Hospital administration with medical information management--case study of a government-owned hospital under private management.
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Consumer Behavior↗
Biomedical subjects
M Oka
Publications and source records attributed to M Oka.
Lack of relationship between gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and tyrosine transport in cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells.
Effect of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP) inhibitor acivicin on tyrosine transport was investigated in cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. Tyrosine transport into the cells was inhibited by acivicin at the low concentration range. This drug also caused the inhibition of GGTP in the cell lysates, but the concentration required for the inhibition of the enzyme was evidently different from that producing the inhibition of tyrosine transport into the cells. In addition, tyrosine transport was not affected by a GGTP activator hippurate even at the high concentration. These results seem to provide the evidence that GGTP may not be involved in the transport of tyrosine into the adrenal chromaffin cell.
Adrenal Glands↗
Changes in joint fluid after total arthroplasty. A quantitative study on the rabbit knee joint.
Quantitative and time dependent changes in joint fluid after total arthroplasty were investigated by applying a new dilution method to a rabbit model of total knee replacement. The joint fluid volume and total protein concentration had increased by 2 weeks after arthroplasty, reached their maximum values at 4 weeks, and decreased by 12 weeks when they were similar to the control levels. The hyaluronic acid concentration and its mean molecular weight however, were lowest 2 weeks after operation and gradually increased by 12 weeks, although the recovery was then still incomplete. Histological examination of the newly formed capsular tissues revealed both acute and chronic inflammations, the latter including granulomatous reactions to polyethylene wear particles. These results provide fundamental information not only on the biological response of periarticular tissues to total arthroplasty but also on the friction, lubrication, and wear of prosthetic joints.
Animals↗
Depression of cytotoxicity of nonparenchymal cells in the liver after surgery.
BACKGROUND: The nonparenchymal cells (NPCs) of the liver have a strong cytotoxic activity. Our hypothesis is that their activity, which prevents metastases to the liver, may be impaired after operation. METHODS: First, Sprague-Dawley rats underwent either a sham operation consisting of only a laparotomy (group L, n = 10), a laparotomy and resection of a portion of the small intestine (group R, n = 10) or no operation (group C, n = 10). After 2 days liver NPCs were isolated and divided into two fractions, large and small NPCs. The cytotoxicity of the liver NPCs and of the circulating blood mononuclear cells (BMC) was assessed. Second, we measured the growth of tumor metastases 14 days after the inoculation of a cell line (MRMT-1) into the portal vein of rats undergoing similar surgical stress (group Rm, n = 10 and group Lm, n = 10). RESULTS: The natural killer cell activity (anti-YAC-1) of large NPCs was 38% in group R, which was significantly less (p < 0.002) than that in groups L (72%) and C (83%). Small NPCs showed reduced natural killer activity in groups R and L (26% and 35%, respectively) compared with that in group C (70%) (p < 0.02). The natural killer cell activity of BMCs was similar in each group, and the lymphokine-activated killer cell activity (by anti-EL4) did not change in either the NPCs or BMCs. In the second experiment the area of the tumors occupied in the liver in the group Rm rats was significantly greater compared with that in the group Lm rats (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical stress depressed the cytotoxic activity of liver NPCs and enhanced the growth of metastatic liver tumors. This suggests the possibility that perioperative immunotherapy might be clinically useful in the future to prevent liver metastases after gastrointestinal surgery.
Animals↗
[A case report: multiple liver metastasis from gastric cancer responding to intraarterial infusion of sequential low-dose MTX and 5-FU].
A 75-year-old man with gastric cancer having multiple liver metastases was given intraarterial infusion therapy with sequential low-dose MTX (30 mg/body) and 5-FU (1,000 mg/body) for metastatic liver tumors one month after the primary gastric tumor was resected. This therapy was given once a week on admission and every two weeks while an outpatient. A total of 18 courses of this therapy produced marked regression and necrosis of liver metastases. The effect was thus rated as partial response. This patient survived 15 months after surgery. These results indicate that intraarterial infusion therapy with sequential low-dose MTX and 5-FU may be effective in multiple liver metastasis from gastric cancer.
