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Biomedical subjects

S Hagiwara

Publications and source records attributed to S Hagiwara.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Maternal uniparental meroisodisomy in the LAMB3 region of chromosome 1 results in lethal junctional epidermolysis bullosa.

Herlitz junctional epidermolysis bullosa (OMIM#226700) is a lethal, autosomal recessive blistering disorder caused by mutations in one of the three genes LAMA3, LAMB3, or LAMC2, encoding the constitutive polypeptide subunits of laminin 5. In this study, we describe a patient homozygous for a novel nonsense mutation Q936X in exon 19 of LAMB3, which has been mapped to chromosome 1q32. The patient was born with extensive blistering and demonstrated negative immunofluorescence staining for laminin 5, and transmission electron microscopy revealed tissue separation within lamina lucida of the dermal-epidermal junction, diagnostic of Herlitz junctional epidermolysis bullosa. The mother of the proband was found to be a heterozygous carrier for this mutation, whereas the father demonstrated the wild-type LAMB3 allele only. Nonpaternity was excluded by 13 microsatellite markers in six different chromosomes. Genotype analysis using 28 microsatellite markers spanning chromosome 1 revealed that the patient had maternal primary heterodisomy, as well as meroisodisomy within two regions of chromosome 1, one on 1p and the other one on 1q, the latter region containing the maternal LAMB3 mutation. These results suggest that Herlitz junctional epidermolysis bullosa in this patient developed as a result of reduction to homozygosity of the maternal LAMB3 mutation on chromosome 1q32.

Cell Adhesion Molecules↗

Conservative management of acoustic neurinomas: prospective study of long-term changes in tumor volume and auditory function.

Recently reported retrospective analysis on the natural courses of acoustic neurinomas have disclosed that 26-86% of tumors show very slow, or no, growth for many years. To our knowledge, however, there have been no prospective analyses of the natural course of these tumors. We prospectively analyzed tumor growth as well as auditory function changes in 12 patients (13 tumors) managed conservatively. All 12 patients were advised to undergo both pure tone audiometry and magnetic resonance imaging at 3-4 month intervals for the first follow-up year and at 1-2 year intervals thereafter. Then, in the event of either significant tumor growth (> 20% volume increase) or hearing deterioration (> 10 dB), a decision would be made as to whether the patient should undergo either surgery or radiosurgery. A significant increase in tumor volume was confirmed in seven of the 13 tumors during the mean observation period of 564 days (88-1269 days). In another patient, though neither tumor growth nor worsening of auditory acuity was significant, the patient complained of subjective change in the symptoms. Therefore, we decided to treat eight (62%) of the 13 tumors. In contrast, neither tumor growth nor worsening of auditory acuity has as yet occurred in the remaining five tumors (38%) which have been observed for a mean period of 627 days (342-1377 days). Careful follow-up of these five patients is ongoing. Although further long-term follow-up is clearly necessary, conservative treatment appears to be a reasonable alternative to immediate treatment for selected patients with acoustic neurinomas.

Adult↗

Subgingival distribution of periodontopathic bacteria in adult periodontitis and their susceptibility to minocycline-HCl.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution of several periodontopathic bacteria in adult periodontitis, their in vitro susceptibility to minocycline-HCl, and whether the efficacy of the drug changes with a decrease in bacterial susceptibility. Twenty-one patients (43 to 75 years old) with 62 periodontal lesions from pockets > or =4 mm participated in the study. After subgingival sampling, an ointment containing 2% minocycline-HCl was applied locally to the selected pockets once a week for 4 weeks. The lesions were clinically examined after 1 and 4 weeks of administration. The distribution of the subgingival microorganisms included Capnocytophaga sputigena (37.1%), Prevotella intermedia (22.6%), Porphyromonas gingivalis (22.6%), Fusobacterium nucleatum (20.1%), Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (9.7%), and Eikenella corrodens (4.8%). The distribution was complex, with 76.8% of the sites containing 1 to 3 bacterial spieces. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of minocycline-HCl for each organism showed that most were inhibited by a minocycline-HCl concentration equal to or less than the MIC for reference strains. However, some clinical strains of Prevotella intermedia seemed to exihibit low susceptibility to minocycline-HCl. There were no significant differences among sites with strains exhibiting low or normal susceptibility to minocycline-HCl. The concentration of the drug applied to deep periodontal pockets inhibited the growth of most of the microorganisms investigated in this study.

