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Biomedical subjects

Yoshitsugu Kubota

Publications and source records attributed to Yoshitsugu Kubota.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Bifid intrathoracic rib: a case report and classification of intrathoracic ribs.

Bifid intrathoracic rib is a very rare anomaly of the ribs that is characterized by an osseous prominence of a rib into the thoracic cavity. We report a 21-year-old woman with bifid intrathoracic rib arising from the anterior-lateral portion of a depressed 4th rib, based on findings from chest radiography and computed tomography (CT). This is only the second reported case of this type of intrathoracic rib worldwide. We discuss differential diagnoses for this case and suggest a classification of intrathoracic rib from the perspective of morphology and developmental biology.

Adult↗

Src transduces signaling via growth hormone (GH)-activated GH receptor (GHR) tyrosine-phosphorylating GHR and STAT5 in human leukemia cells.

Most human leukemia cells are shown to express growth hormone receptor (GHR) and some of them proliferate in response to GH. We demonstrate that Src contributes to GHR-mediated signal transduction via STAT5 activation in F-36P human leukemia cells stimulated with GH. The tyrosine phosphorylation levels of GHR and STAT5 induced by GH decreased in the presence of PP2 Src kinase inhibitor. When GHR and wild-type Src were co-expressed in COS7 cells, GHR was markedly tyrosine phosphorylated as well as when Jak2 was co-expressed with GHR, but not when kinase-inactive Src co-expressed. The treatment of F-36P cells with the antisense src oligonucleotides, which selectively decreased the Src expression, reduced the rhGH-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the STAT5 activation sites.

Cell Line, Tumor↗

Intrapancreatic axonal hyperbranching of dorsal root ganglia neurons in chronic pancreatitis model rats and its relation to pancreatic pain.

OBJECTIVES: Increase in number of intrapancreatic nerve bundles has been implicated in the generation of persistent pain in chronic pancreatitis. To examine the origin of these nerve fibers and the mechanisms linking neural morphological change to pain generation, we used neuronal tracing techniques in combination with immunohistochemistry in spontaneous chronic pancreatitis in the Wistar Bonn/Kobori (WBN/Kob) rats. METHODS: For retrograde tracing, horseradish peroxidase was injected into the pancreas, and labeled neurons in the sensory ganglia were counted. For anterograde tracing, biotinylated dextran amine was injected into the dorsal root ganglia (DRGs), and labeled intrapancreatic sensory fibers were histochemically assessed. For assessment of pain generation, we evaluated c-Fos-positive neurons in the spinal dorsal horn and behavioral changes of the animals. RESULTS: In WBN/Kob rats, the numbers of horseradish peroxidase-labeled neurons were decreased in the DRGs, and the numbers of biotinylated dextran amine-labeled intrapancreatic nerve fibers and terminals were increased. Biotinylated dextran amine-labeled nerve fibers contained growth-associated protein 43. The number of c-Fos-positive neurons in the dorsal horn was also increased and was correlated with intrapancreatic growth-associated protein 43 immunoreactivity. Grooming behavior was reduced in WBN/Kob rats, and this reduction was facilitated by exocrine stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: Axonal branching in DRG neurons innervating the pancreas increases in WBN/Kob rats, and these morphological changes are likely involved in pain generation in chronic pancreatitis.

Animals↗

Cyclosporin A inhibits the early phase of NF-kappaB/RelA activation induced by CD28 costimulatory signaling to reduce the IL-2 expression in human peripheral T cells.

