Biomedical subjects

H Yoshida

Publications and source records attributed to H Yoshida.

At least 451 records · Page 25Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Carotid arterial distensibility is an important determinant of improvement in autonomic balance after successful coronary angioplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether arterial distensibility influences improvement of autonomic imbalance after left ventricular wall motion (LVWM) abnormality has been improved by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTCA) in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD). METHODS AND RESULTS: The following variables were assessed before and 3 months after PTCA in 63 patients with IHD who had a successful PTCA: heart rate variability (standard deviation of all normal R-R intervals [SDNN] measured from 24 h Holter electrocardiograms), baroreceptor sensitivity (determined by the phenylephrine injection method), and carotid artery distensibility (determined by ultrasonography). Abnormalities of LVWM were assessed by cineventriculography. In a multivariate analysis, carotid artery distensibility before PTCA and changes in LVWM abnormality before and after PTCA were independently associated with changes in baroreceptor sensitivity and SDNN (P< 0.05). Patients were divided into two groups: one with impaired and one group with unimpaired initial carotid artery distensibility. After PTCA, LVWM was improved significantly in both groups, but baroreceptor sensitivity and SDNN were improved significantly (respectively from 5.0 +/- 3.3 to 5.9 +/- 3.9 ms/mmHg, P< 0.01 and from 111 +/- 47 to 128 +/- 54 ms, P < 0.01) only in patients with well-preserved carotid artery distensibility. CONCLUSIONS: The beneficial effect of PTCA on autonomic balance was greater in patients with well-preserved carotid artery distensibility than in those with impaired carotid artery distensibility. These results suggest that the pathophysiological state of arterial distensibility may modify the autonomic balance even after myocardial ischemia-related LVWM abnormalities are improved.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha on basal and stimulated endothelium-dependent vasomotion in human resistance vessel.

The aim of this study was to determine whether tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha would impair basal and stimulated endothelium-dependent vasomotion in human resistance vessel. Changes in baseline and acetylcholine (ACh)-induced forearm vascular resistance (FVR) were measured plethysmographically before and after a low-dose intraarterial forearm infusion of TNF-alpha according to the following three protocols in healthy volunteers. In the condition without pretreatment, basal FVR was significantly increased by TNF-alpha (from 30.5 +/- 4.8 to 39.9 +/- 5.9 units; p < 0.01), whereas ACh-induced minimal FVR did not differ between pre- and post-TNF-alpha states. In the condition after pretreatment with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor acetylsalicylic acid, although the vascular effects of TNF-alpha on basal FVR appeared to be blocked (37.1 +/- 5.3 vs. 37.6 +/- 5.2; NS), ACh-induced minimal FVR did not differ between pre- and post-TNF-alpha states. In the condition after pretreatment with the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine, the vascular effect of TNF-alpha on basal FVR was diminished, and the ACh-induced maximal dilatory response was significantly blunted after TNF-alpha compared with before TNF-alpha (minimal FVR: 30.4 +/- 12.0 vs. 12.3 +/- 4.2 units; p < 0.05). These findings suggest that brief exposure of the human forearm resistance artery to TNF-alpha may increase basal bioavailability of the vasoconstrictor prostaglandin and reduce basal bioavailability of NO. In the stimulated condition, TNF-alpha-induced vascular dysfunction may be overwhelmed by increased NO bioavailability in healthy humans.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed2000

Involvement of calmodulin and protein kinase C in cholecystokinin release by bombesin from STC-1 cells.

The mouse intestinal neuroendocrine tumor cell line STC-1 secretes cholecystokinin (CCK) and other hormones. We investigated the role of Ca2+, calmodulin (CaM), and protein kinase C (PKC) in the regulation of CCK release from STC-1 cells. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA) significantly stimulated CCK release. Staurosporine significantly inhibited CCK release from STC-1 cells stimulated by TPA in a dose-dependent manner. The absence of extracellular calcium completely inhibited CCK release from TPA-stimulated STC-1 cells. Neurotensin did not stimulate CCK release from these cells. W-7, a CaM antagonist, reduced CCK release from STC-1 cells stimulated by bombesin in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that CaM and PKC play an important role in the regulation of CCK release from STC-1 cells stimulated by bombesin.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Spicamycin and KRN5500 induce apoptosis in myeloid and lymphoid cell lines with down-regulation of bcl-2 expression and modulation of promyelocytic leukemia protein.

