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Biomedical subjects

T Yamaguchi

Publications and source records attributed to T Yamaguchi.

At least 775 records · Page 43Linked to original sources

Establishment of a murine model for metastasis of cytokine-producing tumor to the brain.

The A375 cell line, derived from human malignant melanoma, has characteristics of interleukin-6 (IL-6) production. By using this cell line, we have investigated a murine metastasis model of IL-6-producing tumors to the brain by injecting A375 cells directly into the left cardiac ventricle. Nude mice were anesthetized with intraperitoneal injection of pentobarbital sodium. Next, A375 cells suspended in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) were injected into the left cardiac ventricle of mice. An intracardiac injection of 10(5) cells developed tumor colonies in the brain after 4 to 6 weeks. Metastatic cells were found in every lobe of the brain. An immunocytochemical study revealed IL-6 production by A375 cells at the metastatic sites in the brain. By the transfection of genes encoding proteins into A375 cells, a novel model of protein expression in the brain in vivo could be constructed. Our system does not require great skill. Our experimental model will facilitate future studies of the local effects of proteins in the brain.

Animals↗

Effect of chitosan on renal function in patients with chronic renal failure.

The effects of chitosan have been investigated on eighty patients with renal failure undergoing long-term stable haemodialysis treatment. The patients were tested after a control treatment period of 1 week. Half were fed 30 chitosan tablets (45 mg chitosan/tablet) three times a day. Ingestion of chitosan effectively reduced total serum cholesterol levels (from 10.14 +/- 4.40 to 5.82 +/- 2.19 mM) and increased serum haemoglobin levels (from 58.2 +/- 12.1 to 68 +/- 9.0 g L-1). Significant reductions in urea and creatinine levels in serum were observed after 4 weeks of chitosan ingestion. The feeling of physical strength, the appetite and the sleep of patients in the treatment group had improved significantly after 12 weeks of ingestion, compared with those of patients in the control group. During the treatment period, no clinically problematic symptoms were observed. These data suggest that chitosan might be effective treatment for renal failure patients, although the mechanism of the effect should be investigated further.

Administration, Oral↗

[Cytomegalovirus retinitis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus].

We report a rare case of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in association with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A 36-year-old female was admitted to our hospital because of nephrotic syndrome and renal insufficiency due to lupus nephritis. After steroid and immunosuppressant treatment for lupus nephritis, she began to complain of floaters and visual disturbance. She was diagnosed as having CMV retinitis based upon the depressed immune status and the clinical appearance of fundus. As soon as CMV retinitis was diagnosed, antiviral treatment with intravenous ganciclovir was instituted and maintained for 7 months. She was treated successfully and almost no progression or relapse of CMV retinitis was documented without ganciclovir maintenance treatment during a 2 year follow-up period. It is suggested that CMV retinitis can occur in patients with SLE treated with steroid and immunosuppressant, indicating the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for CMV retinitis.

Adult↗

[A study for serodiagnosis of verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (enterohemorrhagic E. coli) O157 by the bacterial agglutination technique].

We evaluated the usefulness of bacterial agglutination antibodies for serodiagnosis of verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (enterohemorrhagic E. coli) O157 infections. We examined 50 serum samples from 50 control children (whiout diarrhea 31, with diarrhea 19), 24 samples from 8 diarrhea cases due to O157:H7, 37 samples from 14 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) for antibodies to heat-killed E. coli E32511 (O157:H.-) strain using the bacterial agglutination technique. Of the control sera all but one (x80) showed 20 > or = in the antibody. All the diarrhea patients due to O157:H7 showed a significant rise (x160-x5120) of the titers in the sera at 5-7 days on illness, after that the titers fell rapidly. Significant antibody rise (x160-x5120) was detected in twelve out of 14 HUS patients at the early stage of the illness which fell in the convalescent phase. The assay appeared to be a useful serodiagnostic technique because of its easiness and simplicity as well as because of its high sensitivity and specificity.

Agglutination Tests↗

Evaluation of the high-density agglutination test for Coxiella burnetii antibodies in animals.

