Biomedical subjects

S Minami

Publications and source records attributed to S Minami.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

PubMed1996

Guillain-Barré syndrome and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia associated with mumps.

A 35-year-old man with Guillain-Barré syndrome and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA)-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia associated with serologically-confirmed mumps is presented. A polyneuropathy developed 18 days after the onset of mumps, that improved with plasmapheresis. A decreased platelet count was observed 25 days after the onset of mumps attributed to platelet agglutination in blood anticoagulated with EDTA, and the agglutination was prevented by other anticoagulants. Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with mumps is rare and EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia following mumps has never been documented. This represents the first report of Guillain-Barré syndrome and EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia following mumps. Furthermore, our findings suggest activation of the humoral immune response as a potential pathogenesis.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

[Increased CA19-9 level in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from a patient with pulmonary tuberculosis].

A 66-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of general malaise and loss of appetite. Laboratory examination revealed an abnormally high level of CA19-9 in serum and a chest roentgenogram revealed soft reticular shadows in the right mid-lung field. An extensive examination revealed no malignant disease. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained from the right B5 contained an abnormally high level of CA19-9. Immunochemical staining for CA19-9 was positive in the epithelial cells of respiratory bronchioles. The level of CA19-9 decreased during anti-tuberculosis therapy. This case suggests that the CA19-9 level can reflect the activity of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Acute sensorineural hearing loss caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Four cases with acute sensorineural hearing loss on one side and one case with bilateral ear fullness associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) were described. These cases were characterized by highly elevated MP complement fixation titer, and cold hemagglutinin titer. All patients experienced cochlear symptoms in an early stage following common cold. In all cases, clarythromycin (CAM) had been administered for 10 days, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), vitamin B1, B12, and prednisolone were concurrently administered for 14 days. Two cases with acute hearing loss and one case with ear fullness returned to normal hearing after treatment. The other cases were remarkably improved in hearing level. MP is a common causative agent for protein respiratory disease. The true incidence of hearing loss in this disease may be higher than has been reported so far. Prompt diagnosis possibly facilitates the administration of specific treatment and leads to good prognosis.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Transcutaneous intracordal silicon injection for unilateral vocal cord paralysis.

Unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis causes the vocal cord to atrophy, leading to glottic incompetence. The voice is characterized by hoarseness, breathlessness, rapid air escape, ineffective cough and aspiration. Traditional treatments of unilateral vocal cord paralysis include intracordal injection, laryngeal framework surgery, and laryngeal reinnervation for medialization of the vocal cord. In this paper we report on a new technique of transcutaneous intracordal silicon injection in which the injection is made through the thyroid lamina under local anesthesia monitoring fiberscopy. We performed this procedure on 30 patients with unilateral vocal cord paralysis and later evaluated their post-operative voice. The silicon injection resulted in improvement of vocal quality, favorable clearance of sputum, and aspiration control. We found that, since it can be performed under local anesthesia without hospitalization, transcutaneous intracordal silicon injection should be performed as a therapy for treating unilateral vocal cord paralysis.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

PubMed1996

[Diffuse alveolar septal amyloidosis associated with multiple myeloma (IgA lambda type)].

A 75-year-old man with multiple myeloma presented with fever and respiratory symptoms. A chest roentgenogram showed interstitial shadows and transbronchial lung biopsy revealed diffuse infiltration of amyloid in the alveolar walls. Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid showed the presence of an IgA-lambda paraprotein, and the IgA/albumin ratio was similar to that in serum. However, plasma cells could not be detected in the cells obtained by lavage. We know of no previous case in Japan in which bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was examined in a case of diffuse alveolar septal amyloidosis.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

[Comparative study of bone marrow transplantation from unrelated donors and identical sibling donors in a single institute].

This retrospective study analyzes the result of bone marrow transplantation in 28 patients with unrelated donors compared with 75 patients transplanted from identical HLA sibling donors at a single institute during the same time period. One unrelated donor patient with severe aplastic anemia died without evidence of engraftment. The incidence of grade III-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in unrelated donor patients (19%) was higher than sibling donors (0%) and the probability of survival more than 30 years was lower compared with sibling donors. However, the probability of survival without grade III-IV acute GVHD was similar in the two groups, 62% (n = 21) vs. 65% (n = 75), and there was no significant difference in relapse-free survival, good prognostic factors; 76% (n = 11) vs. 66% (n = 37), higher risk factors; 30% (n = 11) vs. 31% (n = 21). Death due to viral infection were significantly higher among unrelated donor patients. We conclude that bone marrow transplantation for patients younger than 30 years old from unrelated donors should be considered equally to sibling donors with great care to engraftment for severe aplastic anemia, grade III-IV acute GVHD and viral infection.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

[Bone marrow transplantation versus maintenance chemotherapy for adult acute leukemia in first remission].

