Biomedical subjects

H Masuda

Publications and source records attributed to H Masuda.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Transition zone index as a risk factor for acute urinary retention in benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the efficacy of various parameters obtained by transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) as predictors of the onset of acute urinary retention in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: From April 1993 to March 1997, 331 men aged 51 to 84 years with symptoms of BPH were enrolled in this study. Among them, 64 patients presented to our clinic because of acute urinary retention. TRUS was used to calculate the transition zone (TZ) volume, the transition zone index (TZ index = TZ volume/total prostate volume), the total prostate volume, and presumed circle area ratio (PCAR). To compare the usefulness of the various indices, the area under the receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated for each index. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the American Urological Association (AUA) symptom score, total prostate volume, TZ volume, TZ index, and PCAR between patients with and without acute urinary retention, but no significant differences in age and quality of life score. In patients with acute urinary retention, the area under the ROC curve was 0.924 for the TZ index, 0.834 for the TZ volume, 0.753 for the PCAR, 0.684 for the total prostate volume, and 0.628 for the AUA symptom score. CONCLUSIONS: The TZ index is an accurate predictor of acute urinary retention in patients with BPH and may be a useful method for deciding between surgical intervention and antiandrogen treatment.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1998

M3-type muscarinic receptors predominantly mediate neurogenic quick contraction of bovine ciliary muscle.

1. The present experiments were designed to investigate which subtypes of muscarinic receptors are involved in the neurogenic quick contraction of bovine ciliary muscle in connection to quick eye focal accommodation. 2. Transmural electrical stimulation (TES) produced a transient contraction, which was abolished in the presence of 3 x 10(-7) M tetrodotoxin and 10(-6) M atropine, but greatly augmented by 3 x 10(-7) M physostigmine. 3. The exogenously applied acetylcholine (ACh: 10(-9) to 3 x 10(-6) M) produced a concentration-dependent contraction, which was competitively antagonized by 10(-6) M atropine and augmented by 3 x 10(-7) M physostigmine, but unaffected by 3 x 10(-7) M tetrodotoxin. 4. The magnitude and time to peak of the maximal contraction produced by TES were significantly greater (1267.5 +/- 86.0 mg, P < 0.005) and shorter (9.0 +/- 0.2 sec, P < 0.005) than corresponding values (97.0 +/- 9.9 mg and 20.3 +/- 2.1 sec, respectively) of the phasic contraction caused by exogenously applied 10(-5) M ACh, at which concentration the agonist caused the maximal contraction. The velocity (140.6 +/- 7.8 mg/sec) of the transient contraction caused by TES was approximately 28-fold greater than that of the phasic contraction caused by ACh (5.1 +/- 0.9 mg/sec). 5. The contractions produced by TES were greatly attenuated by 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine (4-DAMP) as an M3 antagonist and slightly by pirenzepine as an M1 antagonist (20.2 +/- 7.9% inhibition at the highest concentration), but not by methoctramine (MET) as an M2 antagonist. The IC50 value (-log M) for 4-DAMP was determined to be 7.17 +/- 0.14. 6. Scatchard plot analysis of [3H]-quinuclidinylbenzilate (QNB) binding revealed that the binding sites constituted a single population with a Kd of 31.2 +/- 0.8 pM and a Bmax of 895.5 +/- 93.2 fmol/mg protein. The activity in inhibiting [3H]-QNB binding was most potent with 4-DAMP (-log Ki = 7.98 +/- 0.02), but less potent with pirenzepine (-log Ki = 6.43 +/- 0.04) and MET (-log Ki = 7.32 +/- 0.16). 4-DAMP was approximately 35- and 5-fold more potent than pirenzepine and MET in terms of -log Ki values, respectively, suggesting the predominant localization of M3 receptor subtypes in the bovine ciliary muscle membrane. 7. These results suggest that TES produces a neurogenic quick contraction of the bovine ciliary muscle, which would be mediated mainly by ACh released from the intramural nerve terminals and subsequent excitation of M3 receptor subtypes localized on the ciliary muscle cells, and that neurogenic quick contraction of the ciliary muscle is possibly involved in part in eye focal accommodation.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Sequential increases and decreases in blood flow stimulates progressive intimal thickening.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of chronic, repetitive increases and decreases in blood flow on an artery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Arteriovenous fistulae were created in Japanese male rabbits between the left common carotid artery and the corresponding external jugular vein. Animals were placed into either control groups or one of six cycle groups consisting of flow variations (0.5 cycles, 1.0 cycle, 1.5 cycles, 2.0 cycles, 2.5 cycles and 3.0 cycles). Each complete cycle consisted of 4 weeks of increased flow followed by 6 weeks of normalised flow by fistula ligation. RESULTS: Arteries exposed to increased flow for 4 weeks (0.5 cycles) had a significant increase in lumen diameter without intimal thickening. After 6 weeks of normalised flow (1.0 cycle), shear stress became subnormal (0.42 +/- 0.17 N/m2), intimal thickening developed. In subsequent cycles, intimal thickening continued to develop with each point of flow normalisation and reduction in shear stress. Histologic and ultrastructural analysis revealed endothelial cells preservation at all time points, with individual strata of smooth muscle cell proliferation in the intima corresponding to the cycle numbers. CONCLUSION: Progressive intimal thickening occurred in the previously flow-induced remodelled artery when shear stress was reduced to subnormal levels with preserved endothelium, but was inhibited by high flow periods.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Isolation of an aspartic proteinase precursor from the egg of a hard tick, Boophilus microplus.

