Biomedical subjects

H Inoue

Publications and source records attributed to H Inoue.

At least 703 records · Page 39Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

Acute lupus peritonitis successfully treated with steroid pulse therapy.

A 21-year-old man with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who developed acute lupus peritonitis is described. Acute lupus peritonitis appeared during generalized lupus flare, with nausea, vomiting, frequent diarrhea, and abdominal tenderness with rebound and guarding. The patient was afebrile and had decreased bowel sounds. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed marked thickening of the gastric, duodenal, and jejunal walls, massive intraluminal fluid collection, and increasing ascites. Gastrointestinal endoscopy showed edematous mucosa with multiple erosions of the stomach and duodenum. The ascitic fluid was remarkable for low complement levels and elevated anti-DNA antibody. These manifestations of acute lupus peritonitis resolved after steroid pulse therapy with methylprednisolone. We should consider acute lupus peritonitis in a patient with SLE when abdominal symptoms are severe. Experience with our patient indicates that steroid pulse therapy is effective for this rare but severe manifestation of SLE.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1997

Lack of biliary excretion of Cd linked to an inherent defect of the canalicular isoform of multidrug resistance protein (cMrp) does not abnormally stimulate accumulation of Cd in the Eisai hyperbilirubinemic (EHB) rat liver.

A new mutant, the Eisai hyperbilirubinemic (EHB) rat, shows no inherent expression of the canalicular isoform of the multidrug resistance protein (cMrp) in the liver. It has defective biliary secretion of organic anions such as bilirubin glucuronides, bromosulfophthalein (BSP), cysteinyl leukotrienes, glutathione (GSH) and bile acid sulfate and glucuronides. When rats were injected intravenously with CdCl2, biliary excretion of Cd over 30 min was 0.28% and 0.004% of the total dose in Sprague-Dawley (SD) and EHB rats, respectively. Six SD rats and five EHB rats were fed a diet containing Cd. Bile Cd was detected at the level of 2 ng/20 min in SD rats, but not in EHB rats. There was no significant difference of hepatic Cd concentration between SD and EHB rats. Furthermore, there were no significant differences of renal and intestinal Cd, and hepatic and renal metallothionein (MT) concentrations between the SD and EHB groups. Biliary excretion of reduced-GSH for 20 min was 1.3 +/- 0.3 mg and 3.6 +/- 0.9 micrograms in SD and EHB rats, respectively. Our results suggest that hepatobiliary excretion of exogenous Cd is mediated mainly via carrier transport, including a cMrp or GSH carrier, but that the lack of the transport pathway does not contribute to abnormal accumulation of Cd in the liver.

Acetylglucosamine↗

PubMed1997

Quantitative analysis of cytokine mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells following treatment with interleukin-2.

After activation with interleukin-2 (IL-2), peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) have been reported to induce the expression of mRNA coding various cytokines, including interleukin(IL)-1alpha, -1beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha). We examined the cytokine mRNA expression of PBMC following treatment with IL-2 in vitro and in vivo by a quantitative method using the reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). After stimulating PBMC with IL-2 in vitro, peak levels of IL-1alpha mRNA were reached between 3 h and 12 h, and thereafter declined. The IL-1beta expression increased, with levels peaking at 1-6 h and, had decreased by 96 h. The expression of TNF alpha was elevated both 1-3 h and 24-48 h after stimulation. The peak levels of IL-1alpha and -1beta mRNA and the early elevation of TNF alpha mRNA mainly accounted for the cytokine mRNA expression in adherent cells; however, the late induction of TNF alpha mRNA was observed in nonadherent cells. In patients with advanced carcinoma, the IL-1alpha and -1beta mRNA expression were elevated after IL-2 treatment for 5 consecutive days, while the expression of TNF alpha mRNA also increased. These results indicate that the quantitative RT-PCR method appears to be useful for analyzing the cytokine mRNA expression of PBMC after treatment with IL-2.

Carcinoma↗

PubMed1997

Magnetic resonance chemical shift imaging in bone and soft tissue tumours.

