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Biomedical subjects

A Harada

Publications and source records attributed to A Harada.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Cloning of a cDNA encoding a mouse homolog of the interleukin-8 receptor.

A mouse cDNA library was screened using a DNA fragment generated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with oligodeoxyribonucleotide primers which were derived from the conserved sequences in cDNAs encoding the human and rabbit interleukin-8 receptors (hIL-8R and rIL-8R). A novel cDNA was obtained encoding 359 amino acids (aa) with seven putative transmembrane portions similar to hIL-8R and rIL-8R. Its aa sequence shows 64 and 69% homology to those of type-1 and type-2 hIL-8R, respectively. COS-7 cells transfected with the isolated cDNA in a mammalian expression vector bind IL-8, but do not bind a related protein, monocyte chemotactic and activating factor, suggesting that the isolated cDNA encodes the mouse homolog of IL-8R. Northern blot analysis showed that mRNA of this clone was highly expressed in mouse peritoneal neutrophils, and the single band was observed in Southern blotting analysis on mouse genomic DNA digested with HindIII or KpnI, suggesting that this is a single-copy gene.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Detection of the putative E2 protein of hepatitis C virus in human liver.

The question was asked whether a predicted envelope protein, considered to be processed from the polyprotein precursor encoded by the putative E2/NS1 region of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome, may be observed in HCV-infected humans. Two polyclonal antibodies against recombinant E2/NS1 proteins were prepared and their reactivity tested against liver extracts from HCV-infected patients by immunoblotting analysis. A band corresponding to a size of 44 kDa was detected in liver extracts from patients who were positive for the HCV-specific antibody anti-C100-3 but not in liver extracts from patients who did not have anti-C100-3 antibody. Additionally, no band was detected using preimmune sera or antisera which had been preabsorbed with recombinant E2/NS1 proteins. Deglycosylation studies demonstrated that the 44 kDa protein was a glycosylated form of a 38 kDa protein which corresponds to the predicted molecular weight of the putative E2/NS1 protein. These results suggest that the 44 kDa protein is a product of the E2/NS1 region. Frequent observation of the 44 kDa band in cases of chronic active hepatitis C suggests a correlation between the expression of this protein and the progression of hepatitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Effects of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy on unresectable or recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma.

We performed hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAI) on 86 patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, 61 patients) or unresectable recurrent HCC after hepatectomy (25 patients). As drug therapy, 250 mg of 5-fluorouracil was injected daily for 14 days using a reservoir embedded in the subcutaneous layer. During this period, 0.4 mg/kg of doxorubicin and 0.12 mg/kg of mitomycin C suspended in Lipiodol Ultra-Fluide were also injected twice intra-arterially. This was defined as one course of HAI, and it was repeated every 3 months. In the patients with unresectable HCC, the 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates were 31.5%, 22.4%, and 10.7%, respectively, and the numbers of cases showing a complete response (CR), a partial response (PR), a minor response (MR), no change (NC), and progressive disease (PD) according to the Criteria for the Evaluation of the Clinical Effects of Solid Cancer Chemotherapy established by the Japan Society for Cancer Therapy were 1 (1.6%), 20 (32.8%), 5 (8.2%), 28 (45.9%), and 7 (11.5%), respectively. On the other hand, the 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates of the patients with unresectable recurrent HCC were 69.6%, 34.8%, and 14.9%, respectively. The rate of catheter patency after 1 year was 64.1%, and the mean catheter-patency period was 311.9 days. Patients in group A (CR+PR, n = 21) survived significantly longer than those in group B (MR+NC+PD, n = 40; P < 0.05). In conclusion, since responders to HAI achieve longer survival than nonresponders, the selection of effective drugs is important for this therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor polymorphism. An improved phenotyping procedure and two new alleles.

