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Biomedical subjects

M Nitta

Publications and source records attributed to M Nitta.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Enprostil, a prostaglandin-E(2) analogue, inhibits interleukin-8 production of human colonic epithelial cell lines.

We previously reported that intracolonic administration of enprostil, a prostaglandin-E(2) (PGE(2)) analogue, had therapeutic effects on acute colitis induced in rodents by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). In addition, production of growth-regulated gene product/cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 [GRO/CINC-1; an interleukin(IL)-8 like cytokine] was suppressed in the inflamed tissues. In the present study we used a human colon cancer cell line (HT-29) to investigate enprostil effects on the IL-8 production of intestinal epithelial cells stimulated by various stimulants. In a MTT assay, concentrations of enprostil >10(-5)M had cytotoxitic effects on HT-29 cells. Furthermore, 10(-6) M enprostil suppressed IL-8 production in HT-29 cells, SW620 and CaCo2 stimulated with interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), but did not suppress this response when cells were stimulated with tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. These results suggest that enprostil affects a point in the pathway between the IL-1 receptor or LPS receptor and nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-kappa B), without affecting the pathway between the TNF receptor and NF-kappa B, with the latter factor being required for the IL-8 gene transcription. The therapeutic effect of exogenous enprostil on DSS colitis may involve the inhibition of IL-8 production in colonic epithelial cells stimulated by IL-1 beta or LPS.

Colitis, Ulcerative↗
PubMed2000

The expansion of the hypopharynx by correction of glosso-larynx.

The width of the hypopharynx and oropharynx before and after the operation correction of glosso-larynx (CGL) was compared by cranial X-ray film. After the operation, the hyoid bone was seen to have moved downward, and the cranial bone was observed to have rotated forward. As a result, the hypopharynx and the oropharynx were expanded. Expansion of the hypopharynx resulted in the decreased resistance of flow decreased and the increased in airflow.

Airway Resistance↗
PubMed2000

Functions of the uvula and Z-pharyngoplasty.

UPPP includes uvulotomy. The uvula works as the pilot for eating and swallowing. We performed an operation which left the uvula intact and opened the pharynx by Z-opening the palate, Z-pharyngoplasty (ZPP). Twenty-four patients were studied before and after ZPP. The results of the operations were satisfactory. No patients complained of symptoms after uvulectomy. As for the changes indicated by sleep monitoring, minimum SaO2 increased significantly (P = 0.0026), pulse rate decreased significantly (P = 0.0144), apnea index decreased significantly (P = 0.0392), snoring decreased (P = 0.064), and the amount of hours of sleep when SaO2 was over 95% increased (P = 0.0690) after ZPP.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Pharmacological and immunohistochemical characterization of a mouse model of acute herpetic pain.

We have recently found that the infection with herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) of primary sensory neurons induces nociceptive hypersensitivity to noxious mechanical (hyperalgesia) and tactile stimulation (allodynia) in mice. In the present experiments, we determined the distribution of HSV-1 in the dorsal root ganglia and examined the effects of four analgesic agents on hyperalgesia and allodynia. HSV-1 was inoculated on the unilateral shin. HSV-antigen-positive cells were detected in the L4 and L5 dorsal root ganglia on days 5 and 7, but not day 3, post-inoculation. About 80% of the positive cells were small in size. Allodynia and hyperalgesia appeared on day 5 post-inoculation. Antinociceptive effects of analgesic agents were examined on day 6 post-inoculation. Morphine (1-5 mg/kg, subcutaneous) and gabapentin (10-100 mg/kg, peroral) dose-dependently inhibited both allodynia and hyperalgesia. Diclofenac (10-100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) also produced antinociceptive effects, but there was a ceiling for the effect on hyperalgesia. Amitriptyline (3, 10 mg/kg, subcutaneous) did not affect allodynia and hyperalgesia. The results suggest that mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia appeared when HSV-1 proliferated in the sensory neurons. This mouse model may be useful for studying the mechanisms of acute herpetic pain and anti-neuropathic pain agents.

Acetates↗
PubMed2000

[Changes in the shape of choanal openings and airflow rates during development].

The shape of the choanal openings were examined in 173 babies aged zero to six months using digital video fiberscope inserted via nose. A numerical analysis and the fluid mechanics were then calculated for each recorded choanal opening. The choanal openings in one month old babies were a flat oval shape. Vertical development was faster than that of horizontal development, and the choanal openings changed from a flat oval to a round and finally a vertical oval shapes as the babies aged from two to four months. Both the air resistance and airflow ratio in the choanae can be calculated by Navier-Stoke's equation, if the choanae are assumed to be an oval tube. Using this equation, it was calculated that the air resistance ratio was one to five and the airflow ratio increased five times from neonates to six month old babies.

