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Biomedical subjects

Y Itoh

Publications and source records attributed to Y Itoh.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Reevaluation of laboratory parameters in relation to histological findings in primary and secondary Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: We reevaluated the diagnostic value of laboratory parameters in relation to histopathological findings in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) to clarify whether autoantibodies are useful diagnostic criteria for SS, and whether any laboratory data are useful in estimating the degree of salivary gland change. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Laboratory parameters and histopathological findings were analyzed in 96 patients examined by labial biopsy. RESULTS: The percentage of cases with positive assays of rheumatoid factor and anti-SS-A/Ro antibodies was significantly higher in Definite SS. Patients with dense mononuclear cell infiltration of salivary tissues also had higher titers of rheumatoid factor. No useful laboratory parameters were found for the diagnosis of secondary SS. CONCLUSION: Rheumatoid factor and anti-SS-A/Ro antibodies are useful for the diagnosis of primary SS, and rheumatoid factor is also an indicator of the severity of salivary glandular damage.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Immunogenetic background of patients with autoimmune fatigue syndrome.

We have previously reported that approximately 50% of children with chronic nonspecific complaints were positive for antinuclear antibodies (ANA), and that a novel autoantibody to a 62 kD protein (anti-Sa) was found in 40% of these ANA-positive patients. Therefore, we proposed a distinct disease entity termed autoimmune fatigue syndrome (AIFS). We hypothesized that if autoimmune mechanisms did play an important role in the pathogenesis of AIFS, it is possible that it is immunogenetically regulated as observed in other autoimmune disorders. In order to examine the immunogenetic background of AIFS patients, HLA-A, -B, -C, and -DR loci were analyzed serologically in 61 AIFS patients. AIFS was found to be positively associated with the class I antigen HLA-B61 and with the class II antigen HLA-DR9, with odds ratios of 2.77 (p = 0.015, Pcorr = 0.48) and 2.60 (p= 0.012, Pcorr = 0.17), respectively. A negative association was also found between AIFS and HLA-DR2 with odds ratio of 0.25 (p = 0.029, Pcorr = 0.041). When comparing anti-Sa positive AIFS patients with healthy controls, the odds ratios associated with HLA-B61, DR9, and DR2 were 3.42 (p = 0.021, Pcorr = 0.22), 3.96 (p = 0.0011, Pcorr = 0.015), and 0.16 (p = 0.0022, Porr = 0.031), respectively. Thus, the HLA associations observed in this study suggested that immunogenetic background might play a role in AIFS.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Vaccination of a refractory essential monoclonal cryoglobulinemia patient with cryoglobulin-pulsed dendritic cells.

We vaccinated a refractory essential monoclonal cryoglobulinemia patient with monocyte-derived DCs (Mo-DCs) pulsed with purified cryoglobulin as a tumor antigen. During the vaccinations, his acrocyanosis improved and we were able to reduce the number of hot baths used to treat his symptoms, with no side effects. Furthermore, cryoglobulin-specific proliferative responses were observed after the vaccination. As there was a recurrence of acrocyanosis after the final vaccination, vaccination with Mo-DCs pulsed with purified cryoglobulin would seem to be a useful treatment for refractory essential monoclonal cryoglobulinemia.

Antigens↗
PubMed2000

[Statistical surveillance of mucocutaneous candidiasis in Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital in the past 5 years].

We investigated the epidemiology of 618 patients of mucocutaneous candidiasis who visited our outpatient clinic between 1993 and 1997. Compared with previous reports in Japan, the incidence of candida intertrigo increased and that of erythema mycoticum infantile decreased. The incidence of "others", such as nail candidiasis and candidiasis developed under plaster increased. We identified the species of Candida from patients in 496 recent cases, and these species were cultured successfully in 79.2%. As reported by previous authors, a majority or our results were Candida albicans serotype A. We also investigated the risk factors such as diseases or conditions which might be related to immunodeficiency (neoplasm, AIDS) and that might force a patient to restrict himself to bed for a long period (neurological disease). The former was found in 22.7%, and the latter in 23.3% of patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locally unresectable head and neck cancer].

