Biomedical subjects

M Kihara

Publications and source records attributed to M Kihara.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Antibacterial activity of Artocarpus heterophyllus.

The crude methanolic extracts of the stem and root barks, stem and root heart-wood, leaves, fruits and seeds of Artocarpus heterophyllus and their subsequent partitioning with petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and butanol gave fractions that exhibited a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity. The butanol fractions of the root bark and fruits were found to be the most active. None of the fractions were active against the fungi tested.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Antimicrobial activity of Calophyllum soulattri.

The methanol extracts of leaves, root and stem barks of Calophyllum soulattri were partitioned with petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate. The extracts demonstrated a range of antibacterial activity, improved on fractionation. None were found to be active against the moulds.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Antimicrobial activity of Terminalia complanata and Flacourtia zippelii.

A broad spectrum of antibacterial activity was exhibited by the methanol extracts of leaves, root and stem barks of Terminalia complanata and Flacourtia zippelii and their subsequent fractions (petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate). Fractionation enhanced the activity particularly in the ethyl acetate fractions of the stem and root barks of T. complanata. No activity was observed against the moulds.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Antimicrobial activity of Michelia champaca.

The methanol extracts of leaves, seeds, stem and root barks, stem and root heart-woods of Michelia champaca and the obtained fractions (petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol) exhibited a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity. Fractionation drastically enhanced the level of activity particularly in all fractions of the stem bark and dichloromethane fraction of the root bark. Some fractions of the leaves, stem and root barks demonstrated antifungal activity against some of the tested moulds. Liriodenine was the active constituent of the root bark, with a broader and, in some cases, better level of activity as compared to the standard.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Comparison of SSR and QSART in early diabetic neuropathy--the value of length-dependent pattern in QSART.

We evaluated postganglionic sympathetic function using the sympathetic skin response (SSR) and quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART) on the feet of 31 patients with early diabetic neuropathy and 20 age-matched normal controls. The amplitude of SSR and the sweat volume of QSART were significantly decreased in the diabetic patients. We evaluated the sensitivity of the tests in detecting autonomic failure. Out of 31 patients, 14 (45%) had abnormal SSR (14 absent; 17 present), while 16 of 31 patients (52%) had abnormal QSART (1 absent; 5 absolutely reduced and 10 showed a length-dependent pattern of reduction). More important than differences in sensitivity is the specificity of QSART, which specifically evaluates the postganglionic axon (instead of polysynaptic pathways in SSR) and provides quantitative data on the severity and pattern of autonomic deficit. In normal controls under 65 years of age, there was a significant correlation between the amplitude of SSR and the sweat volume of QSART. However, there was no significant relationship between these in diabetic patients. These results suggest that QSART can evaluate early diabetic neuropathy more precisely than SSR.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Effect of zenarestat, an aldose reductase inhibitor, on endoneurial blood flow in experimental diabetic neuropathy of rat.

The effects of zenarestat, an aldose reductase inhibitor, on endoneurial blood flow (NBF) were explored in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Rats were maintained on a diet of containing 0.09% zenarestat for 8 weeks, then NBF in the sciatic nerve was measured using microelectrode hydrogen polarography. NBF in the diabetic control rats was significantly lower than values in age-matched control rats, however, NBF was not significantly altered in diabetic rats treated with zenarestat. Direct application of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine, did not affect NBF in diabetic control rats, whereas this application significantly reduced NBF both in age-matched control and zenarestat treated diabetic rats. Considerable levels of zenarestat were confirmed in the sciatic nerve in the drug treated rats. These data suggest that aldose reductase, such as zenarestat, might restore or prevent the alteration of endoneurial blood flow resulting from an impairment of nitric oxide function.

Aldehyde Reductase↗

PubMed2001

Autonomic consequences of brainstem infarction.

