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Biomedical subjects

S Hirata

Publications and source records attributed to S Hirata.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Effect of oocyte retrieval from a small leading follicle in fixed-schedule in vitro fertilization program.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the propriety of oocyte retrieval (OR) form a small leading follicle during a fixed-schedule in vitro fertilization (IVF) program. METHODS: OR was fixed only to take place on Wednesdays. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment was initiated on the first day of the cycle, human menopausal gonadotrophin was given for 7 days starting on the next Monday, and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) was given on the Tuesday before the OR. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the follicular size observed before the day of hCG administration: Group 1 (141 cycles), with follicles > 16 mm in mean diameter; and Group 2 (38 cycles) with follicles of 10 to 16 mm in mean diameter. RESULTS: Fertilization rates and the incidence of mature oocytes were higher in Group 1 than in Group 2. However, the mean number of oocytes recovered and pregnancy rates were similar in the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: It is worthwhile to retrieve the oocyte from a small leading follicle in a fixed-schedule IVF program.

Adult↗

Transient rise in serum cytokines during coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

In order to examine the specificity of cytokine production during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, we serially measured serum levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), in twenty patients between 52 and 80 years of age, during surgery and 2 days afterwards. Serum MCP-1, as well as IL-8 and IL-6, increased significantly during the surgery (P < 0.05), while IL-1 beta and TNF did not. MCP-1, IL-8 and IL-6 concentrations were not different in the sera of three patients tested at three different sites, i.e., the hepatic vein, pulmonary artery and radial artery. They increased in parallel in each patient, although the actual timing of the increase relative to the surgical step varied among individuals. In complicated patients, MCP-1, IL-8 and IL-6 showed higher peaks and persisted longer than in patients without complications. The universal and simultaneous appearance of MCP-1, IL-8 and IL-6 could indicate that these three cytokines may be stimulated by a yet undiscovered stimulus (or stimuli) which occurs systemically despite the independent pathways of production.

Aged↗

[A study on low grade malignant tumors arisen in the trachea and the bronchus].

Twelve patients who suffered from low grade malignant tumors arisen in the trachea and the bronchus (6 of carcinoid, 4 of mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and 2 of adenoid cystic carcinoma) underwent surgical treatment from 1977 to 1996 in our department. Operations included 1 sleeve resection of the trachea, 1 patch plasty of the trachea, 3 sleeve lobectomies, and 7 lobectomies. Lymph node dissection was performed in 9 of 12 cases. Metastases in lymph nodes were not found in all 12 cases. Five year survival rate of low grade malignant tumors arisen in the trachea and the bronchus was 78.8% and better than that of stage I lung cancers.

Adolescent↗

Structure of aromatase mRNA in the rat brain.

In order to elucidate the mechanism of the region-specific expression of rat brain aromatase, we investigated the multiple promoter systems in the brain. Total RNA extracted from the amygdala (AMY) was subjected to a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with the primers for mouse brain-specific exon I (exon I-f). The nucleotide sequence of the RT-PCR product had 89.4% homology to the corresponding region of exon I-f of the human aromatase cDNA. It was first demonstrated that aromatase mRNA with exon I-f was expressed in the rat brain. This type message was expressed in the hypothalamus-preoptic area (HPOA) but not in the cerebral cortex (CC). Furthermore, total RNAs from the HPOA, AMY and CC of the rat brain were analysed by RT-PCR with the primers for rat ovarian type message-specific exon II. Significant levels of the products were generated in the HPOA and AMY with no signals in the CC. Cortical aromatase mRNA seemed to be unique in that the tissue had no exon I-f and ovarian type mRNAs. We thus analysed the 5'-region of aromatase mRNA in the rat CC by 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) with antisense primers for exon V. The upstream sequence from the 5'-end of exon IV of the aromatase RACE clones was completely different from that of the aromatase mRNA which encoded the full-translated region. These results indicated that the aromatase gene in the rat brain contained at least three promoters: hypothalamus type (exon I-f), ovarian type and cortical type, and that the region-specific expression of the brain aromatase seemed to be regulated, at least in part, by differential promoter usage.

Animals↗

[The meaning of eat in home patients with end-stage cancer].

