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Biomedical subjects

A Kikuchi

Publications and source records attributed to A Kikuchi.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis induced by inhalation of mushroom (Pholiota nameko) spores.

We describe the hypersensitivity pneumonitis of a 49-year-old woman who had been cultivating the edible mushroom 'Pholiota nameko' for three years. Her clinical manifestations and laboratory findings including transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were consistent with those of other forms of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Counter-immunoelectrophoresis determined the causative antigen to be the spores of Pholiota nameko. The indoor cultivation method appeared to play a major role in the occurrence of the hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic↗

A case of myeloma with facial palsy.

Myeloma in the left temporal region was seen in a 71-year-old male who also had facial palsy, hearing loss and tinnitus on the left. In this case, none of the laboratory test results had indicated myeloma. Diagnosis of myeloma in this case was made from findings of a CT scan of temporal bone and the results of biopsy of the external auditory canal lesion. In the CT scan, marked destruction of the bone was seen, extending from the mastoid air cell to the posterior wall of the external auditory canal. The biopsy of the mass lesion in the left auditory canal revealed proliferation of lymphoplasma-cytoid cells. This case is reported along with laboratory test findings, clinical findings, and a review of the literature.

Aged↗

A study of fungal infections in otorhinolaryngology.

It is said that fungal infections in the area of otorhinolaryngology often occur in association with a decrease in the immune function and that indigenous fungi rarely exhibit pathogenicity in the infections. Among the patients examined at our department between October 1989 and March 1993, 67 fungal strains were detected in 45 cases. Treatment of diseases in the area of otorhinolaryngology should always recognize the presence of fungal infections.

Adult↗

[A study of E2A gene in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

E2A gene rearrangements and E2A-PBX1 chimeric mRNA produced by t(1;19) were examined in 50 cases with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Nine of 10 ALL cases with t(1;19) showed the rearrangement by Southern blotting using the E2A gene probe when digested with Xba I, Bgl II, and Eco RI, and the remaining one having hyperdiploidy which was considered to be a sign of good prognosis, lacked E2A rearrangement. Six of 7 ALL cases with t(1;19) that were tested showed the predicted 164 bps band of E2A-PBX1 chimeric mRNA by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), while a case having t(1;19) without E2A rearrangement and 10 cases lacking t(1;19) did not. Three ALL cases tested did not have E2A-PBX1 mRNA at the time complete remission 4 months after diagnosis. Forty ALL cases lacking t(1;19), including 4 cases with t(11;19), did not reveal rearrangement of E2A. We conclude that t(1;19)-ALL can be molecularly diagnosed, and minimal residual disease could be detected by the RT-PCR method.

Adolescent↗

Signaling molecules that mediate the actions of FGF.

Signaling by fibroblast growth factor (FGF) is critical for cellular growth and differentiation. We have studied the role of FGF and its receptor in development and also the signaling pathways utilized by these molecules. Transgenic mice expressing a dominant negative FGF receptor specifically in lung tissue fail to develop lungs. These findings suggest that FGF signaling is important for airway branching and alveolar formation. In Xenopus embryos, FGF is involved in the development of posterior structures. Induction of mesoderm by FGF is mediated by the serine-threonine kinase RAF. The expression of a dominant negative RAF selectively blocks the mesoderm-inducing action of FGF. Expression of activated RAF accentuated the development of posterior structures Other intracellular molecules that are involved with FGF signaling include RAS, a low-molecular weight GTP-binding protein. We have identified a novel gene (RIP, for RAS-interacting protein) that contains a RAS-binding domain. This domain is found in at least one other protein, ralGDS. Both RIP and ralGDS bind to activated RAS suggesting that these proteins are likely candidates for mediators of RAS function. These findings help elucidate the role of FGF signaling in development.

Animals↗

Boronate-containing polymer as novel mitogen for lymphocytes.

A novel water-soluble polymer (poly(AAm-co-PBA)) was synthesized by radical copolymerization of 3-acrylamidophenylboronic acid with acrylamide and evaluated as synthetic mitogen of lymphocytes. Boronic acid was introduced in the polymer as recognition site of sugar residues existing on the plasma membrane surface of lymphocyte, since it makes a covalent bonding with polyol compounds including sugars. Obvious increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation of lymphocytes was observed when murine spleen lymphocytes were cultured with poly(AAm-co-PBA), while little proliferative response of lymphocytes was observed in the presence of the homopolymer of acrylamide, the polymer without boronic acid moiety. This suggests that proliferation of lymphocytes was induced through the binding of phenylboronic acid moiety in poly(AAm-co-PBA) with glycoproteins existing on the plasma membrane surface of lymphocytes. Further, poly(AAm-co-PBA) was found to induce even the proliferation of B cell-depleted population of lymphocytes, suggesting T cell stimulation by this boronate-containing polymer.

