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Biomedical subjects

N Katoh

Publications and source records attributed to N Katoh.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

[Digital rectal examination, transrectal ultrasonography and prostate specific antigen for diagnosis of prostate cancer in clinical urological practice-detection of impalpable cancer].

OBJECTIVE: The clinical usefulness of multimodality detection for prostate cancer by digital rectal examination (DRE), transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) and serum PSA determination (PSA) was evaluated in this retrospective study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 1344 symptomatic male patients who underwent DRE, TRUS and PSA in our outpatient clinic were studied. Prostate biopsies were performed when at least one diagnostic test was positive. RESULTS: Of 1344 patients, 436 (32.4%) had positive test results. Among 403 patients who underwent biopsy, 121 patients (30.0%) were found to have prostate cancer. The overall cancer detection rate was 9.0%. Among the 121 cancer patients, if examination had been carried out using only one or two tests, cancer would have not been detected in 22 patients (18.2%) by DRE alone, 27 patients (22.3%) by TRUS alone, 18 patients (14.9%) by PSA alone, 12 patients (9.9%) by a combination of DRE and TRUS, and 6 patients (5.0%) by a combination of DRE and PSA. Among the 121 patients with cancer, 22 (18.2%) had impalpable cancer. Impalpable cancer was more likely to be localized (77.3%) than palpable cancer (28.3%, p < 0.001) and more likely to be well or moderately differentiated (72.7%) than palpable cancer (41.4%, p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the need for multimodality detection using DRE, TRUS and PSA as complementary methods in order to minimize decrease in cancer detection. In particular, impalbable cancers not detectable by DRE were detected and were revealed to be more likely to be localized and amenable to curative therapy. These results therefore underscore the importance of multimodality detection for early diagnosis of prostate cancer in urological practice.

Adult↗

[Epidemiological survey of ocular diseases in K Island, Amami Islands: prevalence of cataract and pterygium].

PURPOSE: An epidemiological survey of ocular disease was performed in a town of the Amami Islands in southwestern Japan. OBJECT AND METHODS: A total of 339 participants over 40 years joined the survey. Among the 339 participants, the lens findings of 602 eyes of 301 subjects were analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of lens opacification was 32.0, 54.0, 83.1, 96.9% and 100% among subjects in their 40, 50, 60, 70 s, and over 80 years. Lens opacification over grade II was 4.0, 12.7, 26.2, 60.0% and 83.3%. The cataract type most frequently seen was cortical (96.1%), followed by 48.5% with nuclear opacity and 14.7% with subcapsular type. A high prevalence was seen of pterygium at 25.4%. Although the prevalence of lens opacification was higher in the group with pterygium in their 70 s, no significant difference was noticed in persons in their 40, 50, 60 s, and over 80 years old between the pterygium and non-pterygium groups. CONCLUSIONS: Similarly to the results of a previous survey in Okinawa, Noto, and Hokkaido, the main type of lens opacification was cortical in Amami. The prevalence of nuclear opacification and pterygium was higher than in Noto and Hokkaido, and close to that seen in Okinawa.

Adult↗

Detection of annexin I and IV and haptoglobin in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from calves experimentally inoculated with Pasteurella haemolytica.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether annexins or haptoglobin could be detected in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid specimens obtained from calves experimentally inoculated with Pasteurella haemolytica. ANIMALS: Twelve 2- to 3-month-old male Holstein calves. PROCEDURE: Pasteurella haemolytica was inoculated into the right lung lobes of each of 6 calves. Six other calves received vehicle alone and were used as control calves. Specimens of BAL fluid were obtained from 3 control and 3 inoculated calves 1 day after inoculation and from the other calves 2 days after inoculation. The amount of annexins I, II, IV, and VI, and haptoglobin in BAL fluid specimens was examined by use of immunoblot analysis. RESULTS: Annexins I and IV were detected in BAL fluid specimens obtained from the right lung lobes of each of the inoculated calves, but annexins II and VI were not. Annexin I also was found in BAL fluid specimens obtained from the left lung lobes of each inoculated calf and from left and right lung lobes of the control calves. By comparison, detection of annexin IV was essentially limited to the right lung lobes of inoculated calves. Haptoglobin was detected in some, but not all, BAL fluid specimens from the right lung lobes of inoculated calves, and its detection in BAL fluid was associated with serum proteins such as albumin. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Annexin IV was detected most specifically in response to inoculation of P haemolytica. This protein could be used as a marker for inflammatory pulmonary disease caused by P haemolytica.

