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Biomedical subjects

M Nagai

Publications and source records attributed to M Nagai.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Anti-viral and immunomodulatory effects of interferon-alpha on cultured lymphocytes from patients with human T lymphotropic virus type I-associated myelopathy (HAM/TSP).

In contrast to therapeutic benefits of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) in patients with human T lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I)-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), little is known about the mechanisms underlying its clinical efficacy. To investigate the anti-viral and/or immunomodulatory properties of IFN-alpha in HTLV-I infection, the effects of IFN-alpha on HTLV-I-induced in vitro phenomena were evaluated. In vitro activation of HTLV-I in fractionated CD4+ T lymphocyte-rich cells (CD4+ cells) could be demonstrated by increased thymidine incorporation into the cells, detection of proviral HTLV-I and viral RNA, and by assays of reverse transcriptase activities in culture supernatants. T cell immune responses were evaluated by thymidine incorporation into CD8+ T lymphocyte-rich cells (CD8+ cells) responding to cultured and irradiated autologous CD4+ cells possessing HTLV-I antigens. It could be shown that IFN-alpha suppressed both the in vitro activation of HTLV-I and the CD8+ cell response. Moreover, 1 day supplementation of IFN-alpha as a pretreatment was sufficient for the induction of these properties. These findings, together with the clinical efficacy of IFN-alpha administration in patients with HAM/TSP, support the view that viral activation and T cell responses are critical components in the pathogenic processes involved in HAM/TSP.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed1995

A clinical survey on the compliance of exercise therapy for diabetic outpatients.

To clarify the present state of exercise therapy for diabetes mellitus, we conducted a survey of 570 diabetic outpatients by written questionnaires. The results revealed that approximately 30% of the patients did not implement the prescribed exercise regimen. The principal reasons for low compliance were 'lack of time to do' and 'lack of mind to do'. 'Lack of time to do' was particularly numerous in male patients. Other reasons were 'lack of guidance by physician', 'lack of interest', 'lack of understanding of procedure'. These findings indicated that the patients should be motivated adequately when they are diagnosed as having diabetes and subsequently encouraged to reinforce their intentions by the physician and co-medical staff. Furthermore, they showed that specific approaches suitable for each individual patient and not standardized guidelines should be devised. As regards the daily environment of patients, the cooperation of the patient's family would be effective and the exercise facilities and the exercise guidance personnel should be augmented.

Diabetes Mellitus↗
PubMed1995

Physical-strength tests and mortality among visitors to health-promotion centers in Japan.

A follow-up study was conducted to clarify the relationship between physical-strength level and risk of death from all causes and from cancer and cardiovascular disease. The 7286 persons who were examined at seven health-promotion centers throughout Japan between 1982 and 1987 were followed up. By January 1992, 6259 persons (85.9%) had been contacted by questionnaire. They included 3117 men (49.8% of all subjects studied) (average age 53.6 years at baseline, SD = 9.0 years, range 40-84 years), and 3142 women (50.2%) (average age 54.5 years at baseline, SD = 8.5 years, range 40-85 years). The follow-up period for each person averaged 6.1 years, for a total of 38,253 person-years. During this period, 155 deaths were reported. At baseline, five physical-strength tests (grip strength, side step, vertical jump, standing trunk flexion, and sit-ups) were performed. Five clinical laboratory tests (thickness of skinfold, blood sugar, total serum cholesterol, percent vital lung capacity, and blood pressure) were also conducted. The examinees were questioned about smoking status (current smoker, nonsmoker, and ex-smoker). Men with thicker skinfold [relative risk (RR) = 2.11] and higher levels of blood sugar (RR = 1.89) had an excess risk of death from all causes. Men with higher serum cholesterol (RR = 5.08), thicker skinfold (RR = 4.54), and elevated blood pressure (RR = 2.33) had an excess risk of death from cardiovascular disease. In women, no relationship was seen between clinical laboratory tests and an excess risk of death. Men exhibiting lower values for side step (RR = 2.43), vertical jump (RR = 2.37), sit-ups (RR = 1.93) and grip strength (RR = 1.92) also had an excess risk of death from all causes. Furthermore, men with lower heights for vertical jump (RR = 5.51) had an excess risk of death from cardiovascular disease. After adjustment for skinfold thickness, blood sugar, total serum cholesterol, blood pressure, percent vital lung capacity and smoking status, men with a lower level of side step, vertical jump, and grip strength had an excess risk of death from all causes. No such relationship was seen between physical-strength level and an excess risk of death in women. It is concluded that a low level of physical strength might be significantly correlated with subsequent health outcomes in men.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Deleted in oral cancer-1 (doc-1), a novel oral tumor suppressor gene.

