Biomedical subjects

Y Morimoto

Publications and source records attributed to Y Morimoto.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Successful delivery after the transfer of twice-vitrified embryos derived from in vitro matured oocytes: a case report.

We report here the first case of successful pregnancy and delivery after the blastocyst transfer of twice-vitrified embryos produced following in vitro maturation (IVM) and ICSI. The patient received 5000 IU hCG on day 12 of the treatment cycle, and oocyte retrieval was carried out 36 h after hCG injection. A total of 22 immature oocytes were obtained. Following incubation for 26 h in IVM medium, 15 oocytes (68.2%) reached metaphase II stage. In total, 13 oocytes (86.7%) were fertilized after ICSI with the husband's sperm, and 11 embryos at the pronuclear stage and two cleaved embryos on day 2 were vitrified because of thin endometrial thickness. Eight cryopreserved embryos at the pronuclear stage were warmed and cultured until the day 3 stage. Three embryos were transferred, and three embryos were twice vitrified. Unfortunately, these transferred embryos did not implant. Three twice-vitrified embryos were rewarmed and cultured until the day 5 stage, and two embryos were transferred. The second transfer attempt of twice-vitrified embryos resulted in the full-term delivery of a healthy infant. This case report demonstrates that twice-vitrified embryos, developed using an IVM protocol, retain the developmental competence for full-term, healthy infants.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Gender difference in unstimulated whole saliva flow rate and salivary gland sizes.

OBJECTIVE: A gender difference in the unstimulated whole saliva flow rate (UWSFR) may be due to a difference in the sizes of the salivary glands. In this study, we investigated the relationships among the UWSFR, gland sizes and body sizes of healthy young adult males and females. DESIGN: Unstimulated whole saliva was collected for 5 min by the spitting method in 50 healthy young adults, and the flow rate of the saliva was measured. Heights and weights were measured, and body mass indices (BMI) were calculated. The sizes of the salivary glands were measured by use of a magnetic resonance imaging technique. RESULTS: Parotid and submandibular gland sizes and flow rates in females were significantly smaller than those in males, as were also the weights, heights and BMI. In both males and females, there were significant positive correlations between gland sizes and the flow rates, weights and BMI. The variations of the flow rates were reduced by standardizing them with gland sizes, weights and BMI. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the lower UWSFR in females as compared with males is due to the smaller gland sizes due to the smaller body sizes.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Serum prostate-specific antigen but not testosterone levels decrease in a randomized soy intervention among men.

BACKGROUND: Low prostate cancer incidence and high soy intake in Asian countries suggest a possible protective effect of soy foods against prostate cancer. The goal of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility of a randomized, crossover soy trial among men and to investigate the effects of daily soy intake on serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and testosterone levels. METHODS: We randomized 24 men to a high or a low soy diet for 3 months. After a 1-month washout period, the men crossed over to the other treatment. During the high soy diet, the men consumed two daily soy servings; during the low soy diet, they maintained their usual diet. During the entire study each man donated four blood samples and five overnight urine samples. Dietary compliance was assessed by soy calendars, 24-h dietary recalls, and urinary isoflavone excretion measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection. Blood samples were analyzed for serum testosterone and PSA by radioimmunoassay. When necessary, variables were log transformed. Two sample t-tests compared the two groups before each study period. Mixed models incorporating the repeated measurements were used to evaluate the effect of the soy diet on urinary isoflavone excretion and serum analytes. RESULTS: Twenty-three men aged 58.7+/-7.2 years completed the study. The compliance with the study regimen was high according to self-reported soy food intake and urinary isoflavone excretion. No significant between-group and within-group differences were detected. During the high soy diet, dietary isoflavone intake and urinary isoflavone excretion increased significantly as compared to the low soy diet. A 14% decline in serum PSA levels (P=0.10), but no change in testosterone (P=0.70), was observed during the high soy diet in contrast to the low soy diet. CONCLUSION: The high adherence as shown by three measures of compliance in this pilot trial demonstrated the feasibility of an intervention based on soy foods among free-living men.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

PubMed2006

Age-related changes of alpha-crystallin aggregate in human lens.

