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Biomedical subjects

Y Noguchi

Publications and source records attributed to Y Noguchi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Prognostic value of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 in plasma of patients with gastric cancer.

Tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in plasma has been reported to be related to disease progression in patients with gastric cancer. However, the prognostic significance of plasma TIMP-1 concentrations has not been clarified. Concentrations of TIMP-1 protein were measured by enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay in plasma samples of 147 preoperative patients who subsequently underwent gastric resection, and prognosis was compared. The cut-off value of plasma TIMP-1 concentrations was defined as 112.5 ng/ml, referring to the TIMP-1 levels in patients with intramucosal gastric cancer. Twenty-nine out of 147 patients had higher plasma TIMP-1 levels than the cut off value. When the patients were divided into those with elevated values and those with normal TIMP-1, such parameters as age, serosal invasion, metastases to lymph nodes, peritoneum, and liver, lymphatic invasion, curability, and stage were significantly different between the two. By univariate analysis of the factors affecting survival, macroscopic type, histology, serosal invasion, metastasis to lymph node, peritoneum, and liver, vessel invasions, curability, and plasma TIMP-1 were significant. However, multivariate analysis revealed that TIMP-1 was the only significant factor. In patients with gastric cancer, plasma TIMP-1 seem to be an independent and most powerful prognosticator for the survival.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed2000

Tumor volume measurements of acoustic neuromas with three-dimensional constructive interference in steady state and conventional spin-echo MR imaging.

The purpose was to compare three-dimensional (3D) constructive interference in steady state (CISS) and conventional spin-echo (SE) MR imaging in tumor volume measurements of acoustic neuromas. Twenty-two patients with acoustic neuromas were examined using high-resolution 3D-CISS and SE imaging at a 1.5-T system. Tumor volume determined by SE imaging with the ellipsoid formula was overestimated by 692 mm(3)(35%) on average as compared with that at 3D-CISS with the voxel-count method (the reference standard). Intra- and interobserver variations in SE imaging were poor as compared with 3D-CISS imaging. However, tumor volume results with SE imaging showed a high correlation with those using 3D-CISS imaging (P <. 0001). On the basis of diameters shown on SE images, the tumor volume could be assessed using the following equation (P <.0001): (Tumor volume) = -26.407 + 0.387 x (maximum diameter along the pyramid) x(maximum diameter perpendicular to the pyramid) x (maximum height). J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2000;12:826-832.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Characterization of the Neurospora crassa mus-25 mutant: the gene encodes a protein which is homologous to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rad54 protein.

Characterization of the Neurospora crassa mus-25 mutant suggests that it is defective in recombination repair and belongs to the uvs-6 epistasis group. It shows a high sensitivity to the alkylating agents methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), but not to UV radiation. It is barren (i.e. does not produce ascospores) in homozygous crosses. The frequency of MMS-induced mutations at the ad-3 loci is approximately three times higher than in the wild type. The ratio of homologous to nonhomologous integration of the pMTR::HYG plasmid is much lower than in wild type. The mus-25 mutant is epistatic to the mei-3 mutant for MMS sensitivity. mei-3, which is a homololog of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene RAD51, is a member of the uvs-6 epistasis group which contains several genes that are homologous to recombination repair genes in other organisms. The mus-25 gene was cloned by identifying a genomic DNA fragment which complements the MMS sensitivity of the mutant. The amino acid sequence deduced from the cloned DNA showed a high degree of homology to the Rad54 protein, which is involved in recombinational repair in S. cerevisiae. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences of the genomic and cDNAs of the mus-25 gene revealed an ORF of 2505 bp with a single 118-bp intron beginning immediately after the second nucleotide of the AUG start codon. The molecular weight of the deduced gene product was 93.5 kDa. The transcript level was raised within 60 min after UV irradiation or MMS treatment, as also observed for the expression of the other N. crassa recombinational repair genes, suggesting the existence of a common mechanism which induces expression of the recombinational repair genes in response to DNA damage.

Alkylating Agents↗
PubMed2000

Autologous blood donation with recombinant human erythropoietin for abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery.

