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Biomedical subjects

T Fujisawa

Publications and source records attributed to T Fujisawa.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources

Changes of anti-HB core antibody in children with positive HB surface antigen.

To elucidate the clinical courses of children chronically infected with HB virus (HBV), RIA values of anti-HBc were surveyed in 88 cases with positive HBs antigen. Among 56 children with positive HBe antigen, 20 had negative, indefinite or low titers of anti-HBc, and 18 (90%) of them had no liver malfunction. Out of 30 cases with abnormal liver function tests, 28 (93%) had high titers of anti-HBc. Follow-up study for a period of over 12 months reveals that serum HBe antigen disappeared in 10 out of the 40 cases who were positive for this antigen. All of the 10 cases had liver malfunction and high levels of anti-HBc. Among 12 children with initially positive anti-HBe, five had high titers of anti-HBc. Out of 13 children who once had high levels of anti-HBc, 3 showed reduction in titers of anti-HBc during the follow-up period in accordance with decrease in activity of hepatitis. Four out of 16 who initially had HBe antigen and low titers of anti-HBc showed high titers of anti-HBc during the observation period, while only one of 33 who had HBeAg and a high titer of anti-HBc went to the low titer group of anti-HBc, though continuously positive for HBe antigen. We presume that high levels of anti-HBc indicate previous or current liver damage due to HBV infection, while low titers of anti-HBc indicate that HBV-derived liver damage has not yet occurred or that a long time has passed since the last episode of liver damage subsided.

Adolescent↗

Study to establish normal values for portal vein blood flow in children using a duplex ultrasound system.

Portal vein blood flow in healthy children was measured using a duplex ultrasound system consisting of a B mode linear scanner and a single Doppler transducer. Portal blood flow volume (PBFV) correlated with age, height, weight and body surface area. Increases in PBFV with age were greater in boys than girls. A correlation was noted between the diameter of the portal vein and PBFV (r = 0.89). However, the maximum portal blood flow velocity (Vmax) did not correlate with age, height, weight or body surface area. Increases in PBFV in accordance with physical development was thought to depend mainly on widening of the portal vein and not on acceleration of portal blood flow velocity. The formula for calculating PBFV by multivaliate statistical analysis is as follows: PBFV(ml/min) = 30.1 x age(yrs) - 1.07 x height(cm) = 3.31 x weight(kg). Portal vein flowmetry using a duplex ultrasound system may be useful for evaluation of the hepatic circulation in children.

Adolescent↗

Neonatal Dubin-Johnson syndrome with severe cholestasis: effective phenobarbital therapy.

We described Dubin-Johnson syndrome (DJS) with severe cholestasis in a 20-day-old Japanese boy. Although neonatal DJS has been sporadically reported. DJS with severe cholestasis has not to our knowledge been described in the English literature. The ratio of urinary coproporphyrin isomer I to urinary total coproporphyrin in our patient was high (93%). Liver histology showed cytoplasmic pigment granules in the liver cells. Administration of phenobarbital (PB) significantly decreased the levels of bilirubin and bile acids in the serum. There was a significant elevation of 1 beta-hydroxylated bile acids in the urine. It is predicted that severe cholestasis in neonatal DJS may cause metabolic abnormalities in both bilirubin and bile acids transport.

Bile Acids and Salts↗

Isolation and identification of clostridia from the intestine of laboratory animals.

Quantitative and qualitative examination of faecal clostridia from laboratory mice, rats, hamsters and rabbits was carried out by using selective as well as nonselective culture techniques. The 364 isolates were identified where possible, to species level on the basis of physiological and biochemical characteristics. Most isolates from mice and rabbits were identified, i.e. 79.4% and 76.5%, respectively, while only 25.4% and 28.6% of isolates from rats and hamsters were characterized as described species. The most common species of the 16 identified were: C. coccoides, C. cocleatum and C. innocuum from mice; C. cocleatum, C. cochlearium and C. irregularis from rats; C. cocleatum and C. irregularis from hamsters; and C. aminovalericum and C. irregularis from rabbits. Unidentified Clostridium spp. were isolated from each animal species tested and were tentatively classified into 26 groups. None of these groups was found in more than one animal species in this study.

