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Biomedical subjects

Y Fukuda

Publications and source records attributed to Y Fukuda.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Influences of alkaline ionized water on milk yield, body weight of offspring and perinatal dam in rats.

The authors previously reported that male offspring of mothers rats given alkaline ionized water (AKW) showed a significantly higher body weight by day 14 after birth than did offspring of mother rats given tap water (TPW); furthermore, marked myocardial necrosis and fibrosis were observed particularly in the former male offspring at the age of 15 weeks. In the present experiment we looked for differences in bioparameters, namely the milk yield of mothers and suckled milk volume of the offspring, between the AKW- and the TPW-treated groups in order to reveal the factors which cause the unusual body weight gain in the offspring. Even though we were able to repeat our previous observation (the body weight of the male offspring of the AKW group increased significantly more by day 14 and 20 after birth and of the female by day 20 after birth than did that of the TPW group (p < 0.05), no significant difference was noted in any of the bioparameters, including those related to milk production and consumption. It is thus suspected that the water-hydrated cation, which was transferred either to the fetus through the placenta or to the offspring through the milk, might be the cause of the unusual body weight increase. Since calcium plays an important role in skeletal formation, it is tentatively concluded that the higher calcium concentration of AKW enriched the mother, serum calcium which was transferred to the fetus through the placenta and to the offspring through the milk.

Alkalies↗
PubMed1998

Histopathological influence of alkaline ionized water on myocardial muscle of mother rats.

We have reported that a marked necrosis and subsequent fibrosis of myocardium occurred among male rats 15 weeks old given alkaline ionized water (AKW) during gestation and suckling periods, and after weaning. In this study, it was examined whether similar lesions would occur in mother rats which were given AKW from day zero of gestation to day 20 of lactation. The myocardial lesion in the mother rats given AKW showed cell infiltration, vacuolation and fibrosis in the papillary muscle of the left ventricle, as were observed in male rats of 15 weeks old. Myocardial degeneration may cause a leakage of potassium into the blood that results in a higher concentration of potassium in the blood in the test group than in that of the control group given tap water.

Alkalies↗
PubMed1998

Incidence and characteristics of thyroid dysfunction following interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Thyroid functions were analyzed before, during and after interferon (IFN) therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. According to the results of routine thyroid function tests and measurements of the levels of anti-thyroid autoantibody prior to the therapy, patients were divided into 2 groups; Group A (19 patients) had at least one abnormal finding related to the thyroid, and Group B (40 patients) did not show any abnormality. Five patients (26%) in Group A and 4 (10%) in Group B showed thyroid dysfunctions which were very clearly reflected by thyrotropin (TSH) measurements. Interestingly, the time of peak TSH elevation in Group A (mean +/- SD, 4.3 +/- 0.8 months) was significantly earlier than that in Group B (6.8 +/- 0.8). Most patients in Group B were diagnosed as having destructive thyroiditis. These findings may suggest that the pathogenesis of IFN-induced thyroid dysfunction consists not only of exacerbation of pre-existing thyroid autoimmunity but also of de novo destructive changes even in the intact thyroid before IFN therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Effect of posture change on control of ventilation.

To clarify the control mechanism of ventilation during posture change, ventilatory parameters, PETCO2, and ventilatory response to CO2 were examined in 11 healthy male subjects at supine (0 degrees) and 75 degrees head-up tilt positions. Minute expiratory ventilation (V.E), tidal volume (VT), respiratory frequency (f), end-tidal and transcutaneous PCO2 and CO2 output (V.CO2), and ventilatory response to CO2 were measured during a steady state condition. V.E (V.A) and VT increased significantly at 75 degrees tilt with significant decrease in PETCO2 from 40.1 mmHg (0 degrees) to about 36.1 mmHg (75 degrees). Transcutaneous PCO2 also decreased during tilt, by 3.3 mmHg. Physiological dead space (VD/VT) and V.CO2, however, remained unchanged, and ventilatory equivalent (V.E/V.CO2, V.A/V.CO2) increased significantly. The CO2-ventilatory response curve shifted upward (or leftward) without significant change in the response slope. At 75 degrees tilt, EMG activity of gastro-cnemius muscle increased. These findings suggested that PETCO2 decreased because of increased V.E (V.A) with a leftward shift of CO2-ventilatory response curve. Various signals such as afferents from lower extremities might have net stimulatory effects on a CO2-ventilation control system to reset the controlled level of PETCO2 to a lower range, but without significant change in CO2-ventilatory response during upright position.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[The mechanism of donor specific unresponsiveness in renal transplant recipients].

