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Biomedical subjects

Y Ando

Publications and source records attributed to Y Ando.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Distribution of dystrophin and dystrophin-associated protein 43DAG (beta-dystroglycan) in the central nervous system of normal controls and patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

In skeletal muscles of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the absence of dystrophin was thought to lead to the large reduction in all of the dystrophin-associated proteins (DAPs). Of the seven types of DAPs identified in skeletal muscle, only the 43-kDa glycoprotein (beta-dystroglycan) has recently been found in the monkey brain. To clarify the distribution and characterization of dystrophin and beta-dystroglycan in the brain of humans, we carried out immunostaining and immunoblotting studies on tissues from three DMD patients with intellectual disturbances (ages 17,22, and 26 years) and in five controls (age range, 42-74 years). An antidystrophin antibody revealed dystrophin to be localized in neuronal cells and in the vascular wall in control brains, but it was absent from these tissues in DMD patients. In contrast, beta-dystroglycan was distributed throughout neuronal cells and in the vascular wall of control brains, and was well preserved in the brain of patients with DMD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Changes of plasma atrial and brain natriuretic peptide levels during hemodialysis.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of hemodialysis on the plasma concentration of atrial and brain natriuretic peptides, and to determine the two-dimensional echocardiographic parameters affecting the changes of plasma atrial and brain natriuretic peptide levels in patients with chronic renal failure. BACKGROUND: Brain natriuretic peptide has been found in human cardiac tissue and increases in patients with congestive heart failure. However, the factors that stimulate the secretion of plasma brain natriuretic peptide have not yet been fully clarified. METHODS: In 15 patients with chronic renal failure, plasma atrial and brain natriuretic peptide levels and two-dimensional echocardiographic parameters were measured before and after each session of hemodialysis. RESULTS: Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide levels significantly decreased from 367 +/- 537 pg/mL to 138 +/- 167 pg/mL after hemodialysis (p < 0.01). However, plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels did not significantly change after hemodialysis. Left atrial dimension significantly decreased (41.1 +/- 6.6 vs. 36.3 +/- 6.2 mm, p < 0.01) and left ventricular end-diastolic dimension slightly decreased after hemodialysis (57.0 +/- 10.3 vs. 55.7 +/- 9.9 mm, p < 0.05). The decrease of left atrial dimension was greater than that of left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (4.9 +/- 1.6 vs. 1.3 +/- 0.6 mm, p < 0.05). Plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels significantly correlated with fractional shortening both before and after hemodialysis (r = 0.65, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide levels significantly decreased as the right and left atrial overloads decreased, and plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels did not significantly decrease after hemodialysis. Plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels were not significantly influenced by acute hemodynamic change, such as hemodialysis. However, plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels were significantly correlated with basic cardiac function.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Elevated urinary cadmium concentrations in a patient with acute cadmium pneumonitis.

BACKGROUND: Acute serious inhalation of cadmium fumes often causes chemical pneumonitis or metal fume fever. Because symptoms of both diseases begin several hours after exposure and closely mimic each other, one often mistakes chemical pneumonitis for metal fume fever in the early stages. It is, however, essential to differentiate between the two since chemical pneumonitis can progress to serious consequences. CASE: A 43-year-old man was admitted to the hospital 2 d after exposure to cadmium fumes. The initial diagnosis was metal fume fever on the basis of his history, and he was treated accordingly. His symptoms worsened however, and transient renal impairment was identified as consistent with cadmium-induced renal toxicity. Although the possibility of drug-induced renal damage could not be excluded, abnormal urinalysis findings on admission suggested that the renal tubular damage was caused by inhaled cadmium before admission. CONCLUSIONS: Measuring the urinary cadmium concentration is an effective method for confirming acute cadmium poisoning.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Titration of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNA in urine by combined use of PCR and microplate hybridization in a renal transplant patient with HCMV pneumonitis.

We titrated human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNA in urine specimens obtained from 14 healthy individuals and a renal transplant patient with HCMV pneumonitis by modifying the method for titration of varicella-zoster virus DNA previously described (1,2). Of 14 HCMV seropositive healthy individuals, 13 had HCMV DNA under the detection limit of 10(2.0) copies/ml, whereas one person had 10(2.0) copies/ml. The viral DNA in urine samples was at a low level in healthy individuals with latent infection. In a case with HCMV pneumonitis after renal transplantation, the amount of HCMV DNA in urine gradually increased from the level under 10(2.0) copies/ml and reached a peak of 10(4.7) copies/ml one month prior to the manifestation of pneumonitis. It, thereafter, decreased with the course of clinical remission, and finally settled at under 10(2.0) copies/ml. Serial titrations of HCMV DNA in urine specimens proved to be useful in identifying recipients at risk of developing active HCMV infection after renal transplantation and as a guide for treatment of patients.

