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Biomedical subjects

Y Takano

Publications and source records attributed to Y Takano.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

[Comparative studies on activities of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (1999). I. Susceptibility distribution].

The bacterial strains isolated from patients diagnosed as having urinary tract infections (UTIs) in 9 institutions in Japan were supplied between the period of August 1999 to July 2000. Then, the susceptibilities of them to many kinds of antimicrobial agents were investigated. The number of them were 499 strains. The breakdown of these strains was Gram-positive bacteria as 31.3% and Gram-negative bacteria as 68.7%. Susceptibilities of these bacteria to antimicrobial agents were as follows; vancomycin (VCM), ampicillin (ABPC) and imipenem (IPM) showed strong activities against Enterococcus faecalis. The increase of low-susceptible strains which was noticed in the former year showed a slight recovery in this year. VCM showed a strong activity against MRSA preventing growth of all strains with 1 microgram/ml. In addition, the activity of arbekacin (ABK) was also strong with the MIC90 of 2 micrograms/ml against MRSA. However, MSSA and MRSA showing low susceptibilities were detected in one strain each (MIC: 16 micrograms/ml and 32 micrograms/ml, respectively). Carbapenems showed high activities against Citrobacter freundii and Escherichia coli. Meropenem (MEPM) prevented growth of all strains within 0.125 microgram/ml. Quinolone resistant E. coli decreased in this year compared with those in the last year, that percentage was less than 5%. Almost all drugs showed strong activities against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis. MEPM and carumonam (CRMN) prevented growth of all strains within 0.125 microgram/ml. On the other hand, one strain of K. pneumoniae showing resistance to cefaclor (CCL) and one strain of P. mirabilis showing low susceptibility to most of cephems were detected. Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, almost drugs were not so active. The MIC90s of carbapenems were 8 micrograms/ml and those of all other drugs were more than 16 micrograms/ml.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2001

[Comparative studies on activities of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (1999). II. Background of patients].

Five-hundred forty four bacterial strains isolated from 412 patients diagnosed as having urinary tract infections (UTIs) in 9 institutions in Japan were supplied between the period of August 1999 to July 2000. Then, the clinical background of patients were investigated such as sex, age and type of infections, infections and kind of bacteria, frequency of isolation of bacteria by age and infections, bacteria and infections by timing of administration of antibiotics, and bacteria and infections by surgical procedures. About the relationship between age and sex of patients and type of infections, the number of male patients aged less than 50 years was few, and complicated UTIs without indwelling catheter was the most frequent. In females, the number of patients aged less than 20 years was few. Complicated UTIs without indwelling catheter was the most frequent among female patients aged between 40 to 59 years, in other age groups, uncomplicated UTIs was most frequent. As for type of infections and kind of bacteria, Escherichia coli decreased when the infections became complicated, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis increased when the infection became complicated. Considering this result by age of patients, isolation frequency of E. coli was gradually decreased with aging in patients aged more than 20 years with uncomplicated UTIs or complicated UTIs without indwelling catheter. The isolation frequencies of E. faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus were gradually increased with aging in complicated UTIs without indwelling catheter. In patients with complicated UTIs with indwelling catheter, there was no difference between age group, and P. aeruginosa and E. faecalis were frequently isolated. As for type of causative organisms in UTIs before and after the administration of antibiotics, the isolation of bacteria was remarkably decreased after administration in patients with uncomplicated UTIs and complicated UTIs without indwelling catheter. E. coli decreased after administration of antibiotics, and P. aeruginosa and E. faecalis increased after administration in patients with all infections. As for type of causative organisms in UTIs and surgical procedures, E. coli were more frequently isolated in patients with uncomplicated UTIs when surgical procedures were experienced. Also, Klebsiella spp. and E. faecalis were more frequently isolated in patients with surgical procedures. However, in complicated UTIs, type of causative organisms had no relationship with surgical procedures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Comparative studies on activities of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (1999). III. Secular changes in susceptibility].

The bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) isolated from patients diagnosed as having urinary tract infections (UTIs) in 9 institutions in Japan were supplied between the period of August 1999 to July 2000. Then, the susceptibilities of these bacteria to various antimicrobial agents were examined and the results were compared with those obtained between 1991 and 1998. Comparison was made by classifying strains isolated from patients into those with uncomplicated UTIs and those with complicated UTIs (including with or without indwelling catheter). About E. faecalis, increase of low sensitive strains noted in the former year showed a decreasing tendency, however, one strain each with MIC of 4 micrograms/ml to vancomycin (VCM) was detected in patients with both uncomplicated and complicated UTIs. As for S. aureus, many sensitive strains to cephems, imipenem (IPM) and VCM were noted, and each MIC50 was better than that in the former years. S. aureus strains showing low susceptibility to arbekacin (ABK) were detected in patients with complicated UTIs in this year as well as in the former year, and one strain each with MIC of 16 micrograms/ml and 32 micrograms/ml was detected. Susceptibilities of E. coli were effective to all drugs except for penicillins and minocycline (MINO). Decrease of low sensitive strains was also noted in all drugs except for quinolones. Each MIC90 of ciprofloxacin (CPFX) and sparfloxacin (SPFX) in patients with complicated UTIs against E. coli was 3 degrees classes lower than that in patients with uncomplicated UTIs. As for Klebsiella pneumoniae, decrease of low sensitive strains to cephems was noted in patients with uncomplicated UTIs in 1998. In 1999, low sensitive strains decreased also in patients with complicated UTIs, and few were detected. Susceptibilities of K. pneumoniae to quinolones were effective as compared with those in the former years with the MIC80s of 0.125 microgram/ml or below without detection of low sensitive strains. One low sensitive strain of K. pneumoniae with MIC of 8 micrograms/ml was detected for gentamicin (GM). Susceptibilities of P. aeruginosa to carbapenems were notable. The MIC90 of meropenem (MEPM) and IPM was 4 micrograms/ml each which was 2 degrees better than that in 1998. Resistant P. aeruginosa strains to other drugs except for monobactams decreased in 1999.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2001

[Lack of knowledge about smoking-related risks for diseases in the general public in Japan].

Cigarette smoking is the primary preventable cause of various diseases and death. Smoking has been causally related to lung cancer, other malignancies, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. There have been few studies, however, of whether the ordinary citizen in Japan understand the risks of serious diseases caused by smoking. Four hundred and thirty six people attended a seminar of respiratory diseases entitled "Cigarette smoking and lung cancer; prevention and treatment of asthma; senile care and prevention of pneumonia". After the seminar, unsigned questionnaires were filled out by 403 of those in attendance. Three hundred eighty nine (165 males and 224 females) respondents correctly answered the questionnaires, and these were analyzed in the study. Attendants comprised 243 who had never smoked (63%), 99 former smokers (25%), and 39 current smokers (10%). Three hundred forty seven attendants (89%) answered that smoking is harmful to the health, and 371 (95%) that it is causally related to lung cancer. In contrast, lower numbers of attendants answered that smoking is causally related to other diseases: pulmonary emphysema, 65% of the responses; chronic bronchitis, 68%; laryngeal cancer, 77%; myocardial infarction, 53%; and atherosclerosis, 49%. Of the 39 current smokers, 27 answered that they would stop smoking after the seminar. Although many people partly understand the risks of smoking, they do not have a clear knowledge of the risks of diseases besides lung cancer. Education about the risks of smoking and about smoking cessation is required.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Importance of a network construction with each division and clinical laboratory in the hospital--from a ground of the infection control nurse].

To reduce the frequency and extent hospital infection, the infection prevention team is required to work properly. Infection control nurses play various roles in the infection prevention team, including surveillance of the occurrence of infection and checking the actual conditions of infection prevention activities, as well as the communication and coordination with other sections. Thus, they take part in almost all the activities of the infection prevention team, except the diagnosis and the medical treatment of infectious diseases; that is to say, they make reports, communicate, consult and cooperate with the staff members of other sections. As for surveillance, the results of microbiological tests by a laboratory are most important. By feedback regarding the results of surveillance measures against infection, infection prevention activities become more effective. The staff members of the microbiological laboratory and the infection control nurses can obtain information about the outbreak of infection at an early stage, which is critical in infection prevention activities. Therefore, good cooperation between nurses and the laboratory staff facilitates prompt and appropriate actions to prevent further spread of infection. The test section, especially the microbiological laboratory, is the most important section with which the infection control nurses should work in close cooperation.

Cross Infection↗
PubMed2001

Retinal dysfunction in cancer-associated retinopathy is improved by Ca(2+) antagonist administration and dark adaptation.

