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Biomedical subjects

N Okamoto

Publications and source records attributed to N Okamoto.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Prediction of postoperative clinical course by autologous tumor-killing activity in lung cancer patients.

Fifty patients with primary localized lung cancer were tested at the time of surgery for the ability of their lymphocytes to kill autologous, freshly isolated tumor cells, and the assay was evaluated for prognostic significance. Peripheral blood lymphocytes of 27 patients (54%) demonstrated significant autologous tumor-killing activity in 6-hour 51Cr-release assays. Twenty-three of the 27 patients with autologous tumor-killing activity remained tumor free and survived more than 5 years after curative surgery, while all 23 who were negative for autologous tumor-killing activity relapsed by 18 months after surgery and died within 42 months after surgery. The differences in survival curves for the two groups were highly significant (P less than .00003). Autologous tumor-killing activity was not correlated with natural killer (NK) cell activity against K562 human myeloid leukemia cells or proliferation of lymphocytes stimulated with autologous, freshly isolated tumor cells in mixed culture. There were no differences in total survival between patients with positive results and those with negative results in tests of NK cell activity and autologous mixed lymphocyte-tumor culture reaction. These results indicate that autologous tumor-killing activity is a meaningful prognostic indicator and provide evidence for immunological control of tumor growth and metastasis. According to our preliminary data, it is unlikely that lung cancer patients who remain tumor free after 60 months of follow-up will develop recurrence or die from the disease. We are conducting a study to determine whether induction of autologous tumor-killing activity before surgery, by treatment with biological response modifiers,can improve the clinical outcome in patients who do not naturally have this potential.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Synthesis of the alpha and beta anomer of an N-triglycosyl dipeptide.

O-alpha-D-Glucopyranosyl-(1----6)-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----6)-1-N- [L-aspart-1-oyl-(L-proline)-4-oyl]-alpha- and -beta-D-glucopyranosylamine have been prepared, as models for a derivative possibly present in the glomerular basement membrane of rats, by condensation of the corresponding D-glucosyl-dipeptide derivatives with 2,3,4,2',3',4',6'-hepta-O-acetyl-alpha-D-isomaltopyranosyl bromide in the presence of mercuric cyanide, followed by deprotection of the trisaccharide-dipeptide derivatives.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Association of congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium with familial adenomatous polyposis.

Ophthalmological examinations were performed in 49 people (43 patients) from 24 families affected by familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). No features of congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigmented epithelium (CHRPE) were noted in six first-degree relatives without colonic polyps. Patients with Gardner's syndrome exhibited CHRPE more frequently than those without exostosis or desmoid tumour (91 per cent versus 45 per cent). In addition the prevalence of CHRPE was slightly higher in the patients with gastric or duodenal polyps (68 per cent compared with 50 per cent) in those who had a normal gastroduodenal examination. There were 11 families in which two or more patients underwent ophthalmological examinations. In five of these 11 families, all 12 patients were negative for CHRPE. In four of the remaining six families, all 11 patients had CHRPE. CHRPE is one of the pleiotropy of FAP and ophthalmological examination is an important screening test for the family of patients with CHRPE associated with FAP.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗
PubMed1990

Studies on T-lineage cells in human decidua of first trimester pregnancies.

T-lineage cells in human decidua of early pregnancies were tested for surface markers, proliferative response, interleukin-2 (IL-2) production, and natural killer (NK) activity. T-lineage (CD2+) cells that were obtained from decidua by the use of E-rosette formation contained fewer CD3+ mature T cells and CD4+ cells than those from the peripheral blood of the same donors, while no differences were seen in the frequencies of CD8+ cells. P55 molecules of IL-2 receptor (IL-2R/p55, Tac antigen) were hardly detected on fresh decidual T-lineage cells, though approximately 20% were positive for HLA-DR. More than a half of decidual T-lineage cells expressed CD56 molecules on their surface and killed K562 cells, the prototype target of NK cells, while most of them were negative for CD16 and CD57. Upon stimulation with IL-2, decidual T-lineage cells demonstrated dose-dependent proliferative response. In addition, they were induced to produce high amounts of IL-2 by stimulation with mitogens but not with alloantigens. These results suggest that human decidua contains high numbers of CD2+3-CD16 +/- 56+ lymphocytes and that this population responds to IL-2, produces IL-2 and mediates NK activity.

Decidua↗
PubMed1990

Effects of exercise on coronary risk factors in obese, middle-aged subjects.

