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Biomedical subjects

M Iijima

Publications and source records attributed to M Iijima.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Drug eruptions to contrast media in Japan.

BACKGROUND: In Japan, drug eruptions to nonionic iodinated contrast media have been reported since the products appeared on the market in 1986. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate this clinical finding, we analysed the number of patients with drug eruption to contrast media in our hospital from 1989 to 2003. METHODS: In total, 117 patients suspected of such drug eruptions were patch and intradermal tested with contrast media (as commercially sold). Those who tested positive were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 117 patients, 69 patients (19 men; 50 women, mean +/- SD age 51.4 +/- 16.5 years, range 17-86) showed positive reactions to contrast media. The number was 6-13 annually from 1989 to 1995, and 1-4 annually from 1996 to 2003. CONCLUSION: Although our data suggest (but do not prove) that patients with drug eruption to contrast media decreased in number, this condition is still not rare in Japan. Higher annual exposure to contrast media, including pretesting, could play an important role in this observation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment in painful sensory neuropathy without sensory ataxia associated with Sjögren's syndrome.

Patients having neuropathy associated with Sjögren's syndrome may present with pain and superficial sensory involvement in the absence of sensory ataxia. Treatment for this form of associated neuropathy has not been established. The case of a patient with painful sensory neuropathy associated with Sjögren's syndrome, whose symptoms, particularly pain, responded well to intravenous immunoglobulin both at onset and in a relapse, is reported. Other patients with painful sensory neuropathy associated with Sjögren's syndrome may also be candidates for intravenous Ig treatment.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Estrogen-receptor-alpha-positive extramammary Paget's disease treated with hormonal therapy.

The patient was an 80-year-old man with scrotal and penile extramammary Paget's disease and prostate cancer. Both diseases were in advanced stages. Tumor cells of extramammary Paget's disease strongly expressed estrogen receptor alpha. The patient was concurrently treated with two kinds of hormonal therapy: the anti-estrogen tamoxifen (20 mg/day orally) for extramammary Paget's disease and the anti-androgen bicalutamide (80 mg/day orally) for prostate cancer. The toxicity of the therapy was mild. All of the metastatic lesions remained stable for 2 months after initiation of dual hormonal therapy. During a follow-up period of 22 months, performance status was well maintained for 17 months. Hormonal therapy may be an alternative for selected cases of advanced extramammary Paget's disease.

Aged, 80 and over↗
PubMed2005

Clinicopathologic features of nonsystemic vasculitic neuropathy and microscopic polyangiitis-associated neuropathy: a comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinicopathologic findings in nonsystemic vasculitic neuropathy (NSVN) and microscopic polyangiitis-associated neuropathy (MPAN). METHODS: Patients clinicopathologically confirmed to have NSVN (n=23) or MPAN (n=40) were compared with respect to clinical, electrophysiologic, and histopathologic features. RESULTS: Clinical features of neuropathy such as initial symptoms, progression, and distribution of sensory and motor deficits were similar in both groups, while functional compromise was greater in MPAN than NSVN. Abnormalities of laboratory data including those reflecting severity and extent of inflammation such as C-reactive protein were more conspicuous in MPAN than NSVN. Perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (p-ANCA) were positive in two-thirds of patients with MPAN but negative in all NSVN. Electrophysiologic and histopathologic findings indicated axonal neuropathy in both groups, whereas the reduction of compound muscle action potentials in the tibial nerve and sensory nerve action potentials in the median nerve was significantly more profound in MPAN than NSVN. As for the epineurial perivascular infiltration, frequencies of cell-specific markers for T lymphocytes, macrophages, and B lymphocytes among cells infiltrating the vasculitic lesions were essentially similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicopathologic profiles and vascular pathology were similar between NSVN and MPAN but the age at onset, severity, and presence of p-ANCA were clearly different. Further study is needed to clarify the pathogenesis of NSVN and its place in the vasculitic spectrum of diseases.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2005

Clinical and electrophysiologic correlates of IVIg responsiveness in CIDP.

