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T Hashimoto

Publications and source records attributed to T Hashimoto.

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

Angiosarcoma of vagina successfully treated with interleukin-2 therapy and chemotherapy: a case report.

We report a case of angiosarcoma of the vagina in a 61-year-old woman who had undergone radical hysterectomy and pelvic irradiation for uterine cervical adenocarcinoma 14 years previously. Combination chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin and dacarbazine) and interleukin-2 induced complete remission of the tumor. The patient remained free from disease for 15 months.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed2001

Multiplex PCR using internal transcribed spacer 1 and 2 regions for rapid detection and identification of yeast strains.

Multiplex PCR amplification followed by either agarose gel electrophoresis (PCR-AGE) or microchip electrophoresis (PCR-ME) was used to test a total of 120 fungal strains. The internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) and ITS2 regions and the 5.8S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) region of the fungi were amplified by using universal primers ITS1 and ITS4. The ITS2 region was simultaneously amplified by using universal primers ITS3 and ITS4. Since Trichosporon asahi and T. asteroides showed similar lengths for two amplicons, 29 different gel patterns were demonstrated for 30 yeast species tested on the basis of differences in the lengths of one or two amplicons. Of 75 yeast isolates from clinical materials, 5 isolates (6.8%) which were incompletely identified or not identified by the phenotypic method were identified with our PCR-based method (2 isolates as Candida guilliermondii, 2 as C. krusei, and 1 as C. zeylanoides). No differences in discriminating power or sensitivity were observed between the PCR-AGE method and the PCR-ME method. These methods, prospectively applied to 24 yeast-positive blood culture bottles (16 patients), resulted in the correct detection of 24 yeast strains. In conclusion, multiplex PCR followed by electrophoresis seems to be a promising tool for the rapid identification of common and uncommon yeast strains from culture colonies and from yeast-positive blood culture bottles (5.5 h for the PCR-AGE method and 3 h for the PCR-ME method).

DNA, Fungal↗
PubMed2001

Increased ictal perfusion of the thalamus in paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia.

The ictal and interictal cerebral blood flow (CBF) were evaluated in a patient with right unilateral short lasting paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia, by means of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The patient was a 6 year old boy with no family history. During an attack, increased CBF was seen in the left thalamus. Subtraction of interictal CBF from ictal CBF disclosed a prominent increase in CBF in the left posterolateral part of the thalamus. This finding suggests that abnormal hyperactivity of thalamic neurons could be responsible for the pathophysiology of paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia in this patient.

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed2001

Peroxisomal beta-oxidation and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha: an adaptive metabolic system.

beta-Oxidation occurs in both mitochondria and peroxisomes. Mitochondria catalyze the beta-oxidation of the bulk of short-, medium-, and long-chain fatty acids derived from diet, and this pathway constitutes the major process by which fatty acids are oxidized to generate energy. Peroxisomes are involved in the beta-oxidation chain shortening of long-chain and very-long-chain fatty acyl-coenzyme (CoAs), long-chain dicarboxylyl-CoAs, the CoA esters of eicosanoids, 2-methyl-branched fatty acyl-CoAs, and the CoA esters of the bile acid intermediates di- and trihydroxycoprostanoic acids, and in the process they generate H2O2. Long-chain and very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) are also metabolized by the cytochrome P450 CYP4A omega-oxidation system to dicarboxylic acids that serve as substrates for peroxisomal beta-oxidation. The peroxisomal beta-oxidation system consists of (a) a classical peroxisome proliferator-inducible pathway capable of catalyzing straight-chain acyl-CoAs by fatty acyl-CoA oxidase, L-bifunctional protein, and thiolase, and (b) a second noninducible pathway catalyzing the oxidation of 2-methyl-branched fatty acyl-CoAs by branched-chain acyl-CoA oxidase (pristanoyl-CoA oxidase/trihydroxycoprostanoyl-CoA oxidase), D-bifunctional protein, and sterol carrier protein (SCP)x. The genes encoding the classical beta-oxidation pathway in liver are transcriptionally regulated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha). Evidence derived from mice deficient in PPAR alpha, peroxisomal fatty acyl-CoA oxidase, and some of the other enzymes of the two peroxisomal beta-oxidation pathways points to the critical importance of PPAR alpha and of the classical peroxisomal fatty acyl-CoA oxidase in energy metabolism, and in the development of hepatic steatosis, steatohepatitis, and liver cancer.

Adaptation, Biological↗
PubMed2001

Role of T cells in development of chronic pancreatitis in male Wistar Bonn/Kobori rats: effects of tacrolimus.

