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Biomedical subjects

K Ukai

Publications and source records attributed to K Ukai.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Nasal mucociliary transport of chronic sinusitis in children.

Nasal mucociliary function is one of the most important and indispensable mechanisms of the respiratory tract, providing protection against the atmospheric environment. We previously found mucociliary dysfunction in the noses of adult patients suffering from chronic sinusitis. In this study, using the saccharin method, we determined nasal mucociliary function in normal children and in children with chronic sinusitis. The mean (+/- SD) value of saccharin transit time in the nose was 28.2 +/- 19.9 minutes in patients with chronic sinusitis, this being significantly slower than that in the control group of children. The incidence of abnormally slow nasal mucociliary transport time (> 30 minutes) in patients was significantly higher than in controls of the same age. Mucociliary dysfunction may initiate a vicious cycle of self-mediated inflammation and may be important in recovery from chronic respiratory inflammation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Newcastle disease viral infection in chicken nasal turbinate and maxillary sinus.

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) B strain was inoculated intranasally and intrasinusly into unanesthetized chicken which were maintained on a standard commercial mash chicken diet until the age of 21 days after hatch. The lesions induced by NDV following intranasal inoculation usually produced a selective destruction of significant portions of the inner surface of the turbinate scroll, but sinus lesions, though sometimes present in NDV infection, were not common. The chicken sinus was infected by intrasinus inoculation. These results were supported by the amount of virus and mucociliary transport time in the turbinate and sinus. It is suggested that mucus hypersecretion of ostial gland and/or mucociliary activity in the sinus be one of the most important factors in protecting against chicken sinus infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Cholesterol polyp of the gallbladder showing rapid growth and atypical changes--a case report.

We report on a case of resected cholesterol polyp with typical ultrasonic findings that became atypical, with a 40% increase in diameter, over a period of about 10 months. The resected specimen revealed a black polyp with a large-nodular appearance. The pathological diagnosis was cholesterol polyp with marked glandular proliferation, and the glandular cavity showed cystic dilatations filled with dark brown fluid. It is suspected that the aggregation of large numbers of these dilated glands explained the black color, the rapid growth, and the development leading to the atypical ultrasonic findings.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Inhibitory effects of NMDA receptor antagonists on hypoxia-induced seizures in dietary Mg(2+)-deficient mice.

The effects of the non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists, (+)-MK-801 hydrogen maleate (MK-801) and phencyclidine hydrochloride (PCP), were tested against hypoxia-induced tonic convulsions and hippocampal epileptiform discharges. Systemic administration of MK-801 and PCP suppressed the hypoxia-induced tonic convulsions in dietary Mg(2+)-deficient mice in a dose-dependent manner. The ED50 values (and their 95% confidence limits) of MK-801 and PCP were 0.19 (0.14-0.26) and 1.14 (0.32-4.11) mumol/kg, respectively. These values were lower than those of the conventional anticonvulsants tested. Induction of epileptiform discharges following hypoxia was also prevented by the presence of MK-801 and PCP at concentrations of 5-30 microM. The hypoxia-induced epileptiform discharges, however, were reduced, but not blocked completely, by the application of MK-801 and PCP. These results strongly suggest that activation of NMDA receptors in the hippocampus plays a pivotal role in the induction of hypoxia-induced tonic convulsions in dietary Mg(2+)-deficient mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Alpha 1-adrenergic regulation of ketogenesis in isolated rat hepatocytes.

