Biomedical subjects

M Okazaki

Publications and source records attributed to M Okazaki.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

Influence of Surface Oxides on Ethanol Regeneration of Spent Carbonaceous Adsorbents

Activated carbon (AC) and activated carbon fiber (ACF) that adsorbed aromatic compounds were regenerated by ethanol. The influence of their acidic surface oxides on ethanol regeneration was studied based on the frontier orbital theory. It is found that the regeneration efficiency can be correlated by the energy difference between HOMO of aromatic compounds and LUMO of adsorbents |EH - EL|. The regeneration efficiency is improved by oxidizing AC or ACF because the adsorptive interaction becomes weak as the energy difference |EH - EL| increases. The influence of the oxides on repeating ethanol regeneration of the carbons that adsorbed p-cresol was then experimentally elucidated. Although the regeneration efficiency of oxidized AC or ACF is kept higher than that of original AC or ACF even after the 16th regeneration, the oxidation has no practical use because the adsorption capacity is decreased by the oxidation. Copyright 1997 Academic Press. Copyright 1997Academic Press

Journal Article↗

PubMed1997

Differences in hypervariable region 1 quasispecies between immune complexed and non-immune complexed hepatitis C virus particles.

Antibody to the hypervariable region 1 of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is thought to have neutralizing activity. The complexity of hypervariable region 1 quasispecies was compared between immune complexed and non-immune complexed HCV particles. Immune complexes and non-immune complexes, including intact HCV virions, were separated by differential flotation centrifugation and immunoprecipitation, and immune complexes were observed in 9 of 11 patients with chronic hepatitis C. Considerable differences in both hypervariable region 1 quasispecies and predominant clones were demonstrated between immune complexes and non-immune complexes in 4 patients and not in 5 patients. These results suggest that the specificity of antibody to hypervariable region 1 is related to the formation of immune complexes and that escape mutants with highly different quasispecies are resistant to neutralization by antibody to hypervariable region 1.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Regulation of osteoblast-specific factor-1 (OSF-1) mRNA expression by dual promoters as revealed by RT-PCR.

OSF-1 (osteoblast-specific factor-1), which is also referred to as p18, HBBM, HB-GAM, HBGF-8, HARP, HBNF, and pleiotrophin, is a 121-amino acid polypeptide that can induce neurite outgrowth in vitro and is highly expressed in several tissues during fetal development but exhibits expression restricted to brain and bone tissues in adults. We have reported the genomic structure of mouse OSF-1 gene, in which the open reading frame spans four exons and at least two additional 5'-UTR exons (upstream exon U2 and downstream exon U1) exist. From analysis of isolated cDNAs, two types of cDNAs were identified: one has a sequence for U1 and U2 and the other has a sequence for an intron (present between U1 and U2) and U1. This suggests that the OSF-1 gene utilizes two alternative promoters, a distal and a proximal promoter, designated promoters II and I, respectively, for the translation initiation site (ATG). Promoter II is thought to exist upstream of the intron, while promoter I is present in the intron. RT-PCR was employed to examine which OSF-1 promoters are used during development and in various cell lines. In adult mice (aged 2 months), usage of promoter I was predominant, and OSF-1 mRNAs were expressed in many organs including brain and bone. At one fetal stage (E-19), promoter I was active in the major organs including brain, liver, kidney, and intestine, while promoter II was active only in the brain. In the cell lines examined, usage of promoter I was frequent, while promoter II was active only in a few cell lines such as MC3T3-E1 (cultured for 7 days) and C3H10T1/2. These findings suggest that OSF-1 may play fundamental roles in differentiation, growth and maintenance of adult organs as well as in embryogenesis, and indicate that the expression of OSF-1 is regulated, at least in part, by the usage of different promoters in the mouse.

Aging↗

PubMed1997

Mutual dependence of calcitonin-gene related peptide and acetylcholine release in neuromuscular preparations.

