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Biomedical subjects

S Koga

Publications and source records attributed to S Koga.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Fundamental study of helical scanning CT--evaluation of spatial resolution in the longitudinal axis].

We evaluated spatial resolution in the longitudinal axis with helical scanning CT using a fourth-generation fast CT scanner. We made a phantom by stringing acrylic balls (65 mm phi x 8 and 9 mm phi x 6). The acquired images were processed by MPR and assessed visually to evaluate axis resolution. With the conventional scanning method, the partial volume effect varied with the starting position, but helical scanning was able to reconstruct high-resolution images using continuous raw data. During helical scanning, axis resolution varied depending on the slice width and sliding speed of the couch top. Even if the sliding speed was kept constant at 4 mm/sec, axis resolution was superior with a slice width of 2 mm than with one of 5 mm.

Microcomputers

A high involvement of O2- possibly generated in inner membranes for iron-induced microsomal lipid peroxidation.

The lipid peroxidation of and the O2- generation by rat liver microsomes in the presence of NADPH or both NADPH and Fe3+ were determined by thiobarbituric acid-reacting substance formation and by chemiluminescence intensities with a cypridina luciferin analog, 2-methyl-6-(p-methoxyphenyl)-3, 7-dihydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-one(MCLA), as a chemiluminescence probe. Judging from the experiments with various inhibitors on the O2- generation and the lipid peroxidation, O2- generated, at intramembranous site, by cytochrome P-450 system is considered to be highly involved in the iron-induced lipid peroxidation.

Animals

Hepatitis B virus, cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma: a case-control study in Fukuoka, Japan.

The roles of the hepatitis B virus (HBV), cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption in the etiology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were examined in a case-control study involving 204 patients with HCC and 410 control subjects in Fukuoka prefecture, where HCC risk is among the highest in Japan. Information on smoking and drinking habits was obtained by a detailed interview survey, and the results were analyzed in conjunction with serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) status after adjustment for sex, age and other possible confounding factors. Individuals positive for serum HBsAg showed a relative risk (RR) for HCC of 13.8 (95% confidence interval, Cl 5.9 to 32.5), whereas heavy drinkers experienced about a 2-fold risk increase compared with non-drinkers. Light or moderate drinkers, however, demonstrated RRs near the unity. Some risk excess was observed among ex-smokers (RR = 1.5, 95% CI 0.8 to 2.8) and current smokers (RR = 1.5, 0.8 to 2.7) compared with non-smokers, but without evidence for a dose-response relationship in terms of pack-years. Analysis among HBsAg-negative subjects revealed similar non-significant association with smoking, and there was no clear interaction between alcohol and cigarette consumption on HCC risk. Other significant risk factors included positive histories of blood transfusion (RR = 3.7, 2.2 to 6.3) and familiar liver disease (RR = 2.6, 1.6 to 4.2). Attributable risk calculations suggest that chronic HBV infection and heavy drinking may account for 17% and 13% of HCC occurrence, respectively, in this high risk area. The association of cigarette smoking with HCC was not evident in our study.

Adult

Possible involvement of superoxide anion in the induction of cyanide-resistant respiration in Hansenula anomala.

A chemiluminescence study showed that Qi site inhibitors such as antimycin A induce O2- generation in respiring cyanide-sensitive mitochondria from the yeast, Hansenula anomala. The O2- generation was suppressed by radical scavengers such as flavone, butylated hydroxyanisole, and Co0. Induction of cyanide-resistant respiration in H. anomala cells by Qi site inhibitors was also inhibited by these radical scavengers. Furthermore, antimycin A-induced synthesis of the mitochondrial 36-kDa protein, which is thought to be the alternative oxidase functional in the cyanide-resistant respiratory pathway, was abolished by the addition of flavone. These observations suggest that O2- is somehow involved in the induction of cyanide-resistant respiration.

Anions

Gene expression and immunohistochemical localization of basic fibroblast growth factor in renal cell carcinoma.

