Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K Terasawa

Publications and source records attributed to K Terasawa.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

[Clinical evaluation of kampo medication, mainly with wen-pi-tang, on the progression of chronic renal failure].

Previous studies have shown that Kampo (traditional Chinese) prescriptions, mainly Wen-Pi-Tang (Onpi-to, [symbol see: text]), have a useful effect in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). We aimed to examine the long-term effect of Kampo prescriptions on serum creatinine (Cr) among patients with CRF. Patients with serum Cr levels of 2 mg/dl more were enrolled if they had at least 4 recordings of serum Cr in the previous 6 months or more, and were followed-up until the start of dialysis. Eight patients aged 24-59 years with serum Cr 4.5 mg/dl were enrolled in the study for 40 to 402 weeks (mean; 228.1 +/- 118.8 weeks). The cause of CRF was chronic glomerulonephritis in 7 patients and systemic lupus erythematosus in 1 patient. The end points of the study were the slope of the reciprocal of the serum Cr concentration plot against time using Mitch's method, and the predicted period of pre-dialysis. The predicted pre-dialysis period was defined as an increase in serum Cr by 10 mg/dl. As a result, the individual slopes were improved in 6 of 8 cases, in particular, in 4 of 5 Wen-Pi Tang-treated cases. The average slope was improved significantly (p < 0.01) in Wen-Pi-Tang-treated cases, although it showed only a tendency to improve in all 8 cases. The predicted pre-dialysis period was prolonged from 79.2 +/- 74.8 weeks to 389.5 +/- 355.4 weeks and 55.6 +/- 37.0 weeks to 262.4 +/- 145.8 weeks in all 8 cases and Wen-Pi-Tang-treated cases, respectively. The observed pre-dialysis period was 228.1 +/- 118.8 weeks, which showed that Kampo prescriptions prolonged the predicted period for 186 additional weeks. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the Kampo prescriptions, consisting mainly of Wen-Pi-Tang, retarded the progression of CRF.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1998

The parathyroid glands of two species of dolphin--Risso's dolphin, Grampus griseus, and bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus.

Although there have been many reports regarding the structure of the parathyroid glands of various terrestrial mammals, little is known about the parathyroid glands of marine mammals including Cetacea. The morphology of the parathyroid glands of three Risso's dolphins, Grampus griseus (about 3 m in length and 300 kg in weight), and three bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus (about 3 m in length and 300 kg in weight), was examined macroscopically and microscopically. The dolphins examined in the present study had two or four parathyroid glands that varied in size and location on the thyroid gland. Each parathyroid gland was encapsulated by fibrous tissue on the dorsal surface of the thyroid gland, and was divided into several lobules by interlobular connective tissue which contained numerous capillaries. The parenchymal cells consisted of pale staining chief cells. Each cell was polygonal and about 15 microm in diameter, and had one round or oval nucleus. Oxyphil cells were not found. Considering their greater body size, the parathyroid glands were rather small. By electron microscopic observation, the parathyroid gland of the bottlenose dolphin had sparse granular endoplasmic reticulum, poorly developed Golgi complexes, and abundant secretory granules in the cytoplasm of the chief cells. These results support a possibility that the activity of the parathyroid gland is suppressed to adapt to a sea habitat.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Electrogastrographic power ratio in humans is not related to changes in antrum-skin distance but to antral motility.

It is not clear whether the power increase in electrogastrography (EGG) after meal or water ingestion reflects increases in gastric motility or gastric distension bringing the stomach closer to the electrodes on the abdominal skin surface. We recorded EGG and real-time ultrasonography simultaneously before and after 150-ml water ingestion in 17 healthy volunteers. We calculated gastric power, by spectral analysis of EGG by the maximum entropy method, for 400 s before and after water ingestion, and calculated their ratio (power ratio). We calculated, using sonography, the number of antral contractions before and after water ingestion, the motility index after water ingestion, the distance between the antrum and the abdominal skin surface before and after water ingestion, and the ratio of these distances (distance ratio). The number of contractions was positively correlated with gastric power before water ingestion, and the antrum-skin distance was negatively correlated with gastric power both before and after water ingestion. The motility index after water ingestion was positively correlated with both gastric power after water ingestion (Spearman's rank correlation r = 0.492; P = 0.0498) and the power ratio (r = 0.615; P = 0.0141). There was no correlation between the distance ratio and the power ratio. These results suggest that the power increase in EGG induced by water ingestion does not reflect the approach of the antrum to the abdominal surface, but rather, reflects antral motility after water ingestion.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Effect of bafilomycin A1 on the growth of Japanese encephalitis virus in Vero cells.

