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Biomedical subjects

S Inoue

Publications and source records attributed to S Inoue.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Transcriptional control of the IL-5 gene by human helper T cells: IL-5 synthesis is regulated independently from IL-2 or IL-4 synthesis.

BACKGROUND: IL-5 is fundamentally involved in eosinophilic inflammation. Control of IL-5 production may be effective for the management of allergic diseases. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to find the transcriptional mechanisms that regulate the IL-5 gene to selectively control IL-5 synthesis. METHODS: Allergen-specific T-cell clones and T-cell hybridomas were established from the peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with asthma, and the transcriptional regulation of the IL-5 gene was investigated with transient transfection and electrophoretic mobility shift analysis. RESULTS: A human IL-5 promoter/enhancer-luciferase gene construct, pIL-5(-511)Luc, was transcribed on activation of IL-5-producing T-cell clones, but not IL-5-nonproducing clones. pIL-5(-511)Luc was transcribed by T-cell hybridomas derived from fusion between IL-5-producing T-cell clones and an IL-5 gene-nonexpressing T-cell line, but not by hybridomas derived from IL-5-nonproducing T-cell clones. IL-5 synthesis was not only induced by T-cell receptor stimulation but also by IL-2 receptor stimulation. Binding of NF-AT, NF-kappaB, and AP-1 was induced by T-cell receptor (TcR) stimulation, although there was no significant upregulation of binding by IL-2 stimulation. CONCLUSION: IL-5 synthesis by human helper T cells is regulated at the transcriptional level. A unique transcriptional mechanism distinct from those regulating the IL-2 or IL-4 genes seems to control the IL-5 gene. Selective regulation of IL-5 gene transcription may be useful for treating eosinophlic inflammation.

Asthma↗
PubMed1999

A comparison of methods for detecting bacteria in root canal exudate.

This study compared the ability of bacterial detection from intracanal exudate by two different methods. One is a conventional method (i.e. the samples were transported into anaerobic chambers immediately after sampling and then moved to an outside laboratory for identification of bacteria). Another is a preculture method (i.e. the samples were inoculated into semisolid medium immediately after sampling, incubated for 24 h under anaerobic conditions, and then moved to the laboratory for bacterial identification). In 22 cases, the preculture method detected bacteria in 18 of 22 cases, whereas the conventional method detected bacteria in 6 of 22 cases. The preculture method showed significantly higher frequency of bacterial detection (p = 0.0003). Gram-positive cocci (alpha-Streptococcus, Enterococcus, etc.) were detected in many cases. These results suggested that the preculture method could be helpful in detecting root canal bacteria and enhance antibiotic treatment of endodontic disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Basement membranes, microfibrils and beta amyloid fibrillogenesis in Alzheimer's disease: high resolution ultrastructural findings.

It is known that beta amyloid fibrils are deposited at the basement membrane of the cerebromicrovasculature in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease, and the assembly of the fibrils may be in continuation with the core of senile plaques. The fibrils accumulate in a manner similar to that in which microfibrils accumulate in the glomerular basement membrane of the rat kidney during long-term experimental diabetes, and in the alveolar-capillary basement membrane of the normal lung. beta amyloid fibrils in-situ are known to be about 10 nm wide tubular structures and they closely resemble connective tissue microfibrils. Our recent high resolution ultrastructural studies combined with immunogold labeling demonstrated that beta amyloid fibrils in-situ are indeed microfibril-like structures, and the beta protein is associated with their surface in the form of loose assemblies of 1 nm wide flexible filaments. Thus, the result of this study indicates that in-situ a major component of the beta amyloid deposit is the microfibril-like structure. The elucidation of the mechanism of cerebral beta amyloid fibrillogenesis in Alzheimer's disease may therefore require understanding the mechanism of 'normal' microfibrils biogenesis.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed1999

Transcatheter renal arterial embolization therapy on a patient with polycystic kidney disease on hemodialysis.

