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T Fujimura

Publications and source records attributed to T Fujimura.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Myxofibrosarcoma of the neck.

We report a rare case of myxofibrosarcoma arising in the neck. A 55-year-old man presented with a two-year history of left-sided, painless, submandibular swelling. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an 80 x 35 mm, well defined, lobulated, submandibular tumour extending to the parapharyngeal space. The tumour showed uniformly low intensity and marked hyperintensity in T1- and T2-weighted MRI scans, respectively, and was scarcely enhanced by gadolinium. A tentative diagnosis of lymphangioma or plunging ranula was made, and the patient underwent local injection of OK-432, which proved to be ineffective. Resection of the tumour was then performed via a transcervical approach. The tumour was histopathologically and immunohistochemically diagnosed as a low-grade myxofibrosarcoma. The patient's post-operative clinical course was uneventful, and the patient was free of disease 27 months after surgery. The pathology, clinical characteristics and treatment of myxofibrosarcoma are bibliographically reviewed.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2005

Molecular cloning of a class IV chitinase allergen from Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen and competitive inhibition of its immunoglobulin E-binding capacity by latex C-serum.

BACKGROUND: Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollinosis is one of the most prevalent allergic diseases in Japan. Only three C. japonica allergens, Cry j 1, Cry j 2, and CJP-6, have been characterized. The full IgE-binding spectrum of C. japonica pollen allergens demonstrates that many allergens remain to be identified. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to characterize a novel allergen with a high frequency of IgE binding. METHODS: The cDNA coding for a high-frequency IgE-binding protein, designated CJP-4, was cloned from the total mRNA of C. japonica pollen. The corresponding native allergen was purified by affinity precipitation with colloidal chitin and gel chromatography. The IgE-binding ability of purified native CJP-4 was characterized by ELISA and ELISA inhibition. RESULTS: The CJP-4 cDNA encoded 281 amino acids with significant sequence homology to class IV chitinases. Purified native CJP-4, migrated as a homogeneous 34-kDa protein on SDS-PAGE, revealed endochitinase activity on native PAGE. The purified protein displayed the ability to bind IgE from all patients tested (31/31) in ELISA, whereas Cry j 1 bound to IgE at a 71% frequency (22/31). Pre-incubation with latex C-serum completely inhibited the reaction of pooled sera IgE from patients with C. japonica pollinosis and/or latex allergy to purified CJP-4. CONCLUSION: We identified CJP-4 as a novel and fourth C. japonica chitinase allergen with high IgE-binding frequency. The competitive IgE-binding profile between C. japonica chitinase and latex C-serum indicated that C. japonica chitinase should be an important pan-allergen in C. japonica pollen.

Allergens↗
PubMed2004

Positional cloning of the rice Rf-1 gene, a restorer of BT-type cytoplasmic male sterility that encodes a mitochondria-targeting PPR protein.

The combination of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in one parent and a restorer gene ( Rf) to restore fertility in another are indispensable for the development of hybrid varieties. We have found a rice Rf-1 gene that restores BT-type CMS by applying a positional cloning strategy. Using linkage analysis in combination with 6,104 BC(1)F(3) progeny derived from a cross between two near-isogenic lines (NILs) differing only at the Rf-1 locus, we delimited the Rf-1 gene to a 22.4-kb region in the rice genome. Duplicate open reading frames ( Rf-1A and Rf-1B) with a pentatricopeptide (PPR) motif were found in this region. Since several insertions and/or deletions were found in the regions corresponding to both the Rf-1A and Rf-1B genes in the maintainer's allele, they may have lost their function. Rf-1A protein had a mitochondria-targeting signal, whereas Rf-1B did not. The Rf-1B gene encoded a shorter polypeptide that was determined by a premature stop codon. Based on the function of the Rf-1 gene, its product is expected to target mitochondria and may process the transcript from an atp6/orf79 region in the mitochondrial genome. Since the Rf-1A gene encodes a 791-amino acid protein with a signal targeting mitochondria and has 16 repeats of the PPR motif, we concluded that Rf-1A is the Rf-1 gene. Nine duplications of Rf-1A homologs were found around the Rf-1 locus in the Nipponbare genome. However, while some of them encoded proteins with the PPR motif, they do not restore BT-type CMS based on the lack of co-segregation with the restoration phenotype. These duplicates may have played diversified roles in RNA processing and/or recombination in mitochondria during the co-evolution of these genes and the mitochondrial genome.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2003

Mapping QTLs influencing rice floral morphology using recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between Oryza sativa L. and Oryza rufipogon Griff.

