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Biomedical subjects

T Yoshikawa

Publications and source records attributed to T Yoshikawa.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Role of elastase and active oxygen species in gastric mucosal injury induced by aspirin administration in Helicobacter pylori-infected Mongolian gerbils.

BACKGROUND: H. pylori infection potentiates aspirin-induced gastric mucosal injury by mechanisms that include accumulation of activated neutrophils. AIM: To determine the role of elastase and active oxygen species (AOS) produced by activated neutrophils in the gastric mucosal injury induced by administration of acidified aspirin to H. pylori-infected Mongolian gerbils. METHODS: H. pylori ATCC43504 culture broth was administered by oral gavage to male Mongolian gerbils at 7 weeks of age. After 4 weeks, acidified aspirin (400 mg/kg) was administered orally, and 3 h later, the total area of gastric erosions, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity (an index of neutrophil accumulation), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS, an index of lipid peroxidation), and KC/GRO (a chemo-attractive cytokine in rodents) were measured in gastric mucosa. To determine the role of elastase or AOS derived from neutrophils in these circumstances, ONO-5046 (an elastase inhibitor), a combination of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (scavengers of AOS), and polaprezinc (an anti-ulcer agent with anti-inflammatory effects) were administered before aspirin. RESULTS: ONO-5046 inhibited the increase in gastric erosions and mucosal TBARS induced by administration of aspirin to H. pylori-infected gerbils, but not the increases in MPO activity or KC/GRO contents. A combination of SOD and catalase or polaprezinc significantly reduced gastric erosions, TBARS concentrations, MPO activity and KC/GRO concentration. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that neutrophil-derived-elastase and -oxidants play an important role in the gastric mucosal injury induced by administration of aspirin to H. pylori-infected gerbils.

Animals↗

Non-myeloablative haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for severe aplastic anaemia with various complications.

We report a 20-year-old-male with severe aplastic anaemia who was treated with nonmyeloablative haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (NSCT) from a sibling donor. As the patient presented with complications consisting of mental retardation, severe obesity, a bone fracture, and recurrent infections, we selected NSCT instead of a myeloablative regimen, to reduce regimen-related toxicity (RRT). Conditioning therapy consisting of busulfan, fludarabine, antithymocyte globulin and FK506 was used to obtain immune suppression. RRT was limited and he is now in complete remission 19 months after NSCT. On day 91, he developed chronic graft-vs.-host disease; it was resolved by the combination of FK506, corticosteroids, and mycophenolate mofetil. Our experience contributes to the growing interest in NSCT as a modality for treating not only malignant haematological disorders associated with complications, but also nonmalignant haematological diseases.

Adult↗

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) polymorphism is associated with diabetic retinopathy in Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIMS: Leucocyte adhesion to the diabetic retinal vasculature has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. We evaluated the relationship between genetic polymorphisms in leucocyte and endothelial cell adhesion molecules and diabetic retinopathy in Type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: We determined ICAM-1, platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1), and leucocyte endothelial adhesion molecule-1 (LECAM-1) genotypes in 81 patients with and 50 without diabetic retinopathy. RESULTS: The frequency of ICAM-1 469KK genotype and K allele were significantly higher in the patients with diabetic retinopathy than in those without retinopathy (genotype 42% vs. 20%, chi2 = 6.70, P = 0.035; allele 66% vs. 50%, chi2 = 6.49, P = 0.011). With regard to the PECAM-1 V125L and LECAM-1 P213S polymorphisms, there were no significant associations between the distribution of genotypes or allele frequencies and the presence of diabetic retinopathy. Independent of other risk factors, the ICAM-1 469KK genotype was associated with a 3.51-fold increased risk for retinopathy. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the ICAM-1 469KK genotype could be a genetic risk factor for retinopathy in Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Age of Onset↗

Interleukin-6 polymorphism (-634C/G) in the promotor region and the progression of diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes.

