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Biomedical subjects

T Fujii

Publications and source records attributed to T Fujii.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

The SAPHO syndrome: defining the radiologic spectrum of diseases comprising the syndrome.

The objective of our study was to clarify the radiologic spectrum of disease entities belonging to the SAPHO syndrome (SAPHO being an acronym for synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis). A retrospective analysis of radiologic data was undertaken to determine the relationship of the osteoarthritic changes seen in palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP, n = 179), acne (n = 3), psoriasis vulgaris (PsV, n = 355), generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP, n = 25), and chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO, n = 4). Osseous changes of PPP, acne, and CRMO overlap each other; 7 PPP, 2 acne, and 3 CRMO patients manifested stenocostoclavicular hyperostosis as well as hyperostosis of the spine, pelvis, and/or femur. These findings were not seen in either PsV or GPP patients. Thirteen PsV and 4 GPP patients had peripheral arthritis and/or symmetrical sacroiliitis, which were not observed in the PPP, acne, and CRMO patients. The PPP, acne, and CRMO patients may be grouped as belonging to the single disease entity, namely SAPHO syndrome. Our findings do not support the inclusion of PsV and GPP in the spectrum of this syndrome.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1998

Retinal degeneration induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea in Syrian golden hamsters.

BACKGROUND: The sequential retinal changes in Syrian golden hamsters induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) have not been studied. METHODS: Female hamsters received a single intraperitoneal injection of 90 mg/kg MNU at 50 days of age, and the retina was examined light and electron microscopically, immunohistochemically and by the TdT-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method until 20 weeks after the treatment. RESULTS: The retinal changes were as follows: (1) Photoreceptor apoptosis occurred 1 day after the treatment and resulted in photoreceptor loss at day 7. During the degeneration, Müller cell proliferation was conspicuous at day 5. (2) After the photoreceptor cell loss, migration of the pigment epithelial cells in all layers of the retina which were in contact with blood vessels occurred. Due to the Müller cell proliferation, gliosis was prominent at the later stage. CONCLUSIONS: The MNU injection caused photoreceptor apoptosis followed by pigment epithelial cell migration around the blood vessels, accompanied by gliosis. The primary event and the course of this disease closely resemble those of retinitis pigmentosa in humans.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Segmental groove pancreatitis accompanied by protein plugs in Santorini's duct.

"Groove pancreatitis", a form of segmental pancreatitis affecting the head of the pancreas, is localized within the "groove" between pancreas head, duodenum, and common bile duct. Differentiation between groove pancreatitis and pancreatic head carcinoma is often difficult. We report a case of groove pancreatitis in which a hypoechoic mass between the duodenal wall and pancreas was clearly imaged, and narrowing of the second portion of the duodenum and bile duct stenosis were also found. The diagnosis was confirmed by surgery (pylorus-preserving pancreato duodenectomy). The patient was relieved from abdominal pain post operation. Up to the present, the patient has been good condition. We review the clinicopathologic and radiologic features of groove pancreatitis in the Japanese literature and discuss the possible role of Santorini's duct in its pathogenesis. We consider that impacted protein plugs in Santorini's duct are a pathogenic factor in the development of groove pancreatitis. Therefore, the findings of Santorini's duct on endoscopic retrograde pancreatography are very important in the diagnosis of groove pancreatitis. Groove pancreatitis presents various clinical features, such as biliary stenosis, duodenal stenosis, and pancreatic mass, and often masquerades as pancreatic head carcinoma. This condition should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic head carcinoma.

Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde↗
PubMed1998

Involvement of CD14 on human gingival fibroblasts in Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide-mediated interleukin-6 secretion.

The lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of Porphyromonas gingivalis are implicated in the initiation and development of periodontal diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying P. gingivalis LPS-mediated periodontal destruction are still unknown. Here, it was found that P. gingivalis LPS activates human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) to release interleukin 6 (IL-6) via CD14. Flow-cytometric analysis showed that HGFs bind to fluorescein-isothiocyanate (FITC)-labelled LPS, and express CD14 on their surfaces. The binding of FITC LPS was competitively suppressed by unlabelled synthetic lipid A as well as by LPS. LPS-induced IL-6 production was inhibited by anti-CD14 monoclonal antibody in a dose-dependent manner. The binding of FITC LPS to HGF was abrogated by anti-CD14 monoclonal antibody. Engagement of LPS initiated the protein tyrosine phosphorylation of several intracellular proteins including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1 and 2, and these events were suppressed by the anti-CD14 monoclonal. These results suggest that CD14 is a cell surface binding site for LPS and is involved in the LPS-mediated activation of HGF.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1998

Pure topographical disorientation related to dysfunction of the viewpoint dependent visual system.

A 70-year-old woman presented with pure topographical disorientation following haemorrhage in the right medial parietal lobe. She could not navigate in the real world despite good ability to draw maps, describe routes, and identify objects and buildings. Her performance on mental rotation, visual memory, and spatial learning tests also was normal. In contrast, she failed totally in a locomotor map test and in a task in which she was requested to judge viewpoints of buildings. Her highly selective topographical disorientation was probably caused by the inability to identify a viewpoint of a particular building. The lesion may have disconnected the association between the spatial information processed in the lateral parietal lobe and the visual memory mediated by the limbic system, which seems to be important for viewpoint dependent analysis.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Effectiveness of premedication with pronase for improving visibility during gastroendoscopy: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Minute early gastric cancers can be removed with endoscopic mucosal resection techniques. However, early detection of these minute cancers with endoscopy is still difficult. For this purpose, use of a dye is helpful. To increase visibility further, gastric mucus should be removed before endoscopic examination. In this study, the effectiveness of premedication with pronase for improving visibility during gastroendoscopy was investigated. METHODS: From January through July 1996, outpatients scheduled for gastroendoscopy were randomly assigned to oral premedication with the antifoam agent dimethylpolysiloxane alone (n=34), with dimethylpolysiloxane plus sodium bicarbonate (n=32), or with dimethylpolysiloxane, sodium bicarbonate, and pronase (n=34). All were given about 10 minutes before the start of endoscopy. After inserting the endoscope, the endoscopist gave visibility scores at conventional endoscopy and after methylene blue spraying. RESULTS: Premedication with pronase significantly improved visibility before and after methylene blue spraying as compared with the two other groups pretreated without pronase. Pronase also significantly shortened the times for chromoendoscopic examination. Pronase had no significant effect on the culture of Helicobacter pylori. CONCLUSION: Premedication with pronase improved endoscopic visualization during conventional endoscopy and chromoendoscopy. Its routine use at gastroendoscopy is therefore recommended.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Acetylcholine synthesis and muscarinic receptor subtype mRNA expression in T-lymphocytes.

We used a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay for acetylcholine (ACh), and detected significant amounts of ACh in the blood of various mammals, including humans. About 60% of human blood ACh was localized in mononuclear leukocytes. Human leukemic T-cell lines, used as T-lymphocyte models, contained both ACh and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity. Furthermore, ChAT mRNA and protein were detected in the T-cell line MOLT-3. Phytohemagglutinin, a T-cell activator, increased both synthesis and release of ACh by MOLT-3 cells. Muscarinic receptor subtype mRNA expression was confirmed in various T-cell lines. These findings indicate that ACh synthesized by ChAT in T-lymphocytes acts on the muscarinic receptors on lymphocytes in autocrine and/or paracrine pathways and suggest that ACh in blood functions as a modulator of T-cell-dependent immune responses.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1998

Neuroendocrine differentiation in thymic epithelial tumors with special reference to thymic carcinoma and atypical thymoma.

