Biomedical subjects

N Nakashima

Publications and source records attributed to N Nakashima.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

[The relationship between subjective sleepiness and polysomnographic findings in sleep apnea syndrome].

We investigated factors of daytime sleepiness in 22 middle-aged male patients with sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) using the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) and polysomnography. The subjects were classified into two groups according to ESS score as follows; low ESS group: ESS score < 10, and high ESS group; ESS score > or = 10. ESS score was significantly correlated with duration in which nocturnal oxygen saturation decreased below 90% (Time of SpO2 < 90%) (r = 0.54, p < 0.05). Time of SpO2 < 90% and percent of movement arousals at the termination of apnea/hypopnea (number of movement arousal/total number of apnea/hypopneas x 100) were significantly higher in high ESS group than in low ESS group. Our findings suggest that the severity of oxygen desaturation and sleep fragmentation caused by arousal response at the termination of apnea/hypopnea may be important factors of daytime sleepiness in patients with SAS.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

Clinical behavior of borderline ovarian tumors: a study of 150 cases.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the clinical features, treatment, and survival status of the patients with borderline ovarian tumors. METHODS: A retrospective review of the charts of 150 patients with borderline ovarian tumor registered at the Tokai Ovarian Tumor Study Group from January 1, 1980, to December 31, 1994, was conducted to obtain clinical and pathological information. RESULTS: In stage II and III disease, the numbers of patients with no residual tumor, residual tumor of <2 cm, 2-5 cm, and >5 cm were 9, 10, 3, and 3, respectively. The sizes of residual tumors and corresponding clinical response to chemotherapy were as follows: residual tumor of <2 cm, complete response (CR), 6 patients; no change (NC), 2; progressive disease (PD), 2; tumors 2-5 cm, NC, 1 patient, PD, 2; tumors >5 cm, PD, 3 patients. The survival for patients with residual tumor <2 cm was significantly better than for those with residual tumor from 2-5 cm and of >5 cm (P < 0.05). The survival for patients with stage II and III serous tumor was significantly longer than that for patients with stage II and III mucinous tumor (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In advanced borderline ovarian tumor, the prognosis of patients with gross residual tumor after initial surgery, and especially with mucinous tumor, was poor.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Gorham massive osteolysis.

Gorham syndrome (massive osteolysis) is a very rare tumour-like lesion characterized by progressive osteolysis. The diagnosis must be confirmed by the microscopic finding of intramedullary angioma-like vascular structures. We report a case of a 15-year-old boy with a pathological fracture in his left humerus. Imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, angiography and bone scintigraphy failed to disclose to tumorous lesion that filled a cavity in the left humerus. After observing the boy's progress for 6 months, a temporary diagnosis of Gorham syndrome was made, and surgical treatment was chosen. After resection of the left humeral head and the proximal one-quarter of the humerus, thorough curettage was performed in the distal humerus and an intramedullary artificial humeral head fixed with adequate success. Pathological examination of the specimen revealed intramedullary haemangioma of the humerus.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Asymmetrical or heterogeneous enhancement of the internal jugular veins in contrast-enhanced CT of the head and neck.

With faster CT scanners, asymmetric/heterogeneous enhancement (ASHE) of the internal jugular veins (IJVs) is frequently encountered in the absence of pathology. We investigated the frequency, side, pattern and significance of ASHE in 200 patients with various head and neck lesions. Non-ionic contrast medium (300 mgI/ml) was infused into a forearm vein (right, n = 100); left, n = 100). Forty seconds after contrast medium injection, contiguous 5-mm-thick sections were obtained craniocaudally from the skull base to the aortic arch. CT machines with two different scanning cycle times (3 s, n = 100; 2 s, n = 100) were used. ASHE of the IJVs was observed in 51 patients (25.5%); the patient group receiving a right-sided injection with a 2-s scan cycle machine, showing a higher frequency (44%). ASHE was divided into four patterns: homogeneous low density, focal low density, heterogenous opacification and fluid-fluid level formation. ASHE was frequently observed in routine contrast-enhanced CT of the head and neck. Frequency of ASHE increased when the scanning cycle was shorter. We should be aware of this phenomenon to avoid its misinterpretation as venous thrombosis or other pathology.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Lack of association between variants of the angiotensinogen gene and the risk of coronary artery disease in middle-aged Japanese men.

