Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

T Fujiwara

Publications and source records attributed to T Fujiwara.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Sodium hyaluronate eye drops prevent late-onset bleb leakage after trabeculectomy with mitomycin C.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of sodium hyaluronate eye drops for prevention of late-onset bleb leakage after trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC). METHODS: Sixty-eight patients (68 eyes) who had trabeculectomy with MMC from March 1995 to February 2002 at the Marui Eye Clinic or the Department of Ophthalmology, Fukushima Medical University Hospital were examined in this study. Twenty-two were treated postoperatively with sodium hyaluronate eye drops (sodium hyaluronate group) and 46 eyes were not treated postoperatively (control group). The blebs were classified according to the avascular area, epithelial defect and degree of bleb wall leakage. Both groups were assigned classes (0, avascular or partial avascular bleb; 1, avascular or partial avascular bleb with an epithelial defect; 2, avascular or partial avascular bleb with oozing; 3, avascular or partial avascular bleb with a point of leakage). RESULTS: Follow-up duration ranged from 10 to 116 months (mean+/-SD, 57.6+/-30.5). The incidence of reclassification from class 1 to class 0 was significantly greater in the sodium hyaluronate group (four of six class 1 eyes improved to class 0 after application of sodium hyaluronate eye drops) than in the control group (zero of 10 eyes) (P=0.008). And, the incidence of reclassification from class 1 to class 2 or class 3 was significantly smaller in the sodium hyaluronate group (one of six eyes) than in the control group (nine of 10 eyes) (P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Sodium hyaluronate eye drops may prevent late-onset bleb leakage after trabeculectomy with MMC.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Immunoregulation and apoptosis induction of nitric oxide in the human mixed lymphocytes culture.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a multifunctional molecule in a variety of physiologic and pathologic processes. Its precise effect on human T lymphocyte responses against alloantigens are not yet fully known, although it has been reported that NO is antiproliferative and can cause apoptosis in several cell types. To address these issues, we analyzed the effects of an NO donor on mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC) and on apoptosis induction in T lymphocytes activated with alloantigens. NOC 18 was used as an NO donor. The MLC was performed with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from healthy volunteers. Cell division and interleukin (IL)-2 production were measured with CFSE labeling and an EIA kit, respectively. After cells were incubated with NOC 18 for 24 hours, DNA fragmentation was assessed using the diphenylamine assay. Pre-culture of cells with NOC 18 for 24 hours resulted in significant inhibition of cell proliferation and IL-2 production in MLC. NOC 18 induced DNA fragmentation of cells harvested from an MLC following 7 days of the culture, in a dose-dependent manner, whereas it never exerted any influence on DNA fragmentation of freshly isolated cells. A chemical NO donor, NOC-18, may have immunosuppressive ability when treatment of responder cells occurs before the beginning of the MLC and may induce apoptosis of alloantigen-activated T lymphocytes.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2006

Role of prostaglandin D2 and E2 terminal synthases in chronic rhinosinusitis.

BACKGROUND: Prostaglandin (PG)D(2) and E(2), two major cyclooxygenase (COX) products, are generated by PGD(2) synthase (PGDS) and PGE(2) synthase (PGES), respectively, and appear to mediate airway inflammation. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the role of PGDS and PGES in the pathophysiology of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). METHODS: The study examined the expression of PGDS and PGES in nasal polyps of 22 CRS patients. As controls, uncinate process mucosae were obtained from 12 CRS patients not having nasal polyps and five subjects without sinusitis. Immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time PCR were used to evaluate the expression. RESULTS: Both PGDS and PGES were detected in nasal polyps by immunohistochemistry. Significantly greater levels of PGDS mRNA and lesser levels of PGES mRNA were observed in the nasal polyps as compared with uncinate process mucosae, and an inverse correlation between PGDS and PGES expression was observed. Levels of PGDS mRNA in nasal polyps were positively correlated with degree of infiltration by EG2+ eosinophils, whereas the levels of PGES were inversely correlated. Significantly increased levels of PGDS and conversely decreased levels of PGES were observed in asthmatics as compared with non-asthmatics. In addition, PGDS and PGES levels were positively and inversely correlated with the radiological severity of sinusitis, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that PGDS and PGES display an opposite and important role in the pathophysiology of CRS such as polyp formation, and more specifically, a biased expression of these synthases might contribute to the development of CRS by affecting eosinophilic inflammation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Orbital nature of ferromagnetic magnons in manganites.

