Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H Iguchi

Publications and source records attributed to H Iguchi.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

[Allergenicity of the osmophilic fungus Aspergillus restrictus evaluated by skin prick test and radioallergosorbent test].

Recently large amounts of Aspergillus restrictus, a species of osmophilic fungi, have been detected in house dust using culture media with low water activity. But little attention has been paid to this fungus as an allergen. In the present study, the authors examined the allergenic activity of A. restrictus by skin prick tests and radioallergosorbent tests (RAST) on 94 asthmatic patients (mean age 12.0, range 3-18). Aspergillus fumigatus, Alternaria alternata and house dust were used for comparison. In the skin prick tests, A. restrictus, A. fumigatus, A. alternata and house dust elicited positive reactions in 8 (8.5%), 8 (8.5%), 15 (16.0%) and 69 (73.4%) patients, respectively. RAST showed positive reactions in 27 (28.7%) subjects for A. restrictus, 22 (23.4%) for A. fumigatus, 35 (37.2%) for A. alternata, and 75 (79.8%) for house dust. These results indicated that some asthmatic individuals showed immediate-type hypersensitivity to A. restrictus, and the prevalence of hypersensitivity of A. restrictus determined by skin prick tests and RAST was comparable with that of A. fumigatus but lower than that of A. alternata or house dust. This indicates that this fungal species may be of importance as a causative agent in atopic diseases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Elevation of sialyl stage-specific mouse embryonic antigen levels in pleural effusion in patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Sialyl stage-specific mouse embryonic antigen (SSEA-1) levels were measured in pleural effusions obtained from patients with lung cancer and benign pulmonary disease, using a solid-phase immunoradiometric sandwich assay. The mean (+/- SEM) levels (unit/ml) of pleural fluid sialyl SSEA-1 were 3620 +/- 1419 in adenocarcinoma (n = 25), 123 +/- 30 in nonadenocarcinoma (n = 13) and 95 +/- 19 in benign pulmonary disease (n = 13), respectively. The positive rate was 64% in adenocarcinoma, 7.7% in nonadenocarcinoma, and 0% in benign pulmonary disease, respectively, when a cutoff level was defined as the mean + 3 SD value (300 unit/ml) based on pleural fluid sialyl SSEA-1 levels in benign pulmonary disease. There was a significant positive correlation between pleural fluid levels of sialyl SSEA-1 and those of carcinoembryonic antigen in adenocarcinoma patients (r = 0.8246, P less than 0.01). Pleural fluid sialyl SSEA-1 levels correlated with cytologic findings in adenocarcinoma patients. These observations suggest that sialyl SSEA-1 in pleural effusion is a useful marker to discriminate malignant from nonmalignant and adenocarcinoma from nonadenocarcinoma of the lung.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1989

Elevation of a novel pituitary protein (7B2) in the plasma in small cell carcinoma of the lung.

7B2 is a new protein isolated from human pituitary glands and distributed widely, particularly with high concentrations in the neuroendocrine tissues in the rat. We measured plasma 7B2 concentrations in 333 normal subjects, 20 patients with benign pulmonary disease and 111 patients with primary lung cancer (21 small cell carcinoma, 90 non-small cell carcinoma). A normal range for plasma 7B2 concentrations was defined as less than the mean + 3 S.D. value (110 pg/ml) based on plasma 7B2 concentrations in 333 normal subjects. Elevation of the plasma 7B2 concentration over the normal range was observed in 15 of 21 patients (71.4%) with small cell carcinoma, eight of 90 (8.9%) with non-small cell carcinoma and four of 20 (20%) with benign pulmonary disease. Plasma 7B2 concentrations correlated with the clinical course on chemotherapy in some patients with small cell carcinoma. Immunocytochemical studies revealed numerous 7B2-positive cells in the small cell carcinoma specimen, while 7B2 staining was not observed in the non-small cell carcinoma and the normal lung specimens. These findings suggest that 7B2 is secreted by the small cell carcinoma of the lung, which caused elevation of plasma 7B2 in these patients. 7B2 might be a possible plasma tumor marker for the small cell carcinoma of the lung.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Plasma pancreastatin-like immunoreactivity in various diseases.

