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Biomedical subjects

H Ueda

Publications and source records attributed to H Ueda.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Decreased expression of myotonic dystrophy protein kinase and disorganization of sarcoplasmic reticulum in skeletal muscle of myotonic dystrophy.

Pathological expression of myotonic'dystrophy protein kinase (DMPK) in skeletal muscle of myotonic dystrophy (DM) was studied by Western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry, and immunoelectron microscopy of DMPK. Western blot analysis showed that DMPK protein in DM skeletal muscles dramatically decreased. DMPK-positive muscle fibers showed typical DM pathological changes such as type I atrophy, central nuclei, nuclear chains, and sarcoplasmic masses. In degenerated DMPK-positive muscle fibers, cross-striated bands disappeared, and irregular granular DMPK-positive materials appeared in sarcoplasm. By immunoelectron microscopy, DMPK was localized in the terminal cisternae of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in DM muscle. Swollen DMPK-positive SRs were detected between well preserved myofibrils in the early stage of DM muscle degeneration, and degenerated intramembranous structures with DMPK and an accumulation of mitochondria were observed between disorganized myofibrils in degenerated DM muscle. We concluded that SR is the primary site of the degeneration of DM skeletal muscle and that the decreased DMPK might cause dysregulation of intracellular calcium metabolism, which is followed by DM muscle degeneration.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1999

Seasonal changes in expression of neurohypophysial hormone genes in the preoptic nucleus of immature female masu salmon.

In relevance to osmoregulatory and reproductive functions, activity of the hypothalamic magnocellular neurosecretory system may vary seasonally in teleosts. The changes in the expression of vasotocin (VT) and isotocin (IT) genes were thus studied by an in situ hybridization technique and an immunohistochemical avidin-biotin complex method in immature female masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou). The plasma levels of testosterone and estradiol were also measured by enzyme immunoassay. Fish were sampled in March, May, August, and November 1994 and January 1995. The intensity of autoradiographic hybridization signals and immunoreactivity were determined in individual neurosecretory cells (NSC) in the rostroventral, middle, and dorsocaudal regions of the magnocellular part of the preoptic nucleus (PM). The VT hybridization signals and immunoreactivity were high in November, along with the elevation of plasma levels of testosterone and estradiol. These results suggest that sex steroid hormones are involved in seasonal regulation of VT gene expression. The hybridization signals for IT mRNA were increased in May and decreased in November, whereas IT immunoreactivity was low in March and high in November. NSCs thus showed seasonal variations in the intensity of hybridization signals for VT and IT mRNAs and immunoreactivity of VT and IT, although the patterns of changes were different between VT and IT. VT and IT genes may be seasonally expressed under different regulatory mechanisms.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Differences in seasonal expression of neurohypophysial hormone genes in ordinary and precocious male masu salmon.

Our previous study showed the seasonal variations in expression of vasotocin (VT) and isotocin (IT) genes in preoptic magnocellular neurons of female masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou). The changes in the level of VT mRNA were coincident with those in plasma testosterone and estradiol levels. In the present study, generality of this phenomenon in salmonid was verified in males. We examined changes in expression of VT and IT genes by an in situ hybridization technique and an immunohistochemical avidin-biotin complex method in the preoptic nuclei of ordinary and precocious male masu salmon. Plasma levels of testosterone and estradiol were measured by enzyme immunoassay. Fish were sampled in March, May, August, and November 1994 and January 1995. The intensities of hybridization signals for VT and IT mRNAs, as well as immunoreactivity of VT and IT, showed seasonal variations, although the profiles were different between the ordinary and precocious males. In the ordinary males, the intensities of hybridization signals for VT and IT mRNAs were high in January. These strong hybridization signals, representing elevation of VT and IT gene expression, were accompanied by increases in plasma levels of testosterone and estradiol. However, in precocious males, changes in VT and IT mRNA levels were not coincident with variation of plasma levels of sex steroid hormones. The sensitivity to sex steroid hormones of VT and IT gene expression may be different between the ordinary and precocious male masu salmon.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagomyotomy for achalasia after pulmonary lobectomy.

