Biomedical subjects

T Takagi

Publications and source records attributed to T Takagi.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Simultaneous measurements of serum alpha-fetoprotein and protein induced by vitamin K absence for detecting hepatocellular carcinoma. South Tohoku District Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the measurements of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and the protein induced by vitamin K absence (PIVKA-II) in 734 patients with chronic hepatitis (CH) and liver cirrhosis (LC) who had been followed-up for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Serum AFP and PIVKA-II were measured every month and abdominal ultrasonography was performed every 3 months. Youden's index (sensitivity + specificity -1) was calculated. RESULTS: On an average follow-up period of 374.5 days, HCC was detected in three HBsAg-positive LC patients (10.0%/yr), four anti-HCV-positive CH patients (1.35%/yr), 21 anti-HCV-positive LC patients (7.8%/yr), and one patient with both HBsAg- and anti-HCV-positive LC (22.7%/yr). At the time of HCC detection, the size of HCC was 4.7+/-0.6 (mean +/- SD) cm in HBsAg-positive patients and 2.4+/-1.3 cm in anti-HCV-positive patents. Cut-off values of 20 ng/ml for AFP (Youden's index = 0.422) and 60 mAU/ml for PIVKA-II (Youden's index = 0.316) gave the highest index for each marker. When these two markers were combined, cut-off values of 40 ng/ml for AFP and 80 mAU/ml for PIVKA-II gave the highest index (Youden's index = 0.500, sensitivity = 65.5%, specificity = 85.5%, positive predictable value = 14.8%, negative predictable value = 98.3%). The levels of AFP or PIVKA-II increased within three months before the detection of HCC. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous measurements of serum AFP and PIVKA-II levels that are performed every 3 months are useful for detecting a developing HCC. The optimal cut-off values for AFP and PIVKA-II may be 40 ng/ml and 80 mAU/ml, respectively.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[Clinical features of 25 patients with cytomegalovirus infection complicating hematological diseases unrelated to allogeneic bone marrow transplantation].

The clinical features of 25 cases of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection complicating hematological diseases were analyzed. These cases did not undergo allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. 21 cases (84%) had a lymphoid tumor including 16 cases (64%) of malignant lymphoma and three cases of adult T-cell leukemia. All patients but one have received corticosteroid or antineoplastic agents before the occurrence of CMV infection. The types of CMV infections were interstitial pneumonia (23 cases), retinitis (2 cases), enteritis (one case), and persistent pyrexia (one case). Nine cases were diagnosed by histopathology and 5 of these 9 cases were discovered as having a CMV infection at autopsy. 20 cases were treated with ganciclovir for CMV infection, but only 9 cases improved. Of the 9 cases diagnosed by CMV-antigenemia, which had been introduced in the late 1994, 4 cases whose lymphoid tumor had been controlled responded to ganciclovir and survived but others with uncontrollable disease died. The present study indicates that the progress in the treatment of CMV infection was achieved in patients with controllable hematological disease but not in patients with refractory disease even after introduction of CMV-antigenemia.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

The essential interaction between yeast mRNA capping enzyme subunits is not required for triphosphatase function in vivo.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae mRNA capping enzyme consists of two subunits: an RNA 5'-triphosphatase (Cet1) and an mRNA guanylyltransferase (Ceg1). In yeast, the capping enzyme is recruited to the RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription complex via an interaction between Ceg1 and the phosphorylated carboxy-terminal domain of the Pol II largest subunit. Previous in vitro experiments showed that the Cet1 carboxy-terminal region (amino acids 265 to 549) carries RNA triphosphatase activity, while the region containing amino acids 205 to 265 of Cet1 has two functions: it mediates dimerization with Ceg1, but it also allosterically activates Ceg1 guanylyltransferase activity in the context of Pol II binding. Here we characterize several Cet1 mutants in vivo. Mutations or deletions of Cet1 that disrupt interaction with Ceg1 are lethal, showing that this interaction is essential for proper capping enzyme function in vivo. Remarkably, the interaction region of Ceg1 becomes completely dispensable when Ceg1 is substituted by the mouse guanylyltransferase, which does not require allosteric activation by Cet1. Although no interaction between Cet1 and mouse guanylyltransferase is detectable, both proteins are present at yeast promoters in vivo. These results strongly suggest that the primary physiological role of the Ceg1-Cet1 interaction is to allosterically activate Ceg1, rather than to recruit Cet1 to the Pol II complex.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗

PubMed2000

Surgical simulation of Class III edentulous patient using a 3D craniofacial model: report of a case.

