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Eiji Uchida

Publications and source records attributed to Eiji Uchida.

44 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

[Non-radioactive PCR southern method for analysis of CTG repeat in myotonic dystrophy].

Myotonic dystrophy (MyD) is a hereditary neuromuscular disorder of an autosomal dominant trait. MyD is caused by an expansion of unstable CTG trinucleotide repeat in the 3' untranslated region of mRNA coding myotonin protein kinase (MT-PK). We analyzed CTG repeat expansion in 10 patients with congenital MyD and their relatives using the non-radioactive PCR Southern method. The region containing the CTG repeat was amplified by PCR using specific primers. The PCR products were electrophoresed on a 1% agarose gel and transferred to a nylon membrane. The CTG repeat expansion was shown using a fluorescein-labelled (CTG) 10 probe. To estimate the number of CTG repeats, we compared the smears obtained on Southern blotting with a picture of PCR products and a DNA size marker (100 bp). We compared our results of radioactive Southern blotting for genomic DNA digested by Eco RI or Bgl I and for PCR products. In congenital MyD patients, heterogeneous smears (3.89-10.22 kb:about 1252-3362 CTG repeat) were observed, whereas in the adult type MyD had heterogeneous smears (0.92-1.82 kb:about 262-562 CTG repeat). In asymptomatic MyD patients, there were heterogeneous smears (0.35-1.16 kb:about 72-342 CTG repeat). These results demonstrated anticipation. We conclude that the non-radioactive PCR Southern method is useful and convenient for the DNA diagnosis of MyD.

Adult↗

Chlamydial infection in canine atherosclerotic lesions.

We attempted to detect chlamydial antigens in canine atherosclerotic lesions from seven dogs by immunohistochemical technique using anti-Chlamydia psittaci (C. psittaci) polyclonal and anti-C. pneumoniae monoclonal antibodies. Immunopositive signals to both antibodies were recognized in the atherosclerotic lesions of the aortas, coronary and splenic arteries of all dogs. Positive signals were found in the foamy cytoplasm of infiltrated macrophages and extracellular matrices in the lesions. In some lesions, cytoplasm of the endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells was also immunopositive against both antibodies. By electron microscopy, chlamydial microorganisms were found in the cytoplasm of endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), detection of C. pneumoniae DNAs were performed in the spleen, heart (coronary arteries) and kidney in one of the seven dogs. Positive 314 bp PCR products were obtained in all samples of the dog. These results confirmed the presence of viable Chlamydiae in atheromas and supported the conclusion that the organism may be an active factor in the pathogenesis of canine, as well as human atherosclerosis.

Animals↗

Anti-tumor effect of N-[3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl]-anthranilic acid (tranilast) on experimental pancreatic cancer.

The anti-tumor effect of N- [3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl] -anthranilic acid (tranilast) was examined in experimental pancreatic cancer. Proliferation of PGHAM-1 cells was inhibited by tranilast in a dose-dependent manner, showing a significant difference at a concentration of 25 microgram/ml (p<0.05). In colony formation, tranilast reduced the number of colonies at a concentration of 25 microgram/ml (p<0.01). DNA synthesis for 12 hours was attenuated dose-dependently and a significant difference was observed at concentrations of greater than 50 microgram/ml (p<0.05). From cell cycle analysis, a dose-dependent increase in the distribution of G0-G1 phase was observed. In the dorsal air sac model, the mean angiogenesis indices in PGHAM-1 chambers were 4.17 +/- 0.22 (control group) and 2.33 +/- 0.84 (treatment group), and in VEGF chambers they were 3.60 +/- 0.67 (control group) and 1.92 +/- 0.42 (treatment group), In the peritoneal dissemination model, the quantity of sanguineous ascites, the number and the size of diaphragmatic nodules and the microvessel density (MVD) of the metastatic site were reduced by tranilast significantly. In conclusion, the anti-tumor effect of tranilast on proliferation and on tumor-angiogenesis was confirmed in experimental pancreatic cancer.

