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S Fujioka

Publications and source records attributed to S Fujioka.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

[Two cases of brain infarction associated with dissection of the thoracic aorta].

Case 1: a 57-year-old woman, who suddenly developed disturbance of consciousness, left spatial neglect, and left hemiparesis, was admitted to our hospital on the day 1. Brain CT scan on the day 2 revealed broad edematous infarction in her middle cerebral artery territory. The dissection of the thoracic aorta was observed with transesophageal echocardiography and brain embolism due to mural thrombus of the dissecting thoracic aorta was suspected. Case 2: a 67-year-old woman, who developed disturbance of consciousness, left spatial neglect, and left hemiparesis, was admitted to our hospital on the day 15. Brain CT scan on the day 15 showed non-edematous infarction in her middle cerebral artery territory. Contrast thoracic CT scan on the day 31 revealed the dissection of the thoracic aorta. No clinical exacerbation was observed, but brain CT scan on the day 94 showed broad infarction in her middle and anterior cerebral artery territories. It is considered that pseudolumen of the dissected thoracic aorta caused occlusion of her right internal carotid artery. Transesophageal echocardiography, or contrast thoracic CT scan should be considered for detection of the dissection of the thoracic aorta in the cases of cryptogenic stroke.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Ferritin].

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Ferritins↗
PubMed1999

The Arabidopsis dwf7/ste1 mutant is defective in the delta7 sterol C-5 desaturation step leading to brassinosteroid biosynthesis.

Lesions in brassinosteroid (BR) biosynthetic genes result in characteristic dwarf phenotypes in plants. Understanding the regulation of BR biosynthesis demands continued isolation and characterization of mutants corresponding to the genes involved in BR biosynthesis. Here, we present analysis of a novel BR biosynthetic locus, dwarf7 (dwf7). Feeding studies with BR biosynthetic intermediates and analysis of endogenous levels of BR and sterol biosynthetic intermediates indicate that the defective step in dwf7-1 resides before the production of 24-methylenecholesterol in the sterol biosynthetic pathway. Furthermore, results from feeding studies with 13C-labeled mevalonic acid and compactin show that the defective step is specifically the Delta7 sterol C-5 desaturation, suggesting that dwf7 is an allele of the previously cloned STEROL1 (STE1) gene. Sequencing of the STE1 locus in two dwf7 mutants revealed premature stop codons in the first (dwf7-2) and the third (dwf7-1) exons. Thus, the reduction of BRs in dwf7 is due to a shortage of substrate sterols and is the direct cause of the dwarf phenotype in dwf7.

Alleles↗
PubMed1998

Multiple myeloma mimicking bone metastasis from breast cancer: report of a case.

A 72-year-old woman with a history of early breast cancer suffered a fracture of the eighth thoracic vertebra resulting in paraplegia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed spinal cord compression by a tumor between the ninth and tenth thoracic vertebrae. Local radiotherapy was begun under the diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer, but bone marrow aspiration and biopsy subsequently revealed plasma-cell proliferation rather than adenocarcinoma. This case report serves to demonstrate that clinicians should consider multiple myeloma as a cause of lytic bone lesions without extraskeletal metastases even in patients with a history of breast cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Brassinosteroids in Arabidopsis thaliana.

From the seeds and siliques of Arabidopsis thaliana, six brassinosteroids, brassinolide, castasterone, typhasterol, 6-deoxocastasterone, 6-deoxotyphasterol and 6-deoxoteasterone, were identified by GC-mass spectrometry or GC-selected ion monitoring. As the occurrence of castasterone, typhasterol, 6-deoxocastasterone and 6-deoxotyphasterol in the shoots of A. thaliana has already been reported, this study provides evidence for the occurrence of the above four brassinosteroids in different organs, seeds and siliques, and the first evidence for the occurrence of brassinolide and 6-deoxoteasterone in A. thaliana. All brassinosteroids identified in this study belong to important components of both the early and late C-6 oxidation pathways, which were established in the cultured cells of Catharanthus roseus. This suggests that both pathways are operating in A. thaliana to produce the most biologically active brassinosteroid, brassinolide, which is responsible for growth and development of the plant.

Arabidopsis↗
PubMed1998

Transcription of the Arabidopsis CPD gene, encoding a steroidogenic cytochrome P450, is negatively controlled by brassinosteroids.

