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Biomedical subjects

N Ito

Publications and source records attributed to N Ito.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Enhancement by indole-3-carbinol of liver and thyroid gland neoplastic development in a rat medium-term multiorgan carcinogenesis model.

The modification potential of indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a naturally occurring compound found in cruciferous vegetables, on neoplastic development was assessed using a rat medium-term multiorgan carcinogenesis model. One-hundred male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups and sequentially treated with diethylnitrosamine (DEN; 100 mg/kg b.w., a single i.p.), N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU; 20 mg/kg b.w., four times i.p., at days 5, 8, 11 and 14), and dihydroxy-di-N-propyl-nitrosamine (DHPN; 0.1% in the drinking water during weeks 1 and 3) (DMD treatment; groups 1 and 2) or the vehicles alone (group 3) in the first 3-week initiation period. Animals of groups 1 and 3 were then given diet containing 0.25% I3C from week 4 until week 24, followed by a return to basal diet for 28 weeks, and subgroups were killed at weeks 24 and 52. I3C caused significant increases in both number (no./cm2) and area (mm2/cm2) of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive liver cell foci assessed at week 24 of the experiment (P<0.01, 0.001). The incidence of hepatocellular adenomas in the DMD and I3C group at week 52 showed a tendency for elevation as compared to the DMD alone group, but this was not statistically significant. The thyroid gland tumour incidences in the DMD and I3C groups were significantly increased compared with the DMD alone group values at week 52 (P<0.01). In conclusion, I3C enhanced liver and thyroid gland neoplastic development when given during the promotion stage in the present rat medium-term multiorgan carcinogenesis model.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Decrease of prostaglandin E2 and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine labeling but not prostate tumor development by indomethacin treatment of rats given 3,2'-dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl and testosterone propionate.

The modifying effects of indomethacin (IM) on rat prostate carcinogenesis induced by 3,2'-dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl (DMAB) were investigated. F344 rats were given 50 mg/kg body weight of DMAB at 2-week intervals for 20 weeks and then received IM at a dose of 20 ppm in the drinking water for 37 weeks. Separate groups additionally received testosterone propionate (TP) in Silastic tubes throughout the experiment. DMAB alone induced carcinomas in situ in the ventral lobe and in combination with TP caused invasive carcinomas of the dorso-lateral and anterior lobes and seminal vesicles. No clear suppression by IM of development of in situ carcinomas or invasive carcinomas was observed. In a short-term satellite experiment, it was revealed that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels in the dorso-lateral prostate and seminal vesicles, but not the ventral prostate, were significantly reduced by IM and that TP itself also suppressed PGE2 levels. The 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine labeling index in the ventral prostate was significantly decreased by IM administration. These results indicate that while IM can efficiently suppress tissue PGE2 levels, it does not inhibit tumor development in the prostate or seminal vesicles of rats in the present model.

Aminobiphenyl Compounds↗

PRLTS gene alterations in human prostate cancer.

Since loss of heterozygosity on 8p22-p21.3 has been found frequently in prostate cancer, the status of a candidate tumor suppressor gene named PRLTS gene, recently cloned from the same region in some human malignancies, was examined in the present study. DNAs were isolated from 69 Japanese prostate cancer patients (37 localized and 32 cancer-death cases). Loss of heterozygosity at this gene locus was observed in 15 of 36 (42%) localized prostate cancer patients and 22 of 32 (69%) cancer-death patients. One cancer-death patient had a missense mutation, ACG-->ATG (Thr-->Met) at codon 64 in metastatic tumor tissues of pelvic lymph node and liver, and these tissues showed loss of the homologous allele, indicating that "two-hit" mutation of the PRLTS gene had occurred in this case. The others did not show any mutation, regardless of the presence or absence of loss of heterozygosity. Although loss of heterozygosity at the PRLTS gene locus is a relatively common abnormality, mutation of this gene is rare in prostate cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

A strong association between HLA-B*5101 and Behçet's disease in Greek patients.

