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Biomedical subjects

H Yoshihara

Publications and source records attributed to H Yoshihara.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Adenosine deaminase isoenzymes in patients with Graves' disease].

CD26, the T cell activation antigen, is identical to the ADA binding protein and is considered to interact with ADA to activate the T cells on the surface. Therefore, we examined the activity of serum ADA isoenzymes in patients with Graves' disease in whom CD26 presented T cells were increased. The activities of total ADA and ADA2 were significantly higher in Graves' disease than normals. We also observed that the levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) and neopterin, markers of T cell activation, were significantly higher in Graves' disease. The correlation coefficients among ADA2, neopterin, and sIL-2R were significantly high (p < 0.001). Among these parameters, only sIL-2R was correlated with the thyroid hormones. ADA2 activity was considered to reflect the activated state of T cells and to be, independent of the thyroid hormone levels.

Adenosine Deaminase↗
PubMed1995

Development of tinyPACS: a distributed image database system under Apple Macintosh network.

We have attempted to develop a medical image service system at the Miyazaki Medical College, Japan. This new system, unlike PACS, requires a certain level of image sharpness, with compacted data for practical medical use; it has improved slow response time, expensive running costs, and poor user interfaces. Regarding resolution, a picture is composed of 512x5l2 dots, making its bit depth 8 bits. As a result, a gray scale image requires 256KB, with 8 bits and color image 768KB respectively. Compacting the image data with QuickTime, the gray scale image occupies only 25KB and a color image 75KB. On the clinical terminals (Apple Macintosh), an image can be referred to by the doctor by typing the ID number of the patient. The picture resolution was evaluated as satisfactory for use in daily practice by doctors working here. The performance of tinyPACS and its future problems will be discussed.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMed1994

Status quo and future prospects of the total hospital information system of a Japanese medical college.

Six years have passed since the total hospital information system of Miyazaki Medical College, nicknamed PHOENIX, began its functions for the first time. It started with order entry systems, and has accomplished various systems, leaving one entry system unfinished; the injection order entry system which will be completed in the near future. It was revealed that the waiting period was most reduced at the hospital pharmacy. The waiting period for the visitors was also reduced. Usefulness of the PHOENIX system was greatly advanced by the function of a unique system of personal computer LAN, nicknamed PALM. This personal computer environments consisted of 200 or more Apple Macintosh computers. In this PALM environment, file servers, CD-ROM MEDLINE, clinical information databases, electronic mails (available in LAN and Internet) and sharing of printers are on service 24 hr a day.

Academic Medical Centers↗
PubMed1994

cDNA sequencing of mouse alpha 1-microglobulin/inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor light chain and its expression in acute inflammation.

A cDNA encoding alpha 1-microglobulin (alpha 1mG)/inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor light chain (ITI-LC) was cloned from mouse liver by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and rapid amplification of cDNA ends. Sequence analysis of the cDNA showed that the basic molecular structure of the proprotein was similar to that in other animals, so that two mature proteins, alpha 1mG and ITI-LC, could be produced from the proprotein translated from the mRNA. Since ITI-LC is known as a positive acute phase reactant and since ITI-LC is genetically identical with mast cell proteinase inhibitor, trypstatin, we examined the mRNA level in the liver of parasite-infected mice showing extensive mastocytosis. The mRNA level was, however, not significantly changed during inflammatory processes, except for a slight increase on day 8 post-infection.