When a patient difficult to eat, he will not be only malnutrition, but loses a volition of his life and falls into depression. This time, we present a patient with relapse advanced pharynx cancer, who could not ingestion. Therefore she had said "DEATH". She tried eagerly rehabilitation of ingestion, swallowing and breathing, and she was able to eat again and could be positive posture. Ingestion is very important for human, and the patient found a meaning of her life and she was able to take home care nursing.

Deglutition Disorders↗

Saccharomyces cerevisiae IRE2/HAC1 is involved in IRE1-mediated KAR2 expression.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae IRE1 gene, encoding a putative receptor-type protein kinase, is known to be required for inositol prototrophy and for the induction of a chaperon molecule, BiP, encoded by KAR2, under stress conditions such as tunicamycin addition. We have characterized a yeast gene, IRE2, which was isolated as a suppressor gene that complements the inositol auxotrophic phenotype of the ire1 mutation. Sequencing analysis revealed that IRE2 is identical to HAC1, which encodes a transcription factor having a basic-leucine zipper motif. Introduction of IRE2/HAC1 into the ire1 mutant clearly restored the expression of KAR2 upon tunicamycin treatment. ire2/hac1-disrupted yeast cells showed not only the inositol auxotrophic phenotype but also the tunicamycin sensitivity, and failed to induce the expression of KAR2. These results clearly indicate that the IRE2/HAC1 gene product plays a critical role in the induction of KAR2 expression and in the inositol prototrophy mediated by IRE1.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

The untranslated first exon 'exon 0S' of the rat estrogen receptor (ER) gene.

Recently, we have isolated the untranslated first exon 'exon ON' of the rat estrogen receptor (ER) gene from the liver by the use of the 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (5'-RACE) method. To investigate the existence of other untranslated first exon(s), we further analyzed the 5'-untranslated region (UTR) of ER mRNA in the rat liver in this study. Total RNA from the livers of 8-week-old male Wistar rats was subjected to 5'-RACE with the antisense primers located in exon 1 of the rat ER gene. The inserts of four clones (clones 3, 4, 7 and 8) were sequenced. The nucleotide sequences of the clones revealed the existence of a previously unidentified untranslated first exon (we termed it 'exon OS') which was spliced onto exon I of the rat ER mRNA. The distribution of ER mRNA containing 'exon OS' (ER mRNA (OS-1)) in several brain regions and various peripheral tissues of 8-week-old male and female Wistar rats was further analyzed by the use of the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. ER mRNA (OS-1) was found to be widely distributed in the rat brain and peripheral tissues. The distribution of the message was different from that of ER mRNA containing exon 0 (the first reported 5'-UTR form of rat ER mRNA) or of ER mRNA with exon ON which was reported in our recent report. These results indicate that (1) 'exon OS' is a novel untranslated first exon of the rat ER gene, (2) rat ER mRNAs possess at least three forms of 5'-UTRs which are exon 0, exon ON, and exon OS, (3) the tissue specific expression of ER is regulated, at least in part, by the usage of differential promoters in the rat.

Alternative Splicing↗

The novel untranslated first exon "exon 0N" of the rat estrogen receptor gene.

The 5'-untranslated region (UTR) of the estrogen receptor (ER) mRNA in the rat liver was analyzed by the use of the 5'-rapid amplification of the cDNA ends (5'-RACE) method. The nucleotide sequence of one of the positive RACE clones (clone 9) revealed that the existence of the novel untranslated first exon (termed "exon N") being spliced onto the exon 1 of the rat ER mRNA. We further analyzed the distribution of the ER mRNA containing the "exon 0N" (ER mRNA (0N-1)) and the ER mRNA containing the previously reported exon 0 (ER mRNA (0-1)) in the rat brain and peripheral tissues. In contrast to the wide distribution of the ER mRNA (0-1), the distribution of the ER mRNA (0N-1) was almost limited in the peripheral tissues. These results indicate that the "exon 0N" is the novel untranslated first exon of the rat ER gene, and the tissue specific expression of the ER is regulated, at least in part, by differential promoter usage in the rat.

Animals↗

Expansion of the spectral bandwidth by spatial and chemical shift selective saturation in high-speed magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging.

