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Biomedical subjects

Y Ueda

Publications and source records attributed to Y Ueda.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Urinary screening of elementary and junior high-school children over a 13-year period in Tokyo.

The School Health Law of Japan was passed in 1974 mandating urine screening of elementary and junior high-school students for the detection of renal disease. A first morning urine was obtained on an annual basis for each individual student for the time period 1974-1986. The prevalence of proteinuria and haematuria among elementary school children was 0.08% and 0.54%, respectively, while junior high-school students demonstrated corresponding prevalences of 0.37% and 0.94%. The theoretical merits of this screening programme include the detection of glomerulonephritis with possible early therapeutic intervention. However, a limitation to this approach is its over-sensitivity where asymptomatic urine abnormalities is found to be 10 times greater in frequency than glomerulonephritis histologically.

Adolescent

Histogenesis of clear cell chondrosarcoma. An immunohistochemical study with osteonectin, a non-collagenous structure protein.

The histogenesis of clear cell chondrosarcoma is still unclear: Apart from typical clear cell tumor areas, extensive production of woven bone formation suggests within the clear cell cartilagenous stroma is an intriguing phenomenon. Three cases of clear cell chondrosarcoma documented in the Bone Tumor Registry of Westphalia were examined for their patterns of osteonectin expression, and compared with other bone tumors of either osseous or cartilaginous origin, and with normal cartilage tissue. Found predominantly in osseous structures, the protein osteonectin takes part in the formation of new bone. The three clear cell chondrosarcomas showed a strong immunoexpression of osteonectin in clear cell, chondroid and in osseous tumor areas. Similarly, evidence of osteonectin was also found in osteoblastic and in chondroblastic osteosarcomas as well as in osteoblastomas. In contrast, osteonectin could not be demonstrated in the chondrosarcomas and mesenchymal chondrosarcomas from our registry that were analysed for comparison, and was found only minimally in the fibroblastic areas of dedifferentiated chondrosarcomas. The chondroblastic tumor components were always negative. There was no immunoexpression of osteonectin either in fetal or adult intervertebral disc tissue. The present immunohistochemical study of osteonectin has distinctly separated clear cell chondrosarcoma from the other variants of chondrosarcoma, and aptly verified the specificity of this entity. Moreover, the study would call for further histogenetic evaluation of clear cell chondrosarcoma, since the pattern of osteonectin expression in that tumor seems to indicate an osteogenic rather than a chondrogenic origin.

Adenocarcinoma

Bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis using vertical vein for right isomerism, pulmonary atresia, and TAPVR.

An 8-year-old girl who was diagnosed as having right atrial isomerism, pulmonary atresia, butterfly-shaped juxtaductal pulmonary arterial stenosis, total anomalous pulmonary venous return of the supracardiac type, regurgitant common atrioventricular valve, and univentricular heart of the right ventricular type underwent bilateral, bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis using a vertical vein and anastomosis between the common pulmonary venous trunk and atrium. The surgical procedure in this patient is described.

Anastomosis, Surgical

Propranolol for intractable hemolysis after open heart operation.

Postoperative intravascular hemolysis occurring in 2 patients was alleviated by propranolol. One patient underwent mitral valve replacement and had development of intractable hemolysis due to a paravalvular leak. The other patient underwent ventricular septal defect closure and had hemolysis caused by the Dacron patch. Both patients were given oral propranolol, and the degree of hemolysis decreased substantially. Although the exact mechanism of the propranolol effect on mechanical intravascular hemolysis is unclear, propranolol is thought to reduce the shearing stress between erythrocytes and the foreign material by slowing the velocity of the circulation.

Anemia, Hemolytic

Bestatin administration and the change in cellular immunity.

The change in cellular immunity by Bestatin (ubenimex) treatment--30 mg/day orally--was investigated in 23 gastrointestinal cancer patients for: 1), functional T cell subsets; 2), IL-2 receptor; 3), PHA-induced blastogenesis; and 4), PPD skin reaction. The absolute number of helper T cells (Th) and cytotoxic T cells (Tc) increased in 74 and 79% of cases, respectively, compared with pretreatment values. On the other hand, the absolute number of suppressor T cells (Ts) decreased in 79% of cases. IL-2 receptor increased in 56% of patients, PHA blastogenesis increased in 67% of patients and PPD skin reaction was elevated in 75% of cases comparing to pretreatment values. These results suggest that Bestatin could increase cellular immunity in cancer patients.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic

Juvenile intracortical adamantinoma of the tibia with predominant osteofibrous dysplasia-like features.

