Biomedical subjects

H Fukushima

Publications and source records attributed to H Fukushima.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

Mutation analysis of a Japanese patient with fucosidosis.

Fucosidosis is a rare autosomal recessive disorder resulting from a deficiency of alpha-L-fucosidase. Recently, various mutations have been reported in this disease, but it is difficult to elucidate the phenotype from the genetic mutations. We report a patient with chronic infantile type fucosidosis, with a compound heterozygote of a nonsense mutation (W148X, Trp at codon 148 to stop codon) and a large deletion, including all exons. This is the first report of a large deletion demonstrated in fucosidosis. It is interesting that this patient has a relatively mild clinical course despite the absence of the mRNA. This case also indicates the difficulty in determining the phenotype from the genotype in fucosidosis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Genetic diversities of hantaviruses among rodents in Hokkaido, Japan and Far East Russia.

Seroepizootiologic surveys among wild rodents were carried out in Japan and Far East Russia in 1995 and 1996. Seropositive animals were only identified in Clethrionomys rufocanus (23/134) in Hokkaido, Japan. On the other hand, seropositives were identified in C. rufocanus (1/8), Apodemus agrarius (2/66), Apodemus spp. (2/26) and Microtus fortis (3/22) in Vladivostok, Far East Russia. Total RNA was isolated from lungs of seropositive animals and the S genome segments were amplified by PCR, cloned and sequenced. The S and M genomes of hantavirus, derived from Japanese C. rufocanus (Tobetsu genotype), were most closely related with Puumala viruses (76-79% nucleotide and 95% amino acid identities for S genome, 70-78% nucleotide and 87-92% amino acid identities for M genome). The recombinant nucleocapsid protein of Tobetsu genotype was antigenically quite similar with that of Sotkamo. These suggest that the virus endemic in Japanese C. rufocanus belongs to Puumala virus. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that the genotype forms a distinct lineage within Puumala viruses. Partial S segment (1-1251 nt), derived from seropositive M. fortis in Vladivostok, was sequenced and analyzed. The S genome segment, which was designated Vladivostok genotype, was most closely related with Khabarovsk virus (79% nucleotide and 90% amino acid identities) which was isolated from M. fortis.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Role of bipolar electrogram polarity mapping in localizing recurrent conduction in the isthmus early and late after ablation of atrial flutter.

OBJECTIVES: Bipolar electrogram polarity was analyzed to localize the recurrent conduction site in the isthmus between the tricuspid annulus (TA) and inferior vena cava (IVC) in recurrent atrial flutter (AF). BACKGROUND: Despite the initial successful linear isthmus ablation, recurrence of transisthmus conduction and AF is not uncommon. It is unclear how the recurrent conduction site can be identified. METHODS: Fourteen patients with recurrent AF were studied: four with late recurrence remote from the first ablation and 10 with early recurrence within 60 minutes after the initial successful ablation. Bipolar electrogram polarity mapping was performed during low lateral right atrium (LLRA) pacing during sinus rhythm while recording bipolar electrograms from the septal portion of the isthmus along the previously ablated line. The septal side of the isthmus from TA to IVC was arbitrarily divided into five sites, and the bipolar electrodes with cathode at the tip and anode at the second was placed at each site. The recurrent conduction site was localized by analyzing the polarity of the bipolar electrogram recorded at each site. RESULTS: All recurrent AF was due to reentry around TA. During pacing from LLRA, as the mapping electrode was moved from TA to IVC side, the major polarity of the electrogram changed from negative to positive in all patients. A transitional electrogram with the equal amplitudes in positive and negative components was recorded between the sites showing mainly negative and positive electrograms, indicating electrogram polarity reversal at this site. Application of radiofrequency energy to this single site resulted in the elimination of transisthmus conduction in all patients with a single application in 11 patients and 2 or 3 in the remaining 3. CONCLUSIONS: Bipolar electrogram polarity mapping with attention to the polarity reversal point is useful for identifying and ablating the recurrent conduction site.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Hydrochloric acid treatment for rapid recovery of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O26, O111 and O157 from faeces, food and environmental samples.

