[The behavioral approach to promote physical activity--application of the transtheoretical model].
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Behavioral Sciences↗
Biomedical subjects
S Inoue
Publications and source records attributed to S Inoue.
Epidermal sphingomyelins are precursors for selected stratum corneum ceramides.
Epidermal ceramides (Cer) comprise a heterogeneous family of seven species, including two unique omega-hydroxylated Cer, that are key components of the stratum corneum (SC) intercellular lamellar membranes responsible for the epidermal permeability barrier. Although both glucosylceramide (GlcCer) and the phospho-sphingolipid sphingomyelin (SM) are potential precursors of SC Cer, based on reported chemical structures of epidermal GlcCer and SC Cer, it is assumed that all major subfractions of SC Cer are generated from lamellar body-derived GlcCer. Yet, we and others have shown that SM-derived Cer are required for normal barrier homeostasis. Moreover, two pools of SM, one from plasma membrane, the other from lamellar body-derived contents, are potentially available for Cer production. To clarify the role of SM as a potential precursor of bulk or specific SC Cer, we compared Cer moieties in epidermal SM, Cer generated from epidermal SM by sphingomyelinase treatment, Cer within SC, and Cer that persist in Gaucher SC, where GlcCer cannot generate Cer due to an absence of beta-glucocerebrosidase. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance for Cer characterization, epidermal SM comprise three major subfractions with distinctive amide-linked (N-acyl) fatty acid (FA) compositions: that is, either long-chain FA (SM-1; C(22;-26)), short-chain FA (SM-2; primarily C(16)), and short-chain alpha-hydroxy FA (SM-3; C(16;-18)). In contrast, only trace quantities of omega-hydroxy FA were present. For each SM subfraction, the sphingoid base was either sphingosine or sphinganine, but phytosphingosine was not detected. Comparison of these SM with corresponding sphingomyelinase-generated epidermal Cer and SC Cer revealed that the Cer moieties of SM-1 and SM-3 are equivalent to Cer 2 (NS) and Cer 5 (AS), respectively. Moreover, both Cer 2 and Cer 5 occurred in Gaucher SC, whereas other Cer subfractions did not occur. These results indicate that two epidermal SM, that is, SM-1 and SM-3, are important precursors of two corresponding Cer in mammalian SC, that is, Cer 2 and Cer 5, but other Cer species, including the omega-hydroxy Cer species, do not derive from SM.
Animals↗
Can three-dimensional helical CT cholangiography before laparoscopic cholecystectomy be a substitute study for endoscopic retrograde cholangiography?
The study investigated the usefulness of three-dimensional helical computed tomography (3D-CT) before laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LSC) when compared with that of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC). Forty-five patients referred for LSC, who had undergone 3D-CT cholangiography and ERC simultaneously, participated in the study. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and 3D-CT cholangiography were compared in each patient with regard to opacification of the biliary tree, stones, and anatomic variations. Three-dimensional helical CT cholangiography and ERC imaging for predicting operative difficulties in LSC also were compared. The common bile duct and cystic duct were shown in the patients by the images, but the gallbladder was shown in 43 patients (96%) with use of 3D-CT cholangiography and in 36 patients (80%) with use of ERC. A third or more peripheral branches were shown completely with use of 3D-CT cholangiography in 33 patients (73%) and in 32 patients (71%) with use of ERC. Cystic duct stones were found in two of three patients with use of 3D-CT cholangiography and ERC. Common bile duct stones in five of seven patients were detected with use of 3D-CT cholangiography, but all of the common bile duct stones were detected with use of ERC. Anatomic variations of the bile duct were shown in three of four patients by 3D-CT cholangiography and in all patients with use of ERC. No significant differences in findings of the angle of bifurcation and presence of Heister valves between operative easy and complex cases were shown by 3D-CT cholangiography and ERC, despite the more accurate assessment of the cystic duct anatomy with use of 3D-CT cholangiography than with use of ERC. Three-dimensional helical CT cholangiography is useful clinically in preoperative assessment of biliary anatomy, but it is not reliable in the detection of common bile duct stones, and it is not helpful in predicting technical difficulty during LSC.
