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Biomedical subjects

S Ohtani

Publications and source records attributed to S Ohtani.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Immunohistochemically-determined changes in the distribution of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the bovine endometrium during the estrous cycle.

The aims of this study were to investigate whether there are cell-specific distributions of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the endometrium, and to determine whether or not the expression of these factors varies with the stage of the estrous cycle. Fifty-four endometrial biopsy specimens were collected from normal cycle Holstein-Friesian heifers. The endometrial specimens were divided into nine groups (at least five different animals per group) corresponding to the following days of the cycle: days 20-0, 1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-10, 11-13, 14-15, 16-17, and 18-19 (day 0 = estrus). IGF-I and EGF were localized by immunohistochemistry in the intact heifer endometrium throughout the estrous cycle. Throughout the estrous cycle, IGF-I was localized in the luminal epithelium and stroma with a little staining in the glandular epithelium (P < 0.01). In the luminal epithelium, the number of IGF-I-positive cells increased on days 1-3, 6-7, 11-13, and 16-17. In the stroma, the number of IGF-I-positive cells increased on days 8-10 and 20-3. The number of positively stained cells in the glandular epithelium increased around the estrous period. EGF stained intensely in the stroma but very little in the luminal and glandular epithelia (P < 0.01). In the stroma, three peaks in the number of EGF-positive cells were observed: on days 1-3, 6-7, and 11-13. These results demonstrate cyclical changes in the endometrial cell types localization of IGF-I and EGF.

Animals↗

[Changes in intestinal motility after massive small bowel resection with a reversed jejunal segment].

To evaluate the functioning and effectiveness of a 20-cm reversed jejunal segment after 75-80% massive small bowel resection (MSBR), and whether migrating polarity changes or not, we continuously measured the postoperative bowel motility (using bipolar electrodes and/or contractile strain gage force transducers) in interdigestive and postprandial conscious dogs in short- (2-5 weeks) and long-term (6-10 months) after surgery. The fasting migrating myoelectric (or motor) complex (MMC) arising from the duodenum was often interrupted at the jejunum above the proximal anastomosis and did not migrate smoothly to the reversed segment or terminal ileum. In addition, brief small discordant contractions were frequent in the jejunum above the proximal anastomosis and the proximal part of the reversed segment. The duodenal MMCs predominantly propagated to the ileum through the inherent anatomic continuity of the bowel. These findings of the MMC propagation pattern are very similar in short- and in long-term after surgery. The duration of the postprandial period without duodenal MMC activity was markedly longer in short-term, but shorter in long-term (both were significantly longer than in controls). Marked dilatation of the jejunum and reversed jejunal segment was noted across the proximal anastomosis. These results suggest that the transit time and passage of intestinal contents can be delayed and stagnated for at least 10 months after MSBR with a 20-cm reversed jejunal segment. Although, reports on the polarity of peristalsis in the reversed segment in long-term followup have been contradictory in both experimental and clinical studies, this results support the conclusion that the reversed jejunal segment maintains its inherent propagative polarity and pattern over a long postoperative period.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Changes in D-aspartic acid in human deciduous teeth with age from 1-20 years.

The racemization ration (D/L ratio) of aspartic acid in the dentin (collagen) of deciduous teeth was studied, using dentin of permanent teeth as a reference. D-aspartic acid in deciduous teeth was found to increase almost linearly with aging. The reaction velocity constant of racemization (kyr-1) in deciduous teeth (1.1915 x 10(-3)yr-1) was approximately double the value for permanent teeth (6.2550 x 10(-4)yr-1). The velocity of the racemization reaction was similar between deciduous teeth and permanent teeth in a dry state. The D/L ratio determined using transverse sections of deciduous teeth tended to be high in the crown and low in the root. The reaction velocity of racemization is considered to be affected to some extent by the tooth material, ambient temperature and salivary pH, but most importantly by physiologic resorption of deciduous teeth at the root associated with age.

Adolescent↗

[Variations of serum amyloid A protein and interleukin-6 in patients with low concentration of serum C-reactive protein].

Both C-reactive protein (CRP) and Serum amyloid A protein(SAA) are determined as an indicator of inflammation and tissue damage. But serum CRP in the range less than 10 micrograms/dl was not correlated with SAA. We determined CRP, SAA and interleukin-6(IL-6) in sera of patients who had received corticosteroid therapy. CRP decreased extremely after administration of more than 50 mg/day corticosteroid. However, SAA and IL-6 levels changed independently from CRP levels. In the patients under long-term corticosteroid therapy, CRP decreased rapidly to the level below the reference range and remained low, while SAA decreased but to the level in the reference range, and IL-6 levels was unchanged. When they were complicated with infectious disease during the corticosteroid therapy, CRP increased to or above the reference level but not so markedly, however, SAA increased markedly and exceeded the upper reference range three or four days earlier than the day of CRP increase. It is suggested that serial SAA monitoring will be reliable for the early diagnosis of infection if the patients is taking corticosteroid therapy.

