RESUMEN
Ayahuasca is a beverage obtained from decoctions of the Banisteriopsis caapi plus Psychotria viridis. In religious contexts, ayahuasca is used by different age groups. However, little is known of the effects of ayahuasca during ontogenic development, particularly with regard to the functional characteristics of the central nervous system. Animal models are useful for studying the ontogenic effects of ayahuasca because they allow exclusion of the behavioral influence associated with the ritualistic use. We investigated the effects of exposure to ayahuasca (1.5 mL/kg, orally, twice a week) on memory and anxiety in C57BL/6 mice, with the post-natal day (PND) being used as the ontogenic criterion for classification: childhood (PND21 to PND35), adolescence (PND35 to PND63), adulthood (PND90-PND118), childhood-adolescence (PND21 to PND63), childhood-adulthood (PND21 to PND118) and adolescence-adulthood (PND35 to PND118). One day after the last ayahuasca exposure, the mice were subjected to the Morris water maze (MWM), open field and elevated plus maze tasks (EPM). Ayahuasca did not affect locomotion in the open field or open arms exploration in the EPM, but increased the risk assessment behavior in the childhood group. Ayahuasca did not cause any change in acquisition of spatial reference memory in the MWM task, but decreased the time spent on the platform quadrant during the test session in the adolescence group. These results suggest that, in mice, exposure to ayahuasca in childhood and adolescence promoted anxiety and memory impairment, respectively. However, these behavioral changes were not long-lasting since they were not observed in the childhood-adulthood and adolescence-adulthood groups.
Asunto(s)
Banisteriopsis/química , Conducta Animal/efectos de los fármacos , Locomoción/efectos de los fármacos , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Animales , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Masculino , Aprendizaje por Laberinto/efectos de los fármacos , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Modelos AnimalesRESUMEN
The Quechua term ayahuasca refers to a beverage obtained from decoctions of the liana Banisteriopsis caapi with leaves of Psychotria viridis. The ritualistic use of ayahuasca is becoming a global phenomenon, with some individuals using this beverage throughout life, including in old age. Cognitive impairment is a common manifestation during aging. There are conflicting reports on the ability of some ayahuasca compounds to exert neuroprotective or neurotoxic effects that could improve or impair learning and memory. Animal models provide a relevant and accessible means of investigating the behavioral effects of ayahuasca without the environmental conditions associated with the ritualistic use of the beverage. In this study, we investigated the influence of chronic ayahuasca exposure throughout aging on the spatial reference and habituation memories of mice. Twenty-eight male c57bl/6 mice (6 months old) received ayahuasca or water (1.5 mL/kg, orally) twice a week for 12 months and were tested in the Morris water maze (MWM), open field and elevated plus maze (EPM) tasks before and after treatment. During aging, there was significant impairment in the evocation (but not acquisition) of spatial reference memory and in habituation to the open field. There was also a decrease in locomotor activity in the open field and EPM tests, whereas the anxiety parameters were unaltered. Ayahuasca treatment did not alter any of these parameters associated with aging. These findings indicate that chronic exposure to ayahuasca during aging did not affect memory in mice.
Asunto(s)
Banisteriopsis/química , Bebidas , Locomoción/efectos de los fármacos , Aprendizaje por Laberinto/efectos de los fármacos , Memoria/efectos de los fármacos , Psychotria/química , Envejecimiento/fisiología , Animales , Ansiedad/inducido químicamente , Masculino , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Modelos Animales , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
The Quechua term ayahuasca refers to a beverage obtained from decoctions of the liana Banisteriopsis caapi with leaves of Psychotria viridis. The ritualistic use of ayahuasca is becoming a global phenomenon, with some individuals using this beverage throughout life, including in old age. Cognitive impairment is a common manifestation during aging. There are conflicting reports on the ability of some ayahuasca compounds to exert neuroprotective or neurotoxic effects that could improve or impair learning and memory. Animal models provide a relevant and accessible means of investigating the behavioral effects of ayahuasca without the environmental conditions associated with the ritualistic use of the beverage. In this study, we investigated the influence of chronic ayahuasca exposure throughout aging on the spatial reference and habituation memories of mice. Twenty-eight male c57bl/6 mice (6 months old) received ayahuasca or water (1.5 mL/kg, orally) twice a week for 12 months and were tested in the Morris water maze (MWM), open field and elevated plus maze (EPM) tasks before and after treatment. During aging, there was significant impairment in the evocation (but not acquisition) of spatial reference memory and in habituation to the open field. There was also a decrease in locomotor activity in the open field and EPM tests, whereas the anxiety parameters were unaltered. Ayahuasca treatment did not alter any of these parameters associated with aging. These findings indicate that chronic exposure to ayahuasca during aging did not affect memory in mice.
