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Biomedical subjects

H Fujii

Publications and source records attributed to H Fujii.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

[Syngeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for chronic myelogenous leukemia associated with Klinefelter's syndrome].

We report on a patient with Klinefelter's syndrome who underwent successful syngeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). A-46-year-old man was given a diagnosis of chronic phase CML in May 1994 on the basis of findings of leukocytosis (54,000/microliter) and bone marrow chromosomal abnormalities [47, XXY, t(9; 22; 14) (q34; q11; q24)]. Hydroxyurea and interferon alpha were administered. In August 1996, a syngeneic transplant was performed following myeloablative therapy, using peripheral blood stem cells collected from the patient's identical twin brother, who had been pretreated with rhG-CSF. Following transplantation (4.0 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg) and the subsequent administration of rhG-CSF, the patient rapidly achieved normal tri-lineage hematopoiesis. A post-transplant chromosomal analysis of the patient's bone marrow cells detected the 47, XXY karyotype. Although the major BCR-ABL gene had been detected in bone marrow by RT-PCR methods prior to the syngeneic PBSCT (August 1996), it was not detected after PBSCT (January 1997). In March 1998, interphase fluorescence in situ hibridization (FISH) procedures disclosed XXY signal patterns in peripheral blood lymphocyte samples from the patient and donor, at frequencies of 96% and 97%, respectively. Both the patient and donor had high levels of serum FSH and LH and low levels of serum testosterone.

Diseases in Twins↗
PubMed1999

Evaluation of the blue formazan spot test for screening glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

Several screening tests for glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency have been reported thus far, and a standardized method of testing was proposed by the International Council for Standardization in Hematology (ICSH). The screening test used in any particular laboratory depends upon a number of factors such as cost, time required, temperature, humidity, and availability of reagents. In this study, a direct comparison between three different G6PD screening methods has been undertaken. In 71 cases (50 hematologically normal volunteers, 9 hemizygous G6PD-deficient males, and 12 heterozygous deficient females), the blue formazan spot test (BFST) was compared with the conventional methemoglobin reduction test (HiRT) and the ICSH-recommended fluorescent spot test (FST-ICSH). In all cases, the results obtained with the three screening tests were correlated with the enzyme activity assayed spectrophotometrically. In hemizygous G6PD-deficient males, all cases were equally detected with the three methods: BFST (4.7-6.64, controls: 11.1-13.4), BMRT (score +3 in all 9 cases), and FST (no fluorescence in 9 cases). In heterozygous G6PD-deficient females, two methods detected 7 out of 12 cases (BFST: 8.71-11.75, controls: 11.1-13.4; and BMRT: score +3 in 7 cases), whereas the FST-ICSH missed all 12 cases that presented a variable degree of fluorescence. Although the sensitivity for G6PD-deficient carrier detection is the same for the BMRT and the BFST, the latter has the advantage of being semiquantitative and not merely qualitative. Unfortunately, none of the three screening tests compared here allowed the detection of the 100% heterozygote carrier state of G6PD deficiency.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMed1999

[PET evaluation of glucose metabolism in cancer].

Accelerated glycolysis is one of the biochemical characteristics of cancer cells. Based on this fact, positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) has been used in the diagnosis of various cancers. After intravenous injection of FDG and PET scans, most cancers are identified by high FDG accumulation. This metabolic tumor imaging method has been used successfully in the differentiation of benign and malignant tumors, in the diagnosis of metastasis or recurrence, in the detection of primary unknown cancers, and in cancer screening. Because the degree of FDG accumulation reflects tumor glucose consumption, quantification of FDG uptake by PET can be used in predicting biological malignancy and in monitoring treatment in both radiation and chemotherapy. The potential utility of Glut-1 and hexokinase, reported to be responsible for increased glucose metabolism, as biological markers of cancers is yet to be determined.

Cancer Care Facilities↗
PubMed1999

[Evaluation of parathyroid imaging methods with 99mTc-MIBI--the comparison of planar images obtained using a pinhole collimator and a parallel-hole collimator].