Adult↗
[Two cases of ischemic changes indicated in the amplitude of motor evoked potentials during thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair].
Monitoring of motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) is employed to examine functional integrity of descending motor pathway during thoracic aortic surgery. We experienced two cases of intraoperative changes in MEPs during thoracic aortic replacement. In one case, MEPs recovered after the intercostal artery reattachment, and in another case after the release of aortic clamping. No postoperative paraplegia was found in both cases. We conclude that monitoring of MEPs is useful not only because we can detect symptoms of the spinal cord injury from ischemia immediately but also because they give us a clue to decide operative procedures.
Aged↗
[Employment and assistance in independent living].
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Employment↗
Microscopy investigations. Techniques, results, limitations.
This paper critically reviews current microscopy techniques that are used to image resin-dentin interfaces and more in particular to investigate the process of hybridization and resin-tag formation. A short description of the four most commonly used microscopy techniques with their necessary specimen-preparation methodology is provided along with a discussion of their possibilities, limitations and potential artifact formation. With this critical appraisal on microscopy techniques available to study adhesive interfaces, it is hoped to encourage the use of high-resolution analytical tools to further elucidate the mechanisms of bonding at the ultra-structural level. Besides ultra-morphologic characterization, more research should be devoted to study the chemical and physical properties of resin-dentin bonds. The final objective of such fundamental research should be to establish a more durable and reliable adhesive restorative technique.
Artifacts↗
Concerns of Japanese hospice inpatients about morphine therapy as a factor in pain management: a pilot study.
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Analgesics, Opioid↗
Induced expression, localization, and chromosome mapping of a gene for the TBP-interacting protein 120A.
TBP-interacting protein 120A (TIP120A) is a novel eukaryotic transcriptional regulator and has been suggested to be involved in the general regulation of transcription because of its ability to potentiate transcription of all classes of genes and to interact with common transcriptional machineries. In the present study, we investigated the expression of the tip120a gene. TIP120A transcripts were expressed abundantly in the heart and liver, moderately in the brain and skeletal muscle, and only slightly in the spleen and lung. This ubiquitous expression pattern was similar to that of TBP. Gene expression of TIP120A in the rat liver was not stimulated by hepatocarcinogenesis or liver regeneration. TIP120A was thus suggested not to be a growth-related protein. On the other hand, in P19 mouse embryonal carcinoma cells, TIP120A expression was elevated upon retinoic acid treatment, which induces differentiation. Notably, the foci-like nuclear localization pattern of TIP120A was transformed into a speckle-like pattern. The level of TIP120A was also elevated in such stem-like cells as F9 and HL60 after each differentiation procedure, retinoic acid and DMSO, respectively. In HEp-2 cells, TIP120A was observed as a limited number of nuclear foci, and the localization coincided with that of the PML oncogenic domain. FISH detection revealed that the human tip120a gene was located at 12q14, the position to which a myopathic type scapuloperoneal syndrome locus also mapped. Our study suggests that, contrary to an early assumption, TIP120A is involved in tissue-specific and/or differentiation-related gene expression.
Animals↗
The alpha1-6-fucosyltransferase gene and its biological significance.
