Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Hara

Publications and source records attributed to J Hara.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

The production and clearance of endothelin and its influence on kidney function after liver transplantation in rats.

To assess the involvement of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in rat liver allograft rejection, we evaluated ET-1 expression in tissues obtained from BN (RT1n) to BN rats (group 1), and DA (RT1a) to BN rats (group 2). The ET-1 levels in group 1, determined by radioimmunoassay, remained low in the serum, liver, and bile, but in group 2, they peaked on postoperative day (POD) 5 in the liver, kidney, bile, and urine, at 344 +/- 31.6 pg/gwet, 306 +/- 97.4 pg/gwet, 1008 +/- 258 pg/day, and 156 +/- 45 pg/day, respectively, whereas levels in the serum peaked on POD 7 at 38.7 +/- 13.1 pg/ml. In the portal vein (PV) ET-1 showed extremely high levels without statistical difference between groups 1 and 2, at 93.0 +/- 15.5, and 83.0 +/- 9.84 pg/ml on POD 7, respectively. However, in the suprahepatic vena cava (SHVC) and the abdominal aorta (AO), the ET-1 levels were statistically higher in group 2 compared to group 1 (P < 0.01). Immunohistochemical staining showed decreased staining of the liver and kidney in group 2 on POD 7. In conclusion, increasing levels of ET-1 were released from the liver and kidney during the early stage of rejection, resulting in the high ET-1 levels in these tissues, which were cleared promptly. However, an increased production of ET-1 was not observed in association with the release of ET-1.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer using in-situ perfusion of the liver graft.

To establish an efficient technique for adenovirus-mediated gene transfer in liver transplantation, we evaluated the in situ perfusion of liver grafts. The grafts were perfused in situ with 1 x 10(10) of E1-deleted, replication-defective adenoviral vectors encoding the LacZ gene driven by the human CMV promoter, either through the hepatic artery (group 1) or the portal vein (group 2). Group 3 animals served as negative controls; their liver grafts were perfused with lactated Ringer's solution through the portal vein. PCR confirmed the presence of viral DNA in every graft perfused with viral vectors. In X-gal staining, positive staining was observed almost exclusively at the portal triad in group 1, whereas in group 2 minimal staining was observed, predominantly in the parenchymal area. Protein production from the transfected gene was confirmed by a functional protein assay; the values were 0.16% +/- 0.07% liver protein in group 1, 0.13% +/- 0.02% in group 2, and 0.007% +/- 0.0003% in group 3 on postoperative day 2. In conclusion, in situ perfusion of the viral vectors through the hepatic artery resulted in an effective expression of the transfected gene, predominantly at the portal triad.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed1997

The effect of cyclosporin on endothelin levels after orthotopic liver transplantation in rats.

To assess the effects of cyclosporin (CyA) on endothelin-1 (ET-1) in rat liver allograft rejection, we evaluated ET-1 expression in samples obtained from BN(RT1n)-to-BN (group 1) rats, DA(RT1a)-to-BN (group 2) rats, and DA-to-BN rats treated with 5 mg/kg per day of CyA (group 3). Serum and hepatic ET-1 levels, determined by a radioimmunoassay, remained unchanged in group 1. In group 2, the ET-1 levels peaked on postoperative day (POD) 5 in the liver at 344 +/- 31.6 pg/g wet, and on POD 7 in the serum at 38.7 +/- 13.1 pg/ml. In group 3, hepatic and renal ET-1 levels showed a progressive increase until POD 10, while serum ET-1 levels remained unchanged. In conclusion, acute rejection caused a temporary increase in the ET-1 level in both the serum and the liver in the early postoperative period what might have been caused by endothelial damage due to ongoing, acute rejection. CyA caused a time-dependent increase in the ET-1 level in both the liver and the kidney without an increase in the serum ET-1 level. The serum ET-1 level might have been affected by the clearance of ET from the liver or kidney.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Functional and phenotypical activation of leucocytes in inflamed human colonic mucosa.

Infiltrating leucocytes are activated to generate reactive oxygen species or to produce several molecules in inflamed colonic mucosa. To clarify the phenotypical and functional properties of activating cells in colitic mucosa, 23 patients with ulcerative colitis and 13 controls were studied using a combined method for determining in situ nitroblue tetrazolium reducing activity and immunohistochemical characterization. Antibodies 25F9 (anti-macrophage), EG2 (anti-eosinophil cationic protein), MAC387 (anti-calprotectin, expressed by activated myeloid-histiocytes lineage), and MAC-1 (anti-CD11b) were used. The proportion of EG2, calprotectin, and CD11b-positive cells were significantly increased in inflamed mucosa. The proportion of EG2, calprotectin, and CD11b-positive cells significantly correlated with the histological degree of inflammation. Proportion of EG2-positive cells but not calprotectin nor CD11b-positive cells was significantly correlated with nitroblue tetrazolium reducing activity. Aggregated cells reducing nitroblue tetrazolium seen in severely inflamed mucosa were found to be EG2 positive. Most of the calprotectin-positive cells were 25F9 negative. In addition to activation of neutrophils and macrophages, eosinophil activation has been shown to be involved in inflamed colonic mucosa.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Preoperative disinfection of the conjunctival sac in cataract surgery.

