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Biomedical subjects

T Wada

Publications and source records attributed to T Wada.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Monitoring urinary levels of monocyte chemotactic and activating factor reflects disease activity of lupus nephritis.

Monocytes/macrophages (M phi) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN), but the precise molecular mechanism of recruitment and activation of M phi in LN remains unclear. To clarify the involvement of chemotactic cytokines (chemokines) in those events, we measured levels of monocyte chemotactic and activating factor (MCAF, also termed monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, MCP-1) in urines and sera derived from 42 patients with LN. Both urinary and serum MCAF levels were significantly higher in patients with LN as compared with 22 healthy volunteers (10.3 +/- 3.2 vs. 1.0 +/- 0.1 pg/ml . creatinine, 212.2 +/- 75.8 vs. 66.1 +/- 15.5 pg/ml, respectively, P < 0.05, mean +/- SEM). Histological examination of renal lesions from 41 patients classified 19 as active according to the WHO-defined classes IIIb, IVb and IVc, and 22 as inactive by the WHO-defined classes I, II, IIIc, IVd and V. Urinary MCAF levels in the patients with active lesions were significantly higher than those with inactive lesions (20.3 +/- 6.4 vs. 1.7 +/- 0.3 pg/ml . creatinine, P < 0.01). Moreover, elevated urinary MCAF levels were dramatically decreased during steroid therapy-induced convalescence in 29 patients examined serially (13.9 +/- 4.5 vs. 5.3 +/- 1.7 pg/ml . creatinine, P < 0.001), whereas serum MCAF levels did not change significantly. Endothelial cells, renal epithelial cells and infiltrating mononuclear cells in the tubulointerstitial regions were MCAF-positive in immunohistochemical as well as in situ hybridization analysis. These observations suggest that MCAF is probably involved in the pathogenesis of LN with active lesions, possibly through the recruitment and activation of M phi, and that measurement of urinary MCAF levels may be a useful clinical tool for monitoring the disease activity of LN.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Some problems in wrist reconstruction after tumor resection with vascularized fibular-head graft.

Restoration of wrist function was attempted in six patients with aggressive or malignant bone tumor of the distal end of the radius with free vascularized fibular graft including the fibular head, and following wide resection of tumor. There was no local recurrence in all six cases. In one case, pulmonary metastasis occurred, but was successfully treated. Secondary bone graft was necessary in two cases for non-union. Additional procedures, such as partial or total wrist fusion, were necessary in three cases due to collapse of the grafted fibular head. Corrective osteotomy or a Sauve-Kapandji procedure were also needed in two cases for improvement of forearm rotation. Grip strength ranged from 41 to 68 percent of the contralateral side, with an average of 54.6 percent in five cases; it was only 6 percent in one patient because of flexion contracture at the wrist joint. Final functional results, evaluated by a modified system of Enneking, ranged from 73 to 92 percent, with an average of 83.2 percent. Indications for this procedure seem to be limited to patients engaged in non-heavy manual work, in whom the proximal carpal row can be preserved during tumor resection, and who have given consent for additional secondary procedures, if they prove necessary.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Application of a suture anchor technique for flap fixation to bone.

The authors have developed a technique for fixation of a flap to underlying bone. Their technique involves an anchor system which has been used for tenodesis and ligament repair in orthopedic bone and joint surgery. The anchor technique provides reliable fixation with simplicity of application. A wider use of this technique in reconstructive flap surgery is expected.

Bone and Bones↗
PubMed1996

Inhibitory action of sulfatide, a putative ligand for L-selectin, on B cell proliferation and Ig production.

