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Biomedical subjects

S Imai

Publications and source records attributed to S Imai.

At least 451 records · Page 25Linked to original sources

Effects of calcium antagonists, felodipine and nicardipine, on cerebral circulation in dogs.

The effects of a calcium antagonist of the dihydropyridine type, felodipine, on the cerebral circulation were studied in comparison with those of nicardipine in pancuronium-bromide immobilized unanesthetized dogs. Felodipine (0.3-10 micrograms/kg, i.v.) and nicardipine (0.3-10 micrograms/kg, i.v.) produced a dose-related decrease in mean blood pressure with almost equal potencies. However, at a dose of 3 micrograms/kg, felodipine produced a more prominent increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) than nicardipine. Decreases in cerebral vascular resistance were significantly greater in the felodipine group at doses of 0.3 and 3 micrograms/kg, when compared with the nicardipine group. Cerebral oxygen consumption calculated by multiplying the arterio-venous difference of oxygen content by CBF was increased by these two drugs, but the changes were minimal. These data suggest that the increase in CBF produced by felodipine and nicardipine was primarily due to the direct dilatation of the cerebral blood vessels.

Animals↗

[Zinc and copper concentrations in breast milk and maternal serum in the postpartum period].

This study reports the contents of Zn and Cu in the breast milk and serum of postpartum mothers, 17 primiparas and 20 multiparas, at one week and at one month after delivery. Results were as follows. 1. The mean content of Zn in the breast milk was 5.44 micrograms/ml at 1 week after delivery, and it decreased significantly (p less than 0.01) to 2.73 micrograms/ml at 1 month after delivery. 2. The mean content of Zn in serum was 0.66 microgram/ml at 1 week, and it increased significantly (p less than 0.01) to 0.84 microgram/ml, close to the normal level, at 1 month. 3. The milk Zn level at 1 week after delivery was about 8 times as high as the Zn in serum. There was a significant (p less than 0.05) negative correlation in Zn contents between milk and serum at 1 week after delivery, and there was no significant correlation in Zn contents between milk and serum at 1 month after delivery. 4. The mean content of Cu in breast milk was 0.55 microgram/ml at 1 week after delivery, and it decreased to 0.44 microgram/ml at 1 month after delivery. 5. The mean content of Cu in serum was 2.14 micrograms/ml at 1 week after delivery, and it decreased significantly (p less than 0.01) to 1.35 micrograms/ml, close to the normal level, at 1 month after delivery. 6. Concerning the Cu contents of milk and serum, there was not a significant correlation at 1 week after delivery, but a significant (p less than 0.05) positive correlation was found at 1 month after delivery.

Adult↗

[Silicon concentrations in maternal serum and breast milk in the postpartum period].

The silicon (Si) concentrations in maternal serum and breast milk were determined for 38 healthy postpartal women, 19 primiparae and 19 multiparae, by using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The results are as follows: 1. The geometric mean (95% confidence interval) of the Si level in maternal serum was 9.7 mumol/l (8.8-10.8 mumol/l) at 1 week after delivery, and 8.1 mumol/l (7.1-9.2 mumol/l) at 1 month after delivery. The Si level at 1 week after delivery was significantly (p less than 0.05) higher than that at 1 month after delivery. 2. The geometric mean of the Si level (95% confidence interval), in breast milk was 6.3 mumol/l (5.4-7.3 mumol/l) at 1 week after delivery, and 6.1 mumol/l (5.1-7.2 mumol/l) at 1 month after delivery. 3. At both 1 week and 1 month after delivery, a significant correlation was not found between the Si concentrations in maternal serum and in breast milk.

Adult↗

Rumen ciliates from the Mongolian gazelle, Procapra gutturosa.

Rumen ciliate composition was surveyed on the Mongolian gazelle, Procapra gutturosa in Inner-Mongolia, China. As a result of survey, 4 species belonging to the genus Entodinium, E. convexum, E. dubardi, E. nanellum and E. exiguum, were detected. All the ciliates were devoid of caudal appendages. Of the species detected, E. convexum was found from all the hosts with a relatively high composition rate of 53.0-100.0%. The ciliate density ranged from 12.3 to 67.7 x 10(4), with an average of 24.8 x 10(4) per 1 ml of the rumen fluid.