The usefulness of the high-density particle agglutination (HDPA) test as a potential tool for the detection of anti-Coxiella burnetii antibodies in animal sera was studied by using 619 cow, 589 dog, and 150 cat serum samples and antisera from rabbits, guinea pigs, and mice. The sensitivity and specificity of the test versus those of the reference microimmunofluorescence test were determined at two different threshold titer values. At the cutoff value of 1:16, the sensitivities of the HDPA test for cow, dog, and cat sera were 94.3, 95, and 91.3%, respectively, and the specificities were 95.5, 95.3, and 91.3%, respectively. At the cutoff value of 1:32, the sensitivities were 86.7, 88.3, and 82.6%, respectively, and the specificities were 99, 99.2, and 98.4%, respectively. For the group of immune laboratory animals all samples from rabbits, guinea pigs, and mice were positive by the HDPA test. The erythrocyte-sensitizing substance from phase II C. burnetii was found to contain protein and carbohydrate, and both fractions are immunoreactive. The study results show that the HDPA test is a useful tool in the epizootiological survey of Coxiella infection in animals.

Agglutination Tests↗

A Japanese family with a variant of Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker disease.

OBJECTIVE: A new variant of Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker disease (GSS) was reported, which had a substitution of glutamate to lysine at codon 219 (E219K) in addition to a P102L mutation on the same allele of the PrP gene. However, clinical features were not detailed and pathological studies were not done. Unusual clinical, neuroradiological, and pathological findings are reported for these patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: Clinical presentations of the patients in the same family were variable; progressive dementia with minimal ataxia in some patients but ataxia without dementia in others. PET studies with 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) disclosed a relative decrease of FDG uptake in bilateral temporoparietal cortices of a patient with dementia, but in the cerebellar cortices in a patient with ataxia. At necropsy, a patient with dementia had multicentric and diffuse plaques stained with PrP antiserum, but not with haematoxylin and eosin or Congo red, in the cerebral and cerebellar cortices. CONCLUSION: Neurological and neuropathological features in the patients were atypical of the classic form of GSS with P102L mutation. The absence of Congo red staining prion protein plaques is probably attributable to E219K polymorphism on the same allele of the PrP gene.

Adult↗

Endogenous carbon monoxide suppression stimulates bile acid-dependent biliary transport in perfused rat liver.

This study aimed to investigate whether carbon monoxide (CO), a product of heme oxygenase that degrades protoheme IX, serves as an endogenous modulator for biliary transport. To that end, effects of zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP), a heme oxygenase inhibitor, on the biliary transport were tested in perfused rat liver. Perfusion of 1 microM ZnPP abolished detectable levels of CO in the venous perfusate and increased bile acid-dependent bile output accompanying an increased secretion of bile salts. The ZnPP-induced choleresis coincided with a reduction of tissue guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) levels and a decrease in vascular conductance. On administration of 2.5 microM CO, ZnPP-elicited choleresis, decreases in vascular conductance, and cGMP levels were all attenuated. Treatment with 1 microM 8-bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-BrcGMP) partly attenuated the ZnPP-induced choleresis in concert with repression of vascular conductance. Furthermore, treatment of the liver with methylene blue, a guanylate cyclase inhibitor, evoked a choleresis similar to that induced by ZnPP. Thus endogenous CO suppression stimulates the biliary transport in part through a cGMP-dependent mechanism.

Animals↗

Effect of Z-103 on TNB-induced colitis in rats.

Z-103 is a chelate compound consisting of zinc ion and L-carnosine. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of Z-103 against colonic damage induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNB) in rats. Colonic inflammation was induced by administering TNB dissolved in 50% ethanol (120 mg/ml) in male Wistar rats (total volume of 0.25 ml per rat) following a 48-hour fast. After the administration of TNB, Z-103 was given at a dose of 30 mg/kg per rat for 1 week. A second group of rats received sulfasalazine (SASP) at 300 mg/kg and a third group of rats received 30 mg/kg of ZnSO4 for 1 week. Colonic inflammation was assessed 1 week following TNB administration. Both macro- and microscopic evaluation showed that the inflammatory responses induced by TNB were reduced by treatment with Z-103, SASP and ZnSO4. The score (graded from 0 to 5 according to the macroscopic lesions) and colonic wet weight (distal 8 cm of the colon) were significantly decreased by treatment with Z-103, SASP and ZnSO4. The increase in thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in the colonic mucosa following TNB administration were inhibited in the Z-103 and SASP groups. These results suggest that Z-103 is as effective against TNB-induced colitis as SASP.

