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PubMed1998

Altered antigenicity of M-177, a 177-kDa allergen from the house dust mite Dermatophagoides farinae, in stored extract.

BACKGROUND: A high molecular weight allergen, M-177 (177 kDa) was isolated from Dermatophagoides farinae using a specific antibody raised to an allergenic clone Mag 3, which was obtained by immunoscreening a mite cDNA library. The potent IgE reactivity of M-177 is comparable with that of Der f 2. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyse the molecular characteristics and the allergenic activity of M-177 in stored mite extracts. METHODS: Antigens were analysed by immunoblotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA; inhibition). Allergenic activity was estimated from IgE reactivity and the results of a histamine release assay. RESULTS: The intact M-177 molecule was present in high concentrations in fresh extract obtained from purified mite bodies, but was only detected in small amounts in stored extracts. Instead of the intact molecule, anti-Mag 3 antibody detected various cross-reactive antigens in the stored preparations. Studies of a stored liquid extract showed that these cross-reactive antigens were produced by the degradation of M-177, and that this change was suppressed by the addition of protease inhibitors. Interestingly, the allergenic activity of the fragmented M-177 (sM-177) isolated from the stored extracts was greater than that of the intact antigen. Specific IgE reacted with sM-177 in 84.2% of 38 sera samples from patients allergic to mites, while 65.8% were positive for M-177-specific IgE. Similarly, the histamine release test showed that sM-177 had greater allergenic activity in vitro. ELISA inhibition indicated that the increased allergenic activity resulted from alteration of the antigenicity with the degradation of M-177. CONCLUSIONS: M-177 is a protease-sensitive allergen. The breakdown products of M-177 provoked higher allergenic activity than the intact allergen.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Targeted retrograde transfection of adenovirus vector carrying brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene prevents loss of mouse (twy/twy) anterior horn neurons in vivo sustaining mechanical compression.

STUDY DESIGN: Immunohistochemical analysis after adenovirus (AdV)-mediated BDNF gene transfer in and around the area of mechanical compression in the cervical spinal cord of the hyperostotic mouse (twy/twy). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the neuroprotective effect of targeted AdV-BDNF gene transfection in the twy mouse with spontaneous chronic compression of the spinal cord motoneurons. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Several studies reported the neuroprotective effects of neurotrophins on injured spinal cord. However, no report has described the effect of targeted retrograde neurotrophic gene delivery on motoneuron survival in chronic compression lesions of the cervical spinal cord resembling lesions of myelopathy. METHODS: LacZ marker gene using adenoviral vector (AdV-LacZ) was used to evaluate retrograde delivery from the sternomastoid muscle in adult twy mice (16-week-old) and (control). Four weeks after the AdV-LacZ or AdV-BDNF injection, the compressed cervical spinal cord was removed en bloc for immunohistologic investigation of b-galactosidase activity and immunoreactivity and immunoblot analyses of BDNF. The number of anterior horn neurons was counted using Nissl, ChAT and AChE staining. RESULTS: Spinal accessory motoneurons between C1 and C3 segments were successfully transfected by AdV-LacZ in both twy and ICR mice after targeted intramuscular injection. Immunoreactivity to BDNF was significantly stronger in AdV-BDNF-gene transfected twy mice than in AdV-LacZ-gene transfected mice. At the cord level showing the maximum compression in AdV-BDNF-transfected twy mice, the number of anterior horn neurons was sinificantly higher in the topographic neuronal cell counting of Nissl-, ChAT-, and AChE-stained samples than in AdV-LacZ-injected twy mice. CONCLUSION: Targeted AdV-BDNF-gene delivery significantly increased Nissl-stained anterior horn neurons and enhanced cholinergic enzyme activities in the twy. Our results suggest that targeted retrograde AdV-BDNF-gene in vivo delivery may enhance neuronal survival even under chronic mechanical compression.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2005

