Biomedical subjects
H Okabe
Publications and source records attributed to H Okabe.
[Free fatty acid and its fractions].
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Correlation of serum HDL-cholesterol and LCAT levels with the fraction of ionized magnesium in children.
Correlation of serum lipids and apolipoprotein levels with serum total magnesium concentration and whole blood ionized magnesium level was determined in 47 children (14 female and 33 male; mean age, 8.7 +/- 4.2 years). Mean serum concentration of magnesium was 2.19 +/- 0.19 mg/dl, whole blood concentration of ionized magnesium 1.23 +/- 0.08 mg/dl, and fraction of ionized magnesium (ratio of whole blood ionized magnesium to serum total magnesium) 0.56 +/- 0.04. Neither serum total magnesium level nor whole blood ionized magnesium level had any correlation with serum albumin, lipid, and apolipoprotein levels. However, the fraction of ionized magnesium was significantly correlated with HDL-cholesterol (n = 46, r = 0.31, p = 0.0345), apolipoprotein A-1 (n = 41, r = 0.39, p = 0.0124), and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) (n = 20, r = 52, p = 0.0184). These results suggest that fraction of ionized magnesium is more closely linked to serum HDL-cholesterol and LCAT level than with the serum total magnesium level or whole blood ionized magnesium.
[Case of renal hypouricemia causing exercise-induced acute renal failure].
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Whale Hageman factor (factor XII): prevented production due to pseudogene conversion.
In Southern blot analysis of the Hind III-digested whale genomic DNA obtained from the livers of two individual whales, we detected a single band with a size of five kilobase pairs which hybridized to full length guinea pig Hageman factor cDNA. We amplified two successive segments of the whale Hageman factor gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and sequenced the PCR products with a combined total of 1367 base pairs. Although all of the exon-intron assemblies predicted were identical to those of the human Hageman factor gene, there were two nonsense mutations making stop codons and a single nucleotide insertion causing a reading frame shift. We could not detect any message of the Hageman factor gene expression by northern blot analysis or by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. These results suggest that in the whale, production of the Hageman factor protein is prevented due to conversion of its gene to a pseudogene. The deduced amino acid sequence of whale Hageman factor showed the highest homology with the bovine molecule among the land mammals analyzed so far.
Novel antiproliferative falcarindiol furanocoumarin ethers from the root of Angelica japonica.
Four novel antiproliferative furanocoumarin ethers of falcarindiol, named japoangelols A (8.5), B (7.2), C (7.4), and D (8.4), were isolated from the root of Angelica japonica together with panaxynol (0.3), falcarindiol (3.2), (9Z)-1,9-heptadecadiene-4,6-diyne-3,8,11-triol (2.2), and 8-acetoxyfalcarinol (3.2). Structures were established from the spectroscopic evidence, and the inhibitory activities (ED50, microgram/ml, shown in the parentheses) were evaluated using the MTT assay.
Mutations in xanthine dehydrogenase gene in subjects with hereditary xanthinuria.
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Characterization of a newly established human chondrosarcoma cell line, CS-OKB.
A clonal cell line, CS-OKB, was derived from a human chondrosarcoma and characterized by cytogenetic study, immunocytochemical staining, and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Chromosomal abnormalities characteristic of malignant cartilaginous neoplasms were identified. CS-OKB cells were intensely stained with anti-type II collagen and anti-keratan sulphate antibodies. RT-PCR indicated that CS-OKB transcribes cartilage-specific genes such as type II, X procollagen, and aggrecan. This human chondrosarcoma cell line is stable and expresses well-differentiated chondrocyte-specific genes. It synthesizes well-differentiated chondrocyte-specific molecules in uncoated plastic dishes. CS-OKB may be useful for studies of human chondrocytes and in characterizing human chondrosarcomas.
Right ventricular obstruction by tricuspid pouch in simple ventricular septal defect.
