Clostridium botulinum in the soil of Kenya.
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Botulinum Toxins↗
Biomedical subjects
K Yoshimura
Publications and source records attributed to K Yoshimura.
Differences in responses of rat- and guinea-pig-eosinophils to eosinophil chemotactic factors derived from Angiostrongylus cantonensis.
Eosinophil chemotactic activity associated with whole worm extracts of the young adult worms (YA) and 1st stage larvae (L1) of Angiostrongylus cantonensis was assessed using guinea-pig- and rat-eosinophils. Both whole worm extracts were potently chemotactic to guinea-pig-eosinophils whereas only the whole worm extract of L1 was chemotactic to rat-eosinophils. Gel filtration chromatography of YA-whole worm extract yielded an eosinophil chemotactic factor (ECF-YA) with an estimated molecular weight of 16,900. ECF-YA was resistant to heating and pronase digestion but sensitive to periodate oxidation, suggesting that chemotactic activity was possibly associated with the sugar portion of the glycoprotein molecule. Guinea-pig- and rat-eosinophils were deactivated by previous incubation with homologous whole worm extracts but not with heterologous ones. When guinea-pig-eosinophils were treated with trypsin or pronase, their chemotaxis to ECF-YA was significantly inhibited, and pronase treatment was more effective. Both deactivated and trypsin-treated guinea-pig-eosinophils completely recovered their chemotaxis responses after in vitro culture for 12 and 24 h, respectively. When those eosinophils were cultured in vitro in the presence of puromycin or cycloheximide, however, their chemotaxis responses could not be recovered. These data clearly indicate that guinea-pig-eosinophils probably possess a kind of receptor (or 'recognition unit') capable of reacting to ECF-YA, and also that the receptor may be protein or glycoprotein molecules, and reproducible.
Angiostrongylus↗
Neonatal tuberous sclerosis with heart and brain tumors.
A 6-day-old neonate with tuberous sclerosis having brain and cardiac tumors is reported. The patient presented with a seizure 20 minutes after birth. Cranial ultrasonography and computed tomography on admission showed a large and round high-density tumor lesion in the left frontal lobe. Echocardiography also showed a large tumor lesion beside the left ventricle wall, and a diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis was promptly made. Two months later, a periventricular calcified lesion was found on the demonstrated portion, and the tumor lesion initially observed in the brain had disappeared. These findings suggest that the initial tumor lesion found in the brain developed into a typical calcified lesion.
Brain Neoplasms↗
Hyperammonemia in multiple myeloma.
Two patients with multiple myeloma who appeared to be producing ammonia are reported. Both patients showed hyperammonemia and amino acid disturbances, such as a low Fischer ratio. One patient had Bence Jones protein (lambda) type myeloma and became comatose, but the hyperammonemia and disturbance of consciousness were improved by chemotherapy for the myeloma. The other patient had IgA kappa type myeloma and somnolence and died of malignant pleurisy despite intensive chemotherapy. Autopsy showed widespread multiple myeloma and an almost normal liver. Ammonia levels in the supernatant of cultured myeloma cells from the patient's pleural effusion increased almost linearly from the time of cell seeding. These observations showed that ammonia was produced at a high level by these human myeloma cells. We also found that one of the common myeloma cell lines, RPMI 8226, could produce ammonia as well.
Amino Acids↗
Effects of nitrendipine and hypoxia on pulmonary vascular resistance in experimental emphysema.
