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Biomedical subjects

O Hirai

Publications and source records attributed to O Hirai.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Spontaneous hematomyelia properly diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging].

A case of spontaneous hematomyelia with symptoms localized to the C 5-6 level is presented. Myelography and metrizamide CT scan failed to demonstrate the lesion, while magnetic resonance imaging clearly revealed a small intramedullary mass in the ventral portion of C 3-4. Subsequent intensity changes over four weeks indicated the lesion to be hematoma. The patient was successfully treated through an anterior approach.

Adult↗

[Assessment of tissue and intracellular pH following cold-induced vasogenic brain edema--in vitro and in vivo study].

Acid-base balance is closely related to the brain function and various methods have been applied to estimate the intracellular, extracellular or tissue pH. Umbelliferone, a fluorescent pH indicator, has been used to study either intracellular or tissue pH. In the present study, umbelliferone was used for histochemically estimating the tissue pH in the rat brain. The pH nomograms were made from the difference between fluorescent intensities at 450 nm on both excitations at 370 nm and 340 nm at different tissue water contents and different umbelliferone concentrations. Linear correlations were noted under each condition but 0.125% w/v umbelliferone provided the best estimation of tissue pH because of the least influence of water contents. Using this concentration of umbelliferone, a histochemical study was done to estimate the sequential changes in tissue pH following cold-induced vasogenic brain edema in rats. The results revealed a clear delineation of brain edema and the mild alkalosis in the edematous tissue, which probably reflects the pH of leaked plasma fluid. While the pH in the cortex around the lesion was neutral in the histochemical study, it was acidic in the in vivo study. This discrepancy is probably due to the former indicating the tissue pH while the latter the intracellular pH. Thus, the alkalosis in the edema fluid and the intracellular acidosis in the cortex around the lesion were noted in the cold-induced vasogenic edema.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

[Hypervascular chordoma: report of a case].

The authors report a rare case of sellar chordoma with a marked vascularity documented on cerebral angiogram. Its possible pathogenesis and some therapeutic problems were briefly discussed. Only a few cases of chordoma with such a positive tumor stain have been reported previously.

Adult↗

Recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha: evidence of an indirect mode of antitumor activity.

The antitumor activity of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (rTNF-alpha) was examined on murine tumors in mice and in cultured cells in vitro. Mice were implanted intradermally with Meth A fibrosarcoma (Meth A) on day 0. rTNF-alpha caused tumor necrosis and inhibited the tumor growth when given i.v. on day 7 or 10, but not when given on day 3. When rTNF-alpha was given i.v. in doses of 0.1-3.2 micrograms/mouse twice a week for 3 weeks beginning on day 7 or 11, the growth of solid Meth A, Colon 26 adenocarcinoma, Colon 38 carcinoma, Sarcoma-180, and M5076 reticulum cell sarcoma tumors implanted s.c. or intradermally was markedly inhibited, and the life of the mice bearing these tumors, except M5076 reticulum cell sarcoma, was prolonged. The growth of Meth A implanted i.m. was also markedly inhibited by rTNF-alpha given i.v. However, the life of mice bearing i.p. Colon 26 adenocarcinoma, MH134 hepatoma, Sarcoma-180, and Ehrlich carcinoma was not prolonged by rTNF-alpha given i.p. nine times (days 1-9) in doses up to 1.0 or 3.2 micrograms/mouse. Only in the case of mice bearing i.p. Meth A, the life was slightly prolonged by i.p. treatment with rTNF-alpha but not by i.v. treatment. In experiments against in vitro cultured cells, rTNF-alpha did not show any direct cytotoxicity against mouse tumor cells: Meth A, Colon 26 adenocarcinoma, Colon 38 carcinoma, and Sarcoma-180, but had a cytotoxic effect against L929 mouse fibroblast. The results suggest that rTNF-alpha is a unique antitumor drug with potent necrotizing activity against solid tumors in mice, and that this activity may derive from indirect mechanisms related to the growth of tumors and not to the direct cytotoxicity of the drug.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Induction of a tumor necrosis factor-like activity by Nocardia rubra cell wall skeleton.

