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Biomedical subjects

T Yamaguchi

Publications and source records attributed to T Yamaguchi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Expression of chemokines and chemokine receptors in cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the mechanisms involved in skin-specific homing in CD30+ cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders (CLPD). Chemokine/chemokine receptor interactions have been implicated in the homing of lymphoma cells to various tissue sites. OBJECTIVES: To investigate tissue samples from patients with CD30+ CLPD for the expression of the chemokine receptors CXCR3, CCR4 and CCR3 and their ligands MIG, TARC and RANTES. METHODS: Tissue samples from patients with primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (PCALCL, n=12) and lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP, n=13) were studied by immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded sections. Immunohistochemical analysis was also performed for CD20 (for B cells), CD45RO and CD3 (for T cells), CD30 and ALK-1. A portion of each skin specimen was stored at -80 degrees C and later examined using monoclonal antibodies against CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD8, CD15, CD19, CD20 and CD30. RESULTS: CD30+ atypical lymphoid cells were frequently seen in PCALCL, and to a variable degree in LyP. In both disorders there were scattered CD3+ and CD45RO+ atypical lymphoid cells, but CD2, CD5, CD15, CD19, CD20 and ALK-1 showed negative reactivity. In addition, CD4+, but not CD8+, atypical lymphoid cells were occasionally seen in both disorders. CCR3 was expressed by atypical lymphoid cells in 10 of 12 (83%) cases of PCALCL, but in only five of 13 (38%) cases of LyP. CXCR3 was expressed in 11 of 13 (85%) cases of LyP, but in only one of 12 (8%) cases of PCALCL. CCR4 was expressed in 11 of 12 (92%) cases of PCALCL, but in only two of 13 (15%) cases of LyP. RANTES was strongly expressed by lymphoma cells in PCALCL (11 of 12: 92%), but was weak or sporadic in LyP (seven of 13: 54%). TARC showed weak or sporadic reactivity in both LyP and PCALCL, and MIG did not show a distinctive expression pattern in either disorder. CONCLUSIONS: We speculate that CCR3 is associated with the autocrine function in PCALCL, as evidenced by CCR3 coexpression with its ligand RANTES. We also found that LyP cells expressed CXCR3, which might support their migration towards the CXCR3 ligand MIG, which is expressed in stromal cells of the skin.

Adolescent↗

Distribution of the exfoliative toxin D gene in clinical Staphylococcus aureus isolates in France.

Exfoliative toxin D (ETD) was identified recently as a new exfoliative toxin serotype. Like other exfoliative toxins, ETD induces intra-epidermal cleavage through the granular layer of the epidermis of neonatal mice. The distribution of ETD production was investigated in Staphylococcus aureus isolates from infected and colonised patients in France. The etd gene was found in 55 (10.5%) of 522 isolates tested. Isolates responsible for bullous impetigo and generalised staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome did not harbour etd, but etd was significantly more frequent in isolates causing cutaneous abscesses and furuncles. Most etd- and Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive strains belonged to the clone of community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus spreading currently throughout France.

DNA Primers↗

FKBP12 functions as an adaptor of the Smad7-Smurf1 complex on activin type I receptor.

The cytoplasmic immunophilin FKBP12, a 12 kDa FK506-binding protein, has been shown to act as an inhibitor for transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling. FKBP12 binds to the glycine- and serine-rich motif (GS motif) of the TGF-beta type I receptor, and functions as a secure switch to prevent the leaky signal. Upon stimulation with ligand, FKBP12 is released from the receptor to fully propagate the signal. We found that activin, a member of TGF-beta superfamily, also induced the dissociation of FKBP12 from the activin type I receptor (ALK4). However, we observed that the released FKBP12 associates again with the receptor a few hours later. FKBP12 also interacted with another inhibitory molecule of activin signal, Smad7, in an activin-dependent manner, and formed a complex with Smad7 on the type I receptor. FK506, a chemical ligand for FKBP12, which dissociates FKBP12 from the receptor, decreased the interaction between Smad7 and Smad ubiquitin regulatory factor 1 (Smurf1). FK506 also inhibited the ubiquitination of the type I receptor by Smurf1. These findings indicate a new inhibitory function of FKBP12 as an adaptor molecule for the Smad7-Smurf1 complex to regulate the duration of the activin signal.

