Human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) and adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) are endemic to southwestern Japan.
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Female↗
Biomedical subjects
H Okamura
Publications and source records attributed to H Okamura.
Neurons containing messenger RNA encoding glutamate decarboxylase in rat hypothalamus demonstrated by in situ hybridization, with special emphasis on cell groups in medial preoptic area, anterior hypothalamic area and dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus.
Previous deafferentation studies have suggested that most hypothalamic GABAergic innervation originates from neurons within the hypothalamus. We have investigated the distribution of GABAergic cell groups in the rat hypothalamus by means of the in situ hybridization technique, using a cDNA probe for messenger RNA encoding glutamate decarboxylase. Several major GABAergic cell groups were demonstrated, including cells of the tuberomammillary nucleus, arcuate nucleus, suprachiasmatic nucleus, medial preoptic area, anterior hypothalamic area, the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus, perifornical area, and lateral hypothalamic area. The most prominent glutamate decarboxylase mRNA-containing cell groups were located in the medial preoptic area, anterior hypothalamic area and dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus, and were composed of small- to medium-sized neurons. Compared to previously well-characterized GABAergic cell groups in the tuberomammillary nucleus, reticular thalamic nucleus, and non-pyramidal cells of cerebral cortex, the cells of these GABAergic groups demonstrated only weak cDNA labelling, indicating that they contain lower levels of glutamate decarboxylase mRNA. Several types of control experiments supported the specificity of this cDNA labelling, and the GABAergic nature of these cell populations was further supported by detection of glutamate decarboxylase and GABA immunoreactivity. Abundance of GABAergic cells in many hypothalamic nuclei indicates that GABA represents quantitatively the most important transmitter of hypothalamic neurons, and may be involved in neuroendocrine and autonomic regulatory functions.
Animals↗
Effect of haloperidol on immunoreactive neuropeptide Y in rat cerebral cortex and basal ganglia.
To clarify the dopaminergic regulation of neuropeptide Y (NPY) neurons, the effect of haloperidol on NPY in basal ganglia and the cerebral cortex of the rat brain was investigated by sensitive radioimmunoassay and immunocytochemistry using antiserum against rat NPY. After repeated intraperitoneal injections of haloperidol (5 mg/kg) for 6 days, the content of immunoreactive NPY was significantly decreased in the caudate-putamen, but significantly increased in the lateral prefrontal cortex. After treatment for 21 days, the content of immunoreactive NPY in the caudate-putamen remained significantly low, but the extent of change in the lateral prefrontal cortex diminished. In the medial prefrontal cortex, piriform cortex, parietal cortex and nucleus accumbens, no significant changes were found after treatment for either 6 or 21 days. These findings were compatible with those obtained by immunocytochemistry using the same antiserum: an increase of immunoreactive fibers and terminals in the lateral prefrontal cortex and their decrease in the caudate-putamen. However, in the nucleus accumbens the density of immunoreactive fibers and terminals was decreased in the rostral portion, but not in the caudal portion after haloperidol treatment for 6 and 21 days. These findings suggest that dopaminergic afferents region-specifically regulate dopamine-sensitive NPY neurons in the rat brain.
Animals↗
Inner ear impairment following combined CDDP (platinum preparation) and radiation therapy.
Hearing ability was examined in patients with head and neck cancer treated by combined CDDP and electron beam therapy. In 3 of 7 patients with maxillary cancer, hearing impairment apparently attributable to the therapy was noted on the affected side. In one of these 3 patients, the temporal bone was observed, but the cause of hearing impairment could not be determined. We present patients with cancer of the external ear in whom radiation-caused hearing impairment worsened probably due to combined CDDP and electron beam therapy.
Adult↗
Effects of epostane on ovarian levels of progesterone, 17 beta-estradiol, prostaglandin E2, and prostaglandin F2 alpha during ovulation in the gonadotropin-primed immature rat.
