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Biomedical subjects

H Nakano

Publications and source records attributed to H Nakano.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

[A simple personal computer-based system for lung sound analysis].

Although lung sounds provide important information about the respiratory system, the analysis of lung sounds has not been widely used in clinical practice because of the complicated procedure involved. However, personal computer technology has made impressive strides in recent years. Today, practically all personal computer models on the market are equipped with the capacity for audio signal input and output. We developed a new computer system for lung sounds acquisition and analysis. The system hardware comprises only a personal computer and a microphone, and the software was developed for a widely used operating system (Windows 95). Our system can record, save, and replay lung sounds and analyze their time and frequency domains. To verify the accuracy of sound acquisition, we examined the frequency characteristics of the system as installed and utilized on 4 different machines. The characteristics were essentially flat throughout the 200-2,000 Hz spectrum within which almost all lung sounds were contained. We feel our system can serve as a simple and useful tool for lung sound analysis.

Humans↗
PubMed2000

Benzodiazepine receptor distribution and cerebral blood flow in early blindness--a PET study.

We studied benzodiazepine receptor (BZR) distribution, which is thought to be affected by neuronal density in the cerebral cortex, and CBF using [11C]flumazenil and [15O]water PET in early blind (EB) and in blindfold sighted control (SC) subjects. PET images were co-registered to the subject's MRI. Using SPM96, MRI images were normalized in the Talairach and Tournoux coordinate system, and accordingly MRI-registered PET images were spatially normalized. Statistical parametric maps were computed on a voxel-by-voxel basis, using the general linear model. CBF for EB was significantly larger in the Brodmann area 17 and 18, especially anterior area, than that for SC, while there was no significant difference in BZR distribution. Our BZR data suggest that the amount of neurons do not change due to early visual deprivation in the visual cortex, in spite of high CBF in visual cortex of EB subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Aortic valve reconstruction of aortic root repair].

We report the choice of aortic valve reconstruction, surgical results and postoperative results in 22 patients who underwent aortic root replacement between June 1996 and October 1999. We chose the replacement using bio-prosthesis in six patients over 65 years of age and valve preservation or replacement using mechanical prosthesis in sixteen patients under 65 years of age. Ten patients underwent valve replacement using mechanical prosthesis. There was one hospital death and one late death. Six patients underwent valve replacement using bio-prosthesis. There was no hospital death and no late death. Six patients underwent valve preservation. There was one hospital death. There was no event among five patients in the mid-term follow-up, although a longer follow-up must be necessary.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

[Limited-form Wegener's granulomatosis without anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody].

A 78-year-old woman was admitted because of dry cough and weight loss. A computed tomographic (CT) scan of the thorax showed multiple masses in both lungs with and without cavitation. No other organ lesions were detected. The patient was seronegative for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) and a routine sputum culture was normal. Because specimens from transbronchial and CT-guided transluminal lung biopsies disclosed non-specific granuloma with necrosis, an excisional biopsy of the mass by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was performed. The specimens contained geographic basophilic necrosis with palisading histiocytes, giant cells, and neutrophils. A limited form of Wegener's granulomatosis was diagnosed on the basis of the clinical and pathological features and effects of treatment.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Enzyme/prodrug gene therapy for human colon cancer cells using adenovirus-mediated transfer of the Escherichia coli cytosine deaminase gene driven by a CAG promoter associated with 5-fluorocytosine administration.

