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Biomedical subjects

S Fujioka

Publications and source records attributed to S Fujioka.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

[Brain embolism associated with atrial septal aneurysm].

We studied the clinical significance of atrial septal aneurysm on brain embolism. Of two-hundred twenty-eight consecutive ischemic stroke patients, 128 cases were performed transesophageal echocardiography to find cardiac lesions that could be embolic sources. Three cases were diagnosed as having atrial septal aneurysm with right-to-left shunt demonstrated by contrast echocardiography under Valsalva maneuver. These cases were all diagnosed as brain embolism from clinical courses and findings from brain CT scan, and cerebral angiography. Neurosonologic study, 24 hours Holter ECG, and transthoracic echocardiography did not reveal any other embolic sources. Paradoxical embolic mechanism is supposed to have occurred in these cases. Atrial septal aneurysm often coexists with right-to-left shunt and is clinically significant as a finding suggesting paradoxical embolism.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Intracellular viral localization in murine coxsackievirus-B3 myocarditis. Ultrastructural study by electron microscopic in situ hybridization.

Group B Coxsackieviruses are a common cause of myocarditis. To detect the viral genome and its localization in the myocardium, we examined C3H/He mice with Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) myocarditis on days 5, 8, and 14 after inoculation by the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and by in situ hybridization. Sense and antisense CVB3 RNA were detected in the myocardium of all mice up to day 14 by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Light microscopic in situ hybridization with a cDNA probe for CVB3 showed clusters of positive signals in the areas of myocardial necrosis and cell infiltration. With electron microscopic in situ hybridization, CVB3 RNA was detected in the cytoplasm of cardiocytes, between the myofibrils, near the mitochondria, and in tubular or vesicular structures. Viral RNA was also detected in necrotic debris, in the cytoplasm of macrophages, and in the cytoplasm of interstitial fibroblasts. These findings suggest that CVB3 RNA is replicated in the cytoplasm of cardiocytes, transferred into tubular or vesicular structures, released into the interstitium, and phagocytosed by macrophages. Some positive signals were also detected in the cytoplasm of cardiocytes showing close contact with infiltrating lymphocytes, suggesting that the lymphocytes recognized virus-infected cardiocytes and caused cell-mediated immune cardiocyte damage.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Neurocutaneous melanosis with intracranial malignant melanoma in an adult: a case report.

A 65-year-old female with congenital giant, hairy and pigmented nevus developed sudden onset of headache and consciousness disturbance. CT scan revealed a high density mass in the right temporal subcortical region. The high density area suggested hematoma. A right temporal craniotomy was performed. Hemorrhage was observed in a black colored tumor. Histologically, the tumor was malignant melanoma, while the skin tumor was benign intradermal nevi. This patient was diagnosed as neurocutaneous melanosis. Neurocutaneous melanosis belongs to unusual congenital syndrome, and an adult case is very rare. To our knowledge this is the oldest patient to be reported with this disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[Clinicopathological features of influenza myocarditis and pericarditis].

Myocarditis is a rare complication of influenza infection but is occasionally fatal. Recent application of percutaneous cardiopulmonary support and/or intraaortic balloon pumping to the serious case of viral myocarditis brought an good prognosis. We should recognize that the patient with viral infection such as influenza may have myocarditis and should make an early diagnosis for adequate treatment in time. To avoid misdiagnosis we must know characteristic symptoms and signs of cardiac involvement during influenza infection.

Humans↗
PubMed1996

Characterization of the expression and gene promoter of CD22 in murine B cells.

