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Biomedical subjects

Kazuo Suzuki

Publications and source records attributed to Kazuo Suzuki.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Clinical efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin for patients with MPO-ANCA-associated rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis.

BACKGROUND: To determine whether intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) can control disease activity in patients with myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA)-associated rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN). METHODS: Twelve patients with serologically and histologically confirmed MPO-ANCA-associated RPGN (7 men, 5 women; mean age 71 +/- 3 years) received IVIg (400 mg/kg/day) alone for 5 days. The effects of IVIg were evaluated by white blood cell counts, serum C-reactive protein levels, Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score, rate of change in reciprocal creatinine (1/Cre), and plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels after IVIg administration. Corticosteroids with or without cyclophosphamide were commenced after IVIg. RESULTS: After IVIg treatment, a significant decrease was observed in white blood cell count (p < 0.05), C-reactive protein values (p < 0.001), and Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (p < 0.001) concomitant with the amelioration of systemic symptoms. The rate of change in 1/Cre significantly improved (p < 0.05). Plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels that were significantly elevated in patients before IVIg compared with normal controls (p < 0.0001), rapidly declined after IVIg with a significant reduction (p < 0.05). Three months post-treatment with IVIg, all patients showed improvement of disease without serious infectious complications. CONCLUSION: IVIg is a potential component of remission induction therapy for patients with MPO-ANCA-associated RPGN.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Lethal and severe coronary arteritis in DBA/2 mice induced by fungal pathogen, CAWS, Candida albicans water-soluble fraction.

CAWS is a microbial pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) produced by Candida albicans. CAWS is a mannoprotein-beta-glucan complex and secreted into the culture supernatant. CAWS has various biological effects, causing acute shock and disrupting vascular permeability. Intraperitoneal administration of CAWS induces coronary arteritis in various strains of inbred mice. The CAWS-induced coronary arteritis is strain-dependent and most severe in DBA/2 mice with a significant number of these animals expiring with cardiomegaly during the observation period. In vivo and in vitro, splenocytes of DBA/2 mice produced various cytokines, such as IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma in response to CAWS. GM-CSF was also produced in response to CAWS. The production of cytokines was significantly enhanced in the presence of recombinant GM-CSF. In contrast, anti-GM-CSF significantly reduced the production of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma. Augmented production of cytokines in response to CAWS would be a key to the severity of coronary arteritis.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Involvement of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the development of T cell-dependent aortitis in interleukin-1 receptor antagonist-deficient mice.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist-deficient (IL-1Ra(-/-)) mice on the BALB/c background spontaneously develop inflammatory arthropathy that resembles rheumatoid arthritis in humans. These mice also frequently develop aortitis at the root of the aorta, but the mechanism underlying the development of this disease has not been completely elucidated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using IL-1Ra(-/-) mice (backcrossed 8 generations to the BALB/c background) and wild-type mice, we studied the histopathology and examined the immunologic mechanisms involved in the development of aortic inflammation by cell transplantation experiments. Half of the IL-1Ra(-/-) mice developed aortitis at the root of the aorta, with massive infiltration of macrophages and monocytes and loss of elastic lamellae in the aortic media. Left ventricular hypertrophy and mild aortic stenosis were also shown by transthoracic echocardiography. Transplantation of T cells from IL-1Ra(-/-) mice induced aortitis in recipient nu/nu mice. Bone marrow cell transplants from IL-1Ra(-/-) mice also induced aortitis in irradiated wild-type recipient mice. Furthermore, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha deficiency completely suppressed the development of aortitis in IL-1Ra(-/-) mice, whereas IL-6 deficiency did not affect pathology. CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that IL-1Ra deficiency in T cells activates them excessively, resulting in the development of aortitis in IL-1Ra(-/-) mice in a TNF-alpha-dependent manner.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Successful inoculation of mature pine with Tricholoma matsutake.

