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N Aso

Publications and source records attributed to N Aso.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Point mutation in a family with hyperproinsulinemia detected by single stranded conformational polymorphism.

We previously described a case of familial hyperproinsulinemia, the fifth to be reported. In the present study we characterized the genetic defect carried by this family and demonstrated that it could be detected by polymerase chain reaction-single stranded conformational polymorphism. Since the serum proinsulin molecule from the propositus, a 63-yr-old Japanese man, was eluted on the same fraction of human proinsulin intermediate cleaved only at the B-C junction, we sequenced exon 3 of his insulin gene, including the C-A junction. A point mutation was discovered that changed codon 65 from arginine (CGT) to histidine (CAT) in one allele. This was the same point mutation as that described previously in three unrelated kindreds representing two races, consistent with the hypothesis that the dinucleotide sequence CpG may be a "hot spot" for mutations. Recently, developed polymerase chain reaction-single stranded conformational polymorphism proved useful in detecting this mutation in the family members. The daughter of the propositus and one of his two grandsons were also demonstrated to be heterozygous for this point mutation by this method.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Alteration of nuclear proto-oncogene expression by erythropoietin (Epo) in Epo-responsive murine cell lines.

The signal transduction system of erythropoietin (Epo) and the accompanying molecular control mechanism of proliferation and differentiation of erythroid progenitors remains largely unknown. In this study, the effect of Epo on the expression of nuclear oncogenes was investigated in two murine cell lines which respond to the hormone in different ways: ELM-I-1 cells proliferate independently of Epo, but differentiate in response to the hormone, while the growth of DA-1ER cells is absolutely dependent on Epo or interleukin (IL) 3. The cell lines were stimulated with Epo or IL-3, and total RNA was extracted. Then expression of nuclear proto-oncogenes (c-myc, c-fos and c-myb) was analyzed by northern blotting. The change in c-fos expression observed during the first two h following stimulation with either stimulant were common to both cell lines; a rapid and temporary increment. Before stimulation, c-myc and c-myb were strongly expressed in both lines. No apparent change in c-myc expression was observed during the first two h of stimulation, while c-myb expression in ELM-I-1 cells was slightly reduced 1 h after stimulation with Epo but not with IL-3. Three days after stimulation with Epo, but not with IL-3, only ELM-I-1 produced hemoglobin and expressed a lower amount of c-myb mRNA. These data suggest the importance of c-fos in the early signaling system of Epo, and the involvement of c-myb in erythroid differentiation but not in proliferation.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

A new case of familial hyperproinsulinemia.

We reported a case with increased serum immunoreactive insulin (IRI) and C-peptide immunoreactivity (CPR). The molar ratio of IRI to CPR was also increased. The propositus was diabetic with background retinopathy and neuropathy. No antibody to insulin or insulin receptor was detected in his serum and his insulin resistance was not so remarkable. When the serum was fractionated by gel filtration, about 90% of total IRI was recovered in the fraction where biosynthetic human proinsulin was eluted. The major part of the CPR was also recovered in the same fraction as proinsulin-like material. His daughter, 28 years old, a non-obese female, also had high IRI, CPR and a high molar ratio of IRI to CPR. A gel filtration study demonstrated the same elution profile as the propositus. Tryptic digestion failed to convert the proinsulin-like material from the propositus to insulin in a sufficient quantity to convert human proinsulin to insulin. These data strongly suggest that this family is a new case of familial hyperproinsulinemia, and the defect resides in the proinsulin molecule, not in the converting enzymes.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Studies on serum immunoreactive elastase in experimental pancreatic rats. II. In chronic pancreatitis.

In this study using radioimmunoassay for rat, the relationship between the changes of elastase levels and the histological changes of pancreas demonstrated in two different cases of experimental chronic pancreatitis induced by dl-ethionine or PDL technique, and the resulting elastase levels were compared with amylase levels. In some of the Ethionine rats, serum elastase showed a high level, whereas serum amylase exhibited a significant decrease. In PDL rats at 3 days after ligation, elastase levels were higher than in other control rats. In PDL rats at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after ligation, serum elastase levels had significantly decreased, whereas amylase levels had not changes significantly when compared with the control rats. The changes of serum elastase levels in two different cases of experimental chronic pancreatitis showed some relation to the histological changes of the pancreas, while changes in serum amylase levels were not exhibited.

Amylases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Adenosine deaminase in plasma of patients with adult T-cell leukemia (ATL): correlation between enzyme activity and the ATL subtypes.

Adenosine deaminase (ADA) was assayed in plasma from 14 patients with adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) (eight with acute ATL and six with smoldering or chronic ATL), 20 male family members (ten were anti-ATLA antibody positive and the other ten negative), and 25 normal individuals. ADA activity was uniformly higher in plasma from patients with ATL than normal controls. This enzyme activity significantly increased in acute ATL in comparison to smoldering or chronic ATL. In families of ATL patients, no statistical difference in ADA activity between the anti-ATLA antibody-positive group and -negative group could be discerned. The enzyme activity in a patient with acute ATL, after a bone-marrow transplant, rapidly increased as leukemic cells increased in peripheral blood. These findings indicate that the levels of ADA activities in plasma from ATL patients reflect the condition of this disease. Thus, measurement of this enzyme activity offers a further parameter to distinguish subtypes of ATL, and is of prognostic and therapeutic value.

