Yasuo Suzuki

Publications (127)493.77 Total impact

• Article: Comparison of QD and TID Oral Mesalazine for Maintenance of Remission in Quiescent Ulcerative Colitis: A Double-blind, Double-dummy, Randomized Multicenter Study.

  Mamoru Watanabe, Hiroyuki Hanai, Haruo Nishino, Tadashi Yokoyama, Toshiaki Terada, Yasuo Suzuki
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:: Mesalazine preparations are widely used to treat mild to moderately severe ulcerative colitis (UC). We compared once-daily administration of oral mesalazine in patients with quiescent UC with the established 3-times-daily prescription, assessing the efficacy and safety of each method in maintaining remission for 52 weeks. METHODS:: This was a double-blind, double-dummy, randomized, multicenter noninferiority study in which 301 patients with quiescent UC were randomly assigned to treatment groups and administered prolonged-release oral mesalazine at doses of 1.5 to 2.25 g/d once daily (QD) or 3 times daily (TID) for 52 weeks. The primary endpoint was whether remission was maintained after 52 weeks of administration or until the time of discontinuation, as represented by the Ulcerative Colitis Disease Activity Index score. RESULTS:: The proportion of patients still in remission after 52 weeks of administration was 79.4% in the QD group and 71.6% in the TID group. The between-group difference was 7.8% (2-tailed 95% confidence interval [CI]: -2.2% to 17.8%), and the noninferiority of QD administration to TID administration was verified with a noninferiority margin of -10%. In the safety analysis, the incidence of adverse events in each group was 72.4% for the QD group and 76.5% for the TID group, showing no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (P = 0.4305). CONCLUSIONS:: This double-blind parallel-group comparison verified for the first time the noninferiority of QD administration of oral mesalazine 1.5 to 2.25 g/d to TID administration in terms of maintaining remission in patients with UC.
  Inflammatory Bowel Diseases 04/2013; · 4.86 Impact Factor
• Article: C-reactive protein is an indicator of serum infliximab level in predicting loss of response in patients with Crohn's disease.

  Toshifumi Hibi, Atsushi Sakuraba, Mamoru Watanabe, Satoshi Motoya, Hiroaki Ito, Noriko Sato, Toru Yoshinari, Kenta Motegi, Yoshitaka Kinouchi, Masakazu Takazoe, Yasuo Suzuki, Takayuki Matsumoto, Kazuhiko Kawakami, Ichiro Hirata, Shinji Tanaka, Toshifumi Ashida, Toshiyuki Matsui
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The ability of serum infliximab level to predict clinical outcome in infliximab therapy in Crohn's disease is unclear. Here, we aimed to clarify the correlation between the timing of loss of response (LOR) to treatment and a decrease in serum infliximab level, and, in addition, to identify an indicator of infliximab level. METHODS: The study used data from a previous clinical study of infliximab for Crohn's disease, in which infliximab was initially given at 0, 2, 6 weeks at 5 mg/kg, and then at 8-week intervals to 62 week-10 responders. Of these 62, here we analysed data from 57 in whom Crohn's disease activity index and serum infliximab level were evaluated at week 14. RESULTS: Twelve patients showed a clinical response despite an infliximab level <1 μg/mL at week 14; of these, 8 (67 %) experienced LOR by week 54. A decrease in infliximab level preceded LOR in 6 (75 %). In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, C-reactive protein (CRP) showed better performance in detecting an infliximab level <1 μg/mL. Infliximab level was <1 μg/mL in 60-80 % of patients with CRP >0.5 mg/dL. Time to LOR (median: 22.0 weeks) was significantly longer than that to a decrease in infliximab level to <1 μg/mL (14.0 weeks, p < 0.05) or to an increase in CRP to >0.5 mg/dL (14.0 weeks, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A decrease in serum infliximab level preceded LOR, and was easily detected by an increase in CRP. The CRP may be an indicator of serum infliximab level in predicting LOR.
  Journal of Gastroenterology 04/2013; · 4.16 Impact Factor
• Article: Efficacy and tolerability of oral budesonide in Japanese patients with active Crohn's disease: A multicentre, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group Phase II study.

