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Biomedical subjects

T Ohtsubo

Publications and source records attributed to T Ohtsubo.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Application of the ATP-bioluminescence assay to thermosensitivity testing for head and neck cancer.

We investigated the usefulness of the ATP assay as a thermosensitivity test in comparison with a colony-forming assay (CFA). The intracellular ATP levels in KB cells were markedly decreased after exposure to hyperthermia (43 degrees C for 1 h), reaching less than half that in the control cells in 12-18 h, and recovering gradually thereafter. The effect of hyperthermia assessed by the ATP assay closely correlated to that assessed by CFA, not only when KB cells were heated at 42, 43, and 44 degrees C but also in the conditions where L, KB and IMC-3 cell lines were heated at 43 degrees C. Findings showed that the ATP assay can be performed easily and more quickly than CFA for evaluating cell viability after heating. We also investigated heterogeneous responses to hyperthermia in cells from fresh surgical specimens of tumors. Thus, this rapid and reliable test was found to be useful for predicting the outcome of hyperthermia as a clinical treatment.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

[Inhibition of apoptosis by a baculovirus p35 gene].

The baculovirus gene p35 inhibits virus-induced apoptosis in insect cells. p35 can also inhibit developmentally programmed cell death in Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila, mammalian neuronal cell death induced by serum or NGF deprivation, and Fas- and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced apoptosis in mammalian cells, indicating that p35 may interrupt an evolutionally conserved component of the death machinery. Recently it has been shown that p35 protein functions as an inhibitor of ICE/CED-3 cysteine protease family that seem to play an important role in an apoptotic pathway. This observation indicates that p35 may inhibit apoptosis by directly blocking the activities of these cysteine proteases in diverse animals.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effects of sequence and temperature of hyperthermia and peplomycin on human pharyngeal carcinoma KB cells in vitro.

To maximize the interactive effect, we examined the time sequence of high (above 43 degrees C) or low (below 43 degrees C)-hyperthermia and peplomycin (PEP)(0.5 microgram/ml). Simultaneous or post-hyperthermic PEP treatment at 44 degrees C resulted in a slight synergistic effect with thermoenhancement ratios (TER) of 1.30 or 1.34, respectively. However, at 42 degrees C, maximal interaction was obtained (TER = 10.19) when KB cells were simultaneously heated with PEP. Furthermore, pre-treatment at 44 degrees C for 25 min or 42 degrees C for 4 h enhanced PEP cytotoxicity more than that of post-treatment at 44 degrees C for 25 min or 42 degrees C for 4 h, respectively. However, chemoenhancement ratios (CER) of pre-treatment at 44 degrees C for 25 min and at 42 degrees C for 4 h were 19.1 and 3.5, respectively, although the isothermic dose decreased the cell count to 60% in both cases. These results indicated that simultaneous or post-hyperthermic PEP treatment with high-hyperthermia, and simultaneous PEP treatment with low-hyperthermia, are the most effective means of PEP thermochemotherapy with hyperthermia.

Cell Survival↗

[Yearly changes of isolated organisms from the respiratory tract in Hokusho Central Hospital].

Isolated organisms from the respiratory tract have been studied in our hospital from 1986 to 1993. The total number of samples were 18,345 and samples which showed 10(5) cfu/ml organisms were 8648 in our hospital for 8 years. Enterobacteriacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and glucose nonfermenting gram-negative rods were major isolates in 8 years. Haemophilus influenzae, which used to be the commonest isolate, decreased from 10.9% in 1993 while Enterobacteriacae increased from 8.9% in 1986 to 17.6% in 1993. S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae were major isolates from out-patients consisting of 50%, followed by Enterobacteriacae, P. aeruginosa and MSSA. Enterobacteriacae and P. aeruginosa were major isolates from in-patients, followed by MRSA and beta-Streptococcus. Streptococcus agalactiae, Serratia marcescens and Corynebacterium spp. prevailed especially in the geriatric ward. S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis were major isolates from patients with pneumoconiosis, especially in winter.

Bacteria↗

[Isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from environments (pigeon excreta) in Nagasaki].

