The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine
Online ISSN : 1349-3329
Print ISSN : 0040-8727
ISSN-L : 0040-8727
Volume 217, Issue 4
April
Displaying 1-11 of 11 articles from this issue
Review
  • Ralph Santos-Oliveira
    2009 Volume 217 Issue 4 Pages 251-257
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: April 03, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Radiopharmaceuticals are used in nuclear medicine for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Many adverse reactions and false positive reactions related to radiopharmaceuticals take place every day in hospitals, but most of them are not reported. It is therefore important to understand the definition of each undesirable reaction. Adverse reactions are defined as any noxious or unintended reactions to a drug, which is administered in standard doses through the proper route for the purpose of prophylaxis, diagnosis, or treatment. False positive reactions can be defined as any imaging appearance caused by undue physiological or pathological accumulation of radiopharmaceuticals. Information concerning these undesirable reactions is limited for radiopharmaceuticals. The present study intends to be a source of information that could be accessed by all nuclear medicine staff. A review of the literature from 1957 to January 2009 was carried out using the criteria of a systematic review, established by the Cochrane Collaboration, an international non-profit organization, that provides up-to-date information about the health care. The present study has revealed that radiopharmaceuticals cause adverse reactions. Six cases of adverse reactions with radiopharmaceuticals were found: 2 cases with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and 4 cases with technetium 99m (99mTc). Among the 4 cases of adverse reactions with 99mTc, one subject who received 99mTc-labeled sestamibi developed anaphylactic reactions. Moreover, a total of 8 cases with false positive reactions were found with FDG. In conclusion, a worldwide effort should be made to report as many cases as possible of adverse events and false positive reactions with radiopharmaceuticals.
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Regular Contirbutions
  • Yasuo Haruyama, Takashi Muto, Makiko Nakade, Emiko Kobayashi, Kaori Is ...
    2009 Volume 217 Issue 4 Pages 259-269
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: April 03, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular disease remain primary public health problems in Japan. We developed a large-scale community-based 15-month intervention program, and evaluated its long-term effects on improving lifestyle and cardiovascular risk. Of 549 participants, 436 (46 males and 186 females in intervention group and 72 males and 132 females in control group) completed the study. The intervention program consisted of a 6-month program including 15 sessions, with one lecture and individual counseling, two workshops and nutrition educations, and nine exercises (total 29 hours) and a 9-month maintenance program including 4 sessions of individual counseling, workshop, nutrition, and exercise (total 7 hours). Changes from the baseline to 15 months were significantly different between intervention and control groups by gender: the proportion of subjects who walked more than 6,000 steps/day (+39% vs. +2% for males; +17% vs. +1% for females), exercised more than 20 min/day and 3 times/week (+22% vs. +1% for males; +22% vs. +8% for females), ate vegetables at every meal (+18% vs. +4% for females), and consumed less salt (+9% vs. +3% for females); and the changes in body weight (−1.0 vs. −0.1kg for males; −1.8 vs. −0.6 kg for females). Other changes detected only in females were body mass index (−0.8 vs. −0.3 kg/m2), systolic blood pressure (−6.6 vs. −2.4 mmHg), total cholesterol (−2.2 vs. +1.5 mg/dl), and the total risk scores (−0.5 vs. −0.1 points). The 15-month intervention program effectively improves and maintains lifestyle and cardiovascular risk, with greater effects of the long-term intervention in females.
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  • Akira Ando, Yoshihiro Hagiwara, Masahiro Tsuchiya, Yoshito Onoda, Hide ...
    2009 Volume 217 Issue 4 Pages 271-278
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: April 03, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Joint immobilization is commonly used for the treatment of joint injuries and diseases, but it also causes cartilage degeneration. Damage to the fibrillar meshwork of type II collagen in the articular cartilage is a critical event for cartilage degeneration. Collagenases such as matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 and MMP-13 have been considered the main enzymes responsible for the degradation of type II collagen. However, the mechanism of the articular cartilage degeneration after immobilization has not been revealed. The purpose of this study was to examine changes of the expression patterns of MMP-8 and MMP-13 after rigid immobilization of the knee joint. The unilateral knee joints of adult male rats were rigidly immobilized at 150 degrees of flexion using an internal fixator. Histological sections from the medial midcondylar region of the knee were obtained and evaluated in 3 specific areas (non-contact, transitional, and contact areas). The expression of MMP-8 and MMP-13 was evaluated by in situ hybridization. Total RNA was extracted from the articular cartilage in the contact area, and expression levels of MMP-8 and MMP-13 mRNAs were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Localization of MMP-13 expression was also examined by immunohistochemistry. The expression of MMP-8 mRNA was decreased by 1 week after immobilization. After 4-week immobilization, hypertrophic differentiated chondrocytes were observed in the transitional and contact areas, and the expression of MMP-8 and MMP-13 mRNAs was increased in the chondrocytes. Rigid immobilization is associated with the increased expression of MMP-8 and MMP-13 in the hypertrophic differentiated chondrocytes. These two collagenases may play an important role in the articular cartilage degeneration after joint immobilization.
