PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Fukui

Publications and source records attributed to S Fukui.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Structure and expression of the mRNA encoding a novel fibroblast growth factor, FGF-18.

We isolated the cDNA encoding a novel member (207 amino acids) of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family from rat embryos. Because this protein is the 18th documented member of the FGF family, we tentatively termed it FGF-18. We have also determined mouse and human FGF-18 with high amino acid identity (99.5 and 99.0%) to rat FGF-18, respectively. Among FGF family members, FGF-18 is most similar (52.7% amino acid identity) to FGF-8 and FGF-17. FGF-18 has a typical signal sequence at its amino terminus. Recombinant rat FGF-18, which was efficiently secreted by High Five insect cells infected with recombinant baculovirus containing the cDNA, induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. The expression of FGF-18 mRNA was examined in adult rat tissues and embryos by Northern blotting analysis and in situ hybridization. FGF-18 mRNA of approximately 2. 7 kilobases was preferentially detected in the lung among adult rat tissues examined. In rat embryos, FGF-18 mRNA was detected in several discrete regions at embryonic days 14.5 and 19.5 but not at E10.5. The temporal and spatial patterns of FGF-18 mRNA expression in embryos are quite different from those of FGF-8 and FGF-17 mRNAs reported. The present results indicate that FGF-18 is a unique secreted signaling molecule in the adult lung and developing tissues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Structure and expression of a novel fibroblast growth factor, FGF-17, preferentially expressed in the embryonic brain.

We isolated the cDNA encoding a novel member (216 amino acids) of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family from rat embryos. As this protein is the 17th documented member of the FGF family, we tentatively termed it FGF-17. We have also determined the structures of mouse and human FGF-17 with high amino acid identity (100 and 98.6%) to rat FGF-17, respectively. Among FGF family members, FGF-17 is most similar (53.7% amino acid identity) to FGF-8. FGF-17 has a typical signal sequence at its amino terminus. As expected, recombinant rat FGF-17 was efficiently secreted by High Five insect cells infected with recombinant baculovirus containing the cDNA indicating that FGF-17 is a secreted protein. FGF-17 mRNA of approximately 2.1 kb was detected in rat embryos at E14.5, but not at E10.5 and E19.5 by Northern analysis. The mRNA was found to be preferentially expressed in the neuroepithelia of the isthmus and septum of the rat embryonic brain at E14.5 by in situ hybridization. The present results indicate that FGF-17 might be a novel secreted signaling molecule in the induction and patterning of the embryonic brain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Extrahepatic biliary cystadenocarcinoma arising from the left hepatic duct.

A 54-year-old man, who had no clinical symptoms, underwent a routine health checkup at our hospital. Abdominal ultrasonography disclosed a well demarcated tumor containing a solid portion occupying the dilated left hepatic duct and a cystic portion expanding into the parenchyma of the left hepatic lobe, with mild dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts. These findings were later confirmed by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography revealed a complete defect at the level of the left hepatic duct, while drip infusion cholangiographic-CT (DIC-CT) disclosed a defect of the left hepatic duct only, with the distal portions of the left intrahepatic ducts being visualized on the image. Hepatic angiography revealed light stains in the solid portion in the parenchymal phase. At left lobectomy, a multiloculated polyp-like tumor was found arising from the left hepatic duct and expanding into the parenchyma of the left hepatic lobe. Microscopically, all the lining cells in the cysts and the tumor cells in the solid portion showed the features of papillary adenocarcinoma. In this patient with extrahepatic biliary cystadenocarcinoma, DIC-CT was useful in identifying the site of origin of the tumor, and hepatic angiography was also useful in differentiating this rare malignant tumor from benign cystadenoma.

Bile Duct Neoplasms↗
PubMed1998

Active oxygens generation by flavonoids.

The hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-generating effects of 14 flavonoids were investigated. Seven out of 14 flavonoids tested were found to generate H2O2 in an acetate buffer of pH 7.4. The H2O2-generating abilities of flavonoids decrease in the order of myricetin > baicalein > quercetin > (-)-epicatechin > (+)-catechin > fisetin = 7,8-dihydroxy flavone. This ability was observed in flavonoids with either a pyrogallol or catechol structure, and the pyrogallol-type flavonoids generated more H2O2 than the catechol-types. The amount of H2O2 generated by myricetin (pyrogallol-type flavonoid) was proportional to its concentration and to the reaction time until about 4 h. In addition, H2O2 generation by myricetin was dependent on the amount of dissolved oxygen in the buffer, and it was inhibited by the addition of superoxide dismutase. These results suggest that the flavonoids generate H2O2 by donating a hydrogen from their pyrogallol or catechol structure to oxygen, through a superoxide anion radical. It was also found that flavonoids which generated more H2O2 were more powerful antioxidants in the NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation of rat microsomes.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Reflecting adult drinking culture: prevalence of alcohol use and drinking situations among Japanese junior high school students in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of Japanese adolescents' alcohol use in Japan and the situations surrounding their drinking. METHOD: A general population self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted with a sample of 5,240 Japanese junior high school students obtained from 12 representative schools of the Chiba Prefecture in Japan. RESULTS: Almost 80% of the boys and 75% of the girls reported having consumed an alcoholic beverage on at least one occasion. Consumption occurred most frequently on a ceremonial occasion (52.4%), followed by drinking with family (39.0%), with peers (20.6%), after a bath (9.7%) and at ritual parties among friends (9.3%). In this sample, a greater percentage of students in a higher grade reported a drinking occasion after a bath, at parties among friends, or with peers. However, this trend was not observed for drinking on ceremonial occasions or with family in the evening. A gender difference was observed for the prevalence of drinking after a bath. A majority of students agreed with the statement that minors' use of alcohol was "acceptable depending on the situation." This was in sharp contrast with their perception of cigarette smoking and solvent use (16.3% and 3.8%, respectively, endorsing the same statement). CONCLUSIONS: By sometime in their first year of junior high school (when most students are age 12 years), more than 75% of Japanese adolescents have tried alcohol. Prevalence rates and trends across grades are different depending on the occasions of drinking. The findings on situational drinking among adolescents of this age group appear to reflect that assimilation into Japanese drinking culture takes place early on in family or traditional settings.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[A case of peripheral, fusiform type aneurysm originating from the superior cerebellar artery].

We reported a case of a 33-year-old woman who presented a subarachnoid hemorrhage due to rupture of an aneurysm arising from the ambient segment of the superior cerebellar artery (SCA). The patient who complained of severe headache and nausea was admitted on April 6, 1996. A CT scan revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage in the left cerebellopontine cistern. Left vertebral angiography showed a fusiform type aneurysm of the ambient segment of the left SCA. Trapping of the aneurysm was successfully performed via the subtemporal approach on the day of admission, April 6, 1996. She was discharged with no deficits on May 2, 1996. Fusiform type aneurysm arising from SCA is very rare. Only 3 cases have been reported in the literature. We discussed the pathogenesis of this aneurysm and the timing of surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Cigarette smoking and solvent use among Japanese adolescents.

To examine the relationship between cigarette smoking and solvent use among Japanese adolescents, epidemiologic data from a survey of 4433 junior high school students were analyzed. For both males and females, the frequency of cigarette smoking was positively associated with curiosity about solvent use, the perception of closeness to solvent users and the lifetime and past-year prevalence rates of solvent use. On the other hand, the frequency of smoking was negatively associated with the endorsement of the current Japanese law which maintains the illegality of solvent use. These results are reported for the first time from epidemiologic-based data among early adolescents in Japan. Although correlational, they suggest the role of cigarette smoking for Japanese adolescents in the initiation of other illicit drug use in these age groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Mucosal blood flow and generation of superoxide in rat experimental colitis induced by succinic acid.

As we consider succinic acid to be an exacerbating factor in ulcerative colitis, we investigated its influence on rat colonic mucosa in terms of mucosal blood flow and superoxide generation. We measured mucosal blood flow by the hydrogen gas clearance method and superoxide generation by the chemiluminescence method, and observed histopathological findings to determine the effects of succinic acid. After the instillation of succinic acid of any concentration tested to the colon, mucosal blood flow decreased. Histopathologically, the higher the concentration of succinic acid, the greater was the erosion formation in the colonic mucosa, while significant polymorpho-nuclear cell infiltration superoxide generation from colon tissue were observed with 0.01% succinic acid compared with higher or lower concentrations. Succinic acid, at fecal concentrations found in active stage ulcerative colitis, appears to be implicated in mucosal injury, mediated by a decrease in colonic mucosal blood flow and infiltration of superoxide-generating polymorpho-nuclear cells into the mucosa.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Acute upper extremity ischemia during concomitant use of ergotamine tartrate and ampicillin.

Individual hypersensitivity to the vasoconstrictor effects of ergotamine tartrate has been observed even at doses within recommended limits. Hypersensitivity can be induced by concomitant use with other drugs. The best-documented example of drug-induced hypersensitivity to ergotamine tartrate involves antibiotics of the macrolides class. The mechanism underlying this interaction appears to be interference with metabolism of ergotamine tartrate by the liver. In the present report we describe a case of upper extremity ischemia during concomitant use of ergotamine tartrate and ampicillin. The fact that the effect was not dose-dependent, disappeared when administration of ampicillin was discontinued, and reappeared when administration of ampicillin was resumed suggests that the underlying mechanism in our patient was immunologic. Since immunologic hypersensitivity to the vasoconstrictor effects of ergotamine tartrate is unpredictable, great caution and close surveillance is advisable when ergotamine tartrate is used in association with other drugs.

Ampicillin↗
PubMed1997

Abnormal cerebral perfusion in chronic methamphetamine abusers: a study using 99MTc-HMPAO and SPECT.

