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Biomedical subjects

S Takeuchi

Publications and source records attributed to S Takeuchi.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Uterine myxoid leiomyosarcoma and CYVADIC-etoposide therapy.

OBJECTIVES: To conduct a pathological characterization of rare uterine myxoid leiomyosarcoma (MLS) and establish an effective chemotherapy for metastasis after hysterectomy. METHODS: Histological and immunohistochemical methods were used to characterize the type of uterine MLS in a 39-year-old female. For multiple lung metastases found 3 months after operation, CYVADIC (400 mg cyclophosphamide, 1 mg vincristine, 50 mg epirubicin and 400 mg dacarbazine per body for one course) and oral etoposide (50 mg/body per day for 2 weeks) were applied. RESULTS: The rapidly enlarging uterine tumors exhibited gelatinous cut surfaces, a high count of 30 mitotic cells per 10 hpf and mucinous stroma, indicating a rare high-mitotic type of uterine MLS. The two-course CYVADIC-etoposide therapy was effective for disseminated pulmonary metastases. CONCLUSION: The present MLS was a rare high-mitotic type. CYVADIC-etoposide was an optional effective chemotherapy for lung metastasis in this case.

Adult

Leiomyoblastoma causing acute gastric outlet obstruction in an infant.

A 1-year-old boy had acute gastric outlet obstruction, the cause of which was a prepyloric submucosal mass. The mass and the ulcerated overlying mucosa were excised. The histological diagnosis was leiomyoblastoma with parenchymatous hemorrhage. Apparently, he is the youngest patient reported to have this disease.

Acute Disease

Thapsigargin, a Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor, relaxes rat aorta via nitric oxide formation.

Thapsigargin induced endothelium-dependent relaxation and cGMP production in rat thoracic aorta, and these effects were inhibited by nitric oxide (NO) pathway inhibitors, a calmodulin inhibitor and removal of Ca2+, suggesting that NO is involved in the thapsigargin-induced relaxation. Thapsigargin may deplete Ca2+ stores in the endothelial cells by inhibiting the Ca(2+)-ATPase, a Ca2+ pump, which in turn triggers influx of extracellular Ca2+, leading to activation of constitutive NO synthase and resultant NO generation. The NO thus formed may activate soluble guanylate cyclase to produce cGMP in the vascular smooth muscle.

Aminoquinolines

Sleep-related changes in human muscle and skin sympathetic nerve activities.

To characterize the features of sympathetic nerve activity during non-REM sleep, we measured the muscle and skin sympathetic nerve activities (MSNA and SSNA, respectively) using a double recording microneurographic technique. Eight healthy volunteers were monitored by polysomnography (including EEG, EOG, EMG, and ECG) and received acoustic stimuli (880 Hz, 125 ms) during sleep stage 2. The specific discharge properties of MSNA during wakefulness included pulse-synchronicity, short burst duration and a non-responsiveness to arousal stimuli. These were considered to be generated by an inhibitory input from the baroreceptors to the cardiovascular center. In contrast, SSNA lacked pulse-synchronicity, had longer bursts, and was responsive to a variety of stimuli. Burst rates of MSNA and SSNA were reduced during sleep stages 1 and 2 (light sleep) vs. during a wakefulness. Both MSNA and SSNA appeared to be related to spontaneously occurring K-complexes. The baroreflex latency (from the ECG R-wave to the integrated MSNA burst peak) was constant at approximately 1.20 s during sleep, suggesting that pulse-synchronicity was maintained. The MSNA burst evolution time (interval between initiation of the burst and its peak) became longer with a transition to deeper non-REM sleep stages, whereas the SSNA burst evolution times remained constant. K-complexes induced by acoustic stimuli were frequently accompanied by MSNA and/or SSNA. MSNA responded to acoustic stimuli during light sleep, but some bursts lacked a close relation in time to cardiac rhythm.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acoustic Stimulation

Inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication by daphnodorins.

