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Biomedical subjects

Y Goto

Publications and source records attributed to Y Goto.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

[Analysis of dynamic CT functional imaging parameters in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion].

It is very important to make a prompt and accurate diagnosis and to commence pertinent treatment for patients suffering from acute cerebrovascular occlusive disease. Thirteen patients (mean age: 67.1 years) with basilar artery occlusion (BAO) were enrolled in this study. Dynamic computed tomography functional images (FID-CT) were analysed to determine whether this method could diagnose BAO in the acute phase. The functional images were categorized into 3 groups: (1) group A (n = 5) showed abnormalities on corrected mean transit time (cMTT) images and time-to-peak (TP) images in the territory of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) and in the thalamus, (2) group B (n = 6) only showed abnormalities on TP images, and (3) group C (n = 2) had no abnormalities on either cMTT or TP images. The group C patients had poor time-density curves because of heart disease. Although the results may sometimes be false negative and this limitation should be kept in mind, FID-CT seem to be useful not only for defining patients who need angiography but also those who need thrombolytic therapy for acute BAO.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Self-expanding stent (Wallstent) supported angioplasty for carotid artery stenosis].

We reported the preliminary results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) supported with a self-expanding stent (Wallstent) for the cervical internal carotid artery (i.c.) stenosis in 6 patients (7 lesions). All were male aged from 60 to 79 (mean 70.8). Three patients were symptomatic and 3 were asymptomatic. The procedure was attempted in patients with severe i.c. stenosis according to criteria of NASCET, ECST or ACAS studies and with high risk if carotid endarterectomy (CEA) were performed. In all cases, vascular access was from the femoral artery and angioplasty was performed without cerebral protection. Successful angioplasty was obtained in all cases with no mortality. Stenosis was improved from 82.7% (74-90%) to 17.4% (10-33%). Perioperative complications were seen in only one case with TIA during the postdilatation period, which was supposed to be due to a distal embolism. The preliminary results of PTA supported with self-expanding stent for severe i.c. stenosis were excellent. These results suggested that some patients with severe i.c. stenosis can be treated safely and effectively by stent-supported PTA. However, it is necessary to mark the indications clear and strict, and to follow up these lesions after the procedure, because of the possibility of perioperative ischemic complications and restenosis.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Urine glucose].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Glycosuria↗
PubMed1999

[Evaluation of visceral impairments by exercise testing: practice and problems in recently-developed exercise testing in disabled patients and an introduction of a newly-developed instrument for monitoring cardiopulmonary and postural parameters].

OBJECTIVE: Exercise testing plays a major role in evaluation of visceral impairments in disabled patients. We introduced recently-developed exercise testing and a newly-developed instrument for monitoring cardiopulmonary and postural parameters. We also evaluated the effects of cardiac phase II rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation, and lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) in patients with cardiopulmonary diseases. METHODS: 1) The ratio of ischemic heart disease in stroke patients was assessed by exercise testing. 2) The physical status of the patients with myocardial infarction (MI) was assessed before and just after our hospitalized cardiac phase II rehabilitation program, and at a 6-month follow-up by cardiopulmonary exercise testing. 3) The physical status of the patient with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia was assessed before and after pulmonary rehabilitation by a six-minute walking test. 4) The physical status of the patients with pulmonary emphysema (PE) was assessed before and 3 months after LVRS. 5) We introduced a newly-developed instrument for monitoring cardiopulmonary and postural parameters (MCPP). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The ratio of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in stroke patients was 18%. Our hospitalized phase II cardiac rehabilitation program improved the management of cardiac risk factors and the physical status in patients with MI. The physical status of the patient with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia was markedly improved after pulmonary rehabilitation, and she did not need to undergo lung transplantation. The physical status and lung function of PE was significantly improved 3 months after LVRS. MCPP was made and used in the field of rehabilitation medicine. MCPP shows the picture and cardiopulmonary and postural parameters at the same time on a monitor, and is a very useful tool to evaluate the activities of daily living of the patients undergoing rehabilitation. MCPP may provide useful information to develop more efficient strategies for rehabilitation planning and patients' education.

