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Biomedical subjects

J Inoue

Publications and source records attributed to J Inoue.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Phenotypic characteristics and DNA relatedness in Prevotella intermedia and similar organisms.

We have recently isolated from the gingival pockets, periapical lesions and saliva some anaerobic gram-negative, black-pigmented rods. Many of these isolates exhibited phenotypic characteristics similar to Prevotella intermedia (Bacteroides intermedius). However, several of these isolates, although resembling P. intermedia in most of the phenotypic expressions, were capable of fermenting lactose, a biochemical characteristic atypical of P. intermedia. These atypical clinical isolates (strains capable of fermenting lactose) and isolates exhibiting more typical phenotypic characteristics (i.e., lactose nonfermenting) were definitively identified as P. intermedia by DNA-DNA hybridization using a photoprobe biotin method. Quantitative hybridization of clinical isolates with labeled DNA of P. intermedia-type strains (ATCC 25611 and ATCC 33563) showed that almost all the clinical strains isolated from disease sites of adults belonged to the ATCC 25611 group, whereas strains isolated from the saliva of children belonged to the ATCC 33563 group. These data, together with the phenotypic characterization of the isolates, suggested that P. intermedia is a heterogeneous species both phenotypically and genetically.

Bacteroides↗

Reconstruction of surgical defects using the gluteus maximus myocutaneous flap following radical vulvectomy.

Radical vulvectomy is often complicated by problems associated with insufficient closure of large skin defects involving postoperative necrosis of the suture line over the mons pubis and the inguinal areas. To resolve these problems, the present study compared radical vulvectomy (RV, 7 cases) with radical vulvectomy followed by reconstructive operation using the gluteus maximus myocutaneous flap (RVR, 5 cases). There was no significant difference in operation time and blood loss between the two groups. Three of the 7 RV patients had wound separations requiring reoperation, while only 1 patient in the RVR group did. The average hospital stay was 86 days in the RV group and 38 days in the RVR. Risks of postoperative infection and wound breakdown were reduced with the flap technique, and ambulation and rehabilitation could begin earlier in this group. Surgical wounds were stable and the quality of life after operation was improved dramatically using the flap technique.

Aged↗

Triterpene glycosides from the seeds of Astragalus sinicus L.

From the seeds of Astragalus sinicus L. (Leguminosae), seven triterpene glycosides were isolated and identified as soyasaponin I-III methyl esters (1-3) which were treated with CH2N2 during the separation procedure, soyasaponin IV (4), soyasapogenol B 3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside (5), 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D- glucuronopyranosyl 3 beta, 22 beta, 24-trihydroxy-11-oxoolean-12-ene (6), whose sapogenol (8) was obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis using glycyrrhizinic acid hydrolase, unambiguously characterized and designated as complogenin, and 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D - glucuronopyranosyl complogenin (7).

Glycosides↗

[Time course changes in bone mineral density and calcium metabolism after oophorectomy].

Time course changes in bone mineral density and calcium metabolism after oophorectomy were investigated in comparison with those in hysterectomized and pre-operated women, retrospectively. A total of 191 women who had a regular menstrual period for 1 year prior to entering the study or to the operation, were divided into 3 groups; group 1 consisted of 33 women who were admitted to receive a gynecological operation (pre-OP group), group 2 consisted of 57 women who received hysterectomy within 5 years prior to entering the study (HX group) and group 3 consisted of 101 women who received hysto-oophorectomy (bilateral) at the same timing as the HX group (OOX group). All the subjects had their bone mineral density measured at the lumbar vertebrae (L2-4BMD) by means of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and at the metacarpal bone by the microdensitometrical (MD) method. Serum and urinary parameters related to bone and calcium metabolism were also evaluated. After dividing the subjects in accordance with the length of time after the operation, the time course changes in each parameter were calculated. In the 2 years after OOX, the L2-4BMD decreased significantly and rapidly, and the change in L2-4BMD in the subsequent period was quiescent. In the HX group, there was no significant change in L2-4BMD. When the period after the OOX was divided into 2 subcategories in accordance with the speed of decline in lumbar BMD as the rapid and the slow phases, the time course changes in blood and urine parameters showed different trends.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

[A survey of the best bibliographic searching system in occupational medicine and discussion of its implementation].

When occupational health personnel, especially occupational physicians search bibliographies, they usually have to search bibliographies by themselves. Also, if a library is not available because of the location of their work place, they might have to rely on online databases. Although there are many commercial databases in the world, people who seldom use them, will have problems with on-line searching, such as user-computer interface, keywords, and so on. The present study surveyed the best bibliographic searching system in the field of occupational medicine by questionnaire through the use of DIALOG OnDisc MEDLINE as a commercial database. In order to ascertain the problems involved in determining the best bibliographic searching system, a prototype bibliographic searching system was constructed and then evaluated. Finally, solutions for the problems were discussed. These led to the following conclusions: to construct the best bibliographic searching system at the present time, 1) a concept of micro-to-mainframe links (MML) is needed for the computer hardware network; 2) multi-lingual font standards and an excellent common user-computer interface are needed for the computer software; 3) a short course and education of database management systems, and support of personal information processing for retrieved data are necessary for the practical use of the system.

