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Biomedical subjects

H Okamura

Publications and source records attributed to H Okamura.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Positive influence of a liaison program on the rate of psychiatric consultation referrals for cancer patients.

To improve access to psychiatric consultation for cancer patients as well as non-cancer patients with psychiatric disorders, a psychiatric liaison programme to communicate closely with physicians and ward staff regarding anticipated psychiatric morbidity in patients, was introduced in each ward of a general hospital. The rate of psychiatric consultation referrals for cancer patients was significantly higher after the psychiatric liaison programme was established. The programme had a greater impact on the rate of psychiatric consultation in a unit with cancer patients who were informed of their diagnoses. The greater consultation rates in cancer patients after the liaison programme might be, in part, associated with the physicians' attitude toward the more open disclosure of the cancer diagnosis.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Carcinoma of the uterine cervix. High-resolution turbo spin-echo MR imaging with contrast-enhanced dynamic scanning and T2-weighting.

PURPOSE: To compare high-resolution contrast-enhanced (Gd-DTPA) dynamic MR imaging with T2-weighted turbo spin-echo (TSE) imaging in the evaluation of uterine cervical carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-two patients with cervical carcinoma underwent MR imaging on a 1.5 T superconductive unit to have the extension of the disease assessed before treatment. A phased-array coil was used in all patients. In 25 patients, surgical confirmation of the diagnosis was obtained after imaging. Radiation therapy was selected for the remaining 7 patients with advanced carcinoma. Qualitative and quantitative image analyses were also performed. RESULTS: The cervical carcinomas showed maximum contrast in the cervical stroma and myometrium in the early dynamic phase. The tumor/cervical-stroma contrast in the early dynamic phase obtained with the T1-weighted TSE technique (contrast-to-noise ratio 22.6) was significantly higher than that obtained in T2-weighted TSE imaging (contrast-to-noise ratio 4.3). In the evaluation of parametrial invasion, the accuracy of T2-weighted imaging was 71.8% and contrast-enhanced dynamic imaging 81.2%. CONCLUSION: High-resolution contrast-enhanced (Gd-DTPA) dynamic MR imaging in cervical cancer offers improved tumor/cervical-stroma contrast and provides useful information on parametrial invasion.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Microbial adsorption of cyanazine and metolachlor.

A laboratory experiment was performed to study the role of microorganisms in producing the non-extractable residues by anaerobically incubating cyanazine (2-[[4-chloro-6-(ethylamino)-1,3,5,-triazin-2-yl]-amino]-2-methoxy -l- methylethyl)acetamide] and metolachlor [2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methoxy-l- methylethyl)acetamide] in culture media that had been inoculated with sewage bacteria from anaerobic sludge. Based on the gas chromatographic analyses of extracts from the degradation, adsorption, and abiotic controls for the parent herbicide and its possible metabolites, this study provided the first direct evidence that bacterial biomass, rather than metabolism, was mainly involved in the formation of bound residues with cyanazine. Anaerobic bacteria appeared to be incapable of forming bound residues with metolachlor. The common phenomenon of age-dependent extractability for bound residues was observed with cyanazine. These results imply that bacteria may adsorb pesticides selectively with preference for certain chemical structures over others.

Acetamides↗
PubMed1998

Expression of interleukin-18 in murine contact hypersensitivity.

