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Y Matsui

Publications and source records attributed to Y Matsui.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Apoptosis of fetal testicular cells is regulated by both p53-dependent and independent mechanisms.

A portion of fetal germ cells undergoes apoptosis in the physiological context, but the molecular mechanisms of their apoptosis are largely unknown. Because p53 tumor suppressor gene product promotes apoptosis in various types of cells, we have investigated the expression of p53 in fetal gonads and examined the influence of loss of p53 function in fetal gonad cells using mice deficient in the p53 gene. We found that the expression of p53 protein in fetal testis was induced after 15.5 dpc (days post coitum), while the expression was not detected in fetal ovary. The number of apoptotic cells found in the seminiferous tubules of fetal testes was not significantly different between p53-deficient and wild-type mice until 16.5 dpc. At 17.5 dpc, however, more apoptotic cells were observed in wild-type testes than in the p53-deficient mice. In contrast, a similar number of apoptotic cells was found in fetal ovaries throughout these developmental stages. These observations indicate that p53 promotes apoptosis of fetal testicular cells after 16.5 dpc.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

An increase in macrophage migration inhibitory factor release in patients with cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.

To determine the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) responses to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery as well as to investigate their roles in predicting patient outcome, a prospective, observational, pilot study was performed. Thirty patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery with CPB received 10mg/kg betamethasone immediately before the CPB. Ten normal healthy volunteers served as control subjects. Blood samples were serially obtained for 24h and assayed for MIF, cortisol, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). TNF-alpha release could not be detected during the study period. Compared with both the control and baseline values, the MIF and cortisol levels were elevated before CPB and peaked at the end of CPB (57.5 +/- 4.8 ng/ml, P < 0.0001), and at the end of the surgery (507.7 +/- 44.1 nmol/l, P < 0.0001), respectively. Peak MIF levels correlated with aortic cross-clamp time (r2 = 0.183, P = 0.0182, n = 30), but did not show a significant correlation with peak cortisol levels. The levels of MIF tended to be 40%-50% higher during CPB in patients with longer intensive care unit (ICU) stays and in those with organ dysfunction than in those with short ICU stays and no organ dysfunction. All patients were discharged from the ICU. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that MIF production occurs in patients with CPB surgery. When high-dose steroids are administered, high MIF levels were found to only slightly affect the patient morbidity and outcome after CPB surgery.

Cardiopulmonary Bypass↗
PubMed2000

A novel type X collagen gene mutation (G595R) associated with Schmid-type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia.

Metaphyseal chondrodysplasia of the Schmid type (MCDS) is a skeletal dysplasia affecting the long bone metaphyses; it is characterized by short stature, bowlegs, and coxa vara. The spine is generally not involved. Here we report a novel missense mutation of the type X collagen gene in a sporadic case of MCDS. The mutation was a heterozygous single base-pair transition of G-to-A at nucleotide 1783, which predicted a substitution of glycine by arginine at codon 595 (G595R) in the carboxyl-terminal noncollagenous domain. Interestingly, another mutation of the same codon, in which glycine is substituted by glutamic acid (G595E), was previously reported to cause spondylometaphyseal dysplasia (SMD), another group of skeletal dysplasias with involvement of the spine in addition to the long tubular bones. The novel G595R mutation identified in the present study supports the concept of type X collagenopathy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Midline exposure of the thoracoabdominal aorta.

Extended aortic replacement from the aortic arch to the descending thoracic or thoracoabdominal aorta has been performed through a left thoracotomy or a thoracoabdominal incision combined with or without a median sternotomy. However, a left thoracotomy incision may be unfavorable when dense adhesion of the lung is anticipated. We report a redo patient who underwent simultaneous replacements of the aortic arch and the thoracoabdominal aorta through a midline incision without entering the left pleural cavity.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Expression and intracellular localization of mouse Vasa-homologue protein during germ cell development.

