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Biomedical subjects

N Kato

Publications and source records attributed to N Kato.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Physical and personality traits of preschool children in Fuzhou, China: only child vs sibling.

Concern about the healthy growth and development of an only child has been voiced since the 1970s, when the Chinese government launched the only child policy. In this study, the physical and personality traits of rural Chinese preschool only-children (onlies) whose age ranged from 3 to 6 years old were evaluated. The sample included 197 onlies and 367 children with siblings who came from seven kindergartens in rural areas in Fuzhou, Fujian province. The results showed no statistically significant differences in height, mass or BMI between the onlies and siblings. Regarding the personality traits, the significant difference was that the onlies exhibited more somatic complaints, however, the data didn't indicate any other undesirable personality traits for the onlies. These results suggest that Chinese preschool children grow normally with or without siblings.

Body Height↗
PubMed2000

Molecular structure of bacterial endotoxin (Escherichia coli Re lipopolysaccharide): implications for formation of a novel heterogeneous lattice structure.

Analyses of crystals of Escherichia coli Re lipopolysaccharide (LPS) formed after storage in 1% triethylamine indicate that the LPS molecules are assembled to form a monolayered structure consisting of a novel heterogeneous lattice structure, the greater part of which is occupied by one kind of lattice (lattice I), corresponding to the acyl chain portion of lipid A, and the remainder is occupied by the other kind of lattice (lattice II), corresponding to the 3-deoxy-Dmanno-octulosonic acid (dOclA) dimer and the N-acetylglucosamine disaccharide of lipid A. X-ray diffraction reveals that the type of cell is monoclinic (a = 5.53 A, b = 27.2 A, c = 6.47 A, alpha = 90 degrees, beta = 125.8 degrees, gamma = 90 degrees ). Atomic force microscopy shows that crystals consist of multiple layers; the thickness of a layer corresponds to the b-axis value, and two types of surface topographies are visualized. One, regarded as the view onto the acyl chain ends, is two-dimensional arrays of oval bodies that constitute the lattice, with the lattice constants corresponding to the a- and c-axes and the angle of beta (lattice I). The other, regarded as the view onto the dOclA dimers, is two-dimensional arrays of dromedary-back-like bodies that constitute the lattice with axes of 9.0 and 10.7 A and the angle of 65 degrees formed by both axes (lattice II). Based on these results, we present the molecular model of E. coli Re LPS.

Carbohydrate Conformation↗
PubMed2000

White matter hyperintensity detected by magnetic resonance imaging and lithium response in bipolar disorder: a preliminary observation.

The possible relationship between deep white matter hyperintensity (WMHI) lesions detected by magnetic resonance imaging and response to lithium was examined in 16 patients with bipolar disorder who had been under maintenance treatment with lithium for more than 1 year. Bipolar patients who had higher scores of WMHI responded significantly better to lithium (r = 0.57, P < 0.05) than did those who had lower scores. This preliminary result suggests that the presence of WMHI may be associated with a better response to lithium.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Extrauterine Müllerian adenosarcoma of the peritoneum with an extensive rhabdomyosarcomatous element and a marked myxoid change.

A case of extrauterine Müllerian adenosarcoma of the peritoneum in a 20-year-old woman is reported. The tumor was widely based on the abdominopelvic wall and there were no unusual features in the genital organs. The cut surface of the tumor showed a marked gelatinous appearance. The tumor was composed of an admixture of benign Müllerian-type epithelium and sarcomatous stroma. The predominant element of the sarcomatous area was rhabdomyosarcoma, which showed a close resemblance to well-differentiated embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. In another sarcomatous area, fibroblastic cells without myoblastic properties diffusely proliferated in a marked myxoid background with some collagen bundles. Both the mitotic count and Ki-67 proliferative index of these cells were lower than those of rhabdomyoblastic cells. On follow up, the patient was disease free for 1 year postoperatively, without any subsequent treatment. The present case indicates that extrauterine adenosarcoma can also show histological heterogeneity as do uterine adenosarcomas. The remarkable myxoid change of this tumor seemed to be more largely due to a fibromyxoid element than a rhabdomyosarcomatous element, and the coexistence of the former may be related to the less aggressive behavior of this tumor.