PURPOSE: It was recently found that recoverin acts as an autoantigen recognized by sera of patients with cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR), and that CAR-like retinal dysfunction is produced by intravitreous administration of anti-recoverin antibody in Lewis rat eyes. To examine the pathologic molecular mechanism of CAR, and to elucidate an effective therapy for CAR, the function and morphology of CAR were compared with those of phototoxic retinal damage, another form of photoreceptor dysfunction, and the effect of nilvadipine, a Ca(2+) antagonist, on the retinal degenerations was studied, using these models. METHODS: Under different illumination conditions and/or medication with nilvadipine, the functional and morphologic properties of the retinas were evaluated after intravitreous injection of anti-recoverin antibody into Lewis rat eyes (six rats, 12 eyes in each experimental condition), using electroretinogram (ERG), rhodopsin phosphorylation, and light microscopy. RESULTS: Anti-recoverin antibody administered into the vitreous of Lewis rat eyes induced a significant decrease and increase of ERG responses and rhodopsin phosphorylation levels, respectively, under cyclic or continuous light. Similar changes were observed in eyes of rats bred under continuous illumination that did not receive anti-recoverin antibodies. However, anti-recoverin antibody-induced retinal dysfunctions were not observed in rat eyes under dark conditions. Administration of nilvadipine, a Ca(2+) antagonist, to the anti-recoverin antibody-treated rats and rats with phototoxic retinal dysfunction caused significant improvement of the deterioration of ERG and normalization of rhodopsin phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS: The present data indicate that anti-recoverin antibody-induced retinal dysfunction was functionally similar to phototoxic retinal dysfunction and was markedly suppressed under dark conditions or by systemic administration of a Ca(2+) antagonist.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Differential host susceptibility to pulmonary infections with bacteria and fungi in mice deficient in myeloperoxidase.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO), which is located within neutrophils capable of producing hypochlorous acid, is active in vitro against bacteria and fungi. However, MPO-deficient persons are usually healthy. To define the in vivo contribution of MPO to early host defense against pulmonary infections, MPO-deficient and control mice were intranasally infected with various fungi and bacteria, and the number of residual microorganisms in lungs was compared 48 h later. MPO-deficient mice showed severely reduced cytotoxicity to Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Trichosporon asahii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, the mutant mice showed a slight but significantly delayed clearance of Aspergillus fumigatus and Klebsiella pneumoniae and had comparable levels of resistance to the wild type against Candida glabrata, Cryptococcus neoformans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. These results suggest that the MPO-dependent oxidative system is important for host defense against fungi and bacteria, although the effect varies by pathogen species.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

The low prevalence of high levels of expressed emotion in Bali.

The present study contrasts the expressed emotion (EE) status in family members of schizophrenic patients between Bali (Indonesia) and Tokyo (Japan), the former being a non-industrialized society and the latter an industrialized society in Asia. The EE ratings of each key relative for 62 consecutively hospitalized schizophrenic patients at the Bangli State Mental Hospital (Bali) and 33 consecutively admitted schizophrenics at Komagino Hospital (Tokyo) were obtained using the Five Minute Speech Sample (FMSS) method. A significantly lower prevalence of high EE (12.9%) was observed in Bali compared with Tokyo (36.4%) (P<0.01). This result may explain the better social adjustment of schizophrenics in Bali. In addition, in Bali, to clarify the EE effect in this non-industrialized society, we examined the relationship between each key relative's EE and the patient's psychotic symptoms at admission, as assessed by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the Scales for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS). Moreover, the association between each family member's EE and a patient's rate of re-admission over the 1-year period following discharge was evaluated. The EE value was significantly related to the anxious-depression factor score in the BPRS, but not to either of the other factor scores in the BPRS or SANS subscales. Furthermore, EE status was not a reliable predictor of patient re-admission over the 1-year period following discharge in Bali.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

The role of tachykinin NK-1 receptors in the area postrema of ferrets in emesis.

The role of tachykinin NK-1 receptors in the area postrema (AP) in emesis was examined in ferrets. Strong c-fos-like immunoreactivity was observed in the AP and nucleus tractus solitalius (NTS) in cisplatin (10 mg/kg, i.p.)-treated animals, but not in control animals. The number of the central emetogen morphine-induced vomits and retches was remarkably reduced (95%) and that of the peripheral emetogen copper sulphate-induced vomits was significantly (54%) reduced by AP lesion. Pretreatment with the tachykinin NK-1 receptor antagonists HSP-117 (1.0 microg) and CP-99,994 (7.5 microg) into the AP decreased the numbers of vomits and retches induced by morphine and copper sulphate. These results suggest that NK-1 receptors in the AP are involved in the mechanism of emesis induced by morphine and copper sulphate.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Characterization of the responsive elements to hormones in the rat aldolase B gene.

