Haldane's fractional exclusion statistics for multicomponent systems.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to T Fukui.
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The present study was undertaken on 10 patients with angina undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. The angioplasty procedure consisted of two successive 30-second balloon inflations at 5 minute intervals. After the first inflation, nicorandil (0.1 mg/kg) was given intravenously over a 2-minute period. The second inflation was then performed 3 minutes after the completion of drug administration. Myocardial ischemia was measured as the magnitude of ST-segment elevation on the intracoronary electrocardiogram (intracoronary ECG) recorded from the guidewire. Nicorandil significantly reduced the magnitude of ST-segment elevation. Nicorandil did not change the heart rate-blood pressure product, nor the oxygen saturation of the blood sampled from the great cardiac vein, nor the velocity of coronary blood flow in those patients with no evidence of collaterals. These results favor the conclusion that nicorandil prolongs the intrinsic ability of cardiac myocyte to withstand oxygen deprivation. This salutary effect is possibly due to a direct cellular mechanism because nicorandil did not modify the peripheral and coronary hemodynamic parameters that govern myocardial oxygen consumption.
To describe the clinical characteristics of patients with doctor-shopping behavior (doctor-shopping patients) and users of alternative medicine among Japanese primary care patients, 1088 patients from the general medicine outpatient clinic of a medical school hospital answered an original questionnaire and 30-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). A random sample of patients was questioned in accordance with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule modified for use in Japan (DIS-JM). Twenty-three percent of these patients met our criteria for doctor-shopping patients, and 7.9% had used alternative medicine. Multivariate analysis showed no significant difference between the two groups of patients with regard to sex, age, residence, occupation, education, or marital status. The most striking characteristics of doctor-shopping patients were chronicity of illness (p < 0.005), inability to understand doctors' explanations (p < 0.005), disbelief of the doctor's diagnosis and treatment (p < 0.005), and high GHQ scores (p < 0.05). The major factor for alternative medicine users was high expectations of medical school hospitals (p < 0.01). DIS-JM interviews showed that doctor-shopping patients had a high lifetime prevalence of mental disorders. The lifetime prevalence of DSM-III somatization disorders was significantly higher in the two study groups. These results suggest that the risk factors for doctor shopping are strongly associated with chronic conditions and the doctor-patient relationship. Also, users of alternative medicine had high expectations of medical school hospitals as the symbol of modern medicine. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of accurate explanations and maintenance of good doctor-patient relationships by physicians providing care. We also suggest that when obtaining the patient's medical history, doctors ask how many prior visits the patient has made to medical facilities with the same complaint, and how many times the patient has used alternative medicine.
Crosslinking of the TcR-CD3 complex with immobilized anti-CD3 antibodies without sufficient co-stimulation induced cell death in human mature CD4+ T-cell lines. In these T cells, DNA fragmentation and morphological characteristics of apoptosis were seen. The anti-CD3-induced apoptosis was inhibited by co-culture with monocytes. The rescue signal provided by monocytes does not need to be present simultaneously with signals mediated by anti-CD3. When T cells were precultured with monocytes for 24 h before anti-CD3 stimulation and then the monocytes were removed from the culture, anti-CD3-induced T-cell apoptosis was also inhibited. To determine whether the monocyte-derived rescue signals were transduced by soluble factors or by direct cell-to-cell interaction with monocytes, we precultured T cells with monocytes separated by a micropore membrane which prevented T cell-monocyte physical interaction but not the diffusion of secreted molecules. In this system, rescue signals could not reach the T cells. To further assess the importance of physical interaction, we precultured T cells with fixed monocytes. T cells could not be rescued from apoptosis under these experimental conditions, either. The results considered collectively suggest that sufficient physical interaction with viable monocytes is important for the rescue of anti-CD3-induced apoptosis of CD4+ T cells.
