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Biomedical subjects

K Uchida

Publications and source records attributed to K Uchida.

At least 739 records · Page 41Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Ca2+ increase and pH decrease induced by hypochlorous acid in single quiescent myocytes isolated from rat ventricles.

Cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and intracellular pH (pHi) were simultaneously measured with a fluorescence technique using fura-2 and BCECF. Hypochlorous acid (HOC1) increased [Ca2+]i and decreased pHi of single quiescent myocytes isolated from rat ventricles. The HOC1-induced changes in [Ca2+]i and pHi (delta [Ca2+]i and delta pHi) were 129 +/- 18nM and 0.18 +/- 0.02 (mean +/- SD), respectively, with 200 microM HOC1. A positive linear correlation was obtained between delta [Ca2+]i and delta pHi under various extracellular Ca2+, pH, and Na+ conditions. Chelation of extracellular Ca2+ depressed only one-fourth of delta [Ca2+]i, and Ca2+ antagonists (verapamil and nifedipine) did not reduce delta [Ca2+]i, indicating that delta [Ca2+]i originates mainly from intracellular Ca2+ stores. A disulfide-reducing reagent, 1,4-dithiothreitol (DTT), recovered the increased [Ca2+]i and decreased pHi to the control levels. The simultaneous changes in [Ca2+]i and pHi induced by HOC1 and the simultaneous restoration of the normal [Ca2+]i and pHi in cardiac myocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

The influence of scattering on temporo-regional proliferation in the cultured Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells.

An epithelial Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell line was grown in two kinds of standard media and a medium conditioned by MRC-5 embryonic lung cells, and temporo-regional differences in cell proliferation were examined by immunohistochemical detection of incorporated bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). MRC-5-conditioned medium is known to contain scatter factor, which induces scattering of MDCK cells. In a proliferation assay, the BrdU labeling index (percentage ratio of BrdU-positive to total nuclei) was highest in day 2 cultures in the standard media, but on day 3 in the conditioned medium. MDCK cells in the standard media formed multiple epithelial sheets by day 2. In the conditioned medium, however, epithelial sheet formation was retarded and observed only after day 3. Once epithelial sheets had formed, cells close to the edge of the sheet were more proliferative than those distant from the edge in both standard and conditioned media. These findings suggest that proliferation of MDCK cells is suppressed during the scattering induced by the conditioned medium, and that their DNA synthesis becomes most active when cell scattering has ceased and epithelial sheets have begun to form.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Report of dental treatment for an island of Okinawa].

Dental treatment was performed on the the inhabitants of Iriomote Island, which is a non-dentist island at present, in Okinawa; two hundred forty-five patients received the treatment for 647 man-days during the period from July 6 through 28, 1994. Since completion of the treatment plan was considered to be necessary during that period, treatments for many teeth had to be done simultaneously because a large number of dental caries and periodontal disease were found. Dental hygienic education such as brushing instruction was made but the long-term educational program is considered to be important so as to prevent dental disease as well. It is to be desired that many dentists become interested in the treatment in non-dentist areas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[The squash technique for silver staining of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions on bladder tumors: comparison with paraffin embedded sections].

We examined nucleolar organizer region (NOR) indices on 13 bladder tumors on both squash-prepared specimens and paraffin embedded specimens stained by silver-colloid method. It was noted that; 1. The nuclear size was enlarged by squashing, 2. Aggregated NOR dots were dispersed, 3. Uniformity of microscopic phase of the dots was obtained, 4. Squash specimens had more precise countabilities than the paraffin embedded sections for avoidance of nuclear resection. NOR indices (mean +/- S.D.) of those bladder tumors on squash-preparation and paraffin section were 8.64 +/- 4.32 and 6.13 +/- 1.58, respectively, and the former showed good correlation with the tumor stage. When we prepare the squashed specimen from the surgically resected bladder tumor tissue, embedding and sectioning processes which are inevitable for preparation of paraffin embedded section, could be eliminated. Thus, squash-smear technique was considered to be better than the method using paraffin embedded section on the point of shorter duration of examination and accurate countability of the NOR dots.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Biosynthesis of lactacystin.

