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Biomedical subjects

T Okuno

Publications and source records attributed to T Okuno.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Complete resolution of multiple pulmonary metastases of renal cell carcinoma following intravenous drip infusion of r-interleukin 2: a case report.

A 68-year-old man with multiple pulmonary metastases from a right renal cell carcinoma was treated with alpha interferon, but there was no improvement. For this reason, alpha interferon was ceased, and daily monotherapy with recombinant interleukin-2 (1,000,000 units/day) was commenced. After 4 months, plain chest x-ray and chest CT revealed complete clearance of the pulmonary metastases. There were no side effects except general fatigue and slight fever. Immunological studies revealed elevation of the leukocyte count (lymphocytes, eosinophils) and enhancement natural killer activity. At 10 months after discontinuation of the drug, recurrence has not been observed. Our case indicates the potential value of interleukin-2 following treatment with alpha interferon.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Study of virus isolation from pharyngeal swabs in children with varicella.

We performed virus isolations from the pharyngeal swabs in 117 children with varicella who were aged from 22 days to 15 years and 70 healthy children who were aged from 3 months to 15 years, by using human embryonic lung cell cultures. Viral isolates were confirmed by an indirect immunofluorescence method or by neutralization with well-characterized antibodies. Five varicella-zoster virus isolates (4.3%), 23 cytomegalovirus isolates (19.7%), five herpes simplex virus isolates (4.3%), and one respiratory syncytial virus isolate (0.9%) were found in the patients with varicella. Ten cytomegalovirus isolates (14.3%), two herpes simplex virus isolates (2.9%), one respiratory syncytial virus isolate (1.4%), and one poliovirus isolate (1.4%) were found in the swabs of the healthy control children. The varicella-zoster virus isolation rate from the pharyngeal swabs in children with varicella was low as compared with the rate from those pharyngeal swabs in the children with cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus. No varicella-zoster virus isolates could be found in the swabbed materials after filtration (0.45 microns). On the other hand, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus could be isolated from the filtrated swabs, as well as from the unfiltrated swabs. The method of testing by filtration could have affected the results.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Elevated levels of 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and serum during acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B.

We measured 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and serum of 14 HBsAg- and HBeAg-positive patients with chronic hepatitis B with or without acute exacerbation. Elevated levels of 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and serum were found in seven chronic hepatitis B patients with acute exacerbation, whereas in the remaining seven chronic hepatitis B patients without acute exacerbation, both levels were similar to those of normal subjects despite active hepatitis B virus multiplication. 2',5'-Oligoadenylate synthetase levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and serum, which were not statistically different from those of normal subjects prior to acute exacerbation, increased during acute exacerbation from 3- to 23-fold over initial levels following elevations in ALT activity. 2',5'-Oligoadenylate synthetase levels fluctuated over a normal range while ALT levels were elevated, and they returned to a baseline with ALT normalization. This suggests that the in vivo interferon system may be activated during acute exacerbation, and that this activation may not be a result of hepatitis B virus multiplication alone, but also of a host-immune response to hepatitis B virus multiplication. Three patients were treated with interferon during acute exacerbation. All three had elevated levels of 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and serum just before treatment. 2',5'-Oligoadenylate synthetase levels increased only 1.1- to 2.2-fold over initial levels during treatment, with none of the patients clearing HBeAg during and after treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗
PubMed1989

A method for determining reference points in celloidin specimens for computer graphic reconstruction.

For three-dimensional computer graphic reconstruction of histological sections, it is important to determine reference points. We have developed a machine that makes reference points in a celloidin block for this purpose by drilling holes straight into the block. A sliding microtome is placed under the machine, which consists of a worktable, a stand, and a motor-driven unit. The celloidin block is sectioned on a microtome to determine a plane for serial sectioning. Several holes are then drilled in the block vertical to the plane selected. Serially sectioned specimens are next stained with hematoxylin and eosin and are mounted in the usual manner. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the specimens were next done using a PC-9801 computer and CosmoZone-S software. As an example, the reconstruction of a guinea pig stapes is described.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Decreased interferon binding capacity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells during interferon treatment of chronic hepatitis B with special reference to (2'-5') oligoadenylate synthetase activity.

