Faculty Profiles - TORII Yuka

Papers - TORII Yuka

Division display 61 - 73 of about 73 ／ All the affair displays >>

Serum microRNAs as Potential Biomarkers of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. International journal

Yasuko Kamiya, Jun-ichi Kawada, Yoshihiko Kawano, Yuka Torii, Shinji Kawabe, Naomi Iwata, Yoshinori Ito

Clinical rheumatology Vol. 34 ( 10 ) page： 1705 - 1712 2015.10

Authorship：Lead author Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression of targeted mRNAs, which are important in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. MiRNAs may have the potential to serve as biomarkers of disease. We evaluated serum levels of selected miRNAs and their associations with disease activity in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Sera and peripheral blood leukocytes were collected from patients with JIA (8 systemic onset, 16 polyarthritis) and healthy controls. Levels of miR-16, miR-132, miR-146a, miR-155, and miR-223 were quantified. Levels of miR-223 in sera were significantly higher in patients in the active phase of systemic onset JIA than in controls. MiRNAs of peripheral blood leukocytes did not exhibit any difference between patients with JIA and controls. In both systemic onset JIA and polyarthritis patients, levels of miR-223 and miR-16 correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate and matrix metalloproteinase-3, respectively. MiR-146a and miR-223 in polyarthritis showed correlations with matrix metalloproteinase-3. Expressions of miRNAs were altered in patients with JIA. Serum levels of miR-223 may be a potential disease biomarker. Investigation of miRNAs could be helpful in understanding the pathogenesis of JIA and could aid in the identification of additional disease biomarkers.

DOI： 10.1007/s10067-015-2922-1

Viral load in children with congenital cytomegalovirus infection identified on newborn hearing screening. International journal

Jun-ichi Kawada, Yuka Torii, Yoshihiko Kawano, Michio Suzuki, Yasuko Kamiya, Tomomi Kotani, Fumitaka Kikkawa, Hiroshi Kimura, Yoshinori Ito

Journal of clinical virology : the official publication of the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology Vol. 65 page： 41 - 45 2015.4

Authorship：Lead author Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)

BACKGROUND: Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the most common non-genetic cause of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in children. However, congenital SNHL without other clinical abnormalities is rarely diagnosed as CMV-related in early infancy. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify and treat patients with congenital CMV-related SNHL or CMV-related clinical abnormalities other than SNHL. The association between CMV load and SNHL was also evaluated. STUDY DESIGN: Newborns who had abnormal hearing screening results or other clinical abnormalities were screened for congenital CMV infection by PCR of saliva or urine specimens, and identified infected patients were treated with valganciclovir (VGCV) for 6 weeks. The CMV load of patients with or without SNHL was compared at regular intervals during as well as after VGCV treatment. RESULTS: Of 127 infants with abnormal hearing screening results, and 31 infants with other clinical abnormalities, CMV infection was identified in 6 and 3 infants, respectively. After VGCV treatment, 1 case had improved hearing but the other 5 SNHL cases had little or no improvement. Among these 9 patients with or without SNHL at 1 year of age, there was no significant difference in CMV blood or urine load at diagnosis, but both were significantly higher in patients with SNHL during VGCV treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Selective CMV screening of newborns having an abnormal hearing screening result would be a reasonable strategy for identification of symptomatic congenital CMV infection. Prolonged detection of CMV in blood could be a risk factor for SNHL.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jcv.2015.01.015

Immunogenicity of inactivated seasonal influenza vaccine in adult and pediatric liver transplant recipients over two seasons. International journal Open Access

Michio Suzuki, Yuka Torii, Jun-ichi Kawada, Hiroshi Kimura, Hideya Kamei, Yasuharu Onishi, Kenitiro Kaneko, Hisami Ando, Tetsuya Kiuchi, Yoshinori Ito

Microbiology and immunology Vol. 57 ( 10 ) page： 715 - 722 2013.10

Authorship：Lead author Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)

Immunological responses to influenza vaccination administered to liver transplantation recipients are not fully elucidated. To compare inactivated influenza vaccine's immunogenicity between adult and pediatric recipients, 16 adult and 15 pediatric living donor liver transplantation recipients in the 2010-11 influenza season, and 53 adult and 21 pediatric recipients in the 2011-12 season, were investigated. Seroprotection rates (hemagglutinin-inhibition [HI] antibody titer 1:40) were 50-94% to all three antigens among adults and 27-80% among children in both seasons. Seroconversion rates (fourfold or more HI antibody rise) were 32-56% among adults and 13-67% among children in both seasons. No significant differences were observed between the two groups. In addition, 20/53 adult and 13/21 pediatric recipients received a vaccine containing identical antigens in both of these seasons. Geometric mean titer fold increases of all three antigens in adult recipients were significantly lower than those in recipients who had not received a preceding vaccination. In contrast, in pediatric recipients, there were no significant differences between the groups who had and had not received preceding vaccinations. The number of patients with rejection did not differ significantly between the two groups (0/53 vs. 1/21) in the 2011-12 season. The incidence of influenza after vaccination was significantly different between adult and pediatric recipients (0/16 vs. 5/15 in 2010-11 and 0/53 vs. 3/21 in 2011-12, respectively). Overall, there were no significant differences in antibody responses between adult and pediatric groups. Influenza infection was more frequent in pediatric recipients. Long-term response to preceding vaccinations appeared to be insufficient in both groups.