Asunto(s)
Animales , Masculino , Ratones , Banisteriopsis/química , Bebidas , Locomoción/efectos de los fármacos , Aprendizaje por Laberinto/efectos de los fármacos , Memoria/efectos de los fármacos , Psychotria/química , Envejecimiento/fisiología , Ansiedad/inducido químicamente , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Modelos Animales , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
Ayahuasca is a beverage obtained from decoctions of the Banisteriopsis caapi plus Psychotria viridis. In religious contexts, ayahuasca is used by different age groups. However, little is known of the effects of ayahuasca during ontogenic development, particularly with regard to the functional characteristics of the central nervous system. Animal models are useful for studying the ontogenic effects of ayahuasca because they allow exclusion of the behavioral influence associated with the ritualistic use. We investigated the effects of exposure to ayahuasca (1.5 mL/kg, orally, twice a week) on memory and anxiety in C57BL/6 mice, with the post-natal day (PND) being used as the ontogenic criterion for classification: childhood (PND21 to PND35), adolescence (PND35 to PND63), adulthood (PND90-PND118), childhood-adolescence (PND21 to PND63), childhood-adulthood (PND21 to PND118) and adolescence-adulthood (PND35 to PND118). One day after the last ayahuasca exposure, the mice were subjected to the Morris water maze (MWM), open field and elevated plus maze tasks (EPM). Ayahuasca did not affect locomotion in the open field or open arms exploration in the EPM, but increased the risk assessment behavior in the childhood group. Ayahuasca did not cause any change in acquisition of spatial reference memory in the MWM task, but decreased the time spent on the platform quadrant during the test session in the adolescence group. These results suggest that, in mice, exposure to ayahuasca in childhood and adolescence promoted anxiety and memory impairment, respectively. However, these behavioral changes were not long-lasting since they were not observed in the childhood-adulthood and adolescence-adulthood groups.
Asunto(s)
Animales , Masculino , Ratones , Banisteriopsis/química , Conducta Animal/efectos de los fármacos , Locomoción/efectos de los fármacos , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Aprendizaje por Laberinto , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Modelos AnimalesRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: FOLFIRI and FOLFOX have shown equivalent efficacy for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), but their comparative effectiveness is unknown when combined with bevacizumab. PATIENTS AND METHODS: WJOG4407G was a randomized, open-label, phase III trial conducted in Japan. Patients with previously untreated mCRC were randomized 1:1 to receive either FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab (FOLFIRI + Bev) or mFOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab (mFOLFOX6 + Bev), stratified by institution, adjuvant chemotherapy, and liver-limited disease. The primary end point was non-inferiority of FOLFIRI + Bev to mFOLFOX6 + Bev in progression-free survival (PFS), with an expected hazard ratio (HR) of 0.9 and non-inferiority margin of 1.25 (power 0.85, one-sided α-error 0.025). The secondary end points were response rate (RR), overall survival (OS), safety, and quality of life (QoL) during 18 months. This trial is registered to the University Hospital Medical Information Network, number UMIN000001396. RESULTS: Among 402 patients enrolled from September 2008 to January 2012, 395 patients were eligible for efficacy analysis. The median PFS for FOLFIRI + Bev (n = 197) and mFOLFOX6 + Bev (n = 198) were 12.1 and 10.7 months, respectively [HR, 0.905; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.723-1.133; P = 0.003 for non-inferiority]. The median OS for FOLFIRI + Bev and mFOLFOX6 + Bev were 31.4 and 30.1 months, respectively (HR, 0.990; 95% CI 0.785-1.249). The best overall RRs were 64% for FOLFIRI + Bev and 62% for mFOLFOX6 + Bev. The common grade 3 or higher adverse events were leukopenia (11% in FOLFIRI + Bev/5% in mFOLFOX6 + Bev), neutropenia (46%/35%), diarrhea (9%/5%), febrile neutropenia (5%/2%), peripheral neuropathy (0%/22%), and venous thromboembolism (6%/2%). The QoL assessed by FACT-C (TOI-PFC) and FACT/GOG-Ntx was favorable for FOLFIRI + Bev during 18 months. CONCLUSION: FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab was non-inferior for PFS, compared with mFOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab, as the first-line systemic treatment for mCRC. CLINICAL TRIALS NUMBER: UMIN000001396.
