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Biomedical subjects

T Kawakami

Publications and source records attributed to T Kawakami.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Early detection of prostate cancer-results of a prostate specific antigen-based detection program at a "multiphasic screening"].

Determination was made of serum PSA in the early detection of prostate cancer in a population of 1,227 men aged 55 years or older who visited a "human dock". "Human dock" is a unique health examination facility open to public in Japan. Recommendation for biopsy was made based solely on this parameter when its value exceeded 2.0 ng/ml in IMx immunoenzymetric assay (Dinabot Co.). Of these, 162 (13.2%) had elevated values. The proportion of males with serum PSA greater than 4.0 ng/ml was only 3.6%. Of the 109 males who underwent ultrasound guided biopsies, 17 cancers were detected, the cancer detection rate thus being 1.4%. Most of these cases (82.4%) were clinically localized cancers. Eight patients with cancer had serum PSA levels below 4.0 ng/ml including 6 less than 3.0 ng/ml. Radical prostatectomy was conducted on 14 patients. All had histologic features of clinically significant cancer and 64.3% were pathologically confined. Oriental elderly males appear to have lower serum PSA than western counterparts. The optimal cutoff of serum PSA for early detection should be examined further in oriental male populations. Differences in the incidence of prostate cancer between ethnic groups may have been overestimated in previous studies owing in part to unawareness by the physician and general public. Though the application of PSA for early detection will likely disclose greater numbers of prostate cancers in Japan, whether early detection reduces mortality by minimizing risk of death from cancer remains a point to be clarified.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

[Pharmacokinetic study of intraperitoneal cisplatin chemotherapy for gastric cancer as an adjuvant setting].

The pharmacokinetic studies of intraperitoneal cisplatin (CDDP) for gastric cancer were discussed elsewhere, but those studies were investigated in patients with ascites. The purpose of this study is to compare the difference in pharmacokinetics between patients with malignant ascites and those curatively resected without ascites. One hundred mg of CDDP and 300 ml of saline were administered intraperitoneally for 9 curatively resected patients by catheter just after operation, and the same doses of CDDP were administered for 3 advanced or recurrent patients with ascites just after removal of whole fluid. Blood samples were corrected at 6 points after administration. Results were as follows: The 0-t area under the curve (AUC) and the Cmax of both total and free CDDP in the patients without ascites was higher than in the patients with ascites. The 0-infinity AUC and MRT of the ascites patients were higher than in the patients without ascites. These data suggest that intraperitoneal CDDP chemotherapy for gastric cancer as an adjuvant setting is more effective than chemotherapy for advanced malignant ascites patients.

Ascitic Fluid↗
PubMed1995

[A radiological analysis of the position of lumbar epidural catheters: a comparison between median and paramedian approach].

The position of lumbar epidural catheters was confirmed by radiography in 71 patients. Catheters were advanced by 5 cm cephalad in the lumbar epidural space by paramedian approach (Group P: n = 28) or median one (Group M: n = 43) and contrast media was injected through the catheters. If the contrast media was present in the paravertebral regions, the catheter was considered to be in the abnormal position. The incidence of the abnormal position of the catheters was higher in group M than in group P significantly. To advance an epidural catheter longer into the lumbar epidural space, paramedian approach may be superior to median one.

Anesthesia, Epidural↗
PubMed1995

Peptidergic innervation in the amphibian carotid labyrinth.

