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Biomedical subjects

S Inoue

Publications and source records attributed to S Inoue.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Substrate specificity of regiospecific desaturation of aliphatic compounds by a mutant Rhodococcus strain.

Substrate specificity of cis-desaturation of alipahtic compounds by resting cells of a mutant, Rhodococcus sp. strain KSM-MT66, was examined. Among substrates tested, the rhodococcal cells were able to convert n-alkanes (C13-C19), 1-chloroalkanes (C16 and C18), ethyl fatty acids (C14-C17) and alkyl (C1-C4) esters of palmitic acid to their corresponding unsaturated products of cis configuration. The products from n-alkanes and 1-chloroalkanes had a double bond mainly at the 9th carbon from their terminal methyl groups, and the products from acyl fatty acids had a double bond mainly at the 6th carbon from their carbonyl carbons.

Fatty Acids↗
PubMed2000

Production of isopropyl cis-6-hexadecenoate by regiospecific desaturation of isopropyl palmitate by a double mutant of a Rhodococcus strain.

Resting cells of a double mutant noted as KSM-MT66, derived from Rhodococcus sp. strain KSM-B-3 by UV irradiation, were found to cis-desaturate isopropyl hexadecanoate, yielding isopropyl cis-6-hexadecenoate. Addition of sodium glutamate (1.0%), Mg SO4 (2 mM), and thiamine (2 mM) increased the productivity of the unsaturated product in phosphate buffer. Optimal temperature and pH for the reaction were around 26 degrees C and 7, respectively. Under the optimized conditions, more than 50 g/l of isopropyl cis-6-hexadecenoate was produced after a 3-day incubation by resting cells of the mutant. Thus, cis-6-hexadecenoic acid, the main component of human sebaceous lipids, can be manufactured economically by the rhodococcal bioconversion.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed2000

Pravastatin attenuates cardiovascular inflammatory and proliferative changes in a rat model of chronic inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis by its cholesterol-lowering independent actions.

Recent studies suggest that some of the beneficial effects of 3-hydroxyl-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase inhibitors such as pravastatin may be through their cholesterol-lowering independent effects on the blood vessels. We have recently reported that chronic inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis with N(omega)nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) increases systolic blood pressure and induces coronary vascular inflammatory changes in rats. We designed this study to investigate whether treatment with pravastatin attenuates such proarteriosclerotic changes through their cholesterol-lowering independent effects. Several groups of Wistar-Kyoto rats were studied: the control group, L group received L-NAME in their drinking water (100 mg/kg per day) and L+Px group received L-NAME plus pravastatin (50, 100 or 250 mg/kg per day). We observed marked increases in monocyte infiltration into the coronary arteries, proliferative cell nuclear antigen-positive cells, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression in the heart on day 3 after L-NAME administration began. Treatment with pravastatin did not affect serum cholesterol levels or systolic blood pressure but did reduce the L-NAME induced inflammatory and proliferative changes. Pravastatin also attenuated the MCP-1 gene expression induced by L-NAME. In summary, pravastatin inhibited the inflammatory and proliferative changes in the coronary vessels through their cholesterol-independent effects in this model, which may provide an insight into the mechanisms of anti-inflammatory or anti-arteriosclerotic actions of pravastatin.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Effects of medical education on attitudes towards mental illness among medical students: a five-year follow-up study.

In order to clarify the effects of medical education on attitudes towards mental illness among medical students, a follow-up study was conducted. All 100 students entering Kochi Medical School in 1988 were subjects. The initial questionnaire survey was conducted in 1988, and followed up in 1993. Response rate was 69% in the initial survey, and 83% in the follow-up study. By the time of the follow-up, all of the students had completed their medical education, including courses in psychiatry and mental health. Results were as follows: At the follow-up study, 1) a significantly higher percentage of students replied that they accepted the mentally ill as co-workers; 2) significantly favorable changes were observed in attitudes towards psychiatric services; 3) optimism about the effectiveness of treatment for mental illness at an early stage and prevention of mental illness had decreased; and 4) no change was observed in attitudes toward human rights of the mentally ill, except in the case of one item stating that the mentally ill should not have children in order to avoid hereditary handicaps, with which a lower percentage agreed. Conclusively, medical education can play an important role in attitudes towards mental illness.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2000

Lack of integrative control of body temperature after capsaicin administration.