DOI： 10.1111/1348-0421.12086

Risk factors for poor outcome in congenital cytomegalovirus infection and neonatal herpes on the basis of a nationwide survey in Japan. International journal

Yoshinori Ito, Hiroshi Kimura, Yuka Torii, Masahiro Hayakawa, Toshihiro Tanaka, Hitoshi Tajiri, Yuko Yoto, Keiko Tanaka-Taya, Hirokazu Kanegane, Akiyoshi Nariai, Hiroshi Sakata, Hiroyuki Tsutsumi, Megumi Oda, Shumpei Yokota, Tsuneo Morishima, Hiroyuki Moriuchi

Pediatrics international : official journal of the Japan Pediatric Society Vol. 55 ( 5 ) page： 566 - 571 2013.10

Authorship：Lead author Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)

BACKGROUND: Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and neonatal herpes are major mother-to-child infections, and analyses of the important clinical issues, including risk factors for prognosis, are essential. METHODS: A secondary survey of congenital CMV infection and neonatal herpes was performed using questionnaires for cases reported in the primary survey between 2006 and 2008. RESULTS: Univariate analysis of 71 cases of congenital CMV infection showed that intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) or other specific findings on fetal ultrasonography (US), microcephaly, intracranial calcification, disseminated intravascular coagulation, abnormal findings on computed tomography, and the use of i.v. gammaglobulin were all significantly correlated with poor outcome (death or severe sequelae). Multivariate analysis showed that only IUGR was significantly associated with poor outcome. Hearing impairment is one of the major abnormalities associated with congenital CMV infection. Automatic auditory brainstem response (automatic ABR) appeared to be useful for detection of hearing impairment in comparison with conventional ABR. Moreover, univariate analysis showed that specific fetal US or abnormal magnetic resonance imaging findings were correlated with sensorineural hearing loss. In 24 cases of neonatal herpes, fever and seizure were correlated with poor outcome on univariate analysis. All patients received acyclovir treatment, although substantial numbers of patients in severe clinical categories (disseminated or central nervous system diseases) received a low dose of acyclovir (<60 mg/kg per day). CONCLUSIONS: This secondary survey has identified the risk factors associated with outcome and important issues in diagnosis and treatment of two mother-to-child infections: congenital CMV and neonatal herpes, in Japan.

DOI： 10.1111/ped.12122

Plasma viral microRNA profiles reveal potential biomarkers for chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection. International journal Open Access

Yoshihiko Kawano, Seiko Iwata, Jun-ichi Kawada, Kensei Gotoh, Michio Suzuki, Yuka Torii, Seiji Kojima, Hiroshi Kimura, Yoshinori Ito

The Journal of infectious diseases Vol. 208 ( 5 ) page： 771 - 779 2013.9

Authorship：Lead author Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)

BACKGROUND: Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus (CAEBV) infection has high mortality and morbidity, and biomarkers for disease severity and prognosis are required. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs, and EBV encodes multiple miRNAs. Because plasma contains sufficiently stable miRNAs, circulating EBV-associated miRNA profiles were investigated as novel biomarkers in CAEBV infection. METHODS: Plasma miRNA expression was assessed for 12 miRNAs encoded within 2 EBV open reading frames (BART and BHRF). Expression levels were investigated in 19 patients with CAEBV infection, 14 patients with infectious mononucleosis, and 11 healthy controls. Relative expression levels of plasma miRNAs were determined by TaqMan probe-based quantitative assay. RESULTS: Plasma miR-BART1-5p, 2-5p, 5, and 22 levels in patients with CAEBV infection were significantly greater than those in patients with infectious mononucleosis and in controls. Plasma miR-BART2-5p, 4, 7, 13, 15, and 22 levels were significantly elevated in patients with CAEBV infection with systemic symptoms, compared with levels in patients with no systemic symptoms. The levels of miR-BART2-5p, 13, and 15 showed clinical cutoff values associated with specific clinical conditions, in contrast to plasma EBV loads. CONCLUSIONS: Levels of specific plasma EBV miRNAs were elevated differentially in patients with CAEBV infection. Several EBV miRNAs, particularly miR-BART2-5p, 13, and 15, are potentially biomarkers of disease severity or prognosis.

