Biomedical subjects

S Fujiwara

Publications and source records attributed to S Fujiwara.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

PubMed1992

Simple method for measuring the antibiotic concentration required to kill adherent bacteria.

A simple method was developed for measuring the antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria adherent to plastic surfaces. Staphylococcus aureus cells adhered to the bottom of a 96-well plastic tissue culture plate were incubated in serially diluted antibiotic solutions. After a 24-hour-incubation the solutions were removed, and fresh medium without antibiotics was added to each well. The viability of the cells was judged by their growth after a further 24-hour-incubation. The antibiotic concentration required to kill adherent bacteria was far higher than that required for planktonic cells, although we used bactericidal drugs; beta-lactam, quinolone, and aminoglycoside antibiotics. The tolerance demonstrated by adherent cells is likely to play a role in the difficulties encountered in the chemotherapy of biofilm infections.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed1992

Peritumoral brain edema in meningiomas--influence of vascular supply on its development.

In a series of 35 patients with intracranial meningiomas, factors influencing the development of peritumoral brain edema (PTBE) were analyzed. We used numbers of the Edema Index as the extent of PTBE, which was obtained from the size of the meningioma and associated PTBE on a T2-weighted image of magnetic resonance imaging. We evaluated a relationship between the Edema Index and some factors that may play a role in the development of PTBE. Tumors in the frontal region and at the sphenoid ridge tended to be associated with larger PTBE than those in other locations (P less than 0.05). Histologically, meningotheliomatous and transitional meningiomas tended to be associated with larger PTBE than fibroblastic meningiomas (P less than 0.05). The meningiomas that had a vascular supply from the intrinsic cerebral arteries on angiography significantly correlated with severe PTBE compared with those supplied only from the meningeal side (P less than 0.01). We concluded that location, histology, and vascular supply from intrinsic cerebral arteries were the factors influencing PTBE. It is stressed that the vascular supply from the intrinsic cerebral arteries may have an influence on the extensive PTBE of meningioma.

Blood-Brain Barrier↗

PubMed1992

[Studies on fatigue and shift work in nurses].

Effects of shift work on physiological parameters and autonomic nervous-adrenal system were studied on six hospital nurses. Their body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, fluctuation in ECG R-R intervals, serum catecholamines and cortisol, and subjective fatigue ratings before and after day, evening and night shift were determined. Furthermore, mean heart rates, walk steps, estimated energy expenditure, and urinary catecholamine excretion were determined three times for eight hours each during each shift work day. The following results were obtained: 1) No significant changes were detected in the physiological parameters before and after each shift work, except for elevation in plasma adrenaline level after night shift. 2) Heart rate, blood pressure and subjective fatigue rating tended to be higher, though not significantly, at the beginning of night shift, when compared with the data obtained on the some time of day, i.e., at the end of evening shift. 3) On the other hand, the plasma cortisol level tended to be suppressed after night shift, suggesting that even one night shift work may change the circadian rhythm of plasma cortisol. 4) Statistical analyses showed that in contrast to day and evening shift, in night shift there was no significant positive correlation between eight-hour walk steps, and eight-hour mean heart rate and urinary adrenaline excretion, suggesting an altered circadian rhythm in heart rate and urinary adrenaline excretion and also a possible additional psychological load in night shift. These results suggest that even one night shift work could modulate the autonomic nervous-adrenal activity of hospital nurses, compared with day or evening shift, and indicate that it is necessary to lengthen the time interval before and after night shift work.

Adrenal Glands↗

PubMed1992

Serum bile acid monitoring as an early indicator of allograft function in canine orthotopic liver transplantation.

This study was undertaken to elucidate the correlation between early graft function and serum bile acids profile in canine orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The recipient dogs were categorized into four groups: group A (n = 5); bile output over 10 ml during initial 6 hours, group B (n = 4); bile output less than 1 ml during the same period, group C (n = 5); transplanted immediately after graft harvesting, and group D (n = 5); transplanted after 7-hour ice-cold preservation in lactated Ringer's solution. In all cases serum total bile acid (TBA) was markedly elevated during anhepatic phase, the value being 49.4 +/- 48.5 mumol/L. However, in group A, TBA decreased promptly after revascularization, the value at 4-hour being 14.7 +/- 12.7 mumol/L. In contrast, the corresponding TBA level in group B was 62.3 +/- 27.5 mumol/L 4 hours later (p < 0.01 vs group A). In group C, TBA also decreased immediately after reperfusion. Furthermore, in comparison between groups C and D, TBA level was significantly different 4 and 6 hours after reperfusion (p < 0.01). In the reduction rate of TBA (value at each time point after reperfusion the value immediately before reperfusion), the significant difference was observed after 2 hours between groups A and B (p < 0.05). In addition, significant difference was recognized at 30 minutes between groups C and D (p < 0.05). Although the changes of most bile acid fractions were proportional to the changes of TBA in all four groups, the detection of lithocolic acid at 6 hours was characteristic of both groups B and D. In conclusion, there was strong correlation between the TBA level and the graft function during early postoperative period. Therefore, TBA will be a specific and early indicator to differentiate the quality of the transplanted grafts in OLT.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Study on the inhibitory effect of uremic plasma on lipoprotein lipase.

