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H Yoshii

Publications and source records attributed to H Yoshii.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Usefulness and limitations of ultrasonography in the initial evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma.

BACKGROUND: In the assessment of blunt abdominal trauma, the reliability of ultrasonography (US) in identifying individual organ injuries remains uncertain, in spite of its usefulness in detecting hemoperitoneum. This study was designed to evaluate the overall diagnostic value of US, including identification of individual organ injuries. METHODS: The accuracy of US in the detection of intra-abdominal injuries and the identification of individual organ injuries was evaluated in 1,239 patients seen during a 15-year period. Accuracy was based on detection of intraperitoneal fluid, free air, or irregular parenchymal lesions. RESULTS: For the detection of injuries, US was 94.6% sensitive, 95.1% specific, and 94.9% accurate. Individual organ injuries were identified with sensitivities of 92.4, 90.0, 92.2, 71.4, and 34.7% for the liver, spleen, kidneys, pancreas, and intestine, respectively. CONCLUSION: US is reliable for the detection of injuries and the identification of solid-organ injuries despite its poor sensitivity for intestinal injuries.

Abdominal Injuries↗

New N2+ Electronic States in the Region of 23-28 eV

Threshold photoelectron spectra of N2+ were measured between 23.4 and 27.6 eV with high resolution and high intensity by using the penetrating field technique and synchrotron radiation. Five vibrational progressions were observed. The first of these progressions was the C2Sigmau+ state. The second progression was identified as the transition to the second state of 2Pig symmetry found by P. Baltzer, M. Larsson, L. Karlsson, B. Wannberg, and M. Carlsson (1992. Phys. Rev. A 46, 5545). The third progression, which was discovered by F. Merkt and P. M. Guyon (1993. J. Chem. Phys. 99, 3400), can be designated as the 2Sigmau- state by comparison with previous theoretical study (E. W. Thulstrup and A. Andersen, 1975. J. Phys. B 8, 965). The fourth and fifth progressions were designated as the 2Deltau and 2(2) Piu states by similar comparison with previous theories. Copyright 1997 Academic Press. Copyright 1997Academic Press

Journal Article↗

A complex of histamine/mouse gamma-globulin preferentially inhibits allergen-induced peritoneal accumulation of eosinophils, but not neutrophils, in mice.

A complex of histamine/human gamma-globulin (HhG) has been widely used in Japan for more than 25 years as a nonspecific hyposensitization drug in the treatment of allergic diseases. It has been reported that HhG decreases the number of eosinophils in the nasal secretions and peripheral blood of patients with allergy. In this study we used a mouse system to explore the possibility that HhG may actively inhibit the accumulation of eosinophils at inflammation sites. A complex of 0.15 microg of histamine dihydrochloride/12 mg of mouse gamma-globulin (HmG) was incubated for 2 hours in saline solution in the normal fashion for HhG. HmG at 50 to 150 mg/kg/day inhibited the peritoneal accumulation of eosinophils induced by ragweed pollen in BALB/c mice in a dose-dependent fashion when the HmG was administered subcutaneously six times during a 20-day sensitization period. The inhibitory effect of HmG on this eosinophil accumulation was significant at 24 and 48 hours after challenge, but HmG had no effect on neutrophil accumulation. Complexes of serotonin/mouse gamma-globulin (mgammaG), glutamine/mgammaG, and histamine dihydrochloride (His)/mouse albumin had no inhibitory effect when administered in the same way. The optimum combination ratio was between 0.15 microg of His/12 mg of mgammaG and 0.015 microg of His/12 mg of mgammaG for this eosinophil inhibition. Moreover, a 1- to 2-hour incubation period of His and mgammaG was needed to induce a plateau inhibition of the eosinophil accumulation. These results in mice suggest that HhG may actively inhibit allergen-induced eosinophil accumulation, which may be therapeutically useful in the treatment of allergic disease.

Allergens↗

NADPH-dependent reduction of ethyl acetoacetate coupled with ethanol oxidation in Kloeckera magna.

