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Biomedical subjects

K Kamada

Publications and source records attributed to K Kamada.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Reversible brain dysfunction in MELAS: MEG, and (1)H MRS analysis.

This case report describes a follow up investigation of a patient with impaired word discrimination due to mitochondrial encephalopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like syndrome (MELAS) using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H MRS) and auditory evoked magnetic fields (AEFs). The initial (1)H MRS showed no N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) and marked accumulation of lactate (Lac) in the stroke-like lesion of MELAS, which was silent in neural activity according to AEFs. The follow up investigations, however, demonstrated that NAA reappeared, that the formerly increased Lac signal was significantly reduced, and that the magnitude of AEFs of the lesion was markedly increased. Metabolic and functional changes in (1)H MRS and AEFs reflected the neurological recovery very well. The stroke-like lesion was shown, using AEFs and (1)H MRS, to be able to function properly, although brain tissue of the lesion initially had severe damage due to mitochondrial dysfunction.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Basilar artery vasculitis secondary to sphenoid sinusitis--case report.

A 35-year-old male presented with basilar artery vasculitis secondary to sphenoid sinusitis manifesting as rapidly deteriorating symptoms including consciousness disturbance and right hemiparesis. Computed tomography (CT) on admission showed sphenoid sinusitis without intracranial lesion. Emergency angiography demonstrated basilar artery stenosis. The neurological deterioration was considered to be caused by ischemia of the perforating arteries branching from the stenotic portion of the basilar artery. The patient was treated with urokinase infusion through a microcatheter just proximal to the stenosis 3 hours after the onset of the symptoms. His consciousness level and right hemiparesis markedly improved immediately after the procedure. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging on day 5 revealed that extension of the sphenoid sinusitis into the prepontine cistern had formed an abscess which was attached to the clivus. The basilar artery was embedded in the abscess at the angiographic stenosis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis showed white blood cell count of 601/mm3 with 82% neutrophils, 89.2 mg/dl protein, and 31 mg/dl glucose. No causative organism in the CSF could be identified by smear or culture. Early MR imaging and CSF examination are recommended when patients present with both ischemic symptoms involving the basilar artery and opacification of the sphenoid sinus on CT to identify basilar artery vasculitis secondary to sphenoid sinusitis.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Early bond strength and durability of bond between a ceramic material and chemically-cured or dual-cured resin luting agent.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of the different polymerization types of two chemically-cured (Panavia 21 and Super-Bond C&B) and three dual-cured (Panavia Fluoro Cement, Clapearl DC, and Vita Cerec Duo Cement) resin luting agents on the early bond strengths and durability of bond to a Cerec 2 ceramic material. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Cerec 2 ceramic specimens were prepared with No. 600 silicon carbide paper and their surfaces were etched with phosphoric acid gel, and applied with silane coupling agent. Two sizes of specimens were then bonded together with each of the five luting agents. Shear bond tests were performed 10 mins or 20 mins after preparing specimens, storage in water at 37 degrees C for 24 hrs, and/or 20,000 thermocycles between 4 degrees C and 60 degrees C water baths. RESULTS: The specimens bonded with one of the three dual-cured resin luting agents showed almost the same shear bond strengths for all four storage conditions. However, two chemically-cured resin luting agents exhibited much lower shear bond strengths at 10- and 20-min intervals than at 0 and 20,000 thermocycles. Three dual-cured resin luting agents showed significantly higher bond strengths than two chemically-cured resin luting agents at 10- and 20-min intervals.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2000

Synthesis and Photochromism of Crowned Spirobenzothiapyran: Facilitated Photoisomerization by Cooperative Complexation of Crown Ether and Thiophenolate Moieties with Metal Ions.

Spirobenzothiapyrans bearing monoaza-12-crown-4, -15-crown-5, -18-crown-6, and oligooxyethylene moieties were synthesized, and their photochromism was examined in the presence of cations in acetonitrile. The cation complexation by their crown ether moieties cannot induce thermal isomerization to their corresponding colored merocyanine form, unlike the corresponding spirobenzopyran derivatives. The UV-light-induced isomerization was, however, facilitated by the cation complexation of the crown ether moieties and the affinity of the merocyanine thiophenolate anion to metal ions, especially in the presence of Li(+) and Ag(+). The presence of Ag(+) brought about the most remarkable effect in the facilitation of photoisomerization of the spirobenzothiapyrans and the thermal stability of the colored merocyanine form mainly due to the powerful interaction of the thiophenolate anion with the soft metal ion.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Recombinant carboxyltransferase responsive to redox of pea plastidic acetyl-CoA carboxylase.

