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Biomedical subjects

N Ishikawa

Publications and source records attributed to N Ishikawa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

KL-6 as an indicator for lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP) in a human T-lymphotrophic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) carrier.

A 59-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital complaining of a productive cough, dyspnea on effort, and low-grade fever. Although chest X-rays showed no marked abnormalities, her level of serum KL-6 was extremely high. We therefore suspected the presence of interstitial pneumonia. High-resolution computed tomography (CT) scan revealed infiltrative shadows in S6 of the right lung, and her serum was positive for antihuman T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) antibodies. From the clinical symptoms, radiographic findings, and histological findings, the diagnosis was probable lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP). After high-dose corticosteroid therapy, the level of serum KL-6 decreased rapidly. We conclude that KL-6 is a convenient and reliable marker for evaluating the activity of pulmonary manifestations in HTLV-1 carriers and that it is especially useful in monitoring the effectiveness of treatments.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed2002

The insertion/deletion polymorphisms in the waxy gene of barley genetic resources from East Asia.

The length polymorphism in the waxy gene, which encodes a granule-bound ADP-glucose-glucosyl transferase [granule-bound starch synthase I (GBSS I), E.C. 2.4.1.11] in barley ( Hordeum vulgare), was found. The 5' leader sequence of the waxy gene of barley germplasm from Japan and Korea was analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The waxy gene of these genetic stocks had three types of length polymorphisms, suggesting that there are insertion/deletion mutations at the 5' leader sequence of the waxy gene. DNA sequence analysis of the polymorphic PCR products showed that: (1) a 403-bp deletion mutation, which included a complete exon I, was found in the wax allele and a 193-bp insertion sequence was located in the intron I, and (2) the insertion sequence was also located in intron I of the Wax allele. The identity of the insertion sequence was completely conserved between the wax allele and the novel Wax allele. These finding s implying that the wax allele, which was found in indigenous waxy barley, originated in non-waxy barley with the novel Wax allele.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Measurement of manipulative dexterity in patients with hand-arm vibration syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to assess quantitative measurements of the manipulative dexterity of patients suffering from hand-transmitted vibration disorder, and to investigate a possible link with impaired tactile perception in their hands. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The subjects were 30 patients with hand-arm vibration syndrome, 30 office workers and 20 manual laborers of similar ages. Manipulative dexterity was assessed by measuring the performance time of buttoning-unbuttoning a work jacket with five buttons and of picking up and transferring 30 red beans, one by one, with the fingers from one plate to another. Patients were also examined on vibrotactile thresholds at 125 Hz as well as pain thresholds. RESULTS: The buttoning-unbuttoning time and the bean transfer time were significantly prolonged in the patients compared with the worker groups. The patients showed a close correlation between the buttoning-unbuttoning time and the bean transfer time. Performance times did not differ between patients with vibration-induced white finger and those without it. Those times also correlated with the vibrotactile and pain thresholds in the patients. When a cut-off value was set at 2 SDs from the mean performance times of the manual laborers, exceeding the cut-off value was found in 70% of the patients for the button-unbutton test and in 80% of those for the bean transfer test. All patients with moderately or severely increased vibrotactile and pain thresholds exceeded that value in performing the two tasks. CONCLUSION: The present measurements quantitatively showed impaired manipulation in patients with hand-arm vibration syndrome. Such difficulty with manipulation seems to be associated with the impaired tactile sensation in their hands.

