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Biomedical subjects

I Matsubara

Publications and source records attributed to I Matsubara.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Improved recovery of trace amounts of gold (III), palladium (II) and platinum (IV) from large amounts of associated base metals using anion-exchange resins.

The adsorption and desorption behaviors of gold (III), palladium (II) and platinum (IV) were surveyed in column chromatographic systems consisting of one of the conventional anion-exchange resins of large ion-exchange capacity and dilute thiourea solutions. The noble metals were strongly adsorbed on the anion-exchange resins from dilute hydrochloric acid, while most base metals did not show any marked adsorbability. These facts made it possible to separate the noble metals from a large quantity of base metals such as Ag (I), Al (III), Co (II), Cu (II), Fe (III), Mn (II), Ni (II), Pb (II), and Zn (II). Although it used to be very difficult to desorb the noble metals from the resins used, the difficulty was easily overcome by use of dilute thiourea solutions as an eluant. In the present study, as little as 1.00 microg of the respective noble metals was quantitatively separated and recovered from as much as ca. 10 mg of a number of metals on a small column by elution with a small amount of dilute thiourea solution. The present systems should be applicable to the separation, concentration and recovery of traces of the noble metals from a number of base metals coexisting in a more extended range of amounts and ratios.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

The comparative study on occupational mortality, 1980 between Japan and Great Britain.

Age-adjusted standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and life tables in male occupational groups for all causes and major diseases such as malignant neoplasm of stomach and lung, cerebrovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, traffic accidents and suicide was compared between Japan and Great Britain. Except for traffic accidents and suicide, males in higher employment grades had lower SMRs which had also been found to be related to other social class indicators such as perinatal death rate, the frequency of work absence and current smoker's rate. Occupational differences in mortality rates for major diseases became smaller with advancing age in Great Britain but not necessarily in Japan. The present authors concluded that inequalities in socio-economical factors were more likely to be the primary factors for survival, and that selection such as occupation and occupation-related lifestyle might still be an important factor for the inequalities. These inequalities were more obvious in Japan, where a life expectancy was, however, best in the world.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Prognostic significance of vascular endothelial growth factor protein in node-negative breast carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The clinical outcome is generally positive for patients with node-negative breast carcinoma (i.e., those who do not have detectable metastases in the lymph nodes) who have been treated with surgery or surgery plus radiation therapy. In about 30% of the patients, however, the disease recurs, and they are at risk of death. Determination of valid new prognostic indicators would improve the ability to identify patients at high risk of recurrence. Breast cancer can entail substantial development of new blood vessels within the tumor tissue, and it is known that the growth and metastasis of solid tumors are dependent on such angiogenesis. The conversion of tumor cells to an angiogenic phenotype may be preceded by a change in the balance of angiogenic growth factors and angiogenesis inhibitors. PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine if the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein, a potent endothelial growth factor and mediator of vascular permeability and angiogenesis, measured in the primary tumors of women with node-negative breast cancer are associated with known prognostic factors and patient survival. METHODS: By use of a selective enzymatic immunoassay, levels of VEGF protein were measured in cytosolic extracts of primary tumor tissue surgically obtained from 260 women with node-negative breast carcinoma who had been treated with surgery with or without radiation therapy but not with adjuvant therapy and who had been followed for a median time of 66 months. The relationships between VEGF concentrations and other prognostic dichotomous variables or clinical outcome were tested by the use of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and univariate and multivariate Cox analyses, respectively. The relationship between VEGF and hormone receptors (i.e., those for estrogen and progesterone) was examined by the use of Spearman's correlation analyses. All P values resulted from the use of two-sided statistical tests. RESULTS: Tumors from 247 (95%) of the 260 patients had detectable VEGF, ranging in concentration from 5.0 to 6523 pg/mg protein (median, 126.25 pg/mg protein). No statistically significant associations were found between VEGF and the other prognostic factors (e.g., age, menopausal status, histologic tumor type, tumor size, and hormone receptors) examined. Levels of VEGF were found to be prognostic for both relapse-free and overall survival in univariate and multivariate analyses (likelihood ratio tests; all four P values < .001). In the multivariate analysis, the first-order interaction term of VEGF and estrogen receptor was also prognostic for overall survival (likelihood ratio test; P = .05). CONCLUSIONS: The results show that cytosolic levels of VEGF in tumor tissue samples are indicative of prognosis for patients with node-negative breast carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[A case of cranial osteomyelitis after head injury with exaggeration and remission for thirty years].