Behçet's disease is known to be associated with HLA-B51, one of the split antigens of HLA-B5, among many different ethnic groups. In a Greek population, an increased incidence of HLA-B5 in the patient group has also been reported. Because the B51 antigen has been recently identified to comprise seven alleles, B*5101-B*5107, we performed HLA-B51 allele genotyping by the PCR-SSP method as well as serological HLA-A and -B typing among 31 Greek patients with Behçet's disease to investigate whether there is any correlation between one particular B51-associated allele and Behçet's disease. The frequency of B51 was remarkably high (80.6%) in the patient group as compared to the ethnically matched control group (26.7%). In addition, HLA-A26 was also increased in the patients (29.0%) as compared with the healthy controls (3.3%). B51 allele genotyping revealed that all these B51-positive patients carried B*5101. This study revealed a strong association of Behçet's disease in Greeks with one of the B51 subantigens, providing insight into the molecular mechanism underlying an HLA association with Behçet's disease.

Behcet Syndrome↗

A study of cognitive development and behavior problems in mentally retarded children.

Cognitive development in seventy-one mentally retarded children (19 autistic, 52 non-autistic; aged 7-19 years) from a school for handicapped children was studied, using Ohta's scale for evaluating cognitive development level based on language comprehension (Ohta's stage), and other developmental scales. Behavior problems were also examined. The present study reports on the utility of Ohta's stage in non-autistic children, and the relationship between cognitive development level and behavior problems in mentally retarded children. In non-autistic children, there were temporal correlations between Ohta's stage and other development scales (a standard developmental test, speech development, symbolic play development, imitation development), suggesting that in non-autistic children as well, Ohta's stage may serve well as a scale for cognitive development, and reflect symbolic representational functioning. In non-autistic children, most behavior problems in feeding, elimination and sleeping, hyperkinesis, hypokinesis, stereotyped behaviors, self-injurious behavior and licking were closely associated with cognitive development level, and were more often noted in children of lower cognitive development level rather than only in the severely mentally retarded children. Some behavior problems may often occur in the sensorimotor period and hardly occur in the symbolic representational period.

Adolescent↗

Vitamin B12 treatment for delayed sleep phase syndrome: a multi-center double-blind study.

The active form of vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin) has been reported to be effective on sleep-wake rhythm disorders. Previous studies, however, were performed under open trial, and the effect of vitamin B12 has not been properly evaluated. The aim of this double-blind study was to investigate the efficacy of methylcobalamin on delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS). Methylcobalamin (3 mg/day) or placebo was administered for 4 weeks. The subjects were 50 patients with DSPS aged 13-55 years (26.8 +/- 1.3), 27 of whom received the active drug while 23 received the placebo. No significant differences were observed between the 2 groups in subjective evaluations of mood or drowsiness during the daytime or in night sleep by sleep-log evaluation. These results indicate that 3 mg methylcobalamin administered over 4 weeks is not an effective treatment for DSPS.

Adolescent↗

Functional outcome and late complications in patients with continent urinary reservoirs.

BACKGROUND: We reviewed the functional outcome and late complication of continent urinary reservoirs (CUR) constructed with a cecocolonic segment, including the Indiana pouch, in 37 patients treated in our clinic. METHODS: The CUR procedure was performed on 37 patients, creating partially detubularized (PD) reservoirs in 9 patients, totally detubularized (TD) reservoirs in 16 patients and reservoirs with an ileal patch (IP) in 12 patients. Continence was achieved by the nipple valve in 10 patients and by ileal plication in 27 patients. The mean follow-up period was 46 months (range, 15 to 87 months). The function of the reservoir was evaluated by measurement of the intrareservoir pressure. RESULTS: Patients with the TD reservoir had less frequent appearance of involuntary, phasic elevation of the intrareservoir pressure (30.8%) than those with the PD reservoir (62.5%). In contrast, this phasic elevation was found in only 1 patient with an IP reservoir. The IP reservoir had the largest capacity accompanied by the lowest maximum intrareservoir pressure. Total incontinence was observed in 2 patients with ileal plication due to disruption of the plicated sutures on the terminal ileum. Frequent difficulty in catheterizing the reservoir was found in 2 patients, and reservoir-ureter reflux was found in 3 renal units. The serum chloride level was significantly elevated after surgery, however, in most patients the levels remained within normal limits. CONCLUSION: Our experience of the outcome and late complications of reservoirs indicates that the cecocolonic reservoir with an ileal patch and stapled ileal plication, i.e., the Indiana pouch, is a better choice for continent urinary diversion for patients who need a cystectomy.

