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Biomedical subjects

Y Kojima

Publications and source records attributed to Y Kojima.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

[Combined chemotherapy with 5-FU and low dose CDDP for advanced or recurrent cancer of the digestive system and home anti-cancer chemotherapy].

We have performed combined chemotherapy with 5-FU, a biochemical modulator, and low dose CDDP for advanced or recurrent cancer of the digestive system. The therapy was effective in 37% of all cases and in 45.5% and 41.6% of esophageal and gastric cancer cases, respectively. In addition, few patients developed adverse side effects including renal disorders, one of the major side effects of CDDP. Therefore, we considered home anti-cancer chemotherapy feasible. For 27 outpatients with advanced cancer of the digestive system including 15 cases of esophageal cancer, 4 cases of gastric cancer, 3 cases of colon cancer, 4 cases of pancreatic cancer and 1 case of gall bladder cancer, 4 to 6 week home adjuvant chemotherapy was performed. The regimen comprised 1 week of oral administration of 300 mg/body/day of UFT-E granules and 5 days of continuous intravenous infusion of 25 mg/body/day of CDDP using an infusor pump. During the follow-up, 3 cases of catheter obstruction, 3 cases of catheter sepsis and 1 case of pneumothorax appeared. These complications all resulted from the catheter, and safe home anti-cancer chemotherapy could be continued because 5-FU and CDDP did not cause severe side effects.

Administration, Oral↗

Electric-foot-shock induced the suppression of fibrinolytic activity in rats.

Electric-foot-shock was given to rats to initiate constant mental stress and its effect on fibrinolytic activity was analyzed. After the termination of electric-foot-shock which was given for an hour, euglobulin clot lysis time in the stressed group significantly prolonged than those in the control group. tissue plasminogen activator activity was also significantly lower in the stressed group. These effects lasted at least for an hour and returned to the control values 24 hours after the stress. Whole blood serotonin levels, which mainly show serotonin contents in platelets, were higher in the stressed group. A negative correlation between whole blood serotonin and tPA activity in the stressed group was obtained. These results suggest that prolonged mental stress impairs fibrinolysis by decreasing tPA activity with a concomitant increase of serotonin contents in platelets.

Animals↗

Effects of the new histamine H2 receptor antagonist, FRG-8813, on gastric mucin in rats with or without acidified ethanol-induced gastric damage.

It is not presently well understood whether the histamine H2 receptor antagonist has a function other than the inhibition of gastric acid secretion, such as the effect on the gastric mucosal defence mechanism. In this paper, we report the effect of FRG-8813 (N-[4-[4-(piperidinylmethyl)pyridyl-2-oxy]-(Z)-2-butenyl]-2- (furfurylsulfinyl) acetamide), a new histamine H2 receptor antagonist, on the rat gastric mucin content with or without 0.15N HCl-ethanol (60 %)-induced gastric damage. The prior administration of FRG-8813 significantly inhibited the occurrence of macroscopically observable hemorrhagic lesions induced by the acidified ethanol treatment. Using a newly developed biochemical method, the mucin content of the deep corpus and antral mucosa of the acidified ethanol-treated animals was significantly reduced to 50% and 32% of the control, respectively. These reductions were inhibited by the pretreatment with FRG-8813. Total mucin content in the entire stomach recovered to about 80% of the control value after pretreatment with FRG-8813. A single oral administration of FRG-8813 (30 mg/kg) caused no significant change in the total mucin content, but mucin in the adherent mucus gel layer selectively and significantly increased to 250% of the control. These results suggest that FRG-8813 not only inhibits acid secretion but may also affect the gastric mucosal defensive mechanism as well.

Acetamides↗

Pancreatic exocrine enzymes and intrapancreatic protein synthesis in acute oedematous pancreatitis.

Changes in serum and intrapancreatic enzyme content and protein synthesis in pancreas were studied in acute oedematous pancreatitis (AOP). Male Wistar rats (n = 111) were divided into 2 groups, controls with a sham operation and those with AOP. Serum amylase levels rose immediately after the procedure causing AOP and then fell gradually, while serum lipase and ribonuclease levels remained higher than control values over 48 h. (p < 0.05, 0.01). Serum deoxyribonuclease (DNase) II levels were unchanged. Intrapancreatic enzyme levels were scarcely affected by AOP. 3H-leucine uptake into pancreatic tissue of rats with AOP was decreased throughout the study (p < 0.001), but some protein synthesis continued. Intrapancreatic enzyme contents are maintained despite diffusion into the blood because the pancreas retain its ability to synthesize enzymes.

