Biomedical subjects

M Kawashima

Publications and source records attributed to M Kawashima.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

PubMed1994

Analysis of beta-glucocerebrosidase and ceramidase activities in atopic and aged dry skin.

To elucidate the mechanisms that are involved in the decrease of ceramide levels in atopic dry skin and in aged skin, we examined both the activities of beta-glucocerebrosidase, which is a major enzyme in ceramide production, and of ceramidase, which is an essential enzyme in ceramide degradation, in the stratum corneum of atopic dry skin and aged skin. The specimens of the stratum corneum of forearm skin were obtained by tape-stripping from 61 healthy volunteers and 23 patients with atopic uninvolved skin. The beta-glucocerebrosidase activity in the stratum corneum extracts was estimated using fluorescent 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside as the substrate. Ceramidase activity was determined using 14C-palmitoylsphingosine as the substrate. Among the atopic skin samples, neither beta-glucocerebrosidase nor ceramidase activities were different from those of age-matched healthy controls. Nor was the beta-glucocerebrosidase activity deficient in the aged skin samples as compared to that seen in samples from the young, healthy group. In contrast, there was an age-related upregulation in ceramidase activity. The results indicate that the decrease of ceramides in atopic dry skin may not be accompanied by reduced synthesis or by enhanced degradation, each of which is primarily attributable to the above two enzymes, respectively. The pathogenesis of aged dry skin can be explained, at least partially, in terms of elevated ceramidase activity, which results in a disturbance of the lamellar structure of the stratum corneum lipids.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Radiation tolerance of the liver in relation to the preserved functional capacity.

The radiation tolerance of the liver was investigated in 12 patients, 11 of them with liver cirrhosis, treated for hepatocellular carcinoma by partial liver irradiation with doses between 50 and 77 Gy. The tolerance was assessed by the complication probability (Lyman's model), which concerned the injured tissue itself, and by a prediction score used for postsurgical liver failure, which concerned the preserved functional capacity, assuming that the > or = 30 Gy volume was equivalent to the resected volume. The prediction score corresponded better with the observed risk of fatal liver failure than the complication probability. The liver volume after radiotherapy correlated largely with the untreated volume and the low-dose volume. Thus the preserved functional capacity gives a better expression of the radiation tolerance than direct measures of the extent of injured tissue.

Aged↗

PubMed1994

Effect of estradiol-17 beta and progesterone on arginine vasotocin in nonlaying hens.

Effect of estradiol-17 beta (E2) and progesterone (P4) on serum arginine vasotocin (AVT) concentration was examined. Serum AVT concentration was lower in nonlaying hens than in laying hens. A single intramuscular injection of E2 or P4 into nonlaying hens caused an increase in serum AVT concentration, suggesting that estrogen and P4 may stimulate the release of AVT from the neurohypophysis.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Changes in progesterone receptor binding of preoptic hypothalamus during an ovulatory cycle of the hen.

By the use of radioligand assays, cytosolic and nuclear fractions of hypothalamic tissue involving preoptic area (HPOA) of the hen was found to contain a specific [17 alpha-methyl-3H]promegestone ([3H]-R5020; a synthetic progesterone) binding component having properties of receptor for progesterone. The equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) was different neither between cytosolic and nuclear fractions nor between the fractions of laying and nonlaying hens. The maximum binding capacity (Bmax) per milligram of tissue of both fractions was greater in laying hens than in nonlaying hens. During the ovulatory cycle of laying hens, the specific [3H]-R5020 binding in cytosolic fraction showed a decrease, with an increase in the nuclear fraction from 21 to 18 h and from 6 to 3 h before ovulation. Such a change was not observed in nonlaying hens during a 24-h day. The results suggest that progesterone receptors are present in the preoptic hypothalamus and may be related to the incidence of ovulation in the hen.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Human papillomavirus type 60-associated plantar wart. Ridged wart.

BACKGROUND: We had recently cloned a new cutaneous human papillomavirus type 60 (HPV-60) from a plantar cyst with characteristic pathologic changes and identified it in additional cysts. However, it is not known whether or not HPV-60 infection causes the other cutaneous lesions. OBSERVATIONS: Six plantar warts were found in five patients. These warts were found either with concomitant plantar cysts (four patients) or without an accompanying cyst (one patient). All warts showed a similar clinical appearance, including a smooth and slightly elevated surface and the retained appearance of the dermal ridges. Their histopathologic features were identical to those found in the wall of the cysts reported previously, namely hyperkeratosis with vacuolated structure with or without nuclei in the horny layer and amorphous eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusions in the cells with peripherally located nuclei in the granular and prickle cell layers. By Southern blot analysis, all warts were found to harbor HPV-60 DNA. In addition, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization analysis revealed the presence of viral capsid antigen and viral genome in these lesions, respectively. CONCLUSION: We conclude that HPV-60 infection on the plantar skin causes the warty lesion, designated as ridged wart, distinct from those infected with other cutaneous human papillomaviruses.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Anti-ulcer effect of 1,6-dihydro-2-[2-(2-methylpropoxy) anilino]-6-oxo-5-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid on experimental gastric ulcers in rats.

