Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Maeda

Publications and source records attributed to J Maeda.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1)- and beta 2-like activities in malignant pleural effusions caused by malignant mesothelioma or primary lung cancer.

We investigated the levels of TGF-beta in malignant pleural effusions (MPE) caused by malignant mesothelioma (MESO) or primary lung cancer. TGF-beta levels in MPE caused by MESO were 283.9 +/- 219.2 pm (mean +/- s.d.) and were three to six times higher than those due to primary lung cancers (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). We also evaluated TGF-beta 1- and beta 2-like activities in MPE using specific polyclonal antibodies. Although TGF-beta 1-like activity could be detected in all cases, TGF-beta 2-like activities were detected in five of seven in MESO and in a few cases with primary lung cancer. These results demonstrate that the levels of total TGF-beta and TGF-beta 2-like activity may be clinically useful to differentiate MESO from primary lung cancer. Our data also suggest that TGF-beta may help further characterize the clinical features of MESO.

Carcinoma, Small Cell↗

Analysis of lymphocyte subsets in a renal allograft recipient infected with human immunodeficiency virus.

OBJECTIVE: To study the change in lymphocyte subsets of a renal allograft recipient who acquired human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. PATIENT AND METHODS: A 53-year-old Japanese man who acquired HIV infection at the time of renal transplantation and died from opportunistic infection 3 years later was studied. Lymphocyte subsets were examined serially throughout his clinical course. RESULTS: The numbers of CD4 positive cells were severely decreased but those of CD8 positive cells were stable; the CD 4/8 ratio was extremely low. The numbers of B cells were also decreased but production of immunoglobulin was increased. In spite of this immunosuppressive state, graft rejection was noted when the patient's immunosuppressive medication was reduced. CONCLUSION: The lymphocyte subsets of renal transplant patients with HIV infection should be closely observed, as should the nature and timing of opportunistic infection in relation to transplantation, and the administration of immunosuppressive medication.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Analysis of microvascular responses in the finger to changes in arm position during cold water stimulation.

We evaluated the extent to which the myogenic autoregulatory response was affected by sympathetic vasoconstriction in humans. The stimulus used to produce sympathetic vasoconstriction was the cold water immersion of a contralateral finger. The stimulus used to elicit myogenic response was gravitational potential energy change (GPEC), that is, arm position change, i.e., the raising and lowering of the upper extremity 40 cm above and below the heart level. The response was observed in terms of the changes in amplitude on a differential digital photoplethysmogram (delta DPG) during this maneuver with and without cold stimulation. The subjects were seven healthy males. During non-immersion, the delta DPG amplitude increased to 55.7 +/- 7.6% (SE) at the elevated position and decreased to -56.3 +/- 4.0% at the lowered position. Mean finger arterial blood pressure (MBP) decreased by 34.0 +/- 1.8% at the elevated position and increased by 39.9 +/- 3.3% at the lowered position. During immersion, the delta DPG amplitude was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased by 25-40, 33-57, and 33-38% at the heart, elevated, and lowered position, respectively. MBP increased by 5-9%, but heart rate was unchanged throughout immersion. These results indicate that the myogenic response of arterioles is not entirely abolished by the present sympathetic vasoconstrictor effect. Thus interactions between these two effects may maintain both systemic and local circulatory homeostasis.

Adult↗

[Detection of HTLV-1 provirus DNA in T-cell neoplasms].

Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and Southern hybridization, gag, pol, env and pX region genes of HTLV-1 provirus were detected in T-cell malignancy such as adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), mycosis fungoides in leukemic phase (MF) and, CD8-leukemia. The gag, pol, and/or env regions, were not amplified in some cases of ATLL, which was considered to be induced by mutation, but not deletion. However, the pX-1 and pX-2 regions could be amplified in all cases examined. As it is suggested that the pX gene plays an important role in leukemogenesis, the mutation may not occur in this region gene. Interestingly, the pX-2 was amplified in the cases with MF and CD8-leukemia as well. The amplified products were hybridized to the HTLV-1 pX sequence, even though the products contained DNA fragments with a size larger than expected as well as those of an expected size. These results indicated the possibility that the virus having sequence identical with HTLV-1 pX is integrated in the tumor cells of MF and CD8 leukemia.

Base Sequence↗

Autosomal codominant inheritance and Japanese incidence of deficiency of OKT4 epitope with lack of reactivity resulting from conformational change.

