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Biomedical subjects

T Usui

Publications and source records attributed to T Usui.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Adult-form galactosialidosis: ocular findings in three cases.

We reported ocular findings of 3 patients with adult-form galactosialidosis. Diffuse fine opacities in the deep layer of the corneal stroma, an obscure cherry-red spot of the macula and optic nerve atrophy were noted in all cases. Punctate lenticular opacities were observed in 2 cases. Slowly progressive visual disturbance was seen in all cases, and it might be due to secondary optic nerve atrophy caused by retinal ganglion cell death.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Analyses of factors affecting the outcome of combination chemotherapy in patients with advanced bladder cancer.

Thirty-seven patients with advanced bladder carcinoma were treated with a combination of methotrexate, vinblastine, adriamycin and cisplatin (M-VAC). Attempts were made to identify the factors related to the results of the present regimen using multivariate analyses. Factors related to the results were presence of distant metastases and prior chemotherapy. The effect of the M-VAC chemotherapy was disappointing in most patients with distant metastases and prior chemotherapy. This was prominent in patients with prior chemotherapy including cisplatin. These results seem to show clinically the development of resistance to cisplatin in advanced bladder cancer. Methods to overcome this resistance should be studied.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1991

Immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and hormonal studies on the endocrine pancreas of voles (Microtus arvalis) with monosodium aspartate-induced diabetes.

A single subcutaneous administration of monosodium aspartate (MSA) to 30 neonatal voles, Microtus arvalis Pallas, induced a diabetes mellitus in 50% of the treated animals in early adulthood. The voles (18 males and 12 females) were weaned at 3 weeks of age and fed pellets for Herbivora and cubed hay. Diabetic voles with glycosuria (nine males and six females) were classified into two groups according to the duration and grade of glycosuria. One group had slight diabetes with glycosuria (+: 0.1%) for 1 week and the other severe diabetes with marked glycosuria ( : greater than or equal to 0.5%) for over 4 weeks. Pancreatic islets of diabetic voles (n = 7) were examined immunohistochemically, light microscopically, and electron microscopically. Blood glucose concentration and tissue content of insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin were also measured. Slightly diabetic voles (n = 3) had enlarged islets, that, viewed by light microscopy, were characterized by hypertrophy and hyperplasia of beta cells with moderate degranulation. No changes were observed in the peripherally located alpha and delta cells; the voles were moderately hyperglycemic, and they had decreased pancreatic insulin content. Severely diabetic voles (n = 4) that had marked hyperglycemia and almost complete loss of insulin content showed marked vacuolation and degranulation of beta cells. In addition, altered distribution of alpha and delta cells from the periphery of the islets to their interior was noted. Ultrastructural examination revealed features compatible with those of hyperfunction of beta cells in the slightly diabetic voles and marked degeneration of beta cells with glycogen accumulation in the severely diabetic voles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Prostaglandin-dependent in vitro stimulation of adrenocortical steroidogenesis by interleukins.

