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Biomedical subjects

E Iwasaki

Publications and source records attributed to E Iwasaki.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Clinical significance of IgG4 antibody determination in children against egg white, milk, soybean and Dermatophagoides farinae].

The measurement of IgE and IgG4 antibodies against egg white, milk, soybean and Dermatophagoides farinae was performed by FAST (fluorescence allergosorbent test) using 21 serum samples obtained from non-allergic children and 160 serum samples from atopic children with bronchial asthma and/or atopic dermatitis. Their antibody levels were evaluated for any association with disease severity and for clinical significance in establishing diagnosis. It was found that children with bronchial asthma showed lower levels of IgE antibodies against egg white, milk and soybean and higher levels of IgE antibodies against Dermatophagoides farinae compared with those of children with atopic dermatitis, while both groups showed higher levels of egg white and milk-specific IgG4 antibodies compared with non-allergic children. These IgE and IgG4 antibody levels revealed a tendency to correlate with disease severity in patients with atopic dermatitis, while this was not observed in patients with bronchial asthma. The contribution percentages of IgG4 antibody determination, together with IgE antibody determination, in retrieving causal allergens were 71% for egg white, 70% for milk and 48% for soybean allergy, implying their diagnostic value in establishing clinical diagnosis.

Adolescent↗

[Evaluation of Oriton IgE, a new kit for measurement of allergen specific IgE antibodies].

To determine whether Oriton IgE kit, a new kit for the measurement of allergen-specific IgE antibodies, is useful in screening allergen-specific antibody, we measured the titers of IgE antibodies against 11 different allergens (house dust 2, Dermatophagoides farinae, Japanese cedar, ragweed pollen, egg white, milk, cat epithelium, dog epithelium, Candida, Alternaria and Aspergillus) with the Oriton IgE kit, and the results were compared to those of intradermal tests and RAST in 103 allergic patients and 10 normal subjects. There was a clear correlation between IgE antibody titers measured by the Oriton IgE kit and the RAST. The correlation coefficient was 0.76 (p less than 0.01) and the total correspondence rate was 85.9%. We also found strong correlation between the Oriton IgE kit and RAST in IgE antibody titer against 5 different allergens, Dermatophagoides farinae, Japanese cedar, ragweed pollen, egg white and Candida. The correlation coefficient was over 0.70. The correspondence rate, sensitivity and specificity of the Oriton IgE kit to intradermal tests was 71.8%, 45.3% and 87.8% respectively. The sensitivity of the Oriton IgE kit was slightly higher, while the specificity was slightly higher in RAST, although the differences were not statistically significant between these methods. Correspondence rate of the Oriton IgE kit was similar to that of RAST. These results suggested that the Oriton IgE kit is useful in screening allergen specific IgE antibodies.

Allergens↗

[Classification of allergens by positive percentage agreement and cluster analysis based on specific IgE antibodies in asthmatic children].

Classification and characterization of allergens is important because allergic patients are sensitized by a variety of allergens. One hundred and sixty-one sera from asthmatic children were investigated for specific IgE antibodies against 35 allergens including 20 inhalants and 15 foods by means of the MAST method. We assessed the allergenic properties of the allergens based on positive percentage agreement and cluster analysis. There was a high positive percentage agreement of specific IgE antibodies between house dust and Dermatophagoides spp., a relatively high agreement between 5 molds, cat and dog epithelium, mugwort and wormwood and 5 grasses. Among the food allergens, the positive percentage agreements were relatively high, especially between cow's milk, casein, cheese, and between 3 cereal grains. In the cluster analysis, house dust and Dermatophagoides spp. made a big cluster; therefore 32 allergens except house dust and mites were analyzed. From the results of the cluster analysis, the major cluster consisted of (1) ragweed, (2) mugwort and wormwood, (3) timothy, sweet vernal, velvet and cultivated rye, (4) wheat, barley and rice, (5) molds, (6) cow's milk, casein, soybean and cheese, (7) shrimp and crab, (8) egg white, (9) Japanese cedar, (10) dog epithelium, (11) cat epithelium. The cluster of grass pollens and cereal grains made one cluster. These results tend to confirm the presence of species cross-reactivities within the major classes of allergens.

Adolescent↗

Homozygous protein C deficiency: identification of a novel missense mutation that causes impaired secretion of the mutant protein C.

