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Biomedical subjects

M Fujimoto

Publications and source records attributed to M Fujimoto.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources

The measurement of intracellular sodium ion concentration in the horizontal cells of the stingray retina.

Membrane potentials, and intracellular concentrations of sodium ions in the horizontal cells of the stingray retina were measured directly by means of ion-selective microelectrodes. The electrodes used were of the double-barreled type and bis[(12-crown-4)methyl]methyldodecylmalonate was used as the ion-selective resin. The average intracellular concentration of Na+ ions in the horizontal cells and the extracellular concentration of Na+ ions near the horizontal cells were 123 mM and 351 mM, respectively (n = 27). The equilibrium potential was estimated to be +27.3 mV. Although each value of the equilibrium potential was scattered over a wide range, they were always positive regardless of the membrane potential. This was the first direct measurement of the sodium ion-concentration for the retinal horizontal cells. The results support the idea that the origin of the dark depolarization of the stingray horizontal cell is caused by the glutamate-induced high-sodium conductance of the membrane.

Animals↗

The long-term effect of cyproterone acetate on growth in girls with idiopathic precocious puberty. Androcur Study Group in Japan.

To define the effect of cyproterone acetate (CPA) on statural growth, 25 girls with idiopathic precocious puberty who had been treated with CPA were studied retrospectively. The final height SDS was -1.12 +/- 1.16 (mean +/- SD). The daily CPA dose was negatively related to the final height SDS. We divided our subjects into two groups according to the daily CPA dose [low dose, 84.9 +/- 15.4 mg/m2 (n = 19) vs high dose, 135.8 +/- 17.1 mg/m2 (n = 6)]. In the low dose group, the difference of the final height SDS minus height SDS for bone age at the initiation of CPA treatment was 0.55 +/- 1.16 and final height SDS was -0.82 +/- 1.05. The final height was not significantly different from the target height in the low dose group subjects whose target heights were obtained. Since the increment of height age to the increment of bone age during the treatment was significantly less in the group needing and treated with high dose CPA, high doses of CPA may reduce growth velocity more than its suppressive effect on bone maturation. These results suggest that CPA has an effect on statural growth in girls whose clinical symptoms can be controlled with a low dose of CPA, although they have not been compared with final height in untreated Japanese girls.

Age Determination by Skeleton↗

A mucous histochemical and immunohistochemical study of precancerous and neoplastic lesions in the human pancreas.

A total of 44 cases of pancreatic lesions, including hyperplasia (six) cases, adenoma (mucinous cystadenomas [eight] and intraductal papillary adenoma [eight]), noninvasive intraductal papillary tumors (five), and invasive ductal carcinomas (17) were investigated possibly to establish a diagnostic marker. We examined the type of mucin secreted and immunoreactivities of antibodies to ras-p21 and c-erB-2 oncogene products. A significant decrease in the amount of mucin was found in invasive lesions, and this was associated with a shift toward production of neutral mucins and especially sialomucins. Hyperplasia and adenoma, in contrast, demonstrated a predominance of neutral mucin. The sulfated mucins found in normal epithelium were only very weakly stained in any of the tumor types. Thirty-three percent of non-invasive intraductal papillary tumors and 88% of invasive ductal adenocarcinomas demonstrated strong binding of the ras-p21 antibody. In contrast no obvious differences in expression of c-erbB-2 were evident between the groups. In conclusion, a combined mucin histochemical/immunohistochemical approach may facilitate accurate diagnosis.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Liver scintigraphy in a patient with Gaucher disease.

Liver scintigraphy including SPECT was performed in a patient with Gaucher disease and compared with other methods. Multiple photon-deficient areas in the liver and spleen were recognized, and in evaluating the reticuloendothelial system of the liver, liver SPECT image was superior to US, CT and MR images.

Adult↗

Spatial changes of [Ca2+]i and contraction caused by phorbol esters in vascular smooth muscle cells.