To investigate the mutual dependence of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and acetylcholine release, we examined the effect of a cholinesterase inhibitor neostigmine on the release of CGRP-like immunoreactivity in rat phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm muscle preparation, and conversely, the effect of CGRP on [3H]acetylcholine release from motor nerve terminals loaded with [3H]choline in the same preparations of mice. Release of CGRP-like immunoreactivity was increased by electrical nerve stimulation (train of 40 pulses of 200 micros pulse duration and frequency of 50 Hz applied every 10 s) in the whole preparation but not in the segmental preparation containing the endplate region. Neostigmine (0.1-0.3 microM) enhanced the resting release of CGRP-like immunoreactivity in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas it depressed the nerve-evoked release of CGRP-like immunoreactivity. CGRP (1 microM) added to perfusate decreased nerve-evoked [3H]acetylcholine release. These results suggest that CGRP, which is released by electrical nerve stimulation or a cholinesterase inhibitor in intact skeletal muscles, negatively modulates nerve-evoked acetylcholine release.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed1997

Detection of p53 gene mutations in fine-needle aspiration biopsied breast cancer specimens: correlations with nuclear p53 accumulations and tumor DNA aneuploidy patterns.

Using the polymerase chain reaction and a single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis, p53 gene mutations have been examined preoperatively in aspirated biopsy specimens from 22 breast cancers. In eight (36%) of the studied cases, abnormal bands indicating mutations were detected and were more frequently present in common invasive breast carcinomas. Eight of the breast cancer cases were found to be positive for mutations: direct DNA sequencing confirmed eight mutations and revealed G to A and A to G nucleotide changes in five (63%) and two (25%) cases, respectively. The mutations that were localized at the CpG site of the gene were seen in three cases. Additionally, an immunohistochemical investigation of the presence of the p53 protein and a DNA flow-cytometrical analysis of the 22 resected breast cancers were also performed. Nuclear p53 protein accumulations and a DNA aneuploidy pattern were detected in 11 (50%) cases and in 16 (73%) cases, respectively, and both significantly correlated with p53 gene mutations (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively; Fisher's exact test). In contrast, in five cases of a breast cancer with a lower histologic grade, no p53 gene mutations, nuclear p53 protein accumulations, or DNA aneuploidy patterns were detected. These results thus suggest that p53 gene mutations, nuclear accumulations of the p53 protein, and a DNA aneuploidy pattern are events that occur with close relationship in the progression of a breast cancer, and that p53 abnormalities appear to correlate with a high grade of the malignancy. Therefore, the detection of p53 gene mutations in aspirated biopsy specimens of breast cancers may be helpful for an accurate and rapid cytological diagnosis, which reflects the prognosis.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

The hupC gene product is a component of the electron transport system for hydrogen oxidation in Pseudomonas hydrogenovora.

The hydrogenase gene cluster containing nine genes (hupSLCDFGHIJ) was identified by sequencing of an 8.8-kb DNA region from Pseudomonas hydrogenovora. To investigate the function of the hupC gene product, we isolated a hupC-null mutant (HID3) of P. hydrogenovora by introducing an in-frame deletion into the hupC. The mutant, HID3, could not grow autotrophically but retained half the level of hydrogenase activity of the wild-type strain. Results of the oxygen consumption test and Western blot analysis revealed that the hupC gene product is a b-type cytochrome but not involved in the hydrogenase maturation process.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Synergistic activation of c-fos promoter activity by Raf and Ral GDP dissociation stimulator.

Ral, a member of small GTP-binding protein (G protein) superfamily, has been suggested to act downstream of Ras, since Ral GDP dissociation stimulator (RalGDS) has been found to be an effector protein of Ras. In this study, we examined the effects of RalGDS and Ral on gene expression using c-fos promoter linked to the luciferase reporter gene (c-fos-luciferase). RalGDS interacted with RasG12V/E37G (in which Gly-12 and Glu-37 were changed to Val and Gly, respectively) which failed to bind to Raf in COS cells. RafCAAX is an active Raf kinase targeted to the plasma membranes by virtue of the addition of a C-terminal localization signal from K-Ras. Transfection of either RalGDS or RafCAAX into NIH3T3 cells slightly stimulated c-fos-luciferase expression and cotransfection of both proteins greatly enhanced the expression. RalGDS and an activated Rac (RacG12V) did not act synergistically to stimulate c-fos-luciferase expression. Transfection of an activated Ral (RalG23V) stimulated c-fos-luciferase expression. Furthermore, cotransfection of RalG23V and an activated Ras (RasG12V) enhanced RasG12V-dependent c-fos-luciferase expression. However, RalG23V did not synergize with RafCAAX, RacG12V or RalGDS to stimulate the expression. These results show that RalGDS and Ral regulate c-fos promoter activity and suggest that RalGDS may activate c-fos promoter synergistically with the signal from Raf by transmitting the signal to a target other than Ral.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1997

