Malignant lymphoma in association with multiple paraffin implants.
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Publications and source records attributed to T Usui.
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Prolongation of the QT interval, sometimes leading to torsades de pointes, has been clinically reported during terfenadine treatment. However, information regarding the cardiovascular profile of terfenadine is still limited, particularly in in vivo animal models. In the current study, we examined the cardiovascular effects of terfenadine using halothane-anesthetized, closed-chest in vivo canine models (n = 6) to better simulate the clinical situation. Intravenous infusion of 0.3 mg/kg of terfenadine over 10 min, which would attain the antihistaminic plasma concentration, reduced the heart rate and left ventricular contractility and prolonged the repolarization period as well as the ventricular effective refractory period. An additional infusion of a ten times higher dose of terfenadine over 10 min caused hypotension and increased left ventricular preload and atrioventricular conduction time, in addition to potentiating the changes observed by the lower dose. A reverse use-dependent prolongation of the repolarization period was observed after the higher dose infusion. Moreover, early afterdepolarization-like potential was detected in four out of six experiments. Since each suppressive effect can become deleterious during terfenadine overdose, caution must be taken for those patients with potential cardiac dysfunction and with the risk of elevated plasma drug concentrations.
Analysis of interactions of synthetic glycopolypeptides with lectins was performed with a biosensor based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR). A series of synthetic oligosaccharide-substituted poly(L-glutamic acid)s were immobilized on sensor surfaces via the gamma-carboxyl groups of their peptide moieties by the surface thiol coupling method. Artificial glycopolypeptides: an N-acetyllactosamine-substituted polymer (1), an N-acetylisolactosamine-substituted polymer (2), a (GlcNAc)3-substituted polymer (3), a (GlcNAc)2-substituted polymer (4), and a p-aminophenyl N-acetyl-beta-lactosaminide-substituted polymer (5), were used as the ligands. On analysis by SPR, surface-bound polymers 1 and 5 reacted with Erythrina cristagalli agglutinin (ECA), Lycopersicon esculentum agglutinin (LEA), Ricinus communis agglutinin-120 (RCA120), and wheat germ (Triticum vulgaris) agglutinin (WGA). Polymer 2 reacted with WGA and RCA120, but did not with ECA and LEA. The results indicate that beta-(1-->4)-linked galactosyl residues are needed for binding to ECA and LEA. Polymer 3 reacted strongly with LEA and WGA, but polymer 4 reacted strongly only with WGA. Affinity constants (KA) for surface-bound polymer 5-lectin interactions were also about 4-61 times as strong as those for surface-bound polymer 1-lectin interactions. These artificial glycopolypeptides were shown to be useful as tools and probes of carbohydrate recognition and modeling in the analysis of glycoprotein-lectin interactions.
To measure cone signal strengths in the flicker electroretinogram (ERG) of dichromats and trichromats, we developed a set of flickering stimuli (30 Hz), which excite the middle-wavelength-sensitive (M-) and long-wavelength-sensitive (L-) cones independently. ERG responses to eight different ratios of L- to M-cone contrasts were recorded from each subject. The short-wavelength-sensitive (S-) cone contrast was 0% in all measurements. The recordings were Fourier analyzed to determine the amplitude of the fundamental component. ERG threshold values for each subject resulted in ellipses when plotted in an L-/M-cone contrast space. As expected, the orientations of the threshold ellipses of the protanopes (N = 2) were parallel to the L-cone axis, whereas those of the deuteranopes (N = 2) were parallel to the M-cone axis. For the trichromats (N = 5), there was considerable interindividual variation in ellipse orientation.