Renal cell carcinoma is known as a neoplastic condition of renal tubular cells and usually shows a hypervascular tumor in angiographic examination. We examined the presence of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in human renal cell carcinoma. To determine if alterations in bFGF gene expression are present in human renal cell carcinoma, paired samples of normal and neoplastic renal tissue from 6 patients were analyzed for bFGF mRNA content by Northern blot hybridization. In 4 out of 6 patients, tumor tissue expressed bFGF mRNA 2 to 4 times greater than corresponding normal tissue. Two patients showed minimal elevation of tumor bFGF mRNA. The localization of bFGF in the renal cell carcinoma tissue was also examined using immunohistochemical staining, and it was found that bFGF was positively stained at the nuclei of tumor cells and the cell surface. These results suggest that increased expression of bFGF may be associated with neoplastic growth in renal tubular epithelial cells and neovascularization.

Aged

Generation of superoxide during the enzymatic action of tyrosinase.

Evidence for the generation of superoxide anion in an enzymatic action of tyrosinase is reported. In the dopatyrosinase reaction, 1 mol of O2 is required for the production of 2 mol of dopaquinone, 1 mol of dopachrome, and 1/4 mol of O2-. Superoxide dismutase and 2-methyl-6-phenyl-3,7-dihydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-one (a chemiluminescence probe and O2 trap) do not inhibit the rate of dopachrome formation from dopa in the presence of tyrosinase, indicating that free O2- is not utilized for metabolizing dopa. ESR studies for the accumulation of semiquinone radicals generated from tyrosine and N-acetyltyrosine in the presence of tyrosinase imply that O2- is not generated by the semiquinone + O2 reaction. Since the addition of H2O2 and dopa to tyrosinase promotes the release of O2- and formation of dopachrome, the Cu(II)O2-Cu(I) complex could be formed as a intermediate (an active form of tyrosinase); [Cu(II)]2 + H2O2 in equilibrium Cu(I)O2-Cu(II) + 2H+.

Basidiomycota

[Radiation therapy of Graves' ophthalmopathy].

During the decade from 1978 to 1987, 20 patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy were treated with irradiation of 2000 cGy to the orbital tissue. We examined the effects of the therapy on 17 such patients. Exophthalmos tended to decrease. When the degree of deviation of the exophthalmic eye was small, the effect of therapy tended to be better than when it was large. Two cases that showed an increase in retrobulbar fatty tissue without thickening of the extraocular muscles did not respond as well as those that had thickening of the extraocular muscles. Diplopia tended to improve both subjectively and objectively. Ocular movement improved in 11 of the 17 patients. There were no serious radiation injuries after the radiation therapy, except for some transient swelling of the eyelid.

Adult

Calculous pyelonephritis.

The authors report on 48 patients with calculous pyelonephritis. Urinary obstruction was caused by renal calculi in 21 patients and ureteral calculi in 27. Urine cultures were positive in 87.5% and bacteremia was seen in 70%. The common organisms in urine and blood culture were E. coli, Proteus and Klebsiella. Septic shock occurred in 10 (20.8%) out of 48 patients. Calculous pyelonephritis with urinary obstruction is a very serious condition.

Female

Spontaneous peripelvic extravasation of urine.

Spontaneous peripelvic extravasation of urine is relatively uncommon. We experienced 11 cases of spontaneous peripelvic extravasation. Urinary obstruction was caused by calculi in 9 cases, invasion by sigmoid carcinoma in 1 case and ureteral tumour (transitional cell carcinoma) in 1. Six patients presented with signs of peritonitis and 4 out of 9 with calculus did not develop microhaematuria. It is important to differentiate peripelvic extravasation from other acute abdominal conditions. We must pay special attention to patients with signs of peritonitis and normal urinalysis.

Female

A case of combined primary biliary cirrhosis, ulcerative colitis and chronic myelocytic leukemia.

A rare case of primary biliary cirrhosis, ulcerative colitis and chronic myelocytic leukemia is described in a 49-year-old Japanese diabetic woman. Primary biliary cirrhosis was diagnosed by characteristic liver histology and positive serum mitochondrial antibody test. Ulcerative colitis was diagnosed by typical findings of barium enema and colonoscopy, negative fecal test for pathogens and compatible rectal histology. Chronic myelocytic leukemia was determined by representative hematologic findings and positive result for Ph1 chromosome. This is the first case with combination of primary biliary cirrhosis, ulcerative colitis and chronic myelocytic leukemia.

