PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

N Sugie

Publications and source records attributed to N Sugie.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Cyclosporin-A suppresses p53-dependent repair DNA synthesis and apoptosis following ultraviolet-B irradiation.

BACKGROUND: The combination of cyclosporin-A (CS-A) and ultraviolet-B (UV-B) irradiation is not recommended in the treatment of psoriasis, because risks of UV-B-induced skin cancer are increased. The recommendation, however, has not well been confirmed by basic researches. PURPOSE: In this study, we investigated the effects of CS-A on UV-B-induced repair DNA synthesis, apoptosis and p53 expression. METHODS: Following the short-term administration of CS-A (5 and 50 mg/kg/day) or vehicle (V) alone, female BALB/c mice, 8-10 weeks old, were treated with UV-B irradiation (100 and 500 mJ(2) cm) or tape stripping (TS). After the treatment, the effects of CS-A on the increased rate of epidermal DNA synthesis were examined by using 5'-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) pulse-labelling techniques. In separate experiments, the effects of CS-A on the number of sunburn cells, nick-end labelling+ cells and p53+ cells were examined 24 h after UV-B irradiation. RESULTS: Cyclosporin-A significantly suppressed the UV-B-induced increase in BrdU uptake, which occurs to repair DNA damage, while there were no significant effects on the stripping (S)-induced increase or the rate of normal epidermal proliferation, which is not associated with any DNA injuries. The number of sunburn cells, nick-end labelling+ cells and p53+ cells was significantly reduced by pretreatment with CS-A. CONCLUSION: Cyclosporin-A interferes with the self- protective mechanisms involved in both repair and apoptotic removal of UV-B-induced DNA damage. The loss of p53 expression is responsible for the effects of CS-A.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Combination therapy with low-dose etretinate and eicosapentaenoic acid for psoriasis vulgaris.

A randomized open study was undertaken to compare the therapeutic effects between low-dose etretinate alone and low-dose etretinate combined with eicosapentaenoic acid in 40 patients with chronic, stable psoriasis vulgaris. Better and more rapid improvement was obtained with the combination therapy for 12 weeks than with low-dose etretinate monotherapy. Eicosapentaenoic acid was safe, and adverse reactions due to low-dose etretinate were mild or tolerable. The combination regimen, therefore, has a satisfactory effect on psoriasis without marked adverse reactions.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1997

Random amplification of polymorphic DNA is useful for the differentiation of several anthropophilic dermatophytes.

The efficacy of random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based technology, as a tool for differentiation of several anthropophilic dermatophytes, that is, Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. interdigitale, T. rubrum and Epidermophyton floccosum, was examined. Total cellular DNA extracted by a mini-preparation method were used as template DNAs and PCRs were performed using five primers, all of which were synthesized 10-mers. All of the primers generated PCR products and their electrophoresed profiles were characteristic for each of the species. Since these anthropophilic dermatophyte species could be differentiated clearly by the RAPD analysis, this method may be useful for identification of these species. Minimal intraspecies polymorphisms were observed between the isolates of T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale. The banding patterns were reproducible using template DNAs prepared at different times from each of stock cultures.

Arthrodermataceae↗
PubMed1997

beta-Sitosterolemia with generalized eruptive xanthomatosis.

The clinical features of the first case of a patient with sitosterolemia and generalized eruptive xanthomatosis are described. A six-year-old girl with generalized eruption was referred to the lipid clinic because of the high plasma cholesterol levels determined by the enzymatic method. Neither clinical signs nor results of laboratory examinations appeared to be abnormal, except for the eruption and the increase in the plasma cholesterol concentration. A family survey revealed high plasma cholesterol concentrations in the mother and one of two other siblings. Histological examination showed the eruption to be a xanthoma. Plasma sterol analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography revealed a noticeable increase in plasma plant sterol as well as cholestanol concentrations in the proband and the hypercholesterolemic sibling. The other family members had slightly high plasma sterol concentrations. This is the first case of a sitosterolemic patient with eruptive xanthomatosis. The case indicates that the clinical features of the xanthoma in sitosterolemia are not only tuberous or tendon but also eruptive, and also suggests that sitosterolemia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hypercholesterolemia in almost every case with tuberous or eruptive xanthoma. The diagnosis is clinically important, since the disease can be treated successfully by diet therapy and bile acid binding resins.