In view of the still disputed relationship between adult adamantinoma and osteofibrous dysplasia in children, a unique case of adamantinoma, indicating a direct relationship between the two lesions, is presented with a review of the literature. The patient was a six-year-old boy who complained of pain and swelling in the left lower leg. Roentgenographs showed a loculate osteolysis surrounded by sclerosis within the cortex of the tibial shaft that would be typical of osteofibrous dysplasia. Although an osteofibrous-dysplastic component predominated histologically, some small islands of epithelial cells were scattered throughout the lesion. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells of these epithelial islands gave a constant positive reaction for cytokeratin as well as vimentin, while the stromal cells in the osteofibrous dysplasia-like lesion were positive for vimentin only. This type of lesion is recorded in the Bone Tumor Registry of Westphalia at a rate of 8.3% for osteofibrous dysplasia, and of 25% for adamantinoma. A review of the literature, yielding reports with remarkable uniformity on 14 cases beyond the present one, suggests the existence of a separate clinicopathologic entity to be called juvenile intracortical adamantinoma with predominant osteofibrous dysplasia-like features, and which might be a regressing form of adamantinoma specific in childhood.

Ameloblastoma

Construction of a 7-aminocephalosporanic acid (7ACA) biosynthetic operon and direct production of 7ACA in Acremonium chrysogenum.

We have used cDNA encoding D-amino acid oxidase, and genomic DNA encoding cephalosporin acylase from Fusarium solani and Pseudomonas diminuta, respectively, to construct a novel hybrid 7-aminocephalosporanic acid (7ACA) biosynthetic operon under the control of regulatory elements from the alkaline protease gene of Acremonium chrysogenum. Transformants of A. chrysogenum BC2116, a high cephalosporin-producing strain, containing this operon, synthesized and secreted low levels of 7ACA. Although the amounts are not yet commercially significant, this represents the first microbial production of 7ACA and demonstrates the feasibility of introducing new biosynthetic capabilities into industrial microorganisms by combining fungal and bacterial genes.

Acremonium

Purification and characterization of two types of fumarase from Escherichia coli.

Two distinct types of fumarase were purified to homogeneity from aerobically grown Escherichia coli W cells. The amino acid sequences of their NH2-terminals suggest that the two enzymes are the products of the fumA gene (FUMA) and fumC gene (FUMC), respectively. FUMA was separated from FUMC by chromatography on a Q-Sepharose column, and was further purified to homogeneity on Alkyl-Superose, Mono Q, and Superose 12 columns. FUMA is a dimer composed of identical subunits (Mr = 60,000). Although the activity of FUMA rapidly decreased during storage, reactivation was attained by anaerobic incubation with Fe2+ and thiols. Studies on the inactivation and reactivation of FUMA suggested that oxidation and the concomitant release of iron inactivated the enzyme in a reversible manner. While the inactivated FUMA was EPR-detectable, through a signal with g perpendicular = 2.02 and g = 2.00, the active enzyme was EPR-silent. These results suggested FUMA is a member of the 4Fe-4S hydratases represented by aconitase. After the separation of FUMC from FUMA, purification of the former enzyme was accomplished by chromatography on Phenyl-Superose and Matrex Gel Red A columns. FUMC was stable, Fe-independent and quite similar to mammalian fumarases in enzymatic properties.

Amino Acid Sequence

Megakaryocyte potentiating activity of IL-1, IL-6 and GM-CSF as evaluated by their action on in vitro human megakaryocytic colonies.