Computers↗

c-rel activates but v-rel suppresses transcription from kappa B sites.

We show that the product of the protooncogene c-rel is a constituent of an NF-kappa B-like complex that binds to the kappa B site originally identified in the enhancer of immunoglobulin kappa light chain gene. c-rel protein synthesized in bacteria binds to the kappa B site in a sequence-specific manner. The rel-kappa B complex can be disrupted by incubation with anti-rel antibodies. The rel protein can form oligomers. The c-rel protein can activate transcription from promoters containing kappa B sites; v-rel, on the other hand, suppresses the transcription of genes linked to kappa B sites. Thus, v-rel may interfere with the normal transcriptional machinery of the cell by acting as a dominant negative mutant.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The rel-associated pp40 protein prevents DNA binding of Rel and NF-kappa B: relationship with I kappa B beta and regulation by phosphorylation.

The product of proto-oncogene Rel associates with a number of cellular proteins. We have studied the effect of one of them, a phosphoprotein of 40 kD (pp40), on the DNA-binding activity of the Rel protein. We demonstrate that purified pp40 not only inhibits the binding of Rel, but also NF-kappa B (p50-p65) heterocomplex to DNA. Additionally, I kappa B beta, but not I kappa B alpha, also prevented the binding of Rel to the kappa B site. I kappa B beta and pp40 are related proteins because (1) they share a number of common tryptic peptides, (2) their inhibitory effect on DNA binding can be abolished by preincubation with pp40-specific antiserum, and (3) labeled I kappa B beta can be immunoprecipitated with pp40 antibodies. pp40 is part of the Rel complex present in the cytoplasm and nuclear extracts of WEHI-231 cells. The activity of pp40 to inhibit the DNA binding of Rel and NF-kappa B is modulated by phosphorylation.

Animals↗

[The characteristics of metabolic acidosis in aged patients with chronic renal failure].

The present study was designed to clarify the characteristics of metabolic acidosis in aged patients with chronic renal failure. The subjects consisted of ambulatory cooperative patients (19 males and 18 females). Their values of creatinine clearance (Ccr) varied from 6.8 to 107.5 ml/min/1.73 m2. The relationship of Ccr to acid-base and electrolyte disturbances was investigated. The estimations of normal values in acid-base and electrolyte composition were based on the method of Hoffmann. The results are summarized as follows: 1. A high incidence of metabolic acidosis was demonstrated in patients whose Ccr values were below 20 ml/min/1.73 m2. 2. A significant positive correlation of Ccr values and plasma levels of bicarbonate (p less than 0.001) and a significant inverse correlation of Ccr values and serum levels of chloride (p less than 0.01) were observed. 3. The values of the anion gap did not change, irrespective of Ccr values. 4. Serum concentrations of potassium were inversely correlated with plasma levels of bicarbonate (p less than 0.01). Hyperchloremic normal anion gap acidosis with hyperpotassemia was the characteristic feature of metabolic acidosis in aged patients with chronic renal failure. The normal anion gap could be explained by normophosphatemia or mild hyperphosphatemia, even in the patients with advanced renal failure.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

[Oral condition of infantile acute lymphatic leukemia with microbisme substitute].

The oral condition of a 7 year old boy at the 12th and 13th remission induction therapy sessions since contracting acute lymphatic leukemia was investigated clinically and microbiologically. The findings obtained were as follows: 1) The appearance of gingivitis coincided with the decrease of white blood cells 7 to 9 days after administration of the anti-leukopenic drugs. 2) Gingivitis appeared on the same site of the oral cavity at both remission induction therapies sessions. 3) The bleeding from the gingival lesions corresponded to the decrease of blood platelet at both remission induction therapies sessions. Conversely, gingivitis disappeared with the improvement of peripheral blood conditions. 4) The total number of oral bacteria decreased after administration of the antibiotics, although the ratio of Candida in the oral microbial flora increased markedly. 5) Typical symptoms of oral candidiasis were not observed after the appearance of the microbisme substitute.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Renal sodium handling and sodium transport inhibitor in salt-sensitive essential hypertension.