Animals↗

[Resection and reconstruction of sternum].

In case of sternal resection, it is necessary to preserve bone material indispensable for the stability of the anterior chest wall and air tightness of the thoracic cavity, and the support of the chest wall integrity must be restored by some means. Various techniques have been applied to the reconstruction of the chest wall following resection. During the last 10 years, we have performed reconstructive operation for 6 cases of the chest wall following resection of the sternum in recurrent cases of breast cancer or invaded case of primary breast cancer. In these patients, the chest wall was reconstructed using a rib-latissimus dorsi osteomyocutaneolus flap or a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. The sternum was totally resected in 3 cases, and in all 3 cases, reconstructed using a rib-latissimus dorsi osteomyocutaneous flap. Although postoperative pulmonary function decreased, all cases could be relieved from endotracheal intubation within 17 hours after operation, and had no problems in activities of daily living or occurrence of chest flailing or paradoxical movement of the chest. An artificial material (expanded polytetrafluoroethlene patch) was used in only one patient for the reconstruction of the osseous thorax, but this case developed infection during postoperative chemotherapy. After this experience, we used only biological materials for the reconstruction of the chest wall and postoperatively performed radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy on all cases. We have observed no flap infection or detachment since then. One characteristic of using the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap is that it is easily elevated and rarely causes serious postoperative esthetic or functional problems. The flap is also easily utilized to reinforce the osseous thorax because ribs immediately below the latissimus dorsi muscle are readily mobilized as a pedicle graft. Reconstruction of the chest wall following resection of the sternum, described in this report, allowed us to perform radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy without serious postoperative complications on the cases relapsing after treatment of breast cancer. The 2-year survival rate is 50% and one of these cases survived up to 10 years after resection of the sternum. Thus we prefer to perform resection of the sternum for sternal recurrence of breast cancer if there are no metastatic lesions in other organs.

Adult↗

Reduced activity of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase in the serum of cows with ketosis and left displacement of the abomasum.

Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity was evaluated in sera from cows with ketosis and in some with left displacement of the abomasum (LDA) that occurred during early lactation. The enzyme activities of 652 +/- 214 U (mean +/- SD) in cows with ketosis (n = 6) and 683 +/- 110 U in those with LDA (n = 5) were significantly (p < 0.01) decreased compared to those in healthy normal cows (994 +/- 65 U, n = 8). Serum concentrations of free cholesterol, cholesteryl esters (CE) and phospholipids were similarly decreased in the two diseases. Cows whose LCAT activity and CE concentration were lower than the normal values were detected while in the non-lactating stage, and some of these cows had ketosis after parturition. It is suggested that evaluation of the LCAT activity and of the CE concentration during the non-lactating stage would be useful in detecting cows that are susceptible to postparturient disorders such as ketosis.

Abomasum↗

The presence of two low molecular mass proteins immunologically related to 14 kilodalton serum amyloid A in the lipoprotein fraction and their decreased serum concentrations in calves with experimentally induced pneumonia.

A 14 kilodalton (kDa) serum amyloid A (apoSAA) protein was purified from cow serum. Rabbit antiserum to the 14 kDa apoSAA recognized, in addition to the 14 kDa protein, a 7.5-9.0 kDa protein and a protein having a molecular mass of less than 6.5 kDa (< 6.5 kDa protein). The possibility that the two proteins were contaminants was excluded by results showing that the two proteins detected in early stages of purification procedures were not found in the purified 14 kDa apoSAA fraction, as revealed by immunoblot analysis. As in the 14 kDa apoSAA, the 7.5-9.0 kDa protein was localized in the high-density lipoprotein fraction, while the < 6.5 kDa protein was in the low-density lipoprotein fraction. In calves with pneumonia induced by inoculation to the lungs of Pasteurella haemolitica, the serum concentration of the 14 kDa apoSAA was increased, whereas those of the 7.5-9.0 kDa and the < 6.5 kDa proteins were conversely decreased. The time-course study indicated that the increase in concentration of the 14 kDa apoSAA and decrease in that of the < 6.5 kDa protein occurred almost simultaneously. These results suggest that the 14 kDa apoSAA and the immunologically related 7.5-9.0 kDa and < 6.5 kDa proteins act as positive and negative acute phase reactants, respectively, and also that concentrations of the three proteins are regulated in concert in acute phase plasma.

