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Biomedical subjects

T Shimizu

Publications and source records attributed to T Shimizu.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

A case of a Japanese neonate with congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma diagnosed as Netherton syndrome.

We report a 6-day-old Japanese girl showing generalized erythroderma accompanied by yellowish, exfoliative scaling that was accentuated on the face and scalp. Histological analysis showed psoriasiform dermatitis with acanthotic epidermis and premature shedding of the stratum corneum. Measurement of trypsin-like hydrolytic activity in SC showed six-fold greater activity compared with age-matched controls. DNA analysis revealed two mutations, 375delAT and 966insC, in exons 5 and 11, respectively, of the SPINK5 gene. Although at 4 weeks the child was still too young to display characteristic hair abnormalities or atopic diathesis, we diagnosed Netherton syndrome based on enzyme assay and DNA analysis.

Carrier Proteins↗

Comparative studies on the roles of mediator molecules in expression of the suppressor activity of Mycobacterium avium complex-induced immunosuppressive macrophages against T cell and B cell mitogenic responses.

Mycobacterium avium complex-induced immunosuppressive macrophages (MAC-MPhis) exhibit suppressor activity against concanavalin A-induced T cell mitogenesis (T cell Con A mitogenesis). We examined the profiles of the MAC-MPhi-mediated suppression of lipopolysaccharide-induced B cell mitogenesis (B cell LPS mitogenesis) and found the following. First, although N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine and carboxy-PTIO effectively blocked the MAC-MPhi's suppressor activity against T cell Con A mitogenesis, MAC-MPhi's action against B cell LPS mitogenesis was only weakly affected by these NO-reducing agents. Second, B cell LPS mitogenesis was remarkably more susceptible to MAC-MPhi-derived reactive oxygen intermediates than T cell Con A mitogenesis. Third, B cell LPS mitogenesis was less susceptible to the inhibitory effects of the other MAC-MPhi-derived suppressor mediators, including free fatty acids, TGF-beta and prostaglandin E(2), than T cell Con A mitogenesis. Fourth, MAC-MPhi's suppressor activity was strongly dependent on B7-1 like molecule-mediated cell contact with target cells only in the case of T cell Con A mitogenesis. Therefore, there are significant differences in the modes of suppressor action of MAC-MPhis against T cell and B cell mitogenesis.

Animals↗

[New method for localization of the small ground-glass opacity lesion in resected lung].

A small lesion showing ground-glass opacity (GGO) by preoperative computed tomography (CT) is sometimes difficult to detect after lobectomy when it locates in the central part of the lobe. In order to facilitate to identify the lesion for marking pathological specimen, we developed a new method using CT. After surgery, the resected pulmonary lobe was expanded with airflow through the bronchial stump and the target lesion was examined with CT. The laser beam of the CT on the surface of the lung is used as a guiding line for cutting. Through the application of this method for 2 clinical cases, it was found to be possible to exactly identify the GGO lesion from the surface of the resected lung enabling to visualize a fresh surface of the lesion like a CT image with minimal destruction of the structure.

Aged↗

[pN0 stage IA lung cancer downstaged from pN2 IIIA by induction therapy; report of a case].

A 75-year-old male of adenocarcinoma in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was diagnosed to be p-staged IIIA by a preoperative mediastinoscopy. After the induction chemotherapy of cisplatin (80 mg/m2, day 1, 4 weeks, 2 cycles) plus docetaxel hydrate (60 mg/m2, day 1, 4 weeks, 2 cycles), we performed lobectomy and lymph nodes dissection. The postoperative pathological results showed no metastasis of the resected lymph nodes. The postoperative stage has been down to be pN0 IA from pN2 IIIA. After the adjuvant therapy of docetaxel hydrate (60 mg/m2, day 1, 4 weeks, 2 cycles), the postoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen level has been normalized without a recurrence for more than 2 years. A pathological staging with a mediastinoscopic diagnosis for the suspected clinical IIIA-staged NSCLC should bring us a good assessment of the induction therapy.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Immunohistochemical characteristics of developing mandibular angle in fetal mice.

