Transient myopia after pars plana vitrectomy.
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Acetazolamide↗
Biomedical subjects
Y Ohashi
Publications and source records attributed to Y Ohashi.
[Standard range of peak expiratory flow in normal, healthy Japanese subjects].
The measurement and analysis of the standard range of peak expiratory flow (PEF) in normal, healthy Japanese is necessary at any cost to facilitate bringing the Japanese Guidelines for Bronchial Asthma smoothly into effect. In a study as part of The Bronchial Asthma Group of the Comprehensive Research Project (Terumasa Miyamoto, Chairman of the Planning and Evaluation Committee) under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, we measured PEF in 2,785 healthy Japanese volunteers (1,407 males aged 15-84 years and 1,738 females aged 15-80 years) who had no history of smoking, respiratory and/or thoracic diseases, or wheezing with four different peak flow meters (e.g., mini-Wright, Assess, Personal Best and Vitalograph). As a result of comparing PEF measured by the four meters in the same subjects over a short interval of time, we noted significant differences on analysis of variance. Accordingly, the equation for prediction should account for variables in gender and the type of peak flow meter used. A comparison of cubic equations for prediction suggests that the PEF of both Japanese men and women is similar to that of the British but is different from that of the Chinese.
Adolescent↗
Characteristics of a blood pump combining the centrifugal and axial pumping principles: the spiral pump.
Two well-known centrifugal and axial pumping principles are used simultaneously in a new blood pump design. Inside the pump housing is a spiral impeller, a conically shaped structure with threads on the surface. The worm gears provide an axial motion of the blood column through the threads of the central cone. The rotational motion of the conical shape generates the centrifugal pumping effect and improves the efficiency of the pump without increasing hemolysis. The hydrodynamic performance of the pump was examined with a 40% glycerin-water solution at several rotation speeds. The gap between the housing and the top of the thread is a very important factor: when the gap increases, the hydrodynamic performance decreases. To determine the optimum gap, several in vitro hemolysis tests were performed with different gaps using bovine blood in a closed circuit loop under two conditions. The first simulated condition was a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) with a flow rate of 5 L/min against a pressure head of 100 mm Hg, and the second was a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) simulation with a flow rate of 5 L/min against 350 mm Hg of pressure. The best hemolysis results were seen at a gap of 1.5 mm with the normalized index of hemolysis (NIH) of 0.0063 +/- 0.0020 g/100 L and 0.0251 +/- 0.0124 g/100 L (mean +/- SD; n = 4) for LVAD and CPB conditions, respectively.
Animals↗
[Identification of mutations that were responsible for primary immunodeficiency diseases].
The genes responsible for many X-linked and autosomal recessive primary immunodeficiency diseases have been identified during the past two years. Now we can diagnose more than a dozen primary immunodeficiency diseases by genetic methods as well as immunological ones. We describe here two patients with leukocyte adhesion deficiency (LAD) and with X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) the diagnoses of which were confirmed by genetic analysis. A patient with LAD showed a missense mutation of the CD18 gene from C to T at nucleotide position 605 resulting in a proline178-->leucine substitution. The mutation of the other allele has not yet been analyzed, because few CD18 mRNAs were translated from the mutated DNA. Another patient with XLA had a missense mutation of Btk gene at position 1204 of C to T resulting in a change of leucine358-->phenylalanine. In view of the mutation of the Sac I restriction site from GAGCTC to GAGTTC we can easily differentiate patients and the carrier from normal persons by the amplification of genomic Btk DNA. Through these studies unknown functions of these genes will be clarified in the near future.
Agammaglobulinemia↗
A phase II comparative study of idarubicin plus cytarabine versus daunorubicin plus cytarabine in adult acute myeloid leukemia.