A study was conducted to clarify the mechanism of donor specific immunological unresponsiveness in renal transplant recipients with a well functioning kidney, since this might provide a clue to the nature of donor specific immunosuppression. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were obtained from three renal transplant recipients, the donors (mother), the fathers and healthy volunteers as 3rd party and used in the present study. PBL from one of the three renal transplant recipients, which were donor specific unresponsive in MLR (Mixed Lymphocyte Reaction) and CML (Cell Mediated Lympholysis), suppressed the MLR, CML and synthesis of IL-2 from 3rd party PBL in a double chamber assay only when stimulated by the donor PBL. This suppression was abolished by the treatment with CD3 or CD8 antibodies and complement. RT-PCR was performed to investigate the suppressive effect of the recipient's PBL on IL-2 mRNA expression. In the double chamber MLR, expression of IL-2 mRNA by the PBL from 3rd party was also suppressed only when the recipient's PBL were stimulated by the donor PBL. These results indicate that one of the mechanisms responsible for donor specific immunological unresponsiveness is the presence of donor specific suppressor T cells in recipient's PBL and that these cells project suppressive effect on lymphocytes by producing a humoral suppressive factor(s) that suppress the expression of the IL-2 mRNA only when stimulated by donor PBL.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The AllHear Cochlear Implant and Tinnitus.

The authors have studied the effect of AllHear cochlear implants on tinnitus. We describe five cases of deaf patients with tinnitus and show that the implant device had a good effect on tinnitus in four. We also discuss one case in which the tinnitus was caused by electrical stimulation. The authors conclude that AllHear cochlear implants have a good effect on tinnitus in the majority of patients.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Quasispecies nature of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients with chronic hepatitis C with mixed HCV subtypes.

The quasispecies nature of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients with mixed HCV subtype infection was compared with that in patients with single HCV subtype infection. The number of HCV quasispecies was compared between 35 patients with mixed HCV subtype infection and 83 patients with single subtype infection. Subtype was determined by primers deduced from the core region and by line probe assay respectively. The number of quasispecies was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction amplification of hypervariable region 1 and by fluorescence single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis. There was no difference in clinical background between patients with mixed subtype infection and patients with single subtype infection. The number of quasispecies in patients with multiple subtype HCV infection was larger than in patients with single subtype HCV infection. The immunologic environments which allow the coexistence of more HCV quasispecies in patients with multiple HCV subtype infection differs from that in patients with single HCV subtype infection.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Circadian changes in remnant-like particle-cholesterol (RLP-C), and its diagnostic value for postprandial increase in remnant lipoprotein in diabetes mellitus].

