Biomedical subjects

Ikuko Sakai

Publications and source records attributed to Ikuko Sakai.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Usefulness of a latex agglutination assay for FDP D-dimer to demonstrate the presence of postmortem blood.

D-dimer, a specific fragment resulting from degradation of cross-linked fibrin, is an essential marker for the diagnosis of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Rapid assay for D-dimer using monoclonal antibody coated-latex particles might be useful for discriminating between postmortem and antemortem blood in bloodstains. We tried to detect D-dimer in nine postmortem blood samples by the rapid latex agglutination assay and to quantify them automatically using the latex photometric immunoassay system. The results showed that all samples were positive and that their amounts of D-dimer were 335-2,800 microg/ml (the normal blood level, <1 microg/ml; the pathogenic blood level with DIC, 1-100 microg/ml). Next, nine stains made of postmortem blood were examined by the rapid latex agglutination assay. The result showed that only one case (D-dimer 335 microg/ml blood) showed weak positive while the others (D-dimer 600-2,800 microg/ml blood) were positive. The present study indicates that the latex agglutination assay for D-dimer can be useful to demonstrate the presence of postmortem blood.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Motor dysfunction in type 5 adenylyl cyclase-null mice.

Various neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, stimulate adenylyl cyclase to produce cAMP, which regulates neuronal functions. Genetic disruption of the type 5 adenylyl cyclase isoform led to a major loss of adenylyl cyclase activity in a striatum-specific manner with a small increase in the expression of a few other adenylyl cyclase isoforms. D1 dopaminergic agonist-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity was attenuated, and this was accompanied by a decrease in the expression of the D1 dopaminergic receptor and G(s)alpha. D2 dopaminergic agonist-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity was also blunted. Type 5 adenylyl cyclase-null mice exhibited Parkinsonian-like motor dysfunction, i.e. abnormal coordination and bradykinesia detected by Rotarod and pole test, respectively, and to a lesser extent locomotor impairment was detected by open field tests. Selective D1 or D2 dopaminergic stimulation improved some of these disorders in this mouse model, suggesting the partial compensation of each dopaminergic receptor signal through the stimulation of remnant adenylyl cyclase isoforms. These findings extend our knowledge of the role of an effector enzyme isoform in regulating receptor signaling and neuronal functions and imply that this isoform provides a site of convergence of both D1 and D2 dopaminergic signals and balances various motor functions.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

PubMed2003

The BCG scar after percutaneous multiple puncture vaccination may help establish the nationalities of unidentified cadavers.

BCG vaccination using the multiple puncture device (the Heaf gun) has been used in Japan and in the United Kingdom. The appearance of the BCG scars therefore differs from that caused by the conventional intradermal BCG vaccination, which is used throughout the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of examining BCG scars to identify the nationalities of unidentified cadavers. We investigated the BCG vaccination program not only in Japan, but also in other countries, along with the relation between the BCG scar and nationality. The results showed that the countries which domestically make and use the Heaf gun are Japan (where it is the only method that has been in use since 1968), the United Kingdom (where it has been used, in part, since 1982), and South Africa (where it has been used, in part, since 1972). In addition, for the past 10 years, the Japanese Heaf gun method has been partially applied in the Republic of Korea and in Brazil. The Heaf gun scar can be clearly distinguished from the intradermal scar, and is visible throughout a person's life when good technique is used to administer the vaccination. If the Heaf gun scar is found on the left upper arm of an unidentified Asian cadaver, it is sure to be that of a Japanese. The findings of this present study indicate that the Heaf gun scar can be examined to identify the nationalities of unidentified cadavers.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Pralidoxime iodide (2-pAM) penetrates across the blood-brain barrier.

The in vivo rat brain microdialysis technique with HPLC/UV was used to determine the blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration of pralidoxime iodide (2-PAM), which is a component of the current nerve agent antidote therapy. After intravenous dosage of 2-PAM (10, 50, 100 mg/kg), 2-PAM appeared dose-dependently in the dialysate; the striatal extracellular/blood concentration ratio at 1 h after 50 mg/kg dosage was 0.093 +/- 0.053 (mean +/- SEM). This finding offered conclusive evidence of the BBB penetration of 2-PAM. We also examined whether the BBB penetration of 2-PAM was mediated by a certain specific transporter, such as a neutral or basic amino acid transport system. Although it was unclear, the neural uptake of 2-PAM was Na+ dependent. The mean BBB penetration by 2-PAM was approximately 10%, indicating the intravenous administration of 2-PAM might be to a degree effective to reactivation of the blocked cholinesterase in the brain.

Amino Acid Transport Systems↗