The renin-angiotensin system is important in cardiovascular remodeling. Although a variant of the angiotensinogen gene is associated with an increased generation of angiotensinogen, it is unclear how this genetic variant might influence the activity of the renin-angiotensin system and thereby contribute to the predisposition to coronary artery disease (CAD). The relation between genetic polymorphisms in the gene-encoding angiotensinogen and the risk of CAD in middle-aged Japanese men was investigated. Two polymorphisms in exon 2 of the angiotensinogen gene, M235T and T174M, were analyzed in 327 patients with CAD and 352 matched control subjects. The genotype distribution of both polymorphisms did not differ between patients with CAD and control subjects. No combination of genotypes of the two polymorphisms was associated with CAD. Results indicate that the M235T and T174M variants of the angiotensinogen gene are not associated with CAD in Japanese men.

Angiotensinogen↗

PubMed1997

Lack of association of angiotensin converting enzyme gene polymorphism or serum enzyme activity with coronary artery disease in Japanese subjects.

The association of an insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene or the serum activity of ACE with coronary artery disease (CAD) was investigated in Japanese men and women. The ACE genotype of 947 CAD subjects who underwent coronary angiography and of 893 control subjects was determined by polymerase chain reaction analysis. No association of the DD genotype or the D allele with CAD was observed in men or women. In a low risk group (defined by a body mass index below the median value and the absence of a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hypercholesterolemia), there was also no association between the ACE gene polymorphism and CAD. No significant difference in serum ACE activity was detected between CAD subjects and controls of all genotypes or of the same genotype, whereas a significant association was apparent between serum ACE activity and ACE genotype for both CAD subjects and controls among both men and women. These results indicate that the ACE I/D polymorphism and genotype associated variation in serum ACE activity are not risk factors for CAD in Japanese men or women.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Immunohistochemical localization of extracellular matrix components in human breast tumours with special reference to PG-M/versican.

Immunohistochemical localization of the large proteoglycan, PG-M/versican, was studied in 36 breast tumours, including infiltrating ductal carcinomas, benign tumours and fibrocystic diseases. The relation between the proteoglycan and the other extracellular matrix components was also investigated. In the carcinoma tissues, the interstitial elements of the 'specific stroma', consisting of fibroblastic cells and fine fibrils, were reactive to antibody 2B1, which specifically recognizes the large proteoglycan, PG-M/versican. In the peripheral invasive areas of infiltrating ductal carcinoma, the most intense 2B1-positive reaction was visualized in mesenchymal tissues between carcinoma cells clumps and the surrounding tissues, where hyaluronic acid could be demonstrated histochemically. The 2B1-positive elements were not reactive to antibody 6B6, which specifically recognizes small proteoglycan. In the central sclerotic areas, where antibody 6B6 was reactive, a 2B1-positive reaction was detected only in elastosis masses, which also bound antibodies to type IV collagen and laminin, and to some extent antibody raised against chondroitin 6-sulphate proteoglycan. Elastic tissues of blood vessel walls and perivascular elements became reactive to antibody 2B1 when they were involved in carcinoma invasion. The present results have shown that PG-M/versican was localized in the proliferating interstitial tissues, in particular in hyaluronic acid-rich portions, in association with carcinoma cell growth, and also that PG-M/versican accumulated in vascular and perivascular elastic tissues involved in carcinoma invasion. The biological significance of PG-M/versican was briefly discussed.

Breast Neoplasms↗

PubMed1997

Lymph node metastasis in carcinoma of the body and tail of the pancreas.

BACKGROUND: There have been no precise reports concerning lymph node metastatic involvement in carcinoma of the body and tail of the pancreas. METHODS: Histopathological examination of lymph node involvement in 30 specimens obtained from patients who underwent pancreatic resection and wide dissection of lymph nodes, including para-aortic lymph nodes, for carcinoma of the body and tail of the pancreas was performed. RESULTS: Fourteen of 30 patients had lymph node involvement. The highest incidence of lymph node involvement was around the splenic artery (five of 30 patients), aorta (four of 30) and coeliac trunk (four of 30). No significant difference in survival rate between the lymph node-negative group and the lymph node-positive group was observed, but all patients in the positive group died within 2 years after surgery, and four patients with para-aortic lymph node involvement died from recurrence within 10 months after surgery. Survival rates were significantly worse in patients with histopathological extrapancreatic nerve plexus invasion, retropancreatic tissue invasion, tumour diameter more than 4 cm, histological portal system vein wall invasion and carcinoma invasion of the surgical margins. CONCLUSION: Although aggressive extended surgery including para-aortic node dissection has been performed, the postoperative survival rate is still low in patients with carcinoma of the body and tail of the pancreas. The high incidence of liver metastasis after surgery is a prime cause of the poor outcome, and effective therapy for postoperative liver recurrence requires evaluation.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Immunohistochemical localization of placental leucine aminopeptidase/oxytocinase in normal human placental, fetal and adult tissues.