Cryptococcosis is one of the serious deep-seated mycoses in immunocompromised patients, especially those with AIDS. Cryptococcus neoformans ordinarily lives in natural environments such as soil and reproduces in pigeon excreta. It spreads in the air and infects human by inhalation. We isolated C. neoformans from pigeon excreta in hospitals, private houses, parks in Nagasaki from October to December in 1994. C. neoformans was isolated from 4 of 8 samples (50%) of pigeon excreta and the isolation rate increased to 80% (4/5) if they were weathered excreta. Two patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis occurred in the last two years in the area where C. neoformans was isolated during that period. Epidemiological studies of clinical isolates and environmental isolates are important to determine its origin of infection and the route of transmission.

Animals↗

Endoscopic polypectomy for pacemaker patients.

Endoscopic polypectomy using high frequency voltage is contraindicated in patients with cardiac pacemakers. Recently, highly advanced pacemakers have enabled us to perform endoscopic polypectomy on these patients by taking appropriate cautions. We successfully removed 10 colonic polyps and one gastric polyp in patients with pacemakers by endoscopic polypectomy. No complication and dysfunction of the pacemaker occurred before, during or after the polypectomy.

Aged↗

[Coexisting respiratory tract infection and bacteremia or sepsis caused by the same bacterium].

We experienced 12 patients who were suffering from bacteremia or sepsis and pneumonia or lung abscess coincidently caused by the same bacterium, during the 8 years from 1985 to 1992 a Hokusyo Central Hospital. All of them has some underlying diseases, and the average age was 73.6 years old. In ten out of 12 patients bacteremia or sepsis preceded the respiratory tract infection, and in 7 cases indwelling intravenous catheter was thought to be the port of entry of the bacteria. Respiratory tract infections were composed of pneumonia in 8 cases and lung abscess in 4 cases. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was detected in 4 cases, Methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were in 2 cases respectively, Citrobacter freundii and Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus spp. were in one cases respectively. Eight out of 12 cases died in spite of current antibiotics therapy, suggesting poor prognosis.

Aged↗

[Three cases of Pasteurella multocida infection in the respiratory tract].

Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) is well recognized as "normal flora" in the upper respiratory tract of cats, dogs and other animals. Recently, various infections due to P. multocida in human have been noted as pulmonary infections in the patients with chronic pulmonary diseases as well as skin abscesses or septicemia after an animal bite or scratch. We report here three cases of respiratory tract infections caused by P. multocida. The first two patients had acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis caused by P. multocida and the other patients with pulmonary emphysema developed pneumonia. These three patients improved by antibiotic therapy. In Japan, P. multocida respiratory tract infection is rare, but it may become more common in the future. Therefore, it seems to be important to take this pathogen into consideration in the management of chronic lung disease.

Adult↗

[A case of HTLV-1 carrier associated with pulmonary cryptococcosis and thymoma].

A 46-year-old female was admitted to our hospital on December 1991 for further examination of an abnormal shadow on chest X-ray. A huge mass in the upper mediastinum and a thin-walled cavitary lesion in the right upper lobe were found by chest radiography and computed tomography. On March 2, 1992, surgical resection was performed with pathological diagnosis of thymoma for the mediastinal mass and pulmonary cryptococcosis for the cavitary lesion. Although ATL cells were not found in the peripheral blood, anti-HTLV-1 antibody was found to be positive. Natural killer cell activity was lower than normal control and other tests of humoral and cell-mediated immunity were normal. Histological examination of the specimens obtained from the thymoma revealed lymphocytic predominance without atypical cells such as ATL cells, but with integration of HTLV-1 proviral DNA. There seemed to be a causal relationship between HTLV-1 carrier state and thymoma. Since there are no reported cases of HTLV-1 carrier associated with pulmonary cryptococcosis and thymoma, we report the first case with a review of the literature.

Carrier State↗

[Clinical effect of the combined therapy of arbekacin and imipenem/cilastatin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus].

We evaluated the efficacy of combined therapy of arbekacin (ABK) and imipenem/cilastatin (IPM/CS) against infections by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The MICs of ampicillin, cefmetazole, cefotiam, cefuzonam, flomoxef, fosfomycin, ofloxacin, minocycline, ABK and IPM/CS against clinically isolated strains of MRSA were examined. Almost all strains of MRSA were resistant to these antibiotics except ABK. Furthermore, combination of ABK and IPM/CS showed smaller MICs than that of ABK or IPM/CS alone. All fractional inhibitory concentration indices (FIC indices) of ABK plus IPM/CS were lower than 0.75. The efficacy rate of combined therapy of ABK and IPM/CS in 22 patients with MRSA infections (15 patients with pneumonia, 3 patients with chronic bronchitis, 2 patients with sepsis, a patient with subcutaneous abscess and a patient with DPB) was 68%. And no patients had adverse reactions. Six (27%) of 22 strains of MRSA were eradicated. Significant correlations were found between bacteriological effect and severity of disease, and between serum albumin level and clinical effect.

