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Biomedical subjects

H Kawakami

Publications and source records attributed to H Kawakami.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Establishment and characterisation of a monoclonal antibody to inhibit adhesion of Helicobacter pylori to gastric epithelial cells.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that inhibit adhesion of Helicobacter pylori to human gastric cancer (MKN45) cells were established to clarify the mechanism of adhesion of H. pylori. Of 53 hybridoma clones screened by the primary inhibition assay for adhesion, MAb A20 of IgM class was selected on the basis of both its reactivity to whole cells of H. pylori by ELISA and its inhibitory effect on adhesion of H. pylori. The adhesion of H. pylori strain TK1029 to MKN45 cells was inhibited by MAb A20, depending on the concentration of the MAb. The MAb recognised the surface antigen, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of H. pylori, suggesting that LPS is associated with adhesion of H. pylori to human gastric epithelial cells.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1998

Bone marrow dysplasia with basophilic cells in a patient with angiocentric lymphoma.

We report a 46-year-old man suffering from angiocentric lymphoma of the skin. On admission, he had atypical cells rich in basophilic granules in the bone marrow and peripheral blood, in addition to skin eruptions and bone marrow dysplasia. Immediately after diagnosis, the patient was treated with multidrug combination chemotherapy. At first, the chemotherapy markedly relieved the skin eruption and bone marrow dysplasia, and atypical cells in the bone marrow and peripheral blood disappeared rapidly. However, the disease gradually became resistant to chemotherapy, resulting in a gradual deterioration of the skin eruption and bone marrow dysplasia, and reappearance of atypical cells. The levels of serum cytokines such as interleukin-4 and interleukin-6, and of soluble interleukin-2 receptor correlated well with the disease states. These results suggest that the lymphoma cells directly or indirectly induce the production of these cytokines and that a dysregulated cytokine network, which might be caused by lymphoma cells, induces an increase in atypical cells.

Bone Marrow↗
PubMed1998

Beneficial hemodynamic effects of oral prostacyclin (PGI2) analogue, beraprost sodium, on a patient with primary pulmonary hypertension--a case report.

A 65-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of exertional dyspnea in 1987. A diagnosis of primary pulmonary hypertension was confirmed by right heart catheterization. She had received conventional therapy in the outpatient clinic. She was readmitted with the deterioration of exertional dyspnea in 1995. Stabilization of pulmonary hemodynamics, while not achieved with conventional therapy, was achieved with additive administration of an oral prostacyclin (PGI2) analogue, beraprost sodium.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1998

HLA and T-cell receptor gene polymorphisms in Guillain-Barré syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: We examined a possible involvement of genetic factors influencing the development of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). METHODS: We studied T-cell receptor (TCR), alpha-chain constant (AC), and beta-chain variable (BV) gene polymorphisms using microsatellite markers and serologic HLA class I antigens, HLA-DRB1, and HLA-DQB1 alleles in 81 Japanese patients with GBS and 87 controls. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in these genetic markers between GBS patients and controls. Subgrouping of GBS patients according to recent Campylobacter jejuni infection, the presence of anti-GM1 antibody in the sera, or their combinations also failed to reveal significant associations with these genetic markers. There was, however, a tendency for an increased frequency of HLA-DRB1*0803 in the C. jejuni + GM1 + GBS group, when compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that the roles of TCRAC, T-cell receptor beta-chain variable (TCRBV), HLA class I or class II in the development of GBS are not critical, and further research is necessary to clarify other genes encoded within the HLA region for genetic susceptibility to GBS.