An aspartic proteinase precursor, herein named BYC (Boophilus Yolk pro-Cathepsin) was isolated from eggs of the hard tick, Boophilus microplus. As judged by electrophoresis on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide slab gel (SDS-PAGE), purified BYC presented 2 bands of 54 and 49 kDa, bearing the same NH2-terminal amino acid sequence. By Western blot analysis, BYC was also found in the haemolymph, indicating an extraovarian site of synthesis. Several organs were incubated in culture medium with [35S]methionine, and only the gut and fat body showed synthesis of BYC polypeptides. Protein sequencing of both the NH2-terminal and an internal sequence obtained after cyanogen bromide (CNBr) cleavage of BYC revealed homology with several aspartic proteinase precursors. Incubation at pH 3.5 resulted in autoproteolysis of BYC, which produced the mature form of the enzyme, that displayed pepstatin-sensitive hydrolytic activity against haemoglobin. Western blot analysis using anti-BYC monoclonal antibodies showed proteolytic processing of BYC during embryogenesis and suggested activation of the enzyme during development. A role of BYC in degradation of vitellin, the major yolk protein of tick eggs, is discussed.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1998

Synthetic sialylphosphatidylethanolamine derivatives bind to human influenza A viruses and inhibit viral infection.

We synthesized the sialylphosphatidylethanolamine (sialyl PE) derivatives Neu5Ac-PE, (Neu5Ac)2-PE, Neu5Ac-PE (amide) and Neu5Ac-PE (methyl). We examined the anti-viral effects of the derivatives on human influenza A virus infection by ELISA/virus-binding, hemagglutination inhibition, hemolysis inhibition and neutralization assays. The sialyl PE derivatives that we examined bound to A/Aichi/2/68, A/Singapore/1/57 and A/Memphis/1/71 strains of H3N2 subtype, but not to A/PR/8/34 strain of H1N1 subtype. The derivatives inhibited viral hemagglutination and hemolysis of human erythrocytes with A/Aichi/2/68 and A/Singapore/1/57 (H3N2), but not with A/PR/8/34 (H1N1). The inhibitory activity of the (Neu5Ac)2-PE derivative was the strongest of all sialyl PE derivatives (IC50, 35 microM to 40 microM). Sialyl PE derivatives also inhibited the infection of A/Aichi/2/68 in MDCK cells. Complete inhibition was observed at a concentration between 0.3 to 1.3 mM. IC50 of (Neu5Ac)2-PE was 15 microM in A/Aichi/2/68 strain. Taken together, the synthetic sialyl PE derivatives may be effective reagents against infection of some types of influenza A viruses.

