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Biomedical subjects

N Nagata

Publications and source records attributed to N Nagata.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

A case of steroid-responsive organizing pneumonia in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis showing migratory infiltration and normal glucose levels in pleural effusions.

A 59-year-old Japanese man with RA was referred to us with arthralgia and pulmonary infiltration. Chest roentgenogram showed migratory infiltration and pleural effusion, the glucose levels of the pleural fluid were not reduced. Transbronchial lung biopsy showed granulation tissue plugging the alveolar ducts, indicating organizing pneumonia and interstitial inflammation. These pathological findings were identical with those for cryptogenic organizing pneumonitis (COP). There was a good clinical and roentgenographic response and the pleural effusion responded well to corticosteroids. The characteristic migratory infiltration in rheumatoid lung disease responds well to corticosteroids.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Dipyridamole-provoked chest pain implies severe coronary artery disease in children.

The diagnostic significance of dipyridamole-provoked chest pain was studied in 17 children with severe coronary arterial stenotic lesions (CAL) complicated with Kawasaki disease. Although dipyridamole induced chest pain in seven patients (symptomatic group), 10 reported no pain (asymptomatic group). In the asymptomatic group, seven children had one vessel disease (1 VD) of right coronary artery (RCA) and the other three had two vessel disease (2 VD) involving the RCA and left anterior descending artery (LAD). Four multivessel disease patients, one three vessel disease (3VD) and three 2VD of LAD and RCA, and three 1VD of LAD, were symptomatic. In the thallium scans, all patients, except two of the asymptomatic group, showed perfusion abnormalities. In addition, the extent score of the symptomatic group was significantly worse than that of the asymptomatic group (P = 0.01). While only one in six of the asymptomatic group showed abnormal ST depression on treadmill exercise electrocardiography, all patients in the symptomatic group (P = 0.02) showed ischemic ST depression. These findings suggest that the occurrence of chest pain after medication with dipyridamole closely correlates with the severity of CAL in children.

Adolescent↗

Profile of capsaicin-induced mouse ear oedema as neurogenic inflammatory model: comparison with arachidonic acid-induced ear oedema.

1. We have investigated the mechanism of capsaicin-induced mouse ear oedema compared with that of arachidonic acid (AA)-induced ear oedema, and evaluated the possible involvement of neuropeptides in the development of capsaicin-induced oedema. 2. Topical application of capsaicin (0.1-1.0 mg per ear) to the ear of mice produced immediate vasodilatation and erythema followed by the development of oedema which was maximal at 30 min after the treatment. This oedema was of shorter duration with less swelling than AA-induced oedema (2.0 mg per ear). 3. Capsaicin-induced ear oedema was unaffected when inhibitors of arachidonate metabolites including platelet activating factor (PAF) were administered before capsaicin (250 micrograms per ear) application, while these agents significantly prevented AA-induced oedema. Dexamethasone, histamine H1 and/or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) antagonists, and substance P (SP) antagonists were effective in inhibiting both models. Furthermore, a Ca(2+)-channel blocker and the capsaicin inhibitor, ruthenium red, were effective inhibitors of capsaicin oedema but had no effect on AA-induced oedema. 4. Phosphoramidon (50 micrograms kg-1, i.v.), an endopeptidase inhibitor, markedly (P < 0.001) enhanced only capsaicin-induced ear oedema, but bestatin (0.5 mg kg-1, i.v.), an aminopeptidase, failed to enhance oedema formation. 5. Neuropeptides (1-100 pmol per site) such as rat calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), SP, neurokinin A (NKA), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), which are released from capsaicin-sensitive neurones, caused ear oedema by intradermal injection. Furthermore, a synergistic effect of CGRP (10 fmol per site) and SP (10 pmol per site) on oedema formation was observed. 6. The oedema induced by neuropeptides was significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.001) inhibited when cyproheptadine (20 mg kg-1, p.o.), a histamine H, and 5-HT antagonist, was administered before injection. In contrast, nifedipine (50 mg kg-1, p.o.), a Ca2+-channel blocker, and indomethacin(10 mg kg-1, p.o., except for NKA), a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, had little effect on neuropeptide induced oedema.7. These results suggest that the mechanism of capsaicin-induced ear oedema is different from that of AA-induced oedema and suggest that the development of capsaicin-induced ear oedema is primarily mediated by neuropeptides. The neuropeptides released after activation of sensory nerves cause an increase of vascular permeability by interactions with endothelial cells and by histamine (and 5-HT)release from mast cells.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Inhibition of rat acute inflammatory paw oedema by dihemiphthalate of glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives: comparison with glycyrrhetinic acid.