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  • Xiangyu Zhou, Yuan Li, Junli Ding, Ling Wang, Rong Wang, Bing Zhou, Ju ...
    2009 Volume 217 Issue 4 Pages 279-285
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: April 03, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Acute lung injury is one of the critical complications of acute pancreatitis (AP). Tumor necrosis factor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) is a key adaptor that regulates various inflammatory signaling pathways, including those mediated by Toll-like receptors (TLRs). This study was performed to investigate the potential role of TRAF6 in the pathogenesis of AP and pancreatitis-associated acute lung injury using a mouse model of caerulein-induced AP (CAP). CAP was induced by intraperitoneal injection of caerulein hourly for 7 times (50μg/kg), and control mice were treated with saline of the same volume. Typical pancreatic and lung inflammation was observed in the early stage (1 h) of CAP, as judged by morphological changes. Likewise, in CAP mice, the pancreatic myeloperoxidase activity and serum levels of interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 were significantly increased after 2 h, peaked at 4h, and then decreased by 24 h. The expression of TRAF6 was then studied by real time-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analysis. Compared with control group, TRAF6 mRNA level was decreased in CAP group within the first 12 h, and then significantly increased after 24 h, which was in accordance with the protein level detected by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Moreover, TRAF6 protein was expressed in both pancreatic acinar cells and lung bronchial epithelial cells. In conclusion, the down-regulation of TRAF6 was associated with increased inflammatory severity in the pancreas and lung, suggesting that TRAF6 is involved in the anti-inflammatory process during AP. TRAF6 may be a potential molecular target for treating AP.
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  • Miroslav Zeman, Marek Vecka, Marie Jáchymová, Roman Jir& ...
    2009 Volume 217 Issue 4 Pages 287-293
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: April 03, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    The composition of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in cell membranes and body tissues is altered in metabolic syndrome (MetS) and depressive disorder (DD). Within the cell, fatty acid coenzyme A (CoA) ligases (FACLs) activate PUFAs by esterifying with CoA. The FACL4 isoform prefers PUFAs (arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acid) as substrates, and the FACL4 gene is mapped to Xq23. We have analyzed the association between the common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs1324805, C to T substitution) in the first intron of the FACL4 gene and MetS or DD. The study included 113 healthy subjects (54Males/59Females), 56 MetS patients (34M/22F) and 41 DD patients (7M/34F). In MetS group, T-carriers and patients with CC or C0 (CC/C0) genotype did not differ in the values of metabolic indices of MetS and M/F ratio. Nevertheless, in comparison with CC/C0, the T-allele carriers were characterized by enhanced unfavorable changes in fatty acid metabolism typical for MetS: higher content of dihomogammalinolenic acid (P < 0.05) and lower content of arachidonic acid in plasma phosphatidylcholine (PC) (P = 0.052), lower index of Δ5 desaturation (P < 0.01) and unsaturation index (UI) (P < 0.001). In contrast, DD patients had higher concentrations of plasma glucose, insulin, conjugated dienes and index of insulin resistance, but showed no significant association with the studied SNP. The present study shows that the common SNP (C to T substitution) in the first intron of the FACL4 gene is associated with altered FA composition of plasma phosphatidylcholines in patients with MetS.
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  • Mustafa Taskesen, Tuncay Taskesen, Selahattin Katar, Abdülaziz Ka ...