To understand the genetic basis of floral traits associated with the mating system in rice, we analyzed pistil, stamen and glume traits using a recombinant inbred line population, derived from a cross between an Asian cultivated rice ( Oryza sativa L.), Pei-kuh, and a wild rice ( Oryza rufipogon Griff.), W1944. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting floral morphology were detected by composite interval mapping using a linkage map constructed using 147 markers, mostly RFLPs. A total of 7, 4, 14 and 6 QTLs were detected for traits related to pistil, stamen, and size and shape of the glume, respectively. Comparison of 31 QTLs affecting these organs revealed ten QTLs affecting the different organs in four adjacent regions on chromosomes 2, 4, 5 and 10, but most QTLs (68%) were located separately on the whole chromosomes. Although four QTLs for stigma breadth, anther length and thickness of lemma and palea explained more than 25% of the total phenotypic variance, most QTLs (87%) had smaller effects. These results suggest that quantitative variation observed for pistil, stamen and glume traits is controlled by several distinct genes with small effects.

Chromosome Mapping↗
PubMed2003

Factors influencing autonomic nervous function during cold-water immersion test in patients with hand-arm vibration syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Factors influencing autonomic nervous function in patients with hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) in response to cold-water immersion test with different water temperatures and immersion times were investigated in the summer and winter seasons. METHODS: Fourteen HAVS patients with vibration-induced white finger (VWF) and 14 healthy control subjects individually age-matched to the patients consented in writing and participated in this study. Patients and controls immersed their left hands in water at 10 degrees C for 10 min and at 15 degrees C for 3 min in summer and in winter in a room with temperature maintained at 21+/-1 degrees C. Electrocardiographic (ECG) data were recorded during the test period and the R-R intervals were analyzed with a fast Fourier transformation (FFT) program. Percentage of very low frequency (VLF%; indicator of both sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous function, and function of rennin-angiotensin system), low frequency (LF%; indicator of both sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous function), high frequency (HF%; indicator of parasympathetic nervous function), and LF/HF ratio (indicator of sympathetic nervous function) were calculated. The results by three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were reported elsewhere. In the present study, repeated measures ANOVA was used to re-analyze the factors of data measurement time (time factor) and group (group factor), and their interaction for each test method (water at 10 degrees C for 10-min immersion time; water at 15 degrees C for 3-min immersion time) in summer and winter. RESULTS: The HF% of HAVS patients tended to be lower than that of healthy controls throughout the cold-water immersion tests except for during tests involving water at 10 degrees C for 10-min immersion in summer. The group factor for HF% was statistically significant with an exception during the test involving water at 10 degrees C and 10-min immersion time in summer. The time factor for HF% was statistically significant with an exception during the test involving water at 15 degrees C and 3-min immersion time in winter. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study indicated lower cardiac parasympathetic activity in HAVS patients than in healthy controls, especially in winter. The response of the autonomic nervous system to cold stimulation was to some extent more clearly observed during the immersion test with water at 10 degrees C and 10-min immersion time than during the immersion test with water at 15 degrees C and 3-min immersion time. The results revealed by three-way analysis in a previous study were similar to those in the present study with data analysis by repeated measures ANOVA.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2003

Development of efficient strategies for the production of genetically modified pigs.