A 52-year-old man developed achalasia and a lung abscess due to aspiration pneumonia. We conducted a right upper lobectomy by thoracotomy for the abscess and, 2 weeks later, video-assisted thoracoscopic myotomy and fundoplication (modified Belsey Mark IV procedure) though the left thorax for achalasia. Three months after surgery, the patient was free of dysphasia and chest pain and had regained his original weight. Esophageal myotomy and fundoplication using video-assisted thoracoscopy appear to be feasible in treating achalasia involving impaired pulmonary function.

Endoscopy↗
PubMed1999

"In vivo cryotechnique" in combination with replica immunoelectron microscopy for caveolin in smooth muscle cells.

A novel "in vivo cryotechnique" with replica immunoelectron microscopy was developed for detecting caveolin localization on replica membranes prepared directly from living smooth muscle cells. After quick-freezing mouse duodenal walls by our "in vivo cryotechnique", the specimens were prepared for freeze-fracture and deep-etch replica membranes. Then they were treated with 5% SDS and 0.5% collagenase to keep some antigens on the replica membranes. The immunogold method could be used to clarify the localization of the caveolin antigen in relation to three-dimensional ultrastructures of living smooth muscle cells. Our new cryotechnique can provide native organization of functional molecules in living cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Mechanisms underlying the age-related decrement in the human sweating response.

To examine the mechanisms underlying the age-related decrement in the ability to sweat, seven older (64-76 years) and seven younger (20-24 years) men participated in a 60-min sweating test. The test consisted of placing the subject's lower legs in a water bath at 42 degrees C while sitting in a controlled environment of 35 degrees C ambient temperature and 45% relative humidity. The rectal (Trc) and skin temperatures, local sweating rates (m(sw): on the forehead, chest, back, forearm and thigh) and the frequency of sweat expulsion (f(sw)) were measured during the test. No group difference was observed in the mean body temperature (Tb) throughout the passive heating, although the older men had a higher Tre and a lower mean skin temperature during the last half of the 60-min test. There were no group differences in the Tb threshold for sweating, although the time to the onset of sweating tended to be longer for the older men regardless of body site. The m(sw) increased gradually for approximately 35 min after the start of heat exposure in the older men and for 30 min in the younger men and then reached a steady state. During the first half of the test, the older men had a significantly lower m(sw) at all sites. During the last half of the test, only m(sw) on the thigh was significantly lower in the older men than in the younger men. There was no group difference in the slope of f(sw) versus Tb (an indicator of the change in the central sudomotor response to thermal input). The slope of m(sw) versus f(sw) (an indicator of the change in peripheral activity in response to central sudomotor changes) was significantly lower on the thigh in the older men, but there were no differences for the other sites. These results suggest that in older men the lower thigh m(sw) observed during the last half of the heat test was possibly due to age-related modifications of peripheral mechanisms involving the sweat glands and surrounding tissues. It was not due to a change in the central drive to sudomotor function. Furthermore, the sluggish m(sw) responses in the older men appear to have been related to age-related modifications of the sensitivity of thermoreceptors in various body regions to thermal stimuli. They may also involve lower sweat glands' sensitivity to cholinergic stimulus or sluggish vasodilatation, and do not reflect age-related changes in the central drive.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Gene transfection of hepatocyte growth factor attenuates reperfusion injury in the heart.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a ligand for the c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase, plays a role as organotrophic factor for regeneration of various organs. HGF has an angiogenic activity and exhibits a potent antiapoptotic activity in several types of cells. Although HGF and the c-Met/HGF receptor are expressed in the heart, the role of HGF in the heart has remained unknown. METHODS: After we analyzed changes in expression of endogenous HGF and c-Met mRNA levels in the rat left ventricle after myocardial infarction, the human HGF gene in hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ)-liposome was transfected into the normal whole rat heart. Three days after transfection, the heart was subjected to global warm ischemia and subsequent reperfusion, followed by assessment of its cardiac functions. RESULTS: Both HGF and c-Met/HGF receptor mRNAs were expressed in adult rat heart, and c-Met/HGF receptor mRNA was upregulated in response to myocardial infarction. HGF-transfected heart showed significant increase of human HGF protein level in the heart. Cardiac functions in terms of the left ventricular developed pressure, maximum dp/dt, and pressure rate product in hearts with HGF gene transfection were significantly superior to those in control hearts. In addition, leakage of creatine phosphokinase in the coronary artery effluent in hearts with HGF gene transfection was significantly lower than that in control hearts. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicated that both HGF and c-Met/HGF receptor mRNAs were upregulated in response to myocardial ischemic injury, and that HGF is likely to have a cytoprotective effect on cardiac tissue, presumably through the c-Met/HGF receptor.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Gene transfection of beta 2-adrenergic receptor into the normal rat heart enhances cardiac response to beta-adrenergic agonist.

