The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine
Online ISSN : 1349-3329
Print ISSN : 0040-8727
ISSN-L : 0040-8727
Volume 198, Issue 4
December
Displaying 1-6 of 6 articles from this issue
Regular Contributions
  • SHU TAKAHASHI, MIZUHO NAKAJIMA, MOTO KOBAYASHI, IKUKO WAKABAYASHI, NAO ...
    2002 Volume 198 Issue 4 Pages 207-214
    Published: 2002
    Released on J-STAGE: April 19, 2004
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Rotator cuff tendon cells (RCC) derived from surgical samples showed fibroblast-like morphology. Histological staining demonstrated collagen secretion by RCC. Immunohistological findings revealed that RCC secreted type I and III collagen, but not type II collagen. In addition, the SDS-PAGE analysis suggested that RCC predominantly produced type I collagen. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) had a stimulatory effect on the proliferation of RCC dose-dependently up to 1 ng/ml. Administration of bFGF suppressed the secretion of collagens from RCC in a dose-dependent manner.
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  • TOMOKO OKA, MAKOTO MATSUKURA, MIWAKO OKAMOTO, NORIAKI HARADA, TAKAO KI ...
    2002 Volume 198 Issue 4 Pages 215-221
    Published: 2002
    Released on J-STAGE: April 19, 2004
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    In order to assess the cardiovascular autonomic nervous functions in patients with fetal type Minamata disease (FMD), we investigated blood pressure (BP), and conducted time and frequency domain analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). Subjects were 9 patients in Meisuien recognized as FMD, and 13 healthy age matched control subjects. HRV and BP were assessed after subjects rested in a supine position for 10 minutes. Electrocardiographic (ECG) data were collected for 3 minutes during natural breathing. Time domain analysis (the average of R-R intervals [Mean RR], standard deviation of R-R intervals [SD RR], coefficient of variation [CV]), and frequency domain analysis by fast Fourier transformation (FFT) (power of low frequency [LF] and high frequency [HF] component, expressed in normalized units [nu]) were then conducted. In the time domain analysis, the mean RR of the FMD group was significantly lower than that of the control group. Neither SD RR nor CV showed significant differences between the two groups, but both tended to be lower in the FMD group. In the frequency domain analysis, the HF component of the FMD group was significantly lower than that of the control group. Pulse pressure (PP) was significantly lower in the FMD subjects. These findings suggest that parasympathetic nervous dysfunction might exist in FMD patients, who were exposed to high doses of methylmercury (MeHg) during the prenatal period. Decrease of PP might be due to degenerative changes of blood vessels driven by exposure to high doses of MeHg.
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  • TSUYOSHI MASUKO, YUJI FUNAYAMA, HIROO NAITO, KOHEI FUKUSHIMA, CHIKASHI ...
    2002 Volume 198 Issue 4 Pages 223-232
    Published: 2002
    Released on J-STAGE: April 19, 2004
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    In the pathogenesis of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury, the measurement of lipid peroxides needs to be established. Sprague-Dawley rat intestines were assessed after 30 minutes of occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery followed by reperfusion at 30, 60, 120, 180, 360 minutes. Grade of the mucosal injury, accumulation of the activated neutrophils and ICAM-1 expression were transiently increased after reperfusion. Two measuring methods of mucosal lipid peroxides using thiobarbituric acid reacting substance (TBARS) and phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide (PCOOH) were compared. PCOOH level was significantly increased after reperfusion, while the mucosal TBARS level showed no significant change. In conclusion, lipid peroxidation could be detected with high specificity and sensitivity by measuring the mucosal phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide level.
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  • TOSHIYUKI HASEYAMA, TOSHIKI FUJITA, FUJIKO HIRASAWA, MIKAKO TSUKADA, H ...