Although pronuclear DNA micro-injection has long been the most reliable method to produce transgenic pigs, the efficiency of production of transgenic offspring is generally plagued by 1% of the DNA-injected embryos. Therefore, a problem with this method is the need for large numbers of pronuclear stage embryos. One great advancement would be the use of in vitro-matured (IVM) oocytes for the purpose of transgenic pig production. High developmental competence of IVM oocytes was proven by transfer of parthenogenetic IVM oocytes. A combined method of sperm vectors with the IVM of oocytes would make the production of transgenic pigs remarkably feasible. Rate of blastocyst formation following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) by frozen sperm was over 20%, and transgene was expressed in approximately 50% of blastocysts generated. Somatic cell nuclear transfer would enable more efficient and sophisticated genetic modification of the pig. Simultaneous comparison between two nuclear transfer methods by electro-fusion and intracytoplasmic injection revealed clear differences in the pattern of nuclear remodeling and development of the reconstructed embryos. To specify the donor cell type that allows efficient genetic modification and easy reprogramming or to establish such cell lines is a critical issue in pig cloning. We tested pre-adipocytes from the subcutaneous adipose tissue of adult pigs for nuclear transfer. Cell cycle synchronization by differentiation induction is unique to the pre-adipocytes. Frequency of apoptosis was low in the cells synchronized by differentiation induction compared with other synchronization methods, including serum starvation, confluency, and chemical treatment. It would be of great worth if cryopreserved clone embryos were available. We have demonstrated that cryopreservation of in vitro-produced porcine embryos as well as clone blastocysts is possible by our unique method.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Mapping sentinel nodes in patients with early-stage gastric carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Nodal status in gastric carcinoma is related not only to prognosis but also to the extent of nodal dissection. However, a method for accurate assessment of nodal status during operation has not been established. This study aimed to map the sentinel nodes of gastric carcinoma and to estimate the clinical usefulness of sentinel node biopsy. METHODS: Following laparotomy, a vital dye (0.2 ml 2 per cent patent blue) was injected through a gastroscope into the submucosal layer at four sites around a clinical T1 gastric carcinoma. The dye immediately appeared at the serosal surface and stained lymphatic vessels and nodes. The stained nodes were removed and examined by frozen sectioning. RESULTS: The assay was successful in mapping the lymphatic basins in 203 (96.2 per cent) of 211 patients. The dye stained one or more metastatic nodes in 31 patients, but failed to indicate a metastatic node in four patients with a large involved node. Meticulous postoperative examination of all resected nodes in the standard paraffin slices revealed no new metastases. The accuracy of the assay was 98.0 per cent. CONCLUSION: The method was accurate in predicting nodal status in patients with early-stage gastric carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Transfer function analysis of positron-emitting tracer imaging system (PETIS) data.

Quantitative analysis of the two-dimensional image data obtained with the positron-emitting tracer imaging system (PETIS) for plant physiology has been carried out using a transfer function analysis method. While a cut leaf base of Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum Rottler) or a cut stem of soybean (Glycine max L.) was immersed in an aqueous solution containing the [18F] F- ion or [13N]NO3- ion, tracer images of the leaf of Chinese chive and the trifoliate of soybean were recorded with PETIS. From the time sequence of images, the tracer transfer function was estimated from which the speed of tracer transport and the fraction moved between specified image positions were deduced.

Allium↗
PubMed2002

Molecular cloning and characterization of a new Japanese cedar pollen allergen homologous to plant isoflavone reductase family.

BACKGROUND: Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen is a major cause of seasonal pollinosis, and more than 10% of Japanese people suffer from this allergic disorder. However, only two major pollen allergens, Cry j 1 and Cry j 2, have been identified and exclusively characterized. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore and identify important Japanese cedar pollen allergens other than Cry j 1 or Cry j 2. METHODS: C. japonica cDNA library was immunoscreened by rabbit antiserum raised against a partially purified cedar pollen allergen fraction. An isolated cDNA clone was inserted into a glutathione S-transferase (GST)-tagged Escherichia coli expression vector to obtain recombinant GST fusion protein. Non-fusion recombinant protein was purified by glutathione Sepharose affinity chromatography in conjunction with factor Xa cleavage of the GST moiety. IgE-binding ability of the recombinant protein was then evaluated by western blot analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The cDNA encodes 306 amino acids with significant sequence similarity to those of plant isoflavone reductase-like proteins, which include a recently identified birch pollen allergen Bet v 5. Western blot analysis demonstrated that recombinant protein was recognized by cedar pollinosis patient IgE. In contrast to Bet v 5 being reported as a minor allergen, the recombinant protein exhibited 76% IgE binding frequency (19/25) against pollinosis patients. CONCLUSION: Here we identified the third member of Japanese cedar pollen allergen homologous to isoflavone reductase. Its high IgE-binding frequency implicates that the isoflavone reductase homologue might be an additional major pollen allergen in C. japonica.

Allergens↗
PubMed2002

A heat-stable component of Bartonella henselae upregulates intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression on vascular endothelial cells.

Bartonella henselae upregulated the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The induction level of ICAM-1 depended on the inoculation bacterial dose. ICAM-1 expression began increasing 4 h after infection and reached a sustained peak beginning at 12 h after B. henselae infection; this time course was similar to that of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Escherichia coli. The stimulatory effect was abolished when live B. henselae were separated from HUVECs by a filter membrane. The nonpiliated strain, which is unable to invade endothelial cells, induced ICAM-1 expression to the same extent as the piliated strain. Inactivation of B. henselae by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, heat (56 degrees C, 30 min), or sonication did not alter its stimulatory activity. Polymyxin B, which strongly inhibited the effect of LPS, did not exert any influence on the stimulatory activity of B. henselae. Furthermore, the effect of sonicated B. henselae was not inhibited even by boiling, which was also the case with LPS. Our data suggest that some heat-stable component of B. henselae binds to the endothelial cell surface, inducing ICAM-1 expression. Though the participation of LPS could not be completely ruled out, we suppose that some unidentified heat-stable proteins, lipids, or polysaccharides may be the stimulatory factor(s). The ability of B. henselae to enhance the expression of adhesion molecules on endothelial cells may be an important mechanism in the pathogenesis of B. henselae infection.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

CD14-mediated induction of interleukin-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 by a heat-resistant constituent of Porphyromonas gingivalis in endothelial cells.

