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Biomedical subjects

H Okabe

Publications and source records attributed to H Okabe.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources

Analysis of polyunsaturated fatty acid composition of Strongyloides ratti in relation to development.

The effect of linolenic acid (C18:3 omega 3) on the development of Strongyloides ratti first-stage larvae (L1) in culture was studied. The fatty acid composition of S. ratti free-living generations was analyzed by gas chromatography. L1 had abundant linoleic acid (C18:2 omega 6) but its proportion decreased with development. On the contrary, eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5 omega 3) and C20:4 omega 3 were prominent in the filariform larva (L3). Because C20:5 omega 3 is generally synthesized from C18:3 omega 3 via C20:4 omega 3, the high ratio of C20:5 omega 3/C18:3 omega 3 of L3 in all the free-living generations suggested that polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism, particularly the omega-3 series, and eicosanoids produced had important roles in the development of S. ratti L1.

Animals↗

Immunohistochemical investigation of vimentin, neuron-specific enolase, alpha 1-antichymotrypsin and alpha 1-antitrypsin in adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary gland.

Fifty-four adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACC) arising in major and minor salivary glands as well as in normal salivary glands were studied by immunohistochemistry for the presence of vimentin, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (alpha 1-ACT) and alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT). Five patterns of histological differentiation were found in ACC, and for the cellular components of each, it was possible to establish a special immunohistochemical profile. In ACC, vimentin-positive cells were observed in the outer tubular, cyst-lining and small angular cells. NSE was positive in the myoepithelial cells of normal salivary gland. Neoplastic cells of ACC showed NSE positivity mainly in the small angular cells and partly in the duct luminal cells. alpha 1-ACT was localized in the intercalated duct cells and serous acinar cells of normal salivary gland, and in the duct luminal cells of ACC. alpha 1-AT could not be detected in any of the epithelial cells of normal salivary gland. In ACC, eosinophilic hyaline material in the cribriform spaces was positive for alpha 1-AT, but no positivity was demonstrated in tumor cells. The present study showed that there are at least two populations of tumor cells in ACC: duct luminal cells that express alpha 1-ACT, thus indicating their ductal character, and small angular cells that express vimentin, characteristic of non-luminal cells. Moreover, our results indicate that alpha 1-AT is a useful marker of basement membrane-like material.

Adult↗

Autoantibodies to keratin in Sjögren's syndrome.

In order to determine which components of the salivary duct cells are recognized by the antisalivary duct antibodies, sera of patients with Sjögren's syndrome were screened for immunoreactivity to keratin by using an ELISA test and a Western blot analysis. The autoantibodies which reacted with keratin were demonstrated in 8 of 9 definite cases of Sjögren's syndrome and in 3 of 6 probable cases, and they reacted with different keratin peptides in each case. The results suggest that the antisalivary duct antibodies include antibodies against keratin, which exists ubiquitously as a cytoskeleton in the salivary gland epithelial cells. Detection of antikeratin antibody might be a useful aid for diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome.

Adult↗

Immunohistochemical study of congenital gingival granular cell tumor (congenital epulis).

The congenital gingival granular cell tumor (CGGT) or congenital epulis is a rare lesion of unknown origin found only in newborn infants. The tumor consists mainly of large eosinophilic granular cells arranged in solid nests that are separated by thin fibrovascular areas. In addition, there are some spindle-shaped cells and medium-sized polygonal cells (so-called interstitial cells) among the neoplastic granular cells. Three CGGTs were investigated with a panel of poly- and monoclonal antibodies, using immunoperoxidase methods on formalin fixed paraffin embedded sections. Neoplastic granular cells of these three cases show cytoplasmic staining for neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and vimentin. However, all other reactions were negative. Our results suggest that the lesion may be derived from uncommitted nerve-related mesenchymal cells. On the other hand, interstitial cells show strong S-100 protein-, cytokeratin-, vimentin-, and NSE-immunostainings, and these cells are consistent with neuroendocrine nature. The presence of a biphasic cell population with granular cells and interstitial cells must be considered the main immunohistochemical feature.

Cytoplasm↗

Immunolocalization of basement membrane molecules in the stroma of salivary gland pleomorphic adenoma.

In order to determine the participation of basement membrane molecules in formation of its characteristic stroma, 30 cases of salivary gland pleomorphic adenoma were examined by immunohistochemical staining for type IV collagen, laminin, heparan sulfate proteoglycan, and entactin. The stroma was histopathologically classified into four types: hyaline, fibrous, myxoid, and chondroid. Immunohistochemically, type IV collagen and laminin were more intensively localized in hyaline, fibrous and chondroid types of stroma, whereas heparan sulfate proteoglycan was more prominent in myxoid areas. The results suggest that the stroma contains these basement membrane components, which are possibly biosynthesized by epithelial tumor cells, and that histological variety of the stroma depends on proportion of local contents of each basement membrane molecule.