Plasma pancreastatin (PST)-like immunoreactivity in normal subjects and patients with various diseases was estimated by a RIA, using antiserum raised against a synthetic C-terminal peptide of human PST deduced from the sequence of human chromogranin-A. The mean level +/- SEM was 13.2 +/- 0.6 pmol/L in normal subjects, but was significantly higher in patients with chronic renal failure (526.7 +/- 48.5). An immunoreactive form corresponding to a human PST-like sequence [human chromogranin-A-(250-301)] and a larger form were detected by gel filtration of plasma from these patients, suggesting accumulation of the larger molecular form in these patients. A significant increase in PST-like immunoreactivity was also found in patients with liver cirrhosis (20.8 +/- 3.0 pmol/L), but not in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, chronic pancreatitis, or pancreatic cancer. Elevated levels were found in 16 of the 21 patients with small cell lung carcinoma examined. High levels were also found in 3 of 11 patients with islet cell tumor.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗
PubMed1989

LHRH increases plasma 7B2 concentration in normal human subjects.

We studied the response of plasma 7B2 to LHRH and ovine corticotropin releasing hormone (o-CRH) in healthy young subjects. The plasma 7B2 concentration significantly increased from 78.3 +/- 7.5 (mean +/- SEM) to 102.0 +/- 6.0 ng/L (142.7 +/- 12.7% of the basal value; P less than 0.01) following iv administration of LHRH in seven young subjects. On the other hand, no increase in plasma 7B2 was found after iv administration of o-CRH in six young subjects. These results, together with our previous report of no increase in plasma 7B2 after administration of TRH and GHRH in young subjects, suggest that pituitary 7B2 may be present in gonadotrophs and be released only by LHRH in physiological conditions.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1989

Effect of GRF and somatostatin on 7B2 secretion by rat GH1 cells.

A novel pituitary protein "7B2" was secreted by GH1 cells. The secretion of 7B2 was increased in the presence of human GRF in a dose-responsive manner. In contrast, a somatostatin analog, SMS 201-995, revealed the inhibitory effects on the basal- and GRF-induced secretion of 7B2 at the concentration of 10(-7) M. These findings suggest that 7B2 is a secretory protein of rat GH1 cells under certain conditions.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1989

[Characterization and calcitonin secretion of a human well differentiated C-cell tumor cell line].

Useful cell lines actively producing hormone (s) have been rare, especially those of human origin. A C-cell tumor human cell line abundantly producing calcitonin and related hormones, TT-cell, has proved remarkably useful for the study of endocrine tumors as their representative model. We proved intracellular presence of translation and transcript products of calcitonin and calcitonin gene related peptide gene by immunostain, radioimmunoassay, immunoelectron microscopy, Northern blot and in situ hybridization. We also demonstrated remarkably enhanced secretion of the hormones and chromogranins by the stimulation of protein kinase activators such as phorbol ester, forskolin, and calcium-ionophore.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Allergenic and antigenic activities of the osmophilic fungus Wallemia sebi asthmatic patients].

Recently large amounts of Wallemia sebi, a species of osmophilic fungi, have been detected in house dust by low water activity media. The allergenic activity of W. sebi was examined by skin prick tests and radioallergosorbent tests (RAST) in 74 asthmatic patients (mean age 11.7, range 6-32). Aspergillus fumigatus and house dust were used for comparison. In the skin prick tests, W. sebi extract, A. fumigatus extract and house dust extract elicited positive reactions in 4 (5.4%), 4 (5.4%) and 51 (68.9%) patients, respectively. RAST showed positive results in 14 subjects (18.9%) for W. sebi extract, in 8 (10.8%) for A. fumigatus extract and in 59 (79.7%) for house dust extract. These results indicated that some asthmatic individuals showed immediate type hypersensitivity to W. sebi, which means this fungal species may be important as a causative agent in atopic diseases. Additionally, the authors measured W. sebi-specific IgG by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in asthmatic (n = 28) and non-atopic patients (n = 28). W. sebi-specific IgG was found in sera from all subjects in each group. W. sebi-specific IgG in asthmatics (mean +/- SD = 0.686 +/- 0.160) was significantly higher than that in non-atopics (mean +/- SD = 0.572 +/- 0.188) (p less than 0.01).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Possible generation of hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation of erythrocyte membrane by asbestos: cytotoxic mechanism of asbestos.

We studied a mechanism of hemolysis induced by asbestos particles or silicic acid. This hemolysis was instantly initiated by mixing red blood cells with asbestos particles or silicic acid, and reached a plateau within 10 min. The hemolysis was suppressed by catalase, radical quenchers, deoxygenation, or phospholipids. The degree of the hemolysis was proportional to either the amount of asbestos added into red blood cell suspension or the amount of thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances formed. These findings suggest that in vitro hemolysis induced by asbestos particles (or silicic acid) is ascribed to membrane lipid peroxidation initiated by hydrogen peroxide which was generated by the interaction of the mineral particles with biological membranes.