Serum samples treated with chondroitinase ABC and sialidase were investigated for the detection of inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor (ITI) polymorphism. The improved phenotyping procedure has proved to be the most practical method for ITI phenotyping. The ITI allele frequencies were examined in 2 population samples from Japanese (n = 365) and Thais (n = 150). Three common alleles, ITI*1, ITI*2, and ITI*3 were identified in both populations, but the Thai population showed a higher frequency of ITI*1 and a lower frequency of ITI*3. Two new alleles were found, which were tentatively denoted ITI*Y and ITI*T. The ITI*T allele frequency in Thais was 0.047.

Alleles↗
PubMed1994

Purification and properties of a new exo-(1-->3)-beta-D-glucanase from Bacillus circulans YK9 capable of hydrolysing resistant curdlan with formation of only laminari-biose.

A (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan glucanohydrolase (EC 3.2.1.6), capable of hydrolysing resistant curdlan, was purified chromatographically from the culture supernatant of Bacillus circulans complex YK9 on Toyopearl HW-55F and butyl-Toyopearl 650M columns. The purified enzyme had a specific activity of 190 units mg-1 on regenerated curdlan. The molecular mass was estimated to be about 70 kDa as judged by SDS-PAGE. The enzyme had a pH optimum of approximately pH 6.0. It hydrolysed regenerated and resistant curdlans yielding predominantly laminari-biose, although the rate of hydrolysis of the former was much higher than the latter. This enzyme rapidly hydrolysed laminaran, curdlan and carboxymethyl-curdlan, but did not cleave schizophyllan and screloglucan, which have glucosyl side chains. The enzyme hydrolysed low molecular mass (1-->3)-beta-D-glucans-(mean degree of polymerization, DPn = 131, 49 and 14) and laminari-heptaose more efficiently than curdlan. It also hydrolysed laminari-hexaose and -pentaose effectively, but laminari-tetraose only slightly and it did not hydrolyse laminari-triose or -biose. The enzyme is an exo-hydrolase of curdlan and various oligomers composed of (1-->3)-beta-D-glucosidic linkages, liberating laminari-biose from their non-reducing terminals. The laminari-biose generated was in the alpha-form.

Bacillus↗
PubMed1994

Portal venous invasion by pancreatobiliary carcinoma: diagnosis with intraportal endovascular US.

PURPOSE: To evaluate use of intraportal endovascular ultrasonography (IPEUS) in diagnosing portal venous invasion by pancreatobiliary carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: IPEUS was performed in 26 consecutive patients with pancreatobiliary carcinoma. All patients underwent surgery. IPEUS was performed intraoperatively in 20 cases and preoperatively in six. The sonographic criterion for detection of portal venous invasion was obliteration of the echogenic band of the portal vein. The IPEUS results were compared with those of computed tomography (CT) and arterial portography. RESULTS: Vascular invasion was confirmed with use of resected specimens in seven patients and operative findings in five patients. For diagnosis of portal venous invasion, the sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy of IPEUS were all 100%; respective values were 92%, 64%, and 77% for angiography and 50%, 79%, and 65% for CT. CONCLUSION: IPEUS allows detection or exclusion of early invasion of the portal venous wall by pancreatobiliary carcinoma.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Anterior septal coronary artery infarction in the canine: a model of ventricular tachycardia with a subendocardial origin. Ablation and activation sequence mapping.

BACKGROUND: In humans, chronic ventricular tachycardia (VT) is usually associated with myocardial infarcts that involve the interventricular septum. In an effort to more closely mimic the anatomic substrate that gives rise to chronic VT in humans, we developed a canine model of VT in which the anterior septal coronary artery was ligated. The site of earliest activation, the subsequent activation sequence, and the mechanism of VT associated with the resultant ventricular septal infarct was then evaluated to determine if this model accurately reflected the characteristics of human VT. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventeen dogs underwent occlusion-reperfusion ventricular septal infarcts. Four to 7 days later, electrophysiological studies were performed. VT was initiated by programmed electrical stimulation and terminated by pacing at a cycle length of 50% to 75% of the VT cycle length. Electrophysiological studies were performed using a 256-channel mapping system. A total of 15 VT morphologies were mapped in 9 animals. Fourteen of 15 morphologies had septal subendocardial sites of earliest activation and 1 had a septal midwall site of earliest activation. VT ablation was performed using a nitrous oxide cryoprobe and confirmed the site of earliest activation by subsequently rendering VT noninducible. Electrophysiological studies demonstrated four distinct VT activation sequences: (1) circular reentrant (n = 7), (2) concentric spread (n = 5), (3) figure-of-eight (n = 2), and (4) septal midwall (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: This canine model of ventricular septal infarction produces VTs with sites of earliest activation and activation sequences similar to those in humans. A reentrant mechanism as the basis of these arrhythmias is supported by the following observations: (1) all VT was initiated and terminated with programmed electrical stimulation; (2) VT activation sequences were consistent with reentry; and (3) precise interruption of the sequence terminated the VT and rendered it noninducible.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[The effect of age and disease on the MR imaging T2 low signal intensity area in the cerebral cortex].

