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O Arisaka

Publications and source records attributed to O Arisaka.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Association of epithelial damage and signs of neutrophil mobilization in the airways during acute exacerbations of paediatric asthma.

We examined whether epithelial damage is associated with mobilization of neutrophils or eosinophils in the airway lumen during acute exacerbations of paediatric asthma. Aspirated sputum samples were harvested from 65 paediatric patients (mean age 3.4 +/- 0.4 years) during acute exacerbations of asthma. Patients with signs of infection were excluded. The presence of conglomerates of epithelial cells (i.e. "Creola bodies") in the aspirated sputum was utilized as a marker of epithelial damage. Among the paediatric asthma patients, 60% displayed Creola bodies (CrB+: n = 39) in their sputum samples whereas the remaining patients did not (CrB-: n = 26). CrB+ patients displayed more than a 20-fold increase in the concentration of the neutrophil-mobilizing cytokine interleukin (IL)-8 (pg/ml) and of the neutrophil product neutrophil elastase (NE, g/l), respectively, compared with CrB- patients (IL-8: 7468.2 +/- 1953.6 versus 347.9 +/- 72.6, P < 0.01; NE: 2072.4 +/- 419.0 versus 438.5 +/- 125.7, P < 0.01). Even though not statistically significant, a corresponding trend was observed for the relative number of sputum neutrophils. In contrast, the concentration of the eosinophil-mobilizing cytokine IL-5 and the esoinophil product ECP tended to be lower in CrB+ than in CrB- patients (P > 0.05). In conclusion, as indicated by the analysis of aspirated sputum, epithelial damage is associated with a locally enhanced chemotactic signal for and activity of neutrophils, but not eosinophils, during acute exacerbations of paediatric asthma. It remains to be determined whether these indirect signs of neutrophil mobilization in the airway lumen mirror an increased number of neutrophils in the surrounding airway tissue.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2005

Association of low-density lipoprotein particle size distribution and cardiovascular risk factors in children.

AIM: The objective of this study was to investigate whether the presence of small, dense lipoproteins, which are thought to be related to the metabolic syndrome caused by insulin resistance, can be predicted by routine serum lipid profiling. METHODS: The relationship between low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size and serum lipid levels was analysed in 284 school children (148 boys and 136 girls), aged 7 to 13 y old. LDL particle size was determined by gradient gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: The LDL particle diameter was significantly correlated with the serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (r = - 0.437, p < 0.001) and triglycerides (TG) (r = -0.432, p < 0.001), and with the atherogenic index (AI) [total cholesterol/ HDL-C] (r = -0.450, p < 0.001), while only weak correlations were observed with the serum levels of total cholesterol, apolipoprotein Al and apolipoprotein B. No significant relationship was observed between LDL particle diameter and the serum LDL-C level. CONCLUSION: The presence of small, dense LDL as a metabolic marker of lifestyle-related diseases in children seems to be reflected by a serum lipid profile characterized by an elevation in TG, a reduction in HDL-C, and a raised AI.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

No effect of fluvastatin on the bone mineral density of children with minimal change glomerulonephritis and some focal mesangial cell proliferation, other than an ameliorating effect on their proteinuria.

AIM: There are conflicting data regarding the clinical benefit of the effect of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) in osteoporosis. We have reported that fluvastatin (a statin) is effective in improving proteinuria and renal function in childhood IgA nephropathy with mild histological findings and moderate proteinuria. The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of fluvastatin on the bone mineral density, bone metabolic markers, proteinuria, and renal function of children with minimal change glomerulonephritis with some focal mesangial cell proliferation whose glomeruli did not stain positive for IgA and on moderate proteinuria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective controlled study of 36 children who had recently been diagnosed with normocholesterolemic minimal change glomerulonephritis with some focal mesangial cell proliferation and moderate proteinuria, and in whom strenuous exercise was restricted. The 36 patients were randomly assigned to receive 20 mg of fluvastatin (group 1) or 5 mg/kg of dipyridamole (group 2) for two years. RESULTS: By the end of the trial, there was no difference in BMD between the groups, and there were no changes in the four bone metabolic parameters. However, the urinary protein, hematuria and BUN levels had significantly decreased in group 1 compared to baseline, and the serum total protein and albumin levels and creatinine clearance had significantly increased in group 1 compared to baseline and group 2. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that fluvastatin therapy has an antiproteinuric effect and improves renal function in moderately proteinuric patients with mild histological glomerulonephritis, but does not increase BMD.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed2003

Neonatal intractable atrial flutter successfully treated with intravenous flecainide.

