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Biomedical subjects

M Kubo

Publications and source records attributed to M Kubo.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

[Study on septicaemia in infants and children in the past 20 years. Part 1. An analysis of causal organisms].

Causal organisms and their changes were evaluated in 158 cases of septicaemia admitted to Jikei University Hospital from 1975 to 1994. Eighty patients (50.6%) were aged less than 1 year, and 37 patients (23.4%) were newborns. The average mortality rate was 18.4%. The mortality rate between 1975 and 1984 was 26.8%, and that of the past 10 years (from 1985 to 1994) decreased to 13.7%. Staphylococcus aureus (29 cases, 19.4%) was the most common pathogens isolated, followed by Pseudomonas sp. (24 cases, 15.2%), Escherichia coli (19 cases, 12.0%), and Haemophilus influenzae (18 cases, 11.4%). H. influenzae, Acinetobacter sp., Streptococcus pneumoniae and Group B streptococcus (GBS) increased in the past 10 years (from 1985 to 1994), compared with the preceding 10 years (from 1975 to 1984). The mortality rate of Klebsiella sp. septicaemia (28.6%) was highest, followed by Pseudomonas sp. (25.0%), S. aureus (24.1%), S. pneumoniae (22.2%). H. influenzae and Acinetobacter sp. septicaemia were not fatal. E. coli and GBS were common among neonates and patients aged less than 1 year. H. influenzae septicaemia occurred mainly in patients with meningitis, in those younger than school age. Acinetobacter sp. was common among neonates and children with leukaemia Pseudomonas sp., Klebsiella sp., and Acinetobacter sp. were mainly detected in patients with underlying diseases. E. coli, H. influenzae, S. pneumoniae and GBS were mainly detected in patients without underlying diseases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Study on septicaemia in infants and children in the past 20 years. Part 2. An analysis of factors that prescribe for the prognosis].

Underlying diseases, complications, clinical findings, and laboratory findings were evaluated in 158 cases of septicaemia admitted to Jikei University Hospital from 1975 to 1994, in order to conjectured factors that prescribe for the prognosis. 50% of the patients had underlying diseases. Malignancy including leukaemia (31 cases, 39.2%) was the most common underlying disease, followed by low birth weight infant (17 cases, 21.5%), aplastic anemia (9 case, 11.4%), and congenital heart disease (7 cases, 8.9%). The death rate for patients with underlying disease (27.8%) was significantly greater than the mortality for normal patients with septicaemia (8.9%) (p < 0.05). Meningitis (24.7%) was the most common complication, followed by DIC (19.6%), shock (15.2%), and pneumonia (10.8%). The mortality rate of septicaemia complicated by shock was 66.7% (p < 0.01), and that complicated by DIC was 45.2% (p < 0.01). The mortality rate for patients with the clinical findings of respiratory distress, cough, abdominal distention, cyanosis, splenomegaly, or peripheral coldness was more than 40% and significantly greater (p < 0.01). Mortality rate in patients with granulocyte counts of < 4.000/mm3, platelet counts of < 5 x 10(4)/ mm3, total protein of < 5.0 g/dl, or ESR of < 20 mm/hr were significantly greater (p < 0.01) than those in patients with normal laboratory findings. Coincidence rate of blood and stool cultures was 57.9% for E. coli, and 28.6% for Klebsiella sp., and that of blood and throat cultures was more than 30% for Pseudomonas sp., Haemophilus influenzae, and Staphylococcus aureus. In the study of antimicrobial susceptibility for microorganisms isolated, the number of drug resistant S. aureus had increased in the last 10 years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Gastric attaching and effacing Escherichia coli lesions in a puppy with naturally occurring enteric colibacillosis and concurrent canine distemper virus infection.

A puppy suffering from chronic diarrhea was humanely killed at 90 days of age. Numerous Gram-negative bacilli were found adhering to the surface of as well as within epithelial cells from the stomach to the colon. Canine distemper virus inclusions were in the epithelial cytoplasm of the esophageal, gastric, and intestinal mucosa. Typical attaching and effacing ultrastructural lesions were in the stomach, and some bacilli were in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells. Escherichia coli, isolated from the contents of the small intestine, belonged to serotype 0118: NM and were negative for plasmid-encoded EPEC adherence factor (EAF) and positive for the E. coli attaching effacing (eae) gene. Immunohistologically, bacilli attached to the epithelium from the stomach to the colon were positive for antisera against E. coli 0118. E. coli 0118: NM inoculated into human tissue culture cells (HEp-2 cells) were attached to the surface of the cells and within the cytoplasm. This is the first report of attaching and effacing E. coli (AEEC) infection in the stomach of the dog.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Anti-inflammatory activities of 70% methanolic extract from Cinnamomi Cortex.