In this study, we made a mouse model for contact hypersensitivity (CH) using oxazolone as a contact allergen and examined the expression of interleukin-18 (IL-18) in the diseased skin sites at both mRNA and protein levels. In the kinetic study by semiquantitative RT-PCR, IL-18 mRNA was constitutively produced in normal murine skin but increased significantly at 12 h and peaked at 24 h in the ear skin of CH mice. A positive correlation was confirmed between the IL-18 mRNA signal and CH, as measured by mouse ear swelling response. Histologically, in situ hybridization showed that the IL-18 mRNA signal was weakly observed in the dermis but not the epidermis of normal skin, whereas the IL-18 mRNA signal was found intensively in the dermis, particularly in inflammatory cell areas. Using IL-18-specific antibody immunostaining, it was further found that IL-18 protein production had a histologic location similar to that of IL-18 mRNA in both normal and CH mice. The present study suggests that IL-18 may be implicated in the pathogenesis of murine CH.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Involvement of ovarian kinin-kallikrein system in the pathophysiology of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: studies in a rat model.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate a possible participation of the kinin-kallikrein system (KKS) in the pathophysiology of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Symptoms of hyperstimulation were produced in immature female rats using equine chorionic gonadotrophin followed by human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). At 48 h after the HCG injection, rats were injected s.c. with 100 microg/kg of HOE140, bradykinin-2 receptor antagonist. Capillary permeability was evaluated using peritoneal Evans blue dye (EB) concentrations 30 min after the i.v. injections. The EB concentrations in the hyperstimulated rats were significantly reduced 4 and 6 h after the HOE140 injection, compared with those injected with the vehicle as a control (4.58+/-0.80 versus 8.22+/-0.87 and 4.32+/-0.74 versus 8.35+/-1.03 microg respectively; P < 0.03), indicating the involvement of kinin in the pathophysiology of OHSS in this model. The administration of 10 IU aprotinin significantly reduced the peritoneal EB concentration when compared with the control (4.13+/-0.53 versus 7.95+/-1.06 microg; P < 0.01), implicating a possible role of kallikrein. Furthermore, pretreatment with RU486 (5 or 10 mg/kg) resulted in a significant reduction of ovarian kinin concentrations 48 h after the HCG injection, compared with the control (1.22+/-0.07 or 1.43+/-0.07 versus 1.94+/-0.10 pg/mg; P < 0.005 and P < 0.05 respectively). Similar results were obtained in the peritoneal EB concentrations. In addition, a significant correlation between the ovarian kinin and peritoneal EB concentrations was observed (P < 0.001, r = 0.539). Thus it was suggested that ovarian KKS plays an intermediary role in the progesterone-induced augmentation of capillary permeability in this experimental model, indicating the involvement of KKS in the pathophysiology of OHSS.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Screening for psychological distress in Japanese cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Psychological distress is frequently observed, however, it is underestimated in cancer patients. The aim of this study is to develop a simple battery for screening for psychological distress, adjustment disorder and major depressive disorder in Japanese cancer patients. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-eight cancer patients were interviewed by psychiatrists and tested using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), a 14-item self-assessment questionnaire. Psychiatric diagnoses were performed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, third edition-revised. RESULTS: Cronbach alpha values of the Japanese version of the scale were 0.77 for the subscale for anxiety and 0.79 for depression. By a receiver operating characteristic analysis, we determined that an optimal cut-off point for screening for adjustment disorder and major depressive disorder was 10/11, which gave high enough sensitivity and specificity (91.5 and 65.4%, respectively). To screen for major depressive disorder alone, 19/20 was an optimal cut-off point with 82.4% sensitivity and 96.3% specificity. The subscales of HADS (anxiety and depression) also had high screening performance. CONCLUSIONS: The Japanese version of HADS is a sensitive and specific tool for screening for psychological distress in Japanese cancer patients. This scale can be used for an early detection of patients' psychological distress which may be followed by psychiatric interventions.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1998

Interleukin-8 as an essential factor in the human chorionic gonadotropin-induced rabbit ovulatory process: interleukin-8 induces neutrophil accumulation and activation in ovulation.

