A case of sterile corneal perforation after bone marrow transplantation.
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Acute Disease↗
Biomedical subjects
S Yamagami
Publications and source records attributed to S Yamagami.
Allergens in Japanese patients with allergic conjunctivitis in autumn.
PURPOSE: The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the relation between various specific class E immunoglobulins (IgE) in the serum and allergic conjunctivitis in autumn. METHODS: Total IgE and specific IgE to 12 inhalant allergens were measured using the CAP system in 32 patients with allergic conjunctivitis in spring (spring group), 27 patients with allergic conjunctivitis in autumn (autumn group), and 40 healthy volunteers (control group). RESULTS: Specific IgE levels caused by house dust, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and orchard grass were higher in the autumn group than in the spring group. The highest positivity rate for a specific allergen was 51.9% for house dust, followed by D. pteronyssinus(48.1%) in the autumn group, while the highest rate was 68.8 % for cedar pollen, followed by cypress pollen (59.4%) in the spring group. Correlation analysis showed that house dust was significantly correlated with animal epithelia, D. pteronyssinus, acarus, and Alternaria tenuis in the autumn group (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that house dust is the main cause of allergic conjunctivitis during autumn. In spring, cypress pollen is the largest cause of allergic conjunctivitis, while indoor allergens such as house dust, animal epithelia, D. pteronyssinus, and acarus are not causative allergens in Japan.
Adolescent↗
A randomised, placebo controlled clinical trial of the aldose reductase inhibitor CT-112 as management of corneal epithelial disorders in diabetic patients.
AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of topical aldose reductase inhibitor CT-112 (5-[3-ethoxy-4-pentyloxyphenyl]-2,4-thiazolidinedione) on corneal epithelial barrier function in diabetic patients. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomised, double masked placebo controlled study. 34 eyes of 34 diabetic patients were randomly assigned treatment with 0.25% eye drops of CT-112 (n = 22) or a placebo (n = 12) four times a day for 8 weeks. Corneal fluorescein staining and corneal sensation were examined before treatment as well as 4 and 8 weeks after administration. Corneal epithelial permeability to fluorescence was measured with an anterior fluorophotometer. RESULTS: Average scores of superficial punctate keratopathy and corneal sensitivity did not differ significantly between the two groups at any time. Whereas average fluorescein concentrations did not differ significantly for the CT-112 and placebo groups before treatment, they did differ significantly 4 and 8 weeks after treatment (4 weeks, p = 0.0327; 8 weeks, p = 0.0143). CONCLUSION: The topical aldose reductase inhibitor, CT-112 improves the corneal epithelial barrier function in diabetic patients.
Aged↗
Bilateral centripetal lipid keratopathy with diffuse anterior scleritis.
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Cataract↗
1-Azaadamantanes: pharmacological applications and synthetic approaches.
1-Azaadamantane (1-azatricyclo [3.3.1.1(3,7)]decane) was synthesized in 1953, and the derivatives have been used as rigid models for studies on intramolecular charge transfer phenomena, fluorescence excitation Rydberg states, highly twisted amides, solid electrolyte gas sensors, basicities, and self-organization systems. These structures have also been attracting considerable interest due to their pharmacological activities. The substituted 1-azaadamantanes as conformationally restricted amines have great potential for the therapeutic utilization as anticholinergic agents, serotonergic agents, and squalene synthase inhibitors. However, many steps have been needed for the synthesis of 1-azaadamantanes, and the concise synthetic approaches have been developed. Though double or triple Mannich reactions yield 1-azaadamantanes in moderate yields, the reduction steps are necessary. Our recent research has revealed that trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride is available for the convenient synthesis of 1-azoniaadamantanes and 1-azaadamantanes without reduction. The new tools for the discovery of novel drugs such as quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy have also been discussed.
Adamantane↗
Efficacy of postinfection treatment with anti-Shiga toxin (Stx) 2 humanized monoclonal antibody TMA-15 in mice lethally challenged with Stx-producing Escherichia coli.
