Biomedical subjects

S Umeki

Publications and source records attributed to S Umeki.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1993

[Purple urine bag syndrome (PUBS) associated with strong alkaline urine].

Mechanisms for purple discoloration of the plastic urine bag in purple urine bag syndrome (PUBS) were investigated. Activities of bacterial indoxyl sulfatase catalyzing the conversion of indoxyl sulfate to indigo (or indirubin) were detected in strong alkaline liquid media but not in normal ones. These enzyme activities were particularly high in simple and combined cultures of Proteus mirabilis and/or Klebsiella pneumoniae. These results suggest that occurrence of PUBS is associated with strong alkaline urine as well as urinary tract infections induced by some species of bacteria with indoxyl sulfatase.

Aged↗

PubMed1993

[Studies on effects of new quinolones on superoxide production--with special reference to NADPH oxidase].

The effects of nalidixic acid (NA) and various new quinolones, such as norfloxacin (NFLX), ofloxacin (OFLX), tosufloxacin (TFLX), lomefloxacin (LFLX) and temafloxacin (TMFX), on the superoxide production of human neutrophil NADPH oxidase were investigated. In their therapeutic concentrations, NA, NFLX and OFLX had no significant effects on superoxide generation of NADPH oxidase. However, TFLX, LFLX and TMFX increased superoxide production by about 130 percent. Fifty microM NA increased superoxide production by 130 percent. Recently, it has been reported that NA and the new quinolones have toxic side effects on the central nervous system. In this report, relationships between toxic side effects of the new quinolones and superoxide production were discussed.

4-Quinolones↗

PubMed1993

Decreases in serum cholesterol levels in advanced lung cancer.

Serum lipid concentrations, including triglycerides, free fatty acids, phospholipids, low-density lipoproteins, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and lipoprotein fractions, were investigated in 43 male patients with advanced nonresectable lung cancer and 37 age- and sex-matched healthy male controls. The cancer patients as a group demonstrated significantly lower total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol as compared with the healthy controls. There were no significant differences between the various fractions of lipoproteins in the two patient groups. These results suggest hypocholesterolemia including decreased serum HDL cholesterol in advanced lung cancer patients.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1993

Association of miliary lung metastases and bone metastases in bronchogenic carcinoma.

Five cases of miliary lung metastasis among 630 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma were investigated. Bone metastases from the bronchogenic carcinoma were observed in 246 (39 percent) of these 630 patients, and the five were all patients in this latter group. These results suggest that bronchogenic carcinoma may produce miliary lung metastasis through its bone metastasis.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1993

Anti-inflammatory action of erythromycin. Its inhibitory effect on neutrophil NADPH oxidase activity.

The effects of erythromycin on the NADPH oxidase activity in the neutrophils of normal subjects and patients with bronchiolitis were investigated. In the patients receiving erythromycin, NADPH oxidase activity was significantly lower in a whole-cell system than that before therapy. Erythromycin was also found to inhibit the superoxide generation of neutrophils exposed to phorbol myristate acetate in a whole-cell system and the activation of superoxide-generating NADPH oxidase by sodium lauryl sulfate (sodium dodecyl sulfate) in a cell-free system. The concentration of the drug required for 50 percent inhibition of the oxidase was 0.7 mM in the whole-cell system and 0.2 mM in the cell-free system. These results suggest that erythromycin, an antibiotic which penetrates well into human neutrophils, may exhibit an anti-inflammatory action due to inhibiting of neutrophil NADPH oxidase activation.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

PubMed1993

[A case of plasma cell granuloma which resolved after steroid treatment].

A 65-year-old man with a history of a common cold two months earlier was referred to our division for further evaluation of an abnormality on chest X-ray film. Transbronchial lung biopsy findings revealed an inflammatory pseudotumor, a plasma cell granuloma (PCG). The pulmonary nodule disappeared completely six weeks after steroid therapy. To our knowledge, all PCG cases to date have been surgically resected. Therefore, this case of PCG diagnosed by transbronchial lung biopsy and successfully treated nonsurgically with steroid therapy is worthy of note.

Aged↗

PubMed1993

[A case of rheumatoid arthritis accompanied by repeated pleural effusion associated with rapid tapering of steroid].

