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Biomedical subjects

H Ando

Publications and source records attributed to H Ando.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Establishment of a ciliated epithelial cell line from human Fallopian tube.

Human tubal epithelial cells in primary culture were transfected with simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen plasmid, and an immortalized ciliated cell line, named as NT/T-S, was established without crisis. Transmission electron microscopy proved that NT/T-S cells had cilia, microvilli, junctional complexes, rough endoplasmic reticula, free ribosomes and microtubules. NT/T-S cells were evaluated preliminarily on the basis of co-culture study using surplus embryos at the 4- to 8-cell stage in our IVF and embryo transfer programme. All of the 133 embryos had >/=10% fragments (based on the surface area) and were unworthy of cryopreservation. Up to 57% (16/28) of the embryos with 10-30% fragments reached the blastocyst stage by co-culture. In contrast, blastocyst formation was observed in <10% of the control embryos, some of which were co-cultured with NFL/T cells (the immortalized human fetal liver epithelial cells) (1/16), and the others were incubated with the co-culture medium alone (1/18). Various cytokines/growth factors such as leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and basic fibroblast growth factor were secreted by NT/T-S cells as well as by the tubal epithelial cells in primary culture. The establishment of a ciliated cell line will provide a valuable resource for the further studies of the Fallopian tube in the early events of pregnancy.

Blastocyst↗
PubMed2000

Quantitative analysis of fushi tarazu factor 1 homolog messenger ribonucleic acids in the pituitary of salmon at different prespawning stages.

Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) or Ad4BP is a member of the fushi tarazu factor 1 (FTZ-F1) family and an orphan nuclear receptor that plays an important role in the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis and the adrenal cortex. Although its critical role in the differentiation of adrenals, gonads, and pituitary gonadotropes has been well demonstrated, regulatory function of SF-1 during sexual maturation is yet to be examined. To investigate the potential role of SF-1 in sexual maturation, expression of two salmon FTZ-F1 homolog genes, sFF1-I and sFF1-II, was examined in the pituitaries of chum and sockeye salmons, using specific and sensitive RNase protection assays. Only sFF1-I mRNA was found in the pituitary and other organs, such as the ovary, spleen, liver, brain, and skeletal muscle. In chum salmon during upstream migration from the bay to the hatchery, the level of sFF1-I mRNA in the male fish was increased on the midway in the river, where the levels of gonadotropin alpha- and II beta-subunit mRNAs were increased. In maturing sockeye salmon, the expression of the sFF1-I gene was elevated in the mature male fish, but the administration of GnRH analog did not further enhance the expression. These results indicate that sFF1-I gene expression in the pituitary is upregulated in maturing salmon, and this upregulation may not depend on GnRH.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Ascending cholangitis as a cause of pyogenic liver abscesses complicated by a gastric submucosal abscess and fistula.

Ruptures of nonamebic (pyogenic) liver abscesses into the thorax and peritoneum are very uncommon; but, hepatoduodenal and hepatocolonic fistulas are ever more rare. We report a case where ascending cholangitis was associated with pyogenic liver abscess formation and a gastric fistula. Drainage into the stomach was demonstrated by gastroduodenal endoscopy for gastric bleeding. After fistula formation, we could successfully treat the inflammation caused by infection of Citrobacter freundii and Candida albicans with intravenous infusion of both antibiotic and antifungal agents.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Apoptosis of acinar cells is involved in chronic pancreatitis in Wbn/Kob rats: role of glucocorticoids.

The involvement of pancreatic acinar cell apoptosis and its relation to glucocorticoid exposure were investigated in spontaneously occurring chronic pancreatitis in male Wistar Bonn/Kobori (WBN/Kob) rats. Although most lobules were not inflamed in 10-week-old WBN/Kob, increased apoptosis of pancreatic acinar cells, confirmed by TUNEL staining was focally observed (0.10 +/- 0.10 vs. 0.05 +/- 0.10/field in 10-week Wistar rats). Localized hemorrhagic lesions and brown foci in the splenic lobes were apparent, with significant decrease in pancreas weight in 20-week WBN/Kob rats along with marked apoptosis (1.95 +/- 0.31 vs. 0.07 +/- 0.04/field in 20-week Wistar rats). Electron microscopy revealed apoptotic bodies to be present in acinar cells. Pancreatic myeloperoxidase activities, indirect indices of granulocyte infiltration, as well as histologic scores were significantly increased at 15 and 20 weeks, and endogenous corticosterone levels were significantly decreased at 10, 15, and 20 weeks as compared with values for age-matched Wistar rats. Prednisolone in the drinking water (0.01 mg/mL; calculated dose, 1.03 0.03 mg/kg/d) for 10 weeks significantly attenuated increases in numbers of apoptotic acinar cells and pancreatic myeloperoxidase activities and tended to reduce the histologic scores in 20-week WBN/Kob rats as compared with the vehicle group. In summary, (a) apoptosis of pancreatic acinar cells is involved in chronic pancreatitis, (b) endogenous corticosterone is decreased, and (c) prednisolone treatment attenuates both apoptosis of pancreatic acinar cells and chronic pancreatitis in male WBN/Kob rats. We conclude that apoptosis of acinar cells related to decreased corticosterone may be a trigger of chronic pancreatitis in this model.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed2000

