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Biomedical subjects

M Toyoda

Publications and source records attributed to M Toyoda.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Nitric oxide but not carbon monoxide is involved in spatial learning of mice.

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the role of carbon monoxide (CO) in learning and to compare it with that of nitric oxide (NO). Effects of an inhibitor of heme oxygenase which produces CO, Zn-protoporphyrin IX, on passive avoidance learning and spatial learning in mice were examined using step through, step down and water maze tests. Zn-protoporphyrin IX (10, 20 nmol, i.c.v.) affected neither type of learning. In contrast, N-omega-nitro-L-arginine (40 nmol, i.c.v.), an inhibitor of NO synthase, impaired spatial learning, but not passive avoidance learning. These results suggest that NO but not CO is involved in spatial learning.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Expression of 135-kDa insecticidal protein gene from Bacillus thuringiensis in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai produces 130-kDa and 135-kDa (CryIA(a)) insecticidal proteins. When Saccharomyces cerevisiae was transformed by the vector carrying a cryIA(a) gene, the gene expression could not be observed. When the 5'-upstream region from the initiation codon was removed using a synthetic oligonucleotide, the CryIA(a) protein was successfully synthesized in yeast. The yeast extract containing CryIA(a) protein had insecticidal activity against Plutella xylostella larvae.

Bacillus thuringiensis↗
PubMed1996

[Measurement of the plasma transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) level in patients of gastric carcinoma--compared with the serum IAP level and the lymphocyte subsets (CD3, CD4, CD8)].

We evaluated the clinical significance of the plasma TGF-beta 1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 40 patients with gastric carcinoma before operation who were hospitalized at our department between August 1992 and March 1993. Moreover, we examined the correlation of the immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP) in the serum with the plasma TGF-beta 1 level. The lymphocyte subsets were analyzed with monoclonal antibodies (CD3, CD4, CD8) and compared with the plasma TGF-beta 1 level. Results 1) The plasma TGF-beta 1 was significantly high in patients with advanced stage of gastric carcinoma (with respect to the depth invasion) and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (histological type) (p < 0.01). When the carcinoma was macroscopically found to be advanced, TGF-beta 1 was higher in the invasive type than in the noninvasive type (p < 0.05). 2) We found a significant correlation between the plasma TGF-beta 1 and IAP in the serum (n = 25, r = 0.677, p < 0.01). 3) The lymphocyte fraction of CD3, CD4 was decreased in patients with a high level of TGF-beta 1, and was related with the plasma TGF-beta 1 level. Thus, TGF-beta 1 was presumed to be deeply associated with in the growth and progression of gastric carcinoma and related to systemic immunosuppressive reaction.

CD3 Complex↗
PubMed1996

[Efficacy of sulbactam/cefoperazone in respiratory tract infections in elderly patients with underlying respiratory diseases].

We examined the clinical effect of sulbactam/cefoperazone (SBT/CPZ) on respiratory tract infections in elderly patients (from 65 to 91, average 70.8) with underlying respiratory diseases. Thirty (30) patients (25 men and 5 women) were registered and SBT/CPZ (2 g/day) divided into two doses, was administered intravenously through drip infusion. The efficacy rate was 63% (excellent in 1 patient and good in 18 patients). No significant difference in efficacy was found among patient's age groups (group 1: 65-69, group 2: 70-74, group 3: 75-79, group 4: > 80). Bacterial eradication rate was 50% (6 out of 12 strains). An adverse reaction occurred in one patient, who experienced uticaria. Laboratory abnormalities, which were increasing with their ages, were observed in 12 patients during the study. These results suggest that SBT/CPZ was effective, but we found it is important to use caution in the treatment of elderly patients on respiratory tract infections with underlying respiratory diseases.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

[Annual daily intakes of Hg, PCB and arsenic from fish and shellfish and comparative survey of their residue levels in fish by body weight].