The interaction of L-selectin and its ligand is widely accepted to mediate leukocyte rolling and adhesion on the endothelial surface. Although L-selectin is ubiqultously expressed on lymphoid cells, its role in execution of lymphocyte functions is unknown. By flow cytometric analysis using mAb specific for sulfatide, a putative ligand for L-selectin, we found that sulfatide was selectively expressed on B cells, but not on T cells. To elucidate the involvement of L-selectin and its ligand in B cell activation, the present study was undertaken to investigate effects of sulfatide on T cell-dependent and -independent Ig production by B cells. In pokeweed mitogen-stimulated cultures, addition of sulfatide resulted in almost complete inhibition of Ig production by B cells in the presence of memory CD4+ T cells, whether L-selectin-positive or -negative. A similar inhibition of Ig production by sulfatide was found when B cells were stimulated with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I and IL-2. Unlike sulfatide, a desulfated form of sulfatide, galactosylaceramide, did not show any effects on Ig production by B cells. Maximal inhibition of Ig production was observed when sulfatide was added at the early period of culture. Sulfatide suppressed effectively proliferation of B cells, but not of T cells. Sulfatide competed the binding of anti-L-selectin mAb to B cells, suggesting it could interfere B cell activation by blocking L-selectin function. The results suggest a novel role of the L-selectin/its ligand system in the initiation of B cell activation.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

A transcription factor with a leucine-zipper motif involved in light-dependent inhibition of expression of the puf operon in the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides.

In the purple nonsulfur photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides the synthesis of components of the photosystem is regulated in response to oxygen tension and light intensity. We have purified and cloned a trans-acting protein (SPB) that binds to the promoter region of the puf operon, which encodes the apoproteins of light-harvesting complex I and the reaction center. The SPB was composed of a single polypeptide with an apparent molecular mass of 15.0 kDa. The nucleotide sequence of the spb gene was determined. The gene encoded 104 amino acid residues, which correspond to a molecular mass of 11.5 kDa. SPB exhibited 53% homology to HvrA in Rhodobacter capsulatus. The deduced amino acid sequence indicated that SPB contained a region with homology to the leucine-zipper motif of c-JUN, a transcription factor in eukaryotes, and SPB also had a DNA-binding domain on the amino-terminal side of the leucine-zipper motif. The leucine-zipper motif of SPB might contribute to the formation of a dimer. Northern analysis indicated that spb was constitutively and monocistronically transcribed in R. sphaeroides, irrespective of growth conditions. Structural and functional differences between SPB and HvrA are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Effects of exercise on neurobehavioral function in community-dwelling older people more than 75 years of age.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the effects of exercise on neurobehavioral function in healthy older people more than 75 years of age. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial with 6-month follow-up was conducted. SETTING: The study was performed in the rural town of Kahoku, Japan, the population of which is considered representative of the older population of Japan. PARTICIPANTS: We studied 42 healthy volunteers (18 men and 24 women; mean age, 79 years (range 75 to 87 years)) who were randomly assigned to one of two groups, exercise or control. INTERVENTION: Subjects assigned to the exercise group were instructed to exercise for 60 minutes twice a week for 6 months. Subjects in the control group were not instructed to engage in an specific exercise regimen. MEASUREMENTS: The following measurements were recorded for both groups at baseline and at 6-month follow-up: (1) Neurobehavioral function as determined by the following tests: Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), Hasegawa Dementia Scale Revised (HDSR), Visuospatial Cognitive Performance Test (VCP-test), Button score, Up & Go test, and Functional Reach; and (2) Body mass index and blood pressure. RESULTS: The effects of exercise were shown in the Up & Go test, and Functional Reach (ANOVA with repeated measures). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the acceptability and effectiveness of exercise on neurobehavioral function, even in older people more than 75 years of age.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and deoxyribonucleic acid value in renal cell carcinoma: correlation with different histopathological parameters and patient survival.