A case of edentulous prognathism in a 46-year-old Japanese male is presented. We described the outcome of the patient who underwent simultaneous sagittal splitting ramus osteotomy of the edentulous mandible, interpositional bone graft of severely atrophic edentulous jaws, and delayed placement of titanium implants for reconstruction. We highly recommend performing a surgical simulation using a craniofacial model of the patient's anatomy created using CT image data. The procedure provides almost ideal maxillary and mandibular contours.

Alveolar Ridge Augmentation↗

PubMed2000

Involvement of the appendix in a relapsed case of primary nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma.

We report here a 20-year-old man presenting with primary nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma which showed an aggressive clinical course spreading to the spleen and skin despite various treatments. Eight months after high dose chemotherapy followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, acute appendicitis with perforation occurred and the patient underwent appendectomy. The histopathological diagnosis was NK/T-cell lymphoma of the appendix. Lymphoma of the appendix is extremely rare and the majority of appendiceal lymphomas are of B-cell origin. This is the first report of involvement of appendix by nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Effect of cationic liposomes on intracellular trafficking and efficacy of antisense oligonucleotides in mouse peritoneal macrophages.

We have investigated the intracellular fate and antisense effect of oligonucleotide/cationic liposome complexes using phosphorothioate oligonucleotides (S-Oligo) targeted to inducible nitric oxide synthase in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Confocal laser microscopic analysis revealed that, after application of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled S-Oligo alone, the intracellular localization of fluorescence exhibited a punctate pattern in the cytoplasm, suggesting that the oligonucleotides were mainly confined to the endosomal and/or lysosomal compartments. In the case of complexation with Lipofectin and DMRIE-C liposomes, cellular uptake of FITC-S-Oligo was not greatly enhanced and the fluorescence localization in the cells was similar to that of FITC-S-Oligo alone. LipofectAMINE slightly enhanced cellular uptake of FITC-S-Oligo; however, the intracellular localization profile of FITC-S-Oligo remained largely unchanged. The antisense effect was slightly enhanced by LipofectAMINE under only very limited experimental conditions. It was concluded that cationic liposomes are not a potential carrier for S-Oligo in peritoneal macrophages because of their inability to promote the release of S-Oligo from the endosomal compartments to the cytosol over a non-toxic concentration range.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Protein kinase inhibition by fasudil hydrochloride promotes neurological recovery after spinal cord injury in rats.

OBJECT: In Japan fasudil hydrochloride (HA1077), a protein kinase inhibitor, is widely administered to prevent vasospasm in patients after subarachnoid hemorrhage. The effects of fasudil on experimental spinal cord injury (SCI) were investigated and compared with those obtained using methylprednisolone. METHODS: Spinal cord contusion was induced in rats by applying an aneurysm clip extradurally to the spinal cord at T-3 for 1 minute. After injury three groups of rats were treated with intravenously administered saline (control), intraperitoneally administered fasudil (10 mg/kg), or intravenously administered methylprednisolone (four 30 mg/kg injections). Neurological recovery was evaluated periodically over 1 month by using a modified combined behavioral scale and histopathological examination. Leukocyte infiltration near the injury site was evaluated by measuring myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity at 24 hours. Spinal cord blood flow was measured at intervals up to 3 hours after injury by using laser Doppler flowmetry. In rats in the fasudil-treated group significant improvement in modified combined behavioral score was demonstrated at each time point, whereas in the methylprednisolone-treated rats no beneficial effects were shown. In the fasudil-treated group, reduction of traumatic spinal cord damage was evident histologically in the caudal portion of the injured areas, and tissue MPO activity in tissue samples was reduced. Spinal cord blood flow was not significantly different between fasudil-treated and control group rats. CONCLUSIONS: Fasudil hydrochloride showed promise of effectiveness in promoting neurological recovery after traumatic SCI. Possible mechanisms of this effect include protein kinase inhibition and decreased infiltration by neutrophils.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

PubMed2000

[Treatment for Hodgkin's disease].

The mainstay of treatment for patients with localized stage HD was historically radiation therapy. However, chemotherapy has been substituting radiation therapy because of remarkable effects of chemotherapy and the late adverse effects of radiation therapy. In the treatment of advanced stage HD, ABVD therapy is currently identified as the best chemotherapy on the basis of equivalent efficacy and reduced toxicity comparing with MOPP therapy. The newer, intensified regimens such as escalated BEACOPP or Stanford V have demonstrated excellent disease control in preliminary results. For patients with primary refractory or relapsed HD after chemotherapy, current data support the use of high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell rescue.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

PubMed2000

[Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis associated with hemorrhage: a case report].

