Biomedical subjects

H Maeda

Publications and source records attributed to H Maeda.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-like method for the measurement of urinary hyaluronan.

A highly sensitive method for measurement of urinary hyaluronan with a minimum molecular mass of 2,000 Da was developed without using HPLC or radioisotopes. This competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-like method, used competitive binding of free hyaluronan in the sample and biotin-labeled standard hyaluronan to hyaluronan binding protein in solid phase. A total of 150 healthy individuals from both sexes at ages from 0 to 100 years was examined by the established method. Hyaluronan of 384 +/- 80 ng/mg creatinine (mean +/- SD) was constantly excreted into urine of 24-40-year-old healthy adults. The urinary hyaluronan levels were significantly higher before age 1 (p < 0.001) and rather high after 90 years compared to the other groups. The average molecular weight of urinary hyaluronan (5,500 Da) was constant through all generations. Sex difference of urinary hyaluronan was not observed both quantitatively or qualitatively.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Diurnal variations of blood pressure in dogs.

Using the telemetry system, we measured the blood pressure (BP) invasively in seven adult mongrels while unanesthetized and unbound. Post-operative BP after implanting the telemetry BP transmitter showed temporarily high values due to the invasive nature of the surgery. It was, however, observed that BP gradually decreased thereafter, and showed settled trends from the eighth day post-operatively. When we took the average of the systolic, mean and diastolic BP at hourly intervals for each of the dogs once their BP had settled, a twin peak diurnal variation (at 8:00 and 19:00) was observed. Moreover, significantly high values (p < 0.05) were identified in active state compared with when sleeping or at rest. The 24 hr BP measured by the telemetry system in seven normal dogs resulted in the following values: systolic 123.4 +/- 7.9 mmHg, mean 91.1 +/- 5.6 mmHg, and diastolic 74.5 +/- 4.9 mmHg.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Thiopurine methyltransferase genotype and the toxicity of azathioprine in Japanese.

OBJECTIVE: Thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) is a cytosolic enzyme that preferentially catalyzes the S-methylation of aromatic and heterocyclic sulfhydryl compounds, including Azathioprine (AZA). It has been reported that the level of AZA toxicity is dependent on the TPMT genotypes in Caucasian individuals; we thus investigated this relationship in Japanese. METHODS: The TPMT genotype was determined using peripheral blood cell DNA obtained from 36 Japanese patients with rheumatic diseases who were treated with AZA, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Duration of AZA administration, white blood cell counts before and after AZA administration, and side effects were investigated in each subject, and were compared between the patients with or without TPMT mutation. RESULTS: The TPMT allelotype was TPMT*1/TPMT*1 in 33 (91.7%) and TPMT*1/TPMT*3C in 3 (8.3%) individuals. All 3 patients (100%) with the mutant TPMT allele (TPMT*3C) discontinued AZA treatment due to leucopenia while only 4 patients (12%) without mutant TPMT alleles showed leucopenia (p=0.0049, Fisher's exact test). However, leucopenia developed relatively late in patients with mutant TPMT. CONCLUSION: The TPMT mutant allele, TPMT*3C, also exists in Japanese individuals, and the bone marrow toxicity of AZA is likely stronger in patients with this mutant allele.

Azathioprine↗

PubMed1999

Sarcoidosis associated with connective tissue diseases: report of 3 cases.

Disease activity in Japanese sarcoidosis patients is generally mild. However, the pulmonary sarcoidosis coexisting with connective tissue disease is likely to be progressive. We report here three cases of sarcoidosis coexisting with connective tissue diseases, who developed pulmonary manifestations from stage II to stage III.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Beta2-adrenergic receptor polymorphisms affect airway responsiveness to salbutamol in asthmatics.

