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Biomedical subjects

T Iwanaga

Publications and source records attributed to T Iwanaga.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Preventive effects of germinated barley foodstuff on methotrexate-induced enteritis in rats.

The preventive effects of the dietary germinated barley foodstuff (GBF), which increases the contents of protein, RNA and DNA in the intestinal mucosa of rats on the mucosal damage and diarrhea were examined in a methotrexate (MTX)-induced enteritis model in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats intraperitoneally injected with MTX (10 mg/kg body weight) were used as an enteritis model. After consumption of diets containing GBF, glutamine or a glutamine-rich stuff (gluten), mucosal damage, contents of mucosal protein, RNA and DNA, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, bacterial translocation and DNA synthetic activity in the small intestine were assessed. GBF more effectively prevented diarrhea and mucosal damages, and increased mucosal protein, DNA and RNA contents than glutamine or gluten. The bacterial trans-location and elevation of MPO activity induced by MTX were depressed only by the consumption of GBF. GBF has a potential as therapeutic diet to decrease the adverse effects of anti-cancer chemotherapy.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Clinical efficacy of sulbactam/ampicillin in comparison with cefotiam in the treatment of elderly patients with pneumonia].

Clinical efficacy and safety of pareteral sulbactam/ampicillin (SBT/ABPC) was compared with cefotiam (CTM) in a randomized clinical trial of pneumonia in the elderly at 13 National Hospitals of Kyushu island. 37 patients received SBT/ABPC 3 g i.v., b.i.d., and 31 patients received CTM 1 g i.v., b.i.d. for 7 to 14 days. 1. 68 patients (37 for SBT/ABPC and 31 for CTM) were evaluated for safety. No statistical differences were noted in the patients' backgrounds of either group. 2. The clinical efficacy of SBT/ABPC was 96.3% (26/27 cases) while CTM was 75.2% (17/23 cases). This was found to be statistically significant (Fisher's exact test: p < 0.05). 3. 100% of evaluated cases (10 for SBT/ABPC and 4 for CTM) showed bacterial elimination. 4. No side effects were observed in the study. 5. Abnormal laboratory findings were noted in 10.8% (4/37 cases) for SBT/ABPC and 3.2% (1/31 cases) for CTM. The major adverse events were mild elevation of GOT, GPT and A1-P for SBT/ABPC, and mild platelets overproduction for CTM. No statistical differences were noted in both groups. These results are consistent with SBT/ABPC as a highly effective antibiotic in the treatment of elderly patients with pneumonia.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

[Cough variant asthma among patients with chronic persistent cough and its clinical outcome].

Thirty-nine patients with chronic persistent cough continuing more than eight weeks were examined regarding to their airway responsiveness to methacholine challenge using the Astograph (TCK-6100H, Chest Corp. Japan). Of these, twenty-three individuals (59%) had airway hyperresponsiveness, leading to diagnose as having cough variant asthma (CVA). Patients with CVA had a higher percentage of eosinophils in peripheral blood and a lower forced expiratory volume in one second than those in non-CVA group. Furthermore, four patients (17%) developed the classic signs and symptoms of asthma, whereas 7 cases (30%) resolved their cough without further treatment and 12 cases (52%) continued to have CVA. These data suggested that a significant proportion of patients with chronic persistent cough had CVA and some of them may develop to classic wheezing asthma.

Asthma↗
PubMed1998

[A cooperative study on concomitant with low-dose divided administration of cisplatin (CDDP) and sustained drip infusion of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) for unresectable advanced gastric cancer. Osaka Cisplatin Gastric Cancer Study Group].

