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Biomedical subjects

K Kikuchi

Publications and source records attributed to K Kikuchi.

At least 649 records · Page 36Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[A case of pulmonary fibroma].

A 42-year-old man without symptoms was admitted to the hospital because of a well-circumscribed mass in his left upper lung field, which was found on a routine chest X-ray film. CT of the chest revealed a well-defined homogeneous mass in the left upper lobe. Bronchial biopsy yielded material unsatisfactory for diagnosis. On thoracotomy a tumor, entirely within the lung parenchyma, was found to occupy S3. Due to its size and location left upper lobectomy was done. Histologically, the tumor contained interlacing bundles of spindle cells compatible with fibroma, with no indicators of malignancy. Intrapulmonary fibromas are rare and only one report could be found in the Japanese literature.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Serum aldolase level is a useful indicator of disease activity in eosinophilic fasciitis.

The serum levels of muscle enzymes have been considered normal in patients with eosinophilic fasciitis (EF). We observed elevated serum aldolase levels in 3 patients with EF. Serum creatinine kinase levels were within the normal range. We measured the aldolase levels longitudinally. In all patients, the levels decreased to the normal range after oral corticosteroid treatment, and skin sclerosis improved. Afterwards, serum aldolase levels increased again, with the recurrence of skin sclerosis. These observations suggest that serum aldolase level may be a useful indicator of disease activity.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Pharmacokinetic study in biochemical modulation therapy of UFT with leucovorin tablet].

Preoperative oral treatment with UFT and leucovorin tablet was performed. Pharmacokinetics, degree of degeneration in the tumor tissue and side effects were studied in 34 patients with colorectal cancer preoperatively given 400 mg/day of UFT with 20 mg/day of leucovorin tablet or 400 mg/day of UFT alone. Results were as follows; 1) there was no significant difference between UFTL group and UFT group regarding concentration of FdUMP in the tumor tissue. In UFTL group, concentration of FdUMP was higher in the tumor tissue of moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma than that of well differentiated adenocarcinoma. No significant differences regarding concentration of FdUMP were obtained between diploid and aneuploid groups. 2) TS inhibition rate in the tumor tissue was 66.8% in UFTL group and 53.2% in UFT group, and there was a significant difference between these two groups. TS inhibition rate in the tumor tissue was higher than that in the normal tissue either in UFTL group or UFT group. However, there were no significant differences of TS inhibition rates regarding differentiation of tumor tissue or DNA ploidy pattern. 3) Degree of degeneration of more than Grade 2 was not obtained in any patients of either UFTL or UFT group. 4) There was no change in blood laboratory data between before and after medication. Only one patient complained Grade 1 pruritus in UFTL group. These results suggest that oral biochemical modulation therapy of UFT with leucovorin tablet is effective because of pharmacokinetically high anti-tumor effect and minimal side effects.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1995

[A case of laryngeal and tracheobronchial tuberculosis].

The patient was 38-year-old male. His chief complaint was persistent cough. He had been diagnosed at an another clinic as tuberculosis by positive sputum culture. Laboratory findings at the first examination were as follows: ESR was 10 mm/1 hr and CRP was 0.920 mg/dl and other data were within normal limits. Chest X-ray showed infiltrative shadow in the left lower lobe. Bronchoscopic findings before treatment were as follows: there were ulcers on bilateral vocal cords, small white nodules with reddness in trachea and red nodules and white coated ulcers in left main bronchus. He was treated with combination chemotherapy (INH, RFP, EB) and the steroid inhalation was added 1 month later after the initiation of chemotherapy. Bronchoscopic findings at 2 months after starting chemotherapy were as follows: lesions of vocal cords and trachea were improved and lesion of left main bronchus was scarred without stenosis. Bronchial stenosis as sequelae of endobronchial tuberculosis deteriorates the patients' quality of life. Therefore it is important to diagnose endobronchial tuberculosis early and to start treat with chemotherapy as soon as possible, and the follow up by bronchoscopy should be done during treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Cerebral oxygen saturation (rSo2) during open heart surgery and postoperative brain dysfunction].

