Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H Nitta

Publications and source records attributed to H Nitta.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome: analysis of HLA antigens.

OBJECTIVES: Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome (PLS) is a rare disease associated with prepubertal periodontitis. Our previous studies demonstrated that three unrelated patients with PLS showed the similar antigen-specific immune responses to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. The initiation of antigen-specific immune responses was involved with human leukocyte antigens (HLA) on antigen-presenting cells. The aim of this study was to examine HLA haplotypes in the three patients with PLS. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The three PLS patients, their mothers and the father of one patient participated in this study. HLA class I and class II antigens were determined serologically and DNA typing for DRB1 and DQB1 was performed using the restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction method. RESULTS: The distribution of serologic HLA haplotypes, in two of three patients, was found to be quite similar. The DNA typing revealed that DRB1*0406, DRB1*08032, DQB1*0302, DQB1*06011 genotypes were shared in the two patients. The probability of sharing these four DNA types in unrelated individuals was nearly 1:40,000 in the Japanese population. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that HLA antigen may be included as a possible host factor in the pathogenesis of PLS and that a genetically controlled immune response may account for an increased susceptibility to periodontal infection.

Aggressive Periodontitis↗
PubMed1999

A de novo splice donor site mutation causes in-frame deletion of 14 amino acids in the proteolipid protein in Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease.

Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD) is a leukodystrophy associated with mutations in the proteolipid protein (PLP) gene. Jimpy is a mouse model of human PMD, and a splice site mutation in Jimpy causes the deletion of exon 5 from the PLP mRNA, producing a truncated form of PLP. We describe a de novo point mutation at the 5' splice donor site of exon 5 in a 17-year-old male with PMD, which results in the skipping of 42 base pairs of exon 5. The mutation removes only 14 amino acids in-frame of PLP. This is a novel splice donor site mutation in the human PLP gene. Moreover, the results indicate that the 14-amino acid deletion in the PLP is responsible for oligodendrocyte cell death and the development of PMD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Effect of intravenous omega-6 and omega-3 fat emulsions on nitrogen retention and protein kinetics in burned rats.

The effect of omega-3 fat emulsion on nitrogen retention and kinetics in relation to fatty acid profile were investigated in burned rats receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). A fat emulsion of a structured symmetrical triacylglycerol containing only eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (2:1) was prepared. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed by fat-free chow for 2 wk. Then rats were fed exclusively with one of three types of TPN for 7 d. Animals in group C received fat-free TPN (n = 11). Group omega 6 received safflower oil fat emulsion, which accounted for 20% of total caloric intake (n = 11). Group omega 3 received fat emulsion containing only EPA and DHA (1% of total calories, n = 11), in addition to safflower oil emulsion (19% of total calories). On day 5, each rat was subjected to 20% full-thickness scald burns. Rats were sacrificed under ether anesthesia 48 h after burning. The rats in group C became deficient in omega-6 essential fatty acids. Cumulative nitrogen balance was decreased significantly in group omega 6. The rates of whole-body protein synthesis were increased significantly in both groups omega 6 and omega 3. In omega 6, however, the rates of whole-body protein breakdown were increased significantly. In conclusion, the rates of whole-body protein breakdown increased and nitrogen retention was aggravated significantly in animals administered the safflower oil emulsion. Significant increases of urinary excretion of total catecholamine were also observed. Prostaglandin E2 and thromboxane B2 concentrations were not significantly different among three groups. Supplementation with the new omega-3 fat emulsion, however, improved protein metabolism in burned rats receiving TPN.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Changes in immune function following surgery for esophageal carcinoma.