1. Cerebral blood flow of nine methamphetamine abusers with technetium-99m-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (HMPAO) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) as well as morphological examination with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were investigated. 2. Six of these subjects exhibited multiple focal perfusion deficits in cerebral cortices without abnormalities in MRI including cerebral atrophy and/or infarctions. 3. Cerebral perfusion deficits were detected in methamphetamine abusers even after a long abstinence period, suggesting that vascular changes were irreversible to some degree. 4. HMPAO SPECT study appeared to be sensitive to the detection of cerebral perfusion abnormalities in drug abusers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Distribution of referred pain from the lumbar zygapophyseal joints and dorsal rami.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the distribution of referred pain from the lumbar zygapophyseal joints (L1/2 to L5/S1) and the medial branches of the lumbar dorsal rami (Th12 to L5) in a large number of patients with chronic low back pain. SETTING: This study was conducted at the pain clinics of Kanto Teishin Hospital and Hannan Central Hospital from March 1994 to May 1996. PATIENTS AND DESIGN: Chronic low back pain patients who underwent zygapophyseal joint injection or radiofrequency facet denervation were studied. Under fluoroscopic control, the joints from L1/2 to L5/S1 were stimulated by injection of contrast medium, and the lumbar medial branches of the dorsal rami from Th12 to L5 underwent electrical stimulation during radiofrequency facet denervation. OUTCOME MEASURES: If the injection or electrical stimulation reproduced the patient's usual pain, the distribution of induced pain was determined, and the sites of induced pain were divided into six areas. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: A total of 71 joints and 91 medial branches were studied in 48 patients. The distribution of referred pain from the L1/2 to L5/S1 zygapophyseal joints, and the medial branches of the dorsal rami from L1 to L5 were similar for each level stimulated, and the overlap of referred pain between each level was considerable.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[A case of jugular foramen neurinoma originating from glossopharyngeal nerve].

A 39-year-old man was admitted with right hearing loss, tinnitus and vertigo. Neurological examination on admission revealed right facial palsy, right acoustic nerve disturbance and cerebellar ataxia. CT scan demonstrated a mass with intra-and extracranial extension in the pyramid bone concomitant with enlarged jugular foramen. MRI showed a ring-like enhanced, extra-axial mass in the right CP angle. Cerebral angiography showed no tumor stain. Venous phase of VAG revealed lateral displacement of the right sigmoidal sinus and obstruction of the internal jugular vein. Three dimensional CT was very useful to reveal enlarged jugular foramen. The tumor was resected totally and was approached through a right suboccipital craniectomy and mastoidectomy on July, 1994. Surgery confirmed that the tumor was a neurinoma originating from the glossopharyngeal nerve. After the operation, right facial palsy developed and transient fugitive CSF leakage was observed, but the patient is doing well. There was no amelioration of right hearing loss. JFN originating from the glossopharyngeal nerve is rare. Twenty-five cases of glossopharyngeal neurinoma are reviewed.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Studies on the response of nitroglycerin oral spray compared with sublingual tablets for angina pectoris patients with dry mouth. A multicenter trial.

Nitroglycerin (glyceryl trinitrate, CAS 55-63-0, NTG) administered with an oral spray may be more effective in relieving anginal pain than sublingual tablets especially when the patient's mouth is dry. In this study, the effect of a NTG oral spray (Myocor Spray) on exercise-induced angina was compared with that of a sublingual tablet in relation to the oral dryness. In 17 patients with effort angina, graded bicycle exercise was performed twice at an interval of one week. Exercise was discontinued upon the onset of moderate anginal pain. Immediately after exercise, the oral dryness was evaluated by touching the tip of the tongue with a blotting paper for a moment. Then, 0.3 mg of NTG was administered by either a squirt of spray or a sublingual tablet in a randomized crossover fashion. Exercise results were reproducible between two exercise tests. According to the extent of the wet area of the blotting paper, the subjects were divided into two groups. In 7 patients of the wet group, the remission times of chest pain and ST segment depression were not significantly different by the formulation of NTG. In 10 patients of the dry group, however, both chest pain and ST depression more rapidly recovered with use of the oral spray (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05, respectively). These results strongly suggest that the NTG oral spray is superior to the sublingual tablet in relieving anginal attacks, when the oral wetness is decreased.

Administration, Sublingual↗
PubMed1996

[Rupture to the skin of atheromatous aneurysm on a femoropopliteal venous bypass using an in situ vein].

Atheromatous aneurysmal degeneration of a venous bypass graft is a rare and late event after venous bypass grafting. We report the case of a 49-year-old man in whom a large aneurysm of a saphenous graft implanted 10 years earlier ruptured to the skin. Amputation was required. Graft degeneration can lead to complications which may be life or limb-threatening due to graft rupture, graft thrombosis or distal embolization. Close follow-up after arterial reconstruction using a vein graft is therefore highly warranted for early detection and correction of any abnormalities before onset of complications.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