Animals↗

Possible different mechanism between amyloid-beta (25-35)-and substance P-induced chemotaxis of murine microglia.

The mechanism of murine microglial chemotaxis induced by amyloid-beta protein (A beta (25-35)) was investigated. A beta (25-35) dose-dependently stimulated microglial chemotaxis at concentrations between 100 pM and 10 nM. Substance P, a NK-1 agonist, stimulated chemotaxis at concentrations of 10 nM or more. GR-64349, a NK-2 agonist, and senktide, a NK-3 agonist, did not stimulate microglial chemotaxis. We examined whether homologous desensitization of chemotaxis would occur by A beta (25-35). The chemotactic effect of microglia was homologously desensitized by 10 nM A beta (25-35). On the other hand, substance P at 10 nM did not desensitize the A beta (25-35)-induced chemotaxis. These data show that A beta (25-35) induces the chemotaxis of microglia probably through a receptor other than the NK-1 receptor.

Amyloid beta-Peptides↗

Evidence that allergen-induced contraction of guinea pig bronchi is mediated in part by the release of tachykinins.

To study the role of tachykinins in allergic responses in the airways of guinea pigs sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA), we examined the bronchial contractile response to allergen in the presence or absence of the tachykinin antagonist FK224 in vitro. Because neutral endopeptidase (NEP) effectively cleaves tachykinins, we incubated bronchial tissues with the NEP inhibitor phosphoramidon (10(-5) M) to maintain the activity of endogenously released tachykinins. Then we added 10(-5)% (10 microns/ml) OVA in the presence or absence of FK224 (10(-5) M). FK224 significantly inhibited OVA-induced contraction plateaued and began to relax, we added 10(-5) M phosphoramidon. In the tissue without FK224, phosphoramidon blocked the relaxation and enhanced the contraction. In contrast, in the tissues treated with FK224, phosphoramidon did not enhance the OVA-induced contraction. The enhancement of the contraction induced by phosphoramidon was not inhibited by the sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin. These results suggest that (1) allergic response causes release of tachykinin-like substances to induce bronchial contraction in part, (2) these responses are blocked by tachykinin antagonist FK224 and (3) nerve conduction is not necessary for the release of tachykinin-like substances induced by allergic response in the guinea pig bronchus.

Allergens↗

Predisposing factors to enlargement of spontaneous intracerebral hematoma.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Enlargement of intracerebral hemorrhage is a major cause of clinical deterioration. Identification of factors that predispose to hematoma enlargement is important in managing patients. METHODS: We selected 186 patients (71 women and 115 men; mean age, 64.8 +/- 12.5 years) with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage who had undergone an initial CT within 24 hours and a second scan within 120 hours of symptom onset. We compared patients with (n = 41) and without (n = 145) hematoma enlargement according to clinical characteristics and laboratory data. RESULTS: By multiple logistic regression analysis (n = 139), interaction of long interval (> 6 hours) from onset to first CT and small hematoma (< 25 cm3) strongly reduced risk of enlargement. The analysis also demonstrated that the following factors independently predisposed to enlargement: history of brain infarction; liver disease; interaction of fasting plasma glucose > or = 141 mg/dL and systolic blood pressure on admission > or = 200 mm Hg; and interaction of glycosylated hemoglobin A1c > or = 5.1% and systolic blood pressure on admission > or = 200 mm Hg. CONCLUSIONS: A patient examined > 6 hours after ictus who has a hematoma volume < 25 cm3 is unlikely to experience further hematoma growth. Prevention of brain infarction and premorbid management of liver disease may serve to lower the risk of hematoma enlargement. Although it remains controversial whether antihypertensive drugs should be used in the acute phase of intracerebral hemorrhage, poorly controlled diabetics with high systolic blood pressure (> or = 200 mm Hg) on admission also were at high risk of hematoma enlargement.

Aged↗

Bronchial hyperreactivity in patients with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy and autonomic neuropathy.

