Biomedical subjects

T Kaminuma

Publications and source records attributed to T Kaminuma.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

[Development of a geographical information system and its application to Escherichia coli O-157 patient distribution].

The so called Geographical Information System (GIS) is one of the basic tools for wide range of public health applications. We had developed a general purpose GIS and applied it to represent geographical distribution of patients of the bacterium E. coli O-157 which bursted out in Japan last early summer particularly at Sakai City in Osaka Prefecture. The patient record have been supplied from the Food Safety Office of the Ministry of Health and Welfare. These records were handled by EXCEL. The basic geographical data was constructed from the map data provided by Japan Geographical Survey Institute, and ArcView 2 was used as the map system. The maps were converted to Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) files and put on our Web server.

Computer Communication Networks↗

PubMed1997

[Dissemination of the Japanese version of the International Chemical Safety Card (ICSC) on the World Wide Web (WWW)].

ge of the Japanese version of the International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSC). We prepared the Japanese text files of ICSC, converted them into HTML files and also prepared the dictionary database for the retrieval system, using programs which we developed. These programs shortened the time of work remarkably. 2D- and 3D-structures of chemicals were also incorporated in each ICSC page. Approximately 900 ICSCs in Japanese are provided at the moment on the homepage.

Computer Communication Networks↗

PubMed1996

Development of calcitonin gene-related peptide slow-release tablet implanted in CSF space for prevention of cerebral vasospasm after experimental subarachnoid haemorrhage.

The calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a known potent intrinsic cerebral vasodilator, is contained in the sensory nerves from trigeminal ganglia that inervate the cerebral arteries. We previously reported that human alpha CGRP (hCGRP) dilates spastic cerebral arteries after experimental subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) in rabbits. In the present study, we investigated the prophylactic potential of a sustained higher cerebrospinal fluid level of hCGRP against experimental cerebral vasospasm. An hCGRP slow-release tablet (hCGRP s-r tablet) was developed for cisternal implantation. Experimental SAH was induced by percutaneous cisternal injection of autologous arterial blood. Angiography was initiated on day 1 (before SAH) and performed everyday. The hCGRP s-r tablet was implanted into the cisterna magna on day 2 in the treated groups. The spastic response of the basilar artery was maximized on day 4 in the non-treated (80.7% of day 1) and the placebo-treated (79.3%) groups. In contrast, the arterial diameters on day 4 were 96.1% and 90.5% of day 1 in the groups implanted with hCGRP 24 micrograms and 153 micrograms s-r tablets, respectively. We also measured the concentration of hCGRP in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) following implantation of the hCGRP 24 micrograms s-r tablet in the cisterna magna. The hCGRP concentration before implantation was below the dectable level. Following implantation, the hCGRP level in the CSF was 23.12 nmol/L on the second day and remained at elevated levels until the fifth day. These experiments suggest that the intrathecal single implantation of the hCGRP s-r tablet could produce an elevated concentration of hCGRP in the CSF over five days and have prevented the cerebral vasospasm after SAH in the rabbit. The hCGRP s-r tablet may be clinically applicable in the treatment of patients with SAH against cerebral vasospasm.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Effect of calcitonin gene-related peptide on delayed cerebral vasospasm after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage in rabbits.

BACKGROUND: Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is an intrinsic vasodilatory substance contained in perivascular nerve fibers of intracranial arteries. It is suggested that CGRP plays a role in cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). METHOD: An experimental SAH was produced by intracisternal injection of arterial blood in rabbits. The animals were treated with intrathecal administration of CGRP solution 3 days after SAH. The degree of vasospasm and the effect of CGRP were evaluated angiographically by measuring the basilar artery diameter. RESULTS: The basilar artery constricted to 73.0% of the pre-SAH values 3 days after SAH. Fifteen minutes after injection of 10(-10) mol/kg CGRP, the basilar artery dilated to 117.1% (n = 8), which was significantly larger than 67.1% in the vehicle group (n = 8) (p < 0.01). The significant vasodilatory effect of CGRP, compared with the vehicle group, lasted for 6 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Intrathecal administration of CGRP has therapeutic potential for treating cerebral vasospasm.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Prevention of cerebral vasospasm by calcitonin gene-related peptide slow-release tablet after subarachnoid hemorrhage in monkeys.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this work was to investigate the efficacy of a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) slow-release tablet (CGRP tablet) for the prevention of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). METHODS: Experimental SAH was produced in 10 cynomolgus monkeys by placing a clot around the internal carotid artery bifurcation (Day 0). In five animals, CGRP tablets (1200 micrograms of CGRP) were then placed in the cerebrospinal fluid space (CGRP group). In two animals, placebo tablets were similarly placed (placebo group). The remaining three animals were treated with no tablets after SAH (SAH group). A series of angiographic analyses were performed, before SAH and on Days 7 and 14, to examine changes in the diameters of the ipsilateral internal carotid artery, middle cerebral artery, and anterior cerebral artery. The CGRP concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid taken before each angiogram was also determined. RESULTS: In the SAH and placebo groups, cerebral vasospasm developed on Day 7 (54.8% of the pre-SAH value at the internal carotid artery, 62.3% at the middle cerebral artery, 51.3% at the anterior cerebral artery, and 56.1% as an average of the three arteries). In the CGRP group, vasospasm was significantly ameliorated at the middle cerebral artery, at the anterior cerebral artery, and on average (81.7, 81.1, and 75.7%, P < 0.05, 0.03, and 0.02, respectively). The CGRP concentration was positive only on Day 7 for the CGRP group (6.5 nmol/L). CONCLUSION: The CGRP tablet prevented cerebral vasospasm after SAH and may have significant potential for the treatment of patients with SAH.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

[NIHS information and computing infrastructure (NICI)].

