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Biomedical subjects

H Kitagawa

Publications and source records attributed to H Kitagawa.

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

Genotyping of feline MHC (FLA) class II DRB by PCR-RFLP method using group-specific primers.

For genotyping of feline major histocompatibility complex (FLA) class II DRB, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method using group-specific primers was tried. Sixty-six DRB genes were classified into 8 groups according to differences in the first 5' amino acid sequences. The group-specific primers were designed as forward ones, which were specific for 5' base sequences of genes in each group. Three to 7 appropriate restricted enzymes were selected by computer analysis for RFLP typing of the genes divided into each group. In 6 out of 9 cats, the results of DRB typed by direct sequence method agreed with results of the PCR-RFLP method using group-specific primers. In the other 3 cats, the number of genes amplified by group-specific primers was I or 2 more than those detected by direct sequence method. The direct sequence method in 9 cats identified 5 new FLA-DRB genes. The PCR-RFLP method using group-specific primers could divide 66 genes into 37 genes and 10 subgroups from the RFLP pattern. One to 6 genes in each cat, and a total of 203 genes and subgroups were detected in 68 domestic cats. The genes detected might be biased to the subgroup G1-1a (28.8%), DRB*0501 (10.3%), G1-2a (9.4%) and G6b (7.4%). The PCR-RFLP method using group-specific primers may be useful in typing FLA class II DRB.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Plasma concentrations of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, benazepril, and its active metabolite, benazeprilat, after repeated administrations of benazepril in dogs with experimental kidney impairment.

In order to examine the safety of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor in dogs with impaired renal excretion route, benazepril was administered orally, and plasma concentrations of benazeprilat, the active metabolite of benazepril, were determined in dogs with renal mass reduction (1/4th kidney) created by right-side nephrectomy and ligation of branches of the left renal arteries. Five dogs were administered benazepril orally at a given dose (0.5 mg/kg body weight) and 4 other dogs received 20 times that dose (10 mg/kg body weight) once daily for 15 consecutive days before (intact kidney period) and after (1/4th kidney period) creation of kidney impairment. Six control dogs received surgical treatment, but no drug. After creating a 1/4th kidney, plasma urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations increased to approximately 30 mg/dl and 2.0 mg/dl, respectively, and renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate decreased to 37% and 30% of pre-treatment values, respectively. However, these parameters did not change significantly during the 1/4th kidney period both in the 0.5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg groups. In the 0.5 mg/kg group, plasma benazeprilat concentrations increased to approximately 20 ng/ml to 340 ng/ml 2 hr after each administration, and there were no significant differences between the plasma benazeprilat concentrations during the intact and 1/4th kidney periods. In the 10 mg/kg group, plasma benazeprilat concentrations varied in the individual dog, but did not increase with the days of administration, and were not significantly different on each administration day between the intact and 1/4th kidney periods in either dose group. The AUCs(0-24) of plasma benazeprilat concentrations determined on the 15th administration day were not different between the intact and 1/4th kidney periods in dogs of either dose group. Plasma ACE activities decreased after drug administration in dogs of both groups. Benazepril seemed to have a high safety, and the adjustment of dosage regimen might not be needed in dogs with mild to moderate renal function impairment because the drug was excreted both from the kidneys and liver.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗
PubMed2000

Plasma renin activities, angiotensin II concentrations, atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations and cardiopulmonary function values in dogs with severe heartworm disease.

Relationships among plasma renin activities (PRA), plasma angiotensin II (ATII) concentrations, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentrations and cardiopulmonary function values were examined in dogs with ascitic pulmonary heartworm disease and acute- and chronic-vena caval syndrome (CS). PRA, plasma ATII concentration and plasma ANP concentration tended to be higher or were significantly higher in dogs with ascites, acute- and chronic-CS. PRA correlated significantly with plasma ATII concentration, WBC count, ALP activity, plasma concentrations of urea nitrogen, creatinine, sodium, potassium, and chloride, right ventricular endodiastolic pressure and right atrial pressure. Plasma ATII concentration correlated significantly with WBC count, plasma concentrations of urea nitrogen, sodium, and potassium, right ventricular endodiastolic pressure and right atrial pressure. Plasma ANP concentration did not correlate with PRA or ATII concentration, but correlated significantly only with pulmonary arterial pressure.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed2000

Neurophysiological tests of respiratory function by compound muscle action potentials from the diaphragm. Detection of lesions in the higher cervical cord.