A cDNA encoding porcine brain UMP-CMP kinase has been isolated using two oligonucleotide probes synthesized on the basis of the partial amino acid sequences of the purified enzyme. The isolated cDNA consisted of 1,626 nucleotides including the coding region for a polypeptide of 196 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular weight of 22,279. The enzyme showed an overall sequence identity of about 40 and 50%, respectively, with adenylate kinases from mammalian muscle and Escherichia coli and UMP-CMP kinases from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Dictyostelium discoideum. The two highly conserved residues, Thr-39 and Leu-66, in adenylate kinases, which are located close to the adenine ring of the bound AMP, are replaced by Ala and Ile, respectively, at the corresponding positions in UMP-CMP kinases. The entire structural gene was inserted 3'-downstream of the strong promoter in the expression plasmid pET-3b. E. coli BL21(DE3) cells carrying the resultant plasmid produced the active enzyme in a soluble state, most efficiently upon induction at 37 degrees C with 0.02 mM isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactoside. The purified recombinant enzyme catalyzed specific phosphoryl transfer from ATP to UMP and CMP.
Affinity labeling with nucleoside polyphosphopyridoxals, especially those with 3 or 4 phosphate groups, was effective for identifying the lysyl residue(s) located at or near the binding site for ATP, GTP, UDP-Glc, or ADP-Glc in various proteins. Furthermore, kinetic analysis of the mutant enzymes, in which the labeled lysyl residue was replaced with another amino acid by site-directed mutagenesis, provided evidence of its functional role. Affinity labeling of the mutant enzymes was useful for further identification of the hidden lysyl residue, which is unreactive in the wild-type enzyme but catalytically important. Comparison of the results of affinity labeling with different substrate analogues provided the information on the location of the labeled lysyl residue around the bound substrate. The affinity labeling reflected structural features of proteins, including their conformational flexibility.
1. Basal endothelin-1 (ET-1) production in mesangial cells of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) was not different from that of Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats, although a trend toward increased ET-1 production was observed in these cells of SHR. 2. Thrombin and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulated ET-1 production in a concentration-dependent manner in these cells of both rat strains, but thrombin- and PDGF-induced stimulation of ET-1 production were clearly greater in cells of SHR than WKY rats. 3. The protein kinase C (PKC)-activating phorbol ester, phorbol myristate acetate, stimulated ET-1 production in cells of both rat strains, but this stimulation was significantly greater in cells of SHR than in cells of WKY rats. 4. An inactive enantiomer of phorbol ester, 4alpha-PDD, had no effect on the ET-1 production in these cells of both rat strains. 5. Neither thrombin nor PDGF stimulated ET-1 production in PKC-depleted cells of both rat strains.
Using multivariate analysis, we investigated the influence on cognitive functions of aging, brain atrophy, incidental cerebral hyperintensities (CHs), medication, and severity, duration and the initial symptoms of the disease in 53 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). We semiquantitatively assessed the degree of brain atrophy and CHs based on previously established methods. Cognitive functions were significantly and diffusely impaired in PD when compared with controls who were matched for age as well as for the degree and location of CHs. Patients with PD, however, had larger ventricles. Prefrontal dysfunctions were associated with a variety of predictors such as CHs, brain atrophy, severity of PD and medication whereas dorsolateral frontal functions were related simply to age and CHs in the periventricular region. Posterior brain functions had association with severity of illness, ventricular dilatation and total CH score. Clinically observed cognitive impairments in PD may consist of cognitive defects intrinsic to the disease which are variously modified by these factors. It is essential to consider all these predictors simultaneously in any discussion of cognitive functions in PD.
We improved the Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) test for endotoxins in parenteral drugs using immobilized histidine and a filtration plate. In order to deal with many samples at the same time and to apply to a routine assay, we used a filtration plate having 96 wells instead of a filter unit with a working volume of 2 ml. LAL test-affecting substances which are contained in a parenteral drug were separated from endotoxins by adsorbing endotoxins on immobilized histidine in the well of a filtration plate. Then the absorbed endotoxins were allowed to react with LAL reagent in the same well. We defined that this method had the higher precision than conventional methods and was not influenced by the concentrations of endotoxin and parenteral drugs. Hence we examined the recovery of endotoxin spiked to 23 kinds of parenteral drugs by this method, as a result, 100 +/- 25% of recovery was obtained from 17 kinds of them.
