Plasma adenosine levels and P-selectin expression on platelets in preeclampsia.
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5'-Nucleotidase↗
Biomedical subjects
I Sato
Publications and source records attributed to I Sato.
Quantitative analysis of tenascin in chordae tendineae of human left ventricular papillary muscle with aging.
A computer image analysis was done to investigate the distribution of tenascin and collagenous matrix components (collagen types I and III) in the chordae tendineae of the anterior cusp of the left ventricular papillary muscle, using confocal laser scanning microscopy in both a 20s age group and an 80s-90s age group. Tenascin and the collagenous matrix components showed marked accumulation in the 80s-90s age group with elastic fiber concentration being increased in the same region as that in the 20s age group. The highest content of intersurface layer staining with an anti-tenascin antibody and with anti-collagen type III in the inner layer was found in the 80s-90s age group. These content levels were low in each region in the 20s age group. The distribution and content of these extracellular matrix changes are related to the changes in mechanical performance of the cardiac muscle with age.
Adult↗
Relationships between sperm motility characteristics assessed by the computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) and fertilization rates in vitro.
PURPOSE: Some studies have suggested that computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) estimates of concentration and movement characteristics of progressively motile spermatozoa are related to fertilization rates in vitro. However, it has also been suggested that the greater number of motility parameters assessed by CASA does not imply more precision in predicting fertility. This study was carried out to investigate the relationships between the CASA estimates and fertilization rates in vitro. METHODS: Semen quality analysis was performed using CASA in 136 in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles with at least 3 oocytes collected. The CASA estimates before and after swim-up were compared between 108 cycles with fertilization rate > 50% ("good" group) and 28 cycles with fertilization rate < or = 50% ("poor" group). RESULTS: Before swim-up, there were significant correlations between fertilization rates and CASA estimates, including amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) (r = .269), curvilinear velocity (VCL) (r = .297), straight line velocity (VSL) (r = .266), and rapid sprm movement (Rapid) (r = .243). There was also a significant correlation between the fertilization rates and straightness (STR) after swim-up (r = -0.178). As for sperm movement characteristics, there were significant differences of ALH (p < .005), VCL (p < .001), VSL (p < .005), and Rapid (p < .01) between "good" and "poor" groups before swim-up. After swim-up, there were significant differences of VCL (p < .005), average path velocity (VAP) (p < .005), and Rapid (p < .05) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that some of the CASA estimates provide reliable estimation of the fertilizing ability of human sperm. There were significant differences of the two sperm movement characteristics, including VCL and Rapid (before and after swim-up), indicating that the total distance traveled by rapid sperm movement might be important in human sperm fertilizing abilities.
Cell Size↗
A rise of the serum level of von Willebrand factor occurs before clinical manifestation of the severe form of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
BACKGROUND: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) appears to be caused by increased capillary permeability in the vascular endothelial cells. Such cells secrete excess amounts of von Willebrand factor (vWF), a large adhesive glycoprotein. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the circulating levels of vWF and of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) twice, on the days of oocyte retrieval and embryo transfer, in 46 women who developed early-onset OHSS. RESULTS: Nineteen, 14, and 13 women developed mild, moderate, and severe OHSS, respectively. Inconsistent changes were observed in the VEGF during oocyte retrieval and embryo transfer. However, the net increase in serum vWF during that period showed an increase in absolute value at the time of embryo transfer that paralleled an increase in the severity of OHSS. That is, in mild OHSS, the serum vWF increased from 140 +/- 44 to 164 +/- 28%; in moderate OHSS, it increased from 113 +/- 47 to 186 +/- 22%; and in severe OHSS, it increased from 120 +/- 35 to 274 +/- 63%. All 9 women with a vWF level > 230% at embryo transfer developed severe OHSS, while 9 of 13 women with severe OHSS exhibited a vWF > 230% at embryo transfer. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that a rise of the serum level of vWF occurs prior to clinical manifestation of OHSS in patients with severe OHSS but not in patients with mild OHSS.
Adult↗
Expansion of the fraction of Th1 cells in women with preeclampsia: inverse correlation between the percentage of Th1 cells and the plasma level of PAI-2.
