Biomedical subjects

M Hashimoto

Publications and source records attributed to M Hashimoto.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and mutation of the bilirubin uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase gene: a common missense mutation among Japanese, Koreans and Chinese.

We analyzed the bilirubin uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (B-UGT) gene in 42 Japanese newborns with hyperbilirubinemia and determined that 21 infants were heterozygous while 3 was homozygous for Gly71Arg. Allele frequency of Gly71Arg was 0.32 in newborns with hyperbilirubinemia, which was significantly higher than 0.13 in healthy Japanese controls. This mutant allele is also prevalent among Korean and Chinese healthy controls with a frequency of 0.23 in both populations. However, this mutation was not detected in 50 healthy German controls. These data suggest that the high frequency of the Gly71Arg mutation of the B-UGT gene is associated with high incidence of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in Japanese, Korean and Chinese populations.

Alleles↗

PubMed1998

Maternal and fetal nitric oxide synthesis is decreased in pregnancies with small for gestational age infants.

Our purpose was to evaluate whether maternal and fetal nitric oxide synthesis in pregnancies with small for gestational age (SGA) infants are different from those in pregnancies with appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants. Maternal and fetal circulating nitrate and nitrite concentrations were compared between 30 pregnancies with AGA and 10 pregnancies with SGA at birth. End-products of nitric oxide synthesis were measured in maternal and cord venous blood samples using a fluorometric assay. Umbilical artery blood pH and PO2 were also measured. Maternal circulating nitrite and nitrate concentrations (6.91 +/- 1.27 microM) in pregnancies with SGA were significantly lower than those (11.69 +/- 1.33 microM) in pregnancies with AGA (P = 0.015). Fetal circulating nitrite and nitrate concentrations (7.54 +/- 1.09 microM) in pregnancies with SGA were also significantly lower than those (11.24 +/- 1.08 microM) in pregnancies with AGA (P = 0.024). There were no significant differences in umbilical artery blood pH and PO2 between the two groups. These results suggest that maternal and fetal nitric oxide synthesis are decreased in pregnancies with SGA infants.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Telomerase activity in the human endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle.

In a total of 41 endometrial tissue samples, the relationship between telomerase activity and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) labelling index was studied. In samples of endometrium from the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle, telomerase activity was found in 15 out of 17 cases (88%). Two samples from the early proliferative phase showed negative telomerase activity and a low PCNA labelling index. However, three out of 16 samples of early secretory phase endometrium showed telomerase activity and a PCNA labelling index. In mid- to late secretory phase endometrium, in menopausal endometrium and in decidualized endometrium induced by progesterone neither telomerase activity nor PCNA labelling was found. These results suggest that telomerase activity of the endometrium may be correlated with the proliferative potential of the epithelial cells and that its activity may be regulated by oestrogen.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Improved airway healing using basic fibroblast growth factor in a canine tracheal autotransplantation model.

OBJECTIVE: We studied 22 dogs to examine the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) alone, in comparison with omental or muscular wrapping on airway healing in a tracheal autotransplantation model. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Basic fibroblast growth factor is one of the most potent promoters of angiogenesis and has an ability to enhance blood supply to the ischemic airway. Topical administration of a fibrin glue enriched with 5 microg/cm2 bFGF, determined as a proportion of surface area of the tracheal grafts, improved revascularization of orthotopic canine tracheal autografts in a previous study. METHODS: All animals received orthotopic tracheal transplantation using 6-ring autografts that occupied a distal part of the thoracic trachea. Twenty-two animals were classified randomly into the following four groups: no treatment (Group G1, n = 4), muscular wrapping (Group G2, n = 4), omental wrapping (Group G3, n = 4), and topical administration of fibrin glue enriched with 5 microg/cm2 bFGF (Group G4, n = 10). Autografts were harvested 60 days after transplantation and assessed by the percent patency and histology. RESULTS: Devascularized tracheal autografts could not maintain their structural integrity without other treatments (Group G1). In contrast, more than half of all autografts receiving treatments remained viable, as demonstrated by gross and histologic findings (Groups G2, G3, and G4). Treatments with bFGF and omentum showed significantly better graft viability than no treatment. However, there was no statistical difference in the viability of tracheal autografts among the three treatment groups. In terms of the time performance ratio, bFGF was the best treatment for the devascularized autografts. CONCLUSIONS: Topical administration of bFGF was superior to the omental or muscular wrapping in terms of the time performance ratio. Clinical trials will be necessary to determine whether these findings are applicable to humans.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Lack of association of apolipoprotein E epsilon4 allele dose with cerebral glucose metabolism in Alzheimer disease.

