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Biomedical subjects

I Nagata

Publications and source records attributed to I Nagata.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Development of a dural substitute from synthetic bioabsorbable polymers.

A new bioabsorbable composite sheet was developed to provide a substitute for the dura mater and was evaluated histologically and biomechanically using rats and rabbits. This composite, composed of two L-lactic acid-epsilon-caprolactone (50% L-lactic acid, 50% epsilon-caprolactone) copolymer films and a poly(glycolic acid) nonwoven fabric, displayed good mechanical properties and was completely absorbed 24 weeks after implantation in the back of rats. Histological evaluation of the composite sheet was undertaken by implanting it in 31 rabbits with dural defects and examining the sites of implantation 2 weeks to 26 months later. No infection, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, evidence of convulsive disorders, significant adhesion to underlying cortex, or calcification was noticed in any cases. In addition, the regenerated duralike tissue had a high pressure-resistant strength 2 weeks after implantation. The authors conclude that this new bioabsorbable composite sheet can be successfully used as a dural substitute.

Absorption↗

[A case report of choroid plexus carcinoma].

Choroid plexus carcinoma (CPC) is a rare tumor with poor prognosis, whose optimal treatment has not yet been established. We report a case of a one-year-old infant who has been treated with successive combined therapy. The therapy involved two operations for partial removal, interrupted radiotherapy up to 12Gy, 2 cycles of salvage chemotherapy, followed by an operation for total removal, and then a further 3 cycles of chemotherapy. CT scan after the preoperative salvage chemotherapy showed remarkable shrinkage of the residual tumor, which made operative procedure easier. The patient was disease-free for ten months after the last operation. Patients with combined preoperative chemotherapy and total resection seem to enjoy prolonged progression-free survival, so preoperative chemotherapy for choroid plexus carcinoma seems to be of benefit, despite the fact that its optimal recipe has not yet been established.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Immunocytochemical analysis of gangliosides in rat primary cerebellar cultures using specific monoclonal antibodies.

We studied the expression of ganglioside antigens in primary cultures of rat cerebellum using an immunocytochemical technique with mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for various gangliosides. Twelve MAbs that specifically recognize each ganglioside were used. Our study revealed that there is a cell type-specific expression of ganglioside antigens in the primary cultures. A number of b-series gangliosides were detected in the granule cells, whereas a-series gangliosides were not intensely expressed. GD1b was detected in the granule cells. GD2 appeared to be present in a subset of the granule cells or a type of small neurons. GD3 was associated not only with the granule cells, but also with both astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. An O-Ac-disialoganglioside, which was suggested to be O-Ac-LD1, was restrictedly detected in Purkinje cells. The other gangliosides were not detected clearly in these cells. These results suggest that several gangliosides may be useful markers for identifying cells in primary cultures of the rat cerebellum; particularly b-series gangliosides such as GD2 and GD1b for the granule cells and O-Ac-LD1 for Purkinje cells.

Animals↗

Effects of granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-2 on ascites formation and the survival time of nude mice bearing human ovarian cancer cells.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of intraperitoneal (i.p.) instillations of granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and/or interleukin-2 (IL-2) on ascites formation and the survival time of nude mice with malignant ascites, produced by i.p. inoculation of human ovarian cancer cells. When the nude mice were treated with medium alone, ascites was observed in all mice 28 days after tumor inoculation. When the mice were treated with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin) alone, G-CSF alone or IL-2 alone, it took 35 days for the ascites to form in all mice. When cisplatin was combined with G-CSF or IL-2, one of ten mice did not form ascites during the observation period. Surprisingly, when G-CSF and IL-2 were simultaneously administered, ascites formation was not observed in any mice. Although i.p. treatment with cisplatin alone significantly prolonged the survival time, compared to medium alone, the lytic activity of spleen cells against HRA cells was significantly suppressed. When G-CSF or IL-2 was combined with cisplatin, the suppression by cisplatin was eliminated and subsequently resulted in a prolongation of the survival time. When G-CSF was combined with IL-2, both the peritoneal and splenic macrophages/ monocytes were stimulated and the splenic lytic activity was about double that following treatment with G-CSF alone on IL-2 alone, suggesting that complete inhibition of ascites formation results not only from a significant increase of the peritoneal macrophages but also from enhancement of the lytic activity. Two mice, died from dissemination of tumor in the abdominal cavity, but eight mice survived without tumor for more than 90 days. As confirmed by monitoring body weight and hematocrit, G-CSF and IL-2 seemed to have no adverse effect. From these results, we conclude that a combination therapy with G-CSF and IL-2 might be of clinical use for inhibiting large amounts of ascites, which may inhibit therapeutic effects for ovarian cancer patients.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Altered nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity in the brain of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