Effect of viscous injectable pure alginate sol on cultured fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND: Alginates have a wide variety of potential clinical applications, including use in cell encapsulation, drug delivery, and tissue engineering. Although the compounds are typically used in the form of a calcium hydrogel, alginates in this form possess several disadvantages, including low biodegradability, induction of foreign body reactions, and cytotoxicity secondary to Ca2+ efflux and contamination with bioincompatible substances. Thus, the goal of the present study was to develop a new method of obtaining sterilized, pure, highly viscous alginate sol from seaweed alginates and to determine its utility as an injectable antiadhesion drug. METHODS: Viscous injectable pure alginate sol was produced from a commercially available sodium alginate, and its molecular and physical characteristics were analyzed. The biological properties of the viscous injectable pure alginate sol were analyzed using cultured fibroblasts prepared from the dorsal skin of neonatal rats to determine its biocompatibility and its effects on cell proliferation, cell migration, and collagen lattice contraction. RESULTS: The mannuronic acid-to-glucuronic acid ratio of viscous injectable pure alginate sol, as determined by nuclear magnetic resonance studies, was 1.2, and its viscosity at 5 percent was 17,800 mPa. Purification used to produce viscous injectable pure alginate sol decreased contamination by insoluble particles by 20 percent and decreased polyphenol concentration by 17 percent. In vitro analyses with cultured fibroblasts demonstrated that viscous injectable pure alginate sol had excellent biodegradability and biocompatibility and that viscous injectable pure alginate sol inhibited fibroblast proliferation and migration. Furthermore, assessment of collagen contraction with floating fibroblast-loaded collagen lattices indicated that viscous injectable pure alginate sol enhanced wound healing in surrounding connective tissues. CONCLUSIONS: The authors conclude that viscous injectable pure alginate sol can inhibit scar formation by presenting a physical barrier to invading fibroblasts and by enhancing wound healing of surrounding tissues.

Alginates↗
PubMed2000

Suppression of specific IgE antibody responses by liposome-conjugated ovalbumin in mice sensitized with ovalbumin via the respiratory tract.

BACKGROUND: Previously we have shown that intranasal administration of ovalbumin (OVA) together with cholera toxin (CT) abrogates nasal tolerance to OVA, resulting in the induction of specific IgE antibody (Ab) responses, and that intraperitoneal injection of OVA coupled with liposomes (OVA-liposomes) induces a selective suppression of IgE Ab responses to OVA. Whether OVA-liposomes suppress anti-OVA IgE Ab responses in mice sensitized with CT-combined OVA via the respiratory tract remains to be clarified. METHODS: In some experiments, mice were given OVA, liposomes or OVA-liposomes with or without CT intranasally three times, at 2-week intervals (weeks 0, 2 and 4). In other experiments, mice were given OVA-liposomes intranasally 2 days before or 1 and 3 weeks after CT-combined OVA (week 0), which was administered intranasally three times, at 2-week intervals (weeks 0, 2 and 4). Two weeks after the third administration of CT-combined OVA (week 0), nasal wash and serum IgA, IgG and IgE Ab responses were assayed. RESULTS: Pretreatment with OVA-liposomes suppressed IgE Ab responses to CT-combined OVA, with a significantly high production of both nasal IgA and serum IgG Abs. Moreover, treatment with OVA-liposomes 1 and 3 weeks after CT-combined OVA administration also suppressed IgE Ab responses. The suppression of anti-OVA IgE Ab production by OVA-liposomes was accompanied by a simultaneous enhancement of specific IgA and IgG (IgG1, and especially IgG2a) Ab production. CONCLUSIONS: Postimmunization treatment with OVA-liposomes, as well as preimmunization treatment, suppressed specific IgE Ab responses in mice sensitized intranasally with CT-combined OVA. Allergens conjugated to liposomes may be appropriate for preventing the development of allergies to inhaled or dietary antigens in humans.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1991

[In vitro antifungal activity of amorolfine, a new morpholine antimycotic agent].

