Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Nishi

Publications and source records attributed to S Nishi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Aneuploidy of sex chromosomes in basal cell carcinoma: its clonality and involvement in the development of carcinogenesis.

Although basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a major skin cancer, the mechanism of carcinogenesis with regard to cytogenetic abnormalities has not been fully investigated. In the present study, we carried out cytogenetic analyses of 18 patients (9 male and 9 female) with BCC. Aneuploidy was seen by Q-banding method in more than half of the cases and was mostly loss of the sex chromosome. We also performed FISH to the interphase nuclei of various tissues and short-term cultured BCC cells. The frequency of sex chromosomal aneuploidy was significantly higher in all samples from BCC patients (peripheral blood lymphocytes, non-lesional tissues, BCC tumor tissues and cultured BCC cells) than in age-matched normal controls. In addition, we analyzed clonality of BCC tissues using a human androgen receptor gene assay and found uniparental pattern of inactive X-chromosomes. This indicates that BCC cells were monoclonal in origin and the development of BCC might be correlated with sex chromosomal aneuploidy, which acquired accumulation of genetic mutations.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Selection effects on an estimation of long-term changes in pulmonary function.

To reveal the association of initial pulmonary function level with subsequent mortality and participation in a follow-up reexamination, a prospective cohort study was performed. Female residents in a volcanic area of southern Kyushu, Japan, were followed up for their vital status and the pulmonary function 15 years after they received the first pulmonary function test. A cohort of 512 Japanese female residents who were examined for pulmonary function as indicated by forced expiratory volume and forced expiratory volume in one second was measured in a baseline examination in 1980. After 15 years, 35 females were lost to follow-up. Of the remaining 477 females, 340 and 137 females provided good and poor levels of pulmonary function tests (PFT) at baseline, respectively. Mortality by 1995 in the poor PFT group was significantly higher than that in the good PFT group (33.6% vs 9.4%). The mortality differences were still highly significant when the 35 lost cases were included as all alive. Among the 399 survivors, the nonparticipation rate in the reexamination in 1995 was significantly higher in the poor PFT group than that in the good PFT group (80.2% vs 69.5%). The results of the present study, a longitudinal study of pulmonary function, provide evidence of selection effects due to death or failure to participate in a subsequent reexamination.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Endovascular treatment of aneurysms on the feeding arteries of intracranial arteriovenous malformations.

The association between intracranial aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is well documented. Recent advances in the understanding of the haemodynamics of this association encourage an aggressive approach to these aneurysms. However, the pathophysiology of these aneurysms is not fully understood and a strategy for their management has not been established. We describe seven patients, with eight aneurysms, on the feeding arteries of AVMs. The aneurysms could be divided into those located 1. proximally on the superficial feeding artery (type I; 4 aneurysms); 2. distally on the superficial feeding artery (type II; 3 aneurysms); and 3. on the deep feeding artery (type III; 1 aneurysm). All aneurysms were treated by the endovascular procedure prior to, or simultaneously with, treatment of the AVM, using detachable coils or liquid embolic material. All aneurysms were obliterated successfully, with no adverse events. Each patient further received treatment of the AVM. None of the patients suffered intracranial haemorrhage after treatment for the aneurysms. Based on our experiences, we discuss the indications for this approach for each type of aneurysm. We believe endovascular treatment could be an important alternative for treatment of aneurysms associated with AVMs, thus reducing the risk of haemorrhage.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Determination of potassium flux activity of viable human erythrocytes by measuring the release-influx ratio.

