Biomedical subjects

A Kanno

Publications and source records attributed to A Kanno.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1994

Palindromic repeated sequences (PRSs) in the mitochondrial genome of rice: evidence for their insertion after divergence of the genus Oryza from the other Gramineae.

We have identified a family of small repeated sequences (from 60 to 66 bp in length) in the mitochondrial genome of rice (Oryza sativa cv. Nipponbare). There are at least ten copies of these sequences and they are distributed throughout the mitochondrial genome. Each is potentially capable of forming a stem-and-loop structure and we have designated them PRSs (palindromic repeated sequences). Their features are reminiscent of the small dispersed repeats in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of some lower eukaryotes, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Neurospora crassa and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Some of the PRSs of rice mtDNA are located in the intron of the gene for ribosomal protein S3 (rps3) and in the flanking sequence of the gene for chloroplast-like tRNA(Asn) (trnN). analysis of PCR-amplified fragments of these regions from the DNA of some Gramineae suggests that the PRSs were inserted into these regions of the Oryza mtDNA after the divergence of Oryza from the other Gramineae.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Two cases of porphyria cutanea tarda associated with chronic hepatitis positive for the antibody against hepatitis C virus.

We report two cases of porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) positive for the antibody against hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV). The serological and histological examinations revealed that they were persistently infected with HCV and were suffering from liver disease compatible with chronic viral hepatitis. It is suggested that one of the factors which contribute to liver damage of patients with PCT may be HCV infection. It now may be advisable to examine anti-HCV in PCT patients with liver disease.

Chronic Disease↗

PubMed1994

[The importance of pain control with morphine for terminally ill patient care for at home].

From April 1987 to June 1994, 81 patients of terminally ill had been care at home. In these home care, 38 patients received pain control with morphine. In 29 patients, pain control had been started before home care but in 9 patients pain control had been started under home care. Routes of morphine administration were oral in 24 cases and rectal in 14 cases. In cases of oral routes, finally 2 cases converted to rectal routes and 2 cases converted to subcutaneous routes. Duration of treatment were from 2 days to 741 days (average 72 days). Dosage of morphine were 7.5 mg to 480 mg (average 116 mg). Two patients lived but 24 patients died at home and 12 patients died at hospital. We concluded that palliative care especially pain control with morphine was very important care for patients of terminally ill who wanted care at home and ultimately die at home. We had to make ourself master of method pain control with morphine.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1994

[Transverse sinus thrombosis in a patient with colon and rectal double cancers: a case report].

We report a case of transverse sinus thrombosis accompanied by colon and rectal double cancers. A 48-year-old male transferred to our department from the division of surgery due to deterioration manifested by headache after colectomy and low anterior resection of the rectum. There was bilateral papilledema and right upper homonymous hemianopsia. On admission all the laboratory data were within normal range. CT showed a left temporal mass lesion of heterogeneous density, which was suspected as being intratumorous hematoma in a metastasis. MRI revealed a left transverse sinus thrombosis. The left transverse and sigmoid sinuses were not opacified, but angiography showed that the occipital and marginal sinuses seemed to be markedly developed. Evacuation of the subcortical hematoma was carried out. Histologically, it was a mixed hematoma in acute and chronic stages without any carcinoma component or vascular malformation. Postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was returned to the division of surgery in order to follow up the cancer 2 weeks after operation. Angiography 4 months after operation showed almost no recanalization in the left transverse sinus. Further, development of the collateral flow and the double occipital sinus was opacified. Because the coagulation system is often activated by the presence of cancer, it is important to distinguish intracerebral hemorrhage due to sinus thrombosis from intratumorous hemorrhage within a metastatic tumor.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1993

Demonstration of hepatitis C virus genome in saliva and urine of patients with type C hepatitis: usefulness of the single round polymerase chain reaction method for detection of the HCV genome.

The possible transmission routes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients without overt parenteral exposure (sporadic or community acquired form) were examined. Saliva and urine specimens obtained from type C hepatitis patients, whose sera were positive for the HCV genome, were examined by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). By analyzing the factors that influenced the detection of the HCV genome by PCR, we developed a single round method which enabled semiquantitative detection with higher sensitivity than that obtained with nested PCR. Single round PCR revealed that 34.8% (8 of 23) of saliva and 56.5% (13 of 23) of urine specimens from patients with type C hepatitis contained the HCV genome. The amounts of HCV genome in saliva and urine specimens correlated with those in serum. The relative amounts of HCV genome in serum, saliva, and urine from a chronic type C hepatitis patient were determined by comparing the reciprocal of the smallest volume of the specimens in which the PCR products were visualized in agarose gels (PCR units/ml), and the values were 1 x 10(5), 5 x 10(1), and 3 x 10(1) PCR units/ml for serum, saliva, and urine specimens, respectively.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

A transcription map of the chloroplast genome from rice (Oryza sativa).

