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Biomedical subjects

T Takagi

Publications and source records attributed to T Takagi.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

[Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiographic measurement of left ventricular volumes using the average rotation method: comparison with the disk summation method].

OBJECTIVES: Three-dimensional(3-D) echocardiography accurately calculates left ventricular volumes without geometric assumptions. Conventional 3-D echocardiography using the disk summation method is limited in practical use because of the long analysis time. This study validated the average rotation method for rapid and accurate left ventricular volume measurement compared with the conventional disk summation method. METHODS: 3-D data acquisition using multiplane transesophageal echocardiography was performed in 13 patients. Left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction were calculated by the disk summation method with 20 parallel short-axis tomograms and by the average rotation method with 3, 6, 9 and 12 apical long-axis tomograms. RESULTS: 3-D left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction by the average rotation method in each subgroup of slice resolution had excellent correlation and close limits of agreement with those by the disk summation method. Intraobserver variability and interobserver variability were < or = 11%. With the use of three component tomograms, analysis time required for left ventricular volume measurement by the average rotation method was < or = 2 min. CONCLUSIONS: Transesophageal 3-D echocardiography using the average rotation method is a clinically useful tool for accurate and rapid measurement of left ventricular volume and function.

Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional↗

[Intraoperative coating of tumor surface using fibrin glue as a prophylaxis for cancer cell detachment].

With the aim of preventing cancer cells from becoming detached and spreading into the abdominal cavity by operative procedures during surgical resection of cancer infiltrating into gastrointestinal serosa, the exposed area of the serosa in mice was coated with fibrin glue, a biological tissue adhesive, prior to resection. We then determined whether the coating could reduce the detachment and spread of cancer cells during the surgical procedure, and thus be capable of inhibiting the occurrence of peritonitis carcinomatosa. In vitro experiments demonstrated that the fibrin glue uniformly and strongly coated the exposed area of cancer, and furthermore, that the presence of fibrin glue coating significantly reduced the number of cancer cells which became detached. As a result of using this glue, the number of deaths due to peritonitis carcinomatosa among assay mice was significantly decreased. It is therefore considered that coating the exposed area of cancer with fibrin glue inhibits cancer cells from being detached and spread during an operation, and thus can be an effective means of preventing the recurrence of peritonitis.

Animals↗

[Analysis of the action of dextran sulfate as a prophylaxis for peritoneal cancer metastasis, and its acting mechanism].

Although peritoneal cancer metastasis has the highest frequency of postoperative recurrence among digestive organ malignant tumors, there is no still decisive treatment. Dextran sulfate (DS) as a prophylaxis for cancer metastasis was examined with respect to its effect on cultured cells. DS was made to act on a strong adhesive neoplasm cell, and the action and acting mechanism were examined with respect to 1. readhesiveness, 2. cell cycle, and 3. gene analysis. The results suggest that: i) Once tumor cells are detached by DS, the free cells do not attach even when DS is removed, and ii) DS causes the cells to stop in the G1/G0 phase.

Animals↗

[Usefulness of local administration of methotrexate bound to activated carbon particles (MTX-CH)].

We developed a new dosage formulation, methotrexate bound to activated carbon particles (MTX-CH), and used it to reduce tumors via its long-acting effect at the administration sites. MTX-CH was injected locally into tumors on the back of BALB/c mice, 30 mg/mouse, as MTX and compared with mice treated with MTX aqueous solution, saline solution, activated carbon particles (CH-40) and non-treated mice. The MTX concentration at the administration sites was higher in the MTX-CH group than in the MTX aqueous solution group. A marked effect on the control of tumor growth by MTX-CH was noted after repeated administration (every 3 days, total 4 times) throughout the observation period. Although tumor size was not reduced, necrosis was microscopically observed around the site of MTX-CH administration. For the reasons mentioned above, MTX-CH is superior to MTX aqueous solution in terms of long-acting effect at the administration sites and the control of tumor growth.

Animals↗

[Early phase II clinical trial of amrubicin hydrochloride in patients with malignant lymphoma].

