Biomedical subjects

S Kato

Publications and source records attributed to S Kato.

At least 397 records · Page 22Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

Two cases of inflammatory bowel disease with multiple myeloma.

A significant increase has been reported in reticuloendothelial neoplasms in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. We present two rare cases of multiple myeloma in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. One was in a 58-year-old woman with ulcerative colitis, and the other was in a 59-year old woman with Crohn's disease. In both patients, multiple myeloma occurred during long-term observation of inflammatory bowel disease and during the inactive stage of intestinal inflammation. The multiple myeloma appeared to have resulted from monoclonal gammopathy of undertermined significance in both patients, and was diagnosed by characteristic serum and bone marrow findings. Our findings suggested that multiple myeloma should be particularly considered in women of middle or advanced age with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's colitis and serum monoclonal gammopathy.

Female↗

PubMed1999

Impaired duodenal bicarbonate secretion and mucosal integrity in mice lacking prostaglandin E-receptor subtype EP(3).

BACKGROUND & AIMS: To examine the involvement of EP(3) receptors in physiological regulation of duodenal HCO(3)(-) secretion, we disrupted the gene encoding EP receptors in mice by homologous recombination and evaluated acid-induced HCO(3)(-) secretion, which is physiologically important in the mucosal defense against acid injury, using EP(1)- and EP(3)-receptor knockout mice. METHODS: The experiments were performed in the following 3 groups of mice after 18 hours of fasting: wild-type [WT (+/+)] mice, EP(1)-receptor knockout [EP(1) (-/-)] mice, and EP(3)-receptor knockout [EP(3) (-/-)] mice. Under urethane anesthesia, the proximal duodenal loop was perfused with saline that was gassed with 100% O(2), heated at 37 degrees C, and kept in a reservoir, and HCO(3)(-) secretion was measured at pH 7.0 using a pH-stat method and by adding 5 mmol/L HCl. RESULTS: The duodenum of WT (+/+) mice increased HCO(3)(-) secretion in response to luminal perfusion of prostaglandin E(2) and forskolin as well as mucosal acidification. The latter effect was significantly inhibited by prior administration of indomethacin. HCO(3)(-) response to acid was observed in EP(1) (-/-) mice but disappeared totally in EP(3) (-/-) animals, although the acidification increased mucosal PGE(2) generation by similar degrees in all groups. The HCO(3)(-) stimulatory action of PGE(2) was also absent in EP(3) (-/-) but not EP(1) (-/-) mice, but forskolin effect was observed in both groups of animals, similar to WT (+/+) mice. Perfusion of the duodenum with 20 mmol/L HCl for 4 hours caused severe damage in EP(3) (-/-) mice and WT (+/+) animals pretreated with indomethacin, but not in EP(1) (-/-) mice. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of EP(3)-receptors is essential for maintaining duodenal HCO(3)(-) secretion and mucosal integrity against luminal acid.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

1-Naphthol beta-D-glucuronide formed intraluminally in rat small intestine mucosa and absorbed into the colon.

UDP-glucuronosyltransferase expressed in the rat intestinal epithelial cells is important as the first barrier against chemicals. The distribution of 1-naphthol and its glucuronide formed in rat intestine was estimated by using everted intestine. Roughly 60% of the 1-naphthol added to the mucosal fluid was absorbed into the mucosa of the small intestine and colon within 30 min. Approximately 66% of the 1-naphthol absorbed in the proximal intestine was secreted intraluminally as a glucuronide, and a minimal 9% was transported into the serosal fluid as a glucuronide. In the distal intestine, approximately 34% was secreted intraluminally and 30% was transported into the serosal fluid as a glucuronide. The greatest amount of the glucuronide (37% of the absorbed 1-naphthol) was transported into the serosal fluid, whereas a minimal 7% was secreted intraluminally in the colon. In marked contrast, the colon was found to transport 1-naphthol-glucuronide from the mucosal fluid into the serosal fluid at an approximately 8-fold higher rate than that of the small intestine. These results suggest that, in the small intestine, phenolic xenobiotics are mostly glucuronidated and secreted intraluminally and that the resulting glucuronide is absorbed and transported into the serosal side of the colon.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Leptin in women with eating disorders.

