Biomedical subjects

M Kawaguchi

Publications and source records attributed to M Kawaguchi.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

The mouse ZFH-4 protein contains four homeodomains and twenty-two zinc fingers.

We isolated the mouse zfh-4 cDNA which is 12 kb long and capable of encoding a 3,550-amino acid protein containing four homeodomains and 22 zinc fingers including two pseudo zinc finger motifs. The mouse ZFH-4 is 51% homologous to the mouse ATBF1 and 23% to the Drosophila ZFH-2. The homeodomain and zinc finger regions are highly conserved between ZFH-4 and ATBF1 except that one zinc finger is missing in ZFH-4. Analysis of partial genomic sequences showed that the mouse zfh-4 and ATBF1 genes are similar in exon-intron organization. RT-PCR analysis of zfh-4 transcripts in adult mouse tissues showed that zfh-4 expression was low but reproducibly detectable in brain, heart, lung and muscle. In these mouse tissues, ATBF1 transcripts were poorly amplified by PCR under the conditions where zfh-4 transcripts were amplified, suggesting that the expression of zfh-4 mRNA is higher than that of ATBF1 mRNA. Other comparative analysis suggests functional similarities and dissimilarities between ZFH-4 and ATBF1.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

PubMed2000

Low dose propofol as a supplement to ketamine-based anesthesia during intraoperative monitoring of motor-evoked potentials.

STUDY DESIGN: Motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) were analyzed using transcranial electrical stimulation during spinal surgery in patients under ketamine-based anesthesia, with and without propofol. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of propofol on MEPs and ketamine-induced adverse effects during spinal surgery in patients under ketamine-based anesthesia. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Intraoperative monitoring of transcranial motor-evoked responses provides a method for monitoring the functional integrity of descending motor pathways. However, because these responses are sensitive to suppression by most anesthetic agents, anesthetic technique is limited during the monitoring of MEPs. Ketamine has been reported to have little effect on MEPs but may produce adverse effects such as psychedelic effect and hypertension. Recently, it has been reported that propofol may be able to inhibit ketamine-induced adverse effects. METHODS: Intraoperative monitoring of MEPs was performed in 58 patients who underwent elective spinal surgery. Anesthesia was maintained with nitrous oxide-fentanyl-ketamine without or with low-dose (1-3 mg/kg/hr) of propofol (K group; n = 34, KP group; n = 24, respectively). Transcranial stimulation with single or paired pulses or a train of three or five pulses (interstimulus interval, 2 msec) were delivered to the scalp, and compound muscle action potentials were recorded from the left and right tibialis anterior muscles. To investigate the dose effects of propofol on MEPs, propofol was administered at an infusion rate of 6, 4, and 2 mg/kg/hr and then discontinued in 14 patients. RESULTS: Results of MEPs were comparable between the K and KP groups. The incidence of postoperative psychedelic effect was significantly less in the KP group (14%) than in the K group (41%). Although propofol inhibited MEPs dose dependently, the use of a train of pulses for stimulation could overcome such inhibition. CONCLUSIONS: If a train of pulses were used for transcranial stimulation, low-dose propofol can be effectivelyused as a supplement to ketamine-based anesthesia during intraoperative monitoring of myogenic MEPs. Addition of propofol significantly reduced the ketamine-induced psychedelic effects.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Menstrual changes in sleep, rectal temperature and melatonin rhythms in a subject with premenstrual syndrome.

We studied a sighted woman with premenstrual syndrome who showed menstrual changes in circadian rhythms. She showed alternative phase shifts in the sleep rhythm in the menstrual cycle: progressive phase advances in the follicular phase and phase delays in the luteal phase. Rectal temperature rhythm also showed similar menstrual changes, but the phase advance and delay started a few days earlier than changes in sleep-wake rhythm so that the two rhythms were dissociated around ovulation and menstruation. These results suggest that her circadian rhythms in sleep and temperature are under the control of ovarian steroid hormones and that these two rhythms have different sensitivity to the hormones.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Sentinel lymph node biopsy using tin colloid RI and blue dye method.