The levels of (2'-5') oligoadenylate synthetase (2-5 AS) activity and interferon (IFN) binding capacity were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from 9 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) during IFN treatment. Six of the patients received human lymphoblastoid IFN (HLBI) or IFN-beta daily for 4 weeks at doses of 6 million units (MU); of the remaining three, 2 were treated on alternate days at doses of 3 MU for 5 weeks, and the other given daily IFN doses of 3 MU for 4 weeks. IFN binding was measured using HLBI (2 X 10(8) IU/mg protein) and completely purified 125I-labeled HLBI (290 Ci/mmol specific activity). The levels of 2-5 AS activity in PBMC were measured using radioimmunoassay. Before IFN treatment, the levels of IFN binding capacity were similar to those of normal subjects. During treatment, however, IFN binding capacity decreased significantly from 40 to 60% of initial levels 1 to 2 weeks after the start of treatment in the 7 patients receiving daily IFN, while in the remaining 2 patients given IFN on alternate days, IFN binding capacity did not decrease during treatment. On the other hand, 2-5 AS activity in PBMC increased during IFN treatment in all patients. Even after IFN binding capacity decreased in the 7 patients, the levels of 2-5 AS activity remained high during the remainder of treatment. These finding suggest that some mechanism other than IFN binding capacity may be responsible for the determination of 2-5 AS levels.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗
PubMed1989

Two different types of antimitochondrial antibodies (anti-M2 and anti-M4) may not differentiate primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) with prominent piecemeal necrosis from classical PBC.

Clinical and morphological features in 13 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) who had two different types of antimitochondrial antibodies (PBC-specific, anti-M2 and mixed-form, anti-M4) in serum tested, were studied. Patients were allocated to two groups purely on the basis of the presence or absence of prominent piecemeal necrosis (PN) to elucidate the clinical significance of PN for differentiating mixed forms of chronic active hepatitis and PBC from classical PBC. Histological staging showed 10 stage I and 3 stage II. All cases had histological features of chronic non-suppurative destructive cholangitis. Prominent PN was encountered in 8 and bridging hepatic necrosis in 6. Granulomas were present in all cases without PN, but only in 3 of 8 cases with PN. Antimitochondrial antibody (AMA) was positive in all cases and anti-M2 was also positive in all but one. On the contrary, anti-M4 was positive in 2. Both anti-M2 and anti-M4 were simultaneously positive in 2, of which PN was present in only one. Therefore, anti-M4 did not relate to the presence or morphological severity of PN in PBC. Simultaneous increases in IgG and IgM were prominent features in PBC with PN.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1989

Phosphonoacetic acid inhibits replication of human herpesvirus-6.

Phosphonoacetic acid (PAA) inhibits the replication of human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) in mononuclear cells from cord bloods which are susceptible for natural HHV-6 infection in humans. Nuclear extracts of uninfected or HHV-6-infected mononuclear cells were applied to phosphocellulose column chromatography, and DNA polymerase activity was measured with or without the addition of 100 mM ammonium sulfate. The major DNA polymerase activities eluted at 0.47 M KCl were suppressed in both uninfected and HHV-6 infected cells by the addition of 100 mM ammonium sulfate. DNA polymerase activity eluted at 0.47 M KCl was observed only from HHV-6-infected cells; it was enhanced by 100 mM ammonium sulfate and neutralized with immune serum. DNA polymerase activity eluted at 0.73 M KCl was determined to be HHV-6 specific and had the properties of a typical herpesvirus-induced DNA polymerase. PAA inhibited HHV-6-specific DNA polymerase activity.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1989

Virion and nonstructural polypeptides of human herpesvirus-6.

Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) was purified from HHV-6-infected mononuclear cells from cord blood or infected culture medium. Virion was found to have at least 29 polypeptides ranging from 280 to 30 kDa. Six polypeptides were identified in the envelope fraction. Twenty-five viral polypeptides were also identified in HHV-6 infected cells by immunoprecipitation with immune serum.

Herpesviridae↗
PubMed1989

Landau-Kleffner syndrome. EEG topographic studies.

