Biomedical subjects

M Mochizuki

Publications and source records attributed to M Mochizuki.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

Polymorphism of the 5'-flanking region of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha gene and susceptibility to human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) uveitis.

The genetic background of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) uveitis (HU) was investigated by studying the distribution of 5 polymorphisms of the 5'-flanking promoter/enhancer region of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha gene in patients with HU, together with patients with adult T-cell leukemia (ATL), asymptomatic HTLV-I carriers, and healthy controls. The frequencies of the -1,031C allele (T-->C transition at position -1,031) and -863A allele (C-->A transition at position -863) in the HU patients, but neither in the ATL patients nor in the carriers, were significantly higher than those in the controls. The -1,031C and -863A alleles, in the absence of the HLA B61 or the DRB1*0901 allele which is in linkage disequilibrium with these alleles, were associated with increased susceptibility to HU. These results suggest that the -1,031C and -863A alleles might be genetic risk factors for HU.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Ganglioside GM(1a) on the cell surface is involved in the infection by human rotavirus KUN and MO strains.

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and children worldwide. The cell attachment of most animal rotaviruses, which belong to the neuraminidase-sensitive strains, requires sialic acid residues on the host cell membranes. On the other hand, most human rotaviruses are classified as neuraminidase-insensitive strains. The involvement of gangliosides on the host cell surface in human rotavirus infection was investigated by immunostaining analysis of target cells, and by assaying the neutralization of infection by rotavirus and the blocking of target cellular receptors. In host cells (MA104 cells) pretreated with Arthrobacter ureafaciens neuraminidase, which were still infected by human rotaviruses (KUN and MO strains), GM(3) was hydrolyzed markedly by the neuraminidase, while GM(1a) was not hydrolyzed at all. Infection by the rotaviruses was strongly inhibited by exogenous ganglioside GM(1a), but not GA(1). Infection was also inhibited by pretreatment of the MA104 cells with cholera toxin B-subunit, which specifically blocked ganglioside GM(1a) on the plasma membrane. The treatment of MA104 cells with the endoglycoceramidase attenuated human rotavirus infection. From these findings, we concluded that GM(1a) on the plasma membrane of the host cells was involved in the infection by human rotavirus KUN and MO strains.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Organization of the canine calicivirus genome from the RNA polymerase gene to the poly(A) tail.

In recent years a wealth of data has become available about the caliciviruses that infect humans, as well as those which infect a range of animal species, notably cats, rabbits, pigs and marine animals. However, in the two decades since the earliest reports of calicivirus infection in dogs, very little has become known about the epidemiology, pathogenicity and molecular biology of the caliciviruses that may infect canines. In 1990, a canine calicivirus (CaCV) was isolated from a 2-month-old diarrhoeic domestic dog in Japan. This virus, which can be grown in cultured cells of canine origin, has the classic 'Star of David' morphology of caliciviruses, and the one major structural protein was shown to be immunogenic in dogs. In this study, a 3.8 kb region of the genome of this CaCV isolate from the RNA polymerase gene to the 3' poly(A) tail was cloned and sequenced, and phylogenetic analysis was undertaken in order to establish the relationship of CaCV to other animal and human caliciviruses. This CaCV isolate had a nucleotide sequence, genomic organization and phylogenetic position closest to, but clearly distinct from, both feline calicivirus and San Miguel sea lion virus isolates. These findings suggest that CaCV represents a new clade of animal caliciviruses, presumably as a member of the recently proposed new genus Vesivirus.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Isolation of feline parvovirus from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of cats in northern Vietnam.

Feline parvovirus (FPV) was isolated rather frequently from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of cats in northern Vietnam by coculturing with MYA-1 cells (an interleukin-2-dependent feline T lymphoblastoid cell line) or Crandell feline kidney (CRFK) cells (a feline renal cell line). Efficiency of virus isolation was higher in MYA-1 cells than in CRFK cells. Interestingly, among the 17 cats from which FPV was isolated, 9 cats were positive for virus neutralizing (VN) antibody against FPV, indicating that FPV infected PBMCs and was not eliminated from PBMCs even in the presence of VN antibodies in the cats.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Role of the cytomegalovirus (CMV)-antigenemia assay as a predictive and follow-up detection tool for CMV disease in AIDS patients.

