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Biomedical subjects

S Goto

Publications and source records attributed to S Goto.

At least 703 records · Page 39Linked to original sources

[Effects of kamikihi-to, a Chinese traditional medicine, on various cholinergic biochemical markers in the brains of aged rats].

The effects of kamikihi-to (EK-49) on various cholinergic biochemical markers, muscarinic receptors, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), choline acetyltransferase (CAT) and choline uptake, in aged rat brains were examined. Administration of kamikihi-to in daily doses of 200 mg/kg, p.o. for 4 weeks to aged rats (24-months-old) significantly increased the density of muscarinic receptors (Bmax) for 3H-QNB (quinuclidinyl benzilate), but did not affect the apparent dissociation constant (Kd). After repeated administration of kamikihi-to to aged rats, AChE activity and choline uptake were not significantly different in the kamikihi-to treated aged rats as compared with the control aged rats. However, administration of kamikihi-to for 4 weeks resulted in a significant increase in Vmax values of CAT in kamikihi-to treated aged rats as compared with those of the control rats. These results indicate that long-term treatment with kamikihi-to enhances both the Bmax and Vmax for QNB binding and CAT activity in aged rats, respectively.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Effect of three novel K+ channel openers, cromakalim, pinacidil and nicorandil on allergic reaction and experimental asthma.

The anti-allergic and anti-asthmatic activities of three potassium (K+) channel openers, cromakalim, pinacidil, and nicorandil, were investigated. 1) Forty-eight-hour homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in mice was not affected by cromakalim, pinacidil, or nicorandil. Ketotifen significantly inhibited the reaction. 2) Antigen-induced histamine release from sensitized guinea pig lung tissue was not affected by cromakalim, pinacidil or nicorandil (except for 10(-4) M nicorandil). Salbutamol inhibited the release of histamine. 3) Histamine, serotonin and LTC4-induced vasculitis in rat back skin was not affected by any of these three K+ channel openers. 4) Antigen-induced constriction of isolated sensitized guinea pig tracheal muscle was relaxed by each of the K+ channel openers. 5) Constrictions of isolated guinea pig tracheal muscle caused by high potassium, histamine, LTC4, or U-46619 were clearly relaxed by each of the three K+ channel openers. 6) Increases of airway resistance caused by histamine, LTD4, or U-46619 in guinea pigs in vivo were inhibited by administration of each of the three K+ channel openers. 7) Experimental asthma caused by the IgE antibody and antigen system in guinea pigs was inhibited by each of the three K+ channel openers.

Airway Resistance↗

Evidence for the existence of serotonin uptake inhibitor-like substances in human cerebrospinal fluid.

Addition of human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) induced a marked inhibition of 3H-paroxetine binding to the monkey cortical membranes, while the specific binding of 3H-imipramine was slightly inhibited. Moreover, 3H-serotonin (5-hydroxy-tryptamine, 5-HT) uptake inhibition in the monkey cortical synaptosomes was also increased as the volume of added CSF was increased. Scatchard analysis of specific 3H-paroxetine binding with human CSF showed non-competitive kinetics, although CSF was competitive with 3H-imipramine binding. The inhibitory effect of human CSF on 5-HT uptake was non-competitive in nature. The endogenous substances in human CSF most probably act at the recognition site labeled with 3H-paroxetine. Moreover, occupation of this site by the endogenous substances is likely to inhibit the 5-HT uptake process.

Animals↗

Multiple intracerebral cavernous angioma--case report.

A 65 Year-old man with an episode of absence attacks and mild mental changes was admitted to the clinic. A skull X-ray film demonstrated a mild spotty calcification in the left frontal region. The lesion was recognized as a heterogeneous high density and irregular round egg-sized tumor on computerized tomography and appeared as an avascular mass with cerebral angiography. The patient also had abnormal low-intensity spots that were widely scattered in the supratentorial, parieto-temporal cortex, cerebellum and the pons on MRI (gradient-field echo method). Abdominal echography demonstrated a single tumor shadow in the liver. Only the frontal lesion removed and histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a cavernous angioma. The scattered low density lesions observed with the MRI (both T1 and T2 weighted) were also indicative of a cavernous angioma. These lesions were probably caused by hemosiderin at different phases of chemical breakdown. The cases of multiple cavernous angiomas reported by McCormick and Rubinstein had a similar appearance with a spot-shaped hemorrhage or angioma. Many other reports of multiple lesions will probably appear in the future with the use of MR, since a small cavernous angioma can be easily visualized by gradient-field echo method.

