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Biomedical subjects

T Fujiwara

Publications and source records attributed to T Fujiwara.

At least 757 records · Page 42Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Vertebrobasilar insufficiency: correlation of clinical and radiologic findings.

Radiological and clinical findings of 20 cases with angiographically proven stenosis or occlusion of the vertebrobasilar system and with clinical signs and symptoms attributable to posterior circulation disorder were studied. A simplified classification of vertebrobasilar arterial disease was presented; type I refers to stenosis of the vertebrobasilar system or subclavian artery, type II refers to vertebrobasilar occlusion, and type III refers to vertebrobasilar branch disease. Type I lesions were further subdivided into types Ia and Ib; type Ia cases showed no infarction in the posterior territory, whereas type Ib cases showed one or more infarctions on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. This angiographic classification is based on treatment options that can be adopted to specific types of lesion. In type I cases, lesions are usually amenable to surgical or angiographic intervention. In type II cases, short-term anticoagulation is the treatment of choice. In type III cases, treatment is primarily aimed at prevention of complication and further stroke.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Brefeldin A protects ricin-induced cytotoxicity in human cancer KB cell line, but not in its resistant counterpart with altered Golgi structures.

Brefeldin A (BFA), an isoprenoid fungal metabolite, dramatically disrupts intracellular protein transport and protein secretion. BFA protects cells from the cytotoxicity of a plant toxin, ricin or pseudomonas toxin, but not that of diphtheria toxin (Yoshida et al., 1991. Expt. Cell Res., 192: 389-395.). In this study, we examined whether BFA could differentially change the cytotoxicity of ricin between BFA-sensitive cells and BFA-resistant cells. As a BFA-resistant cell line, we used a resistant cell line, KB/BF2-2, derived from BFA-sensitive human cancer KB cells. BFA treatment caused the disappearance of typical Golgi cisternae and the concomitant appearance of dilated vesicles in the cytoplasm in KB cells. By contrast, KB/BF2-2 cells had already altered Golgi structures with poor development of cisternae and also many vesicles in the absence of BFA, and BFA treatment did not further induce the morphological changes. Although a plasma membrane-specific marker protein, alpha-adaptin, was localized similarly in KB/BF2-2 as KB, Golgi specific markers such as beta-cop and gamma-adaptin were distributed in the cytoplasmic small vesicles as well as Golgi compartments in KB/BF2-2 cells in the absence of BFA, and the mutant cells showed no apparent changes in the distribution even when exposed to BFA. Ricin inhibited protein synthesis in KB and KB/BF2-2 to similar levels while pretreatment of KB cells with BFA at 0.1 microgram/ml almost completely reversed the inhibitory effect of ricin. By contrast, the pre-exposure of KB/BF2-2 cells to 1.0 microgram/ml BFA only partially rescued the ricin-induced inhibition of protein synthesis. Exposure to BFA at 30 min before ricin addition or at 0 min with ricin rescued the protein synthesis inhibition, but no rescue occurred when BFA was added 30 min after ricin addition. BFA could not rescue the protein synthesis inhibition by another toxin, diphtheria toxin. Our results suggest that BFA-resistant mutation causes a specific change in the endocytic membrane traffic of ricin in human cells, and also that cytotoxicity of diphtheria toxin does not share a common pathway of the intracellular transport with that of ricin.

Adaptor Protein Complex gamma Subunits↗
PubMed1993

Vascular responsiveness of rabbit common carotid, renal and femoral arteries to alpha-adrenoceptor agonists.

The stainless steel cannula inserting method was used to observe vascular effects of alpha-adrenoceptor agonists, phenylephrine (PE), methoxamine (ME), clonidine (CL) and xylazine (XY), on the isolated, perfused rabbit common carotid, renal and femoral arteries. PE and ME induced a dose-dependent vasoconstriction that was readily suppressed by treatment with bunazosin, an alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocker. CL induced a constriction only in common carotid arteries, and this was readily suppressed by bunazosin. In preparations preconstricted by phenylephrine, CL and XY dose-dependently induced vasodilations in the 3 types of arteries, and these vasodilations were not modified by a potent alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, midaglizole. In preparations preconstricted by prostaglandin F2 alpha, CL and and XY did not produce any significant vasodilation, but CL induced a vasoconstriction in common carotid arteries that was completely blocked by bunazosin. Thus, it is concluded that: 1) alpha 1-adrenoceptors are functionally predominant in rabbit peripheral arteries, 2) the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist-induced vasodilation may be due to an antagonistic action towards alpha 1-mediated constrictions, and 3) clonidine has alpha 1-adrenoceptor stimulating properties in rabbit common carotid artery but not in renal and femoral arteries.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
PubMed1993

Pneumomediastinum in pulmonary fibrosis. Detection by computed tomography.

