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Biomedical subjects

T Kitajima

Publications and source records attributed to T Kitajima.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Role of the deletion of polymorphism of the angiotensin converting enzyme gene in the progression and therapeutic responsiveness of IgA nephropathy.

Studies conducted over the last decade demonstrated variable therapeutic efficacy of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor on the progression of glomerular diseases, including IgA nephropathy. In this study, among patients with biopsy-proven IgA nephropathy, 53 patients in whom creatinine clearance had been monitored over 5 yr were recruited for study. These patients were classified into two groups according to whether or not renal function had declined as determined by the slope of creatinine clearance against time: group 1 had stable renal function; group 2 had declining renal function (average: -6.7 +/- 1.3 ml/min/yr). 21 of 53 patients were treated with ACE inhibitor and followed for 48 wk. Gene polymorphism consisting of insertion (I) or deletion (D) of a 287-bp DNA fragment (presumed to be a silencer element) of the ACE gene was determined by PCR. 46 age-matched individuals without history of proteinuria were analyzed as controls. The DD genotype was significantly more frequent in group 2 (43%) than in controls (7%) or group 1 patients with stable renal function (16%). 48 wk after ACE inhibitor administration, proteinuria significantly decreased in patients with DD genotype but not in those with ID or II genotypes. The results indicate that deletion polymorphism in the ACE gene, particularly the homozygote DD, is a risk factor for progression to chronic renal failure in IgA nephropathy. Moreover, this deletion polymorphism predicts the therapeutic efficacy of ACE inhibition on proteinuria and, potentially, on progressive deterioration of renal function.

Adult↗

Protective effect of the combined vaccine prepared from cell-free-antigen of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotypes 1, 2 and 5 in pigs.

Cell-free-antigens prepared from a concentrated culture supernatant of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (A. pleuropneumoniae) serotypes 1, 2 and 5 were mixed and emulsified with oil adjuvant. The combined vaccine of these 3 serotypes of A. pleuropneumoniae was tested for its ability to confer protection. Pigs immunized with the combined vaccine survived and showed no clinical signs against an intratracheal challenge with A. pleuropneumoniae. In contrast, control pigs inoculated with concentrated culture media emulsified with oil adjuvant developed typical symptoms of pleuropneumonia after challenge inoculation.

Actinobacillus Infections↗

Protective efficacy of cell-free-antigen of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in mice.

Cell-free-antigen (CFA) vaccines of strain Y-1 (serotype 1), G-4 (serotype 2) and E-3 (serotype 5) of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (A. pleuropneumoniae) were prepared by emulsifying concentrated culture supernatant with oil-adjuvant. Mice immunized with the CFA vaccine had a high survival rate (90-100%) against challenge with the homologous strain. They also had cross-protective activity against challenge with the heterogeneous strains but their survival rate was low (20-50%). On the other hand, mice immunized with whole cell vaccine showed serotype specific protection and only a little cross protection. The protective antigens of the CFA were investigated. MAbs were produced by the standard method using spleen cells of mice immunized with CFA. MAbs to Apx I, II, III and capsular antigen of serotype 5 were obtained. Only MAbs to Apx I showed hemolysin neutralization activity among them. The protective effect of these MAbs against A. pleuropneumoniae infection were examined by passive immunization. Administration of Apx I MAb to mice extended survival time after challenge with serotype 5. The mice showed partial cross-protection against challenge with serotype 1. Survival rate was considerably low after the challenge infection. None of the mice given MAbs to Apx II or III were protected against challenge with serotype 5. The mice given MAb to capsular antigen of serotype 5 had a high survival rate (70%) against a challenge with a homologous serotype. Furthermore, mice given MAbs against Apx I and capsular antigen of serotype 5 were completely protected against a challenge with A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 5.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Actinobacillus Infections↗

[Influence of stellate ganglion block on respiratory system].

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of a stellate ganglion block (SGB) or stellate ganglion electrical stimulation (SGES) on pulmonary resistance, on blood flows of the bronchial, pulmonary and common carotid arteries, and on arterial blood gases. Thirteen mongrel dogs were divided into two groups; a SGB group (n = 8) and a SGES group (n = 5). Anesthesia was induced with pentobarbital 25 mg.kg-1 and the animals were mechanically ventilated to maintain constant PaO2 (90-100 mmHg) and PaCO2 (35-40 mmHg). After a thoracotomy, the SGB with 0.5% mepivacaine 1.5 ml was performed, or the SGES was performed at a strength of 12 volts, and at a frequency of 50 Hz, applied for 30 min. In the SGB group, pulmonary resistance after the block did not significantly differ from the control. No significant change occurred in blood flows of the bronchial and pulmonary arteries, but the common carotid artery flow increased significantly after the SGB. Arterial blood gases did not change significantly after the SGB. In the SGES group, pulmonary resistance after the stimulation did not significantly differ from the pre-value. However, blood flows of the bronchial, pulmonary and common carotid arteries decreased significantly after the SGES. Arterial blood gases did not change significantly after the SGES. These results suggest that the SGB may not influence the respiratory system under normal conditions.