Axillary dissection has been considered essential for breast cancer staging because nodal metastasis is the most powerful predictive factor for recurrence. On the other hand, morbidity, such as lymphedema and shoulder dysfunction, may occur. Sentinel node biopsy is a good way to avoid unnecessary axillary dissection. We used tin colloid as a carrier of Tc99m tracer together with the blue dye method. The detection rate of the sentinel node was 27 cases out of 29 (90%) for the blue dye method, 10 cases out of 19 (53%) for the RI method, and 27 out of 33 (82%) for the combined method. The detection rate of the RI method was improved after adding the subcutaneous injection over the tumor from 45% before adding the subcutaneous injection to 82% after adding it. The false negative rate was 11% for the blue dye method, 0% for the RI method, and 10% for the combined method. This yields a sensitivity of 89% for the blue dye method, 100% for the RI method, and 90% for the combined method. Specificity was 100% for all three methods. Accuracy was 96% for the blue dye method, 100% for the RI method, and 96% for the combined method. There were two false negative cases. The average number of sentinel lymph nodes was 2.12 for the dye method, 1.66 for the RI method, and 1.95 for the combined method. There were three of 49 cases with identified parasternal lymph nodes by RI imaging. Lymphatic mapping using tin colloid may be useful for detecting sentinel nodes.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Analysis of ENOD40 expression in alb1, a symbiotic mutant of Lotus japonicus that forms empty nodules with incompletely developed nodule vascular bundles.

The alb1 mutant of Lotus japonicus (Ljsym74) forms empty nodules in which most of the bacteria remain in abnormally enlarged infection threads and fail to enter the host plant cells. The alb1 mutant was also found to be defective in differentiation of ramified nodule vascular bundles; only a single vascular bundle differentiates at the proximal end of the alb1 nodules and it fails to differentiate further. Histochemical analysis using fluorescein-conjugated wheat-germ agglutinin (F-WGA) indicated that the mutation in the ALB1 gene specifically affects the differentiation of vascular bundles in nodules. Analysis of nodulin gene expression revealed that the expression of an early nodulin gene, ENOD40, was very low in alb1 nodules. At early developmental stages of alb1 nodules, the pattern of ENOD40 transcription was essentially the same as that in wild-type nodules; transcripts were localized in dividing cortical cells and in the pericycle of the root stele opposite nodule primordia, as in wild-type nodules. However, mature alb1 nodules exhibited very weak or no expression of ENOD40 in the peripheral cells of the undeveloped nodule vascular bundle. The ENOD40 expression pattern in alb1 nodules is distinct from that in another ineffective mutant, fen1 (Ljsym76), in which ENOD40 expression persists prior to premature senescence. These findings lead us to speculate that ENOD40 may play a role in the differentiation of nodule vascular bundles.

Fabaceae↗

PubMed2000

Effects of anticonvulsants on local anaesthetic-induced neurotoxicity in rats.

The effects of various anticonvulsants on local anaesthetics procaine- and lidocaine-induced convulsions were investigated in rats. Pretreatment with diazepam (2.5-5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) and clonazepam (5-10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) completely protected the rats against both local anaesthetic-induced convulsions. Phenobarbital (12.5-50 mg/kg, subcutaneously) also significantly decreased the incidence of both convulsions and prolonged their latencies. Carbabazepine (10-40 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) did not completely repress both convulsions, but it prolonged their latencies. Phenytoin (5-20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) and primidone (30-60 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) markedly enhanced both local anaesthetic-induced convulsions, as shown by shortening of latency and increase in mortality. Valproate (100-200 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) produced a protective effect against procaine-induced convulsions, while it strongly enhanced lidocaine-induced convulsions. These results suggest that the benzodiazepines are effective drugs to prevent neurotoxicity induced by local anaesthetics, while phenytoin and primidone potentiate them.