In patients with locally unresectable head and neck cancer with large nodal involvement, the expected five-year survival is as low as 1-2%. To improve the prognosis of these patients, we studied the usefulness of concurrent chemoradiotherapy in a phase II trial. Between September 1996 and May 1999, thirty-five patients with locally unresectable head and neck cancer were administered concurrent chemoradiotherapy consisting of low-dose and long-term treatment with cisplatin (CDDP) plus 5-fluorouracil (5FU), or (L-CF); the L-CF regimen consisted of CDDP, 3 mg/m2 on 5 days of the week and 5FU, 150 mg/m2 as a 24-hour infusion on 5 days of the week. Concurrently, conventional radiotherapy was given up to total dose of around 60 Gy. In the 33 patients evaluable for response, 17 complete and 9 partial responses were noted, with an overall response rate of 79%. Oral mucostis and myelosuppression were the major side effects and mucositis was a dose limiting toxicity. This study demonstrates increase in survival among the responders (complete + partial) in the concurrent chemoradiotherapy setting. However 8 local relapses were eventually noted in the 17 complete responders. We concluded that this treatment strategy was beneficial in patients with locally unresectable head and neck cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Configural and component processings in face recognition: comparison between inversion and negation effects].

It has previously been reported that subjects show difficulties in recognizing faces which are either inverted or in photographic negative. This study examined whether inversion and negation would disrupt the same aspects of face recognition processes in a same-different decision task for simultaneously presented faces. In a "different" condition, two faces were subtlely changed either in component information (eye size) or configural information (placement of inner features). The results revealed that negation equally disrupted component and configural processings, whereas inversion selectively disrupted configural processing more than component processing. Thus, the negation effect, which has been accounted for in terms of edge vs. surface processing, cannot be accounted for in terms of component vs. configural processing. It is concluded that inversion and negation selectively disrupt different aspects of cognitive processes underlying face recognition.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Effect of a new international reference preparation for proteins in human serum (certified reference material 470) on results of the College of American Pathologists Surveys for plasma proteins.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of a new international reference preparation for serum proteins on the among-manufacturer variance in the College of American Pathologists Surveys. DATA SOURCE: The results of the Surveys for the years 1993-1998, supplied by the College of American Pathologists. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Mean values for manufacturers' assays were compared for each protein in the quality control samples. Results were separated by the reported reference material from which values for calibrators had been transferred. Standard statistical parameters (means, standard deviations, and coefficients of variation) were calculated from the reported means. CONCLUSIONS: Among-manufacturer coefficients of variation have dropped significantly for most serum proteins since the introduction of the new reference material. Possible reasons for continued differences are discussed.

Albumins↗
PubMed2000

Preferential inhibition by a novel Na(+)/Ca(2+) channel blocker NS-7 of severe to mild hypoxic injury in rat cerebrocortical slices: A possible involvement of a highly voltage-dependent blockade of Ca(2+) channel.

The hypoxic injury was induced in rat cerebrocortical slices by the exposure to hypoxia for 45 min in the absence or presence of 3 mM glucose, followed by reoxygenation for 5 h. The injury was more pronounced in the absence of glucose (severe hypoxic injury) than in the presence of glucose (mild hypoxic injury). A novel Na(+)/Ca(2+) channel blocker, NS-7 [4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methyl-6-(5-piperidinopentyloxy) pyrimidine hydrochloride], at 3 to 30 microM inhibited preferentially the severe hypoxic injury, whereas MK-801, omega-conotoxin GVIA (omega-CTX), and N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methylester suppressed preferentially the mild hypoxic injury. The extracellular cyclic GMP formation, a marker of nitric oxide synthesis, was enhanced during hypoxia, although the extent was greater in the absence of glucose. As observed in the hypoxic injury, NS-7 preferentially inhibited the cyclic GMP formation induced by severe hypoxic insults, whereas MK-801 or omega-CTX reduced it under mild hypoxic condition. When 30 to 50 mM KCl was applied to normoxic slices, a concentration-dependent increase in the extracellular cyclic GMP formation was observed. NS-7 blocked the cyclic GMP formation induced by 50 mM KCl but not by 30 to 40 mM KCl, whereas omega-CTX suppressed only the 30 mM KCl-evoked response. In primary neuronal culture, NS-7 reversed KCl-induced increase in intracellular Ca(2+) in which the inhibition was marked when the KCl concentration was increased. These findings suggest that NS-7, unlike other neuroprotective compounds used in this study, is more effective in severe hypoxic injury. The highly voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channel blockade may contribute to the mode of neuroprotective action of NS-7.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2000

Down-regulation of human telomeric protein TRF1 gene expression during myeloid differentiation in human hematopoietic cells.