Spicamycin is a potent inducer of differentiation of human myeloid leukemia cells (HL-60) and murine myeloid leukemia cells (M1). One of the spicamycin derivatives, KRN5500, shows a broad spectrum of antitumor activity against human tumor xenografts in nude mice. In this study, we first investigated the differentiation efficacy of spicamycin and KRN5500 in HL-60 and acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line, NB4, and found that low concentrations of both compounds induced differentiation to a small extent in both cell lines, but markedly induced apoptosis in NB4 cells. Further investigation in a myeloid leukemia cell line, NKM-1, a lymphoma cell line, Daudi, and a multiple myeloma cell line, NOP-1, showed that high concentrations of both compounds also induced apoptosis in these cells. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) determined by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay showed that myeloid cells were more sensitive to both compounds than lymphoid cells, and spicamycin was more potent than KRN5500. Western blot analysis of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and Bax expression and immunofluorescence analysis of promyelocytic leukemia (PML) protein indicated that apoptosis induced by spicamycin and KRN5500 was associated with down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression and modulation of PML protein. Thus, spicamycin and KRN5500 may be useful for the treatment of myeloid and lymphoid neoplasms.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic↗

PubMed2000

Salutary role for angiotensin in partial urinary tract obstruction.

BACKGROUND: In the neonatal period, angiotensin II (Ang II) is up-regulated and induces a timely development of the renal pelvis and ureteral peristalsis, thereby protecting the kidney from hydronephrosis. We tested the possibility that in adulthood, Ang II may act salutarily on the kidney structure during partial urinary tract obstruction by inducing adaptive changes in the peristaltic machinery. METHODS: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to partial unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and divided into two groups, that is, those treated with (group L, N = 21) and those without (group C, N = 21) an angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist (losartan). Control animals were sham operated (N = 10). Rats were sacrificed either at day 7 or day 14. RESULTS: The degree of hydronephrosis determined morphometrically was significantly more severe in group L than group C at both day 7 and day 14, indicating that Ang II inhibition accentuated hydronephrosis. The measurement of upstream pressure within the partially ligated ureter in vivo revealed that losartan significantly attenuates the frequency of ureteral peristaltic activities. In in vitro studies using ureteral strips harvested from normal adult Sprague-Dawley rats (N = 10), Ang II (10(-8) mol/L) was shown to augment contraction, which was completely inhibited by losartan (10(-6) mol/L). CONCLUSIONS: Ang II has a salutary effect of protecting kidneys from hydronephrosis during partial ureteral obstruction through its ability to augment ureteral peristalsis.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed2000

[Two cases of hypoxemic acute bronchiolitis due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae].

Two males with acute bronchiolitis due to Mycoplasma (M.) pneumoniae, aged 24 and 39 years were reported. They presented prolonged cough and fever in the early stage of the disease. Chest X-rays of those patients showed diffused nodular shadows. Chest CT scan showed diffused nodular shadows and thickning of bronchovascular marking. Blood-gas analysis indicated hypoxemia without abnormal A-aDO2. We diagnosed two patients as M. pneumoniae infection by antibody assays. The Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) level and IgE level were high. Eosinophilia and endotoxemia were also observed in two patients. We speculated that the allergic reaction and endotoxemia may be related to hypoxemia and the clinical severity of M. pneumoniae infection.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2000

[Evaluation of serological response to Bartonella henselae by enzyme immunoassay in cat scratch disease].