We retrospectively studied magnetic resonance (MR) images of the brain in 139 patients (16 cases of Alzheimer's disease, 8 cases of Parkinson's disease, 53 cases of multiple cerebral infarct, 33 cases of other central nervous diseases, and 29 cases of peripheral neuropathy) between the age of 6 and 85 years old with a mean age of 60.6 +/- 18.5 to examine the appearance of T2 low signal intensity areas (T2CLIA) in the cerebral cortex. Motor, occipital, sensory or other cortices were evaluated with long repetition time/echo time (TR/TE) spin-echo sequences and staged into three grades in the motor cortex: none, partial, and whole; and two grades in the others: none or present. In general, T2CLIA was not seen in any cortex in patients less than 50 years old, then after 50 years old T2CLIA increased with age. Over 70 years of age T2CLIA appeared in 50.9% of patients in the whole motor cortex, 88.7% in either whole or partial motor cortex, 47.2% in the occipital cortex, and 20.8% in the sensory cortex. T2CLIA was not observed in other cortices. The incidence of T2CLIA appearance in the motor cortex was significantly higher in all central nervous diseases than in cases of peripheral neuropathy over 70. T2-CLIA showed a correlation with temporal lobe atrophy and white matter lesions in the motor cortex. In the sensory cortex, T2CLIA correlated with white matter lesions. These results suggest that T2-CLIA may correlate with age or accumulation of nonheme iron in the cortex associated with central nervous diseases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Clinical significance of abnormal prothrombin (DCP) in relation to postoperative survival and prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: In this study we correlate plasma des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) levels with prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in combination with serum alpha-fetoprotein levels (AFP). METHODS: Levels of DCP were measured in 165 patients with HCC by an enzyme immunoassay (EIA, E-1023) with an anti-DCP monoclonal antibody. RESULTS: There was no correlation between the plasma DCP levels and the serum AFP levels. The positive rate obtained from the combination assay was 72.1%. The survival rates of the patients with elevated levels of both DCP and AFP were significantly lower than those of the groups with normal DCP and AFP levels (p < 0.05). The disease-free survival rates of patients with elevated DCP and AFP levels were also significantly lower than those of patients with normal DCP and AFP levels (p < 0.05). The recurrence rate within a postoperative period of 2 yr was higher in the patients with elevated DCP and AFP levels than in those with normal levels. CONCLUSIONS: The determination of plasma DCP levels combined with AFP levels appears to be useful for the diagnosis and prognosis of HCC, and is useful also in postoperative monitoring for recurrence.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1994

[A case of idiopathic superficial siderosis of the central nervous system].

