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Biomedical subjects

K Shimizu

Publications and source records attributed to K Shimizu.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Hepatic branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex in female rats: activation by exercise and starvation.

The effects of acute exercise and starvation on hepatic branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKDH) complex activity were examined in female rats fed high (30%)- or low (8%)-protein diets. The total activity of the complex was significantly higher in the high protein-fed rats than in the low protein-fed rats but was not affected by acute exercise and starvation in either diet group. The proportion of the active form of BCKDH complex was less than 10% in both diet groups. Acute exercise and starvation markedly increased the active form of the complex in both diet groups. The activity of BCKDH kinase, which is responsible for inactivation of the BCKDH complex by phosphorylation, tended to be decreased by acute exercise and starvation in both diet groups. These results suggest that the activity of the BCKDH kinase is an important factor determining the proportion of the active form of BCKDH complex in exercise and starvation, and that the female rat is a useful model for studying the regulation of hepatic BCKDH complex activity.

3-Methyl-2-Oxobutanoate Dehydrogenase (Lipoamide)↗
PubMed1999

Hodgkin's disease following extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma in remission.

A patient who developed Hodgkin's disease after an 11-year remission of marginal zone B-cell (MZB) lymphoma (low grade B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type) is presented. Except for L26/CD20 expression by Reed-Sternberg cells, morphologic, immunophenotypic, and genotypic findings were compatible with the diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease. The relationship between Hodgkin's disease and the preceding MZB lymphoma in this patient is discussed.

Antigens, CD20↗
PubMed1999

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans harboring t(9;22)(q32;q12.2).

More than 20 cases of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) exhibiting chromosomal abnormalities have been reported. Approximately three fourths of these tumors have harbored supernumerary ring chromosomes, which have been suggested to be specific for this tumor. However, a small number of DFSPs with translocations such as t(2;17), t(X;7), and t(17;22) have recently been reported. We report a DFSP arising in a 23-year-old woman which unexpectedly exhibited the balanced translocation, t(9;22)(q32;q12.2) as the only anomaly with G-band technique. Dual-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) confirmed these cytogenetic findings. Similar to that previously reported for DFSPs with translocations, the present tumor also lacked ring chromosomes.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Seven cases of marked pulmonary fibrosis in the upper lobe].

We report on 7 patients with marked idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in the upper lung lobes. The patients were generally characterized by the following pathological and clinical features: (1) marked subpleural pulmonary opacities and reticular shadows mainly in the upper lobes, with a progressive reduction in lung volume; (2) nonspecific fibrosis (subpleural, zonal, rather well-defined fibrosis with small cysts and honeycomb lesions) in 5 patients and interstitial pneumonia in 2, mainly in the upper lobes; and (3) a slender build, and a family history of recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax. Clinically, all 7 cases resembled idiopathic upper-lobe fibrosis as described by Amitani in 1992. Further clinical and experimental research will be required to delineate the characteristics of idiopathic fibrosis affecting primarily the upper lobes.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Ependymoma of the spinal cord and the cauda equina region.

Ependymomas are the most common glial tumors of the spinal cord, including the conus medullaris, filum terminale, and cauda equina. This study involved eight ependymomas of the spinal cord encountered during a 29-year period (1968-1996). The male:female ratio was 1:1.7, and the mean age at diagnosis was 33.7 years (range, 13-55 years). The outcome was studied in relation to initial presentation, initial therapy, location of tumor, histology of tumor, and gender after a follow-up period ranging from 2-16 years (mean, 113 months). Complete removal was achieved in six patients. Two patients received postoperative irradiation after partial removal. Histological examination revealed a benign ependymoma in all patients. Patients undergoing gross total excision at initial operation had excellent or good outcomes. We conclude that ependymomas of the spinal cord should be removed completely, if possible. Spine surgeons should be aware of the disease, and magnetic resonance imaging should be used in its detection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[ACTH-independent bilateral macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia (AIMAH): a case report].