Adult↗

Recombinant interferon-alpha-2a for treatment of chronic hepatitis C: results of a multicenter randomized controlled dose study.

To compare the efficacy of low and relatively high dosages of recombinant interferon (IFN)-alpha-2a in Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis C, as well as to characterize the type of patients who will respond well to a low-dosage treatment, 88 patients with histologically proven chronic hepatitis C were randomly assigned to two treatment groups; one treated with IFN-alpha-2a 6 MU daily for 2 weeks followed by 6 MU three times weekly for 22 weeks (6-MU group), and another given the same initial treatment followed by 3 MU three times weekly for 22 weeks (3-MU group). The rate of sustained normalization of ALT 6 months after the cessation of treatment was 33% in the 3-MU group and 40% in the 6-MU group (p = 0.64). In addition, there was no difference in elimination of serum HCV-RNA 6 months after the cessation of treatment between the 3-MU group (26%) and 6-MU group (29%). Multivariate stepwise regression analysis revealed that serum HCV-RNA level (p = 0.0035) and platelet count (p = 0.0009) were independent variables useful in predicting a sustained response of ALT. The sustained response rate of ALT in patients with a serum HCV-RNA level less than 10(5) copies/ml and serum platelet level above 15 x 10(4)/microliter was 71%, whereas that in patients with a serum HCV-RNA level above 10(5) copies/ml and serum platelet level less than 15 x 10(4)/microliter was 12%. These results indicate that a high rate of sustained response to IFN therapy can be expected in chronic hepatitis C patients with a low serum level of HCV-RNA and a high level of platelets, even if treated with a low dose of IFN.

Antiviral Agents↗

Spatiotemporal ESR-CT study on the metabolism of spin-labeled polysaccharide in a mouse.

A spatiotemporal ESR-CT study, rapid three dimensional ESR imaging by which distribution and metabolism of radicals in a small region in a living body can be followed, was carried out by intravenously administering spin-labeled polysaccharides to mice. The in vivo lifetime of spin-labeled hydroxyethylstarch (TEMPO-HES) was shorter than that of spin-labeled dextran (TEMPO-DX), suggesting that the clearance of their spins depended on the stability of the polymer chains to the hydrolysis. Spatiotemporal image at the kidney domain of a mouse showed that low molecular weight TEMPO-DX was excreted into the kidney and then was transferred to the bladder. Time dependence of the ESR intensity of TEMPO-HES at certain points in the liver domain had a maximum showing that TEMPO-HES was taken into the liver and then was decomposed there by the metabolism, but the rate of decrease in the intensity was different in each part in the liver because of the difference in metabolic function. The rate of decrease of TEMPO-DX in the blood was slowed by the prior administration of dextran, meaning that the intake of TEMPO-DX into the liver from the blood was suppressed by the dextran.

Animals↗

Pharmacological properties of YM17E, an acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase inhibitor, and diarrheal effect in beagle dogs.

