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Biomedical subjects

T Oguchi

Publications and source records attributed to T Oguchi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Isoflurane and sevoflurane during reperfusion prevent recovery from ischaemia in mitochondrial KATP channel blocker pretreated hearts.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Inhalation anaesthetics given only during post-ischaemic reperfusion have some protective effect against reperfusion injury in the heart. Adenosine triphosphate-regulated mitochondrial potassium channels have been shown to be an important mediator of cardioprotection. Thus, we investigated whether 5-hydroxydecanoate, a putative mitochondrial potassium channel blocker, prevents the cardioprotective effect of volatile anaesthetics. METHODS: Forty rats were randomly allocated to four groups of equal size: control group, 5-hydroxydecanoate group, 5-hydroxydecanoate + sevoflurane group and 5-hydroxydecanoate + isoflurane group. Seven minutes after the start of perfusion, normal saline (control group) or 5-hydroxydecanoate (the other groups) was administered. Ten minutes after the start of perfusion, the heart was rendered globally ischaemic for 10 min. One minute before the end of the ischaemic period, 2.7% sevoflurane or 1.4% isoflurane were administered in the 5-hydroxydecanoate + sevoflurane or 5-hydroxydecanoate + isoflurane groups respectively. The heart was reperfused for 10 min. RESULTS: Adenosine triphosphate content at the end of reperfusion in the 5-hydroxydecanoate + sevoflurane group was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those in the control and the 5-hydroxydecanoate + isoflurane groups (19.9 +/- 8.7, 28.1 +/- 3.4 and 30.4 +/- 2.3 micromol g(-1), respectively). In addition, the combination of inhalation anaesthetics and 5-hydroxydecanoate decreased the ratios of recovered hearts from ischaemia (5-hydroxydecanoate + sevoflurane group: 40%, 5-hydroxydecanoate + isoflurane group 50%). CONCLUSION: 5-hydroxydecanoate alone caused no significant changes in haemodynamics and myocardial metabolism. However, the combination of 5-hydroxydecanoate and volatile anaesthetics impaired the recovery from ischaemia. Although animal data cannot be extrapolated to human beings, we suggest that more attention be paid to patients on sulphonylurea drugs, which inhibit potassium channels, when they are anaesthetized with volatile anaesthetics.

Anesthetics, Inhalation↗

Micronization and polymorphic conversion of tolbutamide and barbital by rapid expansion of supercritical solutions.

Rapid expansion of supercritical solutions (RESS) was applied to tolbutamide and barbital. The solubility in supercritical CO2 was determined to estimate the extraction efficiency roughly by a simple method and accurately by a direct spectrophotometric technique. The latter revealed that the solubility of tolbutamide was a function of applied pressure and temperature and was proportional to the pressure. No significant difference in solubility between polymorphic Forms I and II of tolbutamide was detected. Tolbutamide and barbital particles produced by the RESS were characterized by size distribution measurement, polymorph identification and morphological evaluation. Significant size reduction to micron or sub-micron level with narrow size distribution was achieved, while conventional mechanical grinding had only slight effect. The particle size was greatly affected by both extraction and expansion conditions. The lower the extraction temperature was, the smaller was the mean particle size. Higher extraction pressure resulted in smaller mean particle size when compared at the same extraction temperature. The mean particle size was reduced by lowering the spray nozzle temperature, by lowering the expansion chamber temperature, by increasing the CO2 amount per spray, and by increasing the exhaust gas flow rate. The RESS processing realized the polymorphic conversion as well. As for tolbutamide, three polymorphs (Forms I, II, and IV) out of four could be produced by changing the extraction conditions, and in the case of barbital, one polymorph (Form II) out of three was produced consistently.

Barbital↗

Origin of the metallic properties of heavily boron-doped superconducting diamond.

