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Biomedical subjects

K Kamijo

Publications and source records attributed to K Kamijo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

[A case of latent Addison's disease with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and dwarfism].

A case of latent Addison's disease accompanied by hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and dwarfism is described. A 20-year-old man was admitted to our department complaining of short stature and immature development of the external genitalia. Pigmentation was most evident on the fingers and face. Endocrinologically, serum ACTH level was very high, and serum cortisol level was in the lower limit of the normal range. Serum aldosterone and adrenal androgen levels were below their normal ranges. Based on these clinical and laboratory findings, the patient was diagnosed as having latent Addison's disease. Serum LH did not respond to a bolus injection of LH-RH. However, after 3 days administration of LH-RH, the response of serum LH to a bolus injection of LH-RH was enhanced. Serum testosterone level was not increased after the administration of hCG. These findings suggested a hypothalamic cause for the hypogonadism. It was indicated that short stature was apparently caused by GH neurosecretory dysfunction, since nocturnal GH secretion was below that in normal males and the response of GH to the administration of arginine was normal. In regard to the thyroid function, the peak of serum TSH after a bolus injection of TRH was delayed compared with normal subjects, and although serum T4 level was high, the basal metabolic rate was very low. This suggests that there is tissue resistance to the elevated thyroid hormone.

Addison Disease↗
PubMed1992

Nucleotide sequence of the human 70 kDa peroxisomal membrane protein: a member of ATP-binding cassette transporters.

The cDNA sequence of human liver 70 kDa peroxisomal membrane protein (hPMP70) was determined. The nucleotide sequence contains an open reading frame of 1977 base pairs and encodes an amino acid sequence of 659 residues which exhibits 95.0% identity with that of rat liver PMP70. hPMP70 shares close similarity to the members of a superfamily of ATP-binding transport proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Positive and negative gene regulation in muscle.

By the analysis of cis and trans-acting element involved in transcriptional regulation of chicken myosin alkali light chain genes, we have identified the MLC box, muscle specific enhancer element and negative regulatory element. The MLC box is an essential element for the expression of MLC genes located at approximately 100 bp upstream from mRNA start sites. The core sequence of MLC box is similar to the consensus of actin gene CArG box and SRE of c-fos oncogene. In vitro DNA-protein binding assay has revealed that the MLC box, CArG box and SRE might bind to a common or a similar protein complex. CMD1, cMyogenin, and cMRF4 transactivate the promorter with an intact MLC box, but not the promoter lacking MLC box, indicating that the MLC box itself is transactivated by the myogenic regulatory factors. This transactivation must have been due to the indirect effect of the myogenic regulatory factors, because chicken myogenic factors do not bind to the MLC box. A cis element identified at about 150 bp upstream from the cap site of cardiac MLC gene suppresses the cardiac MLC gene expression in skeletal muscle cells but not in cardiac muscle cells. The protein(s) bound to NRE might be identical with one of proteins bound to SRE. NRE may block the function of MLC box and resultantly inhibits the expression of cardiac MLC1 gene in skeletal muscle cells. Skeletal muscle enhancer at -2 kb of skeletal MLC1f gene is composed of two subelements P and D, cooperative action between them is required for sufficient enhancer activity. CMD1 and myogenin bind to the enhancer sequences of skeletal MLC1 gene and MCK gene and transactivate these genes preferentially in skeletal muscle cells. In addition to the CMD1 responsible enhancer, another cis-element is required for transactivation of the MLC1f gene by cMyogenin. An E-box adjacent to MLC box may co-work with the enhancer to increase the expression of MLC1f gene. Muscle specific and developmentally regulated expression of MLC gene family is regulated by the combination of these cis and trans-acting elements.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Effects of bromocriptine on experimental GH3 cell tumors.

Bromocriptine in concentrations up to 10(-4) M was studied for morphological and endocrinological effects upon the GH3 cell line as well as the GH1 and AtT-20 cell lines. The cells (10(5)/ml) were incubated with RPMI 1640 or in some experiments Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium supplemented with 10% FCS. Bromocriptine was added in concentrations of 10(-4) to 10(-8) mol/L and aliquots of medium were obtained at 2 and 24 hs for the determination of growth hormone and prolactin. Significant reductions in concentrations of growth hormone and prolactin as well as cell number were observed with a concentration of bromocriptine of 10(-4) M at 24 hs. The electron microscopic appearance of GH3 cells treated with 10(-4) mol/L concentrations of bromocriptine for 24 hs demonstrated extensive and marked vacuolization in the cytoplasm which had already appeared 2 hs after treatment with bromocriptine. In bromocriptine-treated (10(-4) mol/L for 24 hs) GH1 cells and AtT-20 cells, the morphologic features were essentially unchanged, compared to the untreated group. Since many previous reports demonstrated a defective dopamine receptor system in GH3 cells, it must be concluded that bromocriptine has an extradopaminergic action which is selectively observed in GH3 cell.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

An ACTH and FSH producing invasive pituitary adenoma with Crooke's hyalinization.