Acetyl-CoA carboxylase regulates the rate of fatty acid synthesis. This enzyme in plants is localized in plastids and is believed to be composed of biotin carboxyl carrier protein, biotin carboxylase, and carboxyltransferase made up of alpha and beta polypeptides, although the enzyme has not been purified yet. Accumulated evidence shows that pea plastidic acetyl-CoA carboxylase is activated by light and the activation is caused by light-dependent reduction of carboxyltransferase, but not of biotin carboxylase, via a redox cascade. To understand the reductive activation of carboxyltransferase at the molecular level here, we obtained the active enzyme composed of decahistidine-tagged (His tag) alpha and beta polypeptides through the expression of the pea plastidic carboxyltransferase gene in Escherichia coli. Gel filtration showed that the molecular size of the recombinant carboxyltransferase is in agreement with that of partially purified carboxyltransferase from pea chloroplasts. The catalytic activity of the recombinant enzyme was similar to that of native carboxyltransferase. These results indicate that the molecular structure and conformation of recombinant carboxyltransferase resemble those of its native counterpart and that native carboxyltransferase is indeed composed of alpha and beta polypeptides. This recombinant enzyme was activated by dithiothreitol, a known reductant of S-S bonds, with a profile similar to that of its native counterpart. The recombinant enzyme was activated by reduced thioredoxin-f, a signal transducer of redox potential in chloroplasts under irradiation. Thus, this enzyme was redox-regulated, like that of the native carboxyltransferase.

Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase↗
PubMed2000

Effect of thione primers on bonding of noble metal alloys with an adhesive resin.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effects of two metal conditioners on the bond durability of an adhesive resin joined to noble metal alloys by comparing pre- and post-thermocycling bond strengths. METHODS: Two different sizes of disk specimens (10 and 8mm in diameter by 2.5mm thickness) were prepared from silver-indium (Ag-In-Zn, Salivan), silver-palladium-copper-gold (Ag-Pd-Cu, Castwell M.C.12), metal-ceramic gold (Au-Pt-Pd, Degudent-Universal), metal-ceramic palladium (Pd-Ga-Co, PTM 88), type IV gold (type IV, Casting Gold) alloys, and pure silver (pure Ag). The specimens were air-abraded with 50-microm grain sized alumina, conditioned either with a thiouracil primer (Metaltite) or with a thione-phosphate primer (Alloy Primer), then bonded with an adhesive resin (Super-Bond Opaque). Shear bond strengths were determined both before and after repeated thermocycling (4 degrees C and 60 degrees C, 1min each, 100, 000cycles). The results were compared by analysis of variance and post-hoc multiple comparison intervals. RESULTS: The average post-thermocycling bond strengths in MPa (n=8) generated with the thiouracil primed and thione-phosphate primed groups, respectively, were: 3.4 and 5.8 for the Ag-In-Zn alloy, 40.4 and 37.7 for the Ag-Pd-Cu alloy, 26.4 and 33.5 for the Au-Pt-Pd alloy, 27.4 and 36.6 for the Pd-Ga-Co alloy, 40.2 and 40.3 for the type IV alloy, and 37.3 and 32.4 for the pure Ag. The Ag-In-Zn alloy exhibited significantly lower bond strength than the other alloys, whereas the Ag-Pd-Cu and type IV alloys exhibited the greatest magnitude of bond strength for both primers (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that the combined use of either of the two thione primers and the adhesive resin is effective for bonding the metal/alloys examined, with the exception of the Ag-In-Zn alloy.

Adhesiveness↗
PubMed2000

In vivo administration of mycobacterial cord factor (Trehalose 6, 6'-dimycolate) can induce lung and liver granulomas and thymic atrophy in rabbits.

