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Biomedical subjects

M Fukuda

Publications and source records attributed to M Fukuda.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Assessment of the follicular cortisol:cortisone ratio

Cortisol and cortisone concentrations in serum and follicular fluid (FF) from women undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment were monitored. Four groups were included: group 1, women in their natural menstrual cycle having an endogenous mid-cycle surge of gonadotrophins; group 2, women in their natural menstrual cycle receiving human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) for ovulation induction; group 3, women receiving exogenous gonadotrophins for ovarian stimulation and HCG for ovulation induction; and group 4, women receiving exogenous gonadotrophins for ovarian stimulation, follicles being aspirated immediately before administration of HCG. In this study, 12 follicles contained oocytes which resulted in clinical pregnancy after IVF. Cortisone concentrations were significantly higher in FF compared with that of matched serum samples, while the opposite was observed for cortisol, resulting in cortisol:cortisone ratios being significantly lower in FF compared with serum. FF from group 4 showed significantly higher cortisone concentrations than FF from each of the other three groups. FF from group 1 showed significantly higher cortisone concentrations and significantly lower cortisol:cortisone ratios in comparison with groups 2 and 3. None of the observed parameters pinpointed any of the follicles containing oocytes which resulted in a clinical pregnancy. The intrafollicular concentrations of cortisol and cortisone suggest that pre-ovulatory follicles actively convert cortisol to cortisone. Neither FF concentrations of cortisol and cortisone nor the cortisol:cortisone ratio seem to reflect implantation potential of the derived pre-embryos.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Core 2-containing O-glycans on CD43 are preferentially expressed in the memory subset of human CD4 T cells.

Human CD4 T cells can be divided into two functionally distinct subsets: a CD45RO+ memory subset and a CD45RA+ naive subset. In an attempt to identify novel cell surface molecules on these cells, we have developed a mAb, anti-1D4. The antigen defined by anti-1D4 was preferentially expressed on the memory subset of freshly isolated peripheral CD4 T cells and 1D4+ CD4 T cells functionally corresponded to memory T cells. Retrovirus-mediated expression cloning revealed that the 1 D4 antigen is human CD43. Transfection of CHO-leu cells, which stably express human CD43, with core 2 beta-1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (C2GnT) conferred expression of the 1D4 antigen and mRNA of C2GnT was detected by RT-PCR only in 1D4+ T cells but not in 1D4- T cells, implying that the 1 D4 antigen is composed of core 2-containing O-glycans on CD43. Reactivity with anti-1 D4 was completely abolished when cells were treated with neuraminidase, while them remained weak binding of anti-T305, a previously described mAb which also reacts with CD43 modified with core 2-containing O-glycans. Moreover, anti-1D4 markedly reacted with NIH-3T3 cells expressing human CD43 and low levels of endogenous C2GnT, whereas anti-T305 reacted slightly. These results indicate that the 1D4 antigen is distinct from the epitope defined by anti-T305 and anti-1D4 is a more sensitive probe to detect core 2-containing O-glycans than anti-T305. Taken together, our results indicate that core 2-containing O-glycans, whose expression can easily be detected with anti-1D4, are preferentially expressed in the CD45RO+ memory subset of CD4 T cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Relationship between genetic alteration of the rpsL gene and streptomycin susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Japan.

We have investigated the effect of genetic alterations in the rpsL gene on the MICs of streptomycin for Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains. Direct DNA sequencing showed a point mutation in 23/121 strains; in 18 strains the mutation was associated with an amino acid change. The MICs of streptomycin in 22 out of 23 point-mutated strains were > or = 256 mg/L. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis showed mutations at codon 43 in all 18 strains with point mutations in the same codon. Our results suggest that both RFLP and base sequencing analysis of the rpsL gene are useful for the rapid prediction of highly streptomycin-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis.

Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific↗
PubMed1999

Stereotaxy for hypothalamic hamartoma with intractable gelastic seizures: technical case report

OBJECTIVE AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: We report a patient with a hypothalamic hamartoma treated by stereotactic radiofrequency thermocoagulation. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 15-year-old girl presented with a hypothalamic hamartoma associated with intractable gelastic and tonic seizures. There were no clinical signs of precocious puberty. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an isointense suprasellar mass, about 1 cm in diameter. TECHNIQUE: A depth electrode was placed into the hamartoma using a computed tomography-compatible stereotactic frame. Depth electroencephalographic studies allowed us to record the seizure onset from the lesion, and stereotactic radiofrequency thermocoagulation produced seizure remission. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that hypothalamic hamartoma itself has intrinsic epileptogenicity. We believe that this surgical treatment is effective for the relatively small hypothalamic hamartoma associated with intractable gelastic seizures.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Superoxide anion release into the hepatic sinusoid after an acute ethanol challenge and its attenuation by Kupffer cell depletion.

Superoxide anion release into the hepatic sinusoids and subsequent damage to the endothelial cells of the hepatic sinusoids after ethanol challenge was examined. A 250 mg/kg body weight/hr dose of ethanol was given to rats for 3 hr, and superoxide anion release into the hepatic sinusoids was examined in a liver perfusion model using the cytochrome c method. Ethanol treatment resulted in superoxide anion release into the hepatic sinusoids (0.20 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.12 +/- 0.02 o.d., p < 0.05) and an increase in the purine nucleoside phosphorylase/alanine aminotransferase ratio in the liver perfusate, a marker of damage to the endothelial cells of the hepatic sinusoids (0.003 +/- 0.002 vs. 0.008 +/- 0.002; p < 0.05). Tumor necrosis factor-alpha was not detectable in either group, and there were no significant differences in the population of hepatic macrophages, leukocytes, or Kupffer cells between the two groups. To clarify the role of Kupffer cells in the mechanism, 10 mg/kg of body weight of gadolinium chloride was given to rats twice, 24 hr apart, resulting in depletion of ED2-positive cells from the hepatic lobules. The superoxide anion release after the ethanol challenge was significantly attenuated in the Kupffer cell-depleted rats, compared with the controls (0.14 +/- 0.02; p < 0.05, compared with ethanol alone). The change was associated with a significant decrease in the purine nucleoside phosphorylase/alanine aminotransferase ratio in the liver perfusate (0.004 +/- 0.002; p < 0.05, compared with ethanol alone). Ethanol causes superoxide anion release into the hepatic sinusoid and subsequent damage to the sinusoidal endothelial cells. These changes were reduced by Kupffer cell depletion. This supports the view that Kupffer cell depletion has a protective effect on ethanol-induced liver injury.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1999

Evidence for ethanol oxidation by Kupffer cells.

Ethanol oxidation in Kupffer cells was investigated by measuring 14C-acetate formation from 14C-ethanol, and the role of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) in this process was also examined. Formation of 14C-acetate from 20 mM of 14C-ethanol was significantly increased in medium-containing Kupffer cells (9,003 +/- 2,066 cpm/5 x 10(6) cells), compared with medium containing no cells (1,826 +/- 46 cpm, p < 0.01), or containing acid-killed Kupffer cells (1,629 +/- 210 cpm, p < 0.01). Ethanol formation was significantly attenuated when 20 and 200 microM cyanamide or 2 microM disulfiram were given. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that Kupffer cells carry mRNA for ALDH2. These findings indicate that Kupffer cells can oxidize ethanol to acetate. ALDH2 may participate in this process, especially in the conversion of acetaldehyde to acetate.

Acetaldehyde↗
PubMed1999

[Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma complicated by recurrent intractable generalized herpes zoster responsive to long-term acyclovir therapy].

