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Biomedical subjects

T Abe

Publications and source records attributed to T Abe.

At least 451 records · Page 25Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Histological change after interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C in view of iron deposition in the liver.

We examined the efficacy of interferon (IFN) therapy for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in view of the change of liver histology and iron staining before and after IFN therapy. Enrolled in this study were 109 patients with CHC who completed IFN treatment and were followed for at least 1 yr after the end of IFN therapy. Serum iron, unsaturated-iron-binding capacity (UIBC), and total-iron-binding capacity (TIBC) were assessed before IFN therapy. Knodell's histological activity index (HAI) score and iron staining were examined in 55 patients in whom liver biopsy was performed at two points: before and. 1 yr after IFN therapy. Serum iron levels before IFN therapy did not correlate with the response to IFN. The HAI score significantly decreased after IFN therapy in complete responders (p < 0.01) and biochemical responders (p < 0.01). Three factors in the HAI, periportal necrosis, intralobular necrosis, and portal inflammation, but not fibrosis, were significantly decreased in complete responders (p < 0.01) and biochemical responders (p < 0.01). Of 55 patients, 23 (41.8%) were positive for iron staining before IFN therapy and 14 of 55 (25.5%) after IFN therapy. The positive rate for iron staining tended to decrease after IFN therapy, not correlating to the response to IFN, but the change was not statistically significant. In conclusion, the histological improvement by IFN therapy was mostly seen in necroinflammatory changes but not in fibrosis at least 1 yr after IFN, and iron staining tended to decrease after IFN therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Aberrant luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone-stimulated adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion in a patient with pituitary hyperplasia due to primary hypothyroidism.

We report a patient with primary hypothyroidism associated with an aberrant ACTH response to the LH-RH test. A 40-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital displaying headache, nausea, and numbness on the left side of her face, upper limbs, and tips of her toes. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass-like lesion in the pituitary. A high serum TSH concentration with concomitant low thyroid hormone concentrations resulted in a diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism. To exclude the possibility of a coexisting pituitary tumor including a TSH-secreting tumor, we performed dynamic TSH secretion tests. TRH testing showed an excessive, delayed TSH response, typical of primary hypothyroidism. Serum TSH decreased not only after administration of CRH, octreotide, or L-DOPA, but also after administration of LH-RH. In this case, LH-RH testing induced ACTH secretion. To determine if aberrant ACTH secretion in response to LH-RH loading is a common phenomenon in severe primary hypothyroidism, we performed the LH-RH test on 4 additional patients with pituitary enlargement due to primary hypothyroidism. Two patients demonstrated aberrant ACTH secretion in response to LH-RH loading, but the others did not. To our knowledge, this is the first report of aberrant LH-RH-stimulated ACTH secretion in primary hypothyroidism.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed2000

A case of sinus pause due to the proarrhythmia of pilsicainide.

A 74-year-old man received oral administration of pilsicainide, a pure sodium channel blocker with slow recovery kinetics, to convert paroxysmal atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm and developed loss of consciousness two days later. The ECG monitoring revealed sinus pause with markedly prolonged PQ interval and QRS width. Two days after the drug was discontinued, the duration of the QRS complex was normalized. This drug is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, most of which is excreted from the kidney. The plasma concentration of pilsicainide, although not measured, must have been very high, since his renal function was impaired. When pilsicainide is prescribed in patients with coronary artery disease or renal dysfunction, close attention must be paid to avoid life-threatening arrhythmias due to high plasma concentrations of the drug. This is an interesting case because the proarrhthmia of the drug was not tachyarrhythmia, such as ventricular tachycardia or torsades de pointes, but sinus pause.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2000

Ceramide-induced cell death in cultured rat retinal pigment epithelial cells.

We investigated whether retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) responds to ceramide, a known second messenger of apoptosis. RPE cells were isolated by 6-8 day old Long Evans rat eye. We used MTS assay for viability test, and used Hoechst 33552 and propidium iodide for apoptotic cell staining. In cultured rat RPE cells, the addition of membrane-permeable ceramide induced apoptosis-like cell death rapidly. RPE cell death was dependent on C2-ceramide concentration. The effective dose (ED50) of C2-ceramide was 23.64 microM. Ceramide-induced RPE cell death was inhibited by zVAD-fmk, a CPP32-like protease inhibitor. Our findings indicated that ceramide in RPE cell death functions upstream of CPP32-like proteases.

Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones↗
PubMed2000

Auto iris pigment epithelial cell transplantation in patients with age-related macular degeneration: short-term results.

