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Showing papers by "Kumamoto University published in 1971"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A safe, simple method of recording human spinal electrogram (SEG) is described, based on established techniques for administering epidural anesthesia, which could be applied to the diagnosis of human spinal diseases and to physiological or pharmacological study of the human nervous system.

157 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The electrical properties of gustatory cells and cells which do not respond to chemical stimuli in the taste bud of fungiform papillae in rats were studied by means of intracellular microelectrodes and two receptive processes are postulated in the gustatory cell membrane.
Abstract: The electrical properties of gustatory cells and cells which do not respond to chemical stimuli in the taste bud of fungiform papillae in rats were studied by means of intracellular microelectrodes. Neither of these cell types showed spike electrogenesis. Gustatory cells showed a depolarization, the receptor potential, associated with an increase in the membrane conductance in response to NaCl, sucrose, and HCl, whereas quinine produced a decrease in the conductance together with an increase in the receptor potential magnitude. The reversal point of the receptor potential in response to NaCl or KCl was close to zero membrane potential, but in the case of quinine it was at a more negative potential level than the resting potential. From these results two receptive processes are postulated in the gustatory cell membrane. When the gustatory cells were stimulated for a long duration by concentrated NaCl or sucrose, receptor potentials showed adaptation with decrease in magnitude, but adaptation of the responses to HCl and quinine were hardly detected. Adaptation of the receptor potential was not correlated with conductance change.

87 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A substance chemotactic for tumor cells was isolated from some tumor tissues of animal and human origin and highly purified and induced an extravascular emigration of circulating tumor cells on experimental injection, but no em migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
Abstract: A substance chemotactic for tumor cells was isolated from some tumor tissues of animal and human origin and highly purified. It induced an extravascular emigration of circulating tumor cells on experimental injection, but no emigration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The emigrated tumor cells proliferated in the extravascular tissue and invaded the surrounding tissues, and a metastatic secondary tumor was formed. This material had no activity to increase vascular permeability. Permeability factors, isolated from tumor tissues, histamine and bradykinin were ineffective for tumor-cell emigration. A factor chemotactic for polymorphonuclear leukocytes, isolated from inflamed sites, induced an emigration of the cells on experimental injection, but no emigration of tumor cells. These observations suggested that the cancer cell chemotactic factor might be associated with malignant invasion. Etude des Mecanismes D'invasion du Cancer. II. Effets In Vivo D'un Facteur Chimiotactique A L'egard des Cellules Cancereuses Une substance chimiotactique a l'egard des cellules cancereuses a ete isolee a partir de certains tissus tumoraux d'origine humaine et animale; elle a ensuite ete fortement purifiee. Une injection experimentale de cette substance a provoque une emigration extravasculaire des cellules tumorales circulantes, mais pas des leucocytes polymorphonucleaires. Les cellules tumorales emigrees ont prolifere dans le tissu extravasculaire et ont envahi les tissus environnants, ce qui a provoque la formation d'une tumeur metastasique secondaire. Ce materiel n'augmente pas la permeabilite vasculaire. Les facteurs de permeabilite isoles a partir de tissus tumoraux, l'histamine et la bradykinine, n'ont pas eu d'effet sur l'emigration des cellules tumorales. Un facteur chimiotactique envers les leucocytes polymorphonucleaires, isole sur des points enflammes, a provoque une emigration des cellules apres injection experimentale, mais n'a pas eu d'effet sur les cellules tumorales. Ces observations donnent a penser que le facteur chimiotactique a l'egard des cellules cancereuses pourrait ětre associe a l'invasion maligne.

