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Biomedical subjects

K Tani

Publications and source records attributed to K Tani.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

Anatomical variation of pancreatobiliary ducts in biliary stone diseases.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography examinations were prospectively analyzed to determine whether anatomical variations of ductal systems have a role in the pathogenesis of cholecystolithiasis and choledocholithiasis. Included were 140 normal examinations (control group), 102 patients with cholecystolithiasis, and 68 patients with choledocholithiasis (primary stones in the common bile duct). Low entry of the cystic duct was observed frequently in patients with cholecystolithiasis (15.7% vs. 2.1% in control, p < 0.01). No preferential type of course of the cystic duct was observed in patients with cholecystolithiasis and choledocholithiasis. Separate openings of the bile and pancreatic ducts were significantly prevalent in patients with choledocholithiasis (53.5% vs. 30.6% in control, p < 0.01). Common channel was significantly short in patients with cholecystolithiasis. Incidence of juxtapapillary duodenal diverticula was significant in patients with choledocholithiasis. These observations suggest that some of the pancreatobiliary ductal anatomy may be closely implicated in the development of gallstone diseases.

Aged↗

Biliary endoprosthesis in bile duct obstruction secondary to hepatocellular carcinoma.

The effect of biliary endoprosthesis was evaluated in 13 patients with major bile duct obstruction secondary to invasion by hepatocellular carcinoma. In 12 patients major portal vein branches were also invaded by the tumors. After several days' instillation of nasobiliary or percutaneous drainage tubes to flush the bile ducts, biliary endoprosthesis was performed either endoscopically (N = 9) or percutaneously (N = 4). Significant decrease (less than 50% of initial values) of alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin levels was observed in eight and two patients on day 20, respectively. Twelve patients died of hepatic failure at 27-132 days (mean 60 days). One patient without portal vein involvement is currently alive at 300 days. Biliary endoprosthesis has a limited role in the palliation of bile duct obstruction secondary to hepatocellular carcinoma, and the prognosis may be influenced mainly by the underlying hepatic function.

Adult↗

Sustained c-kit expression in a human erythroleukemia cell line (HEL) after megakaryocytic differentiation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA).

Changes in c-kit proto-oncogene expression were examined in a human erythroleukemia cell line, HEL, during 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-induced megakaryocytic differentiation. When HEL cells were treated with 10(-7) M TPA, glycophorin A expression and hemoglobin synthesis were reduced, while the expression of GP IIb/IIIa was induced in association with the morphological changes. Northern blot analysis showed that, during this megakaryocytic differentiation of HEL cells, c-kit mRNA expression persisted even after there was an apparent reduction in c-myc mRNA. This finding supports the idea that the expression of c-kit, a marker of primitive hematopoietic progenitors, may persist along with differentiation toward a megakaryocytic lineage.

Base Sequence↗

Cell proliferation kinetics in acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer evaluated by immunohistochemical staining of proliferating cell nuclear antigen.

A monoclonal antibody to proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) has been previously shown to be capable of identifying proliferating cells. We investigated proliferative activity in the healing process of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer by immunohistochemical staining of PCNA and 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU), and the two methods were compared. Cell proliferative activity of regenerated mucosa around ulcers showed continuous acceleration for 42 days, and PCNA-labeled cells had stained nuclei as clearly discernible as those of BrdU-labeled cells. In addition, immunohistochemical staining of PCNA provided reproducible and quantifiable results without the requirement of pretreatment. We conclude that immunohistochemical staining of PCNA may represent a useful technique for analysis of proliferative activity during healing of gastric ulcers.

Acetates↗

Role of endothelin and platelet-activating factor in indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats.

The current study was designed to investigate the role of two potent vasoactive substances, endothelin (ET) and platelet-activating factor (PAF), in the pathogenesis of indomethacin-induced gastric lesions in rats. Treatment with anti-ET antibody before indomethacin administration resulted in a significant decline in the total length of the lesions as determined by gross evaluation. In contrast, CV-6209, a specific PAF antagonist, had no effect on the total length of the lesions. The results strongly suggest the incorporation of endogenous ET in the mechanism of gastric damage after indomethacin administration.

Animals↗

The production of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and interleukin 6 by human bone marrow stromal cells in aplastic anemia.

Stromal cells are known to produce granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). To assess the function of bone marrow stromal cells in the pathological state, we studied their in vitro ability to produce G-CSF and IL-6 in 9 patients with aplastic anemia and 5 normal volunteers, using an enzyme immunoassay method. Constitutive production of IL-6, but not G-CSF, was detected in almost all cases. Interestingly, the inducible production of G-CSF and IL-6 by stromal cells after stimulation with interleukin-1 and/or lipopolysaccharides was severely depressed in 3 patients with aplastic anemia. Our results may reflect poor hematopoietic activity in the bone marrow in some cases of aplastic anemia.

