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Biomedical subjects

A Higuchi

Publications and source records attributed to A Higuchi.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Pneumothorax during laparoscopy].

A 28-year-old female was scheduled for laparoscopy under general anesthesia. Her history and physical examination were unremarkable. Trachea was intubated uneventfully following intravenous administration of thiopental 200 mg and vecuronium 8 mg. Anesthesia was maintained with 40% O2, 60% N2O and sevoflurane. Shortly after pneumoperitoneum was introduced, airway resistance increased and breathing sounds were hardly audible over the right side of the chest. A chest radiograph showed the right pneumothorax. Immediately after evacuating the peritoneal gas, the chest radiograph and a blood gas analysis showed that the pneumothorax had improved. Pneumothorax can occur subsequently to pneumoperitoneum due to passage of gas through weak points or defects in the diaphragm. Breathing sound should be monitored carefully during the laparoscopic surgery. Anesthetic gas analyzer and capnometer are considered to be useful to confirm the cause of the pneumothorax.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

HTLV-I associated gastric lymphoma.

A large gastric lymphoma was detected in a 42-year-old woman who was seropositive for HTLV-I. The tumor was histologically shown to be of diffuse large cell type, and phenotypic analysis revealed high expression of CD3 and CD4, indicative of a helper/inducer type of T-cell lymphoma. In Southern blot analyses, the tumor cells showed T-cell receptor re-arrangement and contained proviral DNA of HTLV-1.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The carboxyl terminal amino acid residues of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A involved in cell toxicity and pathogenesis, characterized by a neutralizing human monoclonal antibody.

Human monoclonal antibody HI-1A4 (IgG3, lambda) neutralized a toxicity caused by pseudomonal exotoxin A (Ex-A) in cell culture and in vivo, and was effective in experimental Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in mice. HI-1A4 inhibited an Ex-A catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of elongation factor 2 but did not inhibit an incorporation of toxin into a target cell at all. One molecule of HI-1A4 neutralized at least 2 molecules of Ex-A. HI-1A4 retained its binding activity at pH 4.0. The epitope region for HI-1A4 was demonstrated to be a carboxyl terminal end of amino acid residues 591-613 of Ex-A. HI-1A4 might bind to Ex-A carboxyl terminal region outside a target cell, be incorporated into cells as a complex with Ex-A, and inhibit the intracellular function in which the carboxyl terminal part of Ex-A was involved, resulting in the interruption of intoxication of Ex-A.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1991

Kinetic control of steroidogenesis by steroid concentration in guinea pig adrenal microsomes.

For clarification of the effects of steroid concentration on steroidogenesis of adrenal microsomes, the kinetic parameters, Km and kcat, were determined in the steady-state for progesterone and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone metabolism catalyzed by P-450C21 and P-450(17 alpha lyase) in guinea pig adrenal microsomes. At a high concentration of progesterone, it was equally metabolized by P-450C21 and P-450(17 alpha lyase), while at a low concentration, it was hydroxylated at 17 alpha-position with twice higher rate than at 21-position. 17 alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone is apparently metabolized preferentially by P-450C21 at any concentration. Although the productions of deoxycortisol and androstenedione from 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone were strongly inhibited by progesterone, androstenedione formation from progesterone was not inhibited by a high concentration of progesterone. The addition of liposomal P-450C21 to the reaction medium containing adrenal microsomes caused a decrease in the concentration of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone released into the medium in the steady state reaction, but this had no effect on the activity of androstenedione formation from high concentrations of progesterone. It thus follows that androstenedione is produced by successive monooxygenase reactions without the release of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone from P-450(17 alpha lyase) at a high concentration of progesterone, which is the condition of the adrenal microsomes in vivo.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗
PubMed1991

C3 deposition in IgA nephropathy in children and adolescents.