Animals↗

Extracapsular spread of squamous cell carcinoma in neck lymph nodes: prognostic factor of laryngeal cancer.

Fifty-two patients with laryngeal cancer who underwent radical neck dissections were studied to provide further information on the prognosis of various clinical and histopathological parameters. Extracapsular spread (ECS) was found in 31% of patients with N1 nodes, and in 60% of patients with histopathologically positive nodes. The 5-year survival rate of histopathological findings was as follows: patients with no pathological evidence of neck metastasis (81%), patients with neck metastasis confined to the lymph node (no ECS) (76%), and patients with ECS (17%). The difference in survival rate between patients with no ECS and patients with ECS was statistically significant (P = .001). Staging classification, T-stage classification, the number of malignant nodes, the diameter of malignant nodes, and combined therapy had no prognostic importance. The most significant factor was the presence of extracapsular spread.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Why no simple relationship between thyroid peroxidase activity-inhibiting immunoglobulins and thyroid function in autoimmune thyroid disease?

We have reported that some anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies inhibit the activity of thyroid peroxidase in vitro. These thyroid peroxidase activity-inhibiting immunoglobulins seem to inhibit thyroid function in some patients, but the relationship between thyroid peroxidase activity-inhibiting immunoglobulins and thyroid function is not simple. We designed this study to explore this lack of a simple relationship. We stained immunoglobulin G deposits by immunofluorescence staining or the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method, and stained endogenous thyroid peroxidase activity by enzyme histochemistry in thyroid sections. When cryostat thyroid sections were incubated with thyroid peroxidase activity-inhibiting immunoglobulins, immunoglobulin G deposits were seen as lines of stain on the apical border and as intracellular staining, and endogenous thyroid peroxidase activity was inhibited. In paraffin-embedded thyroid sections from 5 Hashimoto's patients and 6 Graves' patients, immunoglobulin G deposits were not found on the apical border of the follicular epithelium. In frozen thyroid sections from 22 Graves' patients, no clear deposits of immunoglobulin G on this apical border were seen. In organ-cultured thyroid slices incubated with thyroid peroxidase activity-inhibiting immunoglobulins, endogenous thyroid peroxidase activity was not inhibited. In conclusion, thyroid peroxidase activity-inhibiting immunoglobulins may reach its antigen only with difficulty. This is one of the reasons why no simple relationship is observed between thyroid peroxidase activity-inhibiting immunoglobulins and thyroid function.

Antigens↗

Establishment of epithelial cell lines from human and mouse thymus immortalized by the 12S adenoviral E1a gene product.

To understand the role of thymic epithelial cells in the development of immature thymocytes, the establishment and cloning of thymic epithelial cell lines must be required. In the present study, we established human and mouse thymic epithelial cell lines through the immortalization by the transfection of cDNA sequences of adenoviral E1a 12S mRNA. This procedure resulted in the isolation of five stable cell lines (one human cell line and four mouse cell lines). These cell lines were positive in cytokeratin demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. Electron microscopic study revealed that they had bundles of tonofilaments and desmosome-like tight junctions. These findings indicate that the cell lines immortalized by E1a gene have retained the properties of epithelial cells. MHC class II antigens were not expressed on these cell lines. When interferon-gamma was added to the cultured epithelial cell lines, MHC class II antigens were induced in their cytoplasm and on their surface membrane, demonstrated by immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent studies. It is suggested that these stable cell lines from human and mouse thymus might serve a good tool for the further study of thymocytes differentiation and of unknown cytokines derived from thymus epithelium.

Animals↗

[A clinicopathological study of thymomas, with special reference to evaluation of malignant grade by morphometric analysis].