Animals↗

Ciliate protozoa in the forestomach of the Bactrian camel in Inner-Mongolia, China.

Ciliate composition in the forestomach was examined in four Bactrian camels, Camelus bactrianus, inhabiting Mongol and Steppes, then 7 genera containing 14 species with 5 formae were identified. One of these formae was a new forma, and described as Entodinium okoppensis f. cameli n.f. Six species containing one new forma were new records in the forestomach of camels. The percentage composition of genera varied with the individuals of host and the collection sites in the stomach but Entodinium was generally predominant. Total ciliate density per milliliter of stomach fluid was 2.1 x 10(5) on average.

Animals↗

[Fibromuscular dysplasia of the cervical arteries associated with a distal vertebral trunk aneurysm. Case report].

A 64-year-old, hypertensive female suddenly experienced severe headache. On admission, the patient had almost clear consciousness but was slightly restless and complained of severe headache and nausea. Neurological examination revealed only neck stiffness. A computed tomographic scan revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage. Angiographically, bilateral internal carotid and vertebral arteries had the "string of beads sign" at their cervical portion, and the left internal carotid artery also had the same sign at its cavernous portion. The left vertebral artery had low-origin posterior inferior cerebellar artery and a berry-shaped aneurysm at its distal trunk. A diagnosis of cervical and intracranial fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) with a ruptured berry-shaped aneurysm of the distal vertebral trunk was made. The berry-shaped aneurysm was successfully treated with proximal clipping. Angiographically, right renal and axillary arteries also had the "string of beads sign," and the patient's hypertension seemed to be renovascular in etiology. The co-existence of intracranial FMD and cerebral aneurysm of unusual location suggests a possible relationship between the FMD and the development of cerebral aneurysm.

Carotid Artery Diseases↗

[Three dimensional culture of human salivary gland using irradiated collagen gel embedding technique].

Embedding culture was performed on normal salivary gland cells from five subjects using 0.2% irradiated collagen gel. Collagen was collected from rat tail tendon and gelatinized at the final concentration of 0.2%. D-MEM added BSA (5mg/ml), insulin (10 micrograms/ml) and EGF (5 micrograms/ml) was used as a serum-free medium. Within the collagen gel, the cells were found to grow in a branch-like pattern, and then to form a lot of radial duct-like structures containing alcian blue positive secretions. Immunohistochemical observation of myoepithelial cells with monoclonal antibody from human mammalian cancer suggested that these cells play an important role in the process of glandular ducts formation. Salivary gland cells being able to grow in collagen gel in a very similar fashion to in-vivo condition, the present collagen gel embedding culture is useful for morphological or functional studies on salivary gland cells.

Animals↗

Purification and characterization of citrate synthase from Streptomyces hygroscopicus SF-1293 and comparison of its properties with those of 2-phosphinomethylmalic acid synthase.

To study the relationship between citrate synthase and 2-phosphinomethylmalic acid (PMM) synthase, which catalyzes a very similar reaction comparable to citrate formation in the biosynthesis of a herbicide, bialaphos, citrate synthase was purified from the mycelium of Streptomyces hygroscopicus SF-1293, a bialaphos-producing organism. The overall purification was 440-fold with a yield of 4.4% from cell-free extract. Based on comparison with PMM synthase, it has been concluded that citrate synthase of S. hygroscopicus is quite different from PMM synthase in several aspects such as enzymatic properties, amino acid composition. N-terminal amino acid sequence, and stereo-chemical reaction mechanism.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Biochemical mechanisms of C-P bond formation of bialaphos: use of gene manipulation for the analysis of the C-P bond formation step.

