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Biomedical subjects

M Morita

Publications and source records attributed to M Morita.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Vacuum assisted cardiopulmonary bypass in minimally invasive cardiac surgery: its feasibility and effects on hemolysis.

The present study describes a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) technique that incorporates vacuum assisted venous drainage and arterial return using a centrifugal pump in minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS). The technique was performed on 40 patients scheduled to undergo MICS. The proposed CPB technique enables a good operative field to be obtained even through a limited incision through the use of peripheral cannulation using small cannulae. Vacuum pressure was applied to the venous reservoir (-43 +/- 14 mm Hg) to maintain adequate CPB flow (>2.4 L x min-1 x M-2). The effects of CPB on hemolysis were subsequently compared between patients who underwent the proposed procedure (MICS group; n = 6) and a control group who underwent coronary arterial bypass grafting (CABG group; n = 6) with conventional CPB. Plasma free hemoglobin (FHb) increased and plasma haptoglobin (Hp) decreased during CPB in both groups, with no significant difference between the groups. By the next day, FHb had returned to pre-CPB levels whereas Hp remained lower in both groups. Again, these values did not differ significantly between groups. Thus, we conclude that the proposed CPB technique is useful in MICS with acceptable effects on hemolysis.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2000

Closed circuit cardiopulmonary bypass with centrifugal pump for open-heart surgery: new trial for air removal.

The purpose of this study is to examine the efficiency of venous air removal with a new cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit design for conventional open-heart surgeries. A main concern with a closed circuit for open-heart surgeries is air entrainment into the venous line. A venous filter was placed proximal to the centrifugal pump. The circuit proximal to the centrifugal pump was divided into two lines; one line was attached to the venous reservoir outlet. By clamping the line to the reservoir, this circuit becomes closed. Negative pressure was applied to the purge line connected to the venous reservoir for venous air removal. Micro bubbles were measured at two locations, both distal to the venous and arterial filters. When the injection rate reached 100 ml/min, with the air-injection over 30 s, micro bubbles greater than 40 micro were observed at the outlet of venous filter. However, there was no micro bubble greater than 40 micro detected at the outlet of arterial filter. Although micro bubbles greater than 40 micro were not detected at the outlet of the arterial filter up to the injection rate of 300 ml/min, when the injection rate reached 400 ml/min, micro bubbles greater than 50 microm were detected distal to the arterial filter. From this examination, we determined that air entrained in the venous line up to approximately 300 ml/min is automatically removed by this method with the pressure-balanced condition. This pressure balance means that resistance of venous return, gravity siphon, negative pressure by centrifugal pump, and negative pressure applied to the air-purge line of the filter are balanced; that is, the venous return is sufficient, and the venous reservoir volume is kept stable. From this study we determined that this circuit design efficiently removes the entrained air in the venous line.

Air↗
PubMed2000

Alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking in relation to high frequency of p53 protein accumulation in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma in the Japanese.

We investigated levels of p53 protein expression in Japanese patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma. A significantly larger proportion of heavy alcohol drinkers and cigarette smokers was evident in the p53-positive group. The combination of drinking and smoking was associated with a high frequency of p53 protein accumulation.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed2000

Spatially and temporally regulated expression of rice MADS box genes with similarity to Arabidopsis class A, B and C genes.

The floral morphology of grass species is distinct from that of typical dicot plants. In order to achieve a better understanding of the molecular basis for this diversion, we isolated RAP1A, RAP1B and RAG, putative rice orthologs for the Arabidopsis class A gene APETALA1 (AP1) and class C gene AGAMOUS (AG). The expression patterns of RAP1A, RAG and OsMADS2, a rice ortholog of the class B gene, were analyzed by in situ hybridization. RAP1A mRNA was expressed in the apical region of the floral meristem at an early stage of spikelet development, and then its expression was localized in developing lemma, palea and lodicules. The OsMADS2 transcript was first observed in the region where stamen primordia are formed. Soon after, OsMADS2 mRNA appeared in the lodicule primordia as well as the stamen primordia, and this RNA accumulation pattern persisted until late stages of floral development. The expression of RAG was observed in stamens and pistils of wild-type young spikelets. These RNA accumulation patterns are mostly similar to those of Arabidopsis class A, B, C genes, supporting the notion that the ABC model may be extended to rice.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

A combinatorial code for gene expression generated by transcription factor Bach2 and MAZR (MAZ-related factor) through the BTB/POZ domain.

