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Biomedical subjects

H Goto

Publications and source records attributed to H Goto.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Transpapillary biopsy in gallbladder disease.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic biopsy is routine in gastrointestinal disease; similarly, histopathologic diagnosis is desirable in gallbladder disease. In this study we examined the clinical usefulness and the problems associated with transpapillary gallbladder biopsy. METHODS: Transpapillary gallbladder biopsy was attempted in 9 patients with gallbladder disease. After inserting a catheter sheath into the gallbladder using a guidewire via the transpapillary route without sphincterotomy, we inserted a biopsy forceps into the lumen of the sheath up to the gallbladder lumen and obtained specimens. RESULTS: We could obtain sufficient specimens for histopathologic diagnosis in 8 of 9 cases (88.9%). Of the 8 successful cases, targeted specimens were obtained in 7 (87.5%). Diagnostic accuracy with respect to malignant versus benign disease was 100% (2 of 2) and 83.3% (5 of 6), respectively. There were no complications. CONCLUSION: Transpapillary gallbladder biopsy is a clinically useful technique because it facilitates histopathologic diagnosis and therefore guides the choice of therapy.

Biopsy↗
PubMed2000

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of tubers in patients with tuberous sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: The histological features of cortical tubers in patients with tuberous sclerosis (TS) were studied by the proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The subjects were 4 children, mean age of 10 years, with clear evidence of tubers on MRI and SPECT. Four age-matched control children served as control subjects. Spectra were acquired over the tuber using short TE. RESULTS: The myoinositol/creatine ratios in the tubers of TS patients were significantly increased compared with those of the control subjects (P < 0.02). The NAA/creatine ratios in the tubers of patients were significantly decreased (P < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The decrease of NAA/creatine ratios in the tubers of patients was considered to reflect a reduction of cranial neurons. The increase of myoinositol/creatine ratios in the tubers was thought to reflect an increase of glial cells. Proton MRS might play a role in estimation of histological changes in the neurological diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Localized phosphorylation of vimentin by rho-kinase in neuroblastoma N2a cells.

BACKGROUND: Vimentin, which is one of the intermediate filaments, is the major cytoskeletal component in developing neurones or neuroblastoma cells. Rho-associated kinase (Rho-kinase), is rich in neurones and is found downstream of Rho. It is involved in the agonist-induced neurite retraction of neuronal cells, and phosphorylates vimentin at Ser-38 and Ser-71 resulting in in vitro disassembly of the filaments. RESULTS: We have investigated the distribution of vimentin phosphorylated by Rho-kinase in N2a neuroblastoma cells using site-specific phosphorylation-dependent antibodies. TM71 immunoreactivity, which specifically indicates Ser-71 phosphorylation on vimentin, was found in some neurites of dibutyryl cAMP-differentiated N2a cells. Transfection of the constitutively active form of Rho-kinase, CAT, significantly elevated TM71 immunoreactivity, and induced neurite retraction or cell rounding. Conversely, transfection of the dominant negative form of Rho-kinase, RB/PH(TT), or treatment of 10 microM Y-27632, a Rho-kinase specific inhibitor, abolished TM71 immuno-reactivity, and induced irregular neurite outgrowth. In contrast, 20 nM okadaic acid (OA) induced neurite retraction and specifically elevated TM71 immunoreactivity. In the OA-induced neurite retraction, tubulin disappeared in retracting neurites, where vimentin and actin remained co-localized. Furthermore, the OA-induced elevation of TM71 immunoreactivity and neurite retraction were completely blocked by pretreatment with 10 microM Y-27632, or by the ectopic expression of RB/PH(TT). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the localized phosphorylation of vimentin by Rho-kinase in neurites was closely related with the cellular morphology of N2a cells, and that the Rho-kinase activity towards vimentin was balanced with OA-sensitive phosphatases.

Amides↗
PubMed2000

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I affects parasite growth and host cell migration in experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis.