We report a patient with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) undergoing long-term hemodialysis who underwent transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) of the renal arteries to shrink enlarged kidneys. In 1983, the patient started hemodialysis because of chronic renal failure secondary to ADPKD. However, renal size continued to increase. In January 1997, he was admitted to our hospital with abdominal distension and anorexia, in addition to progression of anemia. Upper gastroendoscopy showed an esophageal ulcer and severe external compression of the stomach. Renal angiography using the Seldinger technique showed stretched and deformed segmental renal arteries with massive enlargement of the kidneys. TAE with stainless steel coils was performed on both renal arteries. With a rapid and progressive decrease in kidney size, anorexia and anemia were improved, and the gastrointestinal compression was eliminated. In some patients with ADPKD, renal size continues to increase even after the initiation of dialysis. In about 10 years, patients develop gastrointestinal complications, such as dysphagia, ileus, severe constipation, and intestinal perforation. Surgical procedures such as nephrectomy are not satisfactory. This report shows that TAE is a safe and effective therapy for patients with ADPKD with massively enlarged kidneys.

Angiography↗
PubMed1999

Contributing factors to physical symptoms in terminally-ill cancer patients.

Prediction of future suffering could improve palliative care. To identify the factors contributing to physical symptoms, a prospective study was performed on two series of hospice inpatients with cancer (n = 150 and n = 200, respectively). Physical symptoms, patients' characteristics, and tumor locations were recorded using a structured protocol on admission and throughout the clinical course. Common symptoms on admission and during the patient's course were pain (65%, 88%), general malaise (58%, 77%), anorexia (57%, 94%), constipation (33%, 71%), dyspnea (33%, 66%), nausea/vomiting (29%, 48%), cough/sputum (29%, 48%), edema (27%, 65%), fever (26%, 70%), abdominal swelling (26%, 42%), and dry mouth (25%, 61%), respectively. The mean number of symptoms was 5.7 +/- 3.0 on admission and 9.6 +/- 3.1 during the course. Factors that contributed to the symptoms were young age (pain, abdominal swelling, dry mouth), performance status (anorexia, general malaise, edema, dyspnea), brain tumor (paralysis), neoplasms of lung/pleura (dyspnea, cough/sputum, death rattle), bone metastasis (pain, paralysis), gastric/pancreas cancer (abdominal swelling), peritoneal metastasis (general malaise, edema, nausea/vomiting, abdominal swelling, dry mouth), opioids (constipation, dry mouth, myoclonus), anticholinergics (dry mouth), and antidopaminergics (myoclonus). Opioid requirement was positively correlated with the presence of bone metastasis, and negatively correlated with age and brain involvement. Additional opioids were frequently used in the final 48 hours in cases with lung/pleura neoplasms. These data suggest that terminal symptoms in cancer patients are determined by local and/or general factors. Clinicians can predict the probability of future symptoms from patients' characteristics, general condition, tumor locations, and medications.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Hydrophobic interaction of P25, containing Asn-linked oligosaccharide chains, with the H-L complex of silk fibroin produced by Bombyx mori.

