Sachio Ogita

Activation of Human Neutrophil by Cytokine-Activated Endothelial Cells

Abstract— Cytokine activation of vascular endothelial cells renders the hyperadhesiveness for neutrophils. During the processes of inflammation and atherosclerosis, the production of reactive oxygen species by neutrophils contributes to endothelial cell (EC) damage and injury. However, the precise mechanisms for neutrophil activation by ECs remain unknown. Thus, we investigated what kinds of pathophysiological factors synthesized by inflammatory cytokine-activated ECs potentiated the activity of neutrophil functions. The magnitude of O2− release from neutrophils, which is one of pivotal neutrophil functions, was measured as an indicator potentiated by activated ECs. Neutrophils release massive amounts of O2− on coculture with activated ECs. Anti–granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) antibody (Ab) or specific platelet-activating factor (PAF)-receptor antagonist suppressed the O2− release from neutrophils on coculture with the activated ECs by 50% to 70%. The supernatants from activated ECs also induced O2− release by neutrophils. This stimulatory effect of activated EC supernatants on O2− release by neutrophils was abolished by anti–GM-CSF Ab or by PAF-receptor antagonist. As we previously reported, we demonstrated the expression of GM-CSF mRNA by Northern blotting and protein synthesis of GM-CSF by ELISA on tumor necrosis factor as well as interleukin-1–activated ECs. Although phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases was observed in ECs stimulated by tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1, treatment of ECs with PD98059 (MEK1 inhibitor) and SB203580 (p38 mitogen–activated protein kinase inhibitor) in the presence of the cytokine failed to attenuate the stimulatory effect of activated ECs on neutrophil activation. We found that activated ECs regulated neutrophil function on coculture. We show here for the first time, to our knowledge, that the collaboration between GM-CSF and PAF synthesized by activated ECs markedly potentiated neutrophil activation.

Correlation between the growth of uterine leiomyomata and estrogen and progesterone receptor content in needle biopsy specimens

OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) content in needle biopsy specimens and the growth of uterine leiomyomata after biopsy. DESIGN Prospective clinical study. SETTING University teaching hospital. PATIENT(S) Thirty-one women with uterine leiomyomata and a normal menstrual cycle. INTERVENTION(S) Transcervical needle biopsy of uterine leiomyomata. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) The relationships between histologic features (smooth muscle content, immunohistochemical expression of ER and PR) and the percent increase over a 12-month observation period in the volume of the largest myoma nodule measured by magnetic resonance imaging were analyzed. RESULT(S) Both the density and intensity of immunohistochemical staining of PRs in uterine leiomyoma tissue showed significant positive correlation with leiomyoma growth. CONCLUSION(S) The growth of uterine leiomyomata can be determined by histologic and immunohistochemical analysis of needle biopsy specimens from uterine leiomyomata.

The urinary incontinence score in the diagnosis of female urinary incontinence.

Objective: Our purpose was to determine whether the urinary incontinence (UI) score is significantly useful in evaluating the clinical status of UI. Method: The questionnaire was administered to 198 UI patients (27–73 years of age) diagnosed by conventional procedures. It consisted of 15 questions, and the answers were assigned points divided into a stress score (s‐s) and urge score (u‐s) according to severity. Results: The patients were classified into a stress incontinence group (SI; 125 cases), urge incontinence group (URI; 29 cases), mixed incontinence group (MI; 41 cases), and overflow incontinence group (3 cases). Classification by questionnaire yielded 110 SI cases, 31 URI cases, and 46 MI cases, accuracy of 83.2%, 86.2%, and 61.0%, respectively. A significant correlation was observed with s‐s of SI (r=0.669, P<0.001) and u‐s of URI (r=0.583, P<0.005). Conclusion: The UI score will be a simple, clinically effective diagnostic procedure for UI for use by general gynecologists.

Positron emission tomography using 2-[18F] fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose in the diagnosis of uterine leiomyosarcoma: A case report

Abstract The preoperative diagnosis of uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is very difficult. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is usually used for it; however, precise diagnosis by MR imaging is limited to typical LMS with coagulative tumor cell necrosis. We presented a case of LMS that was diagnosed preoperatively by positron emission tomography (PET) using 2-[ 18 F] fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG).

