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Biomedical subjects

H Taguchi

Publications and source records attributed to H Taguchi.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Chronological difference in walking impairment among Japanese group A xeroderma pigmentosum (XP-A) patients with various combinations of mutation sites.

Almost all Japanese group A xeroderma pigmentosum (XP-A) patients have nonsense and/or nonsense codon-leading mutations in the XP group A (XPA) gene, and develop neurological abnormalities. Walking ability is one of the most important neuromuscular functions of the patients, because it determines their daily activities. We studied the correlation between the various combinations of mutations found by PCR-RFLP in Japanese XP-A patients and their chronological walking impairment. We classified these patients into six groups. Group I: A patient who was homozygous for the mutation at codon 116 in exon 3 (Type 1 mutation) could never walk unaided. Group III: Typical patients who were homozygous for the mutation at intron 3 (Type 2 mutation) could walk unaided till 7-16 years of age. Group V: Patients who were compound heterozygous for Type 2 mutation and for the mutation at codon 228 in exon 6 (Type 3 mutation) began to develop some walking difficulty at 5-13 years of age and became unable to walk at 25-28 years of age. Group VI: A patient who was homozygous for Type 3 mutation could walk unaided without any difficulty till the age of 21. The walking ability of group II and IV patients is not known yet.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Cloning and sequence of the gene encoding a cefotaxime-hydrolyzing class A beta-lactamase isolated from Escherichia coli.

Escherichia coli TUH12191, which is resistant to piperacillin, cefazolin, cefotiam, ceftizoxime, cefuzonam, and aztreonam but is susceptible to cefoxitin, latamoxef, flomoxef, and imipenem, was isolated from the urine of a patient treated with beta-lactam antibiotics. The beta-lactamase (Toho-1) purified from the bacteria had a pI of 7.8, had a molecular weight of about 29,000, and hydrolyzed beta-lactam antibiotics such as penicillin G, ampicillin, oxacillin, carbenicillin, piperacillin, cephalothin, cefoxitin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, and aztreonam. Toho-1 was markedly inhibited by beta-lactamase inhibitors such as clavulanic acid and tazobactam. Resistance to beta-lactams, streptomycin, spectinomycin, sulfamethoxazole, and trimethoprim was transferred by conjugational transfer from E. coli TUH12191 to E. coli ML4903, and the transferred plasmid was about 58 kbp, belonging to incompatibility group M. The cefotaxime resistance gene for Toho-1 was subcloned from the 58-kbp plasmid by transformation of E. coli MV1184. The sequence of the gene for Toho-1 was determined, and the open reading frame of the gene consisted of 873 or 876 bases (initial sequence, ATGATG). The nucleotide sequence of the gene (DDBJ accession number D37830) was found to be about 73% homologous to the sequence of the gene encoding a class A beta-lactamase produced by Klebsiella oxytoca E23004. According to the amino acid sequence deduced from the DNA sequence, the precursor consisted of 290 or 291 amino acid residues, which contained amino acid motifs common to class A beta-lactamases (70SXXK, 130SDN, and 234KTG). Toho-1 was about 83% homologous to the beta-lactamase mediated by the chromosome of K. oxytoca D488 and the beta-lactamase mediated by the plasmid of E. coli MEN-1. Therefore, the newly isolated beta-lactamase Toho-1 produced by E. coli TUH12191 is similar to beta-lactamases produced by K. oxytoca D488, K. oxytoca E23004, and E. coli MEN-1 rather than to mutants of TEM or SHV enzymes. Toho-1 has shown the highest degree of similarity to K. oxytoca class A beta-lactamase. Detailed comparison of Toho-1 with other beta-lactamases implied that replacement of Asn-276 by Arg with the concomitant substitution of Thr for Arg-244 is an important mutation in the extension of the substrate specificity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Relaxation of the carotid artery to hypoxia is impaired in Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits.

