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Biomedical subjects

Y Tahara

Publications and source records attributed to Y Tahara.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Relationship between physical characteristics and physiological responses during maximal arm cranking in paraplegics.

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the main physical factor(s) affecting cardiorespiratory responses during maximal arm cranking exercise in patients with paraplegia. Peak oxygen uptake (peak Vo2), peak pulmonary ventilation (peak VE) and peak heart rate (peak HR) were measured during maximal arm cranking exercise in 28 Japanese male patients. A cluster analysis was applied to the data for peak Vo2, peak HR and peak VE, and then the subjects were classified into four groups (A, B, C and D). Group A showed high peak VE and peak HR and low peak Vo2, Group B low peak Vo2 and high values for other parameters, Group C the greatest physiological values for all measurements among the groups and, in contrast, Group D showed low peak Vo2 and the lowest peak VE and peak HR among the groups. The subjects in Group C had low level of spinal cord injury and were sports participants. On the other hand, duration since injury was not related to the cardiorespiratory responses during maximal arm cranking. These findings indicate that the effects on these responses of years since injury are subordinate to those of the level of spinal cord injury and training.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Prenatal diagnosis of congenital unilateral hydrocephalus.

A case is presented in which fetal unilateral hydrocephalus that had not been definitively diagnosed by ultrasonography was confirmed by means of magnetic resonance imaging. Computed tomography performed in the neonatal period after intraventricular injection of contrast medium showed stenosis of the foramen of Monro.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

DNA sequence of Bacillus subtilis (natto) NR-1 gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase gene, ggt.

The ggt encoding gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) from Bacillus subtilis (natto) was cloned and sequenced. The DNA sequence contains a single open reading frame of 1761 bp that might be translated to a protein of 587 amino acid residues, and indicates that B. subtilis (natto) GGT is synthesized as prepro-GGT and processed later into large and small subunits. The putative catabolite responsive element (CRE) was located upstream of the ggt coding region.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Continuous ambulatory radionuclide monitoring of left ventricular function: effect of body position during ergometer exercise.

UNLABELLED: We assessed the reliability of a continuous ambulatory radionuclide monitoring system (the VEST system, Capintec, Inc., Ramsey, NJ) for measurement of left ventricular performance during exercise in the upright and supine positions. METHODS: Sixteen healthy male volunteers (aged 32-46 yr; mean age 37 +/- 4 yr) were studied. All volunteers underwent ergometer exercise testing in both the upright and supine positions, and left ventricular performance was determined with the VEST system. RESULTS: The resting heart rate, systolic blood pressure, pressure rate product, relative end-diastolic volume, relative end-systolic volume and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) all showed no differences between the upright and supine positions. At peak exercise, the heart rate, systolic blood pressure and pressure rate product showed no differences between the upright and supine positions. In the upright position at peak exercise the relative end-diastolic volume was increased (83% +/- 9% to 91% +/- 11%, p < 0.001); the relative end-systolic volume remained unchanged (34% +/- 3% to 33% +/- 15%), and LVEF was significantly increased from 58% +/- 6% to 66% +/- 11% (p < 0.01). In the supine position at peak exercise, the relative end-diastolic volume remained unchanged (85% +/- 5 to 83% +/- 7%), the relative end-systolic volume was increased (35% +/- 5% to 43% +/- 13%, p < 0.01), and LVEF was decreased from 58% +/- 5% to 48% +/- 17% (p < 0.01). These results indicated inferior data collection by the VEST system in the supine position. CONCLUSION: Since the detector of the VEST system may be too small, the data collection is impaired during exercise in the supine position by shifting the heart with deep respiration. The VEST system is very useful for determining left ventricular performance when applied in the sitting or upright position. However, in the supine position during exercise, the use of the VEST system should be avoided because it might indicate an artifactual deterioration of left ventricular performance.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Gradenigo's syndrome: CT and MRI findings.

