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Biomedical subjects

S Kawakami

Publications and source records attributed to S Kawakami.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

[Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the urinary bladder in a hemodialysis patient: a case report].

The following is a case report bladder of sarcomatoid carcinoma in a Japanese 65-year old female patient treated with hemodialysis. She developed chronic renal failure due to chronic glomerulonephritis. Fifteen months after the beginning of the hemodialysis, continuous gross hematuria was noticed, and cystoscopy revealed a broad-based bladder tumor spreading from the right lateral wall to the posterior wall. The histopathologic diagnosis of the TUR-Bt specimens was sarcoma. Radical cystectomy was performed under the diagnosis clinical stage III, T3bN0M0. The post-operative histopathologic diagnosis of the tumor was sarcomatoid carcinoma, composed of nests of transitional cell carcinoma (G 3) and predominant areas of spindle cell sarcomatoid transformation. Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the bladder in a hemodialysis patient is extremely rare, and to date this may be only the second case in Japanese medical literature.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Asialoglycoprotein receptor-mediated gene transfer using novel galactosylated cationic liposomes.

We synthesized three novel galactosylated cholesterol derivatives, cholesten-5-yloxy-N-(4-((1-imino-c-beta-D-thiogalactosyl+ ++-ethyl)amino) butyl)formamide (Gal-C4-Chol) and its ethyl formamide and hexyl formamide analogues (Gal-C2-Chol, Gal-C6-Chol), to prepare liposomal gene carriers possessing the cationic charge necessary for plasmid DNA binding and galactose residues as a targetable ligand for liver parenchymal cells. Liposome/DNA complexes prepared with these lipids showed low cytotoxicity in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Gal-C4-Chol/DC-Chol/DOPE(3:3:4) liposomes, consisting of 3:3:4 mixtures of Gal-C4-Chol, 3beta[N',N', N'-dimethylaminoethane)-carbamoyl] cholesterol (DC-Chol), and dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE), showed higher transfection activity and [32P]DNA uptake than DC-Chol/DOPE(6:4) liposomes. The presence of 20 mM galactose significantly inhibited both transfection efficiency and uptake of DNA of Gal-C4-Chol/DC-Chol/DOPE(3:3:4) and Gal-C4-Chol/DOPE(6:4) liposomes, but not those of DC-Chol/DOPE(6:4) liposomes. These results indicate that the liposome/DNA complexes prepared using novel galactosylated cholesterol derivatives are efficiently recognized by asialoglycoprotein receptors and internalized and lead to gene expression. In addition, we found that the galactosylated cholesterol derivative with a longer spacer showed higher transfection activity.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1998

A Novel Synthesis of Poly(ester-alt-sulfide)s by the Ring-Opening Alternating Copolymerization of Oxiranes with gamma-Thiobutyrolactone Using Quaternary Onium Salts or Crown Ether Complexes as Catalysts.

Poly(ester-alt-sulfide) (polymer 1) was synthesized by the alternating copolymerization of glycidyl phenyl ether (GPE) with gamma-thiobutyrolactone (TBL) catalyzed by either quaternary onium salts or crown ether complexes. The copolymerization proceeded to produce polymer 1 with good yields in neat or in various organic solvents at 30-120 degreesC, in which quaternary onium salts having Cl- as a counteranion such as tetrabutylammonium chloride (TBAC) had higher activity than quaternary onium salts such as tetrabutylammonium bromide having Br- as a counteranion. It was also found that the alternate copolymer (polymer 1) of GPE with TBL was obtained selectively under different feed ratios of GPE and TBL, although ring-opening homopolymerizations of GPE and TBL did not proceed. Copolymerizations of various oxiranes such as butyl glycidyl ether, styrene oxide, and 1,2-hexene oxide with TBL catalyzed by TBAC also proceeded, and the corresponding poly(ester-alt-sulfide)s (polymers 2, 3, and 4) were obtained under the same conditions as for the synthesis of polymer 1.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Glial and neuronal localization of neuronal nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity in the median eminence of female rats.

Localization of neuronal nitric oxide synthase-immunoreactivity (nNOS-IR) in the median eminence of female rats (n=4) was examined by electron microscopy to explore the possibility that nitric oxide is involved in the terminal regulation of neurosecretory peptides such as GnRH. Under light microscopy, a dense distribution of nNOS-IR was observed in this region. Electronmicroscopically, nNOS-IR was found in glial elements and nerve terminals containing dense-core vesicles. We also found a few nNOS-immunopositive synapses, in which intense immunoreactivity was found on the postsynaptic density and mitochondrial membrane. The localization of nNOS-IR in nerve terminals and glial elements in the median eminence might indicate that nNOS plays a role in regulating the release of neurosecretory peptide.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Excitatory amino acids act on the median eminence nerve terminals to induce gonadotropin-releasing hormone release in female rats.