Tricuspid pouch sometimes causes subpulmonary obstruction in association with transposition of the great arteries, but rarely does so without transposition. A 5-year-old girl with isolated ventricular septal defect exhibited dynamic right ventricular outflow tract obstruction caused by pouches in the anterior and septal tricuspid leaflets. Echocardiography clearly demonstrated features of the tricuspid pouches. Ventricular septal defect closure resulted in disappearance of the tricuspid pouches and resolution of subpulmonary obstruction.
Anastomosis of the left juxtaposed atrial appendages in a patient with tricuspid atresia.
A 9-month-old boy with left juxtaposition of the atrial appendages, tricuspid atresia, pulmonary atresia, and ventriculoarterial discordance underwent anastomosis between the atrial appendages after failure of balloon/blade atrial septostomy because of restrictive atrial septal defect. For surgical creation of atrial communication in patients with juxtaposed atrial appendages, anastomosis between the atrial appendages seemed to be safer, more effective, and less invasive than septectomy by Blalock-Hanlon technique or inflow occlusion technique.
Pretreatment staging of endoscopically early gastric cancer with a 15 MHz ultrasound catheter probe.
BACKGROUND: The usefulness of and problems associated with an ultrasound catheter probe in the pretreatment staging of endoscopically early gastric cancer remain unexplored. METHODS: Endoscopic ultrasonography using a 15 MHz catheter probe of 2.6 mm diameter was performed in a prospective study to determine the pretherapy staging of endoscopically early gastric cancer in 78 patients. The results of the ultrasound images were compared with the histologic findings of the specimens obtained by endoscopic mucosal resection or surgical resection. RESULTS: The accuracy of the catheter probe for depth of invasion of endoscopically early gastric cancers was 67% (52 of 78 patients). The accuracy in determining depth of invasion in relation to endoscopic type was significantly higher for the elevated type (91%) than for the depressed type of early cancer (56%) (p < 0.01). The staging accuracy classified by histologic type was significantly higher for differentiated (86%) than for undifferentiated (18%) cancer (p < 0.01). Staging accuracy decreased as tumor size increased. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity for nodal staging were 80%, 17%, and 90%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A 15 MHz ultrasound catheter probe is most useful for determining depth of invasion when the tumor is histologically differentiated and endoscopically of the small elevated type early gastric cancer, but it is unreliable in the diagnosis of metastatic lymph nodes.
Extracardiac cavopulmonary connection of fontan procedure with autologous pedicled pericardium without cardiopulmonary bypass.
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Detection of the apoptosis-suppressing oncoprotein bcl-2 in salivary gland lymphoma.
The bcl-2 proto-oncogene encodes an inner mitochondrial membrane protein that blocks apoptosis and programmed cell death in human lymphoid tissue. In this study a monospecific anti-human bcl-2 antibody that is reactive in formalin-fixed tissues was used with an avidin-biotin complex immunoperoxidase method to evaluate 41 cases of lymphoproliferative disorders of the salivary gland. The study cases were 26 primary salivary gland lymphomas (including 21 B-cell lymphomas four T-cell lymphomas and one true histiocytic lymphoma) and 15 cases of myoepithelial sialadenitis. Bcl-2 expression is restricted to the mantle zone and interfollicular lymphocytes around reactive germinal centers of myoepithelial sialadenitis. Seventeen of the 21 B-cell lymphomas were positive for bcl-2, and were composed of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), centrocytic, centroblastic-centrocytic and centroblastic lymphomas. Noticeably, all 11 cases of MALT lymphoma were bcl-2 positive. In contrast, staining for bcl-2 was present in only one of four cases of T-cell lymphomas and was negative in one true histiocytic lymphoma. The expression of bcl-2 protein was also investigated in the ductal systems and epimyoepithelial islands of salivary glands from patients with malignant lymphoma and myoepithelial sialadenitis. While salivary ducts in eight of 15 cases of myoepithelial sialadenitis immunostained for bcl-2, epimyoepithelial islands showed bcl-2 expression in only five cases of myoepithelial sialadenitis. We found that ductal cells in the salivary gland from patients with primary non-Hodgkin's lymphomas expressed bcl-2 protein. It was of interest that epimyoepithelial islands in all cases of MALT lymphoma displayed bcl-2 expression whereas other subtypes of B-cell lymphoma, T-cell lymphoma and true histiocytic lymphoma were invariably negative. These results indicate that bcl-2 is expressed in a wide variety of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, especially when all 11 cases of MALT lymphoma are bcl-2 positive. Epimyoepithelial islands in MALT lymphoma express this oncoprotein, and their ability to induce bcl-2 synthesis resulted in the prevention of apoptosis and prolonged cell survival. Furthermore, the expression of bcl-2 protein in the lymphoma cells may be responsible for the induction of bcl-2 expression in the adjacent epimyoepithelial islands through a lymphocyte chemical mediator.
