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Biomedical subjects

H Kitamura

Publications and source records attributed to H Kitamura.

At least 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

[A case of advanced gastric cancer with liver metastasis completely responding to a combined immunochemotherapy with UFT, mitomycin C and lentinan].

A 74-year-old man with advanced gastric cancer of Borrmann type III and liver metastasis was treated by combined administration of UFT (400 mg/day, p. o.), Mitomycin C (14 mg/body/4w., i.v.) and Lentinan (2 mg/w., i.v.). Five and half months after the therapy, endoscopic examination and ultrasonography showed the primary and liver-metastatic lesions had completely disappeared. Ten months after the therapy, total gastrectomy and intraoperative liver wedge biopsy were performed and complete disappearance of cancer cells was histologically confirmed. The total dose of UFT, MMC and LNT administered until the operation was 76.4 g, 42 mg and 74 mg, respectively. However, the patient eventually died of the recurrence of liver metastases three years after the initial immunochemotherapy.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1991

A covalent dimer of complement C4b serves as a subunit of a novel C5 convertase that involves no C3 derivatives.

A C intermediate, LAC14, was prepared from TNP-aminocaproyl liposomes sensitized with anti-TNP antibody (Ab) and purified human C1 and C4. LAC14, containing radiolabeled C4, was analyzed by SDS-PAGE followed by autoradiography, and yielded a 210-kDa band and a predominant 400-kDa band. The 210-kDa band consisted of monomeric C4b bound to low molecular mass acceptors. The 400-kDa band was comprised of a 200-kDa moiety, as well as beta- and gamma-chains of C4. The 200-kDa moiety contained neither C1 nor sensitizing Ab, but it was largely decreased by treatment with NH2OH to the 90-kDa moiety with the mobility corresponding to the alpha'-chain of C4b. A covalent dimer of C4b, therefore, is the predominant form of C4b deposited on liposomes sensitized with antibody. The C4b-C4b dimer formed rapidly (within 5 min) followed by slow dissociation into monomers. The LAC14 bearing the C4b dimer but not the monomer was lysed, although with relatively low efficiency, by the addition of oxyC2 and EDTA-supplemented C3-deficient serum (C3DS), and, furthermore, LAC142 possessed the ability to convert C5 into C5a and C5b. Moreover, lysis was inhibited not by anti-C3 Ab but by anti-C4 Ab. In other experiments, the dimer served as an element of C3 convertase, as well. These findings imply that the C4b dimer, when complexed with C2, expresses C3/C5 convertase activity without participation of C3, and may provide a molecular mechanism whereby sera from patients with complete C3 deficiency retain the ability to induce C-mediated cytolysis.

Autoradiography↗
PubMed1991

Immunohistochemical analysis of pulpal innervation in developing rat molars.

The beginning of pulpal innervation was examined in these developing teeth. Mandibular first molars removed from newborn to 7-day-old rats were cryosectioned and nerve fibres were localized by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique using a neuropeptide-specific (200 kDa) antibody. Some pulps from 5- and 7-day-old rats were also examined by conventional electron microscopy. In newborn to 4-day-old rats, molars in the initial stages of the dentine deposition were innervated in the follicles but not in the pulps. In molars from 5-day-old rats, nerve fibres were found in the pulps of 11 out of 16 samples. The fibres were mainly located along the blood vessels in the basal part of the pulp, with some arborizations. In rats of 6 and 7 days old, nerve fibres were found in all the pulps examined. These had gradually extended deep into the cuspal area and were increasingly arborized with increasing age. Nerve fibres were also found along the basal laminae of blood vessels in some dental pulps from 5-day-old rats when examined by electron microscopy. At 7 days, nerve fibres were composed of bundles of axons, some of which were covered with Schwann cell processes and basal laminae. These observations indicate that the innervation of rat molar dental pulps begins after the start of the deposition of enamel, in animals of around 5 days of age, which is at the same stage as in mouse molars, as others have shown by a silver-staining method.

Aging↗
PubMed1991

Preneoplastic changes of xenotransplanted human distal airway epithelium induced by systemic administration of 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide to host nude mice.