We recorded compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) from the diaphragm in 15 normal volunteers, nine patients with lesions of the lower cervical cord (C5 to C8), one completely quadriplegic patient (C6) and seven patients with lesions at a higher cervical level (C1 to C4). Transcranial magnetic stimulation and electrical stimulation of the phrenic nerve were carried out. When the centre of the coil was placed on the interauricular line at a point 3 cm lateral to the vertex on the scalp, the CMAPs from the diaphragm had the largest amplitude and the shortest latency. There was no difference in the mean latency of the CMAPs recorded by transcranial magnetic stimulation in the normal volunteers and in the patients with lesions of the lower cervical cord. In the quadriplegic patient, the latency of the CMAPs was not delayed, but was prolonged in the patients with lesions at a higher level. Those evoked by electrical stimulation of the phrenic nerve were not prolonged in the patients with higher lesions. Our findings suggest that the prolongation of the latency by transcranial magnetic stimulation reflects dysfunction of the higher cervical cord. The combination of transcranial magnetic stimulation and electrical stimulation of the phrenic nerve can detect the precise level of the lesion in the motor tract to the diaphragm.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2000

Photosynthesis and translocation of assimilates in rice plants following phloem feeding by the planthopper Nilaparvata lugens (Homoptera: Delphacidae).

Experiments were conducted to measure the effect of feeding by the planthopper Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) on photosynthesis and the translocation of assimilates in rice plants, Oryza sativa L. We used mature japonica rice plants and applied the 13CO2 feeding method to evaluate those physiological effects. The photosynthetic rate was suppressed by N. lugens infestation, especially at the lower leaf position, with rates 30% lower than that of control plants at the booting stage. Leaf nitrogen concentration in infested plants was also lower than that in control plants. After flowering, the chlorophyll content and total plant dry weight were reduced by N. lugens. Stem and sheath dry weights were significantly reduced by N. lugens infestation, whereas panicle dry weight was not affected. Little effect was found on disruption in translocation of assimilates, even when 13CO2 was supplied to the infested leaves. Results suggested that removal of assimilates and reduction in photosynthesis by N. lugens have the greatest effect on growth and yield of rice plants as compared with the disruption in the translocation of assimilates. Plant death can occur by N. lugens infestation if the amount of energy supplied is less than that required for tissue maintenance.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Assessing the image quality of a CCD-based digital intraoral radiography system: application of perceptibility curve test.

The perceptibility curve test is a method for evaluating the psychophysical properties of radiographic systems. The concept of the perceptibility curve is based on the minimum perceptible exposure differences that are recorded by a particular imaging system. The perceptibility curve test was applied to a Charge-Coupled Device (CCD)-based digital intraoral radiography system in this study. A test object was made of a square aluminum block, 28 mm in both height and length and 10 mm in thickness. The test object had ten contrast details in the form of round holes with diameters of 1.5 mm. The depths of the holes ranged from 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm in steps of 0.05 +/- 0.01 mm. An X-ray unit was used that operated in the range of 60 to 90 kVp. Test radiographs were shown to observers in random order. Six observers were asked to rate them regarding the number of spots representing holes that they could perceive. The smallest perceptible difference in gray level on the computer monitor, a 15-inch cathode-ray tube (CRT), was then found. The minimum difference in gray level between a perceptible detail and the background was determined. Dose response functions were employed to determine exposures corresponding to these gray levels. For each case, delta logE as a function of the number of object details was calculated. Finally the reciprocal of all values of (delta logE)min were calculated. The number of details which the observers perceived decreased linearly with decreasing delta logE values. The maximum number of details that observers perceived was eight or nine. The perceptibility curves showed that their peaks shifted slightly with a change of the kVp but that their shapes were similar at different kVp settings.

Color↗
PubMed2000

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase activity in human pancreatic tumor tissues.

