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Biomedical subjects

T Okubo

Publications and source records attributed to T Okubo.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Postantibiotic effects (PAE's) of macrolide antibiotics evaluated using Bioscreen C method].

Postantibiotic effects (PAE's) of macrolide antibiotics were determined for Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis using viable counting and Bioscreen C method and the two methods were compared. No major differences between the two methods were observed. The Bioscreen C method was less laborious than the viable counting. The durations of PAE for S. aureus following exposures to erythromycin (EM), josamycin (JM) and rokitamycin (RKM) for 2 hours at twice the MICs were in ranges of 0.85 to 1.45, 2.36 to 3.48 and 1.93 to 5.45 hours, respectively. A definite PAE of 1.0 to 5.8 hours was also observed in E. faecalis strains exposed for 2 hours to EM, JM and RKM at twice the MICs.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1995

[A case of advanced gastric remnant carcinoma with Virchow's metastasis treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (low dose CDDP + 5-FU) followed by surgical resection].

The patient was a 64-year-old woman. At hospitalization she had gastric remnant carcinoma with Virchow's and paraaortic lymph node metastases, extensive local infiltration and obstructive jaundice. The lesions were considered nonresectable, and the patient was placed on neoadjuvant chemotherapy consisting of low-dose CDDP and 5-FU, which resulted in the disappearance of Virchow's and paraaortic lymph node metastases. She was considered to have a partial response (PR) and underwent lower esophageal resection, total remnant gastrectomy and splenectomy. Eight months after surgery, however, she died of disseminated carcinomatosis of bone marrow. Since this therapy was associated with only slightly adverse events (< or = Grade 1), this treatment modality appears to be safe. However, further studies will be necessary to identify what type of recurrence is responsive to this therapy and to evaluate its effect on patient survival.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1995

[Leukoencephalopathy in a patient being treated for small cell lung cancer].

A 62-year-old man was given a diagnosis of small cell lung cancer, and received 6 courses of combination chemotherapy (PE therapy) composed of cisplatin (80 mg/m2, day 1) and etoposide (100 mg/m2, days 1, 2, 3). Multiple brain metastases were found, and whole brain irradiation (44 Gy) was given. Eleven months after radiotherapy, he suffered from dizziness and abnormal gait. Enhanced CT of the head showed slight enlargement of the lateral ventricles and markedly low density of the white matter, but no evidence of intracranial tumor involvement. A magnetic resonance scan (axial T2-weighted) showed symmetric extensive hyperintensity in the white matter. Treatment-related leukoencephalopathy caused by the PE therapy and whole brain irradiation was diagnosed. He was alive 8 months after the appearance of neurological symptoms, without recurrence of lung cancer. A search of the literature revealed no previous report of leukoencephalopathy related to PE therapy.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1995

[Pulmonary tuberculosis with systemic lymph node swelling].

A 31-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of cervical and axillar lymph node swelling. A chest X-ray film showed many nodular shadows and a cavity in the left upper lung field. The tuberculin test was positive. Transbronchial lung biopsy and cervical lymph node biopsy were done. Examination of the biopsy specimens revealed epithelial granulomas with caseous necrosis. Thus, pulmonary tuberculosis with systemic lymph node swelling was diagnosed. Examinations during the patient's hospital stay showed that she was not an immunocompromised host. Pulmonary tuberculosis with systemic lymph node swelling occurs only rarely in a non-immunocompromised host.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Health-related worries, perceived health status, and health care utilization.

This study examines the association of health-related worries (over cancers, diabetes, work-related stress, heart attack, obesity, general physical fitness, and/or other health conditions) and perceived health status (excellent, good, fair or poor) to the utilization of health care services for 19, 139 Japanese local public service employees. Data on health-related worries and health status were obtained from a self-administered questionnaire survey in 1988 and analyzed in relation to the subsequent 12-month utilization of health care. Results showed that perceived health status was associated with the utilization for almost all medical conditions and so was worry over a specific condition and the subsequent utilization of health care services. The implication of these findings is that measures targeting the relief of an employee's health-related worries, through either health consultation or other health programs, may contribute to the reduction of an employee's health care utilization and costs.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

NF-kappa B and Sp1 regulate transcription of the human monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 gene.

Expression of the human monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (hMCP-1) is ubiquitous in various cell types and is increased by a wide variety of stimuli. We initially found that the effects of various stimuli, including IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, and 2-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate, on the expression of hMCP-1 mRNA were quite different among A172 glioblastoma cells, HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells, and SKLMS1 leiomyosarcoma cells. These findings suggested that hMCP-1 expression is regulated both in a stimulus-specific and a tissue-specific manner. To elucidate the mechanism underlying this stimulus-specific and tissue-specific regulation, we isolated a hMCP-1 5'-flanking genomic DNA fragment and sequenced it extensively up to bp 3011 upstream from the transcriptional start site. Among many putative cis-elements, we identified two cis-elements critical for the transcription of the hMCP-1 gene. The first element is a remote kappa B binding site located far upstream between bp -2612 and -2603 that was important for IL-1 beta-, TNF-alpha-, and 2-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate-induced enhancer activity. Mutation at the kappa B consensus site resulted in a complete loss of these stimulus-induced enhancer activities. The second element is a GC box located between bp -64 and -59 that was important for the maintenance of basal transcriptional activity. Overexpression of rSp1 resulted in increased hMCP-1 transcriptional activity, possibly suggesting the role of Sp1 in controlling basal hMCP-1 transcription via this GC box. These results together indicate that hMCP-1 expression is controlled by at least two distinct regulatory elements: a kappa B site and a GC box that seem to be associated with stimulus-specific and tissue-specific regulation, respectively.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Human monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expressed in a baculovirus system.

