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Biomedical subjects

A Yoshida

Publications and source records attributed to A Yoshida.

At least 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources

[Interstitial pneumonia with Sjögren's syndrome: successful treatment with steroids and an immunosuppressant].

A 44-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital complaining of dyspnea. A chest X-ray film obtained on admission showed bilaterally shrunken lungs, and peripheral bundle-like and linear shadows. A chest CT scan revealed marked thickening of bronchovascular bundles and low lung volumes. Mild dryness of the mouth, and the results of a Rose-Bengal test, Schirmer test, and sialography led to the diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome. Corticosteroid pulse therapy was followed by slight improvement. To determine the pathological diagnosis and to plan further therapy, video-assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy was done. Examination of the biopsy specimen revealed alveolitis and infiltration of lymphocytes, which suggested active interstitial pneumonia. Therapy with corticosteroids and the immunosuppressant azathioprine was followed by marked improvement.

Adult↗

[Perioperative risk factors and anesthetic management of patients for carotid endarterectomy].

Data from the records of 142 patients for carotid endarterectomy at Chugoku Rosai General Hospital between 1983 and 1995, were evaluated concerning perioperative risk factors and anesthetic management. As a preoperative anesthetic risk, the incidence of hypertension was the commonest (76%), and there was a significant incidence of ischemic heart disease (18%). Fentanyl and isoflurane have been used for anesthesia recently and the patients were closely observed and cared in the intensive care unit postoperatively. In order to prevent cerebral ischemia during the occlusion of the internal carotid artery, we measured somatosensory evoked potential as well as jugular venous oxygen saturation, and used near infrared spectophotometry. As a result, postoperative mortality and morbidity were 0% and 2%, respectively. The candidates for CEA have potentially high perioperative risks, and it is important to evaluate the coexisting diseases and to select proper anesthetic technic and monitors.

Adult↗

Kinetic analysis of furosine and pentosidine in CAPD patients.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have been noted in the peritoneal tissue of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients, and this may cause an increase in membrane permeability. In vivo and in vitro kinetic analysis was carried out on furosine and pentosidine, early and late glycation products. Plasma furosine and pentosidine were measured by HPLC in patients with renal dysfunction with or without diabetes mellitus (DM) and dialysate pentosidine and furosine in CAPD patients. Only those dialysis patients without residual renal function were used in this study. Plasma furosine was remarkably high in DM, hemodialysis (HD), and CAPD patients. Plasma pentosidine appeared to depend on renal function and was not influenced by diabetic condition. Plasma pentosidine was significantly higher in CAPD than HD patients. A weak positive correlation was noted between dialysate and plasma furosine and pentosidine, indicating the main source of furosine and pentosidine in PD effluent to be plasma. Serial dialysate sampling showed furosine and pentosidine to increase linearly. Mean dialysate/plasma (D/P) of furosine and pentosidine were 0.043 and 0.012, respectively. Protein-bound product size and in situ formation of furosine in the peritoneal cavity would be the reason for these differences in D/P. In situ formation of early glycation products in the peritoneal cavity may be concluded to take place in CAPD patients, and high plasma pentosidine may lead to its accumulation in tissue, resulting, possibly, in pathological change.

Adult↗

[A case of antiphospholipid syndrome associated with myasthenia gravis].

We report a 40-year-old Japanese woman with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) associated with myasthenia gravis (MG). She had a history of miscarriage at the age of 27 followed by pulmonary embolism 3 weeks later. At the age of 40, she developed diplopia, bilateral ptosis and easy fatigability. Serum anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody and tensilon test were positive. She was diagnosed as having MG. The laboratory test revealed mild thrombocytopenia, prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and positive findings for both beta 2-glycoprotein I-dependent anticardiolipin antibody and lupus anticoagulant. She fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of APS, but did not the criteria proposed by American Rheumatism Association for SLE. An extended total thymectomy was performed after administration of oral prednisolone and low-dose aspirin. This is a patient who had APS associated with MGs: both are known to result from autoimmune abnormality. The clinical and laboratory manifestations of APS were ameliorated after removal of the thymus, suggesting that thymectomy alleviates APS symptoms.

Adult↗

Synthesis of 3'-thioribonucleosides and their incorporation into oligoribonucleotides via phosphoramidite chemistry.

