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Biomedical subjects

H Adachi

Publications and source records attributed to H Adachi.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

Expression of messenger ribonucleic acid for epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF alpha), and EGF receptor in human amnion cells: possible role of TGF alpha in prostaglandin E2 synthesis and cell proliferation.

The amnion plays important structural and functional roles in the maintenance of pregnancy and the initiation of parturition. Recently, we reported that epidermal growth factor (EGF) activates prostaglandin (PG) production and cell growth in cultured amnion cells. In this study, we showed the expression of EGF, transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF alpha), and EGF receptor protein and messenger ribonucleic acid in amnion cells, using an immunofluorescence technique and the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Next, we studied the effect of TGF alpha on intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and PGE2 production in amnion cells. TGF alpha induced an increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration in amnion cells, and this increase was significantly reduced when the cells were incubated with cobalt chloride (a Ca2+ channel blocker; 2.5 mmol/L) or EGTA (a Ca2+ chelator; 5 mmol/L). TGF alpha enhanced PGE2 production, and this increase was significantly inhibited when the cells were incubated with indomethacin (a cyclooxygenase inhibitor; 10 mumol/L), cobalt chloride (2.5 mmol/L), or EGTA (5 mmol/L). We also investigated the effect of TGF alpha on the growth of cultured human amnion cells by using flow cytometric analysis of the DNA content. TGF alpha induced DNA synthesis by human amnion cells, and indomethacin inhibited the TGF alpha-induced DNA synthesis. These results suggest that 1) EGF/TGF alpha are expressed and produced in amnion cells; 2) these endogenous factors may regulate the proliferation of amnion cells in an autocrine or paracrine manner; and 3) these growth factors may exert their effects via intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and PGE2 production.

Amnion↗

Involvement of epidermal growth factor in inducing adiposity of age female mice.

Aged mice exhibit an increase in their body weight (BW), which is associated with fat deposit increase. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) concentration in the submandibular gland also increases with aging. We examined the effects of elevated EGF on the adiposity of aged female mice. Studies were started in two groups of animals consisting of sham-operated (n = 10) and sialoadenectomized (n = 10, Sx; surgical removal of the submandibular glands) mice at 8 weeks of age. Body weight gain and food intake were measured throughout 78 weeks of age in these two groups. Body weight was significantly less in the Sx group throughout 78 weeks, while food intake was not changed by Sx after 12 weeks of age. To examine further if EGF plays a role in the induction of adiposity in aged female mice, sham-operated animals were given 100 microliters anti-EGF rabbit antiserum (anti-EGF group, n = 5) or normal rabbit serum (control group, n = 5) every 3 days, and Sx animals were given 5 micrograms/day EGF (Sx+EGF group, n = 5) or saline (Sx group, n = 5) from 78 weeks of age for 3 weeks. At 81 weeks of age, all animals of these four groups were killed, and carcass fat deposition and fat cell sizes were measured. Although the relative weights (weight ratio to BW) of the liver and kidney were not changed by Sx and anti-EGF treatment, the relative weights of mesenteric and subcutaneous fat tissues and adipocyte weights were significantly decreased in Sx and anti-EGF groups compared with the control group. Moreover, both acyl-CoA synthetase (ACS) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) mRNA levels were significantly decreased by Sx or anti-EGF administration in mesenteric and subcutaneous fat tissues. On the other hand, EGF administration to Sx animals had no effect on BW, fat tissues and adipocyte weights, and ACS and LPL mRNA levels. The results, however, were consistent with the fact that adipose tissue EGF receptors were down regulated in Sx mice. These findings suggest that EGF may play a role in the induction of adiposity in aged female mice.

Adipose Tissue↗

Menstrual cycle specific expression of epidermal growth factor receptors in human fallopian tube epithelium.

