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T Kamei

Publications and source records attributed to T Kamei.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Localized malignant mesothelioma of the pleura.

We describe a case of malignant pleural mesothelioma appearing as a solitary pleural tumor in a 56-year-old Japanese man with no history of exposure to asbestos. A chest radiograph revealed an isolated extrapulmonary mass in the left hemithorax. The patient underwent tumor resection, but the tumor later recurred on the contralateral pleura. The patient developed cerebral metastases and died 16 months after the initial surgery. The resected tumor was sessile with broad-based pleural attachment. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of interlacing fascicles of plump spindle cells intermixed with few polygonal cells. Most of the tumor cells showed positive immunoreactivity for cytokeratins (AE1 and AE3) and vimentin. Many of the tumor cells were positive for epithelial membrane antigen, and a few were positive for desmin. In contrast, the tumor cells were consistently negative for carcinoembryonic antigen, epithelial antigen BerEP4, calretinin, S-100 protein, neuron-specific enolase, muscle actin antigen HHF35, alpha-smooth muscle actin antigen and CD34. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells had diffusely distributed cytoplasmic intermediate filaments, desmosome-like junctions, and a few microvilli. Some tumor cells contained cytoplasmic tonofilaments. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural findings supported the mesothelial nature of the tumor, and led us to diagnose this tumor as a sarcomatoid localized malignant mesothelioma.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed2001

[Two patients with Bartonella henselae infection from a dog].

Two patients were reported as having been infected with Bartonella henselae after having contact with a dog. Both of the patients owned a dog, but had no contact with cats. One patient was a 10-year-old boy who had experienced a fever of 38-39 degrees C for 11 days, as well as having bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy. The boy's serum IgM antibodies to B. henselae were negative on the 6th and 16th day of his illness, whereas his IgG value, using indirect fluorescence antibody (IFA) method, was found to be elevated from 1:256 to 1:1,024. B. henselae DNA was detected, by PCR method, in swabs from the gingiva and buccal membrane of the dog with which the boy had been in contact. The boy was first treated with cefdinir (300 mg daily) for 6 days without beneficial effect. He responded, however, to minocycline (100 mg daily) with symptom resolution in four days. The other patient was a 64-year-old man who had experienced a fever of 38-39 degrees C for 27 days, as well as having right inguinal lymphadenopathy. The man's serum IgM antibody to B. henselae was negative, although his IgG value, determined by IFA, was 1:1,024. In addition, B. henselae DNA was detected, by PCR method, in parafin-embedded tissue obtained from the biopsied inguinal lymph nodes. The man was treated with cefazolin (2 g daily). His fever resolved, but his lymph nodes remained swollen. After a regimen of erythromycin (1,200 mg daily), the swelling in his inguinal lymphnodes gradually disappeared. Careful review of suspected CSD victims' history of contact with animals is important in making a prompt diagnosis of B. henselae infection.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Successful therapy of pure red cell aplasia secondary to plasma cell dyscrasia with bolus methylprednisolone.

A 65-year-old man, who is a Jehovah's Witness, was admitted to our hospital due to progressive anemia following a four-year history of biclonal gammopathy of no clinical significance. He was diagnosed with pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) associated with plasma cell dyscrasia. Despite a markedly decreased red blood cell count (hematocrit 5.6%), the patient refused transfusion. He was intravenously administered bolus methylprednisolone. Reticulocytosis and recovery from anemia were observed on day 7 after the start of therapy. Secondary PRCA following plasma cell dyscrasia is a rare disorder; the treatments for this rare condition are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Massive rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure after acetonitrile exposure.

A case of systemic rhabomyolysis after acetonitrile exposure is reported. A 35-year-old previously healthy man suffered from vomiting, convulsion and consciousness loss 15 hours after exposure to acetonitrile. Since acetonitrile is known to be metabolized into cyanide, antidote therapy against cyanide poisoning was given. On admission, pain and all-over muscle swelling were marked. Although the initial therapy was effective, rhabdomyolysis and then acute renal failure developed. Renal function improved very slowly after six weeks of hemodialysis, but atrophy of the muscles remained. The rhabdomyolysis may have been caused by toxicity of the cyanide itself in combination with hypoxia and convulsion.

Acetonitriles↗
PubMed2001

p73 is highly expressed in myoepithelial cells and in carcinomas with metaplasia.

p73, a homologue of p53 gene, is expressed in several normal tissues including central nervous system, but data regarding tumors are scant. In this study, we have analyzed the status and expression of the p73 gene in primary breast tumors, as well as 4 normal salivary glands, 2 carcinomas with metaplasia and mixed tumors. We found that periductal myoepithelial cells of all of the mammary gland examined were clearly stained with the specific anti-p73 antibody. Furthermore, we found the expression of p73 in the neoplastic myoepithelial cells in carcinomas with metaplasia and in mixed tumors. The findings in the present study provide valuable information on the characteristics of myoepithelial cells.

Breast↗
PubMed2001

[Effect of fluticasone propionate at half dose of beclomethasone dipropionate divided twice daily and once daily in asthmatics inhaling beclomethasone dipropionate 800 micrograms daily or more].

