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Biomedical subjects

M Aihara

Publications and source records attributed to M Aihara.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Ubenimex treatment in congenital cyclic neutropenia.

A female patient with congenital cyclic neutropenia was presented. The cycle of neutropenia and the duration of neutropenia of less than 500/microliters was approximately three weeks and two weeks, respectively. There were also oscillations of monocytes and eosinophils with the peak level at the neutropenic phase. The severity and incidence of infections tended to diminish when the patient was pregnant. There were no abnormalities of lymphocyte subpopulations including CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8 ratio, and CD16. Administration of the immunomodulator ubenimex (Bestatin), 30 mg/day, reduced the severity of infections during the neutropenic periods, although the cyclic of neutropenia was not altered.

Adult↗

Effects of glycyrrhizin (SNMC: Stronger Neo-Minophagen C) in hemophilia patients with HIV-1 infection.

Forty-two hemophiliacs with HIV infection were treated with high-dose glycyrrhizin, Stronger Neo-Minophagen C (SNMC). The dose was 100-200 ml of SNMC in 21 patients and 400-800 ml in the other 21. The patients were divided into an asymptomatic carrier (AC) group and AIDS related-complex (ARC)/AIDS group. SNMC was administered intravenously daily for the first 3 weeks, and every second day for the following 8 weeks to the 42 HIV-infected hemophilia patients, in accordance with the protocol proposed by the Japanese National Research Committee. The CD4/CD8 ratio and CD4 positive lymphocyte counts did not change during the treatment period. However, significant improvement was noted in some cases. A slight increase in mitogenic responsiveness to phytohemagglutinin, Concanavalin A and pokeweed mitogen was noted in most patients of both groups, especially significant improvement was seen in the AC group administered over 400 ml of SNMC. Furthermore, complete improvement was noted in liver dysfunction, which has been thought to be one of the major problems for hemophiliacs treated with blood products. Thus, prophylactic administration of high-dose SNMC to HIV positive hemophiliacs who have impaired immunological ability and liver dysfunction was considered to be effective in preventing the development from AC/ARC to AIDS.

AIDS-Related Complex↗

Prolactin and progesterone receptors in pregnancy-dependent mammary tumors in GR/A mice.

In this study, cellular prolactin receptors and cytosolic progesterone receptors were examined and compared in pregnancy-dependent mammary tumors (PDMT) and in normal mammary glands of pregnant GR/A mice. PDMT and normal mammary glands were examined in the same animal, thus assuring an identical hormonal environment. The PDMT cells had a larger capacity to bind prolactin or the synthetic progesterone, R5020, than did the normal mammary gland. While the dissociation constant (Kd) value for prolactin binding to normal mammary epithelial cells was similar to that of PDMT cells, PDMT cells had 2.2 times more prolactin receptors than the normal cells. Progesterone binding activity was detected only in PDMT, but not in the normal mammary cells. The receptor concentration and the Kd value for progesterone binding of PDMT were 606 fmol/mg protein and 3.53 nM, respectively. It appears, therefore, that normal regulation of these receptors may be altered within the PDMT cells. The increased growth responsiveness of PDMT to the hormones of pregnancy, especially prolactin, progesterone, and placental lactogen, may be a function of a sharp increase in the level of cellular receptors for these mammotropic hormones.

Animals↗

[Changes in thyroid function during ACTH therapy in patients with infantile spasms].

Serum triiodothyronine (T3), free T3, thyroxine (T4) and free T4 levels were measured before and immediately after daily ACTH-Z therapy (0.01 mg/kg/day, 1-2 weeks) for patients with 9 cases of infantile spasms and one case of myoclonus epilepsy. In some of them, serum reverse T3 (rT3) and thyroxine binding globulin (TBG) levels were also measured. All patients became seizure free after ACTH-Z therapy. Before ACTH-Z therapy, all of the hormone levels were within normal limits. Serum T3 and free T3 levels were markedly decreased after daily ACTH-Z therapy, and serum T4, free T4 and TBG levels were moderately decreased after the therapy. 1-6 weeks after the daily treatment, all of these hormone levels returned to pretreatment levels. Serum rT3 levels did not change after ACTH-Z therapy. These results suggest that the effect of long-term daily ACTH-Z therapy is very critical to the immature brain, and conventional ACTH-Z therapy has to be reconsidered.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

[A surgical case of atrial septal aneurysm associated with rheumatic mitral and tricuspid disease and coronary-pulmonary artery fistula].