A 34-year-old male with a history of chickenpox developed primary abdominal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (diagnosed in August 1995). Treatment with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone achieved a partial remission. In July 1996, the disease recurred, and the patient received chemotherapy with carboplatine, etoposide, mitoxantrone, and prednisolone, but no response was noted. Involvement of the central nervous system and meninges was diagnosed on September 12, 1997. Blast cells were detected in the peripheral blood on September 26. Based on these findings, he was diagnosed as having leukemia. On September 27, painless vesicles developed on the left gluteal region. On October 13, the patient was hospitalized because the vesicles had spread over his entire body. Pathologic examination of the roofs of the blisters showed masses of inclusion bodies. Based on this, a diagnosis of varicella-zoster infection was made. Treatment with acyclovir (750 mg/day) for seven days failed to form crusts. New vesicles developed after the drug was discontinued, but crusts formed after acyclovir therapy was resumed. He died of interstitial pneumonia on December 21. Autopsy could not be performed. Histopathologic examination of pulmonary tissue obtained by necropsy did not reveal the presence of inclusion bodies characteristic of herpes simplex or varicella-zoster infection. Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) antigen was negative by an immunochemical staining method using monoclonal antibodies against VZV. Continuous long-term administration of acyclovir has been reported to be effective for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma complicated by recurrent intractable herpes zoster.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed1999

[A neutropenic acute myeloid leukemia patient complicated with chronic otitis media due to Aspergillus niger and yeast-like fungi caused by superinfection].

There have been few reports describing otomycosis in association with compromised hosts. So we report a neutropenic acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patient complicated with otomycosis caused by superinfection. A 51-year-old male was admitted because a third relapse of AML in March 1998. Two years ago, he was diagnosed as having chronic otitis media involving the VII cranial nerve due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa coinciding with AML. Then, he had suffered from a right-sided earache and otic discharge in accord with every myelosuppression, which improved on treatment with otic administration of ofloxacin. After 1 course of induction chemotherapy, he developed a spiking fever with severe earache and otic discharge at a nadir period of WBC. Ear swab cultures yielded Aspergillus niger and yeast-like fungi. So, he was treated with intravenous administration of amphotericin B (AMPH-B): initial dose was 5 mg/day and was gradually increased to 30 mg/day. Thereafter, the otic symptoms subsided and never recurred. Subsequently, he was given another antifungal agent, itraconazole. Although induction chemotherapies resulted in failure, he did not suffer otic symptoms until his death due to cerebral bleeding in January 1999. For neutropenic patients without rapid hematological improvement, we recommend intensive antifungal therapy as the first-line of therapy for otomycosis rather than local therapy.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1999

Close association between clearance of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and G-CSF receptor on neutrophils in cancer patients.

Recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) is used to counter chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Our previous study showed an inverse correlation between serum rhG-CSF levels and the number of circulating neutrophils in cancer patients (H. Takatani, H. Soda, M. Fukuda, M. Watanabe, A. Kinoshita, T. Nakamura, and M. Oka, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 40:988-991, 1996). The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between rhG-CSF clearance and G-CSF receptors on circulating neutrophils. In five cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, a bolus dose of rhG-CSF (5 microg/kg) was injected intravenously during defined phases of posttreatment neutropenia and neutrophilia. Serum rhG-CSF levels were measured by a chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay and analyzed by moment analysis. G-CSF receptors on neutrophils were detected by flow cytometry with biotinylated rhG-CSF. rhG-CSF clearance was significantly higher at neutrophilia than at neutropenia (1,497 +/- 132 versus 995 +/- 266 ml/h; P < 0.01). The percentage of G-CSF receptor-positive neutrophils, reflecting the number of G-CSF receptors per cell, was low at neutropenia without rhG-CSF therapy (44.5% +/- 22.1%) and high at neutrophilia with rhG-CSF therapy (73. 0% +/- 11.4%; P < 0.01). rhG-CSF clearance closely correlated with the percentage of G-CSF receptor-positive neutrophils (r2 = 0.91; P < 0.0001) and neutrophil count (r2 = 0.72; P < 0.005). Our results indicate that, in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, rhG-CSF increases the number of G-CSF receptors per cell as well as circulating neutrophil counts, resulting in modulation of its own clearance.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1999

Distribution of bifidobacterial species in human intestinal microflora examined with 16S rRNA-gene-targeted species-specific primers.

