Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

T Toba

Publications and source records attributed to T Toba.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

[Treatment by corticosteroid and plasma exchange in 5 cases of renal cholesterol embolic disease].

Cholesterol arterial embolization is a systemic disease resulting from cholesterol crystal embolization to multiple organs, including the kidney, skin, brain, eye, gastrointestinal tract and extremities. In general, it is associated with high morbidity and mortality, but no optimal treatment has yet been developed. In this paper, we report five patients with cholesterol atheroembolic renal failure. In three of the five patients, combined therapy with corticosteroids and plasma exchange was performed. The three patients survived. On the other hand, the two remaining patients died of multifactorial causes. In this report, the literature on steroid therapy for cholesterol atheroembolic renal disease is reviewed and the efficacy of combined therapy by use of corticosteroids and plasma exchange is evaluated.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed2000

[A case of Chinese herbs nephropathy in which the progression of renal dysfunction was slowed by steroid therapy].

The patients was a 43-year-old woman whose chief complaints were nausea and heaviness of the heads. There was a history of toxemia of pregnancy. The patient had previously taken Tenshin Tokishigyaku-ka-goshuyu-shokyo-to for two years because of cold sensitivity. Fever, thirst, and loss of appetite developed from approximately 18 months after she started treatment with the Chinese herbal preparation, and she presented at our outpatient clinic 2.5 years later. On initial examination, deterioration of renal function was evident and the serum creatinine level was 3.4 mg/dl. A renal biopsy specimen showed marked interstitial fibrosis without inflammatory cell infiltration, leading to the diagnosis of Chinese herbs nephropathy (CHN). Steroid therapy was started on the 36th hospital day after a sharp rise in the serum creatinine level to 5.1 mg/dl. This resulted in the rapid improvement of renal function and reduction of the serum creatinine to 2.6 mg/dl by 8 weeks after the initiation of treatment. In a study on the use of steroids for patients with progressive moderate renal dysfunction caused by Chinese herbs, Vanherweghem et al. reported that the progression of renal failure was appreciably slowed in patients given steroids when compared with the control group. We were also able to slow the progression of renal dysfunction in our patient by steroid therapy, although the prognosis of CHN is generally considered to be very poor.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Artificial trachea and long term follow-up in carinal reconstruction in dogs.

We have already reported successful carinal reconstruction of the trachea with an observation period of 1 - 2 years. In this study, we evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of the reconstruction after 5-years of follow-up. The Y-shaped Marlex mesh tube was reinforced with a polypropylene spiral and coated with atelocollagen made from porcine skin. The prosthesis was 60 mm long with an outer diameter of 18 mm. Replacement of the tracheobronchial bifurcation was preformed through a right thoracotomy in a beagle dog. Bronchoscopical examination and sampling of the tracheal epithelium was performed periodically to check the function of cilia. The implanted prothesis was promptly infiltrated by the surrounding connective tissue and completely incorporated by the host trachea and bronchus. Bronchoscopically, sufficient epithelization was confirmed from the upper to the lower site of anastomosis. After 5 years neither stenosis nor dehiscence was observed. In spite of there being mesh-exposure at the luminal surface, the dog had no clinical symptoms until sacrifice for pathological examination. The bent frequency of the cilia was maintained within the normal range, indicating functional recovery of the regenerating airway. Our tracheal prosthesis is promising for clinical repair of the tracheobronchial bifurcation.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Regeneration of the junctional epithelium and connective tissue after transplantation of detergent-processed allo-teeth.

The authors have developed a new artificial dental implant and evaluated it in a dog model in terms of its potential to produce: I) regeneration of junctional epithelium; II) regeneration and attachment of connective tissue. The implants were constructed from allo-teeth. We removed the cell components from the periodontal ligaments of these teeth with a detergent (1% TritonX-100); the remaining acellular periodontal ligament acted as an extracellular matrix upon which regeneration and attachment could proceed. We placed 10 of these implants in the just-extracted sites of three beagle dogs. We observed regeneration of both junctional epithelium and connective tissue at all implant sites after 3 months. The connective tissue was attached in all cases. Use of the acellular periodontal ligament as an extracellular matrix may facilitate regeneration of host periodontal ligament tissue, thus contributing to recovery of host immunological defense and long-term oral function.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Absence of IgD-CD27(+) memory B cell population in X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome.