The antiovulatory action of epostane, an inhibitor of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity and progesterone synthesis, was studied in the immature rat. The ovulatory process was induced in 25-day-old rats by injecting them with hCG (10 IU, sc) 2 days after the animals had been primed with PMSG (10 IU). Epostane was administered at different times between 20 h before and 11 h after hCG. Maximum inhibition of ovulation occurred when the drug was given at 3 h after hCG. Epostane inhibited ovulation in a dose-dependent manner when administered in doses ranging from 1.0-50 mg/rat, while exogenous doses of progesterone restored the ovulation rate. A dose of 3.1 mg epostane/rat 3 h after hCG reduced ovarian progesterone levels within 15 min, but the production of this steroid rebounded within 2 h and approached normal levels by 12 h after hCG, i.e. when the follicles began to rupture in control animals. 17 beta-Estradiol synthesis was inhibited just as rapidly, but it remained suppressed for up to 12 h after hCG administration. The ovarian levels of prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha decreased approximately 30% within 2 h after the administration of epostane, but such a moderate reduction in the synthesis of ovarian prostanoids is usually not sufficient to block ovulation. The results show that epostane has a rapid, but transient, effect on ovarian progesterone synthesis. The temporary decline in the local progesterone level is apparently sufficient to interfere with the normal sequence of metabolic events that lead to the rupture of follicles.
3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
Alteration in the receptor binding specificity of human growth hormone by genomic exon exchange.
The biological activities of the GH-PRL family of hormones are mediated by selective binding to two classes of cell membrane receptors, somatogen and lactogen. Primate GH such as human GH (hGH) are unusual in that they bind to both classes of receptors. Replacement of exons 3 or 4 of the hGH gene by the corresponding exons of the rat PRL or rat GH genes results in the synthesis of chimeric proteins which retain the ability to bind to lactogen receptors but can no longer bind to somatogen receptors. This selective loss of somatogen receptor binding in the chimeric proteins suggests that certain of the structural determinants of somatogen and lactogen receptor binding activities in hGH are distinct and can be separately modified by a limited number of amino acid substitutions.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Calcium metabolism in premenopausal women treated by a Gn-RH agonist for uterine myoma.
Eleven premenopausal women with uterine myoma who received 300 micrograms of intranasal Gn-RH agonist (buserelin) three times daily for 6 months participated in this study. Serum estradiol, some parameters related to calcium metabolism and bone mineral density of the lumbar vertebrae assessed by quantitative computerized tomography were evaluated prior to, at the end of and 3 months after the treatment. Hypo-estrogenism was sustained during the treatment period. Calcitonin levels decreased rapidly after the first 2 weeks of the treatment and the fasting urinary hydroxyproline to creatinine excretion value increased in 1 month. Both serum alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin increased slightly during the treatment. The serum m-parathyroid hormone levels showed no significant changes. There was no significant reduction in the mean lumbar vertebral bone mineral content (BMC) at the end of the treatment, but 4 out of 11 cases showed a decrease in BMC, which returned to the pretreatment level in 3 months after the cessation of treatment. From these findings, this therapy appears to have some effects on calcium metabolism during medication, but no adverse ones in the 3 months after treatment.
Adult↗
[Multiple primary cancers of the head and neck].
Multiple primary cancers of the head and neck are not always rare. We have experienced 30 cases of multiple primary cancers in the Department of Otolaryngology, Ehime University School of Medicine from 1976 to 1989. The incidence ranged from 3.6% to 8.9% with flexible criteria. The minimum was 14 of 393 cases of all index cancers, strictly conformed with Warren's definition. The maximum was 29 of 327 cases of index cancers on the mucosal surfaces, including a combination of both head and neck cancers. In view of organic specificity of the index cancers, the incidence was high in the larynx and oral cavity, low in the nasopharynx and maxillary sinus. The concept of "multicentric cancerization" was verified by the result that 60% of the additional cancers were head and neck, esophagus and lung. During following-up studies of oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal and laryngeal cancers, we have to examine the esophagus periodically due to high risk of occurrence of cancer. To compare the data of multiple primary cancers of the head and neck between institutions, adequate and detailed criteria should be established.
Aged↗
[Application of laser surgery to the treatment of laryngeal cancer].
The authors utilized CO2 laser to treat laryngeal cancer in 28 patients. The operative methods were the following: Method I. Glottic T1 tumor was completely vaporized by laser irradiation alone. This method was employed in cases without involvement of the anterior commissure and cartilagenous portion. Method II. Radiotherapy was carried out after removal of major lesion by laser surgery. The purpose of this method was to improve the success rate of radiotherapy. Method III. After radiotherapy laser surgery was done to remove residual tumor as far as possible in patients who could not undergo radical surgery due to poor general condition. Method I, or complete tumor resection by laser surgery alone, seemed profitable because of short admission period. It is, however, indispensable to select patients suitable for this treatment. Method II permitted improving the success rate of radiotherapy. Even after vaporizing major lesion by laser irradiation, 60Gy irradiation was required. Method III, or laser surgery on postradiation residual tumor was often useful to treat the patients with poor general condition or who refused more radical surgery.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
[Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma associated with unusual positivity of anti-ATLA (adult T-cell leukemia-cell-associated antigen) antibodies].
