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Biomedical subjects

S Kawamura

Publications and source records attributed to S Kawamura.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from environments (pigeon excreta) in Nagasaki].

Cryptococcosis is one of the serious deep-seated mycoses in immunocompromised patients, especially those with AIDS. Cryptococcus neoformans ordinarily lives in natural environments such as soil and reproduces in pigeon excreta. It spreads in the air and infects human by inhalation. We isolated C. neoformans from pigeon excreta in hospitals, private houses, parks in Nagasaki from October to December in 1994. C. neoformans was isolated from 4 of 8 samples (50%) of pigeon excreta and the isolation rate increased to 80% (4/5) if they were weathered excreta. Two patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis occurred in the last two years in the area where C. neoformans was isolated during that period. Epidemiological studies of clinical isolates and environmental isolates are important to determine its origin of infection and the route of transmission.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Cloning of the gene encoding DNA binding protein HU from Bacillus stearothermophilus and its expression in Escherichia coli.

The gene (hbst) encoding the DNA binding protein HU from Bacillus stearothermophilus was cloned, with the Bacillus subtilis HU gene (hbsu) as a hybridization probe. The nucleotide sequence, which contains a ribosome binding site, a transcriptional termination signal, as well as the coding region, was analyzed by the dideoxy chain-termination method. The deduced amino acid sequence of an open reading frame was perfectly matched with that of B. stearothermophilus HU (BstHU) determined by the protein chemical methods [M. Kimura and K. S. Wilson, J. Biol. Chem., 258, 4007-4011 (1983)]. The gene, hbst, was overexpressed using the expression vector pET-5a in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant HU protein (r-BstHU) was purified to be homogeneity by heparin-agarose column chromatography followed by ion-exchange column chromatography on S-Sepharose. The recombinant protein thus obtained had a circular dichroism spectrum identical to that of the authentic protein and bound to DNA to the same extent as the authentic protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Development of Babesia gibsoni in the salivary glands of the larval tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus.

The development of Babesia gibsoni in the salivary glands of larval Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks was morphologically studied for 4 days of feeding of tick on rabbits. Babesia gibsoni showed two forms (sporont and sporozoite) in the budding process. Sporozoites were formed in the acinar cells of salivary glands and released from the hollow cytoplasmic area of these cells by day 4 of feeding. The morphology of B. gibsoni in the salivary glands of R. sanguineus shows a close similarity to those of B. gibsoni in Haemaphysalis longicornis.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Development of intestinal flora of human-flora-associated (HFA) mice in the intestine of their offspring.

Development of intestinal flora in newborn human-flora-associated (HFA) mice was compared with that in newborn conventional (CV) mice. Facultative anaerobes were detected from the first day after birth in both CV and HFA mice but anaerobes were not detected in the first week. Anaerobes rapidly increased from the 2nd week after birth and became predominant in newborn intestine. Most of the intestinal bacteria in adult CV and HFA mice were colonized in the intestine of CV and HFA mice, respectively, within 3 weeks after birth. The human intestinal flora established in the intestine of HFA mice finally reproduced without any remarkable change in composition in the intestine of newborn HFA mice. The development of intestinal flora in HFA mice was similar to that in CV mice but not that in human infants. These results indicated that human flora associated in HFA mice could be transferred from mothers to their offspring although HFA mice could not simulate the development of intestinal flora of the human infant.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Collaborative assessment of optimal administration period and parameters to detect effects on male fertility in the rat: effects of cyclophosphamide on the male reproductive system.