We report on a patient with ACTH and FSH producing invasive pituitary adenoma complaining of cutaneous pigmentation. Elevations in plasma ACTH, beta-endorphin and cortisol levels as well as urinary 17-OHCS and cortisol excretion were found. Serum FSH concentration was just within the upper limit of the normal range, whereas serum LH level was reduced and alpha-subunit level was normal. Roentogenographic examination showed an almost complete loss of sellar floor and destruction of the posterior clinoids and dorsum sella. CT scan and MRI demonstrated an enlarged tumor invasion of the clivus and its extension to the sphenoid sinus. After subtotal removal of the large pituitary tumor, serum cortisol and plasma beta-endorphin levels as well as plasma ACTH concentrations returned to normal and serum FSH levels also remarkably decreased. Histologically, the tumor corresponded to a chromophobe, slightly PAS positive adenoma. These tumor cells exhibited positive immunostaining with antibody to ACTH (1-24), beta-LPH, beta-endorphin and FSH, while immunostaining of the adenoma cells was negative for LH, TSH, GH and prolactin. The immunogold technique also demonstrated ACTH and FSH particles in the secretory granules in the cytoplasm of the adenoma cells. Some of the tumor cells disclosed Crooke's hyalinization and type I microfilament occupied most of the cytoplasm. In the present study, a very rare case of ACTH and FSH producing invasive pituitary adenoma is reported.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1990

cDNA cloning of rat liver 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase.

cDNA clones of 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase were isolated from rat liver cDNA libraries constructed in phages lambda gt11 and lambda gt10. Hybrid selected translation analysis revealed that 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase was translated as a polypeptide with a molecular weight of about 36,000, which was about 3,000 molecular weight units larger than mature reductase. Sequencing analysis revealed that the open reading frame encoded a polypeptide consisting of 335 amino acid residues (predicted molecular weight = 36,132), which contained an N-terminal extension peptide of 34 amino acid residues (presequence) in addition to the mature enzyme. Thus, 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase is synthesized as a larger precursor polypeptide, and the N-terminal extension peptide may be acting as the mitochondrial import signal.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

The 70-kDa peroxisomal membrane protein is a member of the Mdr (P-glycoprotein)-related ATP-binding protein superfamily.

The 70-kDa peroxisomal membrane protein (PMP70) is one of the major integral membrane proteins of rat liver peroxisomes. cDNA clones for PMP70 were isolated and sequenced. The predicted amino acid sequence (659 amino acid residues) revealed that the carboxyl-terminal region of PMP70 has strong sequence similarities to a group of ATP-binding proteins such as MalK and Mdr. These proteins form a superfamily and are involved in various biological processes including membrane transport. Limited protease treatment of peroxisomes showed that the ATP-binding domain of PMP70 is exposed to the cytosol. The hydropathy profile, in comparison with those of several other members of the ATP-binding protein superfamily, suggests that PMP70 is a transmembrane protein possibly forming a channel. Based on these results, we propose that PMP70 is involved in active transport across the peroxisomal membrane.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1990

Transient subclinical hypothyroidism in early pregnancy.

In the present study, a new clinical state of transient subclinical hypothyroidism in 12 early pregnant women is documented. The incidence of transient subclinical hypothyroidism was 18 (0.19%) among 9,453 pregnant women examined in this series in Sapporo. The characteristics of transient subclinical early gestational hypothyroidism in our study may be summarized as follows: temporarily increased TSH in the blood (11.7 +/- 6.3 microU/ml; mean +/- S.D.) in early pregnant women at 8.5 +/- 2.4 weeks of gestation, accompanied with or without reduced FT4 which spontaneously return to normal at 17.9 +/- 7.1 weeks; no subjective complaints and no previous history of thyroid disease; small struma; positive titers of antimicrosome antibody and antithyroglobulin antibody; normal serum hCG; negative results for TSH receptor antibody. None of the infants show any physical abnormality such as struma and none of the patients had neck pain or fever suggesting subacute thyroiditis. The presence of autoantibody to the thyroid gland and echographical findings strongly suggest the existence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis in early pregnant women with transient subclinical hypothyroidism, although the cause of transient subclinical early gestational hypothyroidism remains obscure.

Female↗
PubMed1990

[Fundamental and clinical studies of changes in endocrine conditions in cancer patients].

The aim of the present study was to investigate hypothalamic-pituitary function, pituitary-thyroid function as well as pituitary-adrenal function in cancer patients. 1. Hypothalamic-pituitary function: We already reported a tumor-related paradoxical increase of serum growth hormone (GH) in oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and TRH test, which seemed to be due to changes in pituitary GH cell, not hypothalamus. The high incidence of the paradoxical increase of GH in OGTT was found in patients with hepatocellular cancer and pancreatic cancer, whereas in TRH test it was observed in patients with pancreatic, colonic and gastric cancer. The highly sensitive GH enzyme immunoassay demonstrated in 12 non-responder patients in OGTT a significant reduction of serum GH at 30 minutes compared to basal values. 2. Pituitary-thyroid function: We already demonstrated that a high incidence of low T3 syndrome in elderly cancer patients compared to younger patients and metabolic changes in glucose must be involved in the pathogenesis. In addition, this syndrome is significantly related to prognosis. There were no significant changes in thyroid function before and after curative operation for tumors except in patients with poor prognosis. 3. Pituitary-adrenal function: It was shown that cancer cachexia is characterized by hypercortisolemia, which must be due to a defect of negative feedback control.

