Estimation of the branching ratio of the decay KL0-->e+e-e+e- from the KL0-->e+e-X process.
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Journal Article↗
Biomedical subjects
Y Yoshimura
Publications and source records attributed to Y Yoshimura.
Automated high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of hydroxylysylpyridinoline and lysylpyridinoline in urine using a column-switching method.
An on-line urine clean-up system was developed for the simultaneous determination of free and total pyridinoline, hydroxylysyl-pyridinoline (HP) and lysylpyridinoline (LP) by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a column-switching technique. The method is based on a combination of gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and ion-pair reversed-phase HPLC. In the GPC column, pyridinoline is preseparated from endogenous urinary substances with 0.03 M heptafluorobutyric acid (HFBA) as the mobile phase. After column switching, the eluate fraction containing pyridinoline is further separated by ion-pair chromatography using an octadecylsilica (ODS) column with 0.03 M HFBA-acetonitrile (81:19) as the mobile phase. The detection limits were 36 and 44 pmol/ml for free and total HP, respectively, and 44 pmol/ml for both free and total LP at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The coefficients of variation for free and total pyridinoline were 1.5 and 3.5%, respectively. The determination of one sample including the clean-up is completed within 25 min. This system is precise and is useful for the determination of pyridinoline in large amounts of urine. The usefulness of pyridinoline as a biomedical marker for bone resorption was also examined.
Amino Acids↗
Effect of intravenous immunoglobulin on inhibition of fibrinogen binding to platelets by sera from patients with immune thrombocytopenia.
We previously described an ELISA to measure the inhibition of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIb/IIIa) binding to fibrinogen due to immune complexes and/or anti-platelet antibodies from patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) or HIV-related ITP. Circulating immune complexes (CIC) were the main factor in the inhibition of GPIIb/IIIa binding to fibrinogen in HIV-related ITP, whereas in non-HIV ITP, inhibition was only partially due to CIC; anti-platelet antibodies specific to GPIIIa were also shown to play a role. In this study, we correlated the rise in the platelet count after intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusion with the decrease in inhibition of fibrinogen binding to GPIIb/IIIa by the sera of patients with ITP and HIV-related ITP. In the majority of the patients' sera tested, as the platelet count increased following the administration of IVIG, the degree of inhibition of GPIIb/IIIa binding to fibrinogen decreased. We also observed a decrease and/or disappearance of the antibodies specific to GPIIb and/or GPIIIa after IVIG administration. In HIV-seronegative ITP patients, the decrease or disappearance of anti-platelet antibodies directly correlated with the decreased inhibition of GPIIb/IIIa binding to fibrinogen by the 2% PEG supernatants of sera which contained anti-platelet antibodies. These findings suggest that IVIG directly affects the binding of CIC and anti-platelet antibodies to platelets and thereby improves platelet survival. Our results also suggest that the anti-idiotypic effect may contribute to IVIG's therapeutic action. In contrast, in the HIV-seropositive group, the decreased inhibition by PEG precipitates after IVIG administration was more strongly associated with an increase in the platelet count.
Antibodies↗
Mechanism of phosphate adsorption to a three-dimensional structure of boehmite in the presence of bovine serum albumin.
A new microcrystalline boehmite (tentatively named PT-A) was synthesized as an efficient phosphate adsorbent to replace aluminum hydroxide gel. The characteristic structure of PT-A was examined by nitrogen adsorption/desorption, X-ray diffraction, deviation microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy to establish a pore structural model of PT-A. With this model structure, the details of the mechanism of interaction between PT-A and phosphate in the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA) are discussed. PT-A is a spherical particle with a diameter of approximately 100 microns and a porous surface structure, and its inside is packed with boehmite microcrystals (crystallite size, 2 nm). PT-A has three types of pores in its structure: a micropore with a narrow size-distribution, a mesopore with a broad size-distribution, and a macropore (radii of pores are 0.7, 1-20, and approximately 300 nm, respectively). When phosphate was incubated with PT-A in human gastric and intestinal juices or in an aqueous solution containing BSA, the amounts of phosphate adsorbed by PT-A were not affected by the presence of proteins. The nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms and energy dispersive X-ray analyses demonstrated that phosphate could diffuse to the smaller tunnels freely even if the external surface of PT-A was covered with BSA. It was also demonstrated that the main site of adsorption for phosphate was in micropores of PT-A, whereas BSA was adsorbed only to the external surface and none entered inside smaller tunnels consisting of micro- and mesopores.