Conjunctival cultures were obtained from 488 patients undergoing cataract extraction. Bacterial isolation rates from the lids and conjunctiva were 84.6 and 36.7, respectively. Propionibacterium acnes was the only anaerobic organism identified. A significantly lower incidence of P. acnes was observed in the eyes after preoperative conjunctival irrigation using povidone-iodine solution (9%) compared with those using benzetonium chloride solution (30%). Topical use of ofloxacin and cefmenoxime for 1 or 2 days preoperatively, and irrigation of the conjunctival sac with a 16-fold-diluted povidone-iodine solution for at least 30 s immediately prior to cataract surgery are recommended.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1997

Rapid disappearance of AML1/ETO fusion transcripts in patients with t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia following bone marrow transplantation and chemotherapy.

To assess the clinical significance of monitoring minimal residual disease in t(8;21)(q22;q22) AML, RT-PCR assay was conducted during the clinical course of 12 patients who had undergone BMT or conventional chemotherapy. Two cases relapsed after BMT and chimeric RNA was detected soon after BMT in their bone marrow cells. The other three cases, in whom chimeric RNA was not detected after BMT, are in CR at 21 to 33 months following BMT. Similarly, four out of 7 cases who showed negative chimeric RNA after completion of chemotherapy have been in CR at 11 to 34 months following completion of chemotherapy. The present findings appear different from other studies which reported the detection of AML1-ETO chimeric RNA in long-term CR patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Expression of costimulatory molecules B7-1 and B7-2 in macrophages and granulomas of Crohn's disease: demonstration of cell-to-cell contact with T lymphocytes.

The pathogenesis of Crohn's disease, an intractable inflammatory disease, involves impaired and/or excessive activation of mucosal macrophages and T lymphocytes. B7-1 (CD80) and B7-2 (CD86) molecules are costimulatory molecules that are indispensable to T-cell activation by antigen-presenting cells. To elucidate the roles and characteristics of these antigen-presenting cells in Crohn's disease, in situ localization of B7-1 and B7-2 (in relation to the distribution of T cells) was clarified by light and electron microscopic immunohistochemistry. The results were compared with those from a study of ulcerative colitis. Normal colonic tissue expressed B7-1 or B7-2 only sporadically. In active Crohn's disease, however, an increase in the number of B7-1/B7-2+ cells correlated with an increase in expression of HLA-DR and intercellular adhesion molecule-1. Most B7-1/B7-2+ cells were identified as noncaseating granulomas or as macrophages, which tended to form an aggregate especially in ulcer bases. In active ulcerative colitis, the increase of B7-1/B7-2+ cells was not as prominent as that in Crohn's disease. Double immunohistochemistry revealed a close cellular distribution between noncaseating granulomas and T cells. Immunoelectron microscopy confirmed the expression of B7-1/B7-2 along the plasma membranes of cytoplasmic processes of granuloma cells, where lymphocytes were closely attached. The present study suggested that granuloma formation in Crohn's disease is coupled with antigen presentation via a B7-1/B7-2-CD28 pathway, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer using ex vivo perfusion of the heart graft.

A replication-deficient adenovirus was used for ex vivo gene transfer into rat heart grafts under conditions simulating clinical transplantation. The adenoviral vector, AdHCMVsp1LacZ, containing an expression cassette of Escherichiae coli lacZ, was used to perfuse heart grafts during cold ischemia before transplantation. Heart grafts were perfused with University of Wisconsin (UW) solution containing either 0 pfu, 5 x 10(10) pfu, or 1 x 10(11) pfu of viral vector, and were preserved for either 2 or 4 h and then transplanted into syngeneic recipients. The animals were killed at 1, 7, and 14 days after transplantation. The infection rate was assessed by histochemical staining for beta-galactosidase. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), viral DNA presence was confirmed in every graft perfused with viral vectors. The protein production from the transfected gene was confirmed by a functional protein assay. An efficient gene transfer was achieved with an infection rate of 1%-1.5% for all cardiac myocytes, as assessed by 5-bromo-4-chloro-indolyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (X-gal) staining. All studies were negative in the control grafts. Gene expression persisted for at least 10 days after transplantation. We thus conclude that an efficient adenovirus-mediated gene transfection and expression of gene products can be achieved in ex vivo perfusion of the heart graft during cold preservation.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1996

Effect of bucillamine on the rat trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid induced model of colitis.

