Biomedical subjects

M Adachi

Publications and source records attributed to M Adachi.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia with block between purkinje potential and ventricular myocardium.

We performed radiofrequency current catheter ablation in a patient with idiopathic LV. While mapping the inferoapical LV septum during tachycardia, spontaneous termination of tachycardia was observed with block between Purkinje (P) potential and ventricular electrogram (P-V block). The cycle length of the tachycardia was associated with prolongation of P-P interval and P-V interval. P potential recording at this site was earliest and at very low amplitude during tachycardia. The radiofrequency current at this site was successful. These findings indicated that Purkinje fiber was a critical part of the tachycardia circuit. Ablation was successful at a site where both an earliest and low amplitude P potential was recorded during tachycardia, and where P-V block that was induced by catheter manipulation was observed during tachycardia.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Indoor nitrogen dioxide in homes along trunk roads with heavy traffic.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the distribution of indoor nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations in homes located in differing environments, and to investigate the influence of factors such as automobile exhaust on the indoor environment. METHODS: The concentrations of indoor NO2 over 24 hours were measured in both the heating and non-heating periods in homes of pupils from nine elementary schools in Chiba, Japan. Information on factors that could influence indoor environments was collected by questionnaire. RESULTS: Indoor NO2 concentrations during the heating period were higher in homes with unvented heaters than in homes with vented heaters, although the concentrations varied greatly among homes primarily because of the type of heating device used. During the non-heating period, indoor NO2 concentrations were significantly higher in homes adjacent to trunk roads than in homes located in other areas. Multiple regression analysis showed that indoor NO2 concentrations were associated with atmospheric NO2 in homes with vented heaters during the heating period, and in homes in areas other than on the roadside during the non-heating period. In areas other than the roadside, cigarette smoking in indoor environments also significantly contributed to indoor NO2. The average concentrations of indoor NO2 in the homes of pupils attending each school were significantly related to the atmospheric NO2 in areas other than the roadside. However, the relation between indoor and atmospheric NO2 concentrations was not significant in roadside areas. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that indoor NO2 concentrations are related to the atmospheric NO2 and type of heating appliances, and are also affected by automobile exhaust in homes located in roadside areas.

Air Pollution↗

PubMed1998

Expression of RANTES by normal airway epithelial cells after influenza virus A infection.

The chemokine regulated on activation, normal T cells expressed and secreted (RANTES), is a C-C chemokine and a potent chemoattractant for monocytes, T lymphocytes, basophils, and eosinophils. Its expression by human airway epithelium has been demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. We investigated whether RANTES is expressed by normal human airway epithelial cells after influenza viral infection and examined its bioactivity. Epithelial cells were obtained from bronchial tissue or nasal polyps of patients who had undergone lobectomy for lung cancer or polypectomy for nasal polyps. These cells were cultured by the outgrowth method. Cultured cells were infected with influenza virus A (subtype H3N2) after which the supernatants and the cells were collected 8 to 72 h after infection. RANTES mRNA (messenger RNA) was analyzed by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analysis of its product. Concentrations of RANTES in the supernatants were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RANTES protein and mRNA were not detected in the media of uninfected cells. PCR products for RANTES were clearly detected in nasal and bronchial epithelial cells 24 h after infection. Southern blot analysis confirmed that the PCR products were indeed specific for RANTES mRNA. Twenty-four to 72 h after infection, significant levels of RANTES protein were detected in culture media. We also investigated the chemotactic activity of the supernatant of cultured cells. The supernatant of the cells 48 h after infection had potent chemotactic activity for eosinophils, which was attenuated by the addition of anti-RANTES antibodies. These findings suggest that influenza virus infection may induce expression of bioactive RANTES by normal human bronchial and nasal epithelial cells.

Bronchi↗

PubMed1998

Reduced integrin alpha3 expression as a factor of poor prognosis of patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung.

