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Biomedical subjects

S Higaki

Publications and source records attributed to S Higaki.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Activity of eleven kampo formulations and eight kampo crude drugs against Propionibacterium acnes isolated from acne patients: retrospective evaluation in 1990 and 1995.

We reviewed the susceptibility of Propionibacterium acnes to eleven Kampo formulations and to eight Kampo crude drugs that had been studied by examining their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) in 1990 and 1995. P. acnes strains were most sensitive to Oren-gedoku-to (OGT) among these Kampo formulations. Coptidis Rhizoma (CR) and Phellodendri Cortex (PC) inhibited the growth of P. acnes significantly among the eight Kampo crude drugs examined. The patterns of distribution of MIC of Kampo formulations and Kampo crude drugs to P. acnes in this study were almost the same as in our previous report in 1990. No significant increases in MIC of Kampo formulations and Kampo crude drugs to P. acnes were observed. We speculated that Kampo crude drugs such as CR and PC, were better than minocycline or erythromycin from the point of view of a progressive increase in MIC to P. acnes. CR and PC, which were each an ingredient of OGT, might contain some components with strong antibacterial activity to P. acnes.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1996

Anti-lipase activity of Kampo formulations, coptidis rhizoma and its alkaloids against Propionibacterium acnes.

Anti-lipase activity of Kampo formulations, Coptidis Rhizoma (CR), and its alkaloids against Propionibacterium acnes were examined in vitro. The amounts of propionic and butyric acids in the medium were measured as growth and lipase activity of P. acnes, respectively. In tributyrin-PYG medium with each concentration of Kampo formulation, CR, or the alkaloids added, the production of propionic acid was suppressed remarkably more than that of butyric acid. The suppression of production of these acids by CR was higher than that of the alkaloids. Furthermore, no lipase-negative colonies were found on the medium to which Kampo formulations were added. From these observations, we concluded that not only Kampo formulations and CR, but also their alkaloids, showed suppression of growth of P. acnes, which reduced anti-lipase activity. Furthermore, it was suggested that Kampo formulations and Kampo crude drugs with anti-lipase activity to P. acnes should be synergistic when their ingredients are combined.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1995

Surgical treatment of extra-abdominal desmoid tumours (aggressive fibromatoses).

Extra-abdominal desmoid tumours (EADT) are benign lesions but difficult to cure because of their infiltrative nature and tendency to recur. Among many treatments recommended in the past, wide excision has been successful, even in difficult cases. We have analyzed retrospectively 41 cases of histologically confirmed EADTs. A total of 98 operations were performed on these patients: 29 wide excisions on 22 patients, 52 intra-lesional excisions with wide margins on 16 patients, and 17 incomplete excisions on 3 patients. One patient, with intra-pelvic lesions, died of a massive haemorrhage 3 days after surgery. Forty patients were followed from between 3 and 29 years. One, who had a multicentric EADT for 21 years, died from the disease. The significant factors concerning local recurrence after wide procedures were an unsatisfactory initial wide local excision, disease affecting 4 or more muscles and the invasive nature of the recurrences. We recommend wide local excision of these tumours in all anatomical areas that allow this procedure. When major nerves and vessels are involved, we recommend an intralesional excision with wide margins in order to preserve limb function. Radiation therapy should be confined to cases in which wide local procedures are not feasible. Overall, 37 of our patients (90%) were cured of the disease, 2 had their disease controlled, and 2 died.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

The correlation of Kampo formulations and their ingredients on anti-bacterial activities against Propionibacterium acnes.

The correlation between the susceptibilities of Propionibacterium acnes strains to two Kampo formulations and these to their ingredients (Kampo crude drugs) was examined. Two out of 19 Kampo crude drugs, Coptidis Rhizoma (CR) and Phellodendri Cortex (PC), inhibited the growth of P. acnes significantly. The patterns of distribution of the minimal inhibitory concentrations of Keigai-rengyo-to (KRT) and of Seijo-bofu-to (SBT) were almost the same as those of the Kampo crude drugs, except CR and PC. Furthermore, no correlations between MICs of Kampo formulations and those of their ingredients against P. acnes were found. This might be due to mutual inhibition or to differences in anti-bacterial mechanisms between the two Kampo formulations and their ingredients. The Kampo formulations, composed of CR, PC and a few other kinds of Kampo crude drugs, might be more susceptible against P. acnes, since higher concentrations of the effective ingredients can be achieved.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1994

Expression of the human multidrug resistance gene (MDR1) and prognostic correlation in human osteogenic sarcoma.

