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S Kinoshita

Publications and source records attributed to S Kinoshita.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

A novel heat stress-responsive gene in the marine diatom Chaetoceros compressum encoding two types of transcripts, a trypsin-like protease and its related protein, by alternative RNA splicing.

We investigated the change of mRNA expression patterns in the laboratory-grown diatom Chaetoceros compressum under heat-stress conditions by mRNA arbitrarily primed (RAP) RT-PCR. Cells grown at 20 degrees C were subjected to heat treatment at 30 degrees C for 15 min and subsequently maintained at 20 degrees C for 8 h. Four genes including HI-5 were detected as heat stress-responsive genes by fingerprint analysis of RAP RT-PCR. Cloning for full-length cDNA sequences of HI-5 transcripts and related genomic DNA analysis revealed that two types of mRNA, HI-5a and HI-5b, were transcribed from the single HI-5 gene. While the HI-5a protein contained a catalytic domain characteristic to trypsin-like proteases, the HI-5b protein lacked this domain due to an insertion in the associated mRNA of 112 nucleotides; this insertion sequence contained a stop codon near the central region. Quantitative RT-PCR was performed to investigate the changes in expression levels of the two types of mRNA following heat treatment. The HI-5b transcripts were constitutively expressed in both unstressed and heat-stressed cells. In contrast, the number of HI-5a transcripts markedly increased in cells immediately after heat stress, reaching levels 19-fold higher at 8 h after heat stress than that in unstressed cells. These results suggest that RNA splicing plays a key role in heat stress-dependent expression of the HI-5a and HI-5b transcripts from the single HI-5 gene in the diatom.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed2001

Apparent bradycardia-dependent right bundle branch block associated with atrial fibrillation: concealed electrotonic conduction as a possible mechanism.

A 79-year-old woman with atrial fibrillation was reported in whom apparent bradycardia-dependent right bundle branch block was suggested. When a conducted supraventricular impulse occurred within a critical period after the preceding conducted impulse, the impulse was blocked in the right bundle branch except when it fell in the supernormal period of the right bundle branch. When the conducted impulse occurred between the critical period and another longer period, it was conducted without bundle branch block. When the impulse occurred beyond that longer period, it was usually blocked in the bundle branch again. However, when the impulse occurred beyond a still longer period, it was conducted without bundle branch block again. These findings suggest that when impulses fell in the right bundle branch shortly after the preceding conducted impulses, they were blocked in both bundle branches; however, it seemed that concealed electrotonic conduction of the blocked impulses affected conduction of the subsequent impulses.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Repetitive supernormal conduction in the right bundle branch in high degree bilateral bundle branch block.

Electrocardiograms were taken from a 67-year-old woman with high-degree atrioventricular block in which ventricular escape beats of right bundle branch block pattern occurred, accompanying occasional ventricular capture beats. Only when a sinus P wave occurred 0.60 s after the preceding escape beat, it was followed by a capture beat of left bundle branch block pattern with the RP interval of 0.60 s and the PR interval of 0.19 s. Similar left bundle branch block with left axis deviation pattern had been shown in the electrocardiogram taken 2 years before. Such RP and PR intervals in capture beats were invariable. These suggest that capture beats occurred as a result of supernormal conduction in the right bundle branch, which denies the possibility of ventricular extrasystoles. Such capture beats with the above RP and PR intervals were observed repeatedly.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Ventricular parasystolic couplets originating in the pathway between the ventricle and the parasystolic pacemaker: mechanism of "irregular" parasystole.

This article explains the mechanism of "irregular" parasystole. Two theories have been suggested: "electrotonic modulation" and "type I second degree entrance block." This study attempts to clarify the mechanism of irregular parasystole in cases of true ventricular parasystole associated with ventricular parasystolic couplets. Cases associated with ventricular parasystolic couplets were selected from 37 clinical cases of true ventricular parasystole in which one or more pure parasystolic cycles with no intervening nonectopic QRS complexes were found. Of the 37 cases of true ventricular parasystole, ventricular parasystolic couplets were found in 4 cases. In none of the other 33 cases, ventricular parasystolic couplets were found. In all the cases coexisting with ventricular parasystolic couplets, the latter ectopic QRS complex of the couplet failed to reset the parasystolic rhythm. The above findings suggest that the latter ectopic QRS complex of the parasystolic couplet originated not in the parasystolic pacemaker but in the pathway between the ventricle and the parasystolic pacemaker. It seems that when a sinus impulse fell late in the parasystolic cycle, it passed through the site of second degree entrance block and that the parasystolic couplets originated from the reentrant pathway between the ventricle and the pacemaker. This strengthens our previous suggestion that the mechanism of irregular parasystole is governed by "type I second degree entrance block" and not by "electrotonic modulation."