To investigate the mechanism whereby blood pressure rises with NaCl loading in salt-sensitive essential hypertension, salt-sensitivity index was determined along with sodium and lithium clearances, plasma Na+,K(+)-ATPase inhibitor and intra-erythrocyte sodium and potassium concentrations. Salt-sensitivity index was defined as the percentage of change in mean blood pressure when NaCl intake was changed from low (34 mmol/day) to high (342 mmol/day). Salt-sensitivity index was inversely correlated with fractional excretion of lithium both on the low and high NaCl diets (r = -0.721, P less than 0.01 and r = -0.591, P less than 0.02, respectively; n = 16), but not with fractional excretion of sodium. The change of plasma Na+,K(+)-ATPase inhibition with NaCl loading had a direct correlation with salt-sensitivity index (r = 0.704, P less than 0.01; n = 16). Either intra-erythrocyte sodium and potassium concentrations or the ratio of these two values did not change significantly with an increase of dietary NaCl intake. These results suggest that an enhancement of proximal tubular sodium reabsorption stimulates secretion of plasma Na+,K(+)-ATPase inhibitor which may be involved in a rise in blood pressure with sodium loading. They also suggest that lithium clearance is a determinant which can predict salt sensitivity without actual NaCl loading.

Biological Transport↗

HTLV-1 Rex protein accumulates unspliced RNA in the nucleus as well as in cytoplasm.

The Rex protein of human T-cell leukemia viruses (HTLV) is a trans-acting regulator inducing the expression of gag and env mRNA containing the introns. The rex gene can also induce expression of unspliced RNA of human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV). We have analyzed the level of spliced and unspliced RNAs in nucleus and cytoplasm to understand the mechanism by which the Rex protein modulates RNA processing. With the gag gene of HTLV-1, the unspliced RNA was accumulated by Rex protein in both nucleus and cytoplasm. However, the apparent effects on nuclear unspliced RNA depended on the reporter genes: with the env gene of HTLV-1 as well as that of HIV-1, Rex did not accumulate the unspliced RNA in nucleus, but did so only in cytoplasm. These results clearly indicate that Rex protein not only activates the nuclear export of unspliced RNA, but also modulates some steps of RNA processing before the splicing, probably through stabilization of the precursor RNA.

Cell Nucleus↗

Serine-proline replacement at residue 127 of NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase causes hereditary methemoglobinemia, generalized type.

Hereditary methemoglobinemia is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase (b5R) deficiency. In an attempt to clarify the molecular mechanisms involved in the enzyme deficiency, we isolated the b5R gene from a patient homozygous for hereditary methemoglobinemia, generalized type, and compared its nucleotide sequence with that of the normal NADH-cytochrome b5R gene. Only one difference was observed; a thymidine at the first position of codon 127 (TCT) was altered to a cytidine in the b5R gene of the patient, resulting in replacement of serine with proline. Dot blot hybridization of the amplified DNA samples with allele-specific oligonucleotide probes showed that the proband and her brothers were homozygous for this mutation and that their father was heterozygous. Although the activity of b5R in lymphoblastoid cells from homozygotes was reduced to 10% of the normal level, RNA blot and protein blot analyses of the lymphoblastoid cells showed that synthesis of b5R messenger RNA and the b5R polypeptide were normal. Serine at residue 127 is presumed to be in an alpha-helix structure that is part of a nucleotide-binding domain. These observations suggest that replacement of Pro-127 causes a significant conformation change in the nucleotide-binding domain that affects electron transport from NADH to cytochrome b5. Functional enzyme deficiency results in a generalized type of hereditary methemoglobinemia.

Adult↗

Association of congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium with familial adenomatous polyposis.

Ophthalmological examinations were performed in 49 people (43 patients) from 24 families affected by familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). No features of congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigmented epithelium (CHRPE) were noted in six first-degree relatives without colonic polyps. Patients with Gardner's syndrome exhibited CHRPE more frequently than those without exostosis or desmoid tumour (91 per cent versus 45 per cent). In addition the prevalence of CHRPE was slightly higher in the patients with gastric or duodenal polyps (68 per cent compared with 50 per cent) in those who had a normal gastroduodenal examination. There were 11 families in which two or more patients underwent ophthalmological examinations. In five of these 11 families, all 12 patients were negative for CHRPE. In four of the remaining six families, all 11 patients had CHRPE. CHRPE is one of the pleiotropy of FAP and ophthalmological examination is an important screening test for the family of patients with CHRPE associated with FAP.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗

Roles of muscularis mucosae and myofibroblasts in the healing process of acetic acid-induced ulcer.

The changes in the localization of FITC-phalloidin-positive smooth muscle cells and interstitial cells were studied in control and acetic acid-treated rat fundic mucosa. In the control rats, the FITC-phalloidin-positive cells mostly corresponded to the smooth muscle cells of the muscularis mucosae, and the arteriolar and venular smooth muscle cells. On the other hand, 1 week after the acetic acid treatment, the fluorescence of the smooth muscle cells of the muscularis mucosae disappeared and a large number of fluorescent interstitial cells, probably corresponding to myofibroblasts, appeared in the regenerated mucosal layer. Three weeks after the application, severely thickened fluorescent muscularis mucosae were formed and the fluorescence of the interstitial cells was rather decreased.

Acetates↗