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Hitoshi Ohto

Publications and source records attributed to Hitoshi Ohto.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

A case of sclerodermatous graft-versus-host disease following autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

We report a 65-year-old woman with chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) who developed severely sclerotic skin on the fingers, hand and trunk following autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT). The patient had suffered from breast cancer and been treated with surgery and chemotherapy. She showed pancytopenia and was treated with APBCST. Four years after APBSCT, she developed the severe sclerotic changes on the fingers, hands, extremities and trunk. The skin biopsy showed a flattened epidermis and a proliferation of collagen bundles in the dermis. No anti-nucleolar DNA titers were detected in the serum. She was diagnosed with chronic GVHD. Despite treatment with oral prednisolone, the skin sclerotic change developed and the breast cancer recurred. She died due to pericarditis. This is a rare case of sclerodermatous GVHD following APBSCT. The serum interleukin (IL)-12 levels were examined during the treatment.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Hemolytic disease of the newborn due to anti-Di: a case study and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: The severity of hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) due to Diego(b) (Di(b)) mismatch ranges from no symptoms to severe jaundice that requires exchange transfusion (ET). The clinical significance of anti-Di(b) is incompletely recognized. CASE REPORT: A male newborn, referred with jaundice, was revealed to have HDN due to Di(b) mismatch and was treated successfully with phototherapy and high-dose intravenous gamma globulin (IVGG). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The literature of HDN caused by Di(b) mismatch was reviewed. The cases were classified into three groups according to their severity: the mildest needed no therapy (NO), the moderate group received phototherapy alone (PHOTO), and the most severe was treated with ET and/or high-dose IVGG therapy plus phototherapy (ET/IVGG). RESULTS: Among 27 cases of HDN due to Di(b) reported to date, 10, 6, and 11 cases required NO, PHOTO, and ET/IVGG, respectively. A significant correlation (p < 0.01) was found between the maternal anti-Di(b) titer and the severity of the disease when the ET/IVGG group was compared with the NO group. All mothers of the group that needed ET/IVGG had an anti-Di(b) titer of 64 or greater. CONCLUSION: A maternal high titer (> or =64) of anti-Di(b) is associated with a higher risk of severe hyperbilirubinemia for mismatched newborns.

Erythroblastosis, Fetal↗
PubMed2006

Complete donor chimaerism of Langerhans cells in lymph node early after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Host-derived Langerhans cells (LCs) are crucial antigen-presenting cells that cause graft-vs.-host disease after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, chimaerism of LCs after allogeneic HSCT is largely unknown in humans. We here report a case that developed dermatopathic lymphadenitis accompanied by an accumulation of donor-derived LCs in the second month after allogeneic HSCT with reduced-intensity conditioning. This is the first case to show that donor LCs have the ability to migrate into draining lymph nodes and replace host LCs early after HSCT in humans.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Collection by a simple bag method and the function of granulocytes in granulocyte transfusion.

Granulocyte transfusion is effective for treating some intractable infections. We have recently developed a simple bag method for collecting granulocytes without using apheresis. A recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) (50, 100, 200, and 400 microg nartograstim) was administered to 5 healthy male adult volunteers. The quantity and quality of the collected granulocytes were evaluated. The G-CSF dose proportionally increased the collected neutrophil count. The count of collected neutrophils correlated strongly with the count before collection (r2 = 0.684; P < .001). The neutrophil counts collected from 200 mL whole blood were 0.90 x 10(9), 1.68 x 10(9), 2.40 x 10(9), and 2.99 x 10(9) at 50, 100, 200, and 400 microg G-CSF, respectively. There was no significant difference in neutrophil counts between the 200-microg and 400-microg doses. doses. Concerning granulocyte functions, active oxygen production and phagocytic capacity were not affected by irradiation with 15 Gy. Transient arthralgia occurred in 2 subjects. A single administration of 200 microg G-CSF enabled the collection of large quantities of granulocytes by the bag method. We consider that the collection of granulocytes by the bag method from 400 mL of whole blood drawn twice can theoretically provide 3 x 10(8)/kg of granulocytes for treating children weighing less than 30 kg.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Evolution in the hypervariable region of the hepatitis C virus in two infants infected by mother-to-infant transmission.

