Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H Ohta

Publications and source records attributed to H Ohta.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Usefulness of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor in Japanese hyperlipidemic women within seven years of menopause.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the therapeutic value of treatment with an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor in women with hypoestrogenic hyperlipidemia caused by menopause. DESIGN: Fifty-six women with total cholesterol (TC) levels of 220 mg/dl or more who were within 7 years of menopause were randomly assigned to receive an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (pravastatin 10 mg/day; treated group, 26 patients) or no medical treatment (nontreated group, 30 patients) in this 6-month nonblinded prospective trial. RESULTS: In the treated group, the mean (SD) TC levels decreased significantly from 254.5+/-22.3 mg/dl at baseline to 204.7+/-22.2 mg/dl (19.6%), and the mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level decreased significantly from 146.7+/-30.5 to 104.3+/-22.5 mg/dl (28.9%); the mean arteriosclerotic index decreased significantly from 2.98 to 2.08 (30.2%). There were no significant changes in either triglyceride levels or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. In the nontreated group, there were no significant changes in the TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, or triglyceride levels; there was also no change in the arteriosclerotic index. After 6 months, the TC level, LDL-C level, and arteriosclerotic index were significantly lower in the treated group compared with the nontreated group (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor lowered TC and LDL-C levels and was useful in the treatment of hypoestrogenic hyperlipidemia for periods of at least 6 months.

Arteriosclerosis↗
PubMed2000

Regulation of proliferation and differentiation in spermatogonial stem cells: the role of c-kit and its ligand SCF.

To study self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells, we have transplanted undifferentiated testicular germ cells of the GFP transgenic mice into seminiferous tubules of mutant mice with male sterility, such as those dysfunctioned at Steel (Sl) locus encoding the c-kit ligand or Dominant white spotting (W) locus encoding the receptor c-kit. In the seminiferous tubules of Sl/Sl(d) or Sl(17H)/Sl(17H) mice, transplanted donor germ cells proliferated and formed colonies of undifferentiated c-kit (-) spermatogonia, but were unable to differentiate further. However, these undifferentiated but proliferating spermatogonia, retransplanted into Sl (+) seminiferous tubules of W mutant, resumed differentiation, indicating that the transplanted donor germ cells contained spermatogonial stem cells and that stimulation of c-kit receptor by its ligand was necessary for maintenance of differentiated type A spermatogonia but not for proliferation of undifferentiated type A spermatogonia. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that their transplantation efficiency in the seminiferous tubules of Sl(17H)/Sl(17H) mice depended upon the stem cell niche on the basement membrane of the recipient seminiferous tubules and was increased by elimination of the endogenous spermatogonia of mutant mice from the niche by treating them with busulfan.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

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↗
PubMed2000

Association of transforming growth factor beta1 genotype with therapeutic response to active vitamin D for postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is an important regulator of bone metabolism, its effects being intertwined with those of estrogen and vitamin D. A T-->C polymorphism in exon 1 of the TGF-beta1 gene, which results in the substitution of proline for leucine, is associated with bone mineral density (BMD). However, it is not known whether this polymorphism affects the response to treatment with active vitamin D or to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in individuals with osteoporosis. Changes in BMD at the lumbar spine (L2-L4 BMD) were compared among TGF-beta1 genotypes in 363 postmenopausal Japanese women who were divided into three groups: an untreated, control group (n = 130), an active vitamin D treatment group (n = 117), and an HRT group (n = 116). TGF-beta1 genotype was determined with an allele-specific polymerase chain reaction assay. In the control group, the rate of bone loss decreased according to the rank order of genotypes TT (homozygous for the T allele) > TC (heterozygous) > CC (homozygous for the C allele), with a significant difference detected between the CC and TT genotypes. The positive response of L2-L4 BMD to HRT increased according to the rank order of genotypes TT < TC < CC, although the differences among genotypes were not statistically significant. Individuals with the CC genotype responded to active vitamin D treatment with an annual increase in L2-L4 BMD of 1.6%, whereas those with the TT or TC genotypes similarly treated lost bone to a similar extent as did untreated subjects of the corresponding genotype. These results suggest that TGF-beta1 genotype is associated with both the rate of bone loss and the response to active vitamin D treatment.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Comparative effects of estrogen and raloxifene on B lymphopoiesis and bone loss induced by sex steroid deficiency in mice.