Bach2 is a B-cell- and neuron-specific transcription repressor that forms heterodimers with the Maf-related oncoproteins. We show here that Bach2 activates transcription by interacting with its novel partner MAZR. MAZR was isolated by the yeast two-hybrid screen using the BTB/POZ domain of Bach2 as bait. Besides the BTB/POZ domain, MAZR possesses Zn finger motifs that are closely related to those of the Myc-associated Zn finger (MAZ) protein. MAZR mRNA was coexpressed with Bach2 in B cells among hematopoietic cells and in developing mouse limb buds, suggesting a cooperative role for MAZR and Bach2 in these cells. MAZR forms homo- and hetero-oligomers with Bach2 through the BTB domain, which oligomers bind to guanine-rich sequences. Unlike MAZ, MAZR functioned as a strong activator of the c-myc promoter in transfection assays with B cells. However, it does not possess a typical activation domain, suggesting a role for it as an unusual type of transactivator. The fgf4 gene, which regulates morphogenesis of limb buds, contains both guanine-rich sequences and a Bach2 binding site in its regulatory region. In transfection assays using fibroblast cells, the fgf4 gene was upregulated in the presence of both MAZR and Bach2 in a BTB/POZ domain-dependent manner. The results provide a new perspective on the function of BTB/POZ domain factors and indicate that BTB/POZ domain-mediated oligomers of transcription factors may serve as combinatorial codes for gene expression.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Insulin-degrading enzyme exists inside of rat liver peroxisomes and degrades oxidized proteins.

Insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) was detected by immunoblot analysis in highly purified rat liver peroxisomes. IDE in the peroxisomal fraction was resistant to proteolysis by trypsin and chymotrypsin under conditions where the peroxisomal membranes remained intact. After sonication of the peroxisomal fraction, IDE was recovered in the supernatant fraction. Further, the localization of IDE in the peroxisomes was shown by immunoelectron microscopy. In addition, IDE isolated from peroxisomes degraded insulin as well as oxidized lysozyme as a model substrate for oxidized proteins. These results suggest that IDE exists in an active form in the matrix of rat liver peroxisomes and is involved in elimination of oxidized proteins in peroxisomes.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Molecular cloning and characterization of a cDNA for Glycyrrhiza glabra cycloartenol synthase.

A cDNA clone (GgCAS1) encoding cycloartenol synthase (CAS) has been isolated from Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) by cross-hybridization with that of Pisum sativum CAS as a probe. The deduced amino acid sequence of GgCAS1 exhibits 89%, 83% and 81% identity to those of Pisum sativum, Panax ginseng and Arabidopsis thaliana CASs, respectively. CAS activity has been detected in the homogenate of the yeast transformed with the expression vector containing the open reading frame of GgCAS1. Southern blot analysis suggested that at least two CAS genes exist in the licorice genome. In Northern blot analysis, the strong signal for CAS mRNA is detected in the cultured licorice cells of all growth phases, but no significant increase of CAS mRNA expression was observed in the cells treated with the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitor, pravastatin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Identification of new geometric isomers of methyl linoleate hydroperoxide and their chromatographic behavior.

New geometric isomers, methyl (9Z,11Z)-13-hydroperoxy-9,11-octadecadienoate and methyl (10Z,12Z)-9-hydroperoxy-10,12-octadecadienoate, were proved to be present in methyl linoleate hydroperoxide produced by autoxidation. They were identified from their UV, MS, and 1H-NMR spectra after conversion to the corresponding oxo derivatives: methyl (9Z,11Z)-13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoate and methyl (10Z,12Z)-9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoate. Their chromatographic behavior is described.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed2000

Up-regulation of E-cadherin and I-catenin in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines by sodium butyrate and interferon-alpha.

Human E-cadherin is a homophilic cell adhesion molecule and its expression is well preserved in normal human hepatocytes; a decrease in its expression has been observed in poorly differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma cells. We examined the alteration of E-cadherin and catenin expressions caused by differentiation inducers in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines, HCC-T and HCC-M, were cultured with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), dexamethasone (DEX), sodium butyrate, and interferon-alpha. E-cadherin expression was only up-regulated by butyrate and interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) in both cell lines, studied by means of fluorescence immunostaining and flow cytometry. The localization of E-cadherin staining was shown at their cell membrane. According to the increase in E-cadherin expression, beta-catenin expression appeared at the cell membrane of both cell lines when treated with butyrate and IFN-alpha. Such an appearance was not observed when cells were treated with ATRA and DEX. Western blotting showed that alpha- and y-catenin expression was not changed, while only the expression of beta-catenin increased. Beta-catenin oncogenic activation as a result of amino acid substitutions or interstitial deletions within or including parts of exon 3, which has been demonstrated recently, was not detected in these cell lines by direct deoxyribonucleic acid sequencing. These results suggest that the expression and interaction between E-cadherin and wild-type beta-catenin are potentially modulated by butyrate and IFN-alpha, and that these two agents are potent inhibitors of hepatocellular carcinoma cell invasion and metastasis.