We have identified, isolated, and partially characterized doc-1, a novel cDNA sequence whose activity is consistent with a suppressor of hamster oral carcinogenesis. Doc-1 is an evolutionarily conserved gene exhibiting loss of heterozygosity and marked reduction in expression in malignant hamster oral keratinocytes. The full-length doc-1 cDNA encodes an 87 amino acid product that shows a significant homology to one of the seven novel genes induced in mouse fibroblasts by TNF-alpha. Transfection of the full-length doc-1 cDNA into malignant hamster oral keratinocytes alters the behavior of the recipients in terms of morphology, growth rate, and anchorage-independent growth, suggesting reversion of transformation phenotypes. We propose that doc-1 is a novel tumor suppressor gene in oral cancer development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

A role of lysine-43 in the inactivation of rat prorenin.

1. Lysine-43 (Lys43) in the prosegment region was located within 3 x 10(-1) of catalytic sites, Asp81 and Asp266, in a stereo structure model of rat prorenin. 2. A mutant prorenin, Lys43Leu, was produced to elucidate a role of Lys43 in the inactivation of prorenin. Lys43Leu as well as the wild type were inactive at a neutral pH, and activated at an acidic pH. Its acid-activation speed was three times higher than that of the wild type. The mutant prorenin was more labile than the wild type at 55 degrees C and a neutral pH. 3. These results indicate that Lys43 forms ionic bonds with Asp81 and Asp266 to inactivate and stabilize prorenin.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Inhibition of hepatic regeneration after 70% partial hepatectomy by simultaneous resection of the bowel in rats.

This study was aimed to evaluate bow simultaneous resection of the bowel influences hepatic regeneration after partial hepatectomy (HTX). Two hundred and sixty-four rats underwent 70% partial HTX, ileocecal resection (ICR), transverse colon resection (TR), colon amputation and simulatenous resection of the liver and the bowel (HTX+ICR, HTX+TR). Hepatic DNA synthesis was remarkably suppressed by simultaneous resection compared with the 70% HTX group (p < 0.01). In simultaneous resection groups, delayed enhanced hepatic protein synthesis (HPS) was observed after the operation as compared with the 70% HTX group, which showed an early postoperative peak of HPS. Postoperative anastomosis leakage occurred more frequently and survival rates were significantly lower in simultaneous resection groups. Higher plasma endotoxin levels of the portal and the peripheral veins were found in simultaneous resection groups as compared with other groups (p < 0.01-0.001). This study suggested that simultaneous resection of the bowel with partial HTX might inhibit hepatic regeneration and result in the increased risk of anastomosis leakage and high surgical mortality rate by increased plasma endotoxin levels and delayed enhanced HPS.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Expanding intracerebral hematoma from pituitary adenoma: case report.

We report the case of a 53-year-old man presenting with a headache of sudden onset and blurred vision secondary to hemorrhage from a nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma, which had been treated 25 years previously by transcranial surgery and postoperative irradiation. The intratumoral and intracerebral hematoma expanded to three times its initial size because of a recurrent hemorrhage that occurred during a 2-day period while the patient awaited surgery. The mechanisms of hematoma expansion and the management strategy in such a case are discussed, and a review of the pertinent literature is presented.

Adenoma, Chromophobe↗
PubMed1995

Studies on the Chinese crude drug "shoma." IX. Three novel cyclolanostanol xylosides, cimicifugosides H-1, H-2 and H-5, from cimicifuga rhizome.

