Biomedical subjects

K Ashida

Publications and source records attributed to K Ashida.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

[Psychological investigation on spa therapy in patients with bronchial asthma].

To evaluate the effects of complex spa therapy (swimming training in a hot spring pool + fango therapy + inhalation of iodine salt solution) on psychological factors, three psychological examinations; CMI (Cornell Medical Index), SDS (Self-Rating Depression Scale) and CAI (Comprehensive Asthma Inventory); were given 25 patients with bronchial asthma (10 male, 15 female, mean age 60 years), and the results of these examinations were compared before and after spa therapy. 1. Physical symptoms, respiratory system and CIJ symptoms by CMI were significantly improved after spa therapy, however the improvement of psychical symptoms was not significant. 2. In SDS, 11 of 25 patients showed more than 40 points, indicating depressive state. The number of such patients decreased from 11 to 2 and the mean SDS score significantly improved from 38.7 to 34.2 after spa therapy. 3. Conditioning, suggestion, fear of expectation, frustration, flight into illness, negative attitudes towards prognosis, and decreased motivation towards therapy by CAI were significantly reduced after spa therapy, with the reduction in negative attitudes towards prognosis and decreased motivation towards therapy being relatively large. Furthermore, CAI score, which is the average of the categories in CAI, was also significantly decreased from 37.9 to 28.4 after spa therapy. These results suggested that complex spa therapy improves psychological factors in patients with bronchial asthma.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Telomerase as a tool for the differential diagnosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Telomerase activation is thought to be essential for the immortality of cancer cells. We measured telomerase activity in human liver samples, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and evaluated this assay as a tool for the diagnosis of HCC using 21-gauge (21-G)-needle biopsy specimens. METHODS: Ninety-four liver samples (27 HCC, 27 liver cirrhosis, 37 chronic hepatitis, and 3 normal liver) that were surgically resected or biopsied with a 12-gauge Silverman needle and 13 HCC samples that were biopsied with a 21-G needle were analyzed for telomerase activation. RESULTS: Eleven of 29 (38%) tumor-bearing liver samples were weakly telomerase-positive, whereas telomerase activity was observed infrequently in nontumor-bearing liver samples (6 of 35; 17%) and in normal liver samples (0 of 3; 0%). The positivity of surgical samples for well differentiated, moderately differentiated, and poorly differentiated HCC was 88% (7 of 8), 87% (13 of 15), and 0% (0 of 2), respectively. In telomerase-positive HCC, 43% (3 of 7) of well differentiated samples were weakly positive, whereas 92% (12 of 13) of moderately differentiated samples were strongly positive. The difference in the tumor sizes and viral marker status did not affect the activity. The telomerase activity of the 21-G-needle biopsied specimens showed no significant difference from that of the surgical samples. The positive incidence of 21-G specimens was 80% (8 of 10) and 100% (2 of 2) in well differentiated HCC and moderately differentiated HCC, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: An incremental positivity of telomerase was observed during hepatocarcinogenesis. The use of this assay in 21-G-needle biopsy specimens may be useful in clinical examination.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Changes of thyrotropin-releasing hormone concentration in the brain and levels of prolactin and thyroxin in the serum during spawning migration of the chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta.

Changes in concentration of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in various regions of the brain of female and male chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta during their spawning migration toward the home stream were examined to determine the physiological role of TRH. In the same specimens, serum levels of prolactin (PRL) and thyroxin (T4) were also examined and compared with the change of TRH concentration. TRH concentration in the olfactory bulb of males increased significantly just before the upstream migration or entering the river and dropped after entering the home stream. TRH concentration in the olfactory lobe was also slightly higher in Class 2 salmons with nuptial coloration captured in coastal water than in the other groups. TRH concentrations in hypothalamus and pituitary remained relatively low during the spawning migration. The change of TRH concentration in females was similar to that in males, but was smaller and with a wider range. The serum level of PRL was extremely low in both males and females collected in coastal waters (Classes 1 and 2) and increased after the fish entered the river. The serum level of T4 in both males and females tended to be low, as did the TRH concentration in the hypothalamus and pituitary. Immunohistochemistry of the brain using anti-proTRH serum revealed many proTRH cell bodies in the olfactory bulb and olfactory lobe. These results indicate that TRH in the homing salmon is produced mainly in the olfactory bulb and lobe and that its production may be related to changes in olfactory function during migration.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Cellular distribution of transcripts for tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 and 2 in human hepatocellular carcinomas.