The objective of our study was to elucidate the involvement of interleukin (IL)-8 in the hCG-induced rabbit ovulatory process. After administering hCG (100 IU i.v.), we examined myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, which represents neutrophil accumulation; neutrophil elastase (NE) activity, which is an indicator of neutrophil activity; and levels of IL-8 in the ovaries. The maximal level of IL-8 was observed before MPO and NE activities reached a peak: production of IL-8, MPO, and NE activities peaked, respectively, at 4 h (5.58 +/- 0.88 pg/mg ovary, n = 13), 6 h (1.07 +/- 0.13 deltaA/min per gram ovary, n = 8), and 9 h (18.89 +/- 1.05 U/g ovary, n = 8). Anti-rabbit IL-8 antiserum given i.v. significantly reduced the maximal levels of hCG-induced MPO activity (antiserum vs. control; 0.34 +/- 0.04 vs. 1.12 +/- 0.11 deltaA/min per gram ovary, n = 14, p < 0.001) and NE activity (8.14 +/- 0.85 vs. 18.30 +/- 0.79 U/g ovary, n = 14, p < 0.001). The hCG-induced ovulation rate was significantly inhibited by the antiserum (50.5% vs. 83.9%, n = 14, p < 0.001). Intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg/kg of ONO-5046, a specific NE inhibitor, also attenuated the ovulation rate (ONO-5046 vs. vehicle; 56.0% vs. 74.0%, n = 14, p < 0.05). These findings clearly indicate that IL-8 has an important role in the hCG-induced ovulatory process through the accumulation and activation of neutrophils.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Distribution and cytological properties of macrophages in human Fallopian tubes.

The macrophages in human Fallopian tubes of women in the reproductive and postmenopausal periods were examined with a focus on their morphological properties by immunohistochemical staining and transmission electron microscopy. The fine structure of the smooth muscle cells in the Fallopian tubes was also investigated during the reproductive period. For immunohistochemical staining, we used two monoclonal antibodies that were specific for human macrophages, namely PM-1K and PM-2K. PM-1K recognizes human monocytes/ macrophages corresponding to CD68, and PM-2K recognizes tissue macrophages. PM-1K-positive cells were always present and their numbers increased significantly during the menstrual and early to mid-secretory phases. In contrast, relative numbers of PM-2K-positive cells were small throughout the menstrual cycle. In the postmenopausal period, few PM-1K-positive cells were detected, but PM-2K-positive cells remained. The macrophages during the secretory phase in the endosalpingeal stroma had well-developed intracytoplasmic organelles, but relatively few cytoplasmic vacuoles and granules. In the same phase, many cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage appeared in the vascular lumen of the endosalpingeal stroma. The macrophages during the menstrual phase had well-developed intracellular organelles, with cytoplasmic vacuoles and granules of various sizes and configurations. During the late secretory phase, just prior to menstruation, the smooth muscle cells contained few cytoplasmic filaments but electron-lucent or electron-dense lysosome-like bodies were seen. These findings suggested the presence of macrophages in human Fallopian tubes. It is possible that such macrophages might be involved in the physiological functions of the tubes during the reproductive period and moreover that they might participate in the reconstruction of the muscle layer of the tubes.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Spatio-temporal changes of prolyl 4-hydroxylase in granulosa cells during ovulation in eCG-hCG-treated immature rat ovaries.

The immunolocalization of prolyl 4-hydroxylase (PHase), a key enzyme of collagen synthesis, and the effects of anti-progesterone RU486 on PHase during the ovulatory process in eCG-hCG-treated immature rat ovaries were studied to investigate the mechanisms of tissue repair in follicle walls after follicular rupture. Immunolocalization of PHase was studied using an anti-rat PHase subunit monoclonal antibody, and the amount of immunoreactive PHase was measured by enzymeimmunoassay. No obvious immunolocalization of PHase was observed in theca cells throughout the ovulatory process except just after follicular rupture. In contrast, in granulosa cells, PHase was first observed at 9 h after the hCG injection, and the staining intensity apparently increased from 9 to 15 h, especially around the apex of preovulatory follicles and the orifice of ruptured follicles. Consistent with these observations, PHase concentration in granulosa cells isolated from the ovaries significantly increased by 9 h (0.45 +/- 0.03 pg per cell), and reached a peak at 15 h (0.66 +/- 0.06 pg per cell) after the hCG injection. This peak was inhibited when 20 mg RU486 kg-1 was administered at 8 h (0.46 +/- 0.05 pg per cell), and the RU486-inhibited PHase concentration was recovered by the concomitant administration of 10 mg progesterone kg-1 (0.65 +/- 0.02 pg per cell). The results suggest that PHase expressed in granulosa cells may play an important role in the repair of ruptured follicle walls, via progesterone-dependent PHase production.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1998

Magnetic resonance imaging of non-specific inflammatory granulation involving the skull base--two case reports.

