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Biomedical subjects

A Kubo

Publications and source records attributed to A Kubo.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources

Assessment of mucociliary clearance in patients with tracheobronchoplasty using radioaerosol.

To assess mucociliary clearance in patients with tracheobronchoplasty, radioaerosol inhalation scanning was performed in 14 patients. The unilateral total lung clearance curve was fitted into two compartmental curves, fast and slow, by least-squares techniques in order to assess mucociliary clearance of the bronchial tree quantitatively. Half-time (T 1/2) of the curve resulting from the subtraction of the slow compartment curve from the fast compartment curve was calculated. The mucociliary clearance of the bronchial tree post so-called lobectomy (N = 5) was intact (T 1/2; 13.1 +/- 7.3 min). On the other hand, the mucociliary clearance of the bronchial tree postreconstruction (N = 14) was prolonged (T 1/2; 28.3 +/- 10.6 min), compared with that of the control bronchial tree (N = 15, T 1/2; 11.9 +/- 3.9 min) (p less than 0.01). However, the mucociliary clearance of the bronchial tree postreconstruction showed improvement with the passage of time, and the original clearance was regained 5 to 12 mo after the operation. Radioaerosol inhalation studies revealed both the degree of impairment and the recovery time of mucociliary clearance in patients post-tracheobronchoplasty.

Adult↗

Studies on complications of diverticular disease of the colon.

Out of 1,124 cases of diverticular disease of the colon seen during the past 15 years, 27 cases (2.4%) of diverticulitis and 44 cases (3.9%) of diverticular hemorrhage were found. The incidence of diverticulitis was more frequent in the both-sides colon type, and also in the multiple form having 10 or more diverticula. The average age was higher in diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon (57.8 years) than in diverticulitis of the right-side colon (47.9 years). Twenty-two cases (81%) of these patients were recovered by medical treatment, and in 5 cases (19%) of these, elective colectomy was carried out. On the other hand, the incidence of diverticular hemorrhage was more frequent in patients over 70 years old, and also in the multiple form having 10 or more diverticula. Though anemia was seen in 11 (25%) of 44 cases, all patients were recovered by medical management. Namely, diverticulitis of the right-side colon is more frequent in middle age, and both diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon and diverticular hemorrhage are more frequent in old age.

Adult↗

Distribution of 201Tl in the blood.

Thallium-201 distribution in the blood was investigated both in vivo and in vitro. Thallium-201 was distributed into the erythrocytes and plasma with the ratio of 1.4 +/- 0.3 to 1.0, immediately after its administration. The uptake of 201Tl into the erythrocytes in vitro were affected by the incubation temperature and the presence of ouabain and KCl; indicating that the 201Tl was uptaken into cells partly through their membranes Na, K-ATPase. Erythrocytes could retain 201Tl in it, whereas 201Tl was present as free ion in the plasma. Thallium-201 was flew out of erythrocytes into the plasma, keeping the ratio of 201Tl in erythrocytes/plasma to be 1.9 +/- 0.2/1.0.

Erythrocyte Membrane↗

Defective bactericidal activity and absence of specific granules in neutrophils from a patient with recurrent bacterial infections.

Recent studies have suggested that specific granules and/or their contents may have a role in neutrophil adherence, oxidative metabolism, and other aspects of cell function. In the current report, we studied neutrophil function in a 13-year-old female with recurrent pyogenic infections and absent specific granules previously documented by electron microscopy. Levels of cobalamin (vitamin B12)-binding protein and lactoferrin were markedly decreased in this patient's neutrophils. Bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli was decreased at 60 and 120 min (percentage organisms killed: patient neutrophils, 48 and 33%; control neutrophils, 90 and 99%, respectively). Defective killing of Staphylococcus aureus was also documented. Degranulation and adherence were normal. Levels of lactoferrin and cobalamin-binding protein were decreased in plasma but normal in saliva, indicating that the defect was specific for hematopoietic tissue. Superoxide anion production was normal in the patient, while hydroxyl radical generation was decreased in response to opsonized zymosan. The data support the concept that specific granules and their contents are important for oxidative metabolism and other neutrophil functions.

Adolescent↗

Short chain fatty acid in intestinal obstruction.

Short chain fatty acid (SCFA) and enteric bacteria in enteric fluid of 26 patients with non-strangulated intestinal obstruction were investigated. Sixteen to 905 mg/L of SCFA was detected in all the samples and acetic, propionic and lactic acid were prominent in the fraction. Concentration of SCFA reached a peak around the time of operation and then gradually decreased, in most cases. It also gradually decreased with clinical improvement in conservatively treated cases. Cultures of these enteric samples revealed 10(4-11)/ml of SCFA producing bacteria. SCFA may be one factor related to inhibition of water and electrolytes absorption and lead to distention of the bowel.

Adult↗

Impaired vibratory perception as a criterion of diabetic neuropathies.

Among neurological findings in diabetics, increased vibratory perception threshold (VTP) and abnormal ankle jerks are thought to be two of the most common. This study aims to determine the diagnostic value of VPT by C128-vibrometer. Mean VPT in a reference group composed of 278 non-diabetics showed regression with age, so the normal range was determined as lying below M + 2SD for each 10 year age range in the reference group. The mean VPT in each age group of 667 diabetic subjects was found to be approximately equal to M + 1SD of the values for the non-diabetics. After 10 days on a proper diet in the hospital, VPT showed a marked improvement in well controlled cases. In a 3 year follow up study, it was found that constant impairment of vibratory perception was common in the group with a high prevalence of microangiopathies. Though impaired VPT is reversible, it is useful as a diagnostic aid for diabetes.

Adult↗

Clinical studies on diverticular disease of the colon.

In 12,505 patients who received barium enemas during the past 14 days, 979 cases (7.8%) of diverticular disease of the colon (DDC) were found. The incidence of DDC increased with age; 2.2% of the patients were below age 29 and 14.3% were over 70 years old. The sex distribution was 584 males and 395 females. 76.1% had diverticula in the right-side colon, 12.9% in the left-side colon, and 11.0% in both sides. All patients below age 29 had the right-side colon type, while 44% of those aged 70 or more did. On the other hand, the left-side colon type and both-sides colon type were found only in patients over 30 years old, and constituted a majority in those of 70 years old or more. The main symptoms and signs were: disturbances in bowel habits 50.7%, abdominal pain 48.1%, abdominal distension and/or discomfort 41.5%, occult blood 25.2% and melena 5.8%. Therefore, DDC is clinically becoming an important disease in recent years in Japan as well as in Western countries.

Adolescent↗