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PubMed1998

[Leukocyte differentiation by MICRO21 system using neural networking as a type of artificial intelligence].

NeuralVision is a type of artificial intelligence that has the ability to identify specific microscopic objects. The MICRO21 system uses neural networking to analyze the features of blood cells; color, shape, size, and density, just as a technologist would. The basic nucleated blood cell processing procedure of the MICRO21 is divided into three general categories; location, segmentation, and classification. Classification takes place using the Neural Network and is fine tuned during post-processing. We evaluated the performance of the MICRO21 automated differential vs. manual differential method. The intra-assay of leukocyte differentiation by MICRO21 was fairly good in normal samples with normal leukocyte counts. The neutrophils, lymphocytes and eosinophils count correlated well between MICRO21 and visual count. Post-processing was performed after the Neural Network has initially classified the cell, in which the confidence levels of MICRO21 to visual count was 87%. By post-processing, coincidence ratio of cell-by-cell by MICRO21 and visual count has been improved to 97%. Based on the above, MICRO21 is an effective and efficient system for locating, storing and displaying images of white blood cells, in which the technologist could determine specific characteristics of cells in each laboratory. Furthermore, the system may be applied to any blood cell and would be important from the perspective of cytological and morphological analysis, such as blood cells in bone marrow and body fluid, in the future.

Artificial Intelligence↗
PubMed1999

A 1-hour enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for quantitation of acrolein- and hydroxynonenal-modified proteins by epitope-bound casein matrix method.

A simple and rapid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method for quantitation of acrolein and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE)-modified proteins was developed. Microtiter plate wells were precoated and blocked simultaneously with epitope-bound bovine caseins as matrix proteins, and aldehyde-modified proteins were quantitated by a competition assay with a monoclonal antibody specific for acrolein-modified lysine or HNE-modified histidine epitopes. Minimal reaction times required for the coating/blocking; first monoclonal antibody and the peroxidase-conjugated second antibody binding steps were 3, 3, and 7 min, respectively, the former two steps being found to be or akin to diffusion-rate-limiting reactions. The convenient ELISA should find an application for analyses of the intricate processes involved in oxidative stress and carcinogenic insult. The epitope-attachment methodology may also be advantageous for the quantitation of various other biologically important haptenic molecules.

Acrolein↗
PubMed1996

Flow competition of the right gastroepiploic artery graft in coronary revascularization.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, there has been a substantial increase in the use of arterial grafts for coronary revascularization. Arterial grafts are more vulnerable than saphenous vein grafts to hypoperfusion syndrome. The purpose of this study was to examine flow competition between the right gastroepiploic artery and native coronary arteries in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: Between December 1989 and July 1995, 182 patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting using the right gastroepiploic artery. Coronary flow patterns were examined in 172 patients by postoperative angiography. Flow patterns were divided into four types: right gastroepiploic artery dependent (n = 128), balanced (n = 24), native dependent (n = 18), or occluded (n = 2). RESULTS: All grafts with an old myocardial infarction (n = 75) and 94% of grafts with 99% stenosis (n = 16) were classified in the right gastroepiploic artery-dependent category. In patients with angina pectoris, flow patterns were more frequently classified as right gastroepiploic artery dependent, with increasingly severe native coronary artery proximal stenoses (99% > 90% > 75%) or with stenoses more distal in location. CONCLUSIONS: Flow competition depended on three factors: the viability of the revascularized area, the degree of proximal stenosis, and the location of stenosis. Right gastroepiploic artery grafts should be selected for coronary artery bypass grafting with consideration of these three factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Laparoscopic observations of hepatic capsular abnormalities: non-postoperative adhesions and hepatic capsular thickening.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic capsular abnormalities (adhesions or thickening) are often striking at laparoscopy. However, their diagnosis is difficult because capsular abnormalities can also be caused by several pathologic conditions. The aim of this study was to systematically investigate the associated factors and prevalence of laparoscopically observed non-postoperative adhesions and hepatic capsular thickening. METHODS: We reviewed all data and studied laparoscopically observed hepatic capsular abnormalities (non-postoperative adhesions and thickening) in 2500 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopy from 1981 to 1997. RESULTS: Non-postoperative adhesions were observed in 14.6% of cases and their frequency increased with age. Although several types of adhesions, from band-like to membrane-like, were seen, there were no correlations between type and underlying pathologic conditions, except tuberculous peritonitis with membrane-like adhesions and Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome with violin string-like adhesions. Hepatic capsular thickening was observed in 9.7% of cases. The main associated factor was viral hepatitis followed by other liver diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic capsular abnormalities are observed relatively frequently (21.5%) during laparoscopy. Initial laparoscopic diagnosis of non-postoperative adhesions may help in selecting patients with tuberculous peritonitis and Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome for appropriate treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Temperature dependence of oxygen reduction activity at Nafion-coated bulk Pt and Pt/carbon black catalysts.

Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity and H(2)O(2) formation at Nafion-coated film electrodes of bulk-Pt and Pt nanoparticles dispersed on carbon black (Pt/CB) were investigated in 0.1 M HClO(4) solution at 30 to 110 degrees C by using a channel flow double electrode method. We have found that the apparent rate constants k(app) (per real Pt active surface area) for the ORR at bulk-Pt (with and without Nafion-coating) and Nafion-coated Pt/CB (19.3 and 46.7 wt % Pt, d(Pt) = 2.6 to 2.7 nm) thin-film electrodes were in beautiful agreement with each other in the operation conditions of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs), i.e., 30-110 degrees C and ca. 0.7 to 0.8 V vs RHE. The H(2)O(2) yield was 0.6-1.0% at 0.7-0.8 V on all Nafion-coated Pt/CB and bulk-Pt and irrespective of Pt-loading level and temperature. Nafion coating was pointed out to be a major factor for the H(2)O(2) formation on Pt catalysts modifying the surface property, because H(2)O(2) production was not detected at the bulk-Pt electrode without Nafion coating.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Helicobacter pylori infection influences nocturnal gastric acid breakthrough.

BACKGROUND: Nocturnal gastric acid breakthrough is defined as night-time periods when gastrin pH falls below 4.0 for greater than 1h during administration of a proton pump inhibitor. This phenomenon is a serious problem for patients who require strict control of their gastric acid secretions. AIM: To investigate the prevalence of nocturnal gastric acid breakthrough in Japanese subjects during administration of rabeprazole, and to clarify the relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and nocturnal gastric acid breakthrough. METHODS: Thirty-one normal male volunteers were examined by ambulatory 24 h gastric pH monitoring four times: without medication, after a morning or an evening dose of 20 mg rabeprazole, and after administration of an H2-receptor antagonist at bedtime, in addition to the morning dose of rabeprazole. H. pylori infection was determined by the 13C-urea breath test and an assay for serum anti-H. pylori antibody. RESULT: Nocturnal gastric acid breakthrough was observed in 12 patients (39%) after the morning dose of 20 mg rabeprazole. In all cases, nocturnal gastric acid breakthrough was inhibited completely by administration of the H2-receptor antagonist at bedtime. Only one patient with nocturnal gastric acid breakthrough had H. pylori infection. CONCLUSION: The absence of H. pylori infection appears to be closely related to the occurrence of nocturnal gastric acid breakthrough during dosing with a proton pump inhibitor.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗
PubMed2002

Serum cystatin-C values in children by age and their fluctuation during dehydration.

BACKGROUND: Serum creatinine level (Cr) is extensively used as an index of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) with bedside patients. As serum Cr level differ by the muscle volume, the use of serum Cr as an index of GFR has long been considered problematic in children. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 135 healthy children aged from 1 to 15-years-old. As a pathological condition, the changes in serum cystatin C (Cys-C) in the children whose blood urea nitrogen exceeded 20 mg/dL during the acute stage of dehydration were also investigated. RESULTS: The mean serum Cys-C value was 0.67 +/- 0.19 mg/L on the whole. There was not any male-female difference. The mean serum Cys-C values of the 12 cases in the acute stage and the recovery stage were 0.61 +/- 0.12 mg/L and 0.64 +/- 0.14 mg/L, respectively, indicating no significant difference. CONCLUSION: Serum Cys-C is considered as a favorable index of GFR in children because it is not influenced by age and sex. As it is not influenced by the prerenal factors either, serum Cys-C is useful in children over 1-years-old.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Effect of propofol on spinal dorsal horn neurons. Comparison with lack of ketamine effects.

