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Biomedical subjects

T Takubo

Publications and source records attributed to T Takubo.

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

Successful treatment for active cytomegalovirus infection by cytomegalovirus antibody-enriched immunoglobulin in a renal transplant recipient.

Active cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection was treated successfully by only CMV antibody-enriched immunoglobulin (CMV-IG) in a renal transplant recipient. CMV-IG was injected at 86 mg/kg i.v. twice a day for a total of 16 days (4 plus 12 days, interrupted by a pause of 4 days), followed by weekly i.v. injection of 86 mg/kg (7 weeks). Active CMV infection was diagnosed on the basis of DNAemia in plasma, by a newly developed CMV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test (AMPLICOR CMV). The disappearance of CMV from plasma was confirmed by this PCR test. It seems that single CMV-IG therapy is worth consideration for the treatment of CMV infection.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1997

Evaluation of the AMPLICOR CMV test for direct detection of cytomegalovirus in plasma specimens.

We evaluated the AMPLICOR CMV test (PCR) for the direct detection of cytomegalovirus in plasma. Sixty-eight specimens were involved for the comparison between the AMPLICOR test and the antigenemia assay. The sensitivities, specificities, and positive and negative predictive values were 97.1, 100, 100, and 97.1%, respectively, for the AMPLICOR test and 79.4, 100, 100, and 82.9%, respectively, for the antigenemia assay.

Antigens, Viral↗
PubMed1997

Distribution of myosin and actin in moving human neutrophils detected by double-fluorescence staining.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the distribution of myosin and actin in the same phase in the same human neutrophils with a double-fluorescence staining procedure that readily evaluates the association of myosin and actin in human neutrophils during movement. STUDY DESIGN: Contractile proteins, consisting mainly of myosin and actin, are essential to cell motility. Motile forms of human neutrophils were fixed in formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde and stained for fluorescence analysis. The prepared slide was first observed with a green filter for fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled antimyosin, with a red filter used for rhodamine-labeled phalloidin and without a filter to obtain a phase contrast image. RESULTS: This method made it possible to clearly demonstrate the localization of myosin in the cytoplasm. The localization of myosin differed from that of actin. The pattern of distribution suggested a close association between myosin and actin. Actin was reorganized mostly in the filopodia, and myosin was organized in the perigranular area. CONCLUSION: Our method utilizes conventional fluorescence microscopy, rather than confocal fluorescence microscopy, and was useful for investigating the shifts in localization of myosin and actin in the motile forms of such small cells as human neutrophils.

Actins↗
PubMed1997

Long-term survival in a case of high-risk type IgD myeloma; a possibility of effectiveness of interferon-alpha and erythropoietin.

The prognosis of patients with IgD myeloma is poorest among all types of multiple myeloma. We report a case of a patient with IgD myeloma who survived for an extraordinarily long period post-diagnosis (65 months). According to the new risk grouping of IgD myeloma (Shimamoto Y. et al., Eur. J. Haematol. 47, 262 (1991), he was classified as being in the high-risk group, with a zero percent expected 5-yr survival. Nevertheless, he survived for 65 months. We discuss the usefulness of interferon-alpha and erythropoietin for the treatment of IgD myeloma.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1997

[Current problems in quality control (QC) in hematology].

Total quality control (TQC) is one of the most important issues in laboratory hematology. As for complete blood count (CBC), almost all blood cell counters possesses quality control (QC) programs for its determination, and values of high quality can be provided by the counters. Reticulocytes can be determined precisely as well. However, mean cell volume (MCV) were slightly different among blood cell counters when semifixed QC materials were used for its surveillance. No QC materials to evaluate white cell differential functions have not be found for the common use now. Thus, urgent matter would be the development of appropriate QC materials to be used for overall blood cell counters. In coagulation testings, trials for common use of international normalized ratio (INR) for the prothrombin time (PT) test has been continued yearly due to the varieties of biophysical characteristics among PT reagents. Similar variation are also present among activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) reagents. Some improvement would be required.

Blood Cell Count↗
PubMed1997

Dual image of myosin and actin in human neutrophils during movement by fluorescence microscopy.

It is well known that myosin and actin play important roles as a motile apparatus in cells, and as a cytoskeleton of cell structure in non-muscle cells. The purpose of this study was simultaneously to demonstrate the intracellular dynamics of myosin and actin in human neutrophils during movement. We designed a double-fluorescence labelling procedure utilising fluorescein isothiocyanate and rhodamine. Myosin was labelled with the green-fluorescence, F-actin was labelled with the red-fluorescence and the coexisting myosin and F-actin were labelled with yellow-fluorescence. We obtained the dual image of myosin and F-actin in human neutrophils during movement by this procedure through a conventional fluorescence microscope. Dual image can interpret the relationship between myosin and actin in human neutrophils during movement, however, further studies are required to elucidate the contractile mechanism in such cells.