PROBLEM: The fractions of Th1 cells and Tcl cells may be increased in preeclamptic women compared with healthy pregnant women. METHOD OF STUDY: Eleven healthy non-pregnant women, nine healthy pregnant women (34.1+/-3.1 weeks of gestation), and 10 women with preeclampsia (32.0+/-5.4 weeks) were studied. The fractions of Th1 cells, Th2 cells, Tc1 cells, and Tc2 cells in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells were determined using a three-color flow cytometric technique. The concentrations of plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 (PAI-2) were simultaneously determined. RESULTS: The fraction of Thl cells was significantly larger in women with preeclampsia (18.7+/-5.2%) than in normal pregnant women (11.0+/-5.7%), and it increased with a decrease in the PAI-2 level (r = -0.706, P = 0.002), which was significantly lower in preeclamptic women (83.4+/-46.8 ng/mL) than in normal pregnant women (225.3+/-82.0 ng/mL). The fraction of Tc1 cells increased with increases in the fraction of Th1 cells (r=0.657. P<0.001) and the ratio of Th1-to-Th2 cells (r=0.535, P=0.002). The ratio of Tc1-to-Tc2 cells also increased with an increase in the ratio of Th1-to-Th2 cells (r = 0.394, P = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: The fraction of Th1 cells appears to be expanded in women with preeclampsia compared with healthy pregnant women.
Adult↗
Expression of HGF/NK4 in ovarian cancer cells suppresses intraperitoneal dissemination and extends host survival.
Peritoneal dissemination is the most frequent progression pathway of ovarian cancer and is therefore a key step to improve the prognosis. NK4, a large part of the alpha-chain of hepatocyte growth factor, is known to inhibit cancer cell migration. To characterize the function of NK4 and investigate its potential role in gene therapy of ovarian cancer, we introduced NK4 cDNA to an ovarian cancer cell line HRA and investigated its effects both in vitro and in vivo. HRA cells were transfected with either NK4 or luciferase-expression plasmids. After selection, NK4-expressing HRA cells (HRA/NK4) and the control cells (HRA/LUC) were obtained. NK4 was detected in the culture supernatant of HRA/NK4 by Western analysis. Migration capabilities of the cells were evaluated in vitro by scratch wound healing assay. The number of migrated cells was significantly smaller in the HRA/NK4 cultures than that in the control cultures (HRA or HRA/LUC). Also, the culture supernatant of HRA/NK4 significantly suppressed migration of control cells. This suppressive effect was observed when NK4-expressing cells were mixed with control cells at the ratio of 25% or more. In the in vivo experiments, HRA transfectants were injected intraperitoneally. The number of intraperitoneal tumors of HRA/NK4 was much smaller than that of control. In mice injected with HRA/NK4, ascites formation was suppressed and the survival was significantly prolonged. These findings suggest that NK4-mediated gene therapy can improve the prognosis of ovarian cancer by suppressing peritoneal dissemination.
Animals↗
Erythropoietin synthesis by tumour tissues in a patient with uterine myoma and erythrocytosis.
We report a patient with uterine myoma (leiomyoma) and erythrocytosis in whom erythropoietin (Epo) production in the leiomyoma tissue was identified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A 48-year-old Japanese woman with uterine myoma showed marked erythrocytosis (haemoglobin: 20.2 g/dl, haematocrit: 61.1%, red blood cells: 6.51 x 10(12)/1). After hysterectomy, erythrocytosis rapidly disappeared. In the leiomyoma tissue collected from the patient, Epo mRNA expression was confirmed using RT-PCR. Furthermore, ELISA showed that the Epo protein level was significantly increased compared with those in control tissues. It is suggested that the pathogenesis of erythrocytosis in patients with uterine myoma involves ectopic Epo production by leiomyoma tissues.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay↗
Prediction of unexpectedly poor fertilization and pregnancy outcome using the strict criteria for sperm morphology before and after sperm separation in IVF-ET.
