Biomedical subjects

T Okubo

Publications and source records attributed to T Okubo.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

PubMed1993

Investigation of alcohol dehydrogenase isozymes of biopsy gastric mucosa in Japanese.

Several milligrams of biopsy samples of the gastric mucosa from the body, the angulus and the antrum of the stomach from 32 Japanese (14 males and 18 females, 32-90 years old) were examined using isoelectric focusing combined with a sensitive and specific staining method for the detection of sigma-ADH isozyme variation. In addition, differences of isozyme activity were analyzed from the aspects of age and gender. The isozyme bands of sigma-ADH in regions of the body as well as the angulus showed detectable activity, but there was weak or no activity in the antrum in all 32 individuals. These observations were inconsistent with the previous report that sigma-ADH in polymorphic in the manner of presence or absence of isozyme bands in Japanese. sigma-ADH activity was higher in males than in females and decreased the higher age group. Consequently, sigma-ADH was not polymorphic in Japanese and the activity of sigma-ADH was influenced by factors such as anatomically distinct areas and ageing, as well as gender.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Supraophthalmic chemotherapy with long tapered catheter: distribution evaluated with intraarterial and intravenous Tc-99m HMPAO.

Supraophthalmic intraarterial chemotherapy has not become popular due to a high incidence of damage to the normal brain and eye. This damage is due to inhomogeneous distribution of the agent secondary to streaming and other flow-related phenomena. To try to minimize this complication, the authors developed a catheter and studied different infusion techniques. A 4.5-F catheter tapered to 2.5 F was used to perform supraophthalmic intraarterial chemotherapy in 26 patients with malignant gliomas. Forty-one of 45 catheterizations were successful. In 17 patients (20 procedures), technetium-99m hexamethyl-propyleneamine oxime (HMPAO) was then injected through the catheter and single photon emission computed tomography was performed to assess the cerebral distribution of the radiopharmaceutical with either a pulsatile or continuous infusion technique. Diffuse and relatively homogeneous distribution of Tc-99m HMPAO was observed with fast pulsatile infusion (10 of 10 procedures); however, inhomogeneous distribution was mostly seen with slow continuous infusion (eight of 10 procedures).

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Dynamic behavior of alveolar surface-to-volume ratio in live dogs by light-scattering stereology.

To investigate the behavior of the surface-to-volume ratio (S/V) in lung lobes of live dogs, we measured the backscattered light pattern produced by applying a laser beam to the pleural surface. This pattern was used to estimate the optical mean free path, which is approximately proportional to the inverse square of the geometric S/V. Measurements were performed in mechanically ventilated animals with the chest widely opened. We found that during quasi-static large volume excursion, S/V changed approximately as the one-third power of lung volume but with hysteresis such that S/V during deflation was higher than during inflation. This finding is consistent with a relatively large stress hysteresis of surface tension compared with that of the tissue. During tidal breathing, however, the geometric hysteresis was inconsistent among animals at low frequency but was consistently changed at higher frequencies in a direction suggesting a lesser role of surface tension relative to tissue stress hysteresis.

Air Pressure↗

PubMed1993

Factors influencing return to work after stroke in Japan.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Few studies have identified factors that predict return to work after stroke in Japan. Our aim in this study was to determine the predictors of return to work after stroke in Japan. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study on the association between patients' characteristics at admission and return to work in 230 first-stroke patients, adjusting for potential confounding factors. The patients were all aged younger than 65 years and were working, students, or housewives at the time of their stroke. Return to work was evaluated by a follow-up questionnaire. Data were analyzed using forward logistic regression analysis to compute odds ratios of return to work. RESULTS: The adjusted odds ratios (and 95% confidence intervals) for patients with normal muscle strength vs severe muscle weakness, without apraxia vs with apraxia, and with white-collar vs blue-collar occupation were 4.50 (1.04 to 19.42), 4.87 (1.28 to 18.54), and 3.33 (1.34 to 8.30), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Significant predictors of return to work after stroke were no muscle weakness, absence of apraxia, and white-collar occupation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Inspiratory muscle training and respiratory sensation during treadmill exercise.

We studied whether inspiratory muscle training (IMT) changed respiratory sensation during exercise in 12 healthy women; IMT was performed twice daily, for 15 minutes, using a pressure threshold device and continued for 4 weeks. The inspiratory threshold was set to 30 percent of each individual's maximal inspiratory pressure (Pimax). Breathing effort was evaluated during a progressive exercise test using Borg scale. After IMT, both Pimax and maximal transdiaphragmatic pressure increased by 30 percent in the training group (p < 0.05) but did not change in the control group. Prior to IMT, the Borg score increased in proportion to exercise grade. The difference in the sensory score-exercise stage curves before and after IMT in the training group was not significant. No significant difference was noted in the relationship of the Borg score to minute ventilation before and after 4 weeks in either group. We concluded that IMT may not affect respiratory sensation during exercise in normal subjects, although IMT increases diaphragmatic strength.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

A descriptive epidemiological study on pleural plaque cases identified from the worker's periodical health examinations in Kitakyushu, Japan.

