Toward molecular understanding of polar overdominance at the ovine callipyge locus.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Animals↗
Biomedical subjects
H Takeda
Publications and source records attributed to H Takeda.
Helicobacter pylori infection in two areas in Japan with different risks for gastric cancer.
BACKGROUND: We evaluated the relationship between Helicobacter pylori and various factors associated with gastric cancer in two areas in Japan with different risks for mortality due to gastric cancer. METHODS: A total of 250 sera from Niigata and 209 from Okinawa were used. H. pylori antibody and CagA antibody were measured by antigen-specific ELISAs. Serum gastrin and pepsinogen levels were determined by RIA. RESULTS: Although there was no significant difference in H. pylori prevalence among the persons in Niigata (50%) and Okinawa (42%), CagA prevalence in these populations was significantly different, at 41% and 26%, respectively (OR = 1.98, 95%CI: 1.33-2.95, P < 0.01). Serum gastrin levels in Niigata were significantly lower than those in Okinawa in H. pylori-negative persons (P < 0.01). The serum pepsinogen I/II ratio in Niigata was significantly lower than that in Okinawa in H. pylori positive persons (P < 0.01), whereas there was no significant difference in H. pylori-negative persons. Among those positive for H. pylori, serum pepsinogen I/II ratio in Niigata was significantly lower than that in Okinawa in CagA-negative persons (P < 0.01), whereas no significant difference was observed in CagA-positive persons. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the difference in the mortality ratio of gastric cancer between Niigata and Okinawa is mainly associated with the difference between areas in the prevalence of cagA-positive strains rather than that of H. pylori itself.
Adult↗
Relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and the prevalence, site and histological type of gastric cancer.
AIM: To evaluate the relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric cancer in Japan. METHODS: This was a multicentre study conducted in various regions in Japan. A total of 6578 individuals as controls and 2503 with histologically confirmed gastric cancer were enrolled. H. pylori status was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for anti-H. pylori immunoglobulin G (IgG). RESULTS: The prevalence of H. pylori infection in gastric cancer patients was markedly high in all age groups. In contrast, the rate increased with age among control subjects. The overall prevalence of H. pylori infection in control subjects was 50.2% (3300/6578) vs. 82.8% in gastric cancer patients (2072/2503) (OR = 2.47; 95% CI: 2.19-2.79). The prevalence of H. pylori in early gastric cancer was significantly higher than that in advanced gastric cancer (86.5% vs. 75.7%; OR = 2.06; 95% CI: 1.66-2.55). There were no significant differences in the prevalence of H. pylori between the intestinal and diffuse types of gastric cancer or among gastric cancer in antrum, body and cardia. CONCLUSION: H. pylori infection is strongly associated with the development of gastric cancer. The difference in odds ratios among younger and older persons with gastric cancer likely reflects the decrease in prevalence of H. pylori in the population, and is more reflective of the actual risks associated with the infection.
Adult↗
Genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci affecting body weight, egg character and egg production in F2 intercross chickens.
Phenotypic measurements of chicken egg character and production traits are restricted to mature females only. Marker assisted selection of immature chickens using quantitative trait loci (QTL) has the potential to accelerate the genetic improvement of these traits in the chicken population. The QTL for 12 traits (i.e. body weight (BW), six for egg character, three for egg shell colour and two for egg production) of chickens were identified. An F2 population comprising 265 female chickens obtained by crossing White Leghorn and Rhode Island Red breeds and genotyped for 123 microsatellite markers was used for detecting QTL. Ninety-six markers were mapped on 25 autosomal linkage groups, and 13 markers were mapped on one Z chromosomal linkage group. Eight previous unmapped markers were assigned to their respective chromosomes in this study. Significant QTL were detected for BW on chromosomes 4 and 27, egg weight on chromosome 4, the short length of egg on chromosome 4, and redness of egg shell colour (using the L*a*b* colour system) on chromosome 11. A significant QTL on the Z chromosome was linked with age at first egg. Significant QTL could account for 6-19% of the phenotypic variance in the F2 population.