To determine the factors influencing the extent and recurrence of thymoma, 31 cases of thymoma who had undergone complete resection were analyzed clinicopathologically with special reference to the nuclear area of epithelial cells. The mean tumor size and incidence of recurrence of stage III thymomas were significantly larger and higher than those of stage I thymomas. The nuclear area of epithelial cells of stage III thymomas (72.9 +/- 29.2 micron 2) was significantly larger than that of stage I thymomas (48.4 +/- 13.2 micron 2) or stage II thymomas (49.4 +/- 11.6 micron 2). The nuclear area of thymomas with recurrence (70.2 +/- 21.5 micron 2) was significantly larger than that of those without recurrence (50.2 +/- 12.8 micron 2). In 16 cases who were followed up for 5 years or more, the nuclear areas were over 50 micron 2 in all thymomas with recurrence, while in 8 of 11 thymomas without recurrence it was under 50 microns 2. These results indicated that the tumor size and nuclear area increased step-wisely in association with the advance of clinical stage and that the incidence of recurrence was related to not only clinical stage but also nuclear area. Thymomas with large nuclear area (over 50 microns 2) are considered to be a high-risk group of recurrence and should be carefully followed up.

Adult↗

[Comparative study on vindesine plus cisplatin treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer--three divided doses (35 mg/m2, day 1, 8, 15) and single dose (80 mg/m2, day 1) of cisplatin. Chiba Lung Cancer Study Group].

Sixty-one patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer were randomly allocated to receive vindesine (3 mg/m2, day 1, 8, 15) plus either three cisplatins (35 mg/m2, day 1, 8, 15) or one cisplatin (80 mg/m2, day 1). Among the 61 patients, the number of complete cases treated by the former administration schedule (group A) was 24 and by the latter schedule (group B) was 27. The response rate of group A was 25.0% and that of group B was 22.2%. There was no significant difference between survival curves of group A and B. The median survival times of group A and B were 8.5 months and 7.5, respectively. Regarding the incidence rate of various side effects, no difference was found between the two groups. However, according to the WHO grade of side effects, nausea/vomiting in group A was significantly milder than in group B. The grade of leukopenia in group A showed a tendency to be milder than in group B. In conclusion, in terms of tumor response, vindesine plus three doses of cisplatin was no better than conventional vindesine plus cisplatin chemotherapy, however side effects of the former were slightly less severe.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

[A comparative study of weight of regional lymph nodes in association with the presence of metastasis in primary lung cancer patients].

The weight of regional lymph nodes was measured in 173 patients who underwent surgical resection of the primary lung cancer and lymph nodes from January, 1986 to January, 1989 in our hospital. Histological examination was also performed and correlation of metastasis and the weight of lymph nodes were studied. The average weight of metastatic lymph nodes was 2.34 g while that of non-metastatic ones was 0.83 g indicating a significant (p less than 0.05) increase of weight in metastatic lymph nodes. Although the percentage of metastasis increased as the weight of lymph nodes increased, 7.6% of lymph nodes weighing less than 0.5 g was positive for metastasis. On the other hand, 66.7% of the lymph nodes weighing more than 3.0 g in adenocarcinoma and 34.5% in squamous cell carcinoma were positive for metastasis indicating the difference of the metastatic tendency to the lymph nodes between the two histological types. The comparative study of the weight of each lymph node station according to the JJC criteria demonstrated the difference of average weight of non-metastatic lymph nodes among each lymph node station. The average weight of pretracheal (#3), subcarinal (#7), interlobar (#11), and segmental (#12) lymph nodes without tumor metastasis were more than 1.0 g, however those of anterior mediastinal (#3a), paraesophageal (#8), and pulmonary ligament (#9) were less than 0.5 g. The average weight of metastatic lymph nodes in each lymph node station was in proportion to those of non-metastatic ones.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Congenital esophago-bronchial fistula in the adult--a case report].

A very rare case of congenital esophago-bronchial fistula in the adult is reported. Sixty-five years old, female. Complaining cough at drinking water and epigastric pain was diagnosed as esophago-bronchial fistula with esophageal diverticulum by Barium swallow and esophagoscopy. The resection of the fistula and diverticulum and the repair were carried out with smooth postoperative course. No evidence of inflammation along the fistula was demonstrated at surgery and microscopic findings of the resected material revealed the direct communication from the squamous epithelium to the cuboidal epithelium with underlying muscle layer in the wall. These results suggested this case the congenital esophago-bronchial fistula (Braimbridge type I).