Cytomegalovirus↗
PubMed1996

[Flow cytometric DNA analysis of malignant potential in colorectal cancer].

Significance of flow cytometric DNA analysis for assessing malignant potential and survival of colorectal cancer was investigated using paraffin-embedded materials from 163 patients who underwent resection of curability A from 1971 to 1985, excluding intramucosal carcinoma. DNA diploid was confirmed in 46% (75 cases) of the patients and DNA aneuploid in 54% (88 cases). No significant correlation was seen between DNA ploidy and clinicopathological factors, such as tumor location, macroscopic type, histological type, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis and stage. Cumulative survival rates after curable resection of colorectal cancer were significantly lower in patients with DNA aneuploid tumor than those with DNA diploid tumor. Furthermore, in patients in stage of II and III, survival rates were lower in DNA aneuploid patients than DNA diploid patients, respectively. A multivariate analysis of survival data using Cox's proportional hazard model showed that DNA ploidy was the significant discriminating factor on survival in stage II and III cancer. In conclusion, nuclear DNA ploidy in patients with stage II and III colorectal cancer undergoing curable resection may represent malignant potential and may be an independent prognostic factor.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗
PubMed1996

[A study on the maternal plasma C21 steroids concentration during pregnancy].

During pregnancy, C21 steroids such as progesterone (P4), and cortisol (F), have been reported to be closely involved in uterine contraction. To clarify the association between changes in steroid hormones and the onset of delivery, we measured the concentrations of six C21 steroids in maternal blood by high performance liquid chromatography. Changes in each steroid hormone were evaluated by analysis of variance during pregnancy. Pregnenolone, a source of C21 steroids, gradually increased during pregnancy. P4 and 17P4, its metabolite, reached a peak 3 weeks before delivery and noticeably decreased thereafter. Accompanying a decrease in P4 and 17P4, 20P4 and F, its metabolite, were noticeably increased. The association among these steroid hormones was also evaluated. The correlation between P4 and F was reversed after 3 weeks before delivery. These results suggest that steroid hormones in the maternal blood begin to change dynamically about 3 weeks before delivery. In particular, a decrease in P4 and an increase in F seem to be closely related to the onset of delivery.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗
PubMed1996

[Successful treatment of recurrent endometrial stromal sarcoma by radiotherapy and intra-arterial chemotherapy with CDDP and ADM].

Endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) is a rare uterine malignancy. We describe a case of an ESS recurrence arising near a stump after hysterectomy. The 47-year-old patient had the operation at another hospital because of myoma uteri as a preoperative diagnosis. Since the postoperative pathological diagnosis was ESS, CYVADIC was administered as adjuvant chemotherapy. But 3 years later, an isolated recurrent tumor was found locally near a stump in the pelvis. The patient underwent a combination of an intra-arterial chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Cisplatin and Adriamycin was administered in 20 mg/m2 everyday for 5 days and 60 mg for 1 day, respectively. On the other hand, the tumor irradiation dose was 50 Gy for 5 weeks. After this combination therapy, the recurrent tumor size grew smaller on CT. This result suggests that the combination of intra-arterial administration of cisplatin and Adriamycin, and radiation is an effective therapy for a localized recurrent tumor of ESS.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1996

The effects of the beta-adrenergic-blocking agents, timolol and carteolol, on plasma lipids and lipoproteins in Japanese glaucoma patients.

PURPOSE: To determine whether two topical beta-blockers, timolol and carteolol, differently affect plasma lipids and lipoproteins in normolipidemic Japanese patients with glaucoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-three normolipidemic patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension were randomly allocated to and completed 16 weeks of bilateral treatment with 0.5% timolol, 1.0% carteolol, or 2.0% carteolol twice daily in a three-center, prospective study. Patients using any drugs affecting plasma lipids or with a history of beta-blocker use of hyperlipoproteinemia were excluded. Fasting blood lipids and lipoproteins, including total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, and apoproteins, were measured three times before therapy was initiated. These measurements were repeated every 4 weeks during the treatment period. RESULTS: The level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol significantly decreased in the timolol treatment group but did not change in the carteolol treatment groups. The ratio of total cholesterol minus high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased in the timolol treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: Topical beta-blockers do affect plasma lipids in Japanese patients with glaucoma. The effects of timolol are greater than those of carteolol.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1996

[Quantification of brain metabolites by 1H spectroscopy using cyclohexane as an external reference].

