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Biomedical subjects

S Takeuchi

Publications and source records attributed to S Takeuchi.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

A possible involvement of melanocortin 3 receptor in the regulation of adrenal gland function in the chicken.

The melanocortin 3 receptor (MC3-R) in the melanocortin receptor family has been identified as a neural receptor subtype mainly expressed in the brain in mammals. We report here the isolation of the chicken gene for MC3-R, CMC3, displaying different tissue distribution from mammalian counterparts. The CMC3 gene was found to be a single copy gene encoding a 325 amino acid protein, sharing 75.3-76.8% identity with mammalian counterparts. When assessed by RT-PCR, the CMC3 mRNA was not detected in the brain but was exclusively expressed in adrenal glands, where Agouti-related protein/Agouti-related transcript (AGRP/ART), a newly identified endogenous antagonist of MC3-R, is expressed in mammals, raising the possibility that the CMC3 plays a role in complicated regulation of the gland function by melanocortins and AGRP/ART in the chicken. Noteworthy, MC1-R gene was found to be a quite unique member of the chicken MC-R family with regard to GC content and codon usage. It may reflect as yet unidentified evolutionary pressure operating specifically on the gene.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1999

Four new genotypes of adenovirus type 3 isolated from patients with conjunctivitis in Japan.

Adenovirus type 3 (Ad3) was the most frequently isolated serotype from patients with conjunctivitis during the period from 1989 to 1991 in Japan. All Ad3 strains isolated in 1990 had an identical genotype, Ad3f. However, in 1992, the predominant serotype was replaced by Ad4. The genome type was examined to determine whether genetic changes existed in Ad3 isolates in 1992. Ad3 isolated from 55 patients with acute conjunctivitis during the period from June 1992 to February 1993 in Japan was assessed by genome typing with restriction endonucleases BamH I, Bgl II, Hind III, and Sma I recognizing 6-base-pair sequences. The emergence of four new genotypes of Ad3 was identified; one with a new Bam HI site (one isolate), one with a new Bgl II site (two isolates), one with a new Hind III site (three isolates) and one with a new Sma I site (two isolates). This study demonstrates that the emergence of a new genotype of Ad3 may contribute to the replacement of the predominant serotype associated with adenovirus conjunctivitis in Japan.

Adenovirus Infections, Human↗
PubMed1999

L-tryptophan-kynurenine pathway metabolite 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid induces apoptosis in macrophage-derived cells under pathophysiological conditions.

Accumulation of L-kynurenine and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3HAA) occurs in the monocyte-derived cells following immune stimulation, and may derive from L-tryptophan following induction of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase. In the present study, we evaluate the possibility that 3HAA acts as an endogenous inducer of monocyte/macrophage apoptosis. Supplementation with 200 microM of 3HAA, but not other L-tryptophan metabolites tested, significantly increased the number of apoptotic cells in both THP-1 and U937 cells. Catalase, superoxide dismutase and manganese ions markedly enhanced apoptosis in the presence of 3HAA in these cells. The present results suggest that 3HAA induces the macrophage/monocyte apoptosis under certain conditions, which may be relevant to pathophysiology of inflammatory conditions.

3-Hydroxyanthranilic Acid↗
PubMed1999

Disease patterns of the homeless in Tokyo.

In recent years, homelessness has been recognized as a growing urban social problem in various countries throughout the world. The health problems of the homeless are considerable. The purpose of this study was to elicit, with sociodemographic profiles, the disease patterns among Tokyo's homeless. The subjects were 1,938 men who stayed at a welfare institution from 1992 to 1996. Diagnosed diseases/injuries and sociodemographic profiles were analyzed. The disease patterns of the homeless were compared to those of the male general population. Of the subjects, 8.3% were admitted to the hospital; 64.0% received outpatient care. Their observed morbidity rates by disease category were greater than those of the male general population in both Japan and Tokyo. Comorbidity of alcoholic psychosis/alcohol-dependent syndrome to both liver disease and pulmonary tuberculosis were greater than the average (P < .01). Construction work brought a higher risk of pulmonary tuberculosis (odds ratio = 2.0) and dorsopathies (odds ratio = 1.4) than did other jobs (P < .05). Disease patterns among the homeless in Tokyo were characterized by alcoholic psychosis/alcohol-dependence syndrome; liver disease; pulmonary tuberculosis; diabetes mellitus; fractures, dislocations, sprains, strains; hypertension; and cerebrovascular disease. Although the sociodemographic backgrounds of Tokyo's homeless have become more diverse, the principal occupation of the homeless was unskilled daily construction work, which underlay the characteristics of their disease patterns.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

