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Biomedical subjects

Shosaku Abe

Publications and source records attributed to Shosaku Abe.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Chymase-positive mast cells in small sized adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Mast cells accumulate in angiogenesis-dependent situations of lung adenocarcinoma. Human mast cells are divided into two major subsets: MCT (mast cells with immunoreactivity for tryptase but not chymase) and MCTC (reactive for tryptase and chymase). Chymase is an important mediator of tissue remodeling, but research into chymase-containing mast cell subpopulations has been hampered by the lack of reagents suitable for use with formalin-fixed tissue. We stained chymase using CC1 antibody in 66 cases of small sized lung adenocarcinoma as well as CD34 and tryptase. There were significant positive correlations of microvessel counts with MCT-type and MCTC-type mast cell counts in lung adenocarcinomas. When analyzed according to Noguchi's classification, MCT-type and MCTC-type mast cells were significantly increased in Noguchi type-C tumors [localized bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (LBAC) with active fibroblastic proliferation] compared with in Noguchi type-A (LBAC) plus type-B tumors (LBAC with alveolar collapse). Members in the high-count group of MCTC-type but not MCT-type mast cells showed a significantly worse outcome than those in the low-count group in LBACs. Counting chymase-positive (MCTC-type) mast cells in tumor stroma may be a good prognosis predictor for LBACs, especially Noguchi type-C tumors.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2003

Tumor angiogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer.

Lung cancer is one of the commonest causes of cancer death in developed countries. Recent evidence suggests that angoigenesis is related to poor prognosis in many solid tumors including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Angiogenesis is regulated by a complex interaction among growth factors and cytokines and influenced by proteolytic enzymes such as plasminogen activators and matrix metalloproteases, expression of adhesion molecules, and distribution of extracellular matrices. Fibroblasts, macrophages, mast cells, and endothelial cells themselves also affect angiogenesis. This review concentrates on angiogenic growth factors including vascular endothelial growth factor, angiopoietins, platelet derived endothelial growth factor, and basic fibroblast growth factor, proteases, adhesion molecules including vascular endothelial cadherin and integrins, osteopontin, and mast cell products in tumor angiogenesis of NSCLC.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗
PubMed2003

Invasive thymoma with paraneoplastic retinopathy.

A 60-year-old man was admitted for progressive visual loss in both eyes. He was diagnosed with retinopathy and chest computed tomography revealed an invasive thymoma. In western blot analysis, serum autoantibodies against recoverin, photoreceptor-specific calcium-binding protein, and heat shock cognate protein 70 which were identified as the cause of cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR). Immunofluorescence staining showed that thymoma cells also expressed recoverin. These observations strongly suggested that similar pathogenesis of CAR was involved in the presented case.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed2003

Respiratory symptoms and cigarette smoking in 3,197 pulmonologist-based asthmatic patients with a highly prevalent use of inhaled corticosteroid.

The relation between smoking and risk of asthma has been well-examined; however little attention has been paid to the correlation between smoking and asthma symptoms. The aims of this study were to examine respiratory symptoms in asthmatics with a highly prevalent use of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and to assess the effects of smoking and its cessation. A cross-sectional study of pulmonologist-based 3197 asthmatics (men 45.2%, ages 20-97) was performed using a questionnaire about smoking habits, the incidence and frequency of symptoms (sputum, cough and wheezing, night symptoms, and shortness of breath), physical activity interference, and medication. Although 81.4% of the patients used ICS according to the international guideline, 14.9% had activity interference, and daily symptoms remained in 43.3%. At the time of the questionnaire, 21.6% were current and 25.1% were ex-smokers. In multiple logistic regression analysis, the factors of significance (p < 0.0001) were (1) smoking; for all four symptoms, (2) age and duration of asthma; for shortness of breath. Current smokers were at a risk of sputum (age-adjusted odds ratio 2.32 [95% confidence interval 1.73-3.11]; 2.09 [1.57-2.79]), of cough and wheezing (2.38 [1.81-3.14]; 1.78 [1.35-2.36]), of night symptoms (1.95 [1.41-2.60]; 1.47 [1.09-1.98]), and of shortness of breath (1.70 [1.26-2.28]; 1.30 [0.97-1.75]) in men and women, respectively. These ratios in ex-smokers decreased to the level similar to nonsmokers. Although 81.4% of asthmatic patients used ICS, 43.3% complained of daily respiratory symptoms, especially sputum. It is suggested that the effects of ICS on asthma symptoms may be interfered with by smoking and therefore more emphasis should be placed on cessation of smoking.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2003

Neurokinin-1 and neurokinin-2 antagonism inhibits long-term acid fog-induced airway hyperresponsiveness.

