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Biomedical subjects

T Kitagawa

Publications and source records attributed to T Kitagawa.

At least 901 records · Page 50Linked to original sources

Losses of heterozygosity on chromosomes 17p and 9p/18q may play important roles in early and advanced phases of gallbladder carcinogenesis.

PURPOSE: This present study aimed to investigate the genetic changes in gallbladder carcinogenesis. METHODS: Eleven intramucosal gallbladder carcinomas were compared with 31 invasive lesions for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosomes 5q, 9p, 17p and 18q, frame-shift mutations in a ten-adenine repeat site within the gene encoding the transforming growth factor beta type II receptor (TGFbetaRII) and an eight-guanine repeat site within BAX, and point mutations in codon 12 of Ki-ras. RESULTS: The incidences of LOH in intramucosal and invasive carcinomas were 14% and 17% on 5q, 9% and 52% on 9p, 64% and 65% on 17p, and 13% and 32% on 18q. No frame-shift mutations were found at TGFbetaRII or BAX, and point mutations in codon 12 of Ki-ras were present in only 8% of the samples. Thus, LOH on 17p was by far the most frequent lesion with similar results in both intramucosal and invasive carcinomas. In contrast, the frequency of LOH on 9p and 18q was distinctly higher in invasive lesions. CONCLUSION: The present data suggest that LOH on 17p may play an important role in the evolution of gallbladder carcinoma from a relatively early phase, while LOH on 9p and 18q may play roles in progression.

Adenine↗

[Clinical testing of intra-articularly injected glycosaminoglycan polysulfate in gonarthrosis ( a controlled multicenter double-blind study)].

In order to evaluate the clinical efficacy of glycosaminoglycan polysulfate (GAGPS) in osteoarthrosis of the knee, a double blind comparative study was carried out at 26 orthopaedic clinics throughout Japan. A total of 120 patients was divided into two groups; one group was treated with 1 mg GAGPS (control group) and the other with 50 mg GAGPS (drug group). Five or more injections (average: 9.3) were given at about weekly intervals (average: 8.2 days). The score derived from the knee scoring scale improved significantly in both groups, either after the 5th and the 10th injections. The score that had improved after the 10th injection in drug group was statistically superior compared to the control (p less than 0.05), however, the difference in the two groups after the 5th injection did not reach a level of any statistical significance. Doctors' assessment of the usefulness of the drug based on the balance of effects and side effects was obtained in 71.2% and 41.1% in drug group and control group, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (p less than 0.01). In conclusion, the authors confirmed that the intraarticular injections of 50 mg GAGPS were useful for osteoarthrosis of the knee although the clinical symptoms were improved only gradually following the injections.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Sphingomyelinosis, a new mutation in the mouse: a model of Niemann-Pick disease in humans.

A new autosomal recessive gene causing sphingomyelinosis in mice is described. The name sphingomyelinosis is proposed for this mutant with the gene symbol spm. The disease syndrome caused by this gene has been diagnosed as an analogue of Niemann-Pick disease in humans. Affected mice cannot breed. They show neurological symptoms and weight loss beginning from around 7 weeks of age, and die at 12-14 weeks. By 8 weeks of age striking hepatosplenomegaly and marked enlargement of lymph nodes are present. Large areas of the liver and spleen are replaced by clusters of foam cells. Purkinje cells in the cerebellum are severely depleted. The contents of sphingomyelin and free cholesterol in the liver and spleen are markedly elevated. But the brain shows no obvious changes in lipid concentrations. Sphingomyelinase activity is reduced to about 30 percent that of the homozygous normal controls in the liver, 50 percent in the spleen and 70-80 percent in the brain. Heterozygotes are normal in both lipid concentrations and sphingomyelinase activity. The syndrome produced by spm is different in several ways from that produced by fm, which has been reported to cause sphingomyelinosis in mice.

Animals↗

Time course of hepatic lipids accumulation in a strain of mice with an inherited deficiency of sphingomyelinase.