An early phase II multi-center collaborative study of amrubicin hydrochloride, a novel synthetic anthracycline derivative anticancer agent, was conducted for malignant lymphoma at 12 institutions nationwide. A total of 41 patients were enrolled in this study between January 1988 and October 1990. Of these, 36 patients, six patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD) and 30 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), were eligible for the study. The starting dose of amrubicin hydrochloride was 100 mg/m2 (body surface area) and it was administered once every three weeks, in principle. The efficacy was assessed for 34 patients, excluding two patients: one who has not been followed up adequately and the other violated the dosing schedule (once per week). The overall response rates (CR + PR) were 50.0% (3/6) for HD and 42.9% (12/28) for NHL. Furthermore, a relatively high response rate was noted in 8 (36.4%) of 22 NHL patients who had been treated with other anthracycline derivatives prior to the trial. The safety of amrubicin hydrochloride was assessed for 36 eligible patients. Leukopenia (grade 3 or higher) and thrombocytopenia were noted in 21 patients (58.3%) and 10 patients (27.8%), respectively. Anorexia, nausea/vomiting, fever, alopecia, decrease in hemoglobin and elevations of GOT and GPT levels were observed with a relatively high frequency. Other than myelosuppression, the following adverse reactions (grade 3 or higher) occurred during the course of the trial: diarrhea (two patients), alopecia (two patients), stomatitis (one patient), anorexia (one patient), nausea/vomiting (one patient) and fever (one patient). In conclusion, these results indicate that amrubicin hydrochloride is effective in the treatment of patients with malignant lymphoma.

Aged↗

Expression of CD44 in synovium of rabbits with chronic arthritis induced by immunization with Escherichia coli.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of CD44 and its role in experimental chronic arthritis in rabbits. METHODS: Rabbits were immunized with Escherichia coli 0:14 for short (4 mo) and long (8-10 mo) periods. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on knees, using anti-CD44 antibodies. RESULTS: Lymphocyte infiltration in the synovium was found in 30.0% of rabbits after short term immunization, and the rate increased to 58.3% after longterm immunization. CD44 was present in synovial lining cells in 30.0% of rabbits after short term immunization, and it increased significantly (p < 0.05) after longterm immunization (66.7%). CD44 was also observed in lymphocytes in knee synovium after longterm immunization (25.0%). CONCLUSION: CD44 in lining cells might play a role in promoting chronic arthritis in rabbits immunized with E. coli.

Animals↗

[Incidence of systolic pulmonary venous flow reversal in patients with mitral valve prolapse: influence of the prolapse site].

OBJECTIVES: Systolic pulmonary venous flow reversal identified by pulsed Doppler echocardiography is useful for the diagnosis of severe mitral regurgitation. The direction of the mitral regurgitant jet in severe mitral regurgitation significantly influences the systolic pulmonary venous flow reversal in an experimental model. This study investigated the influence of the site of mitral valve prolapse on the incidence of systolic pulmonary venous flow reversal in patients with severe mitral regurgitation using transthoracic color Doppler echocardiography. METHODS: This study included 59 consecutive patients with severe mitral regurgitation (regurgitant fraction > 50%) due to mitral valve prolapse. Exclusion criteria were left ventricular ejection fraction < 45%, non sinus rhythms, associated aortic valve disease, bileaflet prolapse, and inadequate Doppler recordings. Right upper pulmonary venous flow was recorded and regurgitant fraction of mitral regurgitation measured by transthoracic color Doppler echocardiography. The sites of mitral valve prolapse were confirmed at operation in all patients. RESULTS: The incidence of systolic pulmonary venous flow reversal was 78% (14/18) in the patients with anterior leaflet prolapse, 82% (9/11) in the patients with medial commissure prolapse, 75% (12/16) in the patients with posterior middle scallop prolapse, 20% (2/10) in the patients with posterior medial scallop prolapse, and 25% (1/4) in the patients with posterior lateral scallop prolapse. There were no significant differences in regurgitant fraction between the five groups. The incidence of systolic pulmonary venous flow reversal was significantly lower in the patients with posterior medial scallop prolapse compared to the other sites of mitral valve prolapse (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of the severity of mitral regurgitation by systolic pulmonary venous flow reversal using transthoracic color Doppler echocardiography may be underestimated in patients with prolapse of the posterior medial scallop.

