Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K Ohta

Publications and source records attributed to K Ohta.

At least 469 records · Page 26Linked to original sources

A new thymopoietin precursor gene from human thymus.

Thymopoietin-related peptide (TPRP) gene was identified and cloned from a human thymus cDNA library. The cloned cDNA encoded a mature TPRP including the active site of thymopoietin (TP) (residues 32-36). TPRP and bovine TP were very similar in amino acid sequence, each being a 49 amino acid linear polypeptide. TPRP differed in only one residue from bovine putative TP and in only five residues from bovine TP I; whereas TPRP differed much more, at 12 amino acid residues, from human TP from thymus. This suggests that TPRP is a novel peptide and a genuine counterpart of the bovine TP.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Detection of neural crest tumors by 123I-MIBG scintigraphy].

From January 1993 to January 1994, scintigraphy with 123I-MIBG and/or 131I-MIBG were performed in 22 patients and their scintigraphic usefulness was evaluated. Iodine-123 MIBG and 131I-MIBG scintigrams were obtained 24 hours after injection of 222 MBq of 123I-MIBG and 48 hours after injection of 20 MBq of 131I-MIBG, respectively. In two patients with pheochromocytoma, the 123I-MIBG and 131I-MIBG scans were performed and both images were compared. In a patient with single intraadrenal pheochromocytoma, the lesion not detected with 131I-MIBG was clearly visualized with 123I-MIBG. In the other patient with multiple metastatic pheochromocytoma, much more lesions were distinctly demonstrated on the 123I-MIBG images than on the 131I-MIBG images. All of the lesions were detected with 123I-MIBG in a patient with pheochromocytoma, 3 patients with neuroblastoma and a patient with medullary thyroid cancer. Most of the normal adrenal glands (86%) were visualized on the 123I-MIBG scintigrams, in 7 patients without neural crest tumor and adrenal diseases, while 131I-MIBG scintigraphy failed to visualize normal adrenal glands in 2 hypertensive patients. The main reason for the superiority of 123I-MIBG to 131I-MIBG is considered to be as follows: 1) higher specific activity of 123I-MIBG. 2) the larger amount of 123I-MIBG used. 3) gamma ray energy of 123I is ideal for gamma camera. In conclusion, 123I-MIBG appears to be a more suitable imaging agent than 131I-MIBG in depicting neural crest tumors.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗

[Local characteristic of allergic diseases: adult asthma in the central area of Tokyo].

In order to know the characteristic of urban asthma, were analyzed patient records in our clinic located in the central area of Tokyo. Eighty four adult patients who were living in walking distance with asthma started in this area, visited our clinic in October 1991. Among them 57 (68%) were atopic type. 13 (15%) mixed type, and 14 (17%) infectious type. Even among 25 patients with late onset asthma over 40 year of age, there were 8 atopic type and 5 mixed type, and 11 were positive against house dust by RAST and/or skin test. Atopic type seems to be unusually frequent in urban asthma. It reminds us of the fact that Japanese cedar pollinosis is more frequent in urban area than the mountain area with much more cedar trees. These might suggest important points to be studied, not only the adjuvant effect but also some accelerating effect for allergic diseases in the urban environment.

Adult↗

Effects of an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, TCV-116, on renal haemodynamics in essential hypertension.

The renal effects of a nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonist, TCV-116, were investigated in 12 hospitalised patients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension. After a 2-week placebo period, TCV-116 was given for 2 weeks in increasing doses from 4 mg to 8 mg daily to normalise the mean blood pressure. Blood pressure fell from 156 +/- 9/93 +/- 3 mmHg at the end of the placebo period to 140 +/- 9/85 +/- 4 mmHg after TCV-116 treatment. The pulse rate was unchanged. Renal vascular resistance fell from 1.62 +/- 0.20 to 1.37 +/- 0.17 dyne.s.cm-5 . 1.48 m2 x 10(4), renal plasma flow increased from 329 +/- 19 to 367 +/- 27 mL.min-1.1.48 m-2, and GFR was unchanged despite a fall in renal perfusion pressure. TCV-116 reduced the filtration fraction from 0.302 +/- 0.019 to 0.258 +/- 0.009, suggesting a preferential reduction in efferent arteriolar resistance. The fractional excretion of sodium, potassium, and urate did not change. An increase in plasma renin activity (from 1.1 +/- 0.3 to 2.2 +/- 0.7 ng.mL-1.h-1) and a fall in the plasma aldosterone concentration (from 6.2 +/- 0.8 to 4.5 +/- 0.7 ng.dL-1) were also seen. These results indicate that TCV-116 has favourable renal effects and a concomitant hypotensive action in patients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension.