In A7r5 smooth muscle cell suspensions, 12-deoxyphorbol 13-isobutyrate (DPB) and phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB), active phorbol esters for protein kinase C (PKC), increased the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), but 4 alpha-PDB, an inactive phorbol ester, did not. Digital images of the fura 2 fluorescence from single cells revealed that DPB caused elevation of Ca2+ in localized peripheral regions, followed by expansion of this elevated Ca2+ level throughout the cytoplasm. High K+ also induced a dynamic change of [Ca2+]i. DPB and high K+ increased the wrinkles and distortions in the flexible growth surface beneath the cells. In Ca(2+)-depleted media, DPB did not affect [Ca2+]i but substantially increased wrinkles. The increase could be eliminated by staurosporine, a specific inhibitor of PKC. DPB increased the particulate PKC activity in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that PKC activation induces cellular contractions through two distinct mechanisms, one dependent on and another independent of the [Ca2+]i increase.

Animals↗

Renovascular hypertension caused by lymph node metastasis in a patient with uterine cervical cancer: case report.

Renovascular hypertension was found in a fifty-four-year-old woman who had been diagnosed as having uterine cervical cancer, stage Ib, six months before admission. Renal arteriography showed a stenosis of the right renal artery with a significant increase in renal vein renin level from the ipsilateral kidney. Abdominal computed tomographic scanning showed enlarged lymph nodes in the para-aortic region at the level of the right renal artery, which suggested metastasis of the carcinoma. Metastatic lymph node swellings probably caused compression of the right renal artery.

Female↗

Phytogrowth-inhibitory activities of sulfur-containing compounds. II. The inhibitory activities of thiosalicylic acid and dihydro-2(3H)-thiophenone-related compounds on plant growth.

Thiosalicylic acid (I) showed rather strong inhibitory activity on the growth of roots of all plants treated except Abelmoschus esculentus Moench at the concentration of 5.0 x 10(-4) M. This compound strongly inhibited the growth of the root of Echinochloa utilis Ohwi et Yabuno even at the low concentration of 5.0 x 10(-5) M. Dihydro-2(3H)-thiophenone (VII) also exhibited inhibitory activity on the growth of roots of all plants treated except Glycine max Merrill. Both compounds inhibited the germination of seeds of some plants at the concentration of 1.0 x 10(-3) M. In I-related compounds (I-V), methyl acetylthiosalicylate (IV) had the strongest inhibitory activity, while in VII-related compounds (VII-XI), 4-hydroxy-2(5H)-thiophenone (VIII) showed the most potent inhibitory activity. The amount of chlorophyll in the cotyledon of Brassica campestris L. subsp. rapa Hook. f. et Anders treated with all compounds except tetrahydrothiophene (XI) was lower than that of the control group.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗

[Inhibitory action of E3810 on H+,K(+)-ATPase and gastric acid secretion in vitro].

The inhibitory action of (+-)-sodium 2-[(4-(3-methoxypropoxy)-3-methylpyridine-2-yl) methylsulfinyl]-1H- benzimidazole (E3810) on H+,K(+)-ATPase and gastric acid secretion in vitro was investigated, and it was compared with those of omeprazole (OPZ). E3810 concentration-dependently inhibited the H+,K(+)-ATPase activity of hog gastric vesicles. Its IC50 was 0.26 microM at pH 6.1. The inhibition was irreversible in nature and reversed by dithiothreitol. The potency of E3810 was 10-times that of omeprazole. Acidification of the intravesicular (luminal) space increased 1000-fold the potency of E3810, indicating that E3810 is a specific inhibitor which binds to the luminal cysteine residue of H+,K(+)-ATPase. Prolonged incubation of up to 180 min in the absence of thiol reagents of rabbit gastric glands which had been inhibited by a low concentration of E3810 (0.3 and 0.5 microM) time-dependently and completely reversed the inhibition, as determined by aminopyrine uptake, whereas it did not recover the acid secretion in omeprazole-treated glands. These results suggest that the acid-activated E3810 is a potent specific inhibitor of H+,K(+)-ATPase, and that the duration of the inhibitory action of E3810 is much shorter than that of omeprazole in isolated gastric glands.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗

Effect of active egg white product on neutrophil function in weanling piglets.