A 59-year-old man developed a staggering and wide based-gait in July 1990. Dysarthria, hearing loss, vexation and disturbance of memory appeared in January 1991. He consulted our clinic in May 1991, and cerebellar ataxia, neurogenic bladder, and cerebellar atrophy on brain CT were noted. Subsequently, he was followed as OPCA. Brain and spinal cord MRI (T2 and proton weighted images) revealed hypointensity on the surface of the Sylvian fissure, cerebellum, brainstem and spinal cord. We diagnosed this case as superficial siderosis because of the clinical course, i.e. cerebellar ataxia, dementia and sensorineural hearing impairment, and specific findings on MRI. We consider this case idiopathic superficial siderosis because the origin of the bleeding source was unknown. IMP-SPECT showed low perfusion in the cerebellum and frontal lobe where hemosiderin was heavily deposited. RI cisternography revealed a disturbance of CSF absorption even after 48 hours. The basic rhythm on EEG was slow alpha band with sporadic theta waves dominantly in the frontal lobe. His central conduction time on ABR and SEP was delayed, OKN was poorly elicited and ETT exhibited a staircase pattern. The physiological results as well as the clinical manifestations of the present case suggest that hemosiderin deposit on the surface of brain and spinal cord caused serious damage to the underlying structures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Brain Diseases↗
PubMed1994

Interleukin-6 as a marker of hepatic metabolism following hepatectomy.

This study evaluated the clinical significance of interleukin-6 levels after hepatectomy. Thirty-one patients who underwent hepatectomies were examined. Perioperative data involving serum laboratory tests, serum concentrations of interleukin-6, and liver energy status as indicated by arterial ketone body ratio (AKBR) were analyzed. In each patient, the maximum concentration of interleukin-6 in the postoperative course (IL-6-M) was observed by the 2nd postoperative day. IL-6-M correlated significantly with the maximum concentration of total bilirubin and with the postoperative decrease in AKBR. IL-6-M also correlated with the duration of surgery and blood loss, but no relationship with aminotransferase was found. We conclude that after hepatectomy IL-6-M may be a marker for the metabolic status of the liver as well as operative stress, and is useful because it can be evaluated in the early postoperative period.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Partial hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma in a patient with hemophilia: a case report.

We describe successful partial hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a 43-year-old man with severe factor VIII deficiency (hemophilia A). Tumor size and plasma alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) decreased spontaneously prior to surgery. HCC was found in the anterior superior segment of the liver, with invasion of the diaphragm. A limited partial resection of the liver and diaphragm was performed. The administration of factor VIII during and immediately after surgery resulted in no postoperative bleeding complications. Macroscopic findings revealed hemorrhage and necrosis throughout the intrahepatic portion of the tumor. Viable HCC cells were recognized histologically in the intrahepatic tumor and infiltrating the diaphragm. In patients with hemophilia there is a tendency for HCC to hemorrhage, which may obscure the diagnosis. Appropriate administration of factor VIII permits the safe resection of HCC in hemophilia A.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Essential involvement of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in acute inflammation.

Neutrophil infiltration into inflammatory sites is one of the hallmarks of acute inflammation. Locally produced chemotactic factors are presumed to mediate the sequence of events leading to the infiltration at inflammatory sites. Interleukin-8 (IL-8), a novel leukocyte chemotactic activating cytokine (chemokine), is produced by various types of cells upon stimulation with inflammatory stimuli and exerts a variety of functions on leukocytes, particularly, neutrophils in vitro. However, no definitive evidence has been presented on its role in recruiting and activating neutrophils in the lesions of various types of inflammatory reactions. We administered a highly specific neutralizing antibody against IL-8 in several types of acute inflammatory reactions, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced dermatitis, LPS/IL-1-induced arthritis, lung reperfusion injury, and acute immune complex-type glomerulonephritis. Anti-IL-8 treatment prevented neutrophil-dependent tissue damage as well as neutrophil infiltration in these conditions. These results suggest that IL-8 plays a causative role in acute inflammation by recruiting and activating neutrophils.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Essential involvement of interleukin-8 in neutrophil recruitment in rabbits with acute experimental arthritis induced by lipopolysaccharide and interleukin-1.