Studies were conducted to clarify the effects of noradrenaline on oleate metabolism in isolated hepatocytes from fed rats. Noradrenaline caused an inhibition of ketogenesis from oleate along with a stimulation of glucose release through alpha 1-adrenergic receptors. Anti-ketogenic action of noradrenaline was confirmed by the suppression of the formation of radioactive acid-soluble products from [1-14C]oleate in response to this agent. Noradrenaline increased the conversion of [1-14C]oleate into 14CO2 but failed to affect [1-14C]oleate esterification. When hepatocytes were incubated in a medium containing 1 mM EGTA but no Ca2+, the effects of noradrenaline on oleate oxidation were negated. On the other hand, noradrenaline-induced increase in glucose release remained unchanged even in the absence of Ca2+ in the incubation medium. Decrease in ketogenesis and increase in glucose release produced by vasopressin was completely abolished by calcium depletion. Noradrenaline caused a significant increase in cAMP levels in both the presence and absence of Ca2+, although the effect was more marked in the latter. Vasopressin did not affect it. The noradrenaline-induced increase in cAMP and glucose release in the absence of Ca2+ was also mediated by alpha 1-adrenergic receptors. These data are discussed and it is suggested that alpha 1-adrenergic agonists may control hepatic ketogenesis and glycogenolysis through two separate signal transduction mechanisms, i.e., a calcium-mobilizing system which is common with vasopressin, and a cAMP generation system which vasopressin lacks.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Superoxide is involved in the pathogenesis of paraquat-induced injury in cultured rat liver slices.

We examined whether superoxide is a factor responsible for paraquat-induced liver injury in terms of superoxide dismutase using cultured rat liver slices exposed to various concentrations of paraquat. The degree of liver injury was assessed by measurement of percentage of lactate dehydrogenase leakage into the medium and lipid hydroperoxides in the liver slices and by direct histopathological observation. Paraquat produced concentration- and time-related liver injury in the cultured rat liver slices. Notably, after exposure to 5 mmol/L paraquat, a significant increase of the percentage of lactate dehydrogenase leakage occurred from 4 hr (p less than 0.05 vs. control group), and this gradually increased up to 8 hr (p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.001 vs. control group at 6 and 8 hr, respectively). Changes in lipid hydroperoxides in the liver slices were similar to those in percentage of lactate dehydrogenase leakage (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.01 vs. control group at 6 and 8 hr, respectively). Liver injury was located around the central vein at 6 hr and gradually spread at 8 hr. Paraquat-induced liver injury was aggravated both biochemically and histopathologically by pretreatment with 5 mmol/L diethyldithiocarbamate, an inhibitor of copper- and zinc-containing superoxide dismutase activity (percentage of lactate dehydrogenase leakage: p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.001 vs. paraquat group at 6 and 8 hr, respectively; lipid hydroperoxides: p less than 0.01 vs. paraquat group at 8 hr). Incubation of liver slices with liposome-encapsulated superoxide dismutase increased the augmentation of superoxide dismutase in the liver slices.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Changes in ocular astigmatism over the whole range of accommodation.

The refraction of 20 subjects was measured over the whole range of accommodation using an objective automated refractometer in order to investigate the astigmatic change whose origin is presumed to be at the lens. For this purpose, the corneal vertex was used as the plane of reference to avoid changes in the optical effectively of a cylindrical lens at near. The change in the astigmatism with accommodation was observed in each subject. Subjects were then divided into three groups: (1) seven subjects showed an increase in astigmatism with accommodation; (2) eight subjects showed constant astigmatism up to the accommodative nearpoint; and (3) five subjects showed other types of change, such as reduced astigmatism in the intermediate accommodative state. These variations suggest that accommodative astigmatism is affected by many elements such as lens, zonule, and muscle. Two of 20 subjects could see the vertical line of the visual target composed of many directional lines clearer than the horizontal line at distance. Conversely, they could see the horizontal line clearer than the vertical line at near. We also studied the correspondence between the dark focus of accommodation and the dioptric distance where astigmatism is at a minimum, as suggested previously. The results showed that no such direct relation existed.

Accommodation, Ocular↗
PubMed1991

[Effect of recognition of head and neck malignancies on patients' psychosomatic condition and personality].