A study was carried out in 14 patients to assess the location and differential diagnosis of bone and soft tissue tumours with a 0.5 Tesla scanner, using water and fat images obtained by the three-point Dixon technique. We compared the magnetic resonance imaging findings obtained with this technique with conventional MRI, T1-T2-weighted images, and gadalinium-diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid enhanced T1-weighted images. Localisation was better with the three-point Dixon technique than with conventional magnetic resonance imaging. Differentiation between the fat and water component around the tumour was possible. The gadalinium-diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid enhanced water images were very sensitive to enhancement of the tissue. The three-point Dixon technique is useful when the tumour area is difficult to detect by conventional magnetic resonance imaging and information about its components is needed; these images can be made at the low magnet field.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1997

An unusual variant of ependymoma with extensive tumor cell vacuolization.

We report a case of ependymoma with unusual vacuolar features arising in the left occipital lobe of a 2-year-old child. The tumor was composed of cells with single or multiple cytoplasmic vacuoles and clear cells. Some cells showed a signet ring-like configuration. Clear cells were compactly arranged and showed an oligodendro-glioma-like appearance. In addition, there were cellular ependymoma-like areas including perivascular pseudorosettes. On immunohistochemistry, glial fibrillary acidic protein and vimentin were mainly detected in cytoplasmic processes, and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) staining showed granular and small vesicular reactivity. Ultrastructural investigation demonstrated intercellular microrosettes with or without cilia and long zonula adherens-type junctions that are typical of ependymoma. Furthermore, many intracytoplasmic lumina (ICL) were observed. Some ICL had microvilli and some did not. The latter varied in size, and may have fused with each other to develop giant ICL which could correspond to the signet ring-like configuration. Small ICL without microvilli had an appearance similar to that of distended endoplasmic reticula. Serial semithin and ultrathin sections revealed that EMA-positive structures were consistent with ICL containing microvilli and intercellular microrosettes. To determine the presence of unusual vacuolated ependymoma, electron microscopical examination was required. However, light microscopy was useful for detecting EMA-positive microvesicular and granular structures.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed1997

Isolation and characterization of the krev-1 gene, a novel member of ras superfamily in Neurospora crassa: involvement in sexual cycle progression.

Genes belonging to the ras superfamily encode low-molecular-weight GTP/GDP-binding proteins that are highly conserved in wide variety of organisms. We used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to isolate a novel member of the ras superfamily from the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa and obtained a mammalian Krev-1 homolog. We named the gene krev-1 and analyzed its structure and function. The krev-1 gene encodes a polypeptide of 225 amino acids, which is nearly 60% homologous to the mammalian Krev-1 p21. The krev-1 gene product (KREV1) is functionally analogous to mammalian Krev-1 p21 and Rsr1p/Bud1p, a Krev-1 homolog from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. GAL1-driven expression of KREV1 in a wild-type yeast strain resulted in a random budding pattern, as did its mammalian counterpart Krev-1 p21. We disrupted the krev-1 gene by RIP (repeat-induced point mutation), but the krev-1 disruptants showed no abnormalities. By in vitro mutagenesis, we constructed several mutant krev-1 genes (G21V, A68T, and D128A) which mimic constitutively active mutants of Ha-ras, and the krev-1 (K25N) mutant which is analogous to a dominant-negative mutant of Ha-ras. Each mutant gene was introduced into the wild-type strain and the phenotypes were analyzed. We could not observe any difference in vegetative growth between these transformants. When each strain was used as the female in mating tests, the development of perithecia from protoperithecia was inhibited in all cases. The results indicate that the krev-1 gene may be involved in sexual cycle progression.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Genetic and molecular characterization of Neurospora crassa mus-23: a gene involved in recombinational repair.

A newly isolated mutant, mus-23, of Neurospora crassa was found to be highly sensitive to a wide variety of mutagens, including UV light, methyl methanesulfonate, 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide, N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and tert-butyl hydroperoxide. This mutant was originally isolated as a mutant that could not grow on medium containing histidine. Meiosis and sporulation were defective in homozygous crosses between mus-23 haploids. The mus-23 gene is located on the right arm of LGII, between fl and trp-3. Analyses of epistasis between mus-23 and other mutations that cause defects in DNA repair indicated that the mus-23 gene belongs to the same DNA repair group as mei-3, which is the Neurospora homolog of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene RAD51. The double mutant carrying mus-23 and uvs-3 mutations was lethal. The mus-23 gene was cloned by complementation of the MMS-sensitive phenotype of the mus-23 mutant. The gene contained an open reading frame of 1578 bp and did not contain any introns. The molecular weight of the predicted mus-23 gene product was 60.4 kDa. Computer analyses revealed that the MUS23 protein has significant homology to Mre11p, which is known to be involved in recombinational repair in S. cerevisiae. The level of mus-23 transcripts increased significantly within 60 min of treatment with UV or MMS and then gradually decreased. The role of MUS23 protein in recombinational repair is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Genetic studies of the leptin receptor gene in morbidly obese French Caucasian families.

