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H Watanabe

Publications and source records attributed to H Watanabe.

At least 1,063 records · Page 59Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Expression of prolactin gene in mouse placenta during late pregnancy: detection of mRNA and its translation product.

To examine the existence of PRL messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in the mouse placenta during late pregnancy, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Southern blot analysis were carried out followed by nucleotide sequence analysis of cDNA. Total RNA extracted from each tissue was reverse-transcribed, followed by PCR with two oligonucleotide primers specific or a part of mouse PRL (mPRL) cDNA. An amplified RT-PCR product of predicted size was detected in all samples from the placenta of days 16 and 18 pregnant mice. This product was specifically hybridized with a probe overlapping an entire sequence of mPRL cDNA in Southern blot analysis. Nucleotide sequence analysis also provided evidence that the amplified cDNA had a nucleotide sequence completely identical to the mPRL cDNA sequence reported previously. Furthermore, mPRL with a slightly bigger molecular weight than that of pituitary PRL was detected in the placenta of days 12, 14, 16 and 18 pregnancy by immunoblot analysis. These results suggest that PRL mRNA and its translation product are synthesized in mouse placenta during late pregnancy.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The analysis of steroidogenic activity in non-hyperfunctioning adrenocortical adenoma.

The steroidogenic activities in non-hyperfunctioning adrenal adenoma (NHFA) have not yet been fully examined. Steroid content both in adenoma and its non-tumorous adjacent adrenal tissue was measured by the HPLC system in 8 cases of NHFA and 2 cases of preclinical Cushing's syndrome (PCS). Activities of cytochrome P450c17alpha, P450c21, P450c11beta, P450c18 and aldosterone-synthesizing enzyme (P450aldo) were also determined by the enzyme reconstitution system. Steroid content in NHFA varied but no significant difference was seen between NHFA and normal control adrenals. Activities of all P450s except P450aldo were confirmed in NHFA, but they were almost equivalent to those in normal control adrenals. As no significant difference between NHFA and normal controls was observed in either steroid contents or P450s activities, the steroidogenic activity of NHFA is considered to be comparable to that of normal adrenals.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1997

ACTH-independent macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia (AIMAH): report of two cases and the analysis of steroidogenic activity in adrenal nodules.

We report clinical findings and steroidogenic activities in adrenal tissues in 2 cases of AIMAH. Endocrine studies revealed an undetectable level of plasma ACTH and a diminished circadian rhythm of plasma cortisol. A significant increase in plasma cortisol levels in response to ACTH stimulation was observed in both cases. After the administration of metyrapone in one case, urinary excretion of 17-hydroxycorticosteroid (17-OHCS) significantly increased, although the plasma ACTH level did not respond. Computed tomography showed large masses in both adrenal glands, and bilateral uptake was identified on adrenal scintigraphy. The totals for the bilateral adrenal glands were 98 g and 105 g, respectively, and the left adrenal was larger than the right in both cases. Steroid content in the nodules measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed that the cortisol content was definitely lower than that in cortisol-producing adenoma (CPA) and even in normal adrenals. The activities of cytochrome P450c17, P450c21 and P450c11 were evaluated in one case, and all of them were reduced in the nodules. Especially that of P450c17 was remarkably reduced. These data suggest that cortisol production in AIMAH is inefficient, and that the cause of Cushing's syndrome may be related to the marked increase in the number of cells or bulk of the tumor.

17-Hydroxycorticosteroids↗
PubMed1997

Catheter ablation of canine ventricular myocardium. The use of repetitive short time constant capacitive shocks to increase lesion volume.

Arching and barotrauma, seen with high energy DC catheter ablation, are responsible for diffuse cardiac damage and coronary sinus rupture. In six anesthetized dogs, we investigated the effects of an increasing number of short time-constant capacitive shocks on the volume of myocardial damage. Each dog received capacitive shocks of 2 J/kg at 3 sites in the left ventricle. One shock was delivered in 2 dogs, 2 shocks were delivered in 2 dogs and 3 shocks were delivered in 2 dogs. Shock delivery was not accompanied by hemodynamic collapse, sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. The dogs were sacrificed at 60 minutes. Mean (SEM) lesion volumes were 195 (39) mm3, 480 (41) mm3, and 595 (110) mm3, respectively. Despite variability in individual volume of damage, there was a significant increase in lesion volume with an increasing number of shocks. There was no evidence of perforation or tamponade. Increasing myocardial damage can be produced using repetitive capacitive shocks. Delivery of 2 shocks produces clinically useful lesions without the adverse effects associated with single high energy shocks. Repetitive capacitive shocks offer a method of increasing lesion volume without increasing energy and thereby without compromising safety.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Ultrasonic power Doppler imaging for prostatic cancer: a preliminary report.