We evaluated the efficacy of autologous blood donation using recombinant human erythropoietin for elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery regarding postoperative recovery. Twenty-five AAA patients who completed surgery without receiving a homologous blood transfusion were divided into two groups, consisting of a control group (n = 12) who did not bank any autologous blood, and a donation group (n = 13) who did bank more than 800 ml of autologous blood with the use of erythropoietin. The hematocrit (Ht) level of the control group decreased from 41.1% +/- 1.2% before the operation to 36.2% +/- 0.9% just afterwards (P > 0.01). In the donation group, however, the Ht did not change significantly during either the donation period or the perioperative period. The postoperative period before oral food intake and natural defecation were both significantly shorter in the donation group than in the control group. The first day of mobilization was also earlier in the donation group. In conclusion, autologous blood donation using erythropoietin for AAA surgery is therefore considered to promote the early recovery of patients.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Invasive verrucous carcinoma: a temporal bone histopathology report.

Only nine cases of primary verrucous carcinoma of the temporal bone have been reported in the English literature. We describe histopathologic findings in a 78-year-old man dying of intracranial complications of primary verrucous carcinoma of the external auditory canal. Following autopsy the temporal bone was prepared for light microscopic examination. The temporal bone was serially sectioned horizontally after fixation, decalcification, and embedding, and each 10th section was stained with hematoxylin and eosin and examined by light microscopy. The carcinoma originated from the external auditory canal, infiltrating the mastoid cavity, the middle ear, tissue adjacent to the internal carotid artery, and the posterior cranial fossa, where it invaded the right cerebellum and produced an abscess. The labyrinth and internal auditory canal were not infiltrated. Metastasis to lymph nodes or distant sites was not identified. In the present case, the verrucous carcinoma originating from the external auditory canal extended into the posterior cranial fossa, while it did not invade the membranous labyrinth.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Stable periodic vortex shedding studied using computational fluid dynamics, laser sheet flow visualization, and MR imaging.

Recirculating and detached flow patterns close to the carotid bifurcation are thought to play an important role in the development of carotid stenoses by promoting atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate a flow regime with strong transient characteristics, including vortex shedding and transport to develop methodologies appropriate to the analysis of carotid stenoses. The existence of a regular periodic vortex street behind a cylindrical flow obstruction was predicted and analysed in detail by Theodore van Karman in the early 20th century. This model was chosen in our study for both ease of phantom construction and of theoretical modelling using finite element computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The results of the theoretical calculations have been compared with two methods of flow visualization-laser sheet imaging and real-time echo planar magnitude MR imaging. Flow was investigated over a range of Reynold's number from 40 through 400 through which vortex shedding is predicted. Good overall agreement was obtained between the theoretical (16 mm-CFD) and experimental (16+/-2 mm-Laser, 17+/-2 mm-MRI) estimates of the Karman Vortex street wavelength for a Reynolds number of 200.

Carotid Arteries↗
PubMed2000

A device for removal of femoral distal cement plug during hip revision arthroplasty: a high-powered drill equipped with a centralizer.

A removal procedure of a femoral cement mantle in hip revision arthroplasty has a risk of causing perforation or fracture, especially when removing a well-fixed distal cement plug. A high-powered drill equipped with a centralizer was developed to remove the distal cement plug safely. Using the drill equipped with a centralizer, the cement plug was removed well enough to insert a new component without causing perforation during the operation.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip↗
PubMed2000

Motor-evoked potentials in a child recovering from transverse myelitis.

We describe a 13-year-old female, with an inability to walk because of transverse myelitis, who demonstrated progressive recovery of both motor function and motor- evoked potentials (MEP). At 4 weeks after onset, amplitudes of MEP were decreased, latencies were prolonged, and cortical somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEP) were absent. At 6 and 12 weeks, MEP revealed progressively higher amplitudes and shorter latencies. SEP also recovered. MEP and SEP recovery paralleled clinical recovery. MEP in response to transcranial magnetic stimulation may provide guidance regarding recovery from spinal cord disorders in children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Cloning of a gene for D-sorbitol dehydrogenase from Gluconobacter oxydans G624 and expression of the gene in Pseudomonas putida IFO3738.

