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Biomedical subjects

S Kinoshita

Publications and source records attributed to S Kinoshita.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Reflective meniscometry: a new field of dry eye assessment.

PURPOSE: To report a newly developed noninvasive method to measure the radius of tear meniscus curvature (reflective meniscometry) and its application to normal eyes, dry eyes, and other ocular surface conditions. METHODS: Two types of meniscometer--photographic and video--were devised. Both use tear meniscus as a concave mirror, and a specular reflex of an illuminated target at the meniscus was photographed or videotaped to obtain the radius of tear meniscus curvature. The photographic system was applied to 45 normal and 32 dry eyes; in the dry eyes, the radius of tear meniscus curvature was compared to the results of other dry eye examinations. The video system was used to examine meniscus formation on the ocular surface in patients with ocular surface irregularities. RESULTS: The radii of tear meniscus curvature were significantly lower in dry eyes (0.250 +/- 0.086 mm, mean +/- SD) than in normal eyes (0.365 +/- 0.153; p = 0.0003). There were significant correlations between the radius and fluorescein staining score (p = 0.0032) and the grading of interference colors on the precorneal oil film (p = 0.0125). Videomeniscometry demonstrated the tear meniscus to be very stable and proved to be useful in the study of menisci at the edge of rigid contact lenses and other menisci encountered in ocular surface disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of the radius of tear meniscus curvature may be useful in the diagnosis of dry eyes. Reflective meniscometry is expected to find wide applications in the analysis of tear meniscus in ocular surface disorders.

Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological↗
PubMed2000

The height and radius of the tear meniscus and methods for examining these parameters.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between the radius of tear meniscus curvature (TMR) and tear meniscus height (TMH). METHODS: Twenty-nine eyes of dry-eye patients (all left eyes; two males, 27 females, aged 26 to 85 years [mean +/- SD; 60 +/- 14.4]) were enrolled in the study. TMR was measured at the tear meniscus of the central lower lid with a newly developed videomeniscometer. At the same region of the eye, TMHs were measured without fluorescein (TMH-M) and after 5 minutes with fluorescein (TMH-MF), using a slit lamp equipped with a micrometer. TMHs were also measured on cross-sectional photographs of the fluorescein-stained meniscus (TMH-P). RESULTS: The values of TMR, TMH-M, TMH-MF, and TMH-P (mean +/- SD, mm) were 0.22 +/- 0.09, 0.19 +/- 0.09, 0.21 +/- 0.14, and 0.24 +/- 0.09, respectively. There was significant correlation between TMR and TMH-M, TMH-MF, and TMH-P values (TMR versus TMH-M: r = 0.596, p = 0.0005; TMR versus TMH-MF: r = 0.587, p = 0.0006; TMR versus TMH-P: r = 0.605, p = 0.0003). CONCLUSION: There is a significant correlation between TMR and TMH. Videomeniscometry has some merits over conventional methods for obtaining tear meniscus parameters.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Observation of corneal epithelial disturbance through soft contact lens using fluorescein dextran.

PURPOSE: To confirm the usefulness of fluorescein dextran as a vital dye for observing corneal epithelial disturbance through a medical-use soft contact lens. METHODS: Ten percent fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-dextran) was used as the staining dye. Patients with corneal epithelial disturbance who were wearing therapeutic soft contact lenses were observed using FITC-dextran. RESULTS: Through the soft contact lens, FITC-dextran enabled corneal disturbance observation similar to that seen with sodium fluorescein. In a case of corneal perforation, as well, positive Seidel's test was confirmed through the soft contact lens using this technique. CONCLUSION: FITC-dextran is considered a useful dye for examining the corneal epithelial condition without contact lens removal.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Epithelial barrier function and ultrastructure of gelatinous drop-like corneal dystrophy.

