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T Noguchi

Publications and source records attributed to T Noguchi.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Expression of aromatase cytochrome P450 protein and messenger ribonucleic acid in human endometriotic and adenomyotic tissues but not in normal endometrium.

To determine whether local estrogen production takes place in endometriotic or adenomyotic tissues, in eutopic endometrium from patients with endometriosis or adenomyosis, and in normal endometrium, tissue specimens were examined by immunohistochemistry, catalytic activity, and mRNA expression for aromatase cytochrome P450 (P450arom). P450arom was immunohistochemically localized in the cytoplasm of glandular cells of endometriotic and adenomyotic tissues, and of eutopic endometrium from patients with the respective diseases, whereas estrogen receptors and progesterone receptors were localized in the nuclei of the glandular cells and stroma. Aromatase activity in the microsomal fraction of adenomyotic tissues was inhibited by the addition of danazol, aromatase inhibitors, and anti-human placental P450arom monoclonal antibody (mAb3-2C2) in a manner similar to such inhibition in other human tissues. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analysis also revealed P450arom mRNA in these tissues. However, neither P450arom protein activity nor mRNA was detected in endometrial specimens obtained from normal menstruating women with cervical carcinoma in situ but without any other gynecological disease. These results suggest that at a local level, endometriotic and adenomyotic tissues produce estrogens, which may be involved in the tissue growth through interacting with the estrogen receptor.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

The Arabidopsis deetiolated2 mutant is blocked early in brassinosteroid biosynthesis.

The Arabidopsis DEETIOLATED2 (DET2) gene has been cloned and shown to encode a protein that shares significant sequence identity with mammalian steroid 5 alpha-reductases. Loss of DET2 function causes many defects in Arabidopsis development that can be rescued by the application of brassinolide; therefore, we propose that DET2 encodes a reductase that acts at the first step of the proposed biosynthetic pathway--in the conversion of campesterol to campestanol. Here, we used biochemical measurements and biological assays to determine the precise biochemical defect in det2 mutants. We show that DET2 actually acts at the second step in brassinolide biosynthesis in the 5 alpha-reduction of (24R)-24-methylcholest-4-en-3-one, which is further modified to form campestanol. In feeding experiments using 2H6-labeled campesterol, no significant level of 2H6-labeled campestanol was detected in det2, whereas the wild type accumulated substantial levels. Using gas chromatography-selected ion monitoring analysis, we show that several presumed null alleles of det2 accumulated only 8 to 15% of the wild-type levels of campestanol. Moreover, in det2 mutants, the endogenous levels of (24R)-24-methylcholest-4-en-3-one increased by threefold, whereas the levels of all other measured brassinosteroids accumulated to < 10% of wild-type levels. Exogenously applied biosynthetic intermediates of brassinolide were found to rescue both the dark- and light-grown defects of det2 mutants. Together, these results refine the original proposed pathway for brassinolide and indicate that mutations in DET2 block the second step in brassinosteroid biosynthesis. These results reinforce the utility of combining genetic and biochemical analyses to studies of biosynthetic pathways and strengthen the argument that brassinosteroids play an essential role in Arabidopsis development.

3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed1997

Differences in symptom structure between panic attack and limited symptom panic attack: a study using cluster analysis.

We had investigated the clinical characteristics of panic disorder (PD) in a Japanese outpatient population comprised of more than 250 patients diagnosed as having PD during a 13-year study period and observed that some PD patients had both panic attacks (PA) and limited symptom panic attacks (LPA). In the criteria for PD based on the Diagnostic and Statistics Manual of Mental Disorders, third edition-revised (DSM-III-R), episodes involving four or more symptoms are classified as PA, while those involving fewer than four symptoms are described as LPA. Therefore, LPA is identified as part of an episode of PA, since the difference between the two episodes is only in the number of symptoms. However, some recent research suggests that there is a distinct subgroup of individuals who suffer LPA. Using cluster analysis, we investigated the differences between PA and LPA groups in terms of the structures of several panic symptoms, which included anticipatory anxiety, agoraphobia and 13 clinical symptoms based on the DSM-III-R at the time of panic attacks, in 247 patients with PD. Cluster analysis revealed clusters of three and four panic symptoms in the PA group and LPA group, respectively, and there were also differences in symptom structure between the two groups. These results suggest that there may be a subgroup of individuals who show LPA among PD patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Gingival crevicular interleukin-1 and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist levels in periodontally healthy and diseased sites.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) molecules, IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta are cytokines involved in the acute-phase response against infection and in the pathogenesis of periodontal destruction. Administration of exogenous IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) is effective in reducing the inflammatory reactions mediated by IL-1. However, the relationship between these three naturally occurring IL-1 molecules and periodontal diseases has been poorly characterized. We investigated the correlation of gingival crevicular IL-1 molecules and the clinical status of patients with different severities of periodontitis. IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-1ra and the total IL-1/IL-1ra ratio (IL-1 activity index; IL-1AI) were measured in 75 gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples from non-inflamed gingiva sites in 2 healthy subjects and diseased sites in 7 patients with several types of periodontitis. IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-1ra were measured by specific non-cross-reactive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The probing depth, gingival index and alveolar bone loss of each site was recorded at the time of GCF sampling. The total amount of IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and the IL-1AI, but not total IL-1ra, were found to be correlated with alveolar bone loss score. Three IL-1 molecules were also measured in the gingival tissue of patients with periodontitis. A similar progressive decrease of the IL-1AI was detected in gingival tissue with periodontitis. These results suggest that the amounts of both crevicular IL-1 and IL-1AI are closely associated with periodontal disease severity.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗
PubMed1997