Fibroin light (L-) chain and P25 are low molecular weight protein components of silk fibroin which are secreted from the posterior silk gland cells of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. The primary structure of L-chain was determined previously by cDNA cloning and peptide analysis, but that of P25 has only been deduced from its genomic sequence. Our previous studies with specific antibodies against L-chain and P25 have shown that L-chain and H-chain are linked by disulfide bond(s) but P25 is not covalently linked to H-chain. Here, we present evidence that P25 associates with the H-L complex primarily by hydrophobic interactions and that P25 is a glycoprotein containing Asn-linked oligosaccharide chains. From the analysis of three fibroin-secretion-deficient 'naked pupa' mutant breeds [Nd(2), Nd-s and Nd-sD], it is suggested that P25 interacts with H-chain in the absence of H-L linkage but its content of oligosaccharide is reduced when the H-L linkage is not formed. From these results, models are presented implying that the H-L complex and P25 are associated to form a higher-order complex of specific conformation during the processes of intracellular transport and secretion, and that the Asn-linked glycosylation of P25 is partially altered under such conditions.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Selective visceral and renal perfusion in thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: Whether or not selective visceral and renal perfusion during thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair has a protective effect on visceral and renal function remains unknown. The aim of this study was to clarify if selective perfusion has such an effect. METHODS: From May 1982 to December 1997, 82 consecutive patients underwent TAAA repair. Patients receiving hypothermic circulatory arrest or cooling of the kidney using Ringer's lactate solution were excluded, thus 73 patients were enrolled into this study. They were divided into three groups: those in whom selective visceral and renal perfusion was performed using a roller pump (n = 41), those in whom it was performed using a centrifugal pump with a reduced heparin regimen (n = 22) and those who underwent simple aortic clamping alone (n = 10). RESULTS: Serum creatinine, total bilirubin and alanine aminotransferase levels were elevated postoperatively in patients undergoing simple cross-clamp repair, but remained almost within normal limits in patients undergoing TAAA repair with selective visceral and renal perfusion. Urine output was more in selective perfused patients than in non-perfused patients. Renal dysfunction, defined by requirement of hemodialysis or by a serum level of creatinine above 3 mg/dl, occurred in four patients (10%) of the roller pump group and in two patients (9%) of the centrifugal pump group, while in four patients (40%) of the simple cross-clamping group. CONCLUSION: Our experience suggests that selective visceral and renal perfusion has a protective effect on hepato-renal function during TAAA repair.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Interruption of the inferior extension of the compact atrioventricular node underlies successful radio frequency ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia.

A recent anatomic study has revived interest in the inferior extensions of the compact atrioventricular node in humans. The rightward extension is on the right atrial aspect, close to the septal attachment of the tricuspid valve leaflet and, hence, closely related to the anticipated slow pathway considered to play a role in atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT). This report documents a patient, 65 years of age, with dilated cardiomyopathy and AVNRT. The tachycardia was successfully terminated using selective radiofrequency (RF) ablation, delivered at a site where a slow potential was recorded and validated by atrial pacing, located between the tricuspid valve and the os of the coronary sinus (CS), close to its superior rim. In subsequent years the patient developed progressive heart failure and eventually died. Histopathologic examination revealed extensive scar tissue at the site of the burn, extending onto the crest of the underlying ventricular septum. Serial sections revealed the compact AV node superiorly and an inferior extension surfacing from the scar which could be traced inferiorly beyond the os of the CS. This is the first documentation of RF ablation interrupting an inferior extension of the compact AV node in a patient successfully ablated for AVNRT. The observation suggests that the slow pathway in this patient found its anatomic substrate in the inferior extension of the compact AV node.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Aeromonas sobria infection with severe soft tissue damage and segmental necrotizing gastroenteritis in a patient with alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

A 49-year-old man, who had a 3-year history of liver dysfunction but had not been treated, was admitted to the hospital with a sudden onset of fever and generalized muscle pain. He subsequently developed generalized purpura with scattered hemorrhagic bullae of the skin and massive bloody stools. Aeromonas sobria was proven by culture of both blood and bullous fluid. In spite of the extensive treatment with antibiotics and other medications in the intensive care unit (ICU), the patient went into septic shock and died 2 days after admission. Pathological examination on autopsy revealed segmental necrotizing gastroenteritis with bacterial colonies and alcoholic liver cirrhosis, in addition to extensive severe soft tissue damage involving cellulitis and rhabdomyolysis and epidermolysis. Although the prognosis for Vibrio vulnificus infection with severe soft tissue damage in patients with liver cirrhosis, malignancy, diabetes mellitus or other pre-existing diseases is poor, the unfavorable progression of Aeromonas species, especially A. sobria infection is rare. This is thought to be the first report of an autopsied case.

Aeromonas↗
PubMed1999

Reduction of leptin precedes fat loss from running exercise in insulin-resistant rats.

