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Biomedical subjects

K Tashiro

Publications and source records attributed to K Tashiro.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Deduced primary structure of rat hepatocyte growth factor and expression of the mRNA in rat tissues.

The primary structure of rat hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was elucidated by determining the base sequence of the complementary DNA (cDNA) of HGF. The cDNA for rat HGF was isolated by screening a liver cDNA library with oligonucleotides based on the partial N-terminal amino acid sequence of the beta subunit of purified rat HGF. HGF is encoded in an mRNA of about 6 kilobases. Both alpha and beta subunits of HGF are specified in a single open reading frame for a 728-amino acid protein with a calculated molecular weight of 82,904. The N-terminal part of HGF has a signal sequence and a prosequence with 30 and 25 amino acid residues, respectively. The mature heterodimer structure is derived proteolytically from this single pre-pro precursor polypeptide. The calculated molecular weights of the alpha and beta subunits are 50,664 and 25,883, respectively, and each subunit has two potential N-linked glycosylation sites. The amino acid sequence of HGF is 38% identical with that of plasminogen. The alpha subunit of HGF contains four "kringle" structures, and the beta subunit has 37% amino acid identity with the serine protease domain of plasmin. Northern blot analysis revealed that HGF mRNA was expressed in rat various tissues, including the liver, kidney, lung, and brain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

A case of systemic lupus erythematosus--its clinical and MRI resemblance to multiple sclerosis.

We documented a case of systemic lupus erythematosus with clinical features of multiple sclerosis who developed transverse myelopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging showed the presence of an abnormal high signal intensity in the gray matter of a swollen spinal cord corresponding to the patient's neurological deficits. After two previous episodes of exacerbation and remission consistent with the clinical diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, right hemiparesis and hemisensory disturbances ensued, then lupus nephritis was confirmed by a renal biopsy.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗
PubMed1990

In vitro activity of LJC10,627, a new carbapenem antibiotic with high stability to dehydropeptidase I.

The in vitro activity of LJC10,627, a new carbapenem, was compared with those of imipenem and ceftazidime. LJC10,627 had broad-spectrum activity against gram-positive and gram-negative clinical isolates. The MICs of this compound for 90% of members of the family Enterobacteriaceae tested (MIC90s), including strains resistant to ceftazidime, ranged from 0.1 to 25 micrograms/ml. LJC10,627 inhibited Pseudomonas aeruginosa at an MIC90 of 3.13 micrograms/ml; it thus was twofold more active than imipenem. This compound inhibited Haemophilus, Neisseria, and Branhamella species at MIC90s of 3.13, 0.1, and 0.1 micrograms/ml, respectively. LJC10,627 was two- to fourfold less active than imipenem against methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis at MIC90s of 0.1 and 0.39 microgram/ml. However, the compound was found to be twofold more active than imipenem against Bacteroides fragilis at an MIC90 of 1.56 microgram/ml. LJC10,627 was very stable to various beta-lactamases except for Xanthomonas maltophilia oxyiminocephalosporinase type II. LJC10,627 was minimally hydrolyzed by swine renal dehydropeptidase I; its residual activity was 93.0% after 2 h. Killing kinetics of this compound for Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed that bactericidal action occurred at concentrations above the MIC (0.05 and 0.39 microgram/ml, respectively). LJC10,627 had a high affinity for penicillin-binding proteins 2, 4, and 1B(s) of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and penicillin-binding proteins 1 and 4 of Staphylococcus aureus.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Variable threshold levels for estimation of renal uptake of 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid based on single photon emission computed tomography].

