Biomedical subjects

T Ueda

Publications and source records attributed to T Ueda.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Modulation of ciliary activity by tumor necrosis factor-alpha in cultured sinus epithelial cells. Possible roles of nitric oxide.

The primary function of well-differentiated ciliated epithelium in the paranasal sinus is to eliminate harmful agents through the beating action of cilia. Respiratory epithelium also contributes to local inflammatory processes through the release of various proinflammatory cytokines. Recently, considerable attention has been focused on the intimate relationship between the cytokine-dependent regulation of the ciliary beat frequency (CBF) and intra-cellular production of nitric oxide (NO) in ciliated epithelial cells. The aims of this study are to examine the effect of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), one of the major proinflammatory cytokines, on the ciliary activity of human sinus epithelial cells and to assess the hypothesis that NO is involved in this regulatory mechanism. Human maxillary or ethmoidal sinus mucosa (n = 23) were cultured by the explant-outgrowth method. CBF of the outgrowth ciliated cells was measured by the photoelectrical method before and after being treated with TNF-alpha (0.1, 1 and 10 ng/ml) or dexamethasone (10(-6) M and 10(-7) M). We also investigated the expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms, enzymes responsible for NO synthesis, by fluorescent immunohistochemistry. TNF-alpha increased CBF at relatively low concentrations (0.1 and 1 ng/ml) and decreased CBF at a high concentration (10 ng/ml). Dexamethasone decreased CBF at a concentration of 10(-6) M. Fluorescent immunohistochemistry demonstrated that the expression of inducible NOS was augmented by TNF-alpha and attenuated by dexamethasone, whereas that of endothelial NOS remained unchanged. We conclude that human sinus epithelial cells potentially contribute to the inflammatory process by regulating their ciliary motility through an NO-dependent pathway. Proinflammatory cytokines and steroids are able to modulate this mechanism by the induction or inhibition of expression of different NOS isoforms.

Cells, Cultured↗

PubMed2000

Surveillance of the serum Candida antigen titer for initiation of antifungal therapy after post-remission chemotherapy in patients with acute leukemia.

The early diagnostic efficacy of serial Candida antigen detection by the assay kit CAND-TEC (a latex particle agglutination test) was evaluated in 12 episodes in 10 patients with acute leukemia after post-remission chemotherapy. To determine the timing to initiate antifungal chemotherapy, we performed the CAND-TEC assay serially in each patient. When the patients revealed febrile neutropenia after antileukemic chemotherapy and the Candida antigen titer was increased compared to that measured before the antileukemic chemotherapy (even if the increased titer was at a lower level, e.g., from negative to 1:1 positive or from 1:1 to 1:2), azole antifungal agents (fluconazole or miconazole) were administered intravenously. In 9 (81.8%) of the 11 evaluable cases, the antifungal chemotherapy was effective and the titers decreased to less than or equal to the previous titers in all cases. In 2 cases, the antifungal chemotherapy was not effective, and the titers did not decrease. These results suggest that serial Candida antigen detection provides a useful method in the early diagnosis of invasive candidiasis in febrile neutropenia and in determining the timing of the initiation of early antifungal chemotherapy. This method might also be useful in preventing the excess use of antifungal agents; thus preventing the proliferation of azole-resistant Candida infection.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2000

Retinal fascin: functional nature, subcellular distribution, and chromosomal localization.

PURPOSE: To investigate the functional properties, subcellular localization, and chromosomal location of retinal fascin. METHODS: Recombinant retinal fascin protein was prepared by using a baculovirus-insect expression system. Actin-binding and -bundling assays were performed with chick actin purified from skeletal muscle. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry were performed with a polyclonal antibody raised against bovine retinal fascin. A human retinal cDNA library was screened with an expressed sequence tag cDNA fragment. Chromosomal location was determined with fluorescent in situ hybridization. RESULTS: The actin-binding and actin-bundling activities of retinal fascin were demonstrated by high- and low-speed centrifugation assays. Formation of filamentous (F)-actin bundles by retinal fascin in vitro was also morphologically confirmed by fluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that retinal fascin protein was localized specifically in the outer and inner segments of the photoreceptor cells in the retina. Two splicing variants of human retinal fascin cDNA were also located. One clone encoded 492 amino acids, and the other encoded 516 amino acids. The gene encoding retinal fascin was localized to human chromosome 17, region q24 -25. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that retinal fascin may play a role in formation of unique morphologic structures of the photoreceptor cells and is a candidate gene for retinal degenerative disorders.

