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Biomedical subjects

M Okada

Publications and source records attributed to M Okada.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

[An availability and selection of magnifying glass in fine operative techniques].

In recent years, much attention has been paid to minimally invasive surgery from standpoints of quality of life for the patients. It is very important to use magnifying glass for achieving these purposes. However, there are not satisfactory glasses for operative techniques such as coronary artery bypass grafting and microsurgery in the several surgical fields with lightness, wild-visual field and cost-effectiveness. Now a days, satisfactory glass is commercially available which can be used in fine operative techniques in the several fields. With this glass fine operative procedures can be performed and good operative results might be obtained in deed.

Coronary Artery Bypass↗
PubMed2000

A case of adenoma of the ampulla of Vater.

A case of adenoma of the ampulla of Vater is presented in a 48-year-old man who was admitted with epigastric pain. Gastroendoscopy revealed a sessile tumor about 3 cm in diameter at the ampulla of Vater, and the pathological diagnosis of a biopsy specimen was adenoma with moderate atypia. Because of the possibility of a malignant component, pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy was performed to avoid local recurrence. The final pathological diagnosis was adenoma with severe atypia.

Adenoma↗
PubMed2000

A study on the socio-psychiatric aspects of short-term ARP (Alcohol Rehabilitation Program).

The duration of the majority of Alcohol Rehabilitation Programs (ARP) at major hospitals specializing in this treatment is three months. Recently, however, because of diverse backgrounds and patients needs, long periods of hospitalization have become difficult. In response to this, Okamotodai Hospital initiated a one-month ARP program three years ago. One feature of this program is that it can be freely structured to meet the requirements of individual patients. This study compares the prognosis of patients treated under this one-month program with that of those who have undergone the three-month program. A group of 56 patients who had completed a one-month ARP program during a period of two to three years was compared with a group of 46 patients who had completed a three-month program over a similar period. The backgrounds of the subjects were researched by questionnaire. A comparison of the prognosis of patients in the respective programs showed there was no statistical difference, with a recovery rate of 45% for both programs. Results of this study statistical difference, with a recovery rate of 45% for both programs. Results of this study cannot be generalized, due to the lack of subjects and recovery of questionnaires. Since enforcement of the one-month ARP, increasing number of patients have been using the program. This fact doesn't necessarily show that the use of ARP improve, although the possibility remains that utilization of the one-month ARP is promoted. In recent years, utilization of brief intervention has been demonstrated and recovery from alcoholism in the outpatient clinics reported. Considering such things, results of the study show that the one-month ARP is a valid and effective program.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Studies on procedure for sample preparation of ellagic acid in several kinds of foodstuffs].

A sample preparation for ellagic acid in several kinds of foodstuffs, which is included in the List of Existing Food Additives as natural antioxidants in Japan, functioning as an antioxidant, was studied. The solid samples were refluxed with methanol, and then the extract was refined using a solid-phase cartridge. The liquid samples were directly pretreated by solid-phase extraction. On the other hand, test solutions for cooking oils and fats were inapplicable to solid-phase extraction in this work, because the recovery tests from samples spiked with ellagic acid gave low recoveries. Consequently, they were prepared by modified frozen method using methanol or acetonitrile-2-propanol-ethanol (2:1:1). The recoveries from tested foodstuffs spiked with ellagic acid (50 micrograms/g) were 75.2-96.9%. The limits of quantification for ellagic acid were 0.05 microgram/g by the proposed method.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed2000

[Studies on rejected food blue no. 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) aluminum lake].

One of the brilliant blue FCF aluminum lakes (B-1Als) in the official inspection of coal-tar dyes in fiscal year 1999 was rejected. The results of tests of the rejected sample were submitted to JSFA-VII except for a violet sub-spot by paper chromatography. Its visual spectrum had same lambda max 630 nm as B-1 standard and a very small shoulder at 580 nm in comparing to B-1 standard. HPLCs detected at 625 nm of subsidiary dyes and 580 nm were performed on the rejected sample of B-1Al. A sub-V in HPLCs of th sample which eluted at 37.6 min had its relative peak area of 7.9% at 580 nm and 0.24% at 625 nm, and its peak ratio (at 580 nm/at 625 nm) was extremely large. Consequently, it was presumed that the sub-V in those HPLCs corresponded to the violet sub-spot in paper chromatography.

