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M Goto

Publications and source records attributed to M Goto.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

[Guideline for the treatment of Hansen's disease in Japan].

Ad hoc committee of Japanese Leprosy Association recommends standard treatment protocol of leprosy in Japan, which is a modification of World Health Organization's multidrug therapy (WHO/MDT, 1997). For paucibacillary (PB) leprosy, 6 months treatment by rifampicin and dapsone (MDT/PB) is enough. However, for high bacterial load multibacillary (MB) leprosy, 12 months treatment seems insufficient. Thus, (A) For MB with bacterial index (BI) > or = 3 before treatment, 2 years treatment by rifampicin, dapsone and clofazimine (MDT/MB) is necessary. (A-1) When satisfactory decrease of BI (BI value decrease > or = 2 steps, or final BI < 3) is obtained after completion of 2 years MDT/MB, maintenance therapy by dapsone and clofazimine is recommended until BI negativity and loss of active lesions. (A-2) When BI decrease is not satisfactory (BI value decrease < 2 steps, or final BI > or = 3), MDT/MB should be continued until BI negativity and loss of active lesions. (B) For MB with BI < 3 or fresh MB (less than 6 months after the onset of the disease) with BI > or = 3, 1 year treatment by rifampicin, dapsone and clofazimine (MDT/MB) is necessary. (B-1) When BI become negative and active lesion is lost within one year, no maintenance therapy is necessary. (B-2) When BI is still positive or active lesion is remaining, additional therapy with MDT/MB for one more year is recommended. Brief summary of diagnosis, purpose of therapy, character of drugs, and prevention of deformity is also described.

Drug Therapy, Combination↗
PubMed2000

[Antiviral effect of (S)-1-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl) cytosine on adenovirus].

PURPOSE: Adenovirus is the most frequent causative virus of conjunctivitis in Japan. Recently (S)-1-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl) cytosine (HPMPC) has been promoted as a new drug against adenoviral conjunctivitis. So we examined the antiviral activity of HPMPC against adenoviruses in vitro. METHOD: The antiviral activity of HPMPC against adenovirus (Ad) type 3, type 4, type 19, and type 37 isolated from conjunctivial scrapings in Japan and the prototype of adenovirus type 5 was examined by plaque reduction assay using A 549 cells in vitro. RESULTS: The 50% inhibitory dose (ID50) of HP-MPC was 3.50 (1.44-4.79) micrograms/ml for Ad type 3, 4.50 (4.17-4.92) micrograms/ml for Ad type 4, 2.11 (1.03-3.13) micrograms/ml for Ad type 5, 1.64 (1.40-2.02) micrograms/ml for Ad type 19, and 2.02 (1.17-2.73) micrograms/ml for type 37. The 50% cytotoxic dose of HPMPC for A 549 cells was 205 micrograms/ml by the deoxythimidine uptake inhibition test, and 537 micrograms/ml by the trypan blue exclusion inhibition test. CONCLUSIONS: HPMPC proved to be highly effective in inhibiting replication of adenoviruses at lower concentrations than the cytotoxic level in vitro.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2000

[Valve replacement with cryopreserved allograft].

Allograft valves have several advantages such as 1) the absence of thromboembolic complications without anticoagulation, 2) superior durability to bioprosthetic valves, 3) good resistance to infection, 4) excellent hemodynamic performance especially in small sizes. Surgeons in western countries, therefore often use these valves and have reported good long-term results. In Japan, there have been only a small number of case reports on such valve replacement. We experienced five cases of valve replacement with cryopreserved allografts, four men and one woman. Four of them had formerly received AVR or Cabrol operation, and the prosthetic valve (graft) infection or aortitis syndrome was the main reason of reoperation. One 15 year-old woman suffering from congenital aortic stenosis underwent Ross operation with pulmonary allograft. Although one case with PVE received re-re-AVR 2 years and 4 months after the allograft replacement because of the recurrence of infection, the other four cases are in good condition long after the surgery. We hope that the use of allograft valves will become common in Japan.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Platelet surface P-selectin molecules increased after exposing platelet to a high shear flow.