A large Japanese family in which some members were homozygous or heterozygous for OKT4 epitope deficiency was studied. Homozygotes, heterozygotes, and normal individuals were identified by differences in the number of OKT4 epitopes on the surfaces of lymphocytes. This deficiency was transmitted as an autosomal codominant trait. The internalization of CD4 molecules and the production of IL-2 by lymphocytes of these subjects were examined. The OKT4 epitope was not needed for internalization of CD4 molecules, and IL-2 was produced in the same amounts by these different kinds of subjects. DNA from four clones lacking OKT4 established from four individuals of this family was sequenced. As reported elsewhere for different subjects, a single nucleotide substitution (CGG-->TGG) was found in all four cell lines. The mutation results in arginine being replaced by tryptophan. Analysis showed different hydrophobicity at positions 239 and 240 from the control, probably giving rise to a conformational change in CD4 accounting for lack of reactivity with the OKT4 monoclonal antibody. The incidence of homozygotes in the Japanese population was found to be 0.47% by examination of 1478 random samples, and on the basis of this value, the incidence of heterozygotes was estimated to be 12.8%.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Assessment of right ventricular diastolic filling in patients with coronary artery disease.

To assess right ventricular (RV) diastolic filling in coronary artery disease (CAD), with special reference to the involved lesions of the coronary arteries and left ventricular (LV) systolic function, gated radionuclide ventriculography was performed at rest in 106 patients with single-vessel CAD. Based on the site of coronary arterial involvement, patients were classified into three groups: left anterior descending CAD, right CAD, and left circumflex CAD. Patients in each group were further subdivided according to normal or decreased LV ejection fraction, resulting in six groups. Seventeen normal subjects were examined as a control group. Time-activity and its first-derivative curves were computed for the right and left ventricles. RV systolic function was normally preserved in all six groups, even when LV systolic function was damaged severely. The ratio of peak RV filling rate to peak RV ejection rate was significantly decreased in all six groups compared with that in control subjects, indicating that RV filling was impaired in patients with CAD. The ratio was below the lower limit of normal in 14 (23%) of 62 patients with normal LV systolic function and in 13 (30%) of 44 patients with impaired LV systolic function. None of the control subjects showed a decreased ratio of peak RV filling rate to peak RV ejection rate. Thus, in patients with CAD, RV filling is impaired, which may be independent of the site of coronary arterial involvement and of the LV or RV systolic function.

Adult↗

Potentiation of metastatic capacity by transforming growth factor-beta 1 gene transfection.

This study was designed to assess whether the excessive secretion of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) by Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with TGF-beta 1 gene may be linked to the development of a metastatic phenotype. We observed large numbers of metastatic colonies in the lungs of nude mice inoculated with the transfected CHO cells. The tumors derived from these transfected cells demonstrated marked angiogenesis. We postulate that the overproduction of TGF-beta 1 by these tumors may participate in the metastatic progression following establishment of angiogenesis at the primary tumor site.

Animals↗

Local production and localization of transforming growth factor-beta in tuberculous pleurisy.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is one of the cytokines which play an immunosuppressive role in an inflammatory process. To investigate the local production of TGF-beta, we evaluated the levels of TGF-beta in tuberculous pleural effusions (TBPE) and non-tuberculous benign pleural effusions (non-TBPE) by the growth inhibition assay with Mv1Lu mink lung epithelial cells. The mean level of TGF-beta in TBPE (46.1 +/- 31.5 pM; mean +/- s.d.) was higher than in non-TBPE (21.7 +/- 12.3 pM) (P < 0.05). Although the level of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in TBPE measured by ELISA was significantly higher than in non-TBPE, there was no significant difference in the levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) measured by ELISA between these two groups. Moreover, to elucidate localization of TGF-beta in tuberculous pleurisy, immunohistochemical studies of pleura, using the rabbit polyclonal antibody Ab39 against latent TGF-beta 1 binding protein (LTBP) were performed. Results revealed that LTBP was localized in immature fibrotic areas where infiltrations of T lymphocytes and macrophages were absent. Importantly, the major sources of LTBP in these areas were thought to be mesothelial cells and fibroblasts. LTBP was not found in granulomas and mature fibrotic areas. Our data suggest that TGF-beta in tuberculous pleurisy may play important roles for regression of granulomatous inflammation and pleural fibrosis for tissue repair.

Animals↗

Presenile-onset cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy presenting as Balint's syndrome and dementia.

We describe a patient with presenile-onset cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy presenting as Balint's syndrome and dementia. There were demyelinating MRI changes in the parieto-occipital white matter bilaterally, including the splenium of the corpus callosum. Therapeutic trials using 1-deamino-(8-D-arginine)-vasopressin, very long-chain fatty acid-free diet, and gamma-globulin were of no benefit.

Adrenoleukodystrophy↗

Exercise-induced silent myocardial ischemia in single vessel coronary artery disease associated with Q wave infarction. Assessment by thallium 201 single-photon emission computed tomography.

