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Biomedical subjects

M Kuwabara

Publications and source records attributed to M Kuwabara.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Activation of canine monocytes and polymorphonuclear cells by serum thymic factor (FTS) in vivo.

The effect of serum thymic factor (FTS) was evaluated from the immunoresponse augmented in canine monocytes and polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) using the chemiluminescence technique. FTS did not affect the number of leukocytes and differential count of leukocytes. CL activity of the whole blood was significantly elevated by FTS from 72 hr to 120 hr after administration (p < 0.05), and that at 96 hr after administration was about 3-fold higher than that before the administration. The CL response of PMN was significantly elevated by FTS administration from 24 hr to 96 hr after administration (p < 0.05), and that at 48 hr after administration was about 7-fold higher than prior treatment. FTS also significantly elevated the CL response of monocyte from 24 hr to 96 hr after administration (p < 0.01), and the CL count of monocyte in 24 hr and 48 hr was about 100-fold higher than that before FTS administration. These findings suggested that FTS may be efficacious and useful immuno-potentiator for canine monocytes and PMN.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Lipid peroxide levels and superoxide-scavenging abilities of Sera obtained from hotbred (Thoroughbred) horses.

Hotbred (Thoroughbred) horses were grouped into three classes according to the levels of constant physical exercise (foals, 6 months old; racing horses, 5 years old; horses for breeding, 6-10 years old), and lipid peroxide levels in their sera were measured as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances. No significant differences were observed among them. The superoxide-scavenging abilities of sera were measured next; to examine the antioxidative properties of hotbreds, and were found to be highest in the racing horses. The higher scavenging ability of the racing horses might contribute to keep their lipid peroxide levels as low as those of the other two groups. HPLC analysis of substances in sera suggested that the presence of albumin-bound bilirubin was one of the reasons for the high superoxide-scavenging ability of sera of the racing horses. When the hotbreds were compared with coldbred (crossbred) horses, the lipid peroxide levels of hotbreds was higher (7.0 +/- 1.2 nmol/ml) than that of coldbreds (2.6 +/- 0.7 nmol/ml). Comparison of the superoxide-scavenging abilities of sera between hotbreds and coldbreds showed that the hotbreds possessed higher scavenging ability than the coldbreds. These results indicated that the lipid peroxide level in sera of hotbreds was higher than that of coldbreds regardless of the higher superoxide-scavenging abilities of sera.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The visual estimation of intraoperative myocardial ischemia.

We report a case who had myocardial ischemia after release of the aortic cross clamp during mitral valve replacement. Myocardial ischemia was visually estimated by use of intraoperative MCE (myocardial contrast echocardiography). After appropriate treatment the ischemic area disappeared and the patient showed a good postoperative course. MCE is a useful method with which to detect visually the wash out pattern of cardioplegia from myocardium after reperfusion during open heart surgery.

Cardioplegic Solutions↗
PubMed1996

[Clinical implication of tumor marker expressions suggesting biological characters of malignancies].

One of the potential utilities of tumor markers is to recognize the biological characters of malignancies. These biological characters include cell lineage, cell differentiation, cell growth activity, metastatic risk, drug sensitivity or precancerous involvements. So it is very important for the clinical management of cancer patients to detect such tumor marker expressions. The major aim of this brief overview has been to provide an update on the such tumor markers. Expression of some phenotype markers recognized by monoclonal antibodies against cancer cells suggests cell lineage or cell differentiation. Neuroendocrine property can be diagnosed by tumor markers such as GRP, 1-DDC, NSE or CR-BB. Cancer cell nuclear DNA patterns are highly associated with cell growth activity. Expression of E-selectin suggests high risk of cancer metastasis. Detection of MDR protein or GST-pi is correlated with anticancer drug resistance. Precancerous involvement such as atrophic gastritis can been screened by the serum pepsinogen level. These tumor markers were discussed on the basis of our research or literatures.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1996

[Molecular microheterogeneity of tumor marker substances and its significance of biological recognition].

