Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Abe

Publications and source records attributed to M Abe.

At least 685 records · Page 38Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Case report 859: Massive calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease involving the wrist joint.

A case of massive calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease (MCPDD) is reported. A 41-year-old Japanese man presented with swelling, intermittent pain, and limitation of motion in the wrist. Radiological studies indicated amorphous calcification and bone erosion. MCPDD, although rare, should be included in the list of the differential diagnosis of periarticular calcific diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Magnetic resonance imaging of pseudomalignant osseous tumor of the hand.

Noninfectious, nonneoplastic reactive processes of the hand, such as myositis ossificans circumscripta, pseudomalignant osseous tumor of soft tissue, and florid reactive periostitis, appear similar radiologically and histologically and are often difficult to differentiate. Magnetic resonance (MR) findings in two such lesions are reported. The extensive reactive change in the extraosseous soft tissue and the bone marrow and the relatively small extent of ossification may be characteristic. Although low-grade infection and small osseous neoplasms with reactive changes, such as osteoid osteoma, may still remain possible causes, MR imaging provides essential evidence for including noninfective, nonneoplastic reactive processes of uncertain cause in the list of differential diagnoses.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Fluid-fluid levels in cavernous hemangioma of soft tissue.

Five cases of cavernous hemangioma with fluid-fluid levels on magnetic resonance imaging and/or computed tomography are reported. The signal characteristics were those of blood and histological analysis of the fluid-fluid levels showed that they were blood-filled cavities in the tumor. Although this finding itself is not specific, it may help in confirming the diagnosis of cavernous hemangioma.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1994

Cloning and characterization of the cDNA encoding the HA protein of a hemagglutination-defective measles virus strain.

cDNA clones corresponding to the mRNA for the hemagglutinin of the hemagglutination-defective strain AK-1 of measles virus were isolated and characterized. Compared with the prototype Edmonston strain, 60 nucleotide substitutions that resulted in 18 amino acid changes were detected. An additional potential N-linked glycosylation site was added by point mutation, which was supported by the observation that the hemagglutinin of the AK-1 strain was stained more heavily after NaDodSO4-PAGE and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining than the Edmonston strain. Computer-assisted analysis revealed that three reverse turns in the secondary structure had disappeared in the hemagglutinin of the AK-1 strain. Moreover, one of these structural changes occurred in the closely glycosylated region at amino acid residues 168-240, which appeared to be a biologically important functional domain. The isoelectric point calculated from the predicted amino acid sequence became about 1 pH unit more basic in the AK-1 strain than the Edmonston strain. This present study is the first sequence analysis of the hemagglutinin gene in a hemagglutination-defective strain of the measles virus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Generalized resistance to thyroid hormone: identification of a novel c-erbA beta thyroid hormone receptor variant (Leu450) in a Japanese family and analysis of its secondary structure by the Chou and Fasman method.

Generalized resistance to thyroid hormone (GRTH) is characterized by elevated circulating levels of thyroid hormone in the presence of a eumetabolic state and failure to respond to triiodothyronine. Various point mutations in the c-erbA beta thyroid hormone receptor gene are known to be responsible for different phenotypes of GRTH. We herein report a new c-erbA beta variant in a Japanese family. The variant consisting of a cytosine to adenine base substitution at nucleotide position 1650 altered phenylalanine to leucine in codon 450 in the T3-binding domain of c-erbA beta. This base substitution was found in one allele of the 2 affected members of the family. The in vitro translation products of this mutant c-erbA beta gene demonstrated a significantly reduced T3-binding affinity. The secondary structure of this mutant thyroid hormone receptor predicted by the Chou and Fasman method included a new turn in the alpha helix structure in the T3-binding domain. We also discuss the secondary structures of the previously reported mutant receptors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Evaluation of transvaginal color Doppler sonography, transvaginal sonography and CA 125 for prediction of ovarian malignancy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of color Doppler ultrasonography as the predictor of malignant ovarian tumors and to compare the results with CA 125 levels and ultrasonographic morphological patterns. METHODS: We compared color Doppler ultrasound with sonographic findings and serum CA 125 levels for predicting ovarian malignancy in 16 patients with malignant and 12 patients with benign ovarian tumors. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in pulsatility index (PI) value of ovarian vessel between benign and malignant tumors (2.42 +/- 0.67 for benign and 1.35 +/- 0.78 for malignant, respectively, P < 0.01). The specificity of morphological findings and CA 125 was lower than that of PI measurements, but sensitivity was not different between the three methods. In addition, the combination of color Doppler and CA 125 or morphological assessments resulted in a sensitivity of 100% and a negative predictive value of 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: PI measurements by transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound combined with CA 125 levels or morphological findings could be an accurate and appropriate screening method for ovarian tumors.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Use of a CT simulator in radiotherapy treatment planning for breast conserving therapy.