In order to elucidate the effect of recognition of head and neck malignancies on patients' psychosomatic condition and personality, we applied the Cornell Medical Index Health Questionnaire (CMI) and the Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI) and collected medical and psychological data from 35 male (42-78 years of age; average 62.5) and 15 female (20-76 years of age; average 54.7) patients with malignant head and neck tumors (10 nose and paranasal, 8 oral, 8 pharyngeal, 14 laryngeal, 6 thyroid gland and 4 others). The two tests were done twice for each patients; at first immediately before hospitalization for treatment of the tumors at Mie University Hospital and secondly just before discharge from the hospital. The period of hospitalization ranged 1 to 13 months, average 3.3 months. At the end of hospitalization doctors and nurses who had mainly taken care of the patients estimated the patients' recognition of their malignancy by analyzing behavior and information mainly from their family and classified patients into three groups; Group R (Patients who recognized that they were patients with head and neck malignancies) comprised 22 patients, Group N (who did not recognize the condition) comprised 15 and Group U (who could not be classified into Groups R or N) comprised 13. Comparison among the three groups revealed the followings. 1) Patients in Group R were relatively young (average 56.3 years) and extrovert (estimated by MPI) and their somatic and psychological complaints registered on the CMI were less than those in other 2 groups. Psychosomatic condition after recognition that they had been patients with malignant tumors was better than before.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Changes of Cu, Zn-SOD and LPO in the regenerating liver after partial hepatectomy--effect of coenzyme Q10 administration].

We have investigated the effect of CoQ10 to lipid peroxide (LPO) and Cu, Zn-SOD in the regenerating liver in rats. Cu, Zn-SOD was investigated in biochemical activity, and immunohistochemical localization. In normal control liver, Cu, Zn-SOD was diffusely stained throughout the hepatic lobules, with predominance in the centrilobular area and with vicinity of thick portal vein. In early stage of regenerating liver. LPO was increased and Cu, Zu-SOD was decreased. Destruction of the membrane of hepatocyte was confirmed by electron microscopy in the early stage of regenerating liver, Cu, Zn-SOD might be speculated to leak out into extra cellular spaces. CoQ10 suppressed the mentioned phenomenon in regenerating liver.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Protein-losing gastroenteropathy detected by technetium-99m-labeled human serum albumin.

Gastric and fecal clearance of alpha 1-antitrypsin were measured in three cases of protein-losing gastroenteropathy and in two control cases. Abdominal scintigraphy using 99mTc-labeled human serum albumin was performed in all five subjects. All three cases of protein-losing gastroenteropathy showed 99mTc activity in the gastrointestinal tract. In the patient with hypertrophic gastropathy, the activity was seen initially in the stomach and duodenum. In the patients with intestinal lymphangiectasia, the activities were initially in the small bowel. We conclude that 99mTc scintigraphy was useful, not only in diagnosing protein-losing enteropathy, but, also, in detecting the responsible region of the gastrointestinal tract.

Feces↗
PubMed1991

[Analysis of factors affecting hepatic dysfunction during group health checks for local inhabitants].

During health checks within the framework of the Geriatric Health Law, hepatic dysfunction was detected at a high incidence in inhabitants of K town. The factors affecting hepatic dysfunction in these cases were explored. The number of inhabitants who received health checks in 1989 in this town was 4,491 (78.5% of all inhabitants aged over 35 years). A diagnosis of hepatic dysfunction was made if GOT was equal to or higher than 41 IU/l or GPT was equal to or higher than 39 IU/l. On this basis, hepatic dysfunction was detected in 418 inhabitants (9.8%). The incidence of hepatic dysfunction was higher in males than in females. Inhabitants younger than 50 years had a higher incidence than those 50 years or older. The percentage of inhabitants with either a history of alcohol consumption or of receiving blood transfusion was significantly higher for inhabitants with hepatic dysfunction (29% and 10%, respectively) than for healthy inhabitants (10% and 3%, respectively). HBs antigen and anti HCV antibody positive rates for inhabitants with hepatic dysfunction were 3.3% and 36.1% respectively. These results suggest that the relatively high rate of hepatic dysfunction in this town is related to alcohol consumption, blood transfusion and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Of these three factors, the influence of HCV infection seemed to be the most influential. The study additionally disclosed variations in the incidence of hepatic dysfunction among the different regions of the town probably related to regional differences in the anti-HCV antibody positive rate.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Enhancement of NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic potential evoked in rat medial-amygdala neuron following olfactory bulbectomy.