Changes in immune function due to surgical injury have been well-documented. Immunosuppression is one of the causes of infectious complications leading to organ dysfunction in critical illness. It is not known what kind of surgery in the daily clinical practice causes immunosuppression. Stress response and immune function following surgery for esophageal carcinoma, assuming a highly-stressed operation, were studied and then compared with the stress response and immune function following gastric surgery, a moderately-stressed procedure. Forty patients who underwent esophagectomy and 39 patients receiving gastric operation were studied. The concentrations of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured preoperatively, at 1, 2, and 6 h, and at 1, 3, and 10 d after operation. Total protein, serum albumin, rapid turnover protein, serum CRP, and cortisol were measured before operation and at 1, 3, 7, and 21 d after operation. ConA- and PHA-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation, IgA, IgG, and IgM were also measured preoperatively, and on 7 and 21 d following surgery. The patients were fed exclusively by total parenteral nutrition (TPN). A striking rise of IL-6 was observed, with a peak in both groups at 1 to 6 h following operation. The peak values were 419+/-30 pg/mL, which was approximately twice as high in the esophagectomy patients as in the gastrectomy patients (195+/-40 pg/mL). CRP and cortisol also increased after operation, and these increases were also significantly greater in the esophagectomy patients. ConA- and PHA-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation decreased significantly 7 d after esophagectomy (P<0.05), but was unchanged in the patients receiving gastrectomy. Suppression of cellular immunity correlated significantly with serum cortisol, and was preceded by a rise in serum IL-6. The IgA, IgG, and IgM levels, however, remained unchanged from their preoperative values throughout the study in both groups. Nutritional status in terms of serum protein, albumin, and rapid turnover protein, decreased postoperatively, but there was no difference between the two groups. It is, therefore, concluded that cell-mediated immunosuppression, preceded by a hyperinflammatory response, is an observable reaction in patients following esophageal surgery, but not in patients undergoing gastric surgery.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Down-regulation of p27Kip1 expression is correlated with increased cell proliferation but not expression of p21waf1 and p53, and human papillomavirus infection in benign and malignant tumours of sinonasal regions.

AIMS: Although p27Kip1(p27) is a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor and a contribution to tumorigenesis has been hypothesized, the possible role in tumours arising in the nasal and paranasal sinus regions is still unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy-six sinonasal tumours, including 28 inverted papillomas (IPs) and 48 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), were immunohistochemically investigated, along with 46 exophytic papillomas (EPs) of upper respiratory tract and 34 samples of normal paranasal sinus epithelium. The results were also compared with expression of p21WAF1 (p21) and p53, cell proliferation assessed in terms of Ki67 labelling indices (LIs), and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The average p27 scores decreased from normal through to malignant lesions, while Ki67 LI scores showed a stepwise increase, the inverse correlation between scores for all categories being significant (r = - 0.639, P < 0. 0001). In the SCCs, p27 expression was significantly higher in keratinizing than nonkeratinizing type tumours (P < 0.05), while there was no association with p21 and p53 expression. Although HPV DNAs for type 16 and 18 were detected in two (7.4%) of 27 EPs, six (35.8%) of 28 IPs, and nine (28.1%) of 32 SCCs, no relation with p27 scores was evident. CONCLUSION: Loss of p27 expression correlates with increased cell proliferation in sinonasal tumours. Moreover, the expression appears to be associated with keratinization in SCCs of the paranasal sinus. These findings indicate that p27 expression may be a useful marker for the dysregulation of cell kinetics in these tumours.

Blotting, Southern↗
PubMed1999

Effects of soybean oil emulsion and eicosapentaenoic acid on stress response and immune function after a severely stressful operation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of soybean oil emulsion and oral or enteral administration of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on stress response, cytokine production, protein metabolism, and immune function after surgery for esophageal cancer. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: It has been reported that safflower oil, rich in n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-6 PUFA), affects the survival rate of septic animals and decreases the immune function. It has also been reported that the administration of fish oil, in contrast, reduces these stress responses and stress-induced immunosuppression. In humans, the effects of soybean oil emulsion and the administration of EPA on stress response and immune function after surgery have not been established. METHODS: Patients who underwent esophagectomy with thoracotomy were divided into three groups. Seven patients were fed by total parenteral nutrition (TPN) with soybean oil emulsion, which accounted for 20% of total calories. Seven patients were given oral or enteral administration of 1.8 g/day EPA, in addition to TPN with soybean oil emulsion. Nine patients served as the control group; these patients received fat-free TPN. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein, concanavalin A (con A)- or phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation, natural killer cell activity, and stress hormones were measured. RESULTS: The postoperative level of serum IL-6 was significantly higher in the group receiving soybean oil emulsion than in the fat-free group. Oral or enteral supplementation of EPA with soybean oil emulsion significantly reduced the level of serum IL-6 compared with the patients receiving soybean oil emulsion. Con A- or PHA-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation decreased significantly on postoperative day 7 in all groups of patients. The supplementation of EPA with soybean oil emulsion significantly improved the lymphocyte proliferation and natural killer cell activity on postoperative day 21 compared with the group receiving soybean oil emulsion. CONCLUSIONS: Soybean oil emulsion amplifies, and the supplementation of EPA reduces, the stress response and stress-induced immunosuppression.