This study was conducted to characterize Doppler blood flow signals in prostatic cancer using power Doppler imaging with a transrectal probe. Both the localization and vascularity of blood flow in the prostate were compared between patients with prostatic cancer and those with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The prominent accumulation of blood flow signals (hypervascular lesion) was recognized in all the cases with prostatic cancer, compared to only 2 (4%) of 47 with BPH (p < 0.001). Power Doppler imaging is promising for the detection of prostatic cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Cellulose digestion in the wood-eating higher termite, Nasutitermes takasagoensis (Shiraki): distribution of cellulases and properties of endo-beta-1,4-glucanase.

beta-Glucosidase [EC 3.2.1.21] and endo-beta-1,4-glucanase [EC 3.2.1.4] activities were measured in the wood-eating higher termite Nasutitermes takasagoensis. beta-Glucosidase activity was present mainly in the salivary glands (66.7%) and midgut (22.2%), whereas endo-beta-1,4-glucanase activity was detected mainly in the midgut (90.1%). Specific activity of endo-beta-1,4-glucanase was also the highest in the midgut, indicating that cellulose is digested in the midgut. The major endo-beta-1,4-glucanase component of N. takasagoensis was purified from whole termites by gel filtration on Sephaoryl S-200 HR, Superdex-75 and hydroxyapatite column chromatography. Subsequently, the endo-beta-1,4-glucanase activity from a crude midgut extract was eluted in an identical volume (Kd = 0.68) to that from whole termites, suggesting the purified endo-beta-1,4-glucanase is identical to that in the midgut. The molecular weight of the purified endo-beta-1,4-glucanase was 47 kDa, and its specific activity was 1,200 units/mg. The optimal pH and temperature were 5.8 and 65 degrees C, respectively. The Km and Vmax values on carboxymethyl cellulose were 8.7 mg/ml and 2,222 units/mg, respectively. The purified endo-beta-1,4-glucanase hydrolyzed cellopentaose to cellotriose and cellobiose, and cellotetraose to cellobiose and a trace of cellotriose and glucose, but cellotriose and cellobiose were not hydrolyzed. The activity and stability on pH and temperature of the purified endo-beta-glucanase are prominent among those from various organisms.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Portal-hepatic venous shunt through a portal aneurysm complicated by hepatic encephalopathy and pulmonary hypertension.

We report a rare case of portal-hepatic venous shunt through an enormous portal aneurysm complicated by pulmonary hypertension. A 66-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for hepatic encephalopathy. Chest roentgenography revealed pulmonary hypertension. Computed tomography and ultrasound examination demonstrated a shunt between the portal and hepatic veins through an enormous portal aneurysm. The diagnoses of portal-hepatic venous shunt and pulmonary hypertension were confirmed by hepatic venous catheterization and cardiac catheterization. Pulmonary hypertension might result from the effects of vasoconstrictive agents, which should be metabolized by the liver in normal subjects, passing through the intrahepatic shunt into the lung.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[Studies of psychiatric symptoms and personality traits in the 90+ years population].

Depressive symptoms and personality traits 90+ years population were examined. Data were obtained from 33 aged people (mean 93 +/- 3.2 years old; range 90-105 years old) using the Hamilton Rating Scale for depression and a questionnaire for the evaluation of type A personality trait (devised by Dr. Maeda). Scores of > 11 in the Hamilton Rating Scale for depression were considered indicative of depression. This score was found in 39% of cases. There are four types of depressive symptoms among the 90+ years population: sleep disturbance and somatic complain type; depressive mood type; hypochodrical type; reference of ideas and obsessive-compulsive type. The usual distributions of symptoms is 43, 29, 21 and 7% respectively. According to the questionnaire for type A personality trait among the 33 cases, there were more people with type A personality (n = 18; 56%) than there were those with type B (n = 15; 44%). Of the total number of cases studied, there was a tendency high scores to be achieved items characteristic of type A personality, such as a thorough native, self-confidence and precision. On the other hand, there are also tendencies for flexibilities and "going-my-way" traints in the 90+ year population. There is a significant correlation between scores in Hamilton Rating Scale for depression and scores in the type A personality questionnaire.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[Studies on enrichment broth for verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) O157].