Adsorption↗
Immunolocalization of androgen receptor in the small, preovulatory, and postovulatory follicles of laying hens.
Previous studies have indicated that androgens may act directly on the ovarian follicles to regulate their functions. The aim of this study was to localize androgen receptor (AR) in the small, preovulatory and postovulatory follicles of laying hens by an immunocytochemical method and Western blot analysis. Small follicles embedded in the stroma (SF), small white follicles protruding from the surface of ovary (SWF), the third largest (F3) and largest follicles (F1), and the most recent postovulatory follicle (POF) were obtained from hens approximately 4 or 10 hr before the expected time of ovulation. Frozen sections of these follicles were immunostained by using anti-human AR antibody. Furthermore, the granulosa cells and theca tissue of preovulatory follicles (F1 and F2) approximately 4 hr before the expected time of ovulation were processed for western blot analysis for AR. The majority of granulosa cell of SF showed negligible AR immunoreaction, whereas all of the granulosa cells of SWF, F3, F1, and POF exhibited a strong AR immunoreaction. Thecal interstitial cells in SWF, F3, and F1 stained positive for AR, and those in POF showed only a weak immunoreaction. The thecal fibroblasts of SWF, F3, and F1 also showed a positive AR immunoreaction, whereas those of POF stained weakly. No significant difference in the AR localization in the ovary was observed between 4 and 10 hr before the expected time of ovulation. Western blot analysis indicated that the granulosa cells and thecal tissue contained AR protein of molecular weight of approximately 120,000.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Animals↗
Calcium control of actin-myosin-based contraction in Triton-treated murine bladder tumor cells.
Using mouse bladder tumor cells (MBT-2 cells) and epithelial cells, the present study evaluated the functional characteristics of the actomyosin system in bladder cancer cells. An immunofluorescence study demonstrated the presence of contractile proteins (actin and myosin) in MBT-2 cells as well as bladder epithelial cells. Triton-treated MBT-2 cells and epithelial cells showed a Ca(2+)-dependent contraction. This was inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide-modified myosin subfragment 1 (NEM-S1), demonstrating that the interaction between actin and myosin is responsible for the contraction of Triton-treated cells. The extent of Ca(2+)-dependent contraction was much greater in MBT-2 cells than in epithelial cells. These results suggest that MBT-2 cells possess a locomotive apparatus consisting of actin and myosin, and that Ca2+ can activate this actomyosin system, leading to the contraction or active locomotory movement of tumor cells.
Actins↗
Early repair of unilateral cleft lip employing a small triangular flap method and primary nasal correction.
We describe a technique for early unilateral cleft lip and nose repair in the neonatal period which we have used successfully in 84 cases. Some other children have had the same method used at a later time. The method has some advantages which we believe are particularly useful in neonatal repair.
Age Factors↗
Effects of growth hormone on follicle growth, oocyte maturation, and ovarian steroidogenesis.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of GH on follicle growth, oocyte maturation, ovulation, and ovarian steroidogenesis. DESIGN: In vitro perfused rabbit ovary. INTERVENTIONS: The rabbit ovaries were perfused with medium alone, with GH at 1, 10, 100, or 200 ng/mL, or with 50 IU hCG for 12 hours. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The follicle diameter, the percent change in follicle diameter, the percentage of oocytes achieving germinal vesicle breakdown, and the production of P and E2 by the perfused rabbit ovaries. RESULTS: The addition of GH to the perfusate increased the follicle diameter at 12 hours after perfusion in a dose-dependent manner. The percent change in follicle diameter in GH-treated ovaries did not differ significantly from that in hCG-treated ovaries at each time point of perfusion. However, ovulation did not occur in either the control ovaries or the experimental ovaries treated with GH. Exposure to GH at a concentration of > 10 ng/mL significantly stimulated the resumption of meiosis, as compared with the contralateral control ovaries. Although the concentration of P in the perfusate did not differ significantly between GH-treated and control ovaries, GH stimulated E2 production by the perfused rabbit ovaries in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Growth hormone acts on the rabbit ovary to stimulate follicle growth, oocyte maturation, and ovarian E2 production.
