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Biomedical subjects

Y Iinuma

Publications and source records attributed to Y Iinuma.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Identification and epidemiologic investigation of bacteria by the Riboprinter Microbial Characterization System, the automated ribotyping system].

An automated ribotyping system, RiboPrinter Microbial Characterization System(Qualicon), was evaluated as a typing tool. Strains used in this study is as follows; 40 strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with 40 distinct PFGE patterns, 20 MRSA from two hospital ward with suspicion of outbreaks, 53 strains of Escherichia coli including 43 strains of pathogenic E. coli, and 50 strains of Streptococcus pyogenes including 31 strains from patients with severe streptococcal disease. Typeability was 100%. Excellent result was obtained in identificating E. coli including Enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157, but poor in two species of gram positive cocci. Concerning discriminatory power, the RiboPrinter was generally less sensitive than PFGE in identifying different strains, but good correlation with strain relatedness by PFGE and antigenic classification. RiboPrinter surpassed PFGE at handling, result interpretation, and rapidity, therefore, hierarchical approach with the first pass through the RiboPrinter followed by PFGE as the occasion demands can be very useful to save labor. The RiboPrinter has the potential to be a widely useful tool in molecular epidemiology.

Automation↗

Seasonal changes in the hypothalamo-pituitary-testes axis of the Japanese wood mouse (Apodemus speciosus).

Seasonal changes in the hypothalamo-pituitary-testes axis of the Japanese wood mice (Apodemus speciosus) were studied. The testes, epididymis, pituitary and hypothalamus were compared between mice in the breeding season (July) and non-breeding season (October) using morphological techniques, and the plasma testosterone level was evaluated by enzyme immunoassay. Significant differences in these tissues were observed between the breeding season and the non-breeding season. Specifically, differences in the non-breeding season included 1) a decline in testicular and epididymal weights, arrest of spermatogenesis and decrease of serum testosterone concentration; 2) a decrease in the number of luteinizing hormone (LH)-, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)-, prolactin (PRL)-, and growth hormone (GH)-immunoreactive cells, and decrease in the size of FSH, PRL, and GH-immunoreactive cells; and 3) an increase in the size of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-immunoreactive neurons. Our findings indicate that the male adult Japanese wood mouse exhibits unique seasonal changes in the hypothalamo-pituitary-testes axis which are not found in laboratory mice.

Animals↗

Treatment of childhood renal cell carcinoma with lymph node metastasis: two cases and a review of literature.

Standard treatment for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is radical nephrectomy with lymph node dissection. Stages I and II have encouraging prognoses, but Stage III with regional lymph node metastasis can be unfavorable. Adjuvant therapy for pediatric patients with advanced RCC with lymph node involvement or metastatic lesion has not been defined. Advanced pediatric RCC is reported in two patients (boys, aged 6 and 9 years: Stage IIIs, Robson; Stage III and IV, pTNM classification) treated by nephrectomy and lymph node dissection followed by postoperative interferon-alpha (IFN), that can be used as an adjuvant therapy with side effects such as fever, bone marrow suppression, or decreased liver function. One is doing well for 7 years, another is suffered from lung metastases at 3 years after surgery. Although immunotherapy is expected to improve survival in pediatric patients with advanced RCC, surgical resection of renal and metastatic tumors remains the standard treatment.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

A case of Currarino triad with familial sacral bony deformities.

We describe a male patient presenting with Currarino triad: a recto-urethral fistula, sacral bony deformity, and a presacral teratoma. Clinical screening of his family revealed three additional cases with incomplete forms of this association. Cytogenetic findings in the patient and his mother were normal. This case suggests that the occurrence of an anorectal malformation together with a sacral bony deformity should raise a physician's index of suspicion for associated presacral tumors, and that screening of the patient's family members with sacral radiographs is necessary.

Anal Canal↗

Elevation of transforming growth factor-beta1 is associated with recurrent miscarriage.

