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Biomedical subjects

T Sakamoto

Publications and source records attributed to T Sakamoto.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources

In vitro and in vivo prolonged biological activities of novel vitamin C derivative, 2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AA-2G), in cosmetic fields.

The biological activity of the novel vitamin C derivative, 2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AA-2G), was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The percutaneous absorption of AA-2G was determined in five Japanese males. The excretion of ascorbic acid (AA) in the subjects administered AA-2G was sustained for a longer period than in the subjects administered ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (AA-2P), which is a conventional vitamin C derivative. An analysis of the distribution of AA in the skin showed that small black specks assumed to be AA were observed in the epidermis even 3 d after applying AA-2G. The melanin synthesis in B16 melanoma cells was inhibited more by AA-2G than by AA-2P, and AA-2G also prevented more UV-induced damage of human skin keratinocytes and fibroblasts than AA-2P did. From these in vivo and in vitro results, it is supposed that the conversion of AA-2G to AA is sustained for a long time compared with that of AA-2P, and that AA-2G is an effective and available compound having vitamin C activity in human subjects.

Absorption↗

[Prognostic factors for hearing preservation following observation-only versus stereotactic irradiation (STI) in patients with acoustic neuroma].

Prognostic factors for hearing preservation following observation-only versus STI were compared in patients with acoustic neuroma. There were 48 patients with acoustic neuroma treated by fractionated STI. Between 1991 and 1997, patients were given 36 Gy in 20 fractions over 5 weeks (36 Gy/20 Fr/5 wks) to 44 Gy/22 Fr/6 wks followed by a 4 Gy boost. A linear accelerator was used for irradiation. Twenty-three patients with acoustic neuroma who were followed without any treatment (observation-only group) were selected as matched controls. The largest hearing loss was observed at the frequency of 2 kHz in the observation-only group and at 1-2 kHz in the STI group. Hearing loss at 1 kHz was more frequent in the STI group (p < 0.01). There were no significant prognostic factors which predicted hearing preservation in the observation-only group. Stereotactic irradiation has been suggested to damage to cochlear nerve function in patients whose cochlear nerve had been impaired already. Tumor control rate of STI appeared to be as good as single fraction radiosurgery rates in the literature and better than in the observation-only group. Hearing preservation rate in the STI group was as good as in the observation-only group and appeared to be better than single fraction radiosurgery. In conclusion, because there were no factors predictive of hearing preservation in the observation-only group, it is difficult to select patients for observation only. Fractionated STI is potentially the treatment of choice, resulting in the same hearing preservation rate as achieved with observation only, although longer follow-up periods are needed.

Adult↗

[Therapeutic outline of sleep disorders].

The more sleep disorders become chronic, the more they become resistible for the treatments. Therefore, it is most important that physicians establish the good relationship with patients and correctly diagnose and treat patients who have acute or transient sleep complaints. Physicians can improve patients' quality of life by evaluation of disease, supportive psychotherapy which include Morita therapy and behavior therapy, sleep hygine advice, and appropriate medications. In all patients, it is necessary for physicians to be aware of the physical, psychological and pharmacological factors, social aspects, and environmental factors of patients, because all these factors play an important role in appearance of sleep disorders.

Anti-Anxiety Agents↗

[Analysis of postoperative shivering following the deliberate mild hypothermia during neurosurgery].

We induced deliberate mild hypothermia in 96 patients who underwent intracranial operations using a water blanket and a convective device blanket. The lowest temperature measured at the tympanic membrane during mild hypothermia was adjusted to 34.5 degrees C. The patients were divided into two groups in respect to the occurrence of postoperative shivering, and the relationship between the perioperative parameters and the occurrence of postoperative shivering was evaluated. Shivering was observed postoperatively in 29 to 96 patients (30.2%). In the group with shivering (SV), age was significantly lower and body weight and body surface area were significantly larger than the group without shivering (NSV). Urinary output was significantly larger in SV than in NSV. Tympanic membrane, nasopharyngeal, and rectal temperatures at the end of surgery and nasopharyngeal, rectal, and peripheral temperatures just after the extubation were significantly lower in SV than in NSV. These results suggest that sufficient rewarming of both the core and peripheral temperatures is important to prevent the postoperative shivering following the mild hypothermic therapy in neurosurgical patients, especially in young patients.

Adult↗

Evaluation of hair root analysis for acute phencyclidine poisoning and behavior of phencyclidine metabolites in rat hair root.