Animals↗

[Anesthetic management of Nd-YAG laser surgery in the airway using a larengeal mask].

We used a laryngeal mask for Nd-YAG laser operations of airway stenosis due to tracheal granulation, broncheal granulation and subglottic tumor. Anesthesia was induced with inhalation of N2O-O2-sevoflurane in two cases and intravenous thiopental in one case. The laryngeal mask was inserted with intravenous injection of vecuronium. Anesthesia was maintained with N2O-O2-sevoflurane with intermittent positive pressure ventilation. Laryngeal mask airway was stable with respect to circulation and respiration during Nd-YAG laser irradiation. Ignition of a laryngeal mask caused by Nd-YAG laser is much less common compared to that of a tracheal tube with cuff. Therefore, we recommend to use laryngeal mask airway for Nd-YAG laser operation of airway stenosis because of much less danger of ignition and because it keeps good cardiovascular and respiratory conditions.

Adult↗

Clinical effect of the anti-platelet drug, dilazep dihydrochloride, in patients at the microalbuminuric stage of diabetic nephropathy--a multi-center study.

Clinical effects of an anti-platelet drug (dilazep dihydrochloride) in the microalbuminuric stage of diabetic nephropathy were investigated in a multi-center study. Thirty-seven patients with at the microalbuminuric stage of diabetic nephropathy were examined in the present study. They were administered 300 mg/day of dilazep dihydrochloride (Comelian-Kowa) orally for 6 months. Mean values of albuminuria after the administration of dilazep dihydrochloride were significantly decreased compared with the pre-administration values. Urinary NAG activity was improved after this treatment in the microalbuminuric stage of diabetic nephropathy. Furthermore, impairment of renal function was not observed at that stage. It appears that administration of dilazep dihydrochloride from the early stage of diabetic nephropathy may be useful for the improvement of albuminuria and prevention of renal dysfunction.

Adult↗

Immunological characterization of tumor-rejection antigens on ultraviolet-light-induced tumors originating in the CB6F1 mouse.

Six ultraviolet-light(UV)-induced tumors of (BALB/c x C57BL/6)F1 (H-2d/b) mouse origin were analyzed for the effector T cell subsets involved in tumor rejection, the MHC class I to which cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) are restricted, and the effect of UV radiation on tumor rejection, to characterize their tumor-rejection antigens (TRA) recognized by CTL. All tumors were rejected in syngeneic normal mice but grew progressively in nude mice. CD8+ T cells mediated the antitumor responses for all tumors and CD4+ T cells could also do so for one tumor 6.1B. Each tumor induced potent CTL that recognized the specific TRA in preferential association with MHC class I haplotypes not from H-2b but from H-2d; that is, Kd, Dd or Ld. Profiles of TRA expression on two tumors were obtained by the analyses of their antigen-loss variants. Female 1A codominantly expressed at least four distinct TRA associated with Kd, all of which induced CTL. On the other hand, UV male 1 had at least two distinct TRA, one of which, associated with Kd, exclusively induced CTL. However, in the absence of the dominant TRA, another TRA associated with Ld on R95C, a variant of UV male, 1, induced CTL. Unlike other tumors, R95C grew progressively in short-term-UV-irradiated syngeneic mice. Nude mice reconstituted with a combination of CD4+ T cells from short-term-UV-irradiated mice and CD8+ T cells from normal mice did not reject R95C. An increase in the former T cell population led the reconstituted mice to reject the tumor. These findings suggest some functional defects of CD4+ T cells rather than the generation of suppressor cells in short-term-UV-irradiated mice. The UV-induced tumors used in the present study provide a unique system for analyzing the preferential sorting of TRA as well as for elucidation of the TRA itself.

Animals↗

The role of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in normal F1 hybrid host in the resistance to lethal graft-versus-host disease induction by transfer of parent spleen cells.

