Healing of Fournier's gangrene of the scrotum in a haemodialysis patient after conservative therapy alone.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Aged↗
Biomedical subjects
S Kohno
Publications and source records attributed to S Kohno.
Interstitial expression of heat shock protein 47 and alpha-smooth muscle actin in renal allograft failure.
BACKGROUND: Tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis are the main pathological features of chronic renal allograft rejection, which is characterized by accumulation of extracellular matrix protein. Heat shock protein 47 (HSP47), known as a collagen-specific stress protein, is thought to be a molecular chaperone during the processing and/or secretion of procollagen. HSP47 is thought to be involved in the progression of fibrosis, but its expression in chronic renal allograft rejection is still unknown. METHODS: We examined the expression of HSP47 together with that of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), a marker of myofibroblasts, and CD68, a marker of macrophages, by immunohistochemistry in allograft kidney tissues. Uninvolved portions of surgically removed kidneys with tumours served as control tissue. RESULTS: Expression of HSP47 was detected in the interstitium of fibrotic regions of allograft kidneys. Cells positive for HSP47 were also stained for alpha-SMA and type I collagen, and the expression of HSP47 correlated with the degree of interstitial fibrosis. Furthermore, the expression of HSP47 correlated with the number of infiltrating macrophages. In contrast, HSP47 and alpha-SMA were not expressed in the control tissues, sections of 1 h post-transplantation biopsy specimens and acute allograft rejection without fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that HSP47 may contribute to the progression of interstitial fibrosis in allograft renal tissues.
Actins↗
Streptococcal M protein enhances TGF-beta production and increases surface IgA-positive B cells in vitro in IgA nephropathy.
BACKGROUND: High serum levels and enhanced in vitro production of IgA are observed in more than half of patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN); and transforming forming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is certain IgA class switching factor. On the other hand, macroscopic haematuria appears frequently with upper respiratory infection as tonsillitis in IgAN. METHODS: We compared the lymphocytic response to in-vitro stimulation by group A streptococcal M proteins of apparent virulence factor between IgAN, non-proliferative glomerulonephritis (NPGN), and normal subjects. M proteins were extracted from group A streptococcal strain type 5 and type 12 determined serologically. RESULTS: M protein-induced proliferation of lymphocytes from IgAN was higher than in NPGN but not in healthy control subjects. Flow cytometric analysis indicated that stimulation by M protein extracts derived from type 5 streptococci (M5) increased surface IgA-positive B cells in IgAN, but did not activate the production of soluble IgA. We also showed that M5 induced significant increases in TGF-beta, in culture supernatants of lymphocytes from patients with IgAN. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that Streptococcal infection may play an important role in the pathogenesis of IgAN by stimulating IgA production through TGF-beta synthesis.
Adult↗
Seroprevalence of antibodies to Chlamydia spp. in human immunodeficiency virus-infected subjects in Japan.
To evaluate the seropositivity of Chlamydia spp. in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected subjects in Japan, Chlamydia-specific antibodies in sera collected from 106 HIV-infected subjects were measured by the microimmunofluorescence test. The prevalence of C. pneumoniae-specific IgA, C. trachomatis-specific IgG and IgA and mean titers were significantly higher in the homosexual and heterosexual HIV-infected subjects than in the hemophilic patients and HIV-negative controls. These data indicate that the higher C. pneumoniae and C. trachomatis seroprevalence among HIV-infected subjects is probably due to an HIV risk factor, such as promiscuous sexual behavior, rather than to HIV infection itself.
Adolescent↗
Th1-Th2 cytokine kinetics in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of mice infected with Cryptococcus neoformans of different virulences.
