Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to S Ushijima.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Association of the c-erbB-2 oncogene product with the cadherin-catenin complex has been demonstrated in human cancer cell lines. Although beta-catenin and plakoglobin have been proven to be crucial for the association, no previous study has shown whether the interactions are direct or indirect. In the present study, the c-erbB-2 gene product was shown by far-Western blotting analysis to associate directly with both beta-catenin and plakoglobin through its cytoplasmic domain core region, which showed extensive homology with epidermal growth factor receptor. These data suggest that c-erbB-2-induced signaling is also directly liked to the cadherin-mediated cell adhesion and "invasion-suppressor" system through beta-catenin and plakoglobin in cancers.
The aims of the present study were to clarify the findings of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the aging brain, and to relate the MRI findings to higher order cortical function. A total of 118 healthy aged volunteers (41 men, 77 women) underwent cranial MRI electroencephalography (EEG), Benton visual retention test (BVRT) and interview. The subjects had no past history or clinical evidence of cerebrovascular disorder, head trauma or dementia and were living at home without any difficulty. The majority of the subjects have participated in this series of studies since 1982. Using a 1.5 T superconductive MR instrument, T1-weighted, proton density and T2-weighted images were obtained. The MRI data were rated visually by regarding 12 items according to fixed criteria. T2 high signal intensity (T2HSI) lesions were found in 69.5% of subjects, the prevalence of which increased with age. T2HSI lesions were most frequently found in the basal ganglia (61.9%), followed by the thalamus (39.0%), parietal lobe (37.0%), temporal lobe (12.7%) and pons (8.5%). Among these lesions, lacunar infarction showed low signal intensity in T1-weighted images and was found in 24.6% of subjects, the prevalence also increasing with age. These findings, including brain atrophy determined according to similar criteria, were correlated closely with the subjects' age. The results of BVRT showed a close relation with T2HSI, suggesting that T2HSI may influence cognitive function. When the subjects were classified according to the presence of T2HSI, lacunar infarction and EEG abnormalities, brain atrophy was significantly milder in a group of subjects with T2HSI(-), lacunar infarction(-) and normal EEG than in the other groups. This suggests that changes seemingly representing physiological aging may be promoted by another pathological which also exerts influences on higher order cerebral function.
A case of lung cancer with skip metastasis to supraclavicular lymph nodes is described. The patient had undergone radical resection for gastric cancer about nine years ago. For about one year, chemotherapy had been done by Tegafur (600 mg/day) after operation. Radical resection for lung cancer (p/d squamous cell carcinoma) was performed about seven years ago. Pathologically, mediastinal lymph node metastasis could not be detected. The needle aspiration biopsy of supraclavicular lymph node revealed metastasis. Then, radical neck lymph nodes dissection involving supraclavicular lymph nodes and radiation therapy were added. There has been no sign of recurrence so far.
In Japan, 9 cases of severe lithium intoxication have been treated by hemodialysis so far, and the usefulness and indications of this procedure are not yet understood fully. We have recently experienced a case of lithium intoxication treated by hemodialysis. Considering this case together with those reported previously, we have prepared some preliminary guidelines for the application of hemodialysis to patients with lithium intoxication. The blood concentration of lithium, renal function, the severity of consciousness disturbance and clinical symptoms such as somatic complications are, of course, important indices for the application of this therapy. We think that the signs of intoxication and the time interval between the onset and the beginning of treatment also serve as useful indices for application of hemodialysis.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Dynamics of a continuous culture of bacterial and viral mutants population produced by a random mutagenesis was analyzed mathematically and numerically. The selection coefficient distributions among initial mutants population were classified into three categories by the shape of logarithm of the distribution function; (i) concave, (ii) linear and (iii) convex. Time courses in the three categories were quite different and insensitive to growth models and method of culture. The population changeover took place only once in the concave case. Multiple sequential population changeovers occurred in the convex case. The "isopopulation" time point emerged in the linear case. Selection coefficient distribution among randomly mutagenized population can be calculated from the local fitness landscape around the base sequence of the wild-type. An ideal Fujiyama-type landscape provided a slightly convex distribution of random mutants and led to sequential population changeovers in continuous culture.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The effects of ultrasonic scaling in combination with povidone-iodine solution were examined clinically. The results obtained were as follows: 1. Three days after instrumentation, significant improvement was found in all experimental groups. Thereafter the improvement was at the same level and backing in each group. 2. Clinical findings, with exception of plaque index, showed improvement with ultrasonic scaling in combination with povidone-iodine solution in comparison with ultrasonic scaling alone and root planing.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The hospital records of 46 schizophrenic patients were studied retrospectively for postpsychotic collapse (PPC), defined in terms of underactivity. PPC was observed in 38 (83%) patients. The duration of PPC was strongly correlated with the duration of the acute psychotic phase after therapy started, and weakly correlated with the mean dose of antipsychotics per day in the acute psychotic phase, and with age of onset. The authors discuss PPC in terms of the effect of antipsychotics, of psychological reaction, and of understimulation in the hospital setting.