We studied the occurrence of brain dysfunction in regards to changes in cerebral oxygen saturation (rSo2) during open heart surgery. The subjects were 68 patients with the average age of 61 years. For the evaluation of brain function, Hasegawa Dementia Scale was used, and those patients whose scores were less than 23 points, or had decreased by more than 3 points from preoperative scores on the 7th postoperative day were categorized as the brain dysfunction group. There were 14 (21%) postoperative brain dysfunction cases. Although rSo2 values during surgery ran at 70-65% level, the brain dysfunction group showed significantly lower values throughout the entire procedures, with the lowest value being 61% during cardiopulmonary bypass. The patients in the dysfunction group were of older ages and postoperative lower cardiac index, which indicated that the occurrence of brain dysfunction is greatly influenced by low cerebral blood flow. Effect from the operative procedures and CPB alone seemed to be small. Cerebral oxygen saturation (rSo2) is believed to be a useful monitor of cerebral blood flow, and occurrence of brain dysfunction may be expected at values lower than 60%.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Parasitologic significance of the alteration of the causative Anisakidae worm and of the Pseudoterranova decipiens female immature adult worm, casting off the cuticles, and excreted from human in Kanazawa City].

We have been studying Anisakidae larvae, their intermediate hosts and their final hosts in the northern Japan Sea area. These larvae cause anisakidosis. According to the investigation, the recent burst of pseudoterranovosis in this area can be attributed to the increased presence of sea lions, which proliferate in the Arctic region, then migrate to the northern Japan Sea and eat the intermediate host fish. In a stomach of a male sea lion that was captured in February 1995, we found more than 4,500 Pseudoterranova decipiens. Although there is no known circumstance in which a human would consume an adult worm of Anisakis nematode, an astonishing case of this was found in Kanazawa; a female young adult Pseudoterranova decipiens undergoing the final metamorphosis was emitted from a patient. This indicates that the Anisakis larva can mature into the adult worm in humans. It is postulated that the Pseudoterranova decipiens larva is in the process of adapting to use humans as the final host.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Identification of deep septal ventricular tachycardia substrates from epicardial breakthrough characteristics].

This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between the epicardial activation pattern and the site of origin of the ventricular tachycardia (VT) occurring from the interventricular septum, and to find epicardial breakthrough characteristics identifying VT substrates. Seven patients undergoing intraoperative mapping including right ventricular endocardial mapping were studied. Thirteen septal VTs, which were defined as VTs in which both right and left ventricular endocardial breakthroughs were on the septal aspect, were induced. The VT site of origin was identified from the site and timing of right and left septal endocardial breakthroughs. All VTs were classified into three groups according to the site of epicardial breakthrough: type A, epicardial breakthrough in the anterior interventricular area; type F, epicardial breakthrough in the right ventricular free wall; type P, epicardial breakthrough in the posterior interventricular area. All type F VTs had a right ventricular endocardial breakthrough in the anterior septum and preceded the left ventricular endocardial breakthrough, thereby indicating right anterior septal origin. In the types A and P, both the right and left endocardial breakthroughs were localized in consistent (anterior and posterior, respectively) halves of the septum, but their relative timing was inconstant. This result suggests that epicardial mapping, and even noninvasive methods like body surface mapping, can identify the site of origin of the septal VTs, especially when the epicardial breakthrough occurs in the right ventricular free wall.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

[Pulmonary function and the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome].