Viable and inactivated Porphyromonas gingivalis dose-dependently induced interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) secretion in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The inactivated P. gingivalis, in comparison with viable bacteria, tended to enhance the production of both chemokines more strongly. The production of MCP-1 protein began increasing immediately after stimulation by P. gingivalis, and there was a nearly linear increase from 0 to 8 h of incubation, whereas IL-8 production showed a linear increase between 4 and 12 h of incubation. The IL-8 and MCP-1 mRNA expressions in HUVECs as determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or Quantikine mRNA colorimetric quantification kits were found to be enhanced by P. gingivalis. Furthermore, the time courses of IL-8 and MCP-1 mRNA expressions were in accordance with those of protein production. Addition of polymyxin B or boiling did not weaken the stimulatory effect of P. gingivalis, which inhibited the effect of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (E. coli LPS) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), respectively. In contrast, the induction of IL-8 and MCP-1 by P. gingivalis was significantly reduced by anti-CD14 antibody. Our results suggest that some heat-stable component of P. gingivalis, including LPS, may be responsible for the induction of IL-8 and MCP-1 in HUVECs by a CD14-dependent mechanism. These effects might be involved in the accumulation and activation of neutrophils and monocytes at an early stage of the periodontal pathogenesis.

Bacteroidaceae Infections↗
PubMed2002

Diagnostic laparoscopy, serum CA125, and peritoneal metastasis in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Peritoneal metastasis is a crucial factor for the prognosis in gastric cancer, but its diagnosis is difficult before laparotomy. We report on the utility of laparoscopy and its indications in the detection of peritoneal metastasis in gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 39 patients with gastric cancer underwent laparoscopy and peritoneal cytology investigation in our department, between April 1992 and April 2000. Laparoscopic diagnosis for peritoneal metastasis (LP-P) was determined through macroscopic, pathological and cytological diagnoses. All the patients underwent diagnostic imaging with computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound before laparoscopy. Carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9, and CA125 levels in serum and peritoneal fluid were measured using enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Laparoscopic diagnosis for peritoneal metastasis gave negative results in 21 patients and positive results in 18. All the patients with negative LP-P findings underwent surgery; 18 of the 21 patients showed no peritoneal metastasis, but three were diagnosed as having peritoneal metastasis, one at the pouch of Douglas and two at the mesentery. The diagnosis of all the patients with positive LP-P findings was finally confirmed as correct. The specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy of laparoscopy for peritoneal metastasis were 100 % (18/18, 95 % CI 0.82 - 1), 86 % (18/21, 95 % CI 0.64 - 0.97), and 92 % (36/39, 95 % CI 0.79 - 0.98), respectively. The specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy of diagnostic imaging for peritoneal metastasis were 100 % (18/18, 95 % CI 0.82 - 1), 38 % (8/21, 95 % CI 0.18 - 0.62), and 67 % (26/39, 95 % CI 0.50 - 0.81), respectively. All of the 11 patients showing high levels of serum CA125 (equal to or more than 35 U/ml) had peritoneal metastasis whereas 17 of the 26 patients with low levels of serum CA125 (less than 35 U/ml) did not ( P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity of laparoscopy for peritoneal metastasis was much higher than that of diagnostic imaging. Laparoscopy and serum CA125 level both predicted peritoneal metastasis, but the degree, volume, or distribution of peritoneal metastasis was disclosed only by laparoscopy. Laparoscopy is a useful way of detecting peritoneal metastasis in gastric cancer, and patients with an elevated level of serum CA125 are the best candidates for laparoscopy.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Differential expression of estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) and its C-terminal truncated splice variant ERbetacx as prognostic predictors in human prostatic cancer.

