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Biomedical subjects

K Hara

Publications and source records attributed to K Hara.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Expression of cathepsin D and B in invasion and metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma.

To determine the involvement of proteinases with hydrolytic activity towards extracellular matrix and basement membrane, in invasion and metastasis of tumour cells, the expression of cathepsin D, an aspartic proteinase, and cathepsin B, a cysteine proteinase, was studied. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens from 13 patients who had squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) with local recurrence, skin and/or lymph node metastasis were examined. Cathepsin D stained intensely as a granular pattern (mature enzyme) in tumour cells of 69% of primary lesions and all the secondary lesions of the patients with SCC. Cathepsin B stained more intensely in SCC cells of all of the primary and secondary lesions than in normal epidermis; staining patterns were almost diffuse (procathepsin B). Granular and diffuse patterns (mature enzyme of cathepsin D and procathepsin B, respectively) appeared in the outer and inner parts of tumour islands, respectively. The presence of the active mature form of cathepsin D and procathepsin B in metastatic skin lesions of SCC was confirmed by Western blotting analysis. The presence and localization of the active mature form of cathepsin D suggests that activated cathepsin D may be involved in the invasion and metastasis of SCC.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed1997

[Native aortic valve thrombus revealed by routine echocardiography: a case report].

A 75-year-old man presented with palpitations due to atrial flutter. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a mobile aortic valve mass (17 mm in diameter) attached to the non-coronary cusp of the aortic valve. There was no evidence of hypercoagulative state. Computed tomography showed old cerebral infarction in the territory supplied by the right middle cerebral artery. The mass was surgically resected. The aortic valve was preserved because there were no organic changes in the valve. Histological examination demonstrated an organized thrombus. Only three cases of thrombus attached to the normal native aortic valve have been reported. Native aortic valve thrombus may be important in the differential diagnosis of aortic valve mass.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[A case of adult meningitis with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss at the onset].

Here we report a case of pneumococcal meningitis with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss at the onset. The patient was a 60-year-old man who a few days before visiting our hospital experienced common cold-like symptoms, and then he suddenly developed bilateral hearing loss. Examination of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) on the day of admission revealed pleocytosis and his CSF culture demonstrated pneumococci. Otorhinolaryngological examinations disclosed bilateral severe sensorineural hearing loss due to cochlear impairment. Many cases of bacterial meningitis concomitant with hearing loss have been reported, but a case of meningitis starting with sudden hearing loss is rare.

Hearing Loss, Sensorineural↗
PubMed1997

Nuclear DNA content, S-phase fraction analysis and expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) of normal and hyperplastic/neoplastic parathyroid glands.

To clarify the biological behavior, the flowcytometric nuclear DNA content, S-phase fraction(SPF) and proliferating cells by immunostaining of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) were investigated in 13 patients with hyperparathyroidism (10 adenomas, 2 hyperplasias and 1 cancer) and 10 normal controls. No. of parathyroid glands or tissues examined was as follows: 10 adenomas, three hyperplasias from one case, one primary and one recurrent carcinoma of the same case, two secondary hyperplasias from one case and 10 normal glands. All controls and hyperplasias showed diploid DNA, but the 10 adenomas aneuploid in four and diploid in six. The carcinoma showed diploid in the primary lesion, aneuploid in the recurrence. DNA index in recurrent carcinoma was higher than that in aneuploid adenoma. SPF in primary and recurrent cancers and adenomas as higher than that in the others. The expression of PCNA in all hyperparathyroidism except for hyperplasias was higher than that in normal controls. In conclusion, there might be some premalignant potential in the adenomas from the view of DNA flowcytometry and PCNA immunostaining. Therefore, aneuploid adenoma should be strictly followed up.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1997

Correlation between the expression of apoptosis-related bcl-2 and p53 oncoproteins and the carcinogenesis and progression of breast carcinomas.