Adult↗

Renal protective effect of TCV-116 in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

We examined the effects of TCV-116, a non-peptide selective AT1 receptor antagonist, on cellular phenotype and on the expression of the transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) and extracellular matrix genes in the kidneys of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). SHRSP were given vehicle or TCV-116 (10 mg/kg/day) by gastric gavage for 10 weeks (from the age of 22 to 32 weeks). Renal mRNA levels were measured by Northern blot analysis. In vehicle-treated 32-week-old SHRSP, urinary albumin excretion per 24 h was about 26-fold greater than that in age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats, and the mRNA levels of renal TGF-beta 1, fibronectin and collagen types I and III in SHRSP were all several-fold higher than those in WKY. Immunohistochemical studies showed the prominent presence of alpha-smooth muscle actin-expressing glomerular cells in SHRSP, in contrast to their absence in WKY. Treatment of SHRSP with TCV-116 decreased urinary albumin excretion and renal mRNA levels for TGF-beta 1 and for the above-mentioned extracellular matrix components. TCV-116 prevented the phenotypic modulation of glomerular cells in SHRSP. These results suggest that AT1 receptor antagonists may have powerful renal protective effects.

Albuminuria↗

[Electroconvulsive therapy of affective disorders].

Compared with Europe and North America, fewer psychiatrists in Japan use electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) when treating affective disorders. We reviewed 25 papers focusing on this Modern ECT is a safe treatment, even in patients with severe systemic disabilities, as well as, in those who may be intolerant of tricyclic antidepressants. Modern ECT is considered to be as effective as or even more effective than antidepressant therapy. These facts indicate that Japanese psychiatrists should reconsider the application of ECT for treating affective disorders. In addition, knowledge derived from the study of ECT, can lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of depression and permit the design of more effective pharmacologic treatments.

Electroconvulsive Therapy↗

[A case of angiocentric immunoproliferative lesions in an ATL-virus carrier].

A 48-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of cough and low-grade fever. Chest X-ray films showed multiple ill-defined nodular shadows and laboratory findings showed that she was an ATL-virus carrier. Because the specimens obtained by transbronchial biopsy were not diagnostic, open thoracotomy was performed. Open lung specimens showed proliferation of lymphoid cells composed of polymorphorous lymphocytes, which do not represent cytologic atypia, plasma cells and histiocytes without necrosis. Several vessels were occluded by the infiltration of these cells. A diagnosis of angiocentric immunoproliferative lesions (Grade I), which was originally coined by Jaffe, was made. Complete remission was achieved by treatment with prednisolone and cyclophosphamide. This disease, which corresponds to lymphomatoid granulomatosis, is graded into three categories depending on the severity of cytologic and histologic malignancy. Although it has recently been suggested that its pathogenesis may be related to EB-virus infection, ATL-virus may have been a contributory factor in this case.

Carrier State↗

[A case of adult T cell leukemia complicated with strongyloidiasis and amplification of pneumocystis carinii DNA in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid].

The patient was a 75-year-old male, who simultaneously showed symptoms of bacterial meningitis during steroid treatment for erythroderma and symptoms of respiratory failure. Based on ground-glass shadows in both lungs on chest X ray, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was carried out and strongyloides was detected. In addition to strongyloidiasis, the patient was shown to have the complication of pneumocystis carinii (PC) pneumonia after PC DNA was detected in BAL fluid using a PCR assay. When other causes for immunodeficiency affecting the incidence of opportunistic infection were investigated, the ATL virus was detected in peripheral blood cells and monoclonal amplification was indicated, though the presence of anti-ATL antibody was negative. According to the results, this patient was found to have early stage adult T cell leukemia. In conclusion, we treated this adult T cell leukemia patient who had strongyloidiasis and amplification of PC DNA in BAL and for which the PCR assay, a new technology used for diagnosing PC pneumonia, was considered to be effective.

Aged↗

[Late phase II clinical study of KW-2307 in previously untreated patients with non-small cell lung cancer. KW-2307 Study Group (Lung Cancer Group)].

A late Phase II clinical study of KW-2307, a new vinca alkaloid derivative, in previously untreated patients with non-small cell lung cancer was jointly carried out in 26 medical institutions. Of 80 enrolled cases, 75 cases were eligible, and PR was attained in 23 cases (30.7%). The main adverse effect of this drug, leukopenia (neutropenia), was observed in 62.7% (83.3%) of Grade 3 and 4 cases, but they recovered rapidly. In addition to decreased hemoglobin in 67% (Grade 3 in 5.7%) of the cases, adverse effects included slight disorder of hepatic function, anorexia, nausea and vomiting, fever, general fatigue, phlebitis, paresthesia and interstitial pneumonia. Peripheral neuropathy such as paresthesia occurred rarely and was slight, if any.

Adult↗

[Co-operative study of all-trans retinoic acid as a differentiation induction therapy of acute promyelocytic leukemia].

Efficacy and safety of tretinoin (all-trans retinoic acid, ATRA, Ro01-5488) for refractory and relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia were studied by multi-institutional study in Japan. 22 out of 27 (81.5%) patients with previously untreated who were intolerable to chemotherapy, relapsed and refractory were achieved CR. And 4 out of 11 (36.4%) in relapsed patients who received ATRA remission induction therapy previously responded. Side effects, such as dryness of the lip and skin, headache, increase of triglyceride, beta-lipoprotein and lactate dehydrogenase, were observed in 36 of 41 eligible patients (87.8%) but these were well tolerated. In addition to these, hyperleukocytosis in 4 cases and retinoic acid syndrome in 3 cases were observed. However, all patients were prescribed tretinoin again by adequate management.

