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Biomedical subjects

Y Murata

Publications and source records attributed to Y Murata.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Use of the AO hook-plate for treatment of unstable fractures of the distal clavicle.

INTRODUCTION: We used a new internal fixative implant, the AO clavicle hook-plate, for treatment of unstable fractures of the distal clavicle. This study describes the operative procedure and the clinical results obtained, as well as discussion of the advantages and problems encountered. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen consecutive patients with unstable fractures of the distal clavicle (Neer type II) were treated using AO clavicle hook-plates. The average age of patients was 47 years and there were 13 males and 2 females. The mean follow-up period was 15.5 months. Plain radiographs of clavicles were used to assess bony union. Functional recovery of the shoulder joint was assessed using the Constant-Murley scoring system. RESULTS: All fractures eventually achieved solid bony union within 4 months after surgery. Thirteen patients (87%) showed hook migration into the acromion. Clinical results were excellent with a mean Constant-Murley score of 89 points at final follow-up. CONCLUSION: AO clavicle hook-plates are useful fixative implants for unstable fractures of the distal clavicle. Static fixation was achieved and physiotherapy can be started immediately after surgery. Early removal of the implant is recommended however because hooks inserted under the acromion migrated into the bone in most cases.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

S100B protein expression in the amnion and amniotic fluid in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia.

Our aim was to investigate the expression of S100B protein in the amnion and to assess the amniotic fluid concentration in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia. Samples were obtained from women who developed pre-eclampsia (n = 7), pre-eclampsia with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) (n = 4), normotensive IUGR (n = 7) and gestational hypertension (n = 4) during pregnancy and healthy controls who delivered at term (n = 35). To determine the difference in the expression of S100B in the amnion, we performed immunohistochemistry, western blot analysis and RT-PCR. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we assessed the S100B concentration in amniotic fluid. The S100B mRNA expression in the amnion of pre-eclamptic patients and patients with pre-eclampsia with IUGR was significantly higher than that in the control. The amniotic fluid S100B protein concentration of the pre-eclampsia and normotensive IUGR cases was significantly higher than that of the control. This study shows that amnion could be a source responsible for the increased concentration of S100B in amniotic fluid. In pre-eclampsia, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated by oxidative stress. Some pathological conditions that develop during pregnancy and are related to hypoxic stress can affect the elevation of S100B concentration in the amnion.

Adult↗
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

Phospho-regulation of human protein kinase Aurora-A: analysis using anti-phospho-Thr288 monoclonal antibodies.

Mammalian Aurora-A is related to a serine/threonine protein kinase that was originally identified by its close homology with Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ipl1p and Drosophila melanogaster aurora that are key regulators in the orchestration of mitotic events. The protein level of Aurora-A, its peak kinase activity during mitosis, and its activation have been attributed to phosphorylation. Here we show that this enzyme is an arginine-directed kinase and define its substrate specificity. We also found that Thr288 within the activation loop is a critical residue for activating phosphorylation events in vitro and that it is spatiotemporally restricted to a brief window at mitosis on duplicated centrosomes and on spindle microtubules proximal to the poles in vivo. Immunodepletion assays indicated that an upstream kinase(s) of Aurora-A might exist in mammalian cells in addition to autophosphorylation. Furthermore, human activated Aurora-A forms complexes with the negative regulator protein serine/threonine phosphatase type 1 (PP1) that was negatively phosphorylated on Thr320. Interestingly, phospho-specific Aurora-A monoclonal antibodies restrain Aurora-A kinase activity in vitro, providing further therapeutic avenues to explore.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Prevalence of premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder in Japanese women.

To investigate the prevalence and impact of premenstrual symptoms in Japanese women, we developed the PSQ "The Premenstrual Symptoms Questionnaire" for the screening of premenstrual symptoms. The PSQ translates DSM-IV criteria into a rating scale with degrees of severity. One thousand one hundred and eighty-seven Japanese women between the ages of 20 and 49 yrs, who were seen at a clinic for uterine cancer screening, were assessed regarding their premenstrual symptoms using the PSQ. As many as 95% of these women were found to suffer from premenstrual symptoms. The rates of prevalence of moderate to severe PMS and PMDD in Japanese women were 5.3 and 1.2%, respectively, which are lower than those in Western women. Only 5.3% of women with moderate to severe PMS and PMDD were treated. The results of this study suggest that race and ethnicity influence the expression of premenstrual symptoms and that the current state of medical care for Japanese women with moderate to severe PMS and PMDD is not satisfactory.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Involvement of Sp-1 in the regulation of the Id-1 gene during trophoblast cell differentiation.

