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Biomedical subjects

S Fujimoto

Publications and source records attributed to S Fujimoto.

At least 451 records · Page 25Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

alpha1-Adrenoceptor subtypes mediating the contraction of arteries in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

1. This study was undertaken to determine which alpha1-adrenoceptor (AR) subtypes were involved in the activation of the femoral artery and the aorta by norepinephrine (NE) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). 2. Negative log EC50 values and maximum responses of NE-induced contraction of the SHR femoral artery were unchanged and increased, respectively, compared with those of Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. 3. Contractile responses of the SHR aortas to NE were similar to those of the normotensive tissues. 4. Schild plot data for alpha1-AR antagonists indicated that alpha1-AR in the aorta were predominantly alpha1H subtype. In the femoral artery, because Schild plots for bunazosin had slopes of less than 1.0, there were alpha1H (or alpha1C) and alpha1L subtypes. 5. The alpha1-AR subtype in the aorta was essentially identical to the alpha1H subtype in the femoral artery. alpha1-AR subtypes mediating contraction in the SHR blood vessels were identical to those in the WKY tissues.

Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists↗
PubMed1995

Clinical usefulness of the dye-injection method for diagnosing premature rupture of the membranes in equivocal cases.

OBJECTIVE: In 1981, we preliminarily reported on the clinical value and safety of the intra-amniotic dye (Phenol-sulfonphthalein, PSP)-injection method for diagnosing PROM. In the current study, through examination of 64 equivocal cases in the midtrimester of pregnancy, we investigated the clinical efficacy of the PSP test. METHODS: In the present study we examined patients with equivocal PROM in their 14th week to 33rd week of gestation, whose findings were positive according to a combination of conventional diagnostic methods. The results of the PSP test and conventional diagnostic methods were compared with the final diagnosis of PROM. RESULTS: The conventional diagnostic methods showed an accuracy rate of 63.9%-70.5%, in contrast to the PSP test, which had a 100%-accuracy rate (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Using the PSP test in combination with amnioscopy, we have established a method of differentially diagnosing PROM. We have reconfirmed the clinical efficacy of the PSP test in 64 equivocal PROM cases.

Female↗
PubMed1995

Two cases of monozygotic twins, in each of which one fetus was prenatally diagnosed as having a heart anomaly.

In each of the 2 cases of monozygotic twins reported here, 1 of the fetuses was suspected, as a result of a prenatal ultrasonographic examination, of having congenital heart disease (CHD). One of twins (Case 1) had a hypoplastic left heart (HPLH), coarctation of the aorta (CoA), mitral stenosis (MS), and an atrial septal defect (ASD). Of the other twins (Case 2), 1 fetus had pure pulmonary atresia (PPA) and tricuspid regurgitation (TR). In Case 1, the fetus with CHD had a single umbilical artery, the other had otherwise. In Case 2, the fetus with CHD had a velamentous insertion and an accessory placenta, and the other fetus had a marginal insertion. These findings suggest that environmental factors such as blood flow, blood pressure and so on have a role in the etiology of CHD.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Physical mapping of the conjugative bacteriocin plasmid pPD1 of Enterococcus faecalis and identification of the determinant related to the pheromone response.

The pheromone-responding conjugative bacteriocin plasmid pPD1 (59 kb) of Enterococcus faecalis was mapped physically by using a relational clone approach, and transposon analysis with Tn917 (Emr) or Tn916 (Tcr) facilitated the location of the bacteriocin-related genes in a segment of about 6.7 kb. Tn917 insertions within a 3-kb region resulted in constitutive clumping. The nucleotide sequence of the region that included the insertions giving rise to constitutive clumping was determined. The region of pPD1 spanned about 8 kb and was found to contain a number of open reading frames, some of which were named on the basis of homologies with two other pheromone-responding plasmids, pAD1 and pCF10. The genes were arranged in the sequence repB-repA-traC-traB-traA-ipd-traE-traF- orfY-sea-1 with all but repB and traA oriented in the same (left-to-right) direction. traC and traB corresponded, respectively, to traC and traB of pAD1 and to prgY and prgZ of pCF10.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Analysis of strains of Campylobacter fetus by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

Campylobacter fetus chromosomal DNA from 21 strains was analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The fingerprint patterns generated with SmaI and SalI were distinctive. Using the profiles obtained by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, we established the phylogenetic dendrogram of C. fetus to identify the genetic relationship of the strains.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Right ventricular filling in dilated cardiomyopathy.