Parietal cerebral glucose metabolism is reduced before substantial impairments appeared in subjects carrying the apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon4 allele, but the effect of the APOE epsilon4 allele on cerebral metabolism in Alzheimer disease (AD) is still undetermined. To investigate the effect of the APOE epsilon4 allele on cerebral metabolism in AD, we examined regional cerebral glucose metabolism in 83 patients with AD by using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and positron emission tomography. Cerebral glucose metabolism in the fronto-parieto-temporal association and limbic cortices was significantly decreased in the AD patients compared with 26 age- and sex-matched normal controls. Regional cerebral glucose metabolic rate was not correlated significantly with the number of APOE epsilon4 alleles in any region, which was consistent even after controlling the effects of age, sex, and severity of dementia, and in a subgroup analysis of those aged between 60 and 75. These results supported the view that the APOE epsilon4 allele is not associated with specific deficits in brain metabolism in AD despite evidence of preclinical alterations.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Effects of tamoxifen on endometrial carcinogenesis in mice.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of tamoxifen (TAM) in mouse endometrium in comparison with that of 17beta-estradiol (E2). In a medium-term assay, TAM as well as E2 treatment semi-dose-dependently increased the levels of fos/jun mRNA and their oncoproteins (Fos/Jun). The long-term effect of TAM on mouse endometrial carcinogenesis was also examined in the following model. A total of 150 female ICR mice, 12-13 weeks of age, were used. Of these, 125 mice received an injection of N-methyl-N-nitosourea (MNU) solution (1 mg/100 g body weight) into their left uterine tube and saline into the right. One week later, they were divided into four groups: groups 1 (35 mice) and 2 (30 mice) were given 25 ppm and ppm E2-containing diet, respectively, while group 3 (30 mice) was fed 5 ppm TAM-containing diet. Group 5 (30 mice) was fed basal diet alone. The remaining 25 mice (group 4) received 5 ppm TAM-containing diet alone. At the termination of the experiment (30 weeks), endometrial carcinomas were confirmed to be present in the groups exposed to MNU. TAM increased the incidence of preneoplastic lesions of the endometrium, while E2 enhanced the occurrence of the carcinoma. No carcinomas were found in the group given TAM alone. In the ovaries, corpora lutea were lacking in most of the mice exposed to TAM, suggesting that the animals were not cycling. Such findings indicated that TAM has an enhancing effect on endometrial carcinogenesis in mice, probably via a mechanism involving overexpression of Fos/Jun proteins.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1998

Age-related changes in aortic sensitivity to noradrenaline and acetylcholine in rats.

1. The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between plasma and tissue lipid levels and the effects of age on vascular responses to noradrenaline (NA) and acetylcholine (ACh). 2. Studies were performed in young and aged rats and the response of endothelium-intact and -denuded aortic rings to NA and to ACh was measured. The plasma concentration of cholesterol (total, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)) and 17 beta-oestradiol was determined, as was the aortic tissue content of phospholipids, cGMP and cholesterol (total, free and esterified). 3. Levels of all types of cholesterol in plasma and aorta increased with age; cholesterol levels in plasma correlated with those in the aorta; levels of phospholipid in the aorta did not increase with age but correlated with those of LDL cholesterol in plasma; levels of 17 beta-oestradiol did not change, but those of cGMP increased with age. 4. In endothelium-intact rings, the maximum tension developed by exposure to NA did not change, but the EC50 of NA increased with age and correlated with total cholesterol in the plasma and with the levels of all types of cholesterol in the aorta. In rings precontracted with NA, age decreased the maximum relaxation induced by ACh. The EC50 of ACh decreased with age and was inversely correlated with levels of cholesterol in the plasma and aorta. Treatment with NA increased cGMP levels in aged rats. Removal of the endothelium abolished the response to ACh and heightened the sensitivity to NA in young and aged rats. 5. Aortic endothelial cells seem to inhibit amine-induced contraction, while age-related changes in the levels of cholesterol in aortic tissue affect the sensitivity of the tissue to NA and ACh.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed1998

Case report: rupture of a gastric varix in liver cirrhosis associated with glycogen storage disease type III.

Glycogen storage disease type III, or Cori's disease, is caused by a deficiency of amylo-1,6-glucosidase (debranching enzyme), which leads to the storage of an abnormal glycogen in the liver and in skeletal and heart muscle. Glycogen storage disease type III is usually characterized by hepatic symptoms, growth failure and myopathy. Even though liver cirrhosis is reported, portal hypertension is a rare complication of this disease. We describe the case of a glycogen storage disease type III patient who was diagnosed at 3 years of age and developed complications (liver cirrhosis and rupture of a gastric varix) at 31 years of age. We discuss the histological progression to cirrhosis of the liver and describe the liver enzyme profile at 3 and 31 years of age.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Predictive factors in eradicating hepatitis C virus using a relatively small dose of interferon.

