Airway management in an infant with Tessier type 3 cleft.
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Face↗
Biomedical subjects
K Abe
Publications and source records attributed to K Abe.
Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor prevents ischemic brain injury after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats.
To examine a possible protective effect of exogenous glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) gene expression against ischemic brain injury, a replication-defective adenoviral vector containing GDNF gene (Ad-GDNF) was directly injected into the cerebral cortex at 1 day before 90 minutes of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats. 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining showed that infarct volume of the Ad-GDNF-injected group at 24 hours after the transient MCAO was significantly smaller than that of vehicle- or Ad-LacZ-treated group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for immunoreactive GDNF demonstrated that GDNF gene products in the Ad-GDNF-injected group were higher than those of vehicle-treated group at 24 hours after transient MCAO. Immunoreactive GDNF staining was obviously detected in the cortex around the needle track just before or 24 hours after MCAO in the Ad-GDNF group, whereas no or slight GDNF staining was detected in the vehicle group. The numbers of TUNEL, immunoreactive caspase-3, and cytochrome c-positive neurons induced in the ipsilateral cerebral cortex at 24 hours after transient MCAO were markedly reduced by the Ad-GDNF group. These results suggest that the successful exogenous GDNF gene transfer ameliorates ischemic brain injury after transient MCAO in association with the reduction of apoptotic signals.
Adenoviruses, Human↗
A simpler and more accurate equation to predict daily lithium dose.
Recently, the authors suggested that the lithium dose prediction equation created by Zetin and associates cannot always accurately predict a required lithium dose and that the inclusion of renal function data may improve the accuracy of the equation. The charts of 70 patients were reviewed to obtain data regarding factors thought to affect serum lithium concentrations, including renal function, and an equation to estimate the dose intended to achieve an expected concentration was derived by stepwise multiple linear regression. The equation was also applied to 30 other patients to evaluate its accuracy. The authors obtained the following equation: daily lithium carbonate dose (in milligrams) = 100.5 + 752.7 x (expected lithium concentration in millimoles per liter) - 3.6 x (age in years) + 7.2 x (weight in kilograms) - 13.7 x (blood urea nitrogen [BUN] in milligrams per deciliter). When the equation was applied to 30 patients, the mean +/- SD of deviations from the expected concentration was 0.15 +/- 0.30 mmol/L, and 19 patients (63%) had deviations of less than 0.20 mmol/L. On the other hand, when the equation set forth by Zetin and associates was applied to the same patients, the mean +/- SD of deviations from the expected concentration was 0.52 +/- 0.42 mmol/L, and only 6 patients (20%) had deviations of less than 0.20 mmol/L. Although it is necessary to measure BUN levels before starting lithium, this equation may be simpler and more accurate than that offered by Zetin and associates.
Adolescent↗
Primary leiomyosarcoma of the greater omentum.
We report a case of primary greater omental leiomyosarcoma successfully resected by omentectomy. Palpation of a painless abdominal mass at physical examination motivated medical imaging examination. Ultrasound visualized accurately the internal structure of the lesion but failed to determine the site of origin. Computed tomography and angiography determined the greater omental origin of the tumor before surgery. A review of the literature is also presented.
Adult↗
Hearing loss with a mitochondrial gene mutation is highly prevalent in Japan.
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Mutations in the mitochondrial genome may predispose people to sensorineural hearing loss. An adenine to guanine point mutation in the tRNA(Leu(UUR)) gene at nucleotide 3,243 is one of the deaf-related mutations. This mutation is reported to be associated with 0.9% of diabetes mellitus patients. However, the prevalence of this mutation in hearing-impaired patients still remains unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of this mutation among bilaterally sensorineural hearing-impaired patients in Japan. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective survey of 100 patients with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss without any evident causes. METHODS: Mitochondrial DNA fragments from the patients were amplified by polymerase chain reaction, followed by a restriction enzyme fragment length polymorphism method. RESULTS: Three patients with this mutation were identified. Their clinical profiles were different from the category which had been considered as hearing loss caused by this mitochondrial gene mutation. CONCLUSIONS: The mutation is associated with approximately 3% of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss cases of unknown origin and is possibly distributed widely in sensorineural hearing-impaired patients in Japan.
Adult↗
Efficient propagation of human herpesvirus 6B in a T-cell line derived from a patient with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma.