A 56-year-old female was admitted because of generalized lymphadenopathy. Based upon histological findings of biopsied lymph node, malignant lymphoma, diffuse large cell type was diagnosed. The surface marker analysis showed that malignant cells were positive for CD4 and CD2 but negative for CD8. Although anti-ATLA (adult T-cell leukemia associated antigen) antibody was negative with the use of a gelatin particle agglutination method (P.A.), other methods such as an indirect immunofluorescence assay (I.F.), an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (E.I.A.) and a Western blotting assay revealed the positivity for anti-ATLA antibody. Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL/L) was confirmed by the presence of monoclonal integration of HTLV-I proviral DNA in biopsied specimen. This case, showing a pattern of P.A. (-) and I.F. (+), is extremely unusual, because I.F. and P.A. show highly close correlation. Thus, it is important to employ different methods for screening of anti-ATLA antibodies in the diagnosis of ATL/L.
Agglutination Tests↗
Potentiation of inner ear damage following electron beam irradiation with CDDP administration.
This study was designed to examine the combined ototoxic effects of cisplatin, an antitumor platinum compound, administration and electron beam irradiation on the inner ear of guinea pigs, histopathologically. One group received saline solution 4 ml/kg/day and the other group received cisplatin of 2 mg/4 ml/kg/day for five consecutive days. The right temporal bones of all animals of both groups were exposed to the electron beam of 14 Gy/day 3 hours after the daily injection of saline or cisplatin. All animals were sacrificed for inner ear histopathological findings 21 days after the last injection. A combination of cisplatin administration and electron beam irradiation produced a severe potentiation of the outer hair cell damage with no inner hair cell damage. Therefore, in treatment of head and neck carcinomas, it is important to pay attention to inner ear damage caused by combination therapy of cisplatin and electron beam irradiation which involves the inner ear.
Animals↗
[Molecular cloning and expression of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Aoyama B peptide antigen genes in Escherichia coli--a gene encoding 60 kD antigen (AT201) and immunological activity of recombinant peptides (15 and 60 kD)].
To obtain recombinant peptides related to PPDs, we constructed a genomic library from the DNA of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Aoyama B, a standard strain in Japan to manufacture PPDs, using plasmid vectors pUC18 series. Seven clones reacting the anti-PPDs-rabbit-serum on immunoblotting were obtained, and restriction map was analysed. A nucleotide sequence and a putative open reading frame (ORF) of pAT01, encoding 15kD peptide, as well as the mode of expression was reported previously). In this study, nucleotide sequence of 60 kD peptide gene was determined, and the comparative database analysis (GENBANK) revealed a striking level of homology to so called mycobacterial heat shock protein. The expression mode of pAT201 encoding 60 kD, as well as pAT01 encoding 15 kD peptide, indicated that these peptides were not hybrid proteins with the lacZ gene product, but they were consisted of peptides only mycobacterial source. Therefore, 15 kD and 60 kD directly were subjected to immunological studies. The peptides were extracted from E. coli, carrying pAT01 or pAT201, purified through series of DEAE chromatography and followed by Detoxi-Gel to remove LPS. 15 kD peptide behaved almost similar to PPDs both in the DTH skin reaction and the lymphocyte proliferation response on guinea pigs or rats in respect to sensitivity. However, 60 kD was unique in that, and it behaved like a general mitogen. We discussed role of 60 kD peptide, comparing with the common antigen, generally found in most species of bacteria as the heat shock protein.
Antigens, Bacterial↗
[The forming phase and various properties of Au, Ag, Cu and Ga mixture in metal fired crowns].