Trehalose 6,6'-dimycolate (TDM) is a cell surface molecule of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TDM induced a loss of body weight and prominent granulomas in the liver and lungs by the intravenous injection of TDM into rabbits. TDM also induced atrophy of the thymus and spleen due to apoptosis. By contrast, sulfolipid (2,3,6, 6'-tetraacyl trehalose 2'-sulfate) induced neither toxicity, nor granuloma formation, nor atrophy of the thymus and spleen. In rabbits the histopathological changes were more dramatic than in mice. The rabbit model may be more sensitive and may provide more information on the beneficial or pathological effects of TDM.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Phenotypic change of muscularis mucosae in early invasive colorectal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Invasive colorectal adenocarcinomas have bundles of eosinophilic spindle cells, which are regarded as myofibroblasts, in their desmoplastic stroma, some of which are continuous with the muscularis mucosa. AIM: To investigate the relation between the eosinophilic spindle cells and the muscularis mucosa based on their cytoskeletal phenotypes in early invasive colorectal adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded tissues of 17 early invasive colorectal adenocarcinomas were immunostained for alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), desmin, and vimentin. RESULTS: The phenotype of the muscularis mucosa was alpha-SMA positive, desmin positive, and vimentin weakly positive, whereas the eosinophilic spindle cells showed a decreased degree of immunoreactivity for alpha-SMA and desmin in particular, and an increased degree of immunoreactivity for vimentin. The degree of phenotypic difference between the muscularis mucosa and the eosinophilic spindle cells was greater in the eosinophilic spindle cells in the centre of the invasive area that were not continuous with the muscularis mucosa than in the eosinophilic spindle cells continuous with the muscularis mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the smooth muscle cells of the muscularis mucosa change their phenotype to become eosinophilic spindle cells, namely myofibroblasts, in the early invasive area of colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Actins↗
PubMed2000

Scleroderma associated with anemia and thrombocytopenia that responded well to cyclosporin.

A 55-year-old woman came to our hospital because of cutaneous sclerosis of the limbs in September 1996, and was diagnosed with scleroderma based on a skin biopsy. In August 1997, the cutaneous sclerosis became progressive (hemoglobin level, 4.3 g/dl; platelet count, 7 x 10(9)/l). The laboratory results were positive for the direct Coombs test, bone marrow aspiration showed a dry tap, and the bone marrow biopsy showed marked fatty marrow. Indium-111 bone marrow scintigraphy showed a markedly decreasing uptake. These findings indicated bone marrow hypoplasia associated with hemolytic anemia. After prednisolone therapy (60 mg) was initiated, the direct Coombs test became negative but the blood cell count did not increase. Then, 300 mg of cyclosporin was initiated and anemia and thrombocytopenia improved. The cyclosporin dosage was gradually decreased and the patient's hematological condition was good, although the cutaneous sclerosis changed only a little. This is a rare and interesting case of a patient with scleroderma associated with bone marrow insufficiency and hemolysis who responded well to cyclosporin.

Anemia, Hemolytic↗
PubMed2000

Regional cerebral blood flow after status epilepticus.

Two patients with status epilepticus due to specific conditions were examined using MRI and stable Xe/CT CBF. [Case 1] A 30-year-old woman developed a grand mal seizure during delivery. She was comatose, and MRI revealed abnormal high intensity areas bilateral basal ganglia, compatible with eclampsia. Regional CBF was decreased in bilateral occipital lobes and right basal ganglia. Six days after onset. Regional gray matter flow was increased, especially in the thalami and basal ganglia. [Case 2] The patient is a 31-year-old male diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy since 10 years. At the onset, he had a prolonged right hemiconvulsion followed by generalized tonic-clonic convulsion. MRI 13 days after onset showed left hemispheric edematous swelling of gray matter. Stable Xe/CT 3 weeks after onset demonstrated increased cortical CBF corresponding to edematous area. The results suggested that regional CBF decreased immediately after status epilepticus and then increased for 1-3 weeks in the interictal period. We speculate that the energy debt incurred during prolonged seizure causes relative ischemic condition in the neurons, with the increase in CBF resulting from accelerated energy production for a long period.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Usefulness of temporal subtraction images of chest computed radiography for detection of metastatic pulmonary nodules].