The present study is designed to examine the terminal regulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) release by excitatory amino acids in the median eminence of ovariectomized (OVX) rats. In in vitro experiments, median eminence tissues were superfused in the medium containing glutamate or excitatory amino acid agonists, such as N-methyl-d,l-aspartate or kainate. These drugs induced a Ca2+-dependent GnRH release from median eminence fragments. The agonists also stimulated GnRH release from superfused synaptosome prepared from the median eminence tissues in a Ca2+-dependent manner. In the immunocytochemical study, immunoreactivity for glutamate or its ionotropic receptor subtypes, such as NR1, GluR1, GluR2/3, GluR6/7, and KA2, was examined in the median eminence of OVX rats under electron microscopy. Immunoreactivities for glutamate or its receptor subtypes were observed on the nerve terminals, most of which were located in close proximity to the other nerve terminals without forming synaptic contacts. In addition, quite a few synaptic contacts which were immunopositive for GluR1, GluR2/3, KA2, or glutamate were found in this area. The present results indicate that excitatory amino acids stimulate GnRH release by acting at the nerve terminals of the median eminence in a Ca2+-dependent manner in the absence of gonadal steroid. The effect of excitatory amino acids in this area might be mediated by glutamate receptors mainly in nonsynaptic fashion, such as by volume transmission.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Tctex3, related to Drosophila polycomblike, is expressed in male germ cells and mapped to the mouse t-complex.

Tctex3 showing restricted expression in male germ cells has been isolated during the process of chromosome walking in the mouse t-complex region. The total sequence of Tctex3 cDNA predicts a protein of 580 amino acids with two C4HC3 type PHD fingers. The region containing this conserved motif is shared among members of the Polycomblike proteins that include the mouse M96 and Drosophila Polycomblike. A partial cDNA for a human homolog of Tctex3, HUTEX3, has also been isolated. Mouse Tctex3 gene was mapped adjacent to Tsc2 gene on mouse Chromosome (Chr) 17, and HUTEX3 was located closely to HSET gene in the HLA class II region of chromosome 6.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Extrahepatic biliary cystadenocarcinoma arising from the left hepatic duct.

A 54-year-old man, who had no clinical symptoms, underwent a routine health checkup at our hospital. Abdominal ultrasonography disclosed a well demarcated tumor containing a solid portion occupying the dilated left hepatic duct and a cystic portion expanding into the parenchyma of the left hepatic lobe, with mild dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts. These findings were later confirmed by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography revealed a complete defect at the level of the left hepatic duct, while drip infusion cholangiographic-CT (DIC-CT) disclosed a defect of the left hepatic duct only, with the distal portions of the left intrahepatic ducts being visualized on the image. Hepatic angiography revealed light stains in the solid portion in the parenchymal phase. At left lobectomy, a multiloculated polyp-like tumor was found arising from the left hepatic duct and expanding into the parenchyma of the left hepatic lobe. Microscopically, all the lining cells in the cysts and the tumor cells in the solid portion showed the features of papillary adenocarcinoma. In this patient with extrahepatic biliary cystadenocarcinoma, DIC-CT was useful in identifying the site of origin of the tumor, and hepatic angiography was also useful in differentiating this rare malignant tumor from benign cystadenoma.

Bile Duct Neoplasms↗
PubMed1998

Trace analysis of benzalkonium chloride on skin by flow injection ionspray mass spectrometry-mass spectrometry.

A method for the analysis of trace-level benzalkonium chloride has been established using flow injection ionspray mass spectrometry-mass spectrometry with multiple reaction monitoring. Quantification was carried out using an external standard based on peak area summation of each benzalkonium ion (C8, C10, C12, C14, C16 and C18) in the mass spectra. The multiple reaction monitoring technique provides additional specificity for identification and quantification. The quantification linear dynamic range was found to be 5.0-100.0 ng ml-1, the correlation coefficient > 0.999, and the detection limit 1.2 ng ml-1. The method was applied to quantify benzalkonium chloride on skin, which was sampled with a D-SQUAME tape from skin surface and extracted from the tape with methanol.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗
PubMed1998

Chromophobe cell renal carcinoma in childhood.

We report the first case of chromophobe cell renal carcinoma in childhood. A 12-year-old boy presented gross hematuria following minor trauma. He was diagnosed as having a left renal tumor 45-mm in diameter. Radical nephrectomy was performed. One year later the boy was well.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗
PubMed1998

[Evaluation of a new method for susceptibility testing against fastidious and unusual bacteria].

