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Biomedical subjects

K Baba

Publications and source records attributed to K Baba.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

[Clinical study of parotid tumors: a 20 year statistical analysis of 633 cases].

During the 20 years from 1977 to 1996, 633 cases underwent excisions of parotid tumors (539 benign and 94 malignant) in the department of Otolaryngology of Kansai Medical University. The incidence of Warthin's tumors in the years from (1987 to 1996) was higher than that in the years from 1977 to 1986. On the other hand, the incidence of mucoepidermoid carcinomas was less than in previous reports. Tumors accompanied with spontaneous pain or facial nerve palsy and with invasion to both lobes frequently indicated malignancy. Facial nerve palsy caused by either benign or malignant tumors before operation showed no improvement after surgery. The incidences of facial nerve palsy (1.0% in benign, and 18.3% in malignant) and Frey's syndrome (17.8% in benign, and 18.3% in malignant) after surgery were lower than those in other reports of both benign and malignant tumors. Five-year mortality was 76.1%. All deaths that occurred five years after operation involved highly grade malignant tumors.

Adenolymphoma↗
PubMed1999

[Clinical study of transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia].

We report our clinical experience of transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate (TUVP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) using VaporTrode developed by Circon ACMI. From April to November 1995, we treated 22 patients with symptomatic BPH with TUVP. The mean I-PSS decreased significantly, from 21.8 at baseline to 8.1, 4.5, 4.3 and 5.4 at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after operation, respectively. The mean QOL index also decreased significantly, from 5.2 to 1.5, 1.0, 1.3 and 1.3. The mean peak flow rate increased significantly, from 9.0 preoperatively to 17.4, 17.7, 20.8 and 16.5 ml/sec at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after TUVP, respectively. The mean prostate volume decreased significantly, from 41.5 to 22.9, 18.6, 18.8 and 19.9 ml. The mean residual urine decreased significantly, from 90.0 to 17.6, 20.6, 24.1 and 9.4 ml. As for overall efficacy, the rate of excellent and good cases at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months was 77.3, 95.5, 95.0 and 84.2%, respectively. No serious complications were observed. Our clinical results suggest that TUVP using VaporTrode has several potential advantages including good efficacy, minimal morbidity and lower cost compared with other less invasive procedures, and may become the useful way of surgical treatment for BPH.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Obui-himo syndrome.

Normal variants of the venous system are relatively common and rarely cause severe symptoms. We report the case of a 5-month-old baby who displayed cyanotic color and swelling of arms whenever she was carried on the mother's back with a special band "Obui-himo". It was demonstrated by venography that the symptoms were caused by the absence of a cephalic vein and compression of axillary veins with the Obui-himo. In any country with a custom similar to the Obui-himo, these symptoms, if clinically encountered, are an indication that venography should be performed.

Arm↗
PubMed1998

Hepatitis C virus infection and mutations of mannose-binding lectin gene MBL.

We assessed the genetic polymorphism of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) in 93 patients with chronic hepatitis C (45 responders and 48 nonresponders to interferon) and 218 healthy controls. Mutant allele was identified only at codon 54 (Gly-->Asp), leading to three genotypes (54 m/m, 54 W/m, and 54 W/W). Frequency of 54 m/m was significantly lower in interferon-responders (2.2%), compared to those in nonresponders (14.6%) and controls (10.6%): p < 0.05. Our results suggest that homozygous carriage of the variant allele of codon 54 of MBL may predict poor response to interferon in chronic hepatitis C patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Spectroscopic studies of three osseointegrated implants.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the surface characteristics of titanium implants. METHODS: The chemical state of the surfaces of three types of osseointegrated titanium implant, Brånemark (Nobelpharma, Göteborg, Sweden), IMZ (Friatec, Mannheim, Germany) and ITI-Bonefit (Straumann, Waldenburg, Switzerland), were analysed by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). RESULTS: The outermost layers of the implants investigated were speculated to be TiO2. In the Brånemark implants pure titanium was found under the TiO2 layer. By contrast, in the IMZ and ITI-Bonefit implants which are titanium plasma spray coated, oxygen atoms were observed at considerable depths by AES, and the material under the TiO2 layer showed a chemical shift by XPS. Furthermore, shifted peaks were not of pure titanium or of titanium oxide. CONCLUSION: The three titanium implants investigated were found to have different surface characteristics when examined by spectroscopy. As these implants show similar osseointegration it is suggested that they may be found to interact differently with vital bone.