Pneumomediastinum was found in 5 of 34 patients (14.7 percent) with pulmonary fibrosis on computed tomographic (CT) scan of the chest. Small collection of air was seen in the retrosternal space in two patients, preaortic space in one patient, pretracheal space in two, subcarinal space in three, at the hilum in one, and perivertebral space in three patients. Concomitant pneumothorax was noted in two patients, both on the left side. Patients showed either honeycombing on CT (four patients) or presented with violent cough (four patients). Pneumomediastinum seen in these patients was thought to be the result of rupture of alveoli or honeycomb cysts due to raised intrapulmonary pressure on coughing, and subsequent tracking of air along the vascular sheath and accumulation in the mediastinum.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Fixation of biological specimens by high hydrostatic pressure.

We investigated whether or not high hydrostatic pressure could be used as a new method of histological fixation. Various high hydrostatic pressures from 200 to 800 MPa (Mega Pascal) were applied to fresh organs including heart, liver, intestine and kidney of mice, and the gross and light microscopic findings were compared with those of organs fixed with formalin and those without fixation. The specimens processed with pressure were firm, elastic and pale, somewhat resembling the formalin fixed ones. Light microscopic examination revealed well preserved fine structures in the heart and intestine subjected to approximately 450 MPa for 15 min at room temperature, although the fine structures of the liver and kidney were not well preserved. The enzyme activity of alkaline phosphatase was rarely preserved in the formalin-fixed kidney, but could be easily detected in kidneys processed with a pressure of 450 MPa. We conclude that high hydrostatic pressure can be used as a fixative, both for preserving the basic tissue structure in certain organs and for retaining the biological activity of an enzyme. In addition, the fixation is uniform, the processing is fast, and the materials can be handled safely. At present, however, its application is limited to specific organs.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1993

Immunotherapy by a slow delivery system of interleukin-2 in mice models.

A sustained release system for interleukin-2 (IL-2), and IL-2 mini-pellet (IL-2 mp), was developed by fusing IL-2 into a needle shaped collagen. Serum concentration of IL-2 after a single subcutaneous injection of the IL-2 mp into C57BL/6 mice remained elevated longer than after an injection of aqueous IL-2. IL-2 in the serum became undetectable by 6h after a subcutaneous injection of 1 x 10(6) unit of IL-2 in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). In contrast, after a single subcutaneous injection of IL-2 mp containing the same amount of IL-2, the concentration of IL-2 increased to its maximum at 6h after injection, then began to decrease gradually. IL-2 was detected even on the third day after a single subcutaneous injection of one IL-2 mp. Augmentation of NK activity and generation of IL-2 activated killer cells were observed in the spleen from day 1--day 3 after a single subcutaneous injection of IL-2 mp into C57BL/6 mice. This activation was not observed following a single subcutaneous injection of the same amount of IL-2 in PBS. Adoptive immunotherapy by a single subcutaneous injection of IL-2 mp followed by intravenous injections of in vitro cultured IL-2 activated killer cells showed better results in decreasing the number of metastases of Lewis lung carcinoma in C57BL/6 mice than immunotherapy using IL-2 solution.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Successful pregnancy in renal transplant recipients.