Actins↗

PubMed2000

Massive pericardial and pleural effusion with anasarca following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

A 10-year-old girl presented with massive pericardial/pleural effusion with anasarca 216 days after an allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from her HLA-matched sibling for relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She did not show any other symptoms of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The antinucleolar antibody was elevated in the blood and the pleural fluid. The lymphocytes in the fluid were mostly CD8+/HLA-DR+, and a majority of CD8+ cells in the blood expressed CD57. These data suggested that she had chronic GVHD. Immunosuppressive therapy including prednisolone, cyclosporin A, high-dose methylprednisolone, tacrolimus (FK506), and methotrexate had no effect, and the patient died of Aspergillus pneumonia 183 days after the presentation of the disease. Although it has not been described before, isolated serositis with edema should be recognized as a clinical feature of chronic GVHD.

Antigens, CD↗

PubMed2000

[Effect of antioxidants on radical-initiated peroxidation of retinal homogenate].

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of antioxidants on radical-initiated peroxidation of retinal homogenate. METHODS: Lipid peroxides in bovine retinal homogenate were induced by 5 mM FeNO3 (Fe), 25 mM 2, 2'-azobis(2,4'-dimethylvaleronitrile) (lipid-soluble, AMVN) or 50 mM 2,2'-azobis (2-amidinoprpane) dihydrochloride (water-soluble, AAPH) and the preventive effects of antioxidants were measured. Phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide (PC-OOH) was analyzed with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as the endpoint biomarker. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Troglitazone, an oral hypoglycemic agent, inhibited PC-OOH production by Fe and AMVN. Therefore, it may be effective for protecting against oxidative stress on the inner surface plasma membranes and subcellular organelle. Quercetin has radical scavenging effects on both sides of the membrane, because it prevents PC-OOH production by AMVN or AAPH. These results demonstrate the usefulness of an in vitro screening test that can accurately and rapidly determine the capacity of an antioxidant against lipid peroxidation or oxidative stress.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Multicenter prospective study of interferon-alpha and conventional chemotherapy versus bone marrow transplantation for newly diagnosed patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia. Kouseisho Leukemia Study Group.

We compared interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha therapy with bone marrow transplantation (BMT) after initial conventional chemotherapy in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in a multicenter prospective study. Ninety patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive CML in chronic phase were enrolled between 1991 and 1994. Sixty-six of 89 evaluable patients received IFN-alpha after conventional chemotherapy with hydroxyurea or busulfan (IFN-alpha group). Twenty-three patients received allogeneic BMT (BMT group). Fifteen of them received transplants from HLA-identical family donors and 8 from HLA-matched unrelated donors. Forty-seven of 66 patients (71%) in the IFN-alpha group and 17 of 23 patients (74%) in the BMT group achieved complete hematologic response, and 12% in the IFN-alpha group and 13% in the BMT group achieved partial hematologic response. Complete cytogenetic response was induced in 5 (8%), partial cytogenetic response in 8 (12%), and minor cytogenetic response in 12 (18%) in the IFN-alpha group. At a median follow-up of 54 months (range, 30-76 months), in the IFN-alpha group, the predicted 6-year survival rate was 54.5% and the predicted 6-year rate of those remaining in chronic phase was 45.7%. Compared with patients with no cytogenetic response, the patients with some cytogenetic response after IFN-alpha treatment had significantly superior survival and duration of the chronic phase even after correction for the time to response using landmark analysis (P < .05). In the BMT group, the predicted 5-year survival rate was 93.3% for family-donor BMT and 21.9% for unrelated-donor BMT Acute graft-versus-host disease of grade III or IV was observed in 1 of 15 patients who received family-donor BMT and 3 of 8 patients who received unrelated donor BMT. Prior treatment with conventional cytotoxic drugs induced early hematologic response and did not reduce the effect of IFN-alpha on CML. Unrelated-donor transplantation should be offered to some patients according to patient age, HLA-matching status, time from diagnosis to BMT, and risk factors.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Improvement of interstitial cystitis symptoms and problems that developed during treatment with oral IPD-1151T.