The physical properties of lightly doped semiconductors are well described by electronic band-structure calculations and impurity energy levels. Such properties form the basis of present-day semiconductor technology. If the doping concentration n exceeds a critical value n(c), the system passes through an insulator-to-metal transition and exhibits metallic behaviour; this is widely accepted to occur as a consequence of the impurity levels merging to form energy bands. However, the electronic structure of semiconductors doped beyond n(c) have not been explored in detail. Therefore, the recent observation of superconductivity emerging near the insulator-to-metal transition in heavily boron-doped diamond has stimulated a discussion on the fundamental origin of the metallic states responsible for the superconductivity. Two approaches have been adopted for describing this metallic state: the introduction of charge carriers into either the impurity bands or the intrinsic diamond bands. Here we show experimentally that the doping-dependent occupied electronic structures are consistent with the diamond bands, indicating that holes in the diamond bands play an essential part in determining the metallic nature of the heavily boron-doped diamond superconductor. This supports the diamond band approach and related predictions, including the possibility of achieving dopant-induced superconductivity in silicon and germanium. It should also provide a foundation for the possible development of diamond-based devices.

Journal Article↗

Importance of transition zone prostate biopsies in patients with gray-zone PSA levels undergoing the ultrasound-guided systematic ten-biopsy regimen for the first time.

INTRODUCTION: We analyzed the efficacy of routine transition zone biopsies for patients undergoing ultrasound-guided systematic prostate biopsies for the first time because of an elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using the systematic ten-biopsy regime, four additional transition zone biopsies were performed in 236 consecutive patients, because they showed an elevated PSA level (range 4.0- 9.9 ng/ml). RESULTS: The overall prostate cancer detection rate was 21.2% (50/236). In 24 patients (48.0%), cancers were detected only in the peripheral zone, in 4 (8.0%) only in the transition zone, and in 22 (44.0%) in both zones. No distinguishing characteristics could be determined for the cancers detected in the transition zone only. CONCLUSIONS: Although the cancer detection rate for the transition zone was significantly lower than for the peripheral zone, it was higher than that reported in most other studies which may have included biopsy specimens from patients with advanced prostate cancers. The usefulness of transition zone biopsies for the detection of early-stage prostate cancer, especially in patients with a PSA gray zone, can, therefore, not be denied.

Adult↗

Laceration of gastric mucosa associated with dialysis-related amyloidosis.

We report a 72-year-old female on long-term hemodialysis, who was admitted to the hospital because of hematemesis. On emergency laparotomy, pylorogastrectomy was performed. The resected specimen showed a giant hematoma and traversing fissure along the lesser curvature of the body of the stomach. Histologically, the specimen showed wide hematoma formation and amyloid deposits in the submucosal layer, especially in the wall of blood vessels. These deposits reacted positively to antihuman beta2-microglobulin antibody. The post-operative course was favorable, and the patient was discharged on the 35th hospital day. In this case, the laceration site on the gastric mucosa was almost intact and did not demonstrate ischemic change, suggesting that the giant hematoma was caused by submucosal vessel rupture, which led to the gastric mucosa laceration. To our knowledge, this is the first case of gastric mucosa laceration associated with dialysis-related amyloidosis.

Aged↗

Improvement of physicochemical properties of N-4472. Part II: characterization of N-4472 microemulsion and the enhanced oral absorption.

The optimized formulation of N-4472, N-[2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenethyl)-4,6-difluorophenyl]-N'-[4-(N-benzylpiperidyl)] urea, which was a poorly water-soluble drug, was developed by utilizing the complexation between N-4472 and L-ascorbic acid (VC). It was found that the formulation with Gelucire((R)) 44/14, HCO-60((R)) and sodium dodecyl sulfate provided a self-microemulsifying system consisting of fine droplets in approximately 18 nm size with a narrow distribution. 1H-NMR spectroscopic study indicated that the N-4472/VC complex was molecularly incorporated into surfactant molecular assembly in the microemulsion droplets. It was found that the N-4472 microemulsion was stable at the pH range from 2.0 to 7.0, suggesting the stability in the gastrointestinal tract. When the microemulsion containing N-4472/VC complex was orally administrated in rats, high AUC value of N-4472 (2 to 4-fold) was observed in comparison with the aqueous solution containing N-4472/VC complex.