An investigation was undertaken to determine which plasma factors from normal controls and patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) exert have inhibitory effects on the activity of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) purified from heparinized human plasma by using an accurate LPL assay system. Inhibitors of LPL were found to be present in the plasma. The inhibition of the LPL activity was significantly greater in CRF patients than in normal controls. Following hemodialysis (HD), the same concentration of uremic plasma led to less inhibition. The inhibitors existed only in lipoprotein deficient plasma (LPDS), which demonstrated an LPL-inhibitory activity at extremely high concentrations with a significant difference between the patients and normal controls. There was no difference between the two groups at low concentrations. A specific inhibitory effect on LPL in LPDS was noted in the 7S and 4S fractions separated by gel filtration employing Sephacryl S-200 column chromatography. The inhibitory effect of the 7S fraction was found to be dependent on the concentration, and the difference between the two groups was similar to that for LPDS. The results obtained in the present study suggest that the plasma from CRF patients exhibited a strong inhibitory action on the LPL activity as compared to the plasma from normal controls, and the inhibitory action was due primarily due to poor excretion of dialyzable inhibitors.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Hyperparathyroidism among atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima.

To determine the effect of exposure to atomic bomb radiation on the occurrence of hyperparathyroidism, the prevalence was determined among a population of 3,948 atomic bomb survivors and their controls in Hiroshima. The diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism was based upon histopathological findings or the presence of consistent hypercalcemia and elevated levels of serum parathyroid hormone. Primary hyperparathyroidism was diagnosed in 19 persons (3 males, 16 females). Females had approximately a threefold higher overall prevalence of hyperparathyroidism than males (P less than 0.05). The prevalence rates of hyperparathyroidism increased with radiation dose (chi2(1) = 12, P less than 0.001) after adjusting for sex and age at the time of the bombing. The estimated relative risk was 4.1 at 1 Gy (95% confidence limits 1.7 to 14). There was some evidence that the effect of radiation was greater for individuals who were younger at the time of the bombing. In conclusion, exposure to atomic bomb radiation affected the occurrence of hyperparathyroidism, suggesting that doses of radiation lower than those used in radiotherapy may also induce this disorder.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

[Morphometric and pathologic studies of the brain in autopsied cases of Alzheimer-type dementia].

Human brain sections were analysed by computer-assisted quantitative morphometry. The brains, autopsied at the Department of Legal Medicine, Kobe University School of Medicine and the Medical Examiner's Office of Hyogo Prefecture, included 63 cases of acute death consisting of 49 cases of non-demented and 14 cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD) or senile dementia of Alzheimer-type (SDAT). As for patients of AD and SDAT, they were clinically diagnosed at some medical facilities in their life time. Histopathological diagnosis for AD and SDAT was confirmed by the presence of abundant senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. In the non-demented control aging, a modest atrophy occurred throughout the cerebral cortex except the occipital cortex, whereas no sign of atrophy was seen in the medullary white matter. In the AD and SDAT cases, both cortical gray and medullary white matter showed significantly higher degrees of atrophy than in the controls. A further detailed study indicated that the parietotemporal association cortex was specifically affected in the demented brain as compared with the normal aging.

Aging↗

PubMed1991

Intraperoxisomal form of alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase in the peroxisomes of bird kidney.

Alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase has been reported to be present as the apo form in the peroxisomes and as the holo form in the mitochondria in chicken kidney. In contrast, the enzyme was found to be present as the holo form both in the peroxisomes and in the mitochondria in pigeon kidney, suggesting that birds are classified into two groups on the basis of intraperoxisomal form of kidney alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase. In the kidney, the pigeon peroxisomal holo enzyme did not cross-react immunologically with the chicken peroxisomal apo enzyme.

Alanine Transaminase↗

PubMed1991

Purification and characterization of peroxisomal apo and holo alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase from bird liver.

Alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase has been reported to be present as the apo enzyme in the peroxisomes and as the holo enzyme in the mitochondria in chick (white leghorn) embryonic liver. However, surprisingly, birds were found to be classified into two groups on the basis of intraperoxisomal forms of liver alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase. In the peroxisomes, the enzyme was present as the holo form in group 1 (pigeon, sparrow, Java sparrow, Australian budgerigar, canary, goose, and duck), and as the apo form in group 2 (white leghorn, bantam, pheasant, and Japanese mannikin). In the mitochondria, the enzyme was present as the holo form in both groups. The peroxisomal holo enzyme was purified from pigeon liver, and the peroxisomal apo enzyme from chicken (white leghorn) liver. The pigeon holo enzyme was composed of two identical subunits with a molecular weight of about 45,000, whereas the chicken apo enzyme was a single peptide with the same molecular weight as the subunit of the pigeon enzyme. The peroxisomal holo enzyme of pigeon liver was not immunologically cross-reactive with the peroxisomal apo enzyme of chicken liver, the mitochondrial holo enzymes from pigeon and chicken liver, and mammalian alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferases 1 and 2. The mitochondrial holo enzymes from both pigeon and chicken liver had molecular weights of about 200,000 with four identical subunits and were cross-reactive with mammalian alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase 2 but not with mammalian alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase 1.

Alanine Transaminase↗

PubMed1991

A comparison of hip fracture incidence among native Japanese, Japanese Americans, and American Caucasians.

Hip fracture incidence rates among men and women of Japanese ancestry living on Oahu, Hawaii, from 1979 to 1981 were compared with rates for Japanese living on Okinawa, Japan, from 1984 to 1985. Both rates were further compared with those for various American Caucasian populations, including that of Rochester, Minnesota, from 1978 to 1982. Age-specific and cumulative (age 50-84 years) hip fracture rates among persons of Japanese ancestry were approximately half that of Caucasians for both sexes. Although diet and other cultural attributes of the Oahu group have become more westernized than the Okinawan population, there were no detectable differences in hip fracture rates between Oahu and Okinawa Japanese. Additional studies are needed to determine whether the observed differences in fracture rates between Caucasians and Japanese might be related to differences in bone mass, body size, frequency of falls, or other factors.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Determination of beta-carbolines in foodstuffs by high-performance liquid chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method combined with fluorimetric detection is described for the determination of beta-carboline (norharman) and 1-methyl-beta-carboline (harman). The analysis of foodstuffs for the identification of beta-carbolines is facilitated by clean-up samples using Bond Elut PRS cartridges. Recoveries were excellent. Further, a high-performance liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric method was also developed for their identification. The concentration of beta-carboline among the foodstuffs and alcoholic beverages varied greatly. Also, norharman and harman were observed in uncooked foodstuffs, whereas acetaldehyde was found in most fermented food. The toxicological implication of beta-carbolines in foodstuffs is discussed.

Acetaldehyde↗

PubMed1991

Hereditary lactate dehydrogenase M-subunit deficiency: lactate dehydrogenase activity in skin lesions and in hair follicles.

A 16-year-old Japanese girl had desquamating erythematosquamous lesions mostly on the extensor surface of the extremities. The lesions were worse in summer. The patient also had a mild muscle pain after strenuous exercise. Her paternal and maternal grandfathers are cousins. An analysis of lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) isozymes in her serum revealed a single peak of LDH1. Analysis of LDH isozymes of erythrocytes demonstrated a complete lack of LDH M-subunit in the patient and a substantial lack in the parents. The epidermis of the diseased skin and scalp hair follicles of the patient were virtually devoid of LDH activity.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Effect of Konjac mannan on intestinal microbial metabolism in mice bearing human flora and in conventional F344 rats.

The effects of dietary Konjac mannan (KM), a frequent ingredient of traditional Japanese foods, on intestinal microbial metabolism and microflora composition were investigated using two laboratory animal models, namely, conventional F344 rats and C3H/He male mice bearing human flora. Dietary KM led to a significant reduction in faecal beta-glucuronidase, nitroreductase and azoreductase activities, and in the production of phenol and indole in the faeces of conventional F344 rats. In the C3H/He male mice bearing human flora, faecal beta-glucuronidase and nitroreductase activities were significantly reduced by KM ingestion, as were the amounts of the putrefactive products, p-cresol and indole, in the faeces. Slight differences in intestinal microflora composition between control and KM diet groups were noted. The results indicate that, in C3H/He male mice bearing human flora, dietary KM may modify microbial metabolism without causing significant alterations in intestinal microflora composition.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

The incidence of thoracic vertebral fractures in a Japanese population, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, 1958-86.