64 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The hypothesis that some biogenic mines function as neurohormones or chemical transmitters in human brain as well as in the brain of other animals is extended to human brain if any effect of the amines on the cyclic 3’,5’-AMP system in the human brain were demonstrated.
Abstract: THE PRIMARY site of action of various hormones has been shown to be the enzyme adenyl cyclase, which catalyses the formation of adenosine 3’,5’-monophosphate (cyclic 3’,5’-AMP) from ATP (S-RLAND, OYE and BUTCHER, 1965). The occurrence of this enzyme is ubiquitous and the highest activity among organs investigated is reported for brain ( S ~ R L A N D , RALL and MENON, 1962). The cyclase appears to possess an effector site which responds to a hormone. The effect of a hormone is limited to the adenyl cyclase present in the target organ for the hormone (ROBMSON, BUTCHER and SUTHEIUAND, 1967). Studies with laboratory animals have shown that the brain adenyl cyclase responds to various biogenic amines, such as norepinephrine, histamine, and serotonin (KAKIUCHI and RALL, 1968~. b; S ~ J Z U , DALY and CREWLING 1969). In cerebrum of rabbit and guinea pig, histamine is a more potent activator of the adenyl cyclase than norepinephrine, whereas the reverse situation is reported for rat cerebrum and rabbit cerebellum. It has been widely assumed that some biogenic mines function as neurohormones or chemical transmitters in human brain as well as in the brain of other animals. This assumption is mainly based on two findings: (1) the occurrence of these m i n e s and related enzymes in human brain; and (2) changes in human behaviour and/or emotion after administration of a drug which is known to affect concentrations of the amines in animal brains. Little is yet known about the biochemical mechanism of action of the endogenous amines in animal or human brain. An interesting speculation on the mechanism is that the central effect of some biogenic amines may be, at least in part, mediated by cyclic 3‘,5’-AMP. Accumulating data with laboratory animals now substantiate this hypothesis (GOLDBERG and SINGER, 1969; MCKEAN, PETERSON and RAUGHPATHY, 1969; SIGGMS, HOFPW and BLOOM, 1969; SHIMIZU et a!., 19706). The hypothesis could be extended to human brain if any effect of the amines on the cyclic 3’,5’-AMP system in the human brain were demonstrated. We investigated this possibility with intact tissue of human cerebrum.

40 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a rat was given 1 mg of organic mercury compound per rat daily by mouth for 20 days, and the peripheral nerve was examined on the 7th day and 250 th day after withdrawal of administration.
Abstract: Rats were given 1 mg of organic mercury compound per rat daily by mouth for 20 days. Peripheral nerves were examined on the 7th day and 250 th day after withdrawal of administration. On the 7th day, mitosis of Schwann cells was observed and on the 250 th day, myelinated fibres were noticeably decreased in numbers, with regeneration of nerve fibres and an increase of collagen in the intercellular spaces. Posterior nerve root ganglion cells were however intact. From this it is speculated that regeneration of injured peripheral nerve fibres, experimentally poisoned with organic mercury, is the result of regeneration of axons growing out to the periphery, and by regeneration of Schwann cells. Regeneration of the peripheral nerves was not however a very marked feature.

38 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The effect of five tricyclic psychotropic drugs on the formation of adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) was examined using guinea pig cerebral slices which had been preincubated with [8-14C]adenine to label a proof of intracellular ATP.

35 citations



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Several mono and bistrithiocarbonates were synthesized by the reaction of the corresponding mono and bisepoxides with carbon disulfide in the presence of potassium hydroxide as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Several mono and bistrithiocarbonates were synthesized by the reaction of the correspondingmono and bisepoxides with carbon disulfide in the presence of potassiumhydroxide. These trithiocarbonates were successfully obtained even in the presenceof a catalytic amount of potassium hydroxide. Potassium methoxide instead of potassiumhydroxide as catalyst also gave trithiocarbonate in good yield.

22 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
16 Jul 1971-Nature
TL;DR: The notion that continuous oral administration of indigestible unabsorbable SH-compounds such as reduced hair powder may accelerate the elimination of methyl mercury from mice is suggested.
Abstract: WE wish to suggest one principle that may be valuable in the treatment of methyl mercury poisoning—the notion that continuous oral administration of indigestible unabsorbable SH-compounds such as reduced hair powder may accelerate the elimination of methyl mercury from mice.

22 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: To obtain further information about the neuronal mechanisms involved in the state of anesthesia, long-term microelectrode recording of activity in the mesencephalic reticular formation in the cat was undertaken and spontaneous firing rates decreased as anesthesia deepened.
Abstract: To obtain further information about the neuronal mechanisms involved in the state of anesthesia, long-term microelectrode recording of activity in the mesencephalic reticular formation in the cat was undertaken. Results were subjected to computer analysis. In most units in the mesencephalic reticular formation (32 of 37 studied) spontaneous firing rates decreased as anesthesia deepened. However, the susceptibility of the spontaneous activity of the units to depression by anesthetic agents varied widely from unit to unit. Two types of changes in spontaneous firing patterns were produced by anesthetics: the “grouping” type and the “tonic” type. The “grouping” pattern was seen more often during sodium thiopental and halothane anesthesia, whereas the “tonic” type was more characteristic of nitrous oxide and diethyl ether anesthesia. In two of 37 units, synchronization between mesencephalic reticular formation unit firings and sharp positive waves of the corticogram was observed during the deep stage of sodium thiopental anesthesia.