While oxytocinase is known to exist in pregnancy serum and placenta, the present study describes the expression of the mRNA for this enzyme in a wide variety of other human tissues. Northern blot analysis was used to detect the mRNA, with a probe derived from a cDNA for oxytocinase/placental leucine aminopeptidase (P-LAP). Both the distribution and localization of immunoreactive oxytocinase/P-LAP protein have been determined immunohistochemically by use of an anti-P-LAP antibody in normal placental, fetal and adult tissues. In placental tissues, only syncytiotrophoblasts were stained positively. In both fetal and adult tissues, positive staining was obtained in vascular endothelial cells, gastrointestinal mucosal cells, epithelial cells of hepato-biliary, pancreato-biliary, bronchial-alveolar and renal tubular systems as well as islet cells of pancreas and neurons in the central nervous systems. Sweat-gland cells, seminal vesicles and prostate gland in the adult, as well as adipocytes and skeletal muscle cells in the fetus were also stained. The widespread distribution of P-LAP suggests its involvement in a variety of physiological events not restricted to the regulation of the amounts of bioactive peptides such as arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OT) in pregnancy. The presence of P-LAP in syncytiotrophoblasts supports the idea that P-LAP in pregnancy serum is derived from the placenta.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

A mutation study of the DNA binding domain of human papillomavirus type11 E2 protein.

A site-specific mutation study was performed on the C-terminal domain, containing a cloned DNA binding region, of the human papillomavirus type11 (HPV11) E2 protein to determine the specific properties of residues directly involved in the DNA binding. The effect of a point mutations on the DNA binding was assessed by means of a gel mobility shift assay. The mutagenesis was concentrated on the residues in the third helix from the N-terminal, that is known as the "recognition helix," in the crystal structure of the bovine papillomavirus (BPV) E2 protein. Most point mutations caused a great decrease in the DNA binding activity. The leucine repeat in the DNA binding region was proved not to be a leucine prerequisite, as the leucines could be substituted by valine without significant loss of the DNA binding ability. Substitution of Leu for Glu caused a significant decrease in the DNA binding, indicating that the hydrophobicity of the residue at this position is important. The results suggest that the individual contribution of each amino acid residue in the DNA binding region is essential for the DNA binding.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

An investigation into the prevalence of thyroid disease on Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands.

The prevalence of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer was studied in the indigenous population residing on Ebeye Island, Kwajalein Atoll, in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. This island, centrally located in the nation, is home to about 25% of the nation's population, many who have migrated there from other atolls. The objective of the study was to obtain thyroid disease rate statistics on as much of the population as possible that was alive during the years of nuclear testing and to test the hypothesis that described a linearly decreasing prevalence of palpable nodules with increasing distance from the Bikini test site. 1,322 Marshallese born before 1965 were given a thyroid examination using neck palpation, fine needle aspiration biopsy, and high resolution ultrasound imaging. Approximately 40% of the total population living on this island who are at risk from exposure to radioactive fallout during the years 1946-1958 were screened. Of that group, 815 were alive at the time of the BRAVO test on 1 March 1954. Two hundred sixty-six people with thyroid nodules were found (32.6%): 132 were palpable nodules (16.2%), and 134 were nodules that could be diagnosed with ultrasound only (15.7%). Prevalence of palpable nodules was particularly high in men and women older than 60 y, in men who were 6 to 15 y of age at the time of the BRAVO test, and in women 1 to 10 y of age at the time of the BRAVO test. In 22 people, the clinical diagnosis was most likely cancer though histopathological evidence was only available from 11 operated cases. Of the 11 operated cases, 10 were cancer. Cancer prevalence was particularly high in those women born between 1944 and 1953 (7/220 = 3.2%), i.e., who were children during the early years of nuclear testing. The Ebeye data showed a marginally significant correlation between palpable nodule prevalence among women and distance to Bikini (r = -0.44, p = 0.06). This report summarizes the clinical findings of the thyroid examinations, the age distributions for nodular disease and cancer, and examines the relationship between prevalence of nodules and present day levels of 137Cs in the environment of each atoll.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Numerous vessels detected by CD34 in the villous stroma of complete hydatidiform moles.