BACKGROUND: There is little data on the evolution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) quasispecies in infants infected by mother-to-infant transmission during long-term follow up. The hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) of the HCV genome was investigated in two mother-infant pairs from birth to 7.6 and 10.2 years, respectively. METHODS: Ten cDNA clones of HVR1 generated from HCV-RNA and extracted from serum samples of both pairs were analyzed. The sequences were compared with regard to variability, identity, and hydrophobia profile, and analyzed by phylogenetic studies. RESULTS: The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level was high with fluctuation in infant A and almost within the normal range in infant B. Sequence diversity was higher in infant A at 7.6 years than in infant B at 9.3 years (sequence identity with the mothers'; 69.3-70.7% vs 85.3-90.7% for nucleotides, and 48% vs 68-72% for amino acids, respectively). Compared to the first samples, amino acid changes greatly increased in infant A (35.2% at 4.9 years and 52% at 7.6 years), but not in infant B (4% at 5.6 years and 27.5% at 9.3 years). Phylogenetic studies revealed that quasispecies in infant A evolved to a greater extent than that in infant B. Hydrophobia profile analyses revealed that dynamic shifts between hydrophilia and hydrophobia occurred in both infants. CONCLUSIONS: As in adults, the evolution of HVR1 and variability of quasispecies increased in infants infected through mother-to-infant transmission for 10 years after birth. A large episode of ALT elevation suggested the emergence of escape mutants and the evolution of new quasispecies.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed2005

Secondary anti-D immunization by Del red blood cells.

BACKGROUND: Recent molecular studies of the RHD gene have revealed that D(el) individuals retain a grossly intact RHD gene or have a portion of RHD in their genomes. No D(el) phenotype has yet been shown to induce a primary or secondary alloanti-D immunization, however. CASE REPORT: A 67-year-old D- Japanese woman with a history of allosensitization from transfusion of D+ red blood cells (RBCs) was negative for anti-D at admission. After she received RBCs from 19 apparently D- donors, she developed anti-D with an 8-fold titer. The titer of anti-D increased further to 128-fold after transfusions of cross-match-compatible D- negative RBCs from 40 donors over the next 2 years. Two of 59 donors were found to be RHD gene-positive and antigen D- with a D(el) phenotype, that is, RHD(K409K). CONCLUSION: This is the first case in which RBCs having the D(el) phenotype induced a secondary alloanti-D immunization. A D- donor with the RHD(K409K) allele was associated with the development of anti-D. Adverse episodes or evidence of hemolysis was not observed after the transfusion of RHD(K409K) RBCs. Further clinical evidence is needed to reveal whether the D(el) phenotype has a clinically relevant potential for anti-D immunization.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Delayed and acute hemolytic transfusion reactions resulting from red cell antibodies and red cell-reactive HLA antibodies.

BACKGROUND: It has been controversial whether HLA antibodies cause hemolytic transfusion reactions (HTR) or shortened red blood cell (RBC) survival. A patient is reported who had two episodes of HTR, the latter of which was likely due to RBC-reactive HLA antibodies. CASE REPORT: A 77-year-old woman, admitted for gastric varix rupture, had no RBC-irregular antibodies detected before transfusion. On Hospital Day 12, after transfusion of 2 units of RBCs and 2 units of fresh-frozen plasma, the first delayed hemolytic episode occurred and anti-E, anti-c, anti-Jk(a), and unidentified RBC-reactive antibodies were detected in a serum sample from Day 14. Two additional units of matched RBCs were transfused with a leukoreduction filter on Days 19 and 22. After 4 hours of starting a transfusion on Day 22, the patient had fever, and a second hemolytic episode was recorded. Multireactive HLA antibodies (reactive against 20 of 20 donor panel lymphocytes) were detected in serum samples from Day 15 to Day 21. These HLA antibodies reacted strongly with HLA-A2 and HLA-B7 antigens, corresponding to Bg(c) and Bg(a) antigens on RBCs, respectively. RBCs transfused on Day 22 were found to be HLA-A2 by genotyping. CONCLUSION: Strong HLA alloantibodies in this recipient appear to have caused a HTR. It is suggested that HLA antibodies be considered in patients with unexplained HTRs.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2005

Scintigraphic assessment of the effects of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cell transplantation combined with off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery in patients with ischemic heart disease.