Structure analysis of regenerated cellulose hydrogels by small-angle and ultra-small-angle x-ray scattering.

Absolute intensities Deltai(q) of small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and ultra-small-angle x-ray scattering (USAXS) were measured in a wide range of scattering vector q from 2x10(-4) to 0.5 A(-1) for transparent (VI-P) and translucent (VI-L) cellulose hydrogels prepared by coagulation and regeneration of viscose in acid solutions with and without acetone, respectively. We obtained the scattering intensities at very small q conveniently by desmearing the combined data measured by SAXS and USAXS. The plot of Deltai(q)q(2) versus log(10) q showed a peak at -2.5<log(10) q<-1.0. By assuming a two-phase model with the high-density phase (phase 1) composed of only cellulose and with the low-density phase (phase 2) composed of cellulose dispersed in water, volume fractions of phase 1 in VI-P and VI-L were determined to be 0.18 and 0.09, respectively, from the mean-square fluctuation of electron density determined as integral of (Deltai(q)q(2)dq). By fitting the observed scattering profile with the theoretical particle scattering functions of spheres, the average diameter of the high-density region including crystallite was determined to be 120 A for VI-P and 80 A for VI-L. Similar analyses were applied also to freeze-dried VI-P. These results were consistent with those obtained by the wide-angle x-ray-diffraction measurement and also with the observation by scanning probe microscopy.

Cellulose↗
PubMed2000

Cerivastatin improves survival of mice with lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis.

Development of severe sepsis is thought to result from the overproduction of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and nitric oxide. Recently, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, which are antihypercholesterolemic agents, have been reported to inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of cytokines and nitric oxide in vitro. In this study, we tested these effects in vivo. After LPS administration (15 mg/kg i.p.) to CD-1 mice, serum levels of both TNF-alpha and IL-1beta transiently increased, and peaked at 2 h. After the peak responses of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta, serum levels of nitrite and nitrate increased until at least 8 h. Pretreatment of the mice with cerivastatin (20 mg/kg i.p. 12 and 1 h before LPS injection) reduced serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta at 2 h, and nitrite and nitrate at 8 h, by 93, 60, and 44%, respectively. In this model of sepsis, cerivastatin significantly (P =.016) improved the rate of 7-day survival from 26.7 to 73.3%. These results cast new light on the usefulness of cerivastatin in preventing severe sepsis.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Localization of the pathogenic gene of Behçet's disease by microsatellite analysis of three different populations.

PURPOSE: Behçet's disease (BD) is known to be associated with HLA-B51 in many ethnic groups. However, the pathogenic gene responsible for BD is as yet unknown. To localize the critical region of the pathogenic gene, microsatellite markers distributed around the HLA-B gene were investigated. The BD patients studied were of three ethnic origins: Japanese, Greek, or Italian. METHODS: The total group consisted of 172 BD patients, of whom were 95 Japanese, 55 Greek, and 22 Italian. Eight polymorphic microsatellite markers distributed within 1100 kb of the HLA-B gene were analyzed using PCR and subsequent automated fragment detection by fluorescent-based technology. RESULTS: Among the eight markers, allele 348 of the MIB microsatellite was remarkably common in all three BD populations (Japanese, PC: = 0.000014; Greek, PC: = 0. 00047; Italian, PC: = 0.11). However, HLA-B51 was found to be the marker most strongly associated with BD in each population (Japanese, PC: = 0.000000000017; Greek, PC: = 0.00000032; Italian, PC: = 0. 0074). In genotypic differentiation between the patients and controls, only HLA-B51 was found to be significantly associated with BD in all three populations. Stratification analysis suggested that significant associations of BD with MICA and other microsatellites resulted from a linkage disequilibrium with HLA-B51. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the pathogenic gene of BD is HLA-B51 itself and not other genes located in the vicinity of HLA-B.