It has been considered that the villous stroma of complete hydatidiform moles (CHMs) is usually avascular. Vessels would normally form if embryogenesis had occurred. But judging by the structural maturity of molar villi, it was suspected that they must contain a considerable number of blood vessels and an attempt was made to demonstrate their presence. It has been shown previously that the vascular endothelial cell markers factor VIII related antigen (FVIII-RAg), Ulex europaeus 1 agglutinin (UEA-1) and CD31 were of no use in demonstrating the vessels in molar villi. A monoclonal antibody, QBEND/10, raised against the CD34 antigen in human endothelial cell membranes and hemopoietic progenitor cells, was selected to test its use as a marker of villous vascular endothelial cells in CHMs. On immunohistochemical analysis, numerous blood vessels were found using CD34 antibody in the stroma of CHMs, and the numbers corresponded to those found in normal villi of gestational age 8-12 weeks. Moreover, the luminal free surface of all vascular endothelial cells was so specifically delineated that it permitted the identification of vessels not apparent on hematoxylin- and eosin-stained sections; other stromal cells and trophoblast were not labeled.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Suppressed cardiac and electroencephalographic arousal on apnea/hypopnea termination in elderly patients with cerebral infarction.

The goal of the present investigation is to show the clinical significance of arousal response at termination of apnea/hypopnea in patients with sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) after cerebral infarction. We polygraphically assessed "cardiac arousal," which is defined as an abrupt increase in heart rate at a termination of sleep apnea/hypopnea, and electroencephalographic (EEG) arousal. There were six elderly subjects, bedridden after cerebral infarction, with SAS aged 71-87 years (mean 72.3 years) and 11 age-matched patients with SAS aged 61-78 years (mean 62.3 years) as controls. The following sleep parameters were measured: number of apneas per hour (apnea index [AI]), number of hypopneas per hour (hypopnea index [HI]), summation of the two (apnea/hypopnea index [AHI]), and duration in which nocturnal oxygen saturation was decreased below 90% (duration of SaO2 < 90%). We calculated the ratio of apnea/hypopnea per hour with cardiac arousal to total apnea/hypopneas (XI) (% cardiac arousal [XI/AHI x 100]) and the ratio of that with EEG arousal (YI) (% EEG arousal [YI/AHI x 100]). Between the two groups, we found no significant difference in body mass index, the ratio of central apnea to total apnea/hypopnea, AHI, duration of apnea/hypopnea, lowest SaO2, and duration of SaO2 < 90%. Compared with controls, % cardiac and % EEG arousals were significantly lower in patients with cerebral infarction. In contrast, the ratio of HI to AHI was significantly higher in patients with cerebral infarction than in control subjects. Our findings indicate that cardiac and EEG arousals at termination of apnea/hypopnea are significantly suppressed in elderly patients with SAS after cerebral infarction, which may provide useful information on the pathophysiology of SAS in patients with cerebrovascular disease.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

Diagnostic value of the strand displacement amplification method compared to those of Roche Amplicor PCR and culture for detecting mycobacteria in sputum samples.

We compared the ability of the semiautomated BDProbeTec-SDA system, which uses the strand displacement amplification (SDA) method, with that of the Roche Amplicor-PCR system and the Septi-Chek AFB culture system to directly detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTB) and other mycobacteria in sputum samples. A total of 530 sputum samples from 299 patients were examined in this study. Of the 530 samples, 129 were culture positive for acid-fast bacilli with the Septi-Chek AFB system; 95 for MTB, 29 for M. avium-M. intracellulare complex (MAC), and 5 for other mycobacteria. The BDProbeTec-SDA system detected 90 of the 95 samples culture positive for MTB (sensitivity, 94.7%), and the Amplicor-PCR system detected 85 of the 95 samples culture positive for MTB (sensitivity, 89.5%). The specificity of each system, based on the clinical diagnosis, was 99.8% for SDA and 100% for PCR, respectively. Among the 29 samples culture positive for MAC, the BDProbeTec-SDA system detected MAC in 24 samples (sensitivity, 82.8%), whereas the Amplicor-PCR system detected MAC in 23 samples (sensitivity, 79.3%). The specificities of the systems were 98.3 and 100%, respectively. The high degrees of sensitivity and specificity of the BDProbeTec-SDA system suggest that it should be very useful in clinical laboratories for the rapid detection of mycobacteria in sputum samples.

Bacteriological Techniques↗

PubMed1997

Determination of anti-streptolysin O antibody titer by a new passive agglutination method using sensitized toraysphere particles.

