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T Kawashima

Publications and source records attributed to T Kawashima.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Association of asthma and the interleukin-4 promoter gene in Japanese.

BACKGROUND: Susceptibility to the development of asthma and other atopic diseases is known to be associated with genetic components. Several investigator have linked the interleukin-4 (IL-4) gene and nearby markers located on chromosome 5 to atopy and asthma. Recent study has demonstrated that the T allele of a polymorphism in the IL-4 gene promoter region (C-590T) is associated with elevated levels of total serum IgE. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the possible role of this IL-4 polymorphism (C-590T) in modulating the allergic response and asthma in Japanese children. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study was conducted in two different populations: families ascertained through asthmatic children (asthmatic group, 306 members) in whom linkage of asthma and atopy to chromosome 5q31-33 is suggested and a random general population (control group, 215 members). The IL-4 C-590T polymorphism was genotyped by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Frequency of the T allele was 0.73 in the asthmatic group and 0.70 in the control group. No significant difference in the levels of total serum IgE and specific IgE to house dust mite was observed between subjects with homozygote for the C allele, a heterozygote and a homozygote for the T allele by intrafamilial and interfamilial comparisons. Using the transmission disequilibrium test, however, we found a significantly frequent transmission of the T allele to asthmatic children (chi2=5.72, P=0.023). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the IL-4 promoter C-590T polymorphism may be associated with the development of asthma in Japanese children, but not through modulating total serum IgE levels.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Linkage and association of an interleukin 4 gene polymorphism with atopic dermatitis in Japanese families.

We examined linkage between markers at and near the IL4 gene and atopic dermatitis (AD) in 88 Japanese nuclear families. Affected sib pair analysis suggested linkage between the IL4 gene and AD (SPLINK lod=2.28). Transmission disequilibrium testing showed a significantly preferential transmission to AD offspring of the T allele of the -590C/T polymorphism of the IL4 gene (p=0.001). A case-control comparison suggested a genotypic association of the TT genotype with AD (odds ratio=1.88, p=0.01). Since the T allele was reported to be associated with increased IL4 gene promoter activity compared with the C allele, our data indicate that genetic differences in transcriptional activity of the IL4 gene influence AD predisposition, particularly in Japanese, because of a high frequency of the T allele.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1998

Real-time evaluation of the effectiveness of microwave coagulation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma using color Doppler imaging.

Percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy (PMCT) is a new technique for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, it is difficult to distinguish those lesions in which necrosis has been induced from the viable residual lesions during the procedure, because the margin of the tumor becomes unclear during PMCT. We determined the area of necrotic lesions during the procedure using color Doppler imaging. PMCT was performed on 10 patients (17 lesions) with recurrent HCC. The electrode of the microwave delivery system was moved around the tumor and the surrounding area until color mosaic images disappeared from the entire area of the tumor. The areas in which necrotic tissue was indicated by color Doppler imaging were later confirmed by other modalities such as angiography or contrast-enhanced computed tomography. This leads us to believe that real-time, effective evaluation of PMCT is possible with color Doppler imaging.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

[Clinical significance of electrically evoked auditory brainstem response].

Electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses (EABR) were recorded in 31 postlingually deafened adults, who had recently received cochlear implants (mini-system, Cochlear Ltd). The wave consisted of three distinct positive peaks labeled P1, P2, and P3 with latency of 1.35 (+/- 0.14), 2.17 (+/- 0.18) and 4.08 (+/- 0.31) ms, respectively. The P3 threshold (EABR-T) and slope (EABR-S) were 0.9 (+/- 0.47) mA and 0.6 (+/- 0.28) muv/mA, respectively. The relationships between the EABR parameters (EABR T and -S of the P3 wave) and age, duration of deafness, promontory test and subjective response (T and C-level) were investigated. The scattergram showed a strong negative linear relationship between EABR-S and subjective T-level. This finding suggests that EABR-S is good measure of postoperative perception.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Predictive factors for speech perception in patients with cochlear implant].

Cochlear implant therapy is an epoch-making advance in artificial sensory organ transplants, but the positive effects on speech perception vary. Quantification theory type I, a multivariate analysis, was used to determine predictive factors for speech perception in patients with cochlear implants. Fifty-one postlingual deaf adults (18 male and 33 female, mean age, 53.4, mean duration of deafness, 8.6 years) were tested for speech perception three or more months after a Nucleus 22 channels cochlear implant. The cause of deafness in nine patients was labyrinthitis, ototoxicity in five, meningitis in three and unknown in the remaining 34. Speech perception was measured by vowel, consonant and word recognition using a live voice, and monosyllable, word and sentence recognition using a videodisc. All tests were administered in a sound only condition. Results of the univariate analysis indicated that age at implantation was correlated with monosyllable recognition, and duration of deafness was correlated with live voice word recognition. Residual hearing and coding strategy were both correlated with all outcome measures. The multivariate analysis revealed that coding strategy, duration of deafness, residual hearing and the number of electrodes were significant predictors of live voice word recognition in that order.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Production of IL-8 by the THP-1 monocyte cell line is regulated differently by cyclosporin and retinoic acid].

