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Biomedical subjects

S Oka

Publications and source records attributed to S Oka.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

A low-molecular-size LM2 allergen in mite, Dermatophagoides farinae, extracts containing feces which elicits conjunctival reactions in patients with bronchial asthma.

A low-molecular-size antigen, LM2, which possesses a significant activity to elicit histamine release, was isolated from an ultrafilterable (Mr-cutoff < 10k) fraction of a mite extract containing feces by consecutive chromatography on Ultrogel AcA 54 and Sephadex G-25. The isolated antigen was still heterogeneous glycoproteins, giving a smeary band around pI 3-5 on an Ampholine PAG plate, with molecular weights of 6-8k and 4k on SDS-PAGE and Sephadex G-50 gel filtration, respectively. Chemical treatments of the antigen suggested that the epitope responsible for the elicitation of histamine release resided in the protein moiety. The antigen had activities to provoke conjunctival congestion and histamine release in mite-allergic patients, but not immunogenicity by itself. The antigen competitively inhibited the reactions of HM1, HM2, and HM3 fractions to corresponding antisera, but did not cross-react with anti-Der f I or anti-Der f II sera.

Allergens↗

[Early cytomegalovirus retinitis].

We report the clinical course of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) from the initial onset. The patient was a 40-year-old human immunodeficiency virus antibody-positive male with hemophilia A. He was diagnosed as having AIDS on the basis of pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Ophthalmoscopic examination disclosed a small white punctate lesion at the macular area in his right eye. Because the lesion enlarged gradually with hemorrhages, it was suspected to be CMV retinitis. However, further examination was impossible due to his severe general condition. He died five months later and the autopsy disclosed disseminated CMV infection. Ocular histopathological examination revealed CMV retinitis. The earliest sign of CMV retinitis is supposed to be a white punctate retinal lesion, which becomes a small white patchy lesion resembling a cotton-wool spot. It may gradually progress to diffuse retinal involvement, frequently associated with hemorrhages.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Enhanced expression of catalytic subunits of protein phosphatase type 1 and high S-phase fraction in liposarcoma.

The expression of the three catalytic subunits of protein phosphatase (PP) type 1 and 2A, PP1 alpha, PP1 gamma 1, and PP2AC, was examined in 8 cases of lipoma as a benign tumor and 4 cases of liposarcoma as a malignant tumor using immunohistochemical analysis. Both types of of tumor cells stained positively with antisera against PP1 catalytic subunit isoforms PP1 alpha and PP1 gamma 1 were significantly higher in liposarcoma than in lipoma. Furthermore, liposarcoma showed a markedly high S-phase fraction in the cell cycle of tumor cells, as compared with lipoma. These results suggest that PP1 is involved in the accelerated growth of malignant cells in liposarcoma.

Adult↗

Enhanced expression of catalytic subunit isoform PP1 gamma 1 of protein phosphatase type 1 in malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

The expression of the three catalytic subunits of protein phosphatase (PP) type 1 and 2A, PP1 alpha, PP1 gamma 1, and PP2AC, was examined in malignant fibrous histiocytoma using immunohistochemical analysis. The percentage of cells stained positively with antiserum against PP1 catalytic subunit isoform PP1 gamma 1 was significantly higher in tumorous region than in non-tumorous region of malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Furthermore, tumorous region showed markedly high S-phase fraction in the cell cycle, as compared to non-tumorous region. These results suggest that PP1 gamma 1 is involved in the accelerated growth of tumor cells in malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

Adult↗

[Classification of post-cordotomy dysesthesia].