Thirty-six pleural plaque (PP) cases, were identified from the worker's periodical health examination and were described in terms of its association with occupational exposure to asbestos and radiographic findings. Based on thorough interviews about job histories, 23 (64%) of the cases were classified to have had "definite" and an additional 5 (14%) with "possible" asbestos-exposed job histories. Asbestos-exposed job histories were represented mostly by plumbing and pipe fitting, insulating, and boiler and pipe insulating. The latency period between initial age of asbestos exposure and age at time of initial plaque detection was 31.1 +/- 10.3 yr. Calcified plaques were most prevalent in the diaphragm and the most frequent combination of multi-site PPs was found in the diaphragm and lung fields. All cases were either current or ex-smokers. The findings suggest that subjects with a history of asbestos exposure can be identified through the detection of PPs in chest X-ray films obtained in the worker's periodical health examinations.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Hospital use behaviors and associated costs in a health insurance organization, Japan.

Physicians are known to play an important role in the rise of health care costs. But patients--the other side of the chain of health care systems--have been given little attention. The present study utilized the outpatient claims (in the belief that the outpatient hospital visits are mainly decided by the patients) from a health insurance organization in Japan (the Fukuoka Prefecture public service mutual aid association for government employees who serve in small cities, towns, and villages) to analyze the employee behaviors in the use of hospital care and the costs associated with these behaviors. Number of diseases diagnosed for an employee, number of claims an employee submitted for one disease, number of hospitals an employee visited, number of claims an employee had from one hospital, and the total number of claims an employee submitted were used to describe the hospital use behaviors. Results showed that some employees exhibited unusual behaviors, characterized by having an extremely large number of diseases diagnosed, visiting a large number of different hospitals, having a large number of claims, etc. Higher medical expenditures were associated with such behaviors. The findings of this study suggest that the patients' role in the rise of health care costs cannot be ignored, and cost-containment strategies targeting modification of patient behaviors in the use of hospital care may prove to be very useful.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

[Influences of cyclosporin A on wound healing].

We examine influences of immunosuppression on wound healing, using C57BL/6 mice by carrageenan, anti-asialo GM 1 antibody and Cyclosporin A (CSA). Mice underwent a standardized dorsal skin incision and subcutaneous implantation of sterile polyvinyl alcohol sponge under ether anesthesia. They were sacrificed on the 14th and 21st day after wounding. The pelts excised, and fresh breaking strength was measured with a constant-speed tensiometer. The sponges were removed, and hydroxyproline was measured by Woessner's method. 1) Sixteen mice were divided into 2 groups, eight mice intraperitoneally received carrageenan to suppress macrophage function twice before and after wounding, and eight mice, as a control, received saline in the same way. The breaking strength in the carrageenan-treated mice was weaker than in the control on the 14th day and 21st day. Hydroxyproline content was not different between the treated group and control. 2) Sixteen mice were divided into 2 groups, eight mice intraperitoneally received anti-asialo GM 1 antibody to suppress natural killer cell function twice before and after wounding, and eight mice, as a control, received saline in the same way. The breaking strength in the anti-asialo GM 1 antibody treated mice was not significantly different from that in the control on the 14th or 21st day. Hydroxyproline content was not different in the treated group and control. 3) Thirty two mice were divided into 4 groups, eight mice intraperitoneally received CSA at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg twice before and after wounding, eight mice received CSA at a dose of 10.0 mg/body, eight mice received CSA at a dose of 100.0 mg/body to suppress T helper lymphocyte function, and eight mice, as a control, received Intralipos at a dose of 1.0 g/kg in the same way. The breaking strength in the 10.0 mg/kg and 100.0 mg/kg CSA-treated mice were weaker than in the control on the 14th day. There was no significant difference on the 21st day. The breaking strength in the 1.0 mg/kg treated mice was not different from in the control on the 14th day or 21st day. Histologically, there was no difference between CSA-treated group and control. 4) Forty mice were divided into 4 groups, twenty mice received CSA at a dose of 40.0 mg/kg for once a day for 7 days before and 14 days after wounding respectively, twenty mice received Intralipos at a dose of 1.0 g/kg in the same way.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1993

[Surgical analysis for lung cancer with scalene node metastasis].