The proto-oncogene bcl-2, which is implicated in the regulation of cell death by inhibiting apoptosis, is reported to be expressed in breast tissues. The wild-type p53 has been shown to induce apoptosis, which can be inhibited by bcl-2 expression. However, the role of bcl-2 and p53 expression in breast carcinogenesis has not been clarified. The purpose of this study was to evaluate bcl-2 and p53 expression in normal breast epithelia cells, as well as in intraductal and invasive cancerous lesions of breast cancer tissue using an immunohistochemical method and to clarify their role in the development of breast cancer. The nuclear accumulation of p53 was also evaluated by quantitative image analysis. Expression of bcl-2 was found in 79 of 82 (96%) normal ductal epithelial cells, in 50 of 63 (79%) intraductal carcinomas, and in 62 of 137 (45%) invasive carcinomas, respectively. Higher bcl-2 expression was observed in normal epithelial cells than in intraductal and invasive cancerous cells (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, bcl-2 positivity in intraductal lesions was significantly higher than in invasive cancerous lesions (P < 0.05). No p53 nuclear accumulation was observed in normal breast epithelial cells. Fifteen of 63 (23.8%) intraductal cancerous lesions and 41 of 137 (30%) invasive cancerous lesions were positive for p53 expression. An inverse relationship was shown between bcl-2 and p53 expression in invasive carcinomas. We demonstrated that bcl-2 expression exists in most of normal ductal epithelial cells and gradually decreases during the development of breast cancer, i.e. , from a normal epithelium to intraductal carcinoma, and from intraductal to invasive carcinoma, and that p53 expression may occur early in breast cancer development and increases during progression.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed1996

Determination of arsenic in blood and stomach contents by inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP/MS).

Inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP/MS) was used and evaluated for the practical analysis of the arsenic content of body fluid samples without ashing. The calibration curve for arsenic in blood solution was shown to have good sensitivity, linearity and reproducibility. Blood obtained from normal volunteers was determined by ICP/MS, and compared with that determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The arsenic contents determined by ICP/MS showed a linear correlation with that determined by AAS. Furthermore, arsenic was determined in the blood and supernatant of stomach contents obtained from a suicide autopsy case resulting from ingestion of an arsenic compound. It was therefore concluded that ICP/MS could be used rapidly and conveniently in the field of forensic toxicology in acute metal poisoning cases.

Arsenic↗
PubMed1996

Rapid analysis of amphetamines in blood using head space-solid phase microextraction and selected ion monitoring.

A simple and rapid method for analysis of methamphetamine (MA) and amphetamine (AP) in blood was developed using head space-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/electron impact ionization-selected ion monitoring (GC-MS/EI-SIM). A vial containing a blood sample, sodium hydroxide, and pentadeuterated methamphetamine as an internal standard, was heated at 80 degrees C for 20 min. The extraction fiber of the SPME was exposed for 5 min in the head space of the vial. First, heptafluorobutyric anhydride solution was injected into the injection port of the GC-MS to make heptafluorobutyramide (HFB) derivatives of amphetamines, and compounds absorbed on the fiber were detached by exposing the fiber in the injection port. Straight calibration curves of MA and AP were obtained from 0.01 to 2 micrograms/g in blood, respectively. No interfering substances were found, and the time for analysis was 30 min for one sample.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Molecular cloning of p125Nap1, a protein that associates with an SH3 domain of Nck.

Binding proteins to the Src homology 3 (SH3) domains of Nck were screened by the use of glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins. Two proteins of 140 and 125 kDa were detected, both of which associated preferentially with the first SH3 domain of Nck. The 125-kDa protein, designated as Nap1 for Nck-associated protein 1, was purified and the corresponding rat cDNA was isolated. The predicted amino acid sequence revealed that p125Nap1 does not contain any known functional motif but shows sequence homology to Hem family gene. Using specific antibodies, p125Nap1 was shown to associate with Nck both in vitro and in intact cells. Further characterization of p125Nap1 may clarify the protein-protein interaction in the downstream signaling of Nck.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗
PubMed1996

Thrombotic occlusion of the coronary artery associated with accidental detachment of undeployed Palmaz-Schatz stent.

