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Biomedical subjects

H Fujishima

Publications and source records attributed to H Fujishima.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Short communication: detection of early scirrhous carcinoma of the stomach by endoscopic ultrasonography.

The endoscopic ultrasonography (US) characteristics of early scirrhous carcinoma of the stomach (ESS) were evaluated in four patients. ESS was defined as the presence of poorly differentiated carcinoma cells spreading through the submucosa and muscularis propria in association with a marked desmoplastic reaction without serosal invasion. ESS was characterized by localized irregular hypoechoic enlargement of the third (submucosal) and the fourth (muscularis propria) layers. The fifth (serosal) layer was normal. The third and fourth layers showed a threefold increase in thickness compared with the thickness of these layers in healthy subjects. Our results suggest that endoscopic US is useful for diagnosis of ESS.

Adenocarcinoma, Scirrhous↗

Measurement of interleukin-4 and histamine in superficial cells of conjunctiva in patients with allergic conjunctivitis.

Interleukin 4 (IL-4) may play a role in the development of allergic disease. We questioned whether IL-4 related phenomenon occurred on the surface of the conjunctiva during allergic conjunctivitis. Ten patients with cedar pollen-allergic conjunctivitis and 10 patients with postsurgical conjunctivitis were enrolled in this study. Cells were collected by brush cytology from the upper palpebral conjunctiva. After the cells were cultured for 24 hours, the levels of IL-4, IgE, and histamine were measured in the supernatants. An ELISA was used for histamine and a highly sensitive sandwich ELISA for IL-4 and IgE. Conjunctival cells were also stained and fixed by May-Grunwalds stain solution. The number of superficial cells, especially lymphocytes, were compared in the two groups. The total number of cells collected by brush cytology did not differ in allergic vs., postsurgical conjunctivitis. Lymphocytes were similarly present in such specimens. The levels of IL-4 (p = 0.01) and histamine (p = 0.02) significantly increased in the specimens from patients with allergic conjunctivitis, although IgE was not detected in both groups. There was a correlation between the level of IL-4 and histamine (p = 0.0001). Conjunctival cells in allergic conjunctivitis produced a larger amount of IL-4 and histamine for cedar pollen compared to the postsurgical conjunctivitis. As with other allergic diseases, IL-4 may play a role similar to that of histamine in the development of allergic conjunctivitis.

Adolescent↗

[Comparative trial of granisetron alone and granisetron plus methylprednisolone for prevention of nausea and vomiting during cancer chemotherapy].

A crossover clinical trial between granisetron alone and granisetron combined with methylprednisolone (MPL) was undertaken for the prevention of nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy, including cisplatin, in 12 patients with advanced primary and metastatic lung cancer. The antiemetic effect was obtained in 91.7% (11/12 cases) of patients receiving granisetron alone compared to 100% (12/12 cases) of patients receiving the combination of granisetron plus MPL. Complete control of anorexia was achieved in 91.6% (11/12 cases) of patients receiving the combination compared to 58.3% (7/12 cases) of patients receiving granisetron alone. Moreover there was a significant improvement of delayed clinical symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and anorexia in the patients receiving the combination of granisetron plus MPL. Our data suggest that the antiemetic effect of the combination of granisetron plus MPL is superior to granisetron alone in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy.

Adult↗

Inhibition of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II)-induced DNA interstrand cross-link removal by 7-ethyl-10-hydroxy-camptothecin in HST-1 human squamous-carcinoma cells.

The combination of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (CDDP) and 7-ethyl-10-[4-(1-piperidino)-1-piperidino]carbonyloxycamptothecin (CPT-11), a topoisomerase-I inhibitor, has been shown to be synergistic in vitro and clinically active against several human cancers refractory to chemotherapy. To elucidate the mechanism of the synergistic cytotoxicity of CDDP and 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38), an active metabolite of CPT-11, we studied the interaction of these agents using an HST-1 human squamous-carcinoma cell line. Cells were exposed to the IC50 concentration of SN-38 (5.0 ng/ml) for 1 hr and various concentrations of CDDP for 1 hr in several different treatment schedules. SN-38 augmented the anti-tumor activity of CDDP in all schedules, with maximal synergy observed with simultaneous administration. Evaluation of the kinetics of the removal of DNA interstrand cross-links, measured by alkaline elution, showed significant reduction of this removal in the cells exposed to SN-38 and CDDP, as compared with the cells exposed to CDDP alone. No differences, however, were found in the initially attained level of DNA interstrand cross-links induced by CDDP between these cells. Moreover, the intracellular accumulation of platinum measured by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry, was virtually identical between these cells. These results indicate that SN-38 can modulate the removal of platinum-DNA adducts, thereby potentiating the cytotoxicity of CDDP, suggesting a critical role for topoisomerase I in the repair of DNA interstrand cross-links.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