Arm↗
PubMed2002

An experimental study of self-expanding ureteric metallic stents: macroscopic and microscopic changes in the canine ureter.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of self-expanding metallic stents after insertion into the canine ureter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Actively expanding metallic (Nitinol) stents (diameter 8-10 mm, length 4-6 cm) were placed in eight mongrel dogs (18-34 kg). Under general anaesthesia, a midline abdominal incision was made and a stent inserted directly into the ureter through a small incision; each animal was stented on one side. The dogs were assessed after 6 or 19 days or 2, 5 (two), 6 (two) and 7 months. Ureteric specimens were evaluated both macroscopically and microscopically. RESULTS: Macroscopically there was no leakage of urine in any of the animals. On day 6 the inserted stent was patent despite blood clots in the mesh. The lumen was smooth and shiny in three dogs examined at 5, 6 and 7 months. One of the two dogs assessed at both 5 and 6 months had hydronephrosis associated with papillary hyper-epithelialization inside the stent, while the other animals had no dilatation of the renal pelvis. Microscopically there was loss of epithelium and bleeding of the ureteric wall at 6 days. Epithelial regeneration started after 19 days and was complete in the lumen at 2 months, with the stent incorporated into the wall of the ureter. Epithelialization was maintained up to 7 months, after which the problem of urothelial hyperplasia persisted, but an adequate lumen was maintained by epithelial regeneration. This epithelium was smooth and shiny, and composed of thin layers of cells. CONCLUSION: Self-expanding metallic stents may be effective if hyperplastic epithelialization does not occur, as the stent was epithelialized within 2 months and the regenerated epithelium maintained for up to 7 months. Metallic stents may be useful for treating patients with renal failure caused by ureteric stenosis from malignant tumours.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Helicobacter pylori infection in rheumatoid arthritis: effect of drugs on prevalence and correlation with gastroduodenal lesions.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of Helicobacter pylori infection on clinical features in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) under medication with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. METHODS: One hundred and eighty-four patients with RA were tested for the presence of H. pylori infection. Clinical features and gastroduodenal lesions were compared between H. pylori-positive and -negative patients. RESULTS: One hundred and thirteen patients were positive and 71 patients were negative for H. pylori. The age, severity of RA, prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms and gastroduodenal lesions and the class of gastroprotective drugs were not different between the two groups. Reflux oesophagitis was less frequent and sulphasalazine was less frequently administered in the H. pylori-positive group. CONCLUSIONS: The severity of RA, prevalence of gastroduodenal lesions other than reflux oesophagitis and the application of gastroprotective drugs do not seem to depend upon H. pylori infection in RA patients. Sulphasalazine may be protective against H. pylori infection.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Current epidemiological trend of tuberculosis in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the recent epidemiological trend of tuberculosis and to determine the factors related to the deteriorating trend in incidence and mortality rates in Japan. DESIGN: Descriptive analyses of tuberculosis notification rates and mortality rates by age, sex, year and birth-cohort. RESULTS: The decline in the tuberculosis notification rate has started slowing down since around 1980. Among the cohorts born before 1950, the trend of notification rate by age has levelled off since around 1980. The reduction in the tuberculosis mortality rate has also recently begun to slow down, but later and to a lesser extent than that of the notification rate. Although deaths due to tuberculosis occur mostly among the elderly, the rate of decline in mortality among middle-aged males has slowed down recently. The trend in the mortality rate of birth-cohorts has recently shown an upward trend with age. CONCLUSION: A major cause of the current stagnation of the decline in notification rates is the increase in the elderly population with a high prevalence of tuberculosis infection in the past, who are more likely to develop the disease as they approach biological senescence. Other possible causes are a gradual shift of the tuberculosis problem to socio-economically deprived segments of the urban population, and behavioural changes causing delay in case-finding.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Thymic carcinoma; analysis of nine clinical studies].

Nine cases of thymic carcinoma (mean age 53.9 years old, 8 males and 1 female) were treated in our hospital from 1973 to 1998. The histological subtypes of thymic carcinoma were squamous cell in six, adenosquamous cell in one, Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma in one, mixed type of small cell and squamous cell in one. We applied Yamakawa clinical staging, 9 cases consisted of 2 stage II cases, 2 stage III cases, and 5 stage IV b cases. Adjuvant radiotheraphy was administered in one case, registering remarkable reduction of tumor size. All of the four cases which had been performed complete resection are alive without recurrence for 17 to 136 months after operation. The mean survival time was 47 months in stage III, and 18 months in stage IV b. By the review of the Japanese literature, most of the patient who revealed long-term survival fulfill the conditions as follow, squamous cell carcinoma in histologically, earlier stage than III at his operation, performed complete resection, performed postoperative radiotherapy. Our cases covering all these condition are alive without carcinoma for 136 months after operation.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

The transposon Tip100 from the common morning glory is an autonomous element that can transpose in tobacco plants.

