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Biomedical subjects

S Kohno

Publications and source records attributed to S Kohno.

At least 451 records · Page 25Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

[Two cases of pulmonary dirofilariasis in Nagasaki Prefecture].

We reported two cases of pulmonary dirofilariasis in Nagasaki Prefecture. Each case was admitted to our hospitals for evaluation of an abnormal shadow on chest X-ray film taken for examination. We strongly suspected lung cancer before operation. It was resected in order to confirm the pathological diagnosis. There was a Dirofilaria immitis in the vessels surrounded by the necrotic tissues. The case of pulmonary dirofilariasis tends to increase in Japan, but the positive rate of dogs with Dirofilaria immitis tends to decrease, because of decreasing breeding places of mosquitoes by the spread of the public sewage system in Nagasaki City.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Evaluation of susceptibility of gram-positive and -negative bacteria to human defensins by using radial diffusion assay.

Defensins are small cationic bactericidal peptides present abundantly in the granules of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). Human PMNs contain four defensins termed HNP-1 to HNP-4. We used a new assay system in agar plates, the radial diffusion assay, to evaluate the effects of human defensins against gram-positive and -negative bacteria. A crude mixture of HNP-1, -2, and -3 (crude HNPs) was purified from human PMN extracts by reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The different components were later separated by RP-HPLC and gel permeation chromatography. We compared the antibacterial activities of purified HNP-1, -2, and -3 against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, and methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains using the radial diffusion assay. The antibacterial activities of HNP-1 and HNP-2 against all strains tested were similar to those of the crude HNPs, but the activity of HNP-3 was less than those of the other defensins. To quantitate the activities of HNPs against different bacteria, we defined the minimal dose of crude HNPs forming a detectable clear zone around the bacteria as the minimal inhibitory dose (MID) and determined the MIDs for 10 strains of E. coli, 12 strains of P. aeruginosa, 10 strains of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus, and 12 strains of methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates, including clinical isolates. In general, the MIDs of the HNPs were similar against similar bacterial species. However, the MIDs for P. aeruginosa were higher than those for the other organisms tested. The radial diffusion assay is suitable as a screening test for measuring the susceptibilities of isolates to defensins, because it is sensitive and simple and has good reproducibility.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1996

Relationship between rifampin MICs for and rpoB mutations of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated in Japan.

We analyzed the relationship between rifampin MICs and rpoB mutations of 40 clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A point mutation in either codon 516, 526, or 531 was found in 13 strains requiring MICs of > or = 64 micrograms/ml, while 21 strains requiring MICs of < or = 1 microgram/ml showed no alteration in these codons. However, 3 of these 21 strains contained a point mutation in either codon 515 or 533. Of the other six strains requiring MICs between 2 and 32 micrograms/ml, three contained a point mutation in codon 516 or 526, while no alteration was detected in the other three. Our results indicate that the sequencing analysis of a 69-bp fragment in the rpoB gene is useful in predicting rifampin-resistant phenotypes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Inhibitory effect of erythromycin on interleukin 8 production by 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-stimulated THP-1 cells.

We have recently reported that long-term administration of erythromycin at a low dose reduced the number of neutrophils and concentrations of interleukin 8 (IL-8) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in patients with chronic lower respiratory tract disease. To investigate the mechanism of action of erythromycin, we evaluated its effect on IL-8 production in the 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-stimulated human monocytic cell line THP-1. Erythromycin at a concentration of 10 micrograms/ml significantly reduced IL-8 production by THP-1 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (10 ng/ml) and 1% normal human serum compared with the amount produced by untreated cells (untreated cells, 2,448 pg/ml; erythromycin-treated cells, 872 pg/ml). Our results suggest that erythromycin may impair IL-8 production by alveolar macrophages, ultimately reducing neutrophil accumulation in the airspace.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1996

Detection of Cryptococcus neoformans gene in patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis.

