Biomedical subjects

A Kojima

Publications and source records attributed to A Kojima.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Histological change after interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C in view of iron deposition in the liver.

We examined the efficacy of interferon (IFN) therapy for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in view of the change of liver histology and iron staining before and after IFN therapy. Enrolled in this study were 109 patients with CHC who completed IFN treatment and were followed for at least 1 yr after the end of IFN therapy. Serum iron, unsaturated-iron-binding capacity (UIBC), and total-iron-binding capacity (TIBC) were assessed before IFN therapy. Knodell's histological activity index (HAI) score and iron staining were examined in 55 patients in whom liver biopsy was performed at two points: before and. 1 yr after IFN therapy. Serum iron levels before IFN therapy did not correlate with the response to IFN. The HAI score significantly decreased after IFN therapy in complete responders (p < 0.01) and biochemical responders (p < 0.01). Three factors in the HAI, periportal necrosis, intralobular necrosis, and portal inflammation, but not fibrosis, were significantly decreased in complete responders (p < 0.01) and biochemical responders (p < 0.01). Of 55 patients, 23 (41.8%) were positive for iron staining before IFN therapy and 14 of 55 (25.5%) after IFN therapy. The positive rate for iron staining tended to decrease after IFN therapy, not correlating to the response to IFN, but the change was not statistically significant. In conclusion, the histological improvement by IFN therapy was mostly seen in necroinflammatory changes but not in fibrosis at least 1 yr after IFN, and iron staining tended to decrease after IFN therapy.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Preliminary study of combination therapy with interferon-alpha and zinc in chronic hepatitis C patients with genotype 1b.

We have evaluated the efficacy of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) plus zinc therapy in hepatitis C patients with genotype 1b, poor responders for IFN alone. Ten patients were injected with 10 MU of IFN-alpha every day for 4 wk, followed by three times a week for 20 wk (control group). Nine patients took 300 mg of zinc sulfate a day orally during IFN-alpha therapy (zinc sulfate group), and 15 patients took IFN-alpha and 150 mg of polaprezinc (polaprezinc group). On the d 8 of IFN therapy, circadian zinc levels in serum elevated significantly in the polaprezinc group compared to the zinc sulfate group or control group. Serum ALT levels normalized in 73.3% of the polaprezinc group, 55.6% of the zinc sulfate group, and 40.0% of the control group at 6 mo after the end of IFN therapy. Sustained eradication for the hepatitis C virus RNA judged at the end of the 6-mo follow-up period was higher in the polaprezinc group than in the zinc sulfate group (53.3% vs 11.1%, p < 0.05) or the control group (20.0%). No clinical side effects of zinc were observed at the dose used. The data suggest that polaprezinc is expected to increase the therapeutic response of IFN-alpha for chronic hepatitis C with genotype 1b.

Carnosine↗

PubMed2000

Volume acceleration as an index of respiratory drive during exercise.

In order to evaluate the applicability of volume acceleration (A(I)) at the onset of inspiration as an index of neuromuscular output, CO(2) rebreathing in six healthy subjects and incremental-load exercise in eight healthy subjects was performed while measuring A(I) and mouth occlusion pressure (P(0.1)). During CO(2) rebreathing, A(I) increased linearly with end-tidal CO(2) partial pressure and P(0.1). During incremental-load exercise, P(0.1) and A(I) increased exponentially with minute ventilation and mean inspiratory flow, and A(I) increased linearly with P(0.1). Dyspnoea sensation at rest and exercise with or without the circuit system in eight healthy subjects was examined. Dyspnoea sensation increased markedly with the circuit system in some subjects. Incremental-load exercise was carried out by 13 healthy subjects and 21 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to evaluate the difference in A(I) as respiratory drive between the two groups in the absence of a respiratory circuit. In patients with COPD, A(I) responses to minute ventilation, mean inspiratory flow and carbon dioxide output (VCO(2)) were greater than those in healthy subjects. In patients with COPD, the A(I) response to VCO(2) was greater in those with a lower FEV(1.0) (forced expiratory volume in 1.0 s), but the ventilatory response to VCO(2) was lower in those with a lower FEV(1. 0). These data suggest that A(I) reflects neuromuscular output during CO(2) rebreathing and incremental-load exercise under conditions where mechanical properties of the respiratory system are expected to be involved. During exercise, flow increased markedly, and the influence of the resistance of the respiratory circuit also increased. Therefore the use of A(I) has the advantage of less resistance (no respiratory circuit) and less additional respiratory effort, in comparison with the use of P(0.1), especially in patients with COPD.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[Dramatic improvement of severe Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia by corticosteroids despite lack of antipneumocystis therapy in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome].

