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Biomedical subjects

C Kubota

Publications and source records attributed to C Kubota.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Spontaneous reduction of a recurrent craniopharyngioma in an 8-year-old female patient: case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: The spontaneous rupture of a craniopharyngioma is an extremely rare condition confined to adults. This is the first report of a patient younger than 10 years who experienced spontaneous reduction (possibly rupture) of a craniopharyngioma. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: An 8-year-old female patient with a recurrence of a craniopharyngioma experienced fever, headache, and visual disturbance that lasted a few days. Concurrent with the improvement of these symptoms, marked reduction in the size of the tumor was revealed using magnetic resonance imaging, suggesting the occurrence of a rupture. INTERVENTION: Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging of the hypothalamic-pituitary region was performed while the patient received growth hormone therapy. CONCLUSION: There was no increase in the size of the tumor 1 year after the reduction occurred. Prompt evaluation of the hypothalamic-pituitary region using magnetic resonance imaging is warranted to rule out the possibility of spontaneous reduction (including rupture) of the tumor in a situation in which the patient with a craniopharyngioma shows meningeal signs or a rapid change of neurological symptoms (such as headache, fever, or visual disturbance).

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[A case of Wilson-Mikity syndrome with marked and monoclonal elevation of IgM in blood].

Wilson-Mikity syndrome, a chronic respiratory insufficiency occurring in premature newborn infants, is known to show an elevation of serum IgM, but its etiology is obscure. We studied the immunological properties of IgM in a female infant of this syndrome, whose IgM in cord blood was very high level at 639.1 mg/dl with monoclonal elevation. The IgM bound to protein(s) in human umbilical venous endothelial cells and in human lung tissue. However, IgMs from this patient after recovery, from patient's mother and from another normal newborn did not bind to the proteins. Tissue-binding activity of the patient's IgM may be associated with tissue damages in this syndrome.

Female↗
PubMed1996

[Effect of prolonged administration of erythromycin on the drug sensitivity and the biological properties of Streptococcus pneumoniae].

From April 1990 to February 1992 two hundred and ten strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae were isolated in the laboratory of Nara Medical University Hospital. Frequency of erythromycin resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, prescription mode of macrolide antibiotics and biological properties were investigated. 1. Erythromycin resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae was predominantly isolated from the wards of the respiratory unit of Inter- nal Medicine and Pediatrics. 2. Patients with erythromycin resistant Streptococcis pneumoniae were treated with macrolide antibiotics frequently in the respiratory unit of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. 3. MIC90 of EM, CLDM, MINO and ABPC for Streptococcus pneumoniae was 8.0, 8.0, 8.0 and 1.0 micrograms/ml, respectively, indicating moderate resistance to penicillin derivatives and high resistance to macrolides, particularly EM; some strains showed high levels of MIC over 400 micrograms/ml. 4. Investigations on biological properties using VITEK GPI cards revealed that some erythromycin resistant strains showed less responsiveness to DEX, LAC, PUL and MEL. 5. The survival rate of mice infected with erythromycin resistant strains was longer than that with erythromycin sensitive strains. These findings suggested that the prolonged administration of erythromycin causes a virulence reduction of the organism.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Radiographical evaluation of bone maturation in Japanese black beef cattle.

Epiphyseal ossification in the radius, ulna, metacarpus, proximal phalanx and tuber calcaneus was examined radiographically in Japanese Black beef cattle. The grade of standard ossification was assessed monthly for each epiphysis. Bone maturations could be divided into 8 grades for the distal radius and distal ulna, 7 grades for the distal metacarpus, 5 grades for the proximal phalanx, and 8 grades for the tuber calcaneus, respectively. The closure of the epiphyseal line completed at the earliest (12-14 months of age) on the proximal phalanx, and at the latest (35-37 months of age) on the distal ulna. Changes in gradings were steep at 0 to 5 months of age but became almost constant after 10 months of age in all the epiphyses. There were no significant differences in bone maturation between the cattle with different sex and breeding conditions.

Aging↗
PubMed1996

Relationship between arterial and end-tidal carbon dioxide pressure during controlled ventilation in porcine neonates.

To investigate the validity of ETCO2 in porcine neonates, which have been frequently used as an experimental model for human neonates, the relationship between arterial (PaCO2) and end-tidal PCO2 (ETCO2) in porcine neonates was examined under different respiratory conditions by regulating both inspiratory flow and positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP). The difference between PaCO2 and ETCO2 widened significantly, according to the significant decrease in tidal volume/body weight ratio (TV/BW) caused by the increase of PEEP. A lower correlation between PaCO2 and ETCO2 was observed in < 6 ml/kg than in > or = 6 ml/kg TV/BW. It therefore seems reasonable to conclude that, in porcine neonates, the valid ETCO2 measurements corresponding to PaCO2 would be obtained at > or = 6 ml/kg TV/BW.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Hippocalcin expression in the brain of the Snell dwarf mutant mouse.