PURPOSE: Recently, mutations in the M1S1 gene have been identified as responsible for gelatinous drop-like corneal dystrophy (GDLD). How the abnormal M1S1 gene product causes GDLD is not known, although evidence suggests that it may compromise corneal epithelial function. This investigation attempted to determine the effect of the abnormal M1S1 gene product by assessing epithelial barrier function and epithelial ultrastructure in GDLD corneas. METHODS: Epithelial barrier function was assessed on the basis of fluorescein uptake. The method used a modified slit-lamp fluorophotometer. High-resolution scanning electron and atomic force microscopy was used to investigate the amyloid deposits and epithelial cell structure. RESULTS: Epithelial permeability was orders of magnitude higher in GDLD corneas than normal. The structure of the amyloid deposits was characterized, and clear abnormalities in epithelial morphology and cell junctions were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The high epithelial permeability observed in GDLD corneas was directly correlated with abnormalities in epithelial structure, including irregular cell junctions. This suggests that the abnormal M1S1 gene product may affect epithelial cell junctions resulting in increased cell permeability in GDLD corneas.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Search for Staphylococcus aureus heterogeneously resistant to vancomycin (hetero-VRSA) in MRSA strains isolated from clinical samples during 1990s].

Hetero-VRSA was studied in 978 MRSA strains isolated from clinical samples during 1991 to 1998. Although no VRSA was detected, 23 strains (2.4%) were identified as hetero-VRSA by the vancomycin-resistance using MU3 agar plate. The frequency of hetero-VRSA was not increased in the course of time. MIC of the hetero-VRSA to vancomycin and teicoplanin was 1-2 micrograms/ml and 0.5-12 micrograms/ml, respectively. All of the hetero-VRSA strains were confirmed as a heterogeneous strain by a population analysis. Although 43% of the hetero-VRSA strains were coagulase type II, positive for TSST-1, and enterotoxin type C, others were various in the characteristics. In the gene analysis by pulse field gelelectrophoresis (PFGE), 4 sets of 2 strains were found to be identical among the 23 strains but the other 15 strains were genetically different. We speculate that hetero-VRSA strains were generated in 1991 secondary possibly by use of beta-lactam antibiotics.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2000

Conjunctival inflammation in the chronic phase of Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

AIMS: To understand the immunopathogenesis of the corneal conjunctivalisation in Stevens-Johnson syndrome. METHODS: Conjunctivalised corneas from five patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome were studied immunohistochemically for several cell surface antigens and two cytokines. Chemical injury specimens were also studied. RESULTS: In all cases, immunohistochemistry revealed LFA-1, CD4, CD8, and CD68 on subepithelial infiltrating cells. Also, HLA-DR and ICAM-1 were found on the surfaces of epithelial cells, subepithelial infiltrating cells, subepithelial fibroblasts, and endothelial cells in blood vessels. IFN-gamma was found in basal epithelial cells; subepithelial cells and subepithelial extracellular matrix CD19 and IL4 were not detected. CONCLUSIONS: The infiltrating cell population in the Stevens-Johnson syndrome samples includes macrophages, CD4 positive T cells, and CD8 positive T cells. The cytokine expression pattern suggests CD4 positive T cells are Th1 cells. The infiltrating cell population is similar in Stevens-Johnson syndrome and chemical injury conjunctivalised corneas.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

The left-to-right nature of the masked onset priming effect in naming.

Two experiments were performed to investigate the nature of the masked onset priming effect in naming, that is, the facilitation in naming latency that is observed when a target shares the initial grapheme/phoneme with a masked prime. Experiment 1 showed that the effect is not due to position-independent letter priming, since the naming of nonword targets preceded by masked primes was facilitated only if the prime shared the initial letter with the target (e.g., suf-SIB) and not if the prime shared the final letter (e.g., mub-SIB). Experiment 2 showed that the effect reflects the sharing of onsets rather than the initial letter, since facilitation due to an overlap of the initial letter was observed only for the simple onset target (e.g., penny-PASTE) for which the letter corresponded to the onset, and not for complex onset targets (e.g., bingo-BLISS). It is argued that the serial nature of the masked onset priming effect is best interpreted as the planning of articulation, rather than as the computation of phonology from orthography.

Cognition↗
PubMed2000

Changes in vitreous concentrations of human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF) in proliferative diabetic retinopathy: implications for intraocular hHGF production.

