PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H Sunagawa

Publications and source records attributed to H Sunagawa.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Simple method for detection of Clostridium botulinum type A to F neurotoxin genes by ploymerase chain reaction.

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method was established to detect each type of neurotoxin genes of Clostridium botulinum types A to F by employing the oligonucleotide primer sets corresponding to special regions of the light chains of the neurotoxins. In this procedure, the PCR products were easily confirmed by restriction enzyme digestion profiles, and as little as 2.5 pg of template DNAs from toxigenic strains could be detected. The specific PCR products were obtained from toxigenic C. botulinum types A to F, a type E toxin-producing C. butyricum strain, and a type F toxin-producing C. baratii strain, but no PCR product was detected in nontoxigenic strains of C. botulinum and other clostridial species. The neurotoxin genes were also detected in food products of a seasoned dry salmon and a fermented fish (Izushi) which had caused type E outbreaks of botulism. Therefore, it is concluded that this PCR-based detection method can be used for the rapid diagnosis of botulism.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Epidemiologic analysis of diabetic patients on chronic dialysis.

We retrospectively surveyed all of the available medical records of 404 (191 females and 213 males) chronic dialysis patients, of whom 16 (4%) had insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and 388 (96%) non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). The patients were among 2,214 dialysis patients in Okinawa, Japan, of whom 443 were diabetic. The patients entered a large population-based dialysis registry. The mean duration from the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM) to dialysis was 181.6 months in the IDDM patients and 150.4 months in the NIDDM patients. The NIDDM patients were classified into four subgroups according to their status when DM was first suspected. The duration from the diagnosis of DM until the onset of dialysis treatment was significantly shorter than in any other subgroup or in the IDDM subgroup with major vascular disease (131.9 months). Otherwise, the course of renal disease in NIDDM patients was similar to that in IDDM individuals. Most of our dialysis patients with DM had NIDDM. In most of the NIDDM patients, the diagnosis had been delayed for several years for unknown reason. However, if diagnosed early, NIDDM shows a clinical time course until dialysis similar to that of IDDM. Whether NIDDM patients contract chronic renal disease at an equal incidence to that of IDDM patients and the fraction of all diabetic patients accepted for chronic dialysis remain to be determined.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Characterization of nontoxic-nonhemagglutinin component of the two types of progenitor toxin (M and L) produced by Clostridium botulinum type D CB-16.

A 9.8-kbp DNA fragment which contained a neurotoxin gene and its upstream region was cloned from Clostridium botulinum type D strain CB-16. Nucleotide sequencing of the fragment revealed that genes encoding for hemagglutinin (HA) subcomponents and one for a nontoxic-nonhemagglutinin (NTNH) component were located upstream of the neurotoxin gene. This strain produced two toxins of different molecular size (approximately 300 kDa and 500 kDa) which were designated as progenitor toxins (M and L toxins). The molecular size of the NTNH component of L toxin was approximately 130 kDa on SDS-PAGE and its N-terminal amino acid sequence was M-D-I-N-D-D-L-N-I-N-S-P-V-D-N-K-N-V-V-I which agreed with that deduced from the nucleotide sequence. In contrast, the M toxin had a 115-kDa NTNH component whose N-terminal sequence was S-T-I-P-F-P-F-G-G-Y-R-E-T-N-Y-I-E, corresponding to the sequence from Ser141 of the deduced sequence. A 15-kDa fragment, which was found to be associated with an M toxin preparation, possessed the same N-terminal amino acid sequence as that of the 130-kDa NTNH component. Furthermore, five major fragments generated by limited proteolysis with V8 protease were shown to have N-terminal amino acid sequences identical to those deduced from the nucleotide sequence of 130-kDa NTNH. These results indicate that the 130-kDa NTNH of the L toxin is cleaved at a unique site, between Thr and Ser, leading to the 115-kDa NTNH of the M toxin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Influence of pulmonary blood pressure and flow on endothelin-1 production in humans.

To investigate the regulation of endothelin-1 (ET-1) production, cardiac catheterization was performed in young patients with congenital heart disease (27 +/- 5 months old, mean +/- SEM), and plasma levels of ET-1 in the inferior vena cava were measured by a sandwich-enzyme immunoassay. Plasma ET-1 levels of age-matched healthy controls were 1.55 +/- 0.07 pg/ml (n = 6). In patients with atrial septal defect [without pulmonary hypertension (PH)] who had volume but not pressure overload to the pulmonary circulation (PC), plasma ET-1 levels were significantly lower than in controls. In patients with PH due to ventricular septal defect (VSD) who had both volume and pressure overload to PC, the levels were significantly higher than in controls. In patients with PH and severe pulmonary congestion due to pulmonary venous stenosis (PVS), plasma ET-1 levels were significantly higher than in those with VSD, suggesting that ET-1 production is also augmented by pulmonary congestion. The present findings suggest that ET-1 production is increased by pressure overload to PC but decreased by volume overload to PC.