To obtain information about the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the development of hypertensive cerebral lesions, we used immunohistochemical methods to study the distribution and level of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the brain of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSPs). The early changes in the brain of SHRSPs were petechiae, edema and massive glial accumulation around fibrin deposits, which contained necrotized microvessels, whereas advanced cerebral lesions comprised massive bleeding, cavity formation and diffuse degeneration of the white matter. In the normotensive control rats, immunoreactivity for NOS was demonstrated in scattered neuronal cells, as has been reported previously, but there was no reactivity in glial cells. In the present study in SHRSPs, however, considerable NOS immunoreactivity was observed in most reactive astrocytes and in a proportion of the microglial cells and macrophages in the vicinity of the cortical lesions and in the subcortical white matter both ipsi- and contralateral to the cortical lesion. The nerve cells in the edematous region also showed weak immunoreactivity for NOS. The distribution of increased NOS in SHRSP brains corresponded well with the sites of extravasated plasma fluid as demonstrated by anti-fibrinogen antibody. Based on these findings, we postulate that edema and the simultaneously generated free radicals or some extravasated plasma components may induce expression of NOS in the reactive cells and nerve cells, and that the NO thus generated may be involved in the development of hypertensive cerebral lesions.

Animals↗

Experiences of 120 microsurgical reconstructions of hepatic artery in living related liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: We reviewed 120 microsurgical reconstructions of a hepatic artery in living related liver transplantation and discussed the problems encountered. METHODS: From January 1991 to July 1994 we performed a series of 105 living related liver transplantations on children with end-stage liver disease. Arterial reconstruction was performed under the optical field of a continuous zoom magnification of approximately 10 times with an operating microscope. RESULTS: Twenty-six percent of the graft arteries were less than 2 mm in diameter. The time required for an arterial reconstruction was 49.5 +/- 1.8 minutes. In 15 of the 31 cases in which there were two graft arteries, two arterial reconstructions were required. The caliber differences between the graft artery and the recipient artery in 30 instances was dealt with by cutting an undersized artery obliquely (17 instances), by fish-mouth method (10 instances), by end-to-side anastomosis (1 instance), or by funnelization method (2 instances). In one case we performed an intimal dissection of a recipient hepatic artery and substituted a splenic artery. Consequently, hepatic arterial thrombosis occurred in only two cases (1.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Microsurgical technique has overcome the high risk of hepatic arterial thrombosis in cases of fine graft arteries, enabled the reconstruction of arteries with caliber difference, and decreased arterial complications with its delicate manipulation.

Adolescent↗

Partial monosomy 10q and partial trisomy 9q with anal atresia due to maternal translocation: t(9;10)(q32;q26).

We report a case of a boy with a partial deletion of the long arm of chromosome 10 and partial duplication of the long arm of chromosome 9 due to maternal balanced translocation. The karyotype was 46,XY,-10, +der(10)t(9;10)(q32;q26)mat. Our patient had imperforate anus and as this finding is usually not observed in association with trisomy 9q, it suggests that partial monosomy of the long arm of chromosome 10 might be associated with anogenital anomalies.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Congenital chylothorax in a patient with 21 trisomy syndrome.

A female infant with 21 trisomy syndrome associated with congenital chylothorax was reported. She was born at a gestational age of 34 weeks by Cesarean section because of fetal hydrothorax and hydrops fetus, confirmed by ultrasonography at 32 weeks. Emergent resuscitation and immediate thoracentesis were performed soon after birth. After beginning breast feeding, the serous pleural fluid became opalescent and a diagnosis of congenital chylothorax was made. Feeding was changed to medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) feeding and the production of pleural effusion disappeared after thoracentesis was performed several times. Accumulating evidence suggested that MCT feeding and intermittent thoracentesis under echo guide were effective. Some reports on patients, including this one, suggest that there may be more patients with 21 trisomy associated with congenital hydrothorax. Therefore, congenital hydrothorax might be listed as a complication of 21 trisomy.

Chylothorax↗

Correlation between the stimulatory effect of oxytocin on the formation of inositol phosphates and the oxytocin receptor level in the pregnant rabbit myometrium.

OBJECTIVE: In order to elucidate the roles of inositol trisphosphate (IP3) and oxytocin (OT) receptors in rabbit parturition, the concentration of IP3 induced by OT and the OT receptor levels were determined in rabbit myometria before and after parturition. METHODS: The effects of OT on IP3 formation and OT receptor levels were determined in the myometria of non-pregnant rabbits, Days 26, 28 and 30 of pregnancy rabbits, postpartum rabbits within 12 hours and steroid-treated ovariectomized rabbits. Prostaglandins (PGs) levels were also measured in the myometrial and decidual tissues. RESULTS: OT receptors were not detectable in the myometria of non-pregnant rabbits, and OT had no effect on the formation of inositol phosphates (IPs). On Day 28 of pregnancy, OT receptors became detectable, and then OT could induce the formation of IPs. Thereafter, the stimulatory effects of OT on IPs formation and the OT receptor levels dramatically increased toward the end of pregnancy and reduced rapidly after parturition. When the ovariectomized pregnant rabbits were treated with estrogen, OT receptors in the myometrium were induced, and OT acquired the ability to stimulate IP3 formation. However, OT had no effect on the production of cAMP, cGMP, prostaglandin (PG) E2 and F2 alpha in the myometria, even if receptors existed, although PGE2 production in the decidual tissues was markedly stimulated. In addition, an OT receptor antagonist inhibited the stimulatory effects of OT on IP3 formation. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the formation of IPs by OT, the OT receptor levels in the myometrium, and the production of PGF2 in the decidua might play crucial roles in parturition.

