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Biomedical subjects

T Hara

Publications and source records attributed to T Hara.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

[Increased iris pigmentation after use of latanoprost in Japanese brown eyes].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence of the increased iris pigmentation in Japanese with topical latanoprost. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and twelve patients who had homogeneous brown irises were studied. Age of the patients was 23 to 80(average 63.8 +/- 10.4) and follow-up periods were 6 to 12 (10.3 +/- 1.4) months. Slit lamp examination was carefully performed before use and at every month after use of latanoprost. Photographs were taken when necessary. The Kaplan-Meier life table method was used to evaluate the incidence of the increased iris pigmentation. RESULT: Iris pigment increase was observed in 47 patients. The incidence of the increased iris pigmentation was calculated as 10.1% at 3 months, 26.4% at 6 months, 50.1% at 9 months and 51.6% at 12 months after use. Pigmentation progressed as a granular concentric or sunrise pattern or a subtype of these. Some pigmentation occurred at one month after use, and progressed monthly. No patients noted their own iris color change, but were told by their relatives. Iris color changes of brown iris were considered to be less strong than in the hazel(green or blue/gray or yellow combined with brown) eye.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma expressing cytoplasmic IgM and kappa in a patient with lambda-type primary macroglobulinemia].

A 69-year-old woman who had had lambda-type primary macroglobulinemia (PMG) since December 1993 was admitted in October 1997 because of obstructive jaundice due to compression of the common bile duct by a retroperitoneal tumor. A biopsy sample was obtained by exploratory laparotomy, and from this a diagnosis of diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLCL) expressing cytoplasmic IgM/kappa was made. Partial remission was obtained after 6 courses of combination chemotherapy consisting of pirarubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisolone. However, the DLCL was generally progressive, and the patient died in August 1998 due to multiple organ failure. There was no difference in the plasma monoclonal IgM/lambda level before and during the course of DLCL. The clone of the DLCL may have been different from that of the PMG.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Food allergy and atopic dermatitis in low birthweight infants during early childhood.

UNLABELLED: The prevalence rates of food allergy and atopic dermatitis in low birthweight infants were evaluated. In Fukuoka City, Japan, between July 1994 and September 1997, sufficient information including birthweight, gestational age, sex, feeding method and a history of food allergy was obtained from questionnaires at the well-baby check-ups of 21766 infants (18 mo of age) and 4378 children (3 y of age). All the children were examined by pediatricians with regard to the existence of atopic dermatitis. The prevalence rate (8.1%) of food allergy in infants with low birthweight (<2,500 g) was significantly lower than that (11.2%) in infants with normal birthweight (> or = 2,500 g) at 18 mo of age (p = 0.0002). Atopic dermatitis was also observed at a lower prevalence rate (1.2%) in infants with low birthweight than in those with normal birthweight (2.3%) at the same age (p = 0.0041). However, this significance was lost at 3 y of age. Other characteristics including male sex and breast-feeding showed independent risks for the development of food allergy and atopic dermatitis at both ages. CONCLUSION: This study found that low birthweight was significantly associated with a lower risk of both food allergy and atopic dermatitis at 18 mo of age.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed2001

[Functional outcome of primary pontine hemorrhage: conservative treatment or stereotaxic surgery].

In this study we compared the outcome of patients with primary pontine hemorrhage (PPH) in those who underwent stereotaxic aspiration and those treated non-surgically. Out of 75 PPHs, 37 patients were selected. Their consciousness on admission was somnolent to semicoma (alert and deeply comatose cases were excluded). Patients admitted between 1988 and 1990, and between 1995 and 1996 underwent CT guided stereotaxic aspiration (18 cases: Surgical Group), and those admitted between 1991 and 1994 were treated conservatively (19 cases: Conservative Group). The outcome was analyzed three months after the onset from the viewpoint of level of consciousness and severity of paresis, according to the location of the hemorrhage. With regard to consciousness, 13 of 18 cases in the Surgical Group showed remarkable improvement, while only 8 of 19 cases in the Conservative Group did. The severity of paresis was evaluated only among the patients who could obey commands three months after the onset. Paresis improved in 7 of 13 patients in the Surgical Group, vs. in 3 of 8 patients in the Conservative Group (p < 0.05). According to the location of hemorrhage (CT classification), in the Unilateral tegmental type and the Massive type, the Surgical Group and the Conservative Group showed no difference. On the other hand, in the Bilateral tegmental type and the Basal tegmental type, surgery seemed to be more effective than conservative treatment. In conclusion, CT guided stereotaxic aspiration may improve not only the consciousness level but also the functional outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Usefulness of 99mTc-methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile scintigraphy for preoperative localization of adenoma in primary hyperparathyroidism].

