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Biomedical subjects

M Ozawa

Publications and source records attributed to M Ozawa.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

[Glycohistochemical analysis of seborrheic keratosis in eyelids].

The glycoconjugates of seborrheic keratosis in the eyelids were examined by in situ hybridization histochemistry using cRNA probes for sialyltransferase (ST) and lectin histochemistry. We considered that the cells, which expressed both cytoplasmic distribution of ST-mRNA and binding of lectins specific for sialic acids to the cell surfaces, were actively producing sialoglycans. We also considered that the cells whose surfaces were stained with the lectins without cytoplasmic distribution of ST-mRNA have completed the synthesis of sialoglycans. These viewpoints suggest that the O-linked sialoglycan, whose turnover-rate is slow, may be distributed over the cells of the thickened spinocellular layer in the tumor of seborrheic keratosis and involved in its pathomechanism. It also appears that the turnover rate of the terminal sialic acids in the N-linked glycan in the spinocellular layer may be fast.

Aged↗

[Epstein-Barr virus-infected T-cell malignancy in an adult patient with Behçet's disease-like symptoms].

A 20-year-old woman was hospitalized on November 11, 1994 with Behçet's disease-like symptoms (fever, genital ulcer and aphtha in the oral cavity). Bilateral cervical lymph node swelling was also noted and diagnosed as lymphadenitis on biopsy. Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection (CAEBV) was diagnosed based on the high titer of antibodies to the EBV capsid antigen, early antigen, and nuclear antigen. She was treated with prednisolone and acyclovir and all symptoms improved. However, ten months after onset of symptoms, T-cell malignancy was diagnosed on bone marrow aspiration, which revealed 34.9% blast cells that had rearrangement of TCR-beta. She died on May 8, 1995, despite anticancer therapy. In analyzing the blast cells, the monoclonal junctional DNA structure of the EBV terminal repeat was analyzed by Southern blotting and provided definitive evidence for the monoclonality of EBV-infected T cells. These findings strongly suggest that EBV plays a pathogenic role in T-cell malignancy. EBV-infected T-cell malignancy, such as this case, is very rare in Japan, especially in adult.

Adult↗

Hemodynamic effects of warm bathing in a Hubbard tank and exercise loading in patients after myocardial infarction.

Hemodynamic parameters were measured during bathing and exercise testing in 43 patients with myocardial infarction (mean age: 60.2 years) to investigate the predictive parameters to determine when patients could safely resume bathing. Patients took a fresh water bath at 42 degrees C in the supine position for 5 min in a Hubbard tank. Group A showed an elevation of pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) during bathing of 10 mmHg or more (23 patients, mean age: 61.7 years) and group B showed an elevation of less than 10 mmHg (20 patients, mean age: 60.5 years). Continuous multistep exercise tests were performed with a bicycle ergometer in the supine position, and hemodynamic parameters were measured at up to 50 W for 3 min on the day before the warm bathing test. There were no significant differences in the changes of arterial pressure and heart rate between the two groups. The PCWP at 3 min with a load of 50 W was significantly higher in group A (26.9 +/- 9.0 mmHg) than in group B (16.7 +/- 9.1 mmHg, p < 0.01). The stroke index (SI) during exercise testing was significantly lower in group A than in group B. The difference in the stroke index from baseline values (delta SI) at 3 min with a load of 50 W was significantly lower in group A (3.5 +/- 5.5 ml/m2/beat) than in group B (10.6 +/- 7.0 ml/m2/beat, p < 0.01). Similarly, delta CI and delta oxygen pulse during testing were significantly lower in group A than in group B. The physical work capacity and ejection fraction of the left ventricle of group A were significantly lower than those of group B, whereas the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was higher in group A than in group B. CI, delta CI, SI, delta SI, METs, oxygen pulse, and delta oxygen pulse were examined by regression analysis and multivariate analysis to predict a significant elevation of delta PCWP during bathing. delta SI (p = 0.0032), delta CI (p = 0.0094), delta SI + METs (p = 0.0051), delta CI + METs (p = 0.0061), delta CI + delta SI (p = 0.0084), and delta CI + delta SI + METs (p = 0.0093) showed the highest correlations with delta PCWP. These findings suggest that changes in delta CI, delta SI, and METs are good predictive parameters for determining when patients may safely resume bathing. We suggest that patients with myocardial infarction, reduced cardiac function and a physical work capacity of approximately 4.0 METs, delta SI: 5 ml/m2/beat and delta CI: 2.4 l/min/m2 resume bathing only after careful consideration.

