Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to K Hara.
We molecularly cloned JC polyomavirus DNAs from urine samples of eight nonimmunosuppressed patients and two healthy individuals. The cloned viral DNAs all contained an archetypal regulatory sequence from which various regulatory sequences of JC polyomavirus isolates derived from patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy could have evolved by deletion and amplification.
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We studied the effects of OKY-046 on type I allergic reactions. OKY-046 (100 mg/kg) given orally suppressed antigen-induced bronchoconstriction and TXB2 generation in broncho alveolar lavage fluid in rats passively sensitized with anti-DNP-As monoclonal IgE. At the dose of 30 mg/kg given intraduodenally, it also inhibited antigen-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs passively sensitized with anti DNP-As serum and actively sensitized with ovalbumin. However, aspirin (30 mg/kg) didn't suppressed them significantly. Azelastine (10 mg/kg) inhibited bronchoconstriction in passively sensitized rats and actively sensitized guinea pigs. In 48 hour homologous PCA reactions of rats and mice, oral administration of OKY-046 (300 mg/kg) and tranilast (100 mg/kg) suppressed the extravasated dye in the skin. OKY-046 decreased histamine release from passively sensitized rat peritoneal exudate cells. There was no effect of OKY-046 on SRS-A and leukotriene release from actively sensitized guinea pig lungs and passively sensitized rats. In conclusion, we think that OKY-046 should be an useful asthmatic drug or anti-allergic drug by oral administration.
We examined PGE2 synthesis using inflamed and non-inflamed GCF PMNs and PB PMNs in the presence and absence of certain stimulators. The basal levels of PGE2 release from GCF PMNs isolated from ligature-induced gingival sulcus with a GI value over 2.2 were significantly lower than those from GCF PMNs isolated from sham operated sites with a GI value below 2.1. Levels were comparable to those from PB PMNs isolated at each experimental period, indicating that the amount of PGE2 synthesized by GCF PMNs is not correlated exactly with the severity of periodontitis. Calcium ionophore A23187 stimulated PGE2 synthesis by all PMN preparations. When compared to those with inflamed and non-inflamed GCF PMNs, stimulation was higher with PB PMNs. However, the chemotactic factor fMLP inhibited the synthesis by inflamed and non-inflamed GCF PMNs. PGE2 synthesis by PB PMNs isolated after periodontal operation was stimulated by the drug, but those cells isolated before the operation did not respond.
The purpose of the present study was to examine the diagnostic value of the SK-013 (Sunstar, Osaka) in evaluating the effect of initial preparation. The SK-013 is a highly sensitive reagent to measure peptidase activity specifically produced by Bacteroides gingivalis. Bacteroides forsythus, and Treponema denticola. Thirty-six sites in 16 periodontitis patients were monitored in this study. The clinical status of each site was assessed using the clinical indices such as gingival index (GI), plaque index (PII), probing depth (PD), and bleeding on probing (BOP). The composition of subgingival microflora in samples was determined using phase contrast microscopy. Clinical, microbiological, and enzymatic examinations were made at five separate appointments, as follows: (1) at baseline prior to plaque control instruction; (2) 4 weeks following plaque control instruction; and (3) 2, 4, 8 weeks following scaling and root planing of periodontal sites. The results of these examinations were compared statistically. The correlation was positive between the total counts of bacteria including spirochetes and motile rods and the enzymatic activity identified using the SK-013. Also the enzymatic profile was highly correlated with microbiological findings other than clinical indices. These results show that the SK-013 is a clinically useful diagnostic method for assessing the effect of initial periodontal therapy.
