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Biomedical subjects

K Kuroiwa

Publications and source records attributed to K Kuroiwa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

[A report of leiomyosarcoma of the esophagus].

Leiomyosarcoma of the esophagus is an uncommon disease of which only 97 cases including the present case have been reported in Japan. We report a case of the tumor which showed multiple hematogenous metastases after surgery. A 73-year-old male was admitted complaining of dysphagia and vomiting. Esophagography and endoscopy revealed a large protruding lesion in the lower esophagus. CT scanning revealed threefold-sized extramural mass. Boring biopsies failed to yield evidence of malignancy. However, we performed surgical treatment because of the uncommon size for a benign tumor. The excised tumor was 11 x 9 x 5 cm in size and was diagnosed histologically as leiomyosarcoma of the esophagus without any nodular involvement. Metastatic tumor in the right rib was found 14 months after the operation. Radiotherapy failed to decrease tumor size but eliminated pain. Bone metastases appeared successively and the patient died 3 years and 4 months after operation. Chemotherapy had no effect. Autopsy revealed metastases to the ribs, vertebrae, sternum, pelvic kidneys and diaphragm, but no local recurrence. There is a great need for the development of effective anti-cancer drugs for leiomyosarcomas, particularly in cases with extensive metastasis, such as presented here.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Gastric cancer in the elderly].

Gastric cancer in the elderly was evaluated with regard to age-related pathomorphological changes. Resected gastric cancer was studied with regard to location, stage, morphology and histology in male young old (65-74 years old) which were 25 cases and 31 lesions, respectively male middle old (75-84 years old); 104 cases and 120 lesions, male very old (85 years-); 96 cases and 110 lesions, female young old; 22 cases and 31 lesions, female middle old; 91 cases and 106 lesions, female very old; 51 cases and 55 lesions. Multiple gastric cancers were more frequent in female older group. In early cancer the frequency of elevated type increased significantly and that of depressed type decreased in very old group. In advanced cancer Borrmann I type was not so common in very old group. Histologically the frequency of signet ring cell cancer decreased and of tubular adenocarcinoma and of papillary adenocarcinoma increased significantly in female very old group. Hepatic metastasis increased significantly in male very old group. Lymph node metastasis and peritoneal metastasis did not show any change in age-related frequency.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1993

The complete amino acid sequence of subunit d of rat liver mitochondrial H(+)-ATP synthase.

Subunit d of H(+)-ATP synthase from rat liver mitochondria was isolated from the purified enzyme by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The partial amino acid sequence of the subunit was determined by automated Edman degradation of the peptide fragments. The nucleotide sequence of subunit d of rat liver H(+)-ATP synthase was determined from a recombinant cDNA clone isolated by screening a rat hepatoma cell line H4TG cDNA library with a probe DNA. The sequence was composed of 581 nucleotides including a coding region for the import precursor of subunit d and noncoding regions on the 5'- and 3'- sides. The possible precursor of subunit d and its mature polypeptide deduced from the open reading frame consisted of 161 and 160 amino acid residues with molecular weights of 18,763 and 18,631, respectively. Subunit d is a hydrophilic protein with an isoelectric point of 6.19. The sequence of the rat subunit d is highly homologous with that of subunit d of bovine heart and slightly similar to that of the subunit d of the yeast mitochondria. However, it had no homology with the sequence of any of the subunits of bacterial or chloroplast H(+)-ATP synthase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Complete amino acid sequence of subunit e of rat liver mitochondrial H(+)-ATP synthase.

Subunit e of H(+)-ATP synthase from rat liver mitochondria was isolated from the purified enzyme by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The amino acid sequence of the subunit was determined by automated Edman degradation of the whole protein and derived peptides. The nucleotide sequence of the import precursor of subunit e of rat liver H(+)-ATP synthase was determined from a recombinant cDNA clone isolated by screening a rat hepatoma cell line H4TG cDNA library with a probe DNA. The sequence was composed of 289 nucleotides including a coding region for the import precursor of subunit e and noncoding regions on the 5'- and 3'-sides. The possible import precursor of subunit e and its mature polypeptide deduced from the open reading frame consisted of 71 and 70 amino acid residues with molecular weights of 8254 and 8123, respectively. Subunit e is a basic hydrophilic protein with an isoelectric point of 9.78. The sequence of the rat subunit e is highly homologous with that of subunit e of bovine heart, but has no homology with any subunit of bacterial or chloroplast H(+)-ATP synthase. The function of subunit e is unknown. However, a homology search in the database of the National Biomedical Research Foundation revealed that residues 34-65 of subunit e are homologous with residues 90-117 of troponin T, and with residues 529-561 of h-caldesmon and residues 289-319 of l-caldesmon, which are the homologous sequences corresponding to the Ca(2+)-dependent tropomyosin-binding region of troponin T.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

A simple, rapid method for purification of epsilon-subunit, coupling factor 6, subunit d, and subunit e from rat liver H(+)-ATP synthase and determination of the complete amino acid sequence of epsilon-subunit.

