Pollution due to trichloroacetic acid in clams (Tapes japonica) in an estuary adjacent to industrial areas.
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Animals↗
Biomedical subjects
M Gotoh
Publications and source records attributed to M Gotoh.
Two cases of unilateral retinal neovascularization in Turner syndrome.
PURPOSE: To report two cases of unilateral retinal neovascularization in Turner syndrome. METHOD: We examined two female infants, born at 34 weeks' and 33 weeks' gestation, who had received oxygen for 9 days and 3 days, respectively, after birth. Both infants had the 45,XO karyotype of Turner syndrome. RESULTS: In each patient, the fundus of one eye showed an avascular area, neovascularization, and multiple branchings with anastomosis of retinal vessels in the temporal periphery. Fellow eyes showed no abnormalities in the fundi. Both infants were treated with argon laser photocoagulation to the avascular area and the neovascularization in the temporal periphery. The neovascularization regressed completely after retinal photocoagulation. CONCLUSION: Abnormalities of retinal vessels may be one of the ocular findings associated with Turner syndrome.
Female↗
The Stamey and Gittes procedures: long-term followup in relation to incontinence types and patient age.
PURPOSE: We report the long-term results of needle suspension of the bladder neck for stress incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 382 patients with stress incontinence underwent either the Stamey (group 1, 342 women) or Gittes procedure (group 2, 40) in a nonrandomized trial. Surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction were assessed by questionnaires. Surgical outcomes were then analyzed in relation to surgical procedures, McGuire incontinence types and patient age. Followup averaged 8.1 years for group 1 and 5.0 years for group 2. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier cumulative continence rates were 71.5% for the Stamey at 14 years and 37.0% for the Gittes at 6 years postoperatively (p < 0.0001). Patients with type III incontinence attained a 10-year cumulative continence rate of 38.3%, which was significantly inferior to those with type I (76.4% at 11 years) or II (73.9% at 13 years). Older patients had an 11-year cumulative continence rate of 61.4%, which was not statistically different from the younger women (68.9% at 14 years). Of the patients 79% were extremely satisfied or satisfied with surgical results, and urge incontinence developed de novo in 12% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the Stamey is superior to the Gittes operation, needle bladder neck suspension is as effective in older as in younger adults and women with type III incontinence should not undergo either operation.
Adult↗
Experimental hepatic dysfunction: evaluation by MR imaging with Gd-EOB-DTPA.
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Animals↗
Hypoosmolarity induces an increase of extracellular N-acetylaspartate concentration in the rat striatum.
We previously showed that extracellular levels of N-acetylaspartate (NAA) increase when a medium with reduced NaCl concentration is perfused through a microdialysis probe, and proposed that NAA may be released during hypoosmotic swelling. Here, we demonstrate that this effect is due to hypoosmolarity of the perfusion medium, and not to low NaCl. NAA changes in the dialysate were compared with those of taurine as the osmoregulatory role of this amino acid is established. Reduction of the NaCl concentration in the perfusion medium increased the dialysate levels of NAA and taurine, but this effect was abolished when NaCl was replaced by sucrose to maintain isosmolarity. The NAA response to hypoosmolarity was smaller than that of taurine, but it may still be important to neurons as NAA is predominantly neuronal in the mammalian CNS.
4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗
Studies to determine the usefulness of the zinc clearance test to diagnose marginal zinc deficiency and the effects of oral zinc supplementation for short children.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of the body zinc clearance test in the diagnosis of marginal zinc deficiency and to estimate the efficacy of oral zinc supplementation on growth in short children. METHODS: Zinc status was evaluated in 30 (19 boys and 11 girls) Japanese children with short stature using the body zinc clearance test. Changes in growth after oral zinc supplementation (ZnSO4,7H2O; 5 mg/kg/day in two divided doses) were studied. RESULTS: Basal serum zinc concentrations were 75.0 +/- 12.7 micrograms/dl and zinc clearance values were 19.1 +/- 5.8 ml/kg/hour in the 30 subjects. The correlation coefficient between serum zinc concentrations and zinc clearance values was as small as -0.36. There were nine cases whose body zinc clearance values were high and serum zinc concentrations were low, indicating definite zinc deficiency. There were nine cases whose body zinc clearance values were high, despite normal serum zinc concentrations, indicating marginal zinc deficiency. The mean height velocity for males was 5.3 cm/year before zinc supplementation and 7.8 cm/year after the therapy; and the mean SD score for height for age improved from -1.85 to -1.53. The mean height velocity for females was 5.1 cm/year before zinc supplementation and 5.9 cm/year after the therapy, and the mean SD score for height for age changed from -2.02 to -2.03. CONCLUSION: The body zinc clearance test was much more useful than serum zinc concentrations in diagnosing marginal zinc deficiency. Oral zinc supplementation improved the height velocity in short males, but not in short females.