Aged↗
[Report of the first international conference on reversal of multidrug resistance in cancer].
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Antineoplastic Agents↗
Expression of wild-type p53 during the cell cycle in normal human mammary epithelial cells.
In this study, we compare the expression patterns of p53 mRNA and protein in normal human mammary epithelial cells following synchronization to different points in the cell cycle using two independent methods. When treated with lovastatin, the cells were blocked in G1 and appeared to express increased levels of wild-type p53 when examined by immunostaining. Upon reversal of the metabolic block, the number of nuclei that stained positively for p53 declined dramatically during mid-G1 and increased again concomitant with the entry of cells into S phase. In contrast to the immunostaining results, Northern and Western blot analyses revealed little change in p53 mRNA and protein levels in the lovastatin-synchronized cells. When normal human mammary epithelial cells were made quiescent by removal of growth factors, the mRNA for p53 showed a biphasic distribution. p53 mRNA levels were increased during growth arrest, decreased during the G1 phase, and rose again concomitant with the entry of cells into S phase. The immunostaining pattern of p53 also showed a biphasic distribution similar to the pattern of mRNA expression. Despite an increase in p53 mRNA and immunostaining levels, growth factor-arrested cells actually had less total p53 protein. Upon stimulation to proliferate, p53 protein levels remained low throughout G1 and increased concomitant with the entry of cells into S phase. Taken together, the results from these studies demonstrate that p53 immunostaining patterns do not correlate with the overall levels of p53 protein at different times during the cell cycle. Therefore, the distinct changes observed in p53 immunostaining patterns are likely due to posttranslational modifications, conformational changes, or interactions of p53 with other cellular proteins during the cell cycle.
Breast↗
[Strategy of treatment for pancreatic and biliary cancer with special reference to immunotherapy].
A new therapeutic strategy for pancreatic and biliary cancer is needed because of its poor prognosis. We presented the results of adoptive immunotherapy using induced cytotoxic T-cells for pancreatic and biliary cancer as well as extracorporal extended right hepatectomy with resection of the inferior caval vein for intrahepatic biliary cancer. We expect that these new strategies may contribute to prognostic improvement of pancreatic and biliary cancer.
Aged↗
Repair of osteochondral defects with grafts of cultured chondrocytes. Comparison of allografts and isografts.
Isogeneic and allogeneic chondrocytes cultured in collagen gel were transplanted into osteochondral defects in knee joints of inbred strains of rats. At 12 weeks, all eight isografted defects had healed successfully, compared with only four of eight allografted defects (p < 0.05). At 26 and 52 weeks, all defects except one had healed successfully and there was no significant difference in the success rate between the isografted and allografted groups. Control defects that had been implanted with only collagen gel did not heal successfully.
Animals↗
Limitation of annual screening chest radiography for the diagnosis of lung cancer. A retrospective study.
BACKGROUND: The incidence and mortality rates of lung cancer have been increasing in many countries. However, the true effectiveness of screening for lung cancer is still controversial. This study aimed to examine the growth pattern of lung cancer and to evaluate the efficacy of screening. METHODS: The authors linked the records of annual radiologic screening to cancer registry data and conducted a retrospective follow-up study of radiographs in all patients with lung cancer arising in a population undergoing screening. RESULTS: Among a total of 305,934 participants, screening detected 206 lung cancers, 103 of which were Stage I disease. Seventy-one of the 131 adenocarcinomas were Stage I, and 58% of them showed evidence of cancer for 2 years on a retrospective review of radiographs. Presentation as small faint lesions overlapping the normal chest structures delayed the early detection of adenocarcinoma. The overall sensitivity of screening was 70%, 52% for squamous cell carcinoma and 50% for small cell carcinoma. Rapidly growing Stage II-IV tumors without retrospective evidence of cancer on previous radiographs accounted for most of the cancers detected during the intervals between screening. CONCLUSIONS: Both the low detectability of Stage I adenocarcinoma and the late recognition of rapidly growing small cell and squamous cell carcinomas reduced the effectiveness of screening. More effective imaging methods and an antismoking campaign are required to reduce lung cancer mortality.