The therapeutic effect of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the role of O2- were assessed on 3 groups of Wistar rats (total 115). Fifty-four received injections of gingival bacteria or of anaerobically cultured rat dental plaque in their peritoneum, then received both intravenous (i.v.) and intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of SOD. The rats were killed 48 hours later to collect their peritoneal exudate for cell count and for acid phosphatase activity assessment. Twenty-six received injections of bacteria in their footpads, after which SOD was administered intravenously. These rats were killed at 6 hours, 48 hours and 1 week respectively for histological examination. The gingiva of 26 rats were incised to create artificial lesions. The rats were killed at 24 or 48 hours and examined histologically. The nine remaining rats were used as controls (untreated) for the 3 experiments. The results of the 3 experiments showed that: Injection of SOD reduced exudation and acid phosphatase activity enhanced by the injection of B. gingivalis, at dosages of 1, 5 mg/kg i.p. and 5 mg/kg i.v., but 10 mg/kg i.p. had no apparent effect; i.v. injection of SOD had inhibitory effects on cell infiltration of B. gingivalis into the footpad, and the increase in fibrin and fibroblast formation through time was greater in SOD-administered rats; a decreased cell infiltration rate and increased fibrin network, fibroblast proliferation and gingival tissue regeneration occurred in specimens with artificial lesions given SOD. Apparently SOD has a curative effect on both inflammatory reaction induced by B. gingivalis and periodontal wound healing.
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Arthrobacter sp. K-1, isolated from soil, produces beta-fructofuranosidase. This enzyme preparation was separated into three fractions (I, II, and III) by butyl-Toyopearl 650 M column chromatography. The beta-fructofuranosidase I was purified to homogeneity by disc-electrophoresis after consecutive column chromatographies. The enzyme had a molecular weight of 52,000 by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and 51,000 by gel filtration with Ultrogel AcA 44, and an isoelectric point of 4.3. The enzyme was most active at pH 6.5-6.8 and at 55 degrees C and stable up to 45 degrees C at pH 6.5 for 30 min of incubation, and from pH 5.5 to 10.0 at 40 degrees C in 2 hr of incubation. This enzyme hydrolyzed sucrose, erlose, raffinose, fructosylxyloside, neokestose, and stachyose at the relative velocities of 100, 75, 61, 59, 54, and 11, but hardly hydrolyzed 1-kestose and nystose (less than 0.02).
There has recently been increased occasions to treat patients complicated with psychiatric and nervous disorders, in accordance with the rise of interest in human right and the improved social acceptance of these diseases. In the past, most cases were reluctantly terminated because of the prejudice against diseases and anxiety about the teratogenicity of the drugs. In this paper, the management of pregnancy and delivery including neonatal period are discussed. 1) Epilepsy Epilepsy is one of the most common medical complications of pregnancy with about 0.5%. Pregnancy has no obvious effect on epilepsy. Although the teratogenicity of the antiepileptic drugs has been repeatedly reported, anticonvulsant therapy should be continued during pregnancy. Because the risk of the fetal brain damage from hypoxia under the epileptic convulsion of the untreated patients is higher than that of the teratogenicity of drugs. Phenobarbital or phenytoin are commonly used. Trimethadione which has been used for the petit mal epilepsy should not be used because of the high potent of teratogenicity. The serum concentrations of these drugs tend to decrease in the third trimester. Therefore the frequent monitoring of the serum drug concentration is very important. The monitoring of the blood clotting factors after delivery is also very important to avoid the neonatal vitamin K deficiency bleeding. Vitamin K is administered if required. Breast feeding is not contraindicated. Withdrawal syndrome in the neonatal state should not be overlooked. 2) Schizophrenia Pregnancy has no effect on schizophrenia. The teratogenicity of chlorpromazine or haloperidol in human pregnancy is thought to be negative. The function of the fetal central nervous system is suppressed with antipsychotic drugs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The authors investigated the isolation of Branhamella catarrhalis from sputum and the clinical features of bronchopulmonary infection due to B. catarrhalis from January of 1983 to December of 1987 at the Hokusyo Central Hospital. B. catarrhalis was cultured from 106 (3.8%) of 5,674 sputum specimens. The isolation rate did not vary during the 5 years from 1983 to 1987. Approximately 70% of the patients had some underlying bronchopulmonary disease. The strains of beta-lactamase-positive B. catarrhalis have increased recently in our hospital. Using 4 diagnostic criteria for bronchopulmonary infection by B. catarrhalis, 24 cases were detected. MIC was measured in 97 strains of B. catarrhalis (beta-lactamase positive 63 strains, negative 34 strains). beta-lactamase positive strains had a high MIC value for beta-lactam antibiotics, but antibiotics including beta-lactamase inhibitor markedly improved sensitivity to drugs. Negative strains showed good sensitivity to beta-lactam antibiotics. Cases of bronchopulmonary infection due to Branhamella catarrhalis and beta-lactamase-productive strains are increasing, therefore it is necessary to be careful in the choice of antibiotics.