Alpha-Globulins↗
PubMed1994

Efficacy of interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Comparison between non-drinkers and drinkers.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol has been reported to be an important factor that modulates the development and prognosis of chronic viral hepatitis; however, little is known about interaction of alcohol intake and chronic hepatitis C. The aim of this study was to examine whether alcohol drinking affects the effectiveness of interferon (IFN) therapy for chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with chronic hepatitis C were divided into three groups on the basis of the amount of alcohol intake before IFN therapy: group I (n = 15), non-drinkers; group II (n = 14), less than 70 g/day; and group III (n = 10), more than 70 g/day of ethanol intake for at least 10 years. The IFN (total dose, 330 +/- 206 MU) was administered daily for 2 weeks and then intermittently. Drinkers stayed abstinent for at least 1 month before, during, and after IFN therapy. The sustained responder was defined as the patient who showed normal alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) levels continuously for more than 6 months after the therapy. The liver histology (HAI score) and serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA were also examined before and after the therapy. RESULTS: There was no significant difference among the three groups in the level of ALAT before IFN therapy, age, total dose of IFN, and liver histology. The rates of sustained responders in groups I, II, and III were 53.3%, 42.9%, and 0%, respectively, resulting in a significantly lower rate in group III than in groups I (p < 0.01) and II (p < 0.01). The serum HCV-RNA turned negative after the therapy in 58.3%, 20.0%, and 12.5% of groups I, II, and III, respectively, leading to a significantly lower rate of disappearance of HCV-RNA in group III than in group I (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The IFN therapy for chronic hepatitis C was less effective in heavy drinkers than in non-drinkers.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1994

[Evaluation of the results of one session of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for a single urinary tract stone].

Fourteen hundred seventeen patients with a single stone under either general or epidural anesthesia were treated by one session of ESWL using the Dornier HM3 while 255 cases by one session of ESWL using the Dornier MPL9000 under no anesthesia but only with some analgesics, with 3 months' follow up available in all patients. The ratio of stone location in the kidney vs ureter was 7 to 3 in the Dornier HM3 and 5 vs 6 in the Dornier MPL9000. The overall success rate (stone free and residual stone fragments of less than 4 mm, 3 months after ESWL) was 58% (591 cases/1016 cases) for kidney stones with the Dornier HM3 and 35% (41/117) with the Dornier MPL9000. On the other hand, the overall success rate for ureter stones was 61% (245/401) with the Dornier HM3 and 70% (96/138) with the Dornier MPL9000. The overall success rate for stones of more than 10 mm, was poor when treated by the Dornier MPL9000 compared with the Dornier HM3.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Expression of the c-met protooncogene in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

The c-met protooncogene is a growth factor receptor with tyrosine kinase activity. Recently the hepatocyte growth factor was identified as the ligand for this receptor. Because the hepatocyte growth factor is a most potent mitogen in hepatocytes, possible involvement of c-met expression in hepatocarcinogenesis is suspected. In this study, we examined c-met expression in 23 hepatocellular carcinoma cases by means of Northern-blot analysis and an immunohistochemical study. Northern-blot analysis revealed c-met mRNA expression in the tumors of 6 of 19 patients (31.6%); in the immunohistochemical study, c-met protein was detected in 16 of 23 patients (69.6%). With both methods, c-met was found to be overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma compared with the surrounding normal liver. Comprehensive analysis showed that c-met protein expression was correlated with poor-to-moderate differentiation of cancer cells (p < 0.05). Tumor proliferative activity of hepatocellular carcinoma was evaluated by means of Ki-67 labeling index. All cases with increased tumor proliferative activity showed c-met protein expression, although the elevation of proliferative activity in the c-met-positive group was not statistically significant. These data suggest that the overexpression of c-met plays an important role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Measurement of redox states of mitochondrial cytochrome aa3 in regions of liver lobule by reflectance microspectroscopy.

To evaluate the sublobular distribution of oxygen tension, the redox states of mitochondrial cytochrome aa3 were assessed in local regions of the liver lobule by reflectance microspectroscopy. The reflected light from two focused microspots (20 microns in diam) on the surface of the perfused liver, placed on the stage of microscope, was conducted to the spectrophotometer with two separate light guides, giving the reflectance spectra. The redox state of cytochrome aa3 was calculated from the difference in reflectance between 603 and 630 nm. The degree of cytochrome reduction increased with the stepwise decline of the influent or effluent oxygen concentrations. The local oxygen concentration in periportal region for the half-maximal reduction of cytochrome aa3 was higher than that in pericentral region. In addition, the degree of cytochrome aa3 reduction increased with the distance from the periportal region, reflecting a physiological gradient of oxygen tension along the sinusoidal flow, although with an intersinusoidal heterogeneity within liver lobule.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Roles of endothelin-1 and nitric oxide in the mechanism for ethanol-induced vasoconstriction in rat liver.

