Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Kan

Publications and source records attributed to M Kan.

167 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Heparan sulfate is required for interaction and activation of the epithelial cell fibroblast growth factor receptor-2IIIb with stromal-derived fibroblast growth factor-7.

Fibroblast growth factor-7 (FGF-7) and a specific splice variant of the FGF tyrosine kinase receptor family (FGFR2IIIb) constitute a paracrine signaling system from stroma to epithelium. Different effects of the manipulation of cellular heparan sulfates and heparin on activities of FGF-7 relative to FGF-1 in epithelial cells suggest that pericellular heparan sulfates may regulate the activity of FGF-7 by a different mechanism than other FGFs. In this report, we employ the heparan sulfate-binding protein, protamine sulfate, to reversibly block cellular heparan sulfates. Protamine sulfate, which does not bind significantly to FGF-7 or FGFR2IIIb, inhibited FGF-7 activities, but not those of epidermal growth factor. The inhibition was overcome by increasing the concentrations of FGF-7 or heparin. Heparin was essential for binding of FGF-7 to recombinant FGFR2IIIb expressed in insect cells or FGFR2IIIb purified away from cell products. These results suggest that, similar to other FGF polypeptides, heparan sulfate within the pericellular matrix is required for activity of FGF-7. Differences in response to heparin and alterations in the BULK heparan sulfate content of cells likely reflect FGF-specific differences in the cellular repertoire of multivalent heparan sulfate chains required for assembly and activation of the FGF signal transduction complex.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A study of psychological stress created in dentists by children during pediatric dental treatment.

Stresses on dental practitioners arising from pediatric examination and treatment can be broadly divided into those produced by the child and those produced by the child's guardian (usually the mother). The present study examined the psychological influence of the child. A series of questions regarding psychological stress caused by child patients was administered to a group of dentists and, by factor analysis, reduced to a 21-item scale. The effectiveness of this instrument was examined for reliability and validity. The following results were obtained: 1. The 21 items in the scale were selected for their association with three primary factors: stress from mild resistance behavior, stress from moderate resistance behavior, and stress from determined resistance behavior. 2. The scale demonstrated high internal consistency and, by test-retest, high stability over time. 3. High scores on a standardized scale for psychological stress in everyday life were found to correlate positively to scores on the scale created in the present study. The correlation was significant beyond the 5 percent level. Confirmatory factor analysis found factor loading for all items of 0.50 or greater, with no duplication of factors within items. Both tests confirmed the validity of the scale. The above results indicate that the scale created in the present study is an effective instrument for measuring psychological stress in dental practitioners created by children during pediatric dental treatment and examination.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical evaluation of hepatic artery embolization: comparison between Gelfoam and Lipiodol with anticancer agent.

Transcatheter embolization of the hepatic artery for hepatomas was performed with the use of Gelfoam and Lipiodol-ADM in 98 patients (Gelfoam 63 patients; Lipiodol-ADM 35 patients). The cumulative one-year survival rate was 52.9% for the Gelfoam group and 28% for the Lipiodol-ADM group. Response to hepatic embolization was most remarkable in the nodular type; CR was obtained in five patients and PR in 31 patients (response rate: CR + PR = 57.1%) in the Gelfoam group, with no CR and six PRs (response rate, 17.6%) in the Lipiodol-ADM group. Alfa-feto protein (AFP) decrease of more than 50% was observed in 78.1% of the Gelfoam group and 40% of the Lipiodol-ADM group. The side effects were transient and controlled with conservative treatment. Gelfoam seemed to be more effective in the treatment of hepatoma, but the damage to normal tissue was more severe with this embolic material.

Aged↗