Biomedical subjects

T Umeda

Publications and source records attributed to T Umeda.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of decaglycerol mono-oleate on chemiluminescence of human neutrophils.

Decaglycerol mono-oleate (DGMO), a type of food additive (a polyglycerol ester of fatty acids), was evaluated for its in vitro effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by human neutrophils using a luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. Neutrophils were isolated by the Histopaque-1077/1119 double density gradient technique. Opsonized zymosan (OZ) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) were employed as artificial stimuli. DGMO inhibited the chemiluminescence response of OZ-stimulated neutrophils by 58% (p < 0.01) at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL. DGMO inhibited the PMA-induced chemiluminescence by 40% (p < 0.01) at a concentration of 0.01 mg/mL. The inhibition phenomena could not be attributed to light absorption by DGMO alone, because the percentage chemiluminescence in the presence of DGMO is lower than the percentage transmittance of DGMO at 425 nm. These results suggest that DGMO downregulates ROS generation by human neutrophils.

Food Additives↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Applicability of chemiluminescence to assess the degree of operative stress in patients undergoing spinal surgery.

This study examined the applicability of luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (CL) response of neutrophils to assess the degree of stress of spinal surgery by measuring the capacity of circulating neutrophils to produce reactive oxygen species and the levels of serum cytokines: interleukin(IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). Ten male patients underwent spinal surgery. Peripheral blood samples, collected before and after the operation and the next morning, were used for measuring the CL response of neutrophils stimulated with opsonized zymosan and measuring the levels of serum cytokines. The operative stress induced leukocytosis, particularly granulocytosis, and increased serum IL-6 and G-CSF significantly. However, there was no significant change in the luminol-dependent CL response of neutrophils or the levels of serum IL-1beta, IL-8 and TNF-alpha throughout the experimental period. These results suggest that, at least in the early postoperative period, operative stress does not prime the circulating neutrophils, and thus the CL response of neutrophils is not appropriate to assess the degree of stress of spinal surgery.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of interferon-alpha on production of reactive oxygen species by human neutrophils.

In order to examine that the effects of interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) on the production of reactive oxygen species from human neutrophils, we investigated in vitro effects of IFN-alpha on neutrophil chemiluminescence responses. Human neutrophils were incubated with 0-1 x 10(5) IU/mL IFN-alpha for 10-60 min just before stimulation with opsonized zymosan and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Luminol-dependent (LmCL) and lucigenin-dependent (LgCL) chemiluminescence responses were measured using a Lumi Box H-1000. The LmCL response was inhibited by pre-incubation with high concentrations of IFN-alpha (more than 1 x 10(4) IU/mL). In contrast, LgCL response was increased when neutrophils were pre-incubated with high concentration of IFN-alpha. Effects of pre-incubation of IFN-alpha were similar between CL responses stimulated with OZ and PMA. The increase of LgCL might be due to the inhibitory effect of IFN-alpha on myeloperoxidase degranulation, in view of the decreased LmCL responses.

Acridines↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence and risk factors of allergic rhinitis and cedar pollinosis among Japanese men.

BACKGROUND: Although recent reports show a worldwide increase in allergic diseases during the past 10-20 years, few epidemiological studies on secular trend and the age-specific prevalence of allergic rhinitis have been carried out in Japan. We conducted a study to clarify the age-specific prevalence of allergic rhinitis and cedar pollinosis to provide baseline data for a prospective study and to investigate the association of rhinitis with both environmental and personal factors among 2,307 Japanese men. METHODS: Allergic rhinitis was determined from self-reported allergic rhinitis or from the seasonal symptoms of the nose. Seasonal rhinitis was defined as symptoms evoked in the subjects from February to May. Cedar pollinosis was defined as the presence of cedar-specific IgE positivity among subjects with seasonal rhinitis. RESULTS: The prevalences of allergic rhinitis, seasonal rhinitis, and cedar pollinosis were 35.5, 28.8, and 11.0%, respectively. Age was a negative risk factor for all allergic conditions. Allergic family history and residence along a main street were strong risk factors for all allergic rhinitis. CONCLUSIONS: The current prevalence of each rhinitis was higher than previously reported. The risk factors were similar for each allergic rhinitis except for a past history of atopy.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

HIS/RIS contribution to image diagnosis and maximization of efficacy of PACS when coupled with HIS/RIS.