In order to clarify the distribution of bifidobacterial species in the human intestinal tract, a 16S rRNA-gene-targeted species-specific PCR technique was developed and used with DNAs extracted from fecal samples obtained from 48 healthy adults and 27 breast-fed infants. To cover all of the bifidobacterial species that have been isolated from and identified in the human intestinal tract, species-specific primers for Bifidobacterium longum, B. infantis, B. dentium, and B. gallicum were developed and used with primers for B. adolescentis, B. angulatum, B. bifidum, B. breve, and the B. catenulatum group (B. catenulatum and B. pseudocatenulatum) that were developed in a previous study (T. Matsuki, K. Watanabe, R. Tanaka, and H. Oyaizu, FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 167:113-121, 1998). The specificity of the nine primers was confirmed by PCR, and the species-specific PCR method was found to be a useful means for identifying Bifidobacterium strains isolated from human feces. The results of an examination of bifidobacterial species distribution showed that the B. catenulatum group was the most commonly found taxon (detected in 44 of 48 samples [92%]), followed by B. longum and B. adolescentis, in the adult intestinal bifidobacterial flora and that B. breve, B. infantis, and B. longum were frequently found in the intestinal tracts of infants. The present study demonstrated that qualitative detection of the bifidobacterial species present in human feces can be accomplished rapidly and accurately.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Characterization of the meta-cleavage compound hydrolase gene involved in degradation of the lignin-related biphenyl structure by Sphingomonas paucimobilis SYK-6.

Sphingomonas paucimobilis SYK-6 has the ability to transform a lignin-related biphenyl compound, 2,2'-dihydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxy-5, 5'-dicarboxybiphenyl (DDVA), to 5-carboxyvanillic acid (5CVA) via 2, 2',3-trihydroxy-3'-methoxy-5,5'-dicarboxybiphenyl (OH-DDVA). In the 4.9-kb HindIII fragment containing the OH-DDVA meta-cleavage dioxygenase gene (ligZ), we found a novel hydrolase gene (ligY) responsible for the conversion of the meta-cleavage compound of OH-DDVA to 5CVA. Incorporation of 18O from H218O into 5CVA indicated there was a hydrolytic conversion of the OH-DDVA meta-cleavage compound to 5CVA. LigY exhibited hydrolase activity only toward the meta-cleavage compound of OH-DDVA, suggesting its restricted substrate specificity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Genetic and biochemical characterization of a 2-pyrone-4, 6-dicarboxylic acid hydrolase involved in the protocatechuate 4, 5-cleavage pathway of Sphingomonas paucimobilis SYK-6.

