Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Y Furuta

Publications and source records attributed to Y Furuta.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Quantitation of varicella-zoster virus DNA in patients with Ramsay Hunt syndrome and zoster sine herpete.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation causes facial nerve palsy in Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS) and zoster sine herpete (ZSH) with and without zoster rash, respectively. In the present study, we analyzed the VZV DNA copy number in saliva samples from 25 patients with RHS and 31 patients with ZSH using a TaqMan PCR assay to determine differences in the viral load between the two diseases. VZV copy number in saliva peaked near the day of the appearance of zoster in patients with RHS. Consequently, VZV DNA was less frequently detected in patients with RHS who exhibited facial palsy several days after the appearance of zoster. These findings suggest that the VZV load in saliva samples reflects the kinetics of viral reactivation in patients with RHS. In addition, VZV DNA was equally detected in saliva from patients with RHS and ZSH, and there was no significant difference in the highest viral copy number between patients with RHS and those with ZSH. The VZV load does not appear to reflect a major difference between RHS and ZSH.

DNA, Viral↗
PubMed2001

Human liver-specific organic anion transporter, LST-1, mediates uptake of pravastatin by human hepatocytes.

Involvement of LST-1 (a human liver-specific transporter, also called OATP2) as the major transporter in the uptake of pravastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, by human liver was demonstrated. The hepatic uptake of pravastatin evaluated using human hepatocytes was Na(+)-independent and reached saturation with a Michaelis constant (K(m)) of 11.5 +/- 2.2 microM. The uptake of pravastatin was temperature-dependent and was inhibited by estradiol-17beta-D-glucuronide, taurocholic acid, bromosulfophthalein, and simvastatin acid, but not by p-aminohippurate. Estradiol-17beta-D-glucuronide competitively inhibited pravastatin uptake with an inhibition constant comparable to the K(m) value for estradiol-17beta-D-glucuronide transport, indicating that a common transporter mediates the transport of pravastatin and estradiol-17beta-D-glucuronide in human hepatocytes. The results obtained with human hepatocytes agreed with those obtained with LST-1 expressing Xenopus oocytes. Oocytes microinjected with human liver polyadenylated mRNA showed Na(+)-independent uptake of pravastatin and estradiol-17beta-D-glucuronide. A simultaneous injection of LST-1 antisense oligonucleotides completely abolished this uptake. Expression of LST-1 was immunohistochemically demonstrated in the human hepatocytes, but not in Hep G2 cells, which showed very low uptake of pravastatin. Therefore, LST-1 was regarded as a key molecule for pravastatin in liver-specific inhibition of cholesterol synthesis, making pravastatin accessible to the target enzyme, which would otherwise not be inhibited by this hydrophilic drug.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[Effects of home oxygen therapy on patients with chronic heart failure].

OBJECTIVES: Dyspnea on exertion and/or hypoxemia due to nocturnal respiratory disturbance may occur in patients with stable chronic congestive heart failure. Such patients with respiratory disorder during sleep have a poor prognosis. The effects of treatment with home oxygen therapy on patients with congestive heart failure are unclear when symptoms are stable at rest. This study investigated the effects of home oxygen therapy on patients with stable chronic congestive heart failure. METHODS: Thirty-three patients with stable chronic congestive heart failure(New York Heart Association functional class II-IV) and hypoxemia during exercise or sleep were treated with oxygen above the level of 90% SaO2. The following factors were compared before and after home oxygen therapy: Subjective minimal capacity on exercise(metabolic equivalents: METs) before and 1 month after patients first became aware of dyspnea on effort using the specific activity scale(SAS); SaO2 at rest before and 1 month after; and frequency of admission during 1 year due to deterioration of heart failure. RESULTS: After home oxygen therapy, SAS improved from 2.5 +/- 0.9 to 3.3 +/- 1.0 METs(p < 0.0001), and SaO2 at rest improved from 92.8 +/- 2.5% to 96.3 +/- 1.6%(p < 0.0001). The frequency of admission was decreased from 1.3 +/- 1.2 to 0.8 +/- 1.2 times(p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Home oxygen therapy is effective for improving the symptoms and activity of daily life in patients with chronic heart failure. Home oxygen therapy may prevent the deterioration of heart failure.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Non-anastomotic midgraft stenosis of a knitted Dacron graft after arterial reconstruction. Report of a case.