The mutable flaked or a (flaked) (a(f)) line of the common morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea) displays white flowers with colored flakes, and the a(f) mutation is caused by the insertion of a transposable element named Tip100 into the CHS-D gene for anthocyanin biosynthesis. The 3.9-kb Tip100 element belongs to the Ac/Ds family and contains an ORF encoding a polypeptide of 808 amino acids. The frequency and timing of flower variegation vary in different a(f) lines, and a genetic element termed Modulator has been postulated to affect the variegation pattern. Since the pattern of flower variegation is determined by the frequency and timing of excision of Tip100 from the CHS-D gene, we wished to determine whether Tip100 is an autonomous element that is itself capable of transposition in a heterologous host. To do this, we introduced the element into the genome of tobacco plants by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The intact Tip100 element was able to excise from its original position in the chromosome and reinsert into new sites in the tobacco genome, whereas an internal deletion derivative was not. Based on these results, we conclude that Tip100 is an autonomous element. We also discuss the nature of the putative Modulator element affecting flower and leaf variegation in various mutable lines of the morning glory.

Alleles↗
PubMed2001

Association between expression of the MRP3 gene and exposure to platinum drugs in lung cancer.

To investigate the roles played by the multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP1) homologues MRP3 and MRP4 in resistance to platinum drugs, we examined steady-state levels of mRNA for both MRP3 and MRP4 in normal lung and lung cancer specimens as well as peripheral mononuclear cells (PMN) after platinum drug exposure. MRP3 and MRP4 gene expression levels were monitored in the PMN of 10 previously untreated lung cancer patients within 24 hr after carboplatin (CBDCA) administration. Expression levels for both genes were also examined in 80 autopsy samples (40 primary tumors and 40 corresponding normal lung tissues) from 40 patients with lung cancer. MRP3 and MRP4 gene expression levels were assessed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. MRP3 expression levels in the PMN rose rapidly within 24 hr after administration of CBDCA, whereas MRP4 expression levels remained the same. Furthermore, MRP3 expression levels in normal lung and tumor tissues from autopsy samples that had been exposed to platinum drugs while the patients were alive were significantly higher than those in unexposed tissues, but again MRP4 expression levels remained the same. These results suggest that platinum drugs and/or the physiological stress response to xenobiotics induce expression of the MRP3 gene.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗
PubMed2001

Identification of susceptibility loci for autoimmune thyroid disease to 5q31-q33 and Hashimoto's thyroiditis to 8q23-q24 by multipoint affected sib-pair linkage analysis in Japanese.

Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), including Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), is caused by multiple genetic and environmental factors. The clinical and immunological features of GD and HT are distinct; however, there are multiplex families with both GD and HT, and cases in which GD evolves into HT. Thus, there may be specific susceptibility loci for GD or HT, and common loci controlling the susceptibility to both GD and HT may exist. A genome-wide analysis of data on 123 Japanese sib-pairs affected with AITD was made in which GD- or HT-affected sib-pairs (ASPs) were studied to detect GD- or HT-specific susceptibility loci, and all AITD-ASPs were used to detect AITD-common susceptibility loci. Our study revealed 19 regions on 14 chromosomes (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 18 and 22) where the multipoint maximum LOD score (MLS) was >1. Especially, chromosome 5q31-q33 yielded suggestive evidence for linkage to AITD as a whole, with an MLS of 3.14 at D5S436, and chromosome 8q23-q24 yielded suggestive evidence for linkage to HT, with an MLS of 3.77 at D8S272. These observations suggest the presence of an AITD susceptibility locus at 5q31-q33 and a HT susceptibility locus at 8q23-q24.

Abatacept↗
PubMed2001

A novel heat shock protein plays an important role in thermal stress management in cyanobacteria.

A novel heat shock gene, orf7.5, which encodes a putative acidic polypeptide of 63 amino acids, was cloned from the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942. Northern blot analysis revealed the presence of 400- and 330-base orf7.5 mRNAs, which were barely detectable in the cells grown at 30 degrees C but increased transiently in response to heat shock at 40 or 45 degrees C. Primer extension analysis showed that the two mRNAs have different 5'-ends. Chloramphenicol enhanced the accumulation of the orf7.5 mRNA, whereas it inhibited the increase in the amount of the groESL mRNA. To reveal the role of the orf7.5 gene in thermal stress management, we constructed a stable mutant in which a gene conferring resistance to an antibiotic was inserted into the coding region of the orf7.5 gene. The interruption led to a marked inhibition of growth at 45 degrees C and a decrease in the basal and acquired thermo-tolerances at 50 degrees C in the transformants, indicating that the gene plays a role in thermal stress management. The orf7.5 mutant could be complemented with a return to the wild type phenotype by a DNA fragment containing orf7.5 but not by mutated orf7.5s, in which a nonsense mutation was generated by introducing a frameshift or a point mutation within the orf7.5-coding region. Thus, thermo-tolerance requires an appropriate translation product, not simply a transcript. Accumulation of the groESL transcript in the orf7.5 mutant was strongly reduced, suggesting that the orf7.5 gene product controls the expression of the groESL operon.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Effect of pre-and postoperative plasmapheresis on posttransplant recurrence of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in children.