  Yasuo Suzuki, Satoshi Motoya, Masakazu Takazoe, Tadashi Kosaka, Masataka Date, Masahiro Nii, Toshifumi Hibi
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Current treatments for Japanese patients with active Crohn's disease have not proved optimal, and new treatment options are required. The present study therefore evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of oral budesonide in Japanese patients with mild-to-moderate active Crohn's disease. METHODS: In this multicentre, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, Phase II study, patients (18-65years) with baseline Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) score≥200 were randomized to once-daily (od) oral budesonide 9mg or 15mg, or matching placebo, for 8weeks. Concomitant therapy with sulfasalazine or 5-aminosalicylic acid, and nutritional therapy, was allowed. The rate of remission (defined as CDAI score≤150) after 8weeks' treatment (primary variable), health-related quality of life (assessed using the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire [IBDQ]), and tolerability were assessed. RESULTS: 77 patients were randomized and 63 completed the study. The proportion of budesonide-treated patients with remission after 8weeks' treatment was higher compared with placebo (23.1%, 28.0%, and 11.5% for budesonide 9mg, 15mg, and placebo, respectively; no significant difference). The mean change from baseline to week 8 in CDAI total score (-48.0, -58.2, and -27.2, respectively) and IBDQ total score (10.8, 23.2, and 6.5, respectively) was greater for budesonide-treated patients than placebo recipients. While budesonide 9mg and 15mg demonstrated similar efficacy, budesonide 9mg caused fewer drug- and glucocorticosteroid-related adverse events and less adrenal suppression. CONCLUSIONS: Oral budesonide 9mg od (for up to 8weeks) may offer a new treatment option for Japanese patients with mild-to-moderate active Crohn's disease.
  Journal of Crohn s and Colitis 07/2012; · 2.57 Impact Factor
• Article: Experimental adaptation of an influenza H5 HA confers respiratory droplet transmission to a reassortant H5 HA/H1N1 virus in ferrets.

  Masaki Imai, Tokiko Watanabe, Masato Hatta, Subash C Das, Makoto Ozawa, Kyoko Shinya, Gongxun Zhong, Anthony Hanson, Hiroaki Katsura, Shinji Watanabe, Chengjun Li, Eiryo Kawakami, Shinya Yamada, Maki Kiso, Yasuo Suzuki, Eileen A Maher, Gabriele Neumann, Yoshihiro Kawaoka
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza A viruses occasionally infect humans, but currently do not transmit efficiently among humans. The viral haemagglutinin (HA) protein is a known host-range determinant as it mediates virus binding to host-specific cellular receptors. Here we assess the molecular changes in HA that would allow a virus possessing subtype H5 HA to be transmissible among mammals. We identified a reassortant H5 HA/H1N1 virus-comprising H5 HA (from an H5N1 virus) with four mutations and the remaining seven gene segments from a 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus-that was capable of droplet transmission in a ferret model. The transmissible H5 reassortant virus preferentially recognized human-type receptors, replicated efficiently in ferrets, caused lung lesions and weight loss, but was not highly pathogenic and did not cause mortality. These results indicate that H5 HA can convert to an HA that supports efficient viral transmission in mammals; however, we do not know whether the four mutations in the H5 HA identified here would render a wholly avian H5N1 virus transmissible. The genetic origin of the remaining seven viral gene segments may also critically contribute to transmissibility in mammals. Nevertheless, as H5N1 viruses continue to evolve and infect humans, receptor-binding variants of H5N1 viruses with pandemic potential, including avian-human reassortant viruses as tested here, may emerge. Our findings emphasize the need to prepare for potential pandemics caused by influenza viruses possessing H5 HA, and will help individuals conducting surveillance in regions with circulating H5N1 viruses to recognize key residues that predict the pandemic potential of isolates, which will inform the development, production and distribution of effective countermeasures.
  Nature 06/2012; 486(7403):420-8. · 36.28 Impact Factor
• Article: Factors associated with the loss of response to infliximab in patients with Crohn's disease.

