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Biomedical subjects

K Ohashi

Publications and source records attributed to K Ohashi.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Memorandum on the origin of Rx, the signal be employed to the heading in the prescription].

The symbol variously written Rp. Rx. or R. is still employed by physicians to head their prescriptions. In our country, we have learned and believe that the origin of the symbol is an abbreviation of the Latin word for "recipe." In Europe, another suggestion of the origin of the symbol appears to represent the astronomical sign of the planet Jupiter. There is, however, no evidence to support this suggestion. As regards the Jupiter symbol it is probably that printer may have used the sign as the nearest approach he had in type to the abbreviated sign for recipe. It is believed that the confusion between the two symbols is due to a mere typographical coincidence. A careful examination of the various styles of writing the symbol, clearly shows that the sign was originally adopted as an abbreviation of the word "recipe." Recently, it has been suggested that the symbol originates in "the eye of Horus," but, as regards the eye of Horus symbol, much more still remains to be examined. Thus, I will suspend judgement until the facts of the matter become clear, and expect further researches in future.

History of Pharmacy↗
PubMed1995

Acrobeads test: a new diagnostic test for assessment of the fertilizing capacity of human spermatozoa.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of the Acrobeads test for predicting the outcome of IVF. DESIGN: Human spermatozoa express the CD46 molecule (membrane cofactor protein) on their heads after the acrosome reaction. CD46-positive spermatozoa formed a sperm-bead complex with immunobeads coated with anti-CD46 monoclonal antibody. In the Acrobeads test, fertilizing capacity was determined by assessing sperm-bead agglutination. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-seven donors of proven fertility and 88 male partners of infertile couples. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We carried out the Acrobeads test and a sperm penetration assay (SPA) using zona-free hamster oocytes within 3 months before IVF and we then analyzed the results in relation to IVF outcome. RESULTS: The sensitivity of the Acrobeads test and SPA was 100% and 88%, respectively, whereas the specificity was 43% and 52%, respectively. The negative predictive value of the Acro-beads test was 100%, whereas that of the SPA was 73%. These results indicate that there was no significant difference between these two tests in terms of predicting IVF outcome. CONCLUSION: We suggested that the Acrobeads test be used to evaluate the fertilizing capacity of human spermatozoa because we should avoid using the SPA to prevent cruelty to animals.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1995

[31P-MR spectroscopy of bone and soft tissue lesions].

We studied 24 patients with bone and soft tissue lesions using 31P-MR spectroscopy (MRS). On image selected in vivo spectroscopy (ISIS) localized spectra, spectroscopic parameters were calculated: PME/noise ratio, gamma NTP/noise ratio, PME/gamma NTP and total metabolite signals (TMS). PME/noise, PME/gamma NTP and TMS were higher in malignant lesions than in benign ones. We set the criterion for malignancy as follows: PME/noise > 2.0 and gamma NTP/noise > 2.0 and PME/gamma NTP > 1.0. The accuracy of this criterion was 0.91 for malignant lesions and 1.0 for benign lesions. In six malignant tumors, MR spectra were obtained before and after chemotherapy. They were compared with the degree of tissue degeneration evaluated on pathological specimens. TMS after chemotherapy were markedly reduced in 3 cases. TMS seemed to reflect the degeneration of tumors. It could be said that MRS is a useful tool in differentiating from benign tumor lesions malignant bone or soft tissue lesions and in monitoring the effect of chemotherapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Influence of aging on the oxidative and conjugative metabolism of propranolol.

The influence of aging on the hepatic metabolism of propranolol, i.e. conjugation, side-chain oxidation and ring oxidation, was investigated in 32 in-patients aged 30 to 84 yrs. Plasma propranolol concentration and main urinary metabolites [propranolol glucuronide (PPLG), naphthoxylactic acid (NLA), and 4-hydroxypropranolol (40HP)] were determined after a single oral dose of 20 mg propranolol. There were significant correlations between age and 1) maximum propranolol concentration, 2) area under the plasma concentration-time curve, and 3) elimination half-life. The apparent oral clearance of propranolol was inversely correlated with age. Partial metabolic clearance (PMC) to 40HP (ring oxidation) and PMC to NLA (side-chain oxidation) were significantly correlated with age, while PMC to PPLG was not. These observations suggest that there are age-related reductions in two oxidizing capacities, while there is no significant influence of aging on the conjugating capacity. The age-related reduction in oral clearance of propranolol may be mainly caused by the decline in the capacity of two different oxidation pathways.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1994

Recognition DNA sequence of a novel putative transcription factor, BCL6.

