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Biomedical subjects

S Fujiwara

Publications and source records attributed to S Fujiwara.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Recurrent giant longitudinal duodenal ulcer with massive hemorrhage in a Helicobacter pylori-negative patient.

A 67-year-old man, in whom a linear ulcer running from the duodenal bulb to the descending part had been noted 3 years previously, was admitted to our hospital because of abdominal pain and melena. Duodenoscopy revealed a bleeding giant longitudinal ulcer, which was more extensive than before. Tests for Helicobacter pylori (Hp) were negative. The ulcer was cured by endoscopic hemostasis and repeated blood transfusions. Attention must be paid to Hp-negative post-bulbar duodenal ulcers because of the frequent complications including hemorrhage.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

IgE-reactivity to major Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen allergens (Cry j 1 and Cry j 2) by ELISA in dogs with atopic dermatitis.

The present study investigated IgE-reactivity to two major Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica, C. japonica) pollen allergens (Cry j 1 and Cry j 2) in dogs with atopic dermatitis by use of a fluorometric ELISA. The serum samples from 27 dogs that showed IgE-sensitivity to crude C. japonica pollen allergen by ELISA were tested for specific IgE to the two major allergens. All 27 dogs had anti-Cry j 1 IgE, and 10 (37%) had anti-Cry j 2 IgE. Inhibition of binding of dog specific IgE to crude C. japonica pollen allergen was carried out by addition of Cry j 1. When serum samples containing anti-Cry j 1 IgE but no anti-Cry j 2 IgE were incubated with Cry j 1, specific IgE binding to crude C. japonica pollen allergen was almost abolished. These findings suggest that Cry j 1 is a major allergen in dogs.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Positive reactions to common allergens in 42 atopic dogs in Japan.

Clinically important allergens for the diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis vary geographically. In order to identify the most prevalent allergens in atopic dogs in Japan, 42 dogs with a clinical diagnosis of atopy were tested using both in vivo (intradermal skin test (IDST)) and in vitro (antigen-specific IgE assay) allergy tests. Allergens used for IDST included 26 allergen extracts from eight allergen groups: trees, weeds, grasses, house dust mites (HDM), molds, foods, epithelia, and arthropods. Immunodot assay was used to measure antigen-specific IgE against 24 allergens from these eight groups and against fish such as cod and sole. In the 42 dogs, the most common positive allergen reaction was to HDM on both IDST (29/42 dogs or 69%) and in vitro testing (23/42 or 54.8%). The second most frequent positive allergen reaction was to Japanese cedar pollen (21/42 or 50.0% for IDST and 7/42 or 16.7% for in vitro testing). In both tests, less than 20% of dogs had positive reactions to molds or foods. Positive reactions to cat epithelia were frequently found on IDST, but rarely found on in vitro testing. Agreement between the two tests was found in 26 instances: HDM (21 dogs), Japanese cedar pollen (five dogs) and wheat (one dog). In this study, the two most common allergens involved in atopic dermatitis in dogs in Japan were HDM and Japanese cedar pollen.

Allergens↗
PubMed2000

Resting 123I-BMIPP scintigraphy for detection of organic coronary stenosis and therapeutic outcome in patients with chest pain.

PURPOSE: Resting 123I-BMIPP scintigraphy can detect coronary artery disease based on persistent abnormality of myocardial fatty acid metabolism after transient ischemia. The present study aimed to determine the value of resting 123I-BMIPP scintigraphy in diagnosing coronary artery disease and predicting the therapeutic outcome in patients with chest pain symptom. METHOD: Five hospitals participated in this study, and scintigraphic and angiographic studies were performed in 104 patients without myocardial infarction. Twenty of them had non-coronary artery disease (chest pain syndrome), 26 had stable effort angina, 35 had unstable angina with organic coronary lesions, and 23 had vasospastic angina without significant organic stenosis. RESULTS: Overall sensitivity for diagnosing angina pectoris (stable, unstable and vasospastic) was 45%, and overall specificity for excluding non-coronary artery disease was 80%. The incidence of positive 123I-BMIPP was 54% among patients with organic coronary stenosis (50% in stable angina and 61% in unstable angina with organic stenosis), but it was low (22%) in vasospastic angina without organic stenosis. Patients with advanced coronary stenosis and multi-vessel disease were found to have a higher incidence of positive 123I-BMIPP. A positive 123I-BMIPP result was correlated with a higher rate of subsequent intervention therapy (catheter intervention or CABG) than a negative result (48% versus 27%, p = 0.03 at one month; and 63% versus 35%, p = 0.008 at one year). CONCLUSION: Resting 123I-BMIPP scintigraphy was valuable in detecting advanced coronary lesions in angina patients associated with a high incidence of subsequent intervention therapy.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Effect of polyamines on histone-induced DNA compaction of hyperthermophilic archaea.