Activin Receptors, Type I↗

Real-time PCR quantification of nitrite reductase (nirS) genes in a nitrogen removing fluidized bed reactor.

Molecular approaches were applied to identify and enumerate denitrifying bacteria subsisting in a fluidized bed reactor (FBR). The FBR was continuously operated as a unit for the removal of nitrogen from the effluents of domestic sewage treatment plant, with an additional supply of methanol as a carbon source. By denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and sequence analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA genes, Thauera group was found to be dominant among the denitrifying bacteria in the FBR sludge. Oligonucleotide probe THA155 for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was newly designed for specifically targeting the Thauera group. However, the THA155 signal obtained from the sludge was only 0.9-5.7% of the DAPI-stained total cells. The real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the sequences of nitrite reductase (NIR) gene, a key enzyme of denitrification processes, was performed to quantify the cells of denitrifying bacteria cells including the Thauera group in FBR sludge. An excellent correlation was obtained between the numbers of nirS genes and the activity of denitrifiers in the FBR sludge.

Bacteria↗

Low strength wastewater treatment under low temperature conditions by a novel sulfur redox action process.

The objective of this research is to make a novel wastewater treatment process activated by a sulfur-redox cycle action of microbes in low temperature conditions. This action is carried out by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB). The process was comprised of a UASB reactor as pre-treatment and an aerobic downflow hanging sponge (DHS) reactor as post-treatment. As the results of reactor operation, the whole process achieved that over 90% of CODcr removal efficiency, less than 30 mgCODcr/L (less than 15 mgBOD/L) of final effluent, at 12 h of HRT and at 8 degrees C of UASB reactor temperature. Acetobacterium sp. was detected as the predominant species by PCR-DGGE method targeting 16SrDNA with band excision and sequence analysis. In the UASB reactor, various species of sulfate-reducing bacterium, Desulfobulbus sp., Desulfovibrio sp., and Desulfomicrobium sp., were found by cloning analysis. In the DHS reactor, Tetracoccus sp. presented as dominant. The proposed sulfur-redox action process was considered as an applicable process for low strength wastewater treatment in low temperature conditions.

Bioreactors↗

Biological sludge solubilisation for reduction of excess sludge production in wastewater treatment process.

A novel sludge disintegration system (JFE-SD system) was developed for the reduction of excess sludge production in wastewater treatment plants. Chemical and biological treatments were applied to disintegrate excess sludge. At the first step, to enhance biological disintegration, the sludge was pretreated with alkali. At the second step, the sludge was disintegrated by biological treatment. Many kinds of sludge degrading microorganisms integrated the sludge. The efficiency of the new sludge disintegration system was confirmed in a full-scale experiment. The JFE-SD system reduced excess sludge production by approximately 50% during the experimental period. The quality of effluent was kept at quite a good level. Economic analysis revealed that this system could significantly decrease the excess sludge treatment cost.

Bacteroides↗

[Diaphragmatic hernia following pneumonectomy; report of a case].

We report a case of diaphragmatic hernia following left pleuropneumonectomy. A 70-year-old man was referred to our hospital after tube drainage for 3 months due to left pyothorax. He had a past history of left lung tuberculosis. Pleuropneumonectomy with partial resection of the muscle layer of the diaphragm was performed because adhesion of pleurae was severe. On the 19th postoperative day, he started to develop a slight fever. Chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) demonstrated diaphragmatic hernia. On the 22nd postoperative day, we performed surgery because panperitonitis developed. At laparotomy, the transverse colon was pierced by the cut end of the rib. We successfully repaired the diaphragm and established transverse colostomy. The patient has been in good health for more than 10 years after the surgery.

Aged↗

[Postinfarction ventricular septal perforation; tips of patch closure].