The effects of 70% methanolic extract (CC-ext) from Cinnamomi Cortex on acute and chronic inflammation were investigated. CC-ext inhibited the rise in vascular permeability induced by acetic acid and the increase of paw edema induced by carrageenin in mice. It was ineffective on edema derived by histamine or bradykinin, and exhibited only weak inhibitory effect on the edema derived by serotonin. CC-ext also showed inhibitory effects on the prekallikrein enzyme activity and ear edema induced by arachidonic acid. It also had an inhibitory effect on cotton pellet-induced granuloma but showed no atrophying action against the adrenal or thymus glands. Little effect was shown on secondary lesions in the development of adjuvant-induced arthritis (the arthritis reappeared from 11 to 27 d after injection of the adjuvant). These results suggest that some active component having an inhibitory effect on acute inflammation is contained in Cinnamomi Cortex.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Studies of cuticle drugs from natural sources. IV. Inhibitory effects of some Arctostaphylos plants on melanin biosynthesis.

The inhibitory effect of 50% ethanol extracts obtained from the leaves of six Arctostaphylos plants (A. patula, A. viscida, A. canescens, A. columbiana, A. nevadensis and A. uva-ursi) (Ericaceae) was tested on melanin biosynthesis. Among them, the extracts of A. patula and A. viscida showed potent inhibition against tyrosinase. The two extracts not only inhibited the production of melanin from dopachrome by autoxidation, but exhibited SOD (superoxide dismutase)-like activity and had a moderate absorbance in the UV-B area. These results suggest that the leaves of Arctostaphylos plants, especially A. patula and A. viscida can be applied to a whitening agent for the skin.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed1996

Pharmacological study on Agkistrodon blomhoffii blomhoffii BOIE. V. anti-fatigue effect of the 50% ethanol extract in acute weight-loaded forced swimming-treated rats.

The anti-fatigue effect of 50% ethanol extract ([M]) from the dried whole body of Agkistrodon blomhoffii blomhoffii Boie, was investigated using an acute weight-loaded forced swimming (AWLFS) test by monitoring swimming times, blood biochemical parameters, thiobarbiturate-reactive substances (TBARS) as an index of lipid peroxide and antioxidative enzyme activities in blood and tissue. [M] (500 mg/kg/d), given orally for three successive days, significantly prolonged swimming times. It also inhibited the elevation of TBARS in plasma, liver, brain, kidney and soleus, and inhibited the lowering of catalase activity in erythrocyte, liver and soleus. However, it had no inhibitory effect on the elevation of creatine-kinase activity, free fatty acid and lactic acid levels or on the decrease in glucose level in serum. Also, it decreased the plasma TBARS level and increased the superoxide dismutase activity of plasma and erythrocytes in normal rats. From these results, it can be considered that [M] has an anti-fatigue effect.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Studies on Rehmanniae radix. III. The relation between changes of constituents and improvable effects on hemorheology with the processing of roots of Rehmannia glutinosa].

The relation between constituents and effects on hemorheology with processing of root of Rehmannia glutinosa was investigated. With the processing to dried or steamed root from crude root, the content of stachyose, which was the highest component in crude root, was decreased and the content of manninotriose was increased. Iridoid glycoside, catalpol, was gradually decreased with the processing. From these results, the content of carbohydrates and catalpol made it possible to estimate the quality of Rehmanniae Radix by processings. On the other hand, the change of pharmacological activities with the processing was investigated. The 50% ethanolic extract (BJ-ext) from steamed root of R. glutinosa increased erythrocyte deformability and erythrocyte ATP contents, inhibited polybrene-induced erythrocyte aggregation, and promoted an activity of fibrinolytic system. The extracts from crude or dried root had weak or no effect. The crude or dried root and steamed root of R. glutinosa showed the different pharmacological activities, and the quality of Rehamanniae Radix by processings may be estimated by investigation of correlation between the changes of constituents and improvable effects of hemorheology.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1996

Bacillus stearothermophilus cell shape determinant gene, mreC and mreD, and their stimulation of protease production in Bacillus subtilis.