Asunto(s)
Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/administración & dosificación , Bevacizumab/administración & dosificación , Camptotecina/análogos & derivados , Neoplasias Colorrectales/tratamiento farmacológico , Adulto , Anciano , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/efectos adversos , Bevacizumab/efectos adversos , Camptotecina/administración & dosificación , Camptotecina/efectos adversos , Neoplasias Colorrectales/patología , Supervivencia sin Enfermedad , Efectos Colaterales y Reacciones Adversas Relacionados con Medicamentos/clasificación , Efectos Colaterales y Reacciones Adversas Relacionados con Medicamentos/patología , Femenino , Fluorouracilo/administración & dosificación , Fluorouracilo/efectos adversos , Humanos , Japón , Estimación de Kaplan-Meier , Leucovorina/administración & dosificación , Leucovorina/efectos adversos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Metástasis de la Neoplasia , Compuestos Organoplatinos/administración & dosificación , Compuestos Organoplatinos/efectos adversos , Modelos de Riesgos Proporcionales , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Cetuximab-containing treatments for metastatic colorectal cancer have been shown to have higher overall response rates and longer progression-free and overall survival than other systemic therapies. Cetuximab-related manifestations, including severe skin toxicity and early tumor shrinkage, have been shown to be predictors of response to cetuximab. We hypothesized that early skin toxicity is a predictor of response and better outcomes in patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma. We retrospectively evaluated 62 patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma who had unresectable tumors and were treated with cetuximab in our institution. Skin toxicity grade was evaluated on each treatment day. Tumor size was evaluated using computed tomography prior to treatment and 4-8 weeks after the start of treatment with cetuximab.Patients with early tumor shrinkage after starting treatment with cetuximab had a significantly higher overall response rate (P = 0.0001). Patients with early skin toxicity showed significantly longer overall survival (P = 0.0305), and patients with higher skin toxicity grades had longer progression-free survival (P = 0.0168).We have shown that early tumor shrinkage, early onset of skin toxicity, and high skin toxicity grade are predictors of treatment efficacy and/or outcome in patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma treated with cetuximab.
Asunto(s)
Adenocarcinoma/tratamiento farmacológico , Antineoplásicos/uso terapéutico , Cetuximab/uso terapéutico , Neoplasias Colorrectales/tratamiento farmacológico , Piel/efectos de los fármacos , Adenocarcinoma/mortalidad , Adenocarcinoma/patología , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Neoplasias Colorrectales/mortalidad , Neoplasias Colorrectales/patología , Supervivencia sin Enfermedad , Femenino , Humanos , Estimación de Kaplan-Meier , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Modelos de Riesgos Proporcionales , Estudios Retrospectivos , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) is a major inducer of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in different cell types. TGF-ß-mediated EMT is thought to contribute to tumour cell spread and metastasis. Sialyl Lewis antigens synthesised by fucosyltransferase (FUT) 3 and FUT6 are highly expressed in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) and are utilised as tumour markers for cancer detection and evaluation of treatment efficacy. However, the role of FUT3 and FUT6 in augmenting the malignant potential of CRC induced by TGF-ß is unclear. METHODS: Colorectal cancer cell lines were transfected with siRNAs for FUT3/6 and were examined by cell proliferation, invasion and migration assays. The expression and phosphorylation status of TGF-ß downstream molecules were analysed by western blot. Fucosylation of TGF-ß receptor (TßR) was examined by lectin blot analysis. RESULTS: Inhibition of FUT3/6 expression by siRNAs suppressed the fucosylation of type I TßR and phosphorylation of the downstream molecules, thereby inhibiting the invasion and migration of CRC cells by EMT. CONCLUSION: Fucosyltransferase 3/6 has an essential role in cancer cell adhesion to endothelial cells by upregulation of sialyl Lewis antigens and also by enhancement of cancer cell migration through TGF-ß-mediated EMT.
