PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Ninomiya

Publications and source records attributed to M Ninomiya.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

A case of small round cell tumor of the thoracopulmonary region with myogenic and neurogenic elements.

We here report a unique case of a young boy with an intrathoracic tumor which consisted of neurogenic and myogenic elements. The initial pathological diagnosis was alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. The tumor tissue from surgical resection was composed of three parts, each showing a different histological appearance, i.e. a monotonous small cell area, an alveolar area, and an area consisting of pleomorphic rhabdomyoblasts. The small round cells in the monotonous area were immunoreactive with the antibodies for Leu7, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), neurofilament proteins (NFP), and beta 2 microglobulin, but not with the antibody for desmin. These cells also had dense core granules. The tumor cells in the alveolar area were immunoreactive with the antibodies for Leu7 and desmin, but not with the antibody for NFP. Pleomorphic rhabdomyoblasts were immunoreactive with the antibody for desmin, but not with the antibodies for Leu7 and NFP. These findings imply that this tumor consisted of neurogenic and myogenic elements and is considered to be a special type of rhabdomyosarcoma.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Reduced retinoid content in hepatocellular carcinoma with special reference to alcohol consumption.

Although alcohol is known to enhance hepatocarcinogenesis, the mechanism of this action remains to be explained. To test the hypothesis that ethanol depletes the liver of antitumor promoters such as retinoid, we measured the retinoid concentration in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and noncancerous surrounding liver tissues in humans known to have a history of alcohol consumption. By high-performance liquid chromatography, the retinoid contents of 29 surgically resected hepatocellular carcinoma specimens and their noncancerous surrounding tissues were measured. Retinoid contents were decreased in both the cancerous and the surrounding noncancerous liver tissues of patients with a high intake of alcohol. The levels correlated inversely with the estimated cumulative lifetime ethanol consumption. The decrease in the retinoid content of hepatic parenchymal cells paralleled that in stellate cells. When compared with the surrounding liver tissues, the cancerous liver tissues were in the state of retinoid deficiency. In summary, alcohol abuse may help promote the hepatocarcinogenesis in man by depleting the liver of the antitumor promoter, retinoid.

Adult↗

Inhibitory effect of sarcophytol A on development of spontaneous hepatomas in mice.

The inhibitory effect of sarcophytol A, a cembrane-type diterpene isolated from a marine soft coral, Sarcophyton glaucum, on development of spontaneous hepatomas was investigated in C3H/HeNCrj mice. A total of 80 mice were divided equally into two groups. The experimental and control groups were given basal diets with and without 0.01% sarcophytol A, respectively. At week 65 of the experiment, mice were examined for hepatomas. The percentages of hepatoma-bearing mice of the subgroup with three or more tumors and the tumor diameters of the group treated with sarcophytol A were smaller than those of the control group. Ridit analysis revealed that these differences were statistically significant. The body weight gain, and the food intake were not significantly different between these two groups. Analysis of blood serum revealed that feeding the diet containing 0.01% sarcophytol A for 65 weeks did not show any adverse effects. These results suggest that sarcophytol A inhibits the development of spontaneous hepatomas without toxicity, and should be considered as a possible cancer chemopreventive agent for hepatomas in humans.

Alanine Transaminase↗

EEC syndrome (ectrodactyly, ectodermal dysplasia and cleft lip/palate) with a balanced reciprocal translocation between 7q11.21 and 9p12 (or 7p11.2 and 9q12) in three generations.

Familial cases (a grandfather, a father and a daughter) of the EEC syndrome (ectrodactyly, ectodermal dysplasia and cleft lip/palate) are reported. All of them have a balanced reciprocal translocation (46,XY or XX, t(7;9) (q11.21;p12) or (46,XY or XX, t(7;9) (p11.2;q12)), but no other members of the family have either the EEC syndrome or chromosome abnormalities. This indicates that one of the chromosome sites 7q11.21, 9p12, 7p11.2 and 9q12 is a candidate for gene locus of the EEC syndrome.

Adult↗

A cellular mechanism for impaired posthypoxic relaxation in isolated cardiac myocytes. Altered myofilament relaxation kinetics at reoxygenation.

Single, isolated rat ventricular myocytes were made hypoxic for 10 minutes and then reoxygenated. During hypoxia, there was a marked abbreviation of the mechanical twitch, without a decrease in its amplitude. Immediately after reoxygenation, both the time to peak shortening and the duration of relaxation were markedly prolonged, and they remained prolonged for 10-50 minutes. The alterations in contraction and relaxation were not associated with any change in the time course of either the transmembrane action potential or the cytosolic calcium transient, as recorded with the fluorescent probe indo 1. Intracellular pH, measured with a fluorescent probe (carboxyseminaphthorhodofluor), showed an acid shift during hypoxia and an alkaline rebound immediately after reoxygenation. The time courses of intracellular pH and contraction duration were not parallel during hypoxia or reoxygenation, and simulation of the alkaline pH shift by lowering PCO2 or superfusing NH4Cl (in the absence of exposure to hypoxia) did not quantitatively reproduce the prolongation of relaxation seen after reoxygenation. The prolongation of contraction after reoxygenation could be overridden by the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol or the nonenzymatic phosphatase butanedione monoxime. We conclude that delayed relaxation after reoxygenation exists at the single cell level and is due to an alteration of the properties of the myofilaments. Intracellular pH is not the primary mediator of this alteration. We speculate that alteration of intracellular inorganic phosphate or covalent modification of the myofilaments might be involved.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Ciclosporin treatment in children with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome.