BACKGROUND: Body temperature is usually regulated by opposing controls of heat production and heat loss. However, systemic administration of capsaicin, the pungent ingredient of hot peppers, facilitated heat production and heat loss simultaneously in rats. We recently found that the capsaicin-induced heat loss and heat production occur simultaneously and that the biphasic change in body temperature is a sum of transient heat loss and long-lasting heat production. Moreover, suppression of the heat loss response did not affect capsaicin-induced heat production and suppression of heat production did not affect capsaicin-induced heat loss. These observations suggest the independent peripheral mechanisms of capsaicin-induced thermal responses. Thus, the capsaicin-induced thermal responses apparently lack an integrated control. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were maintained at an ambient temperature of 24 +/- 1 degrees C on a 12 h on-off lighting schedule at least for two weeks before the experiments. They were anesthetized with urethane (1.5 g/kg, i.p.) and placed on a heating pad, which was kept between 29 and 30 degrees C. Skin temperature(Ts) was measured with a small thermistor, which was taped to the dorsal surface of the rat's tail, to assess vasoactive changes indirectly. Colonic temperature(Tc) was measured with another thermistor inserted about 60 mm into the anus. O2 consumption was measured by the open-circuit method, and values were corrected for metabolic body size (kg0.75). Capsaicin (Sigma) was dissolved in a solution comprising 80% saline, 10% Tween 80, and 10% ethanol, and injected subcutaneously at a dose of 5 mg/kg. Each rat received a single injection of capsaicin because repeated administration of capsaicin renders an animal insensitive to the subsequent administration of capsaicin. Laminectomy was performed at the level of the first and second cervical vertebrae to expose the cervical spinal cord for sectioning. The brain was transected at 4-mm rostral from the interaural line with an L-shaped knife. RESULTS: After administration of capsaicin, O2 consumption increased from 13.5 +/- 0.4 mL/min/kg0.75 at 0 min to a peak of 15.9 +/- 0.4 mL/min/kg0.75 at 71 min and gradually declined but remained higher than the basal value until the end of the 4-h observation period. Ts also immediately increased from 27.7 +/- 0.2 degrees C to 31.9 +/- 0.3 degrees C at 39 min, and it returned to the baseline level within 90 min after the capsaicin administration. Tc initially decreased from 37.1 +/- 0.1 degrees C to 36.8 +/- 0.2 degrees C at 43 min and then gradually increased over the baseline level and remained at 37.6 +/- 0.2 degrees C until the end of the experiment. In spinalized rats, the capsaicin-induced increases in O2 consumption was largely attenuated, while the basal O2 consumption was similar to that of control rats. The basal Ts of spinalized rats was 32.4 +/- 0.3 degrees C, which was higher than that of control rats. Capsaicin increased Ts by less than 1 degree C, and Tc did not change after the capsaicin administration. O2 consumption of decerebrated rats was statistically higher than that of control rats after the injection of capsaicin. However, capsaicin did not increase Ts, showing a lack of a vasodilatory response. Decerebration between the hypothalamus and midbrain prevented the capsaicin-induced heat loss but not the heat production response. CONCLUSION: These results show that the capsaicin-induced heat production and heat loss are controlled separately by the brainstem and by the forebrain, respectively, and suggest that the body temperature regulation is performed without an integrative center.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Optimal dose of indocyanine-green injected from the peripheral vein in cardiac output measurement by pulse dye-densitometry].

Cardiac output is measured by pulse dye-densitometry using indocyanine-green (ICG). This cardiac output is estimated by correlating with the cardiac output measured by pulmonary artery catheter using thermodilution method. Twenty-four patients scheduled for elective cardiovascular surgeries under general anesthesia were studied. The pulse dye-densitometry monitoring system used was DDG-2001 (Nihon Kohden, Japan). In group A (13 patients: 19 times), ICG was administered from the peripheral vein as bolus doses of 5, 10 or 20 mg (5 mg.ml-1 water solution). In group B (11 patients: 12 times), ICG was administered from the peripheral vein as bolus doses of 20, 10 or 5 mg (5 mg.ml-1 water solution). The correlation (Pearson's correlation coefficient) and precision (the method proposed by Bland and Altman) compared with cardiac output measured by pulmonary artery catheter were examined. Better correlation and precision were recognized after 20 mg ICG injection than 5 or 10 mg ICG injection. In conclusion, the measurement of cardiac output by pulse dye-densitometry with peripheral vein ICG injection was useful using a bolus dose of ICG 20 mg.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

[Prediction of the clinical efficacy of hepatic arterial chemotherapy for metastatic hepatic cancer by intraarterial infusion of 99mTc-MIBI].