Lens alpha-crystallin, composed of two subunits alpha A- and alpha B-crystallin, forms large aggregates in the lens of the eye. The present study investigated the aggregate of human lens alpha-crystallin from elderly and young donors. Recombinant alpha A- and alpha B-crystallins in molar ratios of alpha A to alpha B at 1:1, corresponding to the aged sample, were also studied in detail. We found by ultra-centrifugation analysis that the alpha-crystallin aggregate from elderly donors was large and heterogeneous with an average sedimentation coefficient of 30 S and a range of 20-60 S at 37 degrees C. This was higher compared to the young samples that had an average sedimentation coefficient of 17 S. The sedimentation coefficients of recombinant alpha A- and alpha B-crystallins were approximately 12 S and 15 S, respectively. Even when recombinant alpha-crystallins were mixed in molar ratios equivalent to those found in vivo, similar S values as the native aged alpha-crystallin aggregates were not obtained. Changes in the self-association of alpha-crystallin aggregate were correlated to changes in chaperone activity. Alpha-crystallin from young donors, and recombinant alpha A- and alpha B-crystallin and their mixtures showed chaperone activity, which was markedly lost in samples from the aged alpha-crystallin aggregates.

Aged, 80 and over↗

PubMed2006

Dynamic magnetic resonance sialography as a new diagnostic technique for patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical utility of dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) sialographic images as a diagnostic tool for patients with Sjögren's syndrome. METHODS: The morphological findings and various kinds of functional parameters in volunteers on dynamic MR sialographic images were compared with those in five patients with definite Sjögren's syndrome. RESULTS: On the MR sialographs of all five patients with Sjögren's syndrome, the so-called 'apple-tree appearance' was seen. The difference in two functional parameters using the dynamic MR sialographic data was elucidated between the two groups. The maximum area of the detectable ducts in the group of patients was significantly smaller (P < 0.001) than that in the group of volunteers. The ratio of change in the detectable ducts in the group of patients was significantly lower (P = 0.011) than that in the group of volunteers. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that dynamic MR sialographic data in addition to MR sialographic images might be useful for the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Clinical significance and variation of the advanced calcified stylohyoid complex detected by panoramic radiographs among 80-year-old subjects.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical significance and variation of a calcified stylohyoid complex associated with advanced calcification as detected on panoramic radiographs among 80-year-old subjects. METHODS: Panoramic radiographs of 659 patients (262 men and 397 women) and data of their general and dental health conditions were used for the evaluation of the relationship between a calcified stylohyoid complex and general health among 80-year-olds. This study was part of the 8020 Data Bank Survey, which was designed to collect the baseline data of general and dental health conditions in 80-year-old subjects. The morphology of the calcified stylohyoid complexes was allocated to one of 12 patterns. The lengths of the calcified stylohyoid complex were measured directly on the radiographs from the caudal margin of the tympanic plate to the tip of the styloid process. RESULTS: All of the stylohyoid complexes from the 659 panoramic radiographs could be allocated to one of 12 morphological patterns, and some of their radiographic findings suggested calcification of the carotid artery and lymph nodes. In 80-year-old subjects, the average length of the calcified stylohyoid complexes was 36.7 mm, and ranged from 0.0 mm to 153.0 mm. There appeared to be correlations between the length of the calcified stylohyoid complex and serum calcium concentration and heel bone density, but not with the Community Periodontal Index (CPI). CONCLUSIONS: Dentists should recognize the existence of morphological variation in calcified stylohyoid complexes, especially in length, apparent on panoramic radiographs of 80-year-old patients. In addition, the longer length of the calcified stylohyoid complexes in 80-year-old patients may be a predictor of bone density and high serum calcium concentration level. The findings from the present study may provide potentially life-saving information about elderly people.

