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Biomedical subjects

K Kubo

Publications and source records attributed to K Kubo.

At least 559 records · Page 31Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

[Arachidonic acid metabolites on peripheral blood plasma in patients with bronchial asthma].

To assess the role of arachidonic acid metabolites in pathogenesis of bronchial asthma, we measured thromboxane B2 (TxB2), 6-keto PGF1 alpha, leukotriene (LT) C4, and LTB4 in venous blood plasma in patients with bronchial asthma and in controls. The level of TxB2 was significantly higher in 18 asthmatics with attacks than that in 11 controls (77.3 +/- 48.8 pg/ml vs 48.8 +/- 9.4 pgml). The levels of 6-keto PGF1 alpha in both asthmatics with attacks (17.8 +/- 6.7 pg/ml) and without an attack (16.4 +/- 9.7) were significantly higher than that in controls (11.6 +/- 3.9 pg/ml). The levels of LTC4 in asthmatics with attacks (0.84 +/- 0.11 ng/ml, n = 11) were significantly higher than that in controls, furthermore the level of LTC4 in asthmatics without an attack. The level of LTB4 was significantly higher in asthmatics with attacks (295.0 +/- 160.7 pg/ml, n = 26) than that in controls (161.7 +/- 25.3 pg/ml, n = 12) and asthmatics without an attack (182.4 +/- 97.9 pg/ml, n = 22). These findings suggest that the arachidonic acid metabolites are related to the asthma attack and are associated with the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1990

[CT in colon cancer].

CT pictures from 59 lesions of advanced colon cancer including rectal cancer were reviewed to evaluate a role of CT in preoperative staging diagnosis. CT findings were recorded following general rules for clinical and pathological studies on cancer of colon, rectum and anus, proposed by Japanese Society for Cancer of Colon and Rectum. 1) Tumors were detected in 90% of advanced colon cancers. 2) Sensitivity in local extension (S factor) was 58.0%. 3) Sensitivity in lymph node involvement (N factor) was 50.0%. 4) Sensitivity in final staging diagnosis, dividing colon cancer into two groups below st II and above st III, was 63.3%. 5) Further study should be necessitated to provide useful information for preoperative staging diagnosis of colon cancer.

Colonic Neoplasms↗
PubMed1990

[Eleven cases of ASD in individuals aged over 50 years].

Eleven cases of ASD were experienced in subjects aged more than 50 years. The ages ranged from 50-68 years (mean: 57.1 years), and there were 6 males and 5 females. The preoperative NYHA class was I in three cases, II in six cases, and III in two cases. The pulmonary arterial pressure ranged from 20-46 mmHg (mean: 30.9 mmHg), the PP/PS 0.19-0.42 (mean: 0.25), the QP/QS 1.4-3.5 (mean: 2.3), and the left to right short circuit rate was 38-73% (mean: 58.6). A patch closure operation was performed in all cases except two. After operation, the NYHA class improved in all cases except one. The CTR decreased from 59.3 +/- 6.05% to 54.1 +/- 5.07, and the pulmonary arterial pressure from 30.3 +/- 6.65 mmHg to 21.4 +/- 5.04 mmHg (improving in all cases).

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[CT in gallbladder cancer; especially the extension of the tumor].

An efficacy of CT in the preoperative staging diagnosis of gallbladder cancer was evaluated. CT findings were recorded following general rules for surgical and pathological studies on cancer of biliary tract proposed by Japanese society of biliary surgery. Serosal invasion (S factor), direct hepatic invasion (H inf factor), lymph node metastasis (N factor), bile duct invasion (B factor), duodenal invasion (Du factor) and finally preoperative staging diagnosis were included in this study. Conclusion is as follows. 1) False positive results were predominating in S and H inf factor, sensitivity was 76.0% and 50.0% respectively. 2) In B factor, the result was poor, the sensitivity 44.4%. 3) In N factor, CT was effective, the sensitivity 77.6%. 4) Finally it was concluded that CT can play an important role in staging diagnosis of gallbladder cancer, the sensitivity was 93.1%.

Bile Ducts↗
PubMed1990

[Cervical spinal epidural abscess: case report].