The aim of the present study was to determine the factors controlling leptin secretion and to clarify the role of leptin in eating disorders. The subjects were 152 eating-disordered women with different fat mass, eating behavior, and endocrine abnormalities and 24 age-matched control subjects. The body fat mass, eating behavior score, and plasma leptin, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), triiodothyronine (T3), free thyroxine (T4), insulin, and cortisol levels were evaluated for each subject. In patients with eating disorder, logarithmic values for leptin were significantly correlated with the body fat mass (r = .828, P < .001), eating behavior score (r = .777, P < .001), and LH (r = .465, P < .001), FSH (r = .440, P < .001), T3 (r = .572, P < .001), insulin (r = .410, P < .001), and cortisol (r = -.389, P < .001) levels. After adjusting for fat mass, the partial correlations of log leptin with LH, FSH, insulin, and cortisol were not statistically significant, but log leptin remained correlated with T3 (r = .390, P < .01). Stepwise regression analysis showed that the body fat mass and eating behavior score were significant determinants of leptin levels. These results suggest that eating behavior, as well as the body fat mass, is the control factor for leptin secretion in eating disorders.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1999

Post-irradiation polymerization of composites containing bis-GMA and TEGDMA.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the amount of TEGDMA on post-irradiation polymerization of bis-GMA based composites. METHODS: Four experimental composites containing bis-GMA and TEGDMA at the ratios (w/w) of 75/25, 70/30, 67/33, and 50/50 were prepared. The degree of conversion of each composite was measured by Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy immediately after being cured and after 24 h of storage, and the post-irradiation polymerization was determined. In addition, the change in respective amounts of residual bis-GMA and TEGDMA in cured specimens over 24 h was determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Data were analyzed by means of ANOVA, followed by a Fisher's PLSD test at a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: At both stages of as-cured and after 24 h-sotrage, the composites containing greater amounts of TEGDMA showed a greater degree of conversion. The amount of post-irradiation polymerization decreased as the content of the incorporated TEGDMA increased. The reduction in the amount of TEGDMA remaining unreacted during post-irradiation polymerization also decreased as the content of TEGDMA increased, while the amount of unreacted bis-GMA showed almost constant values. SIGNIFICANCE: An increase in the amount of TEGDMA-incorporation in bis-GMA based composites resulted in less post-irradiation polymerization. As the change in the amount of residual unreacted TEGDMA in cured specimens showed the same trend as the results of the post-irradiation polymerization. TEGDMA is considered to be the main contributor to post-irradiation polymerization of bis-GMA based composites.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1999

Splenectomy attenuates superoxide anion release into the hepatic sinusoids after lipopolysaccharide challenge.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine whether the spleen contributes to superoxide anion release into the hepatic sinusoids and subsequent damage to endothelial cells of the hepatic sinusoids after lipopolysaccharide challenge. METHODS: Rats were given 2 mg/kg body weight lipopolysaccharide. Three hours after the treatment, superoxide anion release into the hepatic sinusoids was examined in a liver perfusion model using the cytochrome C method. Damage to endothelial cells of the hepatic sinusoids was assessed from the purine nucleoside phosphorylase/glutamic-pyruvic transaminase ratio in the liver perfusate. To further characterize the mechanisms behind these changes, these studies were done in rats given superoxide dismutase or an anti-TNFalpha antibody. To study whether the spleen plays a role in the mechanisms, experiments with splenectomized rats were performed. RESULTS: Lipopolysaccharide challenge resulted in superoxide anion release into the hepatic sinusoids and damage to endothelial cells of the hepatic sinusoids. These changes were significantly attenuated by the treatments with superoxide dismutase or an antibody against TNFalpha, as well as by splenectomy. The hepatic macrophage and Kupffer cell populations after lipopolysaccharide challenge were significantly smaller in the rats given splenectomy than in those given a sham operation. There were no significant differences in the neutrophil populations between the two groups. Levels of TNFalpha were significantly lower in the former than the latter, whereas there were no significant differences in levels of Interleukin-8 between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Splenectomy reduced the superoxide anion release into the hepatic sinusoids caused by the lipopolysaccharide challenge and subsequent damage to endothelial cells of the hepatic sinusoids. This supports the view that splenectomy has a protective effect in lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Increased 9,13-di-cis-retinoic acid in rat hepatic fibrosis: implication for a potential link between retinoid loss and TGF-beta mediated fibrogenesis in vivo.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: During hepatic fibrosis, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) transform into myofibroblastic cells and lose their intracellular droplets of retinyl esters, the storage form of vitamin A. Recently, we have demonstrated that 9,13-di-cis-retinoic acid (RA), a geometric isomer identified as a stable and major metabolite of vitamin A in circulation, stimulates the synthesis of plasminogen activator (PA) and induces PA/plasmin-dependent latent transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta activation in HSC cultures, probably via induction and activation of RA receptor (RAR) alpha. The aim of the present study was to address a potential link between the loss of retinyl esters to increased formation of RA(s), which might play a role in facilitating TGF-beta-mediated liver fibrogenesis in vivo. METHODS: We examined the effect of 9,13-di-cis-RA on transactivating activity of RARalpha in HeLa cells as well as its effect on PA- and TGF-beta-dependent collagen synthesis in rat and human HSC cultures. We measured the changes in 9,13-di-cis-RA levels both during activation of rat HSCs in vitro and during porcine serum-induced rat hepatic fibrosis in vivo and correlated this with RAR alpha/beta, PA, TGF-beta and type I procollagen mRNA expression in the fibrotic liver. RESULTS: 9,13-di-cis-RA transactivated RARalpha, and provoked PA/plasmin and TGF-beta-dependent procollagen synthesis in HSCs. 9,13-di-cis-RA levels were increased both in activated HSCs in vitro and in fibrotic liver accompanying the enhanced expression of RAR alpha/beta, PA, TGF-beta and procollagen in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest a potential link between 9,13-di-cis RA formation and hepatic fibrosis via formation of TGF-beta in vivo, and thus provide further insight into the biologic role of retinoids during hepatic fibrogenesis.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Water sorption and colour stability of composites containing the antibacterial monomer MDPB.