Estrogens have been widely used for the treatment of advanced prostatic adenocarcinoma. However, their direct effect to prostatic cancer cells via estrogen receptors remains unclear. We investigated expression of ERalpha, wild-type ERbeta (wtERbeta), and a C-terminal truncated splice variant of ERbeta (ERbetacx) in 50 benign and 100 malignant human prostatic tissue samples by immunohistochemistry. While strong immunostaining of ERalpha was consistently identified in the stromal compartment, wtERbeta was expressed in epithelial cells in both the benign and malignant foci. However, wtERbeta expression was significantly lower in the cancers than in the benign epithelium and inversely correlated with Gleason tumor grade (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0099, respectively). In contrast, ERbetacx was significantly more expressed in the high-grade cancers (83%) compared with the low-grade tumors (22%) and the benign sites (11%) (P < 0.0001, both). Cancer-specific survival of patients with lower wtERbeta expression was significantly worse than those with higher expression of wtERbeta (P = 0.0018). Conversely, higher ERbetacx expression significantly correlated with poor cancer-specific survival (P = 0.0058). These results suggest that differential expressions of wtERbeta and ERbetacx may be prognostic predictors for prostatic cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2001

Differential antinociceptive effects induced by intrathecally administered endomorphin-1 and endomorphin-2 in the mouse.

Two highly selective mu-opioid receptor agonists, endomorphin-1 and endomorphin-2, have been identified and postulated to be endogenous ligands for mu-opioid receptors. Intrathecal (i.t.) administration of endomorphin-1 and endomorphin-2 at doses from 0.039 to 5 nmol dose-dependently produced antinociception with the paw-withdrawal test. The paw-withdrawal inhibition rapidly reached its peak at 1 min, rapidly declined and returned to the pre-injection levels in 20 min. The inhibition of the paw-withdrawal responses to endomorphin-1 and endomorphin-2 at a dose of 5 nmol observed at 1 and 5 min after injection was blocked by pretreatment with a non-selective opioid receptor antagonist naloxone (1 mg/kg, s.c.). The antinociceptive effect of endomorphin-2 was more sensitive to the mu (1)-opioid receptor antagonist, naloxonazine than that of endomorphin-1. The endomorphin-2-induced paw-withdrawal inhibition at both 1 and 5 min after injection was blocked by pretreatment with kappa-opioid receptor antagonist nor-binaltorphimine (10 mg/kg, s.c.) or the delta(2)-opioid receptor antagonist naltriben (0.6 mg/kg, s.c.) but not the delta(1)-opioid receptor antagonist 7-benzylidine naltrexone (BNTX) (0.6 mg/kg s.c.). In contrast, the paw-withdrawal inhibition induced by endomorphin-1 observed at both 1 and 5 min after injection was not blocked by naloxonazine (35 mg/kg, s.c.), nor-binaltorphimine (10 mg/kg, s.c.), naltriben (0.6 mg/kg, s.c.) or BNTX (0.6 mg/kg s.c.). The endomorphin-2-induced paw-withdrawal inhibition was blocked by the pretreatment with an antiserum against dynorphin A-(1-17) or [Met(5)]enkephalin, but not by antiserum against dynorphin B-(1-13). Pretreatment with these antisera did not affect the endomorphin-1-induced paw-withdrawal inhibition. Our results indicate that endomorphin-2 given i.t. produces its antinociceptive effects via the stimulation of mu (1)-opioid receptors (naloxonazine-sensitive site) in the spinal cord. The antinociception induced by endomophin-2 contains additional components, which are mediated by the release of dynorphin A-(1-17) and [Met(5)]enkephalin which subsequently act on kappa-opioid receptors and delta(2)-opioid receptors to produce antinociception.

Analgesics↗
PubMed2001

Remodeling of the major pig xenoantigen by N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III in transgenic pig.

We have been successful in generating several lines of transgenic mice and pigs that contain the human beta-d-mannoside beta-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GnT-III) gene. The overexpression of the GnT-III gene in mice and pigs reduced their antigenicity to human natural antibodies, especially the Galalpha1-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAc-R, as evidenced by immunohistochemical analysis. Endothelial cell studies from the GnT-III transgenic pigs also revealed a significant down-regulation in antigenicity, including Hanganutziu-Deicher antigen, and dramatic reductions in both the complement- and natural killer cell-mediated pig cell lyses. Changes in the enzymatic activities of other glycosyltransferases, such as alpha1,3-galactosyltransferase, GnT-IV, and GnT-V, did not support cross-talk between GnT-III and these enzymes in the transgenic animals. In addition, we demonstrated the effect of GnT-III in down-regulating the xenoantigen of pig heart grafts, using a pig to cynomolgus monkey transplantation model, suggesting that this approach may be useful in clinical xenotransplantation in the future.

Animals↗