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Biomedical subjects

M Ikeda

Publications and source records attributed to M Ikeda.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Haplotype association between GABAA receptor gamma2 subunit gene (GABRG2) and methamphetamine use disorder.

Psychostimulant use disorder and schizophrenia have a substantial genetic basis. Evidence from human and animal studies on the involvement of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system in methamphetamine (METH) use disorder and schizophrenia is mounting. As we tested for the association of the human GABA(A) receptor gamma 2 subunit gene (GABRG2) with each diagnostic group, we used a case-control design with a set of 178 subjects with METH use disorder, 288 schizophrenics and 288 controls. First, we screened 96 controls and identified six SNPs in GABRG2, three of whom we newly reported. Next, we selected two SNPs, 315C>T and 1128+99C>A, as representatives of the linkage disequilibrium blocks for further case-control association analysis. Although no associations were found in either allelic or genotypic frequencies, we detected a haplotypic association in GABRG2 with METH use disorder, but not with schizophrenia. This finding partly replicates a recent case-control study of GABRG2 in METH use disorder, and thus indicates that GABRG2 may be one of the susceptibility genes of METH use disorder.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Inhibition of scratching behaviour caused by contact dermatitis in histidine decarboxylase gene knockout mice.

A neuronal system dedicated to itch consists of primary afferent and spinothalamic projection neurons. Histamine is thought to be one of the main mediators for the transmission of itch sensation. However, there are little available information on the role of histamine in scratching behaviour and sensory transmission of atopic dermatitis and chronic eczema. In the present study, the role of histamine in scratching behaviour and neural conduction of sensation in the chronic eczema model was investigated by using l-histidine decarboxylase (HDC) gene knockout mice lacking histamine. The chronic contact dermatitis was induced with daily application of diphenylcyclopropenone (DCP) on a hind paw of HDC (+/+) and HDC (-/-) mice for 2 months. The observation of scratching behaviour and the hot-plate test were performed in both mice. Histological studies were performed in the skin and spinal cord tissues. Histological examination revealed that both HDC (+/+) and HDC (-/-) mice displayed the similar extent of inflammatory cell infiltration, hyperplastic epidermis and newly spreading of neuronal processes in the skin tissue. Scratching behaviour was exclusively induced in HDC (+/+) mice, whereas it was barely observed in HDC (-/-) mice. The expression of c-Fos was specifically upregulated in HDC (+/+) mice in lamina I of the spinal dorsal horn following repeated DCP application. Scratching behaviour in chronic contact dermatitis in mice was thought mainly mediated with histamine. The afferent pathway of sensation in chronic contact dermatitis model may connect with the central nervous system through lamina I of the spinal dorsal horn.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Clinical usefulness of oral granisetron hydrochloride for alleviation of delayed nausea and vomiting induced by CPT-11.

This open label pilot study evaluated the safety and efficacy of the oral 5-HT3 receptor antagonist granisetron for prophylaxis of delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in 30 patients with advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer. Patients were studied during two cycles of a 5-week regimen with irinotecan (CPT-11) and UFT. Patients received prophylactic anti-emetic therapy that included intravenous granisetron. If Grade 1 or higher severity gastrointestinal symptoms occurred during 6 days after CPT-11 administration in Cycle 1, then oral granisetron was administered daily for the following 5 days of CPT-11 in Cycle 2. Sixteen patients (53.3%) experienced delayed CINV in Cycle 1. The incidence of Grade 2 or higher vomiting was 32.1% and 27.7% in Cycles 1 and 2 in males (P = 0.554) respectively, and 54.6% and 32.4% in females (P = 0.001) respectively. Granisetron is effective against delayed Grade 2 or higher vomiting induced by CPT-11/UFT in female patients, although granisetron alone may not sufficiently control nausea induced by this regimen.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2004

Phase I clinical trial and pharmacokinetic evaluation of NK911, a micelle-encapsulated doxorubicin.