Asbestos↗
PubMed1988

Plasma levels of 7B2 (a novel pituitary polypeptide) and its molecular forms in plasma and urine in patients with chronic renal failure: possible degradation by the kidney.

Plasma immunoreactive (IR)-7B2 was measured in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF), using a specific radioimmunoassay. The mean (+/- S.E.M.) concentration of plasma IR-7B2 in CRF patients under hemodialysis (502 +/- 36 pg/ml, n = 27) was significantly higher than that in normal subjects (men, 52.9 +/- 1.7 pg/ml (n = 179); women, 55.8 +/- 1.3 pg/ml (n = 198]. Significant correlations between plasma levels of IR-7B2 and those of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and beta 2-microglobulin were evident in non-dialyzed CRF patients. In the analyses of pooled plasma and urine obtained from normal subjects on gel permeation chromatography, a major peak of IR-7B2 was observed at an apparent molecular weight of 20,000 in the plasma, and at a position of a smaller molecular weight in the urine. These results suggest that 7B2 is degraded mainly in the kidney and that measurement of plasma 7B2 may serve as an appropriate tool for assessing renal function.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Age-related change in 7B2 (a novel pituitary polypeptide) concentrations in human cerebrospinal fluid.

Concentrations of 7B2 (a novel pituitary polypeptide) immunoreactivity (7B2-IR) were measured using a specific 7B2 radioimmunoassay (RIA) in cerebrospinal fluids (CSFs) from 87 humans. The mean (+/- S.E.M.) concentration of 7B2-IR in CSF was 2022 +/- 68 pM and a statistically significant decrease with aging was observed in those concentrations (R = -0.28, t = 2.73, P less than 0.01), although it was not a strong relation based on the R-value. In the gel permeation chromatography of CSF on Sephadex G-100, a major peak with an apparent mol. wt. of 43 kDa (43K) and a minor peak with that of 11 kDa (11K) were observed.

Aging↗
PubMed1988

Different processing of chromogranin B into GAWK-immunoreactive fragments in the bovine adrenal medulla and pituitary gland.

Chromogranin B 420-493 (GAWK)-like immunoreactivity (chromogranin B (420-493)-LI) was determined by radioimmunoassay using two different rabbit antisera, one raised against chromogranin B (420-436) (GAWK 1-17) (Ab420-436) and the other against chromogranin B 439-457 (GAWK 20-38) (Ab439-457), in bovine and human tissues. Chromogranin B (420-493)-LI was present in the bovine adrenal medulla chromaffin granules as well as in the anterior pituitary gland and was released from the cultured bovine chromaffin cells by stimulation with high K+ or nicotine. Chromogranin B (420-493)-LI present in the bovine tissues was detected using Ab420-436 but was not detected using Ab439-457. In the human tissues, chromogranin B (420-493)-LI was detected using Ab420-436 as well as Ab439-457. This suggests that the amino acid sequence of this region (chromogranin B 439-457) is different between human and bovine. On the gel permeation chromatography, chromogranin B (420-493)-LI was eluted at the void volume in the bovine adrenal medulla and at an apparent molecular weight of 4000 in the anterior pituitary gland. On the reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, multiple peaks of chromogranin B (420-493)-LI was detected in the bovine adrenal medulla while one component of chromogranin B (420-493)-LI was found in the anterior pituitary gland. These results suggest that chromogranin B is processed into small fragments of chromogranin B (420-493)-LIs and that this processing is tissue-specific.

Adrenal Medulla↗
PubMed1988

Remarkable changes in the plasma levels of pituitary protein "7B2" during childhood.

We measured plasma immunoreactive (IR)-7B2 concentrations in 96 children (57 males and 39 females) from the newborn period to 20 yr of age. Plasma IR-7B2 concentrations in infants less than 2 yr of age (range 175-580 pg/ml, n = 19) were much higher than those in adults (range 20-138 pg/ml). Plasma levels of IR-7B2 decreased with age during childhood to reach the adult level at 15-20 yr. Significant negative correlations were found between plasma levels of IR-7B2 and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (r = -0.4154, p less than 0.05, n = 27), luteinizing hormone (r = -0.4948, p less than 0.05, n = 20) and follicle-stimulating hormone (r = -0.4682, p less than 0.05, n = 20). The possibility of a relationship between the reduction of plasma IR-7B2 levels and pubertal development warrants attention.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Evidence for the release of a novel pituitary polypeptide (7B2) from the growth hormone-producing pituitary adenoma of patients with acromegaly.

