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Biomedical subjects

H Bessho

Publications and source records attributed to H Bessho.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

cDNA cloning of nine S alleles and establishment of a PCR-RFLP system for genotyping European pear cultivars.

Nine full-length cDNAs of S ribonucleases (S-RNases) were cloned from stylar RNA of European pear cultivars by RT-PCR and 3' and 5' RACE. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences between the nine S-RNases cloned and 13 putative S alleles previously amplified by genomic PCRs revealed that seven corresponded to Sa, Sb, Sd, Se, Sh, Sk and Sl alleles, and the other two were new S alleles (designated as Sq and Sr alleles). Genomic PCR with a set of a8FTQQYQa9 and a8EP-anti-IIWPNVa9 primers was used to amplify nine S alleles; 1,414 bp (Sl), ca. 1.3 kb (Sk and Sq), 998 bp (Se), 440 bp (Sb) and ca. 350 bp (Sa, Sd, Sh and Sr). Among these, S alleles of similar size were discriminated by digestion with BaeI, BglII, BssHII, HindIII, EcoO109I and SphI. The PCR amplification of S allele following digestion with the restriction enzymes provided a PCR-RFLP system for rapid S-genotyping European pear cultivars harboring nine S alleles. The PCR-RFLP system assigned a total of 63 European pear cultivars to 25 genotypes. Among these, 14 genotypes were shared by two or more cultivars, which were cross-incompatible. These results suggested that the genes cloned represented the S-RNases from European pear, and that there were many cross-incompatible combinations among European pear varieties.

Alleles↗

A simple titration method for determining Chlamydia infectivity using an image analyzing system.

In the biological study of Chlamydia, it is very important to determine the infectivity titer of the organism. For many years researchers used the serial dilution method to determine this titer. This method consists of diluting the material to be examined, inoculating suitable dilutions into susceptible cell cultures and cultivating them. The number of inclusions formed in host cells can be calculated with the naked eye under a microscope. The precision and accuracy of this method, however, depend on the number of inclusions per field and the number of fields counted. In this report, we present a simple and rapid method for counting a large number of inclusions using an image analysis system and an appropriate number of samples, and propose a sampling method based on a statistical analysis of the data obtained with 84 microscopic fields.

Animals↗

A case of splenic abscess due to Chlamydia pneumoniae.

In this report, a case of chlamydial disease with splenic abscess associated with Chlamydia pneumoniae antigen and antibody was described. On spleen biopsy of the patient, an antigen specific to C.pneumoniae was detected by immunofluorescence staining with a monoclonal antibody. Serologic studies revealed a high antibody titer to C.pneumoniae in sera collected from the patient and her husband. Treatment with the antibiotic minocycline improved her condition.

Abdominal Abscess↗

Elevated serum vitellogenin levels and gonadal abnormalities in wild male flounder (Pleuronectes yokohamae) from Tokyo Bay, Japan.

Concentrations of vitellogenin (VTG) in serum of wild male flounder (Pleuronectes yokohamae) were investigated, as a biomarker for environmental estrogens in marine waters, from January 1997 to May 1998 in Tokyo Bay, Japan (n = 130) and from a reference site in Hokkaido, Japan, far from urban areas (about 40 km from Hakodate city) from March 1997 to June 1998 (n = 62). Statistically higher concentrations of serum VTG were detected in wild male flounder collected in Tokyo Bay (range: 25-2200 ng ml-1) compared to fish from Hokkaido (range: 31-91 ng ml-1) throughout the entire sampling period. Three out of 20 males collected off Haneda, in the inner part of Tokyo Bay, showed testes containing small numbers of oocytes. This intersex condition was not found among males collected from the reference site. This study suggests that the abnormally high levels of VTG and the presence of oocytes in the testis of male flounder collected from Tokyo Bay could be the effect of environmental estrogens.

Animals↗

Detection of Chlamydia species-specific serum antibodies by prior adsorption of common genus-specific antibodies.

To establish a method for the detection of Chlamydia species-specific antibodies to the three species of Chlamydia responsible for human disease, the author attempted to remove Chlamydia genus-specific antibodies by prior adsorption with heterologous Chlamydia antigen. The effects of adsorption with heterologous antigen were investigated by the microplate immunofluorescence antibody technique. The Chlamydia genus-specific antibodies in immune animal sera were significantly reduced by prior adsorption with heterologous Chlamydia antigen. Chlamydia pecorum which does not infect humans was found to be useful for the adsorption. A preliminary test using Chlamydia trachomatis-infected human sera showed that this adsorption method with C. pecorum is applicable to the serodiagnosis of human Chlamydia infections.

Adsorption↗

[Fibrous dysplasia of the skull presenting interesting neuroradiological findings].

