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K Abe

Publications and source records attributed to K Abe.

At least 775 records · Page 43Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Acellular calcified columns in the normal growth plate of mouse vertebrae.

The present study aims to demonstrate the calcified columnar structures of the growth plate of mouse vertebrae and to show their age related changes. For light microscopy, paraffin sections of decalcified lumbar spines were stained with hematoxylin-eosin or toluidine blue; methacrylate sections of undecalcified specimens were stained to detect calcium precipitate. For scanning electron microscopy, lumbar spines treated with 5% NaClO solution were dehydrated by acetone and metal-coated. Light microscopy of hematoxylin-eosin stained sections revealed that the acellular columnar structures appeared between the chondrocyte stacks in the growth plate. These structures were stained more densely by toluidine blue. The methacrylate-embedded sections for calcium staining showed calcium deposition in the columns. Scanning electron microscopy of NaClO-treated specimens enabled the direct observation of the columns on both the epiphyseal and diaphyseal bone surfaces facing the cartilaginous growth plate. Numerous projections on each surface were distributed in mirror images ; the corresponding projections were similar in size and shape, indicating that the projections bonded with each other and formed calcified columns in the cartilaginous growth plate. Longitudinal sections of the spine confirmed these findings. The calcified columns first appeared about 2 or 3 weeks of age and increased in number with time. While increasing in number, they also grew in size fusing with the neighboring ones. The proportional area of the columns occupying the surface facing the growth plate also increased with age. These findings indicate that the calcified column ultimately concerns the cessation of the bone growth.

Aging↗
PubMed1998

Elastic properties of living fibroblasts as imaged using force modulation mode in atomic force microscopy.

Using the force modulation mode in atomic force microscopy, we measured elastic properties of living mouse fibroblasts (NIH3T3) in a culture medium. The topographic images of the cellular surface and the corresponding elastic images of the cellular surface were able to be captured simultaneously with high spatial resolution. The consecutive images were useful for examining time-dependent changes in the cellular surface. We observed that some cells continued to shrink and change their softness for 2 hours. Then the force modulation mode in atomic force microscopy shows potential use in analyzing time-dependent regional elastic properties of living cells with high spatial resolution.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1998

Induction of apoptosis in ischemia-reperfusion model of mouse kidney: possible involvement of Fas.

Although ischemia-reperfusion of mouse kidney is known to cause severe renal failure due to tubular cell death, the exact cellular mechanism responsible for this phenomenon is not clear. To investigate the spatial and temporal development of renal cell death and the role of Fas/APO-1/CD95 (Fas) in this process, the left renal vessels were occluded in a group of mice for 30, 60, or 120 min followed by reperfusion for 24 h (n = 4 for each group). Analysis of the isolated DNA in agarose-gel electrophoresis revealed a typical ladder pattern of bands consisting of multiples of 180 to 200 bp, considered the hallmark of apoptosis. The intensity of the bands increased proportionately with the duration of ischemia. Histochemical analysis using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling showed the presence of nuclei with DNA double-strand breaks specifically in distal renal tubules of the outer medulla. The presence of apoptosis was also confirmed by electron microscopy. Analysis of total RNA by Northern blotting revealed one appropriate-sized band for Fas mRNA in the normal kidney, which intensified in the ischemia-reperfused kidney. Moreover, nonradioactive in situ hybridization revealed that distal renal tubular epithelial cells were positive for Fas mRNA in the outer medulla. Fas antigen was also localized to the renal tubular epithelial cells of the outer medulla by immunohistochemistry. The number of apoptotic cells in the ischemia-reperfusion kidney of the lpr/lpr mouse was low. These findings strongly indicate that ischemia-reperfusion of the kidney induces apoptosis of a specific area of tubular epithelial cells in the outer medulla through the Fas system.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance and magnetization transfer imaging in the assessment of ischemic human stroke.

We compared characteristic features in ischemic stroke lesions from the hyperacute to the chronic stage on diffusion-weighted (DW) and magnetization transfer (MT) images with those on T2-weighted (T2W) images, and assessed changes in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), MT effect (MTe), and T2 ratios (infarct/normal) over time. DW images were particularly useful for detecting hyperacute infarcts within 6 hours of onset and in distinguishing acute lesions from chronic lesions. ADC ratios were lower within 7 days after onset and rose toward 1.0 in the subacute phase, becoming relatively isotense on ADC maps, but elevated thereafter. Although MTe ratios were unchanged or only subtly changed in the acute stage, they became significantly lower in the subacute and chronic stages. These combined magnetic resonance (MR) techniques were useful in the assessment of ischemic stroke and facilitated the determination of the age of cerebral infarct.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

[Prefectural health administration's view on otorhinolaryngological care in medical rural areas].

