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K Asaoka

Publications and source records attributed to K Asaoka.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of the sulfation of 4-hydroxypropranolol enantiomers by monkey liver cytosol.

We developed a new high-performance liquid chromatographic method using an ODS column and a chiral column for the assay of racemic 4-OH-PL sulfate and enantiomeric 4-OH-PL sulfates, respectively. The method was successfully applied to measure phenolsulfotransferase (PST) activities for 4-OH-PL in cytosolic fractions from livers of Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) and for comparison with its activity of cytosolic fractions from rat, rabbit, dog, and human livers and Hep G2 cells. The activity was ranked as Hep G2 cells > monkeys = humans = dogs = rats > rabbits. To evaluate the Japanese monkey as a nonhuman animal model in drug metabolism studies, we further characterized sulfation of 4-OH-PL as a further metabolic pathway in monkey livers to compare that with human livers. Inhibition studies in which cytosolic fractions were preincubated at 43 degrees C or 2,6-dichloro-4-nitrophenol (DCNP) used as a PST inhibitor indicated that two kinds of PSTs, thermolabile, low-Km and DCNP-resistant PST and thermostable, high-Km and DCNP-sensitive PST were involved in 4-OH-PL sulfation by monkey liver cytosol, which is very similar to the reported profile of 4-OH-PL sulfation by human liver cytosol. Sulfation kinetics in a low concentration range of 4-OH-PL enantiomers demonstrated that apparent Km values were similar between human and monkey liver cytosolic fractions, but the Vmax values were different, so that intrinsic clearance values (Vmax/Km, Clint) were higher in monkeys than in humans. Furthermore, enantiomer selectivity of [R(+)-4-OH-PL > S(-)-4-OH-PL] was observed in the Vmax and CLint values of monkey liver cytosol. These results indicate that the profile of sulfation of 4-OH-PL by liver cytosolic fractions is similar in humans and Japanese monkeys.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Degradation and fracture of Ni-Ti superelastic wire in an oral cavity.

Superelastic Ni-Ti wire is widely used in orthodontic clinics, but delayed fracture in the oral cavity has been observed. Because hydrogen embrittlement is known to cause damage to Ti alloy systems, orthodontic wires were charged with hydrogen using an electro-chemical system in saline. Tensile tests were carried out, and fracture surfaces were observed after hydrogen charging. The strength of the Co-Cr alloy and stainless steel used in orthodontic treatment, was not affected by the hydrogen charging. However, Ni-Ti wire showed significant decreases in strength. The critical stress of martensite transformation was increased with increasing hydrogen charging, and the alloy was embrittled. The fractured surface of the alloys with severe hydrogen charging exhibited dimple patterns similar to those in the alloys from patients. In view of the galvanic current in the mouth, the fracture of the Ni-Ti alloys might be attributed to the degradation of the mechanical properties due to hydrogen absorption.

Absorption↗
PubMed2001

Mechanical properties of glass-only porcelains prepared by the use of two feldspathic frits with different thermal properties.

Low- and non-leucite-containing commercial porcelains with low firing temperatures have become popular. However, improving the strength of glass porcelains is difficult. The purpose of this study was to determine if dispersed glass particles could be used as a reinforcing agent for an all-glass porcelain. We produced 3 feldspathic glasses (high-fusing, medium-fusing, low-fusing) by melting powders consisting of potassium-feldspar and 0, 5, or 20 mass% Na2O, respectively. For high-fusing, medium-fusing, and low-fusing feldspathic glasses, the deformation temperatures were 945 degrees C, 647 degrees C, and 518 degrees C, and the thermal expansion coefficient values were 8.6 x 10(-6)/degrees C, 10.3 x 10(-6)/degrees C, and 13.4 x 10(-6)/degrees C between 25 degrees C and the glass-transition temperature, respectively. The high-fusing-glass (or medium-fusing-glass) powders were mixed with low-fusing-glass powders before being fired into test specimens. The mean flexural strength and fracture toughness (K1C) of 3 single-glass porcelains ranged from 57 to 63 MPa and from 0.68 to 0.73 MPa m(1/2), respectively, presenting no significant differences in one-way ANOVA. However, the flexural strength of 50% high-fusing-glass + 50% low-fusing-glass porcelain was 114 MPa (p < 0.05) and K1C was 1.2 MPa m(1/2) (p < 0.05). Microcracks were observed with a back-scattered scanning electron microscope and were associated with the high- (or medium-) fusing glass particles, suggesting residual stress in the low-fusing-glass matrix due to a coefficient of thermal expansion mismatch between the dispersed glass particles and the matrix glass. The dispersing glass particles appeared to act as a reinforcing agent for strengthening a glassy porcelain.