PURPOSE: To assess right ventricular filling in dilated cardiomyopathy. PATIENTS: 32 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and 24 healthy controls. METHODS: Stroke distances were measured by pulsed Doppler echocardiography at left ventricular outflow and left and right ventricular inflow. The inflow tract dimensions of both ventricles and the outflow tract dimension of the left ventricle were measured from two dimensional images. Right and left sided atrioventricular (AV) ring excursions were measured by M mode echocardiography at the tricuspid and mitral rings. Stroke volume was derived as stroke distance multiplied by left ventricular outflow tract area. Total stroke distances were calculated as the sum of AV valve Doppler stroke distances and ring excursion. The effective orifice areas of the two AV valves were thus defined as stroke volumes divided by total stroke distance. RESULTS: Total tricuspid stroke distance was normally less than mitral (6.0 (1.7) v 7.6 (1.7) cm, P < 0.05), implying that effective orifice area of the tricuspid valve was consistently greater (6.6 (1.6) v 4.5 (0.8) cm2, P < 0.01). Total tricuspid ring excursion was normally more than mitral (2.30 (0.30) v 1.62 (0.22) cm, P < 0.01). Total tricuspid stroke distance in dilated cardiomyopathy was also less than mitral (7.8 (2.4) v 9.7 (2.8) cm, P < 0.05). Tricuspid stroke distance was significantly increased in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy compared with that in healthy controls (P < 0.05 v controls), though stroke volume was much smaller (26 (10) v 63 (11) ml, P < 0.01) so that tricuspid effective orifice area was reduced to less than half normal (2.7 (1.2) cm2, P < 0.01). Total tricuspid ring long axis excursion was more than mitral (1.37 (0.6) v 0.74 (0.21) cm, P < 0.01). Right ventricular end diastolic inflow dimension was increased compared with that in healthy controls (3.9 (0.7) v 2.8 (0.5) cm, P < 0.01), correlating inversely with tricuspid effective orifice area (r = -0.71, P < 0.01). Total tricuspid ring excursion was bimodally distributed as a low amplitude group (less than 1.6 cm, n = 23) and a high amplitude group (more than 1.6 cm, n = 9), in which the interval P2 to onset of tricuspid flow was much longer (100 (35) v 50 (14) ms, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Enlargement of the right ventricular inflow tract in dilated cardiomyopathy, especially to more than 5 cm, is accompanied by a progressive decrease in effective tricuspid orifice area, sometimes to less than 1 cm2 and increased inflow velocities. Right ventricular relaxation was incoordinate in 28% of the patients studied. These disturbances of right ventricular filling are likely to compromise overall cardiac function independently of left ventricular disease.

