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Biomedical subjects

H Ito

Publications and source records attributed to H Ito.

At least 631 records · Page 35Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Motion direction distribution as a determinant of circular vection.

Visually induced self-translation is called linear vection, while visually induced self-rotation is called circular vection. Impressions of circular vection and linear vection were measured using flow patterns presented on a flat screen. Subjects reported strong circular vection when the flow simulated a projected pattern of a rotating cylinder, which had gradients in speed and direction of moving elements on the screen. When speed gradients in a horizontal dimension were removed while not changing the direction distribution on the screen, strong circular vection was still reported. On the other hand, when the motion direction of all elements was the same (horizontal), having speed gradients, the circular vection was weak. The impression of linear vection showed the opposite trend. This result indicates not a speed distribution pattern but one of a two-dimensional direction on the retina determines the type of vection.

Depth Perception↗
PubMed1999

Effects of feed restriction and cold exposure on glucose metabolism in response to feeding and insulin in sheep.

The effects of feed restriction, cold exposure, and the initiation of feeding on blood glucose metabolism, other blood metabolites, hormones, and tissue responsiveness and sensitivity to insulin were measured in sheep. The sheep consumed orchardgrass hay ad libitum (AL) or were restricted to 82% of the ME requirement for maintenance (RE) and were exposed to a thermoneutral (20 degrees C) or a cold environment (2 degrees C). An isotope dilution method and a glucose clamp approach were applied to determine blood glucose metabolism and insulin action, respectively. Plasma NEFA and insulin concentrations were influenced by feed restriction. Concentrations of plasma glucose, NEFA, insulin, and glucagon were influenced by cold exposure. Plasma NEFA concentration for RE decreased after the initiation of feeding and plasma insulin concentration increased transiently for all treatments. [U-13C]Glucose was continuously infused for 8 or 7 h after a priming injection starting 3 h before the initiation of either feeding or insulin infusion, respectively. When responses to feeding were studied, blood glucose turnover rate was less (P < .001) for RE than for AL, and it was greater (P < .001) during cold exposure than in the thermoneutral environment. The rate changed little after the initiation of feeding. For the glucose clamp approach, insulin was infused over four sequential 1-h periods at rates from .64 to 10 mU x kg BW(-1) x min(-1), with concomitant glucose infusion to maintain preinfusion plasma glucose concentrations. The rates of glucose infusion and blood glucose turnover increased (P < .001) dose-dependently with insulin infusion rate. The maximal glucose infusion rate was greater (P < .05) for RE than for AL and was greater (P < .001) during cold exposure than in the thermoneutral environment. The plasma insulin concentration at half-maximal glucose infusion rate was lower (P < .1) during cold exposure. Blood glucose turnover rate tended to be greater (P = .10) for RE than for AL, and it was greater (P < .001) during cold exposure than in the thermoneutral environment. The ratio of endogenous production to utilization of glucose was suppressed by insulin infusion. In sheep fed a roughage diet, blood glucose turnover rate seems to be influenced by both intake level and environmental temperature, but not by the act of feeding. Moreover, the action of insulin on glucose metabolism is enhanced during cold exposure, and the effect of feed restriction is somewhat enhanced.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Clinicopathological evaluation of the Revised European-American Classification of Lymphoid Neoplasms (REAL) in Japan.

After the publication of a Revised European-American Classification of Lymphoid Neoplasms (REAL classification) in 1994, there have been reports from Europe and America regarding its practical utility and clinical significance. However, no studies have been published from Eastern countries including Japan. It has been well recognized that the distribution of malignant lymphoma in Japan is quite different from that seen in Western countries. In addition, some new entities have also been described in the REAL classification. Therefore, it seems important to examine its practical utility and clinical significance in Japan. Of the 579 cases reviewed, approximately 68% were B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) followed by 27% T-cell lymphomas. Hodgkin's disease (HD) comprised only 5% of all cases, making the ratio of NHL to HD 20.6. The most common type was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma which represented about 37% of all cases. Peripheral T-cell lymphomas, unspecified (PTCL), occurred in 15% whereas marginal zone B-cell lymphoma followed (14.9%). However, follicle center lymphoma (FCL) was less common (4.4%) as has been previously reported. We evaluated the clinical significance of the new REAL classification in 244 cases. International Prognostic Index (IPI) was a powerful predictor of survival (p<0.0001), and the immunophenotype was significant (p<0.05). Furthermore, here, we also attempt to establish a prognostic scheme based on the histologic type. In conclusion, the REAL classification appears to be useful and clinically significant in Japan.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Adenovirus-mediated transfer of wild-type p53 gene results in apoptosis or growth arrest in human cultured gastric carcinoma cells.