Magnon excitation in a ferromagnetic state of Sm(0.55)Sr(0.45)MnO(3) located on the verge of the metal-insulator transition has been studied in terms of the neutron scattering experiment. The anomalous magnon dispersion with the zone-boundary softening is well described by the Heisenberg model with extended exchange coupling constants J(s). In particular the fourth neighbor coupling J(4) is as large as 0.6 times the nearest neighbor one J(1). Theoretical analysis based on the local density approximation + Hubbard U band calculation reveals that this one-dimensional exchange path is due to the (3z(2)-r(2))-type orbital correlation, in sharp contrast to previous proposals.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Free-prefabricated auricular composite graft: a new method for reconstruction following extended hemilaryngectomy.

A free-prefabricated auricular composite graft was applied in two patients who underwent extended hemilaryngectomy. Good phonatory and respiratory functions were obtained without any significant aspiration. Although this reconstructive method is a two-staged procedure involving microsurgical techniques, we believe that it provides a good physiologic reconstruction of the larynx and trachea.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Retroperitoneoscopic living donor nephrectomy: a safe and minimally invasive procedure for the donor.

A living kidney donor surgery must be safe and minimally invasive. In addition the removed kidney must be in good condition. Retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy has the advantage that it does not risk intra-abdominal organ injuries and provides direct access to the renal artery/vein despite the small working space. An abdominal wall-lifting method combined with the pneumoretroperitoneum provides sufficient space to use a hand skillfully in retroperitoneoscopic surgery. Introduction of hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic living donor nephrectomy with the abdominal wall-lifting method yielded safer and easier operations as well as shorter warm ischemia (mean: 3 minutes; 7 seconds) and operative times (mean: 3 hours; 28 minutes) in the current 10 cases. The procedure is a useful alternative to procure a kidney graft.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Nasal exposure to Staphylococcal enterotoxin enhances the development of allergic rhinitis in mice.

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) appear to play a role in the pathogenesis of allergic disease. However, little is known whether the nasal exposure to SE affects the development of allergic rhinitis (AR). OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the in vivo effect of nasal exposure to SE on the development of AR using mouse model. METHODS: BALB/c mice were intranasally sensitized with Schistosoma mansoni egg antigen (SmEA) in the presence or absence of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB). Control mice were intranasally sensitized with either SEB or SmEA alone. The production of antigen-specific antibodies including IgE, nasal eosinoplilia and cytokines by nasal mononuclear cells was compared among mice that had or had not received SEB treatment. RESULTS: Nasal exposure to SEB enhanced the development of AR in SmEA-sensitized mice, as manifested by SmEA-specific IgE production, nasal eosinophilia, and IL-4 and IL-5 production by nasal mononuclear cells after Ag challenge. This treatment also elicited IFN-gamma production by SmEA-primed cells. In addition, these mice produced SEB-specific IgE whereas mice treated with SEB without SmEA sensitization did not produce SEB-specific IgE or demonstrate nasal eosinophilia. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the nasal exposure to SEB enhances susceptibility to AR although the exposure to SE solely does not induce AR.

Allergens↗
PubMed2005

Incidence of insulin resistance in obese subjects in a rural Japanese population: the Tanno and Sobetsu study.

OBJECTIVES: Although it is well known that obesity is closely related to insulin resistance, the incidence of the development of insulin resistance in people with obesity is not known. In this study, we investigated the incidence of insulin resistance in citizens of two rural communities in Japan. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The subjects were 102 men and 126 women over the age of 30 years selected from 1035 citizens who had undergone medical examinations in the towns of Tanno and Sobetsu, Hokkaido, in 1991 and 1998. Those who were on medication for hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, coronary heart disease and cerebral vessel disease were excluded. The simple index to determine insulin resistance [i.e. homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-R) > or = 1.73] was used, and subjects who were determined to be positive for insulin resistance according to this index in 1991 were also excluded in order to determine the incidence of insulin resistance in subjects who had no abnormalities other than obesity. The systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), triglyceride level, high-density lipoprotein level, blood sugar level, serum insulin value and HOMA-R were measured in all subjects in 1991 and in 1998. Moreover, the subjects were divided into two groups according to BMI, a normal group consisting of subjects with BMI < 25 and an obesity group consisting of subjects with BMI > or = 25. We also compared the incidences of insulin resistance in normal and obesity groups of subjects who were newly determined to be positive for insulin resistance on the basis of data obtained from medical examinations conducted in 1998. RESULTS: The incidence of insulin resistance was significantly higher in the obesity group than in the normal group (25.0 vs. 4.5%). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that obesity was closely related to insulin resistance and that the relative risk of development of insulin resistance adjusted for age, sex, SBP, FPG and HDL was 3.193 (95% CI 1.085-9.401). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of insulin resistance was significantly higher in the obesity group than in the normal group in this study, suggesting that improvement in obesity is important for prevention of the occurrence of type 2 diabetes or atherosclerotic disease based on insulin resistance.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Improved measurement of the K+-->pi+nunu; branching ratio.