We report a case of cranial osteomyelitis after head injury with exaggeration and remission for 30 years. A 41-year-old man was referred to our hospital with redness, swelling and pain in the left frontal region. He had noted a hard mass in the same region after an injury at the age of 12 years, and local heat and redness again in the same region which had disappeared without definite treatment at the age of 20 years. Presently, skull roentogenogram showed an erosive lesion in the left frontal bone. Plain CT revealed bone defect, epidural mass lesion, calcification of the dura mater and thickness of the extracranial soft tissue in the left frontal region. T1-weighted MR images showed an isointense lesion and T2-weighted MR images showed a high intensity lesion in the inner table and a diploic layer in the left frontal bone. 99thTc MDP bone scinntigram showed abnormal uptake in the same region. Operation performed through a left frontotemporal craniotomy revealed a degeneration of temporal muscle and frontal bone, and granulation tissue and pus in the subcutaneous and epidural spaces. These were removed together with the calcified dura mater. The subdural space was intact. Dural plasty was performed using fascia lata, but the craniotomied bone was replaced. Histological examination revealed typical findings of osteomyelitis. Postoperative course was uneventful, and he was discharged without neurological deficit. Cranioplasty was performed 8 months after the first surgery. The mechanism by which osteomyelitis continued over a long course of time was suspected to be the formation of a focus of recurrent inflammation due to the head injury 30 years earlier.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Cross-bridge movement in rat slow skeletal muscle as a function of calcium concentration.

A single fibre bundle from rat soleus muscle was chemically skinned with saponin and the transfer of myosin heads from the thick filaments to the thin filaments at a sarcomere length of 2.4 microm was measured as a function of Ca2+ concentration using an x-ray diffraction method at 4-7 degrees C. In the relaxed state, the 1,0 spacing was 42.08 nm. The spacing showed no significant decrease when the Ca2+ concentration was below the threshold (-log10 [Ca2+] or pCa 5.8). No significant transfer of the myosin heads occurred when the Ca2+concentration was below the threshold (pCa 5.8). When the muscle was maximally activated at pCa 4.4, the spacing decreased to 40.35 nm. During the maximum isometric contraction at pCa 4.4, 54. 9 +/- 6.5% (+/-SE of the mean) of the myosin heads were transferred to the thin filaments. The transfer of the myosin heads was approximately proportional to relative tension. These results suggest that myosin heads of both fast-twitch and slow-twitch skeletal muscles transferred on the common movement as a function of Ca2+ concentration.

Actins↗
PubMed1996

Calcium movement in ischemia-tolerant hippocampal CA1 neurons after transient forebrain ischemia in gerbils.

Hippocampal CA1 neurons exposed to a nonlethal period (2 min) of ischemia, acquired tolerance to a subsequent lethal 5-min period of ischemia, which usually causes delayed-type neuronal death. Intracellular Ca2+ movements before and after the 5 min of forebrain ischemia were evaluated in gerbil hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, had acquired tolerance in comparison with nonischemia-tolerant CA1 neurons. Evaluation was performed by observing the ultrastructural intracellular Ca2+ distribution and the Ca2+ adenosine triphosphatase (Ca(2+)-ATPase) activity using electron microscopic cytochemistry. In comparison with nonischemia-tolerant CA1 neurons, mitochondria of ischemia-tolerant CA1 neurons sequestered more Ca2+ from the cytosomal fraction 15 min after the 5-min period of ischemia, and Ca2+ deposits in these mitochondria were rapidly decreased. Plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase activities were already significantly elevated before the 5 min of ischemia, and remained at a higher level subsequently compared to nonischemia-tolerant CA1 neurons. Changes in the mitochondrial Ca2+ distribution and Ca(2+)-ATPase activities in ischemia-tolerant CA1 neurons after the 5-min period of ischemia showed a strong resemblance to those in CA3 neurons, which originally possess resistance to such periods of ischemia. These findings suggest that enhanced or maintained activities of mitochondrial Ca2+ sequenstration and plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase reduced Ca2+ toxicity following 5-min ischemia in terms of time, resulting in escape from delayed neuronal death.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Does an allergy skin test on school-children predict respiratory symptoms in adulthood?

