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Biomedical subjects

K Fujiwara

Publications and source records attributed to K Fujiwara.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Adenoid basal carcinoma of the cervix uteri: a case report.

We report a rare case of adenoid basal carcinoma of the uterine cervix, unexpectedly found in a uterus resected for the treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 3. The patient was a 47-year-old Japanese female. She received a total abdominal hysterectomy under a diagnosis of CIN 3 of the cervix. Grossly, there were no significant findings in the surgical specimens. Microscopically, in seven of the 12 blocks of the cervix examined, scattered small nests of uniform small cells, which extended 4 mm below the epithelial surface, with dark nuclei and scant cytoplasm were observed. Peripheral palisading as well as the formation of gland-like or acinar structures were noted. The latter were positive for mucicarmine. Stromal reaction was not obvious. There were also foci of squamous differentiation in some portions of the small nests. Occasional mitoses as well as large atypical cells were also seen in this area. Immunohistochemically, the foci of squamous differentiation were positive for carcinoembryonic antigen. The epithelial surface in other portions showed CIN 3 with crypt extension. Distinction between adenoid basal carcinoma of the cervix and other diseases, such as adenoid cystic carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma with basaloid features, is important for clinical management because the clinical behavior of adenoid basal carcinoma is less malignant.

Carcinoma↗
PubMed1997

Electron microscopic studies of the early cellular events occurring in oral mucosa of rats affected by graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).

Previous histologic studies of tongue lesions in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in non-irradiated (Brown Norway x Lewis) F1 rats given parental spleen cells have demonstrated an increase in the number of MHC class II+ cells with dendritic shape in the lamina propria to be the earliest event in the development of the lesion. We studied this histologic finding by electron microscopy to increase understanding of the early cellular events occurring in the lesion. Electron microscopically, the most prominent cell type observed in the lamina propria was the cell with a dendritic shape. These dendritic cells possessed large nuclei that often showed irregular indentations and ample cytoplasm containing numerous filaments and mitochondria. A few lysosomal or phagocytic structures were also seen in the cytoplasm. No Birbeck granules were identified. These findings were very similar to those of indeterminate cells in the epidermis and dermis. Our data strongly support the hypothesis that MHC class II+ cells with dendritic shape present antigen during the induction of local immunological responses in the tongue of GVHD rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Sequence analysis of the hepatitis C virus genome recovered from serum, liver, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of infected chimpanzees.

Of 13 different strains of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the inoculum used, only 1 persisted in human lymphocyte cell lines infected in vitro (N. Nakajima, M. Hijikata, H. Yoshikura, and Y. K. Shimizu, J. Virol. 70:3325-3329, 1996). To determine whether that particular strain (designated H1-2) has a tropism for lymphocytes in vivo, we sequenced hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) of the genome of HCV recovered from the sera, livers, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of chimpanzees infected with plasma H77, the same inoculum used for the in vitro studies. In the PBMC collected from two chimpanzees during the early phase of infection, H1-2 was detected as the only or predominant HVR1 sequence. H1-2 was also detected in PBMC obtained during persistent infection from a chimpanzee that had been treated with immunosuppressants. From the livers of these chimpanzees, two to six different strains were recovered but H1-2 was not detected. Thus, H1-2 appeared to have an affinity for lymphocytes not only in vitro but also in vivo. In samples collected from a chimpanzee after 6 years of infection, however, such tissue compartmentalization of the HCV genome was not observed; a single strain became predominant in the serum, liver, and PBMC. An HCV strain capable of replicating in both the liver and PBMC probably emerged during in vivo replication and persisted.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Development and application of a sandwich enzyme immunoassay for Glycyrrhizae Radix protein (GRP) using monoclonal antibodies.