Administration, Oral↗
Posteroinferior acromioclavicular dislocation with supraspinatus tear. A case report.
A 20-year-old man was treated for posteroinferior acromioclavicular dislocation. The diagnosis was based on standard radiographs and intraoperative findings. The distal end of the clavicle had impaled the supraspinatus muscle. Open reduction was performed 2 weeks after injury, followed by wire fixation of the acromioclavicular joint and repair of the torn superior acromioclavicular ligament and coracoclavicular ligaments. Two years after the procedure, standard radiographs revealed normal anatomic alignment of the acromioclavicular joint, with pain free range of motion. Active elevation in the scapular plane was 180 degrees, active external rotation was 80 degrees in the anatomic position, and passive internal rotation was to the T5 vertebra. The patient returned to playing baseball and tennis and was satisfied with the postoperative result.
Acromioclavicular Joint↗
Sequence analysis of genes encoding rodent homologues of the human tumor-rejection antigen SART-1.
Human SART-1 (hSART-1) gene encodes a 125 kD protein with a leucine-zipper motif expressed in the nucleus of all proliferating cells, and a 43 kD protein expressed in the cytosol of most epithelial cancers. In this study, two rodent genes (rSART-1 and mSART-1) homologous to hSART-1 were cloned from cDNA libraries of murine brain and a rat tumor cell line, respectively. mSART-1 and rSART-1 were highly homologous to hSART-1 with 86% and 84% identity at the nucleotide level, and 95% and 91% at the protein level, respectively. The leucine zipper domain and two basic amino acid portions that bind DNA, as well as peptide sequences recognized by human cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), were all conserved in these rodent genes. Nuclear protein homologous to the 125 kD hSART-1(800) protein, but not to the 43 kD cytosol SART-1(259) protein, was detectable with specific antibody in the nuclear fractions of rodent tumor cell lines, and normal rodent fetal liver and testis. These rodent genes should be a novel tool for studies on the biological roles of the SART-1 gene, and also in the construction of animal models of specific immunotherapy using SART-1 gene products.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Predictability of conventional tests for the assessment of bladder outlet obstruction in benign prostatic hyperplasia.
BACKGROUND: The degree of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is most accurately quantified by pressure flow studies (PFS), although these studies are more invasive and complicated than conventional tests. We examined how precisely conventional tests predicted the PFS-assessed degree of BOO. METHODS: The study population consisted of 232 BPH patients who had undergone routine conventional tests and PFS. Correlation of the conventional test results with the degree of BOO assessed by PFS was examined by Spearman's correlation coefficients. Regression and subgroup analyses were performed to predict the degree of BOO using the conventional test results as the explanatory variables. RESULTS: The degree of BOO correlated with prostate volume, the degree of endoscopic obstruction, and to a lesser extent, with the maximum flow rate (Qmax) and age. The predictability of conventional tests alone, or in combination, for BOO, was approximately 60% to 70%, which is not acceptable for investigational use. However, almost all patients with a prostate volume larger than 30 mL, or with severe obstruction on urethroscopic findings, had an obstructed bladder outlet. CONCLUSION: PFS is mandatory when the precise evaluation of the degree of BOO is required, and patients are highly likely to have an outlet obstruction when they have a prostate larger than 30 mL, or severely obstructed posterior urethra on endoscopy.
Aged↗
Biosynthesis of methylguanidine in the hepatic peroxisomes and the effect of the induction of peroxisomal enzymes by clofibrate.
