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Biomedical subjects

K Shimokawa

Publications and source records attributed to K Shimokawa.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Some properties of a capillary permeability-increasing enzyme-2 from the venom of Agkistrodon caliginosus (Kankoku-Mamushi).

Capillary permeability-increasing enzyme-2 (CPI-enzyme-2) consists of a single polypeptide chain with an isoelectric point of pH 3.5. The enzyme is composed of 369 amino acid residues, based on a mol. wt of 44,000, and contains 20.3% carbohydrate. Both arginine ester hydrolytic and capillary permeability-increasing activities of the enzyme were inhibited by treatment with diisopropylfluorophosphate, indicating that the enzyme is a serine proteinase. The N-terminal amino acid sequence shows homology with that of CPI-enzyme-1 and similarity to those of batroxobin or kallikrein-like enzyme from other snake venoms.

Agkistrodon↗
PubMed1993

Reduction of serum lipoprotein (a) by estrogen in men with prostatic cancer.

The catabolism of lipoprotein(a), Lp(a), remains unclear. Very recently we observed that estrogen, a hormone known to increase low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor activity, reduced serum Lp(a) levels in a man with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) (JAMA 267: 2328, 1992). In the present study, we attempted to further evaluate this Lp(a)-lowering action of estrogen in men without FH. Seven men, aged 61-84 yr, treated with estrogen for prostatic cancer were the subjects and seven men who underwent surgical treatment without estrogen therapy served as controls. Fasting blood was collected before and 1-3 months after estrogen therapy, and serum Lp(a) levels and lipoprotein profiles were determined. Estrogen treatment caused significant changes in serum lipoproteins, i.e., decreases in LDL-cholesterol, and increases in high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. Serum triglyceride levels tended to increase. Serum apo A-1 underwent a two-fold increase, while apo B did not change. Serum Lp(a) levels ranged from 8 to 62 mg/dl. After estrogen treatment serum Lp(a) was reduced markedly, with a mean reduction of 81% (71-95%). Serum lipids, lipoproteins and Lp(a) did not change significantly in the controls. The results demonstrated a regulating effect of estrogen on serum Lp(a) levels, and the findings further suggested that Lp(a) is removed via LDL receptors. However, previous studies have shown that maneuvers causing a decrease in LDL-cholesterol do not always cause a reduction in serum Lp(a). Thus, our findings suggested the possible presence of a receptor which is estrogen-inducible and different from the LDL receptor.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Relationship between Ricinus communis agglutinin-1 binding and nucleolar organizer regions in human gliomas.

Histochemical staining using lectins from Ricinus communis (RCA-1), Arachis hypogaea, and Canavalia ensiformis was investigated in 40 human gliomas, three central neurocytomas, one human neuroblastoma cell line (IMR-32), and two normal brain tissues. Staining was uniform in low-grade gliomas, but heterogeneous in high-grade gliomas, particularly with RCA-1. The correlation between RCA-1 reactivity and cellular proliferative potential was investigated in 10 high-grade gliomas using a combined staining technique: the silver colloid method for nucleolar organizer regions (Ag-NORs) and histochemistry with RCA-1. The mean number of Ag-NORs counted on a simple preparation was significantly greater in the nuclei of RCA-1-negative cells than in those of RCA-1-positive cells (p < 0.001). The staining intensity of inflammatory cells was obviously higher than that of neoplastic cells, and therefore inflammatory cells were easily discriminated from neoplastic cells. Combined RCA-1 histochemical and Ag-NOR silver colloid staining revealed heterogeneous expression of RCA-1 receptor in high-grade gliomas with changes in Ag-NOR number. This result seems to show that high-grade gliomas express heterogeneous cellular carbohydrate structure and proliferative potential even within the same tumor.

Agglutinins↗
PubMed1993

Sequence variations of the glucokinase gene in Japanese subjects with NIDDM.

Mutations in the glucokinase gene have been identified recently in patients with maturity-onset diabetes of the young, a subtype of NIDDM. The proposed role of glucokinase as a glucose sensor, combined with the low insulin response to glucose found in most Japanese with NIDDM, prompted us to speculate that mutations in the glucokinase gene might be one of the major causes of NIDDM in Japanese subjects. To determine the prevalence of mutations and sequence variations in the glucokinase gene, we screened all 12 exons of the glucokinase gene, including exon/intron junctions, by polymerase chain reaction followed by single-strand conformation polymorphism in 209 Japanese NIDDM subjects. In addition to the mutation in exon 7, which substituted Arg (AGG) for Gly (GGG) at codon 261 (10), a silent mutation of Pro (CCC-->CCG) in exon 4 at codon 145 and several new sequence variations in intervening sequences and the 5'-untranslated region of exon 1 beta (beta-cell-specific exon 1) were identified. Because we identified only one subject who had a structurally abnormal glucokinase molecule, we conclude that the prevalence of structural mutations in the glucokinase gene responsible for NIDDM appears to be rare among Japanese patients. To our knowledge, this is the first thorough study describing the ethnic prevalence of mutations and sequence variations in the glucokinase gene in NIDDM.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

A case of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis in a child.