Anti-AIDS agents. 30. Anti-HIV activity of oleanolic acid, pomolic acid, and structurally related triterpenoids.
Oleanolic acid (1) was identified as an anti-HIV principle from several plants, including Rosa woodsii (leaves), Prosopis glandulosa (leaves and twigs), Phoradendron juniperinum (whole plant), Syzygium claviflorum (leaves), Hyptis capitata (whole plant), and Ternstromia gymnanthera (aerial part). It inhibited HIV-1 replication in acutely infected H9 cells with an EC50 value of 1.7 microg/mL, and inhibited H9 cell growth with an IC50 value of 21.8 microg/mL [therapeutic index (T. I.) 12.8]. Pomolic acid, isolated from R. woodsii and H. capitata, was also identified as an anti-HIV agent (EC50 1.4 microg/mL, T. I. 16.6). Although ursolic acid did show anti-HIV activity (EC50 2.0 microg/mL), it was slightly toxic (IC50 6.5 microg/mL, T. I. 3.3). A new triterpene (11) was also isolated from the CHCl3-soluble fraction of R. woodsii, though it showed no anti-HIV activity. The structure of 11 was determined to be 1beta-hydroxy-2-oxopomolic acid by spectral examination. Based on these results, we examined the anti-HIV activity of oleanolic acid- or pomolic acid-related triterpenes isolated from several plants. In addition, we previously demonstrated that derivatives of betulinic acid, isolated from the leaves of S. claviflorum as an anti-HIV principle, exhibited extremely potent anti-HIV activity. Accordingly, we prepared derivatives of oleanolic acid and evaluated their anti-HIV activity. Among the oleanolic acid derivatives, 18 demonstrated most potent anti-HIV activity, with an EC50 value of 0. 0005 microg/mL and a T. I. value of 22 400.
Relationship between protein levels and gene expression of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase in human tumor cells during growth in culture and in nude mice.
Protein levels and gene expression of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), the rate-limiting enzyme for degradation of 5-fluorouracil, were studied in two human tumor cell lines (fibrosarcoma HT-1080 and pancreatic carcinoma MIAPaCa-2) in various growth phases of the cultured cells and of tumor xenografts implanted into nude mice. DPD catalytic activity and DPD protein content in cytosolic preparations were determined by means of radioenzymatic assay and western blot analysis, respectively. Relative DPD mRNA expression was determined by using a semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in which glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase mRNA was used as an internal standard. DPD activity and protein content in cultures of both cell lines increased in proportion to cell density (DPD activities ranged from undetectable to 84 pmol/min/mg protein in the HT-1080 cells and from undetectable to 335 pmol/min/mg protein in the MIAPaCa-2 cells). DPD mRNA levels, on the other hand, tended to decrease slightly during cell growth. DPD activity and protein content in HT-1080 tumor xenografts increased during growth in proportion to tumor weight (DPD activities ranged from 7 to 131 pmol/min/mg protein), but DPD mRNA levels did not correlate with tumor weight. DPD activity and protein content in MIAPaCa-2 tumor xenografts did not change much, and seemed to have already plateaued, since the tumors were small (weighing about 30 mg). These findings suggest that DPD protein expression during tumor growth is controlled at the post-transcriptional level.
A prospective randomized study of amoxycillin and omeprazole with and without metronidazole in the eradication treatment of Helicobacter pylori.