A CT simulator (CT-S) is a real-time, CT-linked, 3-D treatment planning system, which consists of a CT scanner, a multi-image display, a treatment planning device with real-time visual optimization, and a laser beam projector. This system was clinically evaluated in 339 Stage 0, I and II breast cancers in 337 patients who received breast conserving therapy. Following quadrantectomy or wide excision with complete axillary dissection, a total of 50 Gy was delivered to the ipsilateral breast using 60Co gamma-rays. In patients with involved surgical margins, boost electron irradiation was also given. Treatment planning could be accomplished within 40-50 min using the CT-S. The parameters for the tangential portals could be optimized for each patient, and the wedge filters and the electron energy for boost irradiation could be appropriately selected. The incidence of moist desquamation and depigmentation at the areola was slightly decreased with the use of wedge filters. During the follow-up for 2-71 months (median, 22 months), local recurrence and symptomatic radiation pneumonitis occurred in one patient each. The CT-S appears to be useful for the individualized optimization of tangential irradiation fields in breast conserving therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Ultracytochemistry of glycoconjugates in pig duodenal gland.

To elucidate the ultrastructure, glycoprotein profile and site of glycosylation of glandular cells in relation to the functional polarity of the organelles, swine duodenal tissue was embedded in glycol methacrylate and subsequently stained for periodic acid thiocarbohydrazide silver proteinate (PA-TCH-SP), high iron diamine (HID)-TCH-SP, low iron diamine (LID)-TCH-SP, ninhydrin T-TCH-SP and five peroxidase-labeled lectins. The secretory granules in the duodenal gland cells were electron lucent with a 200 nm to 500 nm electrondense core. Glycoconjugates were confined to the secretory granules and elements of the Golgi complex. Protein activity was located only in the electron dense core. Achivementestic staining pattern for Concanavalin A (Con A), peanut agglutinin (PNA), Ulex europaeus agglutinin-I (UEA-I), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and soybean agglutinin (SBA) was observed in stained secretory granules and the Golgi apparatus. A few cis cisternae were stained with SBA and UEA-I. Trans cisternae were stained with WGA and PNA. Con A reacted with seromucous granules and rough endoplasmic reticulum. These observational findings suggest that these are seromucous cells. The Golgi apparatus is the site of glycosylation and can be divided into two distinct compartments.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Assessment of the proliferative activity and radiosensitivity of human tumours using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay.