Growth of verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) O157 in conventionally recommended pre-enrichment broth media at different temperatures was evaluated. In addition, sensitivity of VTEC O157 isolates to several antibacterial drugs, which were added to the selective enrichment broth, was tested. All five isolates of VTEC O157 tested grew well in trypticase soy broth (TSB) at 36 degrees C and 42 degrees C, while the growth of one isolate was markedly suppressed in TSB supplemented with cefixime (CFIX), potassium tellurite (PT), and vancomycin (TSB-CTV) even at 36 degrees C. A significant growth suppression was also observed in three of the isolates cultured in novobiocin (NB)-supplemented modified EC broth (mEC-NB) at 42 degrees C. In mEC-NB after 24-hr incubation at 36 degrees C, the five VTEC O157 isolates grew well, although one isolate was slightly suppressed during the first 8 hours. Minimum growth inhibitory concentrations of CFIX, NB and PT for a total of 90 clinical and environmental isolates of VTEC O157 were all above the concentrations usually prescribed for mEC-NB and TSB-CTV. These findings suggest that mEC-NB and TSB-CTV should be used at 36 degrees C for growth of VTEC O157 and that use of a nonselective pre-enrichment broth medium (i.e. TSB) together with a selective one (i.e. TSB-CTV or mEC-NB) is necessary for successful isolation of VTEC O157 from various specimens.

Aeromonas↗
PubMed1997

[A pilot study of mass screening program for prostatic cancer by means of prostate specific antigen (PSA) filter paper method].

BACKGROUND: Mass screening program for prostatic cancer (PC) using prostate specific antigen (PSA) filter paper method was performed in an urban area of Kyoto in 1995. METHODS: In the primary study, males more than the age of 55 years were examined by PSA (Delfia PSA kit) with blood samples on a filter paper. The cut-off values were set at 4 and 10 ng/ ml. Subjects whose PSA level ranged from 4.1 to 10.0 ng/ml (gray zone) were examined by digital rectal examination (DRE), transrectal sonography (TRS) and PSA density (PSAD; more than 0.15) in the secondary study, then the suspected subjects of PC underwent 6 sextant biopsies under interventional ultrasound. Subjects whose PSA level were more than 10.1 ng/ml were biopsied directly. RESULTS: Of 3,749 males who took the annual health checkup system organized by the government, 2,387 males wished to submit this screening. Among them, 2,217 (92.9%) showed a negative PSA, 107 belonged to the gray zone and 43 had a PSA more than 10.1 ng/ml. Of these, 102 subjects underwent biopsy. PC was finally detected in 28 (1.2%). The positive predictive value for positive PSA and gray zone PSA was 46.3% and 8.4%, respectively. In the detected cancers, 17 cases (60.7%) belonged to Stage B, 5 (17.9%) to Stage C and 6 (21.4%) to Stage D. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that this system of mass screening program for PC combined with the annual health checkup was suitable for the future "national-level" screening.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[Clinical evaluation of scintigraphy and tumor biopsy for incidentally detected adrenal masses].

PURPOSE: A decision tree in diagnosis of incidentally detected adrenal masses (incidentaloma) was made on the basis of these results. METHODS: The clinical usefulness of adrenal scintigraphy with 131I-adosterol and ultrasonically guided tumor biopsy was investigated in 44 patients. RESULTS: Adrenal scintigraphy was performed in 32 patients, of whom 21 were found to have an increased uptake in the tumor, including 19 cases of cortical adenoma and 2 of hematoma. No abnormal uptake was found in the remaining 11 patients, including 2 of cortical adenoma, 1 of adrenocortical oncocytoma and 8 of non-cortical tumors. Adrenal scintigraphy was thus thought to be useful in the differentiation of cortical tumor from non-cortical tumor, showing the sensitivity of 86%, the specificity of 80% and the diagnostic accuracy of 84%. Cytological or histological study on specimens obtained by percutaneous adrenal tumor biopsy was performed in 19 patients, of whom 18 (95%) were correctly diagnosed in terms of the malignancy of incidentaloma. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the differential diagnosis and the surgical indication of adrenal incidentaloma could be made successfully based on adrenal scintigraphy and tumor biopsy.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1997

[Cost-effectiveness analysis of prostatic cancer screening].

BACKGROUND: To evaluate how much mass screening for prostatic cancer (PC) would benefit the nation economically, cost-effectiveness of PC screening was analyzed. METHODS: The cost per life-year saved (cost-effectiveness ratio; CER) was compared between PC screening and other 5 already established cancer screenings in Japan by an analytical simulation model to estimate cost and effectiveness of various screening programs, which was proposed recently by Hisamichi and Kamae. RESULTS: Although CER in PC screening amounted 204 x 10(3) yen for males aged from 55 to 59 years of age, among males more than 60 years of age. CER became negative, which meant a positive balance might be obtained economically by the adoption of screening. CER of PC screening was similar to that of colorectal cancer screening, while was 2 to 14 times lower than that of the remaining 4 established cancer screenings. According to the sensitivity analysis, the rate of the prevalence of PC, as well as the rate of the examinees for the secondary study influenced remarkedly the cost-effectiveness of PC screening. CONCLUSION: The morbidity and mortality of PC has seriously increased in the past years in Japan and the number of PC patients in 2015 is anticipated to show a 5.19-fold increase of that in 1990. According to such considerable increase of PC patients in the near future, PC screening is thought to be an economically well-balanced public activity.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

A new antiherpetic agent, AH-1763 IIa, produced by Streptomyces cyaneus strain no. 1763.

