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Biomedical subjects

T Komiya

Publications and source records attributed to T Komiya.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Prognostic significance of hTERT expression in non-small cell lung cancer.

To investigate the prognostic role of hTERT expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we examined the expression of hTERT mRNA in tumor specimens from 68 patients with NSCLC using RT-PCR. The expression of hTERT was detected in 34 (50%) of 68 cancer tissues. There were no correlations between hTERT status and any common clinical features except age. Patients with hTERT expression had shorter survival than those without hTERT expression. Multivariate analysis showed that hTERT expression was an independent negative prognostic factor. These results suggest that expression of hTERT may be an independent prognostic factor for NSCLC patients.

Aged↗

Sesamin and episesamin induce apoptosis in human lymphoid leukemia Molt 4B cells.

The exposure of human lymphoid leukemia Molt 4B cells to sesamin and episesamin which were isolated from unroasted sesame seed oil and identified by MS, and 1H and 13C-NMR, led to both growth inhibition and the induction of programmed cell death (apoptosis). Morphological change showing apoptotic bodies was observed in the Molt 4B cells treated with sesamin and episesamin. The fragmentations by sesamin and episesamin of DNA to oligonucleosomal-sized fragments that are characteristics of apoptosis were observed to be concentration-dependent, respectively. Moreover, the amount of the DNA fragments in the sesamin-treated cells was increased from 2 days, while that in the episesamin-treated cells was elevated at 3 days after addition of the compounds. These findings suggest that growth inhibitions by sesamin and episesamin of Molt 4B cells result from the induction of apoptosis in the cells.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Pheophorbide a, a moiety of chlorophyll a, induces apoptosis in human lymphoid leukemia molt 4B cells.

The exposure of human lymphoid leukemia Molt 4B cells to pheophorbide a (PPB a), a moiety of chlorophyll a, led both to growth inhibition and induction of programmed cell death (apoptosis). The growth inhibition by PPB a was much stronger than that by chlorophyll a. Morphological change showing apoptotic bodies was observed in the Molt 4B cells treated with PPB a. The fragmentation by PPB a of DNA to oligonucleosomal-sized fragments, that are characteristics of apoptosis, was observed to be concentration- and time-dependent. These findings suggest that growth inhibition by PPB a of Molt 4B cells results from the induction of apoptosis and that PPB a, moiety of chlorophyll a, is essential for exertion of antitumor and apoptosis-inducing activity in these cells.

Apoptosis↗

Induction of systemic and mucosal antibody responses in mice immunized intranasally with aluminium-non-adsorbed diphtheria toxoid together with recombinant cholera toxin B subunit as an adjuvant.

Nasal mucosal immunization is very attractive for vaccination to prevent various bacterial and viral infectious diseases because of induction of systemic and mucosal immune responses. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possibility of changing the immunization procedure of diphtheria toxoid (DT) from intramuscular or subcutaneous injection to intranasal administration. Intranasal immunization with aluminium-non-adsorbed diphtheria toxoid (nDT) together with recombinant cholera toxin B subunit (rCTB, 10 microg) induced, at a concentration of 5 Lf, high levels of serum DT-specific IgG antibody responses and high or moderate levels of the specific IgA antibody responses in all mice and only a slight level of the specific IgE antibody responses in some mice. Furthermore, sufficiently high diphtheria antitoxin titres more than 0.1 international units (IU) ml(-1) were obtained from mice which showed high levels of serum DT-specific IgG antibody responses. Under the same experimental conditions, induction of significant levels of mucosal DT-specific IgA antibody responses occurred in the nasal cavity, the lung, the saliva and vaginal secretions and the small and large intestines of all mice, although there were different titres between individual mice. Similar results were also obtained with rCTB-specific serum IgG and IgA and mucosal IgA antibody responses; serum rCTB-specific IgE antibody titres were not detected. These results show that intranasal administration of nDT with rCTB must be a very useful means for vaccination against diphtheria.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Cloning and identification of the gene gob-5, which is expressed in intestinal goblet cells in mice.