Eicosapentaenoic Acid↗
PubMed1999

Measurements of biological contaminants and particulate matter inside a dwelling in Japan.

To investigate the biological contaminant levels inside dwellings in Japan, the authors measured fungal indices, airborne mite allergens (Der 1 and Der 2), and suspended particulate matter (SPM). Measurements were continuously conducted at one dwelling located in Yokosuka-city, Kanagawa. The biosensors for fungal index were set at 12 points inside and 2 points outside the dwelling. An SPM sampler was placed in the living room, and samplers for collecting allergens were placed in the living room and in the washroom. The peak level of the fungal index was recorded during July, which is the rainy season in Japan. The highest value in the dwelling was 6.9 in the toilet, and the second highest was 6.6 near a window in the living room that faces southeast, and behind the sofa. The highest monthly SPM level was 21.5 micrograms/m3 during October, and the highest monthly allergen level (Der 1) in the living room was 25.7 pg/m3 during November. A positive relationship between the fungal index and mite allergens was not observed, and the levels of contaminants were not as those found in other studies. However, further study to investigate the distribution of biological contaminants is needed because indoor temperature and relative humidity are comparatively high.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed1998

Protective interactive noncondensing (PINC) polymers for enhanced plasmid distribution and expression in rat skeletal muscle.

We have developed protective interactive noncondensing (PINC) polymers, such as poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), to protect plasmids from extracellular nuclease degradation while allowing the flexible complex to diffuse throughout the muscle tissue. Molecular modeling, zeta potential modulation, and ethidium bromide intercalation studies were performed to assess the mechanism of interaction between PVP and plasmid. The effect of salt concentration, pH, and polymer-plasmid ratios were investigated. We have correlated these variables with beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) expression after intramuscular administration to rats. PVP can form hydrogen bonds with the base pairs within the major groove of DNA at pH 4.0. The PVP-plasmid interaction results in a complex that is more hydrophobic (less negatively charged) than the uncomplexed plasmid due to the vinyl backbone of PVP. Up to a ten-fold enhancement in gene expression in rat muscle over the use of 'naked' DNA has been demonstrated using these systems. A linear structure-activity relationship (SAR) was found between the percent vinyl pyrrolidone monomer content in poly (vinyl pyrrolidone-covinyl acetate) polymers and beta-gal expression in muscle. Modulation of the interaction between PINC polymers and plasmid directly impacts the levels of gene expression in vivo. The linear SAR is being used to design novel PINC polymers with enhanced binding affinity to plasmids.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Assessment of the expression of p53, MIB-1 (Ki-67 antigen), and argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions in carcinoma of the extrahepatic bile duct.

BACKGROUND: The authors retrospectively examined the predictive value of p53, MIB-1, and the argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNOR) and examined the relationships among them in carcinoma of the extrahepatic bile duct (EHBD). METHODS: Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded specimens from 54 patients with EHBD carcinoma were immunostained with MIB-1 against the Ki-67 nuclear antigen and p53 by the avidin-biotin peroxidase complex method, using the antigen retrieval technique of heating tissue sections in a microwave oven. The AgNOR proteins were localized at the optical level, as shown by a one-step silver staining technique. RESULTS: MIB-1 and AgNOR were closely associated with lymph node metastasis (P < 0.01). The cumulative survival rate for patients with a low MIB-1 labeling index (LI) (< 29%) was significantly better than that for patients with a high MIB-1 LI (> or = 29%) in cases of EHBD carcinoma (P < 0.05), but MIB-1 was not an independent prognostic factor in multivariate analysis. The results indicated that AgNOR and p53 overexpression had no prognostic value. The authors detected p53 in 24 of the 54 EHBD carcinomas (44.4%). There was a significant correlation between MIB-1 and AgNOR (P < 0.01). The authors found that neither MIB-1 nor AgNOR correlated with p53 overexpression. CONCLUSIONS: MIB-1 and AgNOR proved to be useful predictors of lymph node metastasis. The results of this study indicated that MIB-1 and AgNOR might be markers of the progression of EHBD carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Prevalence of use of medically prescribed hypnotics among adult Japanese women in urban residential areas.