To demonstrate the cellular and subcellular localization of mouse vasa homologue protein during germ cell development, specific antibody was raised against the full-length MVH protein. The immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated that MVH protein was exclusively expressed in primordial germ cells just after their colonization of embryonic gonads and in germ cells undergoing gametogenic processes until the post-meiotic stage in both males and females. The co-culture of EG cells with gonadal somatic cells indicated inductive MVH expression caused by an intercellular interaction with gonadal somatic cells. In adult testis, MVH protein was localized in the cytoplasm of spermatogenic cells, including chromatoid bodies in spermatids, known to be a perinuclear nuage structure which includes polar granules that contain VASA protein in Drosophila.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Surgical management of atherosclerotic aortic arch aneurysms using selective cerebral perfusion: 7-year experience in 52 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with atherosclerotic aortic arch aneurysms are at greater risk for brain complication. We report our techniques and results of operation using selective cerebral perfusion. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 52 consecutive patients with atherosclerotic aortic arch aneurysms (mean age, 70 years, range, 53-86 years), who underwent operation between April 1992 and March 1999. The operation was non-elective in 11 patients (21.1%). Concomitant operations included eight coronary artery bypass grafting and one aortic valve replacement. Simultaneous distal aortic reconstruction was performed in three patients. The operation was performed through median sternotomy. To avoid brain embolism, total arch replacement with a branched prosthesis was performed in 48 patients, in an attempt to exclude affected segments of aorta. In addition, retrograde femoral artery perfusion was avoided and cerebral circulation was isolated before aortic manipulation. To achieve even blood flow distribution, we employed perfusion and continuous pressure monitoring of all the three arch vessels. The perfusion rate was 12+/-2 ml/kg per min and the pressure was kept around 50 mmHg. Deep hypothermic arrest of the lower torso (bladder temperature, 22 degrees C) was used during open distal aortic anastomosis. RESULTS: The hospital mortality rate was 11.5% (six of 52), and 7.3% (three of 41) for elective cases. Only one patient (1. 9%) developed permanent focal neurological deficit. Six other patients showed temporary brain complications, which was global (delirium) in three and focal in three others. CONCLUSIONS: Selective cerebral perfusion is a safe brain protection method, and our strategy seems effective for embolic stroke prevention.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Jejunal interposition to prevent postgastrectomy syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Postgastrectomy syndromes include reflux gastritis and oesophagitis, dumping syndrome, intractable diarrhoea and afferent loop syndrome. To prevent such syndromes, since January 1994 jejunal interposition has been used following distal gastrectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefit of this procedure. METHODS: A consecutive series of 42 patients who underwent distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer was studied. Twenty-two patients had a Billroth I procedure before January 1994, and 20 patients had isoperistaltic jejunal interposition using a 10-12-cm segment after January 1994. RESULTS: The mean operating time was 260 min for Billroth I and 352 min for jejunal interposition. No serious postoperative complications arose. Reflux gastritis occurred in 19 patients after Billroth I but in none after jejunal interposition. Five patients in the Billroth I group had complaints consistent with dumping syndrome, compared with none after jejunal interposition. The barium gastric emptying time was significantly shorter after Billroth I (mean(s.d.) 269(225)s) than after jejunal interposition (736(479) s) (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Jejunal interposition prevented reflux gastritis and inhibited rapid gastric emptying. Postgastrectomy syndromes were effectively prevented by this reconstruction procedure.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Ebp2p, yeast homologue of a human protein that interacts with Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 1, is required for pre-rRNA processing and ribosomal subunit assembly.

BACKGROUND: A defect in the secretory pathway causes the transcriptional repression of both rRNA and ribosomal protein genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, suggesting a coupling of ribosome synthesis and plasma membrane synthesis. Rrs1p, an essential nuclear protein, is required for the secretory response. RESULTS: EBP2, encoding the yeast homologue of a human protein that interacts with Epstein-Barr virus Nuclear Antigen 1, was cloned in a two-hybrid screen using RRS1 as a bait. The rrs1-1 mutation, which produces Rrs1p without the C-terminal half and causes a defect in the secretory response, almost abolished the interaction with Ebp2p. Ebp2p is essential for growth and is mainly localized in the nucleolus. The effects of Ebp2p depletion on ribosome biogenesis is quite similar to that of Rrs1p depletion; in the Ebp2p-depleted cells, the rate of pre-rRNA processing is slower, and significantly less mature 25S rRNA is produced compared to those in wild-type cells. The polysome pattern indicates that Ebp2p-depletion causes a decrease of 80S monosomes and polysomes, an accumulation of 40S subunits, and the appearance of half-mer polysomes. CONCLUSIONS: Ebp2p is required for the maturation of 25S rRNA and 60S subunit assembly. Ebp2p may be one of the target proteins of Rrs1p for executing the signal to regulate ribosome biogenesis.

Blotting, Northern↗
PubMed2000

Serum immunosuppressive acidic protein and natural killer cell activity in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma before and after nephrectomy.