NK911 is a novel supramolecular nanocarrier designed for the enhanced delivery of doxorubicin (DXR) and is one of the successful polymer micelle systems to exhibit an efficient accumulation in solid tumours in mice. The purpose of this study was to define the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of NK911 and to evaluate its pharmacokinetic profile in man. NK911 was given intravenously to patients with solid tumours every 3 weeks using an infusion pump at a rate of 10 mg DXR equivalent min(-1). The starting dose was 6 mg DXR equivalent m(-2), and the dose was escalated according to the accelerated titration method. A total of 23 patients participated in this study. Neutropenia was the predominant haematological toxicity, and grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was observed at doses of 50 and 67 mg m(-2). Common nonhaematological toxicities were mild alopecia, stomatitis, and anorexia. In the dose identification part of the study, DLTs were observed at a dose of 67 mg m(-2) (grade 4 neutropenia lasting more than 5 days). Thus, this dosage level was determined to be the MTD. Infusion-related reactions were not observed in any cases. The C(5 min) and area under the concentration curve parameters of NK911 exhibited dose-dependent characteristics. Among the 23 patients, a partial response was obtained in one patient with metastatic pancreatic cancer. NK911 was well tolerated and produced only moderate nausea and vomiting at myelosuppressive dosages. The recommended phase II dose was determined to be 50 mg m(-2) every 3 weeks.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Phase II study of S-1 in patients with advanced biliary tract cancer.

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of an oral fluoropyrimidine derivative, S-1, in patients with advanced biliary tract cancer. Patients with pathologically confirmed advanced biliary tract cancer, a measurable lesion, and no history of radiotherapy or chemotherapy were enrolled. S-1 was administered orally (40 mg m(-2) b.i.d.) for 28 days, followed by a 14-day rest period. A pharmacokinetic study was performed on day 1 in the initial eight patients. In all, 19 consecutive eligible patients were enrolled in the study between July 2000 and January 2002. The site of the primary tumour was the gallbladder (n=16), the extrahepatic bile ducts (n=2), and the ampulla of Vater (n=1). A median of two courses of treatment (range, 1-12) was administered. Four patients achieved a partial response, giving an overall response rate of 21.1%. The median time-to-progression and median overall survival period were 3.7 and 8.3 months, respectively. Although grade 3 anorexia and fatigue occurred in two patients each (10.5%), no grade 4 toxicities were observed. The pharmacokinetic parameters after a single oral administration of S-1 were similar to those of patients with other cancers. S-1 exhibits definite antitumour activity and is well tolerated in patients with advanced biliary tract cancer.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2004

Phase II study of radiotherapy combined with gemcitabine for locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

Gemcitabine has been reported to be a potent radiosensitiser in human pancreatic cell lines. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of radiotherapy combined with gemcitabine for locally advanced pancreatic cancer. In all, 42 patients with pancreatic cancer that was unresectable but confined to the pancreatic region were treated with external-beam radiation (50.4 Gy in 28 fractions over 5.5 weeks) and weekly gemcitabine (250 mg m(-2), 30-min infusion). Maintenance gemcitabine (1000 mg m(-2) weekly x 3 every 4 weeks) was initiated 1 month after the completion of the chemoradiotherapy and continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Of the 42 patients, 38 (90%) completed the scheduled course of chemoradiotherapy. The major toxicity was leucopenia and anorexia. There was one death attributed to duodenal bleeding and sepsis. The median survival time was 9.5 months and the 1-year survival rate was 28%. The median progression-free survival time was 4.4 months. In 35 patients with documented disease progression at the time of analysis, 34 (97%) showed distant metastasis as the cause of the initial disease progression. The chemoradiotherapy used in this study has a moderate activity against locally advanced pancreatic cancer and an acceptable toxicity profile. Future investigations for treatment with more systemic effects are warranted.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Gender-related difference, geographical variation and time trend in dietary cadmium intake in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: The present analysis was initiated to examine possible gender-dependency, geographic variation, and time-dependent changes in dietary intake of cadmium (Cd-F) among general populations in Cd-non-polluted areas in Japan. The role of rice as Cd-F source was also within the scope. METHODS: Two databases on Cd and nutritional analyses were re-visited. Both databases were established through collection of 24-h food duplicate portion samples from residents in areas with no known Cd pollution, and contained information on Cd and energy contents in the duplicate portion, together with daily rice consumption, the gender, the age and the location of the residence of each sample donor. The first and the second databases were established through surveys in the years around 1980 on 564 cases and around 1995 on 702 cases, respectively. The two databases were combined for evaluation by multiple regression (MRA) and other analyses. RESULTS: The analyses showed that men tended to take more Cd than women, more clearly so in the 1980 survey than in the 1995 survey. When Cd-F in the 1995 survey was compared with that in the 1980 survey, a substantial decrease was observed, e.g. by 30% (from 37.5 to 26.2 microg/day) in case of women. Cd-F values varied subject to the survey sites in a wide range (e.g. from 20 to 86 microg/day among women in the 1980 survey). In MRA with Cd-F as a dependent variable and survey sites and food intake factors (e.g. rice and energy intakes) as independent variables, the survey sites could explain more than 53% and 35% of total variation in Cd-F in the 1980 and 1995 surveys, respectively. Rice consumption was also influential to Cd-F in both surveys with partial correlation coefficients of 0.36 and 0.21, respectively, the influence being stronger in the 1980 survey than in the 1995 survey. A significant correlation was detected between the 1980 and 1995 survey results both in Cd-F and in rice consumption. CONCLUSION: Geographic and gender-related differences, and time-dependent decrease in dietary Cd intake in Japan were detected through analyses of food duplicate-based databases. The leading role of rice as dietary Cd source was also observed.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