The IgG and IgM titers to Bartonella henselae were determined by an enzyme immunoassay (EIA). The EIA test for detection of IgG and IgM antibodies to B. henselae concerning CSD showed that 8 (40%) of 20 patients with CSD had a serum IgG antibody titer of 12 EIA unit or more and that 5 (25%) patients had a serum IgM titer of 12 EIA unit or more. Totally 12 (60%) of the 20 patients with CSD were seropositive for B. henselae. The mean age of IgG positive patients were higher than IgM positive patients. The IgM antibodies to B. henselae disappeared within 4 to 12 weeks after onset of disease. The IgG antibodies to B. henselae disappeared within 3 to 8 weeks after onset of the symptoms in 2 cases of CSD. Another 2 cases CSD produced high levels of IgG antibodies in the acute phase of the disease. Different course of IgG and IgM antibody titers were found in sera from patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Contralateral subtraction: a novel technique for detection of asymmetric abnormalities on digital chest radiographs.

A novel contralateral subtraction technique has been developed to assist radiologists in the detection of asymmetric abnormalities on a single chest radiograph. With this method, the lateral inclination is first corrected by rotating and shifting the original chest image so that the midline of the thorax is aligned with the vertical centerline of the original chest image. The rotated image is then flipped laterally to produce a reversed "mirror" image. Finally, the mirror image is warped and subtracted from the original image for derivation of the contralateral subtraction image. The three key techniques which are employed in this study are applied successively to the initial contralateral subtraction technique for acquisition of improved subtraction images. One hundred PA chest radiographs, including 50 normals and 50 abnormals, were used as the database for this study. The percentage of chest images, which were rated as being adequate, good, or excellent quality of subtraction images by employing a subjective evaluation method, was improved from 73% to 91% by use of the three key techniques. The contralateral subtraction technique can be used for detection of any asymmetric abnormalities, such as lung nodules, pneumothorax, pneumonia, and emphysema, on a single chest radiograph, and therefore has potential utility in a high proportion of abnormal cases.

Biophysical Phenomena↗

PubMed2000

Assessment of poliovirus eradication in Japan: genomic analysis of polioviruses isolated from river water and sewage in toyama prefecture.

Seventy-eight poliovirus strains isolated from river water and sewage in Toyama Prefecture, Japan, during 1993 to 1995 were characterized by the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method and by partially sequencing the VP3 and VP1 regions of the viral genome. Of these isolates, 36 were identified as Sabin vaccine strains, and 42 were identified as vaccine variant strains that had less than 1.4% nucleotide divergence from the Sabin strains, including 7 isolates with patterns different from those of Sabin strains as determined by PCR-RFLP analysis. These findings suggest that wild-type poliovirus was not circulating in Toyama Prefecture.

Fresh Water↗

PubMed2000

Induction of hypergammaglobulinemia and macrophage activation by silicone gels and oils in female A.SW mice.

Although most published epidemiological studies have found little evidence of systemic autoimmune disease associated with silicone breast implants, there still remains a question of whether silicones can cause local and/or systemic immune dysfunction. This study further investigates the effects of silicones on autoantibody and immunoglobulin production and macrophage activation in female A.SW mice. Sixty mice were divided among four treatment groups receiving a 0.5-ml intraperitoneal injection of either phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), pristane, silicone gel, or silicone oil. Test bleeds were taken periodically for 6 months. In contrast to pristane, neither silicone gel nor silicone oil induced lupus-associated antinuclear autoantibodies (immunoglobulin G [IgG] anti-nRNP/Sm, Su, and ribosomal P) or lupus nephritis. However, serum IgM became elevated persistently within 1 month of silicone gel or silicone oil administration. Also, the level of IgG3 was clearly elevated in silicone oil-treated mice. In contrast, IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b levels were not affected greatly by either silicone gel or oil. Furthermore, peritoneal macrophages from silicone- and pristane-treated mice produced higher levels of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and IL-6 than those from PBS-treated mice after lipopolysaccharide stimulation. These results suggest that silicone gels and oils are capable of inducing hypergammaglobulinemia and activating macrophages in female A.SW mice.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Detection of clarithromycin-resistant helicobacter pylori strains by a preferential homoduplex formation assay.