The effects of 1,6-dihydro-2-[2-(2-methylpropoxy) anilino]-6-oxo-5-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid (MAR-99, CAS 98772-05-5) on various experimental gastric ulcers were studied in rats. MAR-99 (3-100 mg/kg, p.o. or i.d.) showed the anti-ulcer effect in Shay-, stress, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)- and compound 48/80-ulcer models and significantly accelerated healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer in rats. In addition, MAR-99 (1-10 mg/kg p.o.) decreased dose-dependently the gastric mucosal damage induced by necrotizing agents such as 99.5% ethanol, 0.6N HCl and 0.2 N NaOH. These results indicate that MAR-99 may be useful for the treatment of gastric ulcer in human.

Acetates↗

PubMed1994

Effect of 1,6-dihydro-2-[2-(2-methylpropoxy)anilino]-6-oxo-5-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid on gastric mucosal defensive factors and gastric secretion in rats.

1,6-dihydro-2-[2-(2-methylpropoxy)anilino]-6-oxo-5-pyrimidinecarbo xylic acid, (MAR-99, CAS 98772-05-5) (10-30 mg/kg i.g.) improved the reduction of gastric blood flow rate induced by the administration of 99.5% ethanol or acidified-acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). In addition, MAR-99 (3 x 10(-6)-3 x 10(-5) mol/l) protected dose-dependently the damage of epithelial cells induced by ulcerogenic agents such as ethanol or acidified-ASA. MAR-99 (1-10 mg/kg p.o.) prevented dose-dependently the reduction of hexosamine content in glandular stomach. Furthermore, MAR-99 (10-30 mg/kg i.g.) improved the decrease in gastric potential difference induced by 99.5% ethanol and acidified-ASA. MAR-99 (10-30 mg/kg p.o.) significantly inhibited the lesion formation induced by 99.5% ethanol and such effect of this compound was not attenuated by the pretreatment with indomethacin. Furthermore MAR-99 (10 and 30 mg/kg p.o.) had no effect on the prostaglandins (PGE2 and I2) contents in the stomach of normal rats. In pylorus-ligated rats, MAR-99 (3-100 mg/kg i.d.) showed a weak or no effect on acidity and pepsin activity in gastric juice, although this compound decreased dose-dependently the volume of gastric juice. In perfused stomachs, MAR-99 (30-100 mg/kg i.d.) slightly prevented the acid secretion induced by carbachol and pentagastrin. However, MAR-99 did not affect the acid secretion stimulated by histamine. These results indicated that anti-ulcer effect of MAR-99 was mainly due to maintenance of the gastric mucosal resistance.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Pedunculated lipofibroma. A clinicopathologic study of thirty-two cases supporting a simplified nomenclature.

Thirty-two cases are described of a relatively rare form of benign connective tissue proliferation characterized by ectopic fatty tissue in the dermis. The lesions usually appear as large, solitary, slow-growing, pedunculated to dome-shaped, skin-colored nodules or plaques showing predilection for the buttock and upper thigh. Other areas involved include the back, shoulder, knee, neck, and ear. Twenty patients were women and 12 were men, 19 to 78 years of age (mean, 46.9 years). The size of the lesions ranged from 4 to 69 mm (mean, 49 mm). Histologically, the lesions were characterized by the presence of mature adipose tissue infiltrating around the periadnexal adventitial dermis and between adnexal structures and admixing with dense stromal collagen. Marked deposition of mucopolysaccharides was noted in the majority of the lesions. Clinical follow-up in all 32 patients showed no evidence of recurrence. Because of their distinctive clinicopathologic features, we prefer to designate these lesions as solitary, pedunculated lipofibroma. In addition, seven of the patients had diabetes mellitus, suggesting a possible relation between the two conditions.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1994

Atypical melanosis of the foot. A report of three cases in Japanese populations.

