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Volume 178 (1996)
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Volume 178, Issue 3
March
Displaying 1-15 of 15 articles from this issue
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Regular Contributions
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Yasuji Sugiyama, Teiji Yamamoto1996 Volume 178 Issue 3 Pages 203-215
Published: 1996
Released on J-STAGE: November 17, 2006
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSWe measured serum antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and examined the correlations between these antibodies and MS. This study included thirty-two patients with clinically definite MS, thirteen patients with other autoimmune neurological diseases excluding collagen diseases (disease control A), eight patients with collagen vascular diseases (disease control B) and twenty-six healthy persons (normal control). In MS group IgG antibody against cardiolipin (CL) was detected in 3 (9%); among them, cofactor (β2- glycoprotein I) dependency was shown in 2 but one was cofactor independent. IgM antibody was elevated in 14 of 32 patients (44%) with MS, but cofactor dependency was not determined. However, this was significantly higher in frequency than that of the disease control A (p<0.01) and normal control (p<0.01). Results of antibodies against phosphatidylserine were found similar to CL, but antibodies against phosphatidylcholine were in most cases negative. Each of anti-CL IgG antibody purified from four patients with diverse immunological disorders (primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, MS, polyarteritis nodosa and systemic lupus erythematosus) had different reactivities against DNA. In addition, the aPL positive group in MS possessed the autoantibodies such as antinuclear antibody at higher rate than the negative group. However, clinically two groups of MS were indistinguishable. The higher incidence of aPL may imply that a broad spectrum of autoantibodies might be produced in MS; some antibodies presumably related directly to MS pathogenesis are yet to be identified.View full abstractDownload PDF (942K) -
Tomoyuki Masuda, Shin-ichiro Sato, Genyoh Muro-oka, Ikuo Segawa, Atsus ...1996 Volume 178 Issue 3 Pages 217-223
Published: 1996
Released on J-STAGE: November 17, 2006
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSThe disarray of cardiac myofibers was morphometrically evaluated in biopsy specimens, obtained from patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), hypertensive heart disease (HHD), chronic phase myocarditis and controls. Microphotographs of myocardium were taken at a final magnification of × 250. For each segment of myofibers, the longitudinal direction was traced on a transparent sheet, and the angle of the traced direction to the baseline was measured by an image analyzer. The standard deviation of the angles was used as an indicator of myofiber disarray. The histograms showed a narrow variation in the control group, but a wide variation in the patients with HCM, HHD and chronic phase myocarditis. The mean value of standard deviations of myofiber angles in HCM was significantly larger than that in the other groups. In HCM, the standard deviation of the myofiber angle proved to correlate positively with IVST/LVPWT (the thickness ratio of interventricular septum to the left ventricular posterior wall) (r= 0.70, p<0.05), and also with LVEDP (left ventricular end-diastolic pressure) (r= 0.66, p<0.05). In conclusion, the image analyzer serves as a simple and useful tool in quantifying the disorientation of myofibers and estimating the correlation between the histological and clinical findings.View full abstractDownload PDF (1082K) -
Ryo Konno, Satoru Nagase, Shinji Sato, Takao Fukaya, Akira Yajima1996 Volume 178 Issue 3 Pages 225-231
Published: 1996
Released on J-STAGE: November 17, 2006
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSTo investigate the criteria for laparoscopic surgery in ovarian tumors, a retrospective review of indications, preoperative assessments using transvaginal ultrasonography, serum CA 125, surgical methods and diagnosis and post-operative complications were analyzed. Forty-three patients underwent surgical treatment for ovarian tumors, from November 1992 to October 1993. Of the 43 patients with ovarian tumors, 19 (44%) underwent laparoscopic surgery, and 24 (56%) underwent laparotomy. Laparoscopic surgery was performed in 18 of 34 (53%) patients with benign ovarian cysts. Eight patients with malignant ovarian tumors were treated by laparotomy. Coincidence of preoperative assessment and surgical diagnosis was 95%. No major complications were observed in the laparoscopic surgery. We suggest that malignant ovarian tumors and inextricable adhesions are contraindications to laparoscopic surgery. We propose the following criteria for laparoscopic surgery by classification into three groups: A) good indication: benign cystic tumors with good mobility, B) deliberation indication: benign tumors with poor mobility, including some dermoid cysts and endometrial cysts, C) contraindication: malignant tumors and dense adhesions. We conclude that indications of laparoscopic surgery for ovarian tumors should be determined by careful preoperative assessment using transvaginal ultrasonography and tumor markers.View full abstractDownload PDF (382K) -
