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Biomedical subjects

T Ohishi

Publications and source records attributed to T Ohishi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Evaluation of bone turnover in postmenopause, vertebral fracture, and hip fracture using biochemical markers for bone formation and resorption.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate bone turnover in postmenopausal status and established osteoporosis with vertebral fracture and hip fracture by assessing bone biochemical markers. Subjects were 50 healthy premenopausal subjects, 44 healthy postmenopausal subjects, 30 osteoporotic patients with vertebral fracture, and 31 osteoporotic patients with hip fracture. Alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, PICP, ICTP, NTx, free deoxypyridinoline, total pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline were measured. In postmenopause, both Z-scores of bone formation markers and resorption markers were around 1-2. In osteoporosis, although Z-scores of bone formation markers were 0.4-2.8, resorption markers were 2.3-9.5. Moreover, Z-scores of resorption markers were higher in hip fracture than in vertebral fracture. These results indicate that bone formation and resorption increased and balanced in postmenopausal status. However, bone resorption increased more than bone formation and did not balance at all in osteoporosis. This imbalance is greater in hip fractures than in vertebral fractures.

Adult↗

Factors related to the parameters of ultrasound measurements in the early menopausal period.

Urinary deoxypyridinoline, serum osteocalcin (OC), and ultrasound (US) measurements were investigated in a premenopausal group and a postmenopausal group. In previous studies we reported the relation between each biochemical marker and each US parameter by simple regression analysis. However, in this study, multiple regression analysis of the US parameter, not only by biochemical markers but also by age and body mass index (BMI), were done to determine what fraction of the variation in the respective US values can be accounted for by these factors. Multiple regression analysis showed that age and serum OC were significant determinants for stiffness index, serum OC and BMI were significant determinants for speed of sound, age was a significant determinant for broadband ultrasound attenuation, although each US parameter can be explained by factors of approximately only 26-33%.

Amino Acids↗

Comparison of bone and total alkaline phosphatase activity on bone turnover during menopause and in patients with established osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE: Recently, a bone alkaline phosphatase (AP) enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was developed for measurement of bone AP activity with a monoclonal antibody. We compared the clinical performance of bone AP (bAP) measured by EIA and total AP (tAP) to examine if bAP is preferable to tAP as a bone formation marker in the post-menopause and established osteoporosis. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Serum was obtained from 50 pre- and 93 post-menopausal healthy women, and 54 osteoporotic patients with vertebral fractures and 57 patients with hip fracture. MEASUREMENTS: Total AP was measured spectrophotometrically with p-nitrophenyl phosphate as substrate. The intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were 0.7-1.8% and 0.6-1.1%, respectively. Bone AP activity (bAP) was measured by EIA kit, ALKPHASE-B (Metra Biosystems, Inc.) using a monoclonal antibody against human bone AP. The intra- and inter-assay CVs were 4.0-8.3% and 6.2-7.9%, respectively. RESULTS: The percentage mean increase of bAP (54.9%) in post-menopausal subjects over premenopausal subjects was higher than that of tAP (40.1%). In age-matched comparison, % mean increases were 57.5% for bAP and 35.3% for tAP. Z-score for bAP in post-menopausal subjects was significantly higher than that for tAP. However, there was no significant difference in Z-scores between tAP and bAP in osteoporotic patients with vertebral fractures or with hip fracture. The correlation coefficient of bAP with age (r = 0.316) was similar to that of tAP with age (r = 0.319). In post-menopausal subjects, there was no difference in the concentrations of tAP nor bAP among the groups in whom times since the menopause was 0-9 years, 10-19 years and more than 20 years. Bone AP was highly correlated to tAP in the normal subjects, the patients and the total study group. CONCLUSION: Preference can be given to bone AP by enzymatic immunoassay over total AP based on their clinical utility during the menopause; however, no preference can be given to bone AP over total AP in established osteoporosis.

Adult↗

Magnetically levitated motor for rotary blood pumps.

