urological check-up. Bilateral reflux was demonstrated in 24 patients, and all of the remaining 4 with unilateral reflux had hypoplastic or dysplastic contralateral kidney. Micturition cystourethrography revealed moderate or severe reflux in 86% of the ureters either at the first examination or during the follow-up periods. Urographic findings which suggested renal dysfunction included bilateral small kidney, unilateral small kidney with contralateral renal scarring, and bilateral generalized renal scarring. According to the pattern of the progression of renal dysfunction, patients were subdivided into 3 groups. Group I; patients showed bilateral renal hypoplasia on urography, and renal dysfunction progressed to ESRF before the age of 10 years despite surgical treatment. In patients of group II, gradual decrease of renal function led to ESRF at the age of puberty, although SCr was around 1.2-1.5 mg/dl when they were about 10 years old. In group III, renal function was stable at about 1.0 mg/dl of SCr during childhood. Temporary improvement of renal function was observed in only 3 of 21 children who were followed for more than 1 year after antireflux surgery. Deterioration of renal function was caused within 6 months to one year. Antireflux surgery had only little influence on the improvement of renal function in this series. We emphasize the need for early detection and management of reflux to prevent progression of renal dysfunction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Treatment of congenital urethral stenosis (urethral ring) in children. Optic internal urethrotomy in the congenital bulbar urethral stenosis in boys].

Congenital urethral stenosis in boys occurs at the junction of the entodermal primary urethra and ectodermal secondary urethra. Endoscopically this lesion is recognized as a ring-form stenosis just distal to the external urethral sphincter. It has been considered as rare congenital anomaly in American literature. But in our experience congenital urethral stenosis is an important cause of recurrent urinary tract infections, enuresis, pollakisuria or hematuria in pediatric urological practice. It also disturbs spontaneous healing of vesicoureteral reflux. The most effective treatment of this lesion is optic internal urethrotomy under direct vision. We would like to report our experience of optic internal urethrotomy for congenital urethral stenosis in boys. From 1974 to 1986, 226 boys with congenital bulbar urethral stenosis were treated in our clinic. Optic internal urethrotomy was performed using a Sachse urethrotome with a 10 or 13 Fr. sheath. Of the 176 ureters with vesicoureteral reflux, spontaneous disappearance of reflux after optic internal urethrotomy was noted in 62.5% of Grade I-II, 65.0% of Grade III, 28.9% of Grade IV and 16.7% of Grade V ureters. These spontaneous disappearance rates were significantly higher than those of primary vesicoureteral reflux in Grade III, IV and V ureters. Of the drug-resistant enuretic boys with a congenital bulbar urethral stenosis, enuresis disappeared or ameliorated in 69.4% after optic internal urethrotomy. Furthermore, urinary tract infections were mostly prevented by optic internal urethrotomy, irrespective of the presence or absence of vesicoureteral reflux. Our results support the view that congenital urethral stenosis (urethral ring) is an important clinical entity in pediatric urology.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Beta-interferon and early stage HIV infection.

beta-Interferon (IFN-beta) was evaluated prospectively for its antiviral activities in early stage human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Ten patients with hemophilia and HIV infection [8 asymptomatic carriers (AC) and 2 AIDS-related complex (ARC)] were intravenously injected with 1 million IU of IFN-beta twice a week for 6 months. For comparison, seven patients (six AC and one ARC) with hemophilia and HIV infection were observed for the same time period without any drugs. One episode of localized herpes zoster each occurred during the trial in the IFN group and in the control group. There were no significant differences in the absolute number of CD4+ lymphocytes and ratios of CD4+/CD8+ lymphocytes between the two groups. Recipients had flu-like symptoms but no serious toxicities. No clinical and immunological benefits to patients with early stage HIV infection were observed during the 6 months of treatment.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

[Detection of immune complexes in the sera and around the muscle fibers in a case of myasthenia gravis and polymyositis].