Our finding demonstrates, for the first time, that the roots of mature pine trees can be successfully inoculated with a symbiotic ectomycorrhizal fungus, the valuable matsutake mushroom. Long root segments (ca. 5-10 mm in diameter, ca. 50 cm in length) of 50-year-old Pinus densiflora trees were excavated, washed, auxin-treated (2-5 mg indole butyric acid, IBA, per root) and incubated in moist Spagnum moss. Twelve months later, short roots were regenerated, of which approximately 90% were free of mycorrhizae. Mycorrhiza-free short roots were inoculated with mycelial pieces of Tricholoma matsutake and incubated further in a sterilized substrate. Four-and-a-half months later, roots putatively colonized by Matsutake were sampled near the inoculation points. A T. matsutake-specific ITS-rDNA fragment was amplified by nested PCR from approximately 80% of the root samples analyzed, whereas approximately 66% of the root samples processed for staining with Chlorazol black E displayed characteristic T. matsutake Hartig net structures. These results confirm the symbiotic infection of mature P. densiflora roots by matsutake.

Agaricales↗
PubMed2005

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for large adrenal tumors.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy remains a controversial procedure for large tumors. We examined the outcome and complications of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for such lesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 178 patients underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy, of whom 29 patients had large (>or =5 cm) tumors. Their mean age was 47.9 years (range 21-72 years), and the mean tumor size was 6.5 cm (range 5.0-11.0 cm). They were compared with patients whose adrenal tumors were <5 cm. RESULTS: The large-tumor group had a mean operating time of 176 +/- 48 minutes (range 84-278 minutes) and a mean blood loss of 136.6 mL (range 10-800 mL) and required a mean of 1.8 days before starting oral intake. None of these values is significantly different from the results in the control group (P > 0.05). The length of recovery was significantly longer in the large-tumor group (5.4 v 4.5 days; P < 0.05), but this was not true if a patient with a 23-day postoperative stay is excluded. The overall incidence of complications was 12% in the large-tumor group, which was not significantly different from that in the control group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The operating time, blood loss, and incidence of complications after laparoscopic adrenalectomy did not differ between the patients with large and small adrenal tumors, indicating that experienced surgeons can safely and effectively use laparoscopy for larger tumors. However, it is necessary to consider carefully whether laparoscopic surgery is indicated for tumors that show infiltration on preoperative imaging or for patients who have undergone previous upper-retroperitoneal surgery.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed2005

Susceptibility loci to coronary arteritis in animal model of Kawasaki disease induced with Candida albicans -derived substances.

We have established an animal model of coronary arteritis which is histopathologically similar to that observed in cases of Kawasaki disease (KD), is a well-known childhood vasculitis syndrome. Coronary arteritis in this mouse model has been induced by intraperitoneal injection of Candida albicans -derived substances (CADS). Arteritis varied by mouse strain with the highest incidence by 71.1% (27/38) found in C3H/HeN mice, but absent in CBA/JN mice (0%, 0/27), suggesting association of genomic background to develop the disease. The present study aims to elucidate the susceptibility loci associated with coronary arteritis by using this animal model. The association of the onset of arteritis with polymorphic microsatellite markers between the two strains was examined using one hundred and fifteen of N1 backcross progeny [(CBAxC3H)F1xC3H]. Based on our analysis, arteritis-susceptibility loci with suggestive linkage were mapped on D1Mit171 and D1Mit245(map position 20.2 cM) on chromosome 1 (P=0.0019). These loci include several kinds of inflammatory cytokine receptors, such as interleukin 1 receptor and tumor necrosis factor receptor. We also found the cytokine response against CADS, levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6 in sera increased within 24 hr after CADS injection. Our results may indicate based on genomics that ligand-receptor interaction between these inflammatory cytokines and the receptors of these cytokines may affect the onset of arteritis.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Resistance index in benign prostatic hyperplasia using power Doppler imaging and clinical outcomes after transurethral vaporization of the prostate.