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) activity was investigated using pancreatic tumors and normal pancreatic tissues surrounding the tumors obtained from 12 patients with pancreatic cancer. The mean DPD activity (+/- SD) was 2.69 +/- 1.88 nmol/mg protein/hr in normal pancreatic tissue and was 6.59 +/- 5.36 nmol/mg protein/hr in pancreatic tumor tissues. The DPD activity in tumor tissue was two- to threefold higher (p < 0.01) than that in normal tissue, but no marked difference was observed in DPD activity among cancer stages. The DPD activity of pancreatic tumors may be a useful clinical marker of the responsibility of fluorinated pyrimidine dosing in pancreatic cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Trypsinogen expression in colorectal cancers.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the trypsinogen expression in human colorectal cancers. We observed the trypsinogen-1 mRNA expression in five of ten human colorectal cancer cell lines by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and gelatinolytic activity in conditioned medium of cancer cells at acidic pH by gelatin zymography. Furthermore, trypsinogen protein expression was observed in 68 out of 154 (44.2%) surgical specimens of colorectal cancer immunohistochemically. However, there was no statistically significant relationship between the trypsinogen expression and the clinicopathological findings. These findings suggest that trypsinogen might be involved in cancer invasion and metastasis throughout the cancer progression.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗
PubMed2000

PPARgamma ligand (thiazolidinedione) induces growth arrest and differentiation markers of human pancreatic cancer cells.

The aim of this study was to examine whether a specific PPARgamma ligand can inhibit the growth of human pancreatic cancer cells through induction of terminal differentiation. PPARgamma was expressed in five human pancreatic cancer cell lines: Capan-1, AsPC-1, BxPC-3, PANC-1, and MIA PaCa-2. Treatment of these cells with a specific PPARgamma ligand, thiazolidinedione (TZD), resulted in inhibition of both cellular and clonogenic growth, and G1 cell cycle arrest. Finally, thiazolidinedione treatment resulted in induction of p21WAF-1 and increased expression of differentiation markers. These results suggest that thiazolidinedione treatment inhibits growth and induces cellular differentiation in pancreatic cancer cells and thereby reduces their development in favor of differentiated and stable cell phenotype.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2000

[Spreading patterns of hilar bile duct cancer].

Spreading patterns of hilar bile duct cancer were investigated based on cases resected in our institution and reported cases in Japan. Forty-seven patients underwent resection in our institution during the past 20 years. Three patients(12%) survived for more than 5 years. The depth of tumor invasion was m or fm in 4 and se or si in 26 patients. Positive cancer invasion in the cut end was classified as hm2 or dm2 in 8 patients and em2 in 13. Twenty-four (60%) of 40 patients investigated histologically had positive lymph node metastases. Invasion of the ss layer or deeper perineural invasion occurred in 92.5%. In terms of direct invasion of the liver, hinf1 occurred in 20(42.6%). Fourteen(29.8%) han invasion of the portal vein(more than vs1). Patients with invasion of the hepatic artery were not resected. The 5-year survival rate by cancer stage was 38% in stage I, 20% in stage II, 16% in stage III, and 0% in stage IV. Surgery was assessed as Cur A in 19 patients (46.3%), Cur B in 7 (17.1%), and Cur C in 15 (36.6%). In Cur A patients the 5-year survival rate was 18%, while that for our Cur B and Cur C patients was 0%. Our patient series was more advanced in terms of cancer stage than the statistical Japanese series and both included a significant number of noncurative cases. Hepatic resection of the right or left lobe, medial segment, and S4a and S5, combined resection of the caudal lobe, and combined portal vein resection are important as radical surgery in the treatment of this cancer.

Bile Duct Neoplasms↗
PubMed2000

[An effective case of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy based on biochemical modulation for hepatic recurrence of non-functioning islet cell carcinoma of the pancreas].

A 55-year-old man had a metastasis in segment 3 of the liver 5 months after surgery for non-functioning islet cell carcinoma of the pancreas. The metastatic lesion increased in size in a short period, and other liver micro-metastases that could not be detected by imaging may exist, so hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy was scheduled for 3 months. The patient underwent hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy of 5-fluorouracil (250 mg/day/body for 5 days/week) and adriamycin (10 mg/day/body for 2 days/week) and cisplatin (10 mg/day/body for 5 days/week) and he was put on Leucovorin 30 mg/day as a biochemical modulator of 5-FU and tamoxifen 40 mg/day as a biochemical modulator of ADM. A total 6,000 mg of 5-FU, 100 mg of ADM and 240 mg of CDDP had been administered, until hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy was discontinued because of complicated gastric ulcer. Three months later, the size of the metastatic liver tumor was reduced remarkably and no other metastasis was detected on CT scan, so he underwent partial hepatectomy of the metastatic lesion. No recurrence was found and he has survived in good physical condition during the follow-up period of 5 months after the second operation.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2000

[A case of a combined aortectomy with dissection of recurrent paraaortic lymph nodes of sigmoid colon cancer].

