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Biomedical subjects

T Miyazawa

Publications and source records attributed to T Miyazawa.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Detection of a common genotype among strains of Taylorella equigenitalis isolated from thoroughbred horses in Japan between 1994 and 1996.

We examined whether or not the genotype J could be detected among 21 new strains of T. equigenitalis isolated between 1994 and 1996 in Japan since our previous report (MIYAZAWA et al. 1995). The respective pulsed-field gel electrophoretic profiles of the 21 Japanese strains, as well as those of an old EQ59 used as a reference strain after separate digestion with the two restriction enzymes, ApaI and NotI, were essentially identical but differed from those of T. equigenitalis NCTC11184T and KENTUCKY 188, respectively. Hence, the 21 strains and EQ59 appeared to have a common genotype J. Consequently, no strains of T. equigenitalis with any genotype other than genotype J may have reached Japan from 1980 to 1996 and strains with the genotype J have survived in Japan since the first invasion of contagious equine metritis into Japan.

Animals↗

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in a nontraumatic rabbit osteonecrosis model.

We investigated early osteonecrosis using in vivo magnetic resonance imaging in a nontraumatic rabbit model of serum-sickness osteonecrosis in which osteonecrosis was induced after two intravenous injections of horse serum with a 3-week interval. One week (group A, 17 rabbits) and 3 weeks (group B, 13 rabbits) after the second serum injection, coronal magnetic resonance images of the femur were obtained and it was removed for histological study. Some of the necrotic lesions in the diaphysis were detected on T1-weighted, T2-weighted, or fat-suppression T1-weighted images (six of 24 necrotic lesions in group A and 16 of 18 in group B), and all of the necrotic lesions in the epiphysis, metaphysis, and diaphysis were detected on T1-weighted or fat-suppression T1-weighted images enhanced with gadolinium-diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid. All focal homogeneous enhanced areas on T1-weighted or fat suppression T1-weighted images corresponded to necrotic lesions (22 of 24 necrotic lesions in group A and 18 of 18 in group B); the contours of the enhanced areas were displayed more clearly on the fat-suppression T1-weighted than on the T1-weighted images. The fat-suppression T1-weighted image enhanced with gadolinium-diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid was thus the most sensitive and specific of five kinds of magnetic resonance images for the detection of early necrotic lesions. The results suggest that this image may be useful for early diagnosis of clinical osteonecrosis and for obtaining information about the pathomechanism of osteonecrosis.

Animals↗

Enzymatic resolution of amino acids via ester hydrolysis.

The present review outlines recent examples of enzyme-based resolution procedures for amino acids via the hydrolysis of their esters. The resolutions have been achieved by using proteases (alpha-chymotrypsin, subtilisin and other microbial proteases, and sulfhydryl proteases of plant origin) and lipases. Relevant work utilizing yeast and other microbial cells is also included.

Amino Acids↗

Transcriptional analyses of the region of the equine herpesvirus type 4 genome encoding glycoproteins I and E.

To map the transcripts encoding the equine herpesvirus type 4 (EHV-4) glycoproteins I (gI) and E (gE), transcriptional analyses were performed at the right part of the unique short segment of EHV-4 genome. The results revealed that the gI gene is encoded by a 1.6-kb transcript which is 3' coterminal with a 3.0-kb gD mRNA while the gE gene is encoded by two transcripts of 3.5- and 2.4-kb in size. The transcriptional patterns described in this study for the EHV-4 gI and gE are similar to those found in the equivalent region of herpes simplex virus type 1 and feline herpesvirus type 1. Characterization of EHV-4 gI and gE glycoprotein genes may facilitate future studies to define their roles in the EHV-4 infection.

Animals↗

Separation and determination of glycolipids from edible plant sources by high-performance liquid chromatography and evaporative light-scattering detection.

