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Biomedical subjects

T Matsubara

Publications and source records attributed to T Matsubara.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Soft-tissue sarcoma mimicking large haematoma: a report of two cases and review of the literature.

We report on 2 patients with soft-tissue sarcomas mimicking large haematomas. Neither patient had a medical history of trauma or bleeding tendency. In a patient with a large leiomyosarcoma in the buttock, insufficient biopsy material from initial surgeries precluded a correct diagnosis. In the second patient with epithelioid sarcoma of the forearm, fasciotomy was repeatedly performed for compartment syndrome arising from the tumour. It is important to reconfirm prior trauma and investigate the clinical course and images of patients with an unusual history of haematoma in the extremities. The possibility of a malignant tumour should be suspected, and repeated biopsies should be performed if necessary.

Adult↗

Mammographic density and the risk of breast cancer in Japanese women.

Using an automated method for detecting mammographic mass, the authors evaluated the relation between quantitatively measured density and the risk of breast cancer in a case-control study among Japanese women. The case subjects were 146 women newly diagnosed and histologically confirmed with breast cancer at a general hospital. A total of 659 control women were selected from those who attended a breast cancer mass screening at this hospital. Significantly increased odds ratios (ORs) of breast cancer were observed for breast densities of 25-49 and 50-74%, but not for densities of 75-100% as compared with 0% in premenopausal women after controlling for covariates (ORs = 4.0, 4.3, and 1.4, respectively). In postmenopausal women, ORs were significantly increased for breast densities of 25-50% (OR = 3.0) and 50-100% (OR = 4.2). Total breast area was significantly associated with the risk of breast cancer independent of density percent or dense area in postmenopausal women. These data suggested that mammographic density was associated with the risk of breast cancer in Japanese women as is the case in Caucasian women. However, the associations of the risk of breast cancer with breast size and a high breast density greater than 75%, needs to be confirmed in future studies.

Adult↗

Family-based association analysis implicates IL-4 in susceptibility to Kawasaki disease.

Several compelling lines of evidence suggest an important influence of genetic variation in susceptibility to Kawasaki disease (KD), an acute vasculitis that causes coronary artery aneurysms in children. We performed a family-based genotyping study to test for association between KD and 58 genes involved in cardiovascular disease and inflammation. By analysis of a cohort of 209 KD trios using the transmission disequilibrium test, we documented the asymmetric transmission of five alleles including the interleukin-4 (IL-4) C(-589)T allele (P=0.03). Asymmetric transmission of the IL-4 C(-589)T was replicated in a second, independent cohort of 60 trios (P=0.05, combined P=0.002). Haplotypes of alleles in IL-4, colony-stimulating factor 2 (CSF2), IL-13, and transcription factor 7 (TCF7), all located in the interleukin gene cluster on 5q31, were also asymmetrically transmitted. The reported associations of KD with atopic dermatitis and allergy, elevated serum IgE levels, eosinophilia, and increased circulating numbers of monocyte/macrophages expressing the low-affinity IgE receptor (FCepsilonR2) may be related to effects of IL-4. Thus, the largest family-based genotyping study of KD patients to date suggests that genetic variation in the IL-4 gene, or regions linked to IL-4, plays an important role in KD pathogenesis and disease susceptibility.

Child↗

Cysteinyl leukotrienes induce monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 in human monocytes/macrophages.

BACKGROUND: Monocytes/macrophages have a cysteinyl leukotriene 1 (CysLT1) receptor, but its function is poorly understood. Objective To elucidate the biological function of the CysLT1 receptor of human monocytes/macrophages. METHODS: We examined the production of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), and eotaxin induced by CysLTs (leukotriene (LT)C4, -D4, and -E4) in THP-1 cells, a human monocytic leukaemia cell line, and peripheral blood CD14+ monocytes/macrophages. Moreover, we examined the effect of CysLTs on the expression of beta-chemokine receptor 2B (CCR2B) as the receptor of MCP-1 by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: ELISA revealed that CysLTs induced MCP-1 in THP-1 cells and peripheral blood CD14+ monocytes/macrophages, but not other cytokines. PCR demonstrated that CysLTs increased MCP-1 mRNA expression in THP-1 cells, and Western blotting showed that CysLTs increased the expression of CCR2B in THP-1 cells. Moreover, we demonstrated that pranlukast, a CysLT1 receptor antagonist, blocked MCP-1 production by CysLTs in THP-1 cells almost completely, and partially inhibited MCP-1 release by CysLTs in peripheral blood CD14+ monocytes/macrophages and CCR2B expression by CysLTs in THP-1 cells. CONCLUSION: CysLTs induce MCP-1 and increase CCR2B expression in human monocytes/macrophages.

