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Biomedical subjects

E Kobayashi

Publications and source records attributed to E Kobayashi.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Super-elastic property of Ti-Ni alloy for use in dentistry.

The super-elasticity of Ti-Ni alloy was investigated in tensile and bending tests to evaluate the mechanical properties of the castings and heat treatment effect on the bending properties of the wires for new clinical applications of the alloy in prosthodontics and orthodontics. In terms of the tensile properties of the castings, apparent proof stress increased and elongation decreased with the small increase in nickel content or with the decrease in titanium purity. This result suggests that precise control of the materials is indispensable to utilize the super-elasticity in dental cast appliances. In terms of the bending properties of Ti-Ni alloy wires, low residual deflection and small load/deflection ratio were obtained by the second heat treatment between 733 and 813 K, which was found to be suitable for the shape memory treatment of orthodontic appliances. Moreover, the functional force was changeable within this treatment temperature range.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Effects of dosing time and schedule on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Renal dysfunction induced by a single injection of cisplatin depends on the timing of the dose. However, the effects of repeated administration of cisplatin on time-dependent toxicity have not been evaluated despite the fact that in clinical practice high doses are repeatedly injected at intervals or low doses are administered daily. We studied chrononephrotoxicity in rats after weekly or daily cisplatin injections. Weekly high doses (5 mg kg(-1)) or daily low doses (1.2 mg kg(-1)) of cisplatin were injected at four time points (3, 9, 15 and 21 h after the light was turned on (HALO)) for 3 weeks. Changes in body weight after weekly cisplatin administration were independent of the timing of the doses. In the group that received daily cisplatin, the loss in body weight in the 3 HALO group was smaller than in animals receiving injections at 15 and 21 HALO (P < 0.05 and 0.001, respectively). The blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels in the control rats showed a significant circadian change (peak at 15 HALO and trough at 9 HALO), but these parameters were markedly elevated in both trials and their circadian variations were disturbed. In conclusion, cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity was the lowest at 3HALO compared with other time points of both dose regimens.

Animals↗

Time-dependent nephrotoxicity associated with daily administration of cisplatin in mice.

The chronopharmacokinetics and chronopharmacodynamics of cisplatin were studied in a mouse model to reveal the mechanisms of dosing time-dependent nephrotoxicity induced by daily administration. Chronotoxicity was tested by daily intraperitoneal injections of cisplatin (6mg kg(-1)) for 5 days at four time points (04:00, 10:00, 16:00 and 22:00h) in BALB/c mice (n = 6 in each group). After following the changes in body weight, serum concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine obtained on day 6 were compared. The results showed diurnal variations in cisplatin toxicity, with the 04:00 and 16:00h time points the best and the worst, respectively. We then measured platinum concentrations in blood, liver and kidney and compared the results of the 04:00 and 16:00 h groups (n = 4 in each group). Kidney sensitivity to cisplatin alone, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) alone, cisplatin with LPS and saline (control) were also measured using a tissue culture system (a measurement system of interleukin-6 (IL-6) production) between the 04:00 and the 16:00 h groups (n = 4 in each group). These results showed no significant difference in platinum accumulation between the two groups. IL-6 production was higher in the 16:00 h group than in the 04:00 h group after saline injection alone (P < 0.05). Cisplatin treatment alone did not increase IL-6 production. However, IL-6 levels were markedly augmented by cisplatin with LPS. In conclusion, chrononephrotoxicity induced by daily cisplatin administration does not only depend on cisplatin accumulation, but might also depend on kidney sensitivity to diurnal variations in inflammatory reaction without direct cisplatin toxicity.

Animals↗

Polyphenols from Eriobotrya japonica and their cytotoxicity against human oral tumor cell lines.

Three new flavonoid glycosides, together with 15 known flavonoids, have been isolated from the leaves of Eriobotrya japonica, and characterized as (2S)- and (2R)-naringenin 8-C-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosides, and cinchonain Id 7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, respectively, based on spectral analyses including two dimensional (2D) NMR techniques. Higher proanthocyanidin fraction in the water-soluble portion of the extract was characterized as a procyanidin oligomer mixture mainly composed of undecameric procyanidin. These polyphenols have also been assessed for cytotoxic activity against two human oral tumor (human squamous cell carcinoma and human salivary gland tumor) cell lines. Selective cytotoxicity of the procyanidin oligomer between tumor and normal gingival fibroblast cells, and its possible mechanism, were also described.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Synthesis of regioselectively protected forms of cytidine based on enzyme-catalyzed deacetylation as the key step.

