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Biomedical subjects

K Mishima

Publications and source records attributed to K Mishima.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Defensin-1, an antimicrobial peptide present in the saliva of patients with oral diseases.

OBJECTIVES AND DESIGN: A preceding paper has noted a detection of defensin-1 (HNP-1), a peptide with antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties, in the saliva of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. The present study deals with the presence of HNP-1 in the saliva of patients with various oral diseases. METHODS: Whole saliva samples were obtained from the patients. HNP-1 in the saliva was isolated and purified by HPLC and the amino acid sequence of the peptide was determined. The molecular weight of HNP-1 was measured by mass spectrometry. The concentration of HNP-1 in saliva was determined by comparing the height of eluted HNP-1 with that of a synthetic HNP-1 standard. RESULTS: The concentrations of HNP-1 in the saliva of patients with oral lichen planus (n = 5), leukoplakia (n = 4), and glossitis associated with iron deficiency (n = 4) were 8.3 +/- 4.3 micrograms ml-1, 13.2 +/- 7.9 micrograms ml-1, and 11.4 +/- 4.9 micrograms ml-1, (mean +/- s.d.), respectively. These concentrations were significantly higher than those in healthy subjects (0.8 microgram ml-1) (P < 0.01). In contrast, salivary HNP-1 concentrations in patients with glossodynia (n = 4) and oral discomfort (n = 4) were similar to those in healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Since HNP-1 is a non-specific defensive peptide present in neutrophils, it may play an important role in the protection against diseases such as oral lichen planus, leukoplakia, and glossitis associated with iron deficiency.

Adult↗

Insulinoma with hyperproinsulinemia during hypoglycemia and loss of expression of vacuolar-type H(+)-ATPase (V-ATPase) in the tumor tissue.

Hypoglycemia with a low serum immunoreactive insulin (IRI) level and serum immunoreactive C-peptide (IRC) level was found in a 74-yr-old female. Although a fasting test induced hypoglycemia, the responses of IRI and IRC during the fasting test, and the results of a glucose tolerance test, glucagon test, and secretin test did not indicate the presence of an insulinoma. However, the serum proinsulin level before the fasting test was 130.5 pmol/L (N: 3.0-10.0 pmol/L), and this high level was maintained throughout the test. Soon after surgical enucleation of the tumor, the patient's blood glucose levels increased. Postoperatively, the hypoglycemic status resolved, and the serum proinsulin levels returned to normal (2.8 pmol/L). Histopathological studies revealed a typical insulinoma. Immunohistochemical studies by the recently developed method for vacuolar-type H+ (V-ATPase), which is responsible for acidification of the intracellular compartments in eukaryotic cells, showed that normal islets stained positive, but not the tumor. This finding indicates that the insulin-secretory granules in the insulinoma cells existed in a microenvironment in which V-ATPase activity had been lost. This suggests that the reduced activity of V-ATPase on the endomembrane of the insulin-secretory granules in insulinomas may result in loss of the acidic microenvironment and impaired conversion of proinsulin by converting enzymes.

Aged↗

Protection against cis-diamminedichloroplatinum-induced nephrotoxicity by 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid in rats.

The present study was designed to examine the usefulness of 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) for the purpose of reducing cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (DDP)-induced nephrotoxicity and effective clinical use of DDP and safe. The effectiveness of DMSA on the DDP-excretion in rat kidney was observed by measuring the platinum concentration using Atomic Absorption Instrument. Co-administration of DMSA (1.0 or 2.0 mmol/kg) 1 hour after DDP injection (20 mumol/kg) showed more decrease in the platinum concentration than that immediately after DDP injection. The alleviating effect of DMSA on DDP toxicity was evaluated by lipid peroxidation, enzymatic antioxidants, and glutathione levels. The administration of DDP alone caused a significant increase in lipid peroxidation and significant decreases in enzymatic antioxidants and glutathione levels in the kidney. Co-administration of DMSA (2.0 mmol/kg) 1 hour after DDP injection showed the most effective reduction of these enzymatic damages caused by DDP. These findings suggested that the co-administration of DMSA (2.0 mmol/kg) 1 hour after DDP injection leads DDP to effective excrete from renal tissue and suppresses the lipid peroxide reaction and results in reduction of nephrotoxicity.