Acute Disease↗

Somatotropes and thyrotropes in the rat anterior pituitary gland cosecrete substance P: analysis by the sandwich cell immunoblot assay.

Substance P (SP) which is synthesized and secreted by anterior pituitary cells has been suggested to alter pituitary functions as a local modulator. We determined which cell type(s) of rat anterior pituitary gland secretes SP. A new technique, named the sandwich cell immunoblot assay (CIBA), was developed to identify two protein substances that are secreted simultaneously from the same cells. Monodispersed anterior pituitary cells were sandwiched with pairs of transfer membranes and incubated to absorb secretory substances on the membranes. Small reference points for identifying the location of cell blots were simultaneously put on the pairs of transfer membranes after the incubation. The validity of the sandwich CIBA was revealed by the following: (1) cell blots were detected at the same locations on the pairs of transfer membranes that were immunostained with the same antisera against the anterior pituitary hormones, and (2) the areas of these cell blots detected at the same locations on different membranes correlated well. When one of the pair of transfer membranes was immunostained for SP and the remaining immunostained for one of the anterior pituitary hormones, it was found that 78 and 27% of SP-immunoreactive cell blots showed also GH and TSH immunoreactivity, respectively. None of the SP-immunoreactive cell blots showed immunoreactivity for PRL, ACTH, LH or FSH. These results suggest that the sandwich CIBA is useful to identify two substances cosecreted from a cell and that a subpopulation of rat somatotropes or thyrotropes cosecretes SP.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Proliferative response of rabbit and rat gastric epithelial cells to human epidermal growth factor.

The effect of human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) on gastric epithelial proliferation was studied in vitro and in vivo. In the first study, subconfluent gastric epithelial cells derived from fetal rabbit stomach were incubated with hEGF at doses of 0, 1, 10, 50, 100, 500 ng/ml and tritiated thymidine incorporation into DNA was determined. In the second study, fasted rats were given intraperitoneal injections of 100 micrograms/kg hEGF and ornithine decarboxylase activity was quantitated. In the third study, hEGF at doses of 0, 5, 10, 25, 50 micrograms/kg was administered perorally 3 times a day for 7 days. During the experiment, rats were allowed ad libitum intake of food and water. After 7 days, all rats were injected with tritiated thymidine 1 microCi/g body weight and sacrificed 1 h later. Sections from fundic and antral mucosae were processed for autoradiography. While hEGF stimulated tritiated thymidine incorporation into DNA by gastric epithelial cells in vitro, neither parenteral nor peroral administration of hEGF affected the proliferative measurements as assessed by ornithine decarboxylase activity or autoradiography in adult rat gastric fundic and antral mucosae in vivo. These results indicate that although hEGF has a direct proliferative effect on fetal rabbit gastric epithelial cells, exogenously administered hEGF has little effect on adult rat gastric mucosal steady state cell proliferation under physiological conditions.

Animals↗

Purification and characterization of xylanase A from Clostridium stercorarium F-9 and a recombinant Escherichia coli.

Xylanase A encoded by the Clostridium stercorarium F-9 xynA gene was purified to homogeneity from a recombinant clone of Escherichia coli. The N-terminal amino acid sequence and molecular weight (54,000) estimated by SDS-PAGE of the purified enzyme were consistent with those deduced from the nucleotide sequence [Biosci. Biotech. Biochem., 57, 273-277 (1993)]. A xylanase was also purified to homogeneity from a culture supernatant of C. stercorarium F-9. Its N-terminal amino acid sequence, molecular weight, and enzymatic properties were quite in agreement with those of the recombinant enzyme, indicating that the xynA gene was predominantly expressed as a xylanase gene in C. stercorarium F-9. The purified enzyme hydrolyzed xylotriose to yield xylobiose and xylose while it was less active toward xylobiose. It was optimally active at 75 degrees C and pH 7.0 Km and Vmax were estimated to be 1.9 mg/ml and 2.8 mumol of xylose equivalent/min/micrograms for oat spelt xylan, respectively.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Purification and characterization of an alkaline lipase from Pseudomonas fluorescens AK102.