In 1990, 365 (males: 197, females: 168) freshmen employees at the headquarters of a large corporation were examined just after being hired in order to observe their health status. We collected (1) data of physical examinations and questionnaires for symptoms as an ordinary health checkup, (2) information on work adjustment, life patterns, and personal characteristics through interviews conducted by ten public health nurses, and (3) personal records, e.g. birth year. Statistical analyses revealed some notable findings as follows: (1) subjects with higher blood pressure had higher scores of extrovert personality among males, (2) female subjects with greater body mass index had higher scores in such manifestations of personal characteristics such as aggression and discontent with superiors, (3) higher scores of personal characteristics were noted among female subjects working in technical sections, (4) positive correlation between the scores of work adjustment and personal characteristics, (5) higher scores of undesirable life patterns among males and of work maladjustment among elder females, (6) unbalanced meal quality of subjects from rural areas, (7) higher mental tension among younger males from rural areas, and (8) higher scores of dependency and lower morale among younger female subjects. Information on health problems was collected over the 1.5 yrs that followed. More problems were detected among females than among males and among younger females than among elder females. Longitudinal analysis was carried out from just after entry into the company for approximately 1.5 yrs. Health problems in females could be predicted by the data on personal characteristics and work adjustment just after entry. Risk of health problems in male freshmen employees with hobbies and unhealthy drinking habits over the 1.5 yrs that followed was higher than in others. It was concluded that a health interview for freshmen employees by public health nurses is valuable for health care, obtaining information regarding work adjustment, life patterns, and personal characteristics.
This study describes two patients who presented with intention tremor (IT) concomitant with olivary enlargement (OE), and discusses the relationship between these phenomena. Both patients had a vascular lesion in the brain stem, which subsequently caused IT and OE ipsilateral or contralateral to the site of the lesion, depending on the structures effected by the lesion. The results of our study suggest that damage involving the superior cerebellar tract, and central tegmental tract, or both, may result in IT and OE. However, IT and OE appear to have little physiological association, unlike the relation between OE and palatal myoclonus.
In Japan, elderly patients who develop myasthenia gravis (MG) are increasing in number. However, there are few clinical reports concerning this issue. We evaluated the clinical manifestations, inducing or exacerbating factors, complications, treatments and prognosis of systemic MG in 11 patients older than 60 years of age. Bulbar symptoms were more frequent in these patients compared with younger MG patients, and 6 out of 11 cases (54.5%) were mistakenly diagnosed as cerebrovascular disorders. Among inducing or exacerbating factors of MG were psychological problems inherently involved with the aged, physical factors, and inappropriate termination or rejection of medication. Increase in the level of anti-Ach-R antibodies was recognized in 10 out of 11 cases (90.9%). A high percentage of the patients had thymoma (36.4%) and thyroid diseases (45.5%): 3 with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (27.3%), 1 with thyroid ophthalmopathy associated with hyperthyroidism, and 1 with simple goiter. Others were accompanied by ischemic heart disease, prostatic hypertrophy or stomach cancer. We treated these patients with corticosteroids, immunoglobulin, radiation for thymoma, or thymectomy in addition to administration of anticholinesterase agents. Prognostically, we found that duration of illness before death was shorter in those with onset later than 70 years of age. Seven out of 11 (63.6%) patients died of either aspiration pneumonia (4 cases), complications of thymectomy, congestive pulmonary edema or stomach cancer. There were no deaths associated with myasthenic crisis.
We investigated mirror movements observed in two patients skilled in playing the piano and compared these symptoms with those reported in patients associated with frontal lobe, corpus callosum or cervical cord lesion. We found the following common features in our two patients: 1) mirror movements were observed during skilled finger movements such as playing the piano, 2) these were observed in distal parts of the bilateral upper extremities, 3) contralateral imitative associated movements were seen concomitantly, 4) frontal lobe symptoms and callosal disconnection syndrome were not seen, 5) both patients recalled having mirror movements in their infancy, and one had family history. These characteristics of mirror movements in our patients were similar to those in patients associated with cervical cord lesion, but were different from those in patients associated with frontal lobe or corpus callosum lesion. It is suggested that abnormal pathways in the pyramidal tract or cervical cord lesion elicited mirror movements in our patients.