Administration, Oral↗

[Extramedullary blastic crisis of chronic myelogenous leukemia--a case with various additional chromosomal appearance].

We describe a characteristic case of chromosomal abnormalities in a 47-year-old man with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). He had been diagnosed with the chronic phase of CML on May 1990, but he refused treatment. He was readmitted in October 1991 because of peripheral lymphadenopathy. Hematologic studies showed that he remained in the chronic phase of CML. There were no additional chromosomal findings in the bone marrow, but cervical lymph node biopsy revealed complete replacement with blastoid cells. The blasts were positive for CD13 and CD33. DNA analysis for the breakpoint cluster region gene showed rearrangement pattern, but immunoglobulin heavy chain joining region genes and T-cell antigen receptor gene rearrangement were not observed. The karyotype of lymph node cells showed various additional chromosomal abnormalities. Therefore, we concluded that the patient had an extramedullary blastic crisis in his peripheral lymph nodes. Abnormal clones were composed of one main clone and three subclones, with the latter occupying more than 10% of the volume each other. Considering the types of the additional chromosomal abnormalities, all four types of clones were thought to have evolved through independent pathways.

Blast Crisis↗

[Measurement of serum free thyroxine concentrations using anti-T4 monoclonal antibody].

A new one-step radiolabeled antibody radioassay for measuring free T4 (FT4) in serum (Amerlex-MAB FT4) was evaluated in comparison with an analog tracer RIA of FT4 (Amerlex-M FT4). In this new method, 125I-labeled anti-T4 monoclonal antibody which has cross-reactivity with T3 is used as a tracer. When incubated with serum sample, the tracer binds to FT4 and the remaining tracer binds to a T3 coated particle (Amerlex MAB). The radioactivity bound to Amerlex MAB is measured. Counts of 125I bound to the T3 coated particle were inversely proportional to sample FT4 concentrations. The assay procedure is as follows. Fifty microliter of patient's serum or standard FT4, 500 microliters of Amerlex MAB and tracer is incubated at 37 degrees C for 30 minutes and centrifuged. Then the radioactivity of Amerlex MAB is measured using an autowell gamma counter. The intra-and interassay coefficients of variation were 1.6-2.7% and 2.6-8.0%, respectively. Although Amerlex-M FT4 values were significantly increased by adding human albumin to the serum, Amerlex-MAB FT4 values were not effected by the change of albumin concentrations. In nonthyroidal illness patients, Amerlex-MAB FT4 values were not affected by the concentrations of albumin, TBG and NEFA. The euthyroid central 95% reference range for FT4 determined by Amerlex-MAB FT4 was 0.99 to 1.54 ng/dl. The FT4 levels correlated well with the metabolic status. Although Amerlex-M FT4 values were spuriously increased in patients with anti-T4 autoantibodies, Amerlex-MAB FT4 values were not affected by the autoantibodies. Amerlex-MAB FT4 values of normal pregnant women were slightly lower in the second and third trimesters than in the first trimester. These lower FT4 concentrations in late pregnancy were considered likely not to be artefact by low serum albumin or high serum TBG but to be a physiological event. Amerlex-MAB FT4 values correlated well with FT4 indices and inversely correlated with TSH levels. A significant correlation (n = 401, r = 0.86, p = 0.0001) was observed between Amerlex-MAB FT4 and Amerlex-M FT4 values in various thyroid conditions without antithyroid autoantibodies. In summary, this new assay for FT4 is simple, rapid and reproducible. The measurement is useful for the evaluation of physiological thyroid function and helpful in the management of patients with thyroid diseases.

Adult↗

[A case of intracranial arteriovenous malformation presenting with intracranial hypertension].

A case of unruptured arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) presenting benign intracranial hypertension is reported. A 14-year-old male suffered from headache and papilledema. Intracranial pressure was 260 mmH2O. Unenhanced CT demonstrated no evidence of hemorrhage or hydrocephalus. Angiogram demonstrated a large AVM in the left temporal lobe supplied by the left posterior cerebral artery and left middle cerebral artery. It drained into the transverse sinus. Surgical excision of the AVM eliminated the headache and papilledema. AVM causes hemorrhage in 50% of cases, seizure in 30%, and other focal neurological deficits in 20%. Benign intracranial hypertension is an uncommon effect of unruptured AVMs. Only 13 cases have been reported in the literature. Benign intracranial hypertension associated with unruptured AVMs occurs in young patients with high flow AVMs that drain into the major sinus. The mechanism of intracranial hypertension associated with unruptured AVM is unknown. However, there are several possible mechanisms of intracranial hypertension associated with unruptured AVMs. The arterial blood shunting into a major sinus impedes venous return from the surrounding brain. That causes the increase of cerebral blood volume and the elevation of sinus pressure. This mechanism would reduce CSF absorption and would increase intracranial pressure. Pharmacological therapy is ineffective in controlling intracranial hypertension. Surgical excision of AVM effectively reduced intracranial hypertension. Thus, surgical excision of AVMs, if it can be done with low risk, is the treatment of choice to decrease intracranial hypertension in patients with unruptured cerebral AVMs.

Adolescent↗