The noncontact rotary pumps under development for use as artificial heart pumps are highly efficient and can prevent thrombus formation. In these pumps magnetic bearings have been widely used to support the rotors to avoid any physical contact. The use of magnetic bearings, however, has led to requirements for the control of a large degree of freedom and for a separate driving motor. This paper introduces 2 types of levitated motors, each of which uses a combination of a rotary motor and a magnetic bearing. These motors are suitable for use in artificial blood pumps because they are small in size and can replace contact components. The radial type levitated motor has the merit of being small in size and capable of controlling the 2 degrees of freedom in the x and y directions. The axial type motor controls only one degree of freedom in the z direction. This paper also introduces the theoretical background of the functions of the motor and magnetic bearing. Experimental results of tests of the proposed motor show a great potential for its application in rotary blood pumps.

Algorithms↗

[An autopsy case of chronic granulomatous disease diagnosed by biopsy].

This report concerns a male patient aged 25 years, diagnosed at the age of 12 years as suffering from chronic granulomatous disease. This patient had p47-phox deficiency. He was admitted to this hospital because of fever and dyspnea accompanied by right spontaneous pneumothorax. He failed to respond to medical treatment. He died from respiratory failure four months after admission. Autopsy demonstrated pigmented lipid histiocytes characteristic of CGD. These characteristic pigmented cells were distributed in the spleen, liver, lymph nodes and in the small intestine. As for the nature of the pigment, lipofuschin-like compound were identified. Granulomatous component was seen in the mucosa of the stomach obtained by operation. The presence and characteristic distribution of such pigmented macrophages in tissue in young adults may suggest the diagnosis of CGD.

Adult↗

Disappearance of serum hepatitis C virus RNA within two days after one dose interferon administration is predictive for response to high-dose interferon-alpha 2b treatment for chronic hepatitis C. Keio Interferon-alpha 2b Study Group.

We have reported the Keio multicenter randomized trial of interferon-alpha 2b treatment for chronic hepatitis C, hypothesizing that disappearance of serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) ribonucleic acid (RNA) during the first 2 days by one does administration of interferon is a predictive factor of final response to the high-dose interferon treatment. In this study we quantified HCV RNA by multicyclic reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in the stored sera of the same patients with our previous study. The multivariate analysis confirmed that the pretreatment HCV RNA levels and HCV genotype were significantly correlated with the response to the 6-month course interferon treatment. Although the relationship between decreased HCV RNA titers within the first 2 days after one dose administration of interferon and the efficacy of the therapy was not obtained, the cases in which HCV RNA disappeared within 2 days significantly responded to the 6-month course treatment (73.7% vs 12.5% in other cases, p < 0.01). The present study has confirmed the hypothesis suggested in the previous study that clearance of HCV RNA during the first 2 days has a predictive value for the final outcome.

Adult↗

Core promoter elements are essential as selective determinants for function of the yeast transcription factor GAL11.

The GAL11 gene product, which copurifies with RNA polymerase II holoenzyme, is necessary for full expression of many, but not all, genes in yeast. Here we shows that the GAL11 dependence of a gene for expression is determined by the core promoter structure. In the GAL80 gene, a gal11 null mutation caused reduction of TATA-dependent transcription, but exerted no effect on initiator-mediated transcription. GAL11 stimulated TATA-dependent transcription, but did not affect the TATA-independent transcription in HIS4. GAL11 was also required for transcription mediated by a canonical TATA sequence but not by a nonconsensus TATA sequence of HIS3. These results suggest that GAL11 is specifically involved in the transcription machinery formed on the TATA element.

Fungal Proteins↗

TRAF5, a novel tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor family protein, mediates CD40 signaling.

