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Biomedical subjects

Y Kurono

Publications and source records attributed to Y Kurono.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

The effect of acupuncture on the coronary arteries as evaluated by coronary angiography: a preliminary report.

The Neiguan acupuncture point (EH-6) of the heart meridian is often used for circulatory disorders. To clarify this effect, we measured coronary diameters in patients with angina pectoris following acupuncture stimulation using cardioangiography. Two kinds of acupuncture stimulation, the leaving needle (LN) and the sparrow pecking method (SPM), were employed for this study. No significant differences were found between LN and SPM. Concerning the pattern of coronary reaction, coronary constriction following acupuncture showed a relationship to patients with vasospastic angina. Coronary dilation following acupuncture showed a relationship to patients with Syndrome X. The mean dilatation with acupuncture was 68.8% of that caused by isosorbide dinitrate. These findings may help to clarify the mechanism of acupuncture treatment.

Acupuncture Points↗
PubMed2001

Clinicopathological features of Epstein-Barr virus-associated nasal T/NK cell lymphomas in southern Japan.

OBJECTIVE: Nasal T/natural killer cell lymphomas (NTCL) are highly prevalent among Oriental populations. However the characteristic immunophenotype of NTCL is still controversial and it can be difficult to make a firm histologic diagnosis of malignancy. Therefore, 14 cases of NTCL in patients from southern Japan were evaluated for clinicopathological features and immunophenotypic status. Furthermore, the genetic variations in the latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1) gene of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related NTCL were evaluated. METHODS: Biopsy specimens were fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin before examination using in situ hybridization for EBV-encoded RNA-1 (EBER-1) as well as immunohistochemical staining for CD3, CD3epsilon, CD4, CD8, CD43, CD45RA, and CD45RO. To detect genetic variations, single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis and DNA sequencing were applied. RESULTS: Clinically, 14 cases were divided into two groups. The first group consisting of eight patients showed good prognosis. The other group consisting of six patients showed poor prognosis. The vast majority of neoplastic cells in NTCL were EBER-1 positive. These cells did not express CD4, CD8, or CD45RA, but often expressed CD43 and CD45RO. In addition, they were negative for CD3 when stained with a mouse monoclonal antibody but stained for CD3epsilon when a rabbit polyclonal was used. The 3'-terminal of LMP-1 gene of seven cases were amplified and all of them have 30 base pair (bp) deletion. CONCLUSION: NTCL are a heterogeneous mix of cell types although EBV-associated NTCL in patients from southern Japan appear to originate from natural killer cells rather than T cells, and also prognosis is variable and not always poor. The ability to make a firm diagnosis can be enhanced through the combined use of in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. High prevalence of the 30-bp deletions of the LMP-1 gene in EBV-related NTCL may also reflect the prevalence of the deletion variant in the normal population in Japan.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Role of interleukin-1beta in a murine model of otitis media with effusion.

To clarify the role of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) in the pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion (OME), we developed and investigated a murine model of this disease. Specific pathogen-free male BALB/c mice received intratympanic injections of 20 microg of endotoxin derived from nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae. Three days after injection, middle ear effusions were observed through the eardrum. Similar pathological changes were observed after inoculation with 100 ng of recombinant IL-1beta. Anti-IL-1 receptor antibodies inhibited the pathological changes induced by the endotoxin. In situ hybridization showed expression of IL-1beta messenger RNA in the epithelium of the middle ear mucosa. These results suggest that IL-1beta might be associated with endotoxin-induced inflammation in the middle ear and might play an important role in the induction of otitis media with effusion.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[A case of pediatric recurrent acute mastoiditis caused by penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumonia complicated by primary immunodeficiency].

Penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP) is a frequently detected pathogen of intractable acute otitis media and is associated with prolonged or recurrent infection. The use of antibiotics has made the incidence of secondary acute mastoiditis following acute otitis media relatively rare, but when it does occur, its severe complications may be life-threatening. We report a case of pediatric recurrent acute mastoiditis caused by PRSP in a 6-year-old boy suffering from PRSP acute mastoiditis on 4 occasions, twice undergoing simple mastoidectomy. Although we initially suspected PRSP to be the chief factor in iterative infection, immunological analysis demonstrated significantly decreased IgG and IgA antibodies in serum and the patient was diagnosed as having common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). As the first middle ear infection occurred at the age of 6 and there was no history of upper respiratory tract infection, CVID may be the main pathological factor of recurrent mastoiditis, although infection occurred, only in the ear and did not involve other organs. This suggests that recurrent mastoiditis in the present case involved the coexistence of PRSP and CVID.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

Application of YAMIK sinus catheter for patients with paranasal sinusitis with and without nasal allergy.

PURPOSE: YAMIK sinus catheter (YAMIK) has already been reported to be a useful therapeutic device for sinusitis cases. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of YAMIK in sinusitis cases with and without nasal allergy in order to contribute toward establishing its indication. METHODS: YAMIK was tried in 10 chronic sinusitis cases complicated with nasal allergy and 20 cases without nasal allergy. Clinical symptoms, endoscopic findings and pathological opacification in X-ray photographs were compared in these cases with and without nasal allergy. RESULTS: No significant differences were seen in the effectiveness of YAMIK between cases with and without nasal allergy. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that YANIK is useful and applicable even in sinusitis cases complicated with nasal allergy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

The role of thymidine phosphorylase in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis.

The activity and distribution of thymidine phosphorylase (TP) in the nasal mucosa of patients with nasal allergy was examined and compared with those in healthy subjects. TP activity was analyzed by spectrophotometry and expression was examined by immunoblotting and immunohistochemical staining using a monoclonal antibody specific to TP. The expression level of TP detected by immunoblotting showed a correlation with the activity detected by spectrophotometry. In nasal mucosa obtained from patients with nasal allergy, the level of TP was significantly higher than that from normal subjects. Eosinophils, basal cells in mucosal epithelium and fibroblasts in nasal mucosa obtained from patients with nasal allergy were stained with anti-TP monoclonal antibody. Strong staining of eosinophils present in nasal discharge was observed. The present results indicate that an increased number of TP-expressing cells, especially eosinophils in nasal mucosa, might be associated with the pathogenesis of nasal allergy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Uptake of BrdU in olfactory and respiratory epithelium of rabbits with experimental sinusitis.

Sinusitis was induced in six rabbits in order to evaluate its influence on the proliferation of cells in the olfactory epithelium compared with the respiratory epithelium during conservative antibiotic therapy. Then 1% ofloxacin was injected into the paranasal sinuses. Three normal rabbits were not administered any treatment and served as controls. The rabbits were sacrificed under intravenous anesthesia and the olfactory and respiratory mucosa was excised 24 hours after intravenous administration with the labeling reagent 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU). The extent of cell proliferation in these tissues was estimated by immunohistochemical staining with BrdU-specific antibody. The uptake of BrdU was significantly increased (p = 0.0099) in the respiratory mucosa, but not in the olfactory mucosa. Furthermore, in olfactory epithelium, 79.2% and 16.7% of all BrdU-positive cells were olfactory and basal, respectively. Thus, turnover of epithelial cells due to sinusitis was not as accelerated in the olfactory mucosa as in the respiratory mucosa during antibiotic treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Effects of clarithromycin on cultured human nasal epithelial cells and fibroblasts.

OBJECTIVE/METHODS: Long-term administration of clarithromycin has been reported to be effective in the treatment of chronic sinusitis. To investigate the mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory activity of clarithromycin, the authors evaluated the effect of clarithromycin on the gene expression of proinflammatory cytokine and the DNA-binding activity of nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B in cultured human nasal epithelial cells and fibroblasts. Cells were incubated with endotoxin purified from nontypable Haemophilus influenzae or interleukin (IL)-1 beta in the presence of clarithromycin. RESULTS: Northern blot analysis revealed that clarithromycin suppressed IL-1 beta gene expression in human nasal epithelial cells stimulated by H. influenzae endotoxin (HIE). Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 gene expression in nasal fibroblasts stimulated by IL-1 beta was also suppressed by clarithromycin. Furthermore, electrophoretic mobility shift assay demonstrated that clarithromycin reduced DNA-binding activity of NF-kappa B in both human nasal epithelial cells and fibroblasts stimulated by HIE or IL-1 beta, respectively. CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that clarithromycin may reduce gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules from nasal mucosa at the transcriptional factor level and exert an anti-inflammatory effect on nasal mucosa in chronic sinusitis.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1999

Effects of intranasal immunization on protective immunity against otitis media.

