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Biomedical subjects

T Matsui

Publications and source records attributed to T Matsui.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Immunohistochemical and electron microscopical studies of myocardial inclusions in hereditary myopathy of the diaphragmatic muscles in Holstein-Friesian cattle.

In hereditary myopathy of the diaphragmatic muscles in Holstein-Friesian cattle, the largest number of acidophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions was found in the myocardium. These inclusions, which were oval and measured 12-15 microm in the transverse sections, were characterized by a dense, amorphous zone, and a relatively hyalinized sarcous substance in paraffin-embedded hematoxylin and eosin (H & E)-stained sections. Histochemically, each inclusion was stained intense red and dark green with H & E and Gomori's trichrome, respectively. NADH-TR activity was absent. The region surrounding the inclusions was less acidophilic with H & E, and showed an increased activity with NADH-TR. The inclusions showed no immunoreactivity for desmin, vimentin, actin or alpha-actinin, while strong desmin immunoreactivity was observed in the region surrounding the inclusion. Some inclusions showed strong immunoreactivity for ubiquitin, but others reacted only faintly. Ultrastructurally, the inclusion had a dense core composed of myofibrillar aggregations. The periphery of this dense core was surrounded by thin or intermediate-sized filaments, which corresponded to the desmin-positive area. This alteration was sometimes found to be continuous with the Z disk, which showed streaming or disintegration or with the desmosome of the intercalated disk. We discuss here the similarity between this specific inclusion and the other alternative organelles that have been reported previously in cardiomyopathy or in cardiac lesions associated with various myopathies.

Actins↗
PubMed1999

Transcranial approach for transsphenoidal encephalocele: report of two cases.

BACKGROUND: Whereas the transcranial approach has been regarded as the therapy of choice for transethmoidal encephalocele, its feasibility for transsphenoidal encephalocele has remained controversial, particularly in neonates and infants. CASE REPORT: Two cases of transsphenoidal encephalocele operated transcranially are presented. In the first case, this 6-year-old boy underwent a transpalatal operation with repair of a cleft palate in another hospital before admission. Reoperation via the transcranial route was carried out because of postoperative recurrent meningitis. With partial resection of the anterior wall, the encephalocele could be separated from the underlying tissue, and the interspace was filled with the pericranial flap. He made an uneventful recovery and has been well for the past 3 years. The second was a 3-month-old baby with a large encephalocele filling the nasopharyngeal space. As the cleft palate was absent, the transcranial approach was employed. In this case, the herniated tissue was excised at the lowest level possible. Postoperatively, panhypopituitarism became manifest. Re-evaluation of the preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disclosed a small mass far below the dorsum sellae, which turned out to be an anomalous pituitary gland on histologic examination. CONCLUSIONS: The transcranial approach is considered a valid alternative for the therapy of transsphenoidal encephalocele, particularly when the transpalatal approach is unfeasible. While the anterior wall of the herniated sac may be safely resected, the posterior wall should under no circumstances be sacrificed. The preoperative MRI is essential, as it may provide valuable information as to the location of vital structures within the herniated tissue.

Child↗
PubMed1999

Prevention of severe premenstrual asthma attacks by leukotriene receptor antagonist.

BACKGROUND: The etiology and treatment of premenstrual exacerbations of asthma (PMA) remain uncertain. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the role of cellular mediators released from inflammatory cells in the airflow limitation during PMA. METHODS: Serum levels of leukotriene (LT) B(4), LTC(4), platelet- activating factor, histamine, IL-1beta, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and GM-CSF were measured at different time points, first just before or during menstruation when the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) began to decrease precipitously and second during the menstrual midcycle week (days 10-16) when the PEFR returned to baseline values in patients with PMA and in age-matched asthma patients without PMA at the same intervals. RESULTS: Serum levels of LTC(4) were significantly higher during exacerbations of asthma than after recovery (69.0 +/- 16.0 pg/mL vs 24.0 +/- 9.5 pg/mL, P <.05), whereas those of IL-1beta, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, GM-CSF, histamine, LTB(4), and platelet-activating factor did not differ between 2 periods in 5 patients with PMA. In contrast, in 5 asthmatic patients without PMA serum levels of cellular mediators did not differ between corresponding periods. Oral administration of pranlukast, an LT receptor antagonist (225 mg twice daily), significantly reduced decreases in PEFR from the baseline values (110 +/- 21 L/min with pranlukast vs 233 +/- 20 L/min without pranlukast, P <.01) in association with an improvement of asthma symptom scores (6.5 +/- 1. 1 with pranlukast vs 9.8 +/- 0.7 without pranlukast, P <0.05) in 5 patients with PMA. CONCLUSION: LTs are partly involved in the pathogenesis of PMA, and LT receptor antagonists may be useful for preventing airflow obstruction in patients with PMA.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Overexpression of monocyte-derived cytokines in active psoriasis: a relation to coexistent arthropathy.