Forty-six human renal cell carcinoma tissues obtained from radical nephrectomy, fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution and embedded in paraffin for histopathological examination were used for immunohistochemical staining of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) using a monoclonal antibody PC10, and 37 of the 46 were also used for flow cytometric DNA ploidy analysis. PCNA-positive rates were compared with different histopathological parameters and patient survival. The relationships between the DNA ploidy and PCNA-positive rates and patient survival were also determined. Statistically significant differences in PCNA-positive rates were observed in different histopathological grades and stages of renal cell carcinoma. No relationship was observed between the PCNA-positive rate and DNA ploidy. For all cases analyzed, patients whose tumors had PCNA-positive rates of less than 10% survived statistically longer than those with tumors with PCNA-positive rates of 10% or more (p < 0.02). When patients were stratified by histopathological stage-I and grade-1 tumors, however, there was no significant difference between the PCNA-positive rate and survival. No difference in survival was observed according to DNA ploidy. The PCNA-positive rates showed a close relation to the different histopathological grades and stages of renal cell carcinoma. For all cases analyzed, high PCNA-positive rates showed poor prognosis. But for patients with histopathological stage-I and grade-1 tumors, the PCNA-positive rates and DNA ploidy did not provide independent prognostic information.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Common carotid artery wall properties in Takayasu's arteritis.

The vessel wall properties of the common carotid artery have been noninvasively and quantitatively assessed with an ultrasonic instrument. Stiffness parameter beta, which represents the mechanical properties of the vessel, was calculated from the relationship between blood pressure and the diameter of the artery. There are no reports that quantitatively assess wall properties in Takayasu's arteritis. The authors compared, in vivo, the vessel wall properties of the common carotid artery in 14 patients with Takayasu's arteritis versus those in 60 normal subjects (controls). They measured changes in the inner diameter of the artery between systole and diastole with an ultrasonic, phase-locked, echo-tracking system. Beta was significantly higher in Takayasu's arteritis than in normal subjects (better than a 99% confidence interval). The findings for each decade were as follows: 3rd decade (20s): 35.7 +/- 28.9 vs 5.01-6.46, P=0.0001; 4th decade (30s): 19.5 +/- 9.71 vs 6.09-7.80, P=0.02; 5th decade (40s): 26.2 +/- 11.3 vs 7.26-9.28, P = 0.0001; 6th decade (50s): 19.1 +/- 4.27 vs 8.66-11.25, P = 0.0001. Takayasu's arteritis significantly impaired the mechanical performance of the common carotid artery. Thus, beta shows promise as a useful diagnostic indicator of Takayasu's arteritis.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Relationship between the mandibular and lumbar vertebral bone mineral density at different postmenopausal stages.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the relationship between mandibular and general skeletal mineral status at two different postmenopausal stages. METHODS: Using dual energy quantitative computed tomography, the mandibular and 3rd lumbar (L3) vertebral bone mineral density (BMD) were evaluated in 21 women within five years after the menopause (recent postmenopause) and 23 women more than five years after (long-term postmenopause). RESULTS: There were significant correlations between the mandibular cortical and L3 vertebral BMD (p < 0.01) in the recent postmenopausal women and between the mandibular BMD and the trabecular BMD of L3 vertebrae (p < 0.05) in the long-term postmenopausal women. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the general mineral status more markedly affects the mandibular cortex in the recent postmenopausal stage and both cortical and trabecular bone in the long-term postmenopausal stage.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Combined effects of the angiotensin II antagonist candesartan cilexetil (TCV-116) and other classes of antihypertensive drugs in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The antihypertensive effects of an angiotensin II antagonist, candesartan cilexetil (TCV-116), and other classes of antihypertensive drugs (including a calcium antagonist, manidipine; a diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ); an alpha-blocker, prazosin; and a beta-blocker, atenolol) administered in combination were examined in spontaneously hypertensive rats by oral administration daily for 2 wk. TCV-116 at 1 mg/kg lowered the blood pressure by about 50 and 30 mmHg, 5 and 24 h after dosing, respectively. The blood pressure was slightly lowered by HCTZ at 10 mg/kg, but it was synergistically reduced when HCTZ was given in combination with TCV-116. Manidipine at 3 mg/kg lowered the blood pressure by about 50 mmHg 1 h after administration. When manidipine was given in combination with TCV-116, blood pressure was reduced additively. Prazosin at 1 mg/kg lowered the blood pressure by 40 to 50 mmHg 1 h after dosing. When prazosin was given in combination with TCV-116, the reduction was intensified more than additively, to about 100 mmHg. Atenolol at 50 mg/kg lowered the blood pressure by 10 to 20 mmHg 5 h after dosing. Even when atenolol was administered in combination with TCV-116, the reduction in blood pressure was virtually the same as that observed when TCV-116 was given alone. TCV-116 and HCTZ had no effect on the pulse rate, whereas manidipine and prazosin both increased it, owing to reflex tachycardia, and atenolol decreased it. TCV-116 had no effect on the change in the pulse rate induced by these antihypertensive drugs and no effect on HCTZ-induced diuresis. TCV-116 and HCTZ each caused a significant increase in plasma renin concentration (PRC), and prazosin caused a slight elevation. Manidipine had no effect on the PRC, whereas atenolol reduced it. Given in combination with TCV-116, these antihypertensive drugs had the same effect on the elevated PRC induced by TCV-116 as they did on the basal PRC when administered alone. These results suggest that antihypertensive drugs that cause compensatory activation of the renin-angiotensin system have more marked antihypertensive activity when given in combination with TCV-116, but that there will is no combined effect on the pulse rate.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed1996