A rare case of intramedullary spinal cord metastasis associated with hemorrhage was reported. A 74-year-old man had a subacute onset of paraparesis. He became almost paraplegic within a few days. MRI revealed an intramedullary spinal lesion in the epiconus at the Th 11 and Th 12 level, but spinal angiography did not show any abnormality. Since repeated MRI showed enlargement of the lesion, surgery was performed under the diagnosis of an intramedullary spinal cord tumor. Under general anesthesia, a midline myelotomy of about 3 cm was performed and a grayish, elastic and circumscribed tumor as well as a liquefied hematoma in the caudal part was observed. Both the tumor and the hematoma were removed almost totally. The patient's paraparesis improved slightly after surgery. The histological diagnosis was adenocarcinoma. The primary source was unknown, but multiple small metastatic tumors were found in the lung, liver and brain, etc. Hemorrhage from intramedullary spinal cord metastasis is extremely rare with only 6 reported cases in the recent literature. Rapid deterioration of symptoms caused by the hematoma may make the diagnosis more difficult. Indication of surgical treatment should be carefully determined because prognosis of intramedullary spinal cord metastasis is generally very poor.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2000

[Evaluation of coronary flow reserve in patients with vasospastic angina].

OBJECTIVES: The presence of microvascluar impairment was evaluated in 154 patients with vasospastic angina identified by the acetylcholine provocation test. METHODS: Coronary flow reserve was evaluated with a Doppler flow guidewire in 128 vessels of 72 patients with chest pain, but no significant coronary stenosis(less than 50% stenosis) and no clinical factors that affect coronary flow reserve. Coronary flow reserve was obtained from the ratio of adenosine triphosphate-induced maximum/baseline averaged peak velocity. These vessels were classified into 2 categories according to whether acetylcholine-induced vasospasm was positive or negative. Vasospasm positive was defined as more than 90% stenosis provoked with chest pain and/or ischemic ST change. Positive vessels were subdivided according to focal or diffuse vasospasm. These vessels were also classified into 2 other categories according to whether vasospasm in the distal artery was positive or negative. RESULTS: Coronary flow reserve was significantly lower in vessels with vasospasm than in vessels without vasospasm in patients without vasospasm(2.9 +/- 0.8 vs 3.6 +/- 1.0, p = 0.0005). Coronary flow reserve was significantly lower in vessels without vasospasm in patients with vasospasm than in vessels without vasospasm in patients without vasospasm(3.0 +/- 0.8 vs 3.6 +/- 1.0, p = 0.03). There was no significant difference in coronary flow reserve between vessels with vasospasm and vessels without vasospasm in patients with vasospasm(2.9 +/- 0.8 vs 3.0 +/- 0.8, p = 0.8). There was no significant difference in coronary flow reserve between focal and diffuse vasospasm(3.2 +/- 0.8 vs 2.9 +/- 0.8, p = 0.3). Coronary flow reserve was significantly lower in vessels with vasospasm in the distal artery than in vessels without vasospasm in the distal artery (2.8 +/- 0.8 vs 3.4 +/- 1.0, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with vasospastic angina have microvascular impairment in both vessels with vasospasm, and vessels without vasospasm. Microvascular impairment is prominent in vessels with vasospasm in the distal artery.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed2000

[Clinical features of patients with osteoarthritic knees followed by development of rheumatoid arthritis].

We investigated clinical features of patients with osteoarthritic knees followed by development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after several year's interval. The subjects were 16 knees of 8 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) including one man and 7 women. The mean age at development of OA knee was 62.8 years (range; 45-73). The mean age at later development of RA was 66.0 years (range; 52-79). The mean follow-up period was 96.4 months (range; 28-191). We evaluated clinical features using the 1987 revised Criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), laboratory dates including RF, CRP, ESR, the number of joints with RA, and femorotibial angle (FTA). The mean number of features of patients which was fulfilled with the ACR criteria was 3.3 +/- 1.6 at the onset of RA. Only four patients were seropositive through the total follow-up period. The serum level of RF, CRP, and ESR were reduced at the follow-up period. The mean number of the joints involved in RA was 11.0 +/- 5.1 (range; 4-22) and wrist and shoulder joints were involved more frequently than other joints except knees. High tibial osteotomy (HTO) was performed on 5 knees of 3 patients and the mean degree of FTA was 168.8 +/- 1.9 degrees just after surgery. However, 36 months after development of RA, joint destruction and valgus deformity occurred on 3 knees and the mean degree of FTA of 5 knees was ended up to 159.6 +/- 11.3 degrees. Our experiences suggested that RF, CRP, ESR and lesions of other joints should be carefully evaluated in the OA patients with seropositivity or knee hydrarthrosis and that histological analysis for synovium should be assessed by the biopsy at time of HTO or arthroscopic surgery to improve accuracy of diagnosis.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

[Does quinapril improve coronary vasoconstriction in vasospastic angina?].