We studied the effect of bafilomycin A1 (Baf-A1), a novel and highly specific inhibitor for vacuolar-type proton (V-H+) pump, on the growth of Japanese Encephalitis virus (JEV) in Vero cells. Viral fluorescence microscopic study showed that Baf-A1 induced the complete disappearance of acidified compartments such as endosomes and lysosomes in Vero cells by the treatment with 0.1 microM Baf-A1 for 1 h at 37 degrees C. In proportion to the disappearance of acidified compartments, virus growth was inhibited when Baf-A1 was present from 1 h before infection to the end of incubation in a dose-dependent manner, or added within as early as 5 min after infection. Conversely, the virus growth was recovered in correlation with the reappearance of acidified compartments after removal of Baf-A1. These results suggest that a low pH condition, which is regulated by Baf-A1-sensitive V-H+ pumps, is essential for the early stage of JEV growth.

Acids↗
PubMed1998

[Mobilization of peripheral blood stem cells in advanced ovarian cancer].

High-dose chemotherapy with hematopoietic support has been expected to improve the survival of advanced ovarian cancer patients in recent years. An essential component of such treatment has been the ability to collect and reinfuse a large number of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) following high dose therapy. This study was designed to determine which clinical and hematological factors would be better indicators to collect the proper volume of PBSCs. Thirteen patients received a total of 24 courses of induction chemotherapy and 69 of apheresis. We usually mobilized stem cells using CEP chemotherapy (cisplatin 50-70 mg/m2, epirubicin 50 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 1.5 g/m2) with G-CSF and CEE regimen (cyclophosphamide 2.0 g/m2, epirubicin 50 mg/m2, and etoposide 50 mg/m2) as a salvage for mobilization. We obtained an average 5 x 10(6)/kg of CD34+ cells for 3 days as one course. The number of CD34+ cells collected significantly depended on the platelets and reticulocytes on the first day of apheresis, but not a nadir of WBCs. It is concluded that apheresis should be started on recovery of WBCs to 5,000-10,000/microliters, of immature granulocytes to > or = 10% and of reticulocytes to > or = 20%. This study confirmed the feasibility of collecting enough PBSCs to use standard chemotherapy of ovarian cancer patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Septal neuronal responses related to spatial representation in monkeys.

Neuronal activity in the monkey septal nuclei was recorded during performance of a place-dependent go/no-go task in which reward contingencies of the objects were variable with reference to the spatial location of a monkey's cab in one of four places in an experimental room. Of 430 septal neurons recorded, 58 responded differentially to views outside the cab at the four locations of the monkey (place-differential neurons). To investigate the possibility that an ensemble of place-differential neurons represents a space by encoding different scenes (views), responses of the 58 place-differential neurons were analyzed by multidimensional scaling (MDS). The MDS transformed relationships among the four places, expressed as correlation coefficients between all possible pairs of two places based on the 58 place-differential responses, into geometrical relationships in a two-dimensional virtual space. The four places distributed at relative positions in a two-dimensional virtual space derived from the MDS were similar to those in the real experimental room. Furthermore, these correlation coefficients derived from 58 place-differential responses significantly and negatively correlated to behavioral performance in the discrimination of the four places. The results suggest that the ensemble of place-differential responses in the septal nuclei may predict behavioral performance to discriminate places and may represent a space based on the scenes viewed from different locations.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1997

Motivation-related neuronal activity in the object discrimination task in monkey septal nuclei.

Septal nuclei are suggested to work as an interface between the hippocampal formation, involved in higher cognitive functions, and the hypothalamus, involved in motivational behaviors such as feeding, drinking, and intracranial self-stimulation. In the present study, to elucidate a role of the septal nuclei in motivational behaviors, single neuron activity was recorded from water- and food-deprived monkeys during discrimination of objects associated with juice, and during ingestion of juice. Of 349 neurons recorded from two monkeys, 67 responded in the ingestion phase of the object discrimination task. Of these 67 neurons, 31 were further tested with the noncontingent liquid (juice or water) test in which liquid was provided until the animals became satiated. These 31 septal neurons were classified into two groups: type I neurons (n = 10) responded to juice ingestion with inhibition, and type II neurons (n = 21) responded with excitation. The spontaneous firing rates of the type I neurons were higher in the deprived condition and decreased as the animal became satiated by intake of liquid. Nine type II neurons responded to the sight of a white object associated with juice as well as ingestion of juice. The response magnitudes of the type II neurons to both the sight of the white object and ingestion of juice also decreased by satiation. However, spontaneous firing rates of the type II neurons did not change. These activity changes of both type I and II neurons were well correlated with changes in motivational state of the monkey estimated by the behavioral test. The results suggest that the activity of type I neurons reflects thirst or hunger drive levels, and that responses of type II neurons are related to reward perception. These type I and II neurons were located mainly in the anterior part of the septal nuclei. Results of the present study suggest, along with previous lesion and anatomical studies, that the septal nuclei exert a powerful influence on the motivational/drive systems through the projection to the hypothalamus.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Inhibitory effect of ferulic acid on macrophage inflammatory protein-2 production in a murine macrophage cell line, RAW264.7.