Postcordotomy dysesthesia was classified from the clinical features of dysesthesia following percutaneous cervical cordotomy (PCC) in 66 patients. Dysesthesia occurred in 10 (15.2%) of 66 patients and was classified into three types. In the first type, dysesthesia occurred at the region where pain had been before PCC, and pain sensitivity had been lost due to PCC. This type of dysesthesia occurred in 6 patients. In this type, the peripheral nerve damage caused by tumor invasion was presumably the cause of dysesthesia. In the second type, dysesthesia occurred all over the region where pain sensitivity had been lost due to PCC. This type of dysesthesia occurred in 2 patients. The destruction of second order neurons of the nociceptive pathway by PCC was presumably the cause of this type of dysesthesia. In the third type, dysesthesia occurred at the region where pain had been before PCC and pain sensitivity had partially recovered. This type of dysesthesia occurred in 3 patients. The reduction of the effect of PCC was presumably the cause of this type of dysesthesia.

Adolescent↗

[Burst fracture: osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture associated with paraplegia].

It is rare that vertebral compression fracture of senile osteoporosis causes paraplegia. This article reviews 164 cases reported in Japan since 1974. These fractures were characterized as follows: 1) paraplegia occurred in elderly females (average 69.3 years old) with severe osteoporosis, 2) traumatic histories were revealed in 52%, 3) 91% of the fractures were classified into burst type, 4) location was in the thoracolumber region (80.5%), 5) average onset of paraplegia was 5.7 months after fracture. One hundred and twenty nine cases were surgically treated either by anterior vertebral fusion or by posterior instrumentation and 35 cases were conservatively treated. Surgical cases showed better recovery of walking ability than conservative cases.

Aged↗

[Foscarnet for cytomegalovirus retinitis in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome].

A 41-year-old man with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) developed cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis. Intravenous administration of ganciclovir arrested progression of the retinitis, but it was discontinued due to side effects of severe anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia. Reactivation of CMV retinitis occurred two weeks after stopping ganciclovir, and then forscarnet was given intravenously. The response was prompt with resolution of the retinitis. There was no progression of retinitis during the treatment. The patient experienced renal dysfunction as a side effect of foscarnet, but it was reversible. As with ganciclovir, foscarnet appeared to be an effective drug for CMV retinitis associated with AIDS. Both drugs have severe adverse events: foscarnet causes renal dysfunction and ganciclovir causes myelosuppression, that necessitated discontinuation of the therapy. We suggest that alternating ganciclovir and foscarnet administration, switching to other treatment on the basis of the clinical response and side effects of the drugs, is an efficacious regimen for the treatment of CMV retinitis associated with AIDS.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

[A pharmacokinetic study on high-dose methotrexate administration--the effects of volume changes of parenteral solutions on the elimination rate].

Methotrexate (MTX) serum concentrations were measured in 7 cases (2 patients) in which a high-dose administration of MTX with citrovorum factor rescue for osteogenic sarcoma were performed for repressing activity in the original lesion and satellite micrometastasis. In the pharmacokinetic analysis, the changes of MTX serum concentrations were explained by a 2-compartment open model under the assumption that the elimination rate was proportional to both of volume of parenteral solution and the amount of water intake. It was suggested that MTX serum concentration could be controlled by adjusting the volumes of parenteral solutions. MTX amount in the peripheral compartment was found about ten times larger than that in the central compartment after about 40 h of administration. It is considered that an early increase in the volumes of parenteral solutions is effective to keep the safety level of MTX serum concentration, and continuous infusion is important for avoiding the severe side effects caused by delayed elimination of MTX.

Bone Neoplasms↗

Cytochrome P-450-butyl peroxide complex detected by ESR.

ESR measurements were performed for the reaction systems composed of t- or n-butylhydroperoxide and cytochrome P-450 (UT-2), purified from rat liver microsomes. On addition of n-butylhydroperoxide to the P-450 at pH 7.4, ESR signal due to a ferric low-spin species (g1 = 2.29, g2 = 2.24 and g3 = 1.96) was recorded. The observed g-parameters agreed well with those of a model thiolate-heme-iron(III)-peroxide complex, Fe(III)TPP(-S-TGE) (-OO-t-butyl) (g1 = 2.285, g2 = 2.198 and g3 = 1.959). In terms of the g-parameters, the new P-450 complex was concluded to be a P-450-butyl peroxide adduct, in which a butyl peroxide anion ligates at the sixth position of heme iron(III).