The anti-inflammatory profile of dihemiphthalate compounds of glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives in acute rat paw oedema induced by various vasoactive agents was compared with the parent compound. Three dihemiphthalate compounds (the di-sodium salt of 18 beta-olean-12-ene- 3 beta,30-diol di-O-hemiphthalate, 18 beta-olean-9(11),12-dione-3 beta,30-diol di-O-hemiphthalate and olean-11,13(18)-diene-3 beta,30-diol di-O-hemiphthalate), significantly inhibited development of carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema during the first 3 h (ED50 70, 90, and 108 mg kg-1 respectively, p.o.), while glycyrrhetinic acid (ED50, 200 mg kg-1) showed a significant inhibition of paw oedema 3 h after carrageenan treatment. The dihemiphthalate compounds also suppressed mouse paw oedema induced by histamine, bradykinin, and PAF acether at doses of less than 100 mg kg-1. However, these compounds failed to inhibit 5-HT-induced mouse paw oedema. Glycyrrhetinic acid had little effect on mouse paw inflammation induced by the above irritants. The three compounds at 10(-7)-10(-4) M, inhibited histamine-induced contraction of guinea-pig isolated ileum. However, concentration-response curves to 5-HT and bradykinin were not affected by the same compounds. These results suggest that the dihemiphthalate compounds modulate vascular permeability caused by endogenous vasoactive agents as one of the anti-inflammatory mechanisms. This action is quite different from that of glycyrrhetinic acid.

Animals↗

Terminal pulmonary infections in patients with lung cancer.

To determine the factors that predispose the patient with lung cancer to develop terminal pulmonary infections, we reviewed the case records and autopsy data of 304 patients who died of lung cancer in the Kyushu University Hospital between 1976 and 1990. The incidence of mycobacterial infection was significantly higher among those treated with antineoplastic therapy and corticosteroids (group 3) than in those who received antineoplastic therapy alone (group 2). The incidence of nonbacterial infection did not differ significantly between the two groups. In some group 3 patients, the administration of corticosteroids for relatively short periods (less than one month) led to fatal mycobacterial infection. Among those patients with lymphocytopenia, the incidence of fatal mycobacterial infection was significantly higher in group 3 than in group 2, whereas the incidence of fatal nonbacterial infection was not. In group 3, the incidence of fatal mycobacterial and nonbacterial infections did not differ significantly among those with and without lymphocytopenia. Thus, in patients with lung cancer who were receiving antineoplastic treatment, corticosteroids were more closely associated with the development and exacerbation of mycobacterial infection than was lymphocytopenia. The influence of corticosteroids on the development of nonbacterial infection was not more marked than that of lymphocytopenia. The incidence of common bacterial infections was no higher among those patients who received no antineoplastic treatment or corticosteroid (group 1), group 2, and group 3. Therefore, the local and systemic effects of the lung cancer itself are likely more important in predisposing the patient to bacterial infections than are either antineoplastic agents or corticosteroids.

Aged↗

Thyroid dysfunction in isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) deficiency: case report and literature review.

A case of isolated ACTH deficiency accompanying transient primary hypothyroidism was reported along with a review of literature on isolated ACTH deficiency in Japan with special reference to its association with thyroid function. Our case, a 56-year-old woman, developed somnolence and hypoglycemia due to isolated ACTH deficiency. She also had the features of hypothyroidism, namely mounding phenomenon, muscle rigidity, increased plasma myogenic enzymes and cold intolerance. Both free T3 and free T4 were decreased, and basal as well as TRH-stimulated TSH levels were abnormally high. Plasma thyroglobulin was increased and no anti-thyroid antibodies were detected. All thyroid related physical and biochemical abnormalities disappeared after hydrocortisone replacement. A review of the literature on 103 cases disclosed that more than half the cases with isolated ACTH deficiency had a high plasma level of TSH, basal and/or TRH-induced, while the antithyroid antibodies were reported to be positive in only 13 cases. In more than 70% of such cases, the abnormality in the pituitary-thyroid axis was transient and was reversed by glucocorticoid replacement. Our case and cases in the literature indicate that the interference of thyroid hormone synthesis and/or secretion by glucocorticoid deficiency per se is the major cause of thyroid dysfunction rather than associated autoimmune thyroid disease.