The aim of this study was to assess the significance of C3 deposition in IgA nephropathy in children and adolescents. One hundred and two patients aged 5-21 years (57 male and 45 female) were studied. The findings of C3 deposition were classified into 8 groups by immunofluorescent (IF) pattern and intensity as follows: group MC3+ (N = 12): mesangiocapillary pattern and 3+ in intensity; group MC2+ (N = 13): mesangiocapillary and 2+; group MC1+ (N = 4): mesangiocapillary and 1+; group M3+ (N = 11): mesangial and 3+; group M2+ (N = 24): mesangial and 2+; group M1+ (N = 18): mesangial 1+; group S (N = 12): only segmentally positive; and group N (N = 8): negative. Histological changes were scored semiquantitatively as an activity index (cellular proliferation, necrosis, interstitial cell infiltration, and cellular crescents) and a chronicity index (mesangial sclerosis, segmental and global glomerular sclerosis, fibrous crescents, adhesion and tubulo-interstitial change). IF findings were scored semiquantitatively and laboratory findings were also studied. The following results were obtained: 1) The scores of total activity index in MC groups were higher than in the M, S or N groups, and the greater the degree of C3 deposition, the higher the score; 2) Such result was not evident in the chronicity index; 3) High IF scores of IgG and IgM were found in the MC3+ and MC2+ groups; 4) Hematuria was more severe in MC3+ and MC2+ than in other groups, and proteinuria was more prominent in the MC than other groups. Thus the degree of C3 deposition was parallel with histological activity and urinary findings.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

C3 deposition in serially biopsied children with IgA nephropathy.

Twenty-five children with IgA nephropathy were studied by serial renal biopsy to investigate C3 deposition. The children were classified into three groups according to the immunofluorescent (IF) course of C3 deposition: group I (N = 9): unchanged or slightly decreased; group II (N = 4): changed to segmental deposition; and group III (N = 12): changed to negative deposition. Histological changes were scored semiquantitatively as an activity index (cellular proliferation, necrosis, interstitial cell infiltration and cellular crescents) and a chronicity index (mesangial sclerosis, segmental and global glomerular sclerosis, adhesion, fibrous crescents and tubulo-interstitial change). The IF findings were scored semiquantitatively and laboratory data were also studied. The following results were obtained: 1. Normal urinalysis was often observed in group III; 2. The IF scores of IgA and IgG were decreased at the second biopsy in all groups, most notably in group III; 3. The activity indices at second biopsies were decreased in all groups, most notably in groups II and III, consistently with our previous study which showed that C3 deposition increases in accordance with histological activity; 4. The chronicity index was unchanged in all groups and C3 deposition did not reflect histological chronicity. Thus, this study indicates that C3 deposition occurs as the disease progresses and reflects histological activity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Treatment of newly diagnosed stage D2 prostatic carcinoma with hormonal therapy alone, or chemotherapy agents in combination with hormones].

From June 1984 to March 1988, patients with newly diagnosed stage D2 prostate cancer were treated with protocol 1. This comprised oral hormonal agents either diethylstilbestrol diphosphate (Honvan: 300 mg/day) or estramustine phosphate (Estracyt: 560 mg/day), or chlormadinone acetate (Prostal: 100 mg/day), plus intravenous cyclophosphamide (CPM, 0.5-1 g/m2) every 3-4 weeks. From May 1988, protocol 2 was used in a randomized study of castration alone versus castration plus intravenous methotrexate (MTX, 20 mg/m2) every 2 weeks. Forty-nine of 53 patients who underwent the two protocols were evaluable for the response. The response rates according to the NPCP criteria were 92% (11/12) for Honvan, 100% (9/9) for Estracyt, 78% (7/9) for Prostal and castration plus MTX, and 80% (8/10) for castration alone. There were no significant differences among these treatments. The median response duration and survival time (months) were 16 and 44, respectively, for Honvan, 19 and 37 for Estracyt, 12 and 43 for Prostal, 11 and 15 for castration plus MTX, and 13 and 13 for castration alone. The short survival times of the castration alone and castration plus MTX groups were due to a short follow-up period. There were no statistical differences among the oral hormonal agent plus CPM groups. However, the 2-year survival rate (Kaplan-Meier method) was higher in the CPM and MTX groups than in the castration alone group. Survival was longer in the good performance status (P.S.) group than the poor P.S. group (p less than 0.05 by Wilcoxon test) and in the responders than the non-responders (p less than 0.01). Side effects were not excessive in the chemotherapy groups and patient compliance was good.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1991