We developed a hydrochloric acid treatment for the isolation of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O26:H11, O111:H- and O157:H7 strains from a variety of samples. After exposure to an equal volume of 1/8N HCl solution for 30 sec, the fecal suspensions and enrichment cultures were spread onto cefixime-tellurite-sorbitol-MacConkey (CT-SMAC) agar. This HCl treatment increased the sensitivity for detection of STEC O26:H11, O111:H- and O157:H7 strains and decreased the growth of other microorganisms, from faecal samples and enrichment cultures of a variety of samples. This approach is an important economical and time-saving method to simplify and speed up isolation of STEC O26:H11, O111:H- and O157:H7 from a variety of samples.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

An effective, rapid and simple method for isolation of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O26, O111 and O157 from faeces and food samples.

An effective, rapid and simple method was developed for isolating Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O26:H11, O111:H- and O157:H7 from faeces and food in less than 24 h. The procedure involves enrichment of these samples in Trypticase soy broth (TSB) at 42 degrees C for 6 h. The enrichment culture is exposed to 1/8N HCl +0.5% NaCl solution (1 + 1) for 30 sec, then plated onto MacConkey agar containing sorbitol, tellurite and cefixime (CT-SMAC) following culture at 37 degrees C for 18 h. The findings were compared with conventional enrichment methods for efficiency in recovering STEC from bovine faeces. The new method increased the sensitivity for isolation of < 10(2) STEC O26:H11, O111:HUT and O157:H7 CFU/g of bovine faeces and decreased the growth of other gram-negative microorganisms. This procedure is readily implemented for use in laboratories doing routine microbiological testing.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

The judgment of a gunshot wound with severe post-mortem changes.

This is a report on an autopsy case that revealed a gunshot wound to the back of the head. On examination of the external surface, an entrance and exit wound could not be found in the head region because of the severe post-mortem changes and the atypical entrance wound position and direction of the bullet tract; X-rays taken before the internal examination were effective in this case. In this case, the direction of the bullet tract was supposed to be similar to that of the suboccipital puncture.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

D1S80 subtyping by PCR-RFLP: new nomenclature and further characterization.

In a previous study, we screened out sequence variations within alleles at the D1S80 locus of a Japanese population using PCR-RFLP with EcoRII as a restriction enzyme. In the present study, through analyzing the alleles in a Chinese population, we were able to demonstrate four new electrophoretic band patterns that were complementary to the Japanese data. After summarizing the band patterns and sequencing results of these two populations, we established a new nomenclature for the PCR-RFLP band patterns, closely relating them to their corresponding sequences so that the new types could be designated easily and accurately. After PCR-RFLP subtyping, nineteen alleles in the Chinese population were revealed to have a total of thirty-seven subtypes. The discrimination power of this locus in the Chinese population was elevated from 0.974 to 0.988, and the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in this population showed no deviation when checked. Two samples typed as homozygotes 24/24 and 30/30 were identified to be actually heterozygous according to their band patterns. The result was supported by the sequencing analysis of the two samples in which overlapping of eight and eleven repeat units, respectively, were revealed. The heterozygosity was thus elevated from 0.85 to 0.87. The present study proved that PCR-RFLP was an effective method for subtyping D1S80 alleles in the Chinese.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

Splanchnic perfusion during controlled hypotension with haemodilution under isoflurane anaesthesia in elderly patients.

