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Biomedical subjects

K Maeda

Publications and source records attributed to K Maeda.

At least 397 records · Page 22Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Nucleotide sequences of glycoprotein I and E genes of equine herpesvirus type 4.

The nucleotide sequences of the glycoprotein I (gI) and E (gE) genes of equine herpesvirus type 4 (EHV-4) strain TH20 were determined. The predicted region encoding the EHV-4 gI gene is 1,263 nucleotides, corresponding to a polypeptide of 420 amino acids in length. The predicted region encoding the EHV-4 gE gene is 1,647 nucleotides, corresponding to a polypeptide of 548 amino acids in length. The EHV-4 gI and gE genes show 74% and 85% identity at the amino acid level with those of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1), respectively. Furthermore, we have found an open reading frame homologous to the EHV-1 gene 75, which overlaps in part with the 3' end of EHV-4 gE gene. These sequence data will be useful for development of a modified live vaccine against equine herpesvirus type 1 and 4 infections.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Further development of a recombinant feline herpesvirus type 1 vector expressing feline calicivirus immunogenic antigen.

We previously reported the attenuation of thymidine kinase (TK) deficient mutant (C7301dlTK) of feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) in cats and the construction of a recombinant FHV-1 (C7301dlTK-Cap) inserted a precursor capsid gene of feline calcivirus (FCV) into the TK deletion locus of the C7301dlTK. In this study, we constructed a further improved recombinant FHV-1 (dlTK(gCp)-Cap) carrying a putative FHV-1 gC promoter sequence upstream of the FCV precursor capsid gene of the C7301dlTK-Cap. Growth kinetics of the dlTK(gCp)-Cap in cell cultures was similar to those of C7301dlTK and C7301dlTK-Cap. A strong expression of FCV immunogenic antigen by dlTK(gCp)-Cap was confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. In addition, one vaccination with dlTK(gCp)-Cap protected cats more effective against subsequent virulent FCV challenge than that with C7301dlTK-Cap.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Properties and functions of feline herpesvirus type 1 glycoproteins.

Feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) is a causative agent of feline viral rhinotracheitis and belongs to the subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae of the family Herpesviridae. Since first isolated in 1958 by Crandell and Maurer, FHV-1 is distributed worldwide and is the most clinically significant agent for respiratory infections in cats. In this review, we describe the recent findings with properties and functions of FHV-1 glycoproteins, especially hemagglutinins.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Plasma levels of pentosidine in diabetic patients: an advanced glycation end product.

Nonenzymatic reactions between glucose and proteins yield advanced glycation end products (AGE) such as pentosidine. AGE accumulate in diabetic patients, alter the structure and function of tissue proteins, stimulate cellular response, and have thus been implicated in diabetic tissue damage. The present study was undertaken to assess the factors determining plasma total pentosidine level in diabetic patients and the possible relation between plasma pentosidine level and diabetic complications. In diabetic patients, including patients with renal failure, plasma pentosidine levels, assessed by HPLC assay, were correlated with serum creatinine (P < 0.0001). In patients with normal renal function, pentosidine levels were correlated with blood glucose control (hemoglobin Alc: P = 0.0028; fructoselysine: P = 0.0133), serum creatinine (P = 0.029), patient age (P = 0.0416), duration of diabetes (P = 0.0431), and total cholesterol (P = 0.0056) and LDL-cholesterol (P = 0.0208). Multiple regression analysis revealed an independent influence of hemoglobin Alc and serum creatinine on pentosidine levels (r2 = 0.216, P = 0.0026). Pentosidine levels were higher in patients with than in those without hypertension (P = 0.043) or ischemic heart diseases (P = 0.0061). No such differences were observed between patients with and without albuminuria or retinopathy. Multiple regression analysis revealed an independent influence of plasma pentosidine on the presence of hypertension (r2 = 0.129, P = 0.0382) and of plasma pentosidine and HDL-cholesterol on the presence of ischemic heart disease (r2 = 0.326, P = 0.0012). The present study demonstrated that plasma pentosidine level was significantly influenced by the quality of glycemic control and renal function. Pentosidine level was also correlated with hypertension and ischemic heart disease, and might be taken as a biomarker of diabetic cardiovascular risk.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Multiple inflammatory pseudotumors of the liver associated with acute myeloblastic leukemia.

