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Biomedical subjects

T Iida

Publications and source records attributed to T Iida.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Case report: Insulin-like growth factor II expression in hepatocellular carcinoma with alcoholic liver fibrosis accompanied by hypoglycaemia.

This case of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with alcoholic liver fibrosis, which was not associated with hepatitis viruses, was accompanied by hypoglycaemia. The immunoreactive insulin level was low and other hormonal examinations were almost normal. Immunohistochemical studies showed a high level of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF2) peptide in the HCC section and the size heterogeneity of serum IGF2 investigated by western blot revealed a large form at approximately 15 kDa. These results suggest that the HCC with alcoholic liver fibrosis produced IGF2 and that the hypoglycaemia was caused by tumour-associated IGF2.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

Effects of endoscopic variceal ligation on oxygen transport and the arterial lactate levels in patients with cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the increased cardiac output and oxygen delivery, an impaired oxygen uptake has been noted in patients with cirrhosis. We recently observed that endoscopic variceal ligation decreased the cardiac output due to a reduction in the cardiac preload. It is thus possible that a variceal ligation decreases the oxygen delivery and thereby negatively influences tissue oxygenation in patients receiving such treatment. We thus investigated the effects of variceal ligation on oxygen delivery, oxygen uptake, and the arterial lactate levels. METHODS: There were 22 patients with compensated cirrhosis and risky esophageal varices (Child's class A:B=13:9). Twelve patients underwent an endoscopic variceal ligation and 10 patients received gastroscopy as a control. The cardiac function, blood gas status, oxygen delivery, and arterial lactate concentration were also assessed before and after variceal ligation. The oxygen uptake was calculated by the Fick equation. RESULTS: Following variceal ligation, there was an immediate decrease in the cardiac output and oxygen delivery. The reduction in oxygen delivery was associated with a slight but significant increase in the arterial lactate concentration. The decreased oxygen delivery was also associated with a concomitant decrease in the oxygen uptake. In the control subjects, gastroscopy did not alter the systemic hemodynamics, arterial oxygen status, or arterial lactate levels. CONCLUSION: We found a significant decrease in the oxygen delivery in patients undergoing an endoscopic variceal ligation. Such deteriorated tissue oxygenation may be serious especially in patients with a low oxygen transport ability such as in patients with variceal hemorrhage with anemia. However, the clinical significance of these changes remains unclear and further studies are therefore warranted.

Aged↗

Chemical structure of lipid A isolated from Flavobacterium meningosepticum lipopolysaccharide.

The chemical structure of the lipid A of the lipopolysaccharide component isolated from Flavobacterium meningosepticum IFO 12535 was elucidated. Methylation and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses showed that two kinds of hydrophilic backbone exist in the free lipid A: a beta (1-->6)-linked 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose, which is usually present in enterobacterial lipid A's, and a 2-amino-6-O-(2, 3-diamino-2,3-dideoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-2-deoxy-D-glucose, in a molar ratio of 1.00:0.35. Both backbones were alpha-glycosidically phosphorylated in position 1, and the hydroxyl groups at positions 4, 4', and 6' were unsubstituted. Liquid secondary ion-mass spectrometry revealed a pseudomolecular ion at m/z 1673 [M-H]- as a major monophosphoryl lipid A component carrying five acyl groups. Fatty acid analysis showed that the lipid A contained 1 mol each of amide-linked (R)-3-OH iC17:0, ester-linked (R)-3-OH iC15:0, amide-linked (R)-3-O-(iC15:0)-iC17:0, and both amide- and ester-linked (R)-3-OH C16:0. Fatty acid distribution analyses using several mass spectrometry determinations demonstrated that the former two constituents were distributed on positions 2 and 3 of the reducing terminal unit of the backbones and that the latter two were attached to the 2' and 3' positions in the nonreducing terminal residue.

Amides↗

Biochemical and genetic characterization of an FK506-sensitive peptidyl prolyl cis-trans isomerase from a thermophilic archaeon, Methanococcus thermolithotrophicus.

A peptidyl prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase) was purified from a thermophilic methanogen, Methanococcus thermolithotrophicus. The PPIase activity was inhibited by FK506 but not by cyclosporine. The molecular mass of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 16 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and 42 kDa by gel filtration. The enzyme was thermostable, with the half-lives of its activity at 90 and 100 degrees C being 90 and 30 min, respectively. The catalytic efficiencies (k(cat)/Km) measured at 15 degrees C for the peptidyl substrates, N-succinyl-Ala-Leu-Pro-Phe-p-nitroanilide and N-succinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-p-nitroanilide, were 0.35 and 0.20 microM(-1) s(-1), respectively, in chymotrypsin-coupled assays. The purified enzyme was sensitive to FK506 and therefore was called MTFK (M. thermolithotrophicus FK506-binding protein). The MTFK gene (462 bp) was cloned from an M. thermolithotrophicus genomic library. The comparison of the amino acid sequence of MTFK with those of other FK506-binding PPIases revealed that MTFK has a 13-amino-acid insertion in the N-terminal region that is unique to thermophilic archaea. The relationship between the thermostable nature of MTFK and its structure is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Detection of Listeria monocytogenes in humans, animals and foods.