Family studies have shown that in some populations up to 75% of the variation of body mass index can be explained by genetic factors. However, in humans, no major obesity gene has been identified to date. In contrast, there are a number of genetically well defined animal models for obesity. In two of those models (ob/ob and db/db), defects in the same pathway are responsible for obesity. Recently, some evidence has been found for the OB gene also being involved in human obesity. In this study we investigated the potential role of the OB receptor (OBR) in the etiology of massive obesity in humans using familial linkage analyses and case-control association studies. The typing of two microsatellite markers (D1S198 and D1S209), flanking the OBR gene, in 256 sib pairs showed no evidence for linkage with obesity. In order to be able to detect small gene effects, association studies with a 3'-UTR insertion/deletion polymorphism were carried out. The results of these analyses remained non-significant (chi 2 = 3.442, P = 0.18). However, subjects heterozygous for the insertion/deletion polymorphism showed a slight trend towards lower insulin values 30 min after an oral glucose load compared to homozygous individuals (P = 0.02). In summary, our results do not support a major role of the human OBR gene in the development of morbid obesity in our population.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Soluble E-selectin, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 levels in systemic and coronary circulation in patients with variant angina.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess whether the plasma levels of soluble adhesion molecules including E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) are elevated in patients with variant angina and whether they are released in the coronary circulation. METHODS: Antecubital venous plasma samples were collected from 33 patients with variant angina, 22 patients with stable effort angina and 20 control subjects. Samples were also collected from the aortic root (AO) and the coronary sinus (CS) in 18 patients with variant angina before and after left coronary spasm induced by intracoronary injection of acetylcholine. The soluble adhesion molecules were assayed by enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Antecubital venous plasma soluble E-selectin (P < .05), ICAM-1 (P < .01) and VCAM-1 (NS) levels were higher in the variant angina group than in the control group, respectively. The plasma soluble ICAM-1 level was also higher (P < .01) in the variant angina group than in the stable effort angina group. In the variant angina group, both soluble ICAM-1 (P < .05) and VCAM-1 (P < .01) levels were significantly lower in CS than AO at baseline. In contrast, after the spasm the plasma soluble ICAM-1 level was (P < .05) higher in CS than AO and the CS-AO differences of soluble ICAM-1 (P < .05) and VCAM-1 (P < .05) increased as compared with the baseline, respectively. These values were remained unchanged in the stable effort angina group after rapid atrial pacing and in the control group after administration of acetylcholine. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating plasma levels of both soluble E-selectin and ICAM-1 were elevated in patients with variant angina, indicating an association of an inflammatory reaction with coronary spasm. Both soluble ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 appeared to be trapped in the coronary circulation at baseline and released into the coronary circulation following coronary spasm and reperfusion in the patients.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed1997

Effect of azelastine on PGE2 production in fibroblasts in normal skin. The possibility of inhibition of inducible cyclooxygenase by azelastine.

The effects of azelastine on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production were investigated by using cultured normal dermal fibroblasts obtained from the same traumatic region of 3 patients and the CRL-1475 cell line. Interleukin-1beta (IL-1) enhanced PGE2 production in cultured normal fibroblasts and CRL-1475 cells. 10(-6) M azelastine inhibited PGE2 production in these IL-1-stimulated fibroblasts. However, the drug did not influence spontaneous PGE2 production in cultured CRL-1475 fibroblasts not stimulated with IL-1 but slightly it increased in cultured normal dermal fibroblasts under the same conditions. These results suggest that azelastine either regulates synthesis of an inducible cyclooxygenose protein or inhibits PGE2 production as an inducible cyclooxygenase inhibitor.

Accidents↗

PubMed1997

Prevalence of the Trp64Arg missense mutation of the beta3-adrenergic receptor gene in Japanese subjects.