Humans↗
PubMed2000

Midgut malrotation in adulthood.

A 29-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a history of recurrent right upper quadrant abdominal pain and vomiting. These symptoms appeared intermittently for 7 years. Various examinations revealed a diagnosis of midgut malrotation. Laparotomy was performed and revealed reverse rotation of the duodenum with paraduodenal hernia and a normal rotating colon. This case suggests that recurrent abdominal complaints in an adult should arouse suspicion of midgut malrotation.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed2000

A novel human multiple myeloma-derived cell line, NCU-MM-1, carrying t(2;11)(q11;q23) and t(8;22)(q24;q11) chromosomal translocations with overexpression of c-Myc protein.

A novel cell line, designated as NCU-MM-1, was established from a 66-year-old female patient with multiple myeloma (MM) that had shown rapid progression from solitary plasmacytoma to plasma cell leukemia. Interestingly, cytogenetic analysis including fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis disclosed that this cell line carried 2 kinds of chromosomal translocations involving immunoglobulin light chain (IgL) gene loci without the presence of 14q32 translocations (14q+). The Ig lambda locus juxtaposed to the c-MYC locus at 8q24 on the derivative (8) chromosome and a concomitant overexpression of the c-Myc protein was observed. On the derivative (11) chromosome, the Ig kappa locus was also fused to the chromosome 11q23 locus, which is known to be a nonrandom translocation breakpoint in mature B-cell malignancies. The NCU-MM-1 cell line may thus be useful not only for the identification of the responsible proto-oncogene(s) mapped to 11q23, deregulated by the Ig kappa enhancer sequences, but also for clarification of the molecular origin of MM lacking 14q+ chromosomes because IgL rearrangements can physiologically begin to occur in the pre-B-cell stage.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

CPF: an orphan nuclear receptor that regulates liver-specific expression of the human cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase gene.

Cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase is the first and rate-limiting enzyme in a pathway through which cholesterol is metabolized to bile acids. The gene encoding cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase, CYP7A, is expressed exclusively in the liver. Overexpression of CYP7A in hamsters results in a reduction of serum cholesterol levels, suggesting that the enzyme plays a central role in cholesterol homeostasis. Here, we report the identification of a hepatic-specific transcription factor that binds to the promoter of the human CYP7A gene. We designate this factor CPF, for CYP7A promoter binding factor. Mutation of the CPF binding site within the CYP7A promoter abolished hepatic-specific expression of the gene in transient transfection assays. A cDNA encoding CPF was cloned and identified as a human homolog of the Drosophila orphan nuclear receptor fushi tarazu F1 (Ftz-F1). Cotransfection of a CPF expression plasmid and a CYP7A reporter gene resulted in specific induction of CYP7A-directed transcription. These observations suggest that CPF is a key regulator of human CYP7A gene expression in the liver.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

High sensitivity of the ultraviolet-induced p53 response in ultraviolet-sensitive syndrome, a photosensitive disorder with a putative defect in deoxyribonucleic acid repair of actively transcribed genes.

Previously, we reported a new category of photosensitive disorder named ultraviolet-sensitive syndrome (UVs S) [T. Itoh, T. Fujiwara, T. Ono, M. Yamaizumi, UVs syndrome, a new general category of photosensitive disorder with defective DNA repair, is distinct from xeroderma pigmentosum variant and rodent complementation group 1, Am. J. Hum. Genet. 56 (1995) 1267-1276.]. Cells derived from these patients show impaired recovery of RNA synthesis (RRS) after UV-irradiation irrespective of having a normal level of unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS). These characteristics are reminiscent of Cockayne syndrome (CS) cells. By comparing sensitivity of the UV-induced p53 response in cells with different types of defects in nucleotide excision repair, we hypothesized that the UV-induced p53 response is triggered by inhibition of RNA synthesis [M. Yamaizumi, T. Sugano, UV-induced nuclear accumulation of p53 is evoked through DNA damage of actively transcribed genes independent of the cell cycle, Oncogene 9 (1994) 2775-2784.]. To test this hypothesis, we determined sensitivity of the p53 response in UVs S cells by immunostaining, Western blotting, and FACScan analysis. Maximal nuclear accumulation of p53 in the UVs S cells was observed with a one-third UV dose required for that in normal cells, while almost identical p53 responses were observed in UVs S and normal cells following treatment with heat or alpha-amanitin. Recovery of RNA synthesis after a low dose of UV-irradiation was impaired in UVs S cells to the same extent as seen in CS cells. These results provide further evidence to support our previous hypothesis regarding the mechanism of the p53 response induced by DNA damage.