Sphingomonas paucimobilis SYK-6 is able to grow on a wide variety of dimeric lignin compounds with guaiacyl moieties, which are converted into protocatechuate by the actions of lignin degradation enzymes in this strain. Protocatechuate is a key metabolite in the SYK-6 degradation of lignin compounds with guaiacyl moieties, and it is thought that it degrades to pyruvate and oxaloacetate via the protocatechuate 4,5-cleavage pathway. In a 10.5-kb EcoRI fragment carrying the protocatechuate 4,5-dioxygenase gene (ligAB) (Y. Noda, S. Nishikawa, K. Shiozuka, H. Kadokura, H. Nakajima, K. Yoda, Y. Katayama, N. Morohoshi, T. Haraguchi, and M. Yamasaki. J. Bacteriol. 172:2704-2709, 1990), we found the ligI gene encoding 2-pyrone-4, 6-dicarboxylic acid (PDC) hydrolase. PDC hydrolase is a member of this pathway and catalyzes the interconversion between PDC and 4-carboxy-2-hydroxymuconic acid (CHM). The ligI gene is thought to be transcribed divergently from ligAB and consists of an 879-bp open reading frame encoding a polypeptide with a molecular mass of 32,737 Da. The ligI gene product (LigI), expressed in Escherichia coli, was purified to near-homogeneity and was estimated to be a monomer (31.6 kDa) by gel filtration chromatography. The isoelectric point was determined to be 4.9. The optimum pH for hydrolysis of PDC is 8.5, the optimum pH for synthesis of PDC is 6.0 to 7.5, and the Km values for PDC and CHM are 74 and 49 microM, respectively. LigI activity was inhibited by the addition of thiol reagents, suggesting that the cysteine residue is a catalytic site. LigI is more resistant to metal ion inhibition than the PDC hydrolases of Pseudomonas ochraceae (K. Maruyama, J. Biochem. 93:557-565, 1983) and Comamonas testosteroni (P. J. Kersten, S. Dagley, J. W. Whittaker, D. M. Arciero, and J. D. Lipscomb, J. Bacteriol. 152:1154-1162, 1982). The insertional inactivation of the ligI gene in S. paucimobilis SYK-6 led to the complete loss of PDC hydrolase activity and to a growth defect on vanillic acid; it did not affect growth on syringic acid. These results indicate that the ligI gene is essential for the growth of SYK-6 on vanillic acid but is not responsible for the growth of SYK-6 on syringic acid.

Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases↗
PubMed1999

Concentration dependent effects of hydrogen peroxide on lens epithelial cells.

AIMS: To evaluate the effects of hydrogen peroxide exposure on the survival and proliferation of cultured lens epithelial cells. METHODS: TOTL-86 cells, a line of rabbit lens epithelial cells, were used. The survival and proliferation of TOTL-86 cells were quantified by a rapid colorimetric assay (MTT assay). To determine the effects of hydrogen peroxide, TOTL-86 cells were exposed to different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. To determine the effect of cell numbers on the survival and proliferation of TOTL-86 cells at a fixed concentration of hydrogen peroxide, different numbers of cells were plated and exposed to hydrogen peroxide. To determine whether there is a synergistic effect between hydrogen peroxide and EGF, bFGF, PDGF-AA, and insulin, TOTL-86 cells were exposed to hydrogen peroxide combined with one of these growth factors. RESULTS: High levels (1 mM) of hydrogen peroxide killed TOTL-86 cells and sublethal levels (100 microM) suppressed their proliferation. From 1 nM to 1 microM of hydrogen peroxide, there was a dose dependent increase in the cell numbers. The initial seeded cell number dramatically affected the response to hydrogen peroxide. Although growth factors showed no synergistic effects with hydrogen peroxide on proliferation, both EGF and insulin, but not bFGF or PDGF, rescued TOTL-86 cells from the sublethal effect. CONCLUSION: Hydrogen peroxide in cooperation with some growth factors plays an important role in the proliferation of lens epithelial cell.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Expression of N-acetyllactosamine and beta1,4-galactosyltransferase (beta4GalT-I) during adenoma-carcinoma sequence in the human colorectum.

We set out to determine the expression profiles of glycoproteins possessing N-acetyllactosamine, a precursor carbohydrate of sialyl Le(x), during colorectal cancer development. We immunohistochemically analyzed the distribution of N-acetyllactosamine as well as of beta4GalT-I, a member of the beta1, 4-galactosyltransferase family responsible for N-acetyllactosamine biosynthesis, in normal mucosa and in adenoma and carcinoma of the human colorectum. Using monoclonal antibody H11, N-acetyllactosamine was barely detectable in the normal mucosa. In low-grade adenoma, however, N-acetyllactosamine was weakly but definitely expressed on the cell surface, and its expression level was moderately increased in high-grade adenoma and markedly increased in carcinoma in situ as well as in advanced carcinoma. To detect beta4GalT-I, we used a newly developed polyclonal antibody (designated A18G), which is specific for the stem region of human beta4GalT-I. Faint expression of beta4GalT-I was detectable in normal mucosa, and the expression level was moderately increased in low-grade adenoma and in high-grade adenoma and markedly increased in carcinoma in situ and advanced carcinoma. The expression of N-acetyllactosamine was highly correlated with the expression of beta4GalT-I in these tumor cells. These results indicate that the expression level of beta4GalT-I is apparently enhanced during tumorigenesis in the colorectum and that beta4GalT-I mostly directs the carcinoma-associated expression of N-acetyllactosamine on the colorectal tumor cell surface. (J Histochem Cytochem 47:1593-1601, 1999)