Serum concentrations of leptin, a hormone secreted into the circulation by adipocytes, correlate with body mass index. Circulating of leptin is thought to signal the brain in patients with hyperinsulinemia, a condition reported to be preventable and testable by exercise training. In the present experiments, sucrose-fed rats had reduced concentrations of leptin in portal venous blood after 4 weeks of nonforced wheel-running exercise (1.1 +/- 0.1 vs. 6.2 +/- 1.8 ng/mL, in nonexercised sucrose-fed rats, P < 0.05). Mesenteric and subcutaneous fat stores were similar between groups. After 12 weeks of exercise, portal vein levels of leptin concentrations (5.2 +/- 2.1 vs. 9.9 +/- 0.8 ng/mL, P < 0.05) and mesenteric and subcutaneous fat all were reduced in the exercise group. These results suggest that short-term running exercise reduces circulating leptin before any reduction of adipose mass, and this reduction in the concentration of leptin available to its receptors has beneficial effects on the metabolism of fat and carbohydrates.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1999

Bactericidal activity of manganese and iodide ions against Staphylococcus aureus: a possible treatment for acute atopic dermatitis.

We reported previously that balneotherapy using Kusatsu hot-spring water is useful for controlling the skin symptoms of acute flares/exacerbations of refractory cases of atopic dermatitis. As Staphylococcus aureus on the skin surface decreased in number or disappeared after balneotherapy, the hot-spring water was suspected to act against the microorganism. The hot-spring water showed strong bactericidal activity against S. aureus in vitro. In order to clarify the mechanism further, the bactericidal activity of the hot-spring water was examined by adding back cations and anions in same concentrations as those in the original hot-spring water, one at a time to cation- and anion-exchanged hot-spring water. The findings clearly demonstrated that the bactericidal activity was expressed by manganese and iodide ions in acidic conditions (pH 2.0-3.0). Thus, the probable mechanism for the improvement of skin manifestations through Kusatsu balneotherapy is the bactericidal activity of the hot-spring water against S. aureus. When added to water acidified with sulphuric acid (pH 2.0-3.0) a synergistic effect of the 2 ions was observed, so that an anti-staphylococcal effect was obtained even at low concentrations (1 mg/kg). Acidic solutions containing manganese and iodide ions may thus be clinically useful for treating skin conditions caused by S. aureus.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1999

cDNA cloning of the two subunits of phospholipase A2 inhibitor PLIgamma from blood plasma of the Chinese mamushi, Agkistrodon blomhoffii siniticus.

Three phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitors (PLI) have been purified from the blood plasma of the Chinese mamushi, Agkistrodon blomhoffii siniticus; 1 of these, PLIgamma, contains 2 homologous subunits, PLIgamma-A and PLIgamma-B. The cDNAs encoding these 2 subunits of PLIgamma were isolated from a liver cDNA library by using fragments from polymerase chain reaction amplifications as probes and sequenced. The respective nucleotide sequences encoded 19-residue signal sequences, followed by 181-residue proteins. The calculated molecular masses were 20123 and 20150 Da for the PLIgamma-A and PLIgamma-B subunits, respectively; and PLIgamma-A included a N-linked carbohydrate site at Asn-157. The sequences of these subunits contained 2 internal repeats of disulfide-bonding pattern characteristic to those of urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor and members of the Ly-6 superfamily. A phylogenetic analysis comparing the amino acid sequences of PLIgamma-A and PLIgamma-B with those for other snakes revealed that the gene duplication leading to these 2 subunits occurred before the divergence of Viperidae and Elapidae.

Agkistrodon↗
PubMed1999

Oxidative damage to cellular and isolated DNA by metabolites of a fungicide ortho-phenylphenol.

