Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H Taniguchi

Publications and source records attributed to H Taniguchi.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Masticatory mandibular movements for different foods textures related to onomatopoetic words.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different sensory-evaluated food textures on masticatory movements, and to identify meaningful factors that correspond to different food textures. Masticatory movements of three healthy subjects were evaluated with a jaw movement tracking device using five different test foods: almond, hard and light rice crackers, apple, and chewing gum. The movements of the incisor point, working and non-working condyle and the entire mandible at the occlusal phase in the horizontal plane were analyzed. For harder foods, the incisor entered the intercuspal position from a rear and lateral, the working condyle showed anterior and noticeable medial movements as the entire mandible translated posteriorly and medially. For soft foods, the incisor movements were nearly coincidental with the lateral border movements, and the mandible rotated towards the inner side near the working condyle. Although the overall paths of the mandibular movements are individually different, it appeared that jaw movement at the final closure is particular to the food texture. From the standpoint of mandibular movements, it is suggested that masticatory movements during the occlusal phase in the horizontal plane is useful for revealing the relationship between mandibular movements and food textures that were evaluated with onomatopoetic words.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[A survey on contamination by microorganisms and the effect of handwashing by doctors and nurses at the UOEH Hospital].

Handwashing is very basic and important in controlling nosocomial infection. We researched the effect of handwashing by doctors and nurses at the UOEH Hospital. One hundred and eight doctors and 114 nurses of 19 wards were examined. The number of bacteria was determined by a palm stamp check agar plate for general bacteria before and after handwashing. The difference in the condition of microorganism contamination among the wards was found by the number of bacteria before handwashing, and by comparing the number of bacteria before and after handwashing, the effect of handwashing was determined. Handwashing by water or soap is not effective in killing bacteria. Therefore, we suggest that doctors and nurses use an effective disinfectant when washing their hands before and after contact with patients. We also think that the results noted in this paper will help doctors and nurses to have a better understanding of the importance of infection control.

Bacteria↗
PubMed2000

Recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor induces production of human neutrophil peptides in lung cancer patients with neutropenia.

Human neutrophil peptides (HNPs) 1, 2 and 3 are antimicrobial peptides localized in the azurophil granules of neutrophils. We investigated the effects of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) on the biosynthesis of HNPs 1-3 using a sensitive radioimmunoassay and Northern blot analysis. Seven patients with lung cancer were first treated with various anticancer agents for 3 days (days 1-3) followed by treatment with rhG-CSF (2 microgram/kg weight/day) for 7 days (days 8-14). Chemotherapy caused neutropenia but the neutrophil count increased biphasically between days 8 and 14. Chemotherapy did not change the baseline plasma concentration of HNPs 1-3 (74.1+/-2.1 pmol/ml) but the concentration increased from day 12, 5 days after commencement of rhG-CSF therapy, to reach a peak value of 430.8+/-57.0 pmol/ml on day 15, 1 day after the last administration of rhG-CSF. Baseline HNPs 1-3 content per neutrophil was 0.59+/-0.02 fmol, decreased to 0.30+/-0.07 fmol on day 9, then increased to 0.78+/-0.07 fmol on day 15. Analyses of peripheral blood neutrophils by Northern blot and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography showed that the amounts of HNPs 1-3 mRNA and precursors of HNPs 1-3 markedly increased in response to rhG-CSF. Our results indicate that recombinant hG-CSF does not only increase neutrophil count but stimulates HNPs 1-3 biosynthesis in neutrophils, thus enhancing the host defense system of compromised hosts with neutropenia.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2000

A unique and common restriction fragment pattern of the nucleotide sequences homologous to the genome of vf33, a filamentous bacteriophage, in pandemic strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus O3:K6 O4:K68, and O1:K untypeable.