Administration, Topical↗

Mesencephalic projections from superficial and deep laminae of the medullary dorsal horn.

The mesencephalic projection pattern of axons arising from the medullary dorsal horn (MDH) was studied on the basis of axonal transport of Phaseolus vulgaris Leucoagglutinin (PHA-L). After large injections of PHA-L into both the superficial and deep laminae of the MDH, labeled fibers were observed in the anterior pretectal area (ATP), internal gray matter of the superior colliculus (InG), and rostral linear raphe nucleus (RLi) in the contralateral mesencephalon, and also in the ipsilateral parabrachial nucleus (PBA). Restriction of PHA-L to only the superficial laminae resulted in heavy axon labeling and varicosity in the APT and little labeling in the lateral part of the InG of the contralateral mesencephalic nuclei and the dorsal part of the ipsilateral PBA. On the other hand, after injections into the deep laminae, labeled axons were distributed mainly in the contralateral InG and RLi. Therefore, it is concluded that there are two different major pain pathways from the superficial and deep laminae of the MDH to the mesencephalic nuclei, processing nociceptive information in the trigeminal system.

Animals↗

[Clinical and radiological study of pulmonary actinomycosis].

We clinically and radiologically examined 8 patients with pulmonary actinomycosis. Their clinical features were slowly progressive, and the most commonly occurring symptom was hemoptysis. Laboratory findings disclosed elevated ESRs, a sign of chronic inflammation. Roentgenographic films showed a higher percentage of lesions in the right lung and on the dorsal side. On chest CT images, the lesions appeared as nodular or consolidated shadows with atelectasis, and spread widely over the parietal pleura in the periphery of the lung fields. The margins of the nodules were irregular, and multiple blood vessels were involved. The internal density of the nodules contained either a low attenuation region or cavity. In relation to the pleural, local pleural thickening adjacent to the nodules was identified in all patients, and the thickened areas were thin and smooth. Although it was difficult to diagnose by transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB), granulation tissue obtained by TBLB was considered an important finding suggestive of pulmonary actinomycosis. As diagnostic procedures, repeated TBLBs appear to be effective for lesions extending into the hilar region, and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, for small nodular lesions located in the periphery of the lung fields.

Actinomycosis↗

Spontaneous regression of primary intracranial germinoma. A case report.

BACKGROUND: Testicular seminomas are well known to regress spontaneously at a higher incidence than other tumors. To date, there have been no reports of spontaneous regression of an intracranial germinoma, although these tumors are histologically identical to testicular seminomas. METHODS: The authors present a patient with a primary intracranial germinoma that regressed spontaneously. RESULTS: A 21-year-old man was admitted to the study facility with acute onset of headache and vomiting. He had a 3-year history of polydipsia and polyuria. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a large tumor in the third ventricle, accompanied by hydrocephalus. He underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement on the second day of hospitalization. A CT scan obtained on the fifth postoperative day demonstrated a remarkable decrease in tumor size. Because serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a gradual decrease in tumor size, tumor resection was not performed at that time. The patient was discharged and followed with MRI. The tumor continued to regress for more than 2 months. The patient was readmitted due to tumor regrowth, confirmed by MRI 4 months after the initial admission, despite the absence of symptom exacerbation. Two weeks later, the suprasellar portion of the tumor was resected through a right frontotemporal craniotomy. The histopathologic diagnosis was a germinoma. No concurrent tumors were found on whole body examination. The residual tumor gradually regressed after conventional radiation therapy and there has been neither tumor recurrence nor metastasis to date. CONCLUSIONS: Although the precise cause of the transient partial regression is unknown, this case indicates that, like their testicular counterparts, intracranial germinomas may on occasion spontaneously regress.

Adult↗

Effects of recombinant human interleukin-3 on maturation of megakaryocytic cell line, CMK.