As part of a collaborative project to determine optimal administration period and parameters to detect compound effects on male fertility in the rat, adult male rats were administered cyclophosphamide daily at 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg for 2 weeks, or at 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg for 4 or 9 weeks. After the pre-pairing administration period, each male was paired with an untreated female. After mating, testes and epididymides were removed and examined for organ weights, sperm head counts, sperm morphology and histopathology. Mated females were caesarean-sectioned on Day 13 of gestation. Although atrophy of epithelia in the cauda epididymides and decreases of spermatogenic cells in the testes were observed in the higher dose groups in the 2w study, no other effects on the male reproductive system were noted in any of the studies. There were clear effects on pregnancy outcome; implantation efficiency was decreased in the highest dosage groups and postimplantation losses increased in all the dosage groups in all studies. These results suggest that a fertility study with females is needed particularly in the case of mutagenic agents, together with a detailed histopathological evaluation for reliable detection of toxicity on the male reproductive system.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Clinical significance of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) in testicular tumors].

BACKGROUND: Proliferative potential of testicular tumor was assessed by immunohistochemistry using anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) monoclonal antibody and silver staining of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR), and the results were compared with clinical course. METHODS: Fourty-five patients with testicular tumor and 10 normal testicles were investigated. All specimens were fixed with 10% buffered formaliun within 24 hours. The interval between patient's recognition of testicular swelling for the first time and the date for operation was designated as M (months), and the specimen weight was designated as g (gram). Growth rate of the primary tumor was estimated roughly by g/M. RESULTS: PCNA positive rates in seminomas, non-seminomas and normal testes were 70.5 +/- 19.1% (mean +/- S.D.), 80.4 +/- 10.5% and 17.7 +/- 7.8%, respectively. PCNA positive rate in stage I seminoma (64.4 +/- 19.9%) was significantly lower than stage II and III seminoma (83.6 +/- 7.3%) (p < 0.05), but not significant between stage I non-seminoma and stage II, III non-seminoma. The mean numbers of AgNOR per nucleus in seminomas, non-seminomas and normal testes were 8.09 +/- 1.35 (mean +/- S.D.), 6.89 +/- 1.43, 4.18 +/- 1.60, respectively and significantly higher in testicular tumors than normal testes. There were, however, no significant difference between their clinical stages. Logarithmic significant correlation was observed between PCNA positive rate and the growth rate in primary lesion, but no correlation was found between mean number of AgNOR per nuclei and the growth rate. Of the 10 patients with stage I non-seminomas received surveillance policy, four relapsed. Of the 10 patients, 4 of the 6 patients with higher than 75% PCNA positive rate relapsed, whereas, none of the 4 patients with lower than 75% PCNA positive rate relapsed. There were no significant correlation between PCNA positive rate and number of AgNOR. CONCLUSION: PCNA is more accurate indicator of growth potential in testicular tumor than AgNOR and may predict recurrence in stage I non-seminomatous testicular tumor patients followed by surveillance policy.

Carcinoma, Embryonal↗
PubMed1995

[Acute pulmonary embolism after radical operation for renal cell carcinoma with vena caval extension: a case cured by thrombolytic therapy].

A 54-year-old man was hospitalized for a right renal tumor with intraluminal extension into the vena cava. He underwent radical nephrectomy with thrombectomy and regional lymphadenectomy. On the 8th postoperative day, he suddenly complained of dyspnea with tachypnea and cyanosis. Arterial blood gas analyses under an oxygen flow of 4L/min revealed PaO2 32.1 mmHg. Pulmonary angiography revealed filling defects in the right main pulmonary artery and left descending branch. Under the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism, thrombolytic and anti-coagulation therapy was performed and the patient recovered from the disease. We should be aware of pulmonary embolism as a postoperative complication of urological surgery.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

[Prominent subepithelial deposits detected on 2nd renal biopsy in a boy with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type I: a case report].