OBJECTIVE: It is well known that patients with brainstem infarctions sometimes experience dizziness, vertigo and falls, although the exact mechanism is not clear. Therefore, we designed a study to quantify autonomic function in patients with brainstem infarction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We examined autonomic function in 15 patients with brainstem infarctions, who had a history of vertigo, nausea, floating sensation and/or general fatigue during standing, and 31 age-matched controls using the composite autonomic scoring scale (CASS), which was used to grade autonomic function. The patients underwent initial autonomic assessment and then were subjected to aniracetam therapy. The drug was given orally (dose of 600 mg/day) for a duration of 56 days. Upon completion of aniracetam administration, the CASS was again tested. RESULTS: Upon initial assessment, the patients had mild reductions in mean blood pressure (MBP) and lack of an increasing heart rate (HR) within 5 min of head up-tilt, an impairment in BP correction during late phase II and reduced phase IV beat-to-beat BP response to the Valsalva maneuver, and reduced heart rate response to deep breathing (HRdb). CASS indicated mild autonomic dysfunction. After 8 weeks of treatment with aniracetam, the patients' symptoms improved and the autonomic tests showed improvement in autonomic function. CONCLUSION: Part of the pathogenesis of recurrent vertigo or dizziness with brainstem infarction might be due to mild autonomic dysfunction. Aniracetam, which activates the cholinergic system in brain, might correct the cardiovagal system in these patients. The CASS may be a sensitive tool for assessing mild autonomic dysfunction in patients with brainstem infarction.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

A small dose of the immunosuppressive agent FK506 (tacrolimus) protects peripheral nerve from ischemic fiber degeneration.

The immunosuppressant agent FK506 (tacrolimus) has proven to be neuroprotective against brain ischemia, but there are no data on potential neuroprotective effects of FK506 in peripheral nerve ischemia. We examined the potential effects of two doses of FK506 in protecting peripheral nerve from ischemic fiber degeneration. Ischemia in the left sciatic nerve of the rat was produced by injecting 2 x 10(6) microspheres (14 microm) into the left femoral, hypogastric, and superior gluteal arteries in proportions of 47%, 37%, and 17%, respectively. After embolization, FK506 was injected into the left femoral, hypogastric, and superior gluteal arteries in doses of 9.4, 7.4, and 3.4 microg, respectively, for the high-dose group and 4.7, 3.7, and 1.7 microg, respectively, for the low-dose group. The control rats were injected with saline. FK506 treatment resulted in dramatic behavioral improvement in nerve function, in the number of functioning nerve fibers, and in the salvage of a majority of nerve fibers from ischemic fiber degeneration in a dose-dependent fashion. These results suggest that a small dose of FK506 protects peripheral nerve from ischemic fiber degeneration and that it may have potential in the treatment of ischemic neuropathy.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed2001

Influences of incubation temperature and various saccharides on the production of organic acids and gases by gut microbes of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss in a micro-scale batch culture.

We studied the influence of incubation temperature and additional saccharides on the metabolism of hindgut microbes of the rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss in a 50 microl-scale batch culture system. Intestinal contents of rainbow trout reared at 15 degrees C were incubated with glucose, lactosucrose, sodium alginate or colloidal chitin (each 10 g/l) at 15 degrees C or 25 degrees C for 12 h. Levels of organic acids at 0 h and 12 h of incubation were quantified with HPLC. We also monitored gas release from these cultures during incubation. The main product was iso-butyric acid, except for the cultures with colloidal chitin where no net production of organic acids was observed. We detected higher levels of iso-butyric acid in cultures with lactosucrose than in the other cultures. Net production of this acid was less in cultures with colloidal chitin than in blank cultures. The volume of released gas was larger when incubated at 25 degrees C than at 15 degrees C. Cultures with colloidal chitin released more gas than blank cultures when they were incubated at 15 degrees C. Cultures with sodium alginate released less gas than blank cultures irrespective of incubation temperature. These results indicate that the hindgut microbes of this carnivorous fish mainly produce branched-chain fatty acids, very likely by microbial digestion of nitrogenous materials rather than saccharides. However, additional saccharides affected production of branched-chain fatty acids. The influence of incubation temperature in the present study also suggested that the environmental temperature of host fish should affect microbial digestion in the fish gut.

Acids↗

PubMed2001

Magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of vaginal foreign bodies in a young girl.

