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Biomedical subjects

K Yamaguchi

Publications and source records attributed to K Yamaguchi.

At least 469 records · Page 26Linked to original sources

Suppressive effect of norzoanthamine hydrochloride on experimental osteoporosis in ovariectomized mice.

Norzoanthamine is an alkaloid isolated from a colonial zoanthid. We examined the effects of norzoanthamine hydrochloride on bone weight, strength and morphology in ovariectomized mice, a postmenopausal osteoporosis model. Norzoanthamine hydrochloride significantly suppressed the decrease in femoral weight and bone biomechanical parameters caused by ovariectomy without an increase in uterine weight. This means that norzoanthamine hydrochloride does not have an estrogen-like effect on reproductive organs. Morphological observations of longitudinally ground sections of the humeri showed that norzoanthamine hydrochloride administration (2 mg/kg/d, p.o.) completely suppressed the loss of trabecular bone. Furthermore, norzoanthamine hydrochloride thickened the cortical bone. Based on these results, norzoanthamine hydrochloride may act as both a suppressor of bone resorption and an enhancer of bone formation in vivo.

Alkaloids↗

Repetitive coxsackievirus infection induces cardiac dilatation in post-myocarditic mice.

The relation between mycarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is controversial. To clarify the pathogenic mechanism of these diseases, the present study examined the effect of repetitive inoculation with coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) in post-myocarditic mice. Inbred 3-week-old A/J mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with CVB3 (Nancy strain; 2x10(4) plaque-forming units) and reinfected in the same manner with CVB3 at 40 weeks (3W+/40W+). All mice were killed at 42 weeks old. The weight of the hearts of the 3W+/40W+ group were significantly increased compared with those of the 3W-/40W+ group, and both the heart weight/body weight and lung weight/body weight ratios of the 3W+/40W+ group were also significantly increased over those of the 3W-/40W- group, although the levels of serum neutralizing antibody titers were significantly increased in the 3W+/40W+ group over the level of the other groups. No increase in inflammatory cell infiltration or fibrosis progression was observed in the 3W+/40W+ group relative to the 3W+/40W- group, but the second inoculation resulted in a significant left ventricular dilatation and in left and right ventricular free wall thinning (3.31+/-0.20 mm vs 2.61+/-0.19 mm, p<0.05; 0.54+/-0.09 mm vs 0.72+/-0.16 mm, p<0.05, respectively). The sarcomere length was also significantly increased in the 3W+/40W+ group compared with that of the other groups, as determined by electron microscopy. Degenerative or necrotic areas in the infected hearts were not stained with anti-mouse IgG antibody, but were stained, only in 3W+/40W+ mice, with anti-mouse IgM antibody. The concentrations of TNF-alpha in the hearts of the 3W+/40W+ group were increased significantly over those of the 3W+/40W- group. Repetitive CVB3 infection produced cardiac dilatation without inflammatory cell infiltration in post- myocarditic mice. Autoimmunity mediated by the circulation of certain antibodies (eg, antibodies against the CVB3 genome or a CVB3-related protein) may be part of the pathogenic mechanism for this phenomenon. Thus, repetitive virus infection might contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiac dilatation.

Animals↗

[Effects of benidipine hydrochloride (Coniel) on blood pressure, heart rate and plasma norepinephrine concentration in spontaneously hypertensive rats].

We investigated the effects of benidipine hydrochloride (benidipine, Coniel) on blood pressure, heart rate and plasma norepinephrine (NE) concentration in spontaneously hypertensive rats and compared them with those of other calcium channel blockers. Benidipine (2 mg/kg, p.o.) was compared with the equihypotensive doses of nifedipine (5 mg/kg), cilnidipine (6 mg/kg) and amlodipine (3 mg/kg). All the 4 calcium channel blockers exhibited significant antihypertensive effects. Nifedipine and cilinidipine significantly increased heart rate, as compared with that in the control group, whereas benidipine or amlodipine did not significantly affect it. The area under the curves for hypotensive effect and tachycardic effect for 10 hr after the drug administration were compared among the 4 compounds. As a result, the tachycardic effect of benidipine was significantly lower than those of nifedipine, cilnidipine and amlodipine, while the hypotensive effects were similar among the 4 compounds. Nifedipine and amlodipine, significantly increased plasma NE concentration, cilnidipine tended to increase it. In contrast, benidipine did not significantly affect plasma NE concentration. These results suggest that the effects of benidipine on plasma NE concentration and heart rate are less prominent than those of the other calcium channel blockers.

Amlodipine↗

(2E,6R)-8-hydroxy-2,6-dimethyl-2-octenoic acid, a novel anti-osteoporotic monoterpene, isolated from Cistanche salsa.