We have cloned a novel gene for d-sorbitol dehydrogenase (SLDH), which efficiently converted D-sorbitol to L-sorbose, from Gluconobacter oxydans G624 (FERM BP-4415). A cosmid library of the genomic DNA was screened by assaying SLDH activity. The inserted DNA from a positive clone was downsized by subcloning into charomid and pUCP plasmid, successively. Sequencing analysis of the DNA responsible for SLDH activity revealed an open reading frame of 1455 bp coding for 485 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular mass of 53,642 Da. The amino acid sequence showed 42.2% identity with a NAD+-dependent mannitol dehydrogenase (MDH), which catalyzed conversion of d-sorbitol to d-fructose, from Pseudomonas fluorescens DSM50106. Since the intact SLDH was found to be very unstable during isolation and purification, this SLDH fused to 6 x His-tag was expressed in Pseudomonas putida IFO3738 and purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography using cobalt-based resins. The 6 x His-tag SLDH catalyzed the oxidation of D-sorbitol to L-sorbose and exhibited 15 times higher activity in the presence of NADP+ than that of NAD+. These results indicate that the SLDH is a novel kind of dehydrogenase distinct from MDH previously reported.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Identification of novel residues involved in nuclear localization of a baculovirus polyhedrin protein.

A baculovirus polyhedrin protein has proven to possess a nuclear localization signal (NLS) sequence and a domain required for supramolecular assembly. Here we investigated five Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) mutants that did not produce polyhedra. Two of five mutants were generated during routine baculoviral expression vector screening, and three were isolated by treatment with the mutagen 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU). Marker rescue mapping and nucleotide sequence analysis showed that mutations in the polyhedrin gene caused the altered phenotype of these mutants. Biochemical fractionation indicated that cells infected with these mutants exhibited polyhedrin protein in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Electron microscopic observation revealed that polyhedrin produced by these mutants ocurred in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm, but did not form a crystalline lattice. Despite the incompleteness of polyhedrin nuclear localization, the NLSs of the five mutants were unchanged, although some of the mutations occurred within residues just outside of the domain reported to be required for polyhedron assembly (4). This result suggests that (a) the polyhedrin NLS directs polyhedrin to the nucleus, but the efficiency of this localization is regulated by regions other than the NLS (probably, polyhedrin conformation and its association with the nucleus are also involved), and (b) formation of a crystalline lattice may also be determined by several domains within polyhedrin.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Epstein-Barr virus-associated T cell lymphoproliferative disorder following autologous blood stem cell transplantation for relapsed Hodgkin's disease.

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) of T cell type are a rare complication of solid organ and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), and usually are not associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. EBV-associated T cell PTLD has not been reported to occur after autologous HCT. We report an unusual case of T cell lymphoproliferation after autologous blood stem cell transplantation (ABSCT). A patient with relapsed Hodgkin's disease developed abdominal lymphadenopathy followed by atypical CD8+ lymphocytosis in the peripheral blood 30 months following ABSCT. DNA studies of the atypical lymphocytes demonstrated rearrangements of the T cell receptor beta gene and a clonal proliferation of EBV.

Clone Cells↗
PubMed2000

Relationship between cystic change and rotatory vertigo in patients with acoustic neuroma.

Acoustic neuromas are benign neoplasms that most often arise from the vestibular nerve. Many patients with this tumor experience some degree of vestibular symptoms. However, patients rarely complain of rotatory vertigo. Acoustic neuromas are known to exhibit a cystic appearance in some patients. It was hypothesized that cystic change might be a causative factor for rotatory vertigo. A retrospective study of 178 patients with unilateral acoustic neuroma who underwent surgery in the Department of Otolaryngology at Tokyo Medical and Dental University was carried out. The cystic appearance of the tumors was detected preoperatively by magnetic resonance imaging and confirmed at surgery. The relationship between cystic change of the tumor and presentation with rotatory vertigo was examined. Of the 178 patients studied, only 10 had both cystic change of the tumor and rotatory vertigo, and 120 had neither cystic tumor nor rotatory vertigo. Of the remaining 48 patients, 24 experienced rotatory vertigo with negative findings for cystic tumor and the other 24 had evidence of cystic tumor but no rotatory vertigo. Tumor with cystic change was observed in 34 patients, accounting for 19.1% of all patients studied. Rotatory vertigo was also experienced in 34 patients (19.1%). Of the 34 patients with cystic lesions, 29.4% (10) had rotatory vertigo. The difference in percentage of the two groups did not reach statistical significance. It is suggested that there may be other factors causing rotatory vertigo in patients with acoustic neuromas than cystic change of the tumor.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