Glucose Tolerance Test↗
PubMed1989

Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence of cDNA encoding the entire precursor of rat mitochondrial acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase.

cDNA clones for rat mitochondrial acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase were isolated and sequenced. The most 5'-extended clone (RT2-6) consisted of 1,460 bases and contained a 1,272-base open reading frame encoding a polypeptide of 424 amino acid residues. A coupled in vitro transcription/translation analysis of RT2-6 revealed that RT2-6 encodes the entire precursor of this enzyme. The amino-terminal sequence and amino acid composition of the purified enzyme agreed with the primary structure deduced from the cDNA. The calculated molecular masses of the precursor and the subunit of the mature enzyme are 44,694 and 41,364 Da, respectively. The primary structure of this enzyme was compared with those of four other thiolases (rat mitochondrial and peroxisomal 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolases, acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase of Zoogloea ramigera, and cytosolic acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase of Saccharomyces uvarum). Marked homology between any two of them (34-51% identity) indicates that the genes of thiolases have evolved from a common ancestral gene. It has been reported that this enzyme has two isoenzymes A and B. However, the purified isoenzymes were indistinguishable from each other in some analyses. Though 17 independent cDNA clones were isolated, no definite evidence indicating the presence of different cDNAs was found.

Acetyl-CoA C-Acetyltransferase↗
PubMed1989

Reports of two cases of selective adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and growth hormone (GH) deficiency: differential diagnosis from cases with isolated ACTH deficiency associated with transient GH insufficiency.

An acquired partial pituitary insufficiency with selective ACTH and GH deficiency was demonstrated in two men aged 47 and 54, for which the clinical course over many years corresponds to Addison's disease. In one of the 2 cases, antibodies to anterior pituitary cell membrane, assayed by an immunofluorescence method with GH3 cells (rat GH and prolactin secreting cell) and AtT-20 cells (mouse ACTH secreting cell) as antigens, were positive. We also present a 55-year-old man with isolated ACTH deficiency associated with transient GH deficiency. In this case, hydrocortisone replacement corrected his subnormal, pre-therapy GH response to insulin tolerance and glucagon propranolol tests, although there was no response of serum GH to L-dops and arginine stimulation test before therapy. Selective ACTH and GH deficiency are very rare and the finding of transient GH insufficiency in a patient with isolated ACTH deficiency suggests that repeated testing while on hydrocortisone replacement therapy is of great diagnostic importance in order to distinguish between selective ACTH and GH deficiency and isolated ACTH deficiency accompanied by transient GH insufficiency.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1989

[Visual fatigue evaluation of field sequential stereoscopic 3D display using near point distance].

The purpose of this paper was to evaluate quantitatively visual fatigue encountered in viewing stereoscopic 3D television. By examining the difference in the visual function involved in watching 2D and stereoscopic 3D displays, we could extract only the effect on visual perception in stereoscopic 3D television. Since the visual fatigue with the 3D display may be caused by the discrepancy between convergence and accommodation, the near point distances were measured by an Accommodo Polyrecorder, where Landolt's ring was pursued with binocularity. Five subjects, all employees of NEC Corporation, participated in the experiment. All subjects had normal or corrected-to-normal vision. Two of the subjects watched a 3D video movie. After a week, they watched another video movie in 2D. The rest of them watched the movies in reverse order. One video movie viewing requires about 120 minutes. The near point distances were measured before and after watching for 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes. The 3D television system used here is a 3D video disc system with field sequence using glasses with liquid crystal shutters. In the case of 2D, each subject wore the glasses whose shutters were kept open. In the experiment, instruction to watch the video movies in a relaxed posture was given. There was a significant effect in regard to 3D/2D treatments on the change rates of the near point distance measured after watching every 30 minutes to one before watching. In addition, the change rates in 3D watching after 60, 90 and 120 minutes were significantly increased, compared with the corresponding rates in 2D.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Accommodation, Ocular↗
PubMed1989

[Clinical studies on the relation of abnormal growth hormone secretions to hepatic diabetes mellitus in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma].

Paradoxical growth hormone (GH) responses in 50 g or 75 g oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) have been demonstrated in 24 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, whereas no significant changes in serum GH levels after OGTT were shown in 10 normal controls, 6 patients with cirrhosis of liver, and with chronic active hepatitis. There were no significant difference in the GH responses in OGTT as well as in the incidence of paradoxical GH responses between diabetic and non-diabetic patients with HCC. Informatively, the basal somatomedin C level was very low in all cases examined.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗
PubMed1988

Clinical diagnosis of pituitary adenoma.

Clinical symptoms, signs, endocrine examinations, image diagnosis of GH cell adenoma, prolactin cell adenoma, TSH cell adenoma and nonsecreting pituitary adenoma are discussed.

Acromegaly↗