A 55-year-old male presented with a 20-day history of nuchal pain and hypoglossal nerve paresis on the right. T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed an isointense lesion with a small hypointense part in the hypoglossal canal and caudal clivus. A 66-year-old female presented with a long-standing history of left orbital pain. T2-weighted MR imaging showed a hypointense lesion occupying the orbital apex which on recurrence became isointense. The histological diagnosis of both lesions was non-specific inflammatory granulation. The T2-weighted MR imaging appearance of this entity is variable, and can change within the clinical course of the same lesion.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Evaluation of the western blot in the confirmatory serologic diagnosis of Chagas' disease.

The Western blot method, using antigens from epimastigote forms of the Trypanosoma cruzi Y strain, was evaluated for the confirmatory diagnosis of Chagas' disease. Serum samples were obtained from 136 chagasic patients (Group I), 23 patients with inconclusive serologic results for Chagas' disease (Group II), 53 patients with other diseases (Group III), and 50 healthy individuals (Group IV). The Western blot results for Group I gave a confirmatory diagnosis of Chagas' diseases in 118 (86.80%), an indeterminate pattern of reactivity in 16 (11.76%), and a negative pattern in only two (1.47%). Of the samples from Groups II, III and IV, none had a positive result in the Western blot; 60.86%, 52.83%, and 16.0%, respectively, showed indeterminate results; and 39.13%, 47,16% and 84,0%, respectively, showed negative results. The Western blot method showed a sensitivity of 86.60%, a specificity of 100.0%, a positive predictive value of 100.0%, and a negative predictive value of 73.50%, and the concordance coefficient kappa was high (0.7789). The results suggest that the previous serologic results for Chagas' disease could be confirmed by Western blot for the detection of specific antibodies to T. cruzi antigenic fractions, which may reduce the medical, legal, and social consequences of an inconclusive serologic result for Chagas' disease and also underscore the need for additional studies for continued efforts in the development of an ideal standard confirmatory test for Chagas' disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Bedside wellness--development of a virtual forest rehabilitation system.

The present study aims at the development of a new concept system that will contribute toward improving the quality of life for bedridden patients and the elderly. The results of a basic study showed the possibility of a virtual reality system reducing stress and pain, provided VR sickness does not occur. A Bedside Wellness System which lets a person experience a virtual forest walk and provides a facility of rehabilitation was proposed based on the basic study and developed. An experiment to assess the developed system using healthy subjects was executed. The data suggested the positive effects of the system; however, some points to be improved were also extracted. After a few improvements, the system will be available for clinical use.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Susceptibility to Mycobacterium leprae of ALY (alymphoplasia) mice and IFN-gamma induction in the culture supernatant of spleen cells.