Id-1, a member of the helix-loop-helix transcription factor family, inhibits the differentiation of Rcho-1 cells, which were derived from rat choriocarcinoma and consist of trophoblast stem cells. Id-1 is expressed at a high level in undifferentiated trophoblast stem cells and then down-regulated during early differentiation, and is thought to be a key regulator in the trophoblast giant-cell differentiation pathway. In this study, we analyzed the signaling mechanism regulating the high expression levels of Id-1 in undifferentiated Rcho-1 cells. Promoter deletion analysis revealed that a 31-bp sequence (Box-2 region), located between -200 and -169bp in the Id-1 promoter is necessary for the promoter activity. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and DNA affinity precipitation assays showed that Box-2-binding activity was decreased during differentiation and that Sp-1 protein bound to this sequence. The protein level of Sp-1 was decreased during the differentiation. These results suggest that the Sp-1 protein level may regulate the Box-2-binding activity and the trophoblast giant-cell differentiation.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Cryogenic NMR spectroscopy of endohedral hydrogen-fullerene complexes.

We have observed 1H NMR spectra of hydrogen molecules trapped inside modified fullerene cages under cryogenic conditions. Experiments on static samples were performed at sample temperatures down to 4.3 K, while magic-angle-spinning (MAS) experiments were performed at temperatures down to 20 K at spinning frequencies of 15 kHz. Both types of NMR spectra show a large increase in the intramolecular 1H-1H dipolar coupling at temperatures below 50 K, revealing thermal selection of a small number of spatial rotational states. The static and MAS spectra were compared to estimate the degree of sample heating in high-speed cryogenic MAS-NMR experiments. The cryogenic MAS-NMR data show that the site resolution of magic-angle-spinning NMR may be combined with the high signal strength of cryogenic operation and that cryogenic phenomena may be studied with chemical site selectivity.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Cerebral blood oxygenation changes induced by bypass blood flow in moyamoya disease and non-moyamoya cerebral ischaemic disease.

BACKGROUND: Superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) anastomosis has been used to prevent stroke in patients with moyamoya disease (MD) and non-moyamoya ischaemic disease (non-MD). However, little is yet known regarding the difference between these groups of patients in the extent to which the bypass contributes to maintaining adequate cerebral blood oxygenation (CBO), or the temporal changes after surgery. In the present study, we evaluated the CBO changes induced by bypass blood flow in patients with MD and non-MD during the peri-operative periods employing optical spectroscopy. METHODS: We investigated 13 patients who underwent STA-MCA anastomosis, including 5 MD and 8 non-MD patients. We evaluated the effects of STA blood flow on the CBO in the MCA territory on the anastomosis side, employing visual light spectroscopy during surgery and near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) at one week after surgery. FINDINGS: In 4 MD patients and one non-MD patient, the STA blood flow increased the oxyhaemoglobin and cortical oxygen saturation (CoSO2), indicating that the bypass supplied blood flow to the ischaemic brain; the CBO changes were observed more frequently in MD than in non-MD patients (p<0.02). The pre-anastomosis CoSO2 (65.4+/-5.4%) in MD was significantly lower than that (72.8+/-7.6%) in non-MD (p<0.05). Postoperative NIRS demonstrated that the bypass began to supply blood flow to the brain in 5 non-MD patients whose bypass did not supply blood flow during surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Although MD has vessels of small diameter as compared to non-MD, the bypass begins to supply blood flow to the ischaemic brain earlier in MD than in non-MD after anastomosis. The fact that the CoSO2 in MD was lower than that in non-MD suggested that the perfusion pressure in MD was lower than that in non-MD, and this might account for the difference in the bypass blood supply after anastomosis between MD and non-MD. Our data suggest that, even if the bypass does not supply blood to the brain during surgery in non-MD, the bypass blood flow gradually increases after surgery.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Immunohistochemical prognostic factors in resected colorectal lung metastases using tissue microarray analysis.