We have been surveying toxic substances in food and foodstuffs and carrying out a total diet study on the intakes of various substances since 1979 in cooperation with local public institutes in Japan. In this paper, we report the daily intakes of mercury, PCB and arsenic from foods, and the relation between the concentrations of these substance in fish and the fish body weight. The intakes of mercury and arsenic were 6.9-11.0 micrograms/ man/day and 120-230 micrograms/man/day, respectively. The intakes of these substances remained on a stable level from 1979 to 1994. On the other hand, the intake of PCB decreased from 3.1 micrograms/man/day in 1979 to 0.9 microgram/man/day in 1994. Most of the intakes of mercury, PCB and arsenic were derived from the diet group "fish and shellfish". The level of mercury in fish increased with increasing fish body weight. For PCB and arsenic, there was no correlation between these concentrations in fish and the fish body weight, except that mackerel and croaker show a higher concentration of PCB when they are small. Arsenic shows almost a constant level in each fish regardless of their body weight.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Detection of chromosomal aberration using fluorescence in situ hybridization on breast cancer].

The relationship between interphase cytogenetics and prognostic factors, especially the grade of nuclear atypism, nuclear DNA content, histological lymph node metastasis and clinical data was examined in 48 primary breast cancer specimens (touch preparation). Using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a chromosome-specific DNA probe, the copy number of pericentrometric sequences on chromosome 17 was examined within the interphase nuclei in touch preparations from the tumor. The copy number of chromosome 17 was correlated with the increase in the grade of nuclear atypism, tumor size, histological lymph node metastasis and nuclear DNA content. In the diploid type of nuclear DNA content, the copy number of chromosome 17 was correlated with the increase in the grade of nuclear atypism and histological lymph node metastasis. In conclusion, the numerical chromosomal aberrations detected by FISH were found in the DNA diploid cases by FCM. The detection of numerical chromosomal aberrations by FISH provide important information about the prognostic factors.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1995

[Familial breast cancer].

Japanese breast cancer families were collected and classified into the following 7 types according to the onset age and the distribution of other cancers in the family lines; early-onset type, late-onset type, familial breast-ovarian cancer type, familial breast-prostate cancer type, familial breast-thyroid cancer type, familial male and female breast cancer type and multiple primary cancer type. We have detected no p53 germ line mutations in the patients from these families. Linkage with BRCA1 was not detected in any single families. These data indicate that neither BRCA1 or p53 is a major susceptible gene in Japanese familial breast cancer. However, in the two site-specific breast cancer families, the same nonsense mutation of the BRCA1 gene was detected.

Age of Onset↗
PubMed1995

[Imaging diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease].

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is one of the "prion" diseases. MRI has been reported to detect some findings in this disease, particularly high intensity in the basal ganglia on T2WI. We reviewed six cases of CJD, and found additional characteristic findings. Cerebral atrophy was detected in two of six cases, and in one of these two, it progressed markedly during 8 months. No abnormal density or abnormal signal intensity was detected on CT or T1WI of MRI. Cerebral angiography was done in one patient, and no abnormality was detected. High signal intensity on T2WI in the basal ganglia was detected in five of six cases (83%). T2WI showed high signal intensity in the cerebral cortex in four of six cases (67%), and in three cases the temporal cortex was involved. The high signal intensity in the temporal cortex appeared prior to the appearance of abnormal intensity in the basal ganglia in two cases. We conclude that the high signal intensity in the temporal cortex on T2WI is an important sign and can lead to early diagnosis of CJD. We consider that these MR findings may represent a "prion" disease, not only CJD.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Immunologic monitoring of OKT3 induction therapy in cardiac allograft recipients.

