Biomedical subjects

S Torii

Publications and source records attributed to S Torii.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Identification of the fourth member of the mammalian endoprotease family homologous to the yeast Kex2 protease. Its testis-specific expression.

We used the polymerase chain reaction to identify a mouse testis cDNA that represented another member of a growing class of mammalian endoproteases involved in the processing of precursor proteins. This cDNA encoded a 655-residue protein, designated PC4, containing a bacterial subtilisin-like catalytic domain closely related to those of the recently characterized precursor-processing endoproteases, furin, PC1/PC3, PC2, and Kex2. Within this domain, the amino acid sequence of PC4 was 70, 58, 55, and 45% identical with those of mouse furin, mouse PC1/PC3, mouse PC2, and yeast Kex2, respectively. Northern blot analysis indicated that the PC4 mRNA was detectable only in the testes after the 20th day of postnatal development. Moreover, this message was mainly expressed in the round spermatids. These data suggest that PC4 represents a prime candidate for a precursor-processing endoprotease in the testicular germ cells and that its gene expression is regulated during spermatogenesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Benign acute myositis associated with rotavirus gastroenteritis.

Acute myositis developed concomitantly with gastroenteritis in a 2-year-old girl. She had temporary pain and swelling of the calf muscles and transient marked elevation of serum creatine kinase values. Rotavirus antigen was detected in stool by latex agglutination, and there was seroconversion of complement-fixation antibody to rotavirus.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1992

Immunoblotting analysis of sera from patients with candidal vaginitis and healthy females.

Antigenic components of Candida albicans were extracted from whole cells with a buffer containing SDS and 2-mercaptoethanol, and separated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The components reactive with IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE antibodies in sera from patients with (14 subjects) and without (15 subjects) C. albicans in the vagina, and from healthy females (34 subjects), were investigated by immunoblotting using immunoglobulin class-specific antibodies. Many components reacted with IgG and IgA in all sera tested; the major antigens that reacted strongly with the sera were 67, 62, 29 and 25 kDa components. Several components were observed which reacted with IgM in 63% of the sera; the 67, 62 and 25 kDa components that reacted with IgG and IgA also reacted with IgM. No components reacting with IgE were detected in any of the sera. No striking differences in antibody binding profiles to whole cell antigens were detected among the C. albicans positive and negative patients or the healthy subjects. On the other hand, IgG against extracellular proteinase was more frequently detected in the C. albicans positive patients than in the C. albicans negative group or the healthy subjects. This may suggest that vaginal infection with C. albicans contributes to a rise in anti-proteinase antibody levels.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Identification of Candida albicans antigens reactive with immunoglobulin E antibody of human sera.

Candida albicans antigens which reacted with immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies of 57 allergic patients were detected by immunoblotting. Of the various antigens, the 175-, 125-, 46-, 43-, and 37-kDa antigenic components reacted most frequently with the patient sera. To purify the major antigens, C. albicans cells were fractionated. The 46-, 43-, and 37-kDa antigens were recovered in cytoplasmic fractions, but the 175- and 125-kDa antigens were not recovered in any fraction. The 46-, 43-, and 37-kDa antigens were purified from cytoplasmic fractions by DEAE and P11 ion-exchange chromatography. Antigens were isolated by cutting bands out of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. The purified components confirmed by immunoblotting were next processed for amino acid sequencing. Parts of the sequences of the 46-, 43-, and 37-kDa antigens had significant levels of homology with Saccharomyces cerevisiae glycolytic enzyme enolase, phosphoglycerate kinase, and aldolase, respectively. Rabbit IgG antibodies prepared against the 46- and 43-kDa antigens strongly cross-reacted with the homologous proteins of S. cerevisiae. However, S. cerevisiae enolase and phosphoglycerate kinase did not cross-react with IgE of patient sera. This result suggests that IgE antibodies against only small parts of their epitopes are elevated in the allergic patients. Since enolase is reported to be a major antigen for systemic candidiasis, this enzyme may be the immunodominant protein in both allergies and fungal infections.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

The effect of thyroid hormone on fibronectin messenger ribonucleic acid levels in primary cultured rat hepatocytes.