This study was performed to investigate if unexpectedly poor fertilization and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome could be predicted using sperm morphology as diagnosed by the strict criteria. Sperm morphology was assessed in 137 IVF-ET cycles with at least three oocytes collected. The lowest amount of normal forms was 5% in 137 samples, indicating there were no patients belonging to 'poor prognosis' (<5% normal forms). Treatment using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was also excluded. Before sperm separation by the swim-up method, sperm morphology demonstrated a significant correlation with the fertilization rate (p < 0.0001). The fertilization rate (80.5%) in 110 'normal' samples (>14% normal forms) was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than that (55.4%) in 27 samples with 'good prognosis' (those with 5--14% normal forms). No embryo was available for transfer (ET) in 4 (3.6%) of 110 'normal' cycles and in 3 (11.1%) of 27 'good prognosis' cycles (not significant). Fresh ET was intentionally cancelled to avoid severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in six of 110 'normal' cycles as well as in one of 27 'good prognosis' cycles. The pregnancy rate per ET was 31.0% (31/100) in the former group, while it was 26.1% (6/23) in the latter group. There was no difference between the two groups. In the post swim-up evaluation of sperm characteristics, morphology was significantly correlated with the fertilization rate in IVF-ET (p < 0.05) while other sperm parameters were not. When the cut off level for the post swim-up sperm morphology was set at 25%, there was a significant difference in the fertilization rates between patients (78.6%) with post-swim-up >25% and those (55.0%) with post-swim-up < or =25% (p < 0.01). Taken together, a relative indication for ICSI using sperm morphology before and after swim-up was established. Category A includes < or =14% normal forms in the ejaculate and post-swim-up < or =25%, while Category B includes < or =14% in the ejaculate and post-swim-up >25%. There was a significant difference in the fertilization rates between patients (47.2%) in Category A and those (60.2%) in Category B (p < 0.05). The clinical pregnancy rate was 11.1% for patients in Category A compared with 35.7% for patients in Category B. However, there was no significant difference between the two categories. These results indicate that the strict criteria provide a reliable estimation of the fertilizing ability of human spermatozoa. ICSI might be considered in Category A patients to avoid poor fertilization and pregnancy outcome.
Cell Separation↗
Activity of testis angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in ejaculated human spermatozoa.
Testicular angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) isozyme is likely to play important functional roles in male reproduction. Several studies have shown that ACE is released from human spermatozoa during capacitation and that ACE is associated with reduced sperm motility. Recently, we established an assay to detect testicular ACE activity in human spermatozoa. The purpose of this study was to determine if testicular ACE activity is related to sperm motility in human ejaculates. Semen samples were collected from 80 infertile patients. According to the semen characteristics, they were divided into four (WHO) categories. Enzyme activities of ACE in spermatozoa (testicular ACE) and seminal plasma (somatic ACE) were spectrophotometrically determined. Total testicular ACE activity in spermatozoa was measured by solubilization of spermatozoa with Triton X-100. Membrane testicular ACE activity was measured in a sperm : PBS suspension. Sperm concentration and sperm motility were 136.6 +/- 154.1 x 10(6)/mL and 58.6 +/- 23.4%, respectively (mean +/- SD). Enzyme activities of membrane testicular ACE, total testicular ACE and somatic ACE were 0.273 +/- 1.219 microU/10(6) spermatozoa, 0.35 +/- 1.34 microU/10(6) spermatozoa and 684.7 +/- 226.6 mU/mL, respectively. A negative correlation was observed between sperm motility and membrane testicular ACE activity (p < 0.05). Membrane testicular ACE activity in 44 normal semen samples was 0.04 +/- 0.02 microU/10(6) spermatozoa, whilst that in 36 abnormal semen samples was 0.24 +/- 0.42 microU/10(6) spermatozoa. There was a significant difference between these two groups (p < 0.01). Membrane testicular ACE in sperm samples from normozoospermic men was significantly lower than that from oligoasthenozoospermic men (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that testicular ACE is released from normal functional spermatozoa for them to have fertilizing ability.
Cell Membrane↗
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase is present in normal and pre-eclamptic placental trophoblasts: ultrastructural enzyme-histochemical evidence.
The present study investigated the localization of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity in the human placenta at various gestational ages. Placentae from patients with severe pre-eclampsia were also studied. Ultrastructural enzyme-histochemical analysis was performed by newly developed G6PD histochemistry using copper ferrocyanide as a capturing agent. Precipitates indicative of G6PD activity were markedly visible in the cytotrophoblastic cytoplasm and faintly in the syncytiotrophoblastic cytoplasm of placentae at various gestational ages, as well as those from pre-eclampsia. Frequently, precipitations were localized on the cytosolic side of the endoplasmic reticular membranes of the cytotrophoblasts. Stringent cytochemical control experiments performed also ensured the specific detection of G6PD activity. The results indicated that cytochemically detectable G6PD was localized in cytotrophoblastic cytoplasm. This enzyme may play significant roles in the carbohydrate metabolism of the human placenta, and further maintenance of villous tree architecture. Combining the previous data, the human placenta has many carbohydrate metabolizing-enzymes, similar to the adult liver.
Adult↗
Cytochemically detectable glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase is present in human fetal membrane chorion laeve trophoblasts.