Adenocarcinoma↗
Cytochrome c-551 of the thermophilic bacterium PS3, DNA sequence and analysis of the mature cytochrome.
The structural gene for cytochrome c-551 was isolated from genomic DNA of the thermophilic bacterium PS3. The amino acid sequence of cytochrome c-551 as deduced from the DNA sequence consists of 111 amino acid residues and contains one heme c-binding site (-CASCH-) located approximately in the middle of the polypeptide. The N-terminus of isolated cytochrome c-551 was blocked, but treatment with Rhizopus lipase and molecular weight measurement of the mature and lipase-treated forms by ion spray mass spectroscopy suggest that the mature c-551 may have 93 or 94 amino acid residues with a diacylated glycerol-cysteine at the N-terminal region. The first 17 or 18 amino acid residues in the N-terminal region of the nascent polypeptide, rich in hydrophobic and basic amino acid residues, may be a signal peptide to translocate the major portion of cytochrome c-551 to the extracellular surface and to be processed. Similarity of amino acid sequence of this protein is discussed in relation to other c-type cytochromes of bacilli as well as bacterial small cytochromes c such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa cytochrome c-551 and cytochrome c6 of cyanobacteria.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) on the cardiovascular system.
The effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) on the cardiovascular system were examined. When PACAP-38 (270 or 420 pmol/kg body weight) was administered intravenously to the anesthetized dogs, both mean arterial pressure and left ventricular systolic pressure increased within 2 min after a temporal depression. Pulmonary arterial systolic pressure increased promptly. These hemodynamic values and heart rates (HR) 5 min after injection were significantly higher than the corresponding values in physiological saline injected dogs, and some effects were still sustained over 15 min. Cardiac output and stroke volume also increased and the values at 5 min were significantly higher than those in controls. The high dose of PACAP-38 (420 pmol/kg) evoked greater responses than those induced by the low dose (270 pmol/kg). Plasma adrenaline, but neither noradrenaline nor dopamine concentration significantly increased 15 min after injection of 420 pmol/kg PACAP-38. Moreover, PACAP-38 clearly stimulated cyclic AMP production in rat cardiac myocytes with EC50 of 1.5 x 10(-9) M and plasma cAMP levels significantly and dose-dependently increased in dogs 5 min after administration. These results first demonstrated that PACAP has inotropic and chronotropic actions on the heart possibly by a direct stimulation of adenylate cyclase in cardiac myocytes and also that the cardiovascular functions may be possibly modified by an evoked adrenaline secretion in vivo.
Animals↗
Substance P inhibits catecholamine biosynthesis stimulated by carbamylcholine in cultured adrenal chromaffin cells.
The effect of substance P on catecholamine biosynthesis was examined using cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells as a model for the sympathoadrenergic system. Substance P markedly inhibited the formation of [14C]catecholamines from L-[14C]tyrosine stimulated by cholinergic agonist, but caused no significant effect on the biosynthesis stimulated by depolarizing agent. In addition, this inhibitory action was completely prevented by the addition of substance P antagonists. Under the conditions in which the inhibition of catecholamine biosynthesis was observed, substance P also inhibited the influx of extracellular 45Ca2+ into these cells, and this inhibitory action on Ca2+ influx was almost identical to that on the biosynthesis. These results provide evidence for a possible role of substance P as a putative neuromodulator in the sympathoadrenergic system.
Adrenal Medulla↗
Manometry of individual segments of the distal esophageal sphincter. Its relation to functional incompetence.
