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Biomedical subjects

H Kubo

Publications and source records attributed to H Kubo.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Biochemical properties, activities, and presence in biologic fluids of eosinophil granule major basic protein.

The existence of a proform of MBP is predicted from the sequence of MBP cDNA clones. ProMBP has been purified from the supernatants of CHO cells transfected with cDNA encoding prepro MBP. Purification involved heparin-Sepharose affinity purification followed by two sequential size fractionation steps over Sephadex G-100 and yielded proMBP with a molecular mass of 33 kd. Recombinant proMBP from the heparin-Sepharose column was subjected to isoelectric focusing followed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. The results indicated that most of the 33 kd form of proMBP focused predominantly between pI 4.2 and 5.1, with a major peak at a pI of approximately 4.9. Analyses of the carbohydrates associated with the purified 33 kd form of recombinant proMBP indicated the addition of 4856 to 5150 Da by carbohydrates characteristic of the complex type. Consistent with the hypothesis that the function of the propiece is to neutralize MBP toxicity during granule processing, proMBP lacked MBP cytostimulatory properties and actually blocked the effect of MBP in two different systems, basophil histamine release and neutrophil activation. In addition, as a measure of toxicity, proMBP did not inhibit protein synthesis, whereas MBP markedly reduced protein synthesis. The mechanisms by which MBP exerts its actions both as a cytostimulant and as a toxin are not known; however, it is known that cationic MBP readily reacts with acidic lipids. Using artificial liposomes as targets, MBP caused a disordering of the lipid bilayer membrane, resulting in fusion and lysis. Therefore, MBP may act both as a cytostimulant and as a toxin because of its marked cationicity and its ability to disorder lipid membranes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

The calibration and use of plane-parallel ionization chambers for dosimetry of electron beams: an extension of the 1983 AAPM protocol report of AAPM Radiation Therapy Committee Task Group No. 39.

This report is an extension of the 1983 AAPM protocol, popularly known as the TG-21 Protocol. It deals with the calibration of plane-parallel ionization chambers and their use in calibrating therapy electron beams. A hierarchy of methods is presented. The first is to calibrate the plane-parallel chamber in a high energy electron beam against a cylindrical chamber which has an Ncylgas value that has been obtained from a NIST traceable 60Co beam calibration. The second method, which is recommended for implementation by the ADCLs is an in-air calibration against a NIST-traceable calibrated cylindrical chamber in a Cobalt-60 beam to obtain a plane-parallel-chamber calibration factor in terms of exposure or air kerma. The third method places the two chambers in a phantom in a Cobalt-60 beam, and leads to an Nppgas value for the plane-parallel chamber. This report also gives Nppgas/NxAion)pp and Nppgas/(NkAion)pp values for five commonly used commercially available plane-parallel chambers: the Capintec PS-033, the Exradin P-11, the Holt, the NACP and the PTW-Markus. The calculation of these Ngas ratios introduces a Kcomp factor which is also calculated for the five parallel plate chambers. The use of the plane-parallel chambers follows the 1983 AAPM protocol for absorbed dose calibrations of electrons, except that new energy-dependent Prepl values are given for the Capintec PS-033 and PTW-Markus chambers consistent with the consensus of reports in the literature. For all the chambers, however, Prepl is unity for 20 MeV electrons. This report does not address the issue of the use of plane-parallel chambers in calibrating photon beams.

Cobalt Radioisotopes↗
PubMed1994

Localization of neutralizing epitopes and the receptor-binding site within the amino-terminal 330 amino acids of the murine coronavirus spike protein.

To localize the epitopes recognized by monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for the S1 subunit of the murine coronavirus JHMV spike protein, we have expressed S1 proteins with different deletions from the C terminus of S1. S1utt is composed of the entire 769-amino-acid (aa) S1 protein; S1NM, S1N, S1n(330), and S1n(220) are deletion mutants with 594, 453, 330, and 220 aa from the N terminus of the S1 protein. The expressed S1 deletion mutant proteins were examined for reactivities to a panel of MAbs. All MAbs classified in groups A and B, those reactive to most mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) strains and those specific for isolate JHMV, respectively, recognized S1N(330) and the larger S1 deletion mutants but failed to react with S1N(220). MAbs in group C, specific for the larger S protein of JHMV, reacted only with the S1utt protein without any deletion. These results indicated that the domain composed of the N-terminal 330 aa comprised the cluster of conformational epitopes recognized by MAbs in groups A and B. It was also shown that the epitopes of MAbs in group C were not restricted to the region missing in the smaller S protein. These results together with the fact that all MAbs in group B retained high neutralizing activity suggested the possibility that the N-terminal 330 aa are responsible for binding to the MHV-specific receptors. In investigate this possibility, we expressed the receptor protein and examined the binding of each S1 deletion mutant to the receptor. It was demonstrated that the S1N(330) protein as well as other S1 deletion mutants larger than S1N(330) bound to the receptor. These results indicated that a domain composed of 330 aa at the N terminus of the S1 protein is responsible for binding to the MHV-specific receptor.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1994