Aged, 80 and over↗

PubMed2006

Correlation between the incidence of central nodal necrosis in cervical lymph node metastasis and the extent of differentiation in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the incidence of central nodal necrosis (CNN) in the cervical lymph nodes of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and the factors that influence the formation of CNN. METHODS: Lymph nodes shown as CNN on computed tomography (CT) films in 107 lymph nodes from 27 patients with oral SCC were selected. Lymph nodes with CNN on CT films were compared with the pathological findings of lymph nodes on specimens. We compared many kinds of factors influencing the formation of CNN, including the differentiated type, with the incidence of CNN. RESULTS: Significant relationships were found between the incidence of CNN in metastatic lymph nodes and the presence of well-differentiated SCC and the presence of keratinization in tumour cells. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that if a patient had SCC with low-grade differentiation, CNN in small lymph nodes would be difficult to detect on CT scan. Therefore, noting changes in lymph node density in the absence of CNN on CT scans is necessary in case the primary tumour is low-grade SCC.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Moderate hypothermia, but not calpain inhibitor 2, attenuates the proteolysis of microtubule-associated protein 2 in the hippocampus following traumatic brain injury in rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The degradation of the cytoskeletal protein microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), by calpain has been known to occur following traumatic brain injury. We examined the therapeutic potential of calpain inhibitor 2, compared with that of moderate hypothermia in traumatic brain injury produced by weight drop in rats. METHODS: An inhibitor treated group (n = 8) received calpain inhibitor 2 intravenously (i.v.) for 5 min before and for 6 h after injury (total 2 micromol); a hypothermic (HT) group (n = 8) was maintained at 30 degrees C (temporalis muscle temperature) for 45 min prior to and 60 min after injury; an untreated (UT) group (n = 8) received an infusion of inactive vehicle. Eight rats (sham group) underwent surgery without brain injury. Histopathological (haematoxylin and eosin staining) and MAP2 (immunohistchemistry and western blotting) evaluations were performed at 6 h after injury. RESULTS: Ipsilateral cortical damage was marked in the injured groups. In the hippocampus, marked pyramidal neuronal damage was observed in the UT and calpain inhibitor treated (CI) groups, while these neurons were better preserved in the HT group. The hippocampal MAP2 levels in the UT, CI and HT groups were significantly decreased to 13 +/- 9%, 28 +/- 33% and 62 +/- 25% of the sham contol, respectively. MAP2 concentration in the HT group was significantly higher than in UT and CI groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that moderate hypothermia, but not calpain inhibitor 2 with the tested regime, attenuates cytoskeletal damage in the ipsilateral hippocampus at 6 h after traumatic brain injury.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Urinary isoflavone excretion as a compliance measure in a soy intervention among young girls: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the compliance of young girls with a soy intervention. DESIGN: An 8-week dietary intervention and urine sample collection. SETTING: Free-living girls. SUBJECTS: A convenience sample of 8- to 14-y-old girls (20 started and 17 finished the study) recruited through flyers distributed to staff members and previous study participants. INTERVENTION: The girls consumed one daily serving of soymilk, soy nuts, or tofu, completed 3-day food records, kept daily soy intake logs, and collected weekly urine samples. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Compliance with the intervention was evaluated by daily soy intake logs, 3-day food records analyzed by the center's Food Composition and Food Groups Servings Databases, and weekly urinary isoflavone excretion using high-pressure liquid chromatography. The statistical analysis included paired t-tests, analysis of variance, and Spearman's rank-order correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Daily soy intake logs indicated a mean intake of 6.28 servings out of a maximum of 7.0 servings per week. The food records revealed a six-fold increase in isoflavone intake during the study period (P<0.01) which was confirmed by an increase in urinary isoflavone excretion of similar magnitude (23.3-142.1 nmol/mg creatinine, P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the ability of young girls to consume one daily soy serving and the usefulness of urinary isoflavones as a primary compliance measure. The high urinary isoflavone excretion levels detected in girls as compared to adult women suggest less intestinal degradation and/or greater absorption of isoflavones in nonadult populations. This finding requires further investigations into the pharmacokinetics of isoflavones.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Experiment and analyses for 14 MeV neutron streaming through a dogleg duct.