It has been well known that molecular microheterogeneity of tumor marker substances have occasionally a big impact on the laboratory determination of tumor marker in sera. These includes molecular heterogeneity due to delicate difference of peptide or carbohydrate chain structures(CEA, AFP), the difference of epitope (CA19-9, CA125), the difference of combination of subunits(NSE) or the difference of combed other substances(PA). This paper reviewed such instances in terms of the definite data from our works or literatures.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗
PubMed1996

[Surgical treatment for recrudescent Stanford type A early closing dissection].

Two cases of recrudescent Stanford type A dissection were reported. They had non-opacified false channel on their initial CT and aortography. The first case was 65-year-old woman having a stable blood pressure and no chest pain after admission. However, recrudescent opacified false lumen was found at the mid-ascending aorta about three weeks later. She received ascending aortic replacement on 26th day after onset. The second case was 66-year-old woman having a unstable blood pressure and having periodic chest pain and back pain after admission. CT and angiography performed on the 41th day after onset revealed recrudescent descending aortic dissection and ulcer like projection at mid-ascending aorta. The ulcer like projection increased in size gradually. Ascending aorta replacement was performed on 110th day after onset. Two cases had a good post operative days. Some cases of Stanford type A early closing aortic dissection had recrudescent dissection later, even if they had a stable course after onset. Thus, careful follow up for long term is essential in these cases

Aged↗
PubMed1996

[Successful induction of immune tolerance and novel hemostatic effects in a hemophilia A with high-responder inhibitor by regular infusions of factor VIII].

A hemophilia A patient with high responder inhibitor had been treated by (activated) prothrombin complex concentrates (A) PCC and activated factor VII until the occurrence of intracranial bleeding at the age of 6 years. Since the inhibitor titer was decreased less than 1 Bethesda Units/ml, high dose of factor VIII was given followed by the infusions of factor VIII concentrates (100 units/kg) three times a week. In spite of previous episodes of anamnestic responses by factor VIII products before, the inhibitor titer did not increase and disappeared completely 6 months after the FVIII infusion therapy. The specific anti-factor VIII IgG subclasses of the inhibitor were IgG2 and IgG4. The inhibitor recognized both light and heavy chains. He have no bleeding episode for 6 months since the beginning of the prophylactic with factor VIII concentrates.

Blood Coagulation Factors↗
PubMed1995

The suppression of age-related accumulation of lipid peroxides in rat brain by administration of Rooibos tea (Aspalathus linearis).

The protective effects of Rooibos tea (RT), Aspalathus linearis, against damage to the central nervous system (CNS) accompanying aging were examined by both the thiobarbituric acid reaction (TBA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods in brains of chronically RT-treated rats. Ad libitum administration of RT was begun with 3-month-old Wistar female rats and continued for 21 months. The contents of TBA reactive substances (TBARS) in the frontal cortex, occipital cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum in 24-month-old rats after administration with water were significantly higher than those in young rats (5 weeks old). However, no significant increase of TBARS was observed in RT-administered aged rats. When MR images of the brains of 24-month-old rats with and without RT as well as 5-week-old rats were taken, a decrease of the signal intensity was observed in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum in MR images of aged rats without RT, whereas little change of the signal intensity was observed in MR images of the same regions of 24-month-old rats treated with RT, whose images were similar to those of young rats. These observations suggested that (1) the age-related accumulation of lipid peroxides in the brain was closely related to the morphological changes observed by MRI, and (2) chronic RT-administration prevented age-related accumulation of lipid peroxides in several regions of rat brain.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1995

Correlation between canine NK cell mediated cytotoxicity and radical production.