Adenosarcoma↗
PubMed2000

Ovarian gonadoblastoma with mixed germ cell tumor in a woman with 46, XX karyotype and successful pregnancies.

An extremely rare case of unilateral gonadoblastoma with mixed germ cell tumor arising in the ovary of a 27-year-old woman with 46,XX karyotype and two successful pregnancies is reported. The mixed germ cell tumor was composed of choriocarcinoma, embryonal carcinoma, yolk sac tumor, immature teratoma and dysgerminoma. The patient has been well, without evidence of disease for over 10 years since her first surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Activation of intracellular signaling by hepatitis B and C viruses: C-viral core is the most potent signal inducer.

To clarify the effects of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on hepatocytes, we analyzed and compared the induction of intracellular signals by HCV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) proteins. We examined the influence of 7 HCV (core, NS2, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, NS5A, and NS5B) and 4 HBV (precore, core, polymerase, and X) proteins on 5 well-defined intracellular signaling pathways associated with cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis by use of a reporter assay. Viral protein-expression vectors were cotransfected into mammalian cells with reporter vectors having a luciferase gene driven by the following inducible cis-enhancer elements: the cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element, the serum response element (SRE), and the binding sites for nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB), activator protein 1 (AP-1), and serum response factor (SRF). In addition, the activation of signals by HCV proteins was examined in a reporter plasmid having a natural interleukin-8 (IL-8) promoter upstream of a luciferase gene. Of 11 HCV and HBV proteins, HCV core had the strongest influence on intracellular signals, especially NF-kappaB-, AP-1-, and SRE-associated pathways. HCV core's activation level exceeded that of HBV X protein, a well-characterized transactivator of these signals. Moreover, HCV core activated the IL-8 promoter through NF-kappaB and AP-1. For the other proteins, HCV NS4B showed signal activation, but signals were activated at a lesser extent. The luciferase reporter assay, a recently introduced technique, helped in the elucidation of molecular events underlying the inflammatory and proliferation process in the liver induced by HCV.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed2000

Comparison between partial and minimal medial epicondylectomy combined with decompression for the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome.

We have performed minimal medial epicondylectomy for cubital tunnel syndrome since 1990 to preserve the anterior medial collateral ligament. In this study we compared surgical outcomes between partial medial epicondylectomy (14 patients) and minimal medial epicondylectomy (18 patients) combined with ulnar nerve decompression for the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome. Mean preoperative Yasutake scores were 57 +/- 17 points (+/-SD) in the partial epicondylectomy group and 60 +/- 15 points in the minimal medial epicondylectomy group. The postoperative scores were 79 +/- 19 points and 87 +/- 10 points, respectively. Both groups had significant improvement in their Yasutake scores following medial epicondylectomy. Similar improvements in motor conduction velocity were observed. There was no significant difference in improvement of either the Yasutake scores or the motor conduction velocity between the 2 groups. Valgus instability of the elbow was significantly greater in the partial epicondylectomy group. We therefore conclude that minimal medial epicondylectomy combined with ulnar nerve decompression is an effective treatment for cubital tunnel syndrome and that a larger excision of the medial epicondyle should be avoided.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Surveillance of viral gastroenteritis in Japan: pediatric cases and outbreak incidents.

Surveillance results from pediatric cases and outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis in Japan are presented. In winter, both small round structured virus (SRSV, or Norwalk-like viruses) and rotavirus were detected from infants with gastroenteritis; however, in recent years, the prevailing time of SRSV infection has preceded that of rotavirus infection. Most nonbacterial gastroenteritis outbreaks were related to SRSV infection, and >60% of the outbreaks were caused by contaminated food. In small-sized outbreaks, raw oysters were the primary source of transmission. In large-sized outbreaks, school lunches and catered meals that were served at schools, banquet halls, and hospitals were most often implicated in the transmission of foodborne gastroenteritis.