We conducted a 12 weeks' single-arm prospective study comparing beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP), 1/2 doses of fluticasone propionate (FP) twice daily and the same dose of FP once daily in 47 asthmatics who had been inhaling BDP 800 mcg daily or more. Peak expiratory flow (PEF), FEV1, a symptom score and a frequency of beta 2 agonist were all significantly better in FP twice daily phase than BDP phase (329 vs. 306 L/min, 1.87 vs. 1.76 L, 3.6 vs. 6.0/week and 2.7 vs. 4.5 puffs/day, respectively). There was no significant difference in these endpoints between FP twice daily phase and FP once daily phase. FP twice daily produced better plumonary function and symptom relief than the double doses of BDP. Furthermore, FP twice daily could, at least in a short-term basis, safely be changed into the same doses of FP once daily.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2000

Elevation of anti-cytokeratin 18 antibody and circulating cytokeratin 18: anti-cytokeratin 18 antibody immune complexes in sera of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

In this study, we hypothesize that anti-cytokeratin 18 (CK18) antibody and CK18:anti-CK18 immune complex increase in sera in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). To prove the existence of anti-CK18 antibodies in patients' sera, bovine CK18 was stained with patients' sera using a Western blotting. In patients with IPF, anti-CK18 antibodies were clearly demonstrated in sera by Western blotting. Then, we tried to establish an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify anti-CK18 antibodies and CK18:anti-CK18 immune complexes in sera of patients with IPF. Levels of anti-human CK18 antibodies in sera of patients with IPF (0.81 +/- 0.31, mean +/- SD) measured by ELISA were significantly high compared with that of normal volunteers (0.45 +/- 0.06, p < 0.01). In addition, levels of CK18:anti-CK18 antibody complexes in patients' sera (0.64 +/- 0.35, man +/- SD) significantly increased compared with those of normal subjects (0.40 +/- 0.10, p < 0.01). These results suggest that anti-CK18 antibody and its immune complex may have played a role in the process of lung injury in IPF.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Circulating bronchoepithelial cells expressing mRNA for surfactant protein A in patients with pulmonary fibrosis.

There are several unsolved clinical findings in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF); (i) predominance of fibrosis in the lower lung fields, (ii) digital clubbing, and (iii) patchy distribution of pulmonary fibrosis. To explain these unsolved problems, we hypothesized that regenerated or premature bronchoepithelial cells may circulate in the blood in patients with IPF. To prove this, we performed the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for cytokeratin 19 (CK19) and pulmonary surfactant protein A (SPA) in peripheral blood in patients with IPF and pulmonary fibrosis associated with collagen vascular disorders. In addition, 20 patients with chronic pulmonary emphysema as a disease control and 19 normal volunteers were also evaluated for the existence of circulating bronchoepithelial cells. RT-PCR analysis showed that CK19 was expressed in 12 of 38 blood samples (31.6%) of IPF and pulmonary fibrosis associated with collagen vascular disorders, seven of 20 (35.0%) blood samples of chronic pulmonary emphysema, and four of 19 (21.1%) blood samples of normal volunteers. mRNA for SPA was positive in eight of 38 (21.1%) blood samples of IPF. In contrast, SPA expressing cells were not detected in any blood samples obtained from patients with chronic pulmonary emphysema or normal volunteers. This evidence suggests that there were some circulating bronchoepithelial cells expressing mRNA for SPA in peripheral blood of patients with IPF and pulmonary fibrosis associated with collagen vascular disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Effect of Mao-bushi-saishin-to on infection of ofloxacin resistant bacteria and of unknown origin.

When seven elderly patients with fever due to bacterial infection failed to respond to ofloxacin 300 mg/day for 3 days, we prescribed Mao-bushi-saishin-to for 7 days. Bushi, one of the components of Mao-bushi-saishin-to, is a complex of various alkaloids, which is known to stimulate the conducting system of the heart, so half of the standard dose was prescribed for these patients. We assessed changes in the patients' body temperatures and serum C-reactive protein concentrations. As a result, the patients' body temperatures all fell to under 37 degrees C and C-reactive protein levels decreased from an average of 3.06 mg/dl to an average of 0.36 mg/dl (P< 0.02). In cases where a fever does not decrease through dosage of an antibiotic such as ofloxacin after about 3 days, half of the standard dose of Mao-bushi-saishin-to for 7 days should be considered as a complementary therapy.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Improvement of C-reactive protein levels and body temperature of an elderly patient infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa on treatment with Mao-bushi-saishin-to.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of Mao-bushi-saishin-to (Ma-Huang-Fu-Zi-Xi-Xin-Tang in Chinese medicine) (Tochimototenkaido Co. Ltd., Osaka, Japan), one of the traditional herbal medicines, against resistant bacterial infection. SETTING: The Nursing Center Himawari, Izumo, Japan DESIGN, PATIENT, AND PREPARATION: Half of the standard dose of Mao-bushi-saishin-to was prescribed for 7 days to one elderly patient with fever and positive C-reactive protein (CRP) levels suffering from drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The daily standard dose of Mao-bushi-saishin-to is prepared from 1200 mg of dried extract obtained from three crude drugs, Ephedrae Herba (4 g), Asiasari Radix (3 g), and Aconiti Tuber (1 g). It is certified by the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare. RESULTS: The patient's fever and CRP level returned to normal levels. CONCLUSIONS: In cases in which the fever does not fall in response to antibiotics for at least 3 days, half of the standard dose of Mao-bushi-saishin-to for 7 days might be worth trying to induce remission, especially for elder patients.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