The aly/aly (alymphoplasia) mice from a mutation of a colony of the C57BL/6J mouse strain, which has a systemic absence of lymph nodes and Peyer's patches, are deficient in both T- and B-cell-mediated immune functions. We have undertaken a comparison of susceptibility to Mycobacterium leprae of ALY (aly/aly, aly/+) mice with C57BL/6J mice. The aly/aly mouse was found to have an excellent high susceptibility to M. leprae with no distinction between female and male. The aly/+ mouse also was more susceptible to M. leprae at an earlier stage than the C57BL/6J mouse. Therefore, we examined and compared the cytokine gene expression and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) induction in the splenocytes of ALY mice. The expression of interleukin 4 (IL-4), IL-10 and IL-12 mRNA was weakly stimulated with ML-lysate in inoculated aly/aly mice but IL-2, IL-6, IGIF/IL-18 and IFN-gamma mRNA were not observed. None of the cytokine genes used appeared, except the mRNA for IL-1-alpha, when uninfected cultured spleen cells were stimulated with ML-lysate. Also, IFN-gamma production was not induced. However, the appearance of these cytokine genes was observed when stimulated with concanavalin A (ConA), and IFN-gamma production was also induced in the culture supernatant by aly/+ and even aly/aly mice stimulated with ConA. To examine the reason why IFN-gamma cannot be produced by splenocytes of ALY mice inoculated with M. leprae, we detected cytokine gene expression and IFN-gamma induction in the presence of recombinant murine IL-12 or IGIF/IL-18. IL-2 mRNA expression was detected in all of the mice tested in the presence of IL-12 but not in aly/aly mice under IGIF/IL-18, and iNOS mRNA expression was not observed in aly/aly mice under IL-12 or IGIF/IL-18. IL-4 and IL-10 mRNA were detected by aly/aly mice only by exposure to IGIF/IL-18. In culture, the supernatant with ML antigens of the aly/aly mice did not produce IFN-gamma in spite of the presence of IL-12 and IGIF/IL-18, while IFN-gamma was weakly induced in aly/+ mice stimulated with ML-lysate and in the presence of IGIF/IL-18. Nevertheless, IFN-gamma production was observed in splenocytes of the aly/aly mice stimulated with ConA and also with IGIF/IL-18 plus anti-CD3 antibody. Our results suggest that ALY mice might be showing a high susceptibility to M. leprae because of deficient priming for activation of T cells with the leprosy bacilli infection. Moreover, it is possible that the phagocytic activities of the macrophages of ALY mice are also impaired.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Effects of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor on pressor response to angiotensin II in conscious rats.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to characterize the effects of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) and L-arginine (L-Arg) on the pressor response to the infusion of angiotensin II in rats. METHODS: L-NMMA and L-Arg were infused intraperitoneally into rats at a constant rate by means of an osmotic minipump. The L-NMMA group received an infusion of L-NMMA (3 mg/d) daily for 13 d, whereas the L-NMMA plus L-Arg group received L-NMMA (3 mg/d) daily for 4 d, followed by L-NMMA plus L-Arg (12 mg/d) daily for 9 d. Sham operated rats served as controls. The animals were anesthetized on day 13, and catheters were placed into the femoral artery and vein. After the animals had recovered from the anesthesia, the pressor response to intravenous bolus doses of angiotensin II (50, 100, 200, and 400 ng/kg) were determined after recovery from anesthesia. RESULTS: While the baseline mean arterial blood pressure was not affected by L-NMMA, with or without L-Arg, the pressor response to angiotensin II in the L-NMMA group was significantly increased as compared with that in the control group, at doses of 50, 100, and 200 ng/kg. The response of the L-NMMA plus L-Arg group did not differ significantly from that of the control group. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that the infusion of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, at a dose insufficient to produce hypertension, increases the pressor response to angiotensin II.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗
PubMed1998

[IL-18 and IL-18 receptor].

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a recently cloned cytokine, produced from activated macrophages, including Kupffer cells. IL-18 is originally called interferon-gamma inducing factor (IGIF), due to its action to induce IFN-gamma production from Th 1 cells and NK cells. However, recent studies suggested that, IL-18 also enhances expression of FasL and NK activity as well as GM-CSF production. These data revealed this novel cytokine is pleiotropic. Recently, cDNA encoding human IL-18 receptor (IL-18R) was cloned. And, we had cloned murine IL-18R cDNA by RT-PCR, using human IL-18R sequence. Northern blot analysis of cytoplasmic RNA from T cells stimulated with IL-12 clearly demonstrated that, T cells stimulated with IL-12 induced high level of IL-18R-mRNA, whereas non-stimulated T cells did not have. Interestingly, we had several reports, indicated the involvement of IL-18 on the progressions of pathogenicity in chronic inflammatory diseases, including endotoxin-shock, hepatitis and autoimmune-diabetes. We need further studies to reveal physiological roles of this novel cytokine in various inflammatory or autoimmune diseases.

Animals↗