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Biomedical subjects

T Adachi

Publications and source records attributed to T Adachi.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

[Analysis of inquiries about prescriptions at the pharmacy of Gifu Pharmaceutical University].

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare explains the objectives of promotion of separation of the pharmacy and clinics as the elimination of duplicated prescription of similar drugs and drug interactions caused by treatment at several departments or hospitals, and sufficient guidance in the use of drugs by pharmacists. The Pharmacy of Gifu Pharmaceutical University has dispensed prescriptions by outside medical organizations as its routine activity. In this study, the contents of question inquiries handled in routine activities were compiled and analyzed, and their meaning was evaluated. The contents of question inquiries were accumulated using data cards. The data obtained during 2 and a half years (562 cases) were analyzed. The percentage of the number of inquiries relative to the number of prescriptions was highest at 1.86% during the first 3 months and was 1.05-1.71% per 3 months thereafter. The inquiries were most frequently about "the dosage/regimen" (153 cases), followed by "discrepancy between the contents of prescription and understanding of the patient" (88 cases) and "problems about insurance coverage" (80 cases). There were also 16 inquiries about "the possibility of contraindications and adverse reactions" and 15 inquiries about "duplicated prescription", which may have exerted serious effects on the patients. Eighty nine % of the inquiries have led to changes in the prescriptions, and about half of these cases were discovered by consultation with the patients or a review of the drug history. Proper and positive execution of these operations in routine pharmacy work is considered to lead to appropriate inquiries about problems with prescriptions and, thus, contribute to the proper use of drugs and prevention of malpractice.

Drug Administration Schedule↗
PubMed2001

T wave alternans for predicting adverse effects of amiodarone in a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy.

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) was used in a 62-year-old man with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) because of hemodynamically intolerable ventricular tachycardia (VT). Amiodarone was administered after a second episode of ICD discharge. Three weeks later, incessant VT appeared, and DC discharge failed to terminate it. Microvolt T wave alternans (TWA), measured by a spectral method, was observed in this patient with and without amiodarone administration. The onset heart rate with TWA was lower and the alternans voltage was higher with amiodarone than without it. The effects of amiodarone appeared to be related to the exacerbation of VT and an increased defibrillation threshold. TWA might be useful in predicting the proarrhythmic effects of amiodarone in similar cases.

Amiodarone↗
PubMed2001

H-ras oncogene mutation in dedifferentiated liposarcoma. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

Point mutations of the ras gene family (K-ras, H-ras, and N-ras) are thought to be involved in the development of a variety of human tumors. Dedifferentiated liposarcoma is characterized by the coexistence of well-differentiated (WD) and high-grade anaplastic (HG) components. The presence of point mutations at codons 12 and 13 of the H-ras gene was studied in 34 liposarcomas, comprising 15 well-differentiated liposarcomas and 19 dedifferentiated liposarcomas, and in 8 storiform-pleomorphic type malignant fibrous histiocytomas (MFHs) using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and direct sequencing analysis. The 2 components of dedifferentiated liposarcoma were analyzed independently. H-ras mutations were seen only in dedifferentiated liposarcomas (4/19 [21%]), 1 in WD components and 3 in HG components. The mutation was not seen in any of 15 cases of well-differentiated liposarcoma. MFHs showed an H-ras mutation in 1 (12%) of 8 cases. Our results seem to suggest that the H-ras mutation is a relatively uncommon event in dedifferentiated liposarcoma, which may demonstrate an epiphenomenon of dedifferentiation in dedifferentiated liposarcoma.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Neonatal exposure to genistein reduces expression of estrogen receptor alpha and androgen receptor in testes of adult mice.

We investigated the long-term estrogenic influence of genistein on the male reproductive system in mice. Newborn ICR male mice were treated with genistein (10, 100, or 1,000 microg/mouse) for neonatal 5 days. As positive control, administration of diethylstilbestrol (0.5-50 microg/mouse) was carried out. In mice exposed to genistein,we examined weight of testes, sperm counts, sperm motility, and mRNA expression levels of estrogen receptor a (ERalpha) and androgen receptor (AR) at 4, 8 or 12 weeks after birth. Moreover, at 12 weeks of age, we evaluated protein level of ERalpha. In our conventional reproductive-toxicological study (weight of testes, sperm counts and sperm motility), neonatal transient exposure to genistein did not show adverse effects on the male reproductive system in 4, 8 or 12 week old mice. However, in mice treated with genistein mRNA expression levels of ERa and AR were reduced at 8 weeks. This reduction was recovered at 12 weeks in mice treated with a lower dose (10 microg) of genistein but not in those with higher doses (100 microg and 1,000 microg). In addition, ERa protein levels tended to decrease in 12 weeks of adulthood. Our results exhibited that the disruption of gene expression continued for long term such as 3 months after administration of genistein, even if no effect was found at conventional reproductive-toxicological level. We have shown that neonatal administration of weak estrogenic compound (genistein) affects male reproductive organs at molecular levels in adulthood.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Role of galectin-3 in adenocarcinoma liver metastasis.