We tested the hypothesis that relaxation of the carotid artery during hypoxia is mediated by activation of glibenclamide-sensitive potassium channels and that this response is impaired in hyperlipidemic rabbits. In New Zealand White rabbits (plasma cholesterol, 69 +/- 12 mg/dL, mean +/- SEM) and Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits (plasma cholesterol, 677 +/- 99 mg/dL), tension of the carotid artery was measured in an organ bath under control conditions and during two levels of hypoxia. In normal rabbits, mild hypoxia produced 21 +/- 2% relaxation in arteries precontracted with phenylephrine. Removal of endothelium or the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine (10(-4) mol/L) almost abolished relaxation in response to mild hypoxia in normal rabbits. Glibenclamide (10(-6) mol/L), an inhibitor of ATP-sensitive potassium channels, attenuated relaxation during mild hypoxia by almost 60%. In WHHL rabbits mild hypoxia relaxed the carotid artery by only 9 +/- 4% (P < .05 versus normal rabbits). Severe hypoxia produced greater relaxation of the carotid artery in normal than in WHHL rabbits (85 +/- 5% versus 52 +/- 8%, respectively, P < .05). Glibenclamide but not endothelial denudation or NG-nitro-L-arginine attenuated relaxation during severe hypoxia in normal and WHHL rabbits. Relaxation of the carotid artery to sodium nitroprusside was similar in normal and WHHL rabbits. These findings suggest that relaxation of the carotid artery in response to mild and severe hypoxia is impaired in WHHL rabbits and is mediated, in large part, by activation of glibenclamide-sensitive potassium channels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1995

Relaxation of the aorta during hypoxia is impaired in chronically hypertensive rats.

We investigated mechanisms by which hypoxia produces relaxation of the aorta and tested the hypothesis that these mechanisms are altered during chronic hypertension. Tension of thoracic aortae from normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) was measured in an organ bath under control conditions and at two levels of hypoxia. In WKY rats, mild and severe hypoxia produced relaxation of the aortae (precontracted with phenylephrine) by 33 +/- 4% and 82 +/- 3%, respectively (mean +/- SEM). Removal of endothelium or administration of NG-nitro-L-arginine (10(-4) mol/L), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, abolished relaxation of the aortae in response to mild hypoxia but did not affect relaxation during severe hypoxia. Glibenclamide (10(-6) mol/L), an inhibitor of potassium channels, attenuated relaxation of the aortae during mild and severe hypoxia by 49 +/- 16% and 74 +/- 4%, respectively. In SHRSP, mild hypoxia produced little relaxation of the aortae (3 +/- 4%, P < .05 compared with WKY). Indomethacin did not increase relaxation to mild hypoxia in SHRSP, which suggests that a cyclooxygenase-derived contracting factor does not contribute to impaired relaxation. Severe hypoxia relaxed the aortae by 86 +/- 4% in SHRSP, and glibenclamide inhibited this response by 60 +/- 9%. These findings suggest that relaxation of the aorta in response to mild hypoxia in WKY rats is mediated primarily by endothelium-derived relaxing factor, and the response to mild hypoxia is markedly impaired in SHRSP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to activation of adenylate cyclase is dependent on activation of Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channels.

The role of Ca(2+)-dependent potassium channels in mediating vascular responses to activation of adenylate cyclase in vivo is not known. The goal of this study was to examine the hypothesis that dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to activation of adenylate cyclase is mediated by activation of Ca(2+)-dependent potassium channels. Diameters of cerebral arterioles were measured in vivo in anesthetized rabbits. Topical application of forskolin (1 and 10 mumol/L), a direct activator of adenylate cyclase, dilated cerebral arterioles by 40 +/- 8% (mean +/- SEM) and 71 +/- 9%, respectively, from a control diameter of 85 +/- 4 microns. Iberiotoxin (50 and 100 nmol/L), a selective inhibitor of Ca(2+)-dependent potassium channels, inhibited dilatation in response to both concentrations of forskolin by 45% to 60%. We obtained similar results by using charybdotoxin (50 nmol/L), another inhibitor of Ca(2+)-dependent potassium channels. Vasodilatation in response to dibutyryl cAMP (a cell-permeable cAMP analogue) was also inhibited by iberiotoxin. In contrast, dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to sodium nitroprusside and acetylcholine (activators of guanylate cyclase) and aprikalim (activator of ATP-sensitive potassium channels) was not inhibited by iberiotoxin. These findings suggest that dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to forskolin and increases in intracellular concentrations of cAMP are mediated by activation of Ca(2+)-dependent potassium channels. Thus, activation of Ca(2+)-dependent potassium channels may be a major mechanism of cerebral vasodilatation in response to activation of adenylate cyclase in vivo.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1995

Role of potassium channels in cerebral blood vessels.