The effects of exercise (10000 walk steps/day) and diet (1500 kcal/day) for 4 months on coronary risk factors (obesity, hypertension, serum lipid and lipoprotein abnormalities) were studied in 332 obese, middle-aged subjects. Body weight, skinfold thickness, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, serum lipid and lipoproteins (total cholesterol, triglyceride, and beta-lipoprotein) improved significantly (p less than 0.05) during the program. The degree of improvement in blood pressures, serum lipids and lipoproteins was greater in abnormal blood pressure (greater than 140/90 mmHg) or abnormal serum lipid group than in normal group. A significant correlation was observed between daily number of walk steps and the improvement of body weight, diastolic blood pressure and HDL-cholesterol. Increase of daily steps during the program showed a significant (p less than 0.05) correlation to the change in HDL-cholesterol. It was suggested that mild exercise characterized by brisk walking was effective in the treatment of obesity, hypertension and low HDL-cholesterolemia in obese, middle-aged subjects.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1990

[Participation of regional inhabitants in cancer screening].

As part of the strategic planning for increasing participation by community residents in cancer screening, a survey about life style and attitudes toward cancer screening was carried out in Samukawa town, Kanagawa Prefecture. Subjects were males 40 years old or over, and females 30 years old or over selected by random sampling from residents. Number of subjects was 1,916 (822 males, 1,094 females). Self administered anonymous questionnaires were sent and returned by mail. The response rate was 73%. The results were as follows: (1) The reported participation rates for cancer screening under "the Health and Medical Services Law for the Aged" did not reflect the actual participation rate of residents. (2) The major reason for not participation in screening was lack of interest in cancer prevention. (3) Socio-economic status of regular participants in screening was different from persons who did not participate. (4) Persons who did not participate in screening were more passive with regard to obtaining knowledge of cancer than regular participants. (5) Results of this study show that cancer prevention education at various levels such as by clinical offices, TV and radio programs, and newspapers may be effective. In order to increase participation in screening programs, health education that considers the life style characteristics of persons who do not participate in the screening programs is vitally important.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Atypical computed tomographic appearance of herpes simplex encephalitis].

In cases of herpes simplex encephalitis, a low density lesion in the temporal lobe is a common CT finding, whereas hemorrhagic lesion is rarely observed on CT in this disorder despite the frequent occurrence on pathologic studies. Two cases of hemorrhagic lesion observed on CT in herpes simplex encephalitis are reported, and atypical CT findings of herpes simplex encephalitis is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Perinatal brain injuries and subsequent epilepsy: a study on intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in full-term infants].

The clinical course of symptomatic epilepsy caused by intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in 7 preterm infants and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in 9 full-term infants were followed up for more than 2 years and 6 months. West syndrome was the first manifestation of epilepsy in 10 cases (IVH: 4, HIE: 6), and all 16 patients had severe neuropsychiatric deficits. Comparing with children without epilepsy, IVH grades III and IV, mechanical ventilation for more than 6 days and neonatal convulsions in the patients with IVH, and mechanical ventilation and neonatal convulsions in the patients with HIE, were significantly related to the risk of subsequent epilepsy. These findings suggest that the degree of brain injuries may be predictive of the development of epilepsy during infancy and early childhood in the patients with IVH or HIE.

Brain Ischemia↗
PubMed1990

Methodology of ECG interpretation in the Nagoya program.

The outline of the Nagoya Program, the most representative software package for computerized electrocardiography in Japan, is described. First, the history and current status of research and its transfer to commercial products for computerized interpretation of electrocardiograms is briefly reviewed. Second, development and testing of the Nagoya Program is depicted, referring to a gold standard for evaluation and the database being used for this purpose, and to its participation in the CSE study. Third, a description of signal acquisition and wave identification is given, followed by the detection of rhythm disturbances. Next, algorithms for contour classification, which consist of decision-tree logic established through trial and error and making use of the database of ECGs, are described. Finally, special features and future plans of the Nagoya Program are mentioned.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1990

[A case control study of breast cancer, mammary cyst and dietary, drinking or smoking habit in Japan].