We studied the expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) in human fallopian tubes at three stages of the menstrual cycle: early follicular (n = 3), late follicular (n = 3) and luteal (n = 3). Immunohistochemical studies in the ampullary portion of the tubes showed that specific staining was localized to the epithelium and the vascular endothelium. Staining of the epithelium was intense at the late follicular and luteal stages, while it was weak at the early follicular stage. 125I-EGF binding study in the tubal plasma membranes revealed a class of high-affinity EGF receptors. Although dissociation constants were similar between the stages, numbers of binding sites at the late follicular and luteal stages were significantly (P < 0.01) greater than those at the early follicular stage. Western blotting showed that tubal plasma membranes contain M(r) 170,000 EGF receptor protein. The amounts were significantly (P < 0.01, n = 3) greater at the late follicular and luteal stages than those at the early follicular stage. Reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) revealed that EGF receptor mRNA was expressed in all the 9 RNA samples (n = 3 for each stage) from the tubal ampullary portion. The amounts were significantly (P < 0.01, n = 3) greater at the late follicular and luteal stages than those at the early follicular stage (by a competitive PCR). Increase in the amounts of EGF receptor protein and mRNA occurred in association with an increase in serum oestradiol but not progesterone levels. Next we examined whether EGF receptor and its ligands (EGF and transforming growth factor alpha) are directly induced by oestrogen. We found that specific staining for EGF receptor and its ligands in the tubal epithelium was detected (by immunohistochemistry) in postmenopausal women with oestrogen replacement (n = 3), but not in subjects without oestrogen replacement (n = 3). These results suggested that EGF receptors in the human tubal epithelium are expressed in relation to specific stages of the menstrual cycle and that the expression may be induced by oestrogen.

Base Sequence↗

Immunological study of anti-M2 in antimitochondrial antibody-negative primary biliary cirrhosis.

We investigated the specificity of various autoantibodies in antimitochondrial antibody (AMA)-negative patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). We examined sera from 144 patients with PBC, 17 of whom were AMA negative by indirect immunofluorescence. The AMA-negative group showed a significantly higher positivity for smooth muscle antibody, but not for antinuclear antibody, as compared with the AMA-positive group. IgG class anti-PDH by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were detected in 13% of the AMA-negative group. However, all PBC patients showed positive IgG, IgA, and/or IgM class anti-M2 to the four M2 proteins by immunoblotting. These results suggest that the detection of IgG and IgM class anti-PDH and that of antibodies to the four M2 proteins increases the positivity of this ELISA method, and that detection of IgG, IgA, and IgM class anti-M2 to the four M2 proteins by immunoblotting is useful in diagnosing AMA-negative patients with PBC.

Adult↗

Association of hyperinsulinemia and serum free fatty acids with serum high density lipoprotein-cholesterol.

A total of 155 Japanese subjects (79 men and 76 women) who were classified as having normal or borderline glucose tolerance, according to the criteria for the 50-g oral glucose tolerance test (GTT) of the Japanese Diabetes Society, were analyzed for factors related to serum high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol concentration, especially the responses of insulin and free fatty acid (FFA) after a glucose challenge. In men, significant negative univariate correlations were observed with body mass index (P < 0.01), the summed values of triceps and subscapular skin-folds (P < 0.01), serum insulin concentration at all time intervals, and serum FFA at 30 and 60 min of GTT. Serum insulin at 60, 120, and 180 min, sum insulin, and FFA at 30 and 60 min of GTT were significantly related to serum HDL-cholesterol after adjustment for body mass index and triglyceride concentration. Multiple linear regression analysis with the step-forward method showed that sum insulin (P < 0.01), FFA at 60 min of GTT (P < 0.001), and alcohol consumption (P < 0.01) were independently related to serum HDL-cholesterol concentration. Only the triglyceride concentration was inversely correlated (P < 0.05) with HDL-cholesterol concentration in women. These data indicate that both insulin and FFA concentration, as markers of insulin resistance, apparently influence on HDL kinetics in men, but not in women. The lack of this association in women was appeared to related to the degree of obesity.

Adult↗

[The preventive effect of indeloxazine hydrochloride to the sexual dysfunction caused by anti-androgenergic agent (allylestrenol)].