A 26-year-old man, diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia had multiple inflammatory pseudotumors (IPT) in the liver. The patient presented complete remission after remission induction therapy, and then showed right upper quadrant discomfort and intermittent fever. An ultrasonography disclosed multiple hypoechoic nodules in the liver. A biopsy of the nodules showed focal liver cell necrosis with scant inflammatory cells, compatible with IPT. After several courses of chemotherapy, the nodules in the liver increased. The second liver biopsy of the nodule showed fibrosis. Multiple IPTs in the liver should be distinguished from abscess and metastatic nodules.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Neuropathy associated with angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy-like T-cell lymphoma.

A 75-year-old woman was admitted because of pain and numbness in the extremities and trunk. She subsequently suffered from lymphadenopathy and spiky fever. The immunohistochemical analysis of the biopsied lymph nodes and sural nerve and electrophysiological examination supported a diagnosis of angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy-like T cell lymphoma with polyneuropathy. The infiltrating lymphoma cells of the sural nerve and lymph node shared the same phenotype (CD45RO, CD3, CD30 positive). An increased expression of HLA-DR antigen was observed in endothelial and Schwann cells. Chemotherapy with CHOP-Bleomycin markedly relieved her pain. These findings suggest that a direct lymphocytic infiltration in the nerve may be associated with neuropathy in this case.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Estimated number of patients with chronic renal failure but not with end-stage renal disease in Japan: comparisons between two estimation methods.

We estimated the number of patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) but not with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in Japan by two methods: a nationwide survey and an estimation using incidence rates of ESRD among CRF patients as well as the number of incident ESRD. The former estimated the number of patients with CRF but not with ESRD as 154,000 (95% confidence interval 139,000-168,000), while so did the latter as 142,000 (133,000-150,000). It follows that the number of CRF patients including ESRD could amount to more than 300,000, which would give a substantial impact on public health in Japan. Despite some own methodological issues in estimation, the two estimates were reasonably in good agreement: supporting their methodological validity in estimation, since sources of errors appeared to be quite independent of each other.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

CD45RO expression on peripheral lymphocytes as a prognostic marker for adult T-cell leukemia.

Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) is an aggressive hematological malignancy etiologically linked to HTLV-I. The clinical subtype classification, age, performance status, serum calcium and LDH levels are major prognostic factors of ATL, but these criteria and factors do not always correlate with prognosis. CD45 is expressed on cells of the hematopoietic system, and plays a pivotal role in antigen-stimulated proliferation of T-lymphocytes. CD45RO is a very light weight isoform of CD45 expressed on activated T-cells. Recent studies have shown that peripheral lymphocytes show two patterns of CD45RO expression in HTLV-I infected individuals which appears to correlate with their clinical outcome. The acute type ATL patients have pattern A with CD45RO+ lymphocytes with intermediate expression (CD45ROint cells), and show a better prognosis than those who do not have any CD45ROint cells. Further studies demonstrated that CD45ROint cells were not infected with HTLV-I, and as a result we suggest that CD45RO expression be considered a marker of host immunity in acute type ATL clinical course, in contrast to the levels of WBC or LDH which are regarded as tumor markers and indicators of tumor mass.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Thymidine phosphorylase activity in tumor correlates with venous invasion.