Pulmonary cryptococcosis was diagnosed by nested PCR. Extraction of DNA was performed by mechanical destruction of the capsules of Cryptococcus neoformans by the glass bead technique. Nested PCR was positive for 4 of 5 culture-positive specimens but negative for 1 culture-positive specimen, 10 culture-negative specimens, and 1 specimen with undetermined culture results.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1996

New drug susceptibility test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis using the hybridization protection assay.

We developed a novel method for early detection of drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by using the hybridization protection assay (HPA). The number of viable bacteria during the incubation period correlated well with the number of relative light units measured by the HPA. In addition, the relative light unit values of susceptible strains on the first, third and fifth days of incubation were significantly different from those of resistant strains for both isoniazid and rifampin. Our results suggest that after isolation of the organism from clinical specimens, drug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis are accurately detected by the HPA even after 1 day of incubation with the drug.

Antibiotics, Antitubercular↗
PubMed1996

Enolase antigen, mannan antigen, Cand-Tec antigen, and beta-glucan in patients with candidemia.

We compared the specificities and sensitivities of four tests used for the serodiagnosis of candidemia in 39 patients with candidemia, including 10 patients with superficial Candida colonization, 10 patients with deep mycosis, and 20 healthy subjects. The results obtained by the dot immunoblotting assay for detecting the enolase antigen (48 kDa) were compared with those of assays for detecting mannan antigen, heat-labile antigen (a threshold titer of four times), and beta-glucan (> or = 60 pg/ml). Enolase antigen was detected in 28 (71.8%) patients with candidemia, while 30 (76.9%), 10 (25.6%), and 27 (84.4%) patients were positive for the heat-labile antigen by the Cand-Tec assay, the mannan antigen by the Pastorex Candida assay, and beta-glucan by the limulus test, respectively. Ten patients with superficial Candida colonization, 5 patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, 5 patients with cryptococcosis, and 20 healthy subjects were negative for both enolase antigen and mannan antigen. Two patients with superficial Candida colonization, one patient with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, and two patients with cryptococcosis were positive by the Cand-Tec assay. The beta-glucan concentration was more than 60 pg/ml in all patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis; however, it was less than 10 pg/ml in all patients with cryptococcosis. The specificity of enolase antigen in the serodiagnosis of candidemia was 100%, but the sensitivity was 71.8%. The specificity and sensitivity of Cand-Tec, the assay for mannan antigen, and the assay for beta-glucan were 76.9 and 87.5%, 25.6 and 100%, and 84.4 and 87.5%, respectively. Our results demonstrated that antigen detection tests are useful for the diagnosis of candidemia; however, none is satisfactory for the serodiagnosis of candidemia. We suggest that a combination of two assays may increase the accuracy of diagnosis of candidiasis.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Interleukin 1 beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin 8 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients with diffuse panbronchiolitis: a potential mechanism of macrolide therapy.

We measured the levels of interleukin (IL) 1 beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and IL-8 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and sera of patients with diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) before and after administration of erythromycin or roxithromycin. The pretreatment levels of IL-1 beta and IL-8 were significantly higher in the BALF of patients with DPB than in the BALF of patients with sarcoidosis and controls. The tumor necrosis factor alpha level was also higher than in controls, but not statistically significant. There was a significant correlation between percentage of neutrophils and IL-8 level in the BALF of DPB patients (r = 0.509; p < 0.05) on the one hand and between IL-1 beta and IL-8 on the other (r = 0.476; p < 0.04). Treatment for 1-24 months significantly reduced BALF levels of IL-1 beta and IL-8 of DPB patients in parallel with a reduction in BALF neutrophils. The serum level of IL-8 of DPB patients was higher, albeit insignificant, than that of controls and significantly lower than that in the BALF of the same patients (p = 0.0088). Serum IL-1 beta was below the detection limit. In addition, the concentration of IL-8 in alveolar macrophages obtained from 2 volunteers before and after oral erythromycin administration also decreased ex vivo. Our results indicate that IL-8 induces the migration of neutrophils to inflammatory sites. It is possible that the macrolides impair production and/or secretion of these cytokines, ultimately reducing neutrophil accumulation in the airway.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Neutrophil-related cytokines and neutrophil products in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of a patient with ANCA negative Wegener's granulomatosis.