Spectral and historical topographic mapping of EEG was done on 2 siblings with Landau-Kleffner syndrome. The clinical features of the elder sister were acquired aphasia developed at the age of 5, followed by convulsions a year later, and those of the younger brother were progressive ataxia, hemiparesis, urinary incontinence and convulsions at the age of 4 years and 10 months, followed by acquired aphasia a year later. The most prominent spectral mapping features were high spectral powers of delta, theta and alpha waves over the fronto-centro-parietal area. The power of alpha and beta wave bands, reflecting sharp or spike waves, varied spatio-temporally over the central, parietal, temporal and frontal areas. The historical mapping revealed variabilities of paroxysmal discharges in modes of propagation. These results suggested that electrophysiological dysfunction of the fronto-centro-parietal areas associated with markedly unstable paroxysmal discharges is the main feature of Landau-Kleffner syndrome.

Aphasia↗
PubMed1989

Prevalence of antibody to human herpesvirus 6 in women and children.

The antibody prevalence to human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) was compared between pregnant women and control women of similar ages in Thailand. No significant difference was detected in the antibody positive rate and antibody titers between both groups. The antibody titers in sera collected from pregnant women at 1st and 3rd trimester remained unchanged. Next, the antibody prevalence in infants were examined and the positive rate decreased until 3 months and started to increase from 6 months after birth. The present results suggest that the reactivation of HHV-6 might not occur during pregnancy and this virus infects infants postnatally.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes. Report of an autopsy.

We present an autopsy report on a 14-year-old girl with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS), placing emphasis on the mitochondrial enzymatic histochemistry of the 3 types skeletal muscle and cardiomyocytes. Generalized muscular atrophy, cardiac hypertrophy, cerebral cortical laminar necrosis, basal ganglia calcification and liver steatosis were observed. In the skeletal muscles, modified Gomori's trichrome staining demonstrated scattered ragged red fibers, and histochemical staining for mitochondrial enzymes showed intense positivity in the subsarcolemmal zones of some muscle fibers. Some of the hypertrophic cardiomyocytes also showed a ragged red appearance with the modified Gomori's trichrome stain. Histochemical staining for mitochondrial enzymes showed patchy loss of enzymatic activity in the myocardium. Electron microscopically, extreme accumulation of enlarged mitochondria and severe loss of myofibrils was observed in both skeletal muscle fibers and cardiomyocytes. The arteriolar smooth muscle cells also showed a mild increase in mitochondria.

Acidosis, Lactic↗
PubMed1989

Seroepidemiology of human herpesvirus 6 infection in normal children and adults.

Sera from normal subjects were examined for reactivity to human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) by the anticomplement immunofluorescence test. Of a total of 179 serum specimens from donors aged from under 10 to 59 years, 141 specimens showed positive reactivity against HHV-6. The positive rate was 70 to 83% for all age groups, and there were no substantial differences in the positive rates. Sera from younger children aged from 0 to 21 months were then examined in detail. The antibody-positive rate of children aged from 0 to 5 months decreased from 52 to 5%, but it gradually increased by 12 months. Almost all children had the antibody against this virus after 13 months of age.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Effect of ANP on circulating blood volume.

