Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

N Goto

Publications and source records attributed to N Goto.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Dietary diacylglycerol suppresses accumulation of body fat compared to triacylglycerol in men in a double-blind controlled trial.

We examined the effects of the long-term ingestion of dietary diacylglycerols (DG) in a double-blind controlled study of human lipid metabolism. Healthy men (n = 38; aged from 27 to 49 y, body mass index (BMI) ranging from 21.8 to 27.4 kg/m(2)) completed the study. To accustom the subjects to the test diets prior to the experiment, they were supplied with test diets of triacylglycerol (TG) oil for 4 wk (control period). The test oils (10 g/d) were included in bread, mayonnaise or shortbread and served for the breakfast. The target for total lipid intake was 50 g/d (15 g for breakfast, 15 g for lunch and 20 g for dinner) throughout the study. The subjects were then divided into two groups so that mean BMI and the hepatic fat content, determined by computed tomography, for each group were not different. One group (DG group) consumed test meals containing DG-rich oil (10 g/d) while the other group (TG group) consumed the same meal as during the control period. Ten grams of the DG-rich oil contained 5.5 g 1,3-DG, 2.5 g 1,2-DG and 2 g TG. The actual lipid intake during the study was 43 g/d. Body weight, BMI and waist circumference decreased in both groups at the end of the test period of 16 wk. However, the magnitudes of decreases in these variables were significantly greater in the DG group than in the TG group. Decreases of total fat, visceral fat area and subcutaneous fat area of the abdominal traverse images of computed tomography in the DG group were also significantly greater than those in the TG group. Hepatic fat content decreased significantly in the DG group while no change was observed in the TG group. Serum lipid concentrations (TG, total cholesterol, free fatty acid) and related metabolites (glucose, insulin, total ketone body) did not change significantly in either group. Thus, in contrast to TG, DG apparently suppressed accumulation of fat and possibly reduces the risk of diseases associated with visceral fat obesity.

Abdomen↗
PubMed2000

Involvement of ethylene and gibberellin signalings in chromosaponin I-induced cell division and cell elongation in the roots of Arabidopsis seedlings.

Chromosaponin I (CSI), a triterpenoid saponin isolated from pea, stimulates the growth of roots in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings on wetted filter paper in the light for 14 d. The growth rates of roots in Columbia (Col) and Landsberg erecta (Ler) wild-types were 0.92 and 0.26 mm d(-1), respectively, and they were accelerated to 3.46 (Col) and 2.20 (Ler) mm d(-1) by treating with 300 microM CSI. The length of mature epidermal cells was increased by 1.8-fold (Col) and 2.81-fold (Ler) compared with control and the number of epidermal cells was increased by a factor of 1.65 (Col) and 2.12 (Ler). Treatment with 2-aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), an inhibitor of ethylene biosynthesis, also increased cell length but not cell number. The effects of CSI on root growth were not detected in the ethylene-insensitive mutant ein2-1. CSI did not inhibit ethylene production but stimulated the growth of roots in ctr1-1, the constitutive triple response mutant for ethylene, indicating that CSI inhibits ethylene signaling, especially downstream of CTR1. In the GA-insensitive mutant gai and the mutant spy-3, in which the basal level of GA signaling is activated, CSI did not increase cell number, although both CSI and AVG stimulated cell elongation in these mutants. These results suggest that the inhibition of ethylene signaling is the cause of CSI-induced cell elongation. A possible involvement of both GA and ethylene signalings is discussed for the CSI-induced cell division.

Aminobutyrates↗
PubMed2000

PCR for detection and identification of Streptococcus sobrinus.

