Showing papers by "Kanazawa Medical University published in 1987"

Computational model of the structural and elastic properties of the ilmenite and perovskite phases of MgSiO3

Abstract: The structural and elastic properties of the ilmenite and perovskite phases of MgSiO3 are investigated with a computational model based on energy minimization. The potential energies of these two crystals are approximated by the sum of Coulomb, van der Waals, and repulsion terms between atoms. Required energy parameters are derived by fitting the parameters to the observed crystal structures of these two phases as well as to the measured elastic constants of the ilmenite phase. The resulting potential model is applied to predicting the elastic constants of the perovskite phase. The calculated bulk modulus of the perovskite phase compares favorably with the data obtained from volume-compression experiments as well as the values estimated from empirical elasticity systematics of perovskite type compounds. The predicted shear modulus of the perovskite phase is also in reasonable agreement with the values proposed from similar empirical elasticity systematics. Subsequently, the model is used to simulate the high pressure behaviors of the crystal structures and elastic constants of these two phases.

Mechanism for bone disease found in inhabitants environmentally exposed to cadmium: decreased serum 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D level

Abstract: To investigate the mechanism for bone disease caused by exposure to cadmium serum samples were collected from 5 itai-itai disease patients, 36 Cd-exposed residents with renal tubular damage and 17 non-exposed individuals and analyzed for 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D[1α, 25(OH)2D], parathyroid hormone, β2-microglobulin, calcium and inorganic phosphorus Measurement of percentage tubular reabsorption of phosphate (%TRP) were performed only on the Cd-exposed subjects Serum 1α, 25(OH)2D], levels were lower in itai-itai disease patients and cadmium-exposed subjects with renal damage than in non-exposed subjects Parathyroid hormone and β2-microglobulin concentrations in serum were higher in the Cd-exposed subjects Decrease in serum 1α,25(OH)2D levels were closely related to serum concentrations of parathyroid hormone, β2-microglobulin and %TRP This study suggests that cadmium-induced bone effects were mainly due to a disturbance in vitamin D and parathyroid hormone metabolism, which was caused by the cadmium-induced kidney damage

Cadmium, zinc and copper relationships in kidney and liver of humans exposed to environmental cadmium

Abstract: Cadmium, copper and zinc have been determined in kidney cortex, kidney medulla and liver from 51 cadmium-polluted and 122 nonpolluted autopsied subjects. Liver cadmium and zinc were significantly higher in the cadmium-polluted subjects than in the nonpolluted subjects. Kidney cadmium, copper and zinc were lower in the cadmium-polluted subjects because of renal damage. Significant correlations of the three metals were found in the kidney. In the liver the correlation coefficients were significant only between cadmium and zinc.

Morbidity risk of schizophrenia to parents and siblings of schizophrenic patients.

Abstract: In order to estimate the familial morbidity risk of schizophrenia, parents and siblings of 1,691 inpatients meeting the DSM-III criteria for schizophrenia were investigated on the basis of a review of medical records, family history data and/or personal interviews. The morbidity risks of schizophrenia to parents and siblings of the schizophrenic probands were 4.0% and 4.1%, respectively, which were greater than the morbidity risk in the general population. Siblings of 118 probands whose parents suffered from schizophrenia were at a significantly greater risk of schizophrenia than siblings of 1,493 probands whose parents did not have schizophrenic illness. These findings support the notion of familial transmission of schizophrenia. A total of 16.4% of the schizophrenic probands had at least one first-degree relative with schizophrenia. This is significantly greater in the female probands than in the male probands.

Automated cytologic screening system (CYBEST model 4): an integrated image cytometry system

Abstract: In 1967 we began developing an automated cytologic screening system for uterine cancer. The CYBEST protype was developed in 1972, and current developments have taken us to CYBEST model 4 developed in 1981 with a new desk-size design.

Mortality study of inhabitants in a cadmium-polluted area.

Abstract: In Japan there are several areas of environmental pollution of cadmium (Cd) including the Jinzu River basin. Itai-itai disease has affected inhibitants in polluted areas of Toyama Prefecture within this area. However, few long-term follow-up studies of inhabitants in polluted areas have been conducted to examine the effect of Cd-induced disorders of survival. The Kakehashi River basin in Ishikawa Prefecture suffered from the Cd pollution caused by Ogoya Mine (closed in 1971) located upstream. In epidemiological surveys conducted by Ishikawa Prefecture in 1974 and 1975, Cd-induced disorders were found in terms of excretion of 4 mg/l or more retinol binding protein (RBP) in 206 (7.7 %) of 2691 inhabitants aged over 50, accounting for 96 % of the total population in 23 Cd-polluted communities. The purpose of the present study is to clarify the health risk due to environmental pollution with Cd on the basis of follow-up inhabitants in the Kakehashi River basin in Ishikawa Prefecture between 1974 and 1982.