We compared the outcome of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) with that of maintenance chemotherapy for adults with acute leukemia who achieved first remission in Japanese Red Cross Nagoya First Hospital. From 1976 to 1993, 17 patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and 10 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) received allogeneic BMT from HLA genotypically identical siblings in first remission, 4 patients with ALL undertook purged autologous BMT using monoclonal antibody and complement, and 55 patients with AML and 27 patients with ALL were treated with maintenance chemotherapy. The estimated 6-year disease free survival (DFS) of AML patients was significantly higher in the BMT group than in the chemotherapy group (77.3% vs 42.6%; p < 0.01). For ALL patients, the estimated 6-year DFS was 72.5% in the allo-BMT group and 100% for the auto-BMT group, but no patient was disease free more than 2 years in the chemotherapy group (p < 0.0001). We conclude that BMT after several courses of consolidation chemotherapy is the optimal treatment of choice in patients with AML and ALL in first remission. A prospective study is needed to confirm the efficacy of BMT after intensive consolidation chemotherapy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Effects of hyper- and hypoglycemia on blood growth hormone level in free-feeding rats with anterolateral deafferentation of the medial basal hypothalamus.

In rats with anterolateral deafferentation of the medial basal hypothalamus, the growth hormone (GH) level in the blood showed irregular and small fluctuations instead of the usual high bursts and low trough level, and the baseline GH level was higher than that in sham-operated rats. Continuous infusion of a glucose solution to operated rats increased the baseline level, GH pulse and pulse amplitude. I.v. bolus injection of the glucose solution resulted in a significant but transient increase in GH level. Insulin-induced hypoglycemia decreased the blood GH level in operated rats more effectively than in sham-operated ones and that was prevented by simultaneous infusion of glucose. Since SS influence on GH secretion had been largely eliminated in rats with anterolateral deafferentation of the medial basal hypothalamus, it is highly unlikely that the effects of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia on GH secretion were the consequence of altered SS secretion.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Biosynthesis of a biologically active single peptide chain containing the human common alpha and chorionic gonadotropin beta subunits in tandem.

One of the distinguishing features of the gonadotropin and thyrotropin hormone family is their heterodimeric structure, consisting of a common alpha subunit and a hormone-specific beta subunit. Subunit assembly is vital to the function of these hormones: The conformation of the heterodimer is essential for controlling secretion, hormone-specific posttranslational modifications, and signal transduction. To address whether alpha and beta subunits can be synthesized as one chain and also maintain biological activity, a chimera composed of the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) beta subunit genetically fused to the alpha subunit was constructed. The resulting polypeptide hCG molecule not only was efficiently secreted but also displayed an increased biological activity in vitro and in vivo. These data show that the alpha and hCG beta subunits encoded as a single chain retain a biologically active conformation similar to that seen in the heterodimer. This approach can be used to investigate structure-function relationships of the glycoprotein hormone family that were previously not tractable because of the absolute dependence on assembly for the biological response. Moreover, other bioactive multisubunit ligands can be engineered where the combination efficiency and specificity of heterodimers and homodimers are otherwise difficult to control.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Central glucoprivation evoked by administration of 2-deoxy-D-glucose induces expression of the c-fos gene in a subpopulation of neuropeptide Y neurons in the rat hypothalamus.

Central glucoprivation evoked by the intracerebroventricular administration of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) induces eating and suppresses growth hormone (GH) secretion in rats. To elucidate the hypothalamic mechanism of these phenomena, the induction of c-fos gene expression was examined by in situ hybridization using rats with centrally administered 2DG. Autoradiography on X-ray film showed that c-fos gene expression was transiently induced in discrete hypothalamic regions; namely the paraventricular nucleus, arcuate nucleus (ARC), the surrounding regions of the third ventricle dorsal to the ARC, and the periventricular nucleus (PeV). The time course of the expression was different in these nuclei. Double-label in situ hybridization for c-fos mRNA and neuropeptide Y (NPY) or somatostatin mRNAs revealed that 20% of the NPY neurons in the ARC expressed the c-fos gene, while a small population of somatostatin neurons (6.1% in the ARC and 2.6% in the PeV) expressed the c-fos gene following 2DG administration. Since NPY is an orexigenic neuropeptide and has an inhibitory effect on GH secretion, the data suggest that the activation of a subpopulation of NPY neurons in the ARC contributes, in part, to the increased food intake and suppression of GH secretion after central glucoprivation evoked by 2DG.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Diurnal variation in luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone and beta-endorphin release in pituitary portal plasma during the rat estrous cycle.

