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Biomedical subjects

M Kawabata

Publications and source records attributed to M Kawabata.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

[Electrocardiogram in heart failure].

Heart failure is basically a manifestation of mechanical disturbances of the heart, but not of electrical abnormalities and is not associated with specific ECG patterns. Several ECG findings are, however, experienced in cases with heart failure as a result of cardiac chamber enlargement and other related changes. Left atrial enlargement is known to cause characteristic P wave changes, which sometimes show parallel course with the clinical state. ECG criteria for atrial enlargement are critically reviewed. In cases with cardiac enlargement, which was improved in a relatively short period of time, R wave height often showed first increase and then decrease. Tissue edema was thought to be the major reason for the initial increase and the distance between the recording electrode and the heart for the later decrease, although other factors can contribute and modify the findings. Minor conduction disturbances due to myocardial stretch and other reasons may also contribute to changes of QRS complex. Analysis of RR intervals offers another possibility to characterise heart failure. A decrease in variability of the RR intervals and in high frequency components on frequency spectrum has been reported in cases with heart failure.

Electrocardiography↗
PubMed1992

The synthesis of cadystins, heavy metal chelating peptides, is induced in the fission yeast by wounds of the cell wall or by incubation with chitosan.

It has been shown that heavy metal administration induced the synthesis of cadystins, the small metal chelating peptide with the general structure of (gamma-glu-cys)n-gly, in the fission yeast and in plants. Besides heavy metals, wounds to the cell surface or the incubation with chitosan induced the cadystin synthesis in the fission yeast. Under these induction conditions, the membrane permeability of the fission yeast significantly increased suggesting the structural alteration of the membrane. In these induction, the synthesized cadystins formed complexes with the cellular zinc ions together with or without glutathione.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Significance of peritoneal macrophages on fertility in mice.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the role of peritoneal macrophages in infertility, we investigated how the presence of peritoneal macrophages would affect fecundity in mice. Moreover, we also studied the effects of interleukin-1 on embryonic development. STUDY DESIGN: Mice were administered OK-432 intraperitoneally to induce macrophage infiltration of the peritoneal cavity; ovulation was then induced and animals were mated. On day 13 of gestation, fetuses were counted. After injection of OK-432 or interleukin-1, the mice were mated. Three days later, embryos were collected and the stage of embryo development was determined. RESULTS: In mice given OK-432 (n = 33), four (12%) became pregnant and the mean litter number was 6.0 +/- 3.6, whereas in the control group 23 of 30 mice (77%; p < 0.01) became pregnant and the litter number was 14.1 +/- 5.3 (p < 0.01). OK-432 and interleukin-1 administered intraperitoneally significantly suppressed embryo development (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Increased numbers of peritoneal macrophages negatively affect fecundity, probably by suppressing embryonic development.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Phlebotomine sandfly species in Paraguay and their infection with Leishmania.

Nine species of sandflies, Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) whitmani (Antunes and Countinho), Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) intermedia (Lutz and Neiva), Lutzomyia (Psathyromyia) shannoni (Dyar), Lutzomyia migonei (Franca), Lutzomyia (Pintomyia) fischeri (Pinto), Lutzomyia (Pintomyia) pessoai (Countinho and Barretto), Lutzomyia cortelezzii (Brethes), Lutzomyia walkeri (Newstead) and Lutzomyia (Trichopygomyia) longispinus (Mangabeira), were caught, by human bait and Shannon trap, in four areas of Paraguay hyper-endemic for human leishmaniasis. Lutzomyia whitmani and L. intermedia were the predominant species. All the species collected were found to be anthropophilic. Hindgut infections with leishmanial promastigotes were observed in only one (0.38%) of the 266 L. whitmani dissected. No L. intermedia were found infected, giving an overall infection rate of one (0.16%) of 615 flies dissected. The results indicate a very low rate of natural infection in endemic areas of Paraguay.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Clinicobacteriological study of Pasteurella multocida as a zoonosis (1). Condition of dog and cat carriers of Pasteurella, and the influence for human carrier rate by kiss with the pets].