Oligonucleotide primers were designed based upon a comparison of the dextranase gene (dex) sequences from Streptococcus sobrinus and S. mutans. The primers amplified a 1610-bp long DNA fragment on the dex gene by a PCR. The pair of primers was specific to S. sobrinus as the other members of the mutans streptococci - S. mutans, S. downei, S. cricetus, S. rattus, S. macacae and S. ferus - gave no PCR products. Other gram-positive oral bacteria (15 strains of 10 species of cocci and 18 strains of 12 species of rods) and gram-negative oral bacteria (3 strains of 3 species of cocci and 31 strains of 22 species of rods) also gave negative results in the PCR. The PCR procedure was able to detect as little as 100 fg of purified chromosomal DNA or as few as 9 cfu of S. sobrinus NIDR6715. Seven clinical isolates of S. sobrinus were also positive in the dex PCR. This laboratory developed the S. mutans-specific PCR (dexA PCR) method with the primers specific for a portion of the dextranase gene of S. mutans Ingbritt. Primers for the dex and dexA PCR methods detected two species exclusively from the mutans streptococci. Furthermore, these two species were effectively differentiated by the species-specific amplicons with different lengths. The application of the PCR method to human dental plaque showed that the prevalence of S. sobrinus (83%) in oral cavities was higher than currently supposed (0-50%). These results suggest that the described PCR method is suitable for the specific detection and identification of human cariogenic bacteria, S. sobrinus and S. mutans.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Morphometric evaluation of the human cervical motoneurons.

Morphometric analysis of the human cervical large motoneurons in the anterior horn was performed in 7 male cadavers with the help of an image-analyzer and the use of a new tissue preparation method which minimizes shrinkage. This method makes it possible to precisely evaluate the size of cervical motoneurons at each level. Our study revealed a difference in number, average area and total area of the motoneurons between C1-C3 and C4-C7 levels. This results can be of importance in setting standard values for the understanding of morphological and functional correlations.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Unmyelinated nerve fibre analysis of the human lesser splanchnic nerve.

The aim of the present study is to analyse unmyelinated nerve fibres of the human lesser splanchnic nerve in relation to the ageing process. With the help of an image-analyser, we examined 30 human lesser splanchnic nerves. The analysis was conducted with the use of a new staining method that makes it possible to discriminate various structures of the nervous tissue. Our report provides for the first time information on the ageing process of the human lesser splanchnic nerve fibres. The results indicate that a decrease in transverse area and perimeter of unmyelinated axons is one of the important changes occurring in the human lesser splanchnic nerve during the ageing process.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

The human recurrent laryngeal nerve during the aging process.

After a morphometric analysis of nerve fibers of the human recurrent laryngeal nerve, which is connected with phonation, the authors discovered several changes occurring in the axon during the aging process. These changes are mainly the disappearance of large axons and a slenderization of all remaining axons. This is the first time that such observation has been made.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Gender dimorphism of axons in the human lateral corticospinal tract.

Axons in the lateral corticospinal tract (LCST) were analyzed morphometrically on 37 cadavers (24 males and 13 females). The results revealed gender differences at the first lumbar cord level. Whereas the shape of the axons showed small differences (they were slightly more circular in males than in females), significant differences regarding the average area and diameter were found for the first time: these showed significant reduction with age in the case of males, but not in the case of females.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Sexual dimorphism of the human cerebral pallium.

Sexual dimorphism was found regarding the cortico-medullary volume ratio in human brains throughout the age range, without the need for statistical analysis. After measurement of the areas of the whole pallium, cerebral cortex and cerebral medullary substance in 10 mm thick slices with the help of an image-analyzer, the total volume of the brain was calculated by integrating the volumes of each slice. The sexual dimorphism found in the cortico-medullary volume ratio may be of importance to understand sex differences, to solve questions related to various activities, functions, behaviours and responses, or to evaluate various pathologic conditions including non-physiological cerebral atrophy.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Unmyelinated nerve fiber analysis of the human oculomotor nerve.

Unmyelinated nerve fibers of the oculomotor nerve have occasionally been observed in experimental animals with the use of electron microscopes, but no details concerning normal oculomotor nerves in humans have been published. We measured and analyzed unmyelinated nerve fibers in the human oculomotor nerve with an image analyzer and a computer, using a new staining method, the Luxol fast blue-periodic acid-Schiff-hematoxylin (LPH) discriminative staining method which is the only one suitable for morphometric research on nervous tissues. We studied the numbers and transverse areas of unmyelinated fibers of the oculomotor nerve in 20 cadavers. The number of unmyelinated axons did not change with age, but the mean transverse area decreased with age. These fibers were distributed diffusely in the transverse area of the oculomotor nerve, not localized in any part of the nerve. These findings may be important for the analysis of clinical and neurological signs in relation to aging and ophthalmologic functions.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Morphometric analysis of the human ophthalmic nerve and the aging process.