A 30-year-old Thai man was admitted to our hospital complaining of general fatigue, pyrexia, dyspnea, and a productive cough. He was in serious respiratory failure and had a PaO2 of 45.9 Torr in room air. Chest radiography showed marked infiltration of both lungs. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was ruled out by a negative test for HIV antibody. He was given corticosteroids including methylprednisolone mini-pulse therapy and antibiotics. This therapy improved his condition and his radiological picture dramatically without antipneumocystis therapy. Bronchoscopy was performed and the transbronchial lung biopsy revealed PCP. On re-examination for HIV-1 antibody, the result was positive. Western blot analysis yielded a definite diagnosis of HIV-1 infection. Our experience strongly supports previous reports that advocated corticosteroids as adjunctive therapy for moderate to severe PCP associated with AIDS and gives us the significance of corticosteroids.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

PubMed1999

An infectious DNA clone of HIV type 1 subtype C.

Among the 10 subtypes of the M group of human immunodeficiency virus type 1, subtype C is the most prevalent in India and may dominate worldwide in the near future; however, there has been no report on the infectious DNA clone of this subtype. We have isolated an infectious DNA clone of the 93IN101 strain of HIV-1 subtype C, which was isolated in India in 1993. MAGIC5 cells, which are derived from HeLa-CD4-LTR-beta-gal (MAGI) cells and express CCR5, were inoculated with the 93IN101 strain of HIV-1 subtype C. The genomic DNA of the infected cells was used as a template for amplification of the HIV-1 genome. The genome DNA obtained was subcloned into pBR322, and the resulting plasmid was designated as pIndie-C1. The insert of pIndie-C1 was 9680 bp in length and had an intact genomic organization with open reading frames of all structural, regulatory, and accessory proteins. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the nucleotide sequence of pIndie-C1 is closely related to those of HIV-1 subtype C isolated in India. Transfection of pIndie-C1 into 293T cells yielded as much virus as did pNL432, one of the most widely used HIV DNA clones. The recovered Indie-C1 virus infected MAGIC5 but not the parent MAGI cells, indicating that Indie-C1 is CCR5 tropic. Expressed Env protein was reacted efficiently with the sera of HIV-1-infected patients of India, but not of Japan. Expression of Nef and Vpr was also confirmed by immunoblotting.

Gene Products, env↗

PubMed1999

Cellular thiols status and cell death in the effect of green tea polyphenols in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells.

Epidemiological studies suggest that the consumption of green tea may help prevent cancers in humans, and also breast and prostate cancers in animal models are reduced by green tea, and several mechanisms have been proposed for these effects. In this study the relationship between cellular sulfhydryl (SH) groups and the cytotoxicity of green tea polyphenols in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells was examined. It was found that in the presence of green tea extract (GTE) (100 microg/ml) and one of its polyphenolic components, epigallocatechin (EGC; 100 microM), both cellular non-protein (GSH) and protein-sulfhydryl (PSH) levels were significantly decreased and this was associated with a decrease in cell viability. Replenishing the thiol levels by using N-acetylcysteine (NAC) caused a recovery in cell viability, but this recovery was dependent on the time of thiol replenishment in the presence of EGC (initial 15 min). These results identify SH groups as a novel target of green tea polyphenols cytotoxicity in tumor cells, and a regulatory role for green tea in terms of reducing sulfhydryls in tumor inhibition.

Acetylcysteine↗

PubMed1999

Characterization of flagellin from Clostridium chauvoei.

Differential centrifugation and cesium chloride-equilibrium centrifugation were used to purify the flagella from the strain Okinawa of the formalin-fixed Clostridium chauvoei. SDS-PAGE profile of purified flagella showed that a major protein band with a molecular mass of 46 kDa, corresponding to the flagellin monomer, and at least two minor protein bands with molecular masses of approximately 73 and 100 kDa were found. The amino acid composition of C. chauvoei flagellin was similar to the flagellin of Salmonella typhimurium and Bacillus subtilis. In addition, C. chauvoei flagellin monomer shared limited sequence homology with the N-terminal amino acid sequence reported for other bacterial flagellins. N-terminal sequences of two minor bands corresponded to the flagellin monomer, indicating that higher molecular mass bands were polymeric forms of the flagellin monomer.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

The cellular kinase binding motifs (PxxP and RR) in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Nef protein are dispensable for producer-cell-dependent enhancement of viral entry.