Animals↗

Senescence-associated beta-galactosidase histochemistry for the primate eye.

PURPOSE: To develop a senescence-associated beta-galactosidase histochemistry and bleaching protocol for the primate posterior pole. METHODS: Rhesus monkey eyes of different ages were enucleated after death, fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for up to 16 hours, and cryoprotected using a graded sucrose infiltration technique. Ten-micrometer tissue sections were treated with beta-galactosidase, pH 4 (lysosomal) or pH 6 (senescence-associated) activity, for various times. Bleaching of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell and choroidal melanocyte pigment was performed after beta-galactosidase histochemistry using 0.1% to 1% potassium permanganate incubation for 1 minute to 2 hours followed by 0.5% oxalic acid immersion. RESULTS: A 6-hour incubation with beta-galactosidase, pH 4 or 6, demonstrated optimal staining of the RPE. Uniform staining of the RPE for pH 4 beta-galactosidase was seen in both young and old eyes. In contrast, senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (pH 6) staining was seen in the RPE of 16 and 29-year-old, but not 1- and 2-year-old eyes. Senescence-associated beta-galactosidase staining was evident in RPE cells adjacent to cuticular drusen. Optimal bleaching without loss of beta-galactosidase staining was obtained using a 25-minute incubation with 0.05% permanganate. CONCLUSIONS: The senescence-associated beta-galactosidase histochemistry assay, adapted for use in the primate posterior pole, showed staining of RPE cells in older eyes. Visualization of beta-galactosidase activity in the RPE was enhanced by permanganate bleaching of melanin pigment. This technique could be valuable for identifying senescent RPE cells in human eyes.

Aging↗

Interfacial tension of aqueous two-phase systems containing poly(ethylene glycol) and dipotassium hydrogenphosphate.

Liquid-liquid equilibrium (LLE) compositions and interfacial tensions of the aqueous two-phase system containing poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG 4000, average Mr=3500; PEG 6000, average Mr=7500; and PEG 20000, average Mr =20000) and dipotassium hydrogenphosphate were experimentally determined by using a shaking flask method and a drop volume method at 288.15, 298.15 and 308.15 K, respectively.

Chemistry Techniques, Analytical↗

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor stimulates mitogenic signaling and is highly expressed in human malignant gliomas.

We previously reported that schwannoma-derived growth factor (SDGF), a member of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (EGF) family, participates in autocrine pathways and promotes rat glioma cell growth. To investigate the potential role of similar molecules in human gliomas, we examined 7 human glioma cell lines and 11 glioblastoma specimens for expression of the human homologue of SDGF, amphiregulin (AR), as well as heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF). Northern blot analysis revealed that only one cell line and no tumor specimens expressed AR mRNA. In contrast, HB-EGF mRNA was expressed in all human glioma cell lines and its level of expression was two- to five-fold higher than that of control brain tissues in 8 of 11 glioblastoma cases. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that membrane-anchored HB-EGF (proHB-EGF) and EGFR were co-expressed in 44% of 34 human malignant gliomas. Introduction of exogenous HB-EGF (10 ng/ml) increased human glioma cell proliferation, and anti-HB-EGF blocking antibodies reduced the growth of glioma cells by 30-40%, confirming the presence of an autocrine loop. When added to the medium, transforming growth factor-alpha, basic fibroblast growth factor, or HB-EGF rapidly induced HB-EGF mRNA expression. These results indicate that HB-EGF and proHB-EGF contribute to the growth of human malignant glioma cells, most likely through autocrine and juxtacrine mechanisms.

Amphiregulin↗

Multilobular cavernous malformation: report of two cases.