This study was designed to investigate the mechanism for ethanol-induced hepatic vasoconstriction in isolated perfused rat liver. Upon initiation of ethanol infusion into the portal vein at concentrations ranging from 25 to 100 mM, portal pressure began to increase in a concentration-dependent manner and reached maximal levels in 2-5 min (initial phase), followed by a gradual decrease over the period of ethanol infusion (escape phenomenon). Endothelin-1 antiserum significantly inhibited this ethanol-induced hepatic vasoconstriction by 45-80%. Cessation of infusion of endothelin-1 antiserum was followed by a subsequent increase in portal pressure. On the other hand, when a nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), was infused into the portal vein simultaneously with ethanol, the initial phase of the response of portal pressure to ethanol was not altered and the peak values of portal pressure remained unchanged. However, after the peak increase in portal pressure, the rate of decrease was less than in the absence of L-NMMA. Thus, L-NMMA diminished the escape phenomenon and sustained the vasoconstriction. This study supports the hypothesis that two endothelium-derived vasoactive factors, endothelin-1 and nitric oxide, regulate hepatic vascular tone in the presence of ethanol.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[Clinical study of immunotherapy with interferon alpha and gamma in metastatic renal cell carcinoma].

A clinical study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of combination therapy with interferon (IFN) alpha and gamma in 16 patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma whom we observed between August 1986 and June 1992. Eight patients had already had stage IV disease when they were seen first and five of them underwent nephrectomy. The other eight patients developed metastases after nephrectomy. The time to occurrence of the metastasis was 4-110 months. The dosage of the regimen was IFN alpha, 3 x 10(6) U, intramuscularly for 7 consecutive days at weeks 1, 3, 5 and 7 and IFN gamma, 6 x 10(6) JRU by intravenous drip on days 2, 4 and 6 of weeks 2, 4, 6 and 8. At and after week 9, the combined use of IFN alpha, 3 x 10(6) U, and IFN gamma, 1-6 x 10(6) JRU, was continued at least on a once-a-week basis as maintenance therapy as long as possible. The effect was evaluated as PR in 2 patients, MR in 2, NC in 3 and PD in 9. The response rate was 12.5% and the efficacy rate including MR was 25%. The time to onset of the effect was 8-24 weeks. Of the four patients showing MR or better responses, three had stage IV disease and one had metastatic disease after the operation. The duration of effect was 2-8 months. Side effects were fever, general malaise, anorexia, leukocytopenia and impaired liver function, and were noted frequently.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1993

The rate of oxygen release from single sinusoid of rat liver, determined by microspectroscopy.

The rate of oxygen release from single hepatic sinusoid of rat was determined. A scanning spectrophotometer, equipped with a grating and two photoncounters, was connected to a microscope with light-guides, and absorption spectra (450-650 nm) were obtained simultaneously at two microspots (10 microns diameter) on single sinusoid. The concentration ([Hb]) and oxygen saturation (SO2) of hemoglobin were calculated from the spectra. Reference transmittance was obtained at neighbouring hepatocytes. The erythrocyte velocity was measured by dual-spots cross-correlation method using two photomultipliers connected to the microscope with two light-guides. The gradient in SO2 was observed along each sinusoid, due to oxygen release from flowing erythrocytes to hepatocytes. The rate of oxygen release per unit surface area was 0.24 +/- 0.14(n = 14)nmoles O2/cm2/sec, which was calculated from [Hb], difference in SO2 between the spots at up- and down-stream, erythrocyte velocity, two spot's distance and sinusoidal diameter. The rates of O2 release depended on sinusoidal diameter and sinusoidal blood flow.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[A case of complete response in a patient with invasive bladder cancer due to intermittent intraarterial infusion chemotherapy using the alteration of blood flow].