We analyzed the promoter region and all the coding exons and exon-intron boundaries of the protein C gene in a Japanese patient with recurrent thromboembolism and complete protein C deficiency. By sequencing these fragments we identified a previously undescribed mutation. A guanine residue was replaced by an adenine residue converting Gly-292 (GGC) to Ser (AGC) in the last exon coding for the catalytic domain. Substitution of this key amino acid, invariably conserved in the serine protease superfamily to which protein C belongs, probably leads to destabilization of the tertiary structure. In a transient expression assay with COS 7 cells, the protein C level was extremely low in the culture medium of the cells transfected with the mutated protein C expression vector, as compared with the normal vector. In contrast, the cell extracts contained similar amounts of mutant and normal protein C, suggesting impaired secretion of the mutant protein C. Using mutagenic primers to introduce a new PvuII site into the mutant allele, we made a study of the family members in this patient's pedigree, revealing that the mutant allele had been inherited in the affected individuals in this pedigree.

Adult↗

[CML with autoimmune thrombocytopenia observed in the course of IgG (kappa) type monoclonal gammopathy].

An 80-year-old male with IgG (kappa) type benign monoclonal gammopathy was admitted to our hospital because of marked leukocytosis. At the time of admission, thrombocytopenia was also noted. A bone marrow aspirate showed marked granulocytosis with a normal megakaryocyte count. PAIgG was elevated and the NAP score was low. Ph1 chromosome and rearrangement of the breakpoint cluster region were detected. On the basis of these findings, he was diagnosed as having CML with autoimmune thrombocytopenia. This case was of interest with respect to blood cell differentiation and immunological findings.

Aged↗

[Studies on C1 inactivator resistant fibrinolytic activity].

The fibrin lysis activity in the presence of enough quantity of C1 inactivator (C1.INA) is called C1.INA resistant fibrinolytic activity (C1.IRFA). C1.INA inhibits the activation of intrinsic fibrinolysis, therefore C1.IRFA is considered to reflect the extrinsic fibrinolytic activity mainly. We studied the effect of C1.INA using fibrin plate assay on fibrin lysis activity (FLA) and C1.IRFA in normal individuals and pregnant women, and studied the fluctuation of FLA and C1.IRFA during venous occlusion test (VO) or 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) administration. After VO or DDAVP administration, the euglobulin lysis time (ELT) was reduced, FLA increased and C1.IRFA also increased. The increase in C1.IRFA accounted for most of the increase in FLA. Therefore, the increased fibrinolytic activity during VO or DDAVP administration is due to extrinsic fibrinolytic activity. In the pregnant women, the fibrinolytic activity was decreased during pregnancy and the low fibrinolytic activity is suggested to be involved in the low extrinsic fibrinolytic activity. The measurement of C1.IRFA is considered to be useful.

Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins↗

[Measurement of FDP-D-dimer in DIC and pre-DIC].

We measured FDP-D-dimer value in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), pre-DIC (within 7 days before onset of DIC) and suspected DIC (not completely satisfying the DIC criteria). The level of FDP in many patients with pre-DIC was normal, but the level of FDP-D-dimer in most patients with pre-DIC was increased. FDP was markedly increased one day before onset of DIC but FDP-D-dimer was increased 7 days before the onset. FDP was significantly higher in DIC than in pre-DIC, but it was not higher in pre-DIC than in suspected DIC. In patients with hematological malignancies, FDP-D-dimer was statistically higher in DIC than in pre-DIC and in pre-DIC than in suspected DIC, but in non-hematological malignancies, FDP-D-dimer was not significantly different among the 3 groups. The peak increase of FDP-D-dimer was noted at a DIC score of 7 or 8. The correlation of FDP-D-dimer with FDP was better in pre-DIC than in DIC, and the ratio of FDP-D-dimer to FDP was higher in pre-DIC. FDP-D-dimer was not correlated with fibrinopeptide A or B beta 15-42 in pre-DIC. It is speculated that pre-DIC is a hypercoagulable state and FDP-D-dimer may be useful to the diagnosis of pre-DIC.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation↗

[Elevated levels of cytokines in plasma from patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation].

We measured blood concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1 beta (IL 1-beta), soluble interleukin 2 receptor (s-IL 2r), and interferon alpha (IFN alpha) in 30 patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and compared the results to those of 25 patients without DIC. Plasma levels of TNF, IL 1-beta, and s-IL 2r were higher in patients with DIC than in those without DIC. In one case of acute promyelocytic leukemia, plasma levels of TNF and IL-1 beta increased at the onset of DIC but decreased upon DIC improvement. These findings suggest that activation of the immune system is involved in the development of DIC. However, these concentrations were not markedly increased in patients with leukemia, although blood TNF and s-IL 2 r were markedly elevated in patients with solid cancers. Especially in patients with solid cancers, hyperactivation of the immune system may cause an increase in blood TNF and IL-1 beta and the development of DIC.