Mouse mandibular angle development started as a coagulation of mesemchymal cells on the 15(th) fetal day. On the 16(th )fetal day, cells of the central portion of the cell coagulation showed metachromasia to toluidine blue, and type 2 collagen positive chondrocytes were immunohistochemically detected. After the 17(th) fetal day, cartilaginous osteogenesis occurred with invasion of capillaries. At the same stage, membranous (perichondral) ossification occurred in the periphery of the chondrocyte mass. These proliferating chondrocytes showed positive reactions to type 2 collagen, type 1 collagen and osteopontin. These results suggest that the characteristics of mandibular angular cartilage are slightly different from those of normal physiological articular cartilage.

Animals↗

Immunohistochemical examination of cytological differentiation in osteosarcomas.

In this immunohistochemical examination, the expression of Runx2, Notch1, Delta and Osteopontin peptides were detected in neoplastic cells in 10 Japanese cases of osteosarcoma. Immunohistochemically, Runx2 peptide expression appeared in the cytoplasm of almost all neoplastic cells of the 10 cases examined. However, Notch1 peptide expression appeared in the cytoplasm of neoplastic cells in the localized and comparatively well-differentiated area of osteosarcoma, which osteoblastic and chondroblastic containing osteoid and/or chondroid tissues. No expression of Notch1 peptide was detected in the fibroblastic and poorly differentiated areas. Delta peptide appearance was nearly the same pattern of Notch1 peptide. Expression of Osteopontin peptide appeared in almost all cells and the strength expression was shown in the area of comparatively well-differentiated tissues. Therefore, these results suggest that Runx2, Notch1, and Delta peptides are closely related to cytological differentiation or acquisition of tissue specific characteristics in neoplastic cells in osteosarcomas.

Adolescent↗

Temporary hyperglycaemia provokes monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells in rat thoracic aorta.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Several epidemiological data suggest that patients with postprandial hyperglycaemia are at high risk of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of a glucose 'spike' on monocyte adhesion to rat aortic endothelial cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells in vivo was quantitated using an en face method for observation of endothelial surface after immunohistochemical staining for CD68 in the thoracic aortas of Sprague-Dawley rats after several kinds of blood glucose rises. RESULTS: The number of monocytes adhering to endothelial cells increased at 30 min after injection of glucose in 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats. The increased adhesion returned to the basal level at 120 min after glucose injection, concomitantly with the return of blood glucose levels to normal. The infusion of octreotide to inhibit endogenous insulin secretion did not prevent the glucose-induced increase in monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells. On the other hand, the number of monocytes adhering to endothelial cells did not increase in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes and sustained hyperglycaemia. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Our data demonstrate that a temporary rise in blood glucose levels can in itself promote a reversible increase in monocyte adhesion to arterial endothelial cells.

Animals↗

Reduced amplitude of the sural nerve sensory action potential in PARK2 patients.

The authors performed nerve conduction studies in nine PARK2 and eight idiopathic Parkinson disease patients and found a significant reduction of sural sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) amplitude in eight PARK2 patients who mostly remained asymptomatic. These data suggest that sensory axonal neuropathy may be a common clinical feature of PARK2 and a reduced amplitude of sural SNAP could be a diagnostic indicator of PARK2.

Action Potentials↗

Protective role for cytosolic phospholipase A2alpha in autoimmune diabetes of mice.

Cytosolic phospholipase A(2)alpha (cPLA(2)alpha) plays an important role in arachidonate pathway. To investigate the contribution of cPLA(2)alpha to autoimmune diabetes, we established non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse, an excellent model for human type 1 diabetes, deficient in cPLA(2)alpha. These mice showed severe insulitis and a higher incidence of diabetes. In their macrophages, decreased prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) induced by cPLA(2)alpha deficiency, and the increase in production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were observed. These results suggested that cPLA(2)alpha plays a protective role in progression of insulitis and development of autoimmune diabetes by suppression of TNF-alpha production from macrophages.