Autologous iris pigment epithelial cell transplantation was performed on patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Autologous IPE cell culture was performed using autologous serum after iridectomy in 7 patients with AMD. The cell suspensions (2 approximately 20 x 10(4) cells) were transplanted into the submacular lesion of individuals after removal of neovascular membranes. Subsequent ophthalmological examinations, including best corrected visual acuity and fluorescein or indocyanine green angiography, were performed. In addition, 15 patients with AMD, who underwent removal of neovascular membrane without transplantation, were evaluated as non randomized controls. Varying degrees of atrophy or defects of choriocapillaris and retinal pigment epithelium were observed in all of the patients. No cystoid macular edema or fluorescein leakage was observed after treatment, but window defects were present. No patient had decreased visual acuity. One treated patient developed mild subretinal fibrosis and an other patient developed mild preretinal fibrosis, however no difference was significant when compared with the control. In conclusion, the treatment resulted in no significant improvement in macular function, as compared with the control; however, no rejection or deterioration in visual acuity occurred up to the 13 month follow up.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Distribution of acid sphingomyelinase in human various body fluids.

Enzyme activities of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) were determined in various human cell-free body fluids, serum, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, salivary fluid, tear fluid, and synovial fluid, using assay buffers with or without Zn2+ -cation. Although ASM activity was not detected in the cerebrospinal fluid, the other fluids demonstrated significant enzyme activities of ASM. All ASMs detected in the fluids were stimulated by the addition of Zn2+ -cation, suggesting that those enzymes are secretory ASM derived from ASM gene. We suggest a possible enzymatic diagnosis of Niemann-Pick disease types A and B using those body fluids. Interestingly, salivary and tear fluids showed much higher activities of ASM than those of the other fluids. Because sphingolipids, especially sphingomyelin, are major constituents of a normal diet, especially, milk, eggs, and meat products, we suggest that ASM in the salivary gland may play an important role in the digestion of sphingomyelin in a normal diet.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Signal through gp130 activated by soluble interleukin (IL)-6 receptor (R) and IL-6 or IL-6R/IL-6 fusion protein enhances ex vivo expansion of human peripheral blood-derived hematopoietic progenitors.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of a combination of soluble interleukin (sIL)-6 receptor (R) and IL-6 on the ex vivo expansion of human peripheral blood (PB)-derived hematopoietic progenitor cells in a short-term serum-free liquid suspension culture system, using PB-derived CD34(+)IL-6R(+/-) cells as a target. In combination with stem cell factor (SCF), IL-3, and sIL-6R/IL-6, the expansion efficiency (EE) for granulocyte/macrophage colony-forming unit (CFU-GM) reached a peak level on day 10 of incubation. On the other hand, the EE for erythroid burst (BFU-E) and mixed colony-forming unit (CFU-Mix) reached a peak level on day 7 of incubation. Among the cytokine combinations tested, SCF + IL-3 + sIL-6R/IL-6 + flt3 ligand (FL) most effectively expanded CFU-GM and CFU-Mix. The maximum EEs for CFU-GM and CFU-Mix were 208-fold and 42-fold, respectively. While the EE for BFU-E was 70-90-fold in the presence of SCF + IL-3 + sIL-6R/IL-6, FL significantly augmented the EE for CFU-GM and CFU-Mix. In contrast, thrombopoietin (TPO) significantly augmented the EE for CFU-Mix. Interestingly, in combination with IL-3 and SCF, newly generated IL-6R/IL-6 fusion protein (FP) expanded PB-derived BFU-E and CFU-Mix twice more effectively than a combination of sIL-6R and IL-6. These results demonstrated that human PB-derived committed progenitors were effectively expanded in vitro using sIL-6R/IL-6 or FP, in combination with IL-3, SCF and/or FL or TPO, and that FP may transduce a stronger intracellular signal than a combination of sIL-6R and IL-6.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Effects of thyroxine on L-cysteine desulfuration in mouse liver.

The effect of exogenous thyroxine (T4) administration on the activity of rhodanese, cystathionase, and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (MPST) in the mitochondrial and cytosolic fractions of mouse liver was investigated. Three groups of mice were treated for 6 consecutive days with subcutaneous injections of T4 (50 micrograms, 100 micrograms, and 250 micrograms per 100 g of body wt, respectively). The other 3 groups were given 100 micrograms of T4 per 100 g of body wt for 1, 2, or 3 days. The dose of 100 micrograms T4 per 100 g of body wt given for 6 days exerted the strongest effect on the activity of all of the investigated enzymes. In comparison to the control, rhodanese activity diminished in the mitochondrial fraction by 40% (P < 0.05), cystathionase activity diminished in the cytosolic fraction by 15% (P < 0.05), and MPST activity in the mitochondrial fraction was reduced by 34% (P < 0.05), whereas cytosolic MPST activity was unaltered. Simultaneously, in the liver homogenate, elevated levels of ATP and sulfate were observed after 6 days of T4 administration. Thus, the present results seem to suggest that in the mouse liver, after 6 days of administration of 100 micrograms T4 per 100 g of body wt, the desulfuration metabolism of L-cysteine is diminished, which is probably accompanied by an increase in oxidative L-cysteine metabolism. The dose of 100 micrograms per 100 g of body wt administered for a shorter period, and the use of a lower dosage (50 micrograms T4 per 100 g of body wt) for 6 days had a stimulatory effect upon MPST activity level, and an increased level of sulfane sulfur was observed.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2000