Adolescent↗

Formation of tetrahydro-beta-carbolines in human saliva.

When human saliva obtained after cigarette smoking was incubated in the presence of tryptamine, the formation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline (TBC) and 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline (MTBC) was observed in a short time. After incubation with tryptamine (2.5 micrograms/microliter) for 10 min, the concentrations of TBC and MTBC formed were 3.27 +/- 0.94 and 0.35 +/- 0.17 ng/microliter, respectively. The formation of TBC and MTBC in intact saliva and in saliva heated at 100 degrees for 10 min was compared, but no significant difference was found. The analysis of foodstuffs showed that significant amounts of tryptamine were contained in various foods and beverages. The analysis of cigarette smoke solutions and immersion solutions of denture-base acrylic resins showed that ng-micrograms/microliter levels of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde were contained in cigarette smoke and leached from dental resins. These results indicate that both precursors, tryptamine and aldehydes, coexist in oral environments and that their interaction to form TBC and MTBC potentially occurs in human saliva without participation of salivary enzyme.

Adult↗

Estimation of age from dentin by utilizing the racemization of aspartic acid: influence of pH.

The rate of racemization of aspartic acid is considered to be influenced by environmental factors. The influence of pH (4 and 9) on teeth was investigated by a heating experiment for precise estimation of age at death. The rate of racemization of aspartic acid in dentin (D/L ratio) was determined by gas chromatography. The reaction rate was highest in dentin in a pH 9 environment, followed by that in water, that in a pH 4 environment, and that in a dry state. The age estimated from teeth left in these environmental states (16 degrees C) for 1 year showed only a slight increase of < 0.2 years for teeth in a dry state; a pH 4 environment and in water. However, the age estimated from teeth in the pH 9 environment showed an increase of 0.6 years and that from teeth left for 5 years showed an increase of 3.2 years. These results suggest that careful attention should be paid to age estimation from specimens left in an alkaline state for an extended period (several years). Previous studies on estimation of age from bones have-shown no influence of pH 4 or 9 on teeth. It is interesting to consider whether these conflicting findings are attributable to differences between experimental methods or differences in components between bone and tooth.

Age Determination by Teeth↗

The N-terminal half of dystrophin is protected from proteolysis in situ.

Using a panel of "exon-specific" monoclonal antibodies, we have examined the products of degradation of dystrophin by endogenous proteases in post-mortem human muscle. Four main sites of dystrophin digestion were identified, all of them in the C-terminal half of the molecule. Two of them correspond to "hinges" in the central rod region and a third in the C-terminal domain follows the dystroglycan binding site. The results support the Koenig and Kunkel model for the tertiary structure of dystrophin (J. Biol. Chem. 265 (1990) 4560-4566), but suggest that much of the N-terminal half of dystrophin is protected from proteolysis, possibly by interaction with the sub-sarcolemmal cytoskeleton. Although the results seem inconsistent with an anti-parallel dimer model of dystrophin in which hinge 2 and hinge 3 are close together, possible ways of reconciling them with such a model are also considered.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Intraoperative microwave tissue coagulation as treatment for patients with nonresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The microwave tissue coagulator (2450 MHz) has been used clinically in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to transection of the liver parenchyma and has proven an excellent method for hemostasis. There are, however, few reports on the application of this coagulator to the induction of tumor necrosis. METHODS: Microwave tissue coagulation (MTC) was applied at laparotomy in eight patients with nonresectable multiple HCCs. All patients were treated with a combination of resection or intrahepato-arterial chemotherapy and MTC. A total of 222 bouts of MTC were applied to 21 tumors, the largest of which was 65 mm in largest dimension. The monopolar needle electrode was inserted directly into the tumor and the procedure was repeated at approximately 5 mm intervals. RESULTS: Levels of alpha-fetoprotein in serum were found to have decreased in all patients one month after surgery with MTC. Contrast-enhanced computerized tomography (CT) showed the complete absence of blood flow in all tumors subjected to MTC. Needle biopsy one month after MTC confirmed tumor necrosis in all cases. All patients are alive at the time of this report, with the longest survival period being 24 months. In three of eight patients, new tumors were confirmed by angiographic CT at sites separate from the treated tumors. MTC resulted in fewer adverse effects on liver function and less extensive inflammatory reactions than liver resection. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative MTC appears to be an effective method for inducing local tumor necrosis, and may be of use in combination with palliative surgery for multiple HCC when radical liver resection is not feasible.

