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Biomedical subjects

K Takano

Publications and source records attributed to K Takano.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

Somatic growth in corticosteroid-treated rats with passive Heymann nephritis--effects of recombinant human growth hormone on growth impairment.

We evaluated the efficacy of recombinant human growth hormone (r-hGH) on corticosteroid (CS)-induced growth-impaired rats with proteinuria (passive Heymann nephritis. R-hGH (2 IU twice daily) improved growth in rats treated with 20 mg/kg per day of prednisolone succinate in our 4-week study. Although plasma hGH was significantly increased in rats treated with r-HGH, plasma insulin-like growth factor-1 levels were not different between treated and untreated rats. The food utilization rate was significantly improved by r-hGH. R-hGH did not affect proteinuria, renal function, or calcium and phosphate metabolism. Our results suggest that r-hGH may be effective in improving growth impairment due to CS administration.

Animals↗

Intact inhibition of the stretch reflex during general tetanus.

Tetanus toxin at lethal doses (2-10 x 10(3) mouse minimal lethal doses per kg body weight, mMLD/kg) was injected i.v. into 10 cats under pentobarbital anaesthesia. After the appearance of the first sign of generalized tetanus the animal was anaesthetized by a mixture of urethane and chloralose. Experiments were performed several hr thereafter when the toxin action was anticipated to be optimal. The stretch reflexes were elicited manually, by the contraction of the antagonistic muscles or by a stretch device. In toxin treated animals the spontaneous electromyographic activity was inhibited by strong stretching of the tested muscle or by that of the antagonistic muscle. The stretch reflex of the extensor muscle elicited by a contraction of the flexor muscle was inhibited by electrical stimulation of the flexor afferent fibres. The stretch reflex elicited by a stretch device as well as the electrically elicited monosynaptic reflex were inhibited by conditioning stimulation of the antagonistic nerve. The inhibition curves were almost the same as those of healthy animals. It is concluded that the spinal inhibitions, such as antagonistic group Ia, autogenic group Ib, groups II and III and the presynaptic inhibitions, were kept intact in severe general tetanus.

Anesthesia↗

Roles of two types of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferases in DNA repair.

Escherichia coli possesses 2 types of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferases, one inducible and the other constitutive. These enzymes are coded by the ada and the ogt genes, respectively. Using a synthetic ogt-specific probe, we mapped ogt at 29.4 min, near the 5'-flanking region of the nirR gene, on the E. coli chromosome. To elucidate the roles of the 2 types of methyltransferases in DNA repair, we constructed mutant strains which lack either one or both of the genes. In either the ada+ or the ada- background, the ogt mutation had no effect on cell survival after N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) treatment. On the other hand, ada- ogt- cells were more prone to mutation as compared to the ada- ogt+ cells exposed to MNNG. The frequency of spontaneous mutation of cells defective in either one or both of the genes was the same, however, the introduction of the ogt+ plasmid into the cells produced a 2-3-fold decrease in the frequency of spontaneous mutation. O6-Methylguanine-DNA methyltransferases appear to eliminate premutagenic DNA lesions not only from cells exposed to alkylating agents but also from those grown in the absence of the agents.

Base Sequence↗

Potential effects of recombinant human growth hormone (r-hGH) on somatic growth in uremic rats.