A case of atrial septal aneurysm associated with combined valvular disease and coronary-pulmonary fistula (C-PA fistula) was presented. The patient successfully underwent mitral valve replacement, excision and closure of the aneurysm, tricuspid annuloplasty and closure of C-PA fistula. Atrial septal aneurysm is a rare anomaly and its natural course is thought to be generally good without significant clinical symptoms. However, complications such as cerebral and pulmonary embolism, or occlusion of the atrioventricular vales by the prolapsed aneurysm were reported to occur in small number of cases. In this case, diagnosis of the aneurysm was made by 2-D and Doppler echocardiography and further confirmed by cineangiography. Routine echocardiographic examinations will serve as useful noninvasive method for detection and follow up study of this anomaly.

Arterio-Arterial Fistula↗

[Macrothrombocytopenia with deafness, nephritis, cataract, short small intestine, and double ureter].

A 23 year old female, born in 1957, was diagnosed as having idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura at the age of 3 and treated with prednisolone during her childhood with no response. On her regular check-up in 1978, facial edema and proteinuria suggested renal disease. The family history was negative for bleeding diathesis or renal disease. Close examination revealed the following: WBC 4,200/microliters without leukocyte inclusions, RBC 3.42 x 10(6)/microliters, Hb 11.7 g/dl. PT 10.6 sec, APTT 28.9 sec. Platelet count 4,500/microliters by HEMATRAK 360, and 40 x 10(3)/microliters measured by microscopic method. Giant platelets were noted on peripheral blood smear with an average diameter of 6.1 microns. Bleeding time (Duke) was 12.0 min. Number of megakaryocytes was increased although platelet production was remarkably decreased. Results of platelet aggregation and retention tests were normal. Platelet life span (T1/2) was 2.3 days. Sensory neural hearing loss, congenital cataract, double ureter and short small intestine were also found. Chromosome analysis showed 46XX. She underwent splenectomy resulting in increase of the platelet count to 226 x 10(3)/microliters. The increased platelet count, however, gradually decreased to the initial count in 2 years although the bleeding tendency was improved. In 1987, renal function deteriorated, causing intractable hypertension. The serum creatinine was 4.8 mg/dl. The following year she developed cerebral bleeding and died 4 days after the episode. The serum creatinine was 8.6 mg/dl.

Adult↗

Modulation of etoposide (VP-16) cytotoxicity by verapamil or cyclosporine in multidrug-resistant human leukemic cell lines and normal bone marrow.

We studied the effects of two modulators of multidrug resistance (MDR), cyclosporine and verapamil, on the cytotoxicity of etoposide (VP-16) in normal human bone marrow; two human leukemia cell lines, K562 and CEM; their MDR variants, K562/DOX and CEM/VLB; and mixtures of normal marrow and leukemic cells. VP-16 was selectivity toxic to the parental leukemic cells, with IC-50 values of 2 microM for CEM cells, 1.5 microM for K562 cells, and 12 microM for normal marrow CFU-GM. This selectivity was lost in the MDR variant leukemia cells, with IC-50s of 20 microM in K562/DOX and 8 microMs in CEM/VLB. Cyclosporine, 6 microMs, and verapamil, 20 microM, alone were nontoxic to bone marrow CFU-GM, and did not significantly increase the toxicity of VP-16 to normal marrow cells or to the two drug-sensitive leukemic cell lines. However, cyclosporine specifically enhanced the cytotoxicity of VP-16 in the MDR leukemia cells, reducing the IC-50 to the same level as the parental sensitive cells. Verapamil was considerably less effective. In a mixing experiment that included K562/DOX cells and normal bone marrow, cyclosporine increased the toxicity of VP-16 to the resistant leukemic cells by nearly 20-fold. Because the cytotoxic effect of cyclosporine is additive for resistant tumor cells, its combination with VP-16 may be useful in the purging of contaminating tumor cells prior to autologous bone marrow transplantation.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

[Anesthetic experience of a patient with blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome].

We report an anesthetic experience of a 63-year-old female patient with blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome who underwent an open reduction of the fracture of the right femur. The syndrome is characterized by bluish nevus scattered throughout the skin of the whole body and angiomas of the gastrointestional tract causing serious bleeding. Anesthesia was induced with thiopental followed by intravenous injection of succinylcholine chloride and maintained with neuroleptanesthesia in nitorous oxide and oxygen. The course of anesthesia and emergence from anesthesia were uneventful. Anesthetic management of patients with blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome was also discussed.

Female↗

[Successful therapy of Ph1 positive chronic myelocytic leukemia with oral form of etoposide].