Comparative effects of dobutamine and amrinone on coronary blood flow in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Although amrinone has favorable hemodynamic effects in patients with congestive heart failure, little is known about its effects on coronary blood flow (CBF). We compared the effects of intravenous low-dose dobutamine and amrinone on CBF in 10 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy using a Doppler guidewire. We infused dobutamine at a dose of 5 and 10 microg/kg/min for 5 min. After the end of each stage, coronary flow velocity (CFV) and coronary arterial diameter (CAD) in the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery, and hemodynamic variables were obtained. After the CFV and hemodynamics returned to baseline, we infused 1 mg/kg of amrinone over 5 min, and obtained these variables at 5 and 10 min after the cessation of the infusion. CAD did not increase with dobutamine, but significantly increased after amrinone (% increase: 10 +/- 7%; P < 0.001 vs. baseline). CFV progressively increased with dobutamine (5 microg/kg/min: 21 +/- 26%; P < 0.05 vs. baseline; 10 microg/kg/min: 53 +/- 42%; P < 0.005 vs. baseline and 5 microg/kg/min), but slightly decreased after amrinone (-4 +/- 17%; P = not significant vs. baseline). CBF increased during dobutamine (5 microg/kg/min: 25 +/- 29%; P < 0.05; 10 microg/kg/min: 66 +/- 55%; P < 0.005) and after amrinone (19 +/- 22%; P < 0.05) compared to that at baseline. Although there was a significant correlation between the percent increase in CFV and that in dP/dt during dobutamine infusion (r = 0.82, P < 0.001), this correlation was not observed after amrinone (r = 0.23). In conclusion, although both agents significantly increased CBF in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, they do so by different mechanisms. Amrinone mainly increases CBF by causing dilatation of epicardial coronary arteries. These results suggest that amrinone has beneficial effects on coronary flow dynamics in dilated cardiomyopathy.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Dysgenesis of the corpus callosum and associated telencephalic anomalies: MRI.

We analysed the MRI findings in 23 patients with callosal dysgenesis in relation to their associated telencephalic anomalies to investigate the morphological significance of the development of Probst's bundles and the anterior commissure in congenital callosal dysgenesis. We classified callosal dysgenesis into three types: total defect (9 patients), partial defect (7) and hypoplasia (7). Associated anomalies were observed in 15 patients, including migration disorder (8 patients), micrencephaly (5), and lipoma (2). The remaining 8 patients had no associated anomalies. Probst's bundles were not identified in 4 patients with a severe migration disorder. An absent or hypoplastic anterior commissure was observed in 9 of the 16 patients with callosal defect and all 7 of those with callosal hypoplasia. Colpocephaly and keyhole dilatation of the temporal horns were seen in 16 and 21 patients, respectively. Callosal dysgenesis may occur not only through a defect in the callosal anlage, but also from impaired growth of axonal fibres projecting from the cerebral isocortex. Therefore, associated telencephalic anomalies may be responsible for additional features in callosal dysgenesis. Consequently, identification of Probst's bundles and the anterior commissure may be important when assessing cortical development in patients with callosal dysgenesis.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

PubMed1997

Heterogeneous iron-containing fluoridated apatites.