We evaluated the hemodynamic effects of nitrendipine, a dihydropyridine Ca2+ channel blocker, and hypoxia in intact dogs with emphysema produced by treatments with aerosolized papain. We also determined the effects of emphysema, chronic Ca2+ channel blocker treatment, and acute hypoxia on the distribution of vascular resistance in isolated left lower lobes. Pulmonary vascular resistance was increased (4 +/- 1 mm Hg/L/min) in the animals studied 6 months after receiving 4 weekly treatments with papain compared with control animals (2.6 +/- 0.6 mm Hg/L/min, p less than 0.05), and this effect of emphysema was blunted with chronic nitrendipine, 3 mg/kg twice a day (3.1 +/- 0.9 mm Hg/L/min). Both at baseline and at 6 months, hypoxia-induced increases in pulmonary vascular resistance were abolished by nitrendipine. The total pulmonary pressure gradient (delta Pt) was partitioned into pressure gradients across arterial (delta Pa), middle (delta Pm), and venous (delta Pv) vessels by occlusions performed during normoxia (PIO2 = 200 mm Hg) and hypoxia (PIO2 = 30 mm Hg). Papain-treated animals had elevated delta Pt compared with that in control animals because of an increased delta Pv (9.7 +/- 1.1 mm Hg versus 5.2 +/- 0.4 mm Hg in control animals, p less than 0.05). In contrast, only delta Pm was increased with papain + nitrendipine (2.6 +/- 1.0 mm Hg versus 0.2 +/- 0.3 mm Hg in control animals, p less than 0.05). An increase in the downstream pressure gradient was also observed when lobes from animals with emphysema were studied under conditions of reverse perfusion. Hypoxic responses were similar in the control and papain groups, with increases in delta Pa and delta Pm.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Animals↗
Transient behavior of sea urchin sperm flagella following an abrupt change in beat frequency.
Within the approximate range of 30-80 Hz, the flagellar beat frequency of a sea urchin sperm held by its head in the tip of a micropipet is governed by the vibration frequency of the micropipet. We have imposed abrupt changes in flagellar beat frequency by changing the vibration frequency of the micropipet within this range and used a high-speed video system to analyze the flagellar wave parameters during the first few cycles following the change. Our results demonstrate that the various flagellar beat parameters differ in the time they take to adjust to the new conditions. The initiation rate of new bends at the base is directly governed by the frequency of the vibration and changes immediately to the new frequency. The length and the propagation velocity of the developed bends become adjusted to the new conditions within approximately 1 beat cycle, whereas the bend angles take more than 4 beat cycles to attain their new steady-state value. Bends initiated shortly before the change in frequency occurs attain a final length and angle that depends on the relative durations of growth at the old and new frequencies. Our results suggest that the flagellar wavelength and bend angle are regulated by different mechanisms with the second not being directly dependent on bend initiation.
Animals↗
[Upper urinary tract tumors following bladder cancer].
We treated in total 795 patients with primary transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder between April, 1964 and December, 1988. Eighteen patients of them had upper urothelial cancer during the follow-up period. Thirteen of the 18 patients had received transurethral resection for the initial bladder cancer, while 3 total cystectomy and 2 segmental resection. The over-all incidence of bladder cancer patients who subsequently developed upper urinary tract tumors was 2.3 per cent. The interval between initial treatment of the bladder cancer and treatment for the upper urinary tract tumor ranged from 2 to 74 months (median 20 months). The five-year survival rate after treatment for the upper urinary tract tumor was 31.7 per cent. We conclude that the following are high risk patients for development of upper urinary tract recurrences: 1) patients with bladder cancer near orifices, 2) patients with recurrent bladder cancer under bladder preserving treatment for a long time, 3) patients with G2 multifocal bladder cancer.
Aged↗
Clostridium botulinum in the soil of Paraguay.
Seventeen soil samples of Paraguay were examined for the presence of Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum type A, C1 and F toxins were detected in soil cultures. Type E toxin was not detected in any of soil cultures including those from river and lake shores.
Botulinum Toxins↗
[A case report of pleural involvement in primary macroglobulinemia].
A case of primary macroglobulinemia with pleural and gastric involvement was presented. A 48-year-old female was admitted with productive cough. On physical examination neither lymphoadenopathy nor hepatosplenomegaly were found. In addition, no bleeding tendency nor disturbance of the visual acuity were detected. Her chest roentgenogram showed a moderate amount of pleural effusion in the left pleural cavity without infiltration in the lung fields and no evidence of swollen hilar or mediastinal lymphnodes. A monoclonal M-band of to IgM-kappa type was observed in her serum and the pleural effusion. The diffuse ulcerative lesion in the gastric mucosa was detected by gastrofiberscopy. The lymphoid cells taken from the pleural effusion and the gastric mucosa stained positively with fluorescein-conjugated antiserum to u or the kappa chain. Pleural effusion and gastric infiltration of lymphoid cells improved remarkably following ACOP therapy.
