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Biomedical subjects

K Ukai

Publications and source records attributed to K Ukai.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

[The evaluation of hyposensitization with house dust in patients with nasal allergy to house dust-mite].

We evaluated the clinical and pathophysiological efficacy of hyposensitization with house dust extracts to perennial nasal allergy. Fifty-one patients with allergic perennial rhinitis completed 5 months to 15 years with a mean of 2.4 years course of hyposensitization treatment with house dust extracts, and analyzed clinical symptoms, nasal provocation testing, nasal hypersensitivity to histamine, mast cells and eosinophils in nasal scraping, specific IgG and IgG4 antibody in serum, and blood eosinophils and basophils in relation to therapeutic duration. The improvement in nasal symptoms was found in 74.1% in adults and 66.7% in child and the continuation of hyposensitization with house dust extracts for a half to one year showed significant improvement of clinical symptoms. In objective examination, nasal provocation testing, nasal hypersensitivity to histamine, the number of mast cells and eosinophils in nasal scraping, and blood basophils showed significant improvement at 6 to 12 months the same as clinical symptoms. These findings suggest that the continuation of hyposensitization with house dust extracts is recommendable as a basic treatment against perennial nasal allergy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[The evaluation of hyposensitization with sugi pollen extracts in patients with nasal allergy to Japanese sugi pollen].

We evaluated the clinical and pathophysiological efficacy of hyposensitization with Japanese sugi pollen extracts to sugi pollinosis. Twenty patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis received hyposensitization with Japanese cedar pollen extracts for one to 15 years with a mean of 9.5 years were compared with 18 patients without hyposensitization. The improvement of nasal symptoms was not found in patients with hyposensitization of sugi pollen extracts compared with patients with non-hyposensitization, but the number of mast cells in nasal scraping, nasal hypersensitivity to histamine, and specific sugi IgG4 antibody in serum was improved significantly compared with non-hyposensitization group. These findings suggest that the continuation of hyposensitization with sugi pollen extracts is recommendable as a basic treatment against seasonal nasal allergy.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Alpha 1B-adrenoceptor-mediated stimulation of Ca2+ mobilization and cAMP accumulation in isolated rat hepatocytes.

Noradrenaline stimulates not only Ca2+ mobilization but also cAMP formation through activation of alpha 1-adrenoceptors in hepatocytes from mature male rats. We examined which subtype(s) of alpha 1-adrenoceptor mediate these signal transduction mechanisms. Treatment of hepatocytes with chloroethylclonidine produced a dose-dependent inhibition of noradrenaline-induced Ca2+ mobilization, involving both transient and sustained components. Chloroethylclonidine also blocked noradrenaline-induced cAMP accumulation. It was observed that prazosin was much more potent than WB4101 (2-(2,6-dimethoxy-phenoxyethyl)aminomethyl-1,4-benzodioxane) in antagonizing noradrenaline-induced Ca2+ mobilization. The same potency order was found in cAMP formation studies. Pretreatment of rats with pertussis toxin did not affect alpha 1-adrenergic responsiveness. Incubations of hepatocytes with tumor-promoting phorbol esters eliminated both Ca2+ mobilization and cAMP accumulation caused by noradrenaline. Our data suggest that in hepatocytes from mature male rats, single alpha 1B-adrenoceptors are linked to cAMP formation as well as Ca2+ mobilization.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed1993

Clinical and pathophysiological evaluation of tranilast in patients with pollinosis: the effects of pre-seasonal treatment.

Tranilast is an orally effective anti-allergic agent evaluated for clinical activity in prevention of symptoms of allergic rhinitis. It was investigated in a randomized, pre-seasonal, and in-seasonal treatment of tranilast to test the clinical efficacy and pathophysiological changes on the onset of nasal symptoms in season. Thirty-eight patients with a history of Sugi pollinosis and positive allergic tests were treated with tranilast 300 mg daily 6 to 7 weeks before the onset of the pollen season and continuously during the season or no medication including tranilast until the onset of clinical symptoms in season. The number of sneezing and the grade of stuffiness at the onset of pollen season were inhibited significantly in pre-seasonal treatment. The number of mast cells and eosinophils in season increased compared with off-season and the threshold of nasal hypersensitivity in season decreased compared with off-season in inseasonal treatment, but not in pre-seasonal treatment. This study indicates that tranilast may have the prophylactic effect for Sugi pollinosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Accommodative adaptation and age of onset of myopia.