Escherichia coli cytosine deaminase (CD), which is a prokaryotic enzyme, converts nontoxic prodrug 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) into the toxic chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). To investigate an enzyme/prodrug gene therapy for colorectal cancer, using adenoviral gene transfer of the E. coli CD gene associated with administration of 5-FC, we constructed replication-defective adenovirus vectors expressing the E. coli CD gene or lacZ gene driven by a CAG promoter (composed of a cytomegalovirus immediate early enhancer and a chicken beta-actin promotor). The present study demonstrated that an adenoviral gene transfer system using a CAG promoter induced sufficient gene expression of CD to confer the cytotoxicity of 5-FC to HT29 human colon cancer cells by converting it into 5-FU even at an moi of one. Furthermore, experimental gene therapy using intratumoral injection of the CD-expressing adenovirus with systemical administration of 5'-FC successfully suppressed the growth of established HT29 subcutaneous tumors in nude mice. These results suggest that enzyme/prodrug gene therapy using the adenoviral gene transfer of the E. coli CD gene with concomitant administration of 5-FC may be an effective strategy in the local control of colorectal cancer.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2000

DNA polymorphism analysis of a pure non-gestational choriocarcinoma of the ovary: case report.

A 45-year-old nulligravida woman died from carcinoma peritonitis with choriocarcinoma arising in the ovary. This tumor was resistant to chemotherapy after debulking surgery. DNA polymorphism analysis was useful in proving the choriocarcinoma to be non-gestational carcinoma. In this paper, the clinical course and DNA polymorphism findings are mainly discussed.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed2000

[Erdheim-Chester disease presenting with pulmonary lesion].

A 49-year-old man first visited our hospital in 1991 for further examination of abnormal pulmonary shadows. A chest radiograph and computed tomographic (CT) scan showed diffuse reticular shadows in both lung fields. The findings from a transbronchial lung biopsy specimen were not conclusive. Although there was little change in the abnormal pulmonary shadows, the patient's lung functions gradually deteriorated, indicating an obstructive defect. The patient was admitted in 1998 with the chief complaint of increasing dyspnea on exertion. A thoracoscopic lung biopsy specimen revealed proliferation of histiocytes with fibrosis in the pleura and perivascular interstitium. Immunohistochemically, the histiocytic cells were CD68-positive, alpha 1-antichymotripsin-positive, S100 protein-negative, and CD1a-negative. A bone scintigram and magnetic resonance images showed symmetrical diametaphyseal bone lesions in the distal femurs and the proximal tibiae; however, the epiphyses were spared. These findings were consistent with Erdheim-Chester disease. This is the first reported case of Erdheim-Chester disease with pulmonary involvement in Japan.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed2000

[Exhaled nitric oxide].

We introduce the standard method of measurement of nitric oxide recommended by American thoracic society in 1999 and report the results of exhaled NO and nasal NO in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS). Our data showed lower exhaled NO output in the patients with OSAS than that of normal volunteers(NV) and that of patients with simple obesity(SO). On the other hand, nasal NO in the OSAS patients is higher than that of NV and that of SO patients. Also, there were significant relationships between apnea index and exhaled NO and between desaturation during sleep and nasal NO. These findings suggested that NO from lower and upper airway will be a non-invasive maker of sleep disordered breathing in future.

Breath Tests↗
PubMed2000

The effect of carbon dioxide tension on cerebral circulation during hypothermic selective cerebral perfusion.

BACKGROUND: Some reports have observed the response of cerebral blood flow to PaCO2 during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. We studied the effect of PaCO2 on the cerebral circulation during hypothermic selective cerebral perfusion. METHODS: Between June 1992 and January 1998, 35 patients underwent aortic arch grafting using hypothermic selective cerebral perfusion (20 degrees C). In the earlier four patient (Group 1), carbon dioxide gas was not added. In the latter 31 patient (Group 2), carbon dioxide gas was added to the cerebral perfusion. The hemodynamics and rates of change in cerebral oxygen saturation were evaluated. RESULTS: In Group 1, the index of cerebral arterial resistance was 9.2+/-2.2 at the start of selective cerebral perfusion and increased to 15.7+/-0.1 at the re-warming stage (p<0.05), and there was a significant decrease in cerebral oxygen saturation at the re-warming stage (p<0.001). In Group 2, the index of cerebral arterial resistance was 4.7+/-1.7 at the start of selective cerebral perfusion and 4.3+/-1.5 at the re-warming stage, a non-significant change. The change in cerebral oxygen saturation was also nonsignificant between the start of selective cerebral perfusion and the re-warming stage. Among the neurological outcomes, there was only one small cerebral infarction in Group 2; however, no delayed conscious recovery was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of CO2 to cerebral perfusion was a factor in inhibiting the increase in the cerebral vascular resistance at the re-warming stage.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Two-step tuberculin skin testing in our hospital employees].