alpha1-Microglobulin as a promising marker of cadmium-induced tubular dysfunction, possibly better than beta2-microglobulin.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the validity of alpha1-microglobulin (alpha1-MG) in comparison with popularly used beta2-microglobulin (beta2-MG). A database on 8975 cases of never-smoking adult women was revisited; the data were based on spot urine samples from the women in 10 prefectures all over Japan. The validity of alpha1-MG was examined following essentially the same protocol as beta2-MG was examined in a previous study. Comparisons were made for alpha1-MG as observed (e.g. alpha1-MG(ob)), as corrected for creatinine (CR or cr) (e.g. alpha1-MGcr) and as corrected for a specific gravity (SG or sg) of 1.016 (e.g. alpha1-MGsg). A cut-off value of 5.0 mg alpha1-MG/g cr or l was deduced from 400 microg beta2-MG/g cr taking advantage of the regression equation between alpha1-MG and beta2-MG. The prevalence of alph1-microglobulinuria as corrected for a specific gravity of 1.016 (or alpha1-MGsg-uria in short) was essentially unchanged irrespective of SG, except for in very dense or very thin urine samples. alpha1-MGcr-uria prevalence decreased at higher CR. Comparison of the present observation with previous findings on beta2-MG-uria prevalence showed that the variation in prevalence of MG-uria as a function of urine density was smaller for alpha1-MGsg whereas it was substantially larger for beta2-MGcr, and thus it appeared prudent to consider alpha1-MGsg rather than beta2-MGcr as a marker of tubular dysfunction.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Benzylmercapturic acid is superior to hippuric acid and o-cresol as a urinary marker of occupational exposure to toluene.

The present study was initiated to examine whether urinary benzylmercapturic acid (or N-acetyl-S-benzyl cysteine, BMA), a mercapturate metabolite of toluene, increases in relation to the intensity of toluene exposure, and whether this metabolite is a better marker of occupational exposure to toluene than two traditional markers, hippuric acid and o-cresol. Accordingly, end-of-shift urine samples were collected from 122 printers and 30 office clerks (all men) in the second half of a working week. Solvent (toluene) exposure of the day (8 h) was monitored by means of diffusive sampling. Quantitative relation with toluene showed that BMA had a greater correlation coefficient with toluene (r = 0.7) than hippuric acid (r = 0.6) or o-cresol (r = 0.6). The levels in the urine of the non-exposed control subjects were below the detection limit of 0.2 microg/l for BMA, whereas it was at substantial levels for hippuric acid and o-cresol (239 mg/l and 32 microg/l as a geometric mean, respectively). Thus, BMA, hippuric acid and o-cresol could separate the exposed from the non-exposed when toluene was at < 1, 50 and 3 ppm, respectively. Overall, therefore, it appeared reasonable to conclude that BMA is superior to hippuric acid and o-cresol as a marker of occupational exposure to toluene.

Acetylcysteine↗
PubMed2004

No effects of hematuria and proteinuria in school days, and probably current pregnancy and current lactation also, as risk factors of cadmium-induced renal tubular dysfunction among adult women in general populations in Japan.