Benzenesulfonates↗
PubMed2000

[Estimated production by the official inspection of coal-tar dyes (including dye aluminum lakes) in fiscal year 1999].

There were 260 official inspections of coal-tar dyes and their lakes in fiscal year 1999, and 259 of the lots qualified, one of the 8 samples of Food Blue No. 1 aluminum lakes was rejected. The quantity of coal-tar dyes that passed inspection in Japan in fiscal year 1999 reached 151.9 tons. Coal-tar dye production is estimated by month and by manufacturer. The food coal-tar dye produced in the largest quantity was Food Yellow No. 4, accounting for 44.2% during this period.

Chemical Industry↗
PubMed2000

Effects of aging on EMG variables during fatiguing isometric contractions.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the neuromuscular adaptation that occurred with aging, by comparing young and aged subjects with respect to changes in surface EMG from the tibialis anterior muscle during fatiguing contractions. EMG variables such as the averaged rectified value (ARV), median frequency (MDF), and muscle fiber conduction velocity (MFCV) were calculated during maximal (MVC, 3 sec) and submaximal (60% MVC, 60 sec) isometric contractions. Muscular force, ARV, MDF, and MFCV during MVC were significantly greater in the young than in the elderly (p < 0.05). EMG amplitude increased and the waveform slowed in all subjects during submaximal contractions, indicating the development of local muscle fatigue. As fatigue progressed, the ARV increased and the MDF and MFCV decreased significantly (p < 0.01). The fatigue-induced changes in the MDF and MFCV were significantly smaller in aged than in young subjects (p < 0.05), a trend also seen in the ARV change, which means that the elderly cannot be fatigued as much as the young with contractions of the same relative intensity. These results as a whole suggest that the aged subjects hold an adaptive motor strategy to cope with age-related neuromuscular deteriorations, due to the decline of motor unit activation and selective atrophy of fast twitch muscle fibers.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Innervation zones of the upper and lower limb muscles estimated by using multichannel surface EMG.

The distribution of innervation zones was investigated in 3 subjects for 17 muscles and 8 muscle groups in the upper and lower limb, by detecting bi-directional propagation of motor unit action potentials (MUAPs) with the multichannel surface electrode array. Clarification of the distribution of innervation zones depended on the ease in detecting the propagation of MUAPs and the actual scattering of innervation zones, which were closely related with muscle morphology with respect to the arrangements of muscle fibers. In muscles having fibers running parallel to each other, such as the biceps brachii, intrinsic hand muscles, vastus lateralis and medialis, tensor fasciae latae, peronei, soleus, tibialis anterior, and hypothenar muscles in the foot, it was relatively easy to detect the propagating MUAPs, and the innervation zones were distributed in a relatively narrow band around muscle belly. On the other hand, in muscles with a complicated structure including pinnation of muscle fibers, in-series muscle fibers and aponeurotic tissues, such as the deltoid, flexors and extensors in the forearm, rectus femoris, sartorius, hamstrings and gastrocnemius, it was more difficult to detect the propagating MUAPs and to identify the innervation zones, which were widely scattered or distributed in complex configurations. The distribution of the innervation zones clarified in the present study can be used to find the optimal location of electrodes in surface EMG recordings and of stimulus electrodes in the functional and therapeutic electrical stimulations. It may also be useful in motor point biopsy for diagnosis of neuromuscular diseases as well as in the botulinum toxin injection for the treatment of spasticity.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1999

Serum amyloid A protein generates pre beta 1 high-density lipoprotein from alpha-migrating high-density lipoprotein.

