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Biomedical subjects

R Nakamura

Publications and source records attributed to R Nakamura.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Effect of passive motions on the initiation of fast knee extension in patients with paraparesis.

Using reaction time paradigm, the effect of repetitive passive motion (RPM) on the initiation of fast knee extension was analyzed in seven normal subjects and 10 patients with paraparesis. Before and after 5 min RPM of the responding lower extremity, i.e., alternate flexion and extension of the knee and the hip with frequency of 0.5 Hz, the following five variables were examined: premotor time (PMT), latency from sound stimulus to initiation of EMG activities of the rectus femoris; tension lag time (TLT), period between onset of EMG activities and rise of tension; contraction time (FTmax); maximum tension (Tmax); and rate of tension development (RTD, Fmax/FTmax). In the normal group, PMT decreased significantly after RPM, whereas the other four variables did not show any change due to RPM. In the patient group, shortening of both PMT and FTmax after RPM was significant and Fmax tended to be small. These results suggested that RPM of an extremity induces behavioral alertness when the afferent pathway from moving parts to the higher center is not interrupted and also that RPM modulates abnormal pattern of motor neuron activities at the spinal level.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Effect of calcium supplementation on blood pressure in essential hypertensive subjects.

The effect of calcium supplementation on blood pressure was studied in three groups: eight normotensive subjects, 14 borderline essential hypertensive subjects, and 11 established essential hypertensive subjects (EEH). All subjects were outpatients and were given 6 g of calcium lactate (779 mg of elemental calcium) daily for 16 weeks. In EEH, systolic blood pressure was decreased significantly by 6 mmHg, but diastolic blood pressure was not decreased significantly (2 mmHg). In other groups, blood pressure was not reduced significantly. In all groups, urinary excretion of calcium was increased significantly but urinary excretion of other electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium and phosphate did not change. Serum electrolytes, various hormones, such as parathyroid hormone, 1-25(OH)2D3, 25OHD3, plasma renin activity, plasma aldosterone, plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine, and cardiac output did not change throughout this study. There were no adverse effects observed during this trial. From these results, it was concluded that daily administration of 6 g of calcium lactate produces a slight antihypertensive effect in EEH, and that this might be useful as a supplementary treatment for essential hypertension, especially in the aged.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Raw beef, pork and chicken in Japan contaminated with Salmonella sp., Campylobacter sp., Yersinia enterocolitica, and Clostridium perfringens--a comparative study.

One hundred and twenty samples each of raw ground beef, pork and chicken from ten local grocery stores in Shimane Prefecture, Japan, were examined for the presence of Salmonella sp. (Sal), Campylobacter jejuni (Cj), Campylobacter coli (Cc), Yersinia enterocolitica (Ye), and Clostridium perfringens (Cp) from April 1984 to March 1985. A total of 205 isolates of Sal (112 strains), Cj (64 strains), Cc (one strain), Ye (7 strains) and Cp (21 strains) were recovered from 17 beef (14.2%), 31 pork (25.8%) and 94 chicken (78.3%) of 120 samples each. Sal biogroup 1 was found in 8.3% of beef, 13.3% of pork and 35.0% of chicken, Sal biogroup 2 in 0.8% of beef, 4.2% of pork and 14.2% of chicken, Cj in 1.7% of beef and pork and 50.0% of chicken, Cc in 0.8% of pork, Ye serotype 03 was found in 5.0% of pork, and Cp in 1.7% of beef and pork and 10.8% of chicken. These enteropathogens were recovered concomitantly from two pork and 31 chicken samples, especially Sal and Cj. Sal was counted at less than or equal to 10(2)/100 g of beef and pork and at less than or equal to 10(3)/100 g of chicken, Cj was counted at less than or equal to 10(1)/g of beef and pork and at less than or equal to 10(2)/g of chicken, Ye serotype 03 was counted at less than or equal to 10(3)/g of pork, Cp was counted at less than or equal to 10(2)/g of pork and at less than or equal to 10(2)g of chicken, and Cc from pork and Cp from beef were recovered by using enrichment culture. This investigation showed that a second-contamination of Sal and Cj from chicken to beef and pork frequently occurred during the warm months of the year. It was suggested that chicken may become a source of infection with plural organisms of enteric pathogens, especially Sal and Cj, at the same time all the year round, and that pork may be an important source of infection with Ye during the cold months.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Occurrence of Yersinia spp. in raw beef, pork and chicken.