Blotting, Western↗

Immunological profile of peripheral blood lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages in Kawasaki disease.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute illness of early childhood characterized by prolonged fever, diffuse mucosal inflammation, indurative oedema of the hands and feet, a polymorphous skin rash and nonsuppurative lymphadenopathy. The histopathological findings in KD comprise panvasculitis with endothelial necrosis, and the infiltration of mononuclear cells into small and medium-sized blood vessels. The levels of many proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines and adhesion molecules can be elevated in sera from children with KD at the acute stage. Although many immunological studies on KD involving peripheral blood have been reported, the data obtained remain controversial. This review focuses on the immune response of peripheral blood lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages during acute KD.

Acute Disease↗

Intravenous immunoglobulin does not increase FcgammaRIIB expression on monocytes/macrophages during acute Kawasaki disease.

OBJECTIVES: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy has been reported to be effective for reducing the incidence of coronary artery lesions in Kawasaki disease (KD), an acute febrile vasculitis of unknown aetiology. Regarding the mechanism of IVIG in immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), it has been reported that IVIG increases the expression of the inhibitory Fc receptor, FcgammaRIIB (CD32B), on splenic macrophages in a murine ITP model. Regarding the mechanism of IVIG during acute KD, we investigated whether or not IVIG increases the expression of FcgammaRIIB in peripheral blood CD14+ monocytes/macrophages. METHODS: The expression of FcgammaRIIB in peripheral blood CD14+ monocytes/macrophages was determined before and after IVIG therapy in 13 patients with acute KD by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The percentage of CD14+ CD32B+ monocytes/macrophages among peripheral blood mononuclear cells, the absolute number of CD14+ CD32B+ monocytes/macrophages and the percentage of CD14+ CD32B+ monocytes/macrophages among CD14+ monocytes/macrophages in patients with acute KD before IVIG therapy were significantly increased compared with those after IVIG therapy and in controls. CD14+ CD32B+ monocytes/macrophages decreased to within the normal range soon after IVIG therapy. CONCLUSIONS: IVIG therapy in patients with KD did not increase the expression of FcgammaRIIB in peripheral blood CD14+ monocytes/macrophages during the acute stage.

Acute Disease↗

Deduced primary structure of two forms of vitellogenin in Japanese common goby (Acanthogobius flavimanus).

Complete nucleotide sequences of two forms of vitellogenin (Vg) cDNA in Japanese common goby were determined from a liver cDNA library of E(2)-treated male fish. These two Vg cDNAs contained complete open reading frames encoding 1664 and 1238 amino acid residues including signal peptides, respectively. From comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of both Vgs and the partial amino acid sequences of the yolk proteins, the longer sequence was concluded to be cDNA of the Vg-530 and the shorter one was that of the Vg-320 of the Japanese common goby which were reported in our previous paper. The deduced sequence of Vg-530 without signal peptide was arranged by lipovitellin heavy-chain (LvH), phosvitin (Pv), lipovitellin light-chain (LvL), and beta'-component beta'-c) domains from the N-terminus, and showed a range of 40-45% sequence identity to those of other fish. Furthermore, the deduced sequence of Vg-320 showed no obvious Pv domain, has a shortened C-terminal coding region after the LvH domain, and showed a close similarity to the phosvitin-less Vg of zebrafish. Moreover, biochemical analysis of the yolk proteins verified that Vg-530 cleaves into the Lv-Pv complex (molecular mass: 470 kDa) and beta'-c (33 kDa), while Vg-320 showed no change when incorporated into oocytes. The present study demonstrated the existence of the two different forms of Vgs at both the cDNA and protein level, and showed molecular alteration of the two Vgs during vitellogenesis. Two Vg sequence data will aid in designing nucleotide probes for detecting Vg gene expressions as a biomarker of environmental estrogens.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

An immunoglobulin agent (IVIG) inhibits NF-kappaB activation in cultured endothelial cells of coronary arteries in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile vasculitis of unknown etiology that may lead to cardiovascular disorders. High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy is well established as a standard therapy for KD. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is responsible for the pathogenesis of acute KD. We examined whether or not IVIG inhibits TNF-alpha-induced activation of transcription factor NF-kappaB, a factor that is essential for the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, in human coronary artery endothelial cells (CAEC). METHODS: The inhibitory effect of IVIG on NF-kappaB activation induced by TNF-alpha was evaluated by Western blot analysis and ELISA. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of IVIG on IkappaBalpha degradation, interleukin-6 (IL-6) production, and E-selectin expression induced by TNF-alpha were evaluated by Western blot analysis, ELISA, and flow cytometry, respectively. RESULTS: Western blot analysis and ELISA demonstrated that IVIG inhibits NF-kappaB activation induced by TNF-alpha in CAEC. Moreover, IVIG inhibited IkappaBalpha degradation, IL-6 production, and E-selectin expression induced by TNF-alpha in CAEC. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that IVIG inhibits NF-kappaB activation induced by TNF-alpha in CAEC, thereby possibly modulating IL-6 production and E-selectin expression.