To evaluate the baseline values of tuberculin reaction, two-step tuberculin skin testing was carried out in 365 employees of our hospital. We defined strongly response group when the size of erythema showed more than 30 mm or who showed strongly positive reaction. Two-step tuberculin skin testing was carried out in 165 hospital employees excluding those who were defined as the strongly response group in the first testing. 80 hospital employees (48.5%) became strongly response group by the second tuberculin skin testing. Altogether, 76.7% of all employees were strongly response group either by the first time or the second tuberculin skin testing. The size of erythema and that of induration showed 13.2 +/- 12.6 mm (mean +/- SD), 6.9 +/- 9.2 mm increase, respectively, in the two-step tuberculin skin testing, so-called Booster phenomenon. We could not know the true tuberculin reaction status by the single tuberculin skin testing. Therefore, two-step tuberculin skin testing is important as one of an infection prevention countermeasures in the hospital workers.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Single-step single-molecule PCR of DNA with a homo-priming sequence using a single primer and hot-startable DNA polymerase.

We have previously reported that a protein library can be constructed by directly combining PCR amplification of a single DNA molecule and cell-free protein synthesis. To specifically amplify single DNA molecules, however, two-step PCR with nested primers was used. Here we describe a simpler method for single-step amplification of a single molecule. The method involves the use of both hot-startable DNA polymerase and a DNA template that has homo-priming sequences at both ends for amplification using a single primer. These two modifications greatly decreased the possibility of formation and subsequent accumulation, respectively, of primer-dimers that inhibit the amplification of target template. In addition, a high-fidelity DNA polymerase was successfully used, resulting in the significant reduction of the accumulation of mutations during amplification.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Kupffer cells from Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice participate in the prompt type 2 differentiation of hepatic T cells in response to worm antigens.

Infection with Schistosoma mansoni, a portal vein-residing helminth, is well known to generate life cycle-dependent, systemic immune responses in the host, type 1 deviation during the prepatent period, and type 2 polarization after oviposition. Here we investigated local immunological changes in the liver after infection. Unlike splenocytes, hepatic lymphocytes from infected mice during the prepatent period already produced a higher amount of IL-4 and a lesser amount of IFN-gamma than those from uninfected mice. Hepatic lymphocytes, particularly conventional T cells, but not NK1.1+ T cells, promptly produced IL-4 in response to worm products, soluble worm Ag preparation (SWAP), whenever presented by Kupffer cells from infected mice. The hepatic lymphocytes that had been stimulated with SWAP presented by infected mice-derived Kupffer cells produced a huge amount of IL-4, IL-13, and IL-5 as well as little IFN-gamma in response to immobilized anti-CD3 mAb. Kupffer cells from uninfected mice produced IL-6 and IL-10, but not IL-12 or IL-18, in response to SWAP stimulation and gained the potential to additionally produce IL-4 and IL-13 after the infection. These results suggested that prompt type 2 deviation in the liver after the infection might be due to the alteration of Kupffer cells that induces SWAP-mediated type 2-development of hepatic T cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Characterization of a duocarmycin-DNA adduct-recognizing protein in cancer cells.

Duocarmycins have been reported to derive their potent antitumor activity through a sequence-selective minor groove alkylation of N3 adenine in double-stranded DNA. We have used gel mobility shift assays to detect proteins that bind to DNA treated in vitro with duocarmycin SA and identified a protein, named duocarmycin-DNA adduct recognizing protein (DARP), which binds with increased affinity to duocarmycin-damaged DNA. Examination with partially purified DARP revealed that the protein recognized not only the DNA adduct of structurally related drug, CC-1065, but unexpectedly, the protein also recognized the DNA adduct of another chemotype of minor groove binder, anthramycin. These results demonstrate that DARP recognizes the structural alteration of DNA induced by these potent DNA-alkylating drugs, suggesting the possibility that the protein might modulate the antitumor activity of these drugs.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Adenovirus-mediated transfer of HST-1/FGF-4 gene protects mice from lethal irradiation.