Signals emanating from CD40 play crucial roles in B-cell function. To identify molecules that transduce CD40 signalings, we have used the yeast two-hybrid system to done cDNAs encoding proteins that bind the cytoplasmic tail of CD40. A cDNA encoding a putative signal transducer protein, designated TRAF5, has been molecularly cloned. TRAF5 has a tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF) domain in its carboxyl terminus and is most homologous to TRAF3, also known as CRAF1, CD40bp, or LAP-1, a previously identified CD40-associated factor. The amino terminus has a RING finger domain, a cluster of zinc fingers and a coiled-coil domain, which are also present in other members of the TRAF family protein except for TRAF1. In vitro binding assays revealed that TRAF5 associates with the cytoplasmic tail of CD40, but not with the cytoplasmic tail of tumor receptor factor receptor type 2, which associates with TRAF2. Based on analysis of the association between TRAF5 and various CD40 mutants, residues 230-269 of CD40 are required for the association with TRAF5. In contrast to TRAF3, overexpression of TRAF5 activates transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B. Furthermore, amino-terminally truncated forms of TRAF5 suppress the CD40-mediated induction of CD23 expression, as is the case with TRAF3. These results suggest that TRAF5 and TRAF3 could be involved in both common and distinct signaling pathways emanating from CD40.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The yeast GAL11 protein binds to the transcription factor IIE through GAL11 regions essential for its in vivo function.

The GAL11 gene encodes an auxiliary transcription factor required for full expression of many genes in yeast. The GAL11-encoded protein (Gal11p) has recently been shown to copurify with the holoenzyme of RNA polymerase II. Here we report that Gal11p stimulates basal transcription in a reconstituted transcription system composed of recombinant or highly purified transcription factors, TFIIB, TFIIE, TFIIF, TFIIH, and TATA box-binding protein and core RNA polymerase II. We further demonstrate that each of the two domains of Gal11p essential for in vivo function respectively participates in the binding to the small and large subunits of TFIIE. The largest subunit of RNA polymerase II was coprecipitated by anti-hemagglutinin epitope antibody from crude extract of GAL11 wild type yeast expressing hemagglutinintagged small subunit of TFIIE. Such a coprecipitation of the RNA polymerase subunit was seen but in a greatly reduced amount, if extract was prepared from gal11 null yeast. In light of these findings, we suggest that Gal11p stimulates promoter activity by enhancing an association of TFIIE with the preinitiation complex in the cell.

Binding Sites↗

Laparoscopically assisted ileocecal resection for Crohn's disease associated with intestinal stenosis and ileovesical fistula.

We describe a 22-year-old man with Crohn's ileocolitis accompanied by intestinal stenosis and ileovesical fistula in whom laparoscopically-assisted surgery was successfully performed after thorough nutritional therapy. Laparoscopic procedures are characterized by minimal access and minimal invasion, features which can contribute to the early recovery of patients who undergo surgery. It is suggested that laparoscopic (or laparoscopically-assisted) surgery after strict nutritional therapy can be effective in the treatment of patients with Crohn's disease who have intestinal complications.

Adult↗

The influence of aortic calcification on spinal bone mineral density in vitro.

We examined the influence of aortic calcification on the spine phantom bone mineral density (BMD). Soft X-ray photographs of human aortae were taken to calculate the percent calcification of aortic tissues. Human aorta laid on lumber spine phantom was placed in the bottom of 15 cm of water and BMD and bone mineral content (BMC) were measured in the anteroposterior view. Samples with severe aortic calcification (over 30%) caused a 2.5% increase of BMD. There might be a relatively small influence of aortic calcification on the value of L2-L4 BMD, but changes over time in a patient could falsely elevate values.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Role in nitric oxide in Kupffer cell-mediated hepatoma cell cytotoxicity in vitro and ex vivo.

The metabolic change in tumor cells (AH70, a rat hepatoma cell line) cocultured with isolated rat Kupffer cells were visualized and analyzed by a laser scanning confocal imaging system. When AH70 cells were cocultured with Kupffer cells, fluorescence intensity of rhodamine 123 (Rh123) decreased, indicating the reduction of mitochondrial function. The reduction in Rh123 was eliminated by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), an analogue of L-arginine, suggesting the involvement of nitric oxide (NO). Two hour after the cells were cocultured, membrane compromised AH70 cells which were observed as propidium from 2.8% to 25%. This increase was also attenuated by L-NMMA, suggesting that Kupffer cell-mediated injury of tumor cells largely depends on NO. The concentrations of NO-2 + NO-3 in the culture medium markedly increased after coculture of AH70 cells with Kupffer cells. Moreover, NO synthase (NOS) activity in Kupffer cells significantly increased after coculture. These in vitro results suggest that NO mediates Kupffer cell-induced tumor cell damage characterized by reduced mitochondrial function and diminished barrier function. In the ex vivo study of the perfused liver to which AH70 cells were injected via the catheter inserted into the portal vein, some AH70 cells were arrested in the upper stream of sinusoid and the fluorescence intensity of Rh123 in adherent AH70 cells decreased in a time-dependent manner within 2 hours. The number of PI-positive AH70 cells also increased 2 hours after the injection of AH70 cells. These changes were inhibited by either administration of N omega-L-nitroarginine-methylester (L-NAME) to perfusate or pretreatment of the rat liver with GdCl3, which is known to deplete Kupffer cell function. Thus, the present study suggests that NO from Kupffer cells induces mitochondrial dysfunction in tumor cells followed by membrane barrier dysfunction in the liver sinusoid.