Acrylic Resins↗

Haemopoietic activity associated with biglycan like proteoglycan.

One of the monocytic cell colony stimulating factors produced by thymic myoid cells, a 100 kDa factor, was purified by reversed phase HPLC and found to be homologous to the secreted form of proteoglycan 1 (biglycan) core protein. This biglycan associated colony stimulating factor did not carry an immunological motif of macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), but predominantly stimulated the proliferation and differentiation of monocytic lineage cells from bone marrow cells, nonadherent thymic cells and peritoneal exudate cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Regulation of morphology by rho p21 and its inhibitory GDP/GTP exchange protein (rho GDI) in Swiss 3T3 cells.

rho GDP dissociation inhibitor (GDI) is an inhibitory GDP/GTP exchange protein for a group of small GTP-binding proteins including at least rhoA p21, rhoB p21, rac1 p21, rac2 p21, and G25K. Microinjection of rho GDI into Swiss 3T3 cells made the cells round and refractile. This morphological change was accompanied by the disappearance of stress fibers. The rho GDI action was prevented by comicroinjection of rho GDI with the guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S)-bound form of rhoA p21, but not with the GTP gamma S-bound form of rhoA p21 lacking the C-terminal three amino acids, which was not post-translationally modified with lipids. The GTP gamma S-bound form of rac1 p21, the same form of G25K, the same form of smg p21B, or Ki-rasval12 p21 was ineffective. Microinjection of the bacterial ADP-ribosyltransferase C3 specific for rho p21 into Swiss 3T3 cells induced the similar changes of morphology and stress fibers. This C3 action was not prevented by comicroinjection of C3 with the GTP gamma S-bound form of rhoA p21, but was prevented by comicroinjection with the same form of a rhoA p21 mutant which was not ADP-ribosylated by C3. These results indicate that the rho GDI-rho p21 system regulates cell morphology presumably through the actomyosin system in Swiss 3T3 cells.

3T3 Cells↗

Regulators of small GTPases.

Small GTPases are converted from the GDP-bound inactive form to the GTP-bound active form by a GDP/GTP exchange reaction which is regulated by GDP/GTP exchange proteins (GEPs). We have found both stimulatory and inhibitory GEPs, which we have named GDP dissociation stimulators (GDSs) and GDP dissociation inhibitors (GDIs) respectively. We have isolated Smg GDS, Rho GDI and Rab GDI, cloned them, and determined their primary structures. These GEPs are active on a group of small GTPases: Smg GDS on at least K-Ras, Rap1/Smg21, Rho and Rac; Rho GDI on at least Rho, Rac and Cdc42; Rab GDI on most of the Rab family members. These GEPs have an additional function, regulating the translocation of their substrate small GTPases between the membrane and the cytosol. The GEPs interact only with the post-translationally modified form of their substrate small GTPases.

Animals↗

Genetic and chemical polymorphisms of saponins in soybean seed.

The variation in saponin composition in soybean seeds is explained by different combinations of five genes controlling the utilization of soyasapogenol glycosides as substrates. The function of these genes is variety-specific and organ-specific. Phenotypes of over 1000 soybeans were classified into eight saponin types, and the frequency of phenotypes was different between the cultivated [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and the wild soybean (G. soja Sieb. & Zucc.). The AaBc saponin type predominated in G. soja (58.4% of test collections), but was only found in 0.3% of G. max. Four unidentified arabinoside saponins were detected in the seeds of the AaBc type soybeans. The mode of inheritance of saponin types is explained by a combination of co-dominant, dominant and recessive acting genes. The combined chemical and genetic data show that the directed manipulation of soybean saponin composition is a possibility for the future.