To investigate whether remnant-like particle-cholesterol (RLP-C) increases in the postprandial state, and if so, whether such response can be used for detecting postprandial increase in remnant lipoprotein, we measured RLP-C levels at two points (before breakfast, and after lunch), or seven points (before and after each meal, and midnight) in 36 diabetic patients. delta RLP-C was calculated by subtracting RLP-C level before breakfast from that at each point. delta RLP-C after lunch was defined as delta RLP-CL and maximum delta RLP-C as delta RLP-Cmax. Daily profiles of RLP-C (n = 22) showed that RLP-C increased during the daytime in 6 patients (27.3%; responders), but not in the others (nonresponders). In the histogram of delta RLP-Cmax, we could easily distinguish responders (delta RLP-Cmax = 6 approximately 12 mg/dl) from nonresponders (< 4 mg/dl). By using delta RLP-CL of 4 mg/dl as the cut-off value, we could also separate two groups without overlap. With this cut-off value, 11 out of 36 patients (30.6%) were diagnosed as responders. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis with cholesterol-monitoring revealed that VLDL-sized RLP increased markedly after lunch in responders. In conclusion, RLP-C increases in some diabetic patients, and delta RLP-CL is useful for detecting postprandial increase in remnant lipoprotein.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Relationship of xenogeneic microchimerism to graft outcome in hamster-to-rat lung xenotransplantation.

BACKGROUND: In spite of the progress in allogeneic microchimerism research, few reports have dealt with the biologic relevance of xenogeneic microchimerism after organ xenotransplantation. These experiments were designed to analyze the development of xenogeneic microchimerism and its relationship to graft outcome in hamster-to-rat lung xenotransplantation. METHODS: Golden Syrian hamsters were the donors and Lewis rats the recipients of xenogeneic lung transplantation. Animals were divided into three groups: group 1 were untreated; group 2 received cyclophosphamide (10 mg/kg/day for 6 days) and a short course of FK506 (2 mg/kg/day for 8 days); and group 3 were treated with cyclophosphamide and a long course of FK506 (2 mg/kg/day for 8 days, 1 mg/kg/day for 23 days, and then 0.5 mg/kg/day continuously). Xenogeneic microchimerisms were evaluated by use of polymerase chain reaction with primers specific for the hamster hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl-transferase gene. RESULTS: The median graft survival times for groups 1, 2, and 3 were 3 days (n = 6), 22 days (n = 7), and 96.5 days (n = 6), respectively. In groups 1 and 2, the incidence of microchimerisms declined in parallel with the progression of rejection. In group 3, it changed dynamically, initially declining, then progressively increasing and finally disappearing. CONCLUSIONS: In the short-term graft survivors, xenogeneic microchimerism in the peripheral blood was closely related to graft outcome. However, it showed dynamic changes and finally disappeared in long-term graft survivors, and the incidence of microchimerism at a single time point did not reflect the donor-recipient immunologic status.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Can the liver with Gilbert's syndrome be used as graft of living-related liver transplantation?

Gilbert's syndrome is the common cause of non hemolytic unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia with a prevalance of 3-7%. Gilbert's syndrome may introduce a selection of potential liver donors from brain death patients. We present a case of living-related liver transplantation (LRLT) from a donor with Gilbert's syndrome. A 22-year-old woman had been diagnosed as having liver cirrhosis at the age of 5. She underwent liver transplantation with the donor's left lobe as the graft. The donor, who was the father of the patient, had been diagnosed with Gilbert's syndrome. Although the recipient was well until 11 months after surgery, she died of subacute fulminant hepatitis 16 months after surgery. However, it was clear that the liver with Gilbert's syndrome could be used as a graft of living-related liver transplantation for adult recipients.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Assessment of the biological malignancy of hepatocellular carcinoma: relationship to clinicopathological factors and prognosis.

It is difficult to determine the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Assessment of the clinicopathological and biological malignancy of HCC may help in determining treatment strategies and predicting outcome. The tumor DNA content, p53 protein expression, proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling index, and argyrophilic proteins of nuclear organizer regions were used as markers of biological malignancy. A correlation between these biological parameters and clinicopathological factors was sought. DNA aneuploidy was observed in 31 of 80 tumors (38.8%). Aneuploidy increased as differentiation decreased. The overall survival rate of patients with aneuploid tumors was significantly poorer than that of patients with diploid tumors. p53 overexpression was observed in 18 of 80 tumors (22.5%). The incidence of p53 positivity increased significantly with increasing tumor size and poorer differentiation. The overall survival rate of p53-positive patients was significantly worse than that of p53-negative patients. The proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling index and the mean number of argyrophilic proteins of nuclear organizer regions were higher in more poorly differentiated lesions. We conclude that DNA ploidy and p53 expression are useful prognostic indicators in HCC. Cell proliferation increases as HCC progresses. With progression, tumors tend to become more poorly differentiated.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Localization of matrix metalloproteinases-1, -2, and -9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 in interstitial lung diseases.

