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Biomedical subjects

J Hirano

Publications and source records attributed to J Hirano.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Influence of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogues on serum levels of prostatic acid phosphatase and prostatic specific antigen in patients with metastatic carcinoma of the prostate.

Serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) and prostatic specific antigen (PSA) were measured in 16 patients with advanced prostatic cancer before and after treatment with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) analogue. An initial rise of serum LH and testosterone levels was observed on day 2 of the treatment. Subsequently, serum concentrations of PAP and PSA showed a transient increase on day 5 of the treatment. This indicates that LHRH analogues had better be given in combination with antiandrogens in patients with metastatic carcinoma of the prostate.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1998

[Study on surgical treatment for lung cancer associated with giant bullous disease].

Five patients of primary lung cancer with giant bullous disease underwent surgery from April 1985 to December 1995. All patients were male and heavy smokers, and the median age was 50 years. The location of the tumor was in the right upper lobe in four patients and in the left upper lobe in the other. Three patients were treated by lobectomy and two by sleeve lobectomy. Histological examination showed large cell carcinoma in four patients and poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma in the other. The pathological stage was I in three. IIIA in one, and IV in the other. Two of three in stage I have survived for more than 6 years postopertively without recurrence, and the other died of brain metastasis. The stage IIIA case and the IV case died 3 years and one year postoperatively, respectively. The clinical features of lung cancer associated with giant bullous disease was discussed by reviewing 33 patients reported in Japan, including our patients. In 13 patients, lung cancer and bullous disease were diagnosed simultaneously (group A), and in 20 patients, bullous disease were diagnosed prior to the appearance of an abnormal shadow due to lung cancer (group B). The patients in group B had a tendency to be diagnosed at an earlier stage of lung cancer than the patients in group A. In the patients of stage I, the 5-year survival rate was 78.6%, however, in the patients of more than stage IIIA, 3-year survival rate was 26.5% and the 5-year survival rate was 0%. Significant differences in the survival curves were demonstrated between the cases with stage I and the cases with more than stage IIIA. In conclusion, in order to improve the prognosis of lung cancer with giant bullous disease, it is considered to be important to detect giant bulla prior to lung cancer, and when a case of bullous disease is found, periodical follow-up must be done to find early stage lung cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1998

Myofibrillar protein catabolism is rapidly suppressed following protein feeding.

The immediate response of protein degradation to food intake and the factors for its regulation in rat skeletal muscle were examined. The concentration of N tau-methylhistidine (MeHis) in serum and the rates of MeHis release from isolated soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles were reduced in the period from 3 to 6 h after refeeding, indicating that the rate of myofibrillar protein degradation in the rat decreased immediately after refeeding. Changes in the serum concentration of insulin and corticosterone were not synchronized with those in the myofibrillar protein degradation. When rats were fed on a protein-free diet, no reduction of serum MeHis concentration or of the rate of MeHis release from isolated muscles after refeeding was apparent. Furthermore, there was a tendency toward suppressing myofibrillar protein degradation with a higher protein content of the diet. These results suggest that the suppression of myofibrillar protein degradation by food intake was regulated by dietary proteins.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Dopamine receptor subtypes expressed in vertebrate (carp and eel) retinae: cloning, sequencing and comparison of five D1-like and three D2-like receptors.

Eight dopamine receptor-like cDNA clones were isolated from the carp (Cyprinus carpio) retina and four dopamine receptor-like cDNA clones were isolated from the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) retina. These cDNA clones show high sequence and structural homology to the known dopamine receptor subtypes. The sequence similarity and phylogenetic analysis revealed that five subtypes (D1A3, D1A4, D1B, D1C and D1X) in the carp retina and four subtypes (D1A1, D1A2, D1B and D1C) in the eel retina are D1-like receptor subtypes, and three (D2, D4A and D4B) in the carp retina are D2-like receptor subtypes; no D2-like receptor was found in the eel. Carp D1A3 and D1A4, carp D4A and D4B, and eel D1A1 and D1A2 are highly homologous pairs of receptors which show significant, domain-specific differences to each other and to their species homologues. The structure of the third cytoplasmic loop in the carp D1X receptor was particularly different from the other D1-like receptors. The implications of these structural differences in terms of dopamine receptor activation and signalling are discussed. It is suggested that the known diverse physiological and pharmacological effects of dopamine on the retinal neurones are likely to be mediated through these multiple receptor subtypes which may be coupled to different signal transduction pathways.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Genetic variation of the european eel (Anguilla anguilla)