We evaluated the usefulness of hair root analysis to diagnose acute phencyclidine (PCP) poisoning. Male rats were i.p. administered acute poisonous doses (80, 100 and 120 mg/kg) of PCP hydrochloride and the hair roots were plucked out with hair nippers at certain times after administration. The hair root samples were extracted with methanol/HCl. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue was derivatized with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl) acetamide and analyzed with GC/MS. PCP was detected at high concentrations (up to 181.7 ng/mg) from all samples. The peak concentrations at every dose were observed at 6 h. The concentrations of PCP in the rat hair roots increased dose-dependently in the range of the doses. 1-(1-Phenylcyclohexyl)-4-hydroxypiperidine (PCHP) and trans-1-phenyl-1(4'-hydroxypiperidino)-4-cyclohexanol (t-PCPdiol) were also detected from 5 and 15 min to 48 h after administration, respectively. It is concluded that hair root is a useful specimen for the diagnosis of acute PCP poisoning because PCP, PCHP and t-PCPdiol are detected very soon after administration and a large amount of them is retained in hair root for a long time. PCHP was found from the early stage in hair roots and its concentration was higher than that of t-PCPdiol for 6 h. However, the concentration of t-PCPdiol became higher than that of PCHP after 6 h. These phenomena could be explained by the time lag of production of the primary (PCHP) and the secondary metabolite (PCPdiol).

Acute Disease↗

Gowers' local panatrophy.

We report a patient with Gowers' local panatrophy, who developed skin atrophy on the left upper arm, right lower leg and facial hemiatrophy without a thickening or a sclerosing process. Histological examination revealed loss of thickness of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. It is suggested that skin atrophy was induced by a nonsclerosing process, different from the inflammation and fibrosis observed in scleroderma.

Adipose Tissue↗

[Management for the postoperative mediastinitis in infancy].

Postoperative mediastinitis is a rare but life-threatening complication after cardiac surgery. We successfully managed three infants with postoperative mediastinitis. When the postoperative mediastinitis was suspected, intravenous infusion of antibiotics (Vancomycin) and local irrigation were performed. The reoperation for closure was planned when the value of c-reactive protein decreased to 1.0-2.0. An application of a pectoral musculocutaneous flap was effective when the sternum was destroyed by infection.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

[Significance of hepatocyte growth factor measurement in patients with acute myocardial infarction].

The use of hepatocyte growth factor for acute myocardial infarction was investigated. Several other biochemical markers are already used for noninvasive detection of acute myocardial infarction. Hepatocyte growth factor, creatine phosphokinase (CK) and CK isozyme (CK-MB) levels were measured in 10 patients with stable effort angina after diagnostic catheterization, and in 21 patients with acute myocardial infarction twice a day for the first 3 days and once a day for the next 4 days. The time to reach the maximum level and the time to decline to less than half of the maximum level for each patient was also measured. Hepatocyte growth factor levels (ng/ml) were 0.3 +/- 0.1 for patients with angina pectoris, and 10.4 +/- 8.8 within 6 hours and 6.7 +/- 4.5 within 12 hours after the onset for patients with acute myocardial infarction. The time to reach the maximum (hours) and the time to decline to less than half of the maximum level (days) were 9.2 +/- 5.2 and 1.1 +/- 0.3 for hepatocyte growth factor, 19.5 +/- 7.2 and 2.3 +/- 1.1 for CK and 16.3 +/- 7.2 and 1.5 +/- 0.4 for CK-MB, respectively. The correlation coefficients between the maximum level of hepatocyte growth factor and the maximum levels of CK and CK-MB were 0.64 and 0.70, respectively. Hepatocyte growth factor is useful as a prognostic indicator and reflects the clinical course in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Aged↗

Effect of growth factors on expression of integrin subtypes in microvascular endothelial cells isolated from bovine retinas.

We isolated microvascular endothelial cells from bovine retinas (BREC) by a colony isolation method, and investigated the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on growth as well as integrin subtype expression of the cultured BREC. Either of the growth factors stimulated growth of the cultured BREC. In non-stimulated BREC, alpha v beta 3 integrin expression was predominant over the other integrin subtypes tested (alpha v beta 5, alpha 2 beta 1 and alpha 5 beta 1), but no enhancement of the alpha v beta 3 expression occurred by either growth factor stimulation. On the other hand, bFGF addition stimulated alpha v beta 5 and alpha 5 beta 1 expression while VEGF induced the alpha 2 beta 1 expression as well. These results suggest that external stimuli such as bFGF and VEGF alter integrin expression profiles of BREC and probably influence interactions of endothelial cells with extracellular matrix during angiogenesis which must be involved in pathogenesis of ischemic retinal disorders. In this respect, this BREC culture system could be useful to study the mechanism of neovascularization in these disorders.