We report a case of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-independent macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia (AIMAH). A 54-year-old Japanese man was admitted to our hospital for further examination of obesity and hypertension. Endocrinological studies showed that plasma cortisol was high (22.5 micrograms/dl) without diurnal rhythm, and plasma ACTH was low. Two or 8 mg of dexamethasone did not suppress the plasma cortisol levels. Abdominal computed tomography revealed nodular hyperplasia of bilateral adrenal glands. Adrenal scintigraphy showed the positive uptake of 131I-adosterol to bilateral adrenal glands. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed no abnormalities. He was diagnosed as having Cushing's syndrome with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, and bilateral adrenalectomy was performed. Left and right adrenal glands were 52 g and 35 g, respectively, and were occupied by yellow nodular lesions. Histologically, hyperplastic lesions were composed of clear cells. Finally he was diagnosed with AIMAH.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1999

[Effect of low-dose sulpiride on dopamine metabolism in rat nucleus accumbens and locomotor activity: studies with intracerebral dialysis].

Changes in the concentration of dopamine (DA) and its metabolites, 3, 4-dihydroxyphenyl-acetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), were determined sequentially in freely moving rats by using a brain dialysis method. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between changes in the dopamine metabolism in the nucleus accumbens and locomotor activities following low-dose (5 mg/kg) sulpiride administration. The DA content in the dialysis fluid rose significantly 4 to 6 h after sulpiride administration. The DOPAC content rose significantly 6 h after sulpiride administration. The HVA content did not show a significant change. A slight increase of locomotor activity was found, but it was not statistically significant. The elevation of DA release in nucleus accumbens by sulpiride might relate to the clinical efficacy of low-dose administration of this drug for mood disorders.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗
PubMed1999

[Advances in endoscopic therapies for cancers of the digestive tract].

Endoscopic therapies for the treatment of cancers of the digestive tract have been improved. Today, some early cancers can be curatively treated by endoscopy (endoscopic polypectomy, endoscopic mucosal resection, heatprobe method, etc.). In addition, endoscopic local injection chemotherapy is performed for some advanced cancers as an adjuvant therapy. Recent progress in endoscopic therapies for cancer is reviewed in this paper, including their historical background. Improvements in these endoscopic treatment methods are expected to provide increased advantages for the treatment of patients with cancer in the near future.

Colonic Polyps↗
PubMed1999

[A study on the efficacy of combination chemoendocrine therapy consisting of cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, UFT, and tamoxifen for advanced or recurrent breast cancer].

The efficacy of the combination chemoendocrine therapy CAUT against advanced and recurrent breast cancer was examined. One course of this therapy lasted 3 weeks and consisted of adriamycin (i.v.) at 30 mg/m2 on day 1, cyclophosphamide (p.o.) at 65 mg/m2 and UFT (p.o.) at 300 mg/m2 on days 1-14, and tamoxifen (p.o.) at 20 mg/body on days 1-21. Twenty patients were enrolled, of whom 19 were eligible including seven with advanced cancer and 12 with recurrent cancer. One patient achieved CR, ten PR, three NC, and five PD, for a response rate of 58% (95% CI: 29-87%). The response rates according to type of lesion were 73% (8/11) for the soft tissue, 38% (3/8) for the bone, 20% (1/5) for the lungs and pleura, and 50% (2/4) for the liver. Adverse events with a severity of grade 3 or more included a reduction in WBC in six patients (31.6%), a reduction in RBC in one (5.3%), alopecia in four (21.1%), and severe general fatigue in one (5.3%). One patient experiencing a grade 4 reduction in WBC, and one of five patients experiencing a grade 3 reduction with a fever, recovered after treatment with G-CSF. The other four patients recovered following suspension of administration. This therapy is considered useful, exhibiting a high response rate and relatively slight adverse effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Combination therapy for advanced breast cancer: cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, UFT, and tamoxifen.