(2E,6R)-8-Hydroxy-2,6-dimethyl-2-octenoic acid [(R)-HDOA], a novel monoterpene from Cistanche salsa, a Chinese herb, was found to be an anti-osteoporotic compound. The extract of Cistanche salsa significantly suppressed the bone weight loss in ovariectomized mice, a postmenopausal osteoporosis model. The active substance was then purified by using this osteoporotic model and the chemical structure was determined. The active compound from Cistanche salsa, (R)-HDOA, suppressed the decrease of bone weight and the mechanical strength in the ovariectomized mice. Furthermore, (R)- and (S)-HDOA were synthesized and the activity of each was evaluated. (R)-HDOA suppressed the bone weight loss, although (S)-HDOA did not showed any activity.

Animals↗

[Influence on diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in 13C urea breath test of existence of dead space gas].

The 13C-urea breath test is a noninvasive analysis for the detection of Helicobacter pylori infection and is valuable for judging the effects of antimicrobial treatment. Up to date the most popular technique for 13C-urea breath test: UBT, is performed by collecting expired gas into an aluminum bag, but the result is considered to be influenced in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection by the existence of anatomical dead space gas. We therefore introduced a new technique to measure 13CO2 and 12CO2 continuously during expiration, identified the correct alveolar gas, and excluded the effect of anatomical dead space. Subjects were 127 males and 8 females. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of these aluminum bag and continuous measurement methods. We adopted serological IgG positive and barium-meal study positive cases as a gold standard for the diagnosis. Diagnostic accuracy by continuous measurement was superior to that by the aluminum bag method. We should pay attention to the existence of anatomical dead space for accurate diagnosis. Continuous measurement is important in the collection of end tidal expired gas in order to make an accurate diagnosis.

Adult↗

[Long-term results of venous surgery for cavernous erectile dysfunction].

BACKGROUND: It is well known that the effectiveness of venous surgery declines during the follow-up period. The onset of recurrence after surgery varies greatly among patients. There are only a few studies which have evaluated the effectiveness of venous surgery with objective tests. METHODS: We treated 123 cases of cavernous erectile dysfunction with venous surgery, and evaluated the results objectively. We performed intracavernous injection tests using 20 micrograms of prostaglandin E1 every 3 months until the recurrence of cavernous erectile dysfunction. RESULTS: Mean follow up period was 32 months (0.2-134.0 months). According to the Kaplan-Meier analysis, the effectiveness of surgery at 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, and 10 years was 85%, 61%, 30%, and 26%, respectively. CONCLUSION: There was no statistically significant difference between the outcomes following deep dorsal vein surgery and crural ligation surgery. Operative complications were more frequent, however in deep dorsal vein surgery.

Adult↗

[Evaluation of the liver uptake rate measured by 99mTc-GSA SPECT to assess liver function].

Whether the global liver uptake rate of 99mTc-GSA directly measured by SPECT is useful as a new index of liver function was evaluated in comparison with biochemical test results (PT%, ChE, Alb, ICG R15, KICG) and Child classification. 99mTc-GSA SPECT was performed in 157 patients with diffuse hepatic disease or hepatobiliary tumor, and two indices, namely the global liver uptake rate measured by SPECT 15 minutes after intravenous injection of 99mTc-GSA (LUS 15) and liver uptake per volume (liver uptake density) were examined. Both LUS 15 and liver uptake density were significantly correlated with biochemical test results and Child classification. In particular, close relationships between LUS 15 and ICGR15 (r = -0.720, p < 0.0001), LUS 15 and KICG (r = -0.750, p < 0.0001), and between LUS 15 and ChE (r = 0.720, p < 0.0001), indicate that LUS 15 is a useful index to evaluate liver function. Moreover, the local liver uptake rate measured by SPECT represented regional liver function and was considered a useful index to predict the function of the remnant liver after invasive treatment such as surgery.

Adult↗

[In vitro activities of 23 antimicrobial agents against 4,993 gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains isolated from multicenter of Japan during 1994--in vitro susceptibility surveillance.Levofloxacin-Surveillance Group].