A new spectral bandwidth expansion technique for high-speed magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) based on an echo-planar technique is presented. This expansion can be achieved by spatial and chemical shift selective saturation without increasing the total measurement time. In addition, displacement along the slice-select direction due to chemical-shift differences between the measured compounds is also suppressed. Experimental results are shown using a phantom consisting of benzene and acetone. High spatial resolution (1 x 1 mm2) and wide spectral bandwidth (1.5-1.8 kHz; the effective spectral bandwidth has been doubled) are obtained without the displacement along the slice-select direction.

Echo-Planar Imaging↗

A case of small cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix presenting Cushing's syndrome.

A proportion of small cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix is known to secrete a neuroendocrine substance. However, cases presenting Cushing's syndrome due to ACTH secreted from a cervical small cell carcinoma are extremely rare. Here, we report a case of small cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix that ectopically secreted ACTH and presented Cushing's syndrome. A 42-year-old woman was initially admitted to the endocrine unit for investigation of ectopic ACTH syndrome. Serum cortisol and plasma ACTH levels were elevated with no diurnal variation. After gynecologic examination, her original disease was found to be a stage IIb cervical small cell carcinoma. She underwent a radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. The entire tumor was excised and post-TNM classification was T2bN1M0. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells stained strongly for ACTH and chromogranin. Electronmicroscopic pictures showed typical neurosecretory granules. Although plasma ACTH returned to normal after surgery, liver metastasis appeared during the course of postoperative irradiation. She died 9 months after operation in spite of vigorous systemic chemotherapy.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

An immunohistochemical and immunoelectron microscopic study of adhesion molecules in synovial pannus formation in rheumatoid arthritis.

To investigate the mechanism of synovial pannus formation in rheumatoid arthritis, immunohistochemical and immunoelectron microscopic studies with monoclonal antibodies against the adhesion molecules, CD54 (ICAM-1), CD11a (LFA-1), CDw49a (VLA-1), CDw49b (VLA-2), CDw49c (VLA-3), Cdw49d (VLA-4) and CDw49e (VLA-5), were carried out to determine the pattern of distribution of these molecules at the rheumatoid synovial cartilage junction. Treatment with anti-ICAM-1 resulted in membrane staining of most of the macrophages and fibroblasts infiltrating the synovial tissue and bordering and pannus-cartilage junction, suggesting the possibility that ICAM-1 may function to facilitate the adhesion of synovial type A cells bearing ICAM-1 to type B cells of the pannus. ICAM-1 positive macrophages and fibroblasts were often found to be in contact with lymphoid cells, suggesting also that a cellular immune reaction occurs in the formation of the pannus. In addition, VLA-3, VLA-4 and, particularly, VLA-5 were the predominant beta 1 integrins expressed by rheumatoid synovial pannus. Sine these three integrins all function as fibronectin receptors, it is possible that the fibronectin-rich environment of the rheumatoid cartilage surface effectively traps pannus cells expressing high levels of these molecules. The VLA-5 molecule was found in a pericellular and interterritorial matrix distribution in the present study, strongly suggesting that a receptor-ligand interaction between VLA-5 and cartilage matrix may occur at the early stage of pannus formation. Furthermore, an increase in beta 1 integrin may be necessary for the growth of the pannus and also for the upregulation of the VLA molecules, leading secondarily to increased attachment.

Aged↗

On-line column preconcentration for the determination of cobalt in sea water by flow-injection chemiluminescence detection.

A flow-injection method for the determination of dissolved cobalt(II) in sea water has been studied based on a combination of column preconcentration using 8-quinolinol immobilized on silica gel, fluoride containing metal alkoxide glass (8HQ-MAF) and chemiluminescence detection with a gallic acid-hydrogen peroxide system. Co(II) is selectively recovered from an acidified sample with 8-quinolinol immobilized on silica gel. After elution with dilute hydrochloric acid the resultant eluent is mixed with the reagent solutions, heated to 60 ( degrees )C and then introduced into the CL cell. The analysis time including the 2-min sample load was 8 min per sea water sample with a corresponding detection limit of 0.62 ng l(-1) (3sigma). The average standard deviation calculated for 10 replicate measurements of artificial sea water samples with a concentration of 10 ng l(-1) cobalt was +/-2.1%. The method has been tested with the standard reference sea waters NASS and CASS.