Amino Acid Substitution↗
PubMed2000

High photosynthetic productivity of green microalga Chlorella sorokiniana.

The batch culture of a newly isolated strain of a green microalga, Chlorella sorokiniana, was carried out using a conical helical tubular photobioreactor. The isolate was capable of good growth at 40 degrees C under an airstream enriched with 10% CO2. The maximum photosynthetic productivity was 34.4 g of dry biomass/(m2 of installation area x d) (12-h light/12-h dark cycle) when the cells were illuminated with an average photosynthetic photon flux density (photosynthetically active radiation ([PAR] 400-700 nm) simulating the outdoors in central Japan (0.980 mmol photons/[m2 x s]). This corresponded to a photosynthetic efficiency of 8.67% (PAR), which was defined as the percentage of the light energy recovered as biomass (394 kJ/[reactor x d]) to the total light energy received (4545 kJ/[reactor x d]). A similarly high photosynthetic efficiency (8.12% [PAR]) was also attained in the combined presence of 10% CO2, 100 ppm of NO, and 25 ppm of SO2. Moreover, good photosynthetic productivity was also obtained under high temperature and high light intensity conditions (maximum temperature, 46.5 degrees C; 1.737 mmol photons/[m2 x s]), when simulating the strong irradiance of the midday summer sun. This strain thus appears well suited for practical application for converting CO2 present in the stack gases emitted by thermal power plants and should be feasible even during the hot summer weather.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2000

A simple semisolid subtraction method using carbodiimide-coated microplates.

In this article, we develop a novel subtraction method using carbodiimide-bound microplates. This method utilizes the high affinity of carbodiimides for both single- and double-stranded nucleic acids. Carbodiimide-mediated end-attachment of driver RNA to microplates allows semisolid phase hybridization between driver RNA and target cDNA, and ensures easy removal of RNA/cDNA hybrids composed of the genes commonly expressed in driver and target. As a result, the target-specific genes are left unhybridized and enriched in the hybridization supernatant. We define the optimal conditions for the method as a target/driver RNA ratio of 1:10 and a period of hybridization of 24 h. There are at least three major advantages with the present method: (1) The entire procedure, which consists of two steps, is very simple; (2) hybridization efficiency can be monitored before further processing of the samples; and (3) rare transcripts can be effectively enriched. This method may be a powerful tool to isolate the genes specifically expressed in particular cell or tissue types, and is easily applicable to many studies in molecular biology and genetics. Isolation of polyploid megakaryocyte-specific genes is shown as an example.

Blotting, Northern↗
PubMed2000

[Characteristics of incidentally detected renal cell carcinoma by ultrasonography at health check-up].

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of patients with incidentally detected renal cell carcinoma is better than that of patients with symptomatic renal cell carcinoma. These incidentalomas include those discovered by ultrasonography at health check-up and those found during examinations for unrelated disease. In this study, we investigated the prognosis of the patients of the health check-up group and the unrelated disease group. METHODS: From April 1987 to March 1997, 263 patients with renal cell carcinoma were treated in our department including 166 incidentalomas (63.1%). The occasion of incidental detection was divided into 2 groups; 90 cases as health check-up group and 76 cases as unrelated disease group. RESULTS: The mean age was 52.9 +/- 9.7 years for health check-up group and 65.1 +/- 11.4 years for unrelated disease group (p < 0.01). The mean evaluated tumor size was 3.6 +/- 1.6 cm for health check-up group and 4.4 +/- 2.6 cm for unrelated disease group (p < 0.05). The survival rates were significantly different in the two groups (p < 0.01); the 5- and 10-year survival rate for health check-up group was 91.5% and 55.9%, respectively and for unrelated disease group 79.4% and 66.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that examination by ultrasonography at health check-up lead to detection of smaller renal cell carcinoma and improve the prognosis further.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Content and sulfation pattern of keratan sulfate in hip osteoarthritis using high performance liquid chromatography.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the content and sulfation pattern of keratan sulfate (KS) in synovial fluid (SF) from patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA) and investigate its significance as a marker of cartilage matrix metabolism. METHODS: Hip SF samples were aspirated from 50 patients with OA. KS in the samples was digested to 2 disaccharide isomers, beta-galactosyl-(1-4)-6-0-sulfo-N-acetylglucosamine (L2) and beta-6-0-sulfo-galactosyl-(I-4)-6-0-sulfo-N-acetylglucosamine (LA) by keratanase II. Concentrations of these disaccharide isomers were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and their levels were investigated in relation to radiological stage of disease. RESULTS: Analysis of covariance (age as covariate) showed that the L2 levels in advanced stage OA were significantly lower than in early stage OA (p < 0.0001). L2 levels in terminal stage OA were also significantly lower than in early stage OA (p < 0.0001); however, no significant difference was observed between the L2 levels in advanced and terminal stage OA (p = 0.516). There were no significant differences in the levels of L4, L2 + L4, or the ratio of L4 to L2 at each disease stage. CONCLUSION: The levels of KS related disaccharide isomer vary with severity of disease in hip OA. Analysis of these KS related disaccharide isomers by HPLC provides information on both the content and sulfation pattern of KS in SF, reflecting the metabolism of cartilage aggrecan.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Reducing the volume of polyethylene glycol electrolyte lavage solution to less than 2 liters for bowel preparation.