Analysis of Variance↗
Astroglial swelling in the neuronal depolarization ensemble.
The coupling between neuronal depolarization and astroglial swelling was examined. First, previous in vitro data for the swelling of cultured neurons (N18; rat neuroblastoma) and astroglia (C6; rat astroglyoma) upon exposure to a hypoosmotic solution were reappraised. Neurons swelled rapidly, forming blisters, and easily burst. whereas astroglia resisted swelling and slowly assumed a large full-moon shape. The time constant of swelling was 35.2 +/- 7.8 s for N18 and 594.8 +/- 554.0 s for C6. The glial plasmic membrane was found to be much stronger than the neuronal one, presumably due to a well-developed cytoskeleton. To overcome such neuronal membranous weakness, strong astroglial processes need to cover the neurons including the cell body and synapses, as demonstrated electron-microscopically. Next, in situ astroglial swelling was investigated in rats. During K(+)-induced cortical spreading depression, increases or decreases of a wave-ring spread of light (550 nm) transmission through a 1 mm-thick cerebral cortical layer was observed. The moving local optical density decrease in the cortex was attributable to local vascular bed compression induced by astroglial swelling, since concomitant occurrence of colocated dynamic capillary flow stall was confirmed by a hemodilution technique. Astroglial swelling may occur in an ensemble acting during neuronal depolarization, suggesting that neurons and astroglia behave like a unit complex.
Animals↗
Cellulose acetate beads induce release of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, but not tumour necrosis factor-alpha or interleukin-1beta in human peripheral blood.
OBJECTIVE: Dramatic improvements in clinical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis were observed after patients received granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis with a column containing cellulose acetate (CA) beads as adsorptive carriers. This study was to investigate the effect of CA beads on the generation of anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines in human blood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We incubated human whole blood with CA beads at 37 degrees C for up to 2 h and measured tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) produced by leucocytes. IL-1ra was also measured at the inflow and outflow of a column containing CA beads as leucocyte adsorptive carriers for the treatment of patients with ulcerative colitis. RESULTS: CA beads induced significant release of IL-1ra from leucocytes, but not TNF-alpha or IL-1beta. In contrast, all three cytokines were released when leucocytes were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. IL-1ra was also markedly elevated in the outflow of the leucocyte apheresis column. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that CA beads selectively induce IL-1ra release from leucocytes which should contribute to the anti-inflammatory effect of granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis with CA beads as apheresis carriers.
Adolescent↗
Ecological effects of various toxic agents on the aquatic microcosm in comparison with acute ionizing radiation.
The purpose of this study was an evaluation of the effect levels of various toxic agents compared with acute doses of ionizing radiation for the experimental model ecosystem, i.e., microcosm mimicking aquatic microbial communities. For this purpose, the authors used the microcosm consisting of populations of the flagellate alga Euglena gracilis as a producer, the ciliate protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila as a consumer and the bacterium Escherichia coli as a decomposer. Effects of aluminum and copper on the microcosm were investigated in this study, while effects of gamma-rays, ultraviolet radiation, acidification, manganese, nickel and gadolinium were reported in previous studies. The microcosm could detect not only the direct effects of these agents but also the community-level effects due to the interspecies interactions or the interactions between organisms and toxic agents. The authors evaluated doses or concentrations of each toxic agent which had the following effects on the microcosm: (1) no effects; (2) recognizable effects, i.e., decrease or increase in the cell densities of at least one species; (3) severe effects, i.e., extinction of one or two species; and (4) destructive effects, i.e., extinction of all species. The resulting effects data will contribute to an ecological risk assessment of the toxic agents compared with acute doses of ionizing radiation.
Animals↗
Intracerebroventricular administration of endothelin-1 impairs the habituation of rats to a novel environment in conjunction with brain serotonergic activation.