Based on a population survey on insomnia among 3600 adult Japanese women living in urban areas, the prevalence of use of medically prescribed hypnotics is determined. The prevalence of use of medically prescribed hypnotics increases with an increase in age (<1.0% for those aged 49 or younger, while 14.3% for those aged 70 or older), in agreement with the results reported in many Western nations. The current sleep disturbance is mild in nearly half of these hypnotics users. More than one-third of the hypnotic users are receiving health care not for sleep problems but for depression, anxiety, or other reasons. More than one-third of the hypnotic users are found to be receiving hypnotics from non-psychiatrists. The percentage of this group is particularly high among those aged 60 or over, probably reflecting the fact that they are often consulting physicians for physical reasons. On the other hand, more than 80% of insomniacs are suggested to be untreated. Future public health research should focus on the quality of life and health care behaviors of untreated insomniacs and hypnotic users, especially among the elderly people, in order to assess the need for primary health care to prevent accidents, mortality, and psychiatric disorders related to sleep problems.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Bone mineral density in periodontally healthy and edentulous postmenopausal women.

(Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic disease among postmenopausal women. Reduced masticatory function caused by tooth loss may be a contributing risk factor of osteoporosis. The present study examined the effect of dentate state on skeletal bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. Fourteen periodontally healthy dentate subjects (group H; mean age: 64.0 + 5.5 years) and 12 edentulous subjects (group E; mean age: 67.1 + 2.9 years) were randomly selected from the clinics of the departments of Periodontology and Gerodontology, respectively. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. BMD of the lumbar spine (L2-L4) was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. In addition, occlusal force was measured in 11 group H subjects and 8 group E subjects by using an occlusal diagnostic system. Risk factors associated with osteoporosis including age, calcium intake, physical activity, and cigarette smoking and causes of tooth loss were assessed by interview and questionnaire sent to all participants. The BMD of group H was 1.07 t 0.21 g/cm2 and that of group E was 0.89 + 0.17 g/cm2, which was significantly different(P< 0.05). The occlusal force of group H and E patients was 312.4 + 148 Nand 56.3 + 36 N, respectively, which was significantly different (P< 0.05). Risk factors such as calcium intake, physical activity, and smoking did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Thus, the periodontally healthy dentate women, who showed about 6 times higher occlusal force than edentulous women, maintained significantly higher BMD of the lumbar spine than edentulous women. Our results suggest that sufficient masticatory function with periodontally healthy dentition may inhibit or delay the progress of osteoporotic change in skeletal bone or that edentulous women may be more susceptible to osteoporosis.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1997

Expression of biologically active human insulin-like growth factor-I following intramuscular injection of a formulated plasmid in rats.

Recent evidence has shown that insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) plays an important role in the development, maintenance, and regeneration of peripheral nerves and skeletal muscle. IGF-I offers the potential to treat neuromuscular diseases in humans. We have developed a nonviral gene therapy method to express and produce localized and sustained therapeutic levels of IGF-I within target muscles by intramuscular injection of formulated plasmids. The purpose of the present study was to demonstrate that intramuscular injection of a plasmid encoding human IGF-I (hIGF-I) and engineered to restrict expression to skeletal muscle produces sustained local concentrations of biologically active hIGF-I. Normal rats received a single intramuscular injection of plasmids formulated as a complex with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Results show that hIGF-I mRNA and hIGF-I protein were detectable in the injected muscles for the duration of the study (28 days), whereas the hIGF-I protein was not detected in blood. Biological activity of hIGF-I was determined by immunodetection of a nerve-specific growth-associated protein, GAP-43, an indicator of motor neuron sprouting. Placement of human growth hormone (hGH) 3' untranslated region enhanced GAP-43 staining, probably due to improved secretion of hIGF-I. Enhanced immunoreactivity of GAP-43 was observed in muscles injected with the formulated hIGF-I plasmid when compared to controls. These results demonstrate that intramuscular injection of hIGF-I plasmid formulated as a complex with PVP produces a localized and sustained level of biologically active hIGF-I.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Groin pain associated with lower lumbar disc herniation.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective clinical and magnetic resonance imaging study of patients with groin pain associated with lower lumbar disc herniation. OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the clinical features and magnetic resonance imaging findings of these patients. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Patients with lumbar disc herniation sometimes report groin pain. Little mention has been made, however, regarding the clinical features of groin pain stemmed from lower lumbar disc herniation until now, with only Murphey referring to groin pain in disc disease. METHODS: A total of 512 patients were diagnosed with singular lower lumbar disc herniation (L4-L5 and L5-S1) at Kakegawa City General Hospital between July 1990 and December 1993. Of these patients, 21 (4.1%) reported groin pain. The characteristic clinical features and magnetic resonance imaging findings of the 21 patients were investigated and compared with the features and findings of patients with no groin pain. RESULTS: Patients with groin pain had a higher mean age and lower rate of low back pain, and L4-L5 discs were more likely to be involved than L5-S1 discs. In their magnetic resonance images, herniation tended to be more central than in patients with no groin pain. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients with L4-L5 protruding herniation of the anulus fibrosus were most likely to experience groin pain. The sinuvertebral nerve that innervates the posterior anulus fibrosus, the posterior longitudinal ligament, and the dura was indicated as the afferent nerve of groin pain.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 on endotoxin translocation in burned rats receiving total parenteral nutrition.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on the translocation of endotoxin from the gut of burned rats. Twenty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats (7-wk-old) were subjected to 20% full-thickness scald burns and were divided into two groups. One group received 4 mg.kg-1.d-1 of IGF-1 (IGF-1 group, n = 14), and the other received saline (control group, n = 13). All rats were fed exclusively by total parenteral nutrition (TPN). On the second postburn day, rats were killed. The amount of endotoxin in the liver and spleen were measured. RNA from the terminal ileum was extracted, and Northern blot analyses of alpha-tubulin, beta-actin, cell division cycle-2 (cdc2), and immunoglobulin-A (IgA) were performed. Nitrogen balance was improved (p < 0.001), and the wet weight of intestine and its mucosa were increased significantly in the burned rats that received IGF-1. Gene expression of alpha-tubulin and beta-actin were not changed. Cdc2 was elevated (P < 0.05), but IgA was decreased (P < 0.05) in the IGF-1 group. Levels of endotoxin in the liver and spleen were significantly reduced (P<0.05) by the administration of IGF-1. A negative correlation between the levels of endotoxin in the liver and the weight of the intestinal mucosa was observed. In conclusion, IGF-1 improved nitrogen balance, promoted the proliferation of intestinal mucosa and reduced the translocation of endotoxin.