Infection with Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) causes hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome. TMA-15 is a humanized monoclonal antibody against Stx2, a major pathogenic factor. In a mouse infection model that used B2F1, a virulent STEC strain, the efficacy of TMA-15 was assessed when it was administered after bacterial and toxin exposure. In this model, a time-course analysis of the serum Stx2 level showed that the toxin was detectable from 24 h after infection. In an evaluation of the time-dependent efficacy, treatment with TMA-15 up to 24 h after infection ameliorated the lethal challenge, although treatment at 48 h showed no efficacy. To determine the effective dose, escalating doses were administered at 24 h after infection. The number of mice that survived after doses of 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg were 0/20, 11/20, 17/20, 20/20, and 20/20, respectively. These findings suggest that TMA-15 shows potential for prevention of severe complications associated with STEC infection.
Animals↗
Isolation and characterization of acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase gene essential for n-decane assimilation in yeast Yarrowia lipolytica.
Yarrowia lipolytica is a yeast which can utilize n-alkane as a sole carbon source. We isolated a Y. lipolytica peroxisomal acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase gene, PAT1, by complementation of a mutant that cannot utilize n-decane as a sole carbon source. We found that the putative PAT1 product had conserved features of peroxisomal acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase. We showed that the PAT1 disruptant was not able to grow on n-decane, and that n-decane-inducible acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase activity largely depended on PAT1. The original mutant carried a mutation involving the replacement of Gly382 with Glu. This mutation inactivated the ability of PAT1 to complement the defective n-decane utilization of the disruptant. These results indicate that PAT1 encodes peroxisomal acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase and is essential for n-decane utilization in Y. lipolytica.
Acetyl-CoA C-Acetyltransferase↗
Expression and exon/intron organization of two medaka fish homologs of the mammalian guanylyl cyclase A.
Two cDNA clones (OlGC2 and OlGC7) and their genomic DNA clones encoding medaka fish homologs of mammalian natriuretic peptide receptor/membrane guanylyl cyclase A (GC-A) were isolated, and their complete nucleotide sequences were determined. The open reading frame predicts a protein of 1,063 amino acids for OlGC2 cDNA (4,283 bp), and one of 1,055 amino acids for OlGC7 cDNA (3,721 bp), respectively. Northern blot analyses demonstrated 4.7 kb OlGC2 transcripts in the kidney and gill, and 4.0 kb OlGC7 transcripts in the kidney, brain, and ovary, while RNase protection analyses revealed that both genes are expressed in various adult organs. Both the OlGC2 (about 33.0 kbp) and OlGC7 (about 44.3 kbp) genes consist of 22 exons with an exon/intron organization similar to those of the human GC-A gene (about 16.6 kbp) and medaka fish GC-B homolog gene (OlGC1, about 93 kbp). Intron 4 of OlGC2 contains two repeated sequence (RS) clusters, designated as RS1 (about 1 kbp) and RS2 (about 5 kbp), consisting of nucleotide 5'-AGCCTCTGCTCCTCCTTC-3'. In addition, many identical but variably sized nucleotide sequences were found in introns in OlGC1, OlGC2, OlGC6, and OlGC7. The OlGC2 and OlGC7 genes both have no apparent TATA box in the 5' flanking region upstream of the putative transcription initiation point, but several consensus sequences for cis-regulatory elements, including C/EBP, CREB, NF-IL6, and Sp1 and AP-2, NF-IL6, c-Myb, and Sp1 are present in the 5'-flanking region of OlGC2 and OlGC7, respectively.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Downward extension of the lacrimal gland under the bulbar conjunctiva after trabeculectomy.
PURPOSE: To describe two cases in which the lacrimal gland was considered to extend downward under the bulbar conjuctiva following trabeculectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report two patients who complained of epiphora after trabeculectomy. A biopsy was performed on the tissue under the bulbar conjunctiva on the periphery of the bleb of case 1. The anatomical relationship between the holes and the avascular filtering bleb in case 2 was investigated using ultrasound biomicroscopy. RESULTS: In case 1, a biopsy showed the lacrimal gland tissue filtrated with mononuclear cells. In case 2, ultrasound biomicroscopy revealed no connection between the multiple leaking holes and localized filtering bleb. CONCLUSION: Following trabeculectomy at the superior temporal quadrant, we should consider downward extension of the lacrimal gland as a possible source of a patient's complaint of epiphora.
