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Biomedical subjects

K Baba

Publications and source records attributed to K Baba.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Enkephalin-immunoreactive fastigial neurons in the rat cerebellum project to upper cervical cord segments.

By using enkephalin immunohistochemistry combined with retrograde fluorescent labelling, a great majority of neurons in the rat cerebellum sending their axons to the spinal cord were shown to contain enkephalin immunoreactivity. These neurons were numerous and clustered in the fastigial nucleus but far less abundant in other cerebellar nuclei. Enkephalin-immunoreactive fibers present in the ventral horn and the central cervical nucleus of upper cervical cord segments almost completely disappeared contralaterally following kainic acid-induced cell loss in the fastigial nucleus. The results indicate that fastigial and some other cerebellar nucleus neurons provide enkephalin-containing projections toward these spinal sites.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Immunohistochemical evidence for enkephalin and neuropeptide Y in rat inferior colliculus neurons that provide ascending or commissural fibers.

Enkephalin- and neuropeptide Y-expressing neurons which offer commissural axons or axons toward auditory thalamus were identified in the rat inferior colliculus. These neurons exhibited a differential distribution pattern. The results provide evidence for regional specificity and chemical heterogeneity of neurons in the auditory midbrain.

Afferent Pathways↗
PubMed1995

Microsatellite instability in Japanese esophageal carcinoma.

Recent studies have shown that microsatellite instability (MSI) may play an important role in the development of various types of cancer. However, there have been only 2 reports describing MSI in esophageal carcinoma and the clinicopathologic significance of MSI in this malignancy has not yet been clarified. To better elucidate the role of genetic instability in the development of esophageal carcinoma, we investigated the presence of MSI in 32 cases of esophageal cancer using paired samples of fresh frozen tumor and normal tissue by a method based on the polymerase chain reaction. MSI was defined as occurring in tumors which showed altered banding patterns at one or more microsatellite loci. The incidence of MSI in esophageal carcinoma was 6 out of 32 patients. MSI was observed more frequently in cases with small-cell carcinoma (2 out of 2) than in cases with squamous-cell carcinoma (4 out of 29). No cases with adenocarcinoma or Barrett's metaplasia were included in our series. No significant correlations between MSI and other clinicopathologic parameters were observed. The present study suggests that (1) some Japanese esophageal carcinomas certainly correlate with DNA replication error, and (2) MSI may be more frequent in small-cell carcinoma of the esophagus than in squamous-cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

An Evaluation of DNA Polymerase alpha as a Prognostic Predictor in Early Breast Cancers Smaller than 2 cm.

We examined the relationship between proliferative activity determined by DNA polymerase alpha and clinicopathologic variables in breast cancer patients, and evaluated the usefulness of DNA polymerase alpha as a prognostic predictor in 337 early breast cancers with tumors smaller than 2 cm, which had favorable outcomes. About 60% of tumors had lower proliferative activity. A significant correlationwas found between DNA polymerase alpha and ER, PgR, histological type, or the degree of infiltration into lymphatic vessels which reflect the prognosis. Cancers with higher DNA polymerase alpha activity were associated with shorter disease-free and overall survival times. In a multivariate analysis the DNA polymerase alpha was found to be an independent and significant factor in early breast cancer.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1995

Interaction of filarial proteins on growth regulation of normal lung epithelial cells in vitro.

An in vitro model to examine the effects of filarial proteins on lung epithelial cells has been developed. Several of these proteins appear in circulation of infected individuals. A close association between tropical pulmonary eosinophilia (TPE) and filariasis has been reported by several workers. [3H]-thymidine studies do indicate that when optimum concentration of these filarial proteins were added to lung cultures in proliferating and basal/maintenance media a further increase in growth stimulation was observed early in culture. However, on longer exposures and at higher concentrations an inhibitory effect with distinct morphological changes were noted. The dual role of these proteins on lung epithelial cells in vitro may highlight the possibility of a direct interaction of these proteins with lung cells during disease also contributing to tissue damage.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Capillary-tissue arrangement in the skeletal muscle optimized for oxygen transport in all mammals.

The aim of this computer simulation study is to evaluate the efficiency of capillary networks in the skeletal muscle for oxygen (O2) delivery to tissue for all mammals. This was performed by: (1) employing Krogh's cylinder model for the capillary-tissue system and the minimum volume model for the vascular system, (2) allometrically assessing the muscle blood flow and O2 consumption rate (the main input data) in the resting and exercising states as power functions of body weight from the data reported for several mammals, and (3) calculating the cost-performance of the system from the ratio (maximum O2 uptake of tissue)/(minimum energy expenditure of blood flow supply), as a function of number of capillaries. The results obtained for body weights ranging from 100 g to 1000 kg revealed that for each body weight and metabolic state, the efficiency curve attains a peak at a specific optimum capillary number, and that the calculated values of total muscle mass, capillary density, and capillary flow-rate by using the optimum capillary number and tissue radius during exercise agree remarkably well with those actually measured in various animals. These findings suggest the validity of a working hypothesis that in all mammals, the capillary arrangement in the skeletal muscle is optimized for O2 delivery to tissue during exercise.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Effect of adrenomedullin on aldosterone secretion by dispersed rat adrenal zona glomerulosa cells.

