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Biomedical subjects

M Inui

Publications and source records attributed to M Inui.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Endoscopic in vivo evaluation of tissue atypia in the esophagus using a newly designed integrated endocytoscope: a pilot trial.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: A newly designed magnifying endoscope featuring an endocytoscopy function provided by ultrahigh magnification was evaluated in a pilot study in patients with various types of benign and malignant pathology in the esophagus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-five consecutive patients were included in the study from 15 March to 21 December 2005. Twenty-nine patients with specific esophageal lesions that had been detected by regular or narrow-band imaging, or both, were further evaluated using endocytoscopy, followed by tissue biopsy or resection. During the endocytoscopic examinations, the esophageal mucosa was stained with 0.5 % methylene blue. The endocytoscopic findings were graded from 1 to 5 in an endocytoscopic atypia (ECA) classification. The final histopathological diagnoses based on biopsies or resected specimens were as follows: category 1 in the Vienna classification, n = 4; category 2, n = 6; category 3, n = 1; category 4, n = 10; and category 5, n = 7. The endocytoscopic diagnoses were compared with the histopathological diagnoses. RESULTS: Clear endocytoscopic images were obtained in all cases. In definitely malignant lesions, the cell nuclei had an enlarged and irregularly arranged appearance (grade ECA 5). The positive predictive value for malignancy (grades ECA 4 and 5) was 94 %; the false-negative rate was 16.7 %, and the false-positive rate was 6.3 %. The overall accuracy of endocytoscopy for differentiating between nonmalignant tissue (categories 1 - 3 in the Vienna classification) and malignant tissue (categories 4 and 5) was 82 %. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggest that incorporating endocytoscopy facilities into a standard endoscope may be helpful in characterizing tissue in a variety of esophageal lesions. The potential clinical impact of this method in relation to other gastrointestinal organs requires further study.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Pedunculated oncocytic carcinoma in buccal mucosa: immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies.

PURPOSE: In this study we evaluated pedunculated oncocytic carcinoma (OC) in the buccal mucosa via immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies. PATIENT AND METHODS: An 84-year-old man was referred to our clinic with a pedunculated mass about 4 cm in diameter in the right buccal mucosa. An incision biopsy revealed the diagnosis of oncocytic tumor, and enucleation was performed. The tumor was stained for immunohistochemical analysis using the ABC method and antibodies against cytokeratin (CK), epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), desmin, S-100 protein and muscle-specific actin, respectively. The tumor was stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate for visualization by electron microscopy. RESULTS: Histopathology results revealed that the tumor consisted of oncocytic cells, characterized by eosinophilic and granular cytoplasm, and atypical nuclei. These cells had infiltrated local blood vessels, salivary glands and muscles. Immunohistochemical staining indicated that these cells were positive for CK and EMA, and negative for desmin, muscle-specific actin and S-100 protein. Electron microscopy revealed numerous dilated cytoplasmic mitochondria, and the cell contours and nucleic shapes of tumor cells were often irregular. CONCLUSIONS: Because the histopathologic features of OC are similar to those of benign oncocytoma, the diagnosis of OC must be confirmed by a combination of clinical and ultrastructural characteristics.

Adenocarcinoma↗

A case of double cancer involving oral malignant melanoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST).

We report a very rare case of double cancer involving palatal malignant melanoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), a rare tumor of the gastrointestinal tract originating from a primitive mesenchymal cell. After chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and treatment with interferon and OK-432, the GIST was resected and the melanoma disappeared. The patient has had no evidence of recurrent tumor, and the patient's clinical course has been uneventful for 1 year. This is probably the first report of synchronous double cancer involving oral malignant melanoma and GIST.