PURPOSE: We examined the efficacy of Suplatast Tosilatedouble dagger (IPD-1151T), a new immunoregulator that suppresses helper T cell mediated allergic responses, including IgE production and eosinophilic inflammation for treating patients with interstitial cystitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 14 women (average age 43.7 years) with interstitial cystitis, which was nonulcerative in 13 and ulcerative in 1, were treated with 300 mg. IPD-1151T orally daily for 12 months. All patients received laboratory assessments, including hematology (eosinophils and CD20 positive cells) and serum chemistry (IgE, and interleukin-4 (IL-4) and 5, and immunohistochemical analyses of urine leukocytes (CD45RO positive cells as a T cell marker) before treatment. These parameters were also measured 4 and 12 months after continuous treatment. The voiding chart, and interstitial cystitis symptom and problem indexes were evaluated before and after IPD-1151T treatment. RESULTS: IPD-1151T treatment for 1 year resulted in a significantly increased bladder capacity and decreased symptoms, such as urinary urgency, frequency and lower abdominal pain, in patients with nonulcerative interstitial cystitis. These effects also correlated with a reduction in blood eosinophils, CD20 positive cells and IgE, and urine CD45RO positive memory T cells. No major side effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that immunological responses are involved in the development of interstitial cystitis symptoms. IPD-1151T could be a new oral agent for treatment of voiding symptoms and bladder pain in patients with interstitial cystitis.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed2000

[A case of advanced breast cancer that responded remarkably to chemotherapy].

The case of a 49-year-old woman with axillary lymph nodes, multiple bone and multiple lung metastases from advanced breast cancer is reported. The patient responded remarkably to combination chemo- and endocrine-therapy. This patient was discharged after receiving 2 cycles of cyclophosphamide, pirarubicin and 5'-DFUR, while continuing to receive daily oral doses of 5'-DFUR and MPA. The patient experienced few adverse effects during chemotherapy. The patient enjoys an improved quality of life. This combined regimen has been confirmed to be an effective treatment for patients in advanced stages of breast cancer.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

PubMed2000

Surgical treatment of a distal arch pseudoaneurysm and migrated stent-graft after interrupted aortic arch repair.

A 13-year-old girl, who had undergone a modified Blalock-Park operation using an equine pericardial patch for a type A aortic arch interruption at 10 days of age, and patch repair of a ventricular septal defect at 1 year, presented with recurrent stenosis of the aorta. She underwent balloon angioplasty which resulted in a pseudoaneurysm at the distal suture line of the patch. Endovascular stent-grafting was employed. Soon after placement, the stent-graft had migrated into the distal portion of the descending aorta. The distal aortic arch and proximal descending thoracic aorta were replaced with a prosthetic graft. The migrated stent-graft was removed. The operation was performed through an anterior approach under hypothermic circulatory arrest and selective cerebral perfusion. The postoperative course was uneventful. The migration was likely caused by the limited ability to bend the stent-graft to match the curvature of the arch, the stiffness of the scarred equine pericardial patch, and the shape of the aorta.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

[Indication and effectiveness of endoscopic percutaneous gastrostomy as a route of parenteral alimentation for the home care patient].

We are managing 8 home care patients who have a gastrostomy made using an endoscopic percutaneous technique as a route of parenteral alimentation. Based on our experience, the preconditions for an endoscopic percutaneous gastrostomy as a route of parenteral alimentation are 1. normal gastrointestinal function, 2. difficulty in swallowing, 3. possibility that the caregiver can manage the gastrostomy. When we performed an endoscopic percutaneous gastrostomy as a route of parenteral alimentation for 8 home care patients, we obtained the several advantages mentioned below. 1. Swallowing pneumonia was prevented. 2. Adequate amount of alimental liquid could be infused. 3. Patient could take a bath or shower with the gastrostomy, and good QOL was realized. 4. The home care patient with the gastrostomy could have a satisfactorily long life.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

[Anhidrosis during long-term hydroxyurea therapy in a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia].

A 62-year-old man was diagnosed as being in the chronic phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in 1990, and subsequently treated with hydroxyurea (HU). The total HU dose administered reached 2,929 g (average, 1.44 g/day). In December 1995, the patient was admitted to our hospital for control of the CML. Following HU therapy, he often experienced high fever (38-39 degrees C) due to infection or blastosis, and at that time his skin showed marked pigmentation, dryness and scaling with itching and anhidrosis. A skin biopsy sample from the left scapula showed atrophic change of the skin and epidermal tissues with fibrotic changes and damage to the subcutaneous glands. This was strongly suspected to have been caused by the continuous HU administration, and the anhidrosis and dryness was considered to have contributed to the patient's high body temperature. Frequent cooling of the patient's body was effective.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed1999

Deletion of the carboxyl-terminal exons of K-sam/FGFR2 by short homology-mediated recombination, generating preferential expression of specific messenger RNAs.