It has been shown that resistance to clarithromycin, a major cause of failure in Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy, is associated with point mutations in the 23S rRNA gene. We sought to apply the preferential homoduplex formation assay (PHFA), a novel technique for the efficient detection of point mutations, to detection of the mutations. PHFA was performed on streptavidin-coated microtiter plates with biotin- and dinitrophenyl-labeled amplicons to detect the wild-type gene or each mutant gene. DNA samples were extracted from gastric juice specimens of 412 patients with H. pylori infection and were applied to the assay. The detection threshold of PHFA was as few as 10 gene copies. The sensitivity of PHFA for the detection of H. pylori infection was higher than those of culture and the rapid urease test. A total of 337 (81.8%) samples had the wild-type gene, 38 (9.2%) had the A2144G mutation, and 37 (9.0%) contained both the wild type and a mutation (A2144G in 30 samples, A2143G in 5 samples, and A2143G plus A2144G in 2 samples). About half the strains isolated from patients with mixed infection were susceptible by the agar dilution method (MIC, <0.1 mg/liter). Therefore, PHFA can detect clarithromycin-resistant H. pylori strains, even in patients with mixed infections with the wild type, that are not detectable by the agar dilution method.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Mutations in the 2C region of poliovirus responsible for altered sensitivity to benzimidazole derivatives.

MRL-1237, [1-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-imino-1,4-dihydropyridin-1-yl) methylbenzimidazole hydrochloride], is a potent and selective inhibitor of the replication of enteroviruses. To reveal the target molecule of MRL-1237 in viral replication, we selected spontaneous MRL-1237-resistant poliovirus mutants. Of 15 MRL-1237-resistant mutants obtained, 14 were cross-resistant to guanidine hydrochloride (mrgr), while 1 was susceptible (mrgs). Sequence analysis of the 2C region revealed that the 14 mrgr mutants contained a single nucleotide substitution that altered an amino acid residue from Phe-164 to Tyr. The mrgs mutant, on the other hand, contained a substitution of Ile-120 to Val. Through the construction of a cDNA-derived mutant, we confirmed that the single mutation at Phe-164 was really responsible for the reduced susceptibility to MRL-1237. MRL-1237 inhibited poliovirus-specific RNA synthesis in HeLa cells infected with a wild strain but not with an F164Y mutant. We furthermore examined the effect of mutations of the 2C region on the drug sensitivity of cDNA-derived guanidine-resistant and -dependent mutants. Two guanidine-resistant mutants were cross-resistant to MRL-1237 but remained susceptible to another benzimidazole, enviroxime. Either MRL-1237 or guanidine stimulated the viral replication of two guanidine-dependent mutants, but enviroxime did not. These results indicate that MRL-1237, like guanidine, targets the 2C protein of poliovirus for its antiviral effect.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2000

ATF6 activated by proteolysis binds in the presence of NF-Y (CBF) directly to the cis-acting element responsible for the mammalian unfolded protein response.

Transcription of genes encoding molecular chaperones and folding enzymes in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is induced by accumulation of unfolded proteins in the ER. This intracellular signaling, known as the unfolded protein response (UPR), is mediated by the cis-acting ER stress response element (ERSE) in mammals. In addition to ER chaperones, the mammalian transcription factor CHOP (also called GADD153) is induced by ER stress. We report here that the transcription factor XBP-1 (also called TREB5) is also induced by ER stress and that induction of CHOP and XBP-1 is mediated by ERSE. The ERSE consensus sequence is CCAAT-N(9)-CCACG. As the general transcription factor NF-Y (also known as CBF) binds to CCAAT, CCACG is considered to provide specificity in the mammalian UPR. We recently found that the basic leucine zipper protein ATF6 isolated as a CCACG-binding protein is synthesized as a transmembrane protein in the ER, and ER stress-induced proteolysis produces a soluble form of ATF6 that translocates into the nucleus. We report here that overexpression of soluble ATF6 activates transcription of the CHOP and XBP-1 genes as well as of ER chaperone genes constitutively, whereas overexpression of a dominant negative mutant of ATF6 blocks the induction by ER stress. Furthermore, we demonstrated that soluble ATF6 binds directly to CCACG only when CCAAT exactly 9 bp upstream of CCACG is bound to NF-Y. Based on these and other findings, we concluded that specific and direct interactions between ATF6 and ERSE are critical for transcriptional induction not only of ER chaperones but also of CHOP and XBP-1.