Synaptic potentials evoked in the medial amygdala (m-AMG) neurons were studied in in vitro slice preparations obtained from normal and olfactory bulbectomized rats. Local stimulation induced a sequence of responses: a fast EPSP, a fast IPSP and a slow EPSP. The fast EPSP was suppressed by kynurenic acid (KYN) at a concentration of 1 mM but not by 3-[(+-)-2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl-]-propyl-1-phosphonic acid (CPP) at concentrations up to 20 microM. The slow EPSP was reversibly blocked by both KYN (1 mM) and CPP (5-10 microM). Addition of bicuculline methiodide (50 microM) to the bath suppressed the fast IPSP and augmented both the fast and slow IPSPs leading to burst discharges. In a small population of m-AMG neurons, the slow EPSP was followed by a slow IPSP. The slow IPSP was suppressed by phaclofen (500 microM) but not by bicuculline methiodide (up to 100 microM). In slice preparations obtained from olfactory bulbectomized rats, local stimulation evoked burst discharges, which were similar to those observed when bicuculline methiodide was applied to slice preparations obtained from normal rats. These results suggest that GABAA receptor mediating fast IPSP and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors mediating slow EPSP regulate activities of m-AMG neurons and that the enhancement of NMDA receptor mediating slow EPSP is responsible for the hyperexcitability of m-AMG neurons following olfactory bulbectomy.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1990

Proliferation kinetics of rat Kupffer cells after partial hepatectomy. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analysis.

In an effort to settle the conflicting views on the proliferation kinetics of Kupffer cells (Kc), we performed 2/3 partial hepatectomy on rats injected with Pelikan ink. Using an anti-rat macrophage monoclonal antibody, ED 2, we evaluated the numerical changes in total, carbon-positive ED 2+ cells and carbon-negative ED 2+ cells in the portal and central area. We also analyzed the ultrastructure and peroxidase cytochemistry of various types of cells observed during regeneration. The total numbers of ED 2+ cells in the remaining liver increased rapidly from day 2 to 5, and the number of dividing ED 2+ cells reached a maximum on day 2. Thus, the numerical increase in ED 2+ cells corresponded to the division phase. In contrast, the carbon-labeling experiment showed a continuous increase of carbon-negative ED 2+ cells from day 2 to 7. In the central area where division was less frequent, the proportion of carbon-positive cells decreased markedly to 50% on day 7, as against 97% in control rats. These findings suggest the possibility of an influx of carbon-negative Kc in addition to cell division. Ultrastructurally, the presence of carbon-negative "small Kc" and "immature Kc" with morphological features different from those of carbon-positive Kc was demonstrated. Such carbon-negative Kc with a high nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio and rather few phagosomes, were not observed in control rats. Furthermore, we demonstrated two types of possible precursor cell, i.e. "transitional" forms between monocytes and Kc, and "immature macrophages". The former showed peroxidase activity in some lysosomes as well as in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear envelope. Our result indicated that the proliferation kinetics of Kc depend upon both local proliferation and influx.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Changes in waveform of congenital nystagmus associated with biofeedback treatment.

A study was made of parameters of congenital nystagmus which responded to auditory biofeedback treatment. The parameters studied included foveation time, amplitude, and frequency. The patient's right retina was observed with an infrared television fundus camera, and the fundus image was recorded on video tape. The position of the eye during nystagmus, observed via the fundus camera and recorded on video, was analysed at every 1/60 second intervals. The displacement in degrees between the fixation target, projected on to the retina, and the foveola was measured for each interval. Using biofeedback, the subjects could voluntarily suppress nystagmus and prolong foveation time. A damping of the nystagmus amplitude, intensity, and frequency was observed. On the average the intensity decreased by about 40%, and the foveation time was prolonged by about 190%. After completion of the training all the patients reported a subjective improvement in their vision when suppressing their nystagmus. Possibly biofeedback training acts to reduce the nystagmus and extend foveation time, thereby improving the ability to fixate.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[A study of microdensitometric evaluation of opacity of maxillary sinuses in patients with nasal allergy].