Amanitins↗
PubMed1999

A novel human nucleoside diphosphate (NDP) kinase, Nm23-H6, localizes in mitochondria and affects cytokinesis.

Nucleoside diphosphate kinases (NDP kinases) are enzymes known to be conserved throughout evolution and have been shown to be involved in various biological events, in addition to the "housekeeping" phosphotransferase activity. We present the molecular cloning of a novel human NDP kinase gene, termed Nm23-H6. Nm23-H6 gene has been mapped at chromosome 3p21.3 and is highly expressed in heart, placenta, skeletal muscle, and some of the cancer cell lines. Recombinant Nm23-H6 protein has been identified to exhibit functional NDP kinase activity. Immunolocalization studies showed that both endogenous and inducibly expressed Nm23-H6 proteins were present as short, filament-like, perinuclear radical arrays and that they colocalized with mitochondria. Cell fractionation study also demonstrated the presence of Nm23-H6 protein in a mitochondria-rich fraction. Moreover, induction of overexpression of Nm23-H6 in SAOS2 cells, using the Cre-loxP gene activation system, resulted in growth suppression and generation of multinucleated cells. Flow cytometric analysis also demonstrated that the proportion of cells with more than 4N DNA content increased to 28.1% after induction of Nm23-H6, coinciding with the appearance of multinucleated cells. These observations suggest that Nm23-H6, a new member of the NDP kinase family, resides in mitochondria and plays a role in regulation of cell growth and cell cycle progression.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Posttreatment M-protein nadir level is a significant prognostic factor associated with survival in multiple myeloma. Nagoya Myeloma Cooperative Study Group.

In the present study 142 patients with myeloma (102 with IgG M-protein and 40 with IgA) treated with either VMCP (65 patients) or MMCP (77 patients) as remission induction therapy were retrospectively analyzed. Response to treatment was evaluated in terms of a more-than-50% fall of pretreatment M-protein and the posttreatment M-protein nadir. Though significantly more patients treated with MMCP achieved partial response (PR) as compared with those treated with VMCP (P=0.019) and though patients achieving PR showed a significantly longer survival than those with less responsiveness (P=0.0091), the difference in survival curves between the two treatment groups was not significant (P=0.1871). The difference in response between the treatment groups evaluated in terms of posttreatment nadir was not significant (P=0.507). Multivariate analysis identified posttreatment M-protein nadir as a significant prognostic factor associated with survival, along with 3 other factors: sex, performance status, and hemoglobin. The lack of difference between the survival curves for patients treated with the 2 regimens despite the significantly different response rates evaluated in terms of percent fall of pretreatment M-protein levels was considered to be due to the lack of a difference in the ability to induce a deep posttreatment nadir between the regimens. Posttreatment M-protein nadir is an important prognostic factor associated with survival and should be included in the evaluation of the efficacy of chemotherapy.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Clinicopathological study on liver dysfunction in measles.

We analyzed the clinical course of eight patients with liver dysfunction in measles. All of the patients showed an elevation of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), but no jaundice. These levels returned to normal about 3 weeks after the onset of the rash. A percutaneous liver biopsy was done in two cases. Histological examination showed slight necrosis of liver cells but no significant changes in portal area. On electron microscopy, virus particles were not detected. We detected measles virus RNA in the liver specimen by RT-PCR, which suggests that the measles virus affects liver cells directly in measles.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Distribution of JC virus DNA in peripheral blood lymphocytes of hematological disease cases.

OBJECTIVE: The distribution of JC virus DNA in peripheral blood was surveyed by the polymerase chain reaction using the late genes as markers. RESULTS: Six out of 52 cases of hematological diseases and one systemic lupus erythematosus case out of 17 cases were positive for JCV DNA. After separation into B and T lymphocytes by a cell sorter, JCV DNA was found in both cell types prepared from adult T cell leukemia and PML patients. CONCLUSION: Only 1 or 2 copies of JCV genome were calculated to exist in a cell based on the time course analysis of PCR. Only B lymphocytes and glial brain cells are known to produce nuclear factors which support the growth of the virus. The result that B lymphocytes contained a copy number of JCV genome similar to T lymphocytes suggests that there is some barrier to viral growth in susceptible B lymphocytes, and that the growth of JCV is different from that of other virulent viruses.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Management of mycobacteriosis in general hospital without isolation ward for tuberculosis patients. 5. The management of the patients excreting tubercle bacilli in a university hospital without isolation ward for tuberculosis].