Galectin-3 is a lactosamine-specific lectin that binds to laminin sugar-sites, and up-regulated expression of galectin-3 in primary colorectal cancer is involved in cancer progression and metastasis. Inhibitory effects of cell adhesion and liver metastasis of adenocarcinoma via portal vein by lectin-binding sugar and anti-galectin-3 antibody was examined to determine the role of galectin-laminin binding in cancer liver metastasis. Highly metastatic adenocarcinoma cell lines XK4-A3 and RPMI4788 were used in in vitro cell attachment and nude mice liver metastatic experiments, and inhibitory effects of anti-galectin-3 antibody or lectin-binding sugars were examined. The in vitro adhesion assay demonstrated that the anti-galectin-3 antibody and alpha-lactose inhibited XK4-A3 and RPMI4788 cell adhesion to laminin in a dose-dependent manner. The liver metastasis of XK4-A3 and RPMI4788 was reduced 50 and 60%, respectively (P<0.001) by alpha-lactose treatment. Anti-galectin-3 antibody also inhibited liver metastasis in a dose-dependent manner, and maximum inhibition rate was 66% for XK4-A3 and 90% for RPMI4788. Galectin-3 plays an important role in liver metastasis of adenocarcinoma by the mechanisms of galectin-3 binding to laminin. Inhibition of galectin-3 on cancer cell surface induces reduced cell attachment to laminin and liver metastasis.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2001

Ley glycolipid-recognizing monoclonal antibody inhibits procoagulant activity and metastasis of human adenocarcinoma.

Tumor procoagulant is associated with cancer at advanced stages of malignancy such as infiltration and metastasis. In the present study, we investigated the role of Ley glycolipid in the mechanism of cancer metastasis. Ley glycolipid acts as an important cofactor in the expression of the blood-coagulating activity of cancer cell-derived coagulating activity 1 (CCA-1), which is one of the known tumor procoagulants. Monoclonal antibody (MoAb) FS01, which serves as the Ley-recognizing epitope, inhibits the procoagulant activity of CCA-1 was found to dose-dependently inhibit the procoagulant activity of normal plasma induced by the human lung adenocarcinoma cell line, HAL8, which shows a high level of Ley expression. It did not, however, inhibit the procoagulant activity of the human colon cancer cell line, RPMI4788, which does not express Ley. Administration of FS01 MoAb inhibited lung metastasis of HAL8 cells, but not that of RPMI4788. The absence of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and complement-mediated cytotoxicity of FS01 MoAb against the HAL8 cell line suggests that the inhibition of HAL8 metastasis by FS01 MoAb derives from the inhibition of blood-coagulating activity of the latter. These findings indicate that Ley glycolipid plays an important role in the mechanism of cancer metastasis via the procoagulant activity of CCA-1.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2001

[An examination of the relationships among career decision-making self-efficacy, vocational motives, and vocational indecision: a study of women's junior college students].

The purpose of this study was to examine a causal model leading to the tendency of women's junior college students to delay vocational decisions. The model assumes that Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy (CDMSE) determines vocational motives, which in turn affect the tendency. A questionnaire was administered to 431, 199 first-year and 232 second-year, women's junior college students. CDMSE was measured with self-efficacy for self-appraisal and occupational information-gathering, and vocational motives were self-improvement, interpersonal, and status motives. Results showed that self-efficacy for self-appraisal influenced self-improvement motive for both first-year and second-year students. Self-improvement motive and the self-efficacy then influenced vocational indecision among second-year students. Self-efficacy for information-gathering influenced vocational indecision among first-year students. These findings suggest that college vocational guidance should take self-efficacy and vocational motives into account.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Effectiveness of a new toothbrush with irrigation and suctioning capabilities (ty e-Brush) for removing supragingival plaque].

