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Biomedical subjects

M Nojiri

Publications and source records attributed to M Nojiri.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Expression of activin A in human keratinocytes at early stages of cultivation.

Activins are members of the TGF-beta superfamily and are classified into 3 types: activin A, which consists of a homodimer of betaA, activin B, which consists of a homodimer of betaB, and activin AB, which consists of a heterodimer of betaAbetaB. We studied the expression of activin mRNAs by RT-PCR in normal human epidermis, cultured keratinocytes, and DJM-1 cells (a squamous cell carcinoma line). We could detect only activin A mRNA (betaA) in normal human epidermis. In cultured keratinocytes and DJM-1 cells, activin betaA mRNA was observed at 4 h but not at 96 h after plating. Activin A activity was detected in the conditioned medium of DJM-1 cells within 48 h. In addition, although follistatin mRNA was not observed in human epidermis in situ, it was transiently expressed in cultured cells at 4 h after plating. These findings suggest that the expression of these molecules in keratinocytes is associated with cell proliferation. In an in vitro tissue injury model, activin A was observed at the wound edge, where cell migration and proliferation may be activated. In DJM-1 cells cultured for 92 h, betaA mRNA was observed 4 h after injury treatment. These findings suggest that activin A acts as a potent inducer of proliferation in vitro, at least in keratinocytes.

Activins↗
PubMed1996

Determination of the active sites serine of the poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) depolymerases of Pseudomonas lemoignei (PhaZ5) and of Alcaligenes faecalis.

Mutational analysis of the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) depolymerase A of Pseudomonas lemoignei and of the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) depolymerase of Alcaligenes faecalis revealed that S138 (P. lemoignei) and S139 (A. faecalis) are essential for activity. Both serines are part of a strictly conserved pentapeptide sequence which is present in all poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) depolymerases analyzed so far (G-L-S-S(A)-G) and which resembles the lipase box of lipases and other serine hydrolases (G-X-S-X-G). Mutation of another conserved serine, namely S195 (P. lemoignei) and S196 (A. faecalis), resulted in mutant proteins with almost full activity and proved that S195 and S196 are not essential for activity. The results indicate the structural and functional relationship of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) depolymerases to the family of serine hydrolases.

Alcaligenes↗
PubMed1995

Development of a health administration system for inhabitants in local community without abnormal findings by health examination.

This study was to establish practical methods to apply to the community health promotion program the data obtained by surveys in a fishing village, under "The Health and Medical Services Law for the Aged." This data, together with guidelines on health counseling for inhabitants in the local community with less abnormal findings on health examination, could be used for developing a health promotion support system. In 1990, a questionnaire survey was carried out on lifestyle such as diet, exercise, and rest, of 1,497 inhabitants (557 males, 940 females) attending for a health examination under "The Health and Medical Services Law for the Aged," at Nishiizu district, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. The questionnaire inquired about the subjects' health behavior and consciousness, i.e., on their dietary intake and preferences, dietary habits, regular exercise, exercise habits, and rest, both in fact as well as in perception. In 1991, a survey was also carried out on the daily physical activity and exercise of 1,737 inhabitants (620 males, 1,117 females) attending for a health examination under the law in the same district. The items measured were the daily physical activity, the exercise intensity, and the frequency score derived from several exercises. The relationship to the exercise score was made on the basis of the sex, age, daily physical activity, and the findings of the health examination as well as the self-evaluation of health. In 1992, based on these results and also on the know-how about the software made for similar purposes, "The Health Promotion Support System" for the personal computer was developed in order to help public health nurses perform health counseling for the local community. By means of this system, the answers concerning the health examination findings, habits, health conditions, etc., enabled us to obtain information about the appropriate amount of exercise needed for health, and of the total exercise time needed in a week at the level of 40% maximum oxygen intake. In order to ascertain the quality and effect of the program, the system was applied practically by the public health services, both at Nishiizu district and at Maruyama, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. A questionnaire survey was also conducted in Chiba Prefecture, the subjects were seven public health nurses. The results of this survey showed that the system was successfully applied to the people who received less care because of not having abnormal findings on the health examination.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Computer assisted instruction on multimedia environment for patients.

Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) is a valuable tool that not only encourages patients, but also provides medical information and the motivation for self management. We developed three modules within a multimedia environment for patients with diabetes or bronchial asthma; positive results were obtained. By using CAI, a reduction in the nurses' workload is achieved along with patients gaining profound and standardized knowledge. We also found some substantial characteristics in the patients' learning behavior and the value of "active learning" in CAI.

Asthma↗
PubMed1994

[A nested case-control study of risk factors for circulatory disease--correlation of initial medical examination findings with mortality and their progression].