Heat shock protein 72 level decreases during sleep in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) suffer from stresses related to repetitive apneas during sleep. To examine whether the level of 72 kDa heat shock protein (HSP72) increases during sleep, 11 OSAS patients (apnea-hypopnea index: 63.5 +/- 36.1, mean +/- SD) underwent polysomnography and their peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated before, during, and after sleep. HSP72 level was determined by Western blotting and hsp72 mRNA level was quantified by Northern blotting. Nine normal subjects without OSAS were examined as normal controls. HSP72 level decreased progressively during sleep and its level at 8:00 A.M. was 78.0 +/- 17.5% of that at 8:00 P.M. (p < 0.01). No such decrease was seen in normal subjects. When OSAS patients received nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) therapy, HSP72 level did not decrease significantly. In untreated OSAS patients, hsp72 mRNA level decreased during sleep (p < 0.01). When OSAS patients were treated with NCPAP therapy, the decrease in hsp72 mRNA level was not observed. HSP72 level before sleep in OSAS patients was higher than that in normal subjects (p < 0.01). We concluded that repetitive apneas caused high HSP72 level before sleep in OSAS patients and that NCPAP therapy had significant effect on HSP72 levels during sleep.

Blotting, Northern↗
PubMed1997

Starvation-increased insulin-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of the 195-kDa protein in intact rat liver.

Insulin stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation of 175-195 kDa proteins including insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) in various tissues and cell types. In intact rat livers, starvation increased the insulin-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor and IRS-1 as has been described by others. Surprisingly, starvation greatly increased the tyrosine phosphorylation of the 195-kDa protein induced by insulin, indicating that this protein may be a new substrate of the insulin receptor kinase. The marked increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of the 195-kDa protein may have a physiological role in signal transmission in response to insulin under starvation conditions.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Cloning and expression of purine nucleoside phosphorylase I gene from Bacillus stearothermophilus TH 6-2.

Bacillus stearothermophilus TH 6-2 has two kinds of purine nucleoside phosphorylases (Pu-NPase I and Pu-NPase II). The Pu-NPase I is a functional homolog of eukaryotic purine nucleoside phosphorylases that can catalyze the phosphorolysis of inosine and guanosine, but not adenosine, the primary substrate of Pu-NPase II. The Pu-NPase I gene of TH 6-2 has been cloned, sequenced, and expressed in E. coli. The gene corresponded to an open reading frame of 822 nucleotides that translates into a putative 274-amino acid protein with a molecular weight of 29,637. The deduced amino terminus sequence completely coincided with that found for the purified enzyme. The cloned gene was overexpressed in E. coli by using the trc promoter to produce an active enzyme in large quantities. The amino acid sequence of Pu-NPase I shared 50% similarity with those of human and mouse purine nucleoside phosphorylases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Cloning of purine nucleoside phosphorylase II gene from Bacillus stearothermophilus TH 6-2 and characterization of its gene product.

Bacillus stearothermophilus TH 6-2 has two kinds of purine nucleoside phosphorylases (Pu-NPases). The type I enzyme (Pu-NPase I) is a functional and structural homolog of eukaryotic purine nucleoside phosphorylases that catalyze the phosphorolysis of inosine, guanosine, and their derivatives. The type II enzyme (Pu-NPase II) is a minor enzyme that efficiently phosphorolyzes adenosine and its derivatives rather than other purine nucleosides like Escherichia coli Pu-NPase. The gene coding for Pu-NPase II (punB gene) has been cloned and sequenced from TH 6-2 strain. The deduced amino acid sequence of Pu-NPase II shared 54% identity with that of E. coli enzyme, while it had no significant homology to that of Pu-NPase I or eukaryotic enzymes. By producing the Pu-NPase II in E. coli cells, the Pu-NPase II has been purified and characterized.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Changes in tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and association of p85 of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase with IRS-1 after feeding in rat liver in vivo.

