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Biomedical subjects

S Murai

Publications and source records attributed to S Murai.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

A case of nephrotic syndrome due to alpha-mercaptopropionyl glycine in a patient with familial cystinuria.

A 26-year-old male with nephrotic syndrome (NS) due to alpha-mercaptopropionyl glycine (MPG) is described. In March, 1988, he was diagnosed as having familial cystinuria after receiving urolithiasis treatment since December, 1985. Massive proteinuria and slight pedal edema were noted. Nephrotic syndrome was suggested and renal biopsy was performed. The renal pathological finding demonstrated membranous glomerulonephritis (MN) at stage I. This case was defined as NS clinically associated with MPG, and glucocorticoid intake was initiated. The response to the glucocorticoids was fairly good with no clinical problems after discontinuation of MPG, and the cystinuria was maintained with alkaline medication. The patient's parents and younger brother were suggested and confirmed to have cystinuria based on urinary aminogram analysis, but displayed no symptoms. We present a rare case of NS due to MPG therapy in a patient with familial cystinuria. However, the mechanism of onset remains unclear.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Very rapid assay of gamma-aminobutyric acid in mouse brain regions within 3 minutes by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.

For assay of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in brain tissue, a very rapid and simple chromatographic procedure using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection (ECD) in combination with precolumn o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) derivatization is described. Perchloric acid extracts of the tissue were mixed with OPA/beta-mercaptoethanol solution and the mixture was injected onto the HPLC system. The present method permits GABA assay within less than 3 min in one chromatographic run. Up to 100 samples a working day can be analyzed in the present method. The present method has been applied to the measurement of GABA levels in discrete brain regions of mice treated with aminooxyacetic acid and isoniazid.

Aminooxyacetic Acid↗
PubMed1989

Simple determination of acetylcholine and choline within 4 min by HPLC-ECD and immobilized enzyme column in mice brain areas.

A rapid and simple method using a combination of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection (ECD) and an immobilized enzyme column herein is described for simultaneous assay of acetylcholine (ACh) and choline (Ch) in discrete brain areas of the mouse. Perchloric acid extracts of small brain tissues were injected directly onto the HPLC system with no pre-cleanup procedure. The ACh and Ch levels were determined within 4 min for each chromatographic run. Recoveries were 100.0 +/- 4.8% for ACh and 96.1 +/- 1.4% (mean +/- S.D., n = 10) for Ch. Detection limits for both compounds were 0.25 pmol (signal-to-noise ratio of three). The present method has been applied to the measurement of Ch and ACh in several discrete brain areas of the mouse.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1989

Effects of Panax ginseng root on the vertical and horizontal motor activities and on brain monoamine-related substances in mice.

Effects of the Panax ginseng root (PGR) on spontaneous motor activity (vertical and horizontal motor activities), and on monoamine-related substances (tyrosine, DA, DOPAC, 3-MT, HVA, NE, MHPG, tryptophan, 5-HT, and 5-HIAA) in discrete brain areas (cerebral cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus, corpus striatum, limbic lobe, midbrain, cerebellum, and medulla oblongata) of ddY male mice (weighing 18-22 g) were examined using an infrared photo-cell counter and HPLC with electrochemical detection. PGR (100 mg/kg) was orally administered, twice a day, for 2 successive weeks (2W-group) or 7 successive weeks (7W-group). Vertical and horizontal motor activities increased significantly in the 7W-group but not in the 2W-group when compared to those of the control group. As to brain monoamine-related substances, the metabolism of DA and NE in the cerebral cortex and of 5-HT in the corpus striatum and cerebellum in the 2W-group were facilitated, while metabolism of DA in the corpus striatum and of 5-HT in the hypothalamus and midbrain were inhibited. In the 7W-group, except for a facilitated metabolism of 5-HT in the cerebellum, metabolism of DA, NE and 5-HT in all discrete brain areas were inhibited. These results show that PGR exerts an influence on the CNS.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[In vitro study of bacterial invasion in radicular dentin].

