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Biomedical subjects

Y Kawabata

Publications and source records attributed to Y Kawabata.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

[Prognosis of subacutely progressive interstitial pneumonia depends on the presence of focal usual interstitial pneumonia].

A retrospective follow-up study was conducted on patients with subacutely progressive interstitial pneumonia who underwent surgical biopsy. Pathologically, they were subclassified into subacute interstitial pneumonia (SIP) and SIP + F, which consisted of an SIP lesion and a focal usual interstitial pneumonia. The SIP group consisted of 35 cases and the SIP + F group, of 15 cases. The majority of patients in both groups were female and complained of dyspnea. Both groups showed increased neutrophil counts (8.8%, 6.3%), eosinophils (6%, 5.6%), and lymphocytes (43.1%, 42.3%) in bronchoalveolar lavage. Chest radiography generally demonstrated predominant lower lobe involvement together with shrinkage in both groups, and differentiation of the two was difficult before biopsy. All but one improved temporarily with steroid therapy, or spontaneously, in both groups. On further observation after temporary improvement, 27 cases (82%), did not show any worsening and 6 cases (18%) showed worsening (including death) in the SIP group, while 6 cases (43%) showed no worsening, though 8 cases (57%) worsened in the SIP + F group. Deaths in either group that were not related to the original diseases were excluded from the statistical analysis. We concluded that the presence of focal usual interstitial pneumonia in SIP lesions affects prognosis in patients with subacutely progressive interstitial pneumonia.

Aged↗

[A focal usual interstitial pneumonia lesion: an important risk factor in diffuse alveolar damage--acute exacerbation of a focal usual interstitial pneumonia patient].

The aim of this study was to clarify whether the presence of a focal usual interstitial pneumonia lesion (F-UIP) is a risk factor for diffuse alveolar damage (DAD). Our subjects were 977 patients (681 males, 296 females, mean age, 64 years). The incidence of F-UIP increased significantly with age (between 50 and 60 years, 3% and 8%, p < 0.05; between 60 and 70 years, 8% and 14.1%, p < 0.05; and between 70 and 80 years, 14.1% and 27.9%, p < 0.01). The mean age of the non-UIP group was 64 years, and of the F-UIP group was 75 years, showing significance (p < 0.001). The incidence of DAD was higher in the F-UIP group (100 patients, 30%, p < 0.01) and the diffuse UIP group (60 patients, 30%, p < 0.01) than in the non-UIP group (817 patients, 5.3%). Although the causes of DAD were various, the presence of F-UIP was a important risk factor of DAD.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗

[A case of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis in an elderly woman].

We encountered a postmenopausal woman in whom pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis was pathologically diagnosed. Cases of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis are rare in postmenopausal women. The patient was the oldest in whom such a case was reported in the literature. Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis should be on the list of differential diagnoses for cases of pulmonary cystic lesions, even in postmenopausal women.

Aged↗

[Pathologic findings both before and after steroid therapy in a case of desquamative interstitial pneumonia].

A 62-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of dyspnea on effort. Histological findings from video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical biopsy were desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP). Two months after the introduction of steroid therapy, the patient underwent right middle lobe lobectomy for primary lung cancer. The histologic findings in this lobe revealed non-specific interstitial pneumonia, not characteristic of DIP. This case was the first in which histologic examination revealed DIP both before and after steroid therapy.

Humans↗

Lack of association between hepatocyte nuclear factor-1beta gene and common forms of type 2 diabetes in the Japanese population.

Mutations in the hepatocyte nuclear factor-1beta (HNF-1beta) gene have been shown to be a cause of maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY). We studied the contribution of the HNF-1beta gene to susceptibility to common forms of Type 2 diabetes in the genetically homogeneous Japanese population, by investigating the allelic association of Type 2 diabetes with two markers in the HNF-1beta region. The frequency of a nonsense mutation, R177X, which was previously reported in a Japanese family, was also studied by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method using a mismatch primer. A total of 200 subjects were studied. There was no significant difference in allele frequencies of either of the two polymorphisms studied between patients with Type 2 diabetes and control subjects, or between subgroups of patients subdivided by the presence of mild or severe diabetic nephropathy. None of the subjects studied had R177X mutation, giving a frequency of less than 1.1% in common forms of Type 2 diabetes in Japan. These results suggest that mutations in the HNF-1beta gene derived from a limited number of founders are not a major cause of common forms of Type 2 diabetes, even in the genetically homogeneous Japanese population.

Adult↗

[Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis following influenza A infection].

