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Biomedical subjects

T Kumamoto

Publications and source records attributed to T Kumamoto.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Urinary N-methylhistamine in asthmatic children receiving azelastine hydrochloride.

BACKGROUND: Histamine has a particular role in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma, and many antiallergic drugs have been developed with antihistaminic action in mind. Recently, a sensitive and specific assay for measuring histamine and its metabolites has been developed. There are, however, no reports of the effect of antiallergic drugs on histamine levels in asthmatic patients. OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between clinical symptoms and histamine levels in asthmatic patients receiving an antiallergic agent. METHODS: A prospective study was designed in asthmatic children treated with azelastine hydrochloride. The evaluation of clinical symptoms was based on scores of the severity of exacerbations, activities of daily living, quality of sleep, and required therapy. Urinary excretion of N-methylhistamine, a major metabolite of histamine, was measured by double antibody radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: In the patients treated with azelastine, the improvement in clinical symptoms of bronchial asthma correlated significantly with a decrease in urinary N-methylhistamine excretion (r2 = 0.434, P < .001), while no such relationship was noted in patients receiving no antiallergic agent. Urinary N-methylhistamine excretion showed no diurnal change or influence of meals. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased urinary N-methylhistamine excretion may be a direct reflection of the antihistaminic action of azelastine in vivo. Measurement of urinary N-methylhistamine excretion can be used to evaluate the efficacy of agents with antihistaminic action in the treatment of bronchial asthma.

Anti-Allergic Agents↗
PubMed1997

Two cytotoxic pathways of natural killer cells in human cord blood: implications in cord blood transplantation.

Using K562 cells as a target we investigated cord blood (CB)-natural killer (NK) cytolytic pathways. The cytotoxicity of fresh CB-NK cells was significantly lower than that of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PB MNCs). When CB was incubated with IL-2, the level of CB-NK cytotoxicity was increased and boosted to the level observed in PB-NK cells. Fresh CB-NK cells induced apoptosis in target cells. Activated CB cells induced apoptosis and necrosis in target cells, at the same level as PB MNCs. CB stem cell transplantation may also induce graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)/graft-versus-leukaemia (GVL), similar to bone marrow transplantation.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed1997

Elevated soluble intercellular adhesion molecules-1 in inflammatory myopathy.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the serum level of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) in patients with polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM) and investigated the correlation between the serum level of sICAM-1 and clinical findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We measured the serum level of sICAM-1 using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 19 untreated patients with inflammatory myopathy (14 patients with PM and 5 patients with DM), 20 patients with other neuromuscular disorders in which immunological mechanisms are unlikely to be involved, and 14 normal healthy controls. RESULTS: The serum level of sICAM-1 was significantly higher in patients with PM/DM compared with patients with other neurological disorders and control subjects. The sICAM-1 level was, however, not correlated with the clinical characteristic including disease severity, the duration of illness, and the serum level of CK. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that sICAM-1 is involved in the inflammatory process of PM and DM.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes recognizing P-glycoprotein in murine multidrug-resistant leukemias.

A multidrug-resistant murine lymphoid leukemia P388/ADR overexpresses P-glycoprotein (P-gp), an active transporter that pumps cytotoxic drugs out of cells and a product of mdr1 gene. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) that showed cytotoxicity against P388/ADR were generated from mixed lymphocyte tumor cell culture. CTL do not kill drugsensitive parental P388 (P388/parent) that does not express P-gp. Monoclonal antibody against P-gp inhibited cytotoxic activity. Similar results were obtained in another multidrug-resistant cell line P388/VP-16. Cytotoxic activity was mediated by Thy1+ CD4- CD8+ T-cells. When P388/ADR was treated with murine IL-4, expression of P-gp was downregulated. Monoclonal antibody against interleukin-4 (IL-4) abrogated the IL-4-induced suppression of P-gp. Cytolytic activity of CTL against IL-4-treated P388/ADR was dose dependently inhibited. These results suggest that P-gp is immunogenic and can be a target of CTL in this murine leukemia model.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1997

Calpain and cathepsins in the skeletal muscle of inflammatory myopathies.

