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Biomedical subjects

T Asai

Publications and source records attributed to T Asai.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Postoperative brachial plexus neuropathy after total knee replacement under spinal anaesthesia.

We describe a case of idiopathic postoperative brachial plexus neuropathy. A 68-yr-old man underwent elective total knee replacement under spinal anaesthesia. Two days after surgery, there was sensory loss and weakness in the right forearm and hand, which suggested an ulnar nerve neuropathy. Two weeks later the patient complained of a dull ache between the scapulae, followed by a burning sensation in the forearm and severe pain in the elbow. A diagnosis of brachial plexus neuropathy was made based on clinical examination and nerve conduction studies. The pain disappeared after a few months, although weakness of the right arm persisted 9 months later. The differential diagnosis between brachial plexus neuropathy and ulnar nerve neuropathy is important, as the prognosis of brachial plexus neuropathy is generally good.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Effects of magnesium sulphate on suxamethonium-induced complications during rapid-sequence induction of anaesthesia.

Twenty patients were studied in a double-blind manner to investigate whether magnesium sulphate, when given during a rapid-sequence induction of anaesthesia, lessens the side effects caused by suxamethonium. Patients were randomly allocated to two groups; equal volumes of either magnesium sulphate (40 mg.kg-1) or saline were given during rapid-sequence induction of anaesthesia, after thiopentone but before the administration of suxamethonium (1.5 mg.kg-1). The changes in the serum potassium concentration, the degree of muscle fasciculations and the presence of postoperative myalgia were recorded. The mean serum potassium concentration increased by 0.08 mmol.l-1 in the magnesium group and by 0.1 mmol.l-1 in the control group at 2 min after injection of suxamethonium; in neither group was there a significant increase from baseline values. The systolic blood pressure and heart rate increased in both groups after tracheal intubation. The incidence of fasciculations was significantly lower in the magnesium group. Magnesium did not clinically prolong muscle relaxation. There was no difference between the groups in the incidence of myalgia after surgery (one patient in each group). Since no significant increase in the serum potassium concentration was demonstrated, no assessment could be made of the effect of magnesium sulphate on the serum potassium concentration after administration of suxamethonium.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Expression of multidrug resistant gene (mdr-1/P-glycoprotein) in a megakaryoblastic cell line, CMK, and its enhancement during megakaryocytic differentiation.

Multidrug resistance is a severe clinical problem in the chemotherapy of malignant disease. Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL) is a rare form of childhood leukemia, and is often resistant to many anti-cancer chemotherapeutic drugs. Here we report the expression of the mdr-1/P-glycoprotein in a cell line, CMK, established from a patient with AMKL. Expression of mdr-1 mRNA in CMK11-5 cells, a well differentiated subline, was higher than in CMK6 cells, a poorly differentiated subline. The level of P-glycoprotein was also higher in CMK11-5 cells. The cytokines interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), GM-CSF and IL-3, which were shown to induce megakaryocytic differentiation of CMK cells, enhanced the expression of the mdr-1 mRNA and levels of P-glycoprotein. These results imply that differentiated megakaryocytic cells may have higher levels of the P-glycoprotein expression, suggesting a possible normal physiological function of P-glycoprotein in mature megakaryocytes.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1994

Escherichia coli PriA protein is essential for inducible and constitutive stable DNA replication.

Under certain conditions, Escherichia coli cells exhibit either of two altered modes of chromosomal DNA replication. These are inducible stable DNA replication (iSDR), seen in SOS-induced cells, and constitutive stable DNA replication (cSDR), seen in rnhA mutants. Both iSDR and cSDR can continue to occur in the absence of protein synthesis. They are dependent on RecA protein, but do not require DnaA protein or the oriC site. Here we report the requirement for PriA, a protein essential for assembly of the phi X174-type primosome, for both iSDR and cSDR. In priA1(Null)::kan mutant cells, iSDR is not observed after induction by thymine starvation. Replication from one of the origins (oriM1) specific to iSDR is greatly reduced by the priA1::kan mutation. cSDR in rnhA224 mutant cells deficient in RNase HI is also completely abolished by the same priA mutation. In both cases, SDR is restored by introduction of a plasmid carrying a wild-type priA gene. Furthermore, the viability of an rnhA::cat dnaA46 strain is lost at 42 degrees C upon inactivation of the priA gene, indicating the lethal effect of priA inactivation on those cells whose viability depends on cSDR. These results demonstrate that a function of PriA protein is essential for iSDR and cSDR and suggest the involvement of the PriA-dependent phi X174-type primosome in these DnaA/oriC-independent pathways of chromosome replication. Whereas ColE1-type plasmids, known to be independent of DnaA, absolutely require PriA function for replication, DnaA-dependent plasmid replicons such as pSC101, F, R6K, Rts1 and RK2 are able to transform and to be maintained in the priA1::kan strain.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alleles↗
PubMed1994

DNA replication triggered by double-stranded breaks in E. coli: dependence on homologous recombination functions.

