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Biomedical subjects

Y Iijima

Publications and source records attributed to Y Iijima.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Efficacy of enalapril after ineffective theophylline treatment on erythrocytosis after renal transplantation.

Erythrocytosis represents a common complication in renal allograft recipients. Traditional therapies including phlebotomy and bilateral native nephrectomies are cumbersome for both the clinical personnel and the patient. Recently, pharmacological agents such as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and theophylline have been proposed as effective therapies for post-transplant erythrocytosis (PTE). We have treated a PTE patient successfully with enalapril without any side effects and renal dysfunction after theophylline treatment showed no improvement in PTE. A decline in Ht levels was independent of the changes in Epo levels during enalapril treatment. Although the mechanism underlying the beneficial effect of enalapril remains undetermined, enalapril is recommended for the initial treatment of PTE.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1997

Cell-specific targeting of Sindbis virus vectors displaying IgG-binding domains of protein A.

Sindbis virus can infect a broad range of insect and vertebrate cell types due to the widespread distribution of the cellular receptor for the virus. The development of Sindbis virus vectors that target specific cell types could have important implications for the design of gene therapy strategies. To achieve this goal we have designed and constructed Sindbis virus particles displaying the IgG-binding domain of protein A. The protein A-envelope chimeric Sindbis virus vector has minimal infectivities against baby hamster kidney and human cell lines. When used in conjunction with monoclonal antibodies that react with cell-surface antigens, however, the protein A-envelope chimeric virus was able to infect human cell lines with high efficiency. Infection rates were 90% or higher for human lymphoblastoid cells. A variety of cells could be targeted by changing the monoclonal antibody without generating a new recombinant virus.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Experimental uremia in male rats: effect of interval between partial nephrectomies on testicular function.

Testicular function in stepwise-nephrectomized rats, with a different interval between the two operations, was studied suing male Wistar rats. Serum levels of urea nitrogen and creatinine in stepwise-nephrectomized rats were significantly elevated compared to those in sham-operated rats (p < 0.001). With a 1-day interval between the two operations, these concentrations were considerably higher (p < 0.001) than those in 7-day interval rats. While serum LH levels were significantly reduced (p < 0.001) in 1-day interval rats, FSH levels in this group were considerably higher (p < 0.001) than in other groups. Serum concentrations of androstenedione in 1-day interval rats were significantly suppressed compared to other groups (p < 0.01). Serum testosterone levels in stepwise-nephrectomized rats were considerably lower (p < 0.001) than in sham-operated rats. It is assumed that testicular function in stepwise-nephrectomized rats is influenced by the interval between the two operations.

Androstenedione↗
PubMed1997

Retrodihydrochalcones and homoisoflavones isolated from Thai medicinal plant Dracaena loureiri and their estrogen agonist activity.

Biological evaluation of the extract prepared from the stem wood of Dracaena loureiri, a Thai folkloric medicine called "Chan-daeng", revealed a significant capacity to inhibit [3H]-estradiol binding to the estrogen receptor. During the course of separation, two novel (1 and 2) and two known retrodihydrochalcones (3 and 4), in addition to three known homoisoflavones (5, 6, and 7), were isolated. The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were established by NMR and MS studies by correlating their spectroscopic properties with those of 3 and 4. Each isolate was assessed for its estrogenic activity. Compounds 1 and 6 exhibited activity comparable to that of genistein and daidzein.

Chalcone↗
PubMed1997

Epidemiological study on infectious diarrheal diseases in children in a coastal rural area of Kenya.

Diarrheal diseases are major causes of morbidity and mortality among children in developing countries. We have analyzed the causative agents of diarrhea in children under five years of age who resided in rural environments but attended a hospital in Malindi, a coastal town in Kenya. Bacterial diarrhea was found in 239 (27.7%) of 862 patients with diarrhea. Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli, including enteropathogenic, enterotoxigenic, and enterohaemorrhagic strains, was isolated from 119 (13.8%) patients, followed by Salmonella spp. (63 cases, 7.3%) and Shigella spp. (56 cases, 6.5%). Intestinal parasites were found in 109 (12.6%) of the patients. Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia were found in 67 (7.8%) and 42 (4.9%) of the cases, respectively. Rotavirus was found in 69 (16.1%) of 428 cases, a part of the 862 cases. Significant differences in age distribution were seen in diarrheal cases due to Campylobacter spp., G. lamblia, and rotavirus. No significant seasonal incidence of specific pathogens was found, but the number of diarrheal patients was significantly correlated to rainfall. Drinking water was contaminated with bacteria at concentrations ranging from 10(3) to 10(6) CFU/ml in 98% of the households and by coliform bacteria at concentrations of 10(2) to 10(5) CFU/ml in 72% of the households. These results suggest that the main routes of infection may be contaminated drinking water and fecal-oral transmission of enteric pathogens. Consequently, we propose that the enhancement of hygienic practice through health education is a feasible control measure of diarrhea in the study area.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed1997

Interferon-alpha therapy for individuals with normal serum alanine aminotransferase levels before treatment.