One of the three C-P bond formation steps, defined as step 5 in the bialaphos (BA) biosynthetic pathway, was analyzed using a new BA non-producing mutant NP71. The mutant was derived from a BA producer by gene replacement of an unidentified region next to the gene responsible for the step 5 deficiency of the mutant NP213, obtained by conventional mutation procedures. Biochemical analysis of these two mutants indicated that NP71 was defective in the formation of carboxyphosphonoenolpyruvate (CPEP), while NP213 lacked the enzyme CPEP phosphonomutase, which catalyzed the intramolecular rearrangement of CPEP.

DNA↗

[A new monoclonal antibody (SH-9) recognizes the low molecular mass of ovarian cancer antigen CA125].

The SHIN-3 cell line producing CA125 was established from an ovarian cancer patient. Using the SHIN-3 cell line, we found that the low-molecular-mass antigen (about 50 KDa) might be the main antigenic determinant in CA125-immunoreactive species. A new monoclonal antibody to this low-molecular-mass was raised to examine a new cancer associated antigen by a hybridoma technique. Using enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay, ten clones were selected from among 398 clones. Two clones were IgG1 and eight were IgM. By immunostaining (ABC assay), a new antibody (named SH-9) reacted with normal pulmonary bronchus and uterine cervical glands. No positivity, however, was observed in endometriosis (adenomyosis). In tumorous lesions of ovary, SH-9 antibody reacted specifically with mucinous cystadenoma-benign, borderline or malignant. However, no positivity was found in serous cystadenocarcinoma. In any other carcinomas, only lung cancer (adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma) showed a clear positivity. Immuno blotting analysis showed that SH-9 antibody recognized a low molecular mass. Therefore, SH-9 is seen to be an extremely unique antibody when compared with OC125 biochemically and histochemically.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

[Continuous hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy using implantable reservoir in liver metastases from colorectal cancer].

Continuous hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy using implantable reservoir was performed for liver metastases from colorectal cancer, and the therapeutic effects, side effects, and complications were evaluated. 9 patients with unresectable liver metastases were as follows, 1. Group A; 3 patients, MMC 2 mg.one shot + 5-FU 250 mg/day.continuous infusion x 14 days, and then 5-FU tablets 150 mg/day.p.o. x 14 days, 2. Group B; 4 patients, MMC 2 mg.one shot + 5-FU 500 mg/day.continuous infusion x 7 days, and then 5-FU tablets 150 mg/day.p.o. x 14 days, 3. Group C; 2 patients, 5-FU 500 mg/day.continuous infusion x 14 days, and then free from agents for 14 days. In 2 of 3 group A patients, the catheters became dislocated and one died of perforation of duodenum. In group A and group B, no severe side effects were noted. But both of group C patients showed nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. In 8 of 9 patients (89%), serum CEA level fell below the preoperative level. In 4 of 7 patients who underwent CT scan, the size of the tumor regressed. Total infused dose of 5-FU was 8.17 +/- 7.56 g in group A, 16.9 +/- 2.88 g in group B, and 21.0 +/- 9.90 g in group C on average. In 2 patients of group B, therapy was repeated seven times.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

[A senile case of B-cell lymphoma with high titers of an EB virus-associated antibodies].

An 83-year-old man suffering from general malaise and discomfort in the epigastrium was admitted to hospital. On testing, peripheral blood and bone marrow smears disclosed a number of abnormal lymphocytoid cells, and a CT and a linear echo scan revealed splenomegaly and a multiple intraperitoneal lymphadenopathy, although no superficial lymph nodes were palpable. Further, abnormal lymphocytoid cells were positive for B1, B4, OKIa1, Leu1, Tac, anti-IgM, anti-IgD, and anti-lambda. Thus, a diagnosis of malignant lymphoma of the intermediate B-cell type was made. Surprisingly, serological examination reveared extremely high titers of EB-virus associated antibodies (VCAIgG 20, 480x, VCAIgA 320x, EAIgG 2,560x), but no EBNA or virus particles were detected in the tumor cells, so that no direct relationship was established between the development of the tumor and the EBV infection.