Transfer of a certain number of C57BL/6 (B6) spleen cells into (BALB/cxB6)F1 (CB6F1) nu/nu mice, which are deficient in T cells, causes lethal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in the recipients. However, when normal CB6F1 mice are used as recipients, lethal GVHD does not occur. Using this lethal GVHD system, we investigated which roles CD4+ and CD8+ T cells play in the resistance to lethal GVHD induction by parent cell transfer in the normal F1 hybrid host. Lethal GVHD induction by B6 spleen cells in CB6F1 nu/nu mice was blocked by prior reconstitution of the recipients with normal syngeneic spleen cells. In addition, all nu/nu mice reconstituted with syngeneic CD8+ spleen cells developed lethal GVHD, whereas none of the nu/nu mice reconstituted with CD4+ cells did. Both spleen weight and number of spleen cells in the former prominently decreased in contrast to the slight increase (peak at 15 weeks) seen in the latter after transfer of donor spleen cells. H-2Dd- Thy1.2+ cells, which are considered to derive from donor B6 T cells, existed in the spleen from the CD4+ spleen cell-reconstituted GVHD mice, peaking at 5 weeks then gradually decreasing after transfer of donor cells. However, they disappeared in the normal spleen cell-reconstituted GVHD mice 5 weeks later. These findings suggest that CD4+ cells in the normal F1 hybrid host play a critical role in the resistance to lethal GVHD induction by parent spleen cell transfer, although CD8+ cells are required for the prompt elimination of donor cells.

Animals↗

Crystalline inclusions in the glomerular podocytes in a patient with benign monoclonal gammopathy and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

We report a case of a 40-year-old woman with benign monoclonal gammopathy who developed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis associated with widespread deposition of large crystalline inclusions in the glomerular podocytes. Electron microscopy showed that the crystalline structures were electron dense and needle shaped or polygonal. At a higher magnification, they were seen to be surrounded by unit membranes and to feature a longitudinal filamentous substructure. These inclusions showed positive immunohistochemical staining for kappa light chain. Clinically, the patient had shown nephrotic syndrome on the first medical examination, and later revealed chronic renal failure and monoclonal gammopathy of the immunoglobulin G kappa type, but no evidence of multiple myeloma or other lymphoproliferative diseases. This patient seems to have had a rare form of glomerular involvement associated with benign monoclonal gammopathy.

Adult↗

[Neuromuscular blockade with vecuronium and its reversal with edrophonium during total intravenous anesthesia, neuroleptanalgesia and sevoflurane anesthesia].

The neuromuscular blocking effect of vecuronium and its reversibility ith edrophonium were studied under total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) and compared with those under NLA or sevoflurane anesthesia (SA) in 30 surgical patients. The degree of neuromuscular blockade was evaluated by acceleration of thumb adduction in response to supramaximal stimulation of the ulnar nerve using Accelograph (Biometer). TIVA was induced with droperidol 0.25 mg.kg-1, fentanyl 2-4 micrograms.kg-1 and ketamine 2 mg.kg-1, and maintained with continuous infusion of ketamine 2 mg.kg-1.h-1 with 30-35% O2 in air. NLA was induced with droperidol 0.25 mg.kg-1 and fentanyl 5-10 micrograms.kg-1 and maintained with 66% nitrous oxide in oxygen. SA was induced with thiamylal 5 mg.kg-1 i.v. and maintained with 66% nitrous oxide in oxygen supplemented with sevoflurane (1 MAC). A single bolus intravenous injection of vecuronium 0.1 mg.kg-1 was used for paralysis and reversed with edrophonium 0.75 mg.kg-1 followed by atropine 0.015 mg.kg-1 when the TOF ratio returned to 25%. The times required from administration of vecuronium to completion of maximal block with TIVA, NLA and SA were 196.5 +/- 52.2 sec, 182.5 +/- 47.6 sec and 166.0 +/- 69.0 sec, respectively. There was no significant difference among them. The times from completion of maximal block to 25% recovery of the twitch height in TIVA and NLA were 39.5 +/- 11.0 min and 37.4 +/- 5.8 min without significant difference. Those values, however, were significantly shorter than 64.5 +/- 35.2 min of SA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anesthesia, Inhalation↗

[Influence of stellate ganglion block on bilateral cervicobrachial arterial and venous blood flow].

This study was designed to investigate the influence of stellate ganglion block (SGB) on cervicobrachial arterial and venous blood flow in 12 mongrel dogs. Following general anesthesia, the animals were mechanically ventilated to maintain a constant PaCO2 (35-40 mmHg). After thoracotomy, each dog was given SGB with 0.5% mepivacaine 1.0 ml. In six dogs we measured bilateral common carotid arterial blood flows (CCAF) and external jugular venous blood flows (EJVF), and in other six dogs we measured bilateral brachial arterial blood flows (BAF) and brachial venous blood flows (BVF) before and after SGB by using an ultrasonic transit time flowmeter. CCAF and EJVF in the blocked side and contra-lateral EJVF increased significantly but contra-lateral CCAF decreased significantly after SGB. BAF and BVF in the blocked side increased significantly and contra-lateral BAF and BVF decreased significantly after SGB. The results suggest that increased arterial blood flow in the blocked side after SGB is due to vasodilatation by sympathetic block and that contra-lateral arterial blood flow decreases by the ensuing lending-borrowing phenomenon. Increased venous blood flow in the blocked side after SGB is probably due to vasodilatation by sympathetic block and passive increase of blood flow from increased arterial blood flow. Contra-lateral increased EJVF may also be due to passive increase from arterial blood flow of the blocked side.

