We report that administration of leptospiral lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice results in massive surface marker changes in the lymphocytes of the spleen. It appears that many of these changes relate to the large number of cells undergoing apoptosis. It is also shown that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) induces similar effects and is produced in large quantities after injection of leptospiral LPS. It is likely that cytokines such as TNF-alpha are involved in apoptosis.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

[Clinical efficacy of fosfomycin in combination with sulbactam/cefoperazone in the treatment of severe infections complicated to blood dyscrasia. Working Group of Kanto Combination Therapy for FOM + SBT/CPZ].

In the treatment of severe infections complicated to blood dyscrasia, the efficacy and usefulness of fosfomycin (FOM) in combination with sulbactam (SBT)/cefoperazone (CPZ) were compared between patients receiving FOM in the first followed by SBT/CPZ (Group A) and those receiving both drugs simultaneously (Group B). The following results were obtained. 1. The efficacy rate was 56.3% for Group A and 47.9% for Group B, with no significant difference. 2. The efficacy for patients suspected of the presence of septicemia, the efficacy rate was 57.9% for Group A and 54.3% for Group B, with no significant difference. 3. As for underlying disease, patients with acute myelogenous leukemia were most prevailing. In these patients, the efficacy rate was 57.1% for Group A and 27.3% for Group B, with no statistically significant difference. However, the efficacy rate tended to be higher in Group A. 4. The administration of antibiotics was effective to restore the neutrophil count to 501/microliters or higher in 77.8% and 45.5% of the cases for Groups A and B, respectively, with significantly higher efficacy for Group A. 5. In the safety evaluation a total of 115 cases were included. Side effects and laboratory abnormalities were seen in 3 cases each, but none of them were serious in degree. From these results, it was confirmed that the combination therapy consisting of administration of FOM followed by SBT/CPZ with some interval is effective for severe infections complicated to blood dyscrasia.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed1998

Chronic thyroiditis: diffuse uptake of FDG at PET.

PURPOSE: To determine the frequency and clinical importance of diffuse 2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) uptake in the thyroid gland. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1,102 healthy subjects underwent whole-body positron emission tomography (PET). PET images were evaluated for increased diffuse FDG uptake in the thyroid gland. Serum free thyroxine and thyrotropin levels were measured in 36 subjects with increased uptake and in 36 matched control subjects without uptake. Antithyroid antibodies were also measured. Morphologic abnormalities were examined by using ultrasonography (US). RESULTS: Diffuse FDG uptake was found in three men and 33 women; the prevalence was significantly higher in women (P < .01). Thirty-five subjects were euthyroid; one had hypothyroidism. Antithyroid antibodies were positive in 27 subjects. In most subjects, US findings facilitated the diagnosis of chronic thyroiditis. In control subjects, the positive rates for antithyroid antibodies and US abnormalities were significantly lower than those of the study group (P < .01). CONCLUSION: Diffuse thyroidal FDG uptake may be an indicator of chronic thyroiditis. The actual prevalence of the disorder was not low in this series, and such lesions may be found incidentally at FDG PET.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Slow inactivation of cardiac L-type Ca2+ channel induced by cold acclimation of guinea pig.

Whole cell L-type Ca2+ current was recorded in ventricular myocytes dissociated from guinea pigs that were bred at ambient temperatures ranging between daily averages of 4 and 29 degrees C. The dynamic voltage range of inactivation, as measured using 400-ms conditioning pulses and a holding potential of -40 mV, extended from -50 to -20 mV in myocytes prepared in summer. In winter, the inactivation curve was shifted to more negative potentials than in summer. Double-pulse experiments revealed that the negative shift was due to slow-inactivation kinetics. The negative shift of inactivation could be induced in myocytes prepared from animals that had been kept at 5 degrees C for > 3 wk in the summer. The negative shift in Ca2+ current inactivation could be abolished by adding guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (5 mM) to the pipette solution, but not by adding staurosporine (2 microM) or 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (100 microM) to the bath. The cold acclimation may introduce the slow inactivation of the cardiac L-type Ca2+ channel through an unknown pertussis toxin-insensitive G protein.

Acclimatization↗

PubMed1998

Amorphous calcium phosphate: the contention of bone.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Bone and Bones↗

PubMed1998

Enzymatic properties of a Ginkgo biloba endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase and N-glycan structures of storage glycoproteins in the seeds.

An endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase has been purified to homogeneity from mature seeds of Ginkgo biloba. The molecular mass of the endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase, named Endo-GB, was estimated to be around 63 kDa by SDS-PAGE and around 62 kDa by Hiprep S-200 chromatography, respectively. The substrate specificity has been explored with regard to the pyridylaminated N-glycans. Several high mannose-type sugar chains bearing alpha-1,2-mannosyl residue(s), Man9-6GlcNAc2-PA, were the most favored substrates followed by Man5GlcNAc2-PA and a typical hybrid-type structure (GlcNAc1Man5Glc NAc2-PA) which does not bear an alpha-1,2-mannosyl residue. On the contrary, endo-GB could hardly hydrolyze the common core pentasaccharide of N-glycan (Man3GlcNAc2-PA) and the xylose-containing sugar chains (Man4-3Xyl1Glc NAc2-PA, Man3Fuc1Xyl1GlcNAc2-PA) being widely distributed in plant glycoproteins. Furthermore, we analyzed the structures of N-glycans conjugated to storage glycoproteins in the mature Ginkgo seeds to see the occurrence of endogenous substrates for Endo-GB. The structural analysis showed, however, only xylose-containing type N-glycans (Man3Fuc1Xyl1GlcNAc2 (95%) and Man3Xyl1 GlcNAc2 (5%)), which can not be substrate for Endo-GB, predominantly occur in the storage glycoproteins.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗

PubMed1998

Pyoderma gangrenosum following cytosine arabinoside, aclarubicin and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor combination therapy in myelodysplastic syndrome.

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a neutrophilic dermatosis, which may be associated with systemic conditions such as hematologic disorders. We present a patient who had been diagnosed as having myelodysplastic syndrome associated with PG at onset, in whom a febrile ulcerative skin lesion developed following cytosine arabinoside, aclarubicin and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) combination chemotherapy in the course of the disease. Skin biopsy revealed dense neutrophilic infiltrate in the dermis with central epidermal ulceration, consistent with the diagnosis of PG. Oral prednisolone was effective for the skin lesion. In this case, G-CSF application may participate in the recurrence of PG.

Aclarubicin↗

PubMed1998

Bone marrow involvement in lymphoma: the importance of marrow magnetic resonance imaging.

Detection of bone marrow involvement is important for staging and treatment decisions in patients with lymphoma. Although routine bone marrow evaluation is based on aspirates and bone marrow biopsies, new diagnostic tools are required to improve diagnostic accuracy. Visual and quantitative assessment of the bone marrow by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is useful for the detection of occult lymphomatous marrow involvement. MRI is also suitable for the evaluation of disease extent in the bone marrow. Furthermore, abnormal images on marrow MRI may be associated with a significantly poorer survival in patients with lymphoma, regardless of histologic findings in the marrow. Evaluation of the bone marrow by MRI is essential to assess disease status in patients with lymphoma.

Biopsy↗

PubMed1998

[Significance of accumulation of arteriosclerotic risk factors in elderly people: from a study conducted in Tanno-Sobetsz].

Data from an 18-year prospective study were used to investigate the effect of accumulation of arteriosclerotic risk factors in elderly people on cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease mortality rates. Risk factors include smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and obesity. We compared survival rates between a group with few risk factors (< two risk factors) and a group with many risk factors (> or = two risk factors) in four groups of subjects: middle-aged men (< 61-years-old) and middle-aged women and elderly men (> or = 61-years-old) and elderly women. In the elderly male group, the survival rate was lower in subjects with many risk factors than in those with few risk factors. In the middle-aged male group, however, there was no difference between the two risk groups. On the other hand, in the middle-aged female group, the survival rate was lower in subjects with many risk factors than in those with few risk factors, while no difference was found between the two risk groups in the elderly female group. The results indicated that the effects of an accumulation of risk factors are different in men and women and greater in elderly men than in elderly women.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

[Prevalence of glucose intolerance in Japan--from the National Circulatory Disorders Basic Survey, 1990].

The prevalence of glucose intolerance was surveyed in 8,063 people over 30 years old from the general population of Japan. The data used in the analysis were from the Fourth National Circulatory Disorders Basic Survey, which was conducted in 1990. Survey items included history of diabetes mellitus, body mass index (BMI) and daily life activity. Blood and urine were also examined, and the blood glucose levels, presence or absence of sugar in urine, and levels of glycohemoglobin (HbA1c) were determined. Glucose intolerance was identified from the blood glucose level, HbA1c level and history of diabetes mellitus. The frequency of glucose intolerance was 8.6% in all subjects (11.9% in men and 6.3% in women). The frequency was higher in older people: 1.7 times higher in men over 65 years old and 2.5 times higher in women over 65 years old. Among people over 40 years old, glucose intolerance was significantly more prevalent in men than in women. It was also significantly more prevalent in men living in big cities than in men living in rural areas. Among obese male subjects and men with a low level of activity in daily life, the frequency of glucose intolerance was higher than in normal male subjects. The level of activity in daily life tended to be lower for people living in big cities than for those in rural areas. The results suggest that the prevalence of glucose intolerance depends on the environment in which people live. The results also indicate that raising the level of activities in daily life might help prevent diabetes mellitus.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1998

[Incidence rate of acute myocardial infarction in Hokkaido, Japan].