YM17E (1,3-bis[[1-cycloheptyl-3-(p-dimethylaminophenyl)ureido]methyl]ben zene dihydrochloride) was found to be a potent inhibitor of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) in rabbit liver and intestine microsomes. Dixon plot analysis revealed that YM17E inhibited microsomal ACAT in a non-competitive manner. YM17E induced a marked decrease in serum cholesterol, especially in non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) fractions, in cholesterol-fed rats and rats fed normal chow. Measurement of bile secretion after oral administration of YM17E in cholesterol-fed rats showed that the drug markedly accelerated the secretion of bile acids and neutral sterols. Furthermore, absorption of [3H]cholesterol from the gut of cholesterol-fed rats was significantly inhibited by YM17E. From these results, the hypocholesterolemic activity of YM17E in these animals resulted from both a decrease in cholesterol absorption from the gut and the stimulation of excretion of cholesterol from the liver into bile. However, YM17E caused secretory diarrhea in beagle dogs at near lipid lowering doses. When YM17E was administered at the same total dosage but divided into 5 daily administrations, the incidence of diarrhea was significantly reduced while its cholesterol lowering effect became stronger. These results suggest that the inhibition of intestinal and/or liver ACAT increases the risk of diarrhea development which, however, can be avoided by controlled drug administration in beagle dogs.

Animals↗

Changes in proteasome levels in spinach (Spinacia oleracea) seeds during imbibition and germination.

Proteasomes are the major cytosolic protease complexes responsible for energy-dependent and extra-lysosomal proteolysis. Ubiquitinated proteins are degraded by the 26S proteasome which is composed of a 20S proteasome and two regulatory complexes. Changes in the 20S and 26S proteasome activity levels and protein abundance in spinach seeds during imbibition and germination were examined by using glycerol density gradient centrifugation. The 26S proteasome activity level decreased transiently during imbibition, reached a minimum one day after starting imbibition, and then increased again. During the period of minimal accumulation, the protein being detected with an anti-26S proteasome antibody shifted to a lower sedimentation coefficient fraction. In contrast, the 20S proteasome activity level increased during imbibition, and remained high for two days. The change in the 20S proteasome level corresponded to the change in the 20S proteasome activity level.

Centrifugation, Density Gradient↗

Measurement of erythrocyte volumes in splenectomized horses and sham-operated horses at rest and during maximal exercise.

Erythrocyte volumes of thoroughbred horses were measured. The volumes of splenectomized horses and sham-operated horses 2 hr after injection of 50Cr-tagged erythrocytes (at rest) and during maximal exercise were measured using the non-radioactive isotope 50Cr. Because splenic erythrocytes are released into circulation during exercise, it was estimated that the erythrocyte volumes of the sham-operated horses during maximal exercise are larger than those of the horses at rest. However, the erythrocyte volumes of the sham-operated horses at rest were about equal to those during maximal exercise. In the splenectomized horses, furthermore, erythrocyte volumes at rest and those at exercise were nearly equal. From these results, blood stored in the equine spleen is gradually mixed with circulating blood, and it was clarified that the phenomenon was completed within 2 hr. Although it is basically impossible to measure the circulating erythrocyte volume at rest using the erythrocyte tagged method, we observed that it is possible to measure the total erythrocyte volume using the 50Cr method. Also, the plasma volumes of the splenectomized horses during maximal exercise were found to be slightly smaller than those at rest. On the other hand, in the sham-operated horses, the plasma was decreased by a large quantity after maximal exercise. Therefore, it was suggested that the spleen participates in the phenomenon involving the disappearance of plasma from circulation due to exercise.

