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Y Miyazaki

Publications and source records attributed to Y Miyazaki.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

[Two-step tuberculin skin test in nurse students].

The tuberculin skin test (TST) was conducted in 243 nurse students (19.4 +/- 1.3 years old). The second TST were carried out in 240 students who did not show blister or necrosis in the first TST. The size of erythema was 16.5 +/- 9.4 mm in the first TST (T1) and 24.3 +/- 15.6 mm in the second TST (T2). The negative reactors, whose size of erythema was below 10 mm, were decreased from 53 to 25, whereas, the strong reactors, whose size of erythema was more than 30 mm, were increased from 11 to 71. The difference of the size of erythema (T2-T1) was 9.7 +/- 11.9 mm in the group I (190 students) who received the latest TST in junior high school, whereas, that was 0.5 +/- 9.2 mm in the group II (50 students) who received the latest TST 14 months before this study. T2-T1 in the group I was weakly correlated with T1. Twenty-four negative reactors received BCG vaccination, and 23 of them converted to positive. Seventy-one strong reactors were checked by chest X-ray, and none showed the findings of tuberculosis, and required the administration of anti-TB drug. The two-step TST is an essential means to know the baseline reactivity to TST, and to distinguish newly infected tuberculosis from booster phenomenon.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Susceptibilities of bacteria isolated from patients with lower respiratory infectious diseases to antibiotics (1999)].

From October 1999 to September 2000, we collected the specimen from 430 patients with lower respiratory tract infections in 17 institutions in Japan, and investigated the susceptibilities of isolated bacteria to various antibacterial agents and antibiotics and patients' characteristics. Of 515 strains that were isolated from specimen (mainly from sputum) and assumed to be bacteria causing in inflammation, 506 strains were investigated. The breakdown of the isolated bacteria were: Staphylococcus aureus 78, Streptococcus pneumoniae 101, Haemophilus influenzae 104, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (non-mucoid) 58, P. aeruginosa (mucoid) 11, Moraxella subgenus Branhamella catarrhalis 41, Klebsiella pneumoniae 18, etc. Of 78 S. aureus strains, those with 4 micrograms/ml or above of MIC of oxacillin (methicillin-resistant S. aureus: MRSA) occupied 57.7%. Vancomycin and arbekacin showed the most potent activities against MRSA without detection of ABK-resistant strain (MIC: 64 micrograms/ml) and decrease of VCM-sensitive strains those were found in 1998. The frequency of S. pneumoniae exhibiting low sensitivity to penicillin (penicillin-intermediate S. pneumoniae: PISP + penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae: PRSP) decreased to 34.7% from 46.0% in 1998. The frequency of PRSP was 3.0%, being the least number after 1991. Carbapenems showed strong activities against S. pneumoniae. Especially, panipenem inhibited the growth of all 101 strains with MIC of 0.063 microgram/ml. Generally, all drugs showed strong activities against H. influenzae with MIC80s of 4 micrograms/ml or below. MICs of ofloxacin ranged between 0.063 microgram/ml and 4 micrograms/ml in 1998, however, those were 0.125 microgram/ml or below in all H. influenzae in 1999 showing the strongest activity. Tobramycin and ciprofloxacin showed strong activities against P. aeruginosa (both mucoid and non-mucoid) with MIC80s of 1 microgram/ml. Number of isolated P. aeruginosa (mucoid) was little as 11, however, the susceptibilities to all drugs were better than P. aeruginosa (non-mucoid). K. pneumoniae showed good susceptibilities to all drugs except for ampicillin with decreasing of low-sensitive strains compared to those detected in 1998. Also, all drugs generally showed strong activities against M. (B.) catarrhalis. MIC80s of all drugs were 2 micrograms/ml or below. The drug which showed the strongest activity was imipenem inhibiting all 41 strains with MIC of 0.063 microgram/ml. On the patients' characteristics, the number of patients aged 80 years or older who had been increased was decreased in 1999 in the distribution by age. The percentage of the elderly patients aged 70 years or older was 47.0%, which occupied almost a half number of the total patients as in the last year. As for the incidence by disease, bacterial pneumonia and chronic bronchitis were the highest. They were noted in 37.9% and 30.5% of the patients, respectively. In 1999, bronchial asthma was frequently observed as compared in recent years. It was noted in about 10% of the patients which is the same % as in bronchiectasis. We examined the number of strains from these patients with infections before and after administration of antibiotics. In patients with bacterial pneumonia, the number of isolated strains was almost the same between those before and after administration. However, in patients with chronic bronchitis, the number of strains remarkably decreased to less than the half of the total after administration of antibiotics in the last year, but it decreased to 2/3 of the total in 1999. On the administration of antibiotics and isolated bacteria by the day of administration, the bacteria which were isolated more before administration were H. influenzae in 28.4%, S. pneumoniae in 25.7%, M. (B.) catarrhalis in 12.0% and S. aureus in 10.6%. The frequency of S. aureus after administration over 15 days was almost the same as that before administration, but the frequency of P. aeruginosa (both mucoid and non-mucoid) was 36.8% which was higher than that before administration. The frequency of isolated S. pneumoniae was decreased after administration and none of them was isolated after completion of administration. However, that of H. influenzae was decreased to 7.1% after administration within 3 days, and many H. influenzae were isolated after completion of administration as 21.4%.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Risk factor for cerebral hemorrhage for the patient with lacunar infarction: investigation of 5 cases associated with both of symptomatic hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes].

