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Biomedical subjects

T Masuda

Publications and source records attributed to T Masuda.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Body size and composition in different somatotypes of Japanese college-aged women.

The purpose of this study was to determine differences in body size, composition and structure between three somatotypes of Japanese college-aged women. The study sample consisted of 30 sedentary female college students between 18 and 20 years of age. Ten subjects had an endomorphic ectomorph somatotype (mean weight 41.95 kg), 10 had an endomorph-ectomorph somatotype (mean weight 47.12 kg) and the remaining subjects had a mesomorphic endomorph somatotype (mean weight 55.37 kg). The mean heights for these groups did not differ significantly. The mesomorphic endomorph group had a higher gross weight and a higher percentage of all adipose variables than the other two groups, though these measurements were not significantly different between the endomorph-ectomorph and the endomorphic ectomorph groups. The mean lean body weight (LBW) for the mesomorphic endomorph group was significantly larger than that of the other two groups. The endomorph-ectomorph group had the next largest LBW, and the mean for the endomorphic ectomorph group was significantly smaller than that of the other two groups. Inversely, mean values of LBW/weight(WT), LBW/total adipose tissue weight (TATW) ratio and total body water/WT were significantly lower for the mesomorphic endomorph group than for the other two groups. Furthermore, the ratios of internal adipose tissue to weight (IATW)/WT and subcutaneous adipose tissue to IATW (SATW)/IATW did not differ significantly between groups. In conclusion, college-aged women of different somatotypes within the same age and height range varied in body composition. Consequently, the notion of a small frame is incorrect. An accurate assessment of the human body's composition may provide a valuable insight into the ideal weight for optimal physiologic function.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Enhancing effect of the liver extract and flavin adenin dinucleotide mixture on anti-viral efficacy of interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

A combined preparation of liver extract and flavin adenin dinucleotide (FAD) (Adelavin) has been widely used in patients with chronic liver diseases in Japan. One milliliter of this agent contains 15 microliters of phenol-soluble phase of liver nucleic acid fraction and 10 mg of FAD. To examine the advantages of using this preparation in the elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) from patients with chronic hepatitis (CH)-C receiving interferon (IFN), 2 ml of this preparation was intravenously (n = 9) or intramuscularly (n = 8) administered daily for 5 days before 6 million units of IFN-alpha was intramuscularly injected once. Before and 48 hours after the injection of IFN, serum ALT, 2'5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (2'5-AS) activity, and HCV RNA levels were measured. The daily administration of this preparation alone for 5 days did not significantly change serum ALT, 2'5-AS activities, and HCV RNA levels. The 2'5-AS activities were significantly increased by IFN after the intravenous injection of this preparation (p < 0.01), while an injection of IFN alone of this dose did not change its activities (n = 10). HCV RNA levels were significantly decreased by IFN only after the administration of the preparation (intramuscular, p < 0.01; intravenous, p < 0.01). The effect of intravenous injection of this preparation was also elicited in patients with HCV genotype II and with HCV more than 10(5) copies/ml. These results suggest that this preparation may enhance the 2'5-AS production by IFN as a result of the increase in mitochondrial adenosin triphosphate production and may be a potent agent to enhance the anti-viral efficacy of IFN in patients with CH-C.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Precursor directed biosynthesis of aureobasidins.