Aged↗

Results of damped-rotation tests in brain damaged infants and children.

We studied the relation between vestibular functions and neurological diagnosis in 477 brain damaged infants and children who had delayed gross motor functions. They were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 319 infants with cerebral palsy in the first year of life, and Group 2 consisted of 158 brain damaged children up to 4 years of age. The damped-rotation test was used to evaluate vestibular function and the number of perrotatory nystagmus were measured. In Group 1 there were 24 infants with no vestibular responses, including two who were deaf. Five of those in Group 1 showed no responses at the first year of life but normal responses as they developed. In Group 2, all had normal vestibular responses. These results show that the incidence of no vestibular response is very high in infants with spastic cerebral palsy.

Adult↗

Novel separation and amino acid sequences of alpha and beta subunits of pig heart pyruvate dehydrogenase.

Pyruvate dehydrogenase was separated from pig heart pyruvate dehydrogenase complex by gel-permeation chromatography on a TSK G4000SWG column in the presence of 4 M urea, followed by chromatography on a calcium phosphate gel-cellulose column. The pyruvate dehydrogenase was further separated into two nonidentical subunits, alpha and beta, by high-performance liquid chromatography on a Synchropak CM-300 column in the presence of 8 M urea. The complete amino acid sequences of two subunits of pyruvate dehydrogenase were determined. The peptide fragments of S-carboxymethylated subunits were generated by treatment with endoproteinase Lys-C, endoproteinase Asp-N, trypsin, and cyanogen bromide. The subunits alpha and beta contain 361 amino acid residues (Mr 40,294) and 329 residues (Mr 35,787), respectively. The amino acid sequences of subunits alpha and beta in the pig were, respectively, 98 and 96% identical to those in humans. Hydropathy analysis and prediction of the secondary structure of two subunits suggest that the subunit alpha contains the thiamin pyrophosphate-binding domain and that the subunit beta contains segments with a high hydrophobicity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Clinical course of bone metastases by prostatic cancer studies with conventional X-ray].

The clinical courses of bone metastases in 81 cases of prostatic cancer were examined using conventional X-ray. All patients received endocrine therapy as the initial treatment; castration and estrogen were given to 46 cases, castration and antiandrogen to 19, LH-RH analog to 11, flutamide to 5. The response to endocrine therapy was evaluated every 6 months after the start of the treatment according to National Prostatic Cancer Project criteria. The prognosis was calculated by cause-specific survival. The types of untreated bone metastases on X-ray were classified into five: sclerotic in 12 cases (15%), mixed but mainly sclerotic in 25 (31%), mixed but mainly lytic in 14 (17%), lytic in 8 (10%) and undetermined with positive scintigraphy in 22 (27%). Two mixed types showed more spread metastases and tendency of elevated prostatic acid phosphatase when compared with other types. Temporary enlargement of sclerotic area within 6 months after start of the treatment did not correlate with deterioration of disease. Remodeling of metastatic areas occurred 6-36 months after start of the treatment showed curative course and the prognosis of these groups were favorable. Most of lytic areas tended to sclerotic finding following endocrine therapy regardless of effects by endocrine therapy. Sclerotic and two mixed types showed better and worse tendencies, respectively. On viewpoint of remodeling, change of metastatic area and newly appearance of metastases, an evaluation criteria of response to the therapy was proposed, which showed good correlation with prognosis. From these observations, it was concluded that bone metastases tended from lytic to sclerotic changes and that lytic-sclerotic cycles occurred repeatedly along with disease progression regardless of effect to therapy. Remodeling seemed to be curative signs of metastatic area.

Aged↗

[BEP (bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatinum) chemotherapy as an induction therapy of advanced extragonadal germ cell tumor].