The surgical treatment of fixed subaortic stenosis: a clinical experience in Japan.

We report herein the results of a retrospective study conducted on ten consecutive Japanese patients who underwent successful surgical relief of fixed subaortic stenosis between 1972 and 1994 at ages ranging from 8 months to 21 years, and followed for 3.6 years and 26 years. Associated cardiovascular defects were present in six patients, two had a history of infective endocarditis, a discrete fibrous ring was found in nine patients, and a redundant abnormal sheet was found in one. A stenotic structure was removed in nine patients and incised in one, while myotomy was additionally performed in one. There were no early complications or deaths. Cardiac catheterization revealed a significant decrease in the peak systolic pressure gradient from 84+/-22 mm Hg preoperatively to 32+/-22 mm Hg postoperatively (P = 0.0017). Reoperation of an aortic valve replacement with or without valvular annulus enlargement was required in four patients because of a small annulus with aortic insufficiency or infective endocarditis. Infective endocarditis was a major cause of late mortality (n = 1) and morbidity (n = 1), but the remaining eight patients have been asymptomatic. Thus, although this lesion is relatively rare in Japan, the typical discrete type may be more common than previously believed. While a relief operation is associated with low early mortality, the palliative aspect regarding pathology of the aortic valve should not be underestimated, including poor growth of the valve annulus, deterioration of aortic insufficiency, and infective endocarditis. The most appropriate operative procedure for reoperation remains to be evolved.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Mitral valve replacement in patients younger than 6 years of age.

UNLABELLED: We present our experience in mitral valve replacement (including left-sided tricuspid valve in corrected transposition) in patients younger than 6 years of age. The long term results were examined with special focus on re-replacement of the valve. Between 1974 and 1995, we performed mitral valve replacement in 14 patients younger than 6 years of age, with no operative mortality. There were 3 late deaths, caused by endocarditis, valve thrombosis, and congestive heart failure, respectively. The five-year-survival rate after primary replacement was 85%, and the ten-year-survival rate was 75%, using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Ten patients (11 occasions) required repeated mitral valve replacements at 2 months to 17 years after the original replacement. The indication for the second or third mitral valve replacement was paravalvular leakage (2 patients), valve thrombosis (1 patient), degeneration in the porcine prosthesis (3 patients), and patient outgrowth of the original small prosthesis (5 patients). Again there was no operative mortality. One patient who suffered from multiple occasions of valve thrombosis died at two years after the second replacement. All patients who had outgrown the prosthetic valve received larger prosthesis at the second replacement than at the primary replacement. The actuarial percentage of freedom from valve-related events at 3 years, 5 years, and at 10 years, was 50%, 37%, and 8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Mitral valve replacement in patients younger than 6 years of age can be performed relatively safely, but meticulous follow-up and appropriate decision making for re-replacement is mandatory for the long-term survival of these patients.

Child↗
PubMed1999

Intrathoracic retroesophageal goiter causing tracheal stenosis.

A 65-year-old woman presented with stridor revealed a mass on a chest X-ray on physical examination. A huge goiter arising in the left lobe of the thyroid had extended retroesophageally and across the midline to the right side of the posterior mediastinum far caudally down to the level of the carina. The trachea was remarkably compressed. Surgery was performed via a combined thoracic and cervical approach, and the tumor was completely removed with resultant relief from stridor. The patient is presently doing well at 1 year after the operation.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Analysis of Th1 and Th2 cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells as a parameter of immunological dysfunction in advanced cancer patients.