We measured human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF) concentrations in the original vitreous and in the artificial vitreous after vitrectomy in 13 patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) undergoing repeated pars plana vitrectomy, in order to investigate whether the vitreous hHGF concentration is related to the recurrence of PDR after vitrectomy as well as to the original occurrence of PDR. We also examined the relationship between vitreous concentrations of hHGF and transforming growth factor-beta(2) (TGF-beta(2)), the predominant TGF-beta isoform in the vitreous, in 14 patients with PDR. For the original vitreous, mean hHGF concentrations were higher (P<0.05) in that from patients with severe PDR (vitreous haemorrhage, fibrovascular proliferation and tractional retinal detachment) than in that from patients with vitreous haemorrhage alone. In the artificial vitreous, mean vitreous hHGF concentrations were higher (P<0.05) in that from patients with severe PDR than in that from patients with vitreous haemorrhage alone or with vitreous haemorrhage plus fibrovascular proliferation. No correlation was found between the hHGF concentration in the artificial vitreous and time between vitrectomies. Vitreous hHGF concentrations were directly proportional to vitreous concentrations of latent TGF-beta(2) (r=0. 831; P=0.0002), but inversely proportional to vitreous concentrations of active TGF-beta(2) (r=0.495; P=0.072), which inhibits hHGF production. A decreased conversion of latent into active TGF-beta(2) in ocular disorders such as PDR is likely to result in an increased concentration of hHGF in the vitreous. Thus intraocular hHGF may be involved in pathological mechanisms causing not only the occurrence, but also the recurrence, of PDR.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Involvement of an organic anion transporter (canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter/multidrug resistance-associated protein 2) in gastrointestinal secretion of glutathione conjugates in rats.

We investigated the role of cMOAT/MRP2 (canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter/multidrug resistance-associated protein 2) in the intestinal secretion of organic anions by comparing the behavior in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and Eisai hyperbilirubinemic rat (EHBR) whose cMOAT/MRP2 is hereditarily defective. After i.v. administration of 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (30 micromol/kg), the biliary and intestinal excretion of its glutathione conjugate 2, 4-dinitrophenyl-S-glutathione (DNP-SG), a substrate for cMOAT/MRP2, was significantly reduced in EHBR compared with SD rats. This result also was confirmed by Ussing chamber studies; DNP-SG showed 1.5-fold greater serosal-to-mucosal flux compared with the mucosal-to-serosal flux in SD rats, whereas a similar flux was observed in both directions in EHBR. In addition, metabolic inhibitors reduced the preferential serosal-to-mucosal flux of DNP-SG in SD rats. In everted sac studies, intestinal secretion clearance, defined as the efflux rate of DNP-SG into the mucosal side divided by the area under the curve on the serosal side, was significantly lower in the jejunum of EHBR than that in SD rats. Northern blot analyses demonstrated the highest mRNA level of cMOAT/MRP2 in the jejunum, which is in good agreement with the results of the everted sac studies. These results suggest that cMOAT/MRP2 is involved in the secretion of organic anions in the small intestine.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗
PubMed2000

Soluble Fas ligand expression in the ocular fluids of uveitis patients.

PURPOSE: The expression of Fas ligand (FasL) in ocular tissues is thought to play a critical role in maintaining immune privilege in the eye. In this study, to clarify the involvement of the Fas-FasL system in inflammatory processes of the eye,we examined soluble FasL (sFasL) in ocular inflammation. METHODS: Using ELISA systems recently developed, sFasL concentrations in aqueous humor (AH) and/or vitreous fluid (VF) were measured. AH was obtained from 17 eyes of 17 uveitis patients and from 12 eyes of 12 non-uveitis (cataract) patients. VF was obtained from 22 eyes of 22 uveitis patients and 7 eyes of 7 non-uveitis (macular hole) patients. Serum levels of sFasL were also determined. RESULTS: sFasL in AH and VF was below the detection limit of the ELISA systems in all non-uveitis eyes. On the other hand, sFasL was detected in AH from uveitis patients where it measured 367.0 +/- 154.7 pg/ml (mean +/- SEM). sFasL was also detected in VF from uveitis patients where it measured 1132.2 +/- 281.7 pg/ml. None of the sera from patients with or without uveitis contained a detectable level of sFas L. CONCLUSIONS: sFasL levels in AH and VF are elevated in the eye during ocular inflammation. Fas-FasL mediated apoptosis may play an important role in the regulation of inflammation during uveitis.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Regulatory effects of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) on cytokine production by human corneal epithelial cells.

