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Biomedical subjects

Y Higaki

Publications and source records attributed to Y Higaki.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Increased in vitro cell-mediated immune response to staphylococcal antigens in atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis patients have both a chronic colonization of their skin with Staphylococcus aureus and a delayed cutaneous hyporesponsiveness to intradermally injected staphylococcal antigens. It has not been established whether the cutaneous anergy merely reflects a specific lymphocyte hyporesponsiveness to staphylococcal antigens. Therefore the lymphocyte proliferative response to staphylococci was assessed in twelve patients with slight to severe atopic dermatitis and in eleven healthy subjects. Compared to the normal subjects, the patients showed significantly higher stimulation indices with S. aureus Wood 46 (p less than 0.05) and purified S. aureus cell walls (p less than 0.05). There was no significant correlation between the lymphocyte stimulation and the clinical severity of the disease. Therefore, chronic colonization of the skin of atopic dermatitis patients by S. aureus does not correlate with a defect in the cellular immune response to the bacteria but may rather stimulate such a response.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

[Clinical study of allylestrenol (Org AL-25) on patients with prostatic hypertrophy--transrectal ultrasonography and urodynamic examination].

Seventeen patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy were treated with 50 mg allylestrenol per day for a long period of time (mean: 37.7 weeks), and subjective and objective findings, transrectal ultrasonotomography, urodynamics, serum lipids and hormone levels were examined. Improvement rates of subjective and objective findings were 42.9-92.9%. A significant decrease in weight and diameter (antero-posterior, lateral) of the prostate was observed, but the difference in the height of the prostate was not significant. Increase in intravesical pressure was observed in 9 out of 14 cases (64.3%) and the decrease in area under the urethral pressure curve at functional profile length was observed in 6 out of 11 cases (54.5%). Slight increase of the serum lipid levels was observed in a few cases, but in many cases the fluctuation was within normal range. Although clear decrease in the testosterone levels was seen, decrease of libido and potency was observed in only one case (5.9%). No other side-effect was found. The overall efficacy rate was 58.8%, and clinical usefulness of Allylestrenol on benign prostatic hypertrophy was confirmed.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

cis-Urocanic acid does not inhibit mitogen induced lymphocyte transformation in man.

Urocanic acid (UCA) is a photoreceptor in the epidermis which absorbs UVB. To elucidate the role of UCA as an immunomodulator in the mechanism of immune suppression which occurs after UV irradiation in human, we studied the effect trans-UCA as well as that of its UV induced cis-isomer (cis-UCA) on mitogen induced lymphocyte transformation and on delayed type responses elicited by intradermal testing of a standardized battery of microbial antigens. No inhibitory effect was seen either in vitro or in vivo. Our negative results, both in vivo and in vitro, suggest that if UCA and UCA photoproducts exert an immunomodulatory effect, their effect should be analysed by a more subtle evaluation of the immune system.

Double-Blind Method↗
PubMed1985

[A study of prostatic tissue levels of cefoperazone].

Prostatic tissue levels of Cefoperazone (CPZ) were studied after the administration of 3 g of CPZ, in 16 patients with prostatic hypertrophy who underwent retropubic prostatectomy. The CPZ concentration in the surgical capsule at 60 min. after the administration of CPZ was about 2 times higher than that in the gland. As compared with the histological type of removed gland, the levels in the glandular hyperplasia were slightly higher than that in the fibromuscular and mixed type hyperplasia, but the difference was not statistically significant. CPZ was found to be effective for the treatment of post-operative and bacterial prostatitis, since the CPZ levels of prostatic tissue were considerably high and above the minimal inhibitory concentration level for most bacteria.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

[Friction melanosis].