Cyclosporin A (CsA) inhibits interleukin (IL)-2 production, activation and proliferation of human peripheral T cells (HPTC) costimulated with simultaneous engagement of T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 and CD28. We demonstrated that 10 ng/ml CsA, which reduced the proliferation of HPTC costimulated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 by half, prevented NF-AT and NF-kappaB from migrating into the nucleus. Whereas CsA added even 30 min after the costimulation caused NF-AT to remain in the cytoplasm, the delayed addition of CsA could not prevent NF-kappaB from translocating into the nucleus. CsA, which was added to HPTC simultaneously with the engagement of both CD3 and CD28 or the 1-h-delayed engagement of CD28 after prior TCR/CD3-triggering, inhibited NF-kappaB p65/RelA from binding to the target DNA fragment, followed by reduction of HPTC proliferation in response to the costimulation. When CsA was added 30 min after the delayed engagement of CD28 following the prior engagement of TCR/CD3, these inhibitory effects were diminished. Antisense NF-kappaB p65/RelA oligonucleotides inhibited p65/RelA mRNA expression, diminished IL-2 mRNA expression in the costimulated HPTC and reduced HPTC proliferation to the same extent as CsA added simultaneously with the costimulation. The CsA- or antisense p65/RelA oligonucleotide-induced reduction in the proliferation of costimulated HPTC was overcome by the addition of exogenous IL-2. These findings indicate that the major effects of CsA on the early phase of CD28-mediated costimulation in the presence of TCR/CD3 signaling are to inhibit NF-kappaB/RelA from translocating into the nucleus and binding to the target DNA sequence in the IL-2 gene promoter region, which induces IL-2 expression leading to HPTC proliferation.

CD28 Antigens↗

Effects of obstructive jaundice on neutrophil production and acquisition of chemotactic activity in the bone marrow.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Increased numbers and enhanced functions of peripheral neutrophils have been observed in obstructive jaundice. However, the effects of obstructive jaundice on the bone marrow, that is neutrophil production and acquisition of neutrophil chemotactic activity, have been poorly understood. In the present study, differentials of bone marrow cells and chemotactic activity of bone marrow neutrophils were evaluated in bile duct-obstructed rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats underwent either bile duct obstruction for 10 days or bile duct obstruction for 4 days followed by 6 days' internal biliary drainage. Differentials of peripheral blood and bone marrow cells were sequentially determined. Chemotactic activity of peripheral and bone marrow neutrophils was evaluated with a modified Boyden method using interleukin-8 (recombinant rat Gro-beta) as a chemoattractant. RESULTS: Numbers of peripheral neutrophils significantly increased after bile duct obstruction. Significant increases in the myeloid/erythroid (M/E) ratio of bone marrow cells were observed after bile duct obstruction. The neutrophil proliferative pool (promyelocytes and myelocytes) increased initially, followed by an increased neutrophil storage pool (metamyelocytes, bands, and segmented neutrophils). The M/E ratio as well as the neutrophil proliferative and storage pools normalized after internal biliary drainage. Chemotactic activity was enhanced in both peripheral and bone marrow neutrophils after bile duct obstruction, and enhanced chemotaxis was alleviated with internal biliary drainage. CONCLUSION: The present results strongly suggest the principal role of the bone marrow in increasing the number of neutrophils and their chemotactic activity during obstructive jaundice.

Animals↗

Neutrophils enhance invasion activity of human cholangiocellular carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma cells: an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Tumor-mesenchymal interactions are involved in the mechanism of tumor invasion in several types of carcinoma. Mutual interactions between carcinoma cells and neutrophils, however, have been poorly understood. In the present study we examined the effect of neutrophils on invasion activities of carcinoma cells in vitro. Role of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) as a mediator was also evaluated. METHODS: Using a Matrigel invasion chamber, invasion activities of HuCC-T1 human cholangiocellular carcinoma cells and HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells in response to recombinant HGF or neutrophils were evaluated. RESULTS: Recombinant HGF dose-dependently increased invasion activities of HuCC-T1 and HepG2 cells. Neutrophils significantly enhanced invasion activities of these cells, which were suppressed to the respective basal levels with anti-HGF antibody. The carcinoma cells did not secrete HGF. Neutrophils cultivated in tumor condition medium (TCM) of HuCC-T1 or HepG2 cells secreted a significant level of HGF protein without increasing HGF mRNA expression. Treatment with heat or ultrafiltration of TCM of HuCC-T1 or HepG2 cells suggested carcinoma cell-derived HGF inducer(s) to be certain protein(s) with a molecular weight of more than 30 000. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests the presence of mutual interactions between HuCC-T1/HepG2 carcinoma cells and neutrophils in tumor invasion via paracrine regulation mediated by neutrophil-derived HGF.

Bile Duct Neoplasms↗

Analysis of the optimal blood sampling conditions for estimation of hematopoietic progenitor cell count by the SE-9000 automated hematolyzer.