PURPOSE: The presence of immunological dysfunction has not been well demonstrated in cancer patients. Recent studies have revealed that the immune response can be classified into types 1 and 2, and in the present work the immunological function of patients was studied from the perspective of these two types of response. METHODS: Types 1 and 2 immune response were evaluated by monitoring the production of various cytokines by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 38 patients with advanced cancer of various organs and 20 healthy subjects. The usual immunological parameters, differential cell leukocyte counts, the level of T cell subsets (CD4 and CD8) and natural killer activity were also examined. RESULTS: The production of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon gamma, IL-10, IL-12 and tumor necrosis factor alpha was found to be significantly lower in the patients (75 +/- 57, 171 +/- 205, 40 +/- 34, 8 +/- 8, 1450 +/- 1010 pg/ml) than in healthy subjects (143 +/- 99, 422 +/- 296, 64 +/- 34, 16 +/- 10, 2550 +/- 950 pg/ml); however, the mean level of IL-4 in the patients seemed to be higher. The correlations between different cytokine levels suggested that they were produced differently. Lymphocyte counts were significantly lower in patients, but there was no difference in the other usual immunological parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with advanced cancer are deficient in monocytes and the type 1 immune response. The measurement of various cytokines reported in this study provides a more sensitive and valuable tool for evaluating the function of cell-mediated immunity in cancer patients than do the usual tests.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Elongated pericyte-like cells connect discrete capillaries in the cochlear stria vascularis of gerbils and rats.

Bridging structures between discrete capillaries in the stria vascularis of the cochlea were studied morphologically in gerbils and rats. Serial thin sections for transmission electron microscopy revealed (1) that elongated cells surrounded by the basal lamina provided the structural basis for the bridging structure, (2) that the basal lamina surrounding the elongated cell extended to the basal lamina around the capillary endothelial cell, (3) that the electron density of the cytoplasm was similar to that of the pericytes around the capillaries, and (4) that the cell was attached to the capillaries at both ends only. Visualization of the basal lamina by immunofluorescent methods revealed (1) that capillaries were often bent at the site of attachment of the bridging cell, (2) that the bridging cell bifurcated occasionally, and (3) that the density of the bridging cell was much higher in the stria vascularis than in the underlying spiral ligament. Filamentous actin visualized by fluorescent phalloidin was not apparent in the bridging cell. We propose that the bridging cell provides mechanical strength to the tortuous capillary network in the stria vascularis and participates in the specific function of the stria vascularis in cooperation with other types of cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Immunological identification of an inward rectifier K+ channel (Kir4.1) in the intermediate cell (melanocyte) of the cochlear stria vascularis of gerbils and rats.

The cochlear stria vascularis produces the positive endocochlear potential (EP) and the endolymph. Both the EP and the endolymph are essential for the physiological function of hair cells. The intermediate cell is one of several cell types constituting the stria vascularis. It is known that inward rectifier K+ channels can play a constitutive role in the determination of the resting membrane potential. Localization of a member of the inward rectifier K+ channel family, Kir4.1, in the stria vascularis of gerbils and rats was investigated by immunological methods. A polyclonal antibody specific to the C-terminus of the rat Kir4.1 channel was raised in rabbits. Immunostaining of dissociated cells revealed that the Kir4.1 channel was localized to the intermediate cell, but not to the epithelial marginal cell. Subcellular localization of the Kir4.1 channel to the plasma membrane of the intermediate cell was confirmed by immunoelectron microscopy. Immunostaining of whole-tissue preparations revealed a network-like structure composed of intermediate cells. It seems likely that the Kir4.1 channel mediates the inwardly rectifying K+ current in the intermediate cell as shown previously by electrophysiological methods, and that this channel plays key roles in the production of the EP and K+ transport in the stria vascularis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Ultrasound biomicroscopy for detection of breaks and detachment of the ciliary epithelium.

