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Biomedical subjects

Y Sano

Publications and source records attributed to Y Sano.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

[Two cases of advanced and metastatic breast cancers treated by docetaxel in combination with intra-arterial infusion of adriamycin].

Two cases of advanced and metastatic breast cancers were treated by docetaxel (TXT) in combination with intra-arterial infusion of adriamycin (ADM). Patients received 60 mg/body TXT i.v. and 30 mg/body ADM ia (AT therapy) bi-weekly. Clinical responses were observed in these two patients and the durations of responses were over 20 weeks. Critical toxicities of grade 2 leukopenia and alopecia were observed but grade 4 severe toxicities were not. Thus AT therapy can be easily and safely performed with outpatients. This therapy can improve the response rate and time to progression; therefore phase I or phase I/II clinical trials of AT therapy in Japan are recommended.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Clinicopathological study with regard to ulcer in the cancer lesion of the depressed type intramucosal cancer of the stomach].

UNLABELLED: We histologically investigated 207 cases with the depressed type intramucosal cancer of the stomach, as to the risk factor of ulcer formation in the cancer (Ul.), tumor size of less than and not less than 10 mm, histological type of differentiated carcinoma (Diff.) and undifferentiated carcinoma (Undiff.), tumor location classified by the usually occurring region of the peptic ulcer (Usual portion and Unusual portion) and the intramucosal propagations of extensively vertical type (EV) and nonextensively vertical type (NV). RESULT: 1) Tumor size, histological type, tumor location and intramucosal propagation type were significantly related to Ul., as the result of multivariate analysis. 2) The frequency of Ul. at the lesions of these cases, regardless of histological type, was higher at the lesion of Usual portion than at Unusual portion. And the frequency of Ul., independently of tumor location, was higher in Undiff. than in Diff.. 3) The frequency of Ul. at the lesions of Unusual portion in Undiff. was higher in EV than in NV. CONCLUSION: We suggested that extensively vertical propagation type of intramucosa, as well as large tumor size, Undiff. and at the lesion of Usual portion, was a significant risk factor for Ul. of the depressed type intramucosal cancer of the stomach. 2) We concluded that the intramucosal propagation type of the cancer was particularly concerned with Ul. at the intramucosal lesion of Unusual portion in Undiff.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Successful therapy of cyclosporin A in a case with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia].

Seventy-one-year-old woman was visited to our hospital because of dry cough and dyspnea on effort. Fine crackle was audible on both lower lung fields. Joints and skin were normal. Laboratory examination revealed elevation of serum LDH and CRP level. Both anti-nuclear antibody and Jo-1 antibody were negative. Blood gas analysis showed hypoxia after exercise. Chest X-ray film showed reticular shadow in both lower lung fields. Chest CT finding showed patchy area of ground glass attenuation, air-space consolidation, and reticular shadow. Scintigram showed diffuse uptake of Gallium-67 in both lung. Transbronchial biopsy specimen revealed alveolar wall thickness, lymphocyte infiltration and swelling of type II pneumocytes. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis revealed elevation of CD4/CD8 ratio. She was given a diagnosis of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Combination therapy of cyclosporin A and steroid was performed. After therapy, her chest CT findings and her data of pulmonary function test were improved. Then therapy of cyclosporin A was continued and dose of prednisolone was gradually decreased. After that, she was suffered from respiratory tract infection. After administration of antibiotics and cyclosporin A, she was getting well without acute exacerbation of interstitial pneumonia. Since then, she was treated with cyclosporin A only and her pulmonary function test data were gradually improved more. It suggests that cyclosporin A may be useful for the treatment of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Formation of biocompatible reversed micellar systems using phospholipids.