Campylobacter Infections↗
PubMed1998

Increased circulating soluble form of Fas in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

To examine the prognostic role of the circulating soluble form of Fas (sFas), circulating sFas levels were measured in 33 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and 12 age-matched normal control subjects (NC) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Circulating sFas levels in DCM were significantly higher than those in NC (2.42+/-1.02 vs 1.66+/-0.20 ng/ml, p=0.015). Patients with DCM were stratified into 2 groups [group I (n=15): sFas > or =2.06 ng/ml; group II (n=18): sFas <2.06 ng/ml] on the basis of the mean value plus 2SD of circulating sFas level in NC. The circulating sFas level was significantly increased in relation to the severity of heart failure and correlated positively to left ventricular end-diastolic pressure in DCM. However, there were no significant differences in left ventricular dimension between the 2 groups. There were 5 deaths from worsening heart failure in group II, but there were no deaths in group I during the follow-up period. In conclusion, circulating sFas levels were increased in patients with DCM. Circulating sFas levels are increased in proportion to the severity of heart failure and may provide prognostic information independent of left ventricular geometry.

Cardiomyopathy, Dilated↗
PubMed1998

[The relationship between body mass index and coronary risk factors].

We investigated the relationship between the body mass index and the prevalence of coronary risk factors, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, glucose intolerance and hyperuricemia, in middle-aged male workers. We found a positive correlation between the body mass index and the prevalence rate of these coronary risk factors. Mean values for serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol and HbA1c increased with the increase in the body mass index, but decreased in HDL-cholesterol.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Co-localization of human growth hormone and human prolactin in hormonally pure human growth hormone-producing pituitary adenomas.

Co-localization of human growth hormone (hGH) and human prolactin (hPRL) in hGH-producing pituitary adenomas was examined by electron microscopy with immunoblot analysis. At the electron microscopic level using anti-hGH or anti-hPRL polyclonal antibody, hGH and hPRL were found to be co-localized within each of the secretory granules in one of five cases. Double-labeling electron immunocytochemistry using colloidal gold particles of different sizes was effective in demonstrating this co-localization. As an additional step, we performed immunoblot analysis of hGH-producing pituitary adenomas using monoclonal antibodies. Four hGH-producing adenomatous tissue samples contained several hPRL-immunoreactive bands. In Case 2, the main 23K hPRL band was stained especially strongly The immunoblotting analysis of purified hGH using both anti-hPRL polyclonal antibody and monoclonal antibody to asses cross-reaction of the polyclonal anti-hPRL antisera with hGH revealed that both monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies were suitable for determining the co-localization. Double-labeling techniques using anti-hGH and anti-hPRL monoclonal antibodies demonstrated that only a few secretory granules were positive for co-localization of both hGH and hPRL (Case 2). The present study, which used not only polyclonal but also monoclonal antibodies, suggests that some hGH-producing pituitary adenomas contained both hPRL and hGH in the same secretory granules of tumor cells.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1998

[Treatment of osteoporosis by active vitamin D].

Supplementation of active vitamin D has been thought to be reasonable for those who convert insufficiently vitamin D to active form, especially for senile persons. Treatment of osteoporosis by vitamin D are accepted as not only supplementation of vitamin D but also direct activation of bone turnover. Several previous clinical trials suggest active vitamin D prevents fractures more effectively rather than the increase of the bone mass. The calcium intake of Japanese people is less than that of Western countries, and many of Japanese have the vitamin D receptor genotype which is more responsive to vitamin D. Therefore, it is probable that active vitamin D is more effective for Japanese than Western people.

Calcitriol↗
PubMed1998

The effect of nilvadipine, a calcium-channel blocker, on the hemodynamics of retrobulbar vessels in normal-tension glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of nilvadipine, a calcium-channel blocker, on the hemodynamics of retrobulbar vessels in normal-tension glaucoma. METHODS: Twenty-five patients who prospectively met the enrollment criteria underwent color Doppler imaging of the retrobulbar vessels before and after receiving 4 weeks of treatment with 2 mg oral nilvadipine twice daily. RESULTS: Nilvadipine significantly increased the end-diastolic velocity in the central retinal artery and a short posterior ciliary artery. It significantly reduced the resistance index in the central retinal artery and posterior ciliary arteries, but not in the ophthalmic artery. The calculated ocular perfusion pressure was not affected. CONCLUSION: Oral nilvadipine reduces vascular resistance in distal retrobulbar arteries in normal-tension glaucoma without affecting more proximal blood vessels. Therefore, nilvadipine may have a beneficial effect on the hemodynamics of retrobulbar vessels in normal-tension glaucoma.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1997

CAG repeat length and disease duration in Machado-Joseph disease: a new clinical classification.