This study was initiated to examine if hematuria and proteinuria in school days, current pregnancy, or current lactation are risk factors of cadmium-induced tubular dysfunction for adult women among general populations in Japan. For this purpose, a database of 9,967 never-smoking adult women were reviewed for urinary levels of cadmium (Cd) and three other elements, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and zinc (Zn), and two tubular dysfunction markers of alpha1-microglobulin (alpha1-MG) and beta2-microglobulin (beta2-MG); the analyte concentrations were corrected for creatinine (cr) and expressed as, e.g., Cd-Ucr. From the total, 160 cases were selected as those who were informed of urinary abnormality (i.e., proteinuria, hematuria, or both) in their school days (the abnormality being found to be transient, later), and each case was matched by age and prefecture of residence. Separately, seven women with persistent urinary abnormality, seven pregnant women, and six lactating women were identified, and the case was matched with three cases each of the same age and living in the same prefecture. Statistical analyses showed that Cd-Ucr and other markers were not elevated in the transient urinary abnormality group as compared with the matched controls. This was also observed in the subjects with persistent abnormality. In the pregnant women, alpha1-MG-Ucr and possibly beta2-MG-Ucr were elevated, but Cd-Ucr did not increase, suggesting that the observed elevation in alpha1-MG and beta2-MG was not due to the effects of Cd but a part of the physiology of pregnancy itself. There was no change in marker levels in lactating women except for an increase in alpha1-MG. In overall evaluation, it was considered prudent to conclude that urinary abnormality in school days does not increase the risk of Cd-induced nephrotoxicity in adult women, whereas the negative findings with pregnancy and lactation should be taken as preliminary because the numbers of cases studied were limited.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

The toxicology and safety of apple polyphenol extract.

Apple polyphenol extract has strong antioxidant activity and various physiological functions, and is used in Japan as a food additive and nutritional supplements. Here, we tested the consumption safety of Applephenon, which is a polyphenol extract produced from unripe apples. The Ames test without S9 mixture revealed that Applephenon, had slight mutagenicity at a high concentration of 2500 microg/plate; however, both chromosomal aberration test and the micronucleus test found no significant mutagenicity. Furthermore, an acute oral-toxicity test, and a 90-day subchronic-toxicity test showed no significant hematological, clinical, chemical, histopathological, or urinary effects at a dose of 2000 mg/kg. These results confirm that Applephenon is safe and no toxic at average dietary level.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2004

Insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity at different stages of glucose tolerance: a cross-sectional study of Japanese type 2 diabetes.

To evaluate the factors causing glucose intolerance in type 2 diabetes in Japan, insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity were compared across the range of glucose tolerance. Subjects were divided into 3 groups: normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and type 2 diabetes (DM) according to the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO). We examined insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity using fasting blood glucose and insulin levels and 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). We used homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) beta-cell and insulinogenic index (30 minutes) to estimate insulin secretion and HOMA-insulin resistance (IR) and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) composite for insulin sensitivity. Although insulin resistance plays an important role in the development of diabetes in many ethnic populations, the differences in insulin sensitivity between NGT and IGT and between IGT and DM are small in Japanese patients. On the other hand, as glucose intolerance increases, insulin secretion decreases most remarkably both between NGT and IGT and between IGT and DM in Japanese patients. Decreasing insulin secretion and decreasing insulin sensitivity both occur in developing type 2 diabetes in Japanese patients, but decreased basal and early-phase insulin secretion had more pronounced contribution to glucose tolerance than the indices of insulin sensitivity. Japanese type 2 diabetic patients are characterized by a larger decrease in insulin secretion and show less attribution of insulin resistance.

Aging↗
PubMed2004

Activaton of GABAB receptor inhibits the excitability of rat small diameter trigeminal root ganglion neurons.