We report our experience with ciclosporin (CS) treatment in 18 children with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome. CS was started at 3-5 mg/kg per day after the patients had attained remission with steroid therapy, and was adjusted to maintain a trough blood level of between 250 and 600 ng/ml, being administered for 6 months. Although 1 patient dropped out of the study because of renal dysfunction, the remaining 17 children completed the full trial. No relapse occurred during the 6-month period of CS treatment, and it was possible to discontinue steroid therapy in all patients. However, after discontinuation of CS treatment, nephrotic syndrome relapsed in 16 patients and 14 again had frequent relapses and became steroid-dependent, as before CS treatment. The effect of CS in maintaining remission from steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome was thus dependent on continuation of CS treatment. Although several side-effects occurred during CS treatment, they were not so serious as to necessitate discontinuation of treatment, except in 1 patient, and all of these side effects were reversible. CS is therefore a new agent for the management of children with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome in place of corticosteroid and alkylating agents, although long-term maintenance therapy may be necessary for maintaining longer remission.

Adolescent↗

Time course of changes in phenotypes of cultured tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes isolated from human colorectal cancer.

A study was conducted to investigate the time course of changes in phenotypes of cultured tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) isolated from 5 patients with colorectal cancer. Following initial incubation with protein phytohemagglutinin (PHA-P, final concentration 0.1 w/v%), one of the inducers of interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor, and recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2, 1000U/ml) for 3 days, TIL was further cultured with rIL-2 alone for another 46 to 79 days. Phenotypes of cultured TIL were analyzed by a two color flow-cytometry. The following results were obtained: 1) Yields of TIL isolated from cancerous tissues were 1.0 x 10(6) to 1.6 x 10(6) cells/g wet weight, and TIL grew 31 to 3700 folds in the entire period of culture. These growth rates were significantly higher than those obtained by the conventional method of culture with rIL-2 alone (1 to 720 folds). 2) The population of cytotoxic T cells (CD8(+), CD11(-)) reached the maximum (92%, median value) at 5 weeks of culture, and thereafter gradually decreased to 61% at 9 and 10 weeks. In contrast, the population of activated natural killer cells (CD16(+) and Leu7 (+) or (-)) remained below 4% for the entire period of culture. 3) Maximum enhancement of specific cytotoxic activities of cultured TIL was observed during 3 to 4 weeks in culture, using K562 cells as well as Daudi cells as target cells. In conclusion, addition of PHA-P seems to beneficially affect the growth rate of TIL in culture.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗

Plasma retinol transport system and taste acuity in patients with obstructive jaundice.

A study was conducted to elucidate the correlation between the plasma retinol transport system and taste acuity in patients with obstructive jaundice (OJ). Plasma levels of retinol, retinol-binding protein (RBP), transthyretin (TTR) and holo-RBP (retinol-RBP complex unbound to TTR), as well as the threshold of taste acuity, were determined in 8 cases with OJ (6 cases with common bile duct cancer and 2 cases with pancreas head cancer) and in 20 apparently healthy volunteers. These parameters were also measured serially in patients with OJ before and after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD). Plasma levels of retinol, RBP and TTR were significantly decreased in every patients with OJ as compared with healthy controls, whereas changes in holo-RBP levels were not consistent. Taste acuity was found to be reduced in patients with decreased holo-RBP levels, while the acuity was preserved well in patients whose holo-RBP levels remained normal. Impaired taste acuity was rapidly improved in every patients after treatment with PTBD, significantly correlating with the recovery of plasma RBP and holo-RBP levels, and with the reduction of plasma total bilirubin levels. These results suggest that taste acuity is affected by the plasma retinol transport system, including serum levels of holo-RBP, from which retinol is delivered, presumably through a receptor-mediated manner, to the taste buds.

Adult↗

Transcriptional control plays an important role for the production of heat-labile enterotoxin in enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli of human origin.

The production of heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) in 76 strains of human enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) varied by a factor of 100. Three ETEC strains that differ in the levels of LT production were chosen for the cloning of LT genes (toxAB) into plasmid pBR322, and the gene structure and expression were compared in E. coli HB101. The recombinant of the low LT-producing strain produced LT at the same level as that of the moderate LT-producing strain, but that of the high-level producer continued to produce at a level 14-21 times higher than the others. The restriction maps of the coding regions of the cloned LT genes (toxAB) were identical, but the flanking regions were dissimilar. The content of LT mRNA per cell, examined by Northern blot analysis, was higher in the high producer than the others by 6 times. The promoter strengths of the recombinants were all alike. LT mRNA of the high producer was more stable than that of the moderate one by 1.3 times, but the difference was not large enough to explain the difference of the content of LT mRNA. It was shown that LT production can be controlled at a transcriptional step, and DNA structure of the flanking regions may be involved in the control of the LT gene expression.