The biosynthesis of lactacystin, a new microbial metabolite which induces differentiation of neuroblastoma cells, was studied by the feeding experiments of various 13C-labeled compounds and NMR spectroscopic analysis. The feeding experiments showed that lactacystin consists of three containing gamma-lactam moiety arises by a condensation between methylmalonic semialdehyde and C alpha position of L-leucine, followed by intramolecular cyclization. Two diastereotopic methyls, C-11 and C-12 of lactacystin were found to originate from the pro-R and pro-S methyls of leucine, respectively, as shown by incorporating a new type of chiral 13C-labeled L-leucine.

Acetylcysteine↗
PubMed1995

[A surgically treated case of ventrally exophytic pontine glioma].

A surgically treated case of ventrally exophytic pontine glioma is reported. A 49-year-old woman, complaining of dysarthria, dysphagia and gait disturbance, was admitted to our department. Her past history included bronchial asthma. Plain skull x-p and tomography revealed destruction of the dorsum sellae and upper clivus. CT demonstrated an enhanced oval mass at the ventral side of the upper brainstem. The mass was severely compressing the brainstem dorsally. MRI revealed a low-intensity band between the tumor and the brainstem. Dynamic MRI demonstrated a pattern of rapid increasing and slow reduction. Cerebral angiogram demonstrated a paradoxical sign that pontine branches were located anterior to the basilar artery. The finding demonstrated that the tumor was an intraaxial mass. The first operation was performed by the orbitofrontomalar approach. On the trans-sylvian route, the tumor was removed partially with CUSA and neuronavigation system. Its histology was astrocytoma grade III. Radiation therapy was added. The patient's symptoms aggravated again. On the second operation, the transtemporal route with tentorial resection was chosen. Under a wide visual field, intracapsular subtotal resection of the tumor was performed. Interferon therapy was added. She was discharged to her home with no neurological deficits. Ventrally exophytic pontine glioma is very rare. Low-intensity band of MRI, a sign of extraaxial mass, was visualised in our case. On the other hand, cerebral angiogram demonstrated a paradoxical sign. This sign suggested that the tumor originated from the brainstem. With update skull base surgery and neuronavigation system, surgical therapy of ventrally exophytic pontine glioma is safe and effective.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed1995

[Phosphoglyceric acid mutase].

Human phosphoglyceric acid mutase comprises M-, B- and MB-type isozymes composed of the combination of the muscle-specific (M) and nonmuscle-specific (B) subunits. Human DNAs encoding M and B subunits were respectively reconstructed at their 5' regions without changing the amino acid sequences, and expressed directly in Escherichia coli under controls of the trp promoter. M- and B-type isozymes were over-produced in the bacterial cytoplasm as soluble, active forms, which have been purified and characterized. MB-type was synthesized in vitro by recombining M- and B-type. All the three recombinant isozymes thus obtained were the same in properties tested as the naturally-occurring ones. Polyclonal IgGs specific to the M-type, B-type and MB-type isozymes were prepared from rabbits immunized with the respective isozymes mainly by treating with the columns bound with the M- or B-type isozyme. A method for the immunoassay of the MB-type isozyme which exists specifically in cardiac muscle, is now under development.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[A comparative study of DNA measurement of bladder cancer from image cytometry and chromosome aberration in in situ hybridization].

The relationship between interphase cytogenetics and the DNA index measuring SCM of bladder cancer was investigated in 17 patients with bladder tumor. By in situ hybridization, the copy number of chromosomes 1, 7, 10, 11, 17, 18, X and Y was detected. The percentage of hyperdiploid cells for chromosomes 7 and 17 was highly correlated with the increasing DNA index. Since a high DNA index is both indicative of more aggressive tumor behavior and a worse prognosis, these findings suggest that the percentage of hyperdiploid cells, especially for chromosome 7 and 17, may be highly predictive of bladder tumor aggressiveness.

