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Biomedical subjects

K Shiraki

Publications and source records attributed to K Shiraki.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Immunization of the elderly and patients with collagen vascular diseases with live varicella vaccine and use of varicella skin antigen.

Elderly subjects and patients with collagen vascular diseases were immunized with a live varicella vaccine to assess the vaccine's potential for preventing herpes zoster. An improved varicella-zoster virus (VZV) skin test antigen was then used to assess cell-mediated immunity to VZV. The antigen was prepared from culture fluid of VZV-infected cells and had far less protein content than crude antigen prepared by sonication of infected cells. In 11 of 12 patients with ophthalmic zoster and 17 of 21 with dermal zoster, the skin reaction was negative at the beginning of the disease but became positive later. After two doses of VZV vaccine, 8 of 12 elderly subjects (greater than 60 years old) and 4 of 6 patients with collagen vascular diseases, who were VZV-skin test negative but purified protein derivative tuberculin test-positive, became VZV skin test-positive.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Analysis of human herpesvirus 6 glycoproteins recognized by monoclonal antibody OHV1.

A virus-specific glycoprotein (gp) from human herpes-virus 6 (HHV-6) was studied using the anti-HHV-6 monoclonal antibody OHV1. Immunoprecipitation with extracts from infected cells revealed that the antibody recognized four glycosylated proteins (gps) with Mrs of 106K, 102K, 65K and 63K under reducing conditions. However, only two gps, of 106K (gp106) and 102K, were detected under non-reducing conditions. Pulse-chase experiments revealed that gp65 and gp63 were cleavage products of gp106 and gp102. When infected cells were treated with tunicamycin, none of these gps was detected. With endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H (endo H) and endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase F (endo F) treatment, gp106 and gp102 disappeared. Moreover, gp65 and gp63 were not affected by endo H treatment but were sensitive to endo F treatment. These data suggest that sugar residues of gp106 and gp102 are high-mannose type N-linked oligosaccharides, whereas those of gp65 and gp63 are complex type N-linked oligosaccharides.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1992

Processing of hepatitis B virus surface antigen expressed by recombinant Oka varicella vaccine virus.

We have constructed a recombinant Oka varicella vaccine virus expressing hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg). HBsAg was synthesized as 26K and 30K proteins in infected cells and secreted into the culture supernatant as 30K and 35K proteins. Inhibitors and glycosidase treatments, and pulse-chase labelling experiments, revealed the glycosylation process of HBsAg. The latter was synthesized as a non-glycosylated 26K protein and subjected to N-linked glycosylation to form a 30K protein with high mannose glycans. Three species of dimers composed of 26K and 30K subunits were then formed with disulphide bonds. Both subunits of the dimers were further subjected to O-linked glycosylation and conversion from high mannose glycans to complex glycans followed by sialylation. Three species of dimers composed of 30K and 35K subunits were secreted into the culture supernatant as HBsAg particles. HBsAg was synthesized, glycosylated with both N- and O-linked glycans, sialylated, and then secreted into the culture supernatant within 1 h. These modifications of HBsAg by glycans might stabilize its structure and enhance its immunogenicity as a live HBV vaccine.

Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel↗
PubMed1992

Effect of dehydration on thirst and drinking during immersion in men.

The mechanism for reduced voluntary water intake during water immersion was studied in eight men (19-25 yr of age) immersed to the neck while sitting for 3 h at 34.5 degrees C or in air at 28 degrees C when euhydrated (Eu-H2O and Eu-air, respectively) and hypohydrated (Hypo-H2O and Hypo-air) by 3.6% body weight loss. Thirst sensations (degree of thirst, mouth dryness and taste, drinking desirability, and stomach fullness) were similar at the beginning of Hypo-air and Hypo-H2O test periods. Initial drinking of tap water (15 degrees C) was 216 +/- 30 ml/7 min (P less than 0.05) with Hypo-air, decreased to 108 +/- 28 ml/7 min (P less than 0.05) with Hypo-H2O, and was 10-50 ml/10-30 min thereafter. Intake was less than 10 ml/10-30 min in Eu-air, and there was no drinking in Eu-H2O. Within the first 10 min of immersion, compared with Hypo-air findings, the significant reduction in drinking in the Hypo-H2O experiment was associated with unchanged plasma Na+, plasma osmolality, heart rates, and mean arterial pressures; the different responses were increased cardiac output, plasma volume, and atrial natriuretic peptides and decreased plasma renin activity and arginine vasopressin. Thus the extracellular pathway, as opposed to the osmotic pathway, appears to be the major mechanism for immersion-induced suppression of drinking.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Skinfold thickness at ulnar, triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac regions in 1,656 Japanese children aged 3-11 years.