The cellular distribution of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1, and TIMP-2 was studied by using in situ hybridization in surgically removed human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and cholangiocellular carcinomas (CCCs). The purpose of this study was to characterize the protein involvement of TIMPs in the development of HCCs and CCCs. All HCCs and CCCs expressed TIMPs. The distribution of transcripts for TIMPs in the tumors was mostly homogeneous. Expression of TIMP in cancer cells was more intense than that in the surrounding noncancerous liver (either, cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, or normal), and expression of TIMP-1 was stronger than that of TIMP-2. Expression of TIMPs varied among HCC nodules, but there was no obvious association between the expression level of TIMPs and differentiation stages or invasiveness of the HCCs. Transcripts for TIMPs were clearly demonstrated in the metastatic HCC nodules in the lung. Expression of TIMP-1 CCC was strong, and small nodules of CCC were recognized in the liver. Immunohistochemical study for TIMP-1 revealed a consistent staining of the TIMP protein with the transcripts. In the peritumoral histologically normal liver, which was not infected with either hepatitis B or C virus, expression of TIMP-1 was found in various cell types, but that of TIMP-2 was weak. Expression of TIMP-1 in hepatocytes revealed clear zonal distribution. These results suggest that TIMPs may act on modulating the matrix/tumor interaction and may play an important role in growth and invasion of HCCs and CCCs. Expression of TIMP-1 can be a marker of HCC metastasis to the lung, and also that of the extent of CCC invasion. Furthermore, the consistent expression of TIMPs in many cell types of the noncancerous liver suggests some unknown functional role that must be clarified.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Telomere length in human liver diseases.

To determine the role of telomere-mediated gene stability in hepatocarcinogenesis, we examined the telomere length of human liver with or without chronic liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). The mean telomere restriction fragment (TRF) length of normal liver (n = 13), chronic hepatitis (n = 11), liver cirrhosis (n = 24) and HCC (n = 24) was 7.8 +/- 0.2, 7.1 +/- 0.3, 6.4 +/- 0.2 and 5.2 +/- 0.2 kb, respectively (mean +/- standard error). TRF length decreased with a progression of chronic liver diseases and that in HCC was significantly shorter than that in other chronic liver diseases (p < 0.05). The ratios of TRF length of HCC to that of corresponding surrounding liver of well differentiated (n = 7), moderately differentiated (n = 10) and poorly differentiated (n = 4) HCCs were 0.83 +/- 0.06, 0.75 +/- 0.05 and 0.98 +/- 0.09, respectively. The ratio of poorly differentiated HCC was significantly higher than that of moderately differentiated HCC (p < 0.05). A comparison between the size and telomere length ratio of moderately differentiated HCCs revealed a decrease of the ratio with size until it reached 50 mm in diameter. In contrast, the ratio increased as the size enlarged over 50 mm. These findings suggest that the gene stability of the liver cells mediated by the telomere is reduced as chronic liver disease progresses and that telomerase is activated in poorly differentiated HCC and moderately differentiated HCC over 50 mm in diameter.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Diurnal variation in intragastric pH in children with and without peptic ulcers.

Diurnal variation in intragastric pH in children with peptic ulcers has not been previously reported. Therefore, we monitored intragastric pH during a 24-h period in 82 subjects (10 children with gastric ulcers, 9 children with duodenal ulcers, 58 non-ulcer (comparison group) children, and 5 healthy adults) using a monopolar glass pH electrode. The percent of readings below pH 2, 3, 4, and 5 for each subject was calculated and compared between the comparison group and the two ulcer groups using means and slopes (i.e. changes in percent with age for each group) of percent readings for each pH analysis. In the comparison group children, gastric acidity increased with age and reached adult levels by 14 y. Mean readings for all pH analyses in gastric ulcer children were lower than those in age-adjusted comparison children (p < 0.05). The slopes of the relationships between age and the percent time below any pH for the gastric ulcer group were different from those in the comparison group (p < 0.05) and were negative for all pH analyses. The mean time below pH 2 in children with duodenal ulcers was greater than that in age-adjusted comparison children (p = 0.002). The slope of the relationship between age and the percent time below pH 2 in the duodenal ulcer group was different from that in the comparison group (p < 0.05). Gastric acidity in children with primary gastric ulcers was reduced during childhood, but in children with primary duodenal ulcer, gastric acidity was at or above adult levels.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Characterization of non-pigmented Staphylococcus chromogenes.