While interferon (IFN) therapy is approved for patients with chronic hepatitis C infection, the effectiveness of IFN therapy for anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive individuals with normal ALT levels remains poorly understood. Twenty-five individuals (M:F = 9:16; age = 51.8 +/- 15.1 years) who showed a normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level (< 30 IU/L) at least 6 months before treatment and were positive for both anti-HCV and serum HCV-RNA by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were studied. Of these, 16 received IFN therapy for 24 weeks (780 million units total IFN-alpha 2b) and nine were followed for 12 months as controls. The serum HCV-RNA level was determined by bDNA assay and HCV genotype was detected by enzyme immunoassay. All were shown to have chronic hepatitis by liver biopsy. Six (37.5%) of 16 individuals lost serum HCV-RNA by RT-PCR 6 months after cessation of therapy (complete response; CR), while the remaining individuals were defined as non-responders (NR). Of the six individuals in the CR group, five had HCV type 2 infection, compared with none of 10 individuals in the NR group (P < 0.01). There was a trend towards a lower pretreatment viraemia level in the CR group than in the NR group. These data suggest that IFN therapy for individuals with HCV type 2 infection and normal ALT levels was effective.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1997

Hemangioma of the bladder with extravesical extension.

Bladder hemangioma is a rare benign tumor occurring in any age group. We report the case of a 76-year-old woman having a bladder hemangioma. On cystoscopic examination no typical features of the bladder hemangioma were found. Biopsy of the lesion revealed a cavernous hemangioma. A partial cystectomy was performed for the control of macroscopic hematuria.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

The seroprevalence of HTLV-I in patients with ocular diseases, pregnant women and healthy volunteers in the Kanto district, central Japan.

HTLV-I has been shown to be related to the development of inflammatory diseases in various organs such as the eyes, lungs and joints. In south-west Japan where HTLV-I is highly endemic, the term 'HTLV-I associated complex' has been approved. To investigate the seroprevalence of HTLV-I in the Kanto district in central Japan, we have estimated the frequency of seropositivity to HTLV-I in 2,110 patients with various ocular diseases and 2,683 pregnant women, in addition to 5,336 healthy volunteers. Of the healthy volunteers, only 42 (0.79%) were seropositive, and the HTLV-I seroprevalence in pregnant women was also only 16/2,683 (0.60%) which was almost equal to that in female healthy volunteers aged 15-44 years (0.59%). In patients with various ocular diseases, however, there was significantly higher seroprevalence of HTLV-I (2.32%) compared with healthy volunteers in each sex (male: p = 0.0029; female: p = 0.000023). These results suggest that the seroprevalence of HTLV-I in the Kanto district is much lower than in south-west Japan. On the other hand, HTLV-I infection was shown to be correlated to ocular diseases also in the Kanto district. In particular, we found a higher seroprevalence of HTLV-I in patients with inflammatory ocular disease, such as endogenous uveitis, episcleritis, retinitis pigmentosa and degenerative choroiditis. This possibly suggests a causative role of HTLV-I in the development of these inflammatory ocular diseases also where HTLV-I is not endemic.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[Characteristics and molecular biology of verotoxin produced by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli].

In 1996, there were several large outbreaks of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli(EHEC) O157:H7 in Japan. More than 9,000 people were infected with the bacteria and 11 of these infections were fatal. Verotoxins(VTs) produced by EHEC are responsible for the death due to mainly hemolytic uremic syndrome(HUS). The structure and mode of action of VTs are reviewed. The differences between VT1 and VT2 are also reviewed from the viewpoint of secretion, toxicity, and immunogenicity. The effect of antibiotics usage on the occurrence of HUS is briefly reported.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[Size estimation method for patch used in reconstruction of LV cavity].

The reconstruction of LV cavity is accomplished by suturing a patch to the viable myocardium to exclude the infarcted area from the high LV pressures. However, there is no clear guideline to estimate the size of patch used for LV reconstruction. We have designed a new method to determine the correct patch size, and applied it in 5 cases. The suture line of the patch is at the junction of contractile (functional) and infarcted portions of LV. The patch size is determined by the length of AB, termed "a", as the base, where "point A" represents the junction on the LV anterior wall side, and "point B" the junction of the LV posterior wall side, from RAO 30 degrees projection of the left ventriculogram obtained by cardiac catheterization. In LV aneurysm, we designed the patch in the range of a/2 < l < or = pi a/2, where patch length on RAO 30 degrees is considered "l". An effort was made to reconstruct to normalize LV volume and contour by designing the patch size to be a/2 < l < a, particularly when the contractile portion was enlarged by aneurysm. On the other hand, in post AMI VSD, LV contractile portion is not enlarged in early stage. Therefore, the patch was designed in the range of a < l < or = pi a/2 to maintain LV volume. Postoperative LV volume can be calculated prior to surgery, by using the lengths of the designed patch. Postoperative analysis indicated that the actual LV volume and contour were almost identical to our estimation. This method is very useful in planning the patch size for LV reconstruction.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[Simultaneous repair for funnel chest and intracardiac lesions in two pediatric patients].