GDP-L-Fuc:N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide alpha1-6-fucosyltransferase (alpha1-6FucT) catalyzes the transfer of fucose from GDP-Fuc to N-linked type complex glycoproteins. This enzyme was purified from a human fibroblast cell line, porcine brain, a human gastric cancer cell line and human blood platelets. cDNA cloning of porcine and human alpha1-6FucT was performed from a porcine brain and gastric cancer cell cDNA libraries, respectively. Their homology is 92.2% at the nucleotide level and 95.7% at the amino acid level. No putative N-glycosylation sites were found in the predicted amino acid sequence. No homology to other fucosyltransferases such as alpha1-2FucT, alpha1-3FucT and alpha1-4FucT was found except for a region consisting of nine amino acids. The alpha1-6FucT gene is located at chromosome 14q24.3, which is also a different location from other fucosyltransferases reported to date. The alpha1-6FucT gene is the oldest gene family in the phylogenic trees among the nine cloned fucosyltransferase genes. alpha1-6FucT is widely expressed in various rat tissues and the expression of alpha1-6FucT in the liver is enhanced during hepatocarcinogenesis of LEC rats which develop hereditary hepatitis and hepatomas. In cases of human liver diseases, alpha1-6FucT is expressed in both hepatoma tissues and their surrounding tissues with chronic liver disease, but not in the case of normal liver. Serum alpha1-6-fucosylated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) has been employed for an early diagnosis of patients with hepatoma. The mechanisms by which alpha1-6 fucosylation of AFP occurs in the hepatoma is not due to the up-regulation of alpha1-6FucT alone. Interestingly, when the alpha1-6FucT gene is transfected into Hep3B, a human hepatoma cell line, tumor formation in the liver of nude mice after splenic injection is dramatically suppressed. In this review, we focus on alpha1-6FucT and summarize its properties, gene expression and biological significance.
Animals↗
Involvement of sympathetic activation and brown adipose tissue in calcitonin gene-related peptide-induced heat production in the rat.
We previously reported that microinjection of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP; 1.6-8.0 pmol, 0.2-1.0 microliter) into the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) increased oxygen consumption (VO(2)), heart rate (HR), colonic temperature (T(co)), and temperature of interscapular brown adipose tissue (T(IBAT)). In the present study, we investigated whether the autonomic nervous system is involved in the CGRP-induced heat production in urethane-anesthetized rats. Intraperitoneal administration of the ganglion blocker hexamethonium (20 mg/kg) or the beta-adrenergic antagonist propranolol (5 mg/kg) suppressed the CGRP-induced increases in VO(2), HR, T(co), and T(IBAT). Pretreatment with the alpha-adrenergic antagonist phentolamine (5 mg/kg) partly attenuated the heat production response but did not affect the tachycardiac response. Bilateral sectioning of the nerves supplying the IBAT attenuated the CGRP-induced increase in T(IBAT) but not significantly that in VO(2) or T(co). In rats with adrenal demedullation, the effects of CGRP were similar to those in intact rats. These results suggest that the CGRP-induced heat production is mediated by the sympathetic nervous system and, at least in part, by the BAT through the alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors.
Adipose Tissue, Brown↗
Diabetes alters neurite regeneration from mouse retinal explants in culture.
We examined the effect of experimental diabetes on neurite regeneration from adult mouse retinal explants cultured in the presence of different concentrations of glucose. The numbers of regenerating neurites at 3, 6 and 10 days in culture at normal glucose concentration (7 mM) were significantly smaller in streptozotocin-induced diabetic C57BL/6 mice than in normal control mice. In contrast, treatment of retinal explants with high glucose concentration (57 mM) significantly diminished the number of regenerating neurites in the control mice, but not in the diabetic mice. These results suggest that retina in diabetic mice has impaired capability of neurite regeneration in a normal glucose environment, but is adaptable to a high glucose environment in vitro.
Animals↗
Operative results of canal-expansive laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathy in elderly patients.
