Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Fujioka

Publications and source records attributed to A Fujioka.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

A case of cytophagic histiocytic panniculitis with sicca symptoms and lupus nephritis.

A 48-year-old Japanese woman presented with many subcutaneous nodules. The skin was purplish in color and tender; the nodules were scattered over the entire surface. Histological findings of biopsy specimens from the nodules indicated septal panniculitis comprised of histiocyte and/or macrophage infiltrates, often with erythro- and/or leukophagocytosis. Phagocytic cells were OKM1 (CD11b), MT1 (CD43), LeuM3 (CD14), and histiocyte antigen positive, indicating the presence of histiocytes and/or macrophages. The patient had sicca symptoms, positive homogenous, speckled pattern ANA (x320), and diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis.

Female↗
PubMed1991

An autopsy case of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with prominent degeneration in olivo-ponto-cerebellar system.

We describe a sporadic case of adult-onset, complex I deficiency mitochondrial encephalomyopathy (MEM), the clinical and pathological features of which failed to fit any of the known subgroups of MEM, such as Kearns-Sayre syndrome, mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes or myoclonus epilepsy with ragged-red fibers. Clinically, this patient had only progressive cerebellar ataxia, generalized muscle weakness and hearing loss. The principal finding at autopsy was degeneration of the olivo-ponto-cerebellar system. This case suggests that mitochondrial disease could underlie some cases of olivo-ponto-cerebellar atrophy.

Cerebellum↗
PubMed1991

[A case of malignant hemangioendothelioma effectively treated with intra-arterial continuous infusion of interleukin-2].

An 82-year-old female presented with a tumor in the right-frontal region and was diagnosed as MHE, based on the clinical and pathological findings. Increased LAK (lymphokine-activated killer cell) activity was observed during treatment with intraarterial continuous infusion of rIL-2. In addition, the decrease in tumor size was started when LAK activity became high. Treatments for MHE and mechanism of these therapies were discussed using data from this case and other authors' reports.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

[A case of malignant hemangioendothelioma effectively treated with intra-arterial continuous infusion of interleukin-2].

A case of Malignant Hemangioendothelioma (MHE) effectively treated with intra-arterial continuous infusion of recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) was experienced. The Pt, a 82-year-old women, presented herself in our hospital with a complaint of the tumor in right-frontal region. Based on clinical and pathological findings, the Pt, was diagnosed as MHE. Increase of LAK (Lymphokine activated killer cell) activity was observed during treatment with intra-arterial continuous infusion of rIL-2. In addition, decrease of tumor was started when LAK activity showed high value. We mainly discussed about treatments for MHE and mechanism of these therapies by use of data of this case and other autho's papers.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

The effect of quercetin on cell cycle progression and growth of human gastric cancer cells.

Quercetin, a flavonoid, is found in many plants, including edible fruits and vegetables. We examined the effects on cell growth of human malignant cells derived from the gastrointestinal tract and on cell cycle progression. Quercetin markedly inhibited the growth of human gastric cancer cells and the IC50 value was 32-55 microM. DNA synthesis was suppressed to 14% of the control level by the treatment with 70 microM quercetin for 2 days. Furthermore, quercetin blocked cell progression from the G1 to the S phase.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1990

Relationship between NK cells and granulomatous inflammation in mice.

The relationship between natural killer (NK) cells and granulomatous inflammation was investigated using two experimental granuloma models in C57BL/6 mice. The hepatic granuloma model was produced by infection with Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni), and the skin granuloma model was established by subcutaneous inoculation of the isolated hepatic granulomas. NK cell activity in lymph nodes and spleen, measured by 51Cr-release assay against YAC-1 cells, was compared to that in age-matched control mice. The activity decreased progressively as granulomas developed without changing the number of NK-1.1+ cells. The reduced NK cell activity was not reversed by administration of indomethacin. In order to further substantiate whether NK cells contribute to granulomatous inflammation, NK cells were depleted in the mice by injection of anti-NK-1.1 mAb. Reduction of NK cell activity (70-90%) was achieved during granuloma formation. An increase of about 20% in the mean granuloma diameter was detected in the mAb-treated mice in both models. Moreover, the percentage of granuloma takes in the skin model was enhanced (65% increase). The mAb treatment did not alter T cell counts in granulomas, T cell subset numbers or proliferative response in spleen. These findings indicate that NK cells directly play a regulatory role in granulomatous inflammation.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Membrane fusion events during endocytosis in mouse kidney tubule cells detected by rapid freezing followed by freeze-substitution.