We examined the susceptibility of six human gastric carcinoma cell lines to infection with recombinant p53 adenovirus vector (AxCA-p53). AxCA-p53 infection at a muliplicity of infection (MOI) of 50 resulted in apoptotic cell death (MKN-1 cells), growth arrest (MKN-45, MKN-74 and KATO-III cells), or non-effectiveness (TMK-1 and OCUM-2M cells). Western blot analysis revealed increasing expression levels of p21/WAF1 protein after infection with AxCA-p53 in all the cell lines. After infection with AxCA-p53, the expression levels of bax or bcl-XL protein changed in MKN-1, but not in the other cell lines. These results suggest that the apoptotic pathway (dependence on the expressions of bcl-2 family proteins) dominates the growth arrest pathway (dependence on the expressions of p21/WAF1 protein) after infection with AxCA-p53. Thus, the bcl-2 family might play a crucial role in p53-mediated growth arrest and apoptosis in human gastric carcinoma cells.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed1999

Oral administration of cholic acid promotes growth of liver tumors initiated by diethylnitrosamine in rats.

The effect of dietary administration of cholic acid on tumorigenesis in the liver was investigated in male Fischer-344 rats after carcinogenic initiation by diethylnitrosamine (DEN); progression of liver tumors was examined in the rats fed 0.4% cholic acid-containing diet (CA group) and the rats fed standard diet (C group) at 15, 20 and 25 weeks after administration of DEN. The total bile acids and cholic acid in serum of CA group were 150 nmol/ml and 117 nmol/ml, being 31-fold and 51-fold higher than those in C group (p<0.0001, each). Serum AST and ALT were significantly higher in CA group than in C group at 15 weeks (p<0.01). Serum ALP was significantly higher in CA group than C group at each time point (p<0.01, each). Liver tumors, whose histology was hepatocellular carcinoma, developed at 15 weeks in both CA and C groups. However, tumor volume and tumor weight were significantly increased in CA group, compared to those in C group at each time point (p<0.001, p<0. 001, p<0.01, p<0.001, p<0.01 and p<0.05). The percentage of apoptotic cells in CA group at each time point was significantly lower than C group (p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.05). The percentage of bcl-2 positive tumor cells in C group at 20 weeks was 1.88+/-2.59%. However, it dramatically increased to 34.00+/-13.67% in CA group (p<0.0001). It was also higher in CA group than in C group at 15 and 25 weeks (p<0.05 and p<0.01). In addition, the bax-positive cells were higher in CA group than in C group at 20 weeks (p<0.05). These data suggest that oral administration of cholic acid promotes liver tumorigenesis initiated by DEN through reducing apoptosis mediated by overexpression of bcl-2.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1999

Wild-type p53 gene transfer resulted in cell cycle arrest, but not apoptosis of newly established human malignant fibrous histiocytoma cell line.

We established a human malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) cell line, MFH-ToE, from a tumor originally developed in the right thigh of a 78-year-old woman. The original tumor histologically consisted of histiocytic, fibroblastic and giant cells. The tumor cells showed immunoreactivity for vimentin and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, and were positive for acid phosphatase and non-specific esterase, being compatible with MFH. Although the histology of the heterotransplanted tumor into nude mice was similar to that of the primary MFH, the population of giant cells gradually decreased along with the culture passages. Cytogenetic analysis revealed a highly aneuploid nature with varying numbers of chromosomes from 71 to 140. Chromosome 17 showed monosomy and exon 6 to 8 of p53 gene was not amplified by PCR, implying absence of p53 function. Adenovirus vector-mediated wild-type p53 gene was successfully transfected into the MFH-ToE, which showed up-regulation of P53 and P21, as well as gradual up-regulation of Bcl-2 protein. The transfection resulted in cell cycle arrest, but not apoptosis of the MFH-ToE cells. These results revealed unique properties of the MFH-ToE, which might be useful in further studies analyzing pathological and biological characteristics of MFH.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Mutation and transcription analyses of the p63 gene in cervical carcinoma.

