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Biomedical subjects

T Uchida

Publications and source records attributed to T Uchida.

At least 397 records · Page 22Linked to original sources

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of decongestant-antihistamine for the treatment of sinusitis in children.

We studied the effectiveness of nasal decongestant-antihistamine in treating acute sinusitis in children. All subjects received oral amoxicillin for 14 days. Subjects randomized to the decongestant-antihistamine group received nasal oxymetazolone and oral syrup containing brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine. Controls received placebo nasal saline and oral syrup. In both groups symptoms resolved quickly, and radiographs improved significantly. Responses to treatment were similar between the two groups. Water's radiographs of the maxillary sinuses proved reliable in the assessment of the degree of sinus involvement. We conclude that decongestant-antihistamine need not be given to the child with acute maxillary sinusitis.

Acute Disease↗

Primary structure of the porcine 89-kDa enamelin.

The primary structure of the 89-kDa enamelin found in porcine secretory enamel at an early stage of development was investigated. The fragments of the enamelin cDNA were amplified by polymerase chain-reaction from the first-strand enamelin cDNA, and were sequenced. The results indicated that the 89-kDa enamelin consisted of 627 amino acid residues and had a molecular mass of 70,448. A hydrophobic domain is located in the region of the 21st-62nd amino acid residues of the molecule. Acidic domains are located in two regions of the molecule-one in the region of the 135th-238th amino acid residues and the other in the C-terminal region. A basic domain is located in the region of the 239th-360th amino acid residues. The results also indicated that the low-molecular-weight enamelins were fragments derived from a prototype enamelin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Enhancing effects of agelasphin-11 on natural killer cell activities of normal and tumor-bearing mice.

Agelasphin-11 (AGL-11), a novel alpha-galactosylceramide isolated from an extract of a marine sponge, Agelas mauritianus, markedly prolonged the life span of mice intraperitoneally inoculated with B16 cells. Since AGL-11 did not show any direct cytotoxic activity against B16 cells, this compound is considered to be a biological response modifier (BRM). We focused on the enhancing effect of this compound on in vivo natural killer (NK) cell activity because several BRMs have already been determined to enhance the in vivo natural killer (NK) cell activity. When we evaluated the enhancing activity of AGL-11 using normal mice, AGL-11 enhanced in vivo NK cell activity more potently than Poly I:C, which is a positive control. In addition, we examined the effect of this compound on the NK cell activity of tumor-bearing mice, and found that AGL-11 recovers the reduced NK cell activity in a tumor-bearing condition to a higher level than that of normal mice. These results suggest that AGL-11 shows antitumor activity by the activation of antitumor effector cells such as NK cells.

Animals↗

Antithrombin III prevents blood pressure elevation and proteinuria induced by high salt intake in pregnant stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

In pregnant stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats, salt-loading causes symptoms similar to those of human preeclampsia, such as hypertension and proteinuria. To seek evidence of the therapeutic potential in preeclampsia of antithrombin III (AT III), which is a serine protease inhibitor active on various enzymes of the coagulation cascade, we examined the effect of consecutive treatment with AT III on hypertension and proteinuria in this animal model. Salt-loading (2% NaCl diet) caused a significant elevation of systolic blood pressure on day 15-17 and of urinary protein excretion on day 17-19 of gestation, as compared with animals fed a normal diet. AT III, administered i.v. at a dose of 60 or 300 U/kg/d for 10 d from day 9-11 to 18-20, attenuated these pathological changes in a dose-dependent manner. Histological examination of the kidney revealed that AT III prevented the occurrence of arteriosclerosis and thickening of the capillary basement membrane. However, the pathological changes induced by salt-loading were not attributable to activation of the blood coagulation system. These results demonstrate that AT III has preventive action against salt-induced hypertension and proteinuria in pregnancy through a mechanism largely independent of its anticoagulant action. AT III may thus be beneficial for the treatment of clinical symptoms of preeclampsia.

Animals↗

Effects of alpha-galactosylceramides on bone marrow cells in vitro and hematopoiesis in vivo.

We found that AGL-517, an alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer), possesses potent radioprotective activities against mice irradiated with 9 Gy of X-ray in contrast to its having no effect on mice irradiated with 10 Gy of X-ray. The result suggested the possibility that alpha-GalCers protect mice from bone marrow death. To examine this possibility, we examined the effects of two kinds of alpha- and beta-GalCers on counts of platelets (PLT) and white blood cells (WBC) in the peripheral blood of normal mice and mice irradiated in a whole body with 5 Gy of X-ray. alpha-GalCers significantly increased the PLT and WBC counts of both mice in comparison with the vehicle-treated group, and their potencies were stronger than those of their beta-types. Furthermore, we evaluated the in vitro bone marrow cell-proliferation stimulatory activities of four kinds of GalCers, and found that alpha-GalCers show stronger stimulatory effects than beta-types. These results demonstrate that the alpha-configuration of GalCers plays an important role in the manifestation of the above-mentioned activities of GalCers. The results also suggest that alpha-GalCers may be useful as hematopoietic stimulators as well as radioprotective agents.

