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Y Kawamura

Publications and source records attributed to Y Kawamura.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Motor innervation of the guinea pig interarytenoid muscle: reinnervation process following unilateral denervation.

The authors investigated the process of denervation and reinnervation of the interarytenoid (IA) muscle in the guinea pig using transmission electron microscopy and glycogen depletion technique after unilateral transection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and superior laryngeal nerve to clarify the innervation pattern of the unpaired IA muscle. Anastomosis between the bilateral arytenoid branches was confirmed in the belly of the IA muscle. Five weeks after transection, all of the IA muscle fibers appeared to have been reinnervated by the contralateral RLN. As the arytenoid branch of the RLN runs together with that of the contralateral RLN in a single intramuscular nerve funiculus, it is possible that collateral sprouting branches grow and extend into the adjacent denervated Schwann's sheaths. The authors conclude that the unpaired IA muscle, as a whole, receives specific motor nerve supply from the bilateral RLNs, although each muscle fiber is innervated unilaterally.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Description of Arthrobacter creatinolyticus sp. nov., isolated from human urine.

Three strains of creatinine-hydrolysing bacteria isolated from human urine were characterized taxonomically. They were aerobic, non-spore-forming, Gram-positive rods with the peptidoglycan of the cell wall containing lysine. MK-8 and MK-9 were found to be the major types of menaquinone. The G + C content of the DNA was 66-67 mol%. The 16S rRNA sequence of one strain (GIFU 12498) was determined and aligned with other high-G + C-content Gram-positive rods from different genera. Following phylogenetic analysis, this strain was placed in the genus Arthrobacter. Arthrobacter protophormiae was the most closely related species in the phylogenetic tree, and this species also showed the highest sequence homology value (97%) with GIFU 12498. However, DNA-DNA hybridization indicated that GIFU 12498 did not belong to A. protophormiae (33.8 +/- 3.5% chromosomal similarity). The three urine strains belonged to one species because they shared more than 95% DNA-DNA similarity. It is proposed that these strains are placed in the genus Arthrobacter as a new species, Arthrobacter creatinolyticus sp. nov. The type strain of A. creatinolyticus is GIFU 12498, which has been deposited in the Japan Collection of Microorganisms (JCM) with the accession number JCM 10102.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1998

Streptococcus peroris sp. nov. and Streptococcus infantis sp. nov., new members of the Streptococcus mitis group, isolated from human clinical specimens.

Taxonomic studies were performed on eight strains of alpha-haemolytic streptococci that showed very low DNA-DNA hybridization similarity values with all established members of the mitis group of the genus Streptococcus. These strains were isolated from the tooth surface and pharynx of humans. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that these strains belonged to the mitis group, but that they fell into two new branches. DNA-DNA hybridization demonstrated two new similarity groups. From the results of the present study, the names Streptococcus peroris sp. nov. and Streptococcus infantis sp. nov. are proposed for these new groups. The type strains are O-66T (= GTC 848T = JCM 10158T) and O-122T (= GTC 849T = JCM 10157T), respectively.

Base Composition↗
PubMed1998

Emendation of genus Achromobacter and Achromobacter xylosoxidans (Yabuuchi and Yano) and proposal of Achromobacter ruhlandii (Packer and Vishniac) comb. nov., Achromobacter piechaudii (Kiredjian et al.) comb. nov., and Achromobacter xylosoxidans subsp. denitrificans (Rüger and Tan) comb. nov.