The first renal biopsy of a 7-year-old boy with microscopic hematuria, hypocomplementemia (CH50 20 U/ml, C3 33 mg/dl, C4 13 mg/dl) and otherwise normal renal function revealed lobular, but not diffuse, expansion of glomerular mesangial areas showing mild to marked mesangial cell proliferation and thickening of the capillary walls with double contours as seen on light microscopic examination. Granular C3 deposition along the capillary wall and in the mesangium was observed on immunofluorescent microscopy. Further, electron microscopy showed subendothelial dense deposits and circumferential mesangial interposition. Thus, he was diagnosed as membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) type I. Thereafter, high-dose, alternate-day administration of prednisolone was started. A few months after treatment, microscopic hematuria disappeared and hypocomplementemia improved. The second renal biopsy at 11 years of age showed markedly decreased mesangial cell proliferation and subendothelial dense deposits. However, C3 deposition still persisted and subepithelial dense deposits had increased in number prominently at this time. Whether MPGN type III is a distinct disease entity or a variant of MPGN type I has not yet been established. The morphological changes in this reported case might justify the notion that MPGN type III is a variant form of MPGN type I.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Intrascrotal epidermal cyst: a case report].

A 37-year-old male visited our hospital complaining of right scrotal mass formation. An elastic hard, fist-size mass was found in the right scrotum. Under the diagnosis of an intrascrotal benign tumor, the mass was removed. The tumor had no relation to the testis or epididymis. The surgical specimen weighted 220 g and measured 13 x 8 x 8 cm in size. Histopathological diagnosis was epidermal cyst of the intrascrotum. Epidermal cyst of the intrascrotum is a rare disease and only 13 cases have been previously reported in Japan.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

A case report of nephrotic syndrome associated with rifampicin therapy.

We describe nephrotic syndrome occurring in a 53-year-old male patient on continuous rifampicin (RFP) therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis. After the pulmonary tuberculosis was improved by chemotherapy that included RFP, administration of Isoniazid and RFP was continued. After 16 weeks, he suddenly developed nephrotic syndrome, but never developed acute renal failure. He was admitted to hospital and renal biopsy was performed revealing minor glomerular abnormalities and few interstitial changes in light microscopy. No positive immunofluorescent microscopic findings were obtained without fibrinogen. Thus, minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) was diagnosed. In contrast, electron microscopy showed several injurious glomerular changes, such as the elevation of the endothelial layer, local widening of the subendothelial space which was filled with fine granular or fibrillar materials, irregularity of the endothelial investment, swelling or shrinkage of the endothelial cells, compatible with those seen in many diseased conditions supposedly caused by clinical or subclinical localized intravascular coagulation. Discontinuation of RFP administration completely relieved the patient of MCNS with the aid of predonisolone therapy. Thus, this patient might not have been a case of incidental, but rather drug (RFP)-induced MCNS.

Humans↗
PubMed1995

[Analysis of the drill hole orientation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction].

In the reconstructive procedure of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the relationship was investigated between the orientation of the drill holes from the isometric points and the deformity in the ligament graft. We first investigated, by numerical analysis, the optimal orientation of the drill holes for minimal deformation. Secondly, we experimentally by using eight fresh cadaveric knees, measured the relationship between the orientation of the drill holes and the bending angle in the grafts. The optimal orientation of the drill hole in the femur was found to be tilted 20 degrees laterally in the coronal plane and 23 degrees anteriorly in the sagittal plane. In the tibia, the drill hole should be directed 24 degrees medially and 50 degrees anteriorly from the isometric point. The numerically analysed bending angle corresponded well to the results from the experimental study. The deformation in the graft on the femoral side was larger than that on the tibial side. Therefore, the orientation of the femoral drill hole was concluded to be more important than the orientation of the tibial drill hole.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament↗
PubMed1995

Thallium-201 in brain tumors: relationship between tumor cell activity in astrocytic tumor and proliferating cell nuclear antigen.