BACKGROUND: Pentobarbital reduces low-threshold receptive field (RF) size and enhances responses of some spinal dorsal horn neurons to noxious stimulation in cats. To better understand the effects of general anesthetics on spinal sensory processing, this study was designed to determine if intravenous propofol and ketamine have similar effects. METHODS: Spinal dorsal horn neuronal responses to RF stimulation were observed in physiologically intact, awake, drug-free cats. After baseline observations were made, the effects of propofol (7.5 or 10 mg/kg intravenous) or ketamine (10 mg/kg intravenous) on those neuronal responses were observed. RESULTS: Propofol is capable of producing a profound reduction in low-threshold RF size. Propofol also depressed neuronal responses to non-noxious and noxious RF stimulation in many of the neurons tested. Ketamine was not observed to produce any change in either RF size or neuronal response to non-noxious RF stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: General anesthetics that interact with gamma aminobutyric acid receptors may significantly depress low-threshold sensory information within the spinal dorsal horn. This may contribute to anesthetic-induced loss of sensation. Lack of a ketamine effect suggests an absence of n-methyl-d-aspartate receptor involvement in spinal dorsal horn processing of low threshold sensory information.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2004

Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography for inferior vena caval tumor thrombus in renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the advantages of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) during inferior vena caval tumor thrombectomy in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). METHODS: Five patients with RCC that extended into the inferior vena cava (IVC) underwent radical nephrectomy. To remove the tumor thrombus in the IVC, an inflated Fogarty balloon catheter was used to pull the thrombus below the level of the hepatic veins with real-time TEE monitoring. RESULTS: In all cases, TEE monitoring during surgery provided an accurate and excellent view of the IVC thrombus. TEE was particularly helpful for the thrombectomy to minimize hepatic mobilization by using occlusion balloon catheter in two patients whose thrombus extended to the intrahepatic IVC. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative real-time TEE monitoring is a safe, minimally invasive technique that can provide accurate information regarding the presence and extent of IVC involvement, guidance for placement of a vena caval clamp, confirmation of complete removal of the IVC thrombus and intervention using catheters to assist in thrombectomy.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Application of electron tomography to fungal ultrastructure studies.

Access to structural information at the nanoscale enables fundamental insights into many complex biological systems. The development of the transmission electron microscope (TEM) has vastly increased our understanding of multiple biological systems. However, when attempting to visualize and understand the organizational and functional complexities that are typical of cells and tissues, the standard 2-D analyses that TEM affords often fall short. In recent years, high-resolution electron tomography methods, coupled with advances in specimen preparation and instrumentation and computational speed, have resulted in a revolution in the biological sciences. Electron tomography is analogous to medical computerized axial tomography (CAT-scan imaging) except at a far finer scale. It utilizes the TEM to assemble multiple projections of an object which are then combined for 3-D analyses. For biological specimens, tomography enables the highest 3-D resolution (5 nm spatial resolution) of internal structures in relatively thick slices of material (0.2-0.4 microm) without requiring the collection and alignment of large numbers of thin serial sections. Thus accurate and revealing 3-D reconstructions of complex cytoplasmic entities and architecture can be obtained. Electron tomography is now being applied to a variety of biological questions with great success. This review gives a brief introduction into cryopreservation and electron tomography relative to aspects of cytoplasmic organization in the hyphal tip of Aspergillus nidulans.

Aspergillus nidulans↗
PubMed2004

Coexistence of multiple genotypes, including newly identified genotypes, in outbreaks of gastroenteritis due to Norovirus in Japan.

Norovirus (NV) (formerly called Norwalk-like virus) is the most common cause of acute nonbacterial gastroenteritis in humans. Recently, we reported an NV genotyping scheme based on variability in the capsid N-terminal/shell (N/S) domain gene (Katayama et al., Virology 299:225-239, 2002). We found 19 genotypes, including nine of genogroup I and 10 of genogroup II. In the present study, we investigated the molecular epidemiology of NV from 66 outbreaks that occurred in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, from 1997 to 2002. We screened 416 stool specimens by a real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR method (Kageyama et al., J. Clin. Microbiol. 41:1548-1557, 2003) and detected 156 NV-positive specimens, from which we amplified the capsid N/S domain gene by RT-PCR and then cloned the PCR products. After sequencing these clones, we obtained 368 sequence variants (strains). By applying our classification scheme to the strains from Saitama and other published strains, we identified a total of 31 genotypes, including an additional five genotypes for genogroup I and seven for genogroup II. Of the 31 genotypes, 26 were present in the Saitama area during that time period. These results provide additional evidence for the great diversity of human NV genotypes. Specimens from all shellfish-related infections contained multiple genotypes, including several new genotypes. On the other hand, single genotypes were observed mostly in outbreaks that originated in semiclosed communities. Thus, the number of NV genotypes in each outbreak depended on the route of transmission.