The binding of insulin to its receptor rapidly induces intrinsic insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity, resulting in tyrosine phosphorylation of various cytosolic substrates, such as insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) which, in turn, associates with a p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) followed by activation of this enzyme. In the present study, we have examined these early steps of insulin signalling in rat liver in vivo after food ingestion. After fasting for 22 h, a 12% casein diet was available ad libitum throughout the 8-h experimental period. Plasma insulin concentrations increased within 45 min after feeding, reached a maximum at 1.5 h and gradually decreased until 8 h. Autophosphorylation of the insulin receptor beta-subunit in liver was detected even during fasting and increased about 1.5-fold at 1.5 h after feeding. Basal tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 was detectable during starvation, increased about twofold at 3 h after feeding and levels were maintained until 8 h. The content of the p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase associated with IRS-1 also increased after feeding in parallel with the changes in tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1. Because tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor beta-subunit and IRS-1 and the association of the p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase with IRS-1 in liver were closely correlated with the changes in the plasma concentration of insulin, we concluded that endogenous insulin secreted in response to eating caused these insulin-dependent intracellular changes in the liver.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Assessment of cardiac sympathetic function with iodine-123-MIBG imaging in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

UNLABELLED: Iodine-123-MIBG imaging has been used to evaluate myocardial sympathetic function in various cardiac diseases. In patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), increased sympathetic activity has been widely recognized, as assessed by measuring the plasma concentration and urinary excretion of catecholamines and by measuring muscle sympathetic nerve activity. However, these measurements are not specific indices of cardiac sympathetic function. Therefore, this study was undertaken to assess cardiac sympathetic function in patients with OSAS using MIBG cardiac scintigraphy. METHODS: This study consisted of 11 patients (10 men, 1 woman; mean age 43 +/- 16 yr) with a diagnosis of OSAS established by polysomnography, and 8 age-matched normal control subjects (7 men, 1 woman; mean age 45 +/- 18 yr). Early (15 min) and delayed (3 hr) planar images were taken after the injection of 111 MBq of [123I]MIBG. The mean counts of the whole heart and the mediastinum were obtained to calculate heart-to-mediastinum count ratios from the early images (H/Me) and from the delayed images (H/Md) and the myocardial washout rate (WR). Eight patients were restudied after 1 mo of nasal continuous positive airway pressure treatment. RESULTS: The H/Me and H/Md ratios were significantly lower in the patients than in the control subjects (H/Me, 2.49 +/- 0.32 versus 2.84 +/- 0.34, p = 0.0207; and H/Md, 2.33 +/- 0.30 versus 3.02 +/- 0.36, p = 0.0013). The WR was higher in the patients than in the control subjects (36.2 +/- 9.0% versus 23.6 +/- 4.9%, p = 0.0022). The H/Me and H/Md ratios in the patients were significantly correlated with the apnea-hypopnea index and the degree of hypoxemia during sleep. After treatment, H/Me and H/Md remained unchanged, but WR significantly recovered (from 34.9 +/- 10.4% to 26.3 +/- 7.7%, p = 0.0357). CONCLUSION: Cardiac sympathetic function and integrity are impaired in subjects with OSAS when compared with age-matched control subjects. MIBG cardiac imaging can be helpful in evaluating cardiac involvement and efficacy of therapy in OSAS.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗
PubMed1997

Clinicopathologic factors influencing the long-term prognosis following hepatic resection for large hepatocellular carcinoma more than 10 cm in diameter.

We resected 158 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), including 20 (12.6%) cases of large HCC. These 20 cases were divided into group 1 (curative resection, n = 9) and group 2 (noncurative resection, n = 11). The clinicopathologic features and long-term survival of the cases were evaluated. In groups 1 and 2, portal vein invasion (Vp+) was noted in 44.4% and 63.3%, intrahepatic metastasis (IM+) in 77.8% and 100%, absence of a fibrous capsule (Fc-) in 55.6% and 63.6%, and stage III or IV in 77.8% and 100%, respectively. The DNA ploidy pattern was aneuploid in 44.4% of group 1 and 100% of group 2. In group 1, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year cumulative survival rates were 75%, 62.5%, and 62.5%, respectively (the longest survivor is alive after 11 years 1 month). Five cases survived more than 3 years in group 1, and all were Vp(-) and nonaneuploid. On the other hand, in group 2, the 1-year survival rate was only 33.3%; none survived more than 2 years. These results suggest that even patients with large HCC have a favorable long-term prognosis if their clinicopathologic factors are Vp(-) and nonaneuploid, and if curative resection can be performed.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[A device in reconstruction method after distal subtotal gastrectomy: special reference to double tract method with jejunal pouch].