The effect of polyamines on histone-mediated DNA compaction was examined in vitro with archaeal histone HpkA from Pyrococcus kodakaraensis KOD1. An agarose gel mobility-shift experiment indicated that histone-bound DNA (compacted DNA) was further compacted by addition of a polyamine (putrescine, spermidine, or spermine) or its acetylated form (N-acetylputrescine, N1-acetylspermidine, N8-acetylspermidine, or N1-acetylspermine) when the mixture was incubated at above 75 degrees C. Spermine was most effective in compaction enhancement among all the polyamines tested. A high concentration of potassium ion (1.0 M) did not stabilize the compacted form of DNA even though double-stranded DNA was stably maintained against thermal denaturation at elevated temperatures under this condition. It appears likely that multivalent polyamines have a nucleosome maintenance function in hyperthermophilic archaea in high-temperature environments.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Characterization of FtsZ homolog from hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus kodakaraensis KOD1.

The gene of bacterial type ftsZ homolog in hyperthermophilic archaeon, Pyrococcus kodakaraensis KOD1 (Pk-ftsZ), was identified. The gene product of the Pk-ftsZ gene is composed of 380 amino acids with a molecular mass of 41,354 Da. In the deduced amino acid sequence of the Pk-ftsZ gene, a glycine-rich sequence (Gly-Gly-Gly-Thr-Gly-Ala-Gly) implicated in GTP binding was well conserved. The Pk-ftsZ gene was overexpressed using Escherichia coli as a host and the recombinant protein was purified. The purified Pk-FtsZ protein exhibited GTPase activity with optimum temperatures higher than 80 degrees C. However, the protein showed little GTPase activity at 40 degrees C, indicating that a high reaction temperature is required for the GTPase activity in accordance with the thermophilic nature of P. kodakaraensis KOD1. The GTP-binding ability of Pk-FtsZ protein could also be detected by UV-induced cross-linking of a protein to [alpha-32P] GTP. The Pk-ftsZ gene was expressed in E. coli cells with a temperature-sensitive ftsZ mutation, E. coli ftsZ84 (ts), but its mutant phenotype of elongated cell form at a nonpermissive temperature (42 degrees C) could not be compensated, possibly because of the thermophilic nature of the Pk-FtsZ. Pk-FtsZ could form protofilaments in a GTP-dependent manner at 90 degrees C. Results of phylogenetic analysis suggest that there might be additional factors required for formation of the Z ring in P. kodakaraensis KOD1.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Alteration of product specificity of cyclodextrin glucanotransferase from Thermococcus sp. B1001 by site-directed mutagenesis.

Cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus sp. B1001 catalyzed the production predominantly of alpha-cyclodextrin (CD) from starch (Tachibana, Y. et al., Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 65, 1991-1997, 1999). The CGTase gene (cgtA) from this strain was cloned and sequenced. It was composed of 2217 nucleotides, and encoded a protein (739 amino acids) with a molecular mass of 83,240 Da. Recombinant CgtA expressed in Escherichia coli also catalyzed the production predominantly of alpha-CD from starch, as did native CgtA from strain B1001. Based on a substrate binding model of Bacillus circulans no. 8 CGTase, Tyr100, Trp191 and Tyr267 were specified to locate the spiral amylose and to minimize the size of the CD by saccharide aromatics interaction. In order to determine the critical residue for catalyzing production predominantly of alpha-CD, site-directed mutations were introduced in CgtA (Y100W, Tyr100-->Trp; W191Y, Trp191-->Tyr; W191F, Trp191-->Phe; Y267W, Tyr267-->Trp; Y267F, Tyr267-->Phe). Analysis of the reaction products by HPLC revealed that the mutant enzyme Y267W produced more beta- and gamma-CD than the wild-type enzyme. However, the other mutants still produced high levels of alpha-CD, suggesting that Tyr267 plays a critical role in alpha-CD production catalyzed by B1001 CGTase.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Acceptor specificity of 4-alpha-glucanotransferase from Pyrococcus kodakaraensis KOD1, and synthesis of cycloamylose.

