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Biomedical subjects

S Maruyama

Publications and source records attributed to S Maruyama.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Red blood cell status in alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver disease.

Macrocytosis is most commonly associated with vitamin B(12) and folic acid deficiency, followed by alcoholism, liver disease, and other pathologic conditions. We studied the red cell and vitamin status in 423 consecutive patients with various liver diseases, including 31 with acute viral hepatitis (AVH), 105 with chronic hepatitis (CH), and 134 with alcoholic liver disease (ALD), who consisted of 84 with non-cirrhotic alcoholic liver disease (NCALD) and 50 with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC), 60 with non-alcoholic liver cirrhosis (NALC), and 93 with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and red cell distribution width (RDW) were significantly higher in patients with ALD and NALC, and among them macrocytosis occurred more frequently in patients with ALC. Macrocytic anemia was mostly found in cirrhotic patients, in which the Child-Pugh score was closely related to the development of macrocytic anemia. In ALD, the MCV was significantly correlated with the estimated alcohol consumption and inversely correlated with the serum folic acid level, which, however, was often maintained within the normal range in patients with macrocytic ALC. After abstinence from alcohol, the MCV and RDW were reduced significantly and were associated with an increasing serum folic acid level. This suggests that macrocytic anemia was a common feature of alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver cirrhosis and that alcohol abuse and folic acid deficiency play a secondary role in macrocytosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Comparison of the expression of cell surface poly-N-acetyllactosamine-type oligosaccharides in PC12 cells with those in its variant PC12D.

To explore the biological role of carbohydrate chains in the process of nerve cell differentiation, we carried out a characterization of the carbohydrate structure of glycoproteins by comparing conventional PC12 cells with variant cells (PC12D). In vitro metabolic labeling of cells with either [(3)H] glucosamine or [(3)H] threonine, together with tomato lectin staining, revealed that nerve growth factor (NGF) stimulation caused a decrease in the poly-N-acetyllactosamine synthesis of high-molecular-weight glycopeptides from PC12 cells. By comparison, the amount of glycopeptides with poly-N-acetyllactosamine from PC12D cells was already significantly low and it was not changed by NGF stimulation. By assaying the glycosyltransferases that participate in poly-N-acetyllactosamine synthesis, the decrease in the amount of the poly-N-acetyllactosamine in PC12D cells as well as NGF-stimulated PC12 cells could be accounted for by a reduction in the activity of poly-N-acetyllactosamine extension enzyme (GnT-i), because the amount of poly-N-acetyllactosamine in both cells precisely correlated with changes in GnT-i activity, whereas the activities of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (GnT-V) and beta 1-4 galactosyltransferase remained unchanged. These results demonstrate that the decrease in poly-N-acetyllactosamine synthesis in PC12 cells occurred prior to neurite formation, whereas PC12D cells were insensitive to this effect. Next, we showed that GnT-i but not GnT-V catalyzed a rate-limiting reaction in the expression of poly-N-acetyllactosamine chains, especially in pheochromocytoma.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Strain difference in regulation of pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG) in estrogen-induced pituitary tumorigenesis in rats.

Recently a novel oncogene, PTTG (pituitary tumor transforming gene) was isolated from a rat pituitary tumor cell line whose expression is apparently correlated with pituitary tumorigenesis. In the rat, estradiol (E(2)) is known to induce anterior pituitary hyperplasia. The effects of E(2), however, vary greatly among rat strains. Therefore we examined the expression of PTTG and its regulation by E(2) in F344, Wistar, Brown-Norway and Donryu rats. Four-week-old females were ovariectomized and a pellet containing 10 mg of E(2) was given s.c. Total RNA was isolated from the pituitary gland and PTTG mRNA was measured with a competitive RT-PCR technique. The F344 strain was the most susceptible to E(2) induction of pituitary tumorigenesis, followed by Wistar and Brown-Norway, while no increase in pituitary weight was noted in Donryu rats. PTTG mRNA in the gland was induced by E(2) within 48 - 72 h in F344 and Wistar, but not in Brown-Norway or Donryu strains. These data suggest that PTTG expression may at least in part be responsible for strain differences in E(2)-induced pituitary tumorigenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Mange caused by Sarcoptes scabiei (Acari: Sarcoptidae) in wild raccoon dogs, Nyctereutes procyonoides, in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.

