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Biomedical subjects

K Okamura

Publications and source records attributed to K Okamura.

At least 451 records · Page 25Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Treatment of hyperthyroidism with a small single daily dose of methimazole.

The duration of action of methimazole (MMI) was studied in patients with hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease. Perchlorate discharge tests performed 24 h after MMI administration revealed greater than 10% discharge in 77% of 53 patients who received a single dose of 15 mg MMI and in 74% of 23 patients who received 30 mg. The mean percent discharges were 41.5 +/- 26.4% (+/- SD) and 35.4 +/- 28.0, respectively. Based on these results, hyperthyroidism was treated with a single daily dose (SDD) of 15 mg in 43 patients and with 30 mg in 32 patients, and the results were compared with retrospective analysis of 50 patients who were treated with divided doses of MMI (10 mg, 3 times daily). Within 12 weeks, 93% of the patients treated with 15 mg SDD, 91% treated with 30 mg SDD, and 86% treated with divided doses were euthyroid. The mean times to achieve euthyroidism in these patients were 5.3 +/- 3.6 (+/- SD), 5.3 +/- 3.1, and 5.6 +/- 3.0 weeks, respectively. Side-effects occurred in 2 patients treated with 15 mg SDD and in 6 treated with 30 mg SDD. We conclude that a single daily dose of 15 mg MMI is not only effective in most patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism, but also less frequently causes adverse effects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Long-term bromocriptine therapy and predictive tests in acromegaly.

The value of predictive tests in bromocriptine therapy and the effects of long-term bromocriptine therapy were investigated in acromegalic patients. In 72 acromegalic patients, there was a tendency for patients with a plasma GH response to TRH or with an elevated basal plasma PRL level, but without a plasma GH response to LHRH, to have a plasma GH response to bromocriptine, though statistical analysis did not reveal a significant difference. Acute and chronic effects of bromocriptine were significantly interrelated, while the chronic effect of bromocriptine and abnormal plasma GH response to TRH or elevated plasma PRL levels were not, in 18 acromegalic patients. These results suggest that the acute bromocriptine test is a better predictor than the TRH test and plasma PRL levels for evaluating the effects of chronic bromocriptine therapy. To maintain the low plasma GH levels, increasing doses of bromocriptine were needed in most patients, and failure to control the elevated GH level despite increasing doses was observed in 2 of 18 patients.

Acromegaly↗
PubMed1986

Ultrastructural changes in pancreatic acinar cells of rats after administration of 4-hydroxyaminoquinoline-1-oxide.

Ultrastructural changes in the exocrine pancreas 24, 48, 72 and 168 hours after a single intravenous injection of 4-hydroxyaminoquinoline-1-oxide (4-HAQO), at a dose of 14 mg.per kg., were observed in male rats. At 24 hours after administration, multiple focal degenerative lesion-like large vacuoles in the acini, and a decrease in zymogen granules with dilation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae in the acinar cells were marked. At 48 hours, acinar cell degeneration and necrosis progressively increased. The nucleus, especially, appeared to be disorganized and lysosome-like bodies with various sizes were frequently observed. At 72 hours, acinar cell degeneration persisted in the acini, and the interstitial space with infiltration of inflammatory cells appeared edematous. In addition, ductular-like cells, which resembled intercalated duct cells, possessing a light cytoplasm with occasional mitoses were observed around the duct lumen. At 168 hours, the exocrine pancreas was occupied with proliferated ductular-like cells. Furthermore, acinar cells and acini regenerated to the normal pattern were sometimes found. Thus, the exocrine pancreas degenerated progressively up to 48 hours after administration of 4-HAQO, gradually came to be repaired by degrees from 72 hours and then partly appeared to be regenerated at 168 hours. It is suggested that the ductular-like cell might be the precursor of the acinar cell in the regenerating process after injection of 4-HAQO.

4-Hydroxyaminoquinoline-1-oxide↗
PubMed1986

[Two cases of Kallmann's syndrome].