PURPOSE: We investigated the possible association between integrin alpha3 and motility-related protein (MRP-1), cluster of differentiation antigen 9 (CD9) gene expression in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and evaluated the prognostic significance of integrin alpha3 expression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of integrin alpha3 and MRP-1/CD9 expression in resected tumor tissues from 151 NSCLC patients using quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The ratio of integrin alpha3/beta-actin expression ranged from 0 to 5.87 (mean was 0.80; median, 0.70). Using the cutoff value of 0.7, there were 78 (52%) integrin alpha3-positive tumors and 73 (48%) tumors with reduced integrin alpha3 expression. The immunohistochemical results agreed well with those of the RT-PCR assays, and 88% had no discrepancy. In case of discrepancy, the results of RT-PCR were used in specimen classification. Integrin alpha3 gene expression was independent from MRP-1/CD9 gene expression. No significant association was found between integrin alpha3 expression and the patients' clinical characteristics. The overall survival rate of patients with integrin alpha3-positive NSCLCs was only slightly better than that of individuals whose tumors had reduced integrin alpha3 expression (55.9% v 47.1%; P = .085). By comparison, the overall survival rate of patients with integrin alpha3-positive adenocarcinomas was strikingly greater than in those whose tumors had reduced gene expression (54.4% v 35.2%; P = .004). Multivariate analysis with the Cox regression model of NSCLC and adenocarcinoma indicated that integrin alpha3 expression correlated better (P = .0188 and P = .0008, respectively) with the overall survival rate than other variables, except lymph node status. CONCLUSION: No significant association was found between integrin alpha3 and MRP-1/CD9 gene expression in lung cancer. However, reduced integrin alpha3 expression is a poor prognosis factor in patients with adenocarcinomas.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1998

Novel staging protocol for non-small-cell lung cancers according to MRP-1/CD9 and KAI1/CD82 gene expression.

PURPOSE: The transmembrane-4 superfamily (TM4SF) is a recently discovered family of genes. Of the TM4SF members, MRP-1/CD9, KAI1/CD82, and ME491/CD63 have been reported to modulate tumor progression or metastasis. In this study, we investigated the relationships between these three genes, MRP-1, KAI1, and ME491, in patients with non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). Moreover, we assessed the prognostic value of evaluating the expressions of MRP-1, KAI1, and ME491 simultaneously in NSCLCs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred seventy-two patients up to stage IIIB NSCLC underwent radical surgery during the period of January 1991 through June 1994. Using a quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis, we studied the expression of MRP-1, KAI1, and ME491 genes in these patients. RESULTS: We found that 109 patients (63.4%) had MRP-1-positive tumors and 42 patients (24.4%) had KAl1-positive tumors. Conversely, all 172 patients expressed ME491. No relationship was found between MRP-1 expression and KAI1 expression. We classified these patients into three groups. The 36 patients who were positive for both MRP-1 and KAI1 were defined as group A; the 79 patients with reduced expression of either MRP-1 or KAI1 were defined as group B, and the remaining 57 patients with reduced expression of both MRP-1 and KAI1 were defined as group C. This new classification was correlated with nodal status, tumor status, and pathologic stage (P = .0056, P = .0003, and P < .0001, respectively). In NSCLC patients, the 5-year survival rate of group A patients was significantly better than that of group B patients and much better than that of group C patients (86.8%, 53.9%, and 31.5%, respectively; P < .0001). Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that this new classification in NSCLCs was a significant prognostic factor, as was the nodal status (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that a low MRP-1 and KAI1 expression by tumors of the lung may be associated with poor prognosis. It is conceivable that the evaluation for MRP-1 and KAI1 expression may identify node-negative lung cancer patients who are at high risk for early disease recurrence, and thus need intensive adjuvant therapy.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Nur77, a member of the steroid receptor superfamily, antagonizes negative feedback of ACTH synthesis and secretion by glucocorticoid in pituitary corticotrope cells.

Nur77 is a member of the steroid receptor superfamily and is known to be expressed in animals under stress. We studied the role of nur77 in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis during the stress response using a murine pituitary corticotrope cell line, AtT-20. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), a stress mediator in the HPA axis, induced the expression of nur77 transiently in AtT-20 cells. Gel shift assay showed that nur77 bound to negative glucocorticoid responsive element (nGRE) in the promoter of the human proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene and the formation of the nur77-nGRE complex increased after treatment of the cells with CRH. Negative GRE is known to be necessary for the negative regulation by glucocorticoid of the POMC gene expression. In stable transformants of AtT-20 cells expressing a human homolog of nur77, NAK-1, at a high level, glucocorticoid-mediated inhibition of both POMC mRNA induction and ACTH secretion was significantly lower than that in the NAK-1-non-expressing cells (P < 0.001). These results strongly suggest that nur77 antagonizes the negative feedback effect of glucocorticoid on the synthesis and secretion of ACTH in pituitary corticotropes. This suggests that nur77 plays an important role in the pituitary gland in the biological adaptation to overcome stress.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1998

[Partial splenic embolization for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura].

Twelve patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) who were resistant to conventional steroid therapy under went partial splenic embolization (PSE). PSE was effective for 7 out of 10 eligible cases. The reduction ratio of PAIgG was significantly higher in effective cases. The PAIgG level before treatment and platelet counts one week after PSE were higher in effective cases than those of non-effective cases. The effects of PSE did not depent on age, sex, the duration of disease, platelet count, embolization rate or the effect of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. No serious side effects were observed. PSE can be an alternative therapy to splenectomy for ITP.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Decreased release of lipoprotein lipase is associated with vascular endothelial damage in NIDDM patients with microalbuminuria.

