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Biomedical subjects

Y Yoshimura

Publications and source records attributed to Y Yoshimura.

At least 469 records · Page 26Linked to original sources

Immunological differences between squamous cell cancer patients treated with and without biological response modifier (OK-432): evaluation at a period of more than one year after the last treatment.

The cellular immunity of peripheral blood was analyzed to evaluate the efficacy of OK-432 between 3 groups of patients with oromaxillary squamous cell cancer, which were composed of 14 patients in the pretreatment stage, 8 patients who were free from cancer more than one year after the last cancer therapy and had been continuously treated with OK-432, and 14 patients who had undertaken cancer therapy without OK-432 and were also free from cancer for at least one year. As parameters of cellular immunity, leucocyte counts, percent composition of T-cells, percent compositions of T-lymphocyte subsets (OKIal+, OKT3+, OKT4+, and OKT8+) and the ratio of OKT4+ and OKT8+, PPD skin test, and lymphocytic blastogenesis induced by PHA and Con-A, were examined. The results showed no significant difference between the patients treated with and without OK-432. Nor was there any significant difference between the pretreatment group and the posttreatment groups with and without OK-432 treatments in any of the examined immunologic parameters.

Adult↗

[Prognosis of patients with primary pulmonary hypertension].

Primary pulmonary hypertension is a rare disease entity. Clinical evaluations of such patients were deemed inadequate during a multi-center study in Japan (1976). The prognoses of our patients in Keio Hospital were evaluated, especially in terms of their clinical pictures and hemodynamic backgrounds. The study group consisted of 15 patients, who fulfilled the clinical criteria of primary pulmonary hypertension according to the Research Committee of the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Japan. There were four males and 11 females, whose age ranged from 16 to 72 years and averaged 34.7 years. Follow-up periods from the onsets were from 15 to 152 months, and they averaged 51 months. Nine of the 15 patients were deceased, and autopsies were performed in eight. The periods from onsets to deaths were between 15 and 152 months, and averaged 53 months (4 years and 5 months). Except for four cases followed for less than 2 years, there were seven who survived over three years and four patients who were deceased in this period, but there were no differences between these groups in terms of their clinical pictures, such as age, sex and symptomatology at onset. Survivors included three patients associated with thyroid disease, one with liver cirrhosis, and one with the Sjögren syndrome. Hemodynamically, heart rates and pulmonary artery pressures did not differ among six survivors more than 2 years after the hemodynamic evaluations and five patients who were deceased within this period. In the deceased group, however, cardiac output was low and arterio-venous differences in oxygen content were high.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

[Essential thrombocythemia with Philadelphia chromosome].

Essential thrombocythemia is a myeloproliferative disorder not known to have consistent cytogenetic abnormalities. A 38-year-old woman with essential thrombocythemia having Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1) is reported. The patient first presented with gastrointestinal bleeding, accompanied by thrombocytosis. Treatment of the gastrointestinal bleeding did not influence the elevation of platelet counts. The patient's clinical and hematological manifestations were consistent with essential thrombocythemia, but not with any other myeloproliferative diseases. Ph1 chromosome was constantly proved in bone marrow preparations from this patient over two years and four months and gave us a certain impression that Ph1 chromosome might have had some relation to development of essential thrombocythemia to chronic myelogenous leukemia in this patient.

Adult↗

[Serological and immunohistochemical studies in pregnant women with systemic lupus erythematosus].

The present report is a detailed, prospective analysis of 29 pregnancies in 19 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The clinical pregnant status was correlated with maternal serologic patterns. Poor obstetrical prognosis was associated with low or declining complement (C3 and C4) levels and rising antinuclear and anti-DNA antibody titers. Complement levels reflected clinical changes more accurately than either antinuclear factor. A smooth antepartum course and successful delivery occurred when complement values remained normal. Immunohistochemical studies showed granular or linear depositions of immunoglobulin and complement on syncytial trophoblast and stromal tissue in placenta with SLE. Slight deposits of IgG were observed on the stromal tissue in normal placenta. Immune complex deposition on the trophoblast correlated to both serologic evaluation and course of SLE pregnancy. Obstetrical prognosis can be evaluated by serial determinations of serologic status. These data suggest that declining levels of maternal complements in SLE may be partly due to immune complex deposition in the placenta, resulting in the increased placental dysfunction.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗

[Role of endosalpinx in the oviductal environment].