In this study, we evaluated 15 surgically treated cases of lung cancer with scalene node metastasis. Eleven males and 4 females with ages ranging from 41 years to 78 years (average 59.1 years) were examined. Seven cases was in the right upper lobe, 3 in the left upper lobe, 2 in the right lower lobe, 2 in the left lower lobe, 1 in the middle lobe. Adenocarcinomas were found in 9 cases squamous cell carcinomas were in 4 cases and large cell carcinomas were in 2 cases. Two cases was in T 1, 7 in T 2, 2 in T 3, 4 in T 4. In all cases, lobectomy was performed. Five year survival rate was 14.3% as determined by the Kaplan-Meier method. Average survival period was 26.6 months. Three cases survived over 3 years including one case survived over 10 years.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1993

[A case of cervico-mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis].

A 27-year-old female presented to our hospital because of anterior chest pain and left cervical tumor. Her chest X-ray film showed bilateral swelling of the superior mediastinum, which was composed of multiple mediastinal masses with obliteration of adjacent mediastinal fat on chest CT film. A specimen obtained from a left cervical lymph node histologically showed granuloma formation with central caseous necrosis, and the diagnosis of cervicomediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis was therefore made. Both cervical tumor and mediastinal masses decreased in size following antituberculous chemotherapy. Mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis in young adults is rare. It is difficult to differentiate this condition from other mediastinal tumors, although its CT findings are characteristic.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

[A field assessment of a community 'rehabilitation class' for home handicapped persons--focusing on participant social network].

The purpose of this study is to evaluate a community 'Rehabilitation class' for its effectiveness. A function of the 'Rehabilitation class' is the expansion of a participant's social network, and the following hypothesis was formulated: the reciprocal relationships of participant and class or staff members bring about psychological effectiveness and a change of their awareness, resulting in the expansion of social networks. Actual class activity, psychological aspects and social networks of twenty-six participants and twenty care takers, who responded to a questionnaire survey, were examined with respect to the above hypothesis. Those reporting having changed were compared to those reporting no change. The results were as follows: (1) Class activity was directed at developing relationships among participants, and while most of them were changed positively, it appeared that staff members were not sufficiently involved. (2) There were 23 participants in the 'changed' group. Most of their care takers and family were changed positively. Eleven reported receiving significant emotional support from other 'Rehabilitation class' members, and therefore their social networks appeared to have expanded generally. (3) The 'non changed' group consisted of 3 participants whose social networks did not appear to have expanded. (4) Social networks outside the home were not expanded for all participants, probably due to their reported receiving little social support from others outside family members, and because they had few social roles outside the home. Based on the above results, it is concluded that effective classes involve participants individually, and encourage the independent activity of participants, and that it is necessary to have networking with other organizations in community, and the 'Rehabilitation class' should be provided to smaller local regions.

Aged↗

PubMed1993

[Cardiac surgery in hemodialysis patients].

Five hemodialysis patients have undergone cardiac procedures between March 1986 and August 1992. These cases include two coronary artery bypass operations and three valve replacements. The average time on dialysis prior to surgery was 67 months and all patients were in NYHA grade 3 or 4. All patients were dialyzed two or three consecutive days before surgery. Intraoperative extracorporeal ultrafiltration method (ECUM) was used in all patients. In one patients hemodialysis was also performed intraoperatively in addition to ECUM. All patients received platelet transfusions after cardiopulmonary bypass because of known platelet dysfunction and coagulation problems in renal failure patients. Our first patient, who had been dialyzed on operative day using regional heparinization, returned operating room for bleeding on the first postoperative day, then in another four patients hemodialysis was begun on the first or second postoperative day using nafamostat mesilate as anticoagulant. No perioperative deaths occurred and all patients remain alive with a mean follow-up of 28 months. In summary, cardiac surgery can be successfully carried out on five chronic hemodialysis patients, hemodialysis can be performed safely on early postoperative day, and nafamostat mesilate is a useful anticoagulation agent to prevent postoperative bleeding complications.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

[Surgical analysis for metastatic lung tumor originating from renal cell carcinoma].

In this study, we evaluated 16 surgically treated cases of metastatic lung tumors originating from renal cell carcinoma. Ten males and 6 females with ages ranging from 31 years to 74 years (average 60.8 years) were examined. Five cases had solitary metastasis, 4 had ipsilateral multiple metastasis, and 7 had bilateral metastasis. The average number of lung metastatic legion was 3.3. Disease free intervals ranged from 0 to 120 months (average 22.6 months). Tumor doubling time calculated in only 8 cases, ranged from 36 to 510 days (average 126 days). In 8 cases, tumor doubling time could not be calculated because tumor growth was too slow. Partial resection or segmental resection was performed in 14 cases, 8 with ipsilateral and 6 with bilateral lung metastasis. Lobectomy was performed in only two cases. Five year survival rate was 43% as determined by the Kaplan-Meier method. We believe that such cases possessing a slow tumor growth rate have a better survival rate.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Double antenna structure of chicken prolactin receptor deduced from the cDNA sequence.