OBJECTIVES: Previously, we have reported that composites incorporating the newly developed antibacterial monomer methacryloyloxydodecylpyridinium bromide (MDPB) inhibited bacterial growth and plaque accumulation on their surfaces without releasing antibacterial components, and that the antibacterial effect was not lost even after ageing in a wet environment for a long period. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the incorporation of MDPB on the water sorption characteristic and colour stability of Bis-GMA based composites. METHODS: Cured disc-shaped specimens of composites containing 0.4% or 0.5% MDPB were fabricated, and water uptake, the diffusion coefficient and the surface contact angle for water were determined. Discoloration of MDPB-containing composites was evaluated after immersion in water at 37 degrees C and 60 degrees C for 4 weeks and compared with that of the control composite without MDPB. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in water uptake, diffusion coefficient and contact angle between the control and MDPB-containing composites. Although composites incorporating MDPB showed greater discoloration than the control when maintained at 37 degrees C, no difference was found after 4 weeks of immersion in water at 60 degrees C. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporation of small amounts of the antibacterial monomer MDPB showed no influence on the water sorption characteristic and affected a little the colour stability of the Bis-GMA based composite, causing rapid discoloration.

Absorption↗

PubMed1999

Rapid ex vivo expansion of human umbilical cord hematopoietic progenitors using a novel culture system.

Cell numbers limit the widespread clinical use of cord blood (CB) for gene therapy and marrow replacement in adults; a simple and effective method for ex vivo expansion of CB primitive progenitor cells (PPC) is required. Recently, the combination of thrombopoietin (TPO) and Flk-2/Flt-3 ligand (FL-2) was reported to support slow proliferation of CB-PPC in stroma-free liquid culture. We established a novel culture system in which the murine stromal cell line HESS-5 dramatically supports the rapid expansion of cryopreserved CB-PPC in synergy with TPO/FL-2. Furthermore, while HESS-5 cells directly adhered to human progenitors during culture, the cultured human cells could easily be harvested without contamination by HESS-5 cells. Within 7 days of culture, a 100-fold increase in CD34bright/CD38dim cells was obtained in serum-containing culture. When HESS-5 cells were physically separated from human progenitor cells in the presence of TPO/FL-2, synergy was blocked, suggesting that HESS-5 cells support proliferation of PPC by direct cell-to-cell interaction. The hematopoietic-supportive effects of this xenogeneic coculture system were then assessed in a very short-term (5 days) serum-free culture. Expansion was further enhanced by addition of stem cell factor (SCF) or interleukin-3 (IL-3). As a result, a 50- to 100-fold increase in CD34bright/CD38dim cells was noted. Colony-forming units in culture (CFU-C) and mixed colonies (CFU-GEMM) were enhanced by 10- to 30-fold and 10- to 20-fold, respectively. Moreover, generation of long-term-culture-initiating cells (LTC-IC) from CD34bright/CD38dim cells was amplified by 25-fold. The severe-combined immunodeficient (SCID) mouse-repopulating cell (SRC) assay confirmed extensive ability of the expanded cells to reconstitute long-term hematopoiesis. These results indicate that this xenogeneic coculture system, in combination with human cytokines, can rapidly generate PPC from cryopreserved CB.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