Animals↗

Instability of bovine insulin in poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres.

Biodegradable poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA; 50/50) microspheres containing bovine insulin as a model protein was prepared by an oil-in-oil (o/o) emulsion solvent evaporation process. When aluminum tristearate (0.15% (w/v)) was employed as a dispersing agent, the loading efficiency of insulin was almost 100% and the yield was over 80%. The average diameter of the PLGA microspheres always ranged between 100 and 200 microns. Morphology study using a scanning electron micrograph showed smooth, spherical, fairly monodispersed PLGA microspheres containing insulin. In relation to release profile, the very low release rate of insulin was demonstrated (only 1% of insulin released after 7 d release test in pH 7.4 Tris buffer) for the PLGA microspheres. Nevertheless, the degradation of bovine insulin in PLGA microspheres was confirmed by high performance liquid chromatography. This degradation seemed to be caused by an acidic condition caused by poly(lactide-co-glycolide) polymer.

Animals↗

Base specificity and primary structure of poly U-preferential ribonuclease from chicken liver.

The primary structure and base specificity of chicken liver RNase CL1 which has been reported by Miura et al. [Chem. Pharm. Bull., 32, 4053-4060 (1984)] as poly U-preferential RNase, were extensively studied. The sequence study of this enzyme and comparison of the amino acid sequence of the enzyme with homologous RNases from oyster and Drosophila melanogaster suggested that RNase CL1 consists of three peptides with 17, 19, and 163 amino acid residues. The amino acid sequence of these three peptides were identified. The two small peptides are joined to the large peptide by disulfide bridges. The amino acid sequence of RNase CL1 had 62 (31.2%) and 63 residues (31.6%) identical with oyster RNase and D. melanogaster RNase, respectively, and belongs to the RNase T2 family RNase. Reassessment of the base specificity of RNase CL1 found that it is guanylic acid, then uridylic acid-preferential, and not poly U preferential.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A new host record of Camelostrongylus mentulatus (Nematoda; Trichostrongyloidea) from abomasum of a giraffe at a zoo in Japan.

Camelostrongylus mentulatus (Railliet et Henry, 1909) Orloff, 1933 (Nematoda; Trichostrongyloidea) was found from the abomasum of a three-year-old female cape giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa, born and died in a zoo park in Yamaguchi prefecture, Japan. This is the new host record from Giraffidae and geographical distribution of C. mentulatus. Present case of C. mentulatus might be infected from other ruminants, e.g., camels, antelopes and goats, kept at a same paddock in the zoo. Risk of imported parasitic diseases by the zoo animals from outside of Japan is discussed.

Abomasum↗

Medication of feedlot calves infected with Eimeria spp. by a combination of sulfamonomethoxine and ormetoprim.

Feedlot calves naturally infected with Eimeria spp. were medicated by a combination of sulfamonomethoxine and ormetoprim (Ektecin). Calves, less than one year old and positive for coccidiosis, were administered with Ektecin (5, 10 and 20 ml/100 kg of body weight/day) and Daimeton (100% sulfamonomethoxine: 5 g/100 kg of body weight/day) for five days. No diarrhea were found on and after 3 days of medication in all the groups, and no oocysts were detected on and after day 5, 2, 1 or 3 from calves of the respective medicated groups. In samples from a group of calves administered with lowest dose of Ektecin, eimerian oocysts of 4 species were detected on day 0, and additionally 3 species (totally 7 species) were found on day 3 of medication.

Animals↗

[Anterior denture teeth selected for complete dentures].

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of sex and age on the selection of color, size, and form of anterior teeth for complete dentures. A sample representing one hundred eighty-five edentulous patients whose complete dentures were made with. Real Crown teeth (Shofu Inc.) was obtained. The results were as follows: 1) Lighter teeth were selected for females than males, but age had no relation to the selected color of the teeth. 2) Larger teeth were selected for males than females, but age had no relation to the selected size of the teeth. 3) The combination and tapering forms were selected frequently, the combination form was used more frequently for females than males and the tapering form was used more frequently for males than females.

Adult↗

TMC-1 A, B, C and D, new antibiotics of the manumycin group produced by Streptomyces sp. Taxonomy, production, isolation, physico-chemical properties, structure elucidation and biological properties.

Four new antitumor antibiotics, TMC-1 A, B, C and D were isolated from a fermentation broth of Streptomyces sp. A-230. Spectroscopic studies have shown that TMC-1 A to D were new members of the manumycin class of antibiotics. These antibiotics showed cytotoxic activities against various tumor cell lines in vitro.