Evidence for direct binding of intracellularly distributed ganglioside GM2 to isolated vimentin intermediate filaments in normal and Tay-Sachs disease human fibroblasts.

Although some intracellularly distributed glycosphingolipids are reported to be associated with vimentin intermediate filaments or colchicine sensitive cytoskeleton, no direct evidence for such an association has yet been shown. In this report we demonstrated that the intracellularly distributed ganglioside GM2 directly binds to isolated vimentin intermediate filaments in normal and Tay-Sachs disease human fibroblasts. Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy using a GM2-specific monoclonal antibody demonstrated filamentously distributed GM2 in the cytoplasm. A double staining of Tay-Sachs fibroblasts with anti-GM2 and anti-vimentin monoclonal antibodies strongly suggested that the GM2 positive filaments are vimentin intermediate filaments. We then isolated vimentin, in the presence of a detergent and urea, from the normal human skin fibroblasts and murine mastocytoma cells. In a solid phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the isolated vimentin dose-dependently reacted with both anti-vimentin and anti-GM2 monoclonal antibodies but not with anti-GM3 or anti-GM1 monoclonal antibody. The molar ratio of GM2 to vimentin was approximately 20:1. The lipid fraction extracted from the purified vimentin preparation was immunostained with anti-GM2 on a thin-layer chromatography plate. Furthermore, only one band was detected at the molecular weight of 57 kDa, after electroblotting and simultaneous immunostaining with anti-GM2 and anti-vimentin monoclonal antibodies. These results clearly indicated that ganglioside GM2 directly binds to vimentin.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Evaluation of enhancers to increase nasal absorption using Ussing chamber technique.

The effects of eight prospective absorption enhancers on the nasal mucosa in rabbit have been assessed using an in vitro Ussing chamber technique. Sodium taurodihydrofusidate (STDHF), sodium deoxycholate (DC), polyoxyethylene-9-lauryl ether (BL-9), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) were found to possess relatively high protein leaching activity, while sodium glycocholate (GC), sodium taurocholate (TC) and EDTA had relatively low activity. The permeation of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran (FD, M.W. 9400) as a model drug across the nasal mucosa was found to be greater in the presence of these enhancers. Their enhancement ratio was found to be in the order of BL-9 > STDHF > SDS > LPC > DC > EDTA > GC > TC, which correlated with the protein leaching activity. The differences in protein leaching and enhancement ratio dependent on the magnitude of change of membrane resistance (delta Rm), indicating that these enhancers damaged the membrane and increased FD permeation. delta Rm thus appears to be a useful indicator by which one can estimate nasal mucosa damage by the enhancers.

Absorption↗
PubMed1994

Tuberculous liver abscess treated by percutaneous infusion of antituberculous agents.

Tuberculous liver abscess has been reported in only fourteen patients in Japan and in twenty-nine patients outside Japan. Only nine of the non-Japanese patients and none of the Japanese patients have been treated for this condition without laparotomy. We report a patient who developed tuberculous liver abscess during treatment of tuberculous peritonitis. Diagnosis was made by ultrasound-guided aspiration biopsy, and the patient was treated with percutaneous drainage and transcatheter infusion of antituberculous agents. Direct infusion of antituberculous agents has more direct effects in the treatment of an abscess than systemic chemotherapy alone. Therefore, if a percutaneous catheter can be safely placed, the use of transcatheter infusion of antituberculous agents should be considered.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1994

[The role of platelet in the etiology of Binswanger's disease].