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Expression of sex steroid hormone receptors in human cornea.

PURPOSE: Previously we reported the occurrence of estrogen receptor alpha (ER beta), estrogen receptor beta (ER beta) and androgen receptor (AR) in mouse corneas. The present study was designed to investigate the occurrence of various sex steroid hormone receptors, including ER alpha, progesterone receptor (PR) and AR, in human corneas. METHODS: We used reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to look for sex hormone receptor mRNAs (ER alpha, PR and AR) in human corneal epithelial cells obtained at autopsy. Next, using an immunocytochemical technique, we localized these receptors in donor human corneas. RESULTS: mRNAs encoding all receptors tested for were found in corneal epithelial cells obtained from male and female donor eyes. Immunocytochemical examination revealed that the receptors were located in the nuclei of corneal epithelial, stromal, and endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: Since receptors for both male and female sex hormones are present in human corneas of both genders, we postulate that the receptors may influence the biological functions of corneal cells through direct interaction with specific hormones.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) production by cytokine-stimulated human Müller cells.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether or not human Müller cells synthesize interleukin (IL)-6. METHODS: Using RT-PCR, we first confirmed whether cultured human Müller cells express IL-6 mRNA. Then, to determine Müller cell IL-6 production after stimulation, cultured Müller cells were exposed to various concentrations of IL-1beta (0.2 ng/ml, 2 ng/ml, 20 ng/ml) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (0.001 microg/ml, 0.1 microg/ml, 10 microg/ml) in 24 hr assays. In addition, to determine Müller cell time-dependent induction of IL-6 production, cultured Müller cells were exposed to IL-1beta (0.02 ng/ml, 2 ng/ml) or LPS (10 microg/ml) for 6, 12, 24, 36 hr. IL-6 production in supernatants was quantified by ELISA: RESULTS: IL-6 mRNA was expressed in cultured human Müller cells, which produced IL-6 after stimulation with either IL-1beta or LPS for 24 hours. IL-1beta was a significantly more potent stimulator of IL-6 production than was LPS. Exposure of cultured human Müller cells to either IL-1beta or LPS stimulated IL-6 production in a time-dependent fashion. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that human Müller cells can produce IL-6 when stimulated by IL-1beta or LPS. Müller cell IL-6 production may have an important role in various conditions involving ocular inflammation

Cell Division↗
PubMed2001

Vitreous levels of insulin-like growth factor-I in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

The levels of IGF-I in the vitreous body and the intraocular fluid of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) were determined using radioimmunoassay (RIA). Eleven vitreous specimens were obtained from the intraocular fluid of eyes of patients with PDR who underwent surgery during the operation. Eleven intraocular fluids from the same patients during reoperations were compared with controls. The expression of IGF-I mRNA in cultured human Muller glial cells was evaluated using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The mean IGF-I level in the vitreous samples during initial PDR surgery and reoperation was significantly higher than that found in the vitreous of the control (p < 0.05). The level of IGF-I increased in 6 of the 11 cases. Cultured human Muller cells expressed IGF-I mRNA. The results indicate increased levels of IGF-I both in the initial vitreous and ocular fluid at post-operative re-proliferation. Muller cell is suggested as an origin of local IGF-I production.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

The detection of bacteria and bacterial biofilms in punctal plug holes.

PURPOSE: An investigation into bacterial biofilm formation on and in punctal plugs. METHODS: The study involved 21 patients with severe dry eye whose puncta were occluded by the use of punctal plugs. Of these, 15 had Sjögren's syndrome, 3 had non-Sjögren's syndrome, 2 had Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and 1 had graft-versus-host disease. From 17 of the 21 subjects, 18 samples of material were extracted from the holes of the punctal plugs (16 unilateral and 1 bilateral) and were subjected to enrichment culture. Nineteen punctal plugs were removed and processed for electron microscopy: 15 by scanning electron microscopy, and 4 by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Positive cultures were found in 8 of 18 (44%) samples of the material extracted from the holes of punctal plugs. In six of these eight cases (75%) the cultured bacterial species was Staphylococcus epidermidis, whereas in the other two cases (25%) it was S. aureus. In 8 of the 15 punctal plugs examined by scanning electron microscopy and in the material extracted from 1 plug that was examined by transmission electron microscopy, there was clear evidence of bacterial colonization. CONCLUSION: Careful observation of patients with punctal plugs is important. If material accumulates in or on a punctal plug, it may contain bacteria and may form a bacterial biofilm. In these cases, replacement of the plug, clearing of the hole, or an alternative treatment should be considered.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Standardization of laboratory data and establishment of reference intervals in the Fukuoka Prefecture: a Japanese perspective.