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Microangiopathy is regarded as an important cause of intracerebral hematoma(ICH) and lacunar infarction. Dot-like low intensity spots on T2-weighted echo planar image(EPI) have been regarded as hemosiderin deposit associated with microangiopathy. However, clinical significance of dot-like hemosiderin spot(dotHS) is still debated. Therefore, we analyzed the number of dotHS on EPI of symptomatic lacunar infarction associated with ICH. METHODS: To investigate how the dotHS or risk factors contributed to hemorrhagic strokes for patients with lacunar infarction, the number of dotHS and various risk factors were made a comparison between 20 cases with symptomatic lacunar infarctions(lacunar group) and 5 cases with both symptomatic lacunar infarction and symptomatic ICH(complicated group). In addition to EPI, fluid attenuated inversion recovery image, and T1- and T2-weighted MR images were performed for differential diagnosis of dot HS. RESULTS: EPI demonstrated that asymptomatic ICH was significantly more frequent in complicated group (60%) than in lacunar group(10%), and dotHS were significantly more frequent in complicated group(100%) than in lacunar group(50%). The number of dotHS of complicated group was 14.6 +/- 4.3, which was significantly larger than that of lacunar group(4.1 +/- 9.2). No significant difference between two groups were founded in other risk factors including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and smoking. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that dotHS was one of the risk factors for ICH for patients with symptomatic lacunar infarction, and an increasing number of dotHS was one of the predictive factors of symptomatic and/or asymptomatic ICH.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

[Acute myeloid leukemia].

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has been treated with combination chemotherapy, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and differentiation induction therapy. Intensive induction and consolidation therapy including high dose cytarabine (HDAC) is a widely used combination in chemotherapy in the USA and European countries. In Japan, the efficacy of HDAC needs to be evaluated under a good clinical trial. Stem cell source for HSCT has been expanded, and the number of peripheral blood stem cell transplantations is greater than that of bone marrow transplantation, especially for auto-transplantation. Despite some randomized clinical trials, we still do not know whether HSCT provides longer survival than chemotherapy for patients with AML when performed during their first remission. Differentiation therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) using ATRA showed clear success in the treatment for AML. APL is stratified with its specific karyotype and morphology, and this stratification leads to the improvement of overall survival of patients with APL. Several clinical study groups in the world have studied prognostic factors and it has been shown that the chromosomal abnormality of AML cells is closely related to the response to the chemotherapy. The stratification of AML using these prognostic factors is incorporated in some clinical trials to determine whether this approach actually leads to better survival for patients with AML.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

Angiotensin type II receptor expression and ureteral budding.

