Biomedical subjects

K Abe

Publications and source records attributed to K Abe.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Temporal profile of CRE DNA-binding activity in the rat hippocampus following a kindling stimulation.

This study was designed to establish a role for cAMP-responsive element (CRE) binding protein (CREB) in signal transduction cascade in the hippocampus associated with kindling. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were kindled from the left amygdala until they exhibited Racine's class 5 generalized seizures [Racine (1972). EMBO J. 11, 3337-3346] Nuclear proteins were extracted from dorsal hippocampi obtained from 0 to 24 h after final kindling stimulation. From these, we evaluated the temporal pattern of CRE DNA-binding activity by use of a gel mobility-shift assay with a 32P-labeled CREB oligonucleotide probe. CRE-binding activity in the hippocampus was enhanced significantly at 2 h and returned to baseline level within 4 h after the stimulation. Our results suggest that CREB may be involved in the hippocampal signal transduction pathway of rats activated in response to a kindling stimulation to the amygdala. However, the transient elevation of CRE-binding activity following a seizure in a kindled animal also suggests that persistent activation of CREB may not be required for maintenance of the kindling phenomenon.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Analysis of two major anti-M2 antibodies (anti-PDC-E2/anti-BCOADC-E2) in primary biliary cirrhosis: relationship to titers of immunofluorescent anti-mitochondrial antibody.

To analyze anti-M2 components in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) we measured two major anti-M2 antibodies (anti-PDC-E2 and anti-BCOADC-E2) by immunoblotting and ELISA, and compared the results between 38 immunofluorescent anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA)-negative PBC patients (group A) and 39 strongly AMA-positive PBC patients (group B) with titers of 1:640. Using bovine heart mitochondrial fraction as antigen, the immunoblot positivity rate of anti-PDC-E2 in group B was significantly higher than that in group A, whereas the positivity rate of anti-BCOADC-E2 was not significantly different between the two groups. This result was similar to that obtained by ELISA using recombinant fusion proteins. In group A there was a significant inverse correlation between ELISA optical density values of anti-PDC-E2 and of anti-BCOADC-E2, but in group B there was no correlation between the two values. Only three patients from group A and 21 from group B were positive for both antibodies. Taken together these results appear to indicate that the detection of anti-BCOADC-E2 is critical for the accurate serological diagnosis of AMA-negative PBC patients. The detection of anti-BCOADC-E2 may also help to distinguish between AMA-negative PBC and autoimmune cholangitis patients.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2000

Vanishing bile duct syndrome associated with chronic EBV infection.

We reported here an adult patient with vanishing bile duct syndrome due to chronic EBV infection. A 22-year-old male was admitted to a nearby hospital complaining of a sore throat and jaundice. He received a high dose of prednisolone for bile stasis of acute viral hepatitis. However, the hepatitis did not improve, and he was transferred to our hospital. He had exhibited jaundice for one year as well as hemophagocytic syndrome and intestinal perforation. Subtotal intestinal resection was successfully performed. Three follow-up biopsied liver specimens indicated vanishing bile duct syndrome. Positive results of EBV-DNA in his serum and mRNA of EBV by in situ hybridization of his liver indicated that massive doses of prednisolone caused chronic EBV infection and vanishing bile duct syndrome.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Changes in pulmonary histology and exfoliated bronchoalveolar cells induced by in vivo introduction of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene.

An inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory lung diseases such as interstitial pneumonia (IP). To clarify the role of the inflammatory cytokine in the pathogenesis of lung inflammation, we introduced a murine TNF-alpha gene into murine lungs by the hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ)-liposome method. Seven days after the TNF-alpha gene introduction resulted in marked cellular infiltration of alveoli, and mild histological change was observed 28 days after the gene introduction. Electron microscopic analysis revealed minimal deposition of collagen fibrils. Analysis of the BAL revealed that the total cell number was markedly increased 3 and 7 days after the gene introduction, and more than 90% of the cells were macrophages. The increase in the cell number was returned to below the normal level 28 days after the gene introduction. During the development of IP, TNF-alpha may regulate pathologic change of the pulmonary interstitium and alveolar cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Isaacs' syndrome successfully treated by immunoadsorption plasmapheresis.

