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Biomedical subjects

K Sugimura

Publications and source records attributed to K Sugimura.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Immunodominance of seven regions of a major allergen, Cry j 2, of Japanese cedar pollen for T-cell immunity.

The immunodominant regions of the Japanese cedar pollen allergen Cry j 2 for T-cell immunity were determined with whole peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) derived from seven allergic patients and three nonallergic subjects. Cry j 2-stimulated T-cell proliferation was inhibited by anti-HLA-DR, but not by anti-HLA-DQ antibody, indicating that the responding T cells recognized the allergen peptides associated with HLA-DR molecules. It was found that seven regions of Cry j 2, i.e., regions corresponding to amino acid numbers 1-26, 70-84, 151-167, 187-203, 252-279, 283-314, and 345-362, were immunodominant for T-cell proliferation. Thus, Cry j 2 bears a limited number of immunodominant regions despite polymorphic features of HLA-DR in the immune system. This suggests the possibility of molecularly designing Cry j 2 antagonists that could downregulate allergic reactions to Japanese cedar pollen.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1996

Studies on the detection of small endometrial implants by magnetic resonance imaging using a fat saturation technique.

To assess the usefulness of fat-saturated magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in detecting small endometrial implants, 258 pigmented lesions of endometriosis from 80 consecutive patients with histopathologically diagnosed pelvic endometriosis were compared using fat-saturated and conventional MR imaging. MR imaging was performed with a 1.5-tesla superconducting magnet with spin echo T1-, T2-, and fat-saturated T1-weighted images. Both conventional MR images and fat-saturated MR images permitted identification of almost all endometriomas > 10 mm in diameter. With conventional MR imaging, 29 endometrial implants measuring < 10 mm in diameter were detected. One hundred and seven lesions were detected by fat-saturated MR imaging. However, conventional MR images demonstrated only 4 lesions among these 111 small endometrial implants that measured < 5 mm in diameter. The addition of fat-saturated MR imaging increased the detection rate to 55 of 111 lesions. Fat-saturated MR imaging can, therefore, be useful in detecting small endometrial implants.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[The effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for invasive bladder cancer].

BACKGROUND: Sixteen patients with invasive bladder cancer were received neoadjuvant methotrexate, vinblastine, pirarubicin and cisplatin chemotherapy on our planning protocol. METHODS: The tumor was evaluated after 1 course of chemotherapy by radiographic examination, urine cytology, cystoscopy and random biopsy. If the response is CR or PR, one more course of chemotherapy was performed, and cystectomy was carried out. If the response is NC or PD, cystectomy was immediately carried out. Twelve of them were underwent cystectomy and four were preserved bladder. Clinical response was evaluated by echo, CT, MRI, urinary cytology, cystoscopy and random biopsy. RESULTS: Clinical CR was observed in 25% and PR was 37.5%. Pathological CR was observed in 31.3% and PR was 37.5%. The different rate between clinical and pathological evaluations was 31.3% and the result suggests that we should find the method of more accurate staging evaluation. Four patients who were evaluated clinical CR were selected bladder-preserving. However, two of them (50%) had recurred; one had grade 3 tumor was treated by total cystectomy and the other had multiple tumors was treated by one course of M-VAC and TUR-Bt. CONCLUSION: We should consider which cases are possible to preserve bladder by investigating the tumor characteristics.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Angiotensin I converting enzyme and chymase in cardiovascular tissues.