A case of fibrous dysplasia of the frontal bone in a 51 year-old male is described. He was admitted to our hospital with a hard, painless growing mass in the left frontal region. A symmetrical protrusion of his forehead has been observed since several years before. Neurological examination and laboratory data revealed no abnormalities. Skull x-rays demonstrated two different lesions. One showed a ground glass appearance in the supraorbital region, and the other showed a radiolucent lesion with marginal sclerosis crossing the left coronal suture CT scan revealed an intradiploic multilocular mass. T1 and T2 MR images showed an abnormal low-intensity mass, and heterogeneous gadolinium-enhancement was noticed in both lesions. Selective external carotid angiography showed tumor stain in the left coronal mass fed by middle meningeal and superficial temporal arteries mimicking intraosseous meningioma. On the other hand, a supraorbital hyperostotic lesion showed no apparent vascularity. An operation was performed on the left coronal lesion to verify the nature of the progressively enlarging mass, which was histologically confirmed to be a fibrous dysplasia rich in numerous vessels. Postoperative course was uneventful. Correlation with clinical activity and enhancement pattern was not known, however, careful observation is required in hypervascular fibrous dysplasia such as was observed in this case.

Cerebral Angiography↗

Association of a dolichoectatic middle cerebral artery and an intracranial cavernous hemangioma--case report.

A normotensive, non-smoking 41-year-old female with a history of generalized seizures from the age of 4 years presented with a left middle cerebral artery (MCA) fusiform aneurysm and an ipsilateral frontal lobe cavernous hemangioma. Surgical exploration demonstrated that the fusiform aneurysm-like lesion was a dolichoectatic MCA with no arteriosclerotic change. The pathogenesis of dolichoectasia is obscure, but the association of a dolichoectatic MCA and an intracranial cavernous hemangioma is suggestive of congenital factors.

Adult↗

De novo vertebral artery-posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm: a case report.

BACKGROUND: There have been few reports of de novo aneurysms in the posterior circulation since most de novo aneurysms occur in the anterior circulation. CASE DESCRIPTION: At the age of 46 years, the patient suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage due to a ruptured right middle cerebral artery aneurysm, which was subsequently clipped. Eight years later, the patient experienced another subarachnoid hemorrhage of the posterior fossa predominance. A cerebral angiogram demonstrated a right vertebral artery-posterior inferior cerebellar artery (VA-PICA) aneurysm that had not been noted on the previous study. CONCLUSIONS: The first case of a subarachnoid hemorrhage from a right de novo VA-PICA aneurysm is presented. The characteristics of de novo aneurysms in the posterior circulation are discussed.

Cerebellum↗

[Clinical results of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for upper urinary tract stone using Siemens Lithostar2].

Between May 1994 and March 1996, a total of 427 cases of upper urinary tract stones were treated by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) using a Siemens Lithostar2. Of 427 patients, 167 had renal stones and 260 had ureteral calculi. A double J stent was inserted preoperatively for patients with stones > or = 20 mm in diameter. The success rate after 3 months, defined as complete disappearance of stone or partial disintegration with residual stones < or = 4 mm in diameter, was 82.4% and 88.1% for the renal and ureteral calculi, respectively. Additional treatments were required in 9 cases (transurethral ureterolithotripsy in 5, percutaneous nephrostomy in 2, nephrolithotripsy and ureterolithotomy in 1 each). There were no serious side effects requiring surgical treatment or blood transfusion, although perirenal hematoma developed in 5 patients, who were treated conservatively. It is concluded that ESWL using Simens Lithostar 2 is safe and useful for treating upper urinary tract stones.

Adult↗

[A case of bilateral upper urinary tract tumors after radical cystectomy].

We report a case of bilateral upper urinary tract tumors after total cystectomy. A 67-year-old male with multiple bladder tumors underwent total cystectomy and ileal conduit urinary diversion. Pathological diagnosis was transitional cell carcinoma, grade 3 (G3), pT1b. Followup urinary cytology continued to be negative. Percutaneous antegrade pyelography revealed multiple bilateral upper urinary tract tumors 21 months post-operatively. Bilateral nephroureterectomy and resection of ileal conduit were performed. Pathological examination revealed transitional cell carcinoma, G3 in bilateral pelvis and ureter. Routine careful examination is necessary after total cystectomy.

Aged↗

Eosinophilic granuloma associated with intratumoral hemorrhage--case report.

A 2-year-old boy presented with a rapidly growing soft scalp mass in the left parietal region. Surgical exploration and histological examination demonstrated an eosinophilic granuloma associated with intratumoral hemorrhage. Eosinophilic granuloma should also be considered when a scalp mass lesion exhibits rapid growth.

Cerebral Hemorrhage↗

[Complex partial status epilepticus in a patient with a frontal cavernous angiomas].