An additional event near the upper kinematic limit for K+-->pi(+)nunu; has been observed by experiment E949 at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Combining previously reported and new data, the branching ratio is B(K+-->pi(+)nunu;)=(1.47(+1.30)(-0.89))x10(-10) based on three events observed in the pion momentum region 211<P<229 MeV/c. At the measured central value of the branching ratio, the additional event had a signal-to-background ratio of 0.9.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Usefulness of epidural anesthesia in gynecologic laparoscopic surgery for infertility in comparison to general anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Although the advantages of epidural anesthesia in open surgery have been established, its usefulness in the setting of laparoscopic surgery remains to be studied. METHODS: Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for infertility were randomly administered epidural anesthesia (group A, n = 11) or general anesthesia (group B, n = 9). The operation was performed under 4 mmHg pneumoperitoneum and in the 20 degrees Trendelenburg position. Respiratory function tests using a spirometer and blood gas analysis were performed during the intra- or perioperative period. Pain status was evaluated with visual analog scale scoring. The number of postoperative recovery days needed to resume daily activities was obtained by a questionnaire. RESULTS: Respiratory rate, minute volume, P(a)CO2, % vital capacity (VC), and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) % were virtually constant throughout the study period in group A, whereas %VC was decreased immediately after operation in group B (p < 0.05). Minute volume immediately after operation was significantly increased in group B compared with group A (p < 0.01), suggesting shallow respiration in women undergoing general anesthesia. Observed pain scores on abdominal pain, shoulder pain, and dyspnea were very low during operation in group A. Pain scores immediately and 3 h after operation were also minimal in group A, whereas abdominal pain scores at these points were significantly higher in group B than those in group A (both p < 0.01). The number of days required for a half reduction in wound pain, trotting, and full recuperation for group A were less than those for group B (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Epidural anesthesia, when used in laparoscopic surgery for infertility treatment, has advantages over general anesthesia in terms of analgesic effects, postoperative respiratory function, and a return to preoperative daily activities.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin and docetaxel in patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of an induction chemoradiotherapy regimen followed by surgery in patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC). A total of 22 patients with LA-NSCLC were treated with induction chemoradiotherapy consisting of cisplatin (40 mg m(-2)) and docetaxel (40 mg m(-2)) given on days 1, 8, 29 and 36 plus concurrent thoracic irradiation at a dose of 40-60 Gy (2 Gy fraction(-1) day(-1)). Surgical resection was performed within 6 weeks after completion of induction therapy. Objective response to the induction therapy was obtained in 16 patients (73%). In all, 20 patients (91%) underwent surgery and complete resection was achieved in 19 patients (86%). Pathological downstaging and pathological complete response were obtained in 14 (64%) and five (23%) patients, respectively. With a median follow-up period of 32 months, the calculated 3-year overall and progression-free survival rates were 66 and 61%, respectively. It is noteworthy that the 3-year overall survival rate in 14 patients achieving pathological downstaging was extremely high (93%). Toxicity was manageable with standard approaches. No treatment-related deaths occurred. This combined modality treatment is feasible and highly effective in patients with LA-NSCLC. The results warrant further large-scale study to confirm the effectiveness of this regimen.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Cytoplasmic p21(Cip1/WAF1) enhances axonal regeneration and functional recovery after spinal cord injury in rats.

p21(Cip1/WAF1), known as a cell-cycle inhibitory protein, facilitates neurite outgrowth from neurons when present in the cytoplasm. The molecular mechanism of this action is that p21(Cip1/WAF1) forms a complex with Rho-kinase and inhibits its activity. As myelin-derived inhibitors of axonal outgrowth act on neurons by activating Rho, that is responsible for the lack of spontaneous regeneration of the injured central nervous system (CNS), Rho-kinase may be a good molecular target against injuries in the CNS. In this study, we delivered TAT-fusion protein of cytoplasmic p21(Cip1/WAF1) locally after dorsal hemisection of the thoracic spinal cord in rats. The treatment significantly stimulated axonal regeneration and recovery of hindlimb function, and inhibited the cavity formation in the spinal cord after the injury. Cytoplasmic p21(Cip1/WAF1) may provide a potential therapeutic agent that produces functional regeneration following CNS injuries.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Molecular therapy for peritoneal dissemination of xenotransplanted human MKN-45 gastric cancer cells with adenovirus mediated Bax gene transfer.