Three cases of successful pregnancies in renal transplant recipients who had undergone transplantation in the Okayama University Medical School Hospital are reported. Two of the women had received an organ from a living relative and one woman received a cadaveric organ graft. These patients, aged 28-37 at the time of the delivery, had received their transplants 2-5 years prior to their conception. The periods of gestation ranged between 35 and 40 weeks. The weight of the babies at birth ranged from 2,380g to 2,500g and the apgar score at 1 min was 8 or 9. None of the infants showed any congenital abnormalities. Lower-segment cesarean section was performed in all of three cases. Serum creatinine levels, an indicator of renal graft function, did not deteriorate during the pregnancy or after delivery. Although further work is needed to solve problems regarding pregnancy in renal transplant recipients, these results encouraged us to meet their hope for a baby.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Detection of monoclonal hematopoiesis using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of phosphoglycerokinase (PGK) gene in a patient with hypoplastic myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

A clonal analysis of hematopoiesis in a hypoplastic MDS patient was performed. Monoclonal utilization of PGK gene on her two X chromosomes was detected by Southern blot analysis of the bone marrow cells using a PGK probe after methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme treatment. This is compatible with monoclonal construction of her hematopoiesis, confirming MDS nature with a progression of her morphological dysplasia in bone marrow cells. RFLP of PGK gene on X chromosome is thus useful to detect a monoclonality in hematopoietic diseases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Epidemiological study on poliovirus isolates from patients with acute flaccid paralysis in Shandong province in China.

In five years from 1988 to 1992, 51 polioviruses were isolated from patients with acute flaccid paralysis in Shandong province in China. Of the 51 poliovirus isolates, 17 were type 1, 18 type 2 and 16 type 3. Twelve type 1 viruses isolated during the period from 1988 to 1990 were shown to be wild strains by serology and the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods. These wild strains were classified into three groups by PCR-RFLP. The other type 1 isolates were Sabin-like strains. No wild strain was isolated in 1991 or 1992. All isolates of types 2 and 3 during the five years were Sabin-like strains. These data suggest that wild strains of polioviruses will soon be eradicated in Shandong province.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1993

Health problems among Vietnamese refugees resettled in Japan.

A medical examination of 932 Vietnamese refugees was conducted within 1 month of their resettlement in Japan between 1989 and 1991. A variety of abnormalities were detected, including parasitic disease (78% prevalence), anemia (12%), HBsAg positive state (14%), liver dysfunction (10%), hypertension (0.8%), active pulmonary tuberculosis (2%) and syphilis (0.7%). These rates were still as high as the prevalence in previous studies of earlier immigrants from Vietnam. The high frequency of infectious diseases in recent Vietnamese refugees compared with the Japanese community leads to a recommendation for continuing medical examinations and treatment for new Vietnamese refugees.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Clones derived from human natural killer cells are susceptible to lysis by human interleukin-2-activated killer cells.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes cultured with interleukin-2 (IL-2), which are referred to as lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells, develop the ability to lyse a wide variety of tumor cells but not normal cells. However, we report here that a cloned human natural killer cell line, NK3.3, was susceptible to lysis by human LAK cells. An IL-4-dependent NK3.3 subclone showed higher sensitivity to LAK-mediated lysis than the conditioned medium-dependent parent clone or the IL-2-dependent NK3.3 subclone. Cytokine-"starved" NK3.3 cells, which were cultured in medium lacking IL-2 or IL-4, exhibited a decreased susceptibility to LAK cell lysis. Periodate treatment of NK3.3 cells, which can induce nonspecific binding between effector cells and target cells through Schiff-base formation, enhanced the sensitivity to LAK, suggesting that adhesion molecules may be involved in this killing mechanism. The "starved" NK3.3 cells expressed lower levels of intracellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1); however, anti-ICAM-1 antibody could not inhibit the sensitivity of the NK3.3 clone to LAK lysis. These results suggest that ICAM-1 is not the major ligand in NK3.3 sensitivity, although the sensitivity correlates well with the magnitude of ICAM-1 expression.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1993

Case-control study of senile cataract in Japan: a preliminary report.

A hospital-based case-control study of senile cataract was conducted in Japan from 1988 to 1990. Two hundred and twelve patients with senile cataract and 212 control subjects with the same age-sex distribution were interviewed and given an ophthalmological examination. Both groups were randomly selected outpatients from 9 hospitals. Associations between senile cataract and four groups of variables, factors regarded as risks, life style habits, general aging indices or other factors were analyzed, and the data was subjected to statistical analysis. An increased risk of cataract was found in males who were presently spending 7 hours or more outside daily (Odds ratio = 5.07) and in females with 4 or fewer remaining teeth (Odds ratio = 2.03). The findings from this study suggest that there may be a sex-related host sensitivity or life style which is predisposing to the development of senile cataract.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Nucleotide sequence and genetic analysis of the region essential for functional expression of the gene for ferredoxin I, fdxN, in Rhodobacter capsulatus: sharing of one upstream activator sequence in opposite directions by two operons related to nitrogen fixation.