In the surgery of gastric cancer, it is necessary to consider not only the curability of gastric resection but also the quality of life of the patients in the choice of reconstruction method after distal gastrectomy. We have devised the jejunal pouch double tract method after gastrectomy. We reported in this study on the details of method and the satisfactory results. We employed 15 cases of gastric cancer which should be resected over three quarters of the stomach because the tumor occupation were in the middle third of the stomach and were expected long survival period. The operative procedure was as follows: (1) completion of gastric resection and lymph node dissection, (2) separation of jejunum at the site of 25 cm anal side from the Treitz's ligament, (3) pulling up the anal side of the jejunum preparing double jejunal pouch with approximately 10 cm in length using GIA, (4) anastomosis between residual stomach and jejunal pouch, (5) duodenojejunostomy at the site of 3-5 cm anal side from the pouch, (6) jejunojejunostomy at the site of 15 cm anal side from the duodenojejunostomy. Double tract reconstruction with jejunal pouch after distal gastrectomy is well-balanced method in the storage and discharging capacity, and useful in the view of better quality of life, especially in the cases which could be expected long survival period.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed1997

[Effects of loprinone hydrochloride on hemodynamics and respiratory oxygenation in patients after cardiac surgery].

Loprinone hydrochloride (Lop), a phosphodiesterase fraction III inhibitor and positive inotrope, was recently released in Japan. We evaluated its dose-related effects on hemodynamics and oxygenation as as well as on plasma levels of Lop in ten patients after cardiac surgery. Immediately after admission to the intensive care unit, baseline hemodynamics and arterial blood gas data were obtained; patients with inotropic support, were given 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 microgram.kg-1.min-1.lop over 1 hour incrementally, and additional data were obtained. CI increased significantly from baseline (2.1 +/- 0.3 l.min-1.m-2) to 3.2 +/- 0.8 at 0.3 microgram.kg-1.min-1. Systemic vascular resistance decreased significantly from baseline (2853 +/- 439 dynes.sec.cm-5.m-2) to 1554 +/- 440 at 0.3 micrograms. kg-1.min-1, and mean arterial pressure also decreased significantly from baseline. There were no significant changes in heart rate (HR), central venous pressure (CVP), pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP), or PaO2.FIO2(-1) in patients over the period evaluated. Plasma levels of Lop rapidly increased to 27.8 ng.ml-1 (effective level; 20 ng.ml-1) at 0.3 microgram.kg-1.min-1. In this study, Lop was shown to effectively increase CI in patients after cardiac surgery with no significant changes in HR, CVP, PAOP or PaO2/FIO2. Thus, Lop has a beneficial effect in the treatment of patients with low cardiac output immediately after cardiac surgery.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[Neoadjuvant CYVADIC (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, adriamycin and dacarbazine) therapy for retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma: a case report].

Retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma is often too large to be completely removed. We report a 67-year-old woman successfully treated with neoadjuvant CYVADIC (cyclosphosphamide, vincristine, adriamycin and dacarbazine). The tumor was removed with the right kidney and ureter and a part of the vena cava after 2 courses of CYVADIC. The tumor recurred at the duodenum 7 years later and was completely removed following neoadjuvant CYVADIC. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy could be helpful for the complete resection of advanced leiomyosarcoma.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

PDB-REPRDB: a database of representative protein chains in PDB (Protein Data Bank).

We propose a novel set of 'representative' protein chains in PDB, where not only sequential but also structural similarities are taken into account. Hobohm et al. have already proposed "PDB_SELECT", which eliminates redundant chains based solely on sequence similarity. "PDB_SELECT" is frequently updated and the latest version is available at EMBL WWW server. In our set of entries "PDB-REPRDB," however, structural similarities are also considered, in order not to overlook local conformation diversity within a group of sequentially similar chains. Our set guarantees that every representative is the best among that similar protein group, regarding experimental or structure-determination quality (i.e. resolution and R-value). The first version (based on PDB Release 70) of PDB-REPRDB was released in 1995 and the second version (PDB Release 78) will be available by April 1997.

Databases, Factual↗
PubMed1997

[Anesthesia management for a patient with pulmonary eosinophilic granuloma associated with bilateral pneumothorax--general anesthesia with positive pressure ventilation].

Pulmonary eosinophilic granuloma (PEG) is a rare fibroinflammatory disorder and is characterized by a mixed interstitial infiltrate of eosinophils, lymphocytes and Langerhans cells. We experienced anesthetic management for a patient with PEG associated with bilateral pneumothorax. Anesthesia was maintained with epidural anesthesia and general anesthesia using positive pressure ventilation. At first we ventilated with a low airway pressure, but recognized an increase in endtidal CO2. Then we switched to a high airway pressure (= 22 cmH2O) and decreased the concentration of carbon dioxide. No new air leaks were observed by ventilating with the high airway pressure. It was concluded that in anesthetic management for PEG we must be careful about the airway pressure during operation.

Adult↗