The effects of i.c.v. administration of endothelin-1, at a low dose that does not produce abnormal behaviors such as barrel-rolling, on the emotional state of rats exposed to a novel environment were examined. Changes in the emotional state of rats with a novel environment were evaluated in terms of changes in exploratory activity in the hole-board apparatus, i.e., locomotor activity as well as the number and duration of rearing and head-dipping behaviors. Rats treated with i.c.v. saline showed marked exploratory behaviors immediately after exposure to the hole-board apparatus, but these exploratory behaviors decreased rapidly with time. On the other hand, the habituation of rats to a novel environment was prolonged by the i.c.v. administration of endothelin-1 (0.3 and 1 pmol). Furthermore, we also found that i.c.v. administration of endothelin-1 (1 pmol) significantly increased the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) turnover in some brain regions, i.e., the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and midbrain, and the inhibition of brain 5-hydroxytryptamine synthesis by treatment with p-chlorophenylalanine (200 mg/kg/day, s.c.) for 2 days suppressed the behavioral effects of endothelin-1 (1 pmol, i.c.v.). In addition, i.c.v. administration of endothelin-1 (1 pmol) did not affect the spontaneous motor activity of rats. The present study demonstrated that i.c.v. administration of low doses of endothelin-1 impairs the habituation of rats to a novel environment in conjunction with brain 5-hydroxytryptaminergic activation. These results suggest that the central endothelin system may play a significant role in mediating emotionality.
Animals↗
Eccrine syringofibroadenoma with diffuse plantar hyperkeratosis.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Adenoma, Sweat Gland↗
Hybrid cyst: case reports and review of 15 cases in Japan.
Hybrid cyst is a rare cystic lesion that includes more than two components of the pilosebaceous units. To clarify the clinical and pathological features of hybrid cysts, we report two cases and review 15 cases of hybrid cyst in Japan. On the whole, the age range was 12-73 years with a 2.95:1 female predominance and predilection for the scalp and face (46.7%). Most of the tumours presented as a solitary lesion and the size range was 2-45 mm. The most frequent histological type was the combination of infundibular and trichilemmal cysts (60.0%). Studying the clinicopathological features of hybrid cysts helps us in understanding the pathogenesis of diseases arising from pilosebaceous units.
Aged↗
Plural transformation-processes from spiral to coccoid Helicobacter pylori and its viability.
OBJECTIVES: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), present in a half of the world's population, is a very successful pathogen. The infection by this bacterium causes several gastric diseases in human. H. pylori is morphologically divided into two types; a spiral and a coccoid form. Both types are observed in human stomach. Although the former is converted into the latter in vitro, the process of coccoid formation remains obscure. Furthermore, whether coccoid forms possess viability arouses much controversy among scientists. We investigated both the process of coccoid formation by electron microscopy and the viability of coccoid H. pylori. METHODS: A laboratory strain, ATCC43504, was cultured in liquid medium (Brucella Broth medium with 10% heat inactivated horse serum) for seven days. In each culture day, the organisms were observed by scanning-, conventional transmission- and immuno-electron microscopy and were simultaneously examined the culturability of H. pylori to identify the viability of coccoid form. RESULTS: As the days went by, spiral forms were replaced by coccoid forms in each medium which possessed culturability to some degree until the 4th day. By the detailed observation of ultrastructural features, coccoid forms were classified into two types on the ground that represents different transformation-processes and distinctive ultrastructures. One was the coccoid form that we named Type A with an irregularly surface- and intracytoplasmic-structure which adhered to one another. The other was Type B having a smooth surface with flagella coiled around its own body and the strictly membranous structure. This type was not adhered to another organism. In later days, each type came to be similar external structure and lost the culturability. CONCLUSIONS: The coccoid forms of H. pylori can be classified into two types by electron microscopy which represent different transformation-processes and consist of the dying bacteria, the living ones with culturability and the viable but non-culturable ones.
Culture Media↗
Validation and verification of the ICRP biokinetic model of 32P: the criticality accident at Tokai-Mura, Japan.