For patients with unresectable gastric cancer registered between July 1994 and September 1995, the following dosage regimen was examined: a drip infusion of cisplatin (CDDP) at 7 mg/m2/day for 5 consecutive days and 2-day withdrawal a week for 3 weeks with concomitant sustained drip infusion of 5-FU at 300 mg/m2/day for 21 days. The whole cycle was repeated again after 2-week withdrawal. The antitumor effect was seen in 39.4% among 33 cases. With respect to histological classification, there was no difference in appearance of the effect between the moderately differentiated type at 62.5% and the low-differentiated type at 42.9%. The cases which became resectable after the administration included those in which the tumor disappeared completely in the resected specimens. As adverse reactions encountered in the cases above Grade 3, anorexia, nausea and vomiting and diarrhea were seen as clinical symptoms in 10, 5.3 and 11.8%, respectively. As laboratory test values, decrease in hemoglobin, leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia were seen in 16.7, 15.8 and 5%, respectively, while renal or liver dysfunction did not occur. This dosage regimen was considered useful for unresectable advanced gastric cancer, although myelosuppression should be watched carefully.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Correlation between pyrimidine nucleoside phosphorylase (PyNPase)/platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor and histological prognostic factor, and influences of 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5'-DFUR) administration on PyNPase levels. 5'-DFUR Joint Research Group in the Osaka Area for Gastric Cancer].

PURPOSE: Pyrimidine nucleoside phosphorylase (PyNPase), among which thymidine phosphorylase (dThdPase) exists mainly in human tumor tissues, is an enzyme to convert 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5'-DFUR) to 5-fluorouracil. Recently, it was reported that dThdPase was identical to platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor, angiogenetic factor. Therefore, we expect that there is possibility of dThdPase being a prognostic factor. METHODS: We investigated for a possible correlation between PyNPase activities in tumor tissues and prognostic factors of histological findings, examined the influences of preoperative oral 5'-DFUR administration to PyNPase levels and investigated for a correlation between HPLC methods and ELISA methods in patients with gastric cancer. RESULTS: Higher levels of PyNPase were observed in patients with advanced t,n,v, and ly factors. PyNPase levels decreased by 5'-DFUR in patients with differentiated cases. A high correlation was found between HPLC and ELISA methods. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that we must investigate possibility of PyNPase being a prognostic factor in more detail.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1998

[Sarcoidosis presenting as a diffuse micronodular shadow on a chest radiograph].

A 36-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with chest-radiographic findings of diffuse ground-glass shadows in both lungs. A chest CT scan revealed disseminated micronodules with mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Histological examination of a transbronchial lung-biopsy specimen showed non-caseous epithelioid cell granulomata. Marked lymphocytosis and an abnormally high CD 4/CD 8 ratio was found in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. These findings suggested a diagnosis of sarcoidosis despite the atypical radiographic findings.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Clinicopathological study of cases with Mycobacterium szulgai infection].

Pulmonary mycobacteriosis is usually caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium complex, or Mycobacterium kansasii. There are, however, other slow-growing mycobacteria which can cause pulmonary infection. Mycobacterium szulgai, first reported in 1972, is a scotochromogenic species which can affect human lungs, although human-to-human spread of infection is thought to be unlikely. We have recently treated three cases of middle-aged to elderly persons (45-87 year-old), two of them had underlying diseases (one with intrapulmonary and the other with extrapulmonary). All patients had constitutional symptoms (cough, sputum, dyspnea), and chest roentgenograms demonstrated either cavitation with scattered nodules or peripheral infiltrates predominantly in upper lobes, resembling pulmonary tuberculosis. In two cases, M. szulgai was identified by using DNA-DNA hybridization method. The in vitro susceptibility of M. szulgai to antimycobacterial drugs was better than that of M. avium complex, and it was resistant only to paraaminosalicylate, cycloserine, and partially to isoniazid. Pulmonary disease of three patients were successfully treated with a combination of multiple antimycobacterial agents including rifampin, ethambutol, isoniazid, or streptomycin.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

[Long-term effects of bicycle-ergometry training on exercise endurance and dyspnea in patients with chronic pulmonary emphysema].