The antifungal antibiotic aureobasidin A (AbA) is a cyclic depsipeptide composed of eight amino acids and a hydroxy acid. New Ab analogs were produced by feeding various amino acids to Aureobasidium pullulans R 106 c-712 in a chemically-defined medium containing glucose and ammonium sulfate. The constituent amino acids of AbA at positions 3 (L-phenylalanine), 4 (N-methyl-L-phenylalanine), 5 (L-proline), 6 (L-allo-isoleucine) and 8 (L-leucine) were replaced by respective analogous amino acids such as o-fluoro-L-phenylalanine, 4-hydroxy-L-proline, L-norleucine and L-norvaline, resulting in the production of eight new Ab analogs. This is the first paper to describe amino acid replacements at positions 3, 5 and 8. L-[1-13C]-Valine exogenously added was incorporated into the three valine-related moieties of AbA at positions 2, 7 (both N-methyl-L-valine) and 9 (beta-hydroxy-N-methyl-L-valine), but these moieties were never replaced by exogenous amino acid analogs. The comparative antifungal activities of AbA and the eight new Ab analogs were determined.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Eosinophilia in primary biliary cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVES: Recent studies have shown the occurrence of eosinophilia in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). To examine whether eosinophilia is indeed a distinctive feature of PBC, we performed extensive leukocyte differential analysis using a highly sophisticated hematology instrument. We also investigated the relationship between eosinophil dynamics and clinical features of PBC including the effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment. METHODS: A flow cytometry-based blood cell analyzer (Technicon H6000) was used to examine peripheral blood eosinophil counts in 38 patients with PBC and 131 patients with various liver deseases. We also performed eosinophil quantitation in 19 PBC patients before and after administration of UDCA for 4 wk. RESULTS: Patients with PBC had significantly higher relative and absolute eosinophil counts when compared with other liver diseases (5.7 +/- 0.5% [p < 0.0001, mean +/- SEM] and 312 +/- 26 cells/microliter [p < 0.01], respectively). Twenty-one of 38 PBC patients (55%) exhibited relative eosinophilia. In patients with PBC, the eosinophil count was: 1) significantly higher in those with early histological stages (stage I-II, 6.5 +/- 0.5% vs stage III-IV, 4.4 +/- 0.7%,p < 0.05), 2) positively correlated with basophil count (p < 0.01), serum IgA levels (p < 0.05), and the degree of eosinophil infiltration in the portal tract (p < 0.01), and 3) markedly reduced by UDCA treatment (before: 5.9 +/- 0.7%, 307 +/- 37 cells/microliter; after: 2.8 +/- 0.03% [p < 0.001], 162 +/- 26 cells/microliter ¿p < 0.001]). CONCLUSIONS: Eosinophilia is a common and distinctive feature of patients with PBC. UDCA ameliorates eosinophilia as well as liver function tests in PBC patients. Eosinophilia may be useful as one of the initial clues in the diagnosis of PBC, especially in its early stage.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Reduction of LAK-sensitivity and changes in antigen expression on hepatoma cells by sodium butyrate.

We demonstrated that sodium butyrate (SB) induced differentiation of functions in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines. To investigate relationship between the sensitivity for cellular cytotoxicity and the cellular differentiation of HCC cells, the effect of SB on lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) sensitivity and antigen expression of a human HCC cells were studied. SB induced LAK-resistance of human HCC cell lines, HCC-T and HCC-M, time-dependently. A flowcytometric analysis of cell surface antigens revealed that SB markedly reduced the expression of laminin and fibronectin and increased the expression of liver-specific antigen defined by a mouse monoclonal antibody time-dependently, but did not modify that of major histocompatibility complex antigens, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, or CEA. Leukocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-3 expression on HCC-T was reduced slightly by SB treatment. LAK sensitivity was inhibited by anti-laminin, but not with anti-beta 2-microglobulin, anti-HLA DR, anti-ICAM-1, anti-fibronectin, or anti-CEA. Anti-LFA-3 reduced LAK sensitivity of HCC-T, but not HCC-M, although the reduction was less than that obtained by anti-laminin treatment. These results provided evidence that SB induced LAK-resistance of human HCC cells according to cellular differentiation and extracellular matrix functionality played an important role in this LAK-mediated cell killing. Moreover, the structure expressed on HCC cells, which contributed to LAK cytolysis, was different for each HCC cell.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Spinal intramedullary cavernous angioma associated with hematomyelia: case report with sequential MRI follow-up and histological verification of hematoidin deposits].

A 61-year-old woman first experienced sudden lower back and right leg pain 3 years prior to surgery. At this time, MRI showed an intramedullary cavernous angioma at Th10-11 with central T2 high and peripheral T2 low signal intensity. However, she completely recovered in two weeks. Four days prior to the present admission (day of the second hemorrhage), she again experienced severe lower back and right leg pain, followed by complete paralysis of the right leg. Despite vigorous medical treatment including administration of steroid, hemostatics and glycerol, her condition became aggravated with complete paraplegia and loss of sphincter control by the 4th hospital day. MRI taken two days after the second hemorrhage showed an increase of peritumoral T2 hypointensity and another area of T2 hypointensity in the lumbar spinal cord at L1-Th12 with cord swelling. MRI 13 days after the second hemorrhage showed that these areas of T2 hypointensity had changed to T1 and T2 hyperintensity suggesting conversion of deoxyhemoglobin to methemoglobin. Subsequent MRI showed longitudinal punctuate propagation of methemoglobin from the angioma down to the lumbar enlargement and into the conus medullaris, where a 30 x 6 mm spindle-shaped area of T1 and T2 hyperintensity indicating hematomyelia had formed. Total removal of the angioma was followed by gradual recovery and decrease in the size and signal intensity of the hematomyelia. Histopathological examination demonstrated the typical features of cavernous angioma with deposition of hematoidin. Propagation of extravasated blood from the ruptured thoracic cavernoma to the conus medullaris, with splitting of spinal cord nerve fibers, was demonstrated by MRI.