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between the symptom of ischemia and the amount of abnormally perfused myocardium, coronary arteriography and exercise and redistribution thallium 201 single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) were analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 153 patients with single-vessel coronary artery disease; 53 patients had no pathologic Q waves (group 1) and 100 patients had pathologic Q waves consistent with the area supplied by the diseased vessel (group 2). Twenty normal subjects were used as control subjects. The apical, mid, and basal left ventricular levels of the short-axis view and apical portion of the long-axis view were divided into 20 segments, and segmental images were scored blindly on a 0 (normal) to 4 (severely reduced uptake) scale. The redistribution score was defined as the thallium 201 defect score of exercise subtracted from that of the redistribution image and was used as a measure of the amount of ischemic myocardium. RESULTS: The redistribution score in 20 control subjects was 0.20 +/- 2.06, and the upper limit of normal redistribution score was defined as mean + 2 x SD (4.32). In group 1, 40 of 53 patients had a redistribution score above the normal range. In group 2, 34 of 100 patients had a redistribution score above the normal range. Of 40 patients in group 1, angina during exercise was observed in 22 patients (55 percent). Twenty-two patients who had angina had a redistribution score of 15.2 +/- 6.7, while those who did not have angina had a score of 13.7 +/- 5.2 (p = NS). Of 34 patients in group 2, angina was observed in 10 patients (29 percent) during exercise. Ten patients with angina had a redistribution score of 10.1 +/- 4.4, and those without angina had a score of 9.9 +/- 3.4 (p = NS). CONCLUSION: Thus, the incidence of silent ischemia without the Q wave infarct zone was found to be higher than that within the ischemic zone without Q wave. Patients with silent and symptomatic ischemia during exercise have similar amounts of ischemic myocardium demonstrated by tomographic thallium 201 imaging; this was found in patients who had Q wave infarction and in those who did not.

Angina Pectoris↗

[A case of allergic bronchopulmonary candidiasis improved with steroid inhalation].

A 49-year-old woman was admitted to hospital because of productive cough and dyspnea. She had been well two months before admission, when she developed an attack of asthma. Chest roentgenogram taken on admission revealed numerous shadows of inhomogeneous density in both lungs. Laboratory findings showed leukocytosis with eosinophilia (25%), high IgE level in serum and positive RAST score to Candida albicans. A diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary candidiasis was made by these laboratory data and clinical course. The patient was treated successfully by oral administration of methylprednisolone and inhalation of amphotericin B, but she had a relapse of the disease on cessation of steroid medication. Inhalation of beclomethasone dipropionate and procaterol hydrochloride was commenced. Thereafter, pulmonary infiltration and clinical symptoms improved after three weeks.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Regulation by cytokines of eosinophilopoiesis and immunoglobulin E production in mice.

Certain clinical disorders are associated with eosinophilia and hyperimmunoglobulinaemia of the immunoglobulin (Ig) E class, but others give rise to eosinophilia without hyperimmunoglobulinaemia. To investigate why there are two such patterns, we immunized BALB/c mice with ovalbumin plus tetanus toxid with aluminium hydroxide gel (alum) as adjuvant, which caused eosinophilopoiesis and hyperimmunoglobulinaemia, and also immunized mice with the same antigens and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), which caused only eosinophilopoiesis. The difference in the adjuvant brought about the two different patterns. Monoclonal antibodies to four cytokines were used to find that eosinophilopoiesis was mediated by interleukin-5 (IL-5), whichever the adjuvant, and that IgE production in mice treated with alum was regulated by both IL-4 and IL-5. The lack of increase in IgE production was not due to suppression by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) or by CD8+ T cells. By the polymerase chain reaction, both IL-4 and IL-5 mRNA were detected in cells from mice given alum, but only IL-5 mRNA was found in cells from mice given CFA. Thus, alum used as the adjuvant resulted in both eosinophilopoiesis and IgE production, but CFA resulted in eosinophilopoiesis alone. The dissociation between eosinophilopoiesis and IgE production shown in the mice given CFA could be due to the dissociation between the expression of mRNA of the cytokines IL-4 and IL-5 in vivo.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Y-29794--a non-peptide prolyl endopeptidase inhibitor that can penetrate into the brain.

A novel non-peptide prolyl endopeptidase (PPCE) inhibitor, Y-29794, has been identified. Y-29794 selectively and competitively inhibited rat brain PPCE (Ki = 0.95 nM) in a reversible manner. Ex vivo study demonstrated that Y-29794 could penetrate into brain to exhibit dose-dependent and long-lasting inhibition. Furthermore, Y-29794 was found to potentiate the effect of TRH on the release of ACh in the rat hippocampus. These results indicate that Y-29794 is an orally active, potent and specific PPCE inhibitor and should be of value in studies on the physiological role of the enzyme in neuropeptide metabolism especially in memory process.