Risk factors for cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and heart disease (HD) were studied prospectively in 2112 men and women, aged 30-59, initially without history of either disease, living in the Nishi-izu district of Shizuoka Prefecture. Baseline medical examinations were performed in 1964-1966 and subjects were followed until 1985. There were 93 CVD cases and 64 HD cases identified by death certificate during the follow-up period. Using a nested case-control design, risk variables at the last medical examination before death of the 157 cases (93 CVD cases and 64 HD cases) were compared to examination results of 314 controls (survivors) matched for gender, age (+/- 2 years), and residential district. Using the same design, the progression of risk variables over the 5 +/- 1 years prior to the last examination was followed to identify factors associated with circulatory disease. From conditional logistic regression analysis using findings at the last health examination, significant risk variables for CVD were found to be high blood pressure and abnormality in electrocardiogram (ECG), while risk variables for HD were hypertensive or arteriosclerotic changes in ocular fundus, and ECG abnormalities. From the same multivariate analysis using the progression of findings, the most significant risk variable for either CVD or HD was abnormalities in ECG. The present study suggests that in addition to cross-sectional findings on a given occasion, following the progression of findings through serial health examinations yields useful information for management of the health of residents.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Relationship between senile dementia and findings of an initial health examination--a 20 year retrospective cohort study of Kamo Village (1965 to 1985)].

The correlation between incidence of senile dementia and variables determined in baseline health examinations was analyzed in a retrospective cohort study. The study cohort was assembled in 1965 and followed up to 1985. A survey of dementia was performed on those alive in 1985, and on the decreased through their families who were queried about his or her condition just before death. The survey was conducted by public health nurses and assistants. The results obtained were as follows: 1. There was a slightly higher incidence in women and incidence for both sexes demonstrated an increase with age. 2. Analysis by cause of death showed increased death by cerebrovascular diseases for both men and women, and by cardiovascular disease for women, but decreased death from cancer. 3. Correlations of senile dementia with high blood pressure and albuminuria findings at the initial examination were seen. In addition, results of fundus oculi examination in men, and electrocardiography in women were also regarded as risk factors for the occurrence of senile dementia. 4. Comparative analysis showed higher incidence among farmers rather than fishermen, and in drinkers rather than nondrinkers, while no relation was found to smoking habits.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Correlation of cerebro-cardiovascular findings to mortality of middle-aged and elderly in a population from a fishing village in Shizuoka Prefecture].

Six hundred and eighteen men and 993 women ranging in age from 30-69, living in Kamo Village, Shizuoka Prefecture, underwent baseline health examinations in 1964-1966. During the follow-up period of 20-years, 175 men and 170 women died. The most frequent cause of death was malignant neoplasms (57 men and 45 women), followed by stroke (47 men and 44 women) and heart disease (29 men and 37 women). The relationship of 22 cerebro-cardiovascular disease variables investigated in the baseline examination to stroke and heart disease mortalities, and, in addition, to cancer and all-cause mortalities were analyzed using Cox's proportional hazard model. In univariate analysis controlled for age and sex, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, albuminuria, hypertensive and sclerotic changes in fundus oculi, body mass index, atrial fibrillation, and use of antihypertensive drugs had significant positive relationships to stroke mortality. As for heart disease mortality, albuminuria, glucosuria, high R wave, and ST and/or T changes in ECG were positively and significantly related. Only Q.QS in ECG significantly correlated with cancer mortality. Variables showing significant relationship to all-cause mortality were systolic and diastolic blood pressures, albuminuria, glucosuria, hypertensive changes in fundus oculi, Q.QS, high R wave, ST and/or T changes, atrial fibrillation, use of antihypertensive drugs, and history of stroke. In multivariate analysis (step-wise) of all examination variables including age and sex, stroke mortality was significantly related to age, atrial fibrillation, use of antihypertensive drugs, and hypertensive changes in fundus oculi. Age, albuminuira, and ST changes in ECG were significantly related to heart disease mortality. Age, sex, and Q.QS in ECG were significantly related to cancer mortality. The relationship of age, sex, albuminuria, Q.QS, and ST changes in ECG to all-cause mortality was significant.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Effect of various classes of drugs on complete ischemia induced by decapitation and cyanide intoxication in mice.

Effects of various classes of drugs on complete ischemia (gasping) induced by decapitation and cyanide intoxication in mice were investigated. The average gasping duration in complete ischemia and survival time in potassium cyanide injection of control mice were 21.0 +/- 0.1 and 26.1 +/- 0.4 sec (mean +/- SEM), respectively. Some antidepressants, neuroleptics and tranquilizers significantly and dose-dependently prolonged the duration of gasping and survival time, and decreased locomotor activity. Vincamine and its analogues are markedly effective for treating cyanide intoxication. It is conceivable that this is a characteristic phenomenon for vincamine. Xanthine analogues significantly and dose-dependently shortened the duration of gasping and survival time and increased locomotor activity. These results suggest that the cerebral protecting effect primarily relates to the cerebral energy demand.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Effect of minaprine on "delayed neuronal death" in mongolian gerbils with occluded common carotid arteries.