To determine the neuroendocrine (NE) features of thymic epithelial tumor, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy studies were performed on eight NE tumors (thymic carcinoids) and 26 non-NE tumors (nine thymic carcinomas, five atypical thymomas, and 12 thymomas other than lymphocytic thymoma). Immunohistochemical studies were performed with antibodies against general markers for NE cells (synaptophysin, alpha subunit of a guanine nucleotide-binding protein, Go, and small-cell lung carcinoma cluster 1 antigen), and a broad panel of antibodies for hormonal substances. Thymic carcinoid showed synchronous diffuse immunoreactivity for the three NE markers and contained cells that were positive for a variety of hormonal products: human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) alpha-subunit (eight of eight), hCG beta-subunit (three of eight), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) (three of eight), calcitonin (two of eight), calcitonin gene-related peptide (two of eight), and serotonin (one of eight). Conversely, although positivity for NE markers was neither synchronous nor diffuse in non-NE tumors, seven of nine thymic carcinomas, three of five atypical thymomas (focal or dispersed distribution), and none of the five thymomas were positive for at least two of these NE markers. A small number of neoplastic cells were positive for hCGalpha-subunit or ACTH in three thymic carcinomas and one atypical thymoma. Ultrastructurally, dense core granules (DCG) were much more frequent in thymic carcinoid, but several DCG-like granules were identified in 12 of 13 non-NE tumors with or without immunoexpression of NE markers. The presence of focal or dispersed NE cells in thymic carcinoma and atypical thymoma may reflect multidirectional differentiation within the tumor, which, like cytological atypia, epithelial CD5 expression, and lack of immature T cell infiltration, may be another feature of this group at thymic tumors.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1998

Effect of WAY-100135 on the hippocampal acetylcholine release potentiated by 8-OH-DPAT, a serotonin1A receptor agonist, in normal and p-chlorophenylalanine-treated rats as measured by in vivo microdialysis.

The mechanisms involved in the enhancement of acetylcholine (ACh) release in the rat hippocampus by 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), a serotonin (5-HT)1A receptor agonist, were investigated using in vivo microdialysis. Administration of p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA, 300 mg/kg, i.p.), a tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor, 3 days before the dialysis experiments reduced the hippocampal 5-HT content to 30% of that in saline-treated rats, but did not affect basal ACh release in the hippocampus. 8-OH-DPAT administered systemically (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.) or applied locally (30 microM) into the hippocampus through the dialysis probe significantly enhanced the release of ACh in the hippocampus of PCPA-treated rats to the same degree as that in saline-treated rats. Pretreatment with (+)WAY-100135 (5 mg/kg, i.p.), a selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, completely eliminated the enhancement of ACh release induced by locally applied 8-OH-DPAT, but only partially reduced the effects induced by systemically administered 8-OH-DPAT, in both groups of rats. Systemically administered 8-OH-DPAT induced hyperlocomotion in the both saline- and PCPA-treated rats, but this was not eliminated by (+)WAY-100135. 8-OH-DPAT applied locally into the hippocampus did not elicit hyperlocomotion in either group of rats. These results suggest that the modification of endogenous 5-HT release via the 5-HT1A autoreceptor is not involved in the 8-OH-DPAT-induced increase of hippocampal ACh release, and that the increase of ACh release induced by locally applied 8-OH-DPAT involves mainly hippocampal postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptor stimulation. In addition, a possibility that subtypes of 5-HT receptors other than the 5-HT1A receptor, probably 5-HT7 receptor in the septum as well as postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptor in the hippocampus, are involved in the increased hippocampal ACh release induced by systemically administered 8-OH-DPAT is discussed.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗
PubMed1998

Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and tethered cord syndrome with a lipoma of the cauda equina.

The tethered cord syndrome is characterized by sensory and motor disturbances of the lower extremities and incontinence. We report a 12-year-old girl with a cauda equina lipoma and a tethered spinal cord, whose chief complaints were polyuria and polydipsia. She was diagnosed as having nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. This unusual complication of the tethered cord syndrome was most likely due to a hydronephrosis secondary to a neurogenic bladder. Thus, spinal lesions have to be considered in patients with polyuria and polydipsia.

Cauda Equina↗
PubMed1998

Phenotypic differences between T-->C and T-->G mutations at nt 8993 of mitochondrial DNA in Leigh syndrome.

This study reports on a patient with Leigh syndrome with a T-to-C mutation at nucleotide 8993 of mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (T8993C). The authors reviewed 10 Leigh syndrome patients, including ours, with T8993C. Compared with 18 reported patients with Leigh syndrome caused by a T-to-G mutation at nucleotide 8993 (T8993G), Leigh syndrome with T8993C was characterized by a significantly higher frequency of ataxia (P < 0.01). None of the reviewed T8993C-associated Leigh syndrome patients had retinitis pigmentosa, which is one of the characteristic findings in Leigh syndrome with T8993G. The milder symptoms of T8993C-Leigh syndrome can be explained by the milder complex V dysfunction; however, the higher frequency of ataxia in T8993C-Leigh syndrome requires more study.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1998

CYFRA 21-1, a cytokeratin subunit 19 fragment, in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with interstitial lung disease.