PURPOSE: To elucidate details of the pathologic changes in the ciliary epithelium associated with atopic dermatitis and blunt ocular trauma. METHODS: We examined prospectively 52 eyes of 42 patients with detachment of the nonpigmented epithelium of the ciliary body associated with atopic dermatitis and blunt ocular trauma. All the eyes underwent ultrasound biomicroscopic examination as an adjunct to binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy with scleral depression and slit-lamp biomicroscopy. RESULTS: Of the 52 eyes examined, high-resolution ultrasound biomicroscopy and conventional diagnostic methods (that is, binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy with scleral depression and slit-lamp biomicroscopy) disclosed breaks at the anterior vitreous base border in 40 eyes, at the pars plicata of the ciliary body in 27 eyes, and at the white midline (that is, the line located in the mid pars plana anterior to the anterior vitreous base border) in four eyes. In 40 eyes the breaks at the anterior vitreous base border could be detected with conventional methods but in only 28 eyes could they be diagnosed with ultrasound biomicroscopy. Conversely, in 27 eyes the breaks of the pars plicata could be observed with ultrasound biomicroscopy but in 25 eyes they were detected with conventional methods. In 21 eyes with breaks only at the anterior vitreous base border, the detachment of the nonpigmented ciliary epithelium was limited posterior to the white midline. In all 27 eyes with the nonpigmented ciliary epithelial detachment anterior to the white midline, the breaks of the pars plicata were identified by ultrasound biomicroscopy. CONCLUSION: Because of the minimum deformation of the globe during examination, ultrasound biomicroscopy contributed to the diagnosis of detailed structural change in the ciliary body associated with atopic dermatitis and blunt ocular trauma in relation to the white midline. In our sample of patients, the white midline may act as a barrier against ciliary nonpigmented epithelial detachment, and detachment of the nonpigmented epithelium anterior to the white midline indicated the presence of the pars plicata break in most cases.

Ciliary Body↗
PubMed1999

Acute follicular conjunctivitis caused by adenovirus type 34.

PURPOSE: Adenovirus type 34 belongs to adenovirus subgenus B. The prototype virus of adenovirus 34 was isolated from a renal transplant recipient. However, no case of acute conjunctivitis caused by adenovirus 34 has been reported. Recently, we encountered two cases of acute follicular conjunctivitis in which adenovirus 34 was isolated. METHODS: The clinical isolates were identified by the standard neutralization test. The sequences of seven hypervariable regions in the hexon protein of these cases were compared with those of several prototype strains of adenovirus subgenus B. RESULTS: The cases were middle-aged, 34 and 41 years old, and male, and they exhibited moderate conjunctivitis with upper respiratory tract symptoms. Isolates from cell culture were identified as adenovirus 34 by NT. The mean homology rate (percentage of total number of coincident amino acids in the total length of amino acids in seven hypervariable regions) between clinical isolates and the adenovirus 34 prototype was 96.5%; in contrast, those between clinical isolates and the prototypes of adenovirus 11, adenovirus 14, and adenovirus 35 were 55.6%, 66.7%, and 57.9%, respectively. The results of conventional serotyping by neutralization test were confirmed by these values. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that adenovirus 34 may induce acute conjunctivitis in immunocompetent subjects and that special attention should be paid to adenovirus 34 as a causative agent for adenoviral conjunctivitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1999

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor levels in the vitreous of patients with proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

PURPOSE: To assess the potential role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in the pathogenesis of proliferative vitreoretinopathy. METHODS: We assayed MIF levels in vitreous and paired serum samples of 74 consecutive patients with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (26 eyes), rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (22 eyes), and macular hole or idiopathic epiretinal membrane (control, 26 eyes) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Vitreous levels of MIF were 51.33 +/- 49.21 ng/ml (mean +/- SD) in proliferative vitreoretinopathy, 19.11 +/- 16.13 ng/ml in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, and 2.98 +/- 2.55 ng/ml in the controls. The vitreous levels in eyes with proliferative vitreoretinopathy were significantly higher than levels in eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (P = .0005) and in the control subjects (P < .0001). The vitreous levels were significantly higher than the serum levels in proliferative vitreoretinopathy (P < .0001) and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (P = .0019), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that MIF may be involved in the pathogenesis of proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay↗
PubMed1999

Liver scintigraphy is useful for selecting candidates for preoperative transarterial chemoembolization among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and chronic liver disease.