We report a 70-year-old woman with Isaacs' syndrome (acquired neuromyotonia) who showed a marked improvement after immunoadsorption plasmapheresis (IAP). She developed hyperhidrosis in her teens, and slowly progressive symptoms of neuromyotonia for over 50 years. An in vitro investigation of her serum with patch-clamp technique suggested the presence of antibodies against potassium channels. She was treated with IAP, which brought disappearance of her symptoms. Though the symptoms started to recur in 3 weeks, moderate improvement has been maintained by immunosuppressive drug treatment.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Elevation of neuron-specific enolase in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of early stage Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the levels of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with early stage Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). METHODS: The levels of NSE in serum and CSF were examined in 6 cases with CJD patients. The levels of NSE in CSF were measured in 8 age matched control patients with other neurological diseases and the levels of serum NSE were also measured in another 8 age matched control patients with other neurological diseases. The groups of 8 age matched control patients consisted of 1 same patient and 7 different patients in the 2 control groups both for serum and CSF. RESULTS: The level of serum NSE in CJD (17.3 +/- 7.0 ng/ml, mean +/- SD) was significantly higher than that of controls (6.5 +/- 1.6) (P < 0.02) as was the case in CSF (79.3 +/- 53.3 ng/ml) vs (9.6 +/- 2.9) (P < 0.03). CONCLUSION: Although mean NSE levels of CJD were higher in CSF than in the serum, there still is a case with higher serum NSE level than CSF. These results suggest that the mechanism of elevation of serum NSE may not be a simple leakage from CSF, and that the measurement of serum NSE level may be useful for diagnosis of early stage CJD.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

The influence of age, gender, refractive error, and optic disc size on the optic disc configuration in Japanese normal eyes.

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of age, gender, refractive error, and optic disc size on optic disc configuration in Japanese normal eyes. METHODS: Ninety-two eyes from 92 visually normal Japanese subjects (mean refractive error+/-SD: -1.26+/-2.25 D, range -8 D to +3 D) were examined using a confocal scanning laser tomograph, TopSS. The following disc parameters were investigated: disc size, total or quadrant C/D area ratio and neuroretinal rim area, half-depth area, volume below, and average cup depth. RESULTS: The disc diameter ( mean+/-SD: 1.84+/-0.16 mm) and disc size showed highly significant correlations with the C/D ratio (p<0.001) and the neuroretinal rim area (p<0.001). No other correlation was observed. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the optic disc diameter and disc size have higher correlations with the optic disc configuration than age, gender, and refractive error in Japanese. These results are similar to those data reported for eyes of Caucasians or Afro Americans, and should be considered when optic discs are evaluated.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Possible role of L-selectin in T lymphocyte alveolitis in patients with active pulmonary sarcoidosis.

A number of adhesion molecules participate in the recruitment of inflammatory cells to the site of inflammation, and selectins together with their ligands are important in the early transient adhesion phase. In this study, we evaluated the role of L-selectin in T lymphocyte alveolitis in patients with active pulmonary sarcoidosis. We measured serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) concentrations of soluble (s)L-selectin using an ELISA. Serum and BALF concentrations of sL-selectin were significantly elevated in patients with sarcoidosis compared with control healthy subjects and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients (P < 0.05 and P < 0. 01, respectively). The lymphocyte surface marker was also examined in peripheral blood and BALF by flow cytometric analysis. The percentage of CD3+CD62L+ cells (L-selectin-bearing T lymphocytes) was significantly lower in peripheral blood of sarcoidosis than in that of healthy subjects (P < 0.01). In contrast, the percentage of CD3+CD62L- cells (L-selectin-negative T lymphocytes) in BALF of patients with sarcoidosis was significantly higher than in healthy subjects (P < 0.05) and IPF patients (P < 0.01). Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between serum concentrations of sL-selectin and the number of L-selectin-negative T lymphocytes in BALF (r = 0.535, P < 0.01). Our results suggest that L-selectin may be involved in T lymphocyte alveolitis in patients with active pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

The paternal methylation imprint of the mouse H19 locus is acquired in the gonocyte stage during foetal testis development.

