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Biomedical subjects

Y Adachi

Publications and source records attributed to Y Adachi.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Yolk sac tumor of the ovary in a conjoined twin.

A 5-year-old conjoined twin girl had a yolk sac tumor of the right ovary. She was admitted to our hospital because of abdominal distension. Comprehensive clinical and radiological investigations revealed a tumor of the right ovary. She underwent right salpingo-oophorectomy. The diagnosis was yolk sac tumor (stage I A), and postoperative chemotherapy (vincristine, actinomycine-D, cyclophosphamide) according to the UK-CCSG was provided. The postoperative course was uneventful with no evidence of recurrence 3 years after surgery. Her twin sister had no tumor. This is the first reported of yolk sac tumor of the ovary in a conjoined twin.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1997

Role of Kupffer cells, endotoxin and free radicals in hepatotoxicity due to prolonged alcohol consumption: studies in female and male rats.

Alcohol ingestion results in increases in the release of endotoxin from gut bacteria or membrane permeability of the gut to endotoxin, or both. Female rats are more sensitive to these changes. Elevated levels of endotoxin activate Kupffer cells to release substances such as eicosanoids, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and free radicals. Prostaglandins increase oxygen uptake and most likely are responsible for the hypermetabolic state in the liver. The increase in oxygen demand leads to hypoxia in the liver, and on reperfusion, alpha-hydroxyethyl free radicals are formed that lead to tissue damage in oxygen-poor pericentral regions of the liver lobule.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Increased soluble fibrin monomer and soluble thrombomodulin levels in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

We measured the plasma levels of fibrinogen, D-dimer, thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), plasmin-plasmin inhibitor complex (PPIC), soluble fibrin monomer (SFM), tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and thrombomodulin (TM) in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). There were no significant differences in the hemostatic parameters between the 77 patients with NIDDM and healthy control subjects, although the plasma levels of fibrinogen, D-dimer, TAT, and PPIC in the NIDDM patients were slightly higher than those in the healthy controls. Among the NIDDM patients divided into three groups by the urinary albumin excretion (UAE) level, there was no significant difference in age or sex among the normo-, micro-, and macroalbuminuria groups, and the HbA1C level in the micro- and macroalbuminuria groups were slightly higher than those in the normoalbuminuria group. There was no significant difference in activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, fibrinogen, TAT, PPIC, D-dimer, or t-PA among these three groups. The plasma SFM and TM levels in the macroalbuminuria group were significantly higher than those in the normo- and microalbuminuria groups. The relationships between HbA1C and the hemostatic parameters were poor, but the plasma TM and SFM levels were significantly correlated with the urine albumin index.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Unification of the genera Serpulina and Brachyspira, and proposals of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae Comb. Nov., Brachyspira innocens Comb. Nov. and Brachyspira pilosicoli Comb. Nov.

The phylogenetic positions of Serpulina hyodysenteriae, Serpulina innocens, Serpulina pilosicoli and Brachyspira aalborgi were studied. Complete 16S ribosomal DNA sequences of these three species and B. aalborgi revealed that their 16S rDNA sequences were related more than 96.0%. The mol% guanine plus cytosine (G+C) of B. aalborgi DNA was 27.1, and was similar to those of the 3 members of the genus Serpulina. The homologous rates using 31P-labeled B. aalborgi chromosome DNA in DNA-DNA reassociation tests were 22.0% to S. hyodysenteriae, 19.1% to S. innocens and 17.2% to S. pilosicoli. Therefore, we propose to transfer the three species of the genus Serpulina to the genus Brachyspira. Descriptions of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae comb. nov., Brachyspira innocens comb. nov. and Brachyspira pilosicoli comb. nov., and an emended description of B. aalborgi are given. Phenotypic characteristics of the 4 members of the genus Brachyspira were also studied. They fermented fructose, galactose, glucose, lactose, maltose, mannose, raffinose and trehalose; however, B. aalborgi did not ferment raffinose. All of them hydrolyzed esculin but did not produce indole except for B. hyodysenteriae. The protein profile of B. aalborgi was different from those of the four strains of B. hyodysenteriae, B. innocens and B. pilosicoli, but the heavy bands with molecular sizes of 49.4 and 52.3 kDa of B. aalborgi were quite similar to those of B. innocens in the points of quantity and molecular size. In immunoblotting tests, B. aalborgi reacted well with anti-B. innocens and B. pilosicoli sera, but reacted weakly with anti-B. hyodysenteriae serum. Only one heavy band and several faint bands were revealed by the reaction between B. aalborgi and anti-B. hyodysenteriae serum, and the heavy band was common among these strains.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗
PubMed1997

Enhanced production of inducible nitric oxide synthase by beta-glucans in mice.