Tonic accommodation in an empty field and accommodative adaptation, defined as accommodation shift after 2 min viewing of a 4 D near task, were measured using an infrared optometer. Subjects were classified into three types: emmetropes (n = 18), early onset myopes (n = 18) and late onset myopes (n = 15). The relationship between accommodative adaptation and the onset age of myopia were compared. There was no statistical difference in the pre-task tonic accommodation among the three subject groups. However, the accommodative adaptation differed in the three groups during the 5 min post-task period. The average accommodative adaptation of emmetropia, early onset myopia and late onset myopia were 0.66, 0.27 and 1.19 D, respectively. Accommodative adaptation in the late onset myopia group was significantly higher than in the emmetropia group. Furthermore, the accommodative adaptation in the early onset myopia group was significantly lower than in the emmetropia group. Two possible aetiologies of myopia are discussed: one for the group which shows low accommodative adaptation that has no relationship with the age of onset and another for the group which shows high accommodative adaptation that has a relationship to an onset age of 15 years or later. The aetiology is also considered with regard to a potentiating chemical effect on the synapses of the ciliary muscle.

Accommodation, Ocular↗
PubMed1993

Effects of nasal allergen challenge on dynamic viscoelasticity of nasal mucus.

The effects of nasal provocation on the rheologic properties of nasal mucus were investigated in patients with allergic rhinitis provoked by house dust. The elastic modulus (G') and the dynamic viscosity (eta') of nasal mucus were determined by an oscillating sphere magnetic rheometer. Before and after the allergen challenge, G' increased, whereas eta' decreased with increasing oscillatory frequency; these findings indicate that the nasal mucus under these conditions is a non-newtonian fluid and has the cross-linked gel-like nature typical of mucus. Both G' and eta' values after nasal provocation were significantly lower than before. The values of G' and eta' after allergen challenge were in the optimal viscoelasticity range for mucociliary transport.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Antidepressive effects of the stereoisomer cis-dosulepin hydrochloride.

The central action of cis-dosulepin (CAS 113-53-1) was compared with that of its antidepressant stereoisomer trans-dosulepin, cis-dosulepin exerted weaker anti-reserpine, anti-tetrabenazine, and 3H-5-HT (serotonin) uptake inhibiting actions than trans-dosulepin, but cis-dosulepin's inhibition of 3H-dopamine and 3H-norepinephrine uptake was slightly more potent than that of trans-dosulepin. On the other hand, cis-dosulepin exhibited extremely potent anticholinergic action in oxotremorine induced tremor, isolated ileums and the 3H-quinuclidinyl benzilate binding test. It also showed potent apomorphine enhancing action and shortened the period of immobility in the forced swimming test in animals. The pharmacological profile of cis-dosulepin appears interesting with respect to investigating the mechanism of action of antidepressants.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1992

Nasal mucociliary transport of chronic sinusitis in children.

Nasal mucociliary function is one of the most important and indispensable mechanisms of the respiratory tract, providing protection against the atmospheric environment. We previously found mucociliary dysfunction in the noses of adult patients suffering from chronic sinusitis. In this study, using the saccharin method, we determined nasal mucociliary function in normal children and in children with chronic sinusitis. The mean (+/- SD) value of saccharin transit time in the nose was 28.2 +/- 19.9 minutes in patients with chronic sinusitis, this being significantly slower than that in the control group of children. The incidence of abnormally slow nasal mucociliary transport time (> 30 minutes) in patients was significantly higher than in controls of the same age. Mucociliary dysfunction may initiate a vicious cycle of self-mediated inflammation and may be important in recovery from chronic respiratory inflammation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Newcastle disease viral infection in chicken nasal turbinate and maxillary sinus.

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) B strain was inoculated intranasally and intrasinusly into unanesthetized chicken which were maintained on a standard commercial mash chicken diet until the age of 21 days after hatch. The lesions induced by NDV following intranasal inoculation usually produced a selective destruction of significant portions of the inner surface of the turbinate scroll, but sinus lesions, though sometimes present in NDV infection, were not common. The chicken sinus was infected by intrasinus inoculation. These results were supported by the amount of virus and mucociliary transport time in the turbinate and sinus. It is suggested that mucus hypersecretion of ostial gland and/or mucociliary activity in the sinus be one of the most important factors in protecting against chicken sinus infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Cholesterol polyp of the gallbladder showing rapid growth and atypical changes--a case report.