Blood Volume↗
PubMed1995

Atrial electromechanical sequence in normal subjects and patients with DDD pacemakers.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of right atrial appendage pacing on atrial electromechanical interrelations in patients with DDD pacemakers. DESIGN: Prospective study by M mode echocardiogram, Doppler echocardiogram, and apexcardiogram, along with electrocardiogram and phonocardiogram. SETTING: Tertiary cardiac referral centre. PATIENTS: 20 patients with DDD pacemakers and 20 age matched normal controls. RESULTS: Age, RR interval, atrial size, left ventricular size, and fractional shortening were similar in the two groups. Atrial electromechanical delay (the time from the onset of P wave or atrial pacing spike on ECG to the onset of atrial contraction on M mode echogram) was 68 (SD 7) ms at the lateral site of right atrium, 82 (9) ms at the central fibrous body, 93 (11) ms at the lateral site of left atrium in normals. In patients with DDD pacing, however, this delay increased to 85 (22) ms, 117 (23) ms, and 138 (25) ms respectively (all P < 0.01). Interatrial mechanical delay (the time from the onset of right atrial motion to the onset of the left) increased from 25 (6) ms in normal controls to 53 (18) ms in patients (P < 0.01). Intra-atrial mechanical dispersion (the time from the earliest to the latest onset of regional atrial motion around the atrioventricular ring) in the right atrium increased from 6 (2) ms in normals to 19 (2) ms in patients (P < 0.01), but it remained unchanged in the left atrium (6 (2) ms in normal controls v 7 (2) ms in patients, P > 0.05). Peak atrial shortening rate was not different between the two groups. Differences of atrial electromechanical activity between the two groups were also reflected on Doppler echocardiogram and apexcardiogram. CONCLUSIONS: Right atrial appendage pacing disturbs the normal coordinate sequence of right atrial mechanical activity and leads to a striking and variable increase in intra-atrial conduction time as well as in interatrial conduction time. Left atrial contraction remains synchronous although the timing of the start of its contraction was delayed. These values can be determined in individual patients to allow optimal setting of DDD pacemakers.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Early diastolic left ventricular inflow pressures in normal subjects and patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Reconstruction from pulsed Doppler echocardiography.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate early diastolic left ventricular inflow pressures in normal subjects and patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, and thus to assess the potential effect of restoring forces. METHODS: Early diastolic left ventricular inflow pressures were reconstructed using the ventricular blood as an accelerometer, by measuring velocity at 1 cm intervals within the left ventricle from mitral ring to apex by pulsed Doppler echocardiography, and differentiating the records to obtain the acceleration. Aortic component of second heart sound (A2) was used to fix relative timings. The local pressure gradient was determined from the acceleration at each level, and the total pressure drop during the acceleration (+ peak PD) and deceleration (- peak PD) phases of the filling interval were determined by summing the local increments. The total stroke volume (SV) at the left ventricular outflow tract and the mitral stroke distances (MSD) were also determined, using the time-velocity integral at mitral ring level. Effective flow orifice area was thus SV/MSD. Inflow jet width across the mitral valve was estimated by cross sectional colour Doppler flow mapping. PATIENTS: 32 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy with a dominant mitral E or summation wave, and 24 normal subjects of similar ages. RESULTS: Normal + peak PD was 3.9 (SD 0.7) v 7.4 (2.2) mm Hg in dilated cardiomyopathy (P < 0.01). Normal - peak PD was 2.5 (0.9) v 5.6 (2.8) mm Hg in cardiomyopathy (P < 0.01). Normal effective flow orifice area was 5.9 (1.3) v 1.9 (0.8) [range 0.9 approximately 3.7] cm2 in cardiomyopathy (P < 0.01). This corresponded to 71 (18)% of the end systolic cavity cross section in normals v 11 (6)% in dilated cardiomyopathy (P < 0.01). Normal cross sectional colour inflow jet width was 2.7 (0.3) v 1.5 (0.4) cm in cardiomyopathy (P < 0.01). The jet width correlated with flow width calculated from effective flow orifice area (r = 0.82, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: (1) Total early diastolic positive and negative peak pressure drop are normally low, so that significant negative left ventricular pressures are not needed to explain normal resting early diastolic mitral flow velocities. (2) These low pressure drops are only possible with a large effective orifice area approaching end systolic left ventricular cavity area. (3) Atrioventricular pressure drops are much greater in dilated cardiomyopathy, where increased inflow accelerations are due to reduced effective flow orifice area. These disturbances will impair filling independently of any abnormality of relaxation or compliance.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Differential involvement of phospholipase C isozymes in Alzheimer's disease.

Phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC) is a key enzyme in signal transduction. We demonstrated that an antibody to an isozyme of PLC, PLC-delta 1, produced intense staining of neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Western blot analysis using a specific antibody for PLC-delta 1 showed that the concentration of PLC-delta 1 protein was significantly higher in the cytosolic fraction of AD cortical tissues than in controls. The activity of PLC-delta 1, which hydrolyzes phosphatidylinositol, was not significantly different in the Alzheimer and control cytosolic fraction, indicating that the specific activity of PLC-delta 1 is decreased in Alzheimer brains. Western blot analysis also showed that the concentration of PLC-delta 1 and PLC-gamma 1 was significantly lower in the membraneous fraction of AD cortical tissues than in controls. These results suggest a differential involvement of PLC isozymes in AD.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Urinary pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline in healthy children and in children with growth hormone deficiency.

