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Biomedical subjects

K Aoyagi

Publications and source records attributed to K Aoyagi.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Intestinal lymphangiectasia: value of double-contrast radiographic study.

Intestinal lymphangiectasia is a disorder presenting as enteric protein loss through the dilated lymphatics without mucosal ulceration. To determine the double-contrast radiographic features and to assess the significance of them, five patients with intestinal lymphangiectasia were examined using single- and double-contrast small intestinal studies. The double-contrast examinations demonstrated clearly the main radiographic findings of smooth nodular protrusions, thickening of the mucosal folds, with no evidence of mucosal ulceration. Compared with the single-contrast study, smooth nodular protrusions were seen more often and in more widespread segments, particularly in the duodenum, on double-contrast study. Thickening of the mucosal folds was revealed similarly by both methods. Double-contrast study appears to be worthwhile to demonstrate the characteristic radiographic findings of this disease.

Adolescent↗

A new tumor marker for bladder cancer.

Biochemical assay and immunohistochemical staining of neutral endopeptidase were performed on bladder cancer cells. In superficial bladder cancer the enzyme activity and immunohistochemical intensity of staining were high, while invasive bladder cancer showed only a low level of activity. This finding suggests that neutral endopeptidase is expressed at a certain stage of cell differentiation, during the neoplastic process in the bladder. Gene expression is assumed to be closely correlated with this mechanism. From the results of this study neutral endopeptidase will serve as a new tumor marker for bladder cancer as well as acute lymphatic leukemia.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Progressive encephalopathy in a Crohn's disease patient on long-term total parenteral nutrition: possible relationship to selenium deficiency.

The case of a patient with Crohn's disease complicated by progressive and irreversible encephalopathy, who had been on long-term total parenteral nutrition due to short bowel syndrome, is described. He initially experienced a disturbance of his vision, which was followed by various neurological symptoms during the next 3 years. These symptoms rapidly progressed until he finally developed consciousness disturbance. He also manifested erythrocytic macrocytosis, a low serum level of tri-iodothyronine and a high level of thyroxine. His blood levels of various trace minerals and vitamins were normal, except for selenium, which showed extremely low values. In addition, impaired plasma glutathione peroxidase activity was confirmed. After intravenous supplementation of selenium, macrocytosis, tri-iodothyronine and thyroxine values, and glutathione peroxidase activity all became normalized, yet he improved little neurologically. Our case suggests that long-term selenium deficiency may cause progressive and irreversible encephalopathy, and that careful monitoring of this mineral is necessary when an excessive period of total parenteral nutrition is being considered in the clinical setting.

Adult↗

Biosynthesis of guanidine in isolated rat hepatocytes, perfused rat liver and intact animals.

Plasma levels of guanidine (G) are reported to be increased in uremic patients and are synthesized from various guanidino compounds via a chemical reaction involving the hydroxyl radical in vitro. To identify both the metabolic precursor and the synthesizing organ of G, we investigated the concentrations of G in various organs of rats administered several guanidino compounds and we attempted to synthesize G biologically using isolated rat hepatocytes or perfused rat liver. In addition, we investigated the effect of the peroxidative state on the G synthesis in isolated hepatocytes using various reagents which alter this condition. Results show that the concentration of G increased in the kidney, liver and muscle following the administration of L-canavanine. In addition, G increased in the kidney at 90 min after the administration of guanidinoacetic acid (GAA). Moreover, G is synthesized from L-canavanine in isolated rat hepatocytes and perfused rat liver, and G synthesis in hepatocytes is partially inhibited by the addition of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. These results suggest that L-canavanine is possibly a biological precursor and GAA is an endogenous precursor of G. Furthermore, it is suggested that these reactions are closely related to the peroxidative state.

Animals↗

Surgical management of gastric cancer patients with liver cirrhosis.

From 1966 to 1992, a total of 3,118 gastric cancer (GC) patients were referred to the First Department of Surgery, Kurume University Hospital. Fifty-six (0.02%) of these patients also had liver cirrhosis (LC). Forty-nine (87.5%) of these patients with LC underwent GC resection. Postoperative complications occurred in 32.7%, but the operative mortality rate was zero using our preoperative assessment of liver function to decide the operation. The 5-year survival rate following curative resection was 69% in early cancer and 17% in advanced cancer. Deaths were mainly cirrhosis-related in the early cancer cases, while cancer recurrence and hepatic failure were the main causes of mortality in the advanced cancer cases.

Female↗

The novel immunostimulant N-563, an analogue of deoxyspergualin, promotes resistance to Candida albicans infection in mice.

An analogue of deoxyspergualin, N-563 has an immunostimulating activity whereas the mother compound has been found to be a potent immunosuppressant. In this study, the protective effect of the analogue against C. albicans infection was investigated in normal and immunosuppressed mice. In normal mice, N-563 treatment at 10 mg/kg for 3 days prior to infection significantly prolonged the survival time. In immunosuppressed mice treated with a single dose of cyclophosphamide 4 days prior to infection, N-563 at 3 and 10 mg/kg for 3 days prior to infection also significantly prolonged the survival time of mice. In addition, it augmented the phagocytic activity of neutrophils and enhanced the delayed type hypersensitivity reaction against C. albicans. Coincidentally, N-563 appeared to protect against secondary infection with C. albicans in the delayed type hypersensitivity-positive mice.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

[Complete response in a case of unresectable gastric cancer treated by combined chemoimmunotherapy of MMC, 5-FU and OK-432].

