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Biomedical subjects

K Kojima

Publications and source records attributed to K Kojima.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Fecal eosinophil granule-derived proteins reflect disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were: 1) to examine whether the fecal levels of eosinophil granule-derived proteins reflect disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); and 2) to examine the extracellular release of these proteins from eosinophils and their stability in feces by an in vitro study. METHODS: We investigated 42 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), 37 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), and 29 control subjects. The stool samples were collected at 4 degrees C over 48 h and were homogenized. The fecal levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil protein X (EPX) were measured by radioimmunoassay. Fecal Hb (Hb), alpha1-antitrypsin (AT), and lactoferrin (Lf) were also measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Fecal ECP and EPX concentrations were significantly increased in both active UC and active CD compared to inactive UC and inactive CD, respectively. Fecal EPX concentration correlated with the fecal Hb, AT, and Lf concentrations more closely than fecal ECP concentration. Even in the inactive stage, CD patients who relapsed within the following 3 months showed higher fecal ECP and EPX concentrations compared to the patients who did not. EPX was released extracellularly more efficiently than ECP (18.6% vs 6.3%, after incubation for 15 min at 25 degrees C). EPX was more stable in the feces than ECP. CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of eosinophil granule-derived proteins in feces is useful for evaluating disease activity and predicting relapse in patients with IBD. EPX may be more suitable than ECP as a fecal eosinophil marker.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Structure-activity relationships in allergic contact dermatitis induced by methacrylates. Studies of the influence of side-chain length of methacrylates.

Some methacrylates are known to be strong contact sensitizers. To determine the effect of side-chain length on sensitizing potential, we examined 11 derivatives with linear side chains from C1 to C18 in an experimental sensitization test in guinea pigs. The results showed an increase in the sensitizing potential with increasing length of the alkyl side chain from C1 to C12. The C12 derivative, lauryl methacrylate, showed the strongest sensitizing potential. Further elongation of the alkyl side chain of methacrylates resulted in a decrease in the potential. With respect to the side-chain-length-dependent sensitizing potential, the present results correspond well with the findings obtained with other compounds like primin, catechols, phenols, hydroquinones, and gallates.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1999

High-density lipoprotein enhancement of anticoagulant activities of plasma protein S and activated protein C.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels are associated, respectively, with either increased risk or apparent protective effects for atherothrombosis. The ability of purified LDL and HDL to downregulate thrombin formation, a contributor to atherothrombotic processes, was assessed. Purified HDL, but not LDL, significantly enhanced inactivation of coagulation factor Va by activated protein C (APC) and protein S, and HDL stimulated protein S-dependent proteolytic inactivation of Va by APC, apparently due to cleavage at Arg306 in Va. In normal plasma, added HDL enhanced APC/protein S anticoagulant activity in modified prothrombin-time clotting assays. When the anticoagulant potency of HDL was compared with phospholipid (PL) vesicles of well-defined composition using this assay, HDL appeared qualitatively different from PL vesicles because HDL showed only good anticoagulant activity, whereas PL vesicles were rather procoagulant. When 20 normal plasmas were tested using this clotting assay, apoA-I levels correlated with anticoagulant response to APC/protein S (r = 0.47, P = 0.035), but not with activated partial thromboplastin time-based APC resistance ratios. Because HDL enhances the anticoagulant protein C pathway in vitro, we speculate that HDL may help downregulate thrombin generation in vivo and that this anticoagulant action is one of HDL's beneficial activities.

Anticoagulants↗
PubMed1999

Metabolic fate of gallic acid orally administered to rats.

The metabolic behavior of orally administered gallic acid was investigated by HPLC and 4-O-methyl gallic acid was found to be the main metabolite in rat peripheral blood and urine. After oral administration of gallic acid, maximum concentration in portal vein and inferior vena cava occurred at 15 and 30 min, respectively. In portal vein, gallic acid was preferentially detected relative to 4-O-methyl gallic acid, whereas gallic acid and 4-0-methyl gallic acid were equally detected in inferior vena cava. On the other hand, 4-O-methyl gallic acid but not gallic acid was found in liver. The contents of gallic acid and 4-O-methyl gallic acid in urine were nearly 100 times higher than those in blood. The ratio of 4-O-methyl gallic acid to total gallic acid metabolites in urine was from 0.55 to 0.76, indicating that a considerable amount of gallic acid was excreted without being metabolized. In this study we found that gallic acid administered orally existed in the blood for 6 h at most, and more than half was metabolized to 4-O-methyl gallic acid, followed by excretion into urine.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1999

Effects of volatile anesthetics on the activity of laryngeal 'drive' receptors in anesthetized dogs.