OKT3 induction therapy was monitored in 31 cardiac allograft recipients during the 1st year posttransplant. Serum level of OKT3, anti-OKT3 antibodies, and interleukin-2 (IL-2) were monitored during the first 2 months posttransplant. These values were retrospectively correlated with allograft rejection episodes which occurred during the 1st year posttransplant and allograft survival rates over a 3-year observation period. We found that OKT3 induction therapy (10-14 days) was not associated with the development of anti-OKT3 antibodies manifest by dropping OKT3 levels during OKT3 therapy, and is not associated with the development of vascular rejection in our patient population. Patients with high titer ant-OKT3 antibodies, erratic serum OKT3 levels, and/or high serum IL-2 levels (> or = 5 ng/ml) during the first 2 months posttransplant showed a higher incidence of allograft rejection (predominantly cellular rejection) during the 1st year posttransplant and showed lower allograft survival rates. We also showed that a concomitant elevation of serum IL-2 levels was found in patients who developed anti-OKT3 antibodies. CD3+ T-cell levels were not predictive of inefficacy of OKT3 therapy. We conclude that immunologic monitoring of serum OKT3, anti-OKT3 antibody, and possibly serum IL-2 levels is critical for identification of patients who develop early, OKT3-resistant rejection episodes and for the identification of patients who may be more susceptible to allograft rejection and decreased allograft survival long after completion of OKT3 therapy.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗
PubMed1994

Determination of tomatine in foods by liquid chromatography after derivatization.

A liquid chromatographic method for measuring tomatine levels in tomatoes and tomato products was developed. Tomatine was extracted with 1% acetic acid and purified on a C18 cartridge. Tomatine in the eluate was acetylated with acetic anhydride and isolated on a C18 cartridge. The solvent in the eluate was evaporated and the residue was dissolved in acetonitrile. An aliquot was injected into an Inertsil ODS-2 HPLC column and the acetylated tomatine was measured at 205 nm using a UV detector. The limit of determination was 1 microgram g-1. Tomatine was detected in the green portions of tomatoes and in tomato ketchups and juices at levels below 7 micrograms g-1.

Acetylation↗
PubMed1994

Modulation of immunoglobulin production and cytokine mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by intravenous immunoglobulin.

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has the potential to regulate Ig production, but the mechanism(s) responsible for this effect is unknown. In experiments reported here, we examined the ability of IVIG to regulate Ig production in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated with pokeweed mitogen (PWM). IVIG (2-10 mg/ml) showed a potent (80-85%) inhibition of PWM-stimulated IgG, IgM, and IgA production. To determine more precisely how IVIG mediated the inhibition of Ig production, we studied Ig promoting cytokine gene expression after PWM stimulation with or without IVIG (2 and 10 mg/ml) using dot-blot techniques. RNA was isolated from PBMCs at predetermined time points and probed with cDNAs specific for human cytokines (IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-2R, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, gamma-IFN, and TNF-alpha). IL-6 mRNA accumulation was maximal at 4.5 hr post-PWM stimulation and was inhibited 64-75% when IVIG (10 mg/ml) was present. gamma-IFN mRNA levels peaked at 72 hr poststimulation and were also 68-75% inhibited by IVIG. IL-2 mRNA levels peaked at 4.5 hr and were 23-46% inhibited by IVIG. The inhibitory effect of IVIG on production of these cytokines (IL-6 and gamma-IFN) was also observed at the protein level in sonicated PBMCs after incubation with PWM and IVIG. The mRNA levels for other cytokines were not or only minimally inhibited by IVIG. Addition of IL-6, gamma-IFN, or IL-2 partially restored Ig production in IVIG-treated PWM-stimulated cultures, suggesting that inhibition of other cytokines or another mechanism(s) independent of cytokine inhibition might also be involved, although inhibition of IL-6, gamma-IFN, and IL-2 may be one of the critical factors in the suppression of Ig production by IVIG.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1994

Pathogenesis in pili torti: morphological study.