AIMS: Immunohistochemical prognostic factors of pulmonary metastatic colorectal cancer lesions have not been well investigated. The study was conducted to identify the immunohistochemical prognostic factors of metastasized colorectal cancer. METHODS: We immunohistochemically investigated the expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1-R), E-cadherin, beta-catenin, and p53 using a tissue microarray in the surgical specimens of 86 metastatic lesions. RESULTS: The univariate analysis revealed E-cadherin and membrane beta-catenin positive to be prognostic factors. IGF1-R and p53 were not significantly associated with the patient's survival. In multivariate analysis, the reduced expression of E-cadherin, aerogenous spread with floating cancer cell clusters and vascular invasion were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: The reduced expression of E-cadherin in the pulmonary metastatic lesions was an independent predictor of poor survival after pulmonary metastasectomy.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed2006

The expression of fractalkine in the endometrium during the menstrual cycle.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the presence of fractalkine in the endometrium of the uterus and the change of fractalkine protein levels during menstrual cycle. METHODS: Twelve samples of endometrium of the uterus were obtained from gynecological patients who underwent total hysterectomy. Western blotting, RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were performed. RESULTS: Fractalkine protein was detected in the endometrium of the uterus. Positive staining was confirmed in the epithelial cells and grandular cells in the endometrium. Expression levels of fractalkine protein and mRNA in the endometrium during secretory phase were significantly higher than those during proliferative phase. Immunohistochemical analysis using an anti-CX3CR1 antibody demonstrated positive staining in the glandular cells of the endometrium of the uterus. CONCLUSION: Fractalkine was expressed in the endometrium and its production was up-regulated during secretory phase.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Comparison of the immunophenotypes of signet-ring cell carcinoma, solid adenocarcinoma with mucin production, and mucinous bronchioloalveolar carcinoma of the lung characterized by the presence of cytoplasmic mucin.

The latest World Health Organization (WHO) classification divides adenocarcinoma mainly into adenocarcinoma mixed subtypes, acinar adenocarcinoma, papillary adenocarcinoma, bronchioloalveolar carcinoma, and solid adenocarcinoma with mucin production, and it mentions several variants, including fetal adenocarcinoma, mucinous ("colloid") adenocarcinoma, mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, signet-ring adenocarcinoma, and clear cell adenocarcinoma. In general, the mucin-producing adenocarcinoma of the lung comprises signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRCC), solid adenocarcinoma with mucin production (SA), and mucinous bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (m-BAC), mucinous ("colloid") adenocarcinomas and/or mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, and mucoepidermoid carcinoma. As SRCC, SA, and m-BAC exhibit distinct clinical features, it is important to identify differences in their immunohistochemical characteristics to better understand their histogenesis. In this study we analysed SRCC, SA, m-BAC, normal lung, and foregut-related secretory tissue for immunohistochemical differences using tissue microarrays. SRCC and SA showed high expression of MUC1 (97.4% and 100%, respectively), cytokeratin (CK) 7 (both 100%), and thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) (81.1% and 100%, respectively). They also showed low expression of MUC5AC (25.5% and 21.1%, respectively) and MUC6 (18.3% and 10.5%, respectively), whereas m-BAC showed high expression of MUC5AC (97.5%), MUC6 (75.0%), and CK7 (94.7%), but low expression of MUC1 (57.5%), and TTF-1 (27.5%). Hierarchical clustering showed that the immunophenotypes of SRCC and SA belong to the same category as alveolar lining cells, whereas m-BAC clustered onto another branch with gastric foveolar cells and bronchial goblet cells. These immunohistochemical findings support the results of our previous clinicopathological analysis of SRCC of the lung showing that SRCC occurs anatomically in the peripheral portion of the lung rather than in the bronchial gland-bearing portion.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2006

Protective effect of edaravone in inner-ear barotrauma in guinea pigs.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the protective effect of edaravone, a free radical scavenger, on inner-ear barotrauma (IEB) in guinea pigs, based on a hypothesis implicating free radicals in the development of IEB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty-five guinea pigs were divided into a control group and a pretreatment group. After auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing, the pretreatment group received 9.0 mg/kg intraperitoneal edaravone. Animals were exposed to pressure loading and then to further ABR testing. RESULTS: The incidence of IEB was 62.7 per cent in the control group and 42.9 per cent in the pretreatment group (p<0.01). The distributions of threshold elevation in the control group were 37.3 per cent (for 10 dB or less), 21.3 per cent (for 20-30 dB), 18.0 per cent (for 40-60 dB) and 23.4 per cent (for 70 dB or more), and those in the pretreatment group were 57.1 per cent, 19.1 per cent, 14.3 per cent and 9.5 per cent, for the same respective decibel levels (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that protective treatment with edaravone can significantly reduce both the incidence of IEB and the severity of the resultant ABR threshold elevation.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Transient local overexpression of human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in mouse feto-maternal interface during mid-term pregnancy lowers systemic maternal blood pressure.