Effects of halothane, isoflurane and sevoflurane on laryngeal drive receptor activity were studied in the afferent activity of the superior laryngeal nerve in anesthetized spontaneously breathing dogs. Of 40 single units recorded, most of them (65%) responded to the volatile anesthetics applied to the isolated larynx at a concentration of 5%. The exposure to the anesthetics resulted in either an inspiratory increase (15%), both inspiratory and expiratory decrease (54%), or both inspiratory increase and expiratory decrease (31%) responses. The average discharge frequency of the receptors tended to be decreased on inhalation of the anesthetics, where significant decreases were observed in both respiratory phases for halothane and at expiration for isoflurane, but in neither respiratory phase for sevoflurane. These results support an advantage of sevoflurane over halothane and isoflurane for induction of anesthesia to minimize the influence of the activity of laryngeal drive receptors on the breathing pattern and airway stability.

Anesthetics, Inhalation↗
PubMed1999

The posterior nasal nerve plays an important role on cardiopulmonary reflexes to nasal application of capsaicin, distilled water and l-menthol in anesthetized dogs.

The sensory innervation of the cardiopulmonary reflexes to nasal application of capsaicin (CAPS), distilled water (DW) and l-menthol (LM) was studied in anesthetized dogs breathing through tracheostomy. A marked cardiopulmonary reflex was observed by CAPS and DW into the nasal cavity, while a prolongation of expiration was induced by LM. All these reflexes were significantly decreased by bilateral section of the posterior nasal nerve (PNN) and completely abolished by topical nasal anesthesia with lidocaine. Responses of the whole nerve activity of the PNN to these substances corresponded to the magnitude of the reflexes. These results indicate that PNN afferents play an important role on the reflex elicitation of the noxious, water and cold stimuli from the nasal cavity.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1999

Effect of growth substrates on production of new soluble glucose 3-dehydrogenase in Halomonas (Deleya) sp. alpha-15.

Halomonas (Deleya) sp. alpha-15 produces new co-factor binding soluble glucose 3-dehydrogenase (G3DH), which oxidizes the third hydroxy group of pyranose. This study investigated the condition of efficient production of G3DH using Halomonas (Deleya) sp. alpha-15. This enzyme was inducible, and alpha-methyl-D-glucoside, isopropyl-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) and lactose were revealed to be suitable carbon sources for G3DH induction. Maximum G3DH production was achieved by using minimal medium containing 0.8% (w/v) lactose with a productivity of 470U/l.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Protective action of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors on cardiac hypertrophy in the aortic-banded rat.

Imidapril, enalapril and quinapril were subcutaneously administered to aortic-banded rats by osmotic minipumps to compare the suppressive actions of these angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors on pressure-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Among the three drugs tested, imidapril was most potent for the prevention of cardiac hypertrophy, although equipotent hypotensive doses were used. Imidapril reduced both serum and cardiac ACE activities, while enalapril reduced only the former. Quinapril also reduced both, however, it was less potent at reducing the former compared to imidapril. Moreover, only imidapril significantly decreased left ventricular end diastolic pressure, which tended to be increased by aortic-banding. The lipophilicity of ACE inhibitors could not explain the more potent suppressive action of imidapril on cardiac hypertrophy because the lipophilicity of imidaprilat, an active metabolite of imidapril, was as low as an active metabolite of enalapril; i.e., much lower than an active metabolite of quinapril. The efficacy of ACE inhibitors on pressure-induced cardiac hypertrophy depends not only on an inhibitory effect on cardiac ACE activity, but also on other actions such as their effect on left ventricular end diastolic pressure.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗
PubMed1999

[A young male of systemic lupus erythematosus with hepatic lesions showing multiple low density spots in CT of liver].

A 19-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to low grade fever and polyarthralgia with history of photosensitivity. Laboratory findings showed the elevated transaminases, leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia. Examinations in regard to autoimmune diseases revealed the positive antinuclear antibody and positive LE test. The computed tomography (CT) showed the multiple low density spots in liver. CT guided liver biopsy specimens regarding to these low density spots showed the hepatic lesions with mild inflammatory cell infiltration and subtle piecemeal necrosis. The patient was diagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with hepatic lesions based on the clinical symptoms and the laboratory data. Rheumatoid arthritis was excluded because of intact joints X-ray findings. Autoimmune hepatitis was also denied because of the fulfillment of definite diagnostic criteria of SLE and minimal histological changes of liver. Prednisolone therapy improved his clinical manifestations and normalized both the laboratory data of liver function and the immunological abnormalities in SLE, so the multiple spots in CT of liver also disappeared.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Long-term results of venous surgery for cavernous erectile dysfunction].