An overexpression of inflammatory cytokines has been found in the lesional skin as well as peripheral blood in patients with psoriasis, although its etiological significance is not yet understood. In order to evaluate the cell type responsible for the elevated cytokines in the peripheral blood, we investigated cytokine profiles of the fractionated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in 30 patients with psoriasis and 27 healthy controls. Without stimulation, higher levels of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8 were produced by freshly isolated PBMCs from the patients than those from the controls. In the fractionated PBMCs, the monocyte-rich fractions were mainly responsible for the production of these cytokines and mRNA. The elevated levels of monocyte-derived cytokine mRNAs decreased following successful treatment with cyclosporin A. Although no correlation was found between the cytokine levels and the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) scores, patients with arthropathy showed significantly high production levels of IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8. These findings suggest that monocytes are the major cell source producing inflammatory cytokines in the peripheral blood of psoriasis, and the increased cytokine levels are related to the coexistent arthropathy rather than the severity of cutaneous lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Prostatitis--the Japanese viewpoint.

Japanese inclusion criteria in acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis are explained. Objective criteria of acute prostatitis are a bacterial count of 10(4) cfu/ml or more and 10 or more WBCs/hpf in VB1 or VB2. Criteria for chronic prostatitis are a bacterial count of 10(3) cfu/ml or more (if only Gram-positive cocci are isolated from EPS, a bacterial count of 10(4) cfu/ml or more is required) and 10 or more WBCs/hpf (including macrophages) in EPS or VB3. Secondly, we describe recent topics such as bacterial biofilm formation in prostatic tissues by electron microscopy in three out of 12 patients with intractable chronic prostatitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1999

Construction of an autonomously replicating plasmid in n-alkane-assimilating yeast, Candida tropicalis.

A transformation system using the autonomously replicating plasmid in the n-alkane-assimilating and asporogenic diploid yeast, Candida tropicalis, was developed. For the cloning of a DNA fragment containing a potential autonomously replicating sequence (ARS) from the genomic DNA of C. tropicalis, the ura3 mutant obtained using ethylmethane sulfonate as the host and the URA3 gene amplified by PCR using the C. tropicalis genomic DNA as a selectable marker were prepared. Comparison of ARSs among yeasts revealed that the consensus sequence found in S. cerevisiae was also present in C. tropicalis. The autonomously replicating plasmid containing the putative ARS as the shuttle vector, capable of replicating in both E. coli and C. tropicalis, was first constructed. The transformation system using this plasmid, in addition to the integrative transformation system, will be applicable to genetic studies of C. tropicalis.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Inhibitory effect of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors varies according to its origin.

The inhibitory effect of alpha-glucosidase (AGH) inhibitors against its origins (baker's yeast and rat, rabbit, and pig small intestines) was investigated. All inhibitors used in this study showed quite different inhibitory activities according to AGH origins. Voglibose, acarbose and glucono-1,5-lactone strongly inhibited mammalian AGHs, whereas no or less inhibition was observed in yeast AGH. On the contrary, (+)-catechin, a good inhibitor against yeast AGH (IC(50) = 1.3 x 10(-)(1) mM) as well as voglibose (IC(50) = 2.6 x 10(-)(2) mM), did not retard the mammalian AGH activity. Subsequent inhibition study with various food components revealed that all of foods except for green (IC(50) = 0.735 mg/mL) and oolong teas (IC(50) = 1.34 mg/mL) showed no inhibitory activity against rat AGH, whereas they inhibited yeast AGH. Consequently, the magnitude of AGH inhibition was greatly affected by its origin, and more attention relating to AGH origin would be needed to evaluate in vitro AGH inhibitory effect.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Development of a stable isotope dilution assay for the quantification of 5-methyl-(E)-2-hepten-4-one: application to hazelnut oils and hazelnuts.