Animals↗

New and reliable MRI diagnosis for progressive supranuclear palsy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the area of the midbrain and pons on mid-sagittal MRI in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), Parkinson disease (PD), and multiple-system atrophy of the Parkinson type (MSA-P), compare these appearances and values with those of normal control subjects, and establish diagnostic MRI criteria for the diagnosis of PSP. METHODS: The authors prospectively studied MRI of 21 patients with PSP, 23 patients with PD, 25 patients with MSA-P, and 31 age-matched normal control subjects. The areas of the midbrain tegmentum and the pons were measured on mid-sagittal MRI using the display tools of a workstation. The ratio of the area of the midbrain to the area of the pons was also evaluated in all subjects. RESULTS: The average midbrain area of the patients with PSP (56.0 mm2) was significantly smaller than that of the patients with PD (103.0 mm2) and MSA-P (97.2 mm2) and that of the age-matched control group (117.7 mm2). The values of the area of the midbrain showed no overlap between patients with PSP and patients with PD or normal control subjects. However, patients with MSA-P showed some overlap of the values of individual areas with values from patients with PSP. The ratio of the area of the midbrain to the area of pons in the patients with PSP (0.124) was significantly smaller than that in those with PD (0.208) and MSA-P (0.266) and in normal control subjects (0.237). Use of the ratio allowed differentiation between the PSP group and the MSA-P group. CONCLUSION: The area of the midbrain on mid-sagittal MRI can differentiate PSP from PD, MSA-P, and normal aging.

Aged↗

Splenic artery embolization before laparoscopic splenectomy in children.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the safety and utility of preoperative splenic artery embolization before laparoscopic splenectomy in children. METHODS: Five young girls with a mean age of 13.2 years underwent laparoscopic splenectomies at the authors' institution from August 1998 to April 2003. Three of the patients had idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and two had hereditary spherocytosis. Preoperative splenic artery embolization was performed the day before the surgery in all cases. The laparoscopic splenectomy was performed using traditional laparoscopic procedures and standard laparoscopic instruments with the patient in the right semilateral position. RESULTS: The mean spleen weight was 252.6 g, and the mean length was 11.6 cm. All the patients reported postembolic pain, but not to a level unmanageable by intravascular narcotics. There were no severe complications in the splenic artery embolization. The laparoscopic splenectomies were completed in a mean of 211 min, with a mean estimated blood loss of 9 ml. None of the operations required conversion to traditional open laparotomy, and none of the patients died or experienced operative complications. CONCLUSION: The authors concluded that splenic artery embolization is safe and useful as an adjuvant procedure performed before elective laparoscopic splenectomy in children.

Adolescent↗

Tibial nerve SEPs localized the lesion site in a patient with early tabes dorsalis.

There is controversy regarding the initial pathology of tabes dorsalis. In a patient with early tabes dorsalis, tibial nerve somatosensory evoked potentials elicited normal P15, a delayed traveling peak in the lumbar bipolar leads, and absent subsequent components. Based on the comparison with normative data and stimulation at different intensities, the authors conclude that only the slower conducting antidromic motor volleys are preserved, whereas the dorsal root is damaged at its distal end.

Adult↗

Roles of volume-sensitive Cl- channel in cisplatin-induced apoptosis in human epidermoid cancer cells.

The anti-cancer drug cisplatin induces apoptosis by damaging DNA. Since a stilbene-derivative blocker of Cl-/HCO3- exchangers and Cl- channels, SITS, is known to induce cisplatin resistance in a manner independent of intracellular pH and extracellular HCO3-, we investigated the relation between cisplatin-induced apoptosis and Cl- channel activity in human adenocarcinoma KB cells. A stilbene derivative, DIDS, reduced cisplatin-induced caspase-3 activation and cell death, which were detected over 18 h after treatment with cisplatin. DIDS was also found to reduce sensitivity of KB cells to 5-day exposure to cisplatin. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings showed that KB cells functionally express volume-sensitive outwardly rectifying (VSOR) Cl- channels which are activated by osmotic cell swelling and sensitive to DIDS. Pretreatment of the cells with cisplatin for 12 h augmented the magnitude of VSOR Cl- current. Thus, it is concluded that cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in KB cells is associated with augmented activity of a DIDS-sensitive VSOR Cl- channel and that blockade of this channel is, at least in part, responsible for cisplatin resistance induced by a stilbene derivative.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗

Roles of aquaporin-3 water channels in volume-regulatory water flow in a human epithelial cell line.

