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Biomedical subjects

H Tajima

Publications and source records attributed to H Tajima.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Effects of synthetic hydroxy isothiocyanates on microbial systems.

Hydroxy isothiocyanates (ITCs), including some new derivatives of naturally occurring compounds, were synthesized and their minimum inhibitory, minimum fungicidal, and minimum bactericidal concentrations for Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli were estimated. These compounds were strongly antimicrobial; for example, 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl) ethyl ITC inhibited growth of all strains examined at concentrations of 7.8 to 15.6 micrograms/ml. The ATP concentration in E. coli was markedly reduced when cells were treated with 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl ITC. Inhibition of the growth of E. coli by 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl ITC was decreased in the presence of cysteine. Streptolysin S production in washed cells of Streptococcus equisimilis was extremely sensitive to this ITC derivative and this inhibition also was counteracted by cysteine. The results showed that the ITC compounds had antimicrobial effects by blocking sulfhydryl groups.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1998

Decreased release of lipoprotein lipase is associated with vascular endothelial damage in NIDDM patients with microalbuminuria.

OBJECTIVE: To explore mechanisms for hypertriglyceridemia in diabetic patients with microalbuminuria, we examined an association between heparin-releasable lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and the von Willebrand factor (vWF), based on the hypothesis that LPL bound to endothelium is decreased by generalized endothelial damage. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 37 NIDDM patients with microalbuminuria and 69 patients with normoalbuminuria were studied. Plasma LPL mass in post-heparin plasma and plasma vWF antigen were quantified by sandwich-enzyme immunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. RESULTS: The NIDDM patients with microalbuminuria had higher plasma triglyceride (TG) and lower HDL cholesterol concentrations compared with the patients with normoalbuminuria. Heparin-releasable LPL mass was significantly lower in the microalbuminuric than in the normoalbuminuric subjects. Plasma level of vWF, a marker for endothelial damage, was significantly increased in microalbuminuric subjects compared with their normoalbuminuric counterparts. The LPL mass was inversely correlated with plasma vWF level at a high correlation coefficient value. The LPL mass was inversely related to TG and positively to HDL cholesterol concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that widespread endothelial damage occurred in NIDDM patients with microalbuminuria, thereby LPL moiety bound to the endothelium is decreased, which results in an impaired catabolism of TG-rich lipoproteins.

Albuminuria↗
PubMed1998

Cationic trypsinogen produced by human pancreatic ductal cancer has the characteristics of spontaneous activation and gelatinolytic activity in the presence of proton.

We examined whether human pancreatic ductal cancer cells express and secrete pancreatic cationic trypsinogen in vitro which can be spontaneously converted into active trypsin at acidic pH (pH 4.5-5. 5), in contrast to anionic trypsinogen. Cationic trypsinogen expression at the mRNA level was observed in differentiated Capan-1 and BxPC-3 cell lines. However, expression was not detected in either poorly-differentiated Panc-1 or undifferentiated MIAPaCa-2 cell line. The gelatinolytic activity of the activated form of trypsinogen in each conditioned medium in the presence of enterokinase (1.0 microg/ml) (a band with a molecular weight of approximately 23 kDa) corresponded well to the level of cationic trypsinogen mRNA. The spontaneous activation of trypsinogen also was observed by gelatin zymography of the acid-loaded conditioned medium (pH 5.5). These findings suggest that trypsinogen produced by human pancreatic ductal cancer has the characteristics of spontaneous activation and gelatinolytic activity in the presence of proton.

Culture Media, Conditioned↗
PubMed1997

Analysis of initial attachment of B cells to endothelial cells under flow conditions.

This study examined the adhesive interactions of peripheral blood B cells with TNF-alpha-activated endothelial monolayers, and analyzed the roles of E-selectin, P-selectin, or VCAM-1 molecules expressed on activated HUVEC. B cell interaction occurred on activated HUVEC, but not on resting HUVEC under flow conditions. The majority of peripheral blood B cells expressed P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 and alpha4 integrin. However, the expression of cutaneous lymphocyte Ag on B cells was low. Under flow conditions, B cells could bind to P-selectin-coated tubes and VCAM-1-transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells. In contrast, B cells could not bind to E-selectin-coated tubes. Adhesion activity of B cells to P-selectin-coated tubes was weaker than that of T cells. Furthermore, adhesion activity of B cells to VCAM-1-transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells was similar to that of T cells. Treatment of activated HUVEC with anti-VCAM-1 mAb reduced interaction of B cells under flow conditions. However, the treatment of activated HUVEC with anti-P-selectin mAb did not reduce interaction. These data indicated that the interaction of VCAM-1 with alpha4 integrin plays a major role in an initial attachment of B cells to endothelial monolayers under flow conditions.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Induction of human thioredoxin in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells through cyclic AMP-dependent pathway; involvement in the cytoprotective activity of prostaglandin E1.