Carcinoma, Transitional Cell↗
PubMed1995

A prognostic significance of nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) in renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of prognostic significance of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nuclear organizer regions were quantified in a series of 59 cases of RCC by the silver colloid method, and the NOR index was obtained from the ratio between mean NOR counts in each neoplastic nucleus and in normal nucleus. The patients were staged pathologically and divided into 2 groups by average NOR index of all cases, which was 0.76. Correlations between the NOR index and other parameters were statistically analyzed, and the prognostic value of the NOR index was also examined. RESULTS: The NOR indices from each group were correlated with the survival curve. In low stage tumors (pT1 or 2 N0M0), the low NOR index group had a survival rate of almost 100 per cent while in those patients with higher NOR indices, there was a significantly increased mortality (p < 0.01). In patients presenting with high stage tumors (excluding pT1 and 2 N0M0), the survival rate was significantly improved in those patients with a low NOR index (p < 0.01). On the other hand, the patients with a low NOR index have a better prognosis than those with a high NOR index within each tumor grade (p < 0.01). Statistical analysis by the log rank test indicated NORs to be a significant predictor of survival over the whole series within low and high pathological stages and within each tumor grade. Analysis of the data with Cox's proportional hazard model showed that NOR index had a stronger hazard ratio than grade or stage of tumor (p = 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: Our study has demonstrated that NOR index is a new prognostic indicator for patients with RCC (p = 0.0005).

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗
PubMed1995

In vivo 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy for evaluation of testicular function in cryptorchid rats.

PURPOSE: To assess in vivo metabolism of rat testicles in experimental cryptorchidism, we used 31P magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy and compared testicular MR spectroscopic parameters with flow cytometric DNA analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vivo 31P MR spectroscopy and flow cytometric DNA analysis of rat testis were performed before and during 14 days of experimental cryptorchidism. RESULTS: The testicular phosphomonoester (PM)/ATP ratio showed a transient increase when multinuclear giant cells appeared in the seminiferous tubules. However, the ratio returned to the preoperative level when these cells disappeared. The phosphodiester (PD)/ATP ratio gradually decreased and the inorganic phosphate (Pi)/ATP ratio slowly increased. DNA flow cytometry showed a decrease in the percentage of haploid cells and an increase in the percentage of diploid cells from 7 days after cryptorchidism. The percentage of tetraploid cells did not change before and during cryptorchidism. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that in vivo 31P MR spectroscopy in combination with flow cytometric DNA analysis provides useful biochemical and histological information for evaluation of testicular function.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

High glucose modulates albumin permeability across glomerular endothelial cells via a protein kinase C-dependent mechanism.

To investigate the mechanism of glomerular endothelial response to high glucose, an in vitro model of the glomerular endothelial barrier was established in which transfer of fluorescein-labeled albumin across confluent monolayers of immortalized bovine glomerular endothelial cells (GEN) grown on polycarbonate membranes was measured. We first examined the effects of increased concentrations of D-glucose on albumin permeability across GEN monolayers and further investigated the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in the regulation of glucose-induced changes in endothelial barrier function. Incubation with 30 mM D-glucose increased albumin permeability more than those with 10 mM D-glucose. Albumin permeability incubated with 10 mM D-glucose plus 20 mM mannitol was not significantly different from those with 10 mM D-glucose, indicating that the increase in albumin permeability induced by 30 mM D-glucose was not due to high osmolar stimuli. A protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, H-7 (25 microM) significantly reduced the permeability-increasing effects of D-glucose. Lactate dehydrogenase release from endothelial cells was not significantly increased above baseline after incubation with 10 mM or 30 mM D-glucose. These results suggest that elevated concentrations of glucose activates PKC, resulting in an increase in albumin permeability across GEN.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Blood levels of 5-FU and uracil on additional use of uracil in UFT therapy in gastrectomized patients].