Intraperitoneal injection of a replication-deficient adenovirus containing the HST-1 (FGF-4) gene (Adex1HST-1) increased peripheral platelet counts in mice, and also effectively prevented experimentally induced thrombocytopenia. Here, we report the therapeutic potential of Adex1HST-1 on severely injured mice after exposure to otherwise lethal irradiation. Eighteen out of 20 mice that received Adex1HST-1 prior to gamma-irradiation (9 Gy) survived, while all the 20 mice with prior administration of control adenoviruses died after irradiation (P<0.0001). Hematological and histopathological analyses revealed that Adex1HST-1 acts as a potent protector against lethal irradiation, which causes injury of intestinal tract as well as myelosuppression in the bone marrow and spleen. These data demonstrate that the protective effects of administration of Adex1HST-1 against irradiation are superior to any other protective effects of cytokines against a lethal dose of irradiation, and that the pre-administration of Adex1HST-1 may be useful for lessening the side effects of currently used chemo- and radio-therapy against cancer.

Adenoviruses, Human↗
PubMed1999

The reduced expression of 6Ckine in the plt mouse results from the deletion of one of two 6Ckine genes.

6Ckine is an unusual chemokine capable of attracting naive T lymphocytes in vitro. It has been recently reported that lack of 6Ckine expression in lymphoid organs is a prominent characteristic of mice homozygous for the paucity of lymph node T cell (plt) mutation. These mice show reduced numbers of T cells in lymph nodes, Peyer's patches, and the white pulp of the spleen. The genetic reason for the lack of 6Ckine expression in the plt mouse, however, has remained unknown. Here we demonstrate that mouse 6Ckine is encoded by two genes, one of which is expressed in lymphoid organs and is deleted in plt mice. A second 6Ckine gene is intact and expressed in the plt mouse.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Targeted disruption of Traf5 gene causes defects in CD40- and CD27-mediated lymphocyte activation.

TRAF5 [tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor 5] is implicated in NF-kappaB and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase activation by members of the TNF receptor superfamily, including CD27, CD30, CD40, and lymphotoxin-beta receptor. To investigate the functional role of TRAF5 in vivo, we generated TRAF5-deficient mice by gene targeting. Activation of either NF-kappaB or c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase by tumor necrosis factor, CD27, and CD40 was not abrogated in traf5(-/-) mice. However, traf5(-/-) B cells showed defects in proliferation and up-regulation of various surface molecules, including CD23, CD54, CD80, CD86, and Fas in response to CD40 stimulation. Moreover, in vitro Ig production of traf5(-/-) B cells stimulated with anti-CD40 plus IL-4 was reduced substantially. CD27-mediated costimulatory signal also was impaired in traf5(-/-) T cells. Collectively, these results demonstrate that TRAF5 is involved in CD40- and CD27-mediated signaling.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Efficient coupled transcription/translation from PCR template by a hollow-fiber membrane bioreactor.

A novel bioreactor using a hollow-fiber membrane was developed for the coupled transcription/translation system using T7 RNA polymerase and Escherichia coli S30 extract. The large surface area per the reaction volume of the reactor assured rapid mass transfers of substrates into the reaction mixture and of wastes out from it across the membrane by their molecular diffusion. The flux was large enough to maintain nucleotide concentrations for more than 3 h, which increased the protein synthesis greatly. In addition, the T7 terminator sequence downstream from the reporter genes was found to increase the synthesized protein significantly, especially when the product of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used as a template. Implementation of this finding and use of the bioreactor developed multiplied the productivity of protein by the in vitro direct expression from PCR template.

Base Sequence↗