Comparison of the antihypertensive effects of the new angiotensin II (AT1) receptor antagonist candesartan cilexetil (TCV-116) and the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril in rats.

Antihypertensive effects of an angiotensin (Ang) II receptor antagonist, candesartan cilexetil (TCV-116), were compared with those of an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, enalapril, in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), 2-kidney, 1-clip hypertensive rats (2K, 1C-HR) and 1-kidney, 1-clip hypertensive rats (1K, 1C-HR). CV-11974, the active form of TCV-116, had no inhibitory activity for plasma ACE. In rats, TCV-116 inhibited the pressor responses to Ang I, Ang II, and Ang III without an effect on the bradykinin (BK)-induced depressor response. Enalapril inhibited only the Ang I-response and potentiated the BK-response. In SHR, the antihypertensive effect of TCV-116 (10 mg/kg) was larger than the maximum antihypertensive effect of enalapril and was not intensified by combination with enalapril. Administration of CV-11974 potentiated the maximum antihypertensive effect of enalapril. Although both agents reduced blood pressure in 2K, 1C-HR, only TCV-116 had a marked antihypertensive effect in 1K, 1C-HR. These findings indicate that TCV-116 is more effective than enalapril in reducing blood pressure in SHR and 1K, 1C-HR, and that the BK- and/or prostaglandin-potentiating effect of enalapril contributes little to its antihypertensive mechanism in SHR.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1996

Steroid pulse therapy in lupus cystitis.

A middle-aged woman with lupus cystitis showed no other symptoms of lupus vasculitis. Cystoscopic findings revealed mucosal hemorrhage and hyperemia. Histological studies of the bladder showed mucosal edema, inflammatory cellular infiltration and the deposition of immune complexes along the vessels. She was treated with a combination of intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy and oral prednisolone. Cystoscopy and histological findings showed appreciable improvement. Elevated urinary levels of chemokines such as interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemotactic and activating factor (MCAF) decreased during convalescence. These results suggest that the early diagnosis and treatment with steroid pulse therapy achieves improvement of an unusual vasculitis symptom, lupus cystitis.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗
PubMed1996

The effect of methylprednisolone on acoustic trauma.

The effect of methylprednisolone (mPSL) upon acoustic trauma was studied using albino guinea pigs which were exposed to 2 kHz pure tone of 110, 115 or 120 dB SPL for 10 min. After the exposure to intense sound, mPSL of 6, 12 or 40 mg/kg was intraperitoneally given daily for 7 days and the threshold of the compound action potential (CAP) was examined on the 8th day. Compared with CAP of the control animals given physiological saline solution, no significant difference was observed in the CAP threshold shift between the mPSL group and the controls following exposures to the sound of 115 and 120 dB SPL, respectively. However, when the animals were exposed to the sound of 110 dB SPL, the CAP threshold shift was significantly smaller in the mPSL animals than in the controls. The present results indicate that mPSL possesses a therapeutic effect in cases of mild acoustic overstimulation.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1996

Overexpression of the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor gene leads to osteoporosis in mice.