Administration, Oral↗

Improvement of physicochemical properties of N-4472 part I formulation design by using self-microemulsifying system.

The optimization of oral dosage form formulation has been developed for N-4472, N-[2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenethyl)-4,6-difluorophenyl]-N'-[4-(N-benzylpiperidyl)] urea, which was a poorly water-soluble drug having a lipid-lowering effect. Formulations that contained various surfactants and water-soluble polymers were prepared and the solubility of N-4472 was evaluated in JP XIV first fluid (pH 1.2), JP XIV second fluid (pH 6.8), and distilled water. The highest solubility of N-4472 was achieved when L-ascorbic acid (VC), Gelucire 44/14, and HCO-60 were used as additives. It was confirmed that this formulation could create microemulsion droplets with a mean droplet size of approximately 20 nm and a sharp droplet distribution pattern in JP XIV first fluid, JP XIV second fluid, and distilled water. When JP XIV second fluid was used as a dissolution medium, however, an eventual decrease of solubility was observed, that is, the fluid became white and cloudy as time passed. It was found that the addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was effective to prevent the lowering of solubility, and that a weight ratio of 1.0/1.5/11.4/4.9/3.8 for N-4472/VC/Gelucire 44/14/HCO-60/SDS was optimum for the self-microemulsifying formulation. It was assumed that electrostatic repulsion of microemulsion droplets and an increase of the cloud point by the addition of SDS were responsible for the successful formation of a stable microemulsion.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Relationships of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors to cartilage proteoglycan and collagen turnover and inflammation as revealed by analyses of synovial fluids from patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine interrelationships in matrix turnover in articular cartilage and joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Synovial fluid was obtained from the knees of 63 RA patients; radiographs were evaluated to determine the RA stage. Concentrations of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), the 846 epitope, and the keratan sulfate (KS) epitope of aggrecan, the C-propeptide of cartilage type II procollagen (CPII; biosynthetic marker), the cleavage of type II collagen by collagenase (CIIC; generated neoepitope), and polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase (PMNE; inflammation marker) were measured by immunoassay. Concentrations of the unsaturated disaccharides of hyaluronic acid (delta di-HA) and the proteoglycan glycosaminoglycan disaccharides of chondroitins 4 and 6 sulfate (delta di-C4S and delta di-C6S) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: MMP-3 was markedly increased in RA compared with osteoarthritis. Increases in TIMP-1 in RA were less pronounced and were inversely correlated with MMP-3 levels. CIIC was reduced in RA, as was the release of the KS epitope and delta di-C6S. In contrast, delta di-C4S and the 846 epitope were up-regulated. PMNE levels correlated with the 846 epitope and delta di-C4S, and more strongly with TIMPs 1 and 2. The changes may signify attempts at control of proteolysis in parallel with increased aggrecan turnover, which would favor matrix assembly. PMNE also correlated with MMP-9, and MMP-9 correlated with CPII. The delta di-HA level was decreased in RA and was inversely correlated with CPII and MMP-9 as well as with MMPs 2 and 3. In contrast, delta di-HA was directly correlated with TIMP-1 and the 846 epitope. These observations suggest that HA and PMNs may be involved in the control of proteolysis and cartilage proteoglycan assembly. CONCLUSION: Our observations provide new insights into the complex changes in cartilage turnover and PMN influx in RA joints.