BACKGROUND: Gene therapy is an innovative therapeutic approach for cancer. An adenoviral vector expressing the tumour suppressor p53 gene (Ad/p53) is currently under clinical evaluation for various cancers. We recently developed a binary adenoviral vector system that can express the strong proapoptotic gene Bax (Ad/PGK-GV16+Ad/GT-Bax: Ad/Bax). AIMS: To evaluate the potential of Bax gene therapy for gastric cancer, we assessed its antitumour effect in comparison with that of p53. METHODS: The human gastric cancer cell lines MKN-1, MKN-7, MKN-28, and MKN-45 were treated with Ad/Bax or Ad/p53, and cell viability, transgene expression, and caspase activation were assessed in vitro. To compare the antitumour effects of Ad/Bax and Ad/p53 treatment in vivo, subcutaneous tumours and peritoneal dissemination of MKN-45 cells were generated in nude mice. Each mouse underwent intratumoral or intraperitoneal administration of viruses and the growth of implanted tumours was observed after treatment. RESULTS: Treatment with Ad/Bax and Ad/p53 resulted in marked Bax and p53 protein expression and effective apoptosis induction in MKN-1, MKN-7, and MKN-28 cells in vitro. In contrast, MKN-45 cells showed resistance to Ad/p53 and only treatment with Ad/Bax resulted in activation of caspase 3 expression and massive apoptosis. Ad/Bax treatment was more effective in suppressing both subcutaneous and peritoneally disseminated MKN-45 tumours compared with Ad/p53 treatment. CONCLUSION: Ad/Bax treatment significantly inhibited the growth of even p53 resistant gastric cancer in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, adenovirus mediated Bax gene transfer may be useful in gene therapy for gastric cancers.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2004

Synergistic effects of streptococcal glucosyltransferases on adhesive biofilm formation.

Glucosyltransferases (GTF)-I and GTF-SI of Streptococcus mutans synthesize water-insoluble and both water-soluble and -insoluble glucans, respectively, and play essential roles in the sucrose-dependent adhesion of the organism to tooth surfaces. To examine the interactions of different GTFs on artificial biofilm formed by S. mutans and other oral streptococci, we generated GTF-I- and GTF-SI-hyperproducing isogenic mutant strains. Transformant B42-21, which hyperexpressed GTF-SI, exhibited firm adhesion in the presence of sucrose, whereas transformant B42-10, which hyperexpressed GTF-I, failed to exhibit firm adhesion. Furthermore, co-culture of transformant B42-21 with water-soluble glucan-synthesizing Streptococcus sanguinis yielded firm adhesion, while the addition of dextran T10 to B42-21 growing culture had no effect on adhesion. These findings suggest that GTF-SI has a strong effect on sucrose-dependent adhesion and is essential for biofilm formation on smooth surfaces, in cooperation with water-soluble glucans synthesized de novo by oral streptococci that inherently lack cell adhesion ability.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2003

Autoantibodies to NMDA receptor in patients with chronic forms of epilepsia partialis continua.

BACKGROUND: Antibody-mediated and cytotoxic T cell-mediated pathogenicity have been implicated as the autoimmune pathophysiologic mechanisms in Rasmussen's encephalitis. METHODS: The authors investigated autoantibodies against the NMDA glutamate receptor (GluR) epsilon2 subunit and their epitopes in serum and CSF samples from 15 patients with chronic epilepsia partialis continua (EPC), 17 with West syndrome, 10 with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and 11 control subjects. RESULTS: In 15 patients with chronic EPC, we detected NMDA-type GluR epsilon2 autoantibodies in histologically proven Rasmussen's encephalitis (3/3 patients), clinical Rasmussen's encephalitis (6/7 patients), acute encephalitis/encephalopathy (2/3 patients), and nonprogressive EPC (2/2 patients). Serum IgM autoantibodies were found in the early phase of EPC and became negative later in four patients. The autoantibodies were not detected in West syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, or controls. Among 10 patients with histologically proven or clinical Rasmussen's encephalitis, epitope analyses showed that the autoantibodies were predominantly against C-terminal epitopes and rarely against N-terminal epitope, with inconsistency in profile during the courses of disease. Epitope recognition spectrum of autoantibodies was broader in CSF than in serum, and the serum or CSF profile showed an increase in number of epitopes as disease progressed in some patients. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of autoantibodies against NMDA GluR epsilon2 suggests autoimmune pathologic mechanisms but is not a hallmark of Rasmussen's encephalitis. Patients with Rasmussen's encephalitis may have autoantibodies against several neural molecules, and these autoantibodies may be produced in the CNS after cytotoxic T cell-mediated neuronal damage.

Adolescent↗