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Biomedical subjects

I Takagi

Publications and source records attributed to I Takagi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Study on changes in the level of serum IL-4 and soluble CD 23(s-CD23) with immunotherapy in nasal allergy patients.

In type I allergy such as allergic rhinitis, not only immunocytes but also interleukin 4 (IL-4) and other cytokines are significant factors. In the present study we explored the course of change in IL-4 in the sera of allergic rhinitis patients upon immunotherapy. Assays of serum IL-4 were performed by the chemiluminescence sandwich enzyme immunoassay using AMPPD(3-(2'-spirodamantane)-4-methoxy-4-(3'-phophoryloxy+ ++) phenyl-1,2-dioxetane). The results indicated that immunotherapy reduced the IL-4 level from the pre-treatment baseline but not significantly. However, as far as good responses to the therapy are concerned a significant decrease in IL-4 was seen, and s-CD23, assayed at the same time, was also significantly decreased by immunotherapy.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1996

Clinical review of nasal allergy due to fungus.

In our clinic we have encountered nasal allergy due to fungi such as Candida, Aspergillus, and Alternaria. We therefore conducted a retrospective study of patients who consulted our Department between 1984 and 1991. A clinical review of patients who showed a positive skin test for Candida, Aspergillus, or Alternaria was performed. Our study revealed that Alternaria showed the highest ratio of strong positivity upon both RAST and skin test among the three fungi examined. These results led us to reconsider Alternaria as an important fungal antigen.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Elevated levels of soluble Fc epsilon RII/CD23 and antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus in patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

To clarify how Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is responsible for Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) we measured both IgG and IgM antibodies to viral capsid antigen (VCA) of EBV in the sera of normal healthy subjects and patients with SjS. Anti-VCA IgG was detectable in all controls and patients however, anti-VCA IgG titers in the sera of SjS patients were significantly higher than those of the controls (p < 0.01). No anti-VCA IgM was detected in the sera of controls whereas anti-VCA IgM was detected in the sera from 10 out of the 13 patients with SjS. This suggests that SjS might be associated with EBV. The serum levels of sCD23 (IgE-binding factor) were also measured to assess the differential state in patients with SjS. The sCD23 level of normal individuals was 211.26 +/- 12.01 micrograms/L (value is mean +/- SE), and was 443.77 +/- 71.94 micrograms/L in the 13 patients with SjS. The mean sCD23 level in the 9 patients with SjS without any complication was 360.67 +/- 35.63 micrograms/L. In the patients with SjS, sCD23 levels were significantly higher than those in the normal individuals (p < 0.01).

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1996

Relationship between head and neck squamous cell carcinomas and fibrinolytic factors. Immunohistological study.

Localization of t-PA, u-PA, PAI-1, PI and TGF-beta within tumors was examined immunohistologically in 31 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck, and correlations between the localization of these factors and local cancer infiltration, tumor size or cervical lymph node metastasis were investigated. The results revealed that u-PA, PAI-1 and PI tend to stain more intensely in infiltrating tumors than in peripheral connective tissue or normal epithelium, whereas neither t-PA nor TGF-beta showed any such tendency. Not all of these fibrinolytic factors participated in lymph node metastases or influenced tumor size in head and neck SCCs. These results suggest a disorder of fibrinolytic systems in carcinoma cells and that u-PA plays a part in the infiltration of head and neck SCCs by degenerating connective tissue.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1995

Causative allergens of allergic rhinitis in Japan with special reference to silkworm moth allergen.

To determine the importance of silkworm moth allergens, we tested 267 patients with allergic rhinitis with CAP-RAST, a new assay system for detecting specific IgE in sera. We used the following allergen sources: house-dust mite, Candida, Alternaria, cat dander, orchard grass, ragweed, mugwort, Japanese hops, Japanese cedar, Japanese cypress, cotton, silk, larval chironomid midge, adult chironomid midge, and silkworm moth. As expected, the highest positive rate of reaction, as determined by CAP-RAST, was 73.8% for Japanese cedar, followed by 53.2% for mite and 50.6% for Japanese cypress. Although the positive rate for silkworm moth was not as high as for cedar pollen, one-third of patients had specific IgE against silkworm moth. The positive rate of reaction to silkworm moth was much higher than that to chironomid. It was interesting to note that the patients reported had not been documented as having frequent contact with silkworm moth allergen. Correlations between silkworm moth and silk, and silkworm moth and chironomid midge were found to be significant (P < 0.001). Silkworm moth allergen showed the third highest reaction rate in patients with severe symptoms. These results suggest that silkworm moth allergen should be considered to be important in patients with allergic rhinitis in Japan.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Specific IgE to Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) in patients with nasal allergy.