Salicylazosulphapyridine and corticosteroids are the only remedies for inflammatory bowel disease currently in clinical use. They do not, however, necessarily bring about satisfactory therapeutic benefits, so that new agents are needed. In this study, we evaluated the effect of bucillamine, a new antirheumatic agent, in experimental rat colitis induced by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid enema. Wistar rats were given vehicle alone (n = 16) or treated with 50 (n = 20) or 150 (n = 20) mg/kg of bucillamine daily for three weeks after induction of colitis. Conventional histological sections of the colon stained by haematoxylin and eosin were prepared and observed under a light microscope to determine colonic damage scores. The determinations were significantly lower in the group treated with 50 mg/kg of bucillamine and tended to be lower in the group treated with 150 mg/kg of bucillamine than in the untreated group, which implied that the experimentally induced colonic inflammatory changes and ulcerations were alleviated by bucillamine. Blood tests showed no abnormal values at the end of the treatment. The present observations suggest that bucillamine should be developed further as a possible therapy for inflammatory bowel disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Immunophenotypic features and configuration of immunoglobulin genes in hairy cell leukemia-Japanese variant.

Immunophenotypes and Ig gene rearrangements were investigated in 12 patients with a variant form of hairy cell leukemia (HCL) termed HCL-Japanese variant (HCL-J), and in an HCL-J-derived cell line. The leukemic cells of HCL-J characteristically showed the phenotype of CD20+, CD5-, CD10-, CD11c+, CD22+, CD24- and CD25-. Ig light (L) chain was undetected in nine cases, and the remaining four cases expressed kappa chain. Expression of Ig heavy (H) chain was studied in nine cases. In addition to Igkappa+ cases showing expression of predominantly gamma H chain isotype, alpha chain was detected in one case without expression of L chain. Rearranged bands in Ig heavy chain (JH) genes were recognized in all 12 cases tested. Rearranged bands in kappa chain genes and germline configuration in chi chain genes were seen in all three Igkappa+ cases tested. Four of nine cases without expression of L chain had a rearranged chi chain gene. The other three cases had chi chain genes in the germline configuration and rearranged and/or deleted kappa chain genes. In the remaining two cases, no rearrangement in either kappa or chi chain genes was detected. The Ig gene configuration and expression in HCL-J, partially overlapping with those described for immature B cell leukemia, were dissociated from the cytological features and CD20+, membrane CD22+ phenotype characteristic of mature B cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1996

[Chronic active EB virus infection and granular lymphocytes proliferative disorders in Japan].

To clarify the characteristics of chronic active EB virus infection (CAEBV) in Japan, and to investigate the relation between granular lymphocytes proliferative disorder (GLPD) and EB virus, we conducted a survey through a questionnaire conducted throughout Japan. Among 17 registered patients with CAEBV, 9 developed various types of lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs), and 6 patients died of LPD. Among 72 cases of GLPD, 43 were CD3-positive and 27 were CD3-negative. EB viral DNA was detected in the peripheral mononuclear cells in 6 of 7 CD3-negative and 1 of 4 CD3-positive cases. These data suggest that EB virus-associated LPDs frequently derive from patients with CAEBV. However, some GLPD patients without CAEBV, especially for CD3-negative GLPD, are associated with EB virus infection. Therefore detection of EB viral DNA is very important to understand the pathogenesis of GLPD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Early intervention for very-low-birth-weight infant].

In order to establish an early intervention (EI) system for very-low-birth-weight infants, we designed a randomized trial at multiple institutions in Japan. We also reviewed the concept and history of early intervention in USA. Eight medical institutions in different locations were selected for participation. Sixty-two EI group patients and 48 controls without neurological abnormalities (age 2 years) were selected for study. The developmental quotient (DQ) by the revised Kyoto-K method and 15 questionnaire items were monitored twice, at the age of 2 and after one year of EI (3 years). Improvements in behavioral problems, circadian rhythm, and speech were significantly greater in the EI group than in the control group. (P < 0.01). Data on all patients are being collected, and further evaluation and analysis of DQ are planned. The most effective EI method in each specific location and the financial support of its official institutions are required for the success of the EI program for very-low-birth-weight infants.

Early Intervention, Educational↗
PubMed1996

[LGL lymphoma].