An in vivo model of human skin acute graft-versus-host disease: transplantation of cultured human epidermal cells and dermal fibroblasts with human lymphocytes into SCID mice.

The ability of mixed epidermal cell-lymphocyte reactions to detect allogeneic reactivities in an in vivo model was investigated by developing an in vivo model of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), using SCID mice with a C.B-17 background in which human skin structures were generated by transplantation of cultured human epidermal cells (HEC) with dermal fibroblasts (HDFC). Suspensions containing cultured HEC and HDFC from a single donor were mixed with autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) or with PBMNC from unrelated individuals, and were injected into the flanks of C.B-17-SCID mice. Ten and 21 days after injection, subcutaneous nodules generated in the mice were examined histologically and immunohistochemically. Cystic structures developing after injection of HEC and HDFC without human PBMNC showed normal epidermislike tissue. Human skin generated in SCID mice injected with HEC and HDFC with auto-PBMNC showed no graft-versus-host reaction (GVHR) histologically, whereas those mice injected with PBMNC from siblings that shared an HLA haplotype showed mild GVHR. Human skin in SCID mice injected with HEC and HDFC with histoincompatible unrelated PBMNC showed moderate to severe GVHR. The severity of GVHR paralleled the dose of unrelated PBMNC, and GVHR was prevented by peroral treatment with cyclosporine A. Immunohistochemically, inflammatory cells infiltrating human cutaneous tissue formed in the SCID mice were stained by an anti-human CD45RO antibody that reacts with human T cells but not with murine lymphocytes, and most T cells were stained by an anti-human CD8 antibody recognizing HLA class I antigens. These findings are similar to those in clinical skin graft-versus host disease (GVHD) observed in patients undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. This experimental system should be useful as an in vivo model of human skin GVHD.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Glutathione depletion causes an uncoupling effect on retinal horizontal cells through oxidative stress.

To investigate a physiological role of glutathione in the horizontal cells of carp retina, the gap junctional intercellular communication between horizontal cells was studied using the techniques of intracellular recording of light-induced responses and coupling of the fluorescence dye Lucifer Yellow. Intravitreal injection of 2.5 micromol L-buthionine sulfoximine, an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis, induced a dramatic reduction (20% of control) of retinal glutathione level two days after treatment. The low level of glutathione continued for a further four to five days, and thereafter gradually recovered to about 40% (20 days after injection) and 70% (50 days after injection) of the control level. The spatial properties of the photopic L-type horizontal cell response were examined by enlarging the diameter of the central spot and peripheral annulus over the recording point. In normal retinas, the response amplitude of horizontal cells was monotonically enhanced as the diameter of the spot increased (0.5-4.0 mm) and correspondingly the dye diffusion area was wide, as the injected Lucifer Yellow normally diffused to several neighboring cells. Treatment with L-buthionine sulfoximine significantly altered the spatial properties of horizontal cells by increasing the response amplitude to central spots and slightly decreasing that to peripheral annuli, which were observed by four days after injection. It also restricted intracellular Lucifer Yellow to one or two cells. Accompanying the recovery of the cellular level of glutathione, the spatial properties and dye coupling of horizontal cells were restored to normal. A time lag (two days) of initiation in retinal glutathione depletion and alteration of spatial or dye coupling properties of horizontal cells is discussed, together with reactive oxygen species accumulation.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Fast and slow recovery phases of goldfish behavior after transection of the optic nerve revealed by a computer image processing system.

