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Biomedical subjects

M Taniguchi

Publications and source records attributed to M Taniguchi.

At least 559 records · Page 31Linked to original sources

Quality control program on biological monitoring by Japan Federation of Occupational Health Organizations.

Since 1980, the Japan Federation of Occupational Health Organizations has been conducting an external quality control survey for biological monitoring under a contract with the Ministry of Labour of the Japanese Government. The number of participating organizations has increased from 91 in 1980 to 179 in 1987. The items in the program were lead and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin concentrations in blood, and lead, coproporphyrin, delta-aminolevulinic acid, chromium, hippuric acid, methylhippuric acid, total trichloro-compounds, mandelic acid, and phenol concentrations in urine. Evaluation was based on a scoring system. The scores were on the slope of major axis for probable ellipse, the slope of regression line, square root of error mean square for regression, performance indices, and the difference between 'true' and observed values of each sample. There was a gradual improvement in the evaluation scores as a function of time. The improvement was paralleled by the adoption of modern analytical methods such as flameless atomic absorption spectrometry for blood-lead measurement and high-performance liquid chromatography for urinary hippuric acid determination in many participants. These methods are simple in operation and reliable in performance. It was considered very probable that the program promoted the adoption.

Environmental Monitoring↗

A bacteriological study of perforated duodenal ulcers.

Peritoneal fluid sampling and bacteriological examination were performed in 63 patients with perforated duodenal ulcers, and the results compared with those in 175 patients with other perforations. Bacterial culture was positive in 100 per cent of the patients whose perforations occurred in the colon, whereas it was positive in only 44.4 per cent of those with duodenal perforations, being negative in many cases when the interval from perforation to surgery was short. A mixed contamination with both aerobes and anaerobes was usually found in the cases of lower digestive tract perforation, and the isolates from duodenal perforations were uniquely aerobes in most cases. It is suggested that bacteria play a minor role in the pathogenesis of early stage duodenal perforation, which supports the technique of primary closure without indwelling drainage tubes during early stage operations following sufficient peritoneal lavage. Moreover, if the stomach is empty at the time of perforation and the peritonitis is localized, even conservative therapy seems possible, provided it is begun shortly after the perforation.

Adolescent↗

Application of reversibly soluble polymers in bioprocessing.

Reversibly soluble polyelectrolytes, whose solubility in aqueous solutions is dependent on factors such as pH or ionic strength, may be used as supports for enzymes or affinity ligands. Their dual nature may be exploited to take advantage of the soluble form during, for example, enzymatic reactions, and the insoluble form during downstream processing operations for enzyme or product recovery.

Biotechnology↗

High-dose-rate intraluminal brachytherapy for esophageal cancer: 10 years experience in Hyogo College of Medicine.

From May 1980 through December 1989, 148 patients with thoracic esophageal cancer were treated with high-dose-rate intraluminal brachytherapy (HDRIBT) following external radiotherapy (ERT). The standard treatment protocol was 60 Gy/6 weeks of ERT and 12 Gy/1 week of HDRIBT. The patients were divided into two groups according to disease stage. Sixty-six patients had limited disease (LD), and 82 patients had extensive disease (ED). The 2-year survival rate was 37% in LD group, and 7% in ED group. The 5-year survival rate of LD group was 18%. The 1- and 2-year actuarial local control rate was 66% and 64% in LD group, and 49% and 45% in ED group, respectively. In the total patients, ulceration, stricture, and fistula were found in 42 (28%), 15 (10%) and 6 (4%) patients, respectively; however, major complication defined as one resulting in a second hospitalization or requiring surgical intervention was 3 of the 42 patients with ulceration, 1 of the 15 patients with stricture, and all of the six patients with fistula. As to cause of death, local failure, local failure with distant metastasis, distant metastasis, intercurrent disease, and unknown reason was 14, 6, 15, 16 and 0 in LD group, and 13, 24, 30, 9 and 1 in ED group, respectively. The technique and method of combined treatment are described in detail.

Brachytherapy↗

High-dose-rate intraluminal brachytherapy for bile duct carcinoma after surgery.