In this study, we investigated both the efficacy of growth hormone (GH) in the improvement of growth disturbances in uremia and the effects on the remaining kidney, using uremic rats. Twenty 5/6 nephrectomized uremic rats were divided into two groups. One half of them were injected intraperitoneally with 2IU of human recombinant growth hormone (r-hGH) twice daily. The others were injected only with the vehicle. Sham operated control rats were also injected with the vehicle. These rats were pairfed and observed for as long as 4 weeks, during which, the growth in stature in uremic rats without r-hGH was markedly retarded, with a gain of only 15.8 +/- 3.7 mm of body length. It was significantly less than the 48.0 +/- 5.1 mm (p less than 0.01) gained by control sham-operated rats. By contrast uremic rats treated with r-hGH gained 37.8 +/- 2.9 mm, which was significantly greater than uremic rats without r-hGH (p less than 0.01) but less than controls (p less than 0.01). Increments of body stature paralleled those of skeletal bones. The food utilization rate was significantly improved in uremic rats treated by r-hGH. Throughout the experiment, serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels remained constant and there were no intergroup differences in the uremic rats including insulin like growth factor I (IGF-1) and other chemical parameters except for plasma GH levels. These results suggest that r-hGH stimulates somatic growth in rats with chronic renal failure through improving food utilization and a probable direct effect on growing cartilage.

Animals↗

Action of oren-gedoku-to on platelet aggregation in vitro.

Oren-gedoku-to is a Chinese medicine with hypotensive activity, hemostatic actions and the ability to augment cerebral blood flow. It is therefore expected to be useful in patients with hypertension and cerebrovascular accident (CVA). These effects of Oren-gedoku-to on platelet aggregation and coagulation-fibrinolysis were evaluated. A significant decline in platelet aggregation rate in both healthy control and patient plasma in response to Oren-gedoku-to was found. Maximal platelet aggregation time shortened, however, in healthy controls, but was prolonged in 8 of 20 patients with CVA, in particular those with cerebral infarction.

Adult↗

Activation of coagulation in acute cardioembolic stroke.

The hematologic disorders in patients with acute cardioembolic stroke are not fully understood, and no reliable measures are available to identify patients at high risk for recurrent embolism. We analyzed coagulation and fibrinolytic functions in 22 patients with cardiogenic cerebral embolism less than or equal to 24 hours after onset and in 25 age-matched controls. The levels of antithrombin III, protein C, and alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor were significantly lower in the patients than in the controls (p less than 0.001, 0.02, and 0.05, respectively). In contrast, the plasma concentrations of thrombin-antithrombin III complex and crosslinked D-dimer were markedly higher in the patients than in the controls (p less than 0.01 and 0.001, respectively). At the time of admission, the plasma concentrations of thrombin-antithrombin III complex and crosslinked D-dimer in the eight patients at high risk for recurrent embolization (one with prodromal embolism, three with intracardiac thrombi, and four with recurrent embolization) were 2.8 and 3.5 times, respectively, higher than those in the 14 patients without recurrence or thrombus formation. The lowest concentration of crosslinked D-dimer in the eight patients at high risk for recurrent embolization was 600 ng/ml on admission. Our results suggest that patients with acute cardioembolic stroke have various degrees of consumption coagulopathy and that the plasma concentrations of thrombin-antithrombin III complex and crosslinked D-dimer can be useful indicators of those who are prone to recurrent embolization during this stage.

Adult↗

Inhibition of growth hormone secretion by activin A in human growth hormone-secreting tumour cells.

Effect of activin A on growth hormone secretion was studied in primary culture of 8 human GH-secreting adenomas, which were responsive to TRH in vivo. When studied in vitro, basal GH secretion was reduced in all cases when cells were pre-incubated for 48 h with activin A at a concentration of 5 X 10(-9) mol/l or greater. Pretreatment of GH-secreting cells with 1 X 10(-9) mol/l activin A did not affect either basal secretion or cellular content of GH. These tumour cells also responded to TRH in vitro and the GH response to TRH was completely blocked in cells pretreated with activin A. Activin A slightly reduced the increase in cytoplasmic free calcium concentration induced by TRH. Furthermore, pretreatment of the cells with activin A attenuated GH secretion induced by A23187 or 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-4-acetate, agents which bypass receptor-mediated generation of second messengers. These results indicate that activin A inhibits GH secretion by directly acting on human GH-secreting cells and that activin A inhibits the action of TRH by acting on multiple steps in the messenger system.

Activins↗

[A histological study on the skin and hairs of PC (poor coat) mice].