Activating Transcription Factor 6↗

PubMed2000

Evaluation of a new amplified enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in male urine, female endocervical swab, and patient obtained vaginal swab specimens.

AIMS: To compare the performance of a new generation dual amplified enzyme immunoassay (EIA) with a molecular method for the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis, using a range of urogenital samples, and to assess the reliability of testing self collected vaginal specimens compared with clinician collected vaginal specimens. METHODS: Two population groups were tested. For the first population group, first void urine samples were collected from 193 male patients with urethritis, and endocervical swabs were collected from 187 high risk commercial sex workers. All urine and endocervical specimens were tested by a conventional assay (IDEIA chlamydia), a new generation amplified immunoassay (IDEIA PCE chlamydia), and the Amplicor polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Discrepant results obtained among the three sample types were confirmed using a nested PCR test with a different plasmid target region. For the second population group, four swab specimens, including one patient obtained vaginal swab, two clinician obtained endocervical swabs, and one clinician obtained vaginal swab, were collected from 91 high risk sex workers. Self collected and clinician collected vaginal swabs were tested by IDEIA PCE chlamydia. Clinician obtained endocervical swabs were assayed by IDEIA PCE chlamydia and Amplicor PCR. RESULTS: The performance of the IDEIA PCE chlamydia test was comparable to that of the Amplicor PCR test when male urine and female endocervical swab specimens were analysed. The relative sensitivities of IDEIA, IDEIA PCE, and Amplicor PCR on male first void urine specimens were 79.3%, 91.4%, and 100%, respectively. The relative sensitivities of the three tests on female endocervical specimens were 85.0%, 95.0%, and 100%, respectively. The positivity rates for patient collected vaginal specimens and clinician collected vaginal specimens by IDEIA PCE were 25.2% and 23.1%, respectively, whereas those for clinician collected endocervical swabs by PCR and IDEIA PCE were both 27.5%. CONCLUSIONS: IDEIA PCE chlamydia is a lower cost but sensitive alternative test to PCR for testing male urine samples and female endocervical swabs. In addition, self collected or clinician collected vaginal specimens tested by IDEIA PCE chlamydia are a reliable alternative to analysing endocervical specimens.

Chlamydia Infections↗

PubMed2000

Computerized analysis of the likelihood of malignancy in solitary pulmonary nodules with use of artificial neural networks.

PURPOSE: To develop a computer-aided diagnostic scheme by using an artificial neural network (ANN) to assist radiologists in the distinction of benign and malignant pulmonary nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-six chest radiographs of 34 primary lung cancers and 22 benign nodules were digitized with a 0.175-mm pixel size and a 10-bit gray scale. Eight subjective image features were evaluated and recorded by radiologists in each case. A computerized method was developed to extract objective features that could be correlated with the subjective features. An ANN was used to distinguish benign from malignant nodules on the basis of subjective or objective features. The performance of the ANN was compared with that of the radiologists by means of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: Performance of the ANN was considerably greater with objective features (area under the ROC curve, Az = 0.854) than with subjective features (Az = 0.761). Performance of the ANN was also greater than that of the radiologists (Az = 0.752). CONCLUSION: The computerized scheme has the potential to improve the diagnostic accuracy of radiologists in the distinction of benign and malignant solitary pulmonary nodules.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Na(+)/H(+) exchange inhibition attenuates hypertrophy and heart failure in 1-wk postinfarction rat myocardium.