We examined the beta2-adrenergic receptor (beta2AR) polymorphisms (Arg16-->Gly, Gln27-->Glu) and clinical status for 117 asthmatics. Airway responsiveness to methacholine and beta2-agonists was evaluated with Astograph. The atopic factors, pulmonary function test, and airway responsiveness to methacholine did not differ significantly among the different beta2AR genotypes. Asthmatics homozygous for Gly16 showed significantly lower airway responsiveness to inhaled salbutamol than those heterozygous for Arg/Gly16 or homozygous for Arg16. Asthmatics heterozygous for Gln/Glu27 had significantly later asthma onsets than those homozygous for Gln27. These results suggest that beta2AR polymorphisms play an important role in the airway responsiveness to inhaled beta2-agonist and the initial asthma onset.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Telomerase activity in the synovial tissues of chronic inflammatory and non-inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein complex which can compensate for telomeric loss originating from each cell division, and its activation plays a critical role in cellular immortality. We previously found that telomerase is activated not only in immortal cancer cells but also in activated lymphocytes. To assess the diagnostic significance of telomerase activity in RA synovial tissues, we quantitatively examined telomerase activity in synovial tissue samples obtained from 47 patients with RA, 31 with osteoarthritis (OA), and 23 with other joint diseases. Telomerase activity in synovial tissues was detected in 28 of 47 (59.6%) patients with RA, including monoarticular-type RA, but in none of those with other joint diseases except one case each of synovial chondromatosis and OA. Thus, the specificity of telomerase activity in synovial tissues for RA among joint diseases was 96.3% (52/54). In RA samples, the telomerase activity was detected in 14 of 27 (51. 9%) patients with total joint replacement, 7 of 12 (58.3%) open synovectomy cases, and 7 of 8 (87.5%) arthroscopic synovectomy cases. Detection of telomerase activity in synovial tissues is considered to be useful for diagnosis of RA, including monoarticular-type RA, or active inflammation with lymphocyte infiltration, and arthroscopy can be applied for this purpose.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

PubMed1999

Alternative splicing, but not allelic loss, of the FHIT gene increases with development of lung cancer.

The FHIT gene is considered to be a tumor suppressor gene, its role and inactivation mechanism remain unclear. We analyzed FHIT gene aberrations in 64 lung cancer tissues and found that the appearance of the aberrant FHIT transcripts depends on the condition of RT-PCR and high telomerase activity, shortened telomere length, and advanced pathological stage were likely associated with the prevalence of aberrant FHIT transcripts, but not with allelic loss of the FHIT gene. These observations would indicate that an additional unknown gene may exist, which is more responsible for the allelic loss around the FHIT gene locus.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗

PubMed1999

[The ratio of cervical subacute necrotizing lymphadenitis occupying superficial lymphadenopathy and its clinical findings].

INTRODUCTION: Diseases in which cervical lymphadenopathy is a chief complaint are commonly observed. These cases are associated with a good prognosis, high fever and pain which usually recovers without medication. This condition is referred to as subacute necrotizing lymphadenitis (SNL). We investigated cases of SNL that were correctly diagnosed by biopsy. OBJECT AND METHODS: We examined cases of SNL that were correctly diagnosed by biopsy in the Naha Prefectural hospital between April 1987 and March 1997. We statistically analyzed the ratio of occurrence and clinical findings (age, sex, season of occurrence, physical characteristics, clinical progress, blood findings, therapy, and prognosis). RESULTS: In a total of 629 cases, a biopsy specimen from the body surface of the area affected by lymphadenopathy was obtained. Among these cases, SNL was diagnosed in 54 accounting for 9% of the total body surface biopsies and 13% of the cervical lymphadenopathic biopsies. Sex: Of the 54 subjects, 18 were males and 36 females. AGE: Most of the subjects (87%) ranged from 10 to 30 years of age. Season of occurrence: The number SNL cases decreased from 1993. Many cases occurred in the cold season, from October to March. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Forty cases were investigated as fever, swelling, pain and complications. FEVER: Six cases (15%) were not associated with fever and 34 cases (85%) exhibited fever. Swelling: All subjects demonstrated swelling for at least one week and the longest duration of swelling was six months. Swelling continued for two to three months on average. Thirty-five cases (88%) showed swelling on one side only, left or right, and five cases (12%) showed swelling on both sides. PAIN: Ten cases (25%) were without pain and 30 cases (75%) with some pain. COMPLICATIONS: Twelve cases (30%) had complications including six of drug allergy, four of dermatitis, and some cases of diabetes mellitus and hyperthyroidism. Eleven of 54 cases (20%) were admitted to the hospital. Blood findings: The white blood cell level decreased in 30 of 37 cases (82%). As shown below, increased levels of CRP (6/34), ESR (4/31) and LDH (17/31) were observed. THERAPY: Steroids were administered in 24 of 36 cases and were effective in all cases. Antibiotics were administered in 25 of 31 cases and were effective in six cases (19%)) and ineffective in 10 cases (32%). The condition in nine cases (29%) worsened. Pain killers were employed in 26 of 32 cases. They were effective 18 cases (56%) and ineffective in eight cases (25%). No subjects died. The prognoses were good and all patients recovered without sequela. CONCLUSION: SNL was detected in a large number of patients with cervical lymphadenopathy who visited our hospital, if patients who were not diagnosed correctly by biopsy were included. Many patients exhibited lymphadenopathy on one side (88%). This result was slightly higher than that previously reported. SNL is considered to be related to allergy or upper respiratory infections. This disease often occurs in cold seasons and patients often exhibit complications such as drug allergies or antoimmune diseases.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