We examined whether recombinant cytokines enhance the in vitro platelet production of interleukin-3 (IL-3)-induced human megakaryocytic colonies (Meg-colony). We classified Meg-colonies into four categories based on platelet production during in situ observation on day 14: type 0, absence of cytoplasmic processes in a colony; type 1, one to three processes in at least one megakaryocyte in a colony; type 2, four to eight processes; type 3, more than nine processes or division of cytoplasm. Type 3 colonies were considered to be platelet-producing. In control cultures, type 1 Meg-colonies were dominant, followed by type 2, type 3 and type 0. Of the cytokines added at the initiation of culture, interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and granulocyte/macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) significantly increased the number of colonies. Furthermore, these three cytokines significantly elevated the proportion of type 3 colonies. Interleukin-4 (IL-4), granulocyte-CSF, macrophage-CSF and erythropoietin did not affect the colony count or distribution of colony type. IL-1 alpha, IL-6 and GM-CSF also significantly elevated the proportion of type 3 colonies, even when added to the culture on days 8 or 11. These results indicate that IL-1 alpha, IL-6 and GM-CSF promote platelet production of in vitro Meg-colonies.

Blood Platelets

An autopsy case of purulent mycobacterial meningitis in AIDS.

The patient was a 46-year-old male hemophiliac who died of acute mycobacterial meningitis associated with AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). Autopsy revealed severe basal meningitis which was characterized by an infiltration of numerous polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Severe mural inflammation of the subarachnoid arteries was noted, and innumerable acid-fast bacilli were demonstrated. Epithelioid cell granulomas were not found in the meningeal lesion. The lungs, liver, spleen, and bone marrow contained many epithelioid cell granulomas with caseous necrosis. Massive proliferation of swollen histiocytes could not be identified in any organ. The absence of epithelioid cell granulomas in the meningeal lesion indicate a severe impairment of cell-mediated immunity in the patient; this anergic type of lesion is one of the characteristics of tuberculosis occurring in association with terminal AIDS.

AIDS Dementia Complex

Cytomegalovirus vasculitis accompanied by an exuberant fibroblastic reaction in the intestine of an AIDS patient.

A case of cytomegalovirus (CMV) vasculitis in the intestine of a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is reported. The distal jejunum and ileum had multiple well-demarcated mucosal ulcers and microscopic examination revealed an unusual, exuberant fibroblastic proliferation in the ulcer base. Amidst these fibroblasts, there were several small blood vessels of which the endothelial cells contained cytomegalic inclusion bodies. The lesion showed a Kaposi's sarcoma-like appearance, but spindle cells were negative in immunostaining for factor VIII-related antigen or Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1. Although the CMV infection was observed in almost all organs, the exuberant fibroblastic proliferation seen in the intestine was not found in other organs. This lesion might represent a peculiar reaction of the immunologically compromised host to the CMV in the intestinal blood vessels.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Focal segmental glomerular hyalinosis and/or sclerosis in rats with congenital unilateral hydronephrosis.

Focal segmental glomerular hyalinosis and/or sclerosis (FSHS) was observed in five Wistar-Imamichi rats with congenital unilateral hydronephrosis (CUH rats). Marked proteinuria (164.9 +/- 138.4 mg/day) was observed in the CUH rats. Immunoperoxidase staining for IgM, C3 and IgG was positive in the glomeruli, showing in a focal, segmental pattern that corresponded to the areas of FSHS seen by light microscopy. These glomerular findings were extremely similar to those of human focal glomerular sclerosis (FGS). FSHS was found to be common to both the hydronephrotic kidney and the contralateral kidney without hydronephrosis. Morphometry revealed that the glomerular area of the juxtamedullary glomeruli was greater than that of superficial glomeruli in control rats (11,037 micron2 vs. 6,847 microns2). On the other hand, glomerular hypertrophy was observed in non-sclerotic glomeruli of CUH rats (superficial glomeruli; 12,477-16,123 microns2, juxtamedullary glomeruli; 14,635-18,418 microns2). Also, a decreased in the number of glomeruli within the range 1.8-4.1 per unit area (1 mm2) was seen in CUH rats compared with control rats (mean 4.4). These results suggest that the increased rate of development of FSHS is based on hyperfiltration in the remaining functional nephrons.

Animals

Cloning and nucleotide sequencing of a novel 7 beta-(4-carboxybutanamido)cephalosporanic acid acylase gene of Bacillus laterosporus and its expression in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis.

