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Biomedical subjects

S Abe

Publications and source records attributed to S Abe.

At least 559 records · Page 31Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Impaired biliary excretion of copper and lysosomal enzymes in Long-Evans cinnamon.

Although impaired biliary excretion of copper through hepatocyte lysosomes has been postulated as a pathogenesis of Wilson's disease, direct evidence has been lacking. Our aim was to investigate the dynamics of biliary excretion of copper and lysosomal enzymes in the Long-Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rat, a recently established rodent model of Wilson's disease. Liver homogenate and bile were obtained from 12 week-old LEC rats (n = 7), Long-Evans Agouti rats (n = 3) and Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 8) and analyzed for copper and lysosomal enzymes. Structural integrity of hepatic lysosomes was assessed by the latency of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase. Compared with the controls, LEC rats exhibited a 43-fold increase in hepatic copper concentration (p < 0.001), a significant increase in hepatic activities of lysosomal enzymes (p < 0.001) and reduction of lysosomal latency (p < 0.05). In contrast, biliary excretion of copper and lysosomal enzymes were significantly impaired in LEC rats (p < 0.05). These results suggest a coupled alteration between copper and lysosomal enzymes in both the liver and bile of LEC rats (i.e., increase in liver and decrease in bile). Defective biliary excretion of copper via hepatocyte lysosomes may play a role in part in spontaneous copper accumulation in LEC rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[Use of MRI in the diagnosis of dementia of the Alzheimer type].

MRI of 31 patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) (mean age 74.7 years) were studied to detect characteristic findings, and compared with those of 24 normal elderly controls (mean age 74.1 years). Atrophy was quantitated by planimetric and linear measurements, and periventricular and deep white matter signal abnormalities were assessed by subjective ratings. Although we observed significant differences between the DAT patients and controls, there was overlap in each of the measurements. Of these, the ratio of the temporal horn area and the pattern of linear measurements (the width of the temporal horn body--the medial temporal lobe width--the interuncal distance) best distinguished the DAT patients from controls. Twenty-five patients (81%) had a ratio of the temporal horn area larger than the value of the mean + 2SD of the controls. AV-shaped pattern, in which the medial temporal lobe width was smaller than the other two values, was demonstrated in 84% of the patients and only 8% of the controls. Although signal abnormalities were not useful for diagnostic purposes, periventricular hyperintensities were more commonly seen in the DAT patients than in the controls, and correlated with cognitive function. MRI studies suggest that the assessment of medial temporal lobe atrophy is useful in the diagnosis of DAT, and periventricular hyperintensity may be related in some way to the disease process.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

[Neuroimaging in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease].

We sought to identify a marker for Alzheimer's disease (AD) for antemortem diagnosis. To determine whether the detection of reduced blood flow in the parietotemporal cortex, shown by single photon emission CT (SPECT), and of medial temporal lobe atrophy, shown by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), would be useful in diagnosis, we studied 38 patients with AD diagnosed by the NINCDS-ADRDA criteria and 26 healthy elderly controls. Parietotemporal hypoperfusion was qualitatively assessed by physicians who were unaware of the clinical diagnosis, and the severity of medial temporal lobe atrophy was quantitated by planimetric and linear measurements. Although an accurate diagnosis of AD was made in 80% or more of the patients by SPECT or MRI studies alone, the combination of SPECT and MRI gave a higher diagnostic accuracy, with a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 92%. Since regional functional or structural changes were detected in 92% of early or mild patients, including possible AD, the combination of SPECT and MRI studies were useful in the early diagnosis of AD. Findings suggest that a functional abnormality in the parietotemporal lobe and an atrophic change in the medial temporal lobe are characteristic of AD, and that SPECT and MIR regional changes may be useful as antemortem diagnostic markers.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

The novel immunostimulant N-563, an analogue of deoxyspergualin, promotes resistance to Candida albicans infection in mice.

An analogue of deoxyspergualin, N-563 has an immunostimulating activity whereas the mother compound has been found to be a potent immunosuppressant. In this study, the protective effect of the analogue against C. albicans infection was investigated in normal and immunosuppressed mice. In normal mice, N-563 treatment at 10 mg/kg for 3 days prior to infection significantly prolonged the survival time. In immunosuppressed mice treated with a single dose of cyclophosphamide 4 days prior to infection, N-563 at 3 and 10 mg/kg for 3 days prior to infection also significantly prolonged the survival time of mice. In addition, it augmented the phagocytic activity of neutrophils and enhanced the delayed type hypersensitivity reaction against C. albicans. Coincidentally, N-563 appeared to protect against secondary infection with C. albicans in the delayed type hypersensitivity-positive mice.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1994

[Clinical experiences of granulocyte colony stimulating factor for granulocytopenia after AC bypass].