We established an in vitro cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay of human tumours for estimation of the proportion of cells undergoing mitosis (the dividing fraction, DF), the time for the number of nuclei to double and the radiosensitivity in terms of the micronucleus frequency, based on a concept described previously. Under certain conditions, the nuclear number doubling time (NNDT) was considered to represent the potential doubling time. Tumour specimens obtained at surgery were disaggregated into single-cell suspensions and were directly cultured in the presence of cytochalasin B with or without irradiation. At various intervals, the percentage of multinucleate cells (the plateau value represented the DF), the average number of nuclei per cell and the number of micronuclei in binucleate cells were determined. DF and NNDT values were obtained in 58 of the 73 tumours investigated, and the micronucleus frequency was obtained in 54 of these 58 tumours. The DF ranged from 4.1% to 71% and the NNDT ranged from 3.1 to 83 days. A DF > or = 20% was associated with a higher recurrence rate in patients undergoing curative operation. A correlation was found between the NNDT and the time to relapse in patients with recurrent disease. The average number of micronuclei per binucleate cell at 2 Gy of irradiation (after subtraction of the value at 0 Gy) ranged from 0.052 to 0.35. Tumours which produced more micronuclei after irradiation showed a better response to radiotherapy. This assay can be readily performed on human tumours and appears to have promise as a predictive assay for radiation therapy.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1994

Reduction of the radiation dose for intracranial germinoma: a prospective study.

Intracranial germinoma has usually been treated with radiation doses of 50 Gy or more, but it is unclear whether such doses are actually necessary to cure this radiosensitive tumour. At our institution, the standard radiation dose for intracranial germinoma was 60 Gy in the 1960s, but the dose has prospectively been reduced stepwise to 40-45 Gy. In this paper, the treatment outcome was assessed in 84 patients (47 with histologically confirmed disease and 37 diagnosed clinically in the post-computerised tomography era) enrolled in both prospective and retrospective series. The 5 and 10 years survival rates for all 84 patients were 88% and 83% respectively, and the corresponding relapse-free survival rates were 88% and 85%. The 10-year relapse-free survival rate was 88% for 31 patients receiving 19-47 Gy (median 42 Gy) to the primary tumour, 92% for 28 patients receiving 48-52 Gy (median 50 Gy), and 83% for 25 patients receiving 54-62 Gy (median 60 Gy), and there was no significant difference among the three groups. In-field local recurrence only developed in one patient who received 40 Gy over a protracted period and one patient who received 60 Gy. A tumour size < 3 cm and treatment in the post-computerised tomography era were associated with a better prognosis according to univariate analysis, while age, sex, tumour site, treatment volume, the radiation dose to both the primary and the spinal cord and the extent of surgical resection did not influence the prognosis. In contrast, none of these factors had a significant influence in multivariate analysis. In conclusion, intracranial germinomas < or = 4 cm in size can usually be cured with 40-45 Gy of radiation, thus avoiding the major adverse effects of brain irradiation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

IL-10 inhibits prostaglandin E2 production by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated monocytes.

Since IL-10 has recently been shown to exhibit pleiotropic effects on human monocytes, it was of interest to determine the effect of this cytokine on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production by monocytes. Recombinant IL-10 (rIL-10) did not significantly affect PGE2 production by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-unstimulated monocytes, but efficiently inhibited PGE2 production by LPS-stimulated monocytes. The inhibition by rIL-10 was achieved in a dose-dependent manner. Recombinant IL-4 also inhibited PGE2 production at the same degree as rIL-10. Viral IL-10 inhibited PGE2 production by monocytes in a similar fashion as did human rIL-10. Endogenously produced IL-10 was also shown to inhibit PGE2 production by LPS-stimulated monocytes. Kinetic studies showed that the inhibition by rIL-10 on PGE2 production was observed at least 3 h after LPS stimulation. Taken together, these results indicate that IL-10 may play an important role in modulating immunological responses via down-regulation of PGE2 production by monocytes.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1994

Corn cystatin I expressed in Escherichia coli: investigation of its inhibitory profile and occurrence in corn kernels.