BACKGROUND: We recently reported that airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) induced by a 6-h exposure to sulfuric acid (H(2)SO(4)) was inhibited by either the neurokinin (NK)-1 receptor antagonist, FK888, or the NK-2 receptor antagonist, SR48968, when administered immediately before the exposure. The aims of this study were to determine whether these antagonists have any therapeutic efficiency against AHR after long-term H(2)SO(4) inhalation and to elucidate the mechanisms in ovalbumin sensitized guinea pigs. METHODS: Specific airway resistance (sRaw), AHR, and BAL fluid were analyzed after an 8-week exposure to H(2)SO(4) aerosol (82 mg/m(3), pH 1.7, 40 mOsm) or hypotonic saline solution (pH 5.9, 40 mOsm) as a control. The H(2)SO(4) group then received a 2-week treatment with FK888, SR48968, or vehicle. RESULTS: The AHR and the eosinophil count in BAL fluid were significantly increased in the H(2)SO(4) group compared to control animals, while sRaw was significantly elevated in both groups after the 8-week exposure. Treatment with both FK888 and SR48968 significantly reduced the AHR and tended to inhibit eosinophilia in BAL fluid, but sRaw did not change. The degree of AHR improvement with SR48968 was much larger than with FK888. CONCLUSION: Our results show that both NK-1 and NK-2 receptor antagonists inhibited long-term H(2)SO(4)-induced AHR in sensitized guinea pigs, and the effect was much greater with an NK-2 antagonist. We suggest that NK-1 or NK-2 antagonism might partially inhibit the H(2)SO(4)-induced influx of eosinophils into the lung.

Airway Resistance↗
PubMed2003

High dose of inhaled fluticasone reduces high levels of urinary leukotriene E4 in the early morning in mild and moderate nocturnal asthma.

BACKGROUND: The circadian variation in urinary leukotriene E(4) (LTE(4)) excretion with a morning acrophase has recently been reported in nocturnal asthma (NA); however, the effects of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) on this circadian rhythmicity of leukotriene (LT) in patients with NA are controversial. METHODS: We first measured peak expiratory flow (PEF), urinary LTE(4), 11-dehydro-thromboxane B(2) (TXB(2)), and creatinine levels six times every 4 h for 24 h in two groups: patients with mild-to-moderate, steroid-naive NA (n = 10, group A), and patients with severe NA treated with high-dose ICS (n = 10, group B). Next, group A patients received 2 weeks of treatment with 800 microg/d of inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP), and we compared the measured parameters before and after treatment. RESULTS: In group A, a circadian rhythm in urinary LTE(4) with peak levels at approximately 4 AM associated with reduced PEF was observed. Group B had suppression of urinary LTE(4) excretion and had no circadian rhythmicity, as seen in group A, despite a dip in PEF at 4 AM. A high dose of FP in group A significantly (p < 0.05) reduced LTE(4) levels and abolished the circadian rhythm, as well as improving PEF. We found no significant difference in the circadian rhythm of urinary 11-dehydro-TXB(2) between groups A and B, and high-dose FP partially decreased urinary 11-dehydro-TXB(2) levels but not significantly. CONCLUSIONS: A high-dose of ICS reduced urinary LTE(4) levels and abolished their circadian variation in patients with asthma, suggesting that LT might contribute to the mechanism of NA.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2003

Hericium erinaceum (yamabushitake) extract-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome monitored by serum surfactant proteins.

This is the first report suggesting a causal relationship between acute respiratory distress syndrome and Hericium erinaceum extract, which is commercialized as a diet food. A 63-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for intensive care of severe acute respiratory failure with diffuse infiltration in both lungs. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed a high percentage of lymphocytes. Lymphocyte stimulation test showed a strong reactivity against extract formulation of Hericium erinaceum (Yamabushitake), which he had taken four months before onset. He recovered with successful steroid pulse therapy under mechanical ventilation. Concentrations of surfactant protein (SP)-A and SP-D in sera reflected the clinical features.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid↗
PubMed2003

Secondary pulmonary alveolar proteinosis associated with myelodysplastic syndrome.