We measured body weight, height, and skinfold thickness (SFT) at ulnar, triceps, subscapular and suprailiac regions in 1,656 Japanese children aged 3-11 years. Means of SFT in boys and girls with normal weight exhibited similar changes with age to Caucasian children. However, nadirs of SFT were observed 1 year earlier and means at 11 years were slightly higher in Japanese. Correlation coefficients between SFT and excess weight (EW) were high in boys and girls when EW was more than 10%. Some children with EW of more than 10% had abnormal SFT. Skinfolds in all children with EW of 30% or more were beyond the normal limits. In this study, normal ranges of SFT in Japanese children are demonstrated and their racial characteristics are compared to Caucasians. It is suggested that children with EW of 10-30% are heterogenous and determination of fat volume is essential to confirm the diagnosis of obesity in these subjects.

Body Height↗
PubMed1992

Suppressive effect of superoxide dismutase on adriamycin nephropathy.

A single intravenous injection of adriamycin (ADR) results in marked proteinuria and glomerular morphological changes that are similar to minimal-change disease in humans. We examined the effect of superoxide dismutase (SOD) on ADR-induced proteinuria. ADR in a dose of 7.5 mg/kg body weight significantly increased urinary protein by day 14; proteinuria rapidly increased thereafter. Concurrent administration of SOD (50 mg/kg) over 30 min prior to and 30 min following ADR injection markedly reduced proteinuria. Twenty-one days after the treatment with SOD, the amount of urinary protein was 108.6 +/- 43.1 mg/24 h in the experimental animals, while it was 221.6 +/- 102.9 mg/24 h in the ADR control group (p less than 0.05). There were also less severe glomerular morphologic changes in the SOD group versus ADR controls. The protective effects of SOD provide indirect evidence that oxygen free radicals are important mediators of ADR-induced proteinuria.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Cardiovascular responses to upright tilt in man during acute exposure to 3 atm abs air.

To examine the effect of acute hyperbaric exposure on cardiovascular response to orthostasis, a passive 70 degrees head-up tilt (HUT) test was performed for 15 min in a simulated compressed-air hyperbaric environment of 3 atm abs at ambient temperature of 31 degrees C (thermoneutral) on 8 male subjects. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure, cardiac output (CO) by impedance cardiography, forearm blood flow (FBF) by the occlusion plethysmography, and laser-Doppler skin blood flow (BFLD) on the thigh were measured for 15 min before, during, and after HUT. Esophageal temperature and HR data were recorded continuously. An identical test was performed in a 29 degrees C (thermoneutral) normal atmospheric condition. None of the subjects showed signs of syncope during HUT in either environment. Baseline HR was significantly lower (P less than 0.05) at 3 atm abs, and the increase in HR (delta HR) during HUT was of the same magnitude (15 beats/min) at both atmospheric pressures. The reduction of systolic blood pressure (delta SBP) was identical in both environments. Thus, the chronotropic response to HUT (delta HR/delta SBP) was the same. A marked reduction in CO (P less than 0.05) was attributed to a reduction of stroke volume during HUT, and the reduction was greater (P less than 0.05) at 3 atm abs. There were no pressure-dependent changes during HUT in FBF, forearm vascular resistance, and BFLD except for a greater increase (P less than 0.05) in total peripheral resistance at 3 atm abs. These observations suggest that orthostatic tolerance was maintained in the presence of lower CO at 3 atm abs, probably by a greater vasoconstrictor response in the splanchnic areas. We conclude that the substantial bradycardia which occurred at 3 atm abs did not interfere with a normal response to orthostasis in humans because of a peripheral vasoconstriction caused by the elevated oxygen pressure and an enhanced increase in total peripheral resistance which occurred during HUT in 3 atm abs.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Four cases of spontaneous pneumothorax with no reexpansion of collapsed lung despite chest tube drainage].

We report four cases of spontaneous pneumothorax with no reexpansion of the collapsed lung despite chest tube placement and adequate suction. The cause of absence of reexpansion was endobronchial obstruction by bronchogenic carcinoma in one patient and by sputum plug in another. In the other two patients, the collapsed lung had pulmonary fibrosis and did not reexpand at all because of reduced pulmonary compliance.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Indocyanine green enhanced photocoagulation in the pigmented rabbit].

