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Biomedical subjects

T Kubo

Publications and source records attributed to T Kubo.

At least 541 records · Page 30Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Pattern-reversal visual evoked potentials dissociated vertical deviation].

We recorded pattern-reversal visual evoked potentials (P-VEP) from dissociated vertical deviation (DVD) patients to evaluate the sensory system abnormalities in DVD. 91 DVD patients with good visual acuity were studied. Normal subjects and horizontal strabismic patients without DVD were compared for evaluation. Transient and steady state P-VEPs were recorded from three EEG electrodes placed on the posterior scalp. Half-field checker-board reversal stimulation was applied to stimulate monocular temporal retina and responses from right and left hemispheres were also compared for evaluation. Paradoxical lateralization was observed in all normal subjects. Abnormal P-VEPs were observed in 4 of 20 (20%) horizontal strabismic patients without DVD when employing the transient stimulation method and in 2 of 8 (25%) when using steady state stimulation. Abnormal P-VEPs were observed in 31 of 67 (46.3%) DVD patients, with the transient stimulation method and in 20 of 25 (80.0%) DVD patients with the steady state stimulation method. The abnormalities were various and diverse. Our observations indicate that DVD patients frequently have an abnormal sensory system detected by P-VEP, and DVD might be a complex and multi-origin condition involving both sensory and motor systems.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

The effect of enalapril and sairei-to on survival-time for the rat with subtotal nephrectomy.

The effect of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, enalapril, and a Japanese medicinal plant named sairei-to, after administration either alone or in combination, on survival-time due to the protection of proteinuria and the preserving of renal function, was studied in the rat with subtotal nephrectomy. Resection of 2/3 of the left kidney and removal of the right kidney was performed in 28 male Wister rats (220-250 g). The rats were divided into four groups: (1) control (without sairei-to or enalapril); (2) with sairei-to (2.5% in rat chow); (3) with enalapril (50 mg/l in drinking water); and (4) the combination of enalapril and sairei-to. The actual survival-times until natural death after renal ablation in these four groups were 92 +/- 3, 128 +/- 8, 199 +/- 19, and 194 +/- 13 days, respectively. Urinary protein excretion and renal function were markedly protected in the enalapril-treated rats. Urinary endothelin excretion was also attenuated in enalapril-treated rats. Statistical analysis revealed the absence of benefits with sairei-to alone or in combination treatment. In conclusion, enalapril provides protection of proteinuria and preserves renal function, which results in a longer survival-time in the rats having subtotal nephrectomy. However, sairei-to does not show such beneficial effects.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Neoplastic angioendotheliosis diagnosed by open lung biopsy].

Neoplastic angioendotheliosis (NAE) is a rare neoplastic disease, and its pre-mortem diagnosis is extremely difficult. A 49-year-old male developed vertigo, hearing and visual disturbance, transverse myelopathy below Th 5 and hypercalcemia. These symptoms were markedly improved by VEPA chemotherapy. Thirty-four months after onset, diffuse reticular shadows were noted on chest X-ray. The biopsy specimen of the lung revealed intravascular lymphoid cells differentially stained with L26 and LCA. Southern blot analysis of the DNA from the tissue showed rearranged bands for the immunoglobulin gene (JH). A diagnosis of NAE of B-cell nature was established.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1995

[Establishment of a cisplatin-resistant new human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line, Sawano cells].

A new human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line, Sawano cells, was established from an endometrial adenocarcinoma from a 61-year-old woman and has been maintained in vitro for more than 2 years and 10 months. The cells were found to form a monolayer in a mosaic fashion and to tend to pile up. Population doubling time was 43.2 hours at the 10th generation. The modal chromosomal number of the cell fell in a diploid range. Histology of the tumor induced in athymic mice showed it to be a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma which closely resembled the original human tumor. Estrogen and progesterone receptors were not demonstrated in the in vitro culture cells and in the tumors induced in nude mice, though they were positively demonstrated in the original tumor. The cells had intrinsic cisplatin-resistance (50% inhibition concentration:6.63 micrograms/ml) at 120 hours of contact. We believe this cell line with help us to investigate the biological mechanisms of CDDP resistance.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1995

[Clinical study on the intracranial arteriovenous malformation associated with pregnancy].