We examined the ultrastructural localization of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), a NADPH-generating enzyme, in human fetal membranes at various gestational ages, using newly developed enzyme histochemistry (copper-ferrocyanide method). Electron-dense deposits indicative of G6PD activity were clearly visible in the cytoplasm and on the cytosolic side of the endoplasmic reticulum of chorion laeve cytotrophoblasts at various gestational ages. Positive and negative cytochemical controls ensured specific detection of enzyme activity. These observations indicated that chorion laeve trophoblasts were the site of NADPH production. Chorion laeve trophoblast G6PD may play a significant role in fetal membrane physiology, by delivering NADPH to NADPH-dependent oxidoreductases which these cells possess.
Chorion↗
Enzyme-cytochemically detectable glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in human villous macrophages (Hofbauer cells).
Though various tissue macrophages possess high glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity, which plays an important role in their phagocytosis/bactericidal function, the presence of this enzyme in human placental villous macrophages (Hofbauer cells) has not been determined. We examined the ultrastructural localization of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) in Hofbauer cells in first and second trimester placental villi, using a newly developed enzyme-cytochemistry (copper-ferrocyanide) method. Electron-dense deposits indicative of G6PD activity were clearly visible in the cytoplasm and on the cytosolic side of the endoplasmic reticulum of Hofbauer cells. Positive and negative cytochemical controls ensured specific detection of enzyme activity. These observations indicated that Hofbauer cells abundantly possessed enzyme-cytochemically detectable G6PD activity. Hofbauer cell G6PD may play a role in placental defense, by supplying NADPH-dependent enzymes (i.e. nitric oxide synthase or NADPH oxidase) with NADPH. This enzyme may also fuel Hofbauer cells with ribose 5-phosphate during their cell proliferation and cell division.
Cytoplasm↗
Usefulness of transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy in investigating infertile women with Chlamydia trachomatis infection.
BACKGROUND: A new technique called transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy (THL) was recently developed for the exploration of the tubo-ovarian structures in infertile patients without obvious pelvic pathology. This study was performed to investigate the usefulness of THL to evaluate Chlamydia trachomatis tubal infertility. METHODS: Forty-one women with primary and secondary infertility participated in this study. Fourteen had past C. trachomatis infection. In 38 (92.7%) of the 41, access to the pouch of Douglas was obtained. In total, 71 (93.4%) out of 76 adnexa were clearly visualized. Thirty-seven patients were analysed and compared their tubal passages and peritubal adhesions using both hysterosalpingography (HSG) and THL. Twenty-four tubes from 14 patients with past C. trachomatis infection and 44 tubes from 23 patients without a history of C. trachomatis infection were compared. RESULTS: For the diagnosis of the tubal passage, there were no significant differences in the discrepancy rates between HSG and THL, in patients with and without past C. trachomatis infection. In 14 (58.3%) of the 24 tubes from patients with past C. trachomatis infection and in eight (18.2%) of the 44 tubes from patients without infection, peritubal adhesion was diagnosed only by THL. There was a significant difference in the discrepancy rates of the diagnosis of peritubal adhesion between HSG and THL in the two groups (P = 0.0007 ). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that C. trachomatis infection is highly associated with peritubal adhesion which is difficult to diagnose by HSG. Therefore, in C. trachomatis antibody-positive patients, exclusion of tubal pathology by THL or standard laparoscopy should be carried out to consider appropriate treatments. Although THL is not a substitute for laparoscopy, it can be proposed as a first line procedure in the early stages of the infertility investigation.
Adult↗
NAD(P)H oxidase in human fetal membrane chorion laeve trophoblasts with or without chorioamnionitis: ultrastructural enzyme histochemical study.
We examined the subcellular localizations of NAD(P)H oxidase, a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-producing enzyme, in fetal membrane chorion laeve trophoblasts from preterm or term pregnant women with or without chorioamnionitis (CAM). Ultrastructural enzyme histochemistry for NAD(P)H oxidase was used. In fetal membranes without CAM, approximately one quarter of the chorion laeve trophoblasts (25.6%) showed NAD(P)H oxidase activity on their surface plasma membranes and microvillous membranes. In mild CAM, the proportion of these NAD(P)H oxidase-positive cells significantly increased, reaching about half (51.0%). Enzyme activity appeared on the plasma and microvillous membranes and also on both phagosomal membranes and intracellular vesico-tubular structures. Appearance of NAD(P)H oxidase on surface plasma membranes, phagosomal membranes, and vesico-tubular structures is strong cytochemical evidence of phagocytic cell activation. These observations indicate that chorion laeve trophoblasts possess NAD(P)H oxidase activity, and therefore that fetal membranes themselves have ROS-generating capacity. Further, in fetal membrane inflammation, chorion laeve trophoblasts exhibited enzyme distribution characteristic of activated professional phagocytes. Similar to phagocytes infiltrating to the intrauterine environment, chorion laeve trophoblast NAD(P)H oxidase may play a role both in the defence of chorioamnion against infection and in the pathogenesis or pathophysiology of CAM-related preterm delivery.
