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Biomedical subjects

M Kubo

Publications and source records attributed to M Kubo.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

[Rigid spine syndrome associated with marked hypoxemia and hypercapnia].

A 48-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of hypoxemia (PaO2 = 43 mmHg), hypercapnia (PaCO2 = 70 mmHg), complete atrio-ventricular block, and heart failure. He also had limitation of spine flexion, scoliosis, deformity of the rib cage, and constriction of the ankle joints, complicated by cor pulmonale. These findings were compatible with rigid spine syndrome. To avoid progressive pulmonary hypertension and hypoxemia, nasal BiPAP and home oxygen therapy (0.5 liters/minute) were begun. Rigid spine syndrome is clinically characterized by limitation of spine flexion, and the limitation of thoracic movement often causes severe constrictive respiratory dysfunction. This syndrome should be considered when evaluating patients who have both thoracic deformity, especially scoliosis, and respiratory failure.

Heart Block↗
PubMed1996

[Seven cases of hemophagocytic syndrome complicated with childhood collagen diseases].

We encountered seven children with hemophagocytic syndrome complicated with collagen diseases of whom five were JRA and two SLE, HPS was seen as one of initial symptoms in 6 cases excluding one case of JRA. Hematologically, cytopenia in 2 cell lines (RBC and platelets) was seen in most cases. Active hemophagocytosis by matured large histiocytes was observed in all cases. All patients had moderately to extremely high serum ferritin levels and LDH levels. Although both lives did not correlated with prognosis in HPS with collagen disease, the higher serum total cholesterol/serum triglyceride ratio, the worse was the prognosis. Those findings suggested that HPS in collagen diseases may be a different entity from other types of HPS.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Hydronephrosis as a complication of appendicitis: a case report].

A case of right hydronephrosis as a complication of appendicitis is reported. The patient was a 63-year-old male, whose chief complaints were pollakisuria and dysuria. Roentgenographic examination revealed right hydronephrosis due to stenosis of right lower ureter and intrapelvic tumor at the right side. Exploration revealed an abscess in the pelvic cavity, and pathologic examination disclosed periappendiceal perforation and an old inflamed appendix. A review of the literature revealed that it is difficult to diagnose the appendicitis without typical symptoms.

Abscess↗
PubMed1996

[Selenium deficiency associated with cardiac dysfunction in three patients with chronic respiratory failure].

We encountered three patients with chronic respiratory failure who had heart failure of cardiac arrhythmias and low levels of serum selenium. All three had tracheostomies and had received long-term parenteral nutrition that had not included selenium. All three also had refractory cardiac dysfunction, which was manifested in edema, heart failure, and various tachycardias. We suspected that selenium deficiency had caused their cardiac dysfunction. Serum selenium concentrations were found to be much lower than normal in all three, so 100 micrograms/day of selenium was administered in addition to their tube feedings. Cardiac function improved after replacement of selenium. These cases show the need for preventing selenium deficiency in patients with chronic respiratory failure during long-term administration of parenteral nutrition.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

[Preclinical and clinical studies on the efficacy of bifonazole in patients with tinea pedis at 10 years after approval. Part 1. Susceptibility to bifonazole of clinical isolates of dermatophytes].

An investigation was carried out to determine whether or not here had been any changes in the susceptibility of clinically isolated strains of Trichophyton metagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum (both leading causes of tinea) to bifonazole, an imidazole derivative and antifungal for topical use. Susceptibility was measured in 107 strains of these fungi isolated from clinical samples during a study on the treatment of tinea pedis with Mycospor cream in 1995, 42 strains isolated and stored in 1990, and 39 strains isolated and stored prior to development of the drug. The results are as follows: (1) There was no distinct difference in the susceptibility to bifonazole of T. mentagrophytes strains isolated before 1986 and those isolated in 1990 or 1995. (2) T. rubrum strains isolated before 1986 were slightly more susceptible to bifonazole than those isolated in 1995, while the 1990 strains were slightly less susceptible than the 1995 strains, but the difference was not significant. (3) The highest MICs of bifonazole for all the T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum strains isolated from before 1986 and those in 1995 were relatively low, being 2.5 micrograms/ml and 1.25 micrograms/ml, respectively. These results suggest that no resistance or reduced susceptibility to bifonazole has emerged among clinical isolates of dermatophytes since the development of the drug.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed1995