Animals↗

Adsorption of levocabastine eye drops by soft contact lenses and its effects in rabbit eyes.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the adsorption of levocabastine (LEV) eye drops onto soft contact lenses in rabbit eyes to confirm the safety of this antihistaminic and antiallergic agent. METHODS: Low- and high- water-content soft contact lenses were placed on the eyes of three rabbits for each type of soft contact lens (total: six rabbits) for 8 hours daily. LEV eye drops and physiological saline solution (used as a control) were instilled into the experimental eye and the fellow eye at a dosage of 0.1 mL per eye, at 1 hour intervals, eight times daily, for 6 consecutive days. Severity of possible eye injury was evaluated before soft contact lens insertion and after removal. RESULTS: After completion of the study, the amounts of LEV and the preservative benzalkonium chloride (BAK) adsorbed onto the soft contact lenses were assayed using high-performance liquid chromatography. There were no significant differences between the experimental solution and the control solution using Draize's method scores or slit lamp evaluation. CONCLUSION: LEV and BAK accumulated only slightly in the soft contact lenses, leading us to conclude that LEV eye drops could be used safely by soft contact lens wearers for about 1 week.

Adsorption↗

[Surgical treatment and result for metastatic pulmonary tumor: comparison between sarcoma and carcinoma].

Purpose of this study is to estimate the effectiveness of surgical treatment for metastatic pulmonary tumor by comparing sarcoma with carcinoma. There ware 43 cases and 64 operations of metastatic pulmonary tumor from 1981 to 1995 in Tottori university hospital. When we compared the background factors between sarcoma and carcinoma, there were significant differences in age, numbers of metastatic tumor and times of operation. Patients of sarcoma were much younger and had more number of metastatic tumor and more times of operation than those of carcinoma. Long term results after operation were 50.8% at 5 years and 44.4% at 10 years survival rate in all cases. The 5 year survival rate of sarcoma (38.1%) had a tendency of worse result than that of carcinoma (57.3%). Important factors that influence the post operative long term result were more numbers of pulmonary metastasis and more times of operation in sarcoma. On the other hand, because cases of carcinoma included many low grade malignancies in the group of multiple metastasis, the postoperative result of multiple metastasis became relatively better in our study.

Adolescent↗

[Four cases of subpleural intrapulmonary lymph node].

We presented four cases of subpleural intrapulmonary lymph node showing the indeterminate pulmonary nodule. Case 1 was a 54-year-old male who had a subpleural nodule, 7 mm in diameter in the right S8 segment on chest CT. This nodule showed difficulty to differentiate from small peripheral lung carcinoma. Case 2 was a 72-year-old male who was diagnosed adenocarcinoma of lung. Chest CT showed multiple pulmonary nodules, about 5 mm in diameter except main tumor in the right middle and lower lobes. These nodules showed difficulty to differentiate from intrapulmonary metastasis. Case 3 was a 70-year-old female who was diagnosed lung metastasis of sigmoid colon cancer. Chest CT showed a subpleural nodule, 3 mm in diameter except main tumor in the right S9 segment. This nodule also showed difficulty to differentiate from lung metastasis. Case 4 was a 40-year-old female who had a subpleural nodule, 10 mm in diameter in the right S9 segment. This nodule also showed difficulty to differentiate from small peripheral lung carcinoma. We diagnosed subpleural intrapulmonary lymph nodes, in case 1, 2 and 3, by open thoracotomy and in case 4, thoracoscopic surgery. It should be always kept in mind that subpleural pulmonary nodules in especially middle and lower lobes of lung might be intrapulmonary lymph nodes. Thoracoscopic surgery would be a very useful procedure for diagnosis and therapy of subpleural intrapulmonary lymph nodes.

Adult↗

[Successful treatment of intraoperative myocardial ischemia with nicorandil].