Adrenomedullin, a novel hypotensive peptide, was discovered in human pheochromocytoma. Although adrenomedullin exists also in normal adrenal medulla and several other organs, its effect on steroidogenesis in adrenal cortex has not been studied. We examined the effect of adrenomedullin on aldosterone secretion by the dispersed rat adrenal zona glomerulosa cells. Adrenomedullin (10(-12)-10(-7) M) did not affect basal aldosterone secretion. Adrenomedullin dose dependently inhibited aldosterone secretion stimulated by 10(-9) M angiotensin II and 10 mM potassium, whereas 10(-9) M ACTH-stimulated aldosterone was not significantly inhibited by adrenomedullin. N6,O2'-dibutyryladenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (db-cAMP, 10(-5)-10(-3) M) and Ca+ ionophore A23187 (10(-8)-10(-6) M) stimulated aldosterone secretion dose dependently, and A23187-stimulated secretion was significantly inhibited by adrenomedullin (10(-8) M), but db-cAMP-stimulated secretion was not inhibited by adrenomedullin. Our data suggest the possibility that adrenomedullin is a novel inhibitory peptide of aldosterone secretion induced by increasing concentration of intracellular free calcium.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1995

The precore/core promoter mutant (T1762A1764) of hepatitis B virus: clinical significance and an easy method for detection.

Recently, a new hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutant with HBe antigen-negative phenotype has been characterized, in which one TATA box-like motif of the precore/core promoter had degenerated: most frequently by both A-->T and G-->A mutations at positions 1762 and 1764, respectively. The clinical significance of this mutant is as yet unknown. In our present study, the T1762 A1764 mutant was sought in sera from HBV-infected blood donors and chronic liver disease patients by directly sequencing a PCR-amplified region of HBVDNA. Also, because the A1764 mutation generates a Sau3AI cleavage site (GGTC-->GATC), we digested the PCR products with Sau3AI to see if cleavage would occur at this specific site. Our results mostly corroborated the earlier report but we found a higher-than-predicted frequency of HBe antigen-positive blood donors positive for the mutant (22%). The titres of HBe antigen in these mutant-positive sera were slightly decreased compared to the titres in wild-type HBV infection. In addition, these blood donors had relatively high (though within the normal range) serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, suggesting that the T1762 A1764 mutation could be used as a sensitive laboratory marker for insidious hepatitis in these otherwise 'asymptomatic' carriers. The Sau3AI assay, which is much more convenient than sequencing, was shown to be useful for the detection of the T1762 A1764 mutant in an extensive number of clinical samples.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1995

Immunohistochemical profile of primary sclerosing lipogranuloma of the scrotum: report of five cases.

Five cases of primary sclerosing scrotal lipogranuloma were examined histologically and immunohistochemically. Every case lacked a history of injection or trauma, and revealed common histological features: a typical granuloma composed of epithelioid cells and multinucleated giant cells, and inflammatory infiltrates of eosinophils, lymphocytes and macrophage/monocytes in the interstitium. Immunohistochemistry disclosed the epithelioid cells and multinucleated giant cells of the granuloma to be monocytes in nature, as both types of cells were positive for lysozyme, alpha-1-antitrypsin, alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, and KP-1. In the interstitium, KP-1 positive monocytes, L-26 positive B lymphocytes, UCHL-1 positive T lymphocytes and S-100 protein positive Langerhans-like cells were frequently found. S-100 protein positive cells could not be detected in the granuloma. Primary sclerosing lipogranuloma of the scrotum, therefore, is a peculiar inflammation characterized by granulomas consisting of monocytes and marked tissue eosinophilia of unknown etiology.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Herpes zoster in a normal child after varicella vaccination.

A healthy 5 year old girl developed herpes zoster in the dermatome supplied by the ophthalmic branch of the fifth cranial nerve 40 months after varicella vaccination. She was admitted to our hospital because of high fever and painful vesicular lesions over the left side of her forehead. She was treated successfully with systemic and topical acyclovir without developing herpetic keratoconjunctivitis. Our acute and convalescent phase evaluations showed that non-specific cellular and humoral immunity was normal. This is the fourth case of herpes zoster developing in an immunocompetent child following vaccination. Unlike the previously reported cases, our patient required hospitalization mainly to prevent ocular involvement. The issue concerning whether the universal introduction of varicella vaccination of normal children will reduce the incidence of the subsequent occurrence of herpes zoster must await further studies involving longer follow-up periods.

Chickenpox Vaccine↗
PubMed1995

Radiation-induced decrease in nitric oxide synthase--containing nerves in the rat penis.

