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Biomedical subjects

Y Kanda

Publications and source records attributed to Y Kanda.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

Macromolecular structure and morphology of native glycogen particles isolated from Candida albicans.

A polysaccharide-rich particulate fraction was isolated from cytoplasmic extracts of Candida albicans by a procedure using differential centrifugation. The polysaccharide particles obtained after purification with deoxycholate treatment were essentially free of nitrogen and were identified chemically as polyglucosan, in which the glucosidic links were of alpha type. Both the response to amylolytic enzymes and the spectral characteristics of the iodine complexes of the polysaccharide particles were similar to those of rabbit liver glycogen. They also precipitated with concanavalin A, the glycogen value being assessed at 1.04. These data strongly indicated that the polysaccharide particles have the macromolecular structure characteristic of glycogen. The sedimentation analysis revealed that they were polydisperse, with a weight average sedimentation coefficient of 340S. In negatively stained specimens, the glycogen particles were seen to form rosette-like structures consisting of a complex unit 40 to 150 nm in diameter. Such complex particles were composed of smaller globules that were fairly uniform in size with an average diameter of 32 nm.

Amylases↗

Neuronal pathways from low-threshold muscle and cutaneous afferents innervating tail to trunk muscle motoneurons in the cat.

We studied neuronal pathways from low-threshold muscle (group I, II) and cutaneous afferents (group A(alpha)beta) innervating the tail to motoneurons innervating trunk muscles (m. iliocostalis lumborum and m. obliquus externus abdominus) in 18 spinalized cats. Stimulation of group I muscle afferents produced excitatory postsynaptic potentials or excitatory postsynaptic potentials followed by inhibitory postsynaptic potentials in all motoneurons innervating the m. iliocostalis lumborum which showed effects (32%), and predominantly inhibitory postsynaptic potentials in motoneurons innervating the m. obliquus externus abdominus (47%). Stimulation of group I+II afferents produced significant increases of the incidence of motoneurons showing postsynaptic potentials (the notoneurons innervating the m. iliocostalis lumborum, 87%; the motoneurons innervating the m. obliquus externus abdominus, 82%). The effects of low threshold cutaneous afferents were bilateral, predominantly producing inhibitory postsynaptic potentials in motoneurons innervating both muscles. These results suggest that neuronal pathways from muscle afferents to back muscle motoneurons mainly increase the stiffness of the trunk to maintain its stability, while those to abdominal muscles help to extend the dorsal column by decreasing their activities. The results also indicate that neuronal pathways from cutaneous afferents to trunk motoneurons functionallY disconnect the tail from the trunk.

Action Potentials↗

Enzyme properties of monoamine oxidase in the frontal cortex and liver of the gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus).

1. Enzyme properties of monoamine oxidase (MAO) in the frontal cortex and liver of the gerbil were investigated using 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), benzylamine (Bz) and tyramine (Tyr) as substrates. 2. The Km values of MAO towards the three substrates were almost similar to the values in other species. The Vmax value of MAO towards Bz was much lower than the value towards 5-HT. 3. In the inhibition studies with selective MAO-A and MAO-B inhibitors, clorgyline and deprenyl, deamination of 5-HT, Bz and Tyr in both tissues was induced by MAO-A alone, MAO-B alone and both forms of the enzyme, respectively, indicating the same substrate specificity as that in rats. 4. The apparent proportion of MAO-A to MAO-B activities in the gerbil liver was approximately 6:4, whereas MAO-A in the frontal cortex of the gerbil was exclusively predominant, consistent with the previous data in the golden hamster which belongs to the same family as the gerbil.

Animals↗

Superficial siderosis of the central nervous system. A case report on examination by ECoG and DPOAE.

This is a case of superficial siderosis of the central nervous system (SSCN). The diagnosis of SSCN was based on the result of T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and on suggestive clinical manifestations. The pure-tone audiogram showed bilateral progressive sensorineural hearing loss with a poor speech discrimination score and Jerger type IV. The remarkable elevation of the detective threshold of cochlear microphonics on electrocochleography was found and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) showed no response: These electrophysiologic examinations, including electrocochleography and DPOAE, revealed that the progressive sensorineural hearing loss in this case was caused by both retrocochlear and cochlear damages.

Central Nervous System Diseases↗