Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Y Goto

Publications and source records attributed to Y Goto.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Novel mutation in ABCC6 gene in a Japanese pedigree with pseudoxanthoma elasticum and retinitis pigmentosa.

PURPOSE: To report a novel mutation of the ABCC6 gene in a Japanese family that had a case of pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) another with PXE and retinitis pigmentosa. METHODS: Ophthalmologic examinations were performed, and the ABCC6 gene was analysed by direct genomic sequencing. RESULTS: Fundus examinations of the 48-year-old proband disclosed angioid streaks and a peud'orange appearance of the retina of the both eyes, whereas both of his 25- and 20-year-old daughters had pigmentary degeneration and angioid streaks. In the sibilings, the mixed cone-rod ERG was almost nondetectable, whereas that of the proband was well-preserved. Molecular genetic analysis revealed that the proband has a homozygous nonsense mutation at the 595 bp in the ABCC6, and the siblings were heterozygous for the same mutation. This mutation was not detected in Japanese subjects in the JSNP database (http://snp.ims.u-tokyo.ac.jp/). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated an association between a novel mutation in the ABCC6 gene and PXE in a Japanese family.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Growth, reproduction, and lactation in somatic cell cloned cows with short telomeres.

We previously showed that telomere lengths of 10 somatic cell cloned cows were significantly shorter than normal. In this study, we investigated growth, reproduction, and lactation in these animals to determine if shortened telomeres have any effect on these characteristics. Six Holstein and 4 Jersey cloned cows, derived from oviduct cells, were reared under general group feeding. Body weights were recorded from birth to 48 mo of age. A number of reproductive characteristics were screened during the prepubertal, postpubertal, and postpartum periods. After parturition, milk yields were recorded daily and percentages of milk fat, proteins, and solids-not-fat were measured at monthly intervals. These data were used to estimate production of milk components over a 305-d period. Overall, the cloned heifers exceeded standard growth rates for each breed. The cows were inseminated at the first estrus after they reached 450 d of age, and delivered normal calves except for one stillbirth in the Holstein group. They were inseminated at postpartum estrus to provide second and third parturitions and, again, these pregnancies were normal. Gestational periods and birth weights of the calves were both within the normal range. The average total milk yield per cow in Holstein group clones was less than that of the original cow, whereas Jersey group clones showed a higher average milk yield than the original cow. In both groups of cloned cows, inter-individual variation in milk production was relatively large; however, the coefficient of variation was less than 10%. Our results suggest that the cloned cows have normal growth, reproductive, and lactation characteristics, and thus normal productivity, despite having reduced telomere lengths.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Double helicity asymmetry in inclusive midrapidity pi0 production for polarized p+p collisions at square root s = 200 GeV.

We present a measurement of the double longitudinal spin asymmetry in inclusive pi(0) production in polarized proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=200 GeV. The data were taken at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider with average beam polarizations of 0.27. The measurements are the first in a program to study the longitudinal spin structure of the proton, using strongly interacting probes, at collider energies. The asymmetry is presented for transverse momenta 1-5 GeV/c at midrapidity, where next-to-leading-order perturbative quantum chromodynamic (NLO pQCD) calculations well describe the unpolarized cross section. The observed asymmetry is small and is compared to a NLO pQCD calculation with a range of polarized gluon distributions.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Bose-Einstein correlations of charged pion pairs in Au + Au collisions at square root sNN = 200 GeV.

Bose-Einstein correlations of identically charged pion pairs were measured by the PHENIX experiment at midrapidity in Au + Au collisions at square root s(NN)=200 GeV. The Bertsch-Pratt radius parameters were determined as a function of the transverse momentum of the pair and as a function of the centrality of the collision. Using the standard core-halo partial Coulomb fits, and a new parametrization which constrains the Coulomb fraction as determined from the unlike-sign pion correlation, the ratio R(out)/R(side) is within 0.8-1.1 for 0.25< <1.2 GeV/c. The centrality dependence of all radii is well described by a linear scaling in N(1/3)(part), and R(out)/R(side) for approximately 0.45 GeV/c is approximately constant at unity as a function of centrality.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Measurement of nonrandom event-by-event fluctuations of average transverse momentum in square root of (sNN)=200 GeV Au+Au and p+p collisions.