Exercise reconditioning has long been considered an essential component of the pulmonary rehabilitation regime. To investigate the long-term effects of exercise training on exercise endurance and dyspnea in patients with chronic pulmonary emphysema (CPE), we developed a supervised exercise program using bicycle ergometers. Nineteen patients (mean age: 67) with moderate to severe airflow limitation (average FEV1/FVC, 39.8%) were enrolled in a predominantly outpatient rehabilitation program. After their lactate thresholds were measured by an incremental symptom-limited maximum test, patients engaged in exercise training 15 to 30 minutes per day in an arbitrary frequency and at a work rate at or below their lactate threshold (average: 20.1 w). No significant improvements were observed in resting pulmonary function, blood gas, nutrition, or systemic muscle volume. After long-term exercise training (average period: 33 months; average frequency: 6.5 times per month, individually), the patients demonstrated significantly improved exercise endurance and relief of their dyspnea during exercise. These findings provide a physiologic rationale for long-term exercise training by patients with CPE.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

[Respiratory failure based on pulmonary tuberculosis sequelae and its management].

According to the complexity of pathological change of pulmonary tuberculosis sequelae (TB seq), on which respiratory failure based shows the higher incidence of marked degree of hypoxemia and hypercapnia than that based on chronic pulmonary emphysema (CPE). In TB seq, pulmonary artery mean pressure is higher, nocturnal oxyhemoglobin desaturation is much lower than in CPE. Also hypoxemia on exercise is lower, and oxygen inhalation for this hypoxemia is more effective than in CPE. The most effective therapy is continuous oxygen therapy. Home oxygen therapy has improved the prognosis and quality of life (QOL) of patients with respiratory failure based on TB seq. Artificial positive pressure ventilation (TIPPV) with intubation or tracheotomy is carried out for patients with severe hypercapnia and respiratory acidosis. Recently, early application of nasal mask ventilation (NPPV) on patients with TB seq has prohibited acute exacerbation of chronic respiratory failure. And also for patients with severe hypercapnia, NPPV with BIPAP method is effective for their QOL. Comprehensive respiratory rehabilitation is also successfully applied for their management.

Humans↗
PubMed1997

Abnormalities of pancreatic islets by targeted expression of a dominant-negative KATP channel.

ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels are known to play important roles in various cellular functions, but the direct consequences of disruption of KATP channel function are largely unknown. We have generated transgenic mice expressing a dominant-negative form of the KATP channel subunit Kir6.2 (Kir6.2G132S, substitution of glycine with serine at position 132) in pancreatic beta cells. Kir6.2G132S transgenic mice develop hypoglycemia with hyperinsulinemia in neonates and hyperglycemia with hypoinsulinemia and decreased beta cell population in adults. KATP channel function is found to be impaired in the beta cells of transgenic mice with hyperglycemia. In addition, both resting membrane potential and basal calcium concentrations are shown to be significantly elevated in the beta cells of transgenic mice. We also found a high frequency of apoptotic beta cells before the appearance of hyperglycemia in the transgenic mice, suggesting that the KATP channel might play a significant role in beta cell survival in addition to its role in the regulation of insulin secretion.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1997

Expression of the putative membrane fatty acid transporter (FAT) in taste buds of the circumvallate papillae in rats.

The putative membrane fatty acid transporter (FAT) protein and its mRNA, originally expressed in adipose tissue, were found in the tongue of rats. Northern blot analysis showed a significant expression of FAT mRNA in the epithelial layer of circumvallate papillae. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that immunoreactivity for FAT is specifically localized in the apical part of taste bud cells, possibly gustatory cells, in the circumvallate papillae.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The presence of the 50-kDa subunit of dynactin complex in the nerve growth cone.

Membrane proteins in growth cone-enriched and growth cone-non-enriched fractions prepared from neonatal mouse brain were separated by lectin-affinity and ion exchange chromatographies, 2D-PAGE, and SDS-PAGE. Partial amino acid sequences of the proteins concentrated in the growth cone-enriched fraction were determined. We found that one such protein, gmp23-48k, corresponds to the 50-kDa subunit (p50) of the dynactin complex. An antibody raised against gmp23-48k strongly reacted with growth cones of differentiated neuronal precursor cells. Immunoblot analyses revealed that gmp23-48k was present both in membrane and in soluble fractions of neonatal brain. However, the amount of gmp23-48k in the membrane fraction greatly decreased in adult brain. These results suggest a special role of membrane-associated gmp23-48k/p50 in synapse formation during brain development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

An Alu-linked repetitive sequence corresponding to 280 amino acids is expressed in a novel bovine protein, but not in its human homologue.