An extracellular, novel alkaline lipase produced by Pseudomonas fluorescens AK102 was purified by ultrafiltration, ammonium sulfate precipitation, and DEAE-Toyopearl 650M and Phenyl-Toyopearl 650M column chromatographies. The purified enzyme was homogeneous on SDS-PAGE. The molecular weight was estimated to be about 33,000 by SDS-PAGE. The isoelectric point was pH 4.0 by isoelectric focusing. The pH stability was 4 to 10 and the optimum pH was 8 to 10. The optimum temperature was 55 degrees C and the enzyme was stable below 50 degrees C. The enzyme unspecifically liberated short chain to long chain fatty acids from p-nitrophenyl esters, methyl esters, and triglycerides. In the presence of an anionic surfactant, the enzyme was characteristically stable. These results suggested that the enzyme can be used as a home laundry product ingredient.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Ultrastructure of goat testes: centriolar adjunct in spermiogenesis.

During the morphological study of goat spermatogenesis, cross and oblique sections of the neck region (connecting piece) of the spermatid were closely studied in conjunction with the shaping of the sperm head; the centriolar adjunct (CA) briefly appeared as a fragile organelle in spermiogenesis. As is the case of other mammalian spermatids, the CA expanded about 1 microns in length from the distant end of the proximal centriole (PC). The prolongation of this structure began in an early stage of the cap phase in spermiogenesis, and it usually oriented itself parallel to the flat plane of the flattening spermatid head. In other words, the CA appears to regulate the flattening direction of the spermatid head. Thus, the expanding direction of this structure showed a declination of about 25 degrees C toward the ninth microtubule in the axoneme of the sperm tail. After regulating the head shape, this accessory apparatus quickly disappeared during the maturation phase. If this observation is correct and not an artifact of sampling procedures, the basic mechanisms of sperm motility might be elucidated.

Animals↗

Ultrastructure of goat testes: crystalloid in the microbody of Sertoli cells.

During the morphological study of goat spermatogenesis, an electron dense core was noticed in the microbody of the Sertoli cell in adult animals. By means of a goniometer apparatus fitted to the electron microscope, tilting 30 degrees unidirection, the dense core frequently displayed a characteristic checker pattern as a crystalloid or crystal. The size of the lattices in the crystalloid was found to be 6.6 nm lattice rods with 16.7 nm intervals (n = 48). In this report, the structure and function of the crystalloid construction is discussed; and the results suggested, as did former reports, that it may be a kind of peroxisome.

Aging↗

Differentiation of malignant glioma and metastatic brain tumor by thallium-201 single photon emission computed tomography.

The use of superdelayed thallium-201 single photon emission computed tomography (201Tl SPECT) for differentiating malignant gliomas from cerebral metastases was investigated in 23 patients (7 with meningioma, 6 with glioma, 7 with cerebral metastasis, 1 with each of neurinoma, abscess, and necrosis). 4 mCi of 201Tl was injected intravenously, and gamma camera scans were performed after 10 minutes and 4, 24, 72, and 96 hours (superdelayed scan). The mean thallium index of meningiomas was significantly higher than those of gliomas and cerebral metastases after 10 minutes, while the mean thallium indices of meningiomas and gliomas were significantly higher than those of cerebral metastases after 96 hours. The combination of early and superdelayed 201Tl SPECT may be useful in differentiating malignant gliomas from cerebral metastases.

Aged↗

[A study of children with cerebral palsy who were born between 1977 and 1985 in Kyoto City; a report from an institution for handicapped children].

First, we longitudinally analyzed 177 cerebral-palsied children (CP) who were born in Kyoto City between 1977 and 1985. They were all visited St. Joseph Hospital for Crippled Children in Kyoto during the period 1977 to 1991 in order to investigate the relationship between the prognosis of perinatal care and the changing panorama of CP in Kyoto. The average occurrence rate of CP per 1,000 live birth during the 9 years in Kyoto was 1.12. 177 CP were divided into 3 groups according to their birth years: 1977-1979 (47 CP); 1980-1982 (62 CP); and 1983-1985 (68 CP). Then we compared the distribution of birthweights and gestational periods among the 3 groups. We found a significant increasing trend in the percentage of CP in babies with birthweight less than 2,000 g. Second, we examined 162 CP; 15 born outside of Kyoto were excluded because of extraneous influences of perinatal care. 162 were divided into 3 groups according to their birth years: 1977-1979 (44); 1980-1982 (56); and 1983-1985 (62). We also compared the risk factors and prognosis according to the birthweights and gestational ages among the 3 groups. This study revealed a decreasing trend in the frequency of convulsions of full term CP, dyspnea and oxygen administration of premature CP in the neonatal period. At the same time, the motor development of CP without mental retardation had improved significantly in the later period. However, in the last 3 years the distribution of the severity of motor disturbance at 4 years of age among CP with birthweight of 1,000-2,000 g was either mild or severe.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Birth Weight↗

Gastric carcinoma, an endoscopically curable disease.