  Koji Sono, Akihiro Yamada, Yasushi Yoshimatsu, Nobuo Takada, Yasuo Suzuki
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  ABSTRACT: The efficacy of infliximab (IFX) has validated the role of TNF-α in the immunopathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD). However, antibodies to IFX emerge, which impair its efficacy. This study investigated factor(s) associated with the loss of response (LOR) to IFX and how IFX non-responders may be treated. Seventy-four patients, 36 IFX responders (GI) and 38 with LOR (GII) were included. Trough IFX level, CD activity index (CDAI) and immunological markers during IFX maintenance therapy were measured. Adsorptive granulocyte/monocyte apheresis (GMA) was applied to patients with LOR. The durations of CD, 9.3 ± 5.5 yr and IFX therapy, 3.4 ± 2.0 yr in GII were longer vs GI (P=0.02, P=0.01). Similarly, C-reactive protein (P<0.0001) and CDAI (P<0.0001) in GII were higher. The median trough IFX was 4.7 μg/mL in GI and 8.4 μg/mL in GII, while the dose frequency was 8 weeks in GI and 4 weeks in GII. Soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) was higher in GII vs GI (P<0.001). Seropositive rates of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and circulating immune complexes (CIC) in GII were 50.0% and 68.4%, significantly higher vs GI (P<0.05, P<0.01). Patients with LOR duration <1.5 yr showed higher CDAI and sIL-2R (P<0.05) vs patients with LOR duration <1.5 yr. Fifteen GII patients received GMA plus IFX combination and 46.7% responded. IL-10 increased in GMA-responders (P<0.05), while CIC and ANA decreased (P=0.0237, P=0.0463). Patients with LOR to IFX had dysregulated immune response despite uncompromised trough IFX level. Further, inadequate T-cell differentiation by IFX was suggested. GMA appeared to benefit LOR patients by immunoregulation.
  Cytokine 05/2012; 59(2):410-6. · 3.02 Impact Factor
• Article: Multicenter analysis of fecal microbiota profiles in Japanese patients with Crohn's disease.

  Akira Andoh, Hiroyuki Kuzuoka, Tomoyuki Tsujikawa, Shiro Nakamura, Fumihito Hirai, Yasuo Suzuki, Toshiyuki Matsui, Yoshihide Fujiyama, Takayuki Matsumoto
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  ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: We analyzed the fecal microbiota profiles of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) at 4 inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) centers located in different districts in Japan. METHODS: Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis was performed in 161 fecal samples from CD patients and 121 samples from healthy individuals. The bacterial diversity was evaluated by the Shannon diversity index (SDI). RESULTS: There were no regional differences in the fecal microbiota profiles of the healthy individuals in Japan. A setting of similarity generated three major clusters of T-RFs: one included almost all the healthy individuals (118/121), and the other two clusters were mainly formed by CD patients at different stages of disease activity. The changes in simulated bacterial composition indicated that the class Clostridia, including the genus Faecalibacterium, was significantly decreased in CD patients with active disease and those in remission as compared with findings in the healthy individuals. In contrast, the genus Bacteroides was significantly increased in CD patients during the active phase as compared with findings in the healthy individuals. The genus Bifidobacterium was significantly decreased during the active phase of CD and increased to healthy levels during the remission phase. The bacterial diversity measured by the SDI was significantly reduced in CD patients during the active and remission phases as compared with findings in the healthy individuals. From the clinical data and T-RFLP analysis, we developed a logistic model to predict disease activity based on the fecal microbiota composition. CONCLUSION: Dysbiosis in CD patients was shown by a multi-IBD center study. The feasibility of using the fecal microbiota profile as a predictive marker for disease activity is proposed.
  Journal of Gastroenterology 05/2012; · 4.16 Impact Factor
• Article: Clostridium butyricum TO-A Culture Supernatant Downregulates TLR4 in Human Colonic Epithelial Cells