Anti-androgenergic agents are usually used for patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). However steroidal anti-androgenergic agents tend to suppress the sexual function. This side effect is very significant in middle-aged men. Therefore we studied the preventive effect of indeloxazine hydrochloride (INDX), which induces an increase of the dopamine level in the brain, on the sexual dysfunction induced by an anti-androgenergic agent (allylestrenol: ALE). Thirty-six patients with BPH were classified into two groups, one used ALE only, and the other ALE with INDX. For the subjective evaluation of the sexual function, a self assessment questionnaire method was employed before and after administration. We especially studied 3 questions, "morning erection", "erectile capacity" and "frequency of sex". For the objective evaluation of the sexual function, nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) was measured using an erectometer. NPT occurs in healthy males as a physiological phenomenon and it shows the erectile capacity objectively. The levels of LH, total testosterone and free testosterone were also determined. In the ALE only group, sexual dysfunction was found subjectively and objectively, but in the ALE with INDX group, it was not found. Levels of LH, total testosterone and free testosterone were decreased in the both groups. There was no significant difference between the two groups. We hypothesized that the sexual dysfunction due to ALE is related with not only to the decrease of androgen, but also to suppression of the central nervous system; for example, the suppression of the area of the brain mediating sexual behavior.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗

[A study on the erectile response with the vacuum constriction device compared with intracavernous injection of a vasoactive drug].

Many types of vacuum constriction devices (VCDs) are used for the treatment of impotence, but the VCDs made in the USA are too large for Japanese males, and air leakage occurs. Therefore, we examined the erectile response of 47 impotent men to a vacuum constriction device that is made in Japan and can be applied suitably for Japanese men, and compared the response to intracavernous injection of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). When the 47 cases were divided into two groups by nocturnal penile tumescence, twenty of the impotent men were regarded to have fewer organic factor (group A) while 27 were regarded to have more organic factor (group B). All (100%) of the 20 cases of group A achieved a complete erection with the VCD, but only 11 (55%) of them achieved a complete erection with PGE1. Twenty-three (85%) of the 27 cases of group B achieved a complete erection with the VCD, but only nine (33%) achieved a complete erection with PGE1. Two of the four patients who did not achieve a complete erection with the VCD stopped pumping the VCD because of penile pain, and the other two patients had a penile-brachial pressure index (PBPI) of under 0.65. It was suggested that patients with no severe vascular disease can show a good erectile response with the VCD.

Alprostadil↗

[A case of atopic dermatitis treated with stellate ganglion block--the change of serum IgE and blood eosinophil levels].

Stellate ganglion block (SGB) therapy was tried on a patient with severe adult type atopic dermatitis. SGB was performed 102 times in total and clinical symptoms improved gradually. Serum IgE and blood eosinophil levels, which correlate with disease severity, increased gradually following repeated SGB. After a series of SGB was stopped, clinical symptoms became worse and serum IgE and blood eosinophil levels increased again. We conclude that although SGB is presumably one of the effective therapies for severe adult type atopic dermatitis, it might be difficult to improve atopic constitution entirely because the patient was not cured completely following repeated SGB.

Adult↗

[Image guided stereotactic biopsy for brain tumors: experience of 71 cases].

Despite advances in the neuroimaging of the brain, an accurate diagnosis of intrinsic lesion of the brain requires tissue sampling and histological verification. Seventy-one patients with intraparenchymal lesion of the brain underwent CT or MRI-directed stereotactic biopsy at Okayama University Hospital between June, 1987 and March, 1995. There were 32 men and 39 women whose ages ranged between 7 and 78 years (mean 46.1 years). All patients underwent preoperative cerebral angiography, high resolution contrast enhanced CT and MRI. The lesions were located in the hemisphere in 40 cases, the thalamus or basal ganglia in 14, the midline (corpus callosum or ventricle) in 11, the pineal region in 4, the suprasellar in one and multiple sites in one. A Brown-Roberts-Wells (BRW) CT-directed stereotactic system was used for biopsy under CT guidance. For MRI-directed biopsies a prototype modification of the BRW frame was employed. Target localization was performed using either CT or MRI. Usually one or two targets within the lesion were chosen and target coordinates were calculated using the CT or MRI scan soft ware. Positive diagnosis was obtained in 67 cases and the accuracy of the histological diagnosis was 94.4%. There were 53 gliomas, 4 metastasis, 5 germinomas, 3 malignant lymphomas, one pineoblastoma, one infarction and 4 negative biopsies. Bleeding as a complication due to stereotactic intervention occurred in one patient (1.4%). To patients with potentially inoperable lesions or lesions which might be best treated by chemotherapy or irradiation, modern techniques of neurosurgery now offer the option of precise stereotactic biopsy through small twist-drill burr holes as opposed to open biopsy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

[A case of advanced gastric cancer successfully treated with combination chemotherapy using THP, 5'-DFUR and CDDP, followed by surgical resection].