We investigated the effects of controlled hypotension with haemodilution under isoflurane anaesthesia on splanchnic perfusion in elderly patients. We determined the intramucosal pH using gastric tonometry in 28 patients scheduled for hip surgery. Patients without cardiac disease were assigned to two groups according to age. Group A (adult patients, n = 14) included patients aged less than 60 years (range 29-58 years, 47 +/- 11 years, mean +/- SD) and group B (elderly patients, n = 14) more than 65 years (68-78 years, 72 +/- 5 years). Anaesthesia was maintained with N2O-O2-isoflurane. After induction of anaesthesia, haemodilution was produced by drawing 800-1000 mL of blood and replacing it with the same amount of hydroxyethyl starch. Final haematocrit values were 23-24% in all groups. Controlled hypotension was induced with prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and mean blood pressure was maintained at approximately 60 mmHg for approximately 80 min. Measurements, including gastric intramucosal pH (pHi), arterial blood pH (pHa) and serum lactate were measured before haemodilution (T0), after haemodilution (T1), 80 min after starting hypotension (T2), 60 min after recovery from hypotension (T3) and on the 1st post-operative day (T4). The values of pHa and lactate showed no change in the groups throughout the time course. The gastric pHi values showed significant decreases from 7.418 +/- 0.035 to 7.334 +/- 0.024 (P < 0.05) in group A and from 7.428 +/- 0.029 to 7.320 +/- 0.039 (P < 0.05) in group B after haemodilution, while no further decreases were found at 80 min after starting the hypotension (7.329 +/- 0.038 in group A and 7.322 +/- 0.031 in group B) and 60 min after recovery from hypotension (7.331 +/- 0.029 in group A and 7.328 +/- 0.034 in group B). It can be concluded that moderate haemodilution under isoflurane anaesthesia might impair splanchnic perfusion in adult and elderly patients. The addition of controlled hypotension with PGE1 or an increase in age did not further impair splanchnic perfusion nor the splanchnic oxygen supply.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Clinical experiences in Sakai City Hospital during the massive outbreak of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157 infections in Sakai City, 1996.

In the middle of July, 1996, a massive outbreak of hemorrhagic colitis (HC) occurred among elementary schoolchildren in Sakai city. This is the most widespread outbreak of O157 infection ever experienced to our knowledge. Lunch foods supplied in the elementary schools in Sakai were contaminated by Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157. One hundred and twenty-one cases developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) from 12,680 symptomatic patients, including putative secondary infections, and three girls died during this outbreak. Sakai City Hospital is one of the core medical facilities in this community; hence, 425 children with HC were treated at the hospital. Antibiotics were used extensively on all patients. Among them, 12 children developed HUS. All 425 children, including the patients with HUS, recovered without significant sequelae. In the present paper, the clinical experiences during this massive outbreak of E. coli O157 infection in Sakai City Hospital are described.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed1999

Messenger RNA expression of matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma is relatively poor because of the high rate of intrahepatic recurrences. We have previously demonstrated an association between enhanced secretion of active matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs; gelatinase A and matrilysin) and early recurrence in hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of this study was to examine further the relationship between messenger RNA levels of metalloproteinases and their inhibitors and behavior of this carcinoma. METHODS: Messenger RNA expression of gelatinase A, gelatinase B, matrilysin and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2 were analyzed in 30 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results were contrasted with the clinicopathological data of the patients. RESULTS: Enhanced mRNA expression of gelatinase A, gelatinase B and matrilysin in tumor was observed in 20, 22 and 19 of 30 patients, respectively. Enhanced mRNA expression of gelatinase A or gelatinase B and of matrilysin showed trends toward presence of capsular invasion (P = 0.078) and intrahepatic metastasis (P = 0.064), respectively. Concomitant overexpression of gelatinase A and matrilysin was associated with portal invasion, intrahepatic metastasis and recurrence within the first postoperative year (P < 0.05). A modest increase of mRNA expression of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in tumor was observed in half of the patients, but did not correlate with any clinicopathological features. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis of MMPs may be helpful in disease management of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

PubMed1999

Long-term survival of shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O26, O111, and O157 in bovine feces.

Cattle are an important reservoir of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O26, O111, and O157. The fate of these pathogens in bovine feces at 5, 15, and 25 degrees C was examined. The feces of a cow naturally infected with STEC O26:H11 and two STEC-free cows were studied. STEC O26, O111, and O157 were inoculated into bovine feces at 10(1), 10(3), and 10(5) CFU/g. All three pathogens survived at 5 and 25 degrees C for 1 to 4 weeks and at 15 degrees C for 1 to 8 weeks when inoculated at the low concentration. On samples inoculated with the middle and high concentrations, O26, O111, and O157 survived at 25 degrees C for 3 to 12 weeks, at 15 degrees C for 1 to 18 weeks, and at 5 degrees C for 2 to 14 weeks, respectively. Therefore, these pathogens can survive in feces for a long time, especially at 15 degrees C. The surprising long-term survival of STEC O26, O111, and O157 in bovine feces shows that such feces are a potential vehicle for transmitting not only O157 but also O26 and O111 to cattle, food, and the environment. Appropriate handling of bovine feces is emphasized.

