Biomedical subjects

Y Yamaguchi

Publications and source records attributed to Y Yamaguchi.

At least 667 records · Page 37Linked to original sources

PubMed1994

[Studies on the constituents of Scutellaria species. XV. On the diterpenoid constituents of the leaves of Scutellaria alpina L].

From the leaves of Scutellaria alpina L., four new neo-clerodane diterpenes (1-4) were isolated. The structures of 1-4 were shown to be (4S)-19-acetoxy-8 beta-hydroxy-6 alpha-benzoyloxy-4,18-epoxy-neo-cleroda-11,13- dien-15,16-olide, (4S)-19-acetoxy-8 beta-hydroxy-6 alpha-tigloyloxy-4,18-epoxy-neo-cleroda-11,13- dien-15,16-olide, (4S, 11S)-11-acetoxy-8 beta,19-dihydroxy-6 alpha-tigloyloxy-4,18-epoxy-neo- clerod-13-en-15,16-olide, and (4S)-19-acetoxy-8 beta-hydroxy-6 alpha, 7 beta-dibenzoyloxy-4,18-epoxy-neo- cleroda-11,13-dien-15,16-olide, respectively, by the chemical and spectral data.

Diterpenes↗

PubMed1994

Evolution of pathogenic viruses with special reference to the rates of synonymous and nonsynonymous substitutions.

For pathogenic viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human influenza A virus, and human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I), the evolutionary features were briefly reviewed with special reference to the rates of synonymous and nonsynonymous substitutions. In particular, these rates were discussed in connection with the neutral theory of molecular evolution. It was common to all the five pathogenic viruses that the rate of synonymous substitution was higher than that of nonsynonymous substitution particularly when the entire gene regions were compared between different isolates. This suggests that the viral proteins are quite conservative to functional and structural changes even though most of these viral genomes are evolving at a speed extraordinarily higher than their host genomes. Thus, this feature is consistent with the neutral theory. However, it is also pointed out that positive selection may be operating on some specific sites such as antigenic sites in order for the pathogenic viruses to escape from the host immune system.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1994

[Protein metabolism in vegans].

To elucidate the mechanisms of adaptation to a low-energy and low-protein vegan diet, we carried out dietary surveys and nitrogen balance studies five times during one year on two women and a man who ate raw brown rice, raw green vegetables, three kinds of raw roots, fruit and salt daily. Individual subjects modified this vegan diet slightly. The mean daily energy intake of the subjects was 18, 14, and 32 kcal/kg, of body weight. The loss of body weight was about 10% of the initial level. The daily nitrogen balance was -32, -33, and -11 mg N/kg of body weight. In spite of the negative nitrogen balance, the results of routine clinical tests, initially normal, did not change with the vegan diet. Ten months after the start of the vegan diet, the subjects were given 15N urea orally. The incorporation of 15N into serum proteins suggested that these subjects could utilize urea nitrogen for body protein synthesis. The level of 15N in serum proteins was close to the level in other normal adult men on a low-protein diet with adequate energy for 2 weeks.

Aged↗

PubMed1994

Autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase in patients with IDDM and autoimmune thyroid disease.

Autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), previously reported to be the 64,000-M(r) (64K) islet cell protein, were measured by a radioimmunoassay using purified pig brain GAD in 29 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) and in 29 sex- and disease duration-matched IDDM patients without AITD. Islet cell antibodies (ICAs) and 64K antibodies were also determined. In IDDM patients with short-duration diabetes (< 1 year), the prevalence and levels of GAD antibodies were 100% (8 of 8) and 609 +/- 166 U (means +/- SE), respectively, in IDDM patients with AITD and 81.8% (9 of 11) and 90 +/- 51 U, respectively, in patients without AITD. In patients with long-standing IDDM (3-22 years), the prevalence and levels of GAD antibodies were 76.2% (16 of 21) and 193 +/- 66 U, respectively, in patients with AITD and 50.0% (9 of 18) and 36 +/- 14 U, respectively, in patients without AITD. For up to 6 years after the onset of IDDM, the levels of GAD antibodies in IDDM patients with AITD were significantly higher than in IDDM patients without AITD. A close and significant correlation was found between GAD antibodies and ICA or 64K antibodies in IDDM patients with AITD. Our results demonstrate that high levels of GAD antibodies were present in IDDM patients with AITD. The observed differences in GAD immunoreactivity between IDDM patients with and without AITD might help evaluate the role of GAD antibodies in IDDM.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Prevalence of mutations in the insulin receptor gene in subjects with features of the type A syndrome of insulin resistance.