BACKGROUND: Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) is the most important pollen causing pollinois during spring. During recent years some patients' nasal symptoms have been getting worse after the Japanese cedar pollen season. Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) pollen is also observed in this period. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of Japanese cypress pollen and cross-allergenicity between Japanese cypress and Japanese cedar in patients with allergic rhinitis. METHODS: A total of 267 patients were enrolled in the study. IgE antibodies to both tree pollens were measured by the CAP RAST method. The results of the CAP RAST test were compared with those of skin tests. In order to compare cross-allergenicity between these two pollens, CAP RAST inhibition assay was carried out. RESULTS: The positive frequencies of Japanese cypress and Japanese cedar in 267 patients were 50.1% and 74.7%, respectively. A significant correlation (r = .765) was observed between the two tree pollens. There was good concordance (75%) between RAST and skin tests to Japanese cypress. The results of RAST inhibition assay indicated cross-allergenicity between these two pollens and species-specific allergens. CONCLUSION: Measurement of IgE antibody to Japanese cypress is useful for the diagnosis of pollinois during the spring.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Outcome of schizophrenia--extended observation (more than 30 years) of 129 typical schizophrenic cases [III]].

We had already made a report on outcome of schizophrenia (1986). The patients, 129 typical schizophrenia, were continuously observed over 30 years in the Kawagoe Dojinkai Hospital. Recently, we again evaluated their prognoses according to the same criteria as adopted in the first report, and divided them into the following five groups. [symbol: see text]: completely remitted group (21 persons, 16.3%), [symbol: see text]: almost remitted cases now holding jobs (23 persons, 17.8%), [symbol: see text]: Slightly remitted group showing good adjustment at home or hospital (41 persons, 31.8%), [symbol: see text]: maladjusted cases always showing an unfavorable condition (25 persons, 19.4%), x : incurable cases (19 persons, 14.7%). 1) In the last 8 years, there were 30 persons (23.3% of the whole patients) who showed prognostic changes (10 persons improved, 20 persons worsen). While the second group ([symbol: see text]) has seen fewer persons (12 persons down) than previous study, the third group ([symbol: see text]) has seen more persons (9 persons up). Each three groups, that is, the first two groups ([symbol: see text] + [symbol: see text], 44 persons, 34.1%), the third group ([symbol: see text], 41 persons, 31.8%), and the forth and fifth groups ([symbol: see text] + x, 44 persons, 34.1%) accounted for a third of the whole patients. It is after 32 years on the average (extending from 21 to 50 years) from the onset of illness that they showed prognostic changes. 2) Generally speaking, catatonic patients had favorable prognoses, hebephrenic patients unfavorable ones, and paranoid patients medium ones. But 4 improved persons in the forth and fifth groups were all hebephrenic type. 3) 17 among the 30 persons who showed prognostic changes were unstable type. They took a wave-like course. 4) 27 of all the 129 patients were dead. 25 were dead from disease mentioned below. Malignancy (8 persons), Cerebral vascular disease, Pneumonia and Diabetes (3 persons), Heart-failure (2 persons), Ileus, Myocardial infarction, Hepato-cirrhosis, Gastric ulcer, Tuberculosis and Natural death (1 person). 2 persons committed suicide. 5) Outcome of 45 patients who discontinued our medical therapy became clear as follows. [symbol: see text] + [symbol: see text]: 18 persons (40.0%), [symbol: see text]: 9 persons (20.0%), [symbol: see text] + x : 18 persons (40.0%). A smaller percentage of the patients belongs to the third group ([symbol: see text]) than that of our patients who were continuously followed by us.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[A case of near total tracheal obstruction from recurrent esophageal carcinoma].

We have treated a 58-year-old man with almost complete tracheal occlusion arising as a result of recurrence of esophageal cancer. Although laser photoresection using partial cardiopulmonary bypass was desirable, neither laser nor cardiopulmonary bypass was available in our hospital. It was then decided to resect the tumor by forceps. In order to prevent bleeding from tumor during such emergency procedure, intratumoral injection of ethanol was preceded and tracheal lumen could be opened successfully. He was managed by insertion of a Dumon silicone stent seven days after the emergency. The result was satisfactory for maintaining the patency of the airway where the stent was placed. Unfortunately the patient died 113 days after the insertion of Dumon silicone stent from massive hemoptysis, which might resulted from the rupture of vessel feeding the tumor or the perforation of aorta involved by the tumor.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1994

Alcohol consumption and risk of esophageal cancer in Japan: a case-control study in seven hospitals.