We investigated time-related productions of certain cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, a murine macrophage cell line, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) levels became detectable after 2 h and markedly increased over the first 8 h. Thereafter, this level remained at the same level between 10 and 16 h, and then increased again until 24 h, showing a tendency of biphasic pattern. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha was detectable at 2 h and then increased sharply until 6 h at which it attained its peak. A low but recognizable level of interleukin (IL)-1alpha/beta was also detectable. When the inhibitory effect of ferulic acid (FA), an active component of the Rhizoma of Cimicifuga sp. used frequently as anti-inflammatory drug in Japanese Oriental medicines, was compared with that of dexamethasone (DX) on MIP-2 and TNF-alpha productions in response to LPS, both FA and DX could reduce the production of these cytokines in a dose-dependent manner. Concerning TNF-alpha, however, the inhibitory effect of FA was very weak compared with that of DX. In addition, FA as well as DX reduced MIP-2 production induced by TNF-alpha. These data suggest that MIP-2 might be induced by a direct effect of LPS and in part indirect one via initial induction of other cytokines such as TNF-alpha, leading a tendency of biphasic pattern. Comparing DX, FA is considered to be a novel and unique drug inhibiting MIP-2 production more selectively.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Measurements of LET distribution and dose equivalent onboard the Space Shuttle IML-2 (STS-65) and S/MM#4 (STS-79).

Space radiation dosimetry measurements have been made onboard the Space Shuttle STS-65 in the Second International Microgravity Laboratory (IML-2: 28.5 degrees x 300 km: 14.68 days) and the STS-79 in the 4th Shuttle MIR mission (S/MM#4: 51.6 degrees x 300-400km: 10.2 days). In these measurements, three kinds of detectors were used; one is a newly developed active detector telescope called "Real-time Radiation Monitoring Device (RRMD-I for IML-2 and RRMD-II with improved triggering system for S/MM#4)" utilizing silicon semi-conductor detectors and the other detectors are conventional passive detectors of thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLDs) and CR-39 plastic track detectors. The main contribution to dose equivalent for particles with LET > 5.0 keV/micrometer (IML-2) and LET > 3.5 keV/micrometer (S/MM#4) is seen to be due to galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) and the contribution of the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) is less than 5% (IML-2: 28.5 degrees x 300 km) and 15% (S/MM#4: 51.6 degrees x 400 km) in the above RRMD LET detection conditions. For the whole LET range (> 0.2 kev/micrometer) obtained by TLDs and CR-39 in these two typical orbits (a small inclination x low altitude and a large inclination x high altitude), absorbed dose rates range from 94 to 114 microGy/day, dose equivalent rates from 186 to 207 microSv/day and average quality factors from 1.82 to 2.00 depending on the locations and directions of detectors inside the Spacelab at the highly protected IML-2 orbit (28.5 degrees x 300 km), and also, absorbed dose rates range from 290 to 367 microGy/day, dose equivalent rates from 582 to 651 microSv/day and average quality factors from 1.78 to 2.01 depending on the dosimeter packages around the RRMD-II "Detector Unit" at the S/MM#4 orbit (5l.6 degrees x 400km). In general, it is seen that absorbed doses depend on the orbit altitude (SAA trapped particles contribution dominant) and dose equivalents on the orbit inclination (GCR contribution dominant). The LET distributions obtained by two different types of active and passive detectors, RRMDs and CR-39, are in good agreement for LET of 15 - 200 kev/micrometer and difference of these distributions in the regions of LET < 15 kev/micrometer and LET > 200 kev/micrometer can be explained by considering characteristics of CR-39 etched track formation especially for the low LET tracks and chemical etching conditions.