Glycolipids from edible plant sources were accurately quantified by silica-based, normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography using an evaporative light-scattering detector. Five major glycolipid classes (acylated steryl glucoside, steryl glucoside, ceramide monohexoside, monogalactosyldiacylglycerol, and digalactosyldiacylglycerol) were separated and determined with a binary gradient system consisting of chloroform and methanol/water (95:5, vol/vol) without any interference from other lipid classes and pigments. The described method was applied to 48 edible plants available in Japan including cereals, legumes, vegetables, and fruits. Examined plant species contained glycolipids in wide concentration ranges, such as 5-645 mg/100 g tissue.

Ceramides↗

Gene arrangement and RNA transcription of the BamHI fragments K and M2 within the non-oncogenic Marek's disease virus serotype 2 unique long genome region.

We determined the nucleotide sequence of a 6593 bp fragment of the Marek's disease virus serotype 2 (MDV2) unique long region located in the right part of genomic BamHI-M2 and the adjacent part of BamHI-K fragments. Within this region five complete open reading frames (ORFs) were identified whose deduced amino acid sequences exhibited homology to the UL53 (glycoprotein K), UL54 (immediate early regulatory protein ICP27), and UL55 gene products of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Homologue to the HSV-1 UL56 was not detected. However, we identified a gene between the MDV2 UL54 and UL55 genes with homology to the first ORF (ORF-1) of equine herpesvirus type 1 and corresponding gene identified in pseudorabies virus. Two adjacent ORFs contained in the BamHI-K fragment, ORF 873s and ORF 873, were found by computer analysis to have the properties of an intron encoding a glycoprotein: ORF 873s encodes a 84 amino acid polypeptide with a stretch of a hydrophobic signal sequence in the C-terminus, and ORF 873 encodes a 873 amino acid polypeptide with a transmembrane domain and putative three N-linked glycosylation sites. All the identified genes were confirmed to be transcribed with 3'-coterminal transcripts and/or a unique transcript in the virus-infected cells. Especially, 3.5 kb mRNA of ORF 873s and ORF 873 are transcribed from a potential promoter region of ORF 873s, and splice donor and acceptor sites are used to splice the mRNA after cleavage of a 113 bp-nucleotide sequence.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

In vivo kinetics of microbubbles of SH U 508 A (Levovist): comparison with indocyanine green in rabbits.

The aim of this study was to evaluate in vivo kinetics of microbubbles of SH U 508 A, in comparison with Indocyanine Green, a dye used as an indicator of blood flow. Microbubble kinetics were evaluated in various vessels (i.e., vena cava, aorta, renal artery, renal vein and portal vein) in rabbits after injection of SH U 508 A by measuring Doppler signals (n = 5). The kinetics of Indocyanine Green were evaluated by measuring absorbance using a photodiode (n = 5). Test substances (SH U 508 A 300 mg/mL and Indocyanine Green 1.25 mg/mL) were injected IV at a dose of 0.1 mL/kg B.W. Peak signal intensity was observed immediately after injection of SH U 508 A, followed by biphasic decay. The rates of biphasic decay were similar in all vessels. A second peak of the signal, which indicated recirculation of the microbubbles, was observed in the vena cava. The circulation and recirculation times of the microbubbles after injection of SH U 508 A were similar to that of Indocyanine Green. These findings suggest that the majority of SH U 508 A microbubbles circulate through the body similarly to blood flow, without retention, in the vasculature.

Animals↗

Comparison of a 1.0 molar and a 0.5 molar formulation of gadobutrol in dynamic MR imaging of the liver in rats with hepatocellular carcinoma.