  Atsushi Isono, Tatsuro Katsuno, Toru Sato, Tomoo Nakagawa, Yasutaka Kato, Naoki Sato, Gen’ichiro Seo, Yasuo Suzuki, Yasushi Saito
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: The present study was performed to examine whether probiotics affect Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression in human colonic epithelial cells. Culture supernatants or heat-killed bacteria of Bacillus mesentericus TO-A, Clostridium butyricum TO-A, and Streptococcus faecalis T-110 were applied to human colonic epithelial cells. Treatment with C. butyricum TO-A culture supernatant significantly reduced TLR4 mRNA level (×0.16), even in the presence of interferon-γ (IFN-γ; ×0.21) as compared with untreated controls. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that C. butyricum TO-A supernatant contains formate, acetate, and butyrate. Interestingly, TLR4 mRNA was significantly suppressed (×0.15–×0.22) only when cells were treated with solutions containing butyrate. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay suggested that the binding affinity of PU.1 to the promoter region of the TLR4 gene was markedly inhibited when the cells were treated with butyrate. This study suggested that butyrate produced by C. butyricum TO-A downregulates TLR4 mRNA level in human colonic epithelial cells.
  Digestive Diseases and Sciences 04/2012; 52(11):2963-2971. · 2.12 Impact Factor
• Article: Antiviral effects of Psidium guajava Linn. (guava) tea on the growth of clinical isolated H1N1 viruses: its role in viral hemagglutination and neuraminidase inhibition.

  Nongluk Sriwilaijaroen, Syuichi Fukumoto, Kenji Kumagai, Hiroaki Hiramatsu, Takato Odagiri, Masato Tashiro, Yasuo Suzuki
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  ABSTRACT: Rapid evolution of influenza RNA virus has resulted in limitation of vaccine effectiveness, increased emergence of drug-resistant viruses and occurrence of pandemics. A new effective antiviral is therefore needed for control of the highly mutative influenza virus. Teas prepared by the infusion method were tested for their anti-influenza activity against clinical influenza A (H1N1) isolates by a 19-h influenza growth inhibition assay with ST6Gal I-expressing MDCK cells (AX4 cells) using fluorogenic quantification and chromogenic visualization. Guava tea markedly inhibited the growth of A/Narita/1/2009 (amantadine-resistant pandemic 2009 strain) at an IC(50) of 0.05% and the growth of A/Yamaguchi/20/06 (sensitive strain) and A/Kitakyushu/10/06 (oseltamivir-resistant strain) at similar IC(50) values ranging from 0.24% to 0.42% in AX4 cells, being 3.4- to 5.4-fold more potent than green tea (IC(50) values: 0.27% for the 2009 pandemic strain and 0.91% to 1.44% for the seasonal strains). In contrast to both teas, oseltamivir carboxylate (OC) demonstrated high potency against the growth of A/Narita/1/09 (IC(50) of 3.83nM) and A/Yamaguchi/20/06 (IC(50) of 11.57nM) but not against that of A/Kitakyushu/10/06 bearing a His274-to-Tyr substitution (IC(50) of 15.97μM). Immunofluorescence analysis under a confocal microscope indicated that both teas inhibited the most susceptible A/Narita/1/2009 virus at the initial stage of virus infection. This is consistent with results of direct inhibition assays showing that both teas inhibited viral hemagglutination at concentrations comparable to their growth inhibition concentrations but inhibited sialidase activity at about 8-times higher concentrations. Guava tea shows promise to be efficacious for control of epidemic and pandemic influenza viruses including oseltamivir-resistant strains, and its broad target blockage makes it less likely to lead to emergence of viral resistance.
  Antiviral research 03/2012; 94(2):139-46. · 3.61 Impact Factor
• Article: [Classification of Crohn's disease].

  Akihiro Yamada, Yasuo Suzuki
  Nippon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine 02/2012; 70 Suppl 1:164-8.
• Article: Molecular basis of the structure and function of H1 hemagglutinin of influenza virus.