By using the large-scale in situ hybridization system (Analytical Biochemistry (1997) 254, 23-30), we isolated the cDNA gob-5, which is expressed in the intestinal goblet cells in mice. The transcript was also found to be abundantly expressed in small intestine, colon, stomach, and uterus and slightly expressed in trachea tissue. The gob-5 cDNA was shown to be 3 kb in size. After screening digestive tract tissues using our in situ hybridization method we demonstrate that gob-5 is expressed in mucous cells. The deduced amino acid sequence is similar to the gene which encodes the epithelial chloride channel in the bovine trachea.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Relation of bimanual coordination to activation in the sensorimotor cortex and supplementary motor area: analysis using functional magnetic resonance imaging.

The aim of this study was to analyze how functional activation in the supplementary motor area (SMA) and sensorimotor cortex (SMC) is related to bimanual coordination using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Subjects included 24 healthy volunteers, 15 of whom were right-handed and 9 left-handed. Three kinds of activation tasks, all of which required the repetitive closing and opening of a fist, were performed: unimanual movement of the nonpreferred hand (task A); simultaneous, agonistic movement of both hands (task B); simultaneous, antagonistic movement of both hands (task C). The SMA activation during task C was more pronounced than that during the other two tasks for right and left handers. The results suggested that the activation of the SMA, at least during a simple motion used in the present study, was little influenced by whether the motion was unimanual or bimanual but instead how the bimanual motion was composed of the motion element of a single hand. The SMC activation during task C was significantly larger than that during task B, whereas hemispheric differences in the activation were not found. This indicated that the complexity of the bimanual movement also affected the SMC activation.

Adult↗

Application and validation of three-dimensional data sets from a phase contrast MR angiography for preoperative computer simulation of brain tumors.

We applied a three-dimensional (3D) phase contrast magnetic resonance angiography as the source for generating integrated 3D images for surgical planning of brain tumors. In the 3D model, we defined the Cingulomarginal sulcus and subsequently the central sulcus in the interhemispheric plane. This method solved the misregistration problem caused by the combination of multi-sequence data sets and can be feasible for surgical planning.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Inhibition of eukaryotic dna polymerase alpha by persimmon (Diospyros kaki) extract and related polyphenols.

The effects of persimmon extract (Diospyros kaki) and related polyphenols on eukaryotic DNA polymerase alpha were examined. It was found that persimmon extract, epigallocatechin gallate, and epicatechin gallate strongly inhibited the activity of DNA polymerase alpha purified from calf thymus. Among these polyphenols, persimmon extract had the most potent effect on DNA polymerase alpha activity and the concentration of persimmon extract producing 50% inhibition of the activity was 0.191 microM. Persimmon extract showed a weaker effect on DNA polymerase beta and slightly inhibited primase and DNA polymerase I. The inhibition of DNA polymerase alpha by persimmon extract was competitive with the template-primer and noncompetitive with dTTP substrate. The Ki value of DNA polymerase alpha for persimmon extract was estimated to be 70 nM. Moreover, persimmon extract inhibited [3H]thymidine incorporation of human peripheral lymphocyte cells stimulated by PHA.

DNA Polymerase I↗

Plate Tectonics at 3.8-3.7 Ga: Field Evidence from the Isua Accretionary Complex, Southern West Greenland.

