Biomedical subjects

M Hiroi

Publications and source records attributed to M Hiroi.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Differential expression of CD34 in normal colorectal tissue, peritumoral inflammatory tissue, and tumour stroma.

AIMS: To investigate the role of CD34 positive stromal cells, namely dendritic interstitial cells, in the desmoplastic stroma formation of malignant epithelial neoplasms the distribution of CD34 positive stromal cells was examined in human colorectal adenocarcinomas, peritumoral inflammatory tissue, and normal tissue. METHODS: Forty one surgically resected human colorectal adenocarcinomas and their corresponding peritumoral inflammatory and normal tissues were examined. To distinguish CD34 positive stromal cells from vascular endothelial cells, immunostaining for both CD34 and CD31 was performed. The distribution of myofibroblasts was also analysed immunohistochemically, and double staining with CD34 and alpha smooth muscle actin (ASMA) was performed. RESULTS: Most of the stromal cells in the normal colorectal submucosa, muscularis propria, subserosa, and perirectal tissue were positive for CD34. In contrast, the peritumoral inflammatory tissue and the tumour stroma had no CD34 positive stromal cells. The distribution of myofibroblasts was almost the same as in the aforementioned series. No stromal cells double positive for CD34 and ASMA were detected in the peritumoral inflammatory tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Most stromal fibroblasts are CD34 positive stromal cells (dendritic interstitial cells). In colorectal adenocarcinomas, a lack of CD34 expression in stromal cells is associated with desmoplastic reaction.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2000

Effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist on the incidence of apoptosis in porcine and human granulosa cells.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) has been found to be expressed in ovaries of various species and to modulate cell differentiation in ovarian cells. GnRH agonists (GnRHa) are widely used in the stimulation protocols of assisted reproduction. In the present study, the direct effects of a GnRHa on the incidence of apoptosis and sterodogenesis in porcine in human granulosa cells were investigated. Cells were obtained from 6-month-old swine and in vitro fertilization patients, and cultured in minimum essential medium (MEM) supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum for 24 h. The GnRHa (burserelin acetate) was added to the MEM at various concentrations (0, 5, 50, 500 pg/ml, and 5 ng/ml). The nuclei of granulosa cells were examined by fluorescence microscopy after Hoechst 33258 staining, and the incidence of apoptotic cells was tabulated. The GnRHa directly increased the incidence of apoptosis in both types of granulosa cells. The concentration of GnRHa in clinical use is much higher than the concentration which produced apoptosis in granulosa cells here. The clinical dosage of GnRHa should be reconsidered with regard to its apoptosis-inducing effect.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Application of vitrification to human embryo freezing.

To solve the problem of multiple pregnancies during the in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer procedure, excess embryos must be cryopreserved for embryo transfer in future. We applied the vitrification method to cryopreservation of human embryos. A total of 31 frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles were analyzed at the Yamagata University Hospital, Yamagata, Japan. The patients were introduced to IVF treatment and had an excess of valuable embryos to be frozen after the transfer of three fresh embryos that did not result in establishing a pregnancy. Excess human 8- to 16-cell stage embryos were exposed to vitrification solution and then frozen in liquid nitrogen. The cryoprotectant was removed by washing the embryos in media containing different concentrations of cryoprotectant. Three days after LH surge and/or 2 days after ultrasonographic ovulation the embryos were transferred. The rate of poor quality embryos significantly increased and the rate of good quality embryos decreased after thawing the embryos frozen by the vitrification method. In menstrual cycles with good quality embryo transfer, a higher rate of pregnancies was established than in the cycles in which fair or poor quality embryos were the highest grade of embryos transferred into the uterus. In total, 5 pregnancies were established from 31 embryo tansfers; 4 pregnancies were in cycles associated with the transfer of good quality embryos, and 1 pregnancy was in a cycle in which the highest grade of embryo was fair. When compared with slow embryo freezing methods, vitrification has marked advantages for clinical application in terms of cost and time. Vitrification will be an alternative method for embryo freezing.

Cryopreservation↗

PubMed2000

A boy with normal growth in spite of growth hormone deficiency after resection of a suprasellar teratoma.