To determine factors contributing to the expression of the brain-derived protein, hippocalcin, we mapped its distribution in the brain of Snell pituitary dwarf mutant mice (dw) by immunohistochemical and immunoblot methods. Our findings are as follows. (1) In the hippocampus, hippocalcin immunoreactivity was found in the cell body and dendrites of pyramidal neurons of the normal controls and dw mice, although the intensity of immunoreactivity in the dw mice was lower. (2) In the cerebellum, hippocalcin immunoreactivity was strongly expressed in the Purkinje cell body of both the control and dw mice. However, the Purkinje cell dendrites were found to be more intensely stained in the dw mice than in the normal controls. (3) In the dw cerebral cortex, the pyramidal neurons of layers II to VI strongly expressed hippocalcin, whereas its expression in the controls was weak. (4) The amount of hippocalcin in the dw hippocampus was less than in the normal controls, whereas the amount in the dw cerebral cortex and cerebellum was greater. These results indicate that the developmental expression of hippocalcin in the dw brain is affected by the retarded maturation of the neuronal network due to the deficient hormonal state (the lack of growth and thyroid hormones).

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Protein kinase C inhibitors enhance differentiation of rat adipocyte precursor cells in serum-free culture.

The involvement of protein kinase C in differentiation of rat adipocyte precursor cells in serum-free culture was evaluated by using various protein kinase inhibitors. Induction of adipose conversion, which was maximal after 10 days of culture in the presence of 5 micrograms/ml insulin, 10 micrograms/ml transferrin, and 200 pM triiodothyronine, was inhibited by the addition of protein kinase C inhibitors, H-7 and staurosporine, in a dose-dependent fashion with the maximal effect at 10 microM and 10 nM, respectively. Inhibition of adipocyte differentiation by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (10(-8) M), an activator of protein kinase C, was reversed by a concomitant addition of either 10 microM H-7 or 10 nM staurosporine. HA1004, a potent inhibitor of cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinases, with minimal inhibitory activity on protein kinase C, did not affect adipose conversion. Furthermore, H-89, another isoquinoline derivative with a selective inhibitory action on cAMP-dependent protein kinase, was without effect on cellular differentiation. These results indicate that the potentiation of adipogenesis by H-7 and staurosporine is mediated by suppression of protein kinase C and that protein kinase C is involved in adipocyte differentiation in an inhibitory fashion.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗
PubMed1994

Changes in hypothalamic-pituitary function following bone marrow transplantation in children.

Patients who undergo bone marrow transplantation (BMT) frequently experience impaired pituitary function, but precise assessment using repeated provocative tests has not been described. We studied 32 children (16 boys) who had BMT after receiving preparative irradiation. Assessment of pituitary function was performed by infusing insulin, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on several occasions at various intervals during the follow-up period. Serum free thyroxine (FT4) and thyrotropin (TSH) levels tended to be low during the early period following BMT. Serum FT4 concentrations reverted to the low-normal range 1 year after transplant, and eight of 29 patients had subnormal and delayed TSH response to TRH consecutively. No children showed overt hypothyroidism. Basal and peak serum gonadotropin levels in response to LHRH were elevated in the patients who had received transplant around the time of puberty. Leydig cell function assessed by human chorionic gonadotropin test was normal. Three girls experienced menarche, and one male patient fathered a normal boy 7 years after BMT. Pituitary-adrenal function and prolactin secretion were not affected. A high incidence of transient hypothyroidism which did not require replacement therapy and gonadal failure among pubertal children were observed. Shielding of gonads should be attempted, if possible, at the time of preparative irradiation to prevent resultant hypogonadism.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Growth and growth hormone secretion in children after bone marrow transplantation.

Long-term sequelae of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) are a major concern among long-term survivors since the procedure has been considerably developed over the past decade. In this study, linear growth and growth hormone (GH) secretion were evaluated in 25 children (14 males and 11 females) with various neoplastic or non-neoplastic hematological disorders who had survived for more than 3 years after BMT. Impaired linear growth after BMT, as defined by a change in height standard deviation score (SDS) by more than -1.0 SD, was observed in 14 patients (56%). Four children showed severe growth suppression with a decrease in SD score by more than 2.0, and 10 exhibited a moderate reduction by between 1.0 and 2.0 SD. A recovery of normal height velocity was observed in those who had received BMT at a younger age. The type of disease, a difference in preconditioning regimen, the presence of chronic graft-versus-host disease or a GH secretory capacity 1 year after BMT were not contributing factors for impaired growth. A serial examination of GH secretion with insulin-induced hypoglycemia demonstrated that poor GH secretion was not necessarily a prerequisite for impaired growth. These results indicate that the secretory status of GH does not predict the future growth pattern of children who received BMT.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Essential osteolysis associated with nephropathy, corneal opacity, and pulmonary stenosis.