A new time-saving method has been developed to produce artificial crowns without using the casting process. Plastic mixtures of gallium and other metal particles are kneaded into desired shape and then heated for hardening. By this method, the time required for hardening and producing restorative materials has been shortened greatly. In the present experiment, gallium was triturated with powdered gold, silver and copper to make binary alloy samples. The dimensional change was measured between heat treatment. After heat treatment, the test piece was examined for compressive strength, compressive shrinkage, hardness, tarnishing and difference in phase. Non-heated and heated alloy specimens (Au-Ga, Ag-Ga, Cu-Ga) expanded to form the new phase. The ability of Au-Ga samples to bear compressive strength, when heated at 300 degrees C or more (AuGa2----AuGa), became 2.6 times greater than that of non-heat-treated specimens. The compressive strength of Ag-Ga samples dropped briefly at 350 degrees C (Ag0.72Ga0.28----Ag3Ga) but increased at 450 degrees C (Ag3Ga----AgGa). The strength of Cu-Ga pieces fell by half at 475 degrees C and upward (CuGa2----unknown phase). A compression test showed that the contraction percentage of Au and Ag specimens became large as a result of heat treatment, while that of Cu alloys remained almost unchanged. The results of a hardness test (HV) were comparable to those of the compressive strength test. The Au-Ga alloys increased in hardness after high-temperature treatment. In the Ag-Ga alloys, hardness declined at 350 degrees C and increased at 450 degrees C. There was no difference in hardness between Cu specimens after heat treatment and those allowed to stand at room temperature. A tarnishing test revealed that Au-Ga samples turned slightly yellowish. In the case of Ag-Ga samples, the reflectivity Y (%) dipped slightly but discoloration was not recognizable. However, the Cu-Ga samples which were heated at temperatures of up to 280 degrees C showed a slight drop in reflectivity, but those heated at temperatures higher than 280 degrees C decreased to 50-66% in reflectivity and turned black.
Copper↗
[Scoring system for screening of patients with endometriosis in infertile clinic].
An outpatient department screening method for endometriosis was prepared by designing a scoring system in a retrospective study. We compared the incidence of 21 characteristic symptoms and the finding of endometriosis in 39 infertile women with endometriosis diagnosed by laparoscopy or laparotomy and 21 women without it. A table for diagnostic scoring composed of 11 items was accomplished. The feasibility of this diagnostic scoring system was then examined in a prospective study of 72 women with endometriosis and 47 without it. The results were as follows. 1. In the retrospective study, all the women with 10 or more points had had endometriosis. Fifteen out of 20 women with -20 points or less had been without endometriosis and the remaining 5 with endometriosis (4 minimal and 1 mild stage according to AFS classification). 2. In the prospective study, a 94.5% (52/55) incidence of endometriosis was found in women with 10 or more points and 66.7% (10/15) of women with -20 points or less were without endometriosis. 3. This diagnostic scoring system, in which women with endometriosis score 10 or more points and women without it -20 points or less, has 91.2% sensitivity, 76.9% specificity, 94.5% positive predictive value and 66.7% of the negative predictive value. It is concluded that this scoring system has clinical diagnostic value in screening for endometriosis in infertile women at the outpatient department.
Adult↗
Immunoregulatory activity in human decidua.
The immunoregulatory factor(s) that suppresses normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM) function was extracted from the decidua of pregnant women (8-13 weeks). Compared with extracts from the proliferative endometrium, the decidual extracts from fresh surgical specimens markedly inhibited 3H-thymidine incorporation by PBM in response to T-cell mitogens. The majority of the lymphocyte-inhibitory activity was found to be associated with a material of large molecular weight in the decidua, as estimated by Sephadex G-200 filtration. Immunoelectrophoretic analysis followed by Sepharose 4B-anti-human IgG affinity chromatography of the fraction having the inhibitory activity revealed the causative factor to be most likely IgG or a substance copurified with IgG. The results are discussed with respect to a possible role of IgG in a localized non-specific suppressor mechanism in the decidua preventing maternal immunologic attack on the fetal allograft.
Adult↗
[Long-term remission of a case of Burkitt's lymphoma accompanied by cardiac tamponade treated by surgical resection and intensive chemotherapy].
A 26-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of abdominal mass. She became ileus and an emergency operation was consequently performed. A histological examination of the abdominal tumor indicated proliferation of undifferentiated lymphoblasts with intermingled histiocytes so called "starry sky appearance". The diagnosis was Burkitt's lymphoma. On the 4th post-operative day, a cardiac tamponade became evident. The pericardial effusion contained many lymphoblasts and the diagnosis was pericarditis due to the invasion of lymphoma cells. The pericarditis was successfully treated by infusion of doxycycline into the pericardial space following drainage. The patient responded to systemic chemotherapy with complete remission. 7 courses of systemic chemotherapy along with intrathecal infusions for CNS prophylaxis were subsequently carried out. A state of complete remission has continued for more than 13 months. Cardiac tamponade accompanied by Burkitt's lymphoma is quite rare and has not ever been reported in Japan in our knowledge. The efficacy of surgical treatment before systemic chemotherapy and the series of intrathecal infusions for CNS prophylaxis was demonstrated in this case.
Adult↗
[A case of amniotic band syndrome--in view of the pathogenesis].
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Adult↗
[A recurrent case of liposarcoma arising from the left uterosacral ligament with histological findings of malignant mesenchymoma].
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Female↗