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Biomedical subjects

S Sakamoto

Publications and source records attributed to S Sakamoto.

At least 397 records · Page 22Linked to original sources

Bronchodilator-resistive cough in atopic patients: bronchial reversibility and hyperresponsiveness.

The number of atopic patients presenting only chronic non-productive cough appears to be increasing. This study was conducted to confirm the existence of non-asthmatic cough associated with atopy. We prospectively examined atopic findings, therapeutic effects of inhaled procaterol, azelastin, and/or glucocorticoids, improvement of FEV1 by bronchodilator therapy and bronchial responsiveness to methacholine in 20 patients. The cough was relieved by inhaled procaterol in 10 patients (Group 2) but not in the other 10 patients (Group 1). The increase in FEV1 by inhaled salbutamol following aminophylline injection was significantly less in Group 1 than in Group 2. Bronchial responsiveness to methacholine was normal in Group 1 while that in Group 2 was hyperreactive. These findings indicate that there is atopic non-asthmatic bronchodilator-resistive cough (Group 1) which is a different entity from bronchodilator-responsive cough (Group 2), or the so-called "cough variant asthma".

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

Protein and energy metabolism in patients with progressive muscular dystrophy.

Studies were made on whether body weight loss in patients with muscular dystrophy is due to reduced intake and/or abnormal expenditure of energy. For this, food intakes and various physiological variables were surveyed in totals of 310 patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) of 11 to 29 years old and 28 patients with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) of 30 to 47 years old. Energy and protein intakes, expressed on a unit body weight basis, in DMD patients were comparable to, or higher than the allowances for age-matched healthy controls, whereas those in LGMD patients were 92 and 94% respectively of these allowances. The basal metabolic rate (BMR), expressed as kcal/kg/day, of DMD patients of all ages was higher than that of controls, the difference increasing with age, and being about 20 to 30% higher than that of controls in older patients with DMD. The BMR of LGMD patients was nearly normal. The maintenance requirements of conventional dietary protein in DMD and LGMD patients were 1.26 and 0.84 g/kg/day, respectively. These values were about 68 and 12% higher than the normal adult value (0.75 g/kg/day), indicating decreased protein utilization and increased protein catabolism. Daily excretion of urinary 3-methylhistidine (3MH) per unit muscle mass (micrograms/mg creatinine) by MD patients was significantly higher than that by controls, indicating increased degradation of muscle protein. The BMR, maintenance protein requirement and 3MH excretion of DMD patients suggest that DMD is a hypercatabolic disease. Comparison of the energy and protein intakes with the allowances estimated in consideration of increased requirements showed deficiencies of energy and protein in DMD patients. Thus, we conclude that the underweight of the DMD patients resulted from nutrient deficiencies due to hypercatabolism, despite their considerably high intakes of energy and protein, expressed as per kg body weight. These deficiencies were confirmed by demonstrating decreased concentrations of free essential amino acids, particularly branched chain amino acids, in their serum. The values of variables of LGMD patients were intermediate between those of DMD patients and control subjects.

Adolescent↗

Predictions of energy intake and energy allowance of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and their validity.

Patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy are so malnourished that energy supplementation is crucial. Their degree of energy deficiency was assessed as difference between their energy intake and their energy allowance, which were deduced from easily measured parameters. A significant, negative relationship was found between the basal metabolic rate (BMR) (Y, %, BMR/standard BMR) and body weight (X, %, body weight/standard body weight) in the patients, from which the formula for the BMR was deduced to be Y = -1.116X + 174.5 (n = 202, r = -0.72, p less than 0.001). Thus, it is possible to estimate the energy allowance for individual patients by a factorial procedure from the presumed BMR and a factor for physical activity. In addition, their energy intake was calculated from a constant protein-energy % (14.6%) in their diet and nitrogen intake which was deduced from a significant positive correlation between their nitrogen intake (Y, mg/kg/day) and their nitrogen excretion in 24 h urine samples (X, mg/kg/day). This correlation conformed to the equation Y = 1.053X + 32.4 (n = 267, r = +0.76, p less than 0.001). The validities of the above predictions for energy intake and allowance were examined by plotting the degree of energy deficiency (% ratio of presumed intake/presumed allowance) against the concentrations of retinal binding protein, prealbumin and transferrin in the serum, because rapid turnover proteins are sensitive to energy deficiency. Significant positive correlations were obtained with both variables, suggesting that these predictions were valid.