Adult↗

Narrowband UV-B produces superior clinical and histopathological resolution of moderate-to-severe psoriasis in patients compared with broadband UV-B.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effectiveness of daily exposure to narrowband (NB) UV-B vs broadband (BB) UV-B with and without tar. DESIGN: Half-body exposures to NB UV-B or BB UV-B were given daily for 4 weeks in this comparative treatment study. Narrowband UV-B was delivered from TL-01 fluorescent bulbs and BB UV-B from conventional bulbs in the same phototherapy cabinet. Narrowband UV-B was compared using a paired treatment approach to BB UV-B above the waist and to BB UV-B with tar (Goeckerman treatment) below the waist. SETTING: General clinical research center of a university hospital inpatient unit. PATIENTS: Twenty-two patients with moderate-to-severe plaque-type psoriasis completed the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical efficacy was measured weekly using psoriasis severity scoring. Therapeutic outcomes after 4 weeks were compared in paired biopsy samples from treated lesions using objective histopathological measures (quantitative reduction in epidermal acanthosis and keratin 16 expression). RESULTS: Clinical resolution of psoriasis was achieved on 86% of paired sites treated with NB UV-B vs 73% treated with BB UV-B. Histopathological resolution of epidermal hyperplasia (marked by keratin 16 expression) was achieved in 88% of lesions treated with NB UV-B vs 59% treated with BB UV-B. Epidermal acanthosis was reduced more completely by NB UV-B treatment. Clinical resolution of psoriatic lesions occurred more rapidly following NB UV-B treatment, with some patients achieving complete resolution after 2 to 3 weeks of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Narrowband UV-B offers a significant therapeutic advantage over BB UV-B in the treatment of psoriasis, with faster clearing and more complete disease resolution. The erythema response to NB UV-B treatment was significantly more intense and persistent compared with BB UV-B. Considerably more necrotic keratinocytes were observed in histopathological sections of skin treated with NB UV-B after a single 2.0-minimum erythema dose exposure. Treatment should be coupled with obligate minimum erythema dose testing to NB UV-B and close clinical observation during dose increases.

Adolescent↗

Midkine as a novel target gene for the Wilms' tumor suppressor gene (WT1).

Midkine (MK) is a heparin-binding growth factor which is strongly expressed during the midgestation period of mouse embryogenesis. Wilms' tumor is an embryonal kidney malignancy in infants, and WT1 has been identified as its tumor suppressor gene. The high expression level of MK in all Wilms' tumor specimens so far examined and the presence of two WT1 elements (5'-GCGGGGGCG-3') in the human MK promoter region led us to examine the possible role of the WT1 gene product in the regulation of MK gene expression. A gel shift assay verified the complex formation between the WT1 gene product and WT1 consensus sequence of MK gene. DNase1 footprint analysis also demonstrated that the downstream WT1 element was protected from DNase1 cleavage by the addition of the WT1 protein. The human MK promoter fused with the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene (phMK2.3kCAT) was co-transfected with an effector plasmid containing the WT1 gene into several cell lines. Transient transfection assays showed suppression of the MK promoter by WT1 co-transfection in recipient cells; deletion of the WT1 binding site abolished the suppression. The evidence reported in this study indicates that MK gene is a newly identified WT1 target gene.

3T3 Cells↗

The effect of pravastatin on acute rejection after kidney transplantation--a pilot study.

Hyperlipidemia is an important complication of kidney transplantation affecting up to 74% of recipients. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are reported to provide safe and effective treatment for this problem. A recent study suggests that pravastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, also decreases the incidence of both clinically severe acute rejection episodes and natural killer cell cytotoxicity after orthotopic heart transplantation. We have performed a prospective randomized pilot study of the effect of pravastatin on these same parameters after cadaveric kidney transplantation. Graft recipients were randomized to receive pravastatin after transplantation or no pravastatin (24 patients in each group) in addition to routine cyclosporine and prednisone immunosuppression. Lipid levels, acute rejection episodes and serial natural killer cell cytotoxicities were followed for 4 months after the transplant. At the end of the study period, pravastatin had successfully controlled mean total cholesterol levels (202.6 +/- 9.3 vs. 236.5 +/- 11.9 mg/dl, P < 0.02), LDL levels (107.9 +/- 6.6 vs.149.6 +/- 10.7 mg/dl, P < 0.002), and triglyceride levels (118.8 +/- 14.2 vs. 157.2 +/- 13.8 mg/dl, P < 0.05). In addition, the pravastatin-treated group experienced a reduction in the incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection episodes (25% vs. 58%, P = 0.01), the incidence of multiple rejections episodes (P < 0.05), and the use of both pulse methylprednisolone (P = 0.01) and OKT3 (P = 0.02). Mean natural killer cell cytotoxicity was similarly reduced (11.3 +/- 1.6 vs. 20.0 +/- 2.0% lysis of K562 target cells, P < 0.002). These data suggest that pravastatin exerts an additional immunosuppressive effect in kidney transplant recipients treated with cyclosporine-based immunosuppression.