Mutations of the Pendred syndrome gene (PDS) in patients with large vestibular aqueduct.

A recent report demonstrated the presence of a mutation in the Pendred syndrome gene (PDS) of patients with large vestibular aqueducts but without goitre. We studied PDS mutations in members of four Japanese families, among which five affected members showed bilateral enlarged vestibular aqueducts. All affected members exhibited moderate to severe bilateral fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss and the absence of goitre. Three members also suffered from recurrent episodic vertiginous spells. Analysis of PDS mutation revealed two single base changes (mis-sense mutations) in exons 19 and 10. The first was an A-->G transition at nucleotide position 2168, resulting in a predicted His-->Arg substitution at position 723 (H723R), whereas the second was a C-->T transition at nucleotide position 1229, resulting in a predicted Thr-->Met substitution at position 410 (T410M). Both mutations are situated in the extracellular domain close to the C terminal. It thus appears that PDS mutations can lead not only to classic Pendred syndrome, but also to large vestibular aqueduct syndrome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

The mitochondrial genome of the brachiopod Laqueus rubellus.

The complete nucleotide sequence of the 14,017-bp mitochondrial (mt) genome of the articulate brachiopod Laqueus rubellus is presented. Being one of the smallest of known mt genomes, it has an extremely compact gene organization. While the same 13 polypeptides, two rRNAs, and 22 tRNAs are encoded as in most other animal mtDNAs, lengthy noncoding regions are absent, with the longest apparent intergenic sequence being 54 bp in length. Gene-end sequence overlaps are prevalent, and several stop codons are abbreviated. The genes are generally shorter, and three of the protein-coding genes are the shortest among known homologues. All of the tRNA genes indicate size reduction in either or both of the putative TPsiC and DHU arms compared with standard tRNAs. Possession of a TV (TPsiC arm-variable loop) replacement loop is inferred for tRNA(R) and tRNA(L-tag). The DHU arm appears to be unpaired not only in tRNA(S-tct) and tRNA(S-tga), but also in tRNA(C), tRNA(I), and tRNA(T), a novel condition. All the genes are encoded in the same DNA strand, which has a base composition rich in thymine and guanine. The genome has an overall gene arrangement drastically different from that of any other organisms so far reported, but contains several short segments, composed of 2-3 genes, which are found in other mt genomes. Combined cooccurrence of such gene assortments indicates that the Laqueus mt genome is similar to the annelid Lumbricus, the mollusc Katharina, and the octocoral Sarcophyton mt genomes, each with statistical significance. Widely accepted schemes of metazoan phylogeny suggest that the similarity with the octocoral could have arisen through a process of convergent evolution, while it appears likely that the similarities with the annelid and the mollusc reflect phylogenetic relationships.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Lysosomal cysteine protease, cathepsin B, is targeted to lysosomes by the mannose 6-phosphate-independent pathway in rat hepatocytes: site-specific phosphorylation in oligosaccharides of the proregion.