SPECT was performed in 11 patients with metastatic hepatic cancer by intraarterial infusion of 99mTc-MIBI before hepatic arterial chemotherapy was started, and the degree of accumulation and clinical efficacy were compared. Early and delayed SPECT images were obtained and various parameters were calculated, including early ratio (ER), delayed ratio (DR), washout rate (WR), and retention index (RI). Judgement of clinical efficacy was made by CT before and after hepatic arterial chemotherapy and was classified as effective, unchanged, and progressive groups. The mean values of ER and DR in the effective group were higher than those in the progressive group. No relationships were noted among the WR and RI values of the groups. The assessment of ER and DR using 99mTc-MIBI intraarterial SPECT is considered to be useful for prediction of the clinical efficacy of hepatic arterial chemotherapy for metastatic hepatic cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Anti-emetic treatment for patients with lung cancer after chemotherapy, and usefulness of prochlorperazine for psychiatric emesis].

Clinical study of cisplatin 80 mg/m2 and other agents was undertaken to determine whether they could prevent psychiatric emesis during chemotherapy in 50 patients with lung cancer. YG character tests revealed that 9 patients had a coupled rightward shift in N (nervous) and I (inferior complex) components, and were classified as emotionally unstable. In these 9 cases, addition of 15 mg prochlorperazine to the preventive combined administration of 3 mg granisetoron, 500 mg methylpredonisolon, and 40 mg metoclopramide decreased the post-chemotherapy psychiatric emesis from 100% in 3 control cases to 16.7% in 6 added cases. In the remaining 41 cases, the preventive combined administration alone was effective. The good control of acute emesis is the first priority in emotionally unstable patients. The addition of prochlorperazine might be a useful therapy for psychiatric emesis induced by anticancer agents in emotionally unstable patients.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

[Intraoperative motor evoked potential monitoring: a review of 115 cases].

We reviewed our experiences of intraoperative motor evoked potentials (MEPs) monitoring for 115 operations on the spine or spinal cord. We observed compound muscle action potentials from bilateral anterior tibial muscles by electrical transcranial stimulation of the motor cortex under general anesthesia induced and maintained with intravenous anesthetics (ketamine, propofol, or droperidol), fentanyl, and 50% nitrous oxide. Partial neuromuscular blockade was obtained with continuous infusion of vecuronium. MEPs were recorded bilaterally in 91 cases (79%) and laterally in 18 cases (16%). Postoperative deterioration of motor function was observed in 2 cases and amplitude of MEPs decreased more than 50% of control values in both cases. Intraoperative monitoring of MEPs might be a reliable indicator of spinal cord motor function.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Sequence analysis of trinucleotide repeat microsatellites from an enrichment library of the equine genome.

Microsatellites are useful tools for the construction of a linkage map and parentage testing of equines, but only a limited number of equine microsatellites have been elucidated. Thus, we constructed the equine genomic library enriched for DNA fragments containing (CAG)n repeats. The enriched method includes hybridization-capture of repeat regions using biotin-conjugated oligonucleotides, nucleotide substrate-biased polymerase reaction with the oligonucleotides and subsequent PCR amplification, because these procedures are useful for the cloning of less abundant trinucleotide microsatellites. Microsatellites containing (CAG)n repeats were obtained at the ratio of one per 3-4 clones, indicating an enrichment value about 10(4)-fold, resulting in less time consumption and less cost for cloning. In this study, 66 different microsatellites, (CAG)n repeats, were identified. The number of complete simple CAG repeats in our clones ranged 4-33, with an average repeat length of 8.8 units. The microsatellites were useful as sequence-tagged site (STS) markers. In addition, some clones containing (CAG)n repeats showed homology to human (CAG)n-containing genes, which have been previously mapped. These results indicate that the clones might be a useful tool for chromosome comparison between equines and humans.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Clinicopathological study of left ventricular remodeling after first acute myocardial infarction].