PURPOSE: Deletion of the angiotensin type II receptor gene (Agtr2) in mice results in a spectrum of urinary tract anomalies similar to that in humans. The mechanism behind this anomalous development is poorly understood. We evaluated Agtr2 expression as it relates to normal and abnormal ureteral budding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 400 wild type mice were inspected at birth for gross evidence of a urinary tract anomaly. In addition, the urinary tracts of 30 wild type embryos were evaluated at 11.0/11.5 and 13.5 weeks of gestation. These embryos were examined for ureteral budding site via section and whole mount in situ hybridization with c-ret probe and Agtr2 expression via in situ hybridization with Agtr2 riboprobe. There were 740 newborn mice homozygous for the null mutation of Agtr2 also evaluated along with 55 angiotensin type II knockout embryos at the aforementioned gestational ages. RESULTS: All wild type newborn animals were grossly normal. Of the angiotensin type II knockout newborns 23 (3.1%) had gross abnormalities of the urinary tract at birth. The predominant finding was a duplicated collecting system associated with a hydronephrotic upper pole moiety. These duplicated collecting systems fulfilled the Meyer-Weigert law. Interestingly, 25 (59.5%) of the knockout embryos showed abnormal ureteral budding. However, in wild type embryos Agtr2 was expressed at this "ectopic" cranial site between the wolffian duct and metanephric mesenchyme. CONCLUSIONS: Although not the sole regulator, angiotensin type II receptor expression may have a role in the embryological development of the urinary tract by inhibiting aberrant ureteral budding. A defect in this inhibitory process appears to cause ectopic ureteral budding, and may subsequently lead to renal dysplasia and other congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[Improvement of 99mTc-pyrophosphate scintigraphy in detection of acute myocardial infarction: combined with 99mTc-tetrofosmin].

BACKGROUND: 201Tl and 99mTc-pyrophosphate (PYP) dual scintigraphy is daily used in the detection of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, 201Tl is not available on emergent situation. We proposed a new method for detection of AMI combined 99mTc-PYP with 99mTc-tetrofosmin (TF). METHODS: 99mTc-PYP (740 MBq) was administered to 25 patients with AMI, and 3.5 hours later, planar imaging (PYP planar) and SPECT were performed (PYP-SPECT). Immediately after cessation of PYP-SPECT, 99mTc-TF (370-740 MBq) was injected and 5 minutes later SPECT was performed in the same position (TF-SPECT). PYP-SPECT and TF-SPECT were reconstructed in the same geometric status to permit superimpose of PYP-SPECT and TF-SPECT images. Two experts and 2 beginners of nuclear medicine physician interpreted the images in three ways; PYP planar image only, PYP-SPECT, and PYP-SPECT with TF-SPECT. RESULTS: PYP-SPECT combined with TF-SPECT shows 100% detectability of the AMI lesions, which is significantly higher than other two methods in both experts and beginners. CONCLUSION: PYP-SPECT combined with TF-SPECT is a powerful method for detection of AMI.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

The abundance of mRNAs for pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase isoenzymes in brain regions of young and aged rats.

The abundance of mRNAs for pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK) isoenzymes in four brain regions of young (10 wk) and aged (50 wk) rats was investigated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The mRNAs for PDK1, 2, and 4 were detected in all the regions examined. The level of PDK2 mRNA was the most abundant among the isoenzymes in all the brain regions when judged from the PCR cycles. The level of PDK1 mRNA was relatively high in cerebellum and cerebral cortex compared to medulla oblongata and hippocampus. Aging decreased the levels of mRNAs for PDK1 and 2 in cerebellum and increased the PDK2 mRNA in hippocampus and cerebral cortex. The level of PDK4 mRNA was not affected by aging. These results provide the first evidence suggesting that there is the regional difference in the abundance of mRNAs for PDK isoenzymes in rat brain and that the levels of mRNAs for the isoenzymes were affected by aging.

Aging↗
PubMed2000

Application of ion-exchange cartridge clean-up in food analysis. V. Simultaneous determination of sulphonamide antibacterials in animal liver and kidney using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and mass spectrometric detection.

A simple, rapid, and reliable method for the determination of residual sulphonamide antibacterials (SAs) (sulfadiazine, sulfamerazine, sulfadimidine, sulfamethoxypiridazine, sulfisozole, sulfamonomethoxine, sulfamethoxazole, sulfisoxazole, sulfadimethoxine, and sulfaquinoxaline) in animal liver and kidney was developed using a combination of clean-up on a Bond Elut PSA cartridge and HPLC with UV detection. The SAs were extracted with ethyl acetate and then dissolved in 5 ml of 50 v/v% ethyl acetate-n-hexane after being evaporated to dryness. For clean-up of the crude sample, the resuspended extract was applied to a Bond Elut PAS (primary/secondary amine cartridge), and then SAs were eluted from the cartridge using 5 ml of 20 v/v% acetonitrile-0.05 M ammonium formate before being analysed by HPLC. Recoveries of the SAs at the levels of 0.5 and 0.1 microg/g were 70.8-98.2%, the rerative standard deviation were less than 7.0%, and the detection limits were 0.03 microg/g. The present analysis method of SAs in animal kidney and liver using HPLC with a clean-up procedure was demonstrated to be highly applicable to the direct LC-MS-MS analysis without any modification.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Structure and photochemistry of dicyanocobalt(III) tetraphenylporphyrin. Photochromic reaction caused by photodissociation of axial ligand.