Aged↗

[Results of noncurative resection of primary lung cancer].

Out of 1099 cases of primary lung cancer patients who underwent surgical treatment in our department from 1952 to 1988, 374 cases were divided as noncurative by the post surgical examination. We divided the causes of noncurative resection as follows; I) absolute noncurative resection 1) tumor rest in a) lymph nodes (Ly rest), b) chest wall or diaphragma (Ch + Dia rest), c) bronchial stump (Bro rest) 2) intra-pulmonary metastasis (pm), 3) dissemination or pleuritis carcinomatosa (Dis + pl) II) relative noncurative 1) incomplete dissection of lymph nodes (Ro) 2) group 2b lymph node metastasis (2b Ly). Ly rest was the commonnest (103 cases 27.5%) in noncurative resection and Ch + Dia rest (94 cases, 25.1%) and p.m. (54 cases 14.4%) followed thereafter. Two thirds of the noncurative cases were classified into these 3 groups, and the rest of the causes were Dis + pl, Bro rest. RO and 2b Ly groups. p.m. and Ly rest groups were the most common causes of noncurative resection in adenocarcinoma cases whereas Ly rest and Ch + Dia rest groups were common in squamous cell carcinoma cases. Five year survival rate of the total noncurative cases was 12.1% although those of Dis + pl groups was 22.9% and those of p.m. group was 18.8%. Five year survival rate of the other groups were around 10%. A slightly better survival rate was observed when relative noncurative resection was performed in RO (19.7%) and 2b Ly (18.7%) groups.

Female↗

[Measurement of serum eosinophil cationic protein levels in bronchial asthma].

We investigated the possibility of a relationship between the serum levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and the clinical parameters in asthma. A specific question was whether or not serum ECP changes with a circadian rhythm. Eighty nine children with bronchial asthma and sixteen normal, non-atopic subjects were studied. Serum ECP, eosinophil counts (Eo) and pulmonary functions were measured 4 or 5 times a day. ECP was quantitated by a specific radioimmunoassay. Serum ECP and Eo were significantly higher in the patients with bronchial asthma than in non-atopic subjects. Serum ECP levels were higher during asthma attacks and at 24 hours after attacks than those in stable conditions (free of attacks for more than 7 days). Although no circadian rhythm was observed in ECP changes, the patients with bronchial asthma showed a significantly greater variation of serum ECP levels than the non-atopic subjects. There was no significant correlation between serum ECP levels and 2- or 8-week attack score before the ECP measurement. These results suggest that serum ECP increases in bronchial asthma, especially in its acute exacerbation phase, and may reflect eosinophil activation in vivo.

Adolescent↗

Regulatory effect of cytokines on eosinophil degranulation.

We tested the effects of different cytokines on IgA- and IgG-induced eosinophil degranulation in vitro to determine the potential interaction between eosinophils and mononuclear cells. Purified normodense eosinophils were incubated with cytokines (including rIL-1, rIL-2, rIL-3, rIL-4, rIL-5, rIL-6, IFN-gamma, granulocyte-macrophage CSF stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and TNF) for 1 to 3 h after which Ig-coupled Sepharose 4B beads were added as targets and the mixtures were incubated with the eosinophils at 37 degrees C for 4 h. The Ig used were secretory IgA (sIgA), serum IgA and IgG, and myeloma IgA and IgG. The release of eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) was measured by RIA as an index of degranulation. rIL-5 was the most potent enhancer of Ig-induced degranulation and increased EDN release by 48% for sIgA and 136% for IgG. The effect of rIL-5 appeared as quickly as 15 min after incubation of eosinophils, sIgA beads and IL-5. GM-CSF and rIL-3 also enhanced Ig-induced EDN release but less potently than rIL-5. GM-CSF and rIL-5 by themselves induced a small but significant release of EDN from eosinophils in the absence of Ig-coated beads; rIL-3 did not. However, IFN-gamma suppressed sIgA-induced EDN release by 23%. The other cytokines did not have any effect on eosinophil degranulation. These results suggest that cytokines which induce eosinophil differentiation and proliferation during hematopoiesis also enhance the effector function of mature eosinophils and that IFN-gamma partially down-regulates eosinophil degranulation.