Homologous recombination-dependent DNA replication (RDR) of a lambda cos site-carrying plasmid is demonstrated in E. coli cells when the cells express lambda terminase that introduces a double-stranded break into the cos site. RDR occurs in normal wild-type cells if the plasmid also contains the recombination hotspot chi. Chi is dispensable when cells are induced for the SOS response or contain a recD mutation. recBC sbcA mutant cells are also capable of RDR induction. A recN mutation greatly reduces RDR in normal cells, but not in SOS-induced cells. RDR proceeds by the theta mode or rolling circle mode of DNA synthesis, yielding covalently closed circular plasmid monomers or linear plasmid multimers, respectively. Previously described inducible stable DNA replication is considered to be a special type of RDR that starts exclusively from specific sites (oriMs) on the chromosome.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1994

DNA damage-inducible replication of the Escherichia coli chromosome is initiated at separable sites within the minimal oriC.

When Escherichia coli cells are subjected to genetic stress by exposure to agents or conditions that transiently block DNA replication, the mode of DNA replication is profoundly altered. One of the alterations is the induction of inducible stable DNA replication (iSDR) that does not require the initiator protein, DnaA, and occurs despite the presence of rifampin and chloramphenicol, which inhibit the initiation of usual chromosome replication at oriC. It has been demonstrated that iSDR starts primarily from both the oriC and terC regions of the chromosome. To precisely map the iSDR origin (oriM1) located in the oriC region, various oriC fragments were inserted into a plasmid vector derived from pSC101, and the copy number of these plasmid constructs was measured in the presence of rifampin and chloramphenicol after cells were induced for the SOS response by thymine starvation. The results indicated that there are at least two origins for iSDR within the minimal oriC; one (oriM1A) is located between the BamHI (coordinate +1) and the AvaII(155) sites, and the other (oriM1B) between the AvaII(155) and the HindIII(244) sites. Furthermore, a 263 bp fragment containing oriM1, which was placed at the att lambda site of the chromosome, was found to initiate chromosome replication in the presence of the drugs when cells were starved of thymine. Introduction of additional copies of oriM1 into a cell stimulated initiation of iSDR at oriM1 on the chromosome. The result supported the model that iSDR starts from D-loops created between oriM1 sequences and that the amount of D-loops determines the level of the iSDR activity.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1994

Toxoplasma gondii: secretion of a potent nucleoside triphosphate hydrolase into the parasitophorous vacuole.

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite capable of invading a wide range of host cells where it residues in a specially modified compartment termed the parasitophorous vacuole. This compartment provides a protected environment for the parasite which enters a rapid growth phase shortly after invasion. To identify functional components of this interface, we have used immunolabeling and cell fractionation to localize the potent nucleoside triphosphate hydrolase (NTPase) produced by Toxoplasma. In extracellular tachyzoites, NTPase was not exposed on the cell surface but was localized in small vesicles, called dense granules, scattered throughout the cell cytoplasm. Shortly following invasion. NTPase was secreted from dense granules and occupied the lumen of the parasitophorous vacuole where it was often associated with the intravacuolar network. NTPase was exclusively found in the supernatant in cell fractionation studies of both extracellular tachyzoites lysed by freeze-thaw and following secretion into the parasitophorous vacuole. These studies provide evidence for the rapid secretion of NTPase into the parasitophorous vacuole, where it may play a key role in processing of nucleotides for purine salvage by the parasite.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗
PubMed1994

The laryngeal mask airway: its features, effects and role.