The efficacy of a 1.0 molar formulation of gadobutrol was compared with that of a 0.5 molar formulation in dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the liver in rats with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Seven nodules histologically identified as moderately differentiated HCC underwent dynamic study. In the normal parenchyma surrounding these tumors, the 0.5 molar and 1.0 molar formulations yielded similar enhancement patterns, with maximum enhancement value of approximately 35% at 20 to 40 s after injection. In the tumors, the 0.5 molar formulation induced approximately 65% enhancement, whereas the 1.0 molar formulation, used at the same dose as the 0.5 molar formulation, induced significantly higher enhancement until 10 min after injection with maximum enhancement of approximately 90%. These findings indicate that the 1.0 molar formulation could be more efficacious than the 0.5 molar formulation in dynamic MR studies of moderately differentiated HCC even when injected at the same dose.

Animals↗

Factors affecting hearing results after stapes surgery.

Factors affecting auditory improvement after stapes surgery were investigated retrospectively on a study group of 106 otosclerotic ears (86 subjects). While the closure of the air-bone (A-B) gap after surgery was good at 2 kHz and 4 kHz, it was poor at 8 kHz and at frequencies lower than 1 kHz. Under 1 kHz, the lower the frequency, the worse the A-B gap after surgery. Stapedotomy and partial stapedectomy showed better post-operative hearing gain at 4 kHz than total stapedectomy. Total stapedectomy scored significantly better at 250 Hz and 500 Hz than stapedotomy. There was a close relationship between the pre-operative and post-operative A-B gap at frequencies under 1 kHz. The smaller the pre-operative A-B gap, the better the closure of the post-operative A-B gap at these frequencies. It was speculated that otosclerotic ears with a larger pre-operative airbone gap might have another lesion in the middle ear other than the oval window.

Adult↗

Direct intestinal absorption of red fruit anthocyanins, cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside, into rats and humans.

We determined red fruit anthocyanins, cyanidin-3-glucoside (Cy-g) and cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside (Cy-dg), incorporated into plasma and liver of rats and human plasma by UV-HPLC. Fifteen minutes after an oral supplementation of a mixture of 320 mg of Cy-g and 40 mg of Cy-dg/kg of body weight, rats showed an increase to a maximum of 1563 microg (3490 nmol) of Cy-g/L and 195 microg (320 nmol) of Cy-dg/L in plasma and 0.067 microg (0.15 nmol) of Cy-g/g and a trace of Cy-dg together with methylated metabolites such as peonidin-3-glucoside in liver. In human plasma, 30 min after intake (2.7 mg of Cy-g and 0.25 mg of Cy-dg/kg of body weight), an average of 11 microg (24 nmol) of Cy-g/L and a trace of Cy-dg were found. Cyanidin as aglycone of Cy-g and Cy-dg was not found in such plasma samples, neither were conjugated and methylated anthocyanins. The results indicated that anthocyanins are incorporated keeping structurally intact glycoside forms, from the digestive tract into the blood circulation system in mammals.

Adult↗

Tea catechin supplementation increases antioxidant capacity and prevents phospholipid hydroperoxidation in plasma of humans.

The effect of green tea catechin supplementation on antioxidant capacity of human plasma was investigated. Eighteen healthy male volunteers who orally ingested green tea extract (254 mg of total catechins/subject) showed 267 pmol of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCg) per milliliter of plasma at 60 min after administration. The plasma phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide (PCOOH) levels attenuated from 73.7 pmol/mL in the control to 44.6 pmol/mL in catechin-treated subjects, being correlated inversely with the increase in plasma EGCg level. The results suggested that drinking green tea contributes to prevent cardiovascular disease by increasing plasma antioxidant capacity in humans.

Adult↗

Evaluation of regional liver function by gadolinium-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MR imaging.

We evaluated the role of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA), in estimating regional liver function in a rat ischemia-reperfusion model. Ischemic liver damage was induced in the right lobe by vascular clamping for 0 (sham), 30 (I-30), 60 (I-60), and 90 min (I-90 group). The ischemic lobes in the I-60 and I-90 groups was clearly visualized as a high intensity area in the T1 images at late phase of Gd-EOB-DTPA enhancement, Moreover, the T1/2 of signal intensity in ischemic lobes significantly correlated with the duration of vascular clamping. We also observed significant correlation between T1/2 and ATP concentration in the liver tissue (r = -0.719, P = 0.04). Our results indicate that MR imaging with Gd-EOB-DTPA is useful for evaluation of regional liver function in rats.