Anesthetics, Local↗

PubMed2000

Multiple fractures of primary molars caused by injuries to the chin: report of two cases.

Two cases of multiple fractures of the primary molars caused by injuries to the chin are presented. Clinical and radiographic examinations revealed a vertical fracture line in the maxillary and mandibular primary molars. Pulpotomy or pulpectomy treatment was performed on the affected teeth, which were then restored with preformed stainless steel crowns.

Accidental Falls↗

PubMed2000

Effect of activin on cell growth in primary cultures of guinea pig gastric epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND: The effect of activin on differentiated cells is known to be different from that on undifferentiated cells. Cultured gastric epithelial cells in complete serum-free conditions grew into matured mucous cells after treatment with epidermal growth factor (EGF). AIM: To elucidate the effect of activin on the growth of differentiated and undifferentiated gastric mucosal cells. METHODS: Cultured guinea pig gastric epithelial cells were prepared using the method of Ogihara et al. Synthesis of activin was analysed by Western blot using monoclonal anti-activin A antibody. Cell proliferation was assessed by counting the number of cells. Mucin production was assessed by histochemical study using periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) reaction. RESULTS: Western blot analysis indicated that activin was synthesized in cultured guinea pig gastric mucosal cells. One hundred nanomolar EGF induced a 3-fold increase in cell count and the appearance of PAS-positive granules. Five nanograms activin per millilitre without EGF stimulated proliferation of the cells that showed almost negative PAS staining. When activin was added after treatment with 100 nM EGF for 24 h, cell proliferation induced by EGF was inhibited by activin at concentrations higher than 5 ng/mL. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that activin stimulates proliferation of undifferentiated cells and inhibits growth of differentiated cells.

Activins↗

PubMed2000

T-prolymphocytic leukaemia with spontaneous remission.

T-prolymphocytic leukaemia (T-PLL) is a rare dis-order with a poor prognosis. A 69-year-old man was diagnosed as having a small-cell variant of T-PLL according to the French-American-British classification by haematological, immunological and ultrastructural studies, although the cells had a CD7- phenotype and no chromosomal abnormality. He had no symptoms or organomegaly. The number of his lymphocytes, 53.7 x 109/l at the time of diagnosis, gradually decreased without therapy, and he was in complete remission 39 months later. A rearranged band in the T-cell antigen receptor-beta gene, which was detected at the time of diagnosis, decreased or disappeared. This is the first report of a T-PLL case with spontaneous complete remission.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Comparison between partial and minimal medial epicondylectomy combined with decompression for the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome.

We have performed minimal medial epicondylectomy for cubital tunnel syndrome since 1990 to preserve the anterior medial collateral ligament. In this study we compared surgical outcomes between partial medial epicondylectomy (14 patients) and minimal medial epicondylectomy (18 patients) combined with ulnar nerve decompression for the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome. Mean preoperative Yasutake scores were 57 +/- 17 points (+/-SD) in the partial epicondylectomy group and 60 +/- 15 points in the minimal medial epicondylectomy group. The postoperative scores were 79 +/- 19 points and 87 +/- 10 points, respectively. Both groups had significant improvement in their Yasutake scores following medial epicondylectomy. Similar improvements in motor conduction velocity were observed. There was no significant difference in improvement of either the Yasutake scores or the motor conduction velocity between the 2 groups. Valgus instability of the elbow was significantly greater in the partial epicondylectomy group. We therefore conclude that minimal medial epicondylectomy combined with ulnar nerve decompression is an effective treatment for cubital tunnel syndrome and that a larger excision of the medial epicondyle should be avoided.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Isolation of two different phenotypes of mycorrhizal mutants in the model legume plant Lotus japonicus after EMS-treatment.