Serum amyloid A protein (SAA), an acute-phase reactant in reactive amyloidosis, has high affinity for high-density lipoprotein (HDL). When SAA is added to HDL, SAA displaces apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) and phospholipid from the HDL particles. These dissociated components may form prebeta1-HDL because free apoA-I can associate with phospholipid to become a lipoprotein having prebeta mobility. To determine whether SAA generates prebeta1-HDL from alpha-migrating HDL, we investigated the effects of recombinant SAA on HDL subfraction concentration using nondenaturing two-dimensional gradient gel electrophoresis. When we added SAA (0.5 mg/mL) to plasma, the prebeta1-HDL concentration increased by 164% (from 4.7% +/- 1.3% to 12.4% +/- 3.2% of apoA-I, p < 0.005). The increase in prebeta1-HDL was proportional to the dose of SAA. When we added SAA to a column of Sepharose beads coupled to the isolated HDL (alpha-migrating HDL), prebeta1-HDL was dissociated from the column together with the SAA-associated HDL. In summary, we demonstrate that SAA generates prebeta1-HDL from alpha-migrating HDL. We speculate that SAA-mediated HDL remodeling may take place in inflammation.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Improving effects of the extracts from Eugenia uniflora on hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia in mice.

EtOH (70%) extracts from the leaves of Eugenia uniflora were separated into six fractions with different polarity and molecular size, i.e. NP-1-NP-6. In an oral glucose tolerance test, NP-1 and 4 inhibited the increase in plasma glucose level. However, in an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test, such an inhibitory effect was not seen. Thus, the effects of NP-1 and 4 were apparently due to the inhibition of glucose absorption from the intestine. In a sucrose tolerance test, all fractions inhibited the increase in plasma glucose level. In an oral corn oil tolerance test, NP-3 and 4 showed an inhibitory effect on the increase in plasma triglycerides level. On the other hand, NP-3, 4, 5 and 6 inhibited maltase and sucrase activities and all fractions except for NP-1 showed an inhibitory effect on lipase activity dose-dependently. The inhibition of the increase in plasma glucose level by NP-3, 4, 5 and 6 in the oral sucrose tolerance test and the inhibition of the increase in plasma triglycerides by NP-3 and 4 in the oral corn oil tolerance test were apparently due to the inhibition of the decomposition of carbohydrates and fats in the intestine, respectively.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Adult respiratory distress syndrome-like disorders after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Adult respiratory distress syndrome-like respiratory disorders are a serious, but uncommon, complication of bone marrow transplantation. METHODS: We measured various cytokines in 2 patients with respiratory disorders and 11 patients without respiratory problems after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. RESULTS: The patients with respiratory disorders had elevated levels of interferon-gamma and interleukin-2 in the aplastic phase, and elevation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and interleukin-8 at the time of leukocyte recovery. Both patients with respiratory disorders developed fever during the aplastic phase, whereas none of the patients without fever had respiratory disorders. Among patients who had fever during the aplastic phase but no respiratory disorders, there was no elevation of cytokines from the aplastic phase to the recovery phase. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory disorders may occur after bone marrow transplantation when an inflammatory response during the aplastic phase stimulates cytokines that cause vascular endothelial damage and increases the levels of chemokines and adhesive molecules along with elevation of the leukocyte count.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Chemosensitivity and p53-dependent apoptosis in epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Although p53 gene mutation frequently is observed in ovarian carcinoma, the function of the p53 gene in chemosensitivity has not been defined conclusively. The objective of the current study was to elucidate the relation between chemotherapy-induced apoptosis through the p53 pathway and chemosensitivity to ovarian carcinoma. METHODS: Tumor samples were obtained from 24 patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma before and after chemotherapy with cisplatin, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide. Mutations in the p53 gene were screened by polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis and determined by cycle sequencing. Expression of the p53, Bax, and bcl-2 proteins and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were determined by immunohistochemical staining. Apoptotic cells were detected by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate biotin nick-end labeling method. RESULTS: Of the 24 patients, 12 responded to chemotherapy and 12 did not. p53 gene mutation was observed in ten nonresponders and two responders. The incidence of p53 protein expression in tumors with the gene mutation was 58% (7 of 12) and was 17% (2 of 12) in tumors without the gene mutation. A significant reverse correlation between apoptotic index (AI) and labeling index (LI), determined by the percentage of PCNA positive cells, was observed in tumors after chemotherapy. AI was found to increase significantly after chemotherapy in tumors with the wild-type p53 gene (3.84 +/- 1.64 vs. 7.13 +/- 5.23) but LI did not change in either tumor type. The expression of Bax protein was significantly greater in tumors with the wild-type p53 gene after chemotherapy. bcl-2 protein expression did not relate to p53 gene status before or after chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: The current study suggests that p53-dependent apoptosis in tumors is strongly related to the chemosensitivity in epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed1999

