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Shigeki Hayashi

Publications and source records attributed to Shigeki Hayashi.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Anti-gp210 and anti-centromere antibodies are different risk factors for the progression of primary biliary cirrhosis.

UNLABELLED: The predictive role of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) remains elusive in the long-term outcome of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). The progression of PBC was evaluated in association with ANAs using stepwise Cox proportional hazard regression and an unconditional stepwise logistic regression model based on the data of 276 biopsy-proven, definite PBC patients who have been registered to the National Hospital Organization Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ). When death of hepatic failure/liver transplantation (LT) was defined as an end-point, positive anti-gp210 antibodies (Hazard ratio (HR) = 6.742, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.408, 18.877), the late stage (Scheuer's stage 3, 4) (HR = 4.285, 95% CI:1.682,10.913) and male sex (HR = 3.266, 95% CI: 1.321,8.075) were significant risk factors at the time of initial liver biopsy. When clinical progression to death of hepatic failure/LT (i.e., hepatic failure type progression) or to the development of esophageal varices or hepatocellular carcinoma without developing jaundice (Total bilirubin < 1.5 mg/dL) (i.e., portal hypertension type progression) was defined as an end-point in the early stage (Scheuer's stage 1, 2) PBC patients, positive anti-gp210 antibodies was a significant risk factor for hepatic failure type progression [odds ratio (OR) = 33.777, 95% CI: 5.930, 636.745], whereas positive anti-centromere antibodies was a significant risk factor for portal hypertension type progression (OR = 4.202, 95% CI: 1.307, 14.763). Histologically, positive anti-gp210 antibodies was most significantly associated with more severe interface hepatitis and lobular inflammation, whereas positive anticentromere antibodies was most significantly associated with more severe ductular reaction. CONCLUSION: These results indicate 2 different progression types in PBC, hepatic failure type and portal hypertension type progression, which may be represented by positive-anti-gp210 and positive-anticentromere antibodies, respectively.

Adult↗

Evaluation of a hepatitis B vaccination program in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Chiang Mai is a province in northern Thailand that started a vaccination program for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in 1989. In this paper, we report the long-term efficacy of this program. Of children aged 4-9 years, 65.7% had a complete course and 3.8% had an incomplete vaccination course. Urban schoolchildren had higher percentage of HB vaccination than rural schoolchildren (89.1% vs 46.9% for the complete course, p < 0.001). The overall prevalence rate of HBsAg in Chiang Mai schoolchildren was 1.2%, with no significant differences between gender (p = 0.496) and school areas (p = 0.477). Anti-HBc antibodies were detected in 6.9% of children. Overall, 26.2% of children had protective levels of anti-HBs antibodies (> 10.0 mlU/ml), and 11.2% had low levels of these antibodies (1.0-9.9 mlU/ml). Compared to previous reports, our results show a lower percentage of anti-HBs antibodies, 33.8% of children age 4 years had protective anti-HBs antibodies, dropping to 18.4% by age 9 years. Among those anti-HBs seropositive, 9.1% were anti-HBc positive, indicating a natural infection with HBV. We found a small number of children, despite adequate immunization, developed HBV infection.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Characteristics of core promoter and precore stop codon mutants of hepatitis B virus in Vietnam.

In Asia, genotypes B and C are the most common genotypes of hepatitis B virus (HBV); and genotype C causes more severe liver disease. Core promoter/precore (CP/PC) mutants, known to be linked to these genotypes, could have an impact on the progression and severity of liver disease. Sera of 115 patients, including 39 acute and 76 chronic Vietnamese HBV infected patients, were tested for their liver profile, HBeAg, HBV genotypes, and HBV DNA level. Fragments of 282 nucleotides covering CP/PC were amplified, sequenced, and analysed. In the acute group, CP/PC mutants accounted for 38.4 and 25.6%, respectively. Genotype B was found to be predominant (74.3%, P < 0.05) and linked to the PC mutant (A1896) (P < 0.05). In the chronic group, CP/PC mutants accounted for 61.7 and 32.8%. CP mutants, especially the T1762/A1764 double mutant, were found to correlate with genotype C (81%, P < 0.001), liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (P < 0.05). Therefore, genotype C in Vietnam, which carried high rate of C-1858 (70%), could play an important role in causing severe chronic liver disease.

Adolescent↗

CD36-mediated endocytic uptake of advanced glycation end products (AGE) in mouse 3T3-L1 and human subcutaneous adipocytes.

Interaction of advanced glycation end products (AGE) with AGE receptors induces several cellular phenomena potentially relating to diabetic complications. We here show that AGE-modified bovine serum albumin (BSA) is endocytosed by adipocytes via CD36. Upon differentiation, 3T3-L1 and human subcutaneous adipose cells showed marked increases in endocytic uptake and subsequent degradation of [(125)I]AGE-BSA, which were inhibited effectively by the anti-CD36 antibody. Ligand specificity of CD36 for modified BSAs was compared with that of LOX-1 and scavenger receptor class A. Effect of fucoidan on [(125)I]AGE-BSA binding showed a sharp contrast to that on [(125)I]-oxidized low density lipoprotein. These results implicate that CD36-mediated interaction of AGE-modified proteins with adipocytes might play a pathological role in obesity or insulin-resistance.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Simian TT virus (s-TTV) infection in patients with liver diseases.