Smaller volumes of polyethylene glycol electrolyte lavage solution (PEG), an oral whole-bowel irrigation solution employed in colorectal preparation, were given to patients to decrease the discomfort associated with pretreatment. Comparison was made between groups receiving standard and modified preparations. A total of 68 patients (gastrointestinal surgery: 55; total colonoscopy: 13) were enrolled in the study. The mean volume of PEG used was significantly smaller in the modified than in the standard preparation (1,694 ml vs. 2,735 ml, p<0.01). In addition, the mean PEG administration period was significantly shorter for the modified preparation (183 min vs. 237 min, p<0.05). However, the mean PEG excretion time and the number of bowel movements were not significantly different between the two groups. There was also no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the efficacy, safety, usefulness, or tolerability of the preparations. These results suggest that it is possible to reduce the PEG volume by more than 1 L to alleviate patient discomfort without a significant loss of efficacy. The modified method is useful for preparing the large bowel for either gastrointestinal surgery or total colonoscopy.

Colonoscopy↗
PubMed2000

[Right middle cerebral artery occlusion during endovascular embolisation of cerebral aneurysm by Guglielmi detachable coil: a case report].

Right middle cerebral artery embolism by thrombus occurred in 63-year-old female during endovascular embolisation of cerebral aneurysm by Guglielmi detachable coil. Middle cerebral artery occlusion lasted for 60 minute, and haemodynamics was stable during this period. Middle cerebral artery occlusion was detected only by digital subtraction angiography and information from neurosurgeons. Middle cerebral artery blood flow was restored with thrombolytic agents. After tracheal extubation, transient confusion and seizure occurred, but cerebral infarction was not seen in postoperative CT and there was no complication. In case of endovascular embolisation of cerebral aneurysm by Guglielmi detachable coil, systemic heparinization is necessity to decrease the risk of embolism by thrombus, and anesthetist is required to pay attention to cerebral angiography to maintain, close relationship with neurosurgeons and to take measures for cerebral protection.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed2000

Human urine certified reference material for arsenic speciation.

BACKGROUND: Chemical speciation analysis is essential for the biological monitoring of inorganic arsenic exposure using urine as indicator medium. There is increasing demand for a certified reference material (CRM) of urine matrix for arsenic speciation. METHODS: Urine (10 L) was collected from non-occupationally exposed Japanese males. We prepared 954 bottles of urine, each containing approximately 10 mL, after filtering and blending the urine stock. The urine in each bottle was freeze-dried. Between-bottle homogeneity was confirmed by measuring the concentrations of selected minor and trace elements in the material and subsequent statistical analysis. Certification was based on a collaborative analysis involving 15 laboratories. RESULTS: Certified values were determined for arsenobetaine (0.069+/-0.012 mg As/L), dimethylarsinic acid (0.036+/-0.009 mg As/L), and total arsenic (0.134+/-0.011 mg/L) as well as for total selenium (0.059+/-0.005 mg/L) and zinc (0.62+/-0.05 mg/L), based on the analytical values from the collaborating laboratories. Reference values are given for copper (0.010 mg/L) and lead (0.0011 mg/L), based on definitive analysis at the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES). CONCLUSIONS: The present CRM, NIES CRM No. 18 Human Urine, is the first human urine CRM for arsenic speciation and will be of value for analytical quality assurance of the biological monitoring of arsenic exposure.

Arsenicals↗
PubMed2000

[A novel in vivo 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance technique for assessment of teratogenicity induced by environmental endocrine disrupters in mice].

Novel in vivo 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectoroscopy(NMR) and NMR-imaging techniques for accurate and noninvasive assessment of teratogenicity induced by environmental endocrine disrupters(EDs) were developed. Mice with pregnancy were administered ED at extremely low dose, and then in vivo 31P-NMR spectra of embryos were acquired noninvasively and quantitatively to evaluate the energy metabolism. A significant decrease in embryo ATP level was seen, but no significant changes were detected by conventional histological and biochemical methods. In conclusion, in vivo NMR techniques are highly sensitive(at least 100-fold more sensitive than conventional methods) and are useful for toxicological assessment of environmental pollutants.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