Pasteurella multocida is a gram-negative short rod-shaped bacteria, which is a part of the indigenous flora of the oral cavity of many animals other than man. The number of reports on cases of infections with this bacterium due to animal bites and/or scratches, bacterial infections of the respiratory tract, sepsis due to this organism and death caused by the bacteria have been increasing in recent years. We investigated P. multocida in the hair and oral cavity of 3 dogs and 29 cats according to the classification of Mutters et al.. We also studied the relationship between the carrier rate for Pasteurella in the oral cavity and kissing of pets in 24 pet owners (3 dogs and 11 cats). No P. multocida was isolated from the hair of neither dogs nor cats. One strain of P. multocida subsp. multocida and two strains of P. stomatis, were isolated from the oral cavity of dogs, and 35 strains of Pasteurella were isolated from the oral cavity of cats. Two strains of P. multocida subsp. multocida, whose biochemical properties were different, were detected in the oral cavity of one cat. In three cats, Pasteurella other than P. multocida subsp. multocida was isolated from the same oral cavity. No Pasteurella was detected in the oral cavity of 19 pet owners who had not kissed their cats, whereas P. stomatis was isolated from the oral cavity of one of 2 pet owners who had kissed their cats and in 2 of 3 pet owners who had kissed their dogs (the same bacteria was isolated from a dog that was being kept by some of these positive pet owners).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Study of the anti Borrelia burgdorferi antibody of hunters in Hokkaido].

We examined the sera of 587 hunters in Hokkaido (Japan's northernmost island) for the antibody to Borrelia burgdorferi (B. burgdorferi) by enzyme immunoassay, clarified the conditions related to antibody positivity in these subjects according to region, and studied the effects of factors such as age and lifestyle on the antibody titer. In contrast with an anti-B. burgdorferi antibody positive rate of 7.1% in control sera, that in the hunters' sera was 16.0%. Among those positive for the anti-B. burgdorferi antibody, the antibody positive rate in sera excluding those testing positive in the serological test for syphilis was 5.5% in the controls, and 15.4% in the hunters, the latter rate being significantly higher (p less than 0.05). In both hunters and control groups, the antibody-positive rate tended to be higher in older subjects, but the antibody titer showed no correlation with their age, or the duration of their hunting experience. Examination of the hunters' occupations revealed a tendency toward high titers in those engaged in dairy farming. The antibody positivity of those who went gathering edible wild plants was significantly higher than those did not (p less than 0.05). These observations suggested that the high antibody-positive rate in hunters may have been due largely to the effect of activities other than hunting as sources of infection by Borrelia.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Questionnaire surveys of cases of tick bite and Lyme borreliosis in hunters in Hokkaido with reference to detection of anti-Borrelia burgdorferi antibody.

An epidemic of Lyme borreliosis on Hokkaido island, Japan, was surveyed by questionnaire in 587 hunters. The 308 returns (52.4%) revealed episodes of tick bite (usually 2 or more) in 210 cases. Skin rashes appeared in 164 cases. Associated itching, pain, etc., but not skin rash, were more frequent after 2 or more tick bite. Previous determinations of anti-Borrelia burgdorferi antibody titers in these subjects and in controls suggested an association with outdoor activities other than hunting, and among 33 cases of dermatological symptoms and 23 of articular symptoms, 4 and 2, respectively, were antibody-positive. Most of these antibody-positive subjects had suffered tick bite at least twice, but had had no antibiotic treatment. Three subjects with joint disorders were antibody-positive. These findings suggested that the many hunters exposed to Borrelia burgdorferi frequently carried latent infections, and that some had latent form of arthritis, dermatitis and other disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

A seroepidemiological survey of antibodies to HTLV-I/HTLV-II in selected population groups in Paraguay.