Interferon (IFN) can reduce hepatitis C virus load and even eliminate the virus in 30-40% of patients. Several predictive factors for eradication of the virus have been reported and a higher dose of IFN tends to result in elimination of the virus. However, a small dose of IFN sometimes is as effective as a large dose in eradicating the virus. The predictive factors for such a response are not well established. We retrospectively analysed 50 patients with chronic hepatitis C who were treated with relatively small amounts of IFN (equal or less than 252 million units). Eleven patients were responders (elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and normalization of alanine amino transferase (ALT) for at least 6 months), but the remaining 39 were non-responders. Multivariate analysis showed that the pretreatment viral load and total dose of IFN per kilogram of bodyweight were significant predictive factors of response to therapy. We also assessed the amino acid substitutions in the IFN sensitivity determining region (ISDR), NS5A codon 2209-2248, of HCV in serum samples obtained from 31 patients with HCV genotype 1b. The presence of more than one amino acid substitution in the ISDR tended to correlate with HCV genotype 1b elimination. As IFN is expensive and has a number of serious side effects, our study suggests that the optimal dose of IFN may vary from one patient to another and that more stringent criteria should be used to select the optimal dose for therapy.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Biochemical and histological features of hepatitis G virus infection.

To assess the biochemical and histological characteristics of hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection, we examined four patients who were infected with HGV only (HGV group), and compared them with 16 patients infected with both HGV and hepatitis C virus (HCV; HGV + HCV group) and 18 patients infected with HCV only (HCV group). Biochemical examination showed a significantly low level of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the HGV group, and that the gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP)/ALT ratio in the same group was significantly higher than in the other two groups. Although all three patient groups had a similar degree of liver fibrosis, both the degree of periportal inflammation and total histological activity index were significantly lower in the HGV group than in the other two groups. Fibrous enlargement of the portal tract without lymphoid infiltration and thin fibrous septa was characteristically observed in the HGV group. No significant difference was found between the HGV + HCV group and HCV group. Our results suggest that biochemical and histological changes in HGV infection are very mild and quite different from those of HCV infection.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Transcatheter embolization of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations in Rendu-Osler-Weber disease.

Interest in the treatment of the pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) that occur in approximately one-third of patients with Rendu-Osler-Weber (ROW) disease (hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia) has recently been renewed. PAVMs can now be occluded safely by the transvenous placement of detachable balloons or metal coils, thus avoiding the many potential complications of thoracotomy. This study analyses the treatment of eight PAVMs in four ROW patients by transcatheter embolization using detachable balloons or metal coils. After embolization, the mean right-to-left shunt fraction significantly decreased from 39.1 +/- 5.1% to 11.9 +/- 1.1% (P < 0.05) and PaO2 significantly increased from 53.3 +/- 7.8 torr to 76.2 +/- 8.4 torr (P < 0.05). No serious complications occurred. One detachable balloon was deflated, but no recanalization occurred. We conclude that transcatheter embolization is a safe and efficacious treatment for PAVMs associated with ROW disease. Long-term studies are now needed to determine the risk of recanalization in this treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Hypofunction in the posterior cingulate gyrus correlates with disorientation for time and place in Alzheimer's disease.