BACKGROUND: Germline-specific differential DNA methylation that persists through fertilization and embryonic development is thought to be the 'imprint' distinguishing the parental alleles of imprinted genes. If such methylation is to work as the imprinting mechanism, however, it has to be reprogrammed following each passage through the germline. Previous studies on maternally methylated genes have shown that their methylation imprints are first erased in primordial germ cells (PGCs) and then re-established during oocyte growth. RESULTS: We have examined the timing of the reprogramming of the paternal methylation imprint of the mouse H19 gene during germ cell development. In both male and female PGCs, the paternal allele is partially methylated whereas the maternal allele is unmethylated. This partial methylation is completely erased in the female germline by entry into meiosis, establishing the oocyte methylation pattern. In the male germline, both alleles become methylated, mainly during the gonocyte stage, establishing the sperm methylation pattern. CONCLUSION: The paternal methylation imprint of H19 is established in the male germline and erased in the female germline at specific developmental stages. The identification of the timings of the methylation and demethylation should help to identify and characterize the biochemical basis of the reprogramming of imprinting.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Biological control of an insect pest by gut-colonizing Enterobacter cloacae transformed with ice nucleation gene.

The ice nucleation (IN) gene inaA of epiphytic Erwinia (Pantoea) ananas IN10 was transformed into Enterobacter cloacae WBMH-3-CMr originated from the faeces of silkworms. The transformant designated as Ent. cloacae WBMH-3-CMr(pICE6S13) exhibited IN activity, unlike the parent strain. The transgenic strain was ingested by mulberry pyralid larvae, fed on detached mulberry leaves, and the supercooling capacity and cold hardiness of these larvae were examined. The mean supercooling point (SCP) of the larvae ingesting the transgenic strain was - 3.3 degrees C, 8 degrees C higher than that of larvae treated with distilled water (control) and 1.5 C higher than an ice nucleation active (INA) strain of Erw. ananas. The SCPs of the larvae were stably maintained over the 9 d after ingestion. The maintenance of these high SCPs was due to transgenic Ent. cloacae having a more stable and efficient gut colonization than Erw. ananas, which is identified by the distribution of a narrower range of SCPs (-2 to -5 degrees C) in larvae treated with the transgenic stain. Furthermore, most of the larvae ingesting the transgenic strain froze and died when they were exposed to cold conditions of -5 degrees C for 18 h, 3 or 7 d after ingestion. In contrast, most of the larvae ingesting no bacterium did not die under similar conditions. On the other hand, the growth ability of Ent. cloacae WBMH-3-CMr on mulberry leaves tended to be lower than that of epiphytic Erw. ananas, as assayed by pot tests. These findings would expand the possibility of biological control using INA bacteria since Ent. cloacae would harbour a broader host (insect) range for gut colonization and a smaller affinity to plants to benefit from prevention of plant frost injury.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Masticatory movement in two cases with unusual alignment of the maxillary canine.

Masticatory function was analysed before and after orthodontic treatment in two cases where tooth alignment remained unusual after treatment. The Sirognathograph Analyzing System was used to analyse the masticatory function. In both cases, the right maxillary first premolar was located where the maxillary canine is normally positioned. The results of orthodontic treatment were satisfactory both morphologically and aesthetically, and masticatory function was greatly improved. However, some problems remained in the mandibular movement due to the abnormal contact between the mandibular teeth and the maxillary first premolar. These findings support the need for examination of masticatory function when treating patients with an unusual tooth alignment even if the results of orthodontic treatment are both morphologically and aesthetically successful.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Biochemical and virological response to interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C, co-infected with hepatitis G virus.