Increased comfort and decreased inflammation of the eye by cooling after cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: Cooling can reduce clinical symptoms and pain caused by traumatic swelling or fracture of extremities. We obtained subjective and objective measures of the effects of cooling of the eyes after cataract surgery. METHODS: Twenty patients with bilateral cataracts were enrolled in this study. For each patient, an ice-cold eye mask was applied over gauze to one operated-on eye for two hours after the operation and was not applied after operation on the other eye. After each operation, the patient rated comfort on a five-point scale. The severity of inflammation associated with each procedure was evaluated by using an infrared radiation thermometer to determine the central corneal temperature and a laser flare-cell meter to determine the cell and flare count, at intervals up to 28 days after surgery. RESULTS: Cooling, applied after the first operation in ten patients and after the second operation in ten patients, statistically significantly increased the patients' comfort level and was associated with a significant decrease in central corneal temperature on days 0, 1, and 3; in cell counts on days 1, 3, 7, and 14; and in flare counts on days 1, 14, and 28. CONCLUSIONS: Cooling increased the comfort level and reduced inflammation after cataract surgery, with no adverse effects.

Aged↗

Respiratory syncytial virus and allergic conjunctivitis.

The pathogenesis of allergic conjunctivitis is largely conjectural. We investigated the possible involvement of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a ubiquitous respiratory pathogen, in the development of allergic conjunctivitis through immune mechanisms. A new technique of brush cytology was used to obtain conjunctival cells from 30 patients with allergic conjunctivitis and 20 control subjects. Samples were assayed for the presence of RSV sequences with the reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and the nested polymerase chain reaction. Specific primers and inner primers were synthesized on the basis of RNA sequences previously identified. RSV sequences were detected in 7 of 30 (23%) patient samples and 1 of 20 (5%) control samples. Our results proved that polymerase chain reaction could detect RSV sequences in conjunctival samples. RSV may be a significant pathogenic factor in allergic conjunctivitis.

Adolescent↗

Measurement of IL-4 in tears of patients with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis and vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

To elucidate the mechanism of ocular surface allergic disease, we focused on IL-4, which is one of the key factors in regulating IgE production, and thus determined the concentration of IL-4 in tears. IL-4 concentration was determined in the tears of 15 patients with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, 15 vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC), 10 giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC), 10 patients with non-allergic conjunctivitis and post-cataract surgical conjunctivitis as intermediate conjunctivitis, and 10 normal subjects using a highly sensitive sandwich ELISA. The mean level of IL-4 in normal controls was low, and seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, VKC and GPC showed a significant elevation (P < 0.05), respectively. IL-4 of VKC and GPC were also significantly higher than allergic conjunctivitis, and non-allergic conjunctivitis and post-cataract surgical conjunctivitis were not higher than normal. These results raise the possibility that the increased level of IL-4 in tears could play a role in allergic disease and its severity in patients.

Adolescent↗

Increased levels of Epstein-Barr virus DNA in lacrimal glands of Sjögren's syndrome patients.

Many Sjögren's syndrome patients complain primarily of dry eye. Epstein-Barr virus DNA has recently been found in the lacrimal glands of Sjögren's syndrome sufferers and normal individuals, and lacrimal glands are thought to be a target organ for latent Epstein-Barr virus infection. In this study, we performed lacrimal and salivary gland biopsies on 9 Sjögren's syndrome patients. Extracted Epstein-Barr virus DNA was assayed by polymerase chain reaction and compared to that of healthy individuals. An increased level of Epstein-Barr virus DNA was observed in all of the lacrimal glands and 8 of the 9 salivary glands from the Sjögren's syndrome patients. However, the amount of genome in the lacrimal gland was more than 10 times that in the salivary glands, not only in the Sjögren's syndrome patients but also in the controls. This may explain the pathogenesis of dry eye in patients with Sjögren's syndrome, and why the lacrimal gland tends to be so prominently affected. It may also suggest a therapeutic approach for this and possibly other types of dry eye.

Base Sequence↗

Direct sub-Tenon's ocular anesthesia for strabismus surgery.

We assessed the safety and effectiveness of sub-Tenon's anesthesia, a local anesthesia, for strabismus surgery. For 15 surgeries, we used anesthesia by sub-Tenon's infusion, followed by direct infusion through a transconjunctival route with a local anesthetic agent. We found the procedure was simple, it minimized complications compared with other techniques and was effective in achieving rapid anesthesia. With the ocular movement remaining, we checked eye position by the alternative cover-uncover test at the end of surgery. We obtained good eye position for all patients. This method leads to good results for strabismus surgery.

Adolescent↗

Persistent epithelial defect following penetrating keratoplasty: an adverse effect of diclofenac eyedrops.