BACKGROUND: Using power Doppler ultrasonography (PDUS), we investigate the change of resistance index (RI) before and after transurethral vaporization of the prostate (TUVP) in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients. METHODS: In all, 49 patients underwent transrectal PDUS before receiving TUVP, three were excluded because of cancer and three could not be followed up. The remaining 43 were enrolled in the present study. Patients were assessed before and 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery, giving a mean duration of follow-up of 9.1 months. International prostate symptom scores (IPSS), quality of life (QOL) scores, postvoiding residual urine volumes (PVR) and maximum urinary flow rates (Qmax) were evaluated and total prostatic volume (TPV) and RI were measured using PDUS. RESULTS: Resistance index ranged from 0.64 to 0.91. The postoperative parameters except for RI, such as TPV, PVR, IPSS and QOL scores improved significantly at the follow-up assessment after surgery. The elevated RI decreased significantly 1, 3 and 6 months after the treatment. Resistance index significantly decreased after TUVP and IPSS and other urodymamics parameters improved. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggested that RI could evaluate the severity of BPH and the degree of intraprostatic pressure or bladder outlet obstruction.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Recovery of the everted cystacanth of seven acanthocephalan species of birds from feral raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Japan.

Acanthocephalan everted cystacanths were detected in the intestines of 61 out of 555 feral raccoons (Procyon lotor) trapped between May 2003 and April 2005 in the western region of mainland Japan (Honshu). All collected specimens were identified as the species of birds including 3 Centrorhynchus species (C. bazaleticus, C. elongatus, and C. teres), Sphaerirostris lanceoides, Plagiorhynchus ogatai, Porrorchis oti, and Southwelina hispida. Three species, C. bazaleticus, C. teres, and S. lanceoides, were new to distribution records in Japan and the Far East. Recovery rates of these acanthocephalans were higher from the raccoons trapped in spring and early summer (range 8.3-36.8%, average 21.5%) than during the remainder of the year (range 0-20.0%, average 6.3%). The reason for this seasonal change is unknown. There is little information on the acanthocephalan fauna of wild birds in Japan, however, recovery of the cystacanths from the feral raccoons captured through the year might provide useful information on the fauna and geographical distribution of avian acanthocephalans.

Acanthocephala↗
PubMed2005

Transrectal high-intensity focused ultrasound in the treatment of localized prostate cancer: a multicenter study.

We report a multicenter trial with transrectal high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in the treatment of localized prostate cancer. A total of 72 consecutive patients with stage T1c-2NOM0 prostate cancer were treated using the Sonablate 500TM HIFU device (Focus Surgery, Indianapolis, USA). Biochemical recurrence was defined according to the criteria recommended by the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology Consensus Panel. The median age and prostate specific antigen (PSA) level were 72 years and 8.10 ng/ml, respectively. The median follow-up period for all patients was 14.0 months. Biochemical disease-free survival rates in all patients at 1 and 2 years were 78% and 76%, respectively. Biochemical disease-free survival rates in patients with stage T1c, T2a and T2b groups at 2 years were 89, 67% and 40% (p = 0.0817). Biochemical disease-free survival rates in patients with Gleason scores of 2-4, 5-7 and 8-10 at 2 years were 88, 72% and 80% (p = 0.6539). Biochemical disease-free survival rates in patients with serum PSA of less than 10 ng/ml and 10-20 ng/ml were 75% and 78% (p = 0.6152). No viable tumor cells were noted in 68% of patients by postoperative prostate needle biopsy. Prostatic volume was decreased from 24.2 ml to 14.0 ml at 6 months after HIFU (p < 0.01). No statistically significant differences were noted in International Prostate Symptom Score, maximum urinary flow rate and quality of life analysis with Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy. HIFU therapy appears to be minimally invasive, efficacious and safe for patients with localized prostate cancer with pretreatment PSA levels less than 20 ng/ml.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

International symposium on infectious agent transmission model building--focusing on assessment of risk to communities.