Aluminum Silicates↗
PubMed2000

Species difference in enantioselectivity for the oxidation of propranolol by cytochrome P450 2D enzymes.

We examined and compared enantioselectivity in the oxidation of propranolol (PL) by liver microsomes from humans and Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata). PL was oxidized at the naphthalene ring to 4-hydroxypropranolol, 5-hydroxypropranolol and side chain N-desisopropylpropranolol by human liver microsomes with enantioselectivity of [R(+)>S(-)] in PL oxidation rates at substrate concentrations of 10 microM and 1 mM. In contrast, reversed enantioselectivity [R(+)<S(-)] in PL 5-hydroxylation and N-desalkylation rates at the same substrate concentrations was observed in monkey liver microsomes, although the selectivity was the same for PL 4-hydroxylation between the two species. All oxidation reactions of the PL enantiomers in human liver microsomes showed biphasic kinetics, i.e. the reactions could be expressed as the summation of a low-K(m) phase and a high-K(m) phase. Inhibition studies using antibodies and characterization of CYP2D6 enzymes expressed in insect cells or human lymphoblastoid cells indicated that the enantioselectivity of PL oxidation, especially the ring 4- and 5-hydroxylations reflected the properties of CYP2D6 in human liver microsomes. In monkey liver microsomes, all of the oxidation reactions of S(-)-PL showed biphasic kinetics, whereas ring 4- and 5-hydroxylations were monophasic and side chain N-desisopropylation was biphasic for R(+)-PL. Similarly, from the results of inhibition studies using antibodies and inhibitors of cytochrome P450 (P450), it appears that the reversed selectivity [R(+)<S(-)] of PL oxidation rates is catalyzed by CYP2D enzyme(s) in monkey liver at low substrate concentrations. These results indicate that different properties of P450s belonging to the 2D subfamily cause the reversed enantioselectivity between human and monkey liver microsomes.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Deficiency of gustatory sensitivity to some deterrent compounds in "polyphagous" mutant strains of the silkworm, Bombyx mori.

Sawa-J, CSJ02 and N601 x C601 are selected mutant strains of Bombyx mori, which grow on various artificial diets or temporarily ingest various plant leaves. To examine the mechanisms mediating diet breadth of caterpillars, gustatory spike responses of the silkworms, called 'polyphagous" strains, were compared with normal strains, N137 x C146 and C02. There were notable differences in their feeding habits and in their sensitivity to salicin in deterrent cells in the maxillary medial styloconic sensilla and the epipharyngeal sensilla. By contrast, the deterrent cells of all strains responded similarly to strychnine nitrate in a dose-dependent manner. In additional comparisons of Sawa-J and N137 x C146, Sawa-J maxillary deterrent cells were significantly less sensitive to phloridzin, amygdalin and arbutin, but responded to some alkaloids and 20-hydroxyecdysone with similar or even higher firing rate. These results suggest that the deficiency of the sensitivity to some deterrent compounds on the deterrent cell of the polyphagous strains may be caused by mutant genes and affects the diet breadth of caterpillars.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2000

Strengthening of glass-ionomer cement by compounding short fibres with CaO-P2O5-SiO2-Al2O3 glass.

The purpose of this study was to determine if short fibres of CaO-P2O5-SiO2-Al2O3 (CPSA) glass possessing a particular aspect ratio (length/diameter) could be used as a reinforcing agent for glass-ionomer cement. The powder of a commercial glass-ionomer cement (not resin modified) was mixed with variously sized CPSA glass short fibres before mixing with the liquid of the glass-ionomer cement. The mixed powders containing 60 mass% CPSA glass short fibres (diameter, 9.7 +/- 2.1 microm, aspect ratio, 5.0 +/- 0.9) obtained maximum values of 18 and 35 MPa for the diametral tensile strength (DTS) and flexural strength (FS) of set cements, respectively, after 24 h. These DTS and FS values were 1.8 and 4.5 times larger, respectively, than those of the set glass-ionomer cement not containing short fibres. Moreover, it was found that the addition of CPSA glass short fibres was remarkably more effective in the strengthening than electric glass (a typical glass fibre) short fibres. The results suggested that the CPSA glass short fibres acted as a reinforcing agent for strengthening the glass-ionomer cement, because of the shape of short fibres and reactivity between the mixing liquid and short fibres.