In this study, we investigated the pattern of both LHRH and beta-endorphin (beta-EP) secretion from the median eminence of cyclic female rats during the estrous cycle by collecting pituitary portal blood for hormone measurements by RIA. On diestrus, proestrus, or estrus (0900 h or 1300 h), rats were hypophysectomized (in order to prevent contamination of portal beta-EP with pituitary beta-EP) and were given a 50-60-min resting period of postsurgical recovery prior to blood sampling. Between 1000 h and 1800 h of the same day, pituitary portal blood samples were collected at 10-min intervals from these animals under Saffan anesthesia. Hormone RIA data revealed that LHRH and beta-EP levels in the portal plasma ranged from 25 to 600 pg/ml and from 0.6 to 4.6 ng/ml, respectively, whereas no discernible amounts of these hormones were detected in the peripheral plasma. Analysis further revealed that secretion of both LHRH and beta-EP showed a diurnal rhythmicity and that both neuropeptides were secreted in a pulsatile manner on each day of the cycle, with most dramatic changes seen in female rats on proestrus. In proestrus rats, portal plasma levels of beta-EP were highest during 1000-1500 h and lower around 1600-1800 h. In contrast, morning and early afternoon values of LHRH were obviously higher in rats on proestrus than in animals on other days of the cycle, and an even greater rise in portal plasma levels of LHRH occurred in late afternoon on proestrus, when beta-EP values were lowest.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Caloric intake stimulates growth hormone secretion in food-deprived rats with anterolateral deafferentation of the medial basal hypothalamus or administered antiserum to somatostatin.

In rats, food deprivation inhibits episodic growth hormone (GH) secretion. On the basis of previous studies, we hypothesized that during a recovery from prolonged fasting, caloric intake stimulates the release of GH-releasing factor (GRF) and this process does not depend on the specific macronutrients in the meal, while protein in the meal acts to restore characteristic ultradian rhythmicity of GH secretion. To test this hypothesis, the effect of caloric intake on GH secretion was examined in fasted adult male Wistar rats devoid of somatostatin (SS) influence on GH secretion either by anterolateral deafferentation (ALC) of the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH) or administration of anti-SS goat serum (ASS). Rats were provided with an indwelling right atrial cannula and were deprived of food for 72 h. ALC was performed 2 weeks prior to the study. ASS was given i.v. 8 h and 7 h prior to refeeding, respectively. Serial blood specimens were collected every 10 min. In rats with ALC (ALC rats) or rats given ASS (ASS rats), the blood GH level revealed irregularly occurring small fluctuations, instead of the usual high bursts and low trough level. The baseline GH level and the mean GH level of fasted ALC rats or fasted ASS rats were significantly lower than those of fed ALC rats or fed ASS rats. Feeding the isocaloric mixed meal, the protein meal or the protein-deficient meal increased the GH pulse frequency, the pulse amplitude, the baseline GH level and the mean GH level in 72-h fasted ALC rats. These changes in GH secretory pattern persisted during the period of observation and were independent of the type of meal ingested. Following feeding the mixed meal, similar changes in the GH secretory pattern demonstrated in 72-h fasted ALC rats were also observed in 72-h fasted ASS rats, suggesting that the stimulation of GH secretion following caloric intake is not limited to ALC rats. Since the influence of SS on GH secretion has been largely eliminated in ALC or ASS rats, it is highly unlikely that the augmentation of GH secretion following feeding after prolonged food deprivation was the consequence of inhibition of SS secretion. Although GRF measurement was not performed, it is conceivable that the signal of caloric intake is conveyed to the MBH and acts to stimulate GRF release.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

In vitro antibacterial properties of T-5575 and T-5578 novel parenteral 2-carboxypenams.

T-5575 and T-5578, novel 2-carboxypenams in which a carboxyl group has been introduced into the C-2 beta position of the nucleus, were evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial properties. The spectrum of activity of T-5575 was similar to that of aztreonam. However, it showed stronger activities than those of aztreonam against most gram-negative bacteria. T-5575 also showed potent activities against isolates of Enterobacter cloacae, Citrobacter freundii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to ceftazidime, with MICs at which 90% of the isolates were inhibited of 0.39, 0.39, and 3.13 microgram/ml, respectively. T-5578 showed moderate levels of activity against gram-negative bacteria, compared with those of T-5575. Its activity against P. aeruginosa, however, was superior to those of T-5575 and the reference drugs tested. The most characteristic feature of T-5578 was its potent activities against ceftazidime-, imipenem-, and gentamicin-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates, with MICs at which 90% of the isolates were inhibited at 0.39, 3.13, and 3.13 microgram/ml, respectively. These two compounds were unfortunately poorly active against gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus and streptococci. Both compounds were found to be stable for hydrolysis by various kinds of beta-lactamases and to have low affinities for these enzymes, with Ki values of > 100 microM. These novel penams bound most tightly to penicillin-binding protein 3 of Escherichia coli and P. aeruginosa. These results indicate that T-5575 and T-5578 can be regarded as promising 2-carboxypenams specially targeted against gram-negative pathogens.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed1995

Polymeric N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (chitin) induces prostaglandin E2 in dogs.