PURPOSE: Evaluate effect of prostatic irradiation on erectile function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-seven male adult rats were divided into three groups according to a single radiation dose to the prostate: control (no irradiation) (n = 15), 1,000 cGy (n = 15), and 2,000 cGy (n = 17). Five months after irradiation, rats underwent evaluation of penile vascularity and of erectile response to central and peripheral stimulation. After the study a proximal-shaft penile segment was obtained for staining. RESULTS: Histologic evaluation demonstrated that, with increasing radiation, the number of nitric oxide synthase-containing nerve fibers per penile segment decreased significantly: control, 225.6 +/- 9.7; 1,000 cGy, 156.3 +/- 12.0; 2,000 cGy, 85.8 +/- 10.1 (standard error of the mean). Maximal intracavernous pressure induced with electrostimulation decreased significantly with increasing radiation dose. After injection of papaverine, maximal intracavernous pressure was significantly decreased in only the 2,000-cGy group. CONCLUSION: A dose of 2,000 cGy over the prostatic bed induces erectile dysfunction by causing defects in the vascular supply of the erectile tissue and in the nerves and smooth muscle.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1995

[Study on relationship between anterior components of lateral occlusion and muscle activity. Part 1. Anterior components of lateral occlusion].

a) Angle of frontal and horizontal inclination b) position c) numbers and d) area of the contact points at several lateral occlusions which have different distances from the intercuspal position (ICP) were examined on 12 normal subjects to suggest the normal form of lateral occlusion. Each lateral contact point was different due to the LED jaw tracing device with which the angle was measured, and the position, numbers and the area were measured using black silicon methods. The results were as follows: 1. On the angle of frontal inclination, 70% of the subjects showed 25-45 degrees, and especially at the canine's edge to the edge lateral position (EDGE position), C.P. group and G.F. group had significantly different frontal angles. The angle of horizontal inclination had a negative correlation to the frontal inclination, 70% of the subjects showed 20-35 degrees for this angle. 2. The angle of frontal and horizontal inclination was not affected by the balancing contacts. 3. At a 2 mm lateral position from the ICP, the correlation between the angle of frontal inclination with the numbers and area of lateral occlusal contact was more negative than that at another lateral position.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Report of dental treatment for an island of Okinawa].

Dental treatment was performed on the the inhabitants of Iriomote Island, which is a non-dentist island at present, in Okinawa; two hundred forty-five patients received the treatment for 647 man-days during the period from July 6 through 28, 1994. Since completion of the treatment plan was considered to be necessary during that period, treatments for many teeth had to be done simultaneously because a large number of dental caries and periodontal disease were found. Dental hygienic education such as brushing instruction was made but the long-term educational program is considered to be important so as to prevent dental disease as well. It is to be desired that many dentists become interested in the treatment in non-dentist areas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[A case of adult Wilms' tumor with vena caval involvement].

The patient was a 35-year-old female with the chief complaint of macrohematuria. Computerized tomographic (CT) scan, ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed the presence of a large and inhomogeneous mass in the left kidney, and a tumor thrombus growing in the inferior vena cava. Angiography also showed a hypervascular tumor in the left kidney. The chest X-ray and CT scan demonstrated multiple metastatic lesions in the bilateral lungs. Radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy was performed under the diagnosis of left renal tumor with its invasion of inferior vena cava. Pathological findings revealed that this tumor was nephroblastoma, and its type was clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK). The patient received chemotherapy according to National Wilms' Tumor Study (NWTS) IV chemotherapeutic drug regimen. In general, CCSK is known to have poor prognosis. However, doxorubicin has been reported to have a relatively good antitumor effect for CCSK. However, in this case, the evaluation after the first course of chemotherapy was progressive disease, because some new lesions appeared, although most old pulmonary metastatic lesions were reduced.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Ileovesical fistula caused by long-term indwelling of urethral catheter: a case report].

A case of an ileovesical fistula is reported. The patient was a 32-year-old female who suffered from spina bifida. She had had a urethral catheter indwelt at 13 years old for continuous incontinence caused by atrophic bladder. The patient noted lower abdominal discomfort and fecal urine at age 31 in January, 1989 and urination from anal appeared in March, 1990. In November, 1990, the patient was introduced to our hospital and diagnosed with ileovesical fistula. We performed partial cystectomy, ileal wedge resection and cystostomy on this patient. The pathological findings showed chronic inflammatory change. The ileovesical fistula may have been caused by a long-term indwelling of urethral catheter. We discussed the ileovesical fistula and the treatment of neurogenic bladder in a patient of spina bifida.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Panaxynol, a polyacetylene compound isolated from oriental medicines, inhibits mammalian lipoxygenases.

Panaxynol is a polyacetylene compound isolated from commonly used oriental medicines, and its effects on various cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases were investigated. The compound had only a marginal effect on cyclooxygenase activities (IC50 values >> 100 microM), but inhibited lipoxygenases; 5-lipoxygenase (IC50, 2 microM), two isoforms of 12-lipoxygenase (leukocyte-type, 1 microM; platelet-type, 67 microM) and 15-lipoxygenase (4 microM). Thus, panaxynol inhibited leukocyte-type 12-lipoxygenase much more effectively than platelet-type 12-lipoxygenase. Falcarindiol, an analogue of panaxynol, inhibited these lipoxygenases with higher IC50 values than panaxynol. These compounds could provide a clue to develop a selective inhibitor of one isoform of 12-lipoxygenase.

Alkynes↗