Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K Nakano

Publications and source records attributed to K Nakano.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Modified maze procedure for patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing simultaneous open heart surgery.

BACKGROUND: Persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) leaves patients symptomatic and at increased risk of thromboembolism even after otherwise successful cardiac surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: To treat AF secondary to cardiac lesions requiring surgery, we combined a modified maze procedure in 101 patients simultaneously undergoing valvular procedures (87), repair of congenital anomalies (12), and other procedures (2), including 24 repeat operations. Duration of AF varied from 0.1 to 30 years (average +/- SD, 8.8 +/- 7.0 years); the f-wave voltage ranged from 0 to 0.45 mV (0.15 +/- 0.09 mV); and cardiothoracic ratio varied from 40% to 99% (63 +/- 9%). Aortic cross-clamp time varied from 75 to 229 minutes (138 +/- 31 minutes), with bypass time ranging from 119 to 326 minutes (217 +/- 42 minutes). There were two early deaths (2%), no late deaths, and one episode of transient neurological ischemic attack in follow-up ranging from 1.0 to 3.1 years, for a total of 190 patient-years. Postoperative rhythms were sinus in 83 patients (82%), junctional in 4 (4%), and persistent AF in 14 (14%), each of whom had mitral valve disease. Patients with other underlying pathology had complete recovery of atrial rhythm. A normal-sized A wave was detected in 88% for transtricuspid flow and in 73% for transmitral flow, suggesting concomitant recovery of atrial contraction. Among 36 patients without mechanical valves, 30 (83%) with atrial rhythm and contraction have been taken off anticoagulation therapy, including 10 who are free of all medication. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the combined approach is safe, effective, and indicated in patients who are judged capable of tolerating the procedure and likely to regain atrial rhythm.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Expression of the MAGE gene family in human head-and-neck squamous-cell carcinomas.

The MAGE genes encode certain tumor-associated antigens recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. We investigated the expression of the MAGE-1, -2, -3, -4, -41, and -6 genes in 88 head-and-neck squamous-cell carcinomas (83 fresh tumor samples and 5 cell lines), using a reverse-transcription-polymerase-chain-reaction assay, followed by dot-blot hybridization with sequence-specific oligonucleotides and/or restriction enzyme-pattern analysis. The MAGE-1, -2, -3, -4, -41 and -6 genes were expressed at the mRNA level in 27, 34, 36, 22, 16 and 35, respectively, of 83 fresh tumor samples. At least one of these genes was expressed in 59 of the 83 samples. Neither non-tumor inflammatory cells nor normal tissues were positive for these genes. The MAGE-1 gene was expressed relatively frequently in SCC of the oropharynx, hypopharynx and maxillary sinus, but at lower rates in SCC of the larynx and of the tongue and oral cavity. MAGE-1 was frequently expressed in poorly differentiated SCC, somewhat less frequently in moderately differentiated SCC, and only infrequently in well-differentiated SCC. The expression levels of the other MAGE genes also varied with the anatomic site as well as the degree of differentiation. Our results suggest that specific immunotherapy against MAGE gene products may be useful for patients with head-and-neck carcinomas.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1995

Motility related protein 1 (MRP-1/CD9) expression: inverse correlation with metastases in breast cancer.

In our previous studies we showed that motility related protein 1 (MRP-1) is a glycoprotein recognized by mAb M31-15, and that the sequence of MRP-1 is identical to that of CD9, a WBC differentiation antigen. Transfection of MRP-1/CD9 cDNA into cultured nonhematopoietic cells suppresses cell motility. The extent of suppression is directly related to the level of MRP-1/CD9 expression. In addition, the metastatic potential of MRP-1/CD9-transfected melanoma BL6 cells is lower than that of control BL6 cells. To determine whether these experimental results are of relevance with respect to actual human tumors, we investigated MRP-1/CD9 expression in 143 invasive ductal carcinomas of the breast. Of 97 patients with MRP-1/CD9-positive tumors, only 36 (37.1%) had lymph node involvement. In contrast, 21 of 39 (53.8%) patients whose tumors had reduced MRP-1/CD9 immunoreactivity and 5 of 7 patients whose primary carcinomas were not stained by the anti-MRP-1/CD9 MAb had lymph node metastases. The comparison of protein expression by 62 primary tumors and their respective metastatic lymph nodes revealed that in almost 50% of the cases, the latter had lower MRP-1/CD9 levels than the former. Moreover, reverse transcriptase-PCR-based analysis disclosed that MRP-1/CD9 gene expression in the metastatic lymph nodes of 17 of 32 patients was strikingly lower than in the primary invasive ductal carcinomas. Gene overexpression was not observed in any of the samples studied. Our data suggest that low MRP-1/CD9 expression may be associated with the metastatic potential of certain human tumors.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Distinct immunohistochemical localization of IL-4 in human inflamed airway tissues. IL-4 is localized to eosinophils in vivo and is released by peripheral blood eosinophils.