Colitis, Ulcerative

Hypoxia-induced increased permeability of endothelial monolayers occurs through lowering of cellular cAMP levels.

Prolonged exposure to hypoxia, as at high altitude, results in increased vascular permeability that may be ameliorated by administration of glucocorticoids. To understand mechanisms underlying these observations, cultured bovine aortic and pulmonary artery endothelial cells (ECs) were subjected to hypoxia, and changes in monolayer permeability and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) levels were assessed. Exposure of both types of cultured ECs to hypoxia (PO2 approximately 14 Torr) led to a time- and dose-dependent increase in monolayer permeability, as measured by diffusion of radiolabeled solutes, which was associated with a progressive decrease in EC cAMP levels from 60 to 15 pmol/mg protein, and a decrease in EC adenylate cyclase activity. The change in endothelial barrier function was prevented by addition of cAMP analogues. Pertussis toxin protected EC monolayers from hypoxia-mediated increase in permeability while maintaining cAMP levels and adenylate cyclase activity. Addition of dexamethasone to EC monolayers before or simultaneously with their incubation under hypoxic conditions blocked the hypoxia-mediated increase in monolayer permeability. Dexamethasone pretreatment also prevented the decline in cAMP and adenylate cyclase levels in oxygen-deprived cultures. These data indicate that hypoxia decreases EC barrier function by lowering adenylate cyclase activity and cellular cAMP levels. They suggest that dexamethasone may exert its protective effect, in part, by preventing the hypoxia-induced decline in adenylate cyclase activity, leading to an increase in cellular cAMP and maintenance of EC barrier function.

Animals

Synthesis and release of interleukin 1 by reoxygenated human mononuclear phagocytes.

To examine the possible involvement of cytokines in reperfusion injury, we have studied production of IL-1 by human vascular cells, including smooth muscle and mononuclear phagocytes. Exposure of cells to hypoxia (pO2 approximately 14 torr) followed by reoxygenation led to significant release of IL-1 only from the mononuclear phagocytes. Elaboration of IL-1 was dependent on the oxygen tension and duration of hypoxia (optimal at lower pO2s, approximately 14-20 torr, and after 9 h), as well as the time in reoxygenation (maximal IL-1 release at 6-9 h). Although a period of hypoxia was necessary for subsequent IL-1 production during reoxygenation of either peripheral blood monocytes or cultured monocyte-derived macrophages, no IL-1 release occurred during the hypoxic exposure. IL-1 released during reoxygenation was newly synthesized, and its production was triggered by the generation of oxygen free radicals, as it could be blocked by the addition of either allopurinol or free radical scavengers to cultures and could be stimulated in part by low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide or xanthine/xanthine oxidase. The potential pathophysiological effects of IL-1-containing supernatants from reoxygenated macrophages was shown by their induction of endothelial tissue factor and enhancement of endothelial adhesiveness for neutrophils, both of which could be blocked by anti-IL-1 antibody. The relevance of IL-1 to hypoxia/reoxygenation in vivo was suggested by the presence of circulating nanogram amounts of this cytokine in the plasma of mice during the reoxygenation period following a hypoxia.

Animals

Hypoxia-mediated induction of endothelial cell interleukin-1 alpha. An autocrine mechanism promoting expression of leukocyte adhesion molecules on the vessel surface.