We assessed T cell association with acinar cell apoptosis and a preventive effect of tacrolimus, a T cell suppressant, on the development of chronic pancreatitis in male Wistar Bonn/Kobori rats. At 15 wk, cellular infiltrates composed of F4/80-positive cells (monocytes/macrophages), CD4-positive cells, and CD8-positive cells were extensive in the interlobular connective tissue and parenchyma. In particular, CD8-positive cells invaded pancreatic lobules and formed close associations with acinar cells, some of which demonstrated features of apoptosis. At 20 wk, CD8-positive cells were still abundant in the fibrotic tissue formed with loss of acinar cells. Repeated subcutaneous injection of 0.1 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1) but not 0.025 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1) of tacrolimus for 10 wk completely prevented the occurrence of acinar cell apoptosis, infiltration of CD4- and CD8-positive cells, and development of pancreatitis at the age of 20 wk, but these maneuvers did not recover the decreased plasma corticosterone levels, which may be responsible for the development of disease. We demonstrated that T cells, possibly CD8-positive cells, are involved in inducing apoptosis of acinar cells, raising the possibility that tacrolimus might find clinical application in the treatment of autoimmune chronic pancreatitis.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Beta-globin gene haplotype characteristics of Colombian Amerinds in South America.

Haplotypes and subhaplotypes in the beta-globin gene cluster were identified in 146 and 156 chromosomes, respectively, of three tribes of Colombian Amerinds. Subhaplotype [+----] was a major one in Colombian Amerinds as in most human ethnic groups except Africans. A major subhaplotype [----+] in Africans was observed in only one chromosome. The framework 2 frequencies were very low (0.018-0.067). Haplotype [+----++], which is a major one in Europeans, but not in Asians, and [+-----+], which is a major one in Asians, but not in Europeans, were two major haplotypes. Subhaplotype data showed the closest genetic affinities between Colombian Amerinds and Polynesians, Micronesians, and Asians, but the haplotype data did not necessarily support this.

Colombia↗
PubMed2001

Myocardial ultrasonic tissue characterization for estimating histological abnormalities in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: comparison with endomyocardial biopsy findings.

AIMS: In this study, we investigated the clinical usefulness of ultrasonic tissue characterization with integrated backscatter for the evaluation of myocardial histological abnormalities in comparison with endomyocardial biopsy findings in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. METHODS: Twenty patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and 20 normal subjects were enrolled in this study. We measured two parameters for the ultrasonic tissue characterization with integrated backscatter: the magnitude of the cardiac-cycle-dependent variation in integrated backscatter signals (cdv-IB) and the mean value of integrated backscatter signals calibrated by the pericardium (cal-IB). These parameters were measured at both the interventricular septum and the left ventricular posterior wall. Histological findings of right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy specimens were analyzed by computer image analyzer. RESULTS: cdv-IB was significantly lower and cal-IB significantly higher in both the interventricular septum and the left ventricular posterior wall in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy compared with normal subjects. In patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the degree of myocardial disarray, interstitial fibrosis, and nonhomogeneity of myocyte size showed positive correlations with cal-IB and negative correlations with cdv-IB. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonic tissue characterization with IB enables the noninvasive evaluation of myocardial histological abnormalities in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Antidesmoglein autoantibodies in silicosis patients with no bullous diseases.

BACKGROUND: Pemphigus is an autoimmune bullous disease characterized by the presence of antidesmoglein autoantibodies. However, the mechanism of its autoantibody production remains unknown. In previous reports, we have described rare cases of pemphigus and pemphigoid associated with silicosis. It is well known that during long-term silicosis, some autoimmune diseases, such as systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis, can occur. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the presence of pemphigus or pemphigoid autoantibodies in silicosis patients without clinical bullous diseases or collagen diseases. METHOD: The presence of pemphigus antibodies was examined in 54 silicosis patients with no associated bullous diseases, using immunofluorescence, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for desmoglein 1 and 3, and immunoblotting methods. In the antibody-positive cases, HLA genotyping of peripheral lymphocytes was performed with PCR-RFLP. RESULTS: Seven out of the 54 patients were found to be positive for pemphigus antibodies and 1 for bullous pemphigoid by immunofluorescence. In addition, by ELISA, 6 patients were found to be positive against the desmoglein 1 antigen, 2 against the desmoglein 3 antigen and 2 against both desmoglein 1 and desmoglein 3. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study strongly suggest the occurrence of pemphigus and pemphigoid autoantibodies in patients with silicosis. It remains unclear whether such patients will develop an autoimmune bullous disease in the future. Accordingly, long-term follow-up of antibody-positive patients is required.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Successful extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for sibling pancreatic duct stones.