Adolescent↗

Cytochemical and immunocytochemical demonstration of acetylcholinesterase of the prenatal rat lower limb.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities in the prenatal rat lower limb were investigated by both cytochemistry and immunocytochemistry. Results indicate that the epidermal cells show immunoreactions of AChE at a limited stage at prenatal day 15, and mesenchymal cells which are occasionally in contact with the basal lamina or with the adjacent myotubes begin to show AChE activities at prenatal day 17. Such AChE-positive mesenchymal cells, involved in the formation of the muscular tissues, have almost disappeared in the subepidermis by prenatal day 19. This suggests that AChE independent of the neuromuscular system may be involved in the mesenchymal cell differentiation especially in the inductive process during myogenesis.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Lung function in patients with collagen vascular diseases: a study of non-smokers with normal chest roentgenograms.

Lung function was assessed in 52 patients with collagen vascular diseases (CVD) who had neither a smoking history nor an abnormality in their chest x-ray films. Values of the maximum mid-expiratory flow and the maximum expiratory flow after 50% or 75% of the forced vital capacity had been exhaled were decreased and the ratio of closing capacity to total lung capacity was increased in 36-100% (varied among categories of CVD) of patients with CVD, and the carbon monoxide diffusing capacity was decreased in 27-56% of the patients. These findings indicate that small airway diseases and a decrease in diffusing capacity are not rare in CVD patients, even if they had neither a smoking history nor abnormal findings in their chest x-ray films. Regular and routine tests on lung functions are thought to be effective to detect early pulmonary involvement in patients with CVD.

Adult↗

Changes of bone metabolic markers in patients with bone metastases: clinical significance in assessing bone response to chemotherapy.

To determine the changes in bone metabolism in response to combined chemotherapy in patients with bone metastases (BM), we examined osteocalcin (BGP), alkaline-phosphatase (ALP), hydroxyproline (HYP), pyridinoline (PYR), and/or deoxypyridinoline (D-PYR) in 25 cancer patients. In patients without BM, serum BGP was normal and not affected by chemotherapy. In patients with BM, however, BGP was often abnormally high or low, and some patients reacted to chemotherapy with a BGP increase at 4 weeks after initiation of therapy. Such an increase was observed in the group of patients who responded favorably to therapy as judged by a decrease in bone pain and tumor-associated biochemical markers. Urine HYP, PYR, and D-PYR were high in patients with BM before therapy; D-PYR decreased transiently at 2 weeks and increased thereafter. We assume that increased bone-resorption markers along with increased bone formation markers after therapy would indicate recovery of coupled bone metabolism, as the deranged bone remodeling is improved by tumor-regression. This study suggests that BGP and D-PYR can be useful early markers to predict favorable bone response to chemotherapy in patients with BM.

Adult↗

Functional analyses of B cells in (NZW x BXSB) F1 mice.

Functions of B cells from (NZW x BXSB)F1 (W/BF1) mice are investigated. The W/BF1 mouse, which is an animal model for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), produces anti-DNA and anti-platelet antibodies; W/BF1 mice show hypergammaglobulinemia (particularly increases in IgG2a and IgG2b). The ratio of small resting B cells to large activated B cells in W/BF1 mice is low compared to normal mice, suggesting that B cells in W/BF1 mice are already activated in vivo. Furthermore, small resting B cells separated by a Percoll density gradient technique show hyper-responsiveness to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or anti-mu plus IL-4. This suggests that B cells in W/BF1 mice are genetically programmed to be easily activated, resulting in the overproduction of autoantibodies. A significant number of CD5+ B cells are found in the lymph nodes of old W/BF1 mice. These findings indicate that all cells in the B cell lineage of W/BF1 mice are already activated in vivo.

Animals↗

Differentiation of human myeloblastic leukemia ML-1 cells into macrophages by staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinase activities.

Protein kinase activities are involved in cellular proliferation and differentiation, and inhibitors of these activities are useful for studying the mechanisms of induction of differentiation. We found that staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinase activities, induced morphological differentiation of human myeloblastic leukemia ML-1 cells along myelomonocytic lineage and also induced functional differentiation (increase in nitroblue tetrazolium-reducing and lysozyme activities) in the cells. Several other protein kinase inhibitors such as 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine dihydrochloride (H-7), sphingosine, N-(6-aminoethyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide and 1-(5-chloronaphthalene-1-sulfonyl)-1H-hexahydro-1,4-diazepine hydrochloride (ML-9) did not induce the differentiation of ML-1 cells. Treatment with staurosporine induced formation of granules in ML-1 cells, and the granules showed metachromasia by toluidine blue staining; however, histamine content did not increase. The "metachromatic" ML-1 cells were positive for CD14, indicating that staurosporine induced the differentiation of ML-1 cells into metachromatic monocytes/macrophages, 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (VD3) enhanced appearance of metachromatic granules in staurosporine-treated cells. These results suggest that modulation of protein phosphorylation by a staurosporine-sensitive protein kinase(s) may be associated with differentiation of ML-1 leukemia cells.