Forty-two patients were evaluated to determine the value of the CMV antigenemia (CMV-Ag) test as a follow-up marker as well as a prediction marker of CMV disease. Twenty patients were positive for at least one positive CMV-Ag assay and 9 of them developed CMV retinitis. With the threshold value (10 positive cells), sensitivity was 56% and specificity was 94%. The CMV-Ag assay, with the threshold value, produced high specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value but relatively poor sensitivity. Eight patients experienced CMV disease relapse a total of 16 times. At relapse, 8 of the 16 times showed negative for CMV-Ag assay; 7 underwent systemic maintenance while 1 underwent local maintenance. It is inferred that the CMV-Ag test is a poor follow-up marker to detect the relapse of CMV disease, particularly in patients undergoing systemic maintenance.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

PubMed1999

Mechanically elicited nerve root discharge: mechanical irritation and waveform.

OBJECTIVE: Intraoperative monitoring is very important for protecting nerve roots during lumbar surgery for spinal degeneration. Our objective was to evaluate the correlation between the type of mechanical irritation and waveform by mechanically elicited EMGs during the surgery. METHOD: Mechanically elicited EMGs were recorded bilaterally on muscle groups innervated by the lumbar nerve roots in the area of surgery in 24 consecutive patients with lumbar spinal degenerative disease. RESULTS: It was confirmed that surgical irritation produced 3 types of waveforms as discharges from nerve roots; short, waning and continuous discharges. Each waveform was easily elicited mechanically and was sensitively related to the type and strength of mechanical stimulation. CONCLUSION: It was indicated that the mechanical irritation on the root could elicit the nerve root discharge with no post-operative nerve root deficit. It may be useful to monitor the mechanically elicited EMGs during the surgery for spinal degeneration.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Detection of borna disease virus-reactive antibodies from patients with psychiatric disorders and from horses by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay.

The prevalence of Borna disease virus (BDV)-specific antibodies among patients with psychiatric disorders and healthy individuals has varied in several reports using several different serological assay methods. A reliable and specific method for anti-BDV antibodies needs to be developed to clarify the pathological significance of BDV infections in humans. We developed a new electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) for the antibody to BDV that uses two recombinant proteins of BDV, p40 and p24 (full length). Using this ECLIA, we examined 3,476 serum samples from humans with various diseases and 917 sera from blood donors in Japan for the presence of anti-BDV antibodies. By ECLIA, 26 (3.08%) of 845 schizophrenia patients and 9 (3.59%) of 251 patients with mood disorders were seropositive for BDV. Among 323 patients with other psychiatric diseases, 114 with neurological diseases, 75 with chronic fatigue syndrome, 85 human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients, 50 with autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosis and 17 with leprosy, there was no positive case except one case each with alcohol addiction, AIDS, and dementia. Although 19 (1.36%) of 1,393 patients with various ocular diseases, 10 (1.09%) of 917 blood donors, and 3 (4.55%) of 66 multitransfused patients were seropositive for BDV-specific antigen, high levels of seroprevalence in schizophrenia patients and young patients (16 to 59 years old) with mood disorders were statistically significant. The immunoreactivity of seropositive sera could be verified for specificity by blocking with soluble p40 and/or p24 recombinant protein. Anti-p24 antibody was more frequent than p40 antibody in most cases, and in some psychotic patients antibody profiles showed only p40 antibody. Although serum positive for both p40 and p24 antibodies was not found in this study, the p40 ECLIA count in schizophrenia patients was higher than that of blood donors. Furthermore, we examined 90 sera from Japanese feral horses. Antibody profiles of control human samples are similar to that of naturally BDV-infected feral horses. We concluded that BDV infection was associated in some way with psychiatric disorders.

Age Distribution↗

PubMed1999

Genotypes of canine distemper virus determined by analysis of the hemagglutinin genes of recent isolates from dogs in Japan.