We reported a boy with panhypopituitarism after removal of a suprasellar teratoma and pituitary stalk transection at the age of 3 months. His growth was accelerated after 5 years of age without growth hormone (GH) therapy, although he had poor height growth until age 4 under treatment with hydrocortisone, levothyroxine sodium, and desamino-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP). Hyperphagia and obesity developed after surgery. Endocrinological examination revealed no GH response to glucagon, low serum levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3). Serum prolactin was normal, but serum insulin was high. Some patients who received an operation for craniopharyngioma were reported to achieve normal growth without GH secretion, but the mechanism is still unknown. High serum levels of prolactin or insulin can be associated with normal IGF in GH deficient patients. This patient had obesity and high serum insulin, which may be related to growth without GH secretion.

Growth↗

PubMed2000

[A case report of pulmonary nocardiosis successfully treated with a combination of sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (ST) and sparfloxacin].

We encountered a case of pulmonary nocardiosis that responded dramatically to combined ST and sparfloxacin treatment. A 55-year-old woman presented with fever, cough and yellowish sputum. She had been under treatment with oral prednisolone (15 mg per day) since July 1997 after a diagnosis of Evans syndrome. A high fever of 39.8 degrees C was noted on January 30, 1998. The patient was hospitalized for bloody sputum, bilateral hypochondriac pain and evidence of infiltrative opacities in the left lower lobe on chest radiography. Bacterial pneumonia was suspected, and she was treated with piperacillin, but her clinical symptoms did not improve. Sputum culture and serologic examination failed to lead to a definitive diagnosis. Nocardia farcinica was isolated by culturing tissue obtained by CT-guided transcutaneous pulmonary biopsy, leading to a diagnosis of pulmonary nocardiosis. The results of an MIC test for antimicrobial agents led to treatment with a combination of ST and sparfloxacin, and the clinical symptoms improved. These clinical observations suggest that, when pneumonia is diagnosed in patients who have been receiving oral steroids for a prolonged period, pulmonary nocardiosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis to enable selection of appropriate antimicrobial agents.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

PubMed1999

CD34 expression as a novel marker of transformed mesangial cells in biopsied glomerular diseases.

CD34 is a marker of haematopoietic progenitor cells, stromal precursors, vascular endothelial cells, and a variety of stromal tumour cells. This immunohistochemical study examined the CD34 expression of glomerular mesangial cells in normal and diseased glomeruli and compared it with the staining patterns of alpha-smooth muscle actin (ASMA), as a transformed mesangial cell marker, and CD31, as an endothelial cell marker. In addition, the CD34 and ASMA expression of mesangial cells in various glomerulonephritis and the relationship of the immunostaining intensity to the severity of IgA nephropathy were semiquantitatively evaluated. In normal glomeruli, all cell types were negative for CD34, but in glomeruli in mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, CD34 was expressed exclusively in mesangial cells, corresponding to ASMA expression. The dendritic and scattered staining pattern, the mesangial location of positive signals, and the enhanced expression were clearly different from CD31 expression in diseased glomeruli. In comparison with normal controls, the grade of immunostaining for CD34 (CD34 INDEX) in mesangial proliferative glomerular diseases was higher than that of ASMA (ASMA INDEX). With the severity of glomerulonephritis, the CD34 INDEX gradually increased. These studies indicate that CD34 is a useful marker of mesangial transformation and that immunohistochemical examination with the anti-CD34 antibody is useful for the diagnosis and stage determination of glomerular diseases.

Actins↗

PubMed1999

Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and a common mutation of the bilirubin uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase gene in Japanese.

Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, which is prevalent among Asian peoples, has been considered as a physiological phenomenon, and its metabolic basis has not been clearly explained. Gilbert syndrome is a common inherited disease of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia due to decreased bilirubin uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (B-UGT), and its role in neonatal jaundice has recently been considered. We have previously reported that the Gly71Arg mutation of the B-UGT gene associated with Gilbert syndrome is prevalent in Japanese, Korean, and Chinese populations and was more frequently detected in neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia than in control subjects. We have studied 159 Japanese full-term neonates, evaluating the relationship between the B-UGT genotype and the severity of jaundice, as assessed with a transcutaneous bilirubinometer. The gene frequency of the Gly71Arg mutation in these neonates was 0.19, and neonates carrying the Gly71Arg mutation had significantly increased bilirubin levels on days 2-4, manifested in a gene dose-dependent manner. The frequency of the Gly71Arg mutation was 0.47 in the neonates who required phototherapy (i.e., those with more severe hyperbilirubinemia), significantly higher than 0.16 in the neonates who did not require the therapy. The gene frequency of the TA repeat promoter polymorphism, the (TA)7 mutation, was 0.07, and neonates carrying this mutation did not have an increase in bilirubin. These results suggested that the Gly71Arg mutation contributes to the high incidence of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in Japanese.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Microdeletion of the DAZ (deleted in azoospermia) gene or the YRRM (Y chromosome ribonucleic acid recognition motif) gene does not occur in patients with Klinefelter's syndrome with and without spermatogenesis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the occurrence of microdeletions of the Y chromosome involving the DAZ and YRRM genes in patients with Klinefelter's syndrome with and without spermatogenesis. DESIGN: Controlled clinical study. SETTING: Yamagata University Hospital, Yamagata, Japan. PATIENT(S): Patients with Klinefelter's syndrome with spermatogenesis (n = 1) and without spermatogenesis (n = 20) and a control group of men of proven fertility (n = 10). INTERVENTION(S): Blood and semen sampling and testicular biopsy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Semen analysis, polymerase chain reaction amplification of 32 DNA loci on the long arm of the Y chromosome involving the DAZ (deleted in azoospermia) and YRRM (Y chromosome ribonucleic acid recognition motif) genes, and measurement of plasma FSH, LH, and testosterone levels. RESULT(S): No microdeletions of 32 loci were found in any of the patients with Klinefelter's syndrome, either with or without spermatogenesis. Plasma LH and FSH levels were abnormally high and testosterone levels were reduced in all the patients with Klinefelter's syndrome. American Society for Reproductive Medicine.) CONCLUSION(S): Severe impairment of spermatogenesis in patients with Klinefelter's syndrome is not caused by microdeletions of the Y chromosome involving the DAZ and YRRM genes.

DNA↗

PubMed1999

Prostatic signet-ring cell carcinoma: case report and literature review.

Signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) of the prostate is a very rare neoplasm and there have been only 38 cases reported to date. Here the 39th case of prostatic SRCC containing a small amount of neutral mucin, prostatic specific antigen (PSA) and prostatic specific acid phosphatase (PSAP) in the signet-ring cells is reported. It was also found that some intracytoplasmic lumina were derived from the shallow or deep invagination of luminal membranes of cancer cells that formed the neoplastic glands. Using immunohistochemistry, a combination of monoclonal antibodies against cytokeratins 7 and 20 as well as PSA and PSAP may be useful in differentiating prostatic primary SRCC from metastatic SRCC originating in the gastrointestinal tract.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Are there any relationships between the fecundity of bilateral ovaries in an individual patient and the incidence of apoptotic granulosa cells?

Many researchers have discussed fecundity on a per patient or per ovarian follicle basis. In contrast, this study was undertaken on a per ovary basis, and tests the hypothesis that there is a relationship between the fecundity of the bilateral ovaries in an individual patient and the incidence of apoptotic granulosa cells. The two ovaries of 10 women undergoing ovulation induction for in-vitro fertilization (IVF) with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) and gonadotrophins were compared. There was no difference in apoptotic index in granulosa cells and various hormones in the follicular fluids. Our results indicate that, in the ovulation induction protocol for IVF, GnRHa and gonadotrophins, there is no predisposition of one ovary over the other in an individual patient in terms of apoptosis at the time of aspiration, even though the number of oocytes in each ovary is different, because the number of oocytes retrieved may reveal ovarian fecundity before stimulation with GnRHa + human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG).

Apoptosis↗

PubMed1999

Expression of CD44 in human cumulus and mural granulosa cells of individual patients in in-vitro fertilization programmes.

CD44 is a polymorphic and polyfunctional transmembrane glycoprotein widely expressed in many types of cells. Here, the expression of this protein on human membrana granulosa was studied by two techniques. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) with the mouse monoclonal antibody to human CD44 (clone G44-26), cells immunoreactive for CD44 were observed in both cumulus and mural granulosa cell masses. On the other hand, using monoclonal antibody to human CD44v9, goat polyclonal antibody to human CD44v3-10 and the clone G44-26, no immunoreactivity for CD44v9 and/or CD44v3-10 was observed in either cell group by flow cytometry. In the flow cytometric analysis of 32 patients, the incidence of CD44 expression in cumulus cells (62.6+/-1.3%) was significantly higher than that in mural granulosa cells (38.5+/-3.2%) (P<0.0001). In the comparison of CD44 expression by flow cytometry according to the maturation of each cumulus-oocyte complex, the incidence of CD44 expression of cumulus cells was significantly higher in the mature group than in the immature group (P<0.05). In a flow cytometric analysis, patients with endometriosis showed a significantly lower incidence of CD44 expression in cumulus cells compared to the infertility of unknown origin group (P<0.05), and compared to both the male infertility group and the unknown origin group in mural granulosa cells (P<0.01). These findings suggest that the standard form of CD44 is expressed in human membrana granulosa with polarity and may play an important role in oocyte maturation.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Raised concentrations of aldehyde lipid peroxidation products in premature infants with chronic lung disease.