The oviducal fluid and serum samples from rabbits were obtained daily during estrus and pseudopregnancy and were analyzed for electrolytes, steroid hormones and prostaglandins (PGs). The oviducal fluid volume reached its maximum (1.72 +/- 0.39 ml/day) 48 hours after hCG exposure and then declined gradually. Although the ratios of Na+/K+ and Ca++/Mg++ in the oviducal fluid did not change substantially throughout the observation period, the levels of K+ in the oviducal fluid were consistently 2.5 times greater than those in the serum. The concentrations of progesterone in the oviducal fluid were significantly smaller than those found in the serum. The levels of estradiol in the oviducal fluid were consistently elevated above the serum levels. The concentrations of PGF2 alpha in the oviducal fluid increased rapidly following ovulation and reached levels that were 10-14 times greater than those found in the estrus, whereas PGF2 alpha levels in the serum did not change significantly during the observation period. A significant difference between PGF2 alpha/PGE2 in the oviducal fluids (3.66 +/- 0.72) and serum (0.25 +/- 0.11) was observed at 24 hours after hCG. A surface morphologic study revealed a decrease in the number of ciliated cells, and an increase and expansion of secretory cells after hCG administration. The qualitative and qualitative differences between the oviducal fluid and serum suggest the involvement of secretory cells in the microenvironment for fertilization and preimplantation embryonic development.

Animals↗

Endoscopic studies on the superficial spreading type of early gastric cancer.

Twenty eight cases out of 230 cases of early gastric cancer showed the superficial spreading type of early gastric cancer. Seventeen stomachs (60.7%) were compatible to the endoscopic finding of spreading cancerous regions, even to macroscopic and microscopic ones. Other 11 cases were not corresponded clinicopathologically to the infiltrated lesions. These 11 cases were studied on the superficial spreading lesions respectively. They were divided into three groups and compared each other micro- and macro-scopically and endoscopically. Group I contained 6 cases, compatible to micro- and macro-scopic findings but not to endoscopic ones. Endoscopic overdiagnosis may be redness and overflow of white fur and underestimate by a few cancer cells superficially in the mucosae, slight difference in height at the margin of II c and cancer without exposure. Group II was similar microscopic and endoscopic findings but not compatible macroscopically. Both cases in group II were overestimated macroscopically at the infiltrated edge because of color change in mucosae but endoscopically diagnosed by changes of color and gastric area. Group III contained 3 cases of microscopic characteristics and not compatible to macroscopic and endoscopic ones. Endoscopic underdiagnosis may be based on a few cancer cells superficially in normal mucosae and on less depressed lesions. These clinicopathological studies might be worthy to clarify the endoscopic and pathologic discrepancies of infiltrating areas by early gastric cancer, and might improve endoscopic techniques of the gastric mucosal observation.

Adult↗

[Comparative studies on steroidogenesis and prostaglandins production by luteal cells in newly formed corpora lutea and early pregnancy].

The present study was undertaken to assess the ability of cultured luteal cells from human corpora lutea (CL) in the mid luteal phase and the early pregnancy to secrete steroids and prostaglandins (PGs). Luteal cells responded to hCG with a significant increase (2- to 4-fold) in progesterone (P) production. The addition of hCG to the culture media did not stimulate estradiol (E2) production. In contrast, both P and E2 secretion by luteal cells in early pregnancy were significantly lower than those found in the mid luteal phase. Exposure to hCG did not affect P production by luteal cells in early pregnancy. Arachidonic acid (AA) significantly stimulated PGE2 synthesis by luteal cells in the mid luteal phase in a dose-dependent manner. Both basal PGE2 production and the responsiveness to AA were maintained for the duration of the culture. However, hCG did not affect AA-stimulated PGE2 production. Both PGF2 alpha and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha production abruptly declined as the culture proceeded. PG synthesis by cultured luteal cells in early pregnancy was significantly lower than in the mid luteal phase. The ultrastructural characteristics of luteal cells in early pregnancy, which contained lipid droplets, granular and agranular endoplasmic reticulum and large spherical mitochondria, were maintained after 10 days in culture. The present results demonstrate that P and PGE2 production by cultured luteal cells predominate during the mid luteal phase. These data suggest that PGE2, but not PGF2 alpha, may be involved in the regulation of CL function in the menstrual cycle.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Direct inhibitory ovarian effects of prolactin in the process of ovulation.