Animals↗

High prevalence of T cell receptor D delta 2(D delta)J delta rearrangement in CD7-positive early T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

We have studied the molecular characteristics of the T cell receptor (TcR) genes in 16 patients with CD7+ early T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), defined as being positive for CD7 but negative for CD3/4/8, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and CD19/20. Using gene analysis, rearrangement was demonstrated in one patient for immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene, five for TcR-beta gene, and four for TcR-gamma gene. Fifteen patients (94%) had rearranged band(s) involving the joining region of the TcR-delta chain gene. In nine cases these were the only rearrangements, whereas in six cases TcR-beta and/or TcR-gamma gene rearrangements were found as well. The D delta 2(D delta)J delta 1 rearrangement was demonstrated in 87.5% (14/16) of cases. D delta 2(D delta)J delta 3 was recognized in one patient, D delta 2D delta 3 was found in three, and V(D)DJ using only V delta 2 and V delta 3 was recognized in two patients. We found no V2D delta 3, V3D delta 3, or V1(D)DJ delta rearrangement patterns. Five of nine cases with DDJ delta were positive for cytoplasmic CD3 epsilon(CyCD3 epsilon). Our data suggest that DDJ delta joining occurs at an early stage during T cell differentiation, followed by rearrangements of V delta to the DDJ delta complex. Furthermore, our findings suggest that DDJ delta recombination occurs earlier than expression of CyCD3 epsilon protein products. DDJ delta rearrangements have never been observed in non-T cell malignancies, such as precursor-B-ALL or acute myeloid leukemia. Therefore, detection of DDJ delta rearrangement in the TcR-delta locus is a useful tool to establish lineage and clonality of leukemic cells in the most immature stages of T cell development.

Antigens, CD↗

[Mixed warm and cold antibody type autoimmune hemolytic anemia associated with systemic lupus erythematosus].

A 56-year-old woman developed mixed warm and cold antibody type autoimmune hemolytic anemia (mixed AIHA) associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. The patient was admitted to our hospital for acrocyanosis and shortness of breath. High fever and jaundice were observed. Urinalysis revealed protein and hemoglobin, and the sediment contained granular and hyaline casts. Her erythrocytes agglutinated markedly at room temperature. Her hemoglobin was 5.6 g/dl and reticulocyts were 19.3%. Total bilirubin, GOT and LDH were elevated, while haptoglobin and complements were abnormally reduced. Polyclonal increase of immunoglobulin, ANA and anti-Sm antibody were detected. The direct antiglobulin test was positive; IgG1, IgG3 and C3d were detected on the red cell surface. The cold agglutinin (CA) titer was 4096, showing anti-I blood group specificity, and was still active at 30 degrees C. Upon administration of prednisolone gradual increase of hemoglobin and decrease of reticulocytes were observed, indicating the healing of hemolysis. CA disappeared but the direct antiglobulin test remained positive. Mixed AIHA has been defined as the presence of both warm and cold antibodies. In addition, the presence of symptoms of cold agglutinin disease, or low-titer and high thermal amplitude CA might be necessary for the diagnosis of mixed AIHA.

Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune↗

[The estrogen-induced changes of estrogen receptor in seminal vesicle of immature castrated rat].

We have already reported that estrogen treatment given to immature castrated rats caused proliferative changes in both collagen and smooth muscle in the seminal vesicles of immature rats detected by light microscopy. Herein, we studied the estrogen-induced changes in estrogen receptor (ER) in the seminal vesicles of immature castrated rats by means of enzyme immunoassay, an immunohistochemical method and RT-PCR, to clarify the mechanism of estrogen induced proliferation of collagen and smooth muscle. Immature rats (3 weeks old) were castrated and left untreated for 3 weeks and then injected subcutaneously with estradiol-17 beta (E2-17 beta, 5 micrograms/day) for 7 days before they were killed. The nuclear ER content per gland, mg tissue and mg protein in the seminal vesicles of castrated rats increased markedly compared with those of non-treated rats. Castration also enhanced ERmRNA expression. The immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated the obvious tissue distribution by which the nuclear ER positive cells were densely distributed in the periglandular stroma. The nuclear ER contents per gland, mg tissue and mg protein in the seminal vesicles of estrogen-treated castrated rats were greater than those in castrated rats. Estrogen treatment further enhanced ERmRNA expression in the castrated rats. The immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that the nuclear ER positive cells appeared among the glandular epithelial cells, basal cells and the peripheral stromal cells, in addition to the periglandular stromal cells. These findings suggest that ER is related to the estrogen induced proliferation of collagen and smooth muscle in the seminal vesicles of immature castrated rats.

Animals↗

[Renal cell carcinoma associated with circumferential "ring-like" calcification].

A 37-year-old man was found to have large calcification in the left kidney in a health check. This calcification has not changed in size during 3 years with computerized tomographic (CT) studies. However, a suspicious lesion for a malignant tumor with the calcification was suggested by a magnetic resonance image (MRI) study. Thus, the patient underwent tumor enucleation and the histology showed the mixed typed renal cell carcinoma. Although it remains controversial, partial nephrectomy or tumor enucleation would be considered in a case of renal cell carcinoma with calcification, which is usually considered to have a favorable prognosis compared to that of a tumor without a calcification.

Adult↗