Adult↗

High sensitivity of PCR in situ hybridization for the detection of human papillomavirus infection in uterine cervical neoplasias.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed in order to examine whether the sensitivity of PCR in situ hybridization (PISH) is superior to that of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunocytochemical staining (ICS) in detecting the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in uterine cervical neoplasias. METHODS: Three cell specimens were obtained from every 54 patients who had been histologically and cytologically diagnosed as severe dysplasia of the uterine cervix (SD), carcinoma in situ of the uterine cervix (CIS), or microinvasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix (MIC). All of them were first stained by the Papanicolaou (pap) method before the experiments. After specimens were classified into SD (n = 17) and CIS/MIC groups (n = 37), the sensitivities of detection for HPV infection were compared among PISH, FISH, and ICS methods which had been carried out after decolorization of the pap stain. RESULTS: In the SD group, PISH demonstrated a 58.8% positive incidence of HPV, which was significantly higher than that (23.5%) shown by FISH (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the positivities of HPV between the PISH and ICS (47.1%) methods. In the CIS/MIC group, PISH, FISH, and ICS showed 73.0, 43.2, and 54.1% positive incidences of HPV, respectively. There was significant difference in HPV positivities between PISH and FISH as well as ICS (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The total frequency of the detection of HPV infection by PISH was significantly higher than that by FISH (P < 0.01) and high with a marginal significance compared to that by ICS (P = 0.051). Moreover, the morphologic change of a single cell and the HPV-positive signals could be observed simultaneously by the PISH technique. CONCLUSION: Because PISH possesses high sensitivity for the detection of HPV infection in morphologically intact cells from uterine cervical neoplasia, the PISH technique might have promising potential for application to the detection of HPV presence in situ in screening.

Carcinoma↗

Sevoflurane reduces dysrhythmias during reperfusion in the working rat heart.

PURPOSE: The effects of sevoflurane on myocardial reperfusion injury have not been well studied. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of sevoflurane on myocardial function, arrhythmia, and metabolism during reperfusion in an isolated working rat heart model. METHODS: Thirty-two hearts were divided into four groups according to the timing of 2.5% sevoflurane administration: group I, control, no sevoflurane; group II, sevoflurane administered only before ischemia; group III, sevoflurane only during reperfusion; group IV, sevoflurane during the whole study period. Myocardial contractility, myocardial ATP, lactate, and glycogen levels were assessed in the reperfusion period following global heart ischemia of 15 min duration. The incidence and duration of ventricular fibrillation were also observed in the reperfusion period. RESULTS: There was no difference in cardiac output and left ventricular dP/ dt max among the four groups at 10, 15, and 20 min after reperfusion. There was no difference in myocardial ATP, lactate and glycogen contents between the groups. The incidences of ventricular fibrillation during reperfusion were 100%, 63%, 100%, and 25% (P < 0.05 vs control), and the durations of ventricular fibrillation during reperfusion were 375 +/- 269, 104 +/- 98 (P < 0.05 vs control), 303 +/- 189, and 93 +/- 245 (P < 0.05 vs control) in groups I, II, III, and IV, respectively (mean +/- SD). CONCLUSION: The administration of sevoflurane prior to reperfusion appears to provide myocardial protection, as assessed by reduced dysrhythmias during reperfusion.

Journal Article↗

Rapidly destructive arthropathy of the hip in haemophilia.

The aetiology of rapidly destructive arthropathy is still being debated. We report a 48-year-old male haemophiliac who exhibited hip arthropathy that was similar to rapidly destructive arthropathy. The hip joint was destroyed 6 months after the onset of symptoms. Results of clinical and laboratory examinations did not show any features of neuropathic, inflammatory or septic arthropathy, except for coagulopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an expansive joint capsule with synovial proliferation in the affected hip joint. Total hip arthroplasty was carried out successfully with total resection of the synovial tissue and joint capsule. A histological examination revealed bone necrosis, nonspecific inflammation, haemosiderosis and synovial hypertrophy. The recurrent bleeding into the hip joint induced pronounced inflammation with synovial proliferation and acute destruction of bony tissue.

Hemophilia A↗

Role of heparin and nitric oxide in the cardiac and regional hemodynamic properties of protamine in conscious chronically instrumented dogs.