Aged↗

Effects of sulfhydryl-modifying reagents, 3-nitro-2-pyridinesulfenyl compounds, on the coupling between inhibitory receptors and GTP-binding proteins Gi/Go in rat brain membranes.

To gain insight into the coupling mechanism of inhibitory receptors, 5-hydroxytryptamine1A receptors and alpha 2-adrenoceptors, with GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) in the central nervous system, we examined the effects of two 3-nitro-2-pyridinesulfenyl compounds, S-(3-nitro-2-pyridinesulfenyl)-L-cysteine [Cys(Npys)] and N-t-butoxy-carbonyl-S-(3-nitro-2-pyridinesulfenyl)-L-cysteine [Boc-Cys(Npys)], on 1) specific binding of [3H]8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) (5-hydroxytryptamine1A agonist) and [3H]clonidine (alpha 2-agonist) to rat brain membranes, 2) [35S]guanosine 5'-O-(3-thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S) binding, and 3) pertussis toxin (islet-activating protein) (IAP)-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of purified Go (an IAP-sensitive G protein present in abundance in the mammalian brain). Treatment with Cys(Npys) led to decreased [3H]8-OH-DPAT and [3H]clonidine binding, similar to the inhibitory effects of IAP and N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) on such binding. However, further treatment of Cys(Npys)-pretreated membranes with dithiothreitol completely abolished the inhibitory effect of Cys(Npys) on the binding of both ligands. On the other hand, treatment with Boc-Cys(Npys) inhibited the effect of several GTP analogs (GTP gamma S, guanylyl-imidodiphosphate, guanylyl)-(beta, gamma-methylene)-diphosphate, and GTP) on [3H]8-OH-DPAT and [3H]clonidine binding. Dithiothreitol and mercaptoethanol treatment of Boc-Cys(Npys)-pretreated membranes did not lead to a recovery of the effect of GTP analogs on agonist binding. Regardless of the presence or absence of GTP gamma S, agonist binding to Boc-Cys(Npys)-pretreated membranes was decreased by further addition of NEM or Cys(Npys). Cys(Npys) blocked [35S]GTP gamma S binding as well as IAP-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation in purified Go. In contrast, Boc-Cys(Npys) partially inhibited ADP-ribosylation and did not affect [35S]GTP gamma S binding. These results suggested that Cys(Npys) modifies the receptor-coupling domain in G proteins, followed by the uncoupling of inhibitory receptors from G proteins, similar to the effects of NEM and IAP. Boc-Cys(Npys), however, seems to stabilize the coupling state between the receptors and G proteins, thus abolishing the GTP gamma S effect.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗

[Virological and immunological studies on inapparent Epstein-Barr virus infection in healthy individuals: in comparison to immunosuppressed patients and patients with infectious mononucleosis].

The inapparent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection status in healthy Japanese subjects was assessed for their EBV seroepidemiology, oral EBV excretion, and EBV-specific cellular immunity, in comparison with immunosuppressed patients and patients with infectious mononucleosis. The seroepidemiologic data of 1,086 healthy donors indicate that EBV infects the vast majority of young children by 2-3 years of age and the viral persistence follows in nearly all adults throughout life. EBV antibody titers were significantly higher in both early and late ages. When 35 seropositive healthy persons were monthly assessed for their oral EBV excretion during 1 year period, 25% shed the virus consistently, 50% every other time, and the remaining 25% occasionally. EBV was shed more frequently from 17 immunosuppressed patients and all times from 15 cases of infectious mononucleosis, in the acute and convalescent phases and also during 1 year after healing. There was a tendency that high frequency EBV shedders had high titer EBV in the mouth. In infected healthy persons, EBV-specific killer T cells were well functioning throughout life; however, the killer T cell activity were significantly low in immunosuppressed patients. The killer T cell activity first developed in infectious mononucleosis 1 week after the onset and reached the same level as in seropositive healthy persons, by 4 weeks. These findings indicate that EBV-specific cellular immunity plays an important role in the establishment and maintenance of the inapparent EBV infection in humans.

Antibodies, Viral↗