Effect of resistive knee extension training on postural control measures in middle aged and elderly persons.

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether knee extension strength gain in middle-aged and elderly persons is associated with improvement in the limits of stability when leaning his/her body in various directions. The resistance training group (EXT; 4 males, 17 females) completed two bilateral knee extension training sessions, consisting of one set of exercises, per week for 10 weeks. The non-training control group (CONT; 4 males, 3 females) were instructed not to train their legs during the 10-week control period. One set of exercises consisted of 8-12 repetitions of a dynamic resistance exercise until volitional fatigue for knee extension. The initial load for training was set at 70% of the one-repetition maximum (1-RM). The thickness of the rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles were measured using a B-mode ultrasound apparatus. The postural control measures, obtained using the Balance Master system, included the percentage limits-of-stability (%LOS) and path length (%Path). The 1-RM in EXT was increased significantly by resistance training (p < 0.001). In addition, significant differences were observed between the percentage increase of 1-RM in EXT and those in CONT at wk 5 and at wk 10 of resistance training (p < 0.001). However, no significant increase in muscle thickness of RF or VL was found in EXT. The %LOS to the rear target in EXT was increased significantly by resistance training (p < 0.05-0.01). In addition, the percentage change in %Path was decreased significantly by resistance training (p < 0.001). Therefore, strength gain in quadriceps femoris appears to be associated with improvement in the %LOS and %Path for the rear. In conclusion, strength gain in quadriceps femoris is thought to possibly enable accurate movement of the COG farther from the center target towards the rear, suggesting that strength gain has a positive influence on a person's perception of their ability to avoid falls.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

A patient with cyclic neutropenia complicated by severe persistent neutropenia successfully delivered a healthy baby.

We describe a 24-year-old pregnant woman complicated by cyclic neutropenia (CN), who was successfully treated with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). Her white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil count fluctuated from 2,600 to 4,600/microl, and 26 to 2,530/microl, respectively. The peak neutrophil count gradually decreased as pregnancy advanced, resulting in the disappearance of its cyclicity. At 39 weeks of pregnancy when the neutrophil count became 84/microl, the patient was started on G-CSF and her neutrophil count increased to 1,550/microl on the fourth day after delivery. She delivered a healthy baby without any complications at 39 weeks of pregnancy.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Trigeminal neuralgia associated with tentorial agenesis and temporal lobe herniation--case report.

A 22-year-old female presented with an extremely rare case of trigeminal neuralgia associated with tentorial agenesis. The pulsating pain in her left maxillary region persisted for an abnormally long time and had no trigger zone. The pain later spread to the periorbital region. Coronal magnetic resonance imaging revealed left medial temporal lobe herniation caused by tentorial agenesis. The herniated temporal lobe, which had distorted the superior cerebellar artery, was causing compression of the trigeminal nerve. Her condition improved following microvascular decompression surgery. Tentorial agenesis should be considered as a cause of atypical pulsating facial pain, especially in younger patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Idiopathic hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis with perifocal brain edema--case report.

A 51-year-old female presented with an extremely rare case of idiopathic hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis manifesting as markedly thickened frontotemporal meninges with expanding perifocal edema. Magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium revealed enhancement of the thickened dura mater protruding into the brain parenchyma accompanied by focal edema causing a mass effect. Histological examination of a biopsy specimen revealed thickened dura with infiltrating lymphocytes. Serological and immunological tests were normal. No inflammatory response or evidence of malignant tumors was observed. The patient was treated with predonisolone, resulting in marked improvement of the mass effect. High-dose steroid therapy appears to be effective for intracranial pachymeningitis associated with expanding perifocal brain edema.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗
PubMed2000

Superior sagittal sinus and cerebral cortical venous thrombosis caused by congenital protein C deficiency--case report.