Na(+)/H(+) exchange (NHE) represents a major mechanism for intracellular pH regulation, particularly in the ischemic myocardium. NHE has also been shown to be important in the regulation of cell proliferation and growth. We examined whether inhibition of NHE results in an attenuation of early postinfarction myocyte remodeling responses in the rat. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to receive either a control diet or an identical diet supplemented with the NHE inhibitor cariporide. After 1 wk, animals were anesthetized, subjected to ligation of the left main coronary artery, and maintained for an additional week, after which time they were anesthetized and intraventricular pressures were obtained. Hearts were removed, and myocytes were isolated to obtain cell dimensions and determine the response to isoproterenol. Body, heart, and lung weights were obtained. Coronary artery ligation in control animals resulted in a significant elevation in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, as well as increased heart weight- and lung weight-to-body weight ratios, both of which were abrogated by cariporide. Cell length and area significantly increased by 14 and 19.2%, respectively, whereas cell width increased by 4.1% (P > 0.05). These cells exhibited a significant hyporesponsiveness to the positive inotropic responses to isoproterenol at the lower drug concentrations (3 and 10 nM). A <1% dimensional change occurred in myocytes from cariporide-fed animals, and the hyporesponse to isoproterenol was reversed. Cariporide had no effect on infarct size or blood pressure. These studies suggest that the early adaptive hypertrophic response of surviving myocytes is dependent on NHE activity. As such, it is attractive to suggest that NHE inhibition could be an effective therapeutic strategy for prevention of postinfarction remodeling, independent of infarct size or afterload reduction.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

PubMed2000

Enhanced renal function in bradykinin B(2) receptor transgenic mice.

The tissue kallikrein-kinin system has been recognized as a paracrine and/or autocrine hormonal system that regulates arterial pressure, renal hemodynamics, and electrolyte excretion. We have created a transgenic mouse model overexpressing human bradykinin B(2) receptor, and the mice developed lifetime hypotension. With this animal model, we further analyzed the potential role of B(2) receptors in regulation of renal function. Baseline urinary excretion, urinary potassium excretion, and pH were significantly increased in transgenic mice, whereas urinary sodium excretion and serum sodium concentration were unaltered. Transgenic mice exhibited increased renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate, and urine flow. Enhanced renal function was accompanied by significant increases in urinary nitrate/nitrite, cGMP, and cAMP levels with unaltered urinary kinin levels in transgenic mice compared with control siblings. Renal cGMP and cAMP content was also significantly increased in transgenic mice. Because the renin-angiotensin system exerts vasoconstriction buffering vasodilation of the kallikrein-kinin system, expression of renin-angiotensin components was examined by Northern blot analysis. We found a significant increase in hepatic angiotensinogen expression with no changes in renal renin and pulmonary angiotensin-converting enzyme mRNA levels in B(2) receptor transgenic mice. These studies showed that overexpression of B(2) receptors in transgenic mice resulted in hypotension and enhanced renal function through activation of nitric oxide-cGMP and cAMP signal transduction pathways.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Is measuring the posterior urethrovesical angle of clinical value for controlling pelvic organ Prolapse?. Retrospective analysis of 107 postoperative cases.

Vaginal total hysterectomy with vaginal plasty was performed in 107 patients with pelvic organ prolapse. The posterior urethrovesical angle (PUVA) was measured by chain urethrocystography. Bladder capacity, residual and incontinence urine volume were measured before and after surgery, and the data obtained were analyzed in relation to postoperative improvement and recurrence of urinary dysfunction. There were no significant differences between the background of patients with dysuria, incontinence, a mixture of dysuria and incontinence, and neither of these symptoms. Postoperative incontinence and residual urine volume decreased in all groups. However there was no correlation between the preoperative PUVA and either incontinence or residual urine volume. Measurement of PUVA was neither helpful in making the diagnosis nor predictive of the recurrence of urinary dysfunction.

Aged↗