BACKGROUND: Acral lentiginous melanoma is the most common type of malignant melanoma in the Japanese population. In most instances, classic acral lentiginous melanoma or acral lentiginous melanoma in situ can be readily distinguished from other benign pigmented lesions by virtue of its atypical clinical appearance. OBSERVATION: We present three cases of seemingly malignant pigmented lesions on the foot, all arising in Japanese females. Clinically, the lesions are characterized by irregular borders and variegated pigmentation closely mimicking those of acral lentiginous melanoma in situ. However, the histologic findings revealed only focal slight melanocytic hyperplasia with minimal cytologic atypia along the basal layer. Despite the malignant clinical features, thorough histologic examination failed to disclose any area with significant melanocytic atypia or evidence of malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, similar lesions with the clinical appearance of melanoma in situ and completely lacking histologic evidence of malignancy have not been reported. We, therefore, prefer to designate these lesions as atypical melanosis of the foot to highlight the clinically apparent atypical findings and to distinguish them from malignant melanoma in situ of the foot.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

PubMed1994

[A case of gauzeoma with recurrent massive hemoptysis mimicking aspergilloma].

A 52-year-old woman who had received a right upper lobectomy and thoracoplasty for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis 30 years prior to the present disorder, was admitted to out hospital with massive hemoptysis. We diagnosed aspergilloma clinically because chest X-ray showed a fungus ball-like mass with meniscus sign. Right middle and lower lobectomies were performed after the 7th bronchial arterial embolization for recurrent hemoptysis. The resected specimen showed a mass of old gauze, a so-called "gauzeoma". We have found no previous reports of gauzeoma with both meniscus sign and recurrent massive hemoptysis mimicking aspergilloma.

Aspergillosis↗

PubMed1993

[Immunohistochemical determination of endometrial progesterone receptor (PR) content after intrauterine infusion of danazol in rabbits].

Danazol, an isoxazole derivative of 17 alpha-ethinyl-testosterone, has various effects on the female reproductive system. To examine its anti-estrogenic effects through the receptor system and clarify its direct effect on the endometrium in vivo, we applied danazol jelly into the rabbit uterine cavity. Recent studies performed in our laboratory using the ligand-binding assay have shown that danazol administered directly into the uterine cavity is absorbed by the endometrial tissue and exerts its anti-estrogenic effects possibly through progesterone receptors (PR) in the cells. In the present study we examined the variations in endometrial PR content during 7 days after the intrauterine administration of danazol into the rabbit uterine cavity. Immature female white rabbits were used. They were given daily subcutaneous injections of estradiol-17 beta (E2) for 3 days after which their abdomens were opened, and danazol gel was infused into the lumen of the right horn and HPC-jelly was infused into the lumen of the left horn, as the control. Thereafter and until they were killed, the same daily dose of E2 was injected. They were killed 6h, 24h, 3 days, 5 days or 7 days after intrauterine infusion of danazol and PRs were studied immunohistochemically using a specific antireceptor monoclonal antibody (PR-AT 4.14). Six hours after danazol infusion, the PR staining in the glandular epithelium and part of the stroma surrounding the epithelium had declined. On day 3, PR staining declined to its lowest level in the glandular epithelium and stroma. On Day 5, PR staining had been restored in the glandular epithelium but stayed low in the stroma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1993

[The histochemical study of the effects of estrogen on the forebrain cholinergic neurons of fetal female rats transplanted into the anterior eye chamber of adult female rats].

In order to clarify the effects of estrogen on cholinergic basal forebrain neurons, a cholinergic neuron in the diagonal band nucleus of the female fetal rat was implanted into the anterior eye chamber of the female adult rat. Some host rats were treated with 2mg estradiol valerate (E2v) injected every 3 days after ovariectomy while others were not 2 and 4 weeks after transplantation, the growth of cholinergic neurons in the graft was studied using acethylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemistry. At 2 weeks after transplantation, AChE positive neurons and fibers were densely distributed in the grafts of E2v treated rats. Also in grafts without E2v treatment, AChE positive neurons and fibers were found in all the grafts although their density was low. At 4 weeks, AChE staining was dense staining observed in both groups. These results indicate that neurotrophic effect of estrogen on the cholinergic basal forebrain neurons.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

PubMed1993

Two novel types of human papillomavirus, HPV 63 and HPV 65: comparisons of their clinical and histological features and DNA sequences to other HPV types.

An association exists between verrucae presenting with specific histological features and the type of HPV inducing the lesion. An HPV 1 induced lesion is associated with a granular type of intracytoplasmic inclusion body (Gr-ICB), whereas HPV 4 is associated with the homogeneous type of ICB (Hg-ICB). A third type of inclusion body, a filamentous type (F1-ICB), was found to be present in multiple punctate keratotic lesions. A novel type of papillomavirus, HPV 63, was present in such lesions. After cloning, characterization and sequencing of its DNA genome, HPV 63, although still very distinct (< 66% nucleotide homology), could be grouped with HPV 1. Upon histological examination of verrucous lesions presenting clinically with grey to black pigmentation, the Hg-ICB present were very characteristic. These lesions were infected with HPV 4, HPV 60, or HPV 65. The majority of the lesions contained the novel type HPV 65. This viral DNA was isolated and characterized. Its DNA sequence has an 83% homology to that of HPV 4, whereas both are more distantly related to HPV 60, an HPV isolated from an epidermoid cyst.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1993

Porokeratosis large skin lesions are susceptible to skin cancer development: histological and cytological explanation for the susceptibility.