OBJECTIVE: To explore mechanisms for hypertriglyceridemia in diabetic patients with microalbuminuria, we examined an association between heparin-releasable lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and the von Willebrand factor (vWF), based on the hypothesis that LPL bound to endothelium is decreased by generalized endothelial damage. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 37 NIDDM patients with microalbuminuria and 69 patients with normoalbuminuria were studied. Plasma LPL mass in post-heparin plasma and plasma vWF antigen were quantified by sandwich-enzyme immunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. RESULTS: The NIDDM patients with microalbuminuria had higher plasma triglyceride (TG) and lower HDL cholesterol concentrations compared with the patients with normoalbuminuria. Heparin-releasable LPL mass was significantly lower in the microalbuminuric than in the normoalbuminuric subjects. Plasma level of vWF, a marker for endothelial damage, was significantly increased in microalbuminuric subjects compared with their normoalbuminuric counterparts. The LPL mass was inversely correlated with plasma vWF level at a high correlation coefficient value. The LPL mass was inversely related to TG and positively to HDL cholesterol concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that widespread endothelial damage occurred in NIDDM patients with microalbuminuria, thereby LPL moiety bound to the endothelium is decreased, which results in an impaired catabolism of TG-rich lipoproteins.

Albuminuria↗

PubMed1998

BAG-1 and Bcl-2 in IL-2 signaling.

Some cytokines can prolong cell survival in hematolymphoid cells and thus may be crucial for regulation of hematolymphoid cell numbers. It has been shown that mitogenic cytokines can induce not only cellular proliferation but also cellular survival by inhibiting apoptosis in hematolymphoid cells. The signals transduced by these cytokines eventually go to the nucleus and induce expression of their specific target genes. In this context, the induction of anti-apoptotic molecules such as Bcl-2 oncoprotein and BAG-1 protein seems to be a key event for the anti-apoptotic function of cytokines. In T lymphocytes, the interaction of interleukin-2 (IL-2) with its receptor (IL-2R) induces both cellular proliferation and cellular survival. The IL-2R consists of three subunits, i.e., IL-2Ralpha, IL-2R(beta)c, and IL-2R(gamma)c chains. Structure-function analysis of the IL-2R(beta)c chain has revealed that there are at least two functional domains within the subunit. The serine-rich (S) region but not the acidic (A) region within the (beta)c chain is responsible for the mitogenic signaling of IL-2R. The S region is also crucial for the cellular survival signaling, which include the induction of anti-apoptotic gene expressions bcl-2 and bag-l. However, the cellular survival signaling is segregated from the mitogenic signaling in independence from the Jak-family protein kinase activation and rapamycin sensitivity. Segregation of the two signaling pathways of a cytokine receptor has also been shown in receptors of the other mitogenic cytokines. Current topics regarding signal transductions of cytokine receptors responsible for the suppression of apoptosis are discussed in this review.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Mutations of p53 and K-ras genes as prognostic factors for non-small cell lung cancer.

To evaluate the importance of mutations of p53 and K-ras genes in the prognosis of patients with non-small cell lung cancer, one hundred and forty-four patients who underwent surgery were studied. DNA was extracted from frozen specimens. Polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism and sequencing were performed to investigate mutations of p53 from exon 5 to 8, and mutations of exon 1 of K-ras. Mutations of p53 gene occurred in 35. 4% of patients, and mutations of the K-ras gene in 8.3%. The overall survival rate of non-small cell lung cancer patients with wild-type K-ras was better than that of patients whose tumors had mutations of K-ras (P=0.0330). Among patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung, the overall survival rate of patients with wild-type p53 was strikingly better than that of patients whose tumors had mutations of p53 (P=0.0234). Multivariate analysis with the Cox regression model of all patients with non-small cell lung cancer and those with adenocarcinoma indicated that mutations of K-ras best correlated with the overall survival rate (P=0.0005 and P=0.0361, respectively). In conclusion, evaluation of mutations of both the p53 and K-ras genes in the lung tumors might be useful for assessing the prognosis, especially in patients with adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1998

Therapy-related leukemia and myelodysplasia following oral administration of etoposide for recurrent breast cancer.