A novel protein harboring a 280-amino acid region from an Alu-linked repetitive sequence (bovine Alu-like dimer-driven family) was isolated from a bovine brain S-100 fraction using monoclonal antibodies against a rat GTPase-activating protein that shares the same epitope. The protein has an apparent molecular mass of 97 kDa (p97). Western blot analysis using extracts prepared from various tissues showed p97 to be predominantly detected in brain and moderately in liver and lung. From sequence analysis of the cDNA encoding p97, it was found that the 840-base pair sequence homologous to a part of the bovine Alu-like dimer-driven family, which has never been shown to be expressed, occurs in the middle of the protein coding region. The protein also contains a pair of intramolecular repeats composed of 40 highly hydrophilic amino acids at the C terminus. Human cDNA homologous to p97 was cloned, and its nucleotide sequence demonstrates that the 840-base pair repetitive sequence and one of the intramolecular repeats are missing. We named p97 bovine BCNT after Bucentaur. These results show that bovine BCNT is a unique molecule and suggest that an analysis of the relationship between bovine bcnt and its human homologue may help further the understanding of gene organization and evolution.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Improved intracranial lesion characterization by tissue segmentation based on a 3D feature map.

Our aim was to develop an accurate multispectral tissue segmentation method based on 3D feature maps. We utilized proton density (PD), T2-weighted fast spin-echo (FSE), and T1-weighted spin-echo images as inputs for segmentation. Phantom constructs, cadaver brains, an animal brain tumor model and both normal human brains and those from patients with either multiple sclerosis (MS) or primary brain tumors were analyzed with this technique. Initially, misregistration, RF inhomogeneity and image noise problems were addressed. Next, a qualified observer identified samples representing the tissues of interest. Finally, k-nearest neighbor algorithm (k-NN) was utilized to create a stack of color-coded segmented images. The inclusion of T1 based images, as a third input, produced significant improvement in the delineation of tissues. In MS, our 3D technique was found to be far superior to that based on any combination of 2D feature maps (P < 0.001). We identified at least two distinctly different classes of lesions within the same MS plaque, representing different stages of the disease process. Further, we obtained the regional distribution of MS lesion burden and followed its changes over time. Neuropsychological aberrations were the clinical counterpart of the structural changes detected in segmentation. We could also delineate the margins of benign brain tumors. In malignant tumors, up to four abnormal tissues were identified: 1) a solid tumor core, 2) a cystic component, 3) edema in the white matter, and 4) areas of necrosis and hemorrhage. Subsequent neurosurgical exploration confirmed the distribution of tissues as predicted by this analysis.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The role of myosin light chain kinase-dependent phosphorylation of myosin light chain in phorbol ester-induced contraction of rabbit aorta.