Midgraft stenosis of the prosthesis after bypass surgery has seldom been reported. A man presented with an ischemic ulcer of the left foot. He had undergone bilateral femoropopliteal bypass surgery as well as left-sided iliofemoral bypass surgery with a knitted Dacron graft. The graft in his left thigh was occluded. A knitted Dacron conduit with 8-mm diameter was interposed between the iliofemoral bypass graft and the left profunda femoris artery, and graft-popliteal jumping bypass surgery was added. The postoperative angiogram showed a short-segmental severe stenosis of the interposed graft neighboring the proximal anastomosis. Repeat surgery showed that the stenotic lesion was located separately from the anastomosis. This midgraft stenosis was considered to consist of dissection of pseudointima associated with the intraoperative procedures. In cases of repeat surgery around the inguinal ligament, procedures should be performed with great care.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Early diagnosis of zoster sine herpete and antiviral therapy for the treatment of facial palsy.

The effect of antiviral agents on recovery from facial palsy in patients with zoster sine herpete (ZSH; varicella zoster virus reactivation without zoster) has not been evaluated because ZSH is difficult to diagnose early after onset. In this study, all 13 patients who received acyclovir-prednisone treatment within 7 days of onset, as confirmed by a positive PCR result, showed complete recovery. PCR-based early diagnosis of ZSH and antiviral therapy elicited an excellent outcome for recovery from facial palsy due to ZSH.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed2000

Rapid strip assay for detection of anti-herpes simplex virus antibodies: application to prediction of varicella-zoster virus reactivation in patients with acute peripheral facial palsy.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation causes acute peripheral facial palsy in the majority (88%) of patients who lack anti-herpes simplex virus (HSV) antibodies, suggesting that an absence of anti-HSV antibodies is a reliable serological marker for the diagnosis of VZV reactivation in patients who are diagnosed initially as idiopathic peripheral facial palsy (Bell's palsy) [Furuta et al., 2000] Clinical Infectious Diseases]. A simple and rapid immunoassay for detection of anti-HSV antibodies based on HSV type 1 glycoprotein D was developed by modifying the conventional Western blot technique. The assay was evaluated by comparing the results with those of conventional Western blot. In total, 100 sera obtained from patients with acute peripheral facial palsy were tested and judged blindly by two investigators. Twenty-four of 26 HSV-seronegative sera were obtained from patients with VZV reactivation (Ramsay Hunt syndrome or zoster sine herpete). The sensitivity of the assay was over 95% and the specificity was 100%. The two investigators agreed on the diagnosis in 99 of the 100 sera. These results indicate that the rapid strip assay is applicable to prediction of VZV reactivation in patients diagnosed clinically with Bell's palsy before zoster lesions appear or PCR using saliva samples indicates VZV reactivation.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

Peroral infection of nuclear polyhedrosis virus budded particles in the host, Bombyx mori l., enabled by an optical brightener, Tinopal UNPA-GX.

Perorally inoculated budded particles of a nuclear polyhedrosis virus was used to infect Bombyx mori (BmNPV) (Lepidoptera; Bombycidae), aided by an optical brightener, Tinopal UNPA-GX (Tinopal). BmNPV budded particles not occluded in the occlusion body do not infect successfully the host, B. mori, when administered perorally. It was found that feeding the host Tinopal enabled perorally delivered BmNPV budded particles to infect the host. B. mori larvae ingesting BmNPV budded particles (1.3 x 10(6) TCID(50) units per larva) after they consumed an artificial diet containing 0. 3% Tinopal died of the viral infection. Peroral administration of these particles to host larvae with 1% Tinopal also resulted in virus infection. Tinopal is a candidate for viral activity enhancing agent promoting viral insecticide infection in hosts. The results suggest that B. mori-BmNPV budded particles are convenient for detecting viral infection enhancement activity of a chemical of interest. Since recombinant baculovirus vectors are constructed by replacing the polyhedrin gene with the foreign gene of interest, they do not produce occlusion bodies, i.e. polyhedra. Budded particles of a baculovirus vector not occluded in polyhedra cannot infect their hosts when administered perorally. The peroral inoculation of BmNPV budded particles by Tinopal leads to industrial pharmaceutics production using a baculovirus vector for a huge number of insect hosts, i.e. an 'insect factory'.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2000