A 33-year-old female was diagnosed as having chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) with Philadelphia (Ph1) chromosome and breakpoint cluster region (bcr) rearrangement. Physical examination revealed a huge splenomegaly and laboratory data showed WBC 490 x 10(3)/microliter and NAP score 44. She was treated with hydroxyurea, alpha-interferon, or busulfan, but severe adverse reaction such as skin rash, fever, and arthralgia, which allowed the therapy discontinue was occurred. When the patient was treated with the oral form of etoposide, a semisynthetic podophillotoxin, the number of leukocyte has been successfully maintained less than 10 x 10(3)/microliters at the dose of 50-100 mg/day and splenomegaly completely disappeared. Although Ph1 chromosome was unchanged in the percentage after the therapy for 5 months, etoposide may be effective agent for a chronic or accelerated phase of CML. Alopecia which was reversible and well tolerable was the only side effect of the drug.

Administration, Oral↗

[Bleeding time and volume in vitro by THROMBOSTAT].

We tested an in vitro system simulating bleeding time reported by Kratzer et al. Primary hemostasis was studied perfusing an artificial vessel with citrated blood under a constant pressure of 40 mmHg, measuring the blood volume perfused (bleeding volume) and the time until blood flow stopped (bleeding time). The artificial vessel consists of a glass capillary simulating arteriole and a filter covered with collagen type I to provide a surface for the adhesion of platelets. The bleeding volume (mean +/- SD microliters) was 317.7 +/- 93.8 in controls (n = 19), 487.3 +/- 242.1 in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (n = 9), 666.8 +/- 224.1 in aplastic anemia and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (n = 4), greater than 820 in von Willebrand's disease (n = 3), 231.0 +/- 74.5 in hemophilia A (n = 3), 499.0 +/- 269.4 in liver cirrhosis (n = 6), and 457.7 +/- 229.0 in myeloproliferative disorders (n = 11). When citrated blood was applied to this system after incubation with monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) to von Willebrand factor or platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib (GPIb), bleeding volume was significantly increased while no effects were observed after incubation with MoAb to GPIIb/IIIa, factor VIII: CAg and factor XIIIa. These data suggest that in vitro model of primary hemostasis could be used for not only diagnosing bleeding disorders although 'time' is not reliable, but also investigating the mechanisms of hemostasis.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

[Pindolol-induced rhabdomyolysis in sarcoid myopathy].

A 72-year-old man suddenly developed severe muscle weakness following the treatment with pindolol (Calvisken) for three days. Neurological examination on admission disclosed marked proximal muscle weakness with absent deep tendon reflexes. Laboratory data showed significant increase of serum CK, aldolase and myoglobin. Electromyography revealed both neurogenic and myogenic changes in all muscle tested. Skeletal muscle CT showed patchy low density areas in muscles of thigh and leg, especially in the hamstrings. Femoral muscle biopsy demonstrated a granulomatous nodule with multinucleated giant cells in the degenerated muscle fibers showing small-grouped atrophy. By Mb-PAP staining, Mb-negative fibers were randomly distributed among normally stained ones. Leu 1, 3a, 4, HLA-DR positive cells were found adjacent to the granuloma by immunoperoxidase staining. After immediate withdrawal of pindolol and treatment with steroid, he recovered muscle strength and enzyme activities were normalized in a week. Beta blockers have been known to induce muscle cramps or pain and moderate elevation of serum muscle enzymes. However, severe muscle weakness with highly elevated enzyme activities leading to rhabdomyolysis as noticed in the present case was rarely reported in the literature. Underlying sarcoid myopathy might be suspected to exaggerate this unusual case of pindolol-induced rhabdomyolysis. A careful use of pindolol is emphasized.

Aged↗

Assessment of purging with multidrug resistance (MDR) modulators and VP-16: results of long-term marrow culture.

We studied the effects of two modulators of multidrug resistance (MDR), cyclosporine and verapamil, on the cytotoxicity of etoposide (VP-16) in normal bone marrow cells. VP-16 was toxic to normal bone marrow at concentrations greater than 50 microM, resulting in no granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units (CFU-GM) in short-term methylcellulose cultures. However, in long-term marrow cultures (LTMC) treatment with VP-16 without the addition of MDR modulators resulted in only a twofold decrease in total cell number at a VP-16 concentration of 50 microM, compared to media alone in the adherent cell layer, and approximately 20% recovery of CFU-GM. The addition of MDR modulators did not result in excessive cytotoxicity, reducing the total CFU-GM by two- to threefold even at the higher VP-16 concentration. Therefore, these modulators in conjunction with VP-16 can be safely used on normal bone marrow cells and may provide an effective method to purge MDR-tumor cells.

Bone Marrow Cells↗

Lymphokine-activated killer cell activity after cryopreservation.