The relation between orientation for time and place and regional cerebral glucose metabolism was examined in 86 patients with probable Alzheimer's disease of minimal to moderate severity. Regional glucose metabolic rates in the posterior cingulate gyri and in the right middle temporal gyrus were significantly correlated with temporal orientation, and the glucose metabolic rate in the right posterior cingulate gyrus was significantly correlated with locational orientation irrespective of age, sex, education, and memory impairment. The results suggest that dysfunction of these structures plays an important part in producing disorientation in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Factors associated with psychotic symptoms in Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVES: Many clinical and biological factors have been reported to be associated with the presence of psychosis in patients with Alzheimer's disease, although the associations were variable. The aim of this study was to clarify factors associated with the presence of psychosis in patients with Alzheimer's disease. METHODS: Psychiatric functioning was studied in 228 patients with Alzheimer's disease based on the results of the behavioural pathology in Alzheimer's disease rating scale or the neuropsychiatric inventory. The effects of sex, education level, age, duration of illness, cognitive function, and apolipoprotein E genotype were investigated for dichotomous psychotic status with a multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 228 patients with Alzheimer's disease, 118 (51.8%) showed evidence of delusions or hallucinations. Of these, 94 had delusions only, three had hallucinations only, and 21 had both. Older age, female sex, longer duration of illness, and more severe cognitive impairment were the factors independently associated with the presence of psychosis. The presence of psychosis was not significantly related to either educational level or apolipoprotein E genotype. CONCLUSIONS: Age, sex, and severity of illness were independent factors associated with the presence of psychosis in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The reason why some patients with Alzheimer's disease develop psychosis remains unclear. There may be distinctive subtypes of Alzheimer's disease or the presence of individual factors which affect the development of psychosis.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Regional metabolism: associations with dyscalculia in Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVES: The ability to calculate, which is an important aspect of social daily living, is commonly impaired in patients with Alzheimer's disease even early in the course of the disease. Dyscalculia is often accompanied by focal brain damage, and has been argued to be an independent sign localised around the left temporoparietal region. However, the region most responsible for dyscalculia in Alzheimer's disease has not been determined. The relation between calculation ability and regional cerebral glucose metabolism in Alzheimer's disease was therefore examined. METHODS: The calculation ability, In 91 patients with probable Alzheimer's disease of minimal to moderate severity, was assessed using the arithmetic subtest of the Wechsler adult intelligence scale-revised and the performance correlated with regional cerebral glucose metabolism determined by "F-fluorodeoxyglucose and PET. RESULTS: Regional glucose metabolism in the left inferior parietal lobule and in the left inferior temporal gyrus was significantly correlated with the calculation performance irrespective of age, sex, education, and severity of disease. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that dysfunction of the left inferior parietal lobule and the left inferior temporal gyrus plays an important part in producing dyscalculia in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Compressive lesions of the abducens nerve in the subarachnoid space disclosed by thin-slice magnetic resonance imaging.

We evaluated the usefulness of thin-slice magnetic resonance (MR) imaging as a tool for diagnosing compressive lesions of the abducens nerve in the subarachnoid space. We performed thin-slice MR imaging of the brain stem in two patients with abducens nerve palsy. Thin-slice MR images showed the abducens nerves in the subarachnoid space and clearly showed compressive lesions of the nerves by a brain tumor in both cases. These findings suggest that thin-slice MR imaging is useful for the evaluation of compressive lesions of the abducens nerve in the subarachnoid space.

Abducens Nerve↗

PubMed1998

Radiographic features of an aneurysmal bone cyst of the orbit.

Aneurysmal bone cyst is an unusual benign solitary lesion of bone occurring rarely in the orbit. In this report, we present computed tomography and magnetic resonance images of an orbital aneurysmal bone cyst involving the frontal bone in a 16-month-old boy. The aneurysmal bone cyst exhibited bone destruction, new bone formation of the orbital roof and fluid-fluid levels in the lesion following hemorrhage. These radiographic features may be useful for diagnosing orbital aneurysmal bone cysts.

Bone Cysts, Aneurysmal↗

PubMed1998

Transcultural study of schizophrenic delusions. Tokyo versus Vienna and Tübingen (Germany).

Schizophrenic delusions of 324 inpatients in Tokyo, 101 in Vienna, and 150 in Tübingen (Germany) were compared according to the same classifications. Among the three areas, about 80% of the patients had equally 'negative' delusions (injury and/or belittlement), and about one-fourth had 'positive' delusions of grandeur. Transcultural influences were found in the detailed contents of the 'negative' delusions; specific and direct themes of persecutory delusion, i.e., delusions of poisoning, and religious themes of guilt/sin were conspicuous in Europe, while amorphous delusions of reference such as 'being slandered' were predominant in Japan. The latter may derive from the group-oriented self in Japanese 'shame culture'.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

A syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone associated with pleuritis caused by OK-432.

We here report a case presenting with the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) after having been treated for pleurodesis with OK-432, which is a lyophilized preparation of an attenuated strain of Streptococcus pyogenes. The patient, who had undergone a subtotal esophagectomy 4 years previously, was referred to our department after the diagnosis of a metastatic lung tumor. A right lower lobectomy of the lung was performed, and prolonged air leakage from a pulmonary fistula thereafter developed because of the dissection of severe pleural adhesion. OK-432 (5 klinische einheiten) was administered to the pleural cavity 3 times. On the 13th postoperative day, the patient began to complain of general fatigue and nausea. SIADH was diagnosed based on laboratory findings such as hyponatremia, serum hypo-osmolality and a high excretion of sodium in the urine. A restriction of the fluid intake with a sodium supplement resulted in the return to a normal serum level within 2 weeks. We therefore concluded that the intrapleural instillation of OK-432 had apparently caused SIADH in this case, because no other causes could be found.

Antineoplastic Agents↗