To investigate the significance of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) in reproduction we have compared plasma levels in normal pregnant women and patients suffering miscarriages. We examined 188 normal pregnant women and 12 pregnant women with miscarriages. Eight women with severe recurrent miscarriages (mean +/- SD of previous number of miscarriages; 10.4 +/- 2.4 times) were also examined before conception; 34 nonpregnant women served as controls. Plasma TGF-beta1 level increased with the gestational week and returned within the normal range 1 month after delivery. The levels among pregnant women with miscarriages (mean +/- SD; 2.44 +/- 0.83 ng/ml) were significantly higher than those of pregnant controls (1.74 +/- 0.95 ng/ml) of matched gestational weeks; levels among nonpregnant women with severe recurrent miscarriages were extremely elevated (4.1 +/- 3.04 ng/ml) compared to the control value (1.34 +/- 0.59 ng/ml). These data suggest that TGF-beta1 may be necessary to maintain pregnancy but also may be a risk factor for recurrent miscarriages.

Abortion, Habitual↗

The role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in infants with cholestasis.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was assessed in the diagnosis of cholestatic liver disease in infants. METHODS: ERCP was performed in 50 infants who had prolonged cholestasis. Their ages ranged from 25 to 274 days (mean, 69 days), and their weight ranged from 2.6 to 6.7 kg (mean, 4.7 kg). Incomplete visualization of the biliary tree or visualization of only the pancreatic duct was followed by exploratory laparotomy. In those in whom the biliary tree was visualized completely, the caliber of the bile duct was compared with that of the pancreatic duct. RESULTS: ERCP was completed in 43 patients (success rate, 86%) without complications. In the 7 patients in whom ERCP failed, 6 had biliary atresia (BA) diagnosed by exploratory laparotomy. The other patient had congenital biliary dilatation (CBD). In 29 of the 43 patients, the biliary tree was seen partially or only the pancreatic duct was visualized. These patients had BA diagnosed by laparotomy. Complete visualization of the biliary tree was obtained in 14 patients. Of these, 9 had neonatal hepatitis (NH), 2 had a paucity of intrahepatic bile ducts (PIBLD), and 3 had CBD. In all of the patients with NH, cholestasis improved spontaneously. The 2 patients with PIBLD had biopsy-proven disease. The caliber of the bile duct was larger than that of the pancreatic duct in NH. This relationship was not observed in PIBLD. CONCLUSIONS: ERCP is safe in infants. It is useful in the diagnosis of prolonged cholestasis.

Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde↗

Effect of subinhibitory concentrations of macrolides on expression of flagellin in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis.

In the present study we showed by molecular analysis that the inhibition of motility by macrolides in Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was well correlated with the loss of the expression of flagellin. Erythromycin, clarithromycin, and azithromycin at subinhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) suppressed the expression of flagellin dose dependently. Azithromycin had the strongest inhibitory effect on the expression of P. aeruginosa flagellin, whereas 16-membered rokitamycin had only a weak inhibitory effect. These results indicate the potential effectiveness of sub-MICs of erythromycin, clarithromycin, and azithromycin for the treatment of patients with P. mirabilis and P. aeruginosa infections.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Effects of trimebutine on intestinal motility after massive small bowel resection.

Effects of trimebutine maleate (TM) on intestinal motility in short bowel syndrome (SBS) were studied in conscious canines in both acute and chronic phases following 80% massive distal small bowel resection (MSBR). TM was administered orally to beagles with MSBR or as controls in the postprandial and fasting states, and given simultaneously with meals. Intestinal motility was measured using bipolar electrodes for approximately 1 month after the electrodes were implanted in each beagle and the data compared between treatment groups. When TM was given with meals, the postprandial period without duodenal migrating myoelectric (or motor) complexes (MMCs) was shorter than in those given meals only. When TM was given in the postprandial state in short bowel beagles, the initial duodenal MMCs occurred earlier, i.e. the postprandial period was shorter. Diarrhea did not occur in these beagles. When TM was given in the fasting state, duodenal MMCs occurred and propagated to the distal intestine. In conclusion, oral TM administration can produce a more appropriate intestinal condition for the next food intake and make enteral nutrition possible even in the acute phase after MSBR. Such feeding can be carried out without overloading gut function as a result of the modulation of gastrointestinal motility by TM.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Effects of intestinal muscular wrapping on remnant intestinal motility after massive small bowel resection in conscious canines.