Behcet Syndrome↗
PubMed1999

Salmon gonadotropin IIbeta subunit promoter contains multiple DNA elements responsible for stimulation by gonadotropin-releasing hormone through protein kinase C-dependent and -independent pathways.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulates gonadotropin (GTH) production by activating GTH subunit gene transcription. In salmonid fish, the expression of the beta subunit gene of GTH II (sGTH IIbeta) is stimulated by GnRH at the final stages of reproduction. DNA elements required for the GnRH stimulation were examined by analyzing sGTH IIbeta promoter activity by transfection studies in a gonadotrope-derived cell line, alphaT3-1. A GnRH analog (GnRHa) specifically stimulated the sGTH IIbeta promoter (3358 bp) expression 3.6-fold, while phorbol myristate acid (PMA) stimulated it 6.2-9-fold. Analysis of a series of 5'-deletion mutants has revealed that a proximal region (-258 to -199) was important in GnRHa stimulation through protein kinase C (PKC)-independent signal transduction pathways, because an internal deletion mutant (delta(246 - 217)/3358) showed a significant decrease in the level of GnRHa stimulation, but showed no change in stimulation by PMA. A large upstream region (-3358 to -1260) showed an enhancing activity of the GnRHa stimulation, and a far upstream 530 bp segment in this region (-3358 to -2829) may be responsible for this activity. The present results suggest that sGTH IIbeta gene may be controlled by GnRH through multiple DNA elements including those responsive to PKC-dependent and -independent signal transduction pathways.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Differential expression of putative transbilayer amphipath transporters.

The aminophospholipid translocase transports phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine from one side of a bilayer to another. Cloning of the gene encoding the enzyme identified a new subfamily of P-type ATPases, proposed to be amphipath transporters. As reported here, mammals express as many as 17 different genes from this subfamily. Phylogenetic analysis reveals the genes to be grouped into several distinct classes and subclasses. To gain information on the functions represented by these groups, Northern analysis and in situ hybridization were used to examine the pattern of expression of a panel of subfamily members in the mouse. The genes are differentially expressed in the respiratory, digestive, and urogenital systems, endocrine organs, the eye, teeth, and thymus. With one exception, all of the genes are highly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS); however, the pattern of expression within the CNS differs substantially from gene to gene. These results suggest that the genes are expressed in a tissue-specific manner, are not simply redundant, and may represent isoforms that transport a variety of different amphipaths.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1999

Association analysis between the MIC-A and HLA-B alleles in Japanese patients with Behçet's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Behçet's disease is known to be strongly associated with HLA-B51 in many different ethnic groups. Recently, by association analysis using refined microsatellite mapping, the critical region for Behçet's disease was identified as a 46-kb segment centromeric to the HLA-B gene. No expressed gene has been detected in this segment to date except the MIC-A (major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene A) and HLA-B genes. The present study was undertaken to analyze allelic distribution of the MIC-A gene among Japanese patients with Behçet's disease. METHODS: Ninety-five Japanese patients with Behçet's disease and 116 ethnically matched healthy controls were enrolled in this study. MIC-A genotyping was performed by direct sequencing of polymerase chain reaction products from exons 2, 3, and 4 of the MIC-A gene, using an automated DNA sequencer. RESULTS: The MIC-A009 allele was significantly more frequent in the patient group (69.5%) compared with the healthy controls (31.0%) (relative risk 5.06, corrected P = 0.00000024). In stratification analysis on the confounding effect of MIC-A009 on HLA-B*51 association and vice versa, Behçet's disease was distinctively associated only with HLA-B*51. Further, MIC-A009 was found to be strongly associated not only with HLA-B51, but also with HLA-B52, which was not increased in the patient group to any degree. CONCLUSION: These results imply that the real disease susceptibility gene involved in the development of Behçet's disease is the HLA-B*51 allele itself and that the significant increase of the MIC-A009 allele in the patient group results secondarily from a strong linkage disequilibrium with HLA-B*51.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Expression of salmon corticotropin-releasing hormone precursor gene in the preoptic nucleus in stressed rainbow trout.

