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Biomedical subjects

T Aoki

Publications and source records attributed to T Aoki.

At least 811 records · Page 45Linked to original sources

[Two cases of the horseshoe kidney].

The present report is concerned with two cases of the horseshoe kidney. During the dissecting practice at Gifu University School of Medicine in 1991, the case 1 was found in a female Japanese cadaver of 84 years old and the case 2 in a female Japanese cadaver of 84 years old and the case 2 in a female Japanese cadaver of 85 years old. 1) In both cases, the two kidneys were united at their lower ends across the midline of the body. The part of fusion called the isthmus consisted of renal tissues. 2) In both the cases 1 and 2, the hilus of each kidney opened anteriorly, and the ureters passed in front of the isthmus and entered the urinary bladder normally. The location of each kidney was lower than that of the normal kidney. 3) Surplus arteries arising from the abdominal aorta were observed in the cases 1 and 2. In the case 1, one surplus artery entered the left kidney and the isthmus. In the case 2, five surplus arteries were observed; two arteries entered the right kidney, one the left kidney and two the isthmus. 4) The incidence of the horseshoe kidney during the dissecting practice at Gifu University School of Medicine from 1971 to 1991 was 0.33% (three out of 908 bodies). 5) In both the cases 1 and 2, no malformation was observed in other organs.

Aged↗

[Exercise-induced left bundle branch block in treadmill exercise test: clinical significance and prognosis].

Exercise induced left bundle branch block (LBBB) is poorly understood. We investigated its clinical characteristics and prognosis. The records of 3,459 consecutive patients who underwent treadmill exercise testing were reviewed. Exercise induced LBBB was identified in 6 patients (0.17%). Three out of six patients had underlying cardiac disease; two had coronary artery disease and one dilated cardiomyopathy. Three out of five had redistribution on Tl-201 myocardial scintigraphy. In one of these three patients, however, coronary angiography demonstrated no significant narrowings. Tl-201 myocardial scintigraphy in patients with exercise induced LBBB may be undetermined for coronary artery disease. During follow-up, one of six patients had depressed left ventricular function and was diagnosed as having dilated cardiomyopathy. It is thus obvious that exercise induced LBBB without a specific underlying heart disease should be followed up carefully.

Aged↗

[An experimental study of adrenalin-stimulated gastric acid secretion and gastrin secretion in rats of cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcer].

It is known that cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcers in rats are similar to the human duodenal ulcers in some aspects. We investigated their similarities in view of adrenalin-stimulated gastric acid secretion and gastrin secretion in these rats. Acid outputs decreased in the control group by the administration of adrenaline, but in the cysteamine-administered group acid outputs increased dose dependently. Serum gastrin levels and plasma noradrenaline levels increased by cysteamine administration. The abnormal gastric acid secretion by the adrenalin infusion in the process of cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcers in rats, which was resembled to that of duodenal ulcer patients, was recognized.

Animals↗

Expression of the RAG-2 gene in murine central nervous system tumor cell lines.

Two tightly linked recombination activating genes, RAG-1 and RAG-2, are involved in VDJ recombination of the immune system. Although these genes were originally thought to be expressed exclusively in precursor B and T cells, RAG-1 transcripts were recently found in the murine central nervous system (CNS) [Chun et al., Cell 6, 189, (1991)]. We found that the RAG-2 gene was expressed in CNS tumor cell lines, melanoma (B-16) and skin fibroblast (A9). RAG-1 expression was not found in any non-lymphoid cell lines examined including CNS tumor cell lines. Another VDJ recombination-related gene RBP-Jk was expressed in all tumor cell lines examined. It remains to be seen whether expression of RAG-1 and RAG-2 in CNS is abortive or functionally important.

Animals↗

Characterization of two forms of poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase in guinea pig liver.

A poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase from guinea pig liver cytoplasm has been purified approximately 45,000-fold to apparent homogeneity. The cytoplasmic poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase designated form II differed in several respects from the nuclear poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase I (Mr = 75,500) previously purified from the same tissue (Tanuma et al., 1986a). The purified glycohydrolase II consists of a single polypeptide with Mr of 59,500 estimated by a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel. A native Mr of 57,000 was determined by gel permeation. Peptide analysis of partial proteolytic degradation of glycohydrolases II and I with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease revealed that the two enzymes were structurally different. Amino acid analysis showed that glycohydrolase II had a relatively low proportion of basic amino acid residues as compared with glycohydrolase I. Glycohydrolase II and I were acidic proteins with isoelectric points of 6.2 and 6.6, respectively. The optimum pH for glycohydrolases II and I were around 7.4 and 7.0, respectively. The Km value for (ADP-ribose)n (average chain length n = 15) and the Vmax for glycohydrolase II were 4.8 microM and 18 mumol of ADP-ribose released from (ADP-ribose)n.min-1.(mg of protein)-1, respectively. The Km was about 2.5 times higher, and Vmax 2 times lower, than those observed with glycohydrolase I. Unlike glycohydrolase I, glycohydrolase II was inhibited by monovalent salts. ADP-ribose and cAMP inhibited glycohydrolase II more strongly than glycohydrolase I. These results suggest that eukaryotic cells contain two distinct forms of poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase exhibiting differences in properties and subcellular localization.

