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H Maeda

Publications and source records attributed to H Maeda.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

[Statistical considerations for preparation of a study report on pharmacological studies].

In order to develop a new drug with scientific rationale, it is important to collect and analyze data in accordance with the protocol and to report it correctly. We suggested appropriate statistical considerations with regards to the following five points for preparing a study report on a pharmacological study: 1. For describing statistical analysis, it is important to describe the applied statistical methods concretely; 2. For describing subjects included in the analysis, it is necessary to describe the number of subjects excluded from analysis along with the reasons for their exclusion, and it is important to describe the comparability among groups; 3. For preparation of tables and figures, it is necessary to prepare tables and figures with sufficient statistical information; 4. For proper expression of the results and a meaningful discussion, we suggested the importance of drawing pharmacological conclusions with sufficient knowledge of the applied statistical methods and also suggested the statistical considerations for utilizing information obtained from the results; 5. For compiling an integrated report from two or more study reports, we suggested statistical considerations for discussing the consolidated results. We expect researchers will be able to obtain more reliable conclusions by preparing a study report taking our suggestions into consideration.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Roles of renal dopamine and kallikrein-kinin systems in antihypertensive mechanisms of exercise in rats.

We have previously shown that both renal dopamine (DA) and kallikrein-kinin systems are activated by exercise in mild hypertensives. We aimed to confirm the effects of exercise on the renal DA system and the stimulatory effects of DA on the renal kallikrein-kinin system in rats. In experiment 1, 12 male Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats given a 4% salt diet were divided into two groups. Rats in the exercise group were forced to run at 8 m/min, 60 min/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks. Daily urinary volume, urinary excretion of sodium, free DA, and kallikrein activity were measured weekly. Renal aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylase (AADC) activities were assayed at the end of the experiment. In experiment 2, 15 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, a DA-5 (5 microg of DA/kg/min), a DA-10 (10 microg of DA/kg/min), and a control group. DA or vehicle was administered subcutaneously with an osmotic pump for 2 weeks. Daily urinary volume, urinary excretion of sodium, aldosterone, DA, and kallikrein activity were measured weekly. Plasma renin activity, aldosterone concentration, and renal kallikrein mRNA levels were determined at the end of the experiment. In experiment 1, urinary excretion of free DA and renal AADC activities in the exercise group were significantly higher than those in the non-exercise group at week 4. In experiment 2, renal kallikrein mRNA levels and urinary volume were significantly increased in the DA-10 group compared to the control group, although there were no differences in urinary kallikrein activities. Plasma aldosterone concentration was significantly decreased in the DA-10 group compared to that in the control group despite a lack of differences in plasma renin activities. In conclusion, exercise increased the urinary excretion of free DA, probably through increased renal AADC activity in DS rats. DA amplified renal kallikrein mRNA levels and decreased plasma aldosterone levels, probably through its suppression of aldosterone in the adrenal glands. Activation of the kallikrein-kinin system might be counteracted by post-transcriptional modification of aldosterone. These results suggest that exercise enhances renal dopamine production by activating renal AADC activity, which in turn stimulates the renal kallikrein-kinin system.

Aldosterone↗
PubMed2000

Cloning of full length cDNA, high-level expression and biological characterization of feline IL-12.

A full length cDNA of feline interleukin(IL)-12 p35 and p40 subunits was cloned. By transferring the plasmids containing both the subunit genes to mammalian cells, we expressed biologically active feline IL-12. The expressed feline IL-12 has interferon-gamma-inducing activity against both human and feline peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and stimulates cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity against herpes simplex virus-infected human PBMCs. There were two kinds of molecules (p75, p80) in the purified recombinant feline IL-12, and both molecules exhibited biological activity. The difference between p75 and p80 was the degree of the glycosylation of the p35 chain. Moreover, when we modified the cDNA of p35 by changing some codons and deleted the 5' and 3' non-coding regions, the expression level of IL-12 increased about 100 fold.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Medical dissolution of struvite nephrolithiasis using amino acid preparation in dogs.