The present study analyzed peripheral blood B cell populations separated by IgD and CD27 expression in six males with X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome (XHIM). Costimulation of mononuclear cells from most of the patients induced no to low levels of class switching from IgM to IgG and IgA with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan strain (SAC) plus IL-2 or anti-CD40 mAb (anti-CD40) plus IL-10. Measurable levels of IgE were secreted in some of the patients after stimulation with anti-CD40 plus IL-4. Costimulation with SAC plus IL-2 plus anti-CD40 plus IL-10 yielded secretion of significant levels of IgG in addition to IgM, but not IgA. The most striking finding was that peripheral blood B cells from all of the six patients were composed of only IgD+ CD27(-) and IgD+ CD27(+) B cells; IgD- CD27(+) memory B cells were greatly decreased. IgD+ CD27(+) B cells from an XHIM patient produced IgM predominantly. Our data indicate that the low response of IgG production in XHIM patients is due to reduced numbers of IgD- CD27(+) memory B cells. However, the IgG production can be induced by stimulation of immunoglobulin receptors and CD40 in cooperation with such cytokines as IL-2 and IL-10 in vitro.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Collagen binding of Bifidobacterium adolescentis.

In this study, 13 bifidobacterial strains were tested for their ability to adhere to immobilized extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Only two Bifidobacterium adolescentis strains adhered to immobilized type I and type V collagens, but not to laminin, fibronectin, and type III and IV collagens. The adhesion of B. adolescentis BB-119 to type V collagen was inhibited by type I and V collagens and gelatin, and was diminished after protease treatment of the cells. Periodate treatment of immobilized collagen and the presence of galactose inhibited the adhesion of strain BB-119 to type V collagen. Two cell surface proteins with molecular masses of 36 kDa and 52 kDa from strain BB-119 were found to bind to horseradish peroxidase-conjugated type V collagen by ligand blotting. We concluded that B. adolescentis BB-119 binds to type V collagen at galactose chains as target via these two cell surface proteins by their lectin-like activity.

Bacterial Adhesion↗
PubMed1997

Growth suppression and induction of heat-shock protein-70 by 9-cis beta-carotene in cervical dysplasia-derived cells.

The aim of the present study was to determine to what extent 9-cis beta-carotene, one of the most abundant naturally-occurring cis-isomers of beta-carotene, can inhibit the growth of cervical dysplasia-derived cells in comparison with all-trans beta-carotene. We found that 9-cis beta-carotene was dose-dependently more effective than all-trans beta-carotene. Both carotenes induced the intracellular accumulation of heat-shock protein-70 (HSP70), and the treated cells showed morphological changes indicative of apoptosis. The results of the present study strongly suggest that the induction of HSP70 by beta-carotene might be involved in beta-carotene-mediated suppression of the cell growth through apoptosis.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1997

New successful treatment with disinfectant for atopic dermatitis.

For the treatment of atopic dermatitis, a variety of therapies are used including folk medicine. At present, there is no single treatment which is effective to cure the symptoms of atopic dermatitis completely in all patients. We are drawing attention to the high isolation rate of Staphylococcus aureus when starting disinfectant treatment combined with topical steroid therapies for the purpose of killing S. aureus. As a result, we examined many patients in whom almost a complete remission was obtained even after short periods of therapy, though it had been difficult to obtain improvement by conventional treatments. In many patients, IgE values and reagin antibody titer decrease dramatically soon after starting treatment. As a disinfectant, 10% povidone-iodine solution was used. We investigated also the effect of iodine contained in the povidone-iodine solution on the thyroid gland.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1995

Enhancement of antigen-specific antibody production by extracellular slime products from slime-forming Lactococcus lactis subspecies cremoris SBT 0495 in mice.

The effect of extracellular slime products (ESP) produced by Lactococcus lactis subspecies cremoris SBT 0495 on antigen specific antibody production was studied in mice. ESP contained 48.5% protein, 15.4% neutral sugar, and 1.1% of phosphorus. The optimum dose of ESP was between 100 to 500 micrograms per mouse. ESP administered intraperitoneally (200 micrograms per mouse) enhanced the production of specific antibody in mice. These results indicate that ESP may act as an adjuvant.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Eosinophils and basophilic cells in sputum and nasal smears taken from infants and young children during acute asthma.