The effect of oral administration of an active egg white product (AEWP) on neutrophil function in weanling piglets was investigated. The peripheral blood neutrophils of piglets receiving single doses of 20 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg displayed increased phagocytic activity for latex particles from 1 day after administration. This increased phagocytic activity persisted for 5 days in the 100 mg/kg group. Piglets receiving a dose of 30 mg/kg/day for a week displayed increased neutrophil phagocytic activity throughout the administration period. Moreover, when the administration of AEWP was resumed 10 days after withdrawal, neutrophil phagocytic activity rapidly increased again. Thus, AEWP enhanced the nonspecific phagocytic activity of neutrophils when given to piglets by the oral route.

Animals↗

Distribution of mesenteric and splenic blood flow in cirrhosis of the liver as estimated by radionuclide angiography.

We used radionuclide angiography following an injection of 185 MBq Tc-99m tin colloid as a non-invasive method for measuring the mesenteric and portal components of the total hepatic circulation, according to the method of Fleming et al (J Nucl Med 24; 1983). Fifty-seven patients with cirrhosis and 33 controls were examined. The relative mesenteric flow (MF) and the relative portal flow (PF) were 68.6 +/- 8.5% and 78.6 +/- 5.9%, respectively, in the control group. These values were 42.0 +/- 16.4% and 70.9 +/- 8.9%, respectively in the cirrhosis group, and were significantly lower than in the controls. In the cirrhosis group, the reduction in PF was small, while that in MF was large. Consequently, we found that portal blood flow was relatively well maintained in the cirrhosis patients, while the contribution of splanchnic blood flow to the portal flow was relatively reduced.

Adult↗

Hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis associated with mixed connective tissue disease; a comparison with idiopathic and infectious pachymeningitis.

This is the first report describing hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis which developed in association with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). A 56-year-old man with a two-year history of MCTD gradually developed symptoms of headache and blurred vision. Bilateral papilledema and increased opening pressure and mild pleocytosis of the cerebrospinal fluid were noted. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a diffuse thickening and a gadolinium-enhancement of the cranial dura mater. While five previous patients, diagnosed as idiopathic or infectious hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis in our department, had either otitis media or sinusitis and showed multiple cranial nerve involvement, the present patient had neither otitis media nor sinusitis and did not show any cranial nerve involvement other than papilledema.

Adult↗

Facioscapulohumeral syndrome with sensorineural hearing loss and abnormality of retinal vessels.

A 23-year-old man was recognized as a sporadic case of facioscapulohumeral syndrome (FSH syndrome). He was a case of early onset, and there was severe atrophy of skeletal muscles, although muscle biopsy was normal. Electromyogram revealed neurogenic changes. This patient also had severe sensorineural hearing loss and a mild abnormality of retinal vessels. It is known that some FSH dystrophy or FSH spinal muscular atrophy patients have such coincidental complications. The cause of these coincidences is still unclear, but their occurrence suggests the pleiotropy of the FSH syndrome.

Adult↗

Therapeutic effect of intradermal injections with difucosyl lactosamine (dimeric Lex) on patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

As reported by us, a new myeloid cell population with an oncofetal membrane marker, dimeric Lex (di-Lex; III3FucV3 FucnLc6), was found in the epiphyseal bone marrow adjacent to the involved joints of patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients with RA received intradermal (id) injections of di-Lex incorporated in liposome or of high molecular weight glycoprotein, or tumor associated carbohydrate antigen (TCA), containing the same carbohydrate epitope as di-Lex. The epiphyseal myeloid cells were reduced or sometimes eliminated during id injection. In random trials of id injection, observation under clinical and laboratory conditions showed improvement in 63% (17/27) of the patients treated for 6 months with appropriate doses of di-Lex (III3FucnLc4), and in 72% (31/43) of those treated with an identical protocol for TCA. However, id injection with monomeric Lex had no effect.