A new chemolytic therapy with amino acid preparation was tried for use on struvite renal stones in two dogs, which were admitted to Azabu University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. No other special diet, for the purpose of dissolving the stones, was fed during the treatment. Dissolution of the stones began at week 1, and no stone was detected on radiography at week 4 in both cases. The amino acid preparation thereafter has been administered every 2-3 days to prevent formation of the stones. After 6 months from treatment, complete dissolution was confirmed, and no relapse has been observed. Therefore, it is concluded that chemolytic therapy with amino acid preparation might be useful for the treatment of nephrolithiasis with struvite renal stones in dogs.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Human herpesvirus 8 is not associated with sarcoidosis in Japanese patients.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The etiology of sarcoidosis remains unknown, but recently it was reported that human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) may be detected in sarcoid tissue in a high proportion of patients. This study was performed to determine whether HHV-8 is implicated in sarcoidosis in Japan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from 100 patients with sarcoidosis and 100 healthy donors living in central Japan. Additionally, 19 samples of sarcoid tissue, 10 of tuberculous tissue, and 10 of lung cancers were examined. DNA was extracted from PBMC or tissue samples, and a hemi-nested polymerase chain reaction assay was performed for HHV-8 detection. RESULTS: In the PBMC study, the detection rates for HHV-8 in patients with sarcoidosis and in normal donors were 2% and 1%, respectively, the difference not being significant (p>0.99). In the tissue study, HHV-8 was detected in 10.5% of sarcoid and in 15% of nonsarcoid tissues, again not a significant difference (p>0.99). CONCLUSIONS: From these results, we conclude that HHV-8 is not implicated in sarcoidosis in Japanese patients.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed2000

Fine-needle aspiration cytologic technique for lung cancer has a high potential of malignant cell spread through the tract.

BACKGROUND: Fine-needle aspiration cytologic technique (FNAC), a method to detect malignancy for undetermined pulmonary nodules, may have a high potential to spread malignant cells from the tumor to the pleural cavity. OBJECTIVE: The authors assessed malignant cell spread through the needle tract following FNAC for peripheral lung carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lung lobes resected from 20 patients during the treatment of lung carcinoma were examined. The visceral pleura over the lung carcinoma was irrigated by heparinized saline solution to clean the surface, and then irrigated before FNAC and irrigated following FNAC to collect cells on the visceral pleura. FNAC was performed once for each tumor. Papanicolau's method was employed for cytologic examination. RESULTS: There were 15 specimens of adenocarcinoma, 4 specimens of squamous cell carcinoma, and 1 specimen of atypical carcinoid. The maximum diameter of the specimens ranged from 10 to 60 mm (median, 25 mm). Pleural indentation was observed in 15 samples. All results of FNAC were positive and matched the histologic diagnosis. Pre-FNAC specimens revealed a positive malignancy rate of 10% (2 of 20), but post-FNAC specimens had a rate of 60% (12 of 20; p = 0.002) CONCLUSION: FNAC has the potential to spread malignant cells to the pleural space. Further study is needed to determine the clinical significance of the spread of malignant cells in the pleural space.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2000

Clinical evaluation of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia and interstitial pneumonia associated with collagen vascular disease using logistic regression analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the differences in the clinical features between idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) and interstitial pneumonia associated with collagen vascular diseases (CVD-IP). METHODS: Symptoms, radiographic findings, pulmonary function, blood chemistry data including autoantibody, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) findings were compared using multiple logistic regression analysis. PATIENTS: The subjects were 44 patients clinically diagnosed with IIP and 33 patients with CVD-IP. RESULTS: The clinical features related to IIP were as follows: male sex, advanced age, past history of hypertension, presence of cough, exertional dyspnea, digital clubbing, an increased level of gamma-globulin, decreased lung volume on chest X-ray, and typical type according to the criteria for IIP on chest X-ray. Increased levels of rheumatoid factor and total cell number in BALF were related to CVD-IP. CONCLUSION: These findings are considered to be useful to differentiate IIP and CVD-IP.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

An autopsy case of diffuse panbronchiolitis associated with lung cancer.

The prognosis of diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) has been remarkably improved after the development of low-dose erythromycin therapy, possibly due to anti-inflammatory rather than anti-infective mechanisms. Interestingly, DPB associated with lung cancer is quite rare. Here, we report an autopsy case of DPB who developed lung cancer after a long successful therapy with low-dose erythromycin.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2000

A family with cases of adult onset Still's disease and psoriatic arthritis.

Adult onset Still's disease is recognized as an adult variant of the systemic form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, whose disease-predisposition is still debated. On the other hand, the association between HLA subtypes and several groups of seronegative arthritis including psoriatic arthritis has been well documented. This report describes a family where adult onset Still's disease in a young man and psoriatic arthritis in his father were seen. Both patients were HLA-B39-positive, which was likely playing important pathogenic roles in the latter case. Clinical and immunological aspects of HLA-B39-related inflammatory diseases are also discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Effect of facial affect stimuli on auditory and visual P300 in healthy subjects.