Formation of reversed micellar systems using biocompatible components was revealed by a significant increase of water content in the organic phase. Soybean lecithin (SL), which is a mixture of different phospholipids, and phosphatidylcholine (PC) purified from soybean were used as the amphiphilic molecule. Fatty acid and fatty acid ethyl esters were used as the organic solvent. Reversed micelles were formed in the following combinations of (amphiphilic molecule)/(organic solvent): SL/ethyl caproate, SL/ethyl oleate, SL/ethyl linoleate, PC/ethyl caproate, and PC/oleic acid. Characterization of the micelles using small angle X-ray scattering analysis was presented. Reversed micelles formed in SL/ethyl caproate, SL/ethyl oleate, and PC/ethyl caproate systems were spherical. Their radius of gyration was about 40Å when the water concentration in the organic phase was maximal. Maximal water concentrations in SL/ethyl caproate and PC/ethyl caproate reversed micellar systems decreased with increasing salt concentration in the aqueous phase. Micelle sizes also decreased with increased salt concentration. The extraction of protein cytochrome c using the reversed micellar system was demonstrated. Application of these reversed micellar systems will expand to pharmaceutical and food industries.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Analysis of primed donor-specific T cells in recipient mice bearing orthotopic corneal allografts.

BACKGROUND: Orthotopic corneal allografts placed in normal eyes of mice are often not rejected, whereas grafts placed in high-risk (neovascularized) eyes are routinely destroyed. Because rejection of solid tissue allografts is usually mediated by donor-specific T cells, we wished to determine the extent to which donor-specific T cells become primed in mice bearing orthotopic corneal allografts in normal and "high-risk" eyes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Our data indicate corneal allografts placed in neovascularized eyes were rejected within 2 weeks, and lymph nodes draining these grafts contained primed donor-specific T cells that proliferated in vitro and displayed cytotoxic activity. By contrast, only 50% of corneal allografts placed in normal eyes experienced rejection. Lymphoid cells from all of these mice displayed donor-specific proliferative activity, irrespective of whether the graft was accepted or rejected. At no time were donor-specific cytotoxic T cells detected. Failure to detect primed cytotoxic T cells was not the result of anergy or deletion of unprimed donor-specific precursors of CTL. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that primed donor-specific proliferative and cytotoxic T cells directed at MHC alloantigens correlate well with rejection of orthotopic corneal allografts in neovascularized high-risk eyes. However, rejection of cornea allografts in normal eyes does not correlate well with proliferative T cells, nor are donor MHC-specific cytotoxic T cells detected. The possibility is discussed that graft rejection in normal eyes is not mediated by T cells that recognize MHC alloantigens via the direct pathway, but via T cells that recognize donor alloantigens presented by recipient MHC molecules (indirect pathway).

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Increased affinity of c-Myb for CREB-binding protein (CBP) after CBP-induced acetylation.

The c-myb proto-oncogene product (c-Myb) is a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein that functions as a transcriptional activator. The transcriptional coactivator CREB-binding protein (CBP) binds via its KIX domain to the activation domain of c-Myb and mediates c-Myb-dependent transcriptional activation. CBP possesses intrinsic histone acetyltransferase activity, and can acetylate not only histones but also certain transcriptional factors such as GATA1 and p53. Here we demonstrate that the C/H2 domain of CBP, which is critical for the acetyltransferase activity, also directly interacts with the negative regulatory domain (NRD) of c-Myb. Consistent with this observation, CBP acetylated c-Myb in vitro at Lys(438) and Lys(441) within the NRD. In addition, CBP acetylated c-Myb in vivo not only at the sites found in this study but also at the p300-induced acetylation sites reported recently. Replacement of lysine by arginine at all of these sites dramatically decreased the trans-activating capacity of c-Myb. The results of transcriptional activation assays with c-Myb acetylation site mutants suggested that acetylation of c-Myb at each of these five sites synergistically enhances c-Myb activity. Mutations of these acetylation sites reduced the strength of the interaction between c-Myb and CBP. Thus, acetylation of c-Myb by CBP increases the trans-activating capacity of c-Myb by enhancing its association with CBP. These results demonstrate a novel molecular mechanism of regulation of c-Myb activity.

Acetylation↗
PubMed2000

Sequence analysis of the Plutella xylostella granulovirus genome.