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether plaque bacteria invade exposed radicular dentin after root planing or chemical root treatment in vitro. Pieces of dentin were cut out from impacted third molars. The surface of all dentin pieces was treated with sandpaper (#240) so as to make the surface roughness of dentin pieces equal to that of the root surface after root planing (RP surface). Half of the dentin pieces were treated with citric acid (pH 1.0) for 3 minutes (CA surface). After sterilization, each dentin piece was incubated at 37 degrees C in a culture medium inoculated with either S. mutans or S. sanguis. After 1, 3, 7 and 28 days of incubation, the invasion of microorganisms into the dentinal tubules was histologically examined using a light microscope. The following results were obtained. 1. The invasion of S. mutans and S. sanguis into the dentinal tubules was observed at 1, 3, 7 and 28 days. The depth and number of bacterial invasion into the dentinal tubules were positively correlated with incubation time on CA surfaces but not with RP surfaces. 2. The depth and the number of bacterial invasion into the dentinal tubules were higher on the CA surfaces than the RP surfaces. 3. Since the citric acid treatment of scaled and root planed root surfaces may accelerate bacterial invasion from treated root surfaces, the use of citric acid might be harmful in patients with inadequate plaque control.

Dental Plaque↗
PubMed1989

[pH determination in human crevicular fluids. Examination of the pH meter and evaluation of the correlation between pH level and clinical findings or the microflora in each periodontal pocket].

The purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy and reproduction of a microelectrode with a glass capillary, and to discuss the correlation between the pH level and the microflora in periodontal pockets or the clinical findings in the various stages of periodontal disease. The upper or lower anterior teeth of 34 patients with mild to severe periodontal disease were examined. Before the measurement, supragingival plaque was removed from each tooth. A special glass capillary was incorporated in the microelectrode to cover its tip, so that it would not touch the pocket walls or tooth surfaces during pH measurement. After the pH in the crevicular fluid was determined, subgingival plaque was collected with paper points from each periodontal pocket. This bacterial plaque was sonicated with saline solution, and examined under a phase contrast microscope with a calibrated eyepiece graticule to count and morphotype groupings of microorganisms as 1) coccoid forms, 2) rods, 3) filaments, 4) motile rods, 5) spirochetes or other cell types. Crevicular fluid flow measurements and clinical findings (pocket depth, and gingival inflammation) were also investigated. The following conclusions were drawn: The electrode with capillary was useful to determine the pH of the crevicular fluid clinically. A reduction in pH level was seen in deep pockets or severe gingival inflammation. A close correlation was seen between salivary and crevicular pH. The pH level was significantly positively related with the proportion of coccoid forms, but was negatively correlated with the proportion of motile organisms that are reported to be related with periodontal disease.

Dental Instruments↗
PubMed1989

[In vivo study of bacterial invasion in root planed and citric acid treated radicular surfaces of periodontally involved human teeth].

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether plaque bacteria invade the exposed radicular dentin after root planing or chemical root treatment in vivo. Eighteen caries-free human periodontally involved teeth with hopeless prognoses were studied. Fourteen teeth were scaled and root planed with hand curette type scalers. The proximal surface of each treated tooth was designated as the RP surface. The remaining half of the proximal surface was treated with citric acid (pH 1.0) for 3 minutes and was designated as the CA surface. Four untreated teeth served as controls. After 4 weeks, the teeth were extracted, and were processed for light microscopy and for scanning electron microscopy concerning bacterial invasion into the supragingival radicular dentin. The following results were obtained. 1. Radicular cementum was present on most untreated tooth surfaces. However, bacteria were never seen in the dentinal tubules. 2. Bacterial invasion into the dentinal tubules was observed in five of the 10 proximal surfaces (50% of the RP surfaces) and in nine of the 10 proximal surfaces (90% of the CA surfaces). 3. The depth (9.5 +/- 24.1 microns vs 84.6 +/- 136.3 microns) and percentage (0.8 +/- 2.1% vs 20.3 +/- 17.3%) of bacterial invasion in the dentinal tubules of the RP surfaces was lower than that of the CA surfaces. 4. Cocci and short rods were present in the supragingival dentinal tubules. 5. Since CA surfaces may accelerate bacterial invasion the citric acid treatment might be harmful in patients with inadequate plaque control.

Citrates↗
PubMed1989

[Clinical effects of chewing gum containing egg-white lysozyme and mace extract].

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical effect of mace extract and egg-white lysozyme in two brands of chewing gum on gingival condition. Ever since mace extract containing dihydroguaiaretic acid was reported to inhibit the growth of Streptococcus mutans, plans were devised to include it in commercially available chewing gum. Before starting this study, two different types of experimental chewing gum containing mace extract or egg-white lysozyme were made up. A control was also prepared containing neither agent. The periodontal condition of 68 patients with gingivitis was determined based on PMA index (PMA), gingival index (GI), gingival bleeding index (GBI) and plaque scoring system (PSS) and randomly classified into three groups. Each group was instructed to use one or the other of the above type chewing gums after every meal. The results were as follows: 1. No clinical changes were observed in the control group during this study. 2. Gingival inflammation (PMA, GI, GBI) significantly improved as a result of using the experimental gums. 3. Plaque reduction was found only in the mece-extract gum group. 4. No clinical side effects were detected during this study.