1. It has been suggested that CYFRA21-1, a cytokeratin subunit 19 fragment, is potentially useful for diagnosis and monitoring of lung carcinoma. However, serum levels of CYFRA21-1 are also increased in a high proportion of patients with interstitial lung disease. In this study we measured CYFRA21-1 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from 10 normal subjects, 18 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and 14 patients with sarcoidosis, and determined whether any relationship exists between CYFRA21-1 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and clinical parameters. 2. CYFRA21-1 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were significantly higher in patients with sarcoidosis (mean value 8.3 ng/ml, P < 0.01) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (42.5 ng/ml, P < 0.005) than in normal controls (1.0 ng/ml). Moreover, higher CYFRA21-1 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were found in sarcoidosis patients in radiological stage 2 or 3 than in those in stage 1. In patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, there was a significant correlation between CYFRA21-1 levels, and percentage of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (r = 0.56, P < 0.05) and the magnitude of the alveolar--arterial oxygen pressure difference [P(A-a)O2] gradient (r = 0.66, P < 0.01). 3. Serial bronchoalveolar lavage samples were obtained from six patients with clinically active pneumonitis after they had undergone systemic corticosteroid therapy. CYFRA21-1 levels were significantly lower after these patients exhibited clinical improvement (P < 0.05). 4. These findings suggest that the level of CYFRA21-1 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid is a useful marker for the clinical diagnosis of pneumonitis, and is also adequate for the evaluation of disease activity, especially over the course of treatment.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1998

MIB-1 and p53 immunocytochemistry for differentiating pilocytic astrocytomas and astrocytomas from anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastomas in children and young adults.

AIMS: To establish whether MIB-1 and p53 staining are useful for differentiating pilocytic astrocytomas and astrocytomas from anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastomas. This study was restricted to children and young adults under 30 years of age because of the differences in p53 mutations between paediatric and adult astrocytomas. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-five astrocytic tumours, including 18 pilocytic astrocytomas, 14 astrocytomas, four anaplastic astrocytomas and nine glioblastomas, from 45 children and young adults, between 1 and 29 years (mean 11 years) of age, were examined pathologically, and sections from paraffin-embedded blocks were used for MIB-1 and p53 immunostaining. The MIB-1 labelling index and the frequency and intensity of p53 staining in both the pilocytic astrocytoma and the astrocytoma group were significantly lower than in the anaplastic astrocytoma plus glioblastoma group (P < 0.001). In 11.1% (two of 18) of pilocytic astrocytomas and 42.9% (six of 14) of astrocytomas, immunoreactivity of either MIB-1 or p53 staining was of almost the same intensity as that of anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastomas. However, in these cases, results using both MIB-1 and p53 stain differed from those for anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastomas. CONCLUSIONS: MIB-1 and p53 co-staining is very useful for differentiating pilocytic astrocytomas and astrocytomas from anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastomas. However, MIB-1 or p53 staining alone cannot differentiate pilocytic astrocytomas and astrocytomas from anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastomas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Expansion of venous flaps: an experimental study in rats.

In this study, the effects of controlled tissue expansion on the survival of unipedicled venous flaps were investigated in rats. In three groups of Lewis rats, a 3 x 6 cm unipedicled Lateral thoracic venous flap was studied with group 1 as control group (n = 30) without any manipulation, group 2 (n = 30) where an expander was introduced under the flap area but was not expanded and group 3 (n = 30) in which a 40 ml expander was introduced under the flap area and was expanded over a period of 10 days. Observations included gross and histological examination, reverse microangiography, reverse flow resistance and percentage of survival of flaps. Group 3 (expanded) showed more angiogenesis, a better delineation on microangiography, lower reverse flow resistance and higher survival rates as compared to group 2 (non-expanded). In the control group the survival rate of flaps was the poorest and the flaps showed higher rates of reverse flow resistance. Microangiography was not successful in the control group. In a pilot project prior to this experiment microscopic examination of the Lateral thoracic vein in 10 Lewis rats had confirmed the presence of two or three valves in this vein.