We report an additional case of histopathologically confirmed xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis in a 9-year-old boy. He was admitted to hospital with a two-day history of sustained fever. Physical examination revealed tenderness in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. Results of a complete blood count and serum biochemical investigations showed slight anemia and positive C reactive protein. Culture of urine failed to grow any bacteria. Excretory urography revealed deformity of the right renal calyces. Computed tomography showed a focal area of low density in the right kidney. Nephrectomy was carried out as fever had been sustained despite intensive treatment with antibiotics. Sectioning revealed that the renal parenchyma had been replaced by a butter yellow nodule, which was histopathologically confirmed as xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. This is the nineteenth reported case in children in Japan to our knowledge.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Variation of the diploid pattern in tissues used as normal controls of solid tumors: advantages and disadvantages of flow cytometric analysis of paraffin-embedded tissues].

The aim of the present work was to study the factors that influence the variation of diploid patterns in 75 areas of histologically normal gastric tissue, located in surgically resected stomachs due to early gastric cancer. Each sample was used as a diploid reference of its respective tumoral area. Fifty five samples were embedded in formalin and 20 corresponded to fresh tissue. It was found that in the older tissues, the cellular debris increased, the localization channel of the peaks shifted to the left (lower than channel 60) and the peak shape was deformed, with an increase in the variation coefficient (around 6) and an elevation and lengthening of phase S. When fresh tissue was used, the first peak was localized around channel 60-70, with a significant reduction of cellular debris, a lower variation coefficient amplitude (2-5) and a phase S adhered to the basal line. Aiming to observe the influence of paraffin embedding over time, 21 tissue samples originally assayed as fresh tissues, were reanalyzed one year later. The same alterations initially observed in old tissues were again noticed. According to these results, it is necessary to select adequate controls for flow cytometric analysis to obtain an adequate histogram interpretation, and specially to calculate the ADN index.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Circulating antibody to Nocardia in the serum of patients with Parkinson's disease.

Nocardia is a genus of aerobic Gram-positive bacteria which forms filamentous cells that fragmented into rod-shaped or coccoid elements or L-forms. According to the literature N. asteroides causes encephalitis with parkinsonian features, and it may be an unknown etiologic agent causing encephalitis with a parkinsonian syndrome. Because there are no reliable immunologic tests routinely used for diagnosing nocardial infection, less severe CNS infections with nocardiae may not be recognized or may be attributed to unknown or incorrect etiologic agents. Recently, it was shown that sublethal doses of N. asteroides causes an L-DOPA-responsive movement disorder with Lewy-like bodies in mice. In this study, we detected antibodies to nocardia in the serum of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Sera was diluted in PBS and added in two-fold dilutions to coccoid and rod-shaped cells of nocardia attached to nonfluorescence slides. IF test demonstrated antibodies to coccoid and rod-shaped cells of nocardia in the serum from 20/20 patients with PD at a titer greater than 1:10, and 14 controls showed 10 positively. The results suggested that not only PD patients but also age-matched healthy volunteers are routinely exposed to and naturally infected with nocardia-related microorganisms. A further reliable immunologic test will be required.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1992

Proliferative assessment of craniopharyngioma and epidermoid by nucleolar organizer region staining.

The histologic distinction between craniopharyngioma and epidermoid is equivocal. Eight craniopharyngiomas and ten epidermoids (including three dermoids) as well as nine rat (Wistar) abdominal skins that acted as control were investigated by a silver colloid method for nucleolar organizer regions (Ag-NORs). The mean number of Ag-NORs in at least 200 cells of both basal (columnar) epithelial cells and suprabasal (prickle) cells was evaluated. It was found that the mean number of Ag-NORs in basal cells of epidermoid and rat skin was significantly greater than that in suprabasal cells (P < 0.001 in nine of ten epidermoids and in all rat skins). On the other hand, of eight craniopharyngiomas, the mean Ag-NOR number in basal cells was not significantly different from that in suprabasal cells in five cases, and, further, the former was significantly smaller than the latter in the other three cases (P < 0.01 in two and P < 0.05 in one). These findings suggest that a stepwise maturation of the epithelial cells like that in mammalian skin epidermis exists in epidermoids but not in craniopharyngiomas. In craniopharyngiomas, the maturation of the epithelial cells seems to be considerably limited or lost from the aspect of proliferative potential as assessed by Ag-NOR score, which indicates neoplastic growth of craniopharyngiomas. Ag-NOR staining may thus be a useful method to distinguish craniopharyngioma from epidermoid.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Distribution of cellular carbohydrate moieties in human dysontogenetic brain tumors, especially in craniopharyngioma and epidermoid/dermoid.