It is well known that interleukin-3 (IL-3) stimulates the proliferation of megakaryocyte colonies. On the other hand, it remains unclear whether IL-3 also promotes the maturation of megakaryocytes. In this report, we investigated the effects of IL-3 on megakaryocyte maturation in vitro using the human megakaryocytic cell line, CMK, which excludes the influence of bone marrow accessory cells. CMK cells were incubated both with and without 2-50 U/ml of recombinant human IL-3 (rhIL-3) and then analyzed for the effects on proliferation, cell size, DNA ploidy and the expression of platelet glycoproteins. We initially confirmed that CMK cells express IL-3 receptors (IL-3R) on the surface, and rhIL-3 stimulates the proliferation of CMK cells, showing their IL-3R function normally. With addition of rhIL-3 to the CMK cell culture system, increments in cell size, a significant shift toward high ploidy classes, and an increased expression of platelet glycoproteins CD29, CD41, CD42a, CD42b and CDw49f were newly observed. These findings suggest that rhIL-3 acts directly on human megakaryocytes and has the ability to directly promote both proliferation and maturation of megakaryocytes, without the help of accessory cells. Furthermore, rhIL-3 induced/enhanced the expression of mRNA for granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in CMK cells. Therefore, the effects of rhIL-3 on the maturation of megakaryocytic cell lines demonstrated in this study may be partly mediated by the action of cytokines such as LIF and GM-CSF, which are induced by IL-3 in the megakaryocytic cell line.

Cell Division↗

Assessment of osteoporosis: comparison of radiographic absorptiometry of the phalanges and dual X-ray absorptiometry of the radius and lumbar spine.

PURPOSE: To evaluate radiographic absorptiometry (RA) of the phalanges in healthy women and in women with osteoporosis and to compare the results of RA with those of dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the radius and spine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two healthy premenopausal women, 39 healthy postmenopausal women, and 35 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis underwent RA of the phalanges and DXA of the radius and lumbar spine. Pairwise comparisons, age-related bone losses, and percentage decrements and Student t values for intergroup discrimination were calculated. The ability to identify patients with osteoporotic fractures was evaluated by using receiver operating characteristic and age-adjusted logistic regression analyses. The diagnostic agreement for osteoporosis was assessed with kappa statistics. RESULTS: Findings from RA were correlated with those from spinal DXA (r = .56). The annual bone losses in healthy women, as measured with RA, radial DXA, and spinal DXA, were 0.47%, 0.47%, and 0.32%, respectively. Intergroup percentage decrements and t values obtained with RA were comparable to those obtained with radial and with spinal DXA. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed no statistically significant differences. The odds ratios for RA, radial DXA, and spinal DXA were 2.1, 1.9, and 2.4, respectively. The kappa scores were 0.44 for both RA versus radial DXA and RA versus spinal DXA, and the score was 0.22 for radial DXA versus spinal DXA. CONCLUSION: RA appears to be a useful technique for assessing age- and menopause-related bone loss and for identifying women with osteoporosis.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Subcellular location of polyphenol oxidase in apples.

The location of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in cells of apple fruit was examined by immunohistochemistry and subcellular fractionation. In mature apple fruits, where vacuoles occupy most of the cells, PPO was detected immunochemically near the cell walls with use of anti-apple PPO antibodies. In cells of immature fruits and tissue culture, PPO was detected in organelles other than the vacuoles, probably in plastids. The plastid fraction was purified by density gradient ultracentrifugation, and the activities of PPO and marker enzymes of plastids were the highest in the plastids. Most apple PPO was in plastids, as are other plant PPOs, and some of the protein was solubilized and proteolyzed during ripening and storage.

Blotting, Western↗

Isolation of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi from thoroughbred horses in a racehorse-breeding area of Japan.

For determination whether strangles has invaded the Hidaka district of Hokkaido, the main racehorse-breeding area of Japan, a epizootiological survey with bacterial isolation was carried out during the breeding season in 1995. Streptococcus equi subsp. equi, which is the causative agent of strangles, was isolated from two Thoroughbred horses with submandibular lymphadenitis. Isolates were identified by serological grouping, biochemical tests and analysis of cell surface proteins by Western immunoblotting. Through this survey, it revealed that S. equi subsp. equi has invaded the Hidaka district and that strangles has become prevalent in racehorse-breeding farms in this area.