We have already demonstrated that various activities including NO (nitric oxide) synthesis in vivo and in vitro significantly differ between triple helical (SPG) and single helical (alkaline-treated SPG, SPG-OH) beta-glucans. It was previously suggested that the single helical conformer of beta-glucan (SPG-OH) was dominant in cytokine production and subsequent NO synthesis in vitro. In this study, we analyzed production of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) induced by beta-glucans in vitro and in vivo. The iNOS production was enhanced in proteose peptone-induced peritoneal macrophages (PMs) cultured with SPG-OH in the presence of IFN-gamma for 24 h, and SPG-OH-induced PMs. Moreover, SPG-OH was effective for iNOS production not only in isolated macrophages but also in tissue macrophages, whereas SPG was less effective. These findings suggest that a single helical conformer is essential for iNOS production, and that NO synthesis by beta-glucans is closely related to iNOS production.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

In vitro evaluation of BO-3482, a novel dithiocarbamate carbapenem with activity against methicillin-resistant staphylococci.

BO-3482, a dithiocarbamate carbapenem, inhibited clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) at 6.25 microg/ml (MIC at which 90% of isolates tested are inhibited [MIC90]), while the MIC90 of imipenem was > 100 microg/ml. BO-3482 was generally less active than imipenem against methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci, enterococci, and gram-negative bacteria, although BO-3482 showed better activity (MIC90) than imipenem against Enterococcus faecium, Haemophilus influenzae, Proteus mirabilis, and Clostridium difficile. The affinities (50% inhibitory concentrations) of BO-3482 for penicillin-binding protein (PBP) PBP 2' of MRS and PBP 5 of E. faecium (both PBPs have low affinities for ordinary beta-lactam antibiotics) were 3.8 and 20 microg/ml, respectively, reflecting the greater activity of BO-3482 against MRS than against E. faecium.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1997

Mutual inhibition by TGF-beta and IL-4 in cultured human bronchial epithelial cells.

The airway epithelial cell may play a role as an effector cell, releasing various cytokines and extracellular matrix components in immune responses, inflammation, and wound repair processes, thus contributing to cytokine "networks." The cytokines transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta and interleukin (IL)-4 are though to have pivotal roles in airway diseases, with IL-4 having proinflammatory actions and TGF-beta generally regarded to mediate repair and to attenuate immune responses. In asthma, where IL-4 and TGF-beta are thought to contribute to the inflammatory process and repair, respectively, interactions between these cytokines are likely to be of importance. Therefore, we studied the potential interaction of both cytokines by measuring IL-8 and fibronectin release by cultured human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). IL-4 is capable of inducing IL-8 release from HBECs. This effect of IL-4 can be blocked by the concurrent presence of the cytokine TGF-beta. In contrast, TGF-beta had a modest inconsistent stimulatory effect on IL-8 release by itself and had no effect on the IL-8 release induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. An antagonistic effect of IL-4 and TGF-beta was also observed on HBEC fibronectin release. TGF-beta stimulated fibronectin release, and IL-4 was able to inhibit this. This effect was not due to a redistribution of fibronectin but appeared to be due to a true reduction in synthesis. Consistent with this, IL-4 and TGF-beta effects on IL-8 and fibronectin release were paralleled by changes in mRNA levels. The ability of TGF-beta to block IL-4-induced IL-8 release is certainly not the only mechanism to inhibit IL-8 release because dexamethasone was capable of inhibiting both TNF-alpha- and IL-4-induced release of IL-8. These results indicate that TGF-beta and IL-4 can have mutually inhibitory effects. The balance determined by this reciprocal inhibition may play an important role in regulating inflammation repair and in diseases such as asthma.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Prognosis of Parkinson's disease in Japan. Tottori University Parkinson's Disease Epidemiology (TUPDE) Study Group.

Therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD) has been progressing. However, the prognosis for patients with PD is still unclear. We studied the course of PD in patients in the San-in Area of Japan over a long time period. The main purpose of this study was to see whether there was a difference in survival between PD patients and the general population. Information on 114 deceased PD patients, who died between 1989 and 1996, was collected from hospitals belonging to the Tottori University Parkinson's Disease Epidemiology Study Group. Although the duration of illness was prolonged, the survival of PD patients was still poorer than that of the general population. The most common cause of death was pneumonia. The main cause of death in young PD patients was also pneumonia. In order to improve the survival of PD patients, PD-related conditions should be treated more extensively, especially pneumonia.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Functional adrenocortical adenoma in a case with B cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorder.