The Arabidopsis CPD gene encodes a cytochrome P450 steroid side-chain hydroxylase (CYP90) that plays an essential role in the biosynthesis of the plant hormone brassinolide. Expression of the CPD gene is confined to cotyledons and leaf primordia in etiolated seedlings and detectable in the adaxial parenchyma of expanding leaves in light-grown plants. Transcription of the CPD gene is not affected by the plant growth factors auxin, ethylene, gibberellin, cytokinin, jasmonic acid and salicylic acid, but is specifically down-regulated by brassinolide in both dark and light. Steady-state mRNA levels of a CPD promoter-driven uidA reporter gene correlate with the expression of resident CPD gene in transgenic plants. Intermediates of the early and late C-6 oxidation pathways of brassinolide, carrying C-22 and C-23 side-chain hydroxyls, efficiently inhibit the activity of the CPD promoter. Repression of CPD transcription by brassinosteroids is sensitive to the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, indicating a requirement for de novo synthesis of a regulatory factor.

Arabidopsis↗
PubMed1998

The Arabidopsis DIMINUTO/DWARF1 gene encodes a protein involved in steroid synthesis.

We have identified the function of the Arabidopsis DIMINUTO/DWARF1 (DIM/DWF1) gene by analyzing the dim mutant, a severe dwarf with greatly reduced fertility. Both the mutant phenotype and gene expression could be rescued by the addition of exogenous brassinolide. Analysis of endogenous sterols demonstrated that dim accumulates 24-methylenecholesterol but is deficient in campesterol, an early precursor of brassinolide. In addition, we show that dim is deficient in brassinosteroids as well. Feeding experiments using deuterium-labeled 24-methylenecholesterol and 24-methyldesmosterol confirmed that DIM/DWF1 is involved in both the isomerization and reduction of the Delta24(28) bond. This conversion is not required in cholesterol biosynthesis in animals but is a key step in the biosynthesis of plant sterols. Transient expression of a green fluorescent protein-DIM/DWF1 fusion protein and biochemical experiments showed that DIM/DWF1 is an integral membrane protein that most probably is associated with the endoplasmic reticulum.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

The DWF4 gene of Arabidopsis encodes a cytochrome P450 that mediates multiple 22alpha-hydroxylation steps in brassinosteroid biosynthesis.

dwarf4 (dwf4) mutants of Arabidopsis display a dwarfed phenotype due to a lack of cell elongation. Dwarfism could be rescued by the application of brassinolide, suggesting that DWF4 plays a role in brassinosteroid (BR) biosynthesis. The DWF4 locus is defined by four mutant alleles. One of these is the result of a T-DNA insertion. Plant DNA flanking the insertion site was cloned and used as a probe to isolate the entire DWF4 gene. Sequence analysis revealed that DWF4 encodes a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase with 43% identity to the putative Arabidopsis steroid hydroxylating enzyme CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENESIS AND DWARFISM. Sequence analysis of two other mutant alleles revealed deletions or a premature stop codon, confirming that DWF4 had been cloned. This sequence similarity suggests that DWF4 functions in specific hydroxylation steps during BR biosynthesis. In fact, feeding studies utilizing BR intermediates showed that only 22alpha-hydroxylated BRs rescued the dwf4 phenotype, confirming that DWF4 acts as a 22alpha-hydroxylase.

Alleles↗
PubMed1998

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus markers in outpatients of Mongolian general hospitals.

In East Asian countries, the prevalence of viral hepatitis has been reported to be high, but precise data for each country remained to be investigated. Here we report the prevalence of viral markers of hepatitis B and hepatitis C in outpatient volunteers visiting two general hospitals in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. One hundred fifty sera were tested for HBs antigen (HBsAg), anti-HBs, and anti-HCV by Counting Immunoassay. The backgrounds of groups of patients positive for HBsAg and negative for anti-HCV (group 1; n = 18), negative for HBsAg and positive for anti-HCV (group 2; n = 47), positive for both HBsAg and anti-HCV (group 3; n = 25), and negative for both HBsAg and anti-HCV (group 4; n = 60) were compared. The prevalence of HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HCV in this study group was 28.7%, 39.3% and 48.0%, respectively. Subjects of group 1 (mean +/- SD; 31.3 +/- 12.4 years old) were younger than those of group 4 (39.2 +/- 14.3; p < 0.05), while patients of group 2 (48.7 +/- 15.5) were older than those of group 4 (p < 0.01). More group 2 subjects had histories of jaundice (23/47) than those of group 4 (15/60; p < 0.05). Transaminase levels were higher in group 1 (median (range) IU/l of AST, ALT; 29 (13-95), 32 (9-144) and group 3 (25 (15-187), 22 (8-185)) than in group 4 (18 (9-13), 15 (6-133); p < 0.05, p < 0.005 vs. group 1, and p < 0.005, p < 0.001 vs. group 3, respectively). In HBsAg-negative subjects, those with higher titers of anti-HCV (cut-off index > 15) were older, and had more histories of jaundice and higher levels of AST and ALT than anti-HCV negative subjects (50.3 +/- 14.8 vs. 39.1 +/- 14.3, p < 0.01; 15/28 vs. 15/60, p < 0.01; 22.5 (12-127) vs. 18 (9-93), p < 0.05; 20.5 (7-362) vs. 15 (6-133), p < 0.05; respectively). In conclusion, this preliminary surveillance for hepatitis B and C viral markers showed that both hepatitis viruses are prevalent and may cause liver diseases in Mongolia. A nation-wide survey for these viruses should be urged and preventive measures should be taken to suppress the spread and development of liver diseases in this country.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Relationship of serum markers of hepatitis B and C virus replication in coinfected patients.