CD22 is a B cell-restricted surface molecule which may play an important role in interactions between B cells and other cells and in regulating signals through the B cell receptor (BCR) complex. Here we have examined whether the mouse is a suitable in vivo model for studying CD22 functions. In primary and secondary lymphoid organs of adult mice CD22 is on all mature B cells, including resting IgM+IgD+ B cells, IgG+ HSA(lo) memory B cells, syndecan+ plasma cells and CD5+ B cells, but it is not on immature IgM+IgD- B cells. Biochemical analysis revealed that murine CD22 is associated with the IgM receptor in some, but not all, CD22+ B leukemic and lymphoma cell lines; as with human CD22, murine CD22 is rapidly phosphorylated on tyrosine after ligation of the BCR. In the CD22- murine pro-B cell line, FEMCL, CD22 expression was inducible by treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. A genomic fragment of the cd22b allele containing 1.3 kb 5' of exon 1 was sequenced in order to identify potential DNA regulatory elements in the CD22 promoter region. Consensus sequences for transcription factor binding sites including PU.1, AP-1, AP-2, C/EBP and SP-1 were present, but no classical TATA elements or initiator motifs were evident at relevant positions. The 1.3-kb promoter fragment 5' of exon 1 was sufficient for directing basal promoter activity in B and T cells. There was no significant sequence similarity between the murine and human cd22 gene promoters, although both contain repetitive elements and Sp-1 and AP1 binding sites. Thus, murine CD22 shares a number of features with human CD22 and the mouse provides a suitable model system for elucidating the function of CD22 in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Small intestinal metastasis from esophageal carcinoma associated with small intestinal obstruction: report of a case.

The small intestine is rarely involved with metastatic tumors from outside the abdomen, and few case reports have been documented in the literature. We describe herein what to our knowledge is the third case of a solitary metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus being found in the jejunum, causing small intestinal obstruction.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1996

Molecular detection and differentiation of enteroviruses in endomyocardial biopsies and pericardial effusions from dilated cardiomyopathy and myocarditis.

Enteroviruses (EVs), especially group B coxsackieviruses, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). To determine whether a specific type of EV is present in DCM hearts, we examined the genotypes of EVs detected in endomyocardial biopsies and pericardial effusions by polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis. Positive PCR results were obtained from biopsies in 6 (19 percent) of 31 patients with DCM, 5 (18 percent) of 28 with myocarditis, 5 (22 percent) of 23 with other cardiac diseases, and from pericardial effusions in 4 (57 percent) of 7 patients with pericarditis. SSCP profiles of most of the clinical samples were different and were not identical to any of the standard group B coxsackie viruses. Our findings suggest that EV genomes are involved in the myocardium of patients with various cardiac conditions and that a particular type of EV is not present in DCM hearts.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Identification of castasterone, 6-deoxocastasterone, typhasterol and 6-deoxotyphasterol from the shoots of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Endogenous brassinosteroids in the shoots of Arabidopsis thaliana were investigated. Castasterone, 6-deoxocastasterone, typhasterol and 6-deoxotyphasterol were identified by GC-MS. The co-occurrence of 6-deoxo-brassinosteroids and 6-oxo-brassinosteroids suggests that there are both early and late C6-oxidation pathways of brassinosteroids in A. thaliana.

Arabidopsis↗
PubMed1996

Decrease in intra-abdominal visceral fat may reduce blood pressure in obese hypertensive women.

We investigated the relationship between changes in blood pressure and fat distribution after a 12-week low-calorie diet in 26 obese hypertensive women whose average age was 50 +/- 13 years, mean body mass index was 33.7 +/- 3.1 kg/m2, and mean blood pressure was 112 +/- 9 mm Hg. As an index of intra-abdominal fat accumulation, we used the ratio of the intra-abdominal visceral fat area to subcutaneous fat area, determined by a computed tomographic section at the level of the umbilicus. Subjects lost a mean of 9.4 +/- 4.1 kg on a 1200-kcal (5040-kJ) diet for 12 weeks. Their mean blood pressure fell from 112 +/- 9 to 101 +/- 12 mm Hg (P < .001). The ratio of the visceral to subcutaneous fat area was significantly reduced after weight reduction from 0.56 +/- 0.33 to 0.45 +/- 0.27 (P < .02). Fasting plasma glucose and plasma glucose area after a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test also were significantly reduced by weight reduction. The change in mean blood pressure after weight reduction was not correlated with the change in body weight or body mass index but was correlated with the reduction in visceral fat area or ratio of visceral fat to subcutaneous fat area. Changes in mean blood pressure also were correlated with changes in fasting plasma glucose levels and the plasma glucose area determined by 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. Results indicate that a decrease in intra-abdominal visceral fat, rather than simply of body weight, may reduce blood pressure in obese hypertensive subjects. The mechanism may involve an improvement in glucose tolerance caused by weight reduction.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1996

Intracardiac ectopic thyroid mass.