The present study was designed to determine the effects of prolactin (PRL) on the process of follicle rupture and oocyte maturation using an in vitro perfused rabbit ovary model. In the first experiment ovaries were perfused for 12 hours with or without PRL at 10(2) or 10(3) ng/ml. Ovulation did not occur in any ovaries in the absence of gonadotropin. The majority of follicular oocytes did not progress beyond the germinal vesicle stage following treatment with PRL. The percentage of follicular oocytes which showed evidence of degeneration was also comparable in both groups. The concentrations of progesterone in the perfusate did not differ significantly between PRL-treated and control ovaries. In the second experiment, ovaries were perfused with or without PRL at 10, 10(2), or 10(3) ng/ml. Thirty minutes later 50 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was added to the perfusate of all ovaries. The addition of PRL to the perfusate inhibited hCG-induced ovulation in a dose-related fashion. The degree of ovum maturity and degeneration was comparable in the two groups. PRL did not affect hCG-stimulated progesterone production by the perfused rabbit ovaries. The present study demonstrates that PRL acts directly on the ovary to influence the process of ovulation, resulting in the inhibition of hCG-induced follicle rupture. These data suggest that PRL inhibits ovulation by mechanism(s) independent of ovarian progesterone synthesis.

Animals↗

Enhancement by streptozotocin of O2- radical generation by the xanthine oxidase system of pancreatic beta-cells.

Spin-trapping techniques and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy were used to study the relationship between the effect of streptozotocin (STZ) on pancreatic beta-cells and free radical formation by these cells. Results showed that STZ enhanced generation of the DMPO-OH radical adduct, which is a degradation product of the superoxide anion (O2-) in the presence of cellular components, in a hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase (XOD) system with a homogenate of beta-cells. This enhancing effect was also observed in a system without cellular components; STZ increased the signal height due to the O2- radical in a concentration-dependent manner and caused a maximum of 150% enhancement at a concentration of 1.5 mM. Thus, STZ seemed to enhance the generation of the O2- radical in the XOD system, probably by some mechanism of its interaction with XOD. Pancreatic beta-cells exhibited a high XOD activity and a very low superoxide dismutase activity. Therefore, the present result supports the possibility that the cytotoxic effect of STZ is closely related to free radical generation in pancreatic beta-cells.

Animals↗

Preferential ADP-ribosylation of arginine-3 in synthetic heptapeptide Leu-Arg-Arg-Ala-Ser-Leu-Gly.

Hen liver nuclear ADP-ribosyltransferase modified the synthetic heptapeptide Kemptide (Leu-Arg-Arg-Ala-Ser-Leu-Gly) at arginine-2 and/or arginine-3. Trypsin treatment of ADP-ribosyl-Kemptide revealed that the ADP-ribosylation of arginine-3 was constantly more abundant than that of arginine-2. ADP-ribosylation of Kemptide suppressed the subsequent phosphorylation by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

ADP-ribosylation suppresses phosphorylation of the L-type pyruvate kinase.