UNLABELLED: This study was performed to assess the relationship between 201Tl chloride uptake and brain tumor proliferation using monoclonal antibody Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). METHODS: Thirty-four patients with brain tumors were studied. Serial SPECT images were recorded and thallium uptake (Tl index) and washout rates in the tumors were calculated. Imaging results were compared with those from biopsy and histology. Cell proliferation was determined by PCNA or Ki-67 monoclonal antibody staining. RESULTS: Thallium-201-chloride indices of the astrocytoma were 1.73 +/- 0.17 and 1.48 +/- 0.07 on early and delayed images, respectively. On the other hand, 201TI indices for anaplastic astrocytoma were 2.60 +/- 1.05 and 1.76 +/- 0.93 and 3.26 +/- 1.63 and 2.23 +/- 0.56 for glioblastoma. The correlation between the 201TI (delay) and Ki-67 indices for astrocytic tumor. There were no significant differences between Ki-67/PCNA indices and washout rates. CONCLUSION: There was a positive correlation between PCNA but not the Ki-67 labeling index and the 201Tl index. With the use of a noninvasive technique, 201TI index supports the PCNA index.

Astrocytoma↗
PubMed1995

[Educational needs of home health care nurses].

Because of the rapid growth and changes occurring in home health care, nurses have a need for acquiring additional education and nursing skills. Post-RN (registered nurse) education in home health care, however, has not been developed yet. The purpose of this study was to identify the significant educational needs of the home health care nurses in order to upgrade nursing skills. A survey was conducted of members of the nursing society for intractable-diseases and other home health nurses introduced by some of the members. The survey questionnaires were sent to 172 subjects and the response rate was 79.6%. Practical nurses and inactive nurses were excluded to leave 125 registered nurses who were subjects of this analysis. The major findings in this study were as follows: a) The mean age of the respondents was 42.1 years old. The average length of clinical nursing experience was 17.0 years. b) Among fifty home care nursing skills indicated higher implementation percentage than high-technology nursing skills. c) The personal care skills as well as high-technology nursing skills showed low difficulty, while interviewing and counseling skill and communication skill showed high difficulty. d) The respondents showed high educational needs for mastering high-technology nursing, communication and counseling skills. e) Clinical nursing experience of hospital service was found to be significantly useful means for the respondents to perform most of the home care nursing skills. Reference books were utilized as supplementary to the clinical experience. f) When asked about their desire for educational resources to provide high quality home health care nursing, approximately 80% responded that they wanted to obtain up-to-date information, and opportunities for clinical practice training courses. On the basis of our findings, the following skills could be crucial for the home health nurses and should be included in continuing educational programs; interviewing and counseling, interpersonal communication, high-technology home health care nursing, and independent decision-making.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Cloning of the rhodopsin-encoding gene from the rod-less lizard Anolis carolinensis.

The rhodopsin (Rh) of the lizard Anolis carolinensis has only been detected in the pineal gland which controls circadian rhythms [Foster et al., J. Comp. Physiol. (1993) 33-45]. In the present study, we isolated and sequenced a genomic DNA clone for the A. carolinensis Rh gene. The deduced amino acid (aa) sequence revealed six A. carolinensis-specific replacements in conserved aa residues among vertebrate Rhs. Four out of these six replacements (S22N, N199H, E232A and T319M) reside outside the transmembrane (TM) domains. Some of these replacements might have been required for Rh to function solely in the pineal gland.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Inhibition of rhodopsin phosphorylation by non-myristoylated recombinant recoverin.

Bovine recoverin regulates rhodopsin phosphorylation and controls photoreceptor light sensitivity in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. Recoverin is post-translationally modified with lipids (myristic acid or related lipids) at its N-terminus. Since with this lipid modification (N-myristoylation), recoverin associates with rod outer segment membranes in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner, N-myristoylation has been suggested to be important for the function of this protein. To study the role of this modification, we obtained recombinant non-myristoylated recoverin in E. coli and studied its functional properties. Here, we report that recombinant non-myristoylated recoverin inhibits rhodopsin phosphorylation at Ca2+ concentrations of 30 nM-10 microM in a similar way as native N-myristoylated recoverin does. Thus, our result showed that N-myristoylation is not essential for the Ca(2+)-dependent inhibition of rhodopsin phosphorylation by recoverin.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