Nasal polyposis and asthma are inflammatory conditions of the airways characterized by infiltration of activated inflammatory cells, particularly eosinophils. IL-4 is a multifunctional cytokine considered to play an important role in eosinophilic inflammation. We examined the cellular distribution of immunoreactive IL-4 in nasal polyps, as well as in the bronchial mucosa of both nonasthmatic control subjects (n = 6) and patients with well-characterized mild asthma (n = 6) subjected to a diluent or an allergen challenge. To determine eosinophilic contribution, tissue sections were counterstained with FITC after IL-4 immunostaining. No eosinophils were observed in the bronchial mucosa of nonasthmatic subjects. Nasal polyp tissues contained approximately 15 times more eosinophils per mm2 compared with bronchial tissues from asthmatics after a diluent challenge. Allergen challenge resulted in a marked increase in eosinophil density in bronchial tissues. A negligible number of cells immunostaining IL-4 was observed in bronchial tissues from nonasthmatic control subjects. The density of IL-4-positive cells in nasal polyp tissues was almost three times greater compared with asthmatics bronchial tissues after a diluent challenge. Approximately 90% of the IL-4-positive cells in bronchial tissues did not exhibit fluorescence after FITC counterstaining; in contrast, about 80% of the IL-4-positive cells in nasal polyp tissues did. We also show that peripheral blood eosinophils from allergic subjects express IL-4 mRNA by Northern blot analysis, particularly on stimulation with secretory IgA immune complexes. Finally, the supernatant of stimulated eosinophils contained approximately 50 pg/10(6) cells of IL-4 as determined by ELISA. These data demonstrate that eosinophils express the message and release IL-4 in vitro, and that these cells are the primary source of immunoreactive IL-4 in tissues undergoing chronic severe mucosal inflammation.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Nonionic contrast agents produce thrombotic effect by inducing adhesion of leukocytes on human endothelium.

The expression of P-selectin was more upregulated following the exposure to nonionic low osmolar contrast agents than to ionic contrast agents. Exposure to nonionic contrast agents led to a marked adhesion of leukocytes to endothelial cells. Thrombomodulin activity of endothelial cells was decreased, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha in the supernatant were increased when leukocyte adhesion occurred after exposure to nonionic contrast agents. Results suggest that the adhesion of leukocytes to the endothelium increases procoagulant activity.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed1995

Isolation and sequencing of two cDNA clones encoding Rho proteins from the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

The rho genes encode a group of low-molecular-weight GTP-binding proteins that show about 30% identity in the amino-acid sequence to the ras gene product. Two cDNA clones, both of which are similar to the rho genes, were isolated from a cDNA library of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, using the human rhoA cDNA as a probe. These genes were called rho1+ and rho2+. The encoded Rho1 protein showed 72.7% identity to the budding yeast RHO1 and 66.8% to human RhoA, and the encoded Rho2 protein showed 53.2% identity to the budding yeast RHO2 and RhoA.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Assessment of self-control behavior: validity analyses on a Japanese version of the self-control schedule.

To investigate the validity of a Japanese translation of Rosenbaum's Self-Control Schedule (SCS), 338 Japanese undergraduates were administered the scale. Construct validity of the SCS subscales, Constructive Self-Control and Ineffective Self-Control, in this study was achieved by correlations with coping responses. In addition, multiple regression analyses showed that Constructive Self-Control contributed to a negative prediction of future depression and psychosomatic symptoms, and Ineffective Self-Control predicted future depression and psychosomatic symptoms. These findings indicated that the Japanese version of the SCS employed in this study appeared to be a valid and promising measure of self-control.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1995

Oxidative metabolism in Rett syndrome: 2. Biochemical and molecular studies.