Animals↗

Effect of culture supernatants of endometriotic lesions, uterine endometrium and peritoneum from rats with experimental endometriosis on the natural killer activity of spleen cells.

Experimental endometriosis in rats was induced by autotransplanting the uterine endometrium to the peritoneum. In all rats, endometrial implants developed into endometriotic tissues similar to those in humans about 2 weeks after transplantation. Natural killer (NK) activity of spleen cells in the endometriosis model rats was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that in the sham-operated intact rats. The inhibited NK activity in the endometriosis rats recovered to the level in intact rats with danazol (but not buserelin). The supernatant after 24-hour culture of endometrial tissues from both intact and model rats seemed to have significant inhibitory effects on NK activity. The supernatant from endometrial grafts showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher inhibitory effects than that from the endometrial tissues. The inhibitory effects were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by treatment with danazol or buserelin to the untreated level. In addition, supernatants of unaffected peritoneal tissues from the endometriosis rats had significantly (p < 0.01) higher inhibitory effects on NK activity than those from the intact rats. Even when uterine serosa or silicone was implanted to the peritoneum, the supernatants of the contralateral peritoneal tissues showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher inhibitory effects than those from the intact rats, while having significantly (p < 0.05) lower inhibitory effects than those from the endometriosis rats. These results suggest that this marked inhibitory effect on NK activity by the peritoneum may be associated with the development and progression of endometriosis.

Animals↗

[BA top aneurysm].

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Basilar Artery↗

Expression of somatostatin receptor (SSTR) subtypes in pituitary adenomas: quantitative analysis of SSTR2 mRNA by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

The expression of somatostatin receptor (SSTR) subtypes and relative abundance of SSTR2 mRNA were examined in 18 pituitary adenomas using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. SSTR1 and SSTR2 were expressed in all pituitary adenomas examined. Six of 9 somatotroph adenomas, 1 of 4 lactotroph adenomas and 1 of 2 thyrotroph adenomas also expressed SSTR5. SSTR3 and SSTR4 mRNAs were detected in 1 and 2 cases of somatotroph adenoma, respectively. SSTR2 mRNA expression was quantified by comparison with the PCR cycle-dependent amplification of beta-actin or cyclophilin. The relative abundance of SSTR2 mRNA varied greatly among adenomas with more than a 1000-fold difference. SSTR2 mRNAs in lactotroph adenomas were less abundant (P < 0.01) than those in somatotroph adenomas. No significant correlation was found between the relative abundance of SSTR2 mRNA levels and GH sensitivity to octreotide administration. However, one of the thyrotroph adenomas exhibited marked shrinkage in tumor size after octreotide therapy, in which SSTR2 mRNA was the most abundant among the adenomas examined. GH sensitivity to octreotide was not significantly different between SSTR5 mRNA positive and negative adenomas. In conclusion, SSTR2 mRNA levels varied greatly among pituitary adenomas but were not correlated with GH sensitivity to octreotide. Further investigations of functional SSTR subtype proteins and of postreceptor signal transductions are required to clarify the molecular mechanisms of octreotide action.

Adenoma↗

Ultrastructural localization and translocation of nitric oxide synthase in the endothelium of the human cerebral artery.

An electron microscopic immunocytochemical study was undertaken to clarify ultrastructural localization and translocation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in endothelial cells (EC) of the human cerebral and superficial temporal arteries (STA) employing antibody against endothelial NOS (EC-NOS). NOS immunoreactivity was found in all EC examined, in association with the plasma membrane and cytoplasmic organelles such as endoplasmic reticulum, Weibel-Palade body and subplasmalemmal vesicles, and in the cytoplasm devoid of organelles and extracellular regions, irrespective of arteries. The immunoreactivity in subplasmalemmal vesicles was, however, demonstrated only in human cerebral arteries. In the human STA exposed to bradykinin which induces EC-NOS phosphorylation, the gold particles significantly increased in the cytosol and decreased in the areas associated with cytoplasmic organelles; however, the number of particles did not change significantly in the plasma membrane. The results implicate that NOS may be translocated from the area associated with cytoplasmic organelles to cytosol following EC exposure to bradykinin.

Adult↗