Our previous in vivo studies demonstrated that thyroid hormone promotes the expression of the fibronectin (FN) gene in the rat liver, while it inhibits the synthesis in cultured human skin fibroblasts. These results can be interpreted as either different regulation of FN synthesis or gene expression among tissues, or divergent results of experiments performed in vivo or in vitro. Here we report on the action of thyroid hormone on FN gene expression in vitro using primary cultured hepatocytes compared to that in cultured skin fibroblasts. Hepatocytes were isolated from hypothyroid rats and were cultured in medium supplemented with thyroidectomized bovine serum (TxBS) or fetal bovine serum (FBS). T3 was added 2 or 24 h after plating, and cells were harvested after 2, 6, or 24 h. Total RNA was extracted, and mRNAs for rat FN and albumin were measured. The requirement of de novo protein synthesis for thyroid hormone-mediated induction of FN mRNA was examined by the addition of cycloheximide 15 min before T3 addition. The amount of FN mRNA significantly decreased in the hepatocytes cultured with TxBS compared with those cultured with FBS. The addition of T3 to TxBS resulted in the restoration of FN mRNA to the level in hepatocytes cultured in FBS. FN mRNA increased during the course of culture in the absence of T3; however, a further increase was observed 6 h after T3 addition. The abundance of albumin RNA decreased during the course of culture, but unlike FN mRNA, it was not changed by T3 addition. The increase in FN mRNA by T3 was not influenced by cycloheximide. These results indicate that thyroid hormone enhances FN gene expression in hepatocytes by its direct action without requiring de novo protein synthesis. In contrast, T3 decreased FN mRNA in cultured skin fibroblasts. Thus, the mode of thyroid hormone action on FN gene expression is different among tissues.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

[A study on the passage of the upper urinary tract stones after in situ ESWL].

Two hundred patients with upper urinary tract stones underwent in situ ESWL with Lithostar during the recent 20 months at Kanagawa Prefectural Atsugi Hospital. Actual residual stone rates were calculated based on the period from the initiation of the treatment to the stone free status, and discussed according to the location and size of the stone treated. Total 200 patients were submitted to 1.67 +/- 0.97 treatment sessions with 6742 +/- 5545 shock waves. After 3 months, 148 patients (78%) showed stone free status, and 32 patients (16%) had residual stones less than 4 mm. The actual residual stone rates were 90.5%, 66.5%, 39.1%, 26.9% and 17.9% after 1, 3, 6, 12 and 20 weeks, respectively. The residual stone rate were lower in the lower ureter, uretero-pelvic junction, upper ureter, renal parenchyma or diverticulum and renal pelvis or calyx in order. As for the size, the larger the stones the higher the residual stone rates; the therapeutic results were significantly worse in patient group of stones larger than 21 mm compared to the patient group of smaller stones (p less than 1%). The destructed stones were passed gradually up to 6th week after in situ ESWL, however, after that fragments seldom passed out. Therefore, it was concluded that decision on the additional or combination therapeutic intervention, if necessary, should be made after 6 weeks. Combination therapy with endoscopic surgery and/or others was seemingly needed for the patients with stones of more than 21 mm in size and of renal pelvis and renal calyx to improve the rates of stone free.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

[Double valve replacement for secondary atrioventricular regurgitation due to dilated cardiomyopathy--a case report].

A successful surgical case of double valve replacement for a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy was performed. A 45-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure. Echo cardiogram and cineangiography showed dilatation and decreased contraction of the left ventricle. A diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy was established since neither coronary artery disease nor valvular disease were observed. He was treated with medication of diuretics and pacemaker implantation. However, mitral and tricuspid regurgitation occurred and progressed 7 years later. Since then, he repeated admission and discharge against the strong medication. He became medically uncontrollable at the age of 58. Because of this, surgical treatment had to be considered. Double valve replacement for mitral and tricuspid valve was performed on September, 1989. Avoidance of cardiopulmonary bypass was only possible with the aid of catecholamine. Poor left ventricular function and pleural effusion frequently shown on chest X-ray film complicated the postoperative course. And with hospital treatment, he discharged three months after the operation. He has been doing well without any significant complaint during the past two years and cardiomegaly has been decreasing as well.