Most cases of spinal epidural abscesses occur in a midthoracic or lower lumbar location. Cervical spinal epidural abscess is distinctly rare, and its prognosis is not favorable due to respiratory problems. We report a case of cervical spinal epidural abscess. A 77-year-old male was admitted because of tetraparesis and dyspnea. Two months before admission, he had been treated by femoro-femoral bypass for arteriosclerosis obliterans , and he had suffered from postoperative wound infection one month later. He had noticed neck pain two days before admission, followed by a numbness and motor weakness in both hands. Neurological examination showed flaccid tetraplegy with an absence of DTRs, paralysis of intercostal muscles, loss of sensation below the C4 dermatome, and bladder dysfunction. A spinal CT scan revealed a mass lesion in the anterior epidural space from C2 to C6, which displaced the spinal cord posteriorly. A myelogram showed complete blockage of contrast medium at the level of C7-T1. He was treated by emergency laminectomy of C3 to C6 with evacuation of the epidural abscess. Culture showed staphylococcus aureus, for which appropriate antibiotics were administered. In spite of such an intensive treatment, the patient showed poor neurological improvement and died 42 days after operation.

Abscess↗
PubMed1989

Cell type-specific expression of the genes for the protein kinase C family: down regulation of mRNAs for PKC alpha and nPKC epsilon upon in vitro differentiation of a mouse neuroblastoma cell line neuro 2a.

By the use of cloned cDNAs for protein kinase C isozymes alpha, beta I, beta II, gamma, and those for novel protein kinase C, epsilon and zeta, the expression of the corresponding mRNA species was examined in various mouse tissues, human lymphoid cell lines, and mouse cell lines of neuronal origin. In adult brain, mRNAs for all the isozymes of PKC family are expressed. However, the expression of these mRNA species in brain is low at birth. A similar pattern of expression was also observed for beta I/beta II mRNAs in spleen. These expression patterns are in clear contrast to that for beta I/beta II mRNAs in thymus where the mRNAs are expressed at birth and the levels of expression decrease with age. Human lymphoid cell lines express large amounts of PKC beta mRNAs in addition to PKC alpha. Further, nPKC epsilon mRNA is expressed in some of these cell lines. On the other hand, all the mouse cell lines of neuronal origin tested express nPKC epsilon and zeta in addition to PKC alpha. In a mouse neuroblast cell line, Neuro 2a, down modulation of mRNAs for both PKC alpha and nPKC epsilon was observed in association with in vitro differentiation.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

A novel yeast gene coding for a putative protein kinase.

A yeast gene termed YKR2 coding for a putative protein kinase was isolated using the cloned cDNA for rabbit protein kinase C as a hybridization probe. The encoded protein YKR2, containing 677 amino acids, shows about 40% sequence identity in the kinase region to a family of serine/threonine-specific protein kinases from various species.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Changes in the steady-state fluorescence anisotropy of N-iodoacetyl-N'-(5-sulfo-1-naphthyl)ethylenediamine attached to the specific thiol of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase throughout the catalytic cycle.

Cys674 of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase was selectively labeled with N-iodoacetyl-N'-(5-sulfo-1-naphthyl)ethylenediamine without a loss of the catalytic activity, and the steady-state fluorescence anisotropy of this label and its total fluorescence intensity were followed throughout the catalytic cycle. At 25 degrees C, the anisotropy and the total fluorescence intensity increased by 2.1 and 9.4%, respectively, upon Ca2+ binding to the high affinity sites. Upon subsequent ATP binding to the catalytic site, the anisotropy and the total fluorescence intensity decreased by 6.8 and 23.9%, respectively. These drops likely occurred in the enzyme.ATP complex. The extents of changes upon additions of Ca2+ and ATP in the anisotropy, but not in the total fluorescence intensity, were greatly reduced by lowering the temperature. Slight drops in the anisotropy and the total fluorescence intensity occurred upon conversion of phosphoenzyme (EP) from the ADP-sensitive form to the ADP-insensitive form. The anisotropy and the total fluorescence intensity returned to the initial level when EP was hydrolyzed. Mg2+-dependent Pi-induced drops in the anisotropy and the total fluorescence intensity occurred coincidently with EP formation from Pi. These demonstrate that the ATP-induced drops in the anisotropy and the total fluorescence intensity are predominant throughout the catalytic cycle. Most probably, the changes in the anisotropy are due to changes in the rotational diffusion of the label. These findings indicate that ATP binding to the catalytic site induces a relaxed conformation in the microenvironment of the label bound to Cys674.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1989

Food-induced histaminosis under diamine oxidase (DAO) blockade in pigs: further evidence of the key role of elevated plasma histamine levels as demonstrated by successful prophylaxis with antihistamines.