A large number of non-pigmented Staphylococcus chromogenes were isolated from the skin of piglets with exudative epidermitis and healthy pigs. Their characteristics were homologous with S. chromogenes type strain, except for pigment production. Strains of non-pigmented S. chromogenes exhibited high levels of DNA homology with S. chromogenes type strain. The colony morphology and pigmentation of non-pigmented S. chromogenes was very similar to S. hyicus type strain, but their characteristics differ in hyaluronidase production, heat stable DNase, Tween 80 hydrolysis and bacitracin resistance. Further, DNA homology drew a distinction between non-pigmented S. chromogenes and S. hyicus type strain.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Changes of Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone Concentration in the Brain and Levels of Prolactin and Thyroxin in the Serum during Spawning Migration of the Chum Salmon Oncorhynchus keta

Journal Article↗

PubMed1996

[Quantitative measurements of cerebral blood flow using 99mTc-ECD radionuclide angiography, SPECT and one-point arterial sampling].

We quantified regional cerebral blood flow using 99mTc-bicisate ethyl cysteinate dimer (ECD) radionuclide (RN) angiography, one-point arterial sampling and static SPECT in 12 patients. The tracer was injected as a bolus into the right antecubital vein, and time-activity curves over the cerebrum and the aortic arch were sequentially recorded for 300 s with 3 s intervals in a 128 x 128 format with a large-field of view gamma camera equipped with a low-energy collimator. Blood was obtained from the femoral artery immediately after stopping the RN angiography and the arterial concentration of 99mTc-ECD was calculated. Thereafter, the SPECT data acquisition was started with the subject's head immobilized. We applied a three-compartment kinetic model: The influx constant of 99mTc-ECD from blood to brain (K1) and the transfer of ECD from diffusible compartment to nondiffusible one in the blood (k5). The K1 value was compared with the global cerebral blood flow value (Fa) measured by the 133Xe clearance technique. From the kinetic analysis, the following parameter values could be calculated: K1 = 0.21 +/- 0.05 (ml/ml/min), k5 = 0.66 +/- 0.15 (/min), Fa = 0.32 +/- 0.09 (ml/ml/min) and the extraction fraction E = K1/Fa = 0.65 +/- 0.05. There was a strong correlation between K1 and Fa (Y = 0.53X + 3.7; rs = 0.91). By combining the K1 and E values in the whole-brain, we can obtain the absolute global flow value and regional 99mTc-ECD CBF maps if the average concentration of the tracer in the whole-brain is used as a reference. Our method is less invasive and suitable for quantitation of cerebral blood flow in patients with brain disorders.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Cellular distribution of 92-kd type IV collagenase/gelatinase B in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

To examine the possible involvement of gelatinase B in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cellular localization of transcripts and protein of gelatinase B were studied by using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Transcripts for gelatinase B were observed in tumor cells in 22 cases of 27 HCCs and also in dysplastic nodules. However, there was no significant difference in the expression among histological grades of HCC. The expression was mostly homogeneous, but the intensity varied with the nodules. Of 13 cases with capsular invasion, 12 expressed gelatinase B, whereas 10 of 14 without capsular invasion did (P < 0.05). Gelatinase B transcripts were commonly observed in the sinusoidal cells of the hepatic lobules, in mesenchymal cells both in fibrous capsules and around the necrosis, and also in some undefined cells of the portal tracts of noncancerous liver. Localization of gelatinase B protein was mostly similar to but sometimes different from that of the transcripts in cancer nodules. In conclusion, the expression of gelatinase B appears to be an important characteristic of malignant transformation of hepatocytes. The findings suggest that gelatinase B synthesized by cancer cells plays an important role in the growth and invasion of HCC by degrading surrounding extracellular matrices.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Hair cell regeneration in the chick inner ear following acoustic trauma: ultrastructural and immunohistochemical studies.

The regeneration of hair cells in the chick inner ear following acoustic trauma was examined using transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the localization of proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) was demonstrated immunohistochemically. The auditory sensory epithelium of the normal chick consists of short and tall hair cells and supporting cells. Immediately after noise exposure to a 1500-Hz pure tone at a sound pressure level of 120 decibels for 48 h, all the short hair cells disappeared in the middle region of the auditory epithelium. Twelve hours to 1 day after exposure, mitotic cells, binucleate cells and PCNA-positive supporting cells were observed, and b-FGF immunoreactivity was shown in the supporting cells and glial cells near the habenula perforata. Spindle-shaped hair cells with immature stereocilia and a kinocilium appeared 3 days after exposure; these cells had synaptic connections with the newly developed nerve endings. The spindle-shaped hair cell is considered to be a transitional cell in the lineage of the supporting cell to the mature short hair cell. These results indicate that, after acoustic trauma, the supporting cells divide and differentiate into new short hair cells via spindle-shaped hair cells. Furthermore, it is suggested that b-FGF is related to the proliferation of the supporting cells and the extension of the nerve fibers.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMed1995

Transferrin is not involved in initial uptake process of iron in rat duodenal mucosa. Ultrastructural study by x-ray energy spectrometry.