A 1&rcolon;5000 scale mapping was performed in the Isukasia area of the ca. 3.8-Ga Isua supracrustal belt, southern West Greenland. The mapped area is divided into three units bounded by low-angle thrusts: the Northern, Middle, and Southern Units. The Southern Unit, the best exposed, is composed of 14 subunits (horses) with similar lithostratigraphy, bound by layer-parallel thrusts. Duplex structures are widespread in the Isua belt and vary in scale from a few meters to kilometers. Duplexing proceeded from south to north and is well documented in the relationship between link- and roof-thrusts. The reconstructed lithostratigraphy of each horse reveals a simple pattern, in ascending order, of greenstone with low-K tholeiitic composition with or without pillow lava structures, chert/banded iron-formation, and turbidites. The cherts and underlying low-K tholeiites do not contain continent- or arc-derived material. The lithostratigraphy is quite similar to Phanerozoic "oceanic plate stratigraphy," except for the abundance of mafic material in the turbidites. The evidence of duplex structures and oceanic plate stratigraphy indicates that the Isua supracrustal belt is the oldest accretionary complex in the world. The dominantly mafic turbidite composition suggests that the accretionary complex was formed in an intraoceanic environment comparable to the present-day western Pacific Ocean. The duplex polarity suggests that an older accretionary complex should occur to the south of the Isua complex. Moreover, the presence of seawater (documented by a thick, pillow, lava unit at the bottom of oceanic plate stratigraphy) indicates that the surface temperature was less than ca. 100 degrees C in the Early Archean. The oceanic geotherm for the Early Archean lithosphere as a function of age was calculated based on a model of transient half-space cooling at given parameters of surface and mantle temperatures of 100 degrees and 1450 degrees C, respectively, suggesting that the Archean oceanic lithosphere was rigid. These conclusions-rigidity and lateral plate movement-support the idea that the modern style of plate tectonics was in operation only 0.7-0.8 G.yr. after the formation of the Earth.

Journal Article↗

Phytol induces programmed cell death in human lymphoid leukemia Molt 4B cells.

The exposure of human lymphoid leukemia Molt 4B cells to phytol which was isolated from Lolium multiflorum Lam and identified by MS, and 1H- and 13C-NMR, led to both growth inhibition and the induction of programmed cell death (apoptosis). Morphological change showing apoptotic bodies was observed in the cells treated with phytol. The fragmentation by phytol of DNA to oligonucleosomal-sized fragments that are characteristics of apoptosis was observed to be concentration- and time-dependent. These findings suggest that growth inhibition by phytol of Molt 4B cells results from the induction of apoptosis in the cells.

Apoptosis↗

[Emergent coronary artery bypass grafting within twenty-four hours following acute myocardial infarction].

We experienced 43 patients with acute myocardial infarction who underwent emergent coronary artery bypass grafting within twenty-four hours from the onset. Twenty-six patients (group S) were in cardiogenic shock preoperatively and fourteen patients of this group had total or subtotal obstruction of the left main trunk. Fourteen of the other seventeen patients (group N) had a left main trunk disease. More patients underwent PTCA and the time required for reperfusion of the infarction-related coronary artery with PTCA was shorter in group S than group N. Preoperative hemodynamics improved in twenty patients in group S. The time required for completion of a coronary artery bypass to the infarction-related coronary artery was also shorter in group S. The operative mortality was 15% in group S and 6% in group N. One noncardiac late death occurred in group S. The postoperative segmental wall motion score of the infarcted left ventricle was much improved in patients with subtotal occlusion of the infarction-related coronary artery. Thus, preoperative hemodynamic improvement by early reperfusion leads to satisfying operative results and salvage of the infarcted myocardium.

Aged↗

[Cardiac deformity and dysfunction in facioscapulohumeral dystrophy--electrocardiogram, ECG gate cardiac MRI studies].

We studied the cardiac deformity and dysfunction in 8 patients with facio-scapulo-humeral (FSH) muscular dystrophy by electrocardiogram (ECG) and ECG gated cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Two of the 8 FSH patients revealed elevated P waves and 3 of these patients revealed multifocal atrial premature contractions (APC) on ECG as reported previously. On ECG-gated MRI, the flattened thorax with anteriorly shifted vertebrae restricted the right ventricular movement. On the other hand, the right atrium is often enlarged. It is known that the patients suffering from severe "funnel chest" or "straight back syndrome" often develop similar ECG abnormalities and right atrial dysfunction resulting from restricted right ventricular dilatation. Although a possibility that the abnormal P waves or multifocal APC frequently observed in FSH are caused by myocardial degeneration selectively occurring in right atrium remains to be excluded, the characteristic thoracic deformity may play a primary role in the development of cardiac problems in this hereditary muscular disorder.