Endothelins↗
PubMed1995

Plasma endothelin-1 levels after exercise in patients with congenital heart disease.

We have previously reported that plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels were significantly increased after exercise in healthy athletes. In the present study, venous plasma ET-1 levels were measured to investigate whether the role of ET-1 during exercise differs between healthy athletes and patients with congenital heart disease. Seven patients (mean age 13 years) performed symptom-limited treadmill exercise (Bruce protocol). All patients were in class I of the NYHA functional classification. The mean end-exercise O2 utilization was 32 ml/min/kg (166% of ventilatory threshold). Blood sampling was carried out in the seated position. The plasma ET-1 level was 1.21 pg/ml before exercise and did not alter immediately after or 30 min after exercise. The plasma level of norepinephrine was markedly elevated immediately after exercise and returned to the basal level 30 min after exercise. The present study demonstrated that exercise failed to alter plasma ET-1 levels in patients with congenital heart disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Biological and biophysical characteristics of phages isolated from Clostridium botulinum type C and D strains, and physicochemical properties of the phage DNAs.

Toxin-converting phages CE beta and d-16 phi and non-converting phages CE gamma and d-1', isolated from toxigenic strains C-468 and D-CB16 of Clostridium botulinum types C and D, respectively, were characterized biologically and biophysically. DNAs isolated from these four phages were studied physicochemically. Phages CE beta, d-16 phi, CE gamma and d-1' were adsorbed to their susceptible cells at the constant rates of 1.1 x 10(-8), 3.3 x 10(-8), 1.4 x 10(-8) and 1.4 x 10(-8) ml/min, and grew after latent periods of 35, 45, 35 and 35 min at the burst sizes of 38, 85, 35 and 35, respectively. Converting phages were more susceptible than non-converting phages to physical and chemical treatments such as temperature, pH, time, UV-irradiation and organic solvents. GC% of phage DNAs were determined by melting temperature, buoyant density and HPLC analysis to be 26, 26, 29 and 29% for CE beta, d-16 phi, CE gamma and d-1' phage DNAs, respectively. The restriction digestion profiles of phage DNAs with seven endonucleases were compared by agarose gel electrophoresis, revealing that the two converting phage DNAs were similar in regard to five enzyme digestion profiles, but different in the other two enzymatic profiles. Non-converting phage DNAs produced the same restriction digestion profiles with all seven endonucleases. The molecular sizes determined from the size of restriction enzyme digestion fragments were about 110 kb for converting phage CE beta and d-16 phi DNAs and 65 kb for non-converting phage CE gamma and d-1' DNAs. Dot blot hybridization experiments revealed that DNA homology between the converting phages CE beta and d-16 phi was 50-75%, while that between non-converting phages CE gamma and d-1' was about 100%. Converting phage and non-converting phage DNAs did not hybridize at all.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1992

The complete amino acid sequence of the Clostridium botulinum type D neurotoxin, deduced by nucleotide sequence analysis of the encoding phage d-16 phi genome.

The complete nucleotide sequence of Clostridium botulinum type D strain CB16 neurotoxin was determined and the deduced amino acid sequence is reported here for the first time. The structure and function of botulinum type D neurotoxin is discussed from a molecular biological viewpoint. DNA was extracted from toxin-converting phage d-16 phi of C. botulinum type D strain CB16, and a fragment (about 10 kbp) coding for the neurotoxin was cloned into Escherichia coli using lambda gt11. A 21-mer oligonucleotide which corresponds to Phe7 to Val13 of the partial amino acid sequence near the N-terminus of the type D neurotoxin was synthesized and used as a probe to identify the gene encoding type D neurotoxin. The nucleotide sequence contained a single open reading frame coding for 1,275 amino acids (molecular weight of 146,785) and the deduced amino acid sequence corresponded exactly to the partial amino acid sequences determined by direct microsequencing of the neurotoxin fragments. In the dichain molecule of the neurotoxin, Thr2 and Asn443 formed the N-termini of the light chain (M.W. 50,410) and heavy chain (M.W. 96,394) respectively, and these two chains were linked with a disulfide bond between Cys437 on the light chain and Cys450 on the heavy chain. The nucleotide sequence of the D-CB16 neurotoxin differed from that previously reported for type D neurotoxin by three nucleotides.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

[Successful surgical treatment by Konno aortoventriculoplasty in 2 cases of congenital aortic valvular stenosis].