Animals↗

Identification and purification of apolipoprotein C-III from the serum of cows.

OBJECTIVE: To identify, purify, and analyze distribution of apolipoprotein C-III in lipoprotein fractions and to evaluate its concentration in serum from calves, heifers, and cows during various stages of lactation. SAMPLE POPULATION: Sera from 3 female calves, 3 heifers, and 12 cows during early, middle, late, and nonlactation stages. PROCEDURE: Apolipoprotein C-III was identified by use of amino-terminal amino acid sequence analysis of bands separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Purification was performed by extraction with acetone, delipidation with 2-propanol, and 2 chromatographic steps. The apolipoprotein C-III concentration in the total lipoprotein fraction was evaluated by densitometric scanning of the bands for apolipoprotein C-III separated by electrophoresis, using purified apolipoprotein C-III as an internal standard. RESULTS: Apolipoprotein C-III was identified as 8.2- and 7.3-kd proteins with identical amino acid sequences. The 2 proteins were mainly found in the high-density lipoprotein fraction, then were purified separately. Serum apolipoprotein C-III concentration was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in cows during lactation than in nonlactating cows and was negatively correlated with serum triglyceride concentration (r = -0.620, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The role of apolipoprotein C-III in cows may involve a function related to lactation.

Aging↗

[Long-term results and quality of life of hemi-Kock orthotopic ileal neobladder after radical cystectomy].

We analyzed the long-term results and the quality of life in patients who received orthotopic lower urinary tract reconstruction using the Kock ileal neobladder. Between July 1990 and October 1993, 37 consecutive patients including 2 females received orthotopic hemi-Kock neobladder after radical cystectomy. In these patients, we analyzed the urinary continence, complications and urethral recurrence, and performed a questionnaire survey by mail. Good continence all day had been achieved in 71% of the patients 4 years after surgery. The rate of the pouch-related complications requiring reoperation was 27%. There was no urethral recurrence. Compared with preoperative conditions, 42% were not satisfied with urination. In these dissatisfied patients, the need to use pads in the daytime, sensation of residual urine and weak urine stream were significantly more frequent than in satisfied patients. In summary, the rate of complications was higher than that of other methods. However, the Kock orthotopic ileal neobladder is a stable procedure providing good function over the long-term.

Adult↗

Evaluation of serum apolipoprotein C-III concentration by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and its higher concentration in cows during midlactation than during the nonlactating stage.

OBJECTIVE: To determine serum apolipoprotein C-III (apoC-III) concentration in cows in various stages of lactation by use of an ELISA. SAMPLE POPULATION: Sera obtained from 29 Holstein cows during early lactation, 65 cows during midlactation, 42 cows during late lactation, and 23 cows during the nonlactating stage. PROCEDURE: A 7.3-kd bovine apoC-III antiserum raised in rabbits was purified by affinity chromatography, and an ELISA was developed. RESULTS: In the immunoblot analysis, the antiserum reacted with the 7.3-kd apoC-III and moreover with another 8.2-kd apoC-III isoform. The 2 isoforms of apoC-III were also indistinguishable in the developed ELISA, the 2 proteins being measured as total apoC-III. In the ELISA for serum apoC-III concentration, addition of 2-mercaptoethanol to the coating buffer (50 mM sodium carbonate buffer, pH 9.6) was required. Mean+/-SEM bovine serum apoC-III concentration (microg/ml of serum) was 71.6+/-12.1 for the early lactating stage, 115+/-14.0 for the midlactating stage, 104+/-18.8 for the late lactating stage, and 55.3+/-8.4 for the nonlactating stage. Concentration of apoC-III was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in cows during midlactation than in cows during the nonlactating stage and was correlated negatively with serum triglyceride concentration (r = -0.479; P < 0.01) and positively with total cholesterol (r = 0.421; P< 0.05) and phospholipids (r= 0.415; P< 0.05) concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Changes of apoC-III concentration in various stages of lactation suggest that this apolipoprotein is involved in a function related to lactation.

