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Biomedical subjects

K Yoshimura

Publications and source records attributed to K Yoshimura.

At least 433 records · Page 24Linked to original sources

The detection of an antibody against IgA allotype A2M 2 and a study of the Am genetic marker among the Han Chinese population.

The serum of a woman was found by the Ouchterlony double-diffusion and the hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) methods to have immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency. Further investigation using the hemagglutination (HA) test with red cells coated with IgA myeloma proteins of different specificities showed that the serum agglutinated only IgA2-, A2M-1, and A2M 2-coated cells. The patterns of the HAI test with a reference panel confirmed the presence of two specificities. One was anti-IgA2 and the other was a rare antibody against the allotype A2M 2. The anti-A2M 2 was used for population studies. Testing of the Han Chinese population, including family studies, confirms that A2M.1 and A2M.2 have an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance and are controlled by a codominant allele. The distribution of the two Am genetic markers among the Han Chinese population demonstrated A2M.1 with a gene frequency of 0.553 and A2M.2 with a gene frequency of 0.447 (chi 2 = 0.145, 0.80 greater than p greater than 0.70).

Alleles↗

A high incidence of C9 deficiency among healthy blood donors in Osaka, Japan.

By the use of sucrose gelatin veronal buffer (SGVB), a simple screening test was developed by us to detect sera with low complement activity, including C9-deficient sera. Using this screening test, we were able to identify sera with low complement activity including C9-deficient sera among a large number of samples. Further examinations, estimation of the protein concentration of C9, C4, C3, etc., enabled classification of serum with low complement activity into C9-deficient serum, serum deficient in the other components, and serum with low complement activity caused by non-specific activation of complement through the classical pathway by low temperature in vitro. Among 145,640 sera from Osaka donors, 138 sera were found to be deficient in C9 by these methods. The whole complement activity (CH50) of the 138 sera was 13.1 +/- 3.0 U/ml. The C9 protein in these sera was undetectable, not only by the single radial immunodiffusion method, but also by the sensitive ELISA method. C9 activities in these sera were less than 0.1% of the level in pooled normal human serum. These findings and the family studies revealed that 138 blood donors unquestionably had a hereditary C9 deficiency. The incidence of C9 deficiency among Osaka donors was calculated to be 0.095%.

Blood Donors↗

A case of cross stimulation.

Cross stimulation in a dual chamber pacing system, in which the atrial stimulus intermittently captured the right ventricle, occurred immediately after pacemaker implantation in a 71-year-old man. It was prevented temporarily by reducing the pacing rate so that P wave synchronous ventricular (VDD) pacing resulted and by reducing the output of the atrial circuit from 5 to 4 volts. Cross stimulation disappeared spontaneously 14 days after surgery.

Aged↗

Role of venoconstriction in thromboxane-induced pulmonary hypertension and edema in lambs.

We evaluated the dose response to a stable thromboxane (Tx) A2 analogue (sTxA2; 0.3-30 micrograms) in the pulmonary circulation and its effect on the distribution of pressure gradients determined by the occlusion technique in isolated nonblood perfused newborn lamb lungs. The total pulmonary pressure gradient (delta Pt) was partitioned into pressure drops across the relatively indistensible arteries and veins (delta Pv) and relatively compliant vessels. We also evaluated the effects of prostacyclin (PGI2) and a Tx receptor antagonist (ONO 3708) on the sTxA2-induced pulmonary responses. Injection of sTxA2 caused a dose-related increase in the pulmonary arterial pressure, with the primary component of the increase in delta Pt (4.1 +/- 0.8 to 13.9 +/- 0.4 Torr) at 30 micrograms derived from the prominent rise in delta Pv (1.8 +/- 0.3 to 9.8 +/- 0.9 Torr). Infusion of PGI2 (0.4 microgram.kg-1.min-1) reduced the response to sTxA2 mainly by attenuating the delta Pv elevation. Infusion of ONO 3708 (100 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) completely abolished the sTxA2-induced pulmonary hypertension. Injection of sTxA2 resulted in pulmonary edema characterized by a significant increase in wet-to-dry lung weight ratio (9.13 +/- 0.35 vs. 7.15 +/- 0.41 in control lungs). The sTxA2-induced pulmonary edema was increased by PGI2 and inhibited by ONO 3708. We conclude that thromboxane-induced pulmonary hypertension is primarily produced by venoconstriction and prostacyclin may worsen the edema induced by thromboxane.