We measured electroretinogram (ERG) response phases at different cone contrasts in trichromats and dichromats to investigate the dynamics of the long-wavelength-sensitive (L-) and middle-wavelength-sensitive (M-) cone pathways. ERG responses to stimuli, temporally modulated at 30 Hz, were recorded. The stimuli were generated on a computer controlled colour monitor. Thirty-two different combinations of L- and M-cone excitation strength, expressed as cone contrasts, were presented. The short-wavelength-sensitive (S-) cones were not stimulated (S-cone contrast = 0%). The response phase of the fundamental stimulus component was obtained from Fourier analysis. The ERG response phase lags decreased with increasing cone contrast. This was observed in all subjects with a normal appearing fundus. In dichromats and trichromats at low and intermediate contrasts, the phase lags to M-cone isolating conditions were smaller than those to L-cone isolating stimuli. In one dichromat with extreme myopia and cupping of the optic disc, the ERG phase lags increased with increasing cone contrast. The ERG response phase may be potentially useful for detecting retinal abnormalities.
Thirty patients with a reduced central vision due to diseases of the posterior pole were examined with the VERIS system developed by Sutter and Tran (Vis Res 1992;32:433-446) to characterize the topography of electroretinographic (ERG) changes in comparison to the results in 30 normal volunteers. Diagnoses included Stargardt's macular dystrophy (SMD, n = 10), age-related macular degeneration (AMD, n = 5), cone dystrophy (CD, n = 5), central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO, n = 5), and autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA, n = 5). The 61 local responses obtained from each subjects were grouped by eccentricity to form five concentric rings. The foveal ERG, originating from a central area of 2 degrees radius, was non-recordable or markedly diminished in all patients except those with optic atrophy, where amplitudes were found to be in the normal range. In patients with advanced stages of SMD, functional defects were larger and involved more peripheral areas than in patients with early stages of SMD or with AMD. A reduction of response amplitude even in the most peripheral ring (17-30.5 degrees eccentricity) was found in cone dystrophies and--moderately--in patients with advanced SMD and central retinal vein occlusion only. Prolonged implicit times were found in all but the patients in early stages of SMD and they were maximal in patients with CRVO. This study shows that the multifocal ERG (MFERG) can contribute to differential diagnosis of retinal diseases of the posterior pole especially in cases with a normal photopic Ganzfeld ERG.
PURPOSE: To investigate the structural changes in corneal stromal collagen fibrils after excimer laser keratectomy in relation to the degree of corneal haze. SETTING: University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. METHODS: Corneal haze was quantitatively measured by analyzing the light scattering in Scheimpflug images of the corneas of white rabbits after excimer laser keratectomy. Collagen fibril structure was examined using scanning electron microscopy after chemical digestion with sodium hydroxide solution; the same specimens were examined by transmission electron microscopy after re-embedding. RESULTS: Corneal haze reached a peak 4 weeks after excimer laser keratectomy and then gradually decreased. The collagen fibrils of the normal cornea were regularly arranged parallel to the surface of the cornea, with small interfibrillar distances. After excimer laser keratectomy, the arrangement was highly disordered, with increased interfibrillar distances. These structural changes were most prominent 4 weeks after excimer laser keratectomy. CONCLUSION: The structural changes in the collagen fibrils of the corneal stroma, especially the increase in interfibrillar distances and the disordered arrangement, were associated with corneal haze after excimer laser keratectomy.
We have established a synthetic method for obtaining beta-D-Gal-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-GlcNAc-(1 --> 6)]-alpha-D-GalNAc-OC6H4NO2-p (1), which is a carbohydrate unit of mucin-type 2 core. A beta-N-acetyl-D-hexosaminidase from Nocardia orientalis catalyzed the synthesis of the desired compound 1 with its isomers beta-D-GalNAc-(1 --> 6)-beta-D-Gal-(1 --> 3)-alpha-D-GalNAc-OC6H4NO2-p (2) beta-D-GlcNAc-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-Glc-(1 --> 3)-alpha-D-GalNAc-OC6H4NO2-p (3) through N-acetylglucosaminyl transfer from N,N'-diacetylchitobiose and beta-D-Gal-(1 --> 3)-alpha-D-GalNAc-OC6H4NO2-p. The enzyme formed the trisaccharides 1, 2, and 3 in 14% overall yield based on beta-D-Gal-(1 --> 3)-alpha-D-GalNAc-OC6H4NO2-p as an acceptor substrate, and in the ratio of 44:32:24. In this way, N-acetylglucosaminyl transfer favored O-6 of the acceptor rather than O-6', and occurred to a lesser extent at O-3'. This reaction was efficient enough to allow a one-pot preparation of the desired carbohydrate unit of mucin-type 2 core. When beta-D-Gal-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-GalNAc-OC6H4NO2-p was used as an acceptor, the enzyme also synthesized three kinds of trisaccharides in the same regioselectivity with respect to O-6 and O-6' versus O-3' of the acceptor.