Th1 immune response plays an important role in protection against infection with Cryptococcus neoformans in mice. We investigated the effect of virulence of C. neoformans on cytokine production in the lung of a mouse model of pulmonary cryptococcosis. BALB/c mice were inoculated intratracheally with a high or low virulence strain of C. neoformans, followed by serial measurements of Th1 and Th2 cytokine concentrations in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid using appropriate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The number of colony-forming units (CFU) increased with time, and all mice infected with the highly virulent strain were dead at 28 days after inoculation. In contrast, the number of microorganisms diminished with time in the mice infected with the low virulence strain during the 4-week study. The numbers of neutrophils and lymphocytes in the BAL fluid paralleled those of CFU. High neutrophil counts were observed in the BAL fluid of mice infected with the highly virulent strain, while lymphocyte counts were increased only in the later part of the study in mice infected with the high and low virulence strains. The concentrations of Th2 cytokine, interleukin (IL)-4 were significantly higher in mice infected with the highly virulent strain at days 14 and 21 of infection, whereas the level of Th1 cytokine, interferon-gamma, was significantly higher in the latter strain at days 7 and 14. Our results suggest that strain-specific difference in the organism's ability to induce (or evade) the host immune system contributes to the outcome of infection.
Animals↗
Birth cohort effects on incidence of lung cancers: a population-based study in Nagasaki, Japan.
Smoking prevalence remains high (around 60%) among Japanese males, but smoking initiation among males born in the 1930s decreased by approximately 10% due to economic difficulties following World War II. The present study was designed to examine whether this temporary decline in smoking initiation influenced the subsequent incidence of lung cancers, especially adenocarcinoma. Trends of lung cancer incidence by histological type in both sexes were investigated using data from the population-based cancer registry in Nagasaki, Japan, from 1986 through 1995. During this period, 5668 males and 2309 females were diagnosed as having lung cancer, and the overall incidence of lung cancers among both sexes remained stable. However, males aged 55 - 59 years showed a decrease in the age-specific incidence of adenocarcinoma and squamous-cell carcinoma (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). In birth cohort analyses, the incidence of adenocarcinoma and squamous-cell carcinoma was lower in the 1935 - 1939 birth male cohort than in the successive cohorts. The incidence of lung cancers among females with low smoking prevalence did not change with birth cohort. The low smoking initiation among the 1935 - 1939 birth male cohort appeared to have resulted in a decreased incidence of adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma among middle-aged Japanese males. The present study suggests that smoking prevention has an effect in reducing the incidence of lung adenocarcinoma, as well as squamous-cell carcinoma, among smokers.
Adenocarcinoma↗
Implication of NF-kappaB in Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis.
OBJECTIVE: Transcription factor NF-kappaB plays a pivotal role in inflammatory responses by up-regulating mRNA expression of bioactive molecules such as chemokines and adhesion molecules. The present study was designed to elucidate the implication of NF-kappaB in Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis (HAG). METHODS: We examined 41 patients with HAG and 18 H. pylori-negative control subjects. Expression of activated NF-kappaB was studied in situ by immunohistochemistry using alpha-p65 mouse monoclonal antibody (alpha-p65 mAb), which recognizes activated NF-kappaB. To identify the cell types in which NF-kappaB was activated, we performed immunohistochemical analysis using antibodies against vascular endothelial cells, macrophages, and B and T lymphocytes. We also examined the colocalization of activated NF-kappaB with the of intercellular expression adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on endothelial cells. We measured the levels of NF-kappaB-dependent chemokines including interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha) in antral mucosa by ELISA (ELISA). RESULTS: Activated NF-kappaB was detected in the nuclei of epithelial cells in antral mucosa, especially of patients with HAG. NF-kappaB positivity index (NF-kappaB PI), representing the percentages of epithelial cells with positive nuclear staining for activated NF-kappaB, was significantly higher in patients with HAG than in H. pylori-negative controls. NF-kappaB PI correlated significantly with histological scores of gastritis. Moreover, activated NF-kappaB was identified in the nuclei of vascular endothelial cells, macrophages, and B lymphocytes within the lamina propria in HAG. Colocalization of activated NF-kappaB with ICAM-1 expression in the same endothelial cells was demonstrated. The IL-8 levels significantly correlated with the NF-kappaB PI. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to epithelial cells, macrophages, vascular endothelial cells, and B lymphocytes contained activated NF-kappaB. In these cells, activated NF-kappaB may be involved in the inflammation process in HAG through the up-regulation of chemokines or adhesion molecules.
Adult↗
[A Shigella sonnei outbreak in Nagasaki].