Our previous report made it clear that on UFT therapy in the gastrectomized patients reconstructed with Billroth II or various types of esophagojejunostomy, Futraful (FT) kept remained as the non-metabolized in the blood for a long time, but Uracil (Ura) or derived 5-FU merely increased initially. In order to further utilize the remaining FT, additional Ura equivalent to the original composition of UFT was given, once or fractionally at one or two hours after receiving UFT, and consecutive blood levels of FT, Ura and 5-FU were compared with each control without additional use of Ura. When Ura was given one hour after per os UFT, the high blood level of 5-FU lasted another hour, and given at two hours later the concentration curve of 5-FU with two peaks was obtained. The area under curve of 5-FU during the observation period in all the modes of addition reached approximately two-fold against controls. On the other hand, that of Ura increased to 4- to 6-fold compared with each control. Therefore, if Ura is given intermittently on UFT therapy for the gastrectomized patients mentioned above, it would be possible to utilize the remaining FT by inhibiting the degradation of 5-FU derived from it, and Ura might be given in a smaller dose on this application.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1995

[In vitro antifungal activities of lanoconazole against stock cultures and clinical isolates of Candida albicans].

In vitro antifungal activities of lanoconazole (LCZ) against 9 stock cultures and 10 clinical isolates of Candida albicans were determined using three different testing media, Sabouraud's glucose broth (SGB), Sabouraud's glucose agar (SGA) and casitone agar (CA). MIC values of LCZ against both the stock cultures and clinical isolates measured on CA distributed in a range of 0.63-5 micrograms/ml. The values were 8-64-fold lower than those obtained in SGB and on SGA. MIC ranges and the geometric mean MIC values of LCZ against stock cultures were virtually the same as those against clinical isolates, no matter which assay techniques were used. These results suggest that there is no difference in the LCZ susceptibility between stock cultures and clinical isolates of C. albicans, although anti-Candida activity of LCZ was determined to be greater on CA than that in SGB or on SGA.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed1995

[Studies on the in vitro antifungal activity of lanoconazole, a new topical antimycotic, against Trichophyton spp].

In vitro studies with a new imidazole antifungal agent lanoconazole (LCZ) were carried out to confirm its fungicidal property of the anti-dermatophytic activity and unlikeliness of dermatophytes to acquire secondary resistance to this drug. Minimal cidal concentration (MCC) values of LCZ against 6 strains each of Trichophyton mentagrophytes and T. rubrum determined by the cellophane membrane method were in a range of 0.063 to 0.5 micrograms/ml, and much lower than those of bifonazole (16-32 micrograms/ml). The LCZ-sensitivity of both of the two testing strains of T. mentagrophytes did not decrease to less than one-fourth of the initial level during 15 subcultures on LCZ-containing agar. These results suggest that LCZ potently inhibits dermatophytes in a fungicidal manner and that secondary resistance to LCZ is not easily developed in the dermatophytes tested.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1995

[Therapeutic efficacy of lanoconazole ointment in guinea pig model of tinea corporis, a comparative study with ointment and cream preparations].

The therapeutic efficacy of ointment and cream preparations of lanoconazole in a guinea pig model of tinea corporis was compared on the basis of degrees of improvement in local symptoms and negative culture rates. When infected animals were treated once daily with 0.25%, 0.5% and 1% lanoconazole ointments, significant improvement of the symptoms and mycological curative effects were observed as compared to those of non-treated control and vehicle-treated control groups of animals. Particularly, in animals treated with 0.5 or 1% lanoconazole ointment, no fungus was recovered from any infected loci. Comparing these results with those obtained with comparable concentrations of lanoconazole cream, no significant difference was found. These studies, therefore, suggested that ointment and cream preparations of lanoconazole on topical application would show basically equivalent therapeutic efficacy in the tinea corporis model.

Animals↗