Oligoribonucleotides containing 3'-S-phosphorothiolate linkages are valuable probes in nucleic acid biochemistry, but their accessibility has been limited because 3'-thioribonucleoside phosphoramidites have not been available. We synthesized 3'-thioribonucleoside derivatives (C, G, and U) via glycosylations of nucleoside bases with 3-S-thiobenzoyl-5-O-toluoyl-1,2-O-diacetylfuranose 5, which was obtained from 1 ,2-O-isopropylidene-5-O-toluoyl-3-trifluoromethane-sulfonyl-alpha-D-x ylofuranose 2 by SN2 displacement with sodium thiobenzoate. Additionally, a 3'-thioinosine derivative was prepared from inosine via direct modification of the ribose, analogous to the previously reported synthesis of 3'-thioadenosine, except that the intermediate 2',3'-epoxide 9 was first protected as the 5'-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl ether prior to subsequent synthetic steps. This hydrophobic silyl group facilitated extraction and isolation of synthetic intermediates. After removal of the protecting groups, the 3'-thionucleosides (C, G, U, and I) were treated with 2,2'-dipyridyl disulfide to protect the free thiol group as a disulfide. The 3'-thionucleosides were converted to the corresponding phosphorothioamidites using procedures analogous to those for standard phosphoramidites. The amino groups of 3'-thiocytidine and 3'-thioguanosine were protected as benzoyl and isobutyryl amides, respectively, and the 5'- and 2'-hydroxyl groups of each nucleoside were protected as dimethoxytrityl and tert-butyldimethylsilyl ethers, respectively. The 3'-thiol group was deprotected by reduction with DTT and phosphitylated to afford analytically pure 3'-S-phosphorothioamidites 15, which were incorporated into oligoribonucleotides by solid-phase synthesis. Chemical assays and mass spectrometry of the synthetic RNA showed that ribose-3'-S-phosphorothiolate linkages were installed correctly and efficiently into RNA oligonucleotides using phosphoramidite chemistry.

Glycosylation↗

[Intraocular neovascularization].

To investigate the mechanism of intraocular neovascularization, we studied how vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) are expressed in the ocular tissues under hypoxic conditions. Prior to proliferation of vascular endothelial cells resulting in neovascularization, the retinal tissues such as pericytes, retinal glial cells, ganglion cells, and ciliary epithelium react directly to hypoxia expressing VEGF and/or IL-8 and stimulate endothelial cell proliferation in a paracrine manner. We demonstrated that transcription factor activator protein-1 (AP-1) is activated for expression of VEGF messenger ribonuculeic acid (mRNA) and in a similar way nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) is activated for expression of IL-8 mRNA. However, hypoxia-induced expression of VEGF and/ or IL-8 is only one aspect of the complicated processes in intraocular neovascularization. We hope that further detailed analysis of the mechanism will make it possible to inhibit and treat clinically intraocular neovascularization in the near future.

Adult↗

Ultrastructural analysis of inputs around the soma of an intra-cellularly labeled masseter muscle spindle afferent in cat mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus.

Intra-axonal recording and labeling with HRP was performed to examine synaptic inputs around soma of mesencephalic trigeminal neuron (Vme) innervating the masseter muscle-spindles on electron microscopy. Intra-axonal injection of HRP was made in the mesencephalic tract. About twelve boutons contacting the labeled soma were observed from serial ultrathin sections. Among them eight boutons synapsed on the labeled soma, one bouton contacted on the soma but synapsed on an unlabeled dendrite nearby. Serially observing the other three boutons, no synaptic junctions were identified. The synapses between boutons and soma were mainly asymmetrical. Six boutons contained clear spherical vesicles (S-ending) and the other six contained spherical, oviod and flattened, namely pleomorphic clear vesicles (P-ending). Both S-endings and P-endings frequently contained large or small dense-core vesicles. Typical F-endings with predominantly flattened vesicles was not seen, though some P-endings contained more flattened vesicles. The significance of these observations was discussed.

Animals↗

Comparison of results of intracoronary implantation of the Plamaz-Schatz stent with conventional balloon angioplasty in chronic total coronary arterial occlusion.

We compared angiographic and clinical outcomes after successful revascularization of chronic total coronary arterial occlusion with the placement of the Palmaz-Schatz stent (43 patients) and conventional balloon angioplasty (53 patients). After the procedure, the coronary stent led to a greater minimal lumen diameter than conventional balloon angioplasty (2.6 vs 1.7 mm, p < 0.001), resulting in a smaller residual stenosis (6.5% vs 36.7%, p < 0.001). At 6-month follow-up, there was no significant difference in late loss between the groups, resulting in a larger minimal lumen diameter at follow-up in the stent group (1.8 vs 1.1 mm, p < 0.001). The incidence of restenosis was lower in the stent group (27.9% vs 56.6%, p < 0.005). The frequency of the combination of myocardial infarction and coronary artery bypass graft surgery tended to be less in the stent group (2.3% vs 11.3%, P = 0.09). Placement of the Palmaz-Schatz stent improved left ventricular ejection fraction by 26% in patients who had reduced left ventricular function (p < 0.05), but conventional balloon angioplasty did not. Thus, placement of the Palmaz-Schatz stent provided a wider lumen than did conventional balloon angioplasty and, therefore, reduced the incidence of restenosis in chronic total coronary arterial occlusion. The lower restenosis rate of coronary stenting would be beneficial for long-term clinical outcome in patients with chronic total occlusion.