In the present study, the morphometric changes that occur in the human ophthalmic nerve fibers during the aging process were analyzed with the use of new discriminative staining method, which permits simultaneous observation of the axon and surrounding myelin sheath. Morphometric data on axons were collected in 45 human cadavers. A significant reversed correlation was observed between those data and the age of the subject. Our results indicate that definite changes occur in the ophthalmic nerve during the aging process.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Sexual dimorphism of the motoneurons in the human spinal cord.

There have been few morphometric studies on the size of the motoneurons of the human spinal cord. The purpose of the present study is to report the differences in the size of the motoneurons between males and females in the human spinal cord. We examined numbers and transverse cell body areas of the motoneurons of the anterior horn using 16 male and 21 female human spinal cords at levels C5 and L3. The sizes of the motoneurons were larger in males than in females, but their numbers were practically the same. These results can be of great importance in setting standard values for the understanding of morphological and functional correlations.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Effects of graded levels of dietary casein and corn oil on total cholesterol and triacylglycerol in plasma and liver of rats.

With the intention of examining the effects of dietary protein and oil levels on total cholesterol (T-CHOL) and triacylglycerol (TG) concentrations in the plasma and liver, male Wistar rats, weighing about 170 g, were fed diets containing graded levels of casein and corn oil for 2 wk. At the 5, 20, and 30% levels of dietary corn oil, plasma T-CHOL concentrations were generally enhanced in proportion to the rise of dietary casein level, but plasma TG contents were scarcely influenced by the level. At the 8 to 35% casein levels, plasma T-CHOL and TG concentrations were the highest at the 5% corn oil level, followed in order by the 20 and 30% levels of oil. At the 5 and 20% oil levels, hepatic T-CHOL contents were hardly changed at the 8 to 30% casein levels, but enhanced at the 35% casein level. At the 30% oil level, the T-CHOL contents tended to be changed proportionally to casein levels. At all levels of casein, hepatic T-CHOL contents tended to be relatively high at the 30% corn oil, middle at the 20% oil, and low at the 5% one. At each corn oil level, TG contents in the liver tended to be elevated at the 8 to 15% casein levels and highly preserved at the 15 to 25% ones. Then, the raised TG contents declined at the 5 and 20% levels of corn oil and remained constant at the 30% oil. At each casein level, the contents of hepatic TG were generally high at the 30% oil level, followed in order by the 20 and 5% oil levels. These results indicated that plasma and liver T-CHOL concentrations were proportionately enhnaced by the increase in casein level, and plasma TG contents were hardly affected by the level and hepatic TG ones were lowered by relatively lower or higher casein level, and the rise in corn oil level generally reduced plasma T-CHOL and TG concentrations, but raised hepatic ones.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

(-)-Epigallocatechin gallate inhibits mos activation-mediated xenopus oocyte maturation induced by progesterone.

(-)-Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), one of the constituents of green tea known to have a tumor preventing effect, inhibited maturation of Xenopus laevis oocytes induced by progesterone when this polyphenol was microinjected into oocytes at a final concentration of about 1 mM. Western blot and activity measurement analyses showed that Mos translation and the subsequent activations of mitogen-activated protein kinase and p90(rsk), probably by protein phosphorylation, seemed to have been inhibited by the microinjection of EGCG. These results suggest that EGCG may have the ability to control Xenopus oocyte maturation at least during the stage of Mos activation.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Induction of systemic and mucosal antibody responses in mice immunized intranasally with aluminium-non-adsorbed diphtheria toxoid together with recombinant cholera toxin B subunit as an adjuvant.

Nasal mucosal immunization is very attractive for vaccination to prevent various bacterial and viral infectious diseases because of induction of systemic and mucosal immune responses. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possibility of changing the immunization procedure of diphtheria toxoid (DT) from intramuscular or subcutaneous injection to intranasal administration. Intranasal immunization with aluminium-non-adsorbed diphtheria toxoid (nDT) together with recombinant cholera toxin B subunit (rCTB, 10 microg) induced, at a concentration of 5 Lf, high levels of serum DT-specific IgG antibody responses and high or moderate levels of the specific IgA antibody responses in all mice and only a slight level of the specific IgE antibody responses in some mice. Furthermore, sufficiently high diphtheria antitoxin titres more than 0.1 international units (IU) ml(-1) were obtained from mice which showed high levels of serum DT-specific IgG antibody responses. Under the same experimental conditions, induction of significant levels of mucosal DT-specific IgA antibody responses occurred in the nasal cavity, the lung, the saliva and vaginal secretions and the small and large intestines of all mice, although there were different titres between individual mice. Similar results were also obtained with rCTB-specific serum IgG and IgA and mucosal IgA antibody responses; serum rCTB-specific IgE antibody titres were not detected. These results show that intranasal administration of nDT with rCTB must be a very useful means for vaccination against diphtheria.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1999

Endogenous GLP-1 modulates hippocampal activity in beta-amyloid protein-treated rats.