[Combination chemotherapy with methotrexate, vincristine, cisplatinum, cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, and bleomycin (MVP-CAB) for metastatic urothelial cancer].

We studied 31 patients with bidimensionally measurable metastases of urothelial cancer who were treated with a planned regimen (20 mg/m2 methotrexate, 0.6 mg/m2 vincristine, 500 mg/m2 cyclophosphamide, 20 mg/m2 adriamycin, and 30 mg bleomycin on day 1, and 50 mg/m2 cisplatinum on day 2) in cycles given every 3 weeks. CR was achieved in 4 patients (13%) and PR in 17 patients (55%). The response rates according to the disease characteristics were 71% for TCC, 33% for SCC, 67% for renal pelvis tumors, 67% for bladder tumors, 73% for lung metastases, 67% for liver metastases, and 67% for lymph node metastases. The median response duration and the number of cycles of therapy were 32 months/3 cycles for patients with a CR and 6 months/6 cycles for those with a PR. The median duration of survival was 32 months (range: 3-46) in CR, 11 months (range: 1-37) in PR, and 6 months (range: 2-10) in non responders (NC + PD). A significant prolongation of survival was noted in patients with either CR (p less than 0.01) or PR (p less than 0.05). Then main toxic effects were pulmonary fibrosis and myelosuppression. Two patients aged 73 and 81 died of pulmonary fibrosis. However, it was possible to prevent pulmonary fibrosis by not administering bleomycin to patients over 70 years of age, or to patients with pulmonary dysfunction. WBC count nadirs of less than 2,000/m3 were noted in 22 patients (71%). Platelet count nadirs of greater than 5 x 10(4)/mm3 were noted in 7 patients (23%). However, there were no deaths due to myelosuppression.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1990

Benign polyp with prostatic-type epithelium of the urinary bladder: a case report.

We report a case of benign polyp with prostatic-type epithelium of the urinary bladder. A 58-year-old male presented with gross hematuria. Cystoscopic examination revealed a 2-mm polypoid lesion in the mid trigone. Immunohistochemical demonstration of prostatic acid phosphatase and prostatic specific antigen in the urothelial cells as well as the prostatic-type epithelial cells suggested the histogenesis of this polyp to be metaplasia of the urothelium.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1990

[Effects of human Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase in aminonucleoside nephrosis--evaluation of the morphology and glomerular basement membrane anionic charge sites].

It was examined whether superoxide dismutase (SOD) had protective effects in puromycin aminonucleoside nephrosis (PAN). Nephrotic rats were induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of puromycin aminonucleoside (PA, 60 mg/kg). Subcutaneous administration of SOD (30 mg/kg) was started the day before PA injection and continued every 24 hours. Animals were sacrificed 10 days later to assess the morphology and glomerular basement membrane anionic charge sites (CSs). GBM CSs were stained in vitro with polyethyleneimine (PEI) and studied by electron microscopic examination. The SOD-injected group had a significant reduction of urinary protein excretion compared to the PA-treated group. Light microscopy revealed that vast majority of glomeruli in PA-treated group had segmental mesangial expansion and epithelial cell adhesions of the glomerular tuft to Bowman's capsule. Contrasted to these changes in the PA group, glomeruli from SOD-treated group showed less severe morphologic changes. On electron microscopy, the PA-treated rats exhibited marked glomerular epithelial loss of foot processes, epithelial attenuation, cytoplasmic vacuolization and protein reabsorption droplets. The SOD-treated animals demonstrated a lesser degree of epithelial loss of foot processes with a few protein reabsorption droplets. There was also a significant decrease in GBM lamina rara externa CSc stained with PEI in PAN compared to the control. The SOD-treated rats had a significant increase in GBM CSs compared to those of the PAN rats. SOD has protective effects in urinary protein excretion, the morphology and GBM CSc in PAN, which indicate indirect evidence that superoxide and/or its metabolites are responsible for glomerular injury.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[A case of adrenal myelolipoma with colonic cancer and gallstones].

