Biomedical subjects

S Abe

Publications and source records attributed to S Abe.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Skull-base invasion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: magnetic resonance imaging findings and therapeutic implications.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the value of skull-base abnormality on MRI for predicting local recurrence in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between November 1988 and February 1997, 48 patients with NPC were examined with both MRI (1.5 T) and CT prior to radiation therapy. T classification (1987 UICC) based on physical examination and CT findings were T1 in 3 cases, T2 in 22, T3 in 9, and T4 in 14. On MRI, low-intensity tissue with Gd enhancement in the marrow of the skull was considered to be a suspicious finding of skull-base invasion. CT simulation was performed in all patients. The total dose to the primary tumor was 60-75 Gy (mean, 67 Gy). The mean follow-up period was 42 months. RESULTS: All 14 T4 patients had abnormal tissue in the marrow of the skull base on MRI. Thirty-eight percent (13 of 34) of T1-3 patients were suspected to have skull-base invasion based on MRI (0% for T1, 27% [6 of 22] for T2, and 78% [7 of 9] for T3). The 5-year local control rate was significantly different between T1-3 and T4 tumors (97% vs. 69%, p < 0.025) but was not different by the presence of the MRI abnormality in the skull base. CONCLUSION: Skull-base invasion suspected solely by MRI does not relate to local recurrence provided that careful treatment planning is performed with the aid of MRI and CT simulator.

Bone Marrow Examination↗

PubMed2000

Fungal gliotoxin targets the onset of superoxide-generating NADPH oxidase of human neutrophils.

Gliotoxin from Aspergillus, bearing a S&bond;S bond in its structure, prevented the onset of O(-)(2) generation by the human neutrophil NADPH oxidase in response to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Gliotoxin affected the activation process harder than the activated oxidase, as shown by its stronger inhibition when added to neutrophils prior to, than post-PMA at maximum enzyme turnover. Decreased O(-)(2) generation persisted even if cells treated with gliotoxin were subsequently washed, with half-inhibition concentrations (IC(50)) of 5.3, and 3.5 microM for treatments of 15 and 30 min, respectively. In addition, gliotoxin made neutrophils reduce cytochrome c regardless of absence of PMA, through its reaction with intracellular reductants in an oxygen-dependent process, named redox cycling. Thus, we next tested whether preincubation of neutrophils with gliotoxin under hypoxic conditions would relieve the inhibition of NADPH oxidase. Instead, this prevention of redox cycling significantly favored damage to the NADPH oxidase with an IC(50) of 0.009 microM. Moreover, conversion of gliotoxin to its dithiol derivative by addition of reduced dithiothreitol during incubation protected cells from losing oxidase activity. These findings support that the disulfide form of gliotoxin targets NADPH oxidase activation.

Cytochrome c Group↗

PubMed2000

Effects of repeated phencyclidine treatment on serotonin transporter in rat brain.

Phencyclidine (PCP) is known to be an inhibitor of serotonin (5-HT) uptake and to increase serotonergic activity. The development of tolerance to serotonergic stereotyped behaviors induced by repeated PCP treatment and changes of 5-HT transporters were examined. Backpedalling was significantly reduced in frequency following 14 days PCP treatment (7.5 mg/kg per day). Furthermore, repeated PCP treatment decreased the equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of [3H]paroxetine binding to 5-HT transporters in whole brain excluding the cerebellum without any change of maximum number of binding sites (Bmax). Single treatment with PCP failed to change binding parameters. These results indicate that repeated PCP treatment causes tolerance in serotonergic stereotyped behavior and increases affinity of 5-HT transporters for [3H]paroxetine binding. The increased affinity of 5-HT transporters could represent compensatory responses to chronic inhibition of 5-HT uptake by PCP.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2000

Response of the radial artery to three vasodilatory agents.

We examined the response of the radial artery to vasoactive agents (isosorbide dinitrate, ISDN, 1 mg, 3 mg, and 5 mg; verapamil, 1 mg, 3 mg, and 5 mg; and lidocaine, 10 mg, 30 mg, and 50 mg) in 100 consecutive patients admitted for elective coronary angiography. The drug solutions were directly injected into the radial artery from the puncture site. As a result, 5 mg of ISDN increased the diameter of the radial artery by 31% and 28.8% at the proximal and distal sites, respectively. Similarly, 5 mg of verapamil increased it by 9% and 10.8% at the proximal and distal site, respectively. But 10 mg of lidocaine decreased it by -15.6% and -12.1% at the proximal and distal site, respectively. At the doses utilized, ISDN was the most potent vasodilator for the radial artery and lidocaine caused paradoxical vasoconstriction.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Differential expression of GABA(A) receptor subunit mRNAs and ligand binding sites in rat brain following phencyclidine administration.