We reported in this article two patients with large granular lymphocytic lymphoma (abbreviated as LGL lymphoma). One was the patient with LGL leukemia/lymphoma (patient 1) and other was the patient with NK-LGL lymphoma (patient 2). Because the gene of TCR delta was rearranged in the patient 1, the clonality of the LGL leukemia/lymphoma was confirmed. However, it is not determined yet whether the lineage of tumor cells is T cells or NK cells. The cytochemical features of the lymphoma cells of the patient 2 were studied. It was found that NK cell-derived lymphoma cells of the patient were positively stained with these two monoclonal antibodies that are reactive with T cell; one is anti-CD45RO (UCHL-1) and other is anti-CD3. Judging from the result, malignant NK-LGL cells in some patients are cytoplasmic CD3+ and UCHl-1+. It is emphasized that May-Grünwald-Giemsa stain of biopsied specimen of the lymphoma is required for making the diagnosis of LGL lymphoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

CD33+ B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children: a distinct subgroup of B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Clinical and laboratory features associated with CD33 expression were analysed in 123 children with B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), including 85 at onset, 34 at relapse and four in a refractory state to induction therapy. CD33 was demonstrated in 13 patients (15.3%) at onset, and it was associated with coexpression of T-cell and multipotential hematopoietic cell-associated antigens, i.e. CD2, CD4 and CD7, which were observed in four of 11 analysed patients (P < 0.01). Patients with CD33 expression were older than those without CD33 (P < 0.01). Although CD33 was the strongest predictor of a poor outcome (event-free survival, 44% for CD33+ and 75% for CD33-patients; P = 0.0041) in univariate analysis, multivariate analysis did not demonstrate significance (P = 0.0645). Fourteen of 38 patients (36.8%) at relapse or in a refractory state showed CD33 expression. Analysis of CD33 expression had also been performed at onset in 16 of these patients and showed acquisition of CD33 in six of 13 patients who had been negative for this antigen at onset. Thus, it seems that CD33+ B-precursor ALL is derived from undifferentiated cells minimally committed to B-cell lineage and more homogeneous than so-called My+ B-precursor ALL with regard to the clinical and biological features. The frequent expression of CD33 on the cells which acquired resistance to chemotherapy may have resulted from expansion of a CD33+ original minor clone or clonal evolution.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Age-related changes in surface antigens on peripheral lymphocytes of healthy children.

The age-related changes in proportion of various subsets within lymphocytes were investigated in cord blood and peripheral blood from healthy children and adults. The percentages of T and B cells did not show age-related changes, whereas natural killer (NK) cells increased significantly with age. Within lymphocytes or the CD3+ T cell population the proportion of CD45RAbright+ lymphocytes decreased and that of CD45RO+ cells increased, while that of CD45RAdim+ cells showed no age-related change. Within lymphocytes, the percentage of CD45RAbright+ CD4+ cells decreased, together with a decline of that of CD4+ cells. The proportions of CD45RAbright+ CD8+ cells and S6F1bright+ CD8+ cells increased with age, and the age-dependent increase of the proportion of CD8+ cells seems to be mainly attributable to the increases in these subsets. The CD45RAdim+ CD4+ and CD45RAdim+ CD8+ cells co-expressing CD45RO at a low level nevertheless showed no age-related changes. In gamma delta T cells, both delta TCS1+ and delta TCS1- T cells increased with age, but the delta TCS1- gamma delta T cells increased more than the delta TCS1+ subset. Among lymphocytes, the percentages of CD20+, CD21+ and CD22+ cells remained similar, with no age-related changes, but the proportion of CD5+ cells within lymphocytes or B cells decreased. The proportions of CD16+ NK cells among lymphocytes increased with age, and this change was attributable to the increase of CD56+ cells.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Deficiency of blood coagulation factor XIII in Crohn's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Refractory fistula formation is one of most intractable complications in Crohn's disease. Recently, the role of blood coagulation Factor XIII has been recognized as an important wound-healing factor. We investigated the plasma concentration and functional activity of blood coagulation Factor XIIIa, active subunit of the Factor XIII, in patients with Crohn's disease and in healthy volunteers. METHODS: Peripheral blood was obtained from 24 patients with Crohn's disease and from 10 healthy volunteers. The functional activity of Factor XIIIa was measured by its transglutaminase activity, and plasma concentration was measured by the immunoelectrophoresis method. RESULTS: The differences in Crohn's disease patients and healthy volunteers were not significant. However, Crohn's disease patients with fistula had significantly lower functional activity than Crohn's disease patients without fistula. CONCLUSIONS: The deficiency in this wound-healing factor might be one reason for refractory fistulas in Crohn's disease, and supplementation of the factor might be useful therapeutically.

Adult↗