A 55-year-old man with arc welder's pneumoconiosis who presented with bilateral pneumonia was admitted to our hospital. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Aspergillus fumigatus were cultured from sputum on admission. The patient was treated with antibiotics and an anti-fungal agent, but his chest radiograph shadows became exacerbated, and he died of respiratory failure on the fourth day of hospitalization. Histological examination of postmortem lung tissue revealed necrotizing aspergillous pneumonia. The results of hemagglutination inhibition tests for influenza A (H3 N2) were x16 in September 1999, and x512 on the third day of hospitalization. We diagnosed this patient's condition as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis associated with influenza A viral infection. The suppression of cellular immunity, lymphocytopenia, and destruction of airways-mucociliary transport induced by influenza A viral infection were suspected to have predisposed him to aspergillus superinfection.

Aspergillosis↗

Age-related association of MHC class I chain-related gene A (MICA) with type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus.

To assess the contribution of the HLA class I region to susceptibility to and heterogeneity of type 1 diabetes, we investigated the association of polymorphism of MHC class I chain-related gene A (MICA) with age-at-onset as well as susceptibility to type 1 diabetes. One hundred one Japanese patients and 110 healthy control subjects were studied. The frequency of A4 allele was significantly higher and that of A6 allele was significantly lower in patients than in control subjects. The frequency of A5.1 allele was highest in early-onset patients (23.0%), intermediate in intermediate-onset patients (9.2%) and lowest in late-onset patients (7.7%) (trend chi-squared test, p = 0.0098). A5. 1 allele was strongly associated with HLA-B7 and Cw7, suggesting that MICA*A5.1-B7-Cw7 haplotype contains a gene responsible for age-at-onset. A4 allele was associated with a susceptible haplotype, DR4-DQB1*0401, and A6 allele was associated with a protective haplotype, DR2-DQB1*0601, suggesting that the association of MICA with type 1 diabetes susceptibility may be due to linkage disequilibrium with class II haplotypes. These data suggest that MICA gene is associated with age-at-onset and that a gene (or genes) responsible for age-at-onset of type 1 diabetes is located in the HLA class I region, probably near the region of MICA-B-C.

Adolescent↗

Reconstitution of gammadelta T cell repertoire diversity after human allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation and the role of peripheral expansion of mature T cell population in the graft.

We have examined the reconstitution of gammadelta T cell repertoire diversity after human allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based complementarity-determining region (CDR) 3 size spectratyping and DNA sequencing. The CDR3 complexity in the variable region of the T cell receptor (TCR)-delta chain was different amongst the individuals studied. Furthermore, CDR3 size distribution patterns of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients were almost completely recovered by a few months after transplantation. In some patients, clonal predominance of the TCRDV1+ T cells became evident during the period after transplantation. In one particular donor/recipient pair, clonal predominance of TCRDV1+ T cells was already present in blood lymphocytes of the donor, and was also observed in the recipient after transplantation. Using this donor/recipient pair, we have questioned whether gammadelta T cell regeneration occurs via the peripheral expansion of mature T cells in the graft. In the donor lymphocytes, two expanding gammadelta T cell clones, which were demonstrated by CDR3 sequences of the TCR-delta chain, were recognized. These two clones were identified in the T cells from the recipient post transplant, but not before transplantation. One of the two clones was still detectable 1(1/2) years after the transplant procedure. These results strongly suggest that peripheral expansion of mature T cells in the graft is the principal pathway of gammadelta T cell regeneration after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in adults.

Adolescent↗

Clinical evaluation of lymphoscintigraphy with a new technetium compound for metastatic cervical lymphadenopathy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the potential usefulness of lymphoscintigraphy for the detection of metastatic cervical lymphadenopathy. METHODS: Dynamic and static lymphoscintigraphy with 99Tcm-HSA-D was performed in 23 patients with malignant oropharyngeal tumors. The internal jugular nodes were excised and examined pathologically. The results of the lymphoscintigraphy were compared with the pathological examination and clinical palpation for accuracy. RESULTS: All cases showed abnormal findings on lymphoscintigraphy. The accuracy on dynamic scintigraphy was 69% for asymmetric drainage, 69% for delayed drainage and 100% for inverse drainage. The overall accuracy for each side was 71%. With static scintigraphy, the accuracy was 69% for asymmetry, 86% for fitting defect, 67% for mottled-patchy appearance, 70% in swelling and 100% for collateral pathway. The overall accuracy for each side was 74%. The agreement between lymphoscintigraphy and palpation was 44%. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphoscintigraphy with 99Tcm-HSA-D was superior to palpation. The method is useful as a supplementary modality for the evaluation of metastatic cervical lymphadenopathy because of its relatively high accuracy and a low false-negative rate.

Adult↗

Delayed recovery of CDR3 complexity of the T-cell receptor-beta chain in recipients of allogeneic bone marrow transplants who had virus-associated interstitial pneumonia: monitor of T-cell function by CDR3 spectratyping.