Actins↗
PubMed1997

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils in saliva and blood: a comparative study of morphology, function and phenotype.

The morphology, phagocytic activity, production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and expression of lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1; CD11a/CD18), complement receptor type 3 (CR3; CD11b/CD18), p150,95 (CD11c/CD18), and platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1; CD31) by oral polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) are assessed and the results compared with those of blood PMN. There were no differences in the morphology and phagocytic activity between oral and blood PMN. H2O2 production was measured following stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and N-formyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (FMLP) as indicators of bactericidal activity. There was a significant difference in the H2O2 production by the two groups when stimulated with FMLP; the level of H2O2 production by oral PMN was significantly higher than that by blood PMN. However, there was no significant difference in H2O2 production between oral and blood PMN when stimulated with PMA. The percentage of CD11a- and CD11c-positive concentrated oral PMN was significantly lower than that seen in blood PMN, as was the percentage of CD31-positive cells. Higher H2O2 production by oral PMN following stimulation with FMLP may result in enhanced bactericidal activity. Low expression of CD31 may lead to the accumulation of PMN in the mouth by blocking their return to the bloodstream. These phenomena may be necessary for oral PMN to protect periodontal tissues from bacteria in the mouth.

Cell Adhesion Molecules↗
PubMed1996

[Problems on emergency laboratory tests for blood cell counts (BCC) and coagulation].

Emergency laboratory tests need to clarify sudden changes in disease conditions in inpatients and outpatients. Such tests are used for various purposes and at various times. In the department of Clinical Laboratory in Osaka City University Medical School Hospital, the emergency laboratory office was established and blood cell counts and coagulation tests are the hematological tests performed. Blood cell counts are performed throughout the day on weekdays and holidays, but coagulation tests are only performed from 9 am to 5 pm on weekday. Laboratory tests are requested using the ordering system with computer and laboratory results are shown on line. The number of emergency blood cell counts per year is approximately 23,539, accounting for about 20% of the number of routine blood cell counts each year, 14,561 (61.9%) on weekdays, 8,978 (38.1%) on holidays, 17,695 (75.2%) for inpatients and 5,844 (24.8%) for outpatients. The number of inpatients tested per year was 8,760 (49.5%) on holidays and 8,935 (50.5%) on weekdays. The number of outpatients tested per year was 5,626 (96.3%) on weekdays and 218 (3.7%) on holidays. Emergency laboratory tests will be more useful for large-scale hospitals in the future. The construction of an emergency laboratory system suitable for each hospital is important. Furthermore, the continuous improvement in emergency laboratory systems and greater advances in the quality of clinical laboratory test are necessary.

Blood Coagulation Tests↗
PubMed1995

[Further evolution and leukocyte differential using an automated blood cell counter].

In the leukocyte differential, morphological differential has been usually performed with chromatoaffinity of blood cells, but physical differential is recently performed with biophysicochemical characteristics of blood cells using an automated blood cell counter. The trend of the leukocyte differential has changed to physical differential (automated count method) from morphological differential (eye count method). In the automated count method, leukocytes are differentiated into neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils according to the predetermined region of each leukocyte population on the cytogram using an automated blood cell counter. An automated count method is very useful for the screening test in the laboratory because of its high precision and accuracy for the normal samples. However, it is not easy to identify abnormal cells such as leukemia cells by an automated count method. Therefore, an automated count method dealing with various suspect flags generated using an automated blood cell counter must be used for such abnormal samples. In case of absolutely few leukemia cells in the peripheral blood during complete remission, the automated count method can not detect a leukemia cell and no suspect WBC flags are recognized by the automated blood cell counter. Development of an automated blood cell counter with a higher efficiency than now and a standard automated count method is awaited in the clinical laboratory.

Automation↗
PubMed1995

Inaccuracy and inefficiency of urinary sediment analysis.

When the efficiency of urine sediment analysis was studied: we found that: (1) In tests of repeatability, counts of red blood cells, white blood cells, and epithelial cells, but not of casts, showed high precision, even when they were conducted by relatively inexperienced technologists; (2) Correlation of counts of red blood cells, white blood cells, and epithelial cells was good for results obtained by an expert technologist and those obtained by relatively inexperienced technologists, but the correlation was low in the case of casts, perhaps because of their low incidence in urine sediment; (3) Hematuria and leukocyturia were often detected in specimens positive for occult blood, albumin, or both; (4) Most casts were hyaline, which are physiologic in nature. Pathologic casts such as granular casts, were found in specimens containing red and white blood cells; (5) Although urine sediment analysis was frequently requested by clinicians, most analyses showed negative results; (6) Microscopic sediment analysis requires considerable time, labor, and experience, and is more sensitive than tape tests. The results of our study indicate that there are advantages to the present method for analyzing urine sediment, but that its efficiency is doubtful.