Human monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (hMCP-1) was produced using a baculovirus system. The hMCP-1 cDNA was inserted into the genomic DNA of Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) using a transfer vector, pJVP10Z. Spodoptera frugiperda insect cells, which were infected with this recombinant virus, secreted recombinant hMCP-1 (re-hMCP-1) at the level of 10-20 micrograms/ml of culture medium. This product was shown to chemoattract monocytes. Three distinct bands of 11, 11.5 and 12 kDa were revealed by immunoblotting analysis, and this heterogeneity was assigned to differences in carbohydrate processing. N-terminal amino-acid sequence analysis of the purified product revealed identity with hMCP-1. Thus, in this system, re-hMCP-1 was produced in large quantities and modified in a manner similar to native hMCP-1.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Cross-reactivity of IgM- and IgG-secreting B cells in murine chronic graft-versus-host reaction.

A chamber ELISpot assay was used to measure the frequency with which in vivo activated B cells secreted cross-reactive antibodies during a chronic graft-versus-host reaction in mice. Both normal (C57BL/10 x DBA/2)F1 mice and F1 recipients of syngeneic spleen cells (SynF1) expressed repertoires in which 13-17% of IgM and 3-5% of IgG-secreting cells were cross-reactive. By comparison, 43-55% of IgM and 9-40% of IgG-secreting cells from F1 recipients of parental DBA/2 spleen cells (GVHF1) were cross-reactive (P < 0.01, GVHF1 versus F1 or SynF1). The cross-reactivity of the GVHF1 IgM secreting cells remained elevated for > 2 months following cell transfer. In contrast, the cross-reactivity of IgG-secreting cells, which was significantly high at Week 3 post-transfer, declined to nearly normal levels by Week 9. These findings demonstrate that cross-reactive B cells constitute an abnormally large fraction of the repertoire expressed by mice with chronic GVHR in a period when B cell hyperstimulation was occurring.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Association between location of the lesion and discharge status of ADL in first stroke patients.

We investigated the relationship between the location of the lesion in the brain and discharge status of activities of daily living measured by Barthel index in 112 first-stroke patients who had survived to discharge. Physiatrists and radiologists determined the location of the lesion based on neuroanatomic classification of findings detected by head-computed tomography (CT) of the patients. A stepwise regression analysis showed that only one selected location, the right parietal lobe lesion, was negatively associated with discharge Barthel index (R2 = 0.04). However, low R2 indicated that factors other than CT findings could also influence discharge Barthel index, and thus location of the lesion detected by head CT should be considered as adjunctive on prediction of discharge status.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1994

Current status of occupational health in Japan.

In Japan, the primary administrative authority of occupational health is the Ministry of Labour, and its legislative basis is the Industrial Safety and Health Law (ISH law). Occupational health is mandated by this law and its enforcement involves the appointment of an occupational health physician (OP) for workplaces with 50 or more workers, and a full-time OP for workplaces with 1000 or more workers. The actual percentage of appointments filled for the former group is 83.4 per cent, compared with 58.4 per cent for the latter. The estimated number of OPs is 34000, of which 2000 work full time. Worker health examination is mandatory for all workplaces and many OPs allocate considerable time to its implementation. Occupational health organizations provide occupational health services such as worker health examinations to meet the demand. Basic training courses for OPs are provided by the Japan Medical Association and advanced courses are provided by the University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan. The Ministry of Labour recently launched a plan to establish occupational health centres to assist OPs at prefectural and regional levels. A network of such centres is planned to span the country within the next seven years.

Humans↗
PubMed1994

[Phase III clinical trial of KRN8601 (rhG-CSF) for neutropenia in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection].

The efficacy of KRN8601 for neutropenia associated with HIV infection was evaluated in 24 patients. KRN8601 was infused intravenously at a dosage of 200 micrograms/m2 for 14 consecutive days. Neutrophil counts recovered in 19 (90.5%) out of 21 evaluable patients by KRN8601 treatment. The concomitant myelosuppressive agents for the treatment of HIV infection and complications could be continued without dose reduction in 15 (88.2%) out of 17 patients. The clinical improvement was observed in 66.7% (12/18) of patients who were treated with anti-microbial agents for opportunistic infections which indicates that KRN8601 shows an additive effect on infections when it was given with anti-microbial agents. Adverse events and abnormal laboratory findings were observed in 3 and 7 patients, respectively, and they were reversible and tolerable. This study demonstrated that KRN8601 improved neutropenia with HIV infection, made possible to continue the full dose of myelosuppressive treatments and have additive effect on the treatment of secondary infections.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[A case of Listeria meningitis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus].