Dental Cements↗
PubMed2000

Dependence of efficient adenoviral gene delivery in malignant glioma cells on the expression levels of the Coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor.

OBJECT: Recombinant adenovirus is used as a competent vector in a wide spectrum of cancer gene therapies because of its high efficiency in gene delivery. To study the feasibility of gene therapy in malignant gliomas, the authors examined the antiproliferative effect of the adenovirally transduced wild-type p53 tumor suppressor gene by using 15 different high-grade glioma cell lines. METHODS: Although growth suppression in association with a high adenoviral p53 transduction efficiency was seen in five of 15 cell lines, it was not observed in the remaining 10 cell lines. To clarify the underlying mechanism, we examined the expression levels of the Coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR), which is the primary receptor for adenovirus, and of the integrins alpha vbeta3 and alpha vbeta5, which promote adenoviral internalization. The expression level of the CAR gene showed a close correlation to adenoviral gene transduction efficiency in the tested cell lines, whereas the expression levels of the integrins did not. The CAR expression was decreased by wild-type p53 transduction in U251MG cells harboring mutant p53 and increased by antisense inhibition of p53 in LN443 cells with endogenous wild-type p53. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that CAR expression is a critical determinant of transduction efficiencies in adenovirus-based gene therapy for human malignant gliomas.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2000

[Production and clinical application of fibrin sealant with high concentrated fibrin (fibrin patch)].

OBJECT: The sealing properties of fibrin sealant with high concentrated fibrin (fibrin patch) were examined. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A commercial fibrin sealant (Bolheal) produced from pooled human plasma was utilized for this study. The fibrin sealant made of fibrinogen and thrombin solutions mixed in a volume ratio 5:1 was applied as the fibrin sealant with high concentrated fibrin (fibrin patch). The burst pressure of the fibrin clots of either 1:1 or 5:1 mixing ratio, which sealed the small holes, was measured by a water-leak preventing model. The tensile strength of the fibrin patch was measured by the breaking pressure of the fibrin clot. The burst pressure of the fibrin patch, which sealed the dural defect with a diameter of 15 mm, was compared with that of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). RESULTS: The burst pressure was elevated from 287 +/- 23.1 to 445 +/- 30.5 mmHg by changing the mixing ratio from 1:1 to 5:1. The breaking pressure of the fibrin patch showed 131 +/- 25.4 mmHg and that of the patch mixed at the ratio of 1:1 showed 46.6 +/- 9.9 mmHg. The result of dural repair with the fibrin patch revealed higher sealing effectiveness than that of ePTFE. The burst pressure averaged 70.5 +/- 21.4 mmHg in the fibrin patch samples and 51.4 +/- 13 mmHg in the ePTFE samples. CONCLUSION: The fibrin patch revealed higher performance as a sealant and has the potential to be a candidate for acceptance as the new dural repair material.

Brain↗
PubMed1999

Human is a unique species among primates in terms of telomere length.

TRF (terminal restriction fragments) length in various tissues of non-human primates such as Macaca mulatta (rhesus monkey), Macaca fuscata (Japanese monkey), Macaca fascicularis (crab-eating monkey), Pan troglodytes (common chimpanzee), and Pongo pygmaeus (orangutan) was at least 23 kb without exception, which was quite different from that of human somatic tissues (smaller than 10 kb). The distribution pattern of telomerase activity among tissues was similar between human and non-human primates, while the activity level showed some differences such as that strong telomerase activity was observed in gastrointestinal and lymphocytic tissues from non-human primates. The human appears to be a unique species among primates in terms of telomere length.

Aging↗
PubMed1999

Evaluation of application techniques of fibrin sealant to prevent cerebrospinal fluid leakage: a new device for the application of aerosolized fibrin glue.

OBJECTIVE: This report evaluates the sealing effects of fibrin sealant applied on the dura mater using different techniques. METHODS: Three application methods were studied: a sequential layer method, a simultaneous method using a cannula, and a spray method using a newly developed spray device. The sealing effects of these methods were compared using in vitro histological analysis and a pressure resistance test. The clinical efficacy of the fibrin sealant to prevent water leakage through the dura mater was retrospectively analyzed in a total of 509 patients. The process of absorption of a clinically applied fibrin clot in vivo was examined using surgical specimens. RESULTS: The fibrin plate made using the spray method withstood a hydrostatic pressure greater than 200 cm H2O. A scanning electron microscopic study of the fibrin clots showed that the sequential and simultaneous methods produced a fibrin fiber network; in contrast, our spray method formed a dense fibrin tissue in which the fibrin molecules fused together forming stratified laminae. Of the 295 supratentorial craniotomies during which spraying was used, postsurgical cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in 9 cases (3.1%), whereas of the 214 craniotomies during which spraying was not used, cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in 19 cases (8.9%). Histological examinations of 10 surgical specimens obtained during second craniotomies revealed that the spray-made fibrin clots had been gradually replaced by mature granulation composed of collagenous connective tissue. CONCLUSION: The optimal technique for applying fibrin sealant is the spray method that aerosolizes fibrin glue and produces a tough fibrin plate.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1999