To calculate renal uptake of 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) more accurately using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), it is necessary to estimate values of threshold level, which corresponds to the ratio of kidney to background (BG ratio). Thus the phantom and clinical studies were conducted. Six kinds of renal phantoms of 80 to 339 ml, contained different radioactivity of 37 to 485 MBq were prepared. These phantoms were placed in a larger body phantom filled with 1 to 50% of radioactivity representing background. Clinical application of this method was also performed. Results were as follows. 1) A significant correlation between phantom volumes and estimated volumes obtained using threshold level based on BG ratio calculated on tomographic images was found (r = 0.99). 2) A significant correlation between total counts in estimated volumes and radioactivities in phantoms was recognized (r = 0.94). 3) Known radioactivity in phantoms and radioactivity in estimated volumes were highly related (r = 0.98). 4) Clinical application showed valuable results in patients with renal dysfunction. Thus, this method can calculate more accurate renal uptake of 99mTc-DMSA.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[A clinical study of the renal pelvis and ureteral cancer].

During the 13 years from 1976 to 1988, 160 patients with renal pelvic and ureteral cancer were reviewed based on a new general rule for clinical and pathological studies on renal pelvic and ureteral cancer of Japanese Urological Association. There were 71 renal pelvic cancers, 80 ureteral cancers, and 9 cancers in both regions. Patients ranged in age from 35 to 91 years old (average: 63). The involved side was right in 63 and left in 97. The most frequent symptom was hematuria, which was seen in 81.1%. IVP revealed the findings of filling defects, hydronephrosis, and non-visualized kidney in 99.7% of the patients. Total nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff resection was performed in 123 cases, nephroureterectomy in 16 cases, nephrectomy in 5 cases, partial ureterectomy in 10 case, and biopsy in 6 cases. As adjuvant therapies, irradiation was performed in 32 and chemotherapy in 123. Histologically, 156 were with transitional cell carcinoma, one squamous cell carcinoma, one adenocarcinoma and 2 unclear, the over-all survival rate of this study at 1, 3, 5 and 10 years were 86.8%, 73.0%, 65.3% and 45.6%, respectively. No patient with lymph-node metastasis (N+) survived longer than 5 years. All patients with M(1) died within one year. There were no difference of prognosis between renal pelvic cancer and ureteral cancer. Regarding various prognostic factors, our series gave the same results as previous reports. However, it should be stressed that pathological grading was the most important prognostic factor.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[A clinical study of a family affected with HLA-linked hereditary spinocerebellar ataxia].

The gene locus of hereditary olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA) has been mapped to the short arm of chromosome 6. This locus has been termed as SCA 1 and it is linked to HLA locus. Linkage for OPCA locus to HLA was first been reported by Yakura et al. We had a chance to re-investigate the original family reported by them. Among the members affected, 6 cases were autopsied and their clinical and pathological features were reported by Fujimoto et al. Kudoh et al, and Ikeda. We clinically studied 2 additional patients in this pedigree. The clinical features of these patients, including 6 previously reported cases, were characterized by 1) cerebellar ataxia predominating throughout clinical course; 2) pyramidal tract involvement, characterized by pathological reflexes, with hyper-reflexia or terminal hyporeflexia; 3) generalized muscle atrophy; 4) slow eye movement; 5) facial and tongue atrophy; 6) optic disc pallor; 7) terminal external ophthalmoparesis; 8) mydriasis and sluggish light reflex; 9) mild peripheral neuropathy; 10) mild reduction of deep sense; 11) bulbar symptom; 12) emotional lability, irritation, or euphoria dominating terminally. Clinically, there are certain similarities between this pedigree and other reported pedigrees of which linkage for OPCA locus to HLA have been proved. Furthermore, clinico-pathological reports of hereditary OPCA showing slow eye movement share numbers of clinical characteristics observed in the patients of this pedigree. Accumulating linkage data suggest that hereditary OPCA might be heterogenous disorder genetically. Whether there are any correlation between linkage data and clinico-pathological findings is essential to establish disease entities, and to re-classify hereditary OPCA and its related disorders.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[An autopsy case of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis associated with cervical syringomyelia].