Chorioamnionitis↗
Umbilical vein thrombosis as a possible cause of perinatal morbidity or mortality: report of two cases.
Significant occlusion of the lumen of the umbilical vein by thrombus was observed in 2 patients with unexplained intrauterine fetal death (IUFD)/fetal distress. Although a normal non-stress testing result was obtained 7 days prior to IUFD in one patient, IUFD was noted during regular antenatal care at 39 weeks of gestation; intrapartum abrupt onset of deceleration in fetal heart rate pattern was observed at 40 weeks of gestation, lasting 14 min until vacuum extractor-assisted delivery in the other patient. Umbilical vein thrombosis was considered contributory to IUFD and the abrupt deterioration in fetal heart rate pattern in these 2 patients. Histological examination of the umbilical cord is thus important in unexplained fetal death/fetal distress.
Adult↗
Liver dysfunction in late pregnancy: cytomegalovirus-induced hepatitis or the HELLP syndrome?
A 27-year-old primiparous preeclamptic woman developed a skin rash in late pregnancy and was persistently febrile for 10 days after giving birth. Blood tests suggested that she developed the HELLP syndrome and had concomitant cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Hemolysis, slightly impaired liver function, and thrombocytopenia were explainable by either only the CMV infection or only the HELLP syndrome. A literature review of a limited number of such cases and our case suggests that laboratory data in patients with CMV infection can mimic those of the HELLP syndrome. Thus, it may be important to consider CMV infection as a possible cause of abnormal laboratory data similar to the HELLP syndrome.
Adult↗
Possible role of telomerase activation in the multistep tumor progression of periampullary lesions in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis.
OBJECTIVES: The role of telomerase in periampullary tumor progression in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) was investigated. METHODS: Relative telomerase activity was measured using a telomerease amplification protocol in periampullary biopsy specimens of normal mucosa and adenoma obtained from patients with FAP, and was compared with that of periampullary normal mucosa and cancer specimens from patients without FAP. RESULTS: None of normal mucosa from the non-FAP patients showed a telomerase ladder. Telomerase was positively detected in three of seven normal mucosa (42.9%) and in five of seven adenoma from FAP patients (62.5%). In papillary cancer from the non-FAP patients, seven of nine tissue specimens (77.8%) showed positive activity. When semiquantitatively analyzed, the relative telomerase activity increased in accordance with the progression of the diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Telomerase is activated even in normal mucosa of FAP patients, and the intensities of telomerase may reflect the malignant potential of periampullary neoplasms.
Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗
Effect of heparin on activated partial thromboplastin time in patients undergoing gynecologic or obstetric surgery.
The exaggerated prolongation of the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) by heparin prophylaxis for postoperative thromboembolism may cause bleeding complications. We examined the effects of various doses of unfractionated heparin on the APTT in patients who underwent a gynecologic or obstetric operation. A total of 68 patients who underwent a gynecologic operation (n = 47) or a cesarean section (n = 21) with risk factors for thromboembolism received a continuous intravenous infusion of unfractionated heparin (110-285 IU/kg/day) after surgery until the patient was mobilized the next day. A group of 61 postoperative patients who did not receive heparin served as controls. The APTT was measured in these 129 patients preoperatively and on postoperative day 1. A clinical deep vein thrombosis occurred in only 1 patient, who was in the control group. No bleeding complications occurred in any patient. The percent change in the APTT was significantly correlated with the dose of heparin administered (p < 0.001). Compared with the control group, the mean APTT was not prolonged in the patients who received heparin at 110-149 IU/kg/day. It was prolonged significantly in the patients who received heparin at greater than 150 IU/kg/day. An exaggerated prolongation of the APTT, defined as an APTT greater than 150% of the preoperative value, was found in 0 of 32 patients in the 110-149 IU/kg/day group, 1 of 28 patients (3.6%) in the 150-199 IU/kg/day group and 2 of 8 patients (25%) in the 200-285 IU/kg/day group. The continuous postoperative administration of intravenous heparin at less than 200 IU/kg/day does not result in an exaggerated prolongation of the APTT.
Adult↗