Intracardiac ectopic thyroid mass is an extremely rare occurrence. We describe a case of this rare disorder. The mass was clearly visualized by echocardiography, MRI, and cineangiography. The thyroid mass was excised successfully, and 50 months later the patient was well.

Cardiomyopathies↗
PubMed1996

Relationship between response to interferon therapy and detection of hepatitis C virus RNA by differential flotation centrifugation.

Circulating hepatitis C virus (HCV) particles can be fractionated by means of differential flotation centrifugation. It is reported that in the bottom fraction HCV is in the form immune complexes, whereas in the top, it is free of antibodies. We evaluated the significance of circulating complex and free HCV in chronic hepatitis C, and assessed the relationship in terms of the response to interferon (IFN) therapy. We examined sera before, just after, and 1 year after administering IFN to 18 patients with chronic hepatitis C, 10 of whom responded (group CR), and 8 did not (group NR). The amounts of virus were similar between both groups before therapy. After differential flotation centrifugation with 1.063 g/ml of NaCl, the top and bottom fractions were assayed for HCV RNA. Before therapy, HCV RNA was detected in the top fraction in 1 of 10 in group CR, and in 6 of 8 in group NR (P < 0.05, chi-square test). HCV RNA was positive in the bottom fraction of all samples. In a follow-up study of group NR, HCV RNA was detected in the top fraction in 3 of 8 just after IFN therapy, and in 7 of 8 after 1 year. This study suggests that the presence of HCV in the top fraction can predict a poor response to IFN therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[A case of early gastric cancer transformed from adenoma by chemotherapy and radiotherapy].

A 69-year-old male had a gastric adenoma at the greater curvature of the antrum. At the same time, malignant lymphoma of the liver and several bones were disclosed, but these tumors had become remarkably smaller after chemotherapy, radiotherapy and transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization. Five and one half years later, however, the gastric adenoma had developed into gastric cancer that invaded submucosal layer. It is suspected that some chemotherapeutic agents and radiation were associated with malignant transformation of gastric adenoma.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1996

Effects of bezafibrate on erythrocyte membrane phospholipids in alcohol-treated rats.

Male rats of the Wistar strain were divided 4 groups, and give a liquid diet of control feed, bezafibrate (150 mg/kg), ethanol, and ethanol plus bezafibrate for 5 week. The effect of bezafibrate supplementation on rats fed ethanol was examined in terms of the fatty acid composition of the phospholipids in the erythrocyte membrane. In the phospholipids profiles of erythrocyte membranes, PI was significantly decreased. The decrease in PI caused by bezafibrate appeared to substantially affect the membrane and consequently lead to changes in the membrane anchor. In the fatty acid composition of the PC, C20: 4 was significantly decreased in the group receiving alcohol (p < 0.05) but increased in the groups receiving bezafibrate (p < 0.05). In the fatty acid composition of the PE, C16: 0 was significantly increased in the three groups when compared with the control, and C20: 4 was decreased in the alcohol group (p < 0.05). In the fatty acid of SM and PI, C20: 4 was decreased and C18: 0 increased in the alcohol group. In the PS, C14: 0 was increased in the alcohol group, and decreased in the alcohol plus bezafibrate group (p < 0.01). The levels of arachidonic acid in the total fatty acids that constituted the membrane phospholipids were decreased in the rats given ethanol (p < 0.05). However, arachidonic acid in the group of bezafibrate supplementation on rats fed ethanol were elevated in comparison with the alcohol group (p < 0.05). With decreasing arachidonic acid as a marker of alcohol tissue injury following chronic alcohol intake, the effects of bezafibrate supplementation appear to contribute to membrane fluidity by altering the biochemical flexibility of the membrane.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1996

[Analysis of abnormal erythrocyte proteins and the etiological relation to hemolytic anemia].

