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Yasuhiro Fujikawa

Publications and source records attributed to Yasuhiro Fujikawa.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Extremely sensitive biomarker of acute organophosphorus insecticide exposure.

Egasyn-beta-glucuronidase complex is located at the luminal site of liver microsomal endoplasmic reticulum. When organophosphorus insecticides (OP) are incorporated into the liver microsomes, they become tightly bound to egasyn, a carboxylesterase isozyme, and subsequently, beta-glucuronidase (BG) is dissociated and released into blood. Consequently, the increase in plasma BG activity becomes a good biomarker of OP exposure. Thus, the single administration of EPN (O-ethyl O-p-nitrophenylphenylphosphonothioate), acephate and chlorpyrifos increased plasma BG activity in approximately 100-fold the control level in rats. The increase in plasma BG activity after OP exposure is a much more sensitive biomarker of acute OP exposure than acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition.

Animals↗

[Clinical efficacy of shortened ACTH therapy --an individualized method for minimization of adverse effects--Part 1. The short-term outcome].

To minimize adverse effects and to get good efficacy of ACTH therapy against West syndrome, we tried a new 2-steps therapeutic protocol consisting of the shortened ACTH therapy and the additional ACTH therapy. In a prospective multi-institutional study, 20 patients with newly diagnosed West syndrome who had failed to respond to high-dose vitamin B6 and zonisamide were treated by this shortened ACTH therapy. Synthetic corticotropin (ACTH-Z 0.025 mg/kg/dose, max 0.25 mg) was administrated intramuscularly seven times on every other day for 14 days. At 1 month after discontinuing corticotropin, spasms and hypsarrhythmia disappeared in 10/20 (50%) and 13/17 (59%) patients respectively. Subsequently, 9 out of the 10 patients with persistent spasms received additional therapy for 1 or 2 weeks with daily intramuscular ACTH-Z, which was tapered off over a few weeks. Including the additional ACTH therapy, the disappearance of spasms and hypsarrhythmia were found in 13 patients (65%) and 13 patients (76%). Adverse effects during the shortened ACTH therapy were fewer than additional ACTH therapy but not statistically significant. Severe adverse effects were not observed in both ACTH therapy. In the 2-steps therapeutic protocol according to the response to ACTH, favorable results were obtained in seizure control, EEG findings and the degree of adverse effects.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

[Suspected case of pseudohypoparathyroidism type II].

We experienced a suspected case of pseudohypoparathyroidism type II. The patient came to our emergency room with no thermal convulsion. The Ellsworth-Howard test was applied to the patient to determine the type of PHP.

Biomarkers↗

A patient with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis diagnosed by the third biopsy via endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis and focal membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis.

We present a girl with type I membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) diagnosed by the third renal biopsy. The first renal biopsy was performed at age 11.2 years after microscopic hematuria (which was revealed by school urinary screening) had persisted for 3 months, along with a low level of serum C3. Pathological examination of the biopsied specimen revealed endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis with multiple humps. The serum C3 level increased to within the normal range 2 months after the first renal biopsy, and the microscopic hematuria disappeared at age 12.3. However, microscopic hematuria, proteinuria, and the low serum complement level reappeared at age 12.8. Pathological examination of a further renal biopsy that was performed at age 13.2 revealed focal MPGN with humps. Prednisolone therapy was subsequently initiated. Fluvastatin was added to her treatment regime when she developed hypercholesterolemia at age 13.6 and was continued even after normal cholesterol levels were reestablished. Pathological examination of the third renal biopsy, which was performed at age 15.2, revealed type I MPGN with humps. Serum C3 normalized 6 months after the cessation of prednisolone at age 15.9. It is clinically important that patients with nontypical acute glomerulonephritis should be observed over a long period and repeated renal biopsies should be performed.

Adolescent↗

[Not Available].

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Journal Article↗