Aged↗

Troglitazone reduces neointimal tissue proliferation after coronary stent implantation in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus: a serial intravascular ultrasound study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to determine whether troglitazone reduces neointimal tissue proliferation after coronary stent implantation in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). BACKGROUND: Increased in-stent restenosis in patients with diabetes mellitus is due to accelerated neointimal tissue proliferation after coronary stent implantation. Troglitazone inhibits intimal hyperplasia in experimental animal models. METHODS: We studied 62 stented lesions in 52 patients with plasma glucose levels (PG) > or = 11.1 mmol/liter at 2 h after 75 g oral glucose load. The study patients were randomized into two groups: the troglitazone group of 25 patients with 29 stents, who were treated with 400 mg of troglitazone, and the control group of 27 patients with 33 stents. All patients underwent oral glucose tolerance tests before and after their six-month treatment period. The sum of PG (sum of PG) and the sum of insulin levels (sum of IRI) were measured. Serial (postintervention and at six-month follow-up) intravascular ultrasound studies were performed. Cross-sectional images within stents were taken at every 1 mm, using an automatic pullback. Stent areas (SA), lumen areas (LA), and intimal areas (IA = SA - LA) were measured and averaged over a number of selected image slices. The intimal index was calculated as intimal index = averaged IA/averaged SA x 100%. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups before treatment in sum of PG (31.35 +/- 3.07 mmol/liter vs. 32.89 +/- 4.87 mmol/liter, respectively, p = 0.2998) and sum of IRI (219.6 +/- 106.2 mU/liter vs. 209.2 +/- 91.6 mU/liter, respectively, p = 0.8934). However, reductions in sum of PG at the six-month follow-up in the troglitazone group were significantly greater than those in the control group (-21.4 +/- 8.8% vs. -4.5 +/- 7.4%, respectively, p < 0.0001). Likewise, decreases in sum of IRI were greater in the troglitazone-treated group (-31.4 +/- 17.9% vs. -1.9 +/- 15.1%, respectively, p < 0.0001). Although, there were no differences between the two groups in SA at postintervention (7.4 +/- 2.2 mm2 vs. 7.3 +/- 1.7 mm2, respectively, p = 0.9482) and at follow-up (7.3 +/- 2.3 mm2 vs. 7.3 +/- 1.8 mm2, respectively, p = 0.2307), the LA at follow-up in the troglitazone group was significantly greater than that in the control group (5.3 +/- 1.7 mm2 vs. 3.7 +/- 1.7 mm2, respectively, p = 0.0002). The IA at follow-up in the troglitazone group was significantly smaller than that in the control group (2.0 +/- 0.9 mm2 vs. 3.5 +/- 1.8 mm2, respectively, p < 0.0001). This was also true for intimal index (27.1 +/- 11.5% vs. 49.0 +/- 14.4%, respectively, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Serial intravascular ultrasound assessment shows that administration of troglitazone reduces neointimal tissue proliferation after coronary stent implantation in patients with NIDDM.

Cell Division↗

Increased production of beta-amyloid and vulnerability to endoplasmic reticulum stress by an aberrant spliced form of presenilin 2.

An alternative spliced form of the presinilin 2 (PS2) gene (PS2V) lacking exon 5 has previously been reported to be expressed in human brains in sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). PS2V encodes the amino-terminal portion of PS2, which contains residues Met1-Leu119 and 5 additional amino acid residues (SSMAG) at its carboxyl terminus. Here we report that PS2V protein impaired the signaling pathway of the unfolded protein response, similarly to familial AD-linked PS1 mutants and caused significant increases in the production of both amyloid beta40 and beta42. Interestingly, PS2V-encoding protein was expressed in neuropathologically affected neurons of the hippocampal CA1 region and temporal cortex in AD patients. These findings suggest that the aberrant splicing of the PS2 gene may be implicated in the neuropathology of sporadic AD.

Alternative Splicing↗

Identification by cDNA microarray of genes involved in ovarian carcinogenesis.

To identify genes involved in the development or progression of ovarian cancer, we analyzed gene expression profiles of nine ovarian tumors using a DNA microarray consisting of 9121 genes. Comparison of expression patterns between carcinomas and the corresponding normal ovarian tissues enabled us to identify 55 genes that were commonly up-regulated and 48 genes that were down-regulated in the cancer specimens. When the five serous adenocarcinomas were analyzed separately from the four mucinous adenocarcinomas, we identified 115 genes that were expressed differently between the two types of tumor. Investigation of these genes should help to disclose the molecular mechanism(s) of ovarian carcinogenesis and define molecular separation of the two most common histological types of ovarian cancer.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗

An autopsy case of Klinefelter's syndrome suspected and its DNA analysis.

