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Biomedical subjects

K Ohara

Publications and source records attributed to K Ohara.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Effects of a combined use of steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on E. coli endotoxin-induced uveitis in pigmented rabbits.

The effects of a combined use of steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory topical drugs on uveitis were studied. Uveitis was induced by intravenous injection of E. coli endotoxin (10 micrograms/kg) in pigmented rabbits. A solution of 0.5% indomethacin (IM) and/or 0.1% betamethasone (BM) was instilled 4 times: at 1 hour before and at 0, 2 and 4 hours after the endotoxin injection. The aqueous protein was quantified by laser flare-cell measurements hourly after the injection. The prostaglandin E2 concentration was assayed and venous leukocytes and thrombocytes were counted 5 hours after the endotoxin injection. The aqueous protein reached a peak concentration (27 mg/mL) about 4 hours after the endotoxin injection. IM, BM and a combination of IM and BM (IM + BM) inhibited the aqueous protein rise by 17, 63 and 94%, respectively. IM, BM and IM + BM almost completely inhibited the increase of aqueous prostaglandin E2. IM + BM inhibited both leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia. IM alone had no effect on these counts, and BM alone inhibited leukocytopenia only. The data suggest that the combined use of topical IM and BM is more useful for the therapy of endotoxin-induced uveitis than each drug alone. The inhibitory effects may be synergistic, probably acting on unknown mediators which may be derived from the systemic circulation.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1994

Normal sequences of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (m1 and m2) in patients with Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.

The genes for muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, m1 and m2, were studied in autopsied brains from nine Alzheimer's disease, six vascular dementia and three control. The genes were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction and sequenced by the dideoxy method. Although one DNA polymorphism was found in m1, the deduced amino acid sequences of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor were unchanged. The amino acid sequences of m1 and m2 in Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia were intact.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed1994

Human tail.

There is confusion about the entity known as "human tail". Two cases of different types of human tails (caudal appendage) are presented and the differences between these two types, the potential aetiology of these abnormalities, and the literature on the subject reviewed.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1994

Circadian variations in plasma monoamine metabolites level in alcoholic patients: a possible predictor of alcohol withdrawal delirium.

1. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms in 17 alcoholics were classified into two groups according to the severity of their symptoms, and circadian variations in their plasma 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) levels during the alcohol withdrawal and the abstention periods were compared with those in normal controls by two-way ANOVA. 2. Circadian variations in plasma 5HIAA level in alcoholic patients manifested severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms and exhibited phase advances in both the withdrawal and the abstention periods and significantly higher levels in the abstention period. 3. Circadian variation in plasma HVA in the abstention period in alcoholics showed severe withdrawal symptoms demonstrating significantly higher levels compared with normal controls. 4. These findings suggest that the serotonergic and dopaminergic activity may vary depending on the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms and the measurement of circadian variations in plasma 5HIAA and HVA levels could possibly be used as a predictor of hardly predictable alcohol withdrawal delirium.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The middle-aged generation is at high risk for suicide in Japan. A comparison between the 1950s and the 1980s.

The suicide rate in Japan was the highest in the world the 10 years after World War II. There were many suicides among young and aged people. Now, Japan has many suicides among middle-aged people, and suicides among elderly people are still remarkable. These findings suggest that middle-aged people in 1980s have a high risk of suicide and that suicide among elderly people will increase in 10-20 years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Determination of flavin-containing monooxygenase activity in rat brain microsomes with benzydamine N-oxidation.

The activity of flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) in rat brain microsomes was measured by fluorometrical determination of benzydamine (BZY) N-oxygenation with HPLC. The apparent Km value for the formation of BZY N-oxide from BZY by brain microsomes was similar to that by hepatic microsomal fraction or purified FMO, but the Vmax value for brain microsomes was about one-hundredth of that for hepatic microsomes. BZY N-oxygenation activity by brain microsomes was at a maximum near pH 8.5, slightly more acidic than the optimum pH for liver FMO. BZY N-oxygenation activity was inhibited completely by heat inactivation and markedly in the presence of 1 mM thiourea, but slightly in the presence of 1 mM SKF-525A, and it was only barely activated in the presence of 5 mM n-octylamine, a positive effector of liver FMO. The addition of rabbit antisera raised against rat liver FMO resulted in 30% inhibition of BZY N-oxygenation by solubilized brain microsomes. Compared with microsomes from five different brain regions, the activity was highest in microsomes of olfactory bulbs. These results show that the activity of FMO in rat brain is distinctly determined by BZY N-oxygenation.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Mechanism of FK506-induced glucose intolerance in rats.