We investigated the relationship between natural killer (NK) mediated cytotoxicity and radical production in canine peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). Canine NK cell mediated cytotoxicity, measured by 51Cr release assay, was found to be the highest in the T-cell (Thymus cell) subpopulation which partitioned into the 35-40% percoll fraction by centrifugation through a discontinuous gradient. Radical production showed a similar tendency in luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (CL) assay. Furthermore, enrichment of large granular lymphocytes (LGL) was observed in the cell fraction from the same percoll density. These results suggest that NK cell mediated cytotoxicity is related to radical production in canines.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Release of natural killer cytotoxic factor (NKCF) from canine natural killer (NK) cells stimulated with cytoplasmic membrane of target cells.

The presence of canine natural killer cytotoxic factor (NKCF) and the mechanism of the release of the NKCF by canine natural killer (NK) cells were studied. The cytotoxicity in the culture supernatant of effector cells cultured with target cells was dependent on the count of NK cells. Therefore, this suggests that the cytotoxic factor in this culture supernatant is NKCF. The NK-sensitive live target cells stimulated the release of NKCF from NK cells, but the NK-insensitive target cells did not. Moreover, NKCF was also released from NK cells stimulated with either killed target cells or their cytoplasmic membrane as well as live target cells. These findings suggest that the structure of the cytoplasmic membrane of target cells is involved in the recognition, binding and the release of NKCF by NK cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

alpha-Phenyl N-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN) increases the cortical cerebral blood flow by inhibiting the breakdown of nitric oxide in anesthetized rats.

The effects of intravenous administration of alpha-phenyl N-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN) on cortical cerebral blood flow (CBF) were examined in Wistar rats under pentobarbital anesthesia and artificial ventilation. The cortical CBF in parietal cortex was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry. Intravenous administrations of 2 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg of PBN dose-dependently produced significant increases in cortical CBF and decreases in systemic blood pressure (BP). To examine whether these increased responses in cortical CBF produced by PBN were associated with the vasodilatation system of nitric oxide (NO), the NO synthase inhibitor L-NG-nitroarginine (L-NOArg), which is an analog of L-arginine, was used to inhibit the NO-related-vasodilatative system. Since the PBN-induced responses in the cortical CBF were much attenuated in L-NOArg-treated rats (30 mg/kg, i.v.), it was inferred that NO-related vasodilatation was strongly associated with the PBN-induced increase in cortical CBF.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1995

[Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) as an assay system of tumor markers].

To detect a small amount of tumor marker in the serum, the development of a sensitive assay system has been tried. In the beginning radioimmunoassay was mainly employed. But the use of radioisotope has been undesirable because the special facilities to treat radioactive substance or to discard it are required. For this reason the various assay systems without the radioisotope have been developed. Among them EIA system is in the mainstream, especially for the determination of CEA and AFP. Recent analysis shows the increasing trend of the employment of EIA for the determination of other tumor markers. In EIA system it is critical to keep the regulation of reaction time to be obtain the accurate value. Autoassay system is favorable for this problem. It is also another problem that discrepancies of assayed value are seem among the different assay kits. In the clinical use of tumor marker the comparison of the serial data, even if they are obtained from the different hospitals, is important. So overcoming this problem is desirable.

Automation↗
PubMed1995

[Desensitization immunotherapy on patients with mite-positive bronchial asthma using purified mite feces antigen fractions].

At present, we are performing desensitization immunotherapy on patients with mite-positive bronchial asthma using purified mite feces antigen fractions. We obtained the following results in 13 patients 4 to 12 months after the start of treatment. 1) The fraction showing the maximum reaction in the skin test was HM1-2 (molecular weight: 150-155 kD) in two patients, HM2 (30-40 kD) in nine patients and HM3 (10-20 kD) in two patients, and immunotherapy was performed using these fractions. None of the patients showed the maximum skin reactions or was treated with HM4 (less than 10 kD). 2) In nine patients with perennial asthma, the effects of treatment were excellent in four and moderate in three, while two cases remained unchanged. In four patients with seasonal asthma, the treatment was effective in all cases. 3) In patients in whom immunotherapy was effective, specific IgG antibody increased after the treatment, but it did not increase in the unchanged cases. Among the subclasses of specific IgG antibody increased by the treatment, no clear changes were seen in IgG4 antibody and no conclusion has been reached at present. 4) None of the patients had definite adverse reactions such as the occurrence of asthma attacks or anaphylaxis. These results suggested that purified mite feces antigens are safe and effective. We plan to continue this study with more patients in the future.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[A case of mediastinal fibrosarcoma].

