Biomedical subjects

M Yoshizawa

Publications and source records attributed to M Yoshizawa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Ultrafast dynamics of all-trans--carotene explored by resonant and nonresonant photoexcitations.

Excitation energy dependence of transmittance change has been investigated in -carotene. The signal induced by nonresonant excitation is ascribed to the ac Stark effect and the two-photon absorption of the excitation and probe pulses in three-level systems. The ultrafast response following resonant excitation is assigned to the two-photon absorption and the transient absorption of the photogenerated S(2) state with a lifetime of 150 fs. The long-debated S(2)-S(1) relaxation in beta-carotene can be explained by a two-state model (S(2), S(1)) without involving any intermediate states.

Photochemistry↗

PubMed2005

Comparison of hemostatic effects by route of H2 receptor antagonist administration following endoscopic mucosal resection in patients with neoplastic gastric lesions.

BACKGROUND: To date, there has not been an in-depth investigation to identify differences in the effects of bleeding prevention among different routes of administration of H2 receptor antagonists to treat gastric ulcers following endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). AIM: To prospectively compare the frequency of bleeding following EMR between patients treated with intravenous (IV) famotidine and those with oral famotidine. METHODS: Fifty-three patients with neoplastic gastric lesions (33 carcinoma and 20 adenoma) treated by EMR were included. Subjects underwent EMR with circumferential mucosal incision assisted by submucosal injection of sodium hyaluronate (EMRSH), followed by IV or oral (PO) administration of famotidine at a dosage of 40 mg/day for 2 days. Patients with odd ID numbers were assigned to IV therapy (30 cases) while even numbers were given PO therapy (23 cases). Frequencies and endoscopic findings of bleeding during the first 2 days after EMR were examined. RESULTS: Frequency of bleeding within 2 days after EMR was 3 and 4% in IV and PO patients, respectively, showing no significant difference. No significant difference was seen in the endoscopic findings of bleeding and therapy, either, with respective IV and PO findings at 23 and 26%. CONCLUSIONS: No significant difference was observed in frequency of bleeding within 2 days after gastric EMR between IV and oral administrations of famotidine.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2004

Magnetic noise rejection in the MCG using independent component analysis.

In magnetocardiogram (MCG) measurements, the magnetic noise from any magnetic wire, used to suture the sternum after heart surgery, becomes a problem. As one method of noise rejection, independent component analysis is seen here to be effective. In this study, MCG measurements were carried out under conditions where a wire was attached to a normal subject, also where no wire was attached. Signal processing by independent component analysis was carried out in order to reduce the effect of magnetic noise from the wire. From the comparison of the waveforms after this signal processing and the waveforms where the wire was not attached, it was apparent that the magnetic noise from the wire was reduced. Thus, we have shown that independent component analysis is effective for the reduction of magnetic noise from a magnetic wire, in MCG measurements.

Electricity↗

PubMed2004

Active magnetic compensation composed of shielding panels.

Magnetically shielded rooms (MSRs) with materials of high permeability and active shield systems have been used to shield magnetic noise for biomagnetic measurements up to now. However, these techniques have various disadvantages. Therefore, we have developed a new shielding system composed of shielding panels using an active compensation technique. In this study, we evaluated the shielding performance of several unit panels attached together. Numerical and experimental approaches indicated that the shielding factor of a cubic model composed of 24 panels was 17 for uniform fields, and 7 for disturbances due to car movement. Furthermore, the compensation space is larger than that of an ordinary active system using large coils rather than panels. Moreover, the new active compensation system has the important advantage that panels of any shape can be assembled for occasional use because the unit panels are small and light.

Electromagnetic Fields↗

PubMed2004

Conceptual design of spectrum changeable neutron calibration fields in JAERI/FRS.

