Biomedical subjects

H Fukushima

Publications and source records attributed to H Fukushima.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

The binding and utilization of hemoglobin by Prevotella intermedia.

Prevotella intermedia, a putative periodontopathic microorganism, requires iron for growth. Hemoglobin can be a major source of iron for bacterial growth in vivo since it is present in the crevicular fluid collected from periodontitis sites. Experiments studying the growth of P. intermedia in iron-depleted Todd-Hewitt broth supplemented with human hemoglobin showed that the bacteria were able to utilize human hemoglobin as a source of iron. The uptake of iron from hemoglobin by P. intermedia appears to be initiated by the binding of hemoglobin to the bacteria as shown by direct binding studies using 125I-labeled human hemoglobin. Scatchard analysis of saturation binding data revealed that 125I-labeled human hemoglobin had a dissociation constant (Kd) of 2.53 x 10(-8) M for the receptor on P. intermedia. Binding of labeled hemoglobin to P. intermedia was competitively inhibited by unlabeled human hemoglobin showing that the binding was specific. The ability of bovine hemoglobin, but not hemin or non-hemoglobin heme-containing compounds, to inhibit binding competitively suggested that the globin moiety of the hemoglobin molecule is recognized by the hemoglobin binding receptors.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Human galactocerebrosidase gene: promoter analysis of the 5'-flanking region and structural organization.

Galactocerebrosidase (GALC; EC 3.2.1.46) is a lysosomal enzyme which hydrolyzes several galactolipids and the deficiency of GALC is responsible for Krabbe disease. Recently, we cloned cDNAs for human and murine GALC. In this study we characterized the genomic organization and the promoter of the human gene. The gene was about 60 kb in length and consisted of 17 exons as reported by Luzi et al. DNA sequence analysis showed that the 5'-flanking region of the first exon was GC-rich and had not typical TATA-box but ten GC-box-like sequences within a 200 bp sequence upstream from the initiation codon. Another inframe ATG, which has better Kozak consensus sequence, was found at 48 bp upstream to the first ATG reported]. Promoter analysis using a luciferase assay in COS 7 cells showed that the -149 to -112 nucleotide (from the initiation codon A) region has dominant promoter activity. In this region three GC-box-like sequence and one YY1 binding site were detected. Primer extension revealed several transcription start sites within the region of -146 to -103 nucleotide. In this study we firstly demonstrated that the YY1 binding site and subsequent GC-box-like sequences could be a promoter in a housekeeping gene.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Subtyping and characterization of D1S80 alleles in a Japanese population using PCR-RFLP.

In a Japanese population study of the D1S80 locus 24 alleles ranging from allele 16 to allele43 were analysed using PCR-RFLP. As two repeat units were found to contain the restriction cleavage site (CCAGG) for EcoRII, we digested the alleles with EcoRII, separated the digested fragments on polyacrylamide gels and stained with ethidium bromide. Of the 24 alleles 11 band patterns were identified and tentatively labeled E1 to E11. A total of 42 subtypes were detected in a population group of 111 unrelated individuals. All samples of allele 18 were of the E3 type, while about 60% of the allele24 samples were of the E4 type and about 40% were of the E8 type. The third most frequent allele (allele30) contained four types, E4, E8, E5 and E6. No deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were observed. Since this method could differentiate those samples which had the same length but different sequences, it is quite useful for paternity testing and individual identification.

Alleles↗

PubMed1998

Putative origin of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in western and eastern countries. A comparison of restriction endonuclease analysis of virulence plasmids.

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis isolates from Russia east of Moscow, Korea and mainland China were used for restriction endonuclease analysis of virulence plasmid (REAP) and findings were compared with REAP of isolates from Japan and Western countries. An identical REAP pattern of each serogroup 1a, 1b, 3, 4a and 4b strain was observed among isolates from Russia, Korea, mainland China, and Japan but such was absent in West European strains. Therefore, the possibility that the origin of Y. pseudotuberculosis between West Europe and eastern Eurasia east of Moscow may be from a different clone should be considered.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Inhibition of glycine-induced current by morphine in nucleus tractus solitarii neurones of guinea pigs.