Parasitological and histopathological examinations were performed in 25 raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) obtained in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, all of which were found to be heavily infected with Sarcoptes scabiei. The mites detected on these raccoon dogs were morphologically indistinguishable from the human species, and no Demodex mites were detected. Histopathological examinations showed prominent hyperkeratosis and acanthosis with eczema, and numerous burrows containing mites were observed in the epidermis. The enzootic dermatitis of wild raccoon dogs in recent years was clearly demonstrated to be caused by S. scabiei in the present study.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

A comparison of serum leptin concentrations in obese and normal weight Japanese women with regular menstrual cycle.

Leptin is a protein that is synthesized and secreted from adipose tissue. We examined the changes in serum leptin level during the menstrual cycle in 5 normal and 5 obese Japanese women, and compared the data with those of serum estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) concentrations. Serum leptin levels were highly correlated with body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat, being higher in the obese group than in the normal group. In the obese group, serum leptin level increased in the luteal phase in parallel with the rise in the serum E2 level. In the normal group, however, there was no significant change in serum level during the menstrual cycle. These results suggested that the serum leptin levels were influenced by the phase of menstrual cycle, probably through the action of E2, in different ways for obese and non-obese women.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Prevalence of Bartonella species and 16s rRNA gene types of Bartonella henselae from domestic cats in Thailand.

Prevalence of Bartonella infection among 275 cats in 9 sites from 4 geographical regions (northern area: Chiang Mai; central area: Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, and Bangkok; northeastern area: Khon Kaen, Roi Et, Ubon Ratcharthani, and Nakhonratchasima; southern area: Songkhla) of Thailand was investigated. Overall, Bartonella species were isolated from 27.6% (76 of 275) of the cats. The isolation rate varied from 12.8% (5 of 39) in Songkhla (southern area) to 50.0% (26 of 52) in Khon Kaen (northeastern area). Bartonella henselae and B. clarridgeiae were isolated from 82.9% (63 of 76) and 11.8% (9 of 76) of the Bartonella-positive cats, respectively. Coinfection with both species was found in 5.3% (4 of 76) of the bacteremic cats. Of the 67 bacteremic cats from which B. henselae was isolated, 48 (71.6%) and 13 (19.4%) were infected with only Type I and Type II, respectively. Coinfection with both types was observed in 9.0% (6 of 67) of the B. henselae-positive cats. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the presence of Bartonella infection in domestic cats from Thailand, which constitute a large reservoir of Bartonella infection in this country.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Coexpression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and COX-2 in hepatocellular carcinoma and surrounding liver: possible involvement of COX-2 in the angiogenesis of hepatitis C virus-positive cases.

Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has been reported to be responsible for enhanced tumor growth and angiogenesis in various tumors. However, the relationships between tumor vascularity and COX-2 and iNOS expression have not been evaluated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we examined the expression of iNOS and COX-2 and microvessel density (MVD) by immunohistochemical staining in 100 tissue sections collected from HCC patients. iNOS expression was significantly higher in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive HCCs (P = 0.011). COX-2 expression was significantly correlated with iNOS expression (P = 0.046) and tumor MVD (P = 0.011) in HCV-positive HCCS: iNOS expression was neither correlated with MVD nor had any influence on patient survival; however, combined negative expression of iNOS and COX-2 had a significant impact on patient survival (P = 0.041 and 0.018, log-rank test for overall and recurrence-free survival rate, respectively). The present findings suggest that combined expression of iNOS and COX-2 may play an important role in prognosis of HCV-positive HCC patients and that this could be partially attributable to modulation of angiogenesis by COX-2.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[A case of advanced gastric cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy of low-dose CPT-11 + CDDP].

Side effects due to administration of anti-cancer drugs often cause the treatment to be abandoned or a decrease in the amount of anti-cancer drugs. Recently, the anti-tumor effects of "low-dose CPT-11", which can be administered at the outpatient clinic, are reported. We performed "low-dose CPT-11 + CDDP" as a neoadjuvant chemotherapy to a patient with advanced gastric cancer. CPT-11 and CDDP combination chemotherapy caused very few side effects, so we could continue the treatment and achieve anti-tumor effects. Consequently, surgery could be performed, but disseminated metastasis was found so that the surgery ended as a non-curative operation. However, it was considered that this method of "low-dose CPT-11 + CDDP" was very effective as the neoadjuvant chemotherapy in a patient with advanced gastric cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Preventive effect of FK143, a 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, on chemical hepatocarcinogenesis in rats.