To clarify the mechanism of pili torti formation, hair materials obtained from a patient with the typical classical type of pili torti were examined. Light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy, (TEM) and 3-D analysis revealed that: (1) The hair shaft was partly flattened. The hairs twisted clockwise or counter-clockwise on their own axis and some hairs were knotted. (2) Short hairs showed disruptions at the flattened or unflattened regions, at the knot, or at the root of branched hairs caused by longitudinal ruptures. (3) Light microscopically, cell vacuolation and irregularity in thickness of the outer root sheath (ORS) at the suprabulbar level were seen. At the middle to upper levels of the follicles, some eosinophilic pyknotic ORS cells were observed scattered around. (4) At the upper levels, the ORS and inner root sheath (IRS) partly revealed irregularity of thickness and formed an irregular-shaped hair canal. (5) By DACM staining, cytoplasmic SH fluorescence showed an irregular arrangement of the ORS cells. Some abnormal SH- or SS-positive cells were observed scattered throughout the ORS. (6) Ultrastructurally, the irregularities in thickness and cell shape of the IRS and ORS became visible at the level, where the Henle's layer keratinized. In the hair cortex, there was no abnormality of nuclei and the keratin fibers were normally produced, although fibers were partially wavy. (7) By 3-D analysis, hair twist was already seen at the middle level of the hair follicles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Effect of alpha-linolenic acid on the metabolism of omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and histamine release in RBL-2H3 cells.

We examined the effect of alpha-linolenic acid (18:3 (n-3)) pretreatment on the metabolism of omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and histamine content and release of RBL-2H3 cells. RBL-2H3 cells grew without reduction in number when incubated with subculture media for 3 d and then placed again in serum-free medium with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and epidermal growth factor (EGF). Cholesterol pullulan (10 micrograms/ml) emulsified alpha-linolenic acid (20 micrograms/ml) was recommended as an additional form serum free medium. We determined the fatty acid composition in all neutral lipids, free fatty acids and all phospholipids in alpha-linolenic acid-treated cells. In all cases the concentration of alpha-linolenic acid and docosahexenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 (n-3)) was increased, while linolenic acid (18:2 (n-6)) was slightly and arachidonic acid (20:4 (n-6)) was markedly decreased. Content of histamine in alpha-linolenic acid-treated cells was remarkably lower than that of untreated cells. Accordingly, net histamine release stimulated by antigen or A23187 was also markedly decreased in the alpha-linolenic acid-treated cells, as was the percent histamine release stimulated by antigen. Results from our in vitro experiment suggest that the anti-allergic effect of alpha-linolenic acid may be caused either by the decrease in histamine content or by inhibition of the release of chemical mediator resulting from changes in the fatty acid composition.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Magnetic resonance imaging and quantitative analysis of contents of epidermoid and dermoid cysts.

The intracapsular cholesterol, protein, and calcium contents of epidermoid and dermoid cysts from seven patients were compared with the signal intensities on T1-weighted spin-echo magnetic resonance (MR) images. All specimens had a paste-like consistency when resected. Epidermoid and dermoid cysts demonstrated a wide range of cholesterol and calcium contents, and epidermoid cysts were not always rich in cholesterol. Five patients had cysts with lower signal intensity than white matter, which contained more than 18.3 mg/g wet weight of protein. One of these patients had the highest cholesterol content of all seven patients (22.25 mg/g wet weight) and another had the highest calcium content (0.75 mg/g wet weight). Two patients had cysts with higher signal intensity than white matter, with protein contents of lower than 4.3 mg/g wet weight. High protein content (> 18.3 mg/g wet weight) may decrease signal intensity on T1-weighted MR images, while low protein content (< 4.3 mg/g wet weight) may increase signal intensity in epidermoid and dermoid cysts with high viscosity (paste-like consistency) contents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Treatment of autoimmune diseases and systemic vasculitis with pooled human intravenous immune globulin.

Treatment of autoimmune and vasculitic disorders with intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) has shown great promise. IVIG appears to provide large amounts of immunoregulatory substances that have the capacity to regulate the immune system in various ways. The ability of IVIG to regulate deleterious autoimmune responses and disease is largely directly related to its ability to stimulate the production of anti-idiotypic autoantibodies after infusion. In this respect, IVIG represents a novel immunoregulatory agent with the ability to control autoimmune and vasculitic disorders without subsequent predisposition to infectious complications. Future work and controlled clinical trials will be necessary to prove the efficacy of this therapy for specific autoimmune and vasculitic disorders.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