The Susceptible Infected and Recovery (SIR) Model proposed by Robert May in the UK is the basis of the present mathematical model building of infectious disease epidemics. Need for model building incorporating more social and other relevant factors has been recognized. An important example is the introduction of idea of the scale-free distribution of links among the people. More refined models by taking into account the nature of a pathogen, geo-sociological factors, lifestyles of the people, etc., have been developed. For example, Koopman proposed a model for prediction of epidemic expansion based on actual epidemiological data. Eubank proposed a model assessing the bio-terror attack using a model city where every day activity is going on. The present workshop, participated by experts from the US, the UK and Japan, is the first meeting of the proposed series of conference on this issue.

Communicable Diseases↗
PubMed2005

Modeling on social spread from immunity.

We are now planning to make a transmission model of infectious diseases in the scale of a city. People live in the city contacting other persons with daily life. The model regards a contact as a source of infection. A person will be simulated as a simple system of differential equations. As a candidate of differential equations, we are now investigating Marchuk's simple model. We adopt Marchuk's simple model because it has formation time, i.e., latent time. As Dr. Takeuchi showed, latent time is very important. There remain problems of choosing parameters for special diseases. We are now planning to use Marquardt method to minimize residuals form clinical data to estimate parameters. As for contacts, there are many approaches. The approach of the MIDAS project is very intensive. Our approach is simple. There are about 30,000 Japanese every 15 minutes daily life data, sleeping, eating, work, study, house keeping, etc. Our approach is to make virtual families, husband, wife, children in a city and assign actions from the every 15 minutes data statistically and estimate their contacts in the companies or schools, etc.

Communicable Diseases↗
PubMed2004

The mycorrhizal fungus Tricholoma matsutake stimulates Pinus densiflora seedling growth in vitro.

While it has been suggested that Matsutake mycorrhizae might not be functional and that Matsutake may behave as a saprobic fungus in soil or even have some pathogenic activity on seedlings, we investigated the consequences of Matsutake inoculation on Pinus densiflora growth. Seventy-five days after inoculation, hyphae were anchored on short roots and well-developed Hartig net palmettis were observed. Compared to both control treatments--seedlings treated with distilled water and seedlings treated with autoclaved mycelium--inoculation significantly stimulated seedling total dry weight by 70.9% and 98.0%, respectively. These findings attest that some type of symbiotic relationship must be functional and favour host growth, ruling out claims of pathogenicity under the sterile conditions used here.

Agaricales↗
PubMed2004

Increase in hepatic NKT cells in leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2-deficient mice contributes to severe concanavalin A-induced hepatitis.

Leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2 (LECT2) was originally identified for its possible chemotactic activity against human neutrophils in vitro. It is a 16-kDa protein that is preferentially expressed in the liver. Its homologues have been widely identified in many vertebrates. Current evidence suggests that LECT2 may be a multifunctional protein like cytokines. However, the function of LECT2 in vivo remains unclear. To elucidate the role of this protein in vivo, we have generated LECT2-deficient (LECT2(-/-)) mice. We found that the proportion of NKT cells in the liver increased significantly in LECT2(-/-) mice, although those of conventional T cells, NK cells, and other cell types were comparable with those in wild-type mice. Consistent with increased hepatic NKT cell number, the production of IL-4 and IFN-gamma was augmented in LECT2(-/-) mice upon stimulation with alpha-galactosylceramide, which specifically activates Valpha14 NKT cells. In addition, NKT cell-mediated cytotoxic activity against syngeneic thymocytes increased in hepatic mononuclear cells obtained from LECT2(-/-) mice in vitro. Interestingly, the hepatic injury was exacerbated in LECT2(-/-) mice upon treatment with Con A, possibly because of the significantly higher expression of IL-4 and Fas ligand. These results suggest that LECT2 might regulate the homeostasis of NKT cells in the liver and might be involved in the pathogenesis of hepatitis.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Critical roles of interferon regulatory factor 4 in CD11bhighCD8alpha- dendritic cell development.