Animals↗

Isolation of viable egg cells of rape (Brassica napus L.).

The isolation of viable egg cells of rape (Brassica napus L.) has been achieved from microdissected ovules. The non-gametic cells of the embryo sac, synergids and central cells have also been isolated. Their morphology corresponded to that of these cells in situ, making a discrimination from isolated sporophytic cells possible. Two hours after isolation the egg cells were still viable. Viable egg cells have been reproducibly isolated with a frequency of 25% per dissected ovule.

Brassica↗

Decreased serum lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase activity in spontaneous cases of fatty liver in cows.

Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity in serum was evaluated in spontaneous cases of fatty liver in cows. The enzyme activity of 631 +/- 62 U (mean +/- SEM, decrease in nmol of free cholesterol per h per ml of serum) in cows with fatty liver (n = 16) was significantly (p < 0.01) lower than that in cows without fatty liver (979 +/- 22 U; n = 16). In addition to the decrease in LCAT activity, the concentrations of phosphatidylcholine (a fatty aryl donor for esterification of free cholesterol) and of cholesteryl esters (products of the LCAT reaction) were reduced in the high-density lipoprotein fractions from cows with fatty livers. The concentrations in the serum of apolipoprotein A-I, an activator of LCAT, was also reduced in cows with fatty livers. These results suggest that the decreased LCAT activity, which may be attributable to impaired hepatic secretion or to the suppression of the activity in the plasma by reduced concentrations of phosphatidylcholine and apolipoprotein A-I, resulted in the lower concentrations of cholesteryl esters. Because cholesteryl esters are utilized in steroidogenic tissues for the synthesis of steroid hormones such as progesterone and glucocorticoids, and insufficient supply of the cholesterols may be of relevance to the reduced fertility and immune competence observed in cows with fatty livers.

Animals↗

Immunohistochemical detection of advanced glycosylation end-products in the peritoneum and its possible pathophysiological role in CAPD.

It has recently been suggested that advanced glycosylation end-products (AGEs) are formed in the peritoneum in patients on CAPD. However, the exact location of AGE accumulation, the relation with the duration of CAPD and its pathophysiological role in CAPD remain unclear. If the peritoneum is glycosylated, it could bring about altered peritoneal function. Therefore, the aim of this study is to clarify the localization of AGEs in the peritoneum in accordance with the duration of CAPD and to examine its relation to the peritoneal permeability. Fifteen non-diabetic patients were divided into three groups (each 5 patients) on the basis of the mean duration (D) of CAPD (Group 1, D = 0 month; Group II, D = 34 months; Group III, D = 84 months). The AGE staining by monoclonal anti-AGE antibody in the peritoneum and the four-hour peritoneal equilibration test (PET) were compared among these groups. AGE was absent or found only weakly in Group I. However, in groups II and III, AGE was moderately or strongly positive especially in the vascular walls and it was dominant in group III. PET revealed that peritoneal permeability for glucose, creatinine, beta2-microglobulin and albumin was increased in Group II as compared to Group I, and it was further increased in Group III. The results of this study indicate that AGEs become dominantly accumulated in the vascular wall in accordance with the prolongation of CAPD treatment, and this might play some roles for the increased permeability of the peritoneal membrane in CAPD.

Adult↗

Calcium channel blockers suppress the contact hypersensitivity reaction (CHR) by inhibiting antigen transport and presentation by epidermal Langerhans cells in mice.