Cytokines↗

[Plasminogen activator in leukemic cell homogenate].

We examined fibrinolytic substances in homogenate of leukemic cells, normal granulocyte or mononuclear cells fraction. Plasminogen activators (PA) were significantly low in normal cells, but they were slightly increased in lymphoblastic leukemia cells and markedly increased in myeloblastic leukemia cells. In almost leukemic cells homogenate, the antigen ratio of tissue type PA (t-PA)/urokinase type PA (u-PA) was about 2.0. In especially AMMoL and AMoL, PA activity had discrepancy between euglobulin lysis time and amidolytic assay using chromogenic substrate. As PA inhibitor (PAI)-II was markedly increased in them. PAI might effect the PA assay. PA activity of leukemic cells homogenate was similar to that without t-PA stimulator and leukemic cells homogenate significantly stimulated t-PA. As both PA activity and antigen were statistically increased in leukemic cells homogenate of patient with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), PA and PA stimulator in leukemic cell might play an important role in hypofibrinogenemia or DIC.

Afibrinogenemia↗

[Availability of DDAVP in hemostasis control for the breast tumor resection in a patient with thrombasthenia (type II)].

We reported a 33-year-old woman with thrombasthenia (type II) in whom 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) was available for the hemostasis control during breast tumor resection. She has had recurrent nasal bleeding and purpura since 2 years old. On the first admission to our hospital because of hematuria at 18 years old, she was diagnosed as thrombasthenia (type II) from hemostatic studies. At 20 years old, she had a healthy baby by the cesarean section with transfusion of fresh blood and platelet concentrates. On the 5th admission for the breast tumor resection, defect of glycoprotein II b-III a of her platelets was confirmed by using SDS gel electrophoresis. Recently, there are some reports on availability of DDAVP for hemostatic control in platelet dysfunction of various etiologies as well as mild hemophilia and von Willebrand disease. So, DDAVP (0.4 microgram/kg) was used for hemostasis control. After 1 hour, the bleeding time was shortened from over 10 to 4 min, platelet adhesiveness to glass beads increased from 1.8 to 37%. Furthermore, the levels of Ristocetin cofactor and von Willebrand factor antigen (especially large multimer) also increased. But platelet aggregation with various inducers remained unchanged before and after infusion. Breast tumor (fibroadenoma) resection.

Adult↗

Leukotriene C4 in children with atopic asthma. I. Plasma levels in acute asthma.

The leukotrienes C4, D4 and E4 are potent biologic mediators, and are thought to play an important role in obstructive airways disease such as asthma. In this study, plasma immunoreactive LTC4 (iLTC4) levels in asthmatic children were measured using radioimmunoassay after Sep-pak extraction in order to determine whether LTC4 is released in vivo during an asthmatic attack. In 10 non-atopic children, the mean +/- SEM of plasma iLTC4 level was 0.031 +/- 0.013 pmol/ml. Significantly higher plasma iLTC4 levels were recognized at all stages in asthmatic children, both in remission (p less than 0.01) and during an attack (p less than 0.01). PaO2 levels during an attack were significantly lower in the high iLTC4 group. In 15 asthmatic children, the plasma iLTC4 levels during an attack (0.134 +/- 0.017 pmol/ml) significantly decreased during recovery (0.078 +/- 0.012 pmol/ml) (p less than 0.05). Plasma iLTC4 levels correlated closely with lung function (p less than 0.01). The high iLTC4 levels in plasma in asthmatic children suggest a role for LTC4 in the pathophysiology of asthma.

Acute Disease↗

Leukotriene C4 in children with atopic asthma. II. Plasma levels in bronchial challenge with specific allergen.

Peptide leukotrienes C4, D4 and E4 are considered to be major mediators of hypersensitivity reactions. In this study, immunoreactive leukotriene C4 (iLTC4) in plasma, taken from asthmatic children who had undergone bronchial challenge with a specific allergen, was measured using radioimmunoassay in order to determine whether LTC4 is released in vivo during human allergic reactions. With regard to the bronchial challenge of 10 asthmatic children, plasma iLTC4 levels at the post-challenge stage (0.131 +/- 0.037 pmol/ml) were significantly elevated compared to the pre-challenge stage (0.065 +/- 0.016 pmol/ml) (p less than 0.01). The bronchial response was not directly related to the increased plasma iLTC4 levels, but the strength of the bronchial response did relate to the plasma iLTC4 levels at the pre-challenge (p less than 0.05) and post-challenge (p less than 0.01) states. The pre-challenge levels are relevant to bronchial reactivity, and the post-challenge levels are relevant to bronchoconstriction caused by exposure to allergens. The in vivo release of LTC4 following exposure to a specific allergen suggests that leukotrienes are important in the pathogenesis of asthma.