A case of myasthenia gravis accompanied with polymyositis and malignant thymoma, detected immune complexes in the sera and around the muscle fibers, was described. A 37-year-old woman was admitted to Shinshu University Hospital in September, 1987 because of dyspnea, dysphagia and muscle weakness. She first noticed her right blepharoptosis 3 weeks before admission. Weakness of all four limbs and myalgia of lower extremities were noticed one week later. These symptoms got worse and nocturnal dyspnea, dysphagia and easy fatigability at mastication appeared. On admission, she looked ill and neurological examination revealed left blepharoptosis, bilateral facial weakness, weakness of all four limbs, more prominent in proximal muscles and tenderness of lower extremities. Edrophonium test was positive, improving her muscle weakness. Laboratory examination revealed the elevated serum levels of CK, the increased titre of circulating immune complexes and high titres of acetylcholine receptor antibodies and anti-skeletal muscle antibodies. Electromyographic study showed myogenic pattern and Harvey-Masland test revealed waning at low frequency stimulation. Muscle biopsy showed marked perivascular infiltration of lymphocytes, accompanied by phagocytosis and interstitial fibrosis. IgG deposits were shown around the muscle fibers exclusively around the infiltrates of mononuclear cells. Granular deposits of C3 were also shown specifically around the muscle fibers exclusively around the infiltrates of mononuclear cells. Thymectomy was performed on September 21, 1987. Invasion of thymoma, predominantly lymphocytic type, to right lung and pericardium was observed histologically. After thymectomy, she got better. Immunological data and immunohistochemical examination of the present case suggest that in the case of myasthenia gravis accompanied with polymyositis and malignant thymoma, immune complexes may play a primary role on the pathogenesis of myositis.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Clinical evaluation of fluconazole].

Clinical evaluation of fluconazole was performed on 12 cases of mycotic infections (7 cases of Candida esophagitis; one each case of cryptococcal meningitis with AIDS, Candida tropicalis fungemia and disseminated cryptococcosis in kidney transplant patient; 2 cases of Candida pneumonia). Satisfactory responses were obtained except 1 case of Candida pneumonia in which clinical efficacy could not be evaluated. Hiccup was noted in 1 case during the fluconazole treatment. No other adverse reaction was observed. When 150 mg and 200 mg of fluconazole were administered orally to a patient with hemodialysis (HD) after HD on separate occasions, concentrations of the drug in serum at 20 hours after ingestion were 5.9 micrograms/ml and 11.6 micrograms/ml, respectively, and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were 3.5 micrograms/ml and 9.2 micrograms/ml, respectively. Two clinical benefits were obtained in our studies. First, it was possible to treat the AIDS-patient as an outpatient with Candida esophagitis using orally administered fluconazole. Second, it was possible to treat the case of cryptococcal meningitis, in which relapse often occurs, to complete the therapy when the cryptococcal antigen in serum and CSF diminished to an undetectable level and to maintain the therapy preventing relapse without severe adverse effects. Ongoing and future clinical trials will define the specific roles of fluconazole more clearly in the treatment of systemic mycosis.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

[Lysozyme-positive cells and ultrastructural findings in granulomatous and histiocyte-proliferative skin diseases].

Immunohistochemically, the presence of lysozyme (LZ) has been detected by the antibody against human LZ in cytoplasm of cells from granulomatous and histiocyte-proliferative skin diseases. To detect LZ in these cells morphologically, I have done electron microscopic observations of the following skin diseases; sarcoidosis, lupus vulgaris, lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei (LMDF), tattoo granuloma, lichen nitidus, foreign body granuloma, granuloma annulare, xanthelasma, xanthoma tuberosum, xanthoma planum, juvenile xanthogranuloma, giant cell tumor of tendon sheath, dermatofibroma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, granulation tissue of burn, hypertrophic scar, and histiocytosis X. From both the immunohistochemical and the electron microscopic features it was concluded that a) immunohistochemically LZ-positive cells from lesions of sarcoidosis, lupus vulgaris, LMDF and tattoo granuloma had a number of electron-lucent bodies (ELB) or microvesicles in their cytoplasm, b) lichen nitidus and xanthoma tuberosum had few LZ-positive cells and the ELB were not observed, and c) the other diseases were LZ-negative, and the ELB were also absent. It is suggested that LZ is present in the ELB which are observed electron microscopically.

Granuloma↗