Antibodies, Viral↗

PubMed1998

Endogenous asymmetrical dimethylarginine and hypertension associated with puromycin nephrosis in the rat.

1. The present experiments were designed to investigate the role of asymmetrical NG,NG-dimethyl-L-arginine (ADMA) in causing hypertension associated with the focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) produced by a single bolus of puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) and successive injection of protamine for 7 days in rats which had undergone unilateral nephrectomy. 2. After the unilateral nephrectomy, and administering PAN and protamine, histological examinations of the kidney revealed a typical FSGS, that is, evident abnormalities including segmental mesangial proliferation, obliteration of glomerular capillary lumens and adhesions between the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule could be observed. Changes in the glomerular epithelial cells consisted of the swelling with bleb formation. 3. In the FSGS rats, urine volume and urinary protein were significantly (P<0.05 and P<0.005) increased throughout 4-week experimental period, while the creatinine clearance was significantly (P<0.005) and transiently decreased, and recovered 4 weeks later. These changes were associated with the sustained elevation of the systolic blood pressure. 4. ADMA levels in aortic endothelial cells, plasma and urine were significantly (P<0.05 and P<0.005) increased in the FSGS rats, but the level in the kidney remained unchanged. 5. The basal level and net production of cyclic GMP in the aortic vessel wall with endothelium when stimulated by norepinephrine and acetylcholine were significantly (P<0.05 and P<0.01) attenuated in the FSGS rats. 6. There were significant and positive correlations between systolic blood pressure (y) and ADMA levels (x) in endothelial cells (y=4.43x+122.2, r=0.979, P<0.0001), plasma (y=0.10x+71.9, r=0.921, P<0.001) and urine (y=0.48x+126.9, r =0.699, P<0.005), but not significant in the kidney (y=0.06x+102.7, r=0.252, NS). 7. These findings suggest that ADMA as an endogenous inhibitor of NO synthesis may play an important role for the pathogenesis in the hypertension associated with the experimental FSGS in the rat.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) value adjusted for transition zone volume and free PSA (gamma-seminoprotein)/PSA ratio in the diagnosis of prostate cancer in patients with intermediate PSA levels.

OBJECTIVES: To determine: (i) whether the accuracy of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) density is improved by using the transition zone (TZ) volume instead of total prostate volume, with the gamma-seminoprotein (gamma SP, a measure of free PSA) to total PSA ratio, for detecting prostate cancer; and (ii) to assess the influence of prostate volume on PSA density and gamma SP/PSA ratio. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From April 1995 to July 1997, 297 consecutive patients (46-88 years old) were examined; all had intermediate serum PSA levels (4-10 ng/mL) and/or abnormal findings on digital rectal examination. All patients underwent transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided biopsy, and the prostate and TZ volumes determined from TRUS. The PSA density relative to the total prostate volume (PSAD) and to the TZ volume (PSAT) were then calculated. The total PSA and gamma SP levels were measured before the diagnostic procedures. RESULTS: Of the 297 patients, 62 (21%) were histologically confirmed to have prostate cancer by biopsy. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.680 for PSA, 0.684 for PSAD, 0.764 for PSAT, 0.748 for gamma SP/PSA, 0.885 for gamma SP/PSA in patients with a prostate volume < 40 mL, while it was 0.817 for PSAT in patients with a prostate volume of > or = 40 mL. Using a PSAT threshold of 0.17 in patients with a prostate volume of 40 mL, the number of biopsies was reduced by 56% (66 of 118) and 22 of the 25 cancers (88%) were detected. In addition, a gamma SP/PSA ratio threshold of 40% in patients with a prostate volume of < 40 mL decreased the number of biopsies by 75% (88 of 117) and detected 32 of the 37 cancers (87%). CONCLUSIONS: Prostate volume was significantly and positively correlated with gamma SP/PSA and negatively correlated with PSAT. Among patients with a PSA level of 4-10 ng/mL, a low gamma SP/PSA was most useful for detecting prostate cancer when the prostate volume was < 40 mL and a high PSAT was useful when the prostate volume was > or = 40 mL.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Serum sialic acid and ankle versus brachial arterial-pressure ratio in NIDDM.