Exercise Test↗
PubMed1999

Chemical composition of endotoxins produced by Fusobacterium necrophorum subsp. necrophorum and F. necrophorum subsp. funduliforme.

The endotoxins from two recently-classified subspecies of Fusobacterium, namely F. necrophorum subsp. necrophorum and F. necrophorum subsp. funduliforme, were compared. Chemical analysis of the isolated endotoxins revealed that they were clearly different. Distinct levels of polysaccharides were demonstrated. The endotoxins isolated were devoid of heptose and 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonate (KDO). The endotoxins of F. n. necrophorum and F. n. funduliforme contained lipid A in a ratio of 4:1 which may account for the variations in their virulence.

Endotoxins↗
PubMed1999

Isolated histiocytosis X of the pituitary stalk.

A case of histiocytosis X granuloma localized in the pituitary stalk is reported. Coronal and sagittal magnetic resonance imaging views were useful to determine the precise size and location of the mass lesion. The diagnosis was established immunohistochemically and the patient was treated with low-dose irradiation therapy. After irradiation, the patient improved well without endocrine replacement treatment. The pituitary stalk recovered its normal size with no evidence of recurrence on MRI at 7-year follow-up. We emphasize the importance of MRI before initiating therapy to evaluate the pituitary mass lesion and the effectiveness of low-dose irradiation for isolated histiocytosis X.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Sustained elevation of plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels associated with progressive ventricular remodelling after acute myocardial infarction.

Previous studies have shown that levels of plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) increase in an early phase of acute myocardial infarction. However, the relations between plasma BNP levels and left ventricular remodelling, which occurs long after acute myocardial infarction, are not fully understood. Venous plasma BNP levels were measured 2, 7, 14, 30, 90 and 180 days after the onset of acute myocardial infarction in 21 patients. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (EDVI, ml/m2) in acute (5 days) and chronic (6 months) phases were assessed by electron-beam computed tomography using Simpson's method. The remodelling group (n=9) was defined by an increase in EDVI >/=5 ml/m2 relative to the baseline value. Plasma BNP levels on days 2, 7, 14, 30 and 90 were significantly higher in the remodelling group than in the non-remodelling group (n=12, P<0.05). Sustained elevation of plasma BNP levels was noted from day 2 (61+/-12 pmol/l) to day 90 (55+/-12 pmol/l) and significantly decreased on day 180 (24+/-3 pmol/l) in the remodelling group. In contrast, plasma BNP levels significantly decreased from day 2 (25+/-4 pmol/l) to day 90 (9+/-1 pmol/l) and reached a steady level thereafter in the non-remodelling group. Plasma BNP levels on day 7 correlated positively with an increase in EDVI (r=0.70, P<0.001) from the acute to chronic phase. More importantly, the sustained elevation of plasma BNP (percentage decrease smaller than 25%) from day 30 to day 90 identified patients in the remodelling group with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 83%. In conclusion, not only the high levels of plasma BNP in an acute phase, but also the sustained elevation of plasma BNP in a chronic phase, may be associated with progressive ventricular remodelling occurring long after acute myocardial infarction.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

alpha-->beta transition of beta-lactoglobulin as evidenced by heteronuclear NMR.

Whereas bovine beta-lactoglobulin is a predominantly beta-sheet protein, it has a marked alpha-helical preference and can be considered to be a useful model of the alpha-->beta transition, a key issue for understanding the folding and biological function of a number of proteins. In order to understand the mechanism of the alpha-->beta transition, the backbone structures of the recombinant bovine beta-lactoglobulin A in the native state and in the highly helical state induced by 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol were characterized by 1H, 13C and 15N multidimensional NMR spectroscopy. Overall, the secondary structures in the native state were similar to those of the crystal structure. On the other hand, beta-lactoglobulin in the 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol state was composed of many alpha-helical segments. The presence of the persistent alpha-helices in the helical state and the core beta-sheet in the native state suggested that during folding native-like core beta-sheet and several non-native helices are formed first and the remaining beta-sheet is subsequently "induced" through interaction with the pre-existing beta-sheet.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

The erythrocyte receptor for Fusobacterium necrophorum hemolysin: phosphatidylcholine as a possible candidate.