Mutations of the insulin receptor gene are a cause of the type A syndrome of extreme insulin resistance. This study assessed the prevalence of such mutations in women with clinical features of the type A syndrome including ovarian hyperandrogenism, moderate-to-severe degrees of insulin resistance, and acanthosis nigricans. We studied 22 unrelated women with insulin resistance (fasting insulin > 300 pM [50 microU/ml] and/or peak during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) > 1,800 pM [300 microU/ml]), acanthosis nigricans, and the polycystic ovary syndrome (hyperandrogenemia, oligoamenorrhea, and hirsutism). Two insulin-resistant probands with congenital generalized lipodystrophy and one male proband with severe insulin resistance also were included in the study. Southern blotting experiments were performed to exclude gross gene deletions, insertions, or rearrangements. Exons 2-22 of the insulin receptor gene were polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified from genomic DNA and screened for nucleotide variation using single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). No nucleotide variation between study subjects was detected in exons 4-6, 10-12, 15, 16, 18, 19, or 21. Sequencing of amplified DNA revealed that SSCP variants in exons 2, 3, 8, 9, and 17 corresponded to known silent polymorphisms within the coding region. Variants in exons 2, 9, 13, and 14 were caused by novel silent polymorphisms; variants in exons 7 and 22 were caused by nucleotide substitutions in flanking introns. One proband was found to have a heterozygous point mutation in exon 20 (CGG-->CAG, Arg1174-->Gln) that involves the intracellular receptor beta-subunit.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acanthosis Nigricans↗

PubMed1994

Efficacy of a new 5-fluorouracil derivative, BOF-A2, in advanced non-small cell lung cancer. A multi-center phase II study.

Oral BOF-A2 (Emitefur), a new derivative of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) containing both 1-ethoxymethyl-5-FU (EMFU), a masked form of 5-FU, and 3-cyano-2,6-dihydroxypyridine (CNDP), an inhibitor of 5-FU degradation, was administered to 71 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients in a multi-center phase II study. The patients were scheduled to receive at least 2 courses of treatment, each consisting of 200 mg twice daily for 2 weeks followed by a 2-week rest period. Out of 62 evaluable patients, 11 (18%) responded (8 of 44 adeno- and 3 of 15 squamous cell carcinomas). Thirty-four patients showed no change and 17 progressive disease. The incidences of grade > or = 2 hematologic toxicity were 5-8% for leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia. The incidences of non-hematologic toxicity of grade > or = 2, such as anorexia, nausea/vomiting, and diarrhea, were close to 20% or lower.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1994

[A case of adult mature nephroblastic tumor].

A 22-year-old woman had a well differentiated nephroblastic tumor. The tumor was composed of mesenchymal elements with mature tubules and occasionally smooth muscle elements. None of the cellular elements showed any feature indicative of malignancy. Histologically this was similar to congenital mesoblastic nephroma, but the tumor showed an evidence of a uniform expansile growth. It was considered to be a form of mature nephroblastoma.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

[Study of sexual function of male diabetics].