Genetic mutation of p53, which monitors DNA damage and operates cellular checkpoints, is a major factor in the development of human malignancies. A novel gene p63/p73L/p51, encoding a protein with significant homology to p53 and p73, was recently identified at 3q27-9. To investigate the penetration of p63 in cervical carcinogenesis, mutation and transcription analyses of p63 were performed in cervical carcinoma. A certain isotype of p63 called TAp63gamma encodes the acidic N-terminus and possesses a short C-terminus. Using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (RT-PCR-SSCP) analysis for TAp63gamma, one mutation was found in the cervical carcinoma cell line SKG-I. However, no mutations causing amino acid substitutions or frameshifts were found in 54 cases examined for TAp63gamma, which is thought to be a tumor suppressor gene. While cervical carcinomas tended to yield a positive signal in the RT-PCR reaction designed to amplify transcripts encoding the acidic N-terminus, normal cervix and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) did not express this transcript. These data suggest that the p63 gene does not play an essential role as a tumor suppressor gene, but expression of TAp63gamma may be speculatively associated with tumor growth in cervical carcinogenesis.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1999

[Effectiveness of Nd: YAG laser therapy on Japanese cedar pollinosis].

Many have reported on the effectiveness of laser surgery therapy for perennial allergic rhinitis. However, the suppressive effects of laser irradiation on allergic rhinitis and its symptoms have not been reported in patients with pollinosis. This is because therapeutic effects on pollinosis are difficult to evaluate. The amount of pollen in the air varies during the year, and from year to year. Also, allergic symptoms develop due to exposure to the amount of pollen which is markedly influenced by the weather. In this study, the severity of allergic symptoms in the pollen season was compared between patients treated with early medication, non-treated patients and patients treated with preseasonal contact Nd: YAG laser surgery. Results suggests that laser surgery was effective in reducing the severity of symptoms in patients with cedar pollinosis. Symptoms were milder in the laser group than in the medication group and non-treated group for 3-4 weeks after the start of seasonal pollinosis, although no differences were noted in the early weeks. This may be explained by the fact that laser irradiation reduces the lamina propria of the nasal mucosa, the site of allergic reactions. This also suggests that allergic pollen can't penetrate the mucosal surface which shows squamous epithelization after laser irradiation.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Cyclophosphamide-induced bladder cancer in a patient with Wegener granuromatosis].

Cyclophosphamide (CPM) has been considered to be a factor of bladder carcinogen. A 60-years old woman had been received a total dose of 370 g of CPM for the treatment of Wegener's granulomatosis since August, 1977. She was consulted to our department with chief complaint of macrohematuria in August, 1986. Hemorrhage cystitis was diagnosed and cystoscopy and urine cytology were performed as follow-up schedule in every year. In 1996, urine cytology showed class IV and cystoscopy revealed multiple nonpapillary tumors. Abdominal computerized tomography demonstrated a low density mass on the posterior wall of the bladder. A transurethral cold cup biopsy showed G3 transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). Radical cystectomy and tubeless cutaneous ureterostomy was performed on December 6, 1996 and histopathological diagnosis was TCC, G 3, pT3 bNXM0. She died of liver failure due to metastatic bladder cancer after seven months postoperatively.

Carcinoma, Transitional Cell↗
PubMed1999

[The evaluation of methods for determinations of urinary oxalate].