Recent studies have provided evidence that the human cardiovascular tissues contain components of the renin-angiotensin system: angiotensinogen, renin, angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE), chymase and angiotensin II (Ang II) receptors. In addition to ACE, a cardiac Ang II forming serine proteinase, human heart chymase, has been identified in the human left ventricle. Unlike rat heart, only a minor (approximately 11%) component of Ang II forming activity in the human left ventricle was due to ACE, since the majority (approximately 80%) of activity was due to chymase. Human heart chymase has been purified to homogeneity and characterized. Recently, the cDNA and gene for this enzyme have been cloned. Biochemical characterization revealed that heart chymase is the most efficient and specific Ang II forming enzyme described thus far. The different cellular and regional distribution of ACE and heart chymase in the heart as well as in blood vessels implies distinct pathophysiological roles for these two Ang II forming enzymes. Several reports indicate that ACE-independent Ang II formation appears to take place in hypoxic or ischemic heart or blood vessel in vivo and to be involved in vascular remodeling after balloon injury. Therefore, it is very important to clarify the detailed mechanisms of the tissue Ang II formation in humans and its contribution to the pathophysiological changes in cardiovascular disease. In this review, we review the pathophysiological roles of the two main Ang II forming enzymes, ACE and chymase, in cardiovascular homeostasis.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Evaluation of biological responses to polymeric biomaterials by RT-PCR analysis. I. Study of IL-1 beta mRNA expression.

In this study, we introduce a novel research methodology, the evaluation of mRNA expression of cells contacting with polymeric materials using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis HL-60 was used as a model of the macrophages. The expression of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) mRNA, a cytokine secreted by macrophages, was selected to estimate the extent of inflammation. The expression of IL-1 beta mRNA in the HL60 cells cultured on various substrates and in various conditions was studied. Expression of IL-1 beta could be successfully determined by RT-PCR analysis. A 48 h incubation period was necessary to clarify the expression of IL-1 beta mRNA. It became clear that lipopolysaccharide stimulation was not necessary in this analysis because of the high sensitivity of RT-PCR analysis. It is concluded that RT-PCR analysis is a powerful tool for studying cell-polymer interaction, and is a complementary method for ELISA.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1996

[Molecular immunology of Japanese cedar pollen allergens: analysis of T cell epitopes].

Recent studies demonstrated that partial alteration of the amino acid sequence of T cell epitopes induced a stimulatory signal that was qualitatively different. Therefore, it is conceivable that immunotherapy using peptides representing dominant T cell epitopes could modulate the T cell response of allergic patients and prevent the production of IgE antibodies. Accordingly, a number of allergens have been molecularly cloned to determine their amino acid sequences. In Japan, the number of patients suffering from Japanese cedar pollinosis is steadily increasing and it has become a serious social problem. In this paper, we review the recent advances on T cell epitope mapping of Japanese cedar pollen, Cry j 1 and Cry j 2 and immunomodulating trials based on the mechanisms of T cell antigen-recognition.

Allergens↗
PubMed1996

[Molecular pathoimmunology of ulcerative colitis].

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a disease of acute on chronic at the active stage when lymphocytes, plasma cells as well as neutrophils and eosinophils infiltrate in the colonic mucosa. Molecular pathoimmunology of UC was discussed in this article from the viewpoint of disease susceptibility gene, immune activation gene of immunocompetent cells, molecular biology of cytokines, and molecular biology of colonic epithelial cells. HLA-DR2, DRB1* 1502, is the most susceptive gene for development and intractability of Japanese UC, and HLA-BW52 which was most frequently associated with Japanese UC and HLA-B35 which was also associated with Jewish UC were reported to have a common origin. Expression of IL-2 receptor and HLA-DR protein used as immune activation genes of lymphocytes was accelerated in UC. Overexpression of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6 and IL-8 was found in the colonic mononuclear cells of UC, but IL-2 mRNA expression was not accelerated in UC. Therefore, immunological imbalance in the colonic mucosa may play an important role in the pathophysiology of UC.

Colitis, Ulcerative↗
PubMed1996

[A quantitative study of regional cerebral blood flow in childhood using 123I-IMP-SPECT: with emphasis on age-related changes].

Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), using N-isopropyl-p-[123I] iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) was used for quantitative analysis of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) on 26 individuals between 0 and 19 years of age. The rCBF showed age-related changes; it was low in early infancy, increased in late infancy through early childhood, and decreased and remained constant after puberty. The rCBF through cerebral cortex varied more greatly than through thalamus and cerebellum, and seemed to depend more closely on age. In the case of 4 months of age rCBF was very low at the frontal region and was very high at the occipital region. In more older cases, rCBF in the cerebral cortex was higher than in the thalamus. In childhood, rCBF was very inconsistent and showed a great inter-individual variance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Ovarian strumal carcinoid with markedly high serum levels of tumor markers.

We report a 54-year-old woman with ovarian strumal carcinoid in association with dermoid cyst and mucinous cystadenoma in the same ovary and who had markedly high serum levels of CEA (202 ng/ml), CA125 (710 U/ml), and CA19-9 (11,500 U/ml). These tumor markers were not found in the thyroid tissue or carcinoid by immunohistochemical methods, but their serum levels decreased to below the cutoff levels after surgery. In our case, the change of serum levels of these tumor markers may be useful for the follow-up after surgery.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1995

A unified model for cell-killing by heat: interpretation of continuous, step-down, step-up and split heating.

We have already proposed a model for the lethal effects of heat on cells. In the model, a three-step process for cellular inactivation was hypothesized: 1) heating produces sublethal damage; 2) the damage is repaired in a certain time period; 3) the cell is inactivated when it undergoes cumulative sublethal damage to the extent that it cannot be repaired. Using the previous model, we investigated the modifications of the survival curve in 1) continuous heating, 2) step-down heating, 3) step-up heating, and 4) recovery from the thermal injury by split heating. These four phenomena were explained well with the mathematical model.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Metastasis-promoting activity of a novel molecule, Ag 243-5, derived from mycoplasma, and the complete nucleotide sequence.

We found that mycoplasma-infected cells have a higher ability to metastasize in vivo than non-mycoplasma-infected cells. To investigate this phenomenon, we obtained a monoclonal antibody, MAb 243-5, by immunization with Mycoplasma arginini-infected RPMI 4788 cells. This MAb recognized a mycoplasmal protein with an MW of 47 kDa and completely inhibited the experimental metastasis of M. arginini-infected RPMI 4788 cells using a nude mouse model. Using this MAb, we purified a molecule called Ag 243-5 and determined the N-terminal amino acid sequence and clarified the entire nucleotide sequence of the Ag 243-5 gene. PCR analysis showed the existence of a homologous gene in Mycoplasma hyorhinis. Four sequential injections of Ag 243-5 (30 micrograms/shot) promoted the experimental metastasis of non-mycoplasma-infected RPMI 4788 cells more than 10-fold using a nude mouse model. Ag 243-5 also promoted the experimental metastasis of the non-mycoplasma-infected mouse colon cancer cell line colon 26. This metastasis-promoting effect was neutralized by MAb 243-5.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Effect of an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, TCV-116, on neointimal formation following balloon injury in the SHR carotid artery.

1. In the present study, we examined the effect of a novel angiotensin II type I receptor antagonist, TCV-116, on carotid neointimal formation after balloon injury in SHR and WKY rats. 2. Oral administration of TCV-116 at a dose of 10 mg/kg per day reduced not only systolic blood pressure but also neointimal formation after carotid balloon injury. TCV-116 also suppressed cardiac hypertrophy. An angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, lisinopril (20 mg/kg per day), had a similar effect to that of TCV-116. 3. In the WKY experiment, both TCV-116 and lisinopril suppressed neointimal formation as well as systolic blood pressure, but did not suppress cardiac hypertrophy. 4. Although SHR showed markedly enhanced neointimal formation after balloon injury compared with age-matched WKY rat, both TCV-116 and lisinopril showed similar suppressive effects on neointimal formation in both SHR and WKY rats. 5. These results confirm the important role of angiotensin II in neointimal formation following balloon injury. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanism of the difference between SHR and WKY rats in the response of vascular smooth muscle cells.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1995

Cerebrospinal fluid levels of S-100b protein and neuron-specific enolase in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.