ortho-Phenylphenol (OPP) and its sodium salt, which are used as fungicides and antibacterial agents, have been found to cause carcinomas in the urinary tract of rats. To clarify the carcinogenic mechanism of OPP, we compared the DNA damage inducing ability of an OPP metabolite, phenyl-1,4-benzoquinone (PBQ) with that of another metabolite, phenylhydroquinone (PHQ). Pulsed field gel electrophoresis showed that PBQ and PHQ induced DNA strand breakage in cultured human cells, but PBQ did it more efficiently than PHQ. Significant increases in 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) were observed in cells treated with PBQ and PHQ, and the increase of 8-oxodG induced by PBQ was significantly higher than that induced by PHQ. Using 32P-5'-end-labeled DNA fragments obtained from human p53 tumor suppressor gene and c-Ha-ras-1 protooncogene, we showed that PBQ plus NADH, and also PHQ, induced DNA damage frequently at thymine residues, in the presence of Cu(II). The intensity of DNA damage by PBQ was stronger than that by PHQ, showing higher importance of PBQ than other OPP metabolites. Catalase and bathocuproine inhibited Cu(II)-mediated DNA damage by PBQ plus NADH and PHQ, suggesting that H2O2 reacts with Cu(I) to produce active species causing DNA damage. Electron spin resonance and UV-visible spectroscopic studies have demonstrated generation of semiquinone radical and superoxide from the reaction of PBQ with NADH or the Cu(II)-mediated autoxidation of PHQ. The present results suggest that these OPP metabolites cause oxidative DNA damage through H2O2 generation in cells, and the damage may lead to mutation and carcinogenesis. It is concluded that PBQ may play a more important role in the expression of OPP carcinogenicity than other OPP metabolites.

8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine↗
PubMed1999

Evaluation of high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed electrochemical and fluorometric detection for extensive application to the analysisof homologous series of oligo- and polysialic acids in bioactive molecules.

Our previous studies have shown extensively diverse structures in oligo/polymers of sialic acid (oligo/polySia) that are expressed often in developmentally regulated manner on animal glycoconjugates. The aim of this study was to establish highlysensitive and specific methods that can be used to identify diverse types of oligo/polySia and thus can be applied to studies of biological phenomena associated with the differential expression of oligo/polySia chains with different degree of polymerization (DP). As model compounds, we analyzed five different homologous series of oligo/polySia, (-->8Neu5Acalpha2-->)(n), (-->9Neu 5Acalpha2-->)(n), (-->8Neu5Gcalpha2-->)(n), (-->5-O(glycolyl)-Neu5Gcalpha2-->)(n), and Neu5Gc9SO(4)alpha2-->(-->5-O(glycolyl)-Neu5Gcalpha2--> )(n), ()expressed in various biopolymers. The latter two structures have recently been identified in sea urchin egg receptor for sperm. First we examined application of high-performance anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC) on a CarboPac PA-100 column with pulsed electrochemical detection (PED) to new types of oligo/polySiacompounds and confirmed that resolution of high polymers (DP >70) of sialic acids was remarkable as reported previously. However, there are limitations in sensitivity and selectivity in PED that become significant when material is available only in a minute amount or material contained a large proportion of protein. These limitations can be circumvented by fluorometric detection of oligo/polySia tagged with 1,2-diamino-4, 5-methyl-enedioxybenzene (DMB) at the reducing terminal residues after separation on a MonoQ HR5/5 column. The latter method can be applied to any type of oligo/polySia we examined if we choose the derivatization conditions and is more sensitive and specific than the method with PED for analysis of oligo/polySia with DP up to 25.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Identification of two discrete peptide: N-glycanases in Oryzias latipes during embryogenesis.