An autopsied case of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis complicated by cervical syringomyelia was reported. The case was a 59-year-old man, who first noticed weakness of both lower extremities at 54-year-old. The weakness spread to both upper extremities within 2 years. Cervical myelography revealed multi-level cervical spondylosis and anterior fusion of C5-C7 was done. But the weakness and atrophy of proximal muscle, diminished deep tendon reflex on upper extremities, hyperreflexia and pathological reflexes on both legs, tongue fasciculation and respiratory muscle weakness developed successively, and the patient died of respiratory distress at 59-year-old. Autopsy revealed multiple independent four syrinxes located at the level between C2-C7. One of these syrinxes had ependymal cell lining and thought to be idiopathic syringomyelia. The other three syrinxes were considered to be the cavitation in association with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Degeneration and decreasing of spinal anterior horn cells, atrophy of medullary pyramis and Bunina bodies were observed as features of typical amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Cervical spondylosis as causative lesion of multiple syrinxes was discussed, and relationship between ALS and the syrinxes was not indicated clearly.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis↗
PubMed1990

[Clinical and neuroradiological features of syringomyelia associated with Chiari malformation].

The clinical presentation and radiological features were analyzed in 30 cases of syringomyelia associated with Chiari malformation. None of the patients had spinal dysraphism. The age on admission ranged from 6 to 59 years with a mean of 27 years. Syringomyelia was diagnosed by CT myelography and or MRI from 1982 to 1988. The initial symptoms were skeletal abnormality (43%) such as scoliosis (12 cases) or pes cavus (one case), unilateral pain or numbness (40%) and unilateral motor weakness (17%). Frequently seen signs on admission were sensory deficit (100%), scoliosis (57%), muscle weakness (57%), muscle atrophy (37%) and lower cranial nerve palsy (40%). The neurological findings were asymmetrical in all patients. The characteristic neurological findings in the cases presenting under 20 years of age were unilateral sensory and motor deficits (61%) with decreased or absent deep tendon reflex on the same side. The localization of the syrinx in axial section varied according to the level even in the same case. In 15 cases with unilateral sensory disturbance or unilateral sensory and motor deficit, the syrinx was located in the region corresponding to the posterolateral portion on the same side as that of sensory disturbance in the cervical or thoracic level. On the other hand, in 15 cases with bilateral sensory and motor deficit, the syrinx was located in the central portion and extended into the posterolateral portion of the more affected side.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[A recurrent gastric cancer improved by radiation therapy].

In March, 1988, a 65 year-old male underwent a total gastrectomy for a gastric cancer (Borrmann 3: a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma; IIc: signet ring cell carcinoma). In October that year, however, an anastomotic recurrence of this tumor was found. Thus, from November, 1988 to January, 1989, to treat this recurrence, the patient received a course of radiation therapy frontally, towards the upper abdomen, with a total dose of 46.5 Gy (linac X-ray). His symptoms improved, and a CT, an upper gastrointestinal barium study, and an endoscopic examination indicated that the tumor had disappeared. No further recurrence was found until January, 1990, when the patient died of a metastasis that had spread throughout his body.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1990

[An autopsy case of primary intracranial malignant lymphoma showing extracranial disseminations].

An autopsy case of malignant lymphoma of the central nervous system which showed extracranial disseminations was presented. A 50-year-old man developed mental and physical slowness over one year prior to admission followed by dementia and consciousness disturbance without general physical symptoms. Physical examination on admission showed no lymph node enlargement, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, or abdominal mass. Neurological examination revealed mild dementia, left positive Babinski and Chaddock reflexes, and bilateral positive frontal lobe signs. CT scan revealed low density areas with contrast enhancement in the white matter of the bilateral parietal lobes adjacent to the trigon of lateral ventricles. Without any therapy, the low density area in the left cerebral hemisphere on CT scan disappeared and the low density area in the right cerebral hemisphere became unenhanced. Any other lesions except brain were found despite of the extensive systemic examinations including scintigrams, echograms, gastrointestinal examinations, body CT scan, aspiration of bone marrow, and lymphography. Primary intracranial malignant lymphoma was suspected and treated with steroid without any response. Subsequent radiation therapy made a transient improvement. But a few months later, the brain lesions gradually worsened, followed by general physical deterioration with diarrhea, pleural fluids, and ascites. Cytologic study of cerebrospinal fluid revealed neoplastic lymphocytes with atypical nuclei containing conspicuous nucleoli and mitosis, which were identified as B cell type malignant lymphoma by analysis using monoclonal antibody. The patient died of cardiac failure about two years after the initial symptom.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1989

Marked increase of HGF mRNA in non-parenchymal liver cells of rats treated with hepatotoxins.