We have developed mouse monoclonal antibodies (anti-GRP mAb-1-5, all IgG1 sub-isotype mAbs) against Glycyrrhizae Radix protein (GRP), which was recently determined to be a marker protein of Glycyrrhizae Radix (GR). Among these, anti-GRP mAb-1 and 2 were found to recognize different epitopes on the GRP molecule, as demonstrated by ELISA analysis, and were used for the development of a sandwich enzyme immunoassay (SEIA) for GRP in traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). The SEIA was based on the principle of binding an analyte to anti-GRP mAb2 coated on polystyrene microtiter wells, followed by immunoreaction with biotinylated anti-GRP mAb1 and horseradish peroxidase-streptavidin. The SEIA was specific to GRP in GRs, and showed no cross-reaction with any Leguminosae crude drugs other than GRs. This SEIA detected GRP with excellent reproducibility (coefficient of variation=5.9%), an EC50 of 11.5 ng/well and a detection limit of 0.1 ng/well. The present SEIA was about 10-times more sensitive in detecting GRP than the selected antibody enzyme immunoassay (SAEIA) for GRP previously developed using an antiserum to GR itself. Also, the SEIA has such a low assay background that it allowed us to detect a low concentration of GRP in Kyuki-tyoketsu-in-daiichi-kagen (KTIDK), a TCM consisting of only 2.7% GR. The GRP SEIA was simple, accurate, reproducible and may provide a general analytical method for the quality control of GR-based TCMs.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

A general enzyme immunoassay for the licorice root component contained in traditional Chinese medicines.

The development and application of a new enzyme immunoassay for general assay of the Glycyrrhizae radix (GR) component in Chinese traditional medicines is described. Three commercial GR-based medicines, Tohoku kanzo (GRTK), Seihoku Kanzo (GRSEK) and Sinkyo kanzo (GRSK) were used as GR specimens. Anti-GRSK serum was elicited from rabbits immunized with GRSK fragments. The presence of common proteins as specific antigens of GR was first established by Western blot analysis of extracts of GRSK, GRSEK or GRTK using anti-GRSK. The specific antigens were applied to develop an ELISA for the assay of GR extract. Anti-GRSK was put in competition with a sample or standard GR extract and immobilized GRSK components in microtiter plate wells. The proportion of antibody binding to the solid-phase GRSK component was detected using an enzyme-labeled second antibody. The ELISA method was specific to GRSK extract and showed low sensitivity for the assay of GRTK extract. The technique of selected antibody enzyme immunoassay (SAEIA) was applied to develop a sensitive general assay method. Solid-phase GRTK extract, rather than immobilized GRSK extract, was used in the SAEIA. The SAEIA possessed the same quantitative working range of between 1 and 100 micrograms/ml for the assay of each extract of GRTK, GRSK and GRSEK. The SAEIA was successful in the detection and quantitative measurement of GR component contents in Chinese traditional medicines.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Application of a licorice root specific protein to a general method for the assay of licorice root components in traditional Chinese medicines.

A new fuzzy immunoassay method generally applied to ten Glycyrrhizae Radix (GR) preparations of four different botanical origins was studied. Four kinds of antisera were elicited in rabbits immunized with GRs of different botanical origins. The presence of the characteristic GR protein (GRP) was shown using Western blot analyses and selected antibody enzyme immunoassay (SAEIA) methods. A GRP was isolated from one of the GR specimens which was selected using SAEIA methods. The isolated GRP was heated to reduce its binding activity to an anti-GR serum. A new fuzzy SAEIA method generally applicable for assay of the extract of the ten GR specimens was developed using heat-treated GRP as the solid-phase antigen. The fuzzy SAEIA method was successfully applied for the detection and quantitative analysis of the GR component contained in traditional Chinese medicines.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Comparative morphometry of coxal joint angles.