Adenosine Deaminase↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A phase II trial of oral UFT plus cisplatin (CDDP) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Based on the results of our previous pilot study, we conducted a multi-institutional phase II study of combination chemotherapy consisting of oral UFT (Taiho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, Tokyo) plus cisplatin (CDDP) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). UFT capsule containing 100 mg tegafur and 224 mg uracil was orally administered in two divided doses on days 1 through 21 making the total tegafur dose 400 mg/m(2)/day (maximum 600 mg/body). CDDP was administered by drip infusion at a dose of 20 mg/m(2) on a 5-day schedule from day 8 to 12. Treatment was repeated every 4 weeks as long as the criteria for initiation of therapy were still met. Between April 1995 and March 1997, 51 patients were entered into the study. The mean age of all 50 eligible patients was 64 years(range: 40-78). There were 21 patients with clinical stage IIIB disease and 29 patients with IV disease. Thirty-two patients had adenocarcinoma, 14 had epidermoid carcinoma, and four had large cell carcinoma. Of the 47 assessable patients, 18 achieved a partial response with an overall response rate of 38.3% (95% confidence interval: 24.4-52.2%). The median response duration was 113 days. The median survival time of the eligible patients was 12.8 months, and the 1-year survival rate was 54%. Among the 51 patients enrolled, grade 3 or 4 leukopenia developed in one patient (2%), neutropenia in six patients (11. 8%), thrombocytopenia in six patients (11. 8%), and anemia in three patients (5. 9%). Non-hematological grade 3 or 4 toxicities included anorexia in 10 patients (19.6%), nausea in ten (19.6%), vomiting in two (3.9%), and diarrhea in two (3. 9%). Grade 3 abnormal laboratory data included bilirubinemia in four (7. 8%), GPT elevation in one (2.0%), and hematuria in one (2.0%). In conclusion, combination of CDDP plus oral UFT is efficacious, with low toxicity, in the treatment of advanced NSCLC. In particular, the low hematological toxicity may warrant application of this regimen to the treatment of elderly patients and in trials of concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced NSCLC.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Traction injuries of the brachial plexus: signal intensity changes of the posterior cervical paraspinal muscles on MRI.

PURPOSE: Our goal was to evaluate MR signal intensity change of the posterior cervical paraspinal muscles in brachial plexus traction injuries to determine the value of this finding in the diagnosis of nerve root avulsion. METHOD: MR images of 11 consecutive patients, 7 with nerve root avulsion and 4 without nerve root avulsion, were retrospectively analyzed, focusing on the signal intensity of the paraspinal muscles. RESULTS: Among the seven patients with nerve root avulsion, T2- or T2*-weighted MR images showed increased signal intensity in the deep posterior paraspinal muscles in five and traumatic meningocele in four. The signal intensity of the posterior paraspinal muscles was normal in all patients without nerve root injuries. CONCLUSION: MR signal intensity change in the deep posterior cervical paraspinal muscles is related to denervation and suggests the presence of nerve root avulsion.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

CT of neural plexus invasion in common bile duct carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Our purpose was to analyze the CT findings of neural plexus invasion in common bile duct carcinoma. METHOD: We studied 16 patients with common bile duct carcinoma who underwent surgery. Of these, neural invasion was seen in 10 patients. CT findings were retrospectively reviewed and correlated with the surgical and pathological findings. RESULTS: Irregular masses adjacent to the medial aspect of the uncinate process were observed in 4 of 14 patients with distal common bile duct carcinoma. These lesions extended medially and showed contiguity with the superior mesenteric artery and/or celiac axis, corresponding to neural plexus invasion with desmoplastic change. Increased attenuation of the fat between the common bile duct and the proper hepatic artery was seen in two of two patients with proximal common bile duct carcinoma, associated with neural plexus invasion in the hepatoduodenal ligament. CONCLUSION: The location and spread of neural plexus invasion in common bile duct carcinoma are characteristic and can be diagnosed by CT.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Complications associated with transcatheter arterial embolization for hepatic tumors.

Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is widely used in the treatment of hepatic tumors. A total of 2,300 TAE procedures were performed with a 2-15-mL injection of a mixture or suspension of anticancer drugs and iodized oil, followed by administration of gelatin sponge particles. One or two chemotherapeutic drugs, including doxorubicin hydrochloride (10-30 mg), epirubicin hydrochloride (10-30 mg), mitomycin C (10-20 mg), and cisplatin (25-100 mg), were used for each procedure. Complications were encountered in 4.4% of cases (n = 102) and were related to the use of chemoembolic agents or the manipulation of a catheter or guide wire. These complications included acute hepatic failure (n = 6), liver infarction (n = 4) or abscess (n = 5), intrahepatic biloma (n = 20), multiple intrahepatic aneurysms (n = 6), cholecystitis (n = 7), splenic infarction (n = 2), gastrointestinal mucosal lesions (n = 5), pulmonary embolism or infarction (n = 4), tumor rupture (n = 1), variceal bleeding (n = 3), and iatrogenic dissection (n = 35) or perforation (n = 4) of the celiac artery and its branches. Knowledge of these complications is important for correct diagnosis and appropriate management.

Angiography↗