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is more prevalent in males than in females. 5alpha-Dihydrotestosterone is the most potent form of androgen and is converted from testosterone by 5alpha-reductase. The antitumor effect of a 5alpha-reductase inhibitor (FK143) was evaluated in a rat chemical hepatocarcinogenesis model (Solt-Farber). Male Fischer 344 rats were used in three groups: (a) control group; (b) low-dose FK143 (FKL) group (20 ppm FK143); and (c) high-dose FK143 (FKH) group (200 ppm FK143). The numbers of both glutathione S-transferase placental form-positive foci (P < 0.05) and hyperplastic nodules (HNs; P < 0.01) in the liver were significantly lower in the FKL group than in the control group. The numbers (P < 0.05) and tumor volume (P < 0.01) of HCCs per liver were significantly lower in the FKL group when compared with the control group. All HCCs were well differentiated in the FKL group, whereas 38% and 36% of HCCs were moderate to poorly differentiated in the control group and the FKH group, respectively. The proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling index:apoptotic index ratios of enzyme-altered foci, HNs, and HCCs were significantly lower in the FKL group than in the control group. Serum 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone was significantly lower in both the FKL and FKH groups. However, a high dose of FK143 (200 ppm) provided no protection against hepatocarcinogenesis, and the level of serum testosterone was elevated in this group when compared with that in the control group. The low dose of FK143 significantly suppressed the formation of enzyme-altered foci, HNs, and HCCs in rat hepatocarcinogenesis. This may indicate that 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone enhances hepatocarcinogenesis. We conclude that an optimal dose of FK143 may have a suppressive effect on hepatocarcinogenesis.

5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors↗
PubMed2001

[Discovery of the adult Schistosoma japonicum, a causative agent of Schistosomiasis in the Katayama area of Hiroshima Prefecture].

People in the Katayama area of Hiroshima Prefecture had been afraid of a curious disease for a long time. The causative agent for the disease had not been identified through the beginning of the 20th century when it turned out that a human parasitic trematode, Schistosoma japonicum, had been afflicting the inhabitants, causing this disease. This was made clear mainly by two medical doctors, Akira Fujinami and Ryuzo Yoshida, much before 1909. The memoir on the disease described by a herb doctor, Yoshinao Fujii (1847), was made known by A. Fujinami to medical scientists in 1909.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Clinicopathological study of mucous pooling referred to as mucinous component (MUC) in colorectal submucosal invasive carcinomas.

We investigated the significance of a pool of mucin, individually termed mucinous component (MUC), at the leading invasion edge of colorectal submucosal invasive carcinoma (SIC). In particular, we studied the correlation between pathological adverse prognostic factors and stainability of the mucosubstances and tumor-associated glycoconjugates in MUC. We demonstrated that MUCs were present in 21% of SICs, and 20% of SICs with MUC were involved in metastasis or recurrence, while only 6% of SICs without MUC were positive for it (p=0.005). SICs with MUC showed strong staining of carcinoembryonic antigen and Ulex europaeus I in the MUCs as well as in the cancer cells with high-grade atypia. Moreover, the mucins in MUCs predominantly stained for sialomucin. This study was the first to investigate the importance of mucous nodules in colorectal SIC. We concluded that MUC in SIC would be an important adverse prognostic factor, and that we should at least consider employing a similar treatment strategy for it to advanced colorectal carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2001

Abdominosacral repair for a rectovaginal fistula with anastomotic stenosis after low anterior resection report of a case.

The management of a postoperative rectovaginal fistula after low anterior resection for rectal cancer is difficult and requires reconstruction of the anastomotic site and fistula. The results of reconstructive operation are often unsatisfactory. Herein, we describe our reconstruction technique using the posterior approach through the vaginal lumen for a high rectovaginal fistula repair. This reconstructive operation is useful for postoperative rectovaginal fistulas accompanied by severe stenosis of the anastomotic site following low anterior resection for rectal cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Role of platelet-activating factor in functional alterations induced by xenoreactive antibodies in porcine endothelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a phospholipid mediator of inflammation which has been implicated in rejection. The interaction of anti-alpha-galactosyl natural antibodies (anti-alpha gal Abs) with endothelial cells is the initial step for the development of xenograft rejection. In our study, we stimulated porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAEC) with anti-alpha gal IgG to investigate the synthesis of PAF from PAEC and its biological consequences. METHODS AND RESULTS: PAF was extracted and chromatographically purified from cultured PAEC stimulated with baboon anti-alpha gal Abs. The Abs induced a dose-dependent synthesis of PAF peaking after 30 min of incubation, and decreasing thereafter. Concomitant cell shape change, motility, and cytoskeleton redistribution were observed. These events were prevented by addition of a panel of PAF-receptor antagonists. An SV40 T-large antigen-immortalized PAEC line was engineered to express PAF acetyl-hydrolase (PAF-AH) cDNA, the major PAF-inactivating enzyme. These transfected cells exposed to anti-alpha gal Abs showed reduced cell contraction and motility compared with empty vector-transfected cells. Moreover, in PAEC stimulated with anti-alpha gal Abs, the synthesis of PAF promoted the adhesion of a monocytic cell line as shown by the inhibitory effect of PAF-receptor antagonists and of PAF-AH expression. Finally, studies on cell monolayer demonstrated an enhanced permeability 48 hr after exposure to anti-alpha gal Abs, and this increase was prevented by PAF-inactivation and by PAF-receptor blockade. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that on stimulation with anti-alpha gal Abs, PAEC synthetize PAF which can contribute to several vascular events involved in xenograft rejection.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Metabolic activation of the proestrogens trans-stilbene and trans-stilbene oxide by rat liver microsomes.