Animals↗

Isolation of virulent Rhodococcus equi from transtracheal aspirates of foals serodiagnosed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Although isolation of Rhodococcus equi from tracheobronchial aspirates is thought to be a definitive diagnosis of R. equi pneumonia in foals, virulence of isolates from the aspirates of infected foals remains obscure. In the present study, transtracheal aspirates were collected from thirty-one 1- to 6-month-old foals, which showed clinical signs of respiratory tract infection, and R. equi isolates were analyzed for the presence of virulence plasmids and virulence-associated antigens. Moreover, this method was compared with a serodiagnosis by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to evaluate the sensitivity of the ELISA. Of the 31 foals, 21 revealed positive cultures for R. equi. Of the 21 foals, 20 (95%) had an ELISA OD value of 0.3 (positive limit of this test) or higher at the initial medical examination. All of the isolates from the aspirates were virulent R. equi, which contained virulence plasmids and expressed virulence-associated antigens. In the remaining 10 foals showing a negative culture for R. equi, 3 foals had positive ELISA titers. Six foals died during the treatment, and necropsy revealed that 5 of the 6 foals had R. equi infection characterized by large abscesses in the lungs, and 3 of the 5 foals also had intestinal lesions. All clinical isolates from the lesions of the foals were virulent R. equi. These results support the assumption that isolates from the transtracheal aspirates of infected foals are virulent R. equi and the sensitivity of ELISA might demonstrate a serodiagnostic value for early diagnosis of R. equi infection in foals.

Actinomycetales Infections↗

MIB-1 staining index and peritumoral brain edema of meningiomas.

BACKGROUND: Growth rates and tumor aggressiveness of meningiomas are thought to be closely related to brain edema development. However, histopathologic data alone are not consistently accurate predictors of the behavior and clinical course of a meningioma. METHODS: The authors examined 57 histologically proven intracranial meningiomas to identify factors, including growth fractions determined by MIB-1 immunostaining, that may influence the development of meningioma-associated peritumoral brain edema. There were 54 benign, 2 atypical, and 1 anaplastic meningiomas. The MIB-1 staining index (SI) percentage was defined as the number of MIB-1 positive cells divided by the total number of tumor cells in a 1.037-square millimeter area on the slide. The extent of peritumoral brain edema was determined using preoperative magnetic resonance imaging. The extent of edema was classified as Grade 0,1, or 2 (GR0, GR1, or GR2), in order of increasing severity. RESULTS: The MIB-1 SIs of the 57 cases ranged from 0.06-6.8% (median, 0.80%). There were 26 GR0, 20 GR1, and 11 GR2 edema cases. The MIB-1 SI rose in order of increasing edema severity. There was a statistically significant correlation between the MIB-1 SI and the extent of brain edema (P<0.0001), and also between the tumor size and the extent of brain edema (P=0.001). Meningothelial and atypical/anaplastic meningiomas were associated with peritumoral brain edema more often than any other subtype (P<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Growth fractions, as determined by MIB-1 immunostaining, rise with increasing severity of peritumoral brain edema, indicating a close relationship between tumor aggressiveness and edema development.

Adult↗

Accuracy and precision study in vitro for peripheral quantitative computed tomography.

We evaluated the accuracy and precision of a peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) scanner, the Stratec XCT-960, using 12 human cadaveric forearms. The accuracy was determined by comparing the total bone mineral content (BMC) with the ash weight (AW). We scanned and ashed three consecutive slices (thickness 2.5 mm) at the standard position (s-position) and at 2.5 mm both proximal and distal to the s-position. The correlation coefficient between the AW and total BMC using slices at the s-position was r = 0.87 with an accuracy error (random component) of 15.5%. The correlation coefficient using all slices was r = 0.90 with an accuracy error of 14.3%. The correlation coefficient improved to r = 0.95 with an accuracy error of 9.7% after averaging the results of all three slices for each forearm. The short-term precision error expressed as the coefficient of variation (CV) of bone mineral density (BMD) and BMC was determined by measuring the forearms five times either with repositioning or without repositioning. The CVs with repositioning were 2.77 and 1.15 for total BMD and BMC, 1.85 for trabecular BMD; without repositioning they were 0.29, 0.58 and 0.69 respectively. To further evaluate the influence of positioning, additional scans were performed at 1, 2 and 5 mm proximal, and 1 and 2 mm distal to the s-position. BMD and BMC were greatly influenced by the scan location; for example, the percentage differences in trabecular BMD 1 mm distal and proximal relative to the s-position were 2.5% +/- 5.1% and 0.18% +/- 6.3%, respectively. The Stratec XCT-960 appears to be a moderately accurate and highly precise scanner with potential usefulness for evaluating BMC and BMD of ultradistal radius.