While the control or progression of leishmaniasis depends on host immune responses, the initial inflammatory process represents a key event. This process involves the participation of several cytokines and growth factors induced during inflammation as well as factors already present at the site of infection such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I. We have previously demonstrated a potential role for IGF-I in experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis based on the significant increase in lesion size seen in mice injected with Leishmania promastigotes preactivated with IGF-I. In the present study we show that preactivation of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis promastigotes with IGF-I induces an increase in the actual number of parasites at the lesion site from seven days postinfection, in addition to a more intense inflammatory infiltrate. There was a higher numerical density of polymorphonuclear neutrophils from 3 to 24 h, and of mononuclear cells from 48 h of infection onward. A higher density of polymorphonuclear neutrophils and mononuclear cells harboring parasites was also observed. The most important observation, however, was that more parasites per cell were present, revealing that IGF-I appears to favour parasite growth within the macrophages. These results strongly suggest an important role for IGF-I in the development of cutaneous leishmaniasis, where it influences both the inflammatory process and parasite growth.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Gene therapy for meniscal injury: enhanced synthesis of proteoglycan and collagen by meniscal cells transduced with a TGFbeta(1)gene.

Objective To determine whether meniscal cells can express a TGFbeta(1)transgene delivered by a retroviral vector, and respond to the gene product by increasing matrix synthesis. Methods Monolayer cultures of human and canine meniscal cells were infected with retroviruses carrying either a human TGFbeta(1)cDNA or marker genes. Conditioned media were assayed for the presence of TGFbeta(1). Biosynthesis assays using radiolabeled precursors were employed to determine the effects of the transgenes on the synthesis of proteoglycan, collagen and noncollagenous proteins. Collagen phenotyping was performed by SDS-PAGE. Results Media conditioned by canine and human meniscal cells transduced with the TGFbeta(1)gene, accumulated several nanograms/10(6)cells of TGFbeta(1)during a 48 h incubation. Media conditioned by control cells contained very little TGFbeta(1). Transduction with the TGFbeta(1)gene, but not marker genes, increased the synthesis of collagen and proteoglycan by 8-15-fold. The synthesis of noncollagenous proteins was enhanced more modestly. Monolayers of meniscal cells synthesized types I, III, V and VI collagen. The TGFbeta(1)gene increased the synthesis of all types of collagen without altering the ratios between them. Conclusions Meniscal cells are readily transduced by retroviral vectors and respond to the transfer of a TGFbeta(1)cDNA by greatly increasing matrix synthesis. These findings encourage the further development of genetic approaches to the healing of meniscal lesions.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Feasibility study on endoscopic suture with the combination of a distal attachment and a rotatable clip for complications of endoscopic resection in the large intestine.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Endoscopic resection has been more frequently performed for increasingly larger intramucosal tumors of the large intestine in recent years. It is reasonable to expect that the larger the resected mucosal surface, the greater is the likelihood of complications such as bleeding or perforation. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of endoscopic suture with a distal attachment and a rotatable clip-fixing device for complications of endoscopic resection in the large intestine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 15 patients who underwent endoscopic clipping therapy following endoscopic resection for intramucosal tumors of the large intestine. With a distal attachment fitted to the distal end of the endoscope, the optimal position for clipping was ensured by pressing the intestinal wall and deflating the intraluminal air little by little. With a rotatable clip-fixing device, the resection site was endoscopically sutured clip by clip. RESULTS: Tumors were of the laterally spreading tumor type in six patients, small sessile polyps in three, and pedunculated polyps in six. The complications consisted of bleeding in 12 patients, overt perforation in one, and latent perforation in two; 14 of the 15 patients underwent successful suturing by this method. The number of clips used ranged from two to seven (mean 4.4). No patients had further complications after the treatment. CONCLUSION: We conclude that endoscopic suture with the combination of a distal attachment and a rotatable clip-fixing device is very useful for complications of endoscopic resection in the large intestine.

Colonic Polyps↗
PubMed2000

Determination of the stability constants in alkanol/alpha-cyclodextrin mixed system.

The simultaneous determination of the stability constants for inclusion of alkanols with alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD) was investigated in a mixed alkanol system using static head-space gas chromatography (SHSGC). The 1:1 stability constants obtained were in fair agreement with those obtained previously using other methods. The time required for determination of the stability constant was markedly reduced using this simultaneous SHSGC method.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMed2000

Soy protein isolate reduces the oxidizability of LDL and the generation of oxidized LDL autoantibodies in rabbits with diet-induced atherosclerosis.

