Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K Imai

Publications and source records attributed to K Imai.

At least 865 records · Page 48Linked to original sources

Clinical application of a solid three-dimensional model for orbital wall fractures.

Orbital wall fractures have been diagnosed conventionally by plain X-rays, CT imaging, and more recently by three-dimensional CT imaging. However, it is not easy to know the three-dimensional appearances of orbital wall fractures. Anatomically precise reconstruction of the orbital wall is essential for the appearance and function of the eyes. Life-size solid models of fractured orbital walls and also solid models of bone grafts for the reconstruction were produced by milling polyurethane foam on the basis of CT data. These models are very valuable because they provide not only satisfactory understanding of the three-dimensional morphology, but the models at hand are the ideal guides during the operation, and the prefabricated bone grafts, based on the models make a complete surgical simulation.

Adolescent↗

Germ line polymorphisms of p53 and CYP1A1 genes involved in human lung cancer.

The p53 tumor suppressor gene is mutated in diverse types of human cancer, and the normal allele encodes a nuclear protein that regulates expression of cell cycle-related genes as a transcription factor. The wild-type of p53 protein exists as at least two forms of variants among human populations, ascribed to amino acid replacement at codon 72 of Arg by Pro. In this study, we show that this germ line Arg-Pro polymorphism at codon 72 of the p53 gene is associated with genetically determined susceptibility to smoking-induced lung cancer; a susceptible genotype Pro/Pro has a 1.7-fold higher risk of this cancer compared with other genotypes. This p53 polymorphism modulates risk to smoking-induced lung cancer independently of other genetic risk factors such as germ line polymorphism of CYP1A1 or GST1 genes.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Human leukocyte antigen-DR is a differentiation antigen for human granulosa cells.

We raised a murine monoclonal antibody, OG-3, which reacts with human granulosa cells. Immunohistologically, OG-3 antigen was weakly expressed on the granulosa cells of some growing and atretic follicles, but not on those of preovulatory follicles. After ovulation, the antigen expression rapidly increased on granulosa cells during corpus luteum formation. The antigen expression on granulosa/large luteal cells decreased in the mid-luteal phase, but increased again in the late luteal phase. In early pregnancy, OG-3 antigen expression on large luteal cells increased after 7 wk of gestation. The OG-3 antigen distribution in various organs resembled that of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II molecules. An HLA-class II-positive human B cell line (AKIBA) and a murine L-cell transfectant expressing HLA-DR antigen were positive for OG-3 antigen, whereas an HLA-class II-negative human T-cell line and L-cell transfectants expressing HLA-DP and DQ antigens were negative. The molecular mass of OG-3 antigen purified from AKIBA cells was 32-35 kDa. The staining profiles in ovaries with anti-HLA-DR or anti-HLA-class II antibodies were similar to that with OG-3. These results indicate that OG-3 antigen is identical to HLA-DR, and that HLA-DR is a differentiation antigen for human granulosa cells.

Adult↗

Magnetic resonance imaging findings of craniofacial fibrous dysplasia.

There have been few reports in the literature concerning the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearances of fibrous dysplasia. We reviewed MRIs of 4 patients with craniofacial lesions. Using a 1.5-T Signa Unit (General Electric, Milwaukee, WI), both T1- and T2-weighted MRI scans were performed. In our 4 patients, the fibrous dysplastic lesions were characterized by a decreased signal on both T1- and T2-weighted images. And all lesions had sharply demarcated borders. The fine image of fibrous dysplasia by MRI is extremely useful, not only as a diagnostic aid, but also as an invaluable guide to surgery.

Adolescent↗

[Measurement of normal eyeball position and its application for evaluation of exophthalmos in craniofacial synostosis].

The chronologic changes in eyeball position in relation to bony landmarks were studied by CT scans. The results were applied to the preoperative evaluation in 16 craniofacial synostosis patients. Ten subjects from each age group were selected from more than 2000 subjects who underwent CT scanning of the skull without any brain and skull diseases. These age groups ranged from birth to 20 years of age. The following four distances were measured on the CT section incorporating lenses: (1) the distance from the dorsum sellae to the lenses, (2) the distance between the lateral orbital rim and the lenses, (3) the distance from the nasal root to the lenses, and (4) the width between the lenses. These distances also were measured in 16 craniofacial synostosis patients preoperatively, and the results were compared with those of the healthy individuals in the same age group. The distances of the lenses from the nasal root and from the lateral orbital rim were larger than in the healthy individuals in almost all craniofacial synostosis patients. However, the distance from the dorsum sellae to lenses was the same as that in healthy individuals on the whole.