White matter changes, which are noted in Binswanger's disease and which may be due to ischemia, have previously been explained mainly on the basis of the hemodynamic mechanism. To elucidate the etiopathophysiology of Binswanger's disease from the hemorheology viewpoint, platelet activation in the cerebral circulation was studied in 30 patients with Binswanger's disease, who satisfied the diagnostic criteria of Binswanger's disease proposed by Bennett et al. Plasma beta-thromboglobulin concentration gradients (delta BTG) between the jugular vein and the antecubital vein, as indicators of platelet activation in the cerebral circulation, were determined in these patients (Binswanger's disease group) compared with those of different stroke subtypes groups (lacunar, atherothrombotic, cardioembolic) in the chronic phase and 25 patients with various diseases other than stroke (non-stroke group). Among these groups, the elevation of delta BTG levels in the Binswanger's disease group (4.55 +/- 6.95) were so frequent and prominent that differences were significant, especially in comparison to those of the cardioembolic group, and the non-stroke group. The enhanced platelet activation in the cerebral circulation observed in Binswanger's disease indicated not only the widespread development of underlying vascular lesions, but also accelerated release reaction of vasoactive substances from platelets into the blood stream, which could biochemically injure the vascular wall and neurons downstream, resulting in Binswanger's disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

[Anesthesia for modified radical mastectomy with breast reconstruction].

We investigated the factors influencing the amount of intraoperative bleeding, the factors influencing postoperative blood transfusion and the effect of postoperative analgesia retrospectively in 71 patients who underwent modified radical mastectomy with breast reconstruction. The amount of intraoperative bleeding decreased significantly in hypotensive anesthesia using epidural anesthesia compared with that with prostaglandin E1. Patient's weight and body surface area are the factors which influenced the amount of intraoperative bleeding. No patient received intraoperative blood transfusion. The amount of postoperative bleeding was significantly greater in 14 cases with blood transfusion and the amount of intraoperative bleeding was not significantly greater in blood transfusion cases. Fifty-one patients received epidural morphine intraoperatively. The dosage of postoperative analgesic was significantly less in these patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Vascular endothelial dysfunction in patients on regular dialysis treatment.

Circulating plasma immunoreactive thrombomodulin (i-TM) reflects the injury of vascular endothelium, and desmopressin stimulates tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) release from endothelium. Therefore, in order to estimate the damage of vascular endothelium in patients on regular dialysis treatment (RDT), we studied 1) basal plasma levels of i-TM and 2) a capability to release tPA by desmopressin. The basal plasma i-TM levels of the patients (n = 23) were significantly higher than those of the normal controls (p < 0.001). The basal plasma tPA levels of the patients (n = 8) were significantly lower than those of the controls (p < 0.05). The maximum increments of tPA from the basal levels by desmopressin in the patients were significantly reduced compared to those of the controls (p < 0.001). There was a significant inverse correlation in those cases between the maximum increments of tPA and the basal plasma levels of i-TM (p < 0.05, r = -0.75). The results actually suggested that there is a vascular endothelial damage in patients on RDT.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Clinical study of platelet activation in cerebral circulation--comparison between ischemic stroke subtypes and Binswanger's disease].

To elucidate platelet activation in cerebral circulation and its significance in ischemic stroke, the plasma beta-thromboglobulin (BTG) concentration gradients between the internal jugular vein and the antecubital vein were investigated in 164 patients with ischemic stroke. They consisted of cases of lacunar, atherothrombotic, cardioembolic stroke, and Binswanger's disease. The diagnosis of each stroke category was based on both computed tomographic (CT) and clinical findings. In particular, Binswanger's disease was diagnosed by the diagnostic criteria proposed by Bennett et al. Blood was withdrawn simultaneously from the internal jugular vein (A) and the antecubital vein (B) followed by determination of the BTG-A level and the BTG-B level, respectively. The BTG levels of 184 paired blood samples, thus, were obtained and the ratio (delta BTG) of BTG-A/BTG-B was calculated as an indicator for platelet activation in the cerebral circulation. According to the timing of the examination, these values of the acute phase less than 7 days after the event were separated from those of the chronic phase more than 28 days after the event. The delta BTG levels were also determined in 25 of controls with diseases other than stroke and considered to reflect platelet activation in the cerebral circulation. The mean delta BTG values of each stroke subtype without ticlopidine treatment, compared with those of controls (0.96 +/- 0.42), were significantly higher except those during the chronic phase of cardioembolic stroke and pronounced variability of delta BTG was noted in most subtypes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Integrated diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma with imaging diagnosis].