PURPOSE: The topical administration of 1alpha,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D(3) [1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) ] inhibits Langerhans cell (LC) migration and corneal neovascularization in mice. Since the cytokines that induce LC migration [e.g. interleukin-1 (IL-1)] and corneal neovascularization [e.g. interleukin-8 (IL-8)] are produced by human corneal epithelial cells, we investigated the inhibitory effects of 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D( 3) on cytokine production by these cells in vitro. METHODS: In this experiment, human corneal epithelial cells, cultured in DMEM-FBS until confluence, were then switched to serum-free DMEM containing insulin, transferrin, and sodium selenite (DMEM-ITS) for 48 hours. Next, they were cultured with DMEM-ITS containing 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3 ) at concentrations of 10(-7) M, 10(-11) M, or 10( -15) M, and vehicle only (0.1% ethanol). After 6 or 12 hours in this culture, the supernatants were collected and concentrations of IL-1alpha, IL-1b, and IL-8 were quantified by ELISA. RESULTS: Significantly lower levels of IL-1alpha and IL-1b were detected in supernatants from cells cultured with 1alpha, 25(OH)(2)D( 3) (10(-7) M, 10(-11) M, and 10(-15) M), compared to cells cultured with vehicle only. This was true at 6 and 12 hours after the addition of 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) (p < 0.05). IL-8 production inhibition by 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3), on the other hand, was detected at 6 hours (p < 0.0005) but not at 12 hours (p> 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) inhibits cytokine (IL-1alpha, IL-1b, and IL-8) production by human corneal epithelial cells in vitro. We suspect that 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) can inhibit LC migration and corneal neovascularization, as is seen in ocular surface inflammation.

Calcitriol↗
PubMed2000

Effects of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on Langerhans cell migration and corneal neovascularization in mice.

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1alpha,25[OH]2D3), a hormone that has immunosuppressive properties, on Langerhans cell (LC) migration and corneal neovascularization in mouse corneas. METHODS: Two 10-0 nylon interrupted sutures were placed in the center of 50 BALB/c mouse corneas to induce LC migration and corneal neovascularization. The mice were then randomly assigned to one of five groups. Three groups (n = 11, n = 11, n = 6) received topical 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 (at concentrations of 10(-7) M, 10(-)8 M, 10(-9) M), one group (n = 11) received vehicle only, and one group (n = 11) received no eye drops. Instillation (three times a day) began on the first day after suturing. Corneal neovascularization was assessed by slit lamp microscopy and scored according to the length of newly formed corneal vessels. Fourteen days after suturing, the number of LCs that had migrated into the central corneal epithelium was counted by an immunofluorescence assay using an anti-Ia antibody. RESULTS: The number of LCs in the central cornea was 21.9 +/- 2.8 cells/mm2 in the nontreated group and 17.8 +/- 3.9 cells/mm2 in the vehicle-only group. Significantly fewer LCs were detected in all groups that had received 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 compared with the vehicle only and nontreated groups (10(-7) M: 7.4 +/- 1.2 cells/mm2, 10(-8) M: 7.2 +/- 2.0 cells/mm2, 10(-9) M: 6.2 +/- 0.7 cells/mm2). Moderate inhibition of corneal vascularization was observed in the 10(-7) M 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 group, but not the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Topical administration of 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 can be effective in suppressing ocular surface inflammation by inhibiting LC migration into mouse corneas.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2000

Growth factor mRNA and protein in preserved human amniotic membrane.

PURPOSE: To investigate the expression of growth factor mRNA and the level of growth factor protein in preserved human amniotic membrane (AM). METHODS: RT-PCR was used to examine the expression of mRNA for eight growth factors (EGF, TGF-alpha, KGF, HGF, bFGF, TGF-beta1, -beta2, -beta3) and two growth factor receptors (KGFR and HGFR) in human AM preserved at -80 degrees C for one month. In addition, ELISAs were used to measure the protein concentrations of seven growth factors (EGF, TGF-alpha, KGF, HGF, bFGF, TGF-beta1, -beta2) in preserved human corneas and in AM both with and without amniotic epithelium. RESULTS: RT-PCR revealed that human AM expresses mRNA for EGF, TGF-alpha, KGF, HGF, bFGF, TGF-beta1, -beta2, -beta3, KGFR and HGFR, while ELISAs showed that it contains EGF, TGF-alpha, KGF, HGF, bFGF, TGF-beta1, -beta2. AM without amniotic epithelium also contains all seven growth factors examined, however, in this tissue the protein levels of EGF, KGF, HGF and bFGF were found to be significantly lower than in native AM. CONCLUSIONS: Preserved human AM expresses mRNAs for a number of growth factors and contains several growth factor proteins that might benefit epithelialization after AM transplantation. High levels of EGF, KGF, HGF and bFGF in AM with amniotic epithelium as compared to AM without amniotic epithelium suggest an epithelial origin for these growth factors. We feel that EGF, KGF and HGF in particular might play important roles in ocular surface wound healing after AM transplantation.