The genetic population structure of the European eel Anguilla anguilla L. was investigated by sequencing the mitochondrial D-loop region of 55 eels caught at different European locations. In total, 51 haplotypes were identified. Pairwise genetic distances ranged from 0% to 6.33% with an average value +/- SD of 3.01% +/- 1.18%, indicating little DNA differentiation among the European eel population. None of the node bifurcations of the neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree was strongly supported, suggesting that all European eels derive from a common genetic pool. The same result was obtained by a statistical test that confirmed the absence of geographic subdivision in the genotypes of the European eel population. The reported genetic homogeneity of the European eel is discussed in relation to different hypothetical life history scenarios.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Neurobiology of retinal dopamine in relation to degenerative states of the tissue.

Neurobiology of retinal dopamine is reviewed and discussed in relation to degenerative states of the tissue. The Introduction deals with the basic physiological actions of dopamine on the different neurons in vertebrate retinae with an emphasis upon mammals. The intimate relationship between the dopamine and melatonin systems is also covered. Recent advances in the molecular biology of dopamine receptors is reviewed in some detail. As degenerative states of the retina, three examples are highlighted: Parkinson's disease; ageing; and retinal dystrophy (retinitis pigmentosa). As visual functions controlled, at least in part, by dopamine, absolute sensitivity, spatial contrast sensitivity, temporal (including flicker) sensitivity and colour vision are reviewed. Possible cellular and synaptic bases of the visual dysfunctions observed during retinal degenerations are discussed in relation to dopaminergic control. It is concluded that impairment of the dopamine system during retinal degenerations could give rise to many of the visual abnormalities observed. In particular, the involvement of dopamine in controlling the coupling of horizontal and amacrine cell lateral systems appears to be central to the visual defects seen.

Aging↗
PubMed1997

Identification and localization of an immunoreactive AMPA-type glutamate receptor subunit (GluR4) with respect to identified photoreceptor synapses in the outer plexiform layer of goldfish retina.

L-glutamate, the main excitatory synaptic transmitter in the retina, is released from photoreceptors and evokes responses in second-order retinal neurons (horizontal, bipolar cells) which utilize both ionotropic and metabotropic types of glutamate receptors. In the present study, to elucidate the functional roles of glutamate receptors in synaptic transmission, we have identified a specific ionotropic receptor subunit (GluR4) and determined its localization with respect to photoreceptor cells in the outer plexiform layer of the goldfish retina by light and pre-embedding electron-microscopical immunocytochemistry. We screened antisera to mammalian AMPA (alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate)-preferring ionotropic glutamate receptors (GluR 1-4) of goldfish retina by light- and electron-microscopical immunocytochemistry. Only immunoreactive (IR) GluR4 was found in discrete clusters in the outer plexiform layer. The cones contacted in this manner were identified as long-wavelength ("red") and intermediate-wavelength ("green") cones, which were strongly immunoreactive to monoclonal antibody FRet 43 and antisera to goldfish red and green-cone opsins; and short-wavelength ("blue") cones, which were weakly immunoreactive to FRet 43 but strongly immunoreactive with antiserum to blue-cone opsin. Immunoblots of goldfish retinal homogenate with anti-GluR4 revealed a single protein at M(r) = 110 kDa. Preadsorption of GluR4 antiserum with either the immunizing rat peptide, or its goldfish homolog, reduced or abolished staining in retinal sections and blots. Therefore, we have detected and localized genuine goldfish GluR4 in the outer plexiform layer of the goldfish retina. We characterized contacts between photoreceptor cells and GluR4-IR second-order neurons in the electron microscope. IR-GluR4 was localized to invaginating central dendrites of triads in ribbon synapses of red cones, semi-invaginating dendrites in other cones and rods, and dendrites making wide-cleft basal junctions in rods and cones; the GluR4-IR structures are best identified as dendrites of OFF-bipolar cells. The results of our studies indicate that in goldfish retina GluR4-expressing neurons are postsynaptic to all types of photoreceptors and that transmission from photoreceptors to OFF-bipolars is mediated at least in part by AMPA-sensitive receptors containing GluR4 subunits.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Absorbance spectra and molecular structure of the blue-sensitive rod visual pigment in the conger eel (Conger conger).