Humans↗
PubMed1994

Detection of microplatelet formation using an electroimpedance cell counter.

Changes in the platelet size distribution curves during the process of ADP-induced aggregation were observed using a particle distribution analyzer (PDA) based on electronic impedance. The maximum primary aggregation was seen at a final ADP concentration of 3 microM. After stimulation, the platelet distribution curve changed rapidly from a log normal curve to a curve skewed to the left. When the changes were evaluated at 1 min after the addition of ADP, the peak height was increased, and the median and total volume were decreased significantly. These findings indicate that microplatelets are formed by membrane stimulation and this formation can be monitored with the use of this automated instrument.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed1993

[A study on medical examination items added to periodic health examination as a result of amendment of the Ordinance on Occupational Safety and Health].

In accordance with the recent amendment of the Ordinance on Occupational Safety and Health, anemia (Hb, RBC), liver function (GOT, GPT, gamma-GTP), serum lipid levels (T-Chol, TG) and ECG have become essential items of the general periodic health examination. Data on these items were examined on 86 employees on whom chest radiography, blood pressure, urinalysis and past history revealed no abnormalities in periodic health examination at their companies. The subjects were 58 males and 28 females, between 34 and 66 years old (47.6 years on average). Anemia was found in 3 (3.5%), liver dysfunction in 13 (15.1%), abnormal serum lipid levels in 24 (27.9%) and ECG abnormalities in 8 (9.3%). The new periodic health examination system is thus thought to be useful in the early detection and prevention of adult diseases. To enhance this utility, it appears important to instruct those found abnormal in any parameter to have extensive examination. In discussing liver function and serum lipid level abnormalities, obesity, drinking and food intake should be considered.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Ring eosinophils in patients with lowered eosinophil peroxidase activity].

Leucocyte cytograms were obtained by using a Technicon H6000 (Technicon Instrument Corporation, Tarrytown, NY, USA) in conjunction with an automated flow-cytochemical analyser by which leucocytes can be differentiated by cytochemical (peroxidase activity) and optical (cell size) methods. By analysis of cytograms obtained in this way, we found twelve cases of lowered eosinophil peroxidase activity among approximately 600,000 blood samples-days between 1984 and 1989. Ring eosinophils were observed on the peripheral blood smears in 2 out of 12 cases. The first case was a 41-year-old female confined to hospital with Hashimoto's disease, and the other a 54-year-old female hospitalized for trauma. In both cases, the percentage of eosinophils was normal, although some had ring-shaped nuclei with a large central nuclear hole and a nuclear ring formed with a thin nuclear chromatin bridge. Ring eosinophils previously have been described in patients with hematological malignancy, hypereosinophilic syndrome or severe alcoholism. Recently we observed ring eosinophils in a healthy individual for the first time. Although ring eosinophils may not have specific diagnostic significance, these cases are reported because they displayed a rare phenomenon.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

A peptidergic component to vagally induced tracheal vasodilation in the dog.

The purpose of the study was to determine the extent that peptidergic afferent and efferent pathways contribute to vagally induced vasodilation in the trachea of the dog. The change in vascular resistance of the tracheal branch of the cranial thyroid artery and the trachealis responses were determined in 28 anesthetized, paralyzed, and mechanically ventilated dogs. After propranolol (2 mg/kg) and phentolamine (1.5 mg/kg), stimulation of the superior laryngeal nerves (NS; 15 Hz, 7 V, 2 ms, 30 s) caused a decrease in vascular resistance of 11.7 +/- 0.8% and a tracheal contraction of 5.2 +/- 4.7 cmH2O. Atropine (1.5 mg/kg) reduced the fall in vascular resistance to 4.7 +/- 0.8% (P less than 0.01), whereas tracheal contraction was abolished. Thiorphan (1.5 mg), a neutral endopeptidase inhibitor, augmented the decrease in vascular resistance (8.8 +/- 0.6%; P less than 0.01) to NS. After hexamethonium (0.5 mg/kg), NS still caused a small decrease in TVR (2.9 +/- 0.9%; P less than 0.05), which was abolished by capsaicin. In atropinized dogs, capsaicin reduced the fall in vascular resistance after NS; the residual vasodilation was virtually abolished by hexamethonium. Acetylcholine (10(-3) mg/kg) decreased vascular resistance (15.7 +/- 3.0%), and the effect was abolished by atropine. We conclude that there is noncholinergic nonadrenergic vagally induced tracheal vasodilation that is peptidergic. The peptidergic vasodilation appears to be mediated by both afferent and efferent pathways.

Acetylcholine↗