Amnion↗
PubMed2000

Expression of estrogen receptor alpha and beta in the mouse cornea.

PURPOSE: To test the possibility that estrogen has a direct effect on corneal cells, the possible occurrence of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and beta (ERbeta) in the cornea of mice was examined. METHODS: To test for the occurrence of ER proteins in the cornea of mice, an immunocytochemical method was used. To test for the occurrence of ER mRNAs in the cornea of mice, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used. RESULTS: Immunocytochemical examination revealed that both ERalpha and ERbeta exist in the cell nuclei of corneal epithelial, stromal, and endothelial cells of both male and female mice. RT-PCR revealed that RNAs of ERs occur in the cornea of both male and female mice. CONCLUSIONS: Because ERalpha and ERbeta occur in corneal cells of mice, estrogen may exert biological functions in corneal cells through direct interaction with these ERs.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Comparison of primary and secondary Sjögren's syndrome].

PURPOSE: We studied the difference in severity between primary and secondary Sjögren's syndrome (SS). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Two groups of patients (all females, mean age: 58 years), 31 with primary SS and 18 with secondary SS were studied. We performed the following dry eye tests: fluorescein score and Rose Bengal staining, grading of tear lipid layer interference patterns, measurement of fluorescein break up time, cotton thread test, and Schirmer-I test. Auto antibodies were also investigated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between primary and secondary SS with respect to any dry eye tests or auto antibodies. In primary SS, however, the presence of anti SS-A antibody was significantly correlated with Rose Bengal scores (p = 0.044). CONCLUSION: The severity of SS is independent of the primary or secondary type. In primary SS, the presence of anti SS-A antibody may be correlated with the severity.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Detection methods for drug-resistant bacteria in routine examination--VISA].

MRSA strains which clinically showed low-level resistance to vancomycin(VISA, hetero-VRSA) were isolated. Vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus(VISA) was found to show a vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) of 8 to 16 micrograms/ml. The subpopulation of hetero vancomycin resistant MRSA(hetero-VRSA) was resistant to vancomycin MIC of 1 to 4 micrograms/ml. VISA and hetero-VRSA did not have vanA, vanB, vanC genes from vancomycin-resistant enterococci(VRE). The disk diffusion test could not detect VISA and hetero-VRSA. The MIC tests can confirm VRSA well. To detect the hetero-VRSA, we need to use population analysis and growth on hetero-VRSA agar (MU3 agar plate).

Methicillin Resistance↗
PubMed2000

A case of congenital afibrinogenemia: fibrinogen Hakata, a novel nonsense mutation of the fibrinogen gamma-chain gene.

Congenital afibrinogenemia due to a novel homozygous nonsense mutation of the fibrinogen gamma-chain gene, fibrinogen Hakata, was found in an 18-year-old Japanese girl who had received supplemental fibrinogen therapy since she was 4 months old. The plasma fibrinogen concentrations of the proband were measured as less than 10 mg/dl by a functional method and less than 17 mg/dl by an immunological method. Fibrinogen concentrations of her family were in the range of 94-164 mg/dl. The proband and her family had no other clinical symptoms. Genomic DNA of the proband and her family was isolated from leukocytes, and all exons of fibrinogen subunits and their intron/exon boundaries were analyzed. A genetic mutation, a guanine-to-thymine (G-to-T) transversion at the nucleotide position of 5860, was identified on exon 7 of the gamma-chain gene. This mutation changed the codon for the 231st residue of the gamma-chain from GAG (Glu) to TAG (stop). No other mutation was observed. Aalpha, Bbeta and gamma chains were observed in plasma of the heterozygous family members. However, only a trace amount of Aalpha chain and no gamma chain was detected in the plasma of the proband.

Afibrinogenemia↗