PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Handa

Publications and source records attributed to A Handa.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor induced intranuclear endonuclease in murine leukemia cell line.

We have reported that murine leukemia cell line (C2M-A5) induced apoptosis by G-CSF. To clarify the mechanism, mRNA expression of apoptosis-related genes was studied. It revealed transient over-expression of c-myc, H-ras and p53 and down-expression of bcl-2. These changes were known as triggers of endonuclease induction. After 96 h culture with G-CSF, apoptosis was occurred simultaneously with endonuclease (37 kd) activation. This endonuclease induced the digestion of double-strand DNA and might be associated with caspase3. Although G-CSF accelerates cell growth and prevents apoptosis in general, it is a contradictory effect. We concluded that G-CSF induced endogenous endonuclease activity in C2M-A5.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Solubility, tensile, and color properties of modified soy protein isolate films.

Protein solubility (PS) values of different soy protein isolate (SPI) films were determined in water, 0.01 N HCl, 0.01 N NaOH, 4 M urea, and 0.2 M 2-mercaptoethanol. Tensile and color (L, a, and b values) properties of films also were determined. Control films were cast from heated (70 degrees C for 20 min), alkaline (pH 10) aqueous solutions of SPI (5 g/100 mL of water) and glycerin (50% w/w of SPI). Additional films were cast after incorporation of dialdehyde starch (DAS) at 10% w/w of SPI or small amounts of formaldehyde in the film-forming solutions. Also, control film samples were subjected to heat curing (90 degrees C for 24 h), UV radiation (51.8 J/m(2)), or adsorption of formaldehyde vapors. PS of control films was highest (P < 0.05) in 2-mercaptoethanol, confirming the importance of disulfide bonds in SPI film formation. All treatments were effective in reducing (P < 0.05) film PS in all solvents. Both DAS and adsorbed formaldehyde rendered the protein in films practically insoluble in all solvents. Adsorption of formaldehyde vapors and heat curing also substantially increased (P < 0.05) film tensile strength from 8.2 to 15.8 or 14.7 MPa, respectively. However, heat curing decreased (P < 0.05) film elongation at break from 30 to 6%. Most treatments had small but significant (P < 0.05) effects on b color values, with DAS-containing films having the greatest (P < 0. 05) mean b value (most yellowish). Also, DAS-containing, heat-cured, and UV-irradiated films were darker, as evidenced by their lower (P < 0.05) L values, than control films. It was demonstrated that PS of SPI films can be notably modified through chemical or physical treatments prior to or after casting.

Color↗
PubMed2000

Prevalence of the newly described human circovirus, TTV, in United States blood donors.

BACKGROUND: A novel nonenveloped single-stranded circular DNA virus (TTV) was recently identified. The prevalence of TTV in blood donors in the United States is, however, still unclear. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Viral DNA was detected in US blood donors from five cities by using two sets of TTV primers: NG059/NG061/NG063 primers, which amplified the conserved region of strains 1 and 2, and T801/T935 primers, which amplified the 5' end region of the TTV sequence. A TTV antibody assay system was based on the detection of the truncated open reading frame (ORF)-1 (amino acids 1-411) from type 1b. The truncated ORF-1 was expressed as a fusion protein in Escherichia coli, and the fusion protein was used as the antigen in the antibody assay system. RESULTS: Viremia was detected in 21 (8. 4%) of 250 donors by use of NG059/NG061/NG063 primers and 104 (41. 6%) of 250 by use of T801/T935 primers. There was little correlation among the assays, which suggests the preferential detection of different strains with the different primers. TTV antibody was detected in 38 of 100 donors: 32 (84%) of 38 with concurrent TTV viremia and 6 (16%) of 38 without TTV viremia. TTV viremia and/or TTV antibody-positive samples were detected in 52 (52%) of 100 of US blood donors. CONCLUSION: Evidence of infection or exposure to TTV appears to be common among blood donors in United States.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed2000

GB virus C/Hepatitis G virus infection is frequent in American children and young adults.

The novel flavivirus GB virus C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) has been detected in approximately 2% of blood donors in the United States, and neutralizing antibody to the envelope protein (E2), a marker of previous infection with GBV-C/HGV, is present in approximately 9% of donors. The rate of GBV-C/HGV infection among American children is unknown. To determine whether viral infection might occur during childhood, 160 serum specimens (obtained from blood bank samples) from children and young adults with no history of transfusion were tested. Viral RNA and antibody to E2 were detected in 6.3% and 9.4% of subjects, respectively. Evidence of previous or current infection (viremia and/or antibody to E2) was detected in 13.8% of subjects, indicating that GBV-C/HGV infection appears to be common among American children and young adults, even in the absence of blood transfusion.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

GB virus C/hepatitis G virus replicates in human haematopoietic cells and vascular endothelial cells.