We have recently demonstrated that human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Nef is required for enhancing viral infectivity by increasing the efficiency of viral entry in a producer-cell-dependent manner, suggesting the possible involvement of a cellular factor(s) in the enhancement of viral entry. Moreover, it has been reported that a proline-rich (PxxP) motif and an Arg-Arg (RR) motif in HIV-1 Nef bind to the SH3 domain of the Src-family tyrosine kinase Hck and to a serine/threonine kinase, respectively. To address whether these cellular kinase binding motifs, PxxP and RR, could be involved in virus producer-cell-dependent enhancement of viral entry, we constructed two nef mutant proviral clones in which these motifs were mutated. The results show that the HIV-1 Nef PxxP motif, which significantly influenced viral infectivity, and the RR motif, which modestly affected viral infectivity, were both dispensable for enhanced viral entry, thus suggesting that another interaction of Nef with a cellular factor(s) is involved in the efficiency of viral entry.

Alanine↗

PubMed1999

A new method for crosstalk correction in simultaneous dual-isotope myocardial imaging with Tl-201 and I-123.

We have developed a new method of crosstalk correction in simultaneous dual-isotope imaging with Tl-201 and I-123 by using crosstalk ratios and a blurring filter. Single isotope myocardial studies (10 for Tl-201 and 7 for I-123) were performed with a dual energy window acquisition mode and two low energy general-purpose collimators. Then two planar images acquired with dual energy windows for a Tl-201 line source and an I-123 line source were obtained to measure line spread functions (LSFs) and crosstalk ratios for each image. The line source experiments showed that the LSFs for the Tl-201 imaging window from the single Tl-201 source were very similar to those for the I-123 imaging window from the single Tl-201 source, but the LSFs for the Tl-201 imaging window from the single I-123 source had broad shapes which differed from those for the I-123 imaging window from the single I-123. To obtain accurate I-123 crosstalk images in the Tl-201 imaging window from the I-123 images in the I-123 imaging window, we designed a low-pass blurring filter. In 7 clinical I-123 MIBG studies, I-123 window images processed with this filter became very similar to the Tl-201 window image from the single I-123 source. The method proposed in this study can accurately correct the crosstalk in dual isotope studies with Tl-201 and I-123 and is easily applicable to conventional gamma camera systems with any dual energy window acquisition mode.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗

PubMed1999

Retrocaval ureter and preaortic iliac venous confluence in a patient with an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Anomalous anatomic location of a large venous system poses a potential hazard in aortic operations. We encountered a patient with an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm who was also found at preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography to have a retrocaval right ureter and a preaortic iliac vein confluence. This combined anomaly has not previously been reported except for one postmortem case. As abdominal aortic surgery is currently performed routinely, care must be taken to avoid injury to surrounding organs due to rare anatomic anomalies.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

PubMed1999

Induction of smooth muscle cells in the fibrous capsule of human hepatocellular carcinoma but not in the septa of hepatic cirrhosis.

We examined the expression of smooth muscle cytoskeleton in spindle-shaped cells in the capsule of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the septa of liver cirrhosis (LC). Serial sections of livers resected from 11 patients were stained with monoclonal antibodies against vimentin, desmin, smooth muscle actin (1A4, HHF35, CGA7) and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain isoforms (SM1, SM2). Capsular spindle-shaped cells exhibited a cytoskeletal feature indicative of intermediately differentiated smooth muscle cells. Computer-assisted morphometry revealed that the proportions of 1A4-, HHF35-, CGA7- and SM1- positive areas to vimentin-positive area were 88.0+/-11.0%, 50.8+/-17.4%, 25.3+/-16.4% and 19.4+/-12.4% (n=11) in main tumours and 86.6+/-9.4%, 50.9+/-18.7%, 21.1+/-12.3% and 17.6+/-9.7% (n=12) in daughter tumours, indicating that spindle-shaped cells are heterogeneous in cytoskeletal expression. Septal spindle-shaped cells in LC lacked the cytoskeletal proteins specific to differentiated smooth muscle cells (CGA7, SM1, SM2 and desmin). Electron microscopically, capsular spindle-shaped cells contained more microfilaments and less rough endoplasmic reticulum than do septal cells. Intermediately differentiated smooth muscle cells are induced in the capsule of HCC but not in the septa of LC, suggesting a role for stromal interaction by tumour cells in the induction of smooth muscle cells.