Atlantic Ocean↗
PubMed1997

[A randomized cross-over comparative study of granisetron alone and combination of granisetron, methylprednisolone and droperidol as antiemetic prophilaxis in CDDP-based chemotherapy for gynecologic cancer].

A cross-over clinical trial was carried out to compare the efficacy and safety of granisetron alone (40 micrograms/kg) as a "single" group, with that of granisetron, methylprednisolone (250 mg/ body) and droperidol (0.5 ml/body) as a "cocktail" group for control of emesis and vomiting induced by CDDP-based chemotherapy in 68 courses of 34 patients with gynecologic malignancies. At the first course, "single" or "cocktail" drugs were administered at day 1, 2, and 3 of chemotherapy, and at the second course, "cocktail" or "single" drugs in as cross-over fashion. We examined the degree of nausea and frequency of vomiting during the first 7 days of chemotherapy. As for the severity of nausea, the "single" group showed prominent nausea immediately after CDDP and the most severe level at the 3rd or 4th day. The "cocktail" group showed mild symptoms from the next day and it lasted for several days. Vomiting started 12 hours later in the "single" group and the most frequent peak was the 2nd day, whereas the "cocktail" group showed less than one vomiting at the 2nd or 3rd day throughout the treatment. Clinical response (extremely good, good) in the current series of 68 courses of chemotherapy was also evaluated to be 45% and 35% in the "single" group, respectively, against 75% and 20% in the "cocktail" group, respectively. There was no clinical toxicity or side effects in either treatment group. We conclude that the cocktail treatment is very useful for not only acute, but also late emesis in CDDP-based chemotherapy in gynecologic malignancies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Effects of short-term treatment with CaCl2 or EDTA on the parathyroid glands in pregnant golden hamsters, with special reference to large vacuolar bodies.

The large vacuolar bodies in the parathyroid glands of pregnant golden hamsters after administration of CaCl2 or EDTA were investigated. In the parathyroid glands of the pregnant animals 15 min after administration of CaCl2, the mean serum calcium concentration was significantly high when compared to that of the control animals. In the parathyroid glands of the pregnant animals 15, 30 and 60 min after administration of EDTA, the mean serum calcium concentration was significantly low when compared to that of the control animals. In the parathyroid glands of the pregnant animals 15 min after administration of CaCl2, the percentage area occupied by large vacuolar bodies was significantly increased when compared to that of the control animals. In the parathyroid glands of the pregnant animals 15 min after administration of EDTA, the percentage area occupied by large vacuolar bodies was significantly decreased when compared to that of the control animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Contribution of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-1 alpha on the production of macrophage inflammatory protein-2 in response to respiratory syncytial virus infection in a murine macrophage cell line, RAW264.7.

The production of several inflammatory cytokines, such as murine macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interleukin (IL)-1, was investigated in response to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in a murine macrophage cell line, RAW264.7, with special reference to mutual relation of their productions. The kinetics of MIP-2 production showed a trend for a biphasic pattern, that is, MIP-2 levels became detectable from 2 h postinfection (p.i.) and increased markedly until 8 h p.i. Thereafter, this level fell to the same level until 16 h p.i. and then increased again. TNF alpha was also detectable at 2 h p.i. and then increased sharply until 8 h p.i., when the peak level attained. Compared with the levels of MIP-2 and TNF alpha, that of IL-1 alpha/beta, especially IL-1 beta, was lower (ng versus pg/ml order). The presence of anti-TNF alpha or anti-IL-1 alpha antibody did not influence the early phase of MIP-2 production but significantly inhibited the late phase, suggesting that MIP-2 is induced by the combined effects of RSV infection via direct induction and indirectly after initial induction of TNF alpha and IL-1 alpha productions. Although RSV-infected RAW264.7 cells had no alteration in viability compared with mock-infected control, these data demonstrate that RSV is a potent inducer of inflammatory cytokines by direct induction and indirectly via the initial production of other cytokines.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The responses of skin blood flow, mean arterial pressure and R-R interval induced by cold stimulation with cold wind and ice water.