Three new cyclolanostanol xylosides were isolated from a batch of commercial Cimicifuga Rhizome, cimicifugoside H-1 (1), C35H52O9, mp 260-262 degrees C, [alpha]D -43.5 degrees, cimicifugoside H-2 (2), C35H54O10, mp 227-229 degrees C, [alpha]D -38.8 degrees, and cimicifugoside H-5 (3), C35H52O10, mp 262-264 degrees C, [alpha]D -22.9 degrees, together with known glycosides, actein and 27-deoxyactein. Their structures were determined on the basis of chemical and spectrometric evidence including an X-ray crystallographic analysis. The structure of cimicifugoside H-1 (1) was established as (20R,24R)-24,25-epoxy-11 beta-hydroxy-3-beta-(beta-D- xylopyranosyloxy)-9,19-cyclolanost-7-ene-16,23-dione. Cimicifugoside H-5 (3) is the 15-hydroxylated derivative of 1. Since 1 changed into cimicifugoside H-2 (2) on treatment with p-toluenesulfonic acid, 2 has a 24R,25-diol structure derived from 1 by opening its epoxy ring.

Analgesics, Non-Narcotic↗
PubMed1995

Reduction of androgen receptor mRNA concentration by testosterone in mouse submandibular gland.

In this study, we examine the effect of testosterone on the steady-state concentration of androgen receptor (AR) mRNA of mouse submandibular gland. Northern blot analysis showed the expression of an AR-specific 10-kb transcript in the submandibular glands of both sexes. Quantitative analysis was done by means of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with a non-radioactive label of digoxigenin. The RT-PCR demonstrated that the steady-state of AR mRNA concentration was less in males than in females. Moreover, AR mRNA increased in the castrated male mice, while the administration of testosterone reduced the AR mRNA in female mice. In conclusion, the amount of AR mRNA in mouse submandibular gland is reduced by androgen.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Acute hemolysis during cyclosporine therapy successfully treated with vitamin E.

The immunosuppressant cyclosporine induces acute hemolysis (hemolytic uremic syndrome) in some patients after transplantation, possibly because of its effects on the vascular endothelium. We report a case of Coombs-negative, non-immune severe hemolytic anemia during cyclosporine therapy after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for severe aplastic anemia. Uremia was not observed. Vitamin E was effective in treating the intravascular hemolysis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

[Cerebral aneurysms associated with von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis: report of two cases].

The authors reported two cases of aneurysms associated with von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis. The first case, a 60-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of disturbance of consciousness and right hemiparesis of acute onset. On admission, she was almost alert but developed right hemiparesis and lower cranial nerve palsy. Computed tomographic (CT) scanning and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a huge mass compressing the brain stem and another mass lesion in the suprasellar cistern. Cerebral angiography disclosed left vertebral and left internal carotid artery giant aneurysms. Since she suffered respiratory distress because of aspiration pneumonia, conservative therapy was carried out. However, she developed cardiac arrest suddenly and died fourteen days after admission. On autopsy, it was shown that the left sided medulla oblongata had necrosis due to compression by the giant aneurysm and that the hemorrhagic infarction of the left cerebellar hemisphere was caused by a thrombus from the giant aneurysm of the left vertebral artery. The second case, a 40-year-old woman presented a disturbance of consciousness. A CT scanning demonstrated subarachnoid hemorrhage with a thick hematoma in the left sylvian fissure. An aneurysm at the junction of the right internal carotid artery and the posterior communicating artery was found, while the left middle cerebral artery was shown to be normal on cerebral angiography. Additionally an arteriovenous fistula of the left vertebral artery was found. Although no aneurysm was seen in the territory of the left internal carotid artery, left sided craniotomy was performed based on the CT findings.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Proliferative potential and malignant transformation of ganglioglioma: immunohistochemical studies by MIB-1 and p53 staining.