We report the case of an 8-year-old girl with Gradenigo's syndrome. Involvement of the petrous portion of the left temporal bone was demonstrated by CT and an inflammatory lesion of the left petrous apex was clearly shown by MRI, which is useful in diagnosis and management of apical petrositis.

Abducens Nerve↗
PubMed1996

Phylogenetic relationships of species of the genus Kluyveromyces van der Walt (saccharomycetaceae) deduced from the partial sequences of 18S and 26S ribosomal RNAs.

In order to clarify the phylogenetic relationships of the species classified in the genus Kluyveromyces (Saccharomycetaceae), three partial base sequences of 18S and 26S rRNAs of eighteen strains were determined. The regions determined of the strains corresponded to positions 1451 through 1618 (168 bases) of 18S rRNA and to positions 1611 through 1835 (225 bases) and 493 through 622 (130 bases) of a strain (IFO 2376) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The analyses of the partial base sequences suggested that the genus Kluyveromyces is phylogenetically heterogeneous, ranging from the strains that are quite close to the strain of S. cerevisiae to the strains that are distinct enough to be classified in genera separate from the genus Saccharomyces. From our sequence data, we concluded that the extent of the genus Kluyveromyces should be restricted to only one species, K. polysporus, the type species of the genus. Kluyveromyces phaffii was also distinct enough to deserve another genus. Kluyveromyces cellobiovorus was not close to any of the strains of Kluyveromyces species examined, and should be excluded from the genus. Most of the strains of the species examined were fairly close to the strain of S. cerevisiae.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Phylogenetic relationships of species of the genus Saccharomyces Meyen ex Reess deduced from partial base sequences of 18S and 26S ribosomal RNAs (saccharomycetaceae).

In order to clarify the phylogenetic relationships among the yeast species classified in the genus Saccharomyces, partial base sequences of 18S and 26S ribosomal RNAs were determined for ten selected strains. The regions determined correspond to positions 1451 through 1618 of the 18S rRNA and positions 493 through 622 and 1611 through 1835 of the 26S rRNA in S. cerevisiae. Analyses of these partial base sequences suggested that the genus Saccharomyces is phylogenetically heterogeneous. Saccharomyces servazzii and S. unisporus showed identical or very similar sequences in all the three regions, and their phylogenetic distance from S. cerevisiae was large enough to introduce a genus independent of Saccharomyces. Saccharomyces kluyveri is also distant from all the other Saccharomyces species examined, and is likely to deserve a new genus. Estimated phylogenetic relationships between Saccharomyces and other genera characterized by the Q-6 system, such as species of Zygosaccharomyces. Torulaspora, Kluyveromyces, Arxiozyma, Pachytichospora, Nadsonia. Hanseniaspora, Kloeckeraspora, and Saccharomycodes, are also discussed.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Cloning and nucleotide sequence of ApaLI restriction-modification system from Acetobacter pasteurianus IFO 13753.

The ApaLI restriction-modification system from Acetobacter pasteurianus IFO 13753 recognizes the nucleotide sequence GTGCAC. The gene coding for the ApaLI methylase (M.ApaLI) was cloned into Escherichia coli DH5 alpha MCR, and the nucleotide sequence of the gene was analyzed. The M.ApaLI gene coded for a protein of 429 amino acid residues (molecular mass, 46,554 daltons). The ApaLI restriction endonuclease (R.ApaLI) gene was analyzed by inverse polymerase chain reaction. The R.ApaLI gene coded for a protein of 375 amino acid residues (molecular mass, 42,143 daltons). The two genes had the same orientation separated by two base pairs. The deduced amino acid sequence of M.ApaLI shows significant similarities to the family of cytosine-5 methylases. However, the deduced amino acid sequence of R.ApaLI did not have as much relatedness in the nucleotide sequence, when compared with those of the other restriction endonucleases already reported.

Acetobacter↗
PubMed1996

Cloning and nucleotide sequence of the AgeI methylase gene from Agrobacterium gelatinovorum IAM 12617, a marine bacterium.