AIM: To indicate the extent of lipid peroxidation induced by oxidative stress, by measuring aldehyde end products in biological samples. METHODS: A highly specific gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method was used to measure plasma concentrations of aliphatic aldehydes within the first week of life in 13 premature infants who subsequently developed chronic lung disease (CLD) and 11 infants without CLD (non-CLD). The oxime-tert-butyldimethylsilyl derivatives of aldehydes were analysed using 2,2,6,6-d4-cyclohexanone as the internal standard. RESULTS: All of the aldehydes measured were raised in those infants with CLD compared with non-CLD infants. Plasma concentrations of heptanal, 2-nonenal, and 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) were significantly increased in CLD infants on the day of birth, while the differences in all aldehydes between the two groups were not significant at 4-6 days of age. Logistic regression analysis showed that the increase in these three aldehydes within the first 24 hours of life independently showed significant associations with the development of CLD. In particular, an HNE concentration of > or = 200 nM on day 0 was the best predictor for the early detection of CLD (odds ratio = 32.0), followed by a 2-nonenal concentration of > or = 150 nM (odds ratio = 16.0). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that lipid peroxidation may have a role in the pathogenesis of neonatal CLD.

Aldehydes↗

PubMed1999

Study on Chlamydia trachomatis infection among students and pregnant women in Japan: a step toward developing a reliable method for sexual behavior study.

2450 sera from students and 5215 sera from pregnant women were examined for the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) antibody. CT antibody positive rates were less than 5% with the students and 24.5% with the pregnant women suggesting the latter is significantly higher than former. The results provided a base for discussing possibility of using CT infection as a reliable method for studying sexual behavior.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

PubMed1999

Establishment of a new cell line (MTT-95) showing basophilic differentiation from the bone marrow of a patient with acute myelogenous leukemia (M7).

A new myeloid cell line, MTT-95, was established from the bone marrow of a patient with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML, M7). MTT-95 cells differentiate into mature basophilic cells in culture medium with no chemical component or cytokine. Surface phenotypes were as follows: CD11b 79.3%, CD13 92.4%, CD33 99.8%, CD34 87.9%, CD41a 77.6% and HLA-DR 0.3%. MTT-95 cells were strongly positive for glycoprotein IIb/IIIa by immunohistochemical staining and revealed metachromatic granules. MTT-95 cells seem to possess characteristics of both megakaryocytes and basophils. These findings suggest that MTT-95 cells are basophil progenitors. MTT-95 cells might be useful in the study not only of the biological aspects of basophils, but also of the diversities of AML (M7).

Antigens, CD↗

PubMed1999

The specific distribution of dendritic interstitial cells at the tumor border of major salivary gland pleomorphic adenomas.

To investigate the role of stromal cells at the tumor border of major salivary gland pleomorphic adenomas, we performed immunohistochemical analysis for detecting CD34-positive stromal cells (dendritic interstitial cells) and alpha smooth muscle actin (ASMA) -positive stromal cells (myofibroblasts) at the periphery of the tumor. We examined 21 pleomorphic adenomas of major salivary glands. All of the 21 pleomorphic adenomas examined had both dendritic interstitial cells and myofibroblasts at the tumor border. The ratio between the two cell types varied, and they exhibited a bilayered capsular structure; myofibroblasts were located in the inner layer of the tumor capsule, whereas dendritic interstitial cells derived from nearby vascular structures and nerves were located in the outer layer of the capsule. On the basis of the specific distribution of the dendritic interstitial cells in the present study, there is a possibility that dendritic interstitial cells are associated with the tumor growth regulation of major salivary gland pleomorphic adenomas.

Actins↗

PubMed1998

Comparison of the accuracy of gestational age estimation from fetal heart rate and crown-rump length.