4-Alpha-glucanotransferase from a hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus kodakaraensis KOD1 showed a broad acceptor specificity to various saccharides in an intermolecular transglycosylation reaction. In particular, the enzyme produced large amounts of transfer products of various acceptors such as D-glucose, methyl-alpha-D-glucoside, phenyl-alpha-D-glucoside, and D-xylose. It is suggested that the requirement for an effective acceptor in the intermolecular transglycosylation reaction catalyzed by this enzyme is the pyranose structure with the same configurations of the free C2-, C3-, and C4-hydroxyl groups as d-glucopyranose, like cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase). However, the enzyme showed some acceptor specificities unlike those of CGTase. Analysis of the action of 4-alpha-glucanotransferase indicated that the enzyme catalyzes an intramolecular trans-glycosylation (cyclization) reaction of amylose to produce cyclic alpha-1,4-glucan (cycloamylose). The yield of cycloamylose reached 67%, and the degree of polymerization was found to range from 16 to above 55.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Functional retinoid receptors in budding ascidians.

A homolog of retinoid X receptors (RXR), named PmRXR, was cloned from the budding ascidian, Polyandrocarpa misakiensis. Gel-shift assays revealed that PmRXR and a previously identified P. misakiensis retinoic acid receptor (PmRAR) formed a complex to bind vertebrate-type retinoic acid response element (RARE). Transfection assays were carried out using a reporter gene containing a RARE upstream of lacZ. Two chimeric effector genes were constructed by placing PmRXR and PmRAR cDNA fragments (containing the DNA-binding, ligand-binding and ligand-dependent transactivation domains) downstream of the human RXR alpha and RAR alpha cDNA (covering the N-terminal coding region), respectively. Each chimeric cDNA was ligated to a notochord-specific enhancer. In case the embryos were transfected with all three transgenes and treated with retinoic acid (RA), the reporter gene was activated in the notochord cells. The result suggests that the PmRXR/PmRAR complex functions as an RA-dependent transcriptional activator. The PmRXR mRNA was detected in a mesenchymal cell type, called glomerulocyte, in the developing Polyandrocarpa bud. As this cell type has been shown to express PmRAR mRNA, it seems possible that the PmRXR/PmRAR complex mediates RA signaling in this cell type to induce the expression of genes involved in the morphogenesis of the developing bud.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Isolation and characterization of arsenate-sensitive and resistant mutants of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

Arsenate-sensitive and resistant mutants of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii were obtained by screening mutants generated by random insertional mutagenesis for growth in the presence of various concentrations of arsenate. The intracellular concentrations of arsenic in the mutants kept in the arsenate-containing medium were determined with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The intracellular levels of arsenic in the arsenate-resistant mutants were all lower than that of the parent strain CC425. Some of the arsenate-sensitive mutants, AS1 and AS3, showed obviously higher levels of arsenic than that of CC425, while other sensitive mutant, AS2, did not accumulate arsenic so much. Analysis of the chemical species of arsenic suggested that inorganic arsenic was converted to dimethylarsinic acid (DMAA) in CC425. However, DMAA was hardly detected in AS2. The mechanisms of the resistance to arsenate are discussed on its uptake and detoxification.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Crystallographic study of intein homing endonuclease II encoded in the archaeal DNA polymerase gene.

Intein homing endonucleases are proteins spliced out from a precursor protein and site-specific enzymes that make double-strand breaks in inteinless alleles. Crystals of intein homing endonuclease II from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus kodakaraensis strain KOD1 (PI-PkoII) have been grown at room temperature using ammonium sulfate as a precipitant. The diffraction pattern of the crystal extends to 3.0 A resolution at room temperature upon exposure to synchrotron X-rays at KEK-PF, Japan. The crystals have symmetry consistent with space group C222(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 107.6, b = 150.5, c = 146.8 A. A full set of X-ray diffraction data were collected to 3.0 A Bragg spacing from a native crystal with an overall R(merge) of 4.8% and a completeness of 96.6%.

Archaeal Proteins↗
PubMed2000

A case of pencil core granuloma with an unusual temporal profile.

The patient is a 47-year-old female with a bluish tumor resembling malignant melanoma at the macroscopic level on the medial aspect of her left big toe. The patient had crushed a pencil with this toe about 30 years previously and, since then, a bluish lesion had been present. About 15 years ago, the lesion had suddenly increased in size over the course of a few months. Subsequently, the size of the lesion had not changed noticeably. Ultrasonography, but not magnetic resonance imaging was a helpful preoperative examination to distinguish the lesion from malignant melanoma. The excised lesion contained a piece of material that resembled pencil lead and bluish mud. X-ray microanalysis of the lead-like material revealed that its composition was similar to that of pencil lead. Histologic examination showed features of foreign-body reaction, except for necrotic change and few histiocytes.