Vf33 is a filamentous bacteriophage isolated from Vibrio parahaemolyticus. We performed Southern blot hybridization analysis to examine the distribution of Vf33-related genetic elements in the pandemic strains (O3:K6 strains isolated between 1995 and 1997, O4:K68 and O1:K untypeable strains isolated between 1997 and 1999) of V. parahaemolyticus. Nucleotide sequences homologous to the Vf33 DNA were detected in all 57 test strains including pandemic and non-pandemic strains. However, the profiles of hybridization, including the restriction fragment length polymorphism, with nine Vf33-derived DNA probes exhibited by the pandemic strains were identical and were different from those by the non-pandemic strains. The results support the hypothesis that the pandemic strains are clonal, and suggest a possibility that they have acquired (a) new gene(s) via a Vf33-like filamentous phage.

Bacteriophages↗
PubMed2000

Pharmacologic graft protection without donor pretreatment in liver transplantation from non-heart-beating donors.

BACKGROUND: Non-heart-beating donors (NHBDs) are considered potential sources of transplant organs in an effort to alleviate the problem of donor shortage in clinical liver transplantation. We investigated the possibility of pharmacologic protection of hepatic allograft function from NHBDs without donor pretreatment. METHODS: Orthotopic liver transplantation was performed using pigs. In donors, cardiac arrest was induced by stopping the respirator. Forty-five minutes after cessation of the respirator, the liver was flushed with cold lactated Ringer's solution including heparin and with the University of Wisconsin (UW) solution, and then preserved for 8 hr at 4 degrees C in the UW solution. The pigs were divided into two groups: a control group and a treated group. In the treated group, an endothelin antagonist TAK-044 was added to the UW solutions (10 mg/L), and TAK-044 (10 mg/kg body weight) and a platelet activating factor antagonist E5880 (0.3 mg/kg body weight) were also administered to the recipients. RESULTS: TAK-044 and E5880 treatment significantly increased the 7-day survival rate of the recipients (100% vs. 17%, P<0.05). In the treated group, portal venous pressure immediately after reperfusion of the graft was significantly lower than in the control group, and postoperative increase in serum concentrations of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and total bilirubin was attenuated. Moreover, the energy charge and adenosine triphosphate concentration of the liver were rapidly restored after reperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacologic modulation with TAK-044 and E5880 avoiding donor pretreatment can improve the viability of hepatic allografts procured from NHBDs.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Thermal polymorphic transformation of p-tert-Butylcalix

Studies were made on the polymorphism of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene derivatives having amino acid groups on the lower rim to stabilize their hydrophilic pseudocavity by circular intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The calixarenes exhibit a polymorphic transformation upon heating in the solid state. This transformation is controlled by the thermal history of solids, accompanying the change on the conformation of the calixarene skeleton and also the change of hydrogen bonding in the hydrophilic pseudocavity.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Correlation between angiographically assessed vascularity and blood flow in hepatic metastases in patients with colorectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The correlation between vascularity and blood flow in hepatic metastases in patients with colorectal carcinoma was studied in 22 metastatic liver tumors. METHODS: Hepatic metastases were categorized into Grades A-C, in order of increasing vascularity, as determined by hepatic angiography. Of the 22 metastatic liver tumors from 15 patients that showed on angiography, 5 tumors had slightly increased tumor vascularization (Grade A), 10 tumors had vascularization similar to normal (Grade B), and 7 tumors showed decreased vascularization relative to liver parenchyma (Grade C). Blood flow in these metastatic liver tumors was calculated quantitatively by positron emission tomography (PET) scanning using the C(15)O(2) steady-state method and the H(2)(15)O dynamic method. RESULTS: Using the H(2)(15)O method, blood flow value in Grade A tumors was 52.9 +/- 17.0 mL per 100 g per minute (mean +/- standard error), that in Grade B tumors was 35.7 +/- 3.8 mL per 100 g per minute, and that in Grade C tumors was 31.7 +/- 6.6 mL per 100 g per minute. CONCLUSIONS: A significant difference was found between blood flows in Grade A metastatic liver tumors and Grade B or C tumors (P < 0.002). There was no significant difference between blood flows in Grade B and C tumors. PET scan quantification results were almost parallel with the angiographic results. Even Grade C tumors had sufficient blood flow, about 32 mL per 100 g per minute on dynamic PET scans. These findings suggest that blood flow in hepatic metastases from colorectal carcinoma is greater than generally is believed.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗
PubMed2000

[Molecular mechanisms of multidrug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis].