Herein we report two cases of hypogonadism with anosmia or hyposmia (Kallmann's syndrome), a 23-year-old single man (case 1) and a 34-year-old single man. (case 2). Micropenis and small testes were seen in both cases. Central anosima and central hyposmia were found in cases 1 and 2, respectively. Their karyotypes were normal (46, XY). The plasma levels of LH and FSH were low and the reaction to LH-RH test was poor in both cases. After repetitious LH-RH administrations, a good response of plasma LH was recognized in both cases except for a poor response of plasma FSH in case 1, while plasma testosterone remained low in both cases. Their testicular biopsies revealed immature testes without any developed Sertoli and Leydig cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Enhanced expression of HLA antigens on gynecologic cancer cells by interferon-gamma.

With flow-cytometry we tested whether or not interferon can induce surface expression of HLA-ABC antigen on cell lines derived from various gynecologic cancers. The tumor cell lines used were Hela S3 derived from cervical cancer, OVK-18 derived from ovarian cancer, HHUA derived from endometrial cancer, SCH, JaR and BeWo derived from choriocarcinoma. 1000 IU/ml of interferon-gamma induced HLA-ABC antigen expression on Hela S3, OVK-18 and SCH but not on BeWo. HLA-ABC antigen was expressed on neither the surface of HHUA or JaR nor was its appearance induced by interferon. The clinical application of interferon may be effective in killing some tumors, taking advantage of the increased expression of HLA antigen.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1986

[Fundamental and clinical studies of imipenem/cilastatin sodium in the field of obstetrics and gynecology].

Seven patients with gynecologic infections were treated with the new carbapenem class of antibiotic, imipenem/cilastatin sodium (MK-0787/MK-0791) at a dose level of 500 mg/500 mg or 250 mg/250 mg administered intravenously every 12 hours for 5 days. The results obtained were as follows. Clinical effects of MK-0787/MK-0791 were analyzed in 7 patients, including 1 case with pelvic peritonitis, 2 cases with endometritis, adnexitis and pelvic peritonitis, abdominal abscess, vaginal cuff infection and parametritis, and pyometra. Excellent clinical response was seen in 3 cases and good response in 4 cases. No side effect nor abnormal finding in clinical laboratory values was seen in all patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Antiviral activity of the human amniotic fluid and placenta].

Antiviral activity (3-24 IU/ml) was detected in the amniotic fluid of 21 of 25 pregnant women examined (84%) by conventional interferon assay using human amniotic cells (WISH) and vesicular stomatitis virus. The pregnancies were from 16 to 42 weeks gestation without obvious viral infection or other complications. The antiviral substance in the amniotic fluid seems to be interferon alpha, because it was not inactivated by heat (56 degrees C, 30 min) or acid (pH 2.0, 24 hrs.) and it was inactivated by anti-human interferon alpha neutralizing serum. Neither the incidence nor the titer of the activity in amniotic fluid has any relationship with gestational age, age of the pregnant women or parity. Antiviral activity (4-32 IU/10 mg protein/ml) was also detected in the placenta homogenate of 23 of 25 pregnant women examined (92%). The pregnancies were from 7 to 41 weeks of gestation with or without complication. The titer of antiviral activity was relatively high in the placenta of babies with central nervous system anomalies and it was low in the placenta of intrauterine growth retardation pregnancies, compared with normal pregnancies. The activity in the placenta was not inactivated by heat (56 degrees C, 30 min), acid (pH 2.0, 24 hrs.), anti-human interferon alpha neutralizing anti-serum or anti-human interferon beta neutralizing anti-serum.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1986

[Clinical study of NFLX (norfloxacin) in complicated urinary tract infections].

The new chemotherapeutic agent NFLX was orally administered 600 mg a day for 5 consecutive days in 44 cases having complicated urinary tract infection, and its clinical efficacy was evaluated. They consisted of 8 marked effective cases, 19 moderately effective cases and 17 ineffective cases, and its overall clinical efficacy was 61%. The bacteria disappeared in 10 cases, and decreased in 9 cases. Thirteen cases showed bacterial alternation, and 12 cases remained unchanged. By type of disease group, the efficacy was slightly inferior in the indwelling catheter group compared with that of the nonindwellt group.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Study of interferon production during pregnancy in mice and antiviral activity in the placenta.