AIMS: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine produced by many different cell types, including glomerular mesangial cells. Recently, a novel C/G polymorphism at position -634 in the promotor region of the IL-6 gene has been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the -634C/G polymorphism is associated with an increased risk for progression to diabetic nephropathy as well as elevated levels of IL-6 secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. METHODS: The frequency of the -634C/G polymorphism was determined in Japanese patients with Type 2 diabetes and either normoalbuminuria (n = 162), microalbuminuria (n = 138), or macroalbuminuria (n = 154) by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The level of IL-6 secretion in relation to genotype was assessed in lipopolysaccharide or advanced glycation end products-stimulated IL-6 secretion by peripheral mononuclear cells. RESULTS: The frequency of the -634G/G genotype and -634*G allele was significantly increased in the patients with macroalbuminuria compared with patients with normoalbuminuria (genotype: chi2 = 6.787, Pc = 0.0368; allele: chi2 = 9.080, Pc = 0.0104). Stepwise multiple regression analysis in these patients showed that hypertension (F = 40.48) and IL-6-634 gene polymorphism (F = 5.48) were the relevant variables for the progression of Type 2 diabetic nephropathy. Analysis of the IL-6 secretion data revealed that individuals carrying the -634*G allele had a higher IL-6 secretion capacity than those without the *G allele (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the IL-6-634C/G polymorphism may be a possible genetic susceptibility factor for the progression of diabetic nephropathy.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2↗

Hemorrhagic brain metastases with high signal intensity on diffusion-weighted MR images. A case report.

Diffusion-weighted MR imaging has been applicable to the differential diagnosis of abscesses and necrotic or cystic brain tumors. However, restricted water diffusion is not necessarily specific for brain abscess. We describe ring-enhancing metastases of lung carcinoma characterized by high signal intensity on diffusion-weighted MR images. The signal pattern probably reflected intralesional hemorrhage. The present report adds to the growing literature regarding the differential diagnosis of ring-enhancing brain lesions.

Brain Abscess↗

Helicobacter pylori infection potentiates aspirin induced gastric mucosal injury in Mongolian gerbils.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori infection and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are two major causes of gastric ulceration but interactions between H pylori and these drugs in gastric mucosal injury are unclear. AIMS: We studied the influence of experimental H pylori infection on gastric mucosal injury induced by aspirin. SUBJECTS: Male Mongolian gerbils free of specific pathogens were used. METHODS: H pylori ATCC43504 culture broth was administered by oral gavage at seven weeks of age. After three weeks, acidified aspirin (400 mg/kg) was administered orally, and three hours later the total area of gastric erosions, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity (an index of neutrophil accumulation), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS, an index of lipid peroxidation), and KC/GRO (a chemoattractive cytokine in rodents) were measured in gastric mucosa. To determine the role of neutrophils in these circumstances, antigerbil neutrophil rabbit serum (ANS) was administered to some animals 18 hours before aspirin. RESULTS: Aspirin caused more extensive haemorrhagic erosions (33.1 (12.3) mm2) associated with greater MPO activity (1887.7 (598.5) microU/mg protein) and TBARS (0.33 (0.14) nmol/mg protein) and KC/GRO concentrations (28.3 (9.5) pg/mg protein) in infected than in uninfected gerbils (13.7 (2.3); 204.0 (68.9); 0.12 (0.06); 3.1 (0.8), respectively) Pretreatment with ANS inhibited the increases in gastric erosions, MPO activity, and TBARS but not KC/GRO concentration. The reduction in aspirin induced mucosal injury by administration of ANS was much greater in H pylori infected animals (65%) than in uninfected animals (31%). CONCLUSIONS: H pylori infection potentiates aspirin induced gastric mucosal injury by mechanisms that include accumulation of activated neutrophils.

Animals↗

The effects of intravenous lignocaine on haemodynamics and seizure duration during electroconvulsive therapy.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is commonly associated with acute hyperdynamic cardiovascular responses, and we hypothesize that intravenous lignocaine can blunt this response. We have measured the effect of lignocaine 1.5 mg/kg i.v. on heart rate and mean arterial pressure during electroconvulsive therapy. Furthermore, we also assessed seizure duration using both the cuff method and two-lead electroencephalography. We studied 25 patients using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study design. Patients in the control group were given intravenous saline 0.075 ml/kg, and those in the lignocaine group were given intravenous lignocaine 2% 1.5 mg/kg, and this treatment was conducted one minute before intravenous propofol 1.5 mg/kg to induce unconsciousness. Succinylcholine 1.5 mg/kg was then administered intravenously and electrical stimulation was administered after fasciculation. Measurements were taken at the baseline, prior to succinycholine, prior to electroconvulsive therapy and at the peak response after electroconvulsive therapy. Intravenous lignocaine significantly reduced the increases in heart rate after electroconvulsive therapy, as compared with the placebo. The use of intravenous lignocaine was, however, associated with a remarkably shortened seizure duration. Due to the reduction in seizure duration, routine administration of intravenous lignocaine may not be advisable since it may interfere with the psychotherapeutic efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy. However, intravenous lignocaine medication for electroconvulsive therapy is potentially useful for reducing tachycardia in high-risk patients and reducing the severity of propofol injection pain in comparison with a placebo.