Light microscopic examinations were done on the skin and hairs of PC (poor coat) mice, maintained as an inbred strain at the National Institute of Health, Japan. The structures of the epidermis, dermis, hair root sheath and the sebaceous glands were normal. Hair bulbs and hair papillae were poorly developed at anagen stage of hair cycle. Having scanty medulla, the hairs were thin and short. The hair cuticle appeared normal. These findings suggest that the defective hair growth in PC mice is caused by deficiencies in cell differentiation and/or proliferation in the hair matrix.

Animals↗

Relation between height and the maximum conduction velocity of the ulnar motor nerve in human subjects.

The maximum motor nerve conduction velocity of the right and left ulnar motor nerve was measured in more than 650 healthy medical students of both sexes. There was no side difference in the maximum conduction velocity. The shorter person has a statistically significant higher conduction velocity than the taller person. Comparison of students of both sexes showed a slightly higher conduction velocity in females. However, with regard to its relation to height, the conduction velocity was higher in males.

Adult↗

Localization of cephalosporinase in Enterobacter cloacae by immunocytochemical examination.

Enterobacter cloacae NUH10 was isolated at Nagasaki University Hospital in 1987. E. cloacae NUH10 is a mutant strain which produces high levels of cephalosporinase. E. cloacae ATCC 23355 is known to be sensitive to so-called third generation cephems and produces an inducible cephalosporinase. The polyclonal antibody to cephalosporinase extracted from E. cloacae NUH10 was utilized in post-embedding immunogold labeling in order to localize this protein in E. cloacae ATCC 23355 and E. cloacae NUH10. Immunocytochemical localization of the cephalosporinase in both strains was observed with and without incubation with an inducer. Cephalosporinase was detected in both the cytoplasm and periplasmic space of E. cloacae ATCC 23355 and E. cloacae NUH10 incubated in medium including cefoxitin as an inducer. In the case of incubation without the inducer, a small quantity of cephalosporinase was located in the periplasmic space in either strain of bacteria. Western blot analysis showed that cephalosporinase was predominantly localized in the periplasmic space rather than in the cytoplasmic space.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Measurement of free form of insulin-like growth factor I in human plasma.

A method to measure free form of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in human plasma using octadecylsilyl silica (Sep-Pak C18) cartridge has been developed. IGF-I was adsorbed by Sep-Pak C18 cartridge and eluted with 75% ethanol--0.01 M HCl. Labeled and non-labeled IGF-I were recovered in yields 92.5 +/- 2.1% (Mean +/- SEM) and 94.4 +/- 6.3% after adsorption to and elution from the Sep-Pak, respectively. When EDTA plasma was applied to the Sep-Pak, less than 5% of total IGF-I was recovered in the eluate. However, when acid-ethanol extracted plasma was applied to the Sep-Pak, IGF-I was recovered in yields greater than 75% of total IGF-I. When the Sep-Pak eluate was gel filtered, 88.4 +/- 4.0% of immunoreactive IGF-I eluted in the same fraction as synthetic IGF-I did, but the fraction passed through the Sep-Pak was observed as a high molecular weight form (bound form) of IGF-I. These data indicate that this Sep-Pak method does not extract all of the IGF-I in plasma, but extracts mainly the free form IGF-I. Using this method, IGF-I values of free form (fIGF-I) in EDTA plasma were measured. The fIGF-I values in normal adults, patients with acromegaly, and patients with growth hormone (GH)-deficiency were 2.4 +/- 0.1, 13.8 +/- 1.6, and 1.1 +/- 0.1 ng/ml, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acromegaly↗

[A case of multiple myeloma (biclonal type) associated with an intracranial mass invading the skull base and oculomotor palsy].