We evaluated the usefulness of 99mTc-methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile (MIBI) dual phase scintigraphy for detecting hyperfunctioning parathyroid adenoma. We retrospectively reviewed 18 hyperparathyroid patients who received MIBI prior to neck exploration and compared the radiological findings of MIBI with ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Fifteen patients were studied with MRI, and 17 patients were examined with US. All patients were found to have a solitary parathyroid adenoma histopathologically. MIBI correctly revealed the location of 17 adenomas among 18 confirmed tumors. In our series, there was one false-positive case that was found to have thyroid adenoma. The diagnostic sensitivity of MIBI MRI and US was 94.4%, 80% and 52.5%, respectively. The positive predictive value (PPV) was 94.4% for MIBI, 81.8% for MRI and 92.3% for US. We conclude that MIBI is useful and accurate for the preoperative localization of adenoma in primary hyperparathyroidism.

Adenoma↗
PubMed2001

[Clinical and bacteriological studies of ceftriaxone (CTRX) once daily administration in pediatric patients with respiratory tract infections].

Clinical studies of ceftriaxone (CTRX) were performed at a dose of 40 mg/kg once daily to evaluate its pharmacokinetics, and clinical and bacteriological efficacies in pediatric patients with respiratory tract infections. The following results were obtained. 1. Of 45 patients, clinical responses to CTRX were excellent in 34 (75.6%), good in 9 (20.0%) and poor in 2 (4.4%), indicating the overall efficacy rate of 95.6%. 2. Haemophilus influenzae (23 strains), Streptococcus pneumoniae (20 strains) and Moraxella catarrhalis (17 strains) were isolated from the patients as the main causative organisms. MIC90 of CTRX against these detected bacteria was < or = 0.06 microgram/ml with H. influenzae [beta-lactamase (-)/ABPC (S)], 0.25 microgram/ml with H. influenzae (BLNAR), 0.05 microgram/ml with PSSP, 1.0 microgram/ml with PISP/PRSP and 2.0 micrograms/ml with M. catarrhalis, respectively. 3. The eradication rate of causative organisms was 90.0% (27/30). 4. Serum levels of CTRX after administration of a 1-hour intravenous drip infusion of 40 mg/kg were investigated in 12 patients. Mean serum level at 24 hours after the administration was 9.4 +/- 2.8 micrograms/ml, which covered the level of MIC90 throughout the 24 hours. 5. No adverse reactions related to CTRX were observed. As the approved dosage of CTRX in pediatric patients is twice daily, while it is once daily in adults, there have been few reports on the efficacy of once-daily CTRX in pediatrics. According to the results of the study, it is suggested that once-daily CTRX for the pediatric patients with respiratory tract infections is useful. Further studies might be required to establish outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) in pediatric infections.

Ceftriaxone↗
PubMed2001

[Hypereosinophilic syndrome with DIC treated successfully with a combination of high-dose methylprednisolone and cyclosporin A].

A 47-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with subcutaneous nodules on the bilateral lower legs and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Peripheral blood examination revealed leukocytosis with an increase of mature eosinophils, thrombocytopenia and abnormal coagulation. Bone marrow aspiration revealed an increased eosinophil count, and a diagnosis of hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) was made. Prednisolone (PSL) therapy was not effective. Subsequent methylPSL pulse therapy followed by PSL brought about a transient improvement of the HES and DIC, but after reduction of the PSL, the HES worsened. After addition of cyclosporin A to the PSL, however, the HES improved and did not worsen.