In previously untreated adult patients with acute non-lymphocytic leukemia (ANLL), idarubicin (IDA) and daunorubicin (DNR) were compared for efficacy and safety when used in combination with cytarabine (Ara-C). IDA 12 mg/m2/d and DNR 40 mg/m2/d were administered by intravenous (i.v.) bolus for 3 consecutive days (days 1 to 3), respectively, in combination with Ara-C 80 mg/m2 given by 2-hour i.v. infusion, every 12 hours for 7 consecutive days. The number of assessable patients was 32 for each group. The rate of complete remission (CR) was 59.4% (19/32) in the IDA group and 40.6% (13/32) in the DNR group. The clinical equivalence test with delta = 10% demonstrated that the remission rate in the IDA group was equal or superior (P = .010) to the DNR group. In addition, the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test for response means with scores of 3 (CR), 2 (partial response [PR], and 1 (no response [NR]) showed the IDA group to be significantly superior (P = .044) to the DNR group. The duration needed to attain less than 5% leukemic cells in the bone marrow tended to be shorter in the IDA group (P = .072), and in CR patients, the number of days needed to reach the nadir value for leukemic cells was significantly fewer in the IDA group (P = .037). The nadir value for WBC count was significantly lower in the IDA group (P = .022). As for adverse reactions, high incidences of diarrhea and stomatitis were observed in the IDA group, while the incidences of other adverse reactions were similar between the two groups. When the effects of the drug on the ECG were examined, significant changes in ECG parameters were observed after treatment in the DNR group but not in the IDA group. Based on these findings, it was surmised that the combination of IDA plus Ara-C is the treatment of first choice for adult ANLL patients.
Adolescent↗
[Cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass in a patient with sickle-cell trait].
The sickle-cell gene is most concentrated in West Central Africa, the northeast corner of Saudi Arabia and East Central India. Sickle cell trait is the heterozygous condition for Hb S gene. Thirty to fifty per cent of their hemoglobin is Hb S and the remainder is Hb A. The sickle-cell crisis is induced by hypoxia, hypercarbia, acidosis, low flow condition, and hypothermia, which leads to vasoocclusion. A 39-year-old black man from Burkina Faso located in West Africa with left ventricular rupture was admitted for operation using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). He had been diagnosed as sickle-cell trait. The Hb S concentration was 36.2 per cent before operation with hemoglobin electrophoresis. During CPB, the minimum blood temperature was 31 degrees C and an aortic cross-clamp was not done. Total CPB time was 1 hour 31 minutes. Use of vasodilator and hyperventilation was effective. No neurological sequelae were observed.
Adult↗
[Aortic dissection after weaning from extracorporeal circulation].
Acute aortic dissection is a rare complication of cardiac surgery. But once it happens, its outcome is often miserable. We experienced this complication after discontinuing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). A 56-year old man with mitral regurgitation was referred for mitral valve replacement under CPB. After weaning from extracorporeal circulation (ECC), the right radial artery pressure decreased suddenly and its waveform became flat. After 5 minutes, dissection of the ascending aorta was diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). We started to prevent ischemic brain damage immediately, but a severe brain damage occurred. Its early diagnosis is necessary and the prevention of critical brain damage due to low perfusion of the blood is important for anesthetic management.
Aortic Dissection↗
[Reliability and factorial structure of a rating scale for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis].
The Modified Norris Scale is a rating scale for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which consists of two parts, the Limb Norris Scale and the Norris Bulbar Scale. The Limb Scale has 21 items to evaluate extremity function and the Bulbar Scale has 13 items to evaluate bulbar function. Each item is rated in 4 ordinal categories. Considering the habitual difference, we translated the English scale into Japanese one with minor modification, and added more detailed explanations for all categories of each item. Then we examined reliability and factorial structure of the translated scale. The subjects were 23 patients with motor disturbance and each subject was rated twice by 2-4 neurologists. As a measure of reliability, the Kappa coefficient proposed by Cohen (1960) and Kraemer (1980) was calculated for each item and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was evaluated for total scores of each of two scales. To analyze the factorial structure, the factor analysis was carried out. The minimum and the maximum Kappa values were .70 and .97 for intra-rater reliability of the Limb Scale's items, .60 and .83 for inter-rater reliability of the Limb Scale's items, .41 and 1.00 for intra-rater reliability of the Bulbar Scale's items and .26 and .81 for inter-rater reliability of the Bulbar Scale's items, respectively. Concerning the factorial structure, the contribution of the first factor was 83.6% for the Limb Scale and that for the Bulbar Scale was 66.7%. This indicates unidimensionality of both Scales. The ICCs for the total scores were .97 (95%C.I. .95-.99) for the Limb Scale and .86 (.73-.93) for the Bulbar Scale, respectively. On the basis of these results, the Scale has unidimensionality and high reliability enough for practical use.
Adult↗
[Survival factors in healthy aging among rural Japanese residents of Aichi].