Between March 1987 and November 1989 a cross-sectional serological survey was conducted on 884 residents of Paraguay to obtain data on the prevalence of antibodies to human T-cell leukemia virus type I/II (HTLV-I/II). Sera from 8/884 individuals (0.9%) were positive, confirmed by Western blotting and radioimmunoprecipitation (RIPA). This study shows that HTLV-I/II is very rare (or absent) among the general (healthy) population (0/338) and ethnic Japanese (0/227) in Paraguay. However, it can be detected at a rate of 2-3% in prostitutes (4/178) and homosexuals (4/117), suggesting sexual transmission as an important route for spread of HTLV-I/II in Paraguay.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMed1992

Rapid reconstruction of three dimensional images from ultrasonography using a linearly moving mirror.

A system for reconstructing three dimensional (3-D) images from ultrasonography using a linearly moving mirror was modified. The device could display the 3-D structure of objects in real time by employing an on-line system. In a case of hepatocellular carcinoma, structures of the tumor and blood vessels were selectively visualized. One 3-D image was generated within five minutes. This modified system will be of use in the analysis of liver tumors.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

[Clinicobacteriological study of Pasteurella multocida infection as a zoonosis. (2)--Comparisons of P. multocida separated from patients and their pet dogs and cats].

A total of 17 strains of Pasteurella multocida, of which 13 were isolated from patients treated at Nihon University Itabashi Hospital or Nihon University Surugadai Hospital between April, 1984 and March, 1991 and 4 from 1 dog and 3 cats kept by the patients, were evaluated with respect to their biochemical properties, sensitivity to drugs, and serotype. The isolated strains were all considered to be Pasteurella multocida subsp. multocida because of the agreement of their responses to indole, sorbitol and dulcitol with those of this subspecies, except for 1 sorbitol-negative strain of Pasteurella multocida subsp. septica isolated from 1 patient who had been bitten by a cat. All the isolated strains showed high sensitivities to various drugs. The serotype was capsular type A, which is often observed in cats and dogs, in 7 strains, which consisted of 6 of the 7 strains derived from the airway of the patients and 1 of the 6 strains derived from bit or scratch wound. The remaining strains could not be classified. Five morphological types, namely 1, 3, 3.8, 6, and 8 were observed. In 2 patients, Pasteurella multocida subsp. multocida of the same serotype was also isolated from their cats. One of these patients had intimate contact with the cat including kissing. Our findings suggest that: 1) Pasteurella multocida subsp. multocida has been responsible for most conventional cases of Pasteurella multocida infection. 2) Strains isolated from patients differ in the capsular type according to the disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[A case of gallbladder cancer with marked response to EAP treatment].

A case of unresectable gall bladder cancer due to multiple metastasis was dealt with EAP (VP-16, ADM, CDDP) treatment. The case was a 49-year-old male who was admitted to the hospital with a 3 cm sized umbilical tumor. After 2 cycles of the treatment, the tumor size significantly decreased and the symptoms diminished. In parallel, the symptoms from bone metastasis and dissemination also disappeared. As for tumor markers, CA 19-9 indicated 5151 U/ml, fell down to the normal range after the treatment. In this case, the efficacy of EAP treatment to the primary gall bladder carcinoma was undetectable, because of the difficulty of elucidation of the primary site by diagnostic images. However, all data suggested that EAP treatment was effective to the advanced unresectable gallbladder cancer, at least to its metastatic sites.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1992

[Bronchopneumonopathy in HTLV-1 associated myelopathy (HAM) and non-HAM HTLV-1 carriers].

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) causes not only adult T-cell leukemia (ATL), but also HTLV-1 associated myelopathy, a recently described slowly progressive spastic paraparesis, in its carrier state. Pulmonary involvement has been reported in HAM patients. Based on bronchoalveolar lavage or histological examination, the pulmonary involvement has been characterized by accumulation of T-cells, especially activated T-cells, in the lung. We reviewed our data on pulmonary involvement in HAM, which suggested that the characteristic pulmonary involvement observed in HAM was not restricted to HAM patients, but was also observed in non-HAM HTLV-1 carriers. Based on the data, we report that HAM is a systemic disease and that HTLV-1 causes characteristic pulmonary involvement, which we termed HTLV-1 associated bronchopneumonopathy (HAB).