We reported a patient with advanced gastric cancer and a liver metastasis, who responded remarkably to combination chemotherapy using THP, 5'-DFUR and CDDP. The patient was administered four courses of THP (15 mg/m2/day, on day 1, iv), 5'-DFUR (1400 mg/m2/day, on days 1-4 and 15-18, orally), and CDDP (80 mg/m2/day, on day 5, iv) every 4 weeks. As a result, both the primary and metastatic tumors decreased remarkably in size at more than 19 weeks (PR) and we performed curative total resection of the stomach and partial resection of the liver. Histologically, the effects of chemotherapy on gastric focus were evaluated as grade 1a and the liver metastasis completely disappeared. This combination therapy proved useful to treat advanced gastric cancer in this patient.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Successful resection and repair of the superior vena cava and right atrium in a patient with invasive thymoma].

A 45-year-old female, who suffered from Superior Vena Cava (SVC) syndrome, was diagnosed as invasive thymoma by means of trans-sternal aspiration cytology (TSAC). After preoperative radiotherapy and two courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, she underwent radical tumor resection combined with partial resection of both SVC and the right atrium followed by pericardial patch repair under the cardiopulmonary bypass. Complete resection is the most important procedure for the therapy of invasive thymoma, even if the tumor is in advanced stage invading to large vessels such as SVC. As far as our knowledges are concerned, complete resection of invasive thymoma combined with partial resection of the right atrium is very rare. Our case shows that partial resection of the right atrium is not risky operative procedure, if the invaded lesion of the right atrial wall is localized at the antero-lateral side to which the sinus node and the conducting system is not close. And we chose pericardial patch repair for the large defect of SVC. This patch repair was good method in this case because the blood flow through the Azygos vein was well maintained. We would also like to emphasize that TSAC is useful diagnostic procedure for the mediastinal mass lesion to which transcutaneous aspiration using the ultrasound or CT scan as a guide is impossible.

Female↗

A selective type V phosphodiesterase inhibitor, E4021, dilates porcine large coronary artery.

We investigated the inhibitory effects of a newly synthesized compound, sodium 1-[6-chloro-4-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzyl)-aminoquinazolin-2-y l]piperidine-4- carboxylate sesquihydrate (E4021), on five phosphodiesterase (PDE) isozymes isolated from porcine aortic smooth muscle. E4021 specifically inhibited type V phosphodiesterase (cyclic guanosine monophosphate [cGMP]-specific PDE) in a competitive manner. A comparison of the inhibitory profiles of zaprinast and E4021 indicated that E4021 is 100 times more potent and selective as a type V PDE inhibitor. E4021 caused a significant and sustained increase in the cGMP level in endothelium-denuded porcine coronary artery, but it had no effect on the cAMP level. This compound had a relaxant effect in porcine coronary artery precontracted by prostaglandin F2 alpha in the absence of endothelial cells and relaxed it more markedly in the presence of endothelial cells. E4021 had a synergistic effect with nitroglycerin in both the increase in cGMP level and the relaxant effect in isolated porcine coronary artery. E4021 caused a dose-dependent dilation of the large epicardial coronary artery, with a reduction in mean pulmonary arterial pressure, in conscious pigs instrumented chronically with a pair of piezoelectric crystals. These results suggest that the highly selective and potent inhibitor of type V phosphodiesterase E4021 causes relaxation of the large coronary artery via an increase in the cGMP level.

Animals↗

[Coronary artery perforation after directional coronary atherectomy (DCA)].

Directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) was performed on a 51-year-old man with unstable angina due to a 90% stenosis of the proximal side of the left anterior descending artery (LAD). A coronary angiography after the DCA showed the coronary artery perforation communicating with the pericardial space. He suffered cardiac tamponade and cardiogenic shock, and was taken to the emergent surgical intervention. The both side of the perforation was ligated to control active bleeding and coronary artery bypass grafting to the distal portion of the LAD was performed. It is stated that the incidence of tamponade resulting from vessel perforation after DCA is extremely rare.

Angina, Unstable↗

[Clinical significance of selective cerebral perfusion with cold blood on the brain protection].

In 42 patients with thoracic aortic disease, a selective cerebral perfusion with 16 degrees C cold blood was applied for the brain protection during the repair of the thoracic aorta. The surgical repair consisted of the replacement of the ascending aorta (9 cases), the ascending aorta and aortic arch (12 cases), the aortic arch (18 cases), and the aortic arch and descending aorta (3 cases). Twenty-two patients of them (52%) required emergency surgery and four patients died due to postoperative complications including visceral organ ischemia (2 cases) and multiple organ failure (2 cases). The mortality rate of this group was 18.2% (4/22 cases). In elective surgical classes, one patient died due to intraoperative coronary embolism. The mortality rate of this group was 5.0% (1/20 cases). No postoperative obvious brain defect was observed except one old patient (85-year-old female) with ruptured aortic arch who already had the brain infarction preoperatively. She died due to multiple organ failure with unconsciousness. Other patients including the patients with long cerebral perfusion (> 180 min) recovered well and returned to normal daily life. The selective cerebral perfusion with cold blood was easy to prepare and demonstrated the superb efficacy of brain protection in the patient.

Adult↗

[Cerebral infarction after the cardiovascular operation].

From January, 1990 through July 1994, 615 adult patients were undergone cardiovascular operation under the cardiopulmonary bypass. Sixteen patients were suffered perioperative cerebral infarction. The etiology of the cerebral infarction was evaluated on the pre and postoperative brain CT findings by the neurologists. In the 283 coronary artery bypass operations, 4 patients suffered watershed infarction (WS) and 4 cerebral embolism. In the 252 valve operations, one WS and one embolism. In the 80 thoracic aortic operations, 5 WS and one embolism, respectively. The risk factors of WS were the elderly, emergency, the longer operative period, and the longer cardiopulmonary bypass period. The risk factor of the embolism were male, preoperative cerebral infarction, the calcified finding of the ascending aorta by the chest CT. It is important to take preventive strategies against the watershed infarction.

Adult↗

[The use of twist drill craniostomy in stereotactic surgery for brain tumors].

A twist drill craniostomy is a rapid and relatively simple technique for perforating the skull in order to gain access to the epidural and subdural spaces and the brain. Fifty-eight patients underwent 173 twist drill craniostomies in the stereotactic procedures for the diagnosis and the treatment of brain tumors (brain tumor biopsy, implanting radioactive sources and placement of the catheters for navigation surgery) from September, 1992, through to May, 1995, at our institute. The technique was compared with standard burr hole craniostomy used in 42 patients with brain tumor. In the twist drill craniostomy, the scalp was penetrated directly by hand twist drill (2.7 mm in diameter) and scalp bleeding was able to be be controlled by injecting local anesthetic with epinephrine subcutaneously. The safety stop on the drill was set in advance based on the expected thickness of the skull at its penetration point to provide control of penetration depth as it passed through the skull hole and dura. A hole in the skull was made as the drill was advanced until a change in resistance indicated that the inner table of the skull had been penetrated and the dura lacerated. The cannula with stylet was then inserted through the guide tube to assure the penetration of the skull and dura. As the cannula penetrated the dura, a loss of resistance was noted as it proceeded through the dura toward the pial surface, The time needed in this procedure was less than 3 minutes. Associated with this procedure, there were no complications such as bleeding, or infection in 173 twist drill craniostomies in the 58 patients. Our experience with this procedure proved it to be simple, efficient, safe and superior to conventional burr hole craniostomy.

Adolescent↗