A stable isotope dilution assay was developed for the quantitation of the hazelnut odorant 5-methyl-(E)-2-hepten-4-one by mass chromatography using synthesized [(2)H](2)-5-methyl-(E)-2-hepten-4-one as the internal standard. Application of the method on two batches of commercial hazelnut oils, processed from either roasted or unroasted nuts, revealed 6.4 microg 5-methyl-(E)-2-hepten-4-one per kg of unroasted oil whereas 315.8 microg per kg was determined in the roasted nut oil. The about 50-fold higher amount of 5-methyl-(E)-2-hepten-4-one in roasted hazelnut oil suggested the necessity of a thermal treatment to generate the flavor compound. Pan frying of raw hazelnuts (9 to 15 min) or boiling of the crushed nut material for 1 h in water led to an increase of 5-methyl-(E)-2-hepten-4-one by factors of 600 and 800, respectively, thereby corroborating that the major part of the nut flavorant is formed during heat treatment from a yet unknown precursor in hazelnuts.

Alkenes↗
PubMed1999

Antioxidant therapy against cerebral vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

1. Approximately one-third of the morbidity and mortality due to aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is caused by delayed ischemic neurological deficit (DIND) due to cerebral vasospasm. 2. Compared to prolonged arterial constriction in other parts of the body, cerebral vasospasm is characterized by its long duration and refractoriness to vasodilators such as calcium antagonists. 3. Whereas oxyhemoglobin (oxyHb) liberated into the CSF from the subarachnoid clot has been deemed the causative agent of vasoconstriction, the biochemical mechanisms whereby oxyHb elicits prolonged constriction of the cerebral arteries has remained elusive. Here, we suggest that oxyHb triggers the generation of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) within the CSF. 4. Multiple lines of evidence indicate that the occurrence of vasospasm, namely, prolonged smooth muscle contraction, is due to the following intracellular events. 5. First, hydroxyl radicals (OH*), the most reactive species of ROI, are generated within the cerebral arterial wall via the Fenton and Haber-Weiss reactions catalyzed by oxyHb. Second, subsequent peroxidative membrane damage in the arterial smooth muscle cell enhances the metabolism of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, leading to a rise in the intracellular level of diacylglycerol, an endogenous activator of protein kinase C. 6. The prolonged arterial contraction that occurs during vasospasm is attributable primarily to the activation of protein kinase C, not to the Ca2+/calmodulin system. In this article, literature relevant to the above thesis is reviewed, and the rationale for the antioxidant therapy against cerebral vasospasm is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Role of nitric oxide in pathogenesis underlying ischemic cerebral damage.

1. Based upon the intriguing report that nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor dose-dependently reverses N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced neurotoxicity observed in primary cortical cell cultures, many laboratories have investigated whether NOS inhibition is beneficial as a treatment for cerebral ischemia. 2. Although the results are variable, it is likely thought that nitric oxide plays a key role in pathomechanism underlying ischemic brain damage. 3. We review the experimental studies on effects of NOS inhibition on cerebral ischemia and measuring nitric oxide produced in the brain subjected to cerebral ischemia. 4. Finally, the possibility of NOS inhibitors as a therapeutical tool is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Total inhibition of high shear stress induced platelet aggregation by homodimeric von Willebrand factor A1-loop fragments.

