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Biomedical subjects

H Kawaguchi

Publications and source records attributed to H Kawaguchi.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

[Effect of radiotherapy for inoperable remnant and recurrent gastric cancer--focusing of improvement in quality of life].

We investigated six cases of inoperable remnant and recurrent gastric cancer treated with radiotherapy with regard to quality of life (QOL). The radiation dose was from 22 to 70 Gy, with a mean dose of 46 +/- 18 Gy. Four cases could be evaluated. Two were PR and two were NC. No patients could ingest food before radiotherapy, but two became able to eat whole gruel, one half gruel and three water. The mean survival time was 5.5 months and prognosis was not improved. Subjective symptoms such as food passage disturbance were decreased by radiotherapy and QOL was improved. Radiotherapy for patients with inoperable gastric cancer seemed to be effective in improving QOL.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

[Progress in biochemical and genetic examinations in clinical laboratory of cardiovascular diseases].

For diagnosing cardiovascular emergencies, cardiologists mainly rely on physiological examinations. Biochemical laboratory examinations can facilitate emergency diagnosis and genetic diagnosis can facilitate a fundamental understanding of cardiovascular diseases. Recent progress in biochemical examinations for cardiovascular diseases includes measurement of troponin T, heart type fatty acid-binding protein, and LDL-cholesterol. Recent progress in genetic examinations includes analysis of mitochondrial DNA, obesity-related genes and single nucleotide polymorphisms. A safe and convenient system of collecting, transporting, and storing blood and other biological specimens, and the subsequent purification of genomic DNA from the stored specimens is available. Therefore, busy doctors and staff of clinical laboratory can plan subsequent DNA examinations without causing concern and pain. A recently reported human mutation of heterotrimeric G protein beta 3 subunit produces a gain-of-function G protein signaling abnormality. A common polymorphic base substitution, C825T, in the GNB3 gene is associated with an aberrantly spliced transcript lacking 123 nucleotides. A significant association of the T allele with essential hypertension or obesity has been suggested.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed2000

[A case of Wegener's granulomatosis with pachymeningitis].

A 62-year-old woman who had been receiving corticosteroid therapy for pachymeningitis since 1997 was admitted to our hospital when an abnormal shadow was noticed in her chest radiograph. In bronchial and nasal mucosal biopsies, the findings of a necrotic granulomatous lesion and vasculitis were compatible with Wegener's granulomatosis, although this is rarely seen with pachymeningitis. After further corticosteroid therapy together with cyclophosphamide treatment, the size of the thoracic X-ray shadow decreased. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was cultured from the sputum and the nasal fluid, and may have contributed to the advance of the disease in the airway. This case will require continuing careful observation.

Female↗
PubMed2000

[Atopic dermatitis at 18-months physical examination].

In order to know the prevalence rate and severity of atopic dermatitis, and to compare them to those previously done for 4-month-old infants, the authors examined atopic dermatitis of 18-month-old children at regular health checks at a health center. Among 769 children examined, 69 were diagnosed as having atopic dermatitis, giving a prevalence rate of 9.0%. Most of cases were mild, and no severe cases were observed. In contrast to the location of eruptions on head, face, and trunk at 4-month-old, the eruptions were seen mainly on the trunk and extremities. The prevalence rate in summer and autumn was significantly lower than that in winter and spring. Among 501 children whom we could examine both at 4-month and 18-month-old, 102 cases were diagnosed as having atopic eruptions at 4 months. The eruptions, however, were disappeared in 83 cases when they were 18-month-old. The severity of atopic dermatitis also came to be mild when they grew up. Altogether, a quarter of children had atopic eruptions either at 4 months or 18 months, or both. It will be of interest to observe the transition of atopic dermatitis in childhood and we are planning to follow them at next physical examination at 3-year-old.

Dermatitis, Atopic↗
PubMed2000

Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism and calcium metabolism in sarcoidosis patients.