Transcription of the aldolase B gene, AldB, in the liver is regulated by hormones such as insulin and glucagon. To characterize the elements that are responsive to these hormones in the upstream region of AldB, plasmids carrying various length of the upstream region of this gene were constructed and transfected to primary cultured rat hepatocytes. The promoter activities were gradually increased by progressive deletion of the 5'-upstream region, and high activities were observed for constructs carrying the sequence between -408 and -85 bp, suggesting the presence of suppressive element(s) in the upstream region of -409 bp. The transcription activities of the mutants containing the sequences between -228 and -85 bp were enhanced by insulin, and glucagon suppressed the transcription activities of those containing the sequence between -764 and -85 bp. Two sequence elements similar to the cAMP-responsive element (CRE), one from -89 to -82 bp and another from +13 to +20 bp, were found in the upstream sequence of the gene. The latter element is not functional because its deletion did not affect either the transcription efficiency or glucagon response. However, the deletion of the former element diminished both functions. A gel retardation assay showed that the nuclear factor binds to the former element, which was competitive with authentic CRE oligonucleotide but not with the mutant CRE one. These results suggest that the CRE-like element in the promoter region is prerequisite for both fundamental transcription efficiency of the gene and suppression by glucagon in hepatocytes.

5' Untranslated Regions↗
PubMed2000

Cyclin E overexpression in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

We attempted to clarify the relationship between cyclin E to p27(Kip1), Ki-67 and clinicopathologic features in transitional cell bladder carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining of archival tissue specimens of transitional cell bladder carcinoma obtained from 94 patients was performed by the labeled streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase method. Overexpression of cyclin E protein was observed in 38 of the 94 (40.4%) specimens, and was positively correlated with histological grade, Ki-67 LI and p27(Kip1) labeling index (LI). These data suggest that cyclin E may be associated with aggressive tumor growth, and may have a relationship with p27(Kip1) for the regulation of cell cycle progression in transitional cell bladder carcinoma.

Carcinoma, Transitional Cell↗
PubMed2000

Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(Kip1) expression in transitional cell carcinoma of renal pelvis and ureter.

We examined the expression and significance of p27(Kip1) protein in 79 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter. Immunohistochemical staining of archival tissue specimens was done using a labeled streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase method. There was no significant association between p27(Kip1) labeling index and histologic grade or pathologic stage. Patients with p27(Kip1) labeling indices of 27 or greater had more favorable prognoses in comparison to those with p27(kip1) labeling indices less than 27 (P<0.01). Multivariate analysis indicated that p27(Kip1) had an independent predictive prognostic value (P<0.05). The p27(Kip1) may be a novel prognostic marker for transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Involvement of M3 muscarinic receptors of the spinal cord in formalin-induced nociception in mice.

Subcutaneous injection of formalin into a paw of mice caused two distinct phases of licking and biting, first phase (1-5 min) and the second phase (7-30 min) after the injection. The muscarinic antagonist atropine (0.1-10 ng, i.t.) and the M(3) receptor antagonist 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide (4-DAMP) (0.1-20 ng, i.t.) inhibited the second phase of this response, whereas higher doses of atropine (20-100 ng, i.t.) did not cause inhibition. The M(1) muscarinic receptor antagonist pirenzepine (10-100 ng, i.t.) did not inhibit either the first or the second phase response, but a high dose of pirenzepine (1000 ng, i.t.) tended to inhibit the second phase response. On the other hand, the M(2) muscarinic receptor antagonist 11-¿(2-[(diethylamino)methyl]-1-piperidinyl¿acetyl)-5, 11-dihydro-6H-pyrido(2,3-b)(1,4)benzodiazepine-6-one (AF-DX116; 10-1000 ng, i.t.) had no effect on either the first or the second phase of response. The opioid receptor antagonist naloxone did not affect the 4-DAMP-induced anti-nociceptive response. The i.t. injection of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor neostigmine (25 ng) significantly inhibited only the second phase. The acetylcholine (ACh) depletor hemicholinium-3 (HC-3) (1 microg, i.t.) completely abolished the 4-DAMP-induced anti-nociceptive response. The ACh content of the spinal cord was significantly increased 14 min after formalin injection. This significant increase in the ACh content was inhibited by pretreatment with 4-DAMP (10 ng, i.t.). These results suggest that endogenous ACh in the spinal cord acts as a transmitter anti-nociception, and that ACh release regulated by presynaptic M(3) muscarinic receptors in the spinal cord is involved in the second phase of nociception induced by formalin.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed2000

