Biomedical subjects

A Iwasa

Publications and source records attributed to A Iwasa.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

[Determination of scopolia extract in commercial gastrointestinal drugs by high-performance liquid chromatography].

Tropane alkaloids, contained in gastrointestinal drugs including Scopolia Extract, were determined using high-performance liquid chromatographic method. Tropane alkaloids in commercial drugs were extracted with 0.5 N hydrochloric acid test solution. This solution was adjusted to pH 10.0 with a strong ammonia solution, extracted with ethyl ether, and separated on TSKgel ODS-120T (4.6 mm i.d. x 15 cm; temperature, 30 degrees C; flow rate, 1.5 ml/min; detector, UV 210 nm) with a mixture of 1/15 M sodium phosphate buffer (pH 2.5) and acetonitrile (68:32) containing 12 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate. The contents of atropine in the gastrointestinal drugs were 0.25-0.34 mg (coefficient of variation = 0.20-2.61%) a day.

Antacids↗

PubMed1991

Age-dependent increase in neuropeptide Y gene expression in rat adrenal gland and specific brain areas.

Age-dependent changes in the expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY) peptides and prepro-NPY mRNA (NPY mRNA) were studied in rat adrenal gland and brain areas by means of radioimmunoassay, immunohistochemistry, and northern blot analysis. In the adrenal gland, NPY immunoreactivity (NPY-I) increased by 80-fold, mainly in the chromaffin cells, during aging (from 7 to 33 weeks old). The increase in NPY-I was accompanied by a concomitant increase in the content of NPY mRNA (800 bases in size, by 16-fold) and putative NPY pre-mRNA, a result suggesting that this increase results from that in NPY gene expression, probably at the level of transcription. In contrast, in some brain areas, such as striatum and medulla oblongata plus pons, NPY-I decreased in an age-dependent manner, whereas NPY mRNA abundances in these areas increased by twofold with age (from 7 to 33 weeks old). The opposite changes between NPY and NPY mRNA content in specific brain areas suggested the accelerated turnover/degradation of NPY peptide in the brain areas. Furthermore, beta-actin mRNA abundance did not change in rat adrenal gland and brain areas during aging. Thus, the characteristic age-related increase in NPY gene expression in rat adrenal gland and some brain areas seems to be important for physiological regulation of some neuronal functions, such as blood pressure, in aged animals.

Adrenal Glands↗

PubMed1991

Rapid decrease in neuropeptide Y gene expression in rat adrenal gland induced by the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist, clonidine.

1 The mechanism of regulation of the neuropeptide Y (NPY) gene by pharmacological treatment with the alpha 2-adrenenoceptor agonist, clonidine, was investigated by quantitative Northern blot analysis of the effects of this drug on the NPY mRNA levels in rat adrenal gland and medulla oblongata/pons. 2 In the adrenal gland, clonidine-treatment (50 microgram kg-1, s.c., once daily) resulted in decrease in the amount of NPY mRNA to 44 +/- 10% of the control level in 24 h and then its increase to 162 +/- 16% of the control level after 5 days. Concomitant changes in putative NPY pre-mRNA species (7.0 and 3.3 kb) were observed, probably due to changes at the level of NPY gene transcription. 3 The short-term (24 h) effect of clonidine was blocked by yohimbine (5 mg kg-1, i.p., once daily). Yohimbine alone tended to increase the NPY mRNA level after 24h. 4 The recovery/increase in the NPY mRNA level in the adrenal gland after 5 days treatment with clonidine was similar to its increase after treatment with reserpine (0.5 mg kg-1, i.p., once daily). 5 NPY gene expression in the medulla oblongata/pons was not changed by short- or long-term treatment with clonidine. 6 These results suggest that clonidine suppresses NPY gene expression in the adrenal gland, probably at the level of transcription, by activation of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor.

Adrenal Glands↗

PubMed1991

Synthesis and antifungal activities of a series of (1,2-disubstituted vinyl)imidazoles.

A series of vinylimidazoles containing a hetero atom such as sulfur or oxygen at a beta-position of the vinyl group was prepared and the antifungal activities were tested. It was found that sulfur-substituted derivatives such as (E)-1-[2-(methylthio)-1-[2-(pentyloxy)phenyl]ethenyl]-1H-imidazole (5a-5) and (E)-1-[1-[2-(hexyloxy)phenyl]-2-(methylthio)ethenyl]-1H-imidazole (5a-6) showed excellent antifungal activities against dermatophytes and yeast cells. The stereochemistry of the hydrochloride salt of 5a-5 was determined by X-ray crystallography. The structure-activity relationships were discussed.

Antifungal Agents↗

PubMed1990

Long lasting increase in neuropeptide Y gene expression in rat adrenal gland with reserpine treatment: positive regulation of transsynaptic activation and membrane depolarization.

