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Biomedical subjects

K Ushio

Publications and source records attributed to K Ushio.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

A simplified method for determining erythrocyte pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase (P5N) activity by HPLC and its value in monitoring lead exposure.

The method for determining erythrocyte pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase (P5N EC 3.1.3.5) activity has been simplified using an automated high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC). The activity determined by the simplified method agreed closely with that obtained by conventional methods. In 161 lead workers P5N activity declined linearly with increasing blood lead concentrations (Pb-B) between 20 and 80 micrograms/100 g, and correlated well with Pb-B (r = -0.87). For the same group of workers, correlation coefficients between Pb-B v ALA-D activity, zinc protoporphyrin, ALA-U, and coproporphyrin were -0.87, 0.73, 0.70, and 0.32, respectively. At Pb-B greater than or equal to 40 micrograms/100 g, the validity of P5N (1.86 at a cut off of 10 less than or equal to units) was higher than that of other indicators examined. P5N activity was fairly stable during the storage of samples for two weeks at 4 degrees C. Determination of P5N activity by this method may be a useful indicator in screening for moderate exposure to lead.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

Peripheral low-density area of hepatic tumors: CT-pathologic correlation.

To aid in the distinction between colorectal cancer metastasis to the liver and hepatocellular carcinoma, findings on computed tomographic (CT) scans taken more than 5 minutes after contrast material administration ("late-enhanced CT scans") and pathologic findings were compared. Late-enhanced CT scans of metastatic adenocarcinoma showed a peripheral low-density area (PLDA) that corresponded to viable tumor and a central high-density area that represented fibrous connective tissue. This phenomenon was recognized in 15 of 20 (75%) patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma and in one of 50 (2%) patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Late-enhanced CT scans may be useful in distinguishing between metastatic nonmucinous colorectal cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Improved high performance liquid chromatography determination of hippuric acid and methylhippuric acid isomers in urine].

A study was made on the effect of detection wavelength and separation mode of HPLC on determination of urinary hippuric acid (HA) and three isomers of methylhippuric acid (MHA). The interference of other constituents of urine in the determination was effectively decreased by detection at a short wavelength of 227.6 nm. Meta and para MHAs were separated by the addition of beta-cyclodextrine to the mobile phase. Four metabolites were successfully separated from other components of urine by the combination of ODS-silica packed-column and mobile phase (method F). The detection limits were found to be 50 and 5 mg/l for HA and MHAs, respectively. MHAs could not be detected in the non-exposed subjects. Average levels (+/- SD) of HA in non-exposed males and females were 272.2 (+/- 210.8) and 393.0 (+/- 269.8) mg/l, respectively. The urinary levels of HA in females were significantly higher than those in males.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Importance of follow-up of family history for understanding the genetic background of cancer.

The details of family histories naturally change as time passes. Thus, the family histories at the time of first consultation are incomplete, particularly in the cases of younger cancer patients whose disease is indicated as having a genetic background on the basis of epidemiological studies. The necessity for follow-up of the family history is illustrated by presenting some clinical cases as examples.

Female↗

Molecular and functional organization of yeast plasmid pSR1.

The nucleotide sequence of a 6251 base-pair plasmid, pSR1, harbored in an osmophilic haploid yeast, Zygosaccharomyces rouxii (formerly Saccharomyces rouxii), was determined. No homology was detected between the sequences of pSR1 and 2-micron DNA of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. pSR1 has a pair of inverted repeats consisting of completely homologous 959 base-pair sequences, which separate two unique sequences 2654 base-pairs and 1679 base-pairs long. Each inverted repeat has an ARS sequence functional in both Z. rouxii and S. cerevisiae hosts. Short direct repeats or dyad symmetries were observed in the inverted repeats similar to those found close to the replication origin of 2-micron DNA. Three open reading frames, P, S and R, each able to encode a protein of molecular weight larger than 10,000, were found. Insertional inactivation of R gave rise to a defect in the intramolecular recombination at the inverted repeats, and that of S reduced the copy number of pSR1 in the S. cerevisiae host. The maintenance stability of the plasmid was also tested in the heterogeneous S. cerevisiae host, but the results of the insertional inactivation of P, S and R were ambiguous. pSR1 and 2-micron DNA were compatible in S. cerevisiae cells, but the protein factors encoded by these plasmids did not complement each other.

Base Sequence↗

Accumulation of germanium in the tissues of a long-term user of germanium preparation died of acute renal failure.