The role of transferrin in iron absorption by the duodenal mucosa in rats with iron deficiency and controls was evaluated immunohistochemically. Ferric iron was administered to each rat using a metallic gastric tube. Transferrin was stained by an immunoperoxidase method and iron with Prussian blue in the same duodenal sections and observed by light microscopy. The localization of transferrin differed from that of ferric iron both in rats with iron deficiency and in controls. In iron-deficient rats, transferrin was weakly stained after iron administration but was strongly stained after saline administration. In contrast, in controls, transferrin was weakly stained after saline administration but was strongly stained after iron administration. By electron microscopy, x-ray energy spectrometric analysis of the transferrin-positive areas showed no iron peak. In iron-deficient rats, accumulation of electron-dense transferrin-negative microgranules was observed in some of the duodenal columnar epithelium. X-ray energy spectrometric analysis of this area revealed iron, indicating iron absorption. These results suggest that mucosal transferrin does not act as a shuttle protein in iron absorption via the rat duodenal columnar epithelium, and the function of this protein may be to inform the absorptive cells of the iron status of the body as observed in other organs.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Suppressive action of lansoprazole on gastric acidity and its clinical effect in patients with gastric ulcers: comparison with famotidine.

We studied the action on acid secretion of lansoprazole compared with famotidine by 24-h intragastric pH monitoring, evaluated its clinical effects prospectively, and assessed the importance of acid inhibition in gastric ulcer patients. Twenty symptomatic patients with active gastric ulcers diagnosed by endoscopy were assigned to a lansoprazole (LAN) group (lansoprazole 30 mg q.d., n = 10) or a famotidine (FAM) group (famotidine 20 mg b.i.d., n = 10). There were no differences between the groups in pretreatment pH profiles or background factors such as age, sex, smoking, previous ulcer therapy, ulcer site, or Helicobacter pylori infection. The FAM group showed a continuous increase in intragastric pH during the night, with low pH values except for a transient increase associated with food intake during the day. However, the LAN group showed a more neutral pH throughout the day, with pH-3 holding time ratios of 99.0% for 24 h, 98.3% at night, and 99.8% during the day, compared with 68.0, 76.5, and 59.4%, respectively, in the FAM group. The healing rate was also higher in the LAN group. We conclude that inhibition of gastric acidity is important in ulcer therapy and that lansoprazole is superior to famotidine in promoting ulcer healing.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗

PubMed1995

Clinical study on the pathophysiology and treatment of PPI-resistant ulcers.

We studied the gastric acidity, gastric emptying, and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) plasma levels in 10 patients with PPI-resistant ulcers. The pH3 holding-time ratio was low in nine of these patients, with an average ratio of only 39%. PPI plasma levels in those patients were also much lower than in those with nonresistant ulcers. Gastric emptying, determined by the acetaminophen method, was reduced in all 10 patients. Therefore, PPI-resistant ulcers appear to result from insufficient inhibition of gastric acidity, with reduced gastric emptying interfering with the absorption of PPIs. In patients with mild reductions in gastric emptying, PPI plasma levels increased after a change from single-unit enteric-coated tablets (omeprazole) to multiunit enteric-coated granules in capsules (lansoprazole). This change in formulation markedly inhibited gastric acidity and led to rapid healing. In patients with moderate reductions in gastric emptying, doubling the dose of lansoprazole was effective. In patients with severely reduced gastric emptying, there appeared to be a limit to the effectiveness of oral administration of PPIs. Changing the formulation and doubling the dose to compensate for reduced gastric emptying are effective approaches in the treatment of patients with PPI-resistant ulcers.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗

PubMed1995

[Production of medicinal plants by soilless culture system. I. Studies of morphological characteristics and saikosaponins content in Bupleurum falcatum cultivated by Ebb & Flood system].

