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Biomedical subjects

T Fujikawa

Publications and source records attributed to T Fujikawa.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Hemolysis caused by CMV infection in a pregnant woman with silent elliptocytosis.

Elliptocytosis is reported to occur in at least 1 per 5000 individuals, but most cases are heterozygous and do not show clinical hemolysis. Healthy individuals with silent elliptocytosis, however, may suddenly have an episode of hemolysis [1]. Here we report a woman in the third trimester of pregnancy who suffered from cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection with hemolysis. Scanning electron microscopy showed that half of her red blood cells were oval, and protein analysis revealed a 50% reduction of protein 4.1. We discuss the role of CMV infection and pregnancy in the onset of hemolysis in a patient with otherwise silent elliptocytosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Cooperative and differential effects of estrogen, prolactin, 22K and 20K human growth hormones on cyclin D1/PRAD1 gene expression in T-47D human breast cancer cells.

The cyclin D1/PRAD1 gene is correlated with carcinogenesis of human breast cancer. In this study, we have analyzed effects of breast cancer-related hormones on the cyclin D1 gene expression in T-47D human breast cancer cells. Estradiol (E2) and human prolactin (hPRL) equally enhanced the cyclin D1 gene expression in the cells, and 22 and 20 kDa human growth hormones (22K and 20K hGHs) showed less stimulatory effects. In the presence of E2, however, hPRL or 22K hGH showed additive stimulations of the cyclin D1 gene expression to that by E2 alone, while 20K hGH did not show any additive stimulation of the gene expression. The results suggest that the signal pathways through estrogen and hPRL receptors are important for cyclin D1 gene expression in breast cancer cells, and that 20K hGH has little effect on the cyclin D1 gene expression in these cells because of its lower affinity to PRL receptor.

Blotting, Northern↗
PubMed1998

Inverse effects of 20K and 22K human growth hormones on the growth of T-47D human breast cancer cells in culture and in nude mice.

The major form of human growth hormone (22K hGH) stimulates the growth of T-47D human breast cancer cells in culture and in nude mice by binding to their receptors for growth hormone and prolactin. Another isoform of hGH having a smaller molecular mass (20K hGH) is known to show different binding affinities to these receptors. In this study, we have analyzed the effects of 20K hGH on the growth of T-47D cells in vitro and in vivo. 20K hGH (50 ng/ml) inhibited the proliferation and DNA synthesis of T-47D cells cultured in the presence and absence of 17 beta-estradiol (100 ng/ml), while 22K hGH (50 ng/ml) promoted the cellular growth. In estradiol-treated nude mice, 22K hGH (100 micrograms) remarkably promoted the growth of T-47D tumor, but 20K hGH again suppressed the tumor growth significantly. The results suggest the presence of different signal pathways for these two hGH isoforms and imply a possible clinical application for 20K hGH.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

The growth hormone (GH) gene is expressed in the lateral hypothalamus: enhancement by GH-releasing hormone and repression by restraint stress.

Recent studies suggest that GH may modulate emotion, behavior, or stress response by its direct actions on the brain, and possible expression of the GH gene in the brain has been predicted. In this study we have investigated whether and where the GH gene is expressed in the brain and how it is regulated. Ribonuclease protection assay and 5'-rapid amplification of complementary DNA ends-PCR analyses indicated that the GH gene was expressed in rat brain, initiating at the identical transcription start point as that for pituitary GH gene expression. The brain GH messenger RNA was predominantly detected in the lateral hypothalamus (lh) by in situ reverse transcription-PCR analysis. GH gene expression in the brain was significantly enhanced by GH-releasing hormone administration and was rapidly repressed by exposure to restraint stress in the water, whereas the changes in pituitary GH messenger RNA contents in these circumstances were relatively smaller. The results of the present study suggest that the brain GH is predominantly expressed in lh under the control of physiological conditions to play a role in the modulation of brain functions.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Abnormal vaginal bleeding from endometrial polyps in a woman receiving tamoxifen therapy for breast cancer: report of a case.

We report herein the case of a women receiving tamoxifen therapy for breast cancer who developed vaginal bleeding, subsequently found to be caused by unusual endometrial polyps. Upon presentation, ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a tumor within the uterus. A hysterectomy was performed, and macroscopic examination showed polyp-like lesions of the uterus. Histologically, these polyps demonstrated cystically dilated glands and stromal proliferation, and were diagnosed as endometrial polyps. Although tamoxifen has few side effects, any signs or symptoms of gynecological abnormalities should be carefully evaluated in patients on long-term tamoxifen therapy.

Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal↗
PubMed1997

Expression of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) gene in mouse embryonic development.