The susceptibilities of 154 clinical isolates of fastidious and unusual bacteria were determined by the Etest, and were compared with the MICs for these strains obtained by the agar dilution method. Antimicrobial agents; benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, cefotaxime, imipenem, erythromycin, clindamycin and minocycline were used in this study. In general, the Etest MICs were rapidly and easily interpreted. The Etest MICs agreed within +/- 1 log2 and +/- 2 log2 dilution, 87.6% and 98.2% respectively in all strains tested. MICs of vancomycin with the Etest for S. pneumoniae and other Streptococci tended to be 1 to 2 log2 dilution higher than those of the agar dilution method. MICs of erythromycin for the other Streptococci also tended to be 1 to 2 log2 dilution higher. However, there were no significant differences for H. influenzae, Campylobacter spp., H. pylori, Capnocytophaga spp., E. corrodens, M. catarrhalis, N. gonorrhoeae, Corynebacterium spp., L. monocytogenes and Anaerobic bacteria. As mentioned above, the Etest represent a potential method for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of these fastidious and unusual bacteria.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1998

[Survey of fungemia cases during the past seventeen years at Teikyo University Hospital].

Fungi were isolated from 642 cases (3.5%) of 18,403 blood samples at Teikyo University Hospital during the 17-years period between 1979 and 1995. The number of fungemia cases began to increase around 1985, reached a peak in 1988, and since then, it has been gradually decreasing. The fungal species of isolates were: (1) Candida albicans in 224 cases (34.9%), (2) C. parapsilosis in 149 cases (23.2%), (3) C. tropicalis in 87 cases (13.6%), (4) C. glabrata in 65 cases (10.1%), (5) Hansenula anomala in 58 cases (9.0%), (6) C. guilliermondii in 24 cases (3.7%), (7) C. famata in 14 cases (2.1%), (8) Trichosporon beigelii in 11 cases (1.7%), (9) C. inconspicua in 5 cases (0.8%) and C. lusitaniae in 5 cases (0.8%), and other yeasts in 33 causes (5.1%). The number of isolates of C. albicans has been decreasing since 1989, concomitant with the clinical introduction of fluconazole in this hospital. However, the number of fluconazole-insusceptible fungi such as non-albicans Candida and Trichosporon spp. has increased. Fungemia cases infected concomitantly or sequentially with two or more different fungal species have been found occasionally since 1983 and have shown a high mortality rate. The spectrum of the causative organisms of fungemia appears to be, at least, partly influenced, by the usage of antifungal agents, particularly fluconazole.

Candida↗
PubMed1998

Significance of bladder neck involvement on progression in superficial bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the significance of bladder neck involvement in predicting disease progression in superficial (stage Ta and T1) transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A series of 277 patients with newly diagnosed superficial TCCs of the bladder was reviewed, and disease progression (to T2 or worse) was considered. The significance of several risk factors including bladder neck involvement was assessed in univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Progression occurred in 28 (10.1%) of 277 patients during a median follow-up period of 7.7 years. Nineteen died of bladder cancer. The following variables were found to be statistically significant at the univariate analysis (p < 0.05): irritative symptoms, urine cytology, tumor stage, involvement of the bladder neck, and tumor grade. Indeed, only involvement of the bladder neck, tumor stage, and grade retained their value as independent factors for progression at multivariate analysis. Patients were divided into three groups according to the number of independent risk factors they had. Groups having none, one, and two or three risk factors included 129, 99, and 49 patients with 5-year progression rates of 0.8, 4.6 and 27.5%, and 15-year rates of 4.0, 20.1 and 42.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Involvement of the bladder neck is a significant and independent risk factor for progression of superficial TCCs in addition to the histologic grade and stage. The combination of these three risk factors offers better prediction of progression in an individual patient.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Management of invasive carcinoma of bladder and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA); technique of radical total cystectomy and simultaneous AAA repair].

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus on the optimal surgical treatment for patients with concomitant invasive carcinoma of bladder and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). We experienced two patients who were treated successfully with simultaneous radical cystectomy and AAA repair. The techniques required for the combined procedure and case reports are discussed. PROCEDURE: The goal of the one-stage operation was to minimize the risk of graft infection without compromising postoperative morbidity and mortality secondary to carcinoma of bladder. Initially pelvic lymph node dissection and radical cystectomy were performed. We preferred retrograde cyctoprostatectomy because most of the cystectomy procedure can be performed without opening the peritoneal cavity and the extent of the retroperitoneal dissection can be minimal. A single-stoma ureterocutaneostomy was preferable urinary diversion. Urinary diversions which utilize intestine such as ileal conduit or ileal urinary reservoir may cause contamination of a graft with bowel content and should be avoided. Before or after urinary diversion, aneurysmal resection and a bifurcated graft replacement were performed. The replaced graft was wrapped with the aneurysmal wall. The major omentum was mobilized and fixed in front of the graft, thereby serving as a protective barrier of the graft. A Dacron graft which was sealed with rifampicin-bonding gelatin was used to further reduce the risk of graft infection. RESULT: Two male patients were treated with the one stage radical cystectomy and AAA repair. Single-stoma ureterocutaneostomy and bilateral ureterocutaneostomy were selected as a urinary diversion. No major postoperative complications, except for paralytic ileus in one case, were observed. CONCLUSION: Our experience and reports of others indicate that radical cystectomy and simultaneous AAA repair can be safely performed with less morbidity than staged operations for the management of concomitant invasive carcinoma of bladder and AAA.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Lymphoplasmacyte-rich meningioma: a case report with histological and immunohistochemical studies.