Adult↗
Recurrence of myocarditis presenting as pacing and sensing failure after implantation of a permanent pacemaker at first onset.
A 31-year-old woman was admitted to hospital with loss of consciousness and generalized convulsions. Electrocardiography (ECG) showed complete atrioventricular block (AV block) with a pulse rate of 30 beats/min. Endomyocardial biopsy from the right ventricle showed massive necrosis and degeneration of myocardial cells with extensive infiltration of lymphocytes into the interstitial space. These pathological findings suggested fulminant myocarditis. Following glucocorticoid therapy, the patient became asymptomatic, but the AV block did not resolve completely and a bifocal pacemaker was implanted. However, similar symptoms recurred 7 years later. An ECG showed pacing and sensing failure linked to an increase in the pacing threshold and a decrease in the sensing threshold. Endomyocardial biopsy from the right ventricle again showed interstitial infiltration with lymphocytes and eosinophils. After glucocorticoid therapy, she became asymptomatic once more, and the improvement in the pacing and sensing failure, and cardiomegaly, was satisfactory. This patient represents a very rare case of recurrence of acute myocarditis without progression, as much as 7 years after its first occurrence. Glucocorticoid therapy was still effective in treating the recurrent myocarditis presenting with pacing and sensing failure.
Acute Disease↗
The critical role of lymph nodes in corneal alloimmunization and graft rejection.
PURPOSE: To elucidate the role of draining cervical lymph nodes (CLNs) in corneal alloimmunity. METHODS: Fully mismatched orthotopic corneal transplantation was performed in BALB/c hosts that had their CLNs excised before transplantation (CLN(-)). Normal hosts (CLN(+)), splenectomized mice (Sp(-)), and those without either CLNs or spleen (CLN(-)/Sp(-)) served as comparison groups. To determine the contribution of CLNs to alloimmunity more directly, CLN(-) mice were reconstituted by grafting LNs from other BALB/c mice to their cervical lymphatic chains, thus deriving CLN(-/+) mice. Tetramethyl rhodamine isothiocyanate's (TRITC) flow to draining CLNs was used as a measure of afferent lymph flow. Graft survival and allospecific delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) were used as measures of alloreactivity. RESULTS: Fifty percent of normal control and 12% of Sp(-) hosts accepted the allografts. In contrast, 100% of CLN(-) and 88% of CLN(-)/Sp(-) hosts accepted allografts indefinitely (P < 0.01). Additionally, all CLN(-) hosts failed to demonstrate allospecific DTH (P < 0.001). CLN(-/+) mice reconstituted with LN from naïve animals showed graft survival rates and DTH responses that were indistinguishable from those of naïve CLN(+) mice. Of particular interest, however, is that mice reconstituted with CLNs from hosts with rejected corneal grafts had swift rejection of subsequent corneal grafts and exhibited strong donor-specific DTH. In contrast, mice reconstituted with CLNs from hosts with accepted corneal grafts showed rejection of subsequent corneal grafts in a manner that was indistinguishable from rejection in naïve CLN(+) hosts. CONCLUSIONS: Draining CLNs play a critical role in allosensitization and rejection. In contrast to the spleen, draining CLNs do not appear to play a critical role in tolerance induction in corneal transplantation.
Animals↗
Depression of long term potentiation in gerbil hippocampus following postischemic hypothermia.
To investigate the mechanism of chronic cell death following postischemic hypothermia, the change of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) were examined by immunohistochemistry of NMDAR1 and long-term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 subfield of the gerbil hippocampus. At 1 week following postischemic hypothermia (32 degrees Cx4 h), all CA1 neurons survived; however, immunoreactivity of NMDAR1 increased in neuronal perikarya whereas decreased in dendrites in the CA1 neurons. The abnormality was still observed in remaining CA1 neurons at 1 month after hypothermia. LTP was also significantly depressed at 1 week after hypothermia. These results suggest that some abnormalities in the glutamate receptor may be caused by ischemia; such abnormality would persist in spite of hypothermia treatment, resulting in the depression of LTP.