Chemokines play a very important role in inflammation and belong to the family of proinflammatory cytokines. They preferentially act on neutrophiles and have no activity on monocytes and eosinophiles. IL-8 is a member of C-X-C chemokines. The IL-8 level is about 150-times higher in the psoriasis affected skin. It suggests that IL-8 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. The precise mechanism of cyclosporine (CsA) and retinoic acid (RA) effects are not known. The aim of the experiment was to find out CsA effect and RA effect on production of IL-8 by THP-1 cell line. THP-1 cell line was cultivated in completed RPMI-1640 medium and stimulated with LPS. The level of IL-8 was evaluated by human ELISA kits. Student's test was used for statistical analysis. It was found out that CsA inhibits IL-8 production by stimulated THP-1 monocyte cell line in dose dependence course. RA promotes IL-8 production by stimulated THP-1 monocyte cell line in dose dependence course. Preincubation experiments with CsA and RA confirmed the previously found effects of these drugs. CsA did not demonstrate cytotoxic effect on THP-1 cell line. (Fig. 7, Tab. 6, Ref. 17.)

Cell Line↗
PubMed1997

Outcomes of infants whose mothers are positive for human herpesvirus-6 DNA within the genital tract in early gestation.

It has been reported that HHV-6 (human herpesvirus-6) DNA has been identified within the female genital tract. However, the clinical significance of this finding has been unclear. The clinical outcome of the presence of HHV-6 DNA in the genital tract of pregnant women on their infants was evaluated in the present study. One hundred and ten pregnant women were enrolled. Vaginal swabs were collected between 4 and 8 weeks of gestation and the presence or absence of HHV-6 DNA was evaluated by nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR). The swabs were cultured to isolate the virus. The women were divided into two groups: HHV-6 DNA-positive, and negative. The outcome variables of the infants of these two groups were statistically estimated at birth and at 1 month of age. Saliva and blood cells were collected from the infants at birth and at 1 month of age and were also evaluated by nPCR. HHV-6 DNA was detected in the vaginal swabs of 28 pregnant women (25.5%), but was not detected in any other samples, including saliva and blood cells from their infants. Virus could not be isolated from any vaginal samples. Any outcome variables were not significantly different between the two groups. The presence of HHV-6 DNA within the genital tract of pregnant women did not affect the health of their infants. It is suggested that HHV-6 transmission to infants through the genital tract of their mothers during pregnancy does not occur, or only very rarely.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Evidence for linkage between asthma/atopy in childhood and chromosome 5q31-q33 in a Japanese population.

Susceptibility to the development of asthma and other atopic diseases is known to be associated with genetic components, and several candidate genes have been reported to be linked to atopy in Caucasian populations. We conducted a study of linkage between asthma and markers on chromosomes 5q31-q33 and 11q13 in 68 Japanese families (306 members) by affected sib-pair analysis. Families for the linkage study were ascertained through asthmatic children visiting the allergy clinic. The results provide supportive evidence for linkage between asthma and gene markers in or near the interleukin-4 (IL-4) gene, the IL-9 gene, and D5S393 on chromosome 5q31-q33 (p = 0.0013, p = 0.018, and p = 0.0077, respectively). Linkage between atopic phenotype and these genetic markers was also suggested (p = 0.006, p = 0.01, and p < 0.0001 for atopy, respectively). However, we failed to find evidence for linkage of asthma or atopy to the IgE high-affinity receptor gene on 11q13 (p > 0.1). These findings indicate that beyond ethnicity, there are specific loci that contribute to susceptibility to atopy on chromosome 5q31-q33. In addition, our findings suggest that loci on chromosome 5q31-q33 are linked to the development of asthma in childhood.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[Detection of HPV-DNA in the various uterocervical lesion by the in situ polymerase chain reaction].

The causal association of human papilloma virus(HPV) with cervical cancer has been supported by multiple lines of evidence. Therefore, in the case of dysplasia, the presence of HPV-DNA should be detected and its subtypes identified. This is important in the determination of the prognosis for cervical disease. We reported a study in which the localization and types of HPV in cervical diseases was identified by in situ polymerase chain reaction(PCR), using biotin-labelled DNA probes. The in situ PCR, used by us was modified of Nuovo's method. We used biopsy materials of 18 CIN and 9 SCC cases(total 27 cases), all of which had been detected HPV-DNA by Southern blot hybridization, but not detected by in situ hybridization. A positive intranuclear reaction was detected in 13 of 18 CIN cases and 6 of 9 SCC cases(total 19 positive cases). Molecular biological techniques are the most reliable methods for detecting specific tumor genes and virus DNA. In situ hybridization has the advantage of enabling recognition of the cellular localization of the DNA in histologic specimens, but its sensitivity in inferior to the other techniques such as Southern blot, Dot blot and PCR. In situ PCR method possesses the advantages of both PCR and in situ hybridization in being highly sensitive and enabling visualization of the cellular localization of the DNA. In our present study, we succeeded to detect HPV-DNA in cervical biopsies of CIN and SCC cases by the in situ PCR.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[A case of successful treatment of mediastinitis and prosthetic graft infection after aortic arch and thoracoabdominal aortic reconstruction].