The morphological characteristics of post-infarction ventricular remodeling were determined by comparison of infarct location and histological changes of noninfarcted myocardium at autopsy. A total of 94 cases of first acute myocardial infarction with clinical courses of 0 to 37 days were studied. Hearts were sliced on the short axis at the level of 1/3 of the distance from the atrioventricular ring to the apex. Wall thicknesses of the infarcted and noninfarcted areas, and the endocardial and epicardial perimeter lengths of the left ventricle were measured. Myocyte diameter and number of myocytes in the noninfarcted area were measured. Infarcts were classified into 3 groups based on infarct location (51 anterior, 22 posterior, and 21 nontransmural circumferential) and each group was further divided according to the clinical course of less than 72 hours or longer. Fifty two patients died within 72 hours. Cardiac rupture was the most common cause of death in the anterior group. Patients in the posterior group chiefly died due to cardiogenic shock and in the circumferential group chiefly died to pump failure. According to the number of stenosed coronary arteries, cardiac rupture was the most common cause of death in single-vessel disease in both anterior and posterior groups (62.1% and 55.6%, respectively). In double-vessel disease, the most common cause of death in the anterior group was still cardiac rupture (50.0%). On the other hand, 50.0% of the posterior group died of cardiogenic shock in double-vessel disease. Patients with triple-vessel disease mainly died due to heart failure in all groups. Wall thickness of the infarcted myocardium was decreased in the anterior group after 72 hours (11.8 +/- 3.5 vs 7.8 +/- 2.5 mm). Endocardial perimeter length was increased in the anterior and circumferential groups (83.6 +/- 25.6 vs 116.3 +/- 29.5 mm, 75.2 +/- 12.0 vs 117.6 +/- 3.1 mm, respectively). Endocardial/epicardial perimeter length ratio increased with longer clinical course in the anterior group. No specific change in wall thickness or perimeter length was found in the posterior group. Noninfarcted wall thickness was preserved in both the anterior and posterior groups. Myocyte diameter and number of myocytes in the noninfarcted area showed no significant difference after 72 hours. The nature of ventricular remodeling differs with infarct location. Ventricular dilation occurred during the clinical course in the anterior group. The transmural and adjacent areas are more important than the remote noninfarcted area in post-infarction remodeling within this period.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Monitoring of motor evoked potentials during insertion of iliosacral screws for reconstruction of pelvic fracture in two patients].

Monitoring of myogenic motor evoked potentials (MEPs) induced by transcranial electrical stimulation has become a promising tool for intraoperative monitoring. We described 2 patients who had developed significant decrease in MEP during the insertion of iliosacral screws for reconstruction of pelvic fractures. In both patients, MEPs were successfully obtained prior to the insertion under general anesthesia and partial neuromuscular blockade (propofol, ketamine, fentanyl, and nitrous oxide in oxygen: vecuronium), but reduced in association with the insertion. In one patient, they were restored by the re-insertion of screw and no new neurological deficits were observed postoperatively. However, in another patient, the decrease was not normalized and he suffered from paresis of the lower extremities after the surgery. We consider that intraoperative changes in MEPs could precisely predict postoperative motor function.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

[Relationship between endothelial function and female hormone level in very old females: evaluation from ischemic reactive hyperemic response in forearm vessels].

Recently, the mechanism of longevity in females was proposed to be associated with female hormones. This study examined the effect of aging and sex on vascular endothelial function, and the relationship between female hormone level and endothelial function by ischemic reactive hyperemic response in the forearm using plethysmography. The study population consisted of 246 healthy subjects aged from 20 to 76 years (119 males, 127 females) and 20 healthy females aged 85 years and older (85 to 103 years; mean age 94 years) without distinct cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, renal disease, liver dysfunction or anemia. Levels of the female hormones, estradiol and estriol, were measured in females aged more than 85 years. The duration of reactive hyperemia decreased with aging, but the difference between males and females was not significant at any age. In females, the duration was markedly decreased from 110 +/- 36 sec in the fifties to 81 +/- 29 sec in the sixties or older (p < 0.05). Excess flow also showed similar changes to the duration of reactive hyperemia. The duration of reactive hyperemia and excess flow in females aged 85 years and older were similar to those in the fifties, but was significantly longer than those in females 60 years or older. The concentrations of estradiol (44.9 +/- 27.1 pg/ml) and estriol (22.1 +/- 13.4 pg/ml) in females aged 85 years were higher than in the sixties. There was a positive correlation between the duration of reactive hyperemia and the concentration of estradiol (r = 0.56, p < 0.01) or estriol (r = 0.57, p < 0.01). In summary, vascular endothelial function was impaired gradually with aging, but preservation of the function in healthy, very old females was closely associated with levels of female hormone.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[An anesthetic experience of epileptic focus resection in a nine month-old girl under monitoring by electrocorticography].