IFN regulatory factors (IRFs) are a family of transcription factors that play an essential role in the homeostasis and function of immune systems. Recent studies indicated that IRF-8 is critical for the development of CD11b(low)CD8alpha(+) conventional dendritic cells (DCs) and plasmacytoid DCs. Here we show that IRF-4 is important for CD11b(high)CD8alpha(-) conventional DCs. The development of CD11b(high) DCs from bone marrow of IRF-4(-/-) mice was severely impaired in two culture systems supplemented with either GM-CSF or Flt3-ligand. In the IRF-4(-/-) spleen, the number of CD4(+)CD8alpha(-) DCs, a major subset of CD11b(high) DCs, was severely reduced. IRF-4 and IRF-8 were expressed in the majority of CD11b(high)CD4(+)CD8alpha(-) DCs and CD11b(low)CD8alpha(+) DCs, respectively, in a mutually exclusive manner. These results imply that IRF-4 and IRF-8 selectively play critical roles in the development of the DC subsets that express them.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Neutrophil contribution to the crescentic glomerulonephritis in SCG/Kj mice.

BACKGROUND: Myeloperoxidase-specific anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic auto-antibody (MPO-ANCA) has been a useful diagnostic marker in systemic vasculitis with crescentic glomerulonephritis (CrGN). It is highly suspected that the antigenic enzyme MPO released from activated neutrophils is involved in these lesions. We evaluated the relationship between neutrophil functions including peripheral neutrophil counts and renal lesions in SCG/Kj mice as a model of ANCA-associated CrGN and vasculitis. METHODS: Peripheral neutrophil counts, the plasma levels of MPO-ANCA and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured. The capacity of MPO release and superoxide generation were evaluated as neutrophil activity. The renal lesions were estimated by grade of proteinuria, histopathological lesion, such as glomerular neutrophil infiltration and active or chronic renal injury scores with crescent formation. RESULTS: MPO-ANCA and TNF-alpha levels were higher than those of normal mice C57BL/6 even before overt proteinuria; subsequently, peripheral neutrophils increased. In the phase of nephritis with low grade proteinuria, the spontaneous release of MPO from peripheral neutrophils increased, while superoxide generation increased before spontaneous MPO release occurred. In addition, the renal lesion in histological observations was aggravated with ageing and the glomerular neutrophil infiltration was positively correlated with MPO-ANCA levels, as well as with histological indices of nephritis, active renal injury score; in particular, crescent formation was correlated with spontaneous MPO release. In contrast, superoxide generation was negatively correlated with the severity of this lesion during the progression. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that neutrophils are activated and contribute to the development of the active crescentic lesion in SCG/Kj mice.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Novel missense mutation found in a Japanese patient with myeloperoxidase deficiency.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO; EC 1.11.1.7) plays an important role in the host defense mechanism against microbial diseases. The neutrophil disorder characterized by the lack of MPO activity, is speculated to be associated with a decreased level of immunity. A Japanese patient was identified with complete MPO deficiency through automated hematography. Neutrophil function analysis revealed that MPO activity was significantly diminished with slightly elevated superoxide production. Mutational analysis of the patient revealed a glycine to serine substitution (G501S) in the exon 9 region. This mutation was not detected in the 96 healthy controls analyzed. The amino acid substitution found may be responsible for the failure of mature MPO production in the patient. This is the first case of MPO deficiency of G501S missense mutation identified in a Japanese patient.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

An inhibitor of acylCoA: cholesterol acyltransferase increases expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 and thereby enhances the ApoA-I-mediated release of cholesterol from macrophages.

The effect of inhibition of acylCoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) was studied on high density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism. An inhibitor of ACAT, MCC-147, was given mouse peritoneal macrophages and expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) was examined. ABCA1 was increased both at the mRNA and protein levels, only when the cells are cholesterol-loaded and thereby the inhibitor decreased esterified cholesterol and increased unesterified cholesterol. In this condition, the ACAT inhibitor increased reversible binding of apoA-I to the cells and enhanced apoA-I-mediated release of cellular cholesterol and phospholipid, but did not influence nonspecific cellular cholesterol efflux to lipid microemulsion. It was therefore concluded that the ACAT inhibitor increased the release of cholesterol from the cholesterol-loaded macrophages by increasing the expression of ABCA1, putatively through shifting cholesterol distribution from the esterified to the free compartments.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