Spectrum changeable neutron calibration fields are planned to be established with an accelerator installed in Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute/Facility of Radiation Standards. The neutron fields are provided by bombarding a target surrounded by a moderator, with charged particles from the accelerator. In the fields, a wide variety of neutron spectra is provided with sufficient fluence rate for the calibration of dosemeters. In this study, necessity of the field was first discussed in view of relationship between readings of existing dosemeters and true dose equivalents where the dosemeters were used. Second, test simulation of neutron spectra was carried out with the Monte Carlo technique for some arrangements with a LiF target and quasi-cylindrical moderators with different materials. The simulated spectra were summarised in terms of fluence-average energy, fluence rate and calibration factor for the dosemeters.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2004

Construction of 144, 565 keV and 5.0 MeV monoenergetic neutron calibration fields at JAERI.

Monoenergetic neutron calibration fields of 144, 565 keV and 5.0 MeV have been developed at the Facility of Radiation Standards of JAERI using a 4 MV Pelletron accelerator. The 7Li(p,n)7Be and 2H(d,n)3He reactions are employed for neutron production. The neutron energy was measured by the time-of-flight method with a liquid scintillation detector and calculated with the MCNP-ANT code. A long counter is employed as a neutron monitor because of the flat response. The monitor is set up where the influence of inscattered neutrons from devices and their supporting materials at a calibration point is as small as possible. The calibration coefficients from the monitor counts to the neutron fluence at a calibration point were obtained from the reference fluence measured with the transfer instrument of the primary standard laboratory (AIST), a 24.13 cm phi Bonner sphere counter. The traceability of the fields to AIST was established through the calibration.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2004

Neutron spectra and angular distributions of concrete-moderated neutron calibration fields at JAERI.

The Facility of Radiation Standards of Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute has been equipped with concrete-moderated neutron calibration fields as simulated workplace neutron fields. The fields use an 241Am-Be neutron source placed in the narrow space surrounded by concrete bricks, walls and floor. The neutron spectra and the neutron fluence rates of the fields were measured with the Bonner multi-sphere spectrometer system (BMS), spherical recoil-proton proportional counters, and a liquid scintillation counter (NE-213). The results were compared with each other. The reference values of H*(10) were determined from the results of BMS. The angular distributions of neutron fluence were calculated using MCNP-4B2 to obtain the reference values of Hp(10). The calculated results show that the scattered neutrons have a wide range of incident angles. The reference Hp(10) values considered the angular distribution were found to be 10-18% smaller than those without consideration.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2003

Intraoral grafting of an ex vivo produced oral mucosa equivalent: a preliminary report.

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of the use of an ex vivo produced oral mucosa equivalent (EVPOME) for intraoral grafting procedures. Autogenous keratinocytes were harvested from a punch biopsy 4 weeks prior to surgery, placed in a serum-free culture system and seeded onto a human cadaveric dermal equivalent, AlloDerm. Thirty patients with either a premalignant or cancerous lesion were triaged into two groups, depending on the stage of disease: Group 1: EVPOME or Group 2: AlloDerm, control without an epithelial layer. Clinically, EVPOME grafts were easy to handle and showed excellent compliance on grafting. Both, EVPOME and AlloDerm grafts, showed a 100% take rate. At 6 days post-grafting, the EVPOME clinically showed changes indicating vascular ingrowth and had cytologic evidence of the persistence of grafted cultured keratinocytes on the surface. The EVPOME grafts had enhanced maturation of the underlying submucosal layer associated with rapid epithelial coverage when compared to the AlloDerm grafts at biopsies taken at 28 days post-grafting. In summary, EVPOME appears to be an acceptable oral mucosal substitute for human intraoral grafting procedures and results in a more favorable wound healing response than AlloDerm alone.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Measurement of neutron dose with an organic liquid scintillator coupled with a spectrum weight function.

A dose evaluation method for neutrons in the energy range of a few MeV to 100 MeV has been developed using a spectrum weight function (G-function), which is applied to an organic liquid scintillator of 12.7 cm in diameter and 12.7 cm in length. The G-function that converts the pulse height spectrum of the scintillator into the ambient dose equivalent, H*(10), was calculated by an unfolding method using successive approximation of the response function of the scintillator and the ambient dose equivalent per unit neutron fluence (H*(10) conversion coefficients) of ICRP 74. To verify the response function of the scintillator and the value of H*(10) evaluated by the G-function. pulse height spectra of the scintillator were measured in some different neutron fields, which have continuous energy, monoenergetic and quasi-monoenergetic spectra. Values of H*(10) estimated using the G-function and pulse height spectra of the scintillator were compared with those calculated using neutron energy spectra. These doses agreed with each other. From the results, it was concluded that H*(10) can be evaluated directly from the pulse height spectrum of the scintillator by applying the G-function proposed in this study.