There are several vacant channels for diagnosis, RF heating and so on through the shielding structure in fusion reactors. Some of them consist of dogleg ducts, through which neutrons stream in a complex manner. An experiment was conducted with the Fusion Neutronics Source (FNS) facility at JAERI to study the behaviour of neutrons in the duct and assess the reliability of calculation methods for the design of fusion reactors such as ITER. The assembly was an iron slab 180 cm in thickness with a doubly bent duct 30 x 30 cm2 in cross section. The experiment was analysed using a simple design code for radiation streaming, DUCT-III, and the Monte Carlo code MCNP. The results indicate that the simple design code is reliable enough to be used for shielding design analyses as well as the Monte Carlo method, which showed excellent agreement between calculated and measured values.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2005

Cleavage of nucleolin and AgNOR proteins during apoptosis induced by anticancer drugs in human salivary gland cells.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the behavior of nuclear proteins in apoptosis induced by anticancer drugs in cultured human salivary gland (HSG) cells. METHODS: Dynamic alternations of nucleolin and argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) proteins in anticancer drug-induced apoptosis of HSG cells and in a cell-free apoptotic system were examined using Western blot analysis and immunocytochemical method. RESULTS: The 110-kDa form of nucleolin and AgNOR protein decreased and the 80- and 95-kDa forms appeared during apoptosis in HSG cells and in a cell-free apoptotic system. In addition, the induction of DNA ladder formation coincided with the appearance of alternation of nucleolin and AgNOR proteins in a cell-free apoptosis. Nucleolin diffusely spread out into the nuclear material in the apoptotic body of HSG cells. CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicate that alternations of nucleolin and AgNOR proteins are associated with the induction of DNA fragmentation and the final active phase of apoptosis induced by anticancer drugs in malignant salivary gland cells.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed2005

Utility of three dimension fast asymmetric spin-echo (3D-FASE) sequences in MR sialographic sequences: model and volunteer studies.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the utility of 3D-FASE for the visualization of salivary gland ducts for use in MR sialographic sequences. METHODS: We compared MR sialographic images and virtual endoscopic views from 3D-FASE with those from three kinds of sequences described by previous reports in a 3D parotid gland duct model and volunteer. The four sequences were two-dimension fast spin-echo (2D-FSE), three-dimension fast spin-echo (3D-FSE), two-dimension fast asymmetric spin-echo (2D-FASE), and three-dimension fast asymmetric spin-echo (3D-FASE). RESULTS: In the 3D parotid gland duct model, image visibility on visual score was clearest with 3D-FSE, followed by 3D-FASE (P = 0.028). In the volunteers, the visualization of images improved in the following order: 3D-FASE > 3D-FSE > 2D-FSE > 2D-FASE. CONCLUSIONS: The technique of 3D-FASE sequencing is more suitable and useful for MR sialography with an appropriate acquisition time.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Haemostatic management of intraoral bleeding in patients with von Willebrand disease.