We measured the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of S-100b protein (S-100b) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) using enzyme immunoassay methods in 15 patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), other three patients with chronic neuropathy with demyelination, eight patients with various axonal neuropathies (AN), and 46 controls, to investigate the clinical usefulness of the determination of these two specific proteins in these neuropathies. S-100b levels were elevated (> the mean +/- 2 SD levels of controls) in the majority of patients with clinically progressing CIDP (9/11), but not in the patients with AN (0/8). In parallel with the clinical improvement, S-100b levels were normalized in patients with CIDP (10/10), though total protein levels in the CSF still remained high in some of these patients (5/10). Elevation of NSE levels were seldom seen in clinically worsening patients with CIDP (1/11) or AN (1/8). Thus our results indicated that the level of S-100b in the CSF may be useful to assess the activity of actual disease process in CIDP.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Serum hepatocyte growth factor levels in patients with chronic renal failure.

The serum levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) were determined in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients. Nondialysis patients with renal insufficiency had significantly higher serum HGF than normal subjects (0.34 +/- 0.10 ng/ml, n = 21 vs. 0.19 +/- 0.05 ng/ml, n = 15; p < 0.001), and the elevated serum HGF correlated with their serum creatinine levels. Hemodialysis (HD) patients treated for 5-10 years showed higher serum HGF than those receiving HD for 1 year or less (0.45 +/- 0.14 ng/ml, n = 8 vs. 0.33 +/- 0.11 ng/ml, n = 9; p < 0.05). Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients also showed elevated serum HGF levels comparable to those of HD patients. There was no difference in serum HGF levels in HD patients with or without acquired cystic disease of kidney. Consequently, serum HGF is elevated in CRF, which may be attributed to the increased production of HGF in response to the chronic renal injury, the effect of heparin, or reduced removal of serum HGF in CRF patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Chlorpropamide-induced ADH release, hyponatremia and central pontine myelinolysis in diabetes mellitus.

Chlorpropamide (CPM) has been reported to produce impaired water excretion due to the enhancement of renal vasopressin (ADH) action and/or due to centrally enhanced ADH release, but it is still unknown whether CPM gives rise to ADH release with a subsequent hyponatremia in diabetes mellitus (DM), which, in turn, causes an impairment of the central nervous system. In 3 patients with DM, who developed hyponatremia during the treatment with CPM, an acute water load (WL) was carried out in the presence and absence of the drug, and plasma ADH was determined with plasma and urine osmolalities. Moreover, in 2 cases, MRI scans of the brain were taken. In all the patients, acute WL tests failed to suppress completely ADH release in response to changes in plasma osmolality in the presence of CPM, which, in turn, resulted in the impaired water excretion. In the absence of CPM, an acute WL normally suppressed plasma ADH leading to the diuresis. MRI scans illustrated the presence of central pontine myelinolysis. It is likely that CPM might stimulate ADH release in DM with a subsequent hyponatremia and brain damages.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

[Acute intermittent porphyria].

The clinical features of acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) are described in this chapter. AIP is inherited as an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. Prevalence in Japan is 1.5 in 100,000. Attacks are more frequent in women of 20s to 40s. The common clinical pattern of symptom involves acute abdominal pain, psychiatric disturbances, and acute neuropathy. The nerve biopsy shows segmental demyelination and axonal degeneration. Many small vacuolations are distinctively seen in all of the cell components of the nerve. Clinical diagnosis is not difficult when doctors keep the possibility of AIP in their minds in cases of abdominal pain, weakness and mental symptoms. The major trust of treatment is avoidance of acute attacks which is almost entirely dependent upon avoidance of porphyrogenic drugs. The intravenous administration of heme and glucose is important and effective therapy for acute attacks of porphyria.

Female↗