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Biomedical subjects

T Abe

Publications and source records attributed to T Abe.

At least 397 records · Page 22Linked to original sources

Lack of association of the Ala45Thr variant in the BETA2/NEUROD1 with type 1 diabetes in Japanese.

To evaluate the role of the Ala45Thr variant of BETA2/NEUROD1 in the development of type 1 or type 2 diabetes, we studied a Japanese population consisting of 383 control subjects, 234 type 1 diabetes patients and 160 type 2 diabetes patients. Both genotypewise and allelewise, there was no significant association of the variant with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes in Japanese. Also, there were no significant differences in clinical characteristics with and without the variant. Our present results do not support a recent report which described an association of the Ala45Thr variant with type 1 diabetes in Japanese.

Adult↗

Haloperidol-induced rhabdomyolysis without neuroleptic malignant syndrome in a handicapped child.

A 6-year-old severely handicapped boy with haloperidol-induced mild rhabdomyolysis without neuroleptic malignant syndrome is reported. He had suffered from frontal lobe epilepsy, severe mental retardation and involuntary movements. To reduce the involuntary movements, oral administration of haloperidol was started. Haloperidol was effective for the involuntary movements, and he became well. However, his urine was sometimes dark brown, and the myoglobin level in his urine was increased. After discontinuation of haloperidol, his urine never became dark brown. It was suspected that haloperidol might cause mild rhabdomyolysis without neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a rare but severe adverse effect of neuroleptics, and is usually accompanied by rhabdomyolysis. Although there have been a few adult cases presenting rhabdomyolysis without neuroleptic malignant syndrome, this patient might be the first child case with such symptoms. We have to pay attention to this syndrome when using haloperidol even in children.

Anti-Dyskinesia Agents↗

Infantile convulsions with mild gastroenteritis.

The development of sensitive new molecular genetic techniques has led to the detection of rotavirus in cerebrospinal fluid, stools and throat swabs from patients with gastroenteritis with accompanying clinical symptoms similar to infantile benign convulsions. Small round structured virus (SRSV) has also been found in stools of patients with similar clinical symptoms by a new procedure. However, the mechanism by which these viral infections induce benign convulsions remains to be elucidated. The present paper reviews recent virological and clinical studies of seizures probably caused by gastroenteritis viruses including rotavirus, SRSV and other viruses.

Caliciviridae Infections↗

Midazolam as a first-line agent for status epilepticus in children.

Midazolam is a water-soluble benzodiazepine, and has recently emerged as a safe and effective treatment option after ordinary antiepileptic therapy in the management of status epilepticus. However, midazolam as a first-line agent for status epilepticus in children has not been fully investigated. Intravenous midazolam was used for status epilepticus in 27 children (38 convulsive episodes) from January 1997 to December 1999 in our hospital. Among them, 10 patients (16 convulsive episodes) were treated with intravenous midazolam as a first-line agent. The causes of the seizures varied. Midazolam was administered as an intravenous bolus dose (0.1-0.3 mg/kg), followed by continuous intravenous infusion (1-8 microg/kg per min). In all epileptic episodes but one, the seizures stopped within 1 min without any adverse effects. These results were compatible with the previously reported ones. It is important to terminate status epilepticus which can cause brain damage. Midazolam seems to be effective and safe as a first-line therapy for status epilepticus in children.

Adolescent↗

Gene expression related to cholesterol metabolism in mouse brain during development.

Although a large amount of cholesterol is known to be needed for brain maturation and differentiation, cholesterol metabolism during these periods remains unclear. To elucidate the developmental regulation of cholesterol metabolism in the brain, we investigated the expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methyglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase (EC 1.1.1.34), low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) receptor and very-low-density-lipoprotein (VLDL)/apolipoprotein E (apo E) receptor (VLDL receptor) using RNase protection assay (RPA) to quantitate mRNA levels in mouse brain, liver and kidney during development. Messenger RNA levels of HMG-CoA reductase in the brain decreased with age, and those levels at -5 (5 days before birth) and 5 days after birth were significantly higher than the control level of adult mice. The period from -5 to 5 days might correspond to stages of active biogenesis of the membranes of brain cells. The mRNA level of HMG-CoA reductase in the liver was also high at -5 days; a finding that correlated with cell proliferation. On the other hand, mRNA levels of the LDL and VLDL receptors in the brain did not change markedly during development. These results suggest that de novo cholesterol biosynthesis in brain cells plays a major role in the supply of cholesterol to the developing brain, rather than the uptake of cholesterol from serum lipoproteins through lipoprotein receptors.

Aging↗

Disappearance of a white matter lesion in incontinentia pigmenti.