Prompted by the recent findings that a tryptophan to arginine (Trp64Arg) mutation in the beta3-adrenergic receptor gene was associated with an earlier onset of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in Pima Indians, with abdominal obesity and insulin resistance in Finns, and with an increased capacity to gain weight in French whites, we studied the prevalence of this mutation in 231 diabetic and 95 nondiabetic Japanese subjects and assessed its contribution to the development of obesity and NIDDM. The allelic frequencies of the mutation were 0.18 in diabetic and 0.23 in nondiabetic subjects, showing no significant difference between the two groups (P = .067). In nondiabetic subjects, body mass index (BMI) did not differ between those with and without the mutation (22.2 +/- 3.5 v 21.4 +/- 3.2 kg/m2, P = .252). In NIDDM subjects, BMI at the time of study and maximal BMI before the start of treatment did not differ between those with and without the mutation (22.8 +/- 2.6 v 23.2 +/- 3.7 kg/m2, P = .678, and 24.7 +/- 2.6 v 24.9 +/- 3.1 kg/m2, P = .277). Homozygotes for the mutation did not have trends to have increased BMI in either diabetic or nondiabetic subjects. The age at diagnosis of NIDDM also did not differ between the two groups (48.8 +/- 9.9 v 47.8 +/- 12.5 years, P = .796). Fasting serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels and systolic and diastolic blood pressure before the start of treatment did not differ between NIDDM subjects with and without the mutation. In conclusion, although the Trp64Arg mutation is not uncommon in Japanese, it does not appear to be associated with obesity, NIDDM, age at diagnosis of NIDDM, or dyslipidemia. Our results suggest that the mutation has minor effects, if any, on the development of obesity and NIDDM in Japanese.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Electron microscopic study on nerve terminals during dentin bridge formation after pulpotomy in dog teeth.

This study was designed to examine the relation between pulpal nerves and the differentiation of pulpal cells into preodontoblasts and odontoblasts during the healing process after pulpotomy. A total of 36 upper and lower teeth obtained from six adult dogs were used. The pulp chamber was opened with a sterile diamond bur, the coronal pulp was exposed, and the whole surface of the amputated pulp was capped with calcium hydroxide. The interval between pulpotomy and extraction was 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 days, and then specimens were examined ultrastructurally. Close contact between fibroblast-like cells/osteoblast-like cells and nerve terminals at the calcification front was observed in the early healing process after pulpotomy, suggesting a close relation between nerve fibers and pulpal cell differentiation.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

A monoclonal antibody that recognizes ganglioside GD1b in the rat central nervous system.

A monoclonal antibody (MAb), generated by immunizing BALB/c mice with homogenized bovine retinal tissue, was specific to ganglioside GD1b incorporated into liposome membranes. The antibody (MAb-5G6), classified as IgM, immunostained intensely the perikaryon and processes of motoneurons in the cranial motor nuclei and spinal cord. Spinal and trigeminal ganglion cells were also immunopositive to the MAb. Some fiber tract systems, such as the spinal and mesencephalic trigeminal tracts, the solitary tract and the posterior funiculus, were also immunoreactive to the MAb. These findings suggest that MAb-5G6 labeled specifically neurons with axons extending outside of the central nervous system as a peripheral nerve. The immunoreactive substances were visualized under electron microscopy just beneath the postsynaptic membrane and just inside the plasmalemma of the thick dendrites. No axon terminal was immunolabeled by the MAb. In the rat embryos, immunoreactivity to MAb-5G6 was found in the dorsal and ventral root fibers on the 15th embryonic day (E15). However, cell bodies of the spinal ganglion cells and motoneurons were immunostained by MAb-5G6 at a later stage (E20). The ventral commissure fibers in the floor plate of the spinal cord were transiently immunolabeled during E13-15.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Guyon's canal syndrome. A different clinical presentation caused by an atypical fibrous band.

An atypical case of Guyon's canal syndrome is reported. A 40-year-old woman with hypoaesthesia and claw-finger deformity of the little finger, hypothenar muscle atrophy but no first dorsal interosseous muscle atrophy, underwent release of a fibrous band to decompress the ulnar nerve at the deep branch just proximal to the branch to the abductor digiti minimi muscle. The claw-finger deformity recovered 1 week after surgery.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

The central slip attachment fracture.

