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Biomedical subjects

M Uchiyama

Publications and source records attributed to M Uchiyama.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Isolation and structural characterization of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP)-like peptide from the brain of a teleost, stargazer, Uranoscopus japonicus.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a novel neuropeptide consisting of 38-residue (PACAP 1-38) and a truncated form with 27 residues (PACAP 1-27) that plays several roles in tetrapods. We isolated a highly purified PACAP-like peptide from the brain of a teleost, the stargazer, by extracting of acetone-dried powder with acetic acid followed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on gel-filtration, cation-exchange, and reverse-phase columns. Purification was monitored by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blotting analysis using an anti-PACAP 1-27 antiserum. The PACAP-like peptide thus obtained had a molecular mass of 4,623, determined by mass spectrometry, and its amino acid sequence showed 89 and 87% identity with those of ovine and frog PACAPs, respectively. These results indicate that a PACAP-like peptide, which is a highly homologous with tetrapod PACAP, is present in the teleost brain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Event-related potentials (P300) and EEG activity in childhood partial epilepsy.

To clarify the relationship between the cognitive function and EEG activity, auditory event-related potentials (P300) were examined in 72 patients with partial epilepsy. Twenty-six patients (67 trials) had idiopathic partial epilepsies (IPE), and 46 (118 trials) symptomatic or cryptogenic partial epilepsies (SPE). For this study, patients undergoing carbamazepine monotherapy with a dose of less than 16 mg/kg/day were selected to rule out the effects of anti-epileptic drugs. The results were as follows: (1) The P300 latency tended to be prolonged in association with the EEG slowing in both epileptic groups. (2) There was no clear relationship between the frequency of paroxysmal discharges and the P300 latency. (3) The P300 latency was slightly prolonged in the patients with temporal foci compared with that in ones with extra-temporal foci. (4) There was no significant relationship between the generalization of focal paroxysmal discharges and the P300 latency. These results suggested that the influence of EEG abnormalities (particularly paroxysmal discharges) on the P300 latency is relatively little, and the cognitive dysfunction in partial epilepsies mainly originates from other factors such as the epileptogenic lesion itself.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Sleep and mood disorders.

Mood disorders are found in one-third to one-half of patients with chronic sleep problems. Likewise, most patients with mood disorders experience insomnia, but a minority obtain significantly increased amounts of sleep. Although mood disorders cause significant morbidity and mortality, they often go undiagnosed. Attention to sleep complaints could lead to better identification of mood disorders. Management of sleep problems in patients with mood disorders should focus on treating underlying mood disorders with attention to the nature of the sleep complaint. Patients with depression show characteristic abnormalities in sleep continuity, slow-wave sleep and REM sleep patterns. Differences in sleep patterns cannot reliably distinguish patients with depression from those with other psychiatric disorders, but sleep changes may provide a window on neurobiologieal abnormalities in depression.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Criteria of normal blood pressure and hypertension in Japanese preschool children.

The blood pressure (BP) of 5332 Japanese preschool children from 2 to 6 years of age was measured using an automated BP recorder (Dinamap Model 8104). The third reading of the consecutive measurement of BP was used for analysis. This study adopted a definition of hypertension developed by The Task Force conducted in the United States in 1987, which showed the 95th percentiles of systolic and diastolic BP for age and sex. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that body height, weight and heart rate had significant effects on both systolic and diastolic BP, whereas age had an effect on diastolic BP only, while sex and area where the subjects lived did not affect either BP. The 95th percentiles of systolic/diastolic BP at 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 years of age were 115/69, 113/68, 114/65, 118/67 and 116/69 mm Hg in boys, and 121/70, 114/69, 115/67, 118/68 and 120/69 mm Hg in girls, respectively. The BP of Japanese preschool children can be evaluated using the data shown in this study.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1997

Identification of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on lymphocytes in the periphery as well as thymus in mice.

The existence of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) on lymphocytes remains controversial. We attempted to show the existence of nAChR on murine lymphocytes. The intraperitoneal injection of nicotine induced the lymphocytosis in the spleen on day 3. Although freshly isolated lymphocytes bound small quantities of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha BuTx), they began to bind alpha BuTx after incubation in medium. In contrast to granulocytes, various lymphocyte subsets obtained from various lymphoid organs were found to bind alpha BuTx. Affinity purification of alpha BuTx-binding protein revealed that lymphocytes expressed the same nAChR molecules as those of muscle. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed that lymphocytes expressed the alpha-subunit mRNA of nAChR. These results suggest that lymphocytes carry nAChR on the surface and are stimulated directly via their nAChR by parasympathetic nerve stimuli.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

A case of advanced gastric cancer resembling submucosal tumor of the stomach.