UNLABELLED: Myocardial SPECT may be useful for assessment of the therapeutic effects and the mechanisms of cardiac regeneration medicine. We aimed to assess first the feasibility and the short-term safety of autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear cell transplantation (BMCT) into the ischemic myocardium in patients who undergo off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB). In addition, we aimed to assess our hypothesis that the BMCT may help ameliorate myocardial perfusion in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) using myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. METHODS: We performed BMCT in 10 patients with IHD during OPCAB. Cells for BMCT were collected by intraoperative bone marrow aspiration or by preoperative cellular apheresis after pretreatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. After OPCAB was performed in all graftable ischemic areas, a total of 3.4 +/- 1.2 x 10(9) mononuclear cells, including 5.2 +/- 1.6 x 10(6) CD34-positive (CD34(+)) cells, were injected into ungraftable ischemic myocardial areas. Dipyridamole-stress and resting (99m)Tc myocardial SPECT was performed before and 1 mo after the procedures. RESULTS: BMCT was performed safely in all patients. Compared with before treatment, myocardial (99m)Tc tracer uptake on the dipyridamole-stress image increased similarly in BMCT- and OPCAB-treated areas, whereas tracer accumulation at rest did not change in all myocardial areas. The improvement of myocardial perfusion was not correlated with the total number of mononuclear cells transplanted. However, it was positively correlated with the number of transplanted CD34(+) cells: (99m)Tc tracer uptake after/before BMCT (ratio) = 1.091 x (CD34(+) cell number [x10(6)])(0.074) (r(2) = 0.48, P < 0.05), although new development of coronary vessels was not documented cineangiographically. Myocardial histopathology in 2 of 3 autopsy cases revealed coronary angiogenesis in the areas corresponding to the sites of BMCT. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates the feasibility of BMCT combined with OPCAB. This therapy improves myocardial perfusion possibly via CD34-related development of coronary microvessels.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Two case reports on intra-tumor injection therapy of dendritic cells].

DC (dendritic cells) vaccine therapy against cancer has attracted attention in recent years. However, the existence of the immunosuppressive state in cancer individuals leads to anergy and failure in cytotoxic T cell (CTL) induction and DC migration to the target organ. It has been reported that injected intra-tumor DC is expected to work phagocytosis of the tumor as a localized effect, the consequent CTL induction in the tumor and the regional lymphnodes, resulting in a systemic effect. Two cases reported in this article were performed with intra-tumor DC injection therapy by means of EUS (endoscopic ultrasonography) which indicated interesting immunoreaction.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

PBSC mobilization.

Intentional recruitment of hematopoietic stem cells from bone marrow to peripheral blood is a clinical process termed peripheral blood stem cell (PSBC) mobilization. Mobilized PSBC has replaced bone marrow as the preferred source of stem cells for patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy because of rapid and durable engraftment and reconstitution of functional bone marrow. Although the mechanism involved in the process of PBSC mobilization by cytokines is largely unknown, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) alone or chemotherapy combined with GCSF is used as a mobilizing agent in current clinical practice. To date, G-CSF is the best cytokine for PBSC mobilization. However, there are some controversies in its efficacy (poor mobilizer) and safety (in allogeneic donors). Recent research progress has revealed some part of the mechanistic scenarios of PBSC mobilization and found promising candidates for the agents for PBSC mobilization. Until the research at molecular and cellular levels elucidates the precise mechanisms, collecting and comparing clinical observations is the best way to find more optimal condition for PBSC mobilization.

Cytokines↗
PubMed2004

Improved extension of platelet storage in a polyolefin container with higher oxygen permeability.