Adult↗

Sequencing of a 23 kb fragment from Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome VI.

Plasmid clone gapB and lambda phage clone 4682, which contain fragments of Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome VI, were analysed. A 23 kb sequence was determined and ten open reading frames (ORFs) were revealed. Among them, five ORFs were identical to five yeast genes (SEC4, MSH4, SPB4, DEG1 and NIC96), two were identical to transposable elements (TYA and TYB), one (gapBorfF003) was highly homologous to a yeast expressed sequence tag, and another (4682orfF002) was predicted to be a nuclear protein. Sequence data have been submitted to DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank data library under Accession Number D44604 (clone gapB) and D44600 (clone 4682), respectively.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Analysis of a 36.2 kb DNA sequence including the right telomere of chromosome VI from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The nucleotide sequence of a 36.2-kb distal region containing the right telomere of chromosome VI was determined. Both strands of DNA cloned into cosmid clone 9965 and plasmid clone pEL174P2 were sequenced with an average redundancy of 7.9 per base pair, by both dye primer and dye terminator cycle sequencing methods. The G+C content of the sequence was found to be 37.9%. Eighteen open reading frames (ORFs) longer than 100 amino acids were detected. Four of these ORFs (9965orfR017, 9965orfF016, 9965orfR009 and 9965orfF003) were found to encode previously identified genes (YMR31, PRE4, NIN1 and HXK1, respectively). Six ORFs (9965orfR013, 9965orfF018, 9965orfF006, 9965orfR014, 9965orfF013 and 9965orfR020) were found to be homologous to hypothetical 121.4-kDa protein in the BCK 5' region, Bacillus subtilis DnaJ protein, hypothetical Trp-Asp repeats containing protein in DBP3-MRPL27, putative mitochondrial carrier YBR291C protein, Salmonella typhimurium nicotinate-nucleotide pyrophosphorylase, and Escherichia coli cystathionine beta-lyase, respectively. The putative proteins encoded by 9965orfF018, 9965orfR014 and 9965orfR020 were found to be, respectively, a new member of the family of DnaJ-like proteins, the mitochondrial carrier protein and cystathionine lyase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Fifteen open reading frames in a 30.8 kb region of the right arm of chromosome VI from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The nucleotide sequence of cosmid clone 9765, which contains 30.8 kb of the right arm of chromosome VI, was determined. Both strands were sequenced, with an average redundancy of 8.17 per base pair by both dye primer and dye terminator cycle sequencing methods. The G+C content of the sequence was found to be 40.3%. Fifteen open reading frames (ORFs) greater than 100 amino acids and one tRNA-Tyr gene (SUP6) were detected. Seven of the ORFs were found to encode previously identified genes (HIS2, CDC14, MET10, SMC2, QCR6, PH04 and CDC26). One ORF, 9765orfF010, was found to encode a new member of the Snf2/Rad54 helicase family. Three ORFs (9765orfR002, 9765orfR011 and 9765orfR013) were found to be homologous with Schizosaccharomyces pombe polyadenylate binding protein, Escherichia coli hypothetical 38.1-kDa protein in the BCR 5' region, and transcription regulatory protein Swi3, respectively.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

The T-C(8356) mitochondrial DNA mutation in a Japanese family.

A rare point mutation at nucleotide position 8356 in the transfer RNA gene in mitochondrial DNA was found in a Japanese family. Our proband had migraine and dementia associated with lactic acidosis in addition to myoclonic epilepsy with ataxia and ragged-red fibres in a muscle biopsy specimen consistent with the clinical characteristics of myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibres (MERRF). His mother, who had the same point mutation, also had migraine but without myoclonus or ataxia. His aunt, who had the same point mutation and migraine, developed diabetes mellitus, encephalomyopathy and several stroke-like episodes associated with lactic acidosis (MELAS). This is the third family with the rare mutation seen in American and Italian families. The mutation may not be specific to Caucasians, and is probably closely related to the MERRF/MELAS overlap syndrome.

