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Biomedical subjects

S Ichikawa

Publications and source records attributed to S Ichikawa.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

Psychotic manifestations in the bed-fast elderly--a preliminary communication.

In order to examine a hypothesis that bed-fast elderly tend to develop psychotic manifestations more often when they are under greater environmental stress, we have devised a caretaker-patient relationship score (CPR score) to measure the relationship between the elderly and their principal caretakers. Our study in three areas of Japan demonstrated that in each area the occurrence of the psychotic manifestations is greater in the group with poor CPR scoring, suggesting that the greater the environmental stress the more frequently psychotic manifestations occur.

Aged↗

[Appearance of Philadelphia chromosome at relapse of erythroleukemia in a 12-year-old boy].

A 12-year-old boy was referred to our hospital because of anemia and jaundice. On admission bone marrow smears were compatible with M6 classification of the FAB, revealing 74.5% erythroblasts of all nucleated cells and 40% blasts of nonerythroid cells. Karyotype analysis revealed 46, XY. Gene rearrangement within the breakpoint cluster region (bcr) on chromosome 22 was negative at this time. Complete remission was attained by a combination chemotherapy. However, at 10 months of remission, cytogenetic studies of the bone marrow demonstrated Ph1 positive (10%). One month later, the patient fully relapsed with a 75% Ph1 positive karyotype associated with positive bcr. Subsequently, the patient died of refractory leukemia.

Child↗

Lymphatics of the cardiac chordae tendineae with particular consideration of their origin.

We traced the origin of lymphatic capillaries of the chordae tendineae by serial ultrathin sections and electron microscopy of lymphatics identified first by light microscopy at the base of the chordae tendineae. Most of the lymphatics appear flattened in cross section, approximately 15 to 20 microns and 3 to 5 microns in greater and lesser diameters, respectively. Spiny (thorn-like) branchlets (about 10 microns in length) randomly projected from the sides of straight lymphatic capillaries and each was composed of a single endothelial cell with marginal zones in apposition to one another. The extreme end of a straight lymphatic capillary terminated blindly and consisted of a single endothelial cell with an ultrastructural appearance that resembled that of the spiny branchlets.

Animals↗

[A long-term follow-up study of the histologically confirmed chronic liver diseases in the Juntedo University Hospital].

In order to calculate the survival rate and elucidate the risk factors of liver cancer, 1,034 patients of the chronic liver diseases were followed up for 7.1 years of average. All patients were confirmed histologically from 1973 to 1982 in Juntendo University Hospital as liver cirrhosis (367), liver fibrosis (27), and chronic hepatitis (640). Until the end of 1986, 244 cases were died including 52 cases of liver cancer. The 10 years survival rate by Kaplan-Meier's method ranged from 39.85 for male liver cirrhosis to 80.64 for male chronic hepatitis. The results of proportional hazard model for male liver cirrhosis revealed that drinking alcohol affected negatively to the death from liver cancer, and that cigarette smoking and no history of operation due to portal hypertension affected slightly to it and that HBs antigen, history of blood transfusion and history of acute hepatitis almost have no relation to it.

Alcohol Drinking↗

Effect of continuous illumination on secretion of pregnane compounds by the rat ovary.

Differences in the secretion of pregnane compounds from rats with follicular polycystic ovaries under constant light and with normal preovulatory ovaries under light-dark conditions were compared. The injection of LH greatly increased the secretion of progesterone. 5 alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione and 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one, in both types of ovaries, but the response of the two progesterone metabolites in the polycystic ovaries was low, suggesting low 5 alpha-reductase activity.

Animals↗

Role of baroreflex in the pressor response of rats with hypertension developed by renal artery stenosis.

We examined the interrelationships between the pressor response to the administration of norepinephrine and arginine vasopressin and baroreflex function in rats with hypertension of two days' duration induced by heminephrectomy and a clip placed on the right renal artery (2-day clipped rats). Mean arterial pressure was higher in the 2-day clipped rats than in heminephrectomized rats without clips (sham-operated rats). The pressor response in the 2-day clipped rats to both agents increased as compared to the sham-operated rats. This hyperresponsiveness was attenuated by administering an angiotensin II antagonist, [1-Sar, 8-Ile] angiotensin II. Baroreflex sensitivity was studied by measuring changes in arterial pressure and pulse interval in response to the injection of phenylephrine. Baroreflex sensitivity was not decreased but markedly increased in the 2-day clipped rats and unaffected by infusing the angiotensin II antagonist. These results provide evidence that 1) in the 2-day clipped rats there are exaggerated pressor responses to vasoconstrictors; 2) the hyperresponsiveness is not causally related to the change of baroreflex sensitivity; and 3) angiotensin II plays a significant role in the increased pressor responses; however, the baroreflex mechanism is not involved in attenuation of the hyperresponsiveness by the angiotensin II antagonist.

1-Sarcosine-8-Isoleucine Angiotensin II↗

Effect of exercise on circulating atrial natriuretic peptide and left ventricular ejection fraction in healthy persons and patients with coronary artery disease.