The amphibian carotid labyrinth, which corresponds to the mammalian carotid body and carotid sinus, is innervated by nerve fibers containing substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), FMRFamide (FMRF), and somatostatin (SOM). SP, CGRP, VIP, and NPY immunoreactive varicose fibers are more densely distributed in the peripheral portion of the carotid labyrinth than FMRF and SOM fibers. The time of appearance of SP, CGRP, and VIP is different for each. First CGRP fibers, then SP fibers appear at an early stage of larval development, and finally VIP fibres are detected at a later stage of larval development. Most SP fibres show coexistence with CGRP, and some SP fibres which show coexistence with NPY immunoreactivity are assumed to be continuous with those demonstrating VIP immunoreactivity. This indicates the possibility of coexistence of four different peptides in the same nerve fibers within the labyrinth. In various vasculatures of mammals, it has been shown that SP, CGRP, VIP, and NPY have a vasoactive nature in relation to the vascular smooth muscle cells. On this basis, it seems that the target of the peptidergic innervation in the amphibian carotid labyrinth is the smooth muscle cells which are abundantly distributed in the intervascular stroma. Accordingly, the peptidergic innervation may be involved in the vascular regulatory function of the labyrinth, although the possibility that these peptides participate in the chemoreception cannot be ruled out. In addition, the vascular regulatory function of the labyrinth may be modulated by the interaction of multiple neuropeptides.

Amphibians↗
PubMed1995

[Use of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of cystic lesions in seminal vesicles and prostate].

Transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) has been used extensively to evaluate the lower urinary tract in males, including the prostate gland, seminal vesicles and ejaculatory ducts. Of 475 males who underwent TRUS at Kitasato University Hospital, 43 (9.1%) were found to have cystic changes of these structures. Most of these cystic changes could be identified as being of prostate origin, Wolffian duct origin or Müllerian duct origin by their sonographic appearance and location. Although most patients were asymptomatic, 8 of the 30 men with a complaint of hematospermia had a sonographic finding of cystic changes in the prostate (3 patients) or ejaculatory ducts (5 patients). Inflammation and allergic reaction have been suggested to be related to hematospermia, however, their mechanism remains to unclear. These findings suggest that cystic changes in the ejaculatory duct contribute to hematospermia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Experiences of successful action programmes for occupational health, safety, and ergonomics promotion in small scale enterprises in Thailand.

Small-scale enterprises are playing a vital role for the national economy in Thailand, creating employment in both urban and rural areas. The improvement of working conditions and occupational safety and health, together with improved productivity has long been a priority. How we could practically provide owners and workers of small-scale enterprises with opportunities for improvement action has been our concern. In the present project, we have adopted a new programme of action which emphasizes participation, a positive approach and locally made solutions. The project site was in Samutprakarn province, an industrial zone near Bangkok. Four local small-scale enterprises participated in the action programme. They were a lead smelting, a dry-cell battery plant, a wet-cell battery plant and a pesticides factory. The programme consisted of the following steps. 1) A demonstration training session was conducted to motivate the enterprises' representatives to take action. Locally invented improvement examples were presented and small group discussion was organized for facilitating their action. 2) The participants were encouraged to use a checklist for assessing safety, health and ergonomic risks in their own workplaces. Concrete action plans were established based on their checklist results. 3) The improvement action started, in which step-by-step approaches were emphasized. Advisory and supporting roles of expert teams comprising the authors and other professionals were important to accelerate and sustain the action at these enterprises. On the basis of this self-help action, the participants were enabled to make many improvements at their workplaces. These improvements developed by their own initiative were multi-factorial. They included 1) machine and electrical safety device, 2) workstation redesign, 3) materials handling improvement, 4) establishing new welfare facilities such as canteens or bathrooms and 5) work environment improvement such as better lighting or enclosure of hazardous substances. Our experiences showed that there was a large potential to initiate local improvement actions and duplicate them in a participatory manner. Of particular importance were the positive attitudes towards self-help workplace action and the focus on locally available solutions.

Community Networks↗
PubMed1995

[A case of urethral diverticulum in a male paraplegic patient].