Magnetic resonance imaging of acute spinal cord injury. Report of three cases.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging of acute spinal cord injury is described. The traumatized cord segment was clearly shown as a hyperintensity in a T2-weighted image whereas it appeared as an isointensity in a moderately T1-weighted image. This different sensitivity may result from parenchymal hemorrhagic tissue and edematous changes due to direct trauma. Hyperintense tissue was also seen in the retro-pharyngeal and-tracheal spaces.

Skeletal anomalies in a patient with the Pallister/Teschler-Nicola/Killian syndrome.

Abstract: We report on a 3–8/12-year-old boy with the Pallister/Teschler-Nicola/Killian syndrome and previously unreported bilateral skeletal anomalies consisting of small feet and short but otherwise normal humeri, ulnae, femora, and fibulae. His peripheral blood chromosomes were normal; however, 47,XY,+ i(12p) was found in 100% of fibroblasts.

Malignant lymphomas in patients with autoimmune diseases: a report of 6 cases and a review of the Japanese literature

Abstract: Six patients with malignant lymphomas in autoimmune diseases are described. Four patients who had Sjogren's syndrome (SS) alone or with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) developed non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of the B cell type. One patient who had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) developed a B cell lymphoma. Another patient with chronic thyroiditis (ChTD) and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) had a T cell (OKT3/T4) lymphoma. In 5 patients, the autoimmune diseases (2SS, SS/PSS, SS/RA and SLE) preceded B cell lymphomas by one to 11 years. In the patient with ChTD/ITP, ChTD and a malignant lymphoma were found simultaneously. A review of Japanese reports on lymphoproliferative disorders associated with these autoimmune diseases is given. This report offers the suggestion that disorders in the immunoregulatory system caused by autoimmune diseases may predispose lymphoproliferative disorders.

An Epidemiological Study on Renal Dysfunction of Inhabitants in Cd-Exposed Areas in the Kakehashi River Basin in Ishikawa Prefecture

Abstract: Urine samples were collected from 3178 inhabitants of the Kakehashi River basin, an area exposed to Cd, and 294 nonexposed inhabitants of Ishikawa Prefecture. All subjects were over 50 years old. The samples were analyzed for protein, glucose, amino acid, β2-microglobulin and Cd.The mean urinary concentrations of these parameters were higher in the Cd-exposed subjects than in the nonexposed subjects.The concurrent prevalences of proteinuria and glucosuria, as well as those of aminoaciduria and β2-microglobulinuria were higher in the Cd-exposed subjects than in the nonexposed subjects. β2-microglobulin was considered to be the most useful indicator of the renal effects of Cd exposure.In the Cd-exposed subjects, the prevalence of, β2-microgloburinuria was higher in those who ate Cd-polluted rice than in those who ate unpolluted rice.Among them, the prevalence of β2-microgloburinuria increased in men living in the polluted area for over 60 years and in women living there for over 40 years.

Hypersensitivity of Bloom's syndrome fibroblasts to N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea.

Abstract: Fibroblast cells from two Japanese patients with Bloom's syndrome (BS) and normal donors were studied for the inactivation of colony-forming ability and the induction of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) after N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) treatment. The reduction of ENU-induced SCEs as a function of post-treatment incubation time was also compared between BS and normal fibroblasts. BS cells were approximately 4 times more sensitive than normal cells to the lethal effect of ENU and remarkably hypersensitive to the SCE induction by ENU. The post-treatment incubation of ENU-treated normal cells in the fresh medium resulted in a time-dependent decrease of the SCE level until 6 h after which time the SCE level remained the plateau of about 50% of the initial level. In contrast, the ENU-induced SCEs in BS cells decreased much more slowly with post-treatment incubation time and its half life was 24 h. These results collectively support the view that BS cells may be defective in the rapid repair of certain type(s) of DNA damages induced by ENU.

Sister-chromatid exchanges induced by ultraviolet light in Bloom's syndrome fibroblasts.