Adenoma, Pleomorphic↗

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the major salivary gland: a morphologic and immunohistochemical study of 15 cases.

A total of 15 cases of Japanese salivary gland lymphoma was analysed by conventional histology and also by immunoperoxidase staining of paraffin sections. The initial sites included: parotid gland (14 cases, 93%) and submandibular gland (1 case, 7%). The mean age was 59 yr, with a male to female ratio of 2.8:1. The only one patient (Case 9) with clinical evidence of Sjögren's syndrome showed the development of intrasalivary malignant lymphoma. Each lymphoma was classified according to the Working Formulation for Clinical Usage. The Working Formulation grades were 20% low, 67% intermediate, and 13% high. These neoplasms fell into six categories: follicular, small cleaved type (1 case); follicular, mixed small cleaved and large cell type (2 cases); follicular, large cell type (2 cases); diffuse, mixed small and large cell type (1 case); diffuse, large cell type (7 cases); and large cell, immunoblastic type (2 cases). Fifteen tumors were studied using a indirect immunoperoxidase method. A selected antibody panel was used, including B-cell markers (immunoglobulins, Ki-B3, L26), T-cell markers (UCHL-1 and MT1) and histiocytic markers (lysozyme, alpha 1-antitrypsin and cathepsin D). Eleven cases reacted with pan-B-marker (Ki-B3 and L26) and eight of them showed the presence of monoclonal cytoplasmic immunoglobulin (C-Ig). Following rigid criteria, monoclonal C-Ig of M kappa was demonstrated in one case of follicular, small cleaved cell type, one follicular, large cell type and two diffuse, large cell type; M lambda was demonstrated in one diffuse, large cell type; and G lambda was demonstrated in one follicular, mixed small cleaved and large cell type, and two diffuse, large cell type.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Cathepsins D and E in normal, metaplastic, dysplastic, and carcinomatous gastric tissue: an immunohistochemical study.

Immunohistochemical distributions of cathepsins D and E were determined in normal mucosa, metaplastic, dysplastic, and cancerous lesions of the human stomach. Cathepsins D and E were localised in the foveolar epithelium and parietal cells of the normal gastric mucosa, but their intracytoplasmic distributions were different - cathepsin E distribution was even and diffuse in the cytoplasm while cathepsin D was found in coarse intracytoplasmic granules. Chronic inflammation and ulcer did not influence the distribution of these enzymes. No positive staining was obtained in the incomplete type of intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia, and well differentiated adenocarcinoma. Tumour cells of signet ring cell carcinoma and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma cells, however, gave strong and diffuse stainings for cathepsins D and E in the cytoplasm. The results suggest that the distribution of cathepsins D and E is related to each specialised function of the foveolar epithelium and the parietal cells, and that their disappearance is associated with development of well differentiated adenocarcinoma from intestinal metaplasia.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Predictive factors for the response of ulcerative colitis patients during the acute-phase treatment.

Twenty-six consecutive admissions of 24 patients with severe ulcerative colitis (UC) hospitalized in our Department at some time between January 1983 and December 1988 were studied to identify factors useful in the prediction of response to medical treatment in the acute inflammatory phase of this disease. Results of laboratory tests (white blood cells, red blood cells, platelet count, hemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, total protein, albumin, alpha 2-microglobulin, cholinesterase, total cholesterol, and triglycerides) and of endoscopic findings (extent of disease, progress of the lesions, sparing of the rectum, and presence of geographic ulcers, longitudinal ulcers, and polypoid mucosal tags) were analyzed for any relationship with the effect of medical treatment during the acute phase. The effect of treatment was evaluated in terms of days it took for a severe condition to improve to an intermediate one defined by Truelove and Witts' categories for UC severity. C-Reactive protein, nutritive condition (total protein, albumin, and cholinesterase), extent of the lesions, and existence of polypoid mucosal tags provide predictive factors useful in the management of UC during the acute phase.

Acute Disease↗

Intraoral minor salivary gland tumors: a demographic and histologic study of 200 cases.

In a demographic and histologic study of 200 intraoral minor salivary gland tumors seen in Japan (Nagasaki and Miyagi prefectures), 127 cases (63.5%) were classified as benign, comprising 124 pleomorphic adenomas and 3 monomorphic adenomas. The other 73 cases (36.5%) were malignant tumors, represented by 33 adenoid cystic carcinomas, 16 mucoepidermoid carcinomas, 10 carcinoma in pleomorphic adenomas, 6 acinic cell carcinomas, 5 adenocarcinomas, one polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma, one undifferentiated carcinoma and one clear cell carcinoma. There was an overall female preponderance (1.78/1). The mean age for females was 47.2 years and for males was 50.6 years. The mean age for patients with malignant tumors was 10 years greater than for patients with benign tumors and was statistically significant. The palate was the most common site for intraoral minor salivary gland tumors followed by the lip and buccal mucosa. These three sites accounted for 83% of all cases. Tumors arising in these three sites were predominantly benign. In contrast, those located in the gingiva, floor of the mouth and tongue were predominantly malignant. The results of this study were compared with other recent studies.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Immunohistochemical demonstration of alpha 1-antichymotrypsin and alpha 1-antitrypsin in salivary gland pleomorphic adenomas of children.

