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Biomedical subjects

A Watanabe

Publications and source records attributed to A Watanabe.

At least 721 records · Page 40Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Immunotherapy using Freund's adjuvant and recombinant interleukin-2 combined with transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma.

A new immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using Freund's adjuvant and recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2) combined with conventional transarterial chemoembolization therapy was performed. In 16 patients with HCC and one patient with metastatic liver cancer receiving this therapy, decrease and suppression of reelevation of alpha-fetoprotein after therapy was observed. Disappearance of tumor thrombi of HCC in the main portal vein was observed in a patient, and decrease of carcinoembryonic antigen was also observed in a patient with metastatic liver cancer. The present therapy using Freund's adjuvant and IL-2 is likely to open a new avenue for the treatment of patients with advanced liver cancer.

Aclarubicin↗
PubMed1989

Cathepsin B and L activities in gastric cancer tissue: correlation with histological findings.

Cathepsin B and L activities in cancerous and noncancerous mucosal tissues from 29 patients with gastric cancer were determined with a small amount of tissue homogenate. Both enzyme activities were significantly higher in cancerous tissues than in noncancerous tissues. The cathepsin B activity was higher with decreasing differentiation of the cancerous tissues, and also with increasing depth of invasion and metastasis to regional lymph nodes. Significantly high cathepsin B activity was observed in specimens of poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas, as well as in specimens from patients with extensive metastasis to n2 or n3 lymph nodes. These results suggest that high cathepsin B activity is characteristic of gastric cancer which invades and metastasizes. Therefore, in cases of marked elevation of cathepsin B activity in cancerous tissues, relatively extensive resection may be necessary to obtain a cure.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1989

Phase-Specific Polypeptides and Poly(A) RNAs during the Cell Cycle in Synchronous Cultures of Catharanthus roseus Cells.

This study shows an overall analysis of gene expression during the cell cycle in synchronous suspension cultures of Catharanthus roseus cells. First, the cellular cytoplasmic proteins were fractionated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and visualized by staining with silver. Seventeen polypeptides showed qualitative or quantitative changes during the cell cycle. Second, the rates of synthesis of cytoplasmic proteins were also investigated by autoradiography by labeling cells with [(35)S]methionine at each phase of the cell cycle. The rates of synthesis of 13 polypeptides were found to vary during the cell cycle. The silverstained electrophoretic pattern of proteins in the G(2) phase in particular showed characteristic changes in levels of polypeptides, while the rates of synthesis of polypeptides synthesized during the G(2) phase did not show such phase-specific changes. This result suggests that posttranslational processing of polypeptides occurs during or prior to the G(2) phase. In the G(1) and S phases and during cytokinesis, several other polypeptides were specifically synthesized. Finally, the variation of mRNAs was analyzed from the autoradiograms of in vitro translation products of poly(A)(+) RNA isolated at each phase. Three poly(A)(+) RNAs increased in amount from the G(1) to the S phase and one poly (A)(+) RNA increased preferentially from the G(2) phase to cytokinesis.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1989

Enhanced liver metastatic potential of alpha-fetoprotein-producing human gastric carcinoma after carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in nude mice.

The liver metastatic potential of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-producing human gastric carcinoma (NSC-3) was examined in male, BALB/c, nude mice. Metastatic nodules in the liver were produced by intrasplenic (IS) injection of tumor cell suspension prepared by trypsinization from subcutaneous NSC-3 tumor. The serum AFP level increased exponentially after IS injection along with the growth of metastatic nodules in the liver, and a positive correlation was observed between the estimated weight of metastatic nodules and serum AFP level. To investigate the effect of liver damage by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) on the metastatic potential of NSC-3 cells injected intrasplenically, the mice were divided into 4 groups: Group 1 received IS injection of 1 x 10(6) of NSC-3 cells without CCl4 treatment; Groups 2, 3 and 4 received IS injection 7 days, 2 days and 1 day after CCl4 treatment, respectively. All mice were killed 64 days after IS injection. The incidence of liver metastasis was 80% in Group 1, but 100% in Groups 2, 3 and 4. The mean numbers of metastatic nodules per liver were 4.2 in Group 1, 16.8 in Group 2, 18.0 in Group 3 and 44.5 in Group 4. Significant differences in the mean numbers of metastatic nodules were observed between Group 4 and the other groups. It was clearly demonstrated that the metastatic potential of AFP-producing human gastric carcinoma cells (NSC-3) is enhanced in the situation prevailing after liver parenchymal cells are damaged by CCl4.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Studies on respiratory infections in the field of primary care (I). Correlation between viral infection and secondary bacterial infection in patients visiting a doctor in private practice].