Patients with dysphagia typically have poor oral health. Because of improper swallowing, they cannot easily and safely clean their mouths. As a solution for such a problem, a manual toothbrush with both irrigation and suctioning functions has been developed, called the "e-Brush". The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cleaning effectiveness of the new e-Brush (9 mm and 11 mm in bristle length) for removing supragingival plaque, compared with a conventional toothbrush, GUM # 211 by Butler. In this study, 12 subjects (12 female of average age 20.6) were selected, and plaque control record (PCR) and scrubbing method were used. The following results were obtained: 1. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were recognized between e-Brush/9 mm (55.54 +/- 18.27%) and the others (e-Brush/11 mm: 30.88 +/- 8.14%, GUM # 211: 35.42 +/- 9.32%). 2. Bristles 9 mm in length were more effective than 11 mm bristles (p < 0.05). 3. Irrigation/suctioning function is more effective than the conventional tooth-brushing method. 4. The irrigation function of e-Brush was meritorious in making almost all users comfortable. These results suggest that this new oral hygiene device, "e-Brush/9 mm", is effective for improving oral care management for patients with dysphagia.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Effects of homocysteine on the binding of extracellular-superoxide dismutase to the endothelial cell surface.

Homocysteine is known to be a risk factor for several vascular diseases. Previously, we found a significant association between plasma homocysteine and plasma extracellular-superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) levels. The binding of EC-SOD to human and bovine aortic endothelial cell cultures showed significant decreases after incubation with 10 microM homocysteine, whereas the expression of EC-SOD in fibroblast cell cultures was inhibited with a high concentration (1 mM) of homocysteine. Furthermore, binding of EC-SOD to heparin immobilized on plates was decreased with homocysteine. These observations suggested that homocysteine decreases the binding of EC-SOD to vascular endothelial cell surfaces by degradation of endothelial heparan sulfate proteoglycan, which results in a loss of the ability to protect endothelial cell surfaces from oxidative stress.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

1:1 complexes of dimethylthio- and ethylenedithio-tetrathiafulvalenothioquinone-1,3-dithiolemethides with CuBr2 as a new type of pi/d molecular system.

The reaction of dimethylthio- (1) and ethylenedithio-tetrathiafulvalenothioquinone-1,3-dithiolemethides (2) with CuBr2 gave 1:1 complexes between the donors and CuBr2, 1.CuBr2 and 2.CuBr2, in which the Cu atom of CuBr2 binds to the thiocarbonyl S atom in 1 and 2. The electrical conductivity (sigma) of 1.CuBr2 at room temperature was ca. 10(-5) S cm-1, while a comparatively high value of 4.0 S cm-1 was obtained for 2.CuBr2, whose temperature dependence of sigma exhibited, however, semiconducting behavior with a very small activation energy of 0.18 eV. The observed paramagnetic susceptibilities (chi p's) of the Cu complexes were composed of both a component due to the localized Cu spins obeying the Curie-Weiss law and a temperature-independent chi p due to the conducting pi electrons on the 1- or 2-stacked columns. From the Curie constants obtained, the degrees of intramolecular electron transfer from 1 and 2 to CuBr2 moieties were estimated at ca. 90% and 60%, respectively. The small, negative Weiss temperature suggest very weak antiferromagnetic interactions among the Cu spins on the CuBr2 moieties.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

The differential role of extracellular signal-regulated kinases and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in eosinophil functions.

The activation of eosinophils by cytokines is a major event in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. We have investigated the activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and their functional relevance in eosinophil differentiation, survival, degranulation, and cytokine production. IL-5 induced phosphorylation and activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) and p38 MAP kinases in eosinophils. PD98059, a MAP/ERK kinase inhibitor, blocked phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in a dose-dependent manner. SB202190, a p38 inhibitor, blocked p38-dependent phosphorylation of activating transcription factor-2. To study the importance of the MAP kinases on eosinophil differentiation, we cultured mouse bone marrow cells with IL-3 and IL-5 in the presence of the inhibitors. SB202190 dramatically inhibited eosinophil differentiation by 71%. PD98059 was less potent and reduced eosinophil differentiation by 28%. Both inhibitors marginally inhibited eosinophil survival only at the highest doses. Prolonged incubation of eosinophils with IL-5 induced significant eosinophil-derived neurotoxin release. Both PD98059 and SB202190 nearly completely inhibited (87% and 100% inhibition, respectively) IL-5-stimulated eosinophil-derived neurotoxin release in a dose-dependent manner. Next, we examined the effect of the MAP kinase inhibitors on eosinophil production of the cytokine macrophage-inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha. PD98059 blocked C5a- but not ionomycin-induced MIP-1alpha production (59% inhibition at 50 microM concentration). In contrast, SB202190 nearly completely inhibited (99%) C5a-induced MIP-1alpha production. Further, it blocked ionomycin-stimulated production by 66%. Our results suggest that both p38 and ERK1/2 MAP kinases play an important role in eosinophil differentiation, cytokine production, and degranulation. The p38 MAP kinase plays a greater role than ERK1/2 in eosinophil differentiation and cytokine production.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

