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Biomedical subjects

T Higa

Publications and source records attributed to T Higa.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

The important balance between cytokines derived from type 1 and type 2 helper T cells in the control of graft-versus-host disease.

We have investigated cytokine mRNA expression in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 20 patients who received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants to assess the cytokine network after transplantation. IL-4 mRNA expression decreased in five of five (100%) patients with > or = grade III (severe) acute GVHD and increased in 10 of 22 (45%) patients without severe GVHD. In contrast, IL-12 mRNA expression increased in two of two (100%) patients with severe GVHD, but increased in only six of 18 (33%) patients without severe GVHD. Furthermore, IL-10 and/or IL-13 mRNA expression increased in 19 of 22 (86%) patients without severe GVHD, but increased in only one of three (33%) patients with severe GVHD. In patients with allogeneic PBSCT who had severe acute GVHD, the cytokine mRNA expression in patients with allogeneic PBSCT, who had no severe GVHD, showed a similar pattern to that in patients with allogeneic BMT. IL-4 mRNA expression increased in three of five (60%) patients and IL-10 and/or IL-13 mRNA expression increased in five of five (100%) patients. In contrast, IL-12 mRNA expression increased in only one of three (33%) patients. Serum IL-4 concentration in allogeneic PBSCT patients in the early engraftment phase was relatively high, while serum IL-12 concentration was low. These findings suggest that severe GVHD may be related to the cytokine imbalance between type 1 helper T (Th1) cells and type 2 helper T (Th2) cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

An association study between the Cys311 variant of dopamine D2 receptor gene and schizophrenia in the Okinawan population.

Neuroleptic drugs have a high affinity for the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2); therefore DRD2 is thought to be a candidate gene for schizophrenia. Arinami et al. have reported a positive association between schizophrenia and the Cys311 variant of the DRD2 gene. We determined the allele frequency of this polymorphism in 78 Okinawan schizophrenic patients and 112 control subjects. The patients and controls did not differ significantly in allele frequencies of Cys311.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[Development of KRN7000, derived from agelasphin produced by Okinawan sponge].

New glycosphingolipids, named agelasphins, have been isolated as antitumoral compounds from an extract of a marine sponge, Agelas mauritianus. The absolute configurations of agelasphins were elucidated by the total synthesis. Various analogues of agelasphins were also synthesized and the relationship between their structures and biological activities was examined using an MLR assay. From the results, KRN7000, (2S,3S,4R)-1-O-(alpha-D- galactopyranosyl)-2-(N-hexacosanoylamino)-1,3,4-octadecanetriol , was selected as a candidate for clinical application. KRN7000 markedly stimulated lymphocytic proliferation in allogeneic MLR, and showed potent tumor growth inhibitory activities in B16-bearing mice and strongly inhibited tumor metastasis, suggesting that KRN7000 is a potent biological response modifier. These biological effects were exerted by the activation of dendritic cells by KRN7000.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

A translocation t(8;14) and c-myc gene rearrangement associated with the histological transformation of B-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (FAB-L2) into Burkitt's type (FAB-L3) leukemia.

We report a case of B-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia which showed histological transformation from an FAB-L2 into a Burkitt's type (FAB-L3). Both leukemias had identical immunoglobulin heavy-chain joining gene and kappa light-chain joining gene rearrangements, indicating the clonal identity of the two leukemias. A chromosomal analysis of leukemia cells on the onset indicated normal karyotype, whereas that of the transformed FAB-L3 showed t(8;14)(q24;q32). Furthermore, the proto-oncogene c-myc was in the germline configuration in the initial leukemia but in the rearranged configuration after transformation. Presence of t(8;14)(q24;q32) and the c-myc gene rearrangement after transformation suggested that the chromosomal translocation followed by the activation of the c-myc proto-oncogene might be involved in the Burkitt's type transformation of the FAB-L2 leukemic clone, but not in the leukemogenesis of the initial FAB-L2 leukemia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[Neuroimagings in neuronal migration disorders].