Abstract: The relationships between the cytotoxic effect of ultraviolet light and the UV-induced sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) were compared among fibroblast cell strains from two unrelated Bloom's syndrome (BS) patients, one xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) patient belonging to complementation group A and two unrelated normal controls. The “net” induced SCEs as a function of UV fluence, obtained by subtracting spontaneous SCEs from observed SCEs, were much higher in both BS cells and XP group A cells than in normal cells. The relative efficiency of induced SCE, defined as the “net” induced SCEs as a function of surviving fraction after UV irradiation, was higher in BS cells than in normal and XP cells, and there was essentially no difference between XP and normal cells. These results imply that in addition to the extremely high frequency of spontaneous SCEs, the increased efficiency in UV induction of SCEs may reflect the intrinsic defect(s) in BS cells.

Cataract survey in the local area using photographic documentation.

Abstract: An epidemiological survey of cataract was performed in a limited local population. 1,020 individuals over 40 years of age were examined. The crystalline lens findings were documented by both Scheimpflug and retroillumination photography. Cataractous changes were classified into three groups according to early senile changes, incipient cataractous changes and only prominent cataractous changes. Forms of opacification were classified as cortical, subcapsular, nuclear, mixed type and others. The percent prevalence of cataracts including early senile changes was 33.9% in the 40-year-old population, 62.8% in the 50, 76.2% in the 60, 84.0% in the 70 and 100% for those in their 80s. Prominent cataractous opacification was 1.6% in the 40-year-old population, 3.1% for those in their 50s, 19.0% in their 60s, 28.6% in their 70s and 57.1% in their 80s, respectively. Until age 60, the type of opacification was mainly cortical alone; however, after age 70, cortical opacity accompanied by nuclear and/or capsular opacities increased. The pure nuclear type increased in individuals over 70.

Analysis by immunoblotting of human cytomegalovirus antibody in sera of renal transplant recipient.

Abstract: Human cytomegalovirus-infected cell polypeptides were immunoreacted by sera of renal transplant recipients and compared with those reactive with sera of healthy adult donors by means of the Western immunoblotting technique. At least 15 polypeptides with molecular weights of 155K, 123K, 102K, 89K, 79K, 71K, 65K, 60K, 55K, 50K, 46K, 42K, 38K, 33K, and 28K were immunoreacted. Sera obtained serially from renal transplant recipients reacted with most of these polypeptides and reacted more frequently and intensely with the smaller polypeptide species such as 38K, 33K, and 28K, compared with sera of healthy seropositive adults. The implications of these findings are discussed.

The importance of primary cytomegalovirus infection in childhood cancer.

Abstract: Sixty-eight paediatric patients with malignant tumours or leukaemia were followed for signs of infection with human chtomegalovirus (HCMV) over 1 year. HCMV was isolated from 24 out of 68 patients at some point during the observation period; from urine in 14, from both urine and throat in 9 patients, and from throat alone in 1 patient. Previous antibody analysis indicated the presence of HCMV antibodies in 10 of the 24 virus-shedding patients, while 7 patients were seronegative and 7 undefined. Thus the incidence of reactivation appears to be higher than that of primary infection in these immunocompromised patients. The mean duration of virus shedding was 4.2 months in the primary infection group, 1.7 months in the reactivation group and 1.1 months in the undefined group. No difference in the incidence of HCMV-associated illness was observed between patients with leukaemia and those with malignant tumours. Clinical symptoms associated with HCMV infection (pneumonia (2), fever (6) and hepatitis (1)) were observed in all patients with primary infections and in only five patients with reactivated infection.

Development of adenocarcinoma and acquired cystic disease of the kidney in hemodialysis patients.

Abstract: Ninety-six hemodialysis patients were examined using computed tomography (CT) scan. Multiple cysts were found in 43.5% of those on hemodialysis for less than 3 years and in 79.3% of those who had been on dialysis for more than 3 years. Four patients had adenocarcinoma of the kidney; all 4 were in their 3rd and 4th decade and had been on hemodialysis for more than 5 years. Histologically, renal cell carcinomas were clear cell, or clear and granular cell carcinomas. All cancer patients had acquired cysts, intracystic epithelial hyperplasia (atypical cysts) and cysts or solid adenoma in the same kidney. Such findings are similar to those of experimental cancer of the kidney with respect to multifocal and bilateral lesions. Of the 1,103 total reported dialysis patients in Japan and abroad, 47.1% had acquired cystic disease and 1.5% renal cell cancer. In a nationwide survey, a total of 119 patients (96 males and 23 females) with adenocarcinomas were found. Their mean age was 49.5 +/- 12.1 years. The mean duration of dialysis was 70.8 +/- 44.4 months. Twenty-five of them had metastases. Since the total number of hemodialysis patients in Japan is 66,310 (December, 1985), many adenocarcinomas may not have been discovered. Acquired cystic disease regresses rapidly after successful renal transplantation. This lends credence to the uremic metabolite accumulation hypothesis to explain the development of acquired cysts and tumors of the kidney in dialysis patients. In conclusion, renal cell carcinoma in dialysis patients is closely related to the acquired cystic disease of the kidney. The frequency of renal cell cancer in long-term dialysis patients is increasing because of the higher incidence of acquired cysts with longer dialysis administration.

