Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M Takami.
We encountered a patient with steroid-related peliosis of the spleen, a rare disease characterized by multiple blood-filled cavities in the splenic parenchyma, with spontaneous intraperitoneal hemorrhage. The ultrasonographic, computed tomographic, and angiographic images were compared with pathologic findings of the material obtained surgically.
Using a flexible piezoelectric film, the authors developed a simple system to determine noninvasively the heart rate of chicken embryos and hatchlings. The film was piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), which is sensitive enough to detect cardiogenic ballistic movements of the egg (ballistocardiogram (BCG)) and precordial movements of the hatchling attributable to cardiac contractions (apexcardiogram (ACG)). The BCG could be detected, during the second half of incubation, by placing the egg on the PVDF film on a soft substrate. The detected signal was found to be a measure of movement velocity. The ACG could be measured when the hatchling's chest wall made contact with the PVDF film installed in a box in which the hatchling was confined. The heart rate was counted from the lag time of autocorrelation calculated for a certain time segment (e.g. 2 s) of the BCG and ACG recordings.
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Recent advances in genetic studies have elucidated structure of gonadotropin receptors. This transmembrane receptor contains seven transmembrane domains and induces multiple biological changes in granulosa/theca cells resulting in follicular maturation in women. The signal transduction involves G protein mediated systems, cAMP mediated systems and phospholipase C systems. This paper reviews recent advances in gonadotropin receptor system and its signal transduction pathway.
We treated synchronous hepatic metastases in colorectal cancers with combined modality therapy including hepatic resection, selective intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy, and thermocoagulation therapy using a microwave tissue coagulator and compared the value of such therapies. Synchronous hepatic metastases were noted in 563 patients with colorectal cancer who had undergone surgery in our department over the past ten years. Forty-four patients were studied. Six patients underwent hepatic resection only (group A). Another six were subjected to hepatic resection and the residual lesions were treated with selective intra-arterial infusions and thermocoagulation therapy (group B). Fourteen patients were treated with either selective or subselective intra-arterial infusions (group C). The remaining 18 patients were treated in other ways (group D). Cumulative survival, estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method, was compared. One- and three-year cumulative survival rates of patients were 100% and 74% in group A, 100% and 67% in group B, 62% and 0% in group C, and 38% and 5% in group D, respectively. H1 patients accounted for 83% in group A, 33% in group B, 7% in group C, and 22% in group D. The high rate of survival in group A was because of the greater number of H1 patients. One- and three-year survival rated among H2-H3 patients were 100% and 54% in group B, 62% and 0% in group C, and 35% and 14% in group D, respectively. Survival of H2-H3 patients was higher in group B than in group C or D.
During the past thirteen years, 599 patients with primary breast cancer underwent surgery in our hospital. Nine of them died of liver metastases and the median survival time after detection of liver metastases was five months (range 1-32 months). Four are still alive with liver metastases. Based upon these results, we attempted intraoperative, ultrasound-guided cauterization and thermocoagulation for three patients to improve their prognosis and postoperatively treated them with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy. During surgery, a monopolar electrode was inserted with an ultrasonic guide. One round of cauterization lasted for 10 seconds at 100 W, and was repeated until the tissue around the tumor became hyperechoic. The antitumor effect of the therapy was assessed by histological examination of resected liver tissues. Tumor coagulation and necrosis were observed to be consistent with the cauterized area. On CT scanning, treated areas were shown to be of low density and homogeneous. Since this therapeutic approach acts directly on unresectable tumors and is safe, it seems to provide a useful means for intraoperative regional treatment of tumors.
We investigated the usefulness of subselective intraarterial infusion chemotherapy in far advanced gastric and colorectal cancer. Among gastric and colorectal cancer cases undergoing surgery at our hospital for the past ten years, patients with and without palliative resection were studied. Forty gastric cancer patients and 29 colorectal cancer patients were treated by subselective intraarterial infusion chemotherapy. In gastric cancer cases without resection, a significantly longer survival was noted in patients undergoing this therapy with over 5 g of 5-FU than those treated with conventional chemotherapy. In gastric cancer patients with palliative resection and colorectal cancer patients, survival time was longer by intraarterial infusion with over 5 g of 5-FU, but not significant. Partial response was obtained in 5 cases of gastric cancer and 3 cases of colorectal cancer, and clinical symptoms were improved in 44% of the patients. The main complications of this therapy were myelosuppression and occlusion of the catheter, but none of them were serious. For the improved quality of life of cancer patients, subselective intraarterial infusion chemotherapy is considered a safe and useful form of treatment.