Aerobiosis↗

PubMed1999

[Current appraisal of endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy: results of the national questionnaire surgery].

A questionnaire survey was performed in order to investigate the current status of endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy in Japan. Four hundred and twenty-nine (429) university, national or public hospitals with a minimum of 400 beds were included. A total of 248 of these hospitals responded. Among them 63 (25%) performed this procedure. The total of the cases was 1116. The number of access port and the technique for defunctioning the sympathetic chain were broadly divided into three methods. These methods were equally carried out among the departments. The clinical results were judged as satisfactory in the great majority of patients and the frequency of complications was low. On the other hand, the overall incidence of compensatory sweating remained relatively high and accumulated as the number of cases increased. But the reported frequency differed strikingly from hospital probably for lack of an objective way of quantifying following sympathectomy. Although overall complications were infrequent, the need for conventional thoracotomy to stop bleeding occurred in some cases. Therefore even this simple endoscopic operation demands the utmost surgical care, skill and experience. A few recurrences of preoperative symptoms were seen in the follow-up suggesting that all patients must be continually monitored after the operation.

Endoscopy↗

PubMed1999

Frequent Bax frameshift mutations in gastric cancer with high but not low microsatellite instability.

Widespread microsatellite instability (MSI) due to the defective DNA mismatch repair underlies the pathogenesis of the majority of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer and a subset of various sporadic malignant tumors. Using 5 microsatellite markers and the criteria of MSI proposed by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) workshop, we analyzed 205 gastric adenocarcinomas for MSI. Based on the number of markers showing instability per tumor, the tumors were divided into three groups; those with two or more of the five markers displaying instability (high MSI, MSI-H), those with one of five markers displaying instability (low MSI, MSI-L), and those with no instability (microsatellite stable, MSS). Among 205 tumors, 30 (15%) were MSI-H, 15 (7%) were MSI-L, and 160 (78%) were MSS. All of the 30 MSI-H tumors demonstrated instability at BAT26, a sensitive marker for the widespread MSI, while none of the 15 MSI-L tumors did. MSI-H tumors were significantly associated with distal location and well or moderate differentiation, but MSI-L tumors were indistinguishable from MSS tumors. Bax frameshift mutations were detected in 60% of the 30 MSI-H tumors, while not in any of the 15 MSI-L tumors. These results suggest that microsatellite analysis using the criteria proposed by the NCI workshop may be appropriate for gastric cancers because it unveils real differences in genotype and phenotype.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1999

Control of photoinduced electron transfer from zinc-porphyrin to methyl viologen by supramolecular formation between monoclonal antibody and zinc-porphyrin.

Photoinduced electron transfer from tetrakis(4-carboxy-phenyl porphyrin)-zinc complex (Zn-TCPP) to an acceptor molecule (methyl viologen; MV2+) has been found to be controlled by the complex formation of monoclonal antibody 03-1 for the porphyrin (TCPP) and Zn-TCPP. Although there are no ground-state interactions between Zn-TCPP and MV2+ for a 2:1 complex of antibody 03-1 and Zn-TCPP, the fluorescence of Zn-TCPP is quenched by the addition of MV2+. The Stern-Volmer plots and emission lifetime studies show that there is a long-range electron transfer through the antibody 03-1.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1999

[Successful endocrine chemotherapy in patients with multiple bone metastases of breast cancer--a case report].