In vitro antifungal activities of amorolfine (MT-861), a newly developed morpholine antimycotic agent, against a wide range of pathogenic fungal strains were investigated using an agar-dilution method with an imidazole antifungal agent, clotrimazole (CTZ), as the reference drug. The results showed that MT-861 had a broad antifungal spectrum, and was active against all of the pathogenic fungi tested except nonpigmented filamentous fungi such as aspergilli and penicillia. Dermatophytes and Malassezia furfur was the most highly susceptible to MT-861. Antifungal activities of MT-861 against most strains of these fungi as well as those against most strains of dimorphic fungi were higher than those of CTZ. By contrast, MT-861 showed lower activities against pathogenic yeasts such as Candida albicans than CTZ. Several assay conditions, such as inoculum size of fungi, incubation time, media pH and compositions including serum supplementation, affected MT-861 activities against C. albicans and, to lesser extents, those against Trichophyton mentagrophytes. MIC values of MT-861 against C. albicans and other Candida spp., were the lowest on casitone agar. MT-861 exerted fungicidal actions toward susceptible fungi such as T. mentagrophytes and Sporothrix schenckii at relatively low concentrations, and these activities were increased when the time of incubation was extended beyond 24 hours after inoculation of testing organisms. Susceptibilities of any strains of C. albicans and C. glabrata to MT-861 were not reduced by as many as 15 successive transfers in MT-861 containing media.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed1999

Evaluation of the New American Joint Committee on Cancer/International Union against cancer classification of lymph node metastasis from gastric carcinoma in comparison with the Japanese classification.

BACKGROUND: A new system for the classification of gastric carcinoma, based on the number of metastatic lymph nodes, has been adopted by the current American Joint Committee on Cancer/International Union Against Cancer (AJCC/UICC) TNM system (1997). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rationality of this classification in comparison with the Japanese classification, which is based on the location of positive lymph nodes. METHODS: The authors analyzed 587 patients who underwent clinically curative gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy for gastric carcinoma and each had 15 or more lymph nodes histologically examined from 1982 to 1992. Multivariate analysis with the Cox proportional hazards model was carried out to determine which classification was more effective. RESULTS: Within the pN1 or pN2 category of the new AJCC/UICC system, no significant difference in the survival rates existed between n1 patients and n2 patients of the Japanese classification. On the other hand, the survival rates significantly decreased, in the order of pN1, pN2, and pN3 (from greatest to smallest decrease), within the n1 and n2 categories. In multivariate analysis, lymph node involvement by the AJCC/UICC classification was selected as the most significant prognostic determinant, whereas the Japanese lymph node classification was not significantly prognostic. When survival rates were calculated within the pT1, pT2, and pT3-4 categories, no differences existed between pN0 and pN1. There was some discrepancy between the survival rate for each pT and pN category and the corresponding stage. CONCLUSIONS: The new AJCC/UICC classification for lymph node involvement of gastric carcinoma is basically acceptable and considered superior to the Japanese classification. Further analysis involving a greater number of cases may be necessary to confirm the applicability of this staging system.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Hemodynamic effects of isovolemic hemodilution during descending thoracic aortic cross clamping and lower torso reperfusion.

BACKGROUND: Isovolemic hemodilution has been suggested for blood conservation and to improve hemodynamic tolerance to abdominal aortic cross clamping. However, the hemodynamic effects of hemodilution during descending thoracic aortic cross clamping (DAC) have not been established. We evaluated them in anesthetized swine. METHODS: Hemodilution (n = 7) was produced by the isovolemic exchange of blood for 6% hetastarch to a target hematocrit of 20%. Hematocrit in control pigs (n = 7) remained at 30%. DAC was performed at the T9 level for 45 minutes. During a 60-minute reperfusion period, control pigs were infused with lactated Ringer's solution; shed blood was returned to hemodilution pigs, followed by lactated Ringer's. If hypotension occurred despite left atrial pressure of 10 mm Hg or greater, boluses of phenylephrine were given to keep mean arterial pressure above 60 mm Hg. RESULTS: Hemodilution caused a marked reduction in hematocrit and in global oxygen delivery (DO2). DAC produced a significant increase in proximal arterial pressure, cardiac index, and DO2 and oxygen consumption (VO2) was markedly reduced in both groups. A significant increase in systemic vascular resistance during DAC occurred only in control pigs. After reperfusion, vascular resistance was significantly lower than baseline in hemodilution pigs, requiring a sixfold greater dose of phenylephrine to avoid hypotension. A lower global DO2 and supply-limited VO2 were also observed in hemodilution pigs. CONCLUSIONS: Isovolemic hemodilution maintains hemodynamic stability during DAC. During lower torso reperfusion, however, hemodilution caused hemodynamic instability, decreased global DO2, and limited VO2, which may offset its potential benefits.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Increase of dendritic cells of type 2 (DC2) by altered response to IL-4 in atopic patients.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that there are 2 dendritic cell subpopulations, DC1 and DC2, which induce T(H)1 and T(H)2 cell differentiation in vitro, respectively. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether there exists a deviation of DC1 and DC2 subsets and to investigate their functional abnormalities in T(H)2 cell-mediated atopic diseases. METHODS: We analyzed the frequencies of DC1 (CD11c(+)CD123(-)) and DC2 (CD11c(-)CD123(+)) cells in peripheral blood of atopic patients; we also studied the responses of DC2 cells from atopic patients to IL-3 and IL-4 for their survival. RESULTS: DC2 cells but not DC1 cells were significantly increased in peripheral blood of atopic patients in comparison with that of healthy subjects. DC2 cell numbers were positively correlated with serum IgE levels and blood eosinophil counts, the increase of which reflects T(H)2-type immune response in atopic diseases. IL-4 inhibited IL-3-induced survival of DC2 cells from healthy controls, but IL-4 failed to suppress the IL-3-induced survival of DC2 cells from atopic patients. Furthermore, IL-4 alone enhanced the survival of DC2 cells from atopic patients but not from healthy controls. However, no significant differences were found in the expression levels of activation/maturation markers on DC2 cells between atopic patients and healthy controls. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that DC2 cells are preferentially increased in atopic patients in correlation with the state of atopic allergy and that DC2 cells in atopic patients, unlike those in healthy subjects, exhibit altered responses to IL-4 for survival, suggesting that DC2 cells in atopic patients might contribute to the enhanced T(H)2 cell differentiation in atopic diseases.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Long-term results of ethmoid squamous cell or undifferentiated carcinoma treated with radiotherapy with or without surgery.