BACKGROUND: Because protamine is administered to reverse heparin, a drug that might itself affect the pharmacologic properties of protamine, this study was designed to assess the properties of protamine alone and in the presence of heparin in conscious dogs. METHODS: Twelve dogs were instrumented to continuously record cardiac and regional hemodynamics. On separate occasions, a dose of protamine (0.5, 1, 3, 5, and 8 mg/kg) was randomly administered either alone or in the presence of heparin (ratio 100 IU/mg). Heparin (300 IU/kg) and protamine (3 mg/kg) were administered in the presence of N-methyl-L-arginine, a specific nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. Identical experiments were performed with protamine (8 mg/kg) in the absence of heparin on a separate occasion. RESULTS: Protamine alone produced limited cardiac and regional changes. In the presence of heparin, protamine produced hypotension at 3, 5, and 8 mg/kg, vasodilatation at 3 and 5 mg/kg, and a more pronounced dose-dependent increase in pulmonary pressure at 3, 5, and 8 mg/kg. Simultaneously, transient carotid vasodilatation at 3 and 5 mg/kg, coronary and hepatic vasodilatation at 3, 5, and 8 mg/kg, as well as a decrease in vertebral vascular resistance were recorded at 1, 3, and 8 mg/kg. Protamine produced an immediate increase followed by a secondary decrease in renal vascular resistance. Protamine-induced secondary pulmonary pressor effects were attenuated. In the presence of heparin, nitric oxide synthase blockade selectively attenuated protamine-induced immediate hypotension, systemic vasodilatation, and coronary, mesenteric, and hepatic vasodilations as well as the decrease in portal blood flow and accentuated the renal vasoconstriction. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of heparin accentuated the decrease in cardiac function induced by protamine as well as its effects on regional circulation. The data provide evidence that the nitric oxide pathway is involved in the systemic and selective regional heparin-protamine-mediated vasodilatation in conscious dogs.

Animals↗

Effects of dehydration temperatures on moisture absorption and dissolution behavior of theophylline.

Anhydrous theophylline was prepared by heating theophylline monohydrate at temperatures between 60 degrees C and 140 degrees C. The effects of dehydration temperatures on the moisture absorption and dissolution behavior of anhydrous theophylline were investigated in this study. The hydration rate of anhydrous theophylline at 95% relative humidity and 25 degrees C decreased with increasing dehydration temperatures. From the fitting analysis of solid-state reaction models, the hydration reaction was found to be governed by the phase boundary reaction model for samples prepared at lower dehydration temperatures (<100 degrees C) but the reaction obeyed the growth of nuclei reaction model when samples were dehydrated at higher temperatures. The dissolution rates of various anhydrous theophylline samples were measured by the rotating disk method. The calculated solubility of anhydrous theophylline prepared by heating was about 2.5 times higher than that of theophylline monohydrate. The phase transformation rate from the anhydrous form to the monohydrate during dissolution tests decreased with higher dehydration temperatures. It was found that the anhydrous theophylline prepared at different dehydration temperatures transformed to the monohydrate by way of different growth of hydrate nuclei mechanism.

Absorption↗

Defects in glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor synthesis activate Hog1 kinase and confer copper-resistance in Saccharomyces cerevisisae.