Herein, we present the diagnostic efficacy of various imaging diagnostic techniques for small liver cancer(HCC) and HCC occurrence predictability by ultrasonography during the follow-up period of chronic liver diseases. During the recent 4 years, 78 nodules of small liver cancer measuring 2 cm or less in diameter were found in 50 patients with liver cirrhosis. In this study, the tumor size was divided into 2 groups; 1.5 cm or less in maximal diameter (group A) and 1.6 to 2 cm (group B). The tumor detectability of ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), angiography and lipiodol CT in group A vs group B was 96% vs 97%, 68% vs 88%, 65% vs 94%, 12% vs 78% and 38% vs 89%, respectively. Therefore, angiography and lipiodol CT were not effective for detection of small HCCs smaller than 1.5 cm. Recently, helical CT scanning has been induced in the diagnosis of HCCs and the tumor detectability was enhanced to 82% even in group A. Additionally, helical-dynamic CT has some advantages in evaluating vascularity, especially arterial feeding which is a specific finding to HCCs. In comparison with contrast-enhanced US using CO2-microbubbles, helical-dynamic CT had equivalent accuracy in diagnosing hypervascular tumors, while hypovascular masses were observed in about 30% of group A. With respect to prediction of HCC occurrence in cirrhotic liver, sonographic evaluation of liver parenchyma seemed to be an important parameter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Anti-hypertensive effect of low Na connection (120 mEq/l) solution for CAPD patients.

In patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), transperitoneal sodium (Na) flux plays a crucial role in the control of blood pressure (BP), as it determines the net Na balance of the patient. However, with the conventional solution, Na removal into the effluent greatly depends on the drained ultrafiltration (UF) volume, and this can hinder the success of adequate Na removal in some patients. Therefore, we developed a low Na concentration solution to increase Na removal through diffusion force, and studied the clinical effect of this solution in patients with Na overload. The composition of the low Na solution is as follows: Na: 120 mEq/l, Ca: 3.5 mEq/l, Mg: 0.5 mEq/l, Cl: 84 mEq/l, lactate: 40 mEq/l, glucose (G) and osmolality: 1.36% (322 mOsm/l) and 2.27% (372 mOsm/l), vol: 2 l. Nine patients (age: 43 +/- 2 yr, oral Na intake: 3.4 +/- 0.3 g/day, mean arterial pressure: 123 +/- 6 mmHg, drained UF volume: 918 +/- 187 ml/day; mean +/- SEM) were studied. Compared to the conventional solution (Na: 132 mEq/l), Na removal using the low Na solution (4 h dwell) was increased from -7.8 +/- 8.7 to -2.3 +/- 5.7 mEq in 1.36% G solution, and from 25.3 +/- 3.1 to 35.4 +/- 4.7 mEq (p < 0.05) in 2.26% G solution. Patients were switched from the conventional solution to the low Na solution, exchanging four times daily for up to 4 weeks. Two patients discontinued low Na solution before the study ended, due to overhydration and hyponatremia, the remaining seven cases showed no adverse symptoms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Long-term administration of carmofur as a post-operative adjuvant chemotherapy for cervical adenocarcinoma. Cervical Adenocarcinoma Cooperative Research Association].

Cervical adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous cell carcinoma are low in radiation sensitivity, and the prognosis is said to be inferior to that of squamous cell carcinoma. Eleven facilities nationwide participated in the historical control study on the recurrence prevention effect of carmofur (HCFU) administered at 300 mg/day for more than two years postoperatively as an adjuvant chemotherapy to patients with cervical adenocarcinoma or adenosquamous cell carcinoma for which radical operation is possible. Registered for the study was a total of 252 patients: 77 patients for whom administration of carmofur was begun during the period from January 1987 and March 1989, 71 patients (control 1) who were treated for the cancer after January 1982 but did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy, and 104 patients who received adjuvant chemotherapies with other than carmofur (control 2). In analyses with the Kaplan-Meier method, the carmofur administration group demonstrated a better cumulative survival rate and disease free rate than control 1 (no adjuvant chemotherapy), suggesting carmofur was effective in preventing the recurrence of cervical adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous cell carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1994

The role of adhesion molecules in synovial pannus formation in rheumatoid arthritis.