Light↗

PubMed2001

Structural characterization and intramolecular aliphatic C-H oxidation ability of M(III)(mu-O)2M(III) complexes of Ni and Co with the hydrotris-(3,5-dialkyl-4-X-pyrazolyl)borate ligands TpMe2,X (X = Me, H, Br) and TpiPr2.

Reaction of the dinuclear M(II)-bis(mu-hydroxo) complexes of nickel and cobalt, [(M(II)(TpR)]2(mu-OH)2] (M = Ni; 3Ni M = Co: 3Co), with one equivalent of H2O2 yields the corresponding M(III)-bis(mu-oxo) complexes, [[M(III)(TpR)]2-(mu-O)2] (M=Ni; 2Ni, M=Co: 2Co). The employment of a series of TpMe2,X (TpMe2,X = hydrotris(3,5-dimethyl-4-X-1-pyrazolyl)borate; X = Me, H, Br) as a metal supporting ligand makes it possible to isolate and structurally characterize the thermally unstable M(III)-bis-(mu-oxo) complexes 2Ni and 2Co. Both the starting (3Ni and 3Co) and resulting complexes (2Ni and 2Co) contain five-coordinate metal centers with a slightly distorted square-pyramidal geometry. Characteristic features of the nickel complexes 2Ni, such as the two intense absorptions around 400 and 300 nm in the UV-visible spectra and the apparent diamagnetism, are very similar to those of the previously reported bis(mu-oxo) species of Cu(III) and Ni(III) with ligands other than TpR, whereas the spectroscopic properties of the cobalt complexes 2Co (i.e., paramagnetically shifted NMR signals and a single intense absorption appearing at 350 nm) are clearly distinct from those of the isostructural nickel compounds 2Ni. Thermal decomposition of 2Ni and 2Co results in oxidation of the inner saturated hydrocarbyl substituents of the TpR ligand. Large kH/kD values obtained from the first-order decomposition rates of the TpMe3 and Tp(CD3)2,Me derivatives of 2 evidently indicate that the rate-determining step is an hydrogen abstraction from the primary C-H bond of the methyl substituents. mediated by the M(III)2-(mu-O)2 species. The nickel complex 2Ni shows reactivity about 10(3) times greater than that of the cobalt analogue 2Co. The oxidation ability of the M(III)(mu-O)2M(III) core should be affected by the hindered TpR ligand system, which can stabilize the +2 oxidation state of the metal centers.

Cobalt↗

PubMed2001

Cavity-directed synthesis of labile silanol oligomers within self-assembled coordination cages.

This paper introduces a concept that is referred to as cavity-directed synthesis by showing the selective oligomerization of trialkoxysilanes, RSi(OMe)3 (7), in self-assembled hollow compounds. Pd(II)-linked coordination hosts (cage, bowl, or tube) are found to strictly control the oligomerization of 7 (R = 2-naphthyl) in such a way that their optimal guests are produced in their cavities. Thus, within coordination tube 1, one molecule of 7 is accommodated and subsequently hydrolyzed to give silanetriol RSi(OH)3 (4). Under ordinary aqueous conditions, this reactive compound undergoes rapid polycondensation (so-called sol-gel condensation) leading to Si-O networks. Within the cavity of 1, however, 4 remains very stable and the polycondensation is completely suppressed. On the other hand, coordination bowl 2 and cage 3 give its dimers RSi(OH)2OSi(OH)2R (5) and cyclic trimers [RSi(OH)O]3 (6), respectively. X-ray crystallographic studies clearly show that the cavity size and the shape of 1, 2, and 3 nicely fit with those of 4, 5, and 6, respectively, demonstrating that the cavities strictly direct the oligomerizaion reaction of 7.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

Characterization of encapsulating supramolecules by using CSI-MS with ionization-promoting reagents.