Sphingomyelinosis (gene symbol, spm) is a recessive autosomal mutation in mice that causes a condition analogous to the human disease known as Niemann-Pick disease. The time course of hepatic lipids accumulation in this murine model was investigated. Hepatosplenomegaly in spm/ spm mice was noticeable as early as 4 weeks of age, and reached its maximum level at 6 weeks of age. Thereafter the weights of liver and spleen decreased in parallel with a decrease in body weight and an increase in severity of neurological symptoms. Hepatic concentrations of unesterified cholesterol and sphingomyelin were considerably elevated by 4 weeks of age, and further increased linearly to the terminal stages of the disorder. Sphingomyelinase activities in the livers of spm/ + and +/+ mice showed normal adult levels from as early as 4 weeks of age, whereas the activity in spm/ spm mice was consistently 30-40 percent of the normal level from 4 to 12 weeks of age.

Age Factors↗

Microdensity of solitary bone cyst after steroid injection.

The change of bone density in five patients with solitary bone cysts (SBC) was directly measured by microdensitometry (MD). Standard plain radiographs could not always predict the strength of the bone, but with MD, smaller changes in bone density could be found quantitatively. The density of the lesion temporarily decreased just after steroid injection and began to increase to maximum level in approximately 4 or 5 months. However, in two patients, the density decreased gradually to the first MD levels and refractured. In this article we stress the usefulness of direct MD in detecting the strength of the lesion.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Influence of glucose infusion on levels of phosphomonoesters and adenosine triphosphate as detected by magnetic resonance spectroscopy in a new model of core-cooling of the rat liver in situ.

This preliminary study was undertaken to ascertain whether our newly developed model of the cold ischemic rat liver in situ is applicable to studies designed to assess the metabolism of nutrients. Ischemia of the whole liver of 12 Wistar rats was induced by clamping all supply and drainage vessels. The ischemic liver was perfused in situ. The duration of ischemia of the liver was 20 minutes. Saline was infused into six rats throughout the experiment (group A). An intravenous infusion of glucose at a rate of 0.75 g/h per rat was begun immediately after the induction of blood-reflow to the liver (group B, n = 6). Six rats (group C) did not undergo the procedure for induction of hepatic ischemia and received glucose at the same rate as rats in group B. Changes in hepatic levels of sugar phosphates (phosphomonoesters [PMEs]), inorganic phosphorus, and beta-positioned phosphorus in adenosine triphosphate (beta-ATP) were monitored by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Ischemia caused a significant increase in levels of PMEs and a decrease in levels of beta-ATP. The infusion of glucose caused a further increase in levels of PMEs and a further decrease in levels of beta-ATP in group B. In contrast, in group C such infusion did not induce any changes in levels of PMEs or beta-ATP. In group A, PMEs and beta-ATP returned to basal levels 5 hours after the induction of blood-reflow to the liver. The changes in levels of PMEs were similar to those in levels of inorganic phosphorus in all groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Efficacy of Shiunko for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Shiunko is a typical Kampo drug made from herbal extracts and used to treat a range of conditions including atopic dermatitis. Shiunko, white petrolatum and 3.5% salt water were applied to the skin of atopic dermatitis patients, and their clinical effectiveness, and the changes in bacterial species and cell numbers on the skin were studied. Staphylococcus aureus was the main species seen but several other coagulase-negative staphylococci were also identified on some patients. Shiunko was clinically effective in four of seven patients (57%) compared with no patients for petrolatum and one of seven (14%) for salt water. Bacterial counts were reduced with Shiunko in four of seven patients compared with one of seven patients (14%) for both petrolatum and salt water. The results suggest that Shiunko may have antibacterial effects on staphylococci, and may be an effective treatment for atopic dermatitis and other skin infections caused mainly by Staphylococcus species.

Adolescent↗

Distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility of coagulase-negative staphylococci from skin lesions.

The distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility of coagulase-negative staphylococci from skin lesions were investigated. Staphylococcus epidermidis was found on all areas of the body, whereas S. capitis, S. haemolyticus and S. hominis were mainly found on the face/head or arm/leg. The distribution of coagulase-negative staphylococci in skin lesions and at the same location on normal skin was similar. Staphylococcus lugdunensis was the most susceptible to the nine tested antimicrobials (benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, piperacillin, cefazolin, erythromycin, minocycline, gentamicin, vancomycin and ofloxacin) and S. epidermidis the least susceptible. S. haemolyticus also showed low susceptibility to all nine antimicrobials. Low susceptibility to penicillins may be explained by beta-lactamase production. The existence of coagulase-negative staphylococci, especially concerning their potential pathogenicity and multiple drug resistance, should not be neglected.

Adolescent↗

Characterization of Peptostreptococcus species in skin infections.

We examined the characteristics of Peptostreptococcus species in infectious skin diseases. P. magnus was the species identified most frequently, followed by P. asaccharolyticus. Peptostreptococcus species were mainly isolated from infected atheroma and secondary infections due to ulcers; their resistance to five antimicrobial agents was generally low. The resistance of the three predominant Peptostreptococcus species to the antimicrobials was similar to that of all of the Peptostreptococcus species. The predominant Peptostreptococcus species isolated from infected atheroma might be pathogenic. It was considered that the presence of anaerobes as well as aerobes was important to induce the infectious condition.

Adolescent↗

Predominant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from various skin diseases.

We examined predominant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from lesions of various skin diseases, and during the past 3 years, 113 methicillin-sensitive and 31 methicillin-resistant S. aureus have been isolated. The predominant species isolated from almost all of the primary bacteriological cultures was S. aureus. The skin diseases from which cultures were most frequently prepared were atopic dermatitis, followed by ulcers. S. aureus was the predominant species in two-thirds or more of cases of all of the different skin diseases examined. The predominant species identified, other than S. aureus, included Streptococcus species and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Evaluation of the predominance of S. aureus is important to the determination of the severity of skin lesions and, if needed, appropriate antimicrobial therapy.

Dermatitis, Atopic↗

A comparison of the epidemiology of youth-onset insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus between Japan and the United States (Allegheny County, Pennsylvania).

Children in the United States are almost 20 times more likely to develop insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) than children in Japan. Little is known about the differences between the two countries that might account for this very large difference in risk. The current research compared the characteristics of IDDM in Japan with those of the United States (Allegheny County, Pennsylvania). Seasonality, relationship to socioeconomic status, and age at onset were similar. There was some suggestion of a sex difference. Of interest was that reported recent infections at onset were much higher in the United States. In addition, the risk to first-degree relatives in Japan appeared to be somewhat lower than in the United States, although this may have been the result of differences in ascertainment. These results are discussed in relation to potential factors that might account for the major incidence differences.

Adolescent↗

Epstein-Barr virus-associated malignant lymphoma with macroamylasemia and monoclonal gammopathy in a patient with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.

A 1-year-old boy with Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS) who developed malignant lymphoma is described. He showed various complications such as atypical lymphocytosis, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), intracranial hemorrhage, macroamylasemia, and monoclonal gammopathy (immunoglobulin A kappa chain). Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA was detected in the tumor tissue, and the monoclonality of B cells from the tumor tissue was established. EBV-associated lymphoma is frequently observed in immunocompromised patients including those with WAS. The development of macroamylasemia, which is rare in childhood, is discussed in relation to lymphoma and monoclonal gammopathy. This case is unique in that the EBV-associated malignant lymphoma developed at an early age and was accompanied by macroamylasemia.

Amylases↗

Different sensitivities to external ATP in passive permeability of transformed mouse cell lines.

External ATP causes a passive permeability change in several transformed cells but not in untransformed mouse fibroblasts. In the present experiments, the ATP-specific permeability change was observed also in B16 melanoma and L929 cells. The sensitivity to external ATP of these cells increased further when the concentration of intracellular ATP was lowered by addition of a mitochondrial inhibitor. In contrast, mouse 3T3 cells transformed by murine sarcoma virus did not respond to external ATP even when the intracellular ATP was depleted. Such differences in the ATP-sensitivity were not ascribed to the different concentrations of intracellular ATP.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