The effects of interleukins on adrenal steroidogenesis and their mode of action were studied using cultured rat adrenal cells. The addition of rat interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) or rat IL-2 increased corticosterone levels in the medium in a concentration-dependent manner during 24 h of incubation. The minimum, half-maximum, and maximum effective concentrations of both rat IL-1 alpha and rat IL-2 were almost same (approximately 3, 10, and 100 U/ml, respectively). After a latent period, the effect became apparent after 12 h of incubation. Human IL-1 beta and human IL-6 also showed a stimulatory effect on corticosterone production, whereas human IL-2 was inactive in this system. To clarify the cellular mechanism of these stimulatory effects, we measured the levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and cAMP in the cells and media as well as the corticosterone levels. Corticosterone production stimulated by IL-1 alpha or IL-2 was accompanied by intracellular and extracellular cAMP and PGE2 accumulation. Although the stimulation of both cAMP and corticosterone was observed only after 12 h of incubation, PGE2 levels increased during the first 4 h of incubation. Corticosterone, cAMP, and PGE2 production stimulated by ILs was almost completely blocked by the addition of 0.1 mM aspirin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor. Lipoxygenase inhibitors, i.e. AA-861, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, and 5,8,11,14-eicosatetrynoic acid, did not abolish corticosterone production stimulated by ILs. Submaximal doses of IL-1 alpha and IL-2 synergistically stimulated PGE2 production, but did not have even additional effects on cAMP and corticosterone levels. On the other hand, submaximal doses of ACTH, which did not significantly affect PGE2 levels, acted synergistically with IL to increase cAMP and corticosterone levels in these cells. These results indicate that 1) IL-1 alpha and IL-2 directly stimulate glucocorticoid synthesis in a dose- and time-dependent manner; 2) a half-maximum effective concentration of ACTH acts synergistically with IL in stimulating glucocorticoidogenesis; 3) the stimulatory process initially requires PGs, followed by the activation of the adenylate cyclase system; 4) although the profiles of steroidogenic action of IL-1 alpha and IL-2 are quite similar, they may exert their effects through different mechanisms in their early steps of PGE2 production; and 5) the low effective concentrations of both cytokines suggest possible physiological or pathophysiological roles of circulating cytokines in the glucocorticoidogenesis under certain conditions.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1991

Spontaneous ophthalmic lesions in young Sprague-Dawley rats.

Eight hundred eight Sprague-Dawley rats were examined for ophthalmic abnormalities during a pretest period in various preclinical safety assessment studies. Persistent pupillary membrane, corneal crystal, healed minor trauma, synechia, coloboma of the iris, lens luxation, cataract, persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous, vitreous hemorrhage, coloboma of the optic disc or choroid, remnant of hyaloid arterial system, retinal hemorrhage, retinal detachment, retinal folding and choroidal defect were observed. The incidences of corneal crystal, synechia, and nuclear cataract in this survey were higher than those reported previously. On the other hand, retinal folding in this survey was less common than that reported previously. These results suggest that background data of eye problems in albino rats should be accumulated in each own laboratory colony. In addition, since spontaneous eye problems are common in young albino rats, elimination of rats with ophthalmic abnormalities from study groups by an ophthalmic examination during a pretest period would facilitate to evaluate toxicity potential of test compounds in safety assessment studies.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[Methotrexate, vinblastine, adriamycin and cisplatin (M-VAC) in advanced urothelial cancer--analysis of efficacy and toxicity].

Seventy-seven patients with advanced urothelial cancer were treated with methotrexate, vinblastine, adriamycin, and cisplatin (M-VAC). Of these 77 patients, 65 could be evaluated for response and 74 for toxicity. Response rates were 65% in the primary organs (62% in the renal pelvis and ureter, 67% in the bladder), 68% in the lymph nodes, 60% in the lung, 25% in the bone and 14% in the liver. Complete responses were noted in 11 patients (17%) and partial responses in 26 patients for an overall response rate of 57% (95% confidence limits 45 to 69%). The median durations of response were 11 months for complete response patients and 7 months for partial response patients. Of the 65 patients 20 (31%) are alive, and 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates were 65%, 37%, and 25%, respectively. While survival rates of responders were higher than those of nonresponders with a statistical significance until 15 months, no significant differences were observed in survival rates between these two groups in the subsequent period. The M-VAC regimen was used for 15 patients as a neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Of the 15 patients, 8 responded and primary organs were preserved in 6 of the 8 responders. Histological effects classified according to Oboshi-Shimosato's criteria were G.I in 9, G.IIA in 3, G.IIB in 1, and G.IVC in 2. There were no significant differences in survival rates according to responses and histological effects. Factors related to response were analyzed with a multiple logistic regression model on 54 patients treated with intravenous administration of drugs and whose histological type was transitional cell carcinoma. The analysis results indicate that the presence of distant metastases is an important factor in predicting poor efficacy. Sixteen of 74 patients (22%) had white blood cell count of less than 1,000 cells per mm3 in the first cycle, while the decrease of platelet count was mild in degree compared with that of the white blood cell count. Patients with elevations of serum creatinine, GOT, and GPT were low in frequency, and toxic symptoms were controllable. Factors significantly related to the occurrence of side effects were sex, performance status, prior radiotherapy, prior chemotherapy, and the method of drug administration. Among these factors, prior radiotherapy was related to severe decrease of white blood cell count. While an excellent overall response rate was provided with the M-VAC regimen, disadvantages of the present regimen were low effectiveness in the bone and liver, and short duration of response.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Acute pancreatitis and Cushing's disease.