T cell receptor-mediated signaling events in CD4+CD8+ thymocytes undergoing thymic selection: requirement of calcineurin activation for thymic positive selection but not negative selection.

The goal of this study was to identify the differences of intracellular signals between the processes of thymic positive and negative selection. The activation of calcineurin, a calcium- and calmodulin-dependent phosphatase, is known to be an essential event in T cell activation via the T cell receptor (TCR). The effect of FK506, an inhibitor of calcineurin activation, on positive and negative selection in CD4+CD8+ double positive (DP) thymocytes was examined in normal mice and in a TCR transgenic mouse model. In vivo FK506 treatment blocked the generation of mature TCRhighCD4+CD8- and TCRhighCD4-CD8+ thymocytes, and the induction of CD69 expression on DP thymocytes. In addition, the shutdown of recombination activating gene 1 (RAG-1) transcription and the downregulation of CD4 and CD8 expression were inhibited by FK506 treatment suggesting that the activation of calcineurin is required for the first step (or the very early intracellular signaling events) of TCR-mediated positive selection of DP thymocytes. In contrast, FK506-sensitive calcineurin activation did not appear to be required for negative selection based on the observations that negative selection of TCR alpha beta T cells in the H-2b male thymus (a negative selecting environment) was not inhibited by in vivo treatment with FK506 and that there was no rescue of the endogenous superantigen-mediated clonal deletion of V beta 6 and V beta 11 thymocytes in FK506-treated CBA/J mice. DNA fragmentation induced by TCR activation of DP thymocytes in vitro was not affected by FK506. In addition, different effects of FK506 from Cyclosporin A on the T cell development in the thymus were demonstrated. The results of this study suggest that different signaling pathways work in positive and negative selection and that there is a differential dependence on calcineurin activation in the selection processes.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

High levels of serum lipoprotein(a) in patients with ischemic heart disease with normal coronary angiogram and thromboangiitis obliterans.

To determine whether lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) contributes to the acceleration of cardiovascular diseases without atherosclerotic lesion, we have measured serum Lp(a) level in male subjects aged 40-69 years with thromboangiitis obliterans (n = 40) and ischemic heart disease (IHD) with normal coronary angiogram (n = 35) in addition to subjects with arteriosclerosis obliterans (n = 123) and IHD with atherosclerotic coronary lesion (n = 203). Cases who had no IHD, arteriosclerosis obliterans or thromboangiitis obliterans were selected as a control group (n = 316). Subjects without any diseases or abnormal findings in physical examination and laboratory data were selected from the control group as the healthy control group (n = 156). The Lp(a) levels of arteriosclerosis obliterans and IHD with atherosclerotic coronary lesion were significantly higher (17.0 mg/dl and 13.1 mg/dl; median) than those of control and healthy control groups (9.9 mg/dl and 9.4 mg/dl, respectively) (P < 0.01), in agreement with previous reports. Furthermore, the Lp(a) level of IHD with normal coronary angiogram group was significantly higher (18.9 mg/dl) than those of the control and healthy control groups (P < 0.05). The Lp(a) level of thromboangiitis obliterans group was also much higher (21.3 mg/dl) than that of the healthy control group (P < 0.05). The current study suggests that Lp(a) is one of the independent risk factors for the development of atherosclerotic diseases such as arteriosclerosis obliterans and IHD with atherosclerotic coronary lesion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Initial depolarizing potentials in Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome using signal-averaged electrocardiograms: correlation with reciprocating tachycardia.