Adolescent↗

Obligatory nitrogen losses in pregnant rats with special reference to estimation of net protein utilization.

For estimation of net protein utilization of dietary proteins during pregnancy, obligatory nitrogen losses were measured in protein-deficient rats in which pregnancy was maintained by administration of ovarian steroids. On shift from normal to protein-free diet, urinary nitrogen, expressed as mg/day or mg/100 g BW per day, decreased initially rapidly and then gradually during the first two weeks in both pregnant and nonpregnant rats. However, urinary endogenous nitrogen increased during the final week of pregnancy, whereas it continued to decrease in nonpregnant controls. The endogenous urinary nitrogen excretions during early-mid and late pregnancies were significantly higher in pregnant rats (666 mg/15 days and 234 mg/6 days, respectively) than in nonpregnant animals (585 mg/15 days and 153 mg/6 days, respectively), indicating pregnancy-induced protein hypercatabolism. The metabolic fecal nitrogen excretions in pregnant and nonpregnant rats were comparable. In pregnant rats, a protein-free diet resulted in decrease of basal energy expenditure, from 24 kcal/day on day 1 to about 15 kcal/day on days 16, 19 and 22 of pregnancy. Thus, the ratio of endogenous urinary nitrogen to basal energy expenditure increased in late pregnancy, indicating that "the law of a constant relationship of minimal nitrogen and energy output" is not applicable to the pregnant animals. We discuss which values for obligatory nitrogen loss should be used for estimating the net utilization efficiency of dietary proteins in pregnancy.

Animals↗

Net utilization of various levels of whole egg protein in pregnant rats.

Net protein utilization (NPU) was examined in pregnant rats fed various levels (1, 3, 6, 10 and 20%) of whole egg protein (WEP), based on their obligatory nitrogen losses. On increase in dietary protein, nitrogen balance improved curvilinearly and the NPU decreased exponentially in both pregnant and nonpregnant rats. The utilization efficiency was high in rats fed marginally low protein diets, mainly due to lower urinary nitrogen levels than the obligatory levels of nitrogen loss. The NPUs in pregnant rats fed 1, 3, 6, 10 and 20% WEP diets were 103, 99, 78, 66 and 46, respectively. These values were 15 to 20% higher than those in nonpregnant rats because in pregnant rats obligatory urinary nitrogen loss was higher and the animals took more energy. The problems in application of the NPUs in pregnant rats for estimating the protein allowance of pregnant humans are discussed.

Animals↗

Anti-tolA antibody in non-A, non-B chronic liver disease.

We constructed a cDNA library against the plasma obtained from the patient with acute exacerbation of non-A, non-B liver cirrhosis, and immunoscreened this library with the sera obtained from the patients with non-A, non-B chronic liver disease. One positive clone lambda 22C containing about 1.2 kb cDNA insert was isolated from 10(6) clones. Nucleotide sequence determination and subsequent homology search revealed its identity to the tolA gene of Escherichia coli. Anti-tolA antibody was detected in 54.5% of the patients with NANB chronic liver disease whose sera were negative for antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-C100). In contrast, anti-tolA was detected only of 14.6% patients with anti-C100 positive NANB chronic liver disease, 10.5% with hepatitis B surface antigen-positive chronic liver disease, 7.7% with alcoholic liver disease and 4.2% in normal control, and no positive case in acute hepatitis of etiology and in primary biliary cirrhosis. However, antibody to the core protein of hepatitis C virus (anti-JCC) was detected 50% of the patients whose sera were negative for anti-C100 but positive for anti-tolA. Recently, it has been reported that hepatitis C virus is rich in mutations and has some variants. These results indicated the presence of a common epitope between the tolA protein and some agent related to non-A, non-B hepatitis, especially to anti-C100 negative non-A, non-B hepatitis such as variants of hepatitis C virus which have mutations in C100 coded region.

Antibodies↗

Treatment of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia by combination of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and cytotoxic agents: a report of six cases.