We performed histological studies of rabbit eyes after intravenous administration of indocyanine green (ICG) and fundus endophotocoagulation with diode laser at the wavelength of 810 nm. As continuation of our previous experiments in albino rabbits, we used 10 eyes of 5 pigmented rabbits which more simulate human eyes. We created weak photocoagulation spots 5 to 30 seconds after intravenous ICG, 4 mg/kg. Each photocoagulation lasted 0.2 sec and its irradiation power was averaged 170 mW. One hour after photocoagulation, there were no changes in the inner retinal layers. In the choroid, we observed occlusion of the choriocapillaris, destruction or loss of endothelial cells of large choroidal vessels, and stromal edema. One month after photocoagulation, large choroidal vessels had disappeared. Whole choroidal layers were replaced by fibrous scar tissue. The findings seemed to indicate that ICG enhanced photocoagulation effect can be observed in eyes with pigmented retinal pigment epithelium and that irreversible choroidal damages can be induced throughout the whole thickness of the choroid. The observed choroidal damages were less in intensity than those in albino rabbits.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Differentiation of oka varicella vaccine strain from wild varicella-zoster virus strains isolated from vaccinees and household contact.

The Oka varicella vaccine strain can be differentiated from wild-type strains by its unique restriction endonuclease fingerprinting (REFP: HpaI-K and EcoRI-P) pattern of the gpV-coding region of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) genome. VZV-DNAs from patients with complicated clinical courses related to vaccination were examined to determine whether they were vaccine-derived or wild-type. A virus was isolated from a one year-old boy with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) who developed typical varicella 28 days after vaccination (case A). Another virus was isolated from a four-year-old boy without clinical symptoms following household contact with varicella patients at the age of two months, and he developed zoster 14 months after vaccination (case B). Also, two strains (OK1 and OK2) were isolated from household contacts (mother and sister) with a vaccine with ALL in Oklahoma who developed varicella 18 days after vaccination (case C). In case C, BgII-REFP did not determine conclusively whether the two strains (OK1 and OK2) were vaccine-derived or wild-type because the patterns obtained were different from both the Oka varicella vaccine strain and American wild-type strains [Gelb et al., Journal of Infectious Diseases, 155:633-640, 1987]. All VZV strains examined in the present study were identified as wild-type by our method using HpaI-K and EcoRI-P fragments as marker fragments. Thus it is becoming evident that REFP using HpaI and EcoRI endonucleases is a convenient and reliable means of distinguishing between the Oka vaccine virus strain and wild-type viruses isolated from individuals developing vesicular rashes shortly and long after varicella vaccination.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1991

Antibody response to the immediate early protein of cytomegalovirus in renal transplant recipients.

The antibody response to the immediate early protein (IEP) of cytomegalovirus (CMV) was examined in seven renal transplant recipients during CMV reactivation and associated clinical abnormalities. Three cases with antibody increase to the IEP in the week after CMV isolation had no CMV-induced disease. The four patients without antibody increase exhibited laboratory abnormalities and three of them had renal dysfunction. In this small number of patients, the antibody response to the IEP in the week after isolation of CMV was associated with absence of abnormal clinical laboratory findings including renal function, and the prognosis was good for graft function in renal transplant recipients with CMV reactivation.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1991

Quantitative and sustained suppression of renal sympathetic nerve activity by left atrial distension in conscious dogs.

In order to investigate the interrelations between left atrial pressure (Pla) and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and heart rate (HR), Pla was increased by a balloon both in conscious sham-operated and cardiac-denervated dogs. RSNA was decreased and HR was increased with increasign Pla in sham-operated dogs. The reflex changes in RSNA and HR induced by the stimulation of atrial receptors persisted for at least 15 min. There was a consistent relationship between Pla and RSNA which could be described by a single exponential equation: % delta RSNA = -80.0(1-e-0.395 delta Pla), or by a linear equation when delta Pla was less than 6 mmHg; % delta RSNA = -13.5 delta Pla-2.25. The relationship between Pla and HR can be described by a single exponential equation: delta HR = 86.5(1-e-0.125 delta Pla). A significant linear relationship between RSNA and HR was obtained during a graded left atrial distention (% delta RSNA = -1.08 delta HR-17.7). In cardiac-denervated dogs, RSNA tended to increase and HR remained constant during the left atrial distention. These results indicate that left atrial receptors regulate RSNA and HR in both a quantitative and sustained manner in conscious sham-operated dogs.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Immunosuppressive dose of azathioprine inhibits replication of human cytomegalovirus in vitro.