Adult↗

Congenital hepatic fibrosis in a newborn calf.

Congenital hepatic fibrosis was observed in a newborn calf. Light microscopy revealed that periportal areas were linked via connective tissue to the central vein regions and to other periportal areas. Hyperplastic fibers were positive for type I collagen. A remarkable increase in the number of myofibroblasts that were positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin and vimentin was observed in the inner wall of the sinusoids, indicating the occurrence of various fibrogenesis. Ultrastractually, foci of cells resembling cholangiole epithelium cells were observed within the sinusoids, thereby suggesting either ductal plate dysplasia or a bile duct anomaly.

Animals↗

Differential expression of the L-plastin gene in human colorectal cancer progression and metastasis.

To identify molecular alterations in the progression of colorectal carcinoma, we analyzed gene expression profiles of colon cancer cell lines derived from primary and metastatic tumors from a single patient. Of 2280 cDNAs investigated using our in-house microarray, the expression of 6 genes (tumor-associated antigen L6, L-plastin, the human homologue of yeast ribosomal protein S28, the B-cell translocation gene, mitochondrial aspartate-aminotransferase, and HLA-A) increased, while that of 2 genes (keratin 5 and phosphoglucomutase) decreased in metastatic-tumor-derived cells compared with primary-tumor-derived cells. Of these genes, we assessed the L-plastin gene, an actin-bundling protein, at the protein level using a tissue microarray consisting of 58 clinically stratified colorectal cancer specimens. Consistent with our microarray results, the expression of L-plastin was significantly correlated with the progression of cancer staging. Therefore, our results suggest that the L-plastin gene is a potential metastatic marker. In addition, combining cDNA microarrays and tissue arrays, as shown here, is thought to facilitate the rapid characterization of candidate biomarkers.

Antigens, Surface↗

Association studies of the CT repeat polymorphism in the 5' upstream region of the cholecystokinin B receptor gene with panic disorder and schizophrenia in Japanese subjects.

The tetrapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK), CCK-4, is known to induce panic attacks in human subjects, while CCK-8 is reported to have a therapeutic effect on schizophrenia symptoms. Recently, we have identified a novel microsatellite polymorphism in the 5' upstream region of the CCK gene and shown a significant association between this polymorphism and panic disorder. In this study, we have investigated the CCK-B receptor (CCKBR) gene, which is the main constituent of the CCK receptor in the CNS. Recently, a dinucleotide repeat, (CT)(n), in the 5' regulatory region of the CCKBR gene was reported to be associated with panic disorder in Canadian samples. To evaluate an association of the CT repeat with panic disorder and schizophrenia, we genotyped 71 subjects with panic disorder, 154 schizophrenics and 199 controls. However, no evidence of allelic association was found between the polymorphic repeat of the CCKBR gene and either panic disorder or schizophrenia (P = 0.186 and 0.987, respectively). Together with the negative reports on association analyses using other polymorphisms of the CCKBR gene and Japanese samples, the present results exclude a major genetic contribution of the CCKBR gene to susceptibilities to panic disorder and schizophrenia in Japanese cohorts.

5' Flanking Region↗

Screening for 22q11 deletions in a schizophrenia population.

Since the recognition that adults with velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS), which is associated with hemizygous interstitial deletions of chromosome 22q11, frequently show psychotic symptoms, deletion of the 22q11.2 region has been proposed as a common genetic abnormality associated with schizophrenia. In studies of schizophrenia patients, such deletions have been detected in more than 1% of schizophrenics, indicating the likely presence of this deletion in a significant number of patients. In this study, we screened for 22q11.2 deletions by genotyping microsatellite markers in 300 schizophrenics and 300 normal controls. The 22q11.2 deletion was confirmed by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). One patient with schizophrenia was found to have a 22q11.2 deletion. The patient was mildly retarded but did not have craniofacial, palatal, or cardiac malformations characteristic of VCFS. Our results indicate that 22q11.2 deletion does not contribute substantially to the development of schizophrenia in general. However, our findings establish the existence of physically near-normal individuals with 22q11.2 deletion among learning disabled or mildly retarded persons with schizophrenia.

Adult↗

Karyotype analysis of 161 unrelated schizophrenics: no increased rates of X chromosome mosaicism or inv(9), using ethnically matched and age-stratified controls.