Serum sialic acid is related to mortality from cardiovascular disease and is increased in patients with diabetic microangiopathies. The purpose of this study was to examine whether serum sialic acid is associated with ischemic disease of the lower extremities, using the ankle versus brachial arterial-pressure ratio. The subjects were NIDDM patients attending diabetic clinics. They received a questionnaire on smoking and duration of diabetes, and physical examinations including measurement of blood pressure of upper and lower extremities. Fasting blood was taken for measurement of sialic acid, total and HDL cholesterol, and HbA1c. Serum sialic acid was significantly correlated with ankle versus brachial arterial-pressure ratio (r = -0.32) and HbA1c (r=0.45). The correlation with ankle versus brachial arterial-pressure ratio was evident in the patients with low ankle versus brachial arterial-pressure ratios (r = -0.66), but was not significant in those with normal ankle versus brachial arterial-pressure ratios (r=0.16). The correlation with HbA1c was significant independently of ankle versus brachial arterial-pressure ratios. Mean serum sialic acid was higher in patients with very low ankle versus brachial arterial-pressure ratios (< 0.9) than in those with normal ankle versus brachial arterial-pressure ratios (> or = 1.0) or slightly low ankle versus brachial arterial-pressure ratios (0.9 approximately 1.0). These results suggest that serum sialic acid reflects the status of blood glucose control and the progression of ischemic disease of the lower extremities in NIDDM patients.

Ankle↗

PubMed1998

Studies to determine the usefulness of the zinc clearance test to diagnose marginal zinc deficiency and the effects of oral zinc supplementation for short children.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of the body zinc clearance test in the diagnosis of marginal zinc deficiency and to estimate the efficacy of oral zinc supplementation on growth in short children. METHODS: Zinc status was evaluated in 30 (19 boys and 11 girls) Japanese children with short stature using the body zinc clearance test. Changes in growth after oral zinc supplementation (ZnSO4,7H2O; 5 mg/kg/day in two divided doses) were studied. RESULTS: Basal serum zinc concentrations were 75.0 +/- 12.7 micrograms/dl and zinc clearance values were 19.1 +/- 5.8 ml/kg/hour in the 30 subjects. The correlation coefficient between serum zinc concentrations and zinc clearance values was as small as -0.36. There were nine cases whose body zinc clearance values were high and serum zinc concentrations were low, indicating definite zinc deficiency. There were nine cases whose body zinc clearance values were high, despite normal serum zinc concentrations, indicating marginal zinc deficiency. The mean height velocity for males was 5.3 cm/year before zinc supplementation and 7.8 cm/year after the therapy; and the mean SD score for height for age improved from -1.85 to -1.53. The mean height velocity for females was 5.1 cm/year before zinc supplementation and 5.9 cm/year after the therapy, and the mean SD score for height for age changed from -2.02 to -2.03. CONCLUSION: The body zinc clearance test was much more useful than serum zinc concentrations in diagnosing marginal zinc deficiency. Oral zinc supplementation improved the height velocity in short males, but not in short females.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1998

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 promoter 4G/5G genotype is not a risk factor for myocardial infarction in a Japanese population.