The complete nucleotide sequence (134,525 bp) of the chloroplast genome from rice (Oryza sativa L.) contains four rRNA genes, 30 tRNA genes, and over 100 genes that encode proteins. However, expression of only a few of these genes, namely psbA, rbcL, and atpB/E, has been detected. We constructed the complete transcription map of rice chloroplast DNA by Northern hybridization of total RNA from rice seedlings, using subclones from a clone bank of rice chloroplast DNA as probes. Approximately 90% of the chloroplast genome was transcribed, as detected by a non-radioactive hybridization system. Most of the genes on the chloroplast DNA are organized as clusters and are co-transcribed as long primary transcripts. We identified 16 polycistronic transcripts from the rice chloroplast genome. Furthermore, the genes for components of photosystems I and II, the gene for the large subunit of RuBisCO, the genes for ATPase, the genes for components of the cytochrome complex, and the rRNA genes were expressed at the highest levels.

ATP Synthetase Complexes↗

PubMed1993

Multiple myeloma occurring in early stage primary biliary cirrhosis.

B-cell neoplasms are not infrequently associated with autoimmune diseases. A 60-year-old man with multiple myeloma developing in an early stage primary biliary cirrhosis was reported. Initially, he had hypergammaglobulinemia with monoclonal gammopathy (IgG-kappa type), elevation of serum IgG and IgM, and positive serum antimitochondrial antibodies. There were compression fractures of the lumbar vertebrae, where bone marrow aspiration revealed proliferating myeloma cells. Liver biopsy revealed destruction of bile duct surrounded by an inflammatory infiltrate, which was consistent with stage I primary biliary cirrhosis. The association suggested the role of immunoregulatory abnormalities in the development of multiple myeloma.

Bone Marrow↗

PubMed1993

Three distinct Southern blot hybridization patterns of HBV-DNA in the sera of HBV carriers.

The molecular species of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA of 44 sera taken from 25 HBV carriers were examined by Southern blot hybridization with a biotin-labeled HBV-DNA probe and classified into three patterns. Type I consisted of two distinct bands of 4.0 kb and 3.2 kb. Type II consisted of the 4.0 kb and 3.2 kb bands and a smear between these two bands. Type III showed a broad band below 4.0 kb. With endogenous HBV-DNA polymerase reaction, the smear disappeared and 4.0 kb and 3.2 kb bands appeared. After EcoRI digestion, the 4.0 kb band disappeared to form a single band of 3.2 kb. These results suggest that the 4.0 kb and 3.2 kb forms are a relaxed circular, fully double-stranded DNA and a linear, fully double-stranded DNA, respectively, and that the smear between 4.0 kb and 3.2 kb is formed from the sum of relaxed circular, partially double-stranded DNAs with various length of plus strands. Comparison between histological diagnosis and Southern blot hybridization patterns of 25 HBV carriers indicates that these three patterns are closely related to the degree of hepatitis.

Biotin↗

PubMed1993

Relationship between molecular state of serum HBV-DNA and clinical features of hepatitis B virus carriers.

Molecular species of serum hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA in HBV carriers were classified by Southern blot hybridization into three types; type I with two bands of 4.0 kb and 3.2 kb, type II with the two bands of type I plus the smear between 4.0 kb and 3.2 kb, and type III with a broad band below 4.0 kb. A total of 51 HBV carriers were classified into three groups (group I, n = 19 with type I; group II, n = 12 with type II; and group III, n = 20 with type III). Serum aminotransferase levels of group I were significantly lower than those of groups II and III. Liver pathology revealed that 18 of the 19 (94.7%) group I patients showed nonspecific reactive hepatitis (NSRH), while 11 of the 12 (91.7%) group II patients and 19 of the 20 (95.0%) group III patients showed chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH) or chronic active hepatitis (CAH). Immunohistochemical study showed that hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) was localized in the nucleus of hepatocytes in most of patients with type I while it was localized in both the nucleus and cytoplasm in those with types II and III. Since the smear between 4.0 kb and 3.2 kb is specifically found in groups II and III, HBV-DNA with this smear may be related to active hepatitis.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

[Significance of antitumor effects and immunological response on endogenously induced LAK therapy for primary or metastatic liver tumor].

