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Biomedical subjects

H Usami

Publications and source records attributed to H Usami.

48 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Antitumor activity of protoplast membrane from group A streptococcus.

Cytoplasmic membrane of Group A streptococcus has been obtained by treatment of the cells with a phage-associated lytic enzyme to dissolve the streptococcal cell wall, followed by shocking osmotically. The protoplast membrane fraction (PMF) remained as a distinct homogeneous structure in the electron micrograph and analysis showed a low rhamnose content. Febrile response produced by PMF was very slightly exhibited or not at all. PMF showed weak suppression against the growth of rat Yoshida sarcoma cells in culture and inhibition of [3H]-uridine incorporation into the sarcoma cells in vitro. In vivo antitumor experiments demonstrated that PMF has a mild inhibiting effect against mouse Ehrlich ascites carcinoma, though there was not observed a definite correlation between survival rate and dose level. Antitumor activity of PMF was thermo-labile and was strikingly abolished by treatment with a bacterial enzyme, Nagarse, but not so much by alpha-chymotrypsin.

Animals↗

Acute febrile mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome with multiple aneurysms: report of a case.

A 4-month-old male infant with acute febrile mucocutaneous lymph-node syndrome developed mitral regurgitation, pericardial effusion and multiple pulsating masses in the upper and lower extremities. Two-dimensional echocardiography demonstrated aneurysms in both coronary arteries. Arteriography of the right arm demonstrated multiple aneurysms. Seventeen months later, arteriography and two-dimensional echocardiography demonstrated regression of the aneurysms. This case provides evidence that regression of aneurysms can occur in mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome.

Acute Disease↗

Effects of drugs on the pyrogenicity of toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 and its capacity to enhance susceptibility to the lethal effects of endotoxic shock in rabbits.

The effects of various kinds of drugs on the pyrogenicity of toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1) and its capacity to enhance the lethal effects of endotoxin in rabbits were studied. Antipyretic agents--including aspirin, aminopyrine, and indomethacin--that were given immediately or 2 hours after injection of TSST-1 decreased the febrile response to TSST-1 but did not inhibit the enhancement of lethality. Cyclosporine, which was given 2 hours after injection of TSST-1, suppressed the fever but did not inhibit the lethal effects. Methylprednisolone given immediately or 2 hours after TSST-1 injection did not decrease the fever but inhibited the lethal effect. Of the agents phentolamine, dopamine, and chlorpromazine, which are reported to suppress endotoxic shock experimentally, only chlorpromazine decreased the fever, and none inhibited the lethal effects.

Animals↗