It has been reported that intranasal immunization can induce mucosal immune responses. However, the efficacy of intranasal immunization on otitis media caused by non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is not yet elucidated. Mice were intranasally, orally, intratracheally or intraperitoneally immunized with outer membrane protein (OMP) isolated from NTHi, and antigen-specific immune responses were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and enzyme-linked immuno-spot assay (ELISPOT). Cytokine production from splenic CD4+ T cells was examined by ELISA. Following the immunization, the clearance of NTHi from the nasal and nasopharyngeal cavity was examined. OMP-specific IgA antibody titers in nasal washes and the numbers of specific IgA-producing cells in nasal passages were significantly increased in intranasally immunized mice. Cytokine analysis showed that interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukins IL-6 and IL-10 were predominantly produced from CD4+ T cells. The clearance of NTHi was significantly enhanced in the intranasal immunization group. Intranasal immunization is an effective vaccination regimen for the induction of OMP-specific mucosal immune responses.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Effects of influenza A virus on lectin-binding patterns in murine nasopharyngeal mucosa and on bacterial colonization.

To clarify the role of viral infection in otitis media, we intranasally inoculated mice with influenza A virus and examined histologic changes in the nasopharyngeal mucosa using a battery of lectins. Additionally, live Haemophilus influenzae or Streptococcus pneumoniae was injected into the nasopharynx after virus inoculation, and the clearance of bacteria from the nasopharynx was examined. Staining of the mucous blanket and epithelial cell surfaces in the nasopharynx with peanut agglutinin, succinyl wheat-germ agglutinin, and Bandeiraea simplicifolia agglutinin was significantly enhanced with intranasal virus inoculation when compared with that in control animals. The nasopharynx was moderately stained with Maachia amurensis agglutinin and wheat-germ agglutinin in control animals, and the staining was enhanced after virus inoculation. These findings were most remarkable 5 and 9 days after virus inoculation. The numbers of bacteria cultured from the nasopharynx were significantly increased when bacteria were injected 5 days after virus inoculation. These results suggest that an alteration in the glycoconjugate structure lining the nasopharyngeal mucosa caused by the influenza virus might be associated with the reduction in bacterial clearance.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Invasion of the lacrimal system by basal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The rate of recurrence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in the periorbital region is higher than that in other areas because of the spread of the tumor along barrier structures. OBJECTIVE: A better understanding of the biological behavior of BCC in this area, in particular as it relates to the lacrimal system, should improve the outcome of surgery. METHODS: A study was made of two cases of BCC that developed in the periorbital region and invaded the lacrimal system. RESULTS: The tumors were found to have invaded the lacrimal system along the mucosal epithelium. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) did not suggest any abnormalities in this area. In one patient, the tumor had infiltrated the nasal cavity without destruction of the periorbital bone and nasal cartilage. A preoperative fiberscopic examination clearly demonstrated the involvement of the nasal cavity in this case. CONCLUSION: The lacrimal system is often invaded by BCC that originates from the periorbital region. Physicians and surgeons need to be well aware of the possibility of such aggressive infiltration by BCC.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Nasal immunization induces Haemophilus influenzae-specific Th1 and Th2 responses with mucosal IgA and systemic IgG antibodies for protective immunity.