Hiroshi Ohguro, Kouichi Kitamura, Kenji Konari, Hitoshi Sohma, Yoshita ...1996 Volume 178 Issue 3 Pages 233-240
Published: 1996
Released on J-STAGE: November 17, 2006
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSThe distribution and accumulation of visual pigments, i.e., rod pigment, rhodopsin and red sensitive cone pigment, iodopsin, and transducin in the retina of chicken and chicken embryo were investigated immunohistochemically using their specific antibodies. The immunoreactivities of these proteins appeared at the early stage of photoreceptor differentiation (embryonal day 15) and increased in the photoreceptor cells appeared to reach maximum at the end of the embryonal period (embryonal day 20). On the other hand, although the immunoreactivity of βγ subunit of transducin (Tβγ) was detected at embryonal day 15, the expression level of Tβγ still remained in low level during the embryonal period. These observations suggest that both Tβγ and visual pigments are expressed during the embryonic period in chicken photoreceptor cells, but their accumulations in the cells are different.View full abstractDownload PDF (3158K) -
Masao Sato, Junko Yamaki, Takiko Oguro, Takemi Yoshida, Naruo Nomura, ...1996 Volume 178 Issue 3 Pages 241-250
Published: 1996
Released on J-STAGE: November 17, 2006
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSWe studied the ability of interferon α/β (IFN) to induce metallothionein (MT) synthesis in mice. Male mice were injected intraperitoneally with mouse IFN (5×105 IU/mouse). Plasma Zn levels were reduced at 4 hr after injection, reached a minimum value at 6 hr, and then returned to the control level at 8 hr. Hepatic MT concentrations began to increase at 4 hr and reached maximum values at 6 hr. Induction of MT gene expression and protein synthesis was confirmed by Northern blot analysis and radioimmunoassay, respectively. The induction of MT synthesis in the liver by IFN was dose-dependent. The data suggest that induction of MT-mRNA and the protein in the liver by IFN occurs rapidly but is rather transient. Furthermore, MT synthesis was not induced by IFN in the liver of mice given a Zn-deficient diet, whereas IFN induced increases in the activity of 2', 5'-oligoadenylate synthetase in the spleen were unaffected by Zn status. Thus, induction of hepatic MT synthesis by IFN is influenced by Zn status.View full abstractDownload PDF (833K) -
Naoshi Sato, Makoto Miura, Naoki Uchida, Takeo Fukuju, Hitoshi Mohri, ...1996 Volume 178 Issue 3 Pages 251-261
Published: 1996
Released on J-STAGE: November 17, 2006
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSTo evaluate the efficacy of myocardial preservation during open heart surgery, we measured the viscoelasticity of the canine myocardium during cardioplegic arrest. A transfer function method was used for the measurement with a monitoring system consisting of a vibrator, a function generator, accerometers and a signal processor. Six mongrel dogs were put on cardiopulmonary bypass and after measurement of control hemodynamics, they were subjected to cardioplegic arrest at myocardial temperatures ranging from 4 to 32°C. Viscoelasticity was measured at every 15 min and the cardioplegic solution was added every 30 min. After two hr of cardioplegic arrest, the myocardium was reperfused and postischemic hemodynamics were measured after 30 mm of non-working beating. Satisfactory myocardial function returned in 3 hearts with the myocardial temperatures below 24°C with myocardial viscoelasticity within the control range. Moderately decreased myocardial contractility was noted in a heart kept at temperature of 27°C and its viscoelasticity remained in the control range for 90 mm of ischemia and then began to decrease. In 2 hearts kept at temperatures higher than 29°C, severely depressed myocardial contractility was noted, and viscoelasticity decreased transiently at 45 to 60 mm and then returned to control levels. These results suggested usefulness of continuous monitoring of the viscoelasticity in early detection of its degenerative alterations due to impaired myocardial preservation during open heart surgery.View full abstractDownload PDF (1492K) -
Atsushi Fukuzaki, Hiroyuki Kaneto, Shigenori Ikeda, Seiichi Orikasa1996 Volume 178 Issue 3 Pages 263-269
Published: 1996
Released on J-STAGE: November 17, 2006
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSProtein kinase C (PKC), the calcium and phospholipid-dependent kinase, is a key enzyme for regulation of growth and differentiation of various cells and tissues. Abnormalities of PKC modulation may cause diseases such as neoplasia. The present study was designed to demonstrate localization of PKC in normal human nephron segments. Surgically extirpated specimens for renal tumor were used. PKC was determined by immunoblotting and immunohistochemical methods using specific antibody against PKC that recognizes α and β subtypes of this enzyme. Immunoblotting study demonstrated PKC in the cytosolic fractions of homogenized cortical tubules and medullary tubules prepared from morphologically normal part of the kidney. PKC was faintly detected in glomerular supernatants. Immunohistochemical study revealed that PKC was present throughout the nephron and especially concentrated in the cytoplasm of the proximal tubules and the medullary collecting ducts. The results indicate that PKC appears to play a role in regulation of normal nephron function in human kidney.View full abstractDownload PDF (604K) -