Nineteen patients with metastatic liver tumor (9 of gastric cancer, 5 of colon cancer, 2 of pancreatic cancer, one each of mammary cancer, cholecystic cancer, carcinoid of biliary tract) and one patient with primary liver cancer were treated by endogenously induced LAK therapy consisting of transhepatic arterial infusion with ADM or MMC for induction therapy and OK-432 and rIL-2 (TGP-3) for immunotherapy. The following results were obtained. 1) Clinical response for liver tumor showed no CR but 8 cases of PR, for an overall response rate of 42.1%. 2) Reduced tumor marker value was noted in 76.5% cases, and 50% survival term became 349 days after the therapy. 3) Many CD4 and CD8 positive mononuclear cells had infiltrated around liver tumor after therapy by immuno-histochemical staining of surface marker. 4) NK activity of peripheral blood lymphocytes was markedly reduced soon after the therapy and continued for about 4-7 days, while in cases of combined subcutaneous administration with OK-432, NK activity showed only a slight decrease.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

PubMed1992

[Clinical studies on locoregional immunochemotherapy of peritonitis carcinomatosa].

Although 58 patients with peritonitis carcinomatosa underwent multidisciplinary therapy over the last 5 years in our department, about half of them died within 3 months after treatment. In addition, the prognosis was poor for gastric and colon cancer patients, who had macroscopic peritoneal dissemination. Therefore intraoperative intraperitoneal administration of either BRM or anticancer drugs was performed for the microscopic peritoneal dissemination of the cancer, and the immunological response in the peritoneal cavity was examined. In terms of subpopulation of peritoneal exudate cells, neutrophil leucocytes were predominant and thereafter lymphocytes increased. As for the cytokines in the exudate from peritoneal cavity, the concentration of interleukin-6 peaked within 24 hours after administration, followed by a gradual decrease, while the concentration of interferon-gamma was detectable at more than 24 hours after operation, followed by a gradual increase. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha was also detectable in the exudate. Its concentration decreased when both OK-432 and MMC were administered, but it increased when CDDP was administered. The above results indicated that preventive intraoperative intraperitoneal administration of BRM and anticancer drugs should bring about individual immunokinetic modulation in tumor bearing host and both cytokines and immunocytes could play an important role in locoregional tumor immunity.

Cisplatin↗

PubMed1991

An appropriate in vitro culture condition for the induction of human TCR gamma delta + cells by heat-killed bacteria.

TCR gamma delta + cells proliferated when MNC were stimulated with various heat-killed bacteria. We investigated here the culture conditions for their maximum proliferation. MNC were cultured for 6 days with Streptococcus pyogenes, and for 3 days with T cell mitogens, PHA and anti-CD3 mAb, in medium supplemented with various concentrations (0.05-50%) of human sera. TCR gamma delta + and TCR gamma delta- CD2+3- double negative cells induced by Str. pyogenes required high concentrations of sera (greater than 6%) for their proliferation. Moreover, increased sera (up to 50%) greatly augmented their proliferation. On the other hand, TCR alpha beta + cell proliferation induced by T cell mitogens was supported by a small concentration (even 0.1%) of the sera, and the addition of high concentrations of sera (greater than 6%) somewhat suppressed responses. Similar serum requirement patterns were evident for the induction of cytotoxic cells. These results clearly demonstrated the existence of an appropriate culture condition for the proliferation of TCR gamma delta + cells induced in vitro.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[Urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activity in liver cirrhosis with renal impairment].

The renal tubular damage in liver cirrhosis was evaluated by measurement of urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity in 32 patients with various stages of liver cirrhosis. The patients were divided to three groups (A, B, and C) according to Child's criterion and urinary NAG activity and renal function parameters were compared in these groups. As a result, urinary NAG activity in group C was significantly higher than group A and group B and slight elevation of serum BUN level and low creatinine clearance value were also observed in group C. In 8 patients who developed the renal failure in their clinical course the level of urinary NAG activity was markedly elevated in the early phase of renal failure. These results suggested that the measurement of urinary NAG activity was useful for early diagnosis of renal impairment in the cirrhotic patients.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

PubMed1990

Physical and genetic analyses of IncI2 plasmid R721: evidence for the presence of shufflon.

A physical map of the 75.1-kb IncI2 plasmid R721 was constructed by using 15 restriction enzymes, and the regions of several genetic determinants including the origins of replication and of conjugal DNA transfer were located on the physical map. It was found that R721 bears a DNA region which undergoes DNA rearrangement similar to the shufflon of R64.

Conjugation, Genetic↗

PubMed1990

Identification of activated T cell receptor gamma delta lymphocytes in the liver of tumor-bearing hosts.

