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Biomedical subjects

T Takeuchi

Publications and source records attributed to T Takeuchi.

At least 487 records · Page 27Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Respiratory syncytial virus-induced interleukin-4 production by human conjunctival epithelial cells contributes to allergy: preliminary study.

PURPOSE: We previously reported allergic conjunctivitis was associated with a local pattern of cytokines and identified respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the conjunctival epithelium, in patients with allergic conjunctivitis. We hypothesized that RSV infected the normal conjunctival epithelium and produced interleukin-4 (IL-4), causing an allergic reaction. To determine this event, we studied production of IL-4 by human conjunctival epithelial cells, after infection with RSV. METHODS: Conjunctival samples were collected with a special brush and were challenged with 5 x 10(6) pfu/ml of live RSV. RSV infection was detected by immunocytochemical study and RT-PCR. HLA-DR antigen was expressed by flow cytometry. IL-4 was assayed by a sandwich ELISA. RESULTS: Immunocytochemical study and RT-PCR showed that RSV infected the conjunctival epithelial cells. HLA-DR was demonstrated in the RSV-infected conjunctival epithelial cells. Average concentrations of IL-4 in culture supernatants in infected cells were 3.8 +/- 1.8, 3.6 +/- 1.1, and 5.4 +/- 1.8 pg/ml at 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. Levels in non-infected cells were 0.33 +/- 0.0, 0.59 +/- 0.69, and 0.4 +/- 0.22 pg/ml, respectively (p > 0.001). CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that the expression of IL-4 is associated with intracellular infection by RSV in conjunctiva. With our former reports, RSV infection in conjunctival epithelial cells can be suggested as one of the possible environmental pathogens of allergic conjunctivitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Intraarterial chemotherapy via reservoir system for far-advanced bladder and prostate cancer].

A clinical study was performed on the efficacy of intraarterial chemotherapy using reservoir system for far-advanced urological malignancy. The reservoir system was indwelled in the femoral subcutaneous layer using Seldinger's method. Fifteen cases with inoperable complicated advanced bladder cancer and ten cases with postoperative local recurrent bladder cancer received intraarterial chemotherapy using the reservoir system. Then, 23 cases with local relapsed prostate cancer and two cases with endocrine-resistant prostate cancer received chemotherapy. The administered anti-cancerous agents were methotrexate, cis-platinum and adriamycin, and 5-FU or carboplatin were administered as maintenance therapy. The mean courses of chemotherapy were six for bladder cancer and four for prostate cancer. During stabilization of the local lesion, no distant deterioration was recognized. Overall clinical efficacy was as follows: PR:18 cases and NC:7 cases for bladder cancer; then, PR:11 cases and 14 cases for prostate cancer. The median duration of stabilization was as follows: 23 months for bladder cancer and 12 months for prostate cancer. Complications were fewer than with systemic chemotherapy.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1998

Effects of aphidicolin on Entamoeba histolytica growth and DNA synthesis.

We have previously demonstrated that DNA polymerase activity of Entamoeba histolytica is inhibited by aphidicolin, which is a specific inhibitor of eukaryotic nuclear replicative DNA polymerases. The present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of aphidicolin on growth and DNA synthesis by this parasite. Aphidicolin blocked the growth of axenic E. histolytica strain HM-1:IMSS. DNA synthesis was also inhibited by aphidicolin when assayed by incorporation of [3H]thymidine into the DNA. The inhibitory effect of aphidicolin on the growth of E. histolytica was abrogated by removal of the drug, and exposure to 3 microg/ml of the drug for at least 48 hr had little effect on the viability. Synchronous growth was observed in the recovery phase after removal of aphidicolin.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Fleroxacin treatment for acute uncomplicated cystitis in women: comparison of 3-day and 7-day therapy].