The BCL6 gene involved in the 3q27 translocation associated with B-cell lymphomas encodes a novel Cys2-His2 zinc finger protein. We generated a fusion protein of glutathione S-transferase and zinc finger domain of BCL6 to determine recognition sequences of BCL6 with polymerase chain reaction using random oligonucleotides of 26 bases as a ligand. A consensus of 14 nucleotides consisting of (T/A)NCTTTCNAGG(A/G)AT was identified in the recognition sequences. In a gel mobility shift assay, the probe containing the 14-nucleotide recognition sequence formed a complex with the fusion protein and nuclear proteins from Burkitt's cell lines overexpressing the BCL6 transcripts. The consensus sequence was protected from the digestion by nuclease in a DNase I footprinting assay. In conclusion, BCL6 may be involved in tumorigenesis by binding to the consensus sequences of the other genes.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Molecular cloning of the breakpoint for 3q27 translocation in B-cell lymphomas and leukemias.

Reciprocal exchanges between chromosomal region 3q27 and three loci of the Ig genes have been reported in cases of B-cell type non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. We have cloned a region containing a breakpoint junction of 3q27 from a cell line established from a patient with Burkitt's lymphoma carrying t(3;22)(q27;q11). The region cloned was shown to contain an Ig lambda light chain gene fused to a gene on chromosome 3q27. This finding was subsequently confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Extra nucleotides were present at the joining site. The heptamer-like and nonamer-like sequences separated by an intervening 24 bp were present in the region corresponding to the breakpoint of 3q27, suggesting that a misrecombination in Ig gene rearrangement may be involved in the translocation. Southern blot analysis with a 3q27-specific probe showed rearrangements in three additional patients with B-cell malignancies with the t(3;14)(q27;q32). The breakpoints of all four cases clustered within a limited 3-kb region on chromosome 3q27. The region of 3q27 involved in the translocation was designated as the BCL5 locus. The transcripts from the BCL5 locus were detected in normal tissues and hematopoietic cell lines, and the increased expression of transcript of aberrant size was detected in the established cell line carrying t(3;22). These observations suggest that a gene located at 3q27 is involved in the translocation and that its deregulation plays a role in the malignant transformation of B cells.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Comparison of the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of oral (Catapres) and transdermal (M-5041T) clonidine in healthy subjects.

The pharmacokinetic as well as pharmacodynamic properties of a transdermal clonidine, M-5041T (M) and its safety were compared with those of oral clonidine, Catapres (Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim, Hyogo, Japan). One patch of M containing 6 mg of clonidine was applied on the right chest for 3 days or one tablet of Catapres (.075 mg) was given orally every 12 hours for 3 days in eight healthy subjects. The study was conducted by a crossover design with 14 to 16 days' interval between the cross-over. Blood and urine samples for clonidine concentration were obtained, and blood pressure (BP) was measured for a 168-hour period after application of M and for a 96-hour period after initiation of Catapres therapy. Plasma concentration of clonidine increased gradually after application of M and decreased gradually after removal, whereas this parameter increased rapidly during the absorption phase and decreased rapidly in the elimination phase after each dosage of Catapres. Elimination half-life of clonidine after removal of M was significantly greater than that after the final dosage of Catapres. No significant difference was observed in maximum plasma concentration or area under the plasma concentration-time curve between the two trials. The BP lowering effects of M and Catapres did not differ significantly. Adverse symptoms occurred more frequently during Catapres therapy than during treatment with M. Most of these symptoms were observed when plasma clonidine concentration was relatively higher in each trial. These results suggest that M is effective for the treatment of hypertension with a lower incidence of adverse symptoms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1994

Characterization of Marek's disease virus BamHI-A-specific cDNA clones obtained from a Marek's disease lymphoblastoid cell line.

A cDNA library was constructed from poly(A)+ RNA fractions obtained from a Marek's disease (MD) lymphoblastoid cell line, MDCC-CU41, in which viral gene expression is very limited. Three independent groups (1, 2, and 3) of MD virus (MDV)-specific clones were obtained, which were mapped in the inverted repeat region of the BamHI-A fragment of the MDV genome. Northern blot analysis showed that probes prepared from these cDNA clones hybridized with several transcripts of different sizes in poly(A)+ RNA of MDCC-CU41, although the amounts of these transcripts were relatively small compared to those in MDV lytically infected cells. Moreover, a small open reading frame, which can encode a 94-amino-acid protein, was identified in the A41 cDNA clone (Group 3). By RNase protection assays, the 1.2-kb Group 3 transcriptional unit has been defined. In indirect immunofluorescent antibody assays, antiserum against the bacterially expressed fusion protein, glutathione S-transferase-A41, reacted specifically with the cytoplasmic regions of MDV (strain RB1B)-infected chick kidney cells. However, MDCC-CU41 did not contain a detectable level of the protein determined by these methods.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Blood-brain barrier, cerebral blood flow, and brain edema in spontaneously hypertensive rats with chronic focal ischemia.

