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Biomedical subjects

F Imai

Publications and source records attributed to F Imai.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[A case of Behçet's disease associated with aortic regurgitation and nephrotic syndrome].

A 50-year-old housewife with a main complaint of dyspnea was admitted to our hospital in September, 1992. In 1975, the patient developed aphthous stomatitis, genital aphthous ulcers, uveitis and erythema nodosum appeared and diagnosed as having Behcet's disease at Department of Dermatology of our hospital. Aortic regurgitation was pointed out in 1984. Hyperlipidemia appeared in January and Oral prednisolone was started in May, 1985. From April in 1987, proteinuria appeared. From January, 1988, urinal protein was greater than 300 mg/dl. Orthopnea appeared in July, 1992. Physical examinations revealed systolic and diastolic murmur and pretibial edema. Laboratory findings showed proteinuria (3.8 g/day) and hypoproteinemia (serum total protein 5.1 g/dl, serum albumin 3.1 g/dl). Microscopic findings of renal biopsy revealed mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis and arteriosclerosis. Immunofluorescent studies demonstrated deposits of Apo B in the basement membrane and the mesangium. She was discharged from our hospital as proteinuria was decreased after a combination treatment with camostat mesilate 600 mg and SAIREITO 9.0 g. This patient developed nephrotic syndrome, which was caused by hypertension and hyperlipidemia in addition to Behcet's disease. This case is noteworthy because Behcet's disease is rarely complicated with nephrotic syndrome.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗
PubMed1994

[Sulfasalazine therapy for hypergammaglobulinemia in patients with Sjögren's syndrome].

Steroid therapy has been used in patients with Sjögren's syndrome and hyperviscosity syndrome due to hypergammaglobulinemia. We report here the use of sulfasalazine therapy on patients with Sjögren's syndrome and serum immunoglobulin G levels of more than 3000 mg/dl. Sulfasalazine was used because of its inhibitory effect on B cells. Serum levels of immunoglobulin G and A were decreased after 8 weeks' administration of 1000 mg/day sulfasalazine. However four of the eleven patients experienced a side effect (skin rash). Sulfasalazine therapy could be used continuously and appeared to be an effective therapy.

Humans↗
PubMed1994

Effect of sulfasalazine on B cell hyperactivity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the in vitro immunomodulatory effects of sulfasalazine on B cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Reversed hemolytic plaque assay and 3H-thymidine incorporation were measured. RESULTS: B cells from patients with RA showed hyperactivity to stimulation by Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I. Sulfasalazine significantly inhibited this B cell hyperactivity in a dose dependent manner. The kinetic study and a decrease in 3H-thymidine incorporation on Day 3 indicate that sulfasalazine inhibited the early phase (0-48 h) of B cell proliferation in these patients. Sulfapyridine also inhibited B cell hyperactivity in these patients, but 5-aminosalicylic acid and N-acetylsulfapyridin had no significant effect. CONCLUSION: Sulfasalazine exhibited a direct immunosuppressive effect on B cell hyperactivity in patients with RA, which may be responsible for its therapeutic effectiveness in this disorder.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

The prognosis of idiopathic portal hypertension in Japan.

To clarify the factors relating to the prognosis of patients with idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH), we followed 171 patients with IPH until the end of 1990, who were registered in the database among those with abnormal portal circulation as of 1985 in hospitals of Japan. During the follow-up period, twenty patients died; 6 from gastro-intestinal tract bleeding, 5 from hepatic insufficiency and 9 from other causes. Cox's proportional hazard model suggested that male patients (hazard ratio 4.85, 95% confidence interval 1.82-12.94), with a disease onset at less than 40 years of age (H.R.3.94, 95% C.I. 1.31-11.57), and/or with varices (H.R.2.86, 95% C.I. 1.05-7.77) generally had poorer prognoses.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Successful treatment with lobenzarit disodium in case of Churg-Strauss syndrome].

In this case the patient was a 62-year-old male with a chief complain of sensory disturbance of the extremities. In January 1987 he was diagnosed as having bronchial asthma by a neighboring doctor and began to receive prednisolone (PSL) therapy at his hospital on an ambulatory basis. Later on, in January 1990, he developed dyspnea, epigastralgia, ecchymoses and muscle weakness of the lower extremities, with which he was admitted to the neighboring hospital, where he was started on treatment of asthmatic attacks with 30 mg/day of PSL. However, because muscle weakness of his extremities became gradually worse, he was transferred to our hospital. Physical examination on admission revealed an absence of knee and ankle jerk, sensory loss in the bilateral hands, legs and feet and diminished muscle strength of the extremities. Significant laboratory findings included leukocytosis, eosinophilia (4743/mm) and elevated serum IgE concentration (4900 IU/ml). Histologic evidence of vasculitis with an associated infiltration by eosinophils was noted on skin biopsy. These findings led to a diagnosis of Churg-Strauss syndrome. Treatment was started with PSL at 40 mg/day. However, as asthmatic attacks and eosinophilia were refractory to the conventional therapies, concomitant lobenzarit disodium (CCA), 240 mg/day was initiated. On increasing the dosage of CCA to 320 mg/day because of unsatisfactory symptomatic responses elicited at the initial dose level, the patient became free from an asthmatic attack with a return to normal of his eosinophilic count. He was discharged virtually asymptomatic while being placed on a regimen of PSL at 5 mg/day.