L-type pyruvate kinase (EC 2.7.1.40) purified from pig liver was ADP-ribosylated by incubation with NAD and ADP-ribosyltransferase purified from hen liver nuclei. Maximal incorporation of the ADP-ribose moiety from NAD into the L-type pyruvate kinase was 0.98 mol/mol of subunit. The Km values for NAD and L-type pyruvate kinase were 0.17 mM and 9.7 microM, respectively. ADP-ribosylation of the L-type pyruvate kinase resulted in suppression of the subsequent phosphorylation catalyzed by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The ADP-ribosylation-induced suppression of phosphorylation of the L-type pyruvate kinase also resulted in suppression of the phosphorylation-induced inactivation. Amino acid analysis, after exhaustive sequential digestion of ADP-ribosyl-L-type pyruvate kinase with pepsin, aminopeptidase M and carboxy-peptidase B showed arginine to be the ADP-ribose-accepting amino acid. These results together with finding of the ADP-ribosyltransferase activity in mammalian liver cytosol (Moss, J. and Stanley, S.J. (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 7830-7833) suggest that ADP-ribosylation may participate in the regulation of the L-type pyruvate kinase activity through changes in the rate of phosphorylation.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗

Electroretinogram c-wave and slow PIII of the rabbit: changes in peak time and amplitude under various stimulus durations.

Changes in peak time and amplitude of the direct current registered c-wave of the electroretinogram of the albino rabbit were investigated with various stimuli of duration ranging from 0.25 to 10 sec. The stimulus intensity was 500 lux at the surface of the cornea. Slow PIII was isolated by administrations of sodium iodate and sodium aspartate. The peak time of the c-wave was longer than that of the slow PIII in the range of stimulus duration less than 3.5 sec, but peak times were almost the same in the range above 3.5 sec. The amplitude of the c-wave at peak was larger than the corresponding amplitude of the slow PIII in the range less than 1 sec, but the slow PIII became larger than the c-wave at more than 1 sec. For stimuli less than 4 sec, the smaller the stimulus duration, the smaller was the negative slow PIII which affected the height of the c-wave. We conclude that in order to minimize the influence of the slow PIII on the c-wave, the duration of stimuli with intensity of 500 lux for recording the c-wave of the rabbit should be less than 4 sec.

Animals↗

Incomplete congenital stationary night blindness: electroretinogram c-wave and electrooculogram light rise.

Three cases of congenital stationary night blindness are reported. In all patients a negative electroretinogram was recorded by single bright flash stimulation and changed to positive on sequential reduction of the stimulus intensities. Oscillatory potentials were recognized. Biphasic dark adaptation curves and moderate elevation of the relative logarithmic final threshold of dark adaptation were also found. Values of critical flicker fusion frequency were reduced to a mild or moderate extent. VEP latency was prolonged beyond the normal range in two cases. In all three the electroretinogram c-wave was extinguished despite a normal electrooculogram light-dark ratio. It is hypothesized that in congenital stationary night blindness some disorder may exist in the apical membrane of the retinal pigment epithelium but not in the basal membrane in view of dissociation between the c-wave response and the light rise in the electrooculogram.

Child↗

Mediastinal lymphnode dissection procedure during esophageal cancer operation--carefully considered for preserving respiratory function.

In 22 patients with esophageal cancer, mediastinal lymphnode dissection procedure, with preservation of the right bronchial artery and pulmonary branches of the right vagus nerve, was performed during radical esophagectomy. In patients who underwent this procedure, respiratory function was sufficiently maintained against severe complications and the operative and hospital death rate was less than that of other esophagectomized patients.

Bronchial Arteries↗

A latissimus dorsi muscle flap used for repair of the esophagus after enucleation of a giant leiomyoma--a case report.

A giant leiomyoma of the esophagus, 11.5 X 5.0 cm in size, which occupied half of the esophageal circumference, was surgically enucleated. A small epithelial defect caused by the enucleation of the tumor was directly closed, and a large muscular defect was covered with a latissimus dorsi muscle flap, introduced into the thoracic cavity through the space where the second rib had been resected. Postoperatively, a leakage at the epithelial suture line was noted, however, it was localized by the muscle flap coverage and spontaneously healed two weeks postoperatively. During the follow-up period of 1.5 years, no diverticle formation or stenosis occurred, and the patient had no complaints. The present clinical experience indicates that this procedure may be a useful method of grafting after excision of giant leiomyoma of the esophagus.

Adult↗