Actins↗

PubMed1999

Nausea and vomiting induced by arterial chemo-embolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and the antiemetic effect of ondansetron hydrochloride.

To determine the incidence of nausea and vomiting and the antiemetic effect of ondansetron hydrochloride (OND) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with arterial chemo-embolization, we studied 59 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who were treated with transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) or lipiodolized transcatheter arterial infusion (L-TAI). We investigated the incidence of nausea and vomiting and the amount of food intake when TAE or L-TAI was performed. All patients who experienced nausea and vomiting received OND administered prophylactically at the time of the next TAE or L-TAI to evaluate the antiemetic effect of the drug. Cumulative rates of nausea and vomiting during the week following arterial chemo-embolization were 44.8% and 27.6%, respectively. There was a tendency for the incidence to be higher in patients treated with the anticancer agent zinostatin stimalamer (SMANCS) than in those treated with epirubicin hydrochloride (EPI). Regarding food intake, 53.1% of the patients stated that they ate "half or more than half" of the food provided on the day of arterial chemo-embolization. The rate improved as time went on. In 5 patients who experienced nausea and vomiting at the time of arterial chemo-embolization, nausea and vomiting were inhibited satisfactorily by OND. When arterial chemo-embolization was performed, antiemetic treatment for approximately 3 days was necessary to improve patients' quality of life (QOL) to an acceptable level, and OND was found to be effective for the purpose in our 5 patients who had experienced nausea and/or vomiting at the previous treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Efficacy of direct revascularization in adult Moyamoya disease: haemodynamic evaluation by positron emission tomography.

To evaluate the efficacy of direct cerebrovascular reconstruction to prevent intracranial bleeding from the point of view of haemodynamic status, we performed positron emission tomography (PET) studies in 5 adult patients with Moyamoya disease before and after superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) anastomosis. Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), regional cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (rCMRO2) and regional oxygen extraction fraction (rOEF) in the MCA territories and regional cerebral blood volume (rCBV) in the striatum were measured before and after STA-MCA anastomosis. Correlation between the change of these PET parameters and post-operative decreased opacification of Moyamoya vessels were analyzed. Pre-operatively, significant elevation of rCBV were observed in the basal ganglia as well as significant reduction of rCBF and elevation of rOEF with reduction of rCMRO2 in the MCA territories, indicating "misery" perfusion in the cerebral hemisphere and blood pooling in the Moyamoya vessels under increased haemodynamic stress. Post-operative PET study showed improvement of misery perfusion and reduction of rCBV in the basal ganglia. Reduction of rCBV in the basal ganglia generally compatible with decreasing Moyamoya vessels on angiographic findings. Our results suggests that direct bypass surgery could have a potential both for decreasing haemodynamic stress on Moyamoya vessels and to improve misery perfusion in the hemisphere.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Cosmetic osteoplastic craniotomy with a chisel and hammer.

BACKGROUND: Osteoplastic craniotomy has been performed recently with microfixation systems such as miniplates, burr hole buttons, and/or ceramic dust. However, these are costly methods of treatment. Without the use of these devices, we performed cosmetic osteoplastic craniotomy using an inexpensive chisel and hammer. METHODS: Our osteoplastic craniotomy with a chisel and hammer was used on 19 lesions in 15 patients. Using a chisel, the bone flap was cut gently from the calvarium to the skull base, the lamina externa to the diploe (finally the lamina interna), and both ends to the midportion between two holes. The lamina interna in the cranium was trimmed easily after removal of the bone flap. The bone defect was minimal because of the absence of a narrow cutting groove and because craniectomy was not performed. The bone flap was replaced by tapping and was tightly fixed. No special fixation system was needed, except for threads. RESULTS: Follow-up (mean follow-up, 5 months; range, 5 weeks to 9 months) skull X-ray and 3D-CT showed good fusion and inherent normal configuration of the bone flap. There were two minor dural tears and two minor bony fractures. CONCLUSION: A good cosmetic effect without the use of any additional instruments was accomplished with osteoplastic craniotomy using a chisel and hammer.

Craniotomy↗

PubMed1999

The excitation site of the accessory nerve to the magnetic stimulation--the relationship between the orientation of the magnetic field and the excitation site.