Animals↗

Detection of antibody IgG to HIV-1 in urine by sensitive enzyme immunoassay (immune complex transfer enzyme immunoassay) using recombinant proteins as antigens for diagnosis of HIV-1 infection.

For diagnosis of HIV-1 infection, attempts were made to detect anti-HIV-1 IgG in urine by sensitive enzyme immunoassay (immune complex transfer enzyme immunoassay) using recombinant reverse transcriptase (RT) and p17 as antigens. Anti-HIV-1 IgG in urine was reacted simultaneously with 2,4-dinitrophenyl-bovine serum albumin-recombinant protein conjugate and recombinant protein-enzyme conjugate. The enzymes used as labels were horseradish peroxidase for RT and Escherichia coli beta-D-galactosidase for p17. The complex formed, consisting of the three components, was trapped onto polystyrene balls coated with affinity-purified (anti-2,4-dinitrophenyl group) IgG, eluted with epsilon N-2,4-dinitrophenyl-L-lysine and transferred to polystyrene balls coated with affinity-purified (anti-human IgG gamma-chain) IgG. Finally, bound enzyme activity was assayed by fluorometry. Urine samples were collected from 100 seronegative subjects and 70 seropositive subjects. The sensitivity and specificity were both 100% with unconcentrated urine samples. The positivity was confirmed by preincubation of urine samples with excess of the antigens. The positivity and negativity with one of the two antigens could be confirmed with the other antigen. The positivity with low signals could be confirmed by concentration of urine samples. Detection of anti-HIV-1 IgG in urine by the immune complex transfer enzyme immunoassay using different antigens would make diagnosis of HIV-1 infection possible.

Adolescent↗

Direct monitoring as well as sensitive diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia by the polymerase chain reaction on sputum samples.

In order to evaluate the usefulness of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for diagnosis and monitoring of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in specimens obtained from non-invasive techniques, expectorated or induced sputa were collected from 30 patients who were tentatively diagnosed as having PCP and administered intravenous trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Using appropriate criteria, 13 of these cases were diagnosed as having PCP, 12 cases were diagnosed of other pulmonary diseases, and five cases were omitted from the study according to the exclusion criteria. PCR was performed using primers based on the P. carinii 5S rRNA sequence. Pneumocystis carinii was detected in nine of the 13 defined cases (sensitivity of 69%) and in none of 12 non-PCP cases (specificity of 100%). In contrast, P. carinii was detected in only one case by microscopic examination using Diff-Quik stain. Therefore, the sensitivity of PCR was significantly higher than that observed with the stain (P < 0.05, chi 2 = 6.125). Sputum samples were also obtained from eight cases during the treatment. The eradication of P. carinii from the sputum as judged by PCR varied from three to 38 days (median 6.5 days) after the start of the treatment. Pneumocystis carinii shedding in sputum correlated with the time between initial clinical symptoms and initiation of the treatment (P < 0.05, r = 0.810), but not with the tension of PaO2 at the time of diagnosis. This preliminary study demonstrates that PCR allows early diagnosis of PCR and that close monitoring with non-invasive specimens can be performed by PCR.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

A case of perianal Paget's disease associated with a sigmoid colon carcinoma.

A case of perianal invasive Paget's disease associated with a sigmoid colon carcinoma is presented. The chief complaint was perianal irritation for a year. Histologic examination yielded a correct diagnosis and abdominosacral resection with wide excision of the cutaneous component was performed. Histology of the resected specimen revealed the Paget's disease to be invasive of the dermis, the sigmoid colon carcinoma to be in Dukes' A stage and the two lesions to be different. The patient has been disease-free for more than 5 years after the operation.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Synergic activity of imipenem/cilastatin combined with cefotiam against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

