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Biomedical subjects

Kiyoaki Watanabe

Publications and source records attributed to Kiyoaki Watanabe.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

G501C polymorphism of oxidized LDL receptor gene (OLR1) and ischemic stroke.

The human lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 (OLR1/LOX-1) is the major endothelial scavenger receptor against oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL), which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We investigated the G501C mutation in the OLR1 gene in 235 Japanese patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and 274 age- and sex-matched healthy controls using single nucleotide primer extension analysis (SNuPe). There was no significant difference in the polymorphism between patients with ischemic CVD and controls (GC+CC versus GG, p=0.48). The C allele was not significantly different between the patients and controls (C versus G, p=0.91). Our results show that the OLR1 gene polymorphism has little effect on an increased risk for ischemic CVD in the Japanese population.

Brain Ischemia↗

Coronary artery disease and a functional polymorphism of hTERT.

Genetic variation, a -1327T/C polymorphism, of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is associated with leukocyte telomere length in healthy subjects, but clinical significances of this functional polymorphism are not clear. Recently, the relationship between the telomere system and coronary artery disease (CAD) was reported. We investigated the association between the -1327T/C polymorphism and (a) susceptibility to CAD and (b) telomere length in CAD patients. In a case-control study, 104 patients confirmed by coronary angiography and 115 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled. There was a higher frequency of the -1327C/C genotype in CAD patients (51.9%) compared with controls (36.5%, p = 0.0218). Among the 104 CAD patients, leukocyte telomere length in the -1327C/C genotype (7.62+/-2.19 kb, mean+/-SD) was shorter than that in the -1327T/C and -1327T/T genotypes (8.74+/-2.92, p = 0.0287). These findings suggest that the -1327C/C genotype is a genetic risk factor for CAD and relates to shorter telomere length among CAD patients.

Case-Control Studies↗

A561C polymorphism of E-selectin is associated with ischemic cerebrovascular disease in the Japanese population without diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia.

E-selectin, which is a member of the selectin superfamily of adhesion molecules, contributes to the leukocyte-endothelial cell attachments and is involved in the pathogenesis of thrombovascular diseases as a consequence. We investigated the A561C mutation in the E-selectin gene in 235 Japanese patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and 301 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Excluding the subjects with diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia, the AC genotype frequencies of patients with ischemic CVD were higher than those of controls: 12.7% vs. 5.8% (P=0.04). Our results show that E-selectin gene polymorphisms represent an increased risk for ischemic CVD in the Japanese population without diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia.

Aged↗

Telomere length of normal leukocytes is affected by a functional polymorphism of hTERT.

Transcriptional regulation of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), a catalytic subunit of telomerase, is essential for telomerase activity associated with telomere length. In this study, we investigated the effects of a (-1327)T/C polymorphism within the hTERT promoter region on the hTERT promoter activity and leukocyte telomere length in normal individuals. The promoter activity in the (-1327)T-sequence was significantly higher than that in the (-1327)C-sequence (p = 0.0004). For leukocyte telomere length, the (-1327)T-allele carriers had significantly longer than the (-1327)T-allele non-carriers (p = 0.0007). Also, there was no age-related shortening in leukocyte telomere length in the (-1327)T/T (p = 0.6633) and (-1327)T/C subjects (p = 0.1691), whereas there was clear age-related telomere shortening in the (-1327)C/C subjects (p = 0.0117). These findings suggest that the functional (-1327)T/C polymorphism of hTERT is associated with leukocyte telomere length in normal individuals.

Base Sequence↗

Gorog Thrombosis Test: analysis of factors influencing occlusive thrombus formation.

We used the Gorog Thrombosis Test to analyze the factors influencing the occlusion time, which represents platelet activation and subsequent occlusive thrombus formation, in 132 healthy Japanese volunteers (116 men, 16 women; mean age, 45.0 +/- 12.0 years). The Gorog Thrombosis Test was designed to evaluate platelet aggregation and thrombolytic activity under a high shear stress condition (175 dynes/cm) in a native blood sample in vitro. The mean +/- SD occlusion time was 154.8 +/- 64.7 s (men, 153.4 +/- 64.2 s and women, 165.4 +/- 56.5 s). The occlusion time was inversely correlated with von Willebrand factor ristocetin cofactor activity (VWF:Rco) (r = -0.242, P = 0.0055) and von Willebrand factor antigen (r = -0.230, P = 0.0080). The mean occlusion time in the group with VWF:Rco of at least 170% (137 s) was significantly shorter than that in the group with VWF:Rco less than 170% (156 s, P < 0.05). Platelet counts, other coagulation markers and smoking showed no significant correlations with occlusion time. Red blood cells (r = -0.177, P = 0.0365), hemoglobin (r = -0.191, P = 0.0245) and hematocrit (r = -0.182, P = 0.0329) also showed inverse correlations with the occlusion time. This report is the first to clearly demonstrate the role of von Willebrand factor in the formation of occlusive thrombi in the Gorog Thrombosis Test.