A case of multiple myeloma forming an intracranial mass which invaded the skull base was reported. A 72-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of left oculomotor paresis. Plain craniograms showed multiple punched out lesions. A CT scan demonstrated a mass lesion, which was homogeneously slightly enhanced with contrast medium, in the middle cranial fossa. MRI, both T1 and T2 weighted images, showed an isodensity mass. In the carotid angiograms the tumor was fed by the right branches of the cavernous portion of the internal carotid artery and the maxillary artery. Laboratory data were as follows: ESR: 132mm/30min, serum TP: 9.0g/dl, IgG: 4670mg/dl, IgA: 430mg/dl, and urinary Bence-Jones protein was detected. Bone marrow biopsy of the illiac bone demonstrated myeloma cells. During hospitalization oculomotor paresis disappeared, and the patient was treated with intramuscular interferon-alpha. Multiple myeloma which invades the skull base is rare, and only 10 cases have been reported since 1977. Moreover, the biclonal type is only 0.5% of all multiple myelomas.

Aged↗

Repeated sc administration of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) to human subjects for 7 days.

Recombinant human insulin-like growth factor I (rhIGF-I) was administered subcutaneously to 6 normal subjects and 2 patients with GH deficiency at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg for 7 consecutive days after breakfast. In normal subjects, plasma IGF-I levels increased from 217 +/- 22 ng/ml (Mean +/- SEM) to maximal levels of 581 +/- 6 ng/ml 4 h after the first administration of IGF-I. The blood glucose levels were statistically depressed 4 h after injection at 69 +/- 2 mg/dl. Similar plasma IGF-I and blood glucose profiles were observed after the seventh administration of IGF-I. The free form of IGF-I in plasma was 2.3 +/- 0.3 ng/ml in normal subjects and increased to maximal levels of 43.5 +/- 5.1 ng/ml 2 h after the first IGF-I administration. A similar pattern for the free form of IGF-I was observed after the seventh administration; however, the values obtained at 0, 1 and 2 h were greater after the seventh administration. In patients with G-deficiency, the plasma IGF-I and blood glucose profiles were similar to those observed in normal subjects, although the total IGF-I levels were low in these patients at all sampling points during the study. Slight decreases in serum insulin, uric acid, and creatinine were observed after the seventh administration of IGF-I. There were no changes in the excretion of urea nitrogen, creatine, creatinine, sodium, potassium, chlorine, calcium or C-peptide in the urine during the 7 days of IGF-I administration.

Adult↗

Topical application of superoxide dismutase cream.

A superoxide dismutase (SOD) cream containing 0.6 mg/ml of bovine SOD was prepared. It was applied locally onto the skin and mucosal lesions caused by progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Behçet's disease, herpes simplex and burns. The lesions and symptoms were rapidly improved in many cases after its administration, even when the symptoms were stabilized for several weeks before the treatment. Although the trial was open-labelled, the topical application of SOD was concluded to be effective for these conditions.

Administration, Topical↗

[Intraoperative lumbar injection of Ringer's solution for surgical treatment of chronic subdural hematomas].

A series of 64 patients underwent surgical treatment for chronic subdural hematomas between 1980 and 1989. The procedure consisted of a single burr-hole, irrigation of the hematoma without subdural drainage and lumbar intrathecal injection of Ringer's solution. Irrigation was carried out until the washing was clear and the injection was continued until the brain was in contact with the edge of the burr-hole. Excellent outcome was achieved in 53 patients (82.8% of the total). Two of the patients died, thus making a 3.1% mortality rate. Such complications as tension pneumocephalus and intracerebral hematoma were not observed and no patient had a recurrence.

Adult↗

[A case of Morgagni's hernia: availability of CT scan, ultrasonography, and trans-abdominal surgical approach].

A 60-year-old obese woman was admitted to our hospital to receive surgical treatment for "slow-growing mediastinal lipoma". With the non-invasive examination such as CT scan and ultrasonography, she was revealed as Morgagni's hernia containing a greater omentum. With a trans-abdominal approach, we could take a good surgical field for the bilateral foramina of Morgagni. Several discussions were described for availability of CT scan, ultrasonography and a trans-abdominal approach.

Diagnosis, Differential↗