The incidence of atherosclerosis can be modified by diet, and plant-derived proteins have a beneficial effect, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. It has been suggested that oxidized LDL (oxLDL) and autoantibodies against oxLDL are important in the development of atherosclerosis. We analyzed these factors in rabbits fed a nonpurified diet supplemented with high cholesterol (10.0 g/kg) containing either 270.0 g/kg casein (CAS, n = 10) or 270.0 g/kg soy protein isolate (SPI, n = 10) for 2 mo. Plasma and purified serum LDL from rabbits were analyzed at d 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 of treatment, and the size of atherosclerotic lesions was evaluated at d 60 of treatment. CAS-fed rabbits had significantly higher plasma cholesterol at d 15-45 and LDL cholesterol levels at d 15 and 30. Levels of trilinolein and phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxides were higher in the LDL fraction of rabbits fed CAS than in those fed SPI. Also, CAS-fed rabbits had higher levels of highly oxidized LDL [monoclonal antibody (mAb) 24-reactive oxLDL] in plasma at d 60, whereas SPI-fed rabbits had higher levels of minimally oxidized LDL (mAb 28-reactive oxLDL) at d 45. These results were consistent with the earlier formation of anti-oxLDL antibodies and the presence of a larger area of atherosclerotic lesion in rabbits fed the CAS diet. These data indicate the importance of both the type of dietary protein used in the induction of atherosclerosis and the relevance of immunologic mechanisms in addition to biochemical and physiologic factors in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2000

Hyperparathyroidism is augmented by ovariectomy in Nagase analbuminemic rats.

The role of albumin in bone metabolism was studied in Nagase analbuminemic (NA) rats. Serum calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphate (Pi) and magnesium (Mg) concentrations did not differ between female NA and control Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at the time of ovariectomy (ovx), although serum ionized Ca was significantly lower in NA rats than in SD rats. Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and osteocalcin (OC) concentrations and urinary Ca excretion were significantly greater in NA rats than in SD rats, suggesting hyperparathyroidism and the resultant enhanced bone turnover in NA rats. Paradoxically, ovx increased serum PTH and OC in NA rats but not in SD rats. Ovx-induced exacerbation of hyperparathyroidism was confirmed by significantly greater conversion of 25-hydroxyvitamin D to 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D in ovx NA rats even after normalization to vitamin D-binding protein. Bone mineral density (BMD) in proximal tibia increased similarly in a time-dependent manner in sham-operated NA and SD rats. However, ovx ablated the time-dependent increase of BMD in SD rats and significantly decreased BMD in NA rats by 2 wk after ovx, resulting in a significantly lower BMD in ovx NA rats than in ovx SD rats. In summary, NA rats, which are analbuminemic with compensatory increases in lipid and protein synthesis, developed hyperparathyroidism, possibly due to an increase in serum Pi and a reduction of ionized Ca, and ovx induced a greater BMD reduction in NA rats than in SD rats, probably by exacerbating hyperparathyroidism.

Albumins↗
PubMed2000

Mapping of epitopes and structural analysis of antigenic sites in the nucleoprotein of rabies virus.