High prevalence of varicella-zoster virus reactivation in herpes simplex virus-seronegative patients with acute peripheral facial palsy.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) are considered to be the major causes of acute peripheral facial palsy (APFP). One hundred and forty-two patients with APFP were analyzed by serological assays and polymerase chain reaction analysis. Ramsay Hunt syndrome was diagnosed in 21 patients. Of the remaining 121 patients clinically diagnosed with Bell's palsy, VZV reactivation without zoster (zoster sine herpete) was detected in 35 patients (29%). The prevalence of antibodies to HSV among patients with Bell's palsy was significantly higher than the prevalence among those with VZV reactivation (Ramsay Hunt syndrome or zoster sine herpete). In contrast, a high incidence (88%) of VZV reactivation among HSV-seronegative patients with APFP was observed. Our data indicate that VZV is one of the major etiologic agents of clinically diagnosed Bell's palsy and that VZV reactivation causes APFP in most patients who lack antibodies to HSV.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Compensating ability in pollen fertilization between group-6 and -7 homoeologous chromosomes of barley and wheat.

By using alpha-amylase isozymes as markers for chromosomes of homoeologous groups 6 and 7, we analyzed the segregation of chromosome constitution in the progenies from crosses between double-ditelosomic or ditelosomic lines of hexaploid wheat cultivar 'Chinese Spring' (CS) as the female parent and double-monosomic F1 hybrids of CS x wheat-barley substitution lines for barley chromosomes 6H or 7H. From this analysis we estimated the transmission rate via pollen of barley chromosomes 6H and 7H in the double-monosomics and evaluated the compensating ability between barley and wheat chromosomes in homoeologous groups 6 and 7. The results indicated that both 6H and 7H showed their highest compensating ability for their respective homoeologous wheat chromosomes 6A (37.5% transmission rate) and 7A (39.4%), intermediate for 6D (34.1%) and 7D (29.6%), and lowest for 6B (26.6%) and 7B (22.6%) chromosomes.

Chromosomes↗
PubMed2000

A unique case of central diabetes insipidus (DI) associated with transient pituitary stalk enlargement: close observation over several years using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and hypophysial endocrine tests.

We had the opportunity to closely observe a unique case of central diabetes insipidus (DI), in which dramatic changes in both radiological findings and hypophysial functions were seen. A 63-year-old female developed central DI, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a mild thickening of the pituitary stalk and lack of hyperintense signal associated with normal neurohypophysis on T1-weighted images. About three months later, the stalk was found to be remarkably expanded like neoplasm; however, anterior pituitary functions were almost normal on that occasion, except for the absence of GH response to an insulin tolerance test. About nine months after the onset of DI, secondary hypoadrenalism and hypothyroidism, which required replacement therapy, developed transiently, but recovered about one year later. Results of hypophysial endocrine tests during this period showed that the dysfunction was predominantly suprapituitary in nature. As time passed, the stalk lesion began to shrink spontaneously and another MRI, obtained five years after the onset of DI, disclosed normal findings for the infundibulo-hypophysial system, except for lack of the hyperintense signal of the neurohypophysis. The patient has since been healthy, except for the DI, which has been controlled by treatment with vasopressin. We report here a unique case of central DI associated with transient pituitary stalk enlargement.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed2000

Reactivation of varicella-zoster virus in delayed facial palsy after dental treatment and oro-facial surgery.

In rare cases, acute peripheral facial palsy occurs several days after dental treatment and oro-facial surgery. Surgical procedures have been known to trigger reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). The present study examined eight patients who exhibited delayed facial palsy after dental treatment or oro-facial surgery. Ramsay Hunt syndrome was diagnosed in three patients and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation without zoster lesions (zoster sine herpete) was diagnosed in three patients either by PCR or serological assay. Therefore, VZV reactivation was detected in 75% (6 of 8) of patients who exhibited delayed facial palsy after dental or oro-facial treatment. The results suggest that VZV reactivation is a major cause of delayed facial palsy after dental treatment or oro-facial surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Age-related changes in expression of hippocalcin and NVP2 in rat brain.