In a surveillance study conducted during 1994 at 24 medical institutes from different geographical areas of Japan, the susceptibility of clinical isolates to twenty three comparative agents, such as ofloxacin, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, tosufloxacin, ampicillin, clavulanic acid/amoxicillin, oxacillin, piperacillin, cefaclor, cefotiam, cefdinir, cefclidin, ceftazidime, cefpirome, imipenem, aztreonam, vancomycin, minocycline, chloramphenicol, clarithromycin, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, amikacin, and gentamicin, were tested by the standard broth micro-dilution method. A total of 4,993 isolates tested in this study included Streptococcus pneumoniae, methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), coagllase negative streptococci (CNS), Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Enterobactericeae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa from patients with urinary tract infections or respiratory tract infections, and Haemophilus influenzae. For MSSA, S. pneumoniae, Enterobacteriaceae, and H. influenzae, more than 70% of the isolates was susceptible to fluoloquinolones. However, resistance occurred in more than 50% of MRSA and P. aeruginosa isolated from UTI. Fluoroquinolones were found to be effective against high level penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae, the third generation cephem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and ampicillin-resistant H. influenzae.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

[Comparative studies on activities of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (1997). I. Susceptibility distribution].

The frequencies of isolation and susceptibilities to antimicrobial agents were investigated on 560 bacterial strains isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) in 9 hospitals during the period of June 1997 to May 1998. Of the above bacterial isolates, Gram-positive bacteria accounted for 29.3% and a majority of them were Enterococcus faecalis. Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 70.7% and most of them were Escherichia coli. Susceptibilities of several isolated bacteria to antimicrobial agents were as followed; 1. Enterococcus faecalis Ampicillin (ABPC) showed the highest activity against E. faecalis isolated from patients with UTIs. Its MIC90 was 1 microgram/ml. Imipenem (IPM) and vancomycin (VCM) were also active with the MIC90s of 2 micrograms/ml. The others had low activities with the MIC90s of 16 micrograms/ml or above. 2. Staphylococcus aureus including MRSA VCM and arbekacin (ABK) showed the highest activities against both S. aureus and MRSA isolated from patients with UTIs. The MIC90s of them were 1 microgram/ml. The others except minocycline (MINO) had low activities with the MIC90s of 32 micrograms/ml or above. More than a half of S. aureus strains (including MRSA) showed high susceptibilities to gentamicin (GM) and MINO, the MIC50s of 0.25 microgram/ml or 0.5 microgram/ml. 3. Enterobacter cloacae IPM showed the highest activity against E. cloacae. The MICs for all strains were equal to or lower than 1 microgram/ml. The MIC90s of ciprofloxacin (CPFX) and tosufloxacin (TFLX) were 1 microgram/ml, the MIC90s of amikacin (AMK) and ofloxacin (OFLX) were 4 micrograms/ml, the MIC90 of GM was 16 micrograms/ml. Among E. cloacae strains, those with low susceptibilities to quinolones have decreased in 1997, compared with those in 1996. But the other drugs were not so active in 1997 as 1996. 4. Escherichia coli All drugs except penicillins were active against E. coli with the MIC90s of 8 micrograms/ml or below. Particularly, flomoxef (FMOX), cefmenoxime (CMX), cefpirome (CPR), cefozopran (CZOP), IPM, CPFX and TFLX showed the highest activities against E. coli with the MIC90s of 0.125 microgram/ml or below. 5. Klebsiella pneumoniae K. pneumoniae was susceptible to almost all the drugs except penicillins. Carumonam (CRMN) had the strongest activity with the MICs for all strains equal to or lower than 0.125 microgram/ml. FMOX, CPR, CZOP, CPFX and TFLX were also active with the MIC90s of 0.125 microgram/ml or below. The MIC90s of quinolones had changed into a better state in 1997, compared with those in 1996. 6. Proteus mirabilis Almost all the drugs except ABPC and MINO showed high activities against P. mirabilis. CMX, ceftazidime (CAZ), latamoxef (LMOX), CPR, cefixime (CFIX), cefpodoxime (CPDX) and CRMN showed the highest activities against P. mirabilis. The MICs of them for all strains were equal to or lower than 0.125 microgram/ml. CPFX and TFLX were also active with the MIC90s of 0.125 microgram/ml or below. 7. Pseudomonas aeruginosa The MIC90 of GM was 8 micrograms/ml, the MIC90s of AMK, IPM and meropenem (MEPM) were 16 micrograms/ml. The others were not so active against P. aeruginosa with the MIC90s of 32 micrograms/ml or above. The MIC90s of quinolones had changed into a lower state in 1997, compared with those in 1996. 8. Serratia marcescens IPM showed the highest activity against S. marcescens. Its MIC90 was 2 micrograms/ml. GM was also active with the MIC90 of 4 micrograms/ml. The MIC90s of the others were 16 micrograms/ml or above. The MIC50s of CRMN was 0.125 microgram/ml or below, the MIC50s of CPR and CZOP were 0.25 microgram/ml.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

[Adult case of isolated noncompaction of left ventricular myocardium revealed at hospitalization for tuberculous pleuritis].