OBJECTIVES: To develop plans for the haemostatic management of intraoral bleeding in patients with von Willebrand disease (VWD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty-seven episodes of haemostatic management of intraoral bleeding in 19 VWD patients were analysed retrospectively based on the medical records. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: When performing tooth extractions in patients with type 1 or 2A VWD [responsive to 1-deamino-8-D-arginine-vasopressin (DDAVP)], 0.35-0.4 microg kg(-1) of DDAVP should be administered intravenously at three times. In patients with type 2A VWD (unresponsive to DDAVP) or patients with type 2B or 2N VWD, 50-90 U [as ristocetin cofactor (VWF:RCof)] kg(-1) of a factor VIII concentrate containing von Willebrand factor (FVIII/VWF concentrate) should be administered twice in routine extractions, and four to six times in surgical extractions. Gingival bleeding related to primary teeth can be mostly managed by pressure haemostasis alone. However, when treating gingival bleeding caused by marginal periodontitis, it is often necessary to administer 0.4 microg kg(-1) of DDAVP or 40-70 U (as VWF:RCof) kg(-1) of a FVIII/VWF concentrate. As local haemostasis is difficult to achieve in bleeding from the tongue or labial or mandibular haematoma, it is necessary to administer 0.4 microg kg(-1) of DDAVP or 60-80 U (as VWF:RCof) kg(-1) of a FVIII/VWF concentrate. In addition, oral administration of 20 mg kg(-1) day(-1) of tranexamic acid should be combined with the regimens described above.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

A practical approach to the clinical diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumour and other small round cell tumours sharing EWS rearrangement using new fluorescence in situ hybridisation probes for EWSR1 on formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded tissue.

BACKGROUND: Over 90% of Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumour (ES/PNET) cases have the t(11;22) chromosomal rearrangement, which is also found in other small round cell tumours, including desmoplastic small round cell tumour (DSRCT) and clear cell sarcoma (CCS). Although this rearrangement can be analysed by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) using routinely formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded (FFPE) tissues when fresh or frozen tissues are not available, a sensitive and convenient detection method is needed for routine clinical diagnosis. AIMS: To investigate the usefulness of newly developed probes for detecting EWS rearrangement resulting from chromosomal translocations using FISH and FFPE tissue in the clinical diagnosis of ES/PNET, DSRCT, and CCS. METHODS: Sixteen ES/PNETs, six DSRCTs, and six CCSs were studied. Three poorly differentiated synovial sarcomas, three alveolar rhabdomyosarcomas, and three neuroblastomas served as negative controls. Interphase FISH analysis was performed on FFPE tissue sections with a commercially available EWSR1 (22q12) dual colour, breakapart rearrangement probe. RESULTS: One fused signal and one split signal of orange and green, demonstrating rearrangement of the EWS gene, was detected in 14 of 16 ES/PNETs, all six DRSCTs, and five of six CCSs, but not in the negative controls. CONCLUSIONS: Interphase FISH using this newly developed probe is sensitive and specific for detecting the EWS gene on FFPE tissues and is of value in the routine clinical diagnosis of ES/PNET, DSRCT, and CCS.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Inactivation of class II transactivator by DNA methylation and histone deacetylation associated with absence of HLA-DR induction by interferon-gamma in haematopoietic tumour cells.

By presenting immunogenic peptides at the cell surface, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules play a key role in the control of adaptive immune responses. Whether expressed constitutively or induced by interferon-gamma, expression of MHC class II molecules is regulated via coactivator class II transactivator (CIITA); moreover, suppression of their expression is one mechanism by which cancer cells escape host immunity. In this study, we surveyed the relationship between the expression of one MHC class II antigen, HLA-DR, and its coactivators in a group of haematopoietic cell lines, and explored the role of the aberrant DNA methylation in silencing HLA-DR expression. Among 26 cell lines studied, HLA-DR expression was lost from eight T-cell and two myeloid leukaemia cell lines, and this loss was closely associated with suppression of CIITA-PIV expression. Notably, nine of the 10 cell lines that lost CIITA-PIV expression showed methylation of the gene's 5' CpG island. Thus, DNA methylation is believed to inhibit the expression of MHC class II molecules in haematopoietic tumour cells by silencing its coactivator, CIITA-PIV. Furthermore, methylation of CIITA-PIV was detected in seven of 32 primary acute myeloid leukaemia specimens, indicating that epigenetic alteration is not a cell line-specific phenomenon. Collectively, these data suggest that, by suppressing expression of MHC class II molecules, epigenetic inactivation of CIITA provides a survival advantage to a subset of haematopoietic tumours.