The iron-containing fluoridated hydroxyapatites Fe-FeFAp and FeF-FeAp were synthesized heterogeneously in the presence of ferrous ions at 80 degrees C and pH 7.4 in two different types of solution, i.e. fluoride-free solution during the initial half of the experimental period and fluoride-containing solution during the second half, in the latter of which the fluoride concentration was equivalent to that of fluorapatite. Another experiment was carried out under the opposite conditions. The total fluoride contents of both heterogeneous iron-containing fluoridated apatites were almost the same (0.83 +/- 0.01 and 0.89 +/- 0.02 mmol g-1, respectively). Their X-ray diffraction patterns were not significantly different. However, scanning electron microscopy showed that Fe-FeFAp was composed of clusters of rod-like crystals and FeF-FeAp of bundles of many thin needle-like crystals. Energy dispersive spectroscopy coupled with scanning electron microscopy estimated that the fluoride intensity of Fe-FeFAp was higher than that of FeF-FeAp. The apparent solubility of the former (Ca = 8.83 +/- 0.20, P = 4.27 +/- 0.13 mmol l-1) was less than that of the latter (Ca = 10.8 +/- 0.4, P = 5.56 +/- 0.09 mmol l-1) at 37 degrees C and pH 4.0. These results suggest that two different types of heterogeneous iron-containing fluoridated apatites may be formed.

Apatites↗

PubMed1997

Rietveld analysis and Fourier maps of hydroxyapatite.

Rietveld analysis was applied to the X-ray powder diffraction data of well-crystallized hydroxyapatites synthesized at 80 degrees C and pH 7.4. The least-squares refinement program adopted for Rietveld analysis showed good pattern fitting with the calculated profile. The a- and c-axis dimensions, a-0.943046 + 0.000126 nm and c-0.687485 +/- 0.000104 nm, were obtained and compared with the data estimated from a single peak. The lattice dimensions obtained by Rietveld analysis were much closer to the values of a single crystal, a = 0.9432 nm and c-0.6881nm. Fourier analysis was also performed. The maps of electron densities expressed the existing possibility of each atom composing hydroxyapatite in the crystal structure. In particular, columnar calcium and screw-axis calcium were clearly revealed. These data agreed well with the computer graphics model of hydroxyapatite reported previously.

Computer Simulation↗

PubMed1997

Correlation between relative number of circulating low-density hepatitis C virus particles and disease activity in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) circulates as particles having differing buoyant densities. Changes in the relative proportions of virus particles of different densities were examined in 19 patients with chronic hepatitis C: 6 without (group A) and 13 with (group B) abnormal serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. High- and low-density virus particles were separated by differential flotation centrifugation. The numbers of high-density particles consistently exceeded that of low-density particles in all patients in group A, whereas the titers of both types of particles were the same at least once in 7 of 10 patients sampled at two time points in group B. The ALT level significantly increased <2 months later (P < 0.05) when the titers of both types of particles were the same in patients in group B. Thus, we found a correlation between the relative numbers of circulating low-density HCV particles and disease activity in chronic hepatitis C patients.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Studies on dental high-speed cutting of commercial pure titanium (Ti) and free-machining titanium (DT-2F).

Some dental prostheses are formed by machining. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dental high-speed cutting behaviour of free-machining titanium (Ti), the ease in cutting of which is metallurgically improved. Weight-load cutting tests were performed on commercial pure Ti and free-machining Ti, using a diamond point and a carbide burr. It became evident that the cutting effectiveness of two rotary cutting instruments on free-machining Ti was superior to that on commercial pure Ti due to the formation of accelerated cut debris. Cutting of free-machining Ti resulted in less damage of the carbide burr, compared with the cutting of commercial pure Ti. These results suggest that free-machining Ti is a suitable workpiece for dental Ti-based machined prostheses.

Carbon↗

PubMed1997

Medical canthoplasty with the Mitek Anchor System.

A variety of surgical techniques have been described for medial canthal tendon reattachment. They generally require technical skill and prolonged operating time. We have applied a new device, the Mitek Anchor System, in reattaching the medial canthal tendon to the medial orbital wall in 3 patients, and got excellent tendon fixation with this rapid and simple method. No complications, such as local infection or exposure, have occurred in any of the patients up to the present. Medial canthoplasty using the Mitek Anchor System has the advantage of being an easy technique with very accurate placement of the anchor and, consequently, reduced operating time. The operation can be performed through a small incision as well, and may not be so invasive as with other conventional procedures. This new technique of medial canthoplasty offers an excellent alternative to conventional techniques.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Lupus vulgaris of the earlobe.