Expression of hippocalcin and neural visinin-like calcium-binding protein 2 (NVP2) in aging rat brain was investigated by immunoblot and immunohistochemical analyses. In 3-month old rats, hippocalcin and NVP2 were present at high concentrations in hippocampal and cerebral pyramidal cells and dentate granule cells, with hippocalcin protein levels being five to ten times higher than NVP2 levels. Hippocalcin levels in hippocampus and cerebral cortex decreased by approximately 20% at 24 months. While the number of hippocalcin-positive cells in CA3, dentate gyrus and cerebral cortex were preserved, staining intensity decreased. In contrast, the number and staining intensity of hippocalcin-positive cells in CA1 were maintained. NVP2 levels in hippocampus and cerebral cortex decreased by approximately 30% at 24 months. In cerebral cortex, the number and intensity of NVP2-positive cells decreased. In CA1 through CA3 and in dentate gyrus, NVP2-positive cell numbers were preserved, but staining intensity decreased. In summary, the loss of hippocalcin and NVP2 in aging rat brain may be associated with age-related impairment of postsynaptic functions.

Aging↗
PubMed1999

Radial forearm free-flap reconstruction following radiotherapy and total laryngectomy.

The authors' experience with six patients who underwent radial forearm free-flap reconstruction following radiotherapy and total laryngectomy is presented. All patients had undergone previous irradiation of 57.8 Gy on average as primary treatment for laryngeal cancer. A patch graft of the radial forearm free flap was used for pharyngoesophageal wall reconstruction in three patients, a radial forearm free flap for cervical soft tissue in one patient, and a double-folded radial forearm free flap for simultaneous pharyngoesophageal wall and cervical soft tissue in two patients. The free-flap transfers were successful in all patients. There was one patient who developed a small pharyngocutaneous fistula, which closed spontaneously. The radial forearm free flap is demonstrated to be a versatile technique for reconstruction of a moderate-sized defect in the treatment of laryngeal cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Amplification of RNA from archival human temporal bone sections.

BACKGROUND: The amplification of DNA from celloidin-embedded human temporal bone sections by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been applied to some auditory diseases, such as herpes zoster oticus and hearing loss caused by the mutations of mitochondrial DNA. However, few studies have reported detection of RNA from temporal bone sections. OBJECTIVES: Because RNA analysis from temporal bone sections may elucidate the development of the diseases in the auditory, vestibular, and facial nerves, the authors investigated whether RNA in these sections can be amplified by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. METHODS: Sections that were formalin-fixed, decalcified, and embedded between 1972 and 1986 were used. Nucleic acid was extracted from the celloidin-embedded temporal bone sections and subjected to RT-PCR. Human alpha-tubulin RNA was reverse transcribed to cDNA and amplified by nested PCR using two sets of primers that were designed to distinguish cDNA from genomic DNA based on the presence of an intron between the primers. RESULTS: Human alpha-tubulin RNA was detected in 11 of 14 temporal bone sections (79%) by RT-PCR. RNA was detected in even the oldest sections, which were processed in 1972. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that RNA can be analyzed from archival celloidin-embedded human temporal bone sections.

Archives↗
PubMed1999

A phase II study of concomitant chemoradiotherapy for laryngeal carcinoma using carboplatin.