Animals↗

Inhibition of corneal inflammation by the topical use of Ras farnesyltransferase inhibitors: selective inhibition of macrophage localization.

PURPOSE: Ras farnesyltransferase inhibitors are known to block the membrane translocalization of oncogenic Ras protein. They inhibit the cytoplasmic mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascade related to Ras protein. Thus far, Ras farnesyltransferase inhibitors have been exclusively regarded with the anticancer drugs. The object of this study was to elucidate the role of Ras farnesyltransferase inhibitors on the corneal opacity induced by an inflammatory stimulus. METHODS: We used a cauterization-induced corneal inflammation model. The central corneas of BALB/c mice were cauterized with silver nitrate (1 mm in diameter). Ras farnesyltransferase inhibitors, either manumycin or gliotoxin eye drops (each drug dissolved in balanced salt solution [BSS] at concentrations of 1 mM), were topically delivered to the cauterized cornea every 8 hours; BSS eye drops were used as a control. Clinical signs such as corneal edema, opacity, and corneal neovascularization, which are major causes of visual disturbance, were then examined 96 hours after the cauterization. The corneal edema and opacity were clinically scored under a stereoscopic microscope. The corneal neovascularization was evaluated by the length of the blood vessels from the limbus and the sum of extension central angle of vascularized limbus. Furthermore, the corneas were examined histologically, and the phenotypes of the cornea-infiltrating cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The control corneas showed prominent edema, neovascularization, and opacity. Histologic analysis revealed corneal epithelial and endothelial cell loss and a large amount of inflammatory cell infiltration into the corneal stroma. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that most of the infiltrating cells were neutrophils and macrophages. In contrast, the degree of corneal edema, neovascularization, and opacity was significantly less in the manumycin- or gliotoxin-treated corneas than in the control corneas. Histologically, the manumycin- and gliotoxin-treated corneas showed minimum edema and good epithelialization. Flow cytometric analysis showed corneal infiltration of macrophages to be selectively and clearly inhibited. Neither manumycin nor gliotoxin produced any side effects in the noncauterized normal cornea either clinically or histologically. CONCLUSIONS: Ras proteins play an important role in cauterization-induced corneal inflammation and the opacity it induces. Ras farnesyltransferase inhibitors thus have a great potential for improving the treatment of corneal opacity induced by a corneal inflammatory stimulus.

Administration, Topical↗

[Epidermoid cyst of the scrotum: a case report].

A 52-year-old male visited our department for a painless swelling from the right side of the anus to the right scrotum that he first noticed 5 years earlier. Palpation revealed a small fist-sized elastic solid mass with a smooth surface from the central area to the inferior pole of the right scrotum. This mass was clearly demarcated from the contents of the scrotum and not adherent to the scrotal skin. A diagnosis of a tumorous lesion in the scrotum was made, and the tumor was resected. Histopathological examination demonstrated a scrotal epidermoid cyst. To our knowledge, this is the 17th case reported in Japan.

Epidermal Cyst↗

[Idiopathic adrenal hemorrhage: a case report].

A 77-year-old man with a low grade fever persisting for 30 days consulted a local physician. A computed tomographic scan of the abdomen showed a mixed density mass on the left adrenal gland. He was referred to our hospital for further examination. Hormonal assay demonstrated a slightly high level of noradrenalin in the serum (18 pg/ml) and vanillyl mandelic acid in the urine (6.2 ng/ml). Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a heterogeneous mass lesion 3 cm in diameter with a high signal intensity on both T1 and T2 weighted images. Angiography showed a hypovascular mass in the supra-renal region suggesting an adrenal tumor or malignancy. Left adrenalectomy combined with en bloc nephrectomy was performed because of severe adhesion. Histologic evaluation showed hematoma without malignant cells due to idiopathic adrenal hemorrhage.

Adrenal Gland Diseases↗

Relationships between mandibular symphysis morphology and lower incisor inclination in skeletal class III malocclusion requiring orthognathic surgery.

