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Biomedical subjects

S Fujimoto

Publications and source records attributed to S Fujimoto.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

RIP 140 modulates transcription of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein gene through interactions with both SF-1 and DAX-1.

Coregulators have been suggested to act as a bridging apparatus between nuclear receptors and the transcriptional machinery. The orphan receptor SF-1 plays a role in controlling the basal and cAMP-stimulated expression of the human steroidogenic acute regulatory protein gene. DAX-1 is the gene responsible for X-linked adrenal hypoplasia congenita and blocks steroid biosynthesis by impairing the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein. In the present study we examined the role of coregulators in the actions of SF-1 and DAX-1 on the human steroidogenic acute regulatory protein promoter. We found that the coregulator RIP 140 interacts with SF-1 in the yeast two-hybrid system. Glutathione-S-transferase pull-down assays and coimmunoprecipitations confirmed the interaction between RIP 140 and SF-1. RIP 140 was also shown to interact with DAX-1. When an RIP 140 expression vector was introduced into Y-1 cells, basal and cAMP-stimulated human steroidogenic acute regulatory protein promoter activities decreased. The inhibitory effect of RIP 140 on human steroidogenic acute regulatory protein promoter activity was dependent upon the presence of SF-1. The cAMP response of an SF-1 response element was inhibited by both RIP 140 and DAX-1 expression vectors at low concentrations of plasmids. We conclude that RIP 140 binds to the orphan nuclear receptor SF-1 and DAX-1 and modulates their actions on the human steroidogenic acute regulatory protein promoter.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗
PubMed2001

Alterations of phospholipase C isozymes in rat cerebral cortex through hyperoxia.

The effect of hyperoxia on the level of three phospholipase C (PLC) isozymes (beta1, gamma1, delta1) was assessed in the rat cerebral cortex. When the rats were exposed to 100% oxygen for 60 h, there was a significant reduction in the catalytic activity of low molecular weight phosphotyrosine phosphatase, which was susceptible to activity loss under oxidative stress. The result suggests that oxidative stress is induced in the rat cerebral cortex through hyperoxia. The protein levels of PLC-beta1 and -delta1 were significantly increased in the cerebral cortex where oxidative stress had been induced, although that of PLC-gamma1 was not altered. There was no significant difference in the total PLC activity of the cerebral cortex between hyperoxia and control rats. Using gel filtration chromatography, it was revealed that the PLC-beta1 activity in the cerebral cortex of the hyperoxia rats was higher than that in the control rats, but the PLC-delta1 activity in the former did not differ from that in the latter, despite an increase in the PLC-delta1 protein level. These findings suggest that the PLC-beta1 and -delta1 protein levels of brain tissues are increased by oxidative stress, and that the increased PLC-delta1 molecule is less active.

Aerobiosis↗
PubMed2001

Synthesis of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) by rat arterial endothelial cells.

We investigated the protein and mRNA expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in endothelial cells of the rat thoracic aorta and femoral artery. Light microscopic immunocytochemistry revealed that immunoreactivity for CGRP was preferentially located in the endothelium of both vessels. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that CGRP-immunoreactive gold particles were preferentially localized on cisterns of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and on the Weibel-Palade (WP) bodies in the endothelial cells. Prepro CGRP mRNA signals were also detected on the endothelium. Our results are the first to demonstrate that endothelial cells of both elastic and large muscular arteries synthesize CGRP and store it, in part, in WP bodies, implying that CGRP may act as an endothelium-derived relaxing factor in these vessels.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Naturally-occurring Neospora caninum infection in an adult sheep and her twin fetuses.

Neospora caninum tissue cysts were found in the brains of surgically delivered twin fetuses at 119 days of gestation. In the brains of both fetuses, there was an inflammatory reaction involving perivascular cuffings of mononuclear cells, glial nodules. The dam of these fetuses died because of metritis. Histopathological examination of the ewe revealed N. caninum tissue cysts and focal gliosis with mononuclear cell cuffings. A N. caninum-specific DNA fragment was detected in a brain homogenate of the ewe by the polymerase chain reaction method. This is the first report of N. caninum infection in twin ovine fetuses and in an adult sheep.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Contribution of specific transport systems to anthracycline transport in tumor and normal cells.