The behavior of genes encoding the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) precursor in response to stress has not been extensively studied in teleosts. To clarify this problem, CRH cDNAs were isolated from a hypothalamic cDNA library of sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka, by screening with PCR products amplified from the hypothalamic mRNA with primers deduced from the sequence of the sucker CRH precursor. Two types of PCR products with a high degree of sequence homology were identified (CRH-I and CRH-II). A cDNA encompassing the entire coding sequence of the salmon CRH-I precursor was isolated. The salmon CRH-I cDNA encodes a 167-amino-acid precursor, which consists of a signal sequence, a cryptic peptide, and the carboxyl terminal 41-amino-acid sequence of CRH. The deduced amino acid sequence of salmon CRH peptide exhibits 66 to 80% homology with mammalian, Xenopus, and sucker CRHs, whereas it shows about 50% homology with sucker, carp, or sole urotensin I, a CRH-related neuropeptide in teleost fish. In situ hybridization histochemistry demonstrated CRH mRNA-positive perikarya in the preoptic nucleus in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, when the fish were stressed by confinement. Adjacent sections hybridized with probes for salmon vasotocin (VT) precursor showed many VT mRNA-positive neurons also in the preoptic nucleus, suggesting a colocalization of CRH and VT mRNAs in the same magnocellular neurons in the rainbow trout brain. The present results suggest that CRH may have important roles in the control of stress responses in salmonid fish.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Seasonal changes in expression of neurohypophysial hormone genes in the preoptic nucleus of immature female masu salmon.

In relevance to osmoregulatory and reproductive functions, activity of the hypothalamic magnocellular neurosecretory system may vary seasonally in teleosts. The changes in the expression of vasotocin (VT) and isotocin (IT) genes were thus studied by an in situ hybridization technique and an immunohistochemical avidin-biotin complex method in immature female masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou). The plasma levels of testosterone and estradiol were also measured by enzyme immunoassay. Fish were sampled in March, May, August, and November 1994 and January 1995. The intensity of autoradiographic hybridization signals and immunoreactivity were determined in individual neurosecretory cells (NSC) in the rostroventral, middle, and dorsocaudal regions of the magnocellular part of the preoptic nucleus (PM). The VT hybridization signals and immunoreactivity were high in November, along with the elevation of plasma levels of testosterone and estradiol. These results suggest that sex steroid hormones are involved in seasonal regulation of VT gene expression. The hybridization signals for IT mRNA were increased in May and decreased in November, whereas IT immunoreactivity was low in March and high in November. NSCs thus showed seasonal variations in the intensity of hybridization signals for VT and IT mRNAs and immunoreactivity of VT and IT, although the patterns of changes were different between VT and IT. VT and IT genes may be seasonally expressed under different regulatory mechanisms.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Differences in seasonal expression of neurohypophysial hormone genes in ordinary and precocious male masu salmon.

Our previous study showed the seasonal variations in expression of vasotocin (VT) and isotocin (IT) genes in preoptic magnocellular neurons of female masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou). The changes in the level of VT mRNA were coincident with those in plasma testosterone and estradiol levels. In the present study, generality of this phenomenon in salmonid was verified in males. We examined changes in expression of VT and IT genes by an in situ hybridization technique and an immunohistochemical avidin-biotin complex method in the preoptic nuclei of ordinary and precocious male masu salmon. Plasma levels of testosterone and estradiol were measured by enzyme immunoassay. Fish were sampled in March, May, August, and November 1994 and January 1995. The intensities of hybridization signals for VT and IT mRNAs, as well as immunoreactivity of VT and IT, showed seasonal variations, although the profiles were different between the ordinary and precocious males. In the ordinary males, the intensities of hybridization signals for VT and IT mRNAs were high in January. These strong hybridization signals, representing elevation of VT and IT gene expression, were accompanied by increases in plasma levels of testosterone and estradiol. However, in precocious males, changes in VT and IT mRNA levels were not coincident with variation of plasma levels of sex steroid hormones. The sensitivity to sex steroid hormones of VT and IT gene expression may be different between the ordinary and precocious male masu salmon.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

MIC-A polymorphism in Japanese and a MIC-A-MIC-B null haplotype.

