Therapeutic experience with hepatoblastoma associated with trisomy 18.

Trisomy 18 is often fatal, but patients with this disease can now have longer survival due to proactive treatment intervention. However, hepatoblastomas may develop in these patients. In this study, we report four cases of hepatoblastoma associated with trisomy 18.

Fatal cardiac anomaly of unguarded mitral orifice with asplenia syndrome.

We report the case of a newborn baby with an unguarded mitral orifice associated with asplenia syndrome, double-outlet right ventricle, dysplastic tricuspid valve, and pulmonary stenosis. This case was accompanied by severe tricuspid regurgitation and severe right ventricular hypertrophy. The patient had a fatal clinical course due to severe hypoxia and congestive heart failure.

A child with acute encephalopathy associated with quadruple viral infection.

Unlabelled: Pediatric acute encephalopathy (AE) was sometimes attributed to virus infection. However, viral infection does not always result in AE. The risk factors for developing infantile AE upon virus infection remain to be determined.

Consecutive oral administration of Bifidobacterium longum MM-2 improves the defense system against influenza virus infection by enhancing natural killer cell activity in a murine model.

Bifidobacterium, one of the major components of intestinal microflora, shows anti-influenza virus (IFV) potential as a probiotic, partly through enhancement of innate immunity by modulation of the intestinal immune system. Bifidobacterium longum MM-2 (MM-2), a very safe bacterium in humans, was isolated from healthy humans and its protective effect against IFV infection in a murine model shown. In mice that were intranasally inoculated with IFV, oral administration of MM-2 for 17 consecutive days improved clinical symptoms, reduced mortality, suppressed inflammation in the lower respiratory tract, and decreased virus titers, cell death, and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.

Differential diagnosis of delirious behavior in children with influenza.

Delirious behavior (DB) in children infected with influenza virus is an important symptom associated with encephalopathy. As children with influenza-associated DB with encephalopathy may require therapy whereas children with influenza-associated DB without encephalopathy do not, distinguishing between these conditions is essential. To clarify these differences and identify the most common features of acute encephalopathy, we retrospectively reviewed the clinical course, laboratory data, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) findings, therapy, and prognosis of 48 children with influenza exhibiting DB.

N-glycolylneuraminic acid on human epithelial cells prevents entry of influenza A viruses that possess N-glycolylneuraminic acid binding ability.

Unlabelled: Some animal influenza A viruses (IAVs) bind not only to N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) but also to N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc), which has been discussed as a virus receptor. Human cells cannot synthesize Neu5Gc due to dysfunction of the CMP-Neu5Ac hydroxylase (CMAH) gene, which converts CMP-Neu5Ac to CMP-Neu5Gc. However, exogenous Neu5Gc from Neu5Gc-rich dietary sources is able to be metabolically incorporated into surfaces of tissue cells and may be related to enhancement of the infectivity and severity of IAV.

Binding kinetics of sulfatide with influenza A virus hemagglutinin.

Association of a sulfated galactosyl ceramide, sulfatide, with the viral envelope glycoprotein hemagglutinin (HA) delivered to the cell surface is required for influenza A virus (IAV) replication through efficient translocation of the newly synthesized viral nucleoprotein from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. To determine whether the ectodomain of HA can bind to sulfatide, a secreted-type HA (sHA), in which the transmembrane region and cytoplasmic tail were deleted, was generated by using a baculovirus expression system. The receptor binding ability and antigenic structure of sHA were evaluated by a hemagglutination assay, solid-phase binding assay and hemagglutination inhibition assay.

[Measurement of NK cell and macrophage activation].

FcgammaRIII(CD16), one of the low-affinity IgG Fc receptors exists in two forms. FcgammaRIIIa is expressed on NK cells, a subset of T lymphocytes, a subpopulation of monocytes and macrophages, and shows a cell type specific glycosylation pattern. FcgammaRIIIb is expressed exclusively on neutrophils in two allotypes, NA1/2, and it can be induced on eosinophils.

Pitavastatin further decreases serum high-sensitive C-reactive protein levels in hypertensive patients with hypercholesterolemia treated with angiotensin II, type-1 receptor antagonists.

Lipid-lowering therapy with a statin not only powerfully lowers cholesterol but also exerts anti-inflammatory effects by decreasing serum C-reactive protein (CRP). Since an angiotensin II, type-1 receptor antagonist (ARB) also decreases CRP levels, the add-on effect of statins on CRP may be worth exploring. We determined the effect of pitavastatin on serum levels of highly sensitive CRP (hs-CRP) in 30 patients with hypercholesterolemia undergoing treatment with anti-hypertensive medication including ARBs.

Phagocytosis of heat-killed Staphylococcus aureus by eosinophils: comparison with neutrophils.

Eosinophils are characterized by several functional properties, such as chemotaxis, adhesion, superoxide anion production, and degranulation. In this article, we have studied the role of bacterial ingestion by eosinophils in comparison with that by neutrophils. Eosinophils and neutrophils were purified by using the Percoll gradient method followed by selection with CD16-coated immunomagnetic beads and centrifugation through a Ficoll-Hypaque gradient combined with dextran sedimentation, respectively.

Soluble FcgammaRIIIa(Mphi) levels in plasma correlate with carotid maximum intima-media thickness (IMT) in subjects undergoing an annual medical checkup.

Macrophages play a major role in the development of vascular lesions in atherogenesis. The cells express FcgammaRIIIa (CD16) identical to that in NK cells, but with a cell type-specific glycosylation, and these soluble forms (sFcgammaRIIIa) are present in plasma. We measured sFcgammaRIIIa(Mphi) derived from macrophages in plasma from subjects undergoing an annual medical checkup.