Temporal subtraction is a technique by which a previous chest radiograph is subtracted from a current radiograph in order to enhance interval changes. Our purpose in this study was to evaluate the usefulness of temporal subtraction for the detection of metastatic pulmonary nodules. We examined 19 cases of metastatic nodules less than 15 mm in diameter (8.4 mm on average). Temporal subtraction images were created based on the matching of local lung areas in pairs of chest radiographs. By using the subtraction images, the detectability of nodules was clearly improved in 5 cases and moderately improved in 8 cases; there was no improvement in 6 cases. The subtraction images were especially useful for nodules superimposed over normal structures, such as rib, mediastinum, and diaphragm, as well as for small nodules. In 6 of the 19 cases, the nodules had been missed clinically; however, the temporal subtraction images clearly demonstrated half of missed small nodules. Temporal subtraction made it possible to enhance subtle interval changes and helped in detecting small pulmonary metastases. This technique seems promising for augmenting the capabilities of computed radiography of the chest.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

A combined study of tumor-related brain lesions by using magnetoencephalography and 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging. Technical note.

The purpose of this study was to localize pathological magnetic brain activities and to analyze metabolic alterations in functionally abnormal lesions by using magnetoencephalography (MEG) and (1)H magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy in patients with brain tumors. The authors studied 10 healthy volunteers and seven patients who harbored common brain tumors, namely astrocytic tumors and meningioma. In spontaneous MEG the pathological brain activities (slow waves, fast waves, and spikes) were localized using a single equivalent dipole model. After the results of MEG and (1)H MR spectroscopy were superimposed onto the corresponding MR images, the signal intensities of spectroscopically visible metabolites were analyzed in the regions in which the dipoles of the pathological activities were concentrated. Increased slow-wave activity was observed in four cases, and fast-wave or spike activity was significantly increased in one case each, respectively. These pathological activities were localized at almost the same cortical areas adjacent to the bulk of tumors, where mild reduction of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) and slight accumulation of lactate consistently existed. Preserved and metabolically active cortical areas, which are indicated by residual NAA, might be able to generate pathological magnetic activities under lactic acidosis. Such an area could be understood as a border zone between normal brain tissue and brain tissue that has been seriously damaged by tumors or associated edema, which should be intensively treated. This combination of imaging techniques gives insight into functional as well as metabolic aspects of pathological brain conditions.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Thin sol-gel-derived silica coatings on dental pure titanium casting.

The sol-gel dipping process, in which liquid silicon alkoxide is transformed into a solid silicon-oxygen network, can produce a thin film coating of silica (SiO(2)). The features of this method are high homogeneity and purity of the thin SiO(2) film and a low sinter temperature, which are important in the preparation of coating films that can protect metallic ion release from the metal substrate and prevent attachment of dental plaque. We evaluated the surface properties of dental pure titanium casting coated with a thin SiO(2) or SiO(2)/F-hybrid film by the sol-gel dipping process. The metal specimens were pretreated by dipping in isopropylalcohol solution containing 10 wt% 3-aminopropyl trimethoxysilane and treated by dipping in the silica precursor solution for 5 min, withdrawal at a speed of 2 mm/min, air-drying for 20 min at room temperature, heating at 120 degrees C for 20 min, and then storing at room temperature. Both SiO(2) and SiO(2)/F films bonded strongly (above 55 MPa) to pure titanium substrate by a tensile test. SiO(2(-)) and SiO(2)/F-coated specimens immersed in 1 wt% of lactic acid solution for two weeks showed significantly less release of titanium ions (30. 5 ppb/cm(2) and 9.5 ppb/cm(2), respectively) from the substrate than noncoated specimens (235.2 ppb/cm(2)). Hydrophobilization of SiO(2(-)) and SiO(2)/F-coated surfaces resulted in significant increases of contact angle of water (81.6 degrees and 105.7 degrees, respectively) compared with noncoated metal specimens (62.1 degrees ). The formation of both thin SiO(2) and SiO(2)/F-hybrid films by the sol-gel dipping process on the surface of dental pure titanium casting may be useful clinically in enhancing the bond strength of dental resin cements to titanium, preventing titanium ions release from the substrate, and reducing the accumulation of dental plaque attaching to intraoral dental restorations.

Adhesiveness↗
PubMed1999

Silica coatings formed on noble dental casting alloy by the sol-gel dipping process.