The laryngeal mask airway was designed as a new concept in airway management and has been gaining a firm position in anaesthetic practice. Numerous articles and letters about the device have been published in the last decade, but few large controlled trials have been performed. Despite widespread use, the definitive role of the laryngeal mask has yet to be established. In some situations, such as after failed tracheal intubation or in anaesthesia for patients undergoing laparoscopic or oral surgery, its use is controversial. There are a number of unresolved issues, for example the effect of the laryngeal mask on regurgitation and whether or not cricoid pressure prevents placement of the mask. We review the techniques of insertion, details of misplacement, and complications associated with the use of the laryngeal mask. We discuss the features and physiological effects of the device, including the changes in intra-cuff pressure during anaesthesia and effects on blood pressure, heart rate and intra-ocular pressure. We then attempt to clarify the role of the laryngeal mask in airway management during anaesthesia, based on the current knowledge, by discussing the advantages and disadvantages as well as the indications and contraindications of its use. Lastly we describe the use of the laryngeal mask in circumstances other than airway maintenance during anaesthesia: fibreoptic bronchoscopy, tracheal intubation through the mask and its use in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed1994

Detection of interleukin-6 and prostaglandin E2 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids of pigs experimentally infected with Mycoplasma hyponeumoniae.

In this study, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were detected in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) from pigs experimentally infected with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. IL-6 was detected at 2 weeks post-inoculation (PI), and significantly increased levels of PGE2 were observed at 4 weeks PI. In the BALF collected from infected pigs at 4 weeks PI, the levels of IL-6 increased significantly in the pigs with pneumonic lesions. However, increased levels of PGE2 were observed in all the infected pigs.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Reduction of erythrocyte (Na(+)-K+)ATPase activity in type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients with microalbuminuria.

In order to elucidate the causal relationship between (Na(+)-K+)ATPase and diabetic nephropathy, we studied the erythrocyte (Na(+)-K+)ATPase activity in Type 2 diabetic patients, 20 with microalbuminuria and 27 without microalbuminuria and in 16 control subjects. (Na(+)-K+)ATPase activities in microalbuminuric patients (0.273 +/- 0.012 mumol Pi/mg protein/h, mean +/- SE) were significantly reduced compared with those without microalbuminuric patients (0.308 +/- 0.011 mumol Pi/mg protein/h, p < 0.05) and control subjects (0.330 +/- 0.011 mumol Pi/mg protein/h, p < 0.01). Microalbuminuric patients had higher systolic blood pressure (133 +/- 3 vs 124 +/- 3 mmHg, p < 0.05) and greater frequency of parental hypertension (50% vs 19%, p < 0.05) than those without microalbuminuria. (Na(+)-K+)ATPase activities in diabetic patients with hypertension were significantly reduced compared with those in diabetic patients without hypertension. Moreover, (Na(+)-K+)ATPase activities in diabetic patients with parental hypertension were significantly reduced compared with those in patients without parental hypertension. There was no difference in erythrocyte Na+ content between with and without microalbuminuria or hypertension or parental hypertension in diabetic patients. Erythrocyte Na+ content was significantly negatively correlated with (Na(+)-K+)ATPase activity in control subjects (r = -0.619, p < 0.05), but not in diabetic patients (r = -0.194). Plasma digitalis-like substances showed no correlation with (Na(+)-K+)ATPase activities in diabetic patients with microalbuminuria or hypertension or parental hypertension. We concluded that the reduction of erythrocyte (Na(+)-K+)ATPase activity may be related to a familial predisposition to arterial hypertension and may partly be responsible for the development of diabetic nephropathy in Type 2 diabetic patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Cricoid pressure impedes placement of the laryngeal mask airway and subsequent tracheal intubation through the mask.

We have studied 40 patients to see if cricoid pressure affects the success rate of ventilation through, and the position of, the laryngeal mask and subsequent fiberscope-aided tracheal intubation. Adequate ventilation of the lungs was produced through the laryngeal mask in 19 of 20 patients in the control group, but in only 10 of 20 patients in the cricoid pressure group (P < 0.002). The laryngeal mask was positioned correctly in 16 patients in the control group, but in only two patients in the cricoid pressure group (P < 0.001). Tracheal intubation was accomplished in 19 patients in the control group, but in only three patients in the cricoid pressure group (P < 0.001). Release of cricoid pressure after placement of the laryngeal mask improved the view of the glottis, but tracheal intubation was still difficult because of laryngeal deviation. These results show that cricoid pressure impedes placement of the laryngeal mask and subsequent fiberscope-aided tracheal intubation.

Adult↗