Chromosomal aberrations have long been studied in an effort to identify susceptibility genes in schizophrenia. The two most frequently detected abnormalities are X chromosome mosaicism in female patients and pericentric inversions of chromosome 9 [inv(9)]. Chromosome X aneuploidies are known to be age dependent but differences due to ethnicity remain undetermined. In the case of inv(9), its prevalence in the general population varies with ethnicity. To evaluate the importance of these karyotypic changes in schizophrenia, cytogenetic analysis was performed on 161 unrelated schizophrenics of Japanese origin. We observed an increase in the incidence of X chromosome mosaicism in female schizophrenics with age. However, when compared with age matched female controls (92 individuals), no significant differences between patient and control samples were detected. Moreover, this study showed that there is no significant difference in the incidence of X chromosome loss between Japanese and Caucasian populations. The four cases with inv(9) (2.5%) detected in this study, did not differ significantly from the reported incidence of between 1.7 and 2.1% seen in the general Japanese population. We also observed a small number of additional karyotypic changes, none of which were recurrent. This is the first report to examine the comparative rates of X mosaicism in female schizophrenics and age matched controls.

Adolescent↗

Central antiemetic effects of AS-8112, a dopamine D2, D3, and 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist, in ferrets.

The involvement of a central mechanism in the antiemetic effect of AS-8112 ((R)-5-bromo-N-(1-ethyl-4-methylhexahydro-1H-1,4-diazepin-6-yl)-2-methoxy-6-methylamino-3-pyridinecarboxamide x 2 fumarate), a novel and potent dopamine D2, D3, and 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist, was investigated in ferrets. Intracerebroventricularly administered AS-8112 dose dependently inhibited R(+)-7-OH-DPAT (R(+)-7-hydroxy-2-(N,N-di-n-propylamino) tetraline)-induced emesis (ID(50); 0.11 microg/kg, i.c.v.). In addition, AS-8112 (10 microg/kg, i.c.v.) significantly inhibited emesis induced by cisplatin. Ondansetron (10 microg/kg, i.c.v.) also inhibited cisplatin-induced emesis, but did not inhibit R(+)-7-OH-DPAT-induced emesis. S(-)-eticlopride (10 microg/kg, i.c.v.) did not inhibit emesis induced by cisplatin. However, racemic CP-99,994 ((+/-)-(2S, 3S)-3-(2-methoxybenzylamino)-2-phenylpiperidine) (10 microg/kg, i.c.v.) inhibited both cisplatin- and R(+)-7-OH-DPAT-induced emesis. These results suggest that the antiemetic effects of AS-8112 are centrally mediated via dopamine D3 and 5-HT(3) receptors in ferrets.

Animals↗

Expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma in renal cell carcinoma and growth inhibition by its agonists.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) is a ligand-activated transcriptional factor belonging to the steroid receptor superfamily. It plays a role in both adipocyte differentiation and tumorgenesis. Up-date, the up-regulation of PPAR-gamma expression is a frequent occurrence in a variety of different malignant tumors. In this study, we investigated the expression of PPAR-gamma in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) tissues, and the role of PPAR-gamma in cell growth in human RCC-derived cell lines. Immunohistochemistry showed a strong immunoreactive expression of PPAR-gamma in all slides from cancer specimens. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed 3 RCC cell lines expressed PPAR-gamma mRNA and its protein. MTT assay in 3 RCC cells showed that the synthetic PPAR-gamma agonists thiazolidinedione compounds (pioglitazone and troglitazone) and the endogeneous PPAR-gamma ligand, 15-deoxy-Delta12,14-prostaglandin J(2) (15dPGJ(2)) inhibited the growth of the RCC cells. These results suggest that PPAR-gamma may become a new target in the treatment of RCC.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Flow cytometry: an improved method for the selection of highly productive gene-amplified CHO cells using flow cytometry.

In previous work, we clarified the relationship between the productivity and stability of gene-amplified cells and the location of the amplified gene. The location of the amplified gene enabled us to classify resistant cells into two types. One type of resistant cell group, in which the amplified genes were observed near the telomeric region, was named the "telomere type." The other type of cell group, in which the amplified genes were observed in other chromosomal regions, was named the "other type." The phenotypes of these two types of cells are very different. In this experiment, using a fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled methotrexate (F-MTX) reagent with flow cytometry, we were easily able to distinguish between highly productive cells and the other types of cells. The level of fluorescence differed according to the difference in resistance to MTX. Based on this new finding, highly productive gene-amplified cells could be isolated from heterogeneous gene-amplified cell pools more easily than by the method of limiting-dilution assay. The limiting-dilution method requires several months to obtain highly productive gene-amplified cells, while our flow-cytometry-based method of selection requires only a few weeks.

Animals↗