As the goldfish is a common experimental animal for vision research, including psychophysical behavior, it is very important to quantitatively score fish behavior. We have previously developed a computer image processing system which can acquire the positional coordinates of goldfish moving freely in an aquarium and determine turning directions (go straight, right or left turn). In the present study, an algorithm to determine tilting angles of moving goldfish was constructed. We also made histograms for quantifying the interaction between pairs of goldfish (two-point distance). By using these histograms, we estimated the time-course of behavioral regeneration after optic nerve transection in goldfish. Control goldfish showed an equal percentage of right or left turns and maintained an upright position in a dorsoventral axis. When the optic nerve of a goldfish was unilaterally sectioned, the goldfish showed predominant turning and slight tilting toward the intact eye. The abnormal turning and tilting behaviors lasted for 10-14 days and then gradually decreased, returning to control behaviors by one month after the unilateral transection. When the optic nerve of a single goldfish was bilaterally sectioned, it did not show any preferential turning and tilting behavior, which is similar to what was observed in control goldfish. However, the trace maps showed that, after bilateral sectioning, fish preferred to cross the center of the tank, which was unlike control fish. In control pairs, one goldfish chased the other with a fixed small range of two-point distances. However, in pairs of goldfish with bilateral transection of the optic nerve, the blind goldfish behaved independently of each other, with a long two-point distance. The long two-point distance of the blind goldfish lasted for at least two months and then slowly returned to control two-point distance by four months after bilateral transection. Such fast and slow recovery in goldfish behaviors evoked after unilateral and bilateral transection of the optic nerve is discussed with respect to reconnection of regenerating optic nerves in the fish central nervous system. This computer image processing system is a useful tool with which we can quickly and easily quantify fish behavior.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1999

Severe iridodialysis from phacoemulsification tip suction.

During cataract surgery, the iris of an 83-year-old woman was strongly sucked into the phacoemulsification tip twice, resulting in severe iridodialysis. The dehisced iris was sutured to the sclera using double-armed 10-0 polypropylene on a long curved needle. Intensive suction of the iris by the phacoemulsification tip can lead to severe iridodialysis. Machine setting parameters, particularly flow rate, should be lowered after the first iris suction to avoid further iris damage.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Influence of phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation on the course of diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To study the effect of phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation on the course of diabetic retinopathy using the nonoperated fellow eye as a control. SETTING: Departments of Ophthalmology, Diabetes Center, Tokyo Women's Medical University, and University of Tokyo School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. METHODS: One eye of 66 diabetic patients who preoperatively had a similar stage of retinopathy in both eyes or no retinopathy bilaterally had cataract surgery. The course of diabetic retinopathy was followed for 1 year postoperatively. Patients were placed into 1 of 2 groups: Group A, progression of retinopathy in the operated eye was attributable to the surgical invasion (i.e., there was progression of retinopathy only in the operated eye or more progression in the operated eye than in the nonoperated fellow eye); Group B, no deterioration of retinopathy bilaterally, comparable level of deterioration in both eyes, or greater progression in the nonoperated eye than in the operated eye. RESULTS: Surgery resulted in retinopathy progression in 16 patients (24.2%, Group A): 13 with unilateral deterioration and 3 with greater progression in the operated than in the nonoperated fellow eye. Of the remaining 50 patients (75.8%, Group B), 39 presented no significant progression in either eye, 8 had bilaterally comparable progression, and 3 showed progression in the nonoperated fellow eye only. Retinopathy worsened in the operated eye in 24 cases (36.3%); of these, changes in 16 patients were attributed to surgical influence. There was no significant difference between Groups A and B in age, diabetes mellitus duration, diabetes treatment method, and preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin A1c levels. The distribution of preoperative retinopathy stage significantly differed between groups, with more patients without retinopathy in Group A and more patients with advanced retinopathy in Group B. CONCLUSION: Factors such as age, diabetes mellitus duration, diabetes treatment method, and hemoglobin A1c level did not affect the progression of retinopathy; however, preoperative status of retinopathy may influence the susceptibility of the retinopathy to surgical invasion. A considerable proportion of eyes with aggravation of retinopathy would reflect the natural course of the disease, systemic factors, or both rather than the influence of cataract surgery.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Inducible types of cyclooxygenase and nitric oxide synthase in adaptive cytoprotection in rat stomachs.