N4-Acetylcytidine (77%) and 2',3'-O, N4-triacetylcytidine (95%) were obtained from the hydrolysis of a common precursor, the peracetylated form of cytidine with Aspergillus niger lipase (Amano A) and Burkholderia cepacia esterase (SC esterase S), respectively, under very mild conditions. The experimental procedure for the conversion of triacetylcytidine to a corresponding phosphoramidite (82%), an intermediate for sugar nucleotide synthesis, is also elaborated.

Acetylation↗

Magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of patients with aseptic meningoencephalitis and connective tissue disorders.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of patients with chronic and recurrent aseptic meningitis. METHOD: A retrospective study of five patients with aseptic meningoencefalitis diagnosed by clinical and CSF findings. CT scans showed without no relevant findings. RESULTS: MRI showed small multifocal lesions hyperintense on T2 weighted images and FLAIR, with mild or no gadolinium enhancement, mainly in periventricular and subcortical regions. Meningoencephalitis preceded the diagnosis of the underlying disease in four patients (Behçet's disease or systemic lupus erythematosus). After the introduction of adequate treatment for the rheumatic disease, they did not present further symptoms of aseptic meningoencephalitis. CONCLUSION: Aseptic meningoencephalitis can be an early presentation of an autoimmune disease. It is important to emphasize the role of MRI in the diagnosis and follow-up of these patients.

Adult↗

[Familial partial epilepsies].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of familial partial epilepsies. METHOD: Family history of seizures was questioned in all patients followed in our epilepsy clinics, from October 1997 to December 1998. Those with positive family history were further investigated and detailed pedigrees were obtained. All possibly affected individuals available underwent clinical evaluation. Seizures and epilepsy syndromes were classified according to the ILAE recommendations. Whenever possible, EEG and MRI were performed. RESULTS: Positive family history was identified in 32 unrelated patients. A total of 213 possibly affected individuals were identified, 161 of whom have been evaluated. The number of affected subjects per family ranged from two to 23. Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) was identified in 22 families (68%), frontal lobe epilepsy in one family (3%), partial epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes in five families (15%), and other benign partial epilepsies of childhood in four families (12%). Most of the affected individuals in the TLE families (69%) had clinical and/or EEG characteristics of typical TLE. However, the severity of epilepsy was variable, with 76% of patients with spontaneous seizure remission or good control with medication and 24% with refractory seizures, including 7 patients that underwent surgical treatment. In the other 10 families, we identified 39 possibly affected subjects, 23 of whom were evaluated. All had good seizure control (with or without medication) except for one patient with frontal lobe epilepsy. Pedigree analysis suggested autosomal dominant inheritance with incomplete penetrance in all families. CONCLUSION: Family history of seizures is frequent among patients with partial epilepsies. The majority of our families had TLE and its expression was not different from that observed in sporadic cases. The identification of genes involved in partial epilepsies may be usefull in classification of syndromes, to stablish prognosis and optimal treatment.

Adolescent↗

Cysticidal therapy: impact on seizure control in epilepsy associated with neurocysticercosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical features and seizure control of epilepsy related to neurocysticercosis. METHOD: 18 patients with partial epilepsy and neurocysticercosis were treated with albendazol or praziquantel and followed from 3 months to 12 years. We analyzed results from the CSF exam, interictal electroencephalogram (EEG), head computerized tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 36.4 years. The mean duration of epilepsy was 16 years. 83% patients had simple partial seizures; 17% had complex partial seizures. All patients underwent routine EEGs: 62% had abnormalities and 38% were normal. A relationship was observed between focal EEG abnormality and the location of cyst in 28% of the patients. The CSF exams showed pleocytosis in 33% of the patients, and 28% had elevated protein levels. Only 22% of patients had positive titer for cysticercosis in the CSF. In all patients who had somatosensory and special sensory seizures there was a relationship between location of the cysts and seizure semiology (n=11). After cysticidal therapy, 83% patients had a significant improvement in controlling seizures. CONCLUSION: In this group, we found a predominance of simple partial seizures and a relationship between somatosensory and special sensory seizures and the location of the cysts. Cysticidal therapy was effective in controlling seizures in these patients and should be considered for patients with partial seizures and semiology related to cyst location.

Adult↗

Rat small intestinal transplantation: a comparison of the cuff and hand-suture methods.