One hundred and twenty raw ground beef, pork and chicken samples from ten local grocery stores during a one year period were assayed for the presence of Yersinia spp., using direct and postenrichment KOH treatment. Seven thousand and fifty-five different isolates were recovered from 119 (99%) samples of beef and pork and 118 (98%) samples of chicken, including 27 Yersinia enterocolitica serotype 03 biotype 3B phage type 2 (4 pork samples), 4 Y. enterocolitica serotype 03 biotype 4 phage type 8 (3 pork samples), 4,066 Y. enterocolitica biotype 1, 2,194 Yersinia intermedia, 509 Yersinia frederiksenii, and 251 Yersinia kristensenii. Y. enterocolitica serotype 03 was isolated from 6 pork samples, including simultaneously isolation of both biotypes 3B and 4 from one sample. There was the negative correlation between the incidence of isolation of serotype 03 and the environmental temperature, but other environmental Yersinia spp. were frequently isolated through the year. Y. enterocolitica serotype 03 isolates were counted by alkali direct treatment at less than 10(3) cells per g of pork samples, and environmental Yersinia spp. at less than 10(5) cells per g of beef, pork and chicken samples. This may be the first evidence that some pork is contaminated with at least 10(3) Y. enterocolitica serotype 03 cells per g.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Conservative treatment for a ruptured extensor tendon on the dorsum of the proximal phalanges of the thumb (mallet thumb).

Of 35 patients with mallet thumb, 25 received conservative coil-splint immobilization treatment. Those who received treatment were able to extend the interphalangeal joints to at least 0 degrees with the exception of four patients. The number of patients who did not respond to the treatment was greater in those 30 years of age or older compared with those 29 years old or younger, but there was no statistically significant difference. Satisfactory extension was observed in 12 patients who received treatment within 2 weeks after sustaining injuries. Four of 10 patients who received treatment 2 weeks or later after the injuries demonstrated poor results. The preferred treatment for mallet thumb is primary surgical repair. However, conservative treatment should be the first choice if there is no skin wound or the conditions at first consultation are not appropriate for surgery.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Brachymetacarpia and brachyphalangia.

The x-ray features of 325 patients, with shortening of the metacarpals and/or phalanges were analyzed. Most patients with congenital hand anomalies (syndactyly, cleft hand, etc.) had a shortened middle phalanx of the small finger only; however, some patients also had a shortened middle phalanx of the index finger. The patients with brachymesophalangia of two and five rays also had a tendency to have shortened middle phalanges of the index and small fingers. Some patients' anomalies, such as shortening of the middle phalanges in both the index and small fingers, did not adequately fit Bell's classification. The patients who had shortened metacarpals sometimes also had shortened middle and distal phalanges and a shortened metatarsus. Combinations of shortened phalanges and/or metacarpals were so numerous that it was impossible to fit them into any simple classification.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Specificity to ovomucoid domains of human serum antibody from allergic patients: comparison with anti-ovomucoid antibody from laboratory animals.

The reactivity of IgG and IgE antibodies from egg allergy patients to ovomucoid and its domain fragments was examined quantitatively, and compared with that of rabbit and mouse IgG anti-ovomucoid antibodies. The human antibodies reacted with the carbohydrate-containing domain fragments more strongly than the animal antibodies. In contrast, the human antibodies did not react with the carbohydrate-free third domain, whereas the animal antibodies definitely reacted. These results suggested that the sites and structures recognized by allergic individuals as ovomucoid antigenic determinants are not necessarily the same as those recognized by laboratory animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Characterization of production of cholesterol oxidases in three Rhodococcus strains.

The production of cholesterol oxidase in two strains of Rhodococcus equi No. 23 from butter, and Rhodococcus sp. No. 33 from bacon, which had properties on biochemical and physiological tests almost similar to the strains of R. equi, was compared with that of the type strain (ATCC 6939) of R. equi. The intensity of cholesterol oxidase activity, both extracellular and membrane-bound, from the three strains was in the order No. 23, ATCC 6939 and No. 33. More extracellular enzyme was produced by strain No. 23 than by the other two strains. Halo formation on the agar medium containing cholesterol depended on the conversion of cholesterol to 4-cholesten-3-one by the extracellular cholesterol oxidase.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1986

Sites of insulin and glucagon metabolism in the rabbit nephron.