Control of tuberculosis caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Mycobacterium (M.) tuberculosis has become one of the major problems throughout the world. Understanding of the molecular mechanisms of resistance may help in the development of novel methods for the rapid and precise detection of drug-resistant M. tuberculosis. Eight agents have been recommended to treat tuberculosis. Isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RFP), pyrazinamide (PZA), streptomycin(SM), and ethambutol (EB) are used as the first line agents, and the others are the second line agents. MDR M. tuberculosis strains are resistant both to INH and RFP which have the most effective bactericidal activity to M. tuberculosis. Nearly 95% of RFP resistant strains possess a mutation on the rpoB gene encoding a DNA-dependent RNA polymerase. INH particularly shows an inhibition of the cell wall synthesis of M. tuberculosis and approximately 90% of INH resistant strains have a mutation on the inhA, katG, and ahpG gene encoding enzymes related to a mycolic acid synthesis of cell wall. PZA resistant strains have a mutation on the pncA gene encoding a pyrazinamidase which degradates pyrazinamide to a bactericidal substance, pyrazinoic acid. SM resistant strains have a mutation on the rrs and rpsL gene encoding a 16S rRNA and a S12 ribosomal subunit protein, respectively. EB resistant strains have a mutation on the embB gene encoding a arabinosyl transferase which catalyzes cell wall synthesis. Resistant mechanisms of second-line agents have also been identified. Recently, rapid detection methods for RFP and INH resistant mutations have been developed on the basis of these studies.

Antitubercular Agents↗
PubMed2000

Suppressive effects of novel ferulic acid derivatives on cellular responses induced by phorbol ester, and by combined lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma.

A total of 23 ferulic acid (FA) derivatives were synthesized, and investigated for their inhibitory effects on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) activation and superoxide (O(2)(-)) generation. Most of the derivatives showed significant EBV activation suppression or cytotoxicity at a concentration of 100 microM, with FA15 as the most potent suppressor. In both assays, FA6-FA17, bearing straight- or branched-alkyl side chains, exhibited marked suppression of O(2)(-) generation, with both FA16 and FA17 being highly active, while FA itself was virtually inactive. The activity differences seen between FA16/FA17 and FA are attributable, at least in part, to their cellular incorporating efficiencies. Further, both FA15 and FA21 attenuated the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 proteins, while FA did not. Our results suggest that these novel FA derivatives are effective chemopreventive agents.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Synthesis of feruloyl-myo-inositols and their inhibitory effects on superoxide generation.

Ester compounds consisting of ferulic acid and myo-inositol, obtained from rice bran, were synthesized. The inhibitory effects of these feruloyl-myo-inositols on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced superoxide (O2-) generation were examined using differentiated HL-60 cells. Among the derivatives tested, only 3,4,5,6-tetra-O-acetyl-1,2-di-O-[3-(4'-acetoxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)-2-pr openoyl]-myo-inositol (3) showed a distinct inhibitory activity.

Anticarcinogenic Agents↗
PubMed2000

[Contamination of a bronchial fiberscope by mycobacteria linked to an automated bronchoscope disinfection machine].

Mycobacteria are being isolated with increasing frequency from automated bronchoscope disinfection machines. This has led to misdiagnosis and nosocomial infections. In this study, we isolated Mycobacterium chelonae from a bronchoscope disinfection machine and found one strain to be resistant to 2% glutaraldehyde and sensitive to 70% ethanol. Since we began cleaning the sink of the machine with 70% ethanol, no mycobacteria has been seen throughout the machine.