We evaluated combination therapy for advanced and recurrent breast cancer with cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), doxorubicin (Adriamycin), UFT (uracil and tegafur), and tamoxifen (Nolvadex) (CAUT), designed as chemoendocrine therapy with a high antitumor effect and less severe adverse reactions. In this therapy, one 3-week cycle consisted of doxorubicin 30 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1, cyclophosphamide 65 mg/m2 orally (po) and UFT 300 mg/m2 po on days 1 to 14, and tamoxifen at 20 mg/day po on days 1 to 21. Twenty patients were registered and 19 were eligible, including seven with advanced breast cancer and 12 with recurrent disease. Six patients had received previous treatment. The comprehensive evaluation for objective response revealed one patient with a complete response and 10 patients with partial responses, producing an overall response rate of 58% (95% confidence interval, 29% to 87%). Three patients experienced no change, and five patients had progressive disease. Adverse events > or = grade 3 were leukopenia in six patients, erythropenia in one patient, alopecia in four, and severe generalized malaise in one. One patient who developed grade 4 leukopenia and one of five patients who developed grade 3 leukopenia recovered after receiving granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. CAUT therapy produced high response rates and relatively mild adverse reactions and is considered useful for the treatment of advanced and recurrent breast cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Recent advances in CT diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases].

With high-resolution CT (HRCT), morphological changes of the lung caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can be evaluated in detail at the level of secondary pulmonary lobule. The location of emphysematous lesions within the lobule can be judged on HRCT images and bronchiolar abnormalities are also demonstrated as thickening of peripheral bronchovascular bundles. In addition to early detection of morphological changes, quantitative evaluation of the severity of the disease is also important. For this purpose, visual assessment with CT scores, quantitative evaluation using "density mask" technique, or histogram analysis are employed. Quantitative parameters provided by these methods correlate well with pathological scores and results of pulmonary function tests. Furthermore, respiratory dynamic CT or paired inspiratory and expiratory CT is also useful to detect air trapping caused by bronchiolar stenosis.

Humans↗
PubMed1999

[A case of malignant lymphoma of the testis: characterization with ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging].

We report a case of stage IE non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the testis including the sonographic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. A 68-year-old male noticed a painless swelling of his right scrotal contents. The serum alpha-fetoprotein and beta-HCG levels were within the normal ranges. Scrotal ultra-sonography revealed a hypoechoic lesion in the right testis. This tumor showed isointensity on T1-weighted imaging and also showed low intensity on T2-weighted imaging. A high orchiectomy was performed and the histological diagnosis was non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Adjuvant chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and predonisolone) was administered. At 6 months postoperatively, this patient shows no signs of recurrence.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Pulmonary thromboembolism accompanied by abnormal plasminogen].

A 38-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of sudden chest pain and bloody sputum. Lung perfusion scintigraphy disclosed segmental defects in both lungs. An enhanced thin-section computed tomographic scan of the chest showed a low-density area in the right main pulmonary artery. These findings yielded a diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism. Serum plasminogen activity was low, not only in the patient but in his elder brother and daughter. Gene analysis revealed a point mutation at exon 15 of the plasminogen gene, suggesting abnormal plasminogen. Abnormal plasminogen is more prevalent in Japan than in the USA or Europe, and is usually asymptomatic. Thromboembolism in patients with abnormal plasminogen is very rare. Further studies are needed to elucidate the relationship between plasminogen abnormalities and pulmonary thromboembolism.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Surgery for metastatic brain and spinal tumor from colorectal cancer].