The clinical efficacy of fleroxacin (FLRX), a new fluoroquinolone, for acute uncomplicated cystitis (AUC) in women was assessed. Two regimens, 3-day and 7-day courses of FLRX, 200 mg once a day, were compared. Clinical and bacteriological efficacy were evaluated after the therapy, and recurrence rate was evaluated 1 week and 4 weeks after termination of the therapy. Of 136 registered subjects, 35 in the 3-day group and 47 in the 7-day group were evaluated. According to the criteria of Japanese UTI Committee (3rd edition), the rate of excellent results was significantly higher in the 7-day group (78.9%) than in the 3-day group (48.6%), but the overall clinical efficacy rate was similar being 100% and 97.9%, respectively. Although no recurrence was seen 1 week after the therapy in either group, recurrence was seen in 14.3% and 7.4% of the cases in the 3-day and 7-day groups, respectively, 4 weeks after the therapy. Adverse reactions were observed in 2 and 3 cases in the 3-day and 7-day groups, respectively. Both 3-day and 7-day regimens of FLRX treatment showed good efficacy. Although the 7-day treatment was superior to the 3-day treatment as to high rate of excellent results and low rate of recurrence, the 3-day treatment was concluded to be sufficient for AUC.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[A case of severe cytomegalovirus infection after the repair of coarctation of aorta].

We report a 2-month-old boy without any immuno-compromised diseases, who suffered from the severe cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after the subclavian flap aortoplasty and pulmonary artery banding for coarctation complex. He underwent the operation at 2 months old and received 2 units of irradiated packed red blood cells before and after the surgery. His postoperative course was uneventful but the interstitial pneumonitis, until he developed watery diarrhea 10 days after the surgery following hepatitis with the marked hepatomegaly 3 weeks after. Since CMV infection was confirmed as the cause of the pneumonitis, enterocolitis and hepatitis, he was initially treated by gamma-globulin with the high CMV titer at a dose of 200 mg/kg/day for 2 days and ganciclovir at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day for 14 days. Because of the persistent CMV infection, he needed two more treatments of ganciclovir at the same dosage and gamma-globulin once a week for 2 months. He finally recovered from severe CMV infection 5 months after the above treatments. In conclusion, the severe CMV infection can occur by blood transfusion even in the surgical case with normal immune system. If one finds pneumonitis, hepatitis or enterocolitis after any type of surgery with history of blood transfusion, CMV infection should be suspected as the cause of these diseases.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed1998

[Cases of multiple ventricular septal defects].

We had 4 cases with multiple ventricular septal defects (VSDs) in complexed congenital heart disease. One of four had two separate VSDs detected by two dimensional echocardiography before operation. Second of four had additional infundibular muscular VSD which was detected by echocardiography in the intensive care unit (ICU) after patch closure of a perimembranous VSD. The third case had two additional VSDs of inlet muscular and subaortic septum detected by transesophageal and direct echocardiography during reoperation, beside a subpulmonary VSD which was originally diagnosed before Jatene operation for double outlet right ventricle. The fourth case had multiple trabecular muscular VSDs diagnosed by postoperative angiography soon after Rastelli operation. Since these additional multiple VSDs compromise the postoperative hemodynamics if those are unrecognized, it is indispensable to detect all VSDs before operation, using transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography.

Echocardiography↗
PubMed1998

[Clinical efficacy of MRCP for diagnosis of patients with pancreatic neoplasm].

We examined the usefulness of MRCP in pancreatic cancer compared with ERCP. Moreover, it examined in the same way in focal pancreatitis, too. We compare three findings of 1) main pancreatic duct, 2) branches of the stricture part, 3) side of tail main pancreatic duct about ERCP and MRCP. As for the branches of the stricture part, MRCP was poor compared with ERCP but as for the property of the side of the tail main pancreatic duct, MRCP excelled. The study of mass forming chronic pancreatitis was a similar result and was not the one, which excels ERCP in case of qualitative diagnosis. However, we thought that it was not invasively, suitable behind the digestive operation and digestive passage fault, in case of elapse observation and moreover that MRCP is suitable for pick up the pancreatic cancer in our clinic.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1998

[Leiomyosarcoma of the prostate: report of two cases].