We present a neonatal case with intractable atrial flutter that did not respond to digitalization and electrical cardioversion. Intravenous flecainide administration completely resolved the atrial flutter. Proarrhythmic effects were not induced by flecainide administration. Although the efficacy of flecainide for atrial flutter during the infantile or childhood period is low, intravenous flecainide is worth consideration as a treatment for atrial flutter, even in intractable cases as described here, during the neonatal period.

Anti-Arrhythmia Agents↗
PubMed2003

Effect of fluvastatin and dipyridamole on proteinuria and renal function in childhood IgA nephropathy with mild histological findings and moderate proteinuria.

AIM: In recent reports, some kinds of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors were able to decrease proteinuria and to improve renal function. Here we aimed to clarify the effect of fluvastatin (an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor) on proteinuria and renal function in children with mild IgA nephropathy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective controlled study of 30 children who had been recently diagnosed with normocholesterolemic IgA nephropathy following the detection of a minor lesion or of focal mesangial proliferation and moderate proteinuria. The 30 patients were randomly assigned to receive both of 20 mg of fluvastatin and 5 mg/kg of dipyridamole (group 1), or 5 mg/kg of dipyridamole only (group 2) for 1 year. RESULTS: By the end of the trial, urinary protein, hematuria, BUN and serum creatinine levels had significantly decreased in the patients of group 1 as compared to baseline. Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels had significantly decreased, while serum total protein and albumin, and creatinine clearance had significantly increased in group 1 as compared to baseline and group 2. The urinary protein level had significantly decreased in the group 2 patients as compared to baseline, but only slightly. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that fluvastatin and dipyridamole treatment yields an antiproteinuric effect and leads to the amelioration of renal function in moderately proteinuric patients with mild histological IgA nephropathy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Bone growth oscillation: longitudinal metabolic process of bone growth in congenital adrenal hyperplasia and nonendocrine short stature.

To clarify the longitudinal metabolic process of bone growth in children, we observed the relationship between the level of serum osteocalcin (OC), a marker of bone metabolism, and growth velocity in 10 prepubertal patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency and 9 prepubertal patients with nonendocrine short stature (NESS), but no major hormonal abnormalities influencing bone metabolism. Observations were made every 6 months over a 7-year period. In patients with CAH who exhibited a wide variation in growth velocity during the course of the investigation, the levels of OC fluctuated over a wide range, suggesting metabolically variable bone growth. In contrast, in patients with NESS who exhibited a relatively stable growth velocity, the OC level remained within a narrow range, suggesting metabolically stable bone growth. The meaning of such divergent metabolic processes of bone growth observed in CAH and NESS and its relationship to actual bone structure or bone intensity should be further investigated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Sex differences in children's free drawings: a study on girls with congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Sex differences are recognized in children's free drawings with respect to motifs, colors, figure compositions, and expression. Boys tend to draw mobile objects and mechanical objects with dark or cold colors and often use bird's-eye-view composition when they draw pictures, whereas girls like to draw human motifs (especially girls and women), flowers, and butterflies with light and warm colors and tend to arrange motifs in a row on the ground. Analyses were made on the drawings of girls with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and unaffected boys and girls, using masculine and feminine indexes. Sex difference in masculine and feminine indexes was clear in the drawings by unaffected boys and girls. Their drawings do not or mostly do not contain characteristics typical of the opposite sex. Compared with those of unaffected girls, the pictures of CAH girls more strongly showed masculine characteristics. The feminine index for the pictures of CAH girls was significantly lower than that for unaffected girls, while the masculine index for CAH girls was significantly higher than that for unaffected girls. Furthermore, the masculine index for CAH girls was not significantly different from that of unaffected boys. These results suggest that androgen exposure during fetal life may contribute to shaping masculine characteristics in children's free drawings.

Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital↗
PubMed2001

Systemic effects of transdermal testosterone for the treatment of microphallus in children.