Guanidine nitrate, DMF, DMA, and DMSO are proven to be efficient ionization-promoting reagents in coldspray ionization mass spectrometry (CSI-MS) for the self-assembled cage Pt compound 1 in aqueous solution. These reagents made it possible to characterize the structures of encapsulated guest molecules in the cage. Detailed structure determinations of the cage compound encapsulating various kinds of guest molecules by using positive CSI-MS with ionization-promoting reagents are described.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

Expression of tyrosinase-related protein 2/DOPAchrome tautomerase in the retinoblastoma.

Tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TRP-2), also known as DOPAchrome tautomerase, is an enzyme in melanin biosynthesis and may play an important role in detoxification of a metabolite derived from DOPA. TRP-2 is expressed in melanocytes of neural crest origin and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), derived from the optic cup. TRP-2 has been established as an early differentiation marker for melanoblasts and RPE. It is therefore of significance to study the regulation of TRP-2/DOPAchrome tautomerase expression. Here we show that TRP-2 mRNA is expressed in Y79 human retinoblastoma cell line, derived from a primitive multipotential retinal cell. Retinoblastoma is the common primary intraocular tumor of childhood. Basal expression levels in Y79 retinoblastoma cells of TRP-2 mRNA and protein are comparable to those in melanoma cells, whereas mRNA for tyrosinase, the rate-limiting enzyme in melanogenesis, is undetectable in retinoblastoma cells. Transient transfection assays showed that the TRP-2 gene promoter efficiently directs the reporter gene expression in retinoblastoma cells as it does in melanoma cells. Moreover, the expression of TRP-2 mRNA was induced by retinoic acid in retinoblastoma cells but not noticeably affected by forskolin, a cAMP-elevating reagent, whereas in melanoma cells its expression was induced by forskolin but not by retinoic acid. These results suggest a difference in the regulation of TRP-2 expression between retinoblastoma and melanoma cells. Moreover, TRP-2 mRNA is expressed in the excised retinoblastoma specimens, as assessed by RT-PCR. The present study shows unexpected features of TRP-2 and may enhance our understanding of the pathophysiology of retinoblastoma.

Colforsin↗

PubMed2001

Effect of activation with Ca ionophore A23187 and puromycin on the development of human oocytes that failed to fertilize after intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of sequential oocyte activation with calcium ionophore A23187 (A23187) and puromycin on oocytes that were unfertilized after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). DESIGN: Laboratory examination. SETTING: The in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer unit in Tokushima University Hospital. PATIENT(S): Discarded unfertilized oocytes following ICSI. INTERVENTION(S): All 172 oocytes that showed no evidence of normal fertilization 18 hours after ICSI were exposed to A23187 (5 microM) for 5 minutes and consequently were treated with puromycin (10 microg/mL) for 5 hours. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The activation rate, proportion of oocytes that showed two pronuclei with the second polar body (2PN2PB), and cleavage rate were calculated. Chromosomal analysis of the oocytes with 2PN2PB was also performed. RESULT(S): The treatment activated 146 out of 172 oocytes (84.9%) and 30.1% of the activated oocytes showed 2PN2PB. Sixteen of 25 oocytes with 2PN2PB (64.0%) cleaved. There was no difference in the activation rate, proportion of activated oocytes with 2PN2PB, or cleavage rate between oocytes that were injected with a motile spermatozoon and those injected with an immotile spermatozoon. Chromosomal analysis showed a normal diploid set of chromosomes (n = 46) in four of five analyzable oocytes. CONCLUSION(S): The sequential treatment of calcium ionophore A23187 and puromycin activates unfertilized oocytes after ICSI. The resultant oocytes with 2PN2PB can cleave.

Calcimycin↗

PubMed2001

Fluctuations of Emax of the left ventricle: effect of atrial natriuretic polypeptide.