Aged↗

Clinicostatistical study of carotid calcification on panoramic radiographs.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to evaluate carotid calcifications on panoramic radiographs, and relate to risk factors for vascular diseases. METHOD: Between 1997 and 2001, 2568 radiographs were retrospectively collected from new patients at Mie University Hospital whose ages ranged from 50 to 70 years. The mean age of the subjects was 62.2 years (men 61.9 years, women 62.3 years). Medical and social data were collected from case notes, and body weight, height, and age of menopause confirmed by telephone interviews. RESULT: About 106 carotid calcifications were found on the panoramic radiographs of 26 males and 80 females. The ratio of males to females was 1:3.07. The subjects with carotid calcifications had medical histories that included hypertension (27.6%), obesity (21.1%), hyperlipidemia (14.5%), and cardiovascular diseases (13.2%), all with recognized risk factors for atheromas. Of 76 patients who responded to follow up interviews, two (2.63%) died from cardiovascular stroke during an average follow up of 2.43 years. CONCLUSIONS: The results show carotid calcifications detected on panoramic radiographs can be used to help predict vascular strokes in patients. In cases where calcified carotid artery atheromas are detected, the dentist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon should refer the patient to a specialized physician.

Aged↗

Fast sound in expanded fluid Hg accompanying the metal-nonmetal transition.

The dynamic structure factor S(Q,omega) of expanded fluid Hg has been measured up to the metal-nonmetal transition region at 9.0 g cm(-3) (1723 K and 1940 bars) using high-resolution inelastic x-ray scattering, at momentum transfers, Q, from 0.2 to 4.8 A(-1). Analysis in the framework of generalized hydrodynamics reveals that the frequencies of the collective excitations increase faster with Q than estimated from the macroscopic speed of sound. The effective sound velocity at 9.0 g cm(-3) estimated from the dispersion relation is triple the ultrasonic sound velocity. The present result suggests the existence of fast sound in expanded fluid Hg accompanying the metal-nonmetal transition.

Mercury↗

Inhibitor-associated transposition events in Corynebacterium glutamicum.

In up to 100% of all bacteria grown in the presence of initially inhibitory concentrations of five diverse inhibitors, an extra copy of the resident insertion element IS 31831 was found in specific chromosomal regions, the sites of which apparently depended on the inhibitor used. Thus, in nine out of nine independently isolated cyanide-associated transpositions, the acquired copy was located within an ORF encoding a protein related to the hypothetical but conserved protein YeiH of Escherichia coli. A putative Sox box upstream of the yeiH gene implicates superoxide as a potential regulator of the gene, a possibility further supported by the finding that superoxide dismutase (SodA) is overexpressed in cells cultured in cyanide-containing medium. Neither the cyanide-associated nor any of the other transposition mutations appeared to confer any discernible phenotypic advantage upon cells grown in the presence or absence of the inhibitors, as revealed most stringently by mixed-cell experiments. An alternative, albeit heterodox, explanation for the emergence of the mutants postulates a very high rate of transpositional activity in the presence of inhibitors. The initial emergence of the mutants was found to depend crucially upon the cell density. Thus, when growth medium was supplemented with 50 mM fluoropyruvate and inoculated to a density of 2 x 10(7) cfu/ml, single colonies with heterogeneous restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) were routinely isolated at a frequency of 6 to 16% after 1-2 days of incubation. After 3 days, 10-36% of the colonies showed RFLPs, but the type was now dominated by the fluoropyruvate-specific RFLP, which, at higher resolution, invariably proved to be heterogeneous. This heterogeneity proved that these specific mutants were of multiple origin, indicating that clonal enrichment was irrelevant to their emergence. It is suggested that the presence of the inhibitor induces the development of hyper-transpositional activity, which is regulated by a soluble bacterial product.