Tissue injury that accompanies hypoxemia/reoxygenation shares features with the host response in inflammation, suggesting that cytokines, such as IL-1, may act as mediators in this setting. Human endothelial cells (ECs) subjected to hypoxia (PO2 approximately 12-14 Torr) elaborated IL-1 activity into conditioned media in a time-dependent manner; this activity was completely neutralized by an antibody to IL-1 alpha. Production of IL-1 activity by hypoxic ECs was associated with an increase in the level of mRNA for IL-1 alpha, and was followed by induction of endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 and enhanced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) during reoxygenation. During reoxygenation there was a three- to five-fold increased adherence of leukocytes, partly blocked by antibodies to endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 and ICAM-1. Suppressing endothelial-derived IL-1, using either antibodies to IL-1 alpha, specific antisense oligonucleotides or the IL-1 receptor antagonist, decreased leukocyte adherence to reoxygenated ECs, emphasizing the integral role of IL-1 in the adherence phenomenon. Mice subjected to hypoxia (PO2 approximately 30-40 Torr) displayed increased plasma levels of IL-1 alpha, induction of IL-1 alpha mRNA in the lung, and enhanced expression of ICAM-1 in pulmonary tissue compared with normoxic controls. These data suggest that hypoxia is a stimulus which induces EC synthesis and release of IL-1 alpha, resulting in an autocrine enhancement in the expression of adhesion molecules.

Animals

[Development of a new method for calibration of pneumotachograph according to flow rate--evaluation of a computer-controlled-system for assessing respiratory gas exchange using this method].

1) We evaluated the method for calibrating the pneumotachograph according to flow rate by the software on personal computer. Flow volume was detected using the approximated equation (y = 1.294x2 + 0.989x + 35.824, r = 0.976, p less than 0.01) from various mean flow rate and integration of output voltage. The error between syringe volume (21) and the estimated value on the equation was 10 +/- 8 ml (0.48 +/- 0.42%). 2) Using the method described in 1), we developed computer-controlled-system for assessing respiratory gas exchange by mixing chamber method. To evaluate the accuracy of the system as compared with the Douglas Bag method, we measured the gas parameters of the both methods for two male subjects at rest(3 and 5min) and steady state exercise (3 min., 60-240watt). The error between the both methods were within +/- 5% in ventilation(VE), mixed expired O2 (FEO2) and CO2 (FECO2) concentration, and were within +/- 8% in O2 uptake(VO2) and CO2 production (VCO2). There were high positive correlation (r greater than 0.99, p less than 0.01) between the both methods in the all parameters. These results indicate that the system in this study would be practical use, that VE can be measured in only one pneumotachograph, even if the range of flow rate was wide(e.g. from rest to heavy exercise).

Adult

New three-dimensional moving field radiation therapy for brain tumors.

A new modified rotation radiation method called "three-dimensional moving field radiation therapy" is described. The new method uses rotation in many planes while maintaining the the same isocenter to achieve a good spatial dose distribution. This delivers a high dose to tumors and spares the surrounding normal structures. This easy method can be carried out using the equipment for conventional rotation radiation therapy. The new method was superior to the one plane rotation radiation therapy using a physical phantom with film, a chemical phantom using the iodine-starch reaction, and a new biological model using tumor cells. Treatment of six brain tumors irradiated with total air doses of 50-60 Gy caused no hair loss or radiation necrosis.

Animals

Quantitative measurement of regional cerebral blood flow using N-isopropyl-(iodine-123)p-iodoamphetamine and single-photon emission computed tomography.

We have developed a quantitative method of measuring regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) by using N-isopropyl-(iodine-123)p-iodoamphetamine and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Twenty-five dynamic SPECT images (24 sec/scan) were collected immediately after tracer injection using a ring-type SPECT system and the accumulation curve (C(t)) was obtained. The time-activity curve corresponding to the arterial blood activity curve was used as B(t). The latter curve was calculated from the lung time-activity curve monitored during scanning and corrected by the actual activity obtained by one-point blood sampling 5 min after tracer injection. The octanol extraction ratio during scanning was considered to be constant and taken as the value measured 5 min after tracer injection (E). The uptake constant (K) per pixel was calculated by the least squares fitting method as the slope of the linear relationship in which C(t)/E x B(t) was plotted against E x integral of t(o)B(tau)d tau/E x B(t). Functional maps of rCBF values were obtained on a 64 x 64 matrix by calculating the uptake constant per pixel and the cross calibration factor (CF) between the SPECT system and a well counter (rCBF = K.CF x 100).

Adult