Membrane fusion events during endocytosis were examined in renal proximal tubule cells processed by rapid freezing followed by freeze-substitution. An extensive fusion site of the membranes between two apical vacuoles or a vacuole and a lysosome, which appeared as a pentalaminar structure, was not observed in this study, though such a pentalaminar structure has been found in chemically fixed specimens. In vitro experiments using subcellular fractions revealed that the pentalaminar structure did not always represent the initial stage of membrane fusion. Membrane fusion appeared to occur in a specific membrane site, wHere a minute pore connecting the two lumens was formed immediately after the two membranes came into contact with each other. Some pore necks showed an asymmetrical feature which consisted of a sharp corner and a gently curved corner. Enlargement of the pore appears to be mediated by a fibrous structure observed near the sharp corner of the pore neck.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Local effects of granulomatous inflammation on functional activation of T cells in athymic mice.

We investigated the effect of granulomatous inflammation in skin on lymphocyte maturation in athymic (nu/nu) mice. Hepatic egg granulomas developed in euthymic (nu/+) mice with schistosomiasis were transplanted into skin of nu/nu mice. During skin granuloma development the rate of DNA synthesis and interleukin 2 activity of lymphocytes from lymph nodes, with and without concanavalin A stimulation, showed that the nu/nu cells were activated to levels of untreated nu/+ lymph node cells. Activation of splenic lymphocytes was not detected in the grafted nu/nu mice. Also, immunohistochemical staining demonstrated an increase in cells expressing Thy 1.2, Lyt-1 or L3T4 surface markers in the skin and lymph nodes, but not in spleen. The findings indicate that a granulomatous reaction in nu/nu mouse skin induces local, but not systemic, proliferation and differentiation of lymphocytes, to a low degree compatible with resting nu/+ mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Immunosuppression and in vivo T cell function in granulomatous inflammation.

Subcutaneous grafts of fresh or freeze-dried hepatic schistosome egg granulomas in inbred mice caused increased numbers of total cells, T cell subsets, and elevated DNA synthesis in regional lymph nodes. This in vivo T cell activation was not apparent by in vitro tests. Spleen cells were unaffected both in vivo and in vitro. Immunosuppressive therapy with ciclosporin or monoclonal antibodies to T cell subsets profoundly depressed the T cell numbers and function, even when primed by a prior graft. Subsequent grafting partly reversed these effects, and T cells became activated. The findings indicate that in vitro assessment of activation and suppression of T cell function does not necessarily correspond to the events occurring in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Sweating deficiency in myotonic dystrophy].

We evaluated local sweating function quantitatively in nine cases of myotonic dystrophy (MyD) aged 26 to 61 years (mean, 45.4 years) and 25 control subjects aged 24 to 71 years (mean, 50.1 years). MyD subjects were grouped into three clinical classes according to their severity (three mild cases; class 1, three moderate; class 2 and three severe; class 3). 10 mg of acetylcholine was injected intradermally on the dorsum of the foot. After stimulation the impressions of sweat droplets were obtained using vinyl silicon impression material and the number of sweat droplet impressions per square centimeter was counted and the diameter of each droplet was measured by an image processor using a microcomputer. The result showed statistically significant decrease in the number of sweat droplets in class 2 and 3 as compared with control group and class 1. The histogram of sweat droplet diameter disclosed tendency of progressive deficit in diameter in all three clinical classes of MyD. Various kinds of autonomic function test, besides sweat tests, and nerve conduction study done on class 2 and 3 failed to show any significant abnormalities. Skin biopsy study done on lower leg on four subjects of class 2 and 3 revealed atrophy of eccrine sweat glands. These results suggests that local sweating deficiency develops in MyD as the disease progresses and that this deficiency is caused by dysfunction of eccrine glands, and not of postganglionic autonomic nerves.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Adult polysaccharide storage myopathy].