To examine the increase in eosinophils and basophilic cells in the respiratory areas of infants and young children with asthma (n = 111), we analyzed the numbers of eosinophils and basophilic cells in sputum and nasal smears. The number of children with eosinophilia grades of 2+ or greater (> or = 11 cells/five fields in x1000 magnification) in sputum and nasal smears, respectively, in each age group was as follows: 33% and 21% under 1 year, 59% and 64% at 1 year, and 79-80% and 75-78% at 2-3 years. An increased infiltration of basophilic cells according to age was also observed. Infiltration of these cells began earlier than the appearance of IgE antibodies to mite in blood.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Inhibition of food-borne pathogenic bacteria by bacteriocins from Lactobacillus gasseri.

Lactobacillus acidophilus group and a Lact. reuteri isolated from human faeces were examined for production of antimicrobial agents against 16 strains of six species of food-borne enteric pathogenic bacteria. Several strains of Lact. gasseri showed wide inhibitory activity against the tested bacteria. Gassericin A produced by Lact. gasseri LA39 was one of the most widely active bacteriocins. It was bactericidal without causing cell lysis.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Etiology of pediatric inpatients with pneumonia--analysis of clinical symptoms, physical examination and simple laboratory findings].

In pediatric patients with community-acquired pneumonia, most of the patients have received antibiotics before admission. In this study, we tried to determine whether we could identify the etiology of pneumonia by clinical and laboratory findings on admission. The etiology of acute pneumonia was studied in 596 pediatric inpatients. A pathogen was identified in 384 (64.4%) episodes of pneumonia. These 384 episodes were divided into six groups as follows; I: pneumonia with blood culture positive or pneumonia with bacterial antigen positive in urine, II: pneumonia with dominant bacterial pathogens in washed sputum. III: Mycoplasma pneumonia, IV: viral pneumonia, V: bacterial (I, II) + viral pneumonia, VI: bacterial (I, II) + Mycoplasma pneumonia. These groups were analyzed by clinical symptoms, physical examination and simple laboratory findings on admission. Patients with Mycoplasma pneumonia have increased blood sedimentation rate, high value of positive C-reactive protein and normal white blood cell count. It was difficult to distinguish bacterial pneumonia from viral pneumonia only based upon clinical symptoms, physical examination and simple laboratory findings.

Blood Sedimentation↗
PubMed1995

A Collagen-Binding S-Layer Protein in Lactobacillus crispatus.

Two S-layer-expressing strains, Lactobacillus crispatus JCM 5810 and Lactobacillus acidophilus JCM 1132, were assessed for adherence to proteins of the mammalian extracellular matrix. L. crispatus JCM 5810 adhered efficiently to immobilized type IV and I collagens, laminin, and, with a lower affinity, to type V collagen and fibronectin. Strain JCM 1132 did not exhibit detectable adhesiveness. Within the fibronectin molecule, JCM 5810 recognized the 120-kDa cell-binding fragment of the protein, while no bacterial adhesion to the amino-terminal 30-kDa or the gelatin-binding 40-kDa fragment was detected. JCM 5810 but not JCM 1132 also bound (sup125)I-labelled soluble type IV collagen, and this binding was efficiently inhibited by unlabelled type IV and I collagens and less efficiently by type V collagen, but not by laminin or fibronectin. L. crispatus JCM 5810 but not L. acidophilus JCM 1132 also adhered to Matrigel, a reconstituted basement membrane preparation from mouse sarcoma cells, as well as to the extracellular matrix prepared from human Intestine 407 cells. S-layers from both strains were extracted with 2 M guanidine hydrochloride, separated by electrophoresis, and transferred to nitrocellulose sheets. The S-layer protein from JCM 5810 bound (sup125)I-labelled type IV collagen, whereas no binding was seen with the S-layer protein from JCM 1132. Binding of (sup125)I-collagen IV to the JCM 5810 S-layer protein was effectively inhibited by unlabelled type I and IV collagens but not by type V collagen, laminin, or fibronectin. It was concluded that L. crispatus JCM 5810 has the capacity to adhere to human subintestinal extracellular matrix via a collagen-binding S-layer.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1995

