Biomedical subjects

S Kashiwagi

Publications and source records attributed to S Kashiwagi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus among female prostitutes and patients with sexually transmitted diseases in Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan.

The authors investigated the prevalence of antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) in 404 female prostitutes, 428 clinic patients with a history of at least one episode of sexually transmitted disease, and 8,944 blood donors who served as the controls. All subjects were Japanese, and all studies were carried out in Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan, in 1989. The prevalence of anti-HCV was significantly higher in the prostitutes (6.2%), in the female patients with sexually transmitted diseases (6.1%), and in the male patients with sexually transmitted diseases (2.9%) than in the controls (1.5%). Prevalence of anti-HCV increased with age in prostitutes and in the controls. The prevalence of anti-HCV in those who had been involved in prostitution for 1 year or more (8.1%) was higher than in those who had been involved in prostitution for less than 1 year (1.4%), but the difference was not statistically significant. One of the 152 anti-HCV negative prostitutes seroconverted between 1 and 2 years later. Among the subjects with sexually transmitted diseases, patients with a history of at least one episode of syphilis had a significantly higher prevalence of anti-HCV (4.4%) than the controls. Patients with acute urethritis and cervicitis also showed a high prevalence of anti-HCV (3.6% and 6.7%, respectively). These data support the possibility of sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Characterization of the interaction between human plasma fibronectin and collagen by means of affinity electrophoresis.

The interaction between human plasma fibronectin and different types and forms of collagen were analysed by affinity electrophoresis at different pH values. The fibronectin bound tightly to collagen type I, III and IV, but not to type V. The fibronectin interacted better with the denatured form of collagen type I (gelatin) than with the native form. At pH less than 5.5 the fibronectin exhibited much lower affinity to gelatin than at pH greater than 8.0. The interaction between the fibronectin and gelatin was further analysed by affinity electrophoresis in which apparent dissociation constants (Kd) of the fibronectin for gelatin were calculated, and effects of urea, 2-mercaptoethanol and temperature on the interaction were examined. The fibronectin markedly diminished its affinity to gelatin at 3 M urea to give Kd = 2.5 x 10(-6) M, which was 1000 times larger than the value without urea. The fibronectin dissociated into its monomers and the monomers diminished their affinity to gelatin in a stepwise fashion with increase in concentration of 2-mercaptoethanol. The fibronectin diminished the affinity to gelatin by elevating temperature, and van't Hoff plots of log Kd values against the reciprocal of absolute temperature (T) showed that log Kd was inversely proportional to 1/T in the range 15-50 degrees C, and the thermodynamic parameters of the standard enthalpy change, the standard free energy change and the entropy change at 37 degrees C for association of fibronectin and gelatin were all negative. At 60 degrees C the affinity of fibronectin to gelatin was not detectable.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Collagen↗

PubMed1992

Analysis of collagen type III by uninterrupted sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting: changes in collagen type III polymorphism in aging rats.

A new method of type III collagen analysis by uninterrupted sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) combined with immunoblotting was developed. The electrophoresis was carried out with gels containing 4 M urea. A negatively charged reducing agent, thioglycolic acid, was added to the running buffer of the cathodic reservoir between 15 and 20 min after Bromphenol Blue (BPB) migrated to the top of the separating gel, to reduce interchain disulfide binding of the collagen. The polymorphic type III collagens, i.e., an alpha-chain derived from a trimer [alpha 1(III)]3 with interchain disulfide bonds but without covalent cross-links, alpha 1(III), a beta-chain with covalent cross-links, beta(III), or an alpha-chain released from a trimer without reduction of the disulfide bonds, alpha*1(III), were identified by immunostaining and quantified by densitometry. Using this method, changes in collagen type III polymorphism with aging were examined in the aorta, brachial artery, and skin of rats. The total quantity of collagen type III decreased with aging in all tissues. beta(III) was the major component in the aorta and brachial artery, but alpha 1(III) was the major component in the skin. With increasing age from 3 to 60 weeks, the ratio of beta(III) to alpha 1(III), which is correlated with the extent of covalent cross-linking, showed a steep increase in the aorta but only a slight increase in the skin and it remained almost constant in the brachial artery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aging↗

PubMed1992

HTLV-I infection in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's thyroiditis).