Cardiomyopathy, Dilated↗

PubMed1992

[Mitral valve surgery using combined superior-transseptal approach to the left atrium].

Although various approaches to the mitral valve surgery have been tried in the past, it still may be difficult to obtain a good surgical field, particularly in cases of small left atrium or reoperation. We performed mitral valve surgery in 6 patients using the combined superior-transseptal approach to the left atrium proposed by Berreklouw. Exposure of the mitral valve was excellent and the operative procedure was simple in all cases. There were no differences in bleeding volume, length of operation or complication of arrhythmia between patients treated with this new approach and a group treated with conventional approach in our institute.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

[Comparative studies of various conduits for myocardial revascularization with Kawasaki disease].

Between October 1976 and December 1991, 36 patients with Kawasaki disease underwent coronary bypass surgery. Comparisons were made from the postoperative morphologic condition of 4 conduits; saphenous vein graft (SVG n = 27), left internal thoracic artery (LITA n = 22), right internal thoracic artery (RITA n = 5) and gastroepiploic artery (GEA n = 8). The patency rate of arterial grafts was 100% at 1 month after surgery, and kept as high as 94.7% at 1-3 years after surgery. On the other hand, the patency rate of SVG was 90% at 1 month, but decreased to 52% at 1-3 years postoperatively. Arterial grafts sometimes showed string sign at 1 month after surgery, but the length and the diameter increased during 1 year after surgery. The internal thoracic artery showed superior flow potential compared with GEA. Thus, the internal thoracic artery is the first choice and GEA is the second as the graft material with Kawasaki disease. Long-term result of SVG was very poor, so coronary revascularization only by the arterial grafts is recommended.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

[Time course of drug concentrations in nebulizers and nebulized solutions].

The drug concentrations in nebulizers and nebulized solutions generated by the ultrasonic nebulizer OMRON NE-U10B and the jet nebulizer INSPIRON NEBULIZER 002305 were examined. With the ultrasonic nebulizer, increases in the concentrations of saline, DSCG and isoproterenol in the nebulizer were observed; the concentrations of those in the nebulized solutions also increased. The increase was most dramatic just before the solution was emptied. No degradations of DSCG or isoproterenol were detected in the nebulized solutions, indicating that these drugs are stable against ultrasonic nebulization. An increase in the drug concentrations in the jet nebulizer was also observed. The concentrations of the nebulized solutions also increased, but the concentrations in the nebulized solution were lower than those in the nebulizer at any time. On inhalation therapy, it is important to give consideration to these concentration changes. The nebulizer should not, for example, be refilled with a new drug solution.

Cromolyn Sodium↗

PubMed1992

[An emergency surgical case of double aortic arch with hemoptysis].

A 78-year-old man was admitted because of hemoptysis. CT and aortogram revealed double aortic arch. Bronchofiberscopy revealed intratracheal hemorrhage which was associated with right aortic arch. An emergency operation was performed to prevent massive intra-tracheal bleeding. The patient underwent ligation of the right aortic arch through median sternotomy. After operation, hemoptysis disappeared and the postoperative course was uneventful. Surgical cases of double aortic arch are rare, especially with critical hemoptysis in aged patients.

Aged↗

PubMed1992

[A comparative clinical trial of UFT treatment and intravesical adriamycin instillation to prevent recurrence of superficial bladder cancer].