To identify clinical and electrophysiologic features related to IV immunoglobulin (IVIg) responsiveness in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), the authors conducted a multicenter study on 312 patients with CIDP (199 responders and 113 nonresponders). Muscle atrophy and decreased compound muscle action potential were pronounced in nonresponders of IVIg. Male gender, longer disease duration, and slow progression of symptoms were also associated with IVIg unresponsiveness. Features suggesting axonal dysfunction in peripheral nerves indicated IVIg unresponsiveness in CIDP.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Control of apatite crystal growth in a fluoride containing amelogenin-rich matrix.

To study how crystal growth in dental enamel is controlled by the components of the extracellular matrix, we investigated the functional roles of amelogenins and fluoride ions in apatite formation occurring through an octacalcium phosphate (OCP)-precursor pathway. Using a cation selective membrane system as a model of tooth enamel formation, we evaluated the resulting mineral habit grown in native porcine amelogenins and fluoride ions. In the absence of amelogenin and in the presence of 1 or 2 ppm F, we obtained OCP + apatite and apatite, respectively. Without amelogenins, the crystals were hexagonal prisms and cones with diameters of approximately 100-200 nm. In the presence of 10% amelogenins and in the absence of fluoride, rod-like OCP with a diameter of 35 nm were obtained. Remarkably, a combination of amelogenin and fluoride created the formation of rod-like apatite crystals with dimensions similar to the former crystals. These observations indicate a cooperative role of amelogenin and fluoride in the regulation of habit, size orientation and phase of the calcium-phosphate crystals, resulting in the formation of fine rod-like apatite whose habit and orientation were similar to that of authentic tooth enamel crystals. The significant modulating effect of the amelogenin matrix combined with fluoride ions suggests the potential for this artificial system to contribute to the engineering of novel enamel-like biomaterials in vitro.

Amelogenin↗
PubMed2005

Rapid damping of food-entrained circadian rhythm of clock gene expression in clock-defective peripheral tissues under fasting conditions.

Restricted feeding-induced free-running oscillation of clock genes in the liver was studied in homozygous Clock-mutant (Clock/Clock) mice. Similar to wild-type mice, Clock/Clock mice showed robust food-anticipatory behavioral activity in accordance with a restricted feeding schedule. Also, the peak of all clock gene mRNAs tested was phase-advanced in the liver of Clock/Clock mice as well as wild-type mice, although the amplitude of clock gene expression was low in Clock/Clock mice. The food-anticipatory behavioral rhythm in Clock/Clock mice maintained a period similar to wild-type mice during 2-day fasting after the cessation of restricted feeding. However, during the fasting days after temporal feeding cues were removed, the oscillation of clock genes in the liver and heart, excluding the suprachiasmatic nuclei, appeared to result in arrhythmicity in Clock/Clock mice. Thus, although the CLOCK-based molecular mechanism is not required for the expression of food-anticipatory activity, intact CLOCK protein might be involved in sustaining several cycles of peripheral circadian oscillations after restricted feeding-induced resetting.

ARNTL Transcription Factors↗
PubMed2005

Floral variant of follicular lymphoma containing marginal zone B-cell component. Report of two cases.

We here report two unusual cases of floral variant of follicular lymphoma containing marginal zone B-cells. Histologically, the neoplastic follicles consisted of three distinct layers. The inner layer was composed of neoplastic germinal centers exhibiting a floral design and the middle layer had unusually prominent mantle zones. The outer zone of neoplastic follicles was surrounded by a pale cuff of marginal zone B-cells. Immunohistological study demonstrated that both the germinal center and marginal zone component lay within the follicular dendritic cell network. The germinal center component was CD10+ and bcl-2+. However, a portion of the marginal zone component weakly expressed bcl-2 but not CD10. Nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (NMZBL) occasionally possesses "floral" lymphoid follicles. Follicular lymphoma with marginal zone differentiation is a high-risk variant of follicular lymphoma. In diagnostic practice, the differential diagnosis between the floral variant of follicular lymphoma containing marginal zone B-cells and the "floral variant" of NMZBL is important.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Pathology of early- vs late-onset TTR Met30 familial amyloid polyneuropathy.