[Endoscopic ureteroureterostomy for a complete obstructed ureter: a case report].

We report a case in which the completely obstructed ureter was successfully treated by endourological procedure. The patient was a 66-year-old male who had been admitted for panperitonitis caused by diverticulitis perforation of the sigmoid colon. About one month later, leakage of both stool and urine and left hydronephrosis were observed. Therefore, left percutaneous nephrostomy was performed and the artificial anus was created. Radiographic examination showed about 1 cm defect on the lower one-third of the left ureter. (1st Operation) A 9.5 Fr. rigid ureteroscope was inserted into the left ureter transurethrally and a 7.5 Fr. flexible ureteroscope was inserted percutaneously. Antegrade puncture using a stiff end of a 0.038-inch guidewire into the obstructed segment was failed. Then, we bit off the obliterated tissue with a biopsy forceps transurethrally towards the light from the flexible scope, and a 12 Fr. double-J stent was indwell. (2nd Operation) Eight weeks after the first operation, a 12 Fr. ureteroresectoscope was inserted transurethrally. Full-thickness cold-knife incision of the re-established ureter was failed, however. (3rd Operation) Two weeks after the second operation, a 12.5 Fr. ureteroscope was inserted transurethrally, and a full-thickness incision in the lateral position of the re-established ureter was successfully made by KTP-laser. Then, a 12 Fr. endopyelotomy stent was placed. (Result) Six weeks after the third operation, the stent was removed and DIP revealed the improvement in hydronephrosis. The patient presented no recurrence at 2-year follow up.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

[Morphometric features in the lamina cribrosa observed by a scanning laser ophthalmoscope].

PURPOSE: We describe a method for the morphometric analysis of the pores in the lamina cribrosa using a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO: Rodenstock company, Germany). METHODS: Four eyes with glaucoma and four eyes with non-glaucoma patients were examined. Sixteen consecutive images were acquired from the surface of the retina to the bottom of the optic disc excavation with +0.25 diopter increments by a He-Ne laser (633 nm) under 20 degree field of view. The images from each section were processed and combined with the aid of Macintosh software. RESULTS: Eyes with physiological cupping showed uniformly round or elliptical pores, whereas compressed and elongated pores were frequently encountered in eyes with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). CONCLUSION: The technique described allows, in vivo morphometry of the surface of the internal lamina cribrosa and was considered to be useful to evaluate glaucomatous progression.

Glaucoma↗

PubMed1999

HLA-B27 subtypes and HLA class II alleles in Japanese patients with anterior uveitis.