Cyclosporine↗
PubMed2001

[Bactericidal activity of biapenem against various bacteria].

The bactericidal activity of biapenem (BIPM), a new carbapenem agent, against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens was compared with those of imipenem (IPM), panipenem (PAPM), meropenem (MEPM) and ceftazidime (CAZ). The bactericidal activity of BIPM against S. aureus was equal to those of IPM, PAPM and MEPM. Against E. coli and K. pneumoniae, BIPM showed higher bactericidal activity than IPM and PAPM. Against P. aeruginosa, BIPM showed excellent bactericidal activity campared with IPM. The killing speeds of BIPM and IPM were obviously the most rapid among four carbapenems. BIPM showed a strong bactericidal activity against 5 species of bacteria including P. aeruginosa.

Bacteria↗
PubMed2000

Interleukin-6 decreases estrogen production and messenger ribonucleic acid expression encoding aromatase during in vitro cytodifferentiation of rat granulosa cell.

To elucidate the influence of interleukin-6 (IL-6) on the maturation of rat granulosa cell (GC), we have established a differentiation model of rat GC in vitro and examined the expression of IL-6 and its receptors, and its possible actions during GC maturation. Bioactive IL-6 was detectable in the conditioned media of GC at approximately 2.5 ng/ml/24 h per 5x10(5) cells. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis revealed that messenger RNAs encoding components of functional IL-6 receptor, namely both ligand-binding subunit (IL-6R) and gp130, were expressed in GC. Treatment of GC with IL-6 for 72 h during the process of in vitro GC maturation dose-dependently inhibited the accumulation of estradiol-17beta (E(2)) and the expression of cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom). IL-6 did not change nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible NO synthase expression, implying that IL-6-induced suppression on E(2) levels is dissociated with NO expression. Further, GC which had been incubated with neutralizing anti-IL-6 antibody showed a distinct increase in the levels of P450arom mRNA. These results suggest that IL-6 may attenuate E(2) production partially by inhibiting the expression of aromatase mRNA as an intraovarian regulator for suppressing GC maturation.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Meltrin alpha cytoplasmic domain interacts with SH3 domains of Src and Grb2 and is phosphorylated by v-Src.

Meltrin alpha/ADAM12 is a member of the ADAM/MDC family proteins characterized by the presence of metalloprotease and disintegrin domains. This protein also contains a single transmembrane domain and a relatively long cytoplasmic domain containing several proline-rich sequences. These sequences are compatible with the consensus sequences for binding the Src homology 3 (SH3) domains. To determine whether the proline-rich sequences interact with SH3 domains in several proteins, binding of recombinant SH3 domains to the meltrin alpha cytoplasmic domain was analysed by pull-down assays. The SH3 domains of Src and Yes bound strongly, but that of Abl or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase p85 subunit did not. Full-length Grb2/Ash bound strongly, whereas its N-terminal SH3 domain alone did less strongly. Src and Grb2 in bovine brain extracts also bound to meltrin alpha cytoplasmic domain on affinity resin. Furthermore, immunoprecipitation with a monoclonal antibody to meltrin alpha resulted in coprecipitation of Src and Grb2 with meltrin alpha in cell extracts, suggesting that Src and Grb2 are associated in vivo with meltrin alpha cytoplasmic domain. This notion was also supported by the findings that exogenously expressed meltrin cytoplasmic domain coexisted with Src and Grb2 on the membrane ruffles. The C-terminal Tyr901 of meltrin alpha was phosphorylated both in vitro and in cultured cells by v-Src. These results may imply that meltrin alpha cytoplasmic domain is involved in a signal transduction for some biological function through the interaction with SH3-containing proteins.

ADAM Proteins↗
PubMed2000

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) load and cytokine gene expression in activated T cells of chronic active EBV infection.