To evaluate the clinical characteristics of Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) with reference to CAG repeat length and disease duration, we analyzed neurologic findings in 108 patients from 84 families. The majority of MJD patients presented with an ataxic gait as the initial symptom. Dysarthria and nystagmus were observed from an early stage. Bulging eyes, muscle atrophy and bradykinesia developed later. Patients with a shorter CAG repeat length or later onset had more frequent involvement of proprioceptive sensory deficit. Incidence of abnormal reflexes, tones, and proprioceptive sensation was not associated with disease duration, but with CAG repeat length. Based on these results, we propose a new clinical classification: type A (juvenile type), with hyperreflexia and dystonia, but without a proprioceptive sensory deficit; type C (adult type), with hyporeflexia and a proprioceptive sensory deficit, but without dystonia; and type B (intermediate type), the remaining patients with a mixed presentation.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Structure and organization of the gene encoding human dopamine transporter.

The human dopamine transporter (hDAT) is a member of the subfamily of monoamine transporters which show a common topological structure and possess significant amino acid sequence homology. We isolated and characterized the hDAT gene including about 1 kb of 5'-flanking region. The hDAT gene spans over 64 kb, consisting of 15 exons separated by 14 introns. The intron-exon structure of the hDAT gene is most similar to that of the human noradrenaline transporter (hNAT) gene. Promoter sequence analysis demonstrated a 'TATA'-less, 'CAT'-less and G+C-rich structure. Two E box and several Sp-1-binding sites exist in the promoter region. These structural features are similar to that of the human D1A dopamine receptor gene and the human monoamine oxidase A gene. The transcription start site was determined by both 5'-RACE and RNase protection assay. We determined the 5' end of the mRNA by identifying the 5'-terminal cap-G residue in 5'-RACE and RNase protection assay.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Coagulation and vascular abnormalities in Crow-Fukase syndrome.

Coagulation and vascular abnormalities were studied in 4 patients with Crow-Fukase syndrome (CFS or POEMS) to understand the pathophysiology. Fibrinogen, fibrinopeptide A, and thrombin-antithrombin complexes (TAT) increased in sera during active phase of CFS. In nerves of 2 untreated cases, the endothelium of small vessels was immunohistochemically stained with antithrombin III antibody, which indicates the existence of TAT. HLA-DR+ inflammatory cell infiltrate surrounded these vessels. Blood-nerve barrier opening was suggested by strong immunoglobulin staining in the endoneurium. More than 50% of endoneurial blood vessels had narrowed or closed lumina with thick basement membranes. Endothelial cell abnormality and chronic intravascular coagulation may play an important role in the pathogenesis of CFS, in addition to a still unknown demyelinating factor. Refractory cases responded to combined treatment of prednisolone, human leukocyte interferon, and antithrombin drug.

Antifibrinolytic Agents↗
PubMed1997

Molecular features of the CAG repeats of spinocerebellar ataxia 6 (SCA6).