To evaluate viral interference between hepatitis B and C, we studied coinfected patients serologically and molecular biologically. Twenty-seven patients positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody, were classified into Groups BC-L and BC-H according to DNA-polymerase activity (less or greater than 100 cpm, respectively). Patients with hepatitis B or C alone were also enrolled as controls. HCV-RNA was detected more often in Group BC-L than in Group BC-H. Genotype 1b of HCV was determined in 75% of Group BC-H, 87.5% of Group BC-L, and 70.7% of hepatitis C-only patients. Activity of DNA-polymerase in coinfected patients was lower in patients positive for HCV-RNA as compared with those negative. HBsAg titers tended to be lower in coinfected patients than in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) alone. In conclusion, in coinfection, HBV may suppress the replication of HCV and HCV appears to reduce the expression of HBsAg and probably suppresses HBV replication.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

A Case Report of Long-term Survival after Radiotherapy for a Solitary Brain Metastasis from Breast Cancer.

This is the report of a patient with a solitary brain metastasis from breast cancer who survived more than 8 years after the first brain metastasis. The brain metastasis was treated with partial removal followed by 30 Gy/15 fructions of whole brain irradiation plus 20 Gy/10 fructions of local boost irradiation for 5weeks. Brain metastases from breast cancer are usually a sign of rapid systemic tumor progression and long-term survivors are extremely rare. However, this case demonstrated the possibility of long-term survival in rare cases of brain metastases from breast cancer. This suggests a need for aggressive therapy in patients with a solitary brain metastasis.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Two decades of annual medical examinations in Japanese obese children: do obese children grow into obese adults?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate trends in frequency of obese children in Japan over two decades, the frequency of obese children who grow into obese adults and predictive factors for adult obesity. DESIGN: Annual cross-sectional studies for 22 y (1974-1995) with a follow-up study. SUBJECTS: Cross-sectional: Cumulatively 13,186 obese (% of standard body weight (SBW): > or = 120%) schoolchildren including 3158 extremely obese (> or = 140% of SBW) children out of 203,088 schoolchildren (age: 6-14 y) in Izumiohtsu City, Osaka, Japan. FOLLOW-UP: 151 initially obese children (initial age: 6-14 y and age at follow-up: 20-35 y) who lived in Izumiohtsu City. CONTROL: 3552 Japanese men and 4631 Japanese women (age: 20-35 y). MEASUREMENTS: Cross-sectional: height, weight, trunk circumference, skin-fold thickness, blood pressure and blood biochemicals. FOLLOW-UP: height, weight, trunk circumference, skin-fold thickness during childhood, and body height and weight at follow-up. Adulthood obesity: > or = 120% of the average body mass indices (BMI) of the controls. RESULTS: Frequency of obese children increased from 5% to more than 10%, and that of extremely obese children increased from 1% to more than 2% during these 22 y. These increases were most prominent in the schoolboys aged 9-11 y. Prevalence of hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in the extremely obese children did not change, and that of hypertension and abnormal liver function gradually decreased during these two decades. After coming of age, 32.2% of the initially obese boys (relative risk: 5.3) and 41.0% of the initially obese girls (relative risk: 6.7) remained obese. BMI, percentage of the SBW and skin-fold thickness at the biceps during childhood were significantly larger in currently-obese girls. Positive correlations were demonstrated between these variables and percentage SBW at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood obesity is increasing in Japan, especially in boys aged 9-11 y. Approximately 32% of the obese boys and 41% of the obese girls grow into obese adults, and the degree of obesity is a predictive factor for adult obesity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Brassinosteroids.