PURPOSE: Some patients with anterior uveitis (AU) have ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and are HLA-B27 class I-positive. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there are differences in HLA at the allele level among each group of patients with AU. METHODS: Seventy-three patients with AU were studied. They were classified into three groups: 31 with AS-associated AU, 14 with HLA-B27-associated AU, and 28 with idiopathic AU. Three control groups without AU were used: 138 random subjects, 33 HLA-B27-positive healthy subjects, and 19 HLA-B27-positive patients with AS. DRB1 and DQB1 genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. HLA-B27 subtype was determined by PCR-SSCP. RESULTS: There was no difference in the frequency of any class I antigen except HLA-B27 among the patients studied. The frequencies of HLA-DR12 in AS-associated AU and HLA-DR1 in HLA-B27-associated AU showed an increase. In HLA-B27-associated AU, DRB1*0101 and DQB1*0501 were increased compared with HLA-B27-positive control subjects. When HLA-B27 subtype distribution was compared among the groups, the proportion of B*2704 was significantly lower in HLA-B27-associated AU (P = 0.037), however, such a difference was not present in AS-associated groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that B*2704 seemed to be less susceptible to AU compared with B*2705 in Japanese subjects. The increase of HLA-DR12 and HLA-DR1 in AU may be caused by linkage disequilibrium with B*2704 and B*2705, respectively.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

[Saliva level of free-3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol in patients with anxiety disorders].

The saliva level of free 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) in 16 outpatients with anxiety disorders was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The anxiety level of the patients was scored by the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAS) before and after a one-week drug treatment with alprazolam. The saliva level of free-MHPG at the subjects' first visit to the hospital was significantly higher than that of the control subjects and was reduced by the one-week alprazolam treatment. The post-treatment level of MHPG in patients who showed good response to the treatment was significantly less than the pretreatment level, but there was no significant difference between pre- and post-treatment levels of MHPG in poor responders. There was no correlation between the MHPG level and the HAS score at the first hospital visit. The MHPG levels after the treatment correlated with the HAS scores. The reduction of the anxiety level as scored by the HAS correlated with the reduction of the MHPG level. These results indicate that the free saliva MHPG level may be a useful indicator for assessing not only the level of anxiety but also the response to drug treatment for anxiety in these patients.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

[Ictal visual hallucination intermittent photic stimulation: using evaluation of the clinical findings, ictal EEG, ictal SPECT, and rCBF].

A 43-year-old, right-handed woman experienced right hand paresthesias and a visual field abnormality. We attributed her symptoms to psychiatric abnormalities, due to the presence of delusions and auditory hallucinations. Upon photostimulation, she experienced left visual field hallucinations and demonstrated slow waves on the right parieto-occipital regions. The clinical and electro-encephalographic findings suggested that these episodes were epileptic seizures originating from the right occipital region. Ictal fear appeared at the end of the seizure, reflecting the spread of seizure activity to the mesial temporal region. Ictal SPECT images showed hyper-perfusion in the right occipital region and left cerebellar cortex. rCBF in the occipital lobe was significantly asymmetrical. When we encounter an epileptic patient with psychosis who has a visual hallucination, we should consider the possibility of epileptic seizure originating from the occipital lobe.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Transcriptionally targeted in vivo gene therapy for carcinoembrionic antigen-producing adenocarcinoma.

Inoperable adenocarcinoma in colon or lung shows resistance to conventional anti-cancer therapy. For these cancers, the feasibility of transcriptionally targeted killing of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-producing adenocarcinoma cells was investigated. Adenovirus vectors carrying a CEA promoter to express E. coli lacZ (AdCEALacZ) or herpes simplex thymidine kinase (AdCEATK) were made and their in vitro and in vivo tumoricidal effects on CEA-producing or non-producing colon and lung cancer cells were evaluated. In vitro infection with AdCEALacZ showed significantly higher CEA promoter-driven lacZ expression in CEA-producing adenocarcinoma cells including VMRC-LCD and LoVo than in CEA-non-producing cells. AdCEATK-infected LoVo showed higher sensitivity to ganciclovir than control vector-infected LoVo or AdCEATK-infected HeLa both in vitro and in subcutaneously implanted tumors of nude mice. Moreover, total tumor elimination in vivo was achieved by either pre-infection of as few as 30% of cells comprising tumors or by direct in vivo injection of AdCEATK to pre-established LoVo tumors. In addition, CEA promoter-driven lacZ expression in LoVo cells was enhanced by the addition of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in vitro. These results provide a rationale for CEA-promoter-driven, adenovirus-mediated gene therapy for CEA-producing adenocarcinomas in colon and lung with reduced toxicity to normal cells.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1999