A combination of amoxycillin and omeprazole is often used to treat Helicobacter pylori infection. A three-drug regimen comprising metronidazole, amoxycillin and omeprazole has been proposed as an alternative therapy. In a prospective, randomized, comparative study, we evaluated these two regimens with respect to safety and efficacy in patients with H. pylori infection. Sixty patients with peptic ulcer (gastric, 32 patients; duodenal, 28 patients) who had a history of ulcer recurrence were randomly assigned to dual therapy with amoxycillin (500 mg three times daily for 2 weeks) and omeprazole (20 mg once daily for 8 weeks) or to triple therapy with metronidazole (500 mg twice daily for 2 weeks) plus amoxycillin and omeprazole, given in the same dosages as dual therapy. Forty-eight patients completed the protocol; treatment was discontinued because of side effects in nine patients, and three patients dropped out of the study. On the basis of all patients treated, the rate of H. pylori eradication was significantly higher for triple therapy 20/23 cases, 87.0%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.664-0.972) than for dual therapy 13/25, 52.0%; 0.313-0.722; P < 0.05). On an intention-to-treat basis, the difference between the groups in the rate of H. pylori eradication was marginally significant (P = 0.06 [0.028-0.512]). Side effects were reported by five patients receiving triple therapy (skin rash, one; nausea, two; headache, one; abdominal pain, one), and four patients receiving dual therapy (skin rash, two; abdominal pain, one; diarrhoea, one). All side effects resolved spontaneously after termination of treatment. There was no significant difference in safety between the two regimens. Triple therapy with metronidazole, amoxycillin, and omeprazole was significantly more effective for the eradication of H. pylori than dual therapy with amoxycillin and omeprazole alone. The safety of these regimens was similar, and triple therapy was found to be clinically acceptable.
Case report: Haemangioma of the small intestine complicated by protein-losing gastroenteropathy.
We report a case of haemangioma of the small intestine complicated by protein-losing gastroenteropathy. A 32-year-old female had suffered from hypoproteinaemia for 6 years, but the cause of this condition had not been determined. On diagnosis and therapy for hypoproteinaemia, intra-operative endoscopy and histological examination were performed and she was subsequently diagnosed with capillary haemangioma of the small intestine. Angiography was not useful for the detection of capillary haemangioma of the small intestine in this case. Although intestinal haemangioma is an important cause of gastrointestinal bleeding, protein loss is an extremely rare complication and this case is the first to be reported in Japan.
Repair of septal and posterior tricuspid leaflets in Ebstein's anomaly.
BACKGROUND AND AIM: In Ebstein's anomaly, the septal and posterior tricuspid leaflets are plastered to the endocardium. We postulated that tricuspid valve function could be corrected by restoring mobility of these leaflets. (Feasibility of such repair was explored by anatomical and clinical studies.) METHODS: Ten heart specimens with Ebstein's anomaly were examined to investigate the size of the tricuspid leaflets. We operated on four patients with Ebstein's anomaly: the plastered septal and posterior leaflets were mobilized from the endocardium, the atrialized right ventricle was longitudinally plicated, and the basal attachment of the mobilized leaflets was sutured (reattached) to the valve annulus. RESULTS: In heart specimens, approximately 40% of the total surface of the tricuspid leaflets was comprised of the septal and posterior leaflets. Clinically, all patients operated on returned to normal functional status after surgery. The mean cardiothoracic ratio on chest X-rays decreased from 0.70 to 0.55 (after surgery). Echocardiographic tricuspid regurgitation, graded from 0 to 4, decreased from 3.5 to 1.0, and tricuspid annular diameter ratio to the normal value reduced from 1.88 to 0.66. Angiographic right ventricular ejection fraction increased from 0.36 to 0.50, and end-diastolic volume ratio to the normal value decreased from 3.65 to 1.19. CONCLUSIONS: Repair of the septal and posterior tricuspid leaflets was found to be feasible and effective as tricuspid valvuloplasty for Ebstein's anomaly.