The purpose of this study is to clarify symphysis morphological characteristics in skeletal class III malocclusion requiring orthognathic surgery and their relationships with symphysis morphology and inclination of the long axis of the lower incisor. The materials were pretreatment lateral cephalometric radiographs from 50 subjects diagnosed as requiring orthognathic surgery. Controls were 30 adults with normal occlusion and well-balanced faces. Detailed cephalometric measurements on the mandibular symphysis (angular, linear and proportional measurements) were recorded and analyzed statistically. In the surgical group, the long axis of the lower incisor demonstrated a significant lingual inclination in relation to the mandibular plane and symphysis. Moreover, because the symphysis demonstrated lingual inclination everywhere except in the basal bone region in relation to the mandibular plane, the curvature between the alveolar and the basal bone region was significantly smaller than that of normal occlusion group. The symphysis labial external surface in the alveolar and basal bone regions demonstrated lingual inclination in relation to the mandibular plane, however, there was no difference in curvature. Small mean values were obtained for Pt.B width, Pog width, and Sym height. Significant differences were observed only in Pt.B width. In both the surgical and normal occlusion groups, a significant correlation was observed between the inclination of the long axis of the lower incisors and symphysis inclination. In the basal bone region, however, there was no significant correlation.

Adult↗

Characterization of recombinant bovine conglutinin expressed in a mammalian cell.

We describe here the successful expression of recombinant bovine conglutinin in CHO cells as well as its physical and biological characteristics. Geneticin-resistant transformants harboring bovine conglutinin cDNA in the expression vector pNOW/CMV-A were screened by Western blot analysis for secretion into media of recombinant conglutinin. A four-day amplification of the transgene with increasing concentrations of methotrexate resulted in a dose-dependent increase in the production of recombinant conglutinin to a final concentration of 18.6 microg/ml of media. Recombinant conglutinin purified from this media by affinity column chromatography on mannan-agarose had a migration pattern similar to that of native conglutinin on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing, nonreducing, and native conditions. The recombinant conglutinin exhibited sugar binding, conglutination, hemagglutination inhibition, and neutralization of influenza A virus, activities engaged in by the native conglutinin. This is the first report describing a high level of expression of a serum cruciform collectin with the full range of biological activity.

Animals↗

Low-temperature-induced desaturation of fatty acids and expression of desaturase genes in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002.

Changes in response to temperature of lipid classes, fatty acid composition and mRNA levels for acyl-lipid desaturase genes were studied in the marine unicellular cyanobacterium, Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002. The degree of unsaturation of C18 fatty acids increased in cells grown at lower temperature for all lipid classes, and omega 3 desaturation occurred specifically in cells grown at low temperature. While the level of 18:1(9) fatty acids declined, desaturation at the omega 3 position of C18 fatty acids increased gradually during a 12-h period after a temperature shift-down to 22 degrees C. However, the mRNA levels of the desA (delta 12 desaturase), desB (omega 3 desaturase) and desC (delta 9 desaturase) genes increased within 15 min after a temperature shift-down to 22 degrees C; the desaturase gene mRNA levels also rapidly declined within 15 min after a temperature shift-up to 38 degrees C. Therefore, the elevation of mRNA levels for the desaturase genes is not the rate-limiting event for the increased desaturation of membrane lipids after a temperature shift-down. The rapid, low-temperature-induced changes in mRNA levels occurred even when cells were grown under light-limiting conditions for which the growth rates at 22 degrees C and 38 degrees C were identical. These studies indicate that the ambient growth temperature, and not some other growth rate-related process, regulates the expression of acyl lipid desaturation in this cyanobacterium.

Cold Temperature↗

Association of an acute reduction in lipoprotein(a) with coronary artery restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], which structurally resembles-tissue-type plasminogen, is reported to be associated with coronary atherosclerosis. We examined whether the acute change in Lp(a) by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is related to restenosis after PTCA. METHODS AND RESULTS: We measured serum Lp(a) and other lipid parameters (triglycerides and total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol) before and 1 day after PTCA in 143 procedures and 3 days after and 4 months after PTCA in 62 procedures. Quantitative coronary angiography was performed, and restenosis was defined according to three criteria: (1) clinical recurrence of ischemic symptoms, (2) a final stenosis > 50%, and (3) an absolute decrease in minimal lumen diameter > 1/2 of the acute gain in the dilated segment. Restenosis was recognized in 25.9%, 35.7%, and 38.5% of the cases 4 months after PTCA for each criterion, respectively. Although triglyceride and LDL, HDL, and total cholesterol levels were similar in the restenosis and no-restenosis groups before PTCA, Lp(a) was significantly higher in the restenosis group. We found a significant reduction in Lp(a) in the restenosis but not the no-restenosis group 1 day after PTCA. At 3 days after and 4 months after PTCA, Lp(a) was similar in the two groups. A multivariate-analysis revealed that the absolute change in Lp(a) (before versus 1 day after PTCA) to be the sole significant predictor of restenosis among the clinical, angiographic, and plasma lipid parameters examined. CONCLUSIONS: Lp(a) levels were significantly higher in the restenosis group, and they fell significantly after PTCA in the restenosis group.

Aged↗