The synergic activity of imipenem/cilastatin combined with cefotiam was studied in a mouse bacteraemia model. Combinations of imipenem plus cefotiam in ratios from 1:5 to 1:160 were more effective than either imipenem alone or cefotiam alone (P < 0.05). Synergy was observed against both beta-lactamase producing and beta-lactamase non-producing MRSA. Staggered combinations of imipenem with cefotiam (each drug was administered at a different time) were studied in an in-vitro pharmacokinetic system to clarify relationships between killing kinetics and pharmacodynamics of the combinations. In the in-vitro system, cefotiam (1 g over 30 min) administered 2 h after imipenem administration (250 mg over 30 min) reduced viable cell counts to an undetectable level and maintained this for 4 h, while the simultaneous administration of imipenem and cefotiam maintained an undetectable cell count for only 2 h. Furthermore, imipenem administered after cefotiam showed no synergy. These results indicate that the timing of dosing of each antibiotic influences synergy, and administration of cefotiam 2 h after imipenem is more effective than the other regimens.

Animals↗

Characteristics of IgA antibodies against HIV-1 in sera and saliva from HIV-seropositive individuals in different clinical stages.

IgA antibodies were analysed in sera and saliva from 40 HIV-1 seropositive individuals. The level of total IgA in serum was elevated according to the progress of the disease. IgA antibodies against p24 and gp160 were detected in the asymptomatic phase of infection. However, they declined in the symptomatic phases in contrast with IgG antibodies. Interestingly, three patients in the symptomatic phase who showed high levels of IgA antibodies were all in relatively good clinical condition. The IgG and IgA antibodies in saliva declined in the symptomatic phase. The level of IgG anti-p24 antibodies in saliva correlated with that in serum, suggesting that IgG anti-p24 antibodies in saliva originated from those in the serum. These results indicate that IgA antibodies are regulated independently from IgG antibodies and that the mucosal immune system is impaired early in the symptomatic phase of HIV infection, which starts with mucosal impairment. Detection of IgA antibodies may be useful for prognosis of the disease in HIV-infected individuals. The results indicate also that treatment for the impaired IgA mucosal immune system should be taken into consideration.

AIDS-Related Complex↗

Stimulation and inhibition of polymorphonuclear leukocytes phagocytosis by lipoamino acids isolated from Serratia marcescens.

The role of the lipoamino acids (serratamolide and ornithine lipid), membrane lipid components of Serratia marcescens, was examined in phagocytosis and phagosome-lysosome fusion of human peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocytes. A mutant strain of Serratia marcescens (NS 38-09) lacking serratamolide was actively phagocytosed by human PMN, while the wild-type strain (NS 38) producing serratamolide was more resistant to phagocytosis by human PMN. Phagocytosis of killed Staphylococcus aureus coated with lipoamino acid (serratamolide), showed that they were more resistant to phagocytosis by PMN, while the cells coated with ornithine lipid or serratamic acid were phagocytosed more actively. Staphylococci coated with phosphatidylethanolamine or phosphatidylglycerol had no significant effect on phagocytosis by PMN. Phagosome-lysosome fusion by PMN labelled with acridine orange was examined by fluorescence microscopy. The fusion indices of lipoamino acid-coated staphylococci were the same as that of controls. Further, ornithine lipid-coated staphylococci stimulated the release of superoxide anion from PMN slightly, but serratamolide did not. These results suggested that serratamolide may contribute to the virulence of S. marcescens in vitro.

Depsipeptides↗

[Mutations of HIV-1 RT gene isolated from patients treated with AZT].

HIV-1 strains were isolated from three patients treated with AZT and from three patients not treated with AZT. Progenomes of HIV-1 RT gene were amplified by PCR and cloned to M13mp18 vecter. Four amino acid mutations in RT gene (Asp67, Lys70, Thr215, Lys219) associated with resistance to AZT were analysed. All of the 14 clones obtained from the three patients with AZT therapy had mutations at codon 215 (Thr-->Tyr or Phe). Some of the 14 clones also had other mutations at codon 67 (Asp-->Asn or Ser), codon 70 (Lys-->Arg) and codon 219 (Lys-->Glu). All of 18 clones obtained from the patients not treated with AZT have no mutation at any codon mentioned above.

Amino Acid Sequence↗