Cellular carbohydrate moieties of 65 human dysonotogenetic brain tumors (craniopharyngioma, epidermoid/dermoid, Rathke cleft cyst, germinoma and non-germinomatous germ-cell tumors) and 60 common brain tumors (glioma, meningioma, neurinoma and pituitary adenoma) were investigated histochemically using sections from Ulex europaeus (UEA-1), Dolichos biflorus (DBA), peanut (PNA) and soybean (SBA), and with anti-blood group A and LewisY (LeyY) antibodies. In craniopharyngiomas and epidermoid/dermoids, it was found that PNA and SBA binding sites existed in suprabasal cells of the epithelium, and that antigen of either blood group A or H (demonstrable by UEA-1) existed in more differentiated epithelial cells compared to the results reported in normal human skin epidermis. Rathke cleft cysts were stained with PNA or SBA, and two out of three Rathke cleft cysts also expressed either H or A antigen. In addition, DBA binding sites, as well as LeY antigen, were frequently seen in craniopharyngiomas and Rathke cleft cysts, but they were entirely absent in the epithelium of epidermoid/dermoid. On the other hand, PNA and SBA reactivities was also found in common brain tumors, while blood group A, H and LeY antigens and DBA reactivity were almost absent in these tumors. These findings demonstrate that carbohydrate moieties such as those of blood group antigens reported to be found in human skin epidermis exist in a similar form in craniopharyngioma, epidermoid/dermoid and the Rathke cleft cyst. The identification of blood group A, H and LeY antigens and DBA reactivity in brain tumors seems to be considerably limited and specific.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1992

Dolichos biflorus agglutinin binding to intracranial germ-cell tumors: detection of embryonal components in germinomas.

Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA) binding was examined in 32 cases of intracranial human germ-cell tumors. In embryonal carcinomas, intense DBA binding sites were found on the free surface and cytoplasm of embryonal cells. In teratomas, glandular structures often had positive DBA binding sites. Yolk sac carcinomas and choriocarcinomas showed negative DBA affinity. Of 19 cases of germinomas, 10 showed no DBA-positive cells, while sporadically and/or collectively distributed-DBA positive cells were found in the other 9 cases. Common brain tumors such as gliomas, neurinomas and meningiomas were negative for DBA staining. Considering the cellular carbohydrate structure, these findings suggest that DBA-positive cells in germinoma might be evidence of differentiation into embryonal or some somatic components. In addition, because of the absence of DBA binding sites in the common brain tumors, the identification of such binding sites in brain tumors might act as a marker for embryonal or somatic components, especially among germ-cell tumors.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1992

Accessory bile duct draining into the stomach: case report and review.

Accessory bile duct with ectopic drainage into the gastrointestinal tract is an extremely rare congenital anomaly, and only 55 cases have been reported in the literature. We present another case of accessory bile duct draining into the stomach. Barium meal study of the stomach first revealed the accessory bile duct, and the diagnosis was confirmed by gastrofiberscopy, ultrasonography, hepatobiliary scintigraphy, computed tomography (CT), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Juvenile granulosa cell tumor in a 2-year-old infant: report of a case complicated with ascites and acute respiratory distress.

A two-year-old girl with a juvenile granulosa cell tumor (JGCT) and with acutely progressive hydrothorax and ascites is presented. She had precocious pseudopuberty and an elevated level of serum estradiol. Sudden onset of respiratory distress, due to a pleural effusion and severe abdominal distention, led to an emergency laparatomy. Unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy induced a rapidly favorable course. Histological examination showed no evidence of invasion or peritoneal metastasis. This is the first case of JGCT associated with an acute respiratory emergency as a main clinical feature.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1992

Pseudo-adrenal incidentaloma: magnetic resonance imaging in a patient with para-adrenal Castleman's disease.