The efficient propagation of the OK strain of the B variant of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6B) was demonstrated in a line of T cells, TaY, established from the peripheral blood lymphocytes of a patient with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL). Growth of TaY cells depends on the presence of IL-2 and the cells harbor HTLV-I genomes. A severe cytopathic effect (CPE) was observed in many HHV-6B(OK)-infected TaY cells one week after infection. The release of virus from HHV-6B(OK)-infected TaY cells [TaY(OK)] was first detected after three days and increased rapidly for up to seven days after infection, as demonstrated by PCR. The titer of HHV-6B(OK) in the supernatant was comparable to the value of 10(3.5) TCID50/ml obtained with PHA-activated cord blood lymphocytes (CBL) that had been infected with HHV-6B(OK). The replication of the virus was shown to depend to a considerable extent on cell viability. Electron microscopy revealed many herpesvirus-type capsid- and enveloped-viruses in the nuclei and cytoplasm of degenerated cells in TaY(OK) cultures. The U1102 strain of HHV-6A and the Z29 strain of HHV-6B also infected TaY cells productively, as detected by PCR and an immunofluorescence test. These results suggest that the activation of CD4+ T lymphocytes with mitogens such as PHA or IL-2 and the expression of some cellular gene or the HTLV-I gene might be essential for efficient propagation of HHV-6B. TaY cells should play an important role in future investigations of cell-virus interactions and genetic variations or cell tropism of HHV-6 isolates since no cell line that shows propagation of both HHV-6A and HHV-6B has been reported to date.
Antigens, CD↗
Immunohistochemical studies concerning cathepsin D in endometrial carcinomas.
OBJECTIVES: To study the prognostic value of immunohistochemical detection of cathepsin D and laminin in endometrial carcinomas. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining of cathepsin D was performed on paraffin sections of 111 endometrial carcinomas, and laminin deposition was studied in 65 endometrial carcinomas. RESULTS: Of 111 tissue specimens, 55 showed a positive reaction for cathepsin D. The incidence of cathepsin D-positive staining increased with the extension of the primary tumor (p < 0.01). Patients with vessel invasion and pelvic lymph-node metastasis had a higher incidence of cathepsin D-positive staining than patients without these findings (p < 0.05). A favorable prognosis was obtained in a negative case of cathepsin D in comparison with a positive case (p < 0.01). Of 9 patients in whom laminin was detected in the cytoplasm of cancer cells, 5 showed poor prognoses and died from a primary disease. CONCLUSION: Cathepsin D and laminin status might represent possible prognostic factors.
Adult↗
Regional differences in diffusion abnormality in cerebral white matter lesions in patients with vascular dementia of the Binswanger type and Alzheimer's disease.
We investigated changes in water diffusion in the cerebral white matter of 14 patients with vascular dementia of the Binswanger type (VDBT) and ten patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) with periventricular hyperintensity (PVH) lesions using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and studied the pathophysiological differences between white matter lesions found in these two conditions. Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) in the anterior and posterior white matter and the genu and splenium of the corpus callosum were significantly higher in both groups of patients than in the 12 age-matched controls, and ADC values in VDBT and AD groups were almost the same. ADC ratios, defined as diffusion restricted perpendicular to the direction of nerve fibers, were also significantly higher in the patients than in the control subjects. However, there were regional differences in ADC ratios in the two conditions, with ratios in VDBT being higher in the anterior portions of the white matter but ratios in AD were higher in the posterior portions. The diffusion-weighted MRI technique may be useful in the differential diagnosis of VDBT and AD with white matter lesions.
Aged↗
Measurements of biological contaminants and particulate matter inside a dwelling in Japan.
To investigate the biological contaminant levels inside dwellings in Japan, the authors measured fungal indices, airborne mite allergens (Der 1 and Der 2), and suspended particulate matter (SPM). Measurements were continuously conducted at one dwelling located in Yokosuka-city, Kanagawa. The biosensors for fungal index were set at 12 points inside and 2 points outside the dwelling. An SPM sampler was placed in the living room, and samplers for collecting allergens were placed in the living room and in the washroom. The peak level of the fungal index was recorded during July, which is the rainy season in Japan. The highest value in the dwelling was 6.9 in the toilet, and the second highest was 6.6 near a window in the living room that faces southeast, and behind the sofa. The highest monthly SPM level was 21.5 micrograms/m3 during October, and the highest monthly allergen level (Der 1) in the living room was 25.7 pg/m3 during November. A positive relationship between the fungal index and mite allergens was not observed, and the levels of contaminants were not as those found in other studies. However, further study to investigate the distribution of biological contaminants is needed because indoor temperature and relative humidity are comparatively high.
Air Pollution, Indoor↗
Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) in patients with sporadic cerebellar degeneration.