The sol-gel dipping process, in which liquid silicon alkoxide is transformed into the solid silicon-oxygen network, can produce a thin film coating of silica (SiO2). The features of this method are high homogeneity and purity of the thin SiO2 film and a low sinter temperature, which are important in preparation of coating films that can protect from metallic ion release from the metal substrate and prevent attachment of dental plaque. We evaluated the surface characteristics of the dental casting silver-palladium-copper-gold (Ag-Pd-Cu-Au) alloy coated with a thin SiO2 film by the sol-gel dipping process. The SiO2 film bonded strongly (over 40 MPa) to Ti-implanted Ag-Pd-Cu-Au alloy substrate as demonstrated by a pull test. Hydrophobilization of Ti-implanted/SiO2-coated surfaces resulted in a significant increase of the contact angle of water (80.5 degrees) compared with that of the noncoated alloy specimens (59.3 degrees). Ti-implanted/SiO2-coated specimens showed the release of many fewer metallic ions (192 ppb/cm2) from the substrate than did noncoated specimens (2,089 ppb/cm2). The formation of a thin SiO2 film by the sol-gel dipping process on the surface of Ti-implanted Ag-Pd-Cu-Au alloy after casting clinically may be useful for minimizing the possibilities of the accumulation of dental plaque and metal allergies caused by intraoral metal restorations.

Adhesiveness↗
PubMed1999

Systemic granulomatous arteritis associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection.

A 61-year-old woman initially presented with symptoms and findings reminiscent of infectious mononucleosis, and her illness then took a rapidly fatal course. Autopsy revealed widespread granulomatous arteritis, with multinucleated giant cells but without eosinophils and fibrinoid necrosis, affecting small arteries and arterioles and infiltration of haemophagocytic histiocytes into many organs. In situ hybridization with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific oligonucleotide probes showed positive signals in the infiltrating immune cells and epithelial and endothelial cells of the affected organs. EBV-associated haemophagocytic syndrome (EBV-AHS) with systemic granulomatous arteritis was diagnosed. From the immunophenotypes of the infiltrating immune cells, a possible role of CD4+ T-cells in the pathogenesis of this haemophagocytic syndrome and granulomatous vasculitis was suggested.

Arteritis↗
PubMed1999

Anatomical and functional imaging of the auditory cortex in awake mustached bats using magnetic resonance technology.

The auditory cortex of mustached bats, Pteronotus parnellii, has been studied extensively using neuroanatomical tract-tracing and electrophysiological techniques to elucidate the functional organization and neural mechanisms important for auditory processing. While these techniques have identified several cortical maps involved in processing auditory information, there has been no direct observation of the dynamics of simultaneous activation of several discrete areas. We applied magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques for visualizing brain structures in awake bats using a 7-Tesla magnet system; we also investigated functional MR imaging by measuring changes in stimulus-correlated blood oxygenation levels to detect cortical areas exhibiting evoked neural activity. High resolution (100 microm) anatomical images were successfully acquired without any motion artifacts. It was possible to reconstruct the whole brain image and analyze brain surface structures with three dimensional (3D) MR imaging data. These data provide detailed morphometric measurements that will allow localization of stimulus specific neural activity patterns using modified functional magnetic-resonance-imaging (fMRI) protocols. Motion artifacts is the primary disadvantage of using awake bats; our study shows that fMRI of a bat's brain is feasible and may prove to be an important advancement for a further understanding of auditory processing in this species.Themes: Sensory systems, Neural basis of behavior.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1999

Adhesive primers for bonding cobalt-chromium alloy to resin.

This study evaluated the effect of five adhesive primers on the shear bond strength of a self-curing resin to cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) alloy. The adhesive primers Acryl Bond (AB, Shofu), Cesead Opaque Primer (COP, Kuraray), Metacolor Opaque Bonding Liner (MOBL, Sun-Medical), Metal PrimerII (MPII, GC) and MR. Bond (MRB, Tokuyama) were used. A brass ring which was placed over the casting alloy disk surface non-primed or primed with each primer was filled with the self-curing MMA-PMMA resin. The specimens were stored in water at 37 degrees C for 24 h and then immersed alternately in water baths at 4 C and 60 degrees C for 1 min each for up to 50000 thermal cycles before shear mode testing at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. All of the primers examined, except MOBL, improved the shear bond strength between the resin and Co-Cr alloy compared with nonprimed specimens prior to thermal cycling. Regardless of which primer was used, the shear bond strength significantly differed between thermal cycles 0 and 50000. However, after 50000 thermal cycles, the bond strengths of resin to Co-Cr alloy primed with COP or MPII were significantly greater than those of specimens primed with AB, MOBL or MRB and non-primed controls. This study indicated that COP and MPII are effective primers to obtain higher bond strength between resin and Co-Cr alloy.

Adhesives↗