The overexpression of P-glycoprotein (P-Gp), encoded by the human multidrug resistant gene (MDRA), decreases lipophilic drug accumulation in multidrug resistant cells in vitro. It is still not clear whether P-Gp contribute to the problem of multidrug resistance (MDR) in osteogenic sarcoma (OS). We examined the MDR1 expression of 20 OS specimens (11 primary tumors, 10 xenografts, 1 overlapping), by Northern blotting and by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and evaluated by the relationship between MDR1 expression and patient prognosis. RT-PCR revealed MDR1 expression in 9/20 OS; 5/11 primary tumors and 5/10 OS-xenografts; northern blotting revealed MDR1 expression in only 5/20 OS. One primary OS specimen and its corresponding xenograft had similar levels of MDR1 expression. All 20 patients with OS were treated with chemotherapeutic protocols including doxorubicin, cisplatin, methotrexate and ifosfamide. Eight of 9 OS-patients expressing MDR1 were resistant to chemotherapy and had a poor prognosis. The relationship between MDR1 expression and poor prognosis in the 20 OS-patients was significant (p < 0.01). The results support the assumption that MDR1 expression is related to MDR in human OS.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1993

Chronic graft-versus-host disease with follicular involvement.

The clinical and histopathological findings in a 25-year-old Japanese male patient who suffered from chronic graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) with follicular involvement are described. The patient had been diagnosed as aplastic anemia and underwent an allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT). In the eighth month thereafter, pruritic follicular red papules developed over his trunk and extremities. A biopsy specimen revealed histological exocytosis of lymphocytes into the hair follicles and basal-cell vacuolization of the follicular epithelium. Analysis of T-lymphocyte subpopulations in the dermis revealed a predominance of CD4 positive cells. To our knowledge, several cases of acute follicular GVHD have been reported; however, the occurrence of chronic GVHD with follicular involvement (chronic follicular GVHD) has not been clearly documented.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[The significance of preoperative chemotherapy for thermopreservation of limbs].

Preoperative chemotherapeutic effects on 42 osteosarcomas treated with CDDP intra-arterial infusion protocol were compared with the effects of treatment of same by local perfusion only, following administration of adriamycin (ADR) or high doses methotrexate and leucovorin (HD-MTX). Thirteen cases were further given local hyperthermic perfusion (LHP) treatment. The preoperative local treatment resulted in a poor response in cases in which the serum ALP failed to fall down the normal range, those with angiographically demonstrated tumor stains remaining, and those with reactive zones remaining as indicated by T2 MR imaging. The ratios of necrotic areas were significantly higher in the LHP group, while those of viable areas were significantly lower in the LHP group compared to other groups. Total tumor cell killing was possible in six of 13 cases in the LHP group. Post-necrotic fibrosis and post-necrotic osteosclerosis were significantly higher in the LPH group. The results suggested that, in selected cases treated with LHP, conservative surgery may well be possible so as to preserve all functional activity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Chromosome rearrangements at 12q13 in two cases of chondrosarcomas.

We analyzed the karyotypes of two moderately differentiated (grade 2) chondrosarcomas. Case 1 had a reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 6 and 12, t(6;12)(q25;q13) in most of the cells analyzed, as well as trisomies of chromosomes 7, 8, 11, 17, 19, and 21 and tetrasomy of chromosome 19. A reciprocal translocation involving chromosomes 12 and 19, t(12;19)(q13;q13), was noted as a highly clonal abnormality in the other case. Some cells had t(12;19) as the sole chromosome abnormality. Thus, chromosome rearrangements involving the long arm of chromosome 12 at the same region (q13) were commonly identified in the two tumors. These findings suggest that the rearrangements at 12q13 are nonrandom acquired changes that characterize a subgroup of chondrosarcomas.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Mineralization ability of cultured human osteoblast-like periosteal cells does not decline with aging.

Studies of the mechanisms of osteoporosis have not yet determined whether these conditions result from increased osteoclast activity or decreased osteoblast activity, or perhaps both. Osteoporosis is related to aging and to postmenopausal status. The function and the mitotic capacity of cultured human osteoblast-like cells were investigated in this study. The age at which these cells lose the ability to divide showed a strong negative correlation with donor age (r = .815, p less than .01). There was also significant correlation of maximum cell saturation density with donor age (r = .698, p less than .01). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralization ability, typical functions of osteoblasts, continue undiminished up to the point at which mitotic capacity ceases. When cells were treated with 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 in the presence of 2 mM alpha-glycerophosphate, ALP activity and mineralization ability showed an increase, rather than a decrease, with advancing donor age. However, these functions showed no correlation with in vitro cell aging. We propose that human osteoblast-like cells from elderly subjects do not lose their functions of mineralization and ALP formation, and that loss of these functions with cell aging does not correlate with advancing age.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[The influence of coptidis rhizoma to lipase activity of Propionibacterium acnes].