A 64-year-old woman with Cushing's disease died of acute necrotizing pancreatitis. This is the second case of this rare condition, in which acute necrotizing pancreatitis followed an ACTH-dependent hypercortisolism. The possibility that the tricyclic antidepressant drug, amitriptyline hydrochloride, induced the acute pancreatitis could not be ruled out; nevertheless, the present case may serve to add ACTH-dependent hypercortisolism to the possible causes of acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1991

Condyloma acuminatum in a 3-year old girl.

We report the case of 3-year-old girl with condyloma acuminatum. She was brought to our clinic with pruritus, painful urination and four discharge and treated with electrocautery. Histological examination revealed acanthosis, nuclear basophilic inclusions and vacuolar degeneration. In this case, transmission of the human papilloma virus might have occurred during close, non-sexual contact with the infected mother, and the depressed immune response associated with atopic dermatitis appears to have played an important role in the development of the condyloma acuminatum infection.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1991

Mode of antibacterial action of cefprozil, a new cephalosporin, on Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens and Morganella morganii.

The mode of antibacterial action of cefprozil (CFPZ, BMY-28100), a newly developed cephalosporin, was investigated using Escherichia coli K12, Serratia marcescens IFO 12648 and Morganella morganii IFO 3848 as test organisms, in comparison with the action of cefaclor (CCL). The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of CFPZ for these organisms were 1.56, 800 and 25 micrograms/ml, whereas those of CCL were 1.56, 800 and 100 micrograms/ml, respectively. The addition of a subinhibitory concentration (1/4 MIC) of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), which damages the permeability barrier of the outer membrane, markedly reduced the MICs of CFPZ for E. coli and S. marcescens, compared with those of CCL, whereas the MICs of both antibiotics for M. morganii were hardly affected by the presence of EDTA. CFPZ was more stable to beta-lactamase activities from these organisms than CCL. The cross-linking reactions of peptidoglycan synthesis catalyzed by the ether-treated cells from these organisms were inhibited by a lower concentration of CFPZ than of CCL.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1991

[Influence of healthy human bone marrow fibroblasts on differentiation and proliferation of human leukemic cell line HL-60].

The influence of bone marrow fibroblasts from healthy subjects on differentiation and clonal proliferation of HL-60 cells was studied. Clonal proliferation of HL-60 cells was examined by using agar culture method, DNA synthesis was done by counting 3H-thymidine incorporation into the cells, and differentiation of the cells was checked by non-specific esterase staining. The bone marrow fibroblasts and their conditioned-medium significantly stimulated colony formation and DNA synthesis of HL-60 cells, but they inhibited differentiation of the HL-60 cells. From these results, it was suggested that the bone marrow fibroblasts stimulated clonal proliferation of HL-60 cells and inhibited differentiation of the cells through humoral factors secreted by the fibroblasts.

Bone Marrow Cells↗
PubMed1991

Parathyroid tumors in atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima: first report of surgical cases, 1956-1988.

Seventeen patients with parathyroid gland tumors underwent surgical resection at the Hiroshima University Hospital between 1956 and 1988. Three of them where born after the atomic bomb explosion, and 6 of the remaining 14 patients (42.9% of the total- a high proportion) were atomic bomb survivors. Because parathyroid gland tumors and hyperparathyroidism are assumed to develop in patients who have been exposed to radiation after a long latent period, it is necessary to anticipate the possible occurrence of these diseases in atomic bomb survivors. The present paper is the first to report surgically extirpated parathyroid gland tumors in atomic bomb survivors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Functional diagnosis of brachial plexus injuries].