Protease production stimulating genes were isolated from a soybean protein degrading bacterium, Bacillus stearothermophilus HA19. The cloned fragment stimulated production of a 37-kDa protease in B. subtilis. The nucleotide sequence of the genes and their flanking regions were identical to the B. subtilis cell shape determinant genes mreC and mreD [J. Bacteriol., 176, 6729-6742 (1992); J. Bacteriol., 176, 6717-6728 (1992)]. The mreC and mreD genes in B. subtilis stimulate secretion of a neutral protease (37-kDa), and the protease activity in the culture medium reached 2500 U per ml (approximately 10 times higher than the host strain) after 24 h of cultivation in L broth, suggesting the mreCD genes regulate protease expression and the protease is related to the cell shape determination in Bacilli. The protease productions in B. subtilis carrying mreC or mreD deletion plasmids were not elevated, so the 37-kDa protease stimulation requires both mreC and mreD genes. The extracellular protease was purified, and the molecular mass of the enzyme was 37,000 Da by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and gel filtration. The optimum pH and temperature for the enzyme activity were 7.0 and 50 degrees C, respectively, and the enzyme was stable at pH 7-10. The enzyme was inactivated by EDTA, but not by phenylmethyl sulfonyl fluoride and diisopropyl fluorophosphate.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Mycoplasma hyorhinis infection levels in lungs of piglets with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS).

The infection levels of Mycoplasma hyorhinis, M. hyopneumoniae and M. hyosynoviae in the lung of piglets were examined in relation to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS). These animals consisted of 43 PRRS piglets with PRRS, 2 piglets infected with PRRS virus but symptom-free, and 10 control piglets free of PRRS virus and its antibody. M. hyorhinis was isolated from 40 of the 43 PRRS piglets, from 1 of the 2 latent infected piglets and from 3 of the 10 control piglets. The number of M. hyorhinis isolated from the lungs of PRRS piglets was more than 10(5) CFU/g, but those isolated from the latent infected piglets and the control piglets were less than 10(3) CFU/g. In addition to this, Haemophilus parasuis and Pasteurella spp. were frequently isolated from the piglets with PRRS (51.2% and 25.6%, respectively). On the other hand, M. hyopneumoniae was isolated from only 4 of 55 piglets tested, and M. hyosynoviae was not isolated. M. hyorhinis was also detected directly in the lung emulsion samples from almost all the PRRS piglets using a polymerase chain reaction-based method.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Isolation of porcine respiratory coronavirus from pigs affected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome.

Four cytopathogenic viruses were isolated in CPK cells derived from porcine kidneys from tonsils and lungs of 3 of 15 pigs affected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. Physicochemically and morphologically, the isolates were similar to a coronavirus. The isolates were not distinguished from transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) by a neutralization test using polyclonal antibodies, but differentiated from TGEV by monoclonal antibodies capable of discriminating between TGEV and porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCV), indicating that the isolates were PRCV. In a serological survey of 30 serum samples each collected from about 50 days old pigs in the 2 affected farms, 29 (97%) and 15 (50%) sera were positive for neutralizing antibody against the isolate with the titers ranging from 2 to 64, respectively.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Ultrastructure of the cyst wall of Sarcocystis species with canine final host in Japan.

The ultrastructural characteristics of cyst wall are a useful clue to the identification of Sarcocystis species. Among the eight species examined, S. cruzi, S. sp. 1 from sheep and S. hircicanis had the thin cyst wall with long, tapered hair-like villar protrusions. The protrusions arose from the dome-like bulges of cyst wall and ran parallel to the surface. No clear ramification was observed in the tip of protrusion of these three species. S. tenella, S. capracanis, S. miescheriana, S. fayeri, and S. sp. 2 from Japanese deer had the thick cyst wall. The villar protrusions of the former three species were palisade-like in shape, but those of S. tenella and S. Capracanis were slightly thinner than those of S. miescheriana. The villar protrusions of S. fayeri and S. sp. 2 were finger-like, but those of the former species were shorter and thicker than those of the latter species. S. fayeri had many minute depressions on the surface of protrusion in a reticular pattern. Microtubules in the core of protrusion were seen in S. miescheriana, S. fayeri and S. sp. 2 but not in the other species. Microdepressions were observed on the surface of cyst wall among the protrusions in all the Sarcocystis species examined, but their function was not made clear.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Adrenocorticotropin-independent bilateral macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia: immunohistochemical studies of steroidogenic enzymes and post-operative course in two men.

We treated two men with Cushing's syndrome due to adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)-independent bilateral macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia (AIMAH). In both patients, plasma ACTH was low and plasma cortisol was not suppressed by a high dose of dexamethasone (8 mg) but was remarkably responsive to exogenous ACTH. The adrenal glands were extremely enlarged and contained multiple nodules composed of large clear cells and small compact cells. The immunoreactivity of P-450(17) alpha was predominant in the small compact cells, while that of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta-HSD) was observed exclusively in the large clear cells. Among various adrenocortical disorders, differential expression of 3 beta-HSD and P-450(17) alpha in clear and compact cells has heretofore been demonstrated only in AIMAH. Total adrenalectomy was done for one patient, and partial adrenalectomy for the other. In the former patient, the normal diurnal rhythm of plasma ACTH was restored 11 months postoperatively. In the latter patient, the normal dynamics in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis became evident 15 months after surgery. Thus AIMAH is apparently a primary adrenocortical disorder and is not due to abnormalities of the hypothalamus or pituitary.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1996

Histochemical study of follicles in the senescent porcine pituitary gland.

