Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Sawamura

Publications and source records attributed to S Sawamura.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Tissue distribution of 7-dehydrocholesterol, vitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in several species of fishes.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for simultaneous determination of 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC), vitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OH-D3) in tissues of fishes was established, and using this method the tissue distribution of the sterols in lamprey (Entosphenus japonicus), great blue shark (Prionace glauca), skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) and albacore (Thunnus alalunga) was investigated. The results are summarized in the following: Although the alimentary canal, gall bladder and roe of lamprey and the alimentary canal of great blue shark contained comparatively high levels of 7-DHC (higher than 2,000 ng/wet tissue g), the other tissues of lamprey and great blue shark and all tissues of skipjack and albacore contained only low levels of 7-DHC (lower than 1,000 ng/g). There was no significant correlation between the levels of 7-DHC and vitamin D3. The contents of 7-DHC in the skin of skipjack and albacore were only 1/1,000 of those in the skin of rats. Although the contents of vitamin D3 in the liver of skipjack and albacore were extremely high (41,240 and 21,000 ng/g, respectively), those in the skin were very low (454 and 257 ng/g, respectively). 25-OH-D3 was detected in the viscera of skipjack, but the levels were not very high (lower than 150 ng/g). These levels were not significantly correlated with those of vitamin D3. The results suggest that large quantities of vitamin D3 in the liver of skipjack and albacore are supplied by other biosynthetic routes or by intake of vitamin D3 rather than by photochemical biosynthesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Gastrointestinal decontamination in the compromised host and its clinical significance.

The result documenting the disappearance of obligate anaerobic bacteria as the predominant intestinal organisms with the onset of septicemia from S. marcescens calls for exploration into the clinical significance of anaerobic bacteria in the intestine in relationships between gut flora and host. The finding that no significant difference could be seen between the rates of septicemia under protective isolation and in uncontrolled environments is indicative of the fact that the disease most likely originated as an infection of endogenous nature. In the five cases of leukemia in children with bone marrow transplantation cited in this presentation, not one case of bacterial or fungal infection was recorded. The establishment of endogenous infections surrounding the results presented herein is discussed in terms of the biological phenomena of the interaction between intestinal flora and host, and between the intestinal bacterial flora.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

The clinical significance of gastrointestinal decontamination in the occurrence of endogenous infections.

No significant difference was seen in the incidence of infections between subjects receiving complete, selective and no decontamination aimed at the intestinal microflora in studies evaluating the preventative potential against endogenous infections in the compromised host maintained under protective isolation. This finding is reported together with a report of Serratia marcescens septicemia in a patient with leukemia who was given antibiotics systemically and kept under protective isolation. The establishment of opportunistic infections in relation to these results is discussed in terms of the biological phenomena of the interaction between the intestinal flora and the host, and between the species comprising the intestinal flora.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Bacteriophage distribution in human faeces: continuous survey of healthy subjects and patients with internal and leukaemic diseases.

In order to elucidate the ecological role of bacteriophages in the human intestine, we analysed the numbers of coliphages and of coliphage strains present in faecal samples collected from healthy individuals and from patients with certain intestinal diseases. The isolated phages were grouped according to their serological properties. The samples with low phage titres, observed in both healthy subjects and patients, contained mainly temperate phages (many were related to phi 80 and lambda), and those with higher titres, observed in patients, contained virulent phages. From successive surveys of coliphages and their host, Escherichia coli, in faecal samples of each subject, it was concluded that temperate phages are maintained in the human intestine through spontaneous induction of lysogenic bacteria. Qualitative and quantitative differences existed between phages isolated from faecal samples from healthy subjects and from patients. Simultaneous changes in the distribution patterns of coliphages and of the clinical symptoms were observed in a continuous survey of a leukaemic patient in a protective environmental ward.

Coliphages↗
PubMed1981

Comparison of protected isolation techniques between the laminar airflow room and the life island unit.

The use of laminar airflow rooms and a life island unit for comprised patients was evaluated. Six patients spent a total of 170 days in the laminar airflow rooms and 112 days in the life island unit, and none acquired any exogenous infection. Patients were febrile for 7 out of 170 days (4.1%) in the laminar airflow rooms and 4 out of 112 days (3.6%) in the life island unit. No significant difference in the rate of deposition of organisms on settling plates and surface samples was found between the laminar airflow rooms and the life island unit. The advantages of the laminar airflow rooms are freedom of movement for patients and hospital personnel and patient comfort, while those of the life island unit are much lower purchasing and operating costs and portability.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Septicemia during compromised host treated in a protected isolation unit.

Bacteriological, hematological and immunological data were evaluated in patients with septicemia in a protected isolation unit. Patients were randomly given antimicrobial prophylaxis. Three out of four episodes of septicemia occurred 2 to 4 days after discontinuing oral nonabsorbed antibiotics at the stage of leukopenia and immunodeficiency induced by chemotherapy. Death occurred within 10 days in two patients whose peripheral white blood counts did not recover. In the other patients sepricemia was suppressed and complete remission was achieved in one of them. Parentheral administration of antibiotics is necessary after discontinuing oral prophylactic antibiotics in a protected isolation unit.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1980

Ecological investigation on intestinal bacterial flora of patients nursed in protected environmental units.

The present results of investigations performed on fresh fecal samples from a healthy adult and subjects with acute leukemia cultured bacteriologically using both aerobic and anaerobic techniques have led to the following conclusions. 1) In studies on the intestinal bacterial flora of the subjects examined, obligate anaerobic bacteria rather than facultative anaerobes accounted for more than 99% of the microorganisms. 2) Although some qualitative differences seem to exist between fecal bacterial flora components of the normal individual and leukemia patients examined, further investigations considering various factors controlling and influencing the composition of intestinal bacterial flora are needed to evaluate the results obtained. 3) The results obtained herein indicate that changes in intestinal bacterial flora induced by non-absorbable antibiotics are associated with the host defense mechanisms. 4) The relative predominance of aerobic versus anaerobic bacterial flora in the intestine may reflect the degree of severity of clinical manifestation in leukemia patients. In the data obtained from the present investigations, the predominating fecal anaerobic bacteria may serve as a base line for the evaluation and interpretation of the host defense system by patterns of the components of bowel flora brought about by internal or external environmental changes.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1978

HRC adjustable pneumatic swing-phase control knee.

Since 1972 the Hyogo Rehabilitation Centre has been developing a variable-resistance-type pneumatic control device, the HRC Adjustable Pneumatic Swing-Phase Control Knee. Successful field tests have been carried out on 20 cases with Model IV since 1973 with only a limited number of mechanical troubles. This paper introduces the HRC adjustable pneumatic swing-phase control knee with follow-up studies.

Adolescent↗