Biomedical subjects

R Onishi

Publications and source records attributed to R Onishi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1989

Thoracic bioimpedance and Doppler cardiac output measurement: learning curve and interobserver reproducibility.

Nine previously untrained health professionals learned to measure cardiac output (Qt) by suprasternal continuous-wave Doppler ultrasound (QtDopp) and by thoracic bioimpedance (Qtbi). Each received standardized written, videotaped, and individual instruction. First the novice, then the reference examiner, measured QtDopp or Qtbi in triplicate in an adult male subject. The reference examiner was blind to the novice measurements and the novice was not informed of the reference measurements. Each novice repeatedly measured QtDopp or Qtbi in different subjects until the mean novice QtDopp or Qtbi was within 10% of the corresponding mean reference measurement in three of four consecutive subjects. The novice observers required an average of 12.9 +/- 3.5 trials to learn to measure QtDopp, and an average of 8.4 +/- 4.5 trials to learn to measure Qtbi. The likelihood of novice agreement with the reference improved with experience. The same degree of intraobserver variability as reported for Qt measured by thermodilution (coefficient of variance less than or equal to 10%) was achieved with Qtbi in 150 (99%) of 152 triplicate measurements and QtDopp in 216 (97%) of 222 triplicate measurements. More importantly, interobserver agreement (within 10%) was achieved with both Qtbi and QtDopp. Reproducible noninvasive Qt measurement will allow these techniques to be used to monitor trend changes in Qt.

Cardiac Output↗

PubMed1989

Liver extract-folic acid-cyanocobalamin vs placebo for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a recently defined entity for which clinical criteria were proposed by the Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Ga. A frequently advocated treatment in Southern California is an injectable solution of bovine liver extract containing folic acid and cyanocobalamin (LEFAC). We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of intramuscular LEFAC in 15 patients who met the Centers for Disease Control criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome. Although patients responded to placebo and LEFAC by several criteria of functional status, no significant difference was apparent between response to placebo and that to LEFAC. The placebo response appeared to be strong.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Characteristics of the IL-2 receptor expressed on large granular lymphocytes from patients with abnormally expanded large granular lymphocytes. Implication of a non-Tac IL-2-binding peptide.

Large granular lymphocytes (LGL) from four patients with abnormally expanded LGL in the peripheral blood were studied regarding their receptor for IL-2. LGL from none of the cases examined expressed Tac Ag, an Il-2R glycoprotein recognized by anti-Tac mAb. However, 125I-labeled IL-2 binding experiments demonstrated that 1400 to 2800/cell IL-2 binding sites with a single affinity (K: 0.46-1.4 nM) were expressed on LGL from the four patients. The affinity was not high but about 10-fold higher than that of the low affinity IL-2R expressed on activated normal T lymphocytes. Furthermore, LGL from the four patients proliferated in response to higher concentrations of IL-2 and these responses were not inhibited by an excess amount of anti-Tac antibody. 125I-Labeled IL-2 cross-linking studies performed in two cases revealed the predominant expression of an IL-2 binding molecule with an estimated Mr of 70,000 to 75,000. After the culture with IL-2 for 48 h, expression of a small amount of Tac Ag (p55) was induced on LGL in at least three cases. These data strongly suggested that the IL-2R expressed on LGL is functional and identical to the p70, a novel IL-2 binding peptide that has been recently identified and speculated to form the high affinity IL-2R in association with the p55.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Leukemic cells from a chronic T-lymphocytic leukemia patient proliferated in response to both interleukin-2 and interleukin-4 without prior stimulation and produced interleukin-2 mRNA with stimulation.

Recently, interleukin-4 (IL-4) has been clarified as having T-cell growth factor activity; therefore, it becomes of interest whether IL-4, as well as interleukin-2 (IL-2), affects the proliferation of leukemic cells derived from mature T cells. In the present study, we describe a case of chronic T-lymphocytic leukemia (T-CLL) with monoclonal proliferation of human T-lymphotropic retrovirus (HTLV)-I or HTLV-II negative CD3(+)4(+)8(-) T cell expressing IL-2 receptors without stimulation. Radiolabeled IL-2 binding assay revealed 750 high-affinity and 6,750 low-affinity binding sites per cell. In accordance with the expression of high-affinity IL-2 receptors, the leukemic cells proliferated in response to exogenous IL-2 without prior stimulation. In addition, exogenous IL-4 also induced their proliferation. Moreover, IL-2 and IL-4 exerted a synergistic effect on the leukemic cell proliferation. Although the expression of IL-2 or IL-4 mRNA was not detected in fresh leukemic cells, the expression of IL-2 mRNA, but not IL-4 mRNA, was induced by phytohemagglutinin stimulation, and the leukemic cells proliferated. These findings suggest that not only IL-2, but also IL-4 are involved in the proliferation of leukemic cells of T-CLL.

Humans↗

PubMed1987

Human immunodeficiency virus infection in heterosexual intravenous drug users in San Francisco.

To investigate the risk of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in San Francisco, the prevalence of antibodies to HIV was determined in 281 heterosexual intravenous drug users recruited from community-based settings. Ten per cent of subjects had ELISA and Western blot confirmed seropositivity for antibodies (95 per cent CI 6.8-14.2 per cent). Analysis of behavioral factors revealed an increased risk of seropositivity in addicts who reported regularly sharing needles when injecting, particularly those sharing with two or more persons (odds ratio = 5.43; 95 per cent CI 1.08-52.5). Blacks and Latinos also had a greater prevalence of seropositivity than Whites, and this finding persisted after adjustment for needle sharing (adjusted odds ratio = 2.8; 95 per cent CI .84-8.59). Seropositivity was not associated with age, sex, duration of drug use, or history of prostitution. These data indicate that a new epidemic of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) in intravenous drug users, similar to that which has occurred among homosexuals in San Francisco, is possible. The relatively low seroprevalence in 1985 provides health officials an important opportunity to intervene and attempt to prevent widespread infection of drug users with HIV.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1984