In a multi-center case-control study, we evaluated the risk of esophageal cancer in the Japanese population. All patients and controls were inpatients in the surgical departments of seven hospitals nationwide. Patients eligible for the study were those newly diagnosed as having primary esophageal cancer. One control per case was selected from among patients admitted to the same hospital, and 141 male pairs were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. The results showed dose-response relation between the risk of esophageal cancer and both the quantity (g/week) and frequency (times/week) of alcohol drinking (P value for trend = 0.0001). Although a statistically significant risk increase was shown among moderate to heavy smokers (15 < or = cigarette/day < 25) (odds ratio, 4.35:95% confidence interval, 1.81-10.49), the dose-response for cigarette smoking was unclear (P value for trend = 0.07). No combined effect of alcohol drinking and cigarette smoking was found. A frequent intake of fruit was associated with a decreased risk (P value for trend = 0.02). After adjustment for alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking and fruit intake were found not to be associated with the risk, whereas a preference for high-temperature food and drink showed a statistically significant positive association (P value for trend = 0.02). Drinkers who consumed shochu most frequently showed a three-fold increased risk over that for beer consumers, although the association disappeared after adjusting for the amount of alcohol consumed. The present results confirm alcohol intake and a preference for high-temperature food to be associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer and show the amount of alcohol consumed, rather than the type of alcoholic beverage, to be the main risk determinant.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1994

[Defects of defence mechanisms against bacterial infections in patients with liver cirrhosis].

Patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis have a high risk of bacterial infection and a worse prognosis. They have defects of the humoral defence mechanism; impaired antibody production and depressed serum complement levels. The cellular defence mechanism is also defective. The function of neutrophil and reticuloendothelial system is depressed. The clearance of enteric organisms from the portal circulation is impaired by portosystemic shunt and impaired Kupffer cell function. Patients with massive ascites are prone to spontaneous bacterial peritonitis due to gram negative enteric organisms.

Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1993

[Study of washout rate in patients with chronic renal failure by dipyridamole 201Tl myocardial scintigraphy--comparison with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy].

Fourteen patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) were studied by dipyridamole 201Tl myocardial scintigraphy. In this study, patients with coronary heart disease were excluded by clinical findings. 201Tl SPECT was performed at 8 min after injection of dipyridamole (0.56 mg/kg) and at a 3-hr delayed interval, and washout rates (WR) were calculated. Because UCG showed left ventricular hypertrophy (thickness; 13 +/ 2 mm) in CRF, the WR values were compared with those of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) (n = 9). In CRF, an average WR was 54.2 +/- 6.8% and was significantly higher than that in normal (46.2 +/- 9.1%, p < 0.05, n = 9), though WR in HCM was significantly low (26.9 +/- 11.4%, p < 0.01). Hematocrit value was 24.5 +/- 3.2% in CRF and was significantly lower than that in normal (37.8 +/- 3.6%, p < 0.001). On the other hands, hemoconcentration was observed in HCM (hematocrit; 44.6 +/- 3.6%, p < 0.001). WR in CRF, HCM and normal had significant correlation with hematocrit values (r = -0.796, p < 0.001). These results suggest that anemia or hemoconcentration may affect coronary blood flow and WR, and this should be considered when diagnosing coronary heart disease in CRF or HCM.

Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic↗
PubMed1993

[Definition, classification and clinical symptoms of cholelithiasis].

Generally, the cases with symptomatic biliary stone are diagnosed as cholelithiasis and asymptomatic cases are not defined as cholelithiasis in the strict sense. However, asymptomatic stones are often diagnosed and treated as cholelithiasis. In the diagnosis and treatment of cholelithiasis, it is important to study the localization and classification of biliary stones relation to clinical symptoms.

Cholelithiasis↗
PubMed1992

Malignant lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue arising in the thymus of a patient with Sjögren's syndrome. A morphologic, phenotypic, and genotypic study.