Animals↗
Comparative study of hormonal dynamics in pregnant and nonpregnant cycles during pulsatile subcutaneous administration of human menopausal gonadotropin in anovulatory infertile women.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical relevance of daily hormonal changes for achieving a successful pregnancy in anovulatory infertile women. DESIGN: A comparative study of hormonal dynamics in pregnant and nonpregnant cycles during the pulsatile subcutaneous administration of hMG. Subjects received subcutaneous injection of either 9.375 IU or 14.0625 IU of hMG diluted in 50-microL physiological saline (total daily dose, 150 or 225 IU) at 90-minute intervals by means of a portable peristaltic pump. SETTING: Kyorin University Hospital and Ichikawa General Hospital. PATIENTS: We analyzed 18 pregnant and 42 nonpregnant cycles in 17 patients with secondary hypothalamic/pituitary amenorrhea who conceived after receiving pulsatile hMG treatment. Another 14 women with normal spontaneous ovulation, including 14 pregnant and 15 nonpregnant cycles, served as controls. MEASUREMENTS: Serum concentrations of LH, FSH, E2, and P were measured, and the P:E2 ratio was determined. RESULTS: Serum concentrations of LH and FSH did not differ significantly between the pregnant and nonpregnant cycles. Serum levels of P and E2 were significantly higher during the hMG treatments than those of the spontaneous ovulatory cycles throughout the follicular and luteal phases. Up to the midluteal phase, the P and E2 values in the nonpregnant cycles during the hMG treatments did not differ significantly from those in the pregnant cycles. The P:E2 ratios were comparable between the pulsatile stimulatory cycles and the normal spontaneous ovulatory cycles. However, the P:E2 ratio in the early and midluteal phases was significantly greater in the pregnant cycles than in the nonpregnant cycles. CONCLUSION: The P:E2 ratio in the early and midluteal phases is a more important indicator of hormonal function for implantation than the absolute levels of either P or E2.
Adult↗
Superoxide anion generation from peripheral blood neutrophils stimulated by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine in oromaxillary cancer patients.
Superoxide anion (O2-) generation levels in peripheral blood neutrophils stimulated by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine were evaluated in patients with oromaxillary cancer. The levels in patients with benign tumors were nearly equal to those of normal controls. Patients with squamous cell carcinoma in stage I and II had levels that were widely distributed. On the other hand, O2- generation levels in the advanced stages (III and IV) of squamous cell carcinoma showed lower levels than those of controls (P < .01). All cases of oromaxillary carcinoma showed low levels of O2- generation within 1 month before death compared with controls (P < .01). The generation levels of O2- in the posttreatment period were lower than those before combination cancer treatments. Among cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery, and irradiation, the latter had the strongest effects on O2- generation. These results suggest that low levels of O2- generation by peripheral blood neutrophils may reflect a worsening status of oromaxillary cancer patients.
Adenocarcinoma↗
Treatment of uterine leiomyomas in perimenopausal women with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists.
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Administration, Intranasal↗
Locally produced angiotensin II induces ovulation by stimulating prostaglandin production in in vitro perfused rabbit ovaries.