Biocompatible Materials↗
PubMed1998

Effects of daphnodorin A, B and C, new flavans isolated from traditional Chinese medicine, on the 12-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase metabolism of arachidonic acid in rabbit platelets.

The effects of daphnodorin A, B and C, isolated from the root and bark of Daphne odora THUNB, on the activities of 12-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase in rabbit platelets were examined. Daphnodorin A and C were inhibitors of platelet 12-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase activities. Daphnodorin B had no effect on the two enzymatic pathways. The present data raise the possibility that daphnodorin A and C can be anti-thrombotic and anti-atherosclerotic drugs through the suppressive influence on the platelet 12-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase.

12-Hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic Acid↗
PubMed1998

Norepinephrine-augmenting lipolytic effectors from Astilbe thunbergii rhizomes.

An EtOAc-soluble fraction from a 80% Me2CO extract of the rhizomes of Astilbe thunbergii enhanced norepinephrine-induced lipolysis in rat fat cells, while an EtOAc-insoluble fraction had no effect. The active substances isolated from the EtOAc-soluble fraction of the rhizomes were identified as eucryphin (1), bergenin (2), and astilbin (3), which enhanced norepinephrine-induced lipolysis at concentrations of 10-1000 microgram/mL, while they themselves did not cause lipolysis. Furthermore, these compounds slightly stimulated adrenocorticotrophic hormone-induced lipolysis and inhibited insulin-induced lipogenesis from glucose.

Adipocytes↗
PubMed1998

Circadian-regulated transcription of the psbD light-responsive promoter in wheat chloroplasts.

The level of mRNAs derived from the plastid-encoded psbD light-responsive promoter (LRP) is controlled by a circadian clock(s) in wheat (Triticum aestivum). The circadian oscillations in the psbD LRP mRNA level persisted for at least three cycles in continuous light and for one cycle in continuous dark, with maxima in subjective morning and minima in subjective early night. In vitro transcription in chloroplast extracts revealed that the circadian cycles in the psbD LRP mRNA level were dominantly attributed to the circadian-regulated transcription of the psbD LRP. The effects of various mutations introduced into the promoter region on the psbD LRP activity in vitro suggest the existence of two positive elements located between -54 and -36, which generally enhance the transcription activity, and an anomalous core promoter structure lacking the functional "-35" element, which plays a crucial role in the circadian fluctuation and light dependency of psbD LRP transcription activity.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Coronary risk factors in acute Kawasaki disease: correlation of serum immunoglobulin levels with coronary complications.

BACKGROUND: To determine the usefulness of the IgG z-score (age and sex-standardized serum IgG level) before intravenous gamma globulin therapy (IVGG) in predicting the occurrence or severity of coronary complications in Kawasaki disease (KD). METHODS: A case-control study of clinical and laboratory findings with 88 children in the early stage of acute KD who received IVGG (100 or 200 mg/kg for 2-5 days) therapy. Of these, 20 cases had persistent coronary arterial lesions (small aneurysm, moderate aneurysm or large aneurysm persisting more than 1 month). The controls comprised 68 children with no coronary aneurysms or transient small aneurysm only observed within 1 month after the onset of KD. The association between serum levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG). IgM, IgA as well as other coronary risk factors previously reported and the occurrence of the coronary arterial lesions was evaluated using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, gender, total IVGG dose before the 9th illness day and other traditional coronary risk factors, the odds ratio for the persistent coronary aneurysm associated with lower serum IgG z-score (< -0.7485 vs > or = -0.7485), was 30.3 (95% confidence interval, 3.8-243.2). Furthermore, the serum IgG z-score was inversely correlated with the severity of the coronary arterial lesion. CONCLUSIONS: The IgG z-score before IVGG therapy in the early stage of KD provides useful information on the risk factors for persistent coronary aneurysm and is a novel, additional indicator for therapy to prevent the coronary complications in acute KD.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1998

Polymerase chain reaction analysis of the Y chromosome long arm in azoospermic patients: lack of the Y chromosome recognition motif (YRRM1) gene.