Parathyroid scintigraphy with 99mTc-MIBI was performed using two kinds of collimators, namely, a pinhole one and a parallel-hole one, to evaluate which one was more suitable for the detection of hyperfunctioning parathyroid lesions. In the studies using 99mTc source, the pinhole collimator showed better efficiency and spatial resolution in the distance where the parathyroid scan are actually performed. In the phantom study, the nodular activities modeling parathyroid lesions were visualized better on the images obtained using the pinhole collimator. In clinical studies for 30 patients suspicious of hyperparathyroidism, hyperfunctioning parathyroid nodules were better detected when the pinhole collimator was used. In conclusion, the pinhole collimator was thought to be more suitable for parathyroid scintigraphy with 99mTc-MIBI than the parallel-hole collimator.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Use of a retractor designed to harvest an internal thoracic artery graft during cardiac surgery for patients with a unilateral lung.

Adequate exposure of the heart is required for safe cardiac surgery. We performed open heart surgery for 2 patients with a unilateral lung. In one patient, coronary artery bypass grafting was performed 13 years after left pneumonectomy for lung cancer. Mitral valve replacement was performed in the other patient whose left lung was entirely collapsed due to tuberculosis. The heart was markedly deviated to the left in both patients. A retractor designed to harvest the internal thoracic artery was very useful to obtain a good operative view of the heart. The operations were uncomplicated, and postoperative recovery was uneventful in both patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Cardiac surgery in patients with dialysis-dependent renal disease.

This study was designed to evaluate the operative outcome of dialysis patients undergoing cardiac surgery. A retrospective review was performed of 28 consecutive patients with end-stage renal disease dependent on maintenance hemodialysis (n = 26) or peritoneal dialysis (n = 2) who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The operations included isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) (n = 21), aortic valve replacement (n = 4) and CABG plus aortic valve replacement (n = 3). Seven operations were emergent or urgent. In 23 patients, a heparin-coated (HC) circuit with reduced systemic heparinization was used for CPB. The hospital mortality was 7.1%. Complications occurred in 13 patients (46%). Although thoracotomy for bleeding was required in 3 patients, only 1 had undergone CPB with an HC circuit. There were 7 late deaths. All survivors showed improvement in symptoms and overall functional status. The actuarial survival rates were 78% and 58% at 1 and 4 years, respectively. In the 10 patients with diabetes mellitus, the 4-year survival rate was 50%. In the patients who underwent non-elective surgery, the survival rate was 29%. Cardiac surgery can be performed with increased but acceptable mortality in dialysis patients. Good symptomatic relief can be expected. Surgery should be performed before the general condition deteriorates.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1999

Hemolytic crisis after excessive ingestion of fava beans in a male infant with G6PD Canton.

After ingesting fava beans, a 26-month-old Chinese-Japanese male infant showed a sickly complexion and yellowish-brownish skin and was hospitalized. Severe hemolytic anemia was observed on admission, and transfusion of 200 ml of packed red cells was required. Red cell enzyme assay revealed that the patient and the mother were deficient in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). Subsequent molecular analysis showed that the patient had a missense mutation 1376 G to T (G6PD Canton) and his mother was a homozygote for the mutation. The patient was a son of a Chinese (Taiwanese) mother and a Japanese father. Although G6PD deficiency is rare in the original Japanese population, the number of "imported" cases could be rising rapidly. This is the first reported Japanese case of G6PD deficiency with G6PD Canton.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Heparin-coated circuits prevent renal dysfunction after open heart surgery.

UNLABELLED: We examined whether heparin-coated (HC) circuits can improve the operative results in patients with chronic renal insufficiency. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Elective cardiac surgery was performed in 24 patients with a serum creatinine (Cr) level of at least 1.5 mg/dl. Uncoated circuits were used in 12 patients, and HC circuits were used in 12 patients. The results of surgery were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean preoperative Cr concentration was significantly higher in the HC group (2.3 vs 1.8 mg/dl). The heparin doses, protamine dose, and activated clotting times were significantly lower in the HC group. The mean blood loss was also less, although this difference was not significant. The postoperative increase in the Cr level was small in the HC group (2.3-->2.5 mg/dl) compared to that in the noncoated group (1.8-->2.3 mg/dl). Postoperative dialysis was not required in the 5 patients in the HC group with a preoperative Cr clearance less than 20 ml/min. CONCLUSION: HC circuits and low-dose heparin can be used to maintain renal function after cardiopulmonary bypass, even in patients with severe kidney disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Novel cytotoxic diterpenes from the stem of Dysoxylum kuskusense.