Recent progress in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has successfully visualized neuronal migration disorders (NMDs) without autopsy. NMDs are observed in the patients with hydranencephaly, porencephaly, cerebellar hypoplasia, agenesis of corpus callosum, agenesis of septum pellucidum and holoprocencephaly. Miller-Dieker syndrome, Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy, Walker-Warburg syndrome, hypomelanosis of Ito, congenital rubella syndrome, toxoplasmosis, Zellweger syndrome and other diseases are also associated with lissencephaly, pachygyria and polymicrogyria. Neuroimagings of illustrative cases with NMDs were shown here.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Antitumor effect in cyclosporine A- or FK506-treated mice after syngeneic bone marrow transplantation.

We investigated the possibility for induction of graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effects in cyclosporine A (CsA)- or FK506 (FK)-treated DBA/2 mice after syngeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). For in vitro assays of spleen cells, the CsA-treated mice had more enhanced cytotoxic activity against YAC1 and P388, while the FK-treated animals had more against P815, YAC1, and P388. IL-4 mRNA expression was detected in spleen cells of the FK-treated mice and IL-6 mRNA expression was clearly detected in both the treated groups. Concerning GVT effects, FK had more pronounced immunostimulatory potential than CsA in this experimental setting using DBA/2 mice. In tumor-loading in vivo experiments, we could not show any antitumor effect on survival. However, this immunostimulation could be expected to eradicate the minimal residual disease after autologous BMT and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

Actins↗
PubMed1996

[Treatment of refractory hematologic malignancies by combination of cytarabine ocfosfate and etoposide].

We attempted a combination chemotherapy with cytarabine ocfosfate (SPAC) and etoposide for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and acute non-lymphocytic leukemia developing after a prior history of MDS (MDS/ANLL). SPAC and etoposide were administered orally at the dose of 200 mg/day and 25 mg/day for 14 days, as standard regimen. Two cases complete remission (CR), 4 of partial remission (PR) were obtained among 9 patients. The plasma concentration of cytarabine (Ara-C) reached a plateau at around 4.5 ng/ml during the treatment period from the 7th to the 14th day, and it was detectable with a gradual decrease until the 28th day in spite of the last administration of SPAC on the 14th day. It is suggested that this combination chemotherapy is useful against MDS, MDS/ANLL and other resistant leukemia, especially in elderly patients who can not be treated by intensive combination chemotherapy.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1996

[Two cases of relapse or refractory germ cell tumor who had been treated with combination chemotherapy of cisplatin and carboplatin].

We tried a combination chemotherapy with cisplatin (CDDP) and carboplatin (CBDCA) (CDDP/CBDCA regimen) as salvage therapy for 2 cases with recurrent or refractory Germ Cell Tumor (GCT). Case 1 was a 29-year-old man with 2nd relapsed embryonal carcinoma and seminoma originating from testis. Case 2 was a 23-year-old man with primary refractory embryonal carcinoma and yolk sac tumor originating from mediastinum. CDDP and CBDCA were administered at the dose of 120 mg/m2 and 350 mg/m2 on day 1, and vinblastin was administered at the dose of 10 mg/body on day 2. In one of two cases, a complete response was obtained. Non-hematologic toxicity of CDDP/CBDCA regimen was tolerable. It is suggested that this combination chemotherapy is useful for GCT recurrence.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Cytokine receptor gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells during graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Interleukin-1 receptor type 1 (IL-1R), IL-2 receptor alpha subunit (IL-2R) and IL-6 receptor alpha subunit (IL-6R) mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in 17 patients who underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo BMT) and 2 patients who underwent autologous transplantation were analyzed using a semiquantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). There were several exceptions in some cases and IL-1R expression was found to vary in a rather wide range, however, the expression of IL-2R and IL-6R mRNA tended to increase during the development of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). In particular, IL-2R mRNA expression was increased in four patients with GVHD and graft failure. In contrast, IL-2R and IL-6R mRNA expression was not increased in autologous (auto) BMT and auto peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) patients. These findings suggest that IL-2R and maybe IL-6R mRNA expression in PBMC play an important role in the development of an allo response and GVHD. Therefore, the analysis of cytokine receptor mRNA expression in PBMC after allo BMT may provide important information concerning the immune response and the cytokine network system in marrow transplants.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Clinical experience with the ACS RX Lifestream coronary dilatation catheter: a new low profile perfusion balloon catheter.