STUDY DESIGN: The study involved elderly patients (age > or = 65), who underwent treatment for cervical spondylotic myelopathy by canal-expansive laminoplasty. OBJECTIVES: To determine the factors that influence the operative results of canal-expansive laminoplasty for treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy in elderly patients. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although there have been previous reports of many operative procedures, to the authors' knowledge there are no reports on the results of surgical treatment for cervical spondylotic myelopathy in elderly patients, treated by a unified surgical procedure. To date, no attempts have been made to predict the results of these procedures. METHODS: Forty-seven patients (age > or = 65) who underwent canal-expansive laminoplasty were reviewed in this study. The severity of the clinical picture and the quality of operative results were graded according to the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scoring system. RESULTS: Of the 13 patients whose period of disability persisted for less than 3 months before the operation, 12 were able to walk after surgery. The operative results of patients more than 80 years of age were not significantly different from those of patients aged between 65 and 79 years. Results of multiple regression analysis indicate that the predictive probability of the postoperative motor function score of the lower extremities was 70%. CONCLUSIONS: The severity of the clinical picture and the duration of symptoms influenced the outcome of the operation. Despite the advanced age of some patients (> 80), the operation increased the chance of recovery from the disease.
Aged↗
cDNA cloning and bacterial expression of phospholipase A(2) inhibitor PLIalpha from the serum of the Chinese mamushi, Agkistrodon blomhoffii siniticus(1).
The cDNA encoding of a phospholipase A(2) inhibitor (PLIalpha) of the Chinese mamushi, Agkistrodon blomhoffii siniticus, was identified from a liver cDNA library by use of a probe prepared by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on the basis of the amino acid sequence of PLIalpha. It encoded a polypeptide of 166 amino acid residues, including 19 residues of the signal sequence and 147 residues of the complete mature sequence of PLIalpha. The PLIalpha cDNA was subcloned into the expression vector pET-16b and used to transform Escherichia coli strain BL21(DE3)pLysS. The recombinant PLIalpha expressed as a fusion protein was solubilized and purified to homogeneity by use of a metal affinity resin. The purified PLIalpha fusion protein underwent folding to form a trimeric structure like the intact PLIalpha, and showed inhibitory activity against the group II acidic PLA(2) from A. blomhoffii siniticus venom; although its binding constant (1/K(i)) value was 30-fold lower than that of the natural PLIalpha. The elimination of the N-terminal additional peptide from the fusion protein resulted in a marked increase in the inhibition activity with a binding constant comparable to that of the natural PLIalpha against the acidic PLA(2). Furthermore, the carbohydrate chains of the natural PLIalpha were found to play an important role in the inhibitory activity against the basic PLA(2).
Agkistrodon↗
Underdeveloped uterus and reduced estrogen responsiveness in mice with disruption of the estrogen-responsive finger protein gene, which is a direct target of estrogen receptor alpha.
The biological roles of estrogen-responsive finger protein (efp) in vivo were evaluated in mice carrying a loss-of-function mutation in efp by gene-targeted mutagenesis. Although efp homozygous mice were viable and fertile in both sexes, the uterus that expressed abundant estrogen receptor alpha exhibited significant underdevelopment. When the ovariectomized homozygotes were subjected to 17beta-estradiol treatment, they showed remarkably attenuated responses to estrogen, as exemplified by decreased interstitial water imbibition and retarded endometrial cell increase, at least, attributable to the lower ratio of G1 to S-phase progression in epithelial cells. These results suggest that efp is essential for the normal estrogen-induced cell proliferation and uterine swelling as one of the direct targets of estrogen receptor alpha.
Animals↗
Molecular cloning of rat efp: expression and regulation in primary osteoblasts.
We have previously identified an estrogen-responsive gene, efp (estrogen-responsive finger protein), by genomic binding-site cloning method. Here, we isolated a rat homologue of efp cDNA that encodes an open reading frame of 644 amino acids sharing high homology with human efp (69% identity at the protein level) and mouse efp (80% identity at the protein level). The efp protein has a RING finger, a variant type of zinc finger motif, B1 box and B2 box, each having a pair of zinc fingers, and coiled-coil domain, belonging to the RING finger-B box-Coiled Coil (RBCC) family. Several members of RBCC family including efp have characteristic C-terminal domain, forming a subfamily. Next, we detected efp mRNA in primary osteoblasts, one of estrogen target cells, derived from the calvariae of rat fetus. An anti-efp antibody revealed the efp protein is expressed and regulated by estrogen in the primary osteoblasts. Interestingly, the efp protein in primary osteoblasts is down-regulated by 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) treatment that promotes the differentiation of the cells, whereas it is up-regulated by TGF-beta1 treatment that inhibits the differentiation of the cells. These findings suggest the possible involvement of the efp in the differentiation of osteoblastic cells.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Low-Temperature Synthesis of Nanometer-Sized Crystalline TiO2 Particles and Their Photoinduced Decomposition of Formic Acid.