Animals↗

Analysis of neurotrophic effects of hepatocyte growth factor in the adult hypoglossal nerve axotomy model.

Recent studies have shown that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) promotes the survival of embryonic motor neurons. However, it remains unclear whether HGF has trophic effects on mature motor neurons. In the present study, we examined the effects of HGF on adult motoneurons using the hypoglossal nerve transection model. In adult rats, neurons in the hypoglossal nucleus show a dramatic loss of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) protein and mRNA after the axotomy. This reduction of ChAT was markedly prevented when HGF was administered continuously at the cut end of the nerve using an osmotic pump. The HGF receptor, c-met, protein and mRNA, which were faintly expressed in hypoglossal neurons under normal conditions, gradually increased and reached maximal levels 2 weeks after the axotomy. Administration of HGF reduced this c-met upregulation almost to normal levels. We also quantified HGF mRNA in the tongue and hypoglossal nucleus. The tongue contained abundant HGF mRNA, whereas the nucleus contained only low levels. Interestingly, the HGF mRNA level in the nucleus did not increase after the axotomy. These findings suggest that HGF is principally produced in the tongue and contributes to maintain ChAT expression in the nucleus. HGF produced in the hypoglossal nucleus alone after disconnection from the tongue may not be sufficient for the maintenance of the motor neuron function. Thus, exogenously applied HGF was effective to prevent the downregulation of ChAT activities. These findings provide a strong rationale for the potential clinical use of HGF for the treatment of motor neuron degenerative disease.

Animals↗

Clinical evaluation of the effect of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and intra-arterial papaverine infusion for the treatment of vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

The clinical efficacy of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and intra-arterial papaverine infusion for treatment of vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage was investigated. Between 1990 and 1993, 84 patients were treated for cerebral vasospasm in National Defense Medical College Hospital. Angioplasty was performed for asymptomatic vasospasm in 18 patients and for symptomatic vasospasm in 12 patients. Intra-arterial papaverine infusion was performed for asymptomatic vasospasm in 10 patients and for symptomatic vasospasm in four patients. The other 40 patients were treated with standard conservative therapy including hypervolemic and hypertensive hemodilution. The outcomes of these patients were analyzed using the Glasgow Outcome Scale. The outcome tended to be better for patients treated with angioplasty, but not for those treated with papaverine infusion, than for those treated conservatively. Recurrence of vasospasm was more frequent after papaverine infusion than after angioplasty. Undesirable complications such as abrupt development of unconsciousness were experienced during papaverine infusion but not during angioplasty. We conclude that percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is superior to intra-arterial papaverine infusion for prevention and treatment of vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

Dose-dependency and rate of decay of efficacy of Resovist on MR images in a rat cirrhotic liver model.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the dose-dependency and half-life of decay of the signal reduction by super-paramagnetic iron oxides on three different spin-echo images in a rat model of cirrhosis. METHODS: For normal and cirrhotic liver, signal intensities were measured 15 minutes after injection of Resovist (range, 1-40 mumol Fe/kg) on three different spin-echo images. Subsequently, recovery of signal intensity was monitored up to 2 weeks after injection. RESULTS: The dose-dependency of efficacy was somewhat less at all doses and imaging parameters in cirrhotic liver. However, the submaximal effect was obtained at a dose of 20 mumol Fe/kg, the same as in normal liver. The rate of decay of the efficacy in cirrhotic liver was similar to or faster than that in normal liver. CONCLUSIONS: The dose-dependency and rate of decay of efficacy of Resovist in cirrhosis were similar to those in normal liver, although the efficacy was less in cirrhotic liver and both the dose-dependency and rate of decay of efficacy were dependent on imaging parameters.

Animals↗