Aged↗

Electron microscopic observation of synaptic connections of jaw-muscle spindle and periodontal afferent terminals in the trigeminal motor and supratrigeminal nuclei in the cat.

Previous studies indicate that the trigeminal motor nucleus (Vmo) and supratrigeminal nucleus (Vsup) receive direct projections from muscle spindle (MS) and periodontal ligament (PL) afferents. The aim of the present study is to examine the ultrastructural characteristics of the two kinds of afferent in both nuclei using the intracellular horseradish peroxidase (HRP) injection technique in the cat. Our observations are based on complete or near-complete reconstructions of 288 MS (six fibers) and 69 PL (eight fibers) afferent boutons in Vmo, and of 93 MS (four fibers) and 188 PL (four fibers) afferent boutons in Vsup. All the labeled boutons contained spherical synaptic vesicles and were presynaptic to neuronal elements, and some were postsynaptic to axon terminals containing pleomorphic, synaptic vesicles (P-endings). In Vmo neuropil, MS afferent boutons were distributed widely from soma to distal dendrites, but PL afferent boutons predominated on distal dendrites. Most MS afferent boutons (87%) formed synaptic specialization(s) with one postsynaptic target while some (13%) contacting two or three dendritic profiles; PL afferents had a higher number of boutons (43%) contacting two or more dendritic profiles. A small but significant number of MS afferent boutons (12%) received contacts from P-endings, but PL afferent boutons (36%) received three times as many contacts from P-endings as MS afferents. In Vsup neuropil, most MS (72%) and PL (87%) afferent boutons formed two contacts presynaptic to one dendrite and postsynaptic to one P-ending, and their participation in synaptic triads was much more frequent than in Vmo neuropil. The present study indicates that MS and PL afferent terminals have a distinct characteristic in synaptic arrangements in Vmo and Vsup and provides evidence that the synaptic organization of primary afferents differs between the neuropils containing motoneurons and their interneurons.

Animals↗

Light microscopic observations of the contacts made between two spindle afferent types and alpha-motoneurons in the cat trigeminal motor nucleus.

Previous studies indicate that cat jaw-muscle spindle afferents can be divided into two types (type I and II) on the basis of their axonal trajectories. The present study examined the relationship between spindle afferent fibers and their target masseter alpha-motoneurons in the cat by using the intracellular horseradish peroxidase (HRP) injection technique, and provided several new findings on the synaptic organization generated between the two. Five type I afferent fiber-motoneuron pairs and nine type II afferent-motoneuron pairs were well stained with HRP. The following conclusions were drawn: 1) A motoneuron received contacts from only one collateral of any given spindle afferent. 2) The number of contacts made between an afferent and a motoneuron ranged from one to three. 3) The contacts made by a spindle afferent were on the same dendrite or dendrites branching from the same primary dendrite. 4) The vast majority of the contacts made by an afferent on a motoneuron were distributed in the dendritic tree within 600 microns from the soma, i.e., in the proximal three fourths of the dendritic tree. The differences observed between the two afferent types were as follows. First, type II afferent terminals made contacts on more distal dendrites of the motoneurons than did type I afferent terminals. Second, the contacts made between a type I afferent and a motoneuron were clustered together, but those made between a type II afferent and a motoneuron were widely dispersed. The present results provided the general rules of synaptic contacts between the spindle afferents and masseter alpha-motoneurons, and demonstrated that the spatial distribution of synaptic contacts on the dendritic tree was different between type I and type II afferents.

Animals↗

Establishment and characterization of a Chinese hamster ovary cell line, CHO-4J, stably expressing a number of Na+/I- symporters.