We studied two cases of ganglioglioma immunohistochemically by MIB-1 and p53 staining. The positive rate of MIB-1 in the ganglionic cells was 5.5% in Case 1 and 7.8% in Case 2, and that of MIB-1 in the gliomatous cells was 1.4 and 6.6% respectively. The labeling index of p53 in the ganglionic cells was 7.3% in Case 1 and 7.7% in Case 2, and that of the gliomatous cells was 1.9 and 3.4% respectively. MIB-1 and p53 did not stain ganglionic precursor cells. These results indicate that the ganglionic cells also take part in proliferation and have potential of malignant transformation.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Determination of the amounts and oxidation states of hemoglobins M Boston and M Saskatoon in single erythrocytes by infrared microspectroscopy.

The reduced abnormal subunits of two M-type hemoglobins, Boston (His alpha 58-->Tyr) and Saskatoon (His beta 63-->Tyr), have been determined in the presence of normal human hemoglobin A by measurement of C-O stretch bands in infrared spectra of carbon monoxide complexes. Use of an infrared microscope coupled to a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer of high sensitivity permitted measurements to be made on as small a hemoglobin mixture as is contained in a single erythrocyte. The abnormal subunits of both Hbs M exhibit bands near 1970 cm-1 compared with bands near 1951 cm-1 for the normal subunits. The increase in 1970 cm-1 band intensity upon erythrocyte reduction with dithionite provided a measure of the extent of abnormal subunit oxidation; in cell suspensions about 60% of the abnormal subunits of Hb M Boston and 80% for Hb M Saskatoon remained reduced. The amount of Hb present as abnormal Hb averaged about 25% for Hb M Boston cells and about 50% for Hb M Saskatoon cells. However, the ratio of Hb M to Hb A in individual cells varied markedly, with the ratio expected to decrease as the cell ages. These results demonstrate the unique utility of infrared microspectroscopy for the study of differences in abnormal Hb status among individual erythrocytes.

Carboxyhemoglobin↗
PubMed1994

Purification and characterization of Bordetella calmodulin-like protein.

Bordetella calmodulin-like protein was purified from culture supernatant fluid of B. pertussis, B. parapertussis and B. bronchiseptica by successive chromatography on hydroxyapatite, Toyopearl HW-50F and QAE-Toyopearl 550C columns. The purified calmodulin-like protein appeared to be homogeneous by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The apparent molecular mass of calmodulin-like protein on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was 10 kDa, which was smaller than bovine brain calmodulin (17 kDa). The purified calmodulin-like protein activated both Bordetella adenylate cyclase and mammalian phosphodiesterase in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. This activation was inhibited by calmodulin antagonists. The calmodulin-like protein, like calmodulin, was retained by a hydrophobic resin in the presence of Ca2+ and eluted by the addition of EDTA. These results indicated that the Bordetella calmodulin-like protein is closely related to calmodulin. As a putative calmodulin the extracellular calmodulin may be involved in Bordetella pathogenesis.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1994

Detection of PML-retinoic acid receptor-alpha fusion transcripts in acute promyelocytic leukemia with trisomy 8 but without t(15;17).

Chromosome translocation t(15;17), the breakpoints of which are in the PML gene on chromosome 15 and retinoic acid receptor-alpha (RAR alpha) gene on chromosome 17, is specifically found in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Clinically typical APL without t(15;17) and with the PML-RAR alpha fusion transcripts or rearrangements in PML and/or RAR alpha gene has been reported, suggesting submicroscopic changes at the molecular level without apparent t(15;17) or observation of normal metaphases. Trisomy 8 is common in APL as a secondary chromosomal abnormality in addition to t(15;17), as well as in acute myelogenous leukemia in general, but it is rare as a sole chromosomal anomaly in APL. PML-RAR alpha fusion transcript was detected in an APL case with trisomy 8 but without t(15;17), indicating that the leukemic cells lacked t(15;17) and still expressed the PML-RAR alpha fusion transcripts. This indicates that the same submicroscopic molecular changes as in APL with t(15;17) do occur in APL without t(15;17) and supports the use of molecular analysis for PML-RAR alpha fusion in APL.

Adult↗