Three flavans, daphnodorins A, B and C isolated from Dahpne odora THUNB. were tested for their abilities to inhibit human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1(IIIB)) replication in MT-4 cells. The effective concentrations (EC50) of daphnodorins A, B and C against HIV-1-induced cytolysis were 0.26 +/- 0.08, 1.8 +/- 0.6 and 3.6 +/- 0.5 micrograms/ml, respectively. Also these three compounds showed inhibitory effects of p24 antigen in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. As compared with 2',3'-dideoxycytidine 5'-triphosphate (DDC-TP), daphnodorin A and daphnodorin C had relatively weak inhibitory effects on the reverse transcriptase of HIV-1, while daphnodorin B did not show any inhibitory effect at concentrations up to 1000 micrograms/ml. These three compounds showed marked inhibitory effects on syncytium formation between HIV-1(IIIB)-infected and uninfected MOLT-4 (clone 8) cells at 3-30 micrograms/ml without inducing cytotoxicity. The concentrations of the compounds blocking syncytium formation were consistent with the effective concentrations (EC50) against HIV-induced cytolysis of MT-4 cells. These results, differing from reverse transcriptase inhibitors, suggest that the daphnodorins exert their anti-HIV-1 activity through inhibition of early events of viral replication including adsorption of the virions to the cells or the subsequent entry.

Antiviral Agents

Autologous blood transfusion using recombinant human erythropoietin in radical hysterectomy.

The possibility of serious complications of infection and GVHD and adverse prognosis in cancer patients resulting from homologous blood transfusions has been reported. We used recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) in autologous blood transfusions for radical hysterectomies to avoid the risks associated with transfusions. rHuEPO efficacy, stability and influence on hemodynamics were investigated. All patients were able to donate 1,200 ml of autologous blood prior to surgery, and anemia did not result despite phlebotomy three times each week. Elevation in Hb concentration was calculated at 0.78 +/- 0.37 g/dl over the first 7 days, and 2.12 +/- 0.35 g/dl over the first 14 days. No adverse side effects were observed in any patient. The serum EPO level was measured by RIA, and compared to the homologous blood transfusion group. rHuEPO did not influence postoperative EPO secretion. Autologous blood transfusion with rHuEPO in radical hysterectomy was extremely effective in mitigating the risks associated with homologous blood transfusions.

Blood Transfusion, Autologous

Effect of relaxation training on cardiac parasympathetic tone.

To examine the hypothesis that the relaxation response is associated with an increase in cardiac parasympathetic tone, the frequency components of heart rate variability during relaxation training were investigated in 16 college students. Electrocardiograms and pneumograms were recorded during a 5-min baseline period followed by three successive 5-min sessions of the autogenic training (relaxation) or by the same periods of quiet rest (control), while subjects breathed synchronously with a visual pacemaker (0.25 Hz). Although neither the magnitude nor the frequency of respiration showed a significant difference between relaxation and control, the amplitude of the high-frequency component of heart rate variability increased only during relaxation (p = .008). There was no significant difference in the ratio of the low-frequency (0.04-0.15 Hz) to the high-frequency amplitudes. The increased high-frequency amplitude without changes in the respiratory parameters indicates enhanced cardiac parasympathetic tone. Thus, our results support the initial hypothesis of this study. Enhanced cardiac parasympathetic tone may explain an important mechanism underlying the beneficial effect of the relaxation response.

Adult

Stimulation by menthol of Cl secretion via a Ca(2+)-dependent mechanism in canine airway epithelium.

1. To investigate the effect of menthol on airway epithelial ion transport function, we studied the bioelectrical properties of canine cultured tracheal epithelium by Ussing's short-circuit technique in vitro. 2. Addition of menthol (10(-3) M) to the mucosal but not the submucosal solution increased the short-circuit current (Isc) from 6.2 +/- 0.9 to 14.0 +/- 2.2 microA cm-2 (P < 0.001), and this effect was accompanied by increases in transepithelial potential difference and conductance. The response was dose-dependent, with the maximal increase from the baseline value and the concentration required to produce a half-maximal effect (EC50) being 6.4 +/- 0.9 microA cm-2 (P < 0.001) and 40 microM, respectively. 3. Other cyclic alcohols, including menthone and cyclohexanol, had no effect on the electrical properties. 4. The menthol-induced increase in Isc was not altered by pretreatment of the cells with amiloride, indomethacin, or propranolol but was abolished by diphenylamine-2-carboxylate, furosemide or substitution of Cl with iodide in the medium. 5. Menthol (10(-3) M) increased cytosolic levels of free calcium ([Ca2+]i) from 98 +/- 12 to 340 +/- 49 nM (P < 0.01) in fura-2-loaded tracheal epithelium but did not affect the intracellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate content. 6. These results suggest that menthol stimulates Cl secretion across airway epithelium, probably through a Ca(2+)-dependent mechanism, and might thus influence mucociliary transport in the respiratory tract.