Amino Acids↗

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in cerebrospinal fluid from patients with meningitis.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in the cerebrospinal fluid from patients with meningitis was measured by our modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for G-CSF. The minimal detection level was 20 pg/mL G-CSF. In patients with bacterial meningitis, the G-CSF levels in the cerebrospinal fluid were extremely elevated, showing a mean value of approximately 1,500 pg/mL. On the other hand, G-CSF levels in the cerebrospinal fluid from 67% patients with aseptic meningitis were moderately increased, showing a mean value of about 80 pg/mL, whereas G-CSF levels in 33% samples remained undetectable. The G-CSF levels and neutrophil counts in the cerebrospinal fluid were proven to be related by Spearman's rank correlation coefficient analysis (r = .724). These elevations of G-CSF levels at inflammation sites associated with bacterial meningitis may indicate that G-CSF plays an important role in the combat of bacterial infections.

Child↗

Rapid regression of squamous cell hyperplasia and slow regression of basal cell hyperplasia in the forestomach of F344 rats treated with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and/or butylated hydroxyanisole.

Cell kinetics of reversible and persistent forestomach lesions induced by the genotoxic agent N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and/or the nongenotoxic antioxidant butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) was investigated. A total of 184 male F344 rats were divided into four groups: Group 1 given an initial single gastric intubation of MNNG received 2% BHA diet from the third wk to the 26th wk and then basal diet; Group 2 receiving 2% BHA without MNNG initiation; Group 3 given MNNG alone; and Group 4 serving as a nontreated control. Rats were sequentially sacrificed at 6, 16, 26, 30, and 46 wk. Bromodeoxyuridine was administered either as a single i.p. injection (100 mg/kg of body weight) 1 h before killing or continuously via an osmotic minipump (120 micrograms/h) for 1, 3, or 7 days prior to sacrifice, in each case labeled cells being detected by immunohistochemistry. Squamous cell hyperplasia (SCH) and basal cell hyperplasia (BCH), each characterized by different phenotypic keratin expression, were induced in Groups 1 to 3. After withdrawal of BHA, rapid regression of SCH and extremely slow regression of BCH were observed. Papillomas and squamous cell carcinomas developed irreversibly in Group 1 and 3, BHA significantly (P less than 0.01) enhancing the incidence of SCC in Group 1. Flash and continuous bromodeoxyuridine labeling revealed SCH to consist of cells of high mitotic activity and short life span, whereas BCH consisted of cells with low mitotic activity and long life span. In addition, highly labeled areas were observed in SCH after cessation of BHA feeding in Group 1 without regression, and similar lesions were also evident in Group 3. The results suggest that rapid regression of SCH and slow regression of BCH reflect different cell kinetic patterns and that highly labeled areas after release from stimulating agents might be preneoplastic changes related to cancer development.

Animals↗

Streptozotocin-induced diabetes in mice reduces the nociceptive threshold, as recognized after application of noxious mechanical stimuli but not of thermal stimuli.

We report herein that streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes selectively alters the nociceptive threshold with respect to noxious mechanical stimuli. Mice were rendered diabetic by an injection of STZ (200 mg/kg, IV). In the tail-pinch test, the latency of the biting response to forceps was significantly decreased in animals with diabetes of 2 weeks and 8 weeks duration as compared to that in age-matched controls. However, the nociceptive threshold, as determined by the tail-flick test, was not significantly altered. The level of substance P in the spinal cord was significantly increased in mice that has been diabetic for 2 weeks, while, there was a significant decrease, as compared to control levels, in level of substance P in mice diabetic for 8 weeks. However, the level of somatostatin was not significantly altered in mice diabetic for either 2 weeks or 8 weeks. These data suggest that STZ-induced diabetes selectively alters a neuronal system that involves substance P but not somatostatin in the spinal cord.

Animals↗

Nucleotide sequence and expression of an extracellular hemolysin gene of Aeromonas hydrophila.