Effect of acetazolamide on regional cerebral oxygen saturation and regional cerebral blood flow.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To verify whether the monitoring of regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) with transcranial near-infrared spectroscopy would successfully reflect changes in intracranial hemodynamics but not changes in extracranial compartment, we measured rSO2 and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) simultaneously in seven patients with cerebral ischemia and five normal volunteers before and after acetazolamide administration. SUMMARY OF REPORT: The baseline values of rSO2 and rCBF were 64.2 +/- 5.6% and 53.9 +/- 11.1 mL/100 g per minute, respectively. rCBF increased by 44.4 +/- 23.3% and rSO2 significantly increased to 69.6 +/- 5.6% after acetazolamide administration. Bilateral simultaneous measurement of rSO2 indicated a tendency that the larger the delta rSO2, the greater the delta%rCBF. The relationship between rSO2 level and rCBF value fit significantly on the theoretical curve calculated from Fick's equation. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that monitoring of rSO2 with INVOS-3100 could be a useful indicator in the evaluation of intracranial hemodynamic changes.

Acetazolamide↗
PubMed1994

Isolation and characterization of a highly hydrophobic new bacteriocin (gassericin A) from Lactobacillus gasseri LA39.

A new bacteriocin, gassericin A, was purified from the culture fluid of Lactobacillus gasseri LA39 mainly by reverse-phase (RP) chromatography. The purification of gassericin A from a modified MRS broth, in which Tween 80 had been replaced by oleic acid, resulted in a 4500-fold increase in specific activity with a 6% recovery. Gassericin A was eluted as a single peak on the chromatogram from RP-HPLC and migrated by SDS-PAGE as a single band with a molecular weight of ca. 3.8 kDa. Gassericin A, a highly hydrophobic bacteriocin, was slightly soluble in water, but its solubility was increased by adding alcohol and acetonitrile. An amino acid analysis revealed that it was composed of 45.7% hydrophobic amino acids in the total residues of 35 amino acids. Gassericin A produced in the MRS broth associated strongly with Tween 80, although several further trials of dissociation were unsuccessful.

Bacteriocins↗
PubMed1994

Hemagglutination activity of Lactobacillus acidophilus group lactic acid bacteria.

The cells of 28 strains of the Lactobacillus acidophilus group were evaluated for hemagglutination (HA) activity. The activity was found in the surface layer (SL) protein fraction extracted by 2 M guanidine hydrochloride. The most SL proteins from the A group strains (L. acidophilus (A1), L. crispatus (A2), L. amylovorus (A3), and L. gallinarum (A4)) showed HA activity, but the proteins from the B group strains (L. gasseri (B1) and L. johnsonii (B2)) showed no activity. The SL proteins from the A group strains were composed in common of a main component having molecular mass of about 40-45 kDa on SDS-PAGE. The SL proteins from JCM 1034 strain that showed the highest HA activity was fractionated by CM-Toyopearl ion-exchange chromatography. The highest HA activity was detected in the major protein of 41 kDa. This protein was purified and shown to be composed of about 50% of hydrophobic amino acids. The HA activity of the protein (1034 lectin) was specifically inhibited by fetuin and bovine lactoferrin at the concentrations of 80 and 160 micrograms/ml, respectively. The removal of N-acetylneuraminic acid from fetuin significantly decreased the inhibitory activity.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1994

[Antibacterial activities of a carbapenem antibiotic, biapenem (L-627), against penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae].

Antibiotic susceptibilities were evaluated for 48 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae collected in 1992-1993 at Ichihara City of Chiba Prefecture. Twenty two (46%) of the 48 strains were benzylpenicillin (PCG) insensitive or resistant (PRSP) judged from the MICs of PCG to higher than 0.1 microgram/ml. MICs of piperacillin and cefotaxime increased as the MICs of PCG increased. However, elevations of MICs of imipenem and biapenem (L-627) were small in spite of the increases of MICs of PCG. L-627 was effective in a case of purulent meningitis due to PC-insensitive S. pneumoniae. Thus, L-627 is a candidate to be used in treatment of PRSP infections including purulent meningitis.

Humans↗