This study was conducted to explore the participation of blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and cerebral blood flow (CBF) on the development of ischemic brain edema in rats with chronic arterial hypertension. Young spontaneously hypertensive rats were used, and focal ischemia was produced by occluding the distal middle cerebral artery (MCA). On day 7 after MCA occlusion, BBB permeability and CBF were measured by autoradiographic methods using 14C-alpha-amino-isobutyric acid (AIB) and 14C-iodoantipyrine. BBB permeability (transfer constant for AIB) was significantly higher in the ischemic center and periphery. The CBF of the ischemic cortex showed a graded reduction from the ischemic center to the surrounding area. The ischemic brain regions showed significantly decreased specific gravity. We conclude that SHRSP may be more vulnerable to BBB disruption after ischemia.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Renal clearance of lomefloxacin is decreased by furosemide.

The interaction between lomefloxacin, a new quinolone, and furosemide, a loop diuretic, has been examined. Oral lomefloxacin 200 mg and furosemide 40 mg were given together or separately to 8 healthy subjects, and blood and urine samples were obtained over the following 12 h. The plasma concentrations of lomefloxacin following coadministration with furosemide were higher than after lomefloxacin alone and its AUC was increased, and its total and renal clearances were decreased. No change in the pharmacokinetics of furosemide was found after coadministration of lomefloxacin. As quinolones and furosemide are reported to be excreted in urine by the renal tubular anion transport system, the present results suggest that the renal tubular secretion of lomefloxacin is diminished by furosemide. It is not clear whether this pharmacokinetic interaction might be clinically important.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Oral malignant melanoma in Japan.

Clinical examination was performed on 20 cases of malignant melanoma in the oral region encountered at the First Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, during the 22-year period from 1970 to 1991. In addition, we reviewed 140 cases reported in the Japanese literature since the last major review in 1974. The results of our study revealed that the clinical course of malignant melanoma in the oral region is worse than oral squamous cell carcinoma and that treatment by radiotherapy is effective in prolonging the life of these patients. Clinically, the tumors were classified into five types: (1) pigmented nodular type; (2) nonpigmented nodular type; (3) pigmented macular type; (4) pigmented mixed type; and (5) nonpigmented mixed type. We suggest that oral malignant melanoma might be different from cutaneous malignant melanoma and that new criteria for diagnosis and therapy for oral disease should be considered.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Effects of interferon-alpha on a reduced release of interleukin-8 from latently HIV-1-infected monocytic cell line U937 cells.

The effects of human interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) on the release of an antimicrobial interleukin, interleukin-8 (IL-8), from human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected myelomonocytic cell line, U937, were studied in vitro to evaluate the potential of IFN-alpha in the management of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-associated opportunistic diseases. The latently HIV-1-infected U937 cells (U937/HIV-1(L)) showed a marked reduction of IL-8 secretion as compared to uninfected U937 cells, whereas IL-8 release from productively HIV-1-infected U937 cells was comparable to uninfected cells. The IFN-alpha recovered partially the reduced IL-8 level from U937/HIV-1(L) cells in a dose-dependent manner. Any significant inhibition of IFN-alpha-augmented IL-8 secrement by anti-IL-1 antibody was not observed, suggesting that the enhanced IL-8 secretion occurred without augmenting IL-1 production. The IFN-alpha-augmented IL-8 secretion from latently HIV-1-infected U937 cells may suggest a beneficial potential of IFN-alpha in a treatment of bacterial or fungal infection frequently seen in patients with progressive stages of HIV-1 infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

Molecular cloning of a chicken lung cDNA encoding a novel protein kinase with N-terminal two LIM/double zinc finger motifs.

Using the cDNA fragment of chicken c-sea receptor tyrosine kinase as a probe, we isolated from a chicken lung cDNA library overlapping cDNA clones encoding a novel protein kinase, which we termed LIM-kinase (LIMK). The predicted polypeptide of 642 amino acid residues contains remarkable structural features, composed of the N-terminal two tandemly arrayed LIM/double zinc finger motifs and the C-terminal unusual protein kinase domain. To our knowledge, a protein kinase containing the LIM motif in the molecule has not heretofore been described. The protein kinase domain of LIMK shares highly conserved residues with the known protein kinases, but LIMK is unique in that it contains the sequence DLNSHN in subdomain VIB and a short, highly basic insert sequence, which may function as a signal for nuclear localization, between subdomain VII and VIII in the protein kinase domain. Northern blot analysis revealed that the single species of LIMK mRNA of 3.8 kb is expressed predominantly in the lung, and faintly in the kidney, liver, brain, spleen, gizzard, and intestine. As the LIM motif is thought to be involved in protein-protein interactions by binding to another LIM motif, and is often present in the homeodomain-containing proteins involved in cell fate determination and in the oncogenic nuclear proteins (rhombotins), it is likely that LIMK is involved in developmental or oncogenic processes through interactions with these LIM-containing proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

A 36-kDa protein of the dense bodies of smooth muscle cells.