Hiroshi Tanaka, Shinobu Waga, Kazuhiko Sugimoto, Yoshiki Kakizaki, Mas ...1996 Volume 178 Issue 3 Pages 271-277
Published: 1996
Released on J-STAGE: November 17, 2006
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSThe pathogenesis of steroid- sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) is poorly defined. We previously demonstrated that monocytes from SSNS patients with proteinuria were activated to display exaggerated phagocytosis of opsonized particles and paradoxically reduced chemotaxis. In this study, we evaluated the capacity of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) release from monocytes in 19 patients with SSNS and 13 healthy controls, by exposure to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), using scopoletin method. Of 19 patients of SSNS, 7 were proteinuric and 12 in remission. The H2O2 release was significantly higher in SSNS patients with proteinuria than those in remission or normal controls [177.49±94.75 (mean±S.D.) vs. 60.67±58.89 (p<0.02) or 85.02± 48.62 nmol/90 min/mg cell protein (p<0.05)]. Follow-up measurements in two SSNS patients showed that H2O2 release was reduced when proteinuric condition was improved to be in remission. Our data suggest that monocytes in SSNS with proteinuria were activated and were prepared to receive some extracellular signaling leading to protein kinase-C activation for releasing H202.View full abstractDownload PDF (388K) -
Kazuo Irita, Hironori Sakai, Masae Yamakawa, Hajime Nawata, Jun-ichi Y ...1996 Volume 178 Issue 3 Pages 279-285
Published: 1996
Released on J-STAGE: November 17, 2006
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSIt has been reported that vasodilatory prostaglandins have cytoprotective effects against various types of liver damage. We investigated the effects OP 2507, a stable analogue of prostaglandin I2, on carbon tetrachioride-induced liver damage in starved rats. Intraperitoneal administration of OP 2507 at 1,500 μg/kg lessened both an increase in serum alanine aminotransferase activity and an inhibition of starvation ketosis, both of which were induced by carbon tetrachloride. At lower doses, however, OP 2507 not only failed to ameliorate the carbon tetrachloride-induced changes, but it actually exaggerated them. Although the deterioration of carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage by lower doses of OP 2507 was not statistically significant, it seems possible that OP 2507 has dual effects on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage. While none of the three agents cimetidine, reduced glutathione and deferoxamine, prevented increase in serum alanine aminotransferase activity induced with lower dose OP 2507, allopurinol had a tendency to prevent the increase, indicating that lower doses of OP 2507 may promote a reaction catalyzed by xanthine oxidase. We propose that both the co-administration of prostaglandins and other potentially hepatotoxic drugs, and the administration of prostaglandins to patients with drug-induced liver damage should be done carefully.View full abstractDownload PDF (442K) -
Masayoshi Shima, Kazuhiko Nakao, Yuji Kato, Keisuke Nakata, Nobuko Ish ...1996 Volume 178 Issue 3 Pages 287-297
Published: 1996
Released on J-STAGE: November 17, 2006
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSC-reactive protein (CRP) is a liver-specific acute-phase protein, and its expression in hepatocyte is regulated by cytokines such as interleukin-1, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α. Although several alterations in cytokines have been found in patients with chronic viral hepatitis, it remains obscure how CRP expression is associated with progression of the disease in chronic viral infection. In the present study, CRP expression was evaluated in 45 patients with chronic hepatitis B and in 38 patients with chronic hepatitis C. By the immunohistochemical analysis, the intensity of CRP expression in hepatocyte was closely associated with the histology activity index (HAI) score in chronic hepatitis B. In contrast, the association was not found in chronic hepatitis C. When serial changes in serum levels of CRP were compared in long-term follow-up patients including 5 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 4 patients with chronic hepatitis C, serum levels of CRP fluctuated simultaneously with serum levels of alanine aminotransferase in chronic hepatitis B, whereas the correlation was not recognized in chronic hepatitis C. These results suggest that CRP expression correlates with progression of the disease in chronic hepatitis B, but not in chronic hepatitis C. It is also possible that cytokine-mediated response is more pronounced in chronic hepatitis B than in chronic hepatitis C.View full abstractDownload PDF (1284K) -
Nobuo Yaegashi, Masaki Kuramoto, Chifuyu Nakayama, Morio Nakano, Akira ...1996 Volume 178 Issue 3 Pages 299-306
Published: 1996
Released on J-STAGE: November 17, 2006