Animals↗

Analysis of urinary pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline in patients undergoing long-term anticonvulsant drug therapy.

Urinary pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline were analyzed in 23 patients undergoing long-term anticonvulsant drug therapy and compared with those in an age-matched control group, which consisted of 218 healthy premenopausal women. Values of urinary pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline in the patient group were significantly higher than those in the control group. However, mean serum levels of alkaline phosphatase in the patient group were within the control range. Our data demonstrate that bone resorption is accelerated by long-term anticonvulsant drug therapy and there may be an imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation in the patient group.

Adult↗

Quantitation of the crosslinks, pyridinoline, deoxypyridinoline and pentosidine, in human aorta with dystrophic calcification.

Pyridinoline and, its minor analogue deoxypyridinoline, are trifunctional crosslinks of mature collagen in the connective tissues. Pentosidine, a new type of fluorescent crosslink, is possibly one of the senescent crosslinks but its function and metabolism are still unclear. In this study, we quantitated the crosslinks, pyridinoline, deoxypyridinoline and pentosidine, in human aorta which were obtained from 21 autopsy cases. In each case, the existence of dystrophic calcification in the aorta and complications (diabetes, chronic renal failure and hypertension) were examined. The determination of the content of the three crosslinks was carried out using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. In calcified lesions, the amount of deoxypyridinoline/collagen showed a decrease and the amount of deoxypyridinoline/pyridinoline showed a prominent decrease compared to those in non-calcified lesions (deoxypyridinoline/collagen, P < 0.005; deoxypyridinoline/pyridinoline, P < 0.0001). In non-calcified lesions without complications, the amount of pentosidine/pyridinoline and that of pentosidine/deoxypyridinoline significantly increased with age (pentosidine/pyridinoline, r = 0.704, P < 0.05; pentosidine/deoxypyridinoline, r = 0.624, P < 0.05). This result suggests a possible relationship between dystrophic calcification and crosslink formation of collagen in human aorta.

Age Factors↗

A rapidly progressive case of interstitial pneumonia.

We treated a 51-year-old woman who had rapidly progressive respiratory distress with an interstitial shadow on chest roentgenogram. Pathologically, open lung biopsy specimens showed an acutely changed lesion such as interstitial inflammatory thickening, polypoid intraluminal organizing exudates, and also honeycombing which was not recognized on chest computed tomogram. These findings were considered unconformable to acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP), bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP), and also usual interstitial pneumonia, although the clinical diagnosis was AIP or BOOP. We diagnosed a rapidly progressive interstitial pneumonia showing an acute lung injury pattern like AIP and BOOP. She showed significant recovery with corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide.

Acute Disease↗

Yeast GAL11 protein stimulates basal transcription in a gene-specific manner by a mechanism distinct from that by DNA-bound activators.

The GAL11 gene encodes an auxiliary transcription factor required for full expression of many, if not all, genes of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We have recently shown that GAL11-encoded protein (Gal11p) enhances basal transcription from the CYC1 promoter in a cell-free transcription system [(1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90, 8382-8386]. Here we indicate that Gal11p stimulates basal transcription in a gene-specific manner in vitro. We further suggest that the mechanism underlying the transcriptional stimulation by Gal11p is distinct from that by DNA-bound activators, since Gal11p stimulated transcription in a reaction system where activators were unable to enhance transcription due to the lack of intermediary factors.

Cell-Free System↗