Two different types of peptide:N-glycanase (PNGase) were identified in developing embryos of medaka fish ( Oryzias latipes ). Because the optimum pH values for their activities were acidic and neutral, they were designated as acid PNGase M and neutral PNGase M, respectively. The acid PNGase M corresponded to the enzyme that had been partially purified from medaka embryos (Seko,A., Kitajima,K., Inoue,Y. and Inoue,S. (1991) J. Biol. Chem., 266, 22110-22114). The apparent molecular weight of this enzyme was 150 K, and the optimal pH was 3.5-4.0, and the K m for L-hyosophorin was 44 microM. L-Hyosophorin is a cortical alveolus-derived glycononapeptide with a large N-linked glycan chain present in the perivitelline space of the developing embryo. Acid PNGase M was competitively inhibited by a free de-N-glycosylated nonapeptide derived from L-hyosophorin. This enzyme was expressed in ovaries and embryos at all developmental stages after gastrulation, but activity was not detected in embryos at developmental stages between fertilization and gastrula. Several independent lines of evidence suggested that acid PNGase M may be responsible for the unusual accumulation of free N-glycans derived from yolk glycoproteins (Iwasaki,M., Seko,A., Kitajima,K., Inoue,Y. and Inoue,S. (1992) J. Biol. Chem., 267, 24287-24296). In contrast, the neutral PNGase M was expressed in blastoderms from the 4-8 cell stage and in cells up to early gastrula. The general significance of these findings is that they show a developmental stage-dependent expression of the two PNGase activities, and that expression of the neutral PNGase M activity occurs concomitantly with the de-N-glycosylation of L-hyosophorin. These data thus support our conclusion that the neutral PNGase M is responsible for the developmental-stage-related de-N-glycosylation of the L-hyosophorin.

Amidohydrolases↗
PubMed1999

Survival prediction of terminally ill cancer patients by clinical symptoms: development of a simple indicator.

BACKGROUND: Although accurate prediction of survival is essential for palliative care, no clinical tools have been established. METHODS: Performance status and clinical symptoms were prospectively assessed on two independent series of terminally ill cancer patients (training set, n = 150; testing set, n = 95). On the training set, the cases were divided into two groups with or without a risk factor for shorter than 3 and 6 weeks survival, according to the way the classification achieved acceptable predictive value. The validity of this classification for survival prediction was examined on the test samples. RESULTS: The cases with performance status 10 or 20, dyspnea at rest or delirium were classified in the group with a predicted survival of shorter than 3 weeks. The cases with performance status 10 or 20, edema, dyspnea at rest or delirium were classified in the group with a predicted survival of shorter than 6 weeks. On the training set, this classification predicted 3 and 6 weeks survival with sensitivity 75 and 76% and specificity 84 and 78%, respectively. On the test populations, whether patients survived for 3 and 6 weeks or not was predicted with sensitivity 85 and 79% and specificity 84 and 72%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Whether or not patients live for 3 and 6 weeks can be acceptably predicted by this simple classification.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Isolation and amino acid sequence of a phospholipase A2 inhibitor from the blood plasma of the sea krait, Laticauda semifasciata.

A phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitor was purified from the blood plasma of a sea krait, Laticauda semifasciata, by sequential chromatography on Sephadex G-200, Mono Q, and Phenyl Sepharose columns. The purified inhibitor was found to be the same type as the PLA2 inhibitors, named PLIgamma, that had been purified from the blood plasma of the Thai cobra Naja naja kaouthia [Ohkura et al. (1994) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 200, 784-788] and Chinese mamushi Agkistrodon blomhoffii siniticus [Ohkura et al. (1997) Biochem. J. 325, 527-531]. Like other PLIgammas, the L. semifasciata inhibitor (LsPLIgamma) inhibited equally all of the PLA2s investigated including Elapid venom PLA2s (group I), Crotalid and Viperid venom PLA2s (group II), and honeybee PLA2 (group III). The LsPLIgamma was a 100-kDa glycoprotein composed of two distinct subunits, LsPLIgamma-A and LsPLIgamma-B, with an approximate molar ratio of 2:1. The amino acid sequences of the two subunits were determined by alignment of the peptides obtained by lysyl endopeptidase, endoproteinase Asp-N, and staphylococcal V8 protease digestions. LsPLIgamma-A and LsPLIgamma-B were composed of 182 and 181 amino acid residues, respectively; and the former subunit was a glycoprotein containing one asparagine-linked sugar chain at the position 157. The sequences of LsPLIgamma-A and LsPLIgamma-B showed 65 and 74% homology, respectively, to those of the corresponding subunits of N. naja kaouthia PLIgamma, and had two tandem patterns of cysteine residues, characteristic of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and members of the Ly-6 superfamily.

Amino Acid Sequence↗