We report a case of primary gastric carcinoma with a macroscopic appearance indistinguishable from that of a submucosal tumor. A 48-year-old man visited our hospital with a chief complaint of epigastric discomfort. Endoscopic examination revealed a protruding lesion with a well defined margin on the anterior wall of the gastric antrum. Most of the tumor surface was covered with apparently normal gastric mucosa and a shallow recess with mild erosion was observed on the top. Abdominal ultrasonography showed a hypoechoic lesion with an irregular margin under the gastric mucosa. Laboratory examination revealed an elevated CA19-9 level of 106.9 U/ml. In spite of repeated bouling biopsies, no histological diagnosis could be obtained before surgery. However, gastrectomy with regional lymph node dissection was performed because of the high likelihood of gastric cancer, in view of the markedly elevated CA19-9 level and irregular tumor margin demonstrated by abdominal ultrasonography. The tumor was diagnosed histologically as papillo-tubular adenocarcinoma invasive to the serosa with marked vessel infiltration. No metastasis was found in the regional lymph nodes. Gastric cancer resembling submucosal tumor is rare and often difficult to diagnose. Careful estimation of the possibility of gastric cancer and the informed consent of the patient are critically important, in cases of suspected primary gastric cancer resembling submucosal tumor, in order to decide the form of treatment.

Adenocarcinoma, Papillary↗
PubMed1997

Strontium-89 therapy and imaging with bremsstrahlung in bone metastases.

The bone-seeking radiopharmaceutical Sr-89 has been used as a palliative treatment for patients with bone pain caused by bone metastases. The authors report the results of nine patients (three with prostate cancer, four with breast cancer, one with thyroid cancer, and one with lung cancer) who underwent therapy with Sr-89 chloride for painful bone metastases, and evaluate Sr-89 imaging with bremsstrahlung. Two levels of dosage (1.5 and 2.2 MBq/kg) were used. Sr-89 imaging was performed in seven patients 1 week after injection. Abnormal uptake was seen in all and was consistent with the results of Tc-99m HMDP imaging. Six patients were assessed at 3 months and three patients toward the time they were terminal; 78% (seven of nine) derived some benefit. Two patients had a favorable clinical response and showed improvement on Tc-99m HMDP imaging.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

The relationship between fatty liver and hyperinsulinemia in obese Japanese children.

BACKGROUND: Previous reports have revealed that fatty liver involving obesity is closely related to insulin resistance or hyperinsulinemia in adulthood. This study investigates the importance of hyperinsulinemia in obese children with fatty liver. METHODS: The subjects were 228 obese children 6 to 15 years old in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. The serum level of glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) was evaluated as an indicator of fatty liver. The effects of their percent obesity (percent over ideal body weight), Rohrer index (g/cm3), skinfold thickness, percent body fat measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), blood glucose, and immuno-reactive insulin (IRI) on GPT were evaluated using regression analyses. RESULTS: The incidence of fatty liver (GPT over 35 IU/I) was 24.1% in this study. In simple regression analyses, percent obesity, Rohrer index, skinfold thickness, TC, TG, blood glucose, and IRI correlated positively with GPT (p < 0.05). In stepwise regression analysis including these seven variables, the predictive equation for GPT as a function of IRI alone accounted for 24.2% of the total variance of GPT. The addition of TC alone, and TC and percent obesity together increased the coefficients of determination to 28.4% and 29.9%, respectively. Rohrer index, skinfold thickness, Tg, and blood glucose were not taken as related variables with GPT. CONCLUSION: Hyperinsulinemia is an important contributor to the development of fatty liver, apparently more than anthropometric data, blood glucose, or serum lipids in childhood obesity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

IgA nephropathy-specific expression of the IgA Fc receptors (CD89) on blood phagocytic cells.

We analysed the biochemical features of receptors for the Fc-region of IgA (Fc alphaR, CD89) on blood monocytes and granulocytes of patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Fc alphaR on monocytes of IgAN were found to have a higher Mr (60-80 kD) than those of control monocytes (50-75 kD) and granulocytes (55-75 kD) in both IgAN and controls as shown by immunoprecipitation analysis. Removal of N-linked carbohydrates from Fc alphaR on monocytes of IgAN revealed a 32-36 kD protein core, the Mr of which was still higher than that of controls (28-32 kD). When Fc alphaR transcripts were analysed by reverse-transcription-PCR, only one prominent band was visualized in PCR products from IgAN monocytes. Since the results thus far show that IgAN monocytes express Fc alphaR protein and mRNA differently from granulocytes and control monocytes, PCR products were then cloned and sequenced. The predominant band in PCR products from IgAN monocytes was identical to that of the Fc alphaR a.1 transcript, and an additional 10 transcripts containing five novel transcripts were obtained from granulocytes and control monocytes. In three transcripts, we found an insertion sequence between the S2 and EC1 domains, suggesting the existence of a new exon. These results suggest a predominant usage of Fc alphaR a.1 among various transcripts of Fc alphaR in IgAN monocytes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Reactivity of antibody YU-311 in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens of normal organs, non-hematopoietic tumors, and mast cell tumors.