Cathepsin B, a lysosomal cysteine protease, is synthesized as a glycoprotein with two N-linked oligosaccharide chains, one of which is in the propeptide region while the other is in the mature region. When cultured rat hepatocytes were labeled with [(32)P]phosphate, (32)P-labeled cathepsin B was immunoprecipitated only in the proform from cell lysates and medium. Either Endo H or alkaline phosphatase treatment of (32)P-labeled procathepsin B demonstrated the acquisition of a mannose 6-phosphate (Man 6-P) residue on high mannose type oligosaccharides. To identify the site of phosphorylation, immunoisolated (35)S- or (32)P-labeled procathepsin B was incubated with purified lysosomal cathepsin D, since cathepsin D cleaves 48 amino acid residues from the N-terminus of procathepsin B, in which one N-linked oligosaccharide chain was also included [Kawabata, T. et al. (1993) J. Biochem. 113, 389-394]. Treatment of intracellular (35)S-labeled procathepsin B with a molecular mass of 39-kDa with cathepsin D resulted in the production of the 31-kDa intermediate form, but the (32)P-label incorporated into procathepsin B disappeared after treatment with cathepsin D. These results indicate that the phosphorylation of procathepsin B is restricted to an oligosaccharide chain present in the propeptide region. Interestingly, cathepsin B sorting to lysosomes was not inhibited by NH(4)Cl treatment and about 90% of the intracellular procathepsin B initially phosphorylated was secreted into the medium without being dephosphorylated intracellularly, and did not bind significantly to cation-independent-Man 6-P receptor, suggesting the failure of Man 6-P-dependent transport of procathepsin B to lysosomes. Additionally, about 50% of the newly synthesized (35)S-labeled cathepsin B was retained in the cells in mature forms consisting of a 29-kDa single chain form and a 24-kDa two chain form, while part of the procathepsin B was associated with membranes in a Man 6-P-independent manner. Taken together, these results show that in rat hepatocytes, cathepsin B is targeted to lysosomes by an alternative mechanism(s) other than the Man 6-P-dependent pathway.

Ammonium Chloride↗
PubMed2000

Clinical features of multiple epiphyseal dysplasia expressed in the knee.

The purpose of this study is to clarify the clinical features of the knee affected by multiple epiphyseal dysplasia. Thirty-one cases of multiple epiphyseal dysplasia were reviewed. Of the patients, 11 were male and 20 were female. The average age at onset of symptoms was 22.5 years. The average age at initial visit to the authors' hospital was 28.9 years. Radiographic findings showed epiphyseal abnormality of the knee in all but two (93%) cases. Irregularity, segmentation of the epiphysis, widening of the joint space, and genu valgum deformity were the dominant findings before epiphyseal closure. After epiphyseal closure, the most characteristic finding was a shallow femoral trochlear groove, which was observed in 56.5% of the cases. Other findings in adult patients included early onset osteoarthritic change, genu valgum, depression of the lateral tibial plateau, and multiple free bodies. However, there still is a possibility that multiple epiphyseal dysplasia exists, even if the patient lacks a shallow femoral trochlear groove. If genu valgum or varum, free bodies, and premature osteoarthritis are observed, one should evaluate other joints, keeping a diagnosis of multiple epiphyseal dysplasia in mind. Patients with knees that have a femoral trochlear groove of normal or near normal shape do exist, and premature osteoarthritic changes may develop in such patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Production of serine protease of Aeromonas sobria is controlled by the protein encoded by the gene lying adjacent to the 3' end of the protease gene.

We cloned a protease gene of Aeromonas sobria and determined its nucleotide sequence. The protease is composed of 624 amino acid residues and its calculated molecular weight is 66,737.7. The amino acid sequence showed the characteristic features of a bacterial serine protease. We expressed the protease gene in Vibrio parahaemolyticus from which the synthesized protease is secreted into the culture medium as the mature form, and purified the mature protease by successive column chromatographies. The size of the mature protease is 65,000 daltons and the amino acid sequence analysis revealed that a 24-amino acid peptide at the amino terminal of the precursor is removed from the mature protease. This peptide might function as a signal peptide in translocation across the inner membrane. Subsequently, we found that the protein, designated ORF2 protein, encoded by the gene lying adjacent to the 3' end of the protease gene plays an important role in production of the protease. Mutation of the ORF2 gene did not affect transcription of the protease gene, but resulted in degradation of the protease in the cell. This shows that ORF2 protein is required for the successful production of the serine protease by cell.

Aeromonas↗