We evaluated the catalytic ability of 29 yeast strains to reduce ethyl acetoacetate (EA) in the presence of ethanol or glucose. In 18 yeast strains, the reduction in the presence of ethanol proceeded as well as in the presence of glucose. Among them, Kloeckera magna (AKU 4704) effectively catalyzed the NADPH-dependent reduction of EA in the presence of ethanol. In this reduction, 1 mol of EA was reduced by consuming 1 mol of ethanol. We found that the NADPH regeneration system responsible for EA reduction in K. magna was coupled with oxidation of acetaldehyde to acetic acid catalyzed by an NADP(+)-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenase.

Acetoacetates↗

aFGF, endogenous satiety substance, facilitates learning, memory and immune function in aging.

aFGF injection s.c. once a week into SAMP8 was begun at 3 weeks after birth and continued for 10 months. Saline was injected as a control. learning and memory and cellular immunological functions in the aFGF group were enhanced significantly, while those of the saline group deteriorated. 1. The number of cholinergic neurons was decreased by less than 20% and ChAT activity in individual neurons in the medial septum which send monosyonaptic terminals to the hippocampus was significantly decreased in the saline group, but not so much in the aFGF group. 2. The respective densities of muscarinic and aFGF receptors, on the hippocampal neurons were significantly higher in the aFGF group than in the saline group. 3. The LTP in hippocampal slice preparations was significantly facilitated in the aFGF group, but not in the saline group. 4. The DTH, (T cell immune response) measured at the end of the 2nd and 7th months were reduced in the 7th month as compared with the 2nd month in the saline group, but aFGF group protected against this reduction. 5. These results show that aFGF provides protection against impairment of not only learning and memory but also the DTH immunoreactivity in SAMP8.

Aging↗

[Unstable diabetes].

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Autonomic Nervous System Diseases↗

Protection against impairment of memory and immunoreactivity in senescence-accelerated mice by acidic fibroblast growth factor.

Subcutaneous injection of aFGF once a week into senescence-accelerated mice (SAM)P8 was begun at 3 weeks after birth and continued for 10 months. Saline was injected as a control. Learning and memory and cellular immunological functions in the aFGF group were enhanced significantly, while those of the saline group deteriorated. 1. The number of cholinergic neurons was decreased by less than 20% and choline acetyltransferase activity in individual neurons in the medical septum which send monosynaptic terminals to the hippocampus was significantly decreased in the saline group, but not so much in the aFGF group. 2. The respective densities of muscarinic and NMDA receptors and the aFGF receptor, i.e., FGFR-1 on the hippocampal neurons were also significantly higher in the aFGF group than in the saline group. 3. The long-term potentiation in the hippocampal slice preparations after a brief tetanic stimulation at the Schaffer collateral/commissural afferents was significantly facilitated in the aFGF group, but not in the saline group. 4. These data indicate the normalization caused by aFGF of the medial septohippocampal circuit, which is necessary for learning and memory. 5. The delayed type hypersensitivity reactions (DTH) in the footpad caused by challenge with trinitrophenyl or sheep red blood cells as measured at the end of the 2nd and 7th months, indicated the T cell immune response. Both types of DTHs were reduced in the 7th month as compared with the 2nd month in the saline group, but the aFGF group was protected against this reduction in accordance with age. 6. These results show that aFGF provides protection against impairment of not only learning and memory but also DTH immunoreactivity in SAMP8. They also indicate a close relationship between learning and memory and T cell immune function.

Aging↗

A new assay system detecting antibody production and delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to trinitrophenyl hapten in an individual mouse.