We studied the effect of morphine on the current induced by glycine in acutely dissociated nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) neurones of guinea pigs, by use of the whole-cell patch clamp technique. Morphine inhibited 30 microM glycine-induced current (Igly), without affecting the current caused by 30 microM GABA. The effect of morphine was concentration-dependent, with a maximal effect at 1 mM, and reversible. The half-maximum inhibitory concentration of morphine was 30 microM. The effect of morphine was not depressed by naloxone, an opioid antagonist. Furthermore, the effect was not substantially affected by methiothepin, a 5-HT1 antagonist, ketanserin, a 5-HT2 antagonist and MDL-72222, a 5-HT3 antagonist. Morphine at 30 microM shifted the concentration-response curve for Igly to the right without affecting the maximum value. The effect of morphine on Igly showed no use-dependence. The results indicate that morphine inhibits Igly in the NTS neurones, and further suggest that morphine at the concentration used may act on the glycine receptor-ionophore complex, but not on the Cl-channel of the complex.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Contralateral deafness following unilateral suboccipital brain tumor surgery in a patient with large vestibular aqueduct--case report.

A 68-year-old female developed contralateral deafness following extirpation of a left cerebellopontine angle epidermoid cyst. Computed tomography showed that large vestibular aqueduct was present. This unusual complication may have been caused by an abrupt pressure change after cerebrospinal fluid release, which was transmitted through the large vestibular aqueduct and resulted in cochlear damage.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

[Analysis of fusion waves created with temporal pacing].

Fifty-five beats of fusion waves were recorded continuously with an audio digital tape and the tape was re-played for analysis. A 45-year-old male (56 kg, 175 cm) with cervical spondylosis was scheduled to undergo laminoplasty of the cervical vertebral (C2-C6). A temporal ventricular (VVI mode) pacing lead was inserted from the right cubital vein to the right ventricular apex for preventing bradycardia while manipulating the medulla. The height of the R wave decreased gradually and the depth of S wave increased in the earlier period of fusion beats and it was reversed later. The narrow QRS width indicated that the electrode was placed near the cardiac conducting system. The gradually increasing intervals between P waves activated the pacing, and the P wave intervals recovered inhibiting the pacing. During the recovery phase, some beats were still activated by pacing instead of depressing the rate below the original rate. These beats suggest the importance of considering the atrial-ventricular conducting time. Arterial pressure fluctuated only slightly during the 'fusion beats, suggesting that despite the abnormality in the cardiac conduction system due to pacing, contraction of the ventricular muscles was only slightly affected in this case.

Anesthesia, General↗

PubMed1998

[A case of glioblastoma manifesting 49 years after lobotomy].

We report a case of glioblastoma manifesting 49 years after a lobotomy. He was diagnosed as having schizophrenia at age 20 and was operated on with a standard lobotomy when he was 27 years old. He had led a useful life after 40 years old without medication. Because of hallucination and delusion, he was hospitalized at the end of 1996. CT showed a well enhanced tumor adjacent to the cavity made by the lobotomy in the left frontal lobe. This is the second case report of glioblastoma just beside the cavity formed by lobotomy. The relationship between glioblastoma and old lobotomy is discussed, especially in regard to morphology and CT findings.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Genetic variation of Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O:9 strains detected in samples from western and eastern countries.

We made use of H-serotyping, ribotyping and restriction endonuclease analysis of virulence plasmid DNA (REAP) to differentiate Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O:9 strains. A close correlation between ribotypes/REAP patterns and the geographical and chronological distribution of serotype O:9 strains was apparent. In European countries, variant clones of serotype O:9 have rapidly increased among humans and swine since the late 1980s.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

[Recent advance of prognostic factor in human colorectal cancer].

It has become clear that cancers develop and progress through the accumulation of various genetic alterations. Among various human malignancies, none is better understood at the molecular genetic level than colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is one of the commonest malignant tumors and has a relatively poor prognosis. Recent advances in the molecular genetics of colorectal cancer have stimulated attempts to evaluate the prognostic significance of specific genetic alterations in this tumor. Although conventional pathological staging has served as the standard measure of prognosis in colorectal cancer, certain molecular genetic markers are now considered to be useful for predicting the behavior of cancer and the clinical outcome of patients. We have described the recent advances in prognostic factors of colorectal cancer, such as oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, chromosomal deletions, adhesion molecules, proteinases, DNA replication error, and others. The latest improvements in detecting these molecular markers have made it possible to apply them to the clinical setting with relative ease. Some of these markers are considered to be susceptible to, or modifiable by, direct therapeutic intervention. For instance, matrix metalloproteinases could be targets for therapeutic intervention using their inhibitors. We hope that these molecular genetic markers with prognostic significance play an important role in disease management of patients with colorectal cancer in future.