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSWe examined the specific number of surgeries necessary for a three-year obstetrics and gynecology resident to acquire proficiency in two types of hysterectomies. Improvement in the technical skills of the residents was assessed using surgical time and blood loss, and resected tumor weight was chosen as the factor representing the difficulty of the surgery. Regarding abdominal total hysterectomy (ATH), early residents (less than 25 ATH experience) performed relatively easier surgeries, and improvement in technical skill was manifested as reduced blood loss by mid residents (25 to 49 ATH) and as shortened surgical time by later residents (75 or more ATH). Regarding vaginal total hysterectomy (VTH), blood loss for earlier residents (less than 15 VTH) was greater than that for the staff, and there was a significant difference between staff surgical time and that for each resident group. These data suggest that performing more than 75 ATH during the residency period of three years is adequate to establish proficiency in this type of surgery, but that the execution of 25 VTH is insufficient and that residents require more training to learn VTH.View full abstractDownload PDF (417K) -
Osamu Uemura, Yoshimitsu Goto, Mitsuji Iwasa, Tsunesaburo Ando, Keisuk ...1996 Volume 178 Issue 3 Pages 307-314
Published: 1996
Released on J-STAGE: November 17, 2006
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSA 14-year-old girl, having mental and growth retardation with end stage renal disease, was affected by a stroke-like attack. The attack was associated with transient low density areas at both sides of the parietal portion on head CT. Lactic acidosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, angina pectoris-like attacks, hypertension and hyperparathyroidism were also observed and they were supposedly due to mitochondrial cytopathy. No morphological or biochemical abnormalities were found on the mitochondrial respiratory chain. However, muscle carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) activity was significantly low, which was restored to a normal level after hyperparathyroidism was controlled by alphacalcidol administration. Furthermore, we also found two more chronic renal failure patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism, as well as the primary hyperparathyroidism patient showing markedly low muscle CPT activity. These findings suggest the possible contribution of parathyroid hormone to lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle and to the myopathic manifestations often seen in hyperparathyroidism.View full abstractDownload PDF (931K) -
Takashi Sawai, Miwa Uzuki, Edward D. Harris Jr., Markku Kurkinnen, Rob ...1996 Volume 178 Issue 3 Pages 315-330
Published: 1996
Released on J-STAGE: November 17, 2006
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSWe examined the expression of stromelysin mRNA (SL mRNA) in synovial biopsy specimens from 12 cases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 2 cases of osteoarthritis (OA) using in situ hybridization. The study demonstrated that positive cells with high levels of SL mRNA were mostly (85%) found in the synovial lining layer. The positive cells were abundant in the synovium of RA which presented well developed lymphoid follicles with massive inflammatory cells. On the other hand, the synovium of OA contained no positive cells for SL mRNA. In addition, low yet positive levels of SL mRNA were detected in the endothelial cells and vascular myocytes, and interstitial cells in the deeper layer of the synovium. Karyometric studies showed that cells positive for SL mRNA had significantly larger and more spherical nuclei than weakly positive or negative cells. The SL mRNA positive cells did not demonstrate any immunoreactivity to markers of bone marrow origin, such as Leu Ml, Leukocyte Common Antigen (LCA) and lysozyme antigen. Electron microscopy of a case with many SL mRNA positive cells showed that most had well developed rough endoplasmic reticulum and numerous processes on the cell surface, and some had also well developed rough endoplasmic reticulum but without processes indicating that they may be AB and/or B synoviocytes.View full abstractDownload PDF (3091K)
Case Reports
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Ikuo Sekine, Yasutsuna Sasaki, Hirobumi Fujii, Tomoko Ohtsu, Hisashi W ...1996 Volume 178 Issue 3 Pages 331-337
Published: 1996
Released on J-STAGE: November 17, 2006
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSCross-resistance is one of the chief obstacles in salvage therapy for refractory breast cancer. Although paclitaxel is one of the most promising drugs, it shows a response rate of 30% at most for patients with breast cancer resistant to doxorubicin, and no effective treatments for tumors refractory to both agents have been reported. We describe a 38-year-old woman with recurrent breast cancer, who was treated successfully with mitomycin-C and vinblastine after doxorubicin-based chemotherapy and paclitaxel failed. The combinations of mitomycin-C and microtubule inhibitors including vinca alkaloids and taxanes may have a potential application to refractory breast cancer.View full abstractDownload PDF (1344K) -
Mitsutoshi Tamura, Takao Fukaya, Risa Takaya, Chan Wai Ip, Akira Yajim ...1996 Volume 178 Issue 3 Pages 339-344
Published: 1996
Released on J-STAGE: November 17, 2006
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSThe clinical and pathological features of an apparently unique case of an endometrial cyst of the uterus are reported. The cyst was located within the myometrium of a 16-year-old woman suffering from dysmenorrhea. After excision of the cyst, patient's symptoms improved. On histological examination, the cyst most closely resembled an adenomyotic cyst.View full abstractDownload PDF (2551K)
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