Biomedical subjects

S Abe

Publications and source records attributed to S Abe.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Mushroom worker's lung caused by spores of Hypsizigus marmoreus (Bunashimeji): elevated serum surfactant protein D levels.

This is a report on two patients with occupational hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) caused by spores of Hypsizigus marmoreus (Bunashimeji) and serial follow-up measurements of serum surfactant protein D (SP-D) levels. The diagnosis of HP was confirmed immunologically by the detection of serum precipitins to spores of Bunashimeji, but not to other antigens, and by the positive results of in vitro lymphocyte proliferative response for Bunashimeji antigens using BAL fluid lymphocytes. This is the first case report of HP caused by Bunashimeji. Serum SP-D levels for the two patients (493 and 226 ng/mL; cut off level, 110 ng/mL) were elevated at diagnosis and decreased after separation from antigens following corticosteroid therapy. However, in one patient who returned to the same job, the symptoms appeared again and SP-D level also increased.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

PubMed2000

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog therapy failed to improve predicted final height in two children with central precocious puberty and microcephalus.

Long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog treatment for central precocious puberty (CPP) suppresses excessive bone maturation by inhibiting the pituitary-gonadal axis, and usually assures favorable results for growth potential. Recently, we encountered two children with CPP and microcephalus in whom GnRH analog therapy arrested pubertal development, but could not suppress bone age maturation effectively. Eventually, their final height deteriorated rather than improved. The reason why these two cases did not respond to GnRH analog therapy remains unknown. However, microcephalus and minor cerebral anomalies may have some links to deterioration of final height. Our cases suggest that careful evaluation will be required especially for CPP with microcephalus throughout treatment with GnRH analog.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Evaluation of global and regional left ventricular function obtained by quantitative gated SPECT using 99mTc-tetrofosmin for left ventricular dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: The quantitative gated SPECT (QGS) software is able to calculate LV volumes and visualize LV wall motion and perfusion throughout the cardiac cycle using an automatic edge detection algorithm of the left ventricle. We evaluated the reliability of global and regional LV function assessment derived from QGS by comparing it with the results from left ventriculo-cineangiography (LVG). PATIENTS: In 20 patients with left ventricular dysfunction who underwent ECG gated 99mTc-tetrofosmin SPECT, the end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV) and ejection fraction (LVEF) were calculated. The QGS-assessed regional wall motion was determined using the cinematic display. RESULTS: QGS-derived EDV, ESV and LVEF correlated well with those by LVG (p<0.001 for each). There was a good correlation between wall motion score (WMS) derived from the QGS and the LVG (r=0.40, p<0.05). In some patients with extensive myocardial infarction, there was a discrepancy in the regional wall motion results between QGS and LVG. CONCLUSIONS: The ECG-gated SPECT using QGS is useful to evaluate global and regional LV functions in left ventricular dysfunction.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Histological study of masseter muscle in a mouse muscular dystrophy model (mdx mouse).

Histological changes in the masseter muscle were observed over time in mdx mice, a muscular dystrophy model. It was found that marked necrosis occurs about the time of weaning at around 4 weeks of age; then the tissue actively regenerates at 8 weeks and stabilizes as regenerated muscle with centronuclei at 15 weeks old. This study examined the centronucleus in regenerated muscle. The process from necrosis to regeneration in muscle fibers occurs a little later in the masseter muscle than in other limbic muscles. Regenerated muscles observed around 15 weeks after birth showed a moth-eaten appearance. Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) observation of transverse sections of muscle fibers revealed that myofibrils surrounded lost regions in the area showing a moth-eaten appearance. Thus, some defensive mechanism may affect the ability of muscle fibers to maintain a function close to normal in mdx mice even though the muscle fibers develop muscular dystrophy. The function of the masseter muscle drastically changes from sucking to mastication behavior at around 4 weeks, and this was considered to influence the morphological changes in the muscle tissue. The moth-eaten appearance seen at 15 weeks may represent an appropriate myofibril reconstruction preventing invasion of the lost regions.