Standardization of 22 clinical chemistry analytes and five serum protein constituents has been performed in the Fukuoka Prefecture, which has a population of approximately five million. The standardization project was established to determine reference intervals for these analytes by educating physicians, medical technologists and staff of medical institutions, and by daily or monthly monitoring the use of common control samples through e-mail. Standardization extended to 97% of the institutions in the prefecture. Results for 14 of the 22 clinical chemistry analytes have become highly reliable and differences between institutions decreased. Standardization of other analytes is now in progress. Regional collaboration based on international guidelines led to a significant improvement in interlaboratory comparability. Areas where further improvements are needed have been identified.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

The role of involuntary aware memory in the implicit stem and fragment completion tasks: a selective review.

In this article I argue that an awareness of the study episode that arises involuntarily during an implicit stem/fragment completion test can under some conditions lead to enhanced repetition priming effects, even though subjects are not engaged in intentional retrieval. I review findings that are consistent with this possibility, which include the effects of depth of processing, and of typography match and new association priming following deep encoding. A theoretical account of involuntary aware memory couched within Moscovitch's (1995b) memory systems framework which suggests that the medial-temporal lobe/hippocampal (MTL/H) complex functions as a memory module is outlined. A putative mechanism is proposed in which involuntary aware memory of a studied item enhances the size of repetition priming effects by guiding its selection in preference to the competitors.

Attention↗
PubMed2001

[Molecular biology techniques as clinical laboratory tests].

The quality of results obtained with molecular biology techniques depends on the control of preanalytical and analytical error associated with such techniques. Preanalytical error can be introduced during the isolation of DNA and RNA. The type of detergent used in cell lysis can affect the amplification of DNA by techniques such as the polymerase chain reaction(PCR). Ribonuclease(RNase) contamination is a serious problem in the isolation of undegraded RNA, and, thus, this enzyme should be inhibited. Anticoagulants used for blood collection can affect the quality of results with molecular biology techniques. The control of contamination from the working environment is essential to the minimization of preanalytical, analytical and postanalytical error. Molecular biology techniques for a wide range of clinical laboratory tests have been established in hospitals such as clinical laboratory tests for infections, molecular diagnoses of leukemia and aberrant genes in metabolism.

Blood Coagulation Factors↗
PubMed2001

Elevated expression of transglutaminase 1 and keratinization-related proteins in conjunctiva in severe ocular surface disease.

PURPOSE: In severe ocular surface diseases, pathologic keratinization of the ordinarily nonkeratinized corneal and conjunctival mucosal epithelia results in severe visual loss. The expression in conjunctivalized corneas of various proteins known to play important roles in the physiological keratinization process in human epidermis was examined to better understand the mechanism of keratinization. METHODS: Conjunctiva covering the cornea was examined in 12 eyes with ocular surface disease in the chronic cicatricial phase. These comprised four Stevens-Johnson syndrome, four ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, and four chemical injuries. Normal conjunctivas from four age-matched individuals served as controls. Semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to investigate transglutaminase 1 gene expression and immunohistochemistry to study the expression of transglutaminase 1 protein along with other keratinization-related proteins (involucrin, loricrin, filaggrin, and cytokeratins 1 and 10) and cytokeratin pairs 4/13 and 3/12. RESULTS: Semiquantitative RT-PCR showed that transglutaminase 1 mRNA expression was upregulated in keratinized conjunctiva compared with normal. Also, in this tissue, immunohistochemistry demonstrated elevated levels of transglutaminase 1, involucrin, filaggrin, and the cytokeratin pair 1/10. Levels of loricrin and cytokeratin pairs 4/13 and 3/12, however, remained the same. CONCLUSIONS: Various keratinization-related proteins, transglutaminase 1 included, are most likely involved in the pathogenesis of cicatrizing ocular surface diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Adverse effects of beta-blocker eye drops on the ocular surface].