UFT was administered to 27 patients with superficial bladder cancer and adriamycin administered intravesically to 26 patients with the same cancer as a measure to prevent the recurrence of the tumor following transurethral resection, and the rate of recurrence was compared between the two groups of patients. There was no significant difference between the two groups in background factors (e.g., primary or recurrent, single or multiple), histological malignancy and degree of infiltration. The non-relapsers accounted for 88.9% of patients at one year, 64.3% at two years, and 64.3% at three years in the UFT group and 96.2%, 76.8%, and 65.5%, respectively, in the adriamycin group. There was no significant difference in the rate of non-recurrence between the two groups; nor was there significant difference in the non-recurrence rate between them with respect to any of the background factors. UFT showed results which compared with those of adriamycin administered intravesically, and UFT was considered useful for preventing recurrence of superficial bladder cancer.

Administration, Intravesical↗

PubMed1991

[Virological evaluation of mumps meningitis following vaccination against mumps].

1) We report 5 cases of aseptic meningitis following vaccination against mumps. Of the 5 cases, 4 cases were diagnosed as mumps meningitis. 2 cases received monovalent mumps vaccine and the other 2 MMR vaccine. They consisted of 2 boys and 2 girls, aged 2 years and 2 months to 4 years and 5 months. The period between vaccination and symptoms ranged from 15 days to 20 days (mean 18 days). Cerebrospinal fluid of the cases contained 507 to 2688 cells/mm3. Eruption was observed in the 2 cases who received MMR vaccine, while parotid swelling was not seen in any case. 2) In all 4 cases, IgM antibody to mumps virus in the cerebrospinal fluid was detected by the ELISA or EIA methods. Causative organism of the fifth case was obscure. 3) PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests revealed that mumps virus isolated from 2 cases were of vaccine strain origin. 4) To evaluate the frequency of mumps meningitis following vaccination, it seems important to investigate carefully the number of children who received the vaccine and to exclude the cases of aseptic meningitis caused by other agents. On the other hand, cases of young infants tend to be overlooked because of atypical signs.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed1991

[Immunological study on renal cell carcinoma in dialysis patients with acquired cystic disease of kidneys].

The immunological study of the major histocompatibility complex (class I, class II and DR antigens), tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), regional lymph node lymphocytes (RLNL) and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) was evaluated on the basis of immunohistochemical staining using monoclonal antibodies of each subset of lymphocytes in a series of 16 patients with renal cell carcinoma. Two renal cell carcinomas in dialysis patients with acquired cystic disease of the kidneys (ACDK) were also included in this study. With regard to the immunological environment, a comparative study between renal cell carcinoma accompanied with ACDK and 14 other renal cell carcinoma was carried out. The results are described below: 1) With regard to the expression of MHC antigens in tumour cells, the degrees of expression of MHC class I, class II and DR-antigen in case 1 were higher than that of the other 14 renal cell carcinomas. On the other hand, no expression of MHC was detected in case 2. 2) As to the subsets of TIL, the CD25 (IL-2 receptor) was not expressed in all the renal cell carcinoma. As to the T cell receptor (TCR-alpha/beta chain), the degree of expression was the same in case 1 and the other 14 cases. On the other hand, no TCR was detected in the case 2. As to the other subsets of TIL (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16 and CD20), the rates of the infiltration were the same in case 1 and the other 14 cases, but those in case 2 were lesser than in all other 14 cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗

PubMed1991

[Long-term follow-up of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia when phototherapy was withheld because of low bilirubin levels in the spinal fluid--growth, intelligence and soft neurological signs in school children].

The significance of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) bilirubin levels on the outcome of neonatal jaundice has been investigated by correlations between kernicterus or brain damage and CSF bilirubin levels (Torii 1974, 1981, Meisels 1984), This study is designed to clarify the significance of CSF bilirubin levels in the long-term prognosis of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Sixteen full-term newborn babies with hyperbilirubinemia (serum bilirubin level 20.0-30.0 mg/dl) who did not receive phototherapy because of low bilirubin in their spinal fluid (usually under 0.5 mg/dl in normal neonates) were followed in this study of growth, intelligence and neurobehavior. The subjects' neurobehavior was compared with that of a matched control group. The physical growth of the children with a history of hyperbilirubinemia was within normal limits except for one girl whose weight was less than-2 SD from the average. Verbal IQ's were lower than performance IQ's in 10 out of 14 children with a history of hyperbilirubinemia. However, no mental retardation was noted. No significant difference was found between the two groups in mean positive scores on the Garfield test. In the Prechtl test, mean score of the finger-touching test was significantly higher in the children with a history of hyperbilirubinemia than in the control group. The soft sign coefficient and the occurrence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were not significantly different in the two groups. In summary, a low bilirubin level (less than 0.5 mg/dl) in the spinal fluid seems to be a good prognostic sign in infants with neonatal bilirubinemia.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