Two successful cases underwent simultaneous repair for funnel chest using sternal turnover with rectus abdominal flap and intracardiac lesions were reported. A 7-year-old female (case 1) was diagnosed with funnel chest and annulo-aortic ectasia due to Marfan's syndrome. Second patient was a 12-year-old male (case 2) with funnel chest and ventricular septal defect (VSD). Both patients underwent sternal turnover and intracardiac repair (case 1: Bentall's operation, case 2: patch closure of VSD), simultaneously. Removing the cost-sterno complex before cardiac operation allowed an excellent surgical exposure. Bleeding was minimum, especially no homologous blood transfusion was needed in case 2. Simultaneous surgery consisted of intracardiac repair and sternal turnover is recommended even for pediatric patients.

Aortic Valve Insufficiency↗
PubMed1997

Serologic survey for HTLV-I in Kanagawa Prefecture.

To investigate the seroprevalence of HTLV-I in Kanagawa Prefecture (central Japan), we tested the sera of 8,264 healthy volunteers and 2,414 pregnant women. Of the 8,264 healthy volunteers, 66 (0.80%) were seropositive. The seroprevalence of HTLV-I in the pregnant women was 14/2,414 (0.58%), and this rate was almost identical to that in the healthy female volunteers 15 to 44 years of age (0.59%). These figures indicate that the seroprevalence of HTLV-I in Kanagawa Prefecture is very low and that sexual contact may not be an important contributory factor.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Structure-activity relationships of phomactin derivatives as platelet activating factor antagonists.

Phomactins, natural products isolated from the culture broth of marine fungus Phoma sp., were found to be active as PAF antagonists. This unique carbon skeleton led us to investigate the structure-activity relationship demonstrating that the lipophilicity at C-(7-8), acetoxy, (methoxycarbonyl)oxy, and 3-isoxazolyloxy substitution at C-20, and 2-beta-OH configuration at C-2 are all required for the enhancement of inhibitor activity.

Epoxy Compounds↗
PubMed1996

The prevalence of Toxoplasma antibody in patients with various ocular diseases in central Japan.

BACKGROUND: Ocular toxoplasmosis has been considered to be a largely asymptomatic infection because of the high seroprevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies and the low rate of clinical diagnosis. On the other hand, Toxoplasma infection has been reported to be associated with the other ocular disease. To investigate the association of Toxoplasma infection with the development of various ocular diseases, we studied Toxoplasma seroprevalence in patients with various ocular diseases. METHODS: We investigated Toxoplasma seroprevalence in 982 patients with various ocular diseases in central Japan. Then we compared the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies. RESULTS: Of 982 patients with various ocular diseases, 122 (12.4%) had serological evidence of previous exposure to Toxoplasma gondii. There were no statistically significant differences among the patients with various ocular diseases. However, the seroprevalence in patients aged 40 to 99 years with macular degenerative lesions was significantly higher than that in patients without these lesions (P < 0.05, Yates' correction). CONCLUSION: This result suggests that Toxoplasma infection could play some role in the development of a type of macular degenerative lesion.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Effective hyperbaric oxygenation with prostaglandin E1 for radiation cystitis and colitis after pelvic radiotherapy.

Gross haematuria and severe bleeding from the large intestine occurred after pelvic radiotherapy in an 84-year-old woman with cancer of the uterus. Hyperbaric oxygenation treatment at 2 atmospheric absolute pressures for 60 minutes daily over 30 days and infusion of prostaglandin E1 abolished completely haematuria and tarry stool, and reversed the endoscopic findings of radiation cystitis and colitis.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Retrograde brain perfusion beyond the venous values. Hemodynamics and intracellular pH mapping.

Twenty-one dogs (group 1) had retrograde brain perfusion for 90 minutes through the sagittal sinus and superior vena cava with pressure-regulated cardiopulmonary bypass, and 10 dogs (group 2) had 60 minutes of circulatory arrest with an additional 30-minute evaluation of brain slices, both at 20 degrees C. In group 1, cerebral blood flow determined by laser flowmetry was 8.98 +/- 2.02 ml/100 gm/min with a driving pressure of 29.69 +/- 9.92 mm Hg during the retrograde perfusion, whereas it was 0.85 ml/100 gm/min during solitary perfusion through the superior vena cava. Retrograde cerebral vascular resistance was slightly higher than the antegrade resistance. Neutral red stain was given intraperitoneally as an intracellular pH indicator. Regional intracellular pH was calculated from photoabsorption at 440 and 535 nm with the use of color transparency photographs of the brain and spinal cord slices taken after retrograde cerebral perfusion in group 1 and after circulatory arrest in group 2. The pH mapping showed that the retrograde brain perfusion maintained the pH within 6.77 to 7.14, whereas the cerebral pH decreased to 6.24 to 6.43 at 60 minutes of circulatory arrest and further decreased to 5.81 to 6.22 at 90 minutes. The pH after the retrograde brain perfusion was significantly higher than the pH after circulatory arrest in the entire brain and the spinal cord. We conclude that the brain is protected when perfused retrogradely beyond the venous valves with a driving pressure above 20 mm Hg.

Animals↗