The cDNA of the Na+/I- symporter playing a key role in thyroid iodide transport was cloned very recently. To characterize its function, we transfected the Na+/I- symporter gene into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and established a cell line stably expressing a number of rat Na+/I- symporters, named CHO-4J. Iodide uptake was dependent on [Na+] and reached a plateau within 30 min. Kinetic studies revealed that the K(m) for iodide was 35 microM, similar to that of FRTL-5 thyroid cells. The maximal velocity (Vmax) at cell protein level was 6-10-fold higher than in FRTL-5 cells and that at single cell level was approximately 1000-fold higher. CIO4- and SCN- dose-dependently inhibited iodide uptake in a competitive manner. The Ki was 1.5 and 16 microM, respectively. Iodide efflux from CHO-4J cells was apparently slower (t1/2 = 15 min) than FRTL-5 cells (t/2 = 2 min). Electrophysiological characteristics were examined using the whole cell patch clamp technique. Rapid inward current was observed when CHO-4J cells were perfused with 50-1000 microM Nal, suggesting a transport stoichiometry of at least 2 Na+ per I-. The current-voltage relation revealed that this current was membrane potential-dependent. The reversal potential was very close to that of Na+ in agreement with dependency on the Na+ electrochemical gradient. CHO-4J cells with a slow iodide efflux, expressing a number of Na+/I-symporters whose characteristics are identical to those of FRTL-5 cells will function as a new tool for sensitive of iodide uptake.

Animals↗

Amitriptyline inhibits the G protein and K+ channel in the cloned thyroid cell line.

We have reported that thyroid K+ channel is activated by extracellular application of the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) using single channel recording method performed on cloned normal rat thyroid cell (FRTL-5) membrane. Treatment of dibutyryladenosine cyclic monophosphate (Bt2 cAMP) also activated the TSH-dependent K+ channel. These findings indicate that the thyroid K+ channel is activated through the TSH-adenosine cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-protein kinase A system. We examined the effects of amitriptyline on TSH-guanosine triphosphate binding protein (G protein)-adenylate cyclase-cAMP-K+ channel system in the cloned normal rat thyroid cell line FRTL-5. Amitriptyline inhibited the cAMP production induced by TSH. Amitriptyline also inhibited the cAMP production induced by cholera toxin, indicating that amitriptyline inhibited the thyroid G protein. Amitriptyline had no effect on TSH-receptor binding and cAMP production by forskolin (adenylate cyclase stimulator). Amitriptyline inhibited the K+ channel activation by cAMP, indicating that the suppressing mechanism is not the inhibition of TSH receptor or G protein but the direct suppression of K+ channel. It was concluded that amitriptyline inhibited the thyroid G protein and K+ channel.

Amitriptyline↗

Histamine selectively enhances human immunoglobulin E (IgE) and IgG4 production induced by anti-CD58 monoclonal antibody.

We studied the effects of histamine on human immunoglobulin (IgE) and IgG4 production. Histamine selectively enhanced IgE and IgG4 production in purified surface IgE and IgG4 negative (sIgE-sIgG4-) B cells from normal donors stimulated with interleukin (IL)-4 plus anti-CD58 or IL-13 plus anti-CD58 monoclonal antibody (mAb) without affecting production of IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgM, IgA1, or IgA2. In cultures with IL-4 plus anti-CD58 mAb, histamine-induced enhancement of IgE and IgG4 production was specifically blocked by thioperamide (H3 receptor antagonist), and was inhibited by anti-IL-10 antibody (Ab). In contrast, in cultures with IL-13 plus anti-CD58 mAb, histamine-induced enhancement was blocked by dimaprit (H1 receptor antagonist), and was inhibited by anti-IL-6 mAb. Histamine also enhanced IgE and IgG4 production by in vivo-generated sIgE+ and sIgG4+ B cells, respectively, from atopic patients; enhancement was blocked by dimaprit and thioperamide, and was inhibited by anti-IL-6 mAb and anti-IL-10 Ab. In sIgE-sIgG4- B cells, IL-4 plus anti-CD58 mAb induced IL-10 production and IL-10 receptor expression, whereas IL-13 plus anti-CD58 mAb induced IL-6 production and IL-6 receptor expression. Histamine increased IL-10 and IL-6 production without affecting IL-10 and IL-6 receptor expression, in cultures with IL-4 plus anti-CD58 mAb and with IL-13 plus anti-CD58 mAb, respectively, which was blocked by thioperamide and dimaprit, respectively. In contrast, sIgE+ and sIgG4+ B cells spontaneously produced both IL-6 and IL-10 and constitutively expressed IL-6 and IL-10 receptors, and histamine increased IL-6 and IL-10 production without affecting IL-6 or IL-10 receptor expression, which was blocked by thioperamide and dimaprit. These results indicate that histamine enhanced IgE and IgG4 production by increasing endogenous IL-6 and IL-10 production via H1 and H3 receptors, respectively.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Two components of exocytosis and endocytosis in phaeochromocytoma cells studied using caged Ca2+ compounds.

