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Biomedical subjects

K Kusama

Publications and source records attributed to K Kusama.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

[Detection of TT virus (TTV) in non-B, non-C hepatitis patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, and clinical features of these patients].

A novel human DNA virus, TTvirus (TTV), was identified from a patient with posttransfusion hepatitis of unknown etiology. It is thought to be a new hepatitis virus, but the clinical significance of this virus is uncertain. We investigated the frequency of TTV viremia by PCR in 39 non-B, non-C hepatitis (NBNC) patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and clinical features of these patients. TTV viremia was detected in 20 (51.3%) of 39 NBNC hepatitis patients with HCC. Liver cirrhosis (LC) were found in 11 (55%) of 20 TTV-positive patients and 16 (84%) of 19 TTV-negative patients (p < 0.05). The levels of AST, LDH, LAP, gamma GTP in TTV-positive patients were significantly higher than those in TTV-negative patients (p < 0.05). (AST: 58 +/- 26 vs 42 +/- 23 IU/l, LDH: 468 +/- 127 vs 366 +/- 123 IU/l, LAP: 339 +/- 242 vs 206 +/- 80 IU/l, gamma GTP: 207 +/- 207 vs 105 +/- 107 IU/l) These results suggest clinical differences between TTV-positive and TTV-negative patients in NBNC hepatitis patients with HCC.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Squamous odontogenic tumor of the maxilla: report of a case.

A case of squamous odontogenic tumor (SOT) of the maxilla related to an embedded tooth in a 42-year-old Japanese woman is described. The patient felt a slight pain of her left maxilla 2 months before visiting our dental hospital. Histologically, the tumor consisted of a proliferation of round and elongated epithelial islands of well-differentiated squamous epithelium separated by a fibrous stroma. The epithelial nests varied in size, and were composed of cuboidal or squamous cells of basal layer and matured intermediate cells with prominent intercellular bridges. Although no calcified materials were found, microcystic degeneration was occasionally observed in the epithelial islands. These findings indicated that this tumor is a SOT of the maxilla.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Intraoral minor salivary gland tumors: a retrospective study of 129 cases.

From 1970 to 1996, 129 cases of intraoral minor salivary gland tumors were diagnosed at the Department of Pathology, Nihon University School of Dentistry. The diagnosis of each case was based on the 1991 WHO classification. Eighty benign and 49 malignant minor salivary gland tumors were found in the approximately 9,300 oral biopsies submitted during the 27-year period. Pleomorphic adenomas were the most commonly histologic type of the benign tumors identified and 51% of the malignant tumors were diagnosed as mucoepidermoid carcinoma. The most common primary location of the tumors was the palate. Sixty percent of all tumors occurred in females and the peak age for incidences of all tumors was found in the third, fourth, sixth and seventh decades. These results were compared with those of the studies in different world population groups.

Adenoma, Pleomorphic↗
PubMed1996

Evaluation of monoclonal antibodies with specificity for human IgA, IgA subclasses and allotypes and secretory component. Results of an IUIS/WHO collaborative study.

51 monoclonal antibodies (McAb) with putative specificity for human IgA, the IgA subclasses, Am allotypes or secretory component (SC) were evaluated for immunoreactivity and specificity by nine laboratories employing immunodiffusion, agglutination, immunohistological assays, immunoblotting and direct binding and competitive inhibition enzyme immunoassays. McAbs specific for IgA PAN (n = 24), IgA1 (n = 7), IgA2 (n = 3), IgA2m(2) (n = 2), non-IgA2m(2) (n = 4) and SC or secretory IgA (n = 5) were identified that were immunoreactive and specific in the assays employed. The McAbs identified as IgA- or SC-reactive were shown to be non-reactive to human IgG, IgM, IgD, IgE, kappa and lambda by direct binding and competitive inhibition immunoassays. Interestingly, no McAbs with restricted specificity for IgA2m(1) were identified. Some McAbs displayed higher affinity and/or better performance in one or several of the assay groups. The IgA- and SC-specific McAbs identified in this international collaborative study have potential as immunochemical reference reagents to identify and quantitate monomeric and polymeric IgA in human serum and secretions.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

p53 gene alterations and p53 protein in oral epithelial dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma.