BACKGROUND: Late-onset type I familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP TTR Met30) cases unrelated to endemic foci in Japan show clinical features setting them apart from early-onset cases in endemic foci. OBJECTIVE: To compare pathologic features between the early- and late-onset types. METHODS: Pathologic findings in FAP TTR Met30 with onset before age 50 in relation to endemic foci (11 cases) were compared with those in 11 later-onset cases unrelated to endemic foci. RESULTS: Sural nerve biopsy specimens showed predominantly small-fiber loss in early-onset cases; variable fiber size distribution, axonal sprouting, and relatively preserved unmyelinated fibers characterized late-onset cases. Autopsy cases representing both groups showed amyloid deposition throughout the length of nerves and in sympathetic and sensory ganglia, but amounts were greater in early-onset cases. Amyloid deposition and neuronal cell loss were greater in sympathetic than dorsal root ganglia in early-onset cases; the opposite was true in late-onset cases. Size assessment of remaining neurons in these ganglia suggested predominant loss of small neurons in early-onset cases but loss of neurons of all sizes in late-onset cases. Transthyretin-positive, Congo red-negative amorphous material was more conspicuous in nerves from late- than early-onset cases. In extraneural sites, amyloid was more conspicuous in thyroid and kidney from early-onset cases and in heart and hypophysis from late-onset cases. In early-onset cases, cardiac amyloid deposition was prominent in the atrium and subendocardium but was conspicuous throughout the myocardium in late-onset cases. CONCLUSION: The pathology of early- and late-onset FAP TTR Met30 correlated well with differences in clinical findings.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Interactions of amelogenins with octacalcium phosphate crystal faces are dose dependent.

Amelogenins, the major protein components of the enamel extracellular matrix, are postulated to be involved in controlling the elongated and oriented growth of enamel carbonated apatite crystals. In order to clarify the functional role of amelogenin during the early stage of enamel biomineralization, octacalcium phosphate (OCP) crystals, known to be potent precursors of hydroxyapatite, were grown in 1-10% (w/w) native bovine and two recombinant murine amelogenins. Amelogenins were solution-like at 1% and formed gel at 10%, while 5% amelogenins became gel after reaction and it was inhomogeneous and porous. Morphological changes of OCP crystals were evaluated as the function of amelogenin concentration by analyzing the mean values of length, width, thickness, their reduction ratios (L/Lc, W/Wc, T/Tc) as well as L/W and W/T ratios. Length, width, and thickness decreased in a does-dependent manner. Length decreased almost linearly in 1%-10%, whereas width decreased drastically in 1%-5% while the decrease from 5% to 10% was small. As a result, elongated morphology of OCP crystal was most emphasized in 5% bovine amelogenins and rM166 and 2%-5% rM179. The size reduction was in the order of W/Wc < L/Lc < T/Tc. We therefore concluded that amelogenin interaction with crystal faces was in the order (010) > (001) > (100). At all concentrations, W/ Wc was significantly the smallest. This indicated that the primary role of amelogenin was to decrease the width of OCP by blocking the hydrophobic (010) faces. We suggest that the drastic decrease of crystal width is the result of interaction of the densely packed nanospheres in 5%-10% amelogenin.

Amelogenin↗
PubMed2004

Wide range of lineages of cells expressing nerve growth factor mRNA in the nerve lesions of patients with vasculitic neuropathy: an implication of endoneurial macrophage for nerve regeneration.

In situ localization of nerve growth factor (NGF) mRNA was examined in the nerve lesions of patients with vasculitic neuropathy. Double labeling of in situ hybridization for NGF mRNA and immunohistochemistry for cell markers showed that NGF mRNA was expressed in a wide range of lineages of cells: Schwann cells, infiltrating macrophages, T cells and perivascular cells. Round-shaped macrophages with early-phase features expressed high levels of NGF mRNA, in contrast to late-phase polymorphic macrophages, which expressed low levels of NGF mRNA. NGF mRNA was also expressed universally in T cells with various cell surface markers. Epineurial macrophages surrounding vasculitic lesions and endoneurial T cells expressed high levels of NGF mRNA in the damaged nerves. Moreover, the extent of endoneurial NGF expression level in macrophages was closely related to the degree of axonal regeneration. These results suggest that NGF is expressed in a wide range of lineages of cells but is differentially expressed spatially in vasculitic nerve lesions, and that the expressed NGF, particularly in macrophages, may play an important role in the nerve regeneration process.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Fluorescence detection of a new photosensitizer, PAD-S31, in tumour tissues and its use as a photodynamic treatment for skin tumours in dogs and a cat: a preliminary report.