The authors report two cases of cavernous malformation characterized by a multilobular appearance on magnetic resonance images. At surgery, the malformations consisted of several nests of angiomatous components that were separated by intervening brain tissue and connected with each other by tiny vessels. This basic configuration seems to explain the unexpected postoperative recurrence of cavernous malformations and/or rebleeding from the residual lesions.

Adult↗

Telomerase activity in 144 brain tumours.

Unlimited proliferation in immortalized cells is believed to be highly dependent on the activity of telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein that synthesizes telomeric repeats onto chromosome ends. Using a polymerase chain reaction-based telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay, we analysed telomerase activity in 99 benign and 45 malignant brain tumours. The TRAP assay results were quantitated by normalizing the telomerase activity of each specimen to that of human glioma cell line T98G to obtain the relative telomerase activity. Telomerase activity was also assessed visually from the autoradiograms as being positive or negative. One hundred and sixteen tumours with negative telomerase activity had null relative telomerase activity, whereas 28 tumours with positive telomerase activity had relative telomerase activities of 12-84.3% (mean 0% vs 36.1 +/- 19.3%, P < 0.0001). Thus, quantification of telomerase activity confirmed the results of the visual evaluation of telomerase activity on autoradiograms. Based on the assessment, malignant brain tumours had a higher positive rate of telomerase activity than benign tumours (57.8% vs 2.0%, P < 0.001). These data indicate that positive telomerase activity is strongly associated with malignant brain tumours and is rather rare in benign tumours, such as neurinomas or meningiomas.

Brain Neoplasms↗

The regulatory role of heat shock protein 70-reactive CD4+ T cells during rat listeriosis.

Protection against infection with Listeria monocytogenes depends primarily on Listeria-specific T cells. We show here that CD4+ TCR alphabeta+ T cells are capable of recognizing the mycobacterial heat shock protein (HSP) 70, that appears in the peritoneal cavity of F344 rats infected i.p. with L. monocytogenes. The HSP70-reactive CD4+ T cells recognized a peptide comprising 234-252 residues as present in the 70 kDa HSP of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the context of RT1.B MHC class II molecules. Analysis of TCR Vbeta gene expression with RT-PCR revealed that the HSP70-reactive CD4+ T cells predominantly used the Vbeta16 gene segment, whereas the heat-killed Listeria (HKL)-specific T cells expressed a diverse set of Vbeta gene segments. In contrast to the HKL-specific T cells producing IFN-gamma, the HSP70-reactive CD4+ T cells produced TGF-beta1 and IL-10 but neither Th1- or Th2-type cytokines. Adoptive transfer with HSP70-reactive T cells rendered rats susceptible to listerial infection. Collectively, these results proposed that the HSP70-reactive CD4+ T cells appearing during rat listeriosis may be involved in termination of Th1 cell-mediated excessive inflammation after the battle against L. monocytogenes has been won.

Adoptive Transfer↗

Application of the polymerase chain reaction for the diagnosis of malignant lymphoma of the nasal and oral cavities.

Difficulties are often encountered in the diagnosis of malignant lymphoma of the oral and nasal cavities by histology and immunohistochemistry because these malignancies may be complicated by inflammation and necrosis. In the present study, immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) and T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangements were examined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens obtained from 18 patients; the advantages of this method were evaluated. Twelve of these patients were diagnosed as having malignant lymphoma and six had tumors highly suggestive of malignant lymphoma. Fourteen (78%) of the 18 cases were diagnosed as malignant lymphoma histologically and immunohistochemically. Sixteen (89%) of the 18 cases were shown to be monoclonal by PCR. The four cases that could not be histologically or immunohistochemically diagnosed as malignant lymphoma showed monoclonal gene rearrangement by PCR. As a result, six patients suspected of having a malignant lymphoma were diagnosed as having one. The diagnosis of malignant lymphoma by PCR alone still has various problems. However, when the results of PCR are evaluated together with histopathological and immunohistochemical results, PCR makes a useful contribution to the diagnosis of malignant lymphomas of the nasal and oral cavities.