A case of acquired diverticulum of the male anterior urethra is reported. A 67-year-old man with Pott paralysis caused by tuberculous spondylitis, visited our clinic due to recurrent urinary tract infection. He had used a condom penile sheath to collect urine. Voiding and retrograde cystourethrograms revealed anterior urethral diverticulum. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) clearly demonstrated diverticulum and corpus cavernosum penis, but corpus spongiosum penis was not defined. Urethroscopy showed diverticulum in the shape of partially dilated urethra with normal urethral mucosa. After diverticulectomy, self catheterization was endorsed. Histological study of removed diverticulum revealed squamous epithelium and fibrous connective tissue in the wall. The urethral diverticulum of this patient might have arisen from the elevated urethral pressure caused by the condom penile sheath.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

CD28 is associated with and induces the immediate tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of the Tec family kinase ITK/EMT in the human Jurkat leukemic T-cell line.

T lymphocytes require two signals to be activated. The antigen-specific T-cell receptor can deliver the first signal, while ligation of the T-cell surface molecule CD28 by antibodies or its cognate ligands B7-1 (CD80) or B7-2 has been demonstrated to be sufficient for the delivery of the second signal. Signaling via CD28 and the T-cell receptor results (i) in their costimulation of T cells to produce numerous lymphokines including interleukin 2 and (ii) in the prevention of anergy induction. Little is known about the pathway by which CD28 mediates its signals except that protein-tyrosine phosphorylation is involved. We show here in human Jurkat cells that the Tec-family protein-tyrosine kinase ITK/EMT (p72ITK/EMT) is associated with CD28 and becomes tyrosine-phosphorylated and activated within seconds of CD28 ligation. This tyrosine phosphorylation of p72ITK/EMT is rapid (within 30 sec), occurs in the absence of LCK activation, and precedes tyrosine phosphorylation of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor VAV. Secondary crosslinking of CD28 is unnecessary for the induced tyrosine phosphorylation of p72ITK/EMT. Thus, tyrosine phosphorylation of p72ITK/EMT may represent one of the earliest events in CD28 signaling. This demonstrates that a member of the Tec family of protein tyrosine kinases, similar to members of the Src and Syk families, plays a role in the activation of T cells. Furthermore, the data demonstrate that p72ITK/EMT, and by analogy other members of the Tec family, responds to extracellularly generated signals.

CD28 Antigens↗
PubMed1994

The pleckstrin homology domain of Bruton tyrosine kinase interacts with protein kinase C.

Bruton tyrosine kinase (EC 2.7.1.112) [Btk, encoded by Btk in mice and BTK in humans (formerly known as atk, BPK, or emb)], which is variously mutated in chromosome X-linked agammaglobulinemia patients and X-linked immunodeficient (xid) mice, has the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain at its amino terminus. The PH domain of Btk expressed as a bacterial fusion protein directly interacts with protein kinase C in mast cell lysates. Evidence was obtained that Btk is physically associated with protein kinase C in intact murine mast cells as well. Both Ca(2+)-dependent (alpha, beta I, and beta II) and Ca(2+)-independent protein kinase C isoforms (epsilon and zeta) in mast cells interact with the PH domain of Btk in vitro, and protein kinase C beta I is associated with Btk in vivo. Btk served as a substrate of protein kinase C, and its enzymatic activity was down-regulated by protein kinase C-mediated phosphorylation. Furthermore, depletion or inhibition of protein kinase C with pharmacological agents resulted in an enhancement of the tyrosine phosphorylation of Btk induced by mast cell activation.

Agammaglobulinaemia Tyrosine Kinase↗
PubMed1994

Activation of protein tyrosine kinase p72syk by Fc epsilon RI aggregation in rat basophilic leukemia cells. p72syk is a minor component but the major protein tyrosine kinase of pp72.