Using a recently established porcine model, it was clearly shown that oral histamine administration is extremely dangerous in the presence of diamine oxidase (DAO) blockade. Due to the severity of the symptoms (20% death) and the clinical relevance, further interest has been focussed on strategies to prevent or alleviate food induced histaminosis. In a randomized controlled trial, 10 pigs under DAO blockade were challenged with oral histamine (60 mg). Half of these animals received a prophylactic premedication with a combination of H1- and H2-receptor antagonists. As expected, all animals developed a massive increase in plasma histamine levels, with significantly higher values in the control group (median: 123 ng/ml) compared to the antihistamine group (median: 32 ng/ml). In contrast, clinical symptoms were only observed in the control group. The maximum fall in mean arterial pressure (hypotension) was 60 mmHg (median for control group) but only 15 mmHg (median) under antihistamine pretreatment. These results firstly provide further evidence for the causal role of histamine in the new disease concept and secondly enable us to investigate appropriate therapeutic measures for patients at risk.

Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing)↗
PubMed1989

Plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide under acute hypoxia in normal subjects.

To investigate whether the acute hypoxia can be a stimulus for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) secretion, plasma levels of ANP were determined under three different hypoxic conditions in six normal subjects. During 15% O2 breathing for 10 min, no significant change in plasma ANP level was observed. Severe hypoxia induced by 10% O2 breathing increased the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa) by 11.6 mm Hg within 10 min (P less than 0.01), accompanying a slight but significant rise in plasma ANP level of pulmonary artery (PA) from 24.3 +/- 5.3 to 28.2 +/- 4.6 pg/ml (P less than 0.05). There was a tendency for the ANP level of PA to rise under hypoxic hypobaria at 515 Torr for 10 min, followed by a decrease of that level during 100% O2 breathing under hypobaric condition. These changes, however, still remained in the normal range. No significant changes were observed both in right atrial pressure and in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure under any of the three hypoxic conditions. From these results we conclude that ANP can be released in response to the elevation of Ppa caused by acute hypoxia in normal subjects, but the changes in plasma ANP level may be too small to play a significant physiological role in hemodynamic responses to acute hypoxia.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1989

Quantitative determination of sulfated glycopeptide by two-dimensional electrophoresis on cellulose acetate membrane.

Quantitative determination of the sulfated glycoproteins present in tissue and secretion fluid was performed. After digestion of the specimen with pronase in order to convert glycoproteins to glycopeptides, the sulfated glycopeptides were separated from a mixture of acidic glycans (glycosaminoglycans, sialoglycopeptides and sulfated glycopeptides) by two-dimensional electrophoresis on cellulose acetate membrane [(1986) J. Biochem. Biophys. Methods 12, 239-246]. After staining with alcian blue, the spot of sulfated glycopeptide on the cellulose acetate membrane was cut out, and then only the dye bound to the sulfated glycopeptide was extracted with a 5% cetylpyridinium chloride solution at 100 degrees C for 15 min. The extract was then measured by absorbance at 615 nm using an authentic sulfated glycopeptide as a standard. This method facilitated the determination of sulfated glycopeptides, which were separated from other acidic glycans, within the range 0-25 micrograms.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Widespread radiopacity of jaw bones in familial adenomatosis coli.

Abnormalities of jaw bones and teeth were evaluated in 37 patients with familial adenomatosis coli (FAC) by means of orthopantomography. Osteomatous radiopaque lesions were evident in 75.7 percent of FAC patients (focal type: 62.2% and wide spread type: 13.5%), odontomes in 29.7% peripheral osteomas in 13.5%, unerupted teeth in 16.2% and supernumerary unerupted teeth in 16.2%. Five of the 37 FAC patients had an unusual widespread type of radiopacity with other abnormalities. Combined abnormalities were most frequent in patients with this type in comparison with patients with the focal type. Osteomas and peripheral osteomas were revealed in this type with statistical significance. Biopsy performed in one patient revealed an osteoma. These results suggest that the multiple abnormalities seen in oral X-ray examination may predict the occult existence of familial adenomatosis coli and these widespread radiopaque lesions probably represent the most extensive manifestation of FAC.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Distribution of glucose carbons to metabolic products in the perfused rat hindlimb over a range of glucose concentrations.