Acetylation↗

PubMed2004

Differences between cytotoxicity in photodynamic therapy using a pulsed laser and a continuous wave laser: study of oxygen consumption and photobleaching.

Oxygen consumption at the targeted site has a significant effect on dosimetry in photodynamic therapy (PDT). However, oxygen consumption in PDT using a pulsed laser as a light source has not been clarified. We therefore investigated the dependence of cytotoxicity on the oxygen consumption and the photosensitizer photobleaching of PDT using a pulsed laser by comparing with that using a continuous wave (CW) laser. Mouse renal carcinoma cells (Renca) were incubated with a second-generation photosensitizer, PAD-S31. The cells were then irradiated with either a 670-nm nanosecond pulsed light from the 3rd harmonics of a Nd:YAG laser-pumped optical parametric oscillator with a peak fluence rate of approximately 1 MW/cm(2) at 30 Hz or a 670-nm CW diode laser with a total light dose of 40 J/cm(2). Regardless of laser source, cytotoxic effects exhibited cumulative dose responses to the photosensitizer ranging from 12 to 96 microg/ml. However, cytotoxic effect of PDT using the pulsed light was significantly less than that using the CW light with the photosensitizer concentrations of 24 and 48 microg/ml under identical fluence rates. During PDT, the cells exposed to the pulsed light consumed oxygen more slowly, resulting in a lower amount of oxygen consumption when compared with PDT using CW light. In accordance with oxygen consumption, the pulsed light induced significantly less photobleaching of the photosensitizer than the CW light did. These results indicate that the efficiency of PDT using pulsed light is less when compared with CW light, probably being related to suppressed oxygen consumption during the pulsed light irradiation.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Instability of background fat intensity suppression using fat-saturated (FS) MR imaging techniques according to region and reconstruction procedure in patients with oral cancer.

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the background fat intensity suppression instability of each area in the head and neck region, and in the post-reconstruction with metal plate and myocutaneous flap, of patients with oral cancer using fat-saturated (FS) images. STIR and FS T2-weighted images at pre- and post-surgery in 59 patients with oral cancer were scored for uniformity of fat suppression and tissue conspicuity in each region of the head and neck. The scores of FS on uniformity of fat suppression pre-operatively were worse than those of STIR in the mandibular level, but not lesion and tissue conspicuity. However, the deterioration both of scores between pre- and post-surgery using FS was worse than that using STIR using metal plate and/or myocutaneous flap. At diagnosis, we should recognize on MR images using FS that instability of the status of fat suppression might be brought about by respective area and reconstruction with metal plate and myocutaneous flap of patients with oral cancer.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2004

Haemostatic management of intraoral bleeding in patients with congenital deficiency of alpha2-plasmin inhibitor or plasminogen activator inhibitor-1.

Haemostatic management of intraoral bleeding was investigated in patients with congenital alpha2-plasmin inhibitor (alpha2-PI) deficiency or congenital plasminogen activator inhibitor- 1 (PAI-1) deficiency. When extracting teeth from patients with congenital alpha2-PI deficiency, we advocate that 7.5-10 mg kg(-1) of tranexamic acid be administered orally every 6 h, starting 3 h before surgery and continuing for about 7 days. For the treatment of continuous bleeding, such as post-extraction bleeding, 20 mg kg(-1) of tranexamic acid should be administered intravenously, and after achieving local haemostasis 7.5 mg kg(-1) of tranexamic acid should be administered orally every 6 h for several days. In addition, when treating haematoma caused by labial or gingival laceration or buccal or mandibular contusion, haemostasis should be achieved by administering 7.5-10 mg kg(-1) of tranexamic acid every 6 h. Tranexamic acid can also be used for haemostatic management of intraoral bleeding in patients with congenital PAI-1 deficiency, but is less effective when compared with use in patients with congenital alpha2-PI deficiency. Continuous infusion of 1.5 mg kg(-1) h(-1) of tranexamic acid is necessary for impacted tooth extraction requiring gingival incision or removal of local bone.

Adult↗