Lotus japonicus has been proposed as a model plant for the molecular genetic study of plant-microbe interaction including Mesorhizobium loti and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. Non-mycorrhizal mutants of Lotus japonicus were screened from a collection of 12 mutants showing non-nodulating (Nod-), ineffectively nodulating (Fix-) and hypernodulating (Nod++) phenotypes with monogenic recessive inheritance induced by EMS (ethylmethane sulfonate) mutagenesis. Three mycorrhizal mutant lines showing highly reduced arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization were obtained. All of them were derived from Nod- phenotypes. In Ljsym72, the root colonization by Glomus sp. R-10 is characterized by poor development of the external mycelium, formation of extremely branched appressoria, and the blocking of hyphal penetration at the root epidermis. Neither arbuscules nor vesicles were formed in Ljsym72 roots. Fungal recognition on the root surface was strongly affected by the mutation in the LjSym72 gene. Unique characteristics in mutant lines Ljsym71-1 and Ljsym71-2 were the overproduction of deformed appressoria and arrested hyphal penetration of the exodermis. Small amounts of internal colonization including degenerated arbuscule formation occurred infrequently in these types of mutants. Not only fungal development on the root surface but also that in the root exodermis and cortex was affected by the mutation in LjSym71 gene. These mutants represent a key advance in molecular research on the AM symbiosis.

Ethyl Methanesulfonate↗

PubMed2000

Hypothermia attenuates the vasodilatory response of pial arterioles to hemorrhagic hypotension in the cat.

UNLABELLED: We investigated the effect of hypothermia on the vasodilatory response of pial arterioles to hemorrhagic hypotension. The cranial window technique was combined with microscopic video recording in an experiment involving 20 cats anesthetized with pentobarbital. The animals were randomly assigned to either a normothermic or a hypothermic group (32 degrees C). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was reduced in stepwise increments of 10 mm Hg (from 100 to 50 mm Hg) by blood withdrawal. The diameter of small (50-100 microm) and large (100-200 microm) pial arterioles was measured. In the normothermic group (n = 9), small and large arterioles dilated at a MAP of 60 and 50 mm Hg, and at a MAP of 70, 60, and 50 mm Hg, respectively, compared with baseline values obtained at a MAP of 100 mm Hg. In contrast, in the hypothermic group (n = 11), vasodilation of either small or large arterioles was absent. The percentage diameter of small and large arterioles (percentage of control) was significantly lower at a MAP of 70, 60, and 50 mm Hg in the hypothermic group than the normothermic group. Our in vivo study demonstrates that hypothermia impairs autoregulatory vasodilation of pial arterioles in response to hemorrhagic hypotension. IMPLICATIONS: Deliberate mild hypothermia has been proposed as a means of providing cerebral protection during neurosurgical procedures. Our results suggest that cerebral blood flow autoregulation in response to hemorrhagic hypotension may be impaired during hypothermic conditions, indicating the importance of maintaining perfusion pressure during hypothermic therapy to prevent cerebral ischemia.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Isoflurane delays but does not prevent cerebral infarction in rats subjected to focal ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Several investigations have shown that volatile anesthetics can reduce ischemic cerebral injury. In these studies, however, neurologic injury was evaluated only after a short recovery period. Recent data suggest that injury caused by ischemia is a dynamic process characterized by continual neuronal loss for a prolonged period. Whether isoflurane-mediated neuroprotection is sustained after a longer recovery period is not known. The current study was conducted to compare the effect of isoflurane on brain injury after short (2-day) and long (14-day) recovery periods in rats subjected to focal ischemia. METHODS: Fasted Wistar-Kyoto rats were anesthetized with isoflurane and randomly allocated to an awake (n = 36) or an isoflurane (n = 34) group. Animals in both groups were subjected to focal ischemia by filament occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Pericranial temperature was servocontrolled at 37 degrees C throughout the experiment. In the awake group, isoflurane was discontinued and the animals were allowed to awaken. In the isoflurane group, isoflurane anesthesia was maintained at 1.5 times the minimum alveolar concentration. After 70 min of focal ischemia, the filament was removed. Animals were killed 2 days (awake, n = 18; isoflurane, n = 17) and 14 days (awake, n = 18; isoflurane, n = 17) after ischemia. The volumes of cerebral infarction and selective neuronal necrosis in the animals were determined by image analysis of hematoxylin and eosin-stained coronal brain sections. RESULTS: Cortical and subcortical volumes of infarction were significantly less in the isoflurane 2-day group (26 +/- 23 mm3 and 17 +/- 6 mm3, respectively) than in the awake 2-day group (58 +/- 35 mm3, P < 0. 01; and 28 +/- 12 mm3, P < 0.01, respectively). By contrast, cortical and subcortical volumes of infarction in the awake (41 +/- 31 mm3 and 28 +/- 16 mm3, respectively) and isoflurane (41 +/- 35 mm3 and 19 +/- 8 mm3, respectively) 14-day groups were not different (cortex, P = 0.99; subcortex, P = 0.08). The volume of cortical tissue in which selective neuronal necrosis was observed, however, was significantly less in the isoflurane 14-day group (5 +/- 4 mm3) than in the awake 14-day group (17 +/- 9 mm3, P < 0.01). The total number of necrotic neurons in the region of selective neuronal necrosis was significantly smaller in the isoflurane 14-day group than in the awake 14-day group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Compared with the awake state, isoflurane reduced the extent of infarction assessed 2 days after focal ischemia in rats. At 14 days, however, only selective neuronal necrosis, but not infarction, was reduced by isoflurane. These results suggest that isoflurane delays but does not prevent cerebral infarction caused by focal ischemia. Isoflurane may attenuate the delayed development of selective neuronal necrosis in periinfarct areas in this animal model.