Nucleotide sequencing of the region upstream of two ferredoxin genes, fdxC and fdxN, of Rhodobacter capsulatus revealed the existence of one open reading frame (ORF), ORFU1, in the same orientation as these genes and two other ORFs, ORFU2 and ORFU3, in the opposite orientation. Two potential -24/-12 promoters were found in front of ORFU1 and ORFU2, respectively, and there was a putative upstream activator sequence (UAS) or NifA-binding site between them. The ORFs corresponded to no known nif genes. However, analysis of their putative products showed that the product of ORFU1 (M(r) 47,912) and that of ORFU3 (M(r) 19,090) had a flavodoxin-like domain and a 2[4Fe-4S] ferredoxin-like domain, respectively, and that the product of ORFU2 (M(r) 20,424) was a hydrophobic protein with six potential membrane-spanning portions. Results of interposon mutagenesis and complementation experiments indicated that ORFU2 but not ORFU1 is essential for nitrogen fixation and that additional gene(s) essential for nitrogen fixation must be present in the unsequenced region adjacent to ORFU3. Translational fusion analysis involving lacZYA and fdxN or ORFU3 provided evidence that the putative UAS is responsible for regulation of both ORFU1-fdxC-fdxN and ORFU2-ORFU3 operons in opposite orientations, and that the control of the latter is stricter than that of the former.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Medulloblastoma associated with malignant rhabdoid tumor of the kidney: case report.

The authors report a case of 6-month-old boy with cerebellar medulloblastoma associated with malignant rhabdoid tumor of the kidney, presenting with an abdominal mass, large head and projectile vomiting. Following removal of the renal tumor, the mass arising from the superior vermis about 6 cm in diameter was removed by a combined right occipital transtentorial and suboccipital approach. The patient had been well for 3 months after surgery followed by chemotherapy but died eventually of tumor recurrence in the abdomen. Reported cases of malignant rhabdoid tumor of the kidney associated with brain tumor are reviewed and its characteristics are discussed.

Cerebellar Neoplasms↗
PubMed1993

[Acute progressive polyneuropathy in a patient with Waldenström macroglobulinemia].

A case of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM) (IgM-kappa type) associated with acute-onset demyelinating peripheral neuropathy is reported. A 49-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of general fatigue and recurrent syncope attacks. She was treated with vincristine, cyclophosphamide, epirubicin and prednisolone. By 10th hospital day, her clinical condition improved and serum viscosity was reduced. However, on the 21st hospital day, she suffered from rapidly progressive writing and gait disturbance. Neurological examination showed muscular atrophy and weakness in the distal part of four extremities. Deep tendon reflexes were diminished. There was no sensory deficit. Cerebrospinal fluid was normal. Anti-myelin associated glycoprotein activity of her serum was negative. Both motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities were markedly decreased. Biopsy of sural nerve revealed marked demyelination and onion bulb formation. There was IgM deposition on myelin sheath. Minimal axonal changes excluded the possibility of vincristine neuropathy. Plasmapheresis improved her symptoms, but nerve conduction velocities remained unchanged. Polyneuropathy associated with WM is usually gradual onset and sensory dominant. In this case, associated neuropathy was acute onset, progressive and motor dominant. This type of neuropathy in patients with WM is very rare.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1993

[An adult case of anomalous origin of left coronary artery from pulmonary trunk: left coronary artery blood flow after closing of origin of left coronary artery].

An adult case of anomalous origin of left coronary artery from pulmonary trunk was reported. The catheterization studies revealed significant amount of left to right shunt in the pulmonary trunk and anomalous origin of left coronary artery from pulmonary artery with well developed and marked tortuously dilated collaterals from the right coronary artery. During surgery, blood flow waveforms of the LAD was measured using pulsed Doppler velocimeter. After temporary closing of the origin of left coronary artery, blood flow of the LAD markedly decreased. A-C bypass grafting to LAD was performed successfully using saphenous vein and graft flow rate was 220 ml/min. These findings suggest that the coronary blood flow through the tortuously dilated collaterals after ligation of the origin of left coronary artery was insufficient to perfuse the left coronary artery.

Adult↗