This study was designed to evaluate the peripheral circulation response to cold wind stimulation. Skin blood flow (SBF), ECG R-R intervals (RRs) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured in ten healthy men under strictly controlled conditions. Cold wind flow and ice water bath were prepared as cold stimulations. The subjects were exposed to each cold stimulation and the values of the responses were simultaneously recorded. The cold wind stimulation reduced SBF (maximally 40.4 +/- 3.2%) and increased MAP (maximally 106.9 +/- 1.3%), but did not affect RRs. On the other hand, all parameters were affected by the ice water stimulation, which reduced SBF to 16.4 +/- 1.2% and RRs to 85.1 +/- 3.0%, and increased MAP to 130.6 +/- 2.4% compared with the control state. All subjects suffered from intense pain during the ice water but not the cold wind stimulation, and two of them were eliminated from this study because of vagotonia. After phentolamine iontophoresis was used to block the receptor of peripheral alpha-adrenergic nerve terminals, the cold wind stimulation did not affect SBF. These results suggest that cold wind stimulation is a useful test for evaluating peripheral alpha-adrenergic nerve function in relation to cold sensation, without increase of RRs and noxious pain.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Expression of Tn and sialyl-Tn antigens in the neoplastic transformation of uterine cervical epithelial cells.

The expression of simple mucin-type carbohydrate antigens, Tn and sialyl-Tn antigens, was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies in normal squamous epithelium, dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, and invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. The expression of the Tn antigen detected by HB-Tn1 and B1.1 was found in 17 (20%) and 19 (23%) of the 83 invasive carcinomas, respectively, but was not found in the 36 normal squamous epithelia, 22 severe dysplasias, or 24 carcinomas in situ. The sialyl-Tn antigen was detected by HB-STn1 and TKH-2 in 14 (64%) and 11 (50%) of the 22 severe dysplasias, 13 (54%) and 10 (42%) of the 24 carcinomas in situ and 48 (58%) and 42 (51%) of the 83 invasive carcinomas, respectively, but was completely absent in 36 normal squamous epithelia. Coexpression of the sialyl-Tn antigen was observed in 89% of the cases expressing the Tn antigen. No significant difference was observed between the immunoreactivities of the antigens in the metastatic lymph nodes and primary tumors. No correlation was found between the expression of each antigen and clinical state, histologic type, depth of invasion, parametrial spread, lymphatic and vessel permeation, lymph node metastasis, or 5-year survival rate. The expression of Tn and sialyl-Tn demonstrates a specific change in the neoplastic progression from carcinoma in situ to invasive carcinoma and from normal to dysplasia, respectively, in squamous cell neoplastic lesions of the cervix. Tn and sialyl-Tn antigens may be useful markers for biologic investigation of neoplastic transformation in cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate↗
PubMed1996

Effects of water ingestion on gastric electrical activity and heart-rate variability in healthy human subjects.

Electrogastrography (EGG) is a method to record electrical activity of the stomach using cutaneous electrodes. Power ratio (PR) is one of the parameters and means the relative change of EGG power of gastric activity from before to after certain stimulations (e.g., meals, water or drugs). Autonomic nervous function is an important modulator of gastric activity, but its relation with the EGG parameters has not been well clarified. We recorded EGG and the R-R interval simultaneously both before and after drinking 150 ml water for 400 s, and spectrally analyzed them using the maximum entropy method in 12 healthy volunteers. We calculated PR from before to after water ingestion, and the power of the high-frequency component of R-R interval variability before (pre-HF) and after water ingestion (post-HF), and their ratio (rHF = post-HF/pre-HF). PR was positively correlated with rHR (r = 0.727; P < 0.05) and negatively correlated with pre-HF (r = 0.706; P < 0.05), and rHF was negatively correlated with pre-HF (r = 0.776; P < 0.05). These results suggest that simultaneous recording of EGG and ECG for frequency domain analysis is necessary to estimate the vagal nervous activity.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Comparison of muscle force, muscle endurance, and electromyogram activity during an expedition at high altitude.

Handgrip force (HF), maximal pinch force (MF), muscle endurance (ME), and the median power frequency (MdPF) of the activity shown in the electromyogram (EMG) were studied at various altitudes in eight normal healthy subjects. MF and ME were measured between the index finger and thumb, and all measurements were obtained at altitudes ranging from 610 to 4860 m during an expedition in the Qinghai Plateau in China. With the change in altitude HF, ME, and MF showed no significant change. Compared to the MdPF at 2260 m on ascent, the MdPF at other altitudes showed a significant decrease (P < 0.01). Thus, we conclude that muscle performance (HF, MF, and ME) was not affected by the environment at high altitude. However, MdPF was affected and the mean MdPF at 610 m after the expedition did not recover to initial values of MdPF. We suggest these results may have been affected by fatigue and chronic exposure to the hypobaric hypoxic environment, since the members of the expedition party expressed feelings of sluggishness and fatigue after the expedition.

Acclimatization↗