To clarify the mechanism of glucose intolerance induced by FK506, a novel immunosuppressant, 5 or 10 mg/kg/day of FK506 was dosed orally to rats for 2 weeks, and 125I-insulin binding to the erythrocytes, plasma glucose and insulin levels, and pancreatic insulin content were examined. Insulin binding to the erythrocytes of rat dosed with FK506 was similar to that to erythrocytes of the placebo control; Scatchard analysis confirmed that FK506 did not cause damage to the insulin receptor of the erythrocytes. Contrarily, FK506 caused a clear decrease of pancreatic insulin content as well as a slight decrease of plasma insulin level. The results suggest that the glucose intolerance induced by FK506 is associated with a decrease of insulin secretion, but is not associated with impairment of the insulin receptor.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Mutagenicity tests of polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil 60 (HCO-60).

The genotoxicity of polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil 60 (HCO-60) was examined in reverse mutation test in bacteria, chromosome aberration test in vitro and micronucleus test in mice. The in vitro tests were done with and without metabolic activation using rat liver microsomal fraction. HCO-60 did induce neither reverse mutation in Salmonella typhimurium TA100, TA98, TA1535, and TA1537 and in Escherichia coli WP2uvrA, nor chromosome aberrations in Chinese hamster V79 cells. In addition, no increase in micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes was elicited in the bone marrow of BDF1 male and female mice. It is concluded that HCO-60 was not genotoxic in these in vitro and in vivo assays.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Tacrolimus (FK506)-induced nephrotoxicity in spontaneous hypertensive rats.

To clarify the profile of the tacrolimus (FK506)-induced nephrotoxicity and its mechanism, 1, 2 and 4 mg/kg/day of tacrolimus was administered intramuscularly (i.m.) to spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) for 2 weeks, and biochemical and pathological parameters were studied in the animals. The acute nephrotoxicity of tacrolimus was characterized as increase of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and plasma creatinine (P-Cr) levels in the groups of 1 mg/kg/day and more, decrease of creatinine clearance (CCr) value in the groups of 2 mg/kg/day and more, and histopathologically luminal narrowing of the arteriole adjacent the glomerulus in the groups of 1 mg/kg/day and more. These changes were associated with an increase of plasma renin activity (PRA) and urinary thromboxane B2 content and decrease of 6-keto-prostagrandinF1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) content. Nilvadipine, which is one of the Ca2+ antagonist and is known to have renal vasodilating activity, prevented both biochemical and histopathological changes due to tacrolimus. The results indicated that the acute nephrotoxicity of tacrolimus was derived from impairment of glomerular function associated with the constriction of the renal arteriole brought about by the drug. All of these renal disorders induced by tacrolimus recovered completely or partially when the drug was withdrawn for 2 or 4 weeks. Consequently, the acute nephrotoxicity of tacrolimus in SHR was considered to be reversible.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1994

DF3 (CA15-3) antibody as a marker of cutaneous adnexal tumors.

DF3(CA15-3) monoclonal antibody detects the 20 amino acid sequence of epithelial mucin. In normal cutaneous tissue DF3 antibody exhibits strong and constant positive reactivity with sebaceous and secretory segments of eccrine and apocrine sweat glands. All epidermal tumors are DF3 negative but poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Various adnexal tumors such as eccrine hidrocystoma, tubular apocrine adenoma, syringocystadenoma papilliferum, eccrine poroma, eccrine spiradenoma, clear cell hidradenoma, mixed cell tumor, eccrine porocarcinoma, extramammary Paget's disease and adenoid cystic carcinoma are DF3 positive, which indicates epithelial mucin production by these tumors.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1994

Radiation tolerance of the liver in relation to the preserved functional capacity.

The radiation tolerance of the liver was investigated in 12 patients, 11 of them with liver cirrhosis, treated for hepatocellular carcinoma by partial liver irradiation with doses between 50 and 77 Gy. The tolerance was assessed by the complication probability (Lyman's model), which concerned the injured tissue itself, and by a prediction score used for postsurgical liver failure, which concerned the preserved functional capacity, assuming that the > or = 30 Gy volume was equivalent to the resected volume. The prediction score corresponded better with the observed risk of fatal liver failure than the complication probability. The liver volume after radiotherapy correlated largely with the untreated volume and the low-dose volume. Thus the preserved functional capacity gives a better expression of the radiation tolerance than direct measures of the extent of injured tissue.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

[A case of simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax].