Chewing Gum↗
PubMed1988

A compact and inexpensive device using an electronic calculator for measuring ambulatory activity in mice.

A device for measuring ambulatory activity in mice was developed. The device consisted of a plastic case, a bed plate, a step board (as a detector) and a calculator (as a recorder). A 2.2 cm width section was cut out from the middle of the case bottom in the direction of the minor axis and a step board, a width of 2 cm, was placed in the opening. A short bolt was screwed into one end of the step board and the head of the bolt was placed on the equal key of the calculator. The calculator counted the number of times the mouse stood on the step board. The validity of the device was demonstrated by measuring the effect of methamphetamine (1-4 mg/kg) on the ambulatory activity in mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Rapid determination of norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, their precursor amino acids, and related metabolites in discrete brain areas of mice within ten minutes by HPLC with electrochemical detection.

A rapid and simple chromatographic procedure using HPLC with electrochemical detection is described for simultaneous determination of the substrates from precursor amino acids to metabolites related to synthesis and metabolism of three monoamine neurotransmitters--norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin)--in discrete brain areas of the mouse. Under the present instrumental and mobile phase conditions, the procedure permits simultaneous determination of three monoamines (NE, DA, and 5-HT), two precursor amino acids (tyrosine and tryptophan), and four respective metabolites (3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, homovanillic acid, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid) within 10 min in one chromatographic run. By varying column temperature, this procedure also permits simultaneous determination of 10-14 monoamine-related substrates including the nine substrates described above within 15-21 min. The validity of the present procedure is demonstrated by analyzing the effect of an alpha 2-adrenergic agonist (clonidine) and an alpha 2-antagonist (yohimbine) in mouse hypothalamus.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗
PubMed1987

Repeated low dose apomorphine induced subsensitivity of presynaptic dopamine receptors.

The influence of repeated administration of a low dose of apomorphine on presynaptic dopamine (DA) receptors was examined. (1) Male ddY mice were given a low dose of apomorphine (0.2 mg/kg) for 7 days. Following 2 drug-free days they were given apomorphine (0.2 mg/kg, IP), after which cage climbing behavior and the level of 3-methoxytyramine (3MT) in striatum was measured. Mice became tolerant to apomorphine's activity-depressing effect and 3MT-decreasing effect. (2) Mice were given haloperidol (1 mg/kg) for 7 days. Then after 2 drug-free days they were given 0.2 or 1.0 mg/kg of apomorphine, after which cage climbing behavior was measured. One mg/kg of apomorphine significantly increased cage climbing behavior, indicating that supersensitivity of postsynaptic DA receptors was induced by haloperidol, but the activity-depressing effect of 0.2 mg/kg of apomorphine was not modified. The results suggest that subsensitivity of presynaptic DA receptors participates in the tolerance to the activity-depressing effect of a low dose of apomorphine.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Effects of methamphetamine and morphine on the vertical and horizontal motor activities in mice.

The effects of methamphetamine and morphine on the vertical (VMA) and the horizontal motor activities (HMA) in male ddY mice (six weeks of age) was investigated between 9:00 and 13:00, using an apparatus which can differentiate spontaneous motor activity into VMA and HMA, measuring their activities simultaneously. VMA and HMA were evaluated by counting the number of times that an infrared ray was blocked by the mouse in the activity cage. Nine infrared photo-couplers were used to measure the VMA and one to measure the HMA. All measurements were taken at 10 min intervals during the 180 min period after subcutaneous injection of methamphetamine (0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg) or morphine (2, 10 and 50 mg/kg). A small dose of methamphetamine (0.1 mg/kg) did not exert influence on the counts of the VMA and the HMA, whereas a large dose enhanced both activities, especially at 10 mg/kg, where each activity showed qualitatively different biphasic patterns. On the other hand, three doses of morphine significantly inhibited the VMA for 20 min after administration, while morphine at 2 mg/kg depressed the HMA for 10 min after administration and at 10 mg/kg or more markedly enhanced it during the 180 min observation period. These results show that different doses of methamphetamine and morphine exert different effects on the VMA and the HMA in mice.

Animals↗