BACKGROUND: Beta-adrenergic receptor system has a major role in cardiac contraction. If the receptor can be increased by gene transfection by means of intracoronary infusion of beta 2-adrenergic receptor to the hearts in which the receptor is down-regulated, this maneuver may improve the cardiac function and may be applied as one therapeutic approach during cardiopulmonary bypass or percutaneous cardiopulmonary support. METHODS AND RESULTS: The beta 2-adrenergic receptor complementary DNA was transfected in vivo to the normal rat heart by intracoronary infusion by means of a hemagglutinating virus of Japan liposome method, and the transfected heart was transplanted into the abdomen of another rat. Four days after transfection, the sarcolemma of the cardiomyocytes was well labeled by immunohistochemical labeling. Expression of beta-adrenergic receptor in the heart was approximately 4 times greater than that in control hearts (134 +/- 42 vs 33 +/- 4 fmol/mg protein) according to a ligand binding assay. The cardiac response of the transfected heart to isoproterenol was shown to be enhanced in a Langendorff perfusion system: after isoproterenol, developed pressure and maximal derivative of the left ventricle were greater than in the control heart (200 +/- 12 vs 174 +/- 6 mm Hg and 4110 +/- 130 vs 3491 +/- 255 mm Hg/sec), and the minimal derivative of the left ventricle was markedly smaller (-3040 +/- 267 vs -2528 +/- 131 mm Hg/sec). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that expression of beta 2-adrenergic receptor was approximately 4 times greater than in normal rat hearts by gene transfection using a hemagglutinating virus of Japan liposome method, and the transfected hearts demonstrated marked enhancements in cardiac response to beta-agonist, suggesting that transfer of this gene by intracoronary infusion has potential as a novel approach to enhance cardiac function.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed1999

Intrathoracic esophageal replacement in the dog with the use of an artificial esophagus composed of a collagen sponge with a double-layered silicone tube.

OBJECTIVES: Intrathoracic esophageal replacement with an artificial esophagus is considered difficult. We attempted to replace the intrathoracic esophagus with an artificial esophagus composed of a collagen sponge with a double-layered silicone tube and examined the state of host tissue regeneration. METHODS: A 5-cm long gap was created in the intrathoracic esophagus in 9 dogs and repaired by interposition of our prosthesis. The dogs were fed only by intravenous hyperalimentation for 28 days. The silicone tube was removed at 29 days after the operation, and oral feeding was reintroduced. RESULTS: One dog was put to death at each of the following times: 1, 2, 3, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after the operation. One dog is still surviving without problems after more than 26 months. One dog died of malnutrition at 10 months. In all dogs, the host regenerated tissue had replaced the resulting gap at the time of silicone tube removal. The mucosa had fully regenerated within 3 months and the glands within 12 months. The process of stenosis and shrinkage was complete within 3 months and did not advance thereafter. The lamina muscularis mucosae were observed as islets of smooth muscle within 12 months. Although the skeletal muscle regenerated close to the anastomoses, it did not extend to the middle of the regenerated esophagus even after 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: Use of a collagen sponge with a double-layered silicone tube was shown to be feasible even in the thorax and to allow the regenerated host tissue, consisting of the mucosa, glands, and lamina muscularis mucosae, to replace the esophageal gap.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed1999

Expandable metallic stent placement for nutcracker phenomenon.