We herein present two cases prostatic leiomyosarcoma. The first case was in a 45-year-old man who presented at our department with the chief complaints of pain on voiding and pollakisuria on November 13, 1996. Ultrasonography and computed tomographic (CT) scan revealed a prostatic tumor. A histological examination of biopsy specimens revealed leiomyosarcoma of the prostate. Total prostatectomy and partial cystectomy were performed. No adjuvant therapy was performed. He is still alive without disease 12 months after operation. The second case was in a 63-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital for treatment of a lung tumor and colon polyp on February 28, 1997. CT scans showed a large prostatic tumor and multiple tumors in the lung, liver and bilateral kidneys. He was referred to our department for evaluation of the prostatic tumor. A transrectal needle biopsy of the prostate for histological diagnosis revealed leiomyosarcoma. No treatment was performed and he died 3 months later. In addition, 57 cases of prostatic leiomyosarcoma collected from the Japanese literature are also reviewed.

Cystectomy↗
PubMed1998

[A case with rheumatoid arthritis complicated with ANCA-associated vasculitis].

A 50-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) developed constitutive symptoms such as fever and weight loss, mononeuritis multiplex and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN). The renal biopsy revealed crescentic glomerulonephritis (CrGN) with few immune deposits such as IgG and C 3 and necrotizing vasculitis, which led to the pathological diagnosis of microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). Moreover the high serum level of anti-myeloperoxidase (MPO) antibody, one of the anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA), suggested that she had ANCA-associated vasculitis. The renal prognosis of the ANCA-associated vasculitis is said to be poor unless patients were treated in the early phase of the disease. As we started to treat the patient when her serum creatinine level (sCr) was 1.7 mg/dl and creatinine clearance (CCr) was 27 ml/min, her renal function returned to the almost normal level (sCr = 0.6, CCr = 91). It is well known that patients with RA may develop various kinds of extraarticular manifestations which are usually related to immune-complex mediated vasculitis, what we call malignant RA. We emphasize that ANCA-associated vasculitis is another important complication of RA. When we see a RA patient with constitutional symptom, abnormal urinary sediments and other clinical signs of vasculitis such as mononeuritis multiplex, ANCA-associated vasculitis should be considered. Since the early diagnosis and treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis is a key to prevent renal failure, it is encouraged to measure the serum ANCA titer for not only the diagnosis of such patients but the evaluation of their clinical course.

Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic↗
PubMed1997

Molecular cloning and expression of a novel human cDNA containing CAG repeats.

A novel human cDNA containing CAG repeats, designated B120, was cloned by PCR amplification. An approximately 300-bp 3' untranslated region in this cDNA was followed by a 3426-bp coding region containing the CAG repeats. A computer search failed to find any significant homology between this cDNA and previously reported genes. The number of CAG trinucleotide repeats appeared to vary from seven to 12 in analyses of genomic DNA from healthy volunteers. An approximately 8-kb band was detected in brain, skeletal muscle and thymus by Northern blot analysis. The deduced amino-acid sequence had a polyglutamine chain encoded by CAG repeats as well as glutamine- and tyrosine-rich repeats, which has also been reported for several RNA binding proteins. We immunized mice with recombinant gene product and established a monoclonal antibody to it. On Western immunoblotting, this antibody detected an approximately 120-kDa protein in human brain tissue. In addition, immunohistochemical staining showed that the cytoplasm of neural cells was stained with this antibody. These findings indicated that B120 is a novel cDNA with a CAG repeat length polymorphism and that its gene product is a cytoplasmic protein with a molecular mass of 120 kDa.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Co-expression of the proprotein-processing endoprotease furin and its substrate transforming growth factor beta1 and the differentiation of rat hepatocytes.