Bacterial Toxins↗

Inhibitory effects of acyclic retinoid (polyprenoic acid) and its hydroxy derivative on cell growth and on secretion of alpha-fetoprotein in human hepatoma-derived cell line (PLC/PRF/5).

Acyclic retinoid (polyprenoic acid) has a slightly different structure from retinoic acid. However, acyclic retinoid acts similarly to retinoic acid, because both bind to cellular retinoic acid-binding protein and cellular retinoid-binding protein. F-type, with the same strong binding affinity. We studied the effects of acyclic retinoid, the 7-hydroxy derivative of acyclic retinoid (7OH-acyclic retinoid) and retinoic acid on a human hepatoma-derived cell line PLC/PRF/5 (Alexander cells). Acyclic retinoid inhibited cell growth with an ID50 value of 14 microM, and reduced cell viability with an LD50 value of 86 microM. The ratios of LD50 value to ID50 value were 6.1 for acyclic retinoid, 2.4 for 7OH-acyclic retinoid and 1.4 for all-trans-retinoic acid. Taking this ratio as a parameter of relative cytotoxicity, we concluded that acyclic retinoid is the least toxic compound. Growth inhibition of cells by acyclic retinoid was associated with the incorporation of 3H-thymidine in the logarithmic phase. Acyclic retinoid reduced secretion of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and reciprocally increased secretion of albumin in the culture media, suggesting that acyclic retinoid influences gene expression of these proteins. Thus, acyclic retinoid, one of the less toxic retinoids, inhibits cell growth of human cancer cell line PLC/PRF/5 and appears to alter gene expression of AFP and albumin toward a "normal" direction.

Acrylates↗

Epidemiologic survey of children with end-stage renal disease.

We performed an epidemiologic study on the basis of a questionnaire survey of 162 children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Sixty-nine (43%) of our 162 children, including 25 detected at mass screening of urine, were found by chance hematuria and/or proteinuria. The three major causes of ESRD in our children were chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) in 56, congenital anomalies of the urinary tract in 30, and nephrotic syndrome (NS) in 27. The renal pathology in 39 children with CGN or NS was focal glomerular sclerosis in 15, diffuse mesangial GN in 7, IgA GN in 5, membranoproliferative GN in 3, membranous GN in 3, and unclassified in 6. Forms of dialysis initiated were hemodialysis in 91 children, continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (PD) in 66, and intermittent PD in 5. Renal transplantation was performed on 38 children, and the graft and the patient survival rates were 76% and 89%, respectively. The survival rate of our 162 children for a mean follow-up of 8.1 years was 77%. In conclusion, an integrated program of maintenance dialysis and transplantation provides a favorable life for children with ESRD.

Adolescent↗

Inhibitory effect of acyclic retinoid (polyprenoic acid) on the secretion of alpha-fetoprotein in CCl4-treated rats.

A study was conducted to examine the inhibitory effect of acyclic retinoid (polyprenoic acid) on the secretion of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in rats with chronic liver damage induced by CCl4. Oral administration of the compound brought about a significant reduction of serum AFP levels at the time when liver cirrhosis was formed. Acyclic retinoid also decreased the activities of serum aminotransferases and ornithine carbamyl transferase, while it increased serum albumin levels, demonstrating the reduction of hepatic parenchymal damage. Significant negative correlation was observed between serum AFP and albumin levels. This cytoprotective effect of the retinoid on the parenchymal cell may well be related to the inhibition of the synthesis and/or secretion of AFP. No significant side effect was observed, despite a long-term administration of the compound. The present finding will provide a potential scope for the future use of acyclic retinoid for the treatment of chronic liver damage.

Animals↗

Present status of research on cancer chemoprevention in Japan.

The activities of the research group on cancer chemoprevention supported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan are summarized. Since the research on cancer chemoprevention is quite new in Japan, this paper describes the present status of the development of possible cancer preventive agents. Acyclic retinoid (E-5166) and sarcophytol A encourage further studies. New inhibitory compounds of experimental carcinogenesis, such as cryptoporic acid, oleanolic acid, mokko lactone and ursolic acid were isolated from plants. The importance of the keen collaboration between natural product chemists and clinicians for further meaningful progress in this research field has been emphasized.

Animals↗

Osteoarthropathy in congenital sensory neuropathy with anhidrosis.

Osteoarthropathy in congenital sensory neuropathy with anhidrosis (CSNA) is not only a rare complication but also difficult to treat. Two patients with CSNA, a three-year-old boy and a 24-year-old woman, were treated as follows. The boy was affected in his left knee and left heel and required reduction of recurrent bilateral hip dislocations. The woman was treated by amputation of her left leg above the knee because of ischemic necrosis, secondary to knee dislocations.

Adult↗