A 59-year-old woman with Sjögren's syndrome had an anterior mediastinal tumor. The tumor had epithelium-lined thymic cysts. Histologically, centrocyte-like (CCL) cells were present as clusters intermingling with small lymphocytes and plasma cells, invaded the epithelium, and formed characteristic lymphoepithelial lesions; the tumor was identified as malignant lymphoma arising in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). Within the tumor, trapped Hassall's corpuscles were recognized. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated monotypic cytoplasmic kappa light chains in a small portion of the CCL cells. Furthermore, Southern blot hybridization studies showed rearrangements of immunoglobulin heavy chain, immunoglobulin kappa light chain, and T-cell receptor beta genes. The findings are consistent with thymic low-grade B-cell MALT lymphoma.

Cytoplasm↗
PubMed1992

Morphological study of parafollicular cells and the parathyroid gland in the house shrew (Suncus murinus).

A morphological study of parafollicular cells in the thyroid gland and parathyroid gland of the house shrew (Suncus murinus) was made. The results indicated that (1) there were two pairs of parathyroid glands which were located in the upper part of the house shrew thyroid gland, (2) the volumes of the house shrew parathyroid glands ranged from 0.014 to 0.079 mm3, (3) the number of parafollicular cells along the follicles was largest in the upper part of the thyroid lobe, while no parafollicular cells were present in the isthmus, and (4) there were about 20 parafollicular cells per 100 follicular cells and 1.519 parafollicular cells per follicle. The number of parafollicular cells per 100 follicular cells was thus about 5 times larger than that in rats and the number of parafollicular cells per follicle about 2.5 times larger than that in rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Poly (lactic/glycolic acid) microspheres containing antigen as a novel and potential agent of immunotherapy for allergic disorders.

In order to establish a safer and simpler antigen administration method in immunotherapy, we prepared biodegradable microspheres containing antigen and evaluated its safety and efficacy using guinea pigs. Poly (lactic/glycolic acid); (LGA) microspheres containing ovalbumin (OA) were fabricated by solvent evaporation. Over 70% of the OA was released from the microspheres within 3 days, and release was completed within 14 days in vivo. The local tissue reactions to the OA-LGA microspheres were apparently weaker than those to OA-alum. Repeated injections of high dose OA-LGA microspheres to OA-sensitized guinea pigs (high-LGA group) for 8 weeks at intervals of 2 weeks elicited an excellent therapeutic effect, i.e. a significant increase in the threshold value of antigen inhalation test, with a significant increase in IgG2 blocking antibody. The therapeutic efficacy of the high-LGA group was comparable to the conventional immunotherapy model (conventional group) and was superior to the antigen-alum model (alum group). We concluded that administration of antigen-LGA microspheres could become a new immunotherapeutic method for allergic disorders, being safer and requiring a lower frequency of antigen injections than the conventional method.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Phase II evaluation of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus: a Japanese Esophageal Oncology Group Trial.

Thirty-nine patients with advanced measurable squamous cell carcinomas were treated with two or more courses of 70 mg cisplatin/m2 on day 1 and 700 mg infused 5-fluorouracil/m2 on days 1-5 every 21 days. The overall response rate was 35.9 (95% confidence limits, 24.8-55.1%). Responses were seen in primary sites in the esophagus of five patients, in the lung of seven, the liver of one and the mediastinal lymph nodes of one. The average response duration was 3.5 (range 1-12) mo for patients who achieved partial response. The average survival time after the first administration was 9.5 mo for patients who responded to the treatment whereas, for those who did not, it was 5.6 mo. The major form of toxicity was myelosuppression and there were six patients with grade 3 toxicity and one with grade 4. The present study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of combined cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil for advanced squamous cell carcinoma, and the results showed that it had a reasonable effect and might possibly be used as a postoperative chemotherapy because of its mild side effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Tetrahymena 14-nm filament-forming protein has citrate synthase activity.

The Tetrahymena 14-nm filament-forming protein (49K protein) is a structural protein involved in oral morphogenesis and in pronuclear behavior during conjugation. Cloning the 49K protein gene from a Tetrahymena thermophila cDNA library, we found that its primary structure exhibits a high sequence identity (51.5%) with porcine heart citrate synthase and retains functional domains. The 49K protein actually possesses citrate synthase activity, and is detected in mitochondria. These results suggest that the 49K protein has dual functions as both a respiratory enzyme and a structural protein in the cytoskeleton.

Amino Acid Sequence↗