Arteries↗

Isolation and characterization of a new major intestinal CYP3A form, CYP3A62, in the rat.

Based on information of the nucleotide sequence obtained from rat genome clones, a new CYP3A (CYP3A62) cDNA was isolated from the cDNA library of a rat liver. The CYP3A62 cDNA was 1746 base pairs (bp) in length, which included 1491 bp of an open reading frame and 93 bp and 209 bp of the respective 5'- and 3'-noncoding regions. Amino acid sequence deduced from CYP3A62 cDNA shared the highest similarity with rat CYP3A9 (79.9%) among human and rat CYP3A forms previously reported. CYP3A62 mRNA and protein were consistently detected in small intestines as well as livers. CYP3A62 was a major form in small intestines of both sexes but was a female-predominant form in livers of adult rats. CYP3A62 in both tissues of male and female rats were clearly enhanced by the treatment with dexamethasone. These expression profiles resembled those of CYP3A9. Despite clear detection of CYP3A62, no detectable levels of CYP3A1 and CYP3A2 proteins, as well as those of mRNAs, were found in the intestinal tract. Therefore, CYP3A62 may play major roles together with CYP3A9 and CYP3A18 in endogenous or exogenous detoxification at the absorption site.

Animals↗

Communication about the ending of anticancer treatment and transition to palliative care.

BACKGROUND: Communication about the ending of anticancer treatment and transition to palliative care is a difficult task for oncologists. The primary aims of this study were to clarify family-reported degree of emotional distress and the necessity for improvement in communication methods when communicating about the ending of anticancer treatment, and to identify factors contributing to the levels of emotional distress and the necessity for improvement. METHODS: A multi-center questionnaire survey was conducted on 630 bereaved family members of cancer patents who received specialized palliative care in Japan. A total of 318 responses were analyzed (effective response rate, 62%). RESULTS: Thirty-nine percent of the bereaved family members reported that they were 'very distressed' in receiving information about the ending of anticancer treatment, and 19% reported 'considerable' or 'much' improvement was necessary in the communication methods. High-level emotional distress was significantly associated with younger patient age, female family gender, the experience of the physician stating she/he could do nothing for the patient, the physician's unwillingness to explore their feelings, and prognostic disclosure of definite survival periods without probabilities or ranges. High levels of perceived necessity for improvement in the communication methods were significantly associated with the experience of the physician stating she/he could do nothing for the patient, physicians not explaining treatment goals in specific terms, physicians not pacing the explanation with the state of family preparation, physicians not being knowledgeable about the most advanced treatments, and the atmosphere not being relaxing enough to ask questions. CONCLUSIONS: In receiving the information about ending anticancer treatment, a considerable number of families experienced high levels of emotional distress and felt a need for improvement of the communication methods. The strategies to alleviate family distress could include: (i) assuring that physicians will do their best to achieve specific goals, without saying that they can do nothing for the patient; (ii) providing information, including estimated prognosis, in careful consideration of families' preparation and the uncertainty for each patient; (iii) exploring families' emotions and providing emotional support; (iv) acquiring knowledge about advanced treatments; and (v) making the atmosphere relaxing enough to allow families to ask questions.

Aged↗

Expression of CTLA-4 (CD152) in peripheral blood T cells of children with influenza virus infection including encephalopathy in comparison with respiratory syncytial virus infection.

Influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are the most common causes of acute severe respiratory infection in children during the winter. There have been few reports about peripheral blood T cell activation in vivo in influenza virus infection and conflicting results concerning peripheral blood T cells activation in RSV infection. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4, CD152) is a receptor present on T cells that plays a critical role in the down-regulation of antigen-activated immune responses. To clarify the status of peripheral blood T cells, we investigated intracellular CTLA-4 expression in T cells in patients with influenza virus and RSV infection. We collected blood samples from 15 patients with influenza virus infection, including three with complications of influenza virus-associated encephalopathy and 18 patients with RSV infection, as well as 44 healthy children. We determined the intracellular expression of CTLA-4 in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells by flow cytometry. There were no significant differences in the percentages of intracellular CTLA-4-positive CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells by age. The percentages of intracellular CTLA-4-positive CD4+ T cells in the patients with influenza virus infection were significantly higher than those in healthy children (P < 0.01). In particular, the patients with influenza virus-associated encephalopathy had sevenfold higher percentages of CTLA-4-positive CD4+ T cells than influenza patients without encephalopathy (P < 0.05). The patients with influenza virus-associated encephalopathy had increased percentages of CTLA-4-positive CD8+ cells at the acute stage in comparison with the convalescent stage and in control subjects (P < 0.01, respectively). RSV patients showed no increase in CTLA-4-positive CD4+ T cells or CD8+ T cells. The immunological status of peripheral T cell activation is substantially different in influenza virus infection and RSV infection. The patients with RSV infection did not show any increase in CTLA-4-positive peripheral blood T cells. There was a remarkable increase in intracellular CTLA-4 in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in influenza virus-associated encephalopathy. Down-regulation of antigen-activated peripheral blood T cell activation might play an important role in the pathogenesis of influenza virus-associated encephalopathy and host defence against influenza virus infection.

Adolescent↗

Pranlukast inhibits NF-kappa B activation in human monocytes/macrophages and T cells.

BACKGROUND: Pranlukast is a leukotriene 1 (LT1) receptor antagonist and is effective against bronchial asthma. Pranlukast inhibits contraction of the tracheal muscle, and thereby antagonizes the binding of LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4. However, the action of pranlukast on monocytes/macrophages and T cells is unknown. OBJECTIVE: We examined whether or not pranlukast inhibits TNF-alpha-induced activation of nuclear transcription factor NF-kappa B, a factor that is essential for the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, on human monocytic 1.3% dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO)-differentiated U-937 cells, which have cysteinyl LT1 (CysLT1) receptors on their membranes, and T cells (Jurkat), which do not. METHODS: We examined whether or not LTC4, LTD4 or LTE4 induced NF-kappa B activation in 1.3% DMSO-differentiated U-937 cells by Western blotting. The inhibitory effects of pranlukast and MK-571, which is an LTD4 receptor-selective antagonist, on TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappa B activation was evaluated by Western blotting and flow cytometry, and those on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assaying. RESULTS: LTC4, LTD4 or LTE4 did not induce NF-kappa B activation in 1.3% DMSO-differentiated U-937 cells. Western blotting demonstrated that 10-5 M pranlukast inhibits NF-kappa B activation in 1.3% DMSO-differentiated U-937 and Jurkat cells by about 40% & 30%, respectively. Flow cytometry demonstrated that pranlukast and MK-571 inhibit NF-kappa B activation in 1.3% DMSO-differentiated U-937 and Jurkat cells in a dose-related manner. Moreover, 10-5 M pranlukast and MK-571 inhibited LPS-induced IL-6 production in PBMC by about 65% and 15%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Pranlukast and MK-571 partially inhibited NF-kappa B activation in 1.3% DMSO-differentiated U-937 and Jurkat cells, and IL-6 release in PBMC. These findings are consistent with the idea that, independently of CysLT1 receptor antagonism, micromolar concentrations of pranlukast suppress the production of proinflammatory cytokines via inhibition of NF-kappa B activation in monocytes/macrophages and T cells, but the contribution of this effect to the anti-inflammatory activity of pranlukast at oral therapeutic doses in asthmatic patients is unclear.

Chromones↗

CTLA-4 (CD152) expression in peripheral blood T cells in Kawasaki disease.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile illness of early childhood caused by vasculitis. Whether or not peripheral blood T cells are activated in acute KD remains uncertain, as some reports have presented evidence of peripheral blood T cell activation, whereas others suggest that the level of peripheral blood T cell activation is low during acute KD. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4, CD152) is a surface molecule of activated T cells. We therefore investigated intracellular CTLA-4 expression in the peripheral blood T cells of patients with acute KD as a marker of T cell activation. We collected blood samples from 20 patients with KD and six with Epstein-Barr virus infectious mononucleosis (EBV-IM) who were admitted to our hospital, as well as 13 healthy children. We determined the intracellular expression of CTLA-4 in T cells by flow cytometry. We demonstrated that the intracellular expression of CTLA-4 is up-regulated in peripheral blood CD3+ T cells, CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells at the early part of the acute stage in KD. However, the mean percentages of intracellular T cells expressing CTLA-4 in EBV-IM patients were about fourfold higher than those in T cells from patients with acute KD. Our results suggested that the level of activation of peripheral blood T cells is very low during acute KD.