We developed a new method for determining the anti-streptolysin O (ASO) titer on the basis of a passive agglutination reaction. This new method uses Toraysphere particles sensitized with streptolysin O. This method was used to measure the ASO titer in 130 serum samples (from 31 patients with post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, 26 patients with group A streptococcal pharyngitis, 5 patients with scarlet fever, 29 patients with non-group A streptococcal pharyngitis, 20 healthy children, and 19 healthy adults). The results were compared with those obtained simultaneously by two conventional methods, the Rantz-Randall and the NA-Latex-ASL methods. The results obtained by the Toraysphere method showed an excellent correlation with those obtained by each conventional method (correlation coefficients, 0.932 for the Rantz-Randall method and 0.913 for the NA-Latex-ASL method). The performance of each method was evaluated with respect to the clinical and microbiological diagnoses for each patient. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for the Toraysphere method were 76, 84, 81, and 79%, respectively. The corresponding values for the Rantz-Randall method were 48, 78, 67, and 62%, respectively, while those for the NA-Latex-ASL method were 60, 82, 76, and 69%, respectively. Because the Toraysphere method is simple and reproducible, has a short reaction time, and has a clear-cut endpoint for the analysis, we recommend it for routine use in determining the ASO titer in the clinical microbiology laboratory.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Mycobacterium growth indicator tube testing in conjunction with the AccuProbe or the AMPLICOR-PCR assay for detecting and identifying mycobacteria from sputum samples.

We have compared the ability of the Mycobacterium Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) system, a new culture method with an oxygen-sensitive fluorescent sensor, to recover mycobacteria from sputum samples with the abilities of egg-based medium and the Septi-Chek AFB system. We have also assessed the clinical utility of the AccuProbe or the AMPLICOR-PCR assay to directly identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and M. avium-M. intracellulare complex (MAC) from positive MGITs. From 382 sputum samples, 99 isolates of M. tuberculosis complex and 20 isolates of MAC were recovered. The MGIT system had the highest recovery rates for M. tuberculosis complex (97.0%) and MAC (100%), compared to recovery rates of 51.5 and 65.0%, respectively, with the egg-based medium and 81.8 and 85.0%, respectively, with the Septi-Chek AFB system. The shortest recovery times were also achieved with the MGIT system: 16.6 days for M. tuberculosis complex and 12.0 days for MAC, compared to 27.1 and 20.1 days, respectively, with the egg-based medium and 21.4 and 13.2 days, respectively, with the Septi-Chek AFB system. The AccuProbe identified 74 (77.1%) of the 96 M. tuberculosis complex-positive MGITs and 17 (85.0%) of the 20 MAC-positive vials. The AMPLICOR system correctly identified 94 (97.9%) of the 96 M. tuberculosis complex-positive MGITs and all 20 MAC-positive vials. Therefore, the MGIT system used in conjunction with the AMPLICOR system is a rapid and sensitive method for detecting and identifying M. tuberculosis complex and MAC isolates from sputum samples.

DNA, Bacterial↗

PubMed1997

Yrb2p, a Nup2p-related yeast protein, has a functional overlap with Rna1p, a yeast Ran-GTPase-activating protein.

The Ran-GTPase cycle is important for nucleus-cytosol exchange of macromolecules and other nuclear processes. We employed the two-hybrid method to identify proteins interacting with Ran and the Ran GTP/GDP exchange factor. Using PRP20, encoding the Ran GTP/GDP exchange factor, we identified YRB1, previously identified as a protein able to interact with human Ran GTP/GDP exchange factor RCC1 in the two-hybrid system. Using GSP1, encoding the yeast Ran, as bait, we isolated YRB2. YRB2 encodes a protein containing a Ran-binding motif similar to that found in Yrb1p and Nup2p. Yrb1p is located in the cytosol whereas Nup2p is nuclear. Similar to Yrb1p, Yrb2p bound to GTP-Gsp1p but not to GDP-Gsp1p and enhanced the GTPase-activating activity of Rna1p. However, unlike Yrb1p, Yrb2p did not inhibit the nucleotide-releasing activity of Prp20p. While overproduction of Yrb1p inhibited the growth of a mutant possessing a PRP20 mutation (srm1-1) and suppressed the rna1-1 mutation, overproduction of Yrb2p showed no effect on the growth of these mutants. Disruption of YRB2 made yeast cold sensitive and was synthetically lethal with rna1-1 but not with nup2delta. Nuclear protein import and the mRNA export were normal in strains possessing mutations of YRB2. We propose that Yrb2p is involved in the nuclear processes of the Ran-GTPase cycle which are not related to nucleus-cytosol exchange of macromolecules.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus cholecystitis in a patient with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Acute cholecystitis due to Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus is very uncommon. We report a case of cholecystitis and obstructive jaundice in which cultured bile grew this organism. The patient had a 4-year history of hepatocellular carcinoma, resulting in common bile duct obstruction due to abdominal lymph node metastasis. Microscopic examination of her bile showed multiple Gram-negative curved organisms and C. fetus subsp. fetus was isolated under microaerophilic conditions. Therefore, we should be aware of this organism and use microaerophilic culture in association with the result of microscopic examination of bile specimens.

Campylobacter Infections↗