Adult↗

Cloning of the novel gene intelectin, which is expressed in intestinal paneth cells in mice.

Using a large-scale in situ hybridization screening method, we isolated the cDNA gene intelectin, whose mRNA is expressed in small intestinal paneth cells in mice. Northern blot analysis revealed that the mRNA corresponding to the cDNA was 1.2 kp in length, and expression was specific to the tissue in the small intestine. We termed this gene intelectin because the deduced amino acid sequence is similar to the previously cloned oocyte lectin gene of Xenopus laevis. The function of intelectin may be involved in the defence of microorganisms.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Interaction of mitochondrial targeting signals with acidic receptor domains along the protein import pathway: evidence for the 'acid chain' hypothesis.

Mitochondrial precursor proteins with basic targeting signals may be transported across the outer membrane by sequential binding to acidic receptor sites of increasing affinity. To test this 'acid chain' hypothesis, we assayed the interaction of mitochondrial precursors with three acidic receptor domains: the cytosolic domain of Tom20 and the intermembrane space domain of Tom22 and Tim23. The apparent affinity and salt resistance of precursor binding increased in the order Tom20<Tom22 (internal)<Tim23. Precursor binding to the three acidic receptor domains and to the pure cytosolic domain of Tom70 was inhibited by excess targeting peptide, but not by an equally basic control peptide. In this membrane-free and defined system, a precursor pre-bound to the Tom70 or Tom20 domain was transferred efficiently to the Tim23 domain. Transfer was stimulated by the internal Tom22 domain and was much less efficient in the reverse direction. Precursors destined for the outer membrane bound only to Tom20, but not to the internal Tom22 or the Tim23 domain, and a precursor destined for the inner membrane bound only to the Tom20 and the internal Tom22 domain, but not to the Tim23 domain. These results suggest that specific and sequential binding of a targeting signal to strategically situated acidic receptors delivers a precursor across the outer membrane and contributes to intramitochondrial sorting of imported proteins.

Acids↗

[Blood conservation effect and safety of shed mediastinal blood autotransfusion after cardiac surgery].

Autotransfusion of shed mediastinal blood after cardiac surgery has been used to reduce risks related to homologous blood transfusions. To document the efficacy and safety of autotransfusion, we compared clinical findings of 80 patients receiving shed mediastinal blood (autotransfusion group) with those of the control group of 52 patients. The amount of the autotransfusion was limited to 800 ml, given the potentially harmful effects of shed blood transfusion. The mean transfused shed volume was 314 +/- 236 ml (S.D.). The serum levels of FDP-E, D-dimer and TAT after autotransfusion were higher in the autotransfusion group than in the control group (p = 0.01, p = 0.0004, p = 0.001, respectively). However, postoperative blood loss and the rate of reexploration for bleeding were similar in the two groups. The patients receiving blood products were fewer in the autotransfusion group than those in the control group (21% vs 44%; p = 0.005). Autotransfusion did not increase postoperative complications, including infection. Thus, although autotransfusion of mediastinal shed blood has the potential to affect hemostasis, unless the amount of autotransfusion exceeds 800 ml, it appears that this method is clinically safe and effective as a mean of blood conservation.

Blood Transfusion, Autologous↗

Phase II trial of carboplatin plus oral etoposide for elderly patients with small-cell lung cancer.

A phase II trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the Egorin's carboplatin dosing formula with 14-day oral etoposide in 38 elderly patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). The overall response rate was 81%. Median survival times were 15.1 months for 16 limited-disease (LD) and 8.6 months for 22 extensive-disease (ED) patients. Myelosuppression was the principal side-effect. This regimen is an active regimen in the treatment of elderly SCLC patients.

Aged↗