We purified a 36-kDa protein from a low-salt, alkaline extract of chicken gizzard smooth muscle by sequential column chromatography using DEAE-Cellurofine A-800 m, hydroxylapatite, and CM-Cellurofine C-500. This protein decreased the low-shear viscosity of actin filaments and coprecipitated with them by centrifugation at 18,500 x g. Electron microscopy showed that the 36-kda peptide bundled actin filaments. Immunoblot analysis revealed that an affinity-purified antibody against the 36-kDa protein reacted exclusively with the 36-kDa protein band of smooth muscle. In indirect immunofluorescence microscopy, the affinity-purified anti-36-kDa protein antibody stained the dotty structures of isolated smooth muscle cells, while in post-embedding immunoelectron microscopy, most of the colloidal gold particles representing the 36-kDa protein were found on the dense bodies of ultrathin sections of chicken gizzard smooth muscle cells. The antibody did not stain the dense plaques of isolated smooth muscle cells. Judging from its molecular weight, the 36-kDa protein is concluded to be a new component of the dense bodies of smooth muscle.

Actins↗
PubMed1994

Reproducibility of magnetic resonance spectroscopy in patients undergoing dialysis and evaluation of the therapeutic response of tumors.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The reproducibility of repeated magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy was studied in patients undergoing dialysis and treatment of a variety of malignant tumors. METHODS: Localized MR spectra were obtained using a 1.5-T system by image-selected in vivo spectroscopy. Total metabolite signal was integrated between phosphomonoester and beta-adenosine triphosphate resonance. We termed this measurement AREA. RESULTS: Intrapatient variability was evaluated on repeated thigh muscle spectroscopy for 10 patients. Sequential spectra of 10 malignant tumors of the extremities were analyzed and compared with the histology of surgical specimens in seven patients. Intrapatient variability in AREA was calculated as 14.0%. The extent of necrosis and AREA ratio (definition: AREA post-therapy/AREA pretherapy) were as follows; 6.1% in > 90% necrosis, 43% in 50% to 90% necrosis, and 79% in < 50% necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Localized MR spectra are fairly reproducible and may relate to treatment efficacy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Expression of cripto in human pancreatic tumors.

The expression of cripto gene product was examined immunohistochemically in 45 surgically resected pancreatic tumors, including 32 invasive ductal carcinomas, 4 intraductal papillary adenocarcinomas, 4 intraductal papillary adenomas, 2 mucinous cystadenomas, 2 islet cell tumors, and one solid and cystic tumor, and compared with that in 32 areas of accompanying chronic pancreatitis present in the cases of invasive ductal carcinomas and 5 non-tumorous areas of pancreas without pancreatitis. All pancreatic ductal tumors including adenomas and carcinomas showed positive staining with no difference in terms of staining intensity among intraductal tumors and invasive carcinomas with or without mucin hypersecretion. Islet cell tumors were positively stained but the solid and cystic tumor was negative. Duct epithelial cells and acinar cells were negative but islet cells were positive in the pancreas tissues without pancreatitis. Cells arranged in duct-like structures in areas of accompanying chronic pancreatitis were positively stained. The results suggest that cripto expression might be associated with a growth advantage of tumor cells and also with differentiation to form duct-like structures.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1994

Tosulfloxacin versus norfloxacin for prevention of infections in chemotherapy-induced neutropenic patients.

We conducted a non-randomized, prospective study comparing the efficacy of tosulfloxacin with that of norfloxacin in preventing bacterial infection during chemotherapy-induced neutropenic episode. Fifty-one patients with hematological malignancies were included, and a total of 108 episodes of neutropenia were studied. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of fever, in the time-to-event analysis of febrile episodes nor in the incidence of gram-positive bacteremia despite the broader spectrum of tosulfloxacin. The incidence of gram-negative bacteremia was lower in patients treated with the quinolones as a prophylactic than in the historical controls given polymyxin B. Especially the incidence of bacteremia due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa was significantly less when tosulfloxacin was used. A possible synergistic effect of sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim in preventing the febrile episode was also observed.

Adolescent↗