BACKGROUND: Hypercalcemia has been recognized as an important complication of sarcoidosis, caused by overproduction of the active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) at sites of granulomatous reactions. Polymorphism of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene has recently been shown to be related to bone mineral density, and also associated with hyperparathyroidism and risk of granulomatous disease. In light of the possible impact on hypercalcemia of sarcoidosis, an investigation of calcium metabolism and polymorphism of the VDR gene in sarcoidosis patients was carried out. METHODS: Genotypes were determined using the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Maximum calcium, 1,25(OH)2D3, and intact PTH levels were also determined. RESULTS: Depressed PTH levels were found in sarcoidosis patients, especially in those with the bb genotype, but there was no difference in 1,25(OH)2D3 levels among the VDR genotypes, and this polymorphism also had no association with onset of hypercalcemia. CONCLUSION: From these results, we speculate that although the VDR gene polymorphism may affect the serum PTH level, it is not a risk factor for hypercalcemia in sarcoidosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Effect of Schistosoma japonicum infection on serum testosterone levels in mice.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of Schistosoma japonicum infection on the testoterone level in the sera from male C57BL/6 mice. METHODS: Radioimmunoassay was used to examine testosterone levels in sera of 9 male mice experimentally infected with Schistosoma japonicum. RESULTS: The serum testosterone levels reduced significantly in all experimentally infected animals 45 days after infection, as compared with the uninfected controls. CONCLUSION: Infection with Schistosoma japonicum decreases testosterone levels in the mouse host.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Translocation of G-protein beta3 subunit from the cytosol pool to the membrane pool by beta1-adrenergic receptor stimulation in perfused rat hearts.

To elucidate the intracellular function and localization of the heterotrimeric G-protein beta3 subunit (Gbeta3) in the heart, we studied the effects of subtype-specific beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) stimulation on Gbeta3 localization using isoform-specific antibodies. The amount of Gbeta3 in the cytosol dramatically decreased in hearts perfused with isoproterenol (ISO) alone or ISO with ICI 118551, a beta2-AR antagonist. Propranolol or CGP 20712A, a beta1-AR antagonist, blocked the ISO-induced decrease in the Gbeta3 content of the cytosol. In contrast, Gbeta3 content of the membrane fraction significantly increased in hearts perfused with ISO alone or ISO with ICI 118551. We conclude that stimulation of the beta1-AR induces isoform-specific translocation of Gbeta3 from the cytosol to the membrane fraction in rat hearts.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Threshold-dependent DNA synthesis by pure pressure in human aortic smooth muscle cells: Gialpha-dependent and -independent pathways.

Mechanical forces related to pressure and flow are important for the etiology of atherosclerosis and hypertension. We hypothesized the presence of mechanosensors that were solely sensitive to pure atmospheric pressure in the absence of shear and tensile stresses. A pressure-loading apparatus was set up to examine the effects of atmospheric pressure on human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC). Pressure application of 140 to 180 mmHg produced DNA synthesis in a pressure-dependent manner. In contrast, pressure of 120 mmHg or less produced no significant change. Both extracellular signal-regulated kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase activities, but not p38 activity, were stimulated by pressures of more than 160 mmHg. Pertussis toxin (PTx) completely inhibited the pressure-induced increase of DNA synthesis under the high pressure of 200 mmHg. These data suggest that HASMC have a mechanosensing cellular switch for DNA synthesis which is sensitive to pure atmospheric pressure, and that the molecular switch is activated by pressure of more than 140 mmHg. The activation mechanism consists of PTx-sensitive and -insensitive pathways, and the former is activated by high pure pressure.

Aorta↗
PubMed1999

Cell membrane dynamics and the induction of apoptosis by lipid compounds.

To investigate the induction of apoptosis by some lipid compounds which are a potent inducer of apoptosis, the plasma membrane fluidity of U937 cells was measured using the fluorescent probe, pyrene. The increase of the membrane fluidity was observed immediately after the treatment of cells with lipid inducers. We also found that the trigger of apoptosis was pulled within 30 min after treatment. Data from the dynamic light scattering experiment indicated that lipid inducers were dissolved to form the emulsion. At the very early stage of apoptosis, possibly, the well-controlled transfer of lipid inducers from the emulsion to the lipid layer of cells can bring about the increase of membrane dynamics which might lead to the induction of apoptosis.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed1999

Basic fibroblast growth factor induces osteoclast formation by reciprocally regulating the production of osteoclast differentiation factor and osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor in mouse osteoblastic cells.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) induced osteoclast formation in co-cultures of mouse spleen cells and osteoblasts. Osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor (OCIF) and a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, NS-398, abolished bFGF-induced osteoclast formation. bFGF did not affect spleen cells, but it did affect osteoblasts, to stimulate osteoclast formation. Northern blot analysis revealed that bFGF up-regulated the expression of osteoclast differentiation factor (ODF) and COX-2 and down-regulated the expression of OCIF in primary osteoblastic cells. NS-398 abolished the increase of ODF mRNA, but it had no effect on the decrease of OCIF mRNA. NS-398 suppressed the binding of (125)I-labeled OCIF to osteoblastic cells treated with bFGF. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that bFGF inhibited OCIF production by osteoblastic cells, and the inhibition was not affected by NS-398. We conclude that bFGF induces osteoclast formation by stimulating ODF production through COX-2-mediated prostaglandin synthesis and by suppressing OCIF production through a mechanism independent of prostaglandin synthesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Esophageal carcinoma showing a long stricture due to prominent lymphatic permeation: report of a case.