[Allergenic relationships between Aspergillus restrictus and Aspergillus fumigatus determined by radioallergosorbent test inhibition].

Recently Aspergillus restrictus, a species of osmophilic fungi, has been found to be widely distributed in our inhabited environment. The authors reported previously that the prevalence of hypersensitivity to this fungal species determined by skin prick test and radioallergosorbent test (RAST) was comparable with that to Aspergillus fumigatus. In this study, the allergenic relationships between the two fungi were examined by RAST and RAST inhibition tests in which A. restrictus extracts prepared from mycelial mats of two different strains cultured in M40Y liquid medium and A. fumigatus, one made from a mycelial mat cultured in YNB liquid medium containing 3% sucrose, were used. In the RAST inhibition tests using a serum pool obtained from five patients with highly positive RAST to these species, the two extracts of A. restrictus inhibited RAST to A. fumigatus by over 80%, and A. fumigatus extract inhibited RAST to the two strains of A. restrictus by approximately 75%. In A. fumigatus RAST inhibition tests using individual sera with positive A. fumigatus RAST, a strong inhibition (greater than 60%) elicited by each extract of A. restrictus was observed in 5 of 8 sera tested. In RAST, nine of 11 serum samples with positive RAST to A. fumigatus showed positive RAST to both strains of A. restrictus. There was a significant correlation between the RAST values of the two fungal species. These results give evidence of the presence of shared allergenic components between the two fungi, and indicate that these components may contain part of major allergens of A. fumigatus.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

[The involvement of rice protein 16KD in cross-allergenicity between antigens in rice, wheat, corn, Japanese millet, Italian millet].

Cross-reactivity between rice, wheat, corn, Japanese millet and Italian millet in Poaceae family were studied by absorption test, radioallergosorbent test (RAST), and RAST inhibition assay. In absorption test using Phadebas RAST discs, more than 50% absorption of IgE antibodies was observed between rice, wheat and corn. There were significant correlations of RAST values for cereal grains including rice, wheat, corn, Japanese millet and Italian millet. RAST inhibition assay between every combinations of these cereals showed dose-dependent decrease in IgE-binding. These data indicated cross-reactivity with IgE antibodies between the five cereals in Poaceae family. RAST values for RP16KD significantly correlated with those for Italian millet as well as rice but not with those for corn and wheat. There was a trend of positive correlation between RAST values for RP16KD and Japanese millet. In RAST inhibition assay using sera with positive RAST for these five cereal grains and RP16KD, RP16KD inhibited IgE-binding to these all cereal discs in dose-dependent manner. Similarly, all of five cereal grain extracts showed an effective diminution in IgE-binding to RP16KD disc. These results indicated possible participation of IgE-binding structure on RP16KD in cross-reactivity between these cereal grains in Poaceae family.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

[Case report of right ventricular myxoma].

A 14-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital due to heart murmur. Loud systolic murmur at the forth intercostal space was altered its intensity by patient's posture. The chest roentgenogram showed normal cardiovascular silhouette. The electrocardiogram revealed normal sinus rhythm without right bundle branch block. The echocardiography and cineangio-cardiography proved a tumor in the right ventricle. Right heart catheterization showed pressure gradient for 35 mmHg between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. At surgery, the tumor was excised with the full thickness of the anterior right ventricular wall. The tumor was cardiac myxoma with 15 g of weight. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful.

Adolescent↗