We report a 12-month-old Japanese female with incontinentia pigmenti, in whom magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disclosed a small transient lesion in the white matter. After birth, she developed some vesicular skin eruptions that mainly involved the lower extremities. These skin lesions increased in size and number and became hyperpigmented within 2 weeks. At 1 month of age, MRI revealed a small hypointense lesion on T(1)-weighted imaging, with water density on T(2)-weighted imaging, in the right centrum semiovale. At 4 months of age, her hyperpigmented lesions had faded, and at 7 months of age, MRI disclosed the disappearance of the previously observed abnormality. She exhibited no neurologic abnormalities. No cases have been reported concerning a transient lesion in the white matter revealed by MRI in incontinentia pigmenti. Although the pathogenesis is unknown, transient central nervous system involvement might have occurred in early infancy as did the fading skin lesions.

Brain Diseases↗

Surgical repair of the pulmonary trunk aneurysm.

OBJECTIVE: Aneurysm formation of the pulmonary trunk is rare and there is controversy about optimal treatment for this disease. The aim of this article is to report four patients with pulmonary trunk aneurysm which were managed by surgical repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1986 to 1997, we performed surgical repair for pulmonary trunk aneurysm in four patients. There was one male and three female patients with a mean age of 63.3 years (range: 54-78 years). Concomitant diseases were cardiac valvular disease in four patients, thoracic aortic dissection in two, atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysm in two, and coronary artery disease in one. All patients were in New York Heart Association functional class III preoperatively. Surgical procedures for the pulmonary trunk aneurysm included Dacron graft replacement in two patients and aneurysmorrhaphy in two. Associated procedures were cardiac valvular operation in three patients with four lesions and right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction (RVOTR) in one. RESULTS: There were no operative mortalities and no late deaths with a mean follow-up period of 6.6 years (range: 2.4-10.0 years). One female patient developed recurrent pulmonary trunk aneurysm 9.5 years after aneurysmorrhaphy, and underwent a second operation where Dacron graft replacement of the aneurysm including pulmonary valve replacement was performed successfully. All patients are now leading normal lives. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical management should be considered for large aneurysm of the pulmonary trunk regardless of its etiology and underlying disease to prevent possible rupture with fatal result if the patient has an acceptably low operative risk.

Aged↗

Up-regulation of urokinase-type plasminogen activator and its receptor correlates with enhanced invasion activity of human glioma cells mediated by transforming growth factor-alpha or basic fibroblast growth factor.

Glioblastoma multiforme is a highly malignant tumor that is extremely refractory to therapy. One reason is its highly invasive nature into brain tissue. Metalloproteinases and their inhibitors, plasminogen activators (PA) and their inhibitors and cathepsins are thought to be involved in invasion by tumor cells. In this study, we determined if the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and/or the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) were responsible for the invasion activity of a human glioma cell line. We determined the invasion activity of a human glioma U251 cell line using an in vitro invasion assay system. A 2.4- to 5.8-fold increase in invasion activity was observed in the presence of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha. Northern blot analysis showed that bFCF and TGF-alpha treatment was associated with increases in cellular mRNA levels of uPA and uPAR. Zymographic activity correlated to mRNA levels of uPA and uPAR. Addition of an anti-uPAR monoclonal antibody significantly inhibited the invasion activity induced by bFGF- and TGF-alpha. Irsogladine, an inhibitor of uPA synthesis, also blocked the invasion activity. These observations suggest that uPA and its receptor have a role in the invasion process of human gliomas.

Fibroblast Growth Factor 2↗

Magnetic resonance imaging of a non-pigmented adenoma of the ciliary epithelium.

PURPOSE: A non-pigmented adenoma of the ciliary epithelium is rare. No good documentation has been reported in which magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), histological examination, and immunohistological evaluation have all been conducted. We showed how this tumor differed from ciliary body melanoma. METHODS: We evaluated the ciliary body tumor by MRI, histological examination, and immunohistochemical examination. The data was compared with previously reported cases. RESULT: The tumor was classified as an adenoma of the non-pigmented ciliary epithelium with extracellular pools of hyaluronidase-sensitive mucopolysaccharide. The MRI appearance of the vitreous in our patient showed hyperintensity on T1, isointensity on T2 and marked enhancement with gadolinium. None of 3 other reported patients exhibited the same signals. CONCLUSION: MRI appearance is most variable in adenomas and no microscopical diagnosis can be based on that. Our patient showed isointensity on T2 with marked enhancement by gadolinium when compared to malignant melanoma.

Adenoma↗

Cell kinetic study of normal human bone marrow hematopoiesis and acute leukemia using 7AAD/PY.