In interstitial lung diseases, deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) in alveoli and degradation of ECM lead to pulmonary structural remodeling. The changes in ECM and the localization of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and a tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP) in the lung tissues of patients with bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) were investigated. Immunohistochemical analysis for the detection of fibronectin, collagen-I, -III, and -IV, smooth muscle actin, MMP-1 (interstitial collagenase), -2 (gelatinase A), and -9 (gelatinase B), and TIMP-2, and in situ hybridization for the detection of MMP-9 mRNA were performed. Western blotting of lung tissue homogenates was performed for MMP-2 and MMP-9. The gelatinolytic activities of the homogenates were also determined using gelatin zymography. Fibronectin and collagen-I, -III, and -IV were detected in the intra-alveolar fibrosis in addition to the interstitium of these diseases. MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-2 were detected in the regenerated epithelial cells covering intra-alveolar fibrosis. Myofibroblasts in intra-alveolar fibrosis in BOOP showed predominant reaction for MMPs, and they ultrastructurally appeared to be phagocytosing collagen fibrils, and those of IPF showed a predominant reaction for TIMP-2. New vascularization in intra-alveolar fibrosis was exclusively observed in cases of BOOP, and the endothelial cells were positive for MMP-2. Western blotting showed the existence of a latent form of MMP-9 and latent and active forms of MMP-2, and gelatin zymography revealed that the ratio of active/latent forms of MMP-2 in BOOP is significantly larger than that in the control lungs. Predominant MMPs in BOOP may constitute the mechanism of reversibility of fibrotic changes in this disease. TIMP-2 in myofibroblasts in IPF may contribute to the stable ECM deposition and the irreversible pulmonary structural remodeling.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Examination of serum class I antigen in allograft recipient rats--origin and control of serum class I antigen.

We examined the appearance of DA type (RT1Aa) class I antigen in the serum of rats that had received isogeneic or allogeneic liver grafts (DA into DA, DA into LEW, PVG into DA, PVG into F1 hybrid (DAxPVG). Recipient LEW rats were given either one injection of the anti-CD8 mAb, OX-8, following thymectomy or anti-CD4 mAb (cocktail of OX-35 and OX-38) following thymectomy 3 days prior to liver grafting. We also tested the serum RT1Aa antigen titer of F1 (DAxPVG) recipients after PVG spleen transplantation and the serum RT1Aa antigen titer in the DA rat after hepatectomy and cyclosporin treatment. Replacement of DA liver by PVG lowered transiently the serum level of RT1Aa antigen to 70% of that in normal DA serum shortly after liver transplantation. However, this titer increased gradually over the level in normal DA serum. A PVG spleen graft to an F1 hybrid recipient resulted in death due to typical GVH disease between 13 and 24 days after spleen transplantation. The RT1Aa antigen titer increased to several times more than that in normal F1 serum throughout the observation period. LEW recipients of DA liver died at 9-11 days (9.8 +/- 1.1 days) due to acute liver rejection. In this combination, the serum level of RT1Aa increased until day 8, reaching a maximum (four times) on day 4. Deletion of either CD8+ or CD4+ T cells by anti-CD8 or anti-CD4 MAb in this transplantation prolonged the survival times of liver grafts for up to 26.8 +/- 8.4 and 35.6 +/- 17.9 days, respectively. In the anti-CD8 or anti-CD4 MAb- treated recipients, the serum titer of DA class I antigen was not elevated and there were no differences between the two. Hepatectomy in combination with cyclosporin induced a higher titer of liver-derived class I antigen in the serum as long as liver regeneration proceeded. These results suggest that the liver is the principal source of serum class I antigen in rats. Rejection, GVH reaction and liver regeneration increased the serum class I antigen from transplanted liver or host tissue. It is unlikely that this is due to cleavage of membranous class I antigen by class I- reactive CD8+ T cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Examination of serum amyloid A protein in kidney transplant patients--comparison of serum amyloid A and C-reactive protein for monitoring the occurrence of renal-allograft-related complications.