We describe here the detection by fluorescence of a new photosensitizer, PAD-S31, in tumours in dogs and cats and the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) by using PAD-S31 for skin tumours in two dogs and one cat. PAD-S31 is a hydrophilic photosensitizer that has two peaks at absorption wavelengths 406 and 665 nm in distilled water. In a preliminary experiment in mice transplanted with SCCVII and colon 26, PAD-S31 was retained in tumour tissues rather than in other organs. The tumours resected from dogs and cats after intravenous administration of PAD-S31 at a dose of 15 mg/kg emitted strong red fluorescence under light illumination of 402 nm wavelength. Animals given PAD-S31 showed no cutaneous photosensitivity under room light illumination. Irradiation at laser light 670 nm wavelength (fluence rate 150 mW/cm2 and total light dosage 150 J/cm2) on cutaneous mast cell tumours in dogs ( n=2 ) and a cutaneous basal cell tumour in a cat induced complete remission. These results suggest PAD-S31 could be a promising photosensitizer for use in a small animal veterinary practice.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Micro-X-ray diffraction observation of nickel-titanium orthodontic wires in simulated oral environment.

A micro-X-ray diffraction (micro-XRD) technique has been employed to determine the phases in two superelastic nickel-titanium orthodontic wires that exhibit shape memory in the oral environment and one superelastic nickel-titanium wire that does not exhibit shape memory in vivo. The micro-XRD analyses were performed over the clinically relevant temperature range of 0-55 degrees C, which corresponds to the ingestion of cold and hot liquids, and both straight and bent (135 degrees ) test samples were analyzed. The results showed that for straight (as-received) test samples, the rhombohedral phase (R-phase) was definitely present in one shape memory wire product and perhaps in the other shape memory wire product, but was apparently absent in the superelastic wire product that did not display shape memory. Martensite was observed in all three wire products after bending. Phase transformations occurred with temperature changes simulating the oral environment for straight test samples of the two shape memory wires, but the micro-XRD pattern changed minimally with temperature for straight test samples of the superelastic wire and for bent test samples of all three wire products. The phase transformations revealed by micro-XRD were consistent with results recently found by temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry.

Body Temperature↗
PubMed2004

Association of verrucous skin lesions and skin ulcers on the feet in patients with diabetic neuropathy.

We report the simultaneous or chronological association of verrucous skin lesions and diabetic ulcers on the feet of three diabetic patients. All three patients had poor diabetic control and were suffering from complications such as neuropathy, retinopathy and nephropathy at the time of presentation. In patient 1, verrucous skin lesions on the feet in diabetic neuropathy (VSLDN) and a diabetic skin ulcer developed simultaneously. In patient 2, VSLDN preceded the development of diabetic ulcers, while in patient 3, diabetic ulcers preceded VSLDN. These associations suggest that VSLDN and diabetic ulcers are closely related in their aetiology and pathogenesis. Strategies for the treatment and prevention of VSLDN should include multiple treatment modalities combined with foot care as proposed by the international working group on the diabetic foot.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Cervical dystonia in dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy.

Hereditary dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) is a rare autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative disease characterized by variable clinical phenotypes. Its characteristic clinical manifestations include ataxia, choreoathetotic movements, seizures, myoclonus and dementia, but cervical dystonia has been rarely reported. Here we report a family with DRPLA who presented with cervical dystonia. The proband was a 66-year-old woman. Cervical dystonia was the initial and the most prominent symptom, and mild cerebellar signs and choreic movements were also observed. DNA analysis revealed expanded trinucleotide repeats within the DRPLA gene. The daughter of the proband, a 29-year-old woman, also had cervical dystonia for 3 years. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed a mild atrophy of the brainstem and the cerebellum in both of these patients. DRPLA should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with cervical dystonia.

Adult↗