Animals↗
Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin causes excessive release of glutamate in the mouse hippocampus.
The mechanism of neurotoxicity of Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin to the mouse brain was investigated. Intravenous injection in mice with the toxin caused seizure and excited hippocampal neurons. Microdialysis revealed that epsilon toxin induced excessive glutamate release in the hippocampus. Both the seizure and glutamate release were attenuated by prior injection with riluzole, an inhibitor of pre-synaptic glutamate release, suggesting that this toxin enhances glutamate efflux, leading to seizure and hippocampal neuronal damage.
Animals↗
Characterization of cytokine profiles in corneal allograft with anti-adhesion therapy.
BACKGROUND: The cytokine profiles of specific immunosuppression after anti-adhesion molecule therapy are unknown in a mouse corneal transplantation model. METHODS: Orthotopic mouse corneal transplantation was performed using BALB/c (H-2d) mice as recipients and C3H/He (H-2k) mice as donors. Anti-mouse very late antigen-4 and anti-mouse lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 monoclonal antibodies (each at a dose of 0.25/mg/day) were administered i.p. until day 7. A second corneal transplantation was performed 5 weeks after the first grafting. Delayed hypersensitivity was tested after the second grafting. Corneal cytokine expression was examined immunohistochemically. The cytokine gene transcription level was assessed in the corneas and splenocytes. RESULTS: All allografts with anti-adhesion molecule therapy survived for 5 weeks. Two weeks after the second grafts in the fellow eye (7 weeks after the first grafts), 50% of the mice with successful grafts bilaterally had low delayed hypersensitivity responses. Low helper T 1 (interferon-gamma and interleukin-2) cytokine gene and protein expression in corneas was observed in monoclonal antibody-treated mice 3 weeks after the first grafting. The mice with successful second grafts showed low corneal T helper 1 cytokine gene and protein expression. High interleukin-4 gene transcription levels in corneas and splenocytes was obtained in both groups in which the grafts were accepted and rejected after the second grafts. CONCLUSIONS: The cytokine profile to differentiate alloantigen-specific acceptance with anti-adhesion therapy to lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 and very late antigen-4 molecules from rejection after the second grafting is local and systemic low T helper 1 cytokine in corneal transplantation. High interleukin-4 cytokine expression in corneas and splenocytes is not associated with achievement of tolerance induction.
Animals↗
Analysis of immunomodulatory activities of aqueous humor from eyes of mice with experimental autoimmune uveitis.
Aqueous humor (AqH) contains immunosuppressive factors, especially TGF-beta2, that contribute to the immune privileged status of the anterior chamber. However, this may not be true when the blood-ocular barrier is compromised by ocular inflammation. To determine the immunosuppressive status of AqH from murine eyes afflicted with experimental autoimmune uveitis, B10.A mice were immunized with interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein. AqH was collected from eyes of affected mice periodically after immunization and then evaluated for content of TGF-beta, proinflammatory cytokines, and the capacity to suppress anti-CD3-driven T cell proliferation. mRNA expression of selected cytokines in iris and ciliary body from inflamed eyes was analyzed by ribonuclease protection assay. We found that TGF-beta levels were significantly increased in AqH from EAU eyes on days 11, 17, and 28. AqH collected on day 11 (onset of disease) failed to suppress T cell proliferation and contained large amounts of locally produced IL-6 that antagonized TGF-beta. In contrast, AqH collected at 17 days (when ocular inflammation was progressively severe) re-expressed the ability to suppress T cell proliferation, in this case due to high levels of blood-derived TGF-beta1 and eye-derived TGF-beta2 in the absence of IL-6. Thus, during the onset of experimental autoimmune uveitis, the ocular microenvironment loses its immunosuppressive properties due to local production of IL-6. But as inflammation mounts, AqH IL-6 content falls, and the fluid reacquires sufficient TGF-beta eventually to suppress immunogenic inflammation. The paradoxical roles of IL-6 in antagonizing TGF-beta, while promoting TGF-beta accumulation during ocular inflammation, is discussed.
Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
Topical soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor type I suppresses ocular chemokine gene expression and rejection of allogeneic corneal transplants.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of topical soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor type I (sTNFR-I) on survival of murine orthotopic corneal transplants and on ocular chemokine gene expression after corneal transplantation. METHODS: BALB/c mice (N = 50) were used as recipients of multiple minor H-disparate corneal transplants from B10.D2 donors. After orthotopic corneal transplantation, mice were randomized in a masked fashion to receive either topical sTNFR-I or vehicle 3 times daily, and all grafts were evaluated for signs of rejection and neovascularization by slitlamp biomicroscopy for 8 weeks. Ocular chemokine gene expression in sTNFR-I- and vehicle only-treated groups was determined using a multiprobe ribonuclease protection assay. RESULTS: Hosts treated with topical sTNFR-I experienced significantly enhanced corneal allograft survival compared with animals treated with vehicle alone (P =.01). Moreover, postoperative messenger RNA levels of RANTES and macrophage inflammatory protein-1beta in sTNFR-I-treated eyes were substantially suppressed compared with vehicle-treated eyes. Vehicle-treated eyes bearing rejected allografts expressed higher levels of messenger RNA for both chemokines than control eyes bearing accepted allografts. CONCLUSIONS: Topical treatment with sTNFR-I promotes the acceptance of allogeneic corneal transplants and inhibits gene expression of 2 chemokines (RANTES and macrophage inflammatory protein-1beta) associated with corneal graft rejection. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our findings support the feasibility of a topical anticytokine strategy as a means of reducing corneal allograft rejection without resorting to the use of potentially toxic immunosuppressive drugs.
Administration, Topical↗
Multi-impulsivity among bulimic patients in Japan.
OBJECTIVE: Studies in Western world patients suggest the possible existence of a subgroup of patients with bulimia nervosa (BN) who display multiple problems with impulsivity, such as suicidal attempts. We assessed impulsive behaviors among BN patients in Japan to discuss them crossculturally. METHOD: Impulsive behaviors in 64 BN patients were assessed and multi-impulsivity (MI) was defined according to the definition proposed by Fichter, Quadflieg, and Rief (Psychological Medicine, 24, 591-604,1994). RESULTS: Nineteen patients (30%) met the definition of MI. BN patients with MI had more severe clinical features, such as concurrent depressive and anxious symptoms, global functioning, and higher prevalence of borderline personality disorder than BN patients without MI. DISCUSSION: These results showed the similarities between BN patients with MI in Japan and those patients in the Western world in clinical and psychopathological characteristics and a life-time incidence of each impulsive behavior. These findings may suggest culturally free bases for linkage between BN and MI.
Adult↗
Preservation of donor cornea prevents corneal allograft rejection by inhibiting induction of alloimmunity.
To determine whether preservation of the donor cornea prevents allograft rejection, orthotopic corneal transplantation was performed using corneas preserved in storage medium (Optisol-GS((R))). Donor corneas harvested from C3H/He (H-2(k)) mice and B10.D2 (H-2(d)) mice were preserved in storage medium for 0, 3, 7 and 14 days, and then transplanted into the corneal beds of the recipient BALB/c (H-2(d)) mice. Graft survival was determined clinically and histologically. The expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules in the preserved corneas was analysed by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Donor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses were assessed 3 weeks after grafting. Active suppression of DTH in the recipient mice was also examined 3 weeks after grafting. The survival of 14 day preserved allografts was significantly higher than that of the non-preserved allografts in both MHC and minor histocompatibility (H) antigens, and minor H only disparate combination. The recipients of the preserved allografts failed to induce both CTL and DTH. The active suppression of DTH was not acquired in these recipients. The expression of donor-derived MHC class I antigens was markedly reduced in the corneas after preservation. Preservation of the donor cornea had a remarkable effect on the prevention of corneal allograft rejection. Since the preserved allografts failed to induce donor-specific CTL and DTH, and active suppression of DTH was not acquired in the recipients, the prevention of allo-rejection is due to a failure of allo-sensitization. These results indicate that the reduction of MHC class I antigens and minor H antigens expression in the preserved grafts induces a failure of allo-sensitization and leads to the high rate of acceptance in corneal allografts.
Animals↗