To determine the efficacy of a mucosal vaccine against nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), mice were immunized nasally, orally, intratracheally, or intraperitoneally with NTHi antigen together with cholera toxin. Antigen-specific IgA antibody titers in nasal washes and the numbers of antigen-specific IgA-producing cells in nasal passages showed the greatest increases in mice immunized nasally. Cytokine analysis showed that interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-10 were induced by nasal immunization, suggesting that Th2- and Th1-type cells were generated. Furthermore, bacterial clearance of a homologous strain of NTHi from the nasal tract was significantly enhanced in the nasal immunization group. These findings suggest that nasal immunization is an effective vaccination regimen for the induction of antigen-specific mucosal immune responses, which reduce the colonization of NTHi in the nasal tract.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Alteration of the properties of gastric smooth muscle in the genetically hyperglycemic OLETF rat.

Membrane responses were recorded from isolated gastric smooth muscle of Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) and Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats, using microelectrode techniques. At the age of 68-76 weeks, the blood sugar level was 181 mg/dl in LETO rats and 350 mg/dL in OLETF rats. In both rats, the membrane potential was stable in fundus muscle and spontaneously active with generation of slow waves in antrum muscle. The resting membrane potential was about - 46 mV in fundus and - 55 mV in antrum muscles of LETO rats, and the values were 3-7 mV lower in OLETF rats. The slow waves were generated regularly in LETO rats, while they were irregular and of small amplitude in OLETF rats. Transmural nerve stimulation evoked a cholinergic excitatory junction potential and following inhibitory junction potential in LETO rats, and only an inhibitory junction potential of smaller size was generated in most of OLETF rats. The acetylcholine-induced depolarization was greater in OLETF than in LETO rats. The level of hyperpolarization produced by noradrenaline was similar between OLETF and LETO rats. Thus, the reduction of the resting membrane potential, weakening of spontaneous activity, impairment of cholinergic transmission and cholinergic supersensitivity were associated with hyperglycemia. These alterations were considered due to the development of diabetes mellitus.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1998

Induction of antigen-specific antibody-secreting cells in the nasal mucosa by intranasal immunization of BALB/c mice.

Recent studies have demonstrated that antigen-specific IgA immune responses in nasal cavity are induced by intranasal immunization with several antigens. However, the precise mechanisms regulating such immune responses are unclear. In the present study, mice were immunized intranasally with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) plus cholera toxin into the right nostril, and HRP-specific IgA immune responses were investigated. After the immunization, an enzyme-linked immunospot assay showed an increased number of anti-HRP IgA cells in the nasal mucosa. Histochemical staining demonstrated the presence of anti-HRP antibody-secreting cells, mainly in the nasal subepithelial layer. Interestingly, these cells were induced predominantly on the right nostril, where intranasal immunization was performed. These findings suggest that antigen-specific IgA antibodies in the nasal secretions were produced locally from antibody-secreting cells in the nasal mucosa and that IgA immune responses in the nose were compartmentalized. Furthermore, lectin histochemistry showed an accumulation of peanut agglutinin-positive cells in the nasal-associated lymphoreticular tissue, suggesting the development of germinal centers in the immunized animals.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1998

Enhancement of nasal clearance of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae by oral immunization with outer membrane proteins.

BALB/c mice were orally immunized with liposomes containing outer membrane proteins (OMPs) isolated from nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) and GM-53 as an adjuvant daily for 14 days. Anti-OMP IgA antibody titers in nasal wash, saliva, and fecal extract were significantly increased after the immunization. Although anti-OMP IgM and IgG antibodies were detected in serum, serum IgA antibodies specific to OMPs were not found. Enzyme-linked immunospot assay showed an increased number of OMP-specific IgA-secreting cells in nasal passages, intestinal lamina propria lymphocytes, and the spleen. Following oral immunization, a suspension of live NTHi was injected into the nose; nasal washes were collected 12 h after the inoculation. The number of NTHi in nasal washes was significantly reduced in mice immunized with liposomes containing OMPs and GM-53 compared to that in mice immunized with liposomes containing GM-53 alone. There was a significant negative correlation between the number of NTHi and anti-OMP IgA antibody titers in nasal washes. These findings suggest that antigen-specific IgA responses in the nose can be induced by oral immunization with OMPs and might be associated with the ability to clear NTHi from the nose.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