We describe a case of coronary stenting in which accidental detachment of the Palmaz-Schatz stent induced thrombotic occlusion of the coronary artery. This case suggests that careful consideration of the risk involving coronary occlusion is mandatory on deciding the therapeutic strategy of the cases in which the unexpanded coronary stent cannot be retrieved following successful deployment.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

An unusual cervical chordoma: CT and MRI.

We report CT and MRI findings of an unusual cervical chordoma. CT showed only minimal bony destruction with a lobulated prevertebral mass. Sagittal MRI, however, clearly demonstrated a lesion involving the body of C2 extending prevertebrally and into the spinal canal.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Interleukin-3-associated ganglioside GD1a is induced independently of normal interleukin-3 receptor in murine myelogenous leukaemia NFS60 cells transfected with the interleukin-3 gene.

The mechanism of interleukin-3 (IL-3) independent cell growth and of IL-3-associated ganglioside expression was analysed using the IL-3 dependent murine myelogenous leukaemia cell line NFS60-I7 and IL-3 gene-transfected sublines. The transfected cell lines showed autonomous cell growth, tumorigenicity, and IL-3 associated ganglioside GD1a expression in spite of their IL-3 production. While the parental NFS60-I7 cells did not express significant amounts of GD1a, exogenous recombinant IL-3 (rIL-3) was demonstrated to induce IL-3-associated ganglioside GD1a expression in NFS60-I7 cells. Furthermore, the growth potential of the transfected cells was not blocked by anti-IL-3 antibody and expression of GD1a was not affected by anti-IL-3 antibody. These findings suggest that IL-3 expressed intracellularly by gene transfection might act independently of the normal IL-3 receptor on autonomous cell growth and on IL-3-associated GD1a expression in murine myelogenous leukaemia NFS60 cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The utility of volatile hydrocarbon analysis in cases of carbon monoxide poisoning.

A new approach to investigate the circumstances relating to carbon monoxide intoxication by analysing volatile hydrocarbons in the blood of cadavers is reported. Headspace gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to demonstrate the hydrocarbons. The results can be characterized into four categories depending on the compounds detected. In construction fire cases where no accelerants were found at the scene benzene, toluene and styrene were detected in the blood. In cases where gasoline was found in the fire debris surrounding the victim, high levels of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene isomers, n-hexane and n-heptane were detected in the blood. In cases where kerosene was found in the fire debris around the victim, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene isomers, C9-aromatics(n-propylbenzene, trimethyl-benzene isomers), n-octane, n-nonane and n-decane were detected in the blood. In cases where the victim was found inside a gasoline-fuelled automobile filled with exhaust gas, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene isomers, C9-aromatics were found, but no aliphatic hydrocarbons such as components of petroleum. The analyses of the combustion gases of inflammable materials, exhaust gas, gasoline vapours and kerosene vapours were also performed to evaluate the results of the blood analyses. Consequently, some compounds are proposed as indicators to discriminate between inhaled gases i.e. styrene in common combustion gas, n-hexane and n-heptane as well as benzene, toluene and C9-aromatics in gasoline cases, n-nonane and n-octane as well as benzene, toluene and C9-aromatics in kerosene cases, and benzene, toluene, C9-aromatics but no aliphatic hydrocarbons in exhaust gas cases.

Autopsy↗
PubMed1996

Primary spinal leptomeningeal gliomatosis presenting visual disturbance as the initial symptom: case report.

We report a case of diffuse leptomeningeal gliomatosis which spread from the cervical to the sacral spine. A 60-year-old man was admitted with visual disturbance due to papilledema. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed holocord leptomeningeal gliomatosis without a definite intraparenchymal lesion, and the patient's neurological examination was unremarkable except for papilledema. Intracranial hypertension secondary to spinal tumor is well known but unusual, and the mechanism is still unclear. In our case, an elevated protein concentration of cerebrospinal fluid is suggested as the cause of intracranial hypertension.