Although granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was originally isolated as an activity for the growth and differentiation of cells in granulocytic lineage, it has been gradually accepted that G-CSF may have a function on a wide variety of cells besides granulocytes. To elucidate the function of G-CSF on bone cells in vivo, we examined the bone tissue of transgenic mice that overexpress G-CSF. Transgenic mice express human G-CSF at an elevated level (1041 +/- 242 pg/ml in sera) under the direction of SRalpha promoter. We performed radiographic, routine histologic, and histomorphometric analyses of the bone tissue and serum biochemical assay. Nontransgenic littermates were examined as age-matched, wild-type controls in all experiments. Radiographic analysis revealed cortical thinning accompanied by enlarged bone marrow cavities in both vertebral bodies and long bones. Histologically, a decreased number and thickness of trabecular bones and cortical thinning were observed in lumber vertebrae as well as in femur specimens. The enlarged bone marrow cavities exhibited an increased number of mature neutrophilic granulocytes without apparent changes in other types of cells. The static and dynamic parameters reflecting bone resorption were found to be significantly increased in the transgenic mice. By contrast, no significant differences were detected in the parameters reflecting bone formation. Transgenic mice and littermate controls had similar serum calcium, phosphorous, and alkaline phosphatase levels. However, the serum osteocalcin level was significantly higher in transgenic mice. These findings indicate that G-CSF-expressing transgenic mice developed osteoporosis because of increased osteoclastic activity. Collectively, G-CSF could have a negative influence on bone homeostasis in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Massive hemoptysis caused by disruption of a bronchial aneurysm diagnosed by microscopic examination of the resected lung].

A 29-year-old woman in the 6th month of pregnancy was admitted to our hospital because of repeated hemoptysis after an acute respiratory infection. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed a polypoid lesion at the orifice of the right B3 bronchus and bleeding around the lesion. Bronchial arteriography showed no abnormalities. Transcatheter embolization was unsuccessful. Therefore, a right upper lobectomy was done. Microscopical examination showed a mass of coagulated blood on the mucosal surface of the wall of the B3 bronchus, and a bronchial artery running toward the mucosal surface was seen underneath. The mass was thought to be the polypoid lesion seen during bronchoscopy. Serial sections showed a bronchial aneurysm 1 mm in diameter that had ruptured into the bronchial lumen. Several bronchial arteries were located in the propria mucosa in other bronchial segments, as observed in the B3 bronchus, but no other focus of bleeding was identified. Some cases of hemoptysis of unknown cause may result from similar histological alterations.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[The importance of serum lipid level for restenosis following initial successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients with unstable angina].

Serum lipids were investigated as a risk factor for restenosis following initial percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for unstable angina (Braunwald III-B2). Follow-up angiography was used to classify 41 patients who received successful emergency PTCA into two groups: 21 patients with and 20 without restenosis. The clinical factors (age, sex), lesion characteristics and extent of coronary narrowing before and after PTCA were similar in the two groups. In the group without restenosis, the serum cholesterol level was significantly reduced from 225 +/- 48 (before PTCA) to 188 +/- 34 mg/dl (at the follow-up PTCA; p < 0.01), but in the group with restenosis serum cholesterol level showed no difference between before PTCA (211 +/- 42) and at the follow-up (201 +/- 32 mg/dl). The levels of triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were not significantly different between before PTCA and at the follow-up in both groups. The restenosis rate in patients with serum cholesterol level reduced by 30 mg/dl or more at the follow-up after PTCA was significantly lower (three of 15 patients, 20%) compared with the restenosis rate in patients with serum cholesterol level lowered by less than 30 mg/dl (18 of 26 patients, 69%; p < 0.01). Moreover, the restenosis rate in patients with serum cholesterol level below 180 mg/dl at the follow-up angiography was significantly lower (six of 19 patients, 32%) compared with patients with serum cholesterol levels above 180 mg/dl (15 of 22 patients, 68%; p < 0.05). A high level of serum cholesterol may be a predictor of restenosis following PTCA in patients with unstable angina.

Angina, Unstable↗