The Listeria monocytogenes-carrying rates were 100% for listeriosis patients and 1.3% for healthy humans. The L. monocytogenes contamination rates for retail sliced beef (34.2%) and pork (36.4%) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those for cattle (2.0%) and pigs (0.8%) and for cattle (4.9%) and swine (7.4%) carcasses. The percentages of serotypes 1/2a, 1/2b and 4b which are most dominant in human patients were high in isolates from fresh (90.0%) and processed (100%) fish and shellfish and imported natural cheese (96.7%).

Adolescent↗

[Prognosis of residual spleen after partial splenic embolization for the treatment of hypersplenism in cirrhosis].

The aim of this study was to elusidate the change in residual spleen volume after partial splenic embolization (PSE) in 43 cirrhotic patients with marked hypersplenism. Residual spleen volume was indicated as the rate (%) of residual spleen to initial spleen before PSE. Furthermore, the platelet count after PSE was observed in 23 patients followed up for 2 years. Residual spleen volume in patients with infarction rates of more than 80% (group A) had been maintained within 20 % even after 2 years, while they had obviously increased during the early stage after PSE in patients with infarction rates under 80% (group B), especially in patients with lower infarction rates (under 60%). Mean platelet count improved significantly in both groups after PSE (p < 0.001, respectively), but increased more in group A than in group B (p < 0.01). High fever and abdominal pain were observed in all cases of PSE. Other adverse effects such as pleural effusion and ascites that were frequent in group A were transient. These results suggest that PSE performed with a high infarction rate of the spleen provides effective, long-lasting results in the treatment of hypersplenism in cirrhosis.

Embolization, Therapeutic↗

Gene for a cyclophilin-type peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase from a halophilic archaeum, Halobacterium cutirubrum.

A gene encoding a cyclophilin (CyP)-type peptidyl prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase) was cloned from a halophilic archaeum, Halobacterium cutirubrum DSM 669, and sequenced. Although amino-acid residues common to CyPs were conserved, an insertion that showed no homology to other CyPs was found in its N-terminal region. Sequence analysis revealed that the amino-acid sequence of this CyP was 40-45% identical to those of eukaryotes and Bacillus subtilis with high cyclosporin A sensitivity, but 27% identical to those of cyclosporin A-insensitive PPIases of Escherichia coli. The gene was also expressed in E. coli. The activity of purified recombinant CyP-type PPIase was stimulated by the addition of KCl, and was suppressed by cyclosporin A.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structural and functional characterization of homo-oligomeric complexes of alpha and beta chaperonin subunits from the hyperthermophilic archaeum Thermococcus strain KS-1.

To elucidate the function of group II chaperonin, the gene for the chaperonin from the hyperthermophilic archaeum Thermococcus strain KS-1 was cloned and sequenced. Two distinct genes coding for chaperonin subunits, designated alpha and beta, were obtained, and their deduced amino acid sequences are highly homologous to those of group II chaperonins from other sources. The alpha and beta subunits were individually expressed in Escherichia coli. Both of the recombinant subunits assemble to constitute the homo-oligomeric double-ring complexes, which are prone to form large aggregates. The alpha aggregate is dissociated into the typical chaperonin ring complex by incubation in buffer containing 15% (v/v) methanol, while the beta aggregate cannot be dissociated. At high temperature, both of the recombinant complexes have weak ATPase activities. They are able to arrest refolding of a chemically denatured thermophilic enzyme in the absence of ATP, and refolding is resumed when ATP is supplemented. These results suggest that homo-oligomeric complexes of the archaeal chaperonin have activity.

3-Isopropylmalate Dehydrogenase↗

Alpha- and beta-subunits of a V-type membrane ATPase in a hyperthermophilic sulfur-dependent archaeum, Thermococcus sp. KI.

The genes encoding alpha- and beta-subunits of a V-type ATPase in a sulfur-dependent hyperthermophilic archaeum, Thermococcus sp. KI, were cloned and sequenced. The deduced amino acid sequences were approximately 60, 50 and 25% identical to those of other archaeal, eukaryotic V-type and E. coli F-type ATPase, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Thermococcus ATPase was closely related to that of Thermus, and those of Methanosarcina and Halobacterium.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A mutant cell line resistant to Vibrio parahaemolyticus thermostable direct hemolysin (TDH): its potential in identification of putative receptor for TDH.