Based on the results of GC content determination and 16S rRNA sequence analysis among the type strains of Achromobacter xylosoxidans, 4 Alcaligenes species, 5 Bordetella species, and 12 species of 4 other genera, the separation of genus Achromobacter Yabuuchi and Yano 1981, with the type species Achromobacter xylosoxidans, is confirmed. Alcaligenes ruhlandii (Packer and Vishniac) Aragno and Schlegel 1992 is a distinct species and not a senior synonym of Achromobacter xylosoxidans. Alcaligenes ruhlandii and Alcaligenes piechaudii Kiredjian et al 1986 are transferred to genus Achromobacter. Thus 2 new combinations, Achromobacter ruhlandii (Packer and Vishniac) and Achromobacter piechaudii (Kiredjian et al) are proposed; their type strains are ATCC 15749 and ATCC 43552, respectively. Alcaligenes denitrificans Rüger and Tan 1983 is also transferred to genus Achromobacter and ranked down to the subspecies of Achromobacter xylosoxidans. Thus a new subspecies name, Achromobacter xylosoxidans subsp. denitrificans (Rüger and Tan) is proposed. The type strain of the subspecies is ATCC 15173. This proposal automatically creates type subspecies, Achromobacter xylosoxidans subsp. xylosoxidans, with type strain ATCC 27061. An emended description of genus Achromobacter and of type species Achromobacter xylosoxidans are given.

Alcaligenes↗
PubMed1998

Distribution of Staphylococcus species among human clinical specimens and emended description of Staphylococcus caprae.

By DNA-DNA hybridization on microplates, we identified 1,230 strains of staphylococci from human clinical specimens and determined the distribution of species. The 10 Staphylococcus species isolated most often were S. epidermidis (31.3%), S. aureus (23.3%), S. haemolyticus (12.2%), S. caprae (10.7%), S. simulans (4.4%), S. hominis (4.0%), S. capitis (3.9%), S. saprophyticus (3.6%), S. warneri (2.2%), and S. lugdunensis (1.3%). From these results, we realized that S. caprae strains were widely distributed in human clinical specimens. The description in Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology indicates that no strains of S. caprae produce acid from fructose and mannitol, but all our S. caprae strains produced acid from fructose and mannitol. Consequently, many strains of S. caprae isolated from human clinical specimens have been misidentified as S. haemolyticus or S. hominis by conventional biochemical tests. In this paper, we propose an emended description of S. caprae.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗
PubMed1998

Deimination of 70-kD nuclear protein during epidermal apoptotic events in vitro.

Peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD) is the enzyme responsible for converting protein-bound arginine residues to citrulline. It has recently been shown that a number of epidermal proteins, including filaggrin, trichohyalin, and keratins, are deiminated by the action of PAD, suggesting a possible role for protein deimination during the final stages of epidermal differentiation. We report here a novel PAD substrate found during the course of identifying deiminated proteins in cultured rat epidermal keratinocytes. We found that a 70-kD protein localized to the periphery of the nucleus was preferentially deiminated after ionomycin treatment in the presence of 2 mM calcium and was associated with apoptotic events in these cells. Furthermore, we discovered that the deimination of nuclear protein could be induced by transfection of a PAD cDNA into rat epidermal keratinocytes. These data suggest that PAD may act on the 70-kD nuclear protein to induce disassembly of the nuclear lamina and promote apoptosis during terminal epidermal differentiation.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

A case of cardiac sarcoidosis: significance of ventricular tachycardia originating from the septum.

A 65-year-old woman was admitted for assessment of recurrent tachycardia. Cross-sectional echocardiography showed that the anterobasal portion of the ventricular septum was thin and dyskinetic. An electrophysiologic study revealed ventricular tachycardia, during which marked fragmented potentials could be obtained from the anterior septal aspect of the right ventricle. The site of earliest activation was in the vicinity of the His bundle. A diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis was made by based on endomyocardial biopsy combined with the clinical manifestations. Ventricular tachycardia originating from the anterior septum may be an indicator of underlying cardiac sarcoidosis.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Micacocidin A, B and C, novel antimycoplasma agents from Pseudomonas sp. I. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation, physico-chemical properties and biological activities.