Porokeratosis (PK), an autosomal dominant inherited skin disorder, is known to develop malignant skin tumors on its skin lesions. Our recent literature survey has revealed that large PK skin lesions are frequently a precursor of malignant changes. In the study, large and small PK skin lesions were investigated in terms of histological features of the epidermis and of the cellular DNA content of epidermal cells. Large PK lesions frequently showed hypertrophic epidermis with many mitotic cells, while small lesions usually presented atrophic epidermis without such mitotic cells. Abnormal cells, like those containing hyperchromatic, large, and/or irregularly shaped nuclei, were present in the epidermis of both large and small lesions with a preponderance in the former over the latter. DNA polyploidy was seen more frequently in large PK lesions than in small ones. DNA index values were significantly higher in large lesions than in small ones. The histological features and DNA ploidy abnormalities probably reflect the higher proliferation and the greater potential for malignant changes of large PK skin lesions. Our study helps to explain the clinical evidence that large PK skin lesions are frequently a precursor of malignant skin tumors.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Rheumatoid papules: a report on four patients with histopathologic analysis.

BACKGROUND: The rheumatoid papule is a recently described skin manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis. OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid papules from four patients with classic rheumatoid arthritis were examined to determine the origin of this palisading granulomatous reaction. METHODS: Immunofluorescence and electron microscopic studies were performed on biopsy specimens of rheumatoid papules. RESULTS: Leukocytoclastic vasculitis with collagen alteration and lymphohistiocytic infiltration were observed. The immunofluorescence study revealed deposits of immunoglobulins and complement in the vessel walls and in the area of collagen alteration. Electron microscopy revealed epithelioid cell-like histiocytes among altered collagen fibers. These cells contained abundant lysosomes and were connected to neighboring cells by well-developed intricate processes. CONCLUSION: Vasculitis is important in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid papules. In patients with rheumatoid papules, systemic evaluation should be performed because these are a manifestation of rheumatoid vasculitis.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Comparison of follicular estrogen receptors in rat, hamster, and pig.

The hypophysectomized or intact hamster--unlike the rat--does not respond to estrogen by increasing the number of large antral follicles. In the pig, estrogen inhibits progesterone synthesis by granulosa cells from large follicles for 36 h before progesterone accumulation is enhanced. The objective of this study was to determine whether these divergent responses of the three species to estrogen are related to differences in follicular estrogen receptors. For the rat antral follicle, the equilibrium dissociation constants (Kds), expressed as nmol/L, were 0.55 +/- 0.07 in the cytosolic fraction and 0.46 +/- 0.11 in the nuclear fraction; for the hamster and pig follicles, the respective Kds were 1.08 +/- 0.04 and 0.94 +/- 0.11, and 1.16 +/- 0.23 and 1.09 +/- 0.17, respectively. The cytosolic and nuclear Kds for the rat follicle were statistically different from those of the other two species, but this is most likely not of biological consequence. Comparison of the maximal numbers of binding sites (NBSmax) in the cytosolic fractions of the antral follicles, expressed as fmol/mg protein, indicated a relationship of hamster > rat = pig; whereas in the nuclear fraction, with the NBSmax expressed as fmol/mg DNA, the relationship was hamster > pig > rat. The total number of estrogen receptors (sum of the NBSmax of cytosolic and nuclear fractions) was approximately tenfold higher in the hamster than in the rat. Thus, the failure of hamster large follicles to respond in vivo or in vitro to estrogen cannot be explained on the basis of lack of estrogen receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Blister formation over a soft fibroma of the nipple.

We report a case of soft fibroma on the nipple which was accompanied by a blister. Histologically, a subepidermal blister overlying the tumor and the degeneration of the lower part of the epidermis were observed. The causes of blister formation are briefly discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

A case of acquired lymphangioma of the vulva.

A 46-year-old woman developed multiple papules on the right labium majus. A histological examination revealed acanthotic epidermis and dilated vessels in the papillary dermis. The clinical and histological features were compatible with those of lymphangiectasis or acquired lymphangioma of the vulva, which occurs after surgery or irradiation for cervical cancer. This patient, however, had no such past history. Acquired lymphangioma of the vulva arising without obvious causes seems to be unusual.

Endothelium↗