To investigate the role of autonomic regulation on airway reactivity, we performed bronchial inhalation tests of methacholine (MCh) and histamine (Hist) in Japanese patients with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) and autonomic neuropathy. First we examined the FEV1 and Raw in seven patients with FAP and in six normal subjects, then we administered aerosols of increasing concentrations of MCh (0.075 to 25 mg/ml) at about 5-min intervals via a nebulizer controlled by a dosimeter. We measured the FEV1 until either the concentration of MCh producing a 20% reduction from the basal value (PD20) or the maximal concentration was reached. Five of the seven patients with FAP showed bronchial hyperreactivity to MCh, and PD20 to MCh was significantly lower than that of the normal subjects (p < 0.01). Furthermore the PD20 tended to correlate inversely with the severity of autonomic neuropathy (p = 0.052). The bronchial hyperreactivity to MCh was completely blocked by pretreatment inhalation of ipratropium bromide, suggesting the muscarinic receptor-mediated mechanism. Of these five patients with hyperreactivity to MCh, three with low PD20 to MCh (< 50 units) did not respond to Hist, but two with high PD20 (> 50 units) to MCh did, suggesting different mechanisms of hyperreactivity to MCh and Hist in FAP. The PD20 to Hist significantly correlated inversely to the PD20 to MCh (p < 0.05). Histochemical examination revealed marked amyloid deposition in the vagus nerves and tracheal wall in an autopsied patient with FAP and severe autonomic symptoms. These data suggest that patients with FAP and advanced autonomic neuropathy have bronchial hyperreactivity to MCh and/or Hist, probably because of denervation supersensitivity resulting from amyloid deposition in the peripheral autonomic nerves of the airways.

Adult↗

Serum and BAL Clara cell 10 kDa protein (CC10) levels and CC10-positive bronchiolar cells are decreased in smokers.

Cigarette smoking has diverse effects on the structure and function of the lung. Smoking appears to reduce the levels of Clara cell 10 kDa protein (CC10) in the alveolar lining fluid, but the influence of smoking serum on CC10 levels is still debated, and it has not been clear whether smoking reduces the number of CC10-producing lung cells. The aims of this study were to clarify the influence of smoking on CC10 levels in the alveolar lining fluid and bloodstream, and on the number of CC10-producing lung cells. CC10 concentrations were measured in sera and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids, by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using monoclonal and polyclonal antibody, and the immunohistochemical expression of CC10 was examined in the lungs of nonsmokers and smokers using the monoclonal antibody, TY-5, against CC10/human urinary protein-1. CC10 concentrations in sera and in BAL fluids from healthy smokers were significantly lower than in healthy nonsmokers. Immunohistochemical expression of CC10 was found exclusively in nonciliated bronchiolar epithelial cells. As compared to that of nonsmokers, the mean percentage of CC10-positive bronchiolar epithelial cells was significantly decreased in lung tissue specimens obtained from smokers who had normal results in pulmonary function tests. It was concluded that smoking reduces the proportion of Clara cell 10 kDa protein-producing bronchiolar epithelial cells, resulting in decreased levels of Clara cell 10 kDa protein in the lower respiratory tract and in the bloodstream. The protein is a new blood biochemical and immunohistochemical marker, reflecting structural changes in peripheral airways induced by cigarette smoking.

Adult↗

Chronologic changes in the clinicopathologic findings and survival of gastric cancer patients.

PURPOSE: To determine the chronologic changes in the clinicopathologic features of gastric cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The clinicopathologic findings of 1,795 patients with gastric cancer were examined retrospectively from hospital records obtained between 1969 and 1995. The patients were divided into three generations on the basis of chronologic order. The first generation included patients treated over the period 1969 to 1977; the second generation, 1978 to 1986; and the third generation, 1987 to 1995. RESULTS: The chronologic changes in the clinicopathologic findings for all gastric cancers included increases in the superficial type based on macroscopic appearance (P < .005), small-sized tumor (P < .025), superficial depth of invasion (P < .005), and earlier histologic stages (P < .005), in addition to a decrease in lymph node metastasis (P < .005). Overall, the postoperative survival rate has improved over time in gastric cancer patients, with 5-year survival rates of 36.0%, 53.3%, and 68.6% in the first, second, and third generations, respectively. In stages 1,2, and 3, the survival rate in the third generation was the highest of the three generations, whereas in stage 4, the survival rate did not differ between the three generations. Patients who underwent a D2 dissection showed a higher survival rate than those with D1 or D3 dissections, but there was no statistical difference in the survival of patients with D1, D2, and D3 dissections when stage 4 patients were excluded. CONCLUSION: The chronologic changes in gastric cancer patients over the past 27 years have included an increase in the incidence of earlier-staged gastric cancers, which has had a significant impact on the improved postoperative survival rate.

Adult↗