    2009 Volume 217 Issue 4 Pages 295-298
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: April 03, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) is the most common prototype of acute glomerulonephritis in children, and is characterized by the sudden onset of gross hematuria, edema, hypertension and volume overload. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is produced in both the brain and the heart. Its prohormone, proBNP, is cleaved to biologically active BNP and an inactive N-terminal peptide of proBNP (NT-proBNP). NT-proBNP is released predominantly from the ventricles in response to hypervolemia and pressure overload. We therefore investigated the relationship between NT-proBNP levels and cardiac functions of patients with APSGN. NT-proBNP levels were measured in 28 patients with APSGN (17 boys and 11 girls of 8.2 ± 2.9 years old) and in 26 healthy children (control group). Echocardiograms were performed in both patient and control groups on admission, and only in the patient group two weeks later. Upon admission, the plasma NT-proBNP levels were higher in the patients than in the control group (8876.2 ± 9650.8 vs 69.5 ± 22.2 pg/mL, p < 0.001), and left ventricular dysfunction was detected in six patients. Moreover, NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher in the patients with left ventricular dysfunction than other patients (n = 22). There was no significant difference in the levels of NT-proBNP between the patient and control groups, after diuretic treatment of the patients. Plasma NT-proBNP levels were positively correlated with the severity of APSGN. Thus, NT-proBNP level may be a useful marker to assess the volume overload and cardiac function in the follow up of selected APSGN patients.
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  • Kyoko Nomura, Satoshi Inoue, Eiji Yano
    2009 Volume 217 Issue 4 Pages 299-305
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: April 03, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    The shortage of physicians is of great concern in Japan. We aim to assess the pediatrician workforce in rural areas of Japan. Data were obtained from a governmental survey that included the number of physicians and child population in each municipality (i.e., 888 cities and 1,466 towns, villages, or rural areas). The supply of pediatricians was evaluated by physician-to-child population ratios of pediatricians and non-pediatricians in pediatric practice, and geographical distributions using Lorenz curves and Gini indices. Lorenz curves are drawn to visualize geographical mal-distribution of physicians and the Gini indices range from 0 to 1, with higher values indicating larger inequity in physician distribution. Between 1996 and 2004, the numbers of pediatricians per 100,000 children increased from 69 to 84 and this increase was constantly observed both in cities, and towns/villages. Lorenz curves showed that both pediatricians and non-pediatricians in pediatric practice were relatively equally distributed in cities. The Gini indices in 1996 and 2004 were 0.337 and 0.321, respectively in pediatricians and 0.264 and 0.278, respectively in non-pediatricians in pediatric practice. In contrast, pediatricians were unequally distributed in rural areas (the Gini indices; 0.723 and 0.703, respectively). In such areas, non-pediatricians in pediatric practice were more equally distributed than pediatricians (0.419 and 0.482, respectively). These results suggest that non-pediatricians in pediatric practice have played a significant role in supporting pediatric care in rural areas. In conclusion, the absolute numbers of pediatricians increased in Japan between 1996 and 2004; however, they were mal-distributed in rural areas.
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  • Elzbieta Pawlowska, Katarzyna Janik-Papis, Maria Wisniewska-Jarosinska ...
    2009 Volume 217 Issue 4 Pages 307-312
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: April 03, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Tooth agenesis is the congenital lack of permanent teeth, which is called oligodontia, when the number of missing teeth is 6 or more. Oligodontia affects more than 1 of 100 humans, but its pathogenesis is largely unknown. Tooth genesis depends on the complex interactions between environmental and genetic factors. The MSX1 gene, a member of homeobox gene family, encodes a DNA-binding protein, which is involved in many epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, leading to vertebrate organogenesis, and appears to be most critical during early tooth development. The MSH1 gene has 2 exons, separated by an intron, and its mutations, such as missense or frame-shift mutations, have been reported to be associated with tooth agenesis. In the present study, we sequenced the MSX1 gene of three unrelated patients with sporadic, non-syndromic oligodontia: 2 boys aged 8.5 and 15 years old and one girl aged 15.5 years old. We have thus identified a homozygotic deletion of 11 nucleotides in the intron, near the 5' splicing site, in two patients, who also carry a different exonic transition. The base changes we detected were not present in an open reading-frame of the MSX1 gene, but the newly identified deletion of 11 nucleotides might interfere with the splicing of the MSX1 gene. In contrast, the third patient, a 15-year boy, displayed no base change in the examined regions. Therefore, the identified 11-nucleotide deletion may decrease the expression level of the MSX1 protein, but the link with oligodontia needs further study.
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  • QingGeLeTu, Yukihisa Suzuki, Motohiro Kiyosawa, Kiichi Ishiwata, Man ...