We describe 23 cases of unusual brownish pigmentation occurring over the bony tissues such as clavicle, scapula or vertebrae. There were 19 females and 4 males. The age ranged from 18 to 59, mostly between 20 and 35 years. Since the first observation in 1977, cases gradually increased. The pigmentation usually showed ripple pattern on the upper back and clavicular region, zebra-like pattern over the ribs and postage-stamp-like macule over the vertebral column. Although there was no inflammatory sign such as itching or scaling, histology revealed postinflammatory melanin deposit in the upper dermis. Exceptional detection of amyloid deposit in the papillary layer in one case could be secondary to the slight epidermal damage actually disappeared. The general condition was not affected, and laboratory data remained within normal limits. This unique melanosis should be separated from other pigmentary disorders and macular amyloidosis. We would like to propose the name of friction melanosis, because this condition should be intimately related with the repeated friction by nylon towel or brush, widely used by young peoples in the bathroom.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

[Clinical effects of chlormadinone acetate (Prostal) on patients with prostatic hypertrophy--with reference to estimation of size and weight of prostate by means of transrectal ultrasonotomography].

Twenty patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy were treated with an anti-androgenic agent, chlormadinone acetate ( Prostal ), 50 mg daily for 3 months. As a control, 20 patients with prostatic hypertrophy were treated with Eviprostat which was a non-hormonal remedy consisting of plant extracts 6 tablets daily for the same duration. Subjective symptoms of 14 patients (70%) in the Eviprostat group and 18 cases (90%) in the Prostal group were improved significantly. Although there were no significant changes in size or weight of the prostate after 3 months in the patients in the Eviprostat group as measured by transrectal ultrasonotomography, remarkable reduction in size and weight of the prostate was observed after 3 months in 11 patients (55%) in the Prostal group. Four cases complained of impotency during Prostal treatment, but no other side effects to the hepatic and/or renal functions were observed.

Aged↗
PubMed1983

[Torsion of appendix of testis and epididymis: a report of 4 cases].

We report our clinical and pathological observations on four patients with torsion of appendix testis or epididymis, and reviewed 72 cases of torsion of the appendages of intrascrotal organs collected from the Japanese literature; 35 cases of torsion of appendix testis, 36 cases of torsion of appendix epididymis and 1 case of torsion of paradidymis . Case 1 was a 10-year-old boy visiting us because of pain and swelling in his right scrotum continuing for the past ten days. His right scrotum was found to contain a hen-egg sized tender mass. The testis and epididymis could not be differentiated by palpation. The blood count disclosed 10,000 white blood cells. At operation, two appendix epididymis were found in his right scrotum. One of them was twisted 360 degrees clockwise and 10 x 8 x 5 mm in size. Case 2 was a 11-year-old boy with complaint of pain in his left lower abdomen and left scrotum for the past three days. Palpation of his left scrotal contents revealed a slightly hard testis and tender epididymis. At operation, we found his left spermatic cord to be twisted 90 degrees counterclockwise and appendix epididymis 180 degrees counterclockwise. The twisted appendix epididymis was 10 x 8 x 7 mm in size. Case 3 was a 13-year-old boy whose complaint was left scrotal pain. The upper pole of his left testis was found to be swollen and tender by palpation. The exposure of his left scrotum at operation revealed that his left epididymis was abnormally attached to his left testis and had two appendices. One of these appendix epididymis was twisted 180 degrees clockwise and measured 10 x 10 x 8 mm. Case 4 was a 19-year-old male who suffered from right testicular pain for the past seven days. He had a history of three intermittent episodes of similar right testicular pain during the past two years. His right testis was enlarged and palpated slightly hard and tender. We explored his right scrotum surgically and found the appendix testis twisted and enlarged to little-finger's head size. However, it was impossible to determine whether the rotation was clockwise or counterclockwise because the twisted appendix was too severely damaged. The preoperative diagnosis was correct in one case and three were erroneously diagnosed as having torsion of spermatic cord. All four cases were treated by surgery which relieved all patients of discomfort.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Infection by Clonorchis sinensis in Asian immigrants in Brazil. Treatment with praziquantel].