Aged↗

Racemization of aspartic acid in human cementum with age.

This study explored the application of the racemization reaction to forensic dental medicine in relation to estimation of age from tooth cementum. Cementum from the cervical two-thirds and the apical one-third of 16 upper incisor teeth gave ratios of D-/L-aspartic acid that correlated highly with actual age, the correlation coefficients being r = 0.993-0.996. For whole cementum from lower central and lateral incisors, first and second premolars (n = 8) the correlation coefficients were r = 0.984-0.997. Incisors gave more reliable results than premolars. The study was extended to compare cementum, enamel and dentine from first premolar teeth of the same individuals. The correlation of the ratio of D-/L-aspartic acids with actual age was highest for dentine (r = 0.992), followed by cementum (r = 0.988) and enamel (r = 0.961). These results indicate that the racemization reaction in cementum proceeds in a constant manner, and confirm that cementum remains stable throughout the individual's life. Accurate estimation of age is thus possible when cementum is subjected to the amino-acid racemization method.

Adolescent↗

Determination of tetrahydro-beta-carbolines in rat brain by gas chromatography-negative-ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry without interference from artifactual formation.

This paper describes a quantitative method for neuroactive alkaloids, 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline (MTBC) and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline (TBC), in rat brain by gas chromatography-negative-ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry (GC-NICIMS). After addition of tetradeuterated MTBC and TBC (internal standards), the samples were subjected to deproteinization, reaction with fluorescamine, solvent extractions, trifluoroacetylation and GC-NICIMS analysis. In contrast to the other previous methods, the artifactual formation during analysis did not interfere with the determination of MTBC and TBC because their precursor tryptamine was removed as a fluorescamine derivative from the analytical system at the first step of pretreatment. MTBC and TBC were specifically and reliably determined in the range of pg-ng/sample. Application of the proposed method has revealed that the MTBC and TBC contents in rat brain significantly increase after intraperitoneal administration of MTBC and TBC, indicating their ability to easily cross the blood-brain barrier.

Animals↗

Effect of dried Bacillus subtilis culture on growth, body composition and hepatic lipogenic enzyme activity in female broiler chicks.

To investigate the effect of dried Bacillus subtilis culture on growth, body composition and hepatic lipogenic enzyme activity, female broiler chicks were fed on either no additive (control) or dried B. subtilis-culture-supplemented commercial diets (215 g crude protein/kg, 12.85 MJ metabolizable energy/kg) at 10 or 20 g/kg diet for 28 d from 14 to 42 d of age. Body weight, and moisture, fat, protein and ash contents of the body were not influenced by the B. subtilis culture. Feed efficiency, N utilization, the ratio of abdominal fat or liver to body weight, acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.2) activity, liver and serum cholesterol contents were significantly lower in treatment groups, while fatty acid synthetase activity and serum cholesterol concentration were not significantly different, compared with the control group. Liver triacylglycerol concentration was decreased in chicks given 20 g culture/kg diet, while serum and carcass triacylglycerol concentrations were significantly lower in treatment groups than in the control group. Serum phospholipid concentration was increased but carcass phospholipid concentration was decreased in chicks given 20 g B. subtilis/kg diet, while liver phospholipid concentration was not significantly influenced. The advantages of inclusion of B. subtilis to the broiler diet included improved feed efficiency, less abdominal fat, reduced triacylglycerol concentrations in the liver, serum and carcass and reduced cholesterol concentrations in the liver and carcass.

Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase↗

Estimation of age from dentin by using the racemization reaction of aspartic acid.

To confirm the usefulness of the whole dentin in longitudinal sections for estimating age using the racemization ratio (D/L ratio) of aspartic acid, we compared longitudinal and transverse sections prepared from bilateral teeth in the same jaw of the same subjects. The D/L ratio was measured by gas chromatography. A better correlation between the D/L ratio and true age was observed when using longitudinal sections (r = 0.995) than when using transverse sections (r = 0.984-0.987). In the low age group, the D/L ratio was high in the crown and decreased toward the root apex. In the middle-advanced age groups, however, the D/L ratio was high in the crown as well as the area close to the root apex. The racemization reaction rate was higher in longitudinal than in transverse sections. These results suggest that the whole dentin in longitudinal sections of the central area of the tooth should be examined for accurate estimation of age.