A strain of Bacillus species which produced an enzyme named glutaryl 7-ACA acylase which converts 7 beta-(4-carboxybutanamido)cephalosporanic acid (glutaryl 7-ACA) to 7-amino cephalosporanic acid (7-ACA) was isolated from soil. The gene for the glutaryl 7-ACA acylase was cloned with pHSG298 in Escherichia coli JM109, and the nucleotide sequence was determined by the M13 dideoxy chain termination method. The DNA sequence revealed only one large open reading frame composed of 1,902 bp corresponding to 634 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence contained a potential signal sequence in its amino-terminal region. Expression of the gene for glutaryl 7-ACA acylase was performed in both E. coli and Bacillus subtilis. The enzyme preparations purified from either recombinant strain of E. coli or B. subtilis were shown to be identical with each other as regards the profile of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and were composed of a single peptide with the molecular size of 70 kDa. Determination of the amino-terminal sequence of the two enzyme preparations revealed that both amino-terminal sequences (the first nine amino acids) were identical and completely coincided with residues 28 to 36 of the open reading frame. Extracellular excretion of the enzyme was observed in a recombinant strain of B. subtilis.

Amidohydrolases

Acupuncture to the skin induces release of substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide from peripheral terminals of primary sensory neurons in the rat.

We immunohistochemically examined the short term effects of electro-acupuncture (E-acupuncture) to the skin on substance P (SP)- and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) containing primary sensory neurons in the rat. Immunoreactivity to SP and CGRP in these neurons at the treatment site decreased after 30 min of E-acupuncture. These results suggest that E-acupuncture induces release of SP and CGRP from peripheral terminals of primary sensory neurons.

Animals

Onset of the constrictive effect of indomethacin on the ductus arteriosus in fetal rats.

The time of onset of the constrictive effect of indomethacin on the ductus arteriosus (DA) in fetal rats was assessed by measurement of the caliber of the DA after maternal treatment with indomethacin on days 19-21 of gestation. The day following overnight mating was regarded as day 0 of gestation. Observation was performed by direct exposure of the DA by hand shaving of intact frozen fetuses. On days 20 and 21, the DA was significantly constricted 3 h after maternal treatment with 1 mg/kg of indomethacin. When the DA was examined at 19 1/2 and 19 2/3 days of gestation (3 h after indomethacin exposure), it was significantly constricted at 19 2/3 days but not at 19 1/2 days. Higher doses of indomethacin (10 and 100 mg/kg) induced a significant constriction of the DA at day 19 1/2, but not at the beginning of the same day (1.00 a.m.). These results suggest that the onset of the susceptibility of the DA to the constrictive effect of indomethacin occurs in the first half of day 19 of gestation.

Animals

Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney in rats.

We evaluated the characteristics of renal lesions in rat autosomal recessive polycystic kidney (ARPK). In rat ARPK, small cysts appeared primarily in the medulla 2 months after birth and gradually extended to the cortex, forming large cysts involving the entire layer after 8 months. By immunofluorescence microscopy, type IV collagen was more strongly stained in the epithelial basement membrane of the rat ARPK than in the normal rat tubular basement membrane (TBM). Electron microscopy demonstrated a marked thickening, slight splitting and lamination of the TBM in the ARPK. As peroxidase-labeled lectins, dolichos biflorus very strongly stained the cyst epithelium whereas lens culinaris did not. These findings indicate that cysts in rat ARPK originate in the collecting duct.

Age Factors

Islet cell antibodies in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease.

Islet cell antibodies (ICAs) were assayed in 316 patients with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD; 190 with Graves' disease, 126 with Hashimoto's thyroiditis), 53 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), and 144 healthy control subjects. ICAs were measured by an immunohistochemical method with peroxidase-labeled protein A and human pancreatic tissues. The prevalence of ICAs in patients with AITD was 7.6% (24 of 316), whereas the prevalence in control subjects was 0.7% (1 of 144). Among 24 ICA+ patients, 20 (83%) had IDDM. In these 20 patients, the duration of diabetes from clinical onset was 5.4 +/- 5.1 yr. ICAs in patients with IDDM alone were positive in 90.9% at 1 yr and 7.7% at 5 yr after the onset of diabetes. These data have shown that most ICA+ patients with AITD have IDDM and that the prevalence of ICAs in patients with AITD in Japanese is as high as that found among whites, whereas the incidence of IDDM in Japanese is approximately one-thirtieth or one-fiftieth of that in whites.

Adolescent