The patient was a 70-year-old male with invasive bladder cancer. We performed intermittent arterial infusion (ITI) combined with alteration of blood flow in the bladder wall using the contralateral arterial embolization. As for anti-tumor agents, cisplatin (CDDP) 10mg and pirarubic in (THP) 10 mg were selected, and were injected every week for 11 times. Complete response (CR) was noted by cystoscopy and biopsied specimen. In our conclusion. ITI was useful for the treatment of bladder cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

[A case of malignant paraganglioma].

Herein we report a case of paraganglioma. The metastatic lesion was incidentally found in a 64-year-old man by chest roentgenography. The primary tumor was extra-adrenal and was revealed to be malignant. The patient was normotensive without clinical symptoms despite extreme high serum and urinary dopamine levels. A venous injection of 5 mg metoclopramide elicited a significant increase of the blood pressure. This phenomenon disappeared after surgical excisions of the primary and metastatic lesions. The metoclopramide test is considered to be useful to diagnose asymptomatic paraganglioma.

Humans↗
PubMed1992

Synergistic stimulation of nitric oxide hemoglobin production in rats by recombinant interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor.

Nitric oxide (NO) is formed from arginine in Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treated rat; however, none of specific cytokine inducing NO generation is yet determined. We studied the effect of interleukin 1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) on NO production in rats by detecting NO-hemoglobin in their blood, using electron spin resonance. Either IL-1 or TNF alone stimulated NO-hemoglobin formation. Combined administration of IL-1 and TNF markedly enhanced NO-hemoglobin generation, demonstrating the synergistic character of both stimuli on NO production. Further, LPS and TNF in combination were more potent stimulator of NO-hemoglobin production in rats than each alone.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Cellulose acetate electrophoretic determination of bone alkaline phosphatase activity in healthy subjects and diabetic patients with and without osteopenia.

We adapted the electrophoretic method of bone alkaline phosphatase (ALP) determination using neuraminidase from Vibrio cholerae to separate bone and liver ALP on cellulose acetate membrane. Treatment of separator plus serum (1:8, neuraminidase 111 U/l in final) for 10 min at room temperature (25 +/- 1 degree C) and subsequent electrophoresis made it possible to quantify bone ALP activity simply and rapidly. The precision of the data was at the level of CV of 1.6% (within-day) and 4.7% (day-to-day), with recovery rates of 97-103%. The normal range of bone ALP activity depended on age and sex. Seventy-eight diabetes mellitus (DM) patients, excluding those with renal failure, were divided into two groups of those with and without osteopenia with matching of age (+/- 3 years) and sex. Bone ALP (P < 0.001) and total ALP (P < 0.05) activities and urine calcium/creatinine ratio (P < 0.05) were significantly higher in DM with osteopenia than in DM without osteopenia. Therefore, bone formation and absorption may be accelerated in DM with osteopenia in comparison with DM without osteopenia.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Detection of nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-treated rats by ESR using carbon monoxide hemoglobin.

Release of nitric oxide (NO), from macrophages activated with E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and endothelial cells, has been proposed using chemiluminescence and spectrophotometry. However these methods can not distinguish NO from NO2-. The present study was aimed to prove in vivo production of NO, by ESR using CO-hemoglobin (HbCO) as a trapping agent of NO in the peritoneal cavity of rats treated with LPS. We detected a broad signal in the recovered HbCO solution. Inositol hexaphosphate induced a three-line hyperfine structure, characteristic of NO-hemoglobin (HbNO). In the arterial blood, ESR signal of HbNO with faint hyperfine structure was detected. NG-Monomethyl-L-arginine inhibited the formation of HbNO. HbNO was not detected in the peritoneal cavity of the LPS-untreated rat given i.p. both NO2- and HbCO. HbNO was, therefore, derived from NO, not from NO2-. These results show that free NO is produced in vivo by the stimulation of LPS.

Animals↗