Thoracic graft infection is a serious complication with high mortality. We report a case of successful treatment of mediastinitis and graft infection after aortic arch and thoracoabdominal aortic reconstruction. A 56-year-old woman underwent surgery for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. The aneurysm was replaced with prosthetic grafts. She had a high fever on the 12th postoperative day (POD). A Chest X-ray and CT scan demonstrated fluid collection around the grafts. On the 17th POD, mediastinal drainage was performed and Staphylococcus epidermidis was detected. Because of the difficulty to replace the infected grafts, a continuous drainage from the mediastinal cavity around the grafts was induced for 17 days and sensitive antibiotics to the pathogen was administered systemically for 40 days. Inflammatory reactions were improved and her general condition was stabilized. On the 64th POD, she was discharged.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1997

[Postoperative inflammatory responses to gelatin- and collagen-impregnated Dacron grafts and changes of endotoxin].

Between June, 1993 and January, 1995 a gelatin-sealed knitted Dacron (Gelseal) (g-G0, n = 7) and a collagen-sealed knitted Dacron graft (Hemashield) (g-H0, n = 8) were randomly implanted to 15 patients (pts) for replacement of thoracic aorta. We evaluated postoperative inflammatory responses and levels of Toxicolor and Endospecy which are the measurements of endotoxin. Five pts in g-G0 and 3 pts in g-H0 showed that a body temperature (BT) were above 37.5 degrees C on the 7th postoperative day (POD). In three of them (2 in g-G0 and 1 in g-H0), BT above 37.5 degrees C continued until POD 14 due to the bacterial infection. The other causes of elevation of BT were pleural effusion (2), pericardial effusion (1) and unknown origin (2). Patients without evidence of infection (n = 12) were divided into 2 groups (g-G: pts with Gelseal, n = 5, g-H: pts with Hemashield, n = 7). On POD3, postoperative BT in g-H was significantly higher than in g-G. And, on POD7, BT in g-G rose up more than in g-H. However, on POD14, BT decreased to the normal range in both groups. The values of WBC in g-G were slightly higher than in g-H and they became normal after POD7 in both groups. The levels of CRP in g-H were higher than in g-G after POD3 and in both groups they were still high on POD14. In terms of endotoxin., Toxicolor was already above the normal range from POD1 and decreased to the normal range after POD14. However, the level of Endospecy kept within normal range. In conclusion, Toxicolor-reactive substance elevates by using Gelseal and Hemashield. Its substance is not endotoxin. It would not be appropriate to consider that endotoxin is an origin of fever between POD7 and 14.

Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic↗
PubMed1997

An improved endoscopic variceal ligation for esophageal and solitary gastric varices--three-O-band-shooter.

We have reported a 16.0 mm long new type of instrument with the inner diameter of inner cylinder of 10.3 mm for endoscopic variceal ligation which could shoot 3 elastic O bands continuously in short period of time without removing the endoscope. The suction volume of new instrument is larger than that of the Stiegmann's ligator. We performed endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) in 17 cases of the esophageal varix and 8 cases of the solitary gastric varix. EVL was performed as prophylaxis as all the cases. The esophageal varices were eliminated in all the cases after ulcer formation. The procedure was performed one time in 15 cases and two times in the remaining 2 cases. Three patients died one to hepatic failure during the follow-up period between 4 and 16 months. Six and twelve months cumulative recurrence rates were 30% and 48% respectively. On the other hand all the gastric varices disappeared after one sitting of the treatment. There was one variceal recurrence during the follow-up period. Computed tomography and/or arterioportography performed before had showed patent gastro-renal shunt in five cases. No change in the shunt was observed after the treatment. No serious complications due to EVL was encountered in all the cases. Therefore, it is thought that this method can be used for the treatment of not only esophageal varices but also gastric varices.

Endoscopes↗
PubMed1997

Hepatic coma recovered after interventional obliteration for ileocecal-inferior vena cava shunt--report of one case.