Event-by-event fluctuations of the average transverse momentum of produced particles near midrapidity have been measured by the PHENIX Collaboration in square root of (sNN)=200 GeV Au+Au, and p+p collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The fluctuations are observed to be in excess of the expectation for statistically independent particle emission for all centralities. The excess fluctuations exhibit a dependence on both the centrality of the collision and on the pT range over which the average is calculated. Both the centrality and pT dependence can be well reproduced by a simulation of random particle production with the addition of contributions from hard-scattering processes.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Quantitative trait loci for phyllochron and tillering in rice.

Morphogenetic processes in sequentially growing leaves and tiller buds are highly synchronized in rice ( Oryza sativa L.). Consequently, the appearance of successive leaves in the main tiller acts as the "pacemaker" for the whole shoot system development. The time interval between the appearance of successive leaves (days/leaf) in the main tiller is called the 'phyllochron'. The objectives of the investigation reported here were: (1) to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that control rice phyllochron and (2) to understand the roles of phyllochron QTLs as an underlying developmental factor for rice tillering. For this purpose we developed a set of recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between IR36 ( indica) and Genjah Wangkal (tropical japonica). Composite interval mapping detected three phyllochron QTLs located on chromosomes 4, 10 and 11, where the presence of a Genjah Wangkal allele increased phyllochron. The largest QTL (on chromosome 4) was located on the genomic region syntenic to the vicinity of the maize Teopod 2 mutation, while the QTL on chromosome 10 was close to the rice plastochron 1 mutation. These three phyllochron QTLs failed to coincide with major tiller number QTLs. However, one tiller number QTL was associated with small LOD peaks for phyllochron and tiller-bud dormancy that were linked in coupling phase, suggesting that linked small effects of phyllochron and tiller-bud dormancy might result in a multiplicative effect on tiller number.

Chromosome Mapping↗
PubMed2004

J/psi production from proton-proton collisions at square root of s=200 GeV.

J/psi production has been measured in proton-proton collisions at square root of s=200 GeV over a wide rapidity and transverse momentum range by the PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. Distributions of the rapidity and transverse momentum, along with measurements of the mean transverse momentum and total production cross section are presented and compared to available theoretical calculations. The total J/psi cross section is 4.0+/-0.6(stat)+/-0.6(syst)+/-0.4(abs) mu b. The mean transverse momentum is 1.80+/-0.23(stat)+/-0.16(syst) GeV/c.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Energetic costs of bipedal and quadrupedal walking in Japanese macaques.

We investigated the energetic costs of quadrupedal and bipedal walking in two Japanese macaques. The subjects were engaged in traditional bipedal performance for years, and are extremely adept bipeds. The experiment was conducted in an airtight chamber with a gas analyzer. The subjects walked quadrupedally and bipedally at fixed velocities (<5 km/hr) on a treadmill in the chamber for 2.5-6 min. We estimated energy consumption from carbon dioxide (CO2) production. While walking bipedally, energetic expenditure increased by 30% relative to quadrupedalism in one subject, and by 20% in another younger subject. Energetic costs increased linearly with velocity in quadrupedalism and bipedalism, with bipedal/quadrupedal ratios remaining almost constant. Our experiments were relatively short in duration, and thus the observed locomotor costs may include presteady-state high values. However, there was no difference in experimental duration between bipedal and quadrupedal trials. Thus, the issue of steady state cannot cancel the difference in energetic costs. Furthermore, we observed that switching of locomotor mode (quadrupedalism to bipedalism) during a session resulted in a significant increase of CO2 production. Taylor and Rowntree ([1973] Science 179:186-187) noted that the energetic costs for bipedal and quadrupedal walking were the same in chimpanzees and capuchin monkeys. Although the reason for this inconsistency is not clear, species-specific differences should be considered regarding bipedal locomotor energetics among nonhuman primates. Extra costs for bipedalism may not be great in these macaques. Indeed, it is known that suspensory locomotion in Ateles consumes 1.3-1.4 times as much energy relative to quadrupedal progression. This excess ratio surpasses the bipedal/quadrupedal energetic ratios in these macaques.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Possible role of VEGF in the progression of kidney disease in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats: effects of an ACE inhibitor and an angiotensin II receptor antagonist.