Animals↗

Inherited deficiencies of the late-acting complement components other than C9 found among healthy blood donors.

Among sera from 145,640 healthy blood donors in Osaka, 16 were found to have abnormalities in late-acting complement components other than C9. It was found that of these 16 sera, 2 were deficient in C5, 4 in C6, 6 in C7 and 4 in C8 alpha-gamma-subunit. The incidence of deficiency of each component among the Osaka blood donors was calculated as follows: C5 deficiency, 0.0014%; C6 deficiency, 0.0027%; C7 deficiency, 0.0041%; C8 alpha-gamma-subunit deficiency, 0.0027%. We confirmed that 13 donors were healthy and 12 had no past history related to a complement component deficiency. From these results, not only C9 deficiency but also deficiencies of the other late-acting complement components were found among the healthy blood donors, but no early-acting component deficiencies were noted.

Blood Donors↗

Effects of a thromboxane A2 analogue and prostacyclin on lung fluid balance in newborn lambs.

We have previously shown that the pulmonary venoconstriction produced by a stable thromboxane A2 analogue (STA2) is attenuated by prostacyclin (PGI2), but PGI2 increases the STA2-induced edema. The present study was designed to determine the effects of STA2 and PGI2 on the fluid balance in isolated blood-perfused newborn lamb lungs. Vascular permeability was evaluated by use of the fluid filtration coefficient (Kf) and the osmotic reflection coefficient for total proteins (sigma, hematocrit-protein double indicator technique), and pulmonary capillary pressure (Pc) was estimated by the double occlusion technique. All lungs had a period of hydrostatic stress induced by elevation of the left atrial pressure from 5 to 20 mm Hg to promote fluid filtration, and the rate of lung weight gain (delta W/delta T) during this period was determined. Studies were made in four groups; before the hydrostatic stress, lungs were given 1) STA2 (50 micrograms, n = 6), 2) PGI2 (0.4 micrograms/kg/min, n = 6), 3) both PGI2 and STA2 (n = 6), or 4) vehicles (control, n = 5). Measurements of Kf were made at the baseline period and after the hydrostatic stress. Kf was significantly increased by 76% with STA2, by 121% with PGI2, and by 157% with both PGI2 and STA2, but remained constant in controls. In comparison with control lungs, a similar delta W/delta T was observed with less of an increase in Pc during the hydrostatic stress in the STA2 group, and greater values of delta W/delta T were obtained with smaller elevations in Pc in the groups receiving PGI2 or both PGI2 and STA2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

[VM-26 and VP-16 salvage therapy for refractory germinal testicular cancers].

Thirteen evaluable patients with germinal testicular cancers failing to be cured with first-line therapy (refractory) were treated by salvage chemotherapy. Ten patients received salvage chemotherapy with VM-26 (50 mg/m2, twice a week X 6 weeks) and cisplatin (CDDP, 20 mg/m2 for 5 consecutive days every 3 weeks for 3-4 times) (P-VM), 3 patients were also treated by radiation therapy, and 3 patients received VP-16 (100 mg/m2) and CDDP (20 mg/m2) (P-VP), all given daily for 5 consecutive days every 3-4 weeks for 4-5 courses. Of 13 evaluable patients, 6 (46%) had complete response (CR) (three cases were also treated with radiation therapy), 4 (31%) achieved partial response (PR), and 3 (23%) had no response. Limited to 7 patients treated with only P-VM therapy, there were 3 (43%) CR and 4 (57%) PR. Nine patients (69%) remained alive and were continuously disease free 18 to 84 months (median 48 months). Hematologic toxicity was severe, but with no death related to sepsis. Salvage chemotherapy with VM-26 or VP-16 and cisplatin offers potentially curative treatment to patients with refractory testicular cancer. The addition of radiation therapy to salvage chemotherapy was also effective.

Adult↗

[Production of IL-1 like cytokine by cultured bone cells: inducing effect of Haemophilus actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide on the cytokine production].

