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Biomedical subjects

H Kanai

Publications and source records attributed to H Kanai.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome associated with malignant thymoma.

Two patients with malignant thymoma of lymphoepithelial cell type developed nephrotic syndrome and irreversible acute renal failure 18 months after the radiation therapy. Repeated renal biopsies revealed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in both cases (a 66-year-old female and a 82-year-old female). Several immunological disorders were found, being a presence of autoantibodies such as antinuclear antibody, anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody, antistriatal antibody and an elevation of serum IgM. In both cases the nephrotic syndrome was resistant to corticosteroid as well as cyclophosphamide. Renal dysfunction eventually progressed to end-stage renal failure requiring regular hemodialysis treatment. A sustained immunological impairment related to the residual malignant thymoma was considered to be of pathogenic importance for the delayed occurrence of nephrotic syndrome. Fifteen thymoma cases with nephrotic syndrome from the previous reports are also reviewed.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Minimal daily variations of plasma and urinary endothelin-1 in healthy subjects.

The daily profiles of both the plasma level and the urinary excretion rate of endothelin-1 were examined in 13 healthy volunteers (9 males and 4 females, aged 22 +/- 1 [SEM]). Plasma endothelin-1 (PET) was measured after a one-hour recumbency every 6 hours at 8 a.m., 2 p.m., 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. and the urinary excretion rate of endothelin-1 (UET) was determined in the urine collected every 6 hours. PET was found to be quite stable throughout the day, being 1.57 +/- 0.25 pg/ml at 8 a.m., 1.88 +/- 0.21 at 2 p.m., 2.2 +/- 0.24 at 8 p.m. and 1.90 +/- 0.20 at 2 a.m. After a one-hour ambulation, PET showed no statistical difference. UET also remained unchanged for each 6-hour collecting period, measuring 4.61 +/- 0.69, 3.98 +/- 0.46, 4.63 +/- 0.73 and 3.42 +/- 0.49 ng/hr, respectively. The absence of any daily variations in either PET or UET thus suggests that apparently no specific considerations need be applied regarding the time of taking samples to measure the plasma and urinary endothelin-1.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

The effect of azelastin hydrochloride on pruritus and leukotriene B4 in hemodialysis patients.

Pruritus is a very common complication in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients, however the exact mechanism for this affliction is still not known. Anti-histaminics usually failed to alleviate uremic pruritus. In others, an anti-allergic drug, which inhibits the release of chemical mediators, such as leukotrienes or histamine from mast cells, was reported to be effective. We evaluated the values of leukotriene B4 and interleukin 6 in HD patients with pruritus and the effect of an anti-allergic drug on these factors. Leukotriene B4, interleukin-6, C3a, C5a, the number of eosinophil and IgE at 0, 15 and 180 minutes after the start of regular HD in 11 HD patients suffering from pruritus and as well as in 11 HD patients without pruritus were examined. These HD patients in both groups showed significantly higher (p < 0.001) values of leukotriene B4 and C3a compared to healthy non-HD subjects. There was no difference in the leukotriene B4, interleukin-6, IgE, C3a and C5a levels between the patients with and without pruritus. Two mg/day of azelastin hydrochloride, an anti-allergic drug was orally given to the pruritus group for 3 weeks. In 5 of 11 patients, the pruritus symptoms disappeared, while in 4 of 11 they improved. Independent of the effect of the drug on pruritus, leukotriene B4 levels significantly decreased compared with those before the administration of this drug in the pruritus group (p < 0.01). Interleukin 6, C3a, C5a and the number of eosinophils demonstrated no significant change. In conclusion, although azelastin hydrochloride was effective in treating pruritus and also suppressed leukotriene B4 levels in hemodialysis patients, the high leukotriene B4 activity itself did not seem to be related to the development of pruritus in these patients.

Histamine Antagonists↗
PubMed1995

Altered brain contents of neuropeptides in spontaneously epileptic rats (SER) and tremor rats with absence seizures.