Fifteen adult patients with assymptomatic infection due to Clonorchis sinensis, diagnosed by coprological examination, were studied. They all came from Asia (twelve from Taiwan, two from South Korea and one from Hong Kong) and were examined at the Adolfo Lutz Institute and the Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, in São Paulo, Brazil. Six patients were women and nine men. All studied patients were admitted to hospital and treated with praziquantel (60 mg/kg). Previous to treatment and on the 15th, 30th and 60th days after praziquantel administration, patients were submitted to quantitative stool examinations, according to Kato-Katz's technique and to hematological and biochemical serum analysis. After a 60 day follow-up nine patients (60%) were negative for C. sinensis eggs in stools. Those not cured after praziquantel administration (six patients, 40%) revealed a sharp decline in faecal elimination of C. sinensis eggs.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Acute Chagas' disease: transmission routes, clinical aspects and response to specific therapy in diagnosed cases in an urban center].

The authors report clinical features and therapeutic response of 24 outpatients with acute Chagas' disease, and 3 in the initial chronic phase, referred to the Clinic for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases of the FMUSP "Clínicas" Hospital between 1974 and 1987. The following transmission routes were involved: triatominae in 7 cases, blood transfusion in 9, kidney transplantation and/or blood transfusion in 4, accidental in 1, oral route in 3, probably breast feeding in 1, congenital or breast feeding in 1, and congenital or blood transfusion in 1. Six patients infected by triatominac acquired the disease between 1974 and 1980 and one in 1987. The blood transfusion infected patients acquired the disease in Greater São Paulo, seven of whom after 1983. The acute phase Chagas' disease was oligosymptomatic in 4 patients: three of such patients being immunocompromised by drugs or other diseases. Another two adult immunocompromised patients developed myocarditis and congestive heart failure. Clinical features were severe in 5 from 6 children under two years, irrespective of the transmission route. Evaluation of the acute phase patients treated with benznidazol (4-10 mg/kg/day) showed: therapeutic failure in 4/16 (25.0%); possible cure in 9/16 (53.2%) and inconclusive results in 3/16 (18.8%). The antibody and complement-mediated lysis reaction was in keeping with the xenodiagnosis in 18/22 cases, having shown negative results after treatment earlier than classical serological reactions. One aplastic anaemia patient receiving corticosteroid presented lymphoproliferative disease 6 years after being treated with benznidazol for acute Chagas' disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Tumoral calcinosis: a case report with an electron microscopic study.

A 68-year-old woman developed large subcutaneous masses on her abdomen and thighs after a bruise sustained in a traffic accident. She had severe pain when sitting up straight. Histological examination revealed calcified tissues in the entire dermis of the injured areas. On electron microscopy, crystalline materials were observed in the dermis, which seemed to be formed by the deposition of hydroxyapatite on unusual proteoglycan. In a vessel wall, a thick, layered basement membrane was observed. This suggests that vascular injury and subsequent hypoxia play a role in the process of calcinosis. We performed a partial resection with good results in alleviating the patient's pain.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Bone marrow involvement and eosinophilia in paracoccidioidomycosis].

The authors described three acute paracoccidioidomycosis patients with bone marrow involvement. P. brasiliensis yeast forms were observed in bone marrow smears of all them, and in one case, culture also revealed fungus growth. The mononuclear phagocytic system involvement, the blood eosinophilia and the negative skin hypersensibility responses were emphasized in all of them, as well as the severity of the disease in one case, with disseminated bone lesions and 20.260 eosinophils/mm3 in peripheral blood. The authors discuss the possible role of eosinophil in the host-parasite interaction in paracoccidioidomycosis, suggesting that TH 2 subpopulation activation and increased IL 5 and GM-CSF secretions may be responsible by eosinophilia in the most severe case.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Isolation of Toxoplasma gondii from the saliva of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)].

Toxoplasma gondii has been found in saliva of patients with toxoplasmosis. We tried to isolate parasites in saliva in patients with AIDS. As it is known, the finding of antitoxoplasma antibodies is not useful for diagnosis of cerebral abscess in toxoplasmosis occurring in AIDS patients in Brazil where 90% or more adults have serological evidence of past infection with Toxoplasma gondii. In 26 patients with AIDS, including six with tomographical evidence suggesting cerebral abscess caused by Toxoplasma gondii, no parasites were found in the saliva by the use of the mouse inoculation model. This trial that the search for Toxoplasma gondii in the saliva is not an alternative method for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in patients with AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