Roles of cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2) and nitric oxide (NO) synthases (nNOS and iNOS) in adaptive cytoprotection induced by 20 mM taurocholate dissolved in 50 mM HCl (TC) were investigated in rat stomachs. Intragastric administration of 0.6 N HCl caused haemorrhagic damage in the stomach. These lesions were prevented by pretreatment of the animals with TC p.o. 0.5 h before 0.6 N HCl, and a significant protection persisted for more than 5 h. The protection afforded by TC given 0.5 h before HCl was almost totally reversed by indomethacin and slightly mitigated by N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) but not affected by NS-398 or aminoguanidine. By contrast, the mucosal protective action of TC given 5 h before HCl was significantly reversed by NS-398, L-NAME and aminoguanidine as well as indomethacin. Mucosal prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) contents were significantly increased for over 5 h after TC, while luminal NOx output tended to elevate at 0.5 h and be significantly increased at 5 h after TC. The increased PGE2 generation observed 0.5 h after TC was attenuated only by indomethacin, while that observed 5 h after TC was inhibited by NS-398 as well as indomethacin. On the other hand, the NOx output determined at 5 h after TC was significantly reduced by both L-NAME and aminoguanidine. The expression of mRNA for both COX-2 and iNOS was apparently detected in the stomach from 3 h after TC treatment. These results suggest that TC induced adaptive cytoprotection in the rat stomach against 0.6 N HCl, the effect lasting for over 5 h, and the underlying mechanism differs depending on the period after the irritation. The early phase is mediated mainly by COX-1/PGs, while the later phase is mediated by iNOS/NO, in addition to prostaglandins (PGs) produced by both COX-1 and COX-2.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Severe skeletal complications in Japanese patients with type 1 Gaucher disease.

To better characterize skeletal complications in Japanese patients with type 1 Gaucher disease (GD), we performed genotyping and clinical and radiological analysis of 35 patients, the vast majority of this population, Skeletal complications tend to be very common, severe and rapidly progressive in Japanese patients with type 1 GD. Twenty (57%) of these patients manifested end points of severe bone disease including avascular necrosis, pathological fracture and/or bone crisis. Mean time from presentation/diagnosis of GD until presentation of this involvement was 3 years 6 months +/- 4 years 1 month. Prevalence of severe bone disease is significantly higher in splenectomized than in non-splenectomized patients--81% (17/21) versus 21% (3/14) (p = 0.0007, Fisher's exact test). Four (29%) of 14 patients receiving enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) or bone marrow transplantation (BMT) manifested severe bone involvement for the first time during or after treatment. All cases occurred in children in whom ERT doses had been lowered after only brief administration of higher starting doses (n = 3) or partial donor marrow engraftment resulted in low glucocerebrosidase (GCR) activity (n = 1). These observations suggest that splenectomy may correlate with accelerated skeletal deterioration with severe skeletal disease, at least in patients with severe phenotypic expression. They also suggest that it is important that sufficient GCR is available in paediatric patients with severe phenotypic expression. Hence ERT dosages should be based on disease severity and on age, with sustained administration of full doses in patients at greater risk of important skeletal complications.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Quantitative chromosome map of the polyploid Saccharum spontaneum by multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization and imaging methods.

Somatic chromosomes of a wild relative of sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum L.) anther culture-derived clone (AP 85-361, 2n = 32) were identified and characterized by computer-aided imaging technology and molecular cytological methods. The presence of four satellite chromosomes and four nearly identical chromosome sets suggests that the clone is a tetrahaploid with the basic number x = 8. A quantitative chromosome map, or idiogram, was developed using image analysis of the condensation pattern (CP) at the prometaphase stage of somatic chromosomes. The 45S and 5S ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) loci were simultaneously visualized by multi-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (McFISH) and precisely localized to the regions of 3p3.1 and 6q1.3 on the idiogram. The simultaneous visualization of two sets of four ribosomal RNA genes confirms tetraploidy of this clone. This conclusion is consistent with results of molecular marker mapping. The quantitative chromosome map produced will become the foundation for genome analyses based on chromosome identity and structure. Previously impossible identification of small chromosomes and untestable hypotheses about the polyploid nature of plants can now be settled with these two approaches of quantitative karyotyping and FISH.

Chromosomes↗

PubMed1999

Expression of 5-HT2A and 5-HT1B receptor mRNA in blood vessels.

Expression of two subtypes of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors, 5-HT1B and 5-HT2A, was investigated in normal rat arteries (abdominal aorta) and veins (inferior vena cava) by the quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The arterial 5-HT2A receptor mRNA level in artery was 25-fold (p < 0.01) higher than the venous level, and the arterial 5-HT1B receptor mRNA level was at least 7000-fold (p < 0.005) higher the venous level.

Animals↗