We studied the relationships between results of pulmonary-function tests and sleep-induced respiratory disorders in men with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Pulmonary-function tests were done in 23 men with OSAS and in 9 men without OSAS who were matched for age and body mass index. Tests were done both in sitting and in supine positions. For both positions, results of pulmonary-function tests did not differ between the OSAS and the non-OSAS groups. In both groups, %TLC, %FRC, PaO2, and V25/Ht were lower while supine than while sitting, and CC/FRC was higher. In both positions, CC/FRC was significantly and positively correlated with apnea index and with 4% desaturation time. Body mass index was not correlated with apnea index or with 4% desaturation time. These findings suggest that low lung volume and peripheral airway closure contribute to sleep-induced respiratory disorders in men with OSAS, regardless of the body mass index.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Laparoscopic retrograde cholecystectomy (from fundus downward) facilitated by lifting the liver bed up to the diaphragm for inflammatory gallbladder.

In order to safely and reliably perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy in severe inflammatory cases (e.g., acute or chronic cholecystitis), we have designed a method of suturing the liver bed to the diaphragm, lifting it cephalad so as to maintain a good operative field. Initially, we dissect the gallbladder fundus, fully dissecting the neck of the gallbladder from the liver and finally dissecting the cystic duct (laparoscopic retrograde cholecystectomy facilitated by lifting the liver bed up to the diaphragm; Lap-RC). This method is different from laparoscopic standard cholecystectomy (Lap-SC), in which dissection of the cystic duct is done first. One hundred and twenty-nine consecutive laparoscopic cholecystectomies for various gallbladder diseases were carried out at Nerima General Hospital between August 1991 and June 1994. Fifteen cases of Lap-RC and six cases of Lap-SC in a severe inflammatory group were comparatively evaluated. Thirteen cases of Lap-RC and 92 cases of Lap-SC in a noninflammatory group were also comparatively evaluated. The rates of conversion to laparotomy were 0% in Lap-RC cases (0/15) and 33% in Lap-SC cases (3/9) in the severe inflammatory group. The incidences of major postoperative complications were 0% in Lap-RC cases (0/15) and 17% in Lap-SC cases (1/6) in the severe inflammatory group. In conclusion, Lap-RC showed satisfactory results in terms of both safety and reliability in patients with severe inflammatory disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Laparoscopic and minilaparotomy proximal gastrectomy and esophagogastrostomy: technique and case report.

A laparoscopic and minilaparotomy proximal gastrectomy with esophagogastrostomy (end-to-side anastomosis) was performed on a 56-year-old woman with a leiomyoma located just below the esophagogastric junction. Gastroscopic examination revealed a leiomyoma (diameter of 2.5 cm) just below the esophagogastric junction. We considered a laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy safer than a laparoscopic partial gastrectomy because of the risk of postoperative anastomotic stenosis in this case. Therefore, the patient underwent laparoscopic minilaparotomy proximal gastrectomy with esophagogastrostomy. On postoperative day 1, she was able to walk. On postoperative day 4, she started on a clear liquid diet and was discharged on postoperative day 14. During her postoperative recovery, the patient experienced little pain and did not request narcotic analgesia.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed1995

[Role of nitric oxide in vasoreactivity caused by experimental pulmonary microembolism].

Pulmonary hypertension caused by acute pulmonary embolism has been attributed to mechanical obstruction of the pulmonary arteries and also to vasoconstriction. We examined the role of nitric oxide in the vasoreactivity associated with pulmonary microembolism. Two kinds of microemboli of similar size were used: thorny microemboli (lycopodium spores, LP) and smooth microemboli (latex microspheres, MS). In isolated rat lungs perfused with blood, five injections of LP or MS into the pulmonary artery each caused a rapid increase in mean perfusion pressure, followed by a slow fall to a new, higher base line. Vasoconstriction was significantly greater after embolization with LP than after embolization with MS. Preadministration of L-NMMA, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, enhanced the increase in mean perfusion pressure caused by embolization with LP, but not the increase caused by embolization with MS. Before embolization, acetylcholine caused slight vasodilation. After embolization with MS, acetylcholine caused vasodilation; but after embolization with LP, acethlcholine caused vasoconstriction. Thus, we conclude that repeated embolization with LP may cause endothelial injury, and that nitric oxide may protect against pulmonary hypertension induced by LP emboli.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

mRNA levels and enzyme activities of protein phosphatases in drug-resistant rat ascites hepatomas.