Twenty-five benign pleomorphic adenomas of salivary glands in children were studied with immunohistochemical techniques in order to characterize the cell types comprising the epithelial and so-called "mesenchymal" regions of the tumors. The antisera against alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (alpha 1-ACT) and alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT) were used to stain in normal salivary gland tissue as well as in pleomorphic adenoma. In normal salivary glands, alpha 1-ACT was localized to the intercalated duct and serous acinar cells. On the other hand, there was positive staining for alpha 1-AT in the intercalated and striated duct cells. Twenty-five cases (100%) of pleomorphic adenomas in children displayed positivity to alpha 1-ACT staining and 22 cases (88%) showed a positive staining for alpha 1-AT. alpha 1-ACT staining was particularly intense in chondrocyte-like cells of 20 cases (80%), in inner tubular cells of 16 (64%) and cyst-lining cells of 12 (52%). The limited number of tumor cells which were called plasmatoid or hyaline cells and squamous epithelial cells, were positive for alpha 1-ACT. None of the outer tubular cells and hyalinous material was positively stained for alpha 1-ACT. A strong positive reaction for alpha 1-AT was observed in chondrocyte-like cells of 15 cases (60%). Inner tubular cells were positive for alpha 1-AT in 12 cases (48%), plasmatoid or hyaline cells in 10 (40%) and cyst-lining cells in 8 (35%). Squamous epithelial cells, clear cells, secretory product and hyalinous material were positive for alpha 1-AT in some cases. Chondroid matrix and myxoid stroma had no reaction with both antibodies. The biological role of alpha 1-ACT and alpha 1-AT with a wide immunohistochemical distribution in pleomorphic adenomas of children may be associated with a self regulating mechanism which inhibits degradation by tissue proteinases.

Adenoma↗

Risk of gastric cancer in patients with non-surgically treated peptic ulcer.

We followed up 2072 patients with unoperated gastric and duodenal ulcer, diagnosed from 1963 to 1975, and evaluated the risk of development of gastric cancer. During the follow-up period of 9-23 years 38 patients had a gastric cancer or died of gastric cancer. The number of gastric cancers in patients with duodenal ulcer (observed/expected = 3:12) was statistically low (p less than 0.01) compared with the number expected from the sex- and age-matched general population. On the other hand, the number of patients with gastric ulcer and the number of those with both gastric and duodenal ulcers was 29 and 6, neither of which differed significantly from the expected occurrence. These results suggest that in peptic ulcer patients the risk of developing gastric cancer is equal to or low compared with that of the general population.

Adolescent↗

Percutaneous absorption enhancing effect and skin irritation of monocyclic monoterpenes.

The percutaneous absorption promoting effect and skin irritancy of cyclic monoterpenes were investigated in rats and with rabbits, respectively. Ketoprofen (KPF) was applied to rat skin in gel ointments containing various cyclic monoterpenes. Plasma concentrations of KPF markedly increased with the addition of the hydrocarbons of cyclic monoterpenes such as trans-p-menthane and d-limonene, whereas no significant enhancing effect was observed in the cases of other terpenes such as l-menthol, l-menthone and 1,8-cineole. The lipophilicity of the enhancers seems the important factor in promoting penetration of KPF through the skin. The enhancing activity of d-limonene was found to be much higher than that of Azone. Irritancy of the hydrocarbons of cyclic monoterpenes and Azone to the skin was evaluated using a Draize scoring method with rabbits. No change was observed on the skin surface when ethanol containing 2% of the hydrocarbons was applied to the dorsal skin, though a slight edema and erythema were observed in the case of Azone. In particular, an obvious difference was observed in the erythema formation between Azone and the hydrocarbons of cyclic monoterpenes.

Animals↗

Effect of cyclic monoterpenes on percutaneous absorption in the case of a water-soluble drug (diclofenac sodium).

The promoting effect of cyclic monoterpenes on the percutaneous absorption of diclofenac sodium (DFS), a water-soluble drug, from gel ointments was investigated in rats. Of five cyclic monoterpenes examined, l-menthol was most effective. Plasma concentrations of diclofenac (DF) increased with increasing amounts of l-menthol in the gel ointment. L-menthol had no effect on the solubility and partition coefficient of DFS, suggesting that the thermodynamic nature of DFS in the formulation was not greatly affected. Plasma concentrations of DF arising from application of ointments containing varying amounts of the terpene were predicted from found pharmacokinetic parameters and the steady-state flux of DFS obtained from in vitro permeation experiments. Experimentally determined plasma concentration of DF agreed well with the predictions, indicating that steady-state flux in vitro well reflects percutaneous absorption in vivo.