This study investigated whether or not P300 components are influenced by emotional affect such as sadness and pleasure in twenty healthy subjects and whether or not the P300 effects of facial affect stimuli are influenced by auditory and visual stimulus modalities. Written informed consent was taken from each subject before the study. Each subject was asked to stare at a simple picture of a facial expression (crying or smiling faces) during the auditory and visual oddball tasks. P300 amplitude and area were significantly larger when viewing a crying face (sadness) than a smiling face (pleasure) under both conditions with auditory and visual stimulus. P300 latency was significantly longer while viewing sadness than while viewing pleasure only with auditory stimuli. Reaction time was not changed by facial stimuli. Amplitude and area of P300 were significantly larger in women than men in their modalities, but the effects of facial affect on P300 amplitude and area in women were similar to those in men. These results suggest that amplitude and area of P300 with both modalities recorded while viewing sadness may induce larger attentional resource than pleasure. Gender was a less potent influence of facial expression on P300 parameters. The influence of facial emotion may be important to investigate the recognition processes of subjects.

Evoked Potentials, Auditory↗
PubMed2000

Assessment of magnesium status in patients with bronchial asthma.

To elucidate the contribution of magnesium to bronchial hyperreactivity in patients with stable bronchial asthma, magnesium concentrations in serum (S-Mg), erythrocytes (R-Mg), and lymphocytes (L-Mg) were measured in 25 patients with bronchial asthma (BA group) and 9 age-matched healthy subjects (control group). A parenteral magnesium loading test, a continuous low-dose magnesium infusion of 0.2 mEq/kg over 4 hr, was performed in 10 of 25 asthmatic patients and in the control group. R-Mg was significantly lower in the BA group than in the control group (4.96 +/- 0.47, 6.13 +/- 0.62 mEq/L, p < 0.001, respectively), although S-Mg (2.4 +/- 0.1, 2.4 +/- 0.2 mg/dL) and L-Mg (1.28 +/- 0.26, 1.15 +/- 0.13 microg/mg/protein) were not significantly different between the two groups. Magnesium deficiency in total body stores was revealed in 40% of patients (4/10 patients) and 11% of control subjects (1/9 subjects) by parenteral magnesium loading test. The ratio of magnesium retention to urinary excretion through the parenteral magnesium loading test showed a significant inverse correlation with R-Mg (r = -0.78, p < 0.01). Bronchial reactivity to inhaled methacholine had a significant inverse correlation with R-Mg (r = -0.42, p < 0.05). We conclude that 40% of asthmatic patients demonstrated magnesium deficiency, and that the low magnesium concentration in erythrocytes reflects decreased magnesium stores in patients with bronchial asthma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Microsomal epoxide hydrolase genotypes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Japanese.

Polymorphisms in the gene for microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEPHX), an enzyme involved in the protective mechanism against oxidative stress, have been reported to be associated with individual susceptibility to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The polymorphisms in exons 3 and 4 in the mEPHX gene were examined in a total of 358 Japanese individuals, including 40 patients with COPD and 71 patients with lung cancer. The overall frequencies of variant allele for mEPHX codons 113 (exon 3) and 139 (exon 4) were 44% and 14%, respectively. Moreover, a novel single nucleotide polymorphism (estimated allele frequency: 0.29) was identified in Japanese at 20 bp downstream of the codon 113 polymorphism with strong linkage disequilibrium with the wild allele for codon 113. While the frequencies of variant allele and proportions of individuals homozygous variant for codon 113, assumed having very slow mEPHX activity, were similar among COPD or lung cancer patients and the control population, they were significantly higher in patients with severe COPD than in those with mild COPD [P=0.0225, odds ratio 2.9 (95%CI 1.1-7.4); P=0.0350, respectively]. Thus, we found that the frequency of the variant allele for mEPHX codon 113 is higher in Japanese than that in Caucasians (P=0.0028), a novel silent polymorphism exists in exon 3 and shows strong linkage disequilibrium with the wild allele for codon 113, and individual homozygous variants for codon 113 may be associated with development of advanced COPD rather than the susceptibility to COPD.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Right tracheal bronchus with anomalous ramification of the bronchial artery disclosed during an episode of hemoptysis].

A 63-year-old woman was referred to our hospital on June 18th, 1998 during an episode of hemoptysis that had lasted for 6 days. She had no hemorrhagic diathesis and no history of pulmonary disease. Chest X-ray films disclosed a ground-glass opacity in the right upper lung field. Bronchoscopic examination revealed bleeding from an anomalous ectopic orifice on the right lateral trachea, about 1 cm above the carina. Chest computed tomographic examinations by conventional and spiral methods readily disclosed an ectopic bronchus. Bronchial arteriography showed that the tracheal bronchus was fed by a branched vessel of the thyrocervical artery arising from the brachiocephalic artery. Atypical mycobacterium was detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from the ectopic bronchus. A shunt had formed with the pulmonary artery and peripheral parts of the bronchial artery that fed the tracheal bronchus. It was speculated that the hemoptysis in this case might be due to the combined phenomena of infection and abnormal vessel formation in the tracheal bronchus. In our patient, the system of blood supply to the tracheal bronchus may have been a manifestation of atavism because it closely resembled the circulatory structure of the tracheal bronchi normally observed in sheep and giraffes. The tracheal bronchus should be taken into consideration as a potential cause of hemoptysis, inflammatory changes, and atelectasis during intubation.