There is little question that the blood clotting process is triggered and causes the vascular occlusion associated with myocardial infarction. Although it is less clear what part blood coagulation events might play in the etiology of coronary artery disease, impaired regulation of anticoagulation or fibrinolysis might be involved. Among anticoagulant and fibrinolytic factors, an elevated plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) concentration has been identified as a risk factor for the development of myocardial infarction. An association between one polymorphism of the PAI-1 promoter (4G/5G single nucleotide deletion/ insertion at position -675) and plasma PAI-1 levels was described in 1995. However, most recent studies seem to point to the lack of such an association. This is the first report on the frequency of this polymorphism in the Japanese population with respect to the risk of myocardial infarction. Sixty-six patients with myocardial infarction and sixty-two healthy control patients were chosen for the analysis of the PAI-1 promoter 4G/5G genotype with polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism. Five myocardial infarction patients and six in the control group were homozygous for the 4G/4G genotype. Twenty-eight and 27 4G/5G and 33 and 29 5G/5G genotypes were found in myocardial infarction and control groups, respectively. The total frequencies of the 4G and 5G alleles were approximately 30% and 70% in both control and myocardial infarction groups. In conclusion, the PAI-1 promoter genotype is not a risk factor for myocardial infarction in the Japanese population. This is in contrast to the first report in Caucasians, suggesting an interaction with other genetic or environmental factors which influences the risk of myocardial infarction.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Significant prognostic factors for 5-year survival after curative resection of renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients occasionally die of RCC even after curative resection. In this study, we investigated prognostic factors between survivors for more than 5 years and patients who died within 5 years after curative resection. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 111 patients who underwent RCC curative resection and were followed for more than 5 years. Patient survival at 5 years after curative resection was regarded as the end-point of this analysis. Statistical differences of 19 prognostic factors between surviving and deceased patients were determined using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Eighteen of the 111 patients died of RCC during the 5-year follow-up period. Of the 19 prognostic factors evaluated, univariate analysis showed significant differences in the body temperature, hemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), alpha2-globulin, C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, tumor size, Robson's stage, T classification (renal capsular involvement), pathological grade, and mode of tumor infiltration. Five significant variables (body temperature, ESR, alpha2-globulin, fibrinogen, and tumor size) were excluded from multivariate analysis because greater than 10% of the data was missing. The TNM staging system was selected as the representative variable for stage for multivariate analysis. Using the remaining 5 significant variables (hemoglobin, CRP, T stage, pathological grade, and mode of tumor infiltration), multivariate analysis showed that CRP (P = 0.0126) and T stage (P = 0.0490) were the most important prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: From this analysis, CRP and renal capsular involvement were the most important factors predicting survival for greater than 5 years after curative resection of RCC.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Transition zone volume-adjusted prostate-specific antigen value predicts extracapsular carcinoma of the prostate in patients with intermediate prostate-specific antigen levels.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to examine the efficacy of the volume-adjusted prostate-specific antigen (PSA) density as a predictor of pathological stage. Among patients who underwent radical prostatectomy for clinically organ-confined prostate cancer, we selected patients with PSA levels of 4-10 ng/ml. In these patients with borderline PSA value extent of disease is most difficult to predict. Using the transition zone (TZ) volume instead of the total prostate volume, we compared the ability of PSA to predict the tumor extent. METHODS: From April 1992 to November 1996, we examined 61 consecutive patients who underwent radical prostatectomy. Their age ranged from 52 to 78 years. The PSA densities for the total prostate volume (PSAD) and for the TZ volume (PSAT) were calculated by transrectal ultrasound examinations. To compare the usefulness of PSA, PSAD, and PSAT, the area under the receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated for each parameter. RESULTS: The final pathological stage was pT2N0M0 in 34 patients, pT3N0M0 in 20 patients, and pT3N1M0 in 7 patients. Accordingly, 34 patients (55.7%) had organ-confined prostate cancer. In patients with capsular perforation, the areas under the ROC curve were 0.686 for PSA, 0.665 for PSAD, and 0.860 for PSAT, while in those with seminal vesicle invasion the respective values were 0.712, 0.703, and 0.882. Thus, PSAT was superior to PSA and PSAD in differentiating extracapsular disease. CONCLUSION: PSAT provides superior preoperative prediction of extracapsular tumor invasion, which appears to be useful in treatment selection (e.g. total prostatectomy).