Asunto(s)
Neoplasias Colorrectales/metabolismo , Fucosiltransferasas/metabolismo , Receptores de Factores de Crecimiento Transformadores beta/metabolismo , Factor de Crecimiento Transformador beta/metabolismo , Adhesión Celular/fisiología , Línea Celular Tumoral , Neoplasias Colorrectales/enzimología , Neoplasias Colorrectales/patología , Transición Epitelial-Mesenquimal , Fucosiltransferasas/genética , Células HT29 , Humanos , Fosforilación , ARN Interferente Pequeño/administración & dosificación , ARN Interferente Pequeño/genética , Transducción de Señal , Proteínas Smad/metabolismo , Transfección , Factor de Crecimiento Transformador beta/farmacología , Regulación hacia ArribaRESUMEN
The purpose of the present study was to examine what dysphagic signs identified by videoendoscopy (VE) could predict the incidence of pneumonia and body weight loss in elderly patients living in nursing homes. This study was performed at six nursing care facilities in Japan from March 2007 to February 2009. The 148 subjects (85·1 ± 8·0 years, male/female: 43/105) were evaluated for their feeding and swallowing movements by clinical and VE examinations during the consumption of a regular meal. The VE examination items included the existence/absence of pharyngeal residue, laryngeal penetration, and aspiration of food and saliva. The patients were followed-up for 3 months with individualized feeding therapy based on the results of the clinical/VE examination at baseline, and the incidence of pneumonia was examined as the primary outcome. In patients without pneumonia, the body weight change was also measured as a secondary outcome. The risk factors for pneumonia and body weight loss (of 3% or more) were identified among the clinical/VE examination items by a Cox proportional hazard analysis. Even with elaborative feeding therapy, 12 (8·1%) of the 148 patients developed pneumonia during the 3 months follow-up period. The existence of signs of 'silent aspiration of saliva' or 'aspiration of saliva' detected by VE examination was a significant risk factor for both pneumonia and a body weight loss of 3% or more. This study shows that 'aspiration of saliva' detected by VE is a significant risk factor for both pneumonia and body weight loss in elderly patients living in nursing homes.
Asunto(s)
Trastornos de Deglución/epidemiología , Deglución/fisiología , Neumonía por Aspiración/epidemiología , Pérdida de Peso , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Trastornos de Deglución/complicaciones , Femenino , Hogares para Ancianos , Humanos , Incidencia , Japón/epidemiología , Laringoscopía , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Casas de Salud , Neumonía por Aspiración/etiología , Valor Predictivo de las Pruebas , Estudios Prospectivos , Factores de Riesgo , Grabación en VideoRESUMEN
To determine the sources of lip closing pressure (P(LC) ) generation during passive spoon feeding, we used a fine pressure transducer glued into a wooden spoon, as well as electromyography (EMG) of the upper and lower lips and the submental muscle complex, in normal adult volunteers (average age 24·5 years). An assistant fed a seated subject 0·6 mL of yogurt and then withdrew the spoon from the subject's closed mouth. The spoon was held at an angle of 0° (i.e. in the naso-auricular plane) during serving and at either 0° or 60° during withdrawal. We detected simultaneous increases in P(LC) and in EMG activity in the lips and the submental muscle complex. The maximum P(LC) was significantly higher at 60° [65 ± 11 g cm(-2) (mean ± s.e.m)] than at 0° (42 ± 8 g cm(-2)). The former was correlated with the maximum EMG amplitude, which was analysed by using the mean of the root-mean-square EMG and presented as a percentage of the maximum EMG obtained in the lower lip region and the submental muscle complex during subsequent swallowing in each subject. In conclusion, in healthy adult subjects, perioral muscles of the lower lip region and the submental muscle complex participate in P(LC) generation, particularly at a steep spoon withdrawal angle. The results suggest that a steep withdrawal angle not only increases P(LC) but also promotes these muscles' activities in passive spoon feeding.