The extracellular hemolysin (AHH1) gene of Aeromonas hydrophila ATCC7966 was cloned into Charomid9-28 in Escherichia coli DH1, and its complete nucleotide sequence determined. Escherichia coli carrying this gene expressed an extracellular heat-labile hemolysin for rabbit red blood cells. The minimum size of the coding region of the 2.6 kilobase-pair BamHI-SphI fragment was subcloned into pUC118 and pUC119, selecting for hemolytic activity. The nucleotide sequence of this region contained a single open reading frame of 1734 base pairs, corresponding to a protein of 577 amino acid residues (63,658 daltons). A consensus promoter sequence was present upstream of the AHH1 open reading frame. Maxicell analysis of [35S]methionine-labelled proteins in E. coli CSR603 carrying the AHH1 plasmid suggested that AHH1 gene codes for an approximately 60,000 dalton polypeptide. By colony DNA-DNA hybridization analysis, the AHH1 gene was detected in 43 of 62 hemolysin-producing strains of A. hydrophila (isolated from various sources and areas) and in all 43 hemolysin-producing strains of A. salmonicida (isolated from fish). Three hemolysin-negative strains of A. hydrophila did not react with the AHH1 probe, whereas three non-hemolytic A. salmonicida strains hybridized with the probe.

Aeromonas hydrophila↗

Curdlan sulfate and HIV-1. I. In vitro inhibitory effects of curdlan sulfate on HIV-1 infection.

Action mechanisms of a newly synthesized polysaccharide, curdlan sulfate (CRDS), on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection were investigated in vitro using syncytium formation microassay and p24 antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. These assays measured the titer of infectious virions and the amounts of HIV-1 core antigen p24 in soluble, intraviral, and intracellular forms. CRDS treatments were performed for 1 h at 37 degrees C. H9 cells pretreated with 0.1 to 100.0 micrograms/ml of CRDS appreciably inhibited HIV-1 infection. CRDS-treated HIV-1 virions were less able to infect H9 cells than untreated virions. The simultaneous treatment of H9 cells and HIV-1 virions with CRDS induced a significant inhibition of HIV-1 infection, resulting in the temporary disappearance of virions at the highest dose of CRDS. In contrast, CRDS treatment of newly HIV-1-infected H9 cells caused a significant decrease in the titer of infectious HIV-1 and the p24 amounts of all three forms, but no absolute elimination. Taken together, these results indicate that CRDS may block the binding of the HIV-1 envelope to the H9 cell surface, with emphasis on the high affinity of CRDS to the HIV-1 envelope.

Antiviral Agents↗

Enhancing potential of 6 different carcinogens on multi-organ tumorigenesis after initial treatment with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea in rats.

The advantages of applying a whole-body concept to the assessment of carcinogenic potential of compounds in a two-stage model after initiation by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) were investigated. Male, 6-week-old F344 rats were injected with MNU (20 mg/kg, i.p.) twice a week for 4 weeks and they then received 3,2'-dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl (DMAB) (50 mg/kg, s.c., once a week), N,N'-dibutylnitrosamine (DBN) (0.05%, in drinking water), N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (DHPN) (0.1%, in drinking water), diethylstilbestrol (DES) (2.5 ppm, in diet), sodium o-phenylphenate (S.OPP) (2%, in diet) or captafol (0.15%, in diet) for 20 weeks. All six carcinogens enhanced the incidences of preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions in their respective target organs: liver, pancreas, small intestine and urinary bladder with DMAB; liver, esophagus, forestomach and urinary bladder with DBN; thyroid, lung, liver, esophagus, forestomach, small intestine and urinary bladder with DHPN; liver and forestomach with DES; and thyroid, forestomach, kidney and urinary bladder with S.OPP; liver and forestomach with captafol. The results suggested that prior treatment with MNU sensitized the tissues to the organotropic carcinogenic potential of chemicals given thereafter for as short a period as 20 weeks. Thus, this system could be utilized as a whole-body medium-term bioassay system for the screening of environmental carcinogens, bridging the gap between in vitro mutagenicity and long-term carcinogenicity tests.

Animals↗

Nocturnal scratching and its relationship to the disturbed sleep of itchy subjects.

This study of the relationship between nocturnal scratching and sleep is based on an analysis of 17 overnight polygraphic records of the scratch bouts and EEG of severely itchy patients. Our patients spent little time in deep orthodox sleep (stages 3 and 4), which was absent from 7 of the 17 records. Bouts of scratching were found to occur in all stages of sleep but were most numerous in stage 1 (light orthodox sleep). Sleep tended to remain stable, i.e. in a single sleep stage, for the 40 s immediately before a bout of scratching but had often changed to a more superficial stage by the time the bout had ceased, implying perhaps that scratching itself was the event linked most closely with arousal.