We present a case of 2 brothers with idiopathic chronic pancreatitis associated with pancreatic duct stones which could be successfully disintegrated by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). An obvious etiology for the pancreatolithiasis, like alcohol or biliary disease, was lacking and point mutations of the cationic trypsinogen gene exons 2 and 3 were not detected in the long arm of the 7th chromosome. However, a hereditary etiology could not be precluded since pancreatolithiasis occurred in the siblings. There has been no recurrence of pancreatic stones during 42 months of follow-up periods, for both. ESWL, the least invasive therapy, appeared applicable and effective for pancreatolithiasis in the present cases.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Bisphenol A inhibits testicular functions and increases luteinizing hormone secretion in adult male rats.

Effects of a xenobiotic estrogen, bisphenol A (BPA), on reproductive functions were investigated using adult male rats. BPA was dissolved into sesame oil and injected s.c. every day (1 mg/rat) for 14 days. Animals were killed by decapitation after the final administration of BPA, and the trunk blood, pituitary, and testes were collected. Plasma concentrations of prolactin were dramatically increased and pituitary contents of prolactin were slightly increased in the BPA group compared to the control group. Plasma concentrations of testosterone were decreased and plasma concentrations of LH were increased in BPA-treated rats compared to control rats. Testicular contents of inhibin were decreased in BPA-treated rats compared to control rats, although plasma concentrations of inhibin were not changed after administration of BPA. The testicular response to hCG for progesterone and testosterone release was decreased in BPA-treated rats. Administration of BPA did not change the pituitary response to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) in castrated male rats treated with testosterone. Male sexual behavior also was not changed as a result of BPA treatment. These results suggest that BPA directly inhibits testicular functions and the increased level of plasma LH is probably due to a reduction in the negative feedback regulation by testosterone. The testis is probably a more sensitive site for BPA action than the hypothalamus-pituitary axis.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Lack of flow regulation may explain the development of arteriovenous malformations.

In the normal vasculature, vessels of widely different sizes maintain shear stress within a narrow range. Recently, investigators have had great success using mathematical models to explore the relationship of structure to function in normal vascular beds. When investigators first explored how vascular beds adapt to set shear stress at appropriate levels, however, some vessels tended to regress, and some tended to grow into arteriovenous shunts. Degeneration of the arterial tree is prevented when flow regulation is added to the model. The present work explores the implication of this theoretical development and illustrates how it may explain the genesis of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). We use a simple model to illustrate how impairing local control of blood flow causes models to become structurally unstable, yielding a structure and behavior similar to AVMs. This work shows how the lack of local flow control can be the cause, not just the result, of arteriovenous malformations. With insight gained from this modeling approach, specific, focused experiments can be designed.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2001

Kinetics of intramolecular acyl migration of 1beta-O-acyl glucuronides of (R)- and (S)-2-phenylpropionic acids.

The stereoselective acyl migration of diastereomeric 1beta-O-acyl glucuronides of (R)- and (S)-2-phenylpropionic acid [(R)-1PG and (S)-IPG, respectively] in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) at 310K was investigated using HPLC. The disappearance of (R)-1PG was faster than that of (S)-1PG according to pseudo first-order kinetics. A kinetic model describing the degradation reactions was constructed. The rate constant for acyl migration from the 1beta-O-isomer to the 2-O-acyl isomer (k12) was about one order magnitude larger than that for hydrolysis from 1beta-O-acyl isomer to aglycone (k10). The k12 of (R)-IPG (0.377 +/- 0.005 h(-1)) was about two times larger than that of (S)-IPG (0.184 +/- 0.003 h(-1)). The results indicated that the stereoselectivity in the degradation of 1PG was apparently governed by the acyl migration from 1-isomer to 2-isomer. The kinetic parameters for acyl migration from 1-isomer to 2-isomer were estimated from temperature-dependent experiments using the transition state theory. The value of the free energy of activation at 310 K for (R)-1PG (99.67 kJ/mol) was smaller than that of (S)-IPG (101.60kJ/mol), suggesting that (R)-IPG showed thermodynamically higher reactivity in acyl migration than (S)-1PG.

Acylation↗
PubMed2001

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition on sympathetic tone in patients with mild to moderate heart failure.