There are several techniques, such as patch closure and David procedures, for surgical repair of postinfarction ventricular septal perforation (VSP). In any operation, postoperarive low output syndrome (LOS) and residual shunt are serious problems. We prefer to use patch closure method and we have some tips to prevent LOS and residual shunt. (1) Minimal part of the ventricular septum is resected. 4-0 SH-1 polypropylene mattress sutures reinforced with Teflon pledget are placed away from the edge of VSP. Stunned myocardium around VSP might recover after operation. (2) Sutures are placed about 2 cm inner of a large xeno-pericardial patch. Even if myocardial cutting and left-right shunt flow occurs, an excessive xeno-pericardium, like a skirt, should be caught by the left ventricular pressure. This might cover and close the 'residual shunt'. We applied this technique to 6 VSP patients, and the results were good.

Aged, 80 and over↗

[Re-translocation method using bilateral internal thoracic arteries; report of a case].

A 43-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with a peri-graft pseudoaneurysm and an aorto-left ventricle communication, following Danielson translocation for infective endocarditis 5 years earlier. He underwent the re-translocation using bilateral internal thoracic arteries (ITAs). The postoperative course was quite reasonable and the patient was discharged. In spite of usefulness for severe infective endocarditis, the translocation might develop several complications, such as pseudoaneurysms and troubles with bypass grafts. This technique requires close observation postoperatively. Using ITAs at the initial translocation method might be a wise option.

Adult↗

Mode-coupling study on the dynamics of hydrophobic hydration II: Aqueous solutions of benzene and rare gases.

The dynamic properties of both the solute and solvent of the aqueous solution of benzene, xenon and neon are calculated by the mode-coupling theory for molecular liquids based on the interaction-site model. The B-coefficients of the reorientational relaxation and the translational diffusion of the solvent are evaluated from their dependence on the concentration of the solute, and the reorientational relaxation time of water within the hydration shell is estimated based on the two-state model. The reorientational relaxation times of water in the bulk and within the hydration shell, that of solute, and the translational diffusion coefficients of solute and solvent, are calculated at 0-30 degrees C. The temperature dependence of these dynamic properties is in qualitative agreement with that of NMR experiment reported by Nakahara et al. (M. Nakahara, C. Wakai, Y. Yoshimoto and N. Matubayasi, J. Phys. Chem., 1996, 100, 1345-1349, ref. 36), although the agreement of the absolute values is not so good. The B-coefficients of the reorientational relaxation times for benzene, xenon and neon solution are correlated with the hydration number and the partial molar volume of the solute. The proportionality with the latter is better than that with the former. These results support the mechanism that the retardation of the mobility of water is caused by the cavity formation of the solute, as previously suggested by us (T. Yamaguchi, T. Matsuoka and S. Koda, J. Chem. Phys., 2004, 120, 7590-7601, ref. 34), rather than the conventional one that the rigid hydration structure formed around the hydrophobic solute reduces the mobility of water.

Benzene↗

Simultaneous measurement of beta- decay to bound and continuum electron states.

We report the first measurement of a ratio lambda(beta(b))/lambda(beta(c)) of bound-state ((lambda(beta(b))) and continuum-state (lambda(beta(c))) beta(-)-decay rates for the case of bare 207Tl81+ ions. These ions were produced at the GSI fragment separator FRS by projectile fragmentation of a 208Pb beam. After in-flight separation with the Brho-deltaE-Brho method, they were injected into the experimental storage-ring ESR at an energy of 400.5A MeV, stored, and electron cooled. The number of both the 207Tl81+ ions and their bound-state beta(-)-decay daughters, hydrogen-like 207Pb81+ ions, were measured as a function of storage time by recording their Schottky-noise intensities. The experimental result, lambda(beta(b))/lambda(beta(c)) = 0.188(18), is in very good agreement with the value of 0.171(1) obtained from theory employing spectra of allowed transitions.

Journal Article↗

Generalized Langevin theory on the dynamics of simple fluids under external fields.