Corn cystatin I was expressed in Escherichia coli as a mature protein. It was purified by gel filtration on Sephadex G-50, ion-exchange HPLC, and reversed-phase HPLC. The purified protein showed strong inhibitory activities against papain (Ki: 3.7 x 10(-8) M), and cathepsins H (Ki: 5.7 x 10(-9) M) and L (Ki: 1.7 x 10(-8) M), whereas it inhibited cathepsin B to a lesser extent (Ki: 2.9 x 10(-7) M). Western blot analysis using antibody raised against corn cystatin I revealed that in the corn kernel, the protein occurs with a molecular mass of approximately 13 kDa. Localization in the aleurone layer and embryo of the corn kernel was shown by immunostaining microscopy.

Cloning, Molecular↗
PubMed1994

Intraoperative radiation therapy for brain tumors with emphasis on retreatment for recurrence following full-dose external beam irradiation.

We performed intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) in 19 patients with various brain tumors. IORT was given for primary tumors in 2 patients with malignant glioma, but was used for treating recurrent tumors in the other 17 patients. The former 2 patients respectively received 33 Gy by IORT alone and 30 Gy by IORT in combination with 50 Gy of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), and survived for 12 and 9 months. The latter 17 patients had received EBRT at 4 to 112 months before IORT. In this group, single doses of 23-40 Gy were delivered by IORT after removing as much tumor as possible. The median survival time after IORT was 12 months for 9 patients with glioblastoma or anaplastic astrocytoma, while it was 51 months for 8 patients with less infiltrative tumors (ependymoma, anaplastic ependymoma, and anaplastic oligodendroglioma). One patient with ependymoma and another with anaplastic ependymoma are currently alive with no evidence of disease at 7 and 11 years after IORT, respectively. Symptomatic brain necrosis occurred in 3 patients following IORT, but the symptoms were relieved in 2 of them by the removal of necrotic brain tissue. It is concluded that IORT combined with extensive tumor removal has an acceptable toxicity in previously irradiated patients and can be effective for selected recurrent malignant brain tumors.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Characterization of hemolytic and antifungal substance, cepalycin, from Pseudomonas cepacia.

Hemolytic and antifungal substances, cepalycin I and cepalycin II, have been isolated from Pseudomonas cepacia JN106. A large amount of cepalycins were produced by growing the cells on 1% glycerin-nutrient agar medium covered with a cellophane membrane. The cell-washed supernatant was applied to an Amberlite XAD2 column, and cepalycins were eluted with 70% ethanol containing 1mM HCl. Cepalycins were separated by reverse phase HPLC in two fractions which were designated as cepalycin I and cepalycin II. The two cepalycins have indistinguishable UV absorption spectra but have different levels of hemolytic activity relative to the UV absorption. From the inhibition of hemolytic activity of cepalycin by sterols, both cepalycins were suggested to interact with cholesterol in erythrocyte membrane. Such an interaction may contribute to their hemolytic and antifungal activities.

Amphotericin B↗
PubMed1994

Stimulation of the synthesis of histamine and putrescine in mice by a peptidoglycan of gram-positive bacteria.

To clarify the base of in vivo biological activities of peptidoglycans of Gram-positive bacteria, the effects of a polysaccharide peptide of Staphylococcus epidermidis peptidoglycan (SEPS) on the synthesis of histamine and putrescine in BALB/c mice were examined and compared with those of a lipopolysaccharide (LPS or endotoxin) of Gram-negative bacteria. Within a few hours after its injection into BALB/c mice, SEPS induced histidine decarboxylase (HDC), the enzyme forming histamine, in the liver, lung, spleen and bone marrow, and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the enzyme forming putrescine, in the tissues except for the lung. SEPS induced HDC activity even in mast cell-deficient mice and in nude mice. These effects of SEPS were essentially the same as those of LPS. However, the dosage of SEPS capable of inducing HDC and ODC was much higher (100 to 1,000 times) than that of LPS. We have reported that C3H/HeN mice are resistant to SEPS in producing acute arthritis, and their productions of IL-1 and prostaglandin E2 are less than BALB/c mice sensitive to producing acute arthritis. In the present study, it was also found that C3H/HeN mice were markedly resistant to SEPS in inducing HDC activity.

Animals↗