Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M Sakamoto.
The in vivo pathogenicity of canine parvovirus (CPV) type 2c (strain V203) and of CPV type 2a (strain V154) against cats was investigated. Our results indicate that both types of CPV have the potential to induce disease in cats.
We have previously reported that long-term treatment with clarithromycin (CAM) increased the median survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer, and improved various clinical parameters in these patients. In the present study, CAM was administered to 33 patients with unresectable primary non-small cell lung cancer, who had received chemotherapy, radiotherapy or both (basic cancer therapy). Patients with clinical backgrounds matched to the CAM group, who did not receive CAM treatment, were included into this study as a control group (non-CAM group). CAM treatment was initiated 4 weeks after the basic cancer therapy. The non-CAM group did not receive a placebo. Before and after the 3-month treatment with CAM, body weight, serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6, a cytokine which, together with TNF-alpha, plays a crucial role in the development of cancer cachexia), total protein, albumin, cholinesterase and hemoglobin were measured for the evaluation of the patients' clinical status. There were no statistically significant differences in serum levels of IL-6 between the CAM group before the treatment and the non-CAM group. After 3 months of CAM treatment, serum levels of IL-6 significantly decreased. In contrast, body weight, cholinesterase, and hemoglobin increased to a significant extent. Among these four parameters, however, the decrease in serum IL-6 levels was only statistically correlated with the increase in body weight, but not with that in other parameters. Furthermore, CAM-treated patients whose serum IL-6 levels were decreased after 3 months of treatment survived longer: there was a statistically significant correlation between the decrease in serum IL-6 and survival time. In contrast, in the non-CAM group, these parameters did not change significantly during the study. These results suggest that CAM may reduce the progression of cancer-associated cachexia.
Eight phenolic compounds including two new lignan glucopyranosides together with a known alkaloid were isolated from the stems of Cynomorium songaricum RUPR. (Cynomoriaceae). Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral and chemical evidence. The chemotaxonomic significance of these metabolites is discussed.
BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to identify Treponema socranskii in addition to Treponema denticola and Porphyromonas gingivalis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and to clarify the relationship between the presence of these microorganisms and the severity of clinical periodontal parameters. METHODS: Saliva and subgingival plaque collected from 123 subjects (38 aggressive periodontitis patients, 65 chronic periodontitis patients, 20 healthy patients) were subjected to PCR to detect the aforementioned 3 microorganisms. RESULTS: Detection frequencies of T. socranskii, T. denticola, and P. gingivalis in plaque samples from aggressive periodontitis patients (71.1%, 73.7%, 84.2%, respectively) and chronic periodontitis patients (89.2%, 93.8%, 95.3%) were much higher than those from healthy subjects (30%, 5.0%, 10.0%). In aggressive and chronic periodontitis patients, these 3 species of bacteria were detected frequently at sites that showed deep periodontal pockets and severe attachment loss. The percentage of these bacteria-positive sites increased as the gingival index score of chronic periodontitis patients increased. T. socranskii was frequently detected together with T. denticola or P. gingivalis at the same sites, and coexistence of these microorganisms was frequently observed in deep periodontal pockets of aggressive periodontitis patients. CONCLUSIONS: T. socranskii, T. denticola, and P. gingivalis were frequently detected in periodontitis patients by PCR. The prevalence of these 3 microorganisms was correlated with various clinical parameters. Taken together, our findings suggest that T. socranskii, T. denticola, and P. gingivalis are associated with the severity of periodontal tissue destruction.
The case was a 51-year-old man, who has been undergoing treatment with oral medication for hypertension for three years. The patient was admitted to the author's clinic for hemorrhage in the left putamen. He was diagnosed as having primary pheochromocytoma of the bladder from such symptoms as paroxysmal blood pressure elevation after urination, mild increase in catecholamine levels before and after urination, and from the results of 131I-MIBG scintigraphy, and cystoscopy, and underwent excision of the bladder tumor. Upon endocrinological examination, only mild increases in catecholamine levels were found. Therefore, constant monitoring of blood pressure and 131I-MIBG scintigraphy were useful for a definitive diagnose.