Membrane water transport is an essential event not only in the osmotic cell volume change but also in the subsequent cell volume regulation. Here we investigated the route of water transport involved in the regulatory volume decrease (RVD) that occurs after osmotic swelling in human epithelial Intestine 407 cells. The diffusion water permeability coefficient (Pd) measured by NMR under isotonic conditions was much smaller than the osmotic water permeability coefficient (Pf) measured under an osmotic gradient. Temperature dependence of Pf showed the Arrhenius activation energy (Ea) of a low value (1.6 kcal/mol). These results indicate an involvement of a facilitated diffusion mechanism in osmotic water transport. A mercurial water channel blocker (HgCl(2)) diminished the Pf value. A non-mercurial sulfhydryl reagent (MMTS) was also effective. These blockers of water channels suppressed the RVD. RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry demonstrated predominant expression of AQP3 water channel in this cell line. Downregulation of AQP3 expression induced by treatment with antisense oligodeoxynucleotides was found to suppress the RVD response. Thus, it is concluded that AQP3 water channels serve as an essential pathway for volume-regulatory water transport in, human epithelial cells.

Aquaporin 3↗

Relationship between distance of schools from the nearest municipal waste incineration plant and child health in Japan.

In Japan, the main source of dioxins is incinerators. This study examined the relationship between the distance of schools from municipal waste incineration plants and the prevalence of allergic disorders and general symptoms in Japanese children. Study subjects were 450,807 elementary school children aged 6-12 years who attended 996 public elementary schools in Osaka Prefecture in Japan. Parents of school children completed a questionnaire that included items about illnesses and symptoms in the study child. Distance of each of the public elementary schools from all of the 37 municipal waste incineration plants in Osaka Prefecture was measured using geographical information systems packages. Adjustment was made for grade, socioeconomic status and access to health care per municipality. Decreases in the distance of schools from the nearest municipal waste incineration plant were independently associated with an increased prevalence of wheeze, headache, stomach ache, and fatigue (adjusted odds ratios [95% confidence intervals] for shortest vs. longest distance categories =1.08 [1.01-1.15], 1.05 [1.00-1.11], 1.06 [1.01-1.11], and 1.12 [1.08-1.17], respectively). A positive association with fatigue was pronounced in schools within 4 km of the second nearest municipal waste incineration plant. There was no evident relationship between the distance of schools from such a plant and the prevalence of atopic dermatitis or allergic rhinitis. The findings suggest that proximity of schools to municipal waste incineration plants may be associated with an increased prevalence of wheeze, headache, stomach ache, and fatigue in Japanese children.

Age Factors↗

Helicobacter pylori infection and platelet counts during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether there is any correlation between Helicobacter pylori infection and platelet counts during pregnancy. METHODS: One hundred and twenty pregnant women without any complications were evaluated. Platelet counts were determined during pregnancy and postpartum. H. pylori infection was assessed by the detection of serum antibodies at the 3rd day postpartum. Statistically significant differences of platelet count between H. pylori-positive and -negative patients were determined. RESULTS: H. pylori infection was found in 29 of 120 (24.2%). Platelet counts in the 3rd trimester were 22.7+/-4.7 x 10(3)/microl in H. pylori-positive group and 22.8+/-5.6 x 10(3)/microl in negative group (p=0.98). Platelet count in the 3rd trimester in positive and negative patients were 93+/-17% and 94+/-20%, respectively, of that of the 1st trimester (p=0.92). The incidence of hyperemesis gravidarum in both groups was not significant (p=0.28). CONCLUSION: A correlation between H. pylori infection and thrombocytopenia during pregnancy was not found in this study.

Female↗