Initial depolarizing potentials were examined in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome using signal-averaging techniques. In all, 25 WPW patients and 21 age-matched healthy children were studied. Ten of the patients were symptomatic and 15 were asymptomatic. Symptomatic patients with supraventricular tachycardias had longer durations of low-amplitude signals (LAS) < 40 mu V in the initial portion of the QRS complex (initial LAS, 49 +/- 7 ms vs. 37 +/- 9 ms, p < 0.01) and lower root-mean-square (RMS) voltage in the initial 40 ms of the QRS complex (initial RMS, 12 +/- 4 mu V vs. 23 +/- 8 mu V, p < 0.01) compared with asymptomatic patients. When a symptomatic patient was defined as having an initial LAS of > 46 ms or an initial RMS of < 15 mu V, the sensitivity and specificity for predicting documented supraventricular tachycardia were 100 and 67%, respectively. These SA-ECG findings may reflect instability of conduction in symptomatic patients through an accessory pathway and may identify those at high risk for supraventricular tachycardia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Histological comparison of patellar cartilage degeneration between chondromalacia in youth and osteoarthritis in aging.

The histological findings of the patellar cartilage were compared between cases of chondromalacia, which occurs predominantly in young persons (22 patients, average age 19.8 years) and cases of osteoarthritis, which is common among the elderly (21 patients, average age 65.4 years). The histological findings of cartilage in the chondromalacia were characterized by increased density and vigorous fibrous metaplasia of chondrocytes. These findings may be considered to represent a reactive change in the chondrocyte. Cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis, by contrast, is regressive and presents a clearly different histological picture from that of chondromalacia patellae. We conclude that chondromalacia does not easily lead to osteoarthritis. On the other hand, the cartilage was characteristically softened, as observed by gross inspection, and showed rarefaction of the cartilage matrix. It should be noted that the change was not observed in aging, but showed a pattern of cartilage degeneration peculiar to young patients with chondromalacia patellae.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Serum tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases in patients with systemic sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: One of the suggested contributory factors to the development of dermal fibrosis is a decrease in collagenase activity, which may be related to levels of serum tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the clinical significance of serum TIMP-1 levels in systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: We measured serum TIMP-1 concentration in 62 patients with SSc, 11 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, 14 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and 22 members of a normal control group. The clinical features of the patients with SSc and elevated TIMP levels were examined. RESULTS: The mean TIMP-1 level in the patients with SSc was significantly higher than that in the members of the control group or the patients with systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis. In 44% of the patients with SSc the serum TIMP-1 level was elevated. The mean serum TIMP-1 level in patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc (dSSc) was significantly higher than that in those with limited cutaneous SSc. The patients with dSSc and elevated serum TIMP-1 levels showed a significantly greater incidence of lung fibrosis and anti-topoisomerase I antibody than those with normal serum TIMP-1 levels. The TIMP-1 level and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide in the patients with SSc were negatively correlated. Increased mitogenic activity on dermal fibroblasts caused by serum from patients with dSSc was partially blocked by anti-TIMP-1 IgG. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that serum TIMP-1 level is a useful indicator of disease activity in patients with SSc and that TIMP is involved in the pathogenesis of SSc.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Effects of stilbenes isolated from medicinal plants on arachidonate metabolism and degranulation in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Studies were made on the effects of stilbene derivatives isolated from medicinal plants on arachidonate metabolism and degranulation in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN-L). Resveratrol (3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene) isolated from the roots of Reynoutria japonica was found to inhibit the 5-lipoxygenase products 5-hydroxy-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE), 5,12-dihydroxy-6,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (5,12-diHETE) and leukotriene C4(LTC4); its concentrations for 50% inhibition (IC50) were 8.90 x 10(-6) M, 6.70 x 10(-6) M and 1.37 x 10(-6) M, respectively. The IC50 of 5-HETE, 5,12-diHETE and LTC4 formations of synthetic 3,3',4-trihydroxystilbene were 5.90 x 10(-6) M, 6.30 x 10(-7) M and 8.80 x 10(-7) M, respectively. Moreover, they inhibited the release of lysosomal enzyme such as lysozyme and beta-glucuronidase induced by calcium ionophore A 23187 from human PMN-L at 10(-3)-10(-4) M.