The effect on maternal circulation of transient human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (165) cDNA transfection into the mouse feto-maternal interface at day 14.5 post coitus (p.c.) using a hemagglutinating virus of Japan-envelope (HVJ-E) vector system is reported. On day 15.5 p.c., Western blotting clearly showed overexpression of 18 kD VEGF protein in the uterus. After VEGF transfection, the blood pressure was significantly lowered for 48 hours. On day 17.5 p.c., the blood pressure returned to the control level. Proteinuria was not observed after VEGF transfection. No preterm birth was observed during the course of pregnancy after the transfection procedure. After 24 hours of transfection, human VEGF was not detectable and the mouse VEGF level was similar to that in peripheral blood. However, the soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (Flt)-1 concentration was significantly lower in VEGF-transfected mice. These results suggest that extraamniotic VEGF overexpression lowered the systemic blood pressure without altering the VEGF concentration in the peripheral blood. Local overexpression of VEGF may become a novel treatment for pregnancy-related disorders such as hypertension complicated-pregnancy and preeclampsia.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Comparison of several methods for BAP measurement.

It has been more important for management of water quality to estimate the amount of bioavailable phosphorus (BAP) in suspended solids (SS) entering lakes and estuaries. AGP test or extraction by 0.1 mol l(-1) NaOH (C-BOD) is widely used. Recently, highly bioavailable phosphorus (HBAP) was introduced to indicate a more easily soluble and bioavailable fraction using successive extraction by 0.1 mol l(-1) HCl and 0.1 mol l(-1) NaOH. New biologically measured BAP (B-BAP) using bacterial respiration activity was introduced in this paper. B-BAP was estimated from oxygen uptake rate (OUR), which was measured by a respiratory meter for BOD measurement using a pressure sensor. B-BAP is useful for a rapid and direct measurement of phosphorus bioavailability. B-BAP, HBAP and C-BAP in river SS were measured and compared with each other. The percentages of HBAP and B-BAP to PP were large in the urban river, while the percentage of NaOH-P or C-BAP was large in the rivers flowing in agricultural areas. By comparison with phosphorus fractions in paddy soil and activated sludge it was suggested that SS in the rivers flowing in agricultural areas mainly consisted of clay, silt or sand, while the SS in the urban river consisted of a large percentage of organic particles as well. Phosphorus in SS was suggested to be more easily bioavailable in the urban river than the rivers in agricultural areas. The ratio of C-BAP/B-BAP was large in the rivers in agricultural areas and small in the urban river. As HBAP contents were almost similar to B-BAP contents in the river SS, HBAP can be a suitable index of phosphorus indicating easily and rapidly the bioavailable fraction in SS.

Environmental Monitoring↗
PubMed2005

STAT3-mediated constitutive expression of SOCS3 in an undifferentiated rat trophoblast-like cell line.

In the trophoblast, constitutive expression of SOCS3 is important for the negative regulation of trophoblast giant cell differentiation. In this study, we analyzed the signaling pathway regulating the constitutive SOCS3 expression in undifferentiated Rcho-1 cells, which were derived from rat choriocarcinoma and consist of trophoblast stem cells that are capable of differentiating to trophoblast giant cells in vitro. PD98059, an MEK inhibitor, repressed the SOCS3 expression but AG490, a JAK2 inhibitor, did not. Promoter deletion analysis revealed that the STAT response element (SRE) in the SOCS3 promoter is necessary for the promoter activity. Overexpression of STAT3 increased the SOCS3 promoter activity, whereas expression of dominant-negative STAT3 reduced it. Constitutive STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation that was not inhibited by either AG490 or PD98059 was demonstrated. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed the existence of a protein that bound to SRE and was supershifted with STAT3 antibody. This binding reaction was inhibited by neither AG490 nor PD98059. These findings imply that the ERK/MAPK pathway and STAT3 are involved in the constitutive activation of SOCS3 in undifferentiated Rcho-1 cells. Moreover, they indicate that the constitutive STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation and the DNA binding activity of STAT3 do not depend on the ERK/MAPK or JAK kinase pathway. These results suggest that a trophoblast-specific STAT3 activation pathway is important for the regulation of giant cell differentiation.

Animals↗