  Nongluk Sriwilaijaroen, Yasuo Suzuki
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  ABSTRACT: Influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) contains antigenic sites recognized by the host immune system, cleavage sites cleaved by host proteases, receptor binding sites attaching to sialyl receptors on the target cell, and fusion peptides mediating membrane fusion. Change in an amino acid(s) in these sites may affect the potential of virus infection and spread within and between hosts. Influenza viruses with H1 HA infect birds, pigs and humans and have caused two of the four pandemics in the past 100 years: 1918 pandemic that killed 21-50 million people and 2009 pandemic that caused more than 18,000 deaths. Understanding the relationship between antigenic structure and immune specificity, the receptor binding specificity in virus transmission, how the cleavage site controls pathogenicity, and how the fusion peptide causes membrane fusion for the entry of influenza virus into the host cell should provide information to find more effective ways to prevent and control influenza.
  Proceedings of the Japan Academy Ser B Physical and Biological Sciences 01/2012; 88(6):226-49. · 2.77 Impact Factor
• Article: Constipation and metaiodobenzylguanidine myocardial scintigraphy abnormality.

  Fuyuki Tateno, Ryuji Sakakibara, Masahiko Kishi, Emina Ogawa, Nobuo Takada, Nobuo Hosoe, Yasuo Suzuki, Mao Takahashi, Tomoyuki Uchiyama, Tatsuya Yamamoto
  Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 01/2012; 60(1):185-7. · 3.74 Impact Factor
• Article: Incidence of emergency intestinal pseudo-obstruction in Parkinson's disease.

  Fuyuki Tateno, Ryuji Sakakibara, Masahiko Kishi, Emina Ogawa, Yasushi Yoshimatsu, Nobuo Takada, Yasuo Suzuki, Takayuki Mouri, Tomoyuki Uchiyama, Tatsuya Yamamoto
  Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 12/2011; 59(12):2373-5. · 3.74 Impact Factor
• Article: Adaptation of a duck influenza A virus in quail.

  Shinya Yamada, Kyoko Shinya, Ayato Takada, Toshihiro Ito, Takashi Suzuki, Yasuo Suzuki, Quynh Mai Le, Masahito Ebina, Noriyuki Kasai, Hiroshi Kida, Taisuke Horimoto, Pierre Rivailler, Li Mei Chen, Ruben O Donis, Yoshihiro Kawaoka
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  ABSTRACT: Quail are thought to serve as intermediate hosts of influenza A viruses between aquatic birds and terrestrial birds, such as chickens, due to their high susceptibility to aquatic-bird viruses, which then adapt to replicate efficiently in their new hosts. However, does replication of aquatic-bird influenza viruses in quail similarly result in their efficient replication in humans? Using sialic acid-galactose linkage-specific lectins, we found both avian (sialic acid-α2-3-galactose [Siaα2-3Gal] linkages on sialyloligosaccharides)--and human (Siaα2-6Gal)-type receptors on the tracheal cells of quail, consistent with previous reports. We also passaged a duck H3N2 virus in quail 19 times. Sequence analysis revealed that eight mutations accumulated in hemagglutinin (HA) during these passages. Interestingly, many of the altered HA amino acids found in the adapted virus are present in human seasonal viruses, but not in duck viruses. We also found that stepwise stalk deletion of neuraminidase occurred during passages, resulting in reduced neuraminidase function. Despite some hemagglutinin mutations near the receptor binding pocket, appreciable changes in receptor specificity were not detected. However, reverse-genetics-generated viruses that possessed the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase of the quail-passaged virus replicated significantly better than the virus possessing the parent HA and neuraminidase in normal human bronchial epithelial cells, whereas no significant difference in replication between the two viruses was observed in duck cells. Further, the quail-passaged but not the original duck virus replicated in human bronchial epithelial cells. These data indicate that quail can serve as intermediate hosts for aquatic-bird influenza viruses to be transmitted to humans.
  Journal of Virology 11/2011; 86(3):1411-20. · 5.40 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: InTech

  Chapter: The Diagnostic Value of Colonoscopy in Understanding Inflammatory Mucosal Damage in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis and Predicting Clinical Response to Adsorptive Leucocytapheresis as a Non-Pharmacologic Treatment Intervention

  Tomotaka Tanaka, Abbi R Saniabadi, Yasuo Suzuki
  11/2011; , ISBN: 978-953-307-677-5
• Article: Synthesis and biological evaluation of sialic acid derivatives containing a long hydrophobic chain at the anomeric position and their C-5 linked polymers as potent influenza virus inhibitors.