A 65-year-old woman was referred to our department because of general fatigue and anorexia for one month. The patient has received anti-rheumatoid therapy with aurothiomalate and bucillamine for the last two years for rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed 11 years earlier. Based on her systemic arthralgia, positive RA factor, and characteristic pleural effusion, the diagnosis of rheumatoid pleural effusion was made and prednisolone was administered. Two weeks later, the pleural effusion had improved. Rapid tapering of the drug over one month resulted in reappearance of pleural effusion. Slow tapering of prednisolone resulted in disappearance of the pleural effusion. One year after discharge, the patient was again referred to our department because of increased arthralgia. Pleural effusion reappeared after similar rapid tapering of the drug. These results suggest that induction of pleural effusion may occur in rheumatoid arthritis patients as a result of rapid tapering of steroids. Tapering of steroids in rheumatoid patients should be performed with care.

Aged↗

PubMed1992

Effects of anti-allergic drugs on human neutrophil superoxide-generating NADPH oxidase.

The effects of anti-allergic drugs with or without H1-receptor antagonism on the NADPH oxidase (EC 1.6.99.6) from human neutrophils in both whole-cell and fully soluble (cell-free) systems were investigated. Three anti-allergic drugs with H1-receptor antagonism, azelastine, ketotifen and oxatomide, were found to inhibit the superoxide generation of human neutrophils exposed to phorbol myristate acetate in a whole-cell system and the activation of superoxide-generating NADPH oxidase by sodium dodecyl sulfate in a cell-free system. The concentrations of these drugs required for 50% inhibition of the oxidase (IC50) were: azelastine--0.7 microM in the whole-cell system and 0.5 microM in the cell-free system; ketotifen--60 microM in the whole-cell system and 6.8 microM in the cell-free system; and oxatomide--25 microM in the whole-cell system and 9.7 microM in the cell-free system. In addition, in the cell-free system, these drugs did not change the Km values for the NADPH of the oxidase. However, these drugs did not inhibit the superoxide generation of NADPH oxidase after its activation in whole-cell and cell-free systems, suggesting that these drugs do not have superoxide-scavenger actions. Concentrations of less than 200 microM of anti-allergic drugs without H1-receptor antagonism, tranilast, repirinast and ibudilast, did not inhibit neutrophil NADPH oxidase in whole-cell and cell-free systems. The IC50 of hydrocortisone in the cell-free system was 60 microM. These results suggest that anti-allergic drugs with H1-receptor antagonism inhibit activation of the solubilized membrane-bound enzyme by sodium dodecyl sulfate in cell-free systems and that they have much stronger anti-inflammatory action than hydrocortisone.

Cell-Free System↗

PubMed1992

Frequency of mutant T lymphocytes defective in the expression of the T-cell antigen receptor gene among radiation-exposed people.

The frequency of mutant T lymphocytes defective in T-cell receptor gene (alpha or beta) expression was measured using the 2-color flow cytometric technique. Results for a total of 203 atomic bomb survivors, 78 of whom were proximally exposed (DS86 doses of greater than or equal to 1.5 Gy) and 125 of whom were distally exposed (DS86 dose of less than 0.005 Gy), showed that the mutant frequency was significantly higher in males than in females. No significant dose effects were observed. In contrast, a significant increase of mutant frequency was observed for 6 patients treated with Thorotrast, a contrast medium containing thorium-232 formerly used for radioligands. In addition, thyroid disease patients treated with 131I showed a dose-related increase of mutant frequency. It was suggested that the present T-cell receptor mutation assay has a unique characteristic as a biological dosimeter for measurement of recent exposures to genotoxic agents.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

[A case of chronic myelogenous leukemia with pulmonary aspergillosis diagnosed by the detection of circulating Aspergillus antigen].

Immunocompromised hosts usually develop invasive mycotic disease. Among many pathogenic fungi. Aspergillus spp, is the most common pathogen of respiratory infection. Early diagnosis of invasive type pulmonary aspergillosis is still difficult, and the treatment is usually difficult. Many investigations have recently suggested that detection of Aspergillus antigen from sera of the patients is useful for early diagnosis to save their lives. We have experienced a case diagnosed by the detection of circulating Aspergillus antigen by Pastorex Aspergillus, who was a 64-year-old female with the blastic crisis chronic myelogenous leukemia. After anti-leukemic chemotherapy, she suffered from pneumoniae with pleural effusions and severe hypoxia, which did not respond to antibiotics. At this point, her serum sample showed positive Aspergillus antigen by Pastorex Aspergillus. She was treated by intensive antifungal chemotherapy, and thereafter improved quickly. Titers of Pastorex Aspergillus were well correlated with her clinical course. The sensitivity of the test requires further improvement, but the specificity of the test is considered to be high enough for clinical use.