Endoscopy of the eustachian tube.

Abstract: The author introduced a systematic procedure of endoscopy of the Eustachian tube using the flexible fiberscope with and without an instrumentation channel. A relatively free approach allows a detailed examination of the tubal orifice. And the tubal lumen of the cartilaginous portion is examined using the fiberscope with a channel for air insufflation permitting insertion of the scope. The sound of air-flow into the middle ear cavity is constantly monitored by an auscultation tube placed against the ear canal of the side being examined. This method can be a useful and complementary clinical examination procedure for evaluating tubal dysfunction.

Coefficient of variation in flow cytometry of phagocytosis.

Abstract: Fluorescence histograms of V79 Chinese hamster lung cells containing phagocytized fluorescent microspheres were measured by flow cytometry. In the fluorescence histograms, the coefficient of variation (CV) of the peak for cells ingesting microspheres was not constant. Rather, it decreased with the number of microspheres ingested by the cells.

Effects of ethanol on the microtubules of cultured rat hepatocytes.

Abstract: Changes in microtubules (MT) of cultured rat hepatocytes caused by ethanol (Et-OH) or acetaldehyde (Ac-CHO) were studied immunohistochemically and by scanning electron microscopy. After a 6 hour incubation in the Et-OH added medium, the MT cables stained by indirect immunofluorescence had clearly decreased, in the same way as cells that had been cold-treated for 3 hours. These MT changes parallelled changes in the Ac-CHO levels in the medium. In the Ac-CHO added medium, the MT cables exhibited change within 3 hours. In the Et-OH and 4-methyl pyrazole added medium, Et-OH and Ac-CHO levels, and MT cables did not change during a 24 hour observation period. A decrease in hepatic MT was also confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. These results indicated that acute administration of Et-OH resulted in a decrease of hepatic MT. However, the effect was attributable to Ac-CHO and not to Et-OH itself.

DNA synthesis in Bloom's syndrome fibroblasts.

Abstract: . The relationship between relative rates of DNA synthesis and DNA content in Bloom's syndrome fibroblasts (BS cells) was investigated by flow cytometry. The cells were pulse labelled with 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU). The BrdU content and cellular DNA content of individual BS cells were simultaneously measured by flow cytometry in which the cells were double-stained by a FITC-conjugated anti BrdU monoclonal antibody (mAb) for the BrdU content (green) and by PI (propidium iodide) (red) for total DNA content. Their red fluorescence histograms were analysed by a microcomputer to evaluate the cell fractions of each S compartment. The BrdU uptake in the early S phase of BS cells was lower than that of normal cells (fibroblasts from skin of a normal human), whereas the uptake in the middle and late S phase was essentially the same as that of normal cells. The early S phase in BS cells accounted for over 50% of the S phase cells. These findings suggest that, in comparison with normal cells, the rate of DNA synthesis in the early S phase of BS cells is lower, but is identical to controls in the middle and late S phases.

Metastatic calcification in the stomach demonstrated by a bone scan in Bence Jones lambda myeloma

Abstract: A 53-year-old male with Bence Jones lambda myeloma developed hypercalcemia and acute renal failure (calcium 14.4 mg/dl, BUN 40 mg/dl, creatinine 3.0 mg/dl) after initial response to chemotherapy. A 99mTc-MDP bone scan revealed unusual isotope accumulation in the left hypochondrium. Extensive calcium deposition was confirmed in the gastric mucosa in the postmortem examination. Detection of gastric calcification by a bone scan is very rare. Only two cases of gastric calcification visualized on bone scans can be found in the literature, one with multiple myeloma) and one in Hodgkin's disease).