The rat liver mitochondrial epsilon-subunit, coupling factor 6, subunit d, and subunit e of H(+)-ATP synthase, which are all extra subunits with no counterparts in Escherichia coli, were purified by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The complete amino acid sequence of the rat epsilon-subunit was determined by automated Edman degradation of the whole protein and derived peptides. The protein contains 50 amino acids and has a molecular mass of 5635 kDa. It is a basic hydrophilic protein with an isoelectric point of 10.5. The sequence of the rat epsilon-subunit is highly homologous with that of the epsilon-subunit of bovine heart and slightly similar to those of the epsilon-subunit of the yeast and sweet potato mitochondria. However, it has no homology with any subunit of bacterial or chloroplast H(+)-ATP synthase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Electron microscopical and immunohistochemical studies on the induction of "Qi" employing needling manipulation.

During a sparrow-pecking and twisting-needle manipulation to the acupoints BL 23, 24 and 25 for an induction of "Qi", it was found that some transparent materials were binding to the needles after removed from the volunteer's skin. Electron-microscopical analysis of the transparent materials revealed that they corresponded to the injured fascia made up of collagen fibers, elastic fibers, fibroblasts, adipocytes and mast cells. Rarely were nerve fiber-like structures observed in the materials. Immunohistochemically, calcitonin gene-related peptide-positive nerve fibers could be demonstrated in the acupoint BL 24 associated fascia. A possible functional relationship between the needle manipulation and the induction of Qi-sensation is discussed along with the acupoint tissue constitution.

Acupuncture Points↗
PubMed1990

Effect of vitamin A in enteral formulae for burned guinea-pigs.

A burned guinea-pig model (30 per cent body surface area) was used to study the effects of dietary vitamin A. Sixty-five female guinea-pigs were infused enterally via gastrostomy feeding tubes with identical formulate (175 kcal/kg/day, 20 per cent of calories as protein) containing varying amounts of vitamin A. Groups I, II, III and IV received formulae containing 0, 10,000 iu (approximately equivalent to the guinea-pigs' RDA), 50,000 iu (5 x RDA) and 250,000 iu (25 x RDA) of vitamin A per litre, respectively. After 14 days of tube feeding, the animals were killed. Group I animals had evidence of vitamin A deficiency including low haemoglobin levels, lower red blood cell counts and lower caecal mucosal weight. Findings of hypervitaminosis A were observed only in animals given the highest dose of vitamin A (25 x RDA). These were elevated serum alkaline phosphatase and complement C3 levels and enlarged adrenal glands. Group IV also showed defective cell-mediated immunity as reflected by reduced delayed cutaneous response to dinitrofluorobenzene. In a second experiment groups I, II, III and IV were given formulas containing 0, 1 x RDA, 5 x RDA, and 10 x RDA of vitamin A respectively for 14 days. Through postburn days 12 to 14 they were injected subcutaneously with 3 x 10(8) of Staphylococcus aureus once daily. On postburn day 15 the animals were killed and the numbers of viable bacteria at each injection site were counted. No significant differences were observed in viable bacterial numbers between the groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Effect of intraluminal antibiotics on translocation of Candida albicans in burned guinea-pigs.

Guinea-pigs were pretreated orally with various antibiotics and given 3 x 10(10) Candida albicans by gastric lavage followed by a 40 per cent TBSA full skin thickness burn. The mesenteric lymph nodes, liver and spleen were cultured for the presence of viable organisms. Caecal contents were quantitatively cultured for aerobic bacteria and C. albicans. Clindamycin and penicillin G were the greatest promoters of translocation followed by the combination streptomycin/bacitracin. The mechanism for antibiotic-induced translocation is multifactorial centering on intestinal flora, anaerobic spectrum of the antibiotic and host defense as well as microbe virulence. The systemic use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, particularly those with strong anaerobic activity, should not be taken too lightly. A severely immunocompromised patient on this type of therapy may be prone to a severe fungal infection. This study reaffirms the concept that translocation from the gastrointestinal barrier is a potential source of life-threatening nosocomial infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

An electron microscopic study of cells with steroid-secreting morphology in the paraaortic lymph node of the hamster.