Recently, we identified TTV isolates from nonhuman primates and named them simian TTV (s-TTV). To investigate the prevalence of s-TTV in humans, we examined sera from healthy individuals and patients with liver diseases in Japan for the presence of s-TTV DNA by PCR assay. s-TTV DNA was determined by nested PCR using s-TTV-specific primers designed from untranslated region of s-TTV genome. s-TTV DNA sequence was detected in three of 200 (1.5%) healthy adults but none of 48 infants without liver disease. On the other hand, s-TTV DNA was detected in 30 of 287 (10.5%) Japanese patients with liver disease. s-TTV coinfection with hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus were present in 16.7 and 30% of these patients, respectively, while 53.3% of patients were positive for s-TTV alone. Nucleotide sequence analyses in 20 patients confirmed that these PCR products were derived from s-TTV genome sequences and nearly 85% identical to those of s-TTV prototypes from chimpanzees. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that all s-TTV isolates from humans were distinguished clearly from the human TTV isolates. Furthermore, s-TTV in humans was classified into two different genotypes as well as simians. Our results indicate that generally 10.5% of Japanese patients with liver diseases were infected with s-TTV. The routes of s-TTV transmission from animal to human require clarification.

Journal Article↗

Prevalence of hepatitis virus types B through E and genotypic distribution of HBV and HCV in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

A molecular epidemiological survey of various hepatitis viral infections, including hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV), was carried out in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This study included of 295 patients with liver disease (234 viral related and 61 non-viral related) and 100 healthy individuals. The infection rates of HBV and HCV in 234 liver disease patients with acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, were 31.2 and 19.2%, respectively. On the other hand, detection rates of these viruses in healthy populations were 10 and 2%, respectively (P<0.005 and <0.0001, respectively). None of cases tested was positive for HDV RNA. The most common viral genotypes were type B and C of HBV (43 and 57%) and type 2a of HCV (33.3%). Surprisingly, high prevalence of HBV pre-S2 deletion mutant was found in 22 of 87 (25.3%) patients with chronic liver disease. Moreover, antibody to hepatitis E virus (HEV) immunoglobulin G (IgG) was detected in 78 of 185 (42%) and IgM in 1 of 185 (0.5%) patients. The age prevalence of anti-HEV IgG was reached 61.9% in 21-40-year-olds. These results suggest that these hepatitis viruses, except for HDV, are spreading among liver disease patients in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam and HBV was the most important causative agent correlated with liver disease in this area.

Journal Article↗

Present state of hepatitis E virus epidemiology in Tokyo, Japan.

Recently studies have reported the possibility that an indigenous hepatitis E virus (HEV) exists in Japan, but the epidemiological features of HEV in Japan are inadequate to make a judgment. In order to search the present state of HEV infection in Japan, we used ELISA to test 1033 sera from residents living in Tokyo and the Tokyo suburbs, for the presence of the antibody against HEV. The positive rate of anti-HEV IgG was 15.4% in all liver disease patients (68 of 440), 3% (6/200) in healthy individuals and 0.4% in infants (1/246), respectively (P<0.01). Anti-HEV IgG was seen in 17.6% (35/199) of liver disease patients of unknown etiology; 29.4% (5/17) of fulminant hepatitis, 17% of acute hepatitis (15/88) and 16% of chronic hepatitis (15/94). Anti-HEV IgG co-existed with hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus in 23.6% (21/89) and 7.9% (12/152), respectively. Furthermore, the prevalence of anti-HEV IgG was significantly higher in hemodialysis patients (18/60: 30%) and hospital workers (8/87: 9.2%) than in the healthy population (P<0.01). Anti-HEV IgM was detected in 0.1% of all samples tested (1/1033). The prevalence of anti-HEV IgG increased with age. No individuals with HEV antibody had a recent history of visiting countries where hepatitis E is endemic. These results indicate that generally 15.4% of Japanese patients with liver diseases had a history of HEV infection in the past. The routes of transmission of HEV require clarification in Japan.

Journal Article↗

Adipocytes recognize and degrade oxidized low density lipoprotein through CD36.

CD36 expressed on adipocytes is thought to function as a fatty acid transporter (FAT). Here we report that adipocytes can endocytose and lysosomally degrade OxLDL, mainly mediated by CD36. Mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes showed marked increase in uptake and degradation of (125)I-OxLDL during their differentiation to adipocytes. RT-PCR and immunoblot analysis indicated that expression of CD36 but not of scavenger receptor class A or macrosialin is required for the increase in uptake and degradation of (125)I-OxLDL in 3T3-L1 cells. An anti-CD36 antibody inhibited both uptake and degradation activities of (125)I-OxLDL up to 60%. These results strongly suggest that adipocytes may function as phagocytes like macrophages and that CD36 plays a novel role in adipose tissues.