We evaluated the optimal conditions for blood sampling for hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) as estimated by the immature information program of the SE-9000 automated hematology analyzer. The HPC count was most stable when the blood samples were incubated at room temperature with ethylene-diaminetetraacetic acid dipotassium (EDTA-2K) as an anticoagulant. The HPC count should, however, be measured within 4 h after blood collection, even under optimal conditions. In contrast, the CD34+ cell count estimated by flow cytometric analysis was stable for at least 21 h after the blood samples were incubated with EDTA-2K at room temperature or 4 degrees C. When appropriate blood samples were used, the HPC count in the peripheral blood significantly correlated with the CD34+ cell count in the peripheral blood and in the apheresis yields (r = 0.798 and 0.635, respectively); therefore, the HPC count is a reliable predictor for initiation of apheresis procedures to obtain sufficient HPCs for peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

Adolescent↗

Noninvasive monitoring of hemoglobin. The effects of WBC counts on measurement.

The efficacy of a noninvasive hemoglobin monitoring device (Astrin, Sysmex, Kobe, Japan) was evaluated for healthy volunteers and for patients with hematologic disorders. At the same time, the effects of WBC counts on noninvasive monitoring were studied by clinical evaluation and in ex vivo experiments. The hemoglobin levels determined by the device (Ast-Hb) and a conventional analyzer (T-Hb) were compared. The coefficient of correlation between findings with the Ast-Hb and the T-Hb for healthy volunteers was r = 0.626, whereas that for patients with hematologic disorders was r = 0.762. A comparison of the ratios of measurement errors in hemoglobin levels by Ast-Hb and T-Hb indicated that the number of WBCs had no effect on hemoglobin monitoring. Moreover, ex vivo studies using isolated WBCs and an optical model that imitates blood vessels and tissue in human fingers confirmed these results. Therefore, this new hemoglobin monitoring device can be expected to be useful for continuous hemoglobin monitoring.

Female↗

Tyrosine phosphorylation of a novel 100-kDa protein coupled to CD28 in resting human T cells is enhanced by a signal through TCR/CD3 complex.

For T cell activation, two signals are required, i.e., a T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3-mediated main signal and a CD28-mediated costimulatory signal. CD28 binds to its ligand (CD80 or CD86) and transduces the most important costimulatory signal. The cytoplasmic domain of the CD28 molecule, composed of 41 amino acids, does not contain any intrinsic enzyme activity. The cytoplasmic domain of CD28 is remarkably conserved among species and is associated with a number of signaling molecules that affect the main signal. We report here that a tyrosine phosphorylated 100-kDa protein (ppl00) was coupled to the CD28 cytoplasmic domain in Jurkat and human peripheral T cells. The pp100 was distinguished from other CD28 associated molecules such as Vav, STAT5, PI 3-kinase, Valosin-containing protein (VCP), Nucleolin, Gab2 (Grb2-associated binding protein 2), and STAT6. The tyrosine phosphorylation of pp100 coprecipitated with CD28 was enhanced by CD3 stimulation by the specific antibody, tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor and PKC activator. Tyrosine phosphorylation of pp100 was attenuated by the prior addition of PKC inhibitor. These findings indicate that pp100 is a novel tyrosine phosphorylated protein coupled to CD28 under continuous control of tyrosine phosphatases and might play a role in T cell activation augmented by a TCR/CD3-mediated main signal.

CD28 Antigens↗

Diagnosis of common bile duct calculi with intraductal ultrasonography during endoscopic biliary cannulation.

BACKGROUND: Choledocholithiasis can be difficult to diagnose, even with direct cholangiography. We examined the role of biliary intraductal ultrasonography in detecting common bile duct stones that had been overlooked during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. METHODS: Eighty consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiography for suspected choledocholithiasis with negative results were evaluated with intraductal ultrasonography (20 MHz) for the presence of biliary concrements. The diagnostic criterion for stones was a strong-echo structure with acoustic shadowing. Materials of low amplitude echoes without acoustic shadowing were considered sludge. RESULTS: Intrabile duct scanning was successful in all patients. Of the 80 patients, 20 (25%) had ultrasonic evidence of common bile duct stones. The stones measured 5 mm or less on ultrasound and their presence was confirmed macroscopically during endoscopic (17 patients) or laparoscopic (three patients) bile duct clearance. Another 37 patients (46%) had biliary sludge alone and have been followed up uneventfully. CONCLUSIONS: Biliary intraductal ultrasonography may become a useful adjunct to establish the diagnosis of occult bile duct concrements and a guide to appropriate therapeutic selection during endoscopic biliary cannulation.