Aging↗

PubMed2000

Supraclavicular artery in Japanese: an anatomical basis for the flap using a pedicle containing a cervical, non-perforating cutaneous branch of the superficial cervical artery.

We investigated the morphology of the non-perforating cervical cutaneous branch in the lateral cervical triangle using 65 (130 sides) donated cadavers. We found the branch in 104 of the entire 130 sides (80.0%). In the majority (72.1%), the cutaneous branch did not cross the clavicle or acromion but supplied the dorsolateral cervical area. The branch was originated from the superficial cervical artery close to the posterior belly of the omohyoideus muscle and immediately lateral to the external jugular vein. The comitant vein, if present, drained into the external jugular vein. Our observations and measurements (length and diameter) suggested that the non-perforating cutaneous branch is useful for a pedicle of the dorsolateral cervical flap in Japanese people. However, detailed morphologies differ from the previous studies published in western countries.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

[Protective effect of oral administration of several traditional Kampo-medicines on lethal Candida infection in immunosuppressed mice].

The protective effects of a "hozai" type of Kampo medicine, Juzen-taiho-to (Shi-quan-da-bu-tang, TJ-48), Hochu-ekki-to (Bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang, TJ-41) or Ninjin-yoei-to (Ren-shen-yang-rong-tang, TJ-108) on experimental candidiasis in immunosuppressed mice were investigated. ICR mice, which were immunosuppressed by injection of cyclophosphamide or prednisolone, were given these medicines orally andchallenged intravenously with Candida albicans (day 0). Treatments with a daily dose of 1 g/kg/day of TJ-48 or that of 1 or 2 g/kg/day of TJ-108 for 4 consecutive days from day-4 significantly prolonged the survival time of the Candida-infected mice pretreated with cyclophosphamide. Treatments with a daily dose of 1 g/kg/day of TJ-48 for 4 consecutive days from day 0, but not from day -4, significantly prolonged the life span of the Candida-infected mice pretreated with prednisolone. On the basis of these results and previous findings, characteristics of these kampo medicines as therapeutic agents against candidiasis in immunosuppressed hosts were discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

[Host defense mechanisms against fungal infections].

Recent advances in the research on host defense mechanisms against infections with Candida and Aspergillus were reviewed. Modes of the defense mechanisms were divided into three phases by thedifferent physiological circumstances surrounding the fungi: 1, the exocrine fluid in which fungi exist on the mucosal membranes; 2, the tissues invaded by fungi with the circulating blood; and 3, the limited lesions where fungi continue to be alive with a restricted blood flow. In each defense mechanism, theroles of the endogenous antifungal substances such as lactoferrin, defensins and calprotectin and leukocytes were discussed.

Aspergillosis↗

PubMed2000

[Suppressive effects of lanoconazole on arthus phenomenon in vivo and on production and functions of TNF in vitro].

The anti-inflammatory effect of lanoconazole (LCZ) was investigated in vivo and in vitro. The effect of LCZ was evaluated on the inflammatory reactions elicited by intradermal injection of ovalbumin to ovalbumin-immunized rabbits, as an Arthus phenomenon. A one or two % cream preparation of LCZ was topically applied on the lesion daily after challenging injection until the inflamation had diminished. By macroscopic observation and measuring the diameter of edema, erythema, hemorrhage and necrosis, the effects of LCZ on the reactions were compared with the reactions of the sites administered withcream vehicle as reference agent. Two % LCZ showed an anti-hemorrhagic effect. The in vitro effect of LCZ on production and functions of an inflammatory cytokine, TNF was also examined. LCZ suppressed the production of TNF by murine peritoneal macrophages at 20 micro g/ml and the adhesion of neutrophils at 100 micro g/ml. Moreover, LCZ significantly suppressed the growth inhibitory activity of TNF against L929 fibroblasts at 0.5 micro g/ml. A very low concentration of LCZ might protect the fibroblasts from immunological cytotoxicity in vivo. These findings suggest that LCZ has a suppressive activity to inflammatory responses and this suppressive action may be due to its protective activity to cells like fibroblasts.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Addition of antibacterial agents to MMA-TBB dentin bonding systems--influence on tensile bond strength and antibacterial effect.