A novel flavivirus, GB virus C (GBV-C)/hepatitis G virus (HGV), has been detected in chronic liver disease patients. It is known that the viral RNA can be detected in approximately 5% of American blood donors. However, the implications for liver disease and the sites of virus replication remain unknown. Possible sites of virus replication were studied by using cell lines and/or primary cells derived from human lymphoid cells, myeloid cells, hepatocytes and endothelial cells. RNA was detected by virus strand-specific RT-PCR and GBV-C/HGV antigen was detected with a rabbit polyclonal anti-E2 (envelope 2) antibody by Western blot analysis. Negative-strand RNA, representative of replicating virus, was detected in lymphoid and megakaryocytoid cell lines and primary vascular endothelial cells. In addition, an increase in virus titre over time was demonstrated and viral antigen was detected, and virus could be passaged to infect fresh cells. However, viral RNA or antigen could not be detected in any of the hepatocyte lines tested. These results indicate that the replication site of GBV-C/HGV is not primarily in hepatocytes and that detection of replicating virus in hepatic tissue may reflect virus replication in haematopoietic cells and/or vascular endothelial cells present in the liver.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Combined use of cellulose acetate polymer and retrievable platinum coils for the thrombosis of cervical carotid aneurysms.

Cellulose acetate polymer (CAP) solution is a new liquid embolic material, and it has been used clinically for the thrombosis of cerebral aneurysms. The purpose of the study was to test a method of aneurysm treatment. In an experimental model, retrievable interlocking detachable coils (IDCs) were used to create an intraaneurysmal frame or prop and then CAP was injected into 20 experimentally induced canine cervical aneurysms. Intraaneurysmal thrombosis was induced 1 week after aneurysm creation. Complete thrombosis was attempted in 12 aneurysms, and partial thrombosis was attempted in 4. Four other aneurysms served as controls. Follow-up angiography was performed for up to 8 weeks, and with the exception of 4 aneurysms, which were kept for a 2-year long-term follow-up study, the aneurysms were then harvested for histological examination. Thrombosis was successfully achieved in all cases except for 2 enlarged aneurysms that were initially partially thrombosed. No thromboembolism to distal vessels was observed. No compaction or shift of the CAP-IDC complex occurred even after 2 years. Histologically, CAP and IDCs conformed to the massive thrombotic complex without any fragmentation. By creating a frame or prop with retrievable microcoils, we were able to inject the CAP implies a comparison safely and precisely than has been previously reported. Our findings suggest that this method will be useful for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms.

Aneurysm↗
PubMed2000

Vascularization is decreased in pulmonary adenocarcinoma expressing brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1 (BAI1).

Brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1 (BAI1) is a novel angioinhibitory factor. We examined BAI1 gene expression in 48 pulmonary adenocarcinoma specimens by RT-PCR. Vascular density (number and measurement area) was immunohistochemically evaluated in tumor specimens using anti-CD34 monoclonal antibody. BAI1 gene expression was detected in 38 of 48 pulmonary adenocarcinomas (79. 2%). Vascular number and measurement area were significantly decreased in the BAI1-positive pulmonary adenocarcinomas (19.3+/-4. 4/microm2 and 1.7+/-0.6%) as compared with those in the BAI1-negative carcinomas (75.5+/-42.7/microm2 and 5.5+/-1.5%) (Mann-Whitney U-test, p=0.0017). These results suggest that BAI1 expression may inhibit stromal vascularization in pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗
PubMed2000

Neuropilin-2 expression affects the increased vascularization and is a prognostic factor in osteosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma is a malignant bone tumor characterized by hypervascularity. Neuropilins (NRPs), which is expressed by human tumor cells, is known to be a potent receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We examined NRPs mRNA expression in 30 osteosarcomas. The osteosarcomas with NRP2 expression (n=24) showed a significantly increased vascularity (P<0.0014, Mann-Whitney U test). Osteosarcomas with NRP2 showed significantly poorer prognosis than those without NRP2 (P=0.016, Wilcoxon's test). These results suggest that NRP acts as a VEGF-amplifier in a paracrine or autocrine manner in the osteosarcoma. NRP2 expression cooperatively promotes angiogenesis and growth in osteosarcomas with VEGF expression.

Bone Neoplasms↗
PubMed2000

Hammerhead ribozyme specifically inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor gene expression in a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line.