Recent biochemical observations have suggested the abnormalities in the gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA)ergic system in schizophrenic brains. In the present study, we investigated the subunits gene expressions and ligand binding of the GABA(A) receptor following acute and chronic administration of phencyclidine (PCP), which induces schizophrenia-like symptoms, in rats using in situ hybridization and in vitro quantitative autoradiography. PCP i.p. administration at a daily dose of 7.5 mg/kg resulted in a significant decrease in expression of alpha 1 subunit mRNA in cerebral cortices (cingulate (-13%) and temporal cortex (-6%)) and hippocampal formation (CA1 (-11%), CA2 (-10%), CA3 (-11%) and dentate gyrus (-12%)) 1 h after a single treatment. In the repeated PCP administrations for 14 days, the expression of beta 2 mRNA in the cerebellum (-10%) and of beta 3 mRNA in the cerebral cortices (cingulate (-12%), parietal (-16%) and temporal cortex (-16%), caudate putamen (-18%), inferior colliculus (-18%), and cerebellum (-15%) were significantly decreased. In addition, [(35)S]t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate (TBPS) binding was also reduced in layer IV of the frontoparietal cortex (-14%), inferior colliculus (-17%), and cerebellum (-12%) following chronic PCP treatment, while no changes were observed following acute PCP treatment. These results indicate that single and repeated administrations of PCP independently regulate the expression of GABA(A)/benzodiazepine (BZD) receptor subunits mRNA and its receptor binding in the brain.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Effects of cocaine administration on receptor binding and subunits mRNA of GABA(A)-benzodiazepine receptor complexes.

The effects of intermittent intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of cocaine (20 mg/kg) on GABA(A)-benzodiazepine (BZD) receptors labeled by t-[(35)S]butylbicyclophosphorothionate (TBPS), and on several types of mRNA subunits were investigated in rat brain by in vitro quantitative receptor autoradiography and in situ hybridization. Phosphor screen imaging with high sensitivity and a wide linear range of response was utilized for imaging analysis. There was a significant decrease in the level of alpha 1, alpha 6, beta 2, beta 3, and gamma 2 subunits mRNA, with no alteration of [(35)S]TBPS binding in any regions in the brain of rats at 1 h following a single injection of cocaine. In chronically treated animals, the mean scores of stereotyped behavior were increased with the number of injections. The level of beta 3 subunit mRNA was decreased in the cortices and caudate putamen, at 24 h after a final injection of chronic administrations for 14 days. In the withdrawal from cocaine, the frontal cortex and hippocampal complexes showed a significant increase in [(35)S]TBPS binding and alpha1 and beta 3 subunit mRNA in the rats 1 week after a cessation of chronic administration of cocaine. These findings suggest that the disruption of GABA(A)-BZD receptor formation is closely involved in the development of cocaine-related behavioral disturbances. Further studies on the physiological functions on GABA(A)-BZD receptor complex will be necessary for an explanation of the precise mechanisms underlying the acute effects, development of hypersensitization, and withdrawal state of cocaine.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Generation, Microwave Spectrum, Barrier to Internal Rotation of Methyl Group, and ab Initio MO Calculation of syn-2-Nitrosopropene, syn-CH(2)&dbond;C(CH(3))&bond;N&dbond;O.