A simple and convenient method to determine the K+-flux activity of viable human erythrocytes was developed. Erythrocyte suspensions were incubated at 4 degrees C for 24 h to induce K+-release (deltaKr) and then at 37 degrees C for 3 h to influx K+ into erythrocytes (deltaKi). A straight-line relationship between K+ release-influx ratio and ouabain-induced K+-efflux from erythrocytes indicated that deltaKi/deltaKr ratio or the K+-flux activity was reflected predominantly by Na+/K+-exchanging ATPase activity. Using this method, K+-flux activity of erythrocytes in the young and the aged subjects was measured. The mean deltaKi/deltaKr ratio of the aged subjects was decreased significantly. This method of measuring deltaKi/deltaKr ratio is useful for the evaluation of K+-flux activity of viable erythrocytes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for intracranial vertebral and/or basilar artery stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the growing clinical use of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for atherosclerotic lesions, application of this technique for intracranial vertebral and/or basilar arteries is not common. In this report, we present our experience with PTA for intracranial vertebrobasilar systems and assess its usefulness. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report our experiences with PTA in six steno-occlusive lesions affecting intracranial vertebral and/or basilar arteries in five patients. One of the two patients with acute stroke had involvement of both the vertebral and basilar arteries, and the other had involvement of the dominant vertebral artery. In two of the other three patients, without acute stroke, the intracranial vertebral arteries were involved and in one the basilar artery was involved, but the symptoms were unresponsive to intensive medical therapy. PTA was performed for these lesions without complications and the clinical symptoms improved. During the procedure, we took care not to overdilate the lesions. RESULTS: These lesions were treated by PTA without complications and the clinical symptoms improved. CONCLUSION: The authors' experience suggests that PTA might be an effective therapy for stenoses of the intracranial vertebral and/or basilar arteries. In patients with acute stroke where there is not enough time for surgical treatment, emergency PTA is useful and improves the clinical symptoms. Further study is needed to confirm its long-term effectiveness for symptomatic stenosis of vertebrobasilar systems.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Cosmetic osteoplastic craniotomy with a chisel and hammer.

BACKGROUND: Osteoplastic craniotomy has been performed recently with microfixation systems such as miniplates, burr hole buttons, and/or ceramic dust. However, these are costly methods of treatment. Without the use of these devices, we performed cosmetic osteoplastic craniotomy using an inexpensive chisel and hammer. METHODS: Our osteoplastic craniotomy with a chisel and hammer was used on 19 lesions in 15 patients. Using a chisel, the bone flap was cut gently from the calvarium to the skull base, the lamina externa to the diploe (finally the lamina interna), and both ends to the midportion between two holes. The lamina interna in the cranium was trimmed easily after removal of the bone flap. The bone defect was minimal because of the absence of a narrow cutting groove and because craniectomy was not performed. The bone flap was replaced by tapping and was tightly fixed. No special fixation system was needed, except for threads. RESULTS: Follow-up (mean follow-up, 5 months; range, 5 weeks to 9 months) skull X-ray and 3D-CT showed good fusion and inherent normal configuration of the bone flap. There were two minor dural tears and two minor bony fractures. CONCLUSION: A good cosmetic effect without the use of any additional instruments was accomplished with osteoplastic craniotomy using a chisel and hammer.

Craniotomy↗
PubMed1999

Lipoprotein(a) is a predictor for cardiovascular mortality of hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Although hemodialysis (HD) patients have been associated with elevations in serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels, relatively little has been published on the link between Lp(a) and the risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular death in HD patients. METHODS: Lipoprotein(a) was measured in 390 HD patients. The relationship between Lp(a) and mortality (overall and cardiovascular) was determined during 28 months of prospective follow-up. RESULTS: Hemodialysis patients demonstrated Lp(a) concentrations that were approximately two times as high as that of healthy controls (median, 16 vs. 8 mg/dl, P < 0.001; mean, 22.9 vs. 12.1 mg/dl, P < 0.01). Lp(a) showed a significant correlation between albumin, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and C-reactive protein. The high-Lp(a) group [Lp(a) > or = 30 mg/dl] showed significantly higher mortality than the low-Lp(a) group [Lp(a) < 30 mg/dl] in a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (P < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated albumin, age, and diabetic state as significant risk factors for overall death. However, if confined to atherosclerotic cardiovascular death, Lp(a) (P < 0.01), age, and diabetic state were the only independent contributors. CONCLUSIONS: Lp(a) is an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular death in Japanese patients receiving chronic dialysis therapy.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1999

A novel hybrid biological embolic material: autologous fibroblast incorporated collagen (FC) beads.

