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Biomedical subjects

K Oka

Publications and source records attributed to K Oka.

At least 487 records · Page 27Linked to original sources

[The role of radiotherapy in the treatment of malignant lymphoma].

Eighty-four patients with malignant lymphoma in N.I.R.S., whose five-year survival was evaluated, were divided into two groups. The first one was treated mainly with irradiation between 1961 and 1972 (n = 36) and the second one mainly with anticancer drugs thereafter (n = 48). The survival of the second group was significantly superior to the first one: 60% vs 20% in the five-year survival rate of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and 40% vs 20% in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). These results were due to the systemic application of chemotherapy in the second group. On the other hand, 40% of the patients with NHL in the head and neck at stages I + II and who received radiotherapy alone survived. Through a detailed analysis of these data, the role of radiotherapy in the treatment of malignant lymphoma was discussed.

Adult↗

An integrated scheme for the simultaneous determination of biogenic amines, precursor amino acids, and related metabolites by liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.

A new method using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ED) for the simultaneous determination of monoamines, their precursor amino acids, and related major metabolites in small samples of brain tissue weighing from 0.5 to 50 mg is described. The method is based on the preliminary isolation of monoamines (dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and serotonin), their precursor amino acids (tyrosine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan), and their major metabolites (3-methoxytyramine, normetanephrine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, homovanillic acid, vanillylmandelic acid, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid) by chromatography on small columns of Amberlite CG-50 and Dowex 50W, and by ethyl acetate extraction. All the compounds in the four isolated fractions were measured by HPLC-ED on a reversed-phase column under four different conditions. The sensitivity was from 0.1 to 40 pmol, depending on the substances analysed. This newly established method was applied to the study of the effects of an aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor (NSD-1015) and a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (pargyline) on the levels of monoamines, their precursor amino acids and their major metabolites in brain regions of mice.

Amino Acids↗

Catecholamine-related enzymes and the biopterin cofactor in Parkinson's disease and related extrapyramidal diseases.

In parkinsonian brain, TH and the BP cofactor, as well as DBH and PNMT with phenylethanolamine as substrate, are decreased. However, decrease in AADC with L-DOPA as substrate was not statistically significant. TH activity has also been shown to be decreased in striatonigral degeneration and Shy-Drager syndrome. TH reduction only in striatum but not in substantia nigra was found in a case of juvenile Parkinson's disease. Changes in AADC with L-DOPA or L-5-HTP as substrates varied in parkinsonian brains. PNMT with norepinephrine as substrate was also significantly decreased in parkinsonian brains. After administration of tyrosine to mice, the BP concentration was increased in striatum, adrenals, and serum. Mean BP concentration in serum of parkinsonian patients was slightly but significantly lower than that in controls. The serum BP increased three- to sevenfold in response to an oral tyrosine load in controls, whereas there was no increase or only a minor one (less than threefold) in parkinsonian patients. Our present results indicate that all catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes and BP synthesis may be impaired in Parkinson's disease.

Adult↗

Simultaneous determination of lidocaine and its principal metabolites by liquid chromatography on silica gel, with aqueous eluent.

We describe the simultaneous determination of lidocaine and its pharmacologically active metabolites, monoethylglycinexylidide and glycinexylidide, in plasma by "high-performance" liquid-chromatography. By use of a bare ( unbonded ) silica gel with aqueous eluents, separations of organic amines such as lidocaine and its metabolites, which are very difficult and have a poor peak symmetry on bonded reversed-phase packings, were easily accomplished with a good peak symmetry. The method is sufficiently precise, sensitive, and specific. Analytical recoveries of all compounds were greater than 90%; CVs for reproducibility were less than 5% for all compounds; the lower detection limits were 0.1 mg/L or less. This method can be used to monitor the concentrations of these compounds in plasma and to prevent the concentration-related side-effect(s).

Adult↗

Simultaneous simple purification of tyrosine hydroxylase and dihydropteridine reductase.

A rapid and simple simultaneous micropurification procedure of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dihydropteridine reductase (DPR) was developed from soluble supernatants of 1 to 2 g of rat adrenal gland or caudate nucleus. All purification procedures for the two enzymes were complete within 3 days. The recovery of TH and DPR was reproducible and approximately 20 and 40%, respectively. Purification procedure for TH involved chromatographies with DEAE-Sephacel, Bio-Gel A-1.5 m, and heparin-Sepharose. As judged by gel filtration and sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis, the enzyme purified from each tissue appeared to be homogeneous and was composed of an identical subunit, each possessing a Mr of 60,000. With DEAE-Sephacel column chromatography, TH was separated completely from DPR. DPR was purified by subsequent chromatographies with Sephadex G-50 and blue Sepharose to a purity of 50%. DPR in adrenals and brain was found to be a NADH-dependent type. This micropurification procedure is applicable to assessing the molecular properties of TH modified physiologically or pharmacologically in vivo, and to getting a small amount of the pure enzyme as antigen for producing its antibody.

Adrenal Glands↗

Evidence for the homology of hexose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase: comparison of the amino acid compositions.

Amino acid compositions of hexose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase from crucian carp and rat, and that of sea-urchin glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase were compared in order to ascertain if they are homologous enzymes. The results demonstrated that the overall amino acid compositions of the two enzymes remarkably resemble each other, and that the composition divergence (D = 0.038) of the crucian carp enzymes is in the range of those for homologous proteins so far reported. These findings strongly support our previous prediction that the two enzymes have diverged from a common ancestral molecule.

Amino Acids↗

A histological study on microthrombi in autopsy cases of DIC.

Microthrombi in 43 untreated and 26 treated cases of DIC were studied histologically and immunohistochemically. In the untreated cases, four types of microthrombi (intraluminal microthrombi with or without fibroblastic and/or smooth muscle cell reaction) were identified. Microthrombi in the former three types showed various degrees of thrombolysis. Failure of thrombolysis seemed to lead the organization of microthrombi. These morphological findings were considered to indicate the course of DIC and the degree of disappearance of the microthrombi in DIC. Microthrombi in the hepatic sinusoids and glomerular capillaries were studied with special reference to the removal processes of the microthrombi. Pathogenesis of renal cortical necrosis in DIC was also discussed. The number of microthrombi was markedly decreased by heparin and gabexate mesilate treatment. The incidences of microthrombi in the liver, kidney, lung, and heart were compared in the two treated groups.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation↗