syn-2-Nitrosopropene was generated, in the gas phase, by chemical reaction of 1-chloro-2-(hydroxyimino)propane with K(2)CO(3) and identified by microwave spectroscopy. The microwave spectrum of the reaction product was observed in the frequency range from 8.0 to 40.0 GHz. The rotational constants (MHz) were determined as A = 8744.09(6), B = 4846.07(2), and C = 3177.84(3) for CH(2)&dbond;C(CH(3))&bond;(14)NO (normal species) and A = 8664.36(5), B = 4822.15(3), and C = 3157.04(3) for CH(2)&dbond;C(CH(3))&bond;(15)NO ((15)N species) in the ground vibrational state. The values of the planar moment (P(cc) = (I(a) + I(b) - I(c))/2) obtained for the normal and (15)N species were 1.525(1) and 1.526(1) u Å(2), respectively. This suggests that the nitrogen atom lies in or is close to the ab inertial plane of the molecule and shows also that only two hydrogen atoms are located symmetrically out of the symmetry plane. The reaction product was determined to be syn-2-nitrosopropene by comparing the observed and calculated rotational constants, kappa (Ray's asymmetry parameter) and r(s) coordinates of the nitrogen atom. The dipole moments (D) were determined to be µ(a) = 2.43(5), µ(b) = 1.12(7), and µ(total) = 2.67(7). The barrier heights of the internal rotation owing to the methyl group of the normal species in the ground and first excited torsional states were determined to be 1750(50) and 1740(50) cal/mol (1 cal/mol = 4.184 J/mol), respectively. The (14)N nuclear quadrupole coupling constants (MHz) were determined to be chi(aa) = 0.25(21), chi(bb) = -7.11(40), and chi(cc) = 6.85(61). Two vibrational excited states were observed and the vibrational frequencies (cm(-1)) of the C-N and C-C torsional modes were determined to be 160(40) and 175(40), respectively. The lifetime of syn-2-nitrosopropene was found to be ca. 2 min in the waveguide cell. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2000

Focal therapeutic efficacy of transcatheter arterial infusion of styrene maleic acid neocarzinostatin for hepatocellular carcinoma.

We evaluated the focal therapeutic effect of oily carcinostatic agents administered by transcatheter arterial infusion (TAI) as the initial therapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in a randomized controlled clinical trial. Group A (19 patients) received 4 mg of styrene maleic acid neocarzinostatin in 4 ml of Lipiodol, and group B (18 patients) received 100 mg of epirubicin in 4 ml of Lipiodol via the tumor feeding arteries as peripherally as possible. The grade of Lipiodol accumulation and the tumor regression rate were determined 2 weeks after TAI by computerized tomography. Adverse effects within 2 weeks after TAI were evaluated by subjective signs and symptoms such as fever (maximum body temperature) and the frequency of shaking chills and abdominal pain, and by biochemical parameters such as albumin, prothrombin time, and aspartate and alanine aminotransferases. Lipiodol accumulation in the tumor was significantly greater in group A (12/19; 63.2% showing grade IV Lipiodol accumulation) than in group B (3/18; 16.7% showing grade IV) (P<0.05). The tumor regression rate was also significantly greater in group A (8/17; 47.1% showing more than 25% tumor regression) than in group B (1/13; 7.7% showing more than 25% tumor regression) (P<0.05). Although clinically significant elevations of aminotransferases and reductions of cholinesterase, and shaking chills were observed more often in group A than in group B (P<0.0001), these factors had little influence on the clinical outcome. Our results suggest that styrene maleic acid neocarzinostatin in Lipiodol exerts a more favorable focal therapeutic effect than does epirubicin in Lipiodol in the initial treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed2000

Rapidly enlarging dermoid cyst over the anterior fontanel: a case report and review of the literature.

A case report of a rapidly enlarging dermoid cyst over the anterior fontanel is presented. Our presentation demonstrates the course of rapid enlargement of the tumor with radiological images, which were examined at birth and during the process of the tumor enlargement. The literature is reviewed with respect to the nature of this tumor, especially to the relationship of tumor enlargement.

Cranial Sutures↗

PubMed2000

Cronkhite-Canada syndrome: report of two cases.

Two cases of Cronkhite-Canada syndrome are reported. In the first case, a 56-year-old woman had an adenoma of the colon, arising within the Cronkhite-Canada polyps, which was removed by endoscopic polypectomy. This suggests possible neoplastic transformation of polyps in this syndrome. She achieved remission with corticosteroids, but the polyposis recurred (only in the stomach) 7 months after the remission. In the recurrent polyposis, corticosteroid therapy resulted again in complete remission, which has lasted for 5 years. In the second case, a 69-year-old man developed typical manifestations of the syndrome while under emotional stress. He had a past history of chronic pityriasis lichenoides, and serum antinuclear antibody was positive. These findings suggested a possible role of autoimmune response in the pathogenesis of the syndrome. Corticosteroids were also effective in this patient.