Caliciviridae Infections↗
PubMed2000

Genome of human hepatitis C virus (HCV): gene organization, sequence diversity, and variation.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the major etiologic agent of non-A, non-B hepatitis. HCV infection frequently causes chronic hepatitis, which progresses to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Since the discovery of HCV in 1989, a large number of genetic analyses of HCV have been reported, and the viral genome structure has been elucidated. An enveloped virus, HCV belongs to the family Flaviviridae, whose genome consists of a positive-stranded RNA molecule of about 9.6 kilobases and encodes a large polyprotein precursor (about 3000 amino acids). This precursor protein is cleaved by the host and viral proteinase to generate at least 10 proteins: the core, envelope 1 (E1), E2, p7, nonstructural (NS) 2, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, NS5A, and NS5B. These HCV proteins not only function in viral replication but also affect a variety of cellular functions. HCV has been found to have remarkable genetic heterogeneity. To date, more than 30 HCV genotypes have been identified worldwide. Furthermore, HCV may show quasispecies distribution in an infected individual. These findings may have important implications in diagnosis, pathogenesis, treatment, and vaccine development. The hypervariable region 1 found within the envelope E2 protein was shown to be a major site for the genetic evolution of HCV after the onset of hepatitis, and might be involved in escape from the host immunesurveillance system.

Cloning, Molecular↗
PubMed2000

In vitro activity of R-95867, the active metabolite of a new oral carbapenem, CS-834, against anaerobic bacteria.

The in vitro activity of R-95867, the active metabolite of a new oral carbapenem, CS-834, was compared with those of DU-6859a, cefditoren, ampicillin/sulbactam and clindamycin against a variety of anaerobic bacteria. R-95867 inhibited 90% of anaerobic strains at </=2 mg/L. In general, R-95867 was 2- to 4-fold less active than DU-6859a but more active than other agents tested against strains of peptostreptococci, clostridia, the Bacteroides fragilis group, Porphyromonas spp. and fusobacteria. R-95867 was stable to hydrolysis by beta-lactamase type 2e derived from B. fragilis, Prevotella bivia and Prevotella intermedia, but unstable to hydrolysis by carbapenemase from B. fragilis.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗
PubMed2000

In vitro activity of an evernimicin derivative, SCH27899, against anaerobic bacteria and Propionibacterium acnes.

The in vitro activity of SCH27899, a novel oligosaccharide antimicrobial agent, was compared with those of representatives of six classes of antimicrobial agents (piperacillin, clarithromycin, clindamycin, vancomycin, sitafloxacin and metronidazole) against clinical isolates of anaerobic bacteria and Propionibacterium acnes. Against Peptostreptococcus: spp. and Clostridium difficile, SCH27899 was the most potent (MIC(90) < 0.125 mg/L) of the agents examined. Besides these Gram-positive anaerobes, SCH27899 showed a moderate level of activity against Prevotella bivia, Prevotella intermedia and Porphyromonas: spp. (MIC(90)< or = 4 mg/L).

Aminoglycosides↗
PubMed2000

Impact of a new quinolone, DU-6859a, and two oral carbapenems, CS-834 and L-084, on the rat and mouse caecal microflora.