BACKGROUND: It is well known that the effectiveness of venous surgery declines during the follow-up period. The onset of recurrence after surgery varies greatly among patients. There are only a few studies which have evaluated the effectiveness of venous surgery with objective tests. METHODS: We treated 123 cases of cavernous erectile dysfunction with venous surgery, and evaluated the results objectively. We performed intracavernous injection tests using 20 micrograms of prostaglandin E1 every 3 months until the recurrence of cavernous erectile dysfunction. RESULTS: Mean follow up period was 32 months (0.2-134.0 months). According to the Kaplan-Meier analysis, the effectiveness of surgery at 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, and 10 years was 85%, 61%, 30%, and 26%, respectively. CONCLUSION: There was no statistically significant difference between the outcomes following deep dorsal vein surgery and crural ligation surgery. Operative complications were more frequent, however in deep dorsal vein surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Rapid recovery of hemopoiesis and alleviation of symptoms similar to peri-engraftment syndrome after donor leukocyte infusion].

A 28-year-old man who had received an allogeneic bone marrow transplant 7 years earlier experienced a relapse of chronic myelogenous leukemia in an accelerated phase. He was unsuccessfully treated with vincristine (VCR) and interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha), and subsequently received a donor leukocyte transfusion (CD3+ cells: 1.5 x 10(7)/kg). Rapid hematologic recovery was observed and a complete remission was obtained without graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) or bone marrow aplasia. It may be that the preceding regimen of chemotherapy (VCR + IFN-alpha) contributed to the patient's recovery by reducing the tumor burden.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Monitoring of human herpesviruses after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation and bone marrow transplantation.

Herpesviruses frequently cause serious complications after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT). Recent studies have shown more rapid immune reconstitution after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (allo-PBSCT) compared with allo-BMT. However, it has not been clarified whether the improved immune reconstitution after allo-PBSCT is associated with a lower incidence of herpesvirus infections. We monitored the emergence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and HHV-7 DNA by a nested-double polymerase chain reaction in peripheral blood leucocytes from 22 allo-BMT and 16 allo-PBSCT patients. Each virus had an unique temporal profile of detection. HHV-6 DNA was detected most frequently at 3 weeks after transplantation, whereas CMV and EBV DNA were detected later (2-3 months). Detection rates of HHV-6 DNA at 3 and 4 weeks after allo-BMT were significantly higher than those after allo-PBSCT (9/16 v 2/13 at 3 weeks, P < 0.01; 10/21 v 1/15 at 4 weeks, P < 0.01). Detection rates of the other three herpesviruses after the two types of allogeneic transplantation were not significantly different throughout observation period. Furthermore, detection of HHV-6 DNA within the first 4 weeks was associated with delayed platelet engraftment after both allo-BMT and allo-PBSCT (P < 0.01). These results suggest an advantage for allo-PBSCT over allo-BMT in terms of suppression of HHV-6 reactivation and prevention of subsequent complications.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Defective human T-lymphotrophic virus type I provirus in T-cell prolymphocytic leukaemia.

T-cell prolymphocytic leukaemia (T-PLL) is a rare form of post-thymic T-cell neoplasm, the aetiology of which remains unknown. We examined human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) provirus in five HTLV-I/II seronegative patients with T-PLL. Southern blotting did not show monoclonal integration of the HTLV-I genome in any of the DNA samples. However, two of the five DNA samples contained an HTLV-I tax sequence. Other sets of oligonucleotide primers for HTLV-I gag, pol, env and LTR regions were all negative. HTLV-I tax gene expression and p40tax antibody were not detected in samples from cases with HTLV-I tax sequence. Our findings suggest that there may be alternative mechanisms involved in HTLV-associated leukaemogenesis, in which HTLV-I genome insertion triggers T-PLL but the deletion of various regions of the integrated provirus subsequently prevents active replication and the expression of the virus.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Familial occurrence of chronic neutrophilic leukaemia.