OBJECTIVES: To elucidate the metabolic effects of topical testosterone for the treatment of microphallus in children. METHODS: We administered 5% testosterone ointment to 50 prepubertal boys for the treatment of microphallus, allowing us to observe its metabolic effect on plasma concentrations of testosterone as a marker of transdermally absorbed testosterone, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I as a marker of growth hormone secretion status, and osteocalcin as a marker of bone metabolic turnover. RESULTS: Transdermal application of testosterone for 30 days at a dose that affects penile growth increased mean (+/-SD) plasma testosterone concentrations from 7.5+/-5.1 to 31.0+/-8.2 ng/dL (pre- vs. post-treatment, respectively; P<0.01). This was associated with a slight but statistically significant elevation of IGF-I concentrations (117.2+/-76.9 vs. 154.4+/-81.5 ng/mL; P<0.05). No significant change in osteocalcin levels was found. CONCLUSIONS: When using testosterone ointment as a treatment for microphallus, it should be borne in mind that this application has systemic effects.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed2001

Diastolic flow velocity of the left pulmonary artery of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: The usefulness of diastolic pulmonary flow velocity determined by echocardiography in the assessment of symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus (sPDA) in preterm infants has not been confirmed. METHODS: Echocardiography was performed daily in infants ranging from 23 to 31 gestational weeks of age, and diastolic flow velocity of the left pulmonary artery (DFLPA) was measured. The DFLPA data before indomethacin administration for sPDA were compared with data obtained after indomethacin administration. The normal range of DFLPA was also determined from serial measurements performed in infants who did not develop sPDA during the first 7 days of life. Then, this range was compared with data from infants who did develop sPDA during this time. RESULTS: In infants who underwent indomethacin treatment, DFLPA increased with the development of sPDA and decreased when the symptoms of sPDA disappeared. On the basis of results from serial DFLPA measurement, the sensitivity and specificity of DFLPA for assessing sPDA was found to be 0.82 and 0.83, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of DFLPA by echocardiography is a useful method for assessing sPDA in preterm infants.

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed2001

Preliminary report: effect of adrenal androgen and estrogen on bone maturation and bone mineral density.

To clarify the independent physiological roles of adrenal androgen and estrogen on bone growth, we compared the lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) in prepubertal girls with virilizing congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) (n = 17) and girls with central precocious puberty (CPP) (n = 18). When BMD was analyzed according to chronologic age, no significant differences were found between CPP and CAH patients. However, when adjusted to bone age, BMD was statistically higher in CAH than in CPP subjects. This finding suggests that adrenal androgen, as well as estrogen, plays an important role in increasing BMD. Adrenal androgen may act on bone not only as androgen, but as estrogen after having been metabolized into an aromatized bone-active compound in peripheral tissues, such as bone and fat. Therefore, adrenal androgen may have a more important role in increasing BMD than previously realized.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2001

Polymorphism of the polyalanine tract of thyroid transcription factor-2 gene in patients with thyroid dysgenesis.

OBJECTIVE: One of the thyroid-specific transcription factors, thyroid transcription factor-2 (TTF-2), performs a crucial role in the development of the thyroid gland. We performed genetic analysis of the TITF2 gene (encoding TTF-2) in patients with thyroid dysgenesis. METHODS: By direct sequencing of the PCR products of TITF2, we screened the genomic DNA from 46 patients with thyroid dysgenesis (five had agenesis, six had hypoplasia, 15 had ectopy, and 20 were undetermined). We also studied the transcriptional activities of TITF2 by co-expressing the luciferase gene directed by the human thyroglobulin gene promoter. RESULTS: Human TITF2 consists of a forkhead domain, a polyalanine tract, and unique C-terminal residues. In one of the patients with an ectopic sublingual thyroid, we found a polyalanine tract of 11 alanine residues on one chromosome instead of the 14 alanine residues found in normal controls. In one patient with hypoplasia, the polyalanine tract consisted of 12 heterozygous alanine residues. The reduced polyalanine tracts were not detected in 101 normal individuals. However, the expression study showed that the transcriptional activities of TITF2 with reduced polyalanine-tract lengths were equal to that of TITF2 with an unreduced polyalanine tract. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the polymorphism of the polyalanine tract of TITF2 is not a frequent cause of developmental defects of the human thyroid gland.

Base Sequence↗