To assess the bone growth status in healthy children, urinary pyridinoline (PYR) and deoxypyridinoline (DPYR) levels, which are specific bone resorption markers, were studied in 192 healthy children, aged 3-14 yr. In healthy children ages 3-5 yr, the urinary PYR level was about 10 times higher than that in healthy adults (238.3 +/- 22.7 pmol/mumol Cr in boys and 261.8 +/- 14.2 pmol/mumol Cr in girls; mean +/- SE, and the level declined gradually with age. In boys, the urinary PYR level began to rise at about 10 yr of age and peaked 2 yr later, declining thereafter. In girls, urinary PYR level declined rapidly after 11 yr. The age-related changes in urinary DPYR levels closely resembled those in urinary PYR levels. We further studied PYR and DPYR levels in 17 GH-deficient children who were beginning treatment with GH. After 2-3 months of GH therapy, 1.3-fold significant increases in urinary PYR and DPYR levels were observed. These results indicate that the bone resorption in children is increased relative to that in adults, that urinary PYR and DPYR levels are increased during puberty when the growth rate is markedly elevated, and that bone resorption in children is accelerated by GH therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Inactivation of cholinesterase by ascorbic acid in the presence of cupric ions: a possible mechanism for the inactivation of an enzyme by the metal-catalyzed oxidation system.

The mechanism of inactivation of cholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8) by the Cu2+ -ascorbic acid (AsA) system was investigated. Incubation of the enzyme with the Cu2+ -AsA system under aerobic conditions resulted in an irreversible loss of enzyme activity. At low concentrations of Cu2+, the extent of inactivation showed the same dependence in accordance with the extent of oxidation of AsA. Saturation kinetics were observed with respect to the concentration of AsA. No change in the dissociation constant of the enzyme-AsA complex was observed at various concentrations of Cu2+. Catalase at a low concentration partially protected the enzyme from the inactivation, but did not affect the oxidation of AsA. In addition, catalase at a high concentration completely protected both the enzyme from inactivation and the AsA from oxidation. Both thiourea and thiocyanate completely protected the enzyme from the inactivation, while AsA was partially oxidized only in the initial phase. Our proposed mechanism for the inactivation of an enzyme by the Cu2+ -AsA system is as follows. A ternary complex involving the enzyme, Cu2+ and AsA is formed. This is followed by a redox reaction within the complex which generates a superoxide (.O2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The H2O2 then reacts with .O2- in a Haber-Weiss reaction producing the hydroxyl radical (.OH). Another role of H2O2 is the conversion of the reduced Cu+ within the complex to Cu2+. Thus, repeated cycles of the redox reaction between the Cu2+ and AsA take place at the same locus, producing multiple .OH, which causes its complete inactivation.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Nonenzymatic glycation of transferrin: decrease of iron-binding capacity and increase of oxygen radical production.

The total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) and iron contents of diabetic rat serum, as well as the iron-binding capacity of glycated transferrin and oxygen radical production by the glycated proteins were examined. The TIBC and iron content of diabetic rat sera were found to be much lower than those of control rat sera. Incubation of human serum with glucose in vitro resulted in a significant fall of its unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC) with time. When apotransferrin was incubated with glucose, its UIBC significantly decreased. The iron content of holotransferrin was markedly reduced by incubation with bathophenanthroline sulphonic acid (BPSA) in the presence of glucose, although the content was not altered by incubation with BPSA alone. The generation of superoxide radical (O2-) and hydroxyl radical (OH.) by the glycated holotransferrin was much greater than that by glycated apotransferrin. Glycated holotransferrin showed significantly accelerated hydroxyl radical production by the hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system, while intact holotransferrin did not. Treatment of holotransferrin with glucose caused the fragmentation of the protein, while the same treatment of apotransferrin did not. These results suggest that iron ions in the glycated transferrin molecule are bound loosely to the protein and are redox-active and the glycated holotransferrin produces oxygen radicals including O2- and OH. efficiently, and that the glycated transferrin does not function as an iron-binding protein.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Effects of upper limb exercise on thermoregulatory responses in patients with spinal cord injury.