In an attempt to identify a possible defect of mitochondrial metabolism in Rett syndrome we studied 9 girls with typical Rett syndrome using a clinical protocol designed to identify disorders of oxidative metabolism. One girl, (RO) had marked lactic acidemia. Biochemical studies on samples from these patients included leukocyte pyruvate carboxylase assay, serum biotinidase and skin fibroblast pyruvate production, pyruvate dehydrogenase, citrate synthetase and 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase assay. Muscle electron transport activities were studied on samples from 4 typical Rett patients including RO. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutational analysis for the np3243 MELAS mutation, the np8993 NARP mutation, the np8344 MERFF mutation and the 4977 kb common deletion found in Kearns-Sayre syndrome and aged tissues were tested for in 1 of the muscle samples and 2 blood samples from typical Rett patients. Western blotting of electron transport complex III was performed on mitochondrial samples obtained from autopsy brain tissue in 2 Rett patients and compared to pediatric control brain samples. No abnormalities were found in blood biotinidase or pyruvate carboxylase. Western blotting of 2 Rett brain mitochondrial samples for complex III appear normal. Pyruvate consumption in medium from 8 Rett fibroblast lines grown with and without dichloroacetate (DCA) showed a normal fall in pyruvate suggesting normal pyruvate dehydrogenase activity in these cells, however the fibroblasts from patient RO had a high pyruvate production in culture. Pyruvate dehydrogenase, 2-oxo-glutarate dehydrogenase and citrate synthetase activities in 8 Rett fibroblast lines were normal.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed1995

Alteration of gamma-ray-induced chromosome aberration by 0.5 M NaCl in Chinese hamster cells.

Hypertonic treatment (0.5 M NaCl in phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.2) at 37 degrees C for 20 min slightly delayed the mitotic frequency for non-irradiated cells in G1 and G2 phases. The mitotic frequency for irradiated cells in G2 was delayed by hypertonic treatment, and that in G1 was slightly delayed by hypertonic treatment. Hypertonic treatment in non-irradiated cells did not induce any chromosomal or chromatid aberrations in either G1 or G2. Chromosomal aberrations caused by gamma-irradiation were slightly enhanced by hypertonic treatment, and chromatid aberrations were markedly enhanced by hypertonic treatment. The enhancement ratio of gamma-irradiation-induced chromatid breaks and exchanges was 1.4 and 3.0, respectively. This cell cycle dependency of chromosome aberrations induced by postirradiation hypertonic treatment was the same as that of cell survival. These findings suggested that hypertonic treatment modifies the rejoining of DNA strand breaks in G2, but slightly modifies that in G1.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Crosslines, fluorophores in the AGE-related cross-linked proteins.

We can summarize our results as follows: (1) A pair of fluorescent crosslines were isolated from the Maillard reaction mixture; (2) AGE-proteins contained crossline-like structures, and (3) crossline-like immunoreactivities were accumulated in renal tissues of diabetic rats. From these results we concluded that fluorophores in AGE proteins have crossline-like structures and we had the first indication that XLs could be markers for renal disorders.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Histamine synthesis by cells of the macrophage lineage in bone marrow of mice.

An injection of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increased the activity of histidine decarboxylase (HDC) in bone marrow (BM) cells of C3H/HeN mice much more than in C3H/HeJ mice, which are resistant to various effects of LPS. In WBB6/F1 (W/Wv) mice, which are genetically deficient in mast cells, HDC activity increased more than in C3H/HeN mice. Cultured BM cells of W/Wv mice spontaneously synthesized histamine in a HDC-dependent way. LPS caused a slight increase in HDC-associated histamine synthesis by these cells. Treatment of the BM cells with murine recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (mrGM-CSF) increased the histamine synthesis. In addition, treatment with mrGM-CSF made the cells respond to LPS by a dose-dependent increase in HDC activity and histamine synthesis. Most dish-adherent BM cells that had been treated with both mrGM-CSF and LPS for 48 h were stained for nonspecific esterase and not for chloroacetate esterase, and had twice as much HDC activity as the nonadherent cells had. Immunocytochemical analysis of the BM cells of W/Wv mice treated with both mrGM-CSF and LPS showed that HDC was in the cytoplasm of cells having Mac-1, a macrophage-differentiation antigen. These results suggest that cells of the macrophage lineage in the BM of mice synthesize histamine.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Interaction of tetrachloroethylene with rat hepatic microsomal P450-dependent monooxygenases.

1. We have studied the effects of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) on the kinetics of the P450-dependent monooxygenases in rat liver microsomes. 2. 7-Pentoxyresorufin O-depentylase (PROD) and 7-benzyloxyresorufin O-debenzylase (BROD) activities in phenobarbital (PB)-treated rat liver microsomes were substantially inhibited by PCE. The inhibition profiles were non-competitive for both enzyme activities; Ki's from Eadie-Hofsee plots were 0.16 and 0.29 mM for PROD and BROD respectively. In contrast, the enzyme activities in untreated, beta-naphthoflavone (BNF)-, isoniazid (ISN)- and pregnenolone-16 alpha-carbonitrile (PCN)-induced microsomes were not affected by PCE. 3. 7-Ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase (ECOD) activity in PB-induced microsomes was competitively inhibited by PCE, with a Ki that was lower than those of other microsomes. 4. PCE inhibited 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activities in some microsomes slightly. The Ki for PCE was the lowest in untreated, followed by ISN-treated microsomes. 5. No effect of PCE upon aniline 4-hydroxylase (AN4H) and testosterone 6 beta-hydroxylase (TS6BH) activities was evident in any microsomal preparation. 6. These results indicate that PCE inhibits PB-inducible, P450-dependent monooxygenases in vitro non-competitively or competitively, and that the P450 enzymes of the P4502B subfamily may contribute to PCE toxicity.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[A measurement scale for the Type A behavior pattern in women: the development of the Everyday Behavior Questionnaire].