Schwannoma of the oculomotor nerve: a case report with consideration of the surgical treatment.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Oculomotor schwannoma is extremely rare. We report a case of oculomotor schwannoma with consideration of its surgical management. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 64-year-old woman with a history of chronic headache underwent a computed tomographic scan, which revealed a mass lesion in the right prepontine cistern. She had no neurological deficits at admission. INTERVENTION: The tumor originated from the right oculomotor nerve. It was subtotally removed, leaving a tiny part attached to the nerve. The nerve trunk was preserved. A pathological examination revealed a schwannoma. Transient right oculomotor nerve palsy occurred postoperatively, but it improved almost completely. CONCLUSION: The tumor in the present case was resected, preserving serviceable oculomotor function. However, among 16 patients reported in the literature, all but one developed or maintained severe postsurgical oculomotor nerve palsy. We conclude that surgical resection generally is not indicated for oculomotor schwannomas, excluding large tumors that cause intractable symptoms.

Cranial Nerve Neoplasms↗
PubMed1999

Surgical anatomy for direct hypoglossal-facial nerve side-to-end "anastomosis".

OBJECT: In this study the authors investigated the histomorphometric background and microsurgical anatomy associated with surgically created direct hypoglossal-facial nerve side-to-end communication or nerve "anastomosis." METHODS: Histomorphometric analyses of the facial and hypoglossal nerves were performed using 24 cadaveric specimens and three surgically obtained specimens of severed facial nerve. Both the hypoglossal nerve at the level of the atlas and the facial nerve just distal to the external genu were monofascicular. The number of myelinated axons in the facial nerve (7228 +/- 950) was 73.2% of those in the normal hypoglossal nerve (9778 +/- 1516). Myelinated fibers in injured facial nerves were remarkably decreased in number. The cross-sectioned area of the normal facial nerve (0.948 mm2) accounted for 61.5% of the area of the hypoglossal nerve (1.541 mm2), whereas that of the injured facial nerve (0.66 mm2) was less than 50% of the area of the hypoglossal nerve. Surgical dissection and morphometric measurements were performed using 18 sides of 11 adult cadaver heads. The length of the facial nerve from the pes anserinus to the external genu ranged from 22 to 42 mm (mean 30.5 +/- 4.4 mm). The distance from the pes anserinus to the nearest point on the hypoglossal nerve ranged from 14 to 22 mm (mean 17.3 +/- 2.5 mm). The former was always longer than the latter; the excess ranged from 6 to 20 mm (mean 13.1 +/- 3.4 mm). Surgical anatomy and procedures used to accomplish the nerve connection are described. CONCLUSIONS: The size of a half-cut end of the hypoglossal nerve matches a cut end of the injured facial nerve very well. By using the technique described, a length of facial nerve sufficient to achieve a tensionless communication can consistently be obtained.

Accessory Nerve↗
PubMed1999

Contribution of different bitter-sensitive taste cells to feeding inhibition in a caterpillar (Manduca sexta).

Many compounds that taste bitter to humans also inhibit feeding in insects. Caterpillars (e.g., Manduca sexta) detect these compounds with a few bitter-sensitive taste cells. This study examined the role of these taste cells in feeding inhibition. Behavioral studies demonstrated that 3 bitter compounds (caffeine, salicin, and aristolochic acid) all inhibited feeding rapidly in Manduca sexta. Electrophysiological studies revealed that each pair of bitter-sensitive taste cell differs in responsiveness to the bitter compounds. Ablation studies indicated that (a) those pairs of bitter-sensitive taste cells that responded vigorously to a particular bitter compound were sufficient to inhibit feeding on diets containing the same compound, but that (b) no pair of bitter-sensitive taste cells was necessary for inhibiting feeding. Thus, the different pairs of bitter-sensitive taste cells appear to make partially redundant contributions to feeding inhibition.

Animals↗