The incidence of thoracic vertebral fractures (TVF) in a Japanese population of 14,607 individuals from Hiroshima and Nagasaki was determined by sex, age, birth cohort, and exposure to atomic bomb radiation. The diagnosis of TVF was based on lateral chest radiographs made from 1 July 1958 to 28 February 1986. The subjects, who were born between 1880 through 1939, were categorized by sex into 10-year birth cohorts. TVF incidence increased by a factor of 1.7 in all birth cohorts with each 10-year increase in age in females, but did not increase with age in males. The incidence was significantly lower in the younger birth cohorts in both sexes. The incidence declined by a factor of 0.5 in males and 0.6 in females for each 10-year decrease in the year of birth. TVF incidence did not differ between the cities, and no correlation with atomic bomb radiation exposure was demonstrated.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Structure of N-linked oligosaccharide chains in the triple-helical domains of human type VI and mouse type IV collagen.

Asparagine-linked oligosaccharides were liberated from pepsin-treated type VI collagen and the 7S domain of type IV collagen by hydrazinolysis and their structures analysed by exoglycosidase treatment. The major component in both proteins was complex biantennary oligosaccharide being partly modified by the addition of fucose and sialic acid residues. The 7S domain contained in addition distinct amounts of truncated biantennary structures lacking one or two beta-galactose residues and a minor triantennary structure. Carbohydrate analysis indicated that all of the N-linked and 80-90% of the O-linked acceptor sites are occupied. The lack of galactosamine content in both collagens showed the O-linked oligosaccharides were only those attached to hydroxylysine and not to serine or threonine. The high carbohydrate density along both triple helical domains is discussed with regard to their limited ability to form lateral aggregates.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Prevention of vasospasm by clot removal and intrathecal bolus injection of tissue-type plasminogen activator: preliminary report.

In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of postoperative intrathecal injections of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) in preventing cerebral vasospasm in cases with a diffuse severe subarachnoid hemorrhage. All 10 cases were graded Group 3 according to the classification of Fisher and associates, and the CT number (Hounsfield number) of the subarachnoid clot was over 75. After clipping the aneurysm and removing the clot, three cisternal drainage catheters were inserted into both sylvian cisterns and the prepontine cistern, and continuous ventricular drainage was performed routinely. Postoperatively, tPA (0.5 mg/2.5 ml) was infused as a bolus into both basal cisterns and the lateral ventricle twice daily for about 6 days. Angiography and cerebral blood flow studies using single photon emission computed tomography were performed on Day 4 or 5 and between Days 7 and 10 after onset of the hemorrhage. To date, there have been no cases that have shown angiographic vasospasm or delayed ischemic neurological deficits. This preliminary study indicates that the intrathecal bolus injection of tPA produces a marked effect on vasospasm.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Heterogeneity of clinical features of pseudoxanthoma elasticum: analysis of thirteen cases in Oita Prefecture from a population of 1,240,000.

Thirteen cases among 16,260 patients seen at our department during the nine years from 1981 were diagnosed as pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE). The sex and age distributions were similar to those so far reported in the literature. There were two cases of the autosomal dominant type. One patient had skin lesions typical of PXE in association with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. In two of three patients with cutis laxa-like lesions, eruptions of elastosis perforans serpiginosa were present. In three cases, we failed to detect deposition of calcium in typical skin lesions in either an early or a late stage by histochemical staining, in spite of the presence of slightly degenerated elastic fibers.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Recurrent malignant fibrous histiocytoma with expression of cytokeratin.

A case of locally recurrent malignant fibrous histiocytoma was documented in a 70-year-old man. He first noticed a subcutaneous nodule forty years previously. The tumor was surgically removed four times during the last four years with local recurrence on every occasion. In the recurrent tumors, the tumor cells almost completely replaced the whole dermis and invaded skeletal muscles. They were composed of pleomorphic spindle cells arranged in a storiform pattern and bizarre histiocytic cells, which were present principally in the deeper portions of the tumor. Both types of tumor cells showed marked nuclear atypicality. In the primary tumor, surrounding a large necrotic area, spindle-shaped cells were arranged in a storiform pattern. These tumor cells exhibited only mild nuclear atypia. The recurrent tumor was strongly positive for vimentin and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin. Most tumor cells were also weakly positive for KL1, a monoclonal antibody for keratin. A Western-blot analysis revealed the presence of two bands (62 and 69 Kd) reacting with KL1 in the fractions which were obtained from the tumor according to the method for keratin extraction.

Aged↗