A matched pair analysis was done among patients with breast cancer, those with mammary cyst and those without any abnormality in mammary gland by ultrasonic echogram (U.S.) to investigate the relationship between dietary or smoking habit and mammary disease. Breast cancer was diagnosed pathologically, and mammary cyst by U.S.. 49 cancer-normal pairs and 36 cyst-normal pairs were obtained. Breast cancer had significant relationships with a large intake of bread (risk ratio (RR) = 1.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03-2.49), margarine (RR = 2.17, CI = 1.20-3.49), cakes (RR = 1.83, CI = 1.18-2.84), soft drinks with sugar (RR = 8.00, CI = 1.33-48.29), meat (RR = 1.48, CI = 1.04-2.10) and a small intake of alcohol (RR = 0.20, CI = 0.06-0.63). Mammary cyst was significantly related with a large intake of fat (RR = 1.56, CI = 1.02-2.38). The result indicates that in Japan women with westernized dietary habit have a larger risk of breast cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[The use of information theory in the evaluation of cancer control].

The age-adjusted incidence/mortality rate has been used as an index for the decrease in cancer deaths due to the first and second prevention. This index is popular in the fields of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, but does not represent the increase in cancer deaths among the elderly and the variation among the rates of primary cancer in each organ. If preventive activities have contributed to cancer control, the age distribution of the incidence/mortality of cancer patients should be skewed to old age, and the rates at high-risk cancer sites should be decreased. To evaluate the results of attempts at cancer prevention, a new index called "entropy" was produced using Information Theory. The "entropy" index of the age distribution of deaths from cancer, when calculated by Brillouin's formula, decreased chronologically and the "entropy" index of the site distribution increases. These results indicates that recent cancer control has been effective. In conclusion, this new index "entropy" seems quite useful in evaluating the effects of cancer control.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1990

[A case-control study of the etiologic factors of a multiple primary cancer following a prior first breast cancer].

At the Kanagawa Cancer Center, the cases of 48 women who were found to have a multiple primary cancer (MPC) and who had previously had a first breast cancer (FBC) were reviewed, and a hospital-based, matched-pair, case-control study was performed. Studied were the effects of the reproductive factors, the therapies for their FBC, their drinking and smoking habits, and similar criteria on the development of the MPC. The case-control pairs were matched for age, year of their FBC diagnosis, and place of residence. The controls had only breast cancer and each lived beyond the MPC patient with whom they had been matched. The odds ratios for radiation therapy and drinking habits, calculated by McNemar's Test, were 4.00 (95% CI = 1.06-17.82) and 8.00 (1.03-170.60), respectively.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Proteinic prorenin-releasing-stimulator (PRS) in the rat submandibular gland.

The release of prorenin as well as renin from rat renal slices was confirmed by a rat prorenin-prosegment ELISA system and an assay system for determining the renin activity. A significant increase of the prorenin release was found by adding rat submandibular gland extract to the slice medium, indicating the existence of a prorenin-releasing stimulator (PRS) in the extract. The pI and molecular mass of PRS were 8.5-8.7 and 28-30 kDa, respectively. The PRS was completely inactivated by boiling or a proteinase treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

An expert system for early detection of cancer of the breast.

In order to study the relevancy of exploring complex expert systems for use by the lay public, an expert system for the early detection of cancer of the breast has been developed. The system consists of a conversion between a microcomputer and a woman who is anxious about breast cancer. The conversation is divided into two parts: one is listening to the woman's symptoms regarding the breast then giving advice, the other is an explanation of breast cancer and how to detect it in its early stages. After listening to the woman's symptoms, the computer presents its conclusion and suggests courses of action the woman should take. The system is written in Prolog. It was tried by women in a small town at a festival for health, by female patients who visit our hospital, and received a positive reaction.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1989

[A study on fatty liver in health examination participants].

We investigated the condition of the liver in a total of 5486 subjects (3889 males and 1597 females) who received adult-disease screening examinations. The following results were obtained. 1. Fatty liver was found in 13.9% of the males and 3.8% of the females with a male/female ratio of about 3.7 to 1. In males, the prevalence of fatty liver was lower in those in their 20's than in any other age ranks, while there was little difference in the age range from the 30's to the 50's. In females, the prevalence sharply increased in those in their 50's. 2. The percentage of fatty liver increased with the obesity index in both males and females. 3. With respect to alcohol drinking, the prevalence of fatty liver was not affected by the presence or absence of alcohol drinking, the daily drinking quantity and total drinking quantity. 4. Of those screened for adult disease, 14.7% of the males and 2.7% of the females had abnormal liver function, with a male/female ratio of about 5.4 to 1. In both males and females, the prevalence of fatty liver was higher in those who had abnormal rather than normal liver function.

Adult↗