Painless and safe subcutaneous catheter for injection of various cytokines in patients with hematological disorders.
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Adolescent↗
Biomedical subjects
M Okano
Publications and source records attributed to M Okano.
Therapeutic approaches for severe Epstein-Barr virus infection.
Epstein-Barr virus, (EBV) is one of the eight known human herpesviruses and is associated with diseases in a spectrum from benign to lethal. Until recently, there has been no definite treatment for severe EBV infection. However, many therapeutic approaches have been attempted, and some of them seem to be beneficial for a certain EBV-associated disease. This review introduces them and provides a more rational basis for the treatment of severe EBV infection.
Antiviral Agents↗
The X-linked lymphoproliferative disease: from autopsy toward cloning the gene 1975-1990.
Although X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP) is rare (1-2 males per 1 x 10(6)), it serves as a model for discerning diverse diseases caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) ranging from agammaglobulinemia to fatal infectious mononucleosis following infection with the virus. The study of patients with XLP has also paved the way to understanding how EBV induce diseases in children with primary immunodeficiency diseases, organ transplant recipients, and those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This review is dedicated to the memory of Gordon Vawter, M.D., who generously provided insights into the causes of pathogenesis of immune deficiency and lymphoproliferative disorders.
Autopsy↗
Junction complexes of endothelial cells in atherosclerosis-prone and atherosclerosis-resistant regions on flow dividers of brachiocephalic bifurcations in the rabbit aorta.
To determine how hemodynamic forces influence the permeability of endothelial cells, we observed the composition of junction complexes of the endothelial cells at the flow dividers of bifurcations of the aorta in normolipidemic and hyperlipidemic rabbits by a freeze-fractured replica method. We found that the leading edge of the brachiocephalic flow dividers exposed to high shear stress in a laminar fashion was nonsudanophilic and was covered by long fusiform endothelial cells predominantly showing continuous tight junctions, rather than discontinuous forms, and smooth, regular gap junctions. In contrast, the "hip" of the brachiocephalic flow dividers, a region of relatively low shear stress, was sudanophilic, and was covered by ellipsoidal cells. The tight junctions were primarily discontinuous and the gap junctions had an irregular shape. These findings suggest that exposure of the arterial wall to a relatively low wall shear stress, rather than to high shear stress, may functionally activate the endothelial cells, increasing intercellular permeability. These events may increase the vulnerability of these regions of the vessel to atherosclerosis.
Animals↗
Advancement of medial rectus muscle to the original insertion for consecutive exotropia.
Twenty-four patients who underwent surgery to correct consecutive exotropia that developed iatrogenically after surgical overcorrection were studied retrospectively. All patients underwent single or bilateral advancement of the medial rectus muscle to the original muscle insertion. The mean preoperative exodeviation was 26.7 prism diopters at distance and 35.2 delta at near. Postoperatively, in cases receiving advancement of a single medial rectus, the mean amount of correction was 23.2 delta at distance and 29.6 delta at near. In cases receiving bilateral medial rectus advancement, the mean amount of postoperative correction was 26.3 delta at distance and 39.8 delta at near. Adduction deficiency was normalized in five patients (71%), while convergence insufficiency was improved in only nine patients (45%) after surgery. Twelve (50%) patients had binocular single vision at distance on a normal or abnormal basis as determined by the Bagolini lens test.
Adolescent↗
[Decreased blink frequency in myotonic dystrophy].
We counted spontaneous eye blink rate in 11 myotonic dystrophy (MD) patients. Seven healthy subjects as well as 10 Parkinson disease (PD) and 7 facio-scapulo-humeral dystrophy (FSH) patients were used as controls. Blink frequency was significantly decreased in MD and PD patients (7.6 +/- 4.9/min in average and 11.0 +/- 7.5/min, respectively), compared with healthy subjects and FSH patients (17.5 +/- 4.3/min and 17.3 +/- 9.9/min, respectively). Normal blink frequency in FSH suggests that the facial muscle weakness is not responsible for decreased blink frequency in MD. This observation is compatible with prolonged R1 latency in blink reflex in MD, suggesting a dysfunction of central mechanism of blink control system as in the case of PD, although there remains a possibility that the myotonia in levator palpebrae muscles disturbs blinking.
Adolescent↗
Presence and characterization of sensitization to staphylococcal enterotoxins in patients with allergic rhinitis.
Exotoxins derived from Staphylococcus aureus appear to be involved in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases, especially atopic dermatitis (AD). However, little is known about sensitization to enterotoxins in cases of respiratory allergies. Because the nasal cavity is a primary site of colonization by S. aureus, we sought to determine the prevalence and role of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies against staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) and SEB in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). The presence of SEA- and SEB-specific IgE was determined in 40 patients with AR and 16 healthy control subjects. In the rhinitis group, nasal symptom score, total serum IgE, sensitization to other inhaled allergens and the presence of sinusitis were determined. Twenty-five percent of patients with AR were sensitized to SEA/SEB whereas 6.3% of controls were sensitized to the toxins. Sensitization to SEB was predominant relative to SEA. There were no significant differences in the severity of nasal symptoms and complications of other allergic diseases including AD and bronchial asthma, between patients with or without sensitization to SEA/SEB. However, patients sensitized to these toxins were likely to show increased total serum IgE and polyvalent sensitization, suggesting that exposure and subsequent sensitization to SEA/SEB may be involved in polyvalent sensitization.
Adolescent↗
A neonatal case of hydranencephaly caused by atheromatous plaque obstruction of aortic arch: possible association with a congenital cytomegalovirus infection?
A neonate was seen with hydranencephaly and aortic arch obstruction possibly caused by congenital cytomegalovirus infection. At autopsy the aortic arch was occluded by atheromatous plaque between the right brachiocephalic artery and left common carotid artery. Congenital cytomegalovirus infection may have caused cardiovascular disease and hydranencephaly in this case.
Aorta, Thoracic↗
Germinoma arising in the basal ganglia in early stage: CT and MR findings.
We report a patient with a germinoma originating in the left basal ganglia. Unenhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed a relatively well-defined high-density lesion, which was slightly enhanced with contrast medium. No tumor stain was noted on angiography. The mass showed hypointensity on T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and heterogeneous hyperintensity on T2-weighted imaging. The lesion was homogeneously enhanced after the administration of Gd-DTPA. To our knowledge, the MR findings of basal ganglia germinoma have been retrospectively reviewed in just four reported cases, only two of which were examined with Gd-DTPA enhancement. The two cases revealed relatively large masses with cysts and peritumoral edema, and were slightly enhanced after the intravenous injection of Gd-DTPA. Our case was thought to be in the early stage, and its CT and MR findings were slightly different from those of previously reported cases.
Basal Ganglia Diseases↗