Gas chromatography was applied for determination of the amounts of propionic and butyric acids in the medium produced by Propionibacterium acnes. The organism was incubated in Peptone-Yeast extract-Glucose medium containing 0.017 mEq/ml of tributyrin and various amounts of Coptidis Rhizoma at 37 degrees C for 24 to 96 hr. The amount of butyric acid produced by the lipase was reduced parallel with that of propionic acid resulted from the growth of P. acnes in the medium. These facts were also confirmed by counting the cell numbers of P. acnes. Furthermore, any lipase-negative colonies were not observed on the Kishishita's Lipase Medium. These findings indicate that Coptidis Rhizoma inhibits growth of P. acens and anti-lipase activity of the drug against the organism is resulted from the fact.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal↗
PubMed1989

Establishment of human osteoblastic cells derived from periosteum in culture.

We isolated osteoblastic cells derived from human periosteum and established them in culture. Their growth depended on the presence of ascorbic acid, and the doubling time was 40 to 60 h. The requirement for ascorbic acid was used to high production of collagen. These cells produced mainly type I collagen and only small amounts of type III collagen determined by reducing sodium dodecyl sulfate SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The total collagen yield was about 10 mg from 2 X 10(7) cells. The cells could be continuously cultured in alpha-minimum essential medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum for 18 to 40 population doubling levels, depending on the age of the donated periosteum. These cells have the ability to calcify when incubated with 2 mM alpha-glycerophosphate-Na2. Calcification as viewed by the naked eye appeared from Day 15 after treatment. Treatment with the active formed vitamin D3, 1, 25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 enhanced calcification significantly and stimulated osteocalcin production. By electron microscopy, cells with many projections on their surfaces showed well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum and actinlike fibers, and larger numbers of lysosomes, mitochondria, and secretion granules. Many matrix vesicles, in which minerals were initially localized, and well-banded collagen fibrils were seen in the intercellular spaces. These observations demonstrate typical osteoblastic morphology. The above results indicate that cultured cells from human periostem are osteoblastic cells that have the capacity to differentiate into osteocytes and to deposit calcified minerals in response to 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1989

[Isolation perfusion chemotherapy using cisplatin in malignant tumors of the extremities].

Since 1960 isolation perfusion chemotherapy has been performed as a preoperative procedure combined with surgery in 226 patients with malignant tumor of the extremities in our department. In this report we presented the result of isolation perfusion chemotherapy using cisplatin (CDDP) for 27 patients since 1983. The histologic classification of the malignant tumor was osteosarcoma in 17 patients, malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of bone in 8, and other tumor in 2. The extremity was perfused with CDDP (100 micrograms/ml) for 60 minutes. Of 27 patients, 11 were treated with hyperthermic isolation perfusion. The two-year survival rate of the 15 patients with osteosarcoma was 80%, and that of the 7 patients with MFH of bone 71%. The tumor was microscopically analyzed, and the ratio of necrotic to viable tumor cells was calculated. The degree of tumor necrosis was classified as excellent (greater than or equal to 95%), good (80-94%), fair (50-79%), and poor (less than 50%). Of 16 patients, 7 were excellent, 5 good, 3 fair and 1 poor. We concluded that isolation perfusion chemotherapy using CDDP is an effective procedure combined with surgery for malignant tumor of the extremities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Quick-freeze, deep-etch visualization of the nuclear pore complex.

We have visualized the nuclear pore complex (NPCx) three-dimensionally by quick-freeze, deep etching and suggest that NPCx is composed of four rings and associated filaments. The rings were located at the cytoplasmic side, at the nucleoplasmic side, and at the pore waist as well. Some of the filaments emanated toward the cytoplasm, some sprawled over the cytoplasmic face of the nuclear membrane, and some intervened the rings. The emanating filaments were considered to be vimentin filaments judging from the replica and thin-sectioned image.

Freeze Etching↗
PubMed1988

[Indications for thoracotomy in pulmonary metastatic sarcoma and its prognosis].

Between 1960 and 1987, 46 patients underwent thoracotomy for pulmonary metastatic sarcoma. The histologic classification of the sarcoma was osteosarcoma in 33 patients, other malignant bone tumors in 6 and soft tissue sarcoma in 7. The cumulative five-year survival rate of the 33 patients with osteosarcoma was 23%. Ten patients survived more than 3 years and 8 of them are still alive without pulmonary metastasis. Prognosis was significantly better with intensive multidrug chemotherapy. In this series, prognosis was not significantly related to the interval from initial onset to initial treatment, that from initial treatment to pulmonary metastasis and that from pulmonary metastasis to initial thoracotomy. The five-year survival rate of the 6 patients with other malignant bone tumors was 35%, and that of the 7 patients with soft tissue sarcoma 26%. Good indications for thoracotomy in pulmonary metastatic osteosarcoma are: (1) the primary sarcoma is resected, (2) the interval from initial treatment to pulmonary metastases is more than 6 months, (3) the number of pulmonary metastases is less than 4 or 5 nodules, and (4) the number and diameter of pulmonary metastases is controlled with chemotherapy within 2 or 3 months after occurrence of metastasis.

Adolescent↗