Recently the circadian rhythm of fluctuations in heart rate variability (HRV) has gained increasing attention, and the use of appropriate treatment corresponding to the circadian rhythm has become an important issue. However, the question has been raised as to whether the rhythm of fluctuation is only limited to HRV, and if a rhythm is also present in the contraction of the heart. The mathematical technique of electrical circuit simulation of the cardiovascular system was used to observe the Emax rhythm. In this study, the therapeutic effect of various drugs, including atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP), was confirmed. The effect of inotropic drugs including ANP on Emax was observed, and the results based on an old and a new method of determining Emax . were examined. Furthermore, the chaos analysis of Emax was also made. The time series of Emax showed an increased complexity due to the administration of ANP. In conclusion, it might be important to consider not only the fluctuation of HRV, but also an analysis of the fluctuation in the contraction of the heart.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

PubMed2001

Vascular invasion in squamous cell carcinomas of human oral mucosa.

The process of vascular invasion of human oral squamous cell carcinomas was histologically and immunohistochemically studied in surgical and autopsy specimens. Hematoxylin-eosin, Masson's trichrome, and immunohistochemical stainings for Ulex europaeus I lectin binding, CD31, and type IV collagen were done to differentiate lymphatic and blood vessels and to demonstrate basement membranes in vascular walls and around carcinoma cell nests was observed. With growth of tumor, there was mechanical disruption of vascular walls and endothelial cells by carcinoma cell nests. After disrupting vascular walls, they invaded into the lumen as clusters, not as single cells. At the blood vessel invasion sites, inflammatory reactions were seen around carcinoma cell nests inside as well as outside lumina with microthrombotic reactions due to endothelial injury. At the lymphatic invasion sites, carcinoma cell nests maintained their volume inside the lumen and the cells adhered tightly to each other, and inflammatory reaction was scarcely seen. These findings showed that mechanical pressure has an important role in the vascular invasion of human oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

A combination of calcium ionophore and puromycin effectively produces human parthenogenones with one haploid pronucleus.

Parthenogenetic activation with various combinations of the calcium ionophore A23187 and protein synthesis or phosphorylation inhibitors was investigated as a means of producing human parthenogenones with one haploid pronucleus. Unfertilised human aged oocytes exposed to 5 microM A23187 for 5 min were treated with 10 microg/ml puromycin (puromycin group, 46 oocytes) or 2 mM 6-dimethylaminopurine (DMAP group, 42 oocytes) for 5 h. Oocytes treated only with A23187 served as a control (control group, 40 oocytes). After washing the oocytes, they were incubated for up to 37 h. Evidence of activation (pronuclear formation) and cleavage was observed 18 h and 42 h after A23187 treatment, respectively. Activation rates in the puromycin and DMAP groups were significantly higher than in the control group (91% (42/46) and 77% (34/44) vs 20% (8/40), p < 0.05, respectively). In the puromycin group, 81% (34/42) of the activated oocytes showed one pronucleus with the second polar body (2ndPB), whereas none (0/34) of the activated oocytes in the DMAP group extruded the 2ndPB. The cleavage rate in the puromycin group was significantly lower than in the DMAP group (38% vs 68%, p < 0.05). The activated oocytes which had one pronucleus with the 2ndPB in the puromycin group showed a haploid set of chromosomes (10/13). In conclusion, the combination of A23187 and puromycin is effective for producing human parthenogenones with one haploid pronucleus.

Adenine↗

PubMed2001

Automatic detection and classification of abnormalities for artificial hearts using a hierarchical self-organizing map.

A hierarchical self-organizing map (SOM) has been developed for automatic detection and classification of abnormalities for artificial hearts. The hierarchical SOM has been applied to the monitoring and analysis of an aortic pressure (AoP) signal measured from an adult goat equipped with a total artificial heart. The architecture of the network actually consists of 2 different SOMs. The first SOM clusters the AoP beat patterns in an unsupervised way. Afterward, the outputs of the first SOM combined with the original time-domain features of beat-to-beat data are fed to the second SOM for final classification. Each input vector of the second SOM is associated with a class vector. This class vector is assigned to every node in the second map as an output weight and learned according to Kohonen's learning rule. Some experimental results revealed that a certain abnormality caused by breakage of sensors could be identified and detected correctly and that the change in the state of the circulatory system could be recognized and predicted to some extent.

Animals↗