We have experienced an outbreak of dysentery in Nagasaki. Shigella sonnei were positively cultured from 467 patients out of suspected 821 cases, and 346 patients were admitted. 121 patients were treated with oral antimicrobials in the outpatient clinic. Five patients were diagnosed as secondary infection. We treated a total of 96 patients in Nagasaki Municipal Medical Center, and studied the clinical and bacterial features in these 96 patients. Chief complaints included fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Most diarrheal patients showed waterly diarrhea and only a few were bloody (3 of 47). Treatment of levofloxacine 300 mg a day for 5 days successfully eliminated S. sonnei from all culture positive patients. An environmental surveillance revealed that water in a well at the university to which many patients were using was the origin of the infection with positive cultures of S. sonnei. No difference between the clinical and environmental isolates was observed in results on biochemical, serological and enzymatic tests. All isolates were susceptible to levofloxacin and to ofloxacin, but three isolates showed resistance of fosfomycin with MIC above 64 micrograms/ml. In analysis of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, both clinical and environmental isolates were considered to be closely related.
Anti-Infective Agents↗
[An imported case of primary pulmonary coccidioidomycosis].
Coccidioides immitis is a causative agent of coccidioidomycosis, which is one of the most dreadful mycosis because of its infectious and pathogenic nature. The endemic areas are in the southwestern parts of the United States and other semi-arid regions throughout the Western Hemisphere. During the early 1990s, the incidence of coccidioidomycosis in California increased dramatically, resulting in recognition for this mycosis as a reemerging infectious disease in the United States. The patients included a large number of non-informed visitors from non-endemic countries. Our report is on an imported case of primary pulmonary coccidioidomycosis. A 35-year-old Japanese male, after living in the United States for nine months, suffered from a combination of headache and fever. He was given a serological examination, and a chest radiograph in Phoenix, Arizona in the United States and was diagnosed as coccidioidomycosis. A daily dosage of 400 mg of fluconazole was administered and he returned to Japan. His headache and skin rash persisted and he was admitted to our hospital to evaluate the severity of his disease. There were no fungi cultured from neither bronchoalveolar nor cerebrospinal fluid and he was discharged. The patient had been treated with fluconazole and his symptoms, high-resolution CT and serological antibody titer were monitored. After 18 months, his clinical and radiological evolution was favorable and his serological IgM titer was below its sensitivity medication was stopped and there were no relapses.
Adult↗
In vitro activity of telithromycin (HMR3647), a new ketolide, against clinical isolates of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in Japan.
The in vitro activity of telithromycin (HMR3647), a new ketolide, against Mycoplasma pneumoniae was determined by the broth microdilution test using 41 clinical isolates obtained in Japan, as compared with those of five macrolides (erythromycin, clarithromycin, roxithromycin, azithromycin, and josamycin), minocycline, and levofloxacin. Telithromycin was less potent than azithromycin, but it was more active than four other macrolides, minocycline, and levofloxacin; its MICs at which 50 and 90% of the isolates tested were inhibited were both 0.00097 microg/ml, justifying clinical studies to determine its efficacy for treatment of M. pneumoniae.
Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
Interactions of ofloxacin and erythromycin with the multidrug resistance protein (MRP) in MRP-overexpressing human leukemia cells.
To investigate interactions between the multidrug resistance protein (MRP) and antimicrobial agents, we examined the effects of 12 agents on vincristine sensitivity and efflux of the calcein acetoxy-methyl ester (calcein-AM) of a MRP substrate in MRP-overexpressing cells. Only ofloxacin and erythromycin enhanced sensitivity with increased intracellular vincristine accumulation and inhibited the calcein-AM efflux. Our findings suggest that the two agents are possible MRP substrates and may competitively inhibit MRP function as a drug efflux pump.
ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
Efficacy of FK463, a (1,3)-beta-D-glucan synthase inhibitor, in disseminated azole-resistant candida albicans infection in mice.
The efficacy of FK463, a new (1,3)-beta-D-glucan synthase inhibitor, against azole-resistant Candida albicans strains has been studied. The MIC of FK463 was lower than those of azoles and amphotericin B against CDR1-expressing C26 and CaMDR-expressing C40 strains. All mice treated with FK463 (1 mg/kg) survived disseminated murine candidiasis. The fungal burden in the kidney after 6 days was markedly reduced after therapy with FK463 and amphotericin B sodium deoxycholate, and plasma (1,3)-beta-D-glucan concentration was found to be lower in FK463-treated mice. In our study, FK463 was found to be a potent antifungal agent against disseminated infection with azole-resistant C. albicans.