A survey of acute myocardial infarctions (AMI) that occurred from October 1990 through September 1993 in Obihiro City, Hokkaido, was conducted. A total of 114 new cases of AMI was registered over the 3-year period. The incidence rate of AMI was 33.4 cases per 100,000 men per year and 137 cases per 100,000 women per year (total, 23.2 cases). The mean age at which AMI occurred was 11 years higher in women (71.1 +/- 9.4 years) than in men (60.0 +/- 11.8 years). In men, AMI was most common during the eighth decade of life, while in women the incidence of AMI increased after menopause. The ratio of cases of AMI to cases of stroke in the same period was 1:4.5. These results did not differ from the results of other surveys done over the same period in seven other area of Japan. To study risk factors for myocardial infarction, the data were grouped according to the results of medical examinations. Hypertension, diabetes, obesity and smoking were common among people with AMI. The incidence rate of hypercholesterolemia did not differ between those with AMI and those without, and only a relatively small number of people with AMI drank alcohol. Past reports have pointed out changes in the 'structure' of cardiovascular disease in Japan, which have accompanied changes in diet and lifestyle. This study has shows that aging hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and smoking are risk factors for myocardial infarction. Proper management, including early detection of these factors, will help to prevent of ischemic heart disease in Japan.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Influences of supplementary dietary tungsten on methionine metabolism in rabbits fed a low-cholesterol plus methionine diet.

Hyperhomocysteinemia results from an impaired methionine metabolism. Sulfite oxidase, which is an important enzyme in methionine metabolism, contains molybdenum. In contrast, tungsten has a molybdenum-antagonistic effect. Thus, we hypothesized that dietary tungsten may decrease plasma homocysteine levels and influence methionine metabolism. Male New Zealand White rabbits (n=15) were fed a low-cholesterol basal diet and then placed on three different diets: 0.1% cholesterol (Chol), Chol plus 1% methionine (Met), and Chol plus Met plus 0.1% tungsten (W). The animals received these diets for 20 weeks. Biochemical tests of blood and urine were performed. Plasma homocysteine levels were significantly lower in the Chol+Met+W group than in the Chol+Met group. Plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, lipid peroxide, and urinary 24-h taurine concentrations were higher in the Chol + Met + W group than in the Chol + Met group. In comparison, concentrations of 2, 3-diphosphoglycerate (2, 3-DPG), reduced glutathione (GSH) in erythrocytes, and urinary 24-h SO4(2) were lower in the Chol+Met+W group than in the Chol+Met group. From these results, tungsten could be expected to exhibit an antiatherogenic effect. Conversely, it may have effects on atherogenic factors. Thus, tungsten may play a number of roles in the methionine metabolism.

2,3-Diphosphoglycerate↗

PubMed1998

Factors influencing physiological FDG uptake in the intestine.

The intestine is a well-known site of physiological 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) accumulation in positron emission tomography (PET). To identify factors influencing physiological FDG uptake in the intestine, the intensity of FDG uptake was evaluated in a total of 1,068 healthy adults. Non-attenuation-corrected whole-body PET images were obtained for all subjects and visually evaluated. Subjects were then classified into two groups according to the intensity of intestinal FDG uptake. Sex, age, presence or absence of constipation, and serum glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and free fatty acid levels were compared between the two groups. High intestinal FDG uptake was observed at an overall rate of 11.0%. Sex (female), age, and bowel condition (constipation) were found to affect intestinal FDG uptake. The factors we identified lead to further questions regarding the relationship between intestinal motility and glucose uptake that warrant further study.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

[The effects of midazolam on the memory of pain].

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of low dose midazolam (MZ) on memories of spinal puncture. The low doses of MZ were administered to 70 patients (ASA 1-2), of whom 37 patients were premedicated with atropine sulfate 0.5 mg and pethidine hydrochloride i.m. (group P), and 33 patients received no premedication (group N). Double blind randomized trials were conducted with the doses of MZ (0, 0.03, 0.06 mg.kg-1), and MZ was administered i.v. to the patients just prior to spinal puncture. Subjective evaluation of pain was performed with pain score (PS) on postoperative phase, and objective evaluation of pain was performed with the reaction of spinal puncture. Short term memory was impaired mainly after administration of MZ. However, subjective memory of pain almost disappeared, but objective evaluation was not so good. We conclude that MZ induces impairment to recall of pain. However, it might maintain the response to the pain.

Adjuvants, Anesthesia↗