A theory on the time development of the density and current fields of simple fluids under an external field is formulated through the generalized Langevin formalism. The theory is applied to the linear solvation dynamics of a fixed solute regarding the solute as the external field on the solvent. The solute-solvent-solvent three-body correlation function is taken into account through the hypernetted-chain integral equation theory, and the time correlation function of the random force is approximated by that in the absence of the solute. The theoretical results are compared with those of molecular-dynamics (MD) simulation and the surrogate theory. As for the transient response of the density field, our theory is shown to be free from the artifact of the surrogate theory that the solvent can penetrate into the repulsive core of the solute during the relaxation. We have also found a large quantitative improvement of the solvation correlation function compared with the surrogate theory. In particular, the short-time part of the solvation correlation function is in almost perfect agreement with that from the MD simulation, reflecting that the short-time expansion of the theoretical solvation correlation function is exact up to t(2) with the exact three-body correlation function. A quantitative improvement is found in the long-time region, too. Our theory is also applied to the force-force time correlation function of a fixed solute, and similar improvement is obtained, which suggests that our present theory can be a basis to improve the mode-coupling theory on the solute diffusion.

Journal Article↗

Phase I trial of oral S-1 combined with gemcitabine in metastatic pancreatic cancer.

The objective of this study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of S-1, an oral fluorouracil derivative, combined with gemcitabine, the current standard treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer (APC). The subjects were histopathologically proven APC patients with distant metastasis. S-1 was administered orally twice daily each day for 14 days and gemcitabine on days 8 and 15 of each cycle, and this was repeated every 21 days. Doses of each drug were planned as follows: level 1: 800/60, level 2a: 800/80, level 2b: 1000/60, level 3: 1000/80 (gemcitabine (mg m(-2))/S-1 (mg m(-2) day(-1))). In all, 21 patients with APC were enrolled. The main grade 3-4 toxicities observed during first cycle were neutropenia (33%), anaemia (10%), thrombocytopenia (14%) and anorexia (10%). There were no DLT observed in level 1. Three of six patients in level 2a had DLT and this level was considered the MTD. In all, 12 patients in level 2b had no DLT and this level was selected as the recommended dose. Applicable responses were one complete response and nine partial responses (48%). As toxicities were well tolerated and antitumour activities seem to be promising, this combination can be recommended for further phase II studies with APC.

Administration, Oral↗

Molecular dynamics simulation study on the transient response of solvation structure during the translational diffusion of solute.

The transient response function of the density profile of the solvent around a solute during the translational diffusion of the solute is formulated based on the generalized Langevin formalism. The resultant theory is applied to both neat Lennard-Jones fluids and cations in liquid water, and the response functions are obtained from the analysis of the molecular dynamics simulations. In the case of the self-diffusion of Lennard-Jones fluids, the responses of the solvation structures are in harmony with conventional pictures based on the mode-coupling theory, that is, the binary collision in the low-density fluids, the backflow effect from medium to high density fluids, and the backscatter effect in the liquids near the triple point. In the case of cations in water, the qualitative behavior is strongly dependent on the size of cations. The pictures similar to simple dense liquids are obtained for the large ion and the neutral molecule, while the solvent waters within the first solvation shell of small ions show an oscillatory response in the short-time region. In particular, the oscillation is remarkably underdumped for lithium ion. The origin of the oscillation is discussed in relation to the theoretical treatment of the translational diffusion of ions in water.

Journal Article↗

Incidence and prognostic significance of lateral lymph node metastasis in patients with advanced low rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Lateral lymph node metastases occur in some patients with low rectal cancer and may cause local recurrence after total mesorectal excision. The aims of this study were to identify risk factors for lateral node metastases in patients with pathological tumour (pT) stage 3 or pT4 low rectal adenocarcinoma, and to evaluate the prognostic significance of lateral node metastases. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of the outcome of 237 patients with pT3 or pT4 low rectal adenocarcinoma who underwent R0 resection with systematic lateral node dissection. RESULTS: Lateral lymph node metastases were found in 41 patients (17.3 per cent). Increased risk of lateral lymph node metastases was associated with a distal tumour margin close to the anal margin, histological type other than well or moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, and the presence of mesenteric lymph node metastases. Patients with lateral node metastases had a significantly shorter postoperative survival (5-year survival rate 42 versus 71.6 per cent; P < 0.001) and an increased risk of local recurrence (44 versus 11.7 per cent; P < 0.001) compared with those without lateral node metastases. CONCLUSION: Tumour site, histological type and the presence of mesenteric lymph node metastasis are factors predicting the risk of lateral node metastasis. The poor prognosis of patients with lateral lymph node metastases after systematic lateral dissection suggests the need for adjuvant therapy.

Adenocarcinoma↗