A selective GABA(B) receptor agonist, baclofen, is known to suppress neuropathic pain. In the present study, we investigated the effect of baclofen on the excitability of trigeminal root ganglion (TRG) neurons by using the whole cell and perforated patch-clamp recording techniques. Under voltage-clamp (V(h)=-60 mV), voltage-dependent K(+) currents were recorded in the small diameter TRG neurons (<30 microm) and isolated by blocking Na(+) and Ca(2+) currents with appropriate ion replacement. Separation of the K(+) current components was achieved by the response to variation in the conditioning voltage. Two distinct K(+) current components, a transient (I(A)) and a sustained (I(k)), were identified. Baclofen significantly increased I(A) by 74.8% (50 microM) and in a dose-dependent manner (1-50 microM). Similarly, I(K) was also enhanced by baclofen administration (41.8%: 50 microM). The relative amplitude of potentiation of I(A) was significantly higher than that of I(K) (P<0.05). Baclofen-sensitive I(A) and I(K) currents were antagonized by K(+) channel blockers, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and tetraethylammonium (TEA). The augmentation of K(+) currents was antagonized by 3-amino-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxypropylsulfonic acid (saclofen; GABA(B) antagonist). In the current clamp mode, the resting membrane potential was -62+/-1.6 mV (n=24). Hyperpolarization of the membrane potential was elicited by baclofen (10-50 microM), and the response was associated with a decrease in the input resistance. Baclofen induced-hyperpolarization was blocked by saclofen (100 microM). In the presence of both 4-AP and TEA, no significant changes in membrane potential induced by baclofen application were observed. In the presence of BaCl(2), baclofen-evoked hyperpolarization with decreased resistance was observed. During application of baclofen, the firing rate of the action potentials by depolarizing step pulses was decreased. Application of baclofen reduced action potential duration evoked by a depolarization current pulse.These results indicated that activation of GABA(B) receptors inhibits the excitability of rat small diameter TRG neurons and this inhibitory action is mediated by potentiation of voltage-dependent K(+) currents. We therefore concluded that modification of nociceptive transmission in the trigeminal system by activation of GABA(B) receptors occurs at the level of small TRG neuron cell bodies and/or their primary afferent terminals, which are potential targets of analgesia by baclofen.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Opioidergic modulation of excitability of rat trigeminal root ganglion neuron projections to the superficial layer of cervical dorsal horn.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a micro-opioid receptor agonist DAMGO (Tyr-d-Ala-Gly-NMe-Phe-Gly-ol) on the excitability of trigeminal root ganglion (TRG) neurons, projecting onto the superficial layer of the cervical dorsal horn, by using the perforated-patch technique and to determine whether TRG neurons show the expression of mRNA or functional protein for micro-opioid receptors by using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. TRG neurons projecting onto the superficial layer of the cervical dorsal horn were retrogradely labeled with Fluorogold (FG). The cell diameter of FG-labeled TRG neurons was small (<30 microm). Under voltage-clamp (V(h)=-60 mV), voltage-dependent K(+) currents were recorded in the TRG neurons and isolated by blocking Na(+) and Ca(2+) currents with appropriate ion replacement. Separation of the K(+) current components was achieved by the response to variation in the conditioning voltage. Two distinct K(+) current components, a transient (I(A)) and sustained (I(K)), were identified. DAMGO significantly increased I(A) by 57% (20 microM) and in a dose-dependent manner (1-50 microM). Similarly, I(K) was also enhanced by DAMGO administration (42%, 20 microM). The augmentation of both I(A) and I(K) was antagonized by a micro-opioid receptor antagonist, CTOP (d-Phe-Cys-Thr-d-Trp-Orn-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH(2)). Hyperpolarization of the membrane potential was elicited by DAMGO (20 microM) and the response was associated with a decrease in the input resistance. DAMGO induced hyperpolarization was blocked by CTOP. DAMGO-sensitive I(A) and I(K) currents were antagonized by K(+) channel blockers, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and tetraethylammonium (TEA). In the presence of both 4-AP and TEA, no significant changes in membrane potential induced by DAMGO application were observed. In the presence of BaCl(2), DAMGO evoked hyperpolarization with decreased resistance was observed. The firing rate of action potentials and the first spike duration induced by depolarizing step pulses were decreased in the presence of DAMGO. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated the expression of mRNA for micro-opioid receptors in the trigeminal ganglia. The micro-opioid receptor immunoreactivity was expressed in the small diameter FG-labeled TRG neurons. These results suggest that the activation of micro-opioid receptors inhibits the excitability of rat small diameter TRG neurons projecting on the superficial layer of the cervical dorsal horn and this inhibition is mediated by potentiation of voltage-dependent K(+) currents. We therefore concluded that modulation of nociceptive transmission in the trigeminal system, resulting in the functional activation of micro-opioid receptors, occurs at the level of small TRG cell bodies and/or their primary afferent terminals, which contribute to opioid analgesia in the trigeminal pain.