Animals↗

[Analysis of the mechanism of increased antitumor activity of UFT after combined treatment with CDDP].

Previously we have reported the efficacy of the combination therapy of UFT with CDDP against several human cancer xenografts implanted in nude mice. Among all cell lines tested, KM20C (Human colon adenocarcinoma) has shown the most pronounced synergistic antitumor effect after administration of CDDP prior to UFT. The effect of CDDP administered after UFT and that of either drug alone were weaker. To clarify the mechanism of this synergistic effect, the change of the poolsize of reduced folate in KM20C, induced by CDDP treatment, was measured. The pretreatment with CDDP increased the poolsize of CH2-H4 folate and H4 folate and increased the binding of FdUMP to the dTMP synthase of an intact cells. Based on the above data, it was concluded that the enhancement of cell sensitivity to UFT was caused by the CDDP-induced increase of the reduced folate pool, in consequence leading a better binding of FdUMP generated from UFT to dTMP synthase, a target enzyme for the antitumor activity of fluorinated pyrimidines.

Adenocarcinoma↗

New automated measurement of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase with use of protease 401.

Total mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.1), the sum of apo- and holo-mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase activity in human serum, was measured by using a proteolytic method: inactivation of cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase with cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase-inactivating protease 401 from Streptomyces violaceochromogenes. Cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase is completely inactivated, and apo-mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase is completely activated by pyridoxal 5'-phosphate within 5 min. Results by the proposed method correlated well with those by an immunochemical method (r = 0.994, n = 145) and showed excellent inhibitory activity of the protease for holo- and apo-cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase up to 5000 U/L and activation of mitochondrial apo-aspartate aminotransferase up to 2000 U/L in the presence of 100 mumol of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate per liter. Within-run Cvs were good (1.13-7.49%). Mean values for total mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase and apo-mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase activities in serum of the healthy subjects were 4.8 (SD 0.9) and 1.8 (SD 0.8) U/L, respectively (n = 154). Various common interferents tested did not affect this assay.

Aspartate Aminotransferases↗

[Studies on the role of leukocytes in the activation of intravascular coagulation in septicemia].

To elucidate the role of leukocytes in intravascular clotting in patients with septicemia, plasma levels of thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT), soluble fibrin monomer complex (SFMC) and fibrinogen (Fbg) were determined in 33 patients with septicemia. Twenty out of 33 patients revealed a marked leukopenia (leukocyte count was less than 1,000/microliters) due to suppression of hematopoiesis by the administration of chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of hematological malignancies. Thirteen out of 33 patients showed normal or increased leukocyte counts. Plasma levels of TAT and SFMC in septicemic patients with leukopenia were significantly lower than those in patients whose leukocyte counts were higher than 1,000/microliters. Plasma fibrinogen levels were significantly lower in patients whose leukocyte counts were higher than 1,000/microliters than those in patients with leukopenia. Plasma TAT levels were found to correlate well with the number of leukocytes in these patients with the correlation coefficient (R) of 0.67 (p less than 0.001). Significantly high positive correlation was observed between plasma TAT levels and the number of monocytes (R = 0.92, p less than 0.001). Significant correlation was also observed between plasma SFMC levels and the number of monocytes (R = 0.72, p less than 0.001). No significant correlation was found between the number of platelets and TAT levels. These findings suggest that leukocytes (especially monocytes) play a critical role in activating intravascular coagulation in septicemic patients.

Antithrombin III↗

[Plasma concentration of polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase-alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor complex in patients with gastric ulcer].

To test the possible participation of activated leukocytes in the pathogenesis of gastric ulcer, plasma levels of polymorphonuclear leukocyte-elastase-alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor complex (PMN-EC), a discerning indicator for the activation of leukocytes, were determined in patients with gastric ulcer. Plasma levels of PMN-EC in patients with gastric ulcer (185.2 +/- 21.6 micrograms/l, mean +/- S.E.M.) were significantly higher than those in normal healthy subjects (67.6 +/- 4.4 micrograms/l, p less than 0.01). On the other hand, plasma levels of C-reactive protein and sialic acid increased in only 17.8% and 7.1% of patients with gastric ulcer, respectively. No significant correlation was observed between PMN-EC and the plasma levels of CRP or sialic acid. Plasma levels of PMN-EC decreased with the healing of the ulcerative lesion as judged by gastro-endoscopic observation. These findings suggested that activation of leukocytes might deeply be correlated with the pathologic mechanism of gastric ulceration and the measurement of PMN-EC might be useful for monitoring the patients with gastric ulcer.

Humans↗