18 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the separation of fission-product La, Ce, Pr, Nd and Y was performed in 4 min by electro-migration and the purity of the elements thus separated was checked by γ-ray spectrometry.
Abstract: The separation of fission-product La, Ce, Pr, Nd and Y was performed in 4 min by electro-migration. As complexing agent, nitrilotriacetic acid was used at two concentrations of the NTA ion selected so as to optimize mutual separation of the elements. Rapid location of the zone on the paper strip reached after migration was obtained by color reaction of the carrier added to the irradiated sample. The purity of the elements thus separated was checked by γ-ray spectrometry. At the higher concentration of NTA ([[NTA]=1.0×10−2M, pH=4.1) under which all of rare earths and Y migrate toward the anode, the elements were well separated from each other, although appreciable amounts of other F.P. were also found in each fraction. On the other hand, at the lower NTA concentration ([NTA]=4.0 × 10−3M, pH=2.0) where the F.P. all migrate toward the cathode, each zone contained the isotopes of the respective element almost exclusively, except for a few small photo-peaks attributable to other elements. In each fraction, the...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The difference spectral absorbancy in the ultraviolet range, induced by addition of various sugars to the extract from the epithelial tissues of the rat tongue was measured and the interaction between sucrose and the extract is independent of pH change.
Abstract: 1. 1. The difference spectral absorbancy in the ultraviolet range, induced by addition of various sugars to the extract from the epithelial tissues of the rat tongue was measured. 2. 2. The relative effectiveness of sugars is in the order of sucrose > fructose > sorbose > mannose > maltose > xylose > raffinose > rhamnose > galactose > glucose. 3. 3. The interaction between sucrose and the extract is independent of pH change between 5.4 and 8.6.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The iodine procedure for histochemical demonstration of phosphorylase by Takeuchi was improved and it was found that the preservation of iodine color in slides was obtained by using calcium chloride.
Abstract: The iodine procedure for histochemical demonstration of phosphorylase by Takeuchi was improved for demonstration of glycogen metabolic function in muscle fibers of the skeletal muscle. Using this iodine technique, polyglucose synthesized from glucose-1-phosphate by enzymes in skeletal muscle fibers stained with iodine into three types of color, blue, violet and red. The conditions for demonstration of three colors showing the enzyme activities controlled by the intramuscular function of individual fiber were determined. Moreover, it was found that the preservation of iodine color in slides was obtained by using calcium chloride.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a method for the study of complex formation by a polybasic acid was applied to the Am(III) citrate complexes, and the amount of free cation in equilibrium with the complexes was determined by an ion exchange method.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The differential effects of anesthetics on unitary behavior of the cat's mesencephalic reticular formation in response to repetitive electrical stimulation of the skin were studied by means of longterm microelectrode recording and computer analysis.
Abstract: The differential effects of anesthetics on unitary behavior of the cat's mesencephalic reticular formation in response to repetitive electrical stimulation of the skin were studied by means of longterm microelectrode recording and computer analysis. In most units the anesthetics decreased the total number of firings in response to repetitive electrical stimulation of the skin. However, the ratio of evoked to spontaneous activity varied from unit to unit. Generally, the ratio was highest with sodium thiopental, and lowest during diethyl ether anesthesia. Evoked activity was easily distinguished from background activity during sodium thiopental and halothane anesthesia, but hardly distinguishable during diethyl ether anesthesia. The poststimulus times of short-latency discharges were hardly affected by the anesthetics in most units until the units ceased to respond to stimulation. In contrast, long-latency discharges were easily affected by anesthetics.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, electron microscopy images taken from a patient showing the typical Landry-Guillain-Barre Syndrome were examined electron microscopically and showed degenerative changes of the myelin sheaths, Schwann cells, axons and unmyelinated nerve fibres.
Abstract: N. suralis taken from a patient showing the typical Landry-Guillain-Barre Syndrome was examined electron microscopically and showed degenerative changes of the myelin sheaths, Schwann cells, axons and unmyelinated nerve fibres. The changes in the unmyelinated nerve fibres might be concerned with disturbances of autonomic function.