To elucidate the mechanism of cell binding to cartilage, using an immunoperoxidase technique with monoclonal antibodies against adhesion molecules, the pattern of distribution of these molecules at the rheumatoid pannus-cartilage junction has been investigated. Treatment with purified anti-human-monoclonal antibody CD54 anti-(ICAM-1) resulted in membrane staining of most of the large cells infiltrating the synovial tissue and bordering the pannus cartilage junction. When the specimen was treated with purified anti-human-monoclonal antibody CDw49d anti-(VLA-4), purified anti-human-monoclonal antibody CDw49e anti-(VLA-5), most of the cells in the cartilage pannus junction stained, but there were few staining cells against purified anti-human-monoclonal antibody CD11a anti-(LFA-1). There were some anti-ICAM-1 and anti-VLA-5 staining of the chondrocytes at or close to the junction. Human umbilical vein ECBBA1 (ELAM-1) staining was only observed on the endothelial cells of postcapillary venules in the synovial tissue. These results show that the specific adhesion molecules tested may play a role in rheumatoid pannus formation and that the increased expression of VLA-4, VLA-5, and ICAM-1 at the cartilage pannus junction may represent interaction with matrix protein. The VLA interaction appear to be involved in pannus attachment, whereas LFA-1 and ICAM-1 are involved in cell-cell interaction and may upregulate molecules such as VLA that are involved in attachment.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[A case of lung cancer combined with ocular myopathy and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura which was presumed to be caused by heart catheterization].

A 61-year-old patient was admitted to our hospital because of a chest abnormal shadow. He was suffered from ocular myopathy for more than 4 years. A lab data on the admission showed only a slight thrombocytopenia. After the unilateral pulmonary arterial occlusion test for the preoperative evaluation of thoracotomy, the hemorrhagic tendency was appeared. A detailed examination proved idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura which was presumed to be caused by the heart catheterization. We employed high-dose intravenous gamma-globulin infusion and concentrated platelet transfusion for 5 days for preventing hemorrhagic complications during the thoracotomy. The partial resection was undergone for the left upper lobe tumor, which was proved as large cell carcinoma. The postoperative hemorrhage was well controlled. We conclude that the high-dose intravenous gamma-globulin infusion and/or concentrated platelets transfusion should be positively employed for the patients with even slight thrombocytopenic purpura.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗
PubMed1994

[Anesthetic management of a patient with a cryptophthalmos syndactyly syndrome and subglottic stenosis].

We experienced five episodes of anesthesia for a girl with dryptophthalmos syndactyly syndrome and congenital subglottic stenosis from the age of 1.3 year to 4 years. A girl was born at 34 weeks of gestation. The birth weight was 1360 g. The Apgar score was 8 at one minute and there was a hoarseness. She had right cryptophthalmos, syndactyly of hands and left foot, left polydactyly, anomalies of ear and nose, and agenesis of right kidney. The operation was scheduled for syndactyly under general anesthesia when she was 17 days and 5 months. As intubation was unsuccessful in both occasions, the operation was cancelled and subglottic stenosis was pointed out. We decided to postpone the operation until she could cry fully without cyanosis. We evaluated her respiratory ability from the time she became able to cry fully without cyanosis. As a result, we could manage her without any complications such as hypoxia or hypercapnea except mild wheezing.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1994

[Effects of sevoflurane on contraction, membrane ionic currents and intracellular cyclic AMP concentration in canine single ventricular cells].

The effects of sevoflurane (SV) on contraction, membrane ionic currents and intracellular cAMP concentration were studied in single canine ventricular cells. The authors demonstrated first that SV depressed contractile response of single ventricular cells in a dose-dependent manner. In electrophysiological studies, SV depressed the plateau height and duration of action potentials. Whole-cell voltage clamp experiments revealed that SV depressed voltage-dependent Ca2+ currents in a dose-dependent manner but SV (1%, 2%) did not change Na+ currents. Further, SV (1%, 2%) did not reduce intracellular cAMP concentrations. We conclude that the decrease of myocardial contractile response in single canine cardiac cells by SV is mainly due to the inhibition of voltage-dependent L-type of Ca2+ channels at the sarcolemma and not through changes in intracellular cAMP levels.

Animals↗