The AgeI restriction-modification system from a marine bacterium, Agrobacterium gelatinovorum IAM 12617, recognizes the nucleotide sequence ACCGGT. The gene coding for the AgeI methylase (M.AgeI) was cloned into Escherichia coli DH5 alpha MCR, and the nucleotides of the gene were sequenced. The M.AgeI gene coded for a protein of 429 amino acid residues (molecular mass, 47,358 daltons). The deduced amino acid sequence of M.AgeI was compared with those of other methylases and showed that there are high degrees of similarity in some cytosine-5 methylases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Peak oxygen uptake and respiratory function in persons with spinal cord injury.

This study investigated the association between peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) during arm cranking exercise and respiratory function in paraplegics. Fourteen male paraplegics were recruited for the present study. The subjects were grouped according to the level of injury into the HL (Th3-Th8) and LL (Th11-L3) group. Prior to the maximal test, pulmonary function, including vital capacity (VC) and residual volume (RV), was measured in the sitting position. Mean peak VO2 in the LL group (1662 ml.min-1) was significantly greater than that in the HL group (1357 ml.min-1), corresponding to 82% of that in the LL group (P < or = 0.05). In respiratory function, the HL group showed marked restrictive impairment of ventilatory function. That is, VC and RV were significantly lower in the HL group than in the LL group (P < or = 0.05). The reduction in VC and RV is related to the degree of loss of control in respiratory functioning muscle mass. However, there was no clear-cut correlation between respiratory function and peak VO2 expressed as a function of body mass (ml.kg-1.min-1). In addition, a multiple linear regression analysis revealed that RV and VC were not associated with peak VO2 (ml.min-1) in contrast to the importance of body mass. It seems reasonable to conclude from these results that respiratory function is not an important factor in determining peak VO2 in the paraplegic.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[In vitro and in vivo antibacterial activities of a new quinolone derivative, FD501].

FD501 is a newly synthesized quinolone derivative with aminoazepine group at the C-7 position. The in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activities of FD501 were investigated comparing with those of norfloxacin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and sparfloxacin. The in vitro antibacterial activities of FD501 against Gram-positive bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, were equal to or higher than those of other quinolones. But its activities against Gram-negative bacteria were equal to or lower than those of other quinolones. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of FD501 against Gram-positive bacteria were similar to that of sparfloxacin. The bactericidal activity may be due to the inhibition of the DNA super-coiling activity of DNA gyrase. The area under the serum concentration-time curve of FD501 in rats following oral administration was larger than norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin and smaller than those of ofloxacin and sparfloxacin.

4-Quinolones↗
PubMed1995

Chemical modification and inactivation of phospholipases A2 by a manoalide analogue.

Chemical modification and inactivation of bovine pancreatic, porcine pancreatic, Naja naja atra and Pseudechis australis phospholipases A2 (PLA2s), belonging to Group I, and of Trimeresurus flavoviridis, Vipera russelli russelli and Agkistrodon halys blomhoffii PLA2s, belonging to Group II, were investigated by the use of a manoalide (MLD)-analogue, 1-(2,5-dihydro-hydroxy-5-oxo-3-furanyl)-8,12-dimethyl-4-formyl-3,7, 11-tridecatrienol. At appropriate time intervals, residual PLA2 activities towards monodispersed, anionic mixed micellar and non-ionic mixed micellar substrates were measured. We tested the protective effect of micellar n-dodecylphosphocholine (n-C12PC) on enzyme inactivation. Inactivation of pancreatic PLA2s (Group I) was only observed towards anionic mixed micellar substrates. This inactivation was completely prevented by the presence of micellar n-C12PC. From a fragmentation study of modified bovine pancreatic PLA2 using lysyl endopeptidase, we speculated that Lys-56 of this enzyme was modified by MLD-analogue and that this modification was responsible for enzyme inactivation. Inactivation of non-pancreatic PLA2s was observed towards all types of substrate, except that no significant inactivation of N. naja atra PLA2 (Group I) towards monodispersed substrate was noted. Micellar n-C12PC protected N. naja atra PLA2 (Group I) completely from inactivation by MLD-analogue, but had lesser protective effects on P. australis PLA2 (Group I), T. flavoviridis and V. russelli russelli PLA2s (Group II). However, no significant protection of A. halys blomhoffii PLA2s (Group II) activity was observed. These results indicate that the inactivation of pancreatic and N. naja atra PLA2s originates from the modification of Lys residues at the interfacial recognition site, and that inactivation of P. australis, T. flavoviridis and V. russelli PLA2s arises from the modification of Lys residues at the catalytic site, interfacial recognition site and regions outside both sites. The inactivation of A. halys blomhoffii PLA2 was assumed to be due to the modification of Lys residues outside the two sites described above.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Changes in body shape of young individuals from the aspect of adult physique model by factor analysis.