Neonatal thrombocytopenia induced by maternal anti-HLA antibodies: a potential side effect of allogenic leukocyte immunization for unexplained recurrent aborters

Allogenic leukocyte immunization is one of several treatments tried for unexplained recurrent aborters, and is reported to have few maternal and neonatal side effects after the immunotherapy having been reported to date. In the present study, we report a rare case of neonatal thrombocytopenia (41000 cells/microl) observed in a female infant delivered by an unexplained habitual aborter. The mother was immunized with her husbands leukocytes once before pregnancy and twice at the 5th and 6th week of her successful pregnancy. Serological studies using mixed passive hemagglutination assays (MPHA) showed that maternal serum did not contain any antibodies which were reactive to 11 platelet-specific antigens, or to granulocyte antigens extracted from 9 persons. Lymphocyte cytotoxicity tests, however, showed that maternal serum but not infant serum had anti-HLA antibodies against both paternal and infant lymphocytes. Moreover, the maternal serum was found to have anti-HLA IgGs against platelet antigens extracted from the father and the infant. It is highly likely that this case of neonatal thrombocytopenia was caused by transplacental perfusion of maternal anti-HLA antibodies whose production was induced or enhanced by the allogenic leukocytes immunizations.

Successful preoperative diagnosis of massive ovarian edema aided by comparative imaging study using magnetic resonance and ultrasound.

Massive ovarian edema (MOE) is a rare disease. Therefore, preoperative diagnostic method of massive ovarian edema (MOE) has not been established. We have succeeded in making a preoperative diagnosis of MOE aided by ultrasonogram and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the patients ovaries were preserved. Characteristics and proposed diagnostic imaging criteria for MOE are discussed.

Vesicovaginal fistula treated with fibrin glue.

We report here a case of vesicovaginal fistula, following radiation therapy and intensive local chemotherapy for recurrent endometrial cancer of the vaginal stump, which was ameliorated with fibrin glue. The procedure temporarily postponed urinary diversion until the recurrence of irreparable fistula more than 4 years after the development of the first vesicovaginal fistula.

Transcervical amnioinfusion of antibiotics: A basic study for managing premature rupture of membranes☆

To determine the best method of preventing ascending infection in the management of premature rupture of membranes, antibiotics such as latamoxef sodium, cefoperazone sodium, and cefotaxime sodium were infused directly into the amniotic cavity in 64 patients undergoing induction of labor at term. A single infusion of 100 or 500 mg of each drug resulted in a concentration of 200 to 1000 micrograms/ml immediately after infusion, and the concentration remained above 10 micrograms/ml for about 24 hours without significant increase in fetal or maternal blood levels. Consequently, a daily single dose of 100 mg or more is probably effective prophylaxis in cases of premature rupture of membranes. When intrauterine infection is suspected, the dose can be increased to 500 mg or more, and transplacental administration may be added to achieve a higher concentration in fetal blood. The present study simulates well premature rupture of membranes, and an amnioinfusion of antibiotics will be reliable and effective in managing premature rupture of membranes.

Adenocarcinoma arising from respiratory ciliated epithelium in mature ovarian cystic teratoma

Abstract Malignant transformation of a mature cystic teratoma of the ovary is rare, that of an adenocarcinoma is extremely rare. A 32-year-old woman was suspected as having a malignant transformation of her mature cystic teratoma of the ovary because the preoperative level of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was extremely high. Resections of her ovarian cysts were performed, and this particular tumor was histopathologically diagnosed as an adenocarcinoma arising from a mature cystic teratoma of the left ovary. Because adenocarcinomas arising from mature cystic teratomas of the ovary are extremely rare, we report this case with a review of some of the literature.

Differences between Occidental and Oriental postmenopausal women in cutoff level of endometrial thickness for endometrial cancer screening by vaginal scan

Abstract The findings of this study suggest that the mean endometrial thickness and the cutoff thickness for detection of endometrial cancer in Occidental and Oriental postmenopausal women may differ.