Animals↗
Two patients with occupational asthma who returned to work with dust respirators.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of dust respirators in preventing asthma attacks in patients with occupational asthma (asthma induced by buckwheat flour or wheat flour). METHODS: The effect of the work environment was examined in two patients with occupational asthma with and without the use of a commercially available mask or a dust respirator. Pulmonary function tests were performed immediately before and after work and at 1 hourly intervals for 14 hours after returning to the hospital. RESULTS: In patient 1, environmental exposure resulted in no symptoms during and immediately after work, but coughing, wheezing, and dyspnoea developed after 6 hours. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) decreased by 44% 7 hours after leaving the work environment, showing only a positive late asthmatic reaction (LAR). In patient 2, environmental exposure resulted in coughing and wheezing 10 minutes after initiation during bread making, and PEFR decreased by 39%. After 7 hours, PEFR decreased by 34%. The environmental provocation tests in both patients were repeated after wearing a commercial respiratory. This resulted in a complete suppression of LAR in patient 1 and of immediate asthmatic reaction (IAR) and LAR in patient 2. CONCLUSIONS: Two patients with asthma induced by buckwheat flour or wheat flour in whom asthmatic attacks could be prevented with a dust respirator are reported. Dust respirators are effective in preventing asthma attacks induced by buckwheat flour and wheat flour.
Adult↗
Hexamethylene diisocyanate causes contraction of canine tracheal smooth muscles through activation of muscarinic receptors.
BACKGROUND: Asthma caused by occupational exposure to hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) is well known; however, the exact pathogenic mechanisms remain unclear. METHODS: Experiments were performed using a standard canine tracheal smooth muscle (CTSM) strip preparation in an isolated bath to determine the effect of HDI on tracheal smooth muscle contraction. HDI concentration-response curves were constructed and the effects of different receptor antagonists on HDI-induced smooth muscle contraction were determined. To determine whether HDI and acetylcholine (ACh) bind to a common muscarinic receptor, ACh concentration-response curves in the absence or presence of HDI and concentration-response curves for HDI and ACh in the presence or absence of atropine were plotted. RESULTS: HDI caused contraction of CTSM, with a threshold concentration of 10(-7) M. The EC(50) (HDI concentration that produced 50% of the maximal response) was 6.2+/-0.7 x10(-7) M and the maximal contractile response (174+/-55 g/g of tissue) occurred at a concentration of 5.0+/-0.8 x 10(-6) M. Atropine, a muscarinic blocker, significantly inhibited HDI-induced contractile responses. HDI shifted the ACh concentration-response curve to the right. The mean pA(2) for atropine against ACh (8.93+/-0.27) was not significantly different from that against HDI (8.03+/-0.12). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that HDI causes contraction of CTSM through the activation of muscarinic receptors. Direct stimulation of muscarinic receptors by HDI may play an important role in HDI-induced asthma.
Acetylcholine↗
Participation of neuropeptides in antigen-induced contraction of guinea pig bronchi via NK(2) but not NK(1) receptor stimulation.
We evaluated the contribution of neuropeptides to antigen-induced contractions of isolated bronchi and tracheae of passively sensitized guinea pigs using CP-96345 and SR 48968, specific antagonists of NK(1) and NK(2) receptors, respectively, in combination with treatment by an antihistaminic and a cysteinyl leukotriene antagonist. SR-48968 but not CP-96345, significantly inhibited the late phase of the bronchial contraction. Phosphoramidon, a neutral endopeptidase inhibitor, tended to potentiate bronchial contraction. Posttreatment with SR-48968 decreased the enhanced contraction induced by the inhibitor as well as the nonenhanced contraction to similar levels of tension. On the other hand, antigen-induced tracheal contraction was not altered by either neuropeptide antagonist. These results suggest that neuropeptides mediate the antigen-induced contractile response of the guinea pig bronchus partly through NK(2) receptor stimulation.