We performed interventional angiography (IVA) in a patient with liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatoma (HCC) who experienced repeated attacks of unconsciousness due to hyperammonemia caused by ileocecal-inferior vena cava (IC-IVC) shunt and succeeded in the treatment. We report the results below. The patient, 53-year-old male, underwent endoscopic injection sclerotherapy for esophageal varix due to LC followed by splenectomy for pancytopenia in 1986. He made good progress. However intraarterial anticancer therapy was conducted for HCC in 1994. From that time hepatic coma began to appear and its frequency gradually increased. Hepatic coma occurred once every 3 weeks from June 1996. He was thus admitted to our hospital. Hematobiochemical testes showed that ammonia level was 297 mcg/dl. Albumin 2.8d/dl, and Total-Bilirubin 10.78 mg/dl. Arterioportography from superior mesenteric artery showed most of portal blood flowed away from the liver though the ileocolic vein to IVC. We decided to conduct IVA for treatment. Specially, a 6Fr balloon catheter was inserted from the right inguinal region into a shunt to the portal vein though IVC by the Seldinger technique. The balloon was inflated in the shunt to close the shunt. Six ml of 5% ethanolamime oleate with iopamidol was injected because retrograde angiography showed that iopamidol was flowed out via testicular vein to IVC. The balloon catheter was retained for 24 hours. Angiography, conducted from the catheter again 24 hours later, showed that the shunt was occluded, blood ammonia level was 71 mcg/dl after occlusion. Hepatic coma was not observed after treatment. We encountered a very rare case who repeated hepatic comas due to IC-IVC shunt and recovered dramatically after IVA.

Angiography↗
PubMed1997

Internal structure of the temporomandibular joint and the circumferential bone: comparison between dentulous and edentulous specimens.

To clarify changes in the trabecular structure due to loss of the teeth, the author compared soft X-ray images and morphological measurement values of the mandibular condyle and articular eminence between dentulous and edentulous specimens. The center of the skull base containing the temporomandibular joint was removed along the Frankfort horizontal and median sagittal planes. A block in the center of the cranial base was rejected using the Frankfort horizontal plane and median sagittal plane as references. The specimens were embedded in polyester resin by the routine method. The hardened specimens were horizontally cut into 500 microns sections and photographed using soft X-ray films. Soft X-ray of each section was taken for observation by naked eye and morphometry by computer. Observation of the compact bone in the articular eminence showed thinner compact bone on the posterior slope of the articular eminence, which is a functional plane, than on the anterior slope of the articular eminence. There was a trabecular bone group on the lateral area running from the compact bone on the posterior surface of the articular eminence into the zygomatic arch and a thick trabecular bone group in a network pattern on the medial area. In the central area of the mandibular condyle, spongy bone was surrounded by oval compact bone, and the internal trabecular bone ran anteromedially in nearly the same pattern as the arrangement of the lateral pterygoid muscle. At all sites, the density, width, extent, and index indicating the complexity of the trabecular bone had higher values in dentulous specimens than in edentulous specimens.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Study of paired-pulse inhibition of transcallosal response in the pyramidal tract neuron in vivo.

The effects of a specific GABAB receptor antagonist, p-(3-aminopropyl)-p-diethoxymethyl-phosphonic acid (CGP 35348), on pyramidal tract neuron responses to transcallosal stimulation were investigated in the cat motor cortex in vivo. The paired-pulse method was used to obtain more insight into the role of GABAB receptors. At a 200-ms inter-stimulus interval the spike response was inhibited in 75% of the neurons. There was an approximately 40% depression of the mean spike value in the control. CGp 35348 reduced paired-pulse inhibition, while (-)-baclofen increased it. Stronger drug effects on the second stimulation-induced response possibly indicate their presynaptic action on GABAB receptors.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Interconversion of crystals of the Escherichia coli EF-Tu.EF-Ts complex between high- and low-diffraction forms.

Crystals of the complex formed between the two bacterial polypeptide elongation factors, EF-Tu and EF-Ts, produced from solutions of PEG 6000 can be of two morphologically similar forms both of space group P2(1)2(1)2(1). One form diffracts to only about 3 A resolution, the other to better than 2.4 A resolution. These forms can be interconverted and the transformation of one into the other has been shown to be solely a result of dehydration/hydration processes. By designing a suitable soaking protocol and careful control of the experimental parameters for data collection at cryotemperatures, complete data sets for the high-resolution form could be obtained.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

The structure of the Escherichia coli EF-Tu.EF-Ts complex at 2.5 A resolution.

The crystal structure of the EF-Tu.EF-Ts complex from Escherichia coli has been determined to a resolution of 2.5 A. The complex contains two subunits of each of the elongation factors. The two EF-Ts molecules form a tight dimer, but there is little contact between the two EF-Tu molecules. The interaction of EF-Ts with EF-Tu results principally in the disruption of the Mg2+ ion binding site, thereby reducing the affinity of EF-Tu for guanine nucleotides.

Amino Acid Sequence↗