Aged↗

Free peroneal and its composite flap: a distant donor for head and neck reconstruction.

Free peroneal or its composite flap from the leg has been transferred in four patients for oro-mandibular and hypopharyngeal defects following surgery for malignancy. These flaps were successfully transplanted in all patients: two cases of free peroneal flap and two of free fibular graft with skin with no resulting problems with the leg. The peroneal osteocutaneous flap offers the following advantages: The axial vessels are preferable for microvascular surgery. Two flaps can be used with two cutaneous branches. A flap measuring up to 16 x 4.5 cm can be utilized with primary closure at the donor site. A long bone can be obtained together with skin. Surgery on the neck and harvesting of the flap can be done at the same time. The donor site is not conspicuous.

Aged↗

[A case of Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus meningitis].

A 40-year-old male with no history of underlying disease was admitted to Hokusho Central Hospital on May 25, 1991, complaining of high fever and headache. Physical examination on admission revealed a temperature of 38.5 degrees C, a pulse rate of 84 beat/min (relative bradycardia) and no abnormal findings for the chest or abdomen. Slight neck stiffness without Kernig's sign was observed at neurological examination. Laboratory data were: ESR 11 mm/lh, WBC 12000/mm3, C-reactive protein positive. Lumbar puncture showed an initial pressure of 230 mmH2O; CSF revealed a cell count of 2633/3 mm3 with mononuclear pleocytosis, total protein of 76 mg/dl and sugar of 54 mg/dl (CSF:blood glucose ratio 0.47). We initially suspected tuberculous or cryptococcal meningitis, but Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus (C. fetus) was isolated from the CSF and venous blood on the 27th hospital day. IPM/CS 1 g/day, MINO 200 mg/day and FOM 4 g/day were intravenously administered. This antibiotic therapy was very effective: the patient was soon afebrile, and gradually all signs and symptoms were resolved. C. fetus was sensitive to IMP/CS, MINO, KM, GM, EM, OFLX, CP. The patient was discharged with no complication. He has eaten raw beef frequently before admission, but stool culture for C. fetus was negative.

Adult↗

Chemoembolotherapy for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma in the residual liver after hepatectomy.

The efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization using Lipiodol (TACE) to treat recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (r-HCC) in the residual liver after radical hepatic resection was evaluated. During the last 8 years, TACE was performed in 68 patients with r-HCC for an aggregate total of 150 times. Of the 68 patients, 4 had a massive type r-HCC with tumor thrombus in the main portal vein (PVTT) at the time of the first TACE. Among the remaining 64 patients without PVTT, multiple r-HCCs were revealed in 46, and a single r-HCC in 18 by angiography and/or follow-up CT scans after the initial TACE. In 26 of the 68 patients (38.2%), at least one or more r-HCCs were fed not only by the hepatic arteries, but also by the extrahepatic collateral arteries, such as branches of the right inferior phrenic artery. The cumulative survival rates of these patients after hepatectomy and after the initial TACE for r-HCC were 98.6% and 87.1% for one year, 89.7% and 62.9% for 2 years, 74.0% and 34.3% for 3 years, 53.1% and 20.0% for 4 years and 40.3% and 0% for 5 years (mean survival duration: 1,647 days and 947 days), respectively. These results indicate that repeat TACE against r-HCC can help obtain long-term survival in patients with r-HCC. However, during TACE, we must give consideration to the newly developed collateral feeding artery to the r-HCC.

Adult↗

Diagnostic difficulty in a case of heterotopic pancreatic tissue of the ileum.

We describe a case of heterotopic pancreatic tissue of the ileum causing acute gastrointestinal tract bleeding. It was initially clearly demonstrated as an ileal polyp preoperatively by radiologic means. Exploratory surgery was performed, and the segment of ileum containing the mass was resected. Histopathologic examination of the lesion revealed heterotopic pancreatic tissue of Heinrich type II. There was no histological evidence of acute or chronic pancreatitis, but erosion was confirmed at the tip of the mass. Even symptomatic heterotopic pancreatic tissue of the ileum may give difficult diagnostic problems. The present case is reported to show the possibility of diagnosing rare abnormalities of the ileum.

Choristoma↗