UNLABELLED: We experienced an autopsy case, small testes and tall stature, which suggested Klinefelter's syndrome. DNA analysis was performed to confirm the genetic abnormality. CASE HISTORY: A 28-year-old man who was single and lived with his parents. He suddenly lost his consciousness in a sitting room and died. Autopsy findings: He was 176 cm in height and 57 kg in weight. The post-mortem hypostasis was red-purple on his back, and rigor mortis was strong in each joint of the whole body. The heart weighted 340 g, in which dark red fluidal blood (300 ml) without coagulation was contained. The testes were smaller than normal adult male (left and right testes with epididymides weighted 8.1 g and 6.0 g, respectively). As a results of pathological examination, clumped Leydig cells, sclerotic and hyalined tubules were observed. Some germ cells with spermatozoid were also present. DNA Analysis: Generally, Klinefelter's syndrome is determined by karyotype analysis and/or the detection of sex chromatin. However, in this case, karyotype analysis and the detection of sex chromatin could not be demonstrated, because the blood which was collected in the autopsy became too old. Therefore, we tried sex determination and STR analysis (HPRT, HUMARA and DXS 1470) using DNA extracted from stored blood materials. Consequently, in the sex determination, no different situation was found in the X- and Y-specific bands from normal male's and as results of STR analyses, we could not corroborate the Klinefelter's syndrome.

Adult↗

Involvement of the glucose-regulated protein 94 (Dd-GRP94) in starvation response of Dictyostelium discoideum cells.

Upon deprivation of nutrients, Dictyostelium discoideum Ax-2 cells arrest proliferation and initiate a metamorphosed developmental program including induction of altered gene expressions which are necessary for differentiation. In Ax-2 cells, we found out a member of Hsp90 family usually contained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Dd-GRP94 (Dictyostelium discoideum glucose-regulated protein 94). In general, GRP94 are induced either by glucose-depletion or by depletion of Ca(2+) in intracellular Ca(2+) stores. Unexpectedly, however, the expression of Dd-grp94 was greatly reduced within 60 min of starvation. Dd-grp94-overexpressing cells (GRP94(OE) cells) collected without forming distinct aggregation streams, and never formed normal fruiting bodies. Also, prespore differentiation as well as maturation into spores and stalk cells were particularly impaired in the GRP94(OE) cells. Thus Dd-GRP94 seems to be crucial in late differentiation as well as in starvation response.

Amino Acids↗

Relation of phasic coronary flow velocity characteristics with TIMI perfusion grade and myocardial recovery after primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and rescue stenting.

BACKGROUND: A residual stenosis and/or microvascular damage have been proposed as mechanisms of TIMI 2 flow for acute myocardial infarction. Coronary flow dynamics were assessed in patients with TIMI 2 flow to predict whether additional intervention would improve TIMI grade. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 35 patients who had a successfully recanalized anterior acute myocardial infarction using angioplasty or rescue stenting, coronary flow patterns were compared with corresponding TIMI grade and regional left ventricular wall motion (LVWM) 1 month after the intervention. After angioplasty, the time-averaged peak velocity (APV) was lower in patients with TIMI 2 flow (n=22) than in those with TIMI 3 flow (n=13; 7.9+/-3.9 versus 20.6+/-5.1 cm/s; P<0.001). Two different flow patterns were recorded in patients with TIMI 2 flow (versus TIMI 3, P<0.001); patients with type 1 TIMI 2 flow (n=15) had a reduced diastolic APV (8.3+/-4.8 versus 24.2+/-7.4 cm/s), prolonged diastolic deceleration time (1176+/-455 versus 728+/-205 ms), and a small diastolic/systolic APV ratio (1.3+/-0.6 versus 2.1+/-0.7); patients with type 2 TIMI 2 flow (n=7) had systolic flow reversal (systolic APV, -7.9+/-4.6 versus 11. 7+/-4.5 cm/s), a rapid diastolic deceleration time (221+/-84 versus 728+/-205 ms), and a negative diastolic/systolic APV ratio (-2.1+/-1. 4 versus 2.1+/-0.7). A significantly lower mean chord LVWM (-3.0+/-0. 2 versus -1.9+/-0.8; P<0.001) and a greater number of chords <-2SD (50+/-2 versus 28+/-18; P<0.001) were present in patients with type 2 versus type 1 TIMI 2 flow. Stenting increased TIMI 2 flow to TIMI 3 flow more in patients with type 1 than type 2 flow (67% versus 0%; P=0.003). Patients with TIMI 2 flow after stenting continued to demonstrate a type 2 pattern, and they had poor LVWM recovery. CONCLUSIONS: The differentiation between 2 types of TIMI 2 flow can predict the improvement of TIMI grade and LVWM recovery after additional stenting.