If viable fibroblasts are used as an active ingredient of an embolic material, it is expected that proliferation and extracellular matrix production of fibroblasts incorporated at a vascular lesion will help restore tissues due to endovascular scar formation, resulting in progressive and permanent occlusion. Based on this working principle, we have devised a novel biological embolic material, hybrid fibroblast incorporated collagen (hybrid FC) beads composed of collagen microbeads and autologous fibroblasts harvested from the subcutaneous tissue of the host to be treated. Hybrid FC beads were prepared by culture of fibroblasts harvested from canine subcutaneous tissue on collagen microbeads (diameters ranging from around 100 µm to around 400 µm). Canine kidneys were embolized with either hybrid FC or cell-free collagen beads via a transarterial route. Histological examination up to 6 months after embolization revealed that, although both embolic materials effectively occluded the target vessels at the time of embolization, intravascular scar formation activity at the embolized sites was much more profound in the case of the hybrid FC beads than in that of the cell-free beads. Proliferation of autologous fibroblasts was verified by the expression of alkaline phosphatase activity of gene-transfected fibroblasts at the site of lodgement of the beads. It is expected that, using the novel hybrid biological embolic material, hybrid FC beads used for vascular lesions such as arteriovenous malformations can be treated more effectively to restore tissues, resulting in minimal recanalization which often occurs when synthetic embolic materials are used. Copyright 1999 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Existence of human DAZLA protein in the cytoplasm of human oocytes.

The human deleted in azoospermia-like autosomal (DAZLA) gene is thought to be a candidate gene for azoospermia. cDNA encoding the C-terminal 94 amino acid residues of human DAZLA was used to express a bacterial fusion protein which was then used to raise polyclonal antibodies in rabbits. Immunohistochemical analyses with the human DAZLA antiserum showed that the DAZLA protein is expressed at a cytoplasmic location in female germ cells. Available evidence suggests that the DAZLA gene is a participant in human oogenesis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Expression of the molecule detectable by anti-propolypeptide of von Willebrand factor antibody in rat mesangial cells in anti-Thy 1.1 mAb 1-22-3 induced glomerulonephritis: A marker of injured mesangial cells.

We have previously reported that propolypeptide of von Willebrand factor (pp-vWF) binds to collagen with an affinity comparable to that of mature vWF, inhibits collagen-induced platelet aggregation, is cross-linked with laminin, and also serves as a ligand for very-late antigen 4 integrin. These observations from in vitro experiments suggest that pp-vWF is incorporated in the extracellular matrix and affects the cell-matrix interaction and that pp-vWF functions in leukocyte recruitment to inflammatory and vascular injury sites. We, therefore, hypothesize that pp-vWF might be involved in the induction and/or progression of mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis. To test this hypothesis, we examined the kinetics of the immunostaining of the molecule detectable by an affinity-purified anti-pp-vWF antibody in rat glomeruli in monoclonal antibody 1-22-3 induced glomerulonephritis. Immunostaining by pp-vWF antibody was observed in the nuclear rim of mesangial cells in monoclonal antibody 1-22-3 induced glomerulonephritis. Positive staining first appeared on day 10 after monoclonal antibody injection, when mesangial cell proliferation and mesangial matrix expansion had already begun. Staining was still detected on day 56, when morphologic alterations observed by light microscopy had been normalized. The pp-vWF antibody recognized molecule appeared later than alpha-smooth muscle actin or collagen type I. Positive staining was not detected in cultured mesangial cells. It should be noted that the positive staining by pp-vWF antibody in mesangial cells was still detected in previously injured glomeruli that have almost recovered normal morphology. These observations indicate that positive staining by pp-vWF antibody could be a very useful marker for identifying a past episode of injury in mesangial cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Successful treatment of acute renal failure in a patient with essential mixed cryoglobulinemia using prednisolone and cryofiltration].