Some esophageal diseases such as carcinoma, esophagitis, and collagen diseases have often been reported to show a diffusely thickened esophageal wall in the roentogenogram findings. In the current report, a preoperative upper gastrointestinal series and an endoscopic examination showed a diffusely infiltrative type carcinoma, but other examinations did not suggest any diseases such as esophagitis or collagen diseases which might cause a thickening of the esophageal wall or a constriction of the esophagus. A postoperative histological examination revealed the primary carcinoma to remain only within the mucosal layer, while a large degree of lymphatic vessel permeation reached the adventitia over a wide area. An extraordinary degree of lymphatic permeation spread through the esophageal wall, and stromal fibrosis developed as a result of such lymphatic permeation. These histological phenomena might thus have led to the macroscopic appearance of infiltrative type esophageal carcinoma.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1999

Serum lysozyme levels and clinical features of sarcoidosis.

Serum lysozyme is used as a marker of sarcoidosis disease activity. In this study we examined the association between lysozyme levels and the clinical features of sarcoidosis and thus the clinical usability of this parameter in a large population. One hundred ten sarcoidosis patients from central Japan were examined for clinical features and serum lysozyme level at the first visit to our hospital and on a regular basis thereafter. The sensitivity of lysozyme for predicting sarcoidosis was 79.1%, whereas that of serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) was 59.0%. Even in the cases without an elevated serum ACE level, a value of 72.1% was obtained. The serum lysozyme level demonstrated a significant tendency to increase with the number of organs involved (p < 0.01). There were significant differences among the four radiographic stages (p < 0. 05). The maximum serum lysozyme levels of patients without a disappearance of abnormal shadows on chest radiography within 5 years were significantly greater than those of individuals with a disappearance (p < 0.05). A positive correlation between serum lysozyme and serum ACE levels was observed. Because serum lysozyme is much less specific for sarcoidosis than serum ACE, its diagnostic value may be limited. However, the sensitivity was high even when serum ACE levels were within normal limits and correlated well with clinical features in sarcoidosis. Therefore, this parameter seems suitable for disease monitoring in proven cases.

Clinical Enzyme Tests↗
PubMed1999

Stimulation of bone formation by recombinant fibroblast growth factor-2 in callotasis bone lengthening of rabbits.

Bone lengthening by callotasis is one of the most useful methods not only for the treatment of short extremities but also for extensive bone defects; however, the procedure takes a long time especially for the consolidation of the distracted callus. In this study, effects of a single local injection of recombinant human fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2 or basic FGF) on callotasis bone lengthening were examined in rabbits. Ten days after the osteotomy at the middle of the tibia and the installment of an external fixator, the osteotomized site was distracted at a rate of 1.4 mm/day for 7 days, resulting in 9.8 mm lengthening. On the final day of distraction, 200 microg of FGF-2 in 150 microl of saline solution or vehicle alone was injected into the center of the distracted callus. Injection of FGF-2 increased bone formation at the distracted callus radiologically and histologically. A significant effect on bone mineral content (BMC) at the callus was observed as early as 2 weeks, and FGF-2 increased the BMC about twofold at 5 weeks after a normal remodeling process. We conclude that the callotasis method in combination with FGF-2 injection at the consolidation step could be clinically beneficial to shorten the bone lengthening period.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1999

Association of the human NPPS gene with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine (OPLL).

OPLL (ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine) is a common form of human myelopathy with a prevalence of as much as 4% in a variety of ethnic groups. To clarify the genetic factors that predispose to OPLL, we have studied ttw (tiptoe walking), a mouse model that presents ectopic ossification of the spinal ligaments similar to OPLL and have found that the ttw phenotype is caused by the nonsense mutation of the gene encoding nucleotide pyrophosphatase (NPPS), a membrane-bound glycoprotein thought to produce inorganic pyrophosphate, a major inhibitor of calcification and mineralization. To investigate a possible role of NPPS in the etiology of OPLL, we have examined its genetic variations in OPLL patients. A total of 323 OPLL patients was screened by means of polymerase chain reaction/single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis covering all the exons and their surrounding introns, plus about 1.5-kb of the promoter region. We identified ten nucleotide variations in the NPPS gene; five of the alterations caused amino-acid substitutions, and two of them were found specifically in OPLL patients. Subsequently, we performed an association study using these variations and found a significant association of an allele, viz., a deletion of T at a position 11 nucleotides upstream from the splice acceptor site of intron 20 (IVS20-11delT), with OPLL; the proportion of the individuals having this deletion was significantly higher (P = 0.0029) in OPLL patients than in controls, indicating that those who have this variation may be more susceptible to the abnormal ossification of the spinal ligaments. Thus, our study suggests that NPPS plays an important role in the etiology of human OPLL.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Exposure of macrophage-like cells to titanium particles does not affect bone resorption, but inhibits bone formation.