We searched the effect of the muscular valve on the management of short bowel syndrome. The motility of the remnant intestine with a special muscular valve after 80% massive distal small bowel resection (MSBR) was evaluated in conscious dogs. The valve (muscular ring) was made by the autointestinal muscle layer holding vascular pedicle. Interdigestive and postprandial bowel motility using bipolar electrodes and/or contractile strain gauge force transducers 2-4 weeks after the surgery, and data of this group (Group I) were compared to the motility in dogs after MSBR without valve construction (Group II) and in controls (Control). Results; Fasting duodenal migrating myoelectric (or motor) complexes (MMCs) in Group I occurred at longer intervals than in Control and almost similarly to those in Group II. MMCs arising from the duodenum were often interrupted before the jejunum above the valve and the anastomosis. The velocity of duodenal MMC propagation was slowed in every intestinal segment including that from the duodenum to the proximal jejunum, and to the jejunum above the anastomosis. Transit time in MSBR group (I and II) from the duodenum to the terminal ileum was extremely shorter than in Control, but there were no differences between in Groups I and II. The duration of the postprandial period without duodenal MMCs in Group I was significantly prolonged than in Control, but was shorter than that in Group II. The muscular valve was frequently activated, and the jejunum covered with the valve was contracted frequently which synchronized with the valve activity. It seemed the valve worked as sphincter. However, intestinal obstruction was not occurred through the jejunum covered by the valve. In conclusion, changes in gut motility after MSBR with the valve construction compensate for the shortened intestine and maintain the bowel content earlier postoperatively in comparison with the MSBR alone, and also contribute to the adaptive increase in the remnant intestinal absorption.

Animals↗

Total and pancreatic amylase measured with 2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl-4-O-beta-D-galactopyranosylmaltoside.

BACKGROUND: : Many different methods have been used to assay amylase activity, using nitrophenylated oligosaccharides as substrate; however, the hydrolysis steps in these methods are complex. METHODS: : We developed a new continuously monitoring assay for amylase activity in biological fluids, using 2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl-4-O-beta-D-galactopyranosylmaltoside (GalG2CNP) as the substrate; this assay was used with anti-human salivary amylase monoclonal antibodies for specific determination of the pancreatic isoenzyme. Amylase converted GalG2CNP into beta-D-galactopyranosylmaltose and 2-chloro-4-nitrophenol, which was measured at 405 nm. RESULTS: : GalG2CNP was cleaved between 2-chloro-4-nitrophenol and beta-D-galactopyranosylmaltose and did not undergo transfer reactions. The within-assay CVs (n = 20) for total amylase (T-AMY) and pancreatic amylase (P-AMY) were 0.6-1.6% and 0.5-2.5%, respectively; and day-to-day CVs (n = 10) for T-AMY and P-AMY were 0.8-3.7% and 0.6-4.1%, respectively. T-AMY and P-AMY activities in serum or urine obtained by the proposed method correlated well with those determined by the 2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl 4-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-beta-maltotetraoside method or the modified IFCC method. CONCLUSIONS: : This novel assay for T-AMY and P-AMY measures both activities stoichiometrically, directly, and easily, and may be suitable for routine procedures.

Amylases↗

[Activities of antimicrobial agents against 5,180 clinical isolates obtained from 26 medical institutions during 1998 in Japan. Levofloxacin--Surveillance Group].