To elucidate how the neuropeptide Y (NPY) gene is regulated by physiological/pharmacological changes in neural functions, the expression and regulation of the NPY gene were studied by measuring changes in the abundances of NPY and NPY mRNA in the adrenal gland and brain regions of rats in vivo and in PC12 rat pheochromocytoma cells after reserpine treatment. Long term treatment with reserpine in vivo, which causes hypotension and increased splanchnic nerve activity, induced prolonged increases in the abundance of NPY mRNA and putative NPY pre-mRNA, with concomitant increases in NPY, in the adrenal gland in a tissue-dependent manner but caused no changes in the abundance of beta-actin mRNA. Transection of the splanchnic nerves almost completely (76%) prevented the reserpine-induced increases in the abundance of NPY mRNA and NPY pre-mRNA, but denervation alone did not affect their steady state levels. These results suggested that increased activity of the splanchnic nerves regulates NPY gene expression positively in the adrenal gland, probably at the level of transcription. In PC12 cells, reserpine decreased the abundance of NPY mRNA directly, but nicotinic receptor activation increased its abundance transiently and the persistent membrane depolarization increased its abundance markedly. Thus, NPY gene expression is positively regulated by membrane depolarization via increased transsynaptic activation with reserpine.

Actins↗

PubMed1989

A case of malignant rhabdoid tumor arising from soft parts in the prepubic region.

An extrarenal malignant rhabdoid tumor arising from soft parts in the prepubic region of a 37-year-old man is described. This case appears to be unusual with regard to its location and age at onset. To our knowledge, the patient is the oldest recorded in whom such a lesion has arisen. Histologically, the tumor consisted of an admixture of polygonal and elongated cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm frequently containing hyaline-like globules. Ultrastructurally, these cytoplasmic inclusions were compatible with intermediate filaments. Immunohistochemical staining disclosed keratin (non-squamous epithelial type) and epithelial membrane antigen positivity. These characteristic features were identical to malignant rhabdoid tumor of the kidney seen in infants and young children. This extrarenal malignant rhabdoid tumor showed an aggressive clinical course, although its exact histogenesis was unclear.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

[Metastasis of cancer of the renal pelvis and ureter to the adrenal gland].

A 67-year-old man was found to have a metastatic tumor of left adrenal gland originating from the left renal pelvic and ureteral cancer. Histopathological findings of the renal pelvic and ureteral cancer indicated transitional cell carcinoma, which was the diagnosis for the adrenal tumor. Diagnosis of cancer of the renal pelvis and ureter with metastasis to the adrenal gland before operation is very rare. A review of the literature on the metastasis from cancer of renal pelvis and ureter was made.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

PubMed1989

[Solitary ureteral metastasis from cervical cancer: a case report].

A case of solitary ureteral metastasis from cervical cancer in a 36-year-old female is reported. On April 4, 1988, the patient visited the gynecological department of our hospital with abnormal genital bleeding. Colposcopy and cervical biopsy revealed invasive cervical cancer, and computerized tomography (CT) indicated right hydronephrosis. She was referred to the urological department for further examinations. Right retrograde pyelography (RP) however could not be performed. On April 13, 1988, the patient underwent laparotomy due to acute abdomen, which was proved to be caused by subileus. On exploration, a tumor was found in the lower one third section of the right ureter, whereupon a right nephroureterectomy was performed because primary ureteral tumor was suspected. The histology of the ureteral tumor revealed it to be a metastatic squamous cell carcinoma identical to that obtained from punch biopsy of the cervix. At that time, a hysterectomy could not be done because of invasive cervical cancer. Following the operation, radiation therapy was conducted for primary cervical cancer. At present, 7 months after the operation, the patient is alive with good performance status.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

[A case of signet ring cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder].

A case of primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder is reported. A 52-year-old man was admitted with the complaint of gross hematuria. Cystoscopy showed non-papillary tumor on the right lateral wall. Abdominal CT, Ga scintigraphy, upper gastrointestinal series and barium enema, revealed no signs of a tumor other than the bladder carcinoma. The routine hematologic and chemistry profiles showed no abnormalities except for the serum level of carcinoembryonic antigen elevated to 210 ng/ml. Total cystectomy and right nephroureterectomy with left cutaneous ureterostomy was performed and the surgical specimen showed adenocarcinoma of the bladder. The patient died 5 months after the operation, and autopsy was performed. No tumors were found on the mucosa of the whole digestive tracts or pancreas. This case might be of primary adenocarcinoma originated from the bladder. The literature on the differential diagnosis of the cases reported as bladder adenocarcinoma are reviewed briefly.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗

PubMed1988

[Congenital vesical diverticulum in a child].

A case of congenital vesical diverticulum in childhood is reported and 28 other cases in children from the Japanese literature are reviewed. A 9-year-old boy presented with hematuria and two-phase micturition. Excretory urogram and voiding cystourethrogram showed a diverticulum of the bladder on the left side and left vesico-ureteral reflex. Diverticulectomy and left ureteroneocystostomy (by Paquin's method) were performed. Post-surgical recovery was very good. All 28 cases we reviewed were in males whose average age was 6 years and 2 months. Their chief complaints consisted of dysuria, urinary infection and hematuria. The two-phase micturition appeared to be rather rare.

Child↗

PubMed1988

[Retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma: report of 3 cases].

We have experienced 3 cases of retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma. One case was in a 5-year-old boy with the chief complaint of abdominal mass. The preoperative diagnosis was neuroblastoma due to excessive urinary excretion of vanillylmandelic acid. The other two cases were in adults, 40 and 28 years old, and were found incidentally. All three cases were doing well without any clinical signs of recurrence almost 10 years, 5 years, and 6 months, postoperatively. The literature is reviewed briefly concerning some cases in children under 5 years of age whose ganglioneuromas were sometimes confused with neuroblastoma because of excessive catecholamines.

Adult↗