Base Sequence↗

Effects of near-infrared irradiation to stellate ganglion in glossodynia.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess the effect of stellate ganglion near-infrared irradiation (SGR) on glossodynia and the mechanism of action. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-seven patients with glossodynia received SGR once weekly for 4 weeks. The response to treatment was evaluated on the basis of the change in pain intensity, assessed with a visual analogue scale (VAS) before and after 4 weeks of treatment. The temperature and blood flow of the tongue were also measured before and after first SGR. As control, eight healthy subjects were studied. RESULTS: Tongue pain as assessed by the VAS decreased in 28 of the 37 patients (75.7%). Mean pain intensity decreased significantly from 5.1 +/- 2.2 to 1.9 +/- 2.1 (P < 0.05). Tongue blood flow at rest in the patients with glossodynia [7.2 +/- 1.6 ml min(-1) (100 g)(-1)] was significantly lower than that in the healthy subjects [7.8 +/- 0.23 ml min(-1) (100 g)(-1)]. Five minutes after SGR, the temperature of the tongue rose 1.5 +/- 0.21 degrees C, and blood flow increased to 8.5 +/- 1.2 ml min(-1) (100 g)(-1). Tongue blood flow (at rest) after 4 weeks of SGR had increased to 7.7 +/- 1.1 ml min(-1) (100 g)(-1). CONCLUSION: SGR is an effective treatment for glossodynia. The mechanism by which SGR improves symptoms associated with glossodynia is thought to be as follows: SGR inhibits abnormally increased sympathetic activity associated with glossodynia. This is followed by normalization of decreased tongue blood flow, thereby alleviating pain.

Aged↗

A case of thrombosis mimicking a buccal tumour: usefulness of MRI.

A rare case of thrombosis mimicking a tumour in the buccal region is reported. Since the entire round mass was located deeply, it was difficult to diagnose. Contrast computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound examinations may be useful, but MRI was most useful in this case because it allowed prediction of different kinds of histological structures in the soft tissue. The findings of T1 weighted imaging, T2 weighted imaging and examination with Gd-DTPA on T1 weighted imaging are useful for predicting the character of deeper soft tissue masses, and can differentiate thrombosis from lymphadenopathy, lipoma and other lesions.

Aged↗

The ptsI gene encoding enzyme I of the phosphotransferase system of Corynebacterium glutamicum.

The phosphoenolpyruvate:carbohydrate phosphotransferase system (PTS) is widespread among bacteria where it mediates carbohydrate uptake and often serves in carbon control. Here we present cloning and analysis of the monocistronic ptsI gene of Corynebacterium glutamicum R, which encodes PTS Enzyme I (EI). EI catalyzes the first reaction of PTS and the reported ptsI was shown to complement the corresponding defect in Escherichia coli. The deduced 59.2-kDa EI of 564 amino acids shares more than 50% homology with EIs from Bacillus stearothermophilus, Bacillus subtilis, and Lactobacillus sake. Chromosomal inactivation of ptsI demonstrated that EI plays an indispensable role in PTS of C. glutamicum R and this system represents a dominant sugar uptake system. Cellobiose was only transported and utilized in adaptive mutants of C. glutamicum R. Cellobiose transport was also found to be PTS-dependent and repressed by PTS sugar glucose.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Bacteriophage WO and virus-like particles in Wolbachia, an endosymbiont of arthropods.

Wolbachia are intracellular symbionts mainly found in arthropods, causing various sexual alterations on their hosts by unknown mechanisms. Here we report the results that strongly suggest that Wolbachia have virus-like particles of phage WO, which was previously identified as a prophage-like element in the Wolbachia genome. Wolbachia (strain wTai) infection in an insect was detected with the antibody against Wsp, an outer surface protein of Wolbachia, by fluorescence microscopy and immunoelectron-microscopy for the first time. Virus-like particles in Wolbachia were observed by electron-microscopy. The 0.22-microm filtrate of insect ovary contained DAPI-positive particles, and PCR analysis demonstrated that a phage WO DNA passed through the filter while Wolbachia DNA were eliminated, suggesting that the DAPI-positive particles were phage WO.

Animals↗

EXAFS measurements for liquid Ge-Si alloys.

EXAFS measurements around the Ge-K edge have been carried out for liquid Ge-Si alloys for the first time to investigate the local structure around a Ge atom. To perform the EXAFS measurements for the liquid alloys with high melting temperatures, a new sapphire cell have been developed. The measurements were carried out for the liquid alloys from 10% to 60% of Si and the crystalline ones from 10% to 70% of Si as a reference. EXAFS oscillations, x(k), are observed even at 1480 degrees C for liquid Ge(0.4)Si(0.6). The position of the first peak in the radial distribution function obtained from Fourier transform of x(k) is shifted towards smaller distance for liquid and crystalline alloys with increasing Si concentration. The results of a curve-fit analysis in a harmonic approximation show that Ge-Ge and Ge-Si bonds in the liquid alloys become long with increasing Si concentration while those become slightly short in the crystaline ones.