We have used the 7AAD/PY method to analyze the cell cycle status of normal human bone marrow hematopoiesis, and found that the cell kinetics differed. There were cells with relatively low levels of RNA in the S-phase (Type I) and a high level in the S-phase (Type 11). T-cells, B-cells, nucleated red cells and CD34+/CD19+ early B-cells in bone marrow were Type I, whereas myelomonocytic subset and CD34+/CD33-dim+ common myeloid cells were Type II. AC133+/CD38-dim cells, which were thought to be lineage-marker negative hematopoietic stem cells, had intermediate amounts of RNA in the S-phase between Type I and II (Type 0). Seventy-four cases of acute leukemia were also analyzed. Most of the T- and B-ALL cases were found to be Type I, most of the ANLL cases were Type II, and there were 10 cases that were Type 0. These findings yielded fundamental information about normal hematopoiesis and acute leukemia.

Adult↗

Thrombopoietin activates the growth of megakaryoblasts in patients with chronic myeloproliferative disorders and myelodysplastic syndrome.

The effects of thrombopoietin (TPO) on cell proliferation and differentiation, and the relation between these effects and the expression of c-mpl on leukemia cells were studied in seven acute myelogeneous leukemia cell lines and seven myelogeneous blast cell preparations from patients with chronic myeloproliferative disorders (CMPDs) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Among the leukemia cells, five preparations of megakaryoblastic leukemia cells from patients and one megakaryoblastic cell line, CMK 11.5, proliferated in response to TPO in vitro. CMK 11.5 and the blastic cells from one patient diagnosed with MDS with myelofibrosis differentiated with increasing expression of CD41a in response to TPO. However, TPO had no effect on the cells lacking megakaryocytic characteristics. Some patients with CMPD and MDS develop acute transformation with blasts demonstrating megakaryocytic features, and some of these cells show growth in response to TPO. Therefore, in vivo administration of TPO should be considered carefully for patients with CMPD or MDS, since TPO may induce leukemic cell proliferation.

Cell Differentiation↗

JTV-519, a novel cardioprotective agent, improves the contractile recovery after ischaemia-reperfusion in coronary perfused guinea-pig ventricular muscles.

A newly synthesized benzothiazepine derivative, JTV-519 (JT) has been reported to be cardioprotective. However, the precise mechanism underlying the cardioprotective effect of this drug is unknown. Coronary-perfused guinea-pig ventricular muscles were subjected to 20-min no-flow ischaemia followed by 60-min reperfusion (I/R). I/R significantly decreased the contraction in untreated preparations (control group, 34+/-4% of baseline value, n=6). Brief administration of JT (1.0 microM) prior to ischaemia significantly improved the postischaemic contractile recovery (63+/-5% of baseline value, n=4), as compared to the control group. JT (1.0 microM) slightly prolonged action potential duration before ischaemia and induced conduction disturbance (2 : 1 block) after the initiation of ischaemia. The cardioprotective effect of JT was antagonized by chelerythrine (CH, 5.0 microM), an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC) or by 5-hydroxydecanoic acid (5-HD, 400 microM), an inhibitor of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channels. These results suggest that the protective effect of JT is due to the opening of mitochondrial K(ATP) channels, which, in turn, is linked to PKC activation.

Action Potentials↗

HLA-mismatched CD34-selected stem cell transplant complicated by HHV-6 reactivation in the central nervous system.

We report here a patient who suffered from PCR- confirmed human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6) meningoencephalitis after allogeneic purified CD34+ cell transplantation from his HLA-mismatched sibling donor, even though he had been on intense prophylaxis with i.v. ganciclovir (GCV), acyclovir (ACV) and gamma-globulin containing a specific antibody against HHV-6. Serological evaluation disclosed that both the donor and recipient had IgG antibody against HHV-6 before transplantation. His blood WBC count started to transiently increase on day 10, and all blood components had decreased by day 20. He then developed a severe headache and high blood pressure, and sporadic abnormal neurological findings including nystagmus and delirium. An analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed 8 cells/microl, a glucose level of 130 mg/dl and a protein level of 201 mg/dl (normal, 50 mg/dl) on day 26. At the time, HHV-6 was detected only in CSF by a PCR-based method and he was diagnosed as having meningoencephalitis due to the local reactivation of HHV-6. Although he failed to respond to high-dose therapy with ACV (60 mg/kg/day) and gamma-globulin, the DNA of this virus disappeared from the CNS upon treatment with GCV (30 mg/kg/day) combined with the intraventricular infusion of alpha-interferon. His clinical course was further complicated with meningoencephalitis due to staphylococcus epidermidis, and he died of tentorial herniation on day 79 without the recovery of blood components. This experience may indicate that intense prophylaxis to prevent reactivation of HHV-6 in the CNS is essential for the management of such profoundly immunosuppressed patients.

Acyclovir↗

Interleukin 6 receptor expression by human cord blood- or peripheral blood-derived primitive haematopoietic progenitors implies acquisition of different functional properties.