We performed chemo-enzymatic transformation of maltooligosaccharides into both end-modified oligosaccharidonolactones of potential use as substrate analogue inhibitors for mammalian alpha-amylases. Enzymatic modification of the non-reducing end glucosyl residue of the maltooligosaccharide was first performed by transglycosylation with beta-D-galactosidase from Bacillus circulans. When maltotriose and maltotetraose were the acceptors, the enzyme regioselectively synthesized 4(3)-O-beta-D-galactosyl maltotriose (LG3) and 4(4)-O-beta-D-galactosyl maltotetraose (LG4) from lactose as a donor. LG4 was further selectively hydrolyzed with a specific alpha-amylase to afford 4(2)-O-beta-D-galactosyl maltose (LG2). The anomer hydroxyl groups of LG2 and LG3 were chemically oxidized to give the corresponding lactones, 4(2)-O-beta-D-galactosyl maltobionolactone (LG2O) and 4(3)-O-beta-D-galactosyl maltotrionolactone (LG3O), respectively. LG2O and LG3O, which are competitive inhibitors for mammalian alpha-amylases, exhibited Ki values of the order of 2.8-18.0 microM, with p-nitrophenyl alpha-maltopentaoside (G5P) as the substrate. On 1H-NMR analysis, these oligosaccharidonolactones were shown to be transformed into the corresponding aldonic acid forms with time in an aqueous solution. In this case, the lactone form was essential for the occurrence of the alpha-amylase inhibitor.
Styrene derivatives substituted with N-linked beta-anomeric oligosaccharides were synthesized via a simple two-step procedure starting from three enzymatically prepared oligosaccharides: N-acetyllactosamine (Galbeta1-4GlcNAc), N-acetylisolactosamine (Galbeta1-6GlcNAc), and 4'-galactosyllactose (Galbeta1-4Galbeta1-4Glc). Their homo- and copolymerization with acrylamide using 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator in dimethyl sulfoxide at 60 degreesC gave the corresponding glycopolymers. Binding between glycopolymers and lectins was investigated by means of hemagglutination inhibition experiments. The inhibition of RCA120 lectin-induced hemagglutination by N-acetyllactosamine-carrying homopolymer was about 10(3) times stronger than that of the oligosaccharide itself. The enhanced binding capacity with lectins can be explained in terms of a multivalent or cluster effect along the polymeric chain. In some combinations between lectins and polymers, the copolymers inhibited hemagglutination more strongly than the homopolymers did. N-Acetyllactosamine-carrying glycopolymer showed about 3 x 10(3) times weaker inhibition of DSA lectin-induced hemagglutination than the different type of N-acetyllactosamine-carrying glycopolymer which has an O-linked beta-anomeric phenyl aglycon of each repeating unit along a polyacrylamide backbone.
AIMS: To describe the topography of multifocal electroretinograms (ERGs) and to explore its diagnostic value in patients with Stargardt's macular dystrophy (SMD). METHODS: 51 patients with SMD were examined by means of the m-sequence technique to characterise the topography of electroretinographic responses in the central visual field. The results were compared with data from 30 normal volunteers. RESULTS: In 49 of 51 patients with SMD, macular electroretinographic activity was markedly diminished or non-detectable. Towards more peripheral areas, ERG responses of the SMD patients approached those of normals. Implicit times were not markedly delayed at any eccentricity. CONCLUSION: In contrast with Ganzfeld electroretinography, multifocal electroretinography is useful to detect foveal dysfunction in SMD. Areas of dysfunction were found to be usually larger than expected from psychophysical measurements and morphological alteration. In early stages of the disease it was possible to detect foveal dysfunction, even in patients lacking morphological fundus changes and with good visual acuity.