A polymorphic gene, MIC-A, is one of the MIC family of genes which is composed of a group of homologous genes interspersed in the class III and class I regions of the major histocompatibility complex. MIC-A is located 46 kilobases (kb) centromeric of HLA-B, and is preferentially expressed in the epithelial cells and intestinal mucosa. Recently, MIC-A and the closely related MIC-B were reported as the molecules that conferred specificity in the recognition by the Vdelta1gammadeltaT cells. In the present study, polymorphic exons 2, 3, and 4 of the MIC-A gene were analyzed using the polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism method. The number of patterns found in exons 2, 3, and 4 were 5, 6, and 4, respectively, in 114 healthy Japanese subjects. Eight MIC-A alleles were observed in Japanese individuals, among which one, tentatively named MIC-AMW, has not previously been reported. There was a strong linkage disequilibrium between MIC-A and HLA-B loci: each MIC-A allele showed strong association with a particular HLA-B group. In contrast, B*3901 showed association with multiple MIC-A alleles. Furthermore, the existence of a MIC-A-MIC-B null haplotype, which is associated with HLA-B*4801, was identified. In this haplotype, a large-scale deletion (of approximately 100 kb) including the entire MIC-A gene was indicated and the MIC-B gene possessed a stop codon.

Alleles↗
PubMed1999

Contribution of the renal medulla to enhanced ketogenesis with Ringer's acetate administration during hepatic inflow occlusion.

We have reported that the administration of Ringer's acetate solution (AR) maintains plasma ketone body concentrations even during hepatic ischemia due to enhanced ketogenesis in the kidney. In this study we tried to clarify which part of the kidney, cortex or medulla, contributes to the enhanced ketogenesis. During 20 minutes of hepatic inflow occlusion, AR or Ringer's lactate solution (LR) was administered. Ketone body concentrations in arterial and renal venous blood and renal cortical and medullary tissue were measured enzymatically. Results are expressed as means +/- SEM. At 20 minutes of hepatic inflow occlusion, arterial ketone body concentrations decreased to 38% of preischemic values with the LR infusion but increased under AR administration and were four times higher than that with LR. The renal arteriovenous difference in ketone body concentration was 16 +/- 14 micromol/ml before hepatic inflow occlusion and -52 +/- 14 with AR administration, indicating that renal ketogenesis occurred during hepatic ischemia. Total ketone body concentrations in the renal cortex and medulla were 56 +/- 6 and 61 +/- 5 micromol/g, respectively with LR, but increased to 186 +/- 29 and 248 +/- 25 micromol/g, respectively during AR administration. The concentration in the medulla was higher (p = 0. 12) than that in the cortex but did not reach statistical difference. Renal ketogenesis increases during hepatic inflow occlusion with AR administration. It is likely that the enhancement of ketogenesis takes place predominantly in the medulla of the kidney.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1999

An accessory lobe of the liver disturbing closure of the umbilical ring.

The authors report a small omphalocele involving an accessory lobe of the liver (ALL) embedded in a cranial portion of the amniotic sac. The pedicle of liver tissue was markedly elongated. In this case, it was reasonable to assume that the ALL was formed during development of the embryonic body-wall folds and disturbed complete closure of the umbilical ring. Surgical resection of the ALL was performed to avoid its postoperative torsion. The pertinent literature is also reviewed.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1999

Suppressive mechanism of gastric motility by whole-body vibration.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of gastric motility suppression by exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV). METHODS: The gastric motility was evaluated by electrogastrography (EGG) under food intake and autonomic nerve blocking agents in ten healthy volunteers. Sinusoidal vertical vibration with a frequency of 4 Hz (1.0 ms(-2) rms) was given to the subject for 10 min. RESULTS: The amplitude of EGG wave and the power spectrum corresponding to the slow wave component was remarkably decreased by vibration exposure. Food intake enhanced the gastric motility about 2.5-fold in the power spectral density. During and after vibration exposure, the response mode was similar to those at fasting states. Under the influence of anticholinergic (scopolamine) and alpha-adrenergic blocking agents (prazosin), the power spectra were decreased. A further decrease was observed during vibration exposure. A beta-adrenergic blocking agent (propranolol) led to a marked increase in the amplitude of EGG and its power spectrum. With pretreatment by a beta-adrenergic blocking agent, however, vibration exposure reduced both of them. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that short-term exposure to WBV can suppress the gastric myoelectric activity, the responses on which may be mediating by neurohumoral effects as well as the mechanical effect of WBV.

Adrenergic Antagonists↗