Abatacept↗

Measurement of the lifetime difference in D0 meson decays.

We report a measurement of the D0-D macro(0) mixing parameter y(CP) using 23.4 fb(-1) of data collected near the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at KEKB. y(CP) is measured from the lifetime difference of D0 mesons decaying into the K(-)pi(+) state and the CP-even eigenstate K(-)K(+). We find y(CP) = (-0.5+/-1.0(+0.7)(-0.8))x10(-2), where the first error is statistical and the second is systematic, corresponding to a 95% confidence interval -0.030<y(CP)<0.020.

Journal Article↗

Observation of the color-suppressed decay B( 0)-->D(0)pi(0).

We report the first observation of color-suppressed B( 0)-->D(0)pi(0), D(*0)pi(0), D0eta, and D0omega decays, and evidence for B( 0)-->D(*0)eta and D(*0)omega. The branching fractions are B(B( 0)-->D0pi(0)) = (3.1 +/- 0.4 +/- 0.5)x10(-4), B(B( 0) -->D(*0)pi(0)) = (2.7(+0.8+0.5)(-0.7-0.6))x10(-4), B(B( 0) --> D0eta) = (1.4(+0.5)(-0.4) +/- 0.3)x10(-4), B(B( 0) --> D0omega) = (1.8 +/- 0.5(+0.4)(-0.3))x10(-4), and we set 90% confidence level upper limits of B(B( 0) --> D(*0)eta)<4.6 x 10(-4) and B(B( 0)-->D(*0)omega)<7.9 x 10(-4). The analysis is based on a data sample of 21.3 fb(-1) collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance by the Belle detector at the KEKB e(+)e(-) collider.

Journal Article↗

Production of prompt charmonia in e(+)e(-) annihilation at square root of s approximately equals 0.6 GeV.

The production of prompt J/psi, psi(2S), chi(c1), and chi(c2) is studied using a 32.4 fb(-1) data sample collected with the Belle detector at Upsilon(4S) and at 60 MeV below the resonance. The yield of prompt J/psi mesons in the Upsilon(4S) sample is compatible with that of continuum production; we set an upper limit B(Upsilon(4S)-->J/psiX) < 1.9 x 10(-4) at the 95% confidence level, and find sigma(e(+)e(-)-->J/psiX) = 1.47 plus/minus 0.10 plus/minus 0.13 pb. The cross sections for prompt psi(2S) and direct J/psi are measured. The J/psi momentum spectrum, production angle distribution, and polarization are studied.

Journal Article↗

Low-dose ACTH therapy for West syndrome: initial effects and long-term outcome.

BACKGROUND: Most Japanese pediatric neurologists attempt other treatments before using adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) therapy for West syndrome (WS), and even then, they use only a low-dose synthetic ACTH to avoid serious adverse effects. In this multi-institutional study, the authors analyzed the initial effects, adverse effects, and long-term outcome in patients treated with low-dose synthetic ACTH in Japan. METHODS: The medical records of 138 patients with WS, who were treated with low-dose synthetic ACTH therapy for the first time at the authors' institutions between 1989 and 1998, were analyzed. RESULTS: At the end of ACTH therapy, excellent effect on seizures was noted in 106 of 138 (76%) patients, good effect in 23 (17%), and poor effect in 9 (7%). Initial effects on EEG were excellent in 53 of 138 (38%) patients, good in 76 (55%), and poor in 9 (7%). As for seizure prognosis at the time of follow-up, 51 of 99 (52%) patients were seizure-free, whereas 48 (48%) patients had seizures. Mental outcome was normal in 6 of 98 (6%) patients, mild mental retardation in 16 (16%), moderate mental retardation in 26 (27%), and severe mental retardation in 50 (51%). The initial effects of ACTH on seizures and long-term outcome were not dose dependent (daily dosage 0.005 to 0.032 mg/kg, 0.2 to 1.28 IU/kg; total dosage 0.1 to 0.87 mg/kg, 4 to 34.8 IU/kg). The severity of adverse effects correlated with total dosage of ACTH, and the severity of brain volume loss due to ACTH correlated well with the daily dosage and total dosage of ACTH. CONCLUSION: Low-dose synthetic ACTH therapy is as effective for the treatment of WS as the higher doses used in previous studies. The dosage of synthetic ACTH used in the treatment of WS can be decreased as much as possible to avoid serious adverse effects.

Brain↗