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an inflammation-reactive protein, like C-reactive protein (CRP). In this study, we examined SAA levels in the sera of kidney transplant patients with acute rejection (N = 12), chronic rejection (N = 60) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection complications and compared them with serum CRP levels in terms of sensitivity and reactivity. The SAA and CRP showed almost similar kinetics in 10 patients within 2 months of kidney transplantation. However, in 2 patients SAA responded more sensitively to CMV infection and acute rejection. SAA increased significantly 10-fold relative to its baseline levels. The SAA levels also increased along with those of serum creatinine levels. Our experiments clearly showed that SAA and CRP responded sensitively to several stimuli with elevated serum levels including surgical trauma, acute allograft rejection and infection. However, the reactivity and sensitivity of SAA was clearly higher than those of CRP in patients with viral infections, on steroid therapy and undergoing chronic allograft rejection, suggesting that monitoring SAA levels provides more useful information than monitoring CRP.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1998

Elastic fiber abnormalities associated with a leaflet perforation in floppy mitral valve.

The alterations observed in the elastic fibers of the perforated floppy mitral valve of a 68-year-old man are described. The patient had not history of infective endocarditis and no stigmata of Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Ultrastructurally, the elastic fibers in the area of the perforation showed unique, round-shaped expansion of the amorphous components, which lacked associated microfibrils. These features resembled those of the elastic fibers in animals treated with beta-aminopropionitrile, an inhibitor of lysyl oxidase. Aggregations of microfibrils without amorphous components were also observed. These abnormalities are considered to be related to the pathogenesis of the perforation in this valve.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

GB virus C/hepatitis G virus isolates in Japanese haemophiliacs and their origins.

Japanese haemophiliacs have been at high risk for infection with parenterally-transmissible viruses through the use of blood products, especially imported ones. Recently, novel transfusion-transmissible virus, GB virus C (GBV-C)/hepatitis G virus (HGV) were isolated. We investigated the origin and route of transmission of GBV-C/HGV isolates in haemophiliacs in Japan. GBV-C/HGV RNA was measured by nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in 91 Japanese haemophiliacs. Phylogenetic analysis and genotypic grouping of GBV-C/HGV isolates in Japanese haemophiliacs were performed based on sequences in the 5' untranslated region, and the characteristics were compared with those of reported isolates. GBV-C/HGV infection was present in 19 of 91 haemophiliacs (20.9%). Sequence analysis showed that 15 of the 19 isolates (78.9%) showed sequence similarity to a group in which mainly West African isolates have been reported. The other 4 isolates (21.1%) showed sequence similarity to Asian isolates. None of the GBV-C/HGV isolates showed sequences similar to those generally found in isolates from USA and Europe. The majority of GBV-C/HGV isolates found in Japanese haemophiliacs who are considered to have been infected by imported blood products were similar to those detected in West Africa.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Peptic ulcer disease and hemorrhagic gastritis with H. pylori infection].

Most of gastroduodenal diseases are associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. Cure of H. pylori infection may lead complete remission of recurrence of gastric and duodenal ulcer, and suppress the development of atrophic gastritis, gastric cancer and MALT lymphoma. H. pylori infection and hemorrhagic gastroduodenal diseases are reviewed.

Animals↗