Child↗
PubMed1996

Tactile-audio diagram for blind persons.

We propose a tactile-audio diagram, represented by a tactile pattern and linguistic information, as a new media for the blind. We have developed a vision substitution system which enables blind persons to read and write a diagram in the form of a tactile-audio diagram. The system consists of a personal computer, a tactile display with digitizer, an auditory information input/output device, and a command keyboard. The features of the system are: 1) the use of multimodality, i.e., tactile and auditory senses are used for perceiving spatial and linguistic information and 2) two-way communication, i.e., the system enables a blind person to read and write a diagram. This paper presents a tactile-audio diagram and an implemented prototype system based on this theory, along with a discussion and methods for enhanced representations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Effects of near-infrared radiation on the epidermal proliferation and cutaneous immune function in mice.

While ultraviolet radiation alters various cutaneous cell functions, little is known about the photobiological effects of infrared radiation (IR) on the skin except its local thermal effect. This study demonstrated that single exposure of mouse skin to near IR (0.7-1.3 microns) reversibly suppressed the proliferating activity of the epidermis, the density of Langerhans cells, and the ability of skin to induce contact hypersensitivity reaction. During the exposure, the ear surface temperature was elevated from a mean of 27 to 31.2 degrees C. The results suggest that near IR can modulate the epidermal proliferation and part of the skin immune system, with a mild thermal effect.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Clinical evaluation of clarithromycin, a new macrolide antibiotic in children].

A new oral macrolide, clarithromycin (TE-031, A-56268), was evaluated for its safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics in 33 children. TE-031 was effective in all cases of mycoplasmal pneumonia, pneumococcal pneumonia, streptococcal pharyngitis, pertussis and Campylobacter gastroenteritis. The pharmacokinetic availability of TE-031 granule and tablets was much better than the older macrolides; serum half-lives of TE-031 averaged 3.2 +/- 0.25 hours (for the granule preparation). No clinical adverse reaction was encountered, but cases of transient mild elevation of the serum GPT (2 cases) and eosinophilia (2 cases) were encountered. From these preliminary data, TE-031 seems to have a place in the treatment of pediatric infectious diseases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Bacteriological, pharmacokinetic and clinical studies on clarithromycin in the pediatric field. Pediatric Study Group of Clarithromycin].

Clarithromycin (TE-031, A-56268), a new macrolide antibiotic agent, was evaluated bacteriologically and clinically for its efficacy and safety in pediatrics by a study group organized with pediatricians from all over the country. A summary of the results of the evaluation is as follows. 1. Absorption and excretion Pharmacokinetics of TE-031 was examined by single oral administration of 10% granules and 50 mg tablets at doses of 1, 5, 10 and 15 mg/kg. There were no significant differences between 10% granules and 50 mg tablets, and between administrations before and after meal. Peaks and half-life periods of blood level of TE-031 given once at doses of 5, 10 and 15 mg/kg (10% granules) before meal were 1.58, 4.37 and 3.79 micrograms/ml, and 2.53, 3.17 and 2.20 hours, respectively, and the urinary excretion in 6 hours after the administration were about 20-30%. 2. Antibacterial effects TE-031 was proved to have excellent antibacterial effect, i.e., inhibiting growth over 80% of strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes at 0.10 micrograms/ml, Branhamella catarrhalis at 0.39 micrograms/ml, and Campylobacter jejuni at 0.78 micrograms/ml. Against Staphylococcus aureus, TE-031 showed very similar activity spectrum to EM, and EM resistant strains were also resistant to TE-031. 3. Clinical results A total of 764 cases was studied. Clinical effects of TE-031 were evaluated in 717 cases out of the 764, excluding drop-outs and cases which did not meet specified protocols. Clinically, efficacies of TE-031 were "excellent" in 265 cases and "good" in 161 cases out of 453 cases of Group A in which causal agents were identified, with an efficacy rate of 94.0%, and out of 264 cases of Group B in which pathogens were not detected, clinical effects of TE-031 were "excellent" in 115 cases and "good" in 124 cases, with an efficacy rate of 90.5%. In terms of clinical effects of TE-031 classified by diseases when Group A and B were combined, efficacy rates were 91.6% for upper respiratory tract infection (217/237), 90.0% for bacterial pneumonia (108/120), 97.4% for Mycoplasma pneumonia (111/114), 100% for Chlamydia pneumonia (4/4), 85.0% for pertussis (34/40), 100% for scarlet fever (16/16), 83.9% for skin and soft tissue infection (26/31), and 98.9% for Campylobacter enteritis (87/88).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Pharmacokinetic and clinical studies on cefodizime in the pediatric field. Pediatric Study Group of Cefodizime].