We report five patients who developed intraoperative myocardial ischemia but were treated successfully with nicorandil. Case 1; An 84 year-old male underwent emergent laparotomy and ileolysis under inhalational plus thoracic epidural anesthesia. During his emergence from anesthesia, arterial pressure and heart rate increased abruptly due to excitement, leading to ST-T depression on V5 lead. Bradycardia and hypotension developed subsequently. Immediately after i.v. injections of nicorandil 4 mg and atropine 0.3 mg, ST-T change and hemodynamics improved dramatically. Case 2; A 67 year-old male underwent esophagectomy under inhalational plus thoracic epidural anesthesia. Following the completion of surgery, elevation of ST-T developed suddenly on lead II, though hemodynamics were not compromised. ST-T elevation disappeared immediately after nicorandil 6 mg and continuous infusion of nitroglycerin (TNG) was initiated. Case 3; A 71 year-old female underwent aortic valve replacement under high-dose fentanyl anesthesia. Shortly after starting cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), ST-T segment on leads II and V5 was elevated suddenly. This was accompanied by severe pulmonary hypertension suggestive of severe left ventricular failure. Shortly after nicorandil 4 mg via a pulmonary artery (PA) catheter, ST-T segment returned to the baseline and pulmonary arterial pressure was normalized. Case 4; A 61 year-old male underwent coronary revascularization under high-dose fentanyl anesthesia. During weaning from CPB, elevation of ST-T segment occurred on leads II and V5. ST change improved, responding to nicorandil 6 mg en bolus via a PA catheter. Case 5; A 67 year-old male underwent coronary revascularization under high-dose fentanyl anesthesia. He was unable to be weaned from CPB for several hours because of frequent and repeated attacks of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. The arrhythmia did not respond to various kinds of treatments including intra-aortic balloon pumping and continuous infusions of inotropes, anti-arrhythmic drugs and anti-anginal drugs. In spite of repeated intracoronary injections of TNG, graft flow to the left anterior descending branch remained low at 40 ml.min-1. After an intracoronary injection of nicorandil 1 mg, however, blood flow increased to 100 ml.min-1, resulting in a marked reduction in frequency of ventricular arrhythmia. The patient came off bypass successfully. In each case, intraoperative myocardial ischemia was treated successfully with nicorandil. Neither hypotension nor arrhythmia resulted from its bolus injection. Nicorandil might be a useful therapeutic tool for myocardial ischemia during anesthesia.

Aged↗

Estimation and comparison of the contents of blood group B antigens in selected human tissues by microphotometric quantification of Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin I-B4 staining with or without prior alpha-galactosidase digestion.

Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin I-B4 (GSAI-B4) has broader specificity for B antigen variants and can recognize the antigens in a wide variety of human tissues. Thus, the concentration range of GSAI-B4 required for staining and the susceptibility of staining to alpha-galactosidase digestion is presumed to correlate well with the density of B antigens in tissue sections. By microphotometric quantification of staining intensity at different concentrations of GSAI-B4 with or without alpha-galactosidase digestion, concentration of B antigens in selected tissues was evaluated and compared. Based on the present results and the previous ones of direct measurement of galactose of B antigens in sublingual glands and red blood cells (Ito et al., 1993), the order of concentration of B antigens in tissues examined was estimated as follows; mucous cells of sublingual glands from German nonsecretors < red blood cells and vascular endothelial cells (= 2.7 x 10(-3) nmole/cm2), thyroid papillary carcinomas and Hassall's corpuscles from nonsecretors < mucous cells of sublingual gland from Japanese nonsecretors < pancreatic acinar cells from both secretor and nonsecretors, Hassall's corpuscles and kidney collecting tubules form secretors < mucous cells of sublingual gland from secretors (> 8.5-11.7 nmole/cm2) and mucous cells of Brunner's gland from nonsecretors < mucous cells of Brunner's gland from secretors. From the above estimation, it is apparent that the expression of B antigen in Brunner's gland is partly dependent on the secretor status of individuals and that Japanese nonsecretors secrete substantial amounts of B antigens from sublingual gland while German nonsecretors do not. The present results also revealed an unexpected staining behavior of GSAI-B4 in some tissues, i.e. in mucous cells of sublingual glands and collecting tubules of kidney from secretors, staining intensity was markedly depressed at higher concentration of the lectin and this depression was recovered by prior alpha-galactosidase digestion. In addition, the present method was successfully applied for the estimation of the content of B antigens neo-expressed in thyroid papillary carcinomas, showing that the content of B antigen had a similar level to that of red blood cells and vascular endothelial cells.

Antigens↗