Anthracycline antibiotics are very effective neoplastic agents widely used clinically. However, because of their many adverse effects (e.g. cardiotoxicity, leukopenia and alopecia), their clinical use has been limited. In order to minimize their adverse effects in clinical cancer chemotherapy, anthracyclines must be selectively transported into tumor cells. If there are differences in transport characteristics between tumor and normal cells, it should be possible to establish a strategy for selectively delivering anthracyclines to tumor cells on the basis of the differences. In human cultured leukemia HL60 cells, as tumor cells, and human fresh mononuclear cells, as normal cells, doxorubicin, pirarubicin, daunorubicin and idarubicin were incorporated via a common carrier-mediated system, but the carriers were different in the two cell types. In HL60 cells, it was indicated that a nucleoside transport system contributed, at least in part, to the transport of doxorubicin and pirarubicin, but not daunorubicin and idarubicin, and its contribution to pirarubicin transport was found in other tumor cells, i.e. mouse ovarian sarcoma M5076 and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells. On the other hand, in mononuclear cells, there was no involvement of a nucleoside transport system for the four anthracyclines examined. Therefore, we thought that with the modification of an anthracycline molecule as a substrate for the nucleoside transport system, the anthracycline could be delivered selectively to tumor cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[CHF arising after low dose THP-COP chemotherapy in an elderly patient with malignant lymphoma].

A 76-year-old woman was admitted with a one-month history of low grade fever and dizziness. She had a palpable right supraclavicular lymph node. Abdominal ultrasonography showed swollen lymph nodes around the abdominal aorta. A specimen from the right supraclavicular lymph node showed malignant lymphoma (diffuse large B cell type). We started chemotherapy according to the low-dose THP-COP protocol (pirarubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisolone) on the 31st hospital day. Since no adverse effects were detected after two low-dose cycles, the patient received a third course with standard doses on the 87th hospital day. The total dose of pirarubicin was 72 mg/m2. Two days after the third course started, she suffered from dyspnea caused by congestive heart failure. A chest X-ray showed advanced cardiomegaly, severe congestion and bilateral pleural effusion. These conditions improved with transvenous administration of diuretics, a vasodilator and phosphodiesterase inhibitor. In this case, congestive heart failure developed even though the total dose of pirarubicin was lower than in previous reports of this complication. When the THP-COP protocol is indicated in elderly patients, cardiotoxicity should be monitored even if the total dose of pirarubicin is very low.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

[Brain abscess and ventriculitis associated with entrapment of the lateral ventricle appearing more like remarkable brain edema than ventricular dilatation--a case report].

We present a case with brain abscess associated with entrapment of the lateral ventricle appearing more like remarkable brain edema in the temporo-occipital lobe than ventricular dilatation. A 72-year-old man suffering from headache and vomiting visited our clinic. CT and MRI showed brain abscess in the right parieto-occipital lobe, associated with ventriculitis. Lumbar puncture also revealed purulent meningitis. Both symptoms and CSF findings improved after administration of antibiotics. The improved condition continued for two months after admission, but disturbed consciousness and left hemiparesis than appeared. MRI and CT showed entrapment of the lateral ventricle and brain edema of the right temporo-occipital region without ventricular dilatation. Because brain edema was thought to be caused by transudate of the CSF through the ventricular wall, lobectomy of the right temporal lobe and opening of the temporal horn were carried out. Although left hemiparesis and disturbed consciousness and brain edema disappeared after the operation, subdural effusion appeared. Using a subdural-peritoneal shunt, the subdural effusion was prevented and disappeared. In this case, we thought Hounsfield Unit (HU) of the brain edema caused by transudate of CSF through the ventricular wall (12.6) was markedly lower than that of so-called vasogenic edema (25.1) due to active inflammation. Measurement of the HU seemed to be a useful means to differentiate the types of brain edema in this situation from that of vasogenic edema caused by brain abscess, and thus a means for selection of the appropriate treatment.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

[Utilization of Maternal and Child Health handbook in Japan].