Under high shear stress, the binding of von Willebrand factor (VWF) A1-loop domain to platelet glycoprotein (GP) Ib alpha occurs as the earliest event in thrombus formation. Therefore recombinant VWF A1-loop fragments could be of therapeutic use in blocking this interaction as competing ligands. We have prepared three homodimeric VWF A1-loop fragments [315 kD Fr III (a homodimer of amino acid [aa] residues 1-1365 of the subunit), 220 kD Fr (a homodimer of aa residues 1-708 of the subunit), and 116 kD Fr (a homodimer of aa residues 449-728 of the subunit) and two monomeric fragments [39/34 kD Fr (a monomer of aa residues 480/481-718 of the subunit] and His-rVWF465-728 (a monomer of aa residues 465-728 of the subunit)], and assessed their potency as inhibitors of botrocetin-induced VWF binding to GPIb alpha and high shear stress induced platelet aggregation mediated by intact VWE All these fragments completely inhibited botrocetin-induced VWF binding to GPIb alpha at a final concentration of 40-200 microM. The homodimeric A1-loop fragments also totally inhibited high shear stress induced platelet aggregation at a final concentration of 0.45-2.0 microM in the following order: 315 kD Fr > or = 220 kD Fr >> 116 kD Fr. In contrast, the monomeric A1-loop fragments were only partial inhibitors of high shear stress induced platelet aggregation even at a final concentration of 20 microM, and their IC50s were 13-39 times higher than those of the homodimers. These results indicate that the homodimeric structure of the A1-loop fragment is important for optimal molecular interaction with GPIb alpha under high shear stress.

Humans↗
PubMed1999

Prevalence and symptomatology of comorbid obsessive-compulsive disorder among bulimic patients.

This study sought to assess the prevalence and symptomatology of comorbid obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) among Japanese subjects who met the DSM-III-R criteria for bulimia nervosa (BN). The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R Patient Version was used to distinguish 26 BN patients with concurrent OCD from 52 BN patients without OCD. Obsessive-compulsive symptoms in BN subjects with concurrent OCD were evaluated using the Japanese version of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale. There were no differences in the prevalence of concurrent OCD between BN subjects with and without a lifetime history of anorexia nervosa. Among BN subjects with concurrent OCD, symptoms related to symmetry and order were most frequently identified, followed by contamination and aggressive obsessions, and checking and cleaning/washing compulsions. Bulimia nervosa subjects with concurrent OCD were more likely than subjects without OCD to have more severe mood and core eating disorder psychopathology. Comorbid OCD is a common phenomenon in Japanese bulimics (33%) similar to that suggested in BN subjects in the Western countries. Obsessive-compulsive symptoms related to symmetry and order were most frequently observed in BN subjects with concurrent OCD, which was a similar finding to that reported among restricting anorexic subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Outcome of precise vesicourethral anastomosis following retropubic radical prostatectomy using a Foley catheter.

PURPOSE: In order to evaluate precise anastomosis using a Foley catheter, complications following radical retropubic prostatectomy were examined. METHODS: Twenty-one patients underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy. Precise vesicourethral anastomosis was performed, visualizing the urethral stump by raising up the urogenital diaphragm using a Foley catheter. Complications, such as prolonged urinary extravasation and temporary urinary retention, were checked when the catheter was removed. Incontinence was evaluated both within 6 weeks and more than 6 weeks after operation. Anastomotic and urethral strictures were also checked during follow up. RESULTS: The follow-up period ranged from 4 to 47 months (mean (+/- SD) 22.0 +/- 12.1 months). Eighteen of 21 patients (85.7%) achieved continence after the operation. However, two patients still had stress incontinence and one patient had mild incontinence. Neither prolonged urinary extravasation nor temporally urinary retention were observed. Anastomotic and urethral stricture were not experienced during follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Precise anastomosis using a Foley catheter is technically easy and useful, even for relatively inexperienced urologists, to perform. Patients can often achieve continence following this procedure.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Interleukin-15 is not a constitutive cytokine in the epidermis, but is inducible in culture or inflammatory conditions.