Animals↗

Relationship between grade of fibrosis in pancreatic stump and postoperative pancreatic exocrine activity after pancreaticoduodenectomy: with special reference to insufficiency of pancreaticointestinal anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) has become a standard operation for malignant and benign periampullary diseases. Although the operative mortality of PD has decreased to less than 4% in hospitals with many cases of PD, the leakage of pancreaticointestinal anastomosis (PIA) still carries a substantial risk of lethal outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the local factors that affect the incidence of PIA leakage by evaluation of exocrine function and fibrosis in the pancreatic remnant following PD. METHOD: Twenty-eight patients (17 pancreatic disease, 8 bile duct cancers and 3 ampullary cancers) underwent PD with complete extracorporeal pancreatic juice drainage. The cut-end of the pancreatic remnant was histologically studied for its grade of fibrosis in comparison with the exocrine activity of the pancreatic remnant (EAPR) calculated by the value of the product of volume of drained pancreatic juice and its amylase activity. The influences of those factors and other clinicopathologic data on PIA outcome were evaluated. RESULTS: The histological grade of fibrosis in the pancreatic stump was inversely correlated with EAPR (rs=0.5848, p=0.0011). Three patients had major leakages and 6 had minor leakages of PIA; all the patients with leakages had biliary or ampullary diseases, but not pancreatic diseases. The incidence of leakage of PIA was significantly higher in the patients with high values of EAPR (p<0.05). None with EAPR less than 10(7) had PIA leakage. The incidence of PIA leakage in low-grade fibrosis of the pancreatic stump was significantly higher than that in high-grade fibrosis (p<0.05). Other clinicopathologic data did not influence the incidence of leakage of PIA. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of fibrosis in the pancreatic stump is significantly related to the EAPR and affects the development of PIA insufficiency as a local factor.

Adult↗

Annual changes in fecal estradiol-17beta concentrations of the sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) in Sarawak, Malaysia.

Fecal estradiol concentrations were measured in three captive unmated female sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) from August 1998 to July 1999 in Sarawak, Malaysia and vaginal smears from one of the females was observed in August 1998 and March 1999. A single peak in fecal estradiol concentration was obvious for each bear in August or September 1998, and there was a much higher percentage of superficial vaginal anuclear cells in August 1998 than in March 1999. These results suggest that sun bears in Sarawak are likely to be a seasonal breeder associated with a peak of estrogen production in August or September.

Animals↗

Intracystic hemorrhage of a simple hepatic cyst.

An unusual case involving hemorrhage of a benign intrahepatic cyst in which the correct diagnosis was made preoperatively is reported. A 60-year-old man presented with acute onset of left upper quadrant abdominal pain. On admission, computed tomography and ultrasonography revealed an 8-cm hepatic cyst in the left lateral segment of the liver. Serum concentrations of CA19-9 (170 mu/mL), DUPAN2 (1600 mu/mL), and SPAN1 (94 mu/mL) were elevated. Twenty-three days after admission, magnetic resonance imaging revealed a hyperintense 13-cm lesion that appeared heterogeneous on T1-weighted sequences and relative hypointensity of the bottom on T2-weighted sequences. Percutaneous transhepatic drainage of the cyst was performed 27 days after admission, and serosanguineous fluid was obtained; abdominal pain resolved. Tumor marker concentrations decreased by 1 week after drainage. Six days after drainage, the drainage fluid became purulent. The infection persisted and a left lateral segmentectomy and cholecystectomy were performed 24 days after the cyst was drained. Pathology confirmed that the cyst was benign. The use of magnetic resonance imaging and tumor markers may allow the differentiation of benign hepatic cyst from malignant lesions and obviate the need for surgery.

Cholecystectomy↗

Diagnosis of gallstone ileus by serial computed tomography.

An unusual case of choledocholithiasis followed by gallstone ileus documented by serial computed tomography is reported. A 91-year-old woman underwent gastrostomy because she repeatedly developed aspiration pneumonia, and a common bile duct stone was detected. She and her family refused surgery once symptoms resolved. One year later, she presented with increasing, intermittent abdominal pain and nausea. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a common bile duct stone with inflammatory changes, but the patient still refused surgery. Three months later, she was admitted with abdominal pain and vomiting. On admission, plain abdominal radiographs demonstrated proximal small bowel obstruction. A long ileus tube was inserted through the gastric fistula. Two days after admission, gallstone ileus was diagnosed on abdominal computed tomography based on the presence of pneumobilia, disappearance of the common bile duct stone, fluid-filled bowel loops, and the discovery of an impacted stone in the small bowel. Ten and 15 days after admission, repeated computed tomography demonstrated the impacted stone in the terminal ileum. Seventeen days after admission, a laparotomy was performed, and a 5x3-cm gallstone was removed through an ileotomy.

Aged↗