Journal ArticleDOI
N. Ishikura1
TL;DR: Pelargonidin-Derivate, welche als Fruchtfarbstoffe bisher selten festgestellt worden sind, wurden in den Früchten von sieben Pflanzenarten gefunden und auf Grund papier-chromatographischer Analyse als 3-Monoglucosid, 3-RhamnoglucOsid and 3-XyloglucOSid
Abstract: Pelargonidin-Derivate, welche als Fruchtfarbstoffe bisher selten festgestellt worden sind, wurden in den Fruchten von sieben Pflanzenarten gefunden und auf Grund papier-chromatographischer Analyse als 3-Monoglucosid, 3-Rhamnoglucosid und 3-Xyloglucosid von Pelargonidin identifiziert. Daneben wurden in den obenerwahnten Fruchten auch drei Sorten von Cyanidin-Derivaten des ganz identischen Glycosid-Typs gefunden.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Three kinds of anthocyanin were found in the skins of fruits of seventeen plants belonging to the genera Ilex and Euonymus, and cyanidin 3-monoglucoside was detected as the predominant pigment in species of the closely allied genus.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that in coronary vessels there exist adrenergic alpha receptors corresponding to the sympathetic vasoconstrictor nerve of which preganglionic fibers terminate in the stellate and inferior cervical ganglia, and that the intracardiac ganglion cells play little role in the coronary vasoconStrictor response after beta adrenergic receptor blockade.
Abstract: The effects of ganglionic blockade were studied on the changes in coronary blood flow and myocardial contraction produced by electrical stimulation of the left cardiac sympathetic nerves in anesthetized open-chest dogs. Stimulation of the left ventral ansa subclavia (AS) and the ventrolateral cervical cardiac nerve (VLCCN) produced 2 peaks of increase in coronary blood flow, in myocardial contractile force (MCF) and in left ventricular pressure (LVP). The first peak was, in some experiments, preceded by an initial transient decrease in coronary blood flow. Bilateral cervical vagotomy or intravenous injection of atropine did not affect the initial changes in coronary blood flow. In dogs pretreated with intravenous propranolol or practolol, the stimulation of either AS or VLCCN evoked a prolonged decrease in coronary blood flow without appreciable changes in systemic blood pressure and myocardial contractility. The decrease in coronary flow resulting from AS stimulation was blocked not only by intravenous injection of phentolamine but also by hexamethonium (C6) given into the pericardial cavity or in the coronary artery. On the other hand, the decrease elicited by stimulation of VLCCN was abolished by phentolamine but not influenced by intracoronary and intrapericardial C6, while hypotension and brady-cardia produced by cervical vagosympathetic stimulation were completely blocked by C6. From the present data, it may be concluded that in coronary vessels there exist adrenergic alpha receptors corresponding to the sympathetic vasoconstrictor nerve of which preganglionic fibers terminate in the stellate and inferior cervical ganglia, and that the intracardiac ganglion cells play little role in the coronary vasoconstrictor response after beta adrenergic receptor blockade.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a parallelism between the catalytic activities of onium compounds and the AO population on the nonbonding p-orbital or the partially occupied d-orbitals of their central atoms was found.
Abstract: The catalytic activation of molecular oxygen by various onium compounds were interpreted theoretically with particular attention to the role of d-orbitals. We made several findings. First, there exists a parallelism between the catalytic activities of onium compounds and the AO population on the nonbonding p-orbital or the partially occupied d-orbitals of their central atoms. Second, the preferred mode of the interaction between onium compounds and molecular oxygen was expressed by the parallel form (see Fig. 2). Third, the above interaction was confirmed by the red shift of the band near 200mμ of the transition, nonbonding 2p AO→3d AO on the central sulfur of sulfonium compounds, in an oxygen atmosphere. Finally, the process of the hydrogen abstraction of molecular oxygen activated by onium compounds from a hydrocarbon was discussed.



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The nerve showed a depletion of myelinated nerve fibres and Schwann cells were increased in number and many of them were atrophic.
Abstract: N. suralis, taken from a patient in the chronic state of “Subacute Myelo-Optico-Neuropathy (SMON)” was examined by electron microscopy. The nerve showed a depletion of myelinated nerve fibres. Vacuoles or degenerated mitochondria were observed in the axis cylinders of myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibres. Schwann cells were increased in number and many of them were atrophic. Onion-bulb formations were seen diffusely; regeneration of myelinated nerve fibres was sparse.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, four anthocyanins in the leaves of Asarum asaroides were identified as peonidin 3-gentiobioside and cyanidin 2.5-gentIobioide acylated with p -coumaric and caffeic acids.




Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Pyridoxine-5-thiol was found to be a relatively nontoxic and effective agent in eliminating methyl mercury from the brain and liver of rats poisoned with a subclinical dose of methyl mercuric chloride.

Journal ArticleDOI
K. Hamada1, S. Nakama1, Kimiaki Imafuku1, Kazu Kurosawa1, Hisashi Matsumura1 
TL;DR: In this article, a series of 5-styryl-tropolones were measured in 50 vol % aqueous methanol and shown to be correlated by the Hammett free energy relationship with ϱ = 0·60.