Adult↗

Molecular cloning and expression of a mouse alpha-1,3 fucosyltransferase gene that shows homology with the human alpha-1,3 fucosyltransferase IV gene.

The polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify and clone a fragment of a novel fucosyltransferase cDNA from mouse embryonal carcinoma F9 cells. Southern blot analysis of mouse genomic DNA with the cloned cDNA fragment revealed that there is a single copy of the fucosyltransferase gene per haploid genome. A 5 kb EcoRI restriction fragment of the genomic DNA hybridized with the cDNA has been cloned and a 1,697 bp fragment containing the sequence of the cDNA was sequenced. The nucleotide sequence and the deduced amino acid sequence of the clone showed a highest degree of homology with those of human alpha-1,3 fucosyltransferase IV, i.e. 77.1 and 75.5% identity, respectively. Consistent with the sequence similarity, the transfection of a 1,544 bp fragment under the control of the cytomegarovirus enhancer and beta actin promoter into COS-1 cells confers alpha-1,3 fucosyltransferase activity on the cells, resulting in cell surface expression of SSEA-1.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Expression of cadherin-catenin complexes in human leukemia cell lines.

Cadherins are Ca2(+)-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecules, and are involved in the formation and maintenance of the histo-architecture. Using cultured human leukemia cell lines (adult T cell leukemia and thymus-derived lymphoma cell lines), we obtained evidence that cadherins and catenins are expressed in these cell lines but not in normal leukocytes. Immunoblot analysis of cells using a pan-cadherin serum, directed against the conserved carboxyl-terminus of cadherins, revealed a major band of 130 kDa and a minor one of 135 kDa. The 130 kDa cadherin was also recognized by anti-N-cadherin antibodies. A human N-cadherin cDNA probe hybridized to a 4.3 kb mRNA isolated from cells immunologically positive for N-cadherin. Sequencing of the cDNA fragments isolated from the cells revealed a N-cadherin sequence. Cell surface expression of N-cadherin was confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence staining of the cells. Immunoblot and Northern blot analyses also revealed the presence of alpha-catenin, beta-catenin, and gamma-catenin (plakoglobin) in these cell lines. Immunoprecipitation with anti-N-cadherin antibodies and subsequent immunoblot analysis with anti-catenin antibodies revealed that N-cadherin is associated with alpha- and beta-catenins, a prerequisite for cadherins to be functional. These results suggest an important role of the cadherin-catenin complexes in the behavior of the leukemia cells.

Base Sequence↗

Enhanced E-cadherin expression and increased calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion in human T-cell leukemia virus type I Tax-expressing PC12 cells.

Human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) Tax protein induces the expression of host cellular genes, some of which are crucial in cell proliferation and differentiation. We examined the mechanisms by which HTLV-I Tax protein induces phenotypic changes in PC12 cells. We demonstrated that the HTLV-I Tax gene induces epithelioid changes and increases cell-cell contact in PC12 cells. No change in the expression of the neural cell adhesion molecule was observed between HTLV-I Tax-expressing PC12 cells and PC12 cells transfected with a control plasmid. However, HTLV-I Tax-expressing PC12 cells demonstrated a marked change in the abundance and distribution of E-cadherin, which was concentrated at regions of cellular contact and accompanied by changes in calcium-dependent cell adhesion. Although E-cadherin is expressed at low levels in PC12 and PC12 transfected with a control plasmid cells, the steady state level of E-cadherin in tax-expressing PC12 cells increases significantly, apparently as a result of regulation at the transcriptional level. Diminished expression of Tax protein in Tax-expressing PC12 cells exposed to antisense oligonucleotides for the Tax gene suppresses E-cadherin expression and decreases cell-cell adhesion. These findings imply that HTLV-I Tax protein enhanced E-cadherin expression modulates calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion mechanisms.

Animals↗

A rare case of ectopic antidiuretic hormone-producing pancreatic adenocarcinoma: new diagnostic approach.