OBJECTIVES: In Japan, Maternal and Child Health (MCH) handbook have been widely used for more than fifty years. However, there has been no evaluation research from the users' point of view. We therefore conducted a questionnaire survey of guardians to evaluate how they utilize MCH handbooks. METHODS: A well-structured questionnaire survey was carried out in 231 municipalities, towns and villages of four prefectures (Gifu, Hiroshima, Niigata and Shizuoka) and one city (Yokohama) in November and December 1999. The targets were 13,271 guardians who visited health stations for 18-month examinations of their children and agreed to participated in our research. The questionnaire covered situation of usage and loss by guardians, utility from the users' perspective, and suggestions for improvement. RESULTS: We obtained answers from 10,900 guardians. As for reading rate and writing rate, 98.3% of respondents had read and 97.8% of them had written down something in relation. Only 0.9% of respondents had lost this MCH handbook. Generally, 87.0% of respondents answered that MCH handbook was helpful for child bearing and 81.6% of them said the record for immunization was useful. However, 34.1% of respondents answered it was not simple to utilize MCH handbook and 60.6% of them requested more detail on child bearing. As for dental health, the completion rate for information was low and only 21.3% of respondents reported for the dental record was useful. CONCLUSIONS: The research shows MCH handbook are highly utilized in Japan by almost all guardians. However, there are still problems to be solved; many guardians feel that they are not simple to use and the section on dental health is not highly particularly helpful. Improvements should be made in future in light of the viewpoints of guardians and parents.

Child Rearing↗
PubMed2001

Usefulness of long axis M-mode echocardiographic measurements for optimum dialysis in patients on maintenance hemodialysis: comparison with changes in plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide and brain natriuretic peptide.

UNLABELLED: It has been suggested that analyzing the left ventricular long axis motion can result in the sensitive detection of cardiac functional disorders. AIM: To evaluate the usefulness of left ventricular long axis indices in managing patients on maintenance hemodialysis. METHODS: Eighteen hemodialysis patients (mean age 51 +/- 10 years) as well as 16 healthy persons (mean age 49 +/- 9 years) were examined. Echocardiograms were recorded, and the plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were measured before and after a session of hemodialysis. The following parameters were measured: the left atrial diameter (LAD) and end-diastolic left ventricular diameter (LVDd) from M-mode echocardiograms, the end-diastolic LV volume (LVEDV) and ejection fraction (EF) from 2-D echocardiography, the E/A ratio from transmitral Doppler, the atrial systolic excursion of long axis motion of the mitral ring (ALAM) and maximal lengthening rate of the mitral ring toward the left atrium during the early diastolic phase (MLRe) from LV long axis M-mode echocardiograms. RESULTS: LAD, LVDd, LVEDV, and ALAM showed a positive correlation with plasma levels of ANP and BNP. EF, the E/A ratio, and MLRe showed a negative correlation with plasma levels of ANP and BNP. Changes in ALAM and plasma levels of ANP during hemodialysis were larger in the subgroup of ALAM < or = 0.55 cm before hemodialysis than in the subgroup of ALAM < 0.55 cm before hemodialysis. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the left ventricular long axis index can detect a disorder of left ventricular diastolic function, and that a hemodialysis patient whose ALAM before hemodialysis is < 0.55 cm is dialyzed with good volume control conditions.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Anesthesia for electroconvulsive therapy during pregnancy--a case report].

We experienced anesthetic management for ECT in a patient with psychiatric disease during the third trimester of pregnancy. The 24 year-old patient had been on oral antipsychotics prescribed to treat schizophrenia for ten years. Her signs and symptoms deteiorated during pregnancy in spite of increased doses of antipsychotics. With tocolytic agent administered intravenously, anesthesia was induced by intravenous thiamylal immediately followed by intravenous suxamethonium for muscle relaxation. Alternative current was applied on both side of the head after the sufficient anesthesia had been obtained. The patient received intermittent mandatory ventilation by breathing mask with 100% oxygen during the procedure. Along with monitoring of maternal hemodynamic variables and arterial oxygen saturation (Spo2), fetal heart rate and uterine contraction were recorded by cardiotocogram throughout the procedure. At the first two treatments, the patient showed neither significant uterine contraction nor fetal heart rate changes. At the third treatment, continuous uterine contraction refractory to tocolysis was recorded for six minutes, resulting in fetal bradycardia. At the sixth treatment, general anesthesia was induced and maintained by sevoflurane in oxygen followed by suxamethonium for muscle relaxation. The uterine contraction was remarkably diminished and fetal heart rate remained unchanged during the procedure. In conclusion, inhalation anesthesia is beneficial for ECT in the last stage of pregnancy to reduce uterine contraction by potential uterine relaxation effect of anesthetics.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Mutational analysis of BRCA1 and BRCA2 and clinicopathologic analysis of ovarian cancer in 82 ovarian cancer families: two common founder mutations of BRCA1 in Japanese population.