Pharmacological characterization of a novel AVP(4-9) binding site in rat hippocampus.

pGlu-Asn-Cys (Cys)-Pro-Arg-Gly-NH(2) (AVP(4-9)), a major metabolite C-terminal fragment of Arginine(8)-vasopressin (AVP), improves the disruption of the learning and memory, and is a far more potent in the mnemonic function than AVP. In this study, we pharmacologically characterized its putative binding site and mechanism of intracellular signaling. Radioligand binding assay showed that [35S]AVP(4-9) could detect specific binding sites in the rat hippocampus membrane preparations, and the binding site was specifically displaced by AVP(4-9) but not by either V(1) or V(2) antagonists. Furthermore, [35S]AVP(4-9) could not detect the cloned rat V(1a), V(1b) and V(2) vasopressin receptors. Even at a low doses (10-100 pM), AVP(4-9) caused an increase in both inositol(1,4, 5)-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P(3)) and intracellular calcium concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)) in rat hippocampal cells. The AVP(4-9)-induced [Ca(2+)](i) increase was partially inhibited by the absence of Ca(2+) or by Ca(2+)-channel blocker, suggesting that AVP(4-9) caused the [Ca(2+)](i) increase via release from intracellular calcium store as well as influx from extracellular calcium. For the first time, this study provides evidence to show that AVP(4-9) activates Ins(1,4,5)P(3)/[Ca(2+)](i) pathway through a novel type of receptor in rat hippocampus, which might be potentially important in improving the mnemonic function.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Occult hepatitis B virus infection in HBs antigen-negative hepatocellular carcinoma in a Japanese population: involvement of HBx and p53.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome was reported to be detected in serum or liver tissues in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Hepatitis B x (HBx) and p53 protein were reported to play an important role in HBV-related hepatocarcinogenesis. To clarify latent HBV infection in HBsAg- and anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV)-negative HCC in a Japanese population and involvement of HBx and p53 protein in these patients, we performed the sensitive and specific nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemical analysis. Of 1,024 HCC patients we saw between 1974 and 1998, 66 (6.4%) were negative for HBsAg and anti-HCV. Serum DNA was amplified by nested PCR by using specific primers of surface (S), core (C) and X regions in 26 patients negative for HBsAg and anti-HCV. Eighteen (69%) patients were positive for either S, C, or X region and the results of PCR were confirmed by Southern blotting. Of 18 PCR-positive patients, 3 were positive for anti-HBs and 9 were positive for anti-HBc, however, one was negative for any HBV markers. In HBsAg-negative and PCR-positive patients, the positive rates of expression of HBx and p53 were 8/13 (62%) and 7/13 (54%), being comparable to those in HBsAg-positive HCC patients. The results of the present study suggest that high prevalence of HBV infection is observed in HBsAg-negative HCC in a Japanese population and expression of HBx and p53 is consistent with a role, in these patients, for the transforming ability of these proteins.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Lymph node metastasis-related carbohydrate epitopes of gastric cancer with submucosal invasion.

This study was conducted to examine the lymph node metastasis-related carbohydrate epitopes of cancer cells in primary lesions of gastric cancer with submucosal invasion (sm gastric cancer). A total of 118 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded surgical specimens were studied. Carbohydrate epitopes were detected histochemically using 17 kinds of biotin-labeled lectins and three kinds of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (HB-T1), Tn (HB-Tn1), and sialyl Tn antigens (HB-STn1). The node-positive group showed significantly lower reactivities with Ricinus communis I (RCA-I), Lotus tetragonolobus (Lotus), Triticum vulgaris (WGA), and Concanavalia ensiformis (ConA), and higher reactivities with HB-STn1. When sm gastric cancer was classified into differentiated and undifferentiated types, lower reactivities with RCA-I and ConA were observed in the differentiated type cancers, whereas lower reactivities with Lotus, WGA, and higher reactivity with HB-STn1 were observed in the undifferentiated type cancers. Nodal status was able to be predicted with high precision by a combination of these carbohydrates and histological subtypes. Since neuraminidase treatment rarely changed the reactivity of cancer cells with these lectins, we conclude that the loss of certain kinds of carbohydrates that are restricted by histological subtypes is related to lymph node metastasis in sm gastric cancer.

Adult↗