We describe a B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia/lymphoma (B-CLL) patient with an adrenocortical adenoma. He was treated initially with oral cyclophosphamide and prednisolone for 2 months, followed by low-dose prednisolone for an additional 2 years, which resulted in the prompt disappearance of CLL cells. After a period of 2 years without therapy, a functional adrenocortical adenoma was found. After adrenalectomy, the CLL cells rapidly increased. Progression of the disease and clinical-hematological relapse was well controlled by low doses of steroids alone, and the patient's condition stabilized. Considering the recent data that corticosteroids can induce apoptosis of CLL cells, the above clinical course suggests that augmented glucocorticoid production from the tumor may have suppressed disease progression.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1997

The effect of low-dose inhalation of nitric oxide in patients with pulmonary fibrosis.

The aim of this study was to determine whether low-dose inhalation of nitric oxide (NO) improves pulmonary haemodynamics and gas exchange in patients with stable idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The investigation included 10 IPF patients breathing spontaneously. Haemodynamic and blood gas parameters were measured under the following conditions: 1) breathing room air; 2) during inhalation of 2 parts per million (ppm) NO with room air; 3) whilst breathing O2 alone (1 L.min-1); and 4) during combined inhalation of 2 ppm NO and O2 (1 L.min-1). During inhalation of 2 ppm NO with room air the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa 25 +/- 3 vs 30 +/- 4 mmHg) and the pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR 529 +/- 80 vs 699 +/- 110 dyn.s.cm-5) were significantly (p < 0.01) lower than levels measured whilst breathing room air alone. However the arterial oxygen tension (Pa,O2) did not improve. The combined inhalation of NO and O2 produced not only a significant (p < 0.01) decrease of Ppa (23 +/- 2 vs 28 +/- 3 mmHg) but also, a remarkable improvement (p < 0.05) in Pa,O2 (14.2 +/- 1.2 vs 11.7 +/- 1.0 kPa) (107 +/- 9 vs 88 +/- 7 mmHg)) as compared with the values observed during the inhalation of O2 alone. These findings suggest that the combined use of nitric oxide and oxygen might constitute an alternative therapeutic approach for treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients with pulmonary hypertension. However, further studies must first be carried out to demonstrate the beneficial effect of oxygen therapy on pulmonary haemodynamics and prognosis in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and to rule out the potential toxicity of inhaled nitric oxide, particularly when used in combination with oxygen.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1997

Arterial endothelin-1 level in pulmonary emphysema and interstitial lung disease. Relation with pulmonary hypertension during exercise.

This study was undertaken to assess the arterial plasma levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and their relationship with pulmonary haemodynamic and gas exchange variables during exercise in patients with emphysema and interstitial lung disease (ILD). Incremental cycle ergometry was performed in all patients up to maximal capacity. At rest, arterial ET-1 levels were higher in emphysema (1.86 +/- 0.35 pg.mL-1; p < 0.02) and ILD (1.75 +/- 0.25 pg.mL-1; p < 0.03) patients than in controls (1.35 +/- 0.18 pg.mL-1). Emphysema (2.08 +/- 0.26 versus 1.70 +/- 0.40 pg.mL-1) and ILD (1.98 +/- 0.21 versus 1.67 +/- 0.02 pg.mL-1) patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) presented significantly (p < 0.05) higher arterial ET-1 levels than those without. At rest, arterial ET-1 levels were significantly correlated with mean pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa) in both ILD (r = 0.8, p = 0.01) and emphysema (r = 0.5, p = 0.03) patients. During exercise, the arterial ET-1 levels were significantly correlated with arterial oxygen (Pa,O2) (r = -0.6, p = 0.04), alveolar-arterial oxygen difference (r = 0.8, p = 0.01), and Ppa (r = 0.6, p = 0.04) in ILD patients, but not in those with emphysema. In brief, the results of this study suggest that arterial endothelin-1 is markedly increased in interstitial lung disease and emphysema patients, and that, it is related to the exercise-induced exacerbation of pulmonary hypertension in patients with interstitial lung disease, but not in those with emphysema.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Nitric oxide synthesis in murine peritoneal macrophages by fungal beta-glucans.