The authors studied 23 patients with cerebellar degeneration including multiple systemic atrophy (MSA) and cerebellar cortical atrophy (CCA) by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). 1H-MRS allowed noninvasive measurement of the signal intensities derived from N-acetylaspartate (NAA), creatine + phosphocreatine (CRE), and choline-containing compounds (CHO). There was significant reduction of the NAA/CRE level in the frontal cortex, putamen, cerebellar hemisphere and cerebellar vermis of patients with MSA, and in the frontal cortex, cerebellar hemisphere and cerebellar vermis of patients with CCA as compared with those of normal controls. There was significant reduction of the NAA/CRE level also in the putamen of patients with MSA as compared with that of patients with CCA. These results indicated the presence of a degenerative process and/or functional impairment in the frontal cortex and putamen of patients with MSA and in the frontal cortex of patients with CCA, in addition to a degenerative process in the cerebellum. There was a significant correlation between the NAA/CRE level and the severity of clinical signs. 1H-MRS is valuable in providing information regarding the pathophysiology and the progress of cerebellar degenerative diseases.
Adult↗
Epidemiology of hepatitis B, C, E, and G virus infections and molecular analysis of hepatitis G virus isolates in Bolivia.
Prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis G virus (HGV), and hepatitis E virus (HEV) was investigated among 574 healthy blood donors in Bolivia. HCV RNA and HGV RNA in the serum were identified by a nested reverse transcription-PCR using primers derived from the 5' untranslated region (5' UTR). We also tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and for the antibody to HEV. The results revealed that HGV RNA was present in 84 of 574 (14.6%) tested blood donors, whereas HBsAg was detected in only 2 (0.3%) donors, and no individuals positive for HCV RNA were found. Anti-HEV immunoglobulin G (IgG) was detected in 93 (16.2%) individuals and anti-HEV IgM was found in 10 (1.7%) individuals among the same population. Phylogenetic analysis of 44 HGV isolates in the 5' UTR showed that 27 (61%) isolates were genotype 3 (Asian type) and the remaining 17 (39%) isolates were genotype 2 (United States and European type). Moreover, we obtained a full-length nucleotide sequence of the HGV genome (designated HGV-BL230) recovered from a Bolivian blood donor. The BL230 was composed of 9,227 nucleotides and had a single open reading frame, encoding 2,842 amino acid residues. Interestingly, the BL230 belonged to genotype 2 of HGV at the level of a full-length sequence, although this was classified as genotype 3 by a phylogenetic analysis based on the 5' UTR sequence. The BL230 differed from previously reported HGV/hepatitis GB virus type C isolates by 12 to 13% of the nucleotide sequence and 4% of the amino acid sequence. Our data indicate a high prevalence of HGV in native Bolivians, and the major genotype of HGV was type 3.
Adolescent↗
Identification of a novel genotype of hepatitis G virus in Southeast Asia.
Hepatitis G virus (HGV) isolates obtained from 20 Myanmarese and 10 Vietnamese subjects were analyzed. A cluster of isolates not belonging to any known genotype of HGV was found in five Myanmarese subjects and three Vietnamese subjects by phylogenetic analysis, and we classified this new genotype as type 4. These results revealed that the HGV genome can be classified into at least four major genotypes.
5' Untranslated Regions↗
TT virus infection is widespread in the general populations from different geographic regions.
By PCR screening, we found an extremely high prevalence of TT virus (TTV) in the general populations from different geographic regions. This suggests that TTV may be a common DNA virus with no clear disease association in humans. TTV genotyping by phylogenetic analysis was also performed.
Circoviridae↗
Dependence of Dbl and Dbs transformation on MEK and NF-kappaB activation.
Dbs was identified initially as a transforming protein and is a member of the Dbl family of proteins (>20 mammalian members). Here we show that Dbs, like its rat homolog Ost and the closely related Dbl, exhibited guanine nucleotide exchange activity for the Rho family members RhoA and Cdc42, but not Rac1, in vitro. Dbs transforming activity was blocked by specific inhibitors of RhoA and Cdc42 function, demonstrating the importance of these small GTPases in Dbs-mediated growth deregulation. Although Dbs transformation was dependent upon the structural integrity of its pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, replacement of the PH domain with a membrane localization signal restored transforming activity. Thus, the PH domain of Dbs (but not Dbl) may be important in modulating association with the plasma membrane, where its GTPase substrates reside. Both Dbs and Dbl activate multiple signaling pathways that include activation of the Elk-1, Jun, and NF-kappaB transcription factors and stimulation of transcription from the cyclin D1 promoter. We found that Elk-1 and NF-kappaB, but not Jun, activation was necessary for Dbl and Dbs transformation. Finally, we have observed that Dbl and Dbs regulated transcription from the cyclin D1 promoter in a NF-kappaB-dependent manner. Previous studies have dissociated actin cytoskeletal activity from the transforming potential of RhoA and Cdc42. These observations, when taken together with those of the present study, suggest that altered gene expression, and not actin reorganization, is the critical mediator of Dbl and Rho family protein transformation.