BACKGROUND: Estimation of urinary oxalate is one of important tools for the diagnosis and treatment of urolithiasis. And more precise, simple and inexpensive method is desirable. In the present study, we evaluated three methods which were clinically well-used. METHODS: From October 1996 to June 1997, 146 acidified urine samples were collected for 24 hours from 144 urolithiasis patients. We determined the urinary oxalates by three methods; the colorimetric method, the enzymic method and the ion chromatography (IC method). And we evaluated the correlations of these methods. RESULTS: Correlation coefficients in the urine oxalate concentration were, 0.86 with the colorimetric method and the IC method, 0.91 with the enzymic method and the IC method, 0.90 with the colorimetric method and the enzymic method. The coefficients in the 24 hours-urinary excretion of oxalate (0.76, 0.87, 0.82) were lower than those in the urine oxalate concentration. The correlation coefficients with the colorimetric method and the IC method were, 0.58 in hyperoxaluric group, 0.34 in normooxaluric group. The coefficients with the enzymic method and the IC method, 0.93 in hyperoxaluric group, 0.71 in normooxaluric group. CONCLUSION: The colorimetric method is least expensive, but is less useful. The enzymic method is less expensive, and is as useful as the IC method.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Anti-myeloperoxidase and anti-lactoferrin antibodies in patients with IgA nephropathy and Henoch-Schönlein purpura].

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) for two antigens, i.e. myeloperoxidase (MPO) and lactoferrin (LF) in sera from 19 IgA nephropathy (IgAN), 3 adult Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) and 8 child HSP patients were examined by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) for immunoglobulin isotypes. All of child HSP patients showed negative ANCA. On the other hand, one IgAN patient and two adult HSP patients showed weak positivity for IgA class anti-MPO antibody. There was no patients who showed positivity for IgG and IgM class anti-MPO antibody. In anti-LF antibody, one IgAN and one adult HSP showed positivity in IgG class; 2 IgAN and 2 HSP in IgA class and 2 IgAN and one HSP in IgM class. These results indicate that adult HSP patients have higher prevalence of IgA class anti-MPO antibody and anti-LF antibody than IgAN or child HSP.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Perspective of dietary management and exercise therapy in diabetes mellitus].

Diet and exercise are basic measures of treatment of diabetes mellitus. To prevent the development and progression of atherosclerotic disease as well as microangiopathy, diet management should be focused on the reductions of conventional risk factors for atherosclerosis such as hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. To control the these risk factors, both total energy and fat intake should be reduced. A diet high in mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids, and dietary fibers are recommended to diabetic patients, but the ideal ratio of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids should be determined from clinical and epidemiological studies in the future. A high concentration of plasma homocysteine is a new risk factor for atherosclerotic disease in diabetic patients. To reduce plasma homocysteine, diet enriched in folate and vitamin B12 may be recommended. A high intake of flavonoid, one of antioxidants, may be also recommended in diabetic patients because of its counteraction against increased oxidative stress in diabetes mellitus. Exercise therapy is an effective measure for improving glycemic control in Type 2 diabetic patients. However, the most appropriate kinds and strength of exercise in diabetic patients with complications or elderly diabetic patients still remain unknown. The dietary regimen or exercise of diabetic patients should be determined individually according to the risk factors, complications, and psychological and socioeconomic conditions.

Diabetes Mellitus↗
PubMed1999

Non-suture end-to-end anastomoses between polytetrafluoroethylene graft and vessels for blood access.

BACKGROUND: Non-suture end-to-end anastomoses between polytetrafluoroethylene grafts and blood vessels were achieved using absorbable cuff material in experimental and clinical studies. The cuff was made of a synthetic biodegradable material, a lactic-glycolic acid copolymer, similar in composition to conventional absorbable surgical sutures. METHODS: In the experimental study, vascular anastomoses for prosthetic interposition of the infrarenal aorta in rabbits were created using the cuff method. Six months after surgery, the cuff anastomoses sites were examined angiographically and microscopically and found to be patent and smooth without neointimal hyperplasia. RESULTS: The cuff layer had been completely absorbed. The clinical application used a similar technique and involved the creation of forearm bridge graft fistula in twelve patients for hemodialysis. In eight patients, Doppler fistula flow rate ranged from 167 ml/min to 392 ml/min. Ten of the twelve patients continued dialysis uneventfully. The one-year patency rate was 78% (7/9). The longest patency period was 920 days and the graft access continued to maintain sufficient blood flow for hemodialysis. CONCLUSIONS: This absorbable cuff material is therefore well suited for the construction of prosthetic vascular end-to-end anastomoses.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[A case of secondary systemic amyloidosis associated with rheumatoid arthritis after 3-year disease duration].