The maintenance of telomere length is crucial for cell survival. Recently, it has been indicated that the human telomeric protein TRF1 is involved in the negative feedback mechanism that stabilizes telomere length. We studied TRF1 mRNA expression in hematopoietic cells to clarify the relation between TRF1 and telomerase by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. In polymorphonuclear cells and monocytes isolated from peripheral blood, relatively low levels of TRF1 mRNA expression were seen, compared with those of lymphocytes and CD34+. We then assessed TRF1 mRNA expression in CD34+ cells cultured in vitro with growth factors. After 4 weeks of culture, all the cells showed myeloid differentiation, and telomerase activity was down-regulated. TRF1 mRNA was expressed in CD34+ cells but was down-regulated in cells cultured for 4 weeks. We conclude that TRF1 mRNA expression is down-regulated in accordance with telomerase down-regulation during the course of myeloid differentiation.

Antigens, CD34↗
PubMed2000

[Evaluation of new TNM classification for lung cancer, especially T3N0M0, stage IIIA, stage IIIB, and pm].

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of new TNM staging system for lung cancer in 1997, especially T3N0M0, stage IIIA, stage IIIB, and pm. Five-year survival rates of the patients with stage IIIA and stage IIIB were 16% and 18% respectively (NS). Five-year survival rates of patients with T3N1M0, T1N2M0, T2N2M0, and T3N2M0 were 40%, 28%, 15%, and 3%, respectively. The prognosis of T3N2M0 was significantly worse than that of T3N1M0, T1N2M0, and T2N2M0. Five-year survival rates of the patients excluding pm 1 with T4N0M0, T4N1M0, T4N2M0, and T4N3M0 were 21%, 10%, 10%, and 0%, respectively. The prognosis of the patients with T4N0 was significantly better than that of T4N2 and T4N3. In the patients with pm, 5-year survival rates of the patients with pm 1 and pm 2 were 26% and 7%, respectively (p < 0.01). In the patients with pm 1, 5-year survival rates of the patients with N0 + N1 and N1 + N2 were 53% and 16%, respectively (p < 0.01). From our these results, we supported the new TNM system as putting T3N0M0 to stage IIB, putting pm 2 into stage IV. We proposed; 1) chest wall invasion with bone destruction stay in stage IIIA or is T4, 2) T3N1M0 is classified with stage IIB, 3) main stem bronchus invasion is classified with T2, 4) pm 1 is subdivide by N status. Furthermore, stage III seemed to be reasonably subdivided into T1-2N3M0, T4N0-1M0 as stage IIIA and T3-4N2, T1-4N3 as stage IIIB.

Humans↗
PubMed2000

[A case of simultaneous off-pump CABG and left lower lobectomy via left anterolateral thoracotomy].

Surgical management for simultaneous pulmonary resection and cardiac surgery remains controversial. We report a case of coexisting lung carcinoma and angina pectoris who was managed successfully with a concomitant operation via the left anterolateral thoracotomy through the fourth intercostal space. After left lower lobectomy, left anterior descending and distal circumflex arteries were anastomosed with composite left internal thoracic and radial artery grafts without use of cardiopulmonary bypass. Both less invasive CABG and curative resection of lung carcinoma were achieved with these procedures.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

[Clinical features of late onset dementia with Lewy bodies].