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid↗
PubMed1991

Renal blood flow control by tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) in normal and spontaneously hypertensive rats--a role for dopamine and adenosine.

Following the elementary laws of hemodynamics and the functional characteristics of the renal myogenic and macula densa-mediated (TGF) vascular resistance control mechanisms, TGF-mediated changes of renal vascular resistance are amplified by cooperative changes of the myogenic mechanism. Myogenically induced changes, on the other hand, would be antagonized by TGF. Resetting of renal vascular flow resistance by alterations to the TGF mechanisms might thus be more effective than alterations to the myogenic mechanism. Dopamine and adenosine, two autacoids occurring normally in the tubular fluid, may play a key role in operating such a resetting mechanism. Dopamine and adenosine were found in proximal tubular fluid at concentrations of 10(-8) and 0.5 10(-6) M respectively. Dopamine inhibits the tubuloglomerular feedback mechanism, this inhibition is antagonized concentration-dependently by adenosine. These effects most likely occur via D1 and A1 receptors and hence by regulation of the adenyl cyclase activity in the macula densa cells. The balance between adenosine and dopamine in tubular fluid appears to be under the control of extrarenal parameters. In normal rats, high dietary salt intake, by influencing the secretion of an unknown adrenal hormone, and inhibition of Na-K-ATPase might be of importance. In spontaneously hypertensive rats unknown genetic parameters may also play a role.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1991

Tetramethylthiuram disulfide or dimethyldithiocarbamate induces the synthesis of cadystins, heavy metal chelating peptides, in Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

Tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD) or dimethyldithiocarbamate (DMDTC) induces the synthesis of cadystins, a family of heavy metal chelating isopeptides with the formula (gamma-Glu-Cys)n-Gly (n = 2,3,4,...), in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Amount of cadystins synthesized in TMTD or DMDTC treated cells is less than that synthesized in CdCl2 treated cells but much more than that synthesized in ZnCl2 or CuSO4 treated cells.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1991

Neutralization activity of some Coxsackie B3 antibodies is compromised by protein factor(s) secreted by Vero cells.

When various anti-Coxsackie B3 virus antibodies were examined for the neutralizing activity in cultures under liquid medium, some antibodies including monoclonal antibodies gave abnormally low titers in the neutralization test in Vero cells, in comparison with the other cells such as HeLa, FL, HEp-2, or primary monkey kidney cells. The neutralization titer of these antibodies was, however, similar in all these cells by plaque reduction assays under agar overlay, i.e., the above phenomenon was restricted to cultures under liquid medium. The reduced neutralization titer in Vero cells under liquid medium was found to be brought about by protease-sensitive factor(s) released by Vero cells, because (1) the addition of Vero cell culture fluid resulted in a marked reduction of neutralizing titer in primary monkey kidney cells, and (2) the activity of the Vero cell factor was destroyed by trypsin (20 micrograms/ml for 1 h). As three-day incubation of virus-antibody complex in Vero cell culture fluid resulted in a partial restoration of virus infectivity, the binding of antibody to virions appears to be competed by the Vero cell factor.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Epigenetic control of tumor cell morphology.

XC cell line derived from a single rat cell transformed by the Prague strain of Rous sarcoma virus produced morphologically different colonies. Among them, two distinct cell types consisting of thick, fusiform cells (L-type), and of flat, polygonal cells (R-type) were apparent. By repeated subclonings, pure cultures, L1 and R1, respectively, were obtained. These clones underwent morphological conversion during prolonged culture; L-type colonies appeared in the R-type clone and vice versa. The kinetic curve suggested that the conversion was multi-stepped. When inoculated into nude mice, L-type cells produced much larger tumors at a higher frequency than R-type cells, and the tumors induced by these two clones were histologically different. The expression of v-src gene was higher in L-type than in R-type cells at both mRNA and protein levels.

Actins↗