Mast cells cause apoptosis of cardiomyocytes and proliferation of other intramyocardial cells in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Mast cells are multifunctional cells containing various mediators such as cytokines, proteases, and histamine. They are found in the human heart and have been implicated in ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure. However, their roles in pathogenesis of these diseases are unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cultured cardiomyocytes from neonatal rats were incubated with mast cell granules (MCGs) for 24 hours. The highest concentration of diluted MCGs caused the death of approximately 70% of cardiomyocytes. This cell death was proved to be apoptosis, as quantified by electron microscopy and biochemical criteria. MCG-mediated cytotoxicity was prevented by pretreatment of MCGs with protease inhibitors or a neutralizing antibody against rat mast cell chymase 1 (RMCP 1). RMCP 1 by itself was proved to induce cell death of cardiomyocytes. These results suggest that RMCP 1 contained in MCGs causes the death of cardiomyocytes. In contrast, MCGs induced the proliferation of intramyocardial cells other than myocytes. RMCP 1 was also proved to induce their proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: Mast cells cause apoptosis of cardiomyocytes and proliferation of other intramyocardial cells via the activity of RMCP 1. Our results suggest that mast cell chymase may play a role in the progression of heart failure, because loss of cardiomyocytes and proliferation of nonmyocardial cells exaggerate its pathophysiology.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

SCOP, a novel gene product expressed in a circadian manner in rat suprachiasmatic nucleus.

To elucidate the mechanism of the circadian rhythm, genes differentially expressed during subjective day and night in the rat suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), a circadian oscillator in mammals, were surveyed by a differential display method. We isolated a novel gene, scop (SCN circadian oscillatory protein), that was expressed in a circadian manner in the SCN. SCOP protein is predominantly expressed in the brain and has domains including a pleckstrin homology domain, leucine-rich repeats, a protein phosphatase 2C-like domain and a glutamine-rich region. The structural feature of SCOP protein suggests its role in the intracellular signaling in the SCN.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

FTY720, a new immunosuppressant, promotes long-term graft survival and inhibits the progression of graft coronary artery disease in a murine model of cardiac transplantation.

Background-Effective immunosuppression is a critical determinant of organ and patient survival in cardiac transplantation. The present study was designed to determine the potency of FTY720, a new synthesized immunosuppressant, and examine its clinical potential as an immunosuppressant. Methods and Results-Hearts of DBA/2 mice were transplanted heterotopically in C57BL/6 mice. Recipients were treated with oral FTY720 in doses of 0.3, 1, 3, or 10 mg. kg(-1). d(-1) or with 40 mg. kg(-1). d(-1) of cyclosporin A (CsA) as a comparative treatment. The median graft survival time (MST) was significantly prolonged by treatment with FTY720 10 mg. kg(-1). d(-1). MST was not prolonged by FTY720 1 mg. kg(-1). d(-1) or CsA. However, FTY720 1 mg. kg(-1). d(-1) combined with CsA 40 mg. kg(-1). d(-1) resulted in a significant prolongation of MST. Histopathological studies performed 5 days after transplantation demonstrated remarkable suppression of inflammatory response by treatment with FTY720 10 mg. kg(-1). d(-1). Interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN)-gamma production was not suppressed; however, cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity was strongly suppressed in vitro. In addition, IL-2-stimulated T-cell proliferation and class I and class II MHC antigen expression on IFN-gamma-stimulated macrophages were strongly inhibited by FTY720. Histopathological studies 60 days after transplantation (DBA/2-B10.D2) demonstrated a beneficial effect on graft atherosclerosis. Conclusions-FTY720 promoted long-term cardiac graft survival and strongly inhibited the progression of graft atherosclerosis. These observations suggest that FTY720 has a promising clinical potential in cardiac transplantation.

Animals↗