The major components of the lower esophageal sphincter, the pressure it exerts, its total length, and the length of sphincter affected by abdominal pressure are usually expressed as means of several recordings from different radial segments of the sphincter. In segmental manometry, the individual readings for these components in each segment, rather than the mean values, are analyzed. We used segmental manometry to study 50 normal volunteers and 200 patients with symptoms suggestive of gastroesophageal reflux. Of the latter, 100 had increased esophageal acid exposure and 100 did not. An increased number of defective segments was associated with a greater prevalence of increased esophageal acid exposure. Segmental analysis disclosed the same number (52) of defective sphincters (defined as sphincters with two or more defective segments) in the 100 patients with increased acid exposure as did standard analysis. However, the relationship between a defective lower esophageal sphincter and the number of reflux episodes was clearer when a defective sphincter was defined using standard analysis. Segmental analysis of the lower esophageal sphincter has no clear advantage over standard analysis.
Adolescent↗
Sulfasalazine in early rheumatoid arthritis. A 48-week double-blind, prospective, placebo-controlled study.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of sulfasalazine (SSZ) in the treatment of early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Eighty patients (symptomatic disease < 12 months) were randomly assigned to treatment with SSZ or placebo for 48 weeks. Clinical, laboratory, and scintigraphic data were used to determine the effects of treatment. RESULTS: SSZ was superior to placebo in reducing the laboratory features of inflammation, the clinical parameters of disease activity, as well as the scintigraphic activity in the joints. Furthermore, fewer erosive changes developed in the joints of patients receiving active treatment, but the difference between treatment groups did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: SSZ is effective in the treatment of RA, and its onset of action is rapid. The results support the view that SSZ retards the development of joint erosions. However, like other conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, its remission-inducing ability is insufficient.
Adult↗
Time-dependent changes in the mechanical properties of zirconia ceramic.
Zirconia has received special attention, mainly because of its high strength and toughness. However, there is some controversy about the time-dependent deterioration of its mechanical properties. To examine the change in mechanical properties of zirconia ceramics in vivo and in vitro, tetragonal zirconia polycrystal pieces were introduced into the medullary cavity of the tibia in Japanese rabbits and animals were sacrificed after 2, 4 and 6 weeks and 6, 12, and 30 mo, respectively. Alumina ceramic and hydroxyapatite (HAP) pieces were used as controls to investigate the differences in biocompatibility. Zirconia showed a bending strength of over 1000 MPa initially, and little time-dependent change in strength was found in both in vivo and in vitro environments. x-Ray analysis showed little change in the transformation rate, i.e., less than 5 mol % in vivo and in vitro over a period of 3 years. To estimate time-dependent changes in zirconia over a longer period, zirconia pieces were placed in 95 degrees C saline solution for over 3 years and their mechanical properties examined at chosen intervals. No serious decrease of bending strength was found over the 3-year period under these conditions. It is concluded that zirconia can be used clinically because it retains a bending strength of over 700 MPa under any experimental conditions for over 3 years.
Animals↗
Localized hyperthermic treatment of experimental bone tumors with ferromagnetic ceramics.
Localized hyperthermic treatment was carried out with use of a metastatic bone tumor model in rabbits. The experimental bone tumor was created by transplantation of pieces of tumor line VX2 into the medullary canal of rabbit tibiae. Two weeks after the transplantation, a ferromagnetic ceramic pin was inserted in the medullary canal. Then, hyperthermia (HT) of the tumor was accomplished with use of an alternating magnetic field for 50 min. All the rabbits were killed 5 weeks after tumor transplantation, and the therapeutic effect was evaluated histologically and roentgenographically. Almost all the tumor cells within the bone marrow were killed by this procedure. The area of tumor necrosis in the HT group was significantly larger than in the control group. The pathological fracture rate and displacement rate were reduced significantly by this treatment (38.5 and 0%) compared with the controls (92.3 and 92.3%). Therefore, HT with the use of ferromagnetic ceramics was effective for local control of malignant bone tumors and seems to be a promising new method of treatment.
Animals↗