We report a case of acute renal failure associated with cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis. The patient, a 49-year-old woman, was referred to our hospital because of acute nephritic syndrome. After admission, she developed oliguria, and hemodialysis was instituted. Renal biopsy was performed and the specimens showed moderate endocapillary proliferation, large deposits filling the capillary lumen ("intraluminal thrombi"), and a double-contoured appearance, which are typical morphologic features of cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis. Immunoelectrophoresis showed a monoclonal increase of IgM kappa. On the basis of these findings, we diagnosed type II essential mixed cryoglobulinemia. Cryofiltration was performed with oral administration of prednisolone. Following the start of therapy, the patient's renal function gradually improved. Because of severe hypoproteinemia, cryofiltration was discontinued after three sessions. However, renal function recovered and was maintained with prednisolone only. This case shows that acute oliguric renal failure caused by cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis can be reversible if immunosuppressive therapy, together with plasmapheresis in more severe cases, is instituted promptly.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1999

Oral clonidine to control hypertension after head injury.

Clonidine, an alpha2 agonist, was administered through a nasogastric tube for the treatment of hypertension in a head-injury patient with elevated plasma catecholamines. Haemodynamic parameters were stabilized with a reduction in sympathetic nervous activity. The plasma clonidine concentration, measured by radioimmunoassay, rapidly increased following the administration. After cessation of oral administration of clonidine, mean arterial blood pressure gradually increased. So clonidine was again administered orally and good blood pressure control was achieved and no change in consciousness level was observed. Oral clonidine was useful and effective for hypertension in this head injury patient.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1999

Recurrence of IgA nephropathy 17 months after renal transplantation in the allograft transmitted thin basement membrane disease (TBMD) from donor.

Recurrence of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) following renal transplantation has been described in 40-50% of such patients and it usually has a good outcome. We present the case of a 20-yr-old woman with IgAN who developed end-stage renal failure in 1995. In November 1996, she received a kidney from a living-related donor and was treated with tacrolimus, azathioprine and steroids. Zero- and one-hour biopsies were performed, which revealed minor glomerular abnormalities in light microscopy, thin basement membrane disease (TBMD) in electron microscopy. Eight months later she developed microscopic hematuria and proteinuria; however, the graft function was normal. Renal biopsy revealed an IgAN that is thought to be due to recurrence of the original disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Rat maf-related factors: the specificities of DNA binding and heterodimer formation.

maf is a family of genes encoding bZIP transcription factors. We isolated two cellular maf-related cDNAs, maf-1 (mafB) and maf-2 (c-maf), from rat and determined the specificities of DNA binding and heterodimer formation. Although both Mafs strongly bind to MARE, the consensus Maf recognition sequence (MARE, -TGCTGACTCAGCA-), originally identified by v-Maf protein Maf-1, recognizes a number of sequences containing only the first half of the MARE, -GCTGAC-. On the other hand, no such consensus short sequence could be determined for Maf-2. We determined the specificities of heterodimer formation with all members of the Jun and Fos family. In contrast to v-Maf which forms heterodimers with all Jun and Fos proteins, Maf-1 heterodimerizes with all four Fos proteins, but not at all with the three Jun proteins. Maf-2 heterodimerizes with c-Fos. We have also found that heterodimer formation of Maf-2 with c-Fos dramatically changes the specificity of DNA binding and trans-activation activity from that of the Maf-2 homodimer. These results show that Maf-1 and Maf-2 have significantly different properties and they might have different target genes and functions, in spite of the similarity of their bZip domain structure.

Animals↗