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Brassinosteroids↗
PubMed1997

Ruptured distal accessory anterior cerebral artery aneurysm: case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Accessory anterior cerebral artery (ACA), which is a type of median artery of anomalous triplicate ACA, is not rare, but aneurysmal formation is extremely rare. We report a rare case with ruptured aneurysm arising from a distal accessory ACA. We discuss the characteristics and causes of this type of aneurysm and classification of this anomaly. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 63-year-old man suddenly developed severe headache and then loss of consciousness and paraplegia. Computed tomography disclosed thick and diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage and interhemispheric hematoma. Subsequent bleeding occurred 2 hours after the first hemorrhage. Cerebral angiography disclosed a saccular aneurysm arising from the distal accessory ACA. INTERVENTION: Neck clipping of the aneurysm was performed 22 hours after the second episode, using an interhemispheric approach. CONCLUSION: Although transient paraplegia occurred 8 days after onset, the patient recovered well after surgery without neurological deficit. The characteristics of the aneurysm arising from distal accessory ACA are considered similar to those of distal ACA aneurysm. There is, however, some confusion regarding the terminology of the anterior communicating artery complex anomalies, which we discuss.

Aneurysm, Ruptured↗
PubMed1997

The Arabidopsis deetiolated2 mutant is blocked early in brassinosteroid biosynthesis.

The Arabidopsis DEETIOLATED2 (DET2) gene has been cloned and shown to encode a protein that shares significant sequence identity with mammalian steroid 5 alpha-reductases. Loss of DET2 function causes many defects in Arabidopsis development that can be rescued by the application of brassinolide; therefore, we propose that DET2 encodes a reductase that acts at the first step of the proposed biosynthetic pathway--in the conversion of campesterol to campestanol. Here, we used biochemical measurements and biological assays to determine the precise biochemical defect in det2 mutants. We show that DET2 actually acts at the second step in brassinolide biosynthesis in the 5 alpha-reduction of (24R)-24-methylcholest-4-en-3-one, which is further modified to form campestanol. In feeding experiments using 2H6-labeled campesterol, no significant level of 2H6-labeled campestanol was detected in det2, whereas the wild type accumulated substantial levels. Using gas chromatography-selected ion monitoring analysis, we show that several presumed null alleles of det2 accumulated only 8 to 15% of the wild-type levels of campestanol. Moreover, in det2 mutants, the endogenous levels of (24R)-24-methylcholest-4-en-3-one increased by threefold, whereas the levels of all other measured brassinosteroids accumulated to < 10% of wild-type levels. Exogenously applied biosynthetic intermediates of brassinolide were found to rescue both the dark- and light-grown defects of det2 mutants. Together, these results refine the original proposed pathway for brassinolide and indicate that mutations in DET2 block the second step in brassinosteroid biosynthesis. These results reinforce the utility of combining genetic and biochemical analyses to studies of biosynthetic pathways and strengthen the argument that brassinosteroids play an essential role in Arabidopsis development.

3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed1997

Studies on biosynthesis of brassinosteroids.

Biosynthesis of steroidal plant hormones, brassinosteroids, was studied using the cell culture system of Catharanthus roseus. Feeding labeled compounds of possible intermediates to the cultured cells, followed by analyzing the metabolites by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry disclosed the pathways from a plant sterol, campesterol, to brassinolide. There are two pathways, named the early C6-oxidation pathway and late C6-oxidation pathway, both of which would be operating in a wide variety of plants. Recent findings of brassinosteroid-deficient mutants of Arabidopsis and the garden pea by several groups, and the possible blocked steps of the mutants in the biosynthetic pathways are also introduced.

Brassinosteroids↗
PubMed1997

Comparative studies of CAM 123-6 and carcinoembryonic antigen for the serological detection of pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) has been clinically used as a serum marker for lung cancer, especially for pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Since we had developed a tumor marker against pulmonary adenocarcinoma, CAM 123-6 belonging to KL-6 MUC 1 mucin, we compared its clinical value with that of CEA, in combination with squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen (SCC) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE). The subjects were 30 patients with adenocarcinoma, 23 with squamous cell carcinoma, 16 with small cell carcinoma, and 20 with benign lung disease. For discriminating lung cancer from benign lung disease, the combination of CAM 123-6, SCC, and NSE showed 64% diagnostic accuracy, and the combination of CEA, SCC, and NSE 65%. In differentiating pulmonary adenocarcinoma from other lung cancer, the diagnostic accuracy of CAM 123-6 was 81% and that of CEA was 74%, although there was no significant difference between them. These observations indicate that the diagnostic accuracy of CAM 123-6 is similar to that of CEA. Neither marker is sufficiently specific to differentiate pulmonary adenocarcinoma from other forms of lung cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