Arachidonic Acid↗
PubMed1995

[5 cases of clostridium difficile enteritis in infants].

We encountered 5 cases of Clostridium difficile enteritis that is rate in infancy. Its clinical symptoms consisted mainly of diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Also progressive abdominal enlargement was characteristically noted. Hematological examination revealed an increase in the number of leukocytes predominant with granulocytes in addition to accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, an increase in alpha 2 globulin value and high LDH. On the bacteriological examination, detecting bacteria was difficult because of diarrhea being frequent and small in quantity, so bacteria were detected in only 2 out 5 cases. However, reaction to a CD latex agglutination test turned positive in all the cases during the clinical course, which was consistent with changes in the symptoms. Prognosis was good except one cases which in the symptoms. Prognosis was good except one case which had recurrence. Early diagnosis and early administration of Vancomycin are important in preventing severe complications. To that end, the CD latex agglutination test is considered useful even at present in the domain of pediatrics.

Child↗
PubMed1995

Regulation of nucleoside diphosphate kinase and secretable virulence factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: roles of algR2 and algH.

Alginate is an important virulence factor for Pseudomonas aeruginosa during infection of the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients. The genes encoding enzymes for alginate production by P. aeruginosa are normally silent. They are activated in response to several environmental conditions, including high osmolarity, exposure to ethanol, or long-term growth under conditions of nutrient deprivation. Several genes which participate in the activation of alginate gene promoters have been identified; among these is the algR2 (algQ) gene. AlgR2 is an 18-kDa protein which has been shown to regulate the critical algD gene encoding GDP-mannose dehydrogenase as well as to regulate the levels of a tricarboxylic acid cycle enzyme, i.e., succinyl coenzyme A synthetase, and nucleoside diphosphate kinase (Ndk), an enzyme involved in nucleoside triphosphate synthesis. Succinyl coenzyme A synthetase and Ndk form a complex in P. aeruginosa. While algR2 is required for alginate synthesis at 37 degrees C, an algR2 insertion mutant was still able to make alginate slowly at 37 or at 30 degrees C. We used this observation to identify and clone a gene, termed algH. A strain with mutations in both algR2 and algH is unable to produce alginate at either 37 or 30 degrees C, and it is fully defective in Ndk production.

Alginates↗
PubMed1995

Interleukin-1 beta suppresses apoptosis in rat ovarian follicles by increasing nitric oxide production.

A growing body of evidence suggests that intraovarian interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) may play an intermediary role in the ovulatory process. Furthermore, induction of nitric oxide (NO) by IL-1 beta has been reported in a wide variety of tissues. As the majority of ovarian follicles undergo an atretic degeneration process involving apoptotic cell death, we set out to determine whether IL-1 beta rescues follicles from apoptosis and the possible involvement of NO. Preovulatory follicles obtained from PMSG-primed rats were cultured for 24 h in serum-free medium with or without hormone treatments. After culture, follicular apoptotic DNA fragmentation was analyzed by autoradiography of size-fractionated DNA labeled at 3'-ends with [32P]dideoxy-ATP. Follicular NO production was also determined by a colorimetric method. Treatment with IL-1 beta dose-dependently suppressed the spontaneous onset of apoptosis in cultured follicles, but stimulated NO production. In contrast, the addition of IL-1 receptor antagonist eliminated both effects of IL-1 beta, confirming receptor mediation. Follicles treated with sodium nitroprusside, a NO generator or an analog of cGMP, the second messenger for NO, also showed decreased follicle apoptosis. Moreover, the addition of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine, a NO synthase inhibitor, reversed both IL-1 beta stimulation of NO production and suppression of apoptosis, suggesting a mediatory role of NO in these IL-1 beta effects. Gonadotropins also prevent follicle apoptosis. Of interest, treatment with hCG stimulated NO production, and the hCG suppression of follicle apoptosis and stimulation of NO production were partially blocked by cotreatment with IL-1 receptor antagonist, indicating the mediation of endogenous IL-1 beta. Treatment with IL-1 beta also stimulated a small increase in the production of cAMP, estrogen, and progesterone. Taken together, these findings suggest that IL-1 beta is a survival factor for ovarian follicles, and its action is partially mediated via NO and cGMP generation. Moreover, part of the suppressive action of gonadotropins on follicle apoptosis is mediated by endogenously produced IL-1 beta.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1995