Immunoreactive- (IR-) somatostatin (SRIF), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) contents were investigated in the brain of tremor rats with absence-like seizure and spontaneously epileptic rats (SER), which is a genetically defined double-mutant (zi/zi, tm/tm) obtained by mating zitter homozygote (zi/zi) with tremor heterozygote (tm/+) and shows both absence-like seizure and tonic convulsions. Increased levels of IR-NPY and IR-CRF were observed in several regions including the amygdala and hippocampus in homozygous SER compared to heterozygous SER (zi/zi, tm/+ or +/+). Homozygous tremor rats (tm/tm) showed lower levels of IR-NPY and IR-CRF contents mainly in the hippocampus and mesolimbic system (entorhinal and pyriform cortex and nucleus accumbens) than heterozygous tremor rats. IR-SRIF contents of homozygous SER were higher in frontal cortex than heterozygous SER and in amygdala than homozygous tremor rats. No change of IR-SRIF between groups was noted in the hippocampus among brain structures underlying epileptogenicity. The results suggest that the change of neuropeptide levels, most conspicuous in NPY among three peptides tested, may be involved in the phenotypical manifestation of seizures in SER and tremor rats, and that the development of tonic convulsion and absence seizures may be differently associated with the change of brain neuropeptide levels.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Pituitary apoplexy after pituitary function test: a report of two cases and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Although most of pituitary apoplexy occur spontaneously, some precipitating factors have been reported. We experienced two cases of pituitary apoplexy after a pituitary function test. METHODS: In order to clarify the causal relation between the pituitary function test and apoplexy, we presented our two cases and reviewed 20 cases in the literature. RESULTS: (Case 1) A 48-year-old man with a pituitary macroadenoma received an injection of 500 micrograms thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), 100 micrograms gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), and 0.1U/kg insulin as a preoperative test of pituitary function. Fifteen minutes later, he complained of diminished vision and headache. (Case 2) A 54-year-old man with a large cystic adenoma had an administration of 500 micrograms TRH and 100 micrograms GnRH. Ten minutes later, he complained of blurring of his left eye and headache. Although, in both cases, CT scans showed neither intratumoral hemorrhage nor infarction, the surgical specimen showed necrotic and hemorrhagic adenoma. The patients made excellent clinical recoveries after surgical decompression. Twenty-two reports including our two cases were reviewed. In 15 cases (68%), TRH was associated with apoplectic events and seemed to be the agent most likely to have an etiologic role because of its vasoactive properties. Eighteen patients (82%) had pituitary macroadenomas with suprasellar extension. In 72% of 18 surgical cases, some recovery of visual function was obtained. CONCLUSIONS: An apparent relationship between the test and the apoplectic events raises the possibility of the development of pituitary apoplexy after a pituitary function test. Unless there is a specific indication, pituitary function test should be avoided especially in patients with a large pituitary tumor.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1995

Purification and Properties of Extracellular Amylase from the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Thermococcus profundus DT5432.

A hyperthermophilic archaeon, Thermococcus profundus DT5432, produced extracellular thermostable amylases. One of the amylases (amylase S) was purified to homogeneity by ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-Toyopearl chromatography, and gel filtration on Superdex 200HR. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 42,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The amylase exhibited maximal activity at pH 5.5 to 6.0 and was stable in the range of pH 5.9 to 9.8. The optimum temperature for the activity was 80(deg)C. Half-life of the enzyme was 3 h at 80(deg)C and 15 min at 90(deg)C. Thermostability of the enzyme was enhanced in the presence of 5 mM Ca(sup2+) or 0.5% soluble starch at temperatures above 80(deg)C. The enzyme activity was inhibited in the presence of 5 mM iodoacetic acid or 1 mM N-bromosuccinimide, suggesting that cysteine and tryptophan residues play an important role in the catalytic action. The amylase hydrolyzed soluble starch, amylose, amylopectin, and glycogen to produce maltose and maltotriose of (alpha)-configuration as the main products. Smaller amounts of larger maltooligosaccharides were also produced with a trace amount of glucose. Pullulan; (alpha)-, (beta)-, and (gamma)-cyclodextrins; maltose; and maltotriose were not hydrolyzed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1995

Increased intraplatelet and urinary transforming growth factor-beta in patients with multiple myeloma.