This study evaluated a newly developed polyolefin bag, which has a 50%/m(2) higher oxygen permeability to extend the shelf-life of platelets. Single-donor aphaeresis platelets were pooled, separated equally into two bags, PO-80 (0.8 l capacity) and KBP-PO (1 l capacity) for control, and stored in plasma for up to 7 d. Platelet biochemical and functional parameters were monitored in bags containing high (4.2 x 10(11)/250 ml/bag, n = 9) and low (2.0 x 10(11)/200 ml/bag, n = 3) concentrations of platelets over the storage period. After 7 d of storage, the PO-80 bags containing high concentrations of platelets had a better pH (mean pH 6.74) than those stored in KBP-PO (pH 6.32, P < 0.01); none of the nine PO-80 bags with a high platelet concentration had a pH below 6.2, compared with four of nine controls (P < 0.05). Similarly, lactate values were 20.19 mmol/l and 28.09 mmol/l respectively (P < 0.05). Aerobic metabolism was maintained better with greater O(2) consumption and less lactate generation in high-platelet concentration PO-80 bags than in the control bags. A significant difference was also found in pH, pCO(2) and lactate levels between the two bags containing low concentrations of platelets during the 7-d period. The in vitro characteristics of platelets declined less over 7 d when stored in a higher oxygen permeable container than in a marketed bag.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed2004

Transient improvement of left ventricular function after peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome and dilated cardiomyopathy.

A patient who had myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) had a transient improvement of cardiac function after peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). When he was admitted to hospital for PBSCT, a chest X ray showed cardiomegaly, and Tc-99m quantitative gated single photon emission computed tomography (QGS) showed increases in left ventricular (LV) volumes and a decrease in LV ejection fraction (LVEF). A coronary angiogram showed no evidence of coronary artery disease. Left ventriculography showed similar findings as QGS, and the findings from a myocardial biopsy were compatible with DCM. Three months after a successful allo-PBSCT with his brother as the donor, the cardiomegaly had been attenuated, the LV volumes decreased and LVEF increased on the QGS images. However, 10 months later, his cardiac function had deteriorated. The changes in cardiac function did not correlate with the hematological changes, such as the hemoglobin level.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia rescued with a second allogeneic stem cell transplantation from a haploidentical mother after relapse following cord blood transplantation.

A 32-year-old female patient who had Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia underwent cord blood transplantation while in her second remission. However, she had a hematological and central nervous system relapse 3 months later. After reinduction with imatinib mesylate, unmanipulated peripheral blood stem cell transplantation was performed from the patient's haploidentical mother with a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen. Rabbit antithymocyte globulin, tacrolimus, and methylprednisolone were used for prophylaxis of graft-versus-host disease. Engraftment of neutrophils was observed on day 12, and complete donor chimerism was obtained by day 24. The posttransplantation course was uneventful. Although the patient had a relapse 10 months later, this case demonstrated that transplantation from a haploidentical donor is clearly a feasible alternative for patients who desperately need rescue transplantation.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Transfusion-related acute lung injury following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a clinical syndrome characterized by bilateral pulmonary edema in association with transfusions. We encountered a 23-year-old woman with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, in whom TRALI without anti-human leukocyte antigen class I and anti-granulocyte antibodies developed following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. TRALI improved mainly in association with treatment of saline and ventilation support after several days, but graft-versus-host disease and thrombotic microangiopathy developed, resulting in death due to multiple organ failure. This case indicates that TRALI can also occur following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Experimental study for a combination chemo-immunotherapy using dendritic cells].

This study was designed to seek for the optimal anticancer agents for a combination of chemotherapy and specific immunotherapy using dendritic cells (DC) in gastric cancer. We investigated the immuno-suppressive activity of anticancer agents on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), apoptosis inducing activity on gastric cancer cells and expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 mRNA on immatureDCs (iDCs) by paclitaxel (TXL) and docetaxel (TXT). We further compared the cytotoxicity of cytotixic T lymphocytes (CTLs) induced by DCs pulsed with tumor cell lysate and apoptotic cells induced by TXT. Although most of the anticancer agents demonstrated the suppression activity on proliferation of PBMC in a dose dependent manner, TXT, doxifluridine and irinotecan did not show the suppressive activity on PBMC even in the highest drug concentration. About 60% of gastric cancer cells demonstrated apoptosis after a 24-48 hour treatment with both TXL and TXT. Expression of TLR-4 mRNA in iDCs was up-regulated by TXT, not by TXL, and peaked at 2 hours after the treatment. CTLs induced by DCs pulsed with tumor cell lysate and apoptotic cells showed a similar killing activity to target cells. These results suggest that TXT appears to be an optimal anticancer agent for a combination therapy with chemotherapy and tumor specific immunotherapy using dendritic cells in gastric cancer.

Adult↗