Chlorocobalt(III) tetraphenylporphyrin, (Cl)CoIIITPP, reacts with potassium cyanide in dichloromethane or benzene containing 18-crown-6 to give a green solution of [crown-K+][(CN)2CoIIITPP-]. The molecular structure of [crown-K+][(CN)2CoIIITPP-] is identified by X-ray crystallography. In methanol, (Cl)CoIIITPP plus KCN also gives a green solution of [(CN)2CoIIITPP-]. The green methanol solution containing 1.4 x 10(-4) M KCN turns orange by continuous photolysis with a 250-W mercury lamp for 5 min. The orange solution returns to green when it is kept in the dark for 5 min. The kinetic study suggests that [(CN)2CoIIITPP-] dissociates CN- by continuous photolysis, giving rise to the formation of the orange species, (CH3OH)(CN)CoIIITPP. The photoproduct, (CH3OH)(CN)CoIIITPP, regenerates the green species, [(CN)2CoIIITPP-], by reaction with CN-. The laser photolysis study of [(CN)2CoIIITPP-] in methanol demonstrates that photodissociation of CN- takes place within 20 ns after the 355-nm laser pulse, resulting in the formation of two transients, I (short-lived) and II (long-lived). The absorption spectra of both transients are similar to that of (CH3OH)(CN)CoIIITPP. These transients eventually return to [(CN)2CoIIITPP-]. The decay of species I follows first-order kinetics with a rate constant k. = 2 x 10(6) s-1, independent of the concentration of KCN. Species II is identified as (CH3OH)(CN)CoIIITPP, which is observed with the continuous photolysis of the solution. The laser photolysis of [crown-K+][(CN)2COIIITPP-] in dichloromethane gives the transient species, which goes back to the original complex according to first-order kinetics with a rate constant k = 5 x 10(6) s-1. [crown-K+][(CN)2CoIIITPP-] is concluded to photodissociate the axial CN- to form [crown-K+CN-][(CN)CoIIITPP] in which an oxygen atom of the crown moiety in [crown-K+CN-] is coordinated to the cobalt(III) atom of [(CN)CoIIITPP] at the axial position. The intracomplex reverse reaction of [crown-K+CN-][(CN)CoIIITPP] leads to the regeneration of [crown-K+][(CN)2CoIIITPP-]. The structure and the reaction of the transient species I observed for [(CN)2CoIIITPP-] in methanol are discussed on the basis of the laser photolysis studies of [crown-K+][(CN)2CoIIITPP-] in dichloromethane.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Identification of a novel cytokine response element in the human IFN regulatory factor-1 gene promoter.

The present study investigates the regulatory mechanisms involved in the cooperation between IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha to promote transcription from IFN regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1). A transient transfection analysis revealed that the region between -218 and -144, where +1 is the transcription start site, as well as previously reported downstream elements, ppkappaB and IFN-gamma activation site/kappaB, were required for the optimal response to the two cytokines. A subsequent DNase I footprint analysis showed that the region between -171 and -144 was inducibly protected with stimulation by TNF-alpha, and this protection was significantly enhanced with the combination of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. In an EMSA with the protected region as a probe, a TNF-alpha-inducible complex (C1) and an IFN-gamma-inducible complex (C2), but no synergy-specific DNA-protein complexes, were recognized. The C1 complex consisted of a pre-existing factor (p65/p50), whereas the C2 complex consisted of a newly synthesized IRF-1-related factor. A methylation interference assay revealed the critical G residues (from -167 to -151) for the DNA-protein complex formation specific to the cytokine response, and within this region the novel kappaB sequence, the promoter distal kappaB (pdkappaB) element (5'-GGGGAAG TAC-3'), was identified. Because the base substitutions over the pdkappaB region (from -171 to -144) affected not only the TNF-alpha-response but also that of IFN-gamma, this region might contribute to the cooperative action of the NF-kappaB subunits with the IRF-1-related factor. Finally, we demonstrated that none of the cis-acting elements, ppkappaB, pdkappaB, or IFN-gamma activation site/kappaB, is dispensable for the optimal synergism in response to IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2000

Studies on a mechanism by which cytosolic phospholipase A2 regulates the expression and function of type IIA secretory phospholipase A2.

