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Biomedical subjects

G Okamoto

Publications and source records attributed to G Okamoto.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Deep pockets or blueprint for change: traumatic brain injury (TBI) proactive strategy.

The Pacific Conference scheduled for October 1-3, 1988, is a critical event in the development of an integrated community-based plan for a comprehensive continuum of services to address the "silent epidemic," Traumatic Brain Injured (TBI). This paper provides insights of the complex nature and the special problems faced by the TBI survivors; their families, natural supports and caregivers, as well as the health, social and educational care providers in Hawaii. Process for the development of the community plan is presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Secondary structure and thermostability of the photosystem II manganese-stabilizing protein of the thermophilic cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus.

The secondary structure of the manganese-stabilizing protein of the thermophilic cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus in solution was investigated by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies. Both methods showed a high proportion of disordered structure (40-43%) and a relatively small amount of beta-sheet (23-24%) and alpha-helix (17-19%). The conformation of the protein remained essentially unchanged at temperatures up to 70 degrees C. Unfolding of the protein occurred at higher temperatures and FT-IR spectroscopy revealed that beta-sheet was more strongly unfolded than alpha-helix at 76 degrees C. The protein largely lost the ordered secondary structures at 90 degrees C, but, when cooled down to 30 degrees C, regained its original conformation. Thus, the cyanobacterial protein is very thermostable and its denaturation at an extremely high temperature is reversible.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1993

PAF-releasing factor in human serum and inflammatory exudate.

A factor responsible for releasing PAF produced in stimulated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes, which had been previously reported in human serum (Miwa et al. (1992) J. Immunol. 148, 872-880), was also confirmed to be present in inflammatory exudate. PAF-releasing factor, partially purified from human serum, was shown to possess higher affinity for PAF than for triacylglycerol, cholesterol ester, fatty acid or phosphatidylcholine. PAF bound to this factor aggregated washed rabbit platelets to the same extent as that bound to BSA, but was difficult to be hydrolyzed using PAF acetylhydrolase. These observations strongly suggest that PAF-releasing factor functions as a PAF carrier in blood and in the inflammatory response.

Carrier Proteins↗
PubMed1992

Community education on stroke.

A programme of community education on stroke in Micronesia is based on the use of brightly illustrated posters with a limited content of written material in the native languages. This approach has been favourably received by the people.

Audiovisual Aids↗
PubMed1985

Study on the mechanism of the appearance of noise effects.

This study was undertaken to investigate the dose-response relationship between the biological effect and noise exposure, and to consider the mechanism of the appearance of noise effects. Rats were exposed to noise at intensities of 60 dB (A), 80 dB (A) and 100 dB (A) for 240 min and examined for the change of activities of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) in serum and adrenal glands. Plasma cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (c-AMP) levels were also measured. Some rats were given 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) as a chemical sympathectomyzing agent 20 h before noise exposure in order to consider the mechanism of the appearance of noise effects. By noise exposure, serum DBH activity was significantly (P less than 0.01) increased at each intensity compared with the control group, but there were no remarkable changes in adrenal DBH activity. Plasma c-AMP level was also significantly elevated in response to the noise stress. When the rats, which had been pretreated with 6-OHDA, were exposed to noise with an intensity of 100 dB (A), the response of serum DBH activity was no longer observed. Therefore it is suggested that the effect due to noise exposure appears through the post-ganglionic sympathetic nerve fiber.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1983

Changes in cerebral norepinephrine induced by vibration or noise stress.

To investigate the effects of whole body vibration on the central nervous system, rats were exposed to various whole body vibrations and examined for changes in the levels of norepinephrine (NE) in whole brain or regions of the brain. Whole brain NE had decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) after an acceleration of 5.0G with a frequency of 20 Hz; and the decrease was also observed in the hypothalamus (P less than 0.01) and the hippocampus (P less than 0.10). Exposure to noise [100 dB (A)] caused a significant decrease in NE. This decrease related particularly to a significant decrease in midbrain NE (P less than 0.05) and a non-significant decrease of NE in the hypothalamus.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Bowel training for children with neurogenic dysfunction: a follow-up.

Fifty children with neurogenic bowel dysfunction and stool incontinence received in patient bowel regulation training and were interviewed an average of 1.2 years later. Twenty-eight were males. Mean age was 13.5 years (range 5.6 to 18.9 years). Of the 50 children, 27 (54%) had myelomeningocele; 21 (2%), spinal cord lesion; and 27/2 (4%), repaired imperforate ani. Frequency of stool incontinence decreased from 1.8 episodes for the week prior to discharge to 0.9 episodes for the same period preceding follow-up interview (p less than 0.025). Significant changes occurred in the recommended bowel program in order to accommodate individual home environment and family life styles. Contributory factors accounting for these changes are discussed in light of specific guidelines for the rehabilitation team.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and dehydration following a single hypertonic phosphate enema.

Previous reports of hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia following use of phosphate enemas have either been in patients with renal disease or followed prolonged abuse of these products. The two patients described here had marked elevation of serum phosphate and concomitant lowering of serum calcium secondary to absorption of phosphate from a single administered enema. Associated moderate dehydration resulted in poor renal excretion of the absorbed phosphate and prolongation of hypocalcemia. Hydration was effective in permitting clearance of phosphate and restoration of normocalcemia.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1977

Fusiform basilar artery aneurysm in a child.

A giant fusiform aneurysm of the basilar artery was present in a 10-year-old boy with a 2-year history of intermittent headaches and the acute onset of neurologic signs. Elevated sedimentation rate, cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis, and an apparent response to corticosteroid therapy suggest a chronic inflammatory vascular process. The uniqueness of this aneurysm in a child and the possible underlying arteriopathies are discussed.

Basilar Artery↗