Radionuclide angiographic measurements of left ventricular ejection fraction were performed at rest and during exercise in 10 normal persons and 11 patients with coronary artery disease. Exercise was continued on a supine bicycle exercise table up to a symptom-limited maximum. Plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were also determined at rest and during exercise. Ejection fraction in the normal volunteers was 59 +/- 3% (mean +/- SEM) at rest and increased significantly (p less than 0.01) to 69 +/- 3% during exercise. Ejection fraction in the patients was 47 +/- 5% at rest and did not change significantly during exercise (51 +/- 7%). Plasma ANP in the normals rose significantly (p less than 0.01) from 62 +/- 16 pg/ml at rest to 454 +/- 94 pg/ml during exercise. Plasma ANP in the patients also rose significantly (p less than 0.01) from 231 +/- 102 pg/ml to 794 +/- 170 pg/ml. The response of plasma ANP to exercise was enhanced significantly (p less than 0.05) in the patients as compared with the normals in relation to ejection fraction by analysis of covariance. In both the normals and the patients, plasma ANP was inversely and significantly correlated with ejection fraction during exercise (r = -0.46, p less than 0.05, n = 21), however, not at rest. Because it has been reported that plasma ANP is correlated positively with pulmonary artery wedge pressure, the estimation of plasma ANP during an exercise stress test might be used for the evaluation of cardiac reserve in coronary artery disease.

Adult↗

Plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide in patients with borderline and essential hypertension.

Plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were measured in outpatients with borderline hypertension (n = 15) and essential hypertension (n = 13) and in normotensive subject (n = 11). There were no significant differences among the three groups in age, serum protein, albumin, or electrolyte levels, plasma renin activity (PRA), or plasma concentrations of aldosterone and cortisol. The plasma ANP levels in the normotensive, borderline hypertensive, and essential hypertensive subjects were 36 +/- 6 pg/ml (mean +/- S.E.), 64 +/- 11 pg/ml, and 82 +/- 14 pg/ml, respectively. The levels in the essential hypertensive subjects were significantly (p less than 0.05) higher than those in the normotensives. In both borderline and essential hypertensives (n = 28), the plasma ANP levels were significantly correlated positively with systolic blood pressure (r = +0.385, p less than 0.05), and negatively with PRA (r = -0.484, p less than 0.05) and serum total calcium (r = -0.516, p less than 0.01). These results suggest that the elevation of circulating ANP in hypertensives is involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension.

Adult↗

Prostaglandins in enhanced pressor response in renal prehypertensive rabbits.

The role of prostaglandins (PGs) in the pressor response to norepinephrine (NE) was examined in one-kidney, one clip rabbits with renal artery stenosis for 3-day's duration (3-day clipped rabbits) and in sham operated rabbits with one-kidney without renal artery stenosis. An exaggerated pressor response to NE, 800 ng/kg/min, was observed in the 3-day clipped rabbits, and it was abolished by angiotensin II antagonist, [Sar1, Ile8] angiotensin II (AIIA). Treatment with indomethacin, 10 mg/kg, induced hyperresponsiveness to NE in the sham operated rabbits and also produced a further increase in the response in the 3-day clipped rabbits: the enhanced responses with similar levels were not attenuated by AIIA in both groups. A subdepressor dose of PGE2, 800 ng/kg/min, abolished the hyperresponsiveness in the 3-day clipped rabbits, while subdepressor or depressor dose of PGI2, 10 or 20 ng/kg/min did not, but the concurrent infusion of AIIA with PGI2 attenuated it. These results indicate that PGs, in particular PGE2 might be involved in the enhanced pressor response to NE in the 3-day clipped rabbits in addition to the altered renin-angiotensin system.

Angiotensin II↗

Long term observation of micturition by spinal cord transected rabbits.

Neurogenic bladder was observed in chronic spinalized animals. Since these animals are difficult to maintain for long periods, there are few reports of systemic study of these preparations. We have recently observed micturition by spinalized rabbits over a period of 4 weeks. In thoracic or lumbar spinalized rabbits, urinary bladder contraction and external urethral sphincter activity were initially recorded from 1-2 days postoperative. Contraction coincided with appearance of hind-limb spasticity. This micturition was the so-called detrusor-external urethral sphincter dyssynergy with residual urine. In sacral spinalized rabbits, no micturition reflex, external urethral sphincter activity, or hind-limb spasticity were observed and the flaccid state continued for 4 weeks. It is suggested that a segmental micturition reflex pathway exists initially in the rabbit sacral cord, because reappearance of the micturition reflex was extremely quick (1-2 days) compared to that of cats (2-3 weeks). Animal hypnosis enabled immobilization during measurement without anesthetic or decerebration. Chronic spinalized rabbits, which are very intolerant to spinal damage, can be maintained alive by intensive care at and post operation and are useful for systemic study of spinal cord injury.

Animals↗

Cloning and characterization of the genes for two distinct cephalosporin acylases from a Pseudomonas strain.