Uptake and degradation of peptide hormones have been demonstrated in proximal convoluted tubules (PCT), but the contribution of other regions of the nephron to renal hormone metabolism is unknown. In the present study we used micromethods to determine for the first time the degradation of radiolabeled insulin and glucagon by each segment of the rabbit nephron and examined some characteristics of this process in proximal convoluted and cortical collecting tubules (CCT). Degradation of insulin (8-10 fmol . cm-1 . h-1) and glucagon (13-15 fmol . cm-1 . h-1) was maximal in proximal convoluted and straight tubules, but occurred to a substantial degree (approximately 25-30% of PCT) in all other segments of the nephron except the thin descending limb. In PCT degradation of both hormones was maximal at physiological pH, and competition studies suggested that it is brought about by both specific and nonspecific proteases. Most of the degrading activity (insulin, 86%; glucagon, 73%) was in the cytosol or could be eluted off the cell membrane or organelles. In the CCT, a representative segment of the distal nephron, the characteristics of insulin degradation were similar to those observed in the PCT, whereas glucagon degradation appeared to be due chiefly to nonspecific proteases. In conclusion, the metabolism of insulin and glucagon by isolated rabbit tubules occurs chiefly in the proximal convoluted and straight tubules, but up to one-third of the degrading capacity of the proximal nephron is also present in distal nephron segments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on EEG activation induced by facilitating position in patients with spinocerebellar degeneration.

The shift of mean power in alpha band of EEG due to postural changes was examined in five patients with spinocerebellar degeneration, using EEG topography, before and after proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) maneuver. Normal EEG response to postural changes, i.e., an increase in the mean power at facilitating position compared to neutral position, was observed in only one patient before PNF maneuver, but in four after PNF maneuver. The improvement of motor function by PNF-treatment was clinically noticed in the patients with normal EEG response to postural changes after PNF maneuver.

Electroencephalography↗
PubMed1986

The relation of integrated EMG of the triceps brachii to force in rapid elbow extension.

The relationships between the integrated EMG (iEMG) of the first burst activity of the triceps brachii muscle and biomechanical variables such as acceleration, velocity and kinetic energy were examined for ballistic elbow extension in five healthy men. The duration of the first burst ceased within 100 msec in every subject. Although the regression analysis of each variable to iEMG was all significant, the correlation coefficient was the largest for mean or peak acceleration and the smallest for kinetic energy. The motor center would control the force output to initiate ballistic movement by changing the amount of the EMG activity keeping its duration constant.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

The effect of PNF position of the upper extremity on rapid knee extension.

Premotor time (PMT) and maximum tension (Fmax) produced by isometric contraction of the left and the right quadriceps femoris for rapid knee extension were examined in 10 normal male subjects at two positions of the left upper extremity, neutral and facilitating position for the triceps brachii. Compared to the neutral position, PMT of the both sides decreased and Fmax increased at the facilitating position, while the contraction time did not change. It is assumed that the facilitating position brings about generalized activation of the central nervous system resulting in behavioral alertness.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Effect of antispastic drugs on rapid force generation of spastic muscle.

The effect of antispastic drugs, dantrolene sodium and baclofen, on the initiation of rapid knee extension was examined in 8 normal subjects and 8 patients with spastic hemiparesis. Three biomechanical variables, the latency between EMG onset of the rectus femoris and rise of tension (TLT), that between the rise of tension and the maximum tension of knee extension (FTmax) and the maximum tension attained (Fmax), were measured before and after administration of one of the drugs. Dantrolene sodium increased TLT, but did not change FTmax or Fmax. The increase of TLT was remarkable in the normal subjects and the non-affected side, compared to the affected side of the patients. Baclofen did not modify TLT or FTmax, but decreased Fmax. The decrease of Fmax was definite in the normal subjects while it was negligible in the affected side of the patients. Clinical implications and pathophysiological mechanisms of these results were discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Clinical effects of oxybutynin hydrochloride on neurogenic bladder].

Clinical effects of oxybutynin hydrochloride on lower urinary tract function at a dosage of 2 mg given orally three times daily (6 mg/day), were studied on 10 patients with neurogenic bladder by cystometry and measurement of residual urine. There was a significant increase, of about 34% in FDV, but no significant changes in MBV, or maximum voiding pressure of residual urine after administration. Urinary frequency, incontinence and urgency in subjective symptoms were decreased in patients given this drug. The effective rate (excellent and good) was 50% in global evaluation. Side effects were observed in 4 out of 10 patients; 3 had dry mouth and 1 had diarrhea. There were no serious side effects. These findings suggested that oxybutynin hydrochloride may be a useful drug for neurogenic bladder.

Adult↗