PURPOSE: We investigated the adverse effects of beta-blocker eye drops on tears and ocular surface epithelium. METHODS: We studied twenty-three eyes of twenty three glaucoma patients [10 males, 13 females: 53.8 +/- 12.2 (yrs; mean +/- standard deviation)] treated with beta-blocker eye drops for more than three months and thirty two control subjects (16 males, 16 females: 50.4 +/- 10.9). The parameters described below were compared between the groups: 1. the radius of tear meniscus curvature, 2. grades for tear lipid layer interference patterns, 3. non-invasive breakup time (N-BUT), 4. cotton thread value, 5. scores of fluorescein staining, 6. fluorescein breakup time (F-BUT), 7. scores of rose bengal staining, 8. and Schirmer I value. RESULTS: The glaucoma group showed a significant decrease in the radius of tear meniscus curvature (p = 0.0007), a significantly lower distribution in the grades for tear lipid layer interference patterns (p = 0.0270), a significant difference in the scores of fluorescein staining (p < 0.0001), a significant shortening in F-BUT (p = 0.0050), a significantly higher distribution in the scores of rose Bengal staining (p = 0.0010), and a significantly smaller value in Schirmer I value (p = 0.0042). However, there was no significant difference in N-BUT and cotton thread value. CONCLUSIONS: These results clearly demonstrate that the ocular surface in glaucoma patients treated with beta-blocker eye drops show dry-eye-like changes in terms of tears and ocular surface epithelium.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed2001

[Genetic polymorphism and risk of thromboses].

We have attempted to establish a systematic pathogenetic analysis of thrombophilia by including assays of antithrombin III(AT III), protein C(PC), protein S(PS), fibrinogen, plasminogen and heparin cofactor II by both functional and immunological methods as well as detecting lupus anticoagulants. Such a comprehensive scheme was instrumental in systematically identifying and confirming the pathogenesis of 164 cases which otherwise would have escaped detection since 1994 in our laboratory (Kyushu University Hospital). The analysis was conducted on 485 consecutive patients with venous thrombosis, arterial thrombosis and disorders in which small vessel thrombosis were implicated. Hundred and sixty four patients, (40% of the examined patients), were found to have low activities of PS, PC, ATIII etc. Among them, seventy five patients(46%) had low PS activity, and twenty nine(18%) had low PC activity. Genetic analyses performed on specimens with low PS/PC activities resulted in the confirmation of 24 genetic abnormalities. Such genetic abnormalities, however, does not solely lead to the pathogenesis of thromboses. We have found that some genetic polymorphisms, such as PS Tokushima, factor XII 46C allele, were also additional risk factors for thromboses.

Antithrombin III↗
PubMed2001

Effects of dividing attention on the memory-block effect.

S. M. Smith and D. R. Tindell (1997) reported that prior study of words that are orthographically similar to the solutions of test word fragments (e.g., studying ANALOGY and completing the fragment A_L _ _GY, whose solution is ALLERGY) reduced the fragment completion rate relative to a baseline condition in which unrelated words were studied. They called this effect the memory-block effect. In the present experiment, the authors replicated this effect using a larger set of materials than that used by S. M. Smith and D. R. Tindell. The authors also found that dividing attention at study eliminated the memory-block effect. This pattern mimicked the effect of dividing attention on recognition memory but differed from the effect on repetition priming effects. The authors suggest that the memory-block effect is driven by a mechanism different from that responsible for producing repetition priming effects in an implicit fragment completion test.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Clinical laboratory data and reference intervals standardized in Fukuoka].

In Fukuoka whose population is approximately five million inhabitants, surveys on the accuracy of laboratory data have been performed by the Fukuoka Prefecture Medical Association for the last 30 years. We have been attempting to evaluate the data for routine use since 1988, and it has become possible to share laboratory data between all institutions in Fukuoka prefectures. As a result, reference intervals for 23 clinical chemistry analytes were established in 1995, to which were added in 1996 five serum protein constituents that have been utilized for clinical examinations. Methods for documentations and monitorings the data obtained in the prefecture were also established, standardization of the above analytes extended to 97% of the institutions in the prefecture. Results for 14 of the 23 clinical chemistry analytes have become highly reliable and clinically useful as differences between institutions in terms of results have narrowed. Standardization of other analytes is now in progress.

Aged↗