We analyzed DNA from a patient with azoospermia whose Y chromosome was cytogenetically normal. A total of 16 loci on the Y chromosome long arm were examined: 15 loci between DYS7E and DYZ1, and the Y chromosome RNA recognition motif (YRRM1) locus, a candidate gene for the azoospermic factor AZF. We did not detect the YRRM1 gene in this patient. This finding supports the theory that YRRM1 is an essential gene for spermatogenesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Inhibition of 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase activity in rabbit gastric antral mucosa by panaxynol isolated from oriental medicines.

Panaxynol is a polyacetylene compound with anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet-aggregatory effects isolated from commonly used oriental medicines. The effects of panaxynol on the activity of prostaglandin-synthesizing and catabolizing enzymes in the rabbit gastric antral mucosa have been examined. At concentrations ranging from 25 to 200 microM panaxynol had no effect on the synthesis of prostaglandins E2, F2alpha and D2 from exogenous arachidonic acid in the microsomal fraction of the gastric mucosa whereas at 25-200 microM it dose-dependently inhibited the activity of 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (PGDH), which catalyses the initial step of prostaglandin catabolism, in the cytosolic fraction. The concentration required for 50% inhibition (IC50) was approximately 25 microM. Inhibition of PGDH by panaxynol was non-competitive with regard to NAD+ and prostaglandin E2. These results suggest that panaxynol has the potential to inhibit PGDH activity in gastric mucosa, possibly as a result of pharmacological activity.

Alkynes↗
PubMed1998

Cavitary pulmonary metastases of gallbladder cancer.

We report a case of multiple cavitary pulmonary metastases of gallbladder cancer. Radiologically, every cavity displayed a very thin wall containing only air inside. The postmortem histopathological examination showed that: (1) the cavities were surrounded by normal alveoli; (2) these walls were composed mostly of adenocarcinoma cells; (3) necrotic or mucous substance was sparse in the cavity space; (4) cancer cells infiltrated along the surface of the alveolar septa, and (5) the morphology of the cancer cells of the gallbladder and the lung was the same. It seemed likely that the thin-walled cavities in the lung might result from central breakdown of the tumor and subsequent expectoration of debris through the connected airways.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1998

A convenient and efficient synthesis of sialyl Lewis X.

A convenient synthesis of the sialyl Lewis X (sLe(x)) tetrasaccharide, NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-4(Fuc alpha 1-3)GlcNAc (8), as a carbohydrate ligand for selectins is described. The key step is the reaction between NeuAc alpha 2-3GalSMe (5) as a glycosyl donor and the suitably protected Fuc alpha 1-3GlcNAc derivative (4) as the glycosyl acceptor by using dimethyl(methylthio)sulfonium triflate (DMTST) as the promoter.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗
PubMed1998

[Prognostic effect of PyNPase (pyrimidine nucleoside phosphorylase) activity in breast cancer].

To clarify the clinical significance of PyNPase (Pyrimidine Nucleoside Phosphorylase)/ PD-ECGF activity in breast cancer, we examined the possible correlation of PyNPase activity to clinicopathological features and prognosis in 195 patients with primary breast cancer between January 1992 through December 1993. The mean PyNPase activity of primary breast cancer, assayed by ELISA method, was 140.6 U/ml, which was between that of benign breast disease (18.2) and recurrent tumors (270.9). In histological type of breast cancer, tumors with solid-tubular carcinoma had significantly higher levels of PyNPase activity. The activity of ER negative or aneuploid tumors was higher than that of ER positive or diploid tumors, respectively. And there was a significant relationship between PyNPase activity and proliferative activity determined by S-phase fraction (SPF) or DNA polymerase alpha. These findings suggested that PyNPase activity was associated with the degree of malignancy. As regards prognosis, in lower SPF (< 16%) group, patients with higher PyNPase activity had significantly lower disease--free survival rates, whereas those with higher activity had a favorable prognosis in the higher SPF (> or = 16%) group. The contradiction might be explained by the possibility that 5-FU derivatives were effective only in patients with high SPF and PyNPase activity, as all patients were treated by a regimen containing 5-FU derivatives. We suggest that PyNPase activity is associated with progression and proliferation of breast cancer, and that it may be useful for prediction of prognosis and therapeutic efficacy of 5-FU derivatives.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Effects of prostaglandin E2 on nitric oxide-mediated nonadrenergic noncholinergic relaxations in the guinea-pig tracheal muscle.