We studied the release of the pituitary polypeptide 7B2 in normal subjects and patients with acromegaly. Plasma 7B2 concentrations did not increase in response to human GHRH and TRH in normal subjects. Plasma 7B2 concentrations significantly increased from 124.4 +/- 39.9 (mean +/- SE) to 206.9 +/- 55.9 ng/L (180.8 +/- 17.9% of the basal value; P less than 0.01) 15 min after iv administration of GHRH in eight acromegalic patients, but they did not increase in nine other acromegalic patients. Mean plasma 7B2 levels increased from 68.8 +/- 17.9 to 168.7 +/- 53.5 ng/L (241.8 +/- 34.2% of the basal value; P less than 0.005) 30 min after iv administration of TRH in four acromegalic patients, but the two other patients tested had no response. No elevations of plasma 7B2 were found after iv administration of ovine CRH in six patients with Cushing's disease and after iv administration of TRH and/or oral administration of bromocriptine in six prolactinoma patients. In experiments using cultured human somatotroph adenoma cells, high K+ induced 7B2 release. The apparent mol wt of 7B2 in plasma was 20,000, whereas that of 7B2 in the culture medium was about 45,000. These findings suggest that 7B2 is secreted by human GH-producing pituitary adenoma cells and that plasma 7B2 responses to GHRH and/or TRH may be characteristics of human somatotroph adenomas.

Acromegaly↗
PubMed1988

Somatostatin-secreting islet cell tumor (somatostatinoma): suppression of growth hormone (GH) release induced by GH-releasing hormone.

A patient with a somatostatin (SRIH)-secreting islet cell tumor, whose only symptoms were dyspepsia and anemia, is described. The diagnosis of somatostatinoma was based on high plasma SRIH concentrations and immunocytochemical findings. The pancreatic exocrine response to secretin was decreased, whereas the insulin and/or glucagon responses to glucose and arginine were normal. Although the basal plasma GH concentration was normal, the plasma GH response to GHRH was subnormal. Gel permeation chromatography studies indicated that SRIH-14 was the predominant form of SRIH in plasma as well as in tumor tissue.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗
PubMed1988

Plasma 7B2 (a novel pituitary protein) immunoreactivity concentrations in patients with various endocrine disorders.

We have measured plasma 7B2 (a novel pituitary protein)-immunoreactivity (IR) concentrations in patients with various endocrine disorders. Mean (+/- SEM) basal plasma 7B2-IR concentrations (ng/L) in patients with acromegaly (81 +/- 14.6), Cushing's disease (57.2 +/- 8.5), prolactinoma (71.4 +/- 9.5), panhypopituitarism (50.6 +/- 7.6), isolated ACTH deficiency (47.9 +/- 11.6), hyperthyroidism (57.9 +/- 6.7) and hypothyroidism (60.8 +/- 9.4) were on the same levels as those in age-matched normal subjects. However, basal plasma 7B2-IR concentrations were increased to more than 100 ng/L in 5 out of 25 patients with acromegaly (20%). Mean basal plasma 7B2-IR concentrations in patients with medullary carcinoma of the thyroid and pheochromocytoma were 293 +/- 38.1 ng/L (range: 225.7-357.4 ng/L, n = 3) and 221 +/- 82.8 ng/L (range: 48.5-527.8 ng/L, n = 5), respectively, and significantly higher than those in age-matched normal subjects (P less than 0.001). These results suggest that plasma 7B2-IR may have some diagnostic value for acromegaly and may be useful as a marker for medullary carcinoma of the thyroid and pheochromocytoma.

Acromegaly↗
PubMed1988

Presence of high concentration of 7B2 in pleural effusion.

7B2 (a novel pituitary protein) is a secretory protein in the neuroendocrine tissues and an increase in the plasma 7B2 concentration was noted in some patients with various endocrine tumors, including small cell carcinoma of the lung and acromegaly, suggesting that 7B2 is a possible marker for these tumors. Using a radioimmunoassay, the 7B2 concentration was measured in pleural fluid samples obtained from 36 patients with lung cancer and benign pulmonary disease to assess its concentration as a marker for small cell carcinoma of the lung (SCCL) or malignant effusion. 7B2-immunoreactivity (IR) was present in pleural fluid and its concentration was much higher than in plasma. However, there was no significant difference between pleural fluid 7B2 in patients with SCCL and in other histological types of lung carcinoma or in malignant and nonmalignant patients. In the chromatographic analysis of pleural fluid on gel permeation chromatography and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, there was no molecular heterogeneity between malignant and nonmalignant effusion. These results suggest that pleural fluid 7B2-IR is not a useful marker for SCCL or malignant effusion.

Chromatography, Liquid↗