UNLABELLED: The results of invasive treatment of brain metastasis of colorectal cancer (6 cases) and spinal metastasis of colorectal cancer (3 cases), aimed at alleviating the symptoms, were analyzed. In all 6 cases of brain metastasis, metastases were also found in some other remote sites (often the liver). The average period from resection of the primary lesion to resection of the brain metastasis was 3 years and 3 months for this group. Of these 6 cases, 5 had cerebral metastasis and 1 had cerebellar metastasis. The preoperative performance status (PS) was 1 in 1 case and 2 in 5 cases. After surgery, the PS improved in all 6 cases, allowing all the patients to be discharged. There was only one patient whose death was attributable to brain metastasis. In all 3 cases of spinal metastasis, metastases were also detected in the lungs or liver (synchronous in) 1 case, metachronous in 2 cases). The preoperative PS was 2 in 1 case, 3 in 1 case and 4 in 1 case. After surgery, the PS improved in 2 cases. One of the three patients is still alive. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that it is not impossible to improve the QOL of patients with brain or spinal metastasis of cancer by surgical intervention, although the response may vary from patient to patient.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed1999

Transforming activity of the RL-akt gene, a c-akt gene activated by long terminal repeat insertion in murine leukemia RL(male symbol)1 cells.

The unique antigen peptide pRL1 on BALB/c radiation-induced leukemia RL(male symbol)1 cells is derived from the normally untranslated 5' region of the mouse c-akt gene. Insertion of an endogenous long terminal repeat into the first coding exon of the gene resulted in the enhanced production of an altered akt protein, RL-akt, and creation of the tumor rejection antigen peptide pRL1. In this study, we constructed an RL-akt-expressing vector to investigate the transforming ability and anti-apoptotic activity of RK-akt in NIH/3T3 cells. RL-akt-expressing clones formed more colonies than did c-akt-expressing clones in soft agar and exhibited increased saturation density, a lower serum requirement for growth, and tumorigenicity on athymic nude mice. Immunoblot analysis of subcellular protein distribution showed that a considerable proportion of RL-akt was distributed in the membrane fraction. Thus, RL-akt expressed in NIH/3T3 cells appeared to behave like the v-akt oncoprotein. Furthermore, the RL-akt gene conferred resistance to the apoptosis induced by the calcium ionophore A23187 and by ultraviolet irradiation of NIH/3T3 cells. These findings indicate that the RL-akt gene is able to transform cells and exerts an anti-apoptotic effect on recipient cells, thereby implicating the gene in leukemogenesis of RL(male symbol)1 cells.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1999

[The role of monocyte chemotactic and activating factor (MCAF)/monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 in subgroups of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis].

To elucidate the role of monocyte chemotactic and activating factor (MCAF)/monocyte chemoattractant protein(MCP)-1 in the pathogenesis of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN), we determined the urinary levels of MCAF/MCP-1 in 20 healthy subjects, 30 patients showing RPGN with crescents, and 39 patients with various types of renal diseases without crescents. We divided RPGN into two subgroups, the acute type and the insidious type, with regard to the declination rate of reciprocals of serum creatinine with time as previously reported. In addition, we divided the patients with RPGN into anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody(ANCA)-related diseases and immune complex(IC)-mediated diseases with regard to etiology. Urinary levels of MCAF/MCP-1 were significantly higher in patients with RPGN as compared with those of other renal diseases and healthy volunteers(21.8 +/- 4.5 vs. 11.6 +/- 3.5, 1.0 +/- 0.1 pg/ml creatinine, respectively, p < 0.01, mean +/- SEM). There was no difference in the urinary levels of MCAF/MCP-1 between the acute and insidious types of RPGN patients. In addition, there was no difference in the urinary levels of MCAF/MCP-1 between the patients with ANCA-related and IC-mediated diseases. Urinary levels of MCAF/MCP-1 in patients with RPGN were correlated well with the percentage of both total crescents and fibrocellular/fibrous crescents and the number of CD68-positive infiltrating cells in the interstitium. Immunohistochemical examinations revealed that MCAF/MCP-1 positive cells were detected in tubular epithelial and endothelial cells and mononuclear infiltrated cells in the interstitium. Moreover, elevated urinary MCAF/MCP-1 levels in patients with RPGN, regardless of subgroups, were dramatically decreased during methylprednisolone pulse therapy induced convalescence. These results suggest that MCAF/MCP-1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of RPGN via macrophage recruitment and activation.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