Aggregation of the high affinity IgE receptors (Fc epsilon RI) on rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells results in protein tyrosine phosphorylations. Previously we reported that there is prominent tyrosine phosphorylation of approximately 72-kDa proteins (pp72) and that the tyrosine kinase p72syk is one component of pp72. Here we studied further the relationship of p72syk to pp72. The aggregation of Fc epsilon RI induced the activation of p72syk which was parallel to its tyrosine phosphorylation. By in vitro kinase assay of immune complexes purified with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies, p72syk was the major pp72 tyrosine kinase. However, by immunoblotting with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies, p72syk was a minor component of pp72. The heterogeneous nature of pp72 was indicated by different studies. Under optimum conditions of one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, pp72 consisted of a heterogeneous group of 69-, 71-, and 72-kDa tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins. There were differences in the tyrosine phosphorylation of these proteins in cells activated in the absence of extracellular calcium or when stimulation was with the calcium ionophore A23187 or with phorbol myristate acetate. One of the proteins migrating at 69 kDa was p72syk. By two-dimensional gel electrophoresis pp72 was found to consist of multiple tyrosine-phosphorylated protens including 71-80-kDa proteins that associate with p53/56lyn. A 75-kDa tyrosine-phosphorylated protein, different from pp72, was identified as p75HS1 (SPY75). These results demonstrate the heterogeneous nature of the pp72 and that p72syk is activated after Fc epsilon RI aggregation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Effect of neurotransmitters on axoplasmic transport: how adrenaline affects superior cervical ganglion cells.

The effect of adrenaline on the axoplasmic transport of cultured superior cervical ganglion cells was analyzed with a computer-assisted video-enhanced differential interference contrast microscope system. Adrenaline increased the axoplasmic transport reversibly in both anterograde and retrograde directions. A beta 2-antagonist, butoxamine, antagonized the increasing effects of adrenaline, but alpha-antagonists and beta 1-antagonists did not. A beta 2-agonist, albuterol, mimicked the adrenaline effect, but beta 1-, alpha 1-, alpha 2-agonists did not. The adrenaline receptor may be a beta 2-receptor. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP and forskolin increased the axoplasmic transport. Therefore, adrenaline increases the axoplasmic transport by raising the cyclic AMP level. In light of our former report that acetylcholine suppresses the axoplasmic transport, neurotransmitters control axoplasmic transport and this neurotransmitter control reflects the activity of the nerve cell.

Albuterol↗
PubMed1994

Identification of a protein, SPY75, with repetitive helix-turn-helix motifs and an SH3 domain as a major substrate for protein tyrosine kinase(s) activated by Fc epsilon RI cross-linking.

Cross-linking of the high affinity receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RI) initiates various biochemical and morphologic changes leading to degranulation and synthesis and release of cytokines and lipid mediators. Tyrosine phosphorylation of several cellular proteins was previously reported as the earliest signaling event for the Fc epsilon RI signal transduction pathway. By amino acid sequence determination and cDNA cloning analysis, a 75-kDa protein, termed SPY75, was identified as a major tyrosine-phosphorylated protein in activated mouse mast cells. SPY75, barely tyrosine phosphorylated in resting cells, was rapidly and transiently tyrosine phosphorylated on Fc epsilon RI cross-linking in an Ag concentration-dependent manner. Similar SPY75 tyrosine phosphorylation was observed when Ag receptors on B and T lymphocytes were cross-linked by appropriate antibodies. However, IL-3, granulocyte macrophage-CSF, or stem cell factor did not induce tyrosine phosphorylation of SPY75 in PT-18 mast cells, despite their responsiveness to these cytokines. SPY75 was not physically associated with the receptor or other known signaling molecules. This protein, the mouse homologue of the human HS1 gene product, has putative repetitive helix-turn-helix motifs found in many DNA-binding proteins and a putative nuclear transport signal. It also has a Src homology 3 domain, which is found in many signaling molecules and cytoskeletal proteins. These structural features and the rapid tyrosine phosphorylation on Fc epsilon RI cross-linking suggest that the signal generated by Fc epsilon RI cross-linking is transmitted through tyrosine phosphorylation of SPY75.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Separation and characterization of rice proteins.