We present a case of simultaneous bilateral pneumothorax. The patient did not have any symptom and the pneumothorax was detected by health care examination. He was introduced to our hospital and two thoracic drains were inserted into both intrathoracic space as soon as possible. Four days after he was performed a bilateral partial resection of the lung through a bilateral axillary incision. Postoperative course was excellent with almost no pain. The thoracic drains were removed on second postoperative day and the patient discharged on ninth postoperative day.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Preliminary results of bladder-preserving therapy with definitive radiotherapy and intraarterial infusion of chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: For management of muscle-invading bladder cancer (clinical stages T2 to T4), combined treatment of definitive radiotherapy (RT) and intraarterial (IA) administration of chemotherapy was carried out for local cure and bladder preservation. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between 1987 and 1990, a pilot study (Protocol-1) was initially conducted in 16 patients to investigate the efficacy of chemoradiotherapy where RT was combined with TURB and continuous IA infusion of cisplatin. We then performed a regimen of possible bladder-preservation treatment (Protocol-2) in which 19 patients were treated with combination of TURB, full-dose RT and one-shot IA infusion of cisplatin and methotrexate. In RT small pelvis irradiation was performed with x-rays followed by proton beam boost irradiation to the original tumor site. RESULTS: Among patients treated on Protocol-1, a tumor-free bladder was observed in 50% (2/4) after 50-76 Gy but only 8% (1/14) after 30-40 Gy. In this regimen, planned cystectomy was performed in 10 patients and 13 patients (81%) are alive. Among 19 patients treated on Protocol-2, 17 patients (89%) are alive and 13 patients (68%) retained intact bladders without any recurrence. There were 3 cystectomies performed because of persistent tumors. Using a conformal mode of proton beam irradiation, a total dose of 60-80 Gy was safely administered with acceptable morbidities. CONCLUSION: In the light of good complete response and survival rates achieved in the patients treated on Protocol-2, the combined treatment of definitive RT and IA administration of chemotherapy is considered as an effective bladder-preserving strategy.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Proton beam therapy for patients with esophageal carcinoma.

Fifteen patients with esophageal carcinoma (superficial, six cases; advanced, nine cases) were treated with 250 MeV proton beam irradiation with or without external x-ray irradiation (12 MV linear accelerator) from October, 1985, to May, 1991. Eleven patients were initially treated with x-ray at doses of 16.2-50.4 (mean 42.5) Gy, followed by proton beam at doses of 30.0-52.9 (mean 37.6) Gy. The other four patients were treated with proton beams alone at total doses of 75.0-88.5 (mean 81.4) Gy. The mean total dose for the 15 patients was 80.4 Gy. As a result, the primary tumor lesions of all 15 patients disappeared and complete responses were obtained. Approximately four to five months later, nine of the 15 patients developed esophageal ulcer formations at the circumferences of their primary lesions. The ulcerations were healed, however, by conservative management. There was no evidence of local recurrence throughout the observations on six cases of superficial carcinoma. Among nine advanced carcinoma patients, three relapsed into esophageal carcinoma. Recurrences were observed eight, 16 and 44 months, respectively, after the treatment. Ten of the 15 patients died, but eight died of other diseases. Three of four cases at autopsy did not show any cancer cells in irradiated primary lesions. Four of the 15 patients lived for over five years. The results suggest that a high dose of irradiation delivered by a well-defined proton field could result in improved local control and long-term survival in esophageal carcinoma without undue risk of injury to primary and adjacent organs.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

[Clinical manifestations of ocular sarcoidosis in Japanese patients].

Ocular sarcoidosis was found in 57.5 to 93.5% of Japanese patients with systemic sarcoidosis. Many studies reported a high female/male ratio with high percentage of patients at 20s and 50s in age in ocular sarcoidosis. A cardinal involvement was intraocular and manifested as uveitis. A combinations of granulomatous iritis, trabecular nodules, tent-like peripheral anterior synechia, snow-ball vitreous opacities, perivasculitis, and candle-wax or spotty chorioretinal exudates were characteristic and highly specific intraocular lesions. The lesions often lead ophthalmologists to systemic examinations. In suspects of ocular sarcoidosis who had no or sparse systemic findings, a diagnosis should remain tentative. Transbronchial lung biopsy showed non-caseating epithelioid granuloma in 37 of 60 patients with suspected ocular sarcoidosis who showed no bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Atypical melanosis of the foot. A report of three cases in Japanese populations.

BACKGROUND: Acral lentiginous melanoma is the most common type of malignant melanoma in the Japanese population. In most instances, classic acral lentiginous melanoma or acral lentiginous melanoma in situ can be readily distinguished from other benign pigmented lesions by virtue of its atypical clinical appearance. OBSERVATION: We present three cases of seemingly malignant pigmented lesions on the foot, all arising in Japanese females. Clinically, the lesions are characterized by irregular borders and variegated pigmentation closely mimicking those of acral lentiginous melanoma in situ. However, the histologic findings revealed only focal slight melanocytic hyperplasia with minimal cytologic atypia along the basal layer. Despite the malignant clinical features, thorough histologic examination failed to disclose any area with significant melanocytic atypia or evidence of malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, similar lesions with the clinical appearance of melanoma in situ and completely lacking histologic evidence of malignancy have not been reported. We, therefore, prefer to designate these lesions as atypical melanosis of the foot to highlight the clinically apparent atypical findings and to distinguish them from malignant melanoma in situ of the foot.

Diagnosis, Differential↗