Asunto(s)
Utensilios de Comida y Culinaria , Nutrición Enteral/instrumentación , Músculos Faciales/fisiología , Labio/fisiología , Músculos del Cuello/fisiología , Adolescente , Adulto , Análisis del Estrés Dental , Electromiografía , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Presión , Transductores de Presión , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
In Japanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai), fruit storage potential is closely related to the amount of ethylene produced. We have developed a rapid and accurate method for analyzing genes involved in high ethylene production during fruit ripening in Japanese pear. This involves cleaved-amplified polymorphic sequences (CAPS) of two 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) synthase genes (PPACS1 and PPACS2). Two CAPS markers (A for PPACS1 and B for PPACS2), associated with the amount of ethylene produced, were identified. Marker A was associated with high ethylene producers and marker B with moderate ethylene producers. The absence of these two markers enabled the identification of low ethylene producers. Using these markers, we have identified ethylene genotypes for 40 Japanese pear cultivars and two Chinese pear (P. bretschneideri) cultivars that are commercially important and used in breeding programs. Furthermore, we performed linkage analysis of these two genes in the F(2) population, which revealed that the recombination frequency between the two markers was 20.8 +/- 3.6%. This information is critical to the selection of parents and in breeding strategies to improve storage ability of Japanese pears.
Asunto(s)
Marcadores Genéticos , Liasas/genética , Pyrus/enzimología , Alelos , Secuencia de Bases , Clonación Molecular , Cartilla de ADN , Genotipo , Polimorfismo GenéticoRESUMEN
Induction of haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1) may provide an important protective effect for cells against oxidative stress. Here, we investigated the mechanism of cytoprotection of HO-1 in solid tumour with a focus on the antiapoptotic activity of HO-1. Treatment of rat hepatoma AH136B cells with the HO inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP IX) or tin protoporphyrin IX resulted in extensive apoptotic changes of tumour cells both in vivo and in vitro. Caspase-3 activity of the ZnPP IX-treated hepatoma cells increased significantly. Moreover, ZnPP IX-induced apoptosis was completely inhibited by simultaneous incubation with a specific caspase-3 inhibitor and was partially abrogated by bilirubin, a reaction product of HO. In vivo ZnPP IX treatment did not affect nitric oxide (NO) production and tumour blood flow. Western blot analyses showed that HO-1 expression in AH136B cells was strongly upregulated by NO donors, for example, S-nitroso-N-acetyl penicillamine and propylamine NONOate in vitro; conversely, it was remarkably reduced in vivo by pharmacological blockade of NOS. We conclude that HO-1 may function in antiapoptotic defense of the tumour, and thus it may have important protective and beneficial effects for tumour cells against oxidative stress induced by NO, which is produced in excess during solid tumour growth in vivo.