We examined the capacity of culture supernatants of macrophage-like cells exposed to titanium particles to influence bone formation and bone resorption, our aim being to elucidate the mechanism of implant loosening. A mouse macrophage-like cell line, J774, was exposed to titanium particles and the concentrations of prostaglandin E2, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1alpha, and interleukin-6 in the supernatants were measured. Titanium particles stimulated the J774 cells to release tumor necrosis factor-alpha, whereas prostaglandin E2, interleukin-1alpha and interleukin-6 concentrations remained low. The bone resorptive activity of the supernatants was measured by determining 45Ca release from cultured pre-labeled newborn mouse calvariae. The culture supernatants of J774 cells exposed to titanium particles showed no significant difference in bone resorptive activity in mouse calvariae from that of culture supernatants of J774 cells not exposed to titanium particles. The bone-forming activity of the supernatant was evaluated by determining bone nodule formation and alkaline phosphatase activity in cultured mouse calvaria cells. The bone-forming activity of the supernatants exposed to titanium particles was significantly decreased compared with the supernatants of unexposed J774 cells. This inhibition was reversed by the addition of anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha neutralizing antibody. We conclude that tumor necrosis factor-alpha released from J774 cells exposed to titanium particles played an important role in the inhibition of bone formation rather than in the stimulation of bone resorption.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1999

Plasmapheresis as the sole therapy for rapidly progressive Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis in children.

To clarify the therapeutic role of plasmapheresis (PP) for patients with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) nephritis, the clinical courses of nine children with a rapidly progressive type of HSP nephritis, who were treated with PP as the sole therapy, were retrospectively evaluated. All patients had nephrotic-range proteinuria (4.9 +/- 2.5 g/m2/d, mean +/- SD) and decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (46.5 +/- 9.5 mL/min/1.73 m2) at the time of the initiation of PP. Biopsy specimens taken before PP showed large crescents involving more than 50% of the glomerular circumference in 56.8 +/- 6.9% of the glomeruli examined. The mean interval between disease onset and initiation of PP was 39.1 +/- 22.1 days. The PP regimen consisted of thrice-weekly treatment for 2 weeks, then weekly treatment for 6 weeks. No patients received any steroids or cytotoxic drugs, except for the use of steroids to manage severe abdominal pain. All patients responded promptly to PP with improvement in renal function, reduction of proteinuria, and subsidence of purpuric rash and abdominal pain. Six of nine patients showed further improvements without any other treatments; four had complete recovery, and two had only microscopic hematuria at the latest observation (follow-up period, 9.6 +/- 4.3 years). The remaining three patients showed a rebound increase of proteinuria after completion of PP; two of whom progressed to end-stage renal failure at 14.1 years and 1.8 years after disease onset. Because all patients had the most severe forms of nephritis, reported to carry a grave prognosis, this study suggests that PP as the sole therapy is effective in improving the prognosis of patients with rapidly progressive HSP nephritis, particularly if instituted early in the course of the disease. The role of PP in treating HSP nephritis deserves to be assessed further in larger randomized controlled trials.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Photoproduction of hydrogen from raw starch using a halophilic bacterial community.

The bacterial community designated BC1, which originates from night soil treatment sludge, exhibited a strong ability to produce H2 from raw starch in the light in the presence of 3% NaC1. Three halophilic or halotolerant bacterial species, Vibrio fluvialis, Rhodobium marinum, and Proteus vulgaris, were isolated from BC1 and identified. The level of H2 production from starch by coculture of V. fluvialis and R. marinum was nearly equal to that by BC1, indicating that these two strains play roles in starch degradation and H2 production from the degraded products in BC1, respectively. Acetic acid and ethanol, which were detected as the major products of degradation of starch by V. fluvialis in pure culture, seemed to be mainly utilized for H2 production by R. marinum in BC1 and the coculture. However, R. marinum in pure culture could not produce H2 from a synthetic medium containing acetic acid and ethanol, suggesting that V. fluvialis supplied not only substrates but also some unknown factors capable of inducing H2 production from these substrates by R. marinum. A study using the starch-rich microalgae, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Dunaliella tertiolecta, demonstrated that the above coculture could be applied to the production of H2 at high yield from raw starch in an algal biomass.

Journal Article↗