In a previous study, we investigated otorhinolaryngological care by the general practitioners in medical rural areas and demonstrated that a close relationship between general practitioners and otorhinolaryngologists was necessary. In the present study, a survey of prefectural health administration's views on otorhinolaryngological care in medical rural areas was performed. A questionnaire for otorhinolaryngological care in medical rural areas was sent to the divisions of health administration in the 47 prefectures of Japan. Of these prefectures, 46 (97.9%) responded. About 80% of respondents have medical rural areas, and the otorhinolaryngological care is inadequate in most areas. General practitioners of internal medicine or surgery are primarily demanded in about 75% of the prefectures. Otorhinolaryngological care in medical rural areas has never been considered in most prefectures. Because the need for otorhinolaryngological medical care will increase, prefectural health administrations need to pay more attention to otorhinolaryngological care in medical rural areas, and a close relationship between general practitioners, otorhinolaryngologists, and the administration should be established.

Community Health Services↗
PubMed1998

[Study on the relationship between tumour necrosis factor gene polymorphism and prognosis in the patients with renal cell carcinoma].

BACKGROUND: Clinical significance of polymorphism of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) genes encoded on the short arm of the 6th chromosome in the patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has not been evaluated well so far. We studied on the TNF genes polymorphism of RCC focusing on the relationship between the genetic polymorphism and the prognosis. METHODS: The subjects were seventy-three patients with RCC treated at our hospitals during the past 20 years. The genomic DNA was examined by the methods of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) from frozen peripheral blood of these patients. The items examined were the genetic polymorphisms of TNF-alpha (alpha 1, alpha 2) and TNF-beta (beta 1, beta 2), and we tried to study on the prognostic outcome of RCC based upon each zygote of TNF. RESULTS: 1) The proportion of TNF-alpha and TNF-beta polymorphisms: We observed TNF-alpha 1/1 homozygote in 71 patients (97.3%). As to TNF-beta polymorphism, we observed TNF-beta 2/2 homozygote in 33 patients (45.2%), TNF-beta 1/2 heterozygote in 31 (42.5%) and TNF-beta 1/1 homozygote in 9 (12.3%). The proportion of TNF-beta polymorphism was almost the same as that of healthy Japanese. 2) PROGNOSIS: Regarding the 17-year survival, all patients with TNF-beta 1/1 homozygote were alive, and we observed a significantly favourable prognosis in the patients with TNF-beta 1/1 homozygote compared with other zygotes of TNF-beta polymorphism. The reasons for these favourable prognosis were thought that the patients with TNF-beta 1/1 homozygote showed much lower stage and/or grade than those of other zygotes. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the TNF-beta gene polymorphism is a useful marker for understanding the prognosis of RCC and a part of cellular immunity related to the tumour and its host.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Study on the clinical characteristics of double cancers associated with renal cell carcinoma].

BACKGROUND: Clinical Features of double cancers associated with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) detected at the clinical course, especially focusing on the comparative analysis between the male and female patients, were unknown. From this background, we tried to search for clinical characteristics of double cancers associated with RCC. PATIENTS: The eight hundred and four patients with RCC have been treated at our University Hospitals and affiliated hospitals, and of them, the 38 patients (male in 25, female in 13) had double cancers during the clinical course, and these patients were objective in our study. RESULTS: 1) When we looked at all patients, there observed gastric cancer most frequently in 14 (36.8%), lung cancer in 3 (7.9%), prostate cancer in 3, bladder cancer in 3, uterine cancer in 3, rectal cancer in 2 (5.3%), thyroid cancer in 2, and pharynx, esophagus, T-cell lymphoma, chronic lymphatic leukaemia (CLL), renal pelvis, sigmoid colon, brain and colon cancers in 1 (2.6%) respectively. 2) As to the male patients, there observed 10 gastric cancers, of them, 2 died of this disease (20%), 3 lung cancers, of them, 2 died of this disease (66.7%), 3 prostate cancers, of them, 2 died of this disease (66.7%), 3 bladder cancers, of them, 1 died of this disease (33.3%), and 1 cancer patient with pharynx died of this disease, esophagus, T-cell lymphoma, CLL, renal pelvis and sigmoid colon died of this disease. Regarding the female patients, there observed 4 gastric cancers, all of them died of this disease, 3 uterine cancers, all of them died of this disease, 2 rectum cancers, all of them died of this disease, 2 thyroid cancers, of them, 1 died of this disease, 1 brain cancer and 1 rectal cancer. Furthermore, as to the timing at the detection of double cancers during the clinical course, the 10 patients (40%) detected double cancers simultaneously in male patients. On the other hand, no patient with double cancers was detected simultaneously in female patients. CONCLUSION: The gastric cancer is most frequently observed as double cancer in both of male and female patients with RCC. But, in the female patients, it shows more frequently died of double cancers associated with RCC compared with those in male. Furthermore, as to the timing at the detection of double cancer is asynchronous in all female patients with RCC.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Study on the combined therapy of DNA-methyltransferase inhibitor and interferon-alpha/beta for mouse spontaneously arose renal cell carcinoma, and immunological mechanism induced by the therapy].