One-Pot synthesis of N-heterocyclic compounds from cyclopropenethione derivatives

The one-pot reaction of 2-tert-butylthio-3-phenylcyclopropenethione (1a) and its 3-(2-thienyl) derivative (1b) with lithium pyrrolidinide at -70 degrees C, followed by methylation with methyl iodide, gives 6-methylthio-5-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolizine (2a) and its 5-(2-thienyl) derivative (2b), respectively. The reaction of 2-tert-butylthio-3-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)cyclopropenethione (1c) with phenyllithium gives also 2a in a high yield under similar conditions, and the reactions of 1a with N-lithium salts of 3-pyrroline, hexamethyleneimine, indoline, and carbazole, piperidine-potassium tert-butoxide mixture, and phenyllithium give 6-methylthio-5-phenyl-3H-pyrrolizine (3), 2-methylthio-3-phenyl-6,7, 8,9-tetrahydro-5H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]azepine (5), 6-tert-butylthio-5-methylthio-4-phenyl-1,2-dihydro-6H-pyrrolo[3,2, 1-ij]quinoline (6), 4-tert-butylthio-5-methylthio-6-phenyl-4H-pyrido[3,2,1-jk]carbazole (7), 2-methylthio-3-phenyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroindolizine (4), and 1-tert-butylthio-2-methylthio-3-phenylindene (9), respectively. The structures of 2a and 3 were determined by X-ray analyses of their tricarbonylchromium complexes.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Antioxidant alpha-tocopherol ameliorates glycemic control of GK rats, a model of type 2 diabetes.

We have shown recently that oxidative stress by chronic hyperglycemia damages the pancreatic beta-cells of GK rats, a model of non-obese type 2 diabetes, which may worsen diabetic condition and suggested the administration of antioxidants as a supportive therapy. To determine if natural antioxidant alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) has beneficial effects on the glycemic control of type 2 diabetes, GK rats were fed a diet containing 0, 20 or 500 mg/kg diet alpha-tocopherol. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test revealed a significant increment of insulin secretion at 30 min and a significant decrement of blood glucose levels at 30 and 120 min after glucose loading in the GK rats fed with high alpha-tocopherol diet. The levels of glycated hemoglobin A1c, an indicator of glycemic control, were also reduced. Vitamin E supplementation clearly ameliorated diabetic control of GK rats, suggesting the importance of not only dietary supplementation of natural antioxidants but also other antioxidative intervention as a supportive therapy of type 2 diabetic patients.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Wortmannin, a PI3-kinase inhibitor: promoting effect on insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells through a cAMP-dependent pathway.

To determine the role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) in the regulation of insulin secretion, we examined the effect of wortmannin, a PI3-kinase inhibitor, on insulin secretion using the isolated perfused rat pancreas and freshly isolated islets. In the perfused pancreas, 10(-8) M wortmannin significantly enhanced the insulin secretion induced by the combination of 8.3 mM glucose and 10(-5) M forskolin. In isolated islets, cyclic AMP (cAMP) content was significantly increased by wortmannin in the presence of 3.3 mM, 8.3 mM, and 16.7 mM glucose with or without forskolin. In the presence of 16.7 mM glucose with or without forskolin, wortmannin promoted insulin secretion significantly. On the other hand, in the presence of 8.3 mM glucose with forskolin, wortmannin augmented insulin secretion significantly; although wortmannin tended to promote insulin secretion in the presence of glucose alone, it was not significant. To determine if wortmannin increases cAMP content by promoting cAMP production or by inhibiting cAMP reduction, we examined the effects of wortmannin on 10(-4) M 3-isobutyl-1-methylxantine (IBMX)-induced insulin secretion and cAMP content. In contrast to the effect on forskolin-induced secretion, wortmannin had no effect on IBMX-induced insulin secretion or cAMP content. Moreover, wortmannin had no effect on nonhydrolyzable cAMP analog-induced insulin secretion in the perfusion study. These data indicate that wortmannin induces insulin secretion by inhibiting phosphodiesterase to increase cAMP content, and suggest that PI3-kinase inhibits insulin secretion by activating phosphodiesterase to reduce cAMP content.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗
PubMed2000

Rat extracorporeal circulation model for evaluation of systemic immunotoxicity.