OBJECTIVE: Diabetes associated with autoimmune chronic pancreatitis (ACP) is a subtype of diabetes that is responsive to corticosteroid treatment of progressive endocrine and exocrine dysfunction. However, little is known about pathological changes of islet and exocrine pancreas in ACP. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We examined pancreatic specimens obtained on biopsy from four diabetic men with ACP (mean [range]: age 62 years [48-78], duration of ACP 3 months [1-5], duration of diabetes 1 month [0-3]) morphologically, immunohistochemically, and morphometrically. RESULTS: The pancreatic specimens in all cases exhibited inflammatory cell infiltration surrounding ductal cells and extensive fibrosis. Some islets were infiltrated with mononuclear cells with disrupted beta-cells. The subsets of T-cells infiltrated to the islets were mainly CD8(+). Islet beta-cell volume was decreased; the mean percentage area of beta-cells in the islets in four cases with ACP were 16% (range 13-20) (P = 0.0015 vs. type 2 diabetic patients, 48% [27-73], n = 8; P = 0.0002 vs. nondiabetic control subjects, 58% [39-77], n = 7). Preserved ductal cells were surrounded predominantly by CD8(+) or CD4(+) T-cells. Some cytokeratin 19-positive ductal cells contained insulin and glucagon, representing upregulated differentiation of islet cells from ductal cells. Insulin promoter factor-1 (IPF-1) was hyperexpressed in insulin-containing ductal cells. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes associated with ACP is caused by T-cell-mediated mechanisms primarily involving islet beta-cells as well as pancreatic ductal cells. In ACP, ductal islet precursor cells were associated with IPF-1 hyperexpression, suggesting a critical role of IPF-1 on islet cell differentiation and eventual beta-cell restoration.
Few genes related to carcinogenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been identified to date. In the present study, we report the cloning and characterization of a novel gene, DRH1, which is frequently down-regulated in HCC. The full-length DRH1 clone contains an open reading frame of 1257 nucleotides encoding 419 amino acids. The deduced DRH1 protein shows 41% identity to VDUP1, expression of which is rapidly induced by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. The DRH1 gene was localized to chromosome 15, and DRH1 protein was mainly observed in the cytoplasm of transiently transfected cells. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR analysis showed that the expression level of DRH1 was reduced in 29 of 35 (83%) HCCs compared with corresponding noncancerous liver tissue. The average (mean +/- SE) ratio of DRH1 expression level in tumor to corresponding noncancerous tissue was significantly different between well, moderately, and poorly differentiated HCCs (1.15 +/- 0.23, 0.69 +/- 0.10, and 0.19 +/- 0.04, respectively) and between HCCs without and with vascular invasion (0.94 +/- 0.16 and 0.46 +/- 0.07, respectively). These results indicate that the down-regulation of DRH1 occurs not at an early stage but rather at a late stage of HCC progression. Although the function of DRH1 protein is still unknown, our findings suggest that DRH1 is related to the progression of HCC and may provide a new prognostic factor.
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UNLABELLED: The prevalence rates of food allergy and atopic dermatitis in low birthweight infants were evaluated. In Fukuoka City, Japan, between July 1994 and September 1997, sufficient information including birthweight, gestational age, sex, feeding method and a history of food allergy was obtained from questionnaires at the well-baby check-ups of 21766 infants (18 mo of age) and 4378 children (3 y of age). All the children were examined by pediatricians with regard to the existence of atopic dermatitis. The prevalence rate (8.1%) of food allergy in infants with low birthweight (<2,500 g) was significantly lower than that (11.2%) in infants with normal birthweight (> or = 2,500 g) at 18 mo of age (p = 0.0002). Atopic dermatitis was also observed at a lower prevalence rate (1.2%) in infants with low birthweight than in those with normal birthweight (2.3%) at the same age (p = 0.0041). However, this significance was lost at 3 y of age. Other characteristics including male sex and breast-feeding showed independent risks for the development of food allergy and atopic dermatitis at both ages. CONCLUSION: This study found that low birthweight was significantly associated with a lower risk of both food allergy and atopic dermatitis at 18 mo of age.
PURPOSE: We examined the walking habits of the participants in the 'AIREF Spring Walk' which was held on March 9, 1997 in the western suburb of Fukuoka City. The aim of this walking event was to motivate the citizens, especially sedentary people, to walk by providing them an opportunity to enjoy walking. METHODS: The participants walked one of three distances (5 km, 10 km or 20 km) and answered anonymously a questionnaire immediately after finishing (100% response rare). The questionnaire items covered sex, age, district of residence, the distance of the walking course, the source of information on the event, experience of participating in other walking events in the past, and walking habits. RESULTS: The participants of this event (n = 1,039, mean age 49.4 +/- 18.9 [SD] years) were characterized by high rates for females (67%), those aged < 50 years (42%), residents of Fukuoka City (89%), those who chose to walk the shorter courses of 5 or 10 km (74%), and those who took part in a walking event for the first time (61%). Information on the event was obtained through other people (32%) such as friends, acquaintances, members of community walking groups or other family members, leaflets (21%) placed in the Fukuoka Health Promotion Center and seven Fukuoka City public health centers; a newspaper published biweekly by the municipal government (13%); and direct mail (11%). For those attending the 5 km course, more participants learned about the event through other family members compared with the other two courses. Participants who answered that they walked regularly constituted 56% of those aged 20 years or older. The rates for regular walkers significantly increased with the older participants (p < 0.01) and those who chose longer courses (p < 0.001). Compared with the regular walkers, those without a walking habit tended to have acquired information on the event from friends, acquaintances or other family members, or at their work sites (35%). The average amount of time spent was 249 +/- 175 min/week (n = 375). As a whole, only 30% of the participants aged 20 years or older walked longer than the amount of time for aerobic exercise recommended by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry (HLWM). The rate for those who reached the HLWM recommendations was increased in older subject (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the aim of the walking event was partly accomplished, which was reflected by the relatively high rates of participation sedentary for people, compared with other large walking events. The sedentary participants tended to choose the relatively short distances and obtain the information about the event through other people. Walking promotion programs should be developed to motivate sedentary citizens to walk. The programs should also support regular walkers, many of whom are 50 years old or older, to maintain walking habits with the HLWM recommendations on aerobic exercise.