To investigate survival factors in healthy aging among rural Japanese elderly residents, a nested case-control study was conducted. Subjects who answered questionnaires in 1985 were followed for 10 years. Cases comprised 124 men and 109 women who, in 1995, were 75 years old or over, and whose activities of daily living were active enough to cope for themselves. Controls were selected from subjects who died between 1987 and 1994. One control per case was randomly selected, and matched to each case for sex and birth-year (+/- 2 years). The survival odds ratio (sOR) was calculated by using a conditional multiple logistic regression model. An sOR greater than 1.0 was observed for frequent intake of eggs, regular daily routine, adaptability to changes, leisure time exercise and a health examination at least once within 3 years. In both men and women present or past history of heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and diabetes, family history of hypertension, and in women, smoking were negatively associated with survival. By multivariate analysis, adaptability to change in men, and regular daily routine and health examinations in women were positively associated to survival. Smoking and history of chronic disease were negatively associated with survival, in both men and women. In conclusion, it is suggested that psychological factors and recent health examinations were positively associated to survival in healthy aging, and habitual smoking and chronic disease contributed negatively to survival. These results require further careful evaluation to determine whether the factors are associated with cause or effect.
Aged↗
Tobacco MAP kinase: a possible mediator in wound signal transduction pathways.
A complementary DNA encoding a mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase homolog has been isolated from tobacco plants. Transcripts of the corresponding gene were not observed in healthy tobacco leaves but began to accumulate 1 minute after mechanical wounding. In tobacco plants transformed with the cloned complementary DNA, trans inactivation of the endogenous homologous gene occurred, and both production of wound-induced jasmonic acid and accumulation of wound-inducible gene transcripts were inhibited. In contrast, the levels of salicylic acid and transcripts for pathogen-inducible, acidic pathogenesis-related proteins were increased upon wounding. These results indicate that this MAP kinase is part of the initial response of higher plants to mechanical wounding.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Evidence for the covalent binding of SHAP, heavy chains of inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor, to hyaluronan.
We previously showed that serum-derived 85-kDa proteins (SHAPs, serum-derived hyaluronan associated proteins) are firmly bound to hyaluronan (HA) synthesized by cultured fibroblasts. SHAPs were then identified to be the heavy chains of inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor (ITI) (Huang, L., Yoneda, M., and Kimata, K. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 26725-26730). In this study, the SHAP.HA complex was isolated from pathological synovial fluid from human arthritis patients. The SHAP.HA complex was digested with thermolysin, followed by CsCl gradient centrifugation. The HA-containing fragments thus obtained were further digested with chondroitinase AC II and subjected to TSK gel high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Peptide-HA disaccharide-containing fractions (the SHAP.HA binding regions) were further purified by reverse phase HPLC. Major peaks were analyzed by protein sequencing and mass spectrometry (electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and collision induced dissociation-MS/MS). By comparison with the reported C-terminal sequences of the human ITI family, the peptides were found to correspond to tetrapeptides derived from the C termini of heavy chains 1 of and 2 of inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor (HC1 and HC2), and heavy chain 3 of pre-alpha-trypsin inhibitor (HC3), respectively, and a heptapeptide from HC1. Mass spectrometric analyses suggested that the C-terminal Asp of each heavy chain was esterified to the C6-hydroxyl group of an internal N-acetylglucosamine of HA chain. This report is the first demonstration to give evidence for the covalent binding of proteins to HA.
Alpha-Globulins↗
Analyzing power measurement in inclusive Lambda 0 production with a 200 GeV/c polarized proton beam.
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Journal Article↗
Hampered expression of isoaspartyl protein carboxyl methyltransferase gene in the human cataractous lens.
Isoaspartyl protein carboxyl methyltransferase (PIMT) is implicated in the repair of age-damaged proteins by converting altered aspartic acid residues to normal L-aspartic acid residues. Northern blot and reverse transcription (RT)-PCR analyses have revealed that PIMT gene expression in the human lens is detected exclusively in epithelial cells, and that the mRNA levels in cataractous lens epithelia are significantly lower than those in normal age-matched lens tissue. These results suggest that PIMT may play a vital role in maintaining the clarity of the lens and preventing cataract formation.
Aspartic Acid↗
Structural elucidation of underivatized gangliosides by electrospray-ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESIMS/MS).
The structural characterization of intact polysialogangliosides by electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry (ESIMS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) is described. The negative-ion ESI mass spectra of gangliosides, such as a tetrasialoganglioside GQ1b, showed molecularly related ions with high sensitivity and accuracy. Collision-induced dissociation (CID) MS/MS provided adequate information to characterize the number and positions of sialic acids. ESIMS and CIDMS/MS techniques were applied successfully also in the positive-ion mode for characterization of intact gangliosides. Two isomeric disialogangliosides, GD1a and GD1b, are distinguishable from one another by CIDMS/MS in both negative- and positive-ion modes. The technique is readily applicable to structural analyses such as determining the positional isomers of glycoconjugates.