Churg-Strauss Syndrome↗
PubMed1993

Phenotypic alteration of glioma cells during culture.

Tissue specimens and culture cells from three human gliomas (two astrocytomas and one glioblastoma) were immunohistochemically investigated, using GFAP, S-100P, vimentin, FN and TNF antibodies. Primary culture consisted of two cell types, flat cells and fibrous cells. Phenotypic alternation was observed during successive subculture. Differences between fibrous cells in astrocytoma and those in glioblastoma were remarkable, while flat cells in astrocytoma and glioblastoma examined in this study, were similar.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

The dysfunction of peripheral blood dendritic cells in patients with mixed connective tissue disease.

The morphological findings and functions of peripheral blood dendritic cells (DC) from patients with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) were compared with those of DC from normal subjects. DC from both groups possessed typical dendritic processes and showed HLA-DR antigens and C3bi receptor. The autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) and autologous concanavalin A (Con A)-induced T cell proliferation using DC as stimulating cells and accessory cells were significantly depressed in patients with MCTD. In the allogeneic MLR and allogeneic Con A responses, DC from patients with MCTD were poorer stimulating cells and accessory cells. The dysfunction of DC also, as one of the various immune abnormalities, must play a role in the appearance of clinical features.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[A case of sarcoidosis associated with Sjögren's syndrome].

A 49-year-old woman, who has had a past history of Raynaud's phenomenon since 1981, dry mouth since 1987 and dry eyes since 1990, was admitted to our hospital complaining of general fatigue, bilateral gonalgia, and shortness of breath in April 1991. Physical examinations revealed bilateral parotid gland enlargement and bilateral uveitis. Her family history included mixed connective tissue disease in her eldest daughter. Laboratory findings indicated an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, hypergammaglobulinemia, and elevation of serum lysozyme and angiotensin converting enzyme levels. Antinuclear antibodies, anti-SSA antibodies, anti-SSB antibodies were positive, while tuberculin test was negative. Chest X-rays showed bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy and small nodular shadows in both lung fields. Increases in lymphocytes and the CD4/CD8 ratio of T cells were noted in alveolar lavage fluid. Renal biopsy revealed non-caseous granulomas. Other remarkable findings included positive Schirmer's test, apple tree lesions by sialography and chronic sialoadenitis by biopsy of the labial minor salivary gland. On the basis of all these findings, we diagnosed her as suffering from sarcoidosis with Sjögren's syndrome. After oral administration of prednisolone, her shortness of breath, hilar lymphadenopathy and small nodular shadows in the lung field disappeared, but the patient was transferred to the department of urology due to the onset of hydronephrosis. This case is noteworthy because sarcoidosis associated with Sjögren's syndrome has been reported in only 11 cases in the literature.

CD4-CD8 Ratio↗
PubMed1991

The amino acid sequence of a Bowman-Birk type proteinase inhibitor from faba beans (Vicia faba L.).

The amino acid sequence of a Bowman-Birk type proteinase inhibitor (FBI) from seeds of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) was determined by analysis of peptide fragments generated by reduction and S-carboxymethylation of enzymatically modified inhibitors, which were obtained from native FBI by limited proteolysis with TPCK-trypsin or TLCK-chymotrypsin at pH 3.5. The established sequence showed that FBI is highly homologous with Vicia angustifolia inhibitor (VAI0 but lacks the portion corresponding to the C-terminal 9 amino acids of VAI. The trypsin reactive-site peptide bond in FBI was also indicated to be Lys(16)-Ser(17) and the chymotrypsin reactive-site peptide bond to be Tyr(42)-Ser(43) by limited proteolysis with TPCK-trypsin or TLCK-chymotrypsin and by sequence comparison with other Bowman-Birk type inhibitors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

[Surface markers and function of T cells forming clusters with autologous dendritic cells].

Human peripheral dendritic cells form characteristic cell aggregates (clusters) with autologous T cells. We investigated the surface markers and function of the T cells that formed these clusters. The T cells that formed clusters were mainly CD4 positive, while CD8 positive cells were few. Moreover, the T cells that formed clusters were mostly 2H4 positive. However, some were 4B4 positive. These data showed that the T cells that formed clusters were mainly CD4 positive-2H4 positive cells. The function of the T cells that formed clusters was also investigated. These T cells significantly inhibited PWM-induced immunoglobulin production from autologous lymphocytes compared with non-clustered T cells. Or data indicated that the T cells that formed clusters were mainly suppressor-inducer T cells.

Antigens, Surface↗
PubMed1990

[A case of mixed connective tissue disease developed into overlap syndrome of progressive systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis and Sjögren's syndrome].