Colony-Stimulating Factors↗

Beneficial effects of the synthetic trypsin inhibitor camostate in cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in rats.

The therapeutic effect and the mechanism of action of the synthetic trypsin inhibitor camostate were studied in a rat model of acute interstitial pancreatitis induced by four subcutaneous injections of 20 micrograms/kg body weight of cerulein at hourly intervals. Rats with acute pancreatitis were given either 100 mg/kg body weight camostate or volume- and pH-adjusted water via an orogastric tube 30 min after the last cerulein injection. The elevation of serum amylase activity was significantly reduced by camostate treatment and the peak value was seen 1 hr earlier than that observed in the rats that did not receive camostate. Camostate also inhibited the reduction in pancreatic content of lipase and amylase seen during experimental pancreatitis. These effects were accompanied by alleviation of the histologic signs of acute pancreatitis such as cellular infiltration and acinar cell vacuolization. After oral administration, camostate and its metabolite were absorbed from the intestine and were detectable in plasma for more than 6 hr in concentrations high enough to have antiprotease activity. In addition, camostate in the duodenum was able to increase pancreatic juice flow and protein output and to stimulate endogenous secretin release. These results suggest that oral administration of camostate reduces the severity of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis by releasing endogenous secretin and by its antiprotease activity.

Acute Disease↗

Fasting prevents acute pancreatitis induced by cerulein in rats.

We examined the effect of fasting on the course of experimental acute pancreatitis induced in rats by four subcutaneous injections of 20 micrograms/kg body weight of cerulein at hourly intervals. Rats were either fasted from 24 hr before to 9 hr after the first cerulein injection or fed ad libitum throughout the experiment. Twenty-four hours of fasting reduced cerulein-induced increases in serum levels of amylase and anionic trypsin(ogen) to 50 and 70% of those in fed rats, respectively. Increases in pancreatic wet weight after cerulein injections were also less in fasted rats than in fed rats. Pancreatic content of trypsin was significantly decreased after a 24-hr fast, and no further changes were induced by cerulein injections. The histological signs of acute pancreatitis were greatly alleviated by fasting. However, 24 hr of fasting did not alter the sensitivity and responsiveness of the exocrine pancreas to cerulein in both in vivo and in vitro. Plasma CCK bioactivity and immunoreactive secretin concentration in 24-hr-fasted rats were significantly lower than those in fed rats. Administration of CCK receptor antagonist, loxiglumide, 12 hr prior to the induction of acute pancreatitis reduced the increase in serum amylase activity in fed rats to nearly the same levels as that in fasted rats and alleviated histological signs of pancreatitis to some extent. These present observations suggest that fasting lessens the severity of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis by reducing endogenous CCK release.

Acute Disease↗

New model of acute necrotizing pancreatitis induced by excessive doses of arginine in rats.

We examined the biological and histologic characteristics of a new experimental model of acute necrotizing pancreatitis induced by excessive doses of arginine in rats. Rats were given a single intraperitoneal injection of 500 mg/100 g body weight of L-arginine. At 12-24 hr after the arginine injection, serum levels of amylase, lipase, and anionic trypsin(ogen) reached respective peak values 2, 5, and 20 times those of control rats without arginine and returned to control levels after 24-48 hr. The contents of pancreatic protein, DNA, and digestive enzymes were markedly reduced after the arginine injection and reached their nadirs at 72 hr. After 14 days these levels were almost normal. Histologic examination revealed a number of small vesicles within acinar cells at 6 hr, which were identified as markedly swollen mitochondria by the electron microscope. Other intracellular organelles and nuclei also showed degenerative changes. At 12 hr interstitial edema appeared, and acinar cell necrosis was seen after 24 hr. The extent and severity of necrotic changes of pancreatic exocrine tissue with inflammatory cell infiltration were maximal at 72 hr. At seven days, pancreatic acinar cells began to regenerate, and pancreatic architecture appeared almost normal after 14 days. The present study has demonstrated that the administration of excessive doses of arginine induces a new, noninvasive experimental model of acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

Acute Disease↗