The Japanese low ruled that the patients excreting tubercle bacilli should be treated in the isolated ward for tuberculosis. However, it is often difficult to transfer a patient with serious illness to the isolated ward with insufficient medical facilities. We investigated retrospectively the manner of the management of patients excreting tubercle bacilli in the Aichi Medical University Hospital without the isolation ward for tuberculosis. Materials were 166 patients (0.17%) out of 97,275 in-patients during 11 years since 1986 to 1996. Respiratory symptoms were observed in 114 patients (68.7% of 166 patients) on admission. The initial bacteriological examination was ordered by the attendant doctor within a week in 93 patients (81.6%) of 114 patients with respiratory symptoms. On the other hand, a half of the 52 patients without respiratory symptoms on admission were not examined for sputum bacteriology beyond a week. Anti-tuberculous treatment was started within a week after positive bacteriological results in 129 patients (77.7% of the whole 166 patients), while the treatment was not carried out or delayed in 21 patients (12.6%) because of the communication failure of the bacteriological report to the physicians. Some complications were observed in 101 patients: 21 diabetes mellitus, 20 cancers, 15 hematological disorders, 9 collagen diseases, 6 renal failures on dialysis. Serious illnesses were observed in 33 patients (20.6% of the 166 patients). Twenty-four patients (73% of the seriously ill patients) were died of renal failure, pancytopenia, cancer or respiratory failure. We considered that an isolated room for infectious tuberculosis with independent air conditioning system in a general hospital or a educational hospital was very convenient not only to the treatment of the patients with serious complications, but also to the education and training on tuberculosis for the medical student or medical stuffs.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Multiple myeloma preceding the development of chronic myelogenous leukemia.

A case of a 70-year-old man who first developed multiple myeloma and then chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) within a 3-year period is documented. The patient, with monoclonal hypergammopathy, was diagnosed with smoldering myeloma with IgG-kappa and Bence Jones protein kappa paraproteinemia. No chemotherapy was given for the myeloma until progressive leukocytosis developed after approximately 3 years. This was found to be due to Philadelphia chromosome positive CML. A reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay did not reveal BCR/ABL mRNAs when the myeloma was first diagnosed. The occurrence of 2 distinct hematologic malignancies in the same patient suggests either a different clonal evolution from a common pluripotent malignant stem cell since the CML stem cell also involves the B-lymphoid lineage, a coincident complication of the 2 hematological malignancies, or the coexistence of 2 distinct malignancies due to the same genetic background and/or exposure to similar carcinogenic agents. The literature provides support for the existence of a relationship between multiple myelomas and CML.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Vitronectin].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Female↗
PubMed1999

[Epstein-Barr virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome during mid-term pregnancy successfully treated with combined methylprednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin].

A 32-year-old woman in the 16th week of pregnancy was admitted to our hospital because of high fever. Laboratory findings disclosed pancytopenia and extremely elevated serum LDH and ferritin levels. Coagulation tests showed disseminated intravascular coagulation. Serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6 levels were high, but serum interferon-gamma was below the detectable limit. Reactive Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection was diagnosed on the basis of a high titer of IgG antibodies to the EBV capsid antigen and early antigen. EBV was demonstrated in the peripheral blood and bone marrow cells by polymerase chain reaction. Mature histiocytosis and hemophagocytosis were detected in the bone marrow. A diagnosis of EBV-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (EBV-AHS) was made. Neither prednisolone (PSL 30 mg/day, P.O.) nor methylprednisolone (m-PSL) pulse therapy (1,000 mg/day for 3 days) induced a response. Thereafter, treatment with m-PSL pulse therapy (1,000 mg/day for 3 days) and i.v. administrations of high-dose immunoglobulin (20 g/day for 3 days) in combination with acyclovir (750 mg/day) and gabexate mesilate (2 g/day) induced remission of the disease. Maintenance therapy consisted of PSL (5 mg/day, P.O.) and camostat mesilate (600 mg/day, P.O.). The patient delivered a healthy male infant in the 35th week of pregnancy via natural birth. Reports of pregnant women with EBV-AHS are rare, and the choice of therapy has not yet been established. The present case study suggested the above combination treatment is useful and safe, and capable of changing the fulminant course of EBV-AHS during pregnancy without the use of anticancer drugs.

Acyclovir↗