Marked hypocholesterolemia in a case with adrenal adenoma--enhanced catabolism of low density lipoprotein (LDL) via the LDL receptors of tumor cells.

A 16-yr-old girl was hospitalized because of amenorrhea and virilism, and was diagnosed with an adrenal tumor on the right side. Her serum androgen levels were markedly elevated, and severe hypocholesterolemia (total cholesterol, 0.59 mmol/L) was observed. After resection of the tumor, her serum cholesterol level dramatically rose to normal, suggesting a role of this tumor in her marked hypocholesterolemia. To investigate the mechanism of hypocholesterolemia in this case, we examined the effects of dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate on the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor activity of fibroblasts. These hormones did not have any effect on LDL receptor activity. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that the LDL receptor messenger ribonucleic acid level of this tumor tissue was increased about 8-fold compared with that of normal adrenal cortex. The LDL receptor activity of the cultured cells established from this tumor was 2-fold higher than that of Hep G2 cells. Furthermore, the LDL receptor activity could not be down-regulated by an excessive dose of 25-hydroxycholesterol. These results suggest that increased LDL receptor activity and unrestricted uptake of LDL by the adrenal tumor may have caused the marked hypocholesterolemia in this patient.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1995

Wilms' tumor protein WT1 as an ovarian transcription factor: decreases in expression during follicle development and repression of inhibin-alpha gene promoter.

WT1, a gene deleted in some Wilms' tumors, encodes a transcription factor with zinc fingers and shares homology with proteins in the early growth response gene family. Although defects in the WT1 gene are associated with nephroblastoma and genitourinary malformation, the specific function of WT1 in the gonads remains unclear. We investigated the expression of WT1 transcripts in rat ovary during follicle development by Northern blotting, RNase protection assay, and in situ hybridization. Abundant WT1 transcripts were found in the ovary, testis, uterus, and kidney, with lower levels in the heart and pancreas. Treatment with estrogen or gonadotropins did not affect the concentration of ovarian WT1 mRNA. In situ hybridization analysis indicated that ovarian WT1 mRNA is expressed exclusively in the surface epithelium and granulosa cells of primordial, primary, and secondary follicles, and its levels decrease during follicle growth. Although RNase protection assay suggested the presence of four alternatively spliced forms of WT1 mRNA, the ratio of these transcripts remains constant during ovarian growth. Developmental changes in the expression of two granulosa cell differentiation marker genes, inhibin-alpha and FSH receptor, were found to be inversely correlated with WT1 levels. Because potential WT1-binding sites were found in the promoter of inhibin-alpha gene, we further tested whether WT1 might regulate the expression of this gene. Cotransfection of a WT1 expression vector with a promoter reporter plasmid of inhibin-alpha resulted in the repression of promoter activities in CHO cells in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that WT1 is expressed in high levels in granulosa cells of primordial, primary, and secondary follicles but decreases with follicle development. This transcription factor might be a repressor of ovarian differentiation genes in the granulosa cells and play a role in arresting the differentiation of immature follicles.

Animals↗