Clustered cells with steroid-secreting morphology (SH), located within the paraaortic lymph node (PLN) capsules of normal and pregnant female golden hamsters, were examined by light and electron microscopy. Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HD) activity of the SH cell cluster also was examined by histochemical techniques. The cluster was composed of mostly packed SH cells and surrounding mesenchymal cells. Individual SH cells possessed prominent smooth endoplasmic reticulum, well-developed Golgi complexes, some lipid droplets, and numerous mitochondria containing tubulovesicular cristae common to mammalian SH cells. Intermediate-type junctions were often observed between SH cells. The same SH cells were rarely detected in the subcapsular sinus and in the cortical parenchyma of the PLN. Early oophorectomy of the hamster resulted in cytoplasmic degeneration of the SH cell at day 5 after the operation. On the other hand, normal adult male hamsters possessed similar PLNs, but no SH cells were recognized in the nodes. The present histochemical preparation of normal female PLNs revealed moderate-to-strong HD activity, probably associated with SH cell clusters, in the limited regions of the capsules. Based on the present ultrastructural and histochemical findings, it is proposed that the SH cell cluster consists of steroid hormone producing cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Suppression of the DTH reaction in mice by means of moxibustion at electro-permeable points.

The effects of moxibustion stimulation on picryl chloride-induced cutaneous contact hypersensitivity, a delayed type of hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction, were investigated in mice. Three electro-permeable points (B-20, LI-15, S-36) were selected as moxibustion points. Moxibustion at point B-20 (spleen associated point) significantly suppressed the DTH reaction. Adoptive transfer of spleen T cells from moxibustion-stimulated donors resulted in an increased suppression of the DTH reaction in the recipients. These studies suggest that suppression of the DTH reaction with moxibustion may be related to cellular immunity, especially to the induction of the suppressive activity of T cells in the spleen.

Acupuncture Points↗
PubMed1989

Determination of alpha 2-macroglobulin-trypsin complex with a new synthetic substrate.

We have developed a colorimetric assay for quantifying alpha 2-macroglobulin-trypsin complex (alpha 2M-TRY) in human serum, based on use of a new chromogenic substrate D-gamma-tert-butyloxy-Glu-Gly-Arg-3-carboxy-4-hydroxyanilide dihydrochloride (PS-3001). Within-run CVs by this assay were 4.76%, 1.57%, and 0.83% for trypsin complex concentrations of 3.1, 12.2, and 48.1 U/L, respectively (n = 10 each). Between-day CVs were 5.38%, 3.12%, and 2.20% at each concentration, respectively (n = 7). Mean analytical recoveries of alpha 2M-TRY added to serum were 100%, 105%, and 101% for 9.2, 15.1, and 46.3 U/L, respectively (n = 2). The standard curve obtained was linear up to 330 U/L. We applied this method to the study of alpha 2M-TRY activity in sera from 97 healthy subjects (group 1), from 27 patients with acute pancreatitis (group 2), and from 25 patients with other chylopoietic diseases (group 3); results ranged from 0 to 1.2 U/L (mean = 0.5, SD = 0.3), from 1.2 to 77.4 U/L (mean = 14.6, SD = 19.0), and from 0 to 1.3 U/L (mean = 0.4, SD = 0.3), respectively. Concentrations of enzymatically active alpha 2M-TRY were significantly greater in sera from group 2 than in groups 1 and 3. The determination of serum alpha 2M-TRY activity by this simple, rapid, colorimetric method may be useful for the diagnosis and evaluation of pancreatic disease.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1988

An electron microscopic study of the acupuncture or moxibustion stimulated regional skin and lymph node in experimental animals.

Ultrastructures of the electro-acupuncture or moxibustion stimulated skin and regional lymph nodes in experimental animals were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. In the scanning electron microscopy, small numbers of infiltrating erythrocytes and lymphocytes were found in the vicinity of the penetrated acupuncture needle in the acupuncture-stimulated skin, whereas moxibustion-treated instances revealed a large number of immunocyte infiltrations in the region. Transmission electron microscopically revealed that immunocytes consisted of lymphocytes, monocytes and some granulocytes and mast cells. In addition, the moxibustion-stimulated regional lymph nodes increased in weight after the stimulation and induced numerous immunocyte influx through afferent lymphatics. The acupuncture-stimulated nodes, however, revealed no remarkable change in the weight and morphology. A functional significance of the acupuncture and moxibustion-stimulated skin and regional nodes was discussed in reference to previous immunohistological descriptions of immune-reacted lymph node of the same animals.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed1988

[Postoperative debasement of the host-defense system and wound healing in elderly patients, and nutritional support as a therapeutic implication].