Adolescent↗

Intramural rupture of the esophagus: a rare complication associated with nasobiliary catheter placement.

Intramural rupture of the esophagus developed after short-term nasobiliary catheter placement in an 87-year-old female with choledocholithiasis and suppurative cholangitis. Endoscopy revealed bleeding accompanied by circumferential disruption of the mucosa along the lower third of the esophagus. Withdrawal of the catheter and conservative treatment resulted in recovery of the lesion and relief of symptoms. This rare complication should be kept in mind during the placement of nasobiliary catheter.

Aged↗

Simultaneous ultrasonic monitoring of gallbladder emptying and gastric emptying after liquid test meal.

Gastric emptying and gallbladder emptying were measured simultaneously using simplified ultrasound (US) techniques after a liquid test meal in seven volunteers on two separate days. Sequential changes in cross-sectional areas of the gastric body and antrum and in gallbladder volume were represented as a monoexponential process after the test meal. There was a close correlation between the half emptying time (T1/2) of the stomach at the gastric body measured by US and that by simultaneous scintigraphic technique, but not between US at the antrum and scintigraphy. Gastric emptying measured at the gastric body was more reproducible than that at the gastric antrum. Sequential measurement of cross-sectional areas at the gastric body using ultrasound is simple and reliable for the assessment of gastric emptying after a liquid meal. US technique is promising for the evaluation of the relationship of gallbladder emptying to gastric emptying as a routine practice.

Adult↗

[Cell-associated interleukin 1 production of alveolar macrophages from bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats].

In order to clarify the mechanisms of pulmonary fibrosis, we produced bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats and examined the ability of alveolar macrophages (AM) to produce interleukin-1 (IL-1). BLM (0.9 mg) was administered once via the trachea to male Wistar rats weighing about 200 g. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days after administration. AM were incubated for 24 hours, then extracellular IL-1 in the supernatants and cell-associated IL-1 of AM were measured by proliferation assay of mouse thymocytes. Cell-associated IL-1 activity was measured after fixation by paraformaldehyde (PFA). Extracellular IL-1 was detected in the culture media of AM at only day 1 after administration. On the other hand, cell-associated IL-1 was detected in AM fixed by PFA on days 1, 3, 6 and 9 after administration. AM from BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats were fixed by PFA and then were treated with anti-IL-1 alpha antibody or anti-IL-1 beta antibody. Cell-associated IL-1 activity was neutralized by treatment with anti-IL-1 alpha antibody and was not neutralized by treatment with anti-IL-1 beta antibody. Following this, the effect of cell-associated IL-1 on pulmonary fibroblasts was examined. This was estimated by the proliferation of pulmonary fibroblasts using incorporation of 3H-thymidine. When pulmonary fibroblasts were incubated with AM fixed by PFA from BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats, proliferation of pulmonary fibroblasts was inhibited.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Endoscopic transpapillary biopsy for diagnosis of patients with pancreaticobiliary ductal strictures.

We used recently developed biopsy forceps to acquire transpapillary tissue in a consecutive series of 43 patients with pancreaticobiliary ductal strictures found during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographic examinations. There were 19 cholangiocarcinomas, 15 pancreatic carcinomas, five benign biliary, and four benign pancreatic ductal strictures. Tissue sampling from the strictures was successful in 41 patients (95.3%), without complications. All specimens were adequate for histologic evaluation. Eighty-one percent of the patients with carcinomas were diagnosed histologically by this technique. Sensitivity was 88% for cholangiocarcinoma and 71% for pancreatic carcinoma. There were no false-positive results. We conclude that transpapillary biopsy, being a simple, safe, and convenient method, should be applied as an initial diagnostic means during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Adult↗

[Clinical course of silicotic patients receiving home oxygen therapy].

To investigate the clinical course of patients with silicosis receiving home oxygen therapy (HOT), we compared the clinical data of HOT patients with silicosis and those with other respiratory diseases, and of silicotic patients with HOT and those without HOT in our hospital. In 23 (34.3%) of 68 patients receiving HOT the underlying disease was silicosis. This figure differs from recent official statistics in Japan. In the patients with silicosis, the survival rate was lower than that of those with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases or old pulmonary tuberculosis, but the degree of decrease in PaO2 was smaller, suggesting that the prognosis of silicotic patients may be mainly related to pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale. In silicotic patients, large opacities on chest X-ray were frequently observed in the patients with HOT compared to those without HOT, indicating that the presence of large opacities is an important factor influencing hypoxemia in silicotic patients.

Adult↗

[Gene therapy].