It is still unclear whether hepatitis G virus (HGV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection influences the natural course of chronic HCV infection and the response to interferon (IFN) therapy. In this study, we investigated the HGV RNA changes and responses to IFN therapy of HGV RNA-positive hepatitis C patients. The presence of HGV RNA in 264 patients who received IFN therapy at our institute was examined using the nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction with primers deduced from the 5' non-coding region (5'-NCR) of the HGV. We also analysed the nucleotide sequences of the 5'-NCR and HGV before and after IFN therapy. Twelve (4.5%) of the 264 patients with chronic hepatitis C were HGV RNA positive. Of these 12 patients, full information was available in nine. Of those nine, seven became HGV RNA negative during IFN therapy but in six of the seven a relapse occurred. HCV RNA was not detected 1 year after IFN therapy in six patients. The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels of all the HCV RNA-negative patients post-treatment was within the normal range, irrespective of their HGV RNA status. Nucleotide sequences did not change after IFN therapy in any patient. Hence, we confirm that HGV is sensitive to IFN therapy but the liver damage caused by HGV infection is very mild or does not modify the liver function tests.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

PubMed2000

Phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein in rat brain after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion.

Although mature neurones do not replicate genomic DNA, some cell cycle-related kinases are aberrantly activated in neurones after ischaemia. As hyper-phosphorylation of retinoblastoma (Rb) protein is the common pathway in mitotic signal cascade, this study investigated the phosphorylation state of the Rb protein as well as its mRNA level in rat brain after transient middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. Immunohisto-chemical analysis revealed that neurones in the sham-operated brain expressed Rb protein without the hyperphosphorylated form. Immunoreactivity for the hyperphosphorylated form of Rb protein progressively increased from 1 h to 3 days after ischaemia in neurones in the MCA territory. Western blot analysis demonstrated a similar change. However, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction study revealed that Rb showed no definite change at the mRNA level. These results suggest that Rb protein is progressively hyper-phosphorylated in the brain after ischaemia, which may activate apoptotic mechanisms in neuronal cells of the brain after ischaemia.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

The plant aspartic proteinase-specific polypeptide insert is not directly related to the activity of oryzasin 1.

Many plant aspartic proteinases (APs) are different from animal and microbial APs in that they contain a polypeptide insert, approximately 100 amino acids in length, in the C-terminal region. To interpret the significance of this insert, we constructed an expression system for rice AP oryzasin 1 by linking a pro-oryzasin 1 downstream of glutathione S-transferase (GST). GST-proOS1 expressed the highest degree of hemoglobin-hydrolytic activity when treated at pH 3.3 and incubated for 24 h at room temperature. We carried out a similar experiment using an insert-lacking proOS1 mutant, GST-DeltaproOS1, as the fusion protein, and found it to show similar activity. This result indicates that the insert is not involved in the production of AP activity. We then investigated the autolysis of the two proteins by Western blot analysis. GST-proOS1 was autolyzed into 67- and 64-kDa fragments, while GST-DeltaproOS1 autolyzed to 54- and 52-kDa products. GST-DeltaproOS1 clearly produced two molecular species early in the autolytic process, and not later than 3 h from the start, but no such clear result was observed in the case of GST-proOS1. This suggests that, although the presence of the plant AP-specific insert does not influence the enzyme activity by itself, it apparently has an effect on the autolysis of OS1.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2000

Squamous cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis with inferior vena caval extension.

BACKGROUND: We report here on a third case of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the renal pelvis extending to the inferior vena cava. METHODS/RESULTS: A 48-year-old man was diagnosed with an advanced left renal pelvic tumor on computed tomography. He had undergone extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for left staghorn calculi 10 years ago. An inferior vena cavagram showed tumor thrombus extending to the inferior vena cava. Percutaneous left renal biopsy revealed SCC. The patient received three courses of combination chemotherapy with cisplatin, bleomycin and etoposide. However, 1 month after the last course of chemotherapy, he died of cancer progress. CONCLUSION: This is the third case of SCC of the renal pelvis extending to the inferior vena cava in the world.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

PubMed2000

The serotonin 5-HT2 receptor-phospholipase C system inhibits the induction of long-term potentiation in the rat visual cortex.