UNLABELLED: A multi-center open study was conducted to investigate cefodizime (CDZM), a newly developed cephem antibiotic, from pharmacokinetic, bacteriological and clinical aspects, in the pediatric field with the participation of 17 institutions and their related facilities. The results are summarized as follows: 1. Serum concentrations and urinary excretion: The pharmacokinetics in pediatric patients was investigated with a dose of 20 mg/kg, via a bolus intravenous injection or intravenous drip infusion over 30 or 60 minutes. The results were nearly the same as those in adult patients. Mean serum concentrations 5 minutes after a bolus intravenous injections were: 105.5, 264.0 and 461.7 micrograms/ml with 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg, respectively, and T 1/2 (beta)'s for the 3 dosages were 1.75, 1.92 and 1.88 hours, respectively. With 30-minute intravenous drip infusion, mean serum concentrations at the end of infusion were: 90.5 micrograms/ml with a dose level of 10 mg/kg, 178.3 micrograms/ml with 20 mg/kg, and 322.8 micrograms/ml with 40 mg/kg, and T 1/2 (beta)'s for these dosages were 1.90, 2.15 and 1.93 hours, respectively. With 60-minute intravenous drip infusion, mean serum concentrations at the end of infusion were: 66.3 micrograms/ml with a dose level of 10 mg/kg, 136.0 micrograms/ml with 20 mg/kg and 259.2 micrograms/ml with 40 mg/kg, and T 1/2 (beta)'s for these dosages were 1.43, 2.05 and 1.46 hours, respectively. In 8 hours after administration of CDZM, urinary excretion rates were 82.1, 77.7 and 76.5% for bolus intravenous injections of 10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg, respectively, and 83.3, 71.3 and 68.1% for 30-minute intravenous drip infusions of 10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg, and 84.4 and 84.3% for 60-minute intravenous drip infusions of 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg, respectively. 2. Concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid: Penetrations into cerebrospinal fluid in patients with purulent meningitis reached levels of 1.96-9.48 micrograms/ml with administration of CDZM at 50 mg/kg in acute cases within 6 days after onset. The penetration rates of CDZM were about a median range among injectable beta-lactam agents. 3. CLINICAL RESULTS: Of 457 cases treated with CDZM, 53 cases were excluded from the clinical evaluation. Clinical efficacies were evaluated as "excellent" in 126 and "good" in 78 out of 221 case from which causative agents were isolated, with an efficacy rate of 92.3%. Efficacies were "excellent" in 97 and "good" in 69 out of 183 cases from which pathogens were not isolated giving an efficacy rate of 90.7%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Clinical and pharmacokinetic study on cefodizime, a new cephalosporin antibiotic, in the pediatric infections].

Cefodizime (THR-221, CDZM), a new cephalosporin antibiotic, was evaluated for its safety and efficacy in 27 children with various bacterial infections. The episodes of infections included pneumonia (6 cases), bronchopneumonia (11 cases), lung abscess (1 case), acute pharyngitis (2 cases), cervical lymphadenitis (1 case), infected cephalohematoma (1 case), urinary tract infection (1 case), sepsis (2 cases) and purulent meningitis (2 cases). CDZM was effective in all but one, and its efficacy rate was 96.3%. The main etiologic pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus agalactiae, Escherichia coli, Citrobacter freundii and Branhamella catarrhalis. The elimination rate was 92.3%. As adverse reactions or abnormalities, diarrhea was encountered in 4 cases. A slight elevation of serum transaminases or eosinophils was observed in 4 cases. The serum half-life was approximately 1.8-1.9 hours in children after intravenous bolus injections. Concentrations of CDZM in cerebrospinal fluids were well above MIC values of CDZM against those organisms responsible for the infections. The data suggest that CDZM is a safe and effective antibiotic when used in children with bacterial infections including purulent meningitis.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1989

[Clinical evaluation of a new oral cephem, cefpodoxime proxetil in children].