We report on 5-year-old girl with essential osteolysis, nephropathy, corneal opacity, and valvular pulmonary stenosis. The patient was initially seen for evaluation of flexion contractures at wrists, elbows, and knees. Radiographic examination showed osteolytic changes primarily involving the hands and feet. She had persistent proteinuria; renal biopsy disclosed focal glomerulosclerosis in 1/3 of glomeruli. Electron microscopic study of skin fibroblast showed dilated and vacuolated rough endoplasmic reticulum. To our knowledge essential osteolysis associated with the aforementioned disorders has not been previously reported.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1991

Enhancement of differentiation of rat adipocyte precursor cells by pertussis toxin.

To examine whether GTP-binding protein(s) is (are) involved in adipocyte differentiation, the effect of pertussis toxin (PT) was studied in rat adipocyte precursor cell culture. PT potentiated adipose conversion induced by dexamethasone, insulin, and 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Attenuation of an inhibitory control of adenylate cyclase was not the mechanism of action of PT. The dose-dependent inhibition of PT-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of the Mr 40,000 protein of the cell membrane by preincubation of the toxin was inversely related to the potentiating effect on differentiation. PT-sensitive G protein(s) may be involved in adipocyte differentiation in a negative fashion.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗
PubMed1991

Growth after bone marrow transplantation in children.

Growth of the patients with hematological malignancies, aplastic anemia, Fanconi's anemia, and Wiscott-Aldrich syndrome who had been treated with bone marrow transplantation (BMT) was studied. Fourteen out of 21 patients showed suppression of linear growth after BMT. Recovery of the growth velocity after 1-2 years tended to occur if BMT was performed at younger age. Six of eight patients with chronic graft-versus-host-disease (CGVHD) had impaired growth after BMT, whereas eight of 13 (61%) without CGVHD did. Provocative tests for growth hormone (GH) performed 5-72 months after BMT revealed three boys who showed poor response to more than two different stimuli. Two of these three boys had prolonged suppression of growth. Neither the age at BMT, difference in disease, nor presence of posttransplant growth retardation gave significant difference in the response of GH to provocative tests. It was concluded that approximately two-thirds of marrow-grafted children experienced transient decrease in growth velocity after BMT.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in childhood leukemia.

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation was performed in 94 patients with hematologic malignancies or other various diseases during the period between March 1982 and November 1990 at Tokai University Hospital. Projected disease-free survival rates of HLA genotypically identical marrow recipients were 88.9% for chronic myeloid leukemia transplanted in the first chronic phase (N = 9), 90.9% for acute leukemia in the first complete remission (N = 15), 54.5% for acute leukemia in later remissions (N = 14), 62.5% for solid tumors (N = 8) and 0% for patients transplanted in relapse (N = 7). The rate for HLA-mismatched marrow recipients with leukemia was 27.8% (N = 16). For patients with non-neoplastic diseases it was 100% regardless of HLA-compatibility (N = 26). The quality of life in long-term surviving pediatric marrow recipients has been acceptable. Common abnormalities among survivors are long-lasting hypogonadism due to radiation and subclinical impairment of lung function in the first year post-BMT. About two-thirds of children experienced a transient decrease in growth velocity in the immediate posttransplant period.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1991

An extensive transbasal approach to frontal skull-base tumors. Technical note.

Lesions in the base of the frontal fossa have conventionally been approached extra- and intradurally through a bilateral frontal craniotomy. However, when the lesion is large or deeply situated, wider bilateral retraction of the frontal lobes is required to obtain a sufficiently large operative field. The authors describe a new operative approach for huge tumors at the frontal skull base, employing an en bloc bilateral osteotomy of the orbital roofs and frontal sinus. This procedure, which is a modification of the transbasal approach described by Derome and Guiot, is termed the "extensive transbasal approach." The advantages of this technique over conventional operative approaches are described.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed1991

[A case report; ganglion cyst of a cervical facet joint].

Ganglion or synovial cyst typically occurs in peripheral joints and tendon sheaths such as elbow joint or wrist joint, but rarely in the spinal facet joint. From reported cases the most common site involved seems to be the lumbar facet joint. Only three cases of cervical ganglion or synovial cyst have so far been found in the literature. A case of cervical ganglion cyst was reported. The patient was a 2-year-old boy who was found to have a tumor in the midline of the nape. He had no history of trauma. Neurological and physical examination revealed no abnormalities. On CT scan a round low dense lesion with clear margin was found in the nape. Enhanced CT scan showed ring-like enhancement. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed a well defined lesion of high intensity on T1- and T2-weighted images. At operation, the lesion was found to form a cyst containing old hematoma, and the cyst wall seemed to be fixed to the cervical spinal facet joint. The tumor was histologically diagnosed as ganglion cyst.

Cervical Vertebrae↗