We report a case of Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), with neutrophil accumulation in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Peripheral blood neutrophilia was present but the anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) was negative. The serum and BALF levels of neutrophil-related cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-8, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and IL-1 beta, were increased, particularly in BALF. Plasma and BALF levels of neutrophil elastase and defensins, which are released by neutrophils and are potentially toxic to cells, were also elevated. Our findings suggest that neutrophils and neutrophil-related cytokines may play an important role in the pathogenesis of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody negative as well as anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody positive Wegener's granulomatosis.

Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic↗
PubMed1996

Sephadex G-200-induced eosinophil infiltration into airways in non-sensitized and sensitized guinea pigs, and responsiveness of the cells to stimuli in vitro.

Eosinophils are thought to be one of the pathophysiologically pivotal cells in atopic-type inflammation. In the present experiments, the in vitro responsiveness to stimuli of eosinophils, which had infiltrated into the airway following intravenous administration of Sephadex G-200 (Sephadex), was mainly studied in non-sensitized and [antigen + Al(OH)3]-sensitized guinea pigs. In sensitized, Sephadex-treated guinea pigs, a large number of eosinophils were found in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, whereas a much smaller number of cells were recovered in either non-sensitized or sensitized, Sephadex-untreated animals and a smaller number were recovered in non-sensitized Sephadex-treated animals. The eosinophils from non-sensitized Sephadex-treated guinea pigs released superoxide anion (.O2-) and thromboxane (TX) B2 in response to platelet-activating factor (PAF), leukotriene B4 and Ca ionophore A23187. Either spontaneous or PAF-induced .O2- generation from eosinophils of sensitized, Sephadex-treated guinea pigs was significantly greater than that from non-sensitized animals, while TXB2 release stimulated by any of the above stimuli was not further enhanced by sensitization. These results indicate that active sensitization can change some eosinophil functions and that the functionally altered cells could play a pathophysiological role in atopic inflammation.

Aluminum Hydroxide↗
PubMed1996

Chronic bronchial foreign body mimicking peripheral lung tumor.

We describe a case with chronic bronchial foreign body presenting with recurrent hemoptysis mimicking a peripheral lung tumor, and the outcome of surgical resection. A 61-year-old female with recurrent hemoptysis had a peripheral nodule in the right lower lobe. A right bronchial arteriogram showed dilatation and hypervascularity in the nodule. Surgical removal of the nodule contained a small branch of a white cedar. Chronic bronchial foreign body, while rare in adults, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of peripheral lung tumors associated with recurrent hemoptysis.

Angiography↗
PubMed1996

A prospective study of bronchoscopy for endotracheobronchial tuberculosis.

To clarify the role of bronchoscopy for endotracheobronchial tuberculosis (EBTB), we performed a prospective study in 45 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis, in 15 (33%) of whom bronchoscopic findings related to EBTB were seen. The findings were classified into six types:edematous hyperemic, submucosal nodule, ulcerative (shallow and deep), polypoid, cicatrical, and compression type. Each of these types was related to the healing process and outcome after antituberculosis chemotherapy. Serial bronchoscopy revealed that lesions less advanced than the deep ulcerative type responded to chemotherapy; the deep ulcerative and polypoid types progressed to cicatrical bronchostenosis despite chemotherapy. In the follow-up of patients with lesions of the deep ulcerative and polypoid types, serial bronchoscopy after chemotherapy is recommended; these patients also require adjunctive therapy to prevent cicatrical bronchostenosis.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1996

[Tricuspid valve closure for pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum].

