Biomedical subjects

M Ikeda

Publications and source records attributed to M Ikeda.

At least 469 records · Page 26Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

A patient who was found to be pregnant unexpectedly during hysteromyomectomy.

We present a case of an unexpected pregnancy and an ultimately successful obstetric outcome. The patient underwent abdominal myomectomy under spinal anaesthesia for a uterine leiomyoma with menorrhagia and infertility. Later, she was found to have been in the 7th gestational day at the time of surgery. The blastocyst survived the surgical manipulation and anaesthesia, resulting in a successful pregnancy. The literature on the endocrinological stress response during anaesthesia and surgery suggests that spinal anaesthesia administered in this case was potentially helpful in maintaining progesterone levels and avoiding increased prolactin levels; increased prolactin levels might be deleterious to implantation of the blastocyst.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

Estimates of mineral intakes using food composition tables vs measures by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry: Part 2: sodium, potassium, magnesium, copper, zinc.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the accuracy of food composition table (FCT)-based estimation of dietary nutrient element intake in reference to the instrumental measurement by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), as an extension of the first part of this study. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Communities. SUBJECTS: 782 adult non-smoking women in 21 sites in 4 areas [China (Mainland), Japan, Korea and Malaysia] in Asia. METHODS: 24-h food duplicate samples offered by the women were subjected 1. to the estimation (E) of daily element intake taking advantage of national food composition tables (FCTs) and 2. to the measurement (M) by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The two sets of the results were compared in terms of the (E)/(M) ratio. Because of the limited availability of the element database in the FCTs, the comparison on Na and K was possible in the 4 areas, whereas that of Mg, Cu and Zn was only in two areas of China (Mainland) and Japan. RESULTS: The (E)/(M) ratio was in a relatively narrow range of 75 to 114% in case of Na, and 91 to 120% for K (with one exception of 201% for K in Malaysia). Correlation coefficients between (E) and (M) were statistically significant for both Na and K in the 4 areas. In cases of Mg, Cu and Zn, agreements were generally poor, and the (E)/(M) ratio was close to 100% only in the cases of Cu and Zn in Japan. CONCLUSIONS: In overall evaluation combining the results on Ca, P and Fe in the preceding report with the results in the present report on Na, K, Mg, Cu and Zn, FCT-based estimation generally did not agree with the measure by ICP-MS. The disagreement did not allow precise FCTs-based estimation of dietary intakes of these nutrient elements, possibly except for Na.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Estimates of mineral intakes using food composition tables vs measures by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry: Part 1. calcium, phosphorus and iron.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the accuracy of food composition table (FCT)-based estimation of dietary nutrient element intake in reference to the instrumental measurement by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Communities. SUBJECTS: 884 adult non-smoking women in 23 study sites in 6 areas in Asia (i.e. China (Mainland), China (Taiwan), Korea, Japan, Malaysia and the Philippines. METHODS: 24-hour food duplicate samples foods offered by the women were subjected (1) to the estimation of daily dietary intake of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and iron (Fe), using 6 types of national FCTs one for each area, and (2) to ICP-MS analysis for the measurement of the same elements. RESULTS: Comparison of the estimated values (E) with corresponding measured values (M) in terms of the mean (E)/(M) ratio for each area showed that the ratio was various among the 6 areas studied. Ca showed smallest deviation (69 to 165%) from the agreement (100%), which was followed by P (113 to 306%), whereas Fe showed the largest deviation (124 to 368%). CONCLUSIONS: Caution should be exercised in using FCTs for estimation of dietary Fe intake. The wide variation was not due to the use of the FCT established for each area, because the inter-study site variation within one area was as large as the inter-area variation.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Poorer nutritional status of the older-generation in a Japanese farming village, as related to fewer types of food consumed.

This study was carried out to determine whether the most recent nutritional improvements in Japanese farming villages were due to improvement in the diet of the young only or across all ages. Food duplicates for 24 h were collected. The number of food items and the adequacy of each nutrient level were compared between subgroups, by age of cooking and those eating meals. The older-generation used and ate fewer food items resulting in poorer nutrition. The most recent improvement in nutrition in the farming villages of Japan was found mainly to affect the younger-generation with the older-generations being more poorly nourished.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Pigmented squamous cell carcinoma of the scrotum associated with a lentigo.