Bilirubin↗
PubMed1996

Exercise-induced coronary spasm: comparison of treadmill and bicycle exercise in patients with vasospastic angina.

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether exercise-induced coronary spasms are influenced by the different exercise modes. METHODS: We compared ischaemic ECG responses in 67 patients with vasospastic angina who underwent both treadmill and bicycle ergometer exercise and also coronary angiography. RESULTS: ECG ST-segment elevation was provoked more frequently during treadmill exercise than it was during bicycle exercise (19 versus 9%, P < 0.05). Of 45 patients without significant coronary stenosis (coronary artery luminal diameter narrowing < 75%), 19 patients manifested ST-segment depression during treadmill exercise, whereas only seven patients did during bicycle exercise (42 versus 16%, P < 0.01). All patients with ST-segment elevation or depression during bicycle ergometer exercise also had ST-segment changes during treadmill exercise. Although higher systemic blood pressure levels and lower heart rates were found during bicycle exercise compared with during treadmill exercise the pressure-rate products at peak exercise did not differ between the two exercise tests. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that treadmill and bicycle exercise are different stressors in patients with vasospastic angina, and that coronary spasms are provoked more frequently during treadmill exercise than they are during bicycle exercise. The cause of this difference is not known, but it may be related in part to the difference in systemic haemodynamic or neurohumoral response.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[A case of papillary renal cell carcinoma with abnormal vascularity revealed by pharmacoangiography].

A 64-year-old man with a right renal mass was referred to our hospital for further examination. The tumor demonstrated no dye enhancement of the computerized tomography (CT) scan. The tumor appeared as a low signal intensity image on the T1 weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and as a high signal intensity image on the T2 weighted MRI. Angiography revealed as hypovascular mass, however, the vessels in the tumor appeared on pharmacoangiography due to the absence of vasconstrictive response. A right radical nephrectomy was thus performed. The tumor was mostly necrotic and had a thick capsule. The histopathological findings indicated the tumor to be papillary adenocarcinoma.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗
PubMed1996

[Studies of serum markers in patients with interstitial pneumonia/pulmonary fibrosis complicated with collagen diseases: clinical evaluation of CYFRA21-1].

The serum concentration of several markers in patients with collagen disease was studied to evaluate the useful indices for the diagnosis of interstitial pneumonia/pulmonary fibroses (pneumonitis). Procollagen N-terminal type III peptides, type IV collagen and monoamine oxidase were measured as the fibrosing markers. Squamous cell related antigen (SCC) and soluble cytokeratin 19 fragments (CYFRA21-1) were measured as the tumor markers. Hyaluronic acid, ESR and CRP were measured as the inflammation markers. The 119 patients with collagen disease (71 patients with RA, 16 with SSc, 9 with SLE, 8 with PM/DM, 6 with MCTI) and 9 with other collagen diseases) who have been followed in our hospital were studied. Of 119 patients, 23 patients (RA14, SSc7, PM/DM2) were complicated with pneumonitis. The results were as follows. 1. All the serum markers except CYFRA21-1 had no significantly difference between with and without pneumonitis. The serum CYFRA21-1 level in the pneumonitis group was higher than that of the non pneumonitis group (1.38 vs 0.66 ng/ml, P < 0.001). 2. The cut-off value was set at 2.0 ng/ml, corresponding to 26.1% sensitivity and 97.9% specificity for pneumonitis complicated with collagen disease. 3. The CYFRA21-1 level in early stage of pneumonitis group (from onset to measurement < 1 year) was significantly higher than that of late stage group (from onset to measurement > 1 year). And there are 75.0% sensitivity in early stage of pneumonitis group. 4. Case study was suggested that CYFRA21-1 had a potential as a diagnostic and monitoring marker for pneumonitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Cloning, subcellular localization and expression of CHL1, a subunit of magnesium-chelatase in soybean.