Tricuspid valve closure was performed on four children who had pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum. All of them had major right ventricle-coronary communications and severely hypoplastic right ventricle under 30% of normal right ventricle volume. Their coronary circulations were not right ventricle dependent. All of four patients survived tricuspid valve closure. Three children were performed Fontan procedure. One child, with severe change in her coronary arteries preoperatively, once improved her myocardial ischemia in early stage after tricuspid valve closure, however, the myocardial ischemia progrssed in one year later and died suddenly three years and five months after tricuspid valve closure. Three survivors remained good condition in their left ventricle function postoperatively. In this study, we investigated changes in LVEF, LVEDVI, LVEDP and mitral regurgitation as indicators of left ventricle functions through tricuspid valve closure. It revealed that tricuspid valve closure had advantages in preservation of left ventricle function and in preparation for Fontan procedure consequently.

Child↗
PubMed1996

[Expression of Fas and Fas-ligand in epithelium of ulcerative colitis].

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by the loss of epithelium and inflammation of lamina propria. In normal colon, epithelial cells are eliminated by apoptosis at the luminal surface. The apoptotic cells recognized by their typical morphology and the presence of DNA breaks are also accompanied by Fas and Fas-ligand. It is thought when Fas-ligand bound the Fas, the cells bearing Fas will enter a path of apoptosis. On the other hand, in inflamed areas of UC and adjacent un-inflamed areas, the apoptosis of epithelial cells are recognized anywhere along crypts. These findings suggest that unscheduled apoptosis in the UC crypts takes place and the apoptosis is mediated by a auto- or paracrine Fas/Fas-ligand interaction.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Serological diagnosis for cryptococcosis by the detection of beta-glucan and capsular polysaccharide].

Cryptococcosis is definitely diagnosed microbiologically or pathologically. As adjunctive diagnosis, serological and genetic diagnosis could be a promising method for rapid diagnosis of cryptococcosis. Capsular polysaccharides such as glucuronoxylomannan were used as antigens for serodiagnosis and very high sensitivity and specificity were obtained in pulmonar cryptococcosis. Polymerase chain reaction for URA5 gene was examined but the sensitivity was not high enough for clinical use.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[The effect of clomipramine to nocturnal periodic hypoxemia in Duchenne muscular dystrophy].

Respiratory insufficiency is a major cause of death in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The earliest sign is a hypoventilation which appears in REM sleep. We administered 20 mg of clomipramine hydrochloride before sleep to two DMD patients with periodic nocturnal hypoxemia. The complaints such as morning headache, nausea and somnolence disappeared promptly. Polysomnography revealed complete suppression of REM sleep and disappearance of periodic hypoxemia in both cases. The most important untoward effect was intractable constipation observed in one patient. Although clomipramine dramatically improved the nocturnal periodic hypoventilation, the therapeutic effects lasted less than three months. Permanent REM sleep suppression is requisite for optimal drug therapy of periodic nocturnal hypoventilation in DMD.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Molecular pharmacology and application to the bronchial asthma of thromboxane A2 antagonists].

Lung tissues are capable of forming a large amount of thromboxane (TX) A2. In addition to platelet aggregation and artery smooth muscle contraction, TXA2 induces potent contraction of the airway smooth muscles and airway hypersensitivity, suggesting that this arachidonate cyclooxygenase metabolite can contribute to a pathophysiological role for bronchial asthma as well as cardiovascular diseases. In this respect, many compounds competitively antagonizing TP (PGH2/TXA2) receptor, which is stimulated by not only TXA2 but also prostaglandin (PG) D2, PGF2 alpha, PGH2 and others, have been developed so far. Among these, several compounds have been proved or are being proved to be beneficial for treating of bronchial asthma in clinical. In this review, the efficacy of TP receptor blockers for bronchial asthma through the experimental results reported was discussed.

Animals↗