An attempt was made to determine the receptor for the hemolysin of Fusobacterium necrophorum using horse erythrocyte or its membranes as target. The spectrum of erythrocyte sensitivity has indicated that horse, dog and mouse erythrocytes are highly sensitive whereas cattle, sheep, goat and chicken red blood cells are insensitive to this hemolysin. A high correlation between sensitivity and phosphatidylcholine content of the erythrocyte membranes was noted. Binding of hemolysin to horse erythrocyte membranes was reduced significantly by prior treatment of membranes with phospholipase A2 but not with phospholipase C. Pretreatment of erythrocyte membranes with pronase, proteinase K, trypsin or neuraminidase did not alter binding of hemolysin to the membranes, suggesting that protein or sialyl residues are not involved as receptors. Gas liquid chromatography analysis showed that the fatty acid profile from hydrolysis of bovine liver phosphatidylcholine by hemolysin and phospholipase A2 were similar. In conclusion, this report presents evidence that phosphatidylcholine may be acting as a possible receptor for the hemolysin of F. necrophorum.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Molecular cloning of feline CC-chemokine cDNAs.

cDNA clones of feline chemokines, MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta and RANTES, were molecularly isolated with the purpose of using these sequences for future investigation of the inhibitory effects on lentivirus entry and their role in immunological functions. The feline MIP-1alpha and MIP-1beta cDNA clones spanned their entire coding regions encoding 93 and 92 amino acids, respectively. The amino acid sequences of feline MIP-1alpha and MIP-1beta compared to those of their human, mouse and rat counterparts showed similarities of 75.3-79.6% and 73.9-88.0%, respectively. Feline MIP-1alpha and MIP-1beta had four conserved cysteines with a structure made up of the first two cysteines that are characteristic of the CC-chemokine subfamily. The amino terminal of these MIP-1alpha and MIP-1beta sequences was distinctly hydrophobic, suggesting that they may function as signal peptides. A partial cDNA clone consisting of 193 bp was obtained for feline RANTES, and it also showed a high degree of sequence similarity to those of other species and contained the characteristic structure made up of adjacent cysteines. These molecular clones of feline chemokines will be useful in the examination of their inhibitory effect on the cellular entry of feline immunodeficiency virus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Molecular cloning of feline Fas antigen and Fas ligand cDNAs.

The Fas antigen (FasA) and Fas ligand (FasL) are key molecules which mediate apoptosis. For investigation of apoptosis in cats, we isolated molecular clones of feline FasA and FasL cDNAs by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method to amplify cDNAs from feline lymphoma cell lines. These feline FasA and FasL clones contained complete open reading frames encoding 314 and 280 amino acids, respectively. These feline FasA and FasL cDNA clones had structures characteristic of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family and TNF family, respectively. The deduced amino acid sequence of feline FasA and feline FasL, respectively showed 45.0%-60.0% and 75.0%-90.0% similarity with their human, mouse and bovine counterparts. These data will be helpful for investigating the role of the FasA and FasL system in apoptosis and for studying the various diseases associated with the deregulation of apoptosis in cats.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Single muscle fiber analysis in patients with 3243 mutation in mitochondrial DNA: comparison with the phenotype and the proportion of mutant genome.