We have studies the role that interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-1-like cytokine play in the mechanism of bone resorption that occurs in periodontal disease. To determine whether the bone cell itself produces IL-1-like cytokine, we examined bone cells migrating from fragments of newborn mouse calvaria. These bone cells were cultured in alpha-MEM with of without fetal calf serum. IL-1-like cytokine activity was measured by incorporation of [3H] thymidine into C3H/HeJ thymocytes treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Haemophilus actinomycetemcomitans, a bacterium found in juvenile periodontopathy. The bone cells produced a significant amount of IL-1-like cytokine. The maximum production of IL-1-like cytokine was observed at 24 hours with the LPS in serum-free alpha-MEM. IL-1-like cytokine production stimulated by LPS was marked in the bone cells from LPS high-responder C3H/HeN mice, but not in those from low-responder C3H/HeJ mice. Peak of IL-1-like cytokine activity in culture supernatants of the bone cells was detected in fractions with a molecular weight corresponding to 15,000 daltons.

Animals↗

[Parasitic zoonoses in Japan, with special reference to the current topics].

The present situation of parasitic zoonoses in Japan is reviewed. A total of 51 species, i.e., 6 species of protozoan parasites, 14 species of trematode parasites, 11 species of cestode parasites, 18 species of nematode parasites and 2 species of acanthocephalan parasites are potential zoonotic parasites. Most (11 species) of the zoonotic nematodes provoke larva migrans. Habitats of zoonotic parasites vary greatly depending upon individual species. Some parasites cause heterotopic parasitism (e.g., Paragonimus westermani) and metastasis (Entamoeba histolytica). In larva migrans, parasites migrate through various parts of body tissues, affecting multiple organs (gnathostomiasis and sparganosis mansoni). The majority of parasitic zoonoses are food-borne infections. Some of them are an arthropod-borne (or -mediated) infection (dirofilariasis, thelaziasis and moniliformiasis), or acquired by percutaneous infection with cercariae (schistosome cercarial dermatitis) or 3rd-stage infective larvae (hookworm diseases). The diagnosis of parasitic zoonoses, especially larva migrans, is difficult; although some unique clinical symptoms and the presence of eosinophilia and/or increased level of serum IgE antibody are frequently seen in larva migrans, the application of various immunodiagnostic methods is usually required. For the prevention and control of parasitic zoonoses, the ingestion of not only strange food (e.g., snakes, frogs, slugs, etc.) but also raw fish and cuttlefish (sashimi) must be prohibited. Fishes and the meat of wild animals (e.g., bear and wild boar) should be frozen or thoroughly cooked before eating. Pets and domestic animals play an important role as a direct or indirect source of infection with various parasitic zoonoses. The treatment of those animals and/or the eradication of intermediate hosts (or vectors) of the parasites are thus required.

Animals↗

[A case of exohepatic pedunculated hepatocellular carcinoma suspected of adrenal tumor].

A case of exohepatic pedunculated hepatocellular carcinoma that was clinically diagnosed as nonfunctioning adrenal tumor is reported. A 66-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for further examination of unstable angina pectoris. Abdominal echogram and CT scan revealed a large tumor in the right retroperitoneal space. Selective right renal arteriography demonstrated that the tumor was fed by the capsular branch of right renal artery and the right adrenal artery. Adrenal function was normal. Preoperative diagnosis of right nonfunctioning adrenal tumor was made. On operation we found that the tumor was pedunculated from the liver and adhered massively to both right kidney and vena cava. The tumor and right kidney were removed. A histopathological examination demonstrated well differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma (Edmondson's grade II type).

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

[Clinical statistics on inpatients and operations at the Department of Urology, the Center for Adult Diseases, Osaka, 1984-1988].

Statistical observation on inpatients and operations at our department between January 1984 and December 1988 revealed the following results: 1) The total number of inpatients was 1962 (male: 1658, female: 304). The most frequent diseases were bladder cancer (30.0%), benign prostatic hypertrophy (19.2%), prostatic cancer (10.6%) and renal cancer (6.7%). 2) The total number of operations was 1699. The most frequent operations were transurethral resection (TUR) of bladder tumor (22.8%), TUR prostate (20.7%), TUR biopsy (6.5%) and total cystectomy (5.4%).