  Kaori Suzuki, Tetsuo Koyama, Sangchai Yingsakmongkon, Yasuo Suzuki, Ken Hatano, Koji Matsuoka
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  ABSTRACT: Conversions of the C-5 acetamide group in sialic acid into two kinds of C=C double bond substituents were accomplished under Shotten-Baumann conditions. The polymerizable glycomonomers also contain a hydrophobic chain or hydroxyl group at the anomeric position. Radical polymerizations of the fully protected glycomonomers were carried out with acryl amide in the presence of ammonium persulfate (APS) and N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED), followed by deprotection to furnish water-soluble glycopolymers. The activities of the deprotected glycopolymers and glycomonomers against human influenza viruses (H1N1 and H3N2) and avian influenza virus (H5N3) were evaluated. Biological evaluations showed that the glycomonomers containing a long hydrophobic chain at the anomeric position had both hemagglutination and neuraminidase inhibitory activities.
  Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry 10/2011; 20(1):446-54. · 2.82 Impact Factor
• Article: Retrieval of serum infliximab level by shortening the maintenance infusion interval is correlated with clinical efficacy in Crohn's disease.

  Toshifumi Hibi, Atsushi Sakuraba, Mamoru Watanabe, Satoshi Motoya, Hiroaki Ito, Kenta Motegi, Yoshitaka Kinouchi, Masakazu Takazoe, Yasuo Suzuki, Takayuki Matsumoto, Kazuhiko Kawakami, Ichiro Hirata, Shinji Tanaka, Toshifumi Ashida, Toshiyuki Matsui
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Infliximab has shown beneficial effects in the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD). The aim of this study was to assess 1) the clinical efficacy of shortening the infusion interval from 8 to 4 weeks when patients had shown loss of response during maintenance therapy, and 2) the association between the serum trough level and clinical efficacy. This was an open-label prospective multicenter study. Infliximab was administered at 5 mg/kg to patients with active CD at weeks 0, 2, and 6. Week 10 responders received infliximab every 8 weeks thereafter. In those with loss of response after week 14 the interval was switched to every 4 weeks. Co-primary endpoints were the rate of patients achieving clinical response and remission at week 54. Serum level of infliximab was measured at each visit. Fifty-seven patients who responded to induction treatment received maintenance therapy after week 14. Thirty-seven patients continued at the 8-week interval and 20 patients were switched to a 4-week interval. The overall clinical response and remission rates at week 54 were 82.5% and 61.4%, respectively. For those with loss of response, treatment at the 4-week interval resulted in clinical response and remission rates of 83.3% (15/18) and 55.6% (10/18), respectively, at week 54. A correlation between clinical efficacy and serum trough level was found (P < 0.01, overall). A treatment strategy with an option of shortening the dosing interval of infliximab retrieves its trough level and may be useful for maintaining its efficacy.
  Inflammatory Bowel Diseases 10/2011; 18(8):1480-7. · 4.86 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: Kazuyuki Sugahara

  Article: Unique heparan sulfate from shrimp heads exhibits a strong inhibitory effect on infections by dengue virus and Japanese encephalitis virus.

  Jiancheng Chen, Shuhei Yamada, Yoshiki Hama, Ajaya Kumar Shetty, Takanari Kobayashi, Hiroshi Oda, Kosuke Seiki, Eunmi Kim, Takashi Kimura, Naonori Takahashi, Kazuya I P J Hidari, Takashi Suzuki, Yasuo Suzuki, Kazuyuki Sugahara
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  ABSTRACT: The structure and biological activities of a highly sulfated heparan sulfate (HS) extracted from shrimp (Penaeus brasiliensis) heads were characterized. Structurally the shrimp HS was more heterogenous than heparin, although it is still highly sulfated. The molecular mass of the shrimp HS preparation was determined to be 32.3 kDa by gel filtration HPLC. Analysis by surface plasmon resonance demonstrated that various growth/differentiation factors specifically bound to the shrimp HS with comparable affinity. Notably, the shrimp HS had a greater inhibitory effect against infections by dengue virus type 2 as well as Japanese encephalitis virus than heparin. Experiments on anticoagulant activity indicated that the shrimp HS exhibited significant anti-thrombin activity, but less than the commercial heparin. Hence, the HS preparation from shrimp heads, an industrial waste, is a prospective agent for a variety of clinical applications.
  Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 08/2011; 412(1):136-42. · 2.48 Impact Factor
• Article: Abdominal wall infiltration by small bowel adenocarcinoma in a patient with Crohn's disease--a case report.