Eight displaced central slip attachment fractures were treated by open reduction and internal fixation to avoid boutonniere deformity, to reduce the fracture anatomically and to allow early mobilization of the joint. This injury should be recognized as a disruption of the dynamic extensor mechanism associated with an intraarticular fracture, fracture-dislocation or soft tissue injury of the PIP joint. We have grouped central slip attachment fractures into three types according to the mechanism of injury, with suggested methods of treatment.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Relationship between postoperative intraocular pressure elevation and residual sodium hyaluronate following phacoemulsification and aspiration.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation and the amount and viscosity of sodium hyaluronate remaining in the anterior chamber after phacoemulsification and aspiration (PEA). SETTING: Hachioji Medical Center and Tokyo Medical College Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. METHODS: In 107 eyes, washout (irrigation and aspiration [I/A]) of sodium hyaluronate was performed for randomly assigned durations of 5, 10, or 20 seconds following PEA and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. At the conclusion of washout, the flow from the I/A tip was reversed and a sample of the irrigating solution obtained from the anterior chamber. The residual sodium hyaluronate concentration was measured by sandwich assay. The kinematic viscosity of the sample was calculated from a regression equation derived from measured viscosities of standard hyaluronate solutions of various concentrations. RESULTS: The preoperative mean IOP in the groups that received 5-, 10-, and 20-second washout was 11.9, 10.9, and 11.6 mm Hg, respectively. The mean IOP on the first postoperative day in the 5-second group was significantly higher (P = .001, Kruskal-Wallis test) than those in the 10- and 20-second groups (10.8 and 11.6 mm Hg, respectively). A significant correlation was observed between residual hyaluronate concentration and IOP on the first postoperative day (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient 0.319, n = 80, P = .045) and also between kinematic viscosity and IOP on the first postoperative day (one-factor analysis of variance, P < .001). CONCLUSION: The sodium-hyaluronate-induced IOP elevation is related to its viscosity as well as to its high molecular weight. Washout times of at least 10 seconds are desirable to prevent IOP elevation.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

Structural analysis of A-protein of cucumber green mottle mosaic virus and tobacco mosaic virus by synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering.

The size and shape of A-protein of tobacco mosaic virus coat protein (TMVP) and cucumber green mottle mosaic virus coat protein (CGMMVP) were evaluated by means of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) using a synchrotron radiation source, complemented by electron microscopic observations. The results imply that TMV and CGMMV A-proteins are composed of three and two subunits, respectively, stacked in the shape of an isosceles triangular prism at lower ionic strength. Considering the difference of the A-protein structure at higher and lower ionic strength, the globular core structure was proposed as a subunit which might be modeled as a thin isosceles triangular prism composed of four globular cores joined by rather flexible segments. These cores correspond probably to four helical regions in a subunit, and rearrange their relative positions according to the external conditions. A slight rearrangement of core positions in a subunit may result in the formation of A-proteins of various shapes.

Capsid↗

PubMed1997

Relationship between prognostic score and thyrotropin receptor (TSH-R) in papillary thyroid carcinoma: immunohistochemical detection of TSH-R.

We have demonstrated the expression of thyrotropin receptor (TSH-R) in thyroid neoplasms (13 adenomas, 21 papillary carcinomas, two follicular carcinomas) and adjacent normal thyroid using the monoclonal antibody against human TSH-R and have also demonstrated a relationship between prognostic scores and the expression of TSH-R. Among the adenomas, eight showed an intensity similar to that of normal thyroid and five showed a higher intensity than normal. Two tumours exhibited heterogeneous distribution of TSH-R. Among the papillary carcinomas, seven showed similar intensity to normal tissue and four showed higher intensity and ten showed weaker intensity. Eight tumours showed heterogeneous distribution of the stain. Among the follicular carcinomas, one showed similar intensity to normal tissue and the other exhibited weaker intensity. Both cases showed homogeneous distribution of TSH-R. The adenomas never showed a weaker intensity than normal thyroid, but various intensities of TSH-R occurred in differentiated carcinomas. There was no significant relationship between the clinical data and the signal intensity in the adenomas. Among the papillary carcinomas, however, the group with weaker intensity had significantly poorer prognostic scores than the other two groups. Thus, we assume that low TSH-R may be expressed by the clinically high-risk group of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