Spinocerebellar ataxia 6 (SCA6) is an autosomal dominant spinocerebellar degeneration caused by the expansion of the polymorphic CAG repeat in the human alpha1A voltage-dependent calcium channel subunit gene (CACNL1A4 gene). We have analyzed 60 SCA6 individuals from 39 independent SCA6 Japanese families and found that the CAG repeat length is inversely correlated with the age of onset (n = 58, r = -0.51, P < 0.0001). SCA6 chromosomes contained 21-30 repeat units, whereas normal chromosomes displayed 6-17 repeats. There was no overlap between the normal and affected CAG repeat number. The anticipation of the disease was observed clinically in all eight parent-child pairs that we examined; the mean age of onset was significantly lower (P = 0.0042) in children than in parents. However, a parent-child analysis showed the increase in the expansion of CAG repeats only in one pair and no diminution in any affected cases. This result suggests that factors other than CAG repeats may produce the clinical anticipation. A homozygotic case could not demonstrate an unequivocal gene dosage effect on the age of onset.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Alterations in expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum gene in Dahl rats during the transition from compensatory myocardial hypertrophy to heart failure.

OBJECTIVES: To clarify whether the functional changes during the transition from compensatory myocardial hypertrophy to failure are associated with changes in sarcoplasmic reticulum gene expression. METHODS: We examined the gene expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum proteins [sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA), phospholamban, calsequestrin and ryanodine receptor] in Dahl salt-sensitive (Dahl-S) rats fed a high-salt (8%) diet from the age of 6 weeks. In-vivo contractile functioning was evaluated using echocardiography, and gene expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum proteins in the left ventricle was analyzed by Northern blotting for each stage of left ventricular hypertrophy. RESULTS: SERCA messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in Dahl-S rats with compensatory hypertrophy did not change significantly, whereas phospholamban mRNA levels were increased by 61% (P < 0.01), and calsequestrin mRNA levels were increased by 130% (P < 0.01) compared with those in Dahl salt-resistant (Dahl-R) rats. SERCA mRNA levels in Dahl-S rats with decompensated dilatation were decreased by 32% (P< 0.05), whereas levels of phospholamban and calsequestrin mRNA remained unchanged. Ryanodine receptor mRNA levels did not change either with compensatory hypertrophy or with decompensated dilatation. CONCLUSIONS: Alterations in expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum gene may be related to changes in systolic and diastolic properties in compensatory hypertrophy and heart failure.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Growth inhibition of Helicobacter pylori by monoclonal antibody to heat-shock protein 60.

The H20mAb recognizing the 60-kilodalton protein, which existed in the outer membrane and was induced by heat shock at 42 C, was established. The molecule recognized with the mAb was a heat-shock protein 60 (HSP60) of Helicobacter pylori. To understand the role of HSP60 on the cell surface of H. pylori, whether or not H20mAb affects the growth of H. pylori was investigated. When bacteria were cultured with H20mAb, growth was markedly inhibited after 24 hr, although an initial 5 hr-incubation with the mAb induced no significant inhibition of H. pylori growth. The 24- and 48 hr growth of the bacteria after washing to remove the mAb at 5 hr was also inhibited though the inhibitory effect was not strong. In electron microscopical analysis, the spots with high electron density in the cytoplasm of the bacteria treated with H20mAb were increased, depending on the length of incubation time from 5 to 24 hr. After 24 hr treatment with H20mAb, bacterial destruction was also observed, indicating bactericidal activity by H20mAb. These results suggest that the HSP60 on the cell surface of H. pylori might have an essential role in the growth of the bacteria.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Homozygosity for an allele carrying intermediate CAG repeats in the dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) gene results in spastic paraplegia.

We report a family with autosomal recessive spastic paraplegia. Patient 1 was a 37-year-old woman and patient 2 was her 35-year-old sister. They showed spastic paraplegia with mild truncal ataxia and dysarthria but no dementia, epilepsy, myoclonus, or other involuntary movements. They were the products of a consanguineous marriage but the parents were neurologically normal. We analyzed the CAG repeats of the dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) gene in the family members. The patients were homozygous for an allele carrying an intermediate size of CAG repeats (41 or 40 repeats) in the DRPLA gene; the parents were heterozygous for an intermediate allele and a normal allele in this gene. Homozygosity for an intermediate allele in the DRPLA gene appears to have resulted in spastic paraplegia different from any DRPLA phenotype.

Adult↗