Association between the use of diclofenac sodium (DfNa) eyedrops and the development of a postkeratoplasty persistent epithelial defect (PED) of the cornea were studied. In 100 consecutive patients undergoing penetrating keratoplasty who had no limbal or conjunctival epithelial abnormalities, 12 (12.0%) developed PED (persistence of epithelial defect for > 8 days after keratoplasty) postoperatively. The use of DfNa eyedrops correlated significantly with the development of PED (p = 0.0001, chi-square test). DfNa eyedrops were used in 19 eyes postoperatively, eight of which (42.1%) showed signs of PED. The type of preservation media, preservation time, indications for keratoplasty, or the surgical procedures performed did not correlate with the development of PED. These results indicate that DfNa eyedrops are toxic to the corneal epithelium postkeratoplasty. The eyedrops should be used with great care in patients with disorders of the corneal epithelium.

Adult↗

Allergic conjunctivitis caused by sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) pollen out of season.

Allergic conjunctivitis caused by sugi pollen is considered to be strictly a "spring disease". However, a recent report indicated that sugi pollen is scattered not only in spring but in all seasons, especially in the autumn. We retrospectively determined the number of patients with allergic conjunctivitis caused by sugi pollen during each month for 3 consecutive years, and also investigated the growth of sugi male cones in November for four years. Diagnosis of allergic conjunctivitis was based on symptomatic complaints, clinical findings, and serum sugi pollen specific IgE measured by the Multiple Antigen Simultaneous Test 16. The annual incidence of allergic conjunctivitis peaked twice, once in spring and again in autumn. Scattering of sugi pollen occurred mostly in March and October, whilst the growth of sugi male cones was highest in November. Thus, allergy to sugi pollen can cause allergic conjunctivitis both in the spring and late autumn.

Adolescent↗

Focal segmental glomerular sclerosis, a type of intractable chronic glomerulonephritis, is a stem cell disorder.

The etiopathogenesis of focal and segmental glomerular sclerosis (FGS) remains unknown. Using a new animal model for FGS (FGS mouse), we demonstrate here that bone marrow transplantation from normal mice to FGS mice with a high grade of proteinuria (+ + +) ameliorates FGS, and that the transplantation of bone marrow cells or purified hemopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from FGS mice induces FGS in normal mice. These findings strongly suggest that FGS is a stem cell disorder; the abnormalities may be genetically programmed at the level of HSCs.

Animals↗

Quantitative evaluation of postsurgical inflammation by infrared radiation thermometer and laser flare-cell meter.

Using an infrared radiation thermometer and a laser flare-cell meter, we evaluated intraocular inflammation in 40 patients who had cataract surgery by measuring central corneal temperature, number of cells, and amount of flare in the anterior chamber. Patients were divided into two groups based on duration of surgery: Group A, more than 40 minutes; Group B, less than 40 minutes. In Group A (n = 32), corneal temperature (degrees Celsius) increased by 1.10 +/- 0.57, 0.75 +/- 0.69, 0.41 +/- 0.56, and 0.24 +/- 0.45 on days 1, 2, 14, and 30, respectively. Group B (n = 8) had no significant rise in corneal temperature, but cell count (mean +/- 1 SD) increased to 39.3 +/- 13.6, 36.4 +/- 18.1, 15.5 +/- 16.5, and 4.4 +/- 3.1 on days 1, 2, 7, and 14, respectively. Flare increased to 88.9 +/- 88.9, 45.8 +/- 30.1, 38.3 +/- 25.4, and 18.5 +/- 9.4 on days 2, 7, 14, and 30, respectively. These observations show that the longer the cataract surgery, the greater the inflammation. Although inflammation was evaluated quantitatively by both infrared radiation thermometer and laser flare-cell meter, the latter appears to be more sensitive. Thermometry will only detect the results of very traumatic surgery, with a corresponding breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier.

Anterior Chamber↗

Extended wear soft contact lenses induce corneal epithelial changes.

The purpose of this study was to determine the corneal epithelial alterations induced by various types of contact lenses. By employing the specular microscope, the corneal epithelia of 60 patients who had worn contact lenses for more than 1 year were re-examined along with 15 myopic controls. The morphological changes in aphakic patients who changed from extended wear soft to extended wear rigid gas permeable lenses were also studied. The mean cell area of the corneal epithelium was 621.5 (SD 92.5) microns 2 for daily wear rigid gas permeable lenses (n = 15), 645.8 (98.1) microns 2 for daily wear soft lenses (n = 15), and 634.7 (88.6) microns 2 for extended wear rigid gas permeable lenses (n = 15), none of which differed significantly from the control value of 610.5 (98.1) microns 2. Only the extended wear soft lens group (n = 15) showed significantly enlarged epithelia (806.1 (50.1) microns 2, p < 0.01 versus the other groups). The epithelium partially returned to normal after changing from extended wear soft lenses to extended wear rigid gas permeable ones. The corneal epithelium showed increased cell area only with extended wear soft contact lenses which are known to pose a risk for corneal infection.