The concentrations of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in platelets, plasma and urine from 27 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and from 22 normal controls were measured by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a monoclonal antibody specific for human TGF-beta 1+2+3. A significantly increased intraplatelet TGF-beta (24.6 +/- 9.6 vs. 17.8 +/- 8.8 ng/10(5) platelets, p < 0.01) and urinary TGF-beta (1.4 +/- 0.8 vs 1.0 +/- 0.4 ng/mg Cr, p < 0.02) were observed in MM patients compared with normal controls. The mean platelet TGF-beta level in MM patients with osteolytic lesions was more increased than in those without osteolytic lesions (29.6 +/- 7.7 vs 18.4 +/- 8.2 ng/10(5) platelets, p < 0.001). In this study, we evaluated the possible role of TGF-beta in the pathogenesis of myeloma, especially in osteolytic lesions.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

[Clinical analysis of 14 patients with anti-myeloperoxidase antibody positive rapid progressive glomerulonephritic syndrome].

We investigated the clinical features and outcome of 14 patients with anti-myeloperoxidase antibody (MPO-ANCA) positive rapidly progressive glomerulonephritic syndrome. Underlying diseases included microscopic polyarteritis in 6 patients, idiopathic crescentic glomerulonephritis with lung hemorrhage in 2 patients, idiopathic glomerulonephritis in 3 patients, rapidly progressive glomerulonephritic syndrome without renal biopsy in 1 patient, crescentic glomerulonephritis associated with Sjögren syndrome and progressive systemic sclerosis in 1 patient and crescentic glomerulonephritis associated with sarcoidosis in 1 patient. Five patients were male (mean age, 59.2 years) and 9 were female (mean age, 54.0 years). On admission, most patients had anemia, leukocytophilia, and marked elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP). Average hemoglobin, white blood cell count and CRP levels on admission were 8.1 mg/dl, 11,500/mm3 and 14.7 mg/dl, respectively. Average serum creatinine was 4.0 mg/dl. All patients were treated with steroids either with or without cyclophosphamide. As the patients recovered clinically, the MPO-ANCA titers declined. Although most patients responded well to immunosuppressive therapy, some died of serious complications (such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, fungal infection, and pneumocystis pneumonia). The prognosis of patients with severe renal failure was especially poor. We conclude that early diagnosis, treatment and intensive care during immunosuppressive therapy are very important in the management of MPO-ANCA-positive rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[TSH-secreting fibrous pituitary adenoma showing calcification: a case report].

TSH-secreting pituitary adenoma with calcification and proliferation of the collagen fibers was presented. A 42-year-old man had shown general fatigue and thyroid hypertrophy caused by hyperthyroidism for 3 years. CT and MRI revealed pituitary adenoma with calcification extending into the cavernous sinus and sphenoid sinus. The patient was operated on using the transsphenoidal route twice, but the tumor was not able to be removed totally, partly due to the hardness of the tumor. The tumor in- and around the left cavernous sinus as well as the hardest part of the tumor itself due to the calcification could not be removed. Histopathological examination revealed chromophobe adenoma with proliferation of the collagen fibers. Immunohistological and electronmicroscopic examination demonstrated TSH-secreting adenoma. Postoperatively, thyroid function improved and the patient's symptoms due to hyperthyroidism disappeared.

Adenoma, Chromophobe↗
PubMed1994

Solution structure of a specific DNA complex of the Myb DNA-binding domain with cooperative recognition helices.