The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of exogenous and endogenous angiotensin II (Ang II) in ovarian steroidogenesis and production of prostaglandin (PG) in in vitro perfused rabbit ovaries. The addition of 100 or 10 micrograms Ang II at 2-h intervals to the perfusate did not stimulate progesterone production, but significantly stimulated estradiol (E2) production by perfused rabbit ovaries. When the specific antagonist of Ang II, saralasin at 2 x 10(-6) M, was added to the perfusate 30 min before the onset of Ang II administration, Ang II-stimulated production of E2 was significantly blocked. Ang II also significantly stimulated both PGE2 and PGF2 alpha production, while the addition of saralasin to the perfusate significantly inhibited the Ang II-stimulated production of PG. The levels of PGs in ovaries perfused with saralasin plus 100 micrograms Ang II did not differ significantly from those in control ovaries perfused with medium alone. Exposure to human CG (hCG) significantly stimulated production of progesterone and E2 by perfused rabbit ovaries, while the concomitant administration of 2 x 10(-6) M saralasin significantly reduced only E2 production. Addition of saralasin to the perfusate inhibited hCG-stimulated PG production in a dose-dependent manner. The ovulatory efficiency in ovaries treated with hCG alone or hCG plus saralasin was significantly correlated with PG production by perfused rabbit ovaries at 12 h after exposure to hCG. The production of PG stimulated by Ang II was completely reduced by indomethacin treatment during the entire perfusion period. Indomethacin completely blocked Ang II-induced ovulation, but not Ang II-stimulated oocyte maturation. Concurrent administration of staurosporine, a protein kinase C inhibitor, at 10(-6) M significantly inhibited Ang II-stimulated meiotic maturation of ovulated ova and follicular oocytes. In conclusion, these results indicate that Ang II has a direct role in ovarian production of E2 and PG. An intrinsic renin-angiotensin system in the rabbit ovary may act as an intermediary of gonadotropin-stimulated PG production. Locally produced Ang II may induce ovulation in the rabbit ovary, at least in part, by stimulating PG production.
Angiotensin II↗
Purification of water-soluble bone-inductive protein from bovine demineralized bone matrix.
The water-soluble fraction containing bone-inductive activity was purified from guanidine-hydrochloride extracts of bovine demineralized bone. The purification steps include ultrafiltration, dialysis, affinity chromatography on heparin-Sepharose and gel chromatography on Sephacryl S-200. Combination of these steps was proven to be an effective and rapid method for the purification of this protein. Subcutaneous implantation of the water-soluble protein with type I collagen was carried out in the thorax of rats. When alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium content in implants were used as indices for purification, the water-soluble bone-inductive protein was purified > 600-fold according to the enzyme activity and 64-fold according to the calcium content. A morphological examination revealed that many chondrocyte and osteoblast cells were seen in the location of the implanted material. Sodium dodecyl sulfate/gel electrophoresis of the protein produced in this way under non-reducing conditions revealed four protein bands of 18, 16, 14 and 11 kDa. None of the separated bands had any biological activity. This result suggests that the water-soluble bone-inductive activity depends on an associated form of various proteins in the range of 18 to 11 kDa.
Alkaline Phosphatase↗
Ultrastructural changes of oocyte and follicular wall during oocyte maturation in the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).
This study examined structural changes in oocyte and follicular wall during oocyte maturation in Japanese quails. The structures of the germinal disc and the surrounding follicular wall were observed by light and electron microscopy 25, 6 and 1 h before the expected time of ovulation. The germinal disc of the oocyte was located near the oocyte plasma membrane at 25 h before ovulation, and the germinal vesicle was located in the centre of the germinal disc. Numerous cytoplasmic elements, such as elongated membrane-bound vesicles, mitochondria and glycogen granules were also observed in the germinal disc. The surface of the oocyte made close contact with the cytoplasmic processes of the granulosa cells. Six hours before ovulation, fluid filled spaces formed between the oocyte and follicular wall. At 6 h before ovulation, the germinal disc was similar to that at 25 h before ovulation, whereas the oocyte and the granulosa cells were disconnected. Myelin bodies and dense bodies developed in the cytoplasmic processes of the granulosa cells, suggesting that lysosomal enzymes were activated. In the follicle at 1 h before ovulation, the second maturation spindle was located just beneath the surface of the oocyte, and the first polar body was in the perivitelline space. In the germinal disc, the membrane-bound vesicles were swollen and well developed. We suggest that, during the process of early oocyte maturation, the junctions between the oocyte and granulosa cells are disconnected, and factors that promote oocyte maturation may be activated in the germinal disc since the membrane-bound vesicles are developed.