Animals

Relaxation of rat thoracic aorta induced by the Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor, cyclopiazonic acid, possibly through nitric oxide formation.

1 The effect of the Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor, cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), was studied on rat thoracic aortic ring preparations. 2 At concentrations above 0.3 microM, CPA induced relaxation in the arteries precontracted with phenylephrine. Removal of the endothelium abolished CPA-induced relaxation. 3 The nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor NG-nitro L-arginine (3-300 microM), the free radical scavenger haemoglobin (0.1-3 microM), the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, LY83583 (0.1-10 microM), each inhibited the endothelium-dependent relaxation to CPA. The potassium channel blocker, glibenclamide (10 microM) and cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin (100 microM for 60 min and then washed out) did not alter the action of CPA. 4 The calmodulin inhibitors calmidazolium (3-10 microM) and W-7 (100 microM) also abolished CPA-induced relaxation. 5 CPA (10 microM) increased guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP) levels in arteries with an intact endothelium, without affecting adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) levels. 6 The inhibitors of NO synthesis and actions, the calmodulin inhibitor and removal of the endothelium abolished the CPA-stimulated increase in the levels of cyclic GMP. 7 In Ca(2+)-free solution, CPA failed to induce relaxation or to stimulate cyclic GMP production. Relaxation to nitroprusside was not affected under these conditions. 8 These results suggest that CPA can stimulate NO synthesis, possibly by inhibiting a Ca(2+)-ATPase, which replenishes Ca2+ in the intracellular storage sites in endothelial cells. Depletion of the Ca2+ store in the endothelium may then trigger influx of extracellular Ca2+, contributing to an increase in free Ca2+ in the endothelial cells, which activates NO synthase and NO formation.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases

[Suppression of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced biofilm formation on human epithelial cells by erythromycin].

In the present study, were examined the inhibitory effect of erythromycin on the biofilm formation by a temperature-sensitive mutant (Ts25) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa N-42 on the surface of Ishikawa cells which can produce a mucin-like glycoprotein physicochemically similar to mucoproteins produced in the human airway. Usually, 38-45 microcolonies (biofilms) were formed after 10 days of incubation in cultures of Ishikawa cells and P. aeruginosa Ts25. Erythromcin suppressed the adhesion to Ishikawsa cells of P. aeruginosa and its subsequent biofilm formation at doses as low as 0.2 microgram/ml. Erythromycin also exhibited the suppressive effect on the production of glycoproteins by Ishikawa cells at doses higher than 1 microgram/ml and the production of elastase and exoenxyme A from P. aeruginosa at doses higher than 2 micrograms/ml. These results suggest that erythromycin can inhibit the biofilm formation in culture of human epithelial cells and P. aeruginosa and the in-vivo bacterial biofilm formation may be attributed to host cell-derived factors rather than bacterial products.

Biofilms

[An evaluation of pathogens in patients with bronchopulmonary infection by transtracheal aspiration: December 1978-March 1993].

We performed transtracheal aspiration (TTA) in 1165 patients, who were suspected to have bronchopulmonary infection, from December 1978 to March 1993. We isolated pathogens from TTA in 806 patients (69.2%). We isolated H. influenzae (62 cases), S. pneumoniae (39 cases) and M. catarrhalis (24 cases) in patients with acute bronchitis, S. pneumoniae (65 cases), alpha-Streptococcus sp. (52 cases), H. influenzae (32 cases) and S. aureus (29 cases) in patients with pneumonia or lung abscess and H. influenzae (174 cases), S. pneumoniae (84 cases), P. aeruginosa (81 cases) and M. catarrhalis (42 cases) in patients with chronic lower respiratory tract infection. Anaerobic bacteria isolated from TTA included Peptostreptococcus sp. (19 cases), Bacteroides sp. (19 cases) and others. Mycoplasma pneumoniae was isolated from TTA in 8 patients with pneumonia without other organisms. Virus isolated from TTA included Rhinovirus (6 cases) and others. These results suggest that various pathogens affect the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary infection. Therefore, we must diagnose the bronchopulmonary infection by the correct methods such as TTA.