To maximize the efficacy of the PACS coupled with the HIS/RIS and to clarify the effectiveness of the PACS itself, the amount of contribution of the HIS/NS to image diagnosis was measured beforehand. Video-tape recorders were used to record the CRT display of the HIS/RIS terminals and the simultaneous conversation between a patient and his physician in the clinics of our hospital. Consultation time and entry time for image examination order were measured for each case by replay of the tape. Consultation time was approximately 10 min, while order time was 2-3.5 min depending on whether the physician was an internist or an orthopedist. Detailed description on an order was closely related to detailed reports. The HIS/RIS contributed to image diagnosis even before the PACS was coupled. Concrete methods of efficacy maximization of the PACS were pointed out by internists and orthopedists in terms of modalities, outpatient clinics and wards.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Immunohistological distribution of stem cell factor and kit receptor in angiosarcoma.

Angiosarcoma is a rare neoplasm, originating in the endothelium, which has a poor prognosis because of a high potential for metastasis. Although little is known about the pathogenesis of angiosarcoma, angiogenic cytokines are suggested to play an important role in tumor progression in a paracrine/autocrine fashion. Mast cells contain several mediators or cytokines influencing vascularization. To clarify the role of mast cells in angiosarcoma, mast cells were counted in primary lesions of angiosarcoma (n=7). The results showed that the number of mast cells in the lesional skin of angiosarcoma (91.2+/-14.6/mm2) was significantly increased compared to that in normal skin (30.1+/-4.6/mm2) (p < 0.001). Immunohistological localization of stem cell factor, a mast cell growth factor, demonstrated that stem cell factor-positive cells occurred in the tumors forming the vascular lumen in nodular-type angiosarcoma. In macular angiosarcoma, stem cell factor was also detected in the tumor vascular endothelial cells. Infiltrating mast cells were positive for the kit receptor in both types of angiosarcoma. These results suggest that tumor cell-derived stem cell factor may play a role in the increased number of mast cells, via the kit receptor, which may contribute to the proliferation of tumor cells, leading to the progression of angiosarcoma.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Inhibitors on an elastase-like enzyme activity catalyzing Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Leu-pNA amidolysis in human seminal plasma.

The behavior of some proteinase inhibitors toward the Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Leu-pNA amidolytic enzyme activity in human seminal plasma (HSP) was tested. [(2S, 3R)-3-Amino-2-hydroxy-5-methyl-hexanoyl]L-valyl-L-valyl-L-aspartic acid (Amastatin) and 3-[1-[(2-(hydroxymethyl)- -pyrolidinyl)-2-methylpropyl]-carbamoyl] octanohydroxamic acid (Actinonin) showed strong inhibitory effects. No inhibition of this present enzyme activity was seen with anti-human serum (whole), anti-human leukocyte elastase, phenyl-methyl sulfonyl fluoride, Elastatinal, ethyeneglycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ethyl)N,N,N:N'-tetra acetic acid, and [L-3-trans-ethoxycarbonyl-oxirane-2-carbonyl]1-L-leucine(3-methylbutyl)a mido (E-64). No relation was observed between human pancreatic elastase antigen and the Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Leu-pNA amidolytic enzyme enzyme activity in HSP. Two peaks of Suc-Ala-Ala-Leu-Pro-pNA amidolytic enzyme activity were separated by Cellulofine GCL-2000 gel filtration and these activities were completely abolished by addition of Amastatin. Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Leu-pNA amidolytic enzyme activity in HSP is not an elastase-like metalloproteinase but is rather an acyl amidase-like leucine aminopeptidase.

Amidohydrolases↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Pericentric inversion of the Y chromosome of infertile male.

