Levodopa in pregnancy.
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Abortion, Spontaneous↗
Biomedical subjects
T Fukuda
Publications and source records attributed to T Fukuda.
[A case with systemic lupus erythematosus complicated with tuberculosis sacroiliac arthritis].
A 26-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of fever of unknown origin. She had been treated with prednisolone, elcatonin and alfacalcidol under the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and aseptic necrosis of femoral bone head. Six months ago she began to have a fever and subsequently left low back pain, for which extensive examinations were performed in other hospital but their causes remained unclear. She was referred to our hospital for further evaluation and therapy in October 1995. Bacteriological, immunological or serological examinations did not reveal the origin of fever. CT and ultrasonic examination did not show any abnormality. However, MRI, which was taken for the evaluation of aseptic necrosis of femoral bone head, showed the abscess shadow in sacroiliac joint. Open biopsy was performed and Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli were detected from the abscess. To our best knowledge, this is the first report of SEE with tuberculosis sacroiliac arthritis.
Abscess↗
[Primary surgical repair of aorticopulmonary septal defect with coarctation of the aorta].
Two infants with aorticopulmonary septal defect (APSD) and coarctation of the aorta (CoA) underwent primary surgical repair and their aortic arches were reconstructed in a manner of end-to-end anastomosis. One of the cases, 4-day-old girl and Type I of Mori's classification, underwent Sandwich patch closure of the communicating vessel. The other, 40-day-old girl and Type III, underwent division of he communicating vessel. Aortic wall was primarily closed and pulmonary artery was reconstructed with a pericardial patch. Both survived the surgery, and are well without medication at 13 and 14 postoperative months. Interrupted aortic arch is commonly known as the associated aortic arch anomaly of APSD, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of CoA as the associated anomaly of APSD. Whichever the anomaly of the aortic arch, early diagnosis and primary surgical repair in the early ages are urgently needed for favorable outcome of the patient.
Aortic Coarctation↗
[Graft selection in coronary artery bypass surgery in the aged].
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Aged↗
[Temporary use of left ventricle-to-pulmonary artery extracardiac conduit for the surgical repair of complete transposition of the great arteries with ventricular septal defect and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction].
A 1.8-year-old boy was first admitted to our hospital at 12 days of age with the diagnosis of transposition of the great arteries (TGA), ventricular septal defect (VSD), and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO). Echocardiography and catheter examination at 10 months of age disclosed severe organic stenosis of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) with its diameter of 5.6 mm (50% of N) and the left to right ventricular (LV/RV) pressure ratio of 0.6. At 1.8 years of age, he underwent complete correction which comprised intraatrial switch (Senning procedure), direct closure of VSD, and removal of thickened endocardium at LVOT. Because of the residual LVOTO, evidenced by postoperative LV/RV pressure ratio of 1.4, placement of 14 mm PTFE graft extracardiac conduit was concomitantly performed. The conduit from the left ventricular apex to the main pulmonary artery effectively lowered the left ventricular pressure with LV/RV pressure ratio of 0.68. Repeat catheter examination at 2.10 years of age revealed further descent of LV/RV pressure ratio to 0.32. Based on the findings that balloon occlusion of the conduit elicited only a minimal elevation of the left ventricular pressure (from 30 to 34 mmHg), the conduit was removed at 3.6 years of age. The third catheter examination at the age of 3.9 years confirmed LV/RV pressure ratio of 0.43. The patient is leading a normal life. without medication 3 years after the operation. This experience draws us to conclude that placement of left ventricle-to-pulmonary artery conduit concomitantly with the intraatrial switch is a useful adjunctive procedure for the complete correction of TGA, small VSD, and LVOTO, and that, in a subset of the patients, this procedure may allow amelioration of LVOTO and secondary removal of the conduit.
Blood Vessel Prosthesis↗
Reduced serum T3 level in a patient with nodular goiter and cardiac myxoma.
We report the unusual case of an 87-year-old woman with cardiac myxoma and adenomatous goiter. She exhibited slight elevations of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), but levels of thyroid hormones such as T3, free T3 and free T4 were all abnormally low. Interleukin-6 may potentiate the alteration of thyroid metabolism.
Aged↗
The BCL6 gene is predominantly expressed in keratinocytes at their terminal differentiation stage.
We analyzed the expression of the BCL6 gene in mouse tissues by in situ hybridization. The expression was strong in the upper layer but undetectable in the basal layer of epidermis from adult mice. When human keratinocytes were cultured with a high concentration of calcium ion, these cells stopped their proliferation and differentiated to their terminal stage. In these keratinocytes, BCL6 expression was induced after stimulation and progressively up-regulated. The kinetics was very similar to that of a cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor p21sdil/cip1/WAF1 in these cells. These results suggest that BCL6 plays a role in keratinocytes at terminal differentiation stage.
Animals↗
Saccharomyces cerevisiae IRE2/HAC1 is involved in IRE1-mediated KAR2 expression.