Since Langerhans cells (LC) are the principal antigen-presenting cells among epidermal cells, treatments suppressing LC function may inhibit CHR. Although calcium channel blockers (CCB) have been shown to suppress the functions of several immunologically active cells, little is known about their effect on LC. In this study we show that pretreatment with topical 1% nifedipine or verapamil HCl significantly suppressed both the sensitization and elicitation phases of a CHR in mice. We then investigated whether CCB affected LC. Flow cytometric analysis of regional lymph node cells obtained 24 h after applying FITC demonstrated that topical CCB treatment significantly reduced the percentage of FITC+ NLDC-145+ cells, suggesting that CCB had suppressed antigen transport by LC. In vitro treatment with nifedipine or verapamil significantly suppressed the antigen-presenting capacity of LC in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, in vitro CCB treatment reduced the percentage of class II MHC antigen-positive epidermal cells and significantly suppressed class II MHC and B7-1 levels in LC, as determined by flow cytometry and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, whereas surface expression of B7-2 and mRNA was only weakly reduced. Neither expression of CD45 nor the percentage of CD45+ cells were affected, suggesting that the effects of CCB on LC were not due to cytotoxicity. Our results suggest that CCB inhibit CHR, at least in part, by suppressing the functions of LC.

Animals↗

Synthesis and messenger ribonucleic acid expression of apolipoproteins E and A-I by the bovine corpus luteum during the estrous cycle and pregnancy.

In an attempt to characterize proteins secreted by the corpus luteum, explant cultures of luteal slices from cows taken on Days 3, 7, 11, 14, 17, and 19 of the estrous cycle, and Days 17, 88, 180, and > 240 of pregnancy were incubated with H-leucine for 24 h. Proteins in luteal-conditioned medium were separated by two-dimensional PAGE, transferred to polyvinylidene fluoride membrane, and subjected to N-terminal amino acid microsequencing. Microsequence analysis revealed that the bovine corpus luteum synthesized and released de novo synthesized apolipoproteins (Apo) E and A-I in culture during the estrous cycle and pregnancy. Release of Apo E was observed only on Day 3 of the estrous cycle. Release of Apo A-I was observed on Days 11, 14, 17, and 19 of the estrous cycle, and on all days of pregnancy examined. To demonstrate the presence of the appropriate mRNA and characterize the temporal relationship for these identified proteins, total RNA was isolated from corpora lutea on Days 2, 3, 7, 16, 17, and 20 of the estrous cycle, and on Days 17, 90, 170, 180, and 272 of pregnancy, and submitted to Northern and dot blot analysis. Apo E mRNA was expressed only on Days 2-3 of the estrous cycle and was not expressed on the other days of the cycle or during pregnancy. A single Apo E mRNA transcript about 1.0 kilobase (kb) in size was observed. Expression of Apo A-I mRNA was detected on all days of the estrous cycle and pregnancy examined. Apo A-I cDNA hybridized with a single mRNA transcript about 1.0 kb in size. Apo A-I mRNA levels did not differ among days of the estrous cycle, although higher levels of Apo A-I mRNA were observed during later stages of pregnancy. Serum concentrations of Apo A-I and progesterone were correlated across the estrous cycle but not during the prepartum period or after parturition. This study demonstrates for the first time that the corpus luteum synthesizes Apo E and Apo A-I and expresses their respective mRNAs. The pattern of expression of Apo E and Apo A-I mRNAs paralleled that of de novo synthesis of their respective proteins after incubation of luteal tissue with [H]leucine. The role of luteal apolipoproteins may involve an autocrine/paracrine function influencing luteal development, tissue remodeling, and steroidogenesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Acute cutaneous barrier perturbation induces maturation of Langerhans' cells in hairless mice.

Perturbation of the cutaneous water permeability barrier has been shown to result in many physiological events in keratinocytes, including upregulation of proinflammatory cytokine production. However, little is known about the effect of barrier disruption on Langerhans' cells (LC). In the present study, we examined whether acute barrier perturbation by acetone treatment or tape stripping affects the phenotypes and functions of LC in male hairless mice. Both procedures resulted in a two- to five-fold increase in the expression of MHC class II antigens, B7-2 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 on LC, whereas no significant changes were detected in levels of B7-1. Levels of intracellular interleukin-1 beta, as determined by flowcytometry, were also increased 1 h after acetone treatment or tape stripping. LC obtained from barrier-disrupted mice induced a significant increase in syngeneic and allogeneic T-cell proliferation, compared to those from saline-treated mice. These results indicate that LC play a crucial role in maintaining cutaneous homeostasis against increasing exposure to external substances resulting from barrier disruption.

Acetone↗