  Yasuhiro Nihon-Yanagi, Mitsuru Ooshiro, Akihiro Yamada, Yasuo Suzuki, Noriaki Kameda, Shinichi Okazumi
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  ABSTRACT: A 46-year-old man with Crohn's disease was referred to our hospital. In 2007, abdominal pain accompanied by redness and swelling of the right lower quadrant developed. A small bowel series and computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a stricture in the terminal ileum, suggesting a penetration of the abdominal wall. He was transferred to the department of surgery, and the affected portion of the bowel was resected to eliminate the stricture. At laparotomy, the ileum 35 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve adhered to the abdominal wall in the right lower quadrant. The involved site of the ileal wall and a portion of the abdominal wall were resected. Postoperative microscopic examination revealed an invasion of the abdominal wall by an ileal adenocarcinoma; reoperation was therefore performed. Histopathological examination revealed an adenocarcinoma at the previously sutured site of the ileal wall, against a backdrop of Crohn's disease. The postoperative recovery was good, and the patient received chemotherapy. During follow-up, computed tomography and positron emission tomography demonstrated abnormal changes of the abdominal wall, suggesting a recurrence. He received radiotherapy of the abdominal wall. Although he had tentative regression, the patient died 1 year and 9 months after the first operation.
  Gan to kagaku ryoho. Cancer & chemotherapy 06/2011; 38(6):1011-6.
• Article: Dengue virus type 2 recognizes the carbohydrate moiety of neutral glycosphingolipids in mammalian and mosquito cells.

  Sineewanlaya Wichit, Akanitt Jittmittraphap, Kazuya I P J Hidari, Butsaya Thaisomboonsuk, Songsak Petmitr, Sukathida Ubol, Chie Aoki, Saki Itonori, Koichi Morita, Takashi Suzuki, Yasuo Suzuki, Wipawee Jampangern
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  ABSTRACT: Dengue viruses infect cells by attaching to a surface receptor which remains unknown. The putative receptor molecules of dengue virus type 2 on the surface of mosquito (AP-61) and mammalian (LLC-MK2) cell lines were investigated. The immunochemical detection and structural analysis of carbohydrates demonstrated that the neutral glycosphingolipids, L-3 (GlcNAcβ1-3Manβ1-4Glcβ1-1'Cer) in AP-61 cells, and nLc(4) Cer (Galβ1-4GlcNAcβ1-3Galβ1-4Glcβ1-1'Cer) in LLC-MK2 cells were recognized by the virus. These findings strongly suggest that neutral glycosphingolipids share the key determinant for virus binding and that the β-GlcNAc residue may play an important role in dengue virus binding to the host cell surface.
  Microbiology and Immunology 02/2011; 55(2):135-40. · 1.30 Impact Factor
• Article: Crohn's disease and stroke in a young adult.

  Emina Ogawa, Ryuji Sakakibara, Yasushi Yoshimatsu, Yasuo Suzuki, Takayuki Mouri, Fuyuki Tateno, Masahiko Kishi, Shunsuke Oda, Haruki Imamura
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  ABSTRACT: A 36-year-old man with a 21-year history of Crohn's disease suddenly developed left hemiparesis. He did not have atherosclerotic risk factors on admission, but he had marked dehydration which was likely due to prolonged home intravenous hyper-alimentation. Brain MRI revealed lacunar infarction in the right anterior corona radiata. An anticoagulation drug and a free-oxide scavenger successfully reversed his neurological deficits almost completely. Stroke in young adults less than 40 years old is extremely rare; therefore, we conclude that Crohn's disease can be a risk factor for acute ischemic stroke in our case, due most probably to dehydration and other complex mechanisms.
  Internal Medicine 01/2011; 50(20):2407-8. · 0.94 Impact Factor