The K-sam gene was first identified as an amplified gene from human gastric cancer cell line KATOIII, and its product is identical to fibroblast growth factor receptor 2. The K-sam gene is located on human chromosome 10q26 and is preferentially amplified in the poorly differentiated types, especially in the scirrhous type, of gastric cancers. During the course of studies on the structural characterization of the amplification units, we found that the carboxyl-terminal exons of K-sam were deleted in three of four of the scirrhous type of gastric cancer cell lines. These deletions generate preferential expression of mRNAs encoding K-sam proteins lacking the carboxyl-terminal region containing the tyrosine residues at positions 780, 784, and 813. The carboxyl-terminal region has been reported to have a sequence required for the inhibition of NIH3T3 transformation, indicating that cells with amplification of the truncated K-sam gene have a growth advantage during the carcinogenic process for the scirrhous type of gastric cancers. This is the first report showing the deletion of the carboxyl-terminal exons of the receptor-type of the protein tyrosine kinase gene. Sequence analysis of the DNA sequences surrounding the deletion junctions shows the presence of unique sequences and indicates the involvement of short homology-mediated recombination in the generation of these deletions.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1999

Novel exons located more than 200 kb downstream of the previously described 3' exon of the K-sam gene for generating activated forms of KGF receptor.

The K-sam gene was first identified as an amplified gene in the poorly differentiated types, especially in the scirrhous type, of gastric cancers. We have recently found and reported that the carboxyl-terminal exons of K-sam are frequently deleted in the scirrhous type of gastric cancer. The deletion generates preferential expression of at least six novel K-sam-II mRNAs: K-sam-IIH1, -IIH2 and -IIH3/O4, and K-sam-IIO1, -IIO2, and -IIO3, which encode novel proteins lacking the transformation-inhibitory sequence or activated K-sam proteins. In this study, we investigated expression of the previously described K-sam-IIC1 and -IIC3 mRNAs and the novel six K-sam-II mRNAs in 14 gastric cancer cell lines, 7 breast cancer cell lines, and 20 human normal tissues. All the six novel K-sam-II mRNAs were expressed preferentially in the cell lines derived from the scirrhous type of gastric cancers but not in the 7 breast cancer cell lines and the 20 human normal tissues. We further determined the positional relationship of four exons of H1, O1, O2, and O3 out of the six exons of H1, H2, H3/O4, O1, O2, and O3, and found that these four novel K-sam exons were located more than 200 kb downstream of the previously described carboxyl-terminal exon of the K-sam gene. Expression of K-sam-IIH1, -IIO1, and -IIO2 mRNAs encoding activated K-sam products in the scirrhous type of gastric cancer cell lines HSC39, OCUM2M, HSC59, and HSC60 was not due to the deletion of the C1 exon of K-sam.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Codon reading patterns in Drosophila melanogaster mitochondria based on their tRNA sequences: a unique wobble rule in animal mitochondria.

Mitochondrial (mt) tRNA(Trp), tRNA(Ile), tRNA(Met), tRNA(Ser)GCU, tRNA(Asn)and tRNA(Lys)were purified from Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) and their nucleotide sequences were determined. tRNA(Lys)corresponding to both AAA and AAG lysine codons was found to contain the anticodon CUU, C34 at the wobble position being unmodified. tRNA(Met)corresponding to both AUA and AUG methionine codons was found to contain 5-formylcytidine (f(5)C) at the wobble position, although the extent of modification is partial. These results suggest that both C and f(5)C as the wobble bases at the anticodon first position (position 34) can recognize A at the codon third position (position 3) in the fruit fly mt translation system. tRNA(Ser)GCU corresponding to AGU, AGC and AGA serine codons was found to contain unmodified G at the anticodon wobble position, suggesting the utilization of an unconventional G34-A3 base pair during translation. When these tRNA anticodon sequences are compared with those of other animal counterparts, it is concluded that either unmodified C or G at the wobble position can recognize A at the codon third position and that modification from A to t(6)A at position 37, 3'-adjacent to the anticodon, seems to be important for tRNA possessing C34 to recognize A3 in the mRNA in the fruit fly mt translation system.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Effect of batroxobin on spontaneous echo contrast and hemorheology in left atrial appendage in atrial fibrillation assessed by transesophageal echocardiograpy.