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1999

Establishment of a method for mapping of N-linked oligosaccharides and its use to analyze industrially produced recombinant erythropoietin.

A rapid and convenient method for N-linked oligosaccharide structure analysis was developed and applied to the quality examination of commercially manufactured recombinant human erythropoietin (rEPO). Oligosaccharides released from rEPO expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells were labeled with 2-aminobenzamide, and analyzed by a combination of diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) column HPLC and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). This newly developed method allowed us to analyze sialylated oligosaccharides directly. The results showed that these oligosaccharides are composed of neutral-mono-di-tri-tetrasialyl oligosaccharides in a ratio of <1:2:13:34:51%, and that the core structure was a mixture of complex type bi-, tri- and tetra-antennary forms with one to three polylactosaminyl chains. Further analysis showed clearly that the N-linked oligosaccharide structure of rEPO has not changed throughout the past ten years of manufacturing by our company. The analysis was carried out using a small quantity (1 nmol) of rEPO, demonstrating the efficacy of the newly developed method. Further, the N-linked oligosaccharides of rEPO manufactured by our company almost coincided with those of the erythropoietin European Pharmacopoeia Biological Reference Preparation (Eur.Ph.BRP), a standard product.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Radiological states around the Kraton-4 underground nuclear explosion site in Sakha.

A radiological survey around the site of Kraton-4, an underground nuclear explosion (Yield of 20 kt, depth of 560 m, 1978) in Sakha was carried out in March 1998. Gamma survey and in-situ spectroscopy on the ground exhibited quite normal levels: a dose rate of 0.022 microSv/h and Cs-137 surface contamination of less than 1.1 kBq/m2 around the hypocenter. The results suggested no remarkable leakage of radioactivity from the epicenter to the ground surface at least not for non-rare gas elements as of 1998.

Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation↗
PubMed1999

Elevated plasma immunoreactive neuropeptide Y concentrations and its increased urinary excretion in patients with advanced diabetic nephropathy.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a potent vasoconstrictor peptide that is abundant in the brain and the peripheral sympathetic nervous system. In the present study we investigated possible changes in plasma immunoreactive (IR)-NPY concentrations and urinary IR-NPY excretion in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and the relationship to diabetic complications, such as nephropathy and neuropathy. IR-NPY in plasma and urine was measured by radioimmunoassay in 69 patients with NIDDM. Plasma IR-NPY concentrations in patients with advanced nephropathy (creatinine clearance <30 ml/min) (100.5 +/- 10.3 pmol/l, n=9, mean +/- SEM) were higher than in the control subjects (55.0 +/- 6.8 pmol/l, n=15) (P<0.02). Urinary excretion of IR-NPY and fractional excretion of NPY were also increased in the patients with advanced nephropathy. Sephadex G-50 column chromatography of the urine extracts obtained from healthy subjects, diabetic patients with renal failure and non-diabetic patients with renal failure showed an immunoreactive peak eluting in the NPY position. On the other hand, neither plasma nor urinary IR-NPY was high in patients with retinopathy, or in patients with peripheral neuropathy. The present study has, for the first time, shown high plasma IR-NPY concentrations and urinary IR-NPY excretion in NIDDM patients with advanced nephropathy.

Adolescent↗