We studied the actual general state of sexual dysfunction in 201 male diabetics (age range: 22-76 years) who were commuting outpatients, using the Sapporo Medical University's Sexual Function Questionnaire. The control group consisted of 6,426 healthy male subjects. The principal parameters taken into account by the Questionnaire were the libido and ability to achieve/maintain an erection, with consideration given to the factor of the subject's age. The results were as follows. 1. The diabetic patients who were experiencing neuropathy showed a decrease in the ability to achieve/maintain an erection at an earlier age than the patients without neuropathy. In addition, the number of patients with a decreased ability to achieve/maintain an erection was found to be 30 (45%) of 67 cases with neuropathy compared with 24 (18%) of 134 cases without neuropathy. The severity of that decreased ability was also greater in the cases with neuropathy. 2. In comparison with the healthy male control subjects, the diabetics showed decreases in libido and the ability to achieve/maintain an erection which were not very severe at younger ages, but became striking after the age of about 60 years. Thus, the degree of dysfunction accelerated with increasing age. After the age of 60 years, the erection score was found to decrease in 31.7% of the patients without neuropathy but in 61.1% of the patients with neuropathy. 3. Weighted regression analysis showed that the most important factor involved in the ability to achieve/maintain an erection was the subject's age (contribution rate: 27.2%), followed by neuropathy (7.4%). These two factors represented the explanatory factor of erectile dysfunction in approximately 1/3 of the diabetics.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1994

[Etiological analysis of male diabetic erectile dysfunction with particular emphasis on findings of vascular and neurological examinations].

We studied the nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) value obtained by simple method and the vascular and neurological findings closely related to the ability to achieve/maintain an erection in order to investigate the causative factors of organic erectile dysfunction seen in diabetes. Studies were carried out on 62 male diabetics (32-78 y.o.). The results were as follows. 1. There were no cases of a decrease in the nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) value among eight subjects who showed no erectile dysfunction. However, a decrease in the NPT value was recorded in 28 (85%) of 34 subjects who showed complete failure to achieve/maintain an erection. It was, therefore, surmised that there is a large organic contribution to the erectile dysfunction seen in diabetes. 2. We determined the penile blood pressure index (PBPI), the reactions of papaverine tests, conduction velocity of the dorsal nerve of the penis and the latency of the bulbocavernosus reflex. 42 (67.7%) of the 62 subjects had penile vascular disorders and the cases with severe vascular disorders were skewed to the high age brackets. There were also many cases with neuropathy involved in the ability to achieve/maintain an erection: 38 (61.2%) of the 62 subjects. Moreover, many of the subjects were found to have damage to both the blood vessels and the nerves relating to an erection, and these forms of damage were surmised to be deeply involved in the decrease in the NPT value. 3. Multivariate analysis indicated that the most important factor involved in the decrease in the NPT value was vascular damage (contribution rate: 30.8%), followed by neuropathy (6.9%). These two factors represented the most important explanatory factors of the organic erectile dysfunction seen in diabetes. 4. The contribution rate of vascular damage to the decrease in the NPT value was 18.8% for diabetic subjects under the age of 60 years, but 45.1% for subjects aged 60 years or more. The contribution rate was thus higher in the elderly subject group. On the other hand, the contribution rate of neuropathy to the decrease in the NPT value was 7.7% for diabetic subjects under the age of 60 years, but the rate decreased to 4.7% for subjects aged 60 years or more.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Preventive effects of magnesium on raised serum lipid peroxide levels and aortic cholesterol deposition in mice fed an atherogenic diet.

We examined the effects of various levels of magnesium intake on serum lipid levels and aortic cholesterol deposition in mice fed for 14 weeks on an atherogenic diet containing 10 per cent linoleic acid. During that time, the mice were given MgCl2.6H2O in drinking water at magnesium doses of 10, 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg/d. A magnesium dose of 50 mg/kg/d is approximately equivalent to the amount consumed in the normal daily diet. Throughout the experimental period, levels of both serum total cholesterol and lipid peroxides decreased relative to increases in the dose of magnesium, while levels of serum phospholipid, triglyceride, and high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol were unaffected. Levels of aortic cholesterol, particularly cholesteryl ester, decreased as the dose of magnesium increased. These findings indicate that adequate magnesium intake prevents cholesterol deposition in the aortas of mice fed an atherogenic diet, and that this was due to the inhibitory effect of magnesium on lipid peroxidation and its hypocholesterolaemic effect, suggesting in turn, that the antioxidative action of this element plays an important role in creating a defence against the development of atherosclerosis.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

[Skin reaction to OK-432 and its dosage for locoregional administration].