BACKGROUND: Although the use of the perfusion balloon catheter (PBC) has been widely accepted, there are some indicational limitations in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). A new low profile perfusion balloon catheter, the ACS RX Lifestream Coronary Dilatation Catheter, was developed by Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. in which material and structures were improved to reduce previous limitations. PURPOSE AND STUDY DESIGN: In order to evaluate the ACS RX Lifestream Catheter's performance not only in PTCA but also in stent implantation, we used the catheter in 45 consecutive patients (male = 35, mean age 66 years) with combined use of 6F guiding catheter. Exclusions included total occlusions, long diffuse and acute MI lesions. There were 4 with Left Main Trunk Disease (LMTD), 15 with single vessel disease, 26 with multi-vessel disease, 20 with prior MI, 4 with prior CABG, and 10 with unstable angina. In bare stent procedures, a Johnson & Johnson metal stent was mounted on an ACS RX Lifestream Catheter previously used for predilation. Stent delivery and post-dilatation were performed using the same balloon. RESULTS: Forty-nine lesions in 45 cases (de novo lesion-31) including 7 of Type A, 15 of Type B1, 19 of Type B2, and 8 of Type C lesions were successfully dilated without any complications. Primary guiding catheter use was 6F in 40, 7F in 2 and 8F in 3 cases. The perfusion balloon was used alone in 30 cases and combined with stent placement in 15 cases. In 40 cases of 6F use, the ACS RX Lifestream Catheter could not cross the lesion in 3 cases at first attempt, of which 2 cases were successfully dilated with the balloon after predilatation with standard low-profile balloon catheters. Two cases with 7F use were bail-out cases after PTCA for long diffuse lesions. In one case of 8F guide use, flow patterns of ACS RX Lifestream Catheters and ACS RX Flowtrack Coronary Dilatation Catheters were examined with a flow-wire in the same lesion for comparison. All 15 stent cases performed using bare technique (10 with 6F, 2 with 7F and 3 with 8F guiding catheters) including 7 primary and 8 secondary use, were successful. Percent diameter stenosis pre-dilatation was 81% and 12.8% post-procedure. CONCLUSION: ACS RX Lifestream Catheter is a useful device in both PTCA and bare stent procedures. Consequently, it is possible to expand its indications to more difficult types of lesions.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

[A rare case of cranial metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma].

This is the first reported case of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of cranial metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma. A 53-year-old male was admitted to our hospital on August 23, 1994, complaining of severe headache and a subcutaneous mass on the forehead. He was diagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma in February, 1994, at another hospital. Because of multiple intrahepatic metastasis, he was inoperable and received transarterial embolization (TAE) on February 15, 1994. He had noticed the subcutaneous mass two months prior to admission, and its recent rapid growth, and morning headache. On admission, there was no abnormality observed by neurological and physical examination except the subcutaneous mass on his forehead, 5 x 7 cm in size. It was elastic soft and unmovable, and he felt tenderness. Laboratory examination showed only mild liver dysfunction. HBsAg was negative, and alpha-fetoprotein and PIVKA-II (Protein Induced by Vitamin K Antagonists) were within normal limit. Skull X-ray showed a round bone defect in the frontal bone. Computerized tomographic (CT) scan showed bone destruction and a well-circumscribed high density mass extending from the frontal subcutaneous region into the cranial cavity. MRI showed the tumor compressing the left frontal lobe on T1 weighted image as isointense and T2 weighted image showed a slight low intense mass. The tumor was clearly enhanced on both CT scan and MRI. Left external carotid angiogram demonstrated that the hypervascular tumor mainly fed by a frontal branch of the left superficial temporal artery in the frontal region. Tumor and bone scintigram revealed multiple bone metastasis. Lung CT scan showed no metastasis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗
PubMed1995

Comparison of peripheral blood stem cells mobilized with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor with or without prior standard-dose chemotherapy in patients with malignancy.

