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Biomedical subjects

Keiko Abe

Publications and source records attributed to Keiko Abe.

62 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

Dietary protein quantity and quality affect rat hepatic gene expression.

To gain a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of dietary protein on alternations in physiologic and pathologic status, the GeneChip microarray system was used to investigate the consequences of two different states of protein malnutrition on gene expression in rat liver. Expressions of 281 genes were increased or decreased by twofold or more by treatment with a protein-free diet for 1 wk compared with control rats fed a casein diet. Similarly, 111 genes were affected in rats fed a wheat gluten diet compared with those fed the casein diet. Although some of the genes identified were known to respond to protein nutrition, a majority were newly identified as responders to protein nutritional status. Interesting findings included the drastic changes in the levels of genes for Id (inhibitor of DNA binding) proteins, which are involved in the regulation of multiple genes, and of a set of genes in the pathway of cholesterol biosynthesis and disposal. This study represents a step toward a more global understanding of gene expression changes in states of protein malnutrition.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Salicylic acid carboxyl methyltransferase induced in hairy root cultures of Atropa belladonna after treatment with exogeneously added salicylic acid.

In Atropa belladonna hairy roots, exogeneously added salicylic acid (SA) is converted to methyl salicylate (MSA) through the reaction, which might be catalysed by S-adenosyl-L-methionine: salicylic acid carboxyl methyltransferase (SAMT). Here we cloned a cDNA for A. belladonna SAMT (AbSAMT1), which consisted of 357 aa residues. It was expressed in E. coli, and the recombinant AbSAMT1 showed SAMT activity. When A. belladonna hairy roots were exposed to a high concentration of SA, AbSAMT1 mRNA begins to be expressed 12 h after the exposure, and steady expression continued over 144 h.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2002

Antimicrobial activity of nutmeg against Escherichia coli O157.

We examined the difference between Escherichia coli O157 and non-pathogenic E. coli in their tolerance to spices. Various spices (5 g each) were homogenized at 25 degrees C for 10 min with 5 ml of 70% ethyl alcohol, and the supernatant solutions obtained by centrifugation were used as spice extracts. When the E. coli strains were incubated with each spice extract at concentrations of 0.01% and 0.1%, a noteworthy difference was observed between the O157 and non-pathogenic strains in their tolerance to nutmeg. The populations of the non-pathogenic strains could not be reduced, but those of the O157 strains were remarkably reduced. Antibacterial activity by the nutmeg extract was also found against the enteropathogenic E. coli O111, but not against enterotoxigenic (O6 and O148) and enteroinvasive (O29 and O124) E. coli. When we examined the antibacterial effect of volatile oils in nutmeg on the O157 and non-pathogenic E. coli strains, all O157 strains tested were found to be more sensitive to beta-pinene than non-pathogenic E. coli strains.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Changes in cell morphology and cell-to-cell adhesion induced by extracellular Ca2+ in cultured taste bud cells.

Cell morphology and cell-to-cell adhesion of taste bud cells were significantly altered by extracellular Ca2+ during in vitro culture. Under high Ca2+ condition (above 0.5 mM), the cells were tightly associated with each other and formed packed aggregates. Under low Ca2+ condition (below 0.1 mM), the cells were dispersed and had an elongated shape. These two forms were reversible and specifically dependent on Ca2+. The results indicate that extracellular Ca2+ regulates cell shape and cell-to-cell adhesion of taste bud cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Primary hyperparathyroidism with duodenal ulcer and H. pylori infection.

A patient with duodenal ulcer and primary hyperparathyroidism was found to have an abnormally high intragastric pH. The pH level returned to normal after surgical removal of the parathyroid adenoma followed by normalization of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and serum calcium concentrations. The patient was positive for Helicobacter pylon (H. pylori) infection. Although the exact mechanism by which chronic hypercalcemia or high PTH level inhibited gastric acid secretion in this case remains unclear, our findings suggest that hypercalcemia may play some role in H. pylori associated gastroduodenal diseases through induction of proinflammatory cytokines or by enhancing the attachment of H. pylori to gastric epithelial cells.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗
PubMed2002

[Improvement for identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex by immunochromatographic assay anti-MPB 64 monoclonal antibodies with "H2O2" addition trial on blood culture samples].

An improvement trial for identification of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex by immunochromatographic assay using anti-MPB 64 monoclonal antibodies (MPB 64-ICA) is documented. The new MPB 64-ICA is very useful for simple and rapid identification of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex with specificity, but it is a little difficult to prove the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex on the blood culture samples taken from the immunosuppressive or the AIDS patients, because the reactive bands are red or reddish-purple in both the control and positive zones of immunochromatographic assay, which are often indistinguishable from the background mixed with hemoglobin caused from the blood samples. We tried to remove the hemoglobin interference in the samples and was able to make clear the background with addition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The results are followings; the optimum time and density of H2O2 are from 5 to 15 minutes and 35%, respectively. Accordingly, the improvement trial for identification of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex by immunochromatographic assay using MPB64-ICA with H2O2 is useful to identify the positive reactive band from the interference by hemoglobin.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed2002

Pulmonary paragonimiasis misdiagnosed as tuberculosis: with special references on paragonimiasis.

The diagnosis of tuberculosis by X-ray radiogram is often confused with pulmonary carcinoma, bacillary and parasitic infections, and chronic mycosis. A case of pulmonary paragonimiasis misdiagnosed as tuberculosis by X-ray radiogram is reported. With this case, the smears of sputum were rechecked by an inspection technician's discernment, and Paragonimus eggs along with numerous eosinophils and Charcot-Leyden crystals were detected. In suspected cases of tuberculosis, a history of crab-eating plus sputum examinations, image findings, and serodiagnosis are necessary to rule out paragonimiasis.

Adult↗