Cell Adhesion Molecules↗

PubMed1997

Differential effect of codeine on coughs caused by mechanical stimulation of two different sites in the airway of guinea pigs.

We studied the difference in the effects of codeine on coughs caused by mechanical stimulation to the larynx and to the bifurcation of the trachea in lightly anaesthetized guinea pigs. Mechanical stimulation to the larynx or the bifurcation of trachea caused a stable cough response. The response was reproducible over 60 min, when stimulation was repeatedly applied at 20-min intervals. No significant difference was found between the amplitudes of the responses to mechanical stimulation of the larynx and of the tracheal bifurcation. Codeine, 10, 20 and 50 mg/kg, dose dependently depressed the coughs caused by larynx stimulation. The antitussive, however, failed to depress the cough caused by stimulation to the tracheal bifurcation, although a large dose, 50 mg/kg, significantly depressed the cough. In capsaicin-treated guinea pigs, codeine at 20 mg/kg significantly depressed the cough caused by stimulation to the tracheal bifurcation. The present results suggest that cough caused by mechanical stimulation to the larynx might be more sensitive to codeine treatment than cough caused by stimulation to the bifurcation of trachea. Furthermore, it is suggested that coughs caused by mechanical stimulation to both sites might consist of at least two components as regards their pharmacological nature.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Introduction into Japan of pathogenic Yersinia through imported pork, beef and fowl.

Yersinia was isolated from imported raw meat and fowl products by HeLa cell treatment and conventional KOH-treatment, to obtain information on the origin of pathogenic Yersinia in Japan. Forty-one strains of Yersinia enterocolitica and one strain of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, serotype 4b were isolated from 38 (3.0%) of 1278 samples of pork, two (0.3%) of 612 samples of beef and two (0.3%) of 615 samples of chicken. Y. enterocolitica isolates belonged to B:4/O:3 (biotype/serotype, 15 strains), B:3/O:3 (two strains) and B:3 variant/O:3 (17 strains) and B:3/O:5.27 (seven strains). The B:4/O:3 which is globally prevalent among humans and animals was isolated from pork samples from Denmark and the US and from beef samples from Australia, the B:3/O:3 from pork samples from Canada, the B:3 variant/O:3 from pork samples from Taiwan and from chicken samples from Thailand, the B:3/O:5.27 from pork samples from the US and Taiwan and Y. pseudotuberculosis, serotype 4b from pork samples from Canada. These findings suggest that pathogenic Y. enterocolitica strains can be introduced into Japan by the import of pork from pig producing countries. The HeLa cell treatment was found to be superior to the conventional method.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

The novel heat-stable enterotoxin subtype gene (ystB) of Yersinia enterocolitica: nucleotide sequence and distribution of the yst genes.

The gene (ystB) encoding the novel subtype of the heat-stable enterotoxin (Y-STb) was cloned from the chromosome of a clinical isolate of Yersinia enterocolitica 84-50 (serotype O:5, biotype 1A) and the nucleotide sequence was determined. The ystB contained 216 base pairs that encoded a protein of 71 amino acid residues. The C-terminal 30 residues of the precursor protein exactly corresponded to the amino acid sequence of the Y-STb toxin, purified from the culture supernatant of the wild strain. Homology search revealed that there are 76.9% nucleotide sequence similarity between ystB and the Yersinia kristensenii ST gene, and 73.5% with the Y. enterocolitica prototype sequence of yst (ystA). When tested with the PCR generated ystB specific probe, 36 of 304 Y. enterocolitica strains from 18 countries hybridized with the probe. All the ystB probe positive strains belonged to biotype 1A and mostly to the so-called non-pathogenic serotype O:5, O:6, O:7,8 O:7,13 and O:10, while ystA was predominantly found among the pathogenic serotypes (78.5%). Out of 36 ystB gene positive strains, 18 were clinical origin from six countries, which were also positive in the suckling mice assay suggesting that ystB may play an important role in the pathogenesis, and the so-called non-pathogenic serotypes could be virulent for human.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

False aneurysm of the popliteal artery treated successfully by surgery: report of two cases.