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Maleylated-human serum albumin (Mal-HSA) inhibited human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infection of MT-4 cells in vitro. It was also found to inhibit the fusion between uninfected CD4+ cells (Molt-4 clone 8 cells) and HIV-1 infected cells (Molt-4/HIV-1) to form syncytia. To investigate the mechanism of the inhibition, a study was designed to determine whether Mal-HSA could bind to CD4+ cells. Mal-HSA could bind to both MT-4 cells and Molt-4 clone 8 cells with high affinity, Kd = 2.0 nM and Kd = 5.8 nM, respectively. However, Mal-HSA could neither inhibit anti CD4 antibody Leu 3a binding to Molt-4 clone 8 cells nor modulate the expression of CD4 molecules on the surface of the cells. Mal-HSA binding to Molt-4 clone 8 cells was completely inhibited by sulfated polysaccharides bearing anti-HIV activity, such as dextran sulfate, fucoidan and carrageenan. Other HIV-1 susceptible human T-cell lines, such as Molt-4, CEM-5, H-9 and HuT-78 cells, also have Mal-HSA binding sites showing a high affinity, Kd = 0.9 +/- 0.4 nM. Mal-HSA binding proteins of Molt-4 clone 8 cells were identified by ligand blotting as 155 and 220 kDa proteins. Unlike dextran sulfate, Mal-HSA could not inhibit reverse transcriptase activity of HIV-1. These results indicate that Mal-HSA inhibits HIV-1 infection and syncytia formation, and suggest that 155 and/or 220 kDa proteins of target cells are involved in HIV-1 adsorption and/or the membrane fusion between HIV-1 and target cells.
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Preoperative chemotherapy before limb-sparing surgery for osteosarcoma is used to reduce the size of the tumour, facilitate removal and prevent distant metastases. Fifteen patients with osteosarcoma were treated with six different protocols. Assessment of the clinical and radiological size of the lesion, of the histology of the resected specimen and of serum alkaline phosphatase levels were done. Greatest control of the tumour was obtained with the intravenous use of cisplatin, three times at intervals of three weeks before surgery, compared to the use of adriamycin or methotrexate in other protocols. Prompt surgery after preoperative chemotherapy and postoperative chemotherapy are advised.
The regulation of low-affinity Fc receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RII) and the characteristics of both membrane and soluble forms of Fc epsilon RII were studied using YT cell line. We found that YT cells, a human NK like cell line, expressed Fc epsilon RII after IL-1 stimulation. Cross-linking of Fc epsilon RII on IL-1-stimulated YT cells as well as the transfectant of Fc epsilon RII-cDNA (YTSER) resulted in the up-regulation of IL-2R alpha (p55/Tac). A 59 kDa protein phosphorylated at tyrosine residues was co-immunoprecipitated with Fc epsilon RII from YTSER lysate using H107 anti-Fc epsilon RII mAb. YTSER not only expressed Fc epsilon RII on their surface but also secreted soluble form of Fc epsilon RII (sFc epsilon RII/sCD23; IgE binding factor). Affinity purification revealed that sFc epsilon RII released from YTSER is heterogeneous and consisted of several proteins differing in molecular weight. Both EBV+ B cells and HTLV-1+ T cells are high producers of ATL derived factor (ADF)/thioredoxin (TRX) and express Fc epsilon RII and IL-2R alpha respectively. To clarify the mechanism of Fc epsilon RII and IL-2R alpha induction by ADF/TRX, we examined the effect of ADF/TRX on the bindability of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B), which is known to regulate IL-2R alpha gene expression. In the gel shift assay, ADF/TRX was shown to enhance the bindability of NF-kappa B to its responsive element.
1. Using a flexible piezoelectric probe, we detected non-invasively the cardiogenic precordial movements of domestic fowl chicks and measured heart rate (HR) daily over the first week after hatching (day 0) for comparison with previously measured embryonic HR. 2. HR of the hatchlings was much more variable than embryonic HR. The mean HR at a given age also varied among the 5 chicks measured. 3. The overall mean HR was 280 +/- 20 (SD, n = 5) bpm on day 0. This value was similar to the prepipping HR and lower than that of externally pipped embryos. It increased to 342 +/- 39 bpm 3 days later.