PURPOSE: Ethmoidal malignant tumors, for which intensity-modulated radiotherapy is expected to improve outcome, consist of heterogeneous pathological types. Reports about their outcome are influenced by the inclusion of favorable histology, such as adenocarcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma. We investigated the long-term treatment outcome of squamous cell carcinoma and undifferentiated carcinoma of the ethmoid sinus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 1976 and April 2002, 25 patients (20 squamous cell carcinomas and five undifferentiated carcinomas) received radical radiotherapy or preoperative radiotherapy in our institution. One (4%) had stage T2 disease, seven (28%) had stage T3, three (12%) had stage T4a, and 14 (56%) had stage T4b. Surgery was performed in 13 patients. Radiation dose varied from 50.4 Gy in 16 fractions (50.4 Gy/16 Fr) to 65 Gy in 26 fractions with or without stereotactic boost irradiation. Eleven patients received chemotherapy consisting mainly of platinum-based compounds. RESULTS: The 3- and 5-year overall survival rates for all 25 patients were 34% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 14%-54%) and 24% (CI: 6%-42%), respectively. The 3- or 5-year local progression-free rates for all patients were 48.9% and 36.7%, respectively. Visual acuity of a single eye was impaired in three patients and was lost in five patients as a result of tumor progression, but no patient had visual impairment or loss due to radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Ethmoid squamous cell carcinoma or undifferentiated carcinoma was diagnosed at advanced T stages and was treated with radiotherapy; these patients had a poorer outcome than patients with adenocarcinoma or adenoid cystic carcinoma. Prospective trials using advanced technology should be carefully compared with historical controls because pathological types can considerably influence the treatment results.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Diabetes mellitus after transplant: relationship to pretransplant glucose metabolism and tacrolimus or cyclosporine A-based therapy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify pretransplantation and posttransplantation indicators for the development of diabetes mellitus in the first 2 months after renal transplantation and to examine the influence of a cyclosporine A (CsA)-based versus a tacrolimus-based immunosuppressive regimen on these risk factors. METHODS: Key variables associated with the development of posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) in the first 2 months after transplantation were assessed in 48 patients who underwent living-related renal transplantation and who were treated with a CsA-based or a tacrolimus-based immunosuppressive regimen. The insulinogenic index (I Index) and glucose infusion rate (GIR) were measures of insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity, respectively. RESULTS: Eight patients developed PTDM. I Index (odds ratio, 0.000384) and GIR (odds ratio, 0.349) were significant risk factors for PTDM development. The cumulative steroid dose had a borderline association. PTDM developed in 4 of 28 CsA-treated patients and in 4 of 20 tacrolimus-treated patients. CsA therapy increased the mean I Index from 0.713+/-0.071 preoperatively to 1.130+/-0.140 postoperatively (P<0.01), whereas in tacrolimus-treated patients, I Index remained unchanged (1.09+/-0.264 preoperatively and 0.949+/-0.296 postoperatively; P=not significant). Age, duration of pretransplant dialysis, and body mass index did not predict PTDM development. All eight patients with PTDM had hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Pre- and posttransplant abnormalities of insulin secretion and sensitivity are significant predictors of PTDM. Corticosteroid cumulative dose may affect the incidence of PTDM during the first 2 months after transplantation. CsA treatment increases insulin secretion in patients with a high pretransplant risk of PTDM.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