mRNA levels and enzyme activities of the serine/threonine protein phosphatases (EC 3.1.3.16) type 1 (PP1) and 2A (PP2A) in drug-resistant rat ascites hepatoma cells were examined and compared with those in the parental drug-sensitive cell lines, under drug-free conditions. The mRNA levels of PP1 alpha were much higher in all the hepatomas, either sensitive or resistant, compared with normal liver. The mRNA level of PP2C alpha was decreased in the drug-resistant hepatomas compared with the parental drug-sensitive hepatomas, whereas mRNA levels of PP1 alpha, PP1 gamma 1 and PP2A alpha in resistant hepatomas showed diverse deviations, which are not drug-resistance-specific. However, both spontaneous and potential PP1 activities in particulate fractions of the resistant hepatomas were markedly increased compared with those of the sensitive hepatomas and normal rat liver. Western blot analysis showed that the resistant hepatomas contained larger amounts of PP1 alpha in both cytosolic and particulate fractions than the sensitive hepatomas and rat liver. In both groups of hepatomas, spontaneous and potential activities of PP2A were kept lower than those in normal rat liver, but there was no difference between drug-sensitive and -resistant hepatomas. These results suggest an involvement of PP1 in development of drug-resistant phenotype.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Thyrsiferyl 23-acetate is a novel specific inhibitor of protein phosphatase PP2A.

Thyrsiferyl 23-acetate (TF23A), a cytotoxic compound from marine red alga, has been shown to potently and specifically inhibit serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) with IC50 values of 4-16 microM, depending on the enzyme concentration. TF23A did not affect activity of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1), 2B (PP2B), 2C (PP2C), or protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTP) up to 1 mM. It inhibited PP2A activity in a crude extract of a human T cell line, Jurkat cell, as well as the purified catalytic subunit. Thus, TF23A proved to be a novel useful probe for clearly distinguishing the activity of PP2A from those of the other protein phosphatases in crude cell extracts and identification of cellular processes that are regulated by PP2A.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1994

TGF beta 1 suppresses EGF-induced increase in nuclear type 1 protein phosphatase activity at the G1/S transition of hepatocyte proliferation.

Nuclear type 1 protein phosphatase (PP1) activity in primary culture of EGF-stimulated hepatocytes was significantly and transiently increased at the G1/S transition, being about 2.5-fold, while that in non-stimulated hepatocytes showed almost no change. On the other hand, non-nuclear PP1 activity was gradually increased until the G1/S transition, but the activity showed no difference between EGF-stimulated and non-stimulated hepatocytes. Under growth-inhibited conditions in the presence of TGF beta 1, the increase in nuclear PP1 activity was completely suppressed, whereas non-nuclear PP1 activity was little affected. Such close correlation between nuclear PP1 activity and growth factor-induced positive or negative growth signaling strongly suggests an involvement of PP1 in progression from G1 to S phase of hepatocytes. On Western immunoblotting using antisera for PP1 alpha, PP1 gamma 1, and PP1 delta, no isoform showed any change in amount under these conditions. Mechanism(s) of growth-associated alterations in nuclear PP1 activity is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

B cell Ag receptor mediates different types of signals in the protein kinase activity between immature B cell and mature B cell.