We studied the effect of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on the magnitude of peripheral blood stem cell mobilization in patients with malignancy. The leukapheresis products mobilized with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor alone at a steady state (a period of full hematopoietic recovery) (group 1) were compared with those obtained after cytotoxic chemotherapy using granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (group 2). In group 1, six patients underwent six courses of stem cell collection with a median of 20 l leukapheresis. In group 2, 10 patients underwent 12 courses of stem cell collection with a median of 10 l leukapheresis. Median yields of group 1 vs. group 2 were mononuclear cells (x 10(9)), 21.9 vs. 11.6; CD34+ cells (x 10(6)/l), 14.5 vs. 17.1; colony-forming unit for granulocyte-macrophage (/ml), 223 vs. 1193; burst-forming unit for erythroid (/ml), 29 vs. 71; colony-forming unit for erythroid (/ml), 42 vs. 29; colony-forming unit for megakaryocyte (/ml), 26 vs. 59. While there were no statistically significant differences in the number of CD34+ cells between the two groups, granulocyte-macrophage-committed progenitor cells were more enriched in the apheresis products of group 2. The correlation between CD34+ cells and colony-forming unit for granulocyte-macrophage was poor. Our results demonstrate that granulocyte colony-stimulating factor can mobilize a sufficient number of progenitor cells into the peripheral blood for stem cell transplantation with or without prior chemotherapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Evaluation of mixed chimerism by two-step polymerase chain reaction amplification of hypervariable region MCT118 after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

We assessed the origin of peripheral blood cells and bone marrow cells of 92 samples obtained from 19 patients after allo BMT by two-step polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of MCT118, one of the variable number of tandem repeat regions (VNTR) which has a different length in 19 of 32 sibling pairs examined, that can detect the DNA pattern of a minor cell population of only 1% without using radioisotopes. Mixed chimerism (MC) was detected in the hematopoietic cells of four patients. Two patients who showed progressive MC developed relapse of leukemia 3 months and 4 months after the detection of MC, and two patients died with bone marrow hypoplasia 61 days and 7 months after BMT. These data suggest the clinical importance of analyzing the correlation of MC and clinical complications after BMT by this method, which can be used to monitor MC in about two thirds of allo BMT patients with an adequate sensitivity.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

In vivo administration of interleukin-6 in murine allogeneic bone marrow chimeras: early and delayed enhancement of hematopoiesis accompanied with split tolerance but not with graft-versus-host disease.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) induced increased, leukocyte and platelet counts on around day 20 when it was administered into [BALB/c-->C3H/He] bone marrow chimeras from day 1 to day 12. Increased leukocyte counts and hemoglobin (Hb) levels were also observed at around day 60 and from day 41 to 80, respectively. On the other hand, hematopoietic recovery in [C3H/He-->C3H/He] bone marrow chimeras injected with IL-6 was different from that in [BALB/c-->C3H/He] bone marrow chimeras, showing no delayed and long-lasting increase in Hb levels but showing an early and transient increase in Hb levels and platelet counts. Sera from [BALB/c-->C3H/He] bone marrow chimeras injected with IL-6 showed predominant productions of IL-3 and/or IL-4. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that stem cell factor (SCF) mRNA expression was increased in bone marrow or spleen cells from [BALB/c-->C3H/He] bone marrow chimeras injected with IL-6 on day 36. Furthermore, we analyzed influence of IL-6 on graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in [BALB/c-->C3H/He] bone marrow chimeras injected with IL-6. Decreased survival days and body weights were not observed when compared with the control. Histopathological changes of the liver due to GVHD were also not obvious. However, alloreactive mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLRs) were readily detected although cytotoxic T cells were not generated. Since H-2 typing showed that donor-type chimerism was predominantly observed, it was suggested that split tolerance might be induced by IL-6 administration. Increased IL-2 levels were not detected in sera from [BALB/c-->C3H/He] bone marrow chimeras injected with IL-6 whereas IL-4 was detected in the same sera, indicating that type 2 helper T (TH2) cells appeared to be predominantly generated. These results suggest that IL-3/IL-4 and SCF appeared to synergistically support delayed effects on hematopoiesis in [BALB/c-->C3H/He] bone marrow chimeras injected with IL-6 although early effects appeared to be mediated mainly by IL-6 directly or indirectly. Furthermore, IL-6 could induce split tolerance in [BALB/c-->C3H/He] bone marrow chimeras via a preferable activation of TH2 type cells without inducing severe GVHD.

Animals↗