Bone Density↗

Expression of Vpre-B3 (8HS-20) molecules by alternative RNA processing.

In pre-B cells, mu chains are expressed in association with "surrogate' L chains encoded by the lambda 5 and Vpre-B1 genes. In addition to their association with lambda 5 and Vpre-B1, mu chains in pre-B cells are associated with the products of the Vpre-B3 gene (formerly designated 8HS-20), which display a distinct association with mu chains and biochemical properties in terms of mol. wt, pI value and glycosylation. However, the mechanism of the generation of Vpre-B3 isoforms has been unknown. The present study indicates that the Vpre-B3 gene transcript underwent alternative RNA processing in normal B cells, in a pre-B cell lymphoma and in a mature B cell lymphoma, WEHI 231, that was transfected with the Vpre-B3 genomic clone. Vpre-B3 isoforms were expressed in a WEHI 231 cell line transfected with the Vpre-B3 genomic clone, comparable in biochemical nature to those expressed in a pre-B cell lymphoma. In contrast, expression of one of the isoforms was missing in a cell line transfected with the Vpre-B3 cDNA clone. These results suggest that Vpre-B3 isoforms with distinct biochemical characteristics are derived from alternatively processed Vpre-B3 mRNA.

Alternative Splicing↗

Is unchanged tumor volume after radiosurgery a measure of outcome?

We report three patients who underwent Gamma Knife radiosurgery for benign tumors (meningioma, neurinoma and hemangioblastoma), in whom an 'unchanged tumor volume' demonstrated by postirradiation follow-up neuroimaging could be regarded as a successful treatment results, as compared with preradiosurgery tumor growth. It is our view that unless significant tumor growth has been observed before radiosurgery, 'unchanged in size' after radiosurgery cannot be regarded as a successful treatment result. Because relatively few hemangioblastoma patients have been treated radiosurgically, this report emphasizes the course of one case with hemangioblastoma.

Adult↗

Hemoglobin types, erythrocyte membrane skeleton and plasma iron concentration in calves with poikilocytosis.

The pathogenesis of poikilocytosis in calves was investigated. Nine calves 1 to 2 months old exhibiting poikilocytosis (poikilocytic calves), were examined. The proportion of poikilocytes in their blood was more than 70% in two calves (severely poikilocytic), while it averaged 30% in the remaining seven calves (moderately poikilocytic). All of the polikilocytic calves exhibited mild anemia. The concentration of plasma iron in 8 of them was 20-30% of that in normal calves, but it increased as the calves aged. The polikilocyte count in moderately poikilocytic calves decreased in proportion to the increase of the plasma iron concentration, though a high poikilocyte count was observed in a severely poikilocytic calf even after the plasma iron concentration reached the normal level. Column chromatography of a hemoglobin preparation from all the calves examined revealed 5 distinct peaks. Three peaks were embryonic, fetal and adult hemoglobins, respectively. The other peaks were tentatively designated Hb-2 and Hb-3, respectively. The amount of Hb-2 in the two severely poikilocytic calves was about three times that in the other calves including those moderately poikilocytic, and it decreased as the calves aged. The decrease of Hb-2 in one severely poikilocytic calf was related to a reduction of the proportion of poikilocytes in its peripheral blood. There was no significant difference in age-dependent changes of hemoglobin types between moderately poikilocytic calves and normal calves. Furthermore, SDS-PAGE analysis of red cell membrane revealed that protein 4.2 consisted of two polypeptides in the two severely poikilocytic, and three moderately poikilocytic calves, while it consisted of a single polypeptide in the remaining calves examined. These results indicated that the abnormalities of hemoglobin composition and protein 4.2 in the erythrocyte membrane observed in the severely poikilocytic calves might be responsible for the morphological changes in the erythrocytes, whereas iron deficiency was thought to be the predominant cause of poikilocytosis in the moderately poikilocytic calves.

Anemia↗