We encountered a patient who developed an overlap syndrome of progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), polymyositis (PM) and Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) while we were treating her for mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). This 42-year-old woman had been photosensitive since 18 years of age. In 1986, Raynaud's phenomenon, swollen hands and arthralgia appeared; therefore, we started to treat this patient based on a diagnosis of MCTD. At that time, her anti-RNP antibody titer was 82,920, but she was negative to anti-Sm antibody. In 1988, she was admitted to our hospital with chief complaints of aggravation of polyarthralgia and myalgia. On physical examination, she showed difficulty in opening her mouth, systemic dermal sclerosis, a decrease in muscular strength and rales. In laboratory tests, her myogenic enzyme level was increased, and she was found to be positive to LE cells, antinuclear antibody, anti-DNA antibody, anti-ENA antibody and anti-SSA antibody. Furthermore, histological features clearly corresponding to those of PSS were found by skin biopsy, myogenic changes by electromyography, evidence of chronic inflammation of the salivary glands by lip biopsy, and proliferative changes in the mesangium were detected by renal biopsy. The concept of MCTD, especially the differences from overlap syndrome, is vague. Therefore we need further study about many cases. Since there have been no reports on cases having sufficient evidence of the development of the overlap syndrome of PSS, SLE, PM and SjS during a course of MCTD, our patient would provide very useful data contributing to the study of MCTD.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[A case of suspected allergic granulomatosis and angiitis with a rapid clinical course of paraplegia].

A 68-year-old man with suspected allergic granulomatosis and angiitis is reported. He had received 10 mg of prednisolone daily since July 1988 for asthma. He abruptly developed muscle weakness of the lower extremities, followed two days later by paraplegia. Six days after the onset of the muscle weakness, he was hospitalized. He showed disturbance of recent memory, disorientation, neck rigidity, paraplegia, mild muscle fasciculation and hypesthesia. He also showed paralytic ileus. Laboratory findings showed leukocytosis (24580/mm3), eosinophilia (56% of the peripheral white blood cells and 19% of the cells in the cerebrospinal fluid), on erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 31 mm/h, and the IgE level of 1200 IU/ml. The ECG showed loss of the r-wave in V1 and V2. A granulomatous lesion anterior to the spinal cord was found on myelography and MRI. Prednisolone was given at a dose of 60 mg daily resulting in improvement of the clinical symptoms and eosinophilia. There was disappearance of the granuloma on MRI performed after prednisolone therapy. Despite the severe manifestation of allergic granulomatosis and angiitis, prednisolone therapy had a marked effect in this patient. The granulomatous lesion anterior to the spinal cord shown by MRI suggested an eosinophilic granuloma, and may have been the etiology of some of the neurological symptoms.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[Arrhythmia during extraction of the third molars under intravenous sedation. A case report of postoperative tetralogy of Fallot].

Extraction of the third molars [formula: see text) was done under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation using diazepam in a 14 year-old girl. She had the history of radical operation for tetralogy of Fallot at 4 years of age. During extraction procedure, this patient showed many multifocal premature ventricular contraction in ECG. These arrhythmias were able to control with intravenous lidocaine. In this case, the preoperative evaluation of her cardiac function was not pertinent possibly due to the judgment by her ability of physical exercise in the past history. We reflect that inadequate preoperative evaluation of cardiac function may result in inadequate management.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Effect of lobenzarit disodium (CCA) on B cell differentiation to antibody secreting cells].

We investigated the effect of the immunomodulator CCA on B cells, using the system of Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1-stimulated B cells developing into antibody secreting cells in the presence of T cell factors. Results were expressed as the number of plaque-forming cells (PFC), as measured by reverse hemolytic plaque assay. Serially diluted CCA was added to the culture system to evaluate its effect (500-0.005 micrograms/ml). Different results were obtained by adding CCA at a high dose or a low dose. High-dose CCA showed an inhibitory effect on PFC (p less than 0.01). On the other hand, low-dose CCA showed an inhibitory effect on high PFC responses of B cells and a stimulatory effect on low responses. Our data suggest that CCA has a direct effect on B cells and that low-dose CCA has immunomodulatory action on normal variations in immune responses.

Antibody-Producing Cells↗
PubMed1989

[A case of pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1 with systemic lupus erythematosus].

A case of pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) type 1 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is reported. A 36-year-old women was admitted to our hospital with the complaints of dyspnea, arthralgia, tetany and tremor. Laboratory findings on admission showed; leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, hypocalcemia, positive antinuclear, anti-RNP, anti-Sm antibodies. A diagnosis of PHP type 1 was made from the findings of Albright's osteodystrophy and Ellsworth-Howard test. On the basis of various auto antibodies and clinical findings, the patient was diagnosed as SLE, too. She was started on a therapy of prednisolone at a dose of 40 mg per day. Her clinical manifestations immediately became better, and her laboratory findings subsequently improved. Up to the present, the case report of overlapping syndrome of PHP type 1 and SLE is very rare. Both PHP and SLE were considered to be in a category of autoimmune disease and the relationship between PHP and SLE was discussed.

Adult↗