BACKGROUND: In order to change the immunological environment of T-helper2 (Th2) predominance, namely humoural immunity, in renal cell carcinoma, we tried to examine the efficacy of combined treatment with DNA-methyltransferase inhibitor (Procainamide) and interferon (IFN)-alpha/beta in basic experiments, and also examined the immunological mechanism induced by this treatment modality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The monotherapy of Procainamide (10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, everyday for 3 weeks, i.p.) and of natural murine IFN-alpha/beta (1 x 10(4) I.U./mouse, 3 times for a week, total 9 times, s.c.), and combined treatment with these 2 drugs for mouse spontaneously arose renal cell carcinoma (RC-2) were undertaken. Furthermore, we examined the expression of cytokine mRNA related to the Th-subset in murine spleen under the tumour burden by the RT-PCR methods. RESULTS: 1) Regarding the anti-tumour efficacy of two kinds of monotherapy (Procainamide and IFN-alpha/beta), no effective result was obtained. On the other hand, the combined treatment with these two drugs induced effective anti-tumour efficacy in the relative mean tumour weight ratio (TRW/CRW), mean tumour weight and the survival rate compared with the control and each monotherapy, especially in the administration of Procainamide dosed at 30 mg/kg. As to the histological degeneration induced by the combined therapy, there still remained the viable tumour cells (grade IIb). 2) In an effort to analyse the immunological changes induced by the administration of Procainamide, there observed the expression of Th1-derived cytokines mRNA such as IFN-gamma, IL-2 and tumour necrosis factor-beta, and except for interleukin (IL)-10, there also observed the disappearance of Th2-derived cytokines mRNA such as IL-4, IL-5 and IL-6 in the murine spleen. CONCLUSION: We draw the conclusion that the treatment with DNA-methyltransferase inhibitor may change the humoural immunological environment into the cellular immunological environment enabling the effective anti-tumour efficacy combined with IFN-alpha/beta in renal cell carcinoma.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Atrophy and magnetization transfer ratio of the corpus callosum in patients with Alzheimer's disease].

We compared atrophy and magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) in the corpus callosum in patients with Alzheimer's disease and age-matched normal subjects. Fifteen patients with Alzheimer's disease and fourteen normal subjects received MRI. The corpus callosum was divided into three parts (anterior, middle, and posterior portions) on midsagittal slice, and their areas on T2-weighted reversed images and MTR on magnetization transfer contrast images in each portion were measured. The area and MTR decreased significantly in the posterior portion in patients with Alzheimer's disease. In the anterior portion, MTR decreased significantly, but although the area showed no significant change. In the middle portion, the area and MTR showed no significant change. MTR and the area was correlated in each portion in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The score of Hasegawa dementia scale-revised (HDS-R) and the area of the middle, posterior and total of corpus callosum were significantly related. The score of HDS-R and MTR in the anterior portion of corpus callosum were significantly related. The present study revealed decreases in MTR in the anterior portion of the corpus callosum of patients with Alzheimer's disease although the area showed no significant change, and this change suggests the increase in free water and/or the decrease in bound water in tissues, probably due to demyelination and axonal degeneration.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Activation of coagulation and angiogenesis in cancer: immunohistochemical localization in situ of clotting proteins and vascular endothelial growth factor in human cancer.