The effect of the psychotropic drug minaprine on brain ischemia induced by a 5-min bilateral occlusion of the carotid arteries in the mongolian gerbil was studied. Severe impairment of memory was apparent when the passive avoidance test was carried out 2 days after the bilaterally induced ischemia. When minaprine in a dose of 50 mg/kg was given p.o. 30 min before the 5-min occlusion, there was a significant improvement in the memory impairment. The amplitude of the hippocampal theta waves decreased and Nissl's degradation was apparent in the CA1 neurons in the hippocampus from 2 days after the 5-min occlusion. Changes in the hippocampal neurons were exacerbated with time. When minaprine in a dose of 50 mg/kg was given there was no decrease in the amplitude of hippocampal theta waves, and Nissl's degradation and the destruction and disappearance of the CA1 neurons diminished considerably. All these findings indicate that minaprine warrants further study for possible clinical prescription.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Amino acid sequence of vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein from bovine cerebellum.

The amino acid sequence of vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein from bovine cerebellum has been determined. It is composed of 260 amino acid residues and its N-terminus is acetylated. The molecular mass is calculated to be 29 851 Da. The presence of six calcium-binding sites (I-VI) has been proposed, two of them (sites II and VI) have lost their calcium-binding function through amino acid replacements, and the other four are able to bind calcium. Six calcium-binding domains are supposed to be derived from two gene duplications of the two ancestral calcium-binding domains. In comparison with the sequence of chick intestinal calcium-binding protein deduced from a cDNA sequence [(1985) Nucleic Acids Res. 13, 8867-8881], the bovine calcium-binding protein is two amino acid residues shorter at the N-terminus and the other parts show 78.5% identity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1986

Behavioral, electroencephalographic and histopathological studies on mongolian gerbils with occluded common carotid arteries.

The effect of brain ischemia on passive avoidance test was investigated in mongolian gerbils with ischemia induced by a 5 min bilateral occlusion of the carotid arteries. Severe impairment of memory was apparent when the training session of the passive avoidance test was carried out 2 or 14 days after the bilateral ischemia. Two days after the occlusion, the amplitude of hippocampal theta waves were slightly decreased and Nissl's degradation was apparent in the CA1 neurons in the hippocampus. The changes in hippocampal neurons become progressively more severe. The amplitude of the hippocampal theta waves diminished considerably and the CA1 neurons in the hippocampus disappeared 14 days after the occlusion. We suggest that the hippocampal damage, especially abnormalities in the CA1 neurons, evidenced by histopathological and electroencephalographic results, may be related to deficits in memory following bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Potentiation of chemotherapeutic effect of vincristine in vincristine resistant tumor bearing mice by calmodulin inhibitor clomipramine.

Clomipramine, which is used as antidepressant and possesses calmodulin inhibitory activity, circumvented partly the vincristine resistance in vivo. Although vincristine alone at 30-200 micrograms/kg did not confer a significant therapeutic effect in vincristine resistant P388 leukemia (P388/VCR)-bearing mice, clomipramine at doses of 20 to 50 mg/kg administered daily for 10 d with vincristine enhanced the chemotherapeutic effect of vincristine in P388/VCR-bearing mice. Approximately a 30% increase in life span occurred. Although the circumvention of vincristine resistance was not achieved perfectly, it could be speculated that more than 98-99% of vincristine resistant tumor cells which could not be killed by vincristine alone could be killed by this approach.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Circumvention of vincristine and Adriamycin resistance in vitro and in vivo by calcium influx blockers.

Calcium influx blockers, diltiazem, nicardipine, nifedipine, niludipine, and nimodipine, which possess coronary vasodilator activity, greatly enhanced the cytotoxicity of vincristine (VCR) in tumor cells and especially in VCR-resistant sublines of P388 leukemia (P388/VCR) and human K562 myelogenous leukemia. The extent of enhancement was different among the drugs, and up to a 50- to 70-fold increase in VCR cytotoxicity occurred in P388/VCR cells with nontoxic or marginally toxic concentrations of diltiazem and nicardipine. A 50- to 100-fold enhancement occurred in VCR-resistant human K562 myelogenous leukemia cells with diltiazem, nicardipine, niludipine, and nimodipine. VCR resistance of these cell lines was circumvented completely by these blockers. Calcium influx blockers also enhanced the cytotoxicity of Adriamycin in P388 leukemia cells and especially in its Adriamycin-resistant subline. The extent of enhancement, however, was lower than that which occurred in VCR-resistant tumor lines with VCR. An approximately 10- to 30-fold increase in Adriamycin cytotoxicity occurred in P388 Adriamycin-resistant subline cells with diltiazem, nicardipine, niludipine, and nimodipine. Although VCR alone at 10 to 200 micrograms/kg did not confer a significant therapeutic effect in P388/VCR-bearing mice, calcium influx blockers in doses of 30 to 125 mg/kg administered daily for 10 days with VCR enhanced the chemotherapeutic effect of VCR in P388/VCR-bearing mice. A maximum of approximately a 40 to 50% increase in life span occurred with diltiazem, nicardipine, niludipine, and nimodipine. The calcium influx blockers also enhanced the therapeutic effect of Adriamycin in P388 Adriamycin-resistant subline-bearing mice, although the extent of enhancement was smaller than that observed with VCR in P388/VCR-bearing mice.

Animals↗