3T3 Cells↗
Corneal endothelial changes and trinucleotide repeat expansion of DRPLA gene.
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Adult↗
Beneficial effect of myocardial angiogenesis on cardiac remodeling process by amlodipine and MCI-154.
The present study examined the effect of long-term treatment with amlodipine and MCI-154 (a Ca2+ sensitizer) on progressive cardiac dysfunction and microvasculature in the dilated cardiomyopathic (DCM) hamster heart. After treatment of DCM hamsters (Bio 53.58) with amlodipine or MCI-154 for 15 wk from the age of 5 wk, amlodipine and MCI-154 were found to cause an increase in left ventricular percent fractional shortening and decreases in left ventricular diastolic dimension and isovolumic relaxation time in echocardiograms (P < 0.01). A hemodynamic study showed that the diastolic time constant decreased in the amlodipine-treatment group (P < 0.05). In a morphometric study employing a double-staining method that discriminated arteriolar and venular capillaries, amlodipine and MCI-154 caused increases in total capillary density (P < 0.05) and the proportion of venular capillaries (P < 0.05). Moreover, Northern blot analysis showed that the expression of mRNA for vascular endothelial growth factor was significantly increased by amlodipine and MCI-154. They preserve coronary microvasculature in the DCM hamster and might induce angiogenesis of small vessels, thereby contributing to preservation of cardiac systolic and diastolic function.
Amlodipine↗
Palmar aneurysm accompanied by ipsilateral clubbing finger--a case report.
A 33-year-old man presented with a palmar aneurysm accompanied by painful ipsilateral clubbing finger in his right hand. Following resection of the aneurysm and arterial reconstruction with a cephalic vein graft, the pain in his fingers disappeared. Histologic examination identified the resected tissue as a true aneurysm. The clubbing finger was ascribed to chronic ischemia due to a stenotic lesion associated with palmar arch hypoplasia and aneurysm. The following is the first reported case of palmar aneurysm accompanied by ipsilateral clubbing finger.
Adult↗
A role of insulin-like growth factor I in luteinizing hormone receptor expression in granulosa cells.
The present study was undertaken to identify the mechanisms underlying the effect of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) on LH receptor in rat granulosa cells. Treatment with FSH, as expected, produced a substantial increase in LH receptor messenger RNA (mRNA) level, and concurrent treatment with increasing concentrations of IGF-I brought about dose-dependent increases in FSH-induced LH receptor mRNA, with a maximal response 2.5-fold greater than that induced by FSH alone. IGF-I, either alone or in combination with FSH, did not affect intracellular cAMP levels, whereas it enhanced the effect of 8-bromo-cAMP on LH receptor mRNA production. We then investigated whether the effects of IGF-I and FSH on LH receptor mRNA levels are the results of increased transcription and/or altered mRNA stability. To determine whether the LH receptor 5'-flanking region plays a role in directing LH receptor mRNA expression, the proximal area of the LH receptor 5'-flanking regions were inserted into a transient expression vector, pGL-Basic, which contains luciferase as the reporter gene, and the resulting plasmids were transiently transfected into rat granulosa cells. Our studies show that the FSH-induced luciferase activity varied dependent upon the length of the 5'-flanking region sequence in the reporter gene. In addition, FSH (30 ng/ml) significantly enhanced the activity of 1379 bp of the LH receptor 5'-flanking region, but treatment with 10 ng/ml IGF-I alone did not significantly influence the activity of the LH receptor promoter or affect the increased promoter activity induced by FSH. The rates of LH receptor mRNA gene transcription, assessed by nuclear run-on transcription assay, were not increased by the addition of IGF-I. On the other hand, the decay curves for LH receptor mRNA transcript in primary granulosa cells showed a significant increase in the half-life after the addition of IGF-I. These data suggest a possible role for changes in LH receptor mRNA stability in the IGF-I-induced regulation of LH receptor in rat granulosa cells. This interface between circulating hormones and paracrine/autocrine systems could provide an important mechanism to amplify the effects of gonadotropic hormones at the local level.
8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