We report a high risk of therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (t-AML/MDS) in patients receiving oral administration of etoposide for recurrent breast cancer. We examined 119 patients with recurrent disease. Patients were initially treated with anthracyclines, cyclophosphamide, or cisplatin with or without radiation before etoposide treatment. Etoposide was used as the final drug in most cases. Twenty-four patients were treated with the oral administration of etoposide (50 or 100 mg/day for 5-7 days at 4-week intervals). Three cases of t-AML/MDS developed among those 24 patients exposed to etoposide. In contrast, the development of t-AML/MDS was not observed in the other 95 patients not treated with etoposide. Our data suggest that there is a substantial risk of secondary leukemia with oral administration of etoposide for a prolonged period as well as i.v. schedules.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1998

[Extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma associated with systemic bone metastasis and secondary myelofibrosis].

A 68-year-old woman was admitted in March 1997 because of lumbago, fever, vomiting, and general malaise. Laboratory data disclosed anemia and severe hypercalcemia (7.7 mEq/l). Multiple osteolytic lesions were detected in the patient's vertebra, pelvis, and bilateral tibia by x-ray films and 99mTc bone scintigrams. Bone marrow aspiration sample was not obtained due to dry tap. Marked myelofibrosis and proliferation of lymphoid cells were revealed by a bone marrow biopsy specimen. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that cells in the biopsy specimen were positive for L-26 and LCA, but not for UCHL-1. Gastrointestinal endoscopic examination found multiple polypoid lesions in the stomach; biopsy specimens of the lesion tissue disclosed invasion by B lymphoid cells. A diagnosis of diffuse large B cell lymphoma was thus made. THP-COP chemotherapy was performed, but only minimal response was obtained. Lymphoma cells subsequently invaded the brain stem, and the patient eventually died of respiratory failure.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

[Localized pulmonary infiltration in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia].

A 38-year-old woman who had been treated for refractory anemia was admitted with severe pancytopenia, persistent fever and splenomegaly in May 1995. The bone marrow biopsy revealed hyperplastic marrow with marked fibrosis. Shortly after admission, cardiac tamponade developed. Though low-dose Ara-C therapy successfully controlled the tamponade, no hematological recovery was obtained. Then a chemotherapy consisted of Ara-C, acrarubicin and M-CSF was done and the neutropenia was improved. However, progressive leukocytosis with monocytosis and splenomegaly subsequently developed. Thus, the disease was considered to progress to CMML. Localized pulmonary infiltrates associated with a cavity, a pulmonary artery aneurysm and a recurrent high fever developed in October 1995. Though invasive pulmonary aspergillosis was suspected, blood and sputa culture, as well as serological tests were negative. In February 1996, massive hemoptysis occurred and the patient died due to respiratory failure after an emergency right lobectomy of the lung. Pathological examination of the operated lung disclosed that the localized pulmonary infiltrates consisted of monocytoid cells. Infiltration of the monocytoid cells in the tissue surrounding the pulmonary aneurysm was also observed. However, no pathologic organisms were detected at all. Thus, the leukemic cells were considered to have infiltrated locally into the lung.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Immunohistochemical detection of MUC2 mucin core protein in ulcerative colitis.

MUC2 mucin is predominantly expressed in the colon and is considered to play an important role in the protection of that organ. Recent findings suggested that MUC2 protein levels are significantly decreased in active ulcerative colitis (UC). We therefore performed an immunohistochemical study to reveal if the expression of MUC2 protein is altered in UC. Seventy-nine biopsy tissue specimens from 31 UC patients, along with normal colon tissues, were immunostained with anti-MUC2 mucin core protein monoclonal antibody (MoAb) CCP58 (IgG1). UC tissue specimens were divided into two groups based on the histological severity of inflammation, i.e., 64 with active inflammation (grades 2-5) and 15 without (grade 1). In the former group, 52 out of 64 (81.3%) tissue specimens contained sections of glands with a few cells positive for MoAb CCP58. These glands were small and consisted of MUC2 negative-short cells and a few positive cells without apparent mucus formation, considered to be immature regenerative glands. In contrast, the staining pattern was almost the same as that of the normal colon and no immature glands were seen in the group without active inflammation. The sections of immature regenerative glands with a few MUC2-positive cells were exclusively found in the UC tissues with active inflammation, but not in those without it, suggesting that the expression of MUC2 protein may be decreased in active UC.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

[Hereditary macrothrombocytopenia].