We describe the information and computing infrastructure in National Institute of Health Sciences, which were constructed until May, 1996. The in house computer network and computing facilities for common usage in NIHS have been developed under the initiative of Division of Chem-Bio Informatics since 1989. The present LAN (Local Area Network) consists of coaxial cables and optic fibers which are connected by a LAN Switch. The LAN is connected to the Internet via IMnet, the inter ministry network back bone of the Science and Technology Agency. Various types of workstations and personal computers such as SUN WS, Silicon Graphics WS, IBM WS & PC, Macintosh, and NEC PC are connected to the LAN. This computing network environment which we named NICI (NIHS Information and Computing Infrastructure) not only provides network communications but also facilitates advanced computating systems for chemical safety research at NIHS as a COE.

Biological Science Disciplines↗

PubMed1996

[Development of a base system for information dissemination of the Internet].

The development of information and computing infrastructure at NIHS (NICI), enabled us to provide a good environment for storing information that can be accessed by the Internet. Information can be stored either on WWW servers or on databases. All databases were developed on PC using database management systems such as 4th Dimension or Access, and were transferred to a UNIX machine with the database management system Sybase. A tool for accessing databases via the WWW (Web) was developed. This interface program used a freeware called Genera. Tools were also implemented for handling the so called VRML worlds.

Computer Communication Networks↗

PubMed1996

[A structure based pharmaceutical database for drug interactions].

A structure-based pharmaceutical database for drug interactions has been developed. This database is based on the ISIS/Desktop and the Microsoft Access relational database system for Windows. Data of Japanese accepted name, molecular formula, molecular weight, CAS registry number, therapeutic category index code, structural formula, Japan ethical drugs code, side effects information, drug interactions information were taken from "Japanese Accepted Names for Pharmaceuticals 1992", "Drugs in Japan Ethical Drugs 1993" and "Drug Intelligence Reinforce".

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical↗

PubMed1996

[An international exchange and dissemination of chemical safety information on the Internet].

An information system for chemical safety has been developed on the National Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS) Information and Computing Infrastructure. The system is based on client server systems on the local area network (LAN) connected to the Internet. A wide range of safety information for chemicals including foods, food additives, household goods, industrial chemicals and environmental pollutants were collected and put on the World Wide Web (WWW) server and the database management system, Sybase. In addition to original information contents, the System has links to many useful Web sites so that it functions as a global hub for chemical safety information.

Agrochemicals↗

PubMed1996

[Dissemination of drug information on the Internet].

We developed the system of the guide for the drug and the relevant information by using the database on the Internet. We set up a site of drug information (Drug Info Guide). This system enabled pharmaceutical and medical staff to easily access the latest drug information. Further, we attempted to promote the exchange of the information regarding the safety and the efficacy of drugs among them.

Computer Communication Networks↗

PubMed1994

N-hydroxyarylamine O-acetyltransferase of Salmonella typhimurium: proposal for a common catalytic mechanism of arylamine acetyltransferase enzymes.

Acetyl-CoA:N-hydroxyarylamine O-acetyltransferase is an enzyme involved in the metabolic activation of N-hydroxyarylamines derived from mutagenic and carcinogenic aromatic amines and nitroarenes. The O-acetyltransferase gene of Salmonella typhimurium has been cloned, and new Ames tester substrains highly sensitive to mutagenic aromatic amines and nitroarenes have been established in our laboratory. The nucleotide sequence of the O-acetyltransferase gene was determined. There was an open reading frame of 843 nucleotides coding for a protein with a calculated molecular weight of 32,177, which was close to the molecular weight of the O-acetyltransferase protein determined by using the maxicell technique. Only the residue of Cys69 in O-acetyltransferase of S. typhimurium and its corresponding residue (Cys68) in N-acetyltransferase of higher organisms were conserved in all acetyltransferase enzymes sequenced so far. The amino acid sequence Arg-Gly-Gly-X-Cys, including the Cys69, was highly conserved. A mutant O-acetyltransferase of S. typhimurium, which contained Ala69 instead of Cys69, no longer showed the activities of O- and N-acetyltransferase. These results suggest that the Cys69 of S. typhimurium and the corresponding cysteine residues of the higher organisms are essential for the enzyme activities as an acetyl-CoA binding site. We propose a new catalytic model of acetyltransferase for S. typhimurium and the higher organisms.