We tested the reliability of quantifying brain metabolite concentrations by MR spectroscopy. We employed a PRESS sequence and used a cyclohexane sample as an external standard. The signal intensity ratios of water and cyclohexane were measured by changing the geometrical arrangement of the cyclohexane sample and water phantom with various loading factors of the coil. Choline (Cho) concentrations were calculated from the signal intensity ratios of Cho and water and compared with actual Cho concentrations (1.0 to 2.6 mmol/L). The brain metabolites Cho, creatine/phosphocreatine (Cr/PCr) and N-acetylaspartate (NAA) were evaluated in five normal volunteers and six patients with metastatic brain cancer before (0 Gy), after 20 Gy and after 40 Gy of whole brain radiotherapy. Variation in the ratio of spectrum intensity between water and cyclohexane was less than 1.5% for various geometrical arrangements and loading factors. The error in quantification of Cho concentrations in the phantom study was 0.05 +/- 0.10 mmol/L. The concentrations measured in the volunteers were: Cho 1.6 +/- 0.4 mmol/L, Cr/PCr 6.4 +/- 1.1 mmol/L and NAA 8.2 +/- 0.1 mmol/L. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in these concentrations between the control group and the patients before, during, or after radiotherapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in congenital rubella syndrome].

Nine children with congenital rubella syndrome were examined with respect to the relation between clinical symptoms and the findings of computed tomography (CT, 9/9 cases) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, 7/9 cases). All patients had deafness, and three had relatively severe sequelae in the central nervous system (CNS), such as mental retardation (MR), cerebral palsy (CP) or microcephaly. In four patients, dilatation of the lateral ventricles was found by CT; in four patients, low-density areas were noted in the periventricular white matter and/or the subcortical white matter; one patient showed a spotty calcified area in the lenticula. No abnormal findings were found by CT in other three patients. MRI in seven children demonstrated areas of prolonged T1 and T2 relaxation times in the white matter in all of them. In relation to clinical symptoms, five patients without dilatation of the lateral ventricles had no sequelae except deafness. On the other hand, in four patients with dilation of the lateral ventricles, three had MR, CP or microcephaly. This study showed that there was a close relation between the ventricular dilatation and sequelae with in CNS, whereas abnormal intensity areas in the white matter found by MRI were not related well to the sequelae of CNS.

Brain↗
PubMed1996

[Clinical diagnostic value of the PCR assay for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis].

To evaluate the clinical diagnostic value of the PCR assay for detection of M. tuberculosis, a total of 758 samples from 387 patients were assayed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the IS6110 gene as a target, and the results of the PCR assay were compared with those obtained by conventional culture. The patient's profiles such as clinical situation that required prompt differential diagnosis by the PCR assay, underlying disease and final diagnosis were analyzed. The PCR assay lead to the rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis which was confirmed by culture in all 56 cases including elderly and immunocompromised patients. One hundred and seventy-six of the 231 (76.2%) cases had abnormal shadows in the chest X-ray film that required the PCR assay for diagnosis of tuberculosis and differential diagnosis of pleural effusion, lung cancer or bacterial pneumonia. Negative PCR results were also used when active pulmonary tuberculosis had to be excluded. Forty-nine out of 95 cases (51.6%) with a final diagnosis of tuberculosis were in PCR-negative. The basis of the diagnosis in spite of the PCR negative results included positive culture results (8 cases) and histological findings (9 cases) in other specimens that were not subjected to PCR, radiological findings (24 cases), biochemical characteristics of pleural effusion (6 cases) or cerebrospinal fluid (1 case), and bronchoscopical findings (1 case). In 56 smear-negative patients with final diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis, the larger the number of specimens received for the PCR assay from each patient, the higher the frequency of positive cases; with 1, 2 and 3 specimens received for the PCR assay, 13.3% (4/30), 45.5% (5/11) and 60.0% (3/5) of cases were PCR positive, respectively. For the prompt diagnosis of tuberculosis by detection of tuberculous DNA using PCR, it is important to examine appropriate samples from the affected part of the patient and also to repeat the tests especially when the smear is negative.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Direct detection of human cytomegalovirus in urine specimens from bone marrow transplant patients by polymerase chain reaction].

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is a major causative life-threatening agent that results in opportunistic infections in bone marrow transplant patients. Since antiviral therapy is available for severe HCMV infections, methods to rapidly identify infected patients are needed so that therapy can be promptly instituted. In this study, we used direct method to detect HCMV in urine specimens by nested polymerase chain reaction (nested-PCR) to monitor urinary excretion of HCMV in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation. The viral DNA was amplified directly from preheated urine without further treatment prior to amplification. Five microliter of urine proved to give the most efficient amplification. The detection limit of the PCR assay for detection of HCMV was 10 copies/microl. The positive rate of the PCR assay and the tissue culture method for detection of HCMV were 15 of 61 (24.6%) and 4 of 61 (6.6%), respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of the PCR assay were 100% and 81% respectively. Based on these data, urinary excretion of HCMV in 21 patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation were monitored weekly by the PCR assay. As a result, in addition to a higher sensitivity, the PCR assay allowed to identify HCMV infection 3.1 (1 approximately 5) weeks earlier than culture method or antibody elevation. Repeated monitoring of virus excretion by this rapid and simple method was useful to promptly detect HCMV infection, allowing proper institution of antiviral drug therapy in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation.

Adolescent↗