Animals↗
Involvement of small GTP-binding proteins in defense signal-transduction pathways of higher plants.
Small GTP-binding proteins play a critical role in the regulation of a range of cellular processes--including growth, differentiation, and intracellular transportation. Previously, we isolated a gene, rgp1, encoding a small GTP-binding protein, by differential screening of a rice cDNA library with probe DNAs from rice tissues treated with or without 5-azacytidine, a powerful inhibitor of DNA methylation. To determine the physiological role of rgp1, the coding region was introduced into tobacco plants. Transformants, with rgp1 in either sense or antisense orientations, showed distinct phenotypic changes with reduced apical dominance, dwarfism, and abnormal flower development. These abnormal phenotypes appeared to be associated with the higher levels of endogenous cytokinins that were 6-fold those of wild-type plants. In addition, the transgenic plants produced salicylic acid and salicylic acid-beta-glucoside in an unusual response to wounding, thus conferring increased resistance to tobacco mosaic virus infection. In normal plants, the wound- and pathogen-induced signal-transduction pathways are considered to function independently. However, the wound induction of salicylic acid in the transgenic plants suggests that expression of rgp1 somehow interfered with the normal signaling pathways and resulted in cross-signaling between these distinct transduction systems. The results imply that the defense signal-transduction system consists of a complicated and finely tuned network of several regulatory factors, including cytokinins, salicylic acid, and small GTP-binding proteins.
Journal Article↗
Glycosphingolipid composition of rat placenta: changes associated with stage of pregnancy.
The composition of glycolipids and their changes in the placenta were investigated in the normal pregnant rat. Total lipid fractions extracted from the placenta between days 12 and 20 of pregnancy (day 0 = oestrus) were subjected to glycolipid analysis using DEAE-Sephadex chromatography, silica-gel HPLC, silica-gel TLC, TLC/immunostaining, matrix-assisted secondary-ion mass spectrometry in the negative-ion mode and 1H NMR. Glycolipids identified in the rat placenta were: gangliosides GM3 (NeuAcLacCer and NeuGcLacCer) and GD3 (NeuAcNeuAcLacCer, NeuAcNeuGcLacCer and NeuGcNeuAcLacCer), and neutral glycolipids ceramide monosaccharide (CMH) (GlcCer), ceramide disaccharide (CDH) (LacCer), ceramide trisaccharide (CTH) (Gb3Cer) and ceramide tetrasaccharide (CQH) (Gb4Cer). The content of neutral glycolipids was higher than that of gangliosides throughout pregnancy. Of the neutral glycolipids, CMH and CTH predominated and the level of CDH was low at mid-pregnancy. During late pregnancy, CMH and CTH decreased and CDH increased markedly. CQH remained at a low level throughout pregnancy. Of the gangliosides, GM3 was predominant on days 12-16 and then decreased, whereas GD3, which was low on day 12, increased slightly on day 16 and maintained the same level thereafter. Immunohistochemical studies indicated that these changes in the expression of major gangliosides from GM3 to GD3 occurred in labyrinthine trophoblasts. Thus expression of these glycolipids appears to change markedly during pregnancy.
Animals↗
Activation and inhibition of nitric oxide synthase from cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells by phospholipids and arachidonic acid.
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Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
Pathogenesis of ocular cytomegalovirus infection in the immunocompromised host.
Balb/C nude and C.B-17 SCID mice were inoculated with salivary gland passaged cytomegalovirus (SG-MCMV) intraperitoneally. Dissemination of the virus in the systemic and ocular tissues was studied by the direct immunofluorescence test, and the virus growth in each tissue was titrated in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. The mode of viral spread was assessed by inhibiting macrophage function by silica and administering polyclonal murine anti-MCMV antibody in the circulation. The virus first reached the eyelid, conjunctiva, and cornea. Subsequently, it spread in the outer ocular muscles and chorioretinal layer. Ocular tissues were involved as part of a generalized infection. Abrogation of macrophage function by silica did not affect the outcome of the viral distribution. Administration of antibody prior to and 3 days after the viral infection prevented virus dissemination. Ocular CMV infection occurred initially at the anterior segment of the eye in an immunocompromised host. Free virus, not macrophage-bound virus, disseminated via the bloodstream.
Animals↗