The Saccharomyces cerevisiae IRE1 gene, encoding a putative receptor-type protein kinase, is known to be required for inositol prototrophy and for the induction of a chaperon molecule, BiP, encoded by KAR2, under stress conditions such as tunicamycin addition. We have characterized a yeast gene, IRE2, which was isolated as a suppressor gene that complements the inositol auxotrophic phenotype of the ire1 mutation. Sequencing analysis revealed that IRE2 is identical to HAC1, which encodes a transcription factor having a basic-leucine zipper motif. Introduction of IRE2/HAC1 into the ire1 mutant clearly restored the expression of KAR2 upon tunicamycin treatment. ire2/hac1-disrupted yeast cells showed not only the inositol auxotrophic phenotype but also the tunicamycin sensitivity, and failed to induce the expression of KAR2. These results clearly indicate that the IRE2/HAC1 gene product plays a critical role in the induction of KAR2 expression and in the inositol prototrophy mediated by IRE1.
Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
Regulation by IL-5 of expression of functional platelet-activating factor receptors on human eosinophils.
Platelet-activating factor (PAF) and IL-5 are both important mediators of various allergic reactions, although the relationship between these mediators in allergic responses has not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effects of human rIL-5 on the expression of the PAF receptor (PAF-R) on eosinophils from healthy human volunteers. The specific binding of [3H]WEB 2086, a specific ligand for PAF-R, to eosinophils treated with 5 ng/ml of IL-5 for 12 h was significantly higher than that to untreated cells. The Bmax value for IL-5-treated eosinophils was 1.8-fold higher than that for untreated cells, while the Kd values remained unchanged. This clearly indicates that surface expression of PAF-R on eosinophils is enhanced by IL-5. The enhancement was first observed at 6 h and reached a plateau at 12 to 18 h. The effect of IL-5 was abolished in the presence of cycloheximide or actinomycin D. When the relative amount of PAF-R mRNA was determined by reverse transcription PCR, the message was found to be increased through activation of transcription of transcript 1 on exposure to IL-5. Furthermore, we found that the PAF-induced increase in intracellular calcium ion concentration in eosinophils was markedly augmented by exposure to IL-5 for 12 h. Several lines of data suggest that the enhanced expression of PAF-R on eosinophils due to IL-5 is the cause of the augmented response to PAF. These findings will be of value for understanding the mechanisms of selective infiltration and activation of eosinophils in allergic diseases in which PAF and IL-5 are crucially involved.
Azepines↗
Effects of bromocriptine and/or L-DOPA on neurons in substantia nigra of MPTP-treated C57BL/6 mice.
The effects of bromocriptine and/or L-DOPA on substantia nigra neurons of MPTP-intoxicated mice were investigated. L-DOPA reduced the number of neurons. Bromocriptine protected the neurons from damage by L-DOPA but had no effect on the neurons damaged by MPTP. The treatment of bromocriptine and L-DOPA protected the neurons compared with single administration of bromocriptine. It seems reasonable to suppose that bromocriptine should be added to L-DOPA in order to protect the neurons in parkinsonism.
1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗
Infrequent somatic alteration of p16/MTS1 in human primary superficial bladder cancers.
Although superficial bladder cancer, usually presenting as low grade transitional cell carcinomas, are easily resected by transurethral intervention, their frequent recurrence and progression of satage or grade of the recurrent tumors in some cases is a major problem in urology. Deletion of chromosome 9, bands 9p21-22 in bladder cancers including the lowest grade and stage, suggest potential location of candidate tumor suppressor genes. Recently, p16/MTS1 was isolated from 9p21-22 as a multiple tumor suppressor gene, which regulates the cyclin dependent kinase 4 in the G1/S phase of the cell cycle. In the present study, somatic alterations of p16/MTS1 were examined concentrating on histologically defined superficial bladder carcinomas by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) technique using paraffin embedded materials. Infrequent alterations of p16/MTS1 in superficial bladder cancers, one deletion and one silent mutation in 15 cases, were detected. The results suggest that p16/MTS1 mutation is not involved in the development of superficial urinary bladder carcinomas.
Base Sequence↗
Spinal antinociceptive effect of substance P on the responses induced by intrathecally injected NMDA in mice.
Substance P (SP) has previously been shown to be involved in the transmission of nociceptive information in the spinal dorsal horn. In this study we investigated whether a functional interaction exists between SP and excitatory amino acids in the spinal cord of mice. Behavioral responses were observed after intrathecal co-administration of SP and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA). The high dose (12 pmol) of SP potentiated NMDA (0.25 nmol)-induced behavior consisted of caudally directed licking and biting, while the low dose (1 pmol) of SP significantly reduced this behavior. This inhibitory effect of low dose of SP was blocked by intrathecal co-administration of opioid receptor antagonist naloxone (4 nmol). These results suggest that SP is also involved in the antinociception which is dependent on opioid mechanisms at the spinal level.
Animals↗
[Airway inflammation in asthma].
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Asthma↗
Tissue-specific response of the human platelet-activating factor receptor gene to retinoic acid and thyroid hormone by alternative promoter usage.