The effect of cryopreservation on the cytotoxic activity of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells was studied. LAK cells were generated by incubating peripheral blood lymphocytes for 3-5 days with recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) and then cryopreserved using a programmed freezer. Cytotoxicity was determined in a 51Cr release assay. After thawing, the LAK cells had reduced cytotoxicity (25.5-39.1% as compared to the original lytic units). Cytotoxic activity could be restored to pre-cryopreserved levels by reincubation with rIL-2 for 2 days after thawing. Thus, maximal cytotoxicity of cryopreserved LAK cells could be achieved by incubation with rIL-2 before and after the freezing process. The level of cytotoxicity was comparable to that of LAK cells from fresh peripheral blood lymphocytes. Cryopreserved LAK cells may have potential in adoptive immunotherapy.

Antigens, Surface↗

Ultrastructural study of grafted autologous cultured human epithelium.

An electron microscopical study of grafted autologous cultured human epithelium is presented. Biopsy samples were collected from four patients with full thickness burns at 9 days, 6 weeks and 5-21 months after grafting of the cultured epithelium. By the sixth week after transplantation, grafted cultured epithelial sheets had developed to consist of 10 to 20 layers of cells and the epithelium showed distinct basal, spinous, granular and horny layers, and a patchy basement membrane had formed. Langerhans cells and melanocytes were identifiable. From 5 months onwards flat basal cells became oval, and oval keratohyalin granules in the keratinocytes also assumed a normal irregular shape. Membrane-coating granules in the keratinocytes increased in number. The fine structures of desmosomes also showed a normal mature appearance. Furthermore, complete extension of the basement membrane could be observed. The maturation of cultured human epithelium is complete by 5 months after grafting.

Adolescent↗

Induction of persistent diestrus followed by persistent estrus is indicative of delayed maturation of tonic gonadotropin-releasing systems in rats.

The relationship between the amount and duration of administration of estradiol benzoate (EB) to newborn female rats and the induction of sterility was examined in 407 animals. Vaginal smear patterns were classified into 3 types according to the incidence of vaginal proestrus and estrus over a 10-day period: persistent estrous (PE), persistent diestrus (PD), and intermediate (INT), so that the changes in vaginal smear patterns could be analyzed quantitatively. Incidence of the PE pattern was most frequent in the rats that received a single injection of 10 micrograms EB on the day of birth (Day 1). Almost all of the animals receiving 10 daily injections of 10 micrograms EB from Day 1 showed persistent diestrus until at least 100 days of age. In the rats that were given 5 daily injections of 10 micrograms EB Day 1 through Day 5, or a single injection of 100 micrograms EB on Day 3, the incidence of the PD pattern was high at 41-60 days of age, but later the PD-type was replaced by the PE pattern of vaginal smears. In the rats that were treated with 5 daily injections of 10 micrograms EB from Day 1 through Day 5 and were ovariectomized on Day 22, a slight but significant increase in the level of luteinizing hormone in plasma was noted after administration of EB and progesterone on Day 100 but not on Day 50. These results indicated that neonatal injections of EB induce sterility, but the effect is dependent on the amount of EB injected and length of time over which the injections are given.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aging↗

Exacerbation of psoriasis during lithium treatment.

Exacerbation of psoriasis was observed in a 28-year-old patient following the addition of lithium carbonate to a treatment regimen of carbamazepine and other drugs for manic-depressive psychosis. The biopsied lesion histologically showed a typical psoriasiform tissue reaction and immunohistochemically, remarkable infiltration of activated helper T cells. Immunologic reaction to lithium in a patch test and a lymphocyte proliferation test could not be demonstrated. The mechanisms of lithium action and their relations to the exacerbation of psoriasis were reviewed. In this patient, although we could not define which effect of lithium was most important, it seemed that an increased blood lithium level combined with simultaneous carbamazepine administration enhanced the triggering effect of lithium and caused the exacerbation of psoriasis.

Adult↗

Lichenoid drug eruptions due to nandrolone furylpropionate (Demelon).

A case of lichenoid drug eruption due to nandrolone furylpropionate (Demelon) is reported. A 71-year-old man with aplastic anemia developed widespread erythema and reticulation with violaceous papules and pigmentation after receiving intramuscular injections of Demelon weekly for 2 months. The eruption gradually resolved after drug withdrawal, leaving reticular pigmentation. A biopsy specimen of the skin lesion showed lichenoid-type reactions including hydropic or colloid degeneration of the basal cells, sometimes with satellite necrosis, and a band-like subepidermal lymphocytic infiltrate. Most of the mononuclear cells stained strongly for helper/inducer T lymphocytes (Leu 3a).

Aged↗