Cefpodoxime proxetil (CPDX-PR, CS-807) was evaluated for its efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics in children. CPDX-PR was effective in 93.6% of 47 cases with respiratory tract, middle ear, skin or urinary tract infections. Twice or 3 times daily administration of 3 mg/kg each was sufficient to treat streptococcal pharyngitis and Haemophilus influenzae infections. No severe adverse reaction was encountered in 52 cases treated with CPDX-PR. The serum half-life was approximately 2.17 +/- 0.24 hours after oral administration.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1988

[Clinical and pharmacokinetic studies of rokitamycin in children].

Rokitamycin dry syrup (RKM), a new macrolide antibiotic preparation, was evaluated for its safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics in 19 children. RKM was effective in mycoplasmal pneumonia, Chlamydia trachomatis pneumonitis and Campylobacter gastroenteritis. Efficacies of RKM in streptococcal pharyngitis and Haemophilus influenzae pneumonia, however, were insufficient. Pharmacokinetic observations seemed to indicate that RKM achieved higher blood concentrations than older macrolides, but a large individual variation was observed. Diarrhea which was the only type of side effect observed in our cases, was encountered in 2 of 17 evaluable cases. From these data, RKM seems to have a place in the treatment of pediatric infectious diseases.

Campylobacter Infections↗
PubMed1988

[Clinical evaluation of sultamicillin fine granules in pediatric infections].

Sultamicillin fine granules (SBTPC), a mutual prodrug of sulbactam (SBT) and ampicillin (ABPC), were administered to 16 pediatric patients with bacterial infections. The efficacy rate was 93.3%. MICs (10(6) cells/ml) of SBTPC against beta-lactamase non-producing strains were not significantly different from those of ABPC, and ranged from less than or equal to 0.05 to 1.56 micrograms/ml. MICs of SBTPC, however, were 2-4 fold smaller than MICs of ABPC against beta-lactamase producing strains. Diarrhea and loose stool as side effects were observed in 4 (25%) of 16 patients, but none of them were severe. After oral administration of SBTPC (10 mg/kg), serum levels of ABPC and SBT peaked at 3.41 micrograms/ml and 2.43 micrograms/ml after 0.6 hour, and declined with half-lives of 1.79 and 1.00 hours, respectively.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1984

A computational aspect of kinetic depth effect.

A method is proposed to determine the rigid structure as well as the three dimensional motion of an object from a sequence of orthographically projected images. It is assumed that the velocities as well as the positions of the points attached to the object are observable in the images. The "instantaneous rigidity condition" wich states that the relative position vector between any two points is orthogonal to the corresponding relative velocity vector is derived from the condition of rigidity. Assuming further that the rotational velocity component is constant throughout the period of observation, each of the projected relative velocity vectors is shown to move along one of the elliptical trajectories, all of which are similar to one another. The orientations of the longer axes are common to every trajectory. Then one can determine the equations of the ellipses by observing only two points in three views or three points in two views. The solution is obtained from a set of linear equations. The length of the longer axis enables one to determine the relative velocity. The instantaneous rigidity condition is then used to obtain the relative position. The special cases where the rotational axis is either perpendicular to or parallel with the image plane are discussed. The above results are discussed in relation to the relevant psychophysical observations as well as theoretical studies.

Depth Perception↗
PubMed1982

Neural models of brightness perception and retinal rivalry in binocular vision.

In binocular fusion, pairs of left and right stimuli yielding the same brightness perception constitute an equibrightness curve in a coordinate system whose ordinate and abscissa correspond to left and right stimulus strengths. A neural network model is presented to elucidate the characteristics of the curve. According to the model, Fechner's paradox is due to the threshold characteristics of the neuron. If the shapes or movements are radically different between the left and right stimuli, the retinal rivalry is caused. That is, only the left stimulus is perceived at one moment and the right stimulus at another moment. The period of left or right eye dominance alternates randomly from time to time. The distribution of the period is approximate to the gamma distribution. In order to account for this fact, a neural network model is proposed, which consists of a pair of neurons receiving inputs with stochastic fluctuations. The computer simulation was carried out with satisfactory results. The model of retinal rivalry is integrated with that of brightness perception.

Humans↗