Nocardia rubra cell wall skeleton (N-CWS) stimulated adherent cells harvested from the peritoneal cavities of thioglycollate-treated mice to produce cytotoxic activity. Depletion of macrophages from the adherent cells by 2-chloroadenosine or silica abrogated the production of this cytotoxic activity, whereas treatment of the adherent cells with anti-Thy-1.2 antibody and complement did not. This suggested that macrophages were the producer cells of the activity. Cytotoxic activity became detectable as early as 2 h after N-CWS treatment and reached peak activity at 9 h, then declined to a lower level, indicating rapid onset without persistent effects. N-CWS-induced cytotoxic factors have a fairly narrow temperature range, pH optimum for storage, and are sensitive to pronase and trypsin. By using column chromatography, N-CWS-induced cytotoxic factors were compared in detail with tumor necrosis serum obtained from Bacillus Calmette-Guérin endotoxin-treated mice. Both toxins were found to be nearly identical with respect to their behavior in ion-exchange, gel filtration, and concanavalin A affinity columns. N-CWS also induced human peripheral blood lymphocytes to release cytotoxic activity. Monocytes predominantly participated in production of this activity as confirmed by treatment with monoclonal antibody and complement. The cytotoxic activity was completely neutralized by anti-human tumor necrosis factor antiserum, but not by anti-human lymphotoxin antiserum. The fact that human peripheral blood lymphocytes release tumor necrosis-like factors after stimulation with N-CWS might account for the antitumor effects of this agent.

Animals↗

Reflectance spectrophotometric measurement of in vivo local oxygen consumption in the cerebral cortex.

A simple method was developed to measure in vivo local oxygen consumption quantitatively in the brain cortex. Reflectance spectra of tissue hemoglobin at the brain's surface were measured for assessment of both local tissue hemoglobin content and its oxygen saturation. Local oxygen consumption was calculated from the spectral changes of tissue hemoglobin during complete cessation of blood flow by compression of the cortical surface in the suprasylvian gyrus with the tip of an optic probe. This procedure was performed without any brain damage and only took approximately 5 s. The calculated local oxygen consumption during this short period of compression remained constant for a few seconds. Then, it decreased rapidly, although the local tissue hemoglobin was not completely deoxygenated. The value of local cerebral oxygen consumption obtained by this method was 3.02 +/- 0.61 mL O2/100 g brain/min; it was not influenced by the change in systemic blood pressure. The effect of pentobarbital on cerebral oxygen consumption was also studied. At the stage of burst and suppression on electrocorticogram, cerebral oxygen consumption decreased significantly (p less than 0.001) to 1.03 +/- 0.07 mL O2/100 g brain/min.

Animals↗

Antitumour activity of purified arabinogalactan-peptidoglycan complex of the cell wall skeleton of Rhodococcus lentifragmentus.

Antitumour activity of arabinogalactan peptidoglycan (AP) complex (peptidoglycan and arabinogalactan liberated by an acid or alkaline treatment from Rhodococcus lentifragmentus AN-115 cell wall skeleton) was examined in mice and compared with that of the cell wall skeleton. The growth of syngeneic fibrosarcoma Meth A cells after implantation in BALB/c mice was significantly suppressed by AP complex, and also regressed after intratumoral injection of AP complex on days 1, 4 and 7 after tumour implantation. Although the activity of peptidoglycan was less than that of AP complex, peptidoglycan also showed both tumour-suppressive and regressive activities. Arabinogalactan did not show antitumour activity. It is interesting that peptidoglycan has an important role in the effect against tumours.

Animals↗

[Host mediated anti-tumor effect of Nocardia rubra cell wall skeleton on syngeneic tumor in mice].

The mode of action of Nocardia rubra cell wall skeleton (N-CWS) on Meth A fibrosarcoma (Meth A) was studied in BALB/c mice. N-CWS suppressed or regressed the intradermal growth of syngeneic Meth A cells in normal BALB/c and athymic BALB/c mice. The intradermally and subcutaneously infiltrated cells harvested from injection sites of N-CWS in normal mice showed in vitro cytotoxic activity against Meth A cells. Pretreatment of normal BALB/c mice with immunosuppressing agents such as hydrocortisone, carrageenan, or silica particles significantly reduced the anti-tumor effect of N-CWS. The growth of Meth A cells, rechallenged into BALB/c mice in which Meth A cells had once been suppressed or regressed by N-CWS treatment, was also inhibited, but not in similarly treated athymic nude mice. This resistant mechanism was shown to be dependent out cellular components but not on humoral components by the Winn Assay. The present results suggest that N-CWS exerts its anti-tumor activity by mediation of the immune system of the host and that the main effector cells in the early stage of tumor rejection are macrophages; T cells may also be involved in the later stage.