Azathioprine (Aza) was found to have anti-human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) activity in vitro at concentrations used for immunosuppression therapy. The dose of Aza for 50% plaque reduction was 0.592 micrograms ml for HCMV in human embryonic lung (HEL) cells, but those of Aza for 50% plaque reduction for herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus were more than 20 micrograms/ml. The dose of Aza for 50% reduction of the HCMV yield in infected cells was 0.25 micrograms/ml, while that for 50% reduction of the HSV yield in infected cells was more than 50 micrograms/ml. The dose of Aza for 50% growth inhibition of HEL cells was 30 micrograms/ml, and 50.7 and 120 times greater than the doses for 50% reduction of the plaque formation and the yield of HCMV, respectively. Thus Aza was found to have a strong anti-HCMV activity at concentrations used for immunosuppression. When HCMV infected cells were treated with cyclosporine (CsA: 0.2 microgram/ml) and prednisolone (Pred: 0.3 microgram/ml) simultaneously with Aza, the doses of Aza for 50% reduction of plaque formation and the yield of HCMV were 0.73 and 0.32 micrograms/ml, respectively. Thus an inhibitory effect of Aza was also observed in HCMV-infected cells treated with CsA and Pred at their concentrations used for immunosuppression. Maintenance of an anti-HCMV dose of Aza in combination with CsA and Pred might establish not only satisfactory immunosuppression but also suppression of HCMV infection in transplant recipients.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed1991

A case of acute intermittent porphyria with acute pancreatitis.

A case of acute pancreatitis in a 29-year-old female associated with an attack of acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is reported. Following the attack of AIP, serum pancreatic amylase originating from the pancreas increased transiently, and mild swelling of the pancreas was detected by ultrasonography. On this basis acute pancreatitis was diagnosed. Additionally, this patient had mild hepatic dysfunction. Laparoscopy disclosed diffuse slightly dark bluish pigmentation on the irregular surface of the liver. Mild fibrous dilatation of the portal area with lymphocytic infiltration was seen histologically. Acute pancreatitis and hepatic damage with AIP is extremely rare, however it is possible that these findings are etiologically connected in this patient.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1991

Physicochemical characterization of human herpesvirus 6 infectivity.

Infectivity of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) was physicochemically characterized. Virus particles were excreted from infected cord blood mononuclear cells into the culture supernatant at a concentration of 10(8) to 10(9) virus particles/ml. The virus particle/infectivity ratio of HHV-6 in the culture supernatant was approximately 10(3):1 and that in the sonicated infected cells was 10(4):1. Infectivity was stable below 37 degrees C and at neutral pH (7.0 to 8.5). These fundamental data may be useful for serological and biological research on HHV-6.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1991

Development of immunogenic recombinant Oka varicella vaccine expressing hepatitis B virus surface antigen.

Recombinant Oka varicella vaccine expressing hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBs) was constructed by inserting the HBs gene into the viral thymidine kinase (TK) gene and was examined for its immunogenicity in guinea-pigs. The HBs gene encoding 25 amino acids of preS2 and the whole of the S region was inserted into the TK gene of the cloned plasmid. The chimeric plasmid DNA and Oka varicella vaccine DNA were cotransfected and recombinant virus was isolated after immunofluorescence screening using a monoclonal antibody to HBs and a fluorescein-conjugated anti-mouse antibody. Expression of viral HBs was detected in the cytoplasm of infected cells and was stable over several repeated passages in vitro. The recombinant virus expressed 26K and 30K HBs molecules in infected cells and the culture supernatant contained 30K and 35K HBs molecules. HBs was purified at a density of 1.20 g/ml from the culture supernatants. The recombinant virus induced an antibody response to HBs as well as to varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in guinea-pigs, and the antibody titre to HBs was comparable to that induced by a recombinant HBs subunit vaccine produced in yeast. Thus a single dose of live recombinant Oka varicella vaccine could induce good immunity to VZV and HBs. The recombinant Oka varicella vaccine expressing HBs may be a good candidate for a combined HBV and VZV vaccine.

Animals↗