A 7-year-old girl with foul-smelling, bloody vaginal discharge for more than 2 years was initially suspected of suffering from vaginal foreign bodies. Although plain radiography revealed no abnormal findings in the pelvis, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed multiple low intensity objects and an intact vaginal wall. Four plastic toys were removed with forceps under general anesthesia. MRI is supposed to be the best technique for evaluating vaginal foreign bodies in young girls.

Child↗

PubMed2001

Malignant adenomyoepithelioma of the breast with lung metastases: report of a case.

Adenomyoepithelioma of the breast is a rare lesion, and has a bicellular pattern of epithelial and myoepithelial cells which are regularly distributed in the tubular structures based on the histologic and ultrastructural features. It is thought to be a benign or a low-grade malignant disease. We herein describe a case of malignant adenomyoepithelioma of the breast with lung metastases in an 86-year-old woman. A primary massive tumor in the left breast grew rapidly within a short period of time. A simple mastectomy with sampling of the axillary lymph nodes was performed. The obtained lymph nodes did not include any metastatic lesions. Malignancy was evidenced by the presence of a high mitotic rate and severe nuclear atypia. Three months after the operation, radiology showed multiple lung metastases, and the patient died 2 weeks thereafter. Reviewing the literature, nine similar cases were reported, and the prognosis of malignant adenomyoepithelioma of the breast with distant metastases was very poor with the time of recurrence varying after initial treatments. Malignant adenomyoepithelioma should be followed up with careful screening for distant metastases.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Spontaneous rupture of a parathyroid adenoma presenting as a massive cervical hemorrhage: report of a case.

We report an unusual case of spontaneous rupture of a parathyroid adenoma causing cervical hemorrhage. A 60-year-old woman presented to our hospital after the sudden development of extensive ecchymosis of her neck and upper anterior chest wall. Computed tomography (CT) scanning revealed a hematoma in the left retrotracheal space, and laboratory examinations revealed significant hypercalcemia, hypophosphatemia, and a high level of intact parathyroid hormone. Primary hyperparathyroidism was diagnosed, but it was not until the hematoma had subsided, 4 months after her initial presentation, that a parathyroid adenoma was revealed by CT. An operation was performed, and a parathyroid adenoma with hemosiderin deposition was histologically diagnosed. Although this phenomenon is unusual, all endocrine surgeons should be well aware of the possibility of its occurrence.

Adenoma↗

PubMed2001

Antimicrobial activity of Castanopsis acuminatissima.

The methanol extracts of Castanopsis acuminatissima leaves, stem and root barks were partitioned (petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate). Though all of the crude methanolic extracts and obtained fractions from them, showed a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity, in most cases the activity was decreased on fractionation. None was active against tested moulds.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Antibacterial activity of Picrasma javanica.

The methanol extracts of Picrasma javanica, leaves, seeds, stem and root barks were partitioned (petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol). All obtained extracts and fractions showed a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity, while none was active against the tested moulds.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2001

Antimicrobial activity of Harpullia ramiflora.

The methanol extracts of Harpullia ramiflora, leaves, flowers, stem and root barks were partitioned (petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate). In respect to crude extracts, all fractions demonstrated broader spectrum and higher levels of antibacterial activity. The ethyl acetate fraction of the flowers exhibited the highest activity. No activity was shown against the tested moulds.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Antimicrobial activity of Omalanthus nervosus.

The ethanol extracts of Omalanthus nervosus leaves, stem and root barks, were partitioned (petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate). In respect to crude extracts, all fractions demonstrated broader spectrum and higher levels of antibacterial activity, ethyl acetate fractions being in all cases the more active. No fraction was active against tested moulds.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Antimicrobial activity of Horsfieldia helwigii and Melia azedarach.

The methanol extracts of leaves, root and stem barks of Horsfieldia helwigii and Melia azedarach showed a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity. The activity was increased on fractionation (petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate), particularly in the petrol fraction of the leaves of H. helwigii and dichlorometane fraction of the stem bark of M. azedarach. No activity was shown against tested moulds.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2001

Antimicrobial activity of Cassia alata.

The methanol extracts of leaves, flowers, stem and root barks of Cassia alata showed a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity. The activity was increased on fractionation (petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate), the dichloromethane fraction of the flower extract being the most effective. No activity was shown against tested moulds.

Animals↗