A first Japanese case of an adult polysaccharide storage myopathy (APSM) was reported. A 30-year-old Japanese male was admitted because of weakness of the lower limbs. The onset of the symptoms was at the age of 23. Neurologically he had moderate weakness of proximal limb muscles involving the lower limbs more than the upper and slightly decreased vibratory sense in the feet. His gait was waddling. The following laboratory values were obtained; SGOT 45 I.U., SGPT 83 I.U., CPK 218 I.U., UA 8.3 mg/dl. Ischemic exercise test of the forearm showed a normal rise of venous lactate. EMG revealed a mixture of myopathic and mild neurogenic patterns characterized by motor units of short duration and low amplitude with intermittent high amplitude potentials, fibrillation and fasciculation. There were also prominent myotonic discharges without clinical myotonia. MCV was normal, however sural nerve SCV was slightly slow (lt. 36/m, rt. 38 m/s). Muscle biopsy revealed vacuolar myopathy. Most vacuoles contained basophilic, PAS-positive, diastase-resistant and Lugol's iodine-negative material. With ATPase staining there was type 1 fiber predominance (84%), but the vacuoles were predominantly seen in type 2A fiber. In ultrastructural study, the storage material was located under the sarcolemma and in the areas of the intermyofibrillar network. No delimiting membranes were seen. At higher magnification, these masses were consisted of filaments. Therefore the storage material was considered to be unusual polysaccharide. Glycogen storage disease was suspected, however, biochemical study of the muscle specimen disclosed no enzymatic defect including branching enzyme.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Skin granuloma formation in mice immunosuppressed by cyclosporine.

Granulomatous tissue reactions appear in athymic mouse skin, indicating that initiation of granuloma formation may be T-cell independent. To further evaluate the relationships between granuloma formation and T-cell function, we treated euthymic BALB/c mice with cyclosporine (Cs), a potent immunosuppressive drug, injected intramuscularly (150 mg/kg/day) 5 times a week. Hepatic granulomas were isolated from mice with schistosomiasis and transplanted into the skin of mice treated with Cs for 2 weeks. Cyclosporine injection was continued for 3 additional weeks. Blood levels of the drug increased during treatment (489 ng/ml at 2 weeks and 822 ng/ml at 5 weeks). Morphologically identical granulomas developed in both treated and untreated mice. Examination for T-cell functions showed that by the end of 2 weeks treatment, concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin responses, and IL-2 activity were markedly depressed, and IL-2 receptor expression was not detected in either lymph nodes or spleen of the Cs-treated mice; however, after hepatic granuloma graft, T-cell functions in regional lymph nodes, but not in spleen, as well as peripheral blood eosinophilia were stimulated in Cs-treated mice. These data strongly suggest that intact T-cell activity is not essential for the initiation of granuloma formation. In addition, granuloma grafts appear to stimulate Cs-resistant T-cell activation locally, which amplifies and organizes the granulomatous response.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

T-cell depletion by monoclonal antibodies does not prevent granuloma formation in mice.

Effects of T-cell depletion on the formation of organized granulomas in mouse skin were investigated. Monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) to L3T4 and Lyt-2.2 were injected into euthymic BALB/c mice in order to deplete both T-helper and T-suppressor cell populations. Four days after injection, hepatic schistosome egg granulomas were transplanted into the skin. Injection of MoAbs to L3T4 and Lyt-2.2 was repeated in the recipient mice 6 days later. At the time of transplantation, flow cytometric analysis showed that the number of T cells which were positively stained with surface markers decreased on average by 68% in both regional lymph nodes and spleen. The mitogen response of spleen cells was also markedly reduced. Despite their immunosuppressed condition, development of organized granulomas was observed in the skin of recipient mice by light and electron microscopy 3 weeks after transplantation. The findings indicate that T-cell function may not be essential for initiation of organized granuloma formation.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Efficacy of acupuncture treatment in autonomic ataxia.

Recently Coefficient Variation of R-R interval derived from patient's ECG is advocated to be an objective and quantitative method of analyzing autonomic nerve function. In the present study, we used this method to make an evaluation of the acupuncture treatment on the patients suffering from autonomic ataxia. Twenty-one patients were admitted to this therapy according to the results of CMI (Cornell Medical Index) test. (4 males, 17 females, mean age was 49.9 y.o.) ECG machine was used to measure the R-R interval every 100 heart beats before and after the treatment, and through this survey, the mean R-R interval (mR-R) and Coefficient Variation (C.V. SD/mR-R x 100%) were obtained. Subjective complaints were obtained at the same time, too. The mR-R became extended in 14 out of 21 patients after treatment and mean value of mR-Rs after treatment was significantly increased than prior to treatment. (871.6 msec-before 918.3 msec-after p less than 0.05) As for C.V. the mean value was not markedly changed but the variance was decreased significantly (1.67-before 0.47-after p less than 0.025), and 60% of subjective complaints were improved after treatment. These results suggest that acupuncture therapy is effective on the patients who have been diagnosed as having autonomic ataxia by regulating autonomic nerve function.

Acupuncture Therapy↗