BACKGROUND: It is interesting from the correct point of preventive health care whether allergy skin tests at entry have the positive relationship with common respiratory symptoms such as persistent cough, persistent phlegm and wheeze with colds at end point in longitudinal studies. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate this relationship in subjects followed from when they were school-children until they were young adults. METHODS: Young adults aged 18-31 years who had participated in an allergy skin test and a health survey for common respiratory symptoms during primary and junior high school were asked about their respiratory symptoms at the end-point in the follow-up study. Three cohort groups were employed in the follow-up study. RESULTS: According to a multiple logistic analysis with adjustments made for sex, symptoms at entry in childhood, and age and smoking habits at the end-point, young adults with a positive skin test to an extract of house dust as school-children showed a higher prevalence of wheeze with colds compared with those with a negative skin test. However, this relationship was not found for persistent cough or persistent phlegm, indeed, the latter symptom was significantly associated with negative skin tests in one cohort group. CONCLUSION: The respective symptoms at entry in childhood were also predictors of their occurrence in young adults. The results show that the common respiratory symptoms such as persistent phlegm and wheeze with colds in childhood are related to those in young adults rather than is an allergy skin test to an extract of house dust in childhood.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Two cases of severe cytomegalovirus pneumonitis treated with permissive hypercapnia].

Two patients with severe cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonitis were treated with permissive hypercapnia. Case 1 was a 66-year-old male who suffered ventricular septal perforation caused by acute myocardial infarction. Case 2 was a 54-year-old male who sustained a blunt chest injury. In both cases, hypoxia with reduction of lung compliance developed after their operations. They were mechanically ventilated and we limited their peak inspiratory pressure, disregarding hypercapnia (i.e. permissive hypercapnia). During permissive hypercapnia, the maximum arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) was 96 mmHg in case 1 and 141 mmHg in case 2. Duration of hypercapnia (PaCO2 > 50mmHg) was 22 days in case 1 and 29 days in case 2. The patients were weaned from the respirator after two months of mechanical ventilation. In conclusion, the permissive hypercapnia was a useful method in the treatment of severe CMV pneumonitis.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Acute brain swelling after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: pathogenesis and outcome.

OBJECTIVES: First, to examine factors that may be related to brain swelling, which was identified by the absence or compression of the lateral and third ventricles and perimesencephalic cisterns on brain computed tomography (CT) scans in the early postresuscitation period in patients who suffered an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Second, to characterize the neurologic outcome in those patients in whom cardiac arrest was followed by brain swelling. DESIGN: Prospective and retrospective analyses. SETTINGS: General ICU, tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS: Fifty-three patients (35 male, 18 female) who had an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and who also had a brain CT examination on the third day after resuscitation. The 53 patients were divided into two groups: group A (25 patients) experienced brain swelling on postresuscitation day 3; group B (28 patients) did not experience noticeable brain swelling. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the two groups in the etiology of the cardiac arrest. Twenty-three of 25 patients in group A had cardiac arrest due to respiratory distress, whereas this finding was true in only five patients in group B. In laboratory data, arterial pH was significantly lower in group A than in group B (6.93 vs. 7.09), as was base deficit (-21.0 mmol/L in group A vs. -13.7 mmol/L in group B). Neurologic outcome was evaluated 1 wk after resuscitation. There were significantly more patients in group A who were not awake and who were diagnosed as brain dead. CONCLUSIONS: The cause of brain swelling may be related to the development of the metabolic acidosis (possibly lactic acidosis) due to hypoxia before the resuscitation period. Brain swelling may be one of the indicators that predicts a poor neurologic outcome in the patients who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Acidosis↗
PubMed1992

[A study on personal information system using movable media for effective welfare services].