BACKGROUND: Posttransplant recurrence is frequent in patients who received renal transplantation for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). The recurrence has been ascribed to a circulating permeability factor or factors. We have used plasmapheresis (PP) to treat recurrent FSGS and also studied whether preoperative PP is effective in preventing recurrence of FSGS. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 21 allografts of 20 patients with nephrotic syndrome and biopsyproven FSGS. They were divided into two groups depending on whether they had prophylactic PP; a prophylactic (n=15) and a nonprophylactic group (n=6). PP was performed two to three times prophylactically and therapeutically until proteinuria was markedly reduced. In each session, 50-75 ml/kg of the patient's plasma was exchanged with 5-8% albumin. RESULTS: FSGS recurred in 9 of 21 allografts, 4 of 6 in the nonprophylactic group, and 5 of 15 in the prophylactic group. Therapeutic PP was performed in seven of nine recurrent patients without definite adverse effect, with satisfactory results except in one patient. Children lost proteinuria after 6 to > 100 sessions of PP and the number correlated with the pretreatment level of proteinuria. The mean follow-up periods were 62.7 and 41.6 months for the prophylactic and nonprophylactic groups, respectively. At the last follow-up, 66.7% of relapsing and 81.8% of nonrelapsing patients had a functioning graft. CONCLUSION: PP appears to be effective for the prevention and treatment of posttransplant recurrence of FSGS, although further consideration of cost/benefit and risks is required before a conclusive judgement can be made.

Child↗
PubMed2001

Image analysis of quick phase eye movements in nystagmus with high-speed video system.

There are several methods of measuring horizontal, vertical and torsional nystagmus for the diagnosis of vertigo. Using Frentzel glasses, electronystagmography (ENG) and video-oculography (VOG) are common methods for observing nystagmus. In this study, a high-speed video camera is used to analyse high-speed eye movements, including three components of nystagmus, in order to monitor precisely the amplitude and velocity of the quick phase of nystagmus. To confirm the accuracy of the analysis, images of optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) evoked by a stimulating device were analysed. We obtained a high linearity with regard to the relation between the horizontal nystagmus amplitude detected with the high-speed video system and ENG (R2= 0.99). On comparison of the maximum velocities detected with 30Hz and with 250 Hz at each amplitude, the velocities calculated at 30Hz were smaller than those calculated at 250 Hz. At an amplitude of 5 degrees , the 30 Hz velocity decreased by 50%, while a decrease of 35% was observed at 15 degrees. The vertical nystagmus data obtained using high-speed VOG was different in appearance to that obtained using ENG. The torsional component of nystagmus was also measured, and was recorded in the form of a large number of sampling points.

Electronystagmography↗
PubMed2001

Pulmonary blastoma in a child: report of a case.

We describe herein the case of a 2-year-old girl found to have a pulmonary blastoma (PB). The child was admitted to our hospital with the chief complaints of coughing and left-sided chest pain. On admission, a chest X-ray revealed a large mass in the left lung, which measured 10cm in diameter. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a marginally and heterogeneously enhanced tumor filling the left hemithorax. Pathologic findings of the fine-needle aspiration were suggestive of neuroblastoma. Subsequently, a left pneumonectomy with lymph node dissection was performed and histopathological examination confirmed that the tumor was a PB (type III). After the definitive diagnosis was made the patient received combination chemotherapy, and no evidence of recurrence has been seen in the 5 months since surgery.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2001

Effects of SM-20550, a selective Na+-H+ exchange inhibitor, on the ion transport of myocardial mitochondria.