Adolescent↗

Estimation of age from the teeth of unidentified corpses using the amino acid racemization method with reference to actual cases.

We report the results of a study for estimating the age of unidentified corpses from teeth using the amino acid racemization method. By calculating the ratio of D-aspartic acid to L-aspartic acid (referred to as the D/L ratio), we studied samples from 24 corpses of known identity. The results showed that the approach yielded satisfactory age estimates with an accuracy of +/- 3 years. Detailed examination of these results indicated that powdered dentin produced more favorable results than fragmented dentin. No differences in the estimated age related to cause of death were noted. However, better results were obtained with a larger number of control teeth and a higher correlation coefficient between the D/L ratio and the actual age of the control teeth. In terms of age and estimation accuracy, corpses of individuals > 40 years of age generally gave more satisfactory results than those of younger individuals. It was also reconfirmed that preparation of control teeth is required each time an age estimate is performed.

Adult↗

Histological observation of the endometrium in repeat breeder cows.

The endometrium plays an important role during attachment and implantation of embryos. Using histological techniques, we evaluated the morphological changes of the endometrium in repeat breeder cows. Endometrial biopsy specimens were obtained from 5 Holstein repeat breeder cows, 5 normally cyclic Holstein cows and 5 normally cyclic Holstein heifers on Days 1 and 8 after estrus. On Day 1, in the repeat breeder cows, the glandular secretions and supranuclear vacuolation were observed, but glandular mitoses were not observed, whereas these secretory characteristics were not observed in the normal cows. However, the appearance of stomal mitoses, stromal edema and pseudodecidual reaction was observed as in the normal cyclic cows. On Day 8, in the repeat breeder cows, the characteristics on the glandular indices were not different from those on Day 1, and were similar to those of the normal cows on Day 8. But, the characteristics on the stromal indices, the stromal mitoses and pseudodecidual reaction, were not observed, although these characteristics were observed in the normally cyclic cows. The presence of advanced morphology in the gland on Day 1 and the stroma on Day 8 indicates that these two events are controlled independently. These endometrial asynchrony might result in cows repeat breeding.

Aging↗

[Intestinal motility after massive small bowel resection].

To evaluate intestinal motility after 80% massive distal small bowel resection (MSBR), we continuously monitored interdigestive and postprandial bowel motility using bipolar electrodes and/or contractile strain gage force transducers in conscious beagle dogs before, and at 0-4 weeks and 8-13 months after the surgery. Fasting duodenal migrating myoelectric (or motor) complexes (MMCs) occurred at longer intervals in the short-term after 80% MSBR than in controls, and were simulated in long-term that in controls. MMCs arising from the duodenum were often migrated to the proximal jejunum, the jejunum above the anastomosis, and to the terminal ileum beyond the anastomosis. The velocity of duodenal MMC propagation was slowed in every intestinal segment in the short-term, and had not recovered even long after the operation. The duration of the postprandial period without duodenal MMCs was prolonged significantly in the short-term, and still remained longer in the long-term than in controls. These findings suggest that changes in gut motility after MSBR tend to compensate for the shorter intestine and maintain small bowel absorption early postoperatively, and adaptations of motility would occur over the long-term to increased intestinal absorption.

Animals↗

Early skip-a-day feeding of female broiler chicks fed high-protein realimentation diets. Performance and body composition.

The effect of an early skip-a-day feeding program on performance and body composition of broiler chicks fed high-protein realimentation diets was studied. One-day-old female broiler chicks were withheld from feed for 2d (0 to 2 d of age), and at 7 d of age three pens of 15 chicks each were randomly assigned to one of five treatments. One treatment (as the control) involved ad libitum access to feed, and other four treatments were subjected to a skip-a-day regimen from 7 to 13 d of age. From 14 to 20 d of age, chicks of the five treatment groups were fed diets containing 21, 21, 25, 30, or 35% protein. Thereafter, chicks were fed a commercial finisher mash diet (18% CP and 3,160 kcal/kg ME) until 56 d of age. Restricted chicks exhibited compensatory growth during the refeeding period, but the 35% CP realimentation diet impaired this phenomenon as indicated by lower recovery index. Chicks of the skip-a-day program, regardless of dietary protein level, had less abdominal fat, as compared with chicks that ate ad libitum. In comparison with the control, less body fat and ash and greater protein contents were observed in chicks fed the 35% CP realimentation diet. Greater or less liver triglyceride content was observed in chicks fed 21% CP, or the 30 and 35% CP realimentation diet, respectively, whereas, less carcass triglyceride content was found in chicks fed 21 or 35% CP realimentation diet, as compared with the control group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