A 47-year-old male receiving anticoagulant therapy for thrombophlebitis in the left leg for several years presented with mild left hemiparesis and ipsilateral hypesthesia. The cause of the thrombophlebitis was still unknown. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed subacute thrombosis of both the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) and a cortical vein in the right cerebral hemisphere. Fluid attenuation inversion recovery axial MR imaging demonstrated these lesions more obviously than conventional T2-weighted axial MR imaging. Right carotid angiography showed a partial SSS filling defect and occlusion of the cortical vein with collateral circulation. Coagulation studies revealed decreases in both protein C activity and antigen levels with normal levels of blood coagulation factors II, VII, IX, and X and protein S activity and antigen. The patient's mother had normal levels of both protein C activity and antigen, but his father had decreased levels. The diagnosis was SSS and cerebral cortical venous thrombosis caused by congenital protein C deficiency. The patient was treated conservatively, and his clinical course was uneventful. His neurological dysfunctions recovered within approximately 3 weeks after the onset. Ten months later, right carotid angiography showed recanalization of the SSS and partial filling of the cortical vein. Anticoagulant therapy has been continued, and no cerebral venous thrombosis has recurred during the 1.5 years after the onset.

Cerebral Angiography↗
PubMed2000

A new Leu253Arg mutation in the RP2 gene in a Japanese family with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa.

PURPOSE: To identify the clinical findings in a Japanese family with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa associated with mutation in codon 253 (Leu253Arg) in the RP2 gene. METHODS: Case reports included clinical features and results of fluorescein angiography, electroretinogram, kinetic visual field testing, and DNA analysis. Two affected hemizygotes with retinitis pigmentosa associated with transversion mutations in codon 253 (Leu253Arg) of the RP2 gene and the obligate carriers were examined. RESULTS: A novel Leu253Arg mutation of the RP2 gene was found to cosegregate with retinal degeneration in two affected males and two carriers in female heterozygote in a Japanese family. The ophthalmic findings in hemizygote showed severe retinal degeneration. In the obligate carrier, mild chorioretinal degeneration was observed in both eyes but a tapetal-like reflex of the fundus was not apparent. CONCLUSIONS: The mutation at codon 253 of the RP2 gene is the first mutation reported in a Japanese family. It is concluded that the mutation of the RP2 gene also causes the X-linked retinitis pigmentosa in Japanese patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[A therapeutic metastasectomy of pulmonary metastases by VATS].

The use of VATS to perform diagnostic metastasectomy is uniformly accepted, but the role of therapeutic VATS metastasectomy remains controversial. We retrospectively compared the value of therapeutic metastasectomy by VATS with that by open thoracotomy in the management of pulmonary metastatic tumors. The forty-six patients who underwent a complete metastasectomy of pulmonary metastatic tumors were divided into groups: one group in which metastasectomy was performed by VATS (VATS group; 23 cases, 25 operations) and another group in which metastasectomy was performed by open thoracotomy (Thoracotomy group 23 cases, 26 operations). Here, complete metastasectomy means compete resection of all tumors, which were detected by preoperative high resolution computed tomography in both groups and also by intraoperative manipulation in the thoracotomy group, without positive lesions of the surgical margin. The groups were matched with respect to preoperative clinical characteristics (age, sex, primary lesion, disease-free interval) and histological findings (maximum tumor size, number of metastatic tumors, minimum distance between surgical margin and tumor edge). The cumulative survival one-year and three-year rates were 83.5 and 83.5% in the VATS group, and 89.5 and 77.5% in the thoracotomy group, respectively. The cumulative one-year and three-year non-recurrence rates were 72.3 and 68.0% in the VATS group and 83.9 and 63.8% in the thoracotomy group, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups. We conclude that pulmonary metastasectomy by VATS can be used safely not only as a diagnostic but also therapeutic tool if complete resection is done following diagnosis by preoperative high resolution computed tomography.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

[Advantages of stereotaxic aspiration of intracerebral hematoma using interventional magnetic resonance imaging: new surgical method].

We describe the usefulness of stereotaxic surgery in the brain with special focus on aspiration of intracerebral hematoma using interventional MRI (0.3 Tesla; Hitachi, Japan). A 62-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with sudden right incomplete hemiparesis. A CT scan on admission showed a high-density mass in the left putamen. Soon after admission, her consciousness gradually decreased and the incomplete hemiparesis quickly worsened, so we promptly initiated an operation for stereotaxic aspiration of an intracerebral hematoma. During the surgery, real-time monitoring by MR-fluoroscopy depicted the gradual decrease of the hematoma. Postoperatively, her consciousness recovered to an almost alert level, but her right hemiparesis was unchanged. Stereotaxic aspiration of intracerebral hematoma using interventional MRI is advantageous because it enables accurate and safe evacuation of intracerebral hematoma in real time with no risk of irradiation during the procedure.

Aged↗