The effects of rat atrial natriuretic peptide (rANP) on blood volume (BV) were determined by the continuous measurement of BV, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and central venous pressure (CVP). Immediately after a single-bolus injection of rANP-(1-28), 1 nmol/100 g body wt, in conscious rats, BV began to decrease. Peak reduction of -0.22 +/- 0.03 ml/100 g body wt was reached 14.5 min after the injection. Thereafter, BV levels returned gradually to -0.08 +/- 0.03 ml/100 g body wt compared with the control value. In volume expansion experiment, the nephrectomized, anesthetized rats were divided into two groups: the control group, with only a saline infusion, and the ANP group, with an infusion of saline with rANP (1 nmol/100 g body wt). In the ANP group, increases in BV were not as great, and recovery was threefold faster than that of the control group. In the ANP group, the recovery time of BV to the starting control levels was 8.5 min, and the time constant of recovery was 3.6 +/- 0.3 min-1. The control group times were 25 min and 11.5 +/- 0.8 min-1, respectively. The effective vascular compliances were approximately 2.8 ml.mmHg-1.kg body wt-1 in both groups, and the capillary filtration coefficient was 0.47 ml.mmHg-1.min-1.kg body wt-1 in the ANP group and 0.33 ml.mmHg-1.min-1.kg body wt-1 in the control group. Thus the whole body capillary filtration coefficient was 1.5-fold higher in the ANP group than in the control group. This suggests that ANP may increase the permeability of capillaries.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Evidence for attachment of fatty acid to varicella-zoster virus glycoproteins and effect of cerulenin on the maturation of varicella-zoster virus glycoproteins.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) contains four major glycoproteins designated gpI, gpII, gpIII, and gpIV. In the present study the presence and role of fatty acids in these glycoproteins were examined. The incorporation of fatty acid into the glycoproteins that span the membranes of VZV was studied. For this, virus-infected human embryo fibroblast cells were labeled with [3H]-palmitic acid, an extract of the cells was treated with monoclonal antibodies to VZV glycoproteins, and the precipitate was analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The electrophoretic pattern showed that gpI was heavily labeled and that gpII and gpIV were lightly labeled. Cerulenin, an antibiotic that inhibits de novo fatty acid biosynthesis, was used to examine the effects of fatty acids on replication of VZV and posttranslation processing of glycoproteins. Treatment of the cells with cerulenin significantly inhibited viral growth, but did not affect protein synthesis in the cells. Examination of processing of viral glycoproteins in these cerulenin-treated cells revealed the accumulation of precursor proteins and a decrease in the amount of mature glycoproteins. These data suggest that fatty acid acylation of VZV glycoproteins is necessary for formation of complete infectious virions.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1989

[Results of a modified Stamey technique in the management of female urinary stress incontinence].

A modified Stamey technique was applied to nineteen women to control their stress incontinence. Needle puncture was reduced to one time for each side of the urethra by placing the Dacron sleeve parallel to the urethra. Postoperatively, the urethrovesical angle was reduced to be within normal limit, and functional urethral length and maximum urethral closure pressure increased significantly. All patients receiving the modified operation restored urinary continence without any significant complications.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[Changes in intrahepatic localization of hepatitis B core antigen and histological activity in chronic active hepatitis B before and after interferon treatment].

The intrahepatic distribution of HBcAg and evaluation of the histological outcome using a numerical scoring system of Histological Activity Index (HAI) by Knodell et al, were studied in paired liver biopsy specimens from 14 HBeAg-positive patients with chronic active hepatitis B before and after interferon (IFN) treatment. Intrahepatic HBcAg was detected by immunoperoxidase technique and the pattern of HBcAg expression were present in the hepatocyte nucleus (nHBcAg) or cytoplasm (cHBcAg) or in both. Before treatment, intrahepatic HBcAg was distributed both in the nucleus and cytoplasm without significant differences. After treatment, nHBcAg expression however, decreased significantly (p less than 0.001), while cHBcAg remained unchanged or rather increased. These changes of nHBcAg and cHBcAg before and after IFN treatment were observed irrespective of disappearance or presence of DNA-P and/or HBeAg in serum after IFN treatment. The HIA scores decreased significantly (0.05 less than P less than 0.001) after treatment. These findings above suggest that the intrahepatic HBcAg may shift from nucleus to cytoplasm in chronic active hepatitis B during IFN treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Clinical and histological features of acute post-transfusion non-A, non-B hepatitis: histological diagnosis in acute stage and clinical outcome].

We have retrospectively studied the clinical and histological features of 55 cases of acute post-transfusion non-A, non-B hepatitis. Histological findings in the liver biopsies taken in the acute stage covered the whole spectrum of acute and chronic hepatitis, the incidence of acute hepatitis or non-specific reactive hepatitis was 12.7% and 16/4%, respectively, while that of chronic active hepatitis was 56.4%. There was no correlation between histological features in acute stage and the mean peak levels in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Post-transfusion hepatitis, non-A, non-B with histological signs of chronic hepatitis in acute stage frequently results in biochemical evidence of chronic liver disease during long-term follow-up periods. Therefore, our results suggest that the histological features of chronic hepatitis in the acute stage are indicative of long-term elevation in serum ALT level.

Acute Disease↗