Five patients with recurrent or residual bile duct carcinoma after surgery were treated with high-dose-rate intraluminal brachytherapy (HDRIBT) using a remote afterloader. External radiotherapy was also given in three cases. HDRIBT is considered to be an effective mode of radiotherapy for residual or recurrent bile duct tumors.

Bile Duct Neoplasms↗

Radiotherapy for carcinoma of the esophagus in patients aged eighty or older.

Between 1980 and 1988, 206 patients with esophageal cancer were treated initially with radiotherapy. The patients were classified into three groups according to age. Ninety-four patients aged 43-69 years comprised Group A, 83 patients aged 70-79 years comprised Group B, and 29 patients aged 80-86 years comprised Group C. There were no statistically significant differences in background factors between Groups A, B, and C, except for the sex ratio. The male:female ratio was 7.5:1 in Group A, 3.9:1 in Group B, and 1.9:1 in Group C, with the difference between Groups A and C being statistically significant (p less than 0.05). High-dose-rate intracavitary irradiation (HDRII) with or without external irradiation (EI) was performed in 64%, 69%, and 83% of the patients from Groups A, B, and C, respectively. Patients in Groups A, B, and C achieved CR in 23%, 24%, and 34% of cases following radiotherapy. Two- and 5-year survival rates were 16.7% and 6.7% in Group A, 17.2% and 6.0% in Group B, and 27.1% and 20.3% in Group C. No significant differences were found in the patterns of failure and in the radiation-induced injuries between the three groups. Our data suggested that radiotherapy was the treatment of first choice for patients 80 years old and older.

Adult↗

High-dose-rate intraluminal brachytherapy (HDRIBT) for esophageal cancer.

High-dose-rate intraluminal brachytherapy (HDRIBT) for patients with esophageal cancer has been performed with and without external radiotherapy (ERT) in our department since May 1980. From May 1980 through December 1986, 92 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were treated with HDRIBT following ERT. These patients were divided into a limited disease (LD) group and an extensive disease (ED) group. Complete response and partial response rates after treatment were 48% and 38% in the LD group, and 9% and 65% in the ED group, respectively. The median survival time and 2-year survival rate was 13 months and 39% in the LD group, and 8.5 months and 7% in the ED group, respectively. The 5-year survival was 17% in the LD group. HDRIBT without ERT was used to treat six patients with small, superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma from August 1987 through July 1988. No patients were candidates for surgery because of coexisting medical problems. Each patient received 6 Gy per treatment, twice weekly with a total of 24 Gy; five of the six patients were treated on an outpatient basis. The tumor had disappeared completely in all six patients at the time of first follow-up endoscopic study less than 1 month after treatment, and no local recurrence had occurred after 11 to 22 months in five of the six patients. Five of the six patients were alive after 11 to 22 months, and one died with mediastinal metastasis at 15 months.

Aged↗

Double-step and inverse polymerase chain reaction for sensitive detection and cloning of T cell receptor variable region sequences.

We have developed a sensitive and rapid method for detection and cloning of cDNA amplified by double-step and inverse polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. The blunt-ended double-strand cDNA libraries were circularized with T4 ligase and subsequently amplified by double-step PCR with two sets of primers of outward orientation (at amounts of 1-10 pmol in the first step and 100 pmol in the second step) which hybridize with the known region of the target DNA. This method is useful for analysis of the repertoires of TCR or immunoglobulins, in particular TCR alpha-chains, which are encoded by a single known constant region gene and greater than 100 unknown variable and joining region gene segments. By using this method, we detected at least 10(4) copies of TCR alpha-chain transcripts in the original samples which are equivalent to 10(3) T cells. The use of 1-10 ng of cytoplasmic RNA allowed us to make approximately 10(3) independent TCR alpha-chain libraries and to determine the sequence of unknown TCR alpha-chain cDNA by this method. We also show the frequency of a TCR alpha-chain usage in naive spleen and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.

Animals↗

Monoclonal antibody against murine T cell receptor V alpha 14 cross-reacts with human CD3 epsilon and detects disulfide-linked dimeric form.