We analyzed genetic alterations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes among 82 ovarian cancer families in Japan. The clinical characteristics of BRCA-associated ovarian cancer patients were compared with cases carrying no mutations as well as with population controls. Using a direct sequencing method, 45 of the 82 ovarian cancer families were found to carry BRCA1 or BRCA2 germ-line mutations (40 with BRCA1 and 5 with BRCA2). In 24 independent mutations of BRCA1, 5 recurrent mutations were found and 2 of them, the L63X and Q934X mutations, were detected in seven and eight independent families, respectively. In addition, 16 mutations of BRCA1 and 3 mutations of BRCA2 have never been described previously. In consideration of clinicopathological features, there was a significantly higher proportion of tumors with serous adenocarcinoma and of cases of advanced stages in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 cases than in those of the controls. On the other hand, there were no differences of mean age at diagnosis between patients with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation and those of the controls. Our results indicate that the features of BRCA-associated ovarian cancer in Japan appear to be similar to those in Western countries, and the L63X and Q934X mutations of BRCA1 appear to be common founder mutations unique to the Japanese population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Elcatonin-mediated contractile and relaxant responses in SHR femoral artery.

AIM: To study the effect of repeated systemic injections of elcatonin (a synthetic analog of eel calcitonin) on the responses of rat femoral artery preparation to vasoactive drugs and to determine subtypes of muscarinic cholinoceptors involved in acetylcholine (ACh)-induced vasorelaxation in elcatonin-treated rats. METHODS: Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were treated sc with elcatonin, 0.5 and 5 U/kg, 3 times a week for 2 weeks. Responses to vasoactive drugs were determined in helically cut strips of femoral arteries of these rats. Schild plot data for muscarinic cholinoceptor antagonists were obtained on these vascular strips, using ACh as an agonist. RESULTS: Elcatonin did not alter systemic blood pressure and contractile responses of the femoral artery to KCl, norepinephrine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and prostaglandin F(2alpha). Elcatonin attenuated isoproterenol-induced relaxation, increased ACh- and ATP-induced relaxations, and did not change relaxant responses to sodium nitroprusside and cromakalim in the femoral artery. Nitro L-arginine in the combination with tetraethylammonium (or charybdotoxin) completely abolished the relaxant response to ACh in the control but not in the elcatonin-treated arteries. The muscarinic cholinoceptor subtype involved in the ACh-induced relaxation was M3 in the elcatonin-treated as well as control SHR. CONCLUSION: Elcatonin decreases beta-adrenoceptor-mediated relaxation and increases M(3) cholinoceptor-mediated relaxation in the SHR femoral artery. Although the ACh-induced relaxation is explained by stimulated releases of nitric oxide (NO) and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) in the SHR artery, a NO-and EDHF-independent mechanism in addition to NO and EDHF is responsible for the response to ACh in the femoral artery from the elcatonin-treated SHR.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[A study of the relation between providing healthcare information and behavior changes of people in Japan. Parental behavior changes after receiving information about the sudden infant death syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: Considering the lack of evidence concerning the relationship between providing healthcare information and behavior of people in Japan, we utilized a questionnaire to survey the parents of infants to evaluate behavior change after receiving information about the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). METHODS: A questionnaire about SIDS information was administered in 234 municipalities in Niigata, Gifu, Shizuoka, and Hiroshima Prefectures and in Yokohama City in November and December of 1999 to 14,879 parents who visited for the 18-month health examination of their children. The questionnaire did not ask for the participants' names. Logistic regression analysis was used to study the connection between behavior change and SIDS information sources. RESULTS: 10,900 parents returned the questionnaire to give a 73.3% response rate, 19.0% of these receiving information about SIDS risk factors from hospitals or clinics, 3.7% from public health centers, and 9.2% from their friends. More received information from the mass media such as TV programs, which provided the main source for 71.1% of the parents. The degree of behavior change was evaluated after adjustment for variables concerning a variety of information sources and other appropriate factors such as the age and sex of parents and the number of their children. We found that receiving information from hospitals or clinics significantly influences behavior changes for all kinds of risk factors. Information from public health centers, baby-care groups, and friends influenced behavior changes relevant to the risk factors for feeding methods, sleeping position, and parents' smoking. There was no relation between receiving information from the mass media and behavior change of parents. CONCLUSIONS: The mass media provide far more information than do medical facilities, public health centers, baby-care groups and personal contacts but the latter played much more effective roles in making parents change their baby care behavior. These results point to an obvious discrepancy between efficiency in providing information and the degree of behavior change elicited. We should thus take the source of information and the target population into consideration when we examine the best way to provide healthcare information for people in the future.

Adult↗