Anesthetics, Inhalation↗

PubMed2000

A case of subcorneal pustular dermatosis treated with tacalcitol (1alpha,24-dihydroxyvitamin D3).

We report a case of subcorneal pustular dermatosis (SPD) treated with tacalcitol (1alpha,24-Dihydroxyvitamin D3) ointment. A 77-year-old male had had asymptomatic, superficial, grouped pustules in annular patterns with mild background erythema for six years which affected his axillae and bilateral groin. A diagnosis of SPD was made. Topical vitamin D3 (tacalcitol) was applied to the lesion of SPD and its clinical effectiveness was assessed. Within one month, symptoms in the lesion treated with tacalcitol ointment started subsiding, and eventually only erythema remained. After three months, the region treated with tacalcitol ointment showed no relapse. We conclude that tacalcitol ointment is effective for SPD in some case.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

PubMed2000

Expression of eotaxin by normal airway epithelial cells after influenza virus A infection.

BACKGROUND: Viral infection is known to cause lung inflammatory disease, including bronchial asthma. The mechanisms of inflammatory cell accumulation into the airways after viral infection are not well understood. Eotaxin is a CC chemokine which is a potent and specific agonist for CC chemokine receptor 3 (CCR3). CCR3 is expressed on eosinophils, basophils and T lymphocytes. These cells are known to be key cells in the pathogenesis of asthma. Although it has recently been demonstrated that airway epithelial cells express eotaxin in vivo and in vitro, there are few data about its epxression in viral infection. We hypothesized that eotaxin may play an important role in attracting inflammatory cells to the airways after viral infection, and analyzed whether viral infection attracts eotaxin in bronchial epithelial cells in vitro. METHODS: Human airway epithelial cells obtained from bronchial tissue at lobectomy for lung cancer were infected with influenza virus A (subtype H3N2). The cells and cultured media were collected 8, 24, and 48 h after infection. Eotaxin mRNA was analyzed with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Eotaxin protein levels in the culture media were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We also studied a blocking assay to analyze the intervention of proinflammatory cytokines in its production induced by influenza virus. RESULTS: Eotaxin mRNA appeared to be expressed constitutively in uninfected cells but was expressed more clearly in infected cells. Eotaxin protein release into culture media significantly increased after infection. Anti-TNF-alpha and anti-IL-1beta antibodies did not alter the eotaxin protein levels after viral infection. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that influenza virus A infection in airway epithelial cells activates the expression of eotaxin and that eotaxin may participate in the pathogenesis of airway inflammatory disease caused by viral infection, such as infectious type asthma.