A 47-year-old man, who had been diagnosed as myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), complained of a severe cough and a high-grade fever. Chest CT disclosed scattered small nodules and ground-glass opacities with interlobular septal thickening in both lung fields and a mass lesion in the right lower lobe. Pathological findings of the ground-glass opacities and the mass lesion obtained by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery revealed the accumulation of eosinophilic amorphous material in the alveoli and confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP). Autoantibodies against granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in sera were below sensitivity, while the GM-CSF level was elevated in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. He was diagnosed as secondary PAP associated with MDS.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed2003

A rare case of pulmonary bronchogenic cyst associated with bronchial atresia in the same lobe.

A rare case of 49-year-old woman having pulmonary bronchogenic cyst associated with bronchial atresia in the same lobe was presented. The diagnosis was confirmed by aortography and operation specimen. Three-dimensional reconstructed images of computed tomography clearly demonstrated the defference between mucoid impaction of bronchial trees in the left S9 not communicating with hilar bronchus and the cyst in the left S10 oppressing surrounding vessels.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[A case of sarcoidosis with primary pulmonary cavitation].

A 30-year-old woman presented with multiple nodular shadows which enclosed a cavity on a chest radiograph. Chest computed tomographic (CT) images showed mediastinal lymphadenopathy, and multiple nodular opacities enclosing a cavity. Histopathological findings of biopsy specimens from the lung and mediastinal lymph nodes revealed noncaseating epithelioid cell granulomas without any evidence of Mycobacterium or fungal growth. The lesion in the lung included granulomatous vasculitis. Even without corticosteroid or any other therapy, the lung lesions resolved and the cavity disappeared. We report a case of sarcoidosis with primary acute cavitation.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Results of survey of adult community-acquired pneumonia utilizing flow chart of diagnostic guideline for management of respiratory infections].

We performed a nationwide survey of 1,258 patients to assess the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia in Japan. Cases were classified as bacterial pneumonia in which the causal organism was unknown (Type A) or presumed (Type B), atypical pneumonia (Type C), severe pneumonia (Type D), or pneumonia in certain specific morbid states (Type E). Our objectives were to assess the actual use of antimicrobials and to determine the usefulness of the "Guidelines on Respiratory Infections--Basic Concepts in the Medical Care of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Adults", developed by the Guideline-Drafting Committee of the Japanese Respiratory Society (JRS), in differentiating these categories of patients. We also hoped to elicit constructive opinions that would contribute to future revisions of these guidelines. The findings showed that pneumonia was classified as "bacterial pneumonia in which the causal organism was unknown" in approximately half (50.2%) of the patients studied. The next most common classification was "severe pneumonia", followed by "atypical pneumonia", "bacterial pneumonia in which the causal organism was presumed", and "pneumonia in certain specific morbid states", in that order. Our results suggest that the JSR guidelines, including the methods for differentiating between bacterial pneumonia and atypical pneumonia, are useful and appropriate, and that antimicrobial agents were generally selected in accordance with the guidelines. We also identified a number of issues to be addressed in future updates of the guidelines, including criteria for physiological assessment, handling of cases in which physical findings and laboratory test results are not in agreement, age-related issues (especially the treatment of patients 65 years of age and older), the differentiation between bacterial pneumonia and atypical pneumonia, the weighing of underlying diseases and complications, and guidelines regarding the use of adjuvant therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

[The environmental risk factors for COPD--tobacco smoke, air pollution, chemicals].