A new 23-item scale, the Everyday Behavior Questionnaire (EDBQ) was developed to assess the Type A behavior pattern in women. Nurses (N = 139) in an university hospital participated in the validation study. Factor analysis of the 23 items revealed a four-factor structure. The four factors were anger/impatience, competitiveness/hard-driving, speed, and eagerness/interest. Internal consistency reliability estimates of four factors were adequate. Concurrent validity assessed by the relationship between the EDBQ and the Jenkins Activity Survey was significantly high. The four-factor structure and the relationship between the factors and psychological/physical symptoms adequately demonstrated Type A characteristics, as well as the uniqueness of the new questionnaire. These results suggested that the construct validity was in the desired direction. Further reliability and validity researches with the EDBQ in various samples were suggested.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Augmentation of chemotherapeutic efficaciousness of UFT by oral l-leucovorin--growth-inhibitory activity of combination against human tumor xenograft].

Combination chemotherapy with FUra and LV has been reported as a useful treatment for patients suffering from colon carcinoma. Usually, both FUra and LV are administered by intravenous infusion, but not orally. UFT, an anti-neoplastic agent consisting of FT and uracil, is widely used for oral administration in Japan. Using human tumor xenografts of 10 cell lines, we evaluated the efficacy of UFT combined with l-LV, which is the active form of LV, by oral administration. Combined treatment of UFT with l-LV was more effective than UFT alone on the growth suppression of colon carcinoma (KM 20 C, Col-1) and mammary carcinoma (H-31, MX-1). When 1.85 mg/kg (5.55 mg/m2) of LV was given to tumor bearing mice, the antitumor activity of UFT was augmented and at a dose of 5.56 mg/kg (16.7 mg/m2) of LV, it was significantly augmented. Among various 5-FU derivatives, such as UFT, 5'-DFUR or FUra, combined treatment using UFT with l-LV was the most effective by oral administration. l-LV did not improve the anti-tumor efficacy or toxicity of 5'-DFUR. l-LV seemed to augment the anti-tumor activity of FUra, but not significantly. These results suggest that combination chemotherapy of UFT with LV is a promising approach for the clinical treatment of human colon cancer.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1995

[Clinical analysis of ureteral injuries].

Six cases of ureteral injuries were analyzed. Two cases were male and 4 cases were female. The right side was affected in 1 case and the left in 5 cases. The affected portion was the uretero-pelvic junction in 1 case and lower iliac vessels in the other cases. Five cases were iatrogenic injuries in surgical or gynecological pelvic operation, and the other was due to blunt trauma. Intraoperative diagnosis was made in 4 cases. Drain leakage led to diagnosis in one case and pyelonephritis in another. Ureteroureterostomy was performed in 2 cases, pyeloureterostomy in 1 case, ureteroneocystostomy with psoas hitch in 1 case, Boari bladder flap in 1 case and simple suture in 1 case. 4-0 or 5-0 Dexon with an atraumatic needle was used for all anastomoses. Except for case 1, who died of the recurrence of carcinosarcoma, renal functions were preserved in all patients during the follow-up period ranging from 5 months to 7 years 8 months.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Surgical treatment and long-term results of cardiac myxoma in 38 patients].

Long-term results of thirty-eight patients with cardiac myxoma, who underwent resection at National Cardiovascular Center between May, 1978 and December, 1993, were reviewed focussing on embolism, cerebral complication, tumor recurrence and metastasis. The mean age was 49.6 years (range 0 to 74) in 20 female and 18 male. Overall follow-up were known for 35 of 38 patients (92.1%), and an average of follow-up period was 6.7 years (range 0.5 to 15.9 years). 15 of 38 patients (34.2%) had embolism (brain 10, peripheral artery 4, coronary 1) preoperatively. All patients survived operation and the hospital mortality rate was 0%. Long-term results were almost satisfactory (myxoma related-death in one patients). However, distant metastasis occurred in two patients, and tumor recurrence in one patient irrespective of a presence of preoperative embolism. Cerebral embolism occurred in one patient and cerebral arterial lesins were noticed in five patients postoperatively. Cardiac myxoma has a malignant potentiality and a close follow-up is necessary about recurrence, metastasis and cerebral artery disease.

Adolescent↗