Acetyltransferases↗

PubMed1994

[Effect of calcitonin gene-related peptide and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide on delayed cerebral vasospasm studied after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage in rabbits].

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) are intrinsic vasodilatory substances contained in perivascular nerve fibers innervating large intracranial arteries. Effects of these substances on delayed cerebral vasospasm were examined using a rabbit model of experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Sixty-one anesthetized rabbits received intrathecal fresh arterial blood on day-1 and intrathecal administration of different doses of CGRP, VIP or distilled water on day-4. Prior to the treatment, caliber of the spastic basilar artery was 73.4 +/- 0.9% of pre-SAH values. Serial angiograms after treatment demonstrated that 10(-10)mol/kg of CGRP dilated the spastic artery to 117.1% of pre-SAH levels and that dilatory effect of CGRP continued up to 6 hours after treatment. VIP injection also brought arterial dilatation up to 114.9% of pre-SAH levels, although the duration of the effect was less than 3 hours. Intrathecal administration of CGRP or VIP showed no adverse effect on the systemic and neurological state of the animals. These results indicate that intrathecal CGRP and VIP have therapeutic potential in treating delayed cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Further investigations are expected to extend the effect of CGRP and VIP.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

[An in vivo DNA adduct database for carcinogens: O6-alkylguanine, O4-alkylthymine and 8-hydroxyguanine].

Many carcinogens react with DNA and form critical DNA adducts, such as O6-alkylguanine (O6-AG), O4-alkylthymine (O4-AT), and 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OHG). This study provides a database that can be used for molecular dosimetry of these DNA adducts. A literature survey on DNA binding in vivo was done by the Dialog search from the MEDLINE database. We propose a Critical Covalent Binding Index (CCBI) for the assessment of in vivo DNA binding level (expressed as micro mol chemical bound per mol G or T/mmol chemical administered per kg body weight). The number of records and compounds in parenthesis of O6-AG, O4-AT, and 8-OHG were 245(13), 54(4), 79(15), respectively. Since the CCBI values for N-nitrosamine in target organ were higher than for non-target organ, they may provide a useful index for estimation of target organ site and carcinogenic potency. As a case example, CCBI values for O4-AT from animal data were applied for diethylnitrosamine human exposure estimation by diethylnitrosamine.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

[Important points and references for the description of hazard information in MSDS].

The preparation of MSDS (material safety data sheets) began in Japan in April 1993 with the notice of three Ministries, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Labor. MSDS are designed to provide chemical information to protect human health and the environment from chemical hazards. Important points in describing hazard information in MSDS are explained as well as references which are useful for preparation of MSDS. Problems for further discussion are also pointed out.

Consumer Product Safety↗

PubMed1994

[Preparation of International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSC) and their translation into Japanese].

Preparation of International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSC) is described. The main characteristics of the ICSC are the use of standard phrases, a compiler's guide and a program for their preparation by personal computer. Standard phrases harmonize expressions on ICSC and also facilitate translation into other languages. In our case more than 900 cards have been translated into Japanese and published. Recently, a new program to aid translation by personal computer has been developed.

Consumer Product Safety↗

PubMed1993

Quantitative analysis of dystrophin gene amplification products using a PC-based image analysis system.

A PC-based image analysis system for gel photographs of DNA gel patterns was developed. It was originally designed as a general-purpose, low-cost, yet high-performance system for wide applications in the biomedical area. In this study, we performed analysis of gel images obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. The system employs a high-resolution CCD camera that can accurately measure grayness of the gel photographs for quantitative analysis of PCR products. The target DNA (exon 52 of the dystrophin gene), which had been found to be deleted in some patients with Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD), was amplified for the female family members together with the control DNA (exon 60) as a reference. The ratio of the target DNA to the control DNA was determined from PCR products to identify the carrier status of this disease by means of gene dosage. We conclude that 'the PC-based image analysis system' was useful for quantitative deletion analysis of DMD/BMD heterozygotes.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

[Preparation of the first draft of environmental health criteria for acetonitrile: production process of the draft].

Acetonitrile is a high-polarity aprotic organic solvent used in DNA synthesizers, HPLC, and electrochemistry. In addition, it is used larger amounts at petrochemical companies and pharmaceutical firms. Preparation of an Environmental Health Criteria (EHC) monograph for acetonitrile was started in 1986, and its first draft except the environmental section was completed on June 21, 1991. The environmental section has been prepared by Dr. S. Dobson (ITE/UK). The first draft was circulated to EHC Contact Points for comment in March 1992.

Acetonitriles↗

PubMed1991

[Summaries on the first draft of the EHC monographs in 1990].

The first drafts of the EHC monographs in 1990 were summarized into Japanese. The chemicals consist of hexachlorocyclopentadiene, trichlorfon, fenitrothion, methylparathion, trichloroethane, platinum and selected platinum salts, di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, partially halogenated chlorofluorocarbons, methyl ethyl ketone, and propachlor.

Animals↗