A data system which enables utilization of individual patient data by public health nurses, physicians and home helpers, is required both for the continuous and comprehensive monitoring of the various needs of the aged receiving care services at home in the local district and for facilitating welfare services. Therefore, an experimental and comprehensive system for public health, medical services and welfare was put into practice for district public health services for the aging society. The results of this trial system shows that this system is useful indeed for the welfare services, though it also has several problems.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Cross-bridge movement in fast and slow skeletal muscles of the chick.

1. Fast (posterior latissimus dorsi, PLD) and slow (anterior latissimus dorsi, ALD) muscles of the chick were studied by time-resolved X-ray diffraction using a synchrotron radiation source. 2. In both muscles and at both 20 and 30 degrees C, intensities of the X-ray equatorial reflections changed faster than tension at the beginning of tetanus. When the intensity change was converted into the mass transfer from the thick to the thin filament, the difference between the half-rise times of the transfer and tension development at 20 degrees C was 140 ms in ALD and 37 ms in PLD. At 30 degrees C it was 110 ms and 10-20 ms for ALD and PLD respectively. 3. These results indicate that in the early stage of contraction, some of the myosin heads in the vicinity of the thin filament are developing little or no tension, and suggest that the fast and slow muscles differ in the transition rate of myosin heads from the state of attachment with low tension to that with high tension.

Actins↗
PubMed1990

An ecological study on air pollution: changes in annual ring growth of the Japanese cedar and prevalence of respiratory symptoms in schoolchildren in Japanese rural districts.

The effect of air pollution caused by oil-fired electricity-generating stations on the annual ring growth of the Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica, D. Don) and prevalence of respiratory symptoms in schoolchildren were investigated. By retrospective analysis the annual ring growth has been demonstrated to show good agreement with the general trend in air pollution. In addition it was found to be related to the prevalence of respiratory symptoms. The reduction in annual ring growth and increase in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms followed a deterioration in air pollution. Following upgrading of the power station and an improvement in air pollution, the annual ring growth and prevalence of respiratory symptoms showed opposite changes, respectively. Concerning the latter, the prevalence of wheezing and respiratory symptoms associated with school absence in schoolchildren with a positive skin test to house dust extract showed a closer correlation with the annual ring growth when compared with those who had never had a positive skin test.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Study on the respiratory failure with cardiac failure--focus on hypoventilation respiratory failure].

Respiratory failure accompanied by cardiac failure occurs mostly due to decreased PaO2. However, sometimes we encounter patients with cardiac failure having on increase of PaCO2, who develop CO2 narcosis in the ICU. In this study we evaluated hypoventilation respiratory failure in patients with cardiac failure. Seventy-six patients with both respiratory failure and cardiac failure caused by intrinsic heart disease, who required mechanical ventilation in the ICU were studied. The patients were divided into 2 groups; hypoxic respiratory failure group (n = 53) and hypoventilation respiratory failure group (n = 23). Blood gas analysis and cardiovascular hemodynamics including arterial blood pressure, heart rate and Swan-Ganz catheter findings were performed before, during and after mechanical ventilation in each patient. Mortality rate and its relation to hemodynamic variables were also evaluated in each group. In both groups even when it was possible to maintain oxygenation capacity by conducting mechanical ventilation against severe respiratory failure, what can be said about the prognosis is that it depended totally on the improvement of cardiac function. The mechanism by which hypoxemia is displayed due to cardiogenic pulmonary edema is already well known, but in regard to the mechanism of hypercapnia in cases with hypersensitivity of the airways it is thought that through induction of cardiogenic pulmonary edema bronchial spasms is induced, and this causes hypercapnia. However, it is also possible to consider cardiac asthma as the cause. Among respiratory failure cases due to cardiogenic pulmonary edema that occurs in association with heart failure, there is both hypoxic respiratory failure as well as hypoventilation respiratory failure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