Thrombin-catalyzed, cross-linked fibrin (XLF) formation is a characteristic histopathological finding in many human and experimental tumors and is thought to be of importance in the local host defense response. Although the pathogenesis of tumor-associated fibrin deposition is not entirely clear, several tumor procoagulants have been described as likely primary stimuli for the generation of thrombin (and XLF) in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In a previous study of a variety of human tumors we have shown that tissue factor (TF) is the major procoagulant. However, the relative contribution to fibrin deposition in the TME of tumor cell TF and host cell TF (eg, macrophage-derived) was not established. In addition, recent evidence has implicated TF in the regulation of the synthesis of the pro-angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by tumor cells. In the current study we used in situ techniques to determine the cellular localization of XLF, TF, VEGF, and an alternative tumor procoagulant, so-called cancer procoagulant (CP), a cysteine protease that activates clotting factor X. In lung cancer we have found XLF localized predominantly to the surface of tumor-associated macrophages, as well as to some endothelial cells and perivascular fibroblasts in the stromal area of the tumors co-distributed with TF at the interface of the tumor and host cells. Cancer pro-coagulant was localized to tumor cells in several cases but not in conjunction with the deposition of XLF. TF and VEGF were co-localized in both lung cancer and breast cancer cells by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining. Furthermore, a strong relationship was found between the synthesis of TF and VEGF levels in human breast cancer cell lines (r2 = 0.84; P < 0.0001). Taken together, these data are consistent with a highly complex interaction between tumor cells, macrophages, and endothelial cells in the TME leading to fibrin formation and tumor angiogenesis.

Blood Coagulation↗
PubMed1998

Middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity during laparoscopic surgery in head-down position.

Laparoscopic surgery using intraperitoneal CO2 insufflation has become popular in many fields of surgical procedures. In this study, the authors examined the effects of intraperitoneal CO2 insufflation on the middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity (MCABFV) of patients in the head-down position. Fourteen patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery in the head-down position were studied. The MCABFV was measured at the following times: before CO2 insufflation and 15, 30, and 45 min after insufflation. The MCABFV increased significantly (61.4 +/- 14.5, 71.1 +/- 25.5, and 67.2 +/- 18.9 cm/s at 15, 30, and 45 min after insufflation, respectively) as compared with control (49.8 +/- 13.5 cm/s) following the CO2 insufflation. A positive correlation was observed between blood flow velocity and PaCO2 (y = 1.718 + 2.102x; r = 0.669). Our results suggest that the cerebral BFV is increased by intraperitoneal CO2 insufflation during laparoscopic surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[High-resolution CT findings in cytomegalovirus pneumonitis after bone marrow transplantation].

In order to explore the high-resolution CT (HRCT) findings of cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonitis after bone marrow transplantation, we retrospectively reviewed the HRCT findings in nine patients with CMV pneumonitis cytologically proven by bronchoalveolar lavege. In 67% of cases, HRCT showed ground-glass attenuation. Consolidation and bronchial wall thickening were demonstrated in 33%, pleural effusion in 22%, and micro centrilobular nodules, bronchiectasis, and reticulation in 11%, respectively. Lymphadenopathy and masses were not seen. The areas of ground-glass attenuation were distributed bilaterally in all cases, diffusely in 67%, centrilobularly in 50%, and panlobularly in 50%. Subpleural lung regions were spared in 83%. The areas of consolidation were bilateral in 67%, nonsegmental in 67%, and involved the lower lobe in all cases. A total of 25 follow-up HRCT were performed in six patients. Small centrilobular ground-glass opacities disappeared after treatment in one patient. Micro centrilobular nodules vanished after treatment in one patient. Small centrilobular ground-glass opacities developed into consolidation and resolved after treatment in one patient. In one patient, diffuse ground-glass opacities progressed to consolidation, and the patient died due to respiratory failure. No abnormal findings were observed in two patients. It may be considered that in the early phase of CMV pneumonitis HRCT shows small or micro centrilobular ground-glass opacities and nodules and that in the advanced phase these lesions progress to dense alveolar opacities as CMV infection advances, although a variety of HRCT appearances is observed in the course of CMV pneumonitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Niceritrol decreases serum phosphate levels in chronic hemodialysis patients].