Thymidine phosphorylase (dThdPase) is identical to platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF), an angiogenesis factor. We investigated the correlation between dThdPase activity in gastric cancer tissue and clinicopathological factors. Thirty-three cancer tissue specimens and 23 adjacent normal gastric mucosal specimens were obtained from surgery. Measurement of dThdPase activity was based on the amount of 5-fluorouracil formed from 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine by dThdPase. Mean dThdPase activity in cancer tissue was approximately 3.2 times higher than that in normal tissue. Cancerous tissues with venous invasion had about twice the dThdPase activity as cancerous tissues without venous invasion. Other clinicopathological features were not related to dThdPase activity. A correlation between dThdPase activity and immunosuppressive acidic protein level was observed (r = 0.532, P = 0.005). dThdPase activity in gastric cancer cells was found to be correlated with venous invasion, supporting previous findings that it plays a role in tumor angiogenesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Expression of the mismatch repair gene hMSH2 in sporadic colorectal cancer.

At least four genes involved in DNA mismatch repair (MMR), hMSH2, hMLH1, hPMS1 and hPMS2, have been cloned and characterized. These genes have been demonstrated to be altered in the germline of patients with hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). HNPCC is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by a preponderance of proximal colon, young age of onset, increased multiplicity, and improved stage-specific survival. In this study, we examined the expression of hMSH2 protein in sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC). As a result, the frequency of right-sided CRC and multiple CRCs were significantly higher in the patients with hMSH2-negative CRC than in those with hMSH2-positive CRC. The rate of p53 positivity was significantly lower in the hMSH2-negative tumours than that in the hMSH2-positive tumours. The disease-free survival rate tended to be higher in the patients with hMSH2-negative CRC than in the patients with hMSH2-positive CRC. Our findings suggest that both the clinicopathological and biological features of hMSH2-negative sporadic CRC seemed to be similar to those of HNPCC. To clarify the mechanism of carcinogenesis in HNPCC and sporadic CRC, further investigations of genetic alterations caused by MMR genes will be needed.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Simultaneous analysis and detection of pesticides in fresh fruits and vegetables by HPLC and GC].

A method was established for simultaneous determination of pesticide residue in fresh fruits and vegetables by HPLC and GC. CH3CN extraction/NaCl partiton method was used in order to recover hydrophilic pesticide such as acephate, methamidophos. Dimethoate and methamidophos from okra and DDVP from strawberry were detected by GC. On the other hand confirmation method by GC and GC/MS was studied for peaks detected by HPLC with UV and/or FL detector. OPP, TBZ, imazalil chlorpyrifos etc. in citrus fruits were detected by the proposed method.

Chromatography, Gas↗
PubMed1998

[Usefulness of neuroendoscopy and a neuronavigator for removal of clival chordoma].

We report a case of large clival chordoma. The patient was a 56-year-old male who was admitted to our hospital with left eye ptosis and diplopia of 2 months duration. On admission, neurological examinations revealed oculomotor nerve palsy of the left eye. Skull radiographs with polytomographs demonstrated marked destruction of the clivus. A plain computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a large iso-attenuated mass in the clivus, extending anteriorly into the sphenoidal sinus, superiorly into the suprasellar cistern, bilaterally into the petrous apex, posteriorly into the prepontine cistern and caudally into the foramen magnum. An enhanced CT scan demonstrated a slightly enhanced tumor. A high-resolution bone-window CT scan revealed marked destruction of the clivus and bilateral petrous apex. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans disclosed a large enhanced mass extending superiorly into the suprasellar cistern, bilaterally into the petrous apex and inferiorly into the foramen magnum. The tumor extended so widely that we decided on a one-stage operation via a transsphenoidal sublabial transseptal approach and transoral transpalatal approach. At surgery, we employed a neuronavigator and Codman 4-mm rigid neuroendoscope with 0 degree, 30 degrees and 70 degrees angled lenses. The tumor was very soft and suckable, and could be easily removed by applying CUSA, a pituitary curette and suction. The neuronavigator was particularly useful because the surgeon had a real-time two-dimensional representation of the position of the tip of this device in the corresponding imaging space intraoperatively. The neuroendoscope also proved useful, since remnant tumor tissues that could not be seen under an operating microscope were frequently recognized near or around the entrance of the tumor cavity, cavernous sinus region and petroclival junction area. The surgeon was able to remove these remnants safely by checking on the neuroendoscope monitor. The tumor was excised completely. The dead space of the tumor cavity was reconstructed using a free rectus abdominis muscle flap. Postoperatively, cerebrospinal fluid leakage and meningitis were recognized, but improved following spinal drainage for one week and intrathecal injection of antibiotic. The oculomotor nerve palsy of the left eye also showed good recovery at one month after the operation. Recently, skull base surgery has undergone considerable developments. Neuroendoscopes and neuronavigators are very helpful for the neurosurgeon in performing skull base tumor surgery safely and with precision, although further instrument modifications are needed.