Female↗
PubMed2000

In vivo and in vitro tests showing sensitization to Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen allergen in atopic dogs.

Using both in vivo and in vitro tests, dogs with atopic dermatitis were examined for sensitization with Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica, CJ) pollen allergen. Ten dogs with clinical manifestation of atopic dermatitis were shown to be sensitized to CJ pollen based on the results of intradermal skin test and serum antigen-specific IgE test. In vitro lymphocyte stimulation test showed blastogenic response after stimulation with crude antigen of CJ pollen in all of the 5 cases examined. The peripheral leukocytes showed increased histamine release after stimulation with crude antigen of CJ pollen in 2 cases examined. These data indicate that a proportion of dogs with atopic dermatitis is sensitized to CJ pollen in a cell-mediated manner and show immediate phase reaction of type I hypersensitivity.

Allergens↗
PubMed2000

Evolution of urate-degrading enzymes in animal peroxisomes.

The end product of purine metabolism varies from species to species. The degradation of purines to urate is common to all animal species, but the degradation of urate is much less complete in higher animals. The comparison of subcellular distribution, intraperoxisomal localization forms, molecular structures, and some other properties of urate-degrading enzymes (urate oxidase, allantoinase, and allantoicase) among animals is described. Liver urate oxidase (uricase) is located in the peroxisomes in all animals with urate oxidase. On the basis of the comparison of intraperoxisomal localization forms, mol wt, and solubility of liver urate oxidase among animals, it is suggested that amphibian urate oxidase is a transition form in the evolution of aquatic animals to land animals. Allantoinase and allantoicase are different proteins in fish liver, but the two enzymes form a complex in amphibian liver. The subcellular localization of allantoinase and allantoicase varies among fishes. Hepatic allantoinase is located both in the peroxisomes and in the cytosol in saltwater fishes, and only in the cytosol in freshwater fishes. Hepatic allantoicase is located on the outer surface of the peroxisomal membrane in the mackerel group and in the peroxisomal matrix in the sardine group. Amphibian hepatic allantoinase-allantoicase complex is probably located in the mitochondria. On the basis of previous data, changes of allantoinase and allantoicase in molecular structure and intracellular localization during animal evolution may be as follows: Fish liver allantoinase is a single peptide with a mol wt of 54,000, and is located both in the peroxisomes and in the cytosol, or only in the cytosol. Fish liver allantoicase consists of two identical subunits with a mol wt of 48,000, and is located in the peroxisomal matrix or on the outer surface of the peroxisomal membrane. The evolution of fishes to amphibia resulted in the dissociation of allantoicase into subunits, and in the association of allantoinase with the subunit of allantoicase. This amphibian enzyme was lost by further evolution.

Amidohydrolases↗
PubMed2000

Prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus antibody and chronic liver disease among atomic bomb survivors.

To investigate whether exposure to atomic bomb radiation altered the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection or accelerated the progress toward chronic hepatitis after HCV infection, the seropositivity of antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) was determined for 6,121 participants in the Adult Health Study of atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The seropositivity of anti-HCV antibody was 2.5 times higher among those with a history of blood transfusion and 1.2 times higher among those with a family history of liver disease, whereas acupuncture showed no association with anti-HCV. Although the prevalence of anti-HCV was lower for survivors with positive dose estimates than for those with 0 dose (relative prevalence 0.84, P = 0.022), there was no evidence of a smooth dose-response relationship. However, these data suggested that the radiation dose response for chronic liver disease among HCV antibody-positive survivors may be greater than that among HCV antibody-negative survivors (slope ratio 20). In conclusion, no dose-response relationship was found between anti-HCV positivity and radiation dose; a possible increase in the radiation dose response of chronic liver disease among anti-HCV-positive individuals was found. Thus radiation exposure may accelerate the progress of chronic liver disease associated with hepatitis C virus infection.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Diabetic ketoacidosis associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome with autonomic dysfunction.

A 37-year-old woman was admitted in a comatose state, after exhibiting fever and diarrhea. Diabetic ketoacidosis was diagnosed due to an increased blood glucose level (672 mg/dl), metabolic acidosis, and positive urinary ketone bodies. On the fifth hospital day, despite recovery from the critical state of ketoacidosis, the patient suffered from dysphagia, hypesthesia and motor weakness, followed by respiratory failure. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was suggestive of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). Autonomic dysfunction was manifested as tachycardia and mild hypertension in the acute stage. Marked orthostatic hypotension persisted long after paresis was improved, indicating an atypical clinical course of GBS.

Adult↗