Mg-insertion is the first committed step in chlorophyll synthesis and is catalyzed by Mg-chelatase. In photosynthetic bacteria, bchI gene product was suggested to be a subunit of Mg-chelatase. We isolated a bchI homolog from a soybean cDNA library and designated it as chlI. CHLI consisted of 421 amino acid residues and the sequence exhibited a high similarity to other BchI homologs. CHLI contained an ATP-binding motif found in other BchI homologs. CHLI was localized in the soluble fraction in soybean chloroplasts, suggesting that it was a stromal subunit of Mg-chelatase. chlI mRNA in cell culture (SB-P) of soybean was reversibly induced by light.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1995

Production of trehalose phosphorylase by Catellatospora ferruginea.

A range of microorganisms was screened for new and high producer strains of trehalose phosphorylase (EC 2.4.1.64). Trehalose phosphorylase activity was found in cells of actinomyctes of the genera Actinomadura, Amycolata, Catellatospora, Kineosporia, and Nocardia. Among them, Catellatospora ferruginea showed the highest enzyme activity. Trehalose phosphorylase from C. ferruginea was able to catalyse both the phosphorolysis of trehalose into beta-glucose 1-phosphate and D-glucose and the synthesis of trehalose from beta-glucose 1-phosphate and D-glucose.

Actinomycetaceae↗
PubMed1995

Light-enhanced gene expression of NADPH-protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase in cucumber.

The NADPH-protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (NPR) is a well known enzyme catalyzing photoconversion of protochlorophyllide to chlorophyllide a and its expression is negatively regulated by light. We cloned a NPR cDNA from cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). The cDNA contained an open reading frame encoding 398 amino acids and amino acid sequence showed high similarity to those of NPR from other plants. Contrasting with most other plants, the levels of the NPR mRNA increased in etiolated cotyledons of cucumber when they were illuminated with continuous light, suggesting that the expression of this NPR gene was strongly related to chlorophyll synthesis in green leaves.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Protein kinase Byr2 is a target of Ras1 in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

Conservation of the structure and function of Ras proteins has been observed in a variety of eukaryotic organisms. However, the nature of their downstream effectors appears to be quite divergent; adenylyl cyclase and a protein kinase Raf-1, which do not share any structural homology with each other, are effectors of Ras in the budding yeast and in higher organisms, respectively. We show here that a protein kinase Byr2, which has been known to act downstream of Ras1 in a mating pheromone signal transduction system of Schizosaccharomyces pombe, binds directly to Ras proteins in a GTP-dependent manner. The region of Byr2 responsible for the Ras binding was mapped by a gene deletion analysis to its N-terminal segment of 206 amino acid residues, which does not possess any significant homology with the other effectors of Ras. The affinity of the Byr2 N terminus for Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ras2 was determined by measuring its activity to competitively inhibit Ras-dependent adenylyl cyclase activity and found to be comparable with those of yeast adenylyl cyclase and human Raf-1, with a dissociation constant (Kd) of about 1 nM. Furthermore, Byr2 inhibited a Ras GTPase-activating activity of Ira2, a S. cerevisiae homologue of neurofibromin. These results indicate that Byr2 is an immediate downstream target of Ras1 in S. pombe.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1995

Serial changes of plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor activity in acute myocardial infarction: difference between thrombolytic therapy and direct coronary angioplasty.

The fibrinolytic system is impaired in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The primary regulatory element of fibrinolytic activity is plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI). There are no reports, however, on the serial changes of PAI activity after thrombolysis or coronary angioplasty in patients with AMI undergoing emergency coronary angiography. This study was designed to examine the difference in the change of fibrinolytic activity between patients with AMI who underwent thrombolytic therapy with recombinant tissue-plasminogen activator (rTPA) and those who underwent direct percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA). We measured the serial changes of PAI activity and tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) antigen after rTPA therapy or direct PTCA. Twenty-two patients received emergency coronary angiography and were treated with rTPA intravenously. Twenty patients underwent direct PTCA. Plasma PAI activity levels were increased on admission and further increased within 24 hours in patients treated with rTPA and in those treated with direct PTCA. In the thrombolysis group, there were two peaks in plasma PAI activity levels (IU/ml) at 4 hours (27.0 +/- 2.9) and at 16 hours (25.6 +/- 2.5) after the initiation of rTPA infusion. However, in the direct PTCA group, there was one peak of PAI activity (IU/ml) at 16 hours (23.9 +/- 2.7) after the initiation of direct PTCA. In conclusion, the PAI activity has two peaks in the thrombolysis group and one peak in the direct PTCA group.

Aged↗