Objective: To compare the accuracy of gestational age (GA) estimation predicted by fetal heart rate (FHR) versus crown-rump length (CRL) measurements in early pregnancies.Methods: A total of 145 infertile women with singleton intrauterine pregnancies conceived through in vitro fertilization underwent vaginal ultrasonographic examination in early stage of pregnancy. We performed 197 FHR and 398 CRL measurements. The relationship between GA (counted with the day of oocyte retrieval used as day 14) and the FHR or CRL was explored with regression analysis by means of least squares. Polynomials up to the third order were analyzed, and the coefficient of determination (R(2)) was calculated.Results: Fetal cardiac activity could be detected as early as 38 days, gradually increased to 188 beats per minute at 62 days of gestation. Regression analysis with GA as dependent variable resulted in R(2) values of 0.906, 0.907, and 0.908 for the first, second, and third order polynomials, respectively. The standard deviations around the regression line were 2.90, 2.81, and 2.84 days, respectively. The second order polynomial to describe GA (days) estimated by FHR (beats per min): GA = 3.02E-4*FHR(2) + 1.60E-1*FHR + 2.22E+1. On the other hand, the CRL was measured at 38 days to 62 days of gestation. Regression analysis resulted in R(2) values of 0.827, 0.839, and 0.841, respectively. The deviations were 4.11, 3.83, and 3.89 days, respectively. The second order polynomial to describe GA estimated by CRL (mm): GA = -2.10E-2*CRL(2) + 1.49E+0*CRL + 3.86E+1. There was no difference between the R(2) values and no difference between the standard deviations around the regression lines.Conclusion: Our results indicate no statistically significant difference in the accuracy of GA estimation predicted by FHR versus CRL measurements. But better mathematical fits were obtained when the data of FHR were used for GA estimation. These findings suggest that the FHR measurement may be a new method for early ultrasound dating. This study mentions for the first time the possibility of "FHR dating" with functional data.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1998

Rat zona pellucida glycoproteins: molecular cloning and characterization of the three major components.

The zona pellucida (ZP), the extracellular glycocalyx that surrounds the oocyte, is well known to mediate homologous gamete interaction. In a previous study from our laboratories, we reported the qualitative characterization of the rat ZP. The ZP in this species, like the mouse, hamster, and human, was found to contain three glycoproteins, namely rZP1, rZP2, and rZP3 (Araki et al. [1992] Biol Reprod 46:912-919). In this study, cDNAs encoding whole rat ZP major components have been isolated and characterized. A rat ovary cDNA library was screened with the mouse ZP3 and ZP2 cDNA probes, respectively. For rZP1 cDNA cloning, cDNAs generated using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and rapid amplification of 5' and 3' cDNA ends, were isolated and sequenced. The rZP3 cDNA showed 1338 bp with a coding region containing 1272 bp, that translates into 424 amino acids. The total translation of rZP3 peptide has a molecular weight of 45,820, containing six potential N-glycosylation sites and 75 Ser/Thr residues, possible O-glycosylation sites. The amino acid sequence derived from the cDNA sequence shares high sequence homologies to mouse (90%), hamster (78%), and human (65%) ZP3 (ZPC) glycoproteins, indicating that the rat and mouse ZP3 have quite a conserved amino acid sequence, including the potential glycosylation sites. The total transcript of the rZP2 was 2154 nucleotides and the largest open reading frame was 695 amino acids. This would translate into a protein of 78.4 kDa. In the case of rZP1, the cDNA clone consisted of 1960 bp, and the coding region contained 1851 bp translating into 617 amino acids. Significant homologies were observed between rZP2 and ZPA family from various mammalian species. The rZP1 also showed a sequence homology to mouse ZP1, known as a mouse orthologue of ZPB family, suggesting that the rZP2 and rZP1 are members of ZPA and ZPB families, respectively. The message distributions for each zona components were limited within the ovary and the signal was detectable in the growing oocytes. The present results will further our understanding of the structure of rat zona components and lead to a better understanding of species-specificity observed during sperm-egg interaction.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1998

Mesangial cell activation in the collagenofibrotic glomerulonephropathy. Case report and review of the literature.

Collagenofibrotic glomerulonephropathy is a new disease entity of unknown pathogenesis, which is characterized by the deposition of type III collagen within the mesangial matrix. We have investigated a case in which many mesangial cells in the type III collagen-deposited glomeruli were alpha-smooth muscle actin (ASMA) positive and showed an increase of subplasmalemmal filaments, indicating the activation and myofibroblastic transformation. It is suggested that the activated mesangial cells may synthesize the type III collagen deposited in the subendothelial space and mesangial matrix.

Actins↗