Asunto(s)
Apoptosis , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/patología , Regulación de la Expresión Génica , Hemo Oxigenasa (Desciclizante)/farmacología , Neoplasias Hepáticas/patología , Óxido Nítrico/farmacología , Estrés Oxidativo , Animales , Western Blotting , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/veterinaria , Hemo Oxigenasa (Desciclizante)/biosíntesis , Hemo-Oxigenasa 1 , Humanos , Neoplasias Hepáticas/veterinaria , Masculino , Proteínas de la Membrana , Neoplasias Experimentales , Ratas , Regulación hacia ArribaRESUMEN
Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) usually has a fatal prognosis without liver transplantation. We describe the case of a woman who developed FHF, and was evaluated as a candidate for liver transplantation, but who was cured without transplantation through intensive medical care that included glucagon-insulin therapy, methylprednisolone pulse therapy, interferon beta and lamivudine administration, cyclosporine administration, and high-volume hemodiafiltration and plasma exchange. In a patient with FHF who is a candidate for liver transplantation but for whom the transplantation cannot be performed for some reason, intensive medical therapy, including regeneration-promoting therapy, immunosuppressive therapy, antiviral therapy, and vigorous hepatic support, should be carried out.
Asunto(s)
Antivirales/uso terapéutico , Hepatitis B/complicaciones , Fallo Hepático/terapia , Ciclosporina/uso terapéutico , Femenino , Hemodiafiltración/métodos , Humanos , Interferón beta/uso terapéutico , Fallo Hepático/diagnóstico , Fallo Hepático/virología , Trasplante de Hígado , Metilprednisolona/uso terapéutico , Persona de Mediana Edad , Intercambio Plasmático/métodosRESUMEN
Thirty cDNA clones of genes corresponding to mRNAs up-regulated during fruit ripening of Japanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai cv. Kikusui) were obtained by differential screening of a ripe fruit cDNA library. All of these cDNAs were sequenced and gathered into 11 non-redundant groups after database searches. These clones represented genes associated with stress responses, protein catabolism or pathogenesis. The accumulation of transcripts of 3 out of 11 genes was inhibited by 1-methylcyclopropene (MCP), an inhibitor of ethylene action.
Asunto(s)
Etilenos/metabolismo , Frutas/genética , Rosales/genética , Transducción de Señal , Northern Blotting , ADN Complementario/aislamiento & purificación , Frutas/metabolismo , Frutas/fisiología , ARN Mensajero/análisis , ARN de Planta/análisis , Rosales/metabolismo , Rosales/fisiologíaRESUMEN
Since the 1980s the Department of Hygiene and Oral Health at the Showa University School of Dentistry has focused its research efforts on the development of feeding function and disorders. In addition, we have treated dysphagic children and dysphagic elderly using our feeding training program approach. The developmental course of the feeding function includes the following steps: 1) Suckle feeding and prefeeding period; 2) Acquiring the ability to swallow with lips closed; 3) Acquiring the ability to take food with lips closed; 4) Acquiring the ability to push mashed food with the tongue and anterior hard palate; 5) Acquiring the ability to perform mastication; 6) Beginning self-feeding; 7) Beginning finger feeding; 8) Beginning using table ware.
Asunto(s)
Desarrollo Infantil/fisiología , Deglución/fisiología , Conducta Alimentaria/fisiología , Preescolar , Ingestión de Alimentos , Humanos , Lactante , Conducta del Lactante/fisiología , Labio/fisiología , Masticación/fisiología , Destreza Motora , Conducta en la Lactancia/fisiología , Lengua/diagnóstico por imagen , Lengua/fisiología , UltrasonografíaRESUMEN
The purpose of this study was to establish an assessment method for evaluation of hand and mouth coordination during self-feeding. The subjects were four normally developed infants. Their feeding behavior was videotaped at two or four week intervals (from age eight months to thirty-six months). The items analyzed were nine viewpoints for finger feeding and eight viewpoints for spoon-feeding. The results obtained included: finger feeding--development of cylinder and pinch grasp, two patterns of hand in relation to neck and trunk, placement of food into the mouth, developmental aspects of neck rotation when taking food with the lips; spoon feeding--holding technique, flexion of elbow and shoulder, taking food from the spoon bowl by the lips, patterns of neck rotation. From the results of these observations, we conclude that the items analyzed in this study can be useful for the assessment of the developmental process of hand and mouth coordination in self-feeding.