Recent progress of gene manipulation techniques enables us to insert foreign gene into human cells. This approach, so called gene therapy, is very attractive to treat molecular disease including congenital disorders or cancer. There have already been started 15 clinical protocols regarding gene therapy as well as gene-marking mainly in U.S.A., In this reviewing article, we introduce the public opinion about the gene therapy in Japan comparing with that in western countries. We then introduce the current clinical protocols about gene therapy and gene marking. We also discuss the future prospects of gene therapy. The progress in this field may cast a new light on the treatment of congenital disorders as well as cancers.

Attitude to Health↗

Relative abundance and the relationships between aniline, phenol and catechol degraders in fresh water.

Relative abundance and relationships between aniline, phenol and catechol degraders were investigated in unpolluted and polluted fresh waters in Osaka prefecture, Japan. Phenol and catechol degraders were found more frequently compared to aniline degraders. The results indicate that these degraders were more abundant in polluted waters than in unpolluted waters. Aniline degraders isolated from the Ina River water showed a higher capability of degrading catechol than phenol. Analysis on sequence homology among these three kinds of degraders indicated a possible relationship between aniline degraders and certain strains of both catechol and phenol degraders.

Alcaligenes↗

[Neutrophil chemotactic factor in supernatant from pulmonary fibroblasts stimulated with cytokines].

Fibroblasts are important for maintenance of the structural frame network for most tissues, and they also play an important role in the inflammatory process via production of various mediators. In this study, we demonstrated that pulmonary fibroblasts may participate in pulmonary inflammation by production of neutrophil chemotactic factor (NCF). Pulmonary fibroblasts were stimulated with various cytokines (IGF-1, PDGF, IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-6, TNF, IFNr). Fibroblasts stimulated with either TNF, IL-1 alpha or IL-beta but not IGF, PDGF, IL-2 or IL-6 demonstrated a kinetic and dose-dependent increase in NCF activity. The NCF activity of crude supernatant was heat-stable and was not changed by anti-C5 antibody treatment or ether extraction. Characterization of the NCF activity by gel-filtration using high pressure liquid chromatography showed two active fractions, one with MW greater than 100 kD and the other with MW less than 10 kD. NCF activity in the small molecular weight fraction was demonstrated by inhibition of chemotaxis by addition of anti-IL-8 antibody. These data suggest that cytokine-treated fibroblast-derived NCF may be important in the pathogenesis and expression of a variety of pulmonary disease processes associated with neutrophil accumulation and activation.

Cytokines↗

Acquisition of interleukin-3 independence in FDC-P2 cells after transfection with the activated c-H-ras gene using a bovine papillomavirus-based plasmid vector.

Since the ras family of proto-oncogenes is supposed to be involved in leukemogenesis by point-mutational activation, we studied the effect of the activated ras gene on the growth of a murine interleukin-3 (IL-3)-dependent cell line, FDC-P2. The human activated c-H-ras gene was transfected into FDC-P2 cells by electroporation using a high-level expression vector, BMGhph, which contains a partial DNA sequence from bovine papillomavirus (BPV) and a hygromycin B (hmB)-resistant gene as a selectable marker. The transformed FDC-P2 cells showed a high incidence of IL-3-independent growth and tumorigenicity in nude mice. These clones did not express or secrete IL-3, suggesting the acquisition of IL-3 independence by a nonautocrine mechanism. The high incidence of autonomous growth may be due to the use of the BMG vector, because (1) the activated ras gene in pBR322 vector (pHs-49) was not so efficient in the induction of IL-3 independence, (2) the c-H-ras genome copies per cell increased in number up to about 50 copies by using the BMG vector, and (3) cotransfection with the activated ras gene and the BPV gene in separate plasmids partly enhanced the incidence of autonomous growth without increasing the copy number of the ras gene compared with transfection with the activated ras gene alone. The present study supports the idea that the activation of ras gene is an important step in malignant transformation of hematopoietic cells and suggests that the BPV gene products may cooperate with ras gene activation probably by affecting the cellular genes that may be involved in multistep leukemogenesis. The BMG vector may be useful to test the transforming ability of oncogenes whose oncogenic potential is relatively low.

Animals↗

Adult T-cell leukemia developing during immunosuppressive treatment in a renal transplant recipient.

We report a case of a 32-year-old male, an asymptomatic carrier of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), who underwent a renal transplantation and developed adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) during the course of posttransplant immunosuppressive treatment. He was treated with combination chemotherapies consisting of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, prednisolone, cisplatin, cytosine arabinoside, etoposide, and methyl-prednisolone, without any improvement. Bestrabucil (KM2210), a conjugate of chlorambucil and estradiol, was administered as an alternative therapy; this therapy successfully suppressed his leukemic cell growth, and partial remission was achieved. Posttransplant immunosuppressive therapy with prednisolone, mizoribine, and cyclosporin A might have been the predominant cause of the transition from an asymptomatic HTLV-1 infection to overt ATL. A careful approach is required with HTLV-1 asymptomatic carriers who need organ transplantation followed by immunosuppressive treatment.

Adult↗