Rheumatoid arthritis and related inflammatory joint diseases are characterized by massive infiltration of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) into inflamed joints. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) has recently been identified as a leukocyte chemotactic and activating factor produced by activated tissue cells as well as monocytes/macrophages. Examination was made of the involvement of IL-8 in acute arthritis induced by injecting lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) into the joints of rabbits. The neutralizing antibody to rabbit IL-8 blocked almost completely the infiltration of PMN into the joints and provided protection from damage to tissue in the early phase of inflammation induced by LPS or IL-1 alpha. Mononuclear cell infiltration observed later was not inhibited by this antibody. This is the first paper to clearly demonstrate that IL-8 is an essential and major mediator determining whether PMN infiltration will occur in the early phase of experimental acute arthritis.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[Clinical analysis of cases with acute exacerbation of chronic renal failure].

We analyzed the total number of 42 events of acute exacerbation of chronic renal failure (CRF) in 35 patients who were admitted to the Matsuyama Red Cross Hospital Kidney Center between 1985 and 1990. These patients consisted of 16 males and 19 females with a mean age of 59.8 +/- 12.7 years. The most frequent original renal diseases were diabetic nephropathy (DM) and arteriosclerotic nephrosclerosis (NS). The most frequent acute exacerbation factors were dehydration and infection. Four cases died and one case transferred to chronic hemodialysis, but the other 37 events (88%) in 31 cases recovered to normal renal functioning. Tentative dialysis therapy was performed for 12 events, in which the cases with DM as the original disease and infection as the exacerbation factor were responsive to this therapy. In the analysis of long-term prognosis, 7 out of 26 cases died of non-renal diseases, 15 transferred to chronic dialysis therapy and only 4 remained in a CRF state. The intervals between the date of discharge and that of the start of dialysis therapy was shorter in the cases with DM (mean of 5 months) or chronic glomerulonephritis (mean of 7.6 months) than in cases with chronic interstitial nephritis, polycystic kidney disease and NS (mean of 17.7 months). We concluded that even though many of the cases eventually transferred to chronic dialysis therapy, appropriate therapy during the acute exacerbation period could allow recovery to a natural progressive or nonprogressive course in each case.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1994

Intraportal endovascular ultrasonography in pancreatic cancer--a new technique for the diagnosis of portal vein invasion: a preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: Intraportal endovascular ultrasonography was performed to diagnose portal vein invasion in pancreatic cancer. METHODS: In six patients the intravascular ultrasonographic catheter was introduced during operation through the superior mesenteric vein into the intrahepatic portal vein. The catheter was gradually withdrawn and the cross-sectional images of the area under investigation were recorded. The findings of intraportal endovascular ultrasonography were compared with the histologic findings of the resected specimen, preoperative computed tomographic scan and arterial portogram. RESULTS: The wall of the portal vein was visualized as an echogenic band with a thickness of 0.5 to 1.0 mm. Lymph nodes along the portal vein could also be visualized. In three of four resected cases, the wall of the portal vein was intact and portal vein invasion was diagnosed as negative by intraportal endovascular ultrasonography. In one of the resected cases, the portal vein invasion was diagnosed by intraportal endovascular ultrasonography only. These findings were confirmed by histologic examination. In two unresected cases, the portal invasion of the tumor was diagnosed as positive by imaging diagnosis including intraportal endovascular ultrasonography. This finding was confirmed by operative findings. In all patients portal invasion of the tumor could be diagnosed accurately. CONCLUSIONS: Intraportal endovascular ultrasonography provides important information about the resectability of pancreatic cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Tumor localization as a prognostic factor in hepatocellular carcinoma.

We investigated the significance of tumor localization as a contributory factor in the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. A trend toward a better survival rate was noted in the 57 patients whose tumors were confined to the left hepatic lobe [left lobe group] as compared with the 146 patients whose tumors were located strictly in the right hepatic lobe [right lobe group]. The difference in survival was significant (p < 0.02) in stage I and stage II disease, but equivalent survival rates were seen in stage III and stage IV disease. The right lobe group patients with stage I or stage II disease who underwent lobectomy or segmentectomy had a better survival rate than those undergoing subsegmentectomy or limited resection (p < 0.001). But in the left lobe group, no difference was observed with various operative procedures. These results lead us to speculate that tumor localization might be a contributory factor in the postoperative prognosis, and an important determinant of the operative approach to hepatocellular carcinoma.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