The purpose of this study was to clarify characteristics of age-related changes in body shape in adolescence, in 11- to 19-year-old boys and girls, by using previously reported physique models of adult men and women as the scale. The scale consisted of four factors obtained by factor analysis using 30 items as variables, such as the values measured for the physique, skinfold thickness and body composition. The four factors were Factor 1: body fat, Factor 2: mass, Factor 3: leg length to height ratio, and Factor 4: length, and were interpreted in the men and women in a similar manner. The subjects were 307 boys and 368 girls; all were healthy. Thirty items were measured and included the values measured for the physique, skinfold thickness and body composition, as in the men and women. Factor scores in the subjects were standardized by mean and standard deviation for each item in the adult subjects, and calculated for individuals by using the coefficient of factor score in the adult subjects. The body shapes of the boys and girls were investigated from the factor score by age calculated for each factor. The following results were obtained: 1. Factor 1 tended to gradually decrease and reached the adult level at 15 years of age in the boys.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Characteristics of body shape of female athletes based on factor analysis.

We examined the body shape of female athletes in comparison with female adult non-athletes by factor analysis. The subjects were 433 adult non-athletes and 464 athletes participating in 11 different sporting events. The physique, skinfold thickness and body composition of each subject were measured. The values obtained from non-athletes were analyzed by factor analysis, and the body shape of the athletes was then analyzed according to these factors. Four main factors with which 80 percent of total variance could be explained were body fat (Factor 1), mass (Factor 2), leg length to height ratio (Factor 3) and length (Factor 4), and were extracted from the values from non-athletes. The body shape of the athletes could be classified into 4 categories by cluster analysis for factor score of sporting events: less body fat and slim type, average type like non-athletes, muscular and well-balanced type, and tall and well-developed mass. Compared with non-athletes, female athletes for all sporting events had less body fat. Moreover, the athletes had a body shape suitable for their sporting events; i.e., their mass, length of leg and height.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Kinetics of HbA1c, glycated albumin, and fructosamine and analysis of their weight functions against preceding plasma glucose level.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the kinetics of HbA1c, glycated albumin (GA), and fructosamine (FA) levels in response to plasma glucose change and their relationship with the preceding plasma glucose level. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The time courses of HbA1c, GA, and FA after acute glycemic normalization were observed in nine patients with newly diagnosed non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and compared with theoretical ones. Their weight functions against preceding plasma glucose level were analyzed assuming a stepwise plasma glucose change and compared with the theoretical prediction. RESULTS: The fasting plasma glucose level was acutely normalized after admission with a half-time of 6.3 +/- 2.4 days (mean +/- SD). The HbA1c level decreased linearly during the initial 2 months with a half-time of 34.6 +/- 10.1 days, followed by a gradual decrease thereafter. GA and FA levels decreased very rapidly during the initial 2-3 weeks with half-times of 17.1 +/- 2.8 and 12.2 +/- 4.8 days, respectively, followed by a gradual decrease thereafter. The time courses of HbA1c, GA, and FA agreed well with theoretically estimated decay curves. Experimental values of weight functions against the preceding plasma glucose level agreed well with the theoretical prediction. The weight functions for glycated proteins had maximum values on the days just before the measurement of glycated proteins and gradually decreased with an increasing time interval. The lengths of the periods over which the weight functions for HbA1c, GA, and FA extend back were estimated to be roughly 100, 40, and 30 days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The levels of HbA1c, GA, and FA do not reflect the simple mean but reflect the weighted mean of the preceding plasma glucose level over a considerably longer period than was previously speculated.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Body density assessment utilizing skinfold thickness and age in Japanese women].