Mediastinal fibrosarcoma is rare and comprises only 0.18% of mediastinal tumors. A case of mediastinal fibrosarcoma is reported. A 57-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with a chief complaint of chest oppression. Computed tomogram and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an anterior mediastinal tumor expanding beneath the diaphragm. The tumor invaded the pericardium, the left lung and the diaphragm, so extensively resected. The resection was non-curative because of the presence of bloody pericardial effusion and maligant stump of the pericardium. Pathological examination showed fibrosarcoma. Although she recovered well postoperatively, she died with recurrence of the tumor, especially direct oppression of the heart, 8 months after the operation. In this case adjuvant chemotherapy did not effective and noncurative operation did not improve the prorhylaxis.

Female↗
PubMed1995

[Recurrent bronchogenic cyst--a case report].

Mediastinal bronchogenic cyst is a benign tumor and occupied about 5% of mediastinal tumor in Japan. As a benign tumor, recurrence of bronchogenic cyst is very rare, and we found only 2 cases were reported. We experienced a recurrent bronchogenic cyst found 14 years after first operation. The patient was 56-year-old male, and admitted to our hospital for further evaluation of his abnormal shadow on chest roentogenogram. He had no symptoms. He was operated an bronchogenic cyst for 14 years ago. Chest X-ray, CT, and MRI demonstrated a paratracheal cystic mass which was suspected of a recurrent bronchogenic cyst. An operation was done, and the tumor was resected. A histopathological study showed that the tumor had thin wall and had a ciliated epithelium, then it was diagnosed bronchogenic cyst. The most likely explanation for the recurrence in our patient is an incomplete resection during the initial operation. It is though that only a very small amount of epithelial tissue need remain for recurrence. For prevention of recurrence, complete resection of cyst is necessary, and long-term follow-up is indicated to detect recurrence.

Bronchogenic Cyst↗
PubMed1994

Serum glutathione S-transferase-pi level as a tumor marker for non-small cell lung cancer. Potential predictive value in chemotherapeutic response.

BACKGROUND: Resistance to chemotherapeutic agents is a major problem in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) chemotherapy, and recent studies have indicated that glutathione S-transferase-pi (GST-pi) may play an important role in the resistance of cancer cells to alkylating agents that include platinum compound. METHODS: GST-pi in serum of 121 patients with NSCLC was measured by a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the serum concentrations of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen, and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) were also examined. Serum levels of these tumor markers were also evaluated in relation to therapeutic response in 69 patients who received combination chemotherapy with platinum compound. RESULTS: Fifty of 121 patients with NSCLC (41.3%) showed elevated serum GST-pi levels above a cutoff value of 34.8 ng/ml (mean + two standard deviations in 30 healthy control subjects). The positive rate of GST-pi in patients with NSCLC was higher than those of CEA (37.2%), SCC (15.7%), and NSE (14.9%). The mean pretreatment GST-pi level was significantly lower in patients with a partial response to chemotherapy than in those with no response (26.9 +/- 11.3 ng/ml versus 38.8 +/- 16.7 ng/ml; P < 0.003). Among patients with elevated levels of pretreatment serum GST-pi, only 13.8% (four of 29) responded to the combination chemotherapy, whereas partial response was observed in 40.0% of patients (16 of 40) with serum GST-pi concentration below the cutoff level (P < 0.02). Neither CEA, SCC, nor NSE showed such a relationship. CONCLUSIONS: The serum GST-pi level may have limited value as a tumor marker for NSCLC: Interestingly, pretreatment serum GST-pi levels may be a useful parameter for predicting therapeutic response to combination chemotherapy regimens that include platinum compound.

Adult↗