Adult↗

[Comparative studies on activities of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (2004). I. Susceptibility distribution].

The bacterial strains isolated from 490 patients diagnosed as having urinary tract infections (UTIs) in 14 institutions in Japan were collected between August 2004 and July 2005. The susceptibilities of them to many kinds of antimicrobial agents were measured. Of them, 577 strains were estimated as causative bacteria and used for the measurement. The strains consisted of 156 gram-positive bacterial strains (27.0%) and 421 gram-negative bacterial strains (73.0%). Against Staphylococcus aureus, arbekacin (ABK), vancomycin (VCM) showed the strongest activity and prevented the growth of all strains with 2 microg/mL. Against Enterococcus faecalis, ampicillin (ABPC) and VCM showed a strong antibacterial activity. The antibacterial activity of cephems to Escherichia coli was generally good, and especially cefozopran (CZOP) and cefpirome (CPR) showed the strongest activity (MIC90: < or = 125 microg/mL). Quinolone resistant E. coli [MIC of ciprofloxacin (CPFX): > or = 4 microg/mL] was detected at frequency of 18.8%, which was higher than that in the last year. Against Klebsiella pneumoniae, CZOP, meropenem (MEPM), and carumonam (CRMN) showed the strongest activity and prevented the growth of all strains with 0.125 microg/mL or less. The antibacterial activity of the other cephems was relatively good, and decrease in their activity observed in the last year study was not recognized. Against Serratia marcescens, imipenem (IPM) and gentamicin (GM) had the strongest antibacterial activity. Against Proteus mirabilis, CRMN showed the strongest activity and prevented the growth of all strains with 0.125 microg/mL or less. MEPM prevented the growth of all strains with 0.25 microg/mL. Next, cefmenoxime (CMX), ceftazidime (CAZ), CZOP, cefixime (CFIX), cefpodoxime (CPDX), and cefditoren (CDTR) showed a strong activity. The antibacterial activity of the drugs to Pseudomonas aeruginosa was generally low, and MIC90 of all the drugs was ranged from 32 to > 128 microg/mL except IPM and MEPM having 16 microg/mL. The antibacterial activities of CZOP and CAZ were considered to be relatively good on MIC50 comparison (MIC50: 2 microg/mL).

Aminoglycosides↗

[Comparative studies on activities of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (2004) II. Background of patients].

Six hundred six bacterial strains isolated from 490 patients diagnosed as having urinary tract infections (UTIs) in 14 institutions in Japan were collected between August 2004 and July 2005. The frequency of bacteria isolation stratified with patient clinical background was compared. The clinical background investigated included sex, age, type of infections, timing of antibiotics administration, and presence or absence of surgery affecting a decrease in defense against infection. The bacterial strains were stratified with the age and sex of the patients and the types of infections. In males, the number of patients aged less than 60 years was few and the complicated UTIs without indwelling catheter was observed most frequently. In females, the number of patients aged less than 60 years was comparatively more than in males. In all of ages except 0-19 and > or = 80 years, the ratio of the uncomplicated UTIs was high, accounting for 44.1-90.0% of all types of infections. In the present time, the bacteria most frequently isolated were Escherichia coli. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis also were relatively frequently isolated. E. coli most frequently isolated with the uncomplicated UTIs and P. aeruginosa and E. faecalis most frequently isolated with the complicated UTIs. With respect to the relation of these results to the age of the patients, in the uncomplicated UTIs, the isolation frequency of E. coli was the highest in all age groups except 0-19 years, accounting for 50% or higher. In the complicated UTIs without indwelling catheter, the isolation frequency of E. coli tended to be high in all age groups. In the complicated UTIs with indwelling catheter, P. aeruginosa were more frequently isolated. In comparison of causative bacteria in UTIs between before and after the administration of antibiotics, P. aeruginosa increased after the administration in any types of UTIs. In comparison of causative bacteria in UTIs with or without surgery, E. coli was more frequently isolated in the patients without surgery, while P. aeruginosa and E. faecalis were more frequently isolated in the patients with surgery in any UTIs.

Adult↗

[Comparative studies on activities of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (2004). III. Secular changes in susceptibility].

The bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) isolated from patients diagnosed as urinary tract infections (UTIs) in 14 institutions in Japan were collected between August 2004 and July 2005. The susceptibilities of these bacteria to various antimicrobial agents were measured. The bacteria were divided into 2 groups consisting of uncomplicated UTIs and complicated UTIs (with and without indwelling catheter) based on their isolation origins. The results were compared with those obtained between 1995 and 2003. The drug sensitivity of S. aureus in this year was similar to those in up to the previous year and S. aureus showed the best susceptibility to vancomycin (VCM) and arbekacin (ABK). The drug sensitivity of E. faecalis in this year also was similar to those in up to the previous year. The susceptibility of E. coli to cephems in this year was generally good and was similar to those in up to the previous year. MIC90 of cefozopran (CZOP) was the most stable and 0.125 microg/mL or less since 1995. The susceptibility of E. coli to cefpirome (CPR) and cefotiam (CTM) also was good but to cefaclor (CCL), cefixime (CFIX), and cefpodoxime (CPDX) was largely decreased in complicated UTI groups. The sensitivity of E. coli to carbapenems also was good but to carumonam (CRMN) tended to decrease. The susceptibility of E. coli to quinolones, however, has largely changed and has decreased since 2003 in uncomplicated UTIs and 2000 in complicated UTIs. That was suggested the development of the resistance to the drug. The susceptibility of Klebsiella spp. to cefazolin (CEZ), CTM, CCL, CPDX, and cefditoren (CDTR) decreased in the previous year and recovered to the year before the previous year in this year. The susceptibility of Klebsiella spp. to other cephems was stable since 1995, especially against CZOP, the highest sensitivity (MIC90: < or = 0.125 microg/mL) was maintained. The susceptibility of Klebsiella spp. to carbapenems and CRMN also was good. The susceptibility of Klebsiella spp. to aminoglycosides was lower than to CZOP but was stable since 1995. The susceptibility of P. aeruginosa was generally low and has largely changed against the majority of the agents since 1995. The susceptibility of P. aeruginosa isolated from uncomplicated UTIs has largely changed against ceftazidime (CAZ), cefsulodin (CFS), CZOP, imipenem (IPM), meropenem (MEPM), aztreonam (AZT), CRMN, gentamicin (GM), and tobramycin (TOB). The susceptibility of P. aeruginosa isolated from complicated UTIs has largely changed against CSF, CZOP, MEPM, GM, and ciprofloxacin (CPFX). The susceptibility of P. aeruginosa isolated from complicated UTIs has been stable against amikacin (AMK). For annual changes in MIC50, TOB and IPM had a relatively stable and high activity (MIC50: 0.5-2 microg/mL).

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Assessment of tailor-made prevention of atherosclerosis with folic acid supplementation: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in each MTHFR C677T genotype.

This study aimed at assessing the effect of folic acid supplementation quantitatively in each MTHFR C677T genotype and considered the efficiency of tailor-made prevention of atherosclerosis. Study design was genotype-stratified, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. The setting was a Japanese company in the chemical industry. Subjects were 203 healthy men after exclusion of those who took folic acid or drugs known to effect folic acid metabolism. Intervention was folic acid 1 mg/day p.o. for 3 months. The primary endpoint was plasma total homocysteine level (tHcy). In all three genotypes, there were significant tHcy decreases. The greatest decrease was in the TT homozygote [6.61 (3.47-9.76) micromol/l] compared with other genotypes [CC: 2.59 (1.81-3.36), CT: 2.64 (2.16-3.13)], and there was a significant trend between the mutated allele number and the decrease. The tHcy were significantly lowered in all the genotypes, but the amount of the decrease differed significantly in each genotype, which was observed at both 1 and 3 months. Using these time-series data, the largest benefit obtained by the TT homozygote was appraised as 2.4 times compared with the CC homozygote. Taking into account the high allele frequency of this SNP, this quantitative assessment should be useful when considering tailor-made prevention of atherosclerosis with folic acid.

Alleles↗

T280M and V249I polymorphisms of fractalkine receptor CX3CR1 and ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

The contribution to atherosclerosis of two CX3CR1 single nucleotide polymorphisms, V249I and T280M has been recently reported. The atherosclerosis of intracranial vessels is thought to be the major pathological mechanism of ischemic stroke. In this study, we investigated the risk of ischemic stroke associated with fractalkine receptor CX3CR1 polymorphisms. We investigated the T280M and V249I mutations in the CX3CR1 gene in 235 Japanese patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and 306 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism were used for genotyping. There was no significant difference in both polymorphisms between patients with ischemic CVD and controls (VV versus II+VI, p=0.83; TT versus MM+TM, p=0.66). The I and M allele frequencies were not significantly different between CVD patients and controls: odds ratio (OR)=0.89 (95% confidence interval (CI)=0.50-1.60, p=0.70) and OR=1.19 (95% CI=0.71-2.00, p=0.51), respectively. We found eight of nine possible combined genotypes, including a new haplotype V249-M280, in Japanese. Our results show that these CX3CR1 gene polymorphisms are not associated with an increased risk for ischemic CVD in the Japanese population.

CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1↗

Salt intake affects the relation between hypertension and the T-786C polymorphism in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene.

BACKGROUND: Recent genetic studies have shown an association between the T-786C polymorphism in the endothelial NO synthase gene and coronary artery diseases, but any possible association with hypertension has been controversial. Other studies indicate the effect of restricting salt intake differ depending on individual salt-sensitivity, and the mixture of different sensitivity in study subjects may obscure the results. The objective of this study was to investigate the gene-environment interaction between the salt intake and this polymorphism. METHODS: We genotyped 281 healthy men after excluding 37 men on hypertensive therapy (mean age 44.8 +/- 11.9 years) for the mutation, and evaluated their daily salt intake using a validated food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: A quartile classification of salt intake revealed that the blood pressure of subjects with the mutation was significantly higher than that of subjects without the mutation, but only in the 4th quartile (the highest intake group). A multiple logistic regression analysis also showed that the presence of this mutation increased the risk of hypertension only in the 4th quartile (adjusted odds ratio = 6.38, P = .025). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of this mutation alone does not significantly increase the risk of hypertension. However, high salt intake interacts with the mutation and leads to a significant increase in the risk of hypertension. The T-786C mutation warrants being considered a candidate for further study with the aim of tailor-made hypertension prevention.

Adult↗

Factor XII Shizuoka, a novel mutation (Ala392Thr) identified and characterized in a patient with congenital coagulation factor XII deficiency.

We identified a novel mutation (Ala392Thr) in the factor XII (FXII) gene of a patient with congenital FXII deficiency, designated Factor XII Shizuoka. The proband was an asymptomatic 63-year-old Japanese male with an abnormal coagulation test, discovered by chance during preoperative testing. The FXII activity was under 3% and antigen level was under 10%. Sequence analysis of the proband's FXII gene revealed a homozygous nucleotide substitution G to A in exon 10, resulting in the amino acid substitution Ala392 to Thr in the catalytic domain. We constructed the mutant FXII cDNA in an expression plasmid vector and transfected it into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The recombinant wild-type FXII antigen was detected in the culture medium by immunoprecipitation assay, but the mutant FXII (A392T) was not observed. Both the wild-type FXII and A392T cell lysates, however, contained equivalent levels of FXII antigen and FXII mRNA, as estimated by Western blotting and quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. These findings suggest that the Ala392 to Thr substitution impairs intracellular protein processing and causes a cross-reacting material -negative FXII deficiency.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Off-pump coronary artery bypass attenuates transient hepatocellular damage after myocardial revascularization.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) affects hepatocellular integrity and occasionally results in liver dysfunction after cardiac surgery. Performing coronary artery bypass graft surgery without CPB may help to reduce the risk of this complication and better preserve perioperative liver function. This study compared perioperative hepatocellular damage in patients undergoing on-pump and off-pump bypass surgery. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients scheduled for elective on-pump (n = 21) and off-pump (n = 17) coronary artery bypass surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Liver function was assessed by serum levels of alcohol dehydrogenase (AD) and alpha-glutathione S-transferase (alpha-GST), which serve as more sensitive indices of hepatocellular injury than do conventional transaminases. Arterial blood was sampled at 6 stages: after induction of anesthesia (baseline); at the end of CPB in the on-pump group or on completion of the last distal anastomosis in the off-pump group; at the end of surgery; and 6 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours after the end of anesthesia. The off-pump patients showed significantly lower increases in serum AD and alpha-GST levels than did the on-pump group. AD and alpha-GST values increased in the on-pump patients after the initiation of CPB and peaked at the end of surgery, with a return to baseline at 12 hours and 24 hours after the end of anesthesia. No clinically relevant liver dysfunction was observed in either group. CONCLUSIONS: CPB induced transient subclinical hepatocellular damage, whereas off-pump revascularization attenuated this damage.