PURPOSE: To our knowledge the impact of nephrectomy on stage M1 renal cell carcinoma remains to be determined. We previously reported that nephrectomy is beneficial in patients with elevated serum C-reactive protein before treatment, and those in whom nadir C-reactive protein decreases postoperatively to within the normal range may expect longer survival when surgery is combined with postoperative immunotherapy. In this study we determine the effect of nephrectomy on the immune response in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 40 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma diagnosed at our institution between 1986 and 1999. These patients underwent nephrectomy before cytokine therapy with interferon. Before and after nephrectomy we measured serum C-reactive protein, serum immunosuppressive acidic protein and peripheral blood natural killer cell activity. RESULTS: In 15 patients with pretreatment serum C-reactive protein within the normal range (less than 1 ng./ml.) there was no significant difference before and after nephrectomy in the serum immunosuppressive acidic protein level or natural killer cell activity (p = 0.4587 and 0.3892, respectively). On the other hand, in 25 patients with serum C-reactive protein elevated before treatment to 1 ng./ml. or greater serum immunosuppressive acidic protein decreased significantly and natural killer cell activity increased significantly after cytoreductive surgery (p = 0.0002 and 0.0286, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our study implies that nephrectomy may be beneficial in patients with elevated serum C-reactive protein before treatment. Further evaluation by a prospective study is needed to make a definitive conclusion.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Selective thermocoagulation of unresectable pancreatic cancers by using radiofrequency capacitive heating.

Recent investigations indicated that hyperthermia has antitumor effects. Several interstitial hyperthermic techniques were developed, and their clinical usefulness and safety were evaluated. However, few authors have attempted to study the use of interstitial hyperthermia for the treatment of pancreatic carcinomas. Therefore the efficacy of local selective thermocoagulation by radiofrequency was evaluated in 20 patients with unresectable carcinomas of the pancreas. A laparotomy and radiofrequency heating were performed in 20 patients with unresectable pancreatic carcinomas after informed consent. Local heat coagulation was induced by a 13.56-MHz radiofrequency pulse, produced by the heating apparatus. Four 2-cm needle electrodes were placed in the tumor, in a square array, at intervals of 2 cm. The heat was then administered for 15 min at a controlled temperature of 50 degrees C in the radiofrequency field (2x2x2 cc). All the patients were evaluated by computed tomographic scanning. Tumor markers in the blood also were assayed before and after the heating. Follow-up computed tomographic scans demonstrated that the tumor mass was enhanced heterogeneously, and after selective thermocoagulation, images revealed a change to a homogeneous low-density area. The blood levels of tumor markers decreased to below pretreatment values in 15 patients. Of the 20 cases treated with thermocoagulation, two had critical complications. One patient had septic shock, and another had gastrointestinal bleeding. The other 18 patients had no significant complications. These observations suggest that the selective thermocoagulation of tumor tissues using this equipment was relatively safe. These results justify further clinical trials for the treatment of patients with unresectable tumors without metastasis, or patients with benign pancreatic tumors such as insulinomas.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2000

A new stacking motif: complex alloy structures interpreted as modulated structures.

The structures of lambda-Al4Mn, manganese aluminide, kappa-Al177Cr49Ni, chromium nickel aluminide, and epsilon-Al4Cr, chromium aluminide, which have been described in terms of the aggregation of clusters until now, are interpreted as modulated structures. They are basically composed of close-packed layers with ordered atomic vacancies. The observed stacking motif of the atoms can be found in many phases related to icosahedral and decagonal quasicrystals. This analysis will be helpful in the study of not only many complex alloys, but also quasicrystals.

Alloys↗
PubMed2000

Prostate-specific antigen levels and clinical response to flutamide as the second hormone therapy for hormone-refractory prostate carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Some authors have recently reported that maximum androgen block (MAB), in which the nonsteroidal anti-androgen, flutamide, is used together with conventional hormone therapy such as castration or luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue, is more effective for prostate cancer than conventional methods. However, others have reported that the effect of MAB on survival is minimal, and definite conclusions concerning MAB remain unclear. Conversely, using flutamide as a second-line hormone therapy after recurrence is also considered, but few authors have reported whether this therapeutic option is effective or for which patients it is effective. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 124 patients with prostate cancer were diagnosed and followed at Kobe City General Hospital between 1995 and 1997. Twenty-two of these cases developed recurrence during first-line hormone therapy, and flutamide was prescribed in these cases. The prognostic value and effectiveness of flutamide were evaluated by measurement of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) at diagnosis, posttreatment nadir PSA level, PSA at the time of flutamide use, histological grade, recurrence-free time after firstline hormone therapy and age at the time of diagnosis. RESULTS: Six of 9 cases whose post-treatment nadir PSA levels after initial hormone therapy were within the normal limit (<4 ng/ml) achieved complete remission (CR) with flutamide use, but no patient whose post-treatment nadir PSA level remained elevated achieved CR. PSA at diagnosis and PSA at the start of flutamide use were significantly lower for patients with CR. However, the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that only the post-treatment nadir PSA level was significantly correlated with prognosis of flutamide use. CONCLUSIONS: Flutamide use as second-line hormone therapy should be limited to cases in which first-line hormone therapy has been highly effective and for whom the post-treatment nadir PSA level was within normal limits, and other patients should undergo other therapies. By limiting flutamide use to patients in whom the effect of flutamide is considered to be maximal, the incidence of complications and medication costs can be decreased.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Allergic granulomatous angiitis (Churg-Strauss syndrome) associated with allergic bronchopulmonary candidiasis.