The angles related to the coxal joints were comparatively studied in four-limbed walking animals and two-limbed ones including man and birds. Between animals with both types of walking, no significant difference was observed in the neck-shaft angles (NSA), which was equivalent to the acetabulum angles (ACA) at the connection of the femoral head with the acetabulum. The anteversion angles (AVA) were equivalent to the horizontal ACA. Canine species showed two different forms of the femoral neck with or without modification by the femoral AVA, probably being breed-specific and nutrition-dependent. In the narrow-striped wallaby as well as avian species, the femoral head showed a postversion with a minus-version angle for lifting the body axis in the frontal and upward direction to hold the whole body weight on the hind-limbs, in particular at the anterior part of the acetabulum. In man, the connection between the femur and acetabulum greatly varied among individuals, possibly according to differences in the life style.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Malignant hypertension in a patient with primary aldosteronism with elevated active renin concentration.

A 40-year-old male, with a past history of hypertension but receiving no medical treatment, was referred. He manifested malignant hypertension (190/130 mmHg; Keith-Wagener III), renal dysfunction (serum creatinine, 3.8 mg/dl), and elevated plasma aldosterone (450 pg/ml) and active renin concentration (ARC, 104 pg/ml). His blood pressure was controlled with multiple antihypertensive agents and ARC thus decreased (4.3 pg/ml), but aldosterone remained elevated. Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a right adrenal adenoma, and aldosterone-producing adenoma was confirmed by adrenal venous sampling. Primary aldosteronism very rarely develops to malignant hypertension, and even in that case ARC is suppressed. Therefore this is a rare case of primary aldosteronism complicated with malignant hypertension and high ARC.

Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms↗
PubMed1997

Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi DNA (B garinii or B afzelii) in morphea and lichen sclerosus et atrophicus tissues of German and Japanese but not of US patients.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the geographic and genospecific association of Borrelia with morphea and lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (LSA). DESIGN: The association of Borrelia burgdorferi with morphea and LSA has been reported, but is still controversial. We conducted a retrospective survey of Borrelia DNA in skin biopsy specimens. SETTINGS: The samples were collected from the outpatient clinic of university hospitals and a dermatopathology laboratory. PATIENTS: Skin biopsy specimens (19 morphea and 34 LSA) were obtained from patients in the United States, Japan, and Germany. DNA samples were subjected to amplification with polymerase chain reaction for B burgdorferi flagellin gene, and for the genotype-specific detection of B burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia garinii, and Borrelia afzelii. RESULTS: Five cases of morphea and 2 cases of LSA in Germany and Japan yielded positive signals for B garinii or B afzelii, the European species. None of the American samples were positive for Borrelia polymerase chain reaction. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto was not detected in any of the specimens. CONCLUSION: Morphea and LSA in Germany and Japan can be related with European genotypes of Borrelia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[A case report of anterior mediastinal cystic lymphangioma].

Fourty seven years old woman came to our hospital for further examination of incidentally found abnormal chest shadow. Chest US examination revealed lobulated cystic mass. The cyst wall was thin and smooth. Chest computed tomography showed water density cystic mass. Preoperative diagnosis was pericardial cyst. Operation was done. Lobulated cyst was attached to pericardium and diaphragma. Though adhesion to the pericardium was loose, adhesion to the diaphragma was tight. To achieve complete resection of the cyst, partial resection of the diaphragma was needed. Postoperative course was uneventful. Cystic lymphangioma is benign but complications such as infection or bleeding were reported. Then complete resection of the cyst should be done.

Female↗
PubMed1997

Tyrosine phosphorylation of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1, CD31) in mechanically stimulated vascular endothelial cells.