Six patients with recurrent and/or refractory acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) were treated with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and cytotoxic agents administered simultaneously. Neither of the two patients who received cytosine arabinoside (ara-C) in combination with G-CSF achieved complete remission. The other four patients, who received multi-drug combination therapy together with G-CSF, all achieved complete remission. No major side effects due to G-CSF were observed. These results demonstrated that the effects of G-CSF in enhancing the sensitivity of leukemic cells to cytotoxic agents and accelerating the recovery of leukocytes could lead to its possible use in the treatment of ANLL.

Adult↗

[A case of food-dependent anaphylaxis induced by alcohol].

A 35-year-old male doctor experienced an anaphylactic reaction of urticaria, unconsciousness and hypotension one hour after taking a meal including crab meat and alcohol (beer 350 ml+Japanese sake 100 ml). He recovered within several hours after emergency treatment. Another attack occurred 6 months later after taking a meal including crab meat and alcohol. Serum IgE showed 3073 IU/ml. IgE-RAST and skin tests were positive for crab. A crab meat plus alcohol challenge test revealed a slight increase in plasma histamine level. This is a rare case of food (crab meat)-dependent anaphylaxis possibly induced by alcohol.

Adult↗

A case of liver cirrhosis with an unusual portosystemic shunt via the right testicular vein.

We report a case of liver cirrhosis with a rare portosystemic shunt via the right testicular vein. Angiographic examination demonstrated two major hepatofugal collateral pathways. First, the enlarged and tortous left gastric and short gastric veins which drain into the left renal vein after forming varices in the stomach. Second, the superior mesenteric vein forms the large mesenteric varices which drain into the inferior vena cava via the enlarged right testicular vein, which is a very rare shunt.

Humans↗

[Analysis of factors affecting anaerobic threshold in healthy subjects].

The anaerobic threshold (AT) is used to determine the exercise capacity in patients with heart failure and healthy subjects. To determine the factors affecting AT, we determined the AT in healthy subjects, and examined the factors that determine AT in healthy subjects. One hundred and sixteen healthy subjects (79 men and 37 women) performed on a bicycle a stepwise increasing submaximal exercise. During the work test the parameters usually used in the detection of AT (Vo2, Vco2, VE), blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation were recorded by a computerized system every minute. AT was determined from changes in ventilation and gas-exchange. The fat index was calculated from height and body weight measured at the beginning of the ventilatory function test. A significant correlation was obtained between AT and age, AT and fat index, AT and %VC, AT and maximum heart rate during exercise, AT and recovery rate of heart rate after exercise, and AT and Vo2 at rest. In addition, we examined the relationship among the parameters in 4 groups according to sex and age (30-49; younger, 50-69; older), because sex and age affected most parameters. We found a significant correlation between AT and fat index (older men and women), AT and %VC (younger and older women), AT and Vo2 at rest (younger and older men). We considered that the main factors that determined AT in healthy subjects were age, sex, fat index, %VC and Vo2 at rest.

Adolescent↗

[Studies of diet management and insulin resistance in obese pregnant women].

In an attempt to determine the principles of diet management in obese pregnant women, the association between maternal weight gain during pregnancy (Group I; weight reduction, Group II; +0-4 kg, Group III; +5-9 kg, Group IV; +10 kg-) and the incidence of the complications was investigated in 151 obese pregnant women. Studies on glucose tolerance and insulin binding to erythrocytes were also undertaken. 1) In Group I, the incidences of C/S, forceps delivery, prolonged labor and complication of PIH were lower than those of other groups. There were no heavy-for-dates and light-for-dates babies in Group I, differing from the other three groups. 2) Plasma levels of glucose and insulin were high in obese pregnant women on 75 g OGTT in the second trimester. The binding sites of insulin to erythrocytes were significantly decreased in obese pregnant women. In conclusion, the risks of pregnancy complicated by obesity were high. Insulin resistance was a characteristic of obese pregnant women. The results of this study suggested that the nutritional requirements for very obese pregnant women should be restricted to maintaining the same weight or losing weight during the course of pregnancy to minimize maternal and perinatal risks.