A monoclonal antibody against V14+ alpha-chain of murine T cell receptor (TCR) was established by fusing spleen cells from a rat immunized with a soluble chimeric TCR/IgG3 protein containing murine TCR V alpha 14J alpha 281 in place of the VHDHJH of an IgG3. lambda 1, and subjected to screening on a human transfectant (Jurkat variant) expressing the murine V14J281 alpha-chain. The anti-mouse V alpha 14 antibody precipitated TCR alpha beta molecules from Triton X-100-solubilized extracts of 125I-labeled murine thymocytes and spleen cells. Unexpectedly, the antibody showed cross-reactivity to the human CD3 epsilon molecule and detected a disulfide-linked 20 kDa dimeric form of human CD3 epsilon, which is a novel family component of the CD3 complex and is associated closely with the CD3 zeta-zeta homodimer as well as TCR alpha beta or TCR gamma delta.

Animals↗

Autoreactive T-cell clones which suppress cytotoxic T cell responses.

Autoreactive T-cell clones (Thy 1+, CD4+, CD3+) which suppress generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) were established in long-term in vitro culture by stimulation with GM3-liposomes or soluble melanoma (B16) antigen composed of GM3. The T-cell receptors (TCR) of two representative clones analyzed used the same TCR alpha- and V13+ beta-chains. The clones produce only interferon gamma(IFN-gamma) but not interleukins (IL)2 and 4, despite their CD4+ phenotype, suggesting that they are not a typical TH1 or TH2 type. The clones are effectively stimulated by IFN-gamma treated (I-Ab/GM3+) B16 melanoma or I-Ab-transfected GM3+ L cells, but not by GM3-/I-Ab mutant melanoma, EL 4, or I-Ad/k-transfected L cells. This strongly suggested the involvement of GM3/class II in T-cell recognition. Antigen specificity was required for stimulation of the clones. However, once stimulated, they suppressed CTL generation in an antigen non-specific fashion. As class II+ B16 melanoma cells effectively function as antigen-presenting cells to stimulate the autoreactive suppressor T cell (Ts) clones of this type, this negative circuit between class II+ tumor cells and IFN-gamma-producing Ts would be a possible mechanism whereby tumor cells could escape the immune system.

Animals↗

Delayed hearing loss after surgery for acoustic neurinomas: clinical and electrophysiological observations.

In a series of 26 patients with medium-sized and large acoustic neurinomas and documented hearing before surgery, 7 patients had preservation of hearing initially after the procedure but then developed delayed hearing loss. The most prominent intraoperative electrophysiological finding in these cases was a gradual deterioration of brain stem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP), especially of Wave V. Four additional patients with a similar gradual intraoperative loss of BAEP and severe postoperative hearing deterioration received vasoactive treatment after surgery (low-molecular weight dextran). In all 4 patients, including 1 patient with documented total deafness after surgery, hearing was preserved. Initial preservation of cochlear nerve function after the removal of an acoustic neurinoma does not guarantee postoperative hearing. Intraoperative BAEP help to identify patients at risk for delayed postoperative hearing loss. The pathophysiological mechanism can be attributed to disturbances of the microcirculation in endoneurial vasa nervorum caused by the mechanical manipulation of the cochlear nerve.

Adult↗

Determination of effector molecules in L-arabinose-induced bulge formation and lysis of Escherichia coli IFO 3545.

L-Ribulose 5-phosphate (L-Ru5P) was identified as the primary effector molecule of L-arabinose-induced bulge formation in Escherichia coli IFO 3545 observed in nutrient broth with 5% (w/v) sodium chloride. Hyperinduction of L-arabinose isomerase was due to exogenous sodium chloride and the resulting alteration in the balance of the L-arabinose-metabolizing enzymes resulted in accumulation of L-Ru5P. L-Ru5P induced the lysis of an L-arabinose-negative, L-Ru5P 4-epimerase-less mutant, ara-207, even when directly added to the medium but was not active against the wild-type strain. Some L-arabinose-utilizing (L-arabinose-resistant) revertants of ara-207 were still sensitive to L-Ru5P, indicating the involvement of another mutation in L-Ru5P-sensitivity other than genetic lack of L-Ru5P 4-epimerase. Among the various pentose phosphate esters tested, only L-Ru5P could induce lysis of ara-207. The lytic activity of L-Ru5P was attributed to its effect on bacterial sugar nucleotide metabolism which caused secondary accumulation of uridine 5'-diphosphate galactose (UDPGal), which provoked lysis induction.