Animals↗

A new antitumor antibiotic, FR-900482. III. Antitumor activity in transplantable experimental tumors.

FR-900482 (4-formyl-6,9-dihydroxy-14-oxa-1,11-diazatetracyclo[7.4.1.02,7, O10,12]tetradeca-2,4,6-triene-8-ylmethyl carbamate), a new antibiotic with antitumor activity was isolated from fermentation broth of Streptomyces sandaensis. Its antitumor activities were studied and compared with that of mitomycin C (MMC) in animals. FR-900482 in doses of 0.32 approximately 10 mg/kg (ip) prolonged the life of mice bearing ascitic P388, L1210, B16, MM46, Ehrlich or EL4 tumors and rats bearing ascitic AH130 or AMC60 tumors. FR-900482 in doses of 5.6 approximately 18 mg/kg (iv) inhibited human LX-1, MX-1, SC-6 and LC-6 tumors xenografted sc in nude mice. FR-900482 was more effective than or equally effective to MMC in all the tumors used. FR-900482 was ineffective against cyclophosphamide-resistant P388, but was effective against MMC- or vincristine-resistant P388. The results suggest that FR-900482 may have clinical potential.

Animals↗

A new antitumor antibiotic, FR-900482. IV. Hematological toxicity in mice.

The new antibiotic FR-900482 (4-formyl-6,9-dihydroxy-14-oxa-1,11-diazatetracyclo-[7.4.1.02,7. O10,12]tetradeca-2,4,6-triene-8-ylmethyl carbamate) possesses an antitumor activity equal to or greater than that of mitomycin C (MMC). The hematotoxicity of equivalent effective doses of the two compounds was compared in mice. A single iv injection of either compound similarly decreased the number of white blood cells (WBC) in the peripheral blood, whereas FR-900482 had no effect on the number of platelets (PTL). Both drugs slightly reduced the number of red blood cells (RBC). The effect of FR-900482 on the bone marrow cells (BMC) measured by cfu in spleen and cfu in culture was weaker than that of MMC. The results suggest that FR-900482 is a promising antitumor agent both in efficacy and safety.

Animals↗

[The sequential changes of energy metabolism following cold-induced brain edema--a histochemical study].

The changes of energy metabolism on vasogenic edema have been largely examined using biochemical quantitative assay. However, the relationship between the sequential changes and blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown is not well understood. In the present study, the sequential changes of energy metabolism and potassium in relation to BBB breakdown following the cold-induced brain edema were investigated histochemically. Adult male Wistar rats, weighing 200-250g, were anesthesized with pentobarbital and a burr hole was made in the left parietal region. For evaluating the breakdown of BBB, 2.5% Evans blue (EB) was injected 30 min. before injury, except in the 5 min. model in which it was injected at the time of cold injury. An iron-bar precooled in liquid N2 was placed over the surface for 30 seconds and they were frozen in situ in liquid N2 at 5 min., 2 hrs., 6 hrs., 12 hrs., and 24 hrs., after producing the lesion. The frozen brain was sectioned using a precooled saw in the coronal plane. The brain section was placed in liquid N2 bath and illuminated with 366 nm light (UV) from a 200 watt mercury lamp and Corning filter 5840. NADH fluorescence was recorded photographically through Corning filter 3387 and 5562. Regional ATP and potassium content were investigated histochemically in thin sections with luciferine-luciferase method and Macallum's technique, respectively. At 5 min. after cold injury, leakage of EB was limited within the lesion. Potassium and ATP were decreased in the lesion. NADH fluorescence was increased slightly in the cortex around the lesion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

[Experimental study of evoked potentials in predicting the reversibility of brain function following tentorial herniation].

Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP), somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) and EEG were recorded sequentially in cat with mass-induced intracranial hypertension in correlation with mass volume, intracranial pressure (ICP), systemic blood pressure (BP) and size of the pupils. 1) As the intracranial pressure was raised by expansion of a supratentorial epidural balloon, suppression of cortical SEP (CSEP) and pupillary abnormality appeared first, EEG, waves IV and III of BAEP and wave III of short latency SEP (SSEP) were suppressed in this order. 2) As far as wave IV of BAEP remained and decompression was started within 30 minutes after peaks of CSEP completely suppressed, changes in P1 and N1 of CSEP were reversible. 3) Further raising of ICP was followed by loss of waves IV and III of BAEP and wave III of SSEP in this order. Simultaneously with loss of wave III in SSEP, systemic blood pressure dropped rapidly. By immediate balloon deflation after disappearance of wave III of SSEP, animals recovered from hypotension, but hardly from suppression in EEG, CSEP and BAEP. 4) Preservation of wave IV of BAEP indicated good improvement of pupillary abnormality even after removal of compression. These results suggest that for the patient with disturbed consciousness caused by supratentorial mass lesion, decompressive procedure should be started before wave V of BAEP and brainstem components of SEP disappear. EP monitor seems to be useful clinical method for preventing irreversible change of the brain in patients with coma caused by supratentorial mass lesions.

Animals↗

[Clinical validity of lumbar subarachnoid pressure measurement].

To evaluate the clinical usefulness for measuring lumbar subarachnoid pressure (LSP) as an index of intracranial pressure, the relation between LSP and epidural pressure (EDP) was studied by the cisternal saline infusion and bolus injection in 12 cats at the range of pressure up to 50 mmHg. In the steady state infusion (0.238 ml/min, 0.476 ml/min), the data from LSP and EDP were correlated very well and the LSP value was at least above 80-90% of EDP value at any pressure level. In the bolus injection (0.4 ml), the degree of pressure rise and the time course of both LSP and EDP were quite similar at any pressure level. However, the compliance calculated from the pressure change of LSP and EDP revealed to have a different tendency according to the baseline pressure level at bolus injection. Below 10 mmHg of EDP, the compliance calculated from LSP was usually higher that of EDP. This was considered due to the distensibility of spinal theca. But above 10 mmHg of EDP, the compliance of both LSP and EDP became almost equal and then gradually decreased as the elevation of baseline pressure at bolus injection. This was considered to be the result of disappearance of the distensible effect of spinal theca. In this study, two polyethylene tubes of different size (I. D. 0.45 mm, 0.58 mm) were used for spinal drainage tube to compare the pressure dumping effect of tube. However, on both tubes, the pulse pressure of LSP was usually smaller than that of EDP, with each having almost constant difference.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

[Primary choroid plexus papilloma presenting as a cerebellopontine angle mass lesion].

A rare case of primary choroid plexus papilloma of the cerebellopontine angle, which might have been originated from the lateral choroid plexus of the fourth ventricle and proliferated into the extraventricular space, is reported. The patient had no neurological abnormalities except for recurrent episodes of headache. Although radiological examinations did not offer a definitive diagnosis, he was successfully treated by operation without any neurological deficit. So far reported in the literature, the number of such cases is less than twenty, and the prognosis has been reported not so good despite benign biological nature. The size of the tumor and preoperative symptoms appear to determine the prognosis. It should be emphasized that an early diagnosis and early surgical treatment are extremely important for this kind of lesions.

Adult↗

Changes in intracranial pressure and epidural pulse waveform following cold injury.

Using anaesthetized spontaneously breathing cats, intracranial pressure (ICP) was monitored for twenty hours following the insult of cold injury; simultaneous recordings were also made of cerebral blood flow (CBF), epidural pulse waveform (EDP-WF), and systemic arterial pressure (SAP). Results could be divided into two groups depending on whether or not ICP exceeded 30 mmHg. In group one, in which marked increase in ICP including occasional episodes of pressure waves were observed, an initial increase in CBF and the changes in EDP-WF from polyphasic to monotonous at about 20 mmHg were characteristic. On the other hand, in group two, ICP never exceeded 30 mmHg, CBF slightly and continuously decreased and EDP-WF was polyphasic throughout the course. There were no significant differences in trends in SAP, in the extent of spread of oedema and in water content of the white matter between both groups. Therefore, the amount of cerebral blood volume (CBV) due to cerebral vasodilatation was considered to account for the further increase in ICP. Moreover, changes in EDP-WF were regarded as a useful indicator in predicting the trends in ICP since these changes could be observed in a relatively lower pressure range prior to a marked increase in ICP.