Isolation of bisphenol A-tolerant/degrading Pseudomonas monteilii strain N-502.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a highly biotoxic compound that kills many microorganisms at a low concentration (1,000 ppm). We isolated BPA-tolerant/degrading Pseudomonas monteilii strain N-502 from about 1,000 samples collected from a field, sewage, and pond water. The isolated strain had strong BPA tolerance and high BPA-degrading activity.

Novel digitalis-like factor, marinobufotoxin, isolated from cultured Y-1 cells, and its hypertensive effect in rats.

Marinobufagenin and telecinobufagin have been identified as digitalis-like factors in mammals. In toads, marinobufagenin-related compounds, such as marinobufotoxin (MBT), have been isolated in some tissues but not in mammals, and its biological action has not been elucidated. Herein, we aimed to explore the possible production and/or secretion of MBT and the biological action in rats.

Increased soluble FcgammaRIIIa(Mphi) in plasma from patients with coronary artery diseases.

Atherosclerosis is the underlying disease process in patients affected with coronary artery diseases (CAD). Macrophages play a major role in the development of vascular lesions in atherogenesis. The cells express Fcgamma receptor type IIIa (FcgammaRIIIa: CD16) identical to that in natural killer cells (NK cells), but with a cell type-specific glycosylation.

The role of a mutation of the CXCR4 gene in WHIM syndrome.

We investigated the role of a mutation of the CXCR4 gene in 11-year-old twin sisters with WHIM syndrome. The mutated gene may result in production of the mutant CXCR4 protein causing abnormal apoptosis and migratory function, which are thought to be related to the cause of chronic neutropenia in WHIM syndrome.

Polymorphism of Fc gamma RIIa may affect the efficacy of gamma-globulin therapy in Kawasaki disease.

We evaluated whether there is a possible relationship between the effectiveness of gamma-globulin treatment for patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) and the polymorphism of Fcgamma RIIa, IIIb, and IIIa. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood collected from 56 patients with KD who received gamma-globulin treatment. The genotypes for Fcgamma RIIIb-NA(1, 2), Fcgamma RIIa-H/R131, and FcgammaRIIIa-F/V158 were determined to investigate the association between these polymorphisms and the development of coronary lesions (CALs).

A novel endogenous digitalis, telocinobufagin, exhibits elevated plasma levels in patients with terminal renal failure.

Background And Objectives: There are several potential endogenous digitalis-like factors (EDLF) in mammalian body fluids, and marinobufagenin (MBG) may be the most potent EDLF. Improved assays are needed to confirm the potency of these metabolites. In the present study, we have identified MBG and telocinobufagin (TCB) in human plasma by high-resolution mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).

Nanomolar level of ouabain increases intracellular calcium to produce nitric oxide in rat aortic endothelial cells.

Changes in [Ca(2+)](i) across the cell membrane and/or the sarcoplasmic reticulum regulate endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase activity. In the present study, we investigated the effect of ouabain, a specific inhibitor of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, on NO release and [Ca(2+)](i) movements in cultured rat aortic endothelial cells (RAEC) by monitoring NO production continuously using an NO-specific real-time sensor and by measuring the change in [Ca(2+)](i) using a fluorescence microscopic imaging technique with high-speed wavelength switching. The t((1/2)) (half-time of the decline of [Ca(2+)](i) to basal levels after stimulation with 10 micro mol/L bradykinin) was used as an index of [Ca(2+)](i) extrusion.

[Soluble Fc gamma RIIIa derived from macrophages].

Macrophages play a major role in the development of vascular lesions in atherogenesis. The cells express Fc gamma RIIIa (CD16) identical to that in NK cells, but with a cell type-specific glycosylation. The Fc gamma RIIIa molecules are released from the cell surface on activation, and these soluble forms (sFc gamma RIIIa) are present in plasma.

Increase of soluble FcgRIIIa derived from natural killer cells and macrophages in plasma from patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: FcgRIII (CD16), one of the low affinity IgG Fc receptors, is found in 2 alternative forms, a transmembrane FcgRIIIa expressed on natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages, and a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked FcgRIIIb present on neutrophils. Both FcgRIII are released from the cell surface by proteolytic cleavage and these soluble forms (sFcgRIII) are present in plasma. Since NK cells and macrophages will be activated locally, leading to shedding of FcgRIIIa and its subsequent release into blood, we investigated whether sFcgRIIIa plasma concentrations would be a good marker for disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

[Increase of soluble Fc gamma RIIIa derived from macrophages in plasma from patients with atherosclerosis].

Macrophages play a major role in the development of vascular lesions in atherogenesis. The cells express Fc gamma RIIIa(CD16) identical to that in NK cells, but with a cell type-specific glycosylation. In contrast, neutrophils express Fc gamma RIIIb in two allotypes, NA1- and NA2- Fc gamma RIIIb.

[IMP-1 type metalo-beta-lactamase producing Serratia marcescens strains isolated from blood culture between 1991 to 2000].

Infection caused by metallo beta-lactamase (MBL)-producing bacteria have been increasingly reported in Japan in recent years. We investigated the prevalence, clinical backgrounds and molecular epidemiology of MBL-producing Serratia marcescens strains isolated from blood cultures at our university hospital between 1991 and 2000. Forty-three S.

Effect of vasodilatory beta-adrenoceptor blockers on cardiovascular haemodynamics in anaesthetized rats.

1. The effect of vasodilatory beta-adrenoceptor blockers on regional blood flow in the major organs of anaesthetized rats was investigated using radioactive microspheres. The administration of propranolol and saline was used as a control.