Brain↗
PubMed1996

Fluconazole monotherapy for cryptococcosis in non-AIDS patients.

Treatment with 200 to 400 mg/day fluconazole was evaluated in 44 patients without AIDS who had cryptococcosis (19 with cryptococcal meningitis, 22 with pulmonary cryptococcosis, 3 with other cryptococcal infections). For all patients, the clinical response rate was 89% (48% were clinically cured and 41% clinically improved). Of the patients with cryptococcal meningitis, 89% were mycologically cured. These rates are comparable to those obtained in the treatment of AIDS patients with cryptococcal disease. In the group of patients with cryptococcal meningitis, there was a high rate of agreement between the mycological response to therapy and cryptococcal antigen test results. The use of cryptococcal antigen testing is recommended in all patients with cryptococcosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Optimal schedule for administering granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in non-small-cell lung cancer.

A prospective randomized study was conducted to determine the optimal schedule of rhG-CSF (recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor). A group of 33 lung cancer patients treated with MVP therapy (mitomycin, vindesine, and cisplatin) were randomly assigned to three groups: an early prophylaxis group in which rhG-CSF was initiated on day 2 of the MVP cycle; a late prophylaxis group in which rhG-CSF was initiated on day 8; and a therapeutic group in which rhG-CFS was initiated after the onset of neutropenia. Ten patients who had received MVP therapy without rhG-CSF were also analyzed as a no-support group. The incidence of neutropenia was 80% (16/20 courses) in the early prophylaxis group, 44% (8/18) in the late prophylaxis group, 94% (17/18) in the therapeutic group, and 94% (16/17) in the no-support group. The incidence of neutropenia in the late prophylaxis group was less than in the early prophylaxis group (P<0.05), the therapeutic group (P<0.01), and the no-support group (P<0.01). The late prophylactic rhG-CSF schedule was therefore more effective in countering neutropenia than either the early prophylactic or therapeutic schedule.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Expression of mRNA for matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in periodontitis-affected human gingival tissue.

It is known that the host responds to an increased concentration of collagenase [or matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1] by preferentially expressing mRNA for the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in order to overcome tissue destruction due to periodontitis. To further elucidate the relation between MMPs and TIMPs in periodontitis-affected tissues, the expression of mRNA for MMP-1, -3 and -8, and TIMP-1 and -2, in 10 gingival samples from patients and five from healthy individuals was assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The diseased group showed significantly higher levels of MMP-1, -3, -8 and TIMP-1 mRNA relative to beta-actin than the control group (mean +/- SE: diseased vs healthy (%): 0.26 +/- 0.05 vs 0.018 +/- 0.0040 for MMP-1; 0.09 +/- 0.16 vs 0.063 +/- 0.016 for MMP-3; 0.068 +/- 0.017 vs 0.006 +/- 0.0010 for MMP-8; 12.66 +/- 2.90 vs 2.71 +/- 0.54 for TIMP-1; p < 0.01). TIMP-2 did not significantly differ between the two groups (1.79 +/- 0.33 vs 1.42 +/- 0.53; p > 0.05). The preferential increase in the level of MMP-3 mRNA relative to that of MMP-1 and -8 in inflamed gingiva would be relevant to tissue destruction because MMP-3 is a broad-spectrum MMP and a pivotal activator of latent MMP-1 and -8. Therefore, the overall increase in MMP-1, -3 and -8 mRNA in periodontitis-affected gingiva might account for a concerted action of MMPs during connective tissue destruction in periodontitis.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1996

Aortic dissection during directional coronary atherectomy.

Directional coronary atherectomy has been applied to aorto-ostial lesions with higher success and lower complication rates than conventional balloon angioplasty. Aortic injuries have been reported with this technique, most resulting from the tip of the catheter. In this report, an aortic dissection caused by the shaft of the directional coronary atherectomy catheter is described.

Aortic Dissection↗