The Plutella xylostella granulovirus (PxGV) genome DNA was sequenced and the predicted open reading frames (ORFs) were compared to genes of the first-sequenced GV, Xestia c-nigrum GV (XcGV), and those from other baculoviruses and organisms. PxGV DNA has a size of 100,999 bp with a G + C content of 40.7%. The analysis predicted 120 ORFs with a size of 150 nucleotides or larger that showed minimal overlap. Blast searches followed by a comparison of ORF arrangement with those of completely sequenced baculovirus genomes showed the presence of 102 homologs to other genes in the database. Among them, 74 and 100 were homologous to genes of Autographa californica NPV (AcMNPV) and XcGV, respectively. A striking feature of the relationship between the genomes of PxGV and XcGV was the conservation of the order and orientation of homologous genes. Even though the XcGV genome is much larger than that of PxGV (178 vs 101 kb) and had many more predicted ORFs (181 vs 120) with an average amino acid sequence relatedness of 42%, the order and orientation of almost all homologous genes was conserved. The PxGV genome contained four homologous regions (hrs), each with 10 to 23 repeated sequences of 101 to 105 nucleotides containing a 15-bp imperfect palindrome in the center of the repeats.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

MSW fly ash stabilized with coal ash for geotechnical application.

The solidification and stabilization of municipal solid waste (MSW) fly ash for the purpose of minimizing the geo-environmental impact caused by toxic heavy metals as well as ensuring engineering safety (strength and soaking durability) are experimentally evaluated. The mixtures of MSW fly ash stabilized with cement and fluidized bed combustion coal fly ash (FCA) were used for unconfined compressive strength tests, leachate tests, and soaking tests. The behavior of soluble salts contained in the MSW fly ash significantly affects strength development, soaking durability, and the hardening reaction of the stabilized MSW fly ash mixtures. The cement stabilization of the MSW fly ash does not have enough effect on strength development and soaking durability. The addition of cement only contributes to the containment of heavy metals due to the high level of alkalinity. When using FCA as a stabilizing agent for MSW fly ash, the mixture exhibits high strength and durability. However, the Cd leachate cannot be prevented in the early stages of curing. Using a combination of cement and FCA as a MSW fly ash stabilizer can attain high strength, high soaking durability, and the containment of heavy metals. The stabilized MSW fly ash with cement and FCA can be practically applied to embankments.

Alkalies↗
PubMed2000

The master rep concept in nanovirus replication: identification of missing genome components and potential for natural genetic reassortment.

Faba bean necrotic yellows virus (FBYNV), Milk vetch dwarf virus (MDV), and Subterranean clover stunt virus (SCSV) are nanoviruses that infect leguminous plants. From MDV- and SCSV-infected tissue we identified viral DNAs that encode a replication initiator protein (Rep), essential for replication of the multiple circular single-stranded DNAs of these viruses. These previously undescribed Rep proteins of MDV and SCSV are strikingly similar in sequence and functionally equivalent to the master Rep protein of FBYNV. Moreover, we demonstrated that the master Rep proteins of the three viruses are able to trigger replication of heterologous nanovirus DNAs. Such cross-species replication may reflect a considerable potential for genetic reassortment among nanoviruses in nature and be of significance for their evolution.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Inducible expression of a Th2-type CC chemokine thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine by human bronchial epithelial cells.

CCR4 is now known to be selectively expressed in Th2 cells. Since the bronchial epithelium is recognized as an important source of mediators fundamental to the manifestation of respiratory allergic inflammation, we studied the expression of two functional ligands for CCR4, i.e., macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) and thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), in bronchial epithelial cells. The bronchial epithelium of asthmatics and normal subjects expressed TARC protein, and the asthmatics showed more intense expression than the normal subjects. On the other hand, MDC expression was only weakly detected in the asthmatics, but the intensity was not significantly different from that of normal subjects. Combination of TNF-alpha and IL-4 induced expression of TARC protein and mRNA in bronchial epithelial A549 cells, which was slightly up-regulated by IFN-gamma. The enhancement by IFN-gamma was more pronounced in bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells, and a maximum production occurred with combination of TNF-alpha, IL-4, and IFN-gamma. On the other hand, MDC was essentially not expressed in any of the cultures. Furthermore, expressions of TARC protein and mRNA were almost completely inhibited by glucocorticoids. These results indicate that the airway epithelium represents an important source of TARC, which potentially plays a role via a paracrine mechanism in the development of allergic respiratory diseases. Furthermore, the beneficial effect of inhaled glucocorticoids on asthma may be at least in part due to their direct inhibitory effect on TARC generation by the bronchial epithelium.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Genome-wide expression profiling of mid-gestation placenta and embryo using a 15,000 mouse developmental cDNA microarray.