A 40-year-old woman presented with asymptomatic gross hematuria caused by the nutcracker phenomenon. Despite treatment with hemostatic agents and injection of silver nitrate into the renal pelvis, the hematuria had continued, and severe anemia (hematocrit 17%) had developed. We performed expandable metallic stent (EMS) placement across the left renal vein. Although mild hematuria continued, the anemia resolved after this interventional radiotherapy. EMS placement is a minimally invasive therapy for the nutcracker phenomenon.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Distinct spatiotemporal expression of mRNAs for the PSD-95/SAP90 protein family in the mouse brain.

PSD-95 (SAP90), SAP102 and Chapsyn-110 (PSD-93) are members of the membrane-associated guanylate kinase family, and interact with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor NR2A (GluRepsilon1) and NR2B (GluRepsilon2) subunits and with Shaker-type K+ channel subunits to cluster into a channel complex. In the present study, we examined their expression in developing and adult mouse brains by in situ hybridization with antisense oligonucleotide probes. PSD-95 and SAP102 mRNAs were prominently expressed at embryonic day 13 (E13) in the mantle zone of various brain regions, where NMDA receptor NR2B subunit mRNA is expressed at high levels. In the early postnatal period when active synaptogenesis takes place, both mRNAs became elevated and concentrated in the telencephalon and cerebellar granular layer, where NR2A and/or NR2B subunit mRNAs are abundantly expressed. Chapsyn-110 mRNA was, though at low levels, found over the mantle zone of embryonic brains, and the level was progressively increased in the telencephalon starting at perinatal stages. The spatial and temporal correlations in the brain in vivo suggest that the PSD-95/SAP90 protein family can interact with NMDA receptor subunits to cluster them into channel complex at both synaptic and non-synaptic sites before, during and after synaptogenic stages.

Aging↗
PubMed1999

Ethnobotany in the search for vasoactive herbal medicines.

Plant samples derived from ethno-directed and random collections were screened to determine their effect on pre-contracted rat aortic tissue. Of the 31 ethno-directed species, four were found to be potent relaxants of vascular smooth muscle. The vasoactive species were Chamguava gentlei, Alseis yucatanensis, Licaria peckii and Nectandra salicifolia. None of the 32 randomly collected samples produced a relaxation response. These data support the hypothesis that ethno-directed collection is a more efficient means of drug discovery than random plant screens.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Factors affecting hearing results after stapes surgery.

Factors affecting auditory improvement after stapes surgery were investigated retrospectively on a study group of 106 otosclerotic ears (86 subjects). While the closure of the air-bone (A-B) gap after surgery was good at 2 kHz and 4 kHz, it was poor at 8 kHz and at frequencies lower than 1 kHz. Under 1 kHz, the lower the frequency, the worse the A-B gap after surgery. Stapedotomy and partial stapedectomy showed better post-operative hearing gain at 4 kHz than total stapedectomy. Total stapedectomy scored significantly better at 250 Hz and 500 Hz than stapedotomy. There was a close relationship between the pre-operative and post-operative A-B gap at frequencies under 1 kHz. The smaller the pre-operative A-B gap, the better the closure of the post-operative A-B gap at these frequencies. It was speculated that otosclerotic ears with a larger pre-operative airbone gap might have another lesion in the middle ear other than the oval window.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Relationship between HLA-DR antigen and HLA-DRB1 alleles and prostate cancer in Japanese men.