The future needs of surgical repair for type III dissecting aneurysms among medically-treated patients were estimated according to the influence of the shapes of false lumina assessed by contrast-enhanced CT scans and by the level of blood pressure control at the time of discharge on the long-term prognoses. Thirty-six patients, 30 males and six females, whose mean age was 61 years, underwent enhanced CT scans at their discharge. Events, including deaths and dissection-related surgery were analyzed by a nonparametric actuarial method of Kaplan and Meier. The changes in CT findings were also studied in 33 patients who underwent follow-up CT scans within a mean interval of 3.5 years. 1. Systolic blood pressure was maintained below 140 mmHg (good control group) in 15 patients, and above 140 mmHg (poor control group) in 18 controls. There were no significant differences between the two groups for event-free survival rates. 2. The shapes of false lumina assessed by enhanced CT scans at the time of discharge were categorized in three types; 21 patients (group A) without false lumina of the aorta, or with a small crescentic false lumen in the thoracic aorta (type a), six patients (group B) with intimal flaps and two contrast-material-filled lumina in the thoracic aorta (type b), and nine patients (group C) with expanded false lumina or a false lumen whose margin was convex towards a true lumen in the thoracic aorta (type c).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A 30-year-old male complaining of fever was admitted to hospital and a diagnosis of a malignant, fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) was established after a biopsy examination. Antitumor chemotherapy and Co60 irradiation was initiated. The patient, however, suddenly died of cardiac arrest 9 months after admission. The autopsy revealed a polypoid, yellow-white tumor (5 cm in diameter) arising from the antero-lateral wall of the left atrium and occupying the chamber. Twenty-two cases of MFH (21 previous reports and 1 current case) arising from the heart are reviewed.
We experienced a case of crystalline retinopathy with crystalline deposits in the cornea and the limbal conjunctiva, and performed histological studies of the cornea, conjunctiva and peripheral blood cells. The patient was a 45-year-old man who had no abnormality in hematological studies and urinalysis. In the fundus diffuse atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium and patchy foci of choroidal atrophy were observed, and sparkling yellowish-white spots were scattered, chiefly in the posterior region. Fluorescein angiography showed neither hyperfluorescence nor hypofluorescence at these spots. In the marginal cornea and the limbal conjunctiva crystalline deposits were observed. Histological findings by light microscopy and electron microscopy revealed sparse degeneration of epithelial cells in both the cornea and the limbal conjunctiva. But no substances corresponding to crystalline deposits could be identified. Inclusion bodies were detected including clefts in circulating lymphocytes and eosinophils. The inclusion bodies suggest that crystalline retinopathy results from a systemic metabolic abnormality.
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Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) is known to have a tendency to be associated with lung cancer. Clinical characteristics of lung cancer associated with IIP are discussed in this article. Thirteen cases of lung cancer associated with IIP were examined from 1975 to 1988. A total of 590 cases of lung cancer and 38 cases of IIP were observed during that period. The 13 cases of lung cancer were found to be associated with IIP during the follow-up observation of our patients. Of these 13 patients, 12 men and a woman, the average age was 68.0 years old. All these 13 cases were ex- or present smokers. Five cases of lung cancer had no symptoms, but were detected by abnormal shadows on chest X-ray. Eight cases were detected symptoms. The duration from the onset of IIP to the onset of lung cancer was 36.5 +/- 23.5 months. Primary sites of lung cancer were distributed as follows. Nine cancers were in the left lung (64%) and five cancers were in the right lung (36%). Three cancers were in the hilar region (21%) and 11 cancers were in the peripheral lung field (79%). The numbers of lung cancers were equal in upper and lower lobe. The most common histological type was squamous cell carcinoma, followed by adenocarcinoma. Most cases were in stage III or IV. Three cases were operated, 4 were treated with chemotherapy, 4 were treated with chemotherapy plus irradiation, and 2 cases were treated by BRMs. The frequency of weight loss or finger clubbing in these patients was higher than in IIP patients without lung cancer.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)