1. Implementation of a medical/health surveillance program can prevent the damaging effects of lead toxicity. Lead toxicity may be a result of acute or chronic exposure and can affect the hematopoietic, nervous, renal, and reproductive systems. 2. Minority groups tend to be overrepresented in lead industries. Further, an increase in high lead levels can be compounded by cultural influences. Education must be geared toward the specific employee populations. 3. Successful programs require assistance from all team members--occupational health nurse, safety engineer, industrial hygienist, and environmental engineer. Occupational health nurses play an important role in implementation of medical/health surveillance programs by scheduling regular blood testing, monitoring results, and educating employees.
Mitral valve replacement was performed successfully on a 68-year-old patient who had undergone right pneumonectomy and thoracoplasty 41 years earlier. Preoperative pulmonary function tests revealed poor results; the forced vital capacity was 950 ml (28.0% of the predicted value) and the forced expiratory volume in 1 second was 750 ml (28.9% of the predicted value). Despite such poor pulmonary function, the patient tolerated the operation well and led uneventful course. Careful perioperative management to prevent pulmonary edema and aggressive postoperative pulmonary toilet to facilitate recovery of the pulmonary function seem important.
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An outbreak of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in a dormitory of construction laborers took place, and this outbreak was presumed to be caused by the same sourse of infection, based on the results of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and other findings. After the first patient was admitted to the hospital with active TB, 18 new other TB patients were discovered by repeated contacts examinations. They were all male and single, and were aged from 41 to 67 years old (mean age 51.7). Among 19 patients, only 4 patients had a health insurance. As these patients lived together in the same dormitory, to prevent infection through close contact in the dormitory, repeated contacts examinations were further performed. In addition, several medical, social, and economical interventions were needed for these patients. It was also required to improve labor conditions in this construction company. It was concluded that comprehensive approaches including public health, medical treatment, social welfare, and labor management aspects were indispensable to prevent TB among relatively poor laborers.
Gene expression profiles were analyzed by using cDNA microarray for a cisplatin-sensitive cell line (KF), and three- and thirty-fold cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cell lines (KFr and KFrP200) both showing no p53 mutation within exon 5, 6, 7, 8 and no pglycoprotein overexpression. Expression of GST-pi mRNA increased as the level of resistance to cisplatin became high. Microarray analysis revealed that DNA repair associated genes, i.e., XRCC5, XRCC6, ERCC5, hMLH1 were over-expressed in three-fold cisplatin-resistant cell line, KFr as compared to cisplatin-sensitive parental cell line, KF. Apoptosis inhibitors, i.e., IGFR type I and II were over-expressed, and apoptosis inducer, i.e., caspase 3 and BAK were underexpressed in highly cisplatin-resistant cell line, KFrP200 as compared to KFr. As for clinical cases, cDNA microarray was used to compare gene expression profiles directly between two groups, i.e., the chemotherapy (CAP) sensitive group (n = 2) and the resistant group (n = 2). Six genes such as beta tubulin, high-mobility group (nonhistone chromosomal) protein 1, connective tissue growth factor, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2, alpha tubulin, and RAS-related gene were overexpressed in CAP therapy resistance group, whereas seven genes such as CD9 antigen, alpha-2-macroglobulin, caveolin 2, interleukin 1 receptor antagonist, Rho GTPase activating protein 1, reticulon 3, cyclin-dependent kinase 10, keratin 7 were underexpressed in CAP therapy resistance group. By increasing clinical case number and gene number of microarray to be used in the analysis of expression profile of gene cluster affecting anticancer drug resistance and sensitivity of the ovarian cancer, it would be possible to apply microarray analysis to personalization of chemotherapy such as selection of effective chemotherapy protocol and prediction of therapeutic effect in the near future.
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