Blunt trauma to the popliteal artery may result in pseudoaneurysm formation. We herein report two patients who had a pseudoaneurysm of the popliteal arteries without any orthopedic injuries. One patient, who had been struck by an iron plate in the midthigh portion, demonstrated a pulsatile mass in this area 2 months later. The other patient had a pseudoaneurysm that was diagnosed by a histological examination; however, he could not remember having suffered any noticeable trauma.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

Sequence variation of allele 27 at the D1S80 locus.

In 180 unrelated Japanese individuals 18 examples of allele 27 were detected at the locus D1S80 (MCT118). On 6% polylacrylamide gels 5 out of these 18 alleles were found to migrate between allele 26 and allele 27, but closer to allele 27, and thus were labelled variants of allele 27. All 18 examples of allele 27 were sequenced and the results were compared. Although all had the same number of base pairs (578 bp) the five variants could be subdivided into three types. V1, V2 and V3. The variants and the standard allele were composed of the same kinds of repeat units, but the order of arrangement was different. We investigated whether it was possible to distinguish the standard allele 27, and the variants V1, V2, and V3 by PCR-RFLP. EcoRII and MspI which have restriction sites within the repeat units were adopted as restriction enzymes. The variants could be discriminated from each other after treatment of the PCR fragments with EcoRII or MspI, followed by PAG electrophoresis.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Alpha-Interferon for the treatment of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

We have employed alpha-interferon (IFN-alpha), an anti-viral agent, in the treatment of severe idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL). Forty-two patients were studied and had an average hearing ability of > or = 70 dB before treatment. We also examined 2'-5' oligoadenylate synthetase (2,5A-S) activity, one of the parameters indicating anti-viral activity of IFN, to investigate the relationship between the suppression of viral proliferation and prognosis and explain the pathogenesis of ISSHL. Complete recovery was found in 27 patients (64.3%) after IFN therapy. Increased 2,5A-S activity was observed on the 3rd day of IFN therapy in 24 of the 27 patients who completely recovered. No severe adverse events were reported after IFN therapy. Findings suggest that IFN therapy may be effective and safe in the treatment of ISSHL and calls for further investigation.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗

PubMed1997

ACTBP2 gene frequency distribution and sequencing of the allelic ladder and variants in the Japanese and Chinese populations.

The human beta-actin related pseudogene H-beta-Ac-psi-2 (ACTBP2) gene frequency distributions in the Japanese and Chinese Han populations were investigated and compared. Analysis was carried out by applying fluorescently labeled samples and a differently labeled sequenced allelic ladder within the same lanes in denaturing gels, followed by laser detection and automated analysis using Genescan software 672. The discrimination index and the heterozygosity index were calculated to be 0.993 and 0.916 in the Japanese population, and 0.993 and 0.944 in the Chinese Han population, respectively. No deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was observed in these two populations. The allelic ladder, which ranged from 233 bp to 319 bp, was constructed from a combination of 23 regularly occurring alleles. The allelic ladder and 12 variants observed in 24 individuals in these two populations were sequenced. The variants could be divided into three types according to their structural variation characteristics. These variants differed from the alleles of the same repeats in the allelic ladder by the presence or absence of hexanucleotides in the central repeat regions, base deletions in the flanking regions, and base insertions in the repeat units.

Actins↗

PubMed1997

Alkaline phosphatase expression in cultured endothelial cells of aorta and brain microvessels: induction by interleukin-6-type cytokines and suppression by transforming growth factor betas.

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity is markedly high in endothelial cells of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) type but absent from or low in those of the non-BBB type. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) has been identified as a glial cell line-derived factor that induces high ALP activity in cultured aortic endothelial cells. In the present study, we examined the effect of IL-6-type cytokines and transforming growth factor betas (TGF-betas) on ALP expression in cultures of calf pulmonary aortic endothelial (CPAE) cells and porcine brain microvascular endothelial (PBME) cells. Leukemia inhibitory factor, ciliary neurotrophic factor, and oncostatin M, which are known as IL-6-type cytokines, induced high ALP expression in the CPAE cells but not in the PBME cells. ALP levels in these cells were markedly suppressed by culture with TGF-betas. However, in cultured PBME cells, IL-6 and a derivative of cyclic adenosine monophosphate significantly increased ALP activity. Our findings raise the posibility that local concentrations of IL-6, IL-6-type cytokines, and TGF-betas affect the ALP levels in the endothelial cells of aorta and brain microvessels under normal development and also under inflammatory conditions.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