Animals↗
Electron microscope observations on LH-induced oocyte maturation in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).
The aim of this study was to describe the temporal sequence of ultrastructural changes in the boundary between the preovulatory oocyte and its surrounding follicular wall during maturation induced by injection of LH. Female Japanese quail were injected with ovine LH (20 micrograms per bird) 10-12 h before the expected time of ovulation. The largest and second largest follicles were excised before or 1, 2, 4 or 6 h after injection. The oocyte and the surrounding follicular wall were processed for observations using light and electron microscopy. Before injection of LH, cytoplasmic projections of granulosa cells interdigitated with microvilli on the surface of the oocyte and formed spot desmosomes and gap junctions with the oolemma. Two hours after injection of LH, the germinal vesicles in the largest but not in the second largest follicles began to break down and membrane-bound vesicles increased in number and size in the surrounding germinal disc. The junctions between the oocyte surface and the granulosa cell projections started to dissociate and a perivitelline space began to develop, possibly as the result of an accumulation of fluids transported from the capillary sinus in the theca interna. The first maturation spindle was formed 4 h after injection of LH, whereas the first polar body and the second maturation spindle were formed 6 h after LH stimulation. These observations suggest that the dissociation of connections between the oocyte and granulosa cells 2 h after exposure to increased concentration of LH is the first process of oocyte maturation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Animals↗
Seasonal changes of parathyroid hormone in chronic hemodialysis patients.
We investigated various factors related to secondary hyperparathyroidism among hemodialysis patients. Subjects were 26 patients (20 men and 6 women) ranging in age from 24 to 75, treated at an ordinary hemodialysis center throughout the year 1991. The serum inorganic phosphate level and serum intact PTH level varied greatly from 2.5 to 12.5 mg/dl and from 10 to 1,102 pg/ml (normal range, 10-60 pg/ml), respectively. All patients were classified according to the serum intact PTH level into two groups: those with less than 120 pg/ml (Group I) and those with 120 pg/ml or more (Group II). The patients in Group I responded well to hemodialysis and drug therapy, but those in Group II were likely to have secondary hyperparathyroidism. In all patients in Group II, the PTH level increased markedly in the summer. This may be attributed to insufficient ingestion of calcium, vitamins, and other nutrients due to loss of appetite.
Adult↗
[Anesthetic management for cesarean section of a patient with transient diabetes insipidus and acute severe liver dysfunction].
A 26-year old woman presented with acute hepato-renal dysfunction, coagulation abnormalities and diabetes insipidus associated with hypernatremia in the latter term of pregnancy (39 weeks). Such transient diabetes insipidus during pregnancy as in this case has been reported to be resistant to AVP, but to respond to DDAVP. Because of fetal compromise, an urgent cesarean section was performed. Spinal anesthesia was chosen because of the possible deleterious effects of general anesthesia on liver function. After delivery of twin babies, her symptoms recovered gradually. In conclusion, diabetes insipidus during pregnancy as in this case is transient and disappear after delivery. However, multiple organ dysfunction may become worse and cause fetal death, unless surgical procedure with appropriate anesthetic management is performed.
Acute Disease↗
The changes of c-fos mRNA expression in the protein kinase C activated-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells cultured in a low-calcium environment.
The effect of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA) on the c-fos mRNA expression in the osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells cultured in a low-calcium environment was examined. The c-fos mRNA expression in MC3T3-E1 cells with the treatment of TPA was enhanced under the low-calcium environment. This fact suggests that TPA induced-protein kinase C enhancement produced the increase of c-fos mRNA expression, and that protein kinase C may be intimately involved in c-fos mRNA expression.
Calcium↗