A 19 year-old male was referred to our department because of macrothrombocytopenia. His platelet count was 73,000/microliter and giant platelets were observed in the peripheral blood smear specimen. Though he had been suffering from severe atopic dermatitis for four years, he seemed to be healthy without bleeding tendency. When he underwent a shunt operation for tetralogy of Fallot without any complication at nine-years old, thrombocytopenia was allegedly pointed out for the first time. Bone marrow aspiration revealed no abnormal findings with no chromosomal aberration. Normal platelet aggregation responses against adenosine diphosphate, epinephrine, collagen, and ristocetin were observed. The platelet adhesiveness (modified Salzman method) was slightly elevated. Unlike other reported syndromes associated with macrothrombocytopenia, his leukocytes had no inclusion bodies. His mother also had macrothrombocytopenia thus, this disorder was suspected to be hereditary.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Serum levels of total and free prostate specific antigen in men on hemodialysis.

PURPOSE: The measurement of prostate specific antigen (PSA) is widely used in screening programs for early detection of prostate cancer. It has been recently shown that the ratio of free-to-total PSA in serum is lower in malignant than in nonmalignant prostatic disorders and, therefore, might be a parameter to improve screening specificity. We determine the influence of renal failure on serum levels of total and free PSA, and free-to-total PSA ratio. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum concentrations of total and free PSA, and free-to-total PSA ratio were measured in 93 men undergoing hemodialysis. The control group consisted of 2,298 healthy blood donors. RESULTS: Serum levels of total PSA were not significantly different between control and hemodialysis patients. Serum free PSA and free-to-total PSA ratio of hemodialysis patients were significantly higher than those of controls (p <0.01 to 0.001). However, these values did not change in uremic patients after hemodialysis. Although serum total and free PSA levels increased with each decade of age, they did not correlate with age in hemodialysis patients. CONCLUSIONS: Serum free PSA as well as total PSA is not eliminated by hemodialysis, and elevated levels of free PSA and free-to-total PSA ratio in hemodialysis patients may be caused by a concomitant decrease in binding proteins. The reference ranges for total and free PSA, and free-to-total PSA ratio may not be necessarily beneficial in hemodialysis patients.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

The efficacy of antimicrobial mouth rinses in oral health care.

There is growing public recognition of the importance of oral health, as symbolized by the theme. "Oral Health for a Healthy Life" proposed for the 1994 World Health Day. In this report, the efficacy of antimicrobial mouth rinses, mainly Listerine, was reviewed by three investigators who are working as a microbiologist, a microbiologist, a dentist, and a dental hygienist participating in oral health care. Listerine, an antimicrobial mouth rinse, completely killed microorganisms in 10 to 30 seconds; the microbes includes methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Helicobacter pylori, Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans, Actinomyces viscosus, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. Listerine was also weakly effective in inactivating human immunodeficiency viruses. Bacteria in samples collected from human dental plaque and saliva were completely killed within 30 seconds when exposed to Listerine. When saliva samples were collected from subjects who had rinsed their mouths with 20 ml of Listerine or 1:50 diluted povidone-iodine, levels of viable anaerobic bacteria in the samples were reduced to 1%. When Listerine was used for oral surgery such as tooth extraction and periodontal surgery, the agent was effective in relieving toothache. This was probably due to a decrease in oral bacteria by the antimicrobial action of Listerine, leading to lowering the inflammatory response of the host. The use of antimicrobial mouth rinse during dental treatments such as endodontic treatment proved effective for more reliable infection control. In Japan, there are an increasing number of elderly and medically compromised hosts who are potentially at risk for developing pneumonia due to silent aspiration of microbes in the oral cavity and throat. For the aged with such potential risk, using of antimicrobial mouth rinse may be effective in preventing dental plaque accumulation when used in addition to the mechanical control of plaque, since they tend to have difficulty in brushing teeth by themselves. Indeed, the use of antimicrobial mouth rinse in these elderly people proved useful not only in preventing bacterial pneumonia, but also in improving their quality of life by preserving their oral health.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Immunofluorescent detection of ice-ice disease-promoting bacterial strain Vibrio sp. P11 of the farmed macroalga, Kappaphycus alvarezii (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta).

A specific immunofluorescent probe consisting of polyclonal antibodies was developed to detect a marine bacterium, Vibrio sp. strain P11, which was found in a previous study to promote the ice-ice disease in the cultivated red macroalga, Kappaphycus alvarezii. The method involves a combined application of the fluorescent stains, 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) and the P11 PAbs, into a homogenized seaweed sample (<1 g wet wt), which is prediluted to make bacteria countable under an epifluorescence microscope without serious interference from autofluorescing algal debris. The algal tissue homogenate is then filtered through a 0.2-µm-pore size Nuclepore membrane filter, serving as a mounting pad, and viewed using alternating ultraviolet and IB excitation filters to detect total and specific bacteria, respectively, on the same microscopic field, at the same time. The immunofluorescent probe could be used as a valuable tool in studying the infection mechanism of the bacterium in the macroalga in vitro.

Journal Article↗