Journal Article↗

Structure, expression and products of the ribosomal RNA operons of Rhodopseudomonas palustris No. 7.

Rhodopseudomonas palustris strains carry one or two ribosomal rRNA operons, and those with duplicated rrn operons grow faster. The two rrn operons in R. palustris No. 7 are virtually identical over a 54,70-bp stretch containing the genes for 16S rRNA, tRNAile, tRNAala, 23S rRNA and 5S rRNA, as well as the intergenic spacers and part of the extragenic spacer. In R. palustris, unlike most bacteria with multiple rrn operons, the putative promoter sequences of the two operons are highly diverged, suggesting possible functional differentiation. By simultaneous primer-extension analysis of both pre-rRNAs, we detected a two-fold higher level of expression from rrnA under photoautotrophic conditions. Alteration of the conditions of growth leads to changes in the relative levels of expression of the two operons. Within the 5,470-bp segment, only two sequence differences are found between the 23S rRNA genes; one is at the center of the 23S rRNA molecule and affects a site of unknown function, and the other is within or immediately adjacent to sequences involved in processing of the 5' 23S rRNA IVS. In vitro processing of 5' IVS-containing 23S rRNA precursors from each operon does not reveal any detectable difference between them. The 5' ends of the mature 16S, 23S, and 5S rRNAs were determined by primer-extension analysis, and the 3' end of 23S rRNA was determined by RNA linker ligation-mediated cDNA cloning. The 5' and 3' ends of the R. palustris 23S rRNA molecule are extensively processed, suggesting that, unlike the situation in the established eubacterial model, these ends cannot basepair.

Base Sequence↗

Characterization of four cell lines derived from a human malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the maxillary sinus.

We have established four cell lines from a human malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Each cell line had human aneuploid karyotype and DNA aneuploidy. Cells in all lines expressed CD13, CD68 and vimentin but lacked CD11, CD14, CD15, CD16, CD45, HLA class II and other mesenchymal and epithelial markers such as desmin, alpha-smooth muscle, myoglobin, S-100 protein, and cytokeratin. None of the cells expressed surface IgG or C3 receptor, nor did any of them phagocytose latex particles. The cells reacted with an antibody for prolyl-4-hydroxylase, but no collagen (types I, II, III, or IV) was detected in any of the cell lines. The homogenates of all cell lines had cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 3 activity. Two cell lines produced granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha, another line produced G-CSF, IL-1alpha, IL-6 and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AB, and the remaining cell line produced only PDGF-AB. None of the cells produced transforming growth factor-alpha. The results indicated that the cell lines were immunophenotypically similar to primitive mesenchymal cells.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Bacterial phosphotransferase system (PTS) in carbohydrate uptake and control of carbon metabolism.

More than 20 carbohydrates may be transported into the bacterial cell by the phosphoenopyruvate:carbohydrate phosphotransferase system (PTS) that is widely spread among bacteria. The PTS consists of two cytoplasmic energy-coupling proteins (Enzyme I and HPr) and a range of carbohydrate-specific Enzymes II, which catalyze concomitant carbohydrate translocation and phosphorylation. The phosphorylation status of PTS components reflects the availability of carbohydrates and the energy conditions of the cell. In many bacteria, PTS and the associated proteins convert this information to signals, which transduced through different mechanisms lead to phenomena of catabolite repression, inducer control or chemotaxis. These features of PTS provide bacteria with an integrated system, which assures optimal utilization of carbohydrates in complex environments. Furthermore, some bacteria evolved parallel systems that serve a regulatory functions, but apparently do not catalyze the carbohydrate transport. Here we review the findings that recently advanced the understanding of various aspects of PTS-dependent carbohydrate transport and regulation of bacterial catabolism.

Journal Article↗