We attempted to find out whether there is a correlation between viral infection and secondary bacterial infection on the basis of the analysis of the results of the culture of virus and bacteria in the same specimen from the throat swabs of 95 patients who had an acute upper respiratory inflammation when they visited a doctor in private practice in Sendai city during the epidemic caused by influenza virus. Viral culture was performed by a microplate-method devised originally by Numazaki. The influenza virus was recovered from 56 cases (59%) consisting of 43 cases of type A (Hong-Kong) and 13 cases of type B. From 73 cases, (77%), 79 strains of possibly pathogenic bacteria were recovered, consisting of 43 strains of H. influenzae, 18 strains of S. aureus, seven strains of S. pneumoniae, four strains each of C. freundii and S. liquefaciens and one strain each of beta-haemolytic Streptococcus and B. catarrhalis. The incidence of positive culture of both virus and possibly pathogenic bacteria was high already at the early stage (2-3 days) of the disease. We found no correlation between the type of virus and the species of the microbial isolates. There was no difference in the incidence of positive bacterial culture in relation to age group. We suggest that a secondary bacterial infection occurs already at the early stage of the disease after viral infection because the incidence of positive culture of possibly pathogenic bacteria was high at the above stage.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Clinical study of drug fever induced by parenteral administration of antibiotics.

The incidence and clinical features of drug fever induced by antibiotics were investigated. Of a total of 390 patients analyzed, 193 had malignant diseases (lung cancer in most cases) and the remaining 197 had non-malignant diseases, of which the majority comprised pulmonary infectious diseases such as pneumonia, lung abscess and chronic infections. beta-Lactams most frequently induced drug fever. Piperacillin induced drug fever in 18 of 108 (17%), cefotaxime in 11 of 72 (15%), ceftizoxime in 7 of 49 (14%) and cefoperazone in 6 of 74 patients (8%). In contrast, the incidence of drug fever caused by ampicillin and that by cefazolin were in one of 39 (3%) and in none of 44 (0%), respectively. On the other hand, antimicrobial agents other than beta-lactams only rarely induced drug fever. The higher incidence of drug fever caused by newer derivatives of beta-lactam antibiotic suggests that the side chain attached to their core moiety might be involved in the mechanism of drug fever. In patients with malignancy who were on antibiotics, respiratory infection was the most frequent cause of fever exceeding 38 degrees C. In contrast, in patients with non-malignant diseases, the use of antibiotic per se was the most frequent cause of the fever which recurred during antibiotic therapy after a previous febrile episode had subsided. The most common feature of drug fever induced by the use of an antibiotic was as follows: A low-grade fever at the time of onset is followed by a high and remittent fever. The highest diurnal body temperature rises gradually, and then the fever subsides promptly after cessation of the causative antibiotic. The fever of this type accounted for 70% of all the drug fever in this study. A transient elevation of serum level of lactic dehydrogenase was associated with drug fever in one half (25/49, 51%) of the patients. A transient and slight decrease from the normal range in counts of neutrophils and platelets were observed in 11 (23%) and in 4 (8%) of 48 patients with drug fever, respectively. These changes in laboratory findings were considered as the possible consequence of allergic processes involved in the development of drug fever and thus seem to be a helpful index for establishing the diagnosis of drug fever.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Lipid malnutrition of patients with liver cirrhosis: effect of low intake of dietary lipid on plasma fatty acid composition.

The plasma fatty acid composition of cirrhotic patients and their dietary intake of fatty acids were determined. Significantly lower plasma arachidonic, docosahexaenoic, dihomo-gamma-linolenic and eicosapentaenoic acid levels were observed in cirrhotic patients than in healthy controls. A remarkably low dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids supplied from fish, vegetable oil and pulses was shown in cirrhotic patients. Positive correlations were observed between plasma arachidonic acid concentrations and clearance rate of indocyanine green (KICG) (r = 0.826, p less than 0.05) and between dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid levels and cholinesterase activities (r = 0.841, p less than 0.05). From these results, we conclude that a supply of polyunsaturated fatty acids is necessary for the nutritional treatment of patients with liver cirrhosis.

Cholesterol↗
PubMed1989

DNA synthesis, blood flow, and glucose utilization in experimental rat brain tumors.