Plasma opsonic activity and several kinds of plasma protein levels in each pre- and post-operative days were compared between older 25 cases (70 years or older) and 31 younger cases (59 years or younger) which both underwent elective abdominal surgery. The activity to opsonize E. coli 075 as a host-defense capacity was reduced on postoperative days 1,3 and returned gradually in either young or elderly. But opsonic activity levels in elderly patients in each postoperative days were significantly lower than in younger group. Plasma albumin level and rapid turnover protein levels in elderly patients tended to be lower than those in younger group through the postoperative period but statistically not significant. Plasma levels of C3 and fibronectin overshot the each preoperative value on days 5-7, after sharp reduction on day 1 in younger patients, but those in elderly didn't. Opsonic activity levels were closely correlated with plasma protein levels. Based on these clinical results, the experiments were designed to evaluate the effect of nutritional support in the early postoperative period on opsonic activity and protein synthesis in aged rats. These studies elucidated that early nutritional support brought beneficial effects on opsonic activity and plasma protein levels on postoperative days 7, but not on days 3 in aged rats. This may be because in aged animals, protein synthetic function has not fully recovered in the early postoperative period.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Consumption of platelets in decompression sickness of rabbits.

Platelet behavior was studied in rabbit decompression sickness which was brought about by the exposure to 6 ATA for 40 min (bottom time) followed by rapid decompression. Platelet counts significantly decreased after the decompression. Kinetic studies with 111In-oxine-labeled platelets revealed shortened survivals of circulating platelets, and audioradiograms indicated the accumulation of radioactivity in the lungs after the decompression. Although there was no change in the mode volume of platelets after the decompression, the transient appearance of circulating smaller or fragmented platelets suggested a random overdestruction of platelets. Whole and releasable adenine nucleotide contents of platelets were decreased significantly after the decompression. There were no significant changes in cytoplasmic adenine nucleotide contents. Therefore, in decompression sickness, the circulating platelets behaved similarly to those in acquired storage pool disease. Platelet thrombi were found in the pulmonary arteries, compatible with the accumulation of 111In-oxine-labeled platelets. These findings suggest that circulating air bubbles interact with platelets, causing the platelet release reaction, and these activated platelets participate in the formation of thrombi in experimental decompression sickness.

Adenine Nucleotides↗
PubMed1985

Use of L-leucyl-3-carboxy-4-hydroxyanilide as substrate for determining the activity of microsomal aminopeptidase in serum.

We describe a colorimetric method for assay of microsomal aminopeptidase (EC 3.4.11.2) activity in serum. We use a new substrate, L-leucyl-3-carboxy-4-hydroxyanilide, p-xylenol as coupler, and sodium metaperiodate as oxidizing reagent. The colored substance formed by the oxidative condensation between p-xylenol and 5-aminosalicylic acid absorbs maximally at 635 nm, and can be directly measured in serum. In a previous method for this enzyme, L-leucyl-beta-naphthylamide was used as substrate and beta-naphthylamine, a carcinogenic reagent used as a standard in making the assay, was unsuitable for routine use. We found a close correlation between results obtained with the new, safer method and with the previous method.

Aminopeptidases↗
PubMed1984

The functional and biochemical changes of platelets in experimental decompression sickness of rabbits.

The functional and biochemical changes of rabbit platelets were studied after an exposure to 6 ATA (atmosphere absolute) for 40 min (bottom time). Platelet counts significantly decreased after the decompression. Platelet aggregation induced by collagen was not changed. Although there was no change in the mode volume of platelets after the decompression, the transient appearance of circulating smaller or fragmented platelets suggested a random over-destruction of platelets. Whole and releasable adenine nucleotide contents of platelets were decreased significantly after the decompression. There were no significant changes in cytoplasmic adenine nucleotide contents. Therefore, in decompression sickness, the circulating platelets behaved similarly to those in acquired storage pool disease. Platelet thrombi were found in the pulmonary arteries. These findings suggest that circulating air-bubbles interact with platelets, causing the platelet release reaction, and these activated platelets participate in the formation of thrombi in experimental decompression sickness.

Adenine Nucleotides↗