Adult

[A clinical study of respiratory infections due to mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa diagnosed by transtracheal aspiration].

We performed a clinical study of 20 cases (33 episodes) of respiratory infections due to mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa by transtracheal aspiration (TTA) in the recent 10 years. There was only one pneumonia without underlying chronic lower respiratory infection (CLRTI) case positive for mucoid P. aeruginosa and others were all CLRTI among 33 TTA trials. In contrast, nonmucoid P. aeruginosa was recovered from 9 cases of respiratory infections without underlying CLRTI among 46 TTA trials. Monomicrobial infection of mucoid P. aeruginosa was 69.7%, and polymicrobial infection containing mucoid P. aeruginosa was 30.3%, and Haemophilus influenzae was the most frequent microorganism recovered with mucoid P. aeruginosa. The recovery rate of mucoid P. aeruginosa among P. aeruginosa-colonized cases was 56.3% in diffuse panbronchiolitis, and that was 42.9% and 40.0% in bronchiectasis and chronic bronchitis, respectively. Mortality due to pneumonia with nonmucoid P. aeruginosa was 46.1%, but there was no fatal pneumonia case with mucoid P. aeruginosa. In CLRTI, laboratory data were not remarkably different between mucoid and non-mocoid P. aeruginosa-colonized cases. Thus, these results suggest that mucoid P. aeruginosa is a more important organism in persistent infections in the lower respiratory tract compared with nonmucoid P. aeruginosa, and further investigations is required on the mechanism and clinical role of this infection.

Adult

[The role of viral infection in adults with bronchopulmonary infections].

We isolated the virus from the respiratory specimens of 16 patients (7.9%) when we investigated the bronchopulmonary infections of 203 adult patients by the viral isolation method for the diagnosis of the viral infection and transtracheal aspiration (TTA) for taking directly the specimen from the lower respiratory tract. The bronchopulmonary infections, isolated the virus, consisted of acute bronchitis (3 cases), pneumonia (8 cases) and the acute exacerbation of chronic lower respiratory infection (5 cases). The positive viral isolation consisted of Rhinovirus (11 strains), Herpes simplex virus I (3 strains), Parainfluenza virus III (1 strain) and Respiratory syncytial virus (1 stain). There were 9 transtracheal aspirates, 8 pharyngeal swabs and 5 nasal washings in the positive viral specimens. We experienced 5 cases who had the same virus isolated from both the upper respiratory tract and the lower respiratory tract. H. influenzae, P. aeruginosa and other bacteria were found in 14 of the 16 TTA cultures. These results suggest that the role of the viral infection is important either independently or relating the bacterial infection in the adult bronchopulmonary infections.

Adult

[A clinical study of Pseudomonas pneumonia diagnosed by transtracheal aspiration].

We performed a clinical study of 16 cases (18 episodes) of Pseudomonas pneumonia by transtracheal aspiration (TTA) from April 1983 to March 1993. The isolation rate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) among 235 episodes of pneumonias with positive microorganism by TTA was 7.7%. All patients had one or more underlying disease. The most frequent underlying disease was chronic lower respiratory tract infection, followed by lung epidermoid cell carcinoma. More than half of the cases had been given antibiotics prior to the occurrence of pneumonia, and administration of adrenal corticosteroid, heavy smoking habit, and aspiration were seen as other predisposing factors concerning the onset of pneumonias. Monomicrobial infection of P. aeruginosa was 61.1%, and polymicrobial infection containing P. aeruginosa was 38.9%. Community-acquired pneumonia was 61.1% and hospital-acquired pneumonia was 38.9%; the rates of polymicrobial infections and prior administration of antibiotics were higher in the latter group. Mortality due to Pseudomonas pneumonia was 27.8% and the levels of serum albumin and total protein at the onset of pneumonia were significantly lower in the fatal cases than in the recovered cases. It was considered that not only general underlying disease which weaken the immunological resistance of the host, but local bronchial lesion was also important to the onset of the Pseudomonas pneumonia. Also, nutrition is an important prognostic factor on the host's side.

Adult

[Determination of neutrophil function in respiratory infection by chemiluminescence (CL). II: Changes in neutrophil's CL by chemotherapy against chronic lower tract infection].