We investigated the role of 20 kDa myosin light chain (MLC20) phosphorylation in contractions following protein kinase C (PKC) activation by 12-deoxyphorbol-13-isobutyrate (DPB) in rabbit aortae. DPB induced a sustained contraction and phosphorylation of MLC20 independent of a change in cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i). Phosphorylation on Ser19 of MLC20, which is a target site of MLC kinase (MLCK), was 9.2 +/- 5.1% and 22.3 +/- 4.9% of the phosphorylation caused by KCl, at 5 and 30 min of application of DPB, respectively. When KCl-precontracted muscles were rinsed with Ca2+-free, EGTA solution, [Ca2+]i rapidly declined, MLC20 was dephosphorylated and the tension decreased. If DPB was present in the Ca2+-free solution, the relaxation and the dephosphorylation of either total MLC20 or Ser19 were inhibited. The phospholipase A2 inhibitor ONO-RS-082 partially antagonized the effects of DPB on the tension and the MLC20 dephosphorylation. In Ca2+-free solution, DPB induced a contraction smaller than that in normal solution without an increase in MLC20 phosphorylation, and the contraction was also sensitive to ONO-RS-082. These results suggest that a part of MLC20 phosphorylation following PKC activation is due to inhibition of MLC20 phosphatase and the phosphorylation is responsible for the contraction. Furthermore, a mechanism independent of [Ca2+]i and phosphorylation may play a significant role in the PKC-dependent contraction. The involvement arachidonic acid is suggested, not only in the inhibition of dephosphorylation but also in the Ca2+-independent regulation of contractile proteins.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Practical grouping of positive lymph nodes in pancreatic head cancer treated by an extended pancreatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Until recently long-term survival has not been expected when at least one positive node was detected at any site in pancreatic head cancer treated by conventional pancreatectomy. However, even when nodal involvement is seen, there has been an increasing number of long-term survivors after extended pancreatectomy in which a wide range of lymphatic and connective tissues were cleared. Thus the purpose of the present study was to establish a practical rational grouping of positive lymph nodes in pancreatic head cancer treated by extended pancreatectomy. METHODS: In 81 patients who tolerated extended pancreatectomy for cancer of the pancreatic head, a mean of 56 +/- 23 (range, 28 to 89) lymph nodes in each patient were examined under a microscope to determine the presence or absence of cancer. They were classified anatomically into 14 lymph node groups, and the incidence, distribution, and number of positive nodes were examined. A simplified grouping was made on the basis of the histologic findings and was checked against long-term survival rates. RESULTS: Nodal involvement was detected in 59 (73%) of 81 patients, and positive nodes were more commonly observed in the posterior pancreaticoduodenal (PPD), superior mesenteric (SM), and anterior pancreaticoduodenal (APD) groups than in the 11 other groups (p < 0.05). The PPD, APD, and SM groups offered the sole sites of nodal involvement with incidence levels of 23%, 17%, and 6%, respectively, whereas none of the 11 other groups did. Thus patients were classified into four groups: (a), negative in all 14 lymph node groups (n = 22); (b), positive but limited to the PPD/APD groups (n = 14); (c), also positive in the SM group, but negative in the 11 other groups (n = 13); and (d), also positive in at least one of the 11 other groups (n = 32). This classification was associated well with the 5-year survival rate: 59% in group (a), 53% in group (b), 15% in group (c), and 0% in group (d) [p < 0.05; group (b) versus group (c)]. Also this grouping associated well with the total number of positive nodes (p < 0.05). The 5-year survival rate in patients with one to three positive nodes was 47% and was more than 6% in patients with four to seven positive nodes (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In the clinicopathologic staging of the lymphatic spread from carcinoma of the pancreatic head, the PPD and APD groups were considered the first stations of lymphatic metastasis, whereas the 12 other groups-including the SM group-were categorized as second or more distant stations.

Humans↗
PubMed1997

Postnatal development of B lymphocytes and immunoglobulin-containing plasma cells in the chicken oviduct: studies on cellular distribution and influence of sex hormones.

Postnatal development of B lymphocytes and plasma cells containing different classes of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, and IgM) was immunohistochemically studied in the oviduct of the Dekalb strain of the White Leghorn chicken. B lymphocytes first appeared in the lamina propria of the chicken oviduct at 5 weeks of age. Their frequency of occurrence peaked at 15 weeks from the infundibulum to the uterus (glandular part), while in the vagina (aglandular part) it did so at 21 weeks. Intraepithelial B lymphocytes were very rare and exclusively located in the vagina at 19 and 21 weeks. Plasma cells first appeared in the lamina propria of the oviduct at 11 weeks of age, and this frequency peaked at 32 weeks. IgG-containing plasma cells were most numerous in the glandular part, whereas in the aglandular part IgA and IgM cells were more numerous than IgG cells. When 7-day-old-chickens were treated with sex hormones, B lymphocytes and plasma cells appeared 12 h and 5 days after the hormone injection, respectively. Their frequency of occurrence was statistically higher in diethylstibestrol (DES)-treated chickens than in DES plus progesterone-treated chickens. This suggests that the postnatal development of B lymphocytes and plasma cells in the oviduct of the chicken is correlated to estrogen secretion.

Animals↗