Konno's aortoventriculoplasty was performed in two children aged 6 years and 10 years old with congenital aortic valvular stenosis. One had previous aortic valvotomy at 21 days of age. Preoperative peak systolic pressure gradients between the left ventricle and the aorta were 120 and 140 mmHg, respectively. The original diameter of the aortic valve ring were 12 mm and 16 mm and one had supra-annular aortic stenosis whose diameter was 7 mm. The 19 mm and 23 mm SJM prosthetic valves were inserted in the subcoronary position. The postoperative course was uneventful. Their ECG showed sinus rhythm with complete right bundle branch block. Both two patients made good recovery regarding clinical data and symptoms.

Aorta↗
PubMed1990

Age of menopause in Japanese women: trends and recent changes.

The age of menopause was investigated in a survey conducted in 1987 in 13,996 Japanese women aged 22-86 years, the findings being as follows: (1) The percentage of post-menopausal women showed a sharp linear increase between the ages of 49 and 53 years, the figure being 42.7% at age 50. The rate of increase was slightly lower after 50 years of age. (2) Among the 6477 post-menopausal women, the age at which the peak number had undergone menopause was 50 years (17.7%), followed by 49, 52 and 48 years. The crude mean age of menopause was 49.33 years in post-menopausal subjects aged over 40. The mean age of menopause in urban and rural women was not significantly different. (3) The crude mean age of menopause, calculated by classifying those aged 50 (born in or before 1937) into groups corresponding to 5-year age intervals, was highest in the 1928-32 birth-year group, followed, in descending order, by the 1923-27, 1918-22, 1917 or earlier and 1933-37 groups in all post-menopausal and in urban subjects, while in rural subjects it was highest in the 1918-22 group. However, overall, the adjusted mean age of menopause was highest (50.2 +/- 3.24 years) in the 1928-32 birth-year group, followed by the 1923-27 and 1933-37 groups.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Surgical repair of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection in neonates and infants--prevention for pulmonary venous obstruction at the site of anastomosis].

From October, 1980, to June, 1987, thirty-eight infants less than one year old underwent correction for total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC). Overall operative mortality and late mortality were 13% and 6%, respectively. Residual pulmonary hypertension was noted in 4 patients: three had pulmonary venous obstruction at the site of atrial anastomosis (PVOA) and one had supracardiac (Ia) lesion left after repair of mixed type (IV: Ia + III) of TAPVC. Two late deaths occurred in these with PVOA. Twenty-two patients with supracardiac (I) or infracardiac (III) TAPVC were divided into three groups according to the technical development in atrial anastomosis: the large anastomosis in which venous incision reached into at least one pulmonary vein beyond common pulmonary vein and the continuous running suture were used in 10 patients (group 1), the appropriate size of anastomosis in which venous incision limited within the common pulmonary vein and the continuous running suture used in 4 patients (group 2), and the appropriate size of anastomosis and the interrupted suture in 8 patients (group 3). PVOA were 3 (33%) in group 1, but 0 (0%) in group 2 and 3. Two late death occurred all in group 1 with PVOA. Cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic clamp time in group 3 were 91 min and 74 min respectively, which did not become longer than those in both group 1 and group 2. Interrupted suture technique does not make operating time longer than continuous running suture one. PVOA is one of the important factors predicting late operative result.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed1990

[Evaluation of left ventricular function after Jatene's operation for transposition of the great arteries--influence of age at repair].

The postoperative left ventricular function (LV) of Jatene's operation for transposition of the great arteries (TGA) was evaluated by angiocardiography and echocardiography in 39 patients. In 16 patients repaired at less than 3 months of age, left ventricular endodiastolic volume (LVEDV) was significantly decreased at the angiography 2 months after repair: form 215 +/- 685% normal of preoperative LVEDV to 120 +/- 14% normal postoperatively (p less than 0.05) in 7 patients with simple TGA (Group IA), and from 220 +/- 64% normal to 130 +/- 33% normal (p less than 0.05) in 8 patients associated with ventricular septal defect (Group IIA). On the other hand, among 24 patients repaired at 3 or more months of age, 19 patients with simple TGA (Group IB) showed the significant increase of LVEDV (from 159 +/- 40% normal to 183 +/- 23% normal, p less than 0.05), and 5 patients associated with ventricular septal defect (Group IIB) showed no remarkable change (from 208 +/- 96% normal to 193 +/- 23% normal). There was no significant difference of postoperative pulmonary artery (PA) wedge pressure among the four groups. Postoperative left ventricular diastolic dimension (LVDd) revealed the tendency of normalization in all groups during the first postoperative year. Group IA and IIA completed the normalization of LVDd in 2 months and Group IIB in 6 months after the repair. However, LVDd in Group IB could not decrease to normal range even in 12 months after repair. There was a significant correlation between postoperative LVDd and the age at PA banding in 14 patients of Group IB, who had the preparatory PA banding for LV training.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aging↗
PubMed1989

[Total repair of complete atrioventricular canal: relationship between age at operation and late results].