Journal Article↗

Existence and expression of the untranslated first exon of aromatase mRNA in the rat brain.

Tissue-specific expression of aromatase activity and mRNA occurs by alternative utilization of multiple untranslated first exons and promoters in the human. The major transcript in the human brain contains the brain-specific first exon, "exon I-f". However, few reports on the untranslated first exon of aromatase mRNA in the rat brain have been available so far. In the present study, we investigated the existence and expression of exon I-f in the rat brain to elucidate the mechanism of the tissue-specific expression of the brain aromatase. Total RNA extracted from amygdala (AMY) was subjected to a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The nucleotide sequence of the RT-PCR product had 89.4% homology to the corresponding region of exon I-f of the human aromatase cDNA. It was indicated that the major transcript in the rat AMY contained exon I-f by the use of a rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). Furthermore, in order to determine the distribution of the aromatase mRNA with exon I-f, total RNAs from the hypothalamus-preoptic area (HPOA), AMY, testis and ovary were analysed by RT-PCR using the primers specific for the mouse exon I-f and the primers for the rat exon III-V. Significant levels of PCR products were found in all tissues with the highest level being in the ovary, using the primers for exon III-V. On the other hand, using the primers for exon I-f, the levels of signals from HPOA and AMY were higher than those from the testis and ovary. These results suggest that tissue-specific expression of aromatase mRNA occurs by an alternative utilization of multiple promoters in the rat, as in the human. It should be noted that minor transcripts containing exon I-f were observed in the testis and ovary.

Animals↗

Cardiac angiosarcoma.

Angiosarcoma is one of the most common cardiac tumors, but early detection of this tumor is often difficult, as exemplified by our patient, a 55-year-old woman whose cardiac tumor was first detected by echocardiography. Surgical removal of the tumor was impossible due to its extensive pericardial invasion. Pathological diagnosis was not complete before autopsy because of the wide occupied necrotized area of the tumor. There is no diagnostic imaging technique available to detect such a necrotized area. An imaging technique more powerful than echocardiography and able to diagnose angiosarcoma earlier is needed.

Biopsy↗

[Expression of major histocompatibility complex of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)].

Expression of major histocompatibility complex of lung cancer was examined to study the malignant potential of the tumor using immunochemical staining (anti-HLA class I monoclonal antibody; w6/32). Nuclear DNA contents and the labeling index of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were measured as well. Forty three advanced (p-stage IIIa) lung cancers resected by lobectomy (33 cases), pneumonectomy (9 cases), and segmentectomy (1 case) entered the study. Mediastinal lymph node dissection was performed in every case during the operation. Of the 43 cases, expression of HLA class I was positive in 17 and negative in 26. The patients with positive HLA expression showed significantly better prognosis than those with negative HLA expression in terms of 5 year survival (p < 0.01). The patients with aneuploid pattern and positive HLA class I expression had the best prognosis on the survival curve (p < 0.01). When the PCNA positive rate was high, the prognosis was poor. And the patients with negative PCNA and positive HLA class I expression had significantly better prognosis than the others (p < 0.01). These findings suggest that the expression of HLA class I on the tumor cells is an important prognostic factor in the patients with NSCLC.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗

[Pulmonary aspergillosis: clinical findings and surgical treatment].

Between 1980 and 1995, 10 patients underwent thoracotomy for pulmonary aspergillosis. In six patients, hemoptysis and bloody sputum were the chief complaints. The other complaints were nonspecific. Six patients had a history of pulmonary tuberculosis, and two of those patients underwent upper lobectomy. Aspergillosis had developed in the residual space. A fungus ball was observed on the preoperative chest X-ray and CT scan films in seven patients. Lobectomy was done in three patients, segmentectomy in two, and partial pulmonary resection in four. The patients with lesions that had grown in the residual space underwent curettage with muscle plombage. Three patients underwent thoracoplasty. An additional operation was done in two patients because of poor residual lung expansion. No patient had recurrence. We conclude that surgical treatment should be based on symptoms and on pathological findings.

Adult↗