To produce a bonding system which has both high bond strength and antibacterial properties, an antibacterial agent (vancomycin: VCM or metronidazol: MN) was added to the PMMA powder of 4-META/MMA-TBB resin (CB). The influence of the addition of an antibacterial agent on tensile bond strength to dentin and the antibacterial effect were investigated in this study. Forty-seven freshly extracted bovine first or second incisors were used to measure the tensile bond strength to dentin. The bond strengths to bovine dentin were not significantly decreased by addition of VCM (1%, 2%, 5%), or MN (1%) to CB (p < 0.05). The antibacterial effect of CB containing antibacterial agent on six strains of bacteria was investigated by the agar plate diffusion method, analyzing the appearance of the inhibition zone around a resin disk following anaerobic culturing. The resin disks containing VCM showed antibacterial effects on all of the strains examined; the widths of the inhibition zones were 4-15 mm. The resin disks containing MN showed antibacterial effects on three strains; the widths of the inhibition zones were 0-4 mm. It was thus possible to produce a bonding system with both antibacterial effect and high tensile bond strength by addition of VCM to PMMA powder.

Acrylic Resins↗

PubMed2000

Association between basal serum and leptin levels and changes in abdominal fat distribution during weight loss.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between changes in abdominal fat areas and the baseline serum leptin levels of Japanese obese women during weight reduction. The study was performed on 100 obese female Japanese volunteers. We measured the BMI and abdominal fat areas (visceral, subcutaneous and total) by magnetic resonance imaging and determined the fasting serum leptin levels before and after a 3 month weight reduction program. We examined whether or not a relationship exists between the baseline leptin levels and the subsequent changes in the abdominal fat areas after a weight reduction program. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between the baseline leptin levels and changes in abdominal visceral, subcutaneous, and total fat areas, and demonstrated that the baseline leptin level was a significant predictive factor for changes in the abdominal visceral fat area in both pre and postmenopausal Japanese obese women. We thus concluded the relatively higher baseline leptin levels in Japanese obese women to be associated with a relatively smaller reduction in the amount of abdominal visceral fat after undergoing a weight reduction program.

Abdomen↗

PubMed2000

[Intrathoracic neurofibroma originating in the left vagus nerve].

A 20-year-old man was admitted because of an abnormal mass shadow on chest X-ray film. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disclosed a mass lesion in the superior portion of the left mediastinum. CT scans showed a well-defined mass with low density. Axial MRI rendered the mass lesion with intermediate signal intensity on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. The preoperative diagnosis was bronchogenic cyst. Video-assisted thoracic surgery revealed that the tumor originated in the truncus of the left vagus nerve. The resected tumor was 90 x 24 x 18 mm in size. The postoperative course was uneventful and hoarseness did not develop. The pathologic diagnosis was benign mediastinal neurofibroma without von Recklinghausen's disease. Such cases are extremely rare in the Japanese literature.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[Small cell lung cancer associated with anti-Hu antibody-positive paraneoplastic neurologic syndrome].

We report a case of small cell lung cancer with anti-Hu antibody-positive paraneoplastic neurologic syndrome preceded by variable neurological symptoms. A 57-year-old man first noticed a numbness on the inner side of his right leg in April 1998. He was later admitted to a hospital following the development of polyneuropathy, cerebellar dysfunction, and psychological symptoms. Chest plain X-ray films and computed tomographic scans disclosed a mass shadow in the right upper lobe, in addition to enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. Small cell lung cancer was suspected on the basis of pathologic findings on an enlarged right supraclavicular lymph node and radiologic findings. The patient was referred to our hospital in October 1998. Anti-Hu antibody was detected both in serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Small cell lung cancer (clinical T1N3M0, stage IIIB) with paraneoplastic neurologic syndrome was diagnosed. Three courses of combination chemotherapy (carboplatin and etoposide) were administered with a partial response. However, the patient's neurological symptoms were not alleviated. We discussed the mechanism, clinical symptoms, and treatment of this disease.