Although it has been proposed that arachidonate release by several secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) isozymes is modulated by cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2), the cellular component(s) that intermediates between these two signaling PLA2s remains unknown. Here we provide evidence that 12- or 15-lipoxygenase (12/15-LOX), which lies downstream of cPLA2, plays a pivotal role in cytokine-induced gene expression and function of sPLA2-IIA. The sPLA2-IIA expression and associated PGE2 generation induced by cytokines in rat fibroblastic 3Y1 cells were markedly attenuated by antioxidants that possess 12/15-LOX inhibitory activity. 3Y1 cells expressed 12/15-LOX endogenously, and forcible overexpression of 12/15-LOX in these cells greatly enhanced cytokine-induced expression of sPLA2-IIA, with a concomitant increase in delayed PG generation. Moreover, studies using 293 cells stably transfected with sPLA2-IIA revealed that stimulus-dependent hydrolysis of membrane phospholipids by sPLA2-IIA was enhanced by overexpression of 12/15-LOX. These results indicate that the product(s) generated by the cPLA2-12/15-LOX pathway following cell activation may play two roles: enhancement of sPLA2-IIA gene expression and membrane sensitization that leads to accelerated sPLA2-IIA-mediated hydrolysis.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Mutations of the bak gene in human gastric and colorectal cancers.

The Bcl-2 homologue Bak is a potent inducer of apoptosis. We performed PCR-based single-strand conformational polymorphism and sequencing analysis of the entire coding region of the bak gene (exons 2-6) in 24 primary gastric cancers (6 early-stage and 18 advanced-stage cancers) and 20 primary colorectal cancers (6 early-stage and 14 advanced-stage cancers). The data herein demonstrate, for the first time, the mutation of the bak gene in gastric and colorectal cancers. Missense bak gene mutations were observed in 3 of 24 (12.5%) gastric cancers and 2 of 20 (10.0%) colorectal cancers. Sequence alterations without amino acid alteration were observed 1 of 24 (4.2%) gastric cancers and 2 of 20 (10.0%) colorectal cancers. Mutations in the bak gene were observed only in advanced-stage gastrointestinal cancers but not in early-stage cancers. Our observations suggest that mutations in this gene predispose bearers to the development of gastrointestinal malignancies in at least a subset of the cases.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗
PubMed2000

Genetic subtypes of HIV type 1 in Republic of Congo.

To assess the molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 in Republic of Congo (Congo), we investigated 29 HIV-1s obtained from 82 Congolese AIDS and ARC patients in 1996 and 1997. Part of the env region including the V3 loop was phylogenetically analyzed. The genotypes observed were varied: of 29 specimens, 12 (41 %) were subtype A, 1 (3%) was subtype D, 6 (21%) were subtype G, 6 (21%) were subtype H, 2 (7%) were subtype J, and 2 (7%) could not be classified as any known subtypes (U, unclassified). The heterogeneous profile of HIV-1 infection was different from the profiles of neighboring Central African countries. These data show that subtypes G and H as well as subtype A were circulating with high prevalence. The fact that new genetic subtypes (J and U) are circulating indicates a need for a greater surveillance for these subtypes both in Congo as well as in other parts of the world.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed2000

The mechanism of a human reaction to vibration stress by palmar sweating in relation to autonomic nerve tone.