Fluid flow triggers signal transducing events, modulates gene expression, and remodels cytoskeletal structures in vascular endothelial cells (ECs). However, the primary steps of mechanoreception are still unknown. We have recently reported that a glycoprotein is rapidly tyrosine-phosphorylated in bovine ECs exposed to fluid flow or osmotic shock. Here were cloned a 3.4 kb cDNA encoding this protein and found that this was bovine PECAM-1. The tyrosine-phosphorylation level of PECAM-1 immunoprecipitated from mechanically stimulated bovine or human ECs increased. The PECAM-1 phosphorylation was not induced by reagents that triggered Ca2+ mobilization in ECs. An autophosphorylatable band comigrating with c-Src was co-immunoprecipitated with anti-PECAM-1, and c-Src phosphorylated and bound to a GST fusion protein containing the PECAM-1 cytoplasmic domain. A spliced mRNA form lacking amino acid residues 703-721 in the cytoplasmic domain was also expressed in bovine ECs, c-Src neither phosphorylated nor bound to the fusion protein containing the spliced PECAM-1 cytoplasmic domain which lacked one (Tyr 713) of the six tyrosine residues in the PECAM-1 cytoplasmic domain. These results suggest that the YSEI motif containing Tyr 713 is the Src phosphorylation/binding site. Our study is the first demonstration of inducible tyrosine phosphorylation of PECAM-1 and suggests involvement of PECAM-1 and Src family kinases in the sensing/signal transduction of mechanical stimuli in ECs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Serum transforming growth factor-alpha level can be a parameter for evaluating liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in patients with liver cancer.

Sensitive and reliable laboratory parameters are necessary to evaluate the degree of liver regeneration serially in patients after partial hepatectomy for liver cancer. We evaluated the serum levels of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), both of which are potent mitogens for hepatocytes, in 22 hepatectomized patients with liver cancer: 10 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and 12 patients with metastatic liver tumors. Ten patients who underwent laparotomy for nonhepatic surgery were also studied as surgical controls. The serum TGF-alpha and HGF levels were measured by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques. Both the serum TGF-alpha and HGF levels increased after partial hepatectomy. However, there was no correlation between the levels of TGF-alpha and HGF. The maximal level of TGF-alpha achieved in each case correlated significantly with the resected liver volume and the increased volume of the remaining liver. Hepatocyte growth factor showed no such correlations. After nonhepatic surgery, the HGF level also increased significantly, while the TGF-alpha level did not. These results suggest that the serum TGF-alpha level varies depending on the regenerative stimulus to the liver, and that its increase corresponds with the degree of liver regeneration that occurs in patients after partial hepatectomy for liver cancer. In contrast, it is unlikely that the serum HGF level reflects liver regeneration. In conclusion, the serum TGF-alpha level can be used as a parameter for evaluating liver regeneration in patients who have undergone partial hepatectomy.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗
PubMed1997

[Coronary artery bypass surgery in patients aged 75 years and older].

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been performed for elderly patients with increasing frequency. Several studies have shown that the rate of complications and mortality in elderly patients are higher than in younger ones. This report presents results of CABG in patients over 75 years old. From January 1989 to February 1997, 604 patients underwent CABG, of whom 20 patients (3.3%) were 80-86 years old (group A) and 57 patients (9.4%) were 75-79 years old (group B). We compared these two groups with 100 younger patients (group C). Preoperative use of intraaortic balloon pumping and the emergency operation were more frequent in patients of group A (emergency 45%, IABP 20%). And the proportion of the no blood transfusion procedures was lower in elderly patients (group A 20%, group B 18%, group C 82%). The number of grafts per patient (group A 2.45 +/- 0.62, group B 2.2 +/- 0.6, group C 3.2 +/- 0.6) and the number of arterial grafts (group A 1.25 +/- 0.62, group B 1.25 +/- 0.66, group C 2.1 +/- 0.53) were different between the groups. But CABG in elderly patients was performed with low hospital mortality (group A 0%, group B 0.18%) and significant symptomatic benefit. We conclude that CABG can be performed in elderly patients with acceptable mortality and acceptable quality of life, so patients should not denied operation because of an advanced age.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Natural history of upper cervical lesions in rheumatoid arthritis.