Animals↗
Superoxide dismutase in alveolar macrophages from patients with diffuse panbronchiolitis.
BACKGROUND: Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) is characterized by chronic neutrophil-mediated inflammation of the airway mediated by oxygen radical production. DPB can be controlled with low-dose and long-term erythromycin therapy based on its anti-inflammatory effect. OBJECTIVE: In this study, the antioxidant levels were analyzed as an anti-inflammatory effect of erythromycin in the patients. METHODS: We investigated the activity and protein level of an antioxidant enzyme, Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) in alveolar macrophages (AMs) of patients with DPB before and after erythromycin therapy. AMs were obtained from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the activity of Cu, Zn-SOD between normal subjects and untreated patients. Erythromycin therapy (600 mg/day) significantly increased the activity of the enzyme relative to that before therapy and normal subjects [18.2 units/10(6) cells (9.2-26.2) vs. 4.4 units/10(6) cells (1.1-9.3), p < 0.01 and 10.4 units/10(6) cells (2.4-20.6), p < 0.05, respectively]. Furthermore, the protein level of Cu, Zn-SOD in AMs in treated patients was significantly higher than in the other two groups [69.4 ng/10(6) cells (34.2-147.1) vs. 20.1 ng/ 10(6) cells (16.9-39.8) for untreated patients, p < 0.01 and 43.2 ng/10(6) cells (32.6-68.2) for normal subjects, p < 0.01], but the levels in the latter groups were not different. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that one of the anti-inflammatory effects of erythromycin in DPB may be, in part, mediated by enhancement of antioxidant activity in AMs.
Adult↗
Region-specific bone mass changes in rat mandibular condyle following ovariectomy.
The effects of estrogen deficiency on the mandible have been indicated; however, there have been only a few reports on the mandibular condyle. To clarify the region-specific changes of condyles following estrogen deficiency, we histomorphometrically studied the anterior and posterior regions of condyles in sham-operated (Sham) and ovariectomized (Ovx) female Fischer rats, since it has been reported that rat occlusal force loads mainly onto the anterior part of the condyle. The anterior and posterior regions of condyles showed significantly different bone dynamics. The bone volume in the anterior region of the Sham group increased to 79.9% with aging, but that of the posterior region remained at ca. 60%. In the Ovx group, the bone volume of the posterior region significantly declined to 42.7% until 60 days post-ovariectomy, although no changes occurred in the anterior region. As compared with the Sham counterparts, both regions of the Ovx group showed high bone turnover and revealed significantly low bone volume at 60 days (p < 0.01). Regional differences between anterior and posterior regions were more emphasized in the Ovx than in the Sham group. The osteoclast number and amount of eroded surface in the Ovx were higher in the posterior than in the anterior region, with significance at 30 and/or 60 days (p < 0.05). The mineralized surface at 14 days and the bone formation rate at 60 days in the Ovx posterior region were significantly lower than those in the Ovx anterior region (p < 0.05). Consequently, a net bone loss occurred in the posterior region of the mandibular condyle in ovariectomized rats, owing to region specificity and estrogen deficiency.
Analysis of Variance↗
Left ventricular mass and global function in essential hypertension after antihypertensive therapy.
This study compares left ventricular global function in 55 patients (25 with hypertrophy and 30 without hypertrophy) with essential hypertension, whose blood pressure had been stable for longer than 1 year, with that in 35 healthy subjects. Left ventricular global function was calculated using the echocardiographic Doppler index as described by Tei et al. (Tei index). No significant differences were observed in echocardiographic left ventricular systolic function between the three groups. Left ventricular global function differed significantly between the three groups, however, suggesting impaired left ventricular global function even in the absence of left ventricular hypertrophy. Similar changes were observed in the ratio of peak velocity of atrial systole to peak velocity of early diastole during left ventricular inflow waveform (A/E), indicating that this disorder mainly reflects impaired left ventricular diastolic function. Unlike A/E, the Tei index is not affected by increasing age, and, therefore, is appropriate for evaluating left ventricular global function in hypertensive patients, most of whom are middle-aged or older. This index may be useful for determining treatment strategy and evaluating treatment effects.
Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