The significance of interleukin 6 receptor (IL-6R) expression by cord blood (CB)- and peripheral blood (PB)-derived primitive haematopoietic progenitors was investigated. IL-6R was preferentially expressed by PB-derived myeloid progenitors. Most PB-derived erythroid bursts (BFU-E) and mixed colony-forming cells (CFU-Mix) did not express this receptor. However, CB-derived primitive progenitor cells possessed multipotentiality, irrespective of IL-6R expression. Interestingly, the long-term culture-initiating cell (LTC-IC) population was enriched in PB-derived CD34+ IL-6R+ cells, but the extended LTC-IC (ELTC-IC) population, which represents a less mature class of haematopoietic progenitors, seemed to be equally distributed in the IL-6R+ and IL-6R- cell populations. In contrast, the number of LTC-ICs and ELTC-ICs was similar in CB-derived CD34+ IL-6R+ or IL-6R- cells. It is noteworthy that the number of LTC-ICs and ELTC-ICs in CB-derived CD34+ cells was markedly higher than that in PB-derived CD34+ cells regardless of IL-6R expression. Telomerase activity was consistently lower in PB-derived CD34+ IL-6R- cells than in CD34+ IL-6R+ cells. In contrast, telomerase activity was similar in CB-derived CD34+ IL-6R+ or IL-6R- cells. The pattern of telomerase induction upon cytokine stimulation differed between CB- and PB-derived CD34+ IL-6R+ or IL-6R- cells. However, overall telomerase activity per dish was well correlated with the proliferative potential of both cell populations, suggesting that induction of telomerase plays an important role in the escape from replicative senescence of primitive haematopoietic progenitors. Collectively, these results suggest that CB-derived primitive progenitors are less mature than PB-derived progenitors and that the expression of IL-6R by primitive haematopoietic progenitors may have different implications for PB- and CB-derived CD34+ cells.

Antigens, CD↗

Microsatellite analysis of the regeneration process of Magnolia obovata Thunb.

We analysed the regeneration process of Magnolia obovata using polymorphic microsatellite markers. Eighty-three adult trees standing in a watershed covering an area of 69 ha, and saplings collected from a smaller research plot (6 ha) located at the centre of the watershed were genotyped using microsatellite markers. Among 91 saplings analysed, 24 (26%) had both parents, 31 (34%) had one parent and 36 (40%) had no parent within the watershed. The proportion of genes in saplings inherited from the adults within the watershed was 43%, and therefore 57% were from outside the site, indicating active gene exchange across the watershed area. Average distance between parents and saplings (264.6 +/- 135.3 (SD) m) was significantly smaller than that of pairs randomly chosen between adults and saplings (436.7 +/- 203.0 (SD) m). The distance of pollen movement inferred from the distance between the two parents of each sapling ranged from 3.2 m to 540 m with an average of 131.1 m +/- 121.1 m (SD). Because 34% ( = 31/91) of saplings had only one parent within the watershed, the estimate of average pollen movement must be smaller than the actual one. Long-distance seed dispersal by birds, inbreeding depression and limitation in acceptance of pollen because of the difference of phenology in each individual flower were considered to be the probable causes of large gene exchange across the watershed.

Alleles↗

Hypomanic switching caused by the psychological effects brought on by a change in environment due to hospital admission: two cases of bipolar II patients who showed a hypomanic switch.

Hypomanic episodes in two cases involving depressed patients (bipolar II) were observed after admission to an open psychiatric ward. The patients had not exhibited any prior (hypo)manic episodes during outpatient treatment. Thus, manic switching was thought to have been caused by the psychological effects brought on by the change in environment due to hospital admission. Hospital admission was believed to have been an unloading from their stressful lives, given that the affective state of both patients prior to admission was characterized by depression resulting from work-related stress. The close relationship between the patients and the predominantly female nursing staff may have triggered a psychological regression in both patients. These factors appear to have led to the hypomanic switching.

Adult↗

Comparison of the fatty acid composition of total lipids and phospholipids in breast milk from Japanese women.

Fatty acid (FA) composition of total lipids (TL) and phospholipids (PL) in breast milk obtained from 20 normal delivery healthy women in Tokyo, Japan was analyzed. Total lipids were extracted from the samples and then PL, consisting of phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylserine (PS), sphingomyelin (Sph) and phosphatidylinositol (PI), were separated by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography. The FA composition of TL and PL was analyzed by gas liquid-chromatography. Compared with previous reports, the contents of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3) in TL from Japanese women were higher than those from Chinese and Canadian women, which may be caused by different dietary habits and food types consumed by those populations. The contents of arachidonic acid (AA; 20:4n-6), EPA and DHA in PE and PI were much higher than those in PC. In addition, no significant correlation of EPA or DHA content was found between TL and PL. The findings indicate that PL especially PE and PI in human milk may be a source of EPA and DHA for infants in the rapid developmental stage. These results should be considered in infant formula production.

Chromatography, Gas↗