The effect of a novel Na+-H+ exchange inhibitor, SM-20550 [N-(aminoiminomethyl)-1,4-dimethyl-1H-indole-2-carboxamide methanesulfonate] (SM) on the ion transport of myocardial mitochondria was studied using ion fluorometry and superfusion techniques. Isolated mitochondria from the guinea-pig heart were pre-loaded with fluoroprobes of either BCECF AM for H+, SBFI AM for Na+ or fura-2 AM for Ca2+. Initially, the treated mitochondria were superfused with a normal medium (MOPS-buffer, pH 7.4, 24 degrees C), subsequently fluorometric experiments on the Na+, H+, Ca2+ mobilization across the mitochondrial membrane were performed. The intramitochondrial pH (pHm) was increased by the superfusion of Na+ at physiological cytosolic concentrations of 10 mM, indicating the existence of a Na+-H+ exchange in mitochondrial membranes. The Na+ induced elevation of pH was dose-dependently inhibited by SM 1 microM (delta pHm; 45% as drug-free 100%), and 10 microM (delta pHm; 70%), as observed in our experiments with the myocardial sarcolemmal membrane. The selective Na+-H+ exchange inhibitor SM reduced such pHm elevations more markedly than that of EIPA [5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl) amiloride]. The Na+-H+ exchange inhibitors, SM and EIPA suppressed the intramitochondrial Ca2+ elevation ([Ca2+]m) brought on by external Ca2+ concentration changes: The pretreatment with SM 1 microM, 10 microM and EIPA 10 microM reduced the [Ca2+]m influx by 28.3, 56.5 and 63%, respectively. Additionally, the [Ca2+]m elevation induced by acidification of the perfusate was reduced by the prior infusion of SM and EIPA. Pretreatment of mitochondria with SM or EIPA which had beneficial effects on the left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) in the ischemia-reperfusion injury of Langendorff hearts, reduced the intramitochondrial Na+ and pHm levels, indicating interplay of the inhibitory mechanism of Ca2+-uptake into mitochondria coupled with Na+-H+ exchange. These findings suggested that protective effects of Na+-H+ exchange inhibitors on reperfused myocardium are due in part to the Ca2+-paradox at the mitochondria level.

Amidines↗
PubMed2001

A case of rapid progressive glomerulonephritis with IgA deposits after renal transplantation.

A 46-yr-old Japanese male who underwent a second cadaveric kidney transplantation on 31 October 1996 after suffering Type II diabetic mellitus for 25 yr was admitted to our institute on 23 January 1999, because of colicky abdominal pain and abdominal discomfort. Elevated levels of serum creatinine, severe proteinuria and microscopic haematuria were observed. The allograft biopsy specimen disclosed crescentic glomerulonephritis. Immunofluorescence showed granular deposits of mainly IgA and C3 along glomerular capillary walls and mesangial areas. Electron microscopy showed extensive subepithelial and mesangial electron dense deposits. Rapid and irreversible worsening of graft function led to resumption of haemodialysis on 31 May 1999. We speculated that this case was an atypical form of de novo Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSPN) in transplanted kidney because of the histopathological findings of the allograft biopsy and clinical symptoms.

Cadaver↗
PubMed2001

Fas/FasL mediated apoptosis of thyrocytes in Graves' disease.

We examined in the present study the possible involvement of Fas and its ligand (FasL) in the process of Graves' disease. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that few normal thyrocytes expressed Fas but many thyrocytes in Graves' disease expressed this molecule. The percentage of FasL-positive thyrocytes in Graves' thyroids was, however, less than in normal thyroids. Several apoptotic thyrocytes and infiltrating mononuclear cells (MNCs) were detected scattered throughout Graves' thyroid tissues and abundant proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive thyrocytes were present. Apoptotic cells, as well as PCNA-positive cells, were scarcely detectable in normal thyroid glands, however. In vitro treatment of thyrocytes by IL-1beta a cytokine found to be expressed in Graves' thyroid glands, increased Fas but reduced FasL expression. IL-1beta-stimulated thyrocytes became sensitive to apoptosis by anti-Fas IgM monoclonal antibody (mAb). Activated T cells, which strongly expressed FasL, showed cytotoxic activity toward IL-1beta-stimulated thyrocytes but not toward unstimulated thyrocytes. This cytotoxic activity involved the Fas/FasL pathway. Importantly, unstimulated thyrocytes could kill activated, but not resting, T cells. IL-1beta-stimulated thyrocytes, with down-regulated FasL expression, could not efficiently kill activated T cells. The cytotoxic activity of unstimulated thyrocytes toward activated T cells was inhibited by anti-FasL mAb. Interestingly, unstimulated thyrocytes induced apoptosis in IL-1beta-stimulated thyrocytes but not in unstimulated thyrocytes. These interactions were also blocked by anti-FasL mAb. Our results suggest that the apoptotic cell death of both thyrocytes and infiltrating MNCs found in Graves' thyroid glands is regulated by IL-1beta through Fas/FasL interactions.

Apoptosis↗