We have successfully treated 3 cases of granulocytopenia, using Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) after AC bypass surgery. All cases were male, aged 68, 75 & 54 years old, and underwent AC bypass surgery without transfusion except in case 1. Granulocyte cell counts decreased to 135/mm3 on 39th post-operative days (POD) in case 1, 624/mm3 on 13 rd POD in case 2, and 514/mm3 on 20th POD in case 3. In case 1, 300 micrograms of G-CSF was given intravenously for 3 days. In case 2, 100 micrograms of G-CSF for 1 day and 50 micrograms for 3 days was given subcutaneously, and in case 3, 100 micrograms of G-CSF was also given subcutaneously for 2 days. And their granulocyte cell counts all increased within few days. G-CSF is effective for patients with granulocytopenia after AC bypass surgery, but we need more experiences to know the best way of administration.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

[A case of Swyer-James syndrome--a morphological study with inflated fixed lung].

Morphological features of Swyer-James syndrome were studied in a specimen obtained during left pneumonectomy. A 67-year-old woman was admitted because her left lung was hyperlucent and contained a solitary nodule. Primary lung adenocarcinoma complicated with Swyer-James syndrome was diagnosed, and left pneumonectomy done. The left upper lobe was inflated and fixed for morphological study. The volume of the specimen was obviously lower than normal but the bronchial branching was normal. Macroscopically, the specimen had irregular bronchial walls, bronchiectatic changes, and dilation of distal air spaces, similar to panlobular emphysema. Microscopically, there was scarring in periarteriolar regions that suggested bronchiolitis obliterans, enlargement of distal airspaces, and an abnormally low number of capillaries. These findings suggest hypoplasia of the lung due to abnormal lung growth after birth.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Malignant T cell lymphoma associated with sarcoidosis.

We report an unusual case of non-Hodgkin T cell lymphoma associated with sarcoidosis. A 44-year-old woman was histologically diagnosed as having sarcoidosis in 1966. Diffuse interstitial lung disease and erythematous skin nodules disappeared following steroid therapy. Twenty years after sarcoidosis onset erythematous nodosum recurred and biopsy specimens revealed non caseating epithelioid granuloma. Thirty-seven months later a malignant T cell lymphoma developed in the skin portion where sarcoid lesions recurred. We discuss the possible relationship between the sarcoid inflammatory process and the development of a malignant T cell clone as origin of the T cell lymphoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 antigen in tuberculosis].

Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) plays an important role in inflammatory diseases. We investigated levels of circulating soluble ICAM-1 in patients with miliary tuberculosis (n = 8) and pulmonary tuberculosis (n = 49). We also attempted to compare ICAM-1 levels among pulmonary tuberculosis patients according to chest X ray classification of the Japanese Society for Tuberculosis. Significantly increased levels of circulating ICAM-1 were found in patients with miliary tuberculosis and extensive (extent 3) pulmonary tuberculosis (n = 9) compared to those of controls (n = 48), but not in patients with extent 1 (n = 24) or extent 2 pulmonary tuberculosis (n = 16). Immunohistochemical examination of the tuberculous lung tissues from the patients showed intensive cellular ICAM-1 on epithelioid cells and giant cells as well as on vascular endothelial cells. These results suggest that ICAM-1 is an important adhesion molecule in tuberculosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Clinical indicators of malignancy of lung cancer].

To evaluate the malignancy of lung cancer, nuclear DNA content, AgNORs counts and cathepsin B activity were examined. The survival time of small cell carcinoma patients with limited disease of near diploid is longer than that with limited disease of hyperdiploid pattern. By flow cytometric technique, the proportion of DNA aneuploid pattern were higher in adenocarcinoma than in squamous cell carcinoma. In squamous cell carcinoma, the prognosis of patients with DNA aneuploid pattern was worse. However, there was no significant difference in survival time of adenocarcinoma patients. A good correlation between the AgNORs counts and tumor volume doubling time of non-small cell carcinoma of lung was observed. However, the AgNORs counts were an independent prognostic factor for survival time of patients with lung cancer. The survival time of lung cancer patients with the marked intensity of cathepsin B was significantly shorter than that of patients with negative and/or weak positive staining pattern. The AgNORs value and cathepsin B activity can serve as a pertinent marker for clinical assessment of malignancy of lung cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1994

Characteristics of anemia in patients with nephrotic syndrome.

Primary nephrotic syndrome can, although infrequently, cause severe anemia. However, the mechanisms of the anemia remain unknown. We investigated the mechanism of anemia in nephrotic syndrome by measuring parameters of nephrotic syndrome and anemia in 44 nephrotic patients (male: female; 21:23, average age; 43.6 +/- 20.3 years). Nephrotic patients had significantly lower hematocrits than did healthy controls (43.3 +/- 3.7 vs. 46.8 +/- 3.4% in males, 37.4 +/- 3.5 vs. 40.8 +/- 2.8% in females). Serum erythropoietin (Epo) concentrations were correlated inversely with hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), and red blood cell corpuscle (RBC) counts. Furthermore, serum Epo correlated with the serum iron concentration, but not with the other parameters, such as reticulocytes, serum protein and proteinuria. However, the maximum Epo concentration was less than 100 mU/ml in spite of severe anemia, and this was thought to be inappropriate. On the contrary, urine Epo was not detected by the same method of serum Epo determination in spite of aggressive dialysis with distilled water. When four patients with severe anemia were subcutaneously administered recombinant Epo 6,000 unit two times a week, they showed marked improvement in Hb/Hct/RBC. The precise mechanism of anemia in NS was not elucidated by this investigation, but further study should clarify the causes of the inappropriately low concentration of serum Epo in patients with primary nephrotic syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[A case of pulmonary actinomycosis; histological diagnosis obtained from transbronchial lung biopsy specimen].