Chordoma↗
PubMed1998

Induction of L-histidine decarboxylase in a human mast cell line, HMC-1.

Histamine is an important mediator in allergic reactions, gastric acid secretions, and neurotransmission in the central nervous system. Basophils and mast cells are the main sources of histamine, which is formed from L-histidine by histidine decarboxylase (HDC). However, the regulatory mechanism of HDC in these cells remains unclear. We examined the regulation of HDC activity and gene expression using a unique human mast cell line, HMC-1, after stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or ionomycin. HDC activity was increased from 52.1+/-0.4 (mean+/-standard deviation) to 154+/-6.9, or 105.6+/-6.2 pmol/min/mg protein (n = 3), 4 hours after stimulation with PMA (10 ng/mL) or ionomycin (10[-6] M). Although actinomycin D had no effect on this increase, cycloheximide completely inhibited the increase caused by these stimuli. The population of HMC-1 cells containing HDC protein was increased after stimulation with either PMA or ionomycin as evaluated by immunocytochemical analysis with anti-HDC antibody as a marker. HMC-1 constitutively expressed HDC mRNA, and its level was not increased with these stimuli. These results suggest that the increase of HDC activity in HMC-1 induced by PMA or ionomycin is regulated at the translational level.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1998

Transvaginal sonography of the fetal brain: detection of abnormal morphology and circulation.

AIM: To analyze the incidence, transvaginal detection age, sonographic appearance, clinical course, and outcomes of pregnancy in cases with abnormal fetal brain structure and/or circulation, and to evaluate the clinical significance of sonographic abnormalities. METHODS: Serial observation of the fetal brain and intracranial Doppler assessment by transvaginal approach at four-week intervals were performed in 306 singleton fetuses from the first trimester and 13 referral cases at our ultrasound units from January 1996 to December 1997. Detection of abnormalities was followed by subsequent serial scans every one or two weeks. RESULTS: Morphological abnormalities were found in 66 cases: open neural tube defect (9 cases), disorders of prosencephalic development (2), ventriculomegaly with cerebellar hypoplasia (1), hydrocephalus (1), craniosynostosis (1), unclassified brain anomaly (1), brain atrophy (1), isolated choroid plexus cysts (19), choroid plexus cysts with cerebellar hypoplasia (2), lateral ventricular asymmetry (26), and subependymal cyst (3). Chromosomal aberration was found in 4 cases. Artificial abortion was performed in 10 cases and fetal demise occurred in 2 cases. Isolated choroid plexus cysts, isolated ventricular asymmetry and subependymal cyst were not clinically significant. Two abnormal flow patterns of superior sagittal sinus, sharp doubled pulsatile pattern, and disappearance of normal pulsatile pattern were found in different situations. CONCLUSION: Serial transvaginal observation of the fetal brain provided evidence of hitherto unreported intracranial abnormalities: subependymal cyst, craniosynostosis, medullary kink in Chiari malformation, brain damage, and abnormal venous flows. Venous flow assessment may be of great potential in predicting fetal neurological well-being.

Brain↗