This report concerns a 64-year-old woman with a lymphoplasmacyte-rich meningioma. Radiographically and macroscopically, the tumor had the appearance of an ordinary meningioma. Components of the meningothelial cells were positively immunostained for epithelial membrane antigen. The results of immunohistochemical assays with the antibodies to surface markers of lymphocytes L26 and UCHL-1 indicated that the lymphoplasmacellular proliferation was not neoplastic but probably represented an immune reaction of the host.

Female↗
PubMed1997

"Crushed glass" appearance of particles observed in roentgenograms after hysterosalpingography as an indicator of pelvic abnormalities.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic value of the crushed glass appearance of particles observed on roentgenogram after hysterosalpingography in patients with pelvic abnormalities. DESIGN: Retrospective study of 32 patients whose roentgenogram had particles with a crushed glass appearance and 16 patients without crushed glass appearance, with laparoscopy conducted to determine the location and severity of the pelvic disease. SETTING: Fujita Health University Hospital, Aichi, Japan. PATIENT(S): A total of 240 patients underwent hysterosalpingography to determine the cause of infertility. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): We compared the location of the pelvic endometriosis and/or inflammation that was observed on roentgenogram as the crushed glass appearance versus definitive findings at laparoscopy. RESULT(S): A total of 30 of the 32 cases (93.8%) with the crushed glass appearance were confirmed as having pelvic abnormalities, such as endometriosis (73.3%) and pelvic inflammation (26.7%). The rate of the concurrence of the location of the crushed glass appearance observed on the film and that of the lesions verified by laparoscopy was 66.7%. Histopathological examination showed that specimens taken from endometriosis or inflammatory lesions that comprised the crushed glass appearance were lacking in epithelium in proportion to the size of the particles. CONCLUSION(S): Identification of the crushed glass appearance of particles was a useful noninvasive method of detecting pelvic abnormalities, such as pelvic endometriosis and inflammation, in infertile women.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Effect of retained placenta on subsequent bacteriological and cytological intrauterine environment and reproduction in Holstein dairy cows.

To determine the effect of retained placenta on the characteristics of the intrauterine environment in dairy cows, bacteriological and cytological tests were performed on intrauterine perfusion fluid. The rate of cows with more than 70% neutrophils or fewer than 40% lymphocytes in inflammatory cells was 48.0% (12/25), while the rate and with more than 50 bacterial colonies/0.1 ml of perfusate was 96.0% (24/25) at 30 d after parturition. Actinomyces pyogenes was isolated from 56.0% (14/25). At 60 d after parturition, however, these values were significantly improved to 20.0% (5/25), 48.0% (12/25) and 12.0% (3/25), respectively. No significant differences in subsequent reproductive performance were observed between cows with and without retained placenta. The results suggest that injury to the intrauterine environment caused by retained placenta is largely healed by 60 d after parturition.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Bezoar (Capra aegagrus) is a matriarchal candidate for ancestor of domestic goat (Capra hircus): evidence from the mitochondrial DNA diversity.

The leading hypothesis on the ancestor of domestic goats (Capra hircus) is that it is the wild goat called the bezoar or pasang (Capra aegagrus). To verify this hypothesis, we sequenced and compared the cytochrome b gene of mitochondrial DNA from six domestic goats and bezoar. A further sequence for the markhor was taken from the database. In total we detected 51 nucleotide substitutions among the domestic goats, bezoar and markhor. However, only one specific nucleotide substitution was found between the domestic goats and the bezoar. On the other hand, 43 nucleotide substitutions were specific for the markhor. This result suggested a close relationship between the domestic goats and the bezoar. A neighbor-joining and parsimony phylogenetic tree constructed using the sequences showed that the domestic goats and the bezoar belong to the same cluster, while the markhor showed a distinct cluster separate from that of the domestic/bezoar cluster. This result was confirmed by trees based on the sequence of the mitochondrial displacement loop regions. These results suggest that the strongest candidate for a matriarchal ancestor of domestic goats is the bezoar.

Animals↗