Angiography↗
PubMed1998

Venous drainage through bone marrow after replantation: an experimental study.

Venous drainage is vital for successful replantation, but it is not always possible to reconstruct because of missing or damaged veins. We devised an experimental model to study venous drainage through bone marrow while the new subcutaneous venous system regenerated. Adult male Wistar rats were placed into three groups. Group A rats had their hindlimbs amputated at the lower leg, but the tibia and sural and saphenous artery connections were preserved. Group B rats were prepared the same as Group A, except that a step-cut osteotomy was performed in the tibia. The bone ends were then realigned and kept in place with stainless steel wire. Group C rats were prepared the same as Group B, except that the ends of the bone were not aligned. All unoperated limbs served as controls for evaluations of blood flow. Experimental limbs were evaluated for skin colour and viability, blood flow and dye injection. Skin colour was investigated daily. Blood flow was measured postoperatively during three phases: immediate (up to 1 h), early (from 1 h to 24 h), and late (from 1 day to 7 days after operation). Survival of limbs varied in Groups A and B, while all limbs in Group C necrosed by day 7. Blood flow was returning to near control (normal) levels by day 7 in Group A and B limbs. India ink was observed in the medullary cavity at day 7. After replantation, bone marrow plays a critical role in venous drainage until the subcutaneous venous drainage system regenerates.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Flat adenomas in the United Kingdom: are treatable cancers being missed?

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The recognized pathway for colorectal malignancies is the adenoma-carcinoma sequence. It is estimated that up to two-thirds of colorectal carcinomas arise from adenomatous polyps. In recent years, Japanese workers have suggested that early colorectal malignancies may arise as "flat" or "depressed" rather than as polypoid lesions. Such flat or depressed adenomas and adenocarcinomas have not been widely recognized in the West. A prospective study was carried out to search for flat and depressed adenomas in a British population, using Japanese colonoscopic techniques. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective study at a British centre, 210 consecutive patients attending for routine colonoscopy were examined for flat or depressed lesions. The examinations were carried out using Japanese techniques by an experienced Japanese endoscopist (T.F.). RESULTS: Overall, 68 adenomas were found, of which 40 (59%) were polypoid, 26 (38%) were flat, and two (3%) appeared depressed. The majority of the adenomas contained areas of mild or moderate dysplasia, but four were severely dysplastic. Two of these were large polypoid tubulovillous adenomas, the third was a 7-mm protruding polyp, and the fourth was a depressed adenoma 6 mm in diameter. Three Dukes' stage A adenocarcinomas were also found. Of these, one was a 20-mm polyp, one a 15-mm flat elevation of the mucosa with a central depression, and the third a 6-mm depression of the mucosa. Finally, four Dukes' B or more advanced adenocarcinomas were found. CONCLUSIONS: The polyp-carcinoma hypothesis prompts colonoscopists to search only for polypoid lesions when screening for malignancy. A significant proportion of early colorectal neoplasms may therefore be missed. European colonoscopists require training in the recognition of flat elevated and depressed lesions in order to detect colorectal malignancies in their early stages.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1998

Small advanced colorectal adenocarcinomas: report on three cases.

Small advanced cancers (less than 10 mm in size) have rarely been described in the literature, mainly due to their difficult endoscopic diagnosis. A total of 5120 colonoscopic examinations were performed at the National Cancer Center Hospital East; three cases (0.05%) of small advanced cancer were found. The indigo carmine dye spraying technique with magnifying endoscopy was used for diagnosis. All cases were flat and depressed lesions (8, 9 and 9 mm in size respectively) with V type pit pattern at the magnifying observation. Histology showed three cancers with invasion to the proper muscle layer and two cases of lymph node metastasis. K-ras point mutation was negative in all cases, while p53 stained in two out of the three cases (one diffuse and one focal). It is concluded that small advanced colorectal adenocarcinomas are a reality. Our data on their macroscopic appearance and histology confirm their high malignant potential.

Adenocarcinoma↗