Estrogen deficiency caused by ovariectomy (OVX) results in a marked bone loss because of stimulated bone resorption. We have reported that OVX selectively stimulates B lymphopoiesis in mouse bone marrow, which is somehow related to bone resorption. Estrogen prevents both the increased B lymphopoiesis and the bone resorption caused by estrogen deficiency. Raloxifene also has a potent estrogenic activity for bone with minimal estrogenic activity for the uterus. To examine the effects of raloxifene on B lymphopoiesis and bone resorption, OVX mice were given either estrogen or raloxifene subcutaneously for 2-4 weeks using a miniosmotic pump. Reduced uterine weight in OVX mice was restored completely by 17beta-estradiol (E2). Some 300-fold higher doses of raloxifene increased uterine weight of OVX mice, but only slightly. The number of B220- positive pre-B cells was increased markedly in bone marrow after OVX. The increased B lymphopoiesis was prevented not only by E2 but by raloxifene. In OVX mice, the trabecular bone volume (BV) of the femoral distal metaphysis was reduced markedly, when measured by microcomputed tomography (microCT) scanning and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Both E2 and raloxifene similarly restored it. Like estrogen deficiency, androgen deficiency induced by orchidectomy (ORX) also resulted in a marked bone loss and increased B lymphopoiesis. Both E2 and raloxifene prevented the changes in ORX mice. These results indicate that both estrogen deficiency and androgen deficiency similarly stimulate B lymphopoiesis in mouse bone marrow, which accompany bone loss. Raloxifene exhibits estrogenic actions in bone and bone marrow to prevent bone loss and regulate B lymphopoiesis without inducing estrogenic action in the uterus.

Androgens↗
PubMed2000

Relationship between renal dysfunction and bone metabolism disorder in male rats after long-term oral quantitative cadmium administration.

To investigate the importance of the cadmium (Cd) exposure condition in the evaluation of toxic effect on renal function and bone metabolism, six groups of Male Wistar rats were given Cd at respective daily doses of 2, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 60 mgCd/kg (as CdCl2) via a gastric tube for 6 consecutive days a week for 60 weeks. In the groups given a low Cd dose (2, 5 and 10 mgCd/kg), relatively more Cd accumulated in the kidney without liver damage than in the liver. In the high Cd dose groups (20, 30 and 60 mgCd/kg), on the other hand, more Cd accumulated in the liver than in the kidney. The daily intake of Cd dose from the intestinal tract in each experimental group was deduced to be about 0.36%-0.54% of the cumulative dose of oral Cd administration. The daily intake of Cd into the body was estimated as 7, 22, 40, 100, 120, 260 microgCd/kg/day in the experimental groups of 2, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 60 mgCd/kg/day, respectively. Increase of plasma enzyme activity (GOT, GPT) and of urinary enzyme excretion (NAG, AAP, GST), reflecting hepatic damage and renal dysfunction, was found in the high Cd dose groups (30 and 60 mgCd/kg) from the 5th week. Non-CdMT concentration in the kidney was also significantly high in the high Cd dose groups. In the low Cd dose groups (2 and 5 mgCd/kg), although the renal Cd concentration was higher than that of the high Cd dose groups, prominent renal dysfunction and hepatic damage were not observed. Regeneration, vacuolization, and eosinophilic bodies in proximal tubular tissue were mainly observed in the groups subjected to 20, 30 and 60 mgCd/kg administration. Very slight regeneration was also observed in the renal proximal tubular tissue at the 30th week for the 5 mgCd/kg and 10 mgCd/kg groups, and at the 60th week for the 2 mgCd/kg group. Remarkable decrease of bone mineral density at the midpoint of the femur was found in the high Cd dose groups. Also, the decrease in bone mineral density was observed before or after the manifestation of the renal dysfunction, depending on the dose and the duration of Cd administration. Urinary excretion of Pyr, DPyr, and Ca increased and plasma BGP decreased in the higher Cd dose groups. Osteoid volume in the femur tissue was not increased significantly by Cd exposure. Based on these results, it was suggested that Cd exposure caused osteoporotic change. The results of the present study suggested that the toxic effect of Cd on renal function and that on bone metabolism were caused at different times and that renal Cd concentration after long-term oral Cd administration depended on the dose and the duration of Cd exposure.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2000

Structure and chromosomal localization of the RAE28/HPH1 gene, a human homologue of the polyhomeotic gene.

The Polycomb group of (Pc-G) genes and trithorax group of genes are known to play a crucial role in the maintenance of the transcriptional repression state of Hox genes, probably through modification of the chromatin configuration. The rae28/mph1 gene is a mammalian homologue of the Drosophila polyhomeotic gene, which belongs to the Pc-G genes. As reported previously, we established mice deficient in the rae28/mph1 gene and showed that these homozygous animals displayed the developmental defects compatible with a human congenital disorder, CATCH22 syndrome. In this study we analyzed the structural organization of the human counterpart of the rae28/mph1 gene (RAE28/HPH1) and its processed pseudogene (psiPH), which are located on, respectively, human chromosome 12p13 and 12q13. The HPH1 gene consists of 15 exons spanning approximately 26 kb and its structural organization is well conserved between mouse and human. These genetic information of the RAE28/HPH1 gene may provide an important clue for further examination of its involvement in human congenital disorders related to CATCH22 syndrome.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Clinical applications and the effect of mexiletine on refractory epilepsies].