Asunto(s)
Desarrollo Infantil/fisiología , Conducta Alimentaria/fisiología , Mano/fisiología , Boca/fisiología , Preescolar , Ingestión de Alimentos/fisiología , Humanos , Lactante , Conducta del Lactante/fisiología , Cuello/fisiología , Postura , Desempeño PsicomotorRESUMEN
Control of the circulatory and respiratory systems is especially important in severely disabled people. The purpose of this study was to clarify the response of hemoglobin oxygen saturation level (SpO(2)), pulse rate, and respiratory rate during oral feeding in severely disabled persons. Continuous measurement of these variables was done by pulse oximetry and respiratory inductance plethysmography under two experimental settings in eight severely disabled persons aged 14-28 yrs. Setting I consisted of the following three procedures: (a) a 30-min period in the supine position, (b) a 50-min period in a sitting position, and (c) a 30-min period in the supine position. Setting II consisted of the following four procedures: (a) a 30-min period before the meal in the supine position, (b) a nonspecified period in a sitting position during which the meal was taken, (c) a 30-min period after the meal in the same sitting position, and (d) a 30-min period in the supine position. Results showed that mean SpO(2) level decreased and mean pulse rate increased during the meal in almost all subjects. In many cases, pulse rate and SpO(2) level did not return to baseline values in the sitting position after the meal. These findings indicate that oral feeding of severely disabled persons in a sitting position places considerable stress on the circulatory system, the effects of which may last after the meal in some cases.
Asunto(s)
Personas con Discapacidad , Ingestión de Alimentos/fisiología , Oxígeno/sangre , Postura/fisiología , Adolescente , Adulto , Obstrucción de las Vías Aéreas/etiología , Apnea/etiología , Circulación Sanguínea/fisiología , Parálisis Cerebral/fisiopatología , Tos/etiología , Epilepsia/fisiopatología , Femenino , Hemoglobinas/metabolismo , Humanos , Masculino , Oximetría , Enfermedad de Parkinson Posencefalítica/fisiopatología , Pletismografía , Pulso Arterial , Respiración , Ruidos Respiratorios/etiología , Posición Supina/fisiología , Telemetría , Grabación de Cinta de VideoRESUMEN
The shelf life of Japanese pear fruit is determined by its level of ethylene production. Relatively high levels of ethylene reduce storage potential and fruit quality. We have identified RFLP markers tightly linked to the locus that determines the rate of ethylene evolution in ripening fruit of the Japanese pear. The study was carried out using sequences of two types of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) synthase genes (PPACS1 and pPPACS2) and a ACC oxidase gene (PPAOX1) as probes on 35 Japanese pear cultivars expressing different levels of ethylene (0.0 to approximately 300 microl/kg fresh weight/h) in ripening fruit. When total DNA was digested with HindIII and probed with pPPACS1, we identified a band of 2.8 kb which was specific to cultivars having very high ethylene levels (> or = 10 microl/kg f.w./h) during fruit ripening. The probe pPPACS2 identified a band of 0.8 kb specific to cultivars with moderate ethylene levels (0.5 microl/kg f.w./h-10 microl/kg f.w./h) during fruit ripening. The cultivars that produce high levels of ethylene possess at least one additional copy of pPPACS1 and those producing moderate levels of ethylene have at least one additional copy of pPPACS2. These results suggest that RFLP analysis with different ACC synthase genes could be useful for predicting the maximum ethylene level during fruit ripening in Japanese pear.