Analgesics, Opioid↗
PubMed2004

Critical evaluation of alpha1- and beta2-microglobulins in urine as markers of cadmium-induced tubular dysfunction.

The purpose of the study was to examine the validity of alpha1-microglobulin (alpha1-MG) in comparison with popularly used beta2-microglobulin (beta2-MG). A database was revisited to select ca. 7,500 spot urine samples (of adequate urine density) from non-pregnant, non-lactating and never-smoking adult women. The validity of the MGs was examined in terms of stability of the MG-uria prevalence in urine samples of various creatinine (CR or cr) concentration or specific gravity (SG or sg). Comparisons were made for MGs as observed (e.g., alpha1-MGob), as corrected for CR (e.g., alpha1-MGcr) and as corrected for SG of 1.016 (e.g., alpha1-MGsg). A cut-off value of 5.7 mg/g cr (or mg/l) for alpha1-MG was deduced from a cut-off value of 400 microg/g cr (or mcirog/l) for beta2-MG, because the correlation between alpha1-MGcr and beta2-MGcr was statistically significant. The prevalence of a 1-MGsg-uria was essentially unchanged (i.e., from a low of 13.6% to a high of 17.0%, or 1.2 times) except for in very dense or very thin urine samples, in contrast, beta2-MGcr-uria showed a substantial increase (from 0.0% to 2.8% with an infinite rate) as a reverse function of a decrease in CR in urine. The prevalence of uncorrected markers, i.e., alpha1-MGob-uria and beta2-MGob-uria, showed even greater CR- or SG-dependent changes. Thus, it appeared prudent to consider a alpha-MGsg rather than beta2-MGcr as a marker of tubular dysfunction among a general population with various urine density.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Human intestinal epithelial cell-derived interleukin (IL)-18, along with IL-2, IL-7 and IL-15, is a potent synergistic factor for the proliferation of intraepithelial lymphocytes.

Intestinal epithelial cell (IEC)-derived cytokines, such as stem cell factor (SCF), interleukin (IL)-7 and IL-15 are known to be required for the development of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs). A newly described cytokine, IL-18, has also been shown to be produced by intestinal epithelial cells. To demonstrate the functional effects of IL-18 on human IELs, we assessed IL-18/IL-18 receptor expression in IEC/IEL and proliferation following stimulation of intestinal IELs by IL-18. IL-18 transcripts were detected both in freshly isolated human colonic epithelial cells and in various colonic epithelial cell lines. IL-18 protein was also detected by ELISA and flow cytometric analysis using antihuman IL-18-specific monoclonal antibody (MoAb). Furthermore, IELs constitutively expressed the IL-18 receptor in addition to the IL-2 and IL-7 receptors. More importantly, IL-18 augmented significant proliferative responses of IEL in combination with IL-2, IL-7 and IL-15 both in the presence and in absence of anti-CD3 MoAb. These results suggest that IL-18 might play a crucial role in the proliferation and maintenance of intestinal IELs.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed2004

Dementia associated mental and behavioural disturbances in elderly people in the community: findings from the first Nakayama study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of mental and behavioural disturbances associated with dementia in elderly people living in the Japanese community of Nakayama. METHODS: A door to door three phase population survey was carried out on all persons aged 65 years and older living at home. The study included a psychiatric interview, neurological and neuropsychological examination, and cranial computed tomography. Participants with dementia were rated on the neuropsychiatric inventory. RESULTS: Of 1438 inhabitants, 1162 (81.0%) completed the protocol. The prevalence of dementia was 4.8%. Of the 60 participants with dementia (Alzheimer's disease 35%, vascular dementia 47%, and dementia from other causes 17%), 53 (88.3%) had shown one or more mental and behavioural disturbances. Apathy/indifference (56.7%), followed by agitation/aggression (35%), aberrant motor behaviour (31.7%), and irritability (31.7%) were the common symptoms. More productive (positive) symptoms such as delusions and aberrant motor behaviour were found in the Alzheimer group than in the vascular dementia group. CONCLUSIONS: A wide range of dementia associated mental and behavioural disturbances developed in the majority of community dwelling individuals with dementia. The findings suggest that a screening programme focusing on identifying these symptoms should be included in the physician's diagnostic tools for dementia.

Affect↗