A 63-year-old woman who started to have polyarthralgia in December 1993 has been diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and treated with muscular injection of gold sodium thiomalate. She began to have nausea, vomiting, anorexia and watery diarrhea in October 1995. A year later, she had to receive intravenous infusion on admission since more frequent watery diarrhea occurred more than ten times within a day. On admission in our hospital in December 1996, she had proteinuria in addition to gastrointestinal symptoms. The biopsy specimen from stomach, duodenum and kidney proved systemic amyloidosis associated with RA. In spite of steroid-pulse, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and colchicine therapy, profound proteinuria in nephrotic syndrome was continued in association with hypoproteinemia, anasarca and renal failure. She was treated on hemodialysis and intravenous hyperalimentation (IVH) until November 1997 when A-V shunt operation on left forearm was performed. However, the shunt was not available for HD and she suffered from septicemia and died on December 1997. This patient was a rare case of secondary systemic amyloidosis associated with RA in early clinical course.

Amyloidosis↗
PubMed1999

Distinctions in the molecular determinants of charged and neutral dihydropyridine block of L-type calcium channels.

We investigated block of the alpha1Cb subunit of L-type calcium channels by dihydropyridines (DHPs) in which a permanently charged or neutral head group was linked to the active DHP moiety by a spacer chain containing ten methylene (-CH2) groups. We compared the sensitivity of channel modulation by the charged (DHPch) and neutral (DHPn) forms to specific alpha1Cb mutations in domains IIIS5, IIIS6, and IVS6, which had previously been shown to reduce channel modulation by the neutral DHP (+)-isradipine. The effects of these mutations were studied on channel block recorded from polarized (-80 mV) and depolarized (-40 mV) holding potentials (HPs). We found that channel block by DHPn was markedly reduced at both HPs by each mutation studied. In contrast, channel block by DHPch was only modestly reduced by mutations in IIIS6 and IVS6 for block from either -40 mV or -80 mV. Replacement of IIIS5 Thr1061 by Tyr, which abolished block by DHPn in an HP-independent manner, had little effect on channel block by DHPch recorded from -40 mV. However, this mutation markedly reduced DHPch block of currents recorded from a -80 mV HP. Inhibition of current by DHPch was not markedly use-dependent, in contrast with block by verapamil, another charged calcium channel blocker. These results suggest that the presence of a permanently charged head group restricts the access of the attached DHP moiety to a subset of interaction residues on the alpha1C subunit in a voltage-dependent manner. Furthermore, these restricted interactions confer distinct functional properties upon the charged DHP molecules.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor polymorphism as a prognostic predictor in Japanese patients with IgA nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Neuropeptide Y exhibits a vasoconstricting action and regulates systemic blood pressure as well as noradrenalin. There are 5 types of NPY receptors, Y1 - Y5, which were introduced by pharmacological differences. Recently, a single point mutation in the first intron of the NPY Y1 receptor (NPYY1R) was reported. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this study, we investigated the relationship between NPYY1R gene polymorphism and clinical characteristics in patients with IgA nephropathy using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. RESULTS: Distribution of the NPYY1R genotypes which were defined as YY, Yy and yy genotypes, did not differ between 60 normal control subjects and 68 patients with IgA nephropathy (15 : 36 : 9 versus 21 : 40 : 7, respectively). In IgA nephropathy patients, the incidence of hypertension and the rate of urinary protein excretion were slightly higher in the non-YY genotype than in the YY genotype group (23% versus 5% and 1.1 +/- 1.2 versus 0.6 +/- 0.4 g/24 h, p = 0.09 and p = 0.05, respectively). The reciprocal of the serum creatinine level was estimated to determine the deterioration in renal function during follow-up after the renal biopsy. The level was lower in the non-YY genotype than in the YY genotype group (-0.002 +/- 0.064 vs 0.033 +/- 0.053/month, respectively, p < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis for the reciprocal of the serum creatinine level revealed that the NPYY1R genotype was an effective variable (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we propose that the NPYY1R gene polymorphism may be a novel prognostic predictor in patients with IgA nephropathy.

Adult↗