Twenty five consecutive patients with complete atrioventricular canal (CAVC) underwent one-stage operation from April 1981 to Aug. 1987. Average ages at operation was 18 months (2 to 72) and average weight was 7.0 kg (2.8 to 13.8). Fifteen patients were infants and fifteen had Down syndrome. Conventional cardiopulmonary bypass with pulsatile bypass pump (PBP) and moderate hypothermia at 28 degrees C was utilized in all patients. Single patch technique (SPT) was adopted for initial five patients and two patch technique for the latter twenties. Two patients died perioperatively (operative mortality 8.0%), one of whom from mitral stenosis after SPT and the other from misdiagnosis of large subpulmonary VSD. There was no hospital death. Mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPA), pulmonary systolic pressure to systemic systolic pressure ratio (Pp/Ps) and pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI) were decreased remarkably from preoperative values of 56 +/- 14 mmHg, 0.92 +/- 0.13 and 6.2 +/- 4.9 WU.m2 to postoperative of 31 +/- 16 mmHg (p less than 0.001), 0.54 +/- 0.20 (p less than 0.001) and 4.6 +/- 4.0 WU.m2 (NS), respectively. Six patients had residual pulmonary hypertension in which mPA was more than 40 mmHg. One patient who was complicated with severe mitral regurgitation due to dehiscence of suture line and torn chordae had mitral valve replacement. Mean follow-up period was 26 months (5 to 63). The mean weights of 67%N at operation catched up with 87%N 3 years after operation. There were two late deaths, 4 and 20 months after operation between age at operation, both of whom had residual pulmonary hypertension.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors↗
PubMed1989

Arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries, with special reference to left ventricular function.

Between June 1984 and September 1987, 48 patients underwent Lecompte's modification of the arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries, including transposition with intact ventricular septum with preparatory pulmonary artery banding (n = 18), with patent ductus arteriosus (n = 11), with dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (n = 4), and transposition with ventricular septal defect (n = 15). Ages ranged from 12 days to 36 months (mean 8 months) and weights ranged from 2.7 to 12.8 kg (mean 5.7 kg). Two deaths occurred, yielding an operative mortality rate of 4.2%. Preparatory pulmonary artery banding resulted in an increase to 65 +/- 5 mm Hg in the left ventricular afterload. Linear regression of the optimum circumference of the band (Y, millimeters) against left ventricular end-diastolic volume (X, milliliters) yielded the following formula: Y = 0.23X + 19.7 (r = 0.885, p less than 0.001). Influence of left ventricular mass on cardiac function after anatomic correction was evaluated. The total amount of dopamine used after repair in patients in whom the left ventricular mass was less than 60% of normal was significantly larger than that in patients with a left ventricular mass greater than or equal to 60% of normal (p less than 0.002). The left ventricular end-diastolic volume in patients with a left ventricular mass less than 60% of normal increased significantly 2 months after operation (p less than 0.05), whereas it decreased in patients with a left ventricular mass greater than 60% of normal (p less than 0.01). We believe it is safe to perform this procedure in patients in whom the left ventricular mass is larger than 60% of normal. Most newborn infants with simple transposition can undergo correction between 10 and 20 days of life if the ductus arteriosus is kept patent with prostaglandin E1 and the left ventricle is thereby loaded. Preparatory pulmonary artery banding, when necessary, will be satisfactory if the left ventricular pressure is greater than 65 mm Hg and/or the left ventricular/right ventricular pressure ratio is greater than 0.8.

Aorta↗
PubMed1988

Thrombocytopenia: a complication of Kawasaki disease.

Thrombocytopenia was observed in 10 (2.0%) of 486 children with Kawasaki disease. In nine of the ten, the minimal platelet count of 94,000 +/- 38,000 (SD)/mm3 was seen on day 6.8 +/- 2.2 (SD) of illness and the platelet counts were elevated to the normal level in 1-2 weeks. Thrombocytopenia in the nine appeared to be caused via coagulation-mediated platelet consumption, while the remaining child was diagnosed as having idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. One of the two who had severe coagulation-mediated thrombocytopenia of less than 50,000/mm3 developed coronary aneurysms persisting over 1 year.

Aspirin↗