We have applied a rat extracorporeal circulation (EC) model as an evaluation system for the immunotoxicity of medical devices in contact with the blood stream. Combining popular hemodialysis (HD) membranes [a non-biocompatible membrane, Cupurophane (CUP), and more biocompatible membranes, Cu-ammonium rayon (CAR) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN)] with rat EC, we evaluated the elicitation of acute and delayed immunological responses, as well as the effect of repeated EC. Acute effect markers such as the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and complement activity during EC, and delayed effect markers such as beta2-microglobulin (beta2-M), IgG, and complement 3 levels, were monitored. Acute markers after EC passage showed responses similar to those previously reported in patients with long-term hemodialysis such as TNF-alpha production and increased complement activity. Although beta2-M and IgG levels increased to 3- to 5-fold of the initial concentration within 4 weeks after rat EC, the trend of IgG increase was inversely correlated with membrane biocompatibility (CUP > CAR = PAN), but this did not occur for elevations in beta2-M (PAN > CAR > CUP). These data suggest that this EC model can reproduce similar immunological responses as seen in HD patients, and can be employed to evaluate medical devices and materials for their delayed, systemic, and repeated exposure effects with respect to immunotoxicity.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Eotaxin induces degranulation and chemotaxis of eosinophils through the activation of ERK2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases.

Eotaxin and other CC chemokines acting via CC chemokine receptor-3 (CCR3) are believed to play an integral role in the development of eosinophilic inflammation in asthma and allergic inflammatory diseases. However, little is known about the intracellular events following agonist binding to CCR3 and the relationship of these events to the functional response of the cell. The objectives of this study were to investigate CCR3-mediated activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases extracellular signal-regulated kinase-2 (ERK2), p38, and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in eosinophils and to assess the requirement for MAP kinases in eotaxin-induced eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) release and chemotaxis. MAP kinase activation was studied in eotaxin-stimulated eosinophils (more than 97% purity) by Western blotting and immune-complex kinase assays. ECP release was measured by radioimmunoassay. Chemotaxis was assessed using Boyden microchambers. Eotaxin (10(-11) to 10(-7) mol/L) induced concentration-dependent phosphorylation of ERK2 and p38. Phosphorylation was detectable after 30 seconds, peaked at about 1 minute, and returned to baseline after 2 to 5 minutes. Phosphorylation of JNK above baseline could not be detected. The kinase activity of ERK2 and p38 paralleled phosphorylation. PD980 59, an inhibitor of the ERK2-activating enzyme MEK (MAP ERK kinase), blocked phosphorylation of ERK2 in a concentration-dependent manner. The functional relevance of ERK2 and p38 was studied using PD98 059 and the p38 inhibitor SB202 190. PD98 059 and SB202 190 both caused inhibition of eotaxin-induced ECP release and chemotaxis. We conclude that eotaxin induces a rapid concentration-dependent activation of ERK2 and p38 in eosinophils and that the activation of these MAP kinases is required for eotaxin-stimulated degranulation and directed locomotion. (Blood. 2000;95:1911-1917)

Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases↗
PubMed2000

CD72 negatively regulates signaling through the antigen receptor of B cells.

The immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif (ITIM) is found in various membrane molecules such as CD22 and the low-affinity Fc receptor for IgG in B cells and the killer cell-inhibitory receptor and Ly-49 in NK cells. Upon tyrosine phosphorylation at the ITIMs, these molecules recruit SH2 domain-containing phosphatases such as SH2-containing tyrosine phosphatase-1 and negatively regulate cell activity. The B cell surface molecule CD72 carries an ITIM and an ITIM-like sequence. We have previously shown that CD72 is phosphorylated and recruits SH2-containing tyrosine phosphatase-1 upon cross-linking of the Ag receptor of B cells (BCR). However, whether CD72 modulates BCR signaling has not yet been elucidated. In this paper we demonstrate that expression of CD72 down-modulates both extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) activation and Ca2+ mobilization induced by BCR ligation in the mouse B lymphoma line K46micromlambda, whereas BCR-mediated ERK activation was not reduced by the ITIM-mutated form of CD72. Moreover, coligation with CD72 with BCR reduces BCR-mediated ERK activation in spleen B cells of normal mice. These results indicate that CD72 negatively regulates BCR signaling. CD72 may play a regulatory role in B cell activation, probably by setting a threshold for BCR signaling.

Animals↗