Acetylcholine↗

Serum laminin P1 in small cell lung cancer: a valuable indicator of distant metastasis?

Serum laminin P1 was studied in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), respiratory infections, pulmonary fibrosis, and in normal subjects. The level of serum laminin P1 was elevated (greater than 1.27 U ml-1) in 58.9% of SCLC and in 11.5% of NSCLC patients. Median value in SCLC was significantly higher than that in NSCLC (P less than 0.01), respiratory infection (P less than 0.01), and in normal subjects (P less than 0.01), but not statistically different from that in pulmonary fibrosis. The levels of serum laminin P1 in SCLC were related to therapeutic response. However, no certain correlation was established between the level of laminin P1 and the clinical stage of SCLC.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

A comparison of endocrine and exocrine function after pancreatic fragment autotransplantation into splenic pulp, portal vein, and hepatic parenchyma.

Three sites were evaluated for potential pancreatic fragment autotransplantation. Both endocrine and exocrine functions were evaluated following autotransplantation into splenic pulp, portal vein, or hepatic parenchyma in 44 pancreatectomized dogs. Cholecystic bile amylase concentrations in the hepatic parenchyma group surviving more than 2 months were elevated significantly, and choledochal bile amylase concentrations increased markedly following pancreozymin-secretin injection. In contrast, bile amylase concentrations in dogs with intrasplenic or intraportal implants were low and did not respond to PS injection. Histologically pancreatic autografts in hepatic parenchyma revealed marked proliferation of exocrine tissue with abundant zymogen granules and reconstruction of the acinar lobules with a few islets. These acinar cells in the hepatic parenchyma were ultrastructurally normal. Transplant endocrine function, estimated by K values, was significantly better after splenic pulp and portal vein than after a hepatic parenchyma implantation, but no group improved during 1-year follow-up. Glucose-stimulated initial insulin responses were abnormally low in all recipients. Islet B cells lacked mature insulin granules, such as seen in normal resting B cells. This ultrastructural finding implies a persistent demand on the B cells and may explain the spontaneous recurrence of hyperglycemia and the diminished initial insulin response to a glucose load. This study indicates that euglycemic recipients of pancreatic fragment autotransplantation remain unstable and prediabetic.

Amylases↗

Small cell lung cancer with extensive cutaneous and gastric metastases.

A case of a 60-year-old Japanese woman with small cell lung cancer involving skin and stomach is reported. She was diagnosed as primary small cell lung cancer accompanied by extensive cutaneous metastases. Three months after the last chemotherapy, she complained of nausea and vomiting. Brain CT scan showed no evidence of central nervous system involvement. Upper gastrointestinal study and upper gastrointestinal fiberscopy revealed multiple metastatic gastric tumors. Skin and stomach are uncommon metastatic sites for any malignancy. Furthermore, only a few cases with gastric metastasis could be diagnosed during their lifetime.

Carcinoma, Small Cell↗

A case of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the bronchus producing cancer-associated antigen, CA19-9.

A 73-year-old male was admitted to Hyogo College of Medicine Hospital for further evaluation of chest x-ray abnormalities. Chest roentgenogram taken at admission showed right lower lobe atelectasis and bronchoscopic examination revealed an endobronchial tumor obstructing the left lower lobe bronchus. The biopsy specimen showed cribriform adenoid cystic carcinoma. The serum CA19-9 level was markedly elevated at admission, leading to immunohistochemical analysis of the biopsy specimen. As a result, in the tumor, CA19-9 was positively stained. This is probably the first reported case of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the bronchus which produces CA19-9.

Aged↗

[Immunohistochemical analysis of CA19-9, SLX, and CA125 in adenoid cystic carcinoma of trachea and bronchus].

We examined the usefulness of 3 carbohydrate antigens, CA19-9, CA125, and SLX, as tumor markers in adenoid cystic carcinoma of the trachea and bronchus, immunohistochemically and clinically. CA19-9 and SLX were detected immunohistochemically in normal tracheal and bronchial glands, but CA125 was not detected. Bronchial secretions obtained from 7 patients without cancer contained high levels of these 3 carbohydrate antigens. There was positive immunohistochemical staining for CA19-9, CA125, and SLX in 5 of 9, 1 of 9, and 3 of 8 patients with tracheal or bronchial adenoid cystic carcinoma, respectively. In a case of bronchial adenoid cystic carcinoma in whom pretreatment serum CA19-9 showed a very high level, this marker changed in parallel with the clinical course. These results suggest the possibility that CA19-9 and SLX could be used as useful markers in patients with tracheal and bronchial adenoid cystic carcinoma.

Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate↗