Autoantibodies↗

PubMed2000

[Usefulness of rapid bedside cardiac troponin T assay for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction].

Cardiac troponin T(cTnT) is one of the most myocardial-specific markers for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction(AMI). Recently, the rapid bedside cTnT assay(Trop T rapid assay sensitive version), which can provide qualitative determinations within 15 min, has been developed for the emergency clinical setting. To evaluate the usefulness of rapid bedside cTnT assay, we performed the Trop T test and measured serum levels of myoglobin(Mb), creatine kinase MB isoenzyme(CK-MB) and cTnT in 256 consecutive emergency patients with suspected AMI(65 found to have AMI and 191 without AMI). The diagnostic sensitivities for AMI of Trop T, Mb and CK-MB measurements were 66%, 92% and 52%, respectively, whereas the specificities were 80%, 18% and 74%, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy for AMI of Trop T(77%) was significantly higher than that of Mb(37%, p < 0.001) and CK-MB(69%, p < 0.05). The sensitivity for AMI of Mb(86%) was significantly(p < 0.001) higher than that of Trop T (31%) and CK-MB(31%) in patients admitted < or = 3 hr after the onset of AMI. In contrast, the sensitivities of Trop T(80% and 100%) in patients admitted at 3-6 hr and > 6 hr showed no significant differences from those of Mb(100% and 96%). Furthermore, Trop T in patients admitted > 6 hr had significantly(p < 0.01) higher sensitivity compared with CK-MB(69%). The mortality rate in the non-AMI group during hospitalization in patients with positive Trop T test(39%) was significantly(p < 0.001) higher than that in patients with negative test(9%). When the positive Trop T test was regarded as > or = 0.10 ng/ml of serum cTnT, Trop T test had the best concordance of 92% with a quantitative of cTnT assay.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

[Surfactant proteins A and D as biomarkers of disease activity in diffuse interstitial pneumonia].

We evaluated the clinical significance of surfactant proteins A (SP-A) and D (SP-D) as useful markers of disease activity in patients with diffuse interstitial pneumonia. Serum concentrations of SP-A and SP-D were measured by the sandwich ELISA method. The serum levels of SP-A and SP-D in patients with diffuse interstitial pneumonia (IIP, CVD-IP, HP, Ra-IP) were significantly higher than the levels in healthy controls, and showed high positive rates. IIP patients characterized by a predominantly ground-glass opacity (GGO) pattern on high-resolution computed tomograms had significantly higher concentrations of serum SP-A. Elevated SP-D levels reflected the extent not only of GGO but also of parenchymal collapse opacity (PCO). It is likely that the mechanisms behind the elevation of SP-A and SP-D do not correlate with pathologic changes in IIP. Serum SP-A and SP-D levels obtained at the time of initial evaluation from 9 patients who died after less than 3 years of follow-up were significantly higher than in patients with survival rates of more than 3 years. Serum SP-A and SP-D may be useful biomarkers of disease activity in patients with IIP.

Biomarkers↗

PubMed2000

[Sensitivity of UCN-01 lies in the balance of CDK 2 kinase and p21].

Five human cancer cell lines (MKN 45, HT-29, WiDr, PAN-3-JCK, and CRL 1420) were used to evaluate the antitumor spectrum of UCN-01, which suppressed the growth of these digestive cancer cell lines. A human pancreatic cancer xenograft (CRL 1420) and breast cancer xenograft (MX-1) were used to determine their sensitivity to UCN-01, in nude mice. UCN-01 significantly suppressed the tumor growth of CRL 1420 at a dose of 10 mg/kg in a schedule of (qd x 5) x 2, but was ineffective for MX-1. While p21 protein expression was induced by UCN-01 in both CRL 1420 and MX-1, an accumulation of dephosphorylated ppRb was observed only in CRL 1420, resulting in G1 block as detected by flow cytometric analysis. The CDK 2 activity of MX-1 was almost 6 times higher than that of CRL 1420, which might account for the resistance of MX-1 to UCN-01 in spite of the induction of p21 in this strain. We conclude that the determinant of sensitivity to UCN-01 lies in the balance of CDK 2 kinase activity and p21 protein induction.