A study was conducted to investigate the validity of skinfold-based prediction equations for body density (g/ml) by Nagamine and Suzuki (1964), and to formulate more convenient and more useful equations for predicting body density from skinfold and age in women. Subjects of the study were 512 healthy women aged 18-66 years in or near Nagasaki City. The dependent variable in the multiple regression equation, body density, was determined by hydrostatic weighing. Independent variables included eight skinfolds, the sum of two skinfolds (triceps, subscapular), the sum of three skinfolds (triceps, subscapular, and abdominal), age, and body surface area. Skinfolds were measured with an Eiken-model skinfold caliper. Age (mean 30.1, range 18-66 yrs.), weight (mean 52.6, range 38.0-83.3 kg), height (mean 157.0, range 142.0-172.0 cm), and body density, (mean 1.04125, range 0.98806-1.08650 g/ml) were also recorded. Percent body fat was calculated using the formula by Brozek et al. and ranged from 6.4% to 48.3%. Multiple correlation coefficients (MR) and standard error (SE) of 10 regression equations (A-J) for predicting body density in women were compared. The best-fitting and the most convenient prediction equation for body density was equation-E. The regression equation developed for predicting body density was: body density = 1.07931-0.00059 x sum of three skinfolds(mm)-0.00015 x age (MR = 0.77 and SE = 0.0089). The equation was cross-validated on a different sample of 46 women. The correlation coefficient between predicted and hydrostatically determined body density was 0.813 (p < 0.001). Equation-E (Tahara's equation) appears to be useful in body density analysis particularly when the subjects are Japanese women, aged 18-50 yrs, with percent body fat 17 to 34%.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Body density assessment utilizing skinfold thickness and age in Japanese men].

A study was conducted to investigate the validity of skinfold-based prediction equations for body density (g/ml) by Nagamine and Suzuki (1964), and to formulate more convenient and more useful equations for predicting body density from skinfold and age in men. Subjects of the study were 257 healthy men aged 19-60 years in or near Nagasaki City. The regression equation for the dependent variable, body density, was determined by hydrostatic weighing. Independent variables included eight skinfolds, the sum of two skinfolds (triceps, subscapular), the sum of three skinfolds (triceps, subscapular, and abdominal), age, and body surface area. Skinfolds were measured with an Eiken-model skinfold caliper. Age (mean 33.1, range 19-60 yrs.), weight (mean 65.3, range 46.6-107.7 kg), height (mean 168.8, range 152.3-185.4 cm), and body density (mean 1.05874, range 1.00860-1.09020 g/ml) were also recorded. Percent body fat was calculated using the formula by Brozek et al. and ranged from 6.1% to 38.9%. Multiple correlation coefficients (MR) and standard error (SE) of 10 regression equations (A-J) for predicting body density in men were obtained. The best-fitting and the most convenient prediction equation for body density was equation-E.: body density = 1.09556-0.00062 x sum of three skinfolds (mm)-0.00028 x age (MR = 0.815 and SE = 0.0087 g/ml). The equation was cross-validated on a different sample of 45 men. The correlation coefficient between predicted and hydrostatically determined body density was 0.781 (p < 0.001). Equation-E (Tahara's equation) appears to be useful in body density analysis particularly when the subjects are Japanese men, aged 18-50 yrs, with percent body fat 10 to 30%.

Adult↗