The polymerized albumin hypothesis was proposed for the mechanism of a hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection of human liver parenchymal cells on the basis that a receptor for polymerized albumin treated with glutaraldehyde was detected on isolated human liver parenchymal cells. However, some controversy exists regarding this hypothesis, because a receptor for formaldehyde-treated bovine serum albumin (f-BSA) has been found on liver non-parenchymal cells. Therefore, we characterized the uptake of polymerized rat serum albumin (p-RSA) and f-BSA by rat liver in vivo, and their bindings to liver cells in vitro. Most p-RSA and f-BSA was taken up by the liver after intravenous administration, and the uptake of p-RSA was inhibited by a 1,000-fold excess of f-BSA. In addition, more than 80% of p-RSA taken up by the liver was found in the non-parenchymal cells, and the remainder was found in the parenchymal cells. P-RSA as well as f-BSA could bind to isolated rat liver parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells. Furthermore, p-RSA and f-BSA could bind to isolated rat liver cell plasma membranes, and these bindings were completely inhibited by 1,000-fold excess of either f-BSA or p-RSA. These results indicate that there is a receptor, which can recognize both p-RSA and f-BSA, on not only rat liver non-parenchymal cells but also the parenchymal cells. It is also indicated that the receptor on the parenchymal cells as well as the non-parenchymal cells is involved in the in vivo uptake of p-RSA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
This paper describes new passive splints which have been developed using a shape memory alloy. The peculiar feature of the splints is that the way in which they change shape in use conforms to the stretching motion which it would be desirable to apply in certain conditions of deformity. The alloy consists of 55.66% by weight Nickel and 44.34% Titanium. The heat treatment of the alloy for memorising shape was implemented at 500 degrees C for one hour. This alloy was easily bent when cool, but the original shape was recovered on heating. It was used as the supporting structure of the reverse knuckle bender splint and the cock-up splint. The new splints could be easily attached to the deformed limb after cooling. The splints avoided the development of spasticity, because they gradually recovered their original shapes and corrected the deformities when the heat of the room or body heat warmed the splints. Since the shape memory alloy has the dual function of thermal sensor and kinetic power source it was a simple device. The splint was, as a result, small and smart. It was apparent from clinical use that the splint was easy to wear and could be worn with comfort for an extended period. The design of the splints and the fabrication process are described and their application is indicated.
Human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells (Ishikawa line) constitutively express c-erbB2 coded oncoprotein p185erbB2 (p185) which is believed to be an orphan receptor for an unknown growth factor. Since we have shown that expression of p185 in primary lesions of endometrial cancer correlates well with high frequency of lymph node++ metastases and that the metastatic cells in the nodes strongly expressed p185, the role of the oncoprotein in processes of metastases was studied. Culturing the cells in the presence of 15% FCS and with monoclonal antibody to the extracellular domain of p185 (CB-1) inhibited cell growth and attenuated p185 expression on Western blotting, whereas no change occurred with the control antibody. Cells cultured without FCS achieved only approximately 1/3 growth compared to cells with FCS, and further suppression of growth was observed after adding CB-1. When cells were cultured on human term amnion, basement membrane invasion with p185 expression was observed. In nude mice, intraperitoneal seeding resulted in implant formation which was also associated with positive p185 as well as cyclin immunohistochemistry. In the two experiments, treatment of cells with CB-1 inhibited invasion or implant formation. The present study suggests that a signal through p185 receptor molecules acts as a trigger for early proliferation, and interaction with the host may enhance up-regulation of p185.
Using a microwave tissue coagulator, we attempted intraoperative, ultrasound-guided cauterization and thermocoagulation of metastatic liver tumors. The procedure, safety and efficacy of this therapy were analyzed. During the past 2 years, this therapy was used in 10 patients with unresectable metastatic liver tumors. During surgery, monopolar electrodes were inserted with an ultrasonic guide. One round of cauterization lasted for 10 seconds at 100 W. It was repeated until the tissue around the tumor became hyperechoic. This therapy was used for 67 tumor lesions in total (2-22 lesions/patient). No complications were observed during or after this therapy, except for a case complicated by liver abscess. The anti-tumor effect of the therapy was assessed by histological examination of resected liver tissues. Tumor coagulation and necrosis were observed consistent with the cauterized area. The response to this therapy, assessed by diagnostic imaging, was CR (complete remission) in 3 cases, PR (partial remission) in 3, NC (no change) in 3 and PD (progressive disease) in 1. Thus, the efficacy (the percentage of cases showing CR or PR) was 60%. Since this therapeutic approach acts directly on tumors and is simple and safe, it seems to provide a useful means for intraoperative regional treatment of tumors.