A state of peroxidation is one of the factors contributing to uremia. For example, we have reported that certain species of reactive oxygen, particularly the hydroxyl radical, play an important role in the biosynthesis of methylguanidine which contributes to toxicity in patients with uremia. However, it is uncertain which enzymes are involved in the synthesis of methylguanidine from creatinine. In this study, we attempt to show methylguanidine synthesis in the presence of peroxisomal enzymes that catalyze the beta-oxidation of fatty acids. In addition, we investigate the effect of clofibrate, which induces peroxisomal enzymes or glutathione peroxidase activity, on methylguanidine synthesis in the peroxisomal fraction. Male Wistar rats were fed with the chow containing 0.5% clofibrate to induce peroxisomal enzymes and control rats were fed with ordinary laboratory chow. Peroxisomal fractions were obtained from liver homogenates by centrifugation, and incubated with creatinine in 0.1 M potassium phosphate buffer pH 7.4 at 37 degrees C. Results show that methylguanidine is synthesized from creatinine concomitant with the synthesis of hydrogen peroxide from endogenous substrates in the peroxisomal fraction. This methylguanidine synthesis is inhibited by the addition of dimethylsulfoxide, glutathione, or sodium azide (p < 0.01). The rate of methylguanidine synthesis in clofibrate-treated rats was significantly less than that in control rats (p < 0.02). These results suggest that methylguanidine is synthesized in the peroxisomal fraction, and reactive oxygen species which are generated through this enzymatic reaction, participate in methylguanidine synthesis. Moreover, the induction of a scavenger system, especially glutathione peroxidase takes precedent over the generation of reactive oxygen species in peroxisomes treated with clofibrate.
Animals↗
[Cervical myelopathy caused by bilateral vertebral artery compression].
We report a rare case of myelopathy caused by compression of the upper cervical cord by the bilateral anomalous vertebral arteries. A 49-year-old man had dragged his right foot for 4 years. He also complained of a tingling sensation in his right arm and occipitalgia. Neurological examination disclosed right hemiparesis, hypalgesia in the right half of the body and hypertonicity of the lower extremities. MRIs showed a flow void area which compressed and distorted the spinal cord bilaterally at the level of the atlas. A vertebral angiogram showed that the bilateral vertebral arteries had pierced the dura matter under the posterior arch of the atlas, turned upward and laterally in the vertebral canal, making vascular loops at the level of the atlas. 3D CT angiography showed the loops convex medially in the anterior part of the vertebral canal. With these findings, we diagnosed the patient as suffering compression of the cervical cord by the bilateral anomalous vertebral arteries. Suboccipital craniectomy and C1 laminectomy were performed. When the dura mater was opened, the dorsolateral aspect of the spinal cord was found to be compressed and indented markedly by the vertebral arteries. To decompress the spinal cord, the vertebral arteries were retracted dorsolaterally by means of Gore-tex tape and anchored to the spinous process of the axis. Postoperatively, his neurological symptoms improved. Postoperative MRIs showed that the spinal cord was decompressed and had recovered its contour. A review of the literature revealed that only 3 such cases as this one have been reported. The clinical features of these rare cases are nonspecific myelopathy and concomitant occipitalgia or neck pain. The main cause of this rare entity seemed to be the compression of the vertebral artery through its course when it enters the vertebral canal between the atlas and the axis.
Humans↗
Detection of K-ras gene mutations in plasma DNA of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma: correlation with clinicopathological features.
We investigated the presence of K-ras gene mutation in plasma DNA and assessed its clinical value in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Mutations in codon 12 of the K-ras gene were examined by mutant allele-specific amplification method using DNA extracted from surgical specimens and plasma samples of 21 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. K-ras gene mutation was detected in 15 of 21 (71%) primary tumors. In 9 of 15 (60%) patients with K-ras gene mutation-positive tumors, an identical mutation was detected in the plasma DNA. None of four patients with chronic pancreatitis or five healthy subjects had such mutations in plasma DNA. Tumors positive for K-ras gene mutation in plasma DNA were significantly larger (P = 0.04) and less likely to result in a curative cure after surgical resection (P = 0.09) than those negative for the mutation. Other clinicopathological features, including age, sex, histological type, mode of invasion, and metastasis, did not correlate with K-ras gene mutations in plasma DNA. Treatment resulted in disappearance of K-ras gene mutations in plasma DNA in six of nine (67%) patients. Three patients with a persistently positive K-ras gene mutation in pre- and post-treatment plasma samples were likely to show early recurrence or have a progressive disease. Our findings suggest that K-ras gene mutation can be detected in plasma DNA of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Detection of K-ras mutations in plasma may be clinically useful for evaluating tumor burden and efficacy of treatment.
Adenocarcinoma↗
Mechanisms of IL-6, IL-8, and GM-CSF release in nasal secretions of allergic patients after nasal challenge.