Only 13 cases of pigmented squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) have been reported in the English language literature, with most frequent development in the oral cavity and conjunctiva. However, no case of pigmented SCC of the scrotum has been reported. We report here a case of pigmented SCC that arose primarily in the scrotum of a 70-year-old man. Light microscopically, this tumour exhibited the typical features of a pigmented SCC, including not only keratinization and intercellular bridges but also colonization by plump dendritic melanocytes with marked pigmentation. These features were clearly confirmed by immunohistochemistry, including strong positivity of tumour cells for high-molecular-weight cytokeratin and of colonizing melanocytes for HMB-45. The tumour was associated with a lentiginous lesion and partly involved it. Melanocytes entrapped from the lentigo might therefore have been activated during enlargement of this tumour, resulting in melanocyte colonization. Fourteen cases of pigmented SCC, including ours, are clinicopathologically reviewed.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Presenilins interact with armadillo proteins including neural-specific plakophilin-related protein and beta-catenin.

Missense substitutions in the presenilin 1 (PS1) and presenilin 2 (PS2) proteins are associated with early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease. We have used yeast-two-hybrid and coimmunoprecipitation methods to show that the large cytoplasmic loop domains of PS1 and PS2 interact specifically with three members of the armadillo protein family, including beta-catenin, p0071, and a novel neuronal-specific armadillo protein--neural plakophilin-related armadillo protein (NPRAP). The PS1:NPRAP interaction occurs between the arm repeats of NPRAP and residues 372-399 at the C-terminal end of the large cytoplasmic loop of PS1. The latter residues contain a single arm-like domain and are highly conserved in the presenilins, suggesting that they form a functional armadillo protein binding site for the presenilins.

Alzheimer Disease↗

PubMed1999

Localization of thioredoxin reductase and thioredoxin in normal human placenta and their protective effect against oxidative stress.

Recent studies have indicated that oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. Oxidative stress damages systemic tissues, and placental damage may result in intrauterine growth retardation and fetal distress. Thus, this study attempted to elucidate the placental localization of thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase, substances that may reduce oxidative stress. Furthermore, it studied the defence mechanism of the thioredoxin-thioredoxin reductase system against oxidative stress in mitochondria of normal human placenta where reactive oxygen species are primarily produced. The examination of thioredoxin reductase activity in subcellular fractions of human placenta indicated that thioredoxin reductase was located not only in cytoplasm, but also in mitochondria. The existence of thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase in human placenta was confirmed immunologically using antibodies raised against thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase. Thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase were localized histochemically in cytotrophoblasts, decidua, and stromal cells in the stem villi. The addition of exogenous thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase to fumarase in mitochondria of human placenta displayed a protective effect against oxidative stress. In conclusion, this study confirmed the intracellular localization and the tissue distribution of thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase in human placenta. Moreover, the complete thioredoxin-thioredoxin reductase system in human placenta may protect the placenta from damage caused by oxidative stress.

Blotting, Western↗

PubMed1999

Expression of thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase in placentae of pregnant mice exposed to lipopolysaccharide.

We have previously shown that thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase were immunohistochemically localized in cytotrophoblasts, decidua and stromal cells in the stem villi of human placenta and that the addition of exogenous thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase to mitochondrial fractions from human placenta displayed a protective effect on fumarase activity against oxidative stress. In this study, to investigate further the roles of thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase in protecting pregnancy against oxidative stress, we examined the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which induces a variety of cytokines and produces radical oxygen species, on the expression of thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase in mouse placenta. We focused on the placental protective effect in the second trimester, when the onset of placental dysfunction might occasionally lead to a critical state for the fetus. Thus we analysed placentae from mice on day 13 of pregnancy at various time points after they were injected with LPS (50 microg/kg i.p.) or saline as a control. The expressions of thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase were evaluated by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Western blot analysis revealed that LPS approximately quadrupled the expression of both thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase in the placentae of pregnant mice. When both proteins were localized immunohistochemically, it was found that the decidua and the diploid trophoblasts in the basal zone were intensively stained. Furthermore, the expression of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE)-modified proteins, which are markers of oxidative stress, was enhanced in placenta by LPS. Our study suggests that the induced thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase might protect the placenta from the stress induced by LPS.