When experimental hepatitis was induced by administrating rats with hepatotoxins such as CCl4 and D-galactosamine, HGF mRNA increased dramatically in the injured liver. The increase of HGF mRNA was time- and dose-dependent. At 5 hr after CCl4-treatment, HGF mRNA was remarkably increased; it reached the maximum level at 10 hr and maintained at this level for 40 hr. On the contrary, in D-galactosamine-induced hepatitis, HGF mRNA started to increase from 24 hr after a long lag time. Moreover, HGF mRNA was expressed transiently, decreasing rapidly to the basal level after reaching the maximum level at 36 hr. The degree of induction of HGF mRNA correlates well to the degree of liver damage. In the liver, HGF mRNA could be detected in only non-parenchymal cells, not in parenchymal hepatocytes. These findings suggest that liver is a main producing organ of HGF for liver regeneration after hepatic injury, and HGF is synthesized and secreted by non-parenchymal liver cells so that it stimulates the growth of parenchymal hepatocytes to repair liver tissue in paracrine fashion.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Molecular cloning and expression of human hepatocyte growth factor.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is the most potent mitogen for mature parenchymal hepatocytes in primary culture, and seems to be a hepatotrophic factor that acts as a trigger for liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy and liver injury. The partial purification and characterization of HGF have been reported. We have demonstrated that pure HGF from rat platelets is a new growth factor effective at concentrations as low as 1 ng ml-1. The effects of HGF and epidermal growth factor (EGF) are additive. The activity of HGF is not species-specific, although it does not stimulate growth in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts. HGF has a relative molecular mass (Mr) of 82,000 and is a heterodimer composed of a large alpha-subunit of Mr 69,000 and a small beta-subunit of Mr 34,000. Here we report the amino-acid sequence of human HGF determined by complementary DNA cloning and the expression of biologically active human HGF from COS-1 cells transfected with cloned cDNA. The nucleotide sequence of the human HGF cDNA reveals that both alpha- and beta-chains are contained in a single open reading frame coding for a pre-pro precursor protein of 728 amino acids.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

A synthetic peptide containing the IKVAV sequence from the A chain of laminin mediates cell attachment, migration, and neurite outgrowth.

Laminin is a basement membrane glycoprotein which consists of A, B1, and B2 chains. Laminin has diverse biological activities including promoting cell adhesion, migration, differentiation, growth, and neurite extension. Synthetic peptides from the active region of the A chain were prepared and tested for their biological activity. A 19-mer peptide (designated PA22-2), from just above the carboxyl globule on the long arm of the A chain, was found to promote cell adhesion, spreading, migration, and neurite outgrowth. By testing smaller sequences within the 19-mer peptide, a constituent pentapeptide, IKVAV (Ile-Lys-Val-Ala-Val), was identified as the active site for cell adhesion and neurite outgrowth. These data suggest that this sequence is one of the principle sites in laminin which regulate cellular behavior.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1989

Two different laminin domains mediate the differentiation of human endothelial cells into capillary-like structures in vitro.

Endothelial cells, both microvascular as well as large vessel, undergo differentiation slowly in culture under most conditions. When endothelial cells are cultured on Matrigel, a solid gel of basement membrane proteins, they rapidly align and form hollow tube-like structures. We show here that tube formation is a multi-step process induced by laminin. An RGD-containing sequence in the A chain of laminin through an integrin receptor on the endothelial cell induces their attachment to the protein while a YIGSR site in the B1 chain induces cell-cell interactions and the resulting tube formation. We also show that the laminin-derived synthetic peptide YIGSR contains sufficient information to induce single endothelial cells to form ring-like structures surrounding a hollow lumen, the basic putative unit in the formation of capillaries.

Capillaries↗