To clarify the significance of intracellular lysosomal (cathepsins B, L and H) and extralysosomal (calpain) proteolytic systems in the process of muscle fiber degradation in inflammatory myopathies, biopsied muscle specimens were examined from patients with polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM). Generally, in specimens from patients with PM and DM, but not in those from normal controls, muscle fibers surrounding inflammatory infiltrates or in the perifascicular regions, and occasionally mononuclear cell infiltrates demonstrated positive immunostaining for calpain and cathepsins B, L, and H. In addition, enzyme activities of cathepsins B and L increased in specimens with inflammatory myopathy. These results suggest that calpain and cathepsins play a significant role in the process of muscle fiber destruction in inflammatory myopathy.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Inhibition by aminosalicylates of lipid peroxidation in large intestinal mucosa after mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion in the rat.

To clarify the mode of action of aminosalicylates, which are generally used as therapeutic agents for ulcerative colitis, we investigated the effect of some of the aminosalicylates on lipid peroxidation in the large intestinal mucosa after mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion in the rat. Lipid peroxidation was assessed by measuring the level of thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substances. It was found that aminosalicylates dose-dependently inhibited the elevation of the level of thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substances in the large intestinal mucosa after ischemia/reperfusion. This effect may partly contribute to the therapeutic actions of aminosalicylates in ulcerative colitis.

Aminosalicylic Acids↗
PubMed1997

Multiple hemorrhagic gastric ulcers due to polyarteritis nodosa.

A 73-year-old man developed refractory multiple hemorrhagic gastric ulcers. Emergent gastrectomy was performed, and the diagnosis of polyarteritis nodosa was made by histologic evaluation of the resected stomach. Although gastric ulceration is a relatively rare complication of polyarteritis nodosa, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of refractory hemorrhagic gastric ulcers. Emergent surgery may be indicated in such cases.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Severity of neurological disorders in elderly residents of a farming town in Kyushu, Japan; prevalence of disability in activities of daily living.

Activities of daily living (ADL) were evaluated in 421 elderly people, aged 60-95, who resided in 27 randomly selected communities in the town of Mifune, Japan. The disability of ADL increased with age, and was particularly rapid after age 80. Most of the elderly were independent; the prevalence of dependent elderly ranged from 0.7% (in feeding) to 9.5% (in working). The prevalence of dependent elderly increased markedly after age 80 in all ADL items, especially those related to behavior such as ambulation, stair climbing, transfers, and working (i.e., employment, housekeeping, etc.). These results emphasize the importance of community health care of the elderly for preventing and treating neurological disorders which comprised the main cause of disabilities of behavioral ADL.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1997

[A case report of Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis with attention to electronystagmographic findings].

We evaluated brainstem function by using electronystagmography in a 43-year-old woman with typical Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis. She developed fever, drowsiness, total opthalmoplegia, swallowing disturbance, areflexia, and muscle weakness. On electronystagmography, eye-tracking test showed ataxic pattern with impaired smooth pursuit eye movement. The horizontal optokinetic nystagmus test showed diminished pattern. Caloric test revealed the vestibular hypofunction and the increase of caloric nystagmus on eye fixation. We considered these findings were attributed to the disturbance of pontine tegmentum, especially reticular formation. These findings were similar to those observed in patients with Fisher syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Isolated third nerve palsy due to sarcoidosis.

We present a 28-year-old man with isolated third nerve palsy as the initial manifestation of sarcoidosis. MRI demonstrated abnormal enhancement of the cisternal portion of the right third nerve. One month after steroid therapy, he showed almost complete recovery with resolution of the contrast enhancement on MRI. This patient illustrates the usefulness of enhanced MRI for detection of cranial nerve lesions of sarcoidosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[DDD pacemaker implantation--cardiac pacemaker tips in the left atrium and ventricle by the left thoracotomy].