Since phosphorus retention in hemodialysis (HD) patients is known to be an important factor in the development of secondary hyperparathyroidism and renal osteodystrophy, phosphate binders have been needed for the control of serum phosphate levels (P). However, the calcium-containing phosphate binders that have been used widely can cause a rise in serum calcium levels and cause secondary hypoparathyroidism. We have recently experienced decreases in P after the administration of niceritrol (NT), a prodrug of nicotinic acid, for the treatment of low HDL-cholesteremia (HDL-C) in HD patients. The aim of the present study was to assess the mechanism of the P-lowering effect of NT in comparison with nicomol (NC), another prodrug of nicotinic acid. NT (750 mg/day) or NC (600 mg/day) was given orally to 10 or 14HD patients respectively. Blood samples were collected before the first dialysis of each week for the determination of serum urea nitrogen (UN), Cr, Ca, P, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and HDL-C. Serum nicotinic acid concentration (NAC) by gas chromatograph mass-spectrometry method was determined before, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after the administration of these drugs. After NT administration, P was decreased from 6.2 +/- 0.4 mg/dl to 5.1 +/- 0.4 mg/dl (1st week, p < 0.001, Mean +/- SE) and 4.5 +/- 0.3 mg/dl (2nd weeks, p < 0.001) with no change in UN, Cr or Ca levels; these significant decreases in P lasted for 8 weeks. NAC increased significantly after NT administration from 25.5 +/- 1.3 ng/ml to 549.8 +/- 102.2 ng/ml (4 weeks, p < 0.01) and 431.7 +/- 51.4 ng/ml (8 weeks, p < 0.01). HDL-C also increased (33.6 +/- 4.0 mg/dl vs 42.7 +/- 4.6 mg/dl, p < 0.05), but TC and TG did not change. In contrast, no significant changes were observed in P, NAC and HDL-C after NC administration. These discrepancies could be ascribed to the differences in serum NAC levels. These data suggest that NT could be useful for the control of P in HD patients. However further studies are needed to confirm the mechanism of the P-lowering effect of NT.

Anticholesteremic Agents↗
PubMed1998

[Placing two parallel catheters by Seldinger's approach through the femoral artery for CT angiography and CT during arterioportography: evaluation of efficacy and safety].

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of placing two parallel catheters by Seldinger's approach through the femoral artery for CT angiography (CTA) and CT during arterioportography (CTAP). We performed an analysis of 30 patients. Two introducers were successfully placed in all cases. Only one minor complication was observed, a localized inguinal hematoma. The CTA/CTAP procedures were successful in all patients except six who had anatomical variations of the hepatic arterial supply. Our methods proved to be useful and safe for patients with standard hepatic arterial supply.

Angiography↗
PubMed1998

[Two elderly patients with thoracic herpetic pain and post herpetic neuralgia treated with continuous thoracic sympathetic ganglion block through a placed catheter].

Epidural block is very useful in the treatment of herpetic pain and post herpetic neuralgia. However, in the elderly patients with cardiac disease or diabetes mellitus, severe cardiovascular changes may occur by epidural block. Epidural block caused severe hypotension in two elderly patients with herpetic pain and post herpetic neuralgia who had diabetes mellitus or hypertension. Continuous thoracic sympathetic ganglion block with local anesthetics through a placed catheter reduced their pain and caused almost no changes in cardiovascular system.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

[Acquired pure red cell aplasia associated with relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a case report-improvement of PRCA after acute hepatitis].

A 47-year-old male patient was admitted because of anemia. He had been diagnosed as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (Follicular mixed, B cell type, stage ISA) by splenectomy two years before. Bone marrow examination on admission revealed lymphoma cell infiltration and marked decrease in erythroid cells. These findings confirmed relapsed lymphoma with acquired pure red cell aplasia. After several courses of combination chemotherapy, lymphoma cells disappeared from bone marrow, but PRCA was not improved. In this case there were two times remission of PRCA. At first time, acute B type hepatitis occurred during the chemotherapy, anemia improved transiently. At the second time, mild acute hepatitis associated with herpes zoster occurred. Twenty days after hepatic injury, PRCA was improved, and continued in remission state till present day. To disclose the mechanism of PRCA in this case, erythroid colony assay of marrow cells was performed. This showed the presence of inhibitory factor in patient's serum at PRCA state, that was considered to be related to the occurrence of PRCA. These findings suggest that the improvement of PRCA was associated with the changes on immunological condition after acute hepatitis in this case.

Acute Disease↗