We studied twelve pregnancies in nine patients with arteriovenous malformation (AVM) managed at our hospital from January, 1984 to March, 1993. Three of the cases were diagnosed as subarachnoidal hemorrhage (SAH) and one as epilepsy during pregnancy. The AVM was resected surgically in two ruptured cases during pregnancy, and the fetus was delivered vaginally. In the other case of ruptured AVM delivery was by elective cesarean section. In the non-ruptured case delivery was vaginal. Two of the six patients who took an anticonvulsant developed hemolytic anemia, and one baby was born with a cleft lip and palete. We next retrospectively investigated 42 women who were followed up for AVM at the department of neurosurgery in our hospital from January, 1978 to March, 1995. Three pregnancies of a total of 46 pregnancies were complicated by a cerebral hemorrhage. The hemorrhage rate during pregnancy for women with unruptured AVM was 0.065 +/- 0.036 per person per year. There was no significant difference between the hemorrhage rate for pregnant women and that for nonpregnant women of childbearing age, and the risk for rupture of AVM was not increased in pregnancy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Establishment of a new human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line, Watanabe cells, containing estrogen receptor].

A new human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line, Watanabe cells, was established from the ascitic fluid of a relapsed endometrial adenocarcinoma obtained from a 58-year-old woman; this cell line has been maintained in vitro for more than 3 years and 8 months. The cells formed a monolayer in a mosaic fashion and tended to pile up and formed a hemicyst. The population boubling time was 60.0 hours at the 10th generation. The modal chromosomal number of the cells was in the diploid range. The histology of tumors induced by this cell line in athymic nude mice showed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, while the initial tumor was a well differentiated adenocarcinoma. Estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER, PR) were demonstrated in the original tumor, whereas ER but not PR were present in the tumors induced in nude mice. CA125, CA19-9 and other tumor markers were positive in culture media of this cell line. The cells showed intrinsic cisplatin-resistance (50% inhibition concentration: > 10 micrograms/ml) at 120 hours of exposure by MTT assay. We believe this cell line will be useful for investigating the mechanisms of progesterone therapy, the biological behaviors of the tumor markers and mechanisms of chemotherapeutic resistance in endometrial carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1995

Structure-function relationship of the xylanase from alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. strain 41M-1.

Xylanase J from alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. strain 41M-1 contains a family G catalytic domain at the N-terminus, followed by a linker sequence and a functionally-unknown C-terminal domain. The mutational analysis of xylanase J indicated that Glu-93, Glu-183, Trp-18, Trp-86, Tyr-84 and Tyr-95 play an important role in the catalytic activity. A deletion derivative of xylanase J lacking the C-terminal domain retained its activity, suggesting that the C-terminal domain does not directly involved in catalysis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

[Applicability of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy for enteral nutrition].

As the structure of social changes, there is new attention given to emerging methods of home medical care. In addition to decreasing daily costs and the number of patients admitted to hospital, a patient can receive treatment at home, on the tatami where he feels comfortable. Is this not the ultimate goal of medicine? As a result of home care, a patient's quality of life can be improved, a great step for medicine. A growing option for home feeding system is administration of HEN (home enteral nutrition). Use of HEN will likely increase in the future, however, many problems associated with prescriptions and administrative systems need to be addressed. In this article, the clinical merits and drawbacks associated with PEG (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy), a new approach rapidly gaining acceptance will be examined.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Serum levels of intact molecular osteocalcin in children with growth hormone (GH) deficiency during GH therapy: an early predictor of GH therapy].