To examine the expression of p53 protein and gene alterations in oral epithelial lesions including epithelial dysplasias and primary squamous cell carcinomas, immunohistochemical and temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE) methods were applied to formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues. Morphologically normal mucosal epithelium stained negatively for p53 protein. Three out of 11 (27.3 per cent) epithelial dysplasias and 19 out of 57 (33.3 per cent) primary squamous cell carcinomas stained positively for p53 protein. Although more than half of the cases were positive for p53 protein in stage I, the positive cancer cases were found at other stages with variable frequency. Immunoreactive products were localized in the nucleus, especially in the basal and suprabasal layers. The analysis by TGGE revealed gene alterations in exons 5-8 in 3 out of 3 epithelial dysplasias and 17 out of 19 (89.5 per cent) primary squamous cell carcinomas which were immunohistochemically positive for p53 protein. These results suggest that p53 gene mutation may be involved in carcinogenesis in the oral squamous epithelium even in the early stage of the dysplasia-carcinoma sequence.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the palate.

A case of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) of the palate in a 72-year-old Japanese man is described. The patient had noticed swelling of the palate commencing about 20 years previously. Histologically, the tumor consisted of a proliferation of double-layered duct-like structures with two distinctive cell types. The inner layer was composed of eosinophilic epithelial cells, while the outer layer was composed of clear cells. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that reaction products for total keratin were predominantly found in the cytoplasm of the inner epithelial cells, while those for S-100 protein and smooth muscle actin were observed only in the outer cells. Immunoreactive products for secretory component and lysozyme were found in some of the luminal contents and the inner cells of the tumor nests. These findings indicated this tumor to be an EMC of the palate, which had shown no aggressiveness over a twenty-year period prior to surgical excision.

Actins↗
PubMed1996

[Analytical evaluation of compression and displacement of the esophagus and trachea due to right aortic arch with MR imaging].

We studied 12 cases of right aortic arch (RAA) with MRI, and the anatomical relationship between right aortic arch and the esophagus and trachea were analysed. Three of 12 cases showed RAA with mirror-image branching. Nine cases were RAA with aberrant left subclavian artery. The proximal portion of the aberrant left subclavian artery in the retrotracheoesophageal space was expanded just like a pouch. The pouch was the 8th segment dorsal aortic root and the so-called aortic diverticulum. This was one of the causes of symptoms such as wheezing and dysphagia. We divided the configuration of aortic diverticulum into two types, bulging type and saccular type, on the basis of coronal images. Two cases were bulging type, seven saccular type. The axial images in two cases showed compressed esophagus, and in three cases showed displacement of the trachea, narrowing of the space like a triangle surrounded by the aortic arch, aortic diverticulum and aberrant left subclavian artery. We drew lines and measured the angle of the aortic arch with the aberrant left subclavian artery on the axial images of these cases. We found that cases with an angle of less than 60 degrees showed a high correlation with the causes of compression of the esophagus or displacement of the trachea. It was necessary to follow such patients with MRI.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Molecular aspects of secretory IgA (S-IgA) in gut-associated lymphoid tissues].

Secretory IgA, which plays an important role in the defense of the exocrine tissue, is composed of a polymeric IgA, joining (J) chain and secretory component (SC). Polymeric IgA and J chain are produced by plasma cells and SC by glandular epithelial cells. We here described the molecular aspects of J chain and SC. Study of the J chain has been confined to vertebrates which produce immunoglobulin (Ig) because the function of J chain is considered to be a polymerization of Ig. Recent molecular studies indicate that the role of J chain has been questioned. The J chain is expressed in invertebrates, as well as, representative species of vertebrates and that J chain is a primitive polypeptide that arose before the evolution of Ig molecules. SC is a 80 kDa glycoprotein functioning as a receptor for J chain-containing polymeric Ig. The expression of SC is regulated by various inflammatory cytokines such as, IL-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, suggesting SC upregulation in vivo in inflammatory conditions. The human SC cDNA analysis reveals that it consisted of 11 exons with no functional TATA-box or CCAAT-box in the putative promoter region. Further upstream, there are several interesting motifs such as NF-kB and IFN-gamma response element, suggesting possible regulation of SC by cytokines through cellular signal transduction pathways.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Glomus tumor of the upper lip.