A combined aortectomy was performed on a patient with recurrence of sigmoid colon cancer in the paraaortic lymph nodes. The 48-year-old woman was found to have tumor recurrence in the lymph nodes in the area between the aortic bifurcation and the paraaortic area, accompanied by left hydronephrosis, four years after surgery for sigmoid colon cancer (H0, P0, ss, n3, stage IIIb). No metastasis to distant areas was detected at that time. The woman thus underwent a reoperation. Intraoperatively, the aortic bifurcation and the lymph nodes were seen as a mass. The mass involved the left common iliac vein and the left ureter, as well. Therefore, we resected the area from the aortic bifurcation to the bilateral common iliac arteries, the left common iliac vein, the left ureter and the left kidney en bloc, and replaced them with a Y-shaped graft. One year after the reoperation, a tumor metastasis to the liver was detected, and a partial hepatectomy was performed. At present, the patient is being managed at our outpatient clinic. The results suggest that extended resection, involving the aorta as well, is sometimes useful when dealing with tumor recurrence in the paraaortic lymph nodes, unaccompanied by blood-borne metastasis.

Aorta↗
PubMed1999

Demonstration of glycosaminoglycans in Caenorhabditis elegans.

A considerable amount (approximately 1.6 microg from 1 mg of dried nematode) of non-sulfated chondroitin, two orders of magnitude less yet an appreciable amount of heparan sulfate, and no hyaluronate were found in Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes. The chondroitin chains were heterogeneous in size, being shorter than that of whale cartilage chondroitin sulfate. The disaccharide composition analysis of heparan sulfate revealed diverse sulfation including glucosamine 2-N-sulfation, glucosamine 6-O-sulfation and uronate 2-O-sulfation. These results imply that chondroitin and heparan sulfate are involved in fundamental biological processes.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Characterization of recombinant human glucuronyltransferase I involved in the biosynthesis of the glycosaminoglycan-protein linkage region of proteoglycans.

We characterized the recombinant glucuronyltransferase I (GlcAT-I) involved in the glycosaminoglycan-protein linkage region biosynthesis. The enzyme showed strict specificity for Galbeta1-3Galbeta1-4Xyl, exhibiting negligible incorporation into other galactoside substrates including Galbeta1-3Galbeta1-O-benzyl, Galbeta1-4GlcNAc and Galbeta1-4Glc. A comparison of the GlcAT-I with another beta1,3-glucuronyltransferase involved in the HNK-1 epitope biosynthesis revealed that the two beta1,3-glucuronyltransferases exhibited distinct and no overlapping acceptor substrate specificities in vitro. Nevertheless, the transfection of the GlcAT-I cDNA into COS-1 cells induced the significant expression of the HNK-1 epitope. These results suggested that the high expression of the GlcAT-I gene rendered the cells capable of synthesizing the HNK-1 epitope.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Immunoreactive Akt, PI3-K and ERK protein kinase expression in ischemic rat brain.

In order to clarify the role of protein kinases in ischemic brain injury, the spatiotemporal expression of immunoreactive serine-threonine kinase Akt, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) were examined at 3, 8, or 24 h after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats. Weak staining for these protein kinases was found in both cortical and caudate neurons in sham controls. The staining for Akt-1 and PI3-K was increased at 3-8 h in the ischemic penumbral region and declined at 24 h. A slight induction of these kinases was observed in the ischemic core region. Robust expression of ERK was noted at 3-8 h in most neurons in the area of ischemia. At 24 h, ERK continued to be expressed in the ischemic penumbra, but decreased in the ischemic core. These findings suggest that the signaling for Akt and PI3-K are different from the ERK dependent signal transduction during ischemic brain injury.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Topical application of neurotrophin-3 attenuates ischemic brain injury after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats.

In order to examine the effect of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) on ischemic brain injury, NT-3 was topically applied to brain surface just after 90 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats. NT-3 significantly reduced the infarct size at 24 h of reperfusion. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin in situ nick labeling (TUNEL) staining and immunohistochemical study for caspase-3 and heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) showed that NT-3 treatment decreased the number of cells with DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 and HSP72 expressions. These data suggest that NT-3 protects neuronal cells from ischemic injury, and it is possibly associated with inhibition of DNA fragmentation.

Administration, Topical↗