Thermostable direct hemolysin (TDH), a pore-forming toxin produced by Vibrio parahaemolyticus, is cytotoxic to Rat-1, a fibroblast cell line derived from rat embryo. Through mutagenesis of Rat-1 with nitrosoguanidine, we established a mutant cell line, MR-T1. MR-T1 was over 200 times more resistant to the cytotoxic activity of TDH than Rat-1. TDH increased membrane permeability of Rat-1 but not of MR-T1. Binding analysis showed that, while being able to bind to Rat-1. TDH failed to bind to MR-T1, indicating that MR-T1 is deficient in the putative receptor for TDH. Somatic hybrid cells between Rat-1 and MR-T1 were similarly sensitive to TDH as Rat-1. Moreover, TDH could bind to the hybrid cells as well as to Rat-1 cells. These results indicate that MR-T1 is promising for complementation cloning of a gene related to the putative receptor for TDH.

Animals↗

Analysis of functional domains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus thermostable direct hemolysin using monoclonal antibodies.

Neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against Vibrio parahaemolyticus thermostable direct hemolysin (TDH) were used in probing the functional domains of this toxin. While pre-incubation of TDH with mAb 2A-13C inhibited further binding of TDH to erythrocytes, pre-incubation with another mAb 1-24 did not, indicating that mAb 1-24 epitope resides in a domain which is not involved in binding of TDH to erythrocytes. On the other hand after binding to erythrocytes, TDH could react with mAb 1-24 but poorly with mAb 2A-13C, indicating that the mAb 2A-13C epitope is masked, possibly by erythrocyte surface. As both antibodies are TDH-specific and do not react with TRH (TDH-related hemolysin), we used TDH/ TRH chimeric proteins to identify location of the epitopes for mAbs by inhibition ELISA as well as Western blotting. The results showed that the mAb 1-24 epitope resides on a region near the C-terminal of TDH (residues 99-139), while the mAb 2A-13C epitope resides on the N-terminal (residues 1-31). All these results suggested that, in TDH, the N-terminal region may be involved in binding process while the region near C-terminal may be involved in postbinding process.

Animals↗

An improved synthesis of taurine- and glycine-conjugated bile acids.

A simple and efficient method for the synthesis of taurine- and glycine-conjugated bile acids is described. The condensation reaction was achieved by the simple mixing of unconjugated bile acid (1.0 eq.), taurine (2.0 eq.) (or glycinate ester), diethyl phosphorocyanidate (1.2 eq.) in the presence of triethylamine at room temperature for 30-60 min. Sample clean-up was effected by the use of a prepacked Sep-Pak C18 cartridge for reversed-phase solid extraction or by direct recrystallization, yielding the desired taurine and glycine conjugates in 89-93 and 92-96% isolated yields, respectively.

Chemistry, Organic↗

Risk factors for hemorrhage from gastric fundal varices.

The incidence and the risk factors of hemorrhage from gastric fundal varices (FV) have not been fully evaluated. We therefore conducted a retrospective and prospective study to define the incidence and risk factors for such episodes. We investigated 132 patients with cirrhosis and gastric FV. Of these 132 patients, 15 patients had hemorrhagic FV at the time of enrollment. The clinical characteristics were compared between these patients and those without a first hemorrhage from FV. In the patients who had never previously bled, the incidence and risk factors were prospectively investigated. The size of FV was greater and red-spot on the FV were more prevalent in patients with hemorrhagic FV. Child's status was also more severe in these patients. In the 117 patients who had never bled, 34 hemorrhages from FV occurred during the follow-up period. The cumulative risk for such hemorrhage at 1, 3, and 5 years was 16%, 36%, and 44%, respectively. A multiple regression analysis (Cox's model) revealed the size of varices, red-spot on the FV, and Child's status to be statistically significant, as well as independent predictors for hemorrhage from FV. The endoscopic criteria (size of the largest varix and presence of red-spot), as well as the hepatic functional reserve, provide the most essential information for predicting a hemorrhage from FV. An estimation of the probability for hemorrhage from FV based on Cox's model may therefore be beneficial in the clinical management of patients with high-risk FV.

Adult↗

An anatomical study of a muscle bundle separated from the medial pterygoid muscle.