Recently we developed a sandwich enzyme immunoassay (EIA) specific for intact molecular osteocalcin (I-OC), produced only by osteoblast cell and partially released into blood circulation, to establish a specific biochemical marker of bone formation. In order to confirm whether serum I-OC levels constitute a specific marker for bone formation and to assess the relationship between serum I-OC levels and growth response to growth hormone (GH) therapy, we measured the serum I-OC in serial serum samples using this EIA from 61 children with GH deficiency who showed significant bone growth during GH therapy. The serum I-OC levels in children with GH deficiency before GH therapy were slightly lower than those in normal children (Kanzaki S. et al., J. Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1992;75:1104-9), and had a wide distribution overlapped with the normal range. These levels were apparently increased during GH treatment; that is, in contrast to the levels of 22.9 +/- 1.5 ng/ml (mean +/- SE) before GH treatment, the levels after 1 and 2 months of GH treatment were 29.1 +/- 1.6 ng/ml and 32.5 +/- 1.8 ng/ml, respectively. However, they decreased slightly at 3 months and then they gradually rose to 37.5 +/- 2.8 ng/ml after 12 months, I-OC ratios, represented by the I-OC level at each month of GH therapy in relation to pretreatment level, correlated well with the growth response (growth velocity, growth velocity SD score and delta growth velocity SD score) after 12 months of GH treatment. Correlation coefficients of the growth velocity versus I-OC ratio at 1 and 6 months of GH treatment were 0.677 (p < 0.001, N = 58) and 0.752 (p < 0.001, N = 55), respectively. However, both IGF-I and ALP ratios represented in the same way as the I-OC ratio, correlated poorly as compared with the I-OC ratio. These results demonstrate that the change of serum I-OC levels indicates a direct and sensitive reflection of bone formation, because serum I-OC levels significantly increased with the growth response to GH therapy. The measurement of serum I-OC levels after 1 month of GH treatment may be a useful tool in predicting improved growth velocity during long-term GH therapy.

Body Height↗
PubMed1994

A multiple assay for vitamin D metabolites without high-performance liquid chromatography.

We describe a multiple assay of the three main vitamin D metabolites, 25OHD, 24,25(OH)2D, and 1,25(OH)2D, in 0.5 ml of serum, which does not require high-performance liquid chromatography. The assay involves extracting the serum with acetonitrile, separation and purification on a C-18/OH cartridge and a Sep-Pak silica cartridge, and quantitation using 1,25(OH)2D receptors from calf mammary gland for 1,25(OH)2D, and vitamin D binding protein for 25OHD and 24,25(OH)2D. For 25OHD, 24,25(OH)2D, and 1,25(OH)2D, the method is sensitive to 0.125 ng/tube, 0.025 ng/tube, and 0.5 pg/tube, with the B50 occurring at 1 ng/tube, 0.2 ng/tube, and 8 pg/tube, respectively. The coefficients of variation (SD/mean x 100%) intraassay (n = 8) were 5.4, 12.8, and 6.6% and interassay (n = 6) 12.3, 10.8, and 8.6%. The overall recovery was 80.4 +/- 5.5, 58.0 +/- 6.3, and 77.4 +/- 5.6% (mean +/- SD, n = 40). The validity of the assay was confirmed by dilution test, analytical recovery of added vitamin D metabolites, and comparison with a standard assay using HPLC. This assay offers a simple, rapid, and precise method with which to determine the three main vitamin D metabolites in small serum samples, so it should be particularly useful in studies of pediatrics or small animals.

Acetonitriles↗
PubMed1994

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors contribute to afferent synaptic transmission in the medial vestibular nucleus of young rats.

In the medial vestibular nucleus (MVN), the non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptors has been reported as operating at synapses between ipsilateral vestibular afferents and neurons. In the present study, we addressed the question of whether or not NMDA receptors contribute to afferent synaptic transmission in the MVN and if so, to what degree. Using nystatin-perforated or conventional whole-cell patch clamp methods in brainstem slices of young rats (postnatal day 4-6), we found that NMDA receptors contribute to a substantial extent to afferent synaptic transmission in the MVN of young rats.

2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate↗
PubMed1994

Expression of GABAA receptor gamma 1 and gamma 2 subunits in the peripheral vestibular system of the rat.