Cutaneous tuberculosis is rare today and is often confused with other granulomatous lesions. Its diagnosis remains bothersome, because detecting mycobacteria in skin lesions using a conventional laboratory examination remains difficult. A 59-year-old woman presented with lupus vulgaris of the earlobe. Surgical treatment was employed, with an initial diagnosis of hemangioma. After the operation the condition was diagnosed correctly and preventive antituberculous drugs were prescribed. The incidence of tuberculosis has increased since the mid-1980s chiefly due to the expansion of the HIV-infected, immunocompromised population. Thus the diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous tuberculosis has become once again important.

Antitubercular Agents↗

PubMed1997

Cross-reactivity of TDX and OPUS immunoassay systems for serum digoxin determination.

The properties of the widely used TDX Analyzer and recently developed OPUS Immunoassay System were compared using 403 serum specimens taken from patients who did or did not take digoxin. Of the 210 specimens from patients not treated with digoxin, a false- positive digoxin concentration was detected in 15 specimens (7%) by TDX and in only 2 specimens (1%) by OPUS because of the cross-reactivity with structurally similar drugs. Potassium canrenoate, digitoxin, deslanoside, and methyldigoxin exhibited marked concentration-dependent cross-reactivity in the TDX assay method, whereas deslanoside and methyldigoxin only showed cross-reactivity with the antibody used in the OPUS method. Although a poor correlation was observed between these two methods for the determination of 193 samples from patients treated with digoxin, the correlation was remarkably improved (r = 0.914) and the slope approximated unity when excluded the data from patients who were treated concurrently with the cross-reactive compounds. In routine TDM of digoxin, the authors experienced two cases in which cross-reactivity of the assay system caused a clinical problem. Concurrent administration of intravenous canrenoate apparently interfered with the digoxin assay by TDX, but this problem was solved by using the OPUS system. The authors found OPUS more useful for monitoring serum digoxin concentrations in patients because of its superior specificity.

Anti-Arrhythmia Agents↗

PubMed1997

[Isolation frequency and biological characteristics of the multiple-antibiotic resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from clinical specimens].

Isolation frequency of multiple-antibiotic resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MARPA) was 11.9% (fifty six strains) of a total of four-hundred seventy-one strains of P. aeruginosa isolated from clinical specimens at the Kyorin University Hospital from October 1994 to December 1996. Eighteen strains of MARPA and thirteen strains of antibiotic sensitive P. aeruginosa (ASPA) isolated from clinical specimens in internal medicine ward A were determined O serotype, and characterized with production of pyocyanin, pyoverdin, hemolysin, elastase, and caseinase. Sixteen strains (88.9%) of MARPA were identified as serotype C. The ability to produce pyocyanin, hemolysin, elastase, and caseinase was not detected in all MARPA. One side, thirteen strains of ASPA showed various serotypes, i.e., B: 5 strains (38.4%), G: 4 strains (30.8%), C: 2 strains (15.4%), E: 1 strain (7.7%) and unknown type: 1 strain (7.7%), and the production of both hemolysin and pyoverdin was observed in 13 strains (100%), pyocyanin in 8 strains (61.5%), elastase and caseinase in 9 strains (69.2%) of ASPAs, which suggests that ASPAs do maintain the synthetic ability of pathogenic factors and pigments, but MARPAs do not. These results indicate that from epidemiological points of view the current strains of MARPA spread from one clone within the internal medicine ward A with nosocomial outbreak by serotype C.

Ampicillin Resistance↗

PubMed1997

[Properties of extracellular products produced by group A streptococci isolated from patients with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome].

Extracellular products of group A streptococci isolated from patients with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) were examined. The outline of the discussion of the 3 products are as follows; streptolysin O (SLO), proteinase and erythrogenic toxin. SLO and proteinase showed a relatively large amount of products more than erythrogenic toxin. SLO produced by group A streptococci isolated from the patient with STSS had an isoelectric point (pI) of 6.0 and a molecular weight of 64,000 and showed hemolytic activity in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME). Furthermore, the hemolytic activities of all components were inhibited by gamma-globulin and cholesterol. Proteinase had pIs of 8.7 and 8.9, and a molecular weight of 21,000. These data suggest that STSS clinical criteria probably reflects a characteristic of a large amount of products of individual S. pyogenes isolates.

Bacterial Proteins↗