Adolescent↗

[A case of tracheopathia osteoplastica].

A case of tracheopathia osteoplatica in a 43-year-old man, detected incidentally at the upper gastrointestinal examination was reported. The examination showed a long segment esophageal compression from a paraesophageal lesion. CT was effective to demonstrate the typical narrowing and wall thickening of the trachea, and to demonstrate that the esophageal compression was caused by the deformed trachea.

Adult↗

[Evaluation of allergen-specific IgE antibodies by a newly developed mast allergy system].

MAST, which stand for multiple antigen simultaneous test, uses enzyme-linked anti-human IgE and chemiluminogenic substate to determine IgE. This system is characterized by simultaneous analysis of multiple allergen items, up to 35, together with total IgE determination. We evaluated usefulness of this MAST system using 191 serum samples obtained from patients with bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis and/or atopic dermatitis. It was found that there were statistically significant correlations between IgE antibody quantification by MAST and RAST in 24 out of 35 allergen items, with correlation coefficients more than r = 0.60. These included Dermatophagoides farinae and pteronyssinus, Japanese cedar pollen, orchard grass, Alternaria, Candida as inhalant allergens; egg white, milk, soybeans, wheat and rice as food allergens. It was also evaluated how many allergen-specific IgE antibodies could be detected in one serum sample. More than six allergen-specific IgE antibodies were simultaneously detected in 33% of 191 cases, indicating the importance of multiple-allergen analysis. These results indicate the clinical usefulness of the MAST allergy system in detecting IgE antibodies in allergic subjects.

Allergens↗

[Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of sustained-release theophylline formulation, Slo-bid, in both single and multiple dosing studies of asthmatic children].

The pharmacokinetics of theophylline in serum and saliva, and the pulmonary functions were examined in seven asthmatic children aged 9-14 years in both single (6.7 +/- 0.8 micrograms/kg) and multiple dosing settings of sustained-release theophylline formulation, Slo-bid, designed for 12-hour dosing intervals. In the single dose study, the mean maximum concentration (Cmax) and the time taken to reach maximum concentration (Tmax) in serum were 5.5 micrograms/ml and 7.3 hours, and the same parameters in saliva were 3.8 micrograms/ml and 7.3 hours. In the multiple dose study which lasted five days, Cmax, the mean minimum concentration (Cmin), the peak-trough fluctuation (delta P-T) and Tmax in plasma were 13.2 micrograms/ml, 9.9 micrograms/ml, 3.3 micrograms/ml and 5.4 hours, and those in saliva were 10.4 micrograms/ml, 7.0 micrograms/ml, 3.4 micrograms/ml and 5.0 hours, respectively. These results, showing a significant correlation, in both single and multiple dose trials, between the theophylline concentration in serum and the improvement of pulmonary function are support the contention that the therapeutic range of theophylline concentration in serum is 5 to 20 micrograms/ml. There was a significant correlation between the concentration in serum and saliva (r = 0.943, p less than 0.001). The predicted concentrations in serum from those in saliva were +/- 3 micrograms/ml of the measured concentrations in 92.8% of measurements. From these results, we concluded that the sustained-release formulation of theophylline, Slo-bid, is suitable for the treatment in asthmatic children.

Adolescent↗

Successful treatment with a long-acting somatostatin analogue (SMS201-995) in a patient with malignant carcinoid syndrome.

A case of carcinoid syndrome is presented. Pulmonary adenosquamous carcinoma with hepatic metastasis was found in a 60-year-old Japanese male who was complaining of fever, cough and haemosputum. After the treatment with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) over 2 years, he was diagnosed as carcinoid syndrome on the appearance of facial flushing, face edema and watery diarrhea accompanied by high levels of 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) in blood and urine. Prednisolone, which was initially effective, was replaced by SMS201-995 due to the considerable dose increase of the former because its effect became insufficient during the course of the treatment. Clinical symptoms were improved by SMS201-995 and blood 5-HIAA level decreased gradually but markedly. Thus better results were obtained by SMS201-995 compared with prednisolone. These results imply that SMS201-995 is appreciated as an effective drug for treatment of carcinoid syndrome.

Adenocarcinoma↗