Linear epitopes on the rabies virus nucleoprotein (N) recognized by six MAbs raised against antigenic sites I (MAbs 6-4, 12-2 and 13-27) and IV (MAbs 6-9, 7-12 and 8-1) were investigated. Based on our previous studies on sites I and IV, 24 consecutively overlapping octapeptides and N- and C-terminal-deleted mutant N proteins were prepared. Results showed that all three site I epitopes studied and two site IV epitopes (for MAbs 8-1 and 6-9) mapped to aa 358-367, and that the other site IV epitope of MAb 7-12 mapped to aa 375-383. Tests using chimeric and truncated proteins showed that MAb 8-1 also requires the N-terminal sequence of the N protein to recognize its binding region more efficiently. Immunofluorescence studies demonstrated that all three site I-specific MAbs and one site IV-specific MAb (7-12) stained the N antigen that was diffusely distributed in the whole cytoplasm; the other two site IV-specific MAbs (6-9 and 8-1) detected only the N antigen in the cytoplasmic inclusion bodies (CIB). An antigenic site II-specific MAb (6-17) also detected CIB-associated N antigen alone. Furthermore, the level of diffuse N antigens decreased after treatment of infected cells with cycloheximide. These results suggest that epitopes at site I are expressed on the immature form of the N protein, but epitope structures of site IV MAbs 6-9 and 8-1 are created and/or exposed only after maturation of the N protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Evaluation of prognosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus by endoscopic ultrasonography.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: For pretherapeutic staging of squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is considered the most profitable modality because it can provide cross sectional imaging of the tumour. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between prognosis and EUS findings, especially tumour area, in squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus. PATIENTS/METHODS: A total of 113 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus underwent EUS for pretherapeutic examination at Nagoya University Hospital. We compared EUS findings, histological results, and outcome. In addition, we measured the area of the tumour on EUS images (n=113) and evaluated if EUS area correlated with volume of the tumour on histological findings (n=50). RESULTS: The overall accuracy rate of EUS was 83.2% (94/113) for depth of tumour invasion and 67.6% (69/102) for perioesophageal lymph node metastasis. The EUS area increased in proportion to the development of tumour infiltration, and patients with lymph node metastasis had a larger EUS area than patients without lymph node metastasis. There was a close correlation between EUS area and volume of the tumour on histological findings. If EUS area of the tumour was less than 50 mm(2), the five year survival rate was 100%. As EUS area increased, the survival rate decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of EUS area of the tumour is reliable for quantification of the tumour and prediction of prognosis in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Vasodilator effect of extract prepared from Uncariae ramulus on isolated rat aorta.

Uncariae ramulus et Uncus (URE) has a vasodilator effect. Its mechanism consists of not only endothelium-independent relaxation with Ca2+ channel blocking effect but also endothelium-dependent relaxation with nitric oxide. The active components are alkaloids and tannin contained in Uncariae ramulus et Uncus. They also show a superoxide dismutase-like effect and suppressed vasocontraction induced by xanthine and xanthine oxidase. These mechanisms may also influence vasodilatation by Uncariae ramulus et Uncus in vivo.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2000

Graft failure of autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation due to acute metabolic acidosis associated with total parenteral nutrition in a patient with relapsed breast cancer.

A 32-year-old female had been diagnosed as having relapsed breast cancer and liver metastasis. She underwent high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) with 5.8 x 10(6)/kg CD34+ cells. She was supported by total parenteral nutrition (TPN) without vitamins throughout these therapies. Hematopoietic recovery was not observed by day 28 after PBSCT, necessitating a second PBSCT on day 29 using the back-up material of 4.4 x 10(6)/kg CD34+ cells. On the next day, she suddenly developed severe metabolic acidosis, heart failure and deep coma. After immediate infusion of thiamine, heart failure and coma rapidly improved. The neutrophil count reached 0.5 x 10(9)/l on day 9 and the platelet count 50 x 10(9)/l on day 15 after the second PBSCT. This is a rare graft failure due to acute metabolic acidosis or thiamine deficiency associated with TPN.

Acidosis↗
PubMed2000

CD4(+) T cells participate in the nephropathy of canine visceral leishmaniasis.

Renal involvement in visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is very frequent. The renal lesions of humans and dogs are similar but their pathogenesis has not been clearly elucidated. There is growing evidence that the cellular immune response is involved in the pathogenesis of immunologically mediated glomerulonephritis. Since T cells could participate in the pathogenesis of nephropathy, in the present study we investigated the possible involvement of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in the nephropathy of canine VL. Six dogs naturally infected with Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi from the endemic area in the Northeast of Brazil, the town of Teresina in the State of Piauí, were studied. An expressive inflammatory infiltrate of CD4(+) T cells both in glomeruli and in interstitium was present in 4 animals and absent in 2. CD8(+) T cells were detected only in one animal. CD4(+) T cells alone were observed in 3 animals; when CD8+ T cells were present CD4(+) T cells were also present. CD4(+) T cells were observed in cases of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, diffuse membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, diffuse mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis and crescentic glomerulonephritis. CD8(+) T cells were present only in a case of crescentic glomerulonephritis. Leishmania antigen was detected in glomeruli and in interstitial inflammatory infiltrate in 4 animals and immunoglobulins were observed in 4 dogs. In this study we observed that T cells, in addition to immunoglobulins, are present in the renal lesion of canine VL. Further studies are in progress addressing the immunopathogenic mechanisms involving the participation of immunoglobulins and T cells in canine VL nephropathy.

Animals↗