An appropriate indication for the initiation of beta-blocker therapy in dilated cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Although long-term treatment with beta-blockers has been shown to improve morbidity and mortality in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), patient responses are heterogeneous. METHODS: To establish the appropriate indication for the initiation of beta-blocker therapy, we retrospectively analyzed 38 DCM patients treated with beta-blockers (metoprolol or carvedilol) and examined differences in baseline profiles between patients who could continue the therapy (responders) and those who could not (non-responders). RESULTS: In 13 non-responders, the duration from onset of symptoms to beta-blocker initiation was longer (p < 0.05), systolic blood pressure was lower (p < 0.001), serum sodium concentration was lower (p < 0.05), left ventricular posterior wall thickness was thinner (p < 0.05), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was higher (p < 0.05) and left ventricular wall stress was lower (p < 0.05) than in 25 responders. In 19 patients receiving carvedilol, 5 non-responders showed higher levels of human atrial natriuretic peptide (p < 0.05) and brain natriuretic peptide (p < 0.01) than 13 responders. Discriminant analysis with a linear discriminant function showed the following equation predicted response to beta-blocker therapy: h = 0.004 x systolic blood pressure - 0.002 x brain natriuretic peptide + 0.667 (R2 = 0.67, p < 0.001). The probability of predicting the response was 94.1% with h > or = 0.5. CONCLUSION: We conclude that h > or = 0.5 is the appropriate indication for the initiation of beta-blocker therapy in DCM.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1999

[Clinical study of grade 3, superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the treatment of grade 3 superficial (stage pTa and pT 1) transitional cell carcinoma (T.C.C.) of the urinary bladder, retrospective analysis was performed with special reference to tumor prognostic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 1971 to september 1995, 51 cases with grade 3 superficial T.C.C. of the urinary bladder were treated. The survival rates and prognostic factors of these patient were analyzed. RESULTS: Five year survival rate of grade 3, superficial tumors was 92.3% and showed significantly better prognosis compared to patients with pT 2 and pT 3 tumors of grade 3 (p < 0.001). As a initial treatments, transurethral resection (TUR) was conducted in 45 patients (88%). Intravesical recurrence was observed in 20 of 45 patients (44%) and 12 of 20 patients (60%) were recurred within 1 year. Non-recurrent rates of the patients treated with TUR were 69.6% at 1 year, 58.8% at 3 year, 49.7% at 5 year, respectively. No significant differences were noted regarding factors of tumor size, figures and a number of tumor. Of the 51 patients, 10 (19.6%) progressed beyond stage T 2 and 6 died with the disease. Survival rates at 10 years follow up in patients with non-papillary and papillary tumor were 57.1% and 97.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that TUR should be performed as a initial treatment for the patients with grade 3 superficial T.C.C. of the urinary bladder. However, non-papillary tumors should be considered of more intensive treatment like as radical cystectomy, adjuvant chemotherapy or irradiation.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Relationship between the proliferative capability of hepatocytes and the intrahepatic expression of hepatocyte growth factor and c-Met in the course of cirrhosis development in rats.