Canine distemper of domestic dogs is caused by canine distemper virus (CDV), a member of the morbilliviruses. It has been a highly contagious disease of great veterinary importance for centuries, but for the last several decades it has been controlled satisfactorily by modified live vaccines. In the 1990s, however, it was described that CDV strains genetically different from vaccine strains may have caused the disease in vaccinated dogs. The highest antigenic variation is found in the H protein. Therefore, in the present study, hemagglutinin (H) genes obtained from current vaccines and field isolates and amplified directly from clinical specimens were genetically analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism assay and sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis of the H-gene amino acid sequences revealed that at least two CDV genotypes are circulating among dogs in Japan; one is a genotype to which almost all Japanese CDV isolates belong and the other has not been previously described. Both are separate and independent from the other lineages or genotypes of vaccine strains, as well as European and U.S. CDV isolates. The results suggest that CDV has also evolved in Japan, and further studies will be needed for an evaluation and possible improvement of the efficacies of current CDV vaccines.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Association of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism with lipid profiles in children and adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

We attempted to clarify the association between angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism and the other predictive factors for macroangiopathy in children and adolescents with uncomplicated insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Sixty-three patients were divided into 3 groups according to the ACE genotypes. The lipid profiles were evaluated according to ACE genotypes. The level of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) in the II genotype was significantly lower than that in groups with the D allele. Lp(a) significantly correlated with apo B/apo A-I (p < 0.001, r = 0.63) and atherogenic index (AI = (total cholesterol - high-density lipoprotein cholesterol)/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; p = 0. 004, r = 0.36). We suggest that the D allele may affect the level of Lp(a) and the other lipid profiles in IDDM.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

IL-4 induces eotaxin in human dermal fibroblasts.

A common feature of Th2-mediated skin diseases is selective eosinophil (Eo) infiltration in the affected dermis. However, the mechanisms of selective Eo recruitment are not yet fully understood. Our recent findings indicated that dermal fibroblasts actively participate in the accumulation of Eo in Th2-mediated skin inflammation. Following stimulation with IL-4, dermal fibroblasts produce eotaxin, which is the only biologically active Eo attractant detected in the supernatants. Natural eotaxin is comprised of a mixture of N-terminal-truncated and O-glycosylated variants. The expression of eotaxin mRNA is upregulated within 1 h after stimulation. TNF-alpha markedly enhances eotaxin mRNA expression and release of the protein product from IL-4-stimulated fibroblasts. As mast cells and Th2 cells produce both cytokines, it is probable that Eo recruitment into sites of allergen-induced, Th2-mediated skin reactions is, at least in part, due to IL-4-stimulated induction of eotaxin in dermal fibroblasts.

Chemokine CCL11↗

PubMed1999

Th1- and Th2-type cytokines regulate the expression and production of eotaxin and RANTES by human lung fibroblasts.

Eosinophils (Eos) and fibroblasts are known to play a major role in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma and fibrotic lung disease. Therefore, we investigated whether Th1 and Th2 cytokines stimulate the production of Eo-activating chemokines by lung fibroblasts. Analyses of the culture supernatant using multiple steps of high-performance liquid chromatography demonstrated that interleukin (IL)-4 preferentially stimulates lung fibroblasts to secrete a peak of eosinophil chemotactic activity (ECA) which, upon N-terminal analyses, showed similar sequence to eotaxin, whereas interferon (IFN)-gamma had negligible effect on the release of this chemokine. In contrast, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha stimulated lung fibroblasts to release two peaks of activity that were found to correspond to eotaxin and regulated on activation, normal T cells expressed and secreted (RANTES), respectively. Interestingly, IL-4 synergized with TNF-alpha to increase greatly the production of three biochemically distinct eotaxin forms. In contrast, IFN-gamma synergized with TNF-alpha to increase RANTES production. Neither IL-2, IL-5, IL-6 nor IL-10 had an effect on lung fibroblasts' capacity to express or release eotaxin and RANTES. Upon appropriate cytokine stimulation, lung fibroblasts were also found to express messenger RNA for monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-3 and MCP-4 but not eotaxin-2. However, no ECA like MCP-3 or MCP-4 was detected. These observations suggest that the release of Th1 or Th2 cytokines in the lung tissue polarizes lung fibroblasts to produce either RANTES or eotaxin as major Eo attractants.