Following refinement of endoscopic diagnosis of gastric cancer, the concept of 'early gastric carcinoma' and its endoscopic features have become established. After the wide acceptance of the techniques of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), laser therapy and accurate endoscopic-endosonographic assessment of the depth of invasion, curative endoscopic treatment of intramucosal gastric carcinoma has become established. On the basis of the analysis of lymphatic metastasis, the indications for endoscopic treatment of gastric carcinoma have been defined as (1) well-differentiated, intramucosal adenocarcinoma of a superficial elevated lesion (diameter < 2 cm), and (2) well-differentiated, intramucosal adenocarcinoma of a superficial depressed lesion (diameter < 1 cm) having no ulcer or scar inside. The preferred procedure of endoscopic treatment is EMR with careful histological examination of the resected specimen. It is supplemented by repeat EMR, laser therapy, or surgical gastrectomy in case of incomplete resection. For detection of residual cancer and recurrence, periodic endoscopic follow-up is necessary. Early gastric carcinoma is endoscopically curable.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Electronic endoscopy in perspective.

Electronic endoscopy, developed in 1983, enables the endoscopic image to be transmitted through electric signals that can be easily processed by computer. An electronic endoscope is composed of three vital parts, i.e., a charge-coupled device (CCD) that converts the image to electric signals, a video processor that converts analog electric signals to the digital and processes them to become video signals, and a television monitor. The introduction of electronic endoscopy has enabled computer management of endoscopic images, on one hand, and provided an opportunity for image processing and analysis, on the other. A digital image management system will further develop into a database of endoscopic images. Combined with the technologies of remote control and remote sensing, the introduction of CCD to endoscopy has made it possible to transform the endoscope, so that it could become a capsule. Future advances in the research of image processing and analysis will lead to the development of a system of automated endoscopic diagnosis.

Electronics, Medical↗

[Three cases of hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by inhalation of spores of Pholiota nameko and the background of the disease].

Here we report a new type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by inhalation of spores of Pholiota nameko. P. nameko is a kind of mushroom which is of Japanese delicacy. Among people who are working in nameko cultivation, we found three patients suffering from hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and identified that it was caused by inhalation of spores of P. nameko. Every patient was engaged in indoor nameko cultivation inside a building equipped with a air and moisture conditioning system for two to ten years. In the indoor environment, it was thought that they were exposed to and inhaled a high density of nameko spores. Among 15 healthy indoor nameko growers, we found 6 who had precipitating antibody against extracts from nameko spores; however, there were no antibody positive people in 17 outdoor nameko growers. As seen in dairy farmers, it was clarified that there is a percentage of precipitin positive nameko growers who are asymptomatic. This is concrete evidence that changes of mushroom cultivation style can induce a new type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. These findings were considered to be an important experience from the view points of environmental pulmonary diseases and industrial medicine.

Adult↗

The significant enhancement of fibrinolysis by calcium ion in a cell free system: the shortening of euglobulin clot lysis time by calcium ion.

We investigated the roles of calcium ion (Ca2+) on euglobulin clot lysis time (ECLT) and found that the physiological concentration of Ca2+ significantly (4-5 times) shortened ECLT. The shortening was observed at the concentration of Ca2+ higher than 1.5-2.0 mM. Other divalent cations such as Mg2+, Zn2+ or Mn2+ didn't change ECLT. Anti-tPA antibody or plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 prolonged ECLT in the absence of Ca2+, whereas they had no effect on ECLT shortened by Ca2+. C1 inactivator also had no effect. When barium absorbed plasma was employed, the shortening of ECLT by Ca2+ wasn't observed, whereas it was recovered by the readdition of barium absorbed fraction. When factor X deficient plasma was employed, the shortening of ECLT by Ca2+ was also not observed. Thus, Ca2+ enhances fibrinolysis in a cell free system by a novel pathway in which the presence of factor X is prerequisite.

Absorption↗