BACKGROUND: Hyperpolarization of vascular muscle in response to activation of potassium channels is a major mechanism of vasodilatation. In cerebral blood vessels, four different potassium channels have been described: ATP-sensitive potassium channels, calcium-activated potassium channels, delayed rectifier potassium channels, and inward rectifier potassium channels. SUMMARY OF REVIEW: Activation of ATP-sensitive and calcium activated potassium channels appears to play a major role in relaxation of cerebral arteries and arterioles in response to diverse stimuli, including receptor-mediated agonists, intracellular second messengers, and hypoxia. Both calcium-activated and delayed rectifier potassium channels may contribute to a negative feedback system that regulates tone in large cerebral arteries. The influence of ATP-sensitive and calcium-activated potassium channels is altered in disease states such as hypertension, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. CONCLUSIONS: Activation of potassium channels is a major mechanism of cerebral vasodilatation. Alteration of activity of potassium channels and impairment of vasodilatation may contribute to the development or maintenance of cerebral ischemia or vasospasm.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1995

Dairy farmers have increased methacholine bronchial responsiveness independent of sensitization to mold antigens.

Patients with farmer's lung disease (FLD) and dairy farmers have nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness. To examine the factors determining bronchial hyperresponsiveness among dairy farmers, we studied airway functions, airway responses to inhaled methacholine, serum total IgE levels, and antigen-specific IgE levels in 37 dairy farmers and 11 local control subjects. The 37 dairy farmers consisted of three groups; 12 farmers with episodes of FLD (FLD group), 13 farmers with serum antibody to Micropolyspora faeni (MF) and/or Thermoactinomyces vulgaris (TV) but without episodes of FLD (Ab(+) group), and 12 farmers without serum antibodies to MF and TV and without episodes of FLD (Ab(-) group). Pulmonary function tests showed small airways disorders among farmers (each of the three groups versus control subjects; p < 0.05). Methacholine provocation test, utilizing PD35Grs (a cumulative dose of methacholine that induces 35% reduction in respiratory conductance [Grs]), showed bronchial hyperresponsiveness in each group of dairy farmers compared with that in control subjects (Log PD35Grs, mean +/- SEM: 1.22 +/- 0.18, 1.00 +/- 0.17, and 1.20 +/- 0.20, respectively, versus 2.10 +/- 0.09; p < 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference in bronchial responsiveness among the three groups of dairy farmers. In addition, there was no significant difference in serum total IgE levels and specific IgE antibodies among the four groups. These results suggest that the bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine among dairy farmers is not due to past episodes of FLD or sensitization to MF and/or TV, but is possibly due to the occupational environment of dairy farming.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1995

Amino acids and peptides. XL. Synthesis of Ac-Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp-MCA using newly developed acetylating reagent.

2-Acetoxy-3-benzyl-5-methyl-6-isobutylpyrazine was prepared by cyclization of H-Phe-Leu-CH2Cl, followed by acetylation with acetic anhydride. This pyrazine derivative can react with amino groups of amino acids or peptides to produce acetyl amino acids or acetyl peptides without acetylation of hydroxy group of Tyr, Ser and Thr. Using this acetylating reagent, Ac-Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp-MCA, which is a specific substrate of the interleukin-I (IL-I) processing enzyme, was prepared.

Alkylating Agents↗
PubMed1995

Role of histidine 188 in fructose 1,6-bisphosphate- and divalent cation-regulated L-lactate dehydrogenase of Lactobacillus casei.