PURPOSE: The expression of genes for TGF-alpha, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and the EGF receptor (EGFR) in mouse blastocysts was evaluated by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We evaluated the effects of TGF-alpha and EGF on the development of mouse embryo prior to implantation. RESULTS: The results revealed the presence of transcripts of TGF-alpha and EGFR. However, EGF mRNA was not observed in repeated experiments. None of these growth factors influenced the rate of development from the two-cell stage to the blastocyst stage when added to the culture medium. These effects were further examined on measuring the incorporation of tritiated thymidine and leucine, providing indices of the synthesis of DNA and protein, respectively. A concentration of only 0.1 ng/ml of TGF-alpha, which shares a cell surface receptor with EGF, stimulated the synthesis of both DNA and protein. EGF at a concentration of 10 ng/ml stimulated the synthesis of DNA and protein by blastocysts. To explore autocrine effects of TGF-alpha on the rate of blastocoel expansion, TGF-alpha antisense oligodeoxynucleotides was used to reduce expression of the TGF-alpha gene. TGF-alpha at a concentration of 0.1 ng/ml stimulates the rate of blastocoel expansion in early cavitating mouse blastocysts. In contrast, TGF-alpha antisense oligonucleotides significantly reduced the rate of expansion. CONCLUSIONS: Our present observations suggest that TGF-alpha/EGF and the EGFR may be involved in regulating embryonic development. In particular, TGF-alpha may serve as an autocrine factor in the regulation of embryonic development.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Changes in auditory P300 in patients with major depression and silent cerebral infarction.

We examined event-related potentials in patients with senile depression and silent cerebral infarction (SCI) to clarify the features of the P300 component. P300 event-related potentials were recorded in drug-free depressed patients (N = 16) and normal controls (N = 17). All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging and were classified as SCI-positive (N = 7) or SCI-negative (N = 9). In depressed patients, the P300 was reexamined after antidepressant treatment. Prior to treatment, P300 amplitudes in depressed patients were significantly smaller than those in normal controls (P < 0.01). P300 amplitudes increased significantly in SCI-negative patients following recovery (P < 0.05), but did not change in SCI-positive patients. SCI may interrupt the treatment-related P300 amplitude increase in depressed patients.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1997

Benefits of trazodone and mianserin for patients with late-life chronic schizophrenia and tardive dyskinesia: an add-on, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of mianserin and trazodone as antidepressants with serotonin 2 antagonist properties on negative symptoms and tardive dyskinesia in elderly patients with chronic schizophrenia. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study the dose of each drug was increased gradually, from 20 mg/day mianserin to 60 mg/day, and from 50 mg/day trazodone to 200 mg/day. Symptoms were assessed using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, the Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms and the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale every week for 5 weeks. A total of 38 patients (23 men and 15 women) completed the trial. Mianserin (n = 13) and trazodone (n = 12) did not alter the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale positive symptom factor over the 5 weeks. In the mianserin group, the Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms total score decreased significantly after 5 weeks. Scores of 'affective flattening and blunting' and 'alogia' scores on the Scale for assessment of Negative Symptoms decreased significantly in both treatment groups. In the trazodone group, the decrease in the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale total score was statistically significant at weeks 2 and 3. Results indicate that serotonergic antidepressants, when used in conjunction with neuroleptics, are safe and effective for treating negative symptoms in elderly patients with chronic schizophrenia. Results also indicated a possible beneficial effect of trazodone in treating tardive dyskinesia.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1997

Psychosocial stressors in patients with major depression and silent cerebral infarction.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We previously found that silent cerebral infarction (SCI) was present in most of the patients older than 50 years with major depression who were examined. The present study was designed to clarify the relationship between psychosocial stressors and SCI in patients with major depression. METHODS: Forty-two patients with unipolar depression underwent MRI and were classified as SCI-negative (n = 19) or SCI-positive (n = 23). The SCI-positive group was subclassified into those with moderate SCI (n = 16) and those with severe SCI (n = 7). The relationship between the patients' DSM-III-R axis IV scores and SCI was evaluated. RESULTS: The axis IV score was significantly lower in the SCI-positive group than in the SCI-negative group (P < .05). Within the SCI-positive group, the mean axis IV score was significantly lower in those with severe SCI than in those with moderate SCI (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that depression in patients with SCI involves more neurological factors than psychosocial stressors.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1997

Case report of pediatric laparoscopic splenectomy with technical review.

Laparoscopic splenectomy has been accepted as a feasible extension of minimally invasive surgery, which has undergone dramatic improvements in both technology and instrumentation. We performed a laparoscopic splenectomy in a 7-year-old girl with hereditary spherocytosis. The patient recovered rapidly and returned to unrestricted activities quickly. The appropriate positioning of each laparoscopic port is essential for a good operative view and smooth access. It is also important to dissect the hilum of the spleen meticulously. Laparoscopic splenectomy in the pediatric age group appears to be another promising extension of laparoscopic surgery.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1996

Solitary cavernous hemangioma of the duodenum: report of a case.

Vascular lesions of the duodenum, including hemangioma, are rare causes of gastrointestinal bleeding. We herein describe a 52-year-old woman with a solitary cavernous hemangioma of the duodenum that caused chronic gastrointestinal bleeding. Repeated upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and a barium meal study revealed a solitary vascular tumor in the fourth portion of the duodenum, although the initial investigations including selective angiography were unsuccessful. A wedge resection of the duodenum was performed and microscopical examination showed a cavernous hemangioma. Vascular lesions should therefore also be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with gastrointestinal bleeding of unknown origin.

Diagnosis, Differential↗