The enantiomers, (R)-(-)-1 and (S)-(+)-1, of (+/-)-4-amino-N-[2-(1-azabicyclo[3.3.0]octan-5-yl)ethyl]-5-chloro-2,3- dihydro-2-methylbenzo[b]furan-7-carboxamide [(+/-)-1] were prepared from optically active benzyl 4-acetylamino-2,3-dihydro-2-methylbenzo[b]furan-7-carboxylate [(R)-(+)-6, (S)-(-)-6], respectively. The requisite (R)-(+)-6 and (S)-(-)-6 were prepared by large-scale preparative HPLC on chiral stationary phases (CSPs). The absolute configuration of (S)-(+)-1 was determined by single crystal X-ray analysis. The serotonin 5-HT4 receptor agonistic activity of (S)-(-)-1 hemifumarate (SK-951) which was hemifumarate of (S)-(+)-1 was about twice that of the other enantiomer (R)-(+)-1 hemifumarate which was hemifumarate of (R)-(-)-1.
In order to discover a medicine effective against Alzheimer's disease, we synthesized a series of quinoline derivatives having a characteristic 1-azabicyclo[3.3.0]octane amine ring, and performed pharmacological evaluation of them. Acetylcholine esterase inhibitory activities of these derivatives were unexpectedly weak. Tests for central nervous muscarinic cholinergic receptor binding affinity indicated that these compounds had higher affinities to muscarinic M1 receptors than to M2 receptors. A series of naphthalene derivatives substituted with the 1-azabicyclo[3.3.0]octane ring were also synthesized and muscarinic M1 and M2 receptor binding affinity determined. These compounds had much higher affinity for M1 receptors than the quinoline derivatives, and 1-[N-(1-azabicyclo[3.3.0]octan-5-yl)methyl-N-methylamino]-4-nitronaph tha lene showed the highest affinity and selectivity. The ability of this compound to improve cognitive function was assessed using the passive avoidance test in scopolamine-induced mice.
The title compounds (6-9) were prepared and evaluated for serotonin 5-HT4 agonistic activity in in vitro tests. Introducing a propyl or allyl group at the 3-position of benzamide caused only a slight enhancement of agonistic activity. Construction of the benzo[b]furan skeleton and 2,3-dihydrobenzo[b]furan skeleton caused a significant enhancement of the activity. 4-amino-N-[2-(1-azabicyclo[3.3.0]octan-5-yl)ethyl]-5-chloro- 2-methylbenzo[b]furan-7-carboxamide (7b) hemifumarate was as potent as cisapride. 4-Amino-N-[2-(1-azabicyclo[3.3.0]octan-5-yl)ethyl]-5-chloro- 2,3-dihydro-2-methylbenzo[b]furan-7-carboxamide (8a) hemifumarate, 4-amino-N-[2-(1-azabicyclo[3.3.0]octan-5-yl)ethyl]-5-chloro- 2,3-dihydro-2-ethylbenzo[b]furan-7-carboxamide (8c) hemifumarate, and 4-amino-N-[2-(1-azabicyclo[3.3.0]octan-5-yl)ethyl]-5-chloro- 2,3-dimethylbenzo[b]furan-7-carboxamide (8d) hemifumarate were more potent than cisapride. Furthermore, 8a hemifumarate was free from dopamine D1, D2, serotonin 5-HT1, 5-HT2 and muscarine M1, M2 receptor binding activity in the in in vitro tests. On the other hand, construction of the indole skeleton caused a remarkable decrease in activity.