Adult↗

[Sub-classification of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma by semi-quantification of the CD5 expression with flow cytometric analysis].

CD5+ diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(CD5+DLBCL) is known to have different characteristics than CD5-DLBCL and mantle cell lymphoma(MCL). 9 patients with CD5+DLBCL were reviewed, and the results were compared with those of 8 CD5-DLBCL and 3 cyclin D1+MCL patients. CD5+DLBCL was more closely related to many aggressive clinical features or parameters than CD5-DLBCL: 67% of the patients were older than 60 years, 67% with performance status > or = 2, 89% with serum lactate dehydrogenase level higher than normal, 78% with stage III/IV disease at diagnosis, and 78% with more than one extranodal lesion. The overall International Prognostic Index score for the patients with CD5+DLBCL was thus significantly higher than that for those with CD5-DLBCL. Immunophenotypically, CD5+DLBCL was characterized by CD5+CD10-CD19+CD20+CD21-CD23-cyclin D1-phenotype and the predominant expression of surface IgM. Of particular interest is that the survival rate of CD5+DLBCL patients was significantly inferior to that of patients with CD5-DLBCL. To further characterize CD5+DLBCL, we semi-quantified the CD5 expression in DLBCL cells. Our findings suggest that CD5+DLBCL may constitute a unique subgroup of DLBCL and, moreover, CD5+DLBCL may consist of several subgroups.

Aged↗

The effect of biliary decompression on antibiotic biliary excretion.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Raised biliary pressure may affect antibiotic biliary excretion. We evaluated whether biliary decompression for patients with biliary obstruction could improve antibiotic biliary excretion. METHODOLOGY: Eight patients with common bile duct obstruction undergoing endoscopic nasobiliary drainage were evaluated. During endoscopic cannulation, biliary pressure above the obstruction and antibiotic concentrations in the bile and peripheral blood were determined 60 min after the intravenous antibiotic (panipenem) administration. RESULTS: Biliary pressure was initially elevated above normal in all the patients, but normalized after biliary drainage for 5 to 7 days. At the initial endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, the aspirated bile contained low or undetectable levels of the antibiotic, but the mean bile panipenem concentration and the mean bile/plasma ratio of panipenem concentrations significantly improved after biliary decompression. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest an important role of biliary pressure in determining antibiotic transfer into the bile.

Aged↗

Neutrophil chemotaxis in bile duct-obstructed rats, and effect of internal biliary drainage.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Our previous studies demonstrated enhanced neutrophil chemotaxis in bile duct-ligated, obstructive jaundice rats. In the present study, we produced a reversible obstructive jaundice model in rats. The efficacy of the present model in producing sufficient bile flow blockade and subsequent internal biliary drainage was assessed. Furthermore, the effect of internal biliary drainage on neutrophil chemotaxis was evaluated. METHODOLOGY: Bile duct was obstructed with a polyester tape attached with a stainless steel coil. Internal biliary drainage was performed by removing the tape. Rats were subjected to either 10 days' bile duct obstruction or 4 days' bile duct obstruction followed by 6 days' internal biliary drainage. Some animals underwent conventional bile duct ligation and dissection for 4 or 10 days. Neutrophil chemotaxis was evaluated with a modified Boyden method using interleukin-8 (recombinant rat Gro-beta) as chemoattractant. RESULTS: The present technique produced sufficient obstructive jaundice as evidenced by increases in serum alanine aminotransferase and total bilirubin throughout the observation period, the values of which were insignificant with those induced by the conventional method. Internal biliary drainage effectively normalized these values. Similarly, neutrophil chemotaxis was enhanced with both procedures, and increased neutrophil chemotaxis was significantly decreased after drainage. CONCLUSIONS: The present reversible obstructive jaundice method is as efficacious as the conventional method for producing obstructive jaundice, and internal biliary drainage could be readily available. With the present model, neutrophil overactivity in obstructive jaundice was effectively alleviated by internal biliary drainage. The result may support the role of preoperative biliary drainage in the prevention of postoperative septic complications.

Animals↗