To investigate the possible relationship of HTLV-I virus infection to autoimmune thyroid disease, we examined, firstly, the frequency of HTLV-I seropositivity among patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and, secondly, the frequency of Hashimoto's thyroiditis in patients with HTLV-I associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Of 144 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis in the Tokushima and Kochi Prefectures, Japan, 9 (6.3%) were positive for serum HTLV-I virus antibody 2 of whom were confirmed histologically to have Hashimoto's thyroiditis. This percentage is significantly higher (P < 0.01) than the estimated prevalence (2.2%) of HTLV-I carriers among the general population in this region. Of 9 patients with HAM/TSP, 3 (33.3%), including 2 biopsy-proven cases, had evidence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. This proportion is apparently much higher than the prevalence (1.7%) of Hashimoto's thyroiditis in the general population. These findings suggest that HTLV-I virus may be related to the development of Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Hepatitis C virus detection is facilitated by the combined use of c100 protein and GOR epitope.

Assay for the antibody to the c100 protein (anti-c100) lacks sensitivity in terms of detection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in all samples. The author used anti-c100 and antibody to the GOR epitope (anti-GOR) by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to examine 524 patients with chronic liver disease and 682 volunteer blood donors in Fukuoka, Japan. The prevalence of HCV infection, as revealed by the presence of anti-c100 and/or anti-GOR, was 3.9% in 540 volunteer blood donors, 12.7% in 142 volunteers with abnormal liver function, 7.4% in 135 patients with HBsAg-positive liver disease and 89.5% in 389 patients with non-A, non-B (NANB) liver disease. These results show a higher prevalence than demonstrated only by the anti-c100 in NANB liver disease patients (82.5%, P < 0.01). The concurrence of anti-c100 and anti-GOR in subjects with HCV infection was 23.8% in 21 volunteer blood donors, 44.4% in 18 volunteers with abnormal liver function and 61.2% in 348 NANB liver disease patients. The concurrence seems to increase with deterioration of liver function. We concluded that combination assay for anti-c100 and anti-GOR demonstrated a more accurate prevalence of HCV infection than single assay for anti-c100 among NANB liver disease patients, and that the presence of anti-GOR plays a role in liver disease in anti-HCV-positive subjects.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

The effects of breastfeeding and presence of antibody to p40tax protein of human T cell lymphotropic virus type-I on mother to child transmission.

We examined the effects of various factors, including duration of breastfeeding, the status of mother's anti-p40tax, and titre of mother's anti-human T cell lymphototropic virus type-I (HTLV-I) on mother to child transmission of HTLV-I in 76 HTLV-I carrier mothers and 175 of their children. The overall prevalence of anti-HTLV-I among children was 16.0%. The prevalence of anti-HTLV-I among children breastfed for over 3 months was significantly higher (27.6%) than that of those breastfed for under 3 months (5.1%; P = 0.012). Of the 78 bottle-fed children, 10 (12.8%) were positive for anti-HTLV-I. In the children breastfed for over 3 months, the prevalence of anti-HTLV-I among 37 children of anti-p40tax positive mothers was 37.8% and that of 21 children of anti-p40tax negative mothers was 9.5%, a significant difference (P = 0.044). These data suggest that about 13% of bottle-fed children born to carrier mothers are infected with HTLV-I by routes other than breast milk, and that the mother's anti-p40tax can serve as a marker of infectivity of HTLV-I in the case of breastfeeding for over 3 months.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Esophageal ulcer complicated by Reiter's syndrome. A case report.

A 40-year-old woman with Reiter's syndrome had low-grade fever, a psoriasislike eruption on feet and hands, and multiple esophageal ulcers. She had keratoderma blennorrhagica, aseptic vaginitis, and ileosacral arthritis, but no ocular lesions. The patient was HLA-B27 negative. Radiographic and endoscopic examinations of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract showed multiple round or irregularly shaped small ulcers in the middle and distal portion of the esophagus. One month later, all esophageal ulcers disappeared spontaneously. A case like this of Reiter's syndrome with esophageal involvement has not been reported before.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

An AIDS patient with atopic dermatitis-like eruption responsive to systemic anti-fungal treatment.

Patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) often develop unusual skin complications. We describe a case of a 58-year-old man with AIDS who had a history of multiple transfusions with anti-hemophilic factor A. He developed papulovesicular and lichenified skin lesions on his head, face, neck and the extensor aspects of his extremities accompanied by severe pruritus. Atopic dermatitis was suspected; however, intensive treatment with a potent topical corticosteroid and a systemic antihistamine failed. In addition to the decreased subset of CD4-positive lymphocytes characteristic of AIDS, this patient showed an elevated level of serum IgE particularly specific for Candida albicans, probably because he had a chronic candidial infection of the digestive tract. Oral administration of anti-fungal agents Diflucan and Fungizone produced almost complete relief from the atopic dermatitis-like skin disease within 2 weeks.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

PubMed1992

[Evaluation of micro particle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA) for the demonstration of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen].

A fully automated microparticle enzyme immunoassay (IMx AUSAB, Abbott) has been recently introduced for the detection of the presence of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs). The present trial was carried out to determine the feasibility of using the IMx AUSAB with sera and plasma, and for comparison with RIA (AUSAB, Abbott) and EIA (AUSAB EIA, Abbott). According to the kinds of vaccines used and locations of residents, the subjects were divided into six groups. Results obtained were as follows; In the test of 642 sera from 446 vaccines and 196 other inhabitants of Okinawa and Miyazaki prefectures, 388 (87.0%) were found positive for anti-HBs using IMx, 392 (87.9%) with RIA and 359 (80.5%) with EIA. Among those vaccinated with recombinant vaccines, 96.6% were found positive with IMx, 96.2% with RIA and 89.4% with EIA. Among subject vaccinated with plasma derived vaccines, 72.9% were found positive with IMx, 75.7% with RIA, and 68.5% EIA. Quantitative agreement between IMx and RIA among the six groups gave linear correlation coefficients ranging from 0.459 to 0.821. In the group vaccinated with the recombinant vaccine by K company (r = 0.459), anti-HBs was confirmed in many sera by IMx compared to that confirmed by RIA and EIA. In addition, anti-HBs was assayed within one hour by IMx and the procedure was simplified by autoanalyser equipped for this method. The results indicate that the sensitivity of IMx is equal to that of RIA and more than that of EIA, and that quantitative linear correlations were obtained between IMx and RIA, and IMx and EIA.

Hepatitis B Antibodies↗

PubMed1992

[Evaluation of micro particle enzyme immunoassay technique (MEIA)-IMx for the detection of antibody to hepatitis A virus].

A new micro particle enzyme immunoassay technique (MEIA, IMx HAVAB, Abbott) has been recently introduced for the detection of antibody to hepatitis A virus (anti-HA). To evaluate the feasibility of the IMx HAVAB, we carried out comparison tests between MEIA, RIA and EIA. Furthermore, we investigated the prevalence of anti-HA in Fukuoka City and Yonaguni Island, Okinawa, Japan using this method. Results obtained were as follows: In the test of 514 sera, 254 (49.0%) were positive by the three methods, and the remaining 260 (50.6%) were negative by the three methods. Examination of diluted sera using IMx revealed that IMx can be used as efficiently as RIA and EIA. Quantitative linear correlations were found between IMx and RIA (r = 0.973), and IMx and EIA (r = 0.969). Anti-HA was assayed within 45 minutes by IMx, and the procedure was simple because of the auto analyser used in this method. On Yonaguni Island, a significant decrease in the overall prevalence of anti-HA from 75.2% in 1980 to 61.1%, in 1990 (p less than 0.05) was found, the prevalence of anti-HA on Yonaguni Island in 1990 was significantly higher than in Fukuoka City (p less than 0.001). These results indicate that the sensitivity of IMx is equivalent to those of RIA and EIA, that it is easier to use than either RIA or EIA and that hepatitis A virus infection in Okinawa, has significantly decreased during the past 10 years, but is still significantly more frequent than in Fukuoka City.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Paraplegia due to a ruptured aneurysm of the distal posterior inferior cerebellar artery.