Adolescent↗

[Ofloxacin in the treatment of infection caused by Salmonella paratyphi A].

We reported a case of salmonellosis treated with ofloxacin (OFLX) which showed excellent clinical and bacteriological effect in a 22 year-old Japanese male with Salmonellosis paratyphi A. He had stayed in India from Sept. 6, 1990 to Oct. 13, 1990. On Oct. 25, 1990, he complained of a high fever and headache. On Oct. 29, he was admitted to our hospital and was diagnosed as Salmonellosis paratyphi A by the blood culture. He was treated with 2.0 g/day of chloramphenicol (CP) for 7 days, but the clinical efficacy was not sufficient. Therefore, we added 900 mg/day of OFLX for 10 days. He was treated successfully with them, the temperature became on the 2nd day. No side effect and no changes of laboratory data were observed and no recurrence was observed clinically and bacteriologically for three months after his discharge.

Adult↗

[A case of Plasmodium vivax malaria with findings of DIC].

We reported a rare case of Plasmodium vivax malaria who showed findings of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). A 50-year-old Japanese male was sent to our hospital with the diagnosis of Plasmodium vivax malaria on the 26th of April, 1990. He had stayed in the Solomon Islands from Oct. 1987 to Dec. 1989, and had febrile episodes during his stay in the island. On April 18, 1990, he complained of a high fever with chills, and showed the same episodes on the 20th, 22th and was diagnosed as malaria. He was treated successfully with the sulfadoxine 500 mg and pyrimethamine 25mg (Fansidar), following the normal temperature on the 4th day and disappearance of malarial parasites in the peripheral blood smear on the 6th day. Interestingly, he had thrombocytopenia and a high titer serum level of fibrin degradation product (FDP) supporting the questionable diagnosis of DIC. Even on the 12th day after improved thrombocytopenia by treatment with Gabexate (FOY), the serum level of FDP, D-dimer and thrombin-nati-thrombin (TAT)III complex still remained at high titer levels. One month later he was readmitted for a relapse of Plasmodium vivax malaria, when he showed thrombocytopenia but the serum level of FDP, D-dimer, TAT III complex and PM.alpha 2 PI complex were normal levels. We concluded that the thrombocytopenia and the high titer of FDP at his first admission was a manifestation of DIC.

Animals↗

Detection of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with aseptic meningitis.

The level of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in the cerebrospinal fluid from 14 infants and children with meningitis and 6 patients who suffered other diseases besides meningitis was measured by our sensitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for GM-CSF. The minimal detection level of GM-CSF was 40 pg/ml. Six of 9 patients (67%) with aseptic meningitis had detectable GM-CSF in cerebrospinal fluid and the concentrations of GM-CSF ranged from 49 to 114 pg/ml (mean 72 pg/ml), whereas none of 5 patients with bacterial meningitis or 6 patients with other diseases besides meningitis had detectable GM-CSF levels. There was no clear correlation between the GM-CSF levels in cerebrospinal fluid and the leukocyte count in either peripheral blood or cerebrospinal fluid, or the concentration of protein or glucose in cerebrospinal fluid.

Child↗

Prognosis of children with virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome and malignant histiocytosis: correlation with levels of serum interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor.

To clarify the correlation of cytokine level with the severity and prognosis of children with the hemophagocytic syndrome, we analyzed serum interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels in 26 children with either the virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (VAHS, n = 12) or malignant histiocytosis (MH, n = 14). When compared to healthy controls, 13 children had an elevated IL-1 (greater than or equal to 20 pg/ml) and 21 children had an elevated TNF (greater than or equal to 10 pg/ml) level at diagnosis. There was however, no significant difference in the frequency of these high levels between the patients with VAHS and MH. Neither IL-1 nor TNF levels correlated with other clinical or laboratory findings in either VAHS or MH. Two of the 12 patients with VAHS died of an intracranial hemorrhage and 7 of the 14 patients with MH died despite chemotherapy. The MH patients who had a high TNF level (greater than or equal to 50 pg/ml) had a poorer prognosis than those with a low TNF level (less than 50 pg/ml; p less than 0.01). In MH patients, other parameters, such as coagulopathy and lactic dehydrogenase, ferritin and IL-1 levels, did not correlate with prognosis. In 3 patients (2 with VAHS and 1 with MH) analyzed periodically, the change in TNF level was closely associated with the clinical progression or regression of the diseases. Serum cytokine levels may thus be monitored not only for predicting the severity and prognosis of VAHS or MH but also for determining the indications for or timing of chemotherapy. Moreover, TNF may play an important role in the progression of VAHS and MH.

Adolescent↗