The natural history of the upper cervical lesions in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was investigated, based on a follow-up study of 79 patients. At the beginning of this study, anterior atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS) was found in 35 patients, AAS combined with vertical subluxation (VS) in 34, and VS alone in 10. During the follow-up period (mean, 6.4 years), these lesions deteriorated in 30 of the 79 patients. To evaluate the occipitoatlantoaxial relation, the angles between occiput and atlas (C0/C1 angle) and between atlas and axis (C1/C2 angle) were measured, and the correlation between these angles and deterioration of the lesions was investigated. The severity of RA was classified according to the "disease subset" advocated by one of us (T.O.): the least erosive subset (LES), the more erosive subset (MES), and the mutilating subset (MUD). There was a significant positive correlation between the C1/C2 angle and atlantodental interval (ADI) and a significant negative correlation between the C0/C1 angle and the ADI. This indicates that the atlas not only shifts forward but also slips down and forward at an incline from the axis. With an increase of the atlantal inclination, the anterior arch of atlas displaces in an anteroinferior direction, and VS combines with AAS. The development of associated VS lessens the amount of the ADI. At the advanced stage of the natural course, AAS is concealed, and VS alone is demonstrated. We concluded that the upper cervical lesion deteriorated in the order of AAS, AAS + VS, and VS alone. In patients classified as the LES subset, only AAS was found, and VS was never combined with AAS at the terminal stage. In patients in the MES, VS frequently combined with AAS. All patients who deteriorated to VS alone were ranked as MUD.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Study on coagulation fibrinolytic systems in predialysis patients with chronic renal failure--comparison between patients with chronic glomerulonephritis and patients with diabetic nephropathy].

To clarify the abnormalities of coagulation and fibrinolytic systems on predialysis patients with chronic renal failure, we measured indices of coagulation and fibrinolytic systems in 33 predialysis patients whose creatinine (Cr) levels were over 3.0 mg/dl. We termed twenty-four patients with chronic glomerulonephritis the "CGN group". We also termed nine patients wit diabetes mellitus the "DM group". We measured thrombin.antithrombin III complex (TAT), alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor plasmin complex (PIC), D-dimer, protein C, protein S, thrombomodulin (TM), vitronectin, tissue plasminogen activator.plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 complex (tPAI-C) in theses two groups. Furthermore, we measured the same indices after 6 months in the CGN group. As a result, the plasma levels of both TAT, PIC, TM/Cr ration in the DM group were significantly higher that those in the CGN group, changes in both protein S activities and plasma levels of tPAI-C were reduced significantly after 6 months. In conclusion, the abnormalities of coagulation and fibrinolytic systems in predialysis diabetic patients were stronger than those in predialysis patients with CGN. Furthermore, these abnormalities were worsened after 6 months in predialysis patients with chronic renal failure.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[A case of an adult patient of tetralogy of Fallot having malignant hyperthermia during surgery].

An episode of malignant hyperthermia occurring in a 42-year-old man undergoing hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass is reported. Malignant hyperthermia is a syndrome initiated by a hypermetabolic state of skeletal muscle. A patient presented for correction of an acyanotic tetralogy of Fallot. The coincidental usage of hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass obscured the classical presenting sings and symptoms of the malignant hyperthermia. And the disease of tetralogy of Fallot made the syndrome difficult to manage. Although the clinical diagnosis of malignant hyperthermia is difficult to be confirmed, when it is suspected, it is prudent for the case to be initially treated as malignant hyperthermia.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Case report of successful treatment of patent ductus arteriosus with severe pulmonary hypertension in an adult].

A 40-year-old man was diagnosed as having PDA with severe PH by cardiac catheterization. We decided that surgery was indicated on the basis of 100% oxygen inhalation test. After 100% oxygen inhalation, left to right shunt changed from 37.8% to 61.5%, Qp/Qs changed from 1.43 to 2.60, and PVR changed from 1,199 dyne/sec/cm5 to 237 dyne/sec/cm5. We decided to perform surgery. Under extracorporeal circulation, PDA was safely closed by triple ligation and was directly closed after pulmonary arteriotomy. The postoperative course was uneventful. Severe PH was greatly improved, pulmonary artery pressure recovering to the normal range, by administering PGE1, prostacyclin (PGI2), and nitroglycerin.

Adult↗