The rat model is ideal for investigating various reactions to small intestinal transplantation (SIT). The conventional surgical model (hand-suture method), however, requires microsurgical techniques and remains difficult for beginners to perform at a high success rate. We have employed the SIT model using the cuff method, by which the vessels are anastomosed without sutures. All of the fellows who used the hand-suture models needed over 8 +/- 5.8 months until they achieved a 70% success rate. In contrast, the fellows employing the cuff method mastered SIT models after 6 weeks' practice. The cuff technique is a simplified and quickly mastered alternative to the hand-suture method that may be desirable for researchers who wish to apply the method to SIT experiments and whose primary purpose is not microsurgery.

Animals↗

Preoperative assessment of trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm using constructive interference in steady state-three-dimensional Fourier transformation magnetic resonance imaging.

Results of microvascular decompression (MVD) for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and hemifacial spasm (HFS) may be improved by accurate preoperative assessment of neurovascular relationships at the root entry/exit zone (REZ). Constructive interference in steady state (CISS)-three-dimensional Fourier transformation (3DFT) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was evaluated for visualizing the neurovascular relationships at the REZ. Fourteen patients with TN and eight patients with HFS underwent MR imaging using CISS-3DFT and 3D fast inflow with steady-state precession (FISP) sequences. Axial images of the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) obtained by the two sequences were reviewed to assess the neurovascular relationships at the REZ of the trigeminal and facial nerves. Eleven patients subsequently underwent MVD. Preoperative MR imaging findings were related to surgical observations and results. CISS MR imaging provided excellent contrast between the cranial nerves, small vessels, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the CPA. CISS was significantly better than FISP for delineating anatomic detail in the CPA (trigeminal and facial nerves, petrosal vein) and abnormal neurovascular relationships responsible for TN and HFS (vascular contact and deformity at the REZ). Preoperative CISS MR imaging demonstrated precisely the neurovascular relationships at the REZ and identified the offending artery in all seven patients with TN undergoing MVD. CISS MR imaging has high resolution and excellent contrast between cranial nerves, small vessels, and CSF, so can precisely and accurately delineate normal and abnormal neurovascular relationships at the REZ in the CPA, and is a valuable preoperative examination for MVD.

Aged↗

Prevention of cerebrospinal fluid leakage and delayed loss of preserved hearing after vestibular schwannoma removal: reconstruction of the internal auditory canal in the suboccipital transmeatal approach--technical note.

The suboccipital transmeatal approach uses packing of a muscle or fat graft into the internal auditory canal (IAC) to prevent postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage. However, preserved hearing after removal of vestibular schwannomas may decline over time because of the progressive constriction of cochlear vascular supply due to scarring of the IAC. We propose a surgical technique for IAC reconstruction, which separates the preserved cochlear nerve and vasculature from the graft, and regains the CSF space in the IAC. Prior to the drilling of the posterior wall of the IAC, the dura mater of the petrous bone forming the posterior wall of the IAC is harvested for IAC reconstruction. After completion of tumor removal, a "roof" of the IAC is reconstructed using the dura mater, and a muscle or fat graft soaked with fibrin glue is placed on the "roof" of the IAC. The IAC was reconstructed using this technique in 26 consecutive patients with vestibular schwannomas who underwent tumor removal via the suboccipital transmeatal approach. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the regained CSF space in the IAC. No delayed hearing loss occurred in four patients with preserved hearing. No CSF leakage occurred after surgery. This new technique of IAC reconstruction may prevent delayed hearing loss as well as postoperative CSF leakage after removal of vestibular schwannomas via the suboccipital transmeatal approach.

Aged↗

Long-term natural history of hemorrhagic moyamoya disease in 42 patients.

OBJECT: The purpose of this study was to delineate the long-term natural history of hemorrhagic moyamoya disease (MMD). METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted among 42 patients suffering from hemorrhagic MMD who had been treated conservatively without bypass surgery. The group included four patients who had undergone indirect bypass surgery after an episode of rebleeding. The follow-up period averaged 80.6 months. The clinical features of the first bleeding episode and repeated bleeding episodes were analyzed to determine the risk factors of rebleeding and poor outcome. Intraventricular hemorrhage with or without intracerebral hemorrhage was a dominant finding on computerized tomography scans during the first bleeding episode in 29 cases (69%). During the follow-up period, 14 patients experienced a second episode of bleeding, which occurred 10 years or longer after the original hemorrhage in five cases (35.7%). The annual rebleeding rate was 7.09%/person/year. The second bleeding episode was characterized by a change in which hemisphere bleeding occurred in three cases (21.4%) and by the type of bleeding in seven cases (50%). After rebleeding the rate of good recovery fell from 45.5% to 21.4% and the mortality rate rose from 6.8% to 28.6%. Rebleeding and patient age were statistically significant risk factors of poor outcome. All four patients in whom there was indirect revascularization after the second bleeding episode experienced a repeated bleeding episode within 8 years. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of rebleeding a long time after the first hemorrhagic episode was not uncommon. Furthermore, the change in which hemisphere and the type of bleeding that occurred after the first episode suggested the difficulty encountered in the prevention of repeated hemorrhage.