DNA, Neoplasm↗

Effects of presurgical orthopedic treatment in infants with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate.

OBJECTIVE: To align the protruding premaxilla in infants with bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP), an intraoral appliance (i.e., Hotz plate) and an extraoral appliance consisting of a band covering the head and elastics are used as a presurgical orthopedic treatment in our clinic. The aim of this study was to analyze the configuration and position of the premaxilla and the vomer in infants with BCLP and to investigate the factors generating deviation and bending of the vomer and twisting of the premaxilla. PATIENTS: Palatal casts were obtained serially from 10 infants with complete BCLP from 1 to 3 months of age. MEASUREMENTS: These casts were automatically measured using a highly accurate contact-type measuring apparatus. After three-dimensional wire frame models generated from the serial casts were automatically superimposed, the magnitude and direction of the shift were calculated. A discriminant analysis was used for investigation of predictor variables generating the twisting or bending vomer. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The vomer was found to be bent in two infants and the premaxilla was twisted in three infants. In the infants whose vomers were bent, the magnitude of the posterior shift of the premaxilla was greater than that of the inferior shift. A discriminant analysis indicated that at 1 month of age, a greater inclination and a smaller deviation of the vomer and a longer distance between the cleft edges of the lateral segments had a tendency to be associated with bending of the vomer or twisting of the premaxilla.

Cleft Lip↗

Clinical outcome of stenting in superior vena cava syndrome associated with malignant tumors. Comparison with conventional treatment.

PURPOSE: We analyzed the clinical outcome of treatment with the expandable metallic stent (EMS) for the superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome associated with malignant tumors, and the results were compared with those of radiotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Of 33 patients with the SVC syndrome, 23 were treated by Gianturco EMS placement and 10 were treated by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy alone. Of the 23 EMS patients, 11 had treatment before EMS placement and 12 had no treatment before EMS placement. RESULTS: After stenting, the clinical symptoms disappeared in 78% (18/23) of the patients, i.e. in 50% of the patients with intraluminal tumors, and in 93% of those with extrinsic compression. The clinical symptoms improved in 80% of patients who received radiotherapy. The mean duration of survival was 145 days in patients who underwent stenting, and 146 days in those receiving radiotherapy. However, the survival period differed significantly between patients with intraluminal tumors (44.9 days) and those with extrinsic compression (198.6 days). Between patients with previous treatment and those with no previous treatment, there was no significant difference in response rate or in survival period which were 82% versus 75%, and 127 days versus 162 days, respectively. CONCLUSION: The clinical symptoms showed similar improvement in patients receiving EMS placement or radiotherapy. EMS placement was effective in relieving clinical symptoms in patients who had failed to respond to radiotherapy.

Adult↗

Randomized, dim light controlled, crossover test of morning bright light therapy for rest-activity rhythm disorders in patients with vascular dementia and dementia of Alzheimer's type.

The authors compared the therapeutic effect of morning bright and dim light exposure on rest-activity (R-A) rhythm disorders in patients with vascular dementia (VD) and patients with dementia of Alzheimer's type (DAT). Participants in this study were 12 patients with VD (M/F = 5/7; average age = 81 years) and 10 patients with DAT (M/F = 4/6; average age = 78 years). They were exposed to 2 weeks of bright light (BL; 5000-8000 lux) and 2 weeks of dim light (DL; 300 lux) in the morning (09:00-11:00) in a randomized crossover design in which the 2-week treatment period took place between pretreatment (1 week) and posttreatment (1 week) periods. Continuous R-A monitoring was performed at 1-minute intervals throughout the study using an actigraph around the nondominant wrist. The BL exposure for 2 weeks induced a significant reduction in both nighttime activity and percentages of nighttime activity to total activity compared with the pretreatment period, as well as compared with the DL condition in the VD group, but not in the DAT group. These findings support the assumption that the therapeutic efficacies of morning BL exposure are prominent in VD patients and are mainly due to its photic effect rather than nonphotic effects such as the intensification of social interaction accompanying light therapy.