PURPOSE: We conducted a phase II study of concomitant chemoradiotherapy with carboplatin for laryngeal carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four patients with stage II-IV (stage II, 36; III, 19; IV 9) laryngeal carcinoma were treated with concomitant administration of carboplatin (CBDCA) during radiotherapy (CRT group) between 1991 and 1994. There were 36 supraglottic, 25 glottic, and 3 subglottic carcinomas. Patients with stage II and stage III-IV received intravenous CBDCA of 100 mg/m2 and 120 mg/m2 once a week, respectively. Tumor response was assessed at 40 Gy in 16 fractions to select the patients suitable for total laryngectomy or radical radiotherapy of 65 Gy in 26 fractions in 6.5 weeks. The treatment results were compared with the historical control consisting of 56 patients consecutively treated from 1988 to 1990 without chemotherapy (RT group). The two studies were comparable with regard to patient characteristics, including age distribution, gender, tumor location, size, and clinical stage. RESULTS: The actuarial 5-year survival rate was 80.3% for the CRT group and 81.3% for the RT group. A favorable response (complete response or partial response) at 40 Gy was observed in 87.5% of the patients of the CRT group and in 62.5% of the patients of the RT group (chi2 = 7.566, p < 0.01). The actuarial 5-year larynx preservation rate for the CRT group (75%) was significantly higher than that for the RT group (57%) in patients with T2 supraglottic carcinoma (p < 0.05). There was no difference in the larynx preservation rate between the two treatment arms for any T stage of glottic carcinomas. CONCLUSION: CRT using carboplatin improved the tumor response at 40 Gy and consequently achieved a higher larynx preservation rate for T2 supraglottic carcinoma. A clinical randomized trial is indicated to certify the findings of this phase II study.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1999

[Effect of plasma-treatment on suppression of drug adsorption to the surface of plastic infusion bag].

Plastics has been widely used at the hospitals and dominates the field of the manufacture of infusion bag sets and packaging materials as a disposable product. Recently, it has been reported, however, that expected drug effects could not be obtained owing mainly to the drug adsorption to the surface of plastic bags observed when several injection drugs such as nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, diazepam, and insulin were injected mixedly into a certain plastic intravenous bags. And there is a possibility of the occurrence of chemical reactions between the added drugs and the surface of plastic bags. We also can not deny the possibility of the dissolution of softener from the plastic bags. On the other hand, we have been working on the nature of plasma treatment of polymer surfaces by irradiation of low temperature plasma and its pharmaceutical application studies. In this study, we obtained the data concerning the effect of plasma treatment on the reduction of adsorption of insulin to the surface of ethylene-vinylacetate (EVA) bag.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1999

[Analysis of outcome of free jejunal-autograft for head and neck reconstruction--postoperative complications and functional results of swallowing in 49 cases].

We evaluated postoperative results in 49 patients (39 men, 10 women) who underwent pharyngoesophageal reconstruction with free-jejunal autograft following total pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy in the Department of Otolaryngology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine from 1989 to 1997. Evaluation was performed regarding the following points: 1) postoperative complications, 2) factors that determine the functional results of swallowing, 3) relation between forms of jejunal anastomosis and swallowing. The primary malignancy site was hypopharynx (39), cervical esophagus (4), larynx (3), thyroid (2) and trachea (1), Reconstructions were made with free jejunal autograft alone in 45 cases and with free jejunum in combination with gastric pull-up in 4. In patients who underwent reconstruction with jejunum alone, the anastomosis of the jejunum to the pharynx was performed in side-to-end fashion in 22, end-to-end in 18 and rho-shaped in 4. In the 1 remaining case, we used jejunal-patch graft. Postoperative complications including minor or nongraft related, occurred in 24 of 49 (49.0%) patients. Among these, graft-related complications were graft failure in 1 (2.0%), fistula formation in 3 (6.1%) and graft stricture in 2 (4.0%). Re-operations were required in one case of graft failure and 2 of fistula formation. Consequently, the overall graft-survival rate was 98.0% (48/49). Therefore, we considered the method of reconstruction to be a reliable procedure with a high-success rate. The swallowing function after reconstructive surgery was studied in 35 patients who underwent side-to-end (18) and end-to-end (17) anastomosis of the jejunum to the pharynx. We indicated that appropriate tension in the jejunum was the most important factor for adequate swallowing function. The end-to-end group had a higher rate of taking normal diet compared with the side-to-end group. The rate of swallowing dysfunction was only 5.9% (1/17) in the end-to-end group. On the other hand, 4 of 18 (22.2%) cases in the side-to-end group were regarded as having poor swallowing function. As a result we considered the end-to-end proximal jejunal anastomosis to be the more desirable form.

Adult↗