Twenty-four patients with refractory epilepsy were treated with mexiletine as an additional antiepileptic drug. As the initial responses, seizures were decreased by 50% or more in 7 (46.7%) of 15 patients with symptomatic partial epilepsy (SPE), in none of 7 with symptomatic generalized epilepsy (SGE), and in 1 of 2 with undetermined epilepsy. Seizures increased in 3 patients (20.0%) with SPE, and in 3 (42.9%) with SGE. Concerning seizure types, mexiletine had significant effects on 1 of 2 patients with simple partial seizures, on 7 of 13 with complex partial seizures, on 1 of 5 with secondarily generalized seizures, and on 1 of 8 with tonic seizures. No patients with a myoclonic seizure or atypical absence improved. Exacerbation of the seizures was observed in 2 of 13 patients with complex partial seizures, in 1 of 5 with secondarily generalized seizures, in 3 of 8 with tonic seizures, and in 2 of 3 with myoclonic seizures. Partial seizures were controlled well, whereas generalized seizures sometimes worsened. EEG improved in 3 patients with SPE; decrease of focal spikes in 2 patients and disappearance of secondary generalization in 1. Follow-up for more than 3 months showed seizures to be lessened in 2 patients. Mexiletine is useful for the treatment of refractory epilepsies, especially SPE.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[A case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of mesocolon successfully resected after combined chemotherapy with epirubicin, CDDP and vincristine].

We experienced a case of MFH of the sigmoid mesocolon which was successfully resected after preoperative combined chemotherapy. A 66-year-old male underwent a laparotomy following a diagnosis of retroperitoneal tumor. The tumor had extensively invaded the surrounding tissue and an incisional biopsy was done. It was diagnosed as MFH histologically. Ten cycles of post-operative chemotherapy with doxorubicin were effective for a complete remission. However, the MFH reappeared at the same site after 2 years and 9 months. Three cycles of combined chemotherapy with epirubicin, CDDP and vincristine led to a regression of the tumor and no distant metastasis was found. The tumor was successfully resected with a negative surgical margin. It proved to be MFH of sigmoid mesocolon origin. The patient has been in good health for 7 years and 2 months after the second operation without further therapy. In cases of MFH such as the present in which the patient is sensitive to chemotherapy, neoadjuvant chemotherapy might be effective in allowing minimal surgery and offering a better quality of life.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

[111InCl3 uptake in ununited fractures: a case report].

111InCl3 scintigraphy was performed in a 37-year-old male with pancytopenia. Intense tracer uptake in the ununited rib fractures was recognized. There are few descriptions of 111InCl3 uptake in ununited fracture, and this case indicated that ununited fracture should be added to the differential diagnosis of 111InCl3 uptake.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Does disclosure of medical records to patients influence medical care?].

UNLABELLED: Disclosure of medical records to patients has been assessed, but the influence of disclosure on medical care has not been well researched. To address this situation, this study was conducted to test three hypotheses: 1) doctors think that the disclosure can influence medical care, 2) whether doctors think disclosure can influence medical care depends on how they rank medical records (for example, as evidence for diagnosis and treatment, a process to reach a diagnosis, a tool to communicate with other medical staff, etc), and on whether they think medical record disclosure could change the content of the record. Questionnaires were sent to 881 doctors who work at two hospitals affiliated with N Medical School and K Medical University. RESULTS: Four hundred eighty-eight doctors responded. The findings related to the hypotheses were as follows: 1) Those who answered that the disclosure could have an influence on medical care were 49.1% of the total. 2) There was no relation between how doctors ranked medical records and whether they thought disclosure could influence medical care. 3) Doctors who answered that there were things that they would not be able to write if medical records were disclosed accounted for 73.5% of the total. These doctors answered "yes" significantly higher to the question that the disclosure could influence medical care than others (Odds 3.6, P < 0.01). Doctors who thought they would not be able to enter the diagnosis, the name of the disease for insurance, self-evaluation, information that could be judged and subjective information answered that disclosure could influence on medical care (P < 0.05). It was assumed that disclosure of medical records to patients could change the content of the medical records and that could influence medical care. How to deal with information will become an important issue if records are disclosed.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2000

[Feasibility of a simple measurement for white blood cell by immunologically measured granulocyte elastase in whole blood].