Alkaloids↗

[Clinical studies in three cases of pulmonary cryptococcosis].

We report three cases of pulmonary cryptococcosis in which one community acquired and two nosocomial infections were suspected. Clinical studies were focused on histological and immunological diagnosis and antifungal chemotherapy. The first case was initially suspected of having primary cryptococcosis. The second case was first suspected to have BOOP on the basis of clinical and radiological findings. The third was initially suspected of having lung cancer because of an enlarging mass lesion in fibrotic lung and elevated tumor markers. All cases were treated with antifungal agents. Two cases were treated with fluconazole alone, the other case with fluconazole and 5-fluorocytosine. In all cases, the abnormal shadows on chest X-ray demonstrated 50 to 90 percent improvement within 6 months, and cryptococcal antigen in the serum decreased. There were no side effects from the drugs.

Adult↗

[Pulmonary tuberculosis in compromised hosts in pathological view--the present state of mycobacterial disease in autopsy cases in two university hospital].

To clarify the present state of mycobacterial disease in autopsy cases, we reviewed the case records and autopsy data of 3848 cases who died in Kyushu University Hospital between 1976 and 1990, and 1193 cases died in University of Occupational and Environmental Health between 1981 and 1990. The incidence of mycobacterial disease has significantly decreased during the period examined, and that of active disease was about 1% between 1986 and 1990. Significantly more cases of fatal mycobacteriosis were received with corticosteroid than those of active but not fatal mycobacteriosis. Antemortem diagnosis of mycobacteriosis was made in 25.9% and 20% of fatal cases in each University Hospital. The possibility of mycobacteriosis was not suspected at all in some cases of fatal mycobacteriosis. Regardless of the suspicion of mycobacterial disease, the diagnosis was not made in other fatal cases, because of the negative bacteriology.

Adult↗

[Two cases of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis].

We report two cases of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis with recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax. The cases were diagnosed by open lung biopsy. Case 1 was a 38-year-old woman, whose chest X-ray showed linear and reticular shadows. Lung tissue was negative for hormone receptors. She was treated with tamoxifen, but developed allergic symptoms. Her condition gradually deteriorated despite oxygen and progesterone therapy. Case 2 was a 41-year-old woman, whose chest X-ray showed a reticular shadows and slight overinflation. Hormone receptors were not examined, but the disease did not progress with oxygen, progesterone and GnRH agonist (Sprecur) therapy.

Adult↗

[Cranial MRI in hepatic disease--relationship between MR imaging and clinical symptoms and laboratory analysis of liver function].

Magnetic resonance imaging studies on 12 cases with hepatic disease were performed. In 11 adult patients with chronic hepatic failure, T1-weighted images demonstrated increased signal in the globus pallidus in 7 patients (63.6%) and in some parts of the cerebral peduncles in 6 patients (54.5%), in the substantia innominata in 4 patients (36.3%). There might be some correlation between the abnormality of MR imaging and clinical symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. There was a significant correlation between the intensity of the signal and Fischer's ratio of amino acid analysis. In one patient with Wilson's disease, who developed symptoms of central nervous system, T1-weighted images demonstrated increased signal in the globus pallidus. After treatment of D-penicillamine, the signal of the globus pallidus decreased.

Adult↗

[A case of status asthmaticus complicated by with pneumoperitoneum during mechanical ventilation therapy].

A 46-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for a severe asthma attack. On admission, systemic cyanosis was observed, and her consciousness state was drowsy. Arterial blood gas showed severe respiratory acidosis, hypoxia, and hypercapnea, with pH, PaO2, and PaCO2 of 7.163, 29.9 torr and 81.3 torr, respectively. Immediately, mechanical ventilation was commerced but on the third hospital day pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema appeared, and on the sixth day pneumoperitoneum also appeared. The chest CT scan on the sixth day showed free air around bilateral internal mammary vessels. This indicated that air moved from the mediastinum into the peritoneal cavity through an anterior route, via the sternocostal triangle formed by the xiphoid origins of the diaphragm medially and the costal origins laterally.

Female↗