We conducted a retrospective study to elucidate clinical features of late onset dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Nineteen patients with DLB of neocortical category were neuropathologically diagnosed out of 500 consecutive autopsies at Yokufukai Hospital by using the pathological criteria of the consortium on DLB International Workshop. Medical history and clinical signs and symptoms were reviewed from the medical records. The age at onset was 55-88 years (mean 75.9 years), the age at death was 62-91 years, and duration of illness was 1-14 years. The initial symptoms were memory disturbance (10 cases), delirium (6 cases), gait disturbance (3 cases), visual hallucination (3 cases). We divided nineteen cases of DLB into two group: the age of onset was under 75 years (9 cases) and over 76 years (10 cases). The early onset group showed parkinsonism (67%), and visual hallucination (55%). The sensitivity of the clinical diagnosis of probable DLB based on DLB international workshop consensus criteria was 67%. On the other hand, the late onset group (10cases) presented with delirium (70%), parkinsonism (20%), and visual hallucination (30%). The sensitivity of a clinical diagnosis of probable DLB was 30%. Our results indicated considerable difficulty of the diagnosis of late onset DLB cases by the consensus criteria, requiring more sensitive criteria and diagnostic tests for DLB.

Age of Onset↗
PubMed1999

Immunosuppressants promote adult dorsal root regeneration into the spinal cord.

Immunosuppressants promote neurite extension in culture and facilitate regeneration of peripheral nerves in vivo. However, their neurotrophic effects in the CNS have not been well studied. We utilized a rat dorsal root transaction model to examine the effects of cyclosporine A (CsA) and FK 506 on regeneration of the dorsal root into the spinal cord. After surgery, the rats received daily subcutaneous injections of CsA or FK 506. One month after surgery, dorsal root axons were immunohistochemically labeled to evaluate the extent of regeneration into the spinal cord. Dorsal root axons of CsA/FK 506-treated rats frequently entered into the spinal cord and arborized extensively. Administration of immunosuppressants markedly promoted regeneration of dorsal root axons into the spinal cord.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Membrane type 4 matrix metalloproteinase (MT4-MMP, MMP-17) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteinase.

Among the five membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases (MT-MMPs), MT1-, MT2-, MT3-, and MT5-MMPs have about a 20-amino acid cytoplasmic tail following the transmembrane domain. In contrast, a putative transmembrane domain of MT4-MMP locates at the very C-terminal end, and the expected cytoplasmic tail is very short or nonexistent. Such sequences often act as a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchoring signal rather than as a transmembrane domain. We thus examined the possibility that MT4-MMP is a GPI-anchored proteinase. Our results showed that [(3)H]ethanolamine, which can be incorporated into the GPI unit, specifically labeled the MT4-MMP C-terminal end in a sequence-dependent manner. In addition, phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C treatment released the MT4-MMP from the surface of transfected cells. These results indicate that MT4-MMP is the first GPI-anchored proteinase in the MMP family. During cultivation of the transfected cells, MT4-MMP appeared to be shed from the cell surface by the action of an endogenous metalloproteinase. GPI anchoring of MT4-MMP on the cell surface indicates a unique biological function and character for this proteinase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

No association of paraoxonase gene polymorphism with atherosclerosis or Alzheimer's disease.

Both AD and paraoxonase (PON) have been reported to be related to lipids and atherosclerosis, suggesting that the PON gene (PON) is a possible genetic risk factor for AD. We found no association of PON polymorphism with severity of atherosclerosis, densities of AD-type, neuropathologic change, or development of AD in 47 AD and 90 nondemented patients. Our study suggests that PON polymorphism does not play a causal role in the development of atherosclerosis or AD.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed1999

Human membrane type-4 matrix metalloproteinase (MT4-MMP) is encoded by a novel major transcript: isolation of complementary DNA clones for human and mouse mt4-mmp transcripts.

Five distinct membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases (MT-MMP) have been reported by cDNA cloning. However, the mt4-mmp gene product (MMP-17) has not been identified yet in spite of the cDNA isolation [Puente et al. (1996), Cancer Res. 56, 944-949]. In this study, we re-examined the transcripts for human mt4-mmp by 5' RACE and identified two types of transcripts. The minor one corresponded to the cDNA reported by Puente et al. and failed to express protein, and the other is the major transcript that has an extended open reading frame and expressed 67 and 71 kDa translation products. Thus, functional mt4-mmp has been identified for the first time.

Amino Acid Sequence↗