Cytokines are potentially active biological peptides that are known to play an important role in several immune responses. Several studies have reported the existence of a variety of cytokines in the nasal mucosa of patients with allergic rhinitis. However, there are few reports on cytokines released into the nasal secretion. In the present study, we investigated the sources, and levels of three key proinflammatory cytokines namely, IL-6, IL-8, and GM-CSF in the nasal secretion, as well the mechanisms of their release, by ELISA and immunohistochemistry. Firstly, we examined the levels of IL-6, IL-8, and GM-CSF in the nasal secretion after in vivo nasal challenge with methacholine (MC), histamine (HI) and allergen (Ag) in patients with nasal allergy to house dust mite (HDMAR). Next, we examined the levels of IL-6, IL-8, and GM-CSF released, in vitro, after Ag challenge of nasal scrapings from patients with HDMAR. Finally, we examined the sources of these cytokines in the nasal mucosa, by immunohistochemistry. After MC challenge in patients with HDMAR, the concentration of IL-6, but not IL-8, and GM-CSF, was significantly greater on the challenged side than on the contralateral side. Ag and HI provocation induced significantly greater levels of IL-6 and IL-8 secretion in patients with HDMAR, on the challenged side than on the contralateral side. GM-CSF was only detected in the nasal secretion after Ag challenge. Immunoreactivity for IL-6 and IL-8 was very similar in that it was predominantly localised to the apical portion of epithelial cells, the superficial lamina propria, gland cells, and migrating cells. The immunoreactivity for GM-CSF varied slightly from that of IL-6 and IL-8: strong immunoreactivity was detected in the basal part of epithelial cells, basement membrane, glandular ducts, and migrating cells. These results suggest that the levels, sources, and mechanisms of release of IL-6, IL-8, and GM-CSF in the nasal secretion of patients with HDMAR do vary, but are important in the manifestation of the allergic reaction.
Animals↗
Identification of semaphorin E as a non-MDR drug resistance gene of human cancers.
To improve cancer chemotherapy, a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance is essential. To identify the molecules responsible for drug resistance that is unrelated to MDR1 or MRP gene products, a eukaryotic expression cDNA library of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (CDDP)-resistant ovarian cancer TYKnuR cells was introduced into Cos-7 cells. After repeated CDDP selection, cDNA homologous to murine semaphorin E was isolated from surviving cells. Human semaphorin E (H-sema E) was overexpressed in CDDP-resistant cell lines and was readily induced not only by diverse chemotherapeutic drugs but also by x-ray and UV irradiation. Transfection of H-sema E conferred a drug-resistant phenotype to CDDP-sensitive cells. In addition, the aberrant expression of H-sema E protein was detected immunohistochemically in 14 of 42 (33.3%) recurrent squamous cell carcinomas removed at autopsy after extensive radiochemotherapy. Recently, another member of the semaphorin family, CD100, was shown to significantly improve the viability of B lymphocytes. These results suggest the involvement of semaphorins in diverse cell survival mechanisms.
Adult↗
Awareness of donor alloantigens in antiadhesion therapy induces antigen-specific unresponsiveness to islet allografts.
BACKGROUND: Antiadhesion therapy using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to adhesion molecules in vivo has been shown to produce significant prolongation of graft survival in various transplantation models. However, it remains unclear whether antiadhesion therapy operates by merely blocking adhesion between antigen-presenting cells and T cells physically and/or by blocking costimulatory signals while preserving signals mediated through T-cell receptors in vivo. We examined antigen-specific T-cell responses during and after antiadhesion therapy. METHODS: BALB/c islets were transplanted into the renal subcapsular space of streptozotocin-induced diabetic C57BL/6 mice given anti-lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1 and/or anti-intercellular adhesion molecule-1 mAb treatment. The animals bearing surviving islet allografts were challenged with BALB/c or third-party islets on day 7 or more than 100 days after transplantation. RESULTS: Islet allografts were acutely rejected in untreated animals, with a mean survival time (MST) of 19+/-8 days. Administration of anti-LFA-1 mAb induced significant prolongation of graft survival with a mean survival time of 72+/-33 days, and half of the allografts showed indefinite survival. The animals given anti-LFA-1 mAb alone 7 days before transplantation showed acute rejection of BALB/c islets, whereas a significant number of animals given anti-LFA-1 mAb and the BALB/c islet allograft simultaneously accepted secondary BALB/c islets, but rejected third-party islets. Likewise, most of the animals bearing long-term functioning BALB/c allografts for more than 100 days accepted secondary BALB/c islets, but rejected C3H islets acutely. Interestingly, the spleen cells from these animals transferred unresponsiveness to BALB/c islets into the 2.5-Gy x-irradiated recipients, whereas those from naive animals induced acute rejection. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that anti-LFA-1 mAb treatment prevents T-cell activation leading to rejection, but results in a T-cell receptor engagement leading to antigen-specific unresponsiveness maintained by transferrable suppressor cells.