Female↗

[Successful treatment of a patient with fulminant psittacosis].

A previously healthy 40-year-old woman was admitted with severe dyspnea, cough and slight fever. Chest X-ray film revealed bilateral widespread opaque infiltration with ground glass shadows around it. The laboratory examination showed moderate hepatic and muscular injury with disseminated intravascular coagulation. In addition her arterial blood gas showed severe hypoxemia (PaO2: 25 Torr under room air). Moreover, about 1 week prior to admission, 2 baby budgerigars she had been raising for half a year died. Because of this history and multi-organ injuries, this disease was considered to be acute pneumonia owing to fulminant psittacosis causing acute respiratory failure. On the first day of admission, she was intubated and ventilated mechanically with an oxygen concentration (FIO2) of 100%. Subsequently, treatment with intravenous minocycline (400 mg/day), heparin for D.I.C. and corticosteroid were started. Abnormal findings in both chest X-ray and several laboratory parameters improved gradually though fever continued for a week. On the 14th day of her hospital stay, she was weaned from the ventilator successfully and the administration of corticosteroid and heparin tapered. On the 41st day, she was discharged without any symptoms. Results of complement fixation (CF) antibodies against chlamydia on paired sera showed a significant rise from 1:32 to 1:256. Moreover, both IgG and IgM antibodies for Chlamydia psittaci with microplate immunofluorescent antibody technique (MFA) showed an 8 times' rise during 10 days after admission. The definitive diagnosis was made with positive isolation of C. psittaci from both the throat swab of this patient and the spleen and liver of the dead budgerigar by the cell culture method. Psittacosis should always be borne in mind as a possible cause of fulminant pneumonia with acute respiratory failure, and such a situation can be handled successfully if emergency care including mechanical ventilation is available.

Acute Disease↗

Structure of the human neutrophil elastase gene.

The gene for human neutrophil elastase (NE), a powerful serine protease carried by blood neutrophils and capable of destroying most connective tissue proteins, was cloned from a genomic DNA library of a normal individual. The NE gene consists of 5 exons and 4 introns included in a single copy 4-kilobase segment of chromosome 11 at q14. The coding exons of the NE gene predict a primary translation product of 267 residues including a 29-residue N-terminal precursor peptide and a 20-residue C-terminal precursor peptide. Analysis of the N-terminal peptide sequence suggests it contains a 27-residue "pre" signal peptide followed by a "proN" dipeptide, similar to that of other blood cell lysosomal proteases. The sequences for the mature 218-residue NE protein are included in exons II-V. The 5'-flanking region of the gene includes typical TATA, CAAT, and GC sequences within 61 base pairs (bp) of the cap site. The sequence 1.5 kilobases 5' to exon I contains several interesting repetitive sequences including six tandem repeats of unique 52- or 53-bp sequences. The 5'-flanking region also contains a 19-bp segment with 90% homology to a segment of the 5'-flanking region of the human myeloperoxidase (MPO) gene, a gene also expressed in bone marrow precursor cells and a protein stored in the same neutrophil granules as NE. In addition, like the MPO gene, the NE 5'-flanking region has several regions with greater than or equal to 75% homology to sequences 5' to c-myc, but there is no overlap between the NE-c-myc and MPO-c-myc homologous sequences.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Human lysozyme: sequencing of a cDNA, and expression and secretion by Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

A cDNA encoding human lysozyme was isolated from a human placenta cDNA library. The cDNA was 1.5 kb in size and coded for a signal peptide consisting of 18 amino acids and mature lysozyme. The amino acid sequence of the mature lysozyme, deduced from the nucleotide sequence, was identical with the published sequence. In the 3'-noncoding region of the cDNA, an Alu sequence was found in the reverse orientation. In a protein coding region, the human lysozyme cDNA shows 60.1% and 51.3% similarity with chicken lysozyme and human alpha-lactalbumin cDNAs, respectively. When the cDNA was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, an active and correctly processed human lysozyme was secreted efficiently into the culture medium.

Amino Acid Sequence↗