A father and son who both developed chronic neutrophilic leukaemia (CNL) are reported. The father, aged 63, had been exposed to radioactive fallout after the atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima; he presented with hepatosplenomegaly and neutrophilic leucocytosis, and died of intracerebral haemorrhage 1 month after diagnosis. 4 years later his son, then aged 44, presented with neutrophilic leucocytosis. Leukaemic transformation to acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML-M1) occurred, and he died of refractory leukaemia 4 months after the diagnosis of CNL. This is the first report of this rare disease occurring in family members; genetic effect due to radioactive poisoning was suspected in the development of CNL in these two cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Clinical trial of fadrozole hydrochloride for postmenopausal patients with recurrent breast cancer].

Eleven recurrent postmenopausal breast cancer patients with osseous or lung metastases were received fadrozole hydrochloride at a dose of 1 mg twice a day for more than 8 weeks. The median disease-free interval of these 11 patients with metastasis was 74 months. Out of 11 evaluable cases, 2 PR, 6 long-NC and 3 PD were observed. The overall response rate was 18.2% and the long-NC rate was 54.5%. The average overall duration of responses and long-NC were 567 days and 573 days, respectively. There was no adverse drug reaction. A combination therapy with fadrozole hydrochloride 2 mg daily and cyclophosphamide 100 mg orally on days 1-14 was given to 14 postmenopausal patients with recurrent breast cancer. The median disease-free interval of these 14 patients with metastasis was 33 months. There were 2 CR, 3 PR, 4 long-NC, 2 NC and 3 PD. The overall response rate and long-NC rate were 35.8% and 28.6%, respectively. The average overall duration of responses and long-NC were 700 days and 443 days, respectively. The adverse drug reactions were anorexia (Grade 2) and neutropenia (Grade 1 and 2). These results suggested that a combination therapy with fadrozole hydrochloride and cyclophosphamide can be effective and contribute to survival time in the treatment of postmenopausal breast cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Surviving and proliferating faculty of fibroblasts cultured under no-serum and poor nutritional conditions. The basic study on hybridation of cultured cells with an artificial matrix.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we measured survival periods of fibroblasts cultured under conditions providing minimal nutrition. This investigation aims to develop the high affinity hybrid artificial organs on tissues or organs finally. METHODS: Dermal fibroblasts were inoculated on 96-well multiplate according to routine technique. The medium of these cells maintained for 24 hours replaced the new DME medium containing 10% FBS (group 1) or without FBS (group 2) and then cultured for 10 days without medium change. The surviving cell numbers were measured using MTS assay. RESULTS: Surviving cell numbers of both groups decreased progressively during the 10-day assay period. Overall 25-40% of the fibroblasts survived for at least 10 days. It decreased significantly, however, in group 2 from day 2 through day 4 as compared to group 1. In contrast, the cell number decreased in group 1 to a greater extent than in group 2 after day 6. When the cells that survived until day 10 were then cultured with fresh DME medium containing 10% FBS for 3 more days, the cell numbers returned to 50-100% of the initial level CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that fibroblasts cell function is maintained under poor nutritional conditions, i.e., without serum, possibly via an autocrine or paracrine mechanism. These data could contribute much to the research of hybrid artificial organs, including an artificial trachea, in which hybridization of cultured cells with artificial matrices remains to be a basic process, and has to serve in bloodless postimplantation period.

Cell Count↗
PubMed1999

Detection of anti-annexin IV and V antibodies in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: Annexins (Anx) are a family of structurally related proteins that bind to phospholipids in a calcium dependent manner. It has been reported that antibodies to Anx V, which acts as an antithrombotic protein, are associated with thrombosis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and/or antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Homology between the primary structures of Anx IV and Anx V is the highest among members of the Anx family. We investigated whether anti-Anx IV autoantibodies can be detected in the sera of patients with SLE and/or APS. METHODS: Seventy-four patients with SLE/APS were divided into 3 groups: Group A, patients with SLE but no clinical or serological features of APS; Group B, patients with SLE having only serological signs of APS; and Group C, patients with clinical symptoms and serological signs of APS. Anx IV and Anx V were prepared by recombinant technique. Anti-Anx IV, Anx V, cardiolipin (CL), and CL beta2-glycoprotein I were detected by ELISA. RESULTS: Anti-Anx IV was found in 15.4% of Group A, 20.0% of Group B, and 21.7% of Group C. Anti-Anx V was found in 3.8% of Group A, 28.0% of Group B, and 30.4% of Group C. Significant correlations were noted between anti-Anx IV titer and anti-Anx V titer (p<0.001), and between anti-Anx IV titer and aCL titer (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Anti-Anx IV and V antibodies were characterized in the sera of patients with SLE/APS. Significantly higher frequency of arterial or venous thrombosis was found in patients with anti-Anx V.

Adolescent↗