A fructose 1,6-bisphosphate [Fru(1,6)P2] and divalent cation-regulated allosteric L-lactate dehydrogenase (L-LDH) (EC 1.1.1.27) of Lactobacillus casei was highly produced in Escherichia coli cells, together with its mutant enzyme, in which His-188 was replaced by Asp. Under acidic conditions, the mutant enzyme showed positive allosteric regulations by the substrate pyruvate and its analogues, like the wild-type enzyme, but not by Fru(1,6)P2, which even inhibited the stimulative effects of the alternative activation factors. In addition, Mn2+ ions also showed greatly reduced inhibitory effects on the mutant enzyme. Under neutral conditions, on the other hand, the reaction of the mutant enzyme was slightly enhanced by Fru(1,6)P2, but not further stimulated by additional Mn2+ ions, unlike the case of the wild-type enzyme. These results indicate that His-188 is, though not essential for the regulation by the alternative factors, essential for the cooperative regulation by Fru(1,6)P2 and divalent cations in L. casei L-LDH.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1995

Effect of octreotide on ventilation and dyspnea sensation in a patient with cirrhotic hypoxemia.

We examined the long-term effects of octreotide, a somatostatin analogue, on ventilation in a case of cirrhotic hypoxemia. After daily administration of octreotide for one month, the dyspnea on exertion was notably ameliorated, although pulmonary gas exchange was only slightly improved. The octreotide therapy reduced the hypoxic ventilatory drive, which may be one reason for the relief of the dyspnea sensation.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed1995

Sequence and phylogenetic analyses of human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 from a Brazilian woman with adult T cell leukemia: comparison with virus strains from South America and the Caribbean basin.

Human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is endemic in South America and the Caribbean basin. To clarify the genetic and phylogenetic relationship between an HTLV-1 strain isolated from a Brazilian woman with adult T cell leukemia and viral isolates from elsewhere in South America and from other geographic regions, selected regions of the gag, pol, env, and pX genes were amplified and directly sequenced. The overall sequence similarities between the Brazil-R-1 strain and the Japanese prototype ATK strain were 98.7% based on 1,295 nucleotides and 99.1% based on 429 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that strain Brazil-R-1 clustered with other Brazilian and South American HTLV-1 isolates and was more closely related to Caribbean isolates from Martinique and Guadeloupe than to virus strains from other geographic regions. These data suggest a common source of HTLV-1 infection in the Caribbean basin and South America.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

[Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for urinary calculi in an ileal reservoir following reconstruction of the urinary bladder].

A new method for reconstruction of the urinary bladder was introduced by Taguchi in 1977. It consisted of two components; making of pseudo-urethra and the reconstruction of urinary reservoir in the pelvis. The latter was made of the ileum and the peritoneum with temporary use of Japanese paper. This operative method was applied to a 28-year-old female patient when she had cystectomy and bilateral ureterostomy. Thereafter she had has no trouble for 13 years. However, her recent rentogenogram showed urinary tract calculi in the reservoir. Endoscopic treatment was not indicated because of the deformed reservoir and the inflexible pseudourethra. Thus, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) was applied to the case with successful results. We herrin reported the case and discussed the usefulness of ESWL for urinali calculi in the ileal reservoir.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Treatment of adult T-cell leukemia].

The treatment strategy for adult T-cell leukemia has not been established. CHOP derived combination chemotherapy protocols such as VEPA and VEPAM have failed to yield high complete remission rates and long survivals. Second or third generation combination chemotherapy regimens using alternative non-cross resistant drugs also have not achieved satisfactory results. A new multi-institutional trial attempting to increase dose intensity supported by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor is bringing improved remission rates and survival times. Other strategies using autologous bone marrow or peripheral blood progenitor cells should be studied as a next step.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1995

[A case report of a 6-year-old boy with intracranial yolk sac tumor treated by VAB-6 regimen].