A 48-year-old man was diagnosed with isolated noncompaction of the left ventricular myocardium. He had been suffering from dyspnea during light exercise since early February 1997, which worsened with time. Eventually, he visited our hospital on February 14. He was admitted urgently because orthopnea was observed and chest radiogram showed massive left pleural effusion. The diagnoses were pulmonary tuberculosis and tuberculous pleuritis. Echocardiography at admission showed generalized hypokinesis of the left ventricle, so we suspected that his condition was complicated by myocarditis. However, virus antibody levels were not elevated, and no obvious findings compatible with myocarditis or cardiomyopathy were obtained by right ventricular myocardial biopsy. Left ventricular contractility remained low and a trabecular mesh structure was seen at the left ventricular apex. Thus, the diagnosis was isolated noncompaction of the left ventricular myocardium. This disorder has been highlighted in pediatric patients, but few adult cases have been reported.

Echocardiography↗

[Chromophobe cell renal carcinoma: a case report].

A 61-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of the left renal mass lesion. We performed left radical nephrectomy under the diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma. The tumor showed a dark red color. The pathological diagnosis was chromophobe cell renal carcinoma. We could not make the diagnosis before the operation by echography, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. It is still controversial whether this diagnosis can be made preoperatively.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗

[Comparative studies on activities of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (1997). III Secular changes in susceptibility].

Susceptibilities to various antimicrobial agents were examined for Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Echerichia coli, Klebsiella spp., and Pseudomonas aeruginosa that were isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) in 9 hospitals during June 1997 to May 1998, and the results were compared with those obtained during the same period in earlier years. 1. E. faecalis The MIC90s of quinolones for E. faecalis isolated from uncomplicated UTIs have changed better state during the latest period. Among E. faecalis strains, those with high susceptibilities to ampicillin (ABPC) and minocycline (MINO) appeared to had decreased during period of 1995-1997, which recovered during the latest period. 2. S. aureus The sensitive strains of S. aureus to imipenem (IPM) and clindamycin (CLDM) had increased during the period of 1996-1997, but those have decreased again during the latest period. 3. E. coli The susceptibilities of E. coli to MINO have been better in the latest period with the MIC90 was ranged from 2 to 4 micrograms/ml. The susceptibilities to quinolones of E. coli isolated from complicated UTIs had decreased during the period of 1995-1997, but those have recovered during the latest period. 4. Klebsiella spp. Among Klebsiella spp. strains isolated from uncomplicated UTIs, those with low susceptibilities to almost cephems have increased in the latest period. To other antimicrobial agents, the susceptibilities of Klebsiella spp. did not show any changes during the latest period. 5. P. aeruginosa The susceptibilities to most agents of P. aeruginosa did not show any changes, the decreased susceptibilities to cefozopran (CZOP), carbapenems and monobactams of P. aeruginosa observed in 1996 appeared to have been retrieved in 1997. These susceptibility changes should be utilized in determining clinical treatments.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Carcinogenesis of intestinal-type gastric cancer and colorectal cancer is commonly accompanied by expression of brain (fetal)-type glycogen phosphorylase.

Our previous studies have demonstrated the significant enzymatic activity of glycogen phosphorylase (GP) in the gastric carcinoma and proliferating cells of particular intestinal metaplasia (IM). This paper reviewed the identification of the GP isoform in the gastrointestinal carcinoma, and the investigation on the role of this molecule in the gastrointestinal carcinogenesis. The only isoform expressed in gastric cancer was brain-type GP (BGP) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. The expression of BGP, oncogene products and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in the gastric and colorectal carcinomas, their premalignant lesions, and the normal mucosa were examined using 136 gastric and 96 colorectal surgically resected specimens, and 55 endoscopically resected colorectal adenomas. The BGP visualized by immunohistochemistry was commonly present in intestinal-type gastric (80.6%) and colorectal (83.3%) carcinomas, whereas no BGP expression was seen in the normal human gastric and large intestinal mucosa except in the BGP foci described below. IMs with BGP had close correlation with intestinal-type gastric carcinoma, and some of them coexpressed accumulated p53 protein. The expression of BGP during 'adenoma carcinoma sequence' (ACS) showed excellent correlation with the increased dysplasia and was found prior to p53 expression. Positive staining in overtly normal looking colonic mucosa (BGP foci) was observed mainly around carcinomas without any adenoma component, and frequent p53 mutation (41.2%) was detected in the BGP foci using PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism analysis. It is suggested that BGP is a novel biomarker for carcinogenesis in the intestinal-type gastric carcinoma and in both of the pathways of ACS and the 'de novo' colorectal carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