A new assay system detecting antibody production and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses to trinitrophenyl hapten in an individual mouse (AS-DAD) was established. BALB/c mice were immunized intraperitoneally with varying amounts of 2,4,6-trinitrophenylated sheep red blood cells (TNP-SRBC) on day 0. Venous blood was collected on days 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10. Levels of anti-TNP IgM and IgG serum were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). After series of bleeding the mice were challenged with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) solution in the footpad on day 14. Footpad swelling was measured 24 or 48 h after the challenge. Peak responses of the anti-TNP IgM and IgG production were detected 4 or 6 days after the immunization with 10(9) TNP-SRBC. Maximum DTH response was also observed with 10(9) TNP-SRBC 24 h after the challenge on day 14. The antibody and DTH responses were also induced in other normal inbred strains such as C3H/He and DBA/1 but not BALB/c nu/nu mice. To evaluate AS-DAD in immunopharmacological studies, various immunomodulating agents were examined in BALB/c mice by subcutaneous administration on days 0, 1, 2 and 3. Cyclosporin or cyclophosphamide at 100 mg/kg/day completely inhibited not only the anti-TNP IgM and IgG production but also the TNP-specific DTH response. Prednisolone at 0.5 mg/kg/day had no significant effect on the IgM and IgG production, whereas it inhibited the TNP-specific DTH response. Interestingly, histamine-added mouse gamma-globulin at 150 MG/kg/day clearly enhanced the anti-TNP IgM and IgG production, while it showed a suppressive effect on the TNP-specific DTH response. Levamisole at 5.0 mg/KG/day showed suppressive effects on the anti-TNP IgG production without affecting the IgM production and the DTH response. These results suggest that AS-DAD is useful for evaluating the immunopharmacological action of various agents.

Animals↗

Hydrolysis kinetics of okara and characterization of its water-soluble polysaccharides.

As a part of a study of reuse of waste okara, the kinetic mechanism of okara hydrolysis and the properties of the water-soluble polysaccharides (WSP) extracted were investigated. Okara was hydrolyzed by being autoclaved at pH 4.5 in two volume of water with or without a chelator such as hexametaphosphate. Okara hydrolysis proceeded by surface degradation mechanism without a chelator. Characterization of WSP suggested that the "egg-box regions" in okara were susceptible to degradation by a chelator and that the "non-egg-box regions" contained WSP linked with hydrophobic proteins. WSP with a molecular weight of more than 10(5) and the amount of protein bound to the polysaccharides seemed to govern their emulsifying characteristics.

Chelating Agents↗

[Drug therapy in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance].

Since impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is a major risk factor for non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), some kinds of intervention aiming to prevent or to delay the onset of NIDDM in subjects with IGT might be considered. Besides life style modification, drug therapy which could correct insulin deficiency and insulin resistance, might prevent progression to NIDDM. One agent is an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, which delays the absorption of glucose from the intestine. The resulting decrease in postprandial hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia could theoretically decrease insulin resistance in IGT subjects and, it is hoped, prevent or delay progression to NIDDM. Metformin, an antihyperglycemic drug of the biguanide class, may be effective in subjects with IGT by reducing hepatic glucose output, enhancing insulin sensitivity, or through other mechanisms such as weight loss. New insulin sensitizers, such as troglitazone and pioglitazone, improve insulin-mediated glucose disposal by enhancing tissue sensitivity to the actions of insulin and reversing the insulin resistance, characteristic of NIDDM. Sulfonylureas might be another candidates of drug intervention to IGT whose insulin secretory abilities are markedly reduced. As far as the question, "Can NIDDM be prevented or delayed?" is concerned, a prospective study using life style modification or above-mentioned drugs, should be performed on long-term basis.

Acarbose↗

Desquamative interstitial pneumonia in sibs.

We report on 2 sibs with desquamative interstitial pneumonia. The female died at age 1 7/12 years despite use of prednisolone and methylprednisolone, while the male, now age 3 years. is alive with oxygen support. The occurrence of desquamative interstitial pneumonia in sibs born to normal parents suggests that in some cases the disease is an autosomal-recessive trait.

Female↗

Complement assembly of two fragments of the streptococcal protein G B1 domain in aqueous solution.

We examined the complementation of various pairs of fragments derived from the streptococcal protein G B1 domain by NMR and CD. Most were not associated; however, one pair of fragments (1-40) and (41-56) interacted sufficiently enough to regenerated a stable 1:1 complex, Kd = 9 x 10(-6) M. A 2D-NMR analysis showed that the structure of the complex resembled that of native domain. Here we discuss the complementation from the viewpoint of the folding pathway of the protein.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Developmental defects of the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus and pituitary gonadotroph in the Ftz-F1 disrupted mice.