To elucidate a possible role of hematogenously transported carcinogens in pathogenesis of peripheral lung carcinoma in humans, we investigated whether the bronchiolar and alveolar epithelial cells of adult human lung xenografts in nude mice could be a target for the chemical carcinogen 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO) after its systemic administration to the host mice. Peripheral lung tissues from adult humans were transplanted s.c. into nude mice, and 4NQO (15 mg/kg) was administered s.c. to the host mice at a site distant from the xenografts at 2 and 3 weeks after transplantation. The human lung xenografts were maintained for from 20 to 52 weeks, and then serial sections were examined histologically and immunohistochemically. Three types of epithelial changes, i.e. epidermoid metaplasia, papillary hyperplasia of columnar and epidermoid cells, and atypical adenomatous hyperplasia, were induced in the 4NQO group, with a statistically significant difference for these combined epithelial lesions (P less than 0.01) and for epidermoid metaplasia (P less than 0.05) compared to the control group. Some epidermoid metaplasias showed significant nuclear atypia. In addition, almost all foci of epidermoid metaplasia and papillary hyperplasia contained cells positive for carcinoembryonic antigen, suggesting both types of the lesions were preneoplastic. The morphologic characteristics of the atypical adenomatous hyperplasia were very closely similar to those of the hitherto reported preneoplastic or putative neoplastic lesions in the human peripheral lung. Our results indicated that the alveolar and bronchiolar epithelial cells of human lung xenografts were affected by systemically applied 4NQO, and subsequently underwent transformation to a preneoplastic state.

4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide↗
PubMed1991

Response of sympathetic nervous system activity to exercise in patients with congestive heart failure.

To investigate the serial sympathetic nervous system response to exercise, plasma norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) concentrations were measured at rest, during each stage of treadmill exercise, and immediately and 5 minutes after exercise in 68 congestive heart failure (CHF) patients (NYHA functional class I 24, II 25, III 19) and 30 normal subjects. Circulatory responses of NYHA class II patients increased at early stages of exercise. Systolic blood pressure and double product at peak exercise were significantly lower in NYHA class III patients. Plasma NE response of NYHA class I patients was similar to that of normal subjects. However, plasma NE at rest, and during and after exercise were significantly higher in NYHA classes II and III patients than in normal subjects and NYHA class I patients (peak NE (pg ml-1); Normals: 547 +/- 37, I: 535 +/- 53, II: 867 +/- 87, III: 1033 +/- 157). There was no significant difference in plasma E levels among the four groups. NE response to exercise was augmented according to the severity of heart failure, which suggested compensatory activation of sympathetic nervous system activity. Circulatory responses were reduced in NYHA class III patients despite the exaggerated compensatory activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Blunted circulatory responses to increased NE concentration in NYHA class III patients might relate to a decreased cardiac responsiveness to sympathetic activity in severe CHF patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

A testicular teratoma with rhabdomyosarcoma and seminoma.

A case of testicular mixed germ cell tumor with teratoma in a 36-year-old Japanese male is reported. Histologically, it was strongly suggested that the rhabdomyosarcoma had originated from the mesenchymal element of the teratoma. A review of the literature revealed six definitive and two possible previous cases of testicular rhabdomyosarcoma with teratoma, either with or without other germ cell malignancies. However, the present case associated with seminoma as a germ cell tumor is the first of its kind to be reported. In contrast to the poor prognosis observed in the previous cases, the present patient remains free of disease 3 years and 3 months after orchiectomy, chemotherapy and irradiation.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Evidence for cleft palate as a postfusion phenomenon.

Some clefts of the lip and palate appear to result from the rupture after fusion has occurred. This possibility is suggested by (1) epithelial remnants found in the palatal shelves, (2) regenerating epithelium found in the palatal clefts of human fetuses older than 13 weeks, (3) immature epithelium visible on the margin of the cleft, (4) nasopalatine ducts cut off by clefts, (5) perforation type cleft found in the hard palate, (6) a Simonart band visible in six cleft mouse fetuses, (7) duplicated upper lateral incisors enclosing a lip-jaw cleft, and (8) rodent cavities in the lip or palate related to cleft formation.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Demonstration of connective tissue sheaths surrounding working myocardial cells and Purkinje cells of the sheep moderator band.

Morphological studies were carried out to delineate the characteristics of connective tissue sheaths surrounding working myocardial cells and Purkinje cells in the moderator band of adult sheep hearts, using a series of techniques including silver staining, immunohistochemistry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For SEM, tissue blocks were treated with 2N NaOH at room temperature to digest cellular elements. Individual working myocardial cells were ensheathed by thin argyrophil fibers (reticular fibers), while fascicles of 4-8 Purkinje cells (Purkinje strands) were encircled by rather thick reticular fibers. Some collagen fibers were located between masses of myocardial cells as well as between the Purkinje strands. Immunohistochemical analyses indicated that reticular fibers directly surrounding both myocardial cells and Purkinje strands showed moderately positive reactions for anti-type I collagen and intensely positive reactions for anti-type III collagen. Deserves particular note is that the three-dimensional architecture of the reticular sheaths varied widely at different places. The thin reticular sheaths surrounding each myocardial cell consisted of fibrils which were arranged in a coarse network and directed circularly along the long axis of cells. By contrast, the sheaths enclosing Purkinje strands were thicker, and their reticular fibrils were woven into a compact "felt-like" texture. The functional significance of these connective tissue sheaths is also discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[Effects of construct accessibility and self-schema on person memory].