Adolescent↗

Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) antigen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), a member of the immunoglobulin supergene family, is known to play an important role in inflammatory diseases. Using a previously developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with two monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) against human ICAM-1, levels of soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) were measured in sera from patients with collagen diseases and in synovial fluids (SF) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although the results did not demonstrate that RA and other collagen diseases, as a group, had significantly higher levels of sICAM-1 in sera as compared with healthy controls, 21 of 138 cases (15%) with collagen diseases and 11 out of 57 patients (19%) with RA clearly showed higher levels of sICAM-1 in the sera. Comparisons between RA patients of radiological stages I and II and between stage I and other stages showed significantly higher levels of sICAM-1 in the sera of patients in the latter stages. RA patients with vasculitis and/or pneumonitis showed significantly higher levels of sICAM-1 than those without vasculitis or pneumonitis. Significant correlations were demonstrated between sICAM-1 and the factors IgG-RF, IgM-RF, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and TNF-alpha in sera of RA patients. In addition, it was noted that the levels of sICAM-1 in SF were as high as those in the sera of patients with RA.

Adult↗

Elevated levels of soluble ICAM-1 in sera from patients with bronchial asthma.

We measured the levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) in sera from patients with bronchial asthma. sICAM-1 levels in sera from atopic asthmatic patients in stable conditions were higher than in normal control subjects. Furthermore, the sICAM-1 levels in sera obtained during bronchial asthma attacks were higher than those in sera obtained in stable conditions. These results suggest that higher levels of sICAM-1 in sera reflect the upregulation of ICAM-1 expression in allergic inflammation.

Adult↗

G-CSF enhances the immunoglobulin generation rather than the proliferation of human B lymphocytes.

The effect of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) on human B-cell function was studied in in vitro cultures. G-CSF alone had no effect on the proliferative response of resting B cells, but it slightly enhanced the proliferative response of these cells in the presence of polyclonal B-cell mitogen, Staphylococcus aureus Cowan strain I (SAC) at concentrations of 0.2 to 25 micrograms/ml (1.5-fold increase in the DNA synthesis). In contrast, immunoglobulin (Ig) secretion of activated B cells was increased approximately three-fold to four-fold by adding G-CSF to the cultures. The neutralization of G-CSF bioactivity with anti-G-CSF antibody abrogated this effect. Though cytoplasmic Ig-positive cells or plasma cell marker-positive cells did not change, the expression of IgM mRNA in antibody-producing B cells increased in the presence of G-CSF in the cultures. Interestingly, human B lymphocytes are shown to express the binding to biotin-conjugated G-CSF preparation, but not to biotin-conjugated GM-CSF preparation when examined by flow cytometry. These data suggest that G-CSF may influence B-cell function in special circumstances.

Antibodies↗

Expression of c-kit and kit ligand in human colon carcinoma cells.

To determine whether c-kit and kit ligand (KL) mRNAs could be expressed in human epithelial tumors, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Northern blot analysis were performed. KL mRNA was shown to be expressed in a variety of epithelial tissues and cell lines. The expression of c-kit mRNA was then examined in hepatocellular and colon carcinoma cell lines. While hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines did not express c-kit mRNA as far as we could ascertain, 2 of 5 colon carcinoma cell lines showed the expression of both c-kit and KL mRNAs. Furthermore, the expression of c-kit in these cells was demonstrated at the protein level by flow cytometry. These data suggest that c-kit and KL may play an important role as an autocrine loop in the proliferation of some colon carcinoma cells.

Base Sequence↗

Mass screening for prostate cancer and the bias relating to survival rate.

Since 1981 we have been studying prostate cancer (Pca) by mass screening (MS) in the Gunma Prefecture, Japan. From 1981 to 1990, 9,067 subjects (total 15,451) were examined in connection with this project and 121 subjects were diagnosed as having Pca. The presence of Pca in 87 cases was confirmed at their initial MS (initial group); 34 cases were confirmed either the year after or several years after the first MS (repeat group). To evaluate the significance of MS for Pca, in this group of patients, the effects of 'lead time bias', 'self-selection bias' and 'length bias' on the survival rate were compared to Pca patients detected in the hospitals of the Gunma Prefecture during the same period. The survival curves of MS cases for each stage of the disease were better than those of the controls. Only in stage D was there a significant difference between the two groups. However, this MS curve decreased from the 4th year in the same manner as the control curve from the start. The clinical characteristics (age, pathological differentiation, prostatic acid phosphatase, gait disturbance, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, chronic disease, and pain in the patients with stage D disease) were compared between both groups. All characteristics studied, except age, in the MS group were clinically more favorable compared to those of the controls for each stage or in total. Moreover, the relative survival rate of subjects examined by MS was greater than 1.0. No significant difference was found in stage distribution between the initial group and the repeat group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acid Phosphatase↗