Establishment of optimal dosage of OK-432, a streptococcal preparation, was studied based on its skin test was studied. Locoregional immunotherapy using OK-432 was conducted for patients with malignant fluids. More OK-432 was administered to patients having a weaker skin reaction to OK-432 and less to those having a stronger one, corresponding to their redness diameter of skin reaction. There was a marked difference in OK-432-skin test among patients. Some patients with malignant fluids having small redness responded to the treatment after a large amount of OK-432, and others were well controlled by a smaller dosage of OK-432. It is suggested that OK-432-skin test may provide the optimal dosage for local treatment of malignant fluids.

Ascitic Fluid↗

PubMed1994

Brain metastasis of small cell lung carcinoma: comparison of Gd-DTPA enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and enhanced computerized tomography.

Small cell carcinoma of the lung (SCLC) frequently metastasizes into the brain, resulting in serious influences upon prognosis. Delayed brain damage caused by prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) is also problematic. Gadrinium diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to detect early brain metastasis from SCLC, and its usefulness was compared with contrast computerized tomography (CT). Among 25 SCLC patients, brain metastasis was detected in 11 by MRI and in 10 by CT, although six of them were completely asymptomatic. In the 11 patients, 6.3 and 2.4 lesions were respectively detected on average by MRI and CT. The ability of MRI to detect metastatic lesions of > or = 15 mm diameter did not differ from that of CT, but became different as lesions became smaller (P < 0.002), and MRI had a decided advantage over CT because as many as 30 lesions of < or = 5 mm diameter were detected by MRI, whereas such lesions visualized on CT numbered only one (P < 0.0001). MRI was incomparably superior to CT (P < 0.0004) for subtentorial lesions since 18 lesions were detected on MRI, but only three, measuring > or = 25 mm in diameter, were demonstrated on CT. Gd-DTPA enhanced MRI was determined to be extremely useful in the early diagnosis of SCLC brain metastasis. MRI was thought to reduce delayed brain damage caused by PCI if performed according to an adequate schedule.

Brain Neoplasms↗

PubMed1994

[Interleukin-5].

Interleukin-5 (IL-5) is a glycoprotein with molecular weight 40 to 50 kDa that consists of homodimer. The murine cDNA encodes 133 amino acids with a signal sequence of 18 amino acids. The human cD NA codes for a protein with 134 amino acids in which the first 19 are the predicted signal sequence. There is 70% homology at the amino acid level between murine and human IL-5. IL-5 R alpha chain cDNA encodes p 60 that binds IL-5 with low affinity. The beta subunit of IL-5, GM-CSF, and IL-3 receptor complexes is shared and these receptors show some functional cross-reactivity. Both alpha and beta chains of IL-5 R belong to a cytokine receptor superfamily. It is important to note that whilst murine IL-5 causes the activation of B cells and eosinophil differentiation, human IL-5 only causes eosinophil differentiation. IL-5 plays an important role in eosinophilopoiesis in vivo as well as in vitro.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Liver regeneration after orthotopic reduced-size hepatic transplantation in the rat.

These experiments were undertaken to study the effects of cyclosporine on liver regeneration after an isogeneic orthotopic reduced-size hepatic transplantation in rats. The incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine into the DNA of the remnant hepatocytes was evaluated at various time points by immunohistochemical staining. Cyclosporine (10 mg/kg/day) significantly augmented BrdU incorporation into hepatocytes after hepatectomy. The maximum labeling index was observed at 24 hr after hepatectomy. In contrast, the maximum labeling index in the recipient rats not receiving cyclosporine was seen at 36 hr after reduced-size hepatic transplantation, and 10 mg/kg/day of cyclosporine decreased the labeling index at 36 hr after grafting. A lower dose of cyclosporine (3 mg/kg/day), however, significantly increased the labeling index in the recipient rats, which reached a peak at 24 hr after grafting as compared with the transplant recipients not receiving cyclosporine. This dosage shortened the time it took for the reduced-size hepatic transplant labeling index to peak. These findings suggest that after reduced-size hepatic transplantation, the liver graft is more sensitive to both hepatotrophic and hepatotoxic effects of cyclosporine.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

[A case report of angina pectoris associated with hypereosinophilia in a patient on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)].