Several clinical trials have demonstrated that cisplatin-based chemotherapy for primary intracranial germ-cell tumors is effective as a neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In this report, we describe a 6-year-old boy, Down syndrome and Hirschsprung's disease with intracranial pure yolk sac tumor treated by combined chemotherapy with cisplatin, vinblastine, bleomycin and cyclophosphamide (modified VAB-6 regimen). He had been admitted to our hospital because of intractable vomiting, and left facial nerve palsy since 1 month before. An MRI revealed an enlarged mass, 4cm in diameter, in the left cerebello-pontine angle with uniformal enhancement by Gd-DTPA, and bilateral ventricular dilatation. He was found to have increased serum alpha-fetoprotein level (AFP 11, 786ng/ml), but not human chorionic gonadotropin beta-subunit. After a partial resection of the tumor, diagnosed as pure yolk sac tumor, and ventriculo-peritoneal shunt, three courses of combined chemotherapy with cisplatin, bleomycin, vinblastine and cyclophosphamide (modified VAB-6 therapy) were carried out. The serum AFP level returned to normal, and the tumor mass entirely disappeared (a complete response) on MRI after the second course of chemotherapy. However, cisplatin-induced vomiting and mild neutropenia and renal tubular injury developed after the third course of chemotherapy. Irrespective of administration of recombinant human G-CSF and broad spectrum antibiotics, he suffered from pneumonia and died of septic shock and multiple organ failure. Autopsy showed microscopic residual tumors. The combination chemotherapy with cisplatin, bleomycin, vinblastine and cyclophosphamide is effective for initial treatment of childhood intracranial yolk sac tumor. It is necessary, however, to reevaluate the cisplatin dosage and treatment schedule in order to reduce such side effects as bone marrow suppression and renal damage.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1995

Adherence of Helicobacter pylori to cultured human gastric carcinoma cells.

AIM: To examine the binding activity of Helicobacter pylori to cultured gastric epithelial cells using flow cytometry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the adherence of 15 H. pylori strains to cultured gastric cancer (MKN45) cells by flow cytometric analysis. Other bacterial strains were also analysed for their adherence to MKN45 cells. In addition, we examined the effect of fetuin on the adherence of H. pylori to MKN45 cells. RESULTS: H. pylori strains adhered to MKN45 cells at rates of between 49 and 93.7%, with a mean of 75.3%. In contrast, the rates of Escherichia coli, Shigella flexneri, Vibrio cholerae and Yersinia enterocolitica adherence to MKN45 cells were 69.1, 5.9, 11.7 and 33.1%, respectively. Fetuin had no inhibitory effect on the adherence of H. pylori to MKN45 cells in the flow cytometric analysis. CONCLUSIONS: A flow cytometric analysis using MKN45 cells proved to be an objective and sensitive method for evaluating the adherence of H. pylori, showing close adherence between this organism and gastric epithelial cells.

Bacterial Adhesion↗
PubMed1994

Isolation of the stable hexameric DnaK.DnaJ complex from Thermus thermophilus.

A DnaK homolog (T.DnaK) has been purified as a stable complex with a DnaJ homolog (T.DnaJ) from a thermophilic bacterium, Thermus thermophilus. This complex has an approximate molecular size of 300 kDa and appears to contain three copies of each of T.DnaK and T.DnaJ molecules. Consistently, trigonal ring structures with a diameter (trigonal apex-to-apex) of about 11 nm were observed with electron microscopy. The complex has no endogenously bound AT(D)P and is stable in the presence of Mg-AT(D)P. It possesses a weak ATPase activity and retains about 3 mol of ADP/mole of the complex when incubated with Mg-ATP. This complex is able to interact with the reduced carboxymethylated alpha-lactalbumin which we used as a model unfolded protein.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1994

Requirement of a COOH-terminal pro-sequence for the extracellular secretion of aqualysin I (a thermophilic subtilisin-type protease) in Thermus thermophilus.

Thermus thermophilus cells harboring an expression plasmid for the aqualysin I gene secrete the mature enzyme into the medium. In an Escherichia coli expression system, a precursor of the enzyme with the C-terminal pro-sequence is accumulated in the cells, and upon treatment at 65 degrees C the active enzyme is produced. One- to 10-amino acid residue deletions, as well as complete 105-residue deletion of the C-terminal pro-sequence from the C-terminus, did not affect the production of the enzyme in E. coli cells. T. thermophilus cells harboring plasmids for mutant precursors with one- and three-residue deletions secreted the enzyme extracellularly. However, transformants harboring plasmids for mutant precursors with deletions of five or more amino acid residues could not be obtained. These results suggest that the C-terminal pro-sequence plays an important role in the extracellular secretion of the enzyme in T. thermophilus cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