Aged↗

Increased risk of obesity resulting from the interaction between high energy intake and the Trp64Arg polymorphism of the beta3-adrenergic receptor gene in healthy Japanese men.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have investigated the interaction between the Trp64Arg polymorphism of the beta3-adrenergic receptor gene (ADRB3) and environmental factors. This study aimed to investigate whether energy intake affects the relationship between this polymorphism and obesity. METHODS: Healthy Japanese men (n=295; age 46.1+/-11.5 years (mean +/-standard deviation); waist circumference 83.9+/-9.3 cm; body mass index (BMI) 23.3+/-3.3 kg/m2) recruited in a Japanese chemical industry firm were eligible for analysis. Daily energy intake, protein, fat, and carbohydrate (PFC) ratio and daily physical activity were assessed by self-reported questionnaires. Genotyping for the polymorphism was performed with written informed consent. RESULTS: When the subjects were classified into two groups according to presence of the polymorphism, the groups were not significantly different in waist circumference or BMI. Quartile classification of energy intake, however, demonstrated a significantly larger ratio of obese subjects to non-obese subjects in the group with the polymorphism in the highest 4th quartile alone. Multiple logistic regression analysis also revealed that the presence of the polymorphism increased the risk of obesity significantly in the 4th quartile alone (adjusted odds ratio=3.37, 95% confidence interval=1.12-10.2). CONCLUSION: Presence of the polymorphism alone does not significantly increase the risk of obesity. However, high energy intake interacts with the polymorphism and leads to a significant increase in risk of obesity. The Trp64Arg polymorphism of ADRB3 warrants consideration, along with other polymorphisms involved in the development of obesity, for tailor-made prevention of obesity.

Body Mass Index↗

[In vitro susceptibilites to levofloxacin and various antibacterial agents of 11,475 clinical isolates obtained from 52 centers in 2002].

The susceptibilities of bacteria to fluoroquinolones (FQs), especially levofloxacin, and other antimicrobial agents were investigated using 11,475 clinical isolates collected in Japan during 2002. Methicillin susceptible staphylococci, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, the family of Enterobactericeae, Haemophilus influenzae and Acinetobacter spp. exhibited stable and high susceptibilities to FQs. The rate of FQs-resistant MRSA was 80 approximately 90%, being markedly higher than that of FQs-resistant MSSA. The FQs-resistance rate of MRCNS was also higher than that of MSCNS, however, it was lower than that of MRSA. No FQs-resistant clinical isolates of Salmonella spp. were detected in any of the surveys. Thirteen of Escherichai coli 696 isolates, 8 of Klebsiella pneumoniae 630 isolates and 33 of Proteus mirabilis 373 isolates produced extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), furthermore 6 of 13 in E. coli, 1 of 8 in K. pneumoniae and 14 of 31 ESBL-producing isolates, and in P. mirabilis were FQs resistant. Attention should be focused in the future on the emergence of ESBL in relation to FQs resistance. The rate of FQs-resistant P. aeruginosa isolated from urinary tract infection (UTI) was 40 approximately 60%, while 15 approximately 25% of isolates from respiratory tract infection (RTI) were resistant. IMP-1 type metallo beta-lactamase producing organisms were found in 49 of P. aeruginosa 1,095 isolates, 7 of S. marcescens 586 isolates and 4 of Acinetobacter spp. 474 isolates, respectively. Glycopeptide-resistant enterococci or S. aureus was not found.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

[Analysis of small dense LDL in patients with type 2 diabetic mellitus by the modified Krauss method using an internal standard].

In patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (Type 2 DM), the relationship between the prevalence rate of small dense LDL (sdLDL) and parameters of lipid metabolism was analyzed using the method devised by modified Krauss method using apoferritin as an internal standard. The prevalence rate of sdLDL was 34% compared with it of normal subjects in this study. When the severity of Type 2 DM was classified into three groups of the HbA1c value, neither the sdLDL size nor its prevalence rate differed significantly depending upon the severity of the Type 2 DM. Also, when the prevalence rate of sdLDL was analyzed in relation to the severity of complications, i.e., of microangiopathy (retinopathy and nephropathy) or macroangiopathy (cerebral infarction), there was no significant difference in the prevalence rate of sdLDL depending on the severity of any of these complications. On the other hand, the prevalence rate of sdLDL was found to be correlated with the serum TG level. The serum level of TG-rich remnants (metabolites of TG) was also high in patients with sdLDL. It should take notice that the assessment of sdLDL should be used the authorized method for the evaluation. Thus it is concluded that the levels of sdLDL were important in evaluation of Type 2 DM. The prevalence rate of sdLDL did not correlate with the severity, nor the modalities for the complications of Type 2 DM.

Aged↗