A Gram-negative bacterium was found to produce a new zinc-containing antibiotics, micacocidin A and related compounds containing Cu or Fe, micacocidin B and C, respectively. These antibiotics were isolated by column chromatography on silica gel, and then separated by preparative TLC and HPLC. These new antibiotics exhibited an excellent activity against Mycoplasma species. The producing bacterium was characterized and ascribed to the genus Pseudomonas.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1998

[Thirteen-week intravenous repeated dose toxicity study of T-3762, a novel parenteral quinolone antimicrobial agent, and four-week recovery test in cynomolgus monkeys].

A thirteen-week intravenous repeated dose toxicity study of T-3762, parenteral quinolone antimicrobial agent, and four-week recovery test was carried out in male and female cynomolgus monkeys at dosages of 26, 52 and 104 mg/kg. The following results were obtained. 1) There was no death of animals during administration period at any dose levels. In general signs, there was no abnormality at any dose levels. 2) In appetite, body weights and ophthalmological examination, there was no abnormality attributable to the treatment. 3) In urinalysis, hematological examination and biochemical examination, there was no abnormality attributable to the treatment. 4) In organ weights, macroscopic findings and histopathological findings, there was no abnormality attributable to the treatment. 5) From these results in this study, no-toxic dose level of T-3762 for cynomolgus monkeys is considered over 104 mg/kg.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Reproductive and developmental toxicity study of T-3762 in rats administered intravenously during the period of organogenesis].

A teratogenicity study of T-3762, an injectable new quinolone antibacterial agent, was conducted in Sprague-Dawley rats to determine the effects on dams and next generations. T-3762 was administered intravenously to pregnant rats at the dose levels of 26, 78 and 156 mg/kg/day from day 7 to day 17 of gestation, during the organogenesis. 1. In the dams, there were no effects on general condition, food intake, water intake and body weight in the T-3762 treated groups. There were no abnormal findings on the autopsy at the end of gestation and lactation periods in the T-3762 treated groups. 2. In the fetuses, there were no effects on the number of dead and live fetuses, sex ratio and body weight in the T-3762 treated groups. No external, visceral and skeletal abnormalities attributed to T-3762 were observed. 3. In the offspring, there were no effects on birth rate, viability, differentiation of external development, body weight, sensory function, emotionality, learning ability and reproductive performance in the T-3762 treated groups. From these results, no-toxic dose levels of T-3762 are considered to be 156 mg/kg for the general toxicity and the reproductive toxicity of parents and for the development of next generation, respectively.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Comparison of single- and triple-dose contrast material in the MR screening of brain metastases.

PURPOSE: Although studies obtained with triple-dose contrast administration can show more brain metastases than those obtained with single-dose contrast material in patients with multiple metastases, such studies are costly and of limited clinical benefit. Since most patients who undergo screening have negative findings or a single metastasis, this study was performed to compare the clinical utility of single-dose versus triple-dose contrast administration in this large group of patients who could benefit from the possible increased sensitivity in lesion detection. METHODS: Ninety-two consecutive patients with negative or equivocal findings or a solitary metastasis on single-dose contrast-enhanced MR images underwent triple-dose studies. Findings were compared with a standard of reference composed of panel review and long-term follow-up. Further analysis was performed by comparing results with those obtained by two blinded readers. RESULTS: In all 70 negative single-dose studies, the triple-dose studies depicted no additional metastases in terms of the standard of reference. No statistically significant difference was seen between the results of the single- and triple-dose studies. For 10 equivocal single-dose studies, the triple-dose study helped clarify the presence or absence of metastases in 50% of the cases. In 12 patients with a solitary metastasis seen on the single-dose study, the triple-dose study depicted additional metastases in 25% of the cases. In the results of one of the two blinded readers, use of triple-dose contrast led to a statistical difference by decreasing the number of equivocal readings but at the expense of increasing the number of false-positive readings. CONCLUSION: Routine triple-dose contrast administration in all cases of suspected brain metastasis is not helpful. On the basis of our investigation, we conclude that the use of triple-dose contrast material is beneficial in selected cases with equivocal findings or solitary metastasis, although with the disadvantage of increasing the number of false-positive results.