Asunto(s)
Etilenos/metabolismo , Frutas/genética , Genes de Plantas/genética , Isoenzimas/genética , Liasas/genética , Aminoácido Oxidorreductasas/genética , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Southern Blotting , Sondas de ADN , ADN Complementario/química , ADN Complementario/genética , ADN Complementario/aislamiento & purificación , ADN de Plantas/análisis , ADN de Plantas/genética , Frutas/química , Frutas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Regulación del Desarrollo de la Expresión Génica , Regulación Enzimológica de la Expresión Génica , Regulación de la Expresión Génica de las Plantas , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Polimorfismo de Longitud del Fragmento de Restricción , ARN/análisis , ARN/genética , Homología de Secuencia de Aminoácido , Especificidad de la EspecieRESUMEN
We examined the mechanism of promotion of liver regeneration by tacrolimus hydrate (FK506), a potent immunosuppressant, after partial hepatectomy. The administration of FK506 significantly increased the bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labelling index at 36 and 48 h after 70% hepatectomy compared with the placebo group. Using the same model, we examined the effect of FK506 on the expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) and found no changes in HGF and TGF-beta 1 mRNA expression in the liver or in the HGF protein concentration in plasma. We found that pretreatment with FK506 markedly reduced the activity and number of liver-resident natural killer (NK) cells at the time of partial hepatectomy. Our observations suggest that the promotion of liver regeneration by FK506 may be attributable to a reduction in the number of liver-resident NK cells and to inhibition of their activity.
Asunto(s)
Inmunosupresores/farmacología , Células Asesinas Naturales/efectos de los fármacos , Regeneración Hepática/efectos de los fármacos , Tacrolimus/farmacología , Animales , Hepatectomía , Factor de Crecimiento de Hepatocito/biosíntesis , Células Asesinas Naturales/inmunología , Hígado/metabolismo , Masculino , ARN Mensajero/genética , Ratas , Ratas Wistar , Factor de Crecimiento Transformador beta/biosíntesisRESUMEN
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of 3-hour infusional paclitaxel for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer with measurable metastatic diseases. Eligibility criteria included no more than one regimen of prior chemotherapy. Paclitaxel was administered as an intravenous infusion over 3 hours at a dose of 210 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. Premedication of dexamethazone, ranitidine, and diphenhydramine were given to all patients. Sixteen patients were registered in the study. One patient did not receive paclitaxel because of gastrointestinal bleeding before the initiation of drug's administration. Thirteen of the 15 patients had a prior history of chemotherapy. Although 10 patients (67%) developed grade 4 neutropenia, no serious infections occurred during the study. Nonhematologic toxicities were generally mild. Three (20%) patients who showed evidences of resistance to the previous intensive regimen achieved a partial response. In conclusion, a 3-hour infusion of paclitaxel is a safe and promising treatment for advanced gastric cancer. Paclitaxel appears to be non-cross resistant to other agents that are commonly used for gastric cancer. A large-scale phase II study is now underway.
Asunto(s)
Antineoplásicos Fitogénicos/uso terapéutico , Paclitaxel/uso terapéutico , Neoplasias Gástricas/tratamiento farmacológico , Adulto , Anciano , Antineoplásicos Fitogénicos/administración & dosificación , Esquema de Medicación , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Paclitaxel/administración & dosificaciónRESUMEN
The carbonyl reductase activity exhibited by pig testicular 20 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20 beta-HSD) was examined using a recombinant enzyme. Kinetic parameters were obtained for 48 carbonyl group-containing substrates, including aromatic aldehydes, aromatic ketones, cycloketones, quinones, aliphatic aldehydes and aliphatic ketones. 20 beta-HSD showed a high affinity towards quinones, such as 9,10-phenanthrenequinone, alpha-naphthoquinone and menadione (Km values of 4, 2 and 5 microM, respectively), and the substrate utilization efficiency (Vmax/Km) of the enzyme against these quinones was very high. Cyclohexanone and 2-methylcyclohexanone were also reduced with a high Vmax/Km value, but not cyclopentanone or 2-methylcyclopentanone. Various aromatic aldehydes and ketones including benzaldehyde- and acetophenone-derivatives were reduced by 20 beta-HSD. Especially, 4-nitrobenzaldehyde and 4-nitroacetophenone were reduced with high Vmax/Km values in the related compounds. The enzyme also reduced the pyridine-derivatives, 2-, 3-, and 4-benzoylpyridine, with the Vmax/Km value for 2-benzoylpyridine being the highest. 20 beta-HSD reduced aliphatic aldehydes and aliphatic ketones, but was more effective on the former. The correlation between the structure of carbonyl compounds and their substrate Vmax/Km is discussed.