The surveillance study was conducted to determine the antimicrobial activity of fluoroquinolones (ofloxacin, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, tosufloxacin) and other 20 antimicrobial agents against 5,180 clinical isolates obtained from 26 medical institutions during 1998 in Japan. The resistance to fluoroquinolones was remarkable in Enterococci, methicillin-resistant staphylococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from UTI. However, many of the common pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae including penicillin-resistant isolates, methicillin-susceptible Stahylococcus aureus, Moraxella catarrhalis, the family of Enterobacteriaceae, Haemophilus influenzae including ampicillin-resistant isolates have been kept to be susceptible to fluoroquinolones. About 90% of P. aeruginosa isolates from RTI were susceptible to fluoroquinolones. In conclusion, the results from this surveillance study suggest that fluoroquinolones are useful in the treatment of various bacterial infections including respiratory infections.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

[A consideration on discrepancy of results obtained between commercial CRP measurement kits].

We investigated the frequency of the occurrence of discrepancies using various patients' sera between several commercial C reactive protein(CRP) kits with turbidimetric immunoassay, and the elucidation of the mechanism of the non-specific reaction, also investigated methods of minimizing false results in some procedures. CRP was measured in 79 patients' sera containing monoclonal immunoglobulins [Multiple Myeloma: 45 patients' sera(IgG type, 37; IgA type, 7; BJP type, 1); Waldenström's disease: 8; Benign M proteinemia: 26], 70 patients' sera with polyclonal high gamma-globulinemia (> 2.0 g/dl) and 91 patients' sera with positive rheumatoid factor. Two different patients' sera, one(chronic hepatitis C) with Waldenström's disease and the other(purpura) with polyclonal high gamma-globulinemia, showed marked discrepancies. We found these discrepancies were induced by milky turbidity produced by non-specific reaction between high molecular weight components(cryoglobulin composed from IgM-IgG in the Waldenström case and immune complex in the polyclonal high gamma-globulinemia case), and the buffer solution contained polyethylene glycol(PEG) as a catalyst. The discrepancy was minimized by the following procedures: (a) decreasing the PEG concentration, (b) increasing pH of the buffer solution, (c) using a small volume of the secondary reagent(R2), and (d) using rabbit anti-human CRP serum instead of goat serum.

Animals↗

[Tuberculosis].

The incidence of tuberculosis in Japan is the highest among developed countries, with approximately 42,000 new cases reported in 1997, marking the first increase in 38 years. The growing incidence among the elderly and group infections among young adults may be responsible for this increase. Infection with tubercle bacilli(TB) occurs via airborne transmission, which involves dissemination of either airborne droplet nuclei on evaporated droplets that may remain suspended in the air for long periods of time. Microorganisms carried in this manner can be dispersed widely by air currents, therefore, special air handling and ventilation are required to prevent airborne transmission. Patients with infectious TB must be placed in a single room with negative pressure and a ventilation rate of 6 or more air changes per hour. Health care workers must wear an N95 mask when entering the room, and if an incident involving possible TB infection occurs in the hospital, the concerned people should be examined for Tuberculin reaction. Two to 12 weeks after the TB infection has occurred, the tuberculin reaction converts to positive. However, most Japanese people have been vaccinated with BCG, so assessment of the results is difficult. A comparison of the diameter of erythema before and after the potential infection may be the most confirmatory. If latent TB infection is suspected, preventive therapy with isoniazid must be considered. Special biohazard systems in the clinical laboratory and autopsy room have also been proposed to prevent TB dispersal. DOTS(Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course) is useful to prevent the emergence of multi-drug-resistant TB. In some areas of Japan that have low levels of compliance with TB therapy, trials of DOTS have been started.

Antitubercular Agents↗

[Molecular genetic approaches to Mycobacterium tuberculosis].