Five patients with advanced extragonadal germ cell tumor (EGGCT) were treated with cisplatinum + vinblastine + bleomycin (BVP) or cisplatinum + etoposide + bleomycin (BEP) chemotherapy as an induction therapy. All patients had high levels of tumor markers and multiple distant metastasis in poor nutritious conditions. Two patients given BVP therapy died 6 and 9 months after the chemotherapy. By contrast, three patients given BEP therapy achieved complete remission and were surviving longer than one year without any evidences of disease. Granulocytopenic fever was seen soon after the first course of BEP therapy. Prophylactic granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatment, enabled two of them to receive full dose chemotherapy without any fever attacks. In conclusion, BEP chemotherapy is effective to EGGCT as well as far advanced testicular tumors and G-CSF treatment is useful for achievement of induction chemotherapy to advanced germ cell tumors.

Adult↗

A case report of congenital aglossia.

A case of congenital aglossia was orthodontically treated and long-term retention was observed from the age of 15 to 27. The patient had congenital absence of three lower incisors, abnormally small mandible (micrognathia), severe overbite and a telescopic bite in the premolar region accompanied by an extremely narrow lower arch. Orthodontic treatment was begun when the patient was 15 years and 6 months old. The active treatment period was 2 years and 9 months. At the present time, nine years have passed since the end of the active treatment, and intercuspation between the upper and lower arches is still good. It is suggested that the maintenance of the lower arch width is essential for long-term retention in cases of congenital aglossia.

Adolescent↗

[Left atrial booster pump function in left ventricular blood filling: clinical and experimental analyses].

Left atrial booster pump function produces variable effects on cardiac output. Generally, cardiac output decreases by only 15-20% when atrial fibrillation occurs, however, in some cases, hemodynamic collapse occurs through loss of left atrial contraction. We evaluated the relative significance of left atrial booster pump function in acute or chronic load and in myocardial ischemia using the left ventricular volume curve. Blood entering into the left ventricle during the left atrial contraction phase (FVLA) represents the left atrial volume work, and the ratio of FVLA to the left ventricular filling volume during one cardiac cycle (%FVLA) represents the relative significance of left atrial booster pump function in cardiac output. In dog experiments, we calculated the change in FVLA and %FVLA by measuring the the left ventricular internal minor axis diameter and using Pombo's method. We also measured the change of the left atrial segment length as a direct indicator of left atrial contraction. In the acute change in preload, FVLA changed with stroke volume, but %FVLA remained unchanged. The change in FVLA correlated with the direct indicator of the left atrial excursion; the extent of the left atrial segment length (LASL). During acute change of left ventricular afterload, both FVLA and %FVLA were unchanged. In regional myocardial ischemia, both FVLA and %FVLA were increased, suggesting an increase in the left atrial booster pump function. In clinical study, we calculated FVLA and %FVLA from the left ventricular diameter using M-mode echocardiography. In chronic volume overloading (aortic regurgitation), FVLA increased while %FVLA was maintained unchanged. The same FVLA-%FVLA relationship was observed in acute volume loading. In cases of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and old myocardial infarction (MI), both FVLA and %FVLA were increased, suggesting the increased left atrial booster pump function. In these cases, the left ventricular rapid filling velocity decreased, suggesting that impairment of rapid filling caused the increase of left atrial preload and hence increased left atrial volume work. The results of this study show that in old MI and in LVH, both left atrial volume work and the relative significance of left atrial booster pump function increase. We concluded that prevention of atrial fibrillation may be very important in these diseases.

Animals↗

[In vivo and in vitro antifungal activity of fluconazole].

We examined in vivo efficacy and in vitro activity of fluconazole, a novel triazole antifungal agent, and obtained results which are summarized as follows: 1. Fluconazole showed a higher serum concentration than ketoconazole after oral administration to mice. The 50% effective dose of fluconazole administered orally to mice was similar to that of fluconazole injected to mice intraperitoneally in a systemic candidiasis model. 2. Prophylactic effects of fluconazole were excellent against systemic candidiasis, cryptococcosis and aspergillosis in mice in comparison with those of ketoconazole and miconazole. 3. The multiple administration of fluconazole effectively decreased the number of viable cells of Candida albicans colonized in kidneys of mice when the serum level of fluconazole was kept to exceed its IC99 values against the inoculated pathogen. Thus, a good correlation between the in vitro activity of fluconazole and its in vivo efficacy was confirmed. In vivo efficacies of ketoconazole and miconazole, however, failed to reflect their marked in vitro activities. 4. C. albicans No. 32 developed no drug-resistance to fluconazole during transfers in medium containing fluonazole at a concentration of 1 micrograms/ml.

Animals↗