Regrettably, a criticality accident occurred at a uranium conversion facility in Tokai-mura, Ibaraki, Japan, on 30 September 1999. Radioactivities of 32P in urine, blood and bone samples of the victims, who were severely exposed to neutrons, were measured. 32P was induced in their whole bodies at the moment of the first nuclear release by the reaction 31P (n, gamma) 32P and 32S (n, p) 32P. A realistic biokinetic model was assumed, as the exchange of 32P between the extracellular fluid compartment and the soft tissue compartment occurs only through the intracellular compartment, and the model was used for preliminary calculations. Some acute excretion of 32P, caused by decomposition or elution of tissues which occurred at the time of the accident, may have happened in the victims' bodies in the first few days. The working hypotheses in the present work should initiate renewed discussion of 32P biokinetics.
Bone and Bones↗
Transfer of 14C to prenatal and neonatal rats from their mothers exposed to 14C compounds by ingestion.
The transfer of 14C through placenta or milk was investigated and the radiation dose to fetal and newborn rats was estimated. Female rats at different gestational stages or after delivery were exposed to 14C in the form of sodium bicarbonate, thymidine and lysine by a single ingestion. Radioactivity in maternal tissues and conceptuses (placenta, fetal membrane and fetus) and in the newborn was determined at various times after ingestion. After exposure to these 14C compounds, there was no significant difference between the 14C concentration in the fetus and that in the maternal tissues, suggesting that the placenta has no effect in preventing or accelerating the placental transfer of 14C. The concentration and content of 14C in the fetus and newborn were, however, dependent on the chemical form of 14C and on the prenatal or neonatal stage at the time of ingestion. The result of the dose estimation showed that 14C-lysine gave significantly higher prenatal and neonatal doses than 14C-sodium bicarbonate or 14C-thymidine.
Absorption↗
Towards a model for the dynamic transfer of tritium and carbon in mammals.
Available data have been analysed to test the hypothesis that both 3H and 14C transfer in mammals can be accounted for by an understanding of metabolism. Data obtained from various 14C and 3H experiments with rats and sheep have been analysed to assess the multi-component retention function of various organs and identify any relationship between half-times and component contribution. Our hypothesis was that component half-times for 14C and 3H are similar after intakes of organic compounds. Similarities in the tritium and carbon dynamics between rat and sheep were observed supporting the hypothesis. For fast and slow components of muscle half-time, allometric relationships have been derived. The results obtained could be used in the development of a human biokinetic model.
Adipose Tissue↗
Mucosal sulfhydryl compounds evaluation by in vivo electron spin resonance spectroscopy in mice with experimental colitis.
BACKGROUND: Sulfhydryl (SH) compounds are essential in maintaining mucosal integrity in the gastrointestinal tract. A decrease in colonic mucosal SH compounds affects the redox status of the mucosa, resulting in vulnerability to further attacks. Therefore, there is a strong need for in vivo evaluation of SH compounds in the colonic mucosa. AIMS: The aim of the current study was to establish a method of evaluating levels of SH compounds in the colonic mucosa of live animals before and after induction of colitis. METHODS: Murine experimental colitis was induced by instillation of trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) dissolved in 50% ethanol into the colon via the anus. For evaluation of mucosal SH compounds in the colon, 3-carbamoyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidine-1-oxyl (carbamoyl-PROXYL), a stable nitroxide radical, was instilled into the colonic lumen of live mice and the spin clearance rate was measured by L-band electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. RESULTS: Morphological study showed that mucosal damage was severe one or two days after TNBS instillation. The colonic mucosa started to regenerate at four days, and looked normal at seven days, after induction of colitis. The spin clearance rate of carbamoyl-PROXYL decreased significantly at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 days after induction of colitis compared with mice before TNBS instillation. Surprisingly, although the colonic mucosa looked normal seven days after TNBS administration, the spin clearance rate still remained significantly slow. The spin clearance rate returned to normal 14 days after induction of colitis. The change in in vivo spin clearance rate was consistent with the time dependent change in mucosal reduced glutathione, a major component of SH compounds. CONCLUSION: The spin clearance rate obtained by L-band ESR spectroscopy in combination with carbamoyl-PROXYL can give an estimate of the level of colonic mucosal SH compounds in live animals and is useful for evaluating the mucosal defence system against oxidative stress.