The identification of risk factors is an important step toward developing strategies for prevention and treatment of any disease. The risks of COPD are related to environmental exposures in combination with the genetic makeup of the individual. The principal environmental factor in COPD is well known--exposure to cigarette smoke--and it can be modified. However, although smoking is the best-studied COPD risk factor, it is not only one. Air pollution, occupational dusts and chemicals can also cause COPD when the exposures are sufficiently intense or prolonged. This is a summary of environmental risk factors for COPD.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed2002

Thymidine phosphorylase and vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with Stage I lung adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) has chemotactic activity in endothelial cells in vitro and angiogenic activity in vivo. However, the clinical significance of TP and cooperative roles of TP with other angiogenic factors have remained unclear in nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). METHODS: The authors stained for TP, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in 132 tumors from patients with Stage I NSCLC. They compared TP, VEGF, and bFGF expression levels with microvessel counts (MVCs), macrophage counts, mast cell counts, and clinical outcomes of patients with Stage I NSCLC. RESULTS: In adenocarcinoma samples, only stromal cell-TP expression and tumor cell-VEGF expression were associated with MVCs and mast cell counts but not with macrophage counts. In squamous cell carcinoma samples, there were no significant associations of the expression of any examined angiogenic factors with MVCs, mast cell counts, or macrophage counts. More importantly, only among patients with Stage I adenocarcinoma of the lung did patients in the stromal cell-TP positive tumor group and in the tumor cell-VEGF positive tumor group have a significantly worse prognosis compared with patients in the stromal cell-TP negative tumor group and in the tumor cell VEGF negative group, respectively. In addition, among patients with Stage I adenocarcinoma, patients in the stromal cell-TP positive and tumor cell-VEGF positive tumor group had a significantly worse prognosis among the four groups. CONCLUSIONS: TP induction in tumoral stroma, but not in tumor cells, and tumor cell-VEGF induction may promote angiogenesis cooperatively in adenocarcinoma of the lung. Stromal cell-TP expression and tumor cell-VEGF expression may be important prognostic factors in adenocarcinoma of the lung, and stromal cell-TP expression may be a marker of active remodeling stroma in adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2002

Elevated levels of serum macrophage migration inhibitory factor in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) was originally described as a T-cell-derived cytokine that inhibits the random migration of macrophages and promotes the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction. MIF plays an important role in the regulation of the Th1/Th2 balance in inflammatory response. This study investigated serum levels of circulating MIF in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. The levels of MIF in sera were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 34 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (16 males and 18 females) and 30 healthy controls (15 males and 15 females). The mean levels of circulating MIF values were significantly higher in those with pulmonary tuberculosis (19.84 +/- 11.27 ng/ml; P < 0.0001) than in the healthy controls (4.38 +/- 1.34 ng/ml). Circulating MIF values significantly correlated with circulating interferon-gamma values (r = 0.537, P < 0.0001). Thus, MIF may play an important role in immune responses to human infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Assessment of differentiation in adenocarcinoma cells from pleural effusion by peripheral airway cell markers and their diagnostic values.

Ultrastructural studies have shown that Clara cell-type is a more common type of adenocarcinoma than alveolar type II cell-type, and that both types may provide better prognosis than other types, indicating an importance of differentiation toward peripheral airway cells. Pulmonary surfactant protein (SP)-A is a specific marker for both alveolar type II cells and Clara cells in peripheral lung tissues, while SP-C and Clara cell 10 kD protein (CC10) may be particularly and highly specific to alveolar type II cells and Clara cells, respectively. The aims of this study were to assess the differentiation of adenocarcinoma cells in pleural effusions by evaluating the expression of these cell markers and to evaluate their values as diagnostic tools for judging the cause of pleural effusion. We examined pleural effusions from 52 patients; 20 with primary lung adenocarcinomas, 6 with small cell lung carcinomas, 11 with metastatic malignant tumors and 15 with non-neoplastic diseases. The cell pellets from effusions were subjected to immunocytochemical staining for SP-A, proSP-C, a precursor of SP-C, and CC10. By this immunocytochemical study for SP-A and proSP-C, 10 (50%) and 6 (30%) of 20 adenocarcinomas, respectively, showed a positive immunoreactivity in their effusion cells, while none of them expressed CC10. Alveolar type II cells therefore may be the main progenitor cells of some adenocarcinomas. In pleural effusions from patients with primary lung adenocarcinomas, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for SP-A mRNA showed a sensitivity of 83%, while, in all remaining patients, these assays were negative. In conclusion, we demonstrated that lung adenocarcinomas, which are partially differentiated toward alveolar type II cells, are not as rare as previously thought, and that both the RT-PCR and immunocytochemical analyses for SP-A and pro-SP-C could be worthy indicators of differential diagnosis.

Adenocarcinoma↗