DOI： 10.1093/infdis/jit222

Clinicoepidemiologic status of mother-to-child infections: a nationwide survey in Japan. International journal Open Access

Yuka Torii, Hiroshi Kimura, Yoshinori Ito, Masahiro Hayakawa, Toshihiro Tanaka, Hitoshi Tajiri, Yuko Yoto, Keiko Tanaka-Taya, Hirokazu Kanegane, Akiyoshi Nariai, Hiroshi Sakata, Hiroyuki Tsutsumi, Megumi Oda, Shumpei Yokota, Tsuneo Morishima, Hiroyuki Moriuchi

The Pediatric infectious disease journal Vol. 32 ( 6 ) page： 699 - 701 2013.6

Authorship：Lead author Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)

We conducted a nationwide survey of the present status of 10 representative mother-to-child infections in Japan. Congenital syphilis, vertical human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 infection, congenital rubella and vertical HIV infection, for which effective preventative strategies have been established, were rare. Cytomegalovirus was the most common congenital pathogen in Japan, although most infants with congenital cytomegalovirus infection may remain undiagnosed.

DOI： 10.1097/INF.0b013e3182897c36

Remission of juvenile idiopathic arthritis with primary Epstein-Barr virus infection. International journal Open Access

Jun-Ichi Kawada, Yoshinori Ito, Yuka Torii, Hiroshi Kimura, Naomi Iwata

Rheumatology (Oxford, England) Vol. 52 ( 5 ) page： 956 - 958 2013.5

Causes of vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus under the at-risk prevention strategy in Japan. International journal

Yuka Torii, Hiroshi Kimura, Kazuhiko Hayashi, Michio Suzuki, Jun-Ichi Kawada, Seiji Kojima, Yoshiaki Katano, Hidemi Goto, Yoshinori Ito

Microbiology and immunology Vol. 57 ( 2 ) page： 118 - 121 2013.2

Authorship：Lead author Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)

The number of hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier babies has decreased markedly since the introduction in Japan of an "at-risk" strategy for preventing HBV infection. However, elimination of HBV infection from our country appears difficult. To clarify the limitations of the at-risk strategy for preventing vertical transmission of HBV, causes of vertical transmission in a single hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The following causes were presumed in 17 carrier pediatric cases: five patients had prenatal HBV infection, HBV infection during/after the immunization program was confirmed in five cases, two patients had prenatal infection or infection during the immunization program and three cases were caused by human error (by the patients' guardians). Because their mothers were HBV-negative at screening and only developed acute hepatitis B in the perinatal period, another two cases (Cases 3 and 10) did not undergo immunization because they were not subjects of the at-risk strategy. Sequence analyses in ten patients revealed genotype C (subgenotype, C2/Ce) in nine cases and genotype A (subgenotype, A2/Ae) in one case (Case 3). In Japan, HBV subgenotype Ae has recently been found more frequently among sexually active men with acute hepatitis. There are concerns that horizontal transmission of HBV from these men to their pregnant partners could increase. These data suggest clear limitations to the at-risk strategy in Japan and the possibility that the increase in genotype A may influence vertical transmission of HBV.

DOI： 10.1111/1348-0421.12009

Increased levels of cytokines and high-mobility group box 1 are associated with the development of severe pneumonia, but not acute encephalopathy, in 2009 H1N1 influenza-infected children. International journal

Yoshinori Ito, Yuka Torii, Rieko Ohta, Masaki Imai, Shinya Hara, Yoshihiko Kawano, Tadashi Matsubayashi, Ayano Inui, Tetsushi Yoshikawa, Naoko Nishimura, Takao Ozaki, Tsuneo Morishima, Hiroshi Kimura

Cytokine Vol. 56 ( 2 ) page： 180 - 187 2011.11

Authorship：Lead author Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)

BACKGROUND: The 2009 A(H1N1) influenza virus has caused a large outbreak, and resulted in major complications of severe pneumonia and acute encephalopathy in the pediatric population in Japan. METHODS: This study examined six patients with acute encephalopathy, 34 patients with severe pneumonia, five patients with both pneumonia and encephalopathy, and 46 patients without severe complications. The concentrations of 27 cytokines were examined in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with encephalopathy, and the levels of these cytokines, Cytochrome c, high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) were measured in the serum of all patients. RESULTS: Patients with severe pneumonia had higher serum concentrations of 16 cytokines, including Th1 cytokines, Th2 cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors, than patients with uncomplicated influenza. The distribution of 27 cytokines in the CSF did not parallel the serum levels in 11 patients with acute encephalopathy. HMGB1 concentrations in the serum were significantly higher in pneumonia patients with or without encephalopathy than in uncomplicated influenza patients, and were significantly associated with the upregulation of 10 cytokines. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated levels of Th2 cytokines appear to be unique to influenza caused by 2009 H1N1 influenza virus and HMGB1 could play an important role in the pathogenesis of severe pneumonia. There appear to be different pathologic processes for encephalopathy and pneumonia.