Analytical procedures and diagnostic methods on abnormal proteins associated with hemolytic anemia are reviewed. Hemoglobin variants and enzymopathies are disorders of soluble proteins in erythrocytes. Electrophoretic mobilities and enzyme assay are clinically most useful to detect the disorders. Unique methods have been devised for unstable hemoglobins. Abnormal skeletal proteins are responsible for some spherocytosis and related diseases. Disorder of proteins which have penetrated into the membrane may cause similar hemolysis. Complement regulatory proteins on the surface of membrane are defective in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Flow-cytometric analysis is convenient for disclosing clonal abnormal erythrocytes. Antibodies are investigated after elution. Ultimate characterization for the erythrocyte proteins are performed on biochemical approaches, such as amino acid analysis by HPLC and determination of base sequences of cDNA.

Anemia, Hemolytic, Congenital↗
PubMed1996

[Clinical study on a concomitant therapy with fluconazole and human recombinant granulocyte colony stimulating factor in the treatment of systemic fungal infections with hematological disorders].

The clinical efficacy and the safety of concomitant therapy with fluconazole and recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) was compared with fluconazole monotherapy in neutropenic patients with hematological disorders. The clinical efficacy rate was 73.5% (25/34) in the combination therapy and 48.1% (37/77) in monotherapy. The difference between the two is statistically significant. Side effects were not observed in the combination group, but laboratory abnormalities were found in 6 patients with an incident rate of 11%. The combination therapy with fluconazole and rhG-CSF may be selected as empiric therapy for systemic fungal infection associated with hematological disorders, since this combination therapy showed high efficacy and low incident of side effects. Some patients, however, did not show increased neutrophil counts in spite of rhG-CSF administration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Analysis of enterovirus genotypes using single-strand conformation polymorphisms of polymerase chain reaction products.

Enterovirus genotypes were identified rapidly by reverse (RT-PCR) followed by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. The primer pair was chosen from the highly conserved sequence at the 5' non-coding region of enterovirus genomes. RT-PCR amplified a 154 bp sequence in all samples from 14 serotypes of enteroviruses, including group A and B Coxsackie viruses, echoviruses and polioviruses. SSCP analysis of these products revealed different electrophoretic profiles. Thus, SSCP analysis will be useful for differentiating the genotypes of enteroviruses, and may be applicable for rapid diagnosis of enteroviral infection.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Evaluation of serum KL-6 levels in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

SETTING: KL-6, a human MUC-1 mucin preferentially expressed on type II pneumocytes, is a sensitive serum marker for evaluating alveolar damage of interstitial pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis. Some patients with pulmonary tuberculosis develop severe respiratory dysfunction caused by extensive pulmonary fibrosis, compensatory emphysema and fibrous pleural thickening. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinico-pathological significance of KL-6 in pulmonary tuberculosis. DESIGN: Serum KL-6 levels were measured in sera from 57 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis and 38 healthy controls by a sandwich-type enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Immunohistochemistry was performed by an avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method. RESULTS: KL-6 levels were significantly higher in the patients than in the healthy controls (518 +/- 693 [SD] vs 227 +/- 91 U/ml, P < 0.001) and increased significantly according to the extent of pulmonary lesions evaluated by chest X-ray (P < 0.001). There was a significant negative correlation between serum KL-6 levels and % vital capacity (VC) (r = 0.642, P < 0.05). KL-6 was strongly expressed on proliferated type II pneumocytes and cuboidal epithelial cells adjacent to thickened intralobular septa and pleura. CONCLUSIONS: In pulmonary tuberculosis, serum KL-6 originates from proliferated type II pneumocytes and cuboidal epithelial cells, and is a useful marker presenting the degree and extent of pulmonary fibroproductive lesions.

Aged↗