We have studied the effects of retinoic acid (RA) and thyroid hormone (3,3',5-triiodothyronine; T3) on platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR) gene expression in intact rats and the ability of two human PAFR gene promoters (PAFR promoters 1 and 2) to generate two transcripts (PAFR transcripts 1 and 2). Northern blotting showed that RA and T3 regulated PAFR gene expression only in rat tissues that express PAFR transcript 2. Functional analysis of the human PAFR promoter 2 revealed that responsiveness to RA and T3 was conferred through a 24-bp element [PAFR-hormone response element (HRE) located from -67 to -44 bp of the transcription start site, whereas PAFR promoter 1 did not respond to these hormones. The PAFR-HRE is composed of three direct repeated TGACCT-like hexamer motifs with 2-and 4-bp spaces, and the two upstream and two downstream motifs were identified as response elements for RA and T3. Thus, the PAF-PAFR pathway is regulated by the PAFR level altered by a tissue-specific response to RA and T3 through the PAFR-HRE of the PAFR promoter 2.
Animals↗
Histologic evidence of absorption of sequestration-type herniated disc.
STUDY DESIGN: The reactions to sequestrated disc fragments, which were removed surgically from 35 patients, were examined histologically. OBJECTIVES: To elucidate whether or not there is histologic evidence of absorption of sequestrated discs. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Spontaneous disappearance or diminution of lumbar herniated discs in the spinal canal has been recognized, and this could be a possible explanation for relief of symptoms without surgery. The mechanism of this phenomenon is unclear. METHODS: Sequestrated discs removed surgically from 35 patients were examined histologically. RESULTS: In 30 cases, neovascularization was observed at the periphery of the sequestrated discs. Many foamy cells (macrophages) were present in the vascularized areas. In addition, immunohistochemistry revealed that many spindle-shaped, fibroblast-like cells were positive for CD68, a marker of macrophages. No fibrous scar formation was observed in any region. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that organization is not a main course for this type of herniated disc and that a kind of "absorption" process occurs predominantly in the healing stage.
Adult↗
Inhibition of vanadate-induced astrocytic stress fiber formation by C3 ADP-ribosyltransferase.
Mechanisms of vanadate-induced actin reorganization were examined in cultured astrocytes. Treatment of protoplasmic astrocytes with 0.5 mM dibutyryl cAMP (DBcAMP) caused the disappearance of stress fibers (SFs) and focal adhesions (FAs) accompanied with cellular stellation. A subsequent addition of 1 mM orthovanadate (VO4(3-) reorganized SFs and FAs in DBcAMP-treated cells. The newly formed FAs had increased phosphotyrosine levels. VO4(3-) reorganized SFs and FAs in stellate astrocytes induced by 5 microM cytochalasin B, 50 microM ML-9 and 20 microM W-7. Cytoplasmic microinjection of 20 micrograms/ml C3 ADP-ribosyltransferase of C. botulinum, which inactivates rho proteins, caused disappearance of SFs. The effect of C3 enzyme on SFs was not reversed by a subsequent addition of VO4(3-). These results suggest that rho proteins are involved in vanadate-induced reorganization of cytoskeletal actin.
ADP Ribose Transferases↗
An indolent type of Epstein-Barr virus-associated T-cell-rich B-cell lymphoma of the skin: report of a case.
A 74-year-old Japanese man presented with systemic lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and erythroderma in December 1991. A characteristic pattern of anti-EBV antibodies was suggestive of latent EBV infection. A skin tumor biopsied in April 1993 contained biclonal EBV genomes diffusely in the infiltrate of polyclonal T cells and monoclonal B cells. The clinical course was rather mild in contrast to that of classical EBV-associated disorders. Our case was considered a rare indolent type of EBV-associated T-cell-rich B-cell lymphoma of the skin.
Aged↗
Frequent mutations of Ki-ras but no mutations of Ha-ras and p53 in lung lesions induced by N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine in rats.
Point mutations of the Ki-ras and p53 genes in rat lung lesions induced by N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine (BHP) were investigated by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism analysis followed by direct sequencing using paraffin-embedded tissues. Male Wistar rats 6 wk old were given 2000 ppm BHP in drinking water for 15 wk. Another group was given drinking water without BHP. The rats were killed 20-27 wk after the beginning of the experiment. Lung adenomatous and squamous lesions, including carcinomas, were induced. The frequencies of Ki-ras mutations were 40% (six of 15) in alveolar hyperplasias, 36% (five of 14) in adenomas, 72% (18 of 25) in adenocarcinomas, 20% (three of 15) in squamous metaplasias, 50% (three of six) in squamous cell carcinomas, and 50% (five of 10) in adenosquamous carcinomas. The mutations were all G-->A transitions at the second position of codon 12; no other mutations were detected. However, Ha-ras mutations in exons 1 and 2 and p53 mutations in exons 5, 6, and 7 were not detected in adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. These results indicate that Ki-ras mutation is an early genetic event in some adenomatous and squamous lung carcinogeneses and that Ki-ras mutations can cause benign lesions to convert to malignant lesions. The results also show that Ha-ras and p53 mutations are not involved in rat lung carcinogenesis induced by BHP.
Adenocarcinoma↗