PURPOSE: Human leukocyte antigens (HLA) are cell surface glycoproteins playing a key role in the immune system. In some cancers, changes in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II expression, usually a reduction or loss of these molecules, appear to provide a mechanism whereby tumour cells may escape host immunity. We investigated the relationship between HLA, especially class II, molecules and prostate cancer in Japanese men using molecular techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HLA class II typing was performed by the polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer (PCR-SSP) method of analysis and/or a commercial rapid assay based on the PCR followed by reverse dot-blot hybridization of the PCR products (Inno-LiPA assay). Allele frequencies were calculated. HLA allele frequencies reported in 1216 healthy Japanese individuals were used as the control data. Differences in allele frequency between subjects and the control group were analyzed by the chi-square test. The relationship between HLA antigens/alleles and prostate cancer is expressed in terms of relative risk (RR). RESULTS: The frequencies of HLA-DR4 were significantly higher in Japanese men with prostate cancer than in the healthy control group (gene frequency 36.2% vs. 26.3% in control, p<0.05), although the relative risk of prostate cancer was less than 2. Furthermore, the frequencies of HLA-DRB1-0406, 0410 and 1405 allele were significantly higher in the prostate cancer group than in the control group (allele frequency was 7.3%, 4.5% and 5.4% vs. 3.03%, 1.79% and 2.22%, p<0.05, respectively). RR of those HLA-DRB1 allele for prostate cancer was 2.6 in each allele. CONCLUSIONS: HLA molecules may be useful for the early detection of prostate cancer as a risk factor, and also for recognizing cancer activity by using them as a marker helpful in the choice of appropriate treatment by predicting prognosis.

Alleles↗
PubMed1999

Resonance assignments, secondary structure and 15N relaxation data of the human transcriptional coactivator hMBF1 (57-148).

Multiprotein bridging factor 1 (MBF1) is a transcriptional coactivator that is thought to bridge between the TATA box-binding protein (TBP) and DNA binding regulatory factors, and is conserved from yeast to human. Human MBF1 (hMBF1) can bind to TBP and to the nuclear receptor Ad4BP, and is suggested to mediate Ad4BP-dependent transcriptional activation. Here we report the resonance assignments and secondary structure of hMBF1 (57-148) that contains both TBP binding and activator binding residues. 15N relaxation data were also obtained. As a result, hMBF1 (57-148) was shown to consist of flexible N-terminal residues and a C-terminal domain. The C-terminal domain contains four helices and a conserved C-terminal region.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Nociceptin-induced scratching, biting and licking in mice: involvement of spinal NK1 receptors.

1. Intrathecal (i.t.) injection of nociceptin at small doses (fmol order) elicited a behavioural response consisting of scratching, biting and licking in conscious mice. Here we have examined the involvement of substance P-containing neurons by using i.t. injection of tachykinin neurokinin (NK)1 receptor antagonists and substance P (SP) antiserum. 2. Nociceptin-induced behavioural response was evoked significantly 5 - 10 min after i.t. injection and reached a maximum at 10 - 15 min. Dose-dependency of the induced response showed a bell-shaped pattern from 0.375 - 30.0 fmol, and the maximum effect was observed at 3.0 fmol. 3. The behavioural response elicited by nociceptin (3.0 fmol) was dose-dependently inhibited by intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of morphine. 4. The NK1 receptor antagonists, CP-96,345, CP-99,994 and sendide, inhibited nociceptin-induced behavioural response in a dose-dependent manner. A significant antagonistic effect of [D-Phe7, D-His9]SP (6 - 11), a selective antagonist for SP receptors, was observed against nociceptin-induced response. The NK2 receptor antagonist, MEN-10376, had no effect on the response elicited by nociceptin. 5. Pretreatment with SP antiserum resulted in a significant reduction of the response to nociceptin. No significant reduction of nociceptin-induced response was detected in mice pretreated with NKA antiserum. 6. The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, dizocilpine (MK-801) and D(-)-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV) (D-APV), and L-NG-nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, failed to inhibit nociceptin-induced behavioural response. 7. off present results suggest that SP-containing neurons in the mouse spinal cord may be involved in elicitation of scratching, biting and licking behaviour following i.t. injection of nociceptin.

Aggression↗