BACKGROUND: P-selectin is known to play a crucial role in leucocyte recruitment at sites of vascular injury. Although platelet surface expression of P-selectin molecules are well known to occur after platelet stimulation by chemical agonists such as alpha-thrombin, it is still uncertain whether P-selectin expression occurs in the process of the more physiological platelet activation pathway mediated by interaction between von Willebrand factor (vWF) and platelet receptor proteins, including glycoprotein (GP) Ibalpha and GP IIb/IIIa, occurring under high shear rates generated by blood flow. METHODS: We have developed a method to detect P-selectin molecules expressed on platelet surface with flow-cytometer and monoclonal antibody, which can bind exclusively to P-selectin (WGA1), directly conjugated with fluorescein isothiocynate. This method allowed us to measure platelet surface P-selectin molecules semiquantitatively. RESULTS: We demonstrated that a significant increase in platelet surface P-selectin molecules occur after exposing platelets to a relatively high shear rate of 10,800 s(-1). We have also demonstrated that shear-induced surface expression of P-selectin as well as microparticle release from platelets depended at least on the interaction between von Willebrand factor and glycoprotein Ibalpha, a platelet surface receptor for the former. CONCLUSIONS: Shear-induced von Willebrand-mediated surface expression of P-selectin may play a role in leucocyte recruitment in platelet thrombi at vascular injury sites.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed2000

[Werner syndrome].

WS has been associated with an excess of cancer of unusual types, especially sarcomas. Thyroid carcinoma, the most frequent epithelial cancer in WS, accounted for 14% of neoplasia in Japanese with WS. The ratio of epithelial to non-epithelial cancer was 1:1, as compared with 10:1 in the general adult population. Genotype/phenotype correlations may be due to a mutation that induces a site-specific cancer or host-susceptibility factors, either genetic or environmental. Recently, we and others have identified WS gene(WRN) as chromosome 8p12-located RecQ type DNA/RNA helicase. The wild type WRN protein has the conventional RecQ type DNA helicase activity to unwind DNA/RNA helix. The precise functional study of the helicase may help the analysis of "Why and how we age and have cancer?" question in the near future.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[The effects of family interventions for the patients with mental illness in health centers focusing on the relatives' own life].

Recently, the burden on relatives of patients with mental illness has been recognized and the need for support to reduce such burden has increased. In Japan, family interventions have been conducted at Health Centers, most of them focusing on the family functioning as a caregiver. However, it is also important to focus on the relative's functioning to live their own life in family interventions. In this study, we executed a program focusing on relatives' life and health, and investigated the effects of this program on both family functioning. Family intervention programs were conducted at 10 Health Centers including both urban and rural areas in Japan. A total of 102 relatives responded to the self-administered questionnaire at the first and the last session of the family interventions. We measured functioning as a caregiver using the Support for the Disabled Score and Rejective Feeling Score, and functioning to live their own life by GHQ Distress in Daily life Score, Perceived Health Condition Score and Life Satisfaction Score. During interventions, GHQ score and Distress in Daily Life score which indicate the disfunction in living their own life decreased, and Support score increased in all sample. In the short-term illness group (n = 35), only the GHQ score decreased, while in long-term illness group (n = 44) Distress score decreased and Support Score increased. The intervention program focusing on relatives' life and health may improve both family functionings to give adequate care for patients, and to live their own daily life. Results suggested that the short-term illness group requires more intensive and personal advices, and the long-term illness group need continuous support focusing on the relative's own life. Expected roles of Health Centers are cooperation with family interventions provided at hospitals and coordination of the services in the community, as well as providing family interventions in terms of relatives' life.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

[Scanning laser ophthalmoscopic microperimetry on idiopathic epiretinal membrane and vitreomacular traction syndrome].