Arabinose↗

Parapsoriasis en plaques: its potential for progression to malignant lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Parapsoriasis en plaques (large-plaque type) is a premalignant condition capable of developing into cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). However, it is not known whether the early stage of CTCL can be distinguished from parapsoriasis en plaques. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine whether parapsoriasis en plaques can develop into CTCL. METHODS: The clinical appearance, histopathologic features, immunophenotype, DNA rearrangements, and clinical course were analyzed in 20 cases. RESULTS: T-cell receptor beta-chain gene rearrangement was detected in four of the 20 cases. No clinical, histopathologic, or immunohistochemical differences were found between patients with and without gene rearrangement. CONCLUSION: The early stage of CTCL cannot be differentiated from parapsoriasis en plaques by clinical features, histopathologic characteristics, or immunophenotype. Patients with parapsoriasis en plaques exhibit heterogeneous findings, which may include monoclonal proliferation. Patients with long-standing parapsoriasis-like lesions resistant to conventional treatment require careful monitoring for the possible development of cutaneous lymphoma.

Adult↗

Primary CD8+ lymphoepithelioid lymphoma of the skin.

We describe an 82-year-old man with CD8+ lymphoepithelioid lymphoma localized to the skin. The skin lesion had been present for 18 years. Histologically there was a dense infiltrate that consisted of atypical lymphoid cells and large epithelioid cells, thereby resembling the so-called Lennert's lymphoma. Local radiotherapy proved effective in reducing the size of the tumor. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of primary lymphoepithelioid lymphoma of the skin.

Aged↗

Solitary cutaneous malignant schwannoma. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies.

We describe two cases of malignant schwannoma in the skin that did not originate from a nerve trunk and was not associated with neurofibromatosis. Light microscopy showed that both tumors were composed predominantly of atypical spindle-shaped cells. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed with various monoclonal antibodies against mesenchymal determinants. In both patients, tumor cells were positive for S-100 alpha and S-100 beta, neuron-specific enolase, vimentin, neurofilament protein, and myelin basic protein, and negative for HMB-45, glial fibrillary acidic protein, epithelial membrane antigen, and desmin. Electron microscopy revealed that the tumor cells possessed indented nuclei with an electron-lucent cytoplasm. Immunoelectron microscopy showed diffuse fine granular staining for S-100 alpha, not detectable in normal Schwann cells, in the cytoplasm of the tumor cells.

Female↗

Immunohistochemical evaluation of epidermis overlying basal cell carcinomas.

We have examined the character and carcinogenic properties of the normal-appearing epidermis overlying basal cell carcinomas by immunohistochemical methods, employing a series of monoclonal antibodies. The labelling index was significantly increased in the atrophic epidermis overlying basal cell carcinomas (solid type, n = 20), compared with the epidermis overlying or adjacent to squamous cell carcinoma (n = 20), keratoacanthoma (n = 10), dermatofibroma (n = 10), neurofibroma (n = 10), soft fibroma (n = 10), pyogenic granuloma (n = 10) and cutaneous leiomyoma (n = 5). Cells which expressed epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor were detected in all layers of the epidermis over the basal cell carcinomas, but not the other tumours. Basement membrane-related antigens, including bullous pemphigoid antigen and GB3 antigen, were decreased in the epidermis. AE1, the monoclonal antibody against basal cell keratin, reacted with the uppermost layers of the normal-appearing epidermis overlying the basal cell carcinomas. ICAM-1 expression was very weak in the overlying epidermis. The dermis subjacent to the proliferating epidermis showed staining for transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), strong positive PECAM-1 staining of endothelium, and numerous HLA-DR-positive cells. From these results, we suggest that the proliferative activity in the epidermis overlying basal cell carcinomas is not a state induced by the dermal infiltrate, but represents carcinogenic activity of the epidermis.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Development of an artificial placenta: survival of isolated goat fetuses for three weeks with umbilical arteriovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

The purpose of our study was to examine the feasibility of long-term extrauterine incubation of an isolated premature fetus in artificial amniotic fluid with arteriovenous extracorporeal circulation. Two premature goat fetuses (age 120 and 128 days) were incubated in an isothermal artificial amniotic fluid incubator with arteriovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation via the umbilical vessels. We administered pancuronium bromide to suppress fetal movement and swallowing because movement and swallowing have been implicated in fetal deterioration during extrauterine fetal incubation. The fetuses maintained stable circulatory and respiratory parameters. The total incubation time was 494 and 543 h. The animals were then removed from the incubator and stimulated to initiate lung respiration. With ventilator support, both animals maintained stable blood-gas exchange and survived for more than 1 week. These results clearly indicate that umbilical arteriovenous extracorporeal membrane can effectively support extended extrauterine incubation of an isolated premature fetus.

Amniotic Fluid↗