We evaluated 10 patients with verified brachial plexus injuries and root avulsion. In 100%, dermatomal somatosensory evoked potentials (DSSEPs) were abnormal. Compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) by magnetic stimulation revealed 90% abnormal findings on the affected side, but also revealed abnormality in adjacent segments. Dissociation of CMAPs and DSSEPs revealed the apparent continuity of motor and sensory nerves. The use of both techniques for the examination of the function of proximal peripheral nerve revealed increased latencies over the motor and/or sensory pathways in all patients. The technique of non-invasive stimulation of the motor pathway therefore provides an additional tools to detect and quantify subclinical and clinically apparent lesions in patients with defined brachial plexus injuries and root avulsions.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1991

[Mechanism of the B-B' step formation in M-mode echocardiography].

This study analyzed the mechanism involved in the B-B' step formation of the mitral valve movement using pulsed Doppler and color Doppler echocardiography. We examined 24 patients with first degree atrioventricular block (AVB), 26 with old myocardial infarction (OMI), and 34 with a DDD-pacemaker (PM) (16 with complete AV block and 18 with sick sinus syndrome). In 19 of 24 AVB patients, the B-B' step was associated with diastolic mitral regurgitation (DMR). There was a significant positive correlation between the magnitude of the PQ interval and the B-B' step duration (r = 0.94, p less than 0.001). Intravenous administration of 1 mg of atropine shortened the B-B' step duration from 0.15 +/- 0.06 (SD) to 0.05 +/- 0.07 sec (p less than 0.001). Although changes in the PQ interval were well correlated with changes in the B-B' step duration, the P-B-B' step, or PC interval, did not change significantly. In 12 of the 26 OMI patients, the B-B' step and DMR were both observed. The QC intervals of these patients were longer than those of OMI patients without the B-B' step (0.088 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.066 +/- 0.021 sec, p less than 0.05). The P-B-B' step interval was shorter in the OMI patients than in the AVB patients (0.190 +/- 0.029 vs 0.232 +/- 0.033 sec, p less than 0.01). In 28 of 34 patients implanted with a DDD-pacemaker, the B-B' step and DMR were induced by prolonging the AV delay.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Coronary Circulation↗
PubMed1991

[A concept for normal range of serum cholesterol].

The normal range of serum cholesterol is not primarily defined. It largely depends on conditions of respective population such as age, sex and food uptake. Therefore, the reported normal range of respective laboratory differ each other. The upper limit of the normal range used in laboratories on Japan in recent decade is about 240-250 mg/dl, which were obtained statistically from normal persons. On the other hand, another normal range with 220 mg/dl upper limit was proposed after Framingham Study and other clinical studies. Many of clinical doctors are confusing with these two different normal ranges. We must clearly define the normal range whether it is obtained statistically or is used for preventive medicine, when it is presented to doctors.

Cholesterol↗
PubMed1990

Enzymic synthesis of useful chito-oligosaccharides utilizing transglycosylation by chitinolytic enzymes in a buffer containing ammonium sulfate.

A chitinase purified from culture filtrates of Trichoderma resei KDR-11 efficiently catalyzed a transglycosylation reaction on tetra-N-acetylchitotetraoside in a buffer medium containing ammonium sulfate, converting the tetrasaccharide into hexa-N-acetylchitohexaose (39.6%) and di-N-acetylchitobiose (55.7%) as the major products. Sugar-chain elongation from di-N-acetylchitobiose as the initial substrate to hexa-N-acetyl-chitohexaose and hepta-N-acetylchitoheptaose was also efficiently induced through lysozyme catalysis in the presence of ammonium sulfate at high (30%) concentration. In this case, the addition of ammonium sulfate to the reaction system resulted in a remarkable increase of the hexamer and heptamer productions, which are desirable as biologically active oligosaccharides.

Acetylglucosamine↗