1. Changes in membrane capacitance evoked by the rapid photolysis of a caged Ca2+ compound, DM-nitrophen or nitrophenyl-EGTA, were investigated in undifferentiated PC12 cells. They were interpreted as representing exocytosis and endocytosis. 2. The Ca2+ jumps evoked two components of exocytosis. Slow exocytosis was selectively evoked with small increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration between 5 and 10 microM, while fast exocytosis preceded the slow one at [Ca2+]i greater than 10 microM. 3. The release rates of the two components of exocytosis depended steeply on [Ca2+]i. A half-maximal release rate was achieved at 8 and 24 microM for the slow and fast exocytoses, respectively. 4. Prior Ca2+ rises did not augment the fast exocytosis. 5. The fast exocytosis was often followed by a rapid decrease in membrane capacitance, representing endocytosis, after a delay of 0.5-2 s. The speed and delay in the fast endocytosis were Ca2+ dependent. Amounts of the fast endocytosis tended to balance with those of the fast exocytosis evoked by the same Ca2+ jumps. 6. The slow exocytosis was followed by a sluggish endocytosis that was associated with large capacitance steps indicative of secretory processes involving large dense-core vesicles. The onset of the slow endocytosis exhibited a complex Ca2+ dependence. The amounts of the slow endocytosis appeared to parallel those of the slow exocytosis. Prior induction of the slow exocytosis gave rise to selective excess retrieval of membrane during the slow endocytosis. 7. These data indicate the existence of two distinct populations of secretory vesicles in PC12 cells. They seem to couple selectively with specific endocytotic mechanisms. Our data suggest that the two vesicles belong to two distinct secretory pathways.

Animals↗

Clinical evaluation of the efficacy of an antithrombin agent "Argatroban" combined with exercise therapy on increase of the skeletal muscle blood flow.

Argatroban has selective antithrombin activity and widely used for treatment of ASO. In this study we investigated vasodilating activity of Argatroban besides antithrombin activity in ASO patients. Three patients who have undergone F-P bypasses previously which were all occluded received 10 mg or 20 mg of Argatroban per day intravenously for 4 weeks. Skin temperature were measured before and after administration of Argatroban at the point of 1, 2, 4 weeks which increased 2.3-6.0 degrees C after administration of Argatroban. Subjective symptoms were also improved and these patients became to be able to walk 1.5-3.3 km. These patients were also given PGE, intravenously, however, temperature increase was less than 1.1 degrees C. These results showed that Argatroban has not only antithrombin activity but also significant vasodilating activity resulting in increase of skeletal muscle blood flow.

Aged↗

Human gamma-aminobutyraldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH9): cDNA sequence, genomic organization, polymorphism, chromosomal localization, and tissue expression.

The cDNA and the gene (ALDH9) for a human aldehyde dehydrogenase isozyme, which has a high activity for oxidation of gamma-aminobutyraldehyde and other amino aldehydes, were cloned and characterized. The cDNA has an open reading frame of 1479 bp encoding 493 amino acid residues. The gene is about 45 kb and consists of 10 coding exons interrupted by nine introns. The gene was assigned to chromosome 1q22-q23, using fluorescence in situ hybridization. Northern blot hybridization indicated that the size of the mRNA is about 2.4 kb and that the gene is expressed at high levels in adult liver, skeletal muscle, and kidney and low levels in heart, pancreas, lung, and brain. The gene is polymorphic, i.e., C or T at nt 327 and C or G at nt 344.

Adult↗

Novel monoclonal antibody, SO-MU1, against human gastric MUC5AC apomucin.

Human gastric mucins were chemically deglycosylated with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid. A mouse monoclonal antibody (MoAb), SO-MU1, was established against the deglycosylated mucins. SO-MU1 recognized not only the deglycosylated mucins but also the native gastric mucins. Periodate treatment of the native mucins increased the SO-MU1 reactivity. Trypsin digestion abolished the antigenicity. Human gastric cDNA expression library was screened with SO-MU1 and a mucin cDNA clone was obtained. Its sequence contained the MUC5AC tandem repeat domain. We studied gastrointestinal distribution of the SO-MU1-reactive antigen immunohistochemically. Gastric surface epithelial cells and parietal cells expressed the antigen, but the glandular cells did not. The antigen was also detected in the small intestine and biliary tract but not in the colon and pancreas. In summary, (1) MoAb SO-MU1 was raised against human gastric mucins, (2) it recognized human gastric MUC5AC apomucin, and (3) the SO-MU1-reactive antigen showed characteristic distribution in the organs of endodermal origin. MoAb SO-MU1 is the first MoAb against MUC5AC.

Amino Acid Sequence↗