Caliciviridae Infections↗
PubMed1977

A comparative study on lysosomal accumulation of gallium-67 and indium-111 in Morris hepatoma 7316A.

Intracellular localization of Ga-67 and In-111 was investigated in Morris hepatoma 7316A and in normal Buffalo rat liver cells by a cell fractionation method at 48 hr after an intraperitoneal injection of the nuclides. Lysosomal fractions of the tumor and normal liver cells had the highest relative specific radioactivities of the nuclides (p less than 0.001). In a gradual solubilization experiment, the release of the nuclides at the same time as the acid phosphatase from the lysosomal fractions (p less than 0.001) was thought to indicate that lysosomes are the site of accumulation for both nuclides whether in tumor or normal liver cells. Fragility of the tumor lysosomes might be inferred from the significantly greater regression coefficient in relation to the lysosomal fraction of tumor cells than that of normal liver cells when labeled with Ga-67 (p less than 0.001). The poorer confidence limit for the regression coefficient in relation to the lysosomal fraction of tumor cells labeled with Ga-67 seemed to indicate that Ga-67 determines lysosomal functions of tumor cells more precisely than In-111.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of combination therapy with UFT plus cisplatin (UFTP) on the survival of mice in the experimental model for wide-spread metastasis in the peritoneal cavity of gastrointestinal cancer using colon 26 PMF-15 cells.

The prognosis of unresectable advanced gastric cancer patients, especially with wide-spread metastasis in the peritoneal cavity, is very poor. In such cases, only a few treatment methods are available, and chemotherapy as a systemic therapy is often selected. We recently devised an experimental model for wide-spread metastasis in the peritoneal cavity of gastrointestinal cancer, by intraperitoneally implanting colon 26 murine carcinoma PMF-15 cells. When the control mice were autopsied, a number of tumor nodules were formed in their mesenterium, pancreas, liver, etc. and pools of ascites were also occasionally seen. Using this model, oral UFT (combining tegafur and uracil at a molar ratio of 1:4) plus cisplatin (UFTP regimen) prolonged the survival of mice and maintained these mice in relatively better condition than with continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil plus cisplatin (FP regimen). Since UFT can be used orally, patients receiving UFTP therapy are not required to stay in a hospital for long periods, but rather, are intermittently hospitalized for short periods of time. Better QOL and prolonged survival highlight the potential clinical usefulness of the UFTP therapy.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Uridine phosphorylase is a potential prognostic factor in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Uridine phosphorylase (UPase) catalyzes the reversible phosphorolysis of uridine to uracil. The expression levels and the enzymatic activity of UPase are reported to be higher in human solid tumors than in adjacent normal tissues. However, to the authors' knowledge the clinical significance of UPase expression as determined by immunohistochemical analysis has not been demonstrated in human malignancies. METHODS: The authors prepared the antibody against UPase, examined the staining of UPase in 72 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with immunohistochemical analysis using the antibody, and analyzed its relation to clinical and pathologic factors. RESULTS: UPase stained mainly within the invasive edges of tumors and macrophages. UPase-positive staining was observed in 56 of the 72 tumors (77.8%). High staining of UPase (defined as > 50% of cells in a tumor biopsy that are positive for UPase) in primary tumors frequently was associated with the presence of metastasis to lymph nodes (P = 0.007 by the Fischer exact test) and with lower overall survival (P = 0.03 by the log-rank test). CONCLUSIONS: The high rate of UPase staining in biopsies from patients with oral SCC may be a prognostic marker for these individuals.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Splicing patterns of type XI collagen transcripts act as molecular markers for osteochondrogenic tumors.