Chicken prolactin receptor (cPRLR) deciphered from the cDNA sequence showed a unique double antenna structure in its extracellular domain. The predicted cPRLR preprotein was composed of 831 amino acids and contained a signal peptide and a transmembrane region. The extracellular domain comprised 438 residues, and was divided into two tandemly repeated, highly homologous units, each of which corresponded to the extracellular domains of mammalian prolactin receptors. Both extracellular units of cPRLR possessed two structural features characteristic of the ligand binding units of cytokine/prolactin receptor family, namely two pairs of cysteine residues and a WSXWS motif. These findings strongly suggest that cPRLR contains two repeated ligand binding units, that is a double antenna structure. The cPRLR gene is expressed in a wide range of tissues of laying hen.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

[A descriptive epidemiology on sudden death among workers].

A survey on sudden unexpected death, that is, death within 24 hours from acute onset, among Japanese workers was carried out. Questionnaires were sent to full-time occupational health physicians who were active members of the Japan Association of Industrial Health at the time of the survey. Though 241 doctors answered (response rate: 61.5%), only 53 of them who had had both sudden death cases and the desire to join in this research co-operated in this survey. During the 5 years of observation (from Jan. 1, 1986 to Dec. 31, 1990), 143 cases of sudden death, 141 males and 2 females, were reported. The mean age was 46.5 (S. D. 10.5) for males. The ages of the 2 females were 31 and 44. Onset took place most frequently at home (55%) and most often during sleep (26%). This may be due to the higher rate not only of onset but of death resulting from acute onset at home and during sleep. Similar to the previous findings, a small peak of incidence was found early in the morning (4:00 AM--9:00 AM), although this was not statistically significant. However, the weekly and seasonal variations were a little different from previous reports. In this study, sudden death tended to occur more on Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (not statistically significant), and as for the seasonal variation, more cases occurred in April, November, and December which were statistically significant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Low-dose cytosine arabinoside for treating hypocellular acute leukemia in the elderly.

Ten previously untreated elderly patients with hypocellular acute leukemia received a low dose of cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C), 10 mg/m2 injected subcutaneously every 12 hours for 14-28 days. Six patients achieved a complete remission (CR) for periods ranging for 6-23 months (median 8.5 months) and the others had a partial remission (PR). Relapse has occurred in three patients to date. The median survival ranged from 10-24 months (median 14.5 months). Only two of the six patients, in whom bone marrow biopsy was performed at CR, had a normal cellularity. This change, however, did not appear to be a significant prognostic factor in those patients. In seven patients who achieved a CR or PR low-dose Ara-C was administrated as maintenance therapy at the same low dose for 10 days each month. Treatment was well tolerated in all patients despite for myelosuppression. There were no drug-related deaths. These observations suggest that low-dose Ara-C is effective in treating elderly patients with hypocellular acute leukemia.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1992

Combined effects of ozone and cigarette smoke on airway responsiveness and vascular permeability in guinea pigs.

The effects of combined exposure to ozone and cigarette smoke on airway responsiveness and tracheal vascular permeability, compared with those of single exposure were examined in guinea pigs. Airway responsiveness was assessed by measuring the specific airway resistance (sRaw) as a function of increasing concentration of inhaled methacholine aerosol immediately, 5 hr, and 24 hr after exposure. In a parallel study, tracheal vascular permeability was quantified by measuring the tracheal extravasation of intravenously administered Evans blue dye. Neither exposure to 1 ppm ozone for 30 min nor 5 puffs of cigarette smoke increased airway responsiveness or vascular permeability at any time after exposure. Combined exposure to 1 ppm ozone for 30 min and 5 puffs of cigarette smoke caused airway hyper-responsiveness and increased vascular permeability immediately after exposure. Exposure to 1 ppm ozone for 90 min increased both airway responsiveness and vascular permeability immediately after exposure. Exposure to 10 puffs of cigarette smoke increased airway responsiveness but not vascular permeability immediately after exposure. Combined exposure to 1 ppm ozone for 90 min and 10 puffs of cigarette smoke increased both airway responsiveness and vascular permeability immediately after exposure. The combined exposure to ozone and cigarette smoke thus increased both airway responsiveness and tracheal vascular permeability to a greater extent than did exposure to a single agent, suggesting that a combination of air pollutants has a more deleterious effect both on airway responsiveness and on tracheal vascular permeability than does either agent alone in guinea pigs.

Airway Resistance↗

PubMed1992

Congenital absence of the portal vein.

Absence of the terminal portion of the portal vein and its intrahepatic branches was demonstrated in a 22-year-old woman with focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) of the liver. Various imaging studies and angiography showed that the portal vein entered into the inferior vena cava just above the renal veins. The clinical and radiological features of this patient and nine previously reported cases of this entity are herein reviewed.

Adult↗