The DNA-binding region of Myb consists of three imperfect tandem repeats (R1, R2, and R3). We have determined the solution structure of a specific DNA complex of the minimum DNA-binding domain (R2R3) by heteronuclear multidimensional NMR. Both R2 and R3 contain three helices, and the third helix in each is found to be a recognition helix. R2 and R3 are closely packed in the major groove, so that the two recognition helices contact each other directly to bind to the specific base sequence, AACNG cooperatively; this is a significant arrangement of recognition helices. The three key base pairs in this sequence are specifically recognized by Asn-183 (R3), Lys-182 (R3), and Lys-128 (R2). In contrast, R1 has no specific interactions with DNA from our NMR study of the DNA complex of the full DNA-binding domain (R1R2R3).

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Body image changes in adolescents I development of Self-Rating Body Image (SRBI) test and effects of sex, age and body shape.

We investigated the effects of sex, age and body shape on self-body image estimated by our Self-Rating Body Image (SRBI) test in 687 adolescents. Three factors were derived from the 20 items of the SRBI by using a factor analysis. They were interpreted as the images of "body shape," "face" and "visceral organ." Scores of these images in the females were significantly higher than those in the males. There was a significantly negative correlation between the body shape and "body shape" image for the female adolescents 13 years of age (middle) and 18 years of age (late), while no correlation was found for the male and female adolescents 10 years of age (early) and late male adolescents. Our results suggest that a female adolescent wants to be thinner and that the body image showed critical changes during the early and middle periods of adolescence, leading to unsatisfactory images of self-body.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Increased excretion of urinary transforming growth factor beta in patients with focal glomerular sclerosis.

The urinary transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) excretion was measured in 33 patients including 10 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 8 with focal glomerular sclerosis (FGS), 9 with IgA nephropathy (IgAN), and 6 with membranous nephropathy (MN), and in 7 healthy subjects by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a monoclonal antibody specific for TGF-beta 1 + 2 + 3. A significantly increased urinary TGF-beta excretion was observed in FGS patients (555.5 +/- 458.4 ng/mg Cr) as compared with normal controls (46.9 +/- 43.9 ng/mg Cr) (p < 0.05) and a relative increase in SLE patients (96.4 +/- 58.2 ng/mg Cr) and a decrease in MN patients (24.8 +/- 13.3 ng/mg Cr). In contrast, there was no difference in TGF-beta excretion between IgAN patients (54.1 +/- 37.4 ng/mg Cr) and normal controls. A correlation between the amount of proteinuria and TGF-beta was not found. As has been previously demonstrated in experimental studies, TGF-beta may play a similar role in human glomerular diseases. The results obtained in this study raised the possibility that extracellular matrix might be produced by glomerular cells in vivo under the control of TGF-beta and that TGF-beta might act as a stimulator for the development of glomerulosclerosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) observed in a patient with primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome].

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare syndrome of unknown etiology and has a high mortality rate. TTP is characterized by a pentad of clinical findings, including microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, renal abnormalities, neurologic signs and fever. The pathological feature of TTP consists of disseminated microvascular platelet thrombi. We describe a case of TTP with primary anti-phospholipid syndrome. A 27-year-old woman developed TTP in her second trimester of pregnancy. She presented with classical symptoms of TTP with compatible renal biopsy findings. Although four articles of SLE criteria (1982 ARA) were fulfilled, three of them were considered to be derived from multiple thrombosis except for a positive antinuclear antibody. Positive antiphospholipid antibodies (lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibody) with SLE-like findings suggested the diagnosis of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome rather than SLE. Although TTP has been described in patients with SLE and they can share common clinical and pathological features, the relationship between these two diseases is controversial. Many theories have been proposed to explain the nature and cause of intravascular platelet aggregation in TTP. But the pathogenesis of TTP is still unclear. This case suggests an important causal relationship between antiphospholipid antibodies and TTP during pregnancy. In TTP patients who also have SLE or SLE-like features, the antiphospholipid antibodies may have a role in the development of multiple microthrombosis.

Adult↗