Aldehydes↗

PubMed1999

Oral use of interferon-alpha delays the onset of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in nonobese diabetes mice.

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in the nonobese diabetes (NOD) mouse model is thought to be an autoimmune CD4 Th1-like cell-mediated disease. We tested the efficacy of oral use of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) therapy on IDDM in NOD mice. Using urine and blood sugar levels as indicators of IDDM, oral administration of murine IFN-alpha (100 IU/body) to NOD mice significantly delayed the onset of symptomatic diabetes. However, oral use of IFN-alpha did not prevent diabetic NOD mice from losing weight once NOD mice were symptomatic, suggesting that orally administered IFN-alpha is a prophylactic rather than therapeutic approach to the management of IDDM.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed1999

Effects of oral administration of interferon-alpha on antibody production in mice with induced tolerance.

In vivo systemic effects and the immunomodulating potential of the oral administration of murine interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) were investigated through mRNA expression of both IFN-alpha-inducible factors, interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) and 2,5-adenylate synthetase [2-5(A) synthetase] and 2-5(A) synthetase enzymatic activity in spleen and antibody production. The daily administration of IFN-alpha (0.1, 1, 10, and 100 IU/body) for 1 week augmented IRF-1 and 2-5(A) synthetase mRNA expression levels, as well as 2-5(A) synthetase enzymatic activity in spleen cells but not in cervical lymph nodes. The in vivo immunomodulating potential of the oral administration of IFN-alpha was also evaluated through antibody production in mice with induced tolerance. Ovalbumin (OVA) was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) to induce systemic antibody production on day 0 when OVA feeding was initiated. The OVA was fed every 2-3 days for a total of 14 doses to suppress serum antibody levels. Oral administration of murine IFN-alpha was initiated on day 0 and was continued for 5 consecutive days weekly for 5 weeks (24 doses). On every sampling date (days 10, 17, 24, and 32), specific antibody levels in the IFN-alpha-administered groups were significantly higher than those in the control (nonadministered) group. This was especially noted in early phases (days 10 and 17) of antibody production when the levels of antibody in serum from the IFN-alpha-administration groups were equivalent to those of the nontolerance group. Altogether, it is suggested that oral use of IFN-alpha can elicit immunomodulating actions (e.g., antibody levels) by affecting the systemic immune system(s).

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗

PubMed1999

Effects of thyrotropin on the proliferation and differentiation of cultured rat preadipocytes.

Thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) is expressed during the differentiation of rat preadipocytes and is highly abundant in mature fat adipocytes, but its physiological role is unknown. In this article, long-term effects of thyrotropin (TSH) on the proliferation and the differentiation were investigated using cultured rat preadipocytes. When TSH was added at the beginning of differentiation, TSH increased the number of preadipocytes and 3H-thymidine uptake. Apoptosis of the cells was not influenced by TSH. Preadipocytes incubated in the presence of TSH had fewer fat droplets, decreased level of mRNA for lipoprotein lipase (LPL), a marker of adipocyte differentiation. Histochemical study showed that the cells that increased their number and expressed lower level of LPL in response to TSH were preadipocytes, and not contaminating fibroblasts. In conclusion, TSH causes the proliferation and inhibits the differentiation of rat preadipocytes. Results suggest that TSH may be a potent regulator of preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation in vivo.

Adipocytes↗

PubMed1999

Ulcerative colitis and colorectal cancer: a follow-up study in Fukuoka, Japan.