Arabinose↗

Human monoclonal antibody detects a cell surface antigen expressed on hematopoietic malignant cells of lymphoid lineage.

An antigen with a molecular weight of 150 kilodaltons expressed on certain leukemia and lymphoma cells was recognized by a human monoclonal antibody (3H12), which had been established by the fusion of lymphocytes from a small cell lung cancer patient with a mouse myeloma cell line (P3U1). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 3 out of 4 cases with lymphoid crisis of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) were positively stained by 3H12, while cells from 5 cases with myeloid crisis of CML did not react to this antibody. The antibody did not show any reactivity to cells from the chronic phase of CML, other types of leukemias or normal hematopoietic cells. We further examined 29 cell lines of hematopoietic origin and found that 2 undifferentiated cells (BV-173 and K-562) reacted to the 3H12 antibody. In addition, we found that 3 out of 6 Burkitt lymphoma cells (DAUDI, RAJI and HR1K) reacted to 3H12. Taken together, these results suggest that the antigen recognized by 3H12 is a differentiation-associated antigen expressed on immature lymphoid cells, and could potentially be a reliable cell lineage marker.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Antibacterial activity of two chalcones, xanthoangelol and 4-hydroxyderricin, isolated from the root of Angelica keiskei KOIDZUMI.

Two chalcones, xanthoangelol (I) and 4-hydroxyderricin (II), isolated from the root of Angelica keiskei KOIDZUMI (Umbelliferae) showed antibacterial activity against gram-positive pathogenic bacteria. The activity of I on Micrococcus luteus IFO-12708 (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), 0.76 microgram/ml) was the same potency as that of gentamicin, which is used as a standard. Although the activity of both chalcones on plant-pathogenic bacteria was lower than that of streptomycin sulfate, used as a positive control, they also exhibited growth-inhibitory effects. The antibacterial activity of I isolated from Angelica keiskei KOIDZUMI is being reported here for the first time. The growth-inhibitory effect of II on plant-pathogenic bacteria is also reported for the first time in this paper.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Improvement in iron deficiency anemia through therapy with ferric ammonium citrate and vitamin C and the effects of aerobic exercise.

In 781 female college students, there were 41 cases of iron deficiency anemia, 209 of latent iron deficiency, 3 of other anemias, and 528 normal cases. Fifty-four volunteers recruited from the iron deficiency anemia and severe latent iron deficiency groups were randomly divided into 4 study groups. Groups I and III received 500 mg of vitamin C daily, and groups II and IV received ferric ammonium citrate (FeAC; equivalent to 6 mg iron) in addition to vitamin C for 9 weeks. Groups I and II were loaded by aerobic exercise at 50% VO2 max. Significant differences between groups were noted in serum ferritin (SF) in III/IV, hematocrit (Ht) in II/III and III/IV, and reticulocytes (RET) in I/II, I/IV, and III/IV. Hemoglobin (Hb) and other iron-related blood indices tended to normalize in groups II and IV when compared with the pre-values. VO2 max was elevated in groups I and II regardless of iron treatment, but was augmented more in group II than group I.

Adolescent↗

Assessment of right ventricular overload by a thallium-201 SPECT study in children with congenital heart disease.

Thallium-201 planar and SPECT studies were performed in 38 children with congenital heart disease using high-resolution three-headed SPECT. The 201Tl total or average right ventricular-to-left ventricular (RV/LV) count ratios were measured by summed short-axis images. In the planar study, the RV/LV systolic pressure ratio correlated with 201Tl RV/LV average count ratio (r = 0.91) better than that in the SPECT study (r = 0.78). However, in the SPECT study, patients with atrial septal defect (n = 9), ventricular septal defect (n = 13), tetralogy of Fallot and double outlet right ventricle (n = 6) showed a characteristic distribution in the plot of RV/LV pressure ratio versus 201Tl RV/LV total count ratio. A prospective study showed that the RV/LV average count ratio was a good predictor of RV/LV pressure ratio (n = 19, r = 0.91). Three-headed SPECT is useful for pediatric cardiac studies, and the overload types found in congenital heart disease seemed to be differentiated by the SPECT study.

Adolescent↗