Two endothelium-derived factors, endothelin (ET), a vasoconstrictor, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an angiogenic factor are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complications. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of an angiotensin II type I (AT-1) receptor antagonist and an ACE inhibitor on the pathogenesis of VEGF and ET-1-mediated kidney disease in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Two days after STZ administration, diabetic rats were treated for 8 weeks with enalapril maleate, an ACE inhibitor, candesartan cilexetil, an AT-1 receptor antagonist, or saline. Urinary albumin and N-acetyl beta-D glucosaminidase (NAG) excretion as well as the VEGF protein content in the kidney were all found to be elevated in diabetic rats. Administration of enalapril maleate or candesartan cilexetil decreased the level of microalbuminuria and NAG excretion in diabetic rats. Administration of enalapril maleate also suppressed the elevated renal VEGF protein content in these animals while candesartan cilexetil treatment had no effect. Serum ET-1 and VEGF levels were unchanged by these treatments. These data support a role for AT-1 receptor antagonists and ACE inhibitors in the prevention of diabetic nephropathy, and suggest that the former may work by reducing renal VEGF levels.

Albuminuria↗
PubMed2004

Cry j 1 isoforms derived from Cryptomeria japonica trees have different binding properties to monoclonal antibodies.

BACKGROUND: We identified five Cryptomeria japonica trees producing Cry j 1 isoforms that cannot be detected in a sandwich ELISA using two monoclonal antibodies, J1B01 and J1B07, suggesting that the binding affinity of these isoforms for both monoclonal antibodies is low. OBJECTIVES: The binding properties of the Cry j 1 isoforms produced by five trees to J1B07 and J1B01 were examined. The complementary DNA (cDNA) sequences of the Cry j 1 isoforms were also determined. METHODS: To clarify the binding properties of these Cry j 1 isoforms to J1B01 and J1B07, Cry j 1 was quantified in pollen samples collected from each of the five trees, by sandwich ELISAs using polyclonal antibodies and either J1B01 or J1B07. The cDNA sequences of isoforms with different binding properties were determined. To test the assumption that amino acid substitutions affect the binding affinities of Cry j 1 isoforms for monoclonal antibodies, cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences (CAPS) markers representing the putative polymorphisms were used to analyse additional trees. RESULTS: Four of the five trees produced Cry j 1 isoforms with extremely low binding affinity for J1B07, whereas the other tree produced two different isoforms with low binding affinity for either J1B01 or J1B07. Cry j 1-encoding cDNA sequences for one of the four trees and for the exceptional fifth tree indicate that amino acid substitutions at positions 55 and 352 in mature Cry j 1 affect its binding to J1B01 and J1B07, respectively. This was supported by the results of CAPS analysis. CONCLUSION: The existence of Cry j 1 isoforms with low binding affinity for either J1B01 or J1B07 was established. Furthermore, a single amino acid substitution is involved in this difference in binding affinity for each monoclonal antibody.

Allergens↗
PubMed2004

Alternatively spliced transcripts of Fas mRNAs in feline lymphoid cells.

Fas belongs to the tumour necrosis factor receptor family and transduces the death signal after binding to the Fas ligand. Five feline lymphoma cell lines were shown, by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, to express six species of Fas transcripts. Based on sequence comparison of these Fas transcripts with the genomic Fas gene, five of the six transcripts were found to be generated through alternative splicing and to encode five different Fas proteins lacking the transmembrane domain. We also detected such alternatively spliced transcripts in primary tumour tissues from cats with naturally occurring lymphoma. These results suggest a possible association of the alternatively spliced Fas variants with the pathogenesis of feline lymphoma.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed2004