Using whole blood sample, we examined the correlation between concentration of granulocyte elastase (GEL) in granulocyte obtained by immunoassay and white blood cell counts. The correlation between concentration of GEL and granulocyte cell counts was also examined. The correlation coefficient between concentration of GEL and white blood cell counts was R = 0.87, and that between concentration of GEL and granulocyte cell counts was R = 0.91. The correlation coefficients of outpatients and patients with diseases accompanied by inflammation except for tumors were better than those of inpatients. The GEL concentration in granulocyte using whole blood sample well responded to the white blood cell counts against the tolerance for a short time, such as after operations. Especially on screening tests of diseases accompanied by inflammation and primary care, analysis of GEL in whole blood is not only useful for observation of inflammation and its progress but also suggests possibility of converting GEL to white blood cell counts or granulocyte. Furthermore, because it can be measured by easy-operative latex agglutination turbidimetric method, an easy measurement system can be built. Extended usage of the system as a rapid diagnostic tool on emergency tests in general clinics and hospitals are expected.

Emergencies↗
PubMed2000

[A case of symmetrical aneurysms at the bilateral middle cerebral arteries associated with the deep seated arteriovenous malformation in the midline].

A case of symmetrical aneurysms at the bilateral middle cerebral arteries (MCA) associated with the deep seated arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in the midline was presented. Because symmetrical aneurysms at the MCA are 1.17% of all aneurysms, and those associated with the deep seated AVM in the midline are very rare. A 75-year-old female suffered from a sudden onset of a severe headache and a loss of consciousness, and was admitted to our department on June 14, 1996. Computed tomography(CT) showed a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in the right sylvian fissure (Fisher's Group 4). Bilateral symmetrical MCA's aneurysms and the deep seated AVM were clarified by angiography. The symmetrical aneurysms stood out anterior lateral side and the right aneurysm had bleb. On the other hand, the afferent vessels of the AVM were the branches of bilateral posterior cerebral arteries, and the efferent vessel was the vein of Galen. So we determined SAH due to right MCA aneurysm, and performed the neck clipping of the ruptured aneurysm. The symmetrical aneurysms at the MCA associated with AVM in midline have not been reported. Each parent's artery was not connected each other. These origins, therefore, are suggested to be related not only to acquired factors like hypertension, hemodynamic stress etc, but also to a congenital factor. The origin of the saccular aneurysm is suggested congenital either but it isn't definite.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Expression of adhesion molecules in childhood B-lineage-cell neoplasms.

We analyzed the expression pattern of adhesion molecules including beta 1-integrins (CD49c, CD49d, CD49e, CD49f), beta 2-integrins (CD11a, CD11b, CD11c), CD44, and CD54 in 141 children with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pre-B ALL) and in 21 children with B-cell ALL/non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-ALL/NHL). The frequencies of CD11a, CD49f, and CD44 expression were significantly higher in CD34+ pre-B ALL than in CD34- pre-B ALL. Although CD49d, CD49e, and CD44 were less frequently expressed in B-ALL/NHL than in pre-B ALL, the expression of CD11a and CD54 were more frequent in B-ALL/NHL. In pre-B ALL, expression of CD11a positively correlated with that of CD11b (P < .05) and CD54 (P < .01), and CD49c positively correlated with CD49f (P < .01). Of the clinical parameters of patients with pre-B ALL, expression of CD11a was associated with a low leukocyte count (P < .05). The presence of CD54 on the cell surface was an independent factor indicating a poor prognosis. The estimated 5-year event-free survival was 42.3% for CD54+ (n = 31) compared with 70.3% for CD54- patients (n = 38) (P < .05). These findings demonstrated that expression of adhesion molecules is dependent on the phenotype of B-lineage cells and that the expression of some of these molecules has clinical significance.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed2000

[Sézary syndrome showing a stable clinical course for more than four years after oral administration of etoposide and methotrexate].

A 62-year-old woman was admitted because of leukocytosis, systemic lymph node swelling and erythroderma. Laboratory data disclosed a WBC count of 15,600/microliter (CD4-positive cells: 91%). CD25 and HTLV-1 were negative. A skin biopsy revealed the involvement of T cells. These data and findings were consistent with a diagnosis of Sézary syndrome. Although the patient was treated with 2 courses of CHOP, the leukocyte count did not decrease. We then treated the patient orally with etoposide (25 mg/day) and methotrexate (10 mg/week), and this resulted in reduction of the leukocyte count and lymph node swelling, and amelioration of the erythroderma. As Sézary syndrome is an extremely rare disease, it is worthwhile reporting cases like the present one, where therapy was successful.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2000

[A case report of successful transcatheter arterial embolization therapy for osseous metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma].

A 74-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a chief complaint of severe local pain of the hip joint. Radiological findings showed a metastasized lesion on the left side of the pelvic wall originated from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the anterior segment of the liver. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) therapy using epirubicin, Lipiodol and Spongel was successfully performed twice for primary HCC, and four times for osseous metastasis of HCC. After TAE therapy, the size of the metastasized lesion decreased with relief of pain, and an improvement in performance status of 4 to 2 was achieved. In conclusion, TAE therapy is thought to be very useful in the treatment of osseous metastasis of HCC with severe local pain.

Aged↗