Animals↗
Variation during the week in the incidence of acute myocardial infarction: increased risk for Japanese women on Saturdays.
BACKGROUND: Variations in the incidence of acute myocardial infarction during the week may differ between and within communities, according to lifestyle. OBJECTIVE: To identify potential triggering factors for acute myocardial infarction by examining variations in incidence in the days of the week within the Osaka area of Japan. PATIENTS: Of 2511 consecutive patients in this region who were admitted to hospital for acute myocardial infarction between April 1998 and March 2001 and consented to take part, 2400 who had a definitely identified time of onset were enrolled. RESULTS: For this group as a whole, no significant difference in incidence was noted between days of the week. However, in subgroup analyses women were shown to have significant variation through the week, peaking on Saturday with a 39% increase in relative risk (p = 0.037); working subjects showed a peak on Monday, with a 26% increase in relative risk (p = 0.038). Stratified analyses showed that in working men there was a prominent Monday peak in the onset of infarction, with a 30% increase in relative risk (p = 0.022), while in working women, there was no significant variation through the week. CONCLUSIONS: Earlier findings of a Monday peak linked to increased physical and mental occupational stress are confirmed. There is also an increase in uncertain risk factors on Saturdays for Japanese women, possibly involving a stressful weekend burden for women. Confirmation of this finding in other communities may help identify triggers of acute myocardial infarction and be useful in prevention.
Adult↗
Quality of health care: informatics foundations.
OBJECTIVE: To discuss in what ways computer systems can contribute to the quality of healthcare and on which principles of informatics successful systems are based. METHODS: Part of the information was obtained via a literature search and part is based on the knowledge of the authors. RESULTS: The results of the literature search are reported. The answers to the questions whether decision support is useful and which factors determine its success, the foundations of computerized guidelines systems and applications of physician order entry and medical risk management are presented. CONCLUSIONS: Despite many publications concerning diagnostic support systems their use in clinical practice is limited. Reminder systems do appear to have an impact on health outcomes. Standards for guideline models are being developed for effective sharing of guidelines across systems. Electronic patient records and physician order entry systems are useful aids in medical risk management.
Decision Support Systems, Clinical↗
Effect of preincubation of cryopreserved porcine epididymal sperm.
Preincubation of spermatozoa is important for capacitation and successful fertilization in vitro. The effects of preincubation time on frozen-thawed boar epididymal spermatozoa as measured by sperm motility, acrosomal integrity and fertilization ability in vitro were examined. Epididymal spermatozoa were collected from three Large White boars and frozen. The thawed spermatozoa were preincubated for 0, 15, 30, 60 and 120 min. Their motility was evaluated by a sperm motility analyzer and then the sperm motility indexes (SMIs) were calculated. The status of their acrosomal integrity was evaluated by triple-staining. Then, their fertilization ability was examined by in vitro fertilization (IVF) using porcine oocytes matured in vitro. SMIs of spermatozoa and the incidences of acrosome-intact live spermatozoa from the three boars were high (21-39 for SMI and 50-61% for acrosome-intact live spermatozoa) just after thawing, but both decreased as the duration of preincubation was prolonged (2-10 and 23-40%, respectively). The incidences of sperm penetration were high (61-89% of inseminated oocytes) when the sperm were preincubated for 0-60 min. However, sperm penetration decreased as the preincubation period was prolonged to 120 min. The degree of this decrease differed depending upon the boar from which the spermatozoa were obtained (10-72%). When the two parameters, sperm motility and acrosomal integrity, were analyzed statistically, the latter parameter rather than the former one showed a significant effect on penetration ability in vitro after each duration of preincubation. These results suggest that preincubation of frozen-thawed boar epididymal spermatozoa is not required for IVF and also that the maintenance of acrosomal integrity in unreacted status, rather than the maintenance of sperm motility, is important for fertilization ability after thawing and during preincubation of boar epididymal spermatozoa.
Acrosome↗