Bronchi↗

PubMed2000

Pharmacological characterization of an 18-kDa protein associated with the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor in salivary glands.

Pharmacological characterization of peripheral type benzodiazepine receptors in rat, rabbit, mouse and human salivary glands was determined by receptor binding and photoaffinity labeling analysis using [3H]PK14105 (1-(2-fluoro-5-nitrophenyl)-3-isoquinolinecarboxylic acid). [3H]PK14105 bound to the membranes of salivary glands in rats, rabbits, mice and humans with high affinity at the nanomolar level. The rank order of receptor density in submandibular glands among several species was as follows: human > or = rat > or = mouse > rabbit. Competitive potency of receptor ligands against [3H]PK14105 was as follows: PK1195 > or = Ro5-4864 > diazepam > clonazepam > Ro15-1788. The rank order of potency against calcium channel ligands and co-transport inhibitors was as follows: nitrendipine > BAY K 8644 > bumetanide > furosemide. Pretreatment with nitrendipine or BAY K 8644 decreased the affinity of [3H]PK14105 binding to rat parotid gland membranes, without changing the density. The photoaffinity labeling with [3H]PK14105 indicated the presence of the 18-kDa protein in all salivary glands of our experiment. The inhibition of photolabeling by some receptor ligands was the same results as the receptor binding assay. In conclusion, the peripheral type benzodiazepine receptors include the 18-kDa protein photolabeled with [3H]PK14105 in salivary glands of rat, mouse, rabbit and human.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Cerebrosides in grapevine leaves: distinct composition of sphingoid bases among the grapevine species having different tolerances to freezing temperature.

Cerebrosides from leaves of three grapevine species were analyzed in detail. The relative proportions of 8-E/Z isomers of 4-hydroxy-8-sphingenines [i.e. 8-E/Z t18:1(8E) and (8Z)] differed amongst the species in respect to freezing tolerance. This suggests that the occurrence of high levels of t18:1(8Z) in cerebrosides is correlated with freezing tolerance in these species.

Acclimatization↗

PubMed2000

Teratogenic and fetal toxicity following intravenous theophylline administration in pregnant rabbits is related to maternal drug plasma levels.

This study investigated the teratogenic and fetal toxicity of i.v. theophylline and its relationship to maternal plasma levels in pregnant rabbits. From days 6-18 of gestation, each dose of theophylline (15, 30 and 60 mg/kg/day at a rate of 0.5 ml/kg/min) was administered i.v. to pregnant rabbits using an automatic infusion pump. Theophylline showed reversible toxicity: accelerated respiration, sluggish startle reactions, dilation of the auricular vessels and polyuria were observed in dams treated with 60 mg/kg/day but not in animals given 15 or 30 mg/kg/day. Fetuses from the dam group treated with 60 mg/kg/day exhibited teratogenic toxicity such as cleft palate and skeletal variation of the 13th rib. Fetal toxicity was also observed including abortion, increased number of late deaths and decreased body weight appearing on day 29 of gestation. No toxicity was observed in fetuses from the dam group treated with 15 or 30 mg/kg/day. However, in the 30 and 60 mg/kg/day theophylline-treated groups, maternal plasma concentrations (Cmax) during the treatment period were approximately 56 and 106 micrograms/ml, respectively. It is therefore suggested that the risk of teratogenic and fetal toxicity caused by theophylline is dependent on its dosage. In conclusion, caution should be taken when administering theophylline or aminophylline to pregnant individuals at doses that could result in high neonate peak blood levels.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