BACKGROUND: The indications for preoperative hepatic transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) have not been clarified by recent studies in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) complicated by chronic liver diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate which patients benefit most from preoperative TACE on the basis of hepatic functional reserve. Technetium-99m diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid-galactosyl human serum albumin (Tc-GSA) liver scintigraphy was used to assess hepatic functional reserve before and after TACE. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Liver scintigraphy was performed before and several weeks after TACE in 64 patients with HCC complicated by chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. The ratio of liver to heart-plus-liver radioactivity of Tc-GSA 15 minutes after injection (LHL15) was calculated. Conventional hepatic functional tests were also performed. Whether to perform hepatectomy after TACE was decided mainly on the basis of the previously reported value of LHL15 > or =0.91. RESULTS: LHL15, prothrombin time, and serum concentration of cholinesterase significantly decreased after TACE in patients with LHL15 > or =20.91 (P <0.01, P <0.05, and P <0.05, respectively). In patients with LHL15 <0.91, LHL15 and functional liver volume significantly increased after TACE (both P <0.05). Eight patients with LHL15 > or =0.91 did not undergo hepatectomy because LHL15 decreased to less than 0.91 after TACE, whereas 7 patients with LHL15 <0.91 underwent hepatectomy because LHL15 increased to more than 0.91 after TACE. Three major postoperative complications occurred in patients with LHL15 > or =0.91, and no major complications occurred in patients with LHL15 <0.91. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that preoperative TACE should be performed in HCC patients only when LHL15 is less than 0.91, and that preoperative TACE is not an appropriate treatment for patients with LHL15 > or =0.91 when HCC is resectable.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Chronic progressive hematomyelia: case reports and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Hematomyelia usually has an acute onset and rapid progression, which results in a poor prognosis. However, there have been a few cases in which the clinical symptoms have progressed chronically, with a good prognosis. These two different clinical courses should be analyzed separately. The differential diagnosis of spinal tumor and other chronic progressive diseases due to the similarity of the clinical courses is also important. CASE DESCRIPTION: Two cases of hematomyelia with slowly progressive symptoms are reported. Unlike the acute onset and rapid progression or recurrent episodic deterioration usually seen in hematomyelia, the symptoms of chronic hematomyelia progressed over months and resulted in a better clinical prognosis than the acute course. The cases of "chronic progressive hematomyelia" from the literature are briefly summarized. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic progressive hematomyelia should be considered as a different clinical entity from the acute version because of its slowly progressive clinical course and good outcome. Magnetic resonance imaging is the procedure of choice to exclude spinal tumors or other slowly progressive intraspinal diseases.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed1999

Effects of repeated administration of methamphetamine on P3-like potentials in rats.

Effects of repeated administration of methamphetamine (MAP) on a component of the cortical event-related potential (ERP), P3-like potential which corresponds to the human P3b, were examined in rats performing an active discrimination task. Rats were trained to press a bar within 1200 ms after cessation of a target tone (1000 Hz) lasting for 800 ms, and to withhold an overt response to the standard tone (2000 Hz). The rats were given intracranial electrical stimulation to the medial forebrain bundle as a reward, only when they correctly responded to the target tone. ERPs before drug administration were recorded after the correct response ratio exceeded 85%. Thereafter, a daily dose of 4 mg/kg of MAP, or the same volume of saline in another group, was administered intraperitoneally 15 times. ERPs were recorded again 7-10 days after the last injection. In the rats which received MAP the amplitude of the P3-like potential decreased with no change in its latency, while the response latency of bar-pressing and the correct response ratio were not altered significantly. These results suggest some changes in catecholaminergic transmission induced by repeated MAP-administration affect a P3 generation mechanism. MAP-treated rats may be useful as an animal model to investigate neural mechanisms of MAP-psychosis and schizophrenia.

Animals↗