We described a 34-year-old woman with a right frontal cavernous angioma who presented with complex partial status epilepticus (CPSE). In the first CPSE, complex partial seizure with complete unresponsiveness and tonic motor manifestation on her left arm occurred repeatedly at short intervals. Her consciousness was mildly disturbed between the seizures. An hour after the intra-venous administration of diazepam, her consciousness returned to normal. In the second CPSE, no motor manifestation was found, but complete unresponsiveness of short duration accompanied with stare and moderately impaired consciousness continued to occur. We emphasize the importance of not missing this rare non-convulsive epileptic status, especially when it does not present motor manifestations.

Adult↗

Effects of a synthetic rat adrenomedullin on regional hemodynamics in rats.

The effects of rat adrenomedullin, a novel vasorelaxant peptide, on systemic and regional hemodynamics were examined in conscious Sprague Dawley (SD) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The intravenous infusion of adrenomedullin at rates of 1.67 and 5 micrograms/kg per min decreased the mean arterial pressure in a dose-dependent fashion in both types of rats. Adrenomedullin at a rate of 5 micrograms/kg per min increased the heart rate and cardiac output. As a result, the total peripheral resistance significantly decreased. With regards to the regional hemodynamics, adrenomedullin significantly increased the flow rates in the lungs, heart, spleen, kidneys, adrenal glands and small intestine of SHR. The flow rates in the brain and skin did not change and the flow rates in the skeletal muscle and testis were decreased. These regional hemodynamic changes were also observed in SD rats and there was no qualitative difference in the regional responses to adrenomedullin between SHR and SD rats. Thus, adrenomedullin predominantly increased the flow rates in organs in which adrenomedullin gene was highly expressed. It therefore seems that adrenomedullin may act as a local vasodilatory hormone rather than as a circulatory hormone.

Adrenomedullin↗

[Cisplatin-etoposide chemotherapy of an embryonal carcinoma arising in the basal ganglia of the cerebrum: a case report].

Cases of embryonal carcinoma arising in the basal ganglia are rarely reported. According to the literature available, only 5 cases of embryonal carcinoma, arising from the basal ganglia, have been reported to date. This paper reports one such case we recently encountered. The patient was a 15-year-old boy. He was first admitted to another hospital because of occasional headache and vomiting. During the hospital stay, CT scans revealed abnormalities. For this reason, the patient was referred to our critical care center. Upon admission to our center, a physical examination revealed no abnormalities, but neurological examination disclosed left hemiparesis. CT scans revealed a large mass lesion of a low to high density in the right basal ganglia, accompanied by midline shift and ventricular dilatation. Elevation of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was observed. The tumor with multiple cysts was removed totally by craniotomy. The removed tissue was rated histopathologically as mixed-type germ cell tumor composed of germinoma and embryonal carcinoma. The removed tumor cells were found immunohistologically to contain HCG and AFP. Postoperative CT scans showed complete disappearance of the tumor. Taking into account a recent report that a combined cisplatin and etoposide therapy (PE chemotherapy) was effective in treating intracranial germ cell tumors, we used this chemotherapy for postoperative management of this patient. The patient underwent 3 cycles of PE chemotherapy during the 3 months after surgery. The elevated HCG and AFP levels in serum and CSF returned to their normal range within 2 months after surgery. CT and tumor markers revealed no signs of recurrence.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Lack of effect of islet amyloid polypeptide on hepatic glucose output in the in situ-perfused rat liver.

Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), a novel peptide isolated from islet amyloid deposits in patients with insulinoma and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), has been reported to be cosecreted with insulin from pancreatic beta cells and to inhibit glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis in muscle tissue in vitro. We investigated the effects of the synthesized, rat-amidated form of IAPP on hepatic glucose output, and IAPP extraction, using an in situ flow-through perfusion system in rats to elucidate the actions of IAPP on the liver. The IAPP (10(-8) mol/L) alone had no effects on the hepatic glucose release. Infusion of 6 x 10(-11) mol/L glucagon alone resulted in an expected elevation in glucose production (30.0 +/- 1.7 mumol/35 min/g liver). Insulin (3 x 10(-10) mol/L) submaximally decreased the glucagon-stimulated glucose production to 73% (from 30.0 +/- 1.7 to 22.0 +/- 1.4 mumol/35 min/g liver; n = 7, P less than .01). A simultaneous infusion of 10(-8) mol/L IAPP did not influence the glucagon-stimulated glucose production (27.6 +/- 1.2 mumol/35 min/g liver) or the insulin-dependent inhibition of glucagon-stimulated glucose production (22.6 +/- 1.3 mumol/35 min/g liver). IAPP extraction by the liver in a single passage was minimal, in contrast to approximately 50% hepatic insulin extraction. These results indicate that IAPP does not play any important role in modulating glycogen metabolism in the liver.

Amyloid↗