A case of paraplegia was due to a ruptured aneurysm of the distal posterior inferior cerebellar artery. The paraplegia was caused by a unilateral lesion located between the cervicomedullary junction and the C2 level, where it involved both crossed and uncrossed pyramidal fibres projecting to the lower extremities. Since a vascular lesion near the cervicomedullary junction is likely to be missed, special attention should be paid to this region when investigating subarachnoid haemorrhage with paraplegia.

Arteries↗

PubMed1992

[Epidemiological study of hepatitis B and C virus in Okinawa and Kyushu, Japan].

Epidemiological studies of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Okinawa and Kyushu have been conducted since 1970. Early in the study period, the prevalence of HBsAg on Iriomote and Hateruma islands in Okinawa was 9.0% and 6.1%, respectively, which were significantly higher than the 2.4% in Kyushu. Prevalence of anti-HBc on Iriomote island was 59.8% and that on Hateruma island 70.9%, also which were significantly higher than the 30.9% in Kyushu. Prevalence of HBV infection has been observed in both Okinawa and Kyushu with prevalences of HBsAg in Okinawa decreasing from 11.6% in 1970 to 3.8% in 1988 and in Kyushu from 2.1% in 1980 to 0.7% in 1991. Prevalence of anti-HCV in Okinawa was only 0.7%, while the prevalence was 3.4% in Kyushu when measured by C100-3 and anti-GOR. In Kyushu, the prevalence of anti-HCV advanced with age and reached a peak in the population 60 years of age. HCV transmission occurs mainly by blood transfusion. We investigated the systems of blood supply in Okinawa and Kyushu. In Japan, including Kyushu, paid blood was mainly used from 1955 to 1969, but in Okinawa it was donated by relatives and friends. The difference in blood supply between these areas may be a cause of the differing of HCV infection.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Prevalence of antibody to hepatitis C virus in hemodialysis patients.

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in hemodialysis patients in Japan was examined using sera from 418 patients from six dialysis units in 1989. The authors made use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Ortho Diagnostics). Antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) was detected in 127 patients (30.4%), the frequency varying from 20.0% to 34.9% in different units. The mean prevalence of anti-HCV was 20 times higher than that in blood donors. Anti-HCV positivity was not associated with antibody to hepatitis B core antigen, which was not a surrogate marker for non-A, non-B hepatitis agents in this study. Another striking finding of this study was that 84.3% of the anti-HCV-positive patients had normal liver function. Anti-HCV positivity correlated positively with the number of blood transfusions and increased with the duration of hemodialysis; however, it was 22.1% even in 113 patients never given blood transfusion. Acquisition of hepatitis C virus by dialysis patients is, therefore, not only through blood transfusions but also because of hepatitis C virus present within the unit itself. Liver dysfunction in the anti-HCV-positive patients was rare.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Analysis of the interaction between human plasma fibronectin and gelatin by affinity electrophoresis.

The interaction between human plasma fibronectin and gelatin was analyzed by affinity electrophoresis, in which the fibronectin was subjected to electrophoresis in a 4% polyacrylamide gel in the presence and absence of gelatin, as an affinity ligand, and the fibronectin band was stained by an immunoblotting method. The apparent dissociation constants (Kd) of fibronectin for gelatin were calculated from affinity plots based on the original affinity equation at different pHs, urea concentrations, and temperatures. The fibronectin exhibited much lower affinity in the presence of urea. The Kds at 37 degrees C were 1.49 X 10(-7) M, 2.50 X 10(-6) M, and 3.58 X 10(-6) M with 2 M, 3 M, and 4 M urea, respectively. The van't Hoff plots of Kd values against absolute temperature (T) showed that the value of log Kd decreased in proportion to the increase in the value of 1/T within the range of 15-50 degrees C. The standard enthalpy, the standard free energy change at 37 degrees C, and the entropy change at 37 degrees C for association were calculated to be -124.7 kJ/mol, -33.23 kJ/mol, and -295.1 J/mol/deg, respectively. These results suggest that a hydrophilic interaction, such as hydrogen bond or van der Waals interaction, plays an important role in the binding of plasma fibronectin to gelatin.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Long term observation of the effect of intradermal hepatitis B vaccination on mentally retarded patients.