PURPOSE: To evaluate visual function before and after vitrectomy for idiopathic epiretinal membrane and vitreomacular traction syndrome. METHODS: Microperimetry with scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) was performed in 4 eyes with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (IERM) and 2 eyes with vitreomacular traction syndrome (VMTS), before and at least 3 months after vitrectomy. RESULTS: Five eyes had preoperative scotoma, which disappeared postoperatively. In 1 eye, absolute and relative scotomas developed postoperatively over the areas where the retinal surface was vigorously scratched to peel off an overlying membrane, and in another eye new scotomas appeared over a newly formed epiretinal membrane 8 months after vitrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, the present report is the first to describe preoperative absolute scotoma in IERM, VMTS and also iatrogenic absolute scotoma due to retinal scratching. SLO microperimetry is useful for evaluation of visual function before and after vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane and vitreomacular traction syndrome.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Synergistic transcriptional activation by hGABP and select members of the activation transcription factor/cAMP response element-binding protein family.

The Ets-related DNA-binding protein human GA-binding protein (hGABP) alpha interacts with the four ankyrin-type repeats of hGABPbeta to form an hGABP tetrameric complex that stimulates transcription through the adenovirus early 4 (E4) promoter. Using co-transfection assays, this study demonstrated that the hGABP complex mediated efficient activation of transcription from E4 promoter synergistically with activating transcription factor (ATF) 1 or cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), but not ATF2/CRE-BP1. This synergy also partially occurred when hGABPalpha was used alone in place of the combination of hGABPalpha and hGABPbeta. hGABP activated an artificial promoter containing only ATF/CREB-binding sites under coexistence of ATF1 or CREB. Consistent with these results, physical interactions of hGABPalpha with ATF1 or CREB were observed in vitro. Functional domain analyses of the physical interactions revealed that the amino-terminal region of hGABPalpha bound to the DNA-binding domain of ATF1, which resulted in the formation of ternary complexes composed of ATF1, hGABPalpha, and hGABPbeta. In contrast to hGABPalpha, hGABPbeta did not significantly interact with ATF1 and CREB. Taken together, these results indicate that hGABP functionally interacts with selective members of the ATF/CREB family, and also suggest that synergy results from multiple interactions which mediate stabilization of large complexes within the regulatory elements of the promoter region, including DNA-binding and non-DNA-binding factors.

Activating Transcription Factor 1↗
PubMed1999

The role of human MBF1 as a transcriptional coactivator.

Multiprotein bridging factor 1 (MBF1) is a coactivator which mediates transcriptional activation by interconnecting the general transcription factor TATA element-binding protein and gene-specific activators such as the Drosophila nuclear receptor FTZ-F1 or the yeast basic leucine zipper protein GCN4. The human homolog of MBF1 (hMBF1) has been identified but its function, especially in transcription, remains unclear. Here we report the cDNA cloning and functional analysis of hMBF1. Two isoforms, which we term hMBF1alpha and hMBF1beta, have been identified. hMBF1alpha mRNA was detected in a number of tissues, whereas hMBF1beta exhibited tissue-specific expression. Both isoforms bound to TBP and Ad4BP/SF-1, a mammalian counterpart of FTZ-F1, and mediated Ad4BP/SF-1-dependent transcriptional activation. While hMBF1 was detected in the cytoplasm by immunostaining, coexpression of the nuclear protein Ad4BP/SF-1 with hMBF1 induced accumulation of hMBF1 in the nucleus, suggesting that hMBF1 is localized in the nucleus through its binding to Ad4BP/SF-1. hMBF1 also bound to ATF1, a member of the basic leucine zipper protein family, and mediated its activity as a transcriptional activator. These data establish that the coactivator MBF1 is functionally conserved in eukaryotes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Serum and CSF neuron-specific enolase in patients with West syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether frequent seizures and/or hypsarrhythmia may cause neuronal injury in West syndrome. BACKGROUND: West syndrome is an age-related epileptic syndrome of infancy characterized by clusters of epileptic spasms, a peculiar interictal EEG pattern of hypsarrhythmia, and mental deterioration. Recent clinical studies demonstrated that serum and CSF neuron-specific enolase (NSE)-a marker of neuronal injury-were increased after status epilepticus. METHODS: The authors examined serum and CSF NSE levels in 18 newly diagnosed infants (8.4 +/- 2.2 months) with West syndrome (3 cryptogenic, 15 symptomatic). In patients who showed complete resolution of spasms and disappearance of hypsarrhythmia (responders), additional serum NSE levels were determined several weeks after cessation of seizures. Serum NSE levels were obtained from 28 age-matched infants with normal neurologic development (control group), and 10 infants with an acute neurologic insult. RESULTS: There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in serum NSE levels between the group with West syndrome (12.9 +/- 3.4 ng/mL) and the control group (13.2 +/- 3.1 ng/mL). The serum NSE value in the group with an acute insult (100.3 +/- 67.4 ng/mL) was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) than that for the West syndrome and the control groups. The mean +/- SD CSF NSE level was 7.3 +/- 3.6 ng/mL, which is similar to the reported CSF NSE levels of Japanese infants without neurologic disease. Thirteen responders showed no significant (p > 0.05) change in serum NSE after cessation of epileptic spasms. CONCLUSION: Normal serum and CSF neuron-specific enolase levels provided no evidence that seizures and/or hypsarrhythmia induced neuronal injury in West syndrome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Enantioselective recognition mechanism of secondary alcohol by surfactant-coated lipases in nonaqueous media.