The relationships between distribution of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-synthesizing cells (S-phase cells) and blood flow and glucose utilization were investigated in rat brain tumors using an autoradiographic technique and immunoperoxidase staining for bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR). Two strains of rat brain tumor were used: strain A and B, both induced by the Rous sarcoma virus. Strain A was biologically more malignant than strain B. The blood flow was unevenly distributed in the tumor, compared with the contralateral cortex, the average blood flow in the tumor was about 50% in strain A and 60% in strain B. The distribution of blood flow did not correlate with the distribution of S-phase cells or with the distribution of vessels in the tumor in either strain A or B. The average glucose utilization in strain A was about 250% and in strain B about 170% of that of the contralateral cortex. The high glucose utilization area correlated well with the distribution of BUdR-positive nuclei in strain B. These findings suggest that the biological malignancy of a tumor correlates with glucose utilization rather than with blood flow, and that malignant brain tumors show a marked increase in glucose utilization for nucleic acid synthesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Effects of valine on 15N incorporation into serum and tissue protein and non-protein fractions following 15N-L-leucine administration to normal and liver-injured rats.

Effect of proportion of three branched-chain amino acids (leucine, valine, and isoleucine:BCAA) for nitrogen utilization was studied in vivo by an intragastric administration of 15N-L-leucine to control rats and liver-injured rats treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4-rats). Following the administration of isonitrogenous dose of three amino acid solutions [Standard (15N-L-leucine, L-valine, L-isoleucine, and L-alanine; 11, 8, 6, 18 mg/ml), Low-Val (11, 2, 6, 23 mg/ml), and High-Val (11, 32, 6, 0 mg/ml)], 15N enrichments in serum albumin, liver, skeletal muscle, and brain proteins and non-protein fractions, and urea nitrogen were compared by using 15N-analyzer. In CCl4-rats, the 15N enrichment in liver protein fraction was significantly lower in the High-Val group than in the Low-Val group. However, the difference of 15N enrichment in serum albumin between Low-Val and High-Val groups in CCl4-rats was unclear. The 15N enrichments in non-protein fractions of the brains in CCl4-rats were about twofold those in the skeletal muscles and the highest 15N enrichment was recognized in the Low-Val group. In the non-protein fraction of skeletal muscle in CCl4-rats, significantly low 15N enrichment was shown in the High-Val group compared with the Low-Val group. The 15N enrichment in urinary urea was significantly higher in the High-Val group than in the Low-Val group in CCl4-rats. In the Standard group of control rats, 15N enrichments in serum albumin and protein fraction of skeletal muscle were higher than in other groups. In non-protein fractions of control rats, the lowest 15N enrichment in liver and the highest 15N enrichment in skeletal muscle were recognized in the Standard group. These results suggest that a large amount of valine supplement among BCAA is less useful for leucine utilization in liver-injured rats than in normal rats.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1989

Effect of deuterium oxide (D2O) on the IgE-mediated Ca2+ influx, arachidonic acid and histamine release in rat basophilic leukemia cells.

Deuterium oxide (D2O), which is known to stimulate microtubule aggregation, enhanced the IgE-mediated 45Ca2+ influx, (14C)-arachidonic acid and histamine release in rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL-2H3) in the same dose-dependent manner (up to 90% (v/v]. We compared the interaction between D2O and a variety of groups of pharmacological agents. A microtubule depolymerizing agent, demecolcine, which inhibited the IgE-mediated (14C)-arachidonic acid and histamine release without affecting 45Ca2+ influx, was counteracted by 45% D2O. Taxol, a microtubule stabilizing agent, which had an inhibitory effect on the above three steps, was also reversed by 45% D2O. These results would support the previous data on the interaction between D2O and microtubules and would further suggest that the status of microtubule aggregation may be related to the secretory process. Calmodulin inhibitors (W-7, trifluoperazine) blocked the IgE-mediated 45Ca2+ influx, (14C)-arachidonic acid and histamine release in the same dose-dependent manner, but were counteracted by 45% D2O. In contrast, the effects of proteinase inhibitors (TPCK, TLCK), an adenylate cyclase inhibitor (ddAdo), a phosphodiesterase inhibitor (aminophylline), a phospholipid methylation inhibitor (DZA + Hcy) and microfilament blockers (cytochalasin B and D) were not counteracted by 45% D2O. These results would suggest that D2O may be associated with calmodulin directly or indirectly possibly through some relationship between calmodulin and microtubules.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[SEM observation of treated dentin surface].

Various pretreatments have been attempted to make a polymer bond strongly to dentin. The results of these pretreatments are generally evaluated by SEM or TEM observation. The SEM results sometimes do not lead to the exact evaluation of those pretreatment agents and methods, since artifact arisen during the preparation of SEM samples might conceal the effects of them. However, it could be useful for the discussion of treatments to appreciate the artifact. Thus, by SEM observation we investigated the fine structure of dentin affected by the different sample preparation method.