Mechanism of improvement in exercise capacity after the maze procedure combined with mitral valve surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the mechanism of improvement in exercise capacity after the maze procedure. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Tertiary referral centre. PATIENTS: 26 patients (mean (SD) age 57 (9) years) with atrial fibrillation (AF) and mitral valve disease were studied with echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise testing before and after the maze procedure combined with mitral valve surgery. Of these, eight had persistent AF and 18 had restored sinus rhythm (SR) by the surgery. Six patients (mean (SD) age 59 (12) years) with AF undergoing mitral valve surgery without the maze procedure who had cardiopulmonary exercise testing before and after the surgery formed the control group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Echocardiographic parameters of atrial function were measured from transmitral flow recordings. Peak oxygen uptake (VO2) and the slope of the relation between VO2 and workload (ratio of DeltaVO2 to Delta work) were determined as indices of exercise capacity. RESULTS: The degree of improvements in peak VO2 and the ratio of DeltaVO2 to Delta work after the mitral valve surgery was comparable between the maze and control group. It was also comparable between patients with and those without successfully restored SR after the maze procedure. The degree of the increase in peak VO2 correlated with the change in left atrial diameter (r = -0.40, p = 0.047) but atrial contraction did not correlate with the increase. CONCLUSIONS: Improvement in exercise capacity may not be caused by restored SR and atrial contraction but may at least partly relate to the reduction of left atrial size and improvement of haemodynamic variables by the surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Midrapidity neutral-pion production in proton-proton collisions at square root s = 200 GeV.

The invariant differential cross section for inclusive neutral-pion production in p+p collisions at sqrt[s]=200 GeV has been measured at midrapidity (|eta|<0.35) over the range 1<p(T) less, similar 14 GeV/c by the PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. Predictions of next-to-leading order perturbative QCD calculations are consistent with these measurements. The precision of our result is sufficient to differentiate between prevailing gluon-to-pion fragmentation functions.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Augmented cytoplasmic Smad4 induces acceleration of TGF-beta1 signaling in renal tubulointerstitial cells of hereditary nephrotic ICGN mice with chronic renal fibrosis; possible role for myofibroblastic differentiation.

The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR)-derived glomerulonephritis (ICGN) mouse is a hereditary model animal for nephrotic syndrome with chronic renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. In most fibrotic diseases, myofibroblastic differentiation is considered to play crucial roles in pathogenesis of fibrosis and is dominantly regulated by the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 signaling system. To reveal the pathogenic mechanism of chronic renal fibrosis in ICGN mice, we examined the expression and localization of TGF-beta1 signal transducer proteins (TGF-beta receptor-I and -II, Smad2/3 and Smad4) in kidney sections and in primarily cultured tubulointerstitial fibroblasts (TIFs). In kidneys of ICGN mice, many tubulointerstitial cells were differentiated to myofibroblastic cells and were alpha-smooth muscle actin (alphaSMA)-positive. The numbers of alphaSMA-positive TIFs prepared from kidneys of ICGN mice (ICGN-TIFs), but not those of ICR control mice (ICR-TIFs), increased during cell culture. No significant differences in production or activation of TGF-beta1 between ICGN-TIFs and ICR-TIFs were seen by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In vitro transcriptional reporter assay for TGF-beta1 and Western immunoblotting for TGF-beta1 signal transducers showed no notable differences in the expression levels of TGF-beta receptor-I or -II or Smad2/3 between these TIFs. However, augmented cytoplasmic Smad4 protein in ICGN-TIFs, but not ICR-TIFs, seemed to cause hypersensitivity against TGF-beta1, and the eventual nuclear localization of Smad2/3-Smad4 complex was increased in ICGN-TIFs. Thus, the abnormal cytoplasmic augmentation of Smad4 induces acceleration of TGF-beta1 signaling in the renal tubulointerstitial cells of ICGN mice.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Elliptic flow of identified hadrons in Au+Au collisions at sqrt sNN =200 GeV.

The anisotropy parameter (v(2)), the second harmonic of the azimuthal particle distribution, has been measured with the PHENIX detector in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV for identified and inclusive charged particle production at central rapidities (|eta|<0.35) with respect to the reaction plane defined at high rapidities (|eta|=3-4 ). We observe that the v(2) of mesons falls below that of (anti)baryons for p(T)>2 GeV/c, in marked contrast to the predictions of a hydrodynamical model. A quark-coalescence model is also investigated.

Journal Article↗