Animals↗

[Prevalence estimation of urinary incontinence among non-institutionalized persons aged 60 and over in Japan].

In order to estimate the total number and the prevalence rate of persons experiencing urinary incontinence among the non-instutionalized, aged 60 and over in Japan, a questionnaire survey was conducted in 16 prefectures in December 1991. The questionnaires were distributed and collected by public health nurses in Health Centers. A total of 12,180 questionnaires were administered. There were 11,528 responses (response rate of 94.6%), of which 11,142 were analysed. The main results were follows; 1) Daily urinary incontinence occurred in approximately 4.1% of the men and 5.3% of the women living at home. 2) 6.2% of the men and 8.9% of the women living at home had regular urinary incontinence with at least one episode of leakage per month in the preceding 12 months. 3) The prevalence of urinary incontinence increased with age for both sexes. 4) The 95% confidence interval estimate for the number of non-institutionalized persons over 60 years old suffering from urinary incontinent incidents nearly daily was estimated to be from 305,000 to 351,000 in men and from 554,000 to 675,000 in woman. 5) The 95% confidence interval estimate for the number of non-institutionalized persons over 60 years old with urinary incontinence of at least one episode of leakage per 5 months was from 3,507,000 to 3,889,000 for both sexes. 6) In order to determine age-specific prevalence for urinary incontinence for all age groups, a sampling survey is needed. 7) Research emphasizing the assessment of preventive interventions necessary since incontinence is preventable and medical and surgical treatment options are available.

Aged↗

The effect of formalin fixation on DNA and the extraction of high-molecular-weight DNA from fixed and embedded tissues.

The effect of formalin fixation on DNA and extraction of DNA from fixed tissues was investigated to retrieve archival tissue samples stored in pathology departments for molecular biological studies. Aldehyde fixatives resulted in degradation of DNA at room temperature but not at 4 degrees C. The degradation also occurred in formalin when the pH or the salt concentration was low, or the formic acid level was high. Restriction endonuclease digestion of fixed DNA was incomplete after formalin fixation and this was also temperature-dependent. Thus, relatively intact DNA was obtained from the tissues fixed in buffered formalin at 4 degrees C or fixed with microwave irradiation. The use of modified tissue-lysing buffer containing 4M urea allowed extraction of high-molecular-weight DNA suitable for Southern blot analysis from fixed and embedded tissues. In conclusion, fixation with buffered formalin at 4 degrees C permitted extraction of DNA of sufficient quality for Southern blot analysis.

Aldehydes↗

Cell proliferation kinetics in acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer evaluated by immunohistochemical staining of proliferating cell nuclear antigen.

A monoclonal antibody to proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) has been previously shown to be capable of identifying proliferating cells. We investigated proliferative activity in the healing process of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer by immunohistochemical staining of PCNA and 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU), and the two methods were compared. Cell proliferative activity of regenerated mucosa around ulcers showed continuous acceleration for 42 days, and PCNA-labeled cells had stained nuclei as clearly discernible as those of BrdU-labeled cells. In addition, immunohistochemical staining of PCNA provided reproducible and quantifiable results without the requirement of pretreatment. We conclude that immunohistochemical staining of PCNA may represent a useful technique for analysis of proliferative activity during healing of gastric ulcers.

Acetates↗

Morphologic variations of dense deposit disease: light and electron microscopic, immunohistochemical and clinical findings in 10 patients.

Twenty-one renal biopsy specimens obtained from 10 patients with dense deposit disease (DDD) were investigated using light microscopy, electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. The patients included four females and six males aged 6 to 35 years (mean 16.1 years). A morphological diagnosis of DDD was made following the ultrastructural detection of continuous intramembranous dense deposits (CIMDD) in some capillary loops of at least one of the series of the repeated biopsies from each patient. With light microscopy, six patients showed membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN). The other four patients showed diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis (DPGN) with acute lesions showing intraglomerular neutrophilic infiltration, hump formation and endothelial swelling in three and minor glomerular abnormalities in one. Follow-up biopsies were obtained in six patients. Two patients progressed from DPGN to MPGN within 7 months, whereas three patients with MPGN showed morphologic improvement that featured increased capillary patency and regional disappearance of dense deposits along with the reduction of proteinuria. Dense deposit disease did not always feature typical amorphous and osmiophilic CIMDD spreading across the whole width of the lamina densa. This classical ultrastructural manifestation was mainly found in the patients with histologic non-MPGN and a linear peripheral pattern of complement component (C3) deposition. The MPGN patients with a granular peripheral pattern of C3 deposition also had CIMDD, but also additionally featured less dense subepithelial deposits superimposed on the CIMDD to produce an appearance simulating membranous transformation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