Adenoma↗

PubMed2000

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors treated by laparoscopic surgery: report of three cases.

Three cases of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) were treated by a laparoscopic wedge resection of the stomach. The tumor characteristics were confirmed to be nonepithelial, nonlymphomatous, nonmyogenic, and nonneurogenic gastrointestinal neoplasms with an uncertain origin which were CD34-positive and actin- and S-100-negative. The malignant potential was estimated based on the mitotic figures and growth rates. The results suggest that laparoscopic surgery is an adequate strategy for gastric submucosal tumors including GIST, and also indicates this technique to be a curative, safe, and minimally invasive procedure for both diagnosis and treatment.

Actins↗

PubMed2000

Characteristic biological effects of itraconazole on L929 fibroblasts and their cell membrane.

Itraconazole (ITCZ), a triazole antifungal agent, was studied for its effects on the morphology and function of L929 fibroblasts. L929 fibroblasts were cultured for 20 h with ITCZ or one of several other triazoles (fluconazole, ketoconazole, and hydroxy-itraconazole [ITCZ-OH]) at the concentration of 0.5 microg/ml. Among these agents, only ITCZ and its metabolite ITCZ-OH markedly elongated the cells bidirectionally. Scanning electron microscopy studies showed that the surface of the elongated cells was smoother than that of the untreated cells. The viability of L929 cells cultured with 0.5 microg/ml of ITCZ for 20 h was not lowered. However, after treatment with 0.0375% sodium deoxycholate (DOC) solution, the viability of the cells treated with ITCZ, as evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2thiazoyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) proliferation assay or the release of lactic dehydrogenase from cytoplasm, was decreased. When L929 cells were cultured in the presence of a combination of ITCZ and vincristine, their growth was synergistically inhibited. This synergism was also observed when ITCZ was replaced by ITCZ-OH, but not by the other azoles. These findings suggest that the exposure of L929 fibroblasts to low ITCZ concentrations affects the physiological nature of their cell membrane.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Measurement of urinary annexin V by ELISA and its significance as a new urinary-marker of kidney disease.

To confirm the significance of excretion of annexin V into the urine and the change of urinary annexin V concentration in kidney disease, a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed using two monoclonal antibodies. Urinary annexin V concentration was measured in healthy individuals and patients with kidney and other diseases. Urinary annexin V did not change over a range of pH between 5.0 and 8.0, and was stable during the course of the study for 24 h at room temperature and for 8 days at 4 degrees C. The mean urinary annexin V concentration in 105 normal healthy individuals was 1.5+/-1.5 ng/ml, while that in patients with nephrotic syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) nephritis was 9.3+/-9.1 and 6.6+/-6.7 ng/ml, respectively, and that in IgA nephropathy and chronic renal failure was 2.6+/-2.1 and 1.3+/-0.7 ng/ml, respectively. Annexin level correlated with urinary protein concentration (r=0. 717), but not the serum creatinine concentration, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and 24-h creatinine clearance. Mean urinary annexin V concentration in patients with ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus was 1.4+/-1.0, 1.4+/-1.1, and 1.7+/-1.3 ng/ml, respectively. In one case of relapsing nephrotic syndrome, the urinary annexin V concentration was markedly increased in the early phase after admission and then decreased. This patient later required hemodialysis. These results suggest that a high urinary annexin V concentration may be an indicator of acute renal injury related to the urinary protein level.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Plasma nitrite/nitrate concentrations as a tumor marker for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Since plasma concentrations of nitrite/nitrate, the stable end-products of nitric oxide, increase in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) correlatively to tumor volume, we examined the ability of plasma nitrite/nitrate to discriminate between those patients with HCC and those without and compared the diagnostic performance of the parameter with that of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) concentrations. Plasma nitrite/nitrate and serum AFP concentrations were measured using a Griess reaction and a solid phase enzyme immunoassay, respectively. Eighty-nine patients with chronic liver diseases (CLD) with (n=39) or without HCC (n=50) and 50 healthy control subjects participated in the study. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off value and accuracy. The areas under ROC curves for nitrite/nitrate and AFP were calculated to be 0.758 and 0.812, respectively, which were not significantly different. There was no correlation between the concentrations of plasma nitrite/nitrate and serum AFP. The sensitivity, the specificity, and diagnostic efficiency were 79.5, 72.0, and 75.3%, respectively, for nitrite/nitrate, and 74.4, 76.0, and 75.3%, respectively, for AFP. Based on a partial ROC curve, the clinical utility of plasma nitrite/nitrate as a tumor marker approximated that of serum AFP, but exceeded in AFP-negative patients. Indeed, nitrite/nitrate was positive in 70% of AFP-negative HCC patients. The simultaneous determinations of serum AFP and plasma nitrite/nitrate concentrations gave significant improvement in detection of HCC in CLD patients compared with that of serum AFP alone.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Discovery of novel trans-3,5-disubstituted pyrrolidinylthio-1beta-methylcarbapenems.