To determine the distribution of glucose carbons to the major metabolic pathways as a function of glucose and insulin concentrations in fed rat muscle, rat hindlimbs were perfused with and without 100 nM insulin in the presence of 1-20 mM [U-14C]-D-glucose. The incorporation of radioactivity into CO2, anionic metabolites released into the medium and muscle cell fractions were determined. The results indicate that the major metabolic fate of glucose taken up by muscle in the fed rat is conversion to anions released into the medium and that this process is saturable with increasing glucose concentrations. The data suggest that saturation of the glycolytic pathway is the major cause of the previously observed saturation of the glucose disposal rate associated with increasing glucose concentration.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Relationship between the extent of intraductal component and that of the invasive component in ductal carcinomas of the breast.

To clarify the relationship between the extent of the intraductal component and the invasive component in cases of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the breast, we divided 87 such cases into two groups, Group I in which the intraductal component extended for less than 10 mm (36 cases) and Group II in which the intraductal component extended for 10 mm or more (51 cases). On histological slides, there was an association between the extent of the intraductal component and the pattern of invasion. The majority (80.6%) of Group I IDC cases showed an invasive component composed of one invasive nodule, whereas 62.7% of Group II IDC cases showed an invasive component composed of two or more such nodules. On gross and microscopical examination, Group II IDC showed a significantly larger mean tumor size than Group I IDC (23.4 +/- 8.9 mm vs. 18.3 +/- 6.6 mm, P less than 0.002 & 24.1 +/- 14.1 mm vs. 17.1 +/- 6.5 mm, P less than 0.002). A similar result was obtained by clinical examination (41.8 +/- 17.0 mm vs. 29.5 +/- 11.6 mm, P less than 0.0001). These results suggest that Group II ductal carcinomas may frequently develop multiple stromal invasion, resulting suddenly in a sizeable breast mass perceived by the patient.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1989

Hemodynamic responses to acute hypoxia, hypobaria, and exercise in subjects susceptible to high-altitude pulmonary edema.

To verify the presence of the constitutional abnormality implicated in the pathogenesis of high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), we evaluated the hemodynamic responses to hypoxia, hypobaria, and exercise in HAPE-susceptible subjects (HAPE-S). HAPE-S were five males with a history of HAPE. Five healthy volunteers who had repeated experiences of mountain climbing without any history of altitude-related problems served as controls. HAPE-S showed much greater increase in pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI) than the control subjects, resulting in a much higher level of pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa), under both acute hypoxia of 15% O2 (Ppa = 29.0 +/- 2.8 vs. 17.8 +/- 0.3 Torr, P less than 0.05) and acute hypobaria of 515 Torr (32.3 +/- 2.8 vs. 19.1 +/- 0.8 Torr, P less than 0.05). Also, PVRI in HAPE-S exhibited a tendency to increase even during light exercise with supine bicycle ergometer (50 W), whereas PVRI in the control subjects significantly decreased, so that HAPE-S showed a greater increase in Ppa (delta Ppa = 16.0 +/- 1.5 vs. 4.9 +/- 1.1 Torr, P less than 0.001) and a greater decrease in arterial oxygen tension (17.8 +/- 4.7 vs. 5.6 +/- 1.7 Torr, P less than 0.05). We thus conclude that HAPE-S have a constitutional abnormality, which can be evaluated at low altitude, in the pulmonary circulatory responses to possible causative factors of HAPE such as hypoxia, hypobaria, and exercise.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1989

[Individual differences in PCA response in the guinea pig].

Experiments were carried out to determine the cause of individual differences in the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) response in guinea pigs. The intensity of 4-h homologous PCA produced by anti-penicillin G serum was not markedly different among eight reactive sites on the back of a specified animal, whereas considerable individual differences were observed in the PCA response, even at a specified reactive site. PCA was significantly inhibited by an antihistaminic agent, promethazine, and the tissue histamine content was significantly reduced after PCA, suggesting histamine release as a mediator. The intensity of PCA in individual animals was highly correlated with that of the histamine-induced cutaneous reaction elicited at a site adjoining the PCA but was unrelated to skin histamine content. These results suggest that the difference in susceptibility to histamine has a considerable effect on individual differences in the PCA response in guinea pigs.

Animals↗