Human thioredoxin is one of the oxidative stress-inducible proteins and has a protective function against oxidant-induced injury. To evaluate the possible involvement of thioredoxin in the cytoprotective function of prostaglandin E1, we analysed the effect of prostaglandin E1 on cellular injury by hydrogen peroxide and intracellular thioredoxin induction. Cellular survival of human retinal pigment epithelial cell line, established from normal retinal pigment epithelial cells, following exposure to hydrogen peroxide was markedly improved by pretreatment of 1 microm prostaglandin E1. Thioredoxin expression was augmented in a dose-dependent manner when retinal pigment epithelial cells were pretreated with 10 nm-1 microm prostaglandin E1 1 hr before the exposure to hydrogen peroxide. Intracellular cyclic AMP level was elevated by Prostaglandin E1 when the cells were simultaneously exposed to hydrogen peroxide. Forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase, and dibutylyl cAMP, a cyclic AMP analog, could also induce thioredoxin and extend survival of retinal pigment epithelial cells. On the other hand, thioredoxin induction and cellular protection by prostaglandin E1 was blocked by Rp diastereoisomer of cyclic adenosine 3', 5', monophosphorothioate, a competitive inhibitor of cyclic AMP dependent protein kinase. Thioredoxin induction was augmented significantly by pretreatment with prostaglandin I2, a stimulator of cyclic AMP dependent signal pathway, while treatment with prostaglandin F2alpha, a stimulator of inositol phosphate-dependent signal pathway, failed to enhance thioredoxin. These findings indicate that prostaglandin E1 has a cytoprotective activity against oxidative injury, partly through thioredoxin induction via cyclic AMP dependent pathway.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1997

Arteriovenous malformation of the gallbladder.

Review of the literature shows no reports of vascular malformation of the gallbladder. Herein we report an unusual case of arteriovenous malformation of the gallbladder in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma. The gallbladder lesion was found incidentally during abdominal angiography for the carcinoma. The angiographic features were specific, comprising dilated and tortuous feeding cystic arteries, a racemose vascular network, and early-filling cystic veins.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Clinical assessment of rotational digital angiography for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma].

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether rotational digital angiography add new diagnostic informations concerning the localization and feeding artery of hepatocellular carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rotational digital angiography was performed in 100 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. There are 70 males and 30 females, ranging in age from 40 to 81 years. At first, abdominal anterior-posterior digital subtraction angiography was performed in C-arm system using 12/9/7 inch I.I.-TV camera. After that, rotational digital angiography was carried out using SF-VA 100 system in all patients. In the processing of images, the pulse modes were taken during 360 degrees transverse rotation of the X-ray system at a speed of 4.8 sec. The pictures were displayed in real time on a CRT screen with high resolution, and 3 D images were observed. RESULTS: New diagnostic informations concerning the localization and the feeding artery of the tumor were added in 20 patients using this rotational digital system. The tumors in segment 7/8 (n = 10) were clearly visualized by -90.0 degrees and 90.0 degrees to 135.0 degrees, while tumors in segment 4 (n = 5) were revealed by -45.0 degrees, 49.0 degrees and 60.0 degrees. On the basis of this information, segmental transcatheter arterial embolization could be performed. CONCLUSION: The device has, therefore, been found to be of great value in diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma, particularly for the feeding artery and the localization of the tumor.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Diagnostic imaging of "body packers"].

Drug smuggling by intra-abdominal concealment, so called "body packing," has recently increased, even in Japan. Because of fatal drug intoxication and other adverse side effects, it is important to make a radiological diagnosis of body packers as soon as possible. A retrospective analysis of the images of plain abdominal radiography, computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound (US) was performed in twenty-three body packers to evaluate the imaging characteristics of three drugs (cannabis, cocaine and heroin). Cannabis (16 patients) and cocaine (5 patients) packages were demonstrated as well-demarcated rectangular-shaped high-density shadows surrounded by gas halo ("double condom sign") in abdominal plain radiographs and CT. Heroin packages (2 patients) were demonstrated as obscure shadows and were difficult to identify on plain radiographs, because they resembled stool masses. US was performed in one cannabis patient because of the refusal of radiological examination, and packages were demonstrated as round echogenic structures with dorsal echo extinctions. In conclusion, abdominal plain radiography, CT and US represent valuable diagnostic modalities in the assessment of body packers.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1996

Effect of iomeprol on renal function immediately after abdominal angiography.

PURPOSE: To investigate the acute renal effects of 2 osmolality levels of iomeprol in a double-blind, randomized, parallel-group study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten patients received iomeprol 300 mg I/ml, and a further 10 received iomeprol 400 mg I/ml intraarterially at routine abdominal angiography. The mean volume of contrast medium administered was 227.3+/-59.3 ml in the iomeprol 300 group and 221.5+/-30.9 ml in the iomeprol 400 group. RESULTS: The urinary minute volume increased immediately after angiography, but tended to return to baseline 120 min after the examination. No significant decrease in creatinine clearance occurred; however, the fraction excretion of sodium increased immediately after angiography. The lysosomal enzyme N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase and the proximal tubular brush border enzyme gamma-glutamyl transferase increased up to 120 min after the procedure. Free water clearance was negative during each study period. No statistical differences in any parameter were evident between these 2 groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that osmotic diuresis and its acute effect on proximal tubular function are induced by the administration of iomeprol, but that these changes are reversible.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1996

Marine natural products. XXXVI. Biologically active polyacetylenes, adociacetylenes A, B, C, and D, from an Okinawan Marine sponge of Adocia sp.

Adociacetylenes A (1), B (2), C (3), and D (4) were isolated as new polyacetylenes from an Okinawan marine sponge of Adocia sp. Their chemical structures have been elucidated on the bases of their chemical and physicochemical properties. Adociacetylenes A (1), C (3), and D (4) exhibited inhibitory activity in the in vitro endothelial cell-neutrophil leukocyte adhesion assay.

Acetylene↗