Furin, a member of the yeast Kex2 endoprotease family, converts a number of proproteins to their active forms. The liver produces a number of proproteins having a furin-cleavable site; thus, furin may be involved in growth and differentiation both in the partially hepatectomized liver and in primary cultured hepatocytes. Furin mRNA levels are elevated in tissues regenerated from partially hepatectomized rat liver. In primary culture of rat hepatocytes, furin expression increases gradually with time, and its expression is greatly enhanced by transforming growth factor beta1, whose processing from the precursor requires cleavage by furin. Thus, we suggest that the regeneration and differentiation of hepatocytes is dependent upon the co-elevation of furin and transforming growth factor beta1 mRNAs.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Some properties and action mode of (1-->4)-alpha-L-guluronan lyase from Enterobacter cloacae M-1.

An intracellular alginate lyase was purified from Enterobacter cloacae M-1 by successive fractionation on Q Sepharose FF, SP Sepharose FF, and Sephacryl S-200 HR. The purified enzyme gave a single band on SDS-PAGE and isoelectric focusing. The enzyme easily degraded polyguluronate and produced unsaturated oligoguluronic acids with a wide range of dp. The major end product of the enzyme reaction on polyguluronate was unsaturated triuronic acid. The pattern of oligoguluronic acids (dp 2-9) generated with the enzyme was investigated by fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis. The enzyme was not capable of degrading oligoguluronic acids having dp < 4. The degradation rate of heptaguluronic acid by this enzyme remarkably increased, compared with that of hexaguluronic acid, and heptaguluronic acid had a single preferential point of cleavage by this enzyme. On the basis of the cleavage pattern of oligoguluronic acids, the number of subsites was estimated to be seven for this enzyme. The catalytic site of the enzyme is located between the second and the third subsites from the non-reducing end.

Alginates↗
PubMed1997

Mutational analysis of Yap1 protein, an AP-1-like transcriptional activator of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

To define the essential amino acid residues of Yap1 in stress response, we generated yap1 mutations by in vitro mutagenesis, which cause defects in mediating resistance to the stress of H2O2, but not of CdCl2. Sequence analysis of the mutant yap1 genes revealed three point mutations and two truncation mutations near the carboxy-terminus. The truncation mutations resulted in hyperresistance to cadmium. Northern blot analysis of stress-induced levels of TRX2 and GSH1 mRNAs indicated that the ability of the mutant Yap1 protein to induce transcriptional activation of target genes correlates well with its ability to confer stress resistance. The carboxy-terminal domain of Yap1 appears to act negatively in cadmium resistance.

Aminoacyltransferases↗
PubMed1997

Stretch-induced hypertrophic growth of cardiocytes and processing of brain-type natriuretic peptide are controlled by proprotein-processing endoprotease furin.

When hypertrophic growth is induced in neonatal rat cardiocytes by stretching, the cardiocytes express high levels of brain-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and the proprotein-processing enzyme furin. A BNP precursor, gammaBNP, possesses a furin-cleavable Arg-X-X-Arg motif, which is cleaved when gammaBNP is processed to form BNP-45. The Arg-X-X-Arg motif is found in many precursors of growth factors and growth-related proteins. To determine if furin converts gammaBNP to BNP-45 as well as other unidentified growth-promoting protein precursors to their active form that may induce hypertrophic growth in cardiocytes, we used two protease inhibitor systems, synthetic peptidyl chloromethyl ketones (CMK) (dec-Arg-Val-Lys-Arg-CMK and dec-Phe-Ala-Lys-Arg-CMK; where dec is decanoyl) and vaccinia vector-integrated native and variant alpha1-antitrypsins. The furin-specific inhibitors, dec-Arg-Val-Lys-Arg-CMK and variant alpha1-antitrypsin with the inhibitory determinant Arg-X-X-Arg, suppressed the stretch-induced hypertrophic growth of cardiocytes as well as the processing of gammaBNP to BNP-45. The other serine protease inhibitors and variant alpha1-antitrypsin against elastase, or thrombin, however, neither suppressed the hypertrophic growth nor prevented the processing of gammaBNP to BNP-45. Thus, we suggest that furin catalyzes the conversion of gammaBNP to BNP-45 as well as growth-promoting proproteins to their active form, which might induce hypertrophic growth in cardiocytes.

Animals↗