A liver microsome-mediated activation of the proestrogens trans-stilbene and trans-stilbene oxide was found in this study. trans-Stilbene and trans-stilbene oxide were negative in estrogen reporter assay using estrogen-responsive human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and growth assay in rat pituitary tumor cell line MtT/E-2. However, these compounds exhibited estrogenic activity after incubation with liver microsomes of 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats in the presence of NADPH. In contrast, cis-stilbene and cis-stilbene oxide did not show estrogenic activity after such incubation. When trans-stilbene was incubated with the liver microsomes of 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats in the presence of NADPH, two metabolites were detected by HPLC. They were identified unequivocally as trans-4-hydroxystilbene and trans-4, 4'-dihydroxystilbene by mass and UV spectral comparison with authentic samples. The oxidase activity of the liver microsomes toward trans-stilbene was inhibited by SKF 525-A and alpha -naphthoflavone. Minor activity was observed when liver microsomes of untreated or phenobarbital-treated rats were used instead of those from 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats. trans-4-Hydroxystilbene and trans-4,4'-dihydroxystilbene exhibited significant estrogenic activities. These results suggest that the estrogenic activities of trans-stilbene and trans-stilbene oxide were due to formation of hydroxylated metabolites.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Differential expression of alpha-GAL epitopes (Galalpha1-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAc-R) on pig and mouse organs.

BACKGROUND: Expression of the alpha-gal epitope in mice can be completely eliminated by disruption of the alpha1,3 galactosyltransferase gene. As an initial step for assessing the feasibility of this approach in the pig, it was of interest to compare the expression of alpha-gal epitopes in pig and mouse organs. METHODS: Membranes from pig and mouse organ homogenates were analyzed for alpha-gal epitope expression by Western blots, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunostaining of tissues, and ELISA inhibition assay. RESULTS: Immunostaining of Western blots with human anti-Gal detected alpha-gal epitopes on glycoproteins from pig organs but not on glycoproteins from the corresponding mouse organs. ELISA with membrane homogenates and immunostaining of tissue sections demonstrated a much higher binding of human anti-Gal to alpha-gal epitopes on pig membranes than on mouse membranes. ELISA inhibition assay with monoclonal anti-Gal indicated that alpha-gal epitope expression in pig organs is up to 500-fold higher than in mouse organs. CONCLUSION: Expression of alpha-gal epitopes in pig organs is many fold higher than in mouse organs. The abundance of these epitopes in pigs raises the question of whether pigs can properly develop without expression of alpha-gal epitopes.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Posttraumatic stress and lifestyles are associated with natural killer cell activity in victims of the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake in Japan.

BACKGROUND: The relationships among mental health status, lifestyle, and natural killer (NK) cell activity, which plays important roles in the immune surveillance of tumors and viral infections, were investigated in victims of the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. METHODS: About 1 and 1/3 years after the earthquake, 155 male workers who experienced the event were administered questionnaires concerning their unhealthy mental status, such as symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), lifestyles, and demographic variables. Peripheral blood was taken from all of them to measure NK cell activity. RESULTS: Subjects who had PTSD symptoms showed lower NK cell activity than those without symptoms. Subjects with positive lifestyles showed higher NK cell activity than those with poor or moderate lifestyles. When subjects were divided into four groups by lifestyle and PTSD symptoms, subjects with positive lifestyles and few or no PTSD symptoms showed the highest NK cell activity among the four groups. The other three groups were subjects with positive lifestyles but many PTSD symptoms; subjects with poor or moderate lifestyles and many PTSD symptoms; and subjects with poor or moderate lifestyles and few or no PTSD symptoms. CONCLUSION: PTSD symptoms and lifestyles were associated with NK cell activity in the earthquake victims.

Adult↗