Sixty-two patients of two institutions for mentally retarded patients were immunized intradermally with 4 micrograms doses of plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine made in Japan, initially at month 0.1 and 6. The three vaccinations induced antibodies in 93.5% (90.9% in those with Down's syndrome (DS), 94.1% in other forms of mental retardation (OMR) of the vaccinees within 9 months after the first injection, and the percentage of geometric mean titers of antibody above 10 mIU/ml was 89.3% (81.8% DS, 84.3% OMR) within 9 months. Within 2 years, the seroconversion rate showed a significantly higher decrease in subjects with DS (54.5%) than in OMR (86.3%), and the percentage of vaccines with above 10 mIU/ml also showed a significantly higher decrease in subjects with DS (36.4%) than in those with OMR (74.5%) (p less than 0.05). In the OMR patients, the antibody response persisted for 2 years, decreased remarkably in the DS patients.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Intracranial pressure monitoring using a programmable pressure valve and a telemetric intracranial pressure sensor in a case of slit ventricle syndrome after multiple shunt revisions.

A case of hydrocephalus showing slit ventricle syndrome after multiple shunt revisions was treated with a programmable pressure valve, and intracranial pressure was monitored with a telemetric sensor. High pressure setting produced positive and normal values of intracranial pressure in this patient. We report our experiences.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts↗

PubMed1991

The effect of EC-IC bypass surgery on resting cerebral blood flow and cerebrovascular reserve capacity studied with stable XE-CT and acetazolamide test.

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebrovascular reserve capacity (CRC) were measured by stable xenon computerized tomography (Xe-CT) and acetazolamide test in 15 patients with cerebrovascular disease before and after extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass surgery for minor stroke, reversible ischemic neurological deficit or transient ischemic attack. All had angiographically shown occlusive lesions of the major arterial trunk. In the present series, global analysis showed that the bypass did not increase the resting rCBF, but did increase the rCRC. We divided the patients into four groups according to the preoperative resting rCBF and rCRC. All 3 patients with normal resting rCBF and reduced rCRC showed postoperative improvement of rCRC. Of 6 patients with reduced CBF and reduced CRC, three had postoperative increase in resting CBF and four had increased CRC. One of two patients with reduced CBF and normal CRC showed only an increase in CRC. We propose that reduced CRC or reduced CBF with reduced CRC are criteria for selection of candidates for bypass surgery. We conclude that Xe-CT with the Diamox test is a useful and simple method for evaluating cerebral hemodynamics. Preoperative grouping with a combination of preoperative resting rCBF and preoperative rCRC is useful for predicting the effect of EC-IC bypass surgery.

Acetazolamide↗

PubMed1991

Glycyrrhizin withdrawal followed by human lymphoblastoid interferon in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.

Seventeen patients with chronic hepatitis B were treated with a 4-week administration of glycyrrhizin followed by a 4-week treatment with human lymphoblastoid interferon, then followed for 6 months after the end of treatment. All were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), and hepatitis B virus-associated DNA polymerase (DNA-p) for at least 6 months before entry. All patients were Japanese and none of them were homosexuals. Eleven patients lost DNA-p activity and 10 of them lost HBeAg. Three of these 10 patients had antibody to HBeAg. In 10 patients who became HBeAg-negative, alanine aminotransferase levels after glycyrrhizin administration were higher and initial DNA-p activities relatively lower than the levels found in seven patients who remained HBeAg-positive. The immunomodulator provided by a short course of glycyrrhizin before administration of human lymphoblastoid interferon may be an effective treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Adult↗