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Metabolic and endocrine responses to cold exposure in chronically incubated extrauterine goat fetuses.

To investigate developmental aspects of metabolic and endocrine responses to cold exposure in fetuses, we conducted experiments on six goat fetuses, three aged 95-116 d of gestation (dGA; group I), and three aged 122-134 dGA (group II), using an extrauterine fetal incubation system that provided arterio-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (A-V ECMO). The fetuses were cannulated via the umbilical vessels, and their blood gas exchange was totally supported by A-V ECMO, while they were maintained in an isothermal incubator containing artificial amniotic fluid. After confirming that fetuses were in metabolically stable condition in the extrauterine incubation system, fetal core temperature was lowered by 2 degrees C over 2 h by decreasing the temperature of incubating fluid from 39.5 degrees C. During and after cold exposure, fetal heart rate and arterial blood pressure remained unchanged. We observed significant increases in oxygen consumption and plasma concentrations of norepinephrine, epinephrine, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and cortisol in group II but not in group I fetuses. In addition, based on regression analysis, maximal changes of these parameters during cold exposure were linearly correlated with gestational age significantly, and the regression lines were found to intersect the x (gestational age) axis at around 98-106 dGA. These results suggest that metabolic and endocrine responses to cold exposure develop with gestational age in the goat fetus, the responses being manifested around 100 dGA.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Enhancement of the vanadate-stimulated release of lipoprotein lipase activity by astilbin from the leaves of Engelhardtia chrysolepis.

Astilbin, a dihydroflavonol rhamnoside isolated from the leaves of Engelhardtia chrysolepis, enhanced the vanadate-stimulated release of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity from rat isolated fat pads. N-[2-(Methyl-amino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide (H-8), a potent inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), markedly inhibited the enhancement by astilbin. Lipolysis in the fat pads was stimulated by astilbin alone in a dose-dependent manner and this stimulation was suppressed in the presence of vanadate, probably due to its antilipolytic action. A significant enhancement by astilbin was observed with increasing effects of vanadate on cAMP content in the fat pads and on cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity in the particulate fraction although astilbin alone showed only a slight increase in the cellular cAMP content and PDE activity. Astilbin may enhance the vanadate-stimulated release of LPL activity through a synergistic effect on an increase in the cellular cAMP content produced by vanadate accompanied by more potent activation of PKA.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1998

Decreased basal production of nitric oxide in patients with heart disease.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The pathophysiologic role of nitric oxide (NO) released in the lung is not well understood. To determine whether the production of endogenous NO is correlated with any hemodynamic parameters, we measured the amount of NO released from the lung tissue of patients with heart disease. METHODS: Twenty patients (14 with ischemic heart disease, 4 with dilated cardiomyopathy, and 2 with mitral stenosis) and 16 normal control subjects were enrolled in the study. We measured exhaled air samples by using a method developed in our laboratory. The NO release rate from the lungs was calculated from the amount of exhaled NO and the duration of the exhalation. RESULTS: The rate of NO release was significantly lower in the patients with moderate-to-severe heart failure (New York Heart Association [NYHA] II or III) than in those with mild heart failure (NYHA I) or in normal control subjects. The rate of NO release was positively correlated with the cardiac index (r=0.50, p<0.05), and was negatively correlated with either the systemic (r= -0.58, p<0.01) or pulmonary vascular resistance (r=-0.45, p<0.05). In the patients with moderate-to-severe heart failure, the amount of NO released and the oxygen tension in the pulmonary artery were significantly lower compared with those parameters in patients with mild heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that the basal production of endogenous NO in the lung tissue of patients with heart failure is impaired, perhaps leading to the elevated pulmonary vascular tone seen in patients with moderate-to-severe heart failure.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Expression and localization of collagen-binding stress protein Hsp47 in mouse embryo development: comparison with types I and II collagen.