When mandibular dentures are fabricated, marginal sealing should be taken into consideration for the stability of the denture. We selected specimens of the medial pterygoid muscle showing insertion of an independent small muscle bundle at its insertion site, and evaluated the anatomical relationship between the morphology of the insertion site and the denture. The insertion of the pterygoid muscle was classified according to the insertion morphology of the independent small muscle bundle into three types using the retromolar pad as a reference: Type I, insertion of the independent muscle bundle posterior to the retromolar pad; Type II, insertion immediately below the retromolar pad; and Type III, insertion into the fascia of the mylohyoid muscle. Types II and III muscles seem to affect the denture because of their closeness to the mandibular denture. In the oral cavity, the independent small muscle bundle studied appeared as a streak-like structure. When such a structure is detected during examination for denture fabrication, the following consideration is necessary. Since the medial pterygoid muscle is a mouth-closing muscle, this independent small muscle bundle may contract during mouth closing, appearing more markedly in the oral cavity. Therefore, examination should be performed not only with the mouth closed but also with assumed centric occlusion.

Aged↗

DNA polymorphism analysis of a case of complete hydatidiform mole coexisting with a fetus.

A complete hydatidiform mole coexisting with a fetus is a rare condition. The diagnosis is often difficult because of the morphological similarity to a partial mole, but is crucial to management in the postmolar course. We present a case of molar pregnancy coexisting with a fetus in which DNA polymorphism analysis revealed a different genetic origin for the fetal and molar parts. This is the only known case of a complete mole in a twin pregnancy complicated by pre-eclampsia followed by maternal pulmonary oedema. During follow-up, the patient developed a clinically invasive mole which was successfully treated with chemotherapy. In this case, genetic analysis unequivocally diagnosed a twin pregnancy consisting of a complete hydatidiform mole and a fetus.

Adult↗

Evidence for genetic linkage between the ure and trh genes in Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Although V. parahaemolyticus does not generally produce urease, several studies have reported urease-positive V. parahaemolyticus isolates from clinical sources. Recently, studies have shown a complete coincidence between the urease-producing phenotype of V. parahaemolyticus strains and the possession of the thermostable direct haemolysin (TDH)-related haemolysin (TRH) gene (trh). TRH, like TDH, is considered to be an important virulence factor in the pathogenesis of V. parahaemolyticus gastroenteritis. The present study attempted to identify the gene ure encoding urease in V. parahaemolyticus to clarify the relationship between urease production and possession of trh. The polymerase chain reaction with mixed oligonucleotide primers targeted for conserved sequences of reported ure genes from other species was used to prepare a DNA probe to detect the V. parahaemolyticus ure gene. Colony hybridisation with this ure probe demonstrated that all the ure-positive strains produced urease. Considering the coincidence between production of urease and possession of trh in V. parahaemolyticus, it was concluded that the presence or absence of the ure gene is completely coincident with that of the trh gene in V. parahaemolyticus strains. Furthermore, the relative location of ure and trh on V. parahaemolyticus chromosomal DNA was analysed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The results showed that, in all the strains examined, ure and trh were detected on the same NotI fragment, showing that the two genes localise within a relatively small portion of the chromosome DNA. These results suggest that the ure and trh genes are genetically linked in V. parahaemolyticus strains.

Chromosome Mapping↗

HLA-DRB1*04 and DRB1*14 alleles are associated with susceptibility to pemphigus among Japanese.

It has previously been demonstrated that susceptibility to pemphigus vulgaris is associated with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR4 serologic specificity among Ashkenase Jews, and with DR4 as well as DR6 (DR14) in other ethnic groups. We genotyped HLA-DRB1, DQA1, DQB1, and DPB1 alleles in 16 patients with pemphigus by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, to find evidence of potential HLA class II allele associations with pemphigus in Japanese patients who have a relatively homogeneous ethnic background. All nine patients with pemphigus vulgaris and five of seven patients with pemphigus foliaceus carried one or two alleles of HLA-DRB1*04 (*0403, *0406) and HLA-DRB1*14 (*1401, *1405, *1406) subtypes. Sequence analysis of these DRB1*04 and DRB1*14 alleles revealed the amino acid homology of phenylalanine at position 26 and valine at position 86 with the DRB1*0402 allele that reportedly confers a strong susceptibility to pemphigus vulgaris in Ashkenazi Jews. Thus our findings, together with previous HLA studies on pemphigus vulgaris patients of different ethnic groups, suggest that HLA-DRB1*04 and DRB1*14 alleles are commonly associated with pemphigus vulgaris across racial barriers. These HLA-DRB1 alleles are likely to be also associated with pemphigus foliaceus. Further studies on more diverse ethnic populations will be helpful in determining the significance of the association between certain amino acid residues of the class II molecules and disease susceptibility to pemphigus vulgaris as well as pemphigus foliaceus.

Adult↗