Pseudomonas sp. strain SE83 converts cephalosporin C and 7 beta-(4-carboxybutanamido)cephalosporanic acid (GL-7ACA) to 7-aminocephalosporanic acid (7ACA). A DNA library of this strain was constructed in Escherichia coli and screened for the ability to deacylate GL-7ACA to 7ACA. Apparently, two distinct genes, designated acyI and acyII, were cloned on 4.8- and 6.0-kilobase-pair BglII fragments, respectively. The enzymes encoded by the two genes showed different substrate specificities, and the acyII-encoded enzyme was found to yield 7ACA from cephalosporin C by direct deacylation. Expression of the two genes in E. coli was strongly dependent on a promoter of the vector. The coding regions for acyI and acyII were localized on the 2.5- and 2.8-kilobase-pair fragments, respectively, by subcloning experiments, and high expression of both genes was obtained by placing them under the control of the lacUV5 promoter. The acyII-encoded enzyme was purified and shown to be composed of two nonidentical subunits with molecular weights of 26,000 and 57,000. Maxicell analysis revealed three acyII-specific polypeptides, two of which corresponded to the above subunits. The third polypeptide with a molecular weight of 83,000 was suggested to be the precursor of both subunits.

Acylation↗

Inhibition of superoxide anion production in guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes by a seleno-organic compound, ebselen.

Production of superoxide anion (O2-) induced by tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA) in intact guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) was markedly inhibited by a seleno-organic compound, 2-phenyl-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one (Ebselen), with glutathione peroxidase-like activity. The compound almost completely inhibited O2- production by a particulate fraction prepared from TPA-treated PMNL at a concentration as low as 250 nM.

Animals↗

Effects of multiple injections of luteinizing hormone on secretion of pregnane compounds from polycystic ovaries of rats exposed to constant light.

Differences in the secretion of pregnane compounds by ovaries with cystic follicles of rats exposed to constant light (light-induced oestrous rats) and by ovaries with normal follicles of early pro-oestrous rats were studied. Some rats were injected iv with 2 micrograms of LH to stimulate the secretion of steroids 30 min before their blood was sampled. The injection greatly increased the secretion of progesterone by both kinds of ovaries. The secretion of 5 alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione and 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one also increased in normal rats, but not in the polycystic ovaries of light-induced oestrous rats, which suggested that the 5 alpha-reductase activity was low. The pre-ovulatory LH surge is absent in light-induced oestrous rats, so a classic approach was taken to circumvent the probable deficit in the cyclic release of LH; we gave multiple injections of 10 micrograms of LH. Five such injections were given at intervals of 4 days, and ovarian venous blood was collected 4 days after the last injection. Cystic follicles in the ovaries of rats disappeared when the injections of LH were given every 4 days. The production of 5 alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione and 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one from the ovaries of such rats was significantly higher (P less than 0.01) than in controls given multiple injections of saline. These results suggest that the low 5 alpha-reductase activity in polycystic ovaries of light-induced oestrous rats may be due to the absence of an LH surge from the pituitary gland.

5-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone↗

Measurement of mean arterial pressure in rats by a tail-cuff method with sensitive photoelectric sensors.

We evaluated a recently developed tail-cuff apparatus containing sensitive photoelectric sensors in the measurement of arterial pressure in rats. A total of 48 male Wistar rats were used in the study. The indirect mean arterial pressure (MPi) was determined from the cuff pressure when the pulse volume oscillations were maximal. To create sufficiently large pulse volume oscillations, we heated the rats for about 12 minutes at 38 degrees C prior to recording the pressure. The heating increased the mean arterial pressure by an average of 4 +/- 2 mmHg, as indicated by direct measurement of pressure. Three different sizes of cuffs were tested, with the result that the indirect measurements were nearly identical to those obtained directly when an appropriate cuff size was selected. The MPi was well correlated with the direct measurement of mean arterial pressure before (r = 0.918, p less than 0.001) and during (r = 0.903, p less than 0.001) elevation of arterial pressure via norepinephrine infusion. These results indicate that the MPi determined at maximum pulse volume oscillations coincides fairly well with the true mean arterial pressure.

Animals↗

Time-related alterations in an endogenous digitalis-like factor in the development of DOCA-salt hypertension in rats.

Time-related alterations in a digitalis-like factor in urine were examined by means of cross-reactivity with an anti-digoxin antibody during the development of hypertension in DOCA-salt rats. Daily urinary sodium excretion was also measured. After hypertension had developed, plasma levels of the digitalis-like factor were determined by two methods: radioimmunoassay for digoxin and a receptor binding assay using 3H-ouabain and a rat brain synaptosomal protein. Urinary digoxin-like immunoreactivity increased gradually and significantly in the DOCA-salt rats as compared with that of sham-operated high-salt rats and normal-salt rats. Urinary sodium excretion was significantly higher in the DOCA-salt rats, and a significant correlation (r = 0.56, p less than 0.001) was observed between the daily urinary digoxin-like immunoreactivity and daily sodium excretion. In plasma, both digoxin-like immunoreactivity and ouabain-like binding activity were significantly higher in the DOCA-salt rats than in the other 2 groups. These results suggest that digitalis-like factor plays an important role in the development of hypertension in DOCA-salt rats.

Animals↗