We describe a case of Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) associated with allergic bronchopulmonary candidiasis (ABPC). A 61-year-old man who had been given a diagnosis of ABPC based on serologic and radiographic findings experienced pain and purpuric rash on the left leg accompanied with motor weakness. The diagnosis of CSS was made from skin, nerve and muscle biopsies. Although immunosuppressant and prednisolone were administered and resulted in transient improvement, candidal pneumonia was suspected to have developed 60 days after the administration and the patient finally died of respiratory failure. To our knowledge, this is the first case of CSS associated with ABPC.

Asthma↗
PubMed2000

Novel mutations of the cathepsin K gene in patients with pycnodysostosis and their characterization.

Pycnodysostosis is a rare autosomal recessive skeletal dysplasia characterized by short stature, osteosclerosis, acroosteolysis, bone fragility, and skull deformities. Recently, mutations in the gene encoding cathepsin K (CK), a lysosomal cysteine protease localized exclusively in osteoclasts, were found to be responsible for this disease. We analyzed genomic DNA from four unrelated Japanese patients with this disorder and identified three different mutations of their CK genes: a previously reported missense mutation (A277 V), a novel single base deletion mutation (531 del T) causing a frame shift from codon 142 that results in a premature termination codon, and a novel missense mutation (L9P) in the signal peptide region. To investigate whether the L9P mutation disrupts signal peptide function and decreases protein synthesis, mutant and wild-type CK complementary DNAs driven by the cytomegalovirus promoter were transfected into COS-7 cells, and their gene products were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Expression of the mutant protein was markedly reduced, suggesting decreased mature CK production in this patient, which may have been due to dysfunction of the signal peptide. These results provide evidence that a structural change in the signal peptide of the CK protein was involved in the pathogenesis of pycnodysostosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[A case of unilateral and metachronous occurrence of renal tubulopapillary adenoma and renal cell carcinoma].

A 50-year-old male underwent a nephron-sparing surgery for a small renal incidentaloma, which was atypical for renal cell carcinoma in diagnostic images. The tumor was pathologically diagnosed as renal tubulopapillary adenoma. Three years later, another tumor was pointed out in the ipsilateral kidney, and he underwent a radical nephrectomy. The latter was diagnosed as clear cell carcinoma. We report this very rare case of unilateral and metachronous occurrence of renal tubulopapillary adenoma and renal cell carcinoma.

Adenoma↗
PubMed2000

Mitral valve repair and septal myectomy for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

Combined mitral valve repair using the sliding leaflet technique and septal myectomy were employed to successfully treat left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction and mitral regurgitation due to hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). A 46-year-old man was diagnosed with HOCM along with congestive heart failure and was treated medically. These symptoms, however, were resistant to medical treatments with a beta-blocker, a Ca-antagonist, and disopyramide, and he was referred to our hospital for surgery. Doppler echocardiography demonstrated an LVOT obstruction at rest with a peak pressure gradient of 138 mmHg. The interventricular septum thickness was 14 mm. Mitral regurgitation of 3+ with severe SAM was also observed. Temporary dual chamber pacing was tried without significant improvement. Following these examinations, the patient underwent surgery. A transaortic septal myotomy-myectomy was performed first, and the mitral valve was then approached through the left atrium. Mitral valve repair was performed with the sliding leaflet technique to reduce the height of the posterior leaflet from 2 cm to 1 cm. Postpump transesophageal echocardiography revealed no MR and a peak LVOT gradient of 15 mmHg. The patient recovered well except for a residual mild SAM, and MR2+. We therefore concluded that this surgical approach might provide results which are superior to those of myectomy alone.

Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic↗