We evaluated changes in body temperature, heart rate, and oxygen uptake during arm cranking exercise (20 watts, 30 min) in an artificial climate room at a temperature of about 25 degrees C or 35 degrees C (relative humidity, about 50%) in 5 patients with paraplegics due to spinal cord injury (SCI). The tympanic temperature (Tty) was significantly higher from rest to recovery at 35 degrees C than at 25 degrees C. The mean Tty after 10 minutes of rest was 36.68 degrees C +/- 0.396 (mean +/- SD) at a room temperature of 25 degrees C and 37.25 degrees C +/- 0.253 at 35 degrees C, showing a difference of about 0.5 degrees C. This difference was maintained during exercise and recovery. The Tty at the end of exercise was higher than that at the start of exercise by 0.66 degrees C +/- 0.218 (mean +/- SD) at 25 degrees C and by 0.59 degrees C +/- 0.210 at 35 degrees C. The skin temperature (Tsk) in each measurement area (the head, arm, chest, thigh, shin, and calf) was significantly higher at 35 degrees C. Oxygen uptake did not differ between 25 degrees C and 35 degrees C. The heart rate was significantly higher at 35 degrees C than at 25 degrees C during rest and at the start of exercise but did not differ during exercise and recovery. Thus, mild-moderate exercise in this study did not cause marked changes such as increases in body temperature and heart rate that affect biological function in SCI.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Kidney-limited recurrence in a patient with microscopic polyarteritis.

A 58-year-old woman with kidney-limited recurrence of microscopic polyarteritis (MPA) is described. The patient had a history of histologically-confirmed MPA 7 years previously, which had been in remission with corticosteroid treatment for 30 months followed by no medication thereafter. However, in February 1994, clinical manifestations including leg edema and proteinuria developed, followed by rapidly progressive renal insufficiency. Renal biopsy revealed crescentic glomerulonephritis with necrotizing vasculitis. Furthermore, at the same time antimyeloperoxidase antibody (MPO-ANCA) was detected in plasma. She was diagnosed as having kidney-limited recurrence of MPA without systemic presentation. Corticosteroid therapy was reinstituted, and the renal function improved, with a decrease in the titer of MPO-ANCA.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1995

Successful prophylaxis of wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis with terfenadine.

A 20-year-old female was brought to our emergency unit with generalized erythema and discomfort induced by running after having eaten wheat bread. The laboratory examinations, including eosinophils, total IgE, RAST score to wheat, heat challenge test and methacholine inhalation test were within normal limits. No anaphylactoid responses occurred after provocation tests of wheat bread intake or exercise alone. However, on provocation exercise test after eating pancakes, she developed hypotension, generalized itching and urticaria associated with an elevation of plasma histamine levels. These findings suggested wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis. This was completely prevented by daily administration of terfenadine 120 mg p.o. without side effects such as fatigue or drowsiness.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Abrogation of the allelic exclusion in a T cell receptor beta chain gene transgenic mouse strain.

The expression of endogenous T cell receptor (TcR) beta chains in a TcR beta chain gene transgenic mouse (TGM) strain was examined. Unlike many other TGM strains reported, a considerable proportion of T cells from the thymus and spleen as well as organ cultured fetal thymus from our TGM express endogenous TCR beta chains on their surface. Compatible with this was the elucidation of VDJ rearrangement of endogenous beta chain genes by PCR. Three color flow cytometric analysis of thymus cell subpopulations revealed that the expression levels of both endogenous and transgenic TcR beta genes are regulated in a maturational stage specific manner. Splenic T cells contained a several fold higher percentage of endogenous TcR beta positive cells than thymus cells, suggesting a role of TcR on T cell peripherization. V beta 6 positive cells were deleted in the TGM carrying minor lymphocyte stimulating (Mls)-la antigen, indicating that the endogenous TcR beta is functional in terms of transmitting a signal for clonal deletion.

Alleles↗
PubMed1995

[Ictal electroencephalographic recordings of patients with seizure].

We analyzed the ictal electroencephalographies (EEGs) in 75 seizures of 73 patients. Eighty percent of the patients were below the age of 20. The seizures consisted of 35 generalized seizures, 24 partial seizures and 16 pseudoseizures. The ictal EEG of true seizures showed changes with a spike in 23 cases, and change without spike (eg. rhythmic activity, desynchronization) in 32 cases. Four ictal records could not be evaluated due to artifacts. Because half of the patients with pseudoseizures also had epilepsy, their ictal EEG examinations were very useful. The ictal EEG examination could be performed successfully on 96% of the patients with a seizure frequency of more than six a day, 52% of them with one to five seizures a day and eleven percent of them with less than one seizure a day. Seventy-five percent of ictal EEG recordings were performed when the patient was awake. The cassette of electrodes, originally made in our department, was very useful in recording the ictal EEG of children when they were awake.

Child, Preschool↗