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between the accessory nerve excitation site and the magnetic field direction was investigated to prove whether the cranial nerve excitation site to the transcranial magnetic stimulation is constant or not. METHODS: Compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) elicited by the transcranial magnetic stimulation were recorded from the trapezius muscles of 7 adult cats. The waveforms of CMAPs were detected before craniectomy, after craniectomy, and after cutting the accessory nerve at the C1, at the jugular tubercle, and at the jugular foramen. The optimal orientation was determined by rotating the coil clockwise in increments of 22.5 degrees from the rostral direction. RESULTS: The accessory nerve was stimulated by the magnetic stimulation at the C1, at the jugular tubercle or at the jubular foramen, and these excitation sites varied with coil orientation. The average angles of the optimal orientation of the magnetic coil were 77.1 degrees for C1, 122.1-263.6 degrees for the jugular tubercle, and 308.6-32.1 degrees for the jugular foramen. CONCLUSIONS: The accessory nerve excitation site varied with the orientation of the magnetic coil. This study suggested the possibility of a variety of the cranial nerve excitation sites to the transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Accessory Nerve↗

PubMed1999

Relative localization of angiotensin-converting enzyme, chymase and angiotensin II in human coronary atherosclerotic lesions.

BACKGROUND: Studies using cell cultures and animal models have indicated an important role for angiotensin II in atherosclerosis. In humans, at least two major enzymes are involved in the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II: so-called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and chymase. Enhanced activation of chymase in atherosclerotic tissue homogenates has been reported in animal models, but its contribution to the generation of angiotensin II has not been studied. OBJECTIVE: To clarify the localization of chymase and its pathophysiologic role in the formation of angiotensin II, using human coronary arteries. DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty-four coronary artery segments obtained from 14 autopsied patients were characterized histologically into the following categories: normal coronary arteries with diffuse intimal thickening, hypercellular lesions, atheromatous plaques and fibrosclerotic plaques. We compared the cellular localization of chymase, ACE and angiotensin II expression using immunocytochemical techniques. RESULTS: Chymase was expressed only in the cytosole of mast cells in all segments. On the basis of the histologic study, the number of chymase-positive cells in the intima of atheromatous plaques was significantly higher than that in normal coronary arteries with diffuse intimal thickening. The expression of angiotensin II in the intima was enhanced in hypercellular lesions and atheromatous plaques. Localization of angiotensin II in the intima was associated with that of ACE. Immunodouble staining did not show colocalization of angiotensin II and chymase. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest an important role for the production of angiotensin II by ACE in the progression of atherosclerosis in human coronary arteries. Enhanced expression of chymase appears not to be involved in angiotensin II production in the intima.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Mast cell chymase in pulmonary hypertension.

Mast cells are known to be involved in various types of tissue remodelling but their role in pulmonary hypertension is still poorly understood. Two subtypes of mast cells have recently been identified by demonstrating one protease, chymase. This enzyme might be implicated in vascular remodelling. The changes in mast cells in lung tissue from three patients with primary or secondary pulmonary hypertension were therefore investigated. Compared with tissue from four control subjects the number of mast cells in the three patients was markedly increased, which suggests that chymase containing mast cells are involved in tissue remodelling accompanied by fibrotic changes in primary and secondary pulmonary hypertension.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Prevalence of hepatitis G virus in liver disease.

The prevalence of hepatitis G virus (HGV) in liver disease of non-A, -B, -C viral hepatitis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C was determined. Two of 44 patients (4.5%) with liver injury without any hepatitis A, B or C marker were positive for HGV. One of five cases of hepatocellular carcinoma was positive for HGV. One of three cases with fulminant hepatitis was positive for HGV. This case was negative at the onset of fulminant hepatitis and became positive after plasmapheresis. No patient with acute (n=8) or chronic (n=5) hepatitis or liver cirrhosis (n=8) was positive for HGV in non-A, -B, -C liver disease. One of 30 patients with various HBV-positive liver diseases and nine (17.3) of 52 patients with type C liver disease were positive for HGV. In patients with hepatitis C, four (28.6%) of 14 HGV-co-infected patients were complicated with diabetes mellitus compared with four (10.5%) of 38 single hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients (not significant). In 12 HGV-positive patients, eight of 10 (80%) had a history of blood transfusion. In HCV-positive patients, co-infection with HGV was not a risk factor in patients with diabetes mellitus as a complication. HGV appeared to cause non-A, -B, -C hepatitis rarely, and its main route of infection was blood transfusion.

Adolescent↗