Exercise-induced upward shift of diastolic left ventricular pressure-volume relation in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Effects of beta-adrenoceptor blockade.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of beta-blocker therapy for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) may be attributed to the inhibition of detrimental effects on the failing heart of sympathetic stimulation during exertion. However, the harmful effects of activity as well as the protective effects of beta-blockers have not been demonstrated. Diastolic ventricular function is known to be sensitive to transient myocardial metabolic insult. In this study, we investigated the effect of modest exercise with or without beta-blockade on the diastolic left ventricular pressure-volume (P-V) relation in patients with DCM. METHODS AND RESULTS: The diastolic left ventricular P-V relation was obtained by high-fidelity pressure measurements and digital subtraction left ventriculography at rest and immediately after modest supine bicycle exercise in 12 patients with DCM. The effects of intravenous administration of 0.1 mg/kg propranolol on resting and exercise P-V relations were studied. The end-diastolic and lowest left ventricular pressures were significantly elevated by exercise (20 +/- 9 to 32 +/- 13 mm Hg, P < .01, and 12 +/- 6 to 21 +/- 11 mm Hg, P < .01, respectively) despite insignificant changes in left ventricular volumes. The administration of propranolol did not alter the resting diastolic P-V relation. However, propranolol significantly attenuated the exercise-induced upward shift of the diastolic P-V relation despite a significant increase in end-diastolic volume. The significant upward shift and attenuation by propranolol were also observed even when the left ventricular pressure was corrected by the subtraction of right atrial pressure. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that even modest exercise exerts detrimental effects on diastolic left ventricular function of the failing heart through beta-adrenergic stimulation. The clinical effectiveness of beta-blocker therapy in patients with DCM can be attributed in part to the inhibition of detrimental myocardial effects of sympathetic stimulation during daily activity.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Elevated concentrations of circulating ICAM-1 in far advanced and miliary tuberculosis.

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) plays an important role in inflammatory diseases. Cellular expression and shedding of ICAM-1 are up-regulated by cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). With an ELISA containing two monoclonal antibodies to human ICAM-1, we measured concentrations of circulating ICAM-1 in patients with tuberculosis. Prominently elevated values were found in miliary tuberculosis and in far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis but not in minimal or moderately advanced disease. The measurement of serum IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha also revealed high concentrations of the cytokines in miliary tuberculosis and far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis. The circulating ICAM-1 values were significantly correlated to serum IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha values. In the case of miliary tuberculosis and far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis treated with antituberculous drugs, the circulating ICAM-1 concentrations were gradually decreased to correspond with improvement of clinical symptoms and chest X-ray findings. The measurement of circulating ICAM-1 is useful to evaluate the severity of tuberculosis and to monitor disease activity during antituberculous drug treatment.

Adult↗

A differentiation-related molecule on the cell surface of human granulosa cells.

We raised a monoclonal antibody (OG-1) specifically reactive to human ovarian granulosa cells. Indirect immunofluorescence staining of freshly isolated granulosa cells from preovulatory follicles showed the OG-1 antigen on the cell surface of granulosa cells. The antigen was purified from granulosa cells by immunoaffinity chromatography. Under reducing or nonreducing conditions, the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis profile of the purified antigen showed two specific protein bands, corresponding to mol wt of 125 and 145 kilodaltons. Immunohistologically, the OG-1 antigen on granulosa cells of primary follicles seemed to increase during follicular development. After ovulation, the antigen was detected on granulosa cells during corpus luteum formation. The antigen expression began to decrease on corpus luteum days 10-12 and disappeared on corpus luteum days 13-14. Luteal cells of pregnancy did not express the OG-1 antigen. Granulosa cells in atretic follicles expressed the OG-1 antigen. On the contrary, thecal or small luteal cells did not express it throughout the menstrual cycle. These results indicate that OG-1 antigen is a differentiation-related surface antigen of human granulosa cells.

Adult↗

Sex hormone-related control of hepatic epoxide hydrolase activities in mice.

Sex-related differences in hepatic epoxide hydrolase (EH) activities towards 7-(2',3'-epoxy)propoxycoumarin (7-glycidoxycoumarin, GOC) were investigated, mainly in mice but also in rats. Hepatic subcellular EH activities in the ddY mouse were higher in microsomes than in the soluble and mitochondrial fractions and sex-related differences were noted in all the subcellular fractions where males had significantly higher activities than females. Sex differences in the hepatic microsomal and soluble activities similar to those in the ddY strain were also observed in two other strains of mice, A/J and C3H/He, and in Wistar rats. In the ddY strain, castration of the males caused decreases in microsomal and soluble EH activities, while no alteration in the activities in those fractions was found following castration of females. Treatment of the male castrates with testosterone led to recovery of the activities in microsomal and soluble fractions while hormone treatment of female castrates caused a rise only in microsomal activity. Estradiol treatments of both sexes did not cause any changes in the hepatic subcellular activities. In intact ddY mice, testosterone treatment did not affect the male microsomal and soluble EH activities, but resulted in stimulation of both subcellular enzyme activities in females. In contrast, estradiol treatment showed a suppressive effect on both subcellular activities in males, but had no effect on female activities. These results show that hepatic EH activities towards GOC are mainly under androgenic stimulatory control in mice.

Age Factors↗