We report a case of hypereosinophilia which was associated with the onset of anginal attacks. A 64-year-old man progressed to end-stage renal failure due to diabetic nephropathy, and was treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). He had no past history of angina pectoris nor hypereosinophilia. Three weeks after the initiation of CAPD, the eosinophil count in peripheral blood increased (up to 4093/mm3). Two weeks later, he suffered from an anterior chest pain attack, and angina pectoris was diagnosed. As a result of treatment with isosorbide dinitrate and prednisolone, hypereosinophilia disappeared rapidly and repeated episodes of anginal attacks also disappeared. After an interval of 3 months, however, hypereosinophilia (up to 15190/mm3) and anginal attacks recurred. He underwent coronary angiography, in which no stenotic change was observed. The administration of prednisolone was effective in the treatment of these episodes. Although a close relationship between hypereosinophilia and anginal attack has been reported, it has not been known in CAPD patients as described here. Attention should be paid to these relationships in CAPD patients, because hypereosinophilia is frequently observed in maintenance peritoneal dialysis patients.

Angina Pectoris↗

PubMed1994

[Evaluation of the effects of vibro-acoustic stimulation test on the fetus during labor under epidural analgesia and evidence of its safety by way of auditory brainstem response].

This study was undertaken to elucidate the effects of epidural analgesia on vibro-acoustic stimulation test (VAST) during normal labor and auditory brainstem response (ABR) in fifty full term parturients without any complication. The safety of VAST in relation to the ABR of neonates was also studied. The results were as follows, 1) There were some changes in CTG monitoring in five cases (10%) in the 10 minutes after epidural analgesia. However, these changes were not ominous signs but all related to the coiling of the cord, as previously reported. 2) The ABR latency-intensity curve (audio-function of the newborn infants) revealed no hazardous change in VAST-loaded infants or in the controls. The response threshold was 10dB in this study. The application of VAST to the parturients under epidural analgesia was therefore not only harmless to the fetuses but also a useful way to evaluate fetal well-being.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMed1994

[Esophageal duplication with esophago-bronchial fistula].

In a case of 51-year-old woman with an esophago-bronchial fistula located in the right B2 bronchus, we found a tubular type of esophageal duplication communicating with the esophagobronchial fistula by examinations of esophagography and endoscopy. It was diagnosed as tubular type I double barreled type of esophageal duplication by Akaboshi's Classification. She successfully underwent resection of the accessory esophagus combined with the fistula and the adjacent pulmonary tissues. Squamous epithelium and smooth muscle tissue were observed in the resected esophageal specimen. Double barreled type of esophageal duplication is one of the rare malformation, and we have found 12 reported cases including our one case in the Japanese literatures. Moreover our case is the first one whose accessory esophagus were combined with an esophagobronchial fistula.

Bronchial Fistula↗

PubMed1994

[A study of thymidine kinase activity in lung cancer tissue].

In order to investigate the usefulness of thymidine kinase, which acts to salvage thymidine to its nucleotide for DNA biosynthesis, as a marker of malignancy in lung cancer, the enzyme activities in extracts of tumors and uninvolved lungs of 83 resected cases of lung cancer were determined. The mean value of thymidine kinase activity in tumors was as much as 4.3 times higher than that of uninvolved lungs. There was no significant correlation between the activity in tumors and clinicopathological findings such as histological type, the grade of histological differentiation, pT factor, pN factor, pTNM stage and tumor size. The tumor doubling time did, however, show a significant inverse correlation with activity when compared logarithmically (r = 0.879, p = 0.00002). Moreover, there was a significant relationship between enzyme activity and post-operative recurrence of lung cancer. In conclusion, thymidine kinase was found to be a useful marker of malignancy in lung cancer.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