The opacity of the maxillary sinuses on X-ray film in Waters' view in patients with nasal allergy was evaluated by a microdensitometer. The patients with nasal allergy were diagnosed with the positive results of the following; 1) eosinophilia in nasal secretion, 2) nasal provocation test, 3) intradermal skin test or radioallergosorbent test (RAST). The ratio of density of the maxillary sinuses and orbits was determined by a microdensitometer, and the ratio of the average degree of the opacity of the maxillary sinus to that of the ipsilateral orbit was designated as the M/O ratio. The normal range of the M/O ratio was set over the mean value -2 standard deviations in the normal group. The results are followings. 1) The abnormal shadows in the maxillary sinuses were found out to be 36.9% in patients with nasal allergy. 2) Patients under 15 years old had significantly higher incidence of abnormal shadows, especially in the bilateral sinuses compared with patients over 15 years old. 3) Polyps in the maxillary sinus were recognized in 5.0% of all the sinuses. 4) There were no significant differences for the incidence of abnormal shadow among the patients with nasal allergy caused by different antigens.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1990

[Effect of mucociliary dysfunction on nasal viral infection].

The effects of Newcastle disease virus infection on the nasal mucociliary dysfunction after the mechanical stimulation, dehydration and cocaine application were investigated in the nonanesthetized in vivo chicken. Mucociliary transport rate and mucociliary wave frequency were measured simultaneously using the video monitor systems and electrophotometer connecting to the otomicroscope by the direct vision through the palatine cleft of the chicken which were placed in a specially designed plastic holder with mouth opener. Mucociliary transport rate was accelerated on the postnasal fossa adjacent to the mechanically stimulated side of the palatine cleft. The dehydration for 96 hours produced progressive decelerations of mucociliary transport rate, but not mucociliary wave frequency. Topical application of 20% cocaine to the postnasal fossa caused the ciliary paralysis within 5 minutes for more than one hour. The topical inoculation of Newcastle disease virus into the postnasal fossa induced the deceleration of mucociliary transport rate after 4 days and mucociliary wave frequency after 3 and 6 days significantly. We studied the effect of mucociliary transport rate and mucociliary wave frequency on the topical Newcastle disease virus inoculation after the mechanical stimulation, dehydration, and the application of 20% cocaine. Mucociliary transport rate in dehydration and cocaine groups were decelerated significantly 4, 7, 10, 13 days after inoculation, but not in the mechanical stimulation group. Mucociliary wave frequency in the dehydration group were decelerated significantly 3, 6, 12 days after inoculation, but not in the cocaine and mechanical stimulation groups. Therefore, the results suggest that the mucociliary dysfunction may increase and prolong the severity of viral infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Effect of specific desensitization therapy in combination with an immunopotentiator, Neurotropin, on perennial nasal allergy--with special reference to mite specific IgG and IgG4 antibody levels].

We treated perennial nasal allergy with specific desensitization in combination with or without Neurotropin injections (NSP) from March 1983 to September 1984, and analyzed blood anti-mite IgG and IgG4 levels in relation to therapeutic efficacy. Desensitization and NSP were given once a week and seventy subjects (33 from the desensitization group and 37 from the desensitization + NSP group) were evaluated at 24, 36 and 48 weeks. 1) In total cases clinical usefulness showed no significant difference between the desensitization group and combined group at 24 weeks, while in "useful or more" cases significantly better results were attained in the latter at 24 weeks and 48 weeks (p less than 0.05, respectively). 2) Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (D.p.) specific IgG antibody showed no significant difference between both groups as well as in each group during the overall examination period. 3) In total cases both D.p. specific and D. farinae (D.f.) specific IgG4 were significantly higher in the combined group at 24 and 36 weeks (D.p.: p less than 0.01 and D.f.: p less than 0.05, respectively), whereas in "useful or more" cases only D.p. specific IgG4 showed a significant elevation in the combined group at 24 weeks (p less than 0.05). These results suggest that specific desensitization in combination with NSP can promote early production of mite specific IgG4, which tend to rise in correlation with clinical efficacy.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