The distribution of GABAA receptor gamma 1 and gamma 2 subunits in the rat vestibular ganglion cells and end-organs was examined by using immunohistochemical techniques. Both gamma 1 and gamma 2 subunit-like immunoreactivities were observed in most vestibular ganglion cell bodies and peripheral terminal endings in the vestibular sensory epithelia. These results indicate that GABAA receptors are expressed in the vestibular afferent terminal endings and therefore suggest that GABA in addition to glutamate is a neurotransmitter which effects on vestibular afferents.

Afferent Pathways↗
PubMed1994

Suppression of interleukin 8 production by progesterone in rabbit uterine cervix.

Uterine cervical fibroblasts prepared from rabbits at 23 days of gestation were found to produce spontaneously the neutrophil chemotactic factor/interleukin 8 (IL-8). When the cells were treated with recombinant human interleukin 1 alpha and 1 beta (rhIL-1 alpha and -1 beta), both cytokines similarly enhanced the production of IL-8 in a dose-dependent manner. Recombinant tumour necrosis factor alpha also enhanced its production to a lesser extent, but interleukin 6 failed to modulate the production. Physiological concentrations of progesterone suppressed both the spontaneous and IL-1-mediated production of IL-8 in parallel with the decrease in the steady-state levels of its mRNA. These suppressive actions of progesterone were offset by co-treatment of cells with a progesterone antagonist, mifepristone (RU486). In conclusion, basal and IL-1-induced IL-8 production in rabbit uterine cervical fibroblasts is down-regulated by progesterone at the transcriptional level. These results obtained in vitro and our previous observations indicating that progesterone modulates the extra-cellular matrix breakdown via the suppression of production of matrix metalloproteinases and the augmentation of production matrix metalloproteinases and the augmentation of production of their specific inhibitors (TIMP-1) [Sato, Ito, Mori, Yamashita, Hayakawa and Nagase (1991) Biochem. J. 275, 645-650] may explain the mechanisms of the maintenance of pregnancy until parturition and the acceleration of uterine cervical ripening and dilatation at term.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Occurrence of galanin-like immunoreactivity in vestibular and cochlear efferent neurons after labyrinthectomy in the rat.

The origins of the vestibular and cochlear efferent systems lie in the lower brainstem and innervate the labyrinth. In the present study we investigated the changes in galanin-like immunoreactivity (GAL-IR) in the vestibular and cochlear efferent neurons in control and labyrinthectomized rats. In control animals, no GAL-IR was noticed in these neurons. However, in response to unilateral labyrinthectomy, similar GAL-IR was bilaterally expressed in the two systems. GAL-immunostained cells appeared on postoperative day 3 and reached a peak of intensity and number at postoperative week 2. Retrograde tracing by fluorogold combined with GAL immunohistochemistry demonstrated that, except for the cells of the contralateral lateral superior olivary nucleus (LSO), GAL-IR neurons project into the lesioned labyrinth.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Involvement of a DNA binding protein, MDR-NF1/YB-1, in human MDR1 gene expression by actinomycin D.

The human multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) gene is an SOS gene that responds to environmental stress including various anticancer agents. The chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene was linked to various lengths of MDR1 promoter, and these constructs were integrated into the genome of human cancer KB cells. Using these cell lines, we previously demonstrated that various environmental stimuli lead to an increased abundance of both CAT enzymatic activity and CAT mRNA in a sequence dependent manner. We examined the molecular mechanism of this stress response using actinomycin D, a potent RNA synthesis inhibitor. We found that CAT activity was significantly increased more than 10 fold by actinomycin D itself without comparable elevation of CAT mRNA. CAT induction was, however, lost in the presence of a deletion from position -136 to -76. Gel mobility shift assays showed that the specific DNA binding activity of the transacting protein, MDR-NF1/YB-1, which binds to the inverted CCAAT box, was augmented in nuclear extracts from the cells treated with actinomycin D. We also found that actinomycin D increased the steady state levels of MDR-NF1/YB-1 mRNA, which encodes the inverted CCAAT box binding protein. These results indicate that MDR-NF1/YB-1 mediates the response of the MDR1 gene to environmental stress.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