Acid Etching, Dental↗
PubMed1989

[Interaction of platelets and cultured cells with polymers containing phospholipid polar groups].

To apply a polymer as biomaterials in a variety of medical field, the evaluations of its adaptability to various kinds of cells are necessary. Therefore, the present paper describes not only the interaction between new polymer materials having phospholipid moiety (MPC) and human epithelial cell (Ca. 9.22) but also the change of platelet function in contact with the material for a prolonged period. In many examples few cells are able to adhere or grow on the surface of high water content gels, similar phenomena are observed in the case of high MPC content copolymers. This result indicates that MPC copolymer tends to offer insufficient liquid structure on which cells are able to adhere and grow. Since the suspended cells which did not adhere on these MPC copolymers survive for prolonged incubation period, it is evident that the MPC copolymer has good compatibility to the cells, and is inadequate for the cell attachment. As the polymers containing polar head group of phospholipids suppress attachment or adhesion of platelets and Ca. 9.22 cells, the polymers are potentially useful for the nonthrombogenic materials and the coating of biosensor which is inserted and retained in the human body.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed1989

[Clinical evaluation of ACDEMIN in the field of dentistry].

A clinical trial was performed to examine the effect of ACDEMIN, a combination of lysozyme chloride and vitamins (manufactured by Grelan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.,; supplied by Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd.). The subjects were 65 patients with slight to moderate symptoms associated with locally developed diseases including gingivitis, periodontitis, pericoronitis of the wisdom tooth and gingival abscess. Improvement of the condition was evaluated according to symptom on the basis of local findings examined prior to and 7 days after administration. Adverse effects were also evaluated in terms of discomfort. General improvement was determined on the basis of improvement in symptoms and general safety on the basis of a comprehensive assessment of the adverse effects. The usefulness of the drug was determined on the basis of general improvement and general safety as assessed above. The results were as follows: 1) Of the 65 patients who entered the trial, 62 completed the course of administration. 2) The rates of improvement ("slightly improved" or better) according to symptom were 65.6% for gingival inflammation, 40.0% for bleeding, 50.0% for pus discharge, 41.8% for swelling, 61.9% for local pain, 26.7% for mouth odor, 21.7% for color tone and 62.3% for discomfort. 3) The rates of usefulness ("slightly useful" or better) according to disease were 66.7% for gingivitis, 92.0% for periodontitis, 81.8% for pericoronitis of the wisdom tooth and 100.0% for gingival abscess. 4) The usefulness of the drug was graded "very useful" in 4 patients, "fairly useful" in 18, "slightly useful" in 31 and "not useful" in none, with an overall rate of usefulness of 85.5% ("faily useful" or better). 5) No patients presented symptoms indicating an adverse effect.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

[Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid findings and lung function in psittacosis].

Three familial cases of psittacosis presented with fever and arthralgia. The first case was a 54-year-old man whose chest X ray film showed ground glass appearance in left S6. Ga scintigraphy revealed stronger accumulation in left lower lobe. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was examined in 2 of the cases and activated helper T cells were increased in both of the cases. Lung function was studied in all 3 cases in different phases. Their basic lung functions were different, but there was a similar change in courses, i.e. decrease of small airway flow and the increase of RV. These findings suggest that lung lesion of psittacosis may be related to allergic reaction and diffuse lung disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Effect of combination chemotherapy of 5'-DFUR, cyclophosphamide and tamoxifen in a case of advanced breast cancer].

A patient with inoperable, advanced cancer in left breast and metastasis in the opposite axillary lymph nodes, received combination of 5'-DFUR, cyclophosphamide and tamoxifen. The daily dosages were: 1,200 mg/body, 100 mg/body, and 20 mg/body respectively, 5'-DFUR and cyclophosphamide were intermittently administered for two weeks followed by two weeks resting. The original foci began to respond after 3 weeks from the start of this therapy and disappeared in the 27th week. The metastatic foci disappeared in the 16th week, when the patient presented significant improvement from the aspect of quality of life with a good appetite. No serious side effects were observed except for leukocytopenia. This study indicated that the said combination is useful in treatment of advanced/recurrent breast cancer.

Adenocarcinoma, Scirrhous↗
PubMed1989

Nephrotoxicity of pyrroloquinoline quinone in rats.

When pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) was intraperitoneally injected into rats daily for 4 days at a dose of 11.5 mg/kg body weight/injection, functional and morphologic changes of the kidneys were clearly observed. The most prominent finding was necrotic and degenerative changes of the proximal tubular epithelium as well as hematuria and an elevation of serum creatinine concentration.

Animals↗