Rice proteins from nine tissues and one organelle (leaf, chloroplast, stem, root, germ, dark germinated seedling, seed, bran, chaff and callus) were isolated and then separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). The protein spots were characterized according to molecular weight, isoelectric point and partial amino-terminal sequence. Electrophoresis was carried out by isoelectric focusing (IEF), nonequilibrium pH gradient electrophoresis (NEPHGE) and immobilized pH gradient (IPG) in the first dimension, and by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in the second dimension. With the aid of nine marker proteins, the patterns of IEF, NEPHGE and IPG 2-DE gels were graphically combined by computer into a single synthetic image for each tissue, respectively, and these images for the nine tissues and one organelle were again combined into a single 2-DE image for the integrated rice protein spots. The rice 2-DE gel image resolved 4892 proteins. About 3% of the spots are characterized by amino-terminal sequencing.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Localization of immunoreactive neuropeptides in the kidney of the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana, by immunofluorescence.

Indirect double immunofluorescence labelling for demonstrating nine neuropeptides in the kidney of the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana, revealed for the first time the occurrence, distribution, and coexistence of certain neuropeptides in the kidney of the submammalian vertebrates. Substance P, neuropeptide Y, and calcitonin gene-related peptide were localized in nerve fibers distributed along the afferent arterioles connected with the glomeruli, and along the capillary network between uriniferous tubules. Neuropeptide Y and calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactive fibers were more numerous than substance P immunoreactive fibers. In these two regions, about one half of the neuropeptide Y or calcitonin gene-related peptide fibers contained substance P. No immunoreactivity of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, somatostatin, FMRFamide, or leucine- and methionine-enkephalins was detected in the bullfrog kidney.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Coexistence of substance P, neuropeptide Y, VIP, and CGRP in the nerve fibers of the carotid labyrinth of the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana: a double-labelling immunofluorescence study in combination with alternate consecutive sections.

Double immunohistochemical staining with rhodamine- and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated antisera revealed the coexistence of substance P (SP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY), and SP and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in most nerve fibers in the intervascular stroma of the carotid labyrinth of the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana, although there were a few fibers which showed only SP- or NPY-immunoreactivity. Approximately one third of SP-immunoreactive fibers also showed coexistence with vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-immunoreactivity, and a few fibers contained VIP without SP. The combination of the double immunofluorescence technique and alternate consecutive sections further demonstrated the possible coexistence of SP, VIP, NPY, and CGRP. This coexistence of four different peptides in the same nerve fibers was proved by the following two evident facts: 1) some SP fibers which demonstrated coexistence with NPY-immunoreactivity were assumed to be continuous with those showing VIP-immunoreactivity, and 2) almost all of the SP fibers showed coexistence with CGRP-immunoreactivity. By this reasoning, nearly one third of SP fibers may demonstrate coexistence with NPY-, VIP-, and CGRP-immunoreactivities. These multiple peptides might be involved in vascular regulatory function, which is a possible function of the amphibian carotid labyrinth.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Bradykinin-responsive cells of dorsal root ganglia in culture: cell size, firing, cytosolic calcium, and substance P.

1. We analyze bradykinin-sensitive cells of the mouse dorsal root ganglion in culture from the viewpoints of cell size, electrical responses, and Ca2+ concentration change due to bradykinin and immunocytochemistry of substance P. 2. Sixteen percent of cells in the cell group 26-30 microns in diameter fired in response to 10 microM bradykinin. None of other cell groups showed a firing response to bradykinin. 3. We measured a cytosolic Ca2+ change due to bradykinin using a Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent dye, Fura 2. The rapid rise (peak time, 20 sec) in the Ca2+ concentration was ascribed to Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+ stores. The profound change in the Ca2+ concentration was observed again in the cell group 26-30 microns in diameter. Seventeen percent of cells in this group increased the Ca2+ concentration by approximately seven times that at resting level. 4. Among cells which increase Ca2+ concentration responding to bradykinin, 83% of them contain substance P (an immunocytochemical study). 5. We conclude that 16-17% of the cell group 26-30 microns in diameter of the dorsal root ganglia in culture are polymodal nociceptors and respond to bradykinin.

Animals↗