Although the mortality rate after herpes simplex virus type 2 inoculation was not significantly different between pregnant mice and nonpregnant mice, systemic interferon production was very high during late pregnancy compared with that in nonpregnant mice. Antiviral activity was detected in placentas from all noninfected pregnant mice (80 to 320 U/ml in 20% suspension). The antiviral activity had a broad spectrum and was also effective in the cells of other species; an antiviral effect was shown even if the cells were treated after challenge with a virus. In addition, this activity was not inactivated by antimouse interferon-neutralizing antisera. The molecular weight of this placental antiviral substance was estimated to be 200,000 to 450,000 daltons by gel filtration, and it was inactivated by heat, acid, and trypsin. Noninterferon antiviral activity (40 to 80 U/ml) was also detected in more than half the sera (61.5%) of noninfected mice in late pregnancy.

Adenoviruses, Human↗
PubMed1985

Retrograde ejaculation caused by incomplete paralysis of pelvic nerve.

A case of retrograde ejaculation is reported. Initially, it was considered idiopathic, but various examinations revealed subclinical neurogenic bladder with hypotonic detrusor and normal external urethral sphincter. This was due to incomplete paralysis of the pelvic nerve and the normal activity of the pudendal nerve. Normal antegrade ejaculation was obtained by bilateral pudendal nerve block. Some cases of idiopathic retrograde ejaculation are ascribable to neurogenic bladder; and urodynamic examination is essential in the diagnosis of this disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Ultrasonic aspiration in coronary artery surgery.

With the aid of an ultrasonically powered aspiration device, the coronary artery to undergo distal anastomosis during aortocoronary bypass grafting can be exposed in the beating heart prior to institution of cardiopulmonary bypass and systemic administration of heparin. The thick adipose tissue and bridging muscles of the superficial layer are removed with almost no bleeding, leaving the vascular elements intact. The optimal site for anastomosis of the coronary artery is readily exposed and confirmed, and aortic cross-clamp time is minimized.

Coronary Vessels↗
PubMed1985

Relationship between mechanical and hydrodynamic properties of bioprosthesis produced from canine aortic valve.

Static tensile, stress relaxation, and hydrodynamic tests were carried out to investigate the relationships between the mechanical deformation or stiffness of heart valve leaflets and the opening behavior of bioprosthetic valves. The specimens used were fresh and glutaraldehyde (GA)-treated canine aortic valves. The tensile strength depended on the fiber orientation in the leaflet. The deformability of fresh and 0.05% GA-treated tissues was significantly larger than that induced by 0.1-5.0% GA concentrations according to the stress-strain curves. The stress relaxation function, which expresses the viscoelastic property, did not show significant differences in the 0.05-5.0% range of GA concentrations. In the hydrodynamic tests, the opening resistance of fresh and 0.05% GA-treated valves was less than that of 0.1-5.0% GA-treated valves. Thus, it was shown that the hydrodynamic valve functions were closely related to the material properties of aortic valve leaflets.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Histological study on the origin of dentinal immunoglobulins and the change in their localization during caries.

At the incipient stage of the caries process prior to destruction, immunoglobulins were first localized in the odontoblast layer in spite of absence of plasma cells in the pulp, and secondly located in the dentinal tubules of the pulpal side of dentin. When the tooth became involved, caries immunoglobulins were localized under the lesion. Bovine serum albumin, which was administered on tooth surfaces, was not observed in the non-decayed area of dentin. When injected into blood vessels, the protein was found in both decayed and unaffected dentin. It is suggested that, at the incipient stage of the caries process, dentinal immunoglobulins come from the pulp, although the possibility of salivary origin at a later stage is not excluded; and that immunoglobulin localization changes during the caries process.

Animals↗