Primary transcripts for three distinct alpha chains of the type XI collagen molecule (alpha1(XI), alpha2(XI) and alpha3[XI]) undergo tissue-specific alternative splicing during the process of osteochondrogenesis. In the present study, we analyzed the splicing patterns of type XI collagen genes in osteochondrogenic tumors as well as in various normal tissues using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction method. Analysis of normal subjects revealed the coordinated expression of short alpha1(XI), alpha2(XI) and alpha3(XI) transcripts in the normal differentiated cartilage. Osteochondroma followed this pattern, reflecting the highly chondrogenic phenotype of this benign tumor. Another benign tumor, chondroblastoma, exclusively expressed the long alpha1(XI) transcript, probably reflecting the lack of a chondrogenic nature. Among malignant chondrogenic tumors, the splicing patterns of type XI collagen transcripts were more complex, showing dissociated expression of long alpha1(XI) and short alpha2(XI) mRNAs. This expression pattern may reflect heterogeneous cell populations and may also reflect various levels of cell differentiation in malignant tumors. In addition, short alpha3(XI) expression switched to the long transcript as chondrosarcomas became more aggressive. Thus, the alternative splicing of type XI collagen genes seems to be oncodevelopmentally regulated and splicing analysis may therefore be a useful marker for chondrogenic tumors.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed2000

Detection of intracellular interleukin-2 production in peripheral T lymphocytes by flow cytometry in patients with pancreatobiliary malignancies.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To date, it has been reported that cellular immunity is decreased in patients with cancer and investigations into cytokine production has been insufficient. Therefore, we examined intracellular cytokine production by using flow cytometry in patients with cancer and discussed the reasons for the impairment of their immune system. METHODS: Eleven patients with hepatobiliary malignancies (68.5+/-11.8 years of age), eight age-matched controls (70.0+/-12.0 years of age) and 10 young volunteers (31.9+/-3.1 years of age) were used in the present study. Stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from these patients were stained with fluorescence-labeled anticytokine monoclonal antibodies and analyzed with a Fluorescence activated cell sorter (FAC)Scan. RESULTS: The percentage of positively stained T cells was calculated and compared with controls. Repeated measured ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Interleukin (IL)-2 production was significantly decreased in patients with cancer compared to controls (P=0.0122), and it may suggest decreased cellular immune activity of the patients. Simultaneously, spontaneous intracellular IL-4 production was observed in patients and age-matched controls, but levels were significantly increased when compared with the young volunteers (P=0.0052, P=0.031, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: It was of interest that spontaneous intracellular IL-4 production was detected in elderly subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Estimation of effective population size for the long-lived darkblotched rockfish Sebastes crameri.

We report the variance effective population size (Ne) in darkblotched rockfish (Sebastes crameri) utilizing the temporal method for overlapping generations, which requires a combination of age-specific demography and genetic information from cohorts. Following calculations of age-specific survival and reproductive success from fishery data, we genotyped a sample (n = 1087) comprised by 6 cohorts (from 1995 to 2000) across 7 microsatellite loci. Our Ne estimate (Ne) plus 95% confidence interval was (Ne) = 9157 [6495-12 215], showing that the breeding population number could be 3-4 orders of magnitude smaller than the census population size (N) = 24 376 210). Our estimates resemble closely those found for fishes with similar life history, suggesting that the small (Ne)/(N) ratio for S. crameri is most likely explained by a combination of high variance in reproductive success among individuals, genetic structure, and demographic perturbations such as historical fishing. Because small (Ne)/(N) ratios have been commonly associated with potential loss of genetic variation, our estimates need careful consideration in rockfish management and conservation.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

A novel method to estimate the contribution of the vapor activity of essential oils in agar diffusion assay.

By the combined use of agar diffusion, agar vapor and agar vapor-inhibitory assays, contribution of the vapor activity of essential oils was quantitatively estimated. The test organisms were Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Aspergillus fumigatus. Agar vapor assay was used to confirm the vapor activity of the oils. The parameter delta defined as a contribution index of the vapor activity was calculated by (1 - b-c/a-c) x 100, where a is inhibitory diameter in the diffusion assay, b is inhibitory diameter in the vapor-inhibitory assay and c is diameter of the sealed ring in the vapor-inhibitory assay (21 mm). Many of the essential oils examined showed a delta value near 100, thus providing the major contribution of the vapor activity to the inhibitory diameter. Essential oils containing aldehyde as major constituent showed low delta value, indicating the major inhibition was due to agar diffusion. Major essential oil components behaved similarly; the delta value was increased in the following order: aldehyde < phenol < alcohol < ester, oxide, hydrocarbon, indicating the enhanced contribution of the vapor activity in that order.

Agar↗