Alkaloids↗

PubMed2000

Enhanced mRNA expression of Th1 cytokines and IL-12 in active pulmonary sarcoidosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK: Active sarcoidosis is considered to be a Th1 dominant condition. We examined whether Th1 cytokines are highly expressed at inflammed lesions of Japanese patients with sarcoidosis. METHODS: To investigate the mRNA expression of Th1 cytokines and IL-12 in sarcoid BAL cells, we used semiquantitative reverse transcription--polymerase chain reaction method. RESULTS: The mRNA expressions of Th1 cytokines (IFN-gamma and IL-2) in active sarcoid BAL cells were significantly elevated as compared with those in healthy volunteers. The proportion of positive IL-4 mRNA expression in sarcoid BAL cells was not significantly higher than that in healthy volunteers. Further, there was no significant difference in IFN-gamma mRNA levels between the groups positive and negative for IL-4 mRNA expression. Although the proportion of positive expression of IL-12 mRNA in active sarcoid BAL cells was not significantly higher than that in healthy volunteers, the group positive for IL-12 mRNA expression had significantly elevated levels of IFN-gamma mRNA than did the negative group. CONCLUSIONS: These results may indicate that IL-12 induces IFN-gamma expression and subsequent Th1 dominant condition in Japanese patients with sarcoidosis.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Plasma concentration of von Willebrand factor in acute myocardial infarction.

Recent investigations have revealed the crucial role of von Willebrand factor (vWF) in platelet thrombus formation under flow conditions. The plasma concentrations of vWF were measured together with various hemodynamic and hemostatic parameters in 51 cases of acute myocardial infarction. In 10 randomly selected cases, the plasma concentrations and distribution of multimers vWF were serially determined after reperfusion therapy by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The vWF concentration at the onset of the acute myocardial infarction was significantly higher than in an age-matched control group (vWF AG: 18.7 +/- 1.2 microg/ml vs. 10.3 +/- 0.5 microg/ml, p = 8.43 x 10-(12), mean +/- SE). Simultaneous determination of hemodynamic and hemostatic parameters revealed that the only two parameters that were significantly correlated with the patients' plasma vWF concentrations were their pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) and heart rate, suggesting a relationship between hemodynamic changes induced by the onset of myocardial infarction and the vWF plasma concentrations. Serial determinations revealed that the vWF concentrations had not changed 1 h after reperfusion therapy, but that they significantly increased by 24 to 72 h. The distribution of the larger multimers of vWF also increased in the acute and subacute phase. The vWF concentration and multimer distribution normalized 14 days after the onset of the myocardial infarction. Our findings suggest that the vWF concentration increased in acute myocardial infarction patients, possibly in association with the hemodynamic deterioration that occurs in acute myocardial infarction.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Vascular endothelial growth factor and osteopontin in tumor biology.

Tumor growth and metastasis are angiogenesis-dependent and tumor angiogenesis is a result of complex interplay of positive and negative regulators. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) occupies a particular place among the positive regulators of angiogenesis due to its potency and specificity for endothelial cells. VEGF upregulates several molecules such as growth factors, adhesion molecules, proteases, and protease receptors and it actually induces microvascular hyperpermeability, resulting in activation of thrombin from prothrombin. Osteopontin (OPN) is a secreted arginine-glycine-asparic acid (RGD)-containing phosphoprotein and it contains a predicted thrombin cleavage site. OPN binds to several integrins and CD44 variants. OPN has diverse functions such as cell adhesion, chemoattraction, and immunomodulation, and it induces endothelial cell migration and upregulates endothelial cell migration induced by VEGF. OPN expression is upregulated in human carcinomas. This review documents the functional roles of VEGF and OPN in angiogenesis and their clinical significance in tumor biology.

Animals↗