The present study investigated the relationship among construct accessibility, self-schema and person memory. Three hundred and thirty-four subjects received 40 behavioral descriptions of a stimulus person, consisting of eight specific behaviors on each of five trait-dimensions. Subjects also rated personality traits of their acquaintances and themselves on nine-point bipolar scales and ranked the importance of the five trait-dimensions. Weights, which subjects assigned to each of the five dimensions, were calculated as indices of construct accessibility. Self-schema scores of each subject were also calculated based on his/her ratings. Multiple regression analyses indicated that the dimensional weights and self-schema scores were positively correlated with the recall performance of the descriptions of the stimulus person. The schematics recalled significantly more descriptions than the aschematics, whether their self-schema was positive or negative. Subjects who had positive self-schema showed higher construct accessibility than the aschematics. It was argued that the relationship between construct accessibility and self-schema might be affected by motivational factors such as self-esteem.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Electron microscopical evaluation of connective tissue healing to periodontally involved teeth.

The present study was undertaken to examine if our novel root treatment for human periodontally involved teeth can facilitate a new connective tissue attachment. The novel treatment was in two parts: 1) planning and surface decalcification with citric acid on the coronal quarter of the exposed root corresponding to pocket, and 2) curettage of superficial cementum of the apical three quarters of the exposed root. The interface of the root surface and regenerating connective tissue was observed 2 and 3 weeks after surgery by light and electron microscopy. The apical migration of junctional epithelium was effectively prevented. The fibroblasts synthesized new fibrillar materials and collagen fibrils towards the curetted cementum. The results suggested the possibility that this treatment for periodontally involved teeth would provide ideal root surface conditions for the formation of new fibrous attachment.

Antacids↗
PubMed1991

Initial gingival tissue attachment to the deep cementum.

This study was performed in order to obtain fundamental knowledge regarding gingival connective tissue response to cementum. Gingival tissues of monkeys were elevated, and superficial cementum only was curetted. The time course of initial gingival tissue attachment was subsequently examined by conventional histology and also by electron microscopy. The first response was inflammatory exudate and fibrin attachment followed by granulation tissue formation. Cementoblasts were observed along the curetted cementum surface in the 10-day specimen. Mature collagen fibrils accumulated between the cementoblasts and the cementum surface in the 14-day specimen. We conclude that curetting the superficial cementum from root surfaces facilitates the formation of the fibrous connective tissue attachment.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[Apical sequestration in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: its clinical features and pathophysiology].

The clinical and pathophysiological significance of apical sequestration, in which an apical cavity was sequestered from the remainder of the left ventricle by cavity obliteration was investigated in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Among 196 consecutive patients, 24 with apical sequestration and 70 control subjects proven to have no sequestration with left ventriculography were selected for this study using echocardiography combined with Doppler color flow imaging. Various cardiac disorders occurred significantly more frequently in patients with apical sequestration than in the 70 controls: NYHA > or = II, 83% vs 51%; thromboembolism, 17% vs 3%; ventricular tachycardia, 47% vs 11%; and apical asynergy, 75% vs 4%. Continuous Doppler ultrasound revealed that all 24 patients with sequestration had a high systolic blood flow velocity across the obliterated cavity (2.7 +/- 0.9 m/s). During isovolumic relaxation or early diastolic filling or both, 21 of them had paradoxical jet flow directed toward the basal cavity away from the apex, with the peak flow velocity ranging from 1.0 m/s to 3.5 m/s (mean 1.9 +/- 0.7). The maximal diastolic pressure gradient across the obliterated cavity ranged between 4 mmHg and 49 mmHg using the simple Bernoulli's equation, which suggested a significantly higher pressure in the sequestered apical chamber during early diastole. Patients with sequestration were classified into 2 groups; 17 with (group A) and 7 without (group B) apical hypertrophy. The time interval from the closing of the aortic valve to the onset of filling into the sequestered cavity was longer in group A than in group B (401 +/- 191 vs 131 +/- 145 ms, p < 0.01) as assessed by the pulsed Doppler technique. Angiographic asynergy of the apex was more frequent in group A than in group B (100 vs 29%, p < 0.01). In group B, the midventricular cavity was incompletely obliterated throughout the cardiac cycle; whereas, in group A, it was obliterated completely in systole and partially in diastole. Apical sequestration is not uncommon in HCM; it is accompanied by abnormal segmental wall motion, which may be related to ventricular arrhythmias and thromboembolism. Prolonged cavity obliteration with a higher systolic apical pressure and a persistent diastolic intraventricular gradient may play a pathogenic role in apical aneurysmal formation in the absence of fixed coronary artery disease, particularly in patients with apical hypertrophy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Interaction between interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor productions by peripheral blood monocytes and nutritional disturbance in active pulmonary tuberculosis].