Actins↗
PubMed1997

Cervical spinal cord infarction after surgery for a pineal region choriocarcinoma in the sitting position: case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Spinal cord injury is one of several devastating complications after operation in the sitting position. Young patients exhibiting extraordinary growth spurts demonstrate a higher risk for this complication. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We describe a 7-year-old male patient with a pineal region choriocarcinoma in whom a cervical spinal cord infarction (C5-T1) developed as an acute complication after operation in the sitting position. Preoperatively, high serum levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (5867.7 mIU/ml) and somatomedin-C (704 ng/ml) and an extreme growth velocity in height (16 cm/yr) were noted. CONCLUSION: It is assumed that, in addition to head flexion, the abnormal skeletal growth spurt resulting from an excessive secretion of human chorionic gonadotropin from a tumor was a possible predisposing factor for this complication. To prevent this complication, surgeons need to pay great attention to head positioning, especially in a young patient experiencing an active growth spurt.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed1997

Purification and characterization of Campylobacter rectus surface layer proteins.

Campylobacter rectus is a putative periodontopathogen which expresses a proteinaceous surface layer (S-layer) external to the outer membrane. S-layers are considered to play a protective role for the microorganism in hostile environments. The S-layer proteins from six different C. rectus strains (five human isolates and a nonhuman primate [NHP] isolate) were isolated, purified, and characterized. The S-layer proteins of these strains varied in molecular mass (ca. 150 to 166 kDa) as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. They all reacted with monospecific rabbit antiserum to the purified S-layer of C. rectus 314, but a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay demonstrated a strong antigenic relationship among the five human strains, while the NHP strain, 6250, showed weaker reactivity. Amino acid composition analysis showed that the S-layers of four C. rectus strains contained large proportions of acidic amino acids (13 to 27%) and that >34% of the amino acid residues were hydrophobic. Amino acid sequence analysis of six S-layer proteins revealed that the first 15 amino-terminal amino acids were identical and showed seven residues of identity with the amino-terminal sequence of the Campylobacter fetus S-layer protein SapA1. CNBr peptide profiles of the S-layer proteins from C. rectus 314, ATCC 33238, and 6250 confirmed that the S-layer proteins from the human strains were similar to each other and somewhat different from that of the NHP isolate (strain 6250). However, the S-layer proteins from the two human isolates do show some structural heterogeneity. For example, there was a 17-kDa fragment unique to the C. rectus 314 S-layer. The amino-terminal sequence of this peptide had homology with the C. rectus 51-kDa porin and was composed of nearly 50% hydrophobic residues. Thus, the S-layer protein from C. rectus has structural heterogeneity among different human strains and immunoheterogeneity with the NHP strain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