Las21/Gpi7 contains a heavy-metal-associated motif at its N-terminus. When this motif was disrupted by amino acid substitution, the cells acquired weak copper-resistance. We found that the previously isolated las21 mutants were strongly resistant to copper. Metallothionein is necessary for the expression of the copper-resistance of the las21 mutants. However, hyper-production of metallothionein is unlikely to be the cause of copper-resistance of the las21 mutants. Copper-sensitive mutants (collectively called Cus mutants) were isolated from the las21delta and characterized. One of the Cus genes was found to be PBS2, which encodes Hog1 MAP kinase kinase, indicating that the Hog1 MAP kinase pathway is needed for the expression of copper-resistance of the las21 mutants. As expected, the las21delta hog1delta strain was no longer copper-resistant. We found that Hog1 was constitutively activated in las21delta cells and in ssk1delta las21delta cells but not in sho1delta las21delta cells. Inactivation of either FSR2/MCD4 or MPC1/GPI13, both of which are involved in GPI anchor synthesis, like LAS21, caused a similar level of constitutive activation of Hog1 kinase and copper-resistance as found in the las21delta strain. The constitutive activation was canceled by introducing the sskl mutation, but not the sho1 mutation, in each GPI anchor mutant tested, suggesting that the defect in GPI anchor synthesis specifically affects the Slnl branch of the MAP kinase pathway. Since the wild-type cells grown in YPD containing 0.5 M NaCl do not show copper-resistance, mere activation of Hog1 is not sufficient for expression of copper-resistance. We propose that a defect in GPI anchor synthesis has multiple consequences, including activation of the Hog1 MAP kinase cascade and conferring copper-resistance.

Carrier Proteins↗

Effects of propofol on ischemia and reperfusion in the isolated rat heart compared with thiamylal.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether clinical doses of propofol and thiamylal affect oxygen free radical production and intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in the post-ischemic reperfused heart. Forty-eight rat hearts were perfused with a Langendorff system and loaded with Fura-2 / AM as a [Ca2+]i marker. The hearts were divided into 6 groups as follows (each group: n = 8); Group S (saline), Group TL (thiamylal 100 microM), Group TH (thiamylal 300 microM), Group I (Intralipid), Group PL (propofol 3 microM), and Group PH (propofol 10 microM). All hearts were initially perfused for 5 min as control aerobic perfusion. Afterwards, no-flow ischemia was induced for 15 min, followed by reperfusion for 20 min. The formation of hydroxyl radicals in the coronary effluent was measured with high performance liquid chromatography using salicylic acid. At the beginning of the ischemia and reperfusion periods, increases in systolic and diastolic [Ca2+]i were observed in all groups except Group TH. The high dose of thiamylal significantly suppressed this initial increase in cytosolic [Ca2+]i (Group S 1.30+/-0.15; Group TL 0.99+/-0.17; Group TH 0.70+/-0.09, at 1 min after reperfusion; systolic [Ca2+]i : p < 0.05). Total DHBAs in the coronary effluent of all groups increased significantly 1 min after reperfusion, however, there were no significant differences among the groups. Clinical doses of propofol had no significant effect on myocardial function and [Ca2+]i before and after ischemia, whereas thiamylal suppressed the increase in [Ca2+]i during ischemia and reperfusion. However, free radical formation during reperfusion was unaffected by thiamylal and propofol.

Analysis of Variance↗

Ultrahigh-resolution photoemission spectroscopy of Ni borocarbides: direct observation of the superconducting gap and a change in gap anisotropy by impurity

We have performed ultrahigh-resolution photoemission spectroscopy of Y(Ni1-xPtx)2B2C ( x = 0.0 and 0.2) in order to study the changes in the density of states across the superconducting transition. Because of a drastic increase in energy resolution, we clearly observe the opening of superconducting gaps across T(c) in both compounds. Furthermore, we find a small but significant difference in the superconducting-state spectral shape. This can be explained in terms of reduction in gap anisotropy by introducing impurities and provides spectroscopic evidence for an anisotropic s-wave gap in YNi2B2C.

Journal Article↗

River water quality in the Humber catchment: an introduction using GIS-based mapping and analysis

The regional water quality of the Humber catchment was mapped for key inorganic chemical determinands using a GIS system and an extensive Environment Agency and LOIS monitoring database. The resultant maps revealed the major factors affecting the general characteristics of regional water quality. Sewage inputs from industrial and domestic sources account for the high concentration of many determinands in urban areas. The concentrations of particulate components increase in tidal zones because of sediment trapping and tidal re-suspension effects. Some determinands also exhibit localized high concentrations related to coal mine drainage, soil pollution caused by past ore mining, bedrock geology, the agricultural use of fertilizers and the ingression of seawater into the estuary.

Journal Article↗