To investigate the biological selectin-ligand interactions, fourteen sulfated and eight phosphorylated beta-D-galacto- and lactopyranosides containing branched fatty-alkyl residues in place of the ceramide have been synthesized. Regioselective sulfation of the parent glycolipids through the dibutylstannylene acetal with a certain amount of sulfur trioxide-trimethylamine complex produced the target sulfated glycolipids, while stepwise phosphorylation by treatment of the properly protected diol with dibenzyloxy(diisopropylamino)phosphine gave the phosphorylated glycolipids. The synthetic glycolipids showed an interesting mode of inhibition of the binding of HL-60 cells to immobilized P-, L- and E-selectins during in vitro experiments. In addition, using computer modeling techniques, we examined the molecular basis for the ligand-selectin complex formation. These glycolipids may be useful as therapeutic agents against selectin-dependent inflammation.
Artificial N-glycopolypeptides carrying N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) or related compounds were synthesized. First, sugars were converted into their corresponding beta-glycosylamines with ammonium hydrogen carbonate. Then, the beta-glycosylamines were condensated with the carboxyl groups of poly(L-glutamic acid). N-Glycopolypeptides with different degrees of substitution of sugars were isolated by passage through a column of Sephadex G-25. These synthetic polymers were used as model compounds in the analysis of oligosaccharide-lectin interactions. Interactions with some lectins were investigated by agar-gel double-diffusion tests and in terms of inhibition of hemagglutination. A glycopolypeptide substituted with LacNAc reacted with Erythrina cristagalli agglutinin (ECA), peanut (Arachis hypogaea) agglutinin (PNA), Ricinus communis agglutinin-120 (RCA120), wheat germ (Triticum vulgaris) agglutinin (WGA) lectins, which recognize either galactosyl or N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) residues. Other synthetic glycopolymers carrying N-acetylisolactosamine, GlcNAc, N,N'-diacetylchitobiose, or N,N', N"-triacetylchitotriose also reacted with WGA, and these last two polymers inhibited hemagglutination most. Of these five glycopolypeptides, only the one substituted with LacNAc reacted with ECA. These sugar-substituted glycopolypeptides interacted specifically with the corresponding lectins, no matter how much shorter the sugar side chains of the glycopolymers were than those of natural glycoproteins.
The architecture of nitric oxide (NO)-producing nerves in the rat pylorus was studied in relation to the muscular structure. The musculature of the rat pylorus was observed to be composed of two discrete muscle loops (proximal and distal sphincters). Connective tissue septa containing neural elements divided the thick musculature of the distal sphincter into many bundles. The myenteric nerve plexus of the stomach with a subpopulation of NO-producing nerves was continuous with that of the duodenum. Nitrinergic nerve fibers which originated from the antral myenteric plexus ran through the connective tissue septa in the pyloric musculature and were densely distributed on the submucosal surface of the distal sphincter. The innermost portion of the distal sphincter consisted of smooth muscle cells showing many cytoplasmic processes and abundant nitrinergic nerve terminals. This particular architecture of the nitrinergic nerves in the sphincter would seem to account for the coordinate motor function of the rat pyloric sphincter.
The topographic relationship between the lymphatic network and the nerve plexus in the myenteric layer of the monkey jejunum was studied by an enzyme-histochemical method. Identification of the lymphatics was achieved by a 5'-nucleotidase staining method, and the enteric neural components were visualized by acetylcholinesterase staining. A well-developed lymphatic network and a dense nerve plexus were demonstrated throughout the myenteric layer. Numerous segments of the initial lymphatics, with their blind endings at the apical parts, tended to gather toward the ganglion and run along the primary nerve strands. Elements of the tissue interstitium separated the lymphatics from the enteric nerves. Nerve terminals were often located closely beneath the endothelium of the initial lymphatics and were exposed to the subendothelial tissue on the side facing the abluminal surface of the lymphatic endothelium. These findings suggest that the lymph flow in the initial lymphatics might be regulated by the enteric nervous system, and that the transport of tissue fluid by the lymphatics might serve as a suitable microenvironment for the enteric nerves.