Adolescent↗

[Complement activation in heparin--plasma inhibitory effect of anticoagulants on serum complement activation, 2nd report].

Our previous study of the inhibitory effect of EDTA and citrate in plasma on complement activation revealed that complement is activated in usual citrate plasma but not in usual EDTA plasma. The present study is a similar one using other anticoagulants containing heparin. CH50 and activities of C4 and C2 were assayed in serum or plasma containing various concentrations of anticoagulant after incubation with latex particles bearing immunoglobulin(Ig-Latex). It was found that complement activation is inhibited by heparin in a dose-dependent manner and that 10 U/ml of heparin does not inhibit CH50 reduction and C2 inactivation but inhibit C4 inactivation partially, indicating that complement activation proceeds in plasma containing usual concentration of heparin. Similar results were obtained in cases of low molecular weight heparin(LMWH) and nafamostat mesilate(Futhan). Complement activation was not inhibited by gabexate mesilate(FOY) in the tested range of concentrations. Thus, it was revealed that complement activation is not inhibited by usual concentrations of heparin, LMWH, Futhan and FOY.

Adult↗

Synthesis and antitumor activity of water-soluble duocarmycin B1 prodrugs.

The water-soluble duocarmycin B1 prodrugs such as glycoside 3, phosphate 4 and carbamate 5 were synthesized for improving biological and pharmaceutical profiles of duocarmycin. Among these prodrugs, N-methylpiperazinylcarbamoyl derivative 5 exhibited potent antitumor activity against several human tumors in vivo.

Animals↗

Unsaturated glucuronyl hydrolase of Bacillus sp. GL1: novel enzyme prerequisite for metabolism of unsaturated oligosaccharides produced by polysaccharide lyases.

The bacterium Bacillus sp. GL1 assimilates two kinds of heteropolysaccharides, gellan and xanthan, by using extracellular gellan and xanthan lyases, respectively, and produces unsaturated saccharides as the first degradation products. A novel unsaturated glucuronyl hydrolase (glycuronidase), which was induced in the bacterial cells grown on either gellan or xanthan, was found to act on the tetrasaccharide of unsaturated glucuronyl-glucosyl-rhamnosyl-glucose produced from gellan by gellan lyase, and the enzyme and its gene were isolated from gellan-grown cells. The nucleotide sequence showed that the gene contained an ORF consisting of 1131 base pairs coding a polypeptide with a molecular weight of 42,859. The purified enzyme was a monomer with a molecular mass of 42 kDa and was most active at pH 6.0 and 45 degrees C. Because the enzyme can act not only on the gellan-degrading product by gellan lyase, but also on unsaturated chondroitin and hyaluronate disaccharides produced by chondroitin and hyaluronate lyases, respectively, it is considered that the unsaturated glucuronyl hydrolase plays specific and ubiquitous roles in the degradation of oligosaccharides with unsaturated uronic acid at the nonreducing terminal produced by polysaccharide lyases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Combination effects of tamoxifen plus 5-fluorouracil on gastric cancer cell lines in vitro.

We tested the effect of tamoxifen alone and tamoxifen plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on proliferation of two different types of gastric cancer cell lines using the WST-1 method. A high dose of tamoxifen suppressed the proliferation of KATOIII cells (poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma), but MKN28 cells (well-differentiated adenocarcinoma) were not affected. The combination of the two drugs resulted in a synergistic anti-proliferative activity on KATOIII cells. On the other hand, in the combination therapy, tamoxifen stimulated MKN28 cells to proliferate in a dose-dependent manner. TGF-beta1 secretion was not changed in KATOIII cells by tamoxifen plus 5-FU treatment but was down-regulated in MKN28 cells. Both cancer cell lines were judged as intracellular estrogen receptor (ER) negative. These data suggest that the anti-proliferative effects of tamoxifen plus 5-FU on KATOIII cells were not dependent on ER expression or TGF-beta1 secretion. On the other hand, their proliferative effects on MKN28 cells might be, in part, caused by the reduced secretion of TGF-beta1.

Adenocarcinoma↗