The effects of histamine, prostaglandin (PG) E2 and substance P (SP) on functions of nonadrenergic noncholinergic inhibitory (iNANC) nerves were examined in the guinea-pig tracheal muscle in vitro. In the presence of indometacin (10 mumol/l), atropine (2 mumol/l) and propranolol (1 mumol/l), field stimulation (FS) (1-80 Hz, 1 ms, 30 V for 45 s) was applied to the muscle strip under a condition where the same degree of contraction was produced by each agonist. Magnitudes of FS-induced relaxations were significantly smaller for the case of PGE2- or SP-produced contraction than those for the case of histamine-produced contraction. The FS-induced relaxations at lower stimulus frequencies (1-5 Hz) were suppressed by N omega-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME) (100 mumol/l) during histamine, although they were not affected by L-NAME during PGE2 or SP. Susceptibility of tracheal muscle to S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine, a donor of nitric oxide (NO), was not different during PGE2 or histamine; it was significantly less during SP. FS-induced relaxation during histamine was suppressed by concomitant administration of PGE2 (10 nmol/l), however, not by concomitant administration of SP (30-100 nmol/l). These results suggest that PGE2 may inhibit release of NO from iNANC nerves in airways, whereas SP may suppress responsiveness of airway smooth muscle to the released NO. Results also indicate a possible involvement of these inflammatory mediators under conditions where airway iNANC nerves are impaired.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[A survey of drug utilization in psychiatric hospitals in Japan: the basic analysis of the current status of prescription patterns].

Although concern about the prescription pattern of psychotropics is growing, there have been very few surveys in Japan. In this survey conducted in 1993, prescription data, patient characteristics, etc. were collected for 2,395 inpatients from 18 psychiatric hospitals. Their mean age was 48.4 (S.D. = 13.6). Of these patients, 1,818 (75.9%) were diagnosed with schizophrenia, 115 (4.8%) with mood disorder, and 102 (4.3%) with mental retardation. The results were as follows. 1) They were prescribed an average of 10.1 different drugs: of these, 5.6 were various psychotropics (2.6 neuroleptics, 1.2 antiparkinsonian drugs, 1.0 hypnotics). 2) The mean daily dose of antipsychotics was 1,082 mg of chlorpromazine equivalent. 3) The most commonly prescribed neuroleptic was haloperidol (53.2% of the total patients) followed by levomepromazine (48.7%), chlorpromazine (24.8%), bromperidol (18.7%), and zotepine (18.3%).

Drug Prescriptions↗
PubMed1998

Elevation of serum thrombopoietin precedes thrombocytosis in Kawasaki disease.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute systemic vasculitis causing coronary arterial aneurysms and myocardial infarction in young children. Prominent thrombocytosis with increased megakaryocytes develops during the convalescent period. To clarify the mechanisms of thrombocytosis, we studied serum levels of thrombopoietin (TPO) and other thrombopoietic cytokines in 40 patients with KD (149 samples) and 106 age-matched controls using ELISA. TPO values in the controls were 1.94 +/- 0.69 fmol/ml (mean +/- SD) with a 95% reference interval of 0.85 to 3.27 fmol/ml. In the first week of KD, platelet counts were normal but TPO values increased (approximately 15.5 fmol/ml). TPO levels peaked on day 6 +/- 2 at 5.94 +/- 2.64 fmol/ml and then fell gradually. When platelet counts peaked in the second to third weeks, TPO levels were still high or comparable with the controls. TPO levels in KD patients with normal platelet counts were significantly higher than control levels. Interleukin (IL)-6 levels in the first week rose, but neither IL-11 nor leukemia inhibitory factor was detectable. These results suggest that TPO contributes to thrombocytosis in KD in conjunction with IL-6 and TPO production may be enhanced during the acute phase.

Child↗