Three novel diterpenes, dysokusones A (1), B (2), and C (3), were isolated from the stem of Dysoxylum kuskusense as cytotoxic substances. The structures were established by spectroscopic examinations. Compounds 1, 2, and 3 were cytotoxic toward HL-60(TB) cells with EC50 values of 2.25, 6.35, and 2.37 microM, respectively. Compound 1 also displayed cytotoxicity against K-562 and NCI-H522 cells with EC50 values of 5.04 and 4.80 microM, respectively.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗
PubMed1998

Functional dissection of the cytoplasmic subregions of the IL-2 receptor betac chain in primary lymphocyte populations.

The interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor betac chain (IL-2Rbetac) is known to regulate the development and function of distinct lymphocyte populations. Thus far, the functions of the IL-2Rbetac cytoplasmic subregions have been studied extensively by using cultured cell lines; however, this approach has limitations with respect to their functions in distinct primary lymphocyte populations. In the present study, we generated mice each expressing a mutant form of an IL-2Rbetac transgene, lacking the cytoplasmic A- or H-region, on an IL-2Rbetac null background. We show that lack of the H-region, which mediates activation of the Stat5/Stat3 transcription factors, selectively affects the development of natural killer cells and T cells bearing the gamma delta T cell receptor. This region is also required for the IL-2-induced proliferation of T cells in vitro, by upregulating IL-2Ralpha expression. In contrast, the A-region, which mediates activation of the Src family protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) members, contributes to downregulation of the T cell proliferation function. The IL-2Rbetac null mutant mice develop severe autoimmune symptoms; these are all suppressed following the expression of either of the mutants, suggesting that neither the Stats nor the Src PTK members are required. Thus, our present approach offers new insights into the functions of these cytoplasmic subregions of the IL-2Rbetac chain.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Effect of prostatic neuropeptides on invasion and migration of PC-3 prostate cancer cells.

We investigated the effect of various neuropeptides present in the prostate, including calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), substance P (SP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), calcitonin (CT), leucine-enkephalin (L-ENK), glucagon and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTH-rP), on the invasion of PC-3 prostate cancer cells through a reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel) using a Transwell cell culture chamber assay. Both CGRP and GRP increased the invasive capacity of tumor cells, whereas SP inhibited it. On the other hand, VIP, CT, L-ENK, NPY, glucagon and PTH-rP had no significant effect. Both CGRP and GRP also increased the haptotactic migration of tumor cells to fibronectin, but SP inhibited it. These three neuropeptides had no effect on either adhesion to fibronectin and laminin or on the gelatinolytic activities of MMP-9 in gelatin zymography, nor did they affect the growth of tumor cells at concentrations used in this study. These results indicate that both GRP and CGRP increased the invasive potential of PC-3 cells probably through enhancement of cell motility, while SP inhibited the invasiveness through suppression of motile response.

Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide↗
PubMed1998

Reconsideration of the lymph node metastasis pattern (N factor) from intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma using the International Union Against Cancer TNM staging system for primary liver carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: In cholangiocarcinoma, no established method of analysis of lymph node metastasis has been reported with respect to the surgical outcome. METHODS: The authors retrospectively examined the pattern of lymph node metastasis and the surgical outcome with reference to the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) TNM stage in 47 patients with cholangiocarcinoma who underwent complete tumor resection followed by a period of observation of >2 years. RESULTS: The tumors were located in the left lobe of the liver in 32 patients, in the right lobe in 12 patients, and in both lobes in 3 patients. Lymph node metastasis was found in 15 patients (12 with left lobe tumors and 3 with right lobe tumors). Among those patients with the left lobe tumors, six had no metastasis in the hepatoduodenal ligament (regional lymph nodes), but did display metastasis to lymph nodes around the cardiac portion of the stomach or along the common hepatic artery (distant lymph nodes), whereas no such skip metastasis was found in those patients with right lobe tumors. The patients with lymph node metastasis showed a tendency toward a lower survival rate than those without metastasis (difference not statistically significant), but the patients with only regional lymph node metastasis showed no difference in survival rate compared with those with distant lymph node metastasis. Patients with mass-forming type tumors without bile duct invasion had less lymph node metastasis and a better survival than those with bile duct invasion. CONCLUSIONS: The lymph node metastasis pattern of the UICC TNM classification, at least with respect to the regional lymph nodes, should be reconsidered.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Species differences in L-tryptophan-kynurenine pathway metabolism: quantification of anthranilic acid and its related enzymes.