Malnutrition is frequently observed in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. We have already reported the nutritional disturbance in those patients by comprehensive nutritional assessment. But the mechanism of this nutritional disturbance remains unclear. We anticipated that cytokines contributed to the nutritional disturbance. To elucidate this mechanism we measured the productions of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) by peripheral blood monocytes, and correlated them with nutritional parameters in those patients. These cytokines had been reported to mediate metabolic alterations in inflammatory process. Subjects were 45 patients with bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis and their controls matched by age and sex. Adherent monocyte at 0.5 x 10(6)/ml were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the culture supernatant was measured by ELISA for IL-1 and TNF. In order to assess nutritional status we measured serum albumin, transferrin, prealbumin, retinol binding protein, branched chain amino acid (BCAA)/aromatic amino acid (AAA) ratio as amino acid imbalance index, % ideal body weight (%IBW), % arm muscle circumference (% AMC) as muscle mass index, % triceps skin fold thickness (% TSF), as fat store index. The results were as follows: (1) Patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis were confirmed to be malnourished in visceral proteins, plasma amino acid, and anthropometric indices. (2) In patients with moderate or mild nutritional depletion the production of IL-1 and TNF was higher than that in healthy controls, and significantly correlated inversely with the nutritional parameters. (3) In patients with severe nutritional depletion the production of IL-1 and TNF was lower than that in healthy controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1990

Proteolytic elimination of decay-accelerating factor (DAF): lytic abnormality coincides with removal of DAF in papain-treated human erythrocytes.

Erythrocytes (E) from patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) lack decay-accelerating factor (DAF) and this partly causes increasing susceptibility of the E to complement. Several reagents have been used to convert normal E to the complement-sensitive (PNH-like) cells. The relationship between DAF amounts and complement susceptibility of these PNH-like cels has been examined. Of the reported reagents for preparation of PNH-like cells, 2-amino-ethylisothiouronium bromide (AET), papain, and periodate efficiently converted normal E to the complement-sensitive cells, but only papain reduced the quantity of DAF on the cells. Further, of the proteases we tested only papain cleaved DAF to liberate its major fragment from the cells. The papain-treated cells lysed in a similar fashion to PNH cells as the serum concentration increased. The major papain-digested product of DAF had Mr, 55,000, lacked hydrophobicity, and retained the ability to inhibit the C3 convertases. These findings suggest that papain allows liberation from cells of functional domains as well as most of the antigenic epitopes of DAF to generate a PNH-like cell.

Blood Proteins↗
PubMed1990

Sympathetic nervous system response to dynamic exercise in complete AV block patients treated with AV synchronous pacing with fixed AV delay or with auto-AV delay.

To investigate the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) responses and circulatory responses to exercise in eight patients (five male and three female) with complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) treated with atrioventricular (AV) synchronous pacing, a symptom-limited, multistaged treadmill stress test was performed, and plasma norepinephrine (NE) and circulatory parameters were measured at rest, at peak exercise, and in the recovery period. The eight patients were tested using the fixed AV interval (150 or 156 msec). Their exercise tolerance was generally poor. In all measured points, plasma NE levels were significantly higher in the eight study patients than those in the 12 normal subjects (eight male and four female). Systolic blood pressure (SBP) of CAVB patients elevated significantly after exercise compared to that at peak exercise. Heart rate (HR) responses of CAVB patients were characterized by their poor increase at peak exercise. These results suggest that some latent cardiac dysfunction continues in the CAVB patients however satisfactorily the AV synchronous pacing might perform. AV synchronous pacing with three different kinds of auto-atrioventricular delay (auto-AVD) was applied to three of the eight patients. In each AVD mode, a treadmill stress test was performed repeatedly according to the same protocol. Plasma NE concentrations under the condition with fixed AVD at peak exercise increased compared to those under the other two conditions with auto-AVD. These findings suggest that AV synchronous pacing with auto-AVD was better than that with fixed AVD during exercise. Plasma NE response to exercise seems to be a useful indicator for evaluating the condition of patients treated with DDD pacemakers and their adaptation for cardiac function.

Aged↗