A new antiherpetic agent, AH-1763 IIa, was isolated from the culture broth of strain No. 1763 identified as Streptomyces cyaneus. It was purified through column chromatographies of Diaion HP-10 and silica gel. The structure was determined to be 11-hydroxy-5-methyl-2-(2-hydroxy-1-methylpropyl)-4H-anthraceno [1,2-b]pyran-4,7,12-trione by several spectroscopic experiments, that is a new antibiotic belonging to pluramycin-group.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Noninvasive quantitative estimation of infravesical obstruction using ultrasonic measurement of bladder weight.

PURPOSE: Ultrasound estimated bladder weight was compared to pressure-flow studies to test the ability of ultrasound estimated bladder weight to predict infravesical obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 65 men with urinary symptoms underwent ultrasonic measurement of bladder weight and pressure-flow studies. Assuming the bladder is a sphere, ultrasound estimated bladder weight was calculated from bladder wall thickness measured ultrasonically and intravesical volume. RESULTS: Ultrasound estimated bladder weight correlated significantly (p < 0.0001) with the Abrams-Griffiths number, urethral resistance factor and the Schäfer grade of obstruction. A cutoff value of 35 gm. for ultrasound estimated bladder weight revealed a diagnostic accuracy of 86.2% (56 of 65 cases) for infravesical obstruction with 12.1 (4 of 33) and 15.6% (5 of 32) false-positive and false-negative rates, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound estimated bladder weight can be measured noninvasively at the bedside and it is promising as a reliable predictor of infravesical obstruction.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[Rapid onset of hemolytic anemia after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from an unrelated ABO major mismatched donor].

A 46-year-old woman with chronic myelogenous leukemia received allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from an unrelated human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matched (but mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) positive to graft-versus host disease (GvHD) donor. The blood type of the recipient was A type Rh (+) while the donor blood type was B type Rh (+). The patient received busulfan 8 mg/kg, cyclophosphamide 120 mg/kg, and total-body irradiation 10 Gy before bone marrow transplantation. Short-term administration of methotrexate and cyclosporin was given for prophylaxis of GvHD. The mononuclear cells harvested from the donor were concentrated by COBE Spectra before bone marrow transplantation. Although engraftment of transplanted bone marrow in the recipient was confirmed on day 11, the patient suffered from severe anemia on day 10. Since the direct Coombs' test to A type red blood cells was positive, and anti-A antibody titer increased 16-fold, we diagnosed her anemia as hemolytic anemia caused by ABO mismatched transplantation. In addition to hemolytic anemia, she had skin symptoms of acute GvHD grade II, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and died of multiple organ failure on day 44. This experience indicated that some allogeneic transplant recipients are at risk of severe hemolytic anemia in the early stage after unrelated ABO mismatched donor and that it is necessary to establish proper treatment and prophylaxis.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1997

Clinical efficacy of the direct assay method using polymers for serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol.

The clinical efficacy and accuracy of the homogeneous assay method for the serum high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol determination were evaluated. The principle is as follows: low density lipoproteins (LDL) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) were coated by polymers and polyanion to be blocked from cholesterol esterase and cholesterol oxidase. The reaction of these enzymes for HDL cholesterol was enhanced with a detergent, and HDL cholesterol was selectively measured. Both within-run (n = 3, 20 times) and between-run (n = 3, 7 days) CVs were < 2%. The repeated freezing and thawing (4 times) of three distinct sera resulted in no changes of HDL cholesterol values. Additions of lipid emulsion (Triglyceride = 100 mg/dl) and free bilirubin (20 mg/dl) gave no effect. Linearity was found up to 300 mg/dl. Increases in HDL cholesterol values by the addition of VLDL (total cholesterol (TC) = 300 mg/dl) or LDL (TC = 300 mg/dl) to the tested sera were < 0.5%. The correlation coefficient of the new method with a precipitation method was 0.995 (n = 64). HDL-C values for patients with hyperlipidemia (Type IIa, IIb, or III, IV, and V) by this method were comparable with those obtained by the precipitation method. From these results, we concluded that the new method meets the requirements for accuracy, precision, ease of handling massive samples, and was clinically useful.

Adult↗