OBJECTIVES: To clarify the mechanism of a human reaction to vibration stress by palmar sweating in relation to the autonomic nerve tone. METHODS: The autonomic nerve tone was divided into four types by using digital photoelectroplethysmography (PTG) with auditory stimuli: normal (N), hyperreactive (I and D), and hyporeactive (P) types. Palmar sweating and digital PTG were simultaneously measured on the right palm and middle finger, respectively, in 20 healthy men. The left hand gripping the handle with a grasp strength of 49 N was exposed to vibration at a frequency of 125 Hz and acceleration magnitudes of 0 m/s2 (as a control), 30 m/s2, or 50 m/s2 for 3 min. The volume of palmar sweating was recorded before, during, and 30 min after vibration load. Three kinds of drugs related to the autonomic nervous system were orally administered to the subjects. Then 80 min after administration, the experiments were repeated. RESULTS: Of 20 subjects, 17 showed normal autonomic nerve tone (N type), and 3 hyperreactive (I type). The palmar sweating reaction to vibration in I-type subjects was greater and lasted longer than that in N-type subjects. Vibration with an acceleration of 50 m/s2 produced the greatest reaction which was about 7 times larger than that at 0 m/s2 and 2.5 times that at 30 m/s2 (P < 0.01). Sulpiride decreased palmar sweating during vibration, while prazosin and scopolamine inhibited it. CONCLUSIONS: The palmar sweating reaction to vibration stress was related to the background level of the autonomic nerve tone. The sweating volume was in direct proportion to the acceleration magnitude of vibration. The reaction of palmar sweating to vibration stress may be mediated through both the adrenergic and cholinergic fibers of the autonomic nervous system.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
PubMed2000

Antifungal activity of a new triazole, voriconazole (UK-109496), against clinical isolates of Aspergillus spp.

Voriconazole is a new triazole antifungal agent with potent activity against yeast and molds. We investigated the in-vitro activity of voriconazole compared with that of other antifungal agents against 50 clinical isolates of Aspergillus spp., measured by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) reference method described in the M27-A document, and by an alamar blue colorimetric method. Voriconazole was the most potent agent against Aspergillus fumigatus (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC]90, 0.5 mg/l) and Aspergillus niger (MIC90, 1.0 mg/l). Voriconazole was less active (MIC90, 1.0 mg/l) against Aspergillus flavus than itraconazole (MIC90, 0.5 mg/l). Voriconazole was more active than itraconazole against Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus by the alamar blue indicator method for the measurement of MIC. Based on these results, voriconazole has promising activity against commonly encountered isolates of Aspergillus spp., and its clinical usefulness should be established by further studies.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed2000

Synergistic effect of ofloxacin and fluconazole against azole-resistant Candida albicans.

We investigated the combination effects of ofloxacin and fluconazole against azole-resistant Candida albicans strains in vitro and in vivo. Ofloxacin alone showed no efficacy against the azole-resistant C. albicans strain, C26. The in-vitro combination effects were evaluated by the checkerboard method, calculated as the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index, but there was no synergistic effect of the combination. The activity of the drug efflux pump in the azole-resistant C. albicans strains was measured by intracellular rhodamine 6G concentration. When the cells were incubated with ofloxacin or grepafloxacin, the intracellular rhodamine 6G concentration was significantly increased in the azole-resistant C. albicans strain. In-vivo combination effects were evaluated in murine disseminated candidiasis. The survival of the mice was not prolonged, but counts of the yeast cells in the kidney and spleen were reduced following treatment with the combination of ofloxacin (20 mg/kg) and fluconazole (20 mg/kg). The combination of ofloxacin and fluconazole may represent an effective strategy to treat infections caused by azole-resistant C. albicans.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed2000

Acute effects of smoke exposure on the cellular and cytokine profile in isolated perfused lungs.

The aim of this study was to assess the acute effects of cigarette smoke exposure on cellular and cytokine profile in BAL fluids in an isolated perfused rabbit assay. The experimental animals were categorized into four groups: (1) unexposed controls and (2) cigarette smoke-exposed animals perfused with autologous whole blood; (3) unexposed controls and cigarette smoke-exposed; (4) cigarette smoke-exposed animals perfused with Krebs' Ringer solution containing 5% bovine serum albumin and glucose. Cigarette smoke induced an increase in total cell numbers (mainly alveolar macrophages in BAL fluids) and an increase in the permeability index of BAL. Levels of interleukin 8 were also significantly decreased in BAL fluids due to acute effects of cigarette smoke exposure. The most likely explanation for cigarette smoke-induced increase of inflammatory cells in BAL in lungs is because of the release of pre-existing cells from reservoirs within the lungs. The acute effects of cigarette smoke-induced increase of pulmonary epithelial permeability may also play an important role in the cellular recruitment into airspaces from the lung reservoirs.

Animals↗