Female↗
[Massive traumatic hematoma localized in the basal ganglia: treatment by CT-guided stereotactic aspiration surgery].
A case of massive traumatic hematoma of the basal ganglia which was treated successfully by CT-guided stereotactic aspiration surgery, was reported. A 6-year-old boy was admitted 2 hours after a traffic accident. He had no neurological focal signs except for disturbance of consciousness on admission. CT scan revealed a massive hematoma in the right basal ganglia. His neurological status gradually deteriorated 6 hours after the trauma and the size of the hematoma increased on serial CT scan. Then, CT-guided stereotactic aspiration surgery was performed and about 15.5 ml of hematoma clot was successfully evacuated. He made an uneventful recovery from the operation and gradually improved. The final outcome was that he showed moderate disability at 3 months after the trauma. The possible mechanism of development of hematoma in this lesion, and indication of CT-guided stereotactic aspiration surgery were also discussed.
Basal Ganglia Diseases↗
Metastatic tumor of the spermatic cord from renal cell carcinoma.
A 56-year-old male visited our hospital with macroscopic hematuria. Physical and X-ray examinations showed he had right renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombosis in the inferior vena cava and the right spermatic vein. Radical nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy were performed and he was discharged with no evidence of disease 1 month after the operation. At 5 months after the discharge, he noticed a palpable mass in the scrotum. Right orchiectomy was performed. The tumor was located in the right spermatic cord and histological examination revealed it to be a renal cell carcinoma (clear cell subtype) which was a metastatic lesion from a right renal tumor. In this case, the renal cell carcinoma was considered to have retrogradely metastasized through the spermatic vein. In conclusion, a complete physical examination, including the spermatic cord is recommended during the follow-up period of renal cell carcinoma.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗
[A case of solitary bronchial papilloma with elevated serum CEA concentration].
A rare case of solitary bronchial papilloma was reported. A 57-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of an abnormal shadow on chest X-ray film which was discovered on regular health check up. Bronchoscopic examination revealed a polypoid tumor which obstructed the left B4 bronchus. Serum concentration of CEA was elevated up to 14 ng/ml by Z-GEL method. Left upper lobectomy was performed. On macroscopic examination of the excised specimen, the tumor arose in B4 bronchus and was yellowish white in color and was cauliflower-like in shape sized 3.5 X 1.5 cm. Histopathologically, the tumor consisted of papillary proliferation of stratified squamous epithelium with ciliated columnar epithelial covering. Findings suggestive of inflammation or malignancy were not observed.
Bronchial Neoplasms↗
[Clinical experience with ceftibuten in complicated urinary tract infections].
Twenty-four patients with complicated urinary tract infections (UTI) were received ceftibuten (CETB) 400 mg b.i.d. orally for 5 days, and the following results were obtained. One of the recipients was excluded for negative bacteriuria before treatment. According to the criteria for evaluation of clinical efficacy of antimicrobial agents on UTI, 23 patients were assessed: 9 of them were judged to show excellent responses, 6 to have moderate responses and 8 poor responses. The overall efficacy was 65%. Four patients with indwelling catheter failed to show positive clinical response, but 15 out of 19 patients without indwelling catheter responded positively. As to bacteriological responses, organisms included Gram-positive cocci were eradicated in 28, replaced in 9 and persisted in 6 strains. Of 24 Gram-negative rods except 1 strain of Pseudomonas sp., 23 (96%) were eradicated. Safety evaluation was made in all 24 patients received CETB. No adverse reactions were observed in any cases. As to laboratory test results, slight, transient elevations of GOT, GPT and Al-P of serum were noted in 1 patient. Their values, however, returned to normal levels in 4 weeks.
Adult↗
[Proliferating patterns of basal cell carcinoma--immunohistological study by means of anti-BrdU monoclonal antibody].