Follicles displaying a positive periodic acid-Schiff reaction to a colloid substance in the anterior pituitary gland have been observed in many vertebrates, including humans. It is also known that these follicles greatly increase in number and size with age. We therefore performed histochemical analysis of these colloid follicles in the senescent porcine pituitary gland in order to clarify their nature and biological significance. Results from various histological stains suggest that the colloid contains some polysaccharides or glycoproteins. In addition to the histological stains, lectin histochemistry revealed that the colloid contains sialic acid, N-acetyl galactosamine and galactose. Also, lectin staining indicated that some glycoproteins, most likely Asn-linked sialoglycoproteins, are localized in the colloid. The cells (FS cells) surrounding the colloid were densely stained with an antibody to S-100 protein but were not stained with antibodies to any other anterior pituitary hormones. Frequently mammotrophs (PRL cells), and occasionally gonadotrophs (LH cells) were found closely associated with folliculo-stellate cells (FS cells which lay next to the large colloid containing follicles. This suggests that not only are the FS cells important in the production of the colloids, but the adjacent LH and PRL cells in some way also contribute to their formation.

Aging↗
PubMed1996

[A boy highly suspected of hypersensitivity pneumonitis characterized by generalized mucosal lesions].

The case is a boy who developed progressive dyspnea and had since been followed over a long period time as a case of unknown fever without respiratory symptoms. He showed mucosal symptoms such as intraoral aphtha, eosinophilic pyuria and diarrhea and was clinically diagnosed as hypersensitivity pneumonitis. The affected child showed high levels of circulating immune complex, a decline in DLco on the respiratory function test and a decrease in CD 4/8 in bronchoalveolar lavage lymphocytes; furthermore, an antibody specific to Aureobasidium pullulans was positive in the precipitated antibody test. As for the immune function of the affected child during the follow-up, hypergammaglobulinemia and various immune abnormalities were observed. We thought the clinical feature of the affected child to be of pathophysiological value in dealing with unknown fever in childhood, so we reported our findings in this paper.

Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic↗
PubMed1996

[Historical investigation on herbal and medical literatures of processing and effect of Rehmanniae Radix].

The radix of Rehmannia glutinosa has been applied to medicinal use since ancient times, and has been called Kiou in the Han dynasty and has been classified by prepared methods, with each preparation given a different name. There were Syoujiou, Kanjiou and Zyukujiou etc. The first was introduced in the Sinnou-honzoukyou and the first and second had been used to prepare some prescriptions contained in the Kinki-youryaku and so on. The third began to appear on the medical and herbal literatures from the Tang period to the early Song. The Rehmanniae Radix has been used as the main material of Hokyoyouketu prescriptions, and by the use of Zyukujiou, their efficacy was regarded to be particularly stronger than the others. The preparation of Hatimigan recorded in the Kinki-youryaku had been used in Kanjiou but was later replaced with Zyukujiou. We should rethink about the quality and process of Chinese herbs on the pharmacy of Kampo medicine.

China↗
PubMed1996

[Three cases with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis who showed hypocomplementemia related to disease activity].

We encountered three cases of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis which showed a depressed serum complement level during the clinical course. Circulating immune complex and increased secondary fibrinolysis were detected in all cases. The laboratory data suggested the presence of vesculitis. Cutaneous vasculitis was observed by biopsy in 2 cases and abnormal respiratory function in one cases. These 3 cases were in contrast to other 95 JRA cases treated in our department who showed normal serum complement levels. Estimation of serum complement may, therefore be useful to predict the vascular complication and refractoriness to therapy in JRA.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Tracheal carcinoma causing severe tracheal stenosis].

A 47-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of shortness of breath. She had wheezed for a long time before admission. A flow-volume curve showed a pattern consistent with a fixed obstruction of the trachea. CT findings also revealed severe stenosis of the trachea caused by a tumor mass. Tracheal carcinoma was diagnosed after transbronchoscopic biopsy. The patient received chemotherapy and radiation therapy concurrently for about six weeks. Her symptoms resolved, and a second flow-volume curve had a normal pattern. Tracheal carcinoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of airway obstruction. In such cases, the flow-volume curve can be useful as a screening test.

Adenocarcinoma↗