The authors report a case with pericentric inversion of the Y chromosome associated with asthenonecrozoospermia. The conventional karyotype was 46, X, inv (Y) (p11q11). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis revealed the deletion of DYZ3, DYS139, and RBM1. Three-color fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of the sperm chromosomes showed normal ratio between X- and Y-bearing sperm. In this case, the frequencies of aneuploidy of the sperm are not significantly higher compared with those from the normal volunteers. Cytogenetic analysis is recommended when the patients with pericentric inversion of the Y chromosome are attending an infertility clinic.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Blood coagulation factor X (FX) in human seminal plasma.

The active form of human blood coagulation factor X (FXa, EC 3.4.21.6) showing N-alpha-Benzoyl-L-isoleucyl-L-glutamyl-L-glycyl-L-arginine- p-nitroanilide (S-2222) hydrolyzing activity was first detected in human semen (seminal plasma) by affinity chromatography using anti-human coagulation factor X, and this enzyme activity was inhibited by anti-human FX. This enzyme has been associated with the human coagulation factor X (FX) in human semen (seminal plasma) by Western blot analysis, and the molecular mass of mature FX was also estimated to be 59 KDa by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis.

Blotting, Western↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Gonadal function in patients with testicular germ cell tumors.

The gonadal function of 18 patients with testicular germ cell tumors was evaluated. Seminal parameters after orchiectomy were examined in 15 patients. Six of them were available for follow-up observation after 2 or 3 courses of adjuvant chemotherapy. Serum gonadal hormones before and after orchiectomy were evaluated in 7 patients (testosterone and PRL were not examined in one patient). Five of 15 (33.3%), 8 of 15 (53.3%), 13 of 15 (86.7%), 7 of 13 (53.8%), and 9 of 12 (75.0%) had abnormal values in seminal volume, sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and vitality, respectively. The sperm concentration gradually improved after chemotherapy following orchiectomy in 5 of 6 (83.3%) patients. In all the patients examined, serum levels of follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and prolactin (PRL) increased after orchiectomy. Serum levels of testosterone increased in 4 patients, but decreased in 2 after orchiectomy. These findings suggest that several factors, including preexisting intrinsic defect and disturbance of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis, are involved in the deterioration of gonadal function in patients with testicular germ cell tumors.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Individual variation in semen parameters of healthy young volunteers.

Individual variation in semen parameters was investigated in healthy young volunteers. Semen samples were collected approximately once a month over a one-year period for a total of 93 samples (5 to 10 samples per subject) from 12 volunteers in their twenties. Semen analysis was carried out according to the WHO Manual. The amount of variation in each semen variable was calculated for each subject by dividing the maximum value by the minimum value. The results showed that the semen volume varied by 1.9+/-0.8 fold (1.3 to 4.2 fold), the sperm concentration by 4.8+/-4.3 fold (1.5 to 17.2 fold), the percentage of sperm with forward progression by 2.8+/-1.4 fold (1.6 to 6.4 fold), the percentage of sperm with rapid linear progression by 3.4+/-2.6 fold (1.7 to 10.9 fold), the percentage of sperm with normal morphology by 1.9+/-0.4 fold (1.3 to 2.4 fold), and the percentage of live sperm by 1.5+/-0.4 fold (1.1 to 2.6 fold). A between-group comparison showed significant differences in all of the variables except the percentage of sperm with normal morphology. These results suggest multiple and considerable semen analyses are needed when evaluating semen parameters.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

XX-male syndrome bearing the sex-determining region Y.

The case of a 25-year-old man who presented for evaluation of infertility is described. The physical examination revealed testicular atrophy without gynecomastia. Repeated seminal analyses showed azoospermia, and serum hormonal levels suggested a state of a hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. Chromosomal analysis demonstrated 46XX. Polymerase chain reaction revealed the existence of a sex-determining region Y. The etiology of this rare sex reversal syndrome is discussed and cases reported in Japan are reviewed.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Spermicidal activity of menfegol-coated condom.

The spermicidal activity of menfegol-coated condoms was investigated. Menfegol (P-menthanyl-phenyl-polyxyethylene [8,8] ether) showed strong spermicidal activity at 0.5 mg/ml and higher concentrations. Semen was ejaculated directly into menfegol-coated condoms (20 mg/condom) or uncoated condoms. Immediately after ejaculation, sperm motility and viability were examined. In the menfegol-coated condoms, sperm motility was completely suppressed and no viable sperm were observed. In the uncoated condoms, most of the sperm were alive, although their motility was almost suppressed. These results indicate that the menfegol-coated condom represents a new birth control method in which the contraceptive efficacy of the condom is enhanced by the spermicidal activity of menfegol.