Brain↗
PubMed1998

[Electrophysiological heterogeneity of rabbit atrioventricular node cells: possible relationship to fast and slow pathways].

Catheter ablation has been applied for the therapy of atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia for several years. Although this procedure is quite successful, the cellular electrophysiological mechanisms underlying fast and slow conductions remain unknown. Therefore, the characteristics of the action potential waveform of rabbit atrioventricular node (AVN) cells obtained from different regions within Koch's triangle were studied using nystatin-permeabilized patch methods, and 64 AVN cells were used for this study. Based on gross morphology, AVN cells were classified into three groups: ovoid cells, rod shaped cells, and cells with an intermediate shape. Results obtained by measuring the maximum velocity dV/dt of action potentials fell into four subgroups: Group I (dV/dt < 5 V/sec, n = 23), Group II (dV/dt > 5 but < 10 V/sec, n = 20), Group III (dV/dt > 10 but < 20 V/sec, n = 13), and Group IV (dV/dt > 20 V/sec, n = 8). Ovoid cells had the smallest dV/dt, whereas the rod shaped cells had the highest dV/dt. The maximum diastolic potential was more negative in Groups III and IV than in Groups I and II. A notch in the phase II of the action potential was observed in 23% of Group III cells and 56% of those in Group IV, but was not present in Groups I and II. These findings provide further evidence that AVN cells are heterogeneous both in morphology and electrophysiological characteristics. Provided that values of dV/dt can be related to conduction velocity, our findings suggest that cells in Groups III and IV may contribute to fast conduction pathways whereas those in Groups I and II are responsible for slow conduction pathways.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1998

[Detection and treatment of iron deficiency anaemia coexisting with inflammation prevalent in aged individuals].

As the author found that serum ferritin is decreased below 12 ng/ml in iron deficiency anemia (IDA) even then it is coexisting with anaemia other than IDA, an attempt was made to detect and treat IDA coexisting with anaemia other than IDA. When surveyed in a general hospital admitting 222 patients, anaemias were detected in 95 out of 190 patients aged above 60:82 inflammation anaemia, 9 IDA including 6 cases with inflammation and 4 other anaemias. According to the above results, aged patients above 60 with IDA only and IDA coexisting with inflammation were treated by injecting iron intravenously. By the treatment, haemoglobin (Hb) was increased from 9.0 to 13.8 g/dl and the ratio of Hb increase was 0.59 in 4 patients with IDA only, and Hb was increased from 7.7 to 11.5 g/dl and the ratio of Hb increase was 0.63 in 18 patients with IDA coexisting with inflammation. After the treatment, general disease states were improved in many cases. Thus, the treatment of aged patients with IDA coexisting with inflammation seems to be comparably effective as for IDA only.

Anemia, Hypochromic↗
PubMed1998

[Single dose intravenous toxicity studies of T-3762, a novel parenteral quinolone antimicrobial agent, in rats, dogs and monkeys].