We report on a case of resected cholesterol polyp with typical ultrasonic findings that became atypical, with a 40% increase in diameter, over a period of about 10 months. The resected specimen revealed a black polyp with a large-nodular appearance. The pathological diagnosis was cholesterol polyp with marked glandular proliferation, and the glandular cavity showed cystic dilatations filled with dark brown fluid. It is suspected that the aggregation of large numbers of these dilated glands explained the black color, the rapid growth, and the development leading to the atypical ultrasonic findings.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Inhibitory effects of NMDA receptor antagonists on hypoxia-induced seizures in dietary Mg(2+)-deficient mice.

The effects of the non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists, (+)-MK-801 hydrogen maleate (MK-801) and phencyclidine hydrochloride (PCP), were tested against hypoxia-induced tonic convulsions and hippocampal epileptiform discharges. Systemic administration of MK-801 and PCP suppressed the hypoxia-induced tonic convulsions in dietary Mg(2+)-deficient mice in a dose-dependent manner. The ED50 values (and their 95% confidence limits) of MK-801 and PCP were 0.19 (0.14-0.26) and 1.14 (0.32-4.11) mumol/kg, respectively. These values were lower than those of the conventional anticonvulsants tested. Induction of epileptiform discharges following hypoxia was also prevented by the presence of MK-801 and PCP at concentrations of 5-30 microM. The hypoxia-induced epileptiform discharges, however, were reduced, but not blocked completely, by the application of MK-801 and PCP. These results strongly suggest that activation of NMDA receptors in the hippocampus plays a pivotal role in the induction of hypoxia-induced tonic convulsions in dietary Mg(2+)-deficient mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Alpha 1-adrenergic regulation of ketogenesis in isolated rat hepatocytes.

Studies were conducted to clarify the effects of noradrenaline on oleate metabolism in isolated hepatocytes from fed rats. Noradrenaline caused an inhibition of ketogenesis from oleate along with a stimulation of glucose release through alpha 1-adrenergic receptors. Anti-ketogenic action of noradrenaline was confirmed by the suppression of the formation of radioactive acid-soluble products from [1-14C]oleate in response to this agent. Noradrenaline increased the conversion of [1-14C]oleate into 14CO2 but failed to affect [1-14C]oleate esterification. When hepatocytes were incubated in a medium containing 1 mM EGTA but no Ca2+, the effects of noradrenaline on oleate oxidation were negated. On the other hand, noradrenaline-induced increase in glucose release remained unchanged even in the absence of Ca2+ in the incubation medium. Decrease in ketogenesis and increase in glucose release produced by vasopressin was completely abolished by calcium depletion. Noradrenaline caused a significant increase in cAMP levels in both the presence and absence of Ca2+, although the effect was more marked in the latter. Vasopressin did not affect it. The noradrenaline-induced increase in cAMP and glucose release in the absence of Ca2+ was also mediated by alpha 1-adrenergic receptors. These data are discussed and it is suggested that alpha 1-adrenergic agonists may control hepatic ketogenesis and glycogenolysis through two separate signal transduction mechanisms, i.e., a calcium-mobilizing system which is common with vasopressin, and a cAMP generation system which vasopressin lacks.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Superoxide is involved in the pathogenesis of paraquat-induced injury in cultured rat liver slices.