Bronchoscopy↗
PubMed2000

The inhibitory effects of vasoactive intestinal peptide and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide on osteoclast formation are associated with upregulation of osteoprotegerin and downregulation of RANKL and RANK.

The presence of a network of peptidergic nerve fibers in the skeleton, expressing several neuropeptides including vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), has been demonstrated. This observation, together with our findings in vitro showing that VIP can regulate the activities of osteoblasts and osteoclasts as well as the recruitment of osteoclasts, has suggested the existence of a neuro-osteogenic interplay in bone metabolism. In the present study, the effects of VIP and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), two members of the VIP/secretin/glucagon superfamily, on osteoclast formation and mRNA expression of three key regulatory proteins involved in osteoclast formation have been investigated. VIP, PACAP-27, and PACAP-38, at concentrations of 10(-6) M, all significantly inhibited formation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive multinuclear cells (TRAP + MNC) in mouse bone marrow cultures stimulated by 1, 25(OH)(2)-vitamin D3 (D3; 10(-8) M). By using semiquantitative RT-PCR, it was found that D3 upregulated the mRNA expressions of receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) and receptor activator of NF-kappaB (RANK), whereas the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) was downregulated in mouse bone marrow cultures stimulated by D3 for 7 days. Both VIP and PACAP-38 decreased the stimulatory effects of D3 on RANKL and RANK expression, whereas the inhibitory effect of D3 on OPG expression was reversed by VIP and PACAP-38. These observations indicate that the inhibitory effects of VIP and PACAP on osteoclast recruitment are due to regulation of the expression of key proteins involved in later stages of osteoclast differentiation.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

The molecular structure of the fastest myosin from green algae, Chara.

Chara myosin in green algae, Chara corallina, is the fastest myosin of all those observed so far. To shed light on the molecular mechanism of this fast sliding, we determined the primary structure of Chara myosin heavy chain (hc). It has a motor domain, six IQ motifs for calmodulin binding, a coiled-coil structure to dimerize, and a globular tail. Chara myosin hc is very similar to some plant myosins and has been predicted to belong to the class XI. Short loop 1 and loop 2 may account for the characteristics of mechanochemical properties of Chara myosin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Synthesis, Structure, and Complexing Property of p-tert-Butylcalix

p-tert-Butylcalix[4]arene 1,3-digallate, which contains a nonbonded close contact between galloyl groups, was synthesized and its structure was determined by dynamic (1)H NMR and X-ray crystallography. The electronic spectra showed that a new absorption band of the complexes appeared at a longer wavelength region upon adding Ag(+) ion. This spectral shift was explained in terms of the interaction between the facing galloyl groups of the lower rim of the calixarene framework.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Functional dissection of drosophila capricious: its novel roles in neuronal pathfinding and selective synapse formation.

Drosophila Capricious (CAPS) is a transmembrane protein with leucine-rich repeat (LRR) motifs, expressed on small subsets of neurons and muscles, including muscle 12 and the motoneurons that innervate it (muscle 12 MNs). Panmuscle ectopic expression of CAPS alters the target specificity of muscle 12 MNs, indicating that CAPS can function in muscles as a target recognition molecule. In this study, we first examined the effect of ectopic panneural expression of CAPS on the motoneuronal circuit. We found that panneural expression of CAPS alters the pathfinding of muscle 12 MNs. The defect appeared to be caused by changes in the steering behavior of muscle 12 MNs at a specific choice point along their pathway to the target muscle. These results revealed a novel function of CAPS in axon pathfinding. We then performed deletion analyses of CAPS. We expressed CAPS lacking the intracellular domain in all neurons or in all muscles, and studied their ability to induce the pathfinding and targeting phenotypes. We found that the function of muscularly expressed CAPS in target recognition is intracellular domain dependent, whereas the function of neurally expressed CAPS in pathfinding is not, suggesting that CAPS may function in neurons and muscles in a different manner. The requirement of the intracellular domain for the function of muscularly expressed CAPS suggests the presence of a signaling event within muscle cells that is essential for selective synapse formation.

Animals↗