Fungal beta-glucans have abilities to induce NO (nitric oxide) synthesis by macrophages in vivo, and the intensity of NO synthesis significantly varied dependent on the structure of beta-glucans. The molecular mechanism of NO synthesis by beta-glucans, however, has not been clarified in detail. To determine beta-glucan-mediated NO production, we used various beta-glucans (SPG-OH, GRN; Grifolan, SSG, OL-2, ZYM; zymosan A and ZYC; zymocel), which could enhance NO synthesis in vivo, and stimulated peritoneal macrophages (MPs) in vitro in the presence of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Using recombinant cytokines, a minimum concentration of the cytokines for NO induction was about 20 mg/ml in the presence of IFN-gamma under the experimental conditions. Of beta-glucans tested, only SPG-OH and GRN produced high concentrations of IL-6 in the culture supernatants. SSG also induced NO synthesis in vitro, but concentrations of inflammatory cytokines were low even in the presence of IFN-gamma. In addition, there are some beta-glucans which could induce NO synthesis in vivo but not in vitro (OL-2, ZYM, ZYC). These findings suggested that NO productivity of beta-glucans in vivo is regulated by several mechanisms.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Increases in hematopoietic responses caused by beta-glucans in mice.

The effects of various (1-->3)-beta-D-glucans on hematopoietic responses of mice were investigated by measuring colony stimulating activity in sera and ascites of the mice administered glucan. We have demonstrated that the hematopoietic response was increased by various structures of (1-->3)-beta-D-glucans, i.e. soluble glucans (linear, branched, single helix, triple helix) and particulate glucans. From the viewpoint of structure and activity relationships, we found several characteristic features: i) hematopoietic response induced by the particulate glucan disappeared faster than that by the soluble glucans, ii) conformation of the glucans, single vs. triple helix, are relatively independent of the response, iii) linear glucan had a weaker response, and iv) there is a strong strain-dependency of the response. These results corresponded well with the fact that branched (1-->3)-beta-D-glucans, but not linear and not particulate, are often used as biological response modifiers for cancer patients.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

A novel developmental process of intestinal epithelial lesions in a calf infected with attaching and effacing Escherichia coli.

A comparative study on the adhesion of attaching and effacing Escherichia coli (AEEC) to the enterocytes between the colon of a calf and the jejunum of a piglet showed differences in the developmental process of attaching and effacing (AE) lesions. In the calf, pedestals consisted of fused microvilli, while in the piglet they developed from the apical epithelial cell membranes after effacing microvilli. Microvilli adjacent to the AEEC attachment site were atrophic in the calf, whereas they were elongated in the piglet. The production of AE lesions in the calf may be indicative of a novel developmental process with AEEC infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Short-arm dicentric Y chromosome associated with Sertoli-cell-only tubule.

We report a case of a short-arm dicentric Y chromosome associated with Sertoli-cell-only tubule. Chromosomal analysis, using G- and C-banding techniques, revealed: 45,X/46,X psu dic(Y) (pter-->q11::q11-->pter)/46,X + mar. Staining by fluorescence in situ hybridization using a Y chromosome centromere-specific DNA probe showed two bright spots in the pseudodicentric Y chromosome and one in the marker chromosome. It is assumed that Sertoli-cell-only tubule is caused by deletion or disruption of the azoospermic factor gene located distal in Yq11.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of BO-2727 against imipenem- and/or meropenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The in vitro and in vivo activity of BO-2727, a carbapenem antibiotic, against resistant clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was studied. The geometric mean MICs against three groups of clinical isolates resistant to imipenem, meropenem and both carbapenems were 4.28, 4.08 and 5.44 micrograms/ml, respectively. BO-2727 also inhibited multiply antibiotic resistant isolates and laboratory mutants including a nalB-type mutant, which showed resistance to antibiotics such as imipenem, meropenem, ceftazidime, and/or ciprofloxacin, at less than 1.56 micrograms/ml. Overall, BO-2727 was 4-fold more active than biapenem, meropenem, panipenem and imipenem with an MIC90 of less than 6.25 micrograms/ml. The presence of basic amino acids in minimal medium less affected the antipseudomonal activity to a minimal extent, suggesting that BO-2727 has diverse penetration routes through the outer membrane other than OprD channel, which facilitates the diffusion of basic amino acids and carbapenems. The in vitro activity of BO-2727 reflected well in its therapeutic efficacy in experimental systemic infection in mice. These results suggest a possibility for the development of antipseudomonal carbapenems having activity against imipenem- and/or meropenem-resistant P. aeruginosa as well as a broad spectrum encompassing Gram-positive and -negative bacteria.

Animals↗