Cells, Cultured↗

PubMed1999

Mutagenicity of potassium alkanediazotates in Chinese hamster V79 cells and their alkylating activity.

Alkanediazohydroxides are the key intermediates of carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds, and exist as geometrical isomers. In this paper, the mutagenicity and cytotoxicity of (E)- and (Z)-potassium alkanediazotates, precursors of alkanediazohydroxides, in Chinese hamster V79 cells were investigated. Mutagenic and cytotoxic activities of (E)-diazotates were dose-dependent, and activity decreased with an increase in the alkyl chain length; methyl>ethyl>propyl, butyl. On the other hand, (Z)-diazotates were less mutagenic and cytotoxic than (E)-diazotates, however (Z)-potassium methanediazotate did show weak mutagenicity. To compare chemical reactivity with biological activity, alkylating activity towards nicotinamide in an aqueous phosphate buffer system was evaluated as an index of the chemical reactivity of diazotates. Using a fluorometric HPLC method, alkylated nicotinamides were detected with high sensitivity in the reaction with all diazotates tested. The alkylating activity of (Z)-methanediazotate was higher than that of the corresponding (E)-diazotate, but the other isomers with ethyl, propyl and butyl groups had similar reactivity under the conditions used. The activity decreased by increasing the alkyl chain-length, which correlated well with the mutagenicity in V79 cells and also with that in Salmonella typhimurium, which we reported earlier. The results for (E)-diazotates were similar to the corresponding N-nitroso-N-(hydroxymethyl)alkylamines, further supporting the notion that alpha-hydroxy nitrosamines decompose through alkanediazohydroxide and alkylate DNA, and suggests that geometrical isomerism influences the carcinogenicity of -nitroso compounds in mammals.

Alkylating Agents↗

PubMed1999

Analysis of the N-terminal polypeptide of the capsid precursor protein and the ORF3 product of feline calicivirus.

The N-terminal unique polypeptide region of the capsid precursor protein of feline calicivirus (FCV) and the protein encoded by ORF3 of FCV were expressed as fusion proteins with glutathione S-transferase to analyze the expressed products in FCV-infected cells. Immunoblot analysis using a serum from a cat experimentally infected with FCV indicated relatively high immunogenicity of the N-terminal polypeptide in FCV-infected cats, as compared with the ORF3 protein. Specific antisera were prepared by immunization to mice with the fused proteins and used in immunoblot analysis. A 14 kD product corresponding to the N-terminal polypeptide and a 10 kD polypeptide of the ORF3 product were identified in the FCV-infected cells but not detected in the purified particles. No neutralization activity against FCV was detected in these antisera. The proteins identified as polypeptides of 14 kD and 10 kD in this study may have functions as non-structural proteins.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Feline coronavirus participation in diarrhea of cats.

Fecal samples were examined for viruses participated in gastrointestinal disorders of cats, especially focusing on feline coronavirus (FCoV) by a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay. It was found that a primary viral pathogen was feline panleukopenia parvovirus (FPLV; 28.5% of the positive rate) and the secondary was FCoV (10.7%). Commonly reported clinical signs of cats of which feces were FCoV-positive were vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration with an exception of one serious case with concurrent FPLV infection.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Genetic analysis of the RNA polymerase gene of caliciviruses from dogs and cats.

Caliciviruses that infect animals including humans cause a specific disease syndrome in their respective hosts. Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a major pathogen of respiratory disease of cats, and human caliciviru is a causative agent of diarrhea. It has been suggested, furthermore, that FCV and newly recognized canine calicivirus (CaCV) may also be possible causes of diarrhea in these animal species. In this study nucleotide sequence of the RNA polymerase gene of two caliciviruses of canine origin, namely CaCV strain No. 48 and FCV-like strain Sapporo/283, and a number of FCV strains of respiratory and enteric origins was examined. The length of sequenced region, from the 5'LKDEL motif through the 3'YGDD motif of the gene, was 555 bp for CaCV No. 48 strain and 552 bp for the other FCV strains including Sapporo/283 strain. In phylogenetic analysis, CaCV No. 48 strain grouped as a distinct branch sharing ancestral roots with San Miguel sea lion virus, and FCVs formed one compact group in which Sapporo/283 strain was included.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3, recombinant human transforming growth factor-beta 1, and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 induce in vitro differentiation of canine osteosarcoma cells.

Effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), recombinant human transforming growth factor (rhTGF)-beta 1 and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP)-2 on differentiation in four different canine osteosarcoma cell lines (POS53B, 53C, 53D and 14A) were examined using markers specifically expressed by phenotypic osteoblasts. 1,25(OH)2D3 increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in one cell line, osteocalcin production in two lines and type I collagen production in three lines. RhTGF-beta 1 increased ALP activity in one clonal cell, osteocalcin production in one clonal cell and type I collagen production in two clonal cells. RhBMP-2 increased ALP activity in all clonal cells, osteocalcin production in two clonal cells and type I collagen production in three clonal cells. Thus, these agents induced differentiation in osteosarcoma cells at different efficacies. Electron microscopic study revealed that these agents increased cellular activity in all cell lines with no evidence of degeneration of cell organelle by drug cytotoxicity. In some cultures treated with either 1,25(OH)2D3 or rhBMP-2, apoptotic cells were observed. Based on the change in markers, rhBMP-2 and 1,25(OH)2D3 seemed to be more effective than rhTGF-beta 1. These agents are potential inducers of apoptosis.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

PubMed1999

Canine coronavirus infections in Japan: virological and epidemiological aspects.

Ten strains, eight field and two reference laboratory strains, of canine coronavirus (CCV) were comparatively examined with respect to antigenic relationships and pathogenic potential in dogs. With monoclonal antibodies and hyperimmune antisera to feline coronavirus and CCV, respectively, varying degrees of antigenic diversities were found among the strains by neutralization and immunofluorescence assays, but it was felt that they belong to one serotype. Specific-pathogen-free puppies experimentally inoculated with some CCV strains manifested clinical symptoms, but there was a difference in their virulence. In order to elucidate the prevalence of CCV infections in dogs in Japan, we tested for neutralizing antibodies to CCV in 467 field dogs, and found a prevalence of 44.1%. Moreover, by using nested reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction on rectal swabs of 100 diarrheic dogs recently presented in veterinary clinics, evidence of CCV in 16% of these specimens was found. The results suggested that CCV infection is more widespread than expected in dogs, and that CCV is a significant etiologic factor in canine diarrhea also in Japan.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

The involvement of growth hormone-binding protein in altered GH-IGF axis in IDDM.

UNLABELLED: High GH and low IGF-I are well known in IDDM patients. To delineate this altered GH-IGF-I axis in IDDM, we investigate the role of GH-binding protein (GHBP) in relation to the metabolic and nutritional states. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty seven patients with IDDM, mean 13.7 years, were evaluated. Blood samples were obtained before insulin injection and breakfast to test for plasma glucose (PG), IGF-I, IGFBP-1, IGFBP-3, total and complex GHBP (tGHBP and cGHBP), and HbA1c. Urine samples were collected in the morning for urinary GH (uGH). The difference between tGHBP and cGHBP is defined as fGHBP. The levels of PG and HbA1C were not correlated with each level of tGHBP, cGHBP, fGHBP or uGH. The levels of tGHBP, cGHBP and fGHBP were not all correlated with uGH. Both the levels of IGF-I and body mass index (BMI) were positively correlated with fGHBP. The duration of IDDM was negatively correlated with tGHBP, cGHBP and fGHBP. DISCUSSION: As the previous report of the relationship between GH binding reserve to GHBP and IGF-I or BMI in non-diabetic subjects, fGHBP again showed statistical links with these parameters in IDDM. We therefore suggest that GHBP, especially its free form, may reflect a malmetabolic state of IDDM liver, resulting in an altered GH-IGF-I axis.

Adolescent↗