Animals↗

Brain tissue acidosis and changes of energy metabolism in mild incomplete ischemia--topographical study.

Regional changes of brain tissue pH and its correlation to energy metabolism were studied in various degrees of incomplete ischemia for 5 and 60 min in the unilateral common carotid occlusion of normally fed mongolian gerbils. The degree of ischemia was evaluated by the severity of neurological deficits following 60 min of occlusion, and animals were divided into three groups: symptomatic, borderline, and asymptomatic. Changes of NADH and ATP distribution corresponded well to the degree of ischemia. On the other hand, acidosis developed more clearly and extended in wider areas than the changes of NADH and ATP distribution. These changes were already seen at 5 min of occlusion. From the results of this experiment, it was suspected that acidosis in mild incomplete ischemia was due to stimulated anaerobic glycolysis that might supplement NADH oxidation and ATP yields. Further, acidosis without energy failure was considered not to be detrimental to neuronal cells.

Acidosis↗

[The anti-inflammatory effect of auranofin].

The anti-inflammatory effects of auranofin were studied and compared with those of indomethacin, gold sodium thiomalate (GST) and D-penicillamine. Auranofin was active as indomethacin in inhibiting carrageenan induced paw edema in rats, but was less potent than indomethacin in inhibiting UV-induced erythema in guinea pigs. Auranofin inhibited Arthus type paw edema and reverse PCA reaction in rats, on which indomethacin was ineffective. The inhibitory activity of auranofin on adjuvant arthritis was weaker than that of indomethacin. In in vitro experiments, auranofin did not show any suppression of cyclooxygenase activity, but was capable of suppression of lysosomal enzyme release and chemotaxis of neutrophils and macrophages. In addition to these anti-inflammatory activities, auranofin had almost equal anti-analgesic and anti-pyretic activity to that of indomethacin. The above results indicated that the anti-inflammatory profiles of auranofin and indomethacin differ, so we can expect new therapeutic activities of auranofin. GST had similar anti-inflammatory and anti-analgesic profiles to those of auranofin; however, the activities were less potent than auranofin and devoid of anti-pyretic activity. D-penicillamine did not show any anti-inflammatory, anti-analgesic or anti-pyretic activity.

Animals↗

[Continuous monitoring of cerebral blood volume in cats using a reflectance spectrophotometer].

The importance of cerebral blood volume (CBV) as a physiological parameter has been well recognized, especially in its relation to the intracranial pressure (ICP). Although various methods have been applied to measure CBV, several problems and difficulties still remain to be settled. In the present study, noninvasive monitoring of CBV on the cortical surface was done with organ reflectance spectrophotometry. Through the cranial window, the cat brain was illuminated by the white light via optical fibers and reflected light was analized by spectrophotometer equipped with microcomputer and image-sensor (Sumitomo Elec. Co., Spectrum analyzer TS-200), which enables to estimate CBV on real time as the absorbance value at the isobestic point of the spectral curve of hemoglobin (Hb). In order to ascertain the reliability and reproducibility, the change of CBV was examined by 5% & 10% CO2 inhalation, 5% O2 inhalation and bilateral jugular vein occlusion. A linear correlation was found between PaCO2 and Hb absorbance value on CO2 inhalation. By the bilateral jugular vein occlusion, Hb increased concomitantly with ICP, while cerebral blood flow (CBF) decreased. On 5% O2 inhalation, absorbance spectral pattern of tissue Hb changed from that of oxy-Hb to deoxy-Hb without change of absorbance value at the isobestic point. Thus, the Hb absorbance value obtained by this spectrophotometer was considered to be reliable for the estimation of CBV on the cortical surface. Using this, the change of CBV was examined on the drug-induced seizure and post-decompression state after sustained intracranial hypertension.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