Neutrophil's CL (CL-index) in were assayed in 18 patients with chronic lower tract infection (13 cases in the exacerbated phase and five cases in the stable phase) three times per case: before, during and after chemotherapy. Before the initiation of chemotherapy, the CL-index.N (neutrophil numbers x CL-index) in patients with exacerbation remained higher than in those without exacerbation. At the exacerbated phase, the CL-index of nine patients and the CL-index.N of 10 patients fell lower than those obtained before treatment. AT the stable phase, the CL-index and the CL-index.N did not change remarkably during and after chemotherapy.

Adult

[Clinical study of pneumonia in elderly patients using transtracheal aspiration (TTA)].

A clinical study was conducted to clarify the clinical state of pneumonia in elderly patients using transtracheal aspiration (TTA). Without prior administration of antibiotics, S. pneumoniae was the most clinically significant in both elderly and non-elderly groups whether the onset of pneumonia was hospital acquired pneumonia or community acquired pneumonia. Compared to the non-elderly group, multiple pathogens were isolated more frequently in the elderly group. Analysis about host factors showed that the number of underlying diseases per patient was more along those with poorer general conditions in the elderly group. The Brinkmann Index was also significantly higher in the elderly group. Clinical examinations before onset of pneumonia indicated that serum total protein, albumin and DNCB skin reaction were significantly lowered in the elderly group. Over the clinical course, the prognosis was poorer and the incidence of adverse reactions of antibiotics tended to be more in the elderly group. These results suggest that a complex clinical background exists for pneumonia of elderly people, related to poorer prognosis. Therefore, more cautious and meticulous care should be provided to elderly patients with pneumonia.

Adolescent

Effect of platelet-activating factor on intracellular free calcium in cow tracheal epithelium.

The effect of platelet activating factor (PAF) on the intracellular cytosolic levels of free calcium ([Ca2+]i) was studied in cultured epithelium from cow trachea. In fura-2-loaded cells, PAF (10(-9) to 10(-5) M), but not lyso-PAF, increased [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner, from 106 +/- 15 to 270 +/- 40 nM (P < 0.05). This [Ca2+]i response consisted of a transient increase that peaked within 15 s after addition and a subsequent sustained elevation that reached a plateau after 1 min. The potency for the sustained response was greater by approximately 1 log U than that for the transient response. Preincubation of the cells with the PAF receptor antagonist CV6209 (10(-6) M) inhibited the increase in [Ca2+]i. Ca(2+)-free medium (2 mM EGTA) totally abolished the sustained response to PAF, but it only partially inhibited the transient response. Verapamil (10(-5) M) also largely inhibited the sustained response. Moreover, PAF transiently increased inositol triphosphate (IP3) levels, peaking 10 s after addition. These data suggest that (1) a PAF-induced increase in [Ca2+]i is mediated via PAF receptors, (2) PAF causes both transient [Ca2+]i release from intracellular stores through IP3 production and sustained [Ca2+]i influx from extracellular solution, and (3) Ca2+ influx may be a major pathway of PAF-induced increase in [Ca2+]i in cow tracheal epithelium.

Animals

Serial changes in hemostasis after intracranial surgery.

We performed hemostatic studies on eight patients undergoing clipping of unruptured cerebral aneurysms to assess the influence of intracranial surgery itself on hemostasis. Blood samples were collected from each patient 10 times: before and after the induction of anesthesia and 6, 12, and 24 hours and 2, 3, 5, and 7 days immediately after surgery. The changes and our interpretation of them include the following: 1) the elevation of thrombin antithrombin III complex levels (activation of blood coagulation) was transient and monophasic; 2) the elevation of plasmin alpha 2-antiplasmin complex and D-dimer levels (activation of fibrinolysis) was biphasic, despite the monophasic elevation of tissue plasminogen activator or plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels; 3) the elevation of beta-thromboglobulin and platelet-factor-4 levels (activation of platelet) was also biphasic; 4) fibrinogen level and alpha 2-antiplasmin activity increased in the acute phase of the postoperative course (acute phase reaction); 5) the changes in hematocrit appeared to parallel those in various other parameters, especially platelet count, antithrombin III, and plasminogen levels for 1 or 2 days after surgery; 6) fibronectin appeared to be consumed in the acute phase of postoperative course; and 7) general anesthesia did not significantly affect hemostasis. These serial changes seem to be related to the activation of hemostatic systems after intracranial surgery and the subsequent acute phase reaction.

Acute-Phase Reaction