Heat shock protein (Hsp)47 is a collagen-binding stress protein localized in the endoplasmic reticulum and is thought to have chaperone-like functions that are specific to procollagen biosynthesis. In previous papers, we reported that the expression of Hsp47 is closely correlated with that of various types of collagen in various cell lines and also in the progression of experimental liver fibrosis. In the present study, the expression of Hsp47 was examined during the development of mouse embryos by immunostaining with an anti-Hsp47 antiserum. The spatio-temporal correlation of the expression of Hsp47 with those of types I and II collagen was also examined using specific antisera. Hsp47 expression during embryogenesis was observed mainly in mesoderm and in tissues that are derived from mesoderm, such as connective tissue, cartilage, bone, notochord and somites. Hsp47 was also detected in tissues derived from the neural crest mesenchyme. In the central nervous system, Hsp47 was detected in some restricted regions where cells proliferate, such as the ventral area of the neural tube and choroid plexus. Immunostaining for types I and II collagen revealed the spatial and temporal correlations of the expression of these proteins with that of Hsp47. These results suggest the biological importance of Hsp47 as a collagen-specific molecular chaperone in the mouse developmental program.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

[Management of invasive carcinoma of bladder and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA); technique of radical total cystectomy and simultaneous AAA repair].

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus on the optimal surgical treatment for patients with concomitant invasive carcinoma of bladder and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). We experienced two patients who were treated successfully with simultaneous radical cystectomy and AAA repair. The techniques required for the combined procedure and case reports are discussed. PROCEDURE: The goal of the one-stage operation was to minimize the risk of graft infection without compromising postoperative morbidity and mortality secondary to carcinoma of bladder. Initially pelvic lymph node dissection and radical cystectomy were performed. We preferred retrograde cyctoprostatectomy because most of the cystectomy procedure can be performed without opening the peritoneal cavity and the extent of the retroperitoneal dissection can be minimal. A single-stoma ureterocutaneostomy was preferable urinary diversion. Urinary diversions which utilize intestine such as ileal conduit or ileal urinary reservoir may cause contamination of a graft with bowel content and should be avoided. Before or after urinary diversion, aneurysmal resection and a bifurcated graft replacement were performed. The replaced graft was wrapped with the aneurysmal wall. The major omentum was mobilized and fixed in front of the graft, thereby serving as a protective barrier of the graft. A Dacron graft which was sealed with rifampicin-bonding gelatin was used to further reduce the risk of graft infection. RESULT: Two male patients were treated with the one stage radical cystectomy and AAA repair. Single-stoma ureterocutaneostomy and bilateral ureterocutaneostomy were selected as a urinary diversion. No major postoperative complications, except for paralytic ileus in one case, were observed. CONCLUSION: Our experience and reports of others indicate that radical cystectomy and simultaneous AAA repair can be safely performed with less morbidity than staged operations for the management of concomitant invasive carcinoma of bladder and AAA.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Atrial natriuretic peptide inhibits the expression of tissue factor and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 induced by angiotensin II in cultured rat aortic endothelial cells.

The pharmacological characteristics of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), such as natriuresis, vasodilation, or suppression of smooth muscle cell proliferation, are well investigated. However, this is the first study to report its role on blood coagulation and fibrinolysis mediated by vascular endothelial cells. In this study, the effects of ANP on the enhanced expression of tissue factor (TF) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) by angiotensin II (Ang II) in cultured rat aortic endothelial cells (RAECs) were examined. The expressions of TF and PAI-1 mRNA were detected by northern blotting methods. The activities of TF on the surface of RAECs and PAI-1 in the culture media were measured by chromogenic assay. ANP suppressed mRNA expressions of TF and PAI-1 induced by Ang II in a concentration-dependent manner. This suppression was accompanied by the decreased activities of TF and PAI-1.

Angiotensin II↗