Single dose intravenous toxicity studies of T-3762, a novel parenteral quinolone antimicrobial agent, were conducted in rats, dogs and monkeys. The following results were obtained. 1. In the rat study, all males and females given 260 mg/kg survived and all males and 3 of 5 females given 391 mg/kg died. Approximate lethal doses in male and female rats were between 260 and 391 mg/kg. In survived animals, decrease in locomotor activity and irregular respiration were observed. These clinical signs were recovered within 1 hour after dosing. In female rats given 260 mg/kg, no abnormalities were observed in general signs. In dead animals, decrease in locomotor activity, irregular respiration, staggering gait and tonic convulsion were observed and died within about 90 minutes after dosing. Macroscopic examinations in dead animals showed dark red discoloration in lung and had white foamy liquid in trachea. In histopathological examinations of dead animals, congestion, hemorrhage and edema were observed in lung. 2. In the dog study, 2 animals given 260 mg/kg survived and 2 animals given 521 mg/kg died. Approximate lethal dose in dogs was between 260 and 521 mg/kg. In the 260 and 521 mg/kg groups, decrease in locomotor activity, lateral position, vomiting, salivation and decrease in body temperature were observed. In the 521 mg/kg group, one animal died at 4 minutes and another 7 days after dosing. Histopathological examinations in 2 dead animals showed congestion or hemorrhage in heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen and digestive tract. Erosion and necrosis at cartilage layer and cluster of chondrocyte were observed in scapular fossa and head of humerus in the 260 and 561 mg/kg groups. 3. In the monkey study, 2 animals given 260 mg/kg survived and 2 animals given 520 mg/kg died. Approximate lethal dose in monkeys was between 260 and 520 mg/kg. In the 260 mg/kg group, soft feces was observed. In the 520 mg/kg group, paleness mucosa of oral cavity, muscle weakness, mydriasis and dyspnea were observed and animals died within 4 minutes after dosing. Macroscopic and histopathological examinations in 2 dead animals showed congestion in lung, liver and kidney.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1998

[Three months intravenous repeated dose toxicity study of T-3762 in rats].

A three months intravenous repeated dose toxicity study of T-3762, a novel parenteral quinolone antibacterial agent, was carried out in rats at dose levels of 4, 13, 39, 130 mg/kg. Fifteen rats of each sex were used in each group. Out of these, 5 rats of each sex were used for the recovery study. The following results were obtained. 1. There were no death caused by T-3762 within the study period. In clinical signs, the squeaks during injection in 130 mg/kg group were observed, but they decreased day by day. In body weight changes, a tendency to very slight decrease of weight gain in male 130 mg/kg group were seen, but there was no significant difference from control group. In food and water consumption, there was no abnormality. 2. There were no abnormality caused by T-3762 in urinalysis, hematological examination and ophthalmological examination. 3. In blood chemistry examinations, increase of A/G ratio was seen in 13, 39 and 130 mg/kg groups, but it showed tendency of recovery after withdrawal period. 4. In macroscopic and histological findings, erosion and cavitation of the articular cartilage were seen in 3 of 20 rats in 130 mg/kg group and 1 of 20 rats in 39 mg/kg group. 5. Non-toxic dose levels is estimated to 13 mg/kg, that showed no abnormality in the articular cartilage in this study.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1997

Monolayer and three-dimensional cell culture and living tissue culture of gallbladder epithelium.

Several models for preparing and isolating human and animal gallbladder epithelial cells, including low-grade gallbladder carcinoma cells, as well as proposed systems for culturing these isolated epithelial cells are reviewed here. Several reports concerning tissue culture of the gallbladder are also reviewed. The cell culture systems are divided into monolayer cell culture on collagen-coated or uncoated culture dishes or other culture substrate and three-dimensional cell culture in collagen gel. To prepare and isolate gallbladder epithelial cells, digestion of the gallbladder mucosa, abrasion of the mucosal epithelial cells, and excision of epithelial outgrowth of mucosal explants are applied. In monolayer cell culture, most of the specific biological features of isolated and cultured cells characteristic to the gallbladder are gradually lost after several passages, though quantitative and objective analyses of the pathophysiology of cultured cells and their secretory substances can be performed. Tissue culture using explants of the gallbladder has mainly been used for physiological studies of the gallbladder, such as investigating the transport of water and electrolytes. In this tissue culture system, quantitative assessment is difficult, though the original and specific biological and histological characteristics of the gallbladder are retained. Three-dimensional collagen gel culture could be an ideal model combining monolayer cell culture and tissue culture systems, and create controllable conditions or environments when several biologically active substances, such as growth factors, proinflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules, are added to the culture medium. Advantages and shortcomings of individual cultivation models are discussed, and selecting the culture model most appropriate to the purpose of the study will facilitate investigations of the biology and pathogenetic mechanisms of gallbladder diseases such as cholelithiasis.

Animals↗