Activity Cycles↗

[Effects of melatonin on circadian time keeping system].

This paper is intended to provide an overview of a physiological role of melatonin (MLT) in sleep-wake regulation. In human MLT studies, MLT has significantly increased sleepiness and fatigue during the daytime but not at night, which indicates time-dependent sleep-promoting effect of MLT. Op the other hand, MLT is known to have phase-shifting effect of biological clock. Phase response curve (PRC) for MLT administration was introduced in human studies. Successful melatonin treatments for circadian rhythm sleep-disorders based on PRC have been reported. MLT is known to decrease core body temperature. Effects of MLT on sleep-wake cycle may be mediated by a combination of sleep-promoting and phase-shifting actions and may involve the temperature lowering effect.

Animals↗

[Clinical experience of autologous blood transfusion and fibrin glue in neurosurgery].

Clinical experience of autologous blood preservation on 83 patients and transfusion on 43 patients were reported. When drawing blood, 14 patients whose hemoglobin level was below 13 g/dl (body weight < 70 kg) or 14 g/dl (body weight > 70 kg) received subcutaneous recombinant human erythropoietin injection (s.c.) to facilitate erythropoiesis, according to the internal standard protocol. Hemoglobin levels of all the patients recovered to more than 10 g/dl by the time they were admitted to the hospital, which value would not interfere with general neurosurgical procedures. The injection of erythropoietin did not cause any side effects. Autologous blood transfusion was performed in 43 patients but, in 3 patients, additional homologous transfusion was required because of excessive bleeding. Except in cases with meningioma, postoperative hemoglobin values were identical with preoperative values, indicating that autologous blood transfusion was enough to replace intraoperative blood loss. Autologous fibrin glue was applied in 74 patients. In 70 cases including 55 with skull base surgery, the glue was applied to ensure dural closure. The incidence of cerebrospinal fluid leakage was 16.4% (5 patients) in skull base surgery. This incidence was identical to or less than that in previous reports. The glue was also effective in transposing and fixing offending vessels in 4 cases which received microvascular decompression. As a conclusion, procedures for autologous blood preservation and transfusion were safely performed in neurosurgical cases. Review of the literature was also presented to discuss the advantages and problems to be solved in the future.

Adolescent↗

Overexpression of the ERK/MAP kinases in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is a serine-threonine kinase that is activated by various extracellular stimuli. Extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1 and ERK2), an MAPK subfamily, are activated by many oncogenes, such as ras and raf, and they induce cell proliferation. myc is also an oncogene and one of the targets of ERKs. Mutations of ras and overexpression of myc were found in various human cancers, and ERKs were also reported to play a role in carcinogenesis. In this study, we examined 39 biopsy specimens of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and 5 of normal gingival mucosa for the expression of ERK protein and the proliferation marker, MIB-1 (Ki-67 antibody). Thirteen OSCC specimens and five normal gingival biopsies were also examined for the expression of ERKs mRNA by in situ hybridization. Double staining for ERKs and MIB-1 was also performed. Histologically, 18 patients (46%) were diagnosed with well-differentiated SCC, 17 (44%) with moderately differentiated SCC, and 4 (10%) with poorly differentiated SCC. The histologic grade correlated with the MIB-1 index. The localization of ERK1 was similar to that of ERK2. Positive signals for ERK proteins were localized in superficial keratinocytes in normal gingival mucosa, whereas these mRNAs were weakly positive in the basal and spinous layer. Basal and suprabasal cells were positive for MIB-1. In well-differentiated and moderately differentiated OSCC, positive signals for ERK mRNA and proteins were found at higher levels than in normal gingival mucosa in keratotic cells around cancer pearls. Some cells showed positive signals for ERKs and MIB-1. Furthermore, most cancer cells in poorly differentiated SCC were positive for both ERK and MIB-1. The histologic grade was statistically related to the percentage of cells positive for both ERK and MIB-1. This suggested that ERKs might be related to proliferation in OSCC.

Antigens, Nuclear↗