The enantioselective recognition mechanism of secondary alcohol by lipases originated from Candida rugosa and Pseudomonas cepacia was elucidated on the basis of the kinetic study of the esterification of alcohol with lauric acid in isooctane. To obtain inherent kinetic parameters, we utilized a surfactant-coated lipase whose conformation is considered to be an "open" form in a homogeneous organic solvent. Based on the experimental results, the enantioselectivity of lipases was found to be derived from the difference in the V(max) values between the two enantiomers. The same result was observed when lipases of different origin and substrates with different molecular structures were applied. &copy 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alcohols↗
PubMed1999

Surfactant-histidine-heme ternary complex as a simple artificial heme enzyme in organic media

A surfactant-heme complex which shows peroxidase activity in organic media has been prepared by a method utilizing water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions. Both the aqueous phase pH and the type of surfactant appeared to have prominent effect on the catalytic activity of the heme complex in benzene. The catalytic efficiency of the heme complex was enhanced more than ten times by adding histidine to the aqueous phase of W/O emulsions in the preparation process. The enhancement of peroxidase activity was observed only in a nonaqueous medium due to the increase of the effective concentration of histidine as an activator. In the present study, we propose a simple preparation method for an artificial heme enzyme which works in nonaqueous media. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Author reply

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Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Adjuvant mitomycin and fluorouracil followed by oral uracil plus tegafur in serosa-negative gastric cancer: a randomised trial. Gastric Cancer Surgical Study Group.

BACKGROUND: To study the survival benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in gastric cancer, seven cancer centres in Japan carried out a phase III clinical trial of adjuvant chemotherapy after curative gastrectomy for macroscopically serosa-negative gastric cancer. METHODS: 579 patients were enrolled in the study, stratified by disease stage (T1, n=188; T2, n=323), and allocated randomly adjuvant chemotherapy or no further treatment. 285 of 288 cases in the treatment group and 288 of 291 in the control group were eligible. Six cases were excluded because they did not fulfill the entry criteria. The treatment group had intravenous mitomycin (1.4 mg/m2) and fluorouracil (166.7 mg/m2) twice weekly for 3 weeks after surgery, and oral UFT (uracil plus tegafur, 300 mg daily) for 18 months. Analyses were by intention to treat. FINDINGS: No serious toxic effects were observed in the treatment group. At median follow-up of 72 months, 59 patients in the control group and 47 in the treatment group had died. There was no significant difference in survival between the groups (5-year survival 82.9% control vs 85.8% treated; hazard ratio 0.738 [95% CI 0.498-1.093]). 5-year survival of patients with T1 (mucosal or submucosal) cancer in the control and treatment groups was 94.9% versus 92.0%, and that of patients with T2 (muscularis propria or subserosa) cancer was 76.9% versus 83.0%. However, a test for heterogeneity and interaction over T1 and T2 subgroups revealed no significant difference in terms of drug response. INTERPRETATION: There was no survival benefit with this adjuvant therapy regimen for patients with macroscopically serosa-negative gastric cancer (T1 and T2) after curative gastrectomy. Patients with T1 cancer can be excluded from future trials, because curative surgery alone yielded a very good survival rate and there seemed no need for adjuvant therapy.

Adenocarcinoma↗