BACKGROUND: Our goal was to study the higher death rate and the causes of such deaths among ulcerative colitis (UC) patients in the Japanese population, and to compare our findings in such cases with those for Crohn's disease (CD). METHODS: In all, 174 UC (male/female: 54/120) and 66 CD (34/32) patients who were registered for the research promotion programme in Fukuoka prefecture (1971-1981) were traced up to the end of 1994. The standardized mortality ratios (SMR) were calculated based on the death rates of the Japanese population by age, sex and calendar year. RESULTS: The overall follow-up rate was 96.7%. Among the UC patients, the SMR for all causes were 0.84 (95% CI: 0.11-4.31) for men; 1.05 (95% CI: 0.08-4.69) for women; and 0.94 (95% CI :0.09-4.50) for both sexes combined. When excluding deaths due to colorectal cancer, the SMR for the same groups were 0.43, 0.94 and 0.67, respectively. The SMR for both sexes were 1.82 (95% CI: 0.17-5.96) for malignant neoplasms and 9.93 (95% CI: 4.67-17.3) for colorectal cancer. Patients who died from colorectal cancer showed onset at a younger age (mean: 25.5 years) as well as a longer disease course of UC (mean: 17.0 years). Regarding the CD patients, the SMR for all causes were 1.75 (95% CI: 0.15-5.75) for both sexes. Most deaths were caused by gastrointestinal complications. CONCLUSIONS: An excess mortality from colorectal cancers was indicated in the UC patients, especially in males. The overall SMR in male UC patients decreased by 50% when the deaths from colorectal cancer were excluded. The excess mortality in those with CD over UC patients was attributed to gastrointestinal complications rather than malignant diseases. Some carcinogenic factors therefore seem most likely to exist in the pathogenesis of UC.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Role of radical oxygen species in rat testicular germ cell apoptosis induced by heat stress.

The present study was designed to clarify the role of radical oxygen species in testicular germ cell apoptosis induced by heat stress. Testicular cells isolated from immature rats were cultured with or without elevated temperature, and occurrence of apoptosis in these cells was defined by the appearance of DNA fragmentation following agarose gel electrophoresis and by flow cytometric quantification of apoptotic cells. At 32.5 degrees C, < 1% of cells showed signs of apoptosis throughout the culture period, whereas under heat stress, the proportion of apoptotic cells increased to 5% at 37 degrees C after 24 h of culture, or to 14% after 1-h exposure at 43 degrees C followed by 23-h culture at 32.5 degrees C. Similar to the effect of heat stress, exogenously supplied oxygen free radicals also induced apoptosis. In contrast, treatment with catalase significantly attenuated heat stress-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, heat stress of testicular cells was associated with an increased intracellular peroxide level as measured by a fluorescent probe, 2', 7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate. In conclusion, our data indicate the involvement of radical oxygen species during testicular germ cell apoptosis induced by heat stress. This study provides a useful in vitro model for the study of testicular germ cell apoptosis.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Gustatory disturbance due to cerebrovascular disorder.

OBJECTIVES: Review three cases of unilateral gustatory disturbance due to central lesions caused by cerebrovascular disorders, describe clinical findings and the results of taste examinations, and discuss the central gustatory pathways in humans. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of three gustatory disturbance cases due to cerebrovascular disorders. Additional review of 12 cases with central gustatory disturbance that have been reported. METHODS: Central lesions of three cases were examined by magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography scan. Electrogustometry and a filter paper disk assay using taste solutions were performed in these cases for each of the bilateral gustatory nerves. RESULTS: In one case of pontine infarct, gustatory disturbance ipsilateral to the lesion was found, and in one case of thalamic infarct and one case of internal capsular infarct, gustatory disturbance contralateral to the lesion was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Fifteen cases of unilateral gustatory disturbance due to central lesions, including the present cases, have been reported to our knowledge. Examination of these cases strongly suggested that the central gustatory pathways in humans ascend ipsilaterally from the solitary nucleus of medulla oblongata to the pons, and from the pons, cross to a higher position in midbrain and reach the thalamus contralaterally.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Erythema elevatum diutinum complicated by rheumatoid arthritis.