Anthranilic acid (AA) has attracted considerable attention as one of the L-tryptophan-kynurenine pathway metabolites in the central nervous system. In this study, a highly sensitive and accurate method for the quantification of AA has been developed using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AA concentrations in different animal species were measured. CSF AA concentrations in rabbits were 1.1 +/- 0.1 nmol/liter, which were 5. 7-33.0 times lower than those in other species studied. Serum AA concentrations, however, were slightly higher in rabbits than in other species. In contrast, the concentrations of L-kynurenine (L-KYN) in both serum and CSF were substantially higher in rabbits than in other species. Tissue kynurenine pathway enzymes, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase, kynurenine 3-hydroxylase, and kynureninase were determined in rabbits, rats, gerbils, and mice. These enzymes varied among species, especially lung IDO activities in rabbits were 146-516 times higher than those found in other species, but rabbit liver kynurenine 3-hydroxylase activities were lower by one order of magnitude than those of the other species tested. Furthermore, brain kynurenine 3-hydroxylasae activities were 12.3-23.2 times higher in gerbils than those in the other species tested. In addition, AA concentrations in serum following intravenous administration of L-KYN (5 mg/kg) were also measured in rabbits. AA levels peaked sharply within 5 min after administration and decreased in a time-dependent manner. At 5 min after administration, CSF L-KYN and AA concentrations were also increased by 1.76- and 2.56-fold, respectively, compared with basal levels. Increased AA concentrations in CSF following L-KYN administration may reflect the entry of AA into the CSF after conversion to AA in systemic tissue and/or the local synthesis of AA from L-KYN in the CNS.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

A Case of Sclerosing Lymphocytic Lobulitis of the Breast Associated with Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: The benign breast disease sclerosing lymphocytic lobulitis is thought to result from autoimmune diseases causing insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) due to insulinitis. In cases of sclerosing lymphocytic lobulitis accompanied by IDDM, the clinical term gdiabetic fibrous breast disease hhas been proposed. METHODS: A case of sclerosing lymphocytic lobulitis of the breast is described RESULTS: The patient was a 43-year-old woman diagnosed with non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) 8 years previously. Insulin therapy was thought to be necessary because treatment with glibenclamide was not effective. She visited our facility complaining of a lump in her right breast that was 5 cm in diameter, painless, rock-hard, discrete, and irregularly outlined. Biopsy was performed because breast cancer was strongly suggested by its hardness and its irregular internal echo on ultrasonography. Histopathological findings demonstrated marked stromal sclerosis and lymphocyte infiltration in the perivascular and perilobular areas. Sclerosing lymphocytic lobulitis was diagnosed. CONCLUSION: Referring physicians should avoid performing unnecessary repeated biopsies by recognizing this disease entity, which often occurs bilaterally.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Platinum catalysts for the high-yield oxidation of methane to a methanol derivative

Platinum catalysts are reported for the direct, low-temperature, oxidative conversion of methane to a methanol derivative at greater than 70 percent one-pass yield based on methane. The catalysts are platinum complexes derived from the bidiazine ligand family that are stable, active, and selective for the oxidation of a carbon-hydrogen bond of methane to produce methyl esters. Mechanistic studies show that platinum(II) is the most active oxidation state of platinum for reaction with methane, and are consistent with reaction proceeding through carbon-hydrogen bond activation of methane to generate a platinum-methyl intermediate that is oxidized to generate the methyl ester product.

Journal Article↗