The proliferating patterns of basal cell carcinoma were investigated by means of BrdU (bromodeoxyuridine), which is analogue of thymidine and by means of anti-BrdU monoclonal antibody. We classified 8 cases of basal cell carcinoma into three groups; 1) 21 nests of solid type basal cell carcinoma without retraction space 2) 6 nests of solid type basal cell carcinoma with retraction space 3) 5 nests of superficial type basal cell carcinoma without retraction space. The labeling index was obtained in each area of the outermost cells and inner cells in each nest of the three groups. The results indicated that when there was no retraction space, the labeling index of the outermost cells was high, and when there was some retraction space, the labeling index of the outermost cells was low. In other words, the proliferation of basal cell carcinoma cells occurs in the outermost cells of a nest. When there was retraction space, the role of the outermost cells of a nest diminished or disappeared.
Aged↗
Dexamethasone in the treatment of acute mountain sickness.
Cerebral edema occurs in fatal cases of acute mountain sickness. Dexamethasone, commonly used to treat cerebral edema due to other causes, also reduces the symptoms of acute mountain sickness when given prophylactically. However, the efficacy of dexamethasone in the treatment of established acute mountain sickness remains uncertain. To investigate this question, we exposed six men in a hypobaric chamber to a simulated altitude of 3700 m (barometric pressure, 64 kPa [481 mm Hg]) for 48 hours on two occasions. Acute mountain sickness was diagnosed with use of a symptoms questionnaire, and dexamethasone (4 mg every six hours) or placebo was then given in a randomized, double-blind, crossover fashion. Dexamethasone reduced the symptoms of acute mountain sickness by 63 percent (P less than 0.05), whereas placebo had a minimal effect (reduction by 23 percent; P not significant). In spite of this response, one subject had mild cerebral edema on brain CT after both placebo and dexamethasone. Dexamethasone had no effect on fluid shifts, oxygenation, sleep apnea, urinary catecholamine levels, the appearance of chest radiographs or perfusion scans, serum electrolyte levels, hematologic profiles, or the results of psychometric tests. Dexamethasone treatment was complicated by mild hyperglycemia in all subjects (mean [+/- SE] glucose level, 7.3 +/- 1.3 mmol per liter [132 +/- 23 mg per deciliter]). We conclude that dexamethasone effectively reduces the symptoms of acute mountain sickness. However, it did not improve objective physiologic abnormalities related to exposure to high altitudes. We therefore recommend that dexamethasone be used only when descent is impossible, or to facilitate cooperation in evacuation efforts.
Acute Disease↗
New limits on exotic two-body decay of orthopositronium.
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Journal Article↗
Protective immunity against Angiostrongylus cantonensis in rats following sensitizing infections.
Three strains (ACI, August and Wistar) of rats previously sensitized by oral infection with intact third-stage larvae of Angiostrongylus cantonensis developed significant protective immunity to challenge infections 6 weeks later. The degree of the immunity was highest in the August strain of rats, followed by Wistar and ACI rats. Protective immunity appears to affect both third-stage larvae and fourth- and/or fifth-stage worms. ACI rats showed poor antibody responses, especially in the IgE fraction. When 24-day-old young adult worms were transferred from the brain of donor rats into the peritoneal cavity of sensitized rodents, peritoneal eosinophils predominantly adhered to the worm surfaces in vivo.
Angiostrongylus↗
The detection of an antibody against IgA allotype A2M 2 and a study of the Am genetic marker among the Han Chinese population.
The serum of a woman was found by the Ouchterlony double-diffusion and the hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) methods to have immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency. Further investigation using the hemagglutination (HA) test with red cells coated with IgA myeloma proteins of different specificities showed that the serum agglutinated only IgA2-, A2M-1, and A2M 2-coated cells. The patterns of the HAI test with a reference panel confirmed the presence of two specificities. One was anti-IgA2 and the other was a rare antibody against the allotype A2M 2. The anti-A2M 2 was used for population studies. Testing of the Han Chinese population, including family studies, confirms that A2M.1 and A2M.2 have an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance and are controlled by a codominant allele. The distribution of the two Am genetic markers among the Han Chinese population demonstrated A2M.1 with a gene frequency of 0.553 and A2M.2 with a gene frequency of 0.447 (chi 2 = 0.145, 0.80 greater than p greater than 0.70).
Alleles↗