Blood Glucose↗

[A case of simple hepatic cyst accompanied with dilatation of the intrahepatic bile duct].

Here we report a rare case of simple hepatic cysts causing dilatation of the intrahepatic bile duct. A 75-year old female was admitted to Kyushu University Hospital because of liver dysfunction. Ultrasonogram and CT scan showed two neighboring cysts in the liver (S2, S4), and dilatation of the peripheral bile duct in left lateral segment of the liver. Echo-guided percutaneous aspiration of cyst fluid showed the elevated levels of CA19-9, but malignant cell were not seen. These findings suggested that the compression by these neighboring simple hepatic cysts caused the stenosis of the bile duct. The dilatation of the bile duct disappeared after the percutaneous ethanol sclerosing therapy for cyst.

Aged↗

Cough receptor sensitivity and bronchial responsiveness in normal and asthmatic subjects.

We examined whether airway cough receptor sensitivity correlates to nonspecific bronchial responsiveness. We measured cough threshold, the lowest concentration of inhaled tartaric acid eliciting five or more coughs, and the provocative concentration of methacholine producing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in one second (PC20FEV1) in 38 normal and 11 asthmatic subjects. All subjects were nonsmokers. The geometric mean value of PC20FEV1 was 25.7 mg.ml-1 (GSEM1.29) and 0.63 mg.ml-1 (GSEM1.29) and the geometric mean value of the cough threshold was 115 mg.ml-1 (GSEM1.20) and 95.5 mg.ml-1 (GSEM1.35) in normal and asthmatic subjects, respectively. The PC20FEV1 was significantly (p less than 0.01) lower in asthmatics than in normals but the cough threshold did not differ between them. No significant correlation was observed between the cough threshold and the PC20FEV1 in normal subjects or in asthmatics. These results indicate that cough sensitivity does not directly correlate to bronchial responsiveness in normal and asthmatic subjects.

Administration, Inhalation↗

[Distribution of 5-, 12-lipoxygenases in porcine ciliary epithelial cells].

Nonpigmented epithelial cells (NPE) and pigmented epithelial cells (PE) were separated from porcine ciliary processes without protease treatment. The relative capabilities of NPE and PE to synthesize 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE), 12-HETE, 5,12-diHETE from 1- (14C) arachidonic acid were determined by high pressure liquid chromatography. The capability of NPE to synthesize 5-lipoxygenase and 12-lipoxygenase products was, respectively, 5-fold and 2,5-fold higher than that of PE. The formation of 5-HETE, 12-HETE and 5,12-diHETE was inhibited almost completely by 50 microM nordihydroguaiaretic acid. It was suggested that NPE played a role in the regulation of aqueous humor formation and intraocular inflammation.

Animals↗

[Burkitt's lymphoma with granulocytosis and a high level of C-reactive protein].

A case of Burkitt's lymphoma with granulocytosis including immature cells and a high level of C-reactive protein (CRP) is reported. The activity of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) was detected in the sera, although its activity was not detected in the supernate of the cultured lymphoblasts. The lymphoblasts stimulated production of IL-1 alpha from human umbilical endothelial cells. Therefore, the lymphoblasts infiltrating bone marrow may have stimulated production of IL-1 alpha from bone marrow stroma cells, and IL-1 alpha may have induced granulocytosis and a high level of CRP.

Aged↗

[Physiological significance of epidermal growth factor in fetal maturation and placental growth in mice].

To elucidate the physiological significance of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in fetal and placental development, the effects of neutralization of circulating EGF by anti-EGF antiserum on fetal and placental development were evaluated in pregnant mice. Abdominally administrated antiserum neutralized EGF in fetal and maternal circulation. Fetal weight was not affected by anti-EGF antiserum, but placental weight was suppressed when antiserum was administrated in the latter half of pregnancy. There was no significant difference between control and antiserum injected mice in the affinity and capacity of EGF receptor in the placenta. The number and volume of lamellar bodies were significantly decreased in antiserum treated mice at Day 10-18 compared to control mice. These results suggest that EGF is involved in placental development, especially in late pregnancy. Furthermore, EGF in the circulation may contribute to enhancing fetal lung maturity rather than fetal growth.

Animals↗