Aged↗

The DNA sequence of human chromosome 21.

Chromosome 21 is the smallest human autosome. An extra copy of chromosome 21 causes Down syndrome, the most frequent genetic cause of significant mental retardation, which affects up to 1 in 700 live births. Several anonymous loci for monogenic disorders and predispositions for common complex disorders have also been mapped to this chromosome, and loss of heterozygosity has been observed in regions associated with solid tumours. Here we report the sequence and gene catalogue of the long arm of chromosome 21. We have sequenced 33,546,361 base pairs (bp) of DNA with very high accuracy, the largest contig being 25,491,867 bp. Only three small clone gaps and seven sequencing gaps remain, comprising about 100 kilobases. Thus, we achieved 99.7% coverage of 21q. We also sequenced 281,116 bp from the short arm. The structural features identified include duplications that are probably involved in chromosomal abnormalities and repeat structures in the telomeric and pericentromeric regions. Analysis of the chromosome revealed 127 known genes, 98 predicted genes and 59 pseudogenes.

Base Sequence↗

Compensatory enlargement of the coronary artery in acute myocardial infarction.

Compensatory enlargement occurred in 71% of lesions in patients with acute myocardial infarction and was more common in these patients than in patients with stable effort angina pectoris. These results suggest that compensatory enlargement may be associated with plaque rupture and subsequent acute myocardial infarction.

Aged↗

Calcium binding properties of recombinant calcium binding protein 40, a major calcium binding protein of lower eukaryote Physarum polycephalum.

Calcium binding protein 40 (CBP40) is a Ca(2+)-binding protein abundant in the plasmodia of Physarum polycephalum. CBP40 consists four EF-hand domains in the COOH-terminal half and a putative alpha-helix domain in the NH(2)-terminal half. We expressed recombinant proteins of CBP40 in Escherichia coli to investigate its Ca(2+)-binding properties. Recombinant proteins of CBP40 bound 4 mol of Ca(2+) with much higher affinity (pCa(1/2) = 6.5) than that of calmodulin. When residues 1-196 of the alpha-helix domain were deleted, the affinity for Ca(2+) decreased to pCa(1/2) = 4.6. A chimeric calmodulin was generated by conjugating the alpha-helix domain of CBP40 with calmodulin. The affinity of Ca(2+) for the chimeric calmodulin was higher than that for calmodulin, suggesting that the alpha-helix domain is responsible for the high affinity of CBP40 for Ca(2+). CBP40 forms large aggregates reversibly in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. A mutant protein with a deletion of NH(2)-terminal 32 residues, however, could not aggregate, indicating the importance of these residues for the aggregation. The aggregation occurs above micromolar levels of Ca(2+) concentration, so it may only occur when CBP40 is secreted out of the plasmodial cells.

Animals↗

The genomic structure of the scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis, troponin C gene: a hypothesis for the evolution of troponin C.

Two cDNAs encoding troponin C (TnC) isoforms are isolated from the scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis, striated adductor muscle. The sequential differences between these isoforms, named TnC(long) and TnC(short), are restricted in several residues of the C-terminal region. TnC(long) is commonly expressed in both the striated and the smooth adductor muscle; however, TnC(short) is only in the striated adductor muscle. The TnC gene is a single copy gene in the scallop, thus they are expressed through the alternative splicing from the same gene. The scallop TnC gene is constructed from five exons and four introns, and positions of introns are identical with chordate TnC genes, although the scallop TnC possesses no corresponding intron to the fourth intron of chordates. The loss of this intron is also observed in Drosophila TnC; these may be remnants of their ancestor, namely the early metazoan TnC gene might be a five exons-four introns structure. In addition, the absence of the corresponding intron is also observed among protostomian calmodulins (CaMs), a molecule closely related to TnC. This suggests that the common ancestor gene of the TnC superfamily might also be a five exons-four introns structure. Assuming this to be true, the discordance of the fourth intron positions observed among members of the family is well explained by the evolutionary independent gain of the intron on each member's lineage.

Amino Acid Sequence↗