Antigens, Fungal↗

PubMed1992

[Studies on risk factors influencing delayed resolution of pneumonia].

Among 61 patients admitted to our hospital because of bacterial pneumonia during the last six years, we investigated several risk factors influencing delayed resolution of pneumonia shadows, such as age, extent of the lesion, period of fever and sputum production after antibiotic therapy, WBC, CRP and PaO2 values on admission, the period of increased values of WBC and CRP, the presence or absence of etiological pathogens, the period from the appearance of symptoms to admission, and the period of drug therapy. In our series, the period from appearance of symptoms to admission (r = 0.62) and that of increased WBC (r = 0.35) significantly correlated with the period of pneumonia shadows to the time of their resolution. Similar results were obtained from the multiple variate analysis of various factors. These results suggest that the duration period (nontherapy period) of inflammation closely associated with leukocytosis plays a crucial role in the delayed resolution of pneumonia shadows.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

[A case of organizing pneumonia which had to be treated with steroids in the early phase of the disease against delayed resolution of severe pneumonia occurring even after antibiotic therapy].

A 58-year-old male was referred to our division because of antibiotic-resistant pneumonia. A chest X-ray film revealed severe pneumonia over the left lung field but laboratory data showed no leukocytosis. Transbronchial lung biopsy findings showed the evidence consistent with organizing pneumonia. One-month prednisolone therapy produced a disappearance of the pneumonia shadow, but a giant bulla was found at the same site. It was considered that it was necessary to treat this case with a combination of effective antibiotics and steroids in the early phase of the disease.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed1992

Atelectatic lung escaping radiation pneumonitis.

An 80-year-old man was admitted to our division because of hemosputum, cough, and chest pain for three months. A chest roentgenogram, chest CT scanning, and bronchoscopic examinations revealed adenocarcinoma of the lung with atelectasis of the right upper lobe. The patient developed radiation pneumonitis after receiving radiation therapy (5,100 cGy) for lung cancer. At the same time, the right upper lobe atelectasis improved and movement of infiltrates consistent with radiation pneumonitis to the middle lung fields occurred. A chest roentgenogram taken when the atelectasis had improved revealed the absence of pneumonitis shadows in the right upper lobe, suggesting that the atelectatic lung escaped radiation pneumonitis.

Aged↗

PubMed1992

Host defense activity in various hosts. Human neutrophil NADPH oxidase activity.

The superoxide generation of neutrophil NADPH oxidase from healthy subjects, patients with respiratory infections, and patients receiving effective therapy with antibiotics or steroids was investigated. In young healthy nonsmokers the mean oxidase activity of neutrophils in women was significantly lower than that in men. In healthy women the mean oxidase activity was significantly lower in young nonsmokers than in young smokers or the elderly. In young nonsmokers, oxidase activity significantly increased during respiratory infections; however, in elderly nonsmokers, no significant increase in oxidase activity was observed during respiratory infections. The mean oxidase activity in patients receiving steroids was very low. In in vitro experiments using cell-free activation systems of NADPH oxidase, steroids were found to injure the membrane-bound components of the oxidase enzyme. These results suggest that decreased superoxide generation in patients receiving steroids may result from steroid-induced damage in the membrane-bound components of the NADPH oxidase system. The inhibitory effect of steroids on superoxide production may reduce bactericidal action of neutrophils, ie, one defense mechanism of the body against many kinds of pathogens. Therefore, long-term therapy with steroids in the elderly should be avoided at all costs.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Acute and chronic eosinophilic pneumonia: clinical evaluation and the criteria.