The regulation in the skin of interleukin-15 (IL-15), a potent modulator of T-cell-mediated immune responses, is not fully understood. We investigated the levels of IL-15 and its mRNA produced by epidermal and cultured keratinocytes and found that normal keratinocytes did not constitutively express IL-15 in the epidermis, but in culture began to produce the cytokine. Some epidermal keratinocytes expressed IL-15 in inflammatory conditions associated with infiltration of neutrophils and eosinophils. IL-15 was detected only in the cell lysates, not in the supernatants of cultured keratinocytes. Dexamethasone (10(-5)-10(-6) M) markedly inhibited IL-15 mRNA expression by normal and transformed keratinocytes in a range of pharmacological concentrations. IFN-gamma (200 and 400 U/ml) slightly increased the IL-15 message level in a squamous cell carcinoma cell line, HSC-5, in a dose-dependent fashion, whereas no significant change was observed in cultured normal human keratinocytes. Our data indicate that IL-15 is not a constitutive cytokine in epidermal keratinocytes but is inducible.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1999

Gonadoblastoma with proliferation resembling Sertoli cell tumor.

A gonadoblastoma containing a proliferation of the sex cord element resembling a Sertoli cell tumor was found in the dysgenetic gonad of a 19-year-old Japanese phenotypic woman whose karyotype was 46 XY. The tumor was a solid mass 9 cm in maximal dimension composed of gonadoblastoma, dysgerminoma, and a proliferative sex cord element resembling a Sertoli cell tumor. Transitions between the gonadoblastoma nests and the sertoliform element were observed. These findings suggest that the sex cord element of gonadoblastoma can progress to an independent sex cord tumor.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

The significance of the difference in bacterial adherence between bladder and ileum using rat ileal augmented bladder.

OBJECTIVES: Intestinal segments are frequently used in the reconstruction of the urinary tract. Chronic bacteriuria is frequently observed in these patients, but the reason is not clearly understood. Therefore, we studied the difference in bacterial adherence between bladder and ileum using the rat ileal augmented bladder model to investigate the cause of chronic bacteriuria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Augmentation of the bladder using ileum and a sham operation were performed under sodium pentobarbital in 102 and 10 Sprague-Dawley rats, respectively. At three months after the operation, urinary pH and plasma concentration of sodium, chloride and potassium were measured and urinary culture was done. Urovirulence factors of Escherichia coli aspirated from augmented bladder were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Five to six rats with negative urinary cultures after the augmentation were used for each experimental cystitis. E. coli with type I pili aspirated from augmented rats and three clinically isolated strains of E. coli, C5 (type I pili, aerobactin), C92 (type I pili, aerobactin, P fimbriae), and C189 (type I pili, aerobactin, P fimbriae, CNF), were transurethrally inoculated into the augmented bladder of rats. Fourteen days after inoculation, rats were sacrificed and colony-forming units (CFU) per mg. of tissue of bladder and ileum were measured. RESULTS: After operation, urinary pH and the serum level of chloride in all augmented groups were higher than those of the controls. Bacterial colonization was observed in 56 of 89 rats. Most of them were E. coli having only type I pili as a virulence factor. In contrast, the sham operated group revealed no bacterial colonization. In experimental cystitis, E. coli with only type I pili aspirated from augmented rats and E. coli C5 were clearly adhered to ileum rather than to bladder, but E. coli C92 and C189 showed no significant difference with respect to adherence to the two tissues. In experimental cystitis II, E. coli C5 with D-mannose were washed out in 3 of 5 rats by 14 days, while E. coli C5 without D-mannose were not washed out in all rats by 14 days. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that the difference in bacterial adherence due to urovirulence factors, especially type I pili, is one of the main causes of asymptomatic bacteriuria after urinary reconstruction.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Hypercalcaemia in melanoma patients associated with increased levels of parathyroid hormone-related protein.

We analysed serum levels of calcium and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTH-rP) in 59 patients with melanoma by immunoradiometric assay, since only a few studies have been conducted on hypercalcaemia and serum levels of PTH-rP in patients with melanoma. Hypercalcaemia was found in seven of the 59 patients with melanoma. The serum level of PTH-rP was increased in three of the 59 patients and two of the three showed hypercalcaemia. All the patients with hypercalcaemia and/or an increased level of PTH-rP had stage IV melanoma. These findings suggest that hypercalcaemia is much more common than previously reported in patients with advanced stage melanoma and that an increased serum level of PTH-rP is one of the causative factors in hypercalcaemia in melanoma. Analysis of the serum PTH-rP level will contribute to the monitoring of the clinical course of patients with advanced stage melanoma.

Adolescent↗