Contraceptive Devices, Male↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Adhesion preventive effect of a novel hyaluronic acid gel film in rats.

This study evaluated the efficacy of a novel hyaluronic acid (HA) gel for preventing adhesions in a rat caecal model. The gel was manufactured from an acidic HA solution using a freezing procedure. HA gel films with four different half-lives (50-200 h) in physiological buffered saline at 37 degrees C were prepared, by regulating the freezing time, and tested. The HA gel film was applied as a barrier on the injured caecal surface after standardized treatment with a rotary abrasion apparatus. A control group of 20 animals were abraded in the same way but not treated. Seven days after the initial operation, the incidence and severity of any adhesions were recorded. Application of the HA gel film significantly reduced the incidence and severity of adhesion formation in all treatment groups compared with the control group. This novel HA gel film is effective for reducing post-operative adhesions in this rat model and the resorption rate is optimum for adhesion prevention on the caecal surface.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Detection and separation of two kinds of acidic arginine amidases from boar sperm using lima bean trypsin inhibitor and aprotinin affinity adsorptions.

Two kinds of acidic arginine amidase activity were found in boar sperm. One enzyme was separated by a treatment consisting of lima bean trypsin inhibitor (LBTI) affinity adsorption and elution. The other enzyme was separated by aprotinin affinity adsorption and elution through the same solutions as those used for first enzyme; the two enzymes provisionally named boar sperm acidic arginine amidases 1 (BSAA-1) and 2 (BSAA-2), respectively. The amidolytic activity of BSAA-1 was increased by high concentrations of calcium chloride, while the activity of BSAA-2 was independent of calcium chloride. Their behavior with LBTI and aprotinin, and profiles of their substrate specificities, were also different. The affinity of LBTI to BSAA-1 was approximately 14 times higher than that to BSAA-2.

Adsorption↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Testicular injury: late results of semen analyses after uniorchiectomy.

Semen parameters from 4 patients with testicular injury after uniorchiectomy were investigated. Semen volume and sperm morphology were not affected after the operation, but sperm count and motility were severely diminished. Two of 4 cases showed azoospermia, and the other 2 cases showed low values in both sperm count and motility. After 150-300 days from the operation, 2 cases recovered to the normal range in sperm count while the other 2 remained in the abnormal range. In sperm motility, 3 cases recovered to the normal range but the rest remained abnormal. The results suggest that long-term follow-up in semen parameters is needed when unilateral orchiectomy is performed.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Two forms of basic trypsin-like arginine amidases in boar sperm.

Acrosin and newly detected basic arginine amidase were separated from boar sperm by affinity adsorption using lima bean trypsin inhibitor (LBTI) and aprotinin columns, respectively. These enzymes differed in various respects, including response against calcium chloride, amidolytic substrate specificity, and reaction against the inhibitor. They also differed widely in the affinity to LBTI. The difference appears to be expressed as the difference in ability of affinity of the enzymes with LBTI, thus leading to their separation.

Acrosin↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Fibrinogen-like substance and thrombin-like enzyme in seminal plasma: coagulation system of human semen.

This investigation was conducted to examine the presence of fibrinogen-like substance and thrombin-like enzyme in human semen (human seminal plasma) after liquefaction. The human seminal plasma contained small amounts of respective substances which are absorbed on anti-fibrinogen and anti-thrombin III affinity columns, respectively. The thrombin-like enzyme with Gly-Pro-Arg-pNA amidolytic activity was inhibited by human seminal plasma trypsin-like enzyme inhibitor (HSP-TI) and antithrombin III. The fibrinogen-like substance reacted with the thrombin-like enzyme, forming a fibrin-like substance. It would appear that certain aspects of the coagulation process in human semen constitute the same process as the final stage of the blood coagulation system.

Antithrombin III↗