A 54-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with upper and lower back pain. She had previously developed multiple bone metastases of advanced breast cancer. Endocrine chemotherapy of tamoxifen citrate (TAM) 20 mg/day and carmofur (HCFU) 300 mg/day was started. Subsequently, medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) 600 mg/day and 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5'-DFUR) 600 mg/day were administered. In evaluating the treatment effect for symptomatic relief, partial response and performance status were judged to have improved from 4 to 2. At present, the patient is able to walk on her own to the hospital. She has lived 4 years with no newly developed lesions, and no adverse effects such as diarrhea or body weight gain have been observed. Substantial results can be achieved in patients with bone metastasis of breast cancer even with mild endocrine chemotherapy. A combination of radiotherapy, pain control, and orthopedic surgery suitable to each case is thought to be necessary.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

PubMed1999

[Forensic DNA analysis--past and future].

Since the introduction of DNA polymorphism analysis techniques to forensic science, forensic identification research has made radical, astonishing progress at a rate that has already rendered the initial methodologies introduced fifteen years ago obsolete. DNA extraction now can be quickly and efficiently performed by various kinds of commercially available kits. The advent of PCR has enabled the use of relatively crude and minute DNA as amplification templates while many kinds of new detection methods for analyzing the amplified products have also been developed. Although many minisatellites such as MCT118, YNZ22, COL2A1, and ApoB were highlighted at the beginning of 1980s, none of these loci, with the exception of MCT118, have proved useful for forensic DNA application due to their low amplification efficiency. On the other hand, STR loci containing four base pair repeat sequences have been used routinely for human identification since the mid-1990s. In the near future, the highly efficient STR should be selected as a consensus core marker in Japan. STR systems located on the Y chromosome are widely used in forensic science for the identification of male individuals. These systems have a special significance in forensic science cases where mixtures of male and female DNA are analyzed, as happens in cases of rape or other sexual crimes. The characteristics of high copy number, maternal inheritance, and high degree of sequence variability make mtDNA a powerful tool for forensic identification. Most of the variations in mtDNA among individuals are found within the displacement loop (D-loop). In all population groups, mtDNA sequences can be useful for discriminating among unrelated individuals. Now it is necessary to get as much as possible individual genetic information as quickly as possible in order to enable individual identification. We will create a new era in which forensic identification can be performed using microarray technology.

Blotting, Southern↗

PubMed1998

A Case of Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans in the Skin over the Breast of a Young Woman.

A 19-year-old woman with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) of the breastis described. She presented with a tumor of the left breast with redness and swelling. She had noticed a small tumor five years previously, but it had begun togrow rapidly three months previously. Mammography, ultrasonography and aspiration biopsy cytology demonstrated an apparently benign tumor of the breast preoperatively. Wide excision was performed to confirm the diagnosis. Histologically, the tumor was composed of a uniform population of fibroblasts in a distinct storiform pattern. DFSP was diagnosed in the skin over the breast. This lesion ordinarily originates from the dermis in the trunk and proximal extremities. It is important to diagnose a soft tissue lesion accurately when it occurs in the breast.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1998

IL-12 promotes the adhesion of NK cells to endothelial selectins under flow conditions.

This study examined the adhesive interactions of peripheral blood NK cells with P- and E-selectin and analyzed the effect of IL-12 on the binding of NK cells to these selectins. P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) is expressed on most resting and IL-12-activated NK cells. However, the percentage of resting NK cells bound to P-selectin-IgG was 15%, and that of activated NK cells bound to P-selectin-IgG was 65%. Furthermore, the number of IL-12-activated NK cells bound to P-selectin-transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells was significantly higher than that of resting NK cells under flow conditions. These interactions were abolished by the incubation of these NK cells with anti-PSGL-1 (PL-1) mAb. Thus, PSGL-1/P-selectin interaction is important in the binding of resting and activated NK cells to P-selectin. NK cells express sialyl-Lewis(x) (sLe(x)) structure recognized by anti-sLe(x) mAb (KM-93), and IL-12 activation of NK cells increased the mean fluorescence intensity of KM-93-reactive NK cells. Adhesion of IL-12-activated NK cells to E-selectin-transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells was stronger than that of resting NK cells under flow conditions. These interactions were reduced markedly by incubation with anti-sLe(x) mAb. Thus, sLe(x) is the major ligand of resting and activated NK cells for E-selectin. These findings indicate that IL-12 stimulation of NK cells promotes their adhesion activity to endothelial selectins.

Animals↗