We studied that the morphological and histological characteristics, and the content (%DW) of saikosaponins on the root of Bupleurum falcatum cultivated in an Ebb & Flood system (E & F), a kind of soilless culture system, by both the direct sowing and the transplanting methods, and that effects of pinching on the root growth and the content (%DW) of saikosaponins in each part of root. Yield of root and content (%DW) of saikosaponins in each part of root, 8-months-old, cultivated in E & F by both methods were at the same level as that cultivated for the same period in soil condition by generally standard procedures. Morphological characteristics of the root cultivated by the direct sowing method were the same appearance as that by soil condition, but by the transplanting method main root branched off in all direction and the lateral root were more developed than by the direct sowing method. By pinching lignification in xylem on the main root were inhibited, but the dried weight of total root part and content (%DW) of saikosaponins in each part of the root were not shown to be significantly changed.

Botany↗

PubMed1995

[Intracranial tuberculoma with spontaneous recovery].

A 57-year-old man was admitted because of headache, nausea, and fever up (38 degrees C). He showed nuchal rigidity slightly. CSF analysis showed 833 white blood cells (WBC) (80% monocyte), protein value of 68 mg/dl, glucose level of 36 mg/dl and ADA level of 11.8 IU/l. Brain pre-contrast CT indicated high density area in right parietal lobe, and it showed slightly homogeneously enhancement with contrast medium. MRI on T2 WI demonstrated hypointense lesion with bright central core in right parietal lobe. The lesion showed isointense on T1WI, and indicated homogeneous enhancement with Gd-DTPA. He was sent to our hospital after one week. With only antibiotics the symptoms were relieved and the CSF findings improved during the previous hospital. However, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) DNA was detected in CSF by PCR amplification, and he recovered completely with anti-tuberculous treatment. This case was interesting to reveal atypical features of spontaneous recovery. Since Shankar's study using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of M. tuberculosis in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the PCR assay have been recognized to be a rapid method for diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM). But there are problems of PCR sensitivity when dealing with CSF samples containing small amount of M. tuberculosis DNA. Comparing direct PCR with nested PCR, we studied on the evaluation of PCR for diagnosis of TBM. In this study the nested PCR was positive in all CSF specimens from 4 patients with TBM, but we could not detect M. tuberculosis DNA by only the direct PCR. Nested PCR amplification improved the sensitivity and specificity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗

PubMed1995

[Intrasubject comparison of regional cerebral blood flow between N-isopropyl-p-[123I]iodoamphetamine SPECT and 99mTc-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime SPECT in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease].

We compared regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) of CBF-SPECT brain imaging in two brain perfusion agents, N-isopropyl-p-[123I]iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) and 99mTc-hexamethylpropyleneamineoxime (99mTc-HMPAO), in the same patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease. In eight healthy volunteers and 16 patients with chronic stage of cerebral infarction, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) data was normalized to the count density of the tracer in the whole brain, and then converted to the absolute units of CBF by multiplying average 133Xe-CBF in the whole-brain. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), grouped by the affected and contra lateral hemispheres of patients and right and left hemispheres of normal volunteers, was used to assess the changes in pattern of regional CBF (rCBF) among disease and control groups. Regional CBF was significantly reduced in patients compared with normal controls in all the brain regions on both tracers: F = 6.6-14 and p = 9.1 x 10(-4) - 1.6 x 10(-6) in IMP, and F = 5.8-14.8 and p = 2 x 10(-3) - 8.2 x 10(-7) in HMPAO. F value was higher in IMP than that of HMPAO in five of nine brain regions of interests (the frontal, temporal and occipital cortices, thalamus and the striatum), whereas F value was higher in HMPAO than IMP in the other four regions (the central lobule, parietal cortex, hippocampus and the centrum semiovale).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗

PubMed1995

[Endoscopic surgery for early gastric cancer by endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR)].

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) enables one to examine resected specimens histologically and judge the curability by the histological findings. A mucosa and a part of submucosa can be resected by EMR. Therefore, mucosal cancers are indications for EMR. The present study showed that better indications for EMR were as follows: lesions less than 10 mm in size, lesions without ulceration, and lesions in the antrum or at the greater curvature. However, it is difficult to judge correctly before EMR whether the lesions are completely resected or not. The lesions with better indications are not always resected completely, and, conversely, the lesions more than 11 mm in size are completely resected at times. Therefore, it is most important to know how to deal with resected specimens. Specimens must be dealt with in strict conformity with the regulations. At present, when EMR may be regarded as the least invasive modality of curative sugeries, a new systematic treatment combining surgical laparotomic treatment and EMR is desirable for curative treatment of early gastric cancer.

Gastrectomy↗