A 13-year-old boy presented with ophthalmoplegia, cerebella ataxia and areflexia subsequent to watery diarrhea and pyrexia. Campylobacter jejuni (PEN 2: LIO 4) was isolated from the stools. The patient had a high titer of IgG anti-GQ1b IgG antibody titers which decreased during the clinical course. Although C. jejuni has recently been recognized as the most common microorganism causing infection preceding Guillain-Barré syndrome, only six patients with Fisher's syndrome after this bacterial infection have been reported. This is the first report of a patient with Fisher's syndrome in whom C. jejuni was identified as a causative organism in Japan.
Recently, signal-averaging technique of high resolution electrocardiogram to detect electrical activity from the region of the bundle of His has developed. But this technique has not been commonly used for detection of His bundle activity, compare it with detection of late potentials. We studied suitable lead system, filters, signal averaging counts and high resolution gain to detect surface recording of His bundle activity. We also studied that if we recorded electrogram using late potential detection system, how many people could be detected for His bundle activity. Signal-averaging technique of high resolution electrocardiogram clinically applicated especially in atrio-ventricular block patients. There were significant changes in the frequency of identifying His bundle activity by signal-averaging electrocardiographic system recorded by varying leads system, filters, averaging counts, high resolution gain. When using this technique in a clinical situation, we should use most appropriate device, including its condition.
Late Potential (LP) is known to be easily detected in inferior myocardial infarction (AMI) patients. And it is also well known that high incidence of LP positive in the patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia are seen. However, there is no report that LP in patients with right ventricular (RV) infarction is easily detectable. This following study was conducted to distinguish how LP was affected by RV infarction. 36 inferior AMI patients (27 male, 9 female) who were performed PTCA in acute stage were selected. They were divided into three groups in accordance to the position of infarct related artery (Group A is proxysmal RCA, Group B is distal RCA and Group C is LCx). There were no significant difference among these groups in terms of filtered QRS duration and last 40 msec RMS voltage. It was concluded that RV infarction could not affect to the rate of LP positive in inferior AMI patients.
We report a case of hemichorea presenting inattention and denial of involuntary movement. A 64-year-old right-handed man was hospitalized with acute hemichorea on the right side of the body. The patient had hemichorea which was frequently followed by purposeful movement such as fumbling with his glasses or combing his hair. He claimed that the involuntary movements were habits showing both inattention and denial of the involuntary movements. These symptoms were very unique. On MRI of the brain, T2 elongated spots were detected at the bilateral pallidum, suggesting occulusive cerebrovascular disease. On 123I-IMP-SPECT hypoperfusion was observed at the right cerebral basal ganglia extending to the right medial frontal lobe. We supposed that this inattention and denial of involuntary movements were caused by dysfunction of the system connecting the medial frontal lobe with basal ganglia which was presented as hypoperfusion on SPECT.
We purified L-histidine decarboxylase from mouse mastocytoma cells and cloned mouse HDC cDNA, and found that the primary translated product (74 kD) is posttranslationally processed in its C-terminal region to yield a native HDC subunit (53 kD). Recombinant 74-kD, but not 53-kD HDC species was present mainly in the particulate fraction of Sf9 cells. The particulate 74-kD recombinant HDC was cleaved by porcine pancreatic elastase, and a homodimer of a 53-kD subunit having the identical catalytic properties to those of native HDC was solubilized. The particulate HDC from mouse stomach was partially purified and it was solubilized by porcine pancreatic elastase to yield the 53-kD subunit of HDC. We identified endogenous proteolytic activity, which converts the particulate recombinant 74-kD HDC to the soluble 53-kD HDC in the supernatant of mouse stomach. In mastocytoma cells, we demonstrated that the induction of HDC activity and HDC mRNA synergistically occurred upon treatment with dexamethasone + TPA, and also with cAMP + Ca2+. On a genomic DNA cloning, we found that two upregulations occurred via the involvement of the regulatory elements binding to the sequences from -132 to -53 and -267 to -53, respectively.