T cell receptor (TcR)gamma delta cells are known to be a minor population of T lymphocytes in the blood (less than 10%) and other peripheral lymphoid organs in healthy donors. We demonstrated here that a large proportion of TcR gamma delta cells, i.e., up to 30% of mononuclear cells (MNC) were detectable in the liver, but not other lymphoid organs of cancer patients. More importantly, the majority of such TcR gamma delta cells (greater than 70%) were shown to be lymphoblastic by electron microscopy. An activation marker of T lymphocytes, Leu-19 (CD56) was also highly expressed on the hepatic TcR gamma delta cells. The possibility of hepatic TcR gamma delta cells being activated was further examined in mice. C3H/He mice injected with syngeneic tumor cells were demonstrated to have an increased number of liver MNC; such MNC showed an ability to proliferate in vitro. These mice eventually had a considerable proportion of TcR gamma delta cells in the liver, showing activation markers, the Ia and LFA-1 antigens. These results suggest that the liver may be an important organ for activation and probably expansion of TcR gamma delta cells especially in tumor bearing hosts.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Anti-idiotypic antibodies directed against anti-HBs among the patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Anti-idiotypic antibodies (anti-Id) against anti-HBs were found in the sera of patients with chronic hepatitis type B. Anti-idiotypic antibodies were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using horseradish peroxidase conjugated mouse monoclonal anti-HBs. Ten of 72 HBsAg positive sera contained anti-Id (13.9%). The prevalence of anti-Id did not appear to correlate with HBeAg/anti-HBe system. However, HB virus specific DNA polymerase activity was significantly higher in anti-Id positive sera. In the sera obtained from the patients treated with predonisolone before, anti-Id positive rate was higher than that in the patients without a history of predonisolone therapy. These results suggest that anti-Id may be related to the immunoregulatory mechanism of HB virus replication.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗

PubMed1988

Age-related variation in the proportion and activity of murine liver natural killer cells and their cytotoxicity against regenerating hepatocytes.

We investigated the distribution of liver NK cells in mice of various ages and their cytotoxicity against regenerating hepatocytes. Liver NK cells were identified by asialo GM1 antibody in mononuclear cell suspension from the liver, whereas NK activity was assayed against YAC-1 target cells. Mononuclear cells in the liver consisted of more than 25% NK cells with potent NK activity in C3H/He mice, 8 wk of age. The strain-specific distribution (C3H/He greater than C57BL/6 greater than DBA/2) of liver NK cells was the same as those in the spleen and blood. The proportion of liver NK cells and the level of NK activity in C3H/He mice were further demonstrated to vary depending on age, in that both the proportion and the function were generated at 4 wk of age, reached a maximum between the 6th and 8th wk, and then rapidly decreased around the 9th wk. The appearance of an increased number of NK cells in the liver seemed to coincide with the slowing of the rapid increase of murine liver weight. We then investigated whether liver NK cells mediated their cytotoxicity against regenerating hepatocytes. Both specific 51Cr-release assay and single cell cytotoxicity assay demonstrated that liver NK cells were significantly cytotoxic against regenerating hepatocytes in partially hepatectomized liver, but to a lesser extent against normal hepatocytes in resting liver. Morphologic study revealed that normal liver predominantly consisted of hepatocytes with binuclei (greater than 60%) but that regenerating liver mainly consisted of hepatocytes with a single nucleus (greater than 70%). One-nucleus hepatocytes were more susceptible to the cytotoxicity of liver NK cells. A comparative study of restoration kinetics of the liver weight and the number of liver NK cells after partial hepatectomy also showed a unique relationship. These results raise the possibility that liver NK cells might be responsible for regulating hepatocyte growth.

Aging↗

PubMed1988

Severe acute exacerbation in chronic hepatitis B virus infection in Sendai, Japan.

In order to examine the clinical features of severe acute exacerbation in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, 297 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers were followed for 35 +/- 22 months (mean +/- S.D.) in Tohoku University Hospital from 1976 to 1987. Of these, 10 experienced severe acute exacerbation with hepatic decompensation. All of these patients had intense subjective symptoms related to the hepatitis. They were all icteric and 8 had ascites. Three developed to fulminant hepatic failure, eventually died. Histology after the exacerbation showed severe hepatic damage such as massive hepatic necrosis and bridging hepatic necrosis in a half of them. Six cases were suspected to result from spontaneous reactivation and 2 from drug-induced reactivation of chronic HBV infection, and the other 2 from superinfection with non-A, non-B hepatitis agent (s). These results suggest that the reactivation of chronic HBV infection is an important factor of severe acute exacerbations in chronic HBV infection in Japan.

Adult↗