Adult↗

A study into the phenomenon of head-shaking nystagmus: its presence in a dizzy population.

In this paper we have prospectively analyzed results from approximately 1,500 patients who underwent a head-shaking test during routine electronystagmography (ENG). The incidence of head-shaking nystagmus (HSN) in a dizzy population was relatively high (31.7%) when compared to other so-called abnormalities in the routine ENG test battery. Its presence was also similar in both active vs. passive head-shake tests. When present, different types of HSN were identified (monophasic (76.8%), biphasic (22.7%) and triphasic (0.5%)). In some cases, reversals of the expected "normal" pattern occurred. A high correlation was found to exist between a positive head-shake test and the presence of spontaneous nystagmus, positional nystagmus and caloric test abnormalities.

Adolescent↗

[The effects of synthetic protease inhibitor on motility of the human duodenal papilla].

We studied the effects of synthetic protease inhibitors on the motility of the human duodenal papilla. Before and after the intravenous administration of gabexate mesilate (GM) or nafamostat mesilate (NM), the duodenal papillary pressure was measured with a catheter tip pressure transducer under duodenoscopy. GM was administered to fourteen subjects at 1 and 3 mg/kg/h. The peak pressure and the basal pressure were dose-dependently reduced by GM, but the frequency did not change. The blood CCK concentration was not changed after GM administration. NM was administered to twelve subjects at 0.3 mg/kg/h. Both the papillary pressure and the frequency were not changed by NM. GM inhibited the papillary motility, but NM had no consistent effect on the papillary motility.

Adult↗

[A case of carbamazepine-induced lupus with myositis].

This is the report with muscle disorder associated carbamazepine (CBZ)-induced lupus. A 39-year-old female had been treated with CBZ 400 mg per day for 2 years because of complex partial seizure. In November, 1992 laboratory studies showed elevation of serum CK, IgG and titers of antinuclear antibody. Physical examination on admission revealed muscle weakness of neck flexors and iliopsoas but no rash or arthralgia. The electromyography showed myogenic change in the right biceps. CBZ was discontinued and replaced by zonisamide. Prednisolone 40 mg daily was started and the patient steadily improved. In the literature, there have been a few cases with muscle symptoms in CBZ-induced lupus, but muscle involvement with highly elevated CK associated with CBZ-induced lupus has not been reported.

Adult↗

Pharmacological effects of cefclidin on the central nervous system.

The effects of cefclidin (CFCL), a novel antibacterial agent, on the central nervous system (CNS) were examined in a variety of animal models. The effects of cefazolin (CEZ) were also examined for comparative purposes. In the animal models used CFCL whilst having some effects at the doses examined, failed to show an overall consistent effect on the CNS. In contrast CEZ produced changes in the parameters measured which were generally consistent with a proconvulsant action.

Animals↗

Two different signal transductions of neuropeptide Y1 receptor in SK-N-MC cells.

The signal transduction systems of the neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y1 receptor were studied in SK-N-MC human neuroblastoma cells. NPY induced an increase in intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) and inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation, which were mediated through Y1 receptors. One-min preincubation of cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) inhibited both signal transductions dose-dependently, but its effect on [Ca2+]i was about 100-fold more potent than that on cyclic AMP. PMA had no effect on [125I]BH-NPY binding in SK-N-MC cells and hardly inhibited the endothelin-1-induced increase in [Ca2+]i. Pertussis toxin also inhibited the NPY-induced [Ca2+]i increase 30-fold more effectively than the NPY-mediated inhibition of cyclic AMP accumulation. These results indicate that Y1 receptors in SK-N-MC cells couple to two signal transduction systems that have different sensitivities to phorbol ester and pertussis toxin treatments.

Alkaloids↗