OBJECTIVES: Endothelial dysfunction is one of the important mechanisms of coronary spasm. Recently, the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor quinapril, which has a high affinity for vascular ACE, has improved endothelial dysfunction in coronary artery disease. This study investigated whether quinapril improves coronary vasoconstriction induced by acetylcholine in vasospastic angina. METHODS: Twenty-four patients with vasospastic angina without significant organic stenosis diagnosed by the acetylcholine provocation test (vessel with spasm defined as > or = 90% stenosis provoked with chest pain and/or ischemic ST change) were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups: the quinapril group (receiving quinapril 20 mg/day, n = 12), and the non-quinapril group (not receiving quinapril, n = 12). All patients received calcium antagonist. Six months later, coronary angiography was repeated and changes in coronary spasm were compared between the groups. Seven patients were withdrawn from this study, so 17 patients were evaluated (the quinapril group: 8 patients, the non-quinapril group: 9). RESULTS: Angina symptoms were completely or almost suppressed in all patients during the study period. Angiographically, the number of patients with improvement of spasm, patients with deterioration of spasm and patients with stability of spasm were 1, 0, 7 in the quinapril group versus 0, 1, 8 in the non-quinapril group, respectively. There was no significant change between the 2 groups. Quantitative angiographic analysis showed that the coronary spasm rate (percentage of minimal lumen diameter at the site of spasm after administration of acetylcholine to minimal lumen diameter after administration of isosorbide dinitrate) at the first and second angiography were 71 +/- 10% and 62 +/- 21% in the quinapril group versus 73 +/- 14% and 67 +/- 15% in the non-quinapril group, respectively. There were no significant interval changes between the 2 groups (p = 0.60). CONCLUSIONS: Our results did not indicate that quinapril had improved coronary vasoconstriction induced by acetylcholine in patients with vasospastic angina.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed2000

Inferring genetic networks from DNA microarray data by multiple regression analysis.

Inferring gene regulatory networks by differential equations from the time series data of a DNA microarray is one of the most challenging tasks in the post-genomic era. However, there have been no studies actually inferring gene regulatory networks by differential equations from genome-level data. The reason for this is that the number of parameters in the equations exceeds the number of measured time points. We here succeeded in executing the inference, not by directly determining parameters but by applying multiple regression analysis to our equations. We derived our differential equations and steady state equations from the rate equations of transcriptional reactions in an organism. Verification with a number of genes related to respiration indicated the validity and effectiveness of our method. Moreover, the steady state equations were more appropriate than the differential equations for the microarray data used.

Computational Biology↗

PubMed1999

Domain analysis of the actin-binding and actin-remodeling activities of drebrin.

Drebrin is an actin-binding protein which is expressed at highly levels in neurons. When introduced into fibroblasts, it has been known to bind to F-actin and to cause remodeling of F-actin. Here, we performed a domain analysis of the actin-binding and actin-remodeling activities of drebrin. Various fragments of drebrin cDNA were fused with green fluorescent protein cDNA and introduced into Chinese hamster ovary cells. Association of the fusion protein with F-actin and remodeling of the F-actin were examined. We found that the central 85-amino-acid sequence (residues 233-317) was sufficient for the binding to and remodeling of F-actin. The binding activity of this fragment was relatively low compared with that of full-length drebrin, but all the types of abnormalities of F-actin that are observed with full-length drebrin were also observed with this fragment. When this sequence was further fragmented, the actin-binding activity was greatly reduced and the actin-remodeling activity disappeared. The actin-binding activity of the central region of drebrin was confirmed by a cosedimentation assay of chymotryptic fragments of drebrin with purified actin. These data indicate that the actin-binding domain and actin-remodeling domain are identical and that this domain is located at the central region of drebrin.

Actins↗

PubMed1999

Genetic determinants of plasma triglyceride levels in (OLETF x BN) x OLETF backcross rats.