Ad4BP (or SF-1) has been identified as a transcription factor which regulates all the steroidogenic P450 genes in the peripheral organs, and is encoded by the mammalian homologue of Drosophila FTZ-F1 gene. mRNA coding for Ad4BP was detected in the hypothalamus and pituitary of rats by RT-PCR. Immunohistochemical analyses using an antiserum to Ad4BP in the brain and pituitary revealed that the transcription factor is expressed in nuclei of the dorsomedial part of the ventromedial hypothalamus (dmVMH) and in some subpopulation of the adenohypophysial cells. Double immunostaining of the pituitary for Ad4BP and trophic peptide hormones, FSH, TSH, and ACTH, indicated a restricted localization of Ad4BP to the gonadotroph. Disruption of the mouse Ftz-F1 gene was clarified to induce severe defects in the organization of the dmVMH and the function of the pituitary gonadotroph. However, some of the dm VMH neurons and pituitary gonadotrophs persisted, which provided a sharp contrast to complete agenesis of the peripheral steroidogenic tissues (adrenal and gonads) in the mutant mouse. Additional abnormalities were seen in the ventrolateral part of VMH and dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus, both of which do not express Ad4BP but have strong reciprocal fiber-connections with the dmVMH. Aromatase P450-containing cells in the medial preoptico-amygdaloid region, which were devoid of Ad4BP, persisted even in the brain of the gene disrupted mice. The present results clearly showed that the hypothalamic and pituitary Ad4BPs are essential to normal development of the functional VMH and gonadotroph through some mechanism distinct from that in the peripheral steroidogenic tissues.

Animals↗

Neurotropin inhibits accumulation of eosinophils induced by allergen through the suppression of sensitized T-cells.

A non-protein extract isolated from the inflamed dermis of rabbits inoculated with vaccinia virus (Neurotropin) has been clinically used in Japan as an analgesic and anti-allergic drug. To clarify its anti-allergic mechanism, the effect of Neurotropin on eosinophil accumulation induced by ragweed pollen extract or platelet-activating factor (PAF) was examined in BALB/c mice. Neurotropin inhibited the T-cell-dependent accumulation of eosinophils induced by allergen in a dose-dependent manner when administered during sensitization. However, Neurotropin was unable to inhibit the T-cell-independent accumulation of eosinophils induced by PAF. A T-cell transfer experiment was performed to address the inhibitory mechanism. A marked accumulation of eosinophils was observed when recipients were injected i.p. with allergen and Nylon wool column-passed splenic T-cells from the sensitized donor mice. However, significant accumulation of eosinophils was not observed when sensitized donor mice were administered with Neurotropin but not saline. Taken together, these results suggest that Neurotropin inhibits the accumulation of eosinophils induced by allergen via the suppression of sensitized T-cell induction, or alternatively by interfering with T-cell function.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Function and distribution of a steroidogenic cell-specific transcription factor, Ad4BP.

Ad4BP was identified as an essential transcription factor regulating steroidogenic cell-specific and cAMP-dependent transcription of the genes of steroidogenic P450s. The Ad4BP transcript was detected in steroidogenic tissues such as adrenal gland, testis, ovary, placenta and brain by RT-PCR, and showed good correlation with the expression of steroidogenic P450s. The genes of steroidogenic P450s, which are transcribed only in steroidogenic cells, were transcribed in non-steroidogenic cells when an Ad4BP expression vector was introduced into the cells. To study the function of Ad4BP in the differentiation of the steroidogenic tissues, immunochemical and immunohistochemical studies were performed with the tissues prepared from various developmental stages of rats. Adrenal cortex expressed Ad4BP since the tissue was detected in the dorsal wall of the fetus. Gonadal tissues expressed Ad4BP in a sex-dependent manner. High levels of Ad4BP expression were detected in fetal and prepubertal testes and in prepubertal and adult ovaries, whereas low level expressions were observed in the adult testes and in the fetal ovaries. The expression of Ad4BP in the gonads correlates well with the expression of the Müllerian inhibiting substance gene as well as the steroidogenic P450 gene for both sexes. These observations indicate that Ad4BP plays an important role in the development and differentiation of the steroidogenic tissues including sexual differentiation of the gonadal tissues through activation of the transcription of its target genes.

Adrenal Glands↗