Animals↗
Electrolyzed-reduced water scavenges active oxygen species and protects DNA from oxidative damage.
Active oxygen species or free radicals are considered to cause extensive oxidative damage to biological macromolecules, which brings about a variety of diseases as well as aging. The ideal scavenger for active oxygen should be 'active hydrogen'. 'Active hydrogen' can be produced in reduced water near the cathode during electrolysis of water. Reduced water exhibits high pH, low dissolved oxygen (DO), extremely high dissolved molecular hydrogen (DH), and extremely negative redox potential (RP) values. Strongly electrolyzed-reduced water, as well as ascorbic acid, (+)-catechin and tannic acid, completely scavenged O.-2 produced by the hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase (HX-XOD) system in sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). The superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity of reduced water is stable at 4 degrees C for over a month and was not lost even after neutralization, repeated freezing and melting, deflation with sonication, vigorous mixing, boiling, repeated filtration, or closed autoclaving, but was lost by opened autoclaving or by closed autoclaving in the presence of tungsten trioxide which efficiently adsorbs active atomic hydrogen. Water bubbled with hydrogen gas exhibited low DO, extremely high DH and extremely low RP values, as does reduced water, but it has no SOD-like activity. These results suggest that the SOD-like activity of reduced water is not due to the dissolved molecular hydrogen but due to the dissolved atomic hydrogen (active hydrogen). Although SOD accumulated H2O2 when added to the HX-XOD system, reduced water decreased the amount of H2O2 produced by XOD. Reduced water, as well as catalase and ascorbic acid, could directly scavenge H2O2. Reduce water suppresses single-strand breakage of DNA b active oxygen species produced by the Cu(II)-catalyzed oxidation of ascorbic acid in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that reduced water can scavenge not only O2.- and H2O2, but also 1O2 and .OH.
Ascorbic Acid↗
Cellular graded responses and ventricular vulnerability to reentry by a premature stimulus in isolated canine ventricle.
BACKGROUND: The cellular mechanism by which a point strong premature stimulus (S2) induces reentry is unknown. We hypothesized that cellular graded responses induced by an S2 mediate and control tissue vulnerability to reentry. METHODS AND RESULTS: Reentry is induced in normal canine ventricular epicardial slices (30x38x2 mm, n=30) by an S2 at intervals shorter than the effective refractory period. The S1 is applied at the edge and the S2 at the center of the tissue. The line connecting the S1-S2 sites is parallel to the long axis of the fiber orientation. Isochronal activation maps were constructed with 56 to 480 bipolar electrodes, and the activation pattern was visualized dynamically. Reentry induced by an S2 is mediated by the graded responses as follows: The induced graded responses propagate with decrement toward recovered cells. When the amplitude of the propagated depolarizing graded responses reaches threshold relative to the recovering cells, an action potential is initiated along the fiber 2 to 3 mm away from the cathode of the S2. The distally initiated activation wave front blocks near the S2 site because the same S2-induced graded response prolongs the refractory period. The "broken" wave front then circulates around both sides of the block and reenters when the site of block recovers its excitability, completing the first figure-eight reentry cycle. Reentry cannot be induced when the S2 strength is >72+/-21 mA (upper limit of vulnerability) because these strong S2-induced graded responses convert the unidirectional block to bidirectional block by excess prolongation of the refractoriness. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the magnitude and the propagation of S2-induced cellular graded responses mediate and control vulnerability to reentry in the ventricular epicardium.
Action Potentials↗
Identification of human cadherin-14, a novel neurally specific type II cadherin, by protein interaction cloning.
Cadherins, a family of Ca2+-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecules, mediate neural cell-cell interactions and may play important roles in neural development. By searching for molecules that interact with beta-catenin, a cytoplasmic regulator of cadherins, we have identified a new member of the cadherin family, which we named human cadherin-14. Cadherin-14 had high amino acid sequence homology with the type II subgroup of cadherins and was broadly expressed in the central nervous system. Cadherin-14 is a novel neurally specific cell-cell adhesion molecule and may regulate neural morphogenesis.
Amino Acid Sequence↗