Liver cirrhosis is the fatal end stage of various chronic liver diseases. One of the most important causes of liver cirrhosis appears to be an impaired proliferative capability of hepatocytes caused by continuous hepatic damage. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its specific receptor, c-Met, play a pivotal role in hepatocyte proliferation. However, the relationship between the proliferative capability of hepatocytes and the intrahepatic expression of HGF and c-Met during the course of cirrhosis development has not been studied fully. In the present study, liver cirrhosis was produced in rats by intraperitoneally administering dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) and intrahepatic expression levels of HGF and c-Met were quantitatively estimated using a real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. Histological examination of liver sections and biochemical estimation of serum levels of transaminase revealed that the degree of hepatocyte destruction was elevated gradually during cirrhosis development in the DMN-induced rat cirrhosis model. The proliferative capability of hepatocytes estimated immunohistochemically by proliferating cell nuclear antigen staining was markedly increased at an early stage of cirrhosis development. However, it was gradually decreased thereafter and suppressed substantially at the time of cirrhosis manifestation. Intrahepatic HGF expression was also increased significantly during the course of cirrhosis development but decreased significantly at the time of cirrhosis manifestation. Conversely, there was a tendency for the intrahepatic expression of c-Met to decrease from an early stage of cirrhosis development and intrahepatic c-Met expression was decreased significantly at the time of cirrhosis manifestation. These results suggest that the highly proliferative capability of hepatocytes at an early stage of cirrhosis development is induced by increased intrahepatic HGF expression. However, both HGF and c-Met expression levels in the liver are decreased significantly there-after. Accordingly, the proliferative capability of hepatocytes is severely impaired and extracellular matrix components are deposited to retrieve space lost by the destruction of hepatic parenchyma, resulting in the establishment of liver cirrhosis.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1992

A useful and sensitive method for demonstration of the involvement of either kallikrein-kinin system in pathological states.

In rat carrageenin-induced pleurisy, bradykinin (BK) was hardly able to be detected (< 160 pg per rat) in the exudates. In contrast, des-Phe8-Arg9-BK (des-8,9-BK) level, determined by an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) newly developed, was larger in the exudate and the levels were kept throughout the entire course of this inflammation. Arg-Pro-Pro-Gly-Phe ([1-5] BK) level, measured by an EIA newly developed, was much higher than that of des-8,9-BK in the exudate. Intrapleural administration of soy bean trypsin inhibitor (0.3 mg per rat) reduced the levels of both des-8,9-BK and [1-5] BK in the exudates. Reduction in the residual levels of plasma prekallikrein (P-Kall) and high-molecular-weight-kininogen (HMW-K), not low-molecular-weight-kininogen (LMW-K), were accompanied with increase in these BK degradation products, indicating that plasma prekallikrein was activated in the pleural cavity. On the other hand, intravenous injection of acetaldehyde to rats pretreated with disulfiram resulted in the significant increase in the levels of [1-5] BK in the blood, which was accompanied with reduction in the residual levels of LMW-K, not of HMW-K and P-Kall in plasma. These results indicated that the detection of BK degradation products was a good marker for the kinin release in vivo and that the concomitant reduction of the precursor proteins allowed us to identify the type of kallikrein-kinin systems relevant to the kinin release.

Acetaldehyde↗
PubMed2005

Influence of photon scattering and attenuation on ROI analysis in brain perfusion single-photon emission tomographic imaging of normal subjects.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of scatter and attenuation correction in region of interest (ROI) analysis in brain perfusion single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) and to assess the influence of selecting the reference area on semi-quantification. METHODS: Ten normal subjects were enrolled and injected with 123I-iodoamphetamine to undergo simultaneous emission and transmission scanning for scatter and attenuation correction. We reconstructed three SPECT images from common projection data of each subject: with scatter correction and non-uniform attenuation correction, with scatter correction and uniform attenuation correction, and with uniform attenuation correction applied to data without scatter correction. A program for automated ROI drawing was used to set ROIs on various regions in brain images. Regional count ratios were compared in images with different correction procedures by using three different reference areas. RESULTS: The effect of the combination of scatter and attenuation correction was marked in the precentral, temporal, posterior, hippocampus and especially in the cerebellum. In contrast, it was not appreciable in the central and parietal areas. When using the cerebellar ROI as the reference, the count ratio varied widely depending on the correction procedures. On the other hand, the whole brain reference offered the least variation in the count ratio. CONCLUSIONS: The influence of photon scattering and attenuation was dependent on regions. Since the count in the cerebellar ROI is greatly affected by photon scattering and attenuation, nonuniform attenuation correction combined with scatter correction deserves consideration when using the cerebellar ROI as the reference.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2005