Adult↗

Renal lesions of the FGS strain of mice: a spontaneous animal model of progressive glomerulosclerosis.

The strain of FGS/Nga mouse is reported to develop proteinuria and progressive glomerulosclerosis. We studied the renal pathology of that strain periodically for 1 year. Focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis was observed 3 months after birth and the lesion progressed to the glomerular obsolescence in a year. Electron microscopic study revealed electron dense deposits (DD) in the mesangium and the splitting of glomerular basement membrane. Studies using immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy revealed that these DD were contained IgA, IgM, C3 and the retroviral envelope antigen (gp70). Clinically, proteinuria began at the age of 3 months and the renal function was decreased on time course. No other organs were involved. We studied the renal lesions of FGS mice by the histological and immunohistochemical methods and concluded that this mouse strain provides the tool for studying the mechanisms of the progression of glomerulosclerosis.

Animals↗

Respiratory syncytial virus and allergic conjunctivitis.

The pathogenesis of allergic conjunctivitis is largely conjectural. We investigated the possible involvement of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a ubiquitous respiratory pathogen, in the development of allergic conjunctivitis through immune mechanisms. Brush cytology technique was used to obtain conjunctival cells from 30 patients with allergic conjunctivitis and 20 controls. Samples were assayed for the presence of RSV sequences with the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the nested polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR). In order to further investigate the relation of RSV and allergic conjunctivitis, we performed an animal study. BALB/c mice were either infected with live RSV or sham infected intranasally. The mice were exposed to ovalbumin (OVA) with alum adjuvant. At differing intervals, levels of OVA concentration in serum and IgG-anti-OVA antibody were measured by ELISA and IgE-anti OVA antibody in serum was assessed by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. RSV sequences were detected in 7 (23%) of 30 patient samples and 1 (5%) of 20 control samples. IgG and IgE antibody responses to OVA in serum were demonstrable only in RSV-infected mice immunized with OVA and alum. Our results proved that PCR could detect RSV sequences in conjunctival samples. RSV may be a significant pathogenic factor in allergic conjunctivitis.

Acute Disease↗

A murine nephritogenic monoclonal antibody binds to both single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid and glomerulus.

BACKGROUND: Autoantibodies such as anti-DNA and antimyeloperoxidase (MPO) antibodies have been shown to cause glomerulonephritis in experimental animal models. To analyze pathogenic autoantibodies, we developed hybridomas from spleen cells of nontreated FGS mice, in which focal segmental glomerular sclerosis develops spontaneously. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Reactivity and specificity of a monoclonal antibody (FG1H5) were examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and cryosections of mouse organs as substrates. Immunoprecipitation was performed to analyze reactive antigens. Hybridoma cells were injected ip into severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice to examine their nephritogenicity in vivo. RESULTS: The binding of FG1H5 to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) was inhibited by ssDNA and also MPO. The binding of FG1H5 to MPO was weak, not inhibited by MPO, and markedly enhanced by the presence of ssDNA. This marked enhancement of the binding to MPO was abolished by DNase I-treatment of the mixture of FG1H5 and ssDNA. When MPO was introduced into ssDNA-coated wells, the binding of FG1H5 to ssDNA was inhibited. On the other hand, when ssDNA was introduced into MPO-coated wells, the binding of FG1H5 to MPO was markedly enhanced. Inhibition tests using double-stranded DNA revealed that FG1H5 is specific for ssDNA. Histologic examination of FG1H5-reactive antigen using SCID mouse kidney showed positive stainings in the nucleus and glomerulus (mainly the mesangium). These positive stainings were abolished after the incubation of FG1H5 with ssDNA. The DNase I treatment of kidney sections markedly reduced the nuclear staining, but the staining of the glomerulus was preserved. Immunoprecipitation of a soluble fraction of SCID mouse kidney with FG1H5 revealed that FG1H5-reactive antigen in the glomerulus is an approximately 28-kilodalton molecule. When FG1H5 hybridoma cells were injected ip into SCID mice, the mice showed glomerulonephritis with the increases in mesangial cells and matrix as well as immunoglobulin M deposition mainly in the mesangium. CONCLUSIONS: Data demonstrate that FG1H5 binds strongly and specifically to ssDNA (but weakly and nonspecifically to MPO), and that ssDNA and MPO bind to each other. One monoclonal antibody reacts with both the nucleus and glomerulus (mainly the mesangium), and glomerular staining is not caused by nonspecific DNA binding. FG1H5, which binds to ssDNA, can induce glomerulonephritis, probably because of a direct crossreactivity to glomerular components.

Animals↗