Recently DDD pacemaker implantation for the children has undergone trials world wide; though regarding the approach, ways and positions of the epicardial lead, a few problems are still remained to be discussed. Now we report 9 cases (5 males, 4 females) of DDD pacemaker implantations by the left anterolateral thoracotomy approach. The 9 patients weighing 6.5 to 33 kg, were aged 11 months to 12 years (mean 6 years) of whom male 5, female 4 with degree of Block; 2 and 7. To all patients the stab-in type epicardial tips were implanted in the left atrium, the screw-in type ventricular epicardial tips were in the left ventricle by the 4th intercostal thoracotomy, and the pacemaker generators were beneath the fascia of the abdominal rectus muscle. We have no sensing and pacing failure, all pacemakers are working in the DDD mode well.

Child↗
PubMed1997

[An early recrudescent case of Stanford type A closing aortic dissection].

A 81-year-old female was hospitalized with chest discomfort. Findings of CT scan revealed Stanford type A acute aortic dissection, but the dissecting lumen had already closed with thrombus. Aortogram showed no intimal tear, intimal flap or ulcer like projection. Under the diagnosis of "closing aortic dissection", conservative treatment was selected. The dissecting lumen was disappearing gradually, but she had a sudden chest pain on hospital day 4 and CT scan demonstrated an enlarged and enhanced dissecting lumen. She underwent an emergency operation and a hemiarch replacement was performed successfully. Her postoperative course was uneventful and she was discharged from the hospital in good health.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Hereditary cerebellar ataxia with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy mitochondrial DNA 11778 mutation.

We investigated a family with optic atrophy which occurred in childhood or early adulthood plus late-onset cerebellar ataxia. The magnetic resonance imaging in the proband revealed cerebellar atrophy. The proband and her brother were homoplasmic for the most common mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) 11778 mutation associated with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). This study showed further evidence that central nervous system lesions can occur in cases of LHON mtDNA mutation.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Clinicopathologic characteristics of polymyositis patients with numerous tissue eosinophils.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated associated clinicopathologic features of polymyositis (PM) patients with numerous tissue eosinophils. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 680 muscle biopsies were examined in our institution and eight were identified with greater than 0.3 eosinophils per square millimeter in the inflammatory infiltrate without concomitant peripheral eosinophilia. RESULTS: All eight patients had typical PM, but neither dermatomyositis nor inclusion body myositis was identified. Clinically, a large number of PM patients with eosinophils manifested an acute- or subacute-onset of symptoms, myoglobinuria, a marked elevation of serum creatine kinase, a good response to steroid therapy, and a relatively benign course compared with 26 PM patients without eosinophils. Muscle biopsies demonstrated necrotic fibers more frequently in PM patients with eosinophils than in PM patients without eosinophils. Hypertrophic fibers, fiber splitting, basophilic fibers, and lobulated fibers were less frequently observed in PM patients with eosinophils. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the majority of PM patients with eosinophils may be steroid-responsive and suffer an acute or subacute onset of PM.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy with chromosome 9p deletion.

We report a 31-year-old man with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy who had congenital anomalies and mental retardation. Southern blot analysis, using the probe p13E-11, displayed an abnormal EcoRI DNA fragment that reflect DNA rearrangements in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. In addition, high-resolution cytogenetic study revealed an interstitial deletion of the short arm chromosome 9: 46,XY,del(9)(p.22.1p24.1).

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Sarcoidosis presenting as bilateral hydronephrosis.

We report an unusual case of sarcoidosis associated with bilateral hydronephrosis. The patient was a 53-year-old Japanese woman who presented with dysuria and urinary incontinence. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed bilateral hydronephrosis caused by a retroperitoneal mass, surrounded by enlarged retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Histological examination of the mass demonstrated noncaseating epithelioid cell granulomas involving the retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Corticosteroid therapy led to complete resolution of the retroperitoneal mass and hydronephrosis. This case emphasizes that sarcoidosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of a retroperitoneal mass.

Diagnosis, Differential↗