cDNA microarray technology has been increasingly used to monitor global gene expression patterns in various tissues and cell types. However, applications to mammalian development have been hampered by the lack of appropriate cDNA collections, particularly for early developmental stages. To overcome this problem, a PCR-based cDNA library construction method was used to derive 52,374 expressed sequence tags from pre- and peri-implantation embryos, embryonic day (E) 12.5 female gonad/mesonephros, and newborn ovary. From these cDNA collections, a microarray representing 15,264 unique genes (78% novel and 22% known) was assembled. In initial applications, the divergence of placental and embryonic gene expression profiles was assessed. At stage E12.5 of development, based on triplicate experiments, 720 genes (6.5%) displayed statistically significant differences in expression between placenta and embryo. Among 289 more highly expressed in placenta, 61 placenta-specific genes encoded, for example, a novel prolactin-like protein. The number of genes highly expressed (and frequently specific) for placenta has thereby been increased 5-fold over the total previously reported, illustrating the potential of the microarrays for tissue-specific gene discovery and analysis of mammalian developmental programs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering Studies on Nucleation Formation of Dextran Precipitation in the Presence of Boron.

In the present study, the nucleation formation process of dextran precipitation in the presence of boron was investigated by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) techniques. The formation mechanism of aggregates or nuclei is very important in the initial step of crystallization. SAXS measurement is an excellent technique for observing these processes. The results of SAXS measurement suggest that boron, as a trace impurity, induces the aggregating of dextran molecules intermolecularly as a process in the nucleation formation of dextran precipitate nuclei and causes precipitation of dextran through an elongation process. These reactions occur readily at low boron concentrations. In fact, boron, which was detected at low levels in dextran solutions, was concentrated in the precipitates. Therefore, an aqueous solution of boron-free dextran should be resistant to precipitation. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Small angle X-ray scattering studies on local structure of tobacco mosaic virus RNA in solution.

Effects of temperature and ionic strength (S) on the local structure of tobacco mosaic virus RNA in phosphate buffer solution are studied by analyzing the small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) curves. The root-mean-square radius of a cross-section of RNA chain was kept at 0.845+/-0.005 nm over a wide range of S from 0.2 to 0.003 at 20 degrees C, whereas it gradually diminished from 0.85 to 0.61 nm when the temperature is raised from 20 to 50 degrees C at S = 0.2. Nevertheless, all of SAXS curves reflecting the backbone structures were equally mimicked by theoretical ones of freely hinged rod (FHR) models, i.e. several straight rods joined with freely hinged joints in the form of a combination of the letter Y, if the constituent rod lengths in the models are adjusted. From these facts, it is suggested that the local structure of the RNA chain in aqueous solution is characterized by an essential feature that unpaired bases in the partially double-stranded helix are constantly far isolated from each other along the helix and the rod-like structure of the helix is preserved over a range of helical contents. Such a characteristic local structure of the chain is entirely collapsed in the formamide solution at 50 degrees C.