    2009 Volume 217 Issue 4 Pages 313-320
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: April 03, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Dystonia is an involuntary movement disorder dominated by sustained muscle contractions that frequently cause twisting, repetitive movements, and postural changes. The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanism causing dystonia. We therefore employed a rat model of dystonia, which was induced by injecting (−)-bicuculine methiodide (BM), a gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptor antagonist, stereotaxically into the ventrolateral thalamic nuclei. Cerebral glucose metabolism reflecting cerebral activities and densities of central benzodiazepine and adenosine A1 receptors that play an inhibitory role in neural excitation were evaluated in the brain by ex vivo autoradiography using appropriate 14C/18F- or 11C-labeled tracers. The dystonic signs were accompanied by increased glucose metabolism in the thalamus, substantia nigra, globus pallidus, and striatum. However, central benzodiazepine receptor density was not altered, and adenosine A1 receptor density was reduced in the hippocampus. These results indicate the activation of a basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical motor circuit, which consists of the thalamus, substantia nigra, globus pallidus, and striatum. In this context, the activation of the above circuit has been reported in human dystonia patients. The decreased adenosine A1 receptor density in the hippocampus might be related to a transient hippocampal dysfunction due to an acute type of dystonia. In conclusion, we have succeeded in generating a rat model of dystonia, and observed the activation of the basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical motor circuit that is related to dystonia.
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  • Seref Yuksel, Hale Samli, Mehmet Colbay, Umit Dundar, Gursel Acarturk, ...
    2009 Volume 217 Issue 4 Pages 321-327
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: April 03, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) has episodic or subclinical inflammation that may lead to a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of FMF on bone metabolism and to investigate the factors that can influence bone metabolism, such as body mass index (BMI), mutations in Mediterranean fever (MEFV) gene, osteoprotegerin (OPG), leptin and inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). OPG, a soluble protein produced by osteoblasts, favors increased bone mass. Leptin may influence bone metabolism by acting on differentiated osteoblasts, having anabolic effects on bone. Thirty-one FMF patients in attack-free period (12 females and 19 males; mean age 31.4 ± 9.3 years) and 18 healthy controls (11 females and 7 males; mean age 34.6 ± 9.5 years) were compared according to the above parameters. BMD (g/cm2) and standard deviation scores (Z-score) were measured at the lumbar spine L1-L4 (BMD-L1-4) and proximal femur by dual X-ray absorptiometry. Osteopenia is defined as a Z-score between −1 and −2.5 and osteoporosis is equal or below −2.5. FMF patients showed statistically significant reduction in BMD-L1-4 and Z-score-L1-4. Moreover, serum OPG concentration was significantly elevated in FMF patiens. In contrast, MEFV gene mutations, leptin and the inflammatory cytokines did not differ between the patient and control groups. In conclusion, BMD was decreased and OPG was increased in our FMF patients. The high OPG levels may reflect a preventive mechanism against bone loss; namely, OPG might protect the FMF patients from excessive osteoporosis.
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  • Berkant Özpolat, Alper Gözübüyük, Bülent ...
    2009 Volume 217 Issue 4 Pages 329-334
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: April 03, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Spontaneous pneumothorax is defined as the rupture of bleb or emphysematous bullae that develop just beneath the pulmonary pleura. Weather changes may influence the incidence of spontaneous pneumothorax. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of rainfall, temperature and atmospheric pressure changes on the onset of spontaneous pneumothorax. The study involved 669 spontaneous pneumothorax admissions to three reference hospitals in Ankara, Turkey between 1996 and 2006 (612 males and 57 females with the mean age of 34.0 ± 15.5 years). The meteorological data were obtained from Turkish State Meteorological Services for temperature, atmospheric pressure, and rainfall. The correlation between these values and spontaneous pneumothorax clusters, which was defined as the admission of at least two patients with pneumothorax within three days of each other, was evaluated. Among 669 episodes of spontaneous pneumothorax, 472 (70.5%) occurred in 188 clusters. When compared to days without spontaneous pneumothorax, the amount of average rainfall on the day of admission with spontaneous pneumothorax, one day before and two days before the admission was significantly high. Similarly, the atmospheric pressure on one day and two days before the admission of spontaneous pneumothorax patients was significantly low. In addition, maximum temperature level was significantly lower on admission day of spontaneous pneumothorax patients compared to those on the days without spontaneous pneumothorax. This largest series of the literature shows that spontaneous pneumothorax occurs in clusters and suggests that rainfall, temperature and falls in atmospheric pressure might play a role in the pathophysiology of spontaneous pneumothorax.
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