YU-311 is a monoclonal antibody that reacts with a human leukemia cell line resistant for cytosine arabinoside and that identifies a 92 kDa membrane protein. The reactivity of YU-311 in normal organs, various non-hematopoietic tumors and in mast cell tumors in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens was examined using immunohistochemical methods. In normal organs, YU-311 reacted with fundic glands of the stomach, the intercalated duct of the pancreas, the distal portion and the loop of Henle of renal tubules and tissue mast cells. Benign neoplasms of various organs showed no immunoreaction with YU-311, except for mast cell tumors. Some types of malignant neoplasms were occasionally positive against YU-311, suggesting neoplasms arising from or differentiating along normal YU-311-positive counterparts. Some other types of malignancies were rarely positive for YU-311, although their normal counterparts showed no immunoreactivity with YU-311. None of the non-epithelial tumors reacted with YU-311, except for one case of malignant melanoma. In contrast, normal tissue mast cells and their related tumors, such as urticaria pigmentosa or solitary mastocytoma, were constantly positive for YU-311. None of the non-hematopoietic human tumor cell lines examined in the present study was reactive with YU-311. These findings indicate that YU-311 is a good marker of some types of tumors and mast cell tumors and that an aberrant expression of YU-311 rarely occurs.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1997

High reactivity of monoclonal antibody (TO73) with human malignant tumor cell line.

The biological characteristics of a new monoclonal antibody (TO73) reacting with a vincristine-resistant human leukemic cell line (KY-VCR) were evaluated. Immunological and electron-immunological studies showed that TO73 reacted with the surface glycoprotein of KY-VCR. TO73 was found to have no effect on cell growth and intracellular uptake of vincristine. In human neoplastic cell lines, TO73 was found to react with 11 of 27 (41%) cell lines. With regard to de novo primary tumor with one exception, TO73 did not react with any of the examined primary tumor cells. The patient with TO73-positive leukemia died of induction failure due to drug resistance. Complete remission was achieved in the other leukemic patients. These results indicate that TO73 antigen may be associated with immortalization of tumor cells and poor prognosis in some cases.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1997

Serum level and gene polymorphism of angiotensin I converting enzyme in Japanese children.

The aim of the present study was to determine the distribution of the insertion/deletion polymorphism of angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) gene in Japanese children. In addition, the relationship between this polymorphism and serum ACE levels in the same population were analyzed. Insertion/deletion polymorphism located in intron 16 of the ACE gene was examined by polymerase chain reaction in Japanese children aged 10-15 years. Allele frequencies were 0.64 for the insertion allele and 0.36 for the deletion allele in 122 subjects. No association was found between genotypes in this polymorphism and the level of systolic or diastolic blood pressure. A significant relationship between this polymorphism and serum ACE activity was observed. These results suggest that interindividual variability of serum ACE level is strongly influenced by the ACE genotype as early as in childhood.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

High-dose dexamethasone therapy for a 14-month-old boy with refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

A 14-month-old boy with refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), who was successfully treated with pulsed high-dose oral dexamethasone therapy is reported. The platelet count increased after six scheduled courses of treatment (10 mg/day x 4 days, six courses). Twenty-four months later, the platelet count remained over 10.0 x 10(4)/microL. No obvious side effects were observed during or after the therapy. This treatment could be taken into consideration not only for adults but also for young children with refractory ITP. It is effective, safe, easy to administer, patient comfort is taken into consideration, and hospitalization duration and costs are minimized.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗
PubMed1997

Two families of Lowe oculocerebrorenal syndrome with elevated serum HDL cholesterol levels and CETP gene mutation.