Ig receptor (IgR) on the surface of B cells mediates the Ag-specific stimulatory signal for B cell proliferation and differentiation. In immature B cells, the stimulatory signal causes an inhibitory effect which is believed to be a key phenomenon in B cell tolerance or B cell anergy. Here, we studied the molecular mechanism of the inhibitory response of the IgR-mediated signal transduction that results in the programmed cell death of immature B cells. To analyze the downstream molecules of the IgR-mediated signal transduction, we prepared a mAb against a 160-kDa membrane protein (p160) that can coprecipitate the kinase molecule(s) acting on serine, threonine, and tyrosine residues. Anti-IgR stimulation induces the increase of the kinase activity coprecipitated with the p160 protein in mature B cell BAL17 and normal adult spleen B cells. This result suggest that the p160-associated kinase activity is one of the downstream events of the IgR-mediated signal transduction cascade. Interestingly, immature B cell lymphoma WEHI-231 and the neonatal spleen B cells showed the adverse reaction of the p160-associated kinase which results in the transient loss of the kinase activity. Moreover, the transient decrease of the p160-associated kinase was caused by the tyrosine phosphatase activity induced by the stimulation of IgR in WEHI-231. The results suggest that this molecular difference in the downstream events of the IgR-mediated signal transduction between immature B cells and mature B cells already begins at the transmembrane level in the IgR-mediated signal transduction pathway.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Natural autoantibody against apolipoprotein A-I. Detection and characterization of the monoclonal antibody established from normal unimmunized BALB/c mice.

During the course of studying the immunogenicity of soybean lipids, we observed frequent production of the mAbs that bind to apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) when spleen cells from unimmunized normal BALB/c mice were employed for fusion. Of the 986 colonies from six fusions, 38 (3.9% of the total) were directed against apoA-I and 13 mAbs (IgM) were established for further analysis. The following lines of evidence indicate that this family of mAb may form a novel family of natural autoantibodies against apoA-I: 1) The mAbs were shown to bind effectively to high density lipoprotein from various species, including BALB/c mouse, and immunoblotting analyses revealed that the mAbs bound specifically to the 28-kDa protein of high density lipoprotein. 2) The 28-kDa protein was purified to homogeneity and identified as apoA-I by amino acid sequence analyses and by its cross-reactivity with a xenogenic anti-apoA-I mAb (clone A/11). 3) Differing from the xenogenic anti-apoA-I mAb, the present mAb did not bind to native apoA-I, whereas an effective binding was observed only when the apoA-I had formed a complex with neutral lipids containing polyunsaturated fatty acids such as trilinoleoylglycerol and 5-cholesten-3 beta-ol 3-linoleate. 4) Sera from unimmunized BALB/c mice had readily detectable Abs against apoA-I and the majority of the serum autoantibodies were of the IgA and IgM isotype. 5) The anti-apoA-I mAbs displayed a functional heterogeneity in their reactivity with polyanionic substances and some of the mAbs established showed an extensive cross-reaction with polyanionic substances such as ssDNA and cardiolipin.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Structural analysis of the rat homologue of CD1. Evidence for evolutionary conservation of the CD1D class and widespread transcription by rat cells.

The cDNA encoding the rat homologue of CD1 was isolated and the complete nucleotide sequence was determined. It contained an open reading frame of 1008 bp that was capable of encoding a polypeptide with 336 amino acids composed of hydrophobic leader and transmembrane sequences, three extracellular domains, and 5' and 3' untranslated sequences. Comparison of the amino acid sequence of rat CD1 with those of other species revealed that it showed the highest similarity to mouse CD1, which belongs to the CD1D class of the CD1 system and is distinct from the classic CD1 class including CD1a, CD1b, and CD1c expressed primarily on human thymocytes and some dendritic cells. Widespread transcription of rat CD1 was readily detected by Northern blot analysis in nonlymphoid organs, including the liver, kidney, and heart, as well as in lymphoid organs, including the thymus, lymph node, and spleen. Intestinal expression was also demonstrated by the more sensitive reverse transcription-PCR method. Immunoprecipitation with a rabbit anti-rat CD1 Ab showed that rat CD1 was expressed on the cell surface as a beta 2-microglobulin-associated heterodimer. Southern blot analysis of inbred rat strains suggested that rat CD1 shows limited polymorphism and that only one CD1 gene is detectable in the F344 rat genome. These results provide evidence for the conservation of CD1D class through mammalian evolution and an apparent lack of the classic CD1 class genes in rodents. Functional similarity of rodent CD1 is implied.

Amino Acid Sequence↗