We describe a 73-year old man with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) due to an ectopic ADH-producing pancreatic adenocarcinoma. His laboratory findings showed marked hyponatremia, and the water load test showed uncontrolled ADH secretion. The imaging studies revealed pancreatic body cancer. Histological examination revealed an adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, which was positive for ADH immuno-staining. The ADH in the tumor extract was 53.3 pg/g wet weight. In attempt to diagnose ADH-production from the tumor, the ADH in his pancreatic juice was measured and found to be 2.1 pg/ml. We conclude that it is valid to measure the ADH in pancreatic juice to diagnose ectopic ADH production by tumors.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Cystic lesions of the maxillomandibular region: MR imaging distinction of odontogenic keratocysts and ameloblastomas from other cysts.

OBJECTIVE: Differentiating odontogenic keratocysts and ameloblastomas from other cystic lesions in the maxillomandibular region is important because of their high recurrence rates. Conventional radiography, CT, and fine-needle aspiration biopsy are limited for differential diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to review the MR findings in patients with odontogenic keratocysts, ameloblastomas, and other maxillomandibular cysts to determine the value of MR imaging in the differential diagnosis of these lesions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: MR images were obtained in 38 patients with 43 cystic lesions of the maxillomandibular region. All the lesions (19 odontogenic keratocysts, 11 ameloblastomas, five primordial cysts, five radicular cysts, and three cysts of other types) were pathologically confirmed by surgery or biopsy. Contrast-enhanced MR studies were performed in 34 patients. Images were reviewed to determine various imaging parameters: locularity, solid or cystic pattern, thickness and contrast enhancement of the walls, and homogeneity and signal intensities of the fluids. T2 relaxation times of cystic components were calculated in 31 lesions. RESULTS: MR images of odontogenic keratocysts showed that the cyst were unilocular in 10 lesions and multilocular in nine. In 10 lesions the cysts wall was uniformly thin and had poor contrast enhancement. Seven cysts had thick walls and two had no definite walls. In 17 lesions, the cystic contents showed heterogeneous signal intensity on T1-weighted images, T2-weighted images, or both. Eight cysts had predominantly intermediate or high T1-weighted signal intensity, and six cysts had predominantly intermediate T2-weighted signal intensity. MR findings in ameloblastomas were different from those in odontogenic keratocysts: a mixed solid and cystic pattern (11 lesions), irregularly thick walls (11 lesions), papillary projections (seven lesions), and strong enhancement of solid components (nine lesions). T2 relaxation times of cystic components were significantly shorter in odontogenic keratocysts than in ameloblastomas, with no overlap. All other cysts showed a unilocular, purely cystic pattern, with homogeneous fluids, although the T2 relaxation times of four lesions overlapped those of odontogenic keratocysts. CONCLUSION: From the MR findings of the walls, solid components, and the fluid contents, odontogenic keratocysts could be differentiated from ameloblastomas in all cases, although some other cysts showed MR findings similar to those of odontogenic keratocysts.

Adolescent↗

Clinical assessment of the pumping technique in treating TMJ arthrosis with closed lock.

The treatment of closed jaw locking due to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthrosis is described. Conventional mandibular manipulation of the lower and/or upper joint compartments was performed using hydraulic pressure from an imaging X-ray medium. The procedure was used in 40 patients with closed locking (5 acute and 35 chronic). The results of the treatment are evaluated and factors affecting the results are examined. In four of the five patients with acute closed locking, the lock was successfully released after use of the pumping technique on the lower joint compartment. In patients with chronic locking, an average improvement of 6.6 mm in the degree of interincisal opening was observed within 3-4 days of treatment with the pumping technique. In 13 of these patients, satisfactory opening (at least 40 mm) was achieved immediately. All the patients underwent further forward and contralateral manipulation to assist mouth opening, and after a period of 2-3 months 16 patients showed a further average improvement of 5.4 mm in interincisal opening.

Adolescent↗

[Inherited neurological disease--relationship between an essential trace elements and Wilson/Menkes disease].

Because copper is an integral component of various enzymes in every cells, it has been known to be essential for cell activities. Copper is also a very toxic ion, so a specific series of copper transport process must exist to carry copper to the sites where it is required, and to ensure copper homeostasis without allowing toxic accumulation. Wilson disease and Menkes disease are the inherited diseases caused by genetic defects in copper metabolism. Wilson disease is related to the toxic effects of copper accumulation in liver, which leads to progressive liver damage and subsequent overflow to brain causing a loss of coordination and involuntary movement. Menkes disease is caused by the deficiency of serum copper and of copper-dependent enzymes, in various tissues except liver which characterized by neurologic degeneration and mental retardation, connective tissue and vascular defects, characteristic brittle and depigmented hair, and death in early childhood.

Copper↗