To identify the role of T cells in chronic active Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, EBV and cytokine gene expression was quantified by use of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) among 6 patients who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for chronic active EBV infection. Four of these patients showed clonal expansion of EBV-infected T cells. Quantitative PCR for EBV DNA in peripheral blood of patients with symptomatic chronic active EBV infection showed higher copy numbers of virus (mean, 1.45 x 10(5) copies/mL) than were seen in blood from patients with infectious mononucleosis (3.08 x 10(3) copies/mL) or with EBV-associated hemophagocytosis (2.95 x 10(4) copies/mL). Fractionated CD3(+) HLA-DR(+) cells from patients with chronic active EBV infection contained higher copy numbers than did CD3(+) HLA-DR(-) cells. Quantitative PCR for cytokines revealed that interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-10, and transforming growth factor-beta genes were expressed at higher levels in HLA-DR(+) than in HLA-DR(-) T cells. These results suggest that activated T cells in chronic active EBV infection expressed high levels of EBV DNA and both Th1 and Th2 cytokines. EBV-infected T cells may contribute to the unbalanced cytokine profiles of chronic mononucleosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Involvement of the Ets-1 gene in overexpression of matrilysin in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Although matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are thought to be involved in the invasion and metastasis of a variety of malignant tumors, including human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the mechanisms for the expression of MMPs in HCC are not known. To understand the mechanism(s) of MMP expression, the expression of matrilysin (MMP-7) and several genes of the Ets transcription factor family was investigated in human HCC and hepatoma-derived cell lines. The role of Ets-1 gene expression in HCC was also studied. Analysis by semiquantitative reverse transcription-PCR revealed that MMP-7 and Ets-1 are overexpressed and closely associated in HCC. To clarify the role of Ets-1, hepatoma cells were transduced with human Ets-1 or targeted with the Ets-1-specific antisense oligonucleotides. Cells stably transduced with the Ets-1 gene showed increased MMP-7 expression compared to parental and mock-transfected cells. Cells targeted with Ets-1-specific antisense oligonucleotides showed reduced expression of MMP-7. Cotransfection of cells with a MMP-7 promoter-reporter gene plasmid and an Ets-1 expression vector yielded an increase in MMP-7 promoter activity in an Ets-1-responsive element-dependent manner. Taken together, these data suggested that the Ets-1 oncogene is up-regulated and involved in the overexpression of MMP-7 in human HCC and may contribute to the progression of HCC.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Predictive variables of interictal psychosis in epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate which variables predict interictal psychosis in epilepsy. METHODS: The authors reviewed the biological backgrounds, clinical characteristics, and EEG findings in 246 patients with epilepsy and interictal psychosis and in 658 control patients with epilepsy and no psychotic history. With a logistic regression approach, the significance of each variable for the development of interictal psychosis was evaluated. RESULTS: There are significant differences in family history of psychosis, age at onset of epilepsy, type of epilepsy, lateralization of epileptiform discharges, and level of intelligence between patients with interictal psychosis and those without it. Subsequent logistic regression analysis with all variables demonstrated that family history of psychosis, age at onset of epilepsy, type of seizures, and level of intelligence significantly correlated with psychosis. CONCLUSIONS: A family history of psychosis, earlier age at onset of epilepsy, complex partial seizures or generalized tonic clonic seizures, and borderline intellectual functioning were the most important predictors for development of interictal psychosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Evidence for the cluster model of mitochondrial steroid hydroxylase system derived from dissociation constants of the complex between adrenodoxin reductase and adrenodoxin.

Using biotinylated adrenodoxin and avidin-Sepharose 4B, dissociation constants for the complex between adrenodoxin reductase and adrenodoxin in the oxidized and reduced states were determined as 50 +/- 11 and 296 +/- 44 nM, respectively. Concentrations of adrenodoxin reductase/adrenodoxin in the matrix fraction from bovine adrenal cortex, liver, and kidney mitochondria were determined to be 20.2 +/- 10.6 microM/120 +/- 23 microM, 0.17 +/- 0.06 microM/1.79 +/- 0.24 microM, and 0.40 +/- 0.23 microM/1.33 +/- 0.26 microM, respectively. The calculation of the percentage of adrenodoxin reductase in the complex form in the reduced state showed that it is higher than 99% in adrenal cortex mitochondria, providing clear evidence for the cluster model for the mitochondrial steroid hydroxylase system.

Adrenodoxin↗