A case of glomus tumor of the upper lip in a 57-year-old Japanese male is described. The patient had a tender swelling of the upper lip, and this was completely excised. The lesion was found to be encapsulated by fibrous connective tissue and composed of blood capillaries surrounded by sheets of epitheloid cells. Immunohistochemical examination revealed that the neoplastic cells were positive for S-100 protein, vimentin, desmin and actin. Although the endothelial cells of blood capillaries in the tumor tissue were positive for factor VIII, no reaction product was found in the tumor cells. These results suggested that the tumor cells had characteristics of smooth muscle cells.

Actins↗
PubMed1995

[Clear skeletal visualization on whole body 201Tl-chloride scintigraphy: a case of prostatic cancer with diffuse bone metastases].

A 70-yr-old man who was diagnosed as early gastric cancer showed leukocytopenia after total gastrectomy. Osteosclerotic findings on radiography were not remarkable. 99mTc-HMDP bone scintigraphy showed diffusely increased uptake in the axial skeleton, but visualization of the kidney and urinary bladder was apparent. However, whole body 201Tl-chloride scintigraphy showed diffuse abnormal visualization of axial skeleton. Physical and ultrasonographic examination indicated no abnormality in prostate. Afterward, further investigation, including bone marrow biopsy and immunohistochemical study, confirmed the diagnosis of bone metastasis from prostatic cancer. Microscopically, metastatic tumor cells were located in the intertrabecular space. Furthermore, no osteoclastic bone resorption or new trabecular bone formation was seen in this biopsy specimen. These findings suggest that whole body 201Tl-chloride scintigraphy can be a useful non-invasive diagnostic tool to investigate patients with suspicious malignancy in the bone marrow.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1993

Amelanotic melanoma of the oral cavity.

A case of amelanotic melanoma arising in the upper molar region, which was difficult to diagnose histologically, is reported. The patient was a 79-year-old woman, who complained of a painful swelling in the gingiva of the left upper molar region. Routine histological examination showed that the lesion was composed of diffusely scattered atypical cells with round, spindle-shaped and irregular nuclei and scanty fibrous connective tissue. A fascicular arrangement was often found in the lesion, and no cancer nests were observed. Immunohistochemical study demonstrated positive staining for S-100 protein in both the nuclei and cytoplasm of the tumor cells. Electron microscopic examination revealed that cell organelles were abundant, and an interrupted basal lamina was often found along the cell membrane. The preliminary diagnosis was a non-epithelial malignant tumor. After surgery, histological examination of metastases in lymph nodes from the submandibular region revealed that the tumor cells contained melanin pigment in the cytoplasm, as confirmed by Masson's melanin stain. The final pathological diagnosis was therefore amelanotic melanoma. Immunohistochemical staining for S-100 protein may be useful for differential diagnosis of amelanotic melanoma in conjunction with electron microscopic examination.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Expression of ras-P21 and ras gene alteration in pleomorphic adenomas.

The expression of ras-P21 protein and gene alteration of the K-ras gene were examined in 12 cases of pleomorphic adenoma of the salivary gland. The tumor cells in all 12 cases were strongly stained for ras-P21 protein by the indirect immunoperoxidase method, suggesting the enhanced expression of ras-P21 protein in pleomorphic adenomas. Analysis of the PCR products for the K-ras gene by temperature-gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE) revealed that gene alterations such as point mutations occurred in 4 out of 12 pleomorphic adenoma tissues examined.

Adenoma, Pleomorphic↗
PubMed1993

Natural antibody against Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen in sera of patients with carcinomas and infectious diseases.

The levels of natural antibody against Thomsen-Friedenreich (TF) antigen in sera of patients with various cancers and infectious diseases were examined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and compared with those of healthy donors. The levels of antibody against TF antigen in sera of patients with adenocarcinomas such as gastric, pancreatic and colorectal cancers were lower than those of patients with hepatoma, pyelonephritis and pneumonia. These findings may reflect the expression of TF-antigen in adenocarcinoma tissues.

Antibodies, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1992

Natural antibody against Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen in bovine milk.

The presence of natural antibody against Thomsen-Friedenreich (TF) antigen in fresh bovine milk was demonstrated by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The amount of the antibody against TF antigen was decreased after heat treatment, and the antibody was not detectable by ELISA in the milk after pasteurization. A small amount of the antibody was detected in fetal bovine serum by ELISA, suggesting the transfer of passive immunity to the calf.

Animals↗