Acute renal failure developed in a patient accompanied by systemic manifestations such as myopathy and skin rash. The patient, a middle aged house wife, had been taking 600 mg of germanium (Ge) preparation daily for 18 months as an elixir. The main component of the preparation was GeO2 and some organic compound was also present. Histological study of the kidney post mortem showed foamy cell transformation of glomerular epithelia, degeneration of tubular epithelia with red blood cell casts and urate crystals, and a mild proliferation of mesangial matrix. Analysis of the tissue content of Ge, prompted by her history, revealed an increased accumulation of the metal. As compared to a non-user died of liver cirrhosis, the concentration of the metal was higher particularly in the spleen (183X), thyroid gland (175X), psoas muscle (93X), jejunum (76X), and renal cortex (69X). So far, neither accumulation of Ge in humal tissue nor systemic toxicity of the Ge in human has been reported. The relevance of massive accumulation of Ge to the renal failure as well as to other systemic manifestations the patient presented remains to be clarified.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Gallbladder infarction after hepatic artery embolization.

Nineteen patients with hepatocellular carcinoma had transcatheter hepatic arterial embolization and subsequent hepatic resection with cholecystectomy. During the angiographic procedure, inadvertent embolization of the cystic artery occurred in 10 patients (53%). Subsequent histologic study of the gallbladder demonstrated necrotizing ulcerative cholecystitis in nine of the 10. All nine patients complained of right-upper-quadrant pain of varying degree after hepatic embolization, but none required special treatment or urgent laparotomy.

Aged↗

Genetic and familial factors in colorectal cancer.

Of the patients with colorectal cancer, there are some with hereditary disorders such as familial polyposis coli, Gardner's syndrome, Turcot's syndrome, and cancer family syndrome in which colorectal adenocarcinoma develops at a significantly high frequency, and these hereditary diseases are very important and interesting from the viewpoint of carcinogenesis as well as tumorigenesis. On the other hand, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome and juvenile polyposis which likewise are hereditary diseases are often considered to be accompanied with colorectal cancer. On these grounds, 49 cases of familial polyposis coli (including Gardner's syndrome), 12 cases of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, one case of juvenile polyposis, six pedigrees of cancer family syndrome, experienced at the National Cancer Center Hospital from 1962 to 1984 were reviewed with particular emphasis placed on the recent progress and the natural history of these diseases. Furthermore, a comparative study between single colorectal cancers (1,034 cases) and multiple ones (89 cases) was carried out from the standpoint of familial aggregation and cumulative age incidence. A high association with genetic factors was found in multiple primary colorectal cancer with a family history of colorectal cancer as well as in the well-known hereditary diseases mentioned above. The author presented a conception of the relationship between the human body and tumors from the viewpoint of a comparison among infantile and childhood tumors, hereditary tumors, familial aggregative tumors and the usual tumors observed in old age.

Adenoma↗

Splenic infarction, a complication of transcatheter hepatic arterial embolization for liver malignancies.

Splenic infarction was recognized in five of 37 patients who had hepatic neoplasms and who were being examined after transcatheter hepatic arterial embolization by CT during a follow-up study. CT images of the spleen showed multiple low density areas of a wedge or fused-wedge shape in most patients and of a rod or round shape in others. These low density areas decreased in size in time, and in two patients they disappeared in three months. Three of the five patients complained of a dull pain in the left upper quadrant that did not require any treatment. CT is effective in the diagnosis and assessment of splenic infarction. Awareness of this complication will help to avoid it when hepatic arterial embolization is being performed.

Adult↗

A case of tuberculous epididymitis associated with Addison's disease.

A 68-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of loss of appetite, easy fatigability, and skin pigmentation. Physical examination revealed that the bilateral epididymides were enlarged and hard without tenderness. At 7 a.m., the basal cortisol level in the plasma was 22.4 ng/ml and ACTH 318 pg/ml. The clinical diagnosis was Addison's disease. Biopsy of the right epididymis revealed evidence of active tuberculosis. Hydrocortisone (18 mg/day) and anti-tuberculous drugs were administered, and the patient became well and regained his appetite in a week. In this case, laparotomy was not performed, but all clinical findings and the course indicated that adrenal tuberculosis was the most likely cause of Addison's disease. CT scanning of the adrenal region demonstrated large, bilateral, homogeneous, low density, and non-enhancing mass. This is the first report dealing with CT findings of Addison's disease with tuberculous epididymitis.

Addison Disease↗

A clinical and histopathological study of gastric polyps in familial polyposis coli.

Fundic gland area gastric polyps in familial polyposis coli (FPC) were compared with those in non-familial polyposis coli clinicopathologically to elucidate their histogenetic and biological characteristics. Some differences were observed in age, sex, and radiological and endoscopical features. Although the polyps were similar histologically, they showed an apparent histochemical difference between the two groups in periodic borohydride technique/potassium hydroxide/periodic acid-Schiff stain which demonstrates O-acylated sialic acid. The superficial and foveolar epithelium of the polyps was positive in 10 of 12 familial polyposis coli cases, while the epithelium was positive in only one of 13 non-familial polyposis coli cases with the same staining. These results suggest differences between the two groups in the degree of epithelial intestinal metaplasia. The presence of gastric polyps with O-acylated sialic acid therefore indicates the necessity of examination of the colorectum.

Adolescent↗