Sixteen patients with mild to moderate heart failure were examined to investigate whether sympathetic deactivation plays a role in the improvement in the failing heart by chronic angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. Measurements, including echocardiography, blood examinations, neurohumoral samplings (atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), norepinephrine), and spectral heart rate variability analysis by Holter electrocardiography, were carried out before and 6 months after the administration of lisinopril (5-10 mg/day). Quality of life assessment was accomplished by the Specific Activity Scale (SAS) questionnaire. Treatment with lisinopril for 6 months resulted in a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure. The left ventricular diastolic dimension significantly decreased and fractional shortening significantly increased on echocardiography. Of the 16 patients, 8 had improvement in their symptoms as measured by the SAS. Lisinopril did not significantly reduce the plasma norepinephrine concentration, but there was a significant reduction in the plasma ANP and BNP concentrations. In the heart rate power spectral analysis, total spectral power, high-frequency components and low/high frequency ratios did not change significantly with lisinopril. The mechanism by which ACE inhibitors improve mild to moderate heart failure is not by suppressing sympathetic activity.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Associations of plasma endothelin concentration with carotid atherosclerosis and asymptomatic cerebrovascular lesions in patients with essential hypertension.

We studied the association of endothelin (ET)-1 with carotid atherosclerosis and asymptomatic cerebrovascular lesions in patients with essential hypertension. Neurologically normal patients with essential hypertension (n=293; 138 male, 155 female; mean age, 65 years) and age-matched control subjects (n=242) were studied with B-mode ultrasonography of the common and internal carotid arteries and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Plasma ET-1 was measured by enzyme immunoassay. Hypertensive patients were divided into groups with carotid plaques and low ET-1 concentrations (< 0.75 pg/ml; PL group); carotid plaques and mid-range ET-1 (0.75 to 1.55 pg/ml; PM group); carotid plaques and high ET-1 (> or = 1.55 pg/ml; PH group); no plaques and low ET-1 (NPL); no plaques and mid-range ET-1 (NPM); and no plaques and high ET-1 (NPH). Overall, ET-1 concentrations were significantly higher in patients than in control subjects. Carotid plaque prevalence was significantly related to ET-1 in hypertensive patients. ET-1 showed a significant positive relationship with the number of asymptomatic lacunar infarcts of the brain in hypertensive patients with carotid plaques (rho=0.48, p<0.001). No significant relationship was seen between ET-1 and periventricular hyperintensity scores in patients with plaques. ET-1 did not show a relationship to either brain lesion type in patients without carotid plaques. Thus, ET-1 may foster asymptomatic lacunar cerebral infarcts by promoting carotid atherosclerosis in patients with essential hypertension.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Hippuric acid test using 13C-labelling and NMR spectroscopy.

This article describes a 13C-labelling and nuclear magnetic resonance approach for hippuric acid test which is potentially useful for evaluating liver reserve. In this approach, urine samples collected after ingestion of 13C-labelled benzoic acid were directly analysed by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and the excreted 13C-labelled hippuric acid formed from the administered benzoic acid was quantitated. The amount of labelled hippuric acid excreted in a specified time can be a useful index of liver reserve. In this study, the feasibility of the nuclear magnetic resonance approach has been investigated in several healthy subjects. This approach is simple and convenient compared with conventional analytical procedures, because no chromatographic separation is required. The approach could give new insights into the liver reserve, because the benzoic acid conversion to hippuric acid intimately relates to the hepatic energy metabolism. This measurement can be conducted at a wide range of dosages without interference from endogenous hippuric acid.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2001

Immunopathological diagnosis of cicatricial pemphigoid with desquamative gingivitis. A case report.

Cicatricial pemphigoid (CP) is a chronic subepidermal bullous dermatosis which primarily involves the mucous membranes. The oral cavity and the eye are most frequently involved. Since extension of the lesion into the pharynx and esophagus causes sore throat and dysphagia and progressive ocular lesions may cause blindness, early and valid diagnosis is very important. Here we present a case of cicatricial pemphigoid with onset at age 45 in a patient who manifested severe periodontal disease and showed the lesion on the mucous membranes of the mouth (desquamative gingivitis), skin, and eyes. Since definite diagnosis is very important, we describe how we made a differential diagnosis from other diseases which also accompany desquamative gingivitis. We examined the clinical manifestations, blood test results, HLA-genotype, histopathologic findings of the affected tissue, and immunological findings in relation to autoimmunity. Since many of the CP cases are first referred to periodontists or dentists, we believe that the diagnostic strategy described in the present study will be quite informative for making rapid and definite diagnoses of similar cases.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed2001

Hypopituitarism due to pituitary metastasis of lung cancer: case of a 21-year-old man.

A 21-year-old man presented persistent dry cough, general malaise, loss of appetite, decreased sexual desire and double vision. Chest radiograph revealed a mass shadow in the left upper lobe. Histopathological diagnosis of the tumor was squamous cell carcinoma. Brain computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a metastasis to the pituitary gland. Hypopituitarism was diagnosed by pituitary function tests. Diabetes insipidus was absent and the function of the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland was preserved. Hypopituitarism due to pituitary metastasis is a rare complication of lung cancer, and has never been reported in a patient as young as 21 years old.

Adult↗