After reviewing the history of conceptual and procedural changes in borderline patients, the author pointed out that the recent emphasis on the aggression and its origination in infancy in its treatment seems to blur the developmental issues in preadolescence and adolescence and to present difficulty in concluding the treatment. And a borderline case of the patient, a 20-year-old single woman with various symptoms, was presented. An examination of the course of treatment revealed that in order to better understand the process of therapeutic change it would be best to set the third phase with a strong narcissistic coloration between the working-through and separation-termination phases described by Masterson, J.F. Finally, it was emphasized that this narcissistic phase is a repetition not only found in childhood, but also in the preadolescent development and its disturbances.
First the author pointed out that the postpsychotic state, the state of decreased activity which emerges shortly after the disappearance of acute symptoms, had been regarded as an independent stage in the treatment process of schizophrenic breakdown. Then he presented the case of family therapy in which the patient was a 19-year-old university student with the postpsychotic collapse. The author observed interesting phenomena during the treatment in which the patient gave rise to the homosexual physical touch with his father when going to bed in the evening and making up nursery stories with his mother when getting up in the morning, consequently leading to the recovery of dreams with wishful fulfillment. This process was discussed from the point of view of the concept of transitional object (Winnicott) and the formation of symbol functioning (Bion). Finally the postpsychotic collapse was considered as a regression to primary narcissism.
We present here two cases with depression and obsessional symptoms, in which the patients were 11-year-old girls just prior to the advent of menarche. Their clinical picture was fairly different from the one which Deutsch, H., Jacobson, E. and Blos, P. described in their classical cases so far. In our cases the regression to preoedipal level was very prominent, that is, the rapprochement crisis-like state (Mahler, M.S.) with transitional objects such as stuffed animals and dolls (Winnicott, D.W.) was observed. It was believed that with such a background there were changes in the parent-child relationship in preadolescence which the premature physical growth among recent children had brought about, and changes in the concept of the mother and father which cultural vicissitudes had induced. It was also indicated that this kind of direct observation would contribute not only to the encouragement of the sound development in this period of life, but also the understanding and treatment of adolescent or adult cases.
After pointing out that over anorexia nervosa too much attention focused on the severity of developmental pathology in infancy and on current family problems seem to blur the developmental perspectives in adolescence, the author examined the course of treatment of an anorexia nervosa patient, a 17-year-old senior high school girl. He showed that with the development of object-relationships, there occurred a disturbance in the sense of body-ownership: the lower half of the body felt fatty, some change occurred that could not be put into words, and a flesh-mantle was seen in a homosexual partner. It was emphasized that the projective cross-identification (the author's term) played an important role in this process.
The author discussed the life and work of Yukio Mishima from the object relational point of view. First, he described his brief life history, pointing out the four big identity crises in his life as his fierce struggles against the suicidal wishes were likely to enlarge within himself. Then, he suggested that Mishima had been in the state of part object relationship throughout his life. Thirdly, the important role of the body or bodies in his fantastic and real life was discussed as a manifestation of not merely autoerotic activities but also disturbances of the core of identity. Finally, the fragility of the intermediate area of experience which was thought to have eventually led him to the last action, the seppuku, was examined.
Although malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma of adult, it rarely arises in the breast tissue. Only seven cases have been previously reported in Japan. One case of the MFH of the mammary gland is presented in this paper. A 39 year old woman, who had received no radiation, was referred to our hospital due to a painful right breast lump. Excisional biopsy revealed yellowish white soft tumor with an obscured margin. Histological, tumor was composed of spindle shaped cells of a storiform pattern, which was diagnosed as MFH of the breast. Radical mastectomy (Br + Mj + Ax) was added to this patient. The tumor invaded to the fat tissue without metastasis to the axillary lymph nodes. We performed the post-operative adjuvant chemotherapy of Adriamycin. She made an uneventful recovery and is now free of disease eleven months postoperatively.