The conger eel (Conger conger) is a nocturnal fish that can be found living in shallow coastal water and deep water down to 1000 m. The conger eel has a pure rod retina with a visual pigment maximally sensitive to blue light around 487 nm. We have cloned and sequenced the opsin cDNA which is presumed to code for this visual pigment and have found it to be highly homologous to the form of opsin that is expressed in mature, deep-living European eels (Anguilla anguilla). The opsin sequence information presented here provides additional evidence that specific amino acid sites are involved in the spectral tuning of this class of blue-sensitive visual pigments.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Effects of thimerosal, an organic sulfhydryl modifying agent, on serotonin transport activity into rabbit blood platelets.

The effects of the sulfhydryl group inhibitor thimerosal on serotonin (5-HT) transport activity into rabbit blood platelets were investigated, along with its effects on the intracellular concentration of Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i). 3H-5-HT transport activity into rabbit blood platelets was inhibited by treatment with 10(-5) M thimerosal for 30 min, which did not cause 5-HT release from platelets. The thimerosal-induced inhibition of 5-HT transport was antagonized by dithiotheritol. It was suggested that the thimerosal acts as a sulfhydryl inhibitor and inhibits 5-HT transport activity independently of the 5-HT release reaction in our experiment using rabbit blood platelets. As aspirin did not affect thimerosal-induced 5-HT transport inhibition, it was suggested that the thromboxane A2-generating system does not operate in the effect of thimerosal on 5-HT transport into blood platelets. Furthermore, thimerosal induced a transient elevation of [Ca2+]i, which was followed by a sustained increase. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, thimerosal caused only a transient increase in [Ca2+]i. It was suggested that the elevation of [Ca2+]i consisted of two phases, e.g. a transient phase induced by Ca2+ mobilization from the intracellular store sites and a sustained phase which might be explained by Ca2+ influx from the extracellular environment. In conclusion, thimerosal inhibited 5-HT transport into blood platelets at a concentration which did not induce 5-HT release, and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization might mediate the inhibitory effect of thimerosal on 5-HT transport.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Chemoembolization of head and neck cancer with carboplatine microcapsules.

Fourteen patients with malignant tumor in the head and neck region were treated with infusion of carboplatine microcapsules (CBDCA-mc) via percutaneous super-selective catheterization. A microcatheter was advanced into a feeding artery using a coaxial catheter system. Eleven patients had over 30% reduction of the tumor size on CT within 1 month after embolization. Twelve patients had an increased amount of low attenuation tissue in the tumor on CT after embolization, suggesting increased necrosis in the tumor. No definite hematologic toxicity was found. A majority of patients complained of moderate pain in the embolized region immediately after embolization, easily relieved by i.v. analgesics. Chemoembolization using CBDCA-mc may be an effective therapeutic modality in advanced cases of head and neck cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

[Intravascular invasion of a thymoma from the thymic vein to the right atrium--a case report].

A 43-year-old woman with a complaint of facial swelling was admitted to our hospital. A chest roentgenogram revealed a mass in the mediastinum. Chest CT and MRI demonstrated a mass in the anterior mediastinum protruding into the superior vena cava (SVC) and right atrium. A diagnosis of thymoma was made by needle biopsy. The patient underwent surgery without preoperative treatment. The tumor extended across the capsule of hte thymic gland and a polypoid growth of tumor reached the right atrium through the lumen of the thymic and left brachiocephalic veins and the SVC. No direct infiltration into the SVC or pericardial cavity was observed. Under cardiopulmonary bypass, the tumor was resected with the left brachiocephalic vein, SVC, and the upper third of the right atrium. The SVC was reconstructed using an EPTFE graft. Histopathologic examination demonstrated a predominantly epithelial cell thymoma. Adjuvant chemotherapy was performed, and no recurrence has been recognized for 3 years postoperatively.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Localization of transglutaminase 1 mRNA in normal and psoriatic epidermis by non-radioactive in situ hybridization.

We examined the expression of the transglutaminase 1 (TGase 1) gene in frozen sections of normal and psoriatic epidermis by means of non-radioactive in situ hybridization with digoxigenin-labelled cRNA probes. TGase 1 mRNA was expressed in the granular layer of normal epidermis, regardless of ortho- or hyperkeratosis. However, in psoriatic epidermis, TGase 1 mRNA was detected in the suprabasal spinous layer, but not in the subcorneal layer. These results indicate that TGase 1 gene expression is limited to the last stage of keratinization in normal epidermis and this regulation is disturbed in psoriasis.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Cloning and characterization of K562 cells on hemoglobin synthetic activity.