We report a case of Listeria meningitis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The case is a 29-year-old female who was diagnosed as SLE on August, 1982, and had been followed since then. On May 25, 1993, she was admitted to our hospital with complaints of fever, head ache and vomiting which developed 3 days before admission. An examination of the cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) revealed a cell count of (3664/3/mm3), protein concentration (123 mg/dl), and the quotient of CSF (Q albumin) (27.5) were elevated. A diagnosis of meningitis was made and therapy of antibiotics was begun. A CSF culture on admission was positive for Listeria monocytogenes, but the blood culture was negative. Clinical symptoms disappeared in about a week and abnormal CSF findings returned to normal in about a month with the administration of antibiotics. Listeria infection is a rare disease, but sometimes develops as an opportunistic infection in immunocompromised hosts. As far as we know, only 13 cases have been reported so far (9 cases in foreign countries, 4 cases in Japan). We also discuss Listeria infections associsted with SLE referring to the former reports.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Comprehensive periodic health examination: impact on health care utilisation and costs in a working population in Japan.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of a comprehensive periodic health examination programme on health care utilisation and costs in a working population. DESIGN: A cohort method was used to observe the trends in health care utilisation and costs for a group of local government employees from 1 February 1986 until 31 January 1992, during which time (in 1988) a comprehensive periodic health examination programme had been introduced. Health care utilisation was measured by a claim rate per employee (number of claims in a year divided by number of employees) and a utilisation rate per 100 employees (number of employees who submitted at least one claim in a year divided by number of employees x 100). Health care costs were measured by claim costs per employee (total cost of claims divided by number of employees). National and prefectural changes in per capita health care costs were used for the adjustment of claim costs. Internal comparisons were made in relation to the intensiveness of the periodic health examinations administered before the introduction of the comprehensive programme. SETTING: Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 19,146 local government employees (12,455 men, 6691 women) who worked in small cities, towns, and villages in Fukuoka Prefecture throughout the study period participated. MAIN RESULTS: Both the claim and utilisation rates showed an increase in 1988 when the comprehensive programme was introduced. After adjustment for the national changes in per capita health care costs and the aging effect of the study participants, substantial increases in claim costs were noted after introduction of the comprehensive programme. The programme had a greater but short term effect of increasing the health care utilisation of those who had received less intensive periodic health examinations before 1988, but no similar effect on claim costs was noted. CONCLUSIONS: The comprehensive programme had some role in increasing health care utilisation and costs. Its effect on costs was confirmed when the general population or another population was used as a reference. When comparisons were made internally, the comprehensive programme was seen to have had a greater but short term effect of increasing the utilisation of those who had previously received less intensive health examinations to equalise the health care utilisation and costs within the study population.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Capsaicin reduces ozone-induced airway inflammation in guinea pigs.

We investigated whether neural pathways are involved in mediating ozone (O3)-induced airway inflammation. To determine this, we studied the contribution of adrenergic and cholinergic pathways to the O3-induced increase in airway vascular permeability, an indicator of airway inflammation, by measuring vascular permeability after giving guinea pigs propranolol or atropine to block these pathways. We also studied the contribution to O3-induced airway inflammation of neuropeptides localized in unmyelinated airway sensory nerves, by measuring vascular permeability after giving capsaicin to deplete neuropeptides from these nerves. We found that capsaicin reduced but did not abolish the increase in airway vascular permeability induced by 3 ppm O3 for 30 min. Propranolol and atropine had no effect on airway vascular permeability. These results indicate that neuropeptides released from sensory nerves, presumably by acting through the axon reflex, partly mediate O3-induced airway inflammation, and that adrenergic and cholinergic pathways are not involved.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1994

Correlation of quantitative CT with selective alveolobronchogram and pulmonary function tests in emphysema.

BACKGROUND: Emphysema diagnosed by computed tomography (CT) has been reported to be correlated with morphologic data from autopsied lungs or resected lobes. However, autopsied lungs or resected lobes are quite different from lungs in vivo. We examined the correlation between a quantitative analysis of CT and the in vivo morphologic degree of emphysema (selective alveolobronchography [SAB]) in patients with COPD. METHODS: We measured the mean attenuation value (MAV) of the lung fields between -700 HU and -1,024 HU to exclude the effect of high-density structures in 21 patients with COPD. Low attenuation, greater than 2 SD below the mean value of five normal healthy subjects, was used as an index of emphysema. To quantitate the amount of emphysema, the relative area of low attenuation to the area of the entire lung field (2SD percent) was measured. The morphologic degree of emphysema was determined from the diameter of ring shadow (DR) of SAB. We also examined the relationship between CT data and pulmonary function tests. RESULTS: The DR was highly correlated with the CT indexes of MAV and 2SD percent; (r = -0.894, p < 0.001, and r = 0.890, p < 0.001). Both MAV and 2SD percent were correlated with pulmonary function tests such as Dco, FEV1, and residual volume (r > 0.60). CONCLUSIONS: The MAV and relative area of emphysema obtained from CT density measurements accurately assess the severity of emphysema in patients with COPD as well as SAB.

Adult↗