Recent progress of molecular genetics has been providing tools for new approaches to disease treatment and diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In 1998, Cole et al. reported the complete genome sequence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The new information will provide us the knowledge and understanding of the biology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Further, it will provide us new conception of diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Four topics were selected in this symposium. Dr. Iinuma reviewed and prospected the clinical utility of nucleic acid amplification methods of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Dr. Suzuki reviewed the molecular mechanism of acquired resistance to anti-TB drugs and reported the early detection of genetic mutation by new designed DNA tip method. Dr. Takahashi reviewed the method of molecular epidemiology and genetic elements as a tool for strain differentiation of tuberculosis. Dr. Mizuguchi interpreted the essential feature of mycobacterial genome maps, and genes and their biological activity. He also reviewed the importance and the utility of the complete genome sequence of tuberculosis in association with pathogenecity. These topics were summarized in this report, based on the symposium of "Molecular genetic approaches to Mycobacterium tuberculosis" in the 75th annual meeting of the Japanese Society for Tuberculosis.

Drug Resistance↗

Severe disseminated BCG infection in an 8-year-old girl.

An 8-year-old girl died of sepsis due to staphylococcal infection one year and 8 months after Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) revaccination. Two months after the vaccination in accordance with the school health program, she was hospitalized with a high fever, skin rash over the face and lower limbs, and leukopenia. Her clinical and laboratory pictures were not compatible with those of any established type of immunodeficiency. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for M. tuberculosis complex was positive for bone marrow, pleural fluid, and peripheral blood. The strain recovered from a mycobacterial culture of the blood was identical to the BCG strains with which the patient was vaccinated, based on restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and a pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analyses of DNA. She developed finally a lung abscess due to staphylococcal septicemia, which was the direct cause of her death.

BCG Vaccine↗

A study of therapy for pediatric hepatoblastoma: prevention and treatment of pulmonary metastasis.

Our results of treatment for pediatric hepatoblastoma are presented with special emphasis on pulmonary metastasis. The pulmonary metastasis rate of hepatoblastoma was 44% (11/25). In 19 patients with resected hepatoblastomas, the 5-year survival rate without pulmonary metastasis was 90% (9/10); while with pulmonary metastasis it was 22% (2/9). Six patients with unresected hepatoblastomas all died within 4 months regardless of chemotherapy and/or metastasis. To improve survival in patients with hepatoblastoma, preoperative or postoperative chemotherapy was thought to be essential for tumors extending over 2 hepatic segments and having predictable factors for pulmonary metastasis (large size or histological evidence of capsular invasion). A long-term multidisciplinary approach including hepatic lobectomy, current multiagent chemotherapy (including CDDP, THP-ADR), and partial pulmonary resection for localized lung areas with metastases would ultimately be needed.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Sacrococcygeal teratoma: a series of 19 cases with long-term follow-up.

A series of 19 cases of sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) with follow-up of 5 to 25 years is presented. Twelve patients were neonates, age 0 to 26 days (5 immature teratomas and 7 mature teratomas, representing 3, 6, 2, and 1 Altman's type I, II, III, and IV tumors, respectively), four were infants, age 1 to 6 months (all mature teratomas, representing 1, 1, and 2 Altman's type I, II, and IV tumors), and 3 were children, age 1 to 4 years (all malignant teratomas, all Altman's IV tumors). Eight babies were delivered by elective caesarean section (CS). Though the mean gestational age at CS was 34.3 weeks in our series, we now believe that CS often must be performed earlier, depending on a tumor size or fetal condition. Eleven neonates and 4 infants were operated upon using a sacral approach in 10 and an abdominosacral approach in 5, and all survived. However, 4 patients had neurogenic bladder and were treated by urinary catheterization or vesicostomy for 2 to 5 years after surgery. Postoperative urogenital sequelae are seen in patients with a large tumor, urethral compression, urinary retention, or edema of the lower body. Malignant tumors usually had metastasized by the time of diagnosis, but the prognosis for outcome has been improved following surgery and combination chemotherapy.

Adolescent↗