Bronchi↗
PubMed2000

Human leukocyte antigens in forms of leprosy among Japanese patients.

Human leukocyte antigens (HLA) class II alleles were analyzed among Japanese leprosy patients to ascertain whether immunogenetic differences exist among the leprosy classification forms of Ridley and Jopling. Ninety-three unrelated Japanese leprosy patients (21 lepromatous, 24 borderline lepromatous, 17 mid-borderline, 26 borderline tuberculoid, 5 tuberculoid) and 114 healthy control subjects were investigated. The frequencies of HLA-DRB1*1501, -DRB5*0101, -DQA1*0102 and DQB1*0602 were significantly increased in all of the Japanese leprosy patients. The frequencies of HLA-DRB1*0405, -DQA1*03 and -DQB1*0401 were significantly decreased in the Japanese patients after correction of the p value. Conversely, there were no significantly different distributions of the HLA-DRB1, -DRB5, -DQA1, DQB1 alleles in the five subgroups of these patients. We conclude that HLA class II alleles were not associated with the form of leprosy. Other HLA, a non-HLA gene, and/or environmental factors may play a critical role in the different manifestations of leprosy.

Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic↗
PubMed2000

No association of borna disease virus with psychiatric disorders among patients in northern Kyushu, Japan.

There is controversy over the prevalence of Borna disease virus (BDV) antibodies and its RNA in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of psychiatric patients, and the contribution of BDV to human psychiatric disorders. We examined 299 plasma and 229 PBMC samples. No plasma samples were positive for BDV-p40, p24 or gp18 antibodies by western blot analysis. The prevalence of BDV RNA in the psychiatric (schizophrenic) patients (1.8%) was not significantly different from that in the healthy volunteers (0.6%). The nucleotide sequences of BDV p40 and p24 were highly conserved with those of BDV He/80. Our results suggested that there is a lack of association between BDV infection and psychiatric disorders among the patients in Northern Kyushu, Japan.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Continuous intravesical instillation of epirubicin immediately after transurethral resection of superficial bladder cancer: a prospective controlled study].

Between November 1994 and July 1996, 45 patients with superficial bladder tumor were assigned to two groups before transurethral resection of bladder tumor. Twenty-one of the 45 patients were instilled with 20 mg epirubicin before endoscopic resection then continuously irrigated with 40 micrograms/ml epirubicin solution for 20 hours immediately after surgery; 24 of the 45 patients received continuous irrigation with saline in the same manner. The patients were assessed by cystoscopy and urinary cytology every 3 months during the first 2 years and every 6 months thereafter. One year recurrence-free rates in the treated and control groups were 56% and 32%, respectively. The recurrence-free period tended to be longer in the treated group than in the control group, although the difference was not significant (p = 0.17). One year recurrence-free rates in the treated and control groups for the patients with solitary tumor were 88% and 48%, respectively, the difference being marginally significant (p = 0.06). These results suggested that continuous bladder irrigation with epirubicin was effective for patients with a single tumor. Therefore, the long-term prophylactic therapy for a single tumor was an overtreatment. Prophylactic intravesical chemotherapy for superficial bladder cancer was proposed to be stratified by the number of tumors, single or multiple.

Administration, Intravesical↗
PubMed2000

[Ovalbumin sensitization affects nonadrenergic noncholinergic relaxation response on guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscle].

We investigated the effects of anaphylactic challenge on nonadrenergic noncholinergic (NANC) relaxation response to electrical field stimulation (EFS) or to aminophylline in sensitized guinea pig tracheal smooth muscles. An anaphylactic challenge with ovalbumin (OA) reduced the relaxation response to EFS (20 V. 5 Hz. 300 pulse. duration 1 msec.), but the relaxation response to aminophylline was not affected by OA exposure. NG-monomethyl L-arginine, a nitric oxide (NO) synthesis inhibitor, reduced the relaxation response to EFS in the OA sensitized guinea pig. While the relaxation response to EFS on the sensitized guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle was significantly attenuated compared with that on the non-sensitized guinea-pig, there was no significant difference between the tracheal strip of OA challenge group and that of control group in sensitized guinea-pig under the existence of NO synthesis inhibitor. These results suggest that the attenuation of NANC relaxation response associated with sensitization plays an important role in airway hyperreactivity and is responsible for the decrease in NO amount.

Animals↗