Human homologue of maid is a useful marker protein in hepatocarcinogenesis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Human homologue of maid (HHM) is a helix-loop-helix (HLH) transcriptional regulatory protein that is involved in the hepatic stem cell development and differentiation. We analyzed the potential involvement of HHM in hepatocarcinogenesis. METHODS: We analyzed HHM expression in the choline-deficient L-amino acid defined (CDAA) diet model of rat hepatocarcinogenesis and in human adenomatous hyperplasia (AH) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) biopsy samples. We assessed the effects of HHM on cell proliferation. We screened proteins that bind to HHM protein using a yeast 2-hybrid screen. RESULTS: High HHM expression was seen in foci and HCC induced in the rat CDAA diet model. HHM protein was expressed in 23 of 32 AH samples (72%), 19 of 28 well-differentiated HCC samples (68%), and 9 of 18 poorly-moderately differentiated HCC samples (50%). Over-expressed HHM enhanced the S phase. HHM interference RNA significantly inhibited cell proliferation. A yeast 2-hybrid screen identified Jun activation domain-binding protein 1 (Jab1) as a binding partner for HHM. We confirmed HHM and Jab1 binding by immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescent histochemistry. The expression of Jab1 was found in human AH and HCC samples. We found an association between levels of expression of HHM and those of Jab1 in AH and HCC tissues examined (P = .027 by chi2 test). CONCLUSIONS: High-level HHM expression was found from the very early stages of hepatocarcinogenesis, suggesting that HHM may be a useful marker protein to detect.

Adenoma↗
PubMed2004

Presence of staphylococcal exfoliative toxin A in sera of patients with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that the toxins that Staphylococcus aureus produces are associated with the exacerbation of atopic dermatitis (AD). It has been shown in many studies that staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) A and SEB contribute to AD by humoral immunity through IgE production as a superantigen. On the other hand, little attention has been paid to the relationship between AD and exfoliative toxin x (ETx). OBJECTIVE: We investigated the toxins that are frequently detected from the skin of patients and how these toxins affect AD. METHODS: S. aureus, isolated from the skin of 100 patients with mild to severe AD, were examined for the producibility of toxins by polymerase chain reaction. Serum samples were obtained from 21 patients with mild and moderate AD. The levels of SEB, ETA, total IgE, specific IgE, and specific IgG in sera were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: SEB was most frequently detected from S. aureus on the skin of these patients as previously reported. And ETx, to which little attention has been paid so far, was frequently detected next to SEB. Furthermore, ETA was detected from the sera of almost all the AD patients. SEB was not detected at all. Although the level of ETA in the AD group was significantly higher than that of controls, ETA-specific IgE was not detected from their sera. High levels of ETA tended to be detected from infantile patients. Although there were no significant differences in the levels of ETA-IgG between AD and the controls, its prevalence was more than twice as high as the controls in AD. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that many AD patients were exposed to ETx. We conclude that ETx may contribute to exacerbation of AD, particularly in infants, by a mechanism that is not through specific IgE production, unlike SEB.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Percutaneous cryosurgery for renal tumours.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of percutaneous cryosurgery in the treatment of renal tumours. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cryoprobe using liquid nitrogen was designed. The tolerance of renal cancer cells to cooling was tested. Freezing tests on two extirpated kidneys involved with hypervascular tumour were performed in water at 40 degrees C. A clinical trial of percutaneous cryosurgery was carried out in two patients with advanced renal carcinoma. RESULTS: The cooling function of the new probe was similar to that of a conventional probe. The tolerance test on renal cancer cells showed that the cooling temperature should be below -20 degrees C to render them necrotic. Freezing tests on two nephrectomized kidneys with hypervascular renal cancer suggested that embolization of the renal artery might be advisable before treatment. The clinical trial in two patients with advanced renal carcinoma showed that the whole kidney, including the tumour, became necrotic and shrunken post-operatively. The patients' Karnofsky performance scale showed a marked improvement 3 months after the operation, but their general condition gradually deteriorated. Patient 1 died 10 months and patient 2 died 5 months after the procedure. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous cryosurgery was performed successfully in two patients with hypervascular renal tumours. Cryo-immunological activity was assumed to have contributed to the temporary improvement in their condition. These results suggest that percutaneous cryosurgery might be useful as minimally invasive treatment in a limited number of patients with advanced renal carcinoma.

Aged↗