The effect of serotonin 5-HT2 receptor stimulation on long-term potentiation (LTP) in the primary visual cortex was investigated by using rat brain slices in vitro. Field potentials evoked by stimulation of layer IV were recorded in layer II/III. The 5-HT2 receptor agonist 1-(2,5-dimethyl-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI) did not affect baseline synaptic potentials evoked by single-pulse test stimulation, but significantly inhibited the induction of LTP in a concentration-dependent manner (0.1-10 microM). The LTP-inhibiting effect of DOI (10 microM) was blocked by the 5-HT2,7 receptor antagonist ritanserin (10 microM), but not by the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist NAN-190 (10 microM) nor by the 5-HT3,4 receptor antagonist MDL72222 (10 microM). The inhibitory effect of DOI was also blocked by the phospholipase C inhibitor U73122, but not by its inactive analogue U73343. These results suggest that visual cortex LTP is inhibited by activation of the 5-HT2 receptor-phospholipase C system. In addition, the LTP-inhibiting effect of DOI was abolished by the presence of the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline (10 microM), suggesting that 5-HT2 receptor-mediated inhibition of visual cortex LTP is dependent on GABAergic inhibition.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗

PubMed2000

L-glutamate suppresses amyloid beta-protein-induced stellation of cultured rat cortical astrocytes.

Alzheimer's amyloid beta-protein (Abeta) has been reported to potentiate glutamate toxicity in neurons, but very little is known about interaction between Abeta and glutamate in astrocytes. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effects of Abeta and glutamate on morphology of astrocytes. Cultured rat cortical astrocytes exhibited polygonal morphology in the absence of stimulation and differentiated into process-bearing stellate cells following exposure to Abeta (20 microM). L-Glutamate (30-1,000 microM) had no effect on astrocyte morphology in the absence of stimulation but strongly suppressed Abeta-induced stellation. The suppressive effect of L-glutamate on Abeta-induced stellation was not mimicked by glutamate receptor agonists and not blocked by glutamate receptor antagonists. In contrast, the suppressive effect of L-glutamate was mimicked by D- and L-aspartate and transportable glutamate uptake inhibitors. These results suggest that Abeta-induced astrocyte stellation is suppressed by a mechanism related to glutamate transporters.

Amyloid beta-Peptides↗

PubMed2000

Expression of heat shock proteins 47 and 70 in the peritoneum of patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal sclerosis, characterized by collagen accumulation, is a serious complication in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) therapy. Heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) is a collagen-specific molecular chaperon and is closely associated with collagen synthesis. METHODS: We determined the expression of HSP47 and HSP70 (nonspecific for collagen synthesis) by immunohistochemistry in peritoneal tissues of patients on CAPD. The tissue for collagen III, alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), and CD68 (a marker for macrophages) were also stained. Thirty-two peritoneal samples were divided into three groups (group A1, 11 patients who had no ultrafiltration loss; group A2, 9 patients who had ultrafiltration loss; and group B, 12 specimens who had end-stage renal disease prior to induction of CAPD. RESULTS: In group B, staining for HSP47, HSP70, and collagen III in peritoneal tissues was faint, and only a few cells were positive for alpha-SMA and CD68. In contrast, HSP47, HSP70, and collagen III were expressed in areas of thickened connective tissues in fibrotic peritoneal specimens of CAPD patients. The expression level of HSP47, HSP70, collagen III, and alpha-SMA and the number of CD68-positive cells in group A2 were significantly higher than those in groups A1 and B. HSP47/HSP70-positive cells were mesothelial cells, adipocytes, and alpha-SMA-positive myofibroblasts. Furthermore, the expression level of HSP47 was significantly higher in peritoneal specimens from patients with refractory peritonitis than without it and was significantly higher in patients with more than 60 months of CAPD therapy than that in patients with less than 60 months of CAPD. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that CAPD therapy may induce HSPs in the peritoneal tissue, and that peritonitis in CAPD patients may be associated with the progression of peritoneal sclerosis at least through HSP47 expression and chronic macrophage infiltration. Our data also suggest that the progression of peritoneal sclerosis in such patients is associated with deterioration of peritoneal ultrafiltration function.

Actins↗