A 47-year-old female, referred to Kushiro Rohsai Hospital because of upper abdominal pain on January 10, 1986, was found to have a gallbladder stone on X-ray examination of her abdomen. On admission, the occult blood found in her stool was strongly positive and a barium enema and a colonoscopy showed an elevated lesion in the caecum. Subsequently, a diagnosis of a colonic cancer was made after a biopsy. Sonography and CT scans revealed a gallbladder stone and a right suprarenal mass 4 cm in diameter. At surgery, this gallbladder stone was found, as was a Borrman II type tumor in the caecum. The surface of an adrenal mass was hard and smooth and a cut of this surface showed a yellowish gray color. Microscopic examination revealed adrenal cortical tissue beneath the capsule with a mixture of hematopoietic and adipose tissue. These findings were compatible with myelolipoma. Postoperatively, a bone marrow aspiration was performed, but no definite abnormality was detected.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1989

Steroidogenesis in liposomal system containing adrenal microsomal cytochrome P-450 electron transfer components.

Purified adrenal microsomal P-450C21 and/or P-45017 alpha,lyase were incorporated with purified NADPH-cytochrome-P-450 reductase into liposome membranes composed of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine at a molar ratio of 5:3:1. The rate dependences of reduction of liposomal P-450C21 in the fast phase as well as progesterone hydroxylation activities of P-450C21 and P-45017 alpha,lyase on the reductase concentration in the liposome membranes suggested that electrons were delivered through random collisions between the reductase and cytochrome P-450s in the liposome membranes. A rapid exchange of the steroid metabolic intermediate between vesicles was observed in a reaction system consisting of P-450C21-proteoliposomes and P-45017 alpha,lyase-proteoliposomes. Using the combined liposomal system, it was definitely proved that androstenedione was formed from progesterone mainly by a successive hydroxylation reaction without the intermediate 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone leaving from P-45017 alpha,lyase. It was also found that 21-hydroxylation of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone into 11-deoxycortisol was inhibited by a physiological concentration of progesterone.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1989

[Audiological study for ears with aural stenosis and atresia].

The audiological study for ears with aural stenosis and atresia was performed. The hearing level of ears with three types of ear plugs (with the hole of phi 1mm, with the hole of phi 3mm and without the hole) was tested experimentally by 10 normal hearing subjects in pure tone audiometry, and the audiograms of congenital and acquired aural stenosis and atresia were investigated statistically. And then following results were obtained. 1) The air conduction levels were higher, as the diameter of ear plug's hole got shorter in normal hearing subjects. And the shape of their audiograms was gradual sloping type. 2) The air conduction levels of ears with congenital aural stenosis and atresia were almost from 60 to 70 dB, and the levels were almost same throughout 7 frequencies. But the audiograms of ears with acquired aural stenosis and atresia showed conductive and gradual sloping type. 3) From the results mentioned above, the reason why the hearing loss of ears with aural stenosis and atresia showed conductive hearing loss limited to low and middle frequencies was considered to depend on the abnormality of the middle ear. 4) An average value of hearing threshold level in bone conduction among normal hearing subjects with three types of ear plugs was almost -7.8dB. There was no relation between the size of ear plug's hole and the shift of bone conduction level.

Adult↗