We determined the influence of a new quinolone, DU-6859a, and two oral carbapenems, CS-834 and L-084, on the rat and mouse caecal microflora. The caecum-skin fistula-implanted rats and conventional mice were given oral antimicrobials at doses of 30 mg/kg bid for 5 days. DU-6859a generated a marked decrease in the numbers of caecal flora except for enterococci. CS-834 and L-084 had little impact on the rat caecal flora. CS-834 caused a great decrease in the numbers of mouse caecal flora but L-084 did not. In vitro studies suggest that the difference is due to the extension of inactivation of antimicrobials by caecum contents.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

A buckwheat protein product suppresses gallstone formation and plasma cholesterol more strongly than soy protein isolate in hamsters.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of a buckwheat protein product (BWP) on plasma cholesterol, gallbladder bile composition and fecal steroid excretion in hamsters fed diets with 5 g/kg cholesterol. Diets also contained 200 g/kg of casein, soy protein isolate (SPI) or BWP as protein sources. After 2 wk, plasma and liver concentrations of cholesterol in the hamsters fed BWP were significantly lower than those in the hamsters fed casein and SPI. The molar proportion of cholesterol in gallbladder bile was significantly lower in the BWP group than in the other groups, whereas that of bile acids was slightly higher in the BWP group (P </= 0.05), resulting in the lowest lithogenic index in the BWP group. None of the hamsters fed BWP had gallstones, whereas they were present in some of the hamsters fed other proteins. Compared with casein intake, BWP intake resulted in significantly higher ratios of cholic acid to chenodeoxycholic acid and of cholic acid to lithocholic acid in the gallbladder bile. The excretions of fecal neutral and acidic steroids were markedly higher in the BWP group compared with the other groups (P </= 0.05). SPI intake also significantly lowered cholesterol level in gallbladder bile and caused higher fecal bile acids compared with casein intake, but the effects were significantly less than those of BWP (P </= 0.05). The results suggest that BWP suppresses gallstone formation and cholesterol level more strongly than SPI by enhancing bile acid synthesis and fecal excretion of both neutral and acidic steroids.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Penile hybrid verrucous-squamous carcinoma associated with a superficial inguinal lymph node metastasis.

A 62-year-old Japanese man who presented with penile carcinoma is reported. The initial exophytic neoplasm excised from the coronal sulcus and prepuce on the abdominal side of the penis was diagnosed histologically as verrucous carcinoma. Twenty-six months after the primary operation, an epithelial neoplasm recurred within the scar of the primary operation. The neoplasm histologically showed verrucous carcinoma and multiple invasive foci of conventional squamous cell carcinoma in the advancing edge of the tumor, as such representing a hybrid verrucous-squamous carcinoma. A lymph node metastasis in the left superficial inguinal lymph node occurred 4 months after the second operation. A total bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy was performed and revealed no other lymph node metastases. The patient is alive without local recurrence or evidence of metastases in pelvic lymph nodes or visceral organs 2 years after the resection of the hybrid verrucous-squamous carcinoma. The initial verrucous carcinoma, recurrent hybrid verrucous-squamous carcinoma, and metastatic lymph node were negative for human papillomavirus DNA type 6, 11, 16, 18, and 33 sequences by dot blot hybridization of polymerase chain reaction products. The characteristics of hybrid verrucous-squamous carcinoma and importance of lymph node metastasis in penile carcinoma are discussed.

Carcinoma, Verrucous↗
PubMed2000

Steady-state plasma levels of nortriptyline and its hydroxylated metabolites in Japanese patients: impact of CYP2D6 genotype on the hydroxylation of nortriptyline.