3T3 Cells↗

Lower th-1/th-2 ratio before interferon therapy may favor long-term virological responses in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

It is still controversial whether alterations in helper-T cell subpopulations contribute to the pathogenesis and clinical characteristics of chronic hepatitis C. The aim of this study was to clarify this issue, particularly in relation to interferon therapy. Thirty-one patients with histologically proven chronic hepatitis C were treated by conventional interferon (IFN) monotherapy for 6 months, and virological responses were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction 6 months later. Helper-T cell subpopulations, Th-1 and Th-2, were determined in peripheral blood by intracellular cytokine assay using flow cytometry. In chronic hepatitis C, the percentage of Th-1 and Th-2 subpopulations in peripheral blood were significantly increased, by 1.4-fold as compared with normal controls. Serum levels of ALT were inversely proportional to the percentage of Th-1 subpopulations, while directly proportional to that of Th-2 subpopulations. In nonresponders (N = 16) to interferon therapy, the percentage of Th-1 subpopulations and Th-1/Th-2 ratio were significantly higher than those in complete responders (N = 15). By multivariate logistic regression analysis, HCV genotype non-lb, HCV viral load less than 500 kilocopies/ml, and the lower Th-1/Th-2 ratio could independently merit favorable long-term virological responses. Helper-T cell subpopulations, Th-1 and Th-2, seem to contribute to progression of chronic hepatitis C in a reciprocal fashion. The imbalance between the two subpopulations may determine the final outcome of interferon therapy as one of the host factors.

Adult↗

Efficacy of Stronger Neo-Minophagen C compared between two doses administered three times a week on patients with chronic viral hepatitis.

BACKGROUND: A daily injection of glycyrrhizin (Stronger Neo-Minophagen C (SNMC) containing 40 mg glycyrrhizin in a 20 mL ampoule) lowers alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. METHODS: The therapeutic effects of intermittent administration of SNMC three times a week for 12 weeks were evaluated and compared between two doses (40 and 100 mL) in a randomized clinical trial. RESULTS: Overall, the therapeutic response was better in the 53 patients allocated 100 mL than the 59 who were allocated to have 40 mL SNMC (P = 0.0243). At the completion of SNMC treatment, ALT levels decreased more extensively in the patients on 100 mL than those on 40 mL SNMC (-29 vs-50% in comparison with the baseline value, P = 0.0002). Minor side-effects occurred in both the patients on 100 mL (20%) and those on 40 mL (12%), but they did not require any therapies. CONCLUSIONS: Intermittent SNMC would be efficient in suppressing ALT levels in patients with chronic viral hepatitis in a dose-dependent manner. Taken along with infrequent and very mild side-effects, long-term intermittent SNMC would benefit patients with chronic hepatitis by maintaining their quality of life with easier compliance.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Genotyping of hepatitis E virus from Vietnam.

To identify the genotype of Vietnamese isolates of human hepatitis E virus (HEV), phylogenetic analysis was performed for the open reading frame (ORF) 1 and ORF2 nucleotide sequences of the viral genome. HEV was detected by RT-PCR in 9 out of 141 sera collected from patients with a diagnosis of acute sporadic hepatitis in Hanoi, Vietnam. All of them had sequences related most closely to genotype 4. In addition, the Vietnamese isolate had a single nucleotide insertion in the ORF 3 region, a characteristic reported for genotype 4 with the possible change of initiation of ORF 3 and ORF 2.

Base Sequence↗

Present epidemiological pattern of antibody to hepatitis a virus among Chiang Mai children, Northern Thailand.

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is common in Southeast Asia, and most of the inhabitants acquire a lifelong immunity as a result of natural infection during childhood. However, the age-specific seroprevalence is changing with development of socioeconomic and hygiene status in this area and the infection is predicted to shift to adulthood with more severe clinical manifestations in the future. In this study, we report the present epidemiological pattern of antibody to HAV (anti-HAV) among schoolchildren in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand. The overall prevalence rate of anti-HAV was 9.6% (11.4% in female and 7.5% in male children, and 10.8% in urban and 8.9% in rural schoolchildren, respectively). Our study, comparing with previous reports from other parts in Thailand, indicates a steady decline of anti-HAV prevalence among schoolchildren in Chiang Mai area, and discussed a possibility of an outbreak of HAV infection among urban schoolchildren.

Adolescent↗

[Hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus].

Medical workers should have anti-HBV antibody to protect HBV infection in the hospital. If they have not anti-HBV antibody, they should receive HBV vaccination. HBV vaccination program is as follows: 10 micrograms, s.c., 0, 1, 6 months. In case of HBV contamination, 1,000 IU hepatitis B immune globulin(HBIG) and/or 10 micrograms HB vaccine should be administered judging from HBV markers of contaminated subjects and HBV load of patients. The HCV vaccine is not available. In case of HCV contamination, it is unnecessary to treat just after accident. If acute hepatitis C is evolved in those subjects during follow-up, it is recommended to treat with interferon. Eradication of HCV by interferon among patients with acute hepatitis C will be almost 100%.

Accidents, Occupational↗