BACKGROUND: In the T-cell receptor (TCR)-beta chain, complementary-determining region 3 (CDR3) contains specific peptide sequences essential for recognition. Diversity of this region is considered to contribute to immunocompetence in humans. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to define the process of reconstitution of CDR3 complexity of the TCR-beta chain after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and to investigate the association between host immunocompetence and CDR3 complexity. METHODS: Diversity of the CDR3 region of the TCR-beta chain was examined by CDR3 size distribution analysis with the use of an automated DNA sequencer. RESULTS: Reconstitution of the alphabeta T-cell repertoire and CDR3 diversity was incomplete for at least 2 months after bone marrow transplantation. Delayed reconstitution of T-cell diversity was more marked in immunocompromised hosts. Unlike the situation in patients who received allogeneic bone marrow grafts, the recovery of CDR3 complexity was almost perfect by 2 months after transplantation in patients who received allogeneic blood stem cells. Clonal expansion of alphabeta T cells after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation was readily detected by CDR3 size spectratyping analysis. CONCLUSION: PCR-based CDR3 size spectratyping may be a useful tool for clinically monitoring immune reconstitution after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Adolescent↗

Complement system is involved in anaphylactoid reaction induced by lipopolysaccharides in muramyldipeptide-treated mice.

We previously reported that an intravenous injection of specified bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) induced anaphylactoid shock in muramyldipeptide (MDP)-primed mice of various strains, including LPS-resistant C3H/HeJ, accompanied with occasional mortality of mice within 1 h. Prior to shock, rapid accumulation of blood platelets into the lungs and liver followed by degradation of the platelets and tissue destruction were observed. In this report we present the following evidence suggesting that complement activation by LPS is responsible for the anaphylactoid reaction. In C5-deficient DBA/2 mice, the platelet degradation and anaphylactoid reactions did not occur following injection of Prevotella intermedia LPS, although transient platelet accumulation into the lungs and liver was observed. Anti-complement agents K-76 COOH (C5 inhibitor) and cobra venom factor (C5 consumer) protected MDP-primed C3H/HeJ mice from mortality in the anaphylactoid reaction induced by P. intermedia and Salmonella typhimurium LPS, respectively. K-76 COOH also inhibited platelet degradation, but not accumulation, induced by P. intermedia LPS in C3H/HeN mice. LPS specimens carrying mannose-homopolymer (MHP) prepared from wild-type Klebsiella 03 and Escherichia coli 08 and 09 and recombinant E. coli 08 and 09 strains, which have been reported to markedly activate the human complement system probably through the lectin pathway, induced anaphylactoid reactions in MDP-primed C3H/HeJ mice. In contrast, LPS from R-mutant of Klebsiella 03 and the parental strain of the recombinant E. coli strains, which lacked MHP, did not induce anaphylactoid reaction. Based on these findings together with those of our previous studies, we postulated the following mechanism for the anaphylactoid reaction: strong complement activation by specified LPS preparations induced degradation of platelets which have accumulated in the lungs and liver, resulting in acute inflammation accompanied with severe tissue destruction, especially in the lungs, which in turn leads to anaphylactoid reaction. However, the mechanism of platelet accumulation induced by LPS is not yet clear.

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗

[Evaluation of enrichment cultures for detection of Escherichia coli O157 from human stool specimens by using immunomagnetic separation].

We investigated the conditions of enrichment cultures preceding the immunomagnetic separation (IMS) procedure to detect Escherichia coli O157 (E. coli O157) from human stool specimens in routine laboratory examinations. Samples were made by adding either of the three selected strains of E. coli O157 to stools from three healthy human subjects in three different doses. The enrichment cultures were done for 18 hours at 37 degrees C or 42 degrees C, using five different media such as trypticase soy broth (TSB). TSB containing cefixime, tellurite and vancomycin, modified EC broth (mEC), mEC containing novobiocin (N-mEC) and BGLB. The IMS procedure following enrichment culture increased the detection rate of E. coli O157, irrespective of the kinds of the media and the temperatures. It recovered E. coli O157 in 42 samples out of 90, while only 31 samples were positive when the IMS was not applied. The N-mEC showed the best recovery rate of the five enrichment media, and it was the only media that recovered the E. coli O157 Gunmma 298 strains at a level of 2-3 cells per ml. In 73 stool samples collected from probable patients with E. coli O157 infection and subjects who made close contact with the patients, positive results were obtained in six samples with the N-mEC enrichment followed by the IMS procedure, while only three samples were positive by the direct isolation culture. It was concluded, therefore, that, in routine laboratory examinations of E. coli O157 from human stools, the N-mEC enrichment culture for 18 hours followed by the IMS procedure is a sensitive method even when the dose of E. coli O157 in the stool is minimal.

Culture Media↗

Chronic Helicobacter pylori infection induces an apoptosis-resistant phenotype associated with decreased expression of p27(kip1).

Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with the development of gastric cancer. In short-term coculture with AGS gastric cells, H. pylori inhibits cell cycle progression and induces dose-dependent apoptosis. Based on the concept that an imbalance between proliferation and apoptosis may contribute to the emergence of gastric cancer, we chronically exposed AGS cells to H. pylori as a model of chronic exposure in humans. The AGS derivatives selected by this process were stably resistant not only to H. pylori-induced apoptosis but also to apoptosis induced by other enteric bacteria and by several toxic agents including radiation and cancer chemotherapy. Like the parental AGS cells, the derivatives underwent G(1)/S-phase cell cycle inhibition in response to H. pylori. The AGS derivatives displayed a marked decrease in cellular levels of the cell cycle control protein p27(kip1). We found a similar decrease in epithelial cell p27(kip1) expression in gastric biopsy specimens from H. pylori-infected patients. These findings are consistent with observations that link decreases in the p27(kip1) level to increased susceptibility to cancer in mice with p27(kip1) deleted and to a poor prognosis of gastric cancer in humans. This is the first demonstration that bacterial infection can lead to apoptosis resistance and to cross-resistance to other inducers of apoptosis such as bacteria, chemotherapeutic agents, and radiation. The development of apoptosis resistance and downmodulation of p27(kip1) may contribute to the increased risk for gastric cancer observed in humans chronically exposed to H. pylori.

Apoptosis↗

Measurement of fatigue in knee flexor and extensor muscles.

In order to examine fatigue of the knee flexor and extensor muscles and to investigate the characteristics of muscular fatigue in different sports, a Cybex machine was used to measure muscle fatigue and recovery during isokinetic knee flexion and extension. Eighteen baseball players, 12 soccer players and 13 marathon runners were studied. Each subject was tested in the sitting position and made to perform 50 consecutive right knee bends and stretches at maximum strength. This was done 3 times with an interval of 10 min between each series. The peak torque to body weight ratio and the fatigue rate were determined in each case. In all subjects, the peak torque to body weight ratio was higher for extensors than flexors. Over the 3 trials, the fatigue rate of extensors showed little change, while that of flexors had a tendency to increase. In each subject, knee extensors showed a high fatigue rate but a quick recovery, while knee flexors showed a low fatigue rate but a slow recovery. As the marathon runners had the smallest fatigue rates for both flexors and extensors, we concluded that marathon runners had more stamina than baseball players and soccer players.

Adolescent↗

[Pulmonary complications after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation].

We investigated the occurrence of pulmonary complications in patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at our institution. Pulmonary complications were observed in 12 out of 60 patients. Interstitial pneumonia developed in 12 cases: 7 idiopathic, 2 cytomegalovirus-associated, 1 P. carinii, 1 HSV, and 1 HHV-6-associated. HSV- and HHV-6-associated pneumonias were exhibited 100 days after transplantation. PCR analysis was diagnostically useful for detection of viral DNA in bronchial alveolar lavage fluid. Respiratory disease with airway obstruction was observed in 4 patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease, and all 4 had a history of interstitial pneumonia. Three patients died of respiratory failure. Mycobacicrium avium complex was detected in 2. Exacerbation of respiratory failure may be associated with mycobacterial infection.

Adolescent↗

Patients with renal hypouricemia with exercise-induced acute renal failure and chronic renal dysfunction.

We here report the case of a 38-year-old male with back pain and vomiting occurring after exercise. Serum creatinine level was elevated, and he was admitted to our hospital with diagnosis of acute renal failure (ARF). He had experienced similar attacks at least 4 times, including the present episode, from the age of 22 years. After admission, the patient was managed only by resting, and remission was nearly attained in about 1 month. The renal biopsy specimen performed on day 15 showed findings of acute tubular necrosis, thickening of the tubular basement membrane, and interstitial fibrosis. After remission, the serum uric acid level was 0.7-0.8 mg/dl, fractional excretion of uric acid was 0.63, and the possibility of other diseases facilitating the excretion of uric acid was denied. Therefore, ARF associated with idiopathic renal hypouricemia was diagnosed. Since only mild responses were observed in a pyradinamide loading test and a benzbromarone loading test, the case was considered to be a presecretary reabsorption disorder type. Renal function tests showed the almost complete recovery of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR: 114 ml/min/1.73 m2), but the urine concentrating ability was markedly decreased (specific gravity 1.019 and osmolarity 516 mOsm/kgxH2O in Fishberg test). Past data from this patient indicated that this renal dysfunction had been persisting for ten years. We examined 9 patients with renal hypouricemia and focused on the differences between the two groups (with or without complications). Four patients had a history of exercise-induced ARF or calculus. The urine concentrating ability was significantly lower in these patients (group A) than in the other patients without complications (group B). The glomerular filtration rate in group A was within the normal range, but was lower than in group B. These results suggested the possibility that patients with renal hypouricemia with complications may have chronic renal dysfunction in the future.

Acute Kidney Injury↗