We report a case of para-adrenal angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia (Castleman's disease) of the hyaline-vascular type. The mass could not be differentiated from an adrenal tumor by ultrasonography and computed axial tomography (CT). However, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suggested the possibility of an extra-adrenal origin of the mass. The intensity of the mass by MRI was homogeneous and of a higher intensity in the T2-weighted image than in the T1-weighted image, a finding similar to lymphadenopathy, lymphatic tumorous mass or metastatic tumor of the lymph node. Ultrasonography, CT and MRI may not be useful in characterizing Castleman's disease, but MRI was useful to distinguish asymptomatic para-adrenal masses from those of adrenal origin.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1992

Resolution of possible paradoxical responses of gonadotropins to thyrotropin-releasing hormone with bromocriptine therapy in a patient with follicle-stimulating hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma.

We report the effectiveness of bromocriptine therapy in resolving the abnormal responses of plasma FSH and LH to TRH in a 70-year-old male with FSH-secreting pituitary macroadenoma who had unsuccessful transsphenoidal pituitary surgery. In the pre-treatment and post-operative periods, respectively, basal plasma levels of FSH were increased to 88.7 and 65.6 mIU/ml (normal range; 8.5-32.4) but those of plasma LH were normal being 7.0 and 4.1 mIU/ml; (normal range; 4.1 to 14.0). The responses of plasma FSH and LH to LHRH were exaggerated and their paradoxical responses to TRH were highly suggested. During the bromocriptine therapy, the basal level of plasma FSH was normalized and that of plasma LH remained normal. The magnitude of FSH and LH responses to LHRH decreased and their paradoxical responses to TRH were completely resolved.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1992

Delayed postcontrast CT and MR imaging of chondroid chordoma--case report.

A rare case of intracranial primary chondroid chordoma is reported with special reference to neuroradiological findings. A precontrast computed tomographic (CT) scan revealed an isodense mass with multiple flecks in the right cerebellopontine region. A postcontrast CT scan showed slight ring enhancement. A delayed postcontrast CT scan demonstrated marked homogeneous enhancement extending from the middle cranial fossa to the cerebellopontine region on the right. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging demonstrated a well-defined lesion as a high-intensity mass on T2-weighted image and a low-intensity mass on T1-weighted image. A MR image 5 minutes after gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid administration showed heterogeneous enhancement. A MR image 30 minutes after the contrast administration showed more marked, homogeneous enhancement. Such delayed postcontrast CT and MR imaging are useful in the differentiation of chondroid chordoma from classical chordoma.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Lectin cytochemistry combined with silver colloid staining of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions in human gliomas.

Investigation of lectin cytochemical staining of inflammatory cells in human gliomas showed that Allomyrina dichotoma (Allo-A) cytochemistry can reliably distinguish inflammatory from neoplastic cells. Allo-A cytochemistry combined with silver colloid staining of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (Ag-NORs) was performed in human gliomas. Inflammatory cells possessed usually one but sometimes two Ag-NORs and macrophages often possessed several Ag-NORs. The mean Ag-NOR number per nucleus of inflammatory cells ranged from 1.81 to 2.34, and that of neoplastic cells ranged from 2.57 to 3.53 and from 2.84 to 4.46 in low- and high-grade gliomas, respectively. The mean Ag-NOR number per nucleus of inflammatory cells was significantly smaller than that of neoplastic cells (p less than 0.001). Combined Allo-A cytochemical and silver colloid Ag-NOR staining can provide a reliable Ag-NOR number in human gliomas by distinguishing inflammatory cells.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed1992

[Flow cytometric determination of active oxygen produced by neutrophils in patients with inflammatory diseases].

We investigated active oxygen (H2O2) production by neutrophils in patients with inflammatory diseases such as connective tissue disease and respiratory tract infection. The analysis was done by flow cytometry using as small volume of whole-blood as 100 microliters. H2O2 production as well as C-reactive protein (CRP) were increased in connective tissue diseases, and was decreased after steroid therapy. In a case of neuro-Behçet's disease, changes in H2O2 production was observed in agreement with those in clinical symptoms such as gait disturbance. H2O2 production as well as CRP and neutrophil count were increased in acute respiratory tract infection, but in chronic patients H2O2 production alone was rather reduced. In stages of enhanced H2O2 production, tissue damage or inflammation may exist, the degree of which seems to be well reflected by H2O2 production. During stages of impaired H2O2 production, care should be taken to prevent infections. Using flow cytometry, H2O2 production can be easily determined as one of functions of neutrophils.

C-Reactive Protein↗