Altered lipid metabolism is closely associated with diabetes in humans, although predisposing genetic factors that affect hyperlipidemia have not yet been clarified. Our previously established OLETF strain is an obese rat model of type II diabetes, exhibiting hypertriglycemia as well as hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and abundant abdominal fat. To identify genetic factors responsible for dyslipidemic phenotypes in OLETF rats, we performed a whole-genome scan using 293 male (OLETF x BN) x OLETF backcross rats. Our analysis identified two significant quantitative trait loci (QTLs), on rat chromosomes 1 and 8, that are related to fasting triglyceride levels. The chromosome 1 QTL colocalized with Dmo1 (diabetes mellitus, OLETF type 1), a locus previously shown to associate strongly with both fat levels and body weight. The other significant QTL localizes to the chromosome 8 marker D8Mit2, in a region where several apo-lipoprotein genes are clustered.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Prediction of progression or regression of type A aortic intramural hematoma by computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that early surgery should be required for patients with type A aortic intramural hematoma (IMH) because it tends to develop classic aortic dissection or rupture. However, the anatomic features of type A IMH that develops dissection or rupture are unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictors of progression or regression of type A IMH by computed tomography (CT). METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-two consecutive patients with type A IMH were studied by serial CT images. Aortic diameter and aortic wall thickness of the ascending aorta were estimated in CT images at 3 levels on admission and at follow-up (mean 37 days). We defined patients who showed increased maximum aortic wall thickness in the follow-up CT (n=9) or died of rupture (n=1) as the progression group (n=10). The other 12 patients, who all showed decreased maximum wall thickness, were categorized as the regression group. In the progression group, the maximum aortic diameter in the initial CT was significantly greater than that in the regression group (55+/-6 vs 47+/-3 mm, P=0.001). A Cox regression analysis revealed that the maximum aortic diameter was the strongest predictor for progression of type A IMH. We considered the optimal cutoff value to be 50 mm for the maximum aortic diameter to predict progression (positive predictive value 83%, negative predictive value 100%). CONCLUSIONS: Maximum aortic diameter estimated by the initial CT images is predictive for progression of type A IMH.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Highly activated matrix metalloproteinase-2 secreted from clones of metastatic lung nodules of nude mice injected with human fibrosarcoma HT1080.

The promoting effects of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) on lung metastasis of human fibrosarcoma cells (HT1080) were studied using nude mice. The fourth generation of HT1080 was established by consecutive clonal selection of metastatic lung nodules formed by intravenous transplantation. MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the culture supernatants of the first and fourth generation cells were analyzed by gelatin zymography and Western blotting, and quantified by scanning densitometry. In gelatin zymograms, mean ratios of values for the 59-kDa band (the active form of MMP-2) to those for the 72-kDa band (the inactive form of MMP-2) for optical density; area, and volume measured by densitometry were 1.44 +/- 0.12, 0.93 +/- 0.05, and 1.27 +/- 0.20, respectively, in the culture supernatant of fourth generation cells isolated from metastatic lung nodules. These values were significantly (P < 0.01) higher than those of first generation cells (0.70 +/- 0.04, 0.48 +/- 0.01, and 0.57 +/- 0.42). Three weeks after intravenous transplantation of HT1080 cells into nude mice, the incidence of lung metastasis and mean number and diameter of metastatic nodules formed by injection of first generation cells were 20% (2 of 10 mice), 2.9 +/- 0.2 and 2.0 +/- 0.2 mm, respectively; while they were 100%, 99.8 +/- 7.2 and 4.3 +/- 0.3 mm following injection of fourth generation cells. These findings suggest that the active MMP-2 produced by human fibrosarcoma cells is important for the cells to form lung metastatic lesions in nude mice.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Ultrastructure of cell wall of the cps8 actin mutant cell in Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

A Schizosaccharomyces pombe cps8 mutant, of which the gene encodes a mutant actin with an amino acid substitution of Asp for Gly(273) [J. Ishiguro and W. Kobayashi (1996) FEBS Lett. 392, 237-241], was used to determine the role of the actin cytoskeleton in cell wall formation. In the cps8 mutant cells, atomic force microscopic and scanning electron microscopic images showed abnormal depolarized and branched morphology. Fibrous material covered a part of the surface of growing cps8 cells. Transmission electron microscopic images showed variable thickness of the cell wall due to multilayering of cell wall materials, and aberrant multisepta due to diagonal growth of the primary septum, whereas the normal primary septum grows at a right angle from the cortex. This abnormal septum formation may induce abnormality of the cell with multinuclei and/or multisepta, caused by non-separation of daughter cells. These results indicate that actin plays an important role in cell wall and septum formation.

Actins↗