The authors investigated the impact of the CYP2D6 genotype on steady-state concentrations of nortriptyline (NT) and its metabolites, trans-10-hydroxynortriptyline (EHNT) and cis-10-hydroxynortriptyline in a Japanese population of psychiatric patients. Forty-one patients (20 men and 21 women) were orally administered nortriptyline hydrochloride. The allele frequencies of the CYP2D6*5 and CYP2D6*10 were 4.9% and 34.1%, respectively. Significant differences in NT concentrations corrected for dose and weight were observed between the subjects with no mutated alleles and those with one mutated allele (mean +/- SD for no mutated alleles vs. one mutated allele: 70.3 +/- 25.4 vs. 98.4 +/- 36.6 ng/mL x mg(-1) x kg(-1); t = 2.54, dcf = 33, p < 0.05) and between the subjects with no mutated alleles and two mutated alleles (no mutated alleles vs. two mutated alleles: 70.3 +/- 25.4 vs. 147 +/- 31.1 ng/mL x mg(-1) x kg(-1); t = 5.87, df = 19, p < 0.0001). Also, a significant difference in the NT/EHNT ratio, which is representative of the hydroxylation ratio of NT, was observed between the subjects with no mutated alleles and those with two mutated alleles (no mutated alleles vs. two mutated alleles: 0.82 +/- 0.30 vs. 2.71 +/- 0.84; t = 7.86, df = 19, p < 0.0001). Multiple regression analysis showed that the number of mutated alleles of CYP2D6, which was the only significant factor, accounted for 41% and 48% of the variability in log(NT corrected for dose and weight) and log(NT/EHNT), respectively.

Adjustment Disorders↗
PubMed2000

Comprehensive analysis of the renin-angiotensin gene polymorphisms with relation to hypertension in the Japanese.

BACKGROUND: Components of the renin-angiotensin (R-A) system have been repeatedly investigated as candidate genes for essential hypertension. In particular, suggestive or significant association has been detected in some studies for the angiotensinogen M235T, angiotensin I-converting enzyme I/D, angiotensin II type 1 receptor A1166C, and aldosterone synthase C-344T polymorphisms, although the results remain inconclusive. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: To evaluate the importance of these candidate genes for hypertension, we undertook an extensive association study in the Japanese. This case-control study was conducted in a total of 1476 individuals using the four R-A gene polymorphisms. In the assessment of genotyping data, 843 hypertensive subjects were divided into three case subgroups according to severity of hypertension, while 633 normotensive subjects divided into two control subgroups by the age of enrollment. Each subgroup was further divided by sex. Subsequently, the presence of synergy (or gene-gene interaction) was evaluated among four R-A gene polymorphisms. RESULTS: No significant association was observed between the individual R-A gene polymorphisms and hypertension status in our case-control study. The results were almost unchanged when severity of hypertension, sex-specificity, and synergy were taken into account CONCLUSIONS: Despite a relatively large number of subjects, we did not find significant evidence for disease association in the Japanese population. Given confounding factors in the case-control strategy, the lack of association does not exclude the relevance of the R-A genes to hypertension. Further investigation needs to be performed in large-scale populations, where the use of not only hypertension status, but also 'intermediate' phenotypes would be useful.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed2000

Early detection of haemobilia associated with percutaneous ethanol injection for hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Haemobilia often results from iatrogenic injury caused by therapeutic procedures. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of early diagnosis of haemobilia based on ultrasonography in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing percutaneous ethanol injection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A combination retrospective and prospective study on the early detection of haemobilia caused by percutaneous ethanol injection was conducted on 365 patients in 1995-1996. The retrospective study reviewed the clinical, laboratory and imaging data of 172 patients who had undergone ethanol injection therapy in 1995. The results showed that ultrasonographic changes in the gallbladder, namely the rapid appearance of echogenic material in the gallbladder lumen, are a useful early sign of haemobilia. Based on the results of the retrospective study, a prospective study on the early detection of haemobilia was carried out in 1996. In the prospective study, percutaneous ethanol injection was halted as soon as haemobilia was detected. RESULTS: The incidence of haemobilia in the prospective group (3.6%) was not different from that in the retrospective group (4.7%). However, the mean duration between percutaneous ethanol injection and diagnosis of haemobilia was only 0.3 +/- 0.2 days in the prospective group, compared with 2.8 +/- 2.1 days in the retrospective group (P < 0.001), and the mean duration of jaundice in the prospective group (4.3 days) was significantly shorter than in the retrospective group (40.0 days) (P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis of haemobilia based on ultrasonographic findings of the gallbladder lumen effectively reduces the severity of haemobilia-related complications due to immediate interruption of the interventional procedure.

Administration, Cutaneous↗