A 53-year-old female developed erythema elevatum diutinum (EED) twelve years after the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. The arthritis had been well controlled for the last several years. Annular purpuric macules were characteristically complicated by common nodular and plaque lesions. Both leukocytoclastic vasculitis and fibrosis were observed in the macular lesions, indicating that the lesions were a manifestation of an early phase of EED. Both types of skin lesions disappeared with treatment with dapsone. They have not relapsed for two years after stopping the dapsone. The leukocytoclastic vasculitis was thought to have developed independently of the rheumatoid arthritis. She had noticed sicca symptoms two years before the appearance of EED, but she did not satisfy the diagnostic criteria for Sjögren's syndrome.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

PubMed1999

Lactoferrin inhibits hepatitis C virus viremia in patients with chronic hepatitis C: a pilot study.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is associated with the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. We recently found that bovine lactoferrin, a milk protein belonging to the iron transporter family, effectively prevented HCV infection in cultured human hepatocytes (PH5CH8). We tested the hypothesis that lactoferrin inhibits HCV viremia in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Eleven patients with chronic hepatitis C received an 8-week course of bovine lactoferrin (1.8 or 3.6 g/day). At the end of lactoferrin treatment, a decrease in serum alanine transaminase and HCV RNA concentrations was apparent in 3 (75%) of 4 patients with low pretreatment serum concentrations of HCV RNA. However, 7 patients with high pretreatment concentrations showed no significant changes in these indices. This pilot study suggests that lactoferrin is one potential candidate as an anti-HCV reagent that may be effective for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Root resorption of mandibular second molar teeth associated with the presence of the third molars.

Although pressure resorption of second molars is associated with impacted and/or erupting third molars, the relationship between pressure resorption and age is unclear. In order to investigate this relationship, 3883 dental radiographs were studied in 3174 individuals of various ages. The incidence of superimposition of the second molar on the third molar was not elevated in any subgroup except that of women of 16-40 years of age. There were no age or sex differences for the incidence of second molar root resorption. In older individuals, root resorption associated with a completely impacted third molar was more frequent than with a partially impacted third molar, and root resorption at the apex was mainly seen in individuals over 50 years of age. There was a higher incidence of superimposition and root resorption in men than women. Apical root resorption may be seen long after the formation of completely impacted third molars in both genders.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Hyperproduction of tryptophan by Corynebacterium glutamicum with the modified pentose phosphate pathway.

A classically derived tryptophan-producing Corynebacterium glutamicum strain was recently significantly improved both by plasmid-mediated amplification of the genes for the rate-limiting enzymes in the terminal pathways and by construction of a plasmid stabilization system so that it produced more tryptophan. This engineered strain, KY9218 carrying pKW9901, produced 50 g of tryptophan per liter from sucrose after 80 h in fed-batch cultivation without antibiotic pressure. Analysis of carbon balances showed that at the late stage of the fermentation, tryptophan yield decreased with a concomitant increase in CO2 yield, suggesting a transition in the distribution of carbon flow from aromatic biosynthesis toward the tricarboxylic acid cycle via glycolysis. To circumvent this transition by increasing the supply of erythrose 4-phosphate, a direct precursor of aromatic biosynthesis, the transketolase gene of C. glutamicum was coamplified in the engineered strain by using low- and high-copy-number plasmids which were compatible with the resident plasmid pKW9901. The presence of the gene in low copy numbers contributed to improvement of tryptophan yield, especially at the late stage, and led to accumulation of more tryptophan (57 g/liter) than did its absence, while high-copy-number amplification of the gene resulted in a tryptophan production level even lower than that resulting from the absence of the gene due to reduced growth and sugar consumption. In order to assemble all the cloned genes onto a low-copy-number plasmid, the high-copy-number origin of pKW9901 was replaced with the low-copy-number one, generating low-copy-number plasmid pSW9911, and the transketolase gene was inserted to yield pIK9960. The pSW9911-carrying producer showed almost the same fermentation profiles as the pKW9901 carrier in fed-batch cultivation without antibiotic pressure. Under the same culture conditions, however, the pIK9960 carrier achieved a final tryptophan titer of 58 g/liter, which represented a 15% enhancement over the titers achieved by the pKW9901 and pSW9911 carriers.

Biomass↗