The ocuolocerebrorenal syndrome of Lowe (OCRL) is an X-linked recessive disorder which is characterized by renal tubular dysfunction, congenital cataracts, and cognitive impairment. In a review article by Charnas et al. (N Engl J Med 1991; 324: 1318-25), hypercholesterolemia, due to elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, was described as being highly prevalent in OCRL patients. This report prompted us to examine three OCRL children in two unrelated families and we confirmed the high prevalence of high serum HDL-C levels in the patients (3/3). In addition, we found that their normal family members also had high serum HDL-C levels (5/7). Analysis of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) genes, which are now recognized as one of factors increasing serum HDLC levels, revealed the D442G mutation in exon 15 in 5 of 10 family members (1/3 of OCRL patients and 4/7 healthy family members), and no mutation of intron 14 G(+1)-to-A. The detected D442G mutation may be one of the causes in our two OCRL families; however, further studies, based on larger numbers of subjects, are needed to confirm these findings.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

A novel mutant allele of Schizosaccharomyces pombe rad26 defective in monitoring S-phase progression to prevent premature mitosis.

A semipermissive growth condition was defined for a Schizosaccharomyces pombe strain carrying a thermosensitive allele of DNA polymerase delta (pol delta ts03). Under this condition, DNA polymerase delta is semidisabled and causes a delay in S-phase progression. Using a genetic strategy, we have isolated a panel of mutants that enter premature mitosis when DNA replication is incomplete but which are not defective for arrest in G2/M following DNA damage. We characterized the aya14 mutant, which enters premature mitosis when S phase is arrested by genetic or chemical means. However, this mutant is sensitive to neither UV nor gamma irradiation. Two genomic clones, rad26+ and cds1+, were found to suppress the hydroxyurea sensitivity of the aya14 mutant. Genetic analysis indicates that aya14 is a novel allele of the cell cycle checkpoint gene rad26+, which we have named rad26.a14. cds1+ is a suppressor which suppresses the S-phase feedback control defect of rad26.a14 when S phase is inhibited by either hydroxyurea or cdc22, but it does not suppress the defect when S phase is arrested by a mutant DNA polymerase. Analyses of rad26.a14 in a variety of cdc mutant backgrounds indicate that strains containing rad26.a14 bypass S-phase arrest but not G1 or late S/G2 arrest. A model of how Rad26 monitors S-phase progression to maintain the dependency of cell cycle events and coordinates with other rad/hus checkpoint gene products in responding to radiation damage is proposed.

Alleles↗
PubMed1997

Nitric oxide-mediated neurogenic vasodilatation in isolated monkey lingual arteries.

In isolated monkey lingual arteries denuded of the endothelium and contracted with prostaglandin F2alpha, transmural electrical stimulation produced a contraction that was reduced by prazosin and reversed to a relaxation by additional treatment with alpha,beta-methylene ATP. The relaxation thus induced was abolished by tetrodotoxin and N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, and L- but not D-arginine restored the response in the L-NNA-treated arteries. Under treatment with prazosin and alpha,beta-methylene ATP, the arterial strips responded to nicotine with a relaxation that was not influenced by atropine and timolol but was abolished by hexamethonium, oxyhemoglobin, and methylene blue. The nicotine-induced relaxation was abolished by L-NNA but not by N(G)-nitro-D-arginine and was reversed by L-arginine. Relaxations to exogenously applied NO (acidified NaNO2 solution) were not influenced by L-NNA but were abolished by oxyhemoglobin and methylene blue. The response was not affected in the strips made unresponsive to vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and calcitonin gene-related peptide by desensitization. Histochemical study demonstrated the presence of perivascular neurons containing neuronal NO synthase. It is concluded that monkey lingual arteries are innervated by vasoconstrictor nerves liberating norepinephrine and possibly ATP and also by nonadrenergic noncholinergic vasodilator nerves liberating NO as a neurotransmitter to activate soluble guanylate cyclase. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and calcitonin gene-related peptide do not appear to be involved in the neurogenic vasodilatation.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1997

Epileptic seizures and event-related potentials (P300) in childhood partial epilepsies.

To clarify the relationship between cognitive function and clinical seizures, auditory event-related potentials (P300) were examined in 72 patients (185 trials) with partial epilepsy. Twenty-six patients (67 trials) had idiopathic partial epilepsies (IPE), and 46 (118 trials) symptomatic or cryptogenic partial epilepsies (SPE). In this study, to rule out the effects of epileptogenesis and other factors, we only examined patients with partial epilepsies undergoing carbamazepine (CBZ) monotherapy at doses of less than 16 mg/kg/day. The results were: 1) the mean age-corrected P300 latency in the patients with SPE (394 +/- 38 msec) was significantly prolonged compared with that in the patients with IPE (378 +/- 28). 2) The prolongation of the P300 latency had no relationship to the seizure frequency, seizure type or seizure duration. 3) In both epileptic groups, there was no significant correlation between the seizure-free period and the age-corrected P300 latency. Our results suggest that the effect of clinical seizures on the cognitive function may be relatively little, and that the cognitive dysfunction in partial epilepsies may mainly originate from epileptogenesis or other factors.

Adolescent↗