Two clones of the K562 human leukemic cell line were isolated according to hemoglobin (Hb) expression. One clone was expressed less than 5% (K562-L) and the other more than 90% (K562-H). The two clones did not exhibit any difference in cell growth or cell cycle. However, the Hb expression of K562-H cells was reduced by succinylacetone (S.A.). The above results suggested that the difference in the Hb production of K562-L and K562-H cells depended on the heme synthetic activity. On the other hand, glycophorin A was expressed to a greater extent on K562-L cells than on K562-H cells. These findings suggested that heme synthesis and the expression of glycophorin A on K562 cells were not always related. The CD11b and the CD61 were also expressed to a greater extent on K562-L cells than on K562-H cells, but the CD34 was not expressed on these cells.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1992

Structure of the gene for human transglutaminase 1.

Transglutaminase 1 (TG1) is an enzyme that is expressed and activated during terminal differentiation of keratinocytes and synthesizes cornified envelope by a cross-linking reaction. The gene encoding human TG1 was isolated from human genomic DNA and characterized. It spans 14.3 kilobase pairs and is composed of 15 exons. All exon-intron junctional sequences conformed to the canonical GT-AG rule. The translation start was located in the second exon. The active site Cys residue of the enzyme was in exon 7. The coding sequence for human TG1 was comprised of 2454 nucleotides identical with the published human TG1-cDNA sequence (Yamanishi, K., Liew, F.-M., Konishi, K., Yasuno, H., Doi, H., Hirano, J., and Fukushima, S. (1991) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 175, 906-913). The sizes of exons from 3 to 14 were markedly conserved between the genes for the human TG1 and factor XIIIa, another member of the transglutaminase family. The one major and two minor transcription initiation sites of the TG1 gene were determined by primer extension. The 5'-flanking region of the human TG1 gene showed features of a housekeeping gene and contained potential regulatory motifs, including elements found in keratinocyte-related genes. The chromosome sublocalization of the TG1 gene was assigned to 14q11.2.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Anticancer effects of free polyunsaturated fatty acids in an oily lymphographic agent following intrahepatic arterial administration to a rabbit bearing VX-2 tumor.

The anti-hepatic cancer effects of three free polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic, alpha-linolenic, and gamma-linolenic acids) dissolved in an oily lymphographic agent, Lipiodol Ultra-Fluid (Lipiodol), following intrahepatic arterial administration were examined using a rabbit liver cancer model, VX-2. The tumor was inoculated into the subcapsular parenchyma of the liver of rabbits, and Lipiodol alone or Lipiodol containing each one of the free fatty acids was administered into the hepatic artery 14 days after inoculation. The rabbits were sacrificed 7 days after administration. Lipiodol containing one of the fatty acids selectively remained in the tumor area. Although VX-2 tumor grew extensively in both the untreated group and the group that received Lipiodol alone, growth of VX-2 tumor was greatly suppressed in the group that received Lipiodol containing the free fatty acid. Pathological observation also showed that Lipiodol containing the free fatty acid had an anticancer effect on VX-2 tumor growing in the liver of rabbits. Average survival days in the group treated with Lipiodol containing gamma-linolenic acid were significantly prolonged compared with those in the control groups. Although growth rates of the tumor at the death of rabbits were large in the control groups, VX-2 tumor shrank at death of five rabbits of six in the group treated with Lipiodol containing gamma-linolenic acid. These results suggest that the intrahepatic arterial administration of Lipiodol containing the free fatty acids is an effective method of delivery of these fatty acids as anticancer agents.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Crossed ectopia of left vas deferens, leaving ipsilateral seminal vesicle in normal position.

A 19-year-old man with crossed ectopia of the vas deferens was investigated with special reference to right hydronephrosis and renal dysfunction. There was no vesicoureteral reflux. The left kidney was hypoplastic or dysplastic and the left ureter emptied into the left seminal vesicle. The right malrotated hydronephrotic kidney was in the lumbar position. The right lower ureter communicated with either the right seminal vesicle or the ampullary portion of the left vas deferens and drained into the bladder at the normal site. The end of the right vas deferens was dilated. The left vas deferens crossed the midline and opened into the right seminal vesicle, leaving the ipsilateral seminal vesicle in the normal position. A search of the literature failed to reveal any similar anomalies.

Adult↗