DOI： 10.1016/j.cyto.2011.07.016

Immunogenicity of inactivated 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine in pediatric liver transplant recipients. International journal

Yuka Torii, Hiroshi Kimura, Nobuhiko Ochi, Kenitiro Kaneko, Hisami Ando, Tetsuya Kiuchi, Yoshinori Ito

Vaccine Vol. 29 ( 25 ) page： 4187 - 4189 2011.6

Authorship：Lead author Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)

To assess the safety and immunogenicity of 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccination, 13 pediatric liver transplant recipients and 31 immunocompetent controls received inactivated influenza vaccine without adjuvant according to Japanese guidelines. Serious adverse events and acute allograft rejections were not observed in participants. Seroprotection rates (hemagglutinin-inhibition (HI) antibody titer ≥ 1:40) were 53.8% among recipients and 58.1% among controls (p=0.797). Seroconversion rates (4-fold or more HI antibody rise) were 46.2% for the recipient group and 51.6% for the control group (p=0.741). Geometric mean titers were elevated after vaccination in both groups. In comparison with the seasonal influenza vaccination, the seroconversion rate for 2009 H1N1 appeared to be higher than that for seasonal influenza antigens, and the seroprotection rate for 2009 H1N1 clearly increased after vaccination. These findings suggest that pediatric liver transplant patients may respond safely to inactivated 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccines in a manner similar to immunocompetent children.

DOI： 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.04.012

Serum concentrations of complement anaphylatoxins and proinflammatory mediators in patients with 2009 H1N1 influenza. International journal Open Access

Rieko Ohta, Yuka Torii, Masaki Imai, Hiroshi Kimura, Noriko Okada, Yoshinori Ito

Microbiology and immunology Vol. 55 ( 3 ) page： 191 - 198 2011.3

Authorship：Lead author Language：Japanese Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)

Anaphylatoxins (C5a, C4a, and C3a) are fragments of activated complement and are leading mediators of the inflammatory response for controlling viral infection. However, an excessive response may increase the severity of infectious diseases. Serum concentrations of proinflammatory mediators, including cytokines, high-mobility group box 1 and anaphylatoxins, were measured in pediatric 2009 H1N1 influenza patients in order to investigate the pathology of this new influenza. The concentrations of all three anaphylatoxins were significantly enhanced by 2009 H1N1 influenza infection. However, there were no significant differences in anaphylatoxin concentrations between 2009 H1N1 influenza patients with and without severe complications during the early stages of the disease. C3a concentrations dropped significantly during the recovery phase, whereas there were no significant differences between the acute and recovery phases in C5a and C4a concentrations. There was a correlation between C5a and IL-2. C4a was associated with IL-1ra, eotaxin, MCP-1, PDGFbb, and VEGF. C3a was correlated with IL-2 and IFN-γ. Taken together, these findings indicate that complement activation occurs in patients infected with 2009 H1N1 influenza virus and demonstrate that anaphylatoxins are involved in increased production of proinflammatory mediators in this new influenza.

DOI： 10.1111/j.1348-0421.2011.00309.x

Successful treatment with rituximab of refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in a patient with Kabuki syndrome.

Yuka Torii, Hiroshi Yagasaki, Hidenori Tanaka, Seiji Mizuno, Nobuhiro Nishio, Hideki Muramatsu, Asahito Hama, Yoshiyuki Takahashi, Seiji Kojima

International journal of hematology Vol. 90 ( 2 ) page： 174 - 176 2009.9

Authorship：Lead author Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)

Kabuki syndrome (KS) is often associated with autoimmune abnormalities, such as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), autoimmune hemolytic anemia, leukoplakia and thyroiditis, as well as congenital anomalies. We herein present a KS patient with refractory ITP who achieved durable and complete remission in response to a total of four once-monthly infusions of rituximab. KS patients are often more susceptible to infection, so splenectomy should be avoided. Therefore, rituximab therapy is an alternative option for KS patients with ITP who fail to respond to first-line therapy.

DOI： 10.1007/s12185-009-0387-1

Male gender is related to the development of parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis in neonates Reviewed

Koji Takemoto, Atsushi Nakayama, Masatoki Ito, Yoshiaki Sato, Akiko Saito, Yuka Torii, Ken-Ichiro Kaneko, Hisami Ando, Masahiro Hayakawa

Journal of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Vol. 2 ( 4 ) page： 247 - 251 2009

　 PREV - NEXT 　

<TORII Yuka>

Papers - TORII Yuka