Anatase TiO2 particles with an average size of 2.7 nm in an as-grown state were obtained below 373 K from an H2O-EtOH mixed solution of TiOSO4 by a facile liquid phase method. The volume ratio of H2O to EtOH was revealed to be the key for crystallinity of the particles. The as-grown particles prepared from the H2O-EtOH solution (H2O/EtOH (mL/mL) = 150/100) showed a high photoreactivity in the TiO2 photoinduced decarboxylation of HCOOH under a deaerated condition. In contrast, under an aerated condition, the rate of the reaction increased with an increase in calcining temperature (Tc) due to the improvement of anatase crystallinity, going through a maximum at Tc = 873 K. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.
Journal Article↗
Schizophrenia and the influenza epidemics of 1957 in Japan.
BACKGROUND: We tested the hypothesis that the exposure to an influenza epidemic during the second trimester of gestation is associated with an increased risk of later development of schizophrenia. METHODS: There were three influenza epidemics (A/B mixed type, the first A2 type and the second A2 type) in 1957 in Kochi, Japan. We compared the risk of developing schizophrenia in birth cohorts exposed to these three influenza epidemics during gestation with that in birth cohorts not exposed. To identify subjects who had developed schizophrenia, we surveyed patients with schizophrenia who received medical care at all psychiatric institutions in Kochi prefecture. RESULTS: There is a pattern that schizophrenic births increase twice or more among female subjects who were exposed to each of three influenza epidemics in the fifth month of gestation. The increase in the female births exposed to the second A2 epidemic was significant (relative risk 2.86, 95% confidence interval 1.37-5.26). This pattern across the three epidemics was not observed in male subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal exposure to an influenza epidemic during the second trimester increased the risk of later development of schizophrenia in female births.
Child↗
Purification, characterization and cDNA cloning of a phospholipase A2 inhibitor from the serum of the non-venomous snake Elaphe quadrivirgata.
The serum of a non-venomous striated snake, Elaphe quadrivirgata, was found to contain phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitory proteins (PLIs). One of these inhibitors was purified by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration, Q-Sepharose FF ion-exchange chromatography and Butyl Sepharose 4FF hydrophobic chromatography. The purified PLI inhibited the enzymic activities of all PLA2 groups, including Elapidae venom (group-I), Viperidae venom (group-II) and honeybee PLA2s (group-III). The inhibitor was a 130 kDa glycoprotein consisting of two distinct subunits, A and B, of 30 and 29 kDa respectively; each of which was glycosylated with N-linked oligosaccharide chains. The cDNAs encoding the respective inhibitor subunits were isolated from a liver cDNA library by the use of probes, prepared by PCR, based on the partially determined amino-acid sequences of the corresponding subunits. The respective nucleotide sequences encoded 19-amino-acid-residue signal sequences, followed by 183- and 181-residue protein sequences for the A and B subunits respectively. The amino-acid sequences revealed that the E. quadrivirgata inhibitor corresponded to PLIgamma, one of three kinds of inhibitors purified from venomous snakes. The existence of PLIgamma in the serum of this non-venomous snake suggested that, besides having a protective role against the venom PLA2s of other venomous snakes, PLIgamma has other important physiological functions in regulating local PLA2 activities; and thus it raises the possibility that PLIgamma occurs in other animals, including mammals.
Amino Acid Sequence↗