An A-to-G point mutation at nucleotide pair (np) 3243 (3243 mutation) in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a well-known pathogenic mutation, which has been found in approximately 80% of patients with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS). It has been reported that the 3243 mutation also occurs in individuals with non-MELAS phenotypes. The reasons for the phenotypic heterogeneity of the 3243 mutation have not been clarified, although it may be closely related with mtDNA heteroplasmy and their differing proportions in different tissues. We examined the proportion of mutant DNA in muscle specimens at the cellular level using single fiber analysis in five patients with the 3243 mutation: three were diagnosed clinically as having MELAS and two had mitochondrial diabetes mellitus (MDM). In both phenotypes, ragged-red fibers (RRF) contained a higher percentage of mutant DNA (average 89.8%) than non-RRF (average 42.4%). On the other hand, the proportion of mutant DNA in non-RRF revealed a wider range than in RRF and the average was higher in MELAS patients (58.5+/-27.3%) than that in MDM patients (26.3+/-27.9%), which correlated with biochemical and morphological mitochondrial abnormalities in muscle. These findings may reflect the underlying mechanisms of tissue specificity in each phenotype.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Molecular cloning and characterization of Ca2+-dependent inducible nitric oxide synthase from guinea-pig lung.

We have isolated a full-length cDNA for an inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) from guinea-pig lung. The cDNA has a 3447 bp open reading frame encoding 1149 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence is approx. 80% identical with iNOS of human epithelial cells and murine macrophages. Consensus recognition sites for cofactors are highly conserved. COS cell lysate transfected with the guinea-pig iNOS shows significant levels of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, and this is inhibited by 79% by chelation of Ca2+ ions. The NOS activity is restored in a concentration-dependent manner by increasing the free Ca2+ level. The NOS activity is also inhibited by trifluoperazine, a calmodulin antagonist, which suggests that the Ca2+ dependence is due to Ca2+-dependent calmodulin binding to the enzyme. Northern blot analysis reveals that the cloned iNOS mRNA is expressed in the lung and the colon in normal guinea pigs. Stimulation in vivo by lipopolysaccharide induces the expression of iNOS in the kidney, the spleen and the colon, but in the lung the same stimulation decreases its expression. These results suggest that the cloned guinea-pig iNOS is distinct in characteristics and expression from previously described iNOS forms.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Lack of recurrence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in syngeneic and allogeneic islet-transplanted diabetic biobreeding rats.

BACKGROUND: Previous reports on experimental islet transplantation in animal models of human insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus show that islet grafts are susceptible to autoimmune destruction similar to that seen in native pancreatic islets. In this study, we demonstrated a lack of disease recurrence in diabetic BioBreeding (BB) rats after syngeneic and allogeneic islet transplantation. METHODS: Four hundred to 1200 islets from BB (RT1u) and Lewis (RT1(1)) donors, isolated with stationary collagenase digestion and Ficoll density purification, were intraportally transplanted into spontaneously diabetic BB rats. The recipients received no immunologic manipulations before or after islet transplantation. RESULTS: When more than 900 syngeneic islets or when more than 600 allogeneic islets were transplanted, BB recipients remained normoglycemic for over 280 days, irrespective of age at onset, duration of exogenous insulin treatment, or age at transplantation. When at least 500 islets were transplanted, the recipients survived for a long period with normoglycemia or in a noninsulin-dependent diabetic state. Upon histological examination, mononuclear cell infiltration was observed in every islet graft examined, but the severity of infiltration in most of the grafts was mild to moderate. These results indicate that the islet grafts in the BB recipients were destroyed extremely slowly. CONCLUSIONS: It is conceivable that in our BB colony, a state of immunologically low responsiveness that allows diabetic animals to accept syngeneic or allogeneic islet grafts, occurs around the onset period and becomes more pronounced with aging. Our BB rat colony can be considered to be a novel substrain with unique immunological characteristics.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Tissue-specific involvement of multiple mitochondrial DNA deletions in familial mitochondrial myopathy.

It is still uncertain how deleted mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is distributed to each tissue during development, although deletions of mtDNA have been extensively observed in various pathologic conditions. This paper presents two Japanese siblings with progressive external ophthalmoplegia exhibiting multiple mtDNA deletions. In one patient, similar multiple mtDNA deletions were found in skeletal muscle specimens as well as in the spinal cord but not in the myocardium, liver or leukocytes. A similar deletion pattern was found in the skeletal muscle but not in the leukocytes of the other patient. The results suggest the complex mechanism to generate, expand and eliminate the deleted mtDNA in humans.

Adult↗