We report the first case of pulmonary actinomycosis that was diagnosed by histological findings of transbronchial lung biopsy specimen. A 60-year-old man was admitted because of cough and bloody sputa. His chest roentgenogram and CT scan revealed a cavitary opacity in the apex of the left lung. Histological findings of the biopsy specimen showed multiple basophilic actinomyces granules accompanied by an acute inflammatory exudate, confirming the diagnosis of pulmonary actinomycosis. We prescribed antibiotic treatment and a good response was obtained.

Actinomycosis↗
PubMed1994

[Experimental research on choroidal circulation. 2. Choroidal blood flow increase elicited by electrical stimulation of parasympathetic nerve behind the eyeball in the cat].

The present studies were performed to examine whether the nerves behind the eye ball contain parasympathetic fibers which dilate the choroidal blood vessels. Choroidal blood flow in the cat (20 animals) was measured trans-sclerally with a laser Doppler flowmeter. Cats were anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium (30 mg/kg, i.v.) and artificially respirated after injection of pancuronium bromide (0.2 mg/kg/hr, i.v.). Electrical stimulation of the short ciliary nerve as well as of the nerve between the ciliary ganglion and accessory ciliary ganglion, where the sensory nerve is absent, elicited an increase choroidal blood flow in an intensity-dependent manner. Application of capsaicin, which is known to desensitize the polymodal nociceptive C-fibers, to these nerves did not abolish the increase in blood flow in response to electrical stimulation of the short ciliary nerve. Atropine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist, and phentolamine, an alpha-adrenoceptor blocking agent, had no effect on these responses. The results suggest that the blood flow increase elicited by stimulation of these nerves is mediated via activation of the atropine-resistant parasympathetic vasodilator fibers supplying the choroid in the cat.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

The influence of pregnancy on the long-term renal prognosis of IgA nephropathy.

The effect of pregnancy on long-term renal prognosis in women with IgA nephropathy is disputed. The clinical courses of 71 patients with biopsy proven IgA nephropathy were followed for 5 years. Thirty-six patients became pregnant during the first 2 years of follow-up (P), the remaining 35 never conceived (non-P). The pathology in preconception renal biopsy was similar to that of the women who never became pregnant. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was measured yearly as the 24 hour-clearance of creatinine and was compared between the two groups. Initial clinical data of the P and non-P were: average age 25 +/- 3: 25 +/- 3 (yrs); serum creatinine 0.8 +/- 0.2: 0.7 +/- 0.2 (mg/dl); GFR 83 +/- 15: 87 +/- 15 (ml/min); blood pressure 119 +/- 10/74 +/- 9: 121 +/- 17/71 +/- 8 (mmHg); proteinuria 0.6 +/- 0.4: 0.9 +/- 0.6 (g/day). There were no significant differences between the two groups. Average initial (83 +/- 15: 87 +/- 15) and final (69 +/- 28: 69 +/- 24) GFRs were comparable. In 80% of P and 74% of non-P patients, the GFR decrement was 25% or less at five years. Four of the P and two of the non-P progressed to end-stage renal failure and required hemodialysis. No adverse influence of gestation on the natural course of IgA nephropathy was detected.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[A case of primary pulmonary cryptococcosis with increased serum carcinoembryonic antigen].

A case of primary pulmonary cryptococcosis with increased serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) (7.0 ng/ml) is presented. The diagnosis was made by transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) and no abnormality was found in either gastrointestinal tract or immunity. Immunohistochemical study of the lung specimen showed that CEA was present on the surfaces of alveoli. The level of CEA fell to 0.8 ng/ml after administration of an antimycotic agent (Fluconazole) with simultaneous improvement of the chest radiographic findings. This case indicates that increased serum CEA depends on pulmonary cryptococcosis. TBLB and administration of antimycotic agents, instead of surgical resection, are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Expression of integrin molecules in sarcoid lesions].

In order to assess the role of adhesion molecules in sarcoid lesions, we examined the expression of integrin families and extracellular matrix proteins by immunohistochemical techniques in sarcoid lymph nodes. Epithelioid cells exhibited intensive expression of ICAM-1, the alpha 5 and the beta 2 molecules. Lymphocytes exhibited intensive expression of ICAM-1, the alpha 4, the alpha 5 and beta 2 molecules. Laminin and type IV collagen were detected at basement membranes in vessels. Fibronectin was distributed within granulomas with a concentric pattern and around granulomas with a fibrillar pattern. Its distribution was well correspondence with the alpha 5 expression. These data suggest that integrin families might play an important role in granuloma formation and migration of lymphocytes into inflamed sarcoid lesions.

Cell Movement↗