We examined the relationship between the histochemical distribution of endogenous GLP-1 (7-36) amide in the hippocampus and memory impairment assessed by a step-through type passive avoidance task in rats continuously infused with beta-amyloid protein (1-40) into the lateral cerebroventricle using a mini-osmotic pump. Our results demonstrated that endogenous GLP-1 (7-36) amide appears in the hippocampus accompanied by progression of memory impairment. Electrophysiological studies also indicated that endogenous GLP-1 inhibits hippocampal neuronal activity in beta-amyloid protein-treated rats.

Amyloid beta-Peptides↗
PubMed1999

Glucagon-like peptide-1 modulates neuronal activity in the rat's hippocampus.

In order to assess effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in the brain excluding the hypothalamus, the effects of GLP-1 (7-36) amide, a naturally produced active fragment, on the electroencephalogram and hippocampal single unit activities of anesthetized male Wistar rats were examined. I.c.v. injection of GLP-1 (7-36) amide decreased the hippocampal theta wave duration. Juxtacellular administration of GLP-1 (7-36) amide first increased and then decreased single unit activities recorded in the hippocampal CA1, which effects were antagonized by exendin (9-39) amide, a GLP-1 receptor antagonist, or 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, a non-NMDA type glutamate receptor antagonist. These results indicate that GLP-1 receptors exist in the hippocampus and are involved in modulating hippocampal activity through an increase in the release of excitatory amino acid transmitters.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Evaluation of cell-killing effects of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine and daunorubicin by a new computer-controlled in vitro pharmacokinetic simulation system.

An in vitro pharmacokinetic simulation system that can simulate plasma pharmacokinetics was established to evaluate the cytotoxicity of two representative antileukemic agents, 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) and daunorubicin. With this system, the survival rate of the cell line K562 treated with ara-C, relative to that of untreated control cells, was 7.1%, as determined by a clonogenic culture technique using a clinically intermediate dose of ara-C (1.0 g/m2; 2-h infusion). When the area under the serum concentration-time curve (AUC) was kept constant at infusion times of 2, 4, 8, and 16 h with a regular dose of ara-C (100-mg/m2 infusion), the relative cell survival rates were 75, 72, 34, and 14%, respectively. In contrast, with the use of a conventional culture system and a constant concentration-time product (C x T), no time-dependent inhibition effect by ara-C was observed, probably due to the ara-C inactivation in the cell-containing culture medium. For example, 93% of the ara-C in the cell-suspended medium in the conventional culture system was converted to its inactive form, 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyluracil, within 16 h after addition of ara-C to the medium. For the simulations of the administration of 50 mg/m2 daunorubicin for 0.5-, 2-, 4-, and 8-h infusions, the relative survival rates [maximal concentrations (Cmaxs)] were 37.4% (0.24 microM), 49.7% (0.089 microM), 72.1% (0.055 microM), and 82.2% (0.032 microM), respectively. With the conventional culture system, the relative survival rates (Cmaxs) following daunorubicin treatment were 7.6% (0.48 microM), 18.6% (0.12 microM), 63.7% (0.06 microM), and 92.0% (0.03 microM) when the drug exposure times were 0.5, 2, 4, and 8 h, respectively, with a constant C x T. When the drug concentration for 90% cell killing by the conventional culture system was plotted against the exposure time on a logarithmic scale, the regression line for daunorubicin had a slope of -0.40, whereas the slope of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (or cisplatin), a typical AUC-dependent drug, was -0.98. These results suggested that daunorubicin was Cmax dependent rather than AUC dependent. In the simulation system, this Cmax dependency was apparently reduced, probably because of the smaller difference of Cmaxs in the simulation system compared with the conventional system with the constant AUC. Thus, this simulation system can predict the effects of ara-C, daunorubicin, and other antineoplastic agents much more exactly than the conventional culture system in clinical use.

Antineoplastic Agents↗