The clinical courses of 11 cases of eosinophilic pneumonia which were clinico-pathohistologically diagnosed and found to be unassociated with organic disorders producing peripheral blood eosinophilia were extensively investigated and compared with various types of eosinophilic pneumonia previously reported. Five cases of acute eosinophilic pneumonia fulfilled the following criteria: 1) less than a one-month history of symptoms prior to diagnosis, 2) a short clinical course and 3) no recurrence. Six cases of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia fulfilled the following criteria: 1) more than a two-month history of symptoms prior to diagnosis, 2) a prolonged clinical course and 3) recurrence. The results suggested that various types of previously reported eosinophilic pneumonia classified by sex, the presence or absence of peripheral blood eosinophilia, the degree of clinical symptoms or peripheral blood eosinophilia, and the degree of abnormalities on chest X-ray films should be extensively reevaluated.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1992

[Effects of respiratory tract infections and antibiotic therapy on NADPH oxidase activity].

The superoxide generation of neutrophil NADPH oxidase was investigated in healthy subjects, patients with respiratory tract infections, and patients receiving effective antibiotic therapy. In adults, oxidase activity significantly increased during respiratory tract infections and decreased after treatment with effective antibiotics. In the elderly, no significant increase in oxidase activity was observed during respiratory tract infections, while the activity significantly decreased after therapy. Increases in white blood cell counts, neutrophil counts and C-reactive protein values in the elderly during respiratory tract infections were less marked than those in adults. These abnormalities in both adults and the elderly were restored to within normal limits after antibiotic therapy. In in vitro experiments, antibiotics, such as imipenem, ceftazidime and cefoperazone, at each therapeutic dose did not inhibit the superoxide generation of NADPH oxidase. These results suggest that in the elderly, defense activity against infections may be suppressed, and that these antibiotics may normalize neutrophil NADPH oxidase activity as a result of their bactericidal action and a possible biological action to normalize the peri-neutrophil environment of the body.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Reevaluation of eosinophilic pneumonia and its diagnostic criteria.

Eosinophilic pneumonia has been defined as pulmonary infiltration of the lung by eosinophils that may or may not be accompanied by an excess of these cells in the peripheral blood. However, the concept of this disease and its nomenclature have not yet been established. In the present study, the clinical course of 11 cases of eosinophilic pneumonia, which were clinico-pathohistologically diagnosed and found not to be associated with organic disorders producing peripheral blood eosinophilia, were investigated extensively and compared with various types of eosinophilic pneumonia, as previously reported. Of five cases of acute eosinophilic pneumonia with a history (less than 1 month) of symptoms before diagnosis, a short clinical course, and no recurrence, four cases showed peripheral blood eosinophilia, and four cases did not require treatment with steroids. Of six cases of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia with a history (greater than 2 months) of symptoms before diagnosis, a prolonged clinical course, and recurrence, all showed peripheral blood eosinophilia, four cases required treatment with steroids, and four cases were recurrent. In one case with simultaneous occurrence of asthma and another case with asthma that occurred 4 years after the appearance of eosinophilic pneumonia, abnormal shadows on chest roentgenograms had continued for several years. These results suggested that various types of previously reported eosinophilic pneumonia classified by sex, the presence or absence of peripheral blood eosinophilia, the degree of clinical symptoms or peripheral blood eosinophilia, and the degree of abnormalities on the chest roentgenograms should be extensively reevaluated.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1992

[Age-dependent alterations in clinical features of pulmonary tuberculosis].

Age-related changes in clinical features of 182 patients diagnosed as having pulmonary tuberculosis from positive culture results of tubercle bacilli were extensively investigated. The percentage of cases detected using mass miniature radiophotography (MMR) was highest in the patients aged 30-39 years, and then decreased with increasing age. It was only 16-19% in those aged 60 years or older. Certain conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, malignancy and other lung diseases, were common in the patients aged 60 years or older. Systemic symptoms, including weight loss and anorexia, and physical abnormalities, including fever and crackles, were common in these patients. Anemia tended to be predominant in the patients aged 60 years or older. The middle/lower lobes were involved more frequently in these patients, in whom the disease distribution was more than one lobe, or disseminated. Positive smear results and negative anergy were more frequently noted in the patients aged 60 years or older. The mortality from tuberculosis in these patients was 4% (7 cases). Although gastrointestinal disorder due to antitubercular drugs was more common in the patients aged 80 years or older, eosinophilia was less frequently observed. Today, improved conditions, better sanitation and the development of new chemotherapeutic agents have contributed to the decline of tuberculosis among the general population. But more efficient procedures that allow the early detection or diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in the elderly should be achieved as soon as possible.

Adult↗