Buffers↗
PubMed2000

Referrals for lung transplantation in Japan. Unique indications and necessity of living-donor lobar lung transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to review all referrals to our lung transplant program and to find realistic options for accepted candidates in Japan. METHODS: During the period from April 1992 to August 1999, 45 referrals were received. After screening, 22 of the referred patients were admitted for an extensive inpatient evaluation, and 15 of these were accepted as candidates for transplantation. RESULTS: The indication was primary pulmonary hypertension in 9, bronchiectasis in 2, lymphangioleiomyomatosis in 2, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in 1, and pneumoconiosis in the other 1. Two of those with primary pulmonary hypertension went to the USA and there received bilateral lung transplant. One with bronchiectasis received living-donor lobar lung transplantation in our center. These three recipients are alive and doing well during the follow-up period of 11 to 69 months. Among the 12 patients who have not received lung transplant, 5 patients have died while waiting. CONCLUSIONS: Indications for lung transplant are quite distinct in Japan, and primary pulmonary hypertension is the most frequent indication. Living-donor lobar lung transplantation is a realistic option for properly selected candidates.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Ribosomal DNAs: an exception to the conservation of gene order in rice genomes.

rDNA (18S-5.8S-25S rDNA) and 5S rDNA loci were visualized on the chromosomes of six species of the genus Oryza by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and the labeled rice chromosomes were identified based on their condensation patterns. As a result, the chromosomes harboring rDNA and/or 5S rDNA loci were determined in the complement for all the known rice genomes. Variation in the location of the rDNA loci indicated the transpositional nature of the rDNAs in the genus Oryza, as also suggested in Triticeae and Allium. Comparative analysis of the locations of rDNA loci among rice, maize and wheat revealed that variability in the physical location of the rDNA loci was characteristic of the genus Oryza and also of the genera of Gramineae. This variability in the location of the rDNA loci between evolutionarily related species is in sharp contrast to the conservation of the general order of genes in their genomes.

Chromosome Mapping↗
PubMed2000

Fiber Bragg grating temperature sensor for practical use

Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is a promising measurement technology for future sensor system applications. Little attention has been given to the FBG sensor housing, however it is important that the FBG is embedded in a conventional electrical sensor housing so that it may be installed easily in instrumentation systems. We have experimentally fabricated a practical pass-through type FBG temperature sensor which is embedded in the conventional thermocouple housing. A small radius U-turn fiber spliced to the FBG is placed inside the top of a stainless sheath. Employing a high numerical aperture fiber with polyamide recoating, we have determined that the bending loss of the small radius U-turn fiber and heat resistance is less than 0.1 dB and up to 250 degrees C respectively. The wavelength shift of this sensor due to temperature change is 10.3 pm/degrees C equal to that of general FBG. Consequently the practical use of this sensor has been confirmed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Videokeratography after excimer laser in situ keratomileusis for myopia.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to define qualitative patterns of videokeratography after excimer laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for myopia and to identify associations of videokeratography patterns with clinical variables. DESIGN: Single-center, retrospective, cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred twenty-six eyes of 68 patients with myopia who desired surgical correction of myopia ranging from -1.50 to -8.80 diopters. INTERVENTION: Myopia was corrected with LASIK using a Summit OmniMed/Apex excimer laser. Computer-assisted videokeratography data were acquired at 3 months after primary LASIK, and associations of videokeratography pattern with clinical variable were assessed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Seven subgroup ablation zone patterns were characterized using tangential curvature maps; these subgroups were combined into pooled symmetric and asymmetric groups. Associations with age, attempted correction, single-zone or multizone ablation, postoperative uncorrected and spectacle-corrected visual acuity, predictability, astigmatism, corneal uniformity, glare disability, and contrast sensitivity were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-two eyes (25.4%) showed a uniform pattern, 14 eyes (11.1%) showed a bow-tie pattern, 22 eyes (17.5%) showed a peninsula pattern, 22 eyes (17.5%) showed a semicircular pattern, 22 eyes (17.5%) showed an off-center blue spot pattern, 10 eyes (7.9%) showed an irregular pattern, and 4 eyes (3.2%) showed a central island pattern. Spectacle-corrected visual acuity, astigmatism, corneal uniformity, glare disability, and contrast sensitivity were significantly related to videokeratography pattern, although the difference among videokeratography groups was clinically small. Age, attempted correction, single- or multizone ablation, and postoperative uncorrected visual acuity and predictability were not predictive of videokeratography pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Most eyes in this study had an asymmetric videokeratography pattern 3 months after LASIK. Small but statistically significant differences were identified among the videokeratography patterns that potentially may affect postoperative quality of vision.

Adolescent↗