The effect of a traditional Chinese prescription for a case of lung carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of Ninjin Yoei To (NYT; Ren-Shen-Yang-Rong-Tang in Chinese medicine; Kotaro Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan), one of the traditional herbal medicines, against lung carcinoma. SETTING: The Nursing Center Himawari DESIGN, PATIENT, AND PREPARATION: The regular dosage of NYT (15 g/d) was prescribed for 7 weeks to one elderly patient with lung carcinoma. The daily standard dose of NYT is prepared from dried extract obtained from 12 crude natural substances, ginseng, cinnamon bark, Japanese angelica root, astragalus root, peony root, citrus unshiu peel, rehmannia root, polygala root, atractylodes rhizome, schisanda fruit, poria sclerotium, and glycyrrhiza. NYT is certified by the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare. RESULTS: The tumor marker levels (CEA and CA19-9) decreased and the scores of yin-yang and xu-shi inverted from negative and positive during 7 weeks. The patient's cough disappeared and her appetite recovered. CONCLUSION: NYT has a positive effect on life expectancy for patients with malignancy. The diagnostic scoring system in yin-yang and xu-shi and prescription of Chinese herb may be available to gain control over a patient's health.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Role of carbohydrate antigens sialyl Lewis (a) (CA19-9) in bronchoalveolar lavage in patients with pulmonary fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that carbohydrate antigen sialyl Lewis (a) (CA19-9) levels are elevated in serum as well as in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of patients with pulmonary fibrosis. However, the biological significance of CA19-9 is unclear. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate correlations between CA19-9 levels in BALF and several biochemical as well as clinical parameters in patients with pulmonary fibrosis. In addition, biological functions of CA19-9 were also examined. METHODS: We studied 24 patients with a diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis: 16 with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and 8 with pulmonary fibrosis associated with a collagen vascular disorder (PF-CVD). In BALF, carbohydrate antigens sialyl Lewis (a) (CA19-9), elastase: alpha(1)-proteinase inhibitor complex (E-PI), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), LDH, IgG, IgA, albumin, and cell differentiation were measured. We also evaluated the effects of CA19-9 on neutrophil functions. RESULTS: CA19-9/albumin levels in BALF significantly correlated with HGF/albumin, elastase/albumin, LDH/albumin, total number of alveolar macrophages, and total number of neutrophils. Purified CA19-9 had a chemotactic activity for neutrophils. In addition, neutrophil chemotactic activity to C5a, fMLP, and interleukin 8 was significantly stimulated after incubation with purified CA19-9. Furthermore, CA19-9 increased the expression of CD15s on neutrophils. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrated (i) CA19-9 in BALF correlated with other markers of inflammation in pulmonary fibrosis, and (ii) CA19-9 can modify neutrophil functions. These results suggest that CA19-9 may play a role in the process of lung injury in patients with pulmonary fibrosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Circulating cytokeratin 8:anti-cytokeratin 8 antibody immune complexes in sera of patients with pulmonary fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that the humoral immune system plays a role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and pulmonary fibrosis associated with collagen vascular disorders (PF-CVD). Although circulating immune complexes in patients' sera have been suggested, none of the antigens have been characterized. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to characterize the antigen of the immune complexes in patients' sera of pulmonary fibrosis. METHODS: As we previously established that one of the antibodies against A549 cells (lung alveolar type II cells) was anti-cytokeratin 8 (CK8), we confirmed the existence of anti-CK8 antibody in patients' sera by Western immunoblot. In addition, we tried to demonstrate circulating CK8:anti-CK8 immune complexes in patients' sera by Western immunoblot. Furthermore, we established an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to quantitate CK8:anti-CK8 immune complexes. RESULTS: In patients with pulmonary fibrosis, anti-CK8 antibodies were clearly demonstrated in sera by Western immunoblot. In addition, circulating CK8:anti-CK8 immune complexes were also clearly demonstrated by Western immunoblot. It was possible to establish ELISA to quantitate CK8:anti-CK8 immune complexes. If the cutoff value, which was determined based on the highest value of normal volunteers, was introduced, high CK8:anti-CK8 antibody complexes were demonstrated in 9 of 31 patients (29.0%) with IPF and PF-CVD. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to clarify the antigen of the circulating immune complex in sera of patients with IPF. These results suggest that circulating CK8:anti-CK8 immune complexes may have played a role in the process of lung injury in pulmonary fibrosis.

Aged↗