Controversy exists regarding the effect of defibrination on spontaneous echo contrast and flow dynamics in left atrial appendage (LAA) in atrial fibrillation. We aimed to investigate the effect of batroxobin, which decreases plasma fibrinogen level, on the echo intensity of spontaneous echo contrast in LAA. In 36 patients with atrial fibrillation (duration 7 +/- 4 years), transesophageal echocardiography was performed at baseline and 24 hours after batroxobin administration (0.2 U/kg). At the orifice of the LAA, integrated backscatter of echo contrast and peak velocity of LAA emptying flow were measured. Plasma fibrinogen and whole blood viscosity were also measured. Fibrinogen and viscosity were significantly lower after batroxobin administration (96 +/-38 mg/dl and 4.35 +/- 0.56 cp) than those at baseline (320 +/- 61 mg/dl and 4.71 +/- 0.61 cp, both p <0.001). A significant positive correlation between changes in plasma fibrinogen and whole blood viscosity (r = 0.49, p = 0.002) was shown. The integrated backscatter significantly decreased from 14 +/- 3 to 12 +/- 3 decibels after batroxobin (p <0.001), and the changes in integrated backscatter and plasma fibrinogen was significantly correlated. Therefore, batroxobin administration improved blood rheology and decreased blood cell aggregation, which are effective in preventing left atrial thrombus formation.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Chromosome rearrangement at 17q25 and xp11.2 in alveolar soft-part sarcoma: A case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Despite the characteristic histopathologic appearance of alveolar soft-part sarcoma (ASPS), its histogenesis remains unclear, and cytogenetic analysis of ASPS is limited to eight cases so far because of the extreme rarity of this disease. METHODS: The authors document a cytogenetic study of a primary case of ASPS in which a modern spectral karyotyping technique was used. RESULTS: A standard cytogenetic analysis of the primary tumor cells with G-banding revealed 46,XY, add(17)(q25) in 23 of 25 metaphases analyzed. This structural rearrangement of chromosome 17, involving band q25, was also present in 5 of 8 ASPS cases in the literature. Moreover, with the spectral karyotyping technique, the additional part of the long arm of chromosome 17 in the current case was found to originate from chromosome X, resulting in a final tumor karyotype of 46, XY, add(17)(q25).ish der(17)t(X;17) (p11.2;q25)(wcpX+). CONCLUSIONS: This case report documents a clonal chromosome abnormality of der(17)t(X;17)(p11.2;q25) in ASPS. The results of the current study indicate that further molecular analyses focused on 17q25 and Xp11.2 are of interest and could help to elucidate the pathogenesis of ASPS.

Child↗

PubMed1999

HLA antigens in patients with variant angina in Japan.

There have been few reports on examining the susceptibility of variant angina. Accordingly, the major histocompatibility complexes (HLA-A, -B, -C, -DR) of unrelated Japanese patients with variant angina were examined. There were no significant differences in the frequency of HLA-A,-B, -C, and -DR antigens between patients and controls (n = 100). Although endothelial dysfunction with pathological abnormalities is suggested to be one of the etiological factors in vasospasm, immunogenetic abnormalities linked to HLA system might not play a role in the pathogenesis of variant angina.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

An extra tRNAGly(U*CU) found in ascidian mitochondria responsible for decoding non-universal codons AGA/AGG as glycine.

Amino acid assignments of metazoan mitochondrial codons AGA/AGG are known to vary among animal species; arginine in Cnidaria, serine in invertebrates and stop in vertebrates. We recently found that in the mitochondria of the ascidian Halocynthia roretzi these codons are exceptionally used for glycine, and postulated that they are probably decoded by a tRNA(UCU). In order to verify this notion unambig-uously, we determined the complete RNA sequence of the mitochondrial tRNA(UCU) presumed to decode codons AGA/AGG in the ascidian mitochondria, and found it to have an unidentified U derivative at the anticodon first position. We then identified the amino acids attached to the tRNA(U*CU), as well as to the conventional tRNAGly(UCC) with an unmodified U34, in vivo. The results clearly demonstrated that glycine was attached to both tRNAs. Since no other tRNA capable of decoding codons AGA/AGG has been found in the mitochondrial genome, it is most probable that this tRNA(U*CU) does actually translate codons AGA/AGG as glycine in vivo. Sequencing of tRNASer(GCU), which is thought to recognize only codons AGU/AGC, revealed that it has an unmodified guanosine at position 34, as is the case with vertebrate mitochondrial tRNASer(GCU) for codons AGA/AGG. It was thus concluded that in the ascidian, codons AGU/AGC are read as serine by tRNASer(GCU), whereas AGA/AGG are read as glycine by an extra tRNAGly(U*CU). The possible origin of this unorthodox genetic code is discussed.

Animals↗