    2002 Volume 198 Issue 4 Pages 233-244
    Published: 2002
    Released on J-STAGE: April 19, 2004
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    The Akita mouse, which has a mutation (Cys96Tyr) in the insulin 2 gene (Ins2Akita), is a model for diabetes. The male Akita mouse has diabetes, while females develop mild diabetes. This study aimed to investigate renal complications in the Akita mouse model, which has been maintained in a heterozygous state Ins2Akita (+/−) with a C57BL/6 background (B6). Renal function (BUN, creatinine), serum IgA concentrations and histological changes in the kidneys were evaluated in diabetic and control mice in a B6 background. Five each of male and female mice per group (diabetes vs. control) were killed at 10, 20, 30 and 40 weeks of age. The influence of major histocompatibility antigens (MHC) on renal complications was tested using male diabetic mice in a C3H/He (C3H) background. When compared with controls, diabetic males, but not females, developed impaired renal function with elevation of serum IgA after 30 weeks of age. Diabetic glomerulosclerosis advanced with age in both sexes. Diffuse granular mesangial deposits of IgA were detected by immunofluorescence microscopy in diabetic males after 20 weeks. We tested whether the IgA-associated lesions were influenced by MHC using diabetic males in a C3H background. Similar degrees of diabetic glomerulosclerosis and glomerular IgA deposition were found in mice with C3H and B6 backgrounds. Akita mouse is a unique mouse model showing both mesangial sclerosis and IgA nephropathy.
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  • HANDAN TUNCEL, FUMIO SHIMAMOTO, PENBE CAGATAY, M. TUNAYA KALKAN
    2002 Volume 198 Issue 4 Pages 245-249
    Published: 2002
    Released on J-STAGE: April 19, 2004
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Inactivation of the E-cadherin system by multiple mechanisms, including both genetic and epigenetic events, plays a significant role in multistage carcinogenesis. We have investigated the effects of sinusoidal electromagnetic fields (SMF) on E-cadherin expression in an MNU (N-methyl-N-nitrosurea)-induced colon tumor model. Male wistar albino rats were used for the study. The rats were classified into four groups: I (MNU), II (SMF+MNU), III (SMF) and IV (control). After administered at MNU in 1st and 2nd groups, 2nd and 3rd groups were exposed to a sinusoidal magnetic field (SMF, 50Hz, 5mT) for 6 hours/day for 8 months. The expression of E-cadherin were examined in four groups of rat colon tissues by immunohistochemistry on paraffin sections. For inmunohistochemical analysis, the labeled streptavidin biotin method was performed using a Vectastain Universal Quick Kit with microwave accentuation. Fisher’s exact test was used for statistical analysis between proportions. Immunohistochemical studies of E-cadherin expression in this model demonstrated significant differences for cytoplasmic expression pattern. These results suggest that the electromagnetic fields result in significant alterations in cell adhesion mechanisms. This study has implications for understanding the role of fields in cell detachment in cancer metastasis. Further work is required to determine the relative effect of the magnetic fields on these phenomena.
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Case Report
  • TAKESHI SAITO, TOSHIMI AIZAWA, OSAMU KASHIMOTO, TETSURO SATO, SHOICHI ...
    2002 Volume 198 Issue 4 Pages 251-258
    Published: 2002
    Released on J-STAGE: April 19, 2004
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    A 7-year-old girl with a retroperitoneal rhabdomyosarcoma having invaded the L3 vertebra was treated by combination therapy consisting of chemotherapy, surgical resection and intraoperative radiation. Surgically, total spondylectomy was performed through a combined anterior and posterior procedures, and the spine was reconstructed with fibula bone grafts using a pedicle screw system made of titanium alloy. Transverse junction plates were not used at operation because of their bulkiness for the patient. Five days postoperatively, the rods dislodged from the screws and the grafted bones leaned. A Chance fracture-like transverse fracture of the L4 vertebra occurred during the revisional operation. Transverse plates and sublaminar wires were used to reduce the fracture and achieved stability. Six years postoperatively, the spine was completely fused and no local recurrence or metastasis is detected.
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