We examined whether superoxide is a factor responsible for paraquat-induced liver injury in terms of superoxide dismutase using cultured rat liver slices exposed to various concentrations of paraquat. The degree of liver injury was assessed by measurement of percentage of lactate dehydrogenase leakage into the medium and lipid hydroperoxides in the liver slices and by direct histopathological observation. Paraquat produced concentration- and time-related liver injury in the cultured rat liver slices. Notably, after exposure to 5 mmol/L paraquat, a significant increase of the percentage of lactate dehydrogenase leakage occurred from 4 hr (p less than 0.05 vs. control group), and this gradually increased up to 8 hr (p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.001 vs. control group at 6 and 8 hr, respectively). Changes in lipid hydroperoxides in the liver slices were similar to those in percentage of lactate dehydrogenase leakage (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.01 vs. control group at 6 and 8 hr, respectively). Liver injury was located around the central vein at 6 hr and gradually spread at 8 hr. Paraquat-induced liver injury was aggravated both biochemically and histopathologically by pretreatment with 5 mmol/L diethyldithiocarbamate, an inhibitor of copper- and zinc-containing superoxide dismutase activity (percentage of lactate dehydrogenase leakage: p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.001 vs. paraquat group at 6 and 8 hr, respectively; lipid hydroperoxides: p less than 0.01 vs. paraquat group at 8 hr). Incubation of liver slices with liposome-encapsulated superoxide dismutase increased the augmentation of superoxide dismutase in the liver slices.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Changes in ocular astigmatism over the whole range of accommodation.

The refraction of 20 subjects was measured over the whole range of accommodation using an objective automated refractometer in order to investigate the astigmatic change whose origin is presumed to be at the lens. For this purpose, the corneal vertex was used as the plane of reference to avoid changes in the optical effectively of a cylindrical lens at near. The change in the astigmatism with accommodation was observed in each subject. Subjects were then divided into three groups: (1) seven subjects showed an increase in astigmatism with accommodation; (2) eight subjects showed constant astigmatism up to the accommodative nearpoint; and (3) five subjects showed other types of change, such as reduced astigmatism in the intermediate accommodative state. These variations suggest that accommodative astigmatism is affected by many elements such as lens, zonule, and muscle. Two of 20 subjects could see the vertical line of the visual target composed of many directional lines clearer than the horizontal line at distance. Conversely, they could see the horizontal line clearer than the vertical line at near. We also studied the correspondence between the dark focus of accommodation and the dioptric distance where astigmatism is at a minimum, as suggested previously. The results showed that no such direct relation existed.

Accommodation, Ocular↗
PubMed1991

[Effect of recognition of head and neck malignancies on patients' psychosomatic condition and personality].

In order to elucidate the effect of recognition of head and neck malignancies on patients' psychosomatic condition and personality, we applied the Cornell Medical Index Health Questionnaire (CMI) and the Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI) and collected medical and psychological data from 35 male (42-78 years of age; average 62.5) and 15 female (20-76 years of age; average 54.7) patients with malignant head and neck tumors (10 nose and paranasal, 8 oral, 8 pharyngeal, 14 laryngeal, 6 thyroid gland and 4 others). The two tests were done twice for each patients; at first immediately before hospitalization for treatment of the tumors at Mie University Hospital and secondly just before discharge from the hospital. The period of hospitalization ranged 1 to 13 months, average 3.3 months. At the end of hospitalization doctors and nurses who had mainly taken care of the patients estimated the patients' recognition of their malignancy by analyzing behavior and information mainly from their family and classified patients into three groups; Group R (Patients who recognized that they were patients with head and neck malignancies) comprised 22 patients, Group N (who did not recognize the condition) comprised 15 and Group U (who could not be classified into Groups R or N) comprised 13. Comparison among the three groups revealed the followings. 1) Patients in Group R were relatively young (average 56.3 years) and extrovert (estimated by MPI) and their somatic and psychological complaints registered on the CMI were less than those in other 2 groups. Psychosomatic condition after recognition that they had been patients with malignant tumors was better than before.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Changes of Cu, Zn-SOD and LPO in the regenerating liver after partial hepatectomy--effect of coenzyme Q10 administration].

We have investigated the effect of CoQ10 to lipid peroxide (LPO) and Cu, Zn-SOD in the regenerating liver in rats. Cu, Zn-SOD was investigated in biochemical activity, and immunohistochemical localization. In normal control liver, Cu, Zn-SOD was diffusely stained throughout the hepatic lobules, with predominance in the centrilobular area and with vicinity of thick portal vein. In early stage of regenerating liver. LPO was increased and Cu, Zu-SOD was decreased. Destruction of the membrane of hepatocyte was confirmed by electron microscopy in the early stage of regenerating liver, Cu, Zn-SOD might be speculated to leak out into extra cellular spaces. CoQ10 suppressed the mentioned phenomenon in regenerating liver.

Animals↗