The level of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the exudate induced by subcutaneous implantation of a complex formed from non-woven fabric of polyester (NWF) and polymeric N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (chitin) (chitin/NWF) or by implantation of NWF in dogs was measured by radioimmunoassay. The amount of PGE2 in the exudate induced by chitin/NWF was about five times as high as that in the exudate induced by NWF (p < 0.05), while the level of PGE2 in the exudate was similar to that in serum.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Effects of chitosan on experimental abscess with Staphylococcus aureus in dogs.

An abscess was developed experimentally by a subcutaneous inoculation of Stapylococcus (S.) aureus T-6 with a 4-cm silk suture in dogs. After draining the pus, the abscess was treated with a suspension of finely granulated chitosan (chitosan group), ampicillin (ampicillin group), or saline (control group) (Day 0). The chitosan group was further divided into 3 subgroups (0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 mg/subgroups). Similar treatment was repeated after 4 days (Day 4), followed by euthanasia on Day 8. The wound cavity contraction rate was calculated by measuring the wound cavity diameter by a sound on Days 0, 4 and 8. The wound cavity contraction rate was significantly higher in the ampicillin, 0.1 mg chitosan, and 1.0 mg chitosan groups than in the 0.01 mg chitosan and control groups on Days 4 and 8 (p < 0.05). In the 0.1 and 1.0 mg chitosan groups, the abscess healed completely in 6 out of 11 (55%), and 9 out of 10 cases (90%), respectively, by Day 8. In the ampicillin group, 4 out of 10 cases (40%) healed completely by Day 8. No healing occurred in the 0.01 mg chitosan and control groups. Histologically, the granulation tissue formed had abundant vascularization in the 0.1 and 1.0 mg chitosan groups on Day 8.

Abscess↗

PubMed1995

Evaluation of chitin and chitosan on open would healing in dogs.

Analysis on the accelerating effects of open wound healing by chitin and chitosan were carried out in dogs. Two, square, full-thickness wounds of skin (2 x 2 cm2) were created on the each dog's both sides of dorsal midline at 0, 14, 21, and 24 days. In one dog, one wound (left side) was treated with chitin (chitin group) and the other wound (right side) was not treated (control group). In another dog, one wound (left side) was treated with chitosan (chitosan group) and the other wound (right side) was not treated (control group). At 28 days after initial wounding, each wound site including surrounding tissue was taken for macroscopic and histological observations. Reepithelialization tended to be greater in chitin and chitosan groups than in the control group. However, when the scores of reepithelialization and granulation tissue were evaluated statistically, there was no significant differences in three groups during experimental period. Number of inflammatory cells was greater statistically in level in the control group than those in chitin and chitosan groups at 28 days after wounding. Many rete ridges were observed in the control group but very few in the another groups.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Immunohistochemical localization of inhibin alpha- and beta A-subunits in the ovary of immature female rats.

Immunohistochemical localization of inhibin alpha- and beta A-subunits was examined in the ovaries of immature female rats. The granulosa cells in various sized ovarian follicles obtained from rats that were 10-24 days old exhibited positive staining for inhibin alpha- and beta A-subunits. The relative intensities of immunostaining for alpha- and beta A-subunits increased during follicular growth and maturation. Ova and internal thecal cells did not show any immunostaining for inhibin alpha- and/or beta A-subunits. These results suggest that granulosa cells of immature rat ovaries may produce inhibin from the 10th day after birth, and that an increase in the number of mature ovarian follicles results in an increase in inhibin production in the immature rat ovary during prepubertal development.

Aging↗

PubMed1995

Increased platelet aggregability in patients with vertigo, sudden deafness and facial palsy.

Many patients suffering from episodic vertigo have no cochlear symptoms. These patients have so far been diagnosed as having Meniere's disease of the vestibular type. However, the underlying mechanisms are still to be established. In the present study, we investigated platelet aggregability in patients with dizziness, Meniere's disease, sudden deafness and facial palsy, to examine whether abnormalities in platelet aggregation is one of the causes of episodic vertigo. In 36 patients with dizziness, in 13 with Meniere's disease, in 7 sudden deafness, and in 7 facial palsy, platelet aggregability to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) was assessed by optometric technique. It was found that platelet aggregability was increased in the patients with dizziness as well as with Meniere's disease, sudden deafness and facial palsy and only the two former patient groups showed a tendency of hyperlipidemia. The administration of antiplatelet and lipidemia drugs resulted in no recurrence of vertigo during at least 3 months' follow-up. Hence, the results of our study suggest that a possible initializing factor of vertigo without cochlear symptoms might be disturbed microcirculation due to platelet hyperaggregability.

Adolescent↗