A 68-year-old female patient with unresectable advanced gastric cancer was treated by combined administration of MMC (10 mg/month), 5-FU (200 mg/day) and OK-432 (5KE/2 weeks). Two months after starting the treatment, there was a diminution in the serum CEA level. Six months later, the CEA had decreased to the normal level, primary and metastatic sites completely disappeared and no cancer cell was confirmed by endoscopic biopsy. The patient has survived for 33 months of a state of complete response.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Isolation and characterization of cDNAs encoding wheat 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase.

The enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR, EC 1.1.1.34) is a key enzyme in the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway. We have isolated partial cDNAs from wheat (Triticum aestivum) using the polymerase chain reaction. Comparison of deduced amino acid sequences of these cDNAs shows that they represent a small family of genes that share a high degree of sequence homology among themselves as well as among genes from other organisms including tomato, Arabidopsis, hamster, human, Drosophila, and yeast. Southern blot analysis reveals the presence of at least four genes. Our results concerning the tissue-specific expression as well as developmental regulation of these HMGR cDNAs highlight the important role of this enzyme in the growth and development of wheat.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Natural history of fundic gland polyposis without familial adenomatosis coli: follow-up observations in 31 patients.

PURPOSE: To clarify the natural history of fundic gland polyposis (FGP) without familial adenomatosis coli (FAC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one FGP patients without FAC (six men and 25 women) were followed up with radiography and endoscopy for 1-13 years (mean, 4.3 years). RESULTS: In eight of 11 patients who initially had a single polyp, the polyp disappeared, probably due to endoscopic forceps biopsy. Of 20 patients with multiple polyps, seven (one man and six women with a mean age of 40.6 years at initial diagnosis) had obvious changes in the number of polyps, including complete disappearance in three patients, a decrease in one, transient disappearance followed by recurrence in two, and an increase in one. These patients were younger and had a greater number of polyps at initial diagnosis than the remaining 16 patients without any remarkable change. CONCLUSION: FGP without FAC is characterized by spontaneous decrease or increase in the number of polyps, especially in middle-aged female patients with a large number of polyps.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗

[Expression of the growth factors (EGF, EGFR, and TGF alpha) and PCNA in superspreading and penetrating types of gastric carcinomas].

Expression of EGF, EGFR, TGF alpha, and PCNA in resected gastric carcinomas (15 cases of superspreading type and 25 cases of penetrating type) was immunohistochemically studied to understand biological features of these two types of gastric carcinomas. EGF, EGFR, and TGF alpha positive cases were preferentially found in the penetrating type rather than in the superspreading type (p < 0.05). Incidence of PCNA high expression cases in the penetrating type was significantly higher than that in superspreading type. Nineteen cases (76%) of the penetrating type and 1 case of the superspreading type (6.7%) were diffusely PCNA (+), and the incidence of in the former type was significantly higher than that of the latter type (p < 0.001). One case of the superspreading type and 13 cases of the penetrating type were either EGF (+) or TGF alpha (+), and EGFR (+), and the incidence in the latter type was significantly higher than that in the former type (p < 0.05), suggesting that growth and invasion of carcinoma cells, especially in the penetrating type, may depend on "autocrine mechanism". Incidence of the growth factors (+) and PCNA (+) cells in classical type of signet ring cells was lower than that in other types of singnet ring cells.

Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell↗

[Long-term efficacy of low residue diet for the maintenance of remission in patients with Crohn's disease].

The long term efficacy of low residue diet (LRD) for the maintenance of remission in patients with Crohn's disease was studied. The patients consisted of 60 with quiescent Crohn's disease who were given LRD (Clinimeal or Ensure Liquid) for maintenance therapy for more than one year (average 2.4 years) after discharge from our institute. On the basis of the quantity of LRD given per day, the patients were classified into three groups: A; O to 799 kcal a day, B; 800 to 1599 kcal a day and C; more than 1600 kcal a day. The remission rate and the avoidance rate of admission were calculated and compared among three groups. The remission rate in group C was significantly higher than those in groups A and B. The avoidance rates of admission in groups B and C were significantly higher than that in group A. These results suggest that drinking of LRD at home is useful for the maintenance of remission in patients with Crohn's disease and that the effect of LRD depends on the quantity of LRD given per day.

Adolescent↗

[A presumed case of "adolescent" cystinosis].

A 30-year-old female patient was presumed to have adolescent cystinosis because of the onset of glomerular nephritis in her twenties, and the absence of retardation of somatic growth, rickets, or retinopathy. Specular microscopy revealed fine needle-shaped and/or rectangular crystals in the corneal stroma. The crystals were birefringent hexagonal and/or rectangular in the conjunctival tissue. The cystine contents of conjunctival biopsies in the patient were 8.6-11.0 nmol/ml (assayed by high performance liquid chromatography.

Adult↗