We report a successful electrocorticography (ECoG) monitoring for a epileptic cortical focus resection in a 9-month-old girl with uncontrollable epileptic seizures. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with nitrous oxide, oxygen, and sevoflurane with vecuronium. After the craniotomy, ECoG monitoring was used to locate the epileptic cortical lesion. During the procedure of subpial resection and gyrectomy, ECoG was repeatedly recorded. It was necessary to maintain adequate depth of anesthesia throughout the procedure to clarify the epileptic waves. For this purpose, sevoflurane (2.5%) with and oxygen (97.5%) under controlled-hyperventilation (PaCO2 30 mmHg), was useful for monitoring the epileptic seizure wave from cortical focuses properly.

Anesthesia, Inhalation↗
PubMed2000

[The mental health of school children after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake: II. Longitudinal analysis].

UNLABELLED: We conducted surveys to investigate the nature of the recovery processes and psychological reactions of children and adolescents affected by the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake. The investigations were carried out 4 times at 4 months, 6 months, one year and two years after the disaster. SUBJECTS: About 9000 school children in the 3rd grade, the 5th grade, the 8th grade living in the disaster area. METHOD: The questionnaire consisted of 9-12 items regarding situation and behavior when the earthquake occurred, and 22 items regarding mental health condition, and was filled out in the classroom under supervision by the teacher in charge. The responses were rated from 1 to 4 depending on the frequency of the symptoms, and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: By factor analysis, three factors were elicited. Factor 1 was interpreted as being related to fear and anxiety, factor 2 as related to depression and physical symptoms, and factor 3 as related to pro-social tendencies. These 3 factors were distinct and stable throughout all 4 surveys and each of them showed unique recovery processes. The mean score of factor 1 was highest at 4 months after the earthquake, and decreased as time passed. This factor shows that fear and anxiety seem to be directly related to the experience of the earthquake. According to the severity of the disaster, more severe damage brought about a higher mean score of factor 1. Furthermore, younger children and girls were more strongly affected. Each of the differences in the severity of disaster, in age, and in gender decreased as time passed. The mean score of factor 2 peaked at 6 months, and it slightly recovered after one year. However, the score at the 1st year was still higher than that of the 4th month. At two years the score returned to almost the same level as that of the 4th month. We think that factor 2, involving depressive mood and psychophysical symptoms, may be a secondary phenomenon to fear and anxiety. Other possibilities are that they may be caused by environmental changes after the disaster, inconveniences of daily life, loss of jobs of parents, or masked by hypomanic mood which covered over the disaster area soon after the earthquake (so-called heroic phase). Older children have a greater tolerance for depressive mood and psychophysical symptoms, but those symptoms occurring in older children have a tendency to continue for a longer time. Girls are more heavily affected and need more time to recover from trauma than boys. The mean score of factor 3 showed a gradual decrease as time passed. There was no difference in the way of decrease according to the severity of disaster, age and gender. It may be natural that, since the interest in the earthquake decreased as time passed, consideration for the victims decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The problems of mental health of children and adolescents after the disaster may consist of at least 2 different components; "fear and anxiety," which appeared just after the disaster and decreased earlier; "depressive and psychophysical symptoms" appeared later and stayed longer.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Squamous cell type lung cancer that produced granulocyte colony-stimulating factor].

A 73-year-old man was hospitalized because of weight loss and fever. Laboratory data showed marked leukocytosis (21,200/mm3), granulocytosis (89.7%), thrombocytosis (47.8 x 10(4)/mm3), increased CRP (15.8 mg/dl), and increased SCC (5.0 ng/ml). Chest X-ray films demonstrated a mass shadow in the right upper lung field. Chest computed tomographic scans revealed a mass shadow 58 mm in diameter with mediastinal pleural invasion in the right S1. Right upper lobectomy and dissection of regional lymph nodes was performed under a diagnosis of lung cancer (squamous cell carcinoma, T3 N0 M0 stage IIB) with concomitant infection. Serum G-CSF was 234 pg/ml pre-operatively and 68.8 pg/ml postoperatively. The cytoplasm of tumor cells stained positively with anti-recombinant human G-CSF monoclonal antibody. No general bacteria or mycobacteria were detected within the specimen. Postoperatively, the patient's white blood cell count, platelet count, and CRP level soon decreased, and the fever disappeared. We diagnosed the disease as G-CSF-producing squamous cell type lung cancer.

Aged↗