Novel trans-3,5-disubstituted pyrrolidinylthio-1beta-methylcarbapenems were designed and synthesized to provide J-111,347 (1a) as the first example of an exceptionally broad-spectrum antibiotic, showing activity against methicillin-resistant Staphyloccocus aureus (MRSA) as well as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Further derivation of 1a afforded J-111,225 (2a), J-114,870 (3a), and J-114,871 (3b). which showed improved safety profiles and retained broad-spectrum antibacterial activities.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Mast cells correlate with angiogenesis and poor outcome in stage I lung adenocarcinoma.

Angiogenesis is in part related to mast cells. However, the biological significance of mast cells within lung carcinoma remains unclear. Immunohistochemistry was used to stain for tryptase, CD34 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in 85 cases of stage I nonsmall cell lung carcinoma. VEGF was found in 33 of 53 adenocarcinomas and 14 of 32 squamous cell carcinomas. Cases of adenocarcinoma had significantly higher mast cell counts than those of squamous cell carcinoma. In adenocarcinoma, mast cell counts in VEGF-positive tumours were significantly higher than in VEGF-negative tumours, whereas in squamous cell carcinoma they were not. Good correlation was observed between intratumoural mast cell counts and microvessel counts. Double staining showed most intratumoural mast cells expressed VEGF. Importantly, only in lung adenocarcinoma, members in the high mast cell count group had significantly worse prognosis than those in the low mast cell count group. It is concluded that tumour-released vascular endothelial growth factors may be related to mast cell accumulation, intratumoural mast cells may produce vascular endothelial growth factor, and stromal mast cells correlate with angiogenesis and poor outcome in stage I lung adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2000

Association of Clara cell 10-kDa protein, spontaneous regression and sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disorder with a high rate of spontaneous regression. Clara cell 10-kDa protein (CC10), the predominant product of nonciliated bronchiolar epithelial cells, is a potent immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory agent. CC10 levels were measured in sera and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids from 31 sarcoidosis patients (nine progressive disease and 22 regressive disease) and their relevance to spontaneous regression investigated. The inhibitory effects of recombinant CC10 on interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) production were examined using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated sarcoid BAL fluid cells, and the blocking effects of monoclonal antibody TY-5, directed against CC10, on CC10 function were also tested. Serum and BAL fluid CC10 levels in the regressive disease group were significantly higher than those in the progressive disease group (serum, p<0.05; BAL fluid, p<0.005) and healthy subjects (serum, p<0.0001; BAL fluid, p<0.005). CC10 inhibited, in part, IFN-gamma production from LPS-stimulated sarcoid BAL fluid cells (CC10 inhibition: 1,000 ng x mL(-1), 30%; 100 ng x mL(-1), 14%). TY-5 restored IFN-gamma production by blocking CC10 function. Sarcoidosis patients with regressive disease showed increased Clara cell 10-kDa protein levels in their sera and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids. Clara cell 10-kDa protein may be a regulator of the inflammatory process in sarcoidosis.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Giant negative T waves in Guillain-Barré syndrome.

A Guillain-Barré syndrome patient showed giant negative T waves on electrocardiography at the height of the disease, with large left ventricular hypokinesis on echocardiography and extensive defects on 123I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine myocardial scintigraphy. Gamma-globulin improved the neurological symptoms, and the above abnormalities resolved. We speculate that cardiac sympathetic nerve endings were transiently damaged, with consequent myocardial injury, due to norepinephrine toxicity.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