Hammerhead-type ribozymes are often utilized to suppress the expression of target genes. We evaluated the efficacy of an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) hammerhead-type ribozyme against GUC at exon 1 of the VEGF gene in a cell-free system (in vitro) as well as in the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HLF (in vivo). The anti-VEGF ribozyme (alphaVRz) specifically cleaved synthetic VEGF RNA substrate, but not other triplet sequences of VEGF RNA substrate in vitro. When the alphaVRz was introduced into HLF cells, the ribozyme suppressed not only VEGF mRNA level but also that of VEGF protein. These results suggest that this ribozyme selectively inhibits VEGF gene expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Medical problems in surgical patients.

OBJECTIVES: There has been an increase in surgical cases due to physical violence, accidents and weapon related injuries. This study was undertaken to assess the medical problems in general surgical cases and due to various injuries. METHODS: All general surgical cases and casualties arising out of weapon related, accidents and blunt injuries admitted to a zonal hospital over a period of one and half years were studied. Only cases who developed a medical illness due to surgical cause, anaesthetic or surgery were included. Evaluation and treatment was done alongwith the surgeon till discharge/death. Details were analysed to ascertain the type of surgical illness, medical complication and the outcome of treatment. RESULTS: There were seven hundred sixty two (53.8%) general surgery cases and six hundred fifty four (46.2%) cases due to various injuries. After excluding cases with prior known medical illness, thirty seven patients were studied. There were eight (1.05%) patients out of seven hundred sixty two general surgery cases and twenty nine (4.43%) out of six hundred fifty four injury cases. Weapon related injury cases were the maximum. Their medical problems related to the organ injury, fat embolism and sepsis. Soft tissue injury was next common, they all developed renal failure. Vehicle accident victim(3) were few and developed fat embolism, aspiration. Two patients out of thirty seven succumbed to post anaesthetic complications. CONCLUSION: The incidence of medical problem in injury related cases are more than in general surgery cases. The type of injury contributes to the medical problem. Increase in mortality and morbidity is because of emergency nature of surgery. This problem needs special study.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2000

Seizures in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

OBJECTIVE: To study the significance of new onset seizure in patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. METHODS: Patients infected with HIV with the new onset seizure were enrolled in the study. Seizure type was classified. Adequate work up was done to search for a cause of their initial seizure. All patients were administered antiepileptic drugs in addition those detected to have treatable opportunistic infection were treated for the same. RESULTS: A total of 455 patients of HIV infection were admitted to this centre during study period, of these twenty three patients had new onset seizures. Seizures were generalized tonic-clonic in fifteen patients (65.21%), partial motor in six patients (26.08%) and partial motor with secondary generalization in two patients (8.69%). Recurrence of seizures was observed in 69.56% patients. Identified causes included cerebral toxoplasmosis in seven patients (30.43%), cryptococcal meningitis in four (17.39%), tuberculoma in three (13.04%), AIDS dementia complex in one (4.34%) and progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy in one (4.34%). In seven patients (30.43%) seizures were not associated with any identifiable cause. Phenytoin was used for control of seizures and no side effects to the drug were noted during the brief period of follow up. CONCLUSION: Majority of patients with HIV infection and new onset seizures have secondary brain lesion as the cause of seizure. High rate of seizure recurrence mandates therapy of solitary seizure in patients with HIV infection.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗
PubMed1999

In vivo marking of rhesus monkey lymphocytes by adeno-associated viral vectors: direct comparison with retroviral vectors.

We have compared adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based and retrovirus-based vectors for their ability to transduce primary T lymphocytes in vitro and then tracked the persistence of these genetically marked lymphocytes in vivo, using the rhesus monkey model. To avoid the complication of immune rejection of lymphocytes transduced with xenogeneic genes in tracking studies primarily designed to investigate transduction efficiency and in vivo kinetics, the vectors were designed without expressed genes. All vectors contained identically mutated beta-galactosidase gene (beta-gal) and neomycin resistance gene (neo) DNA sequences separated by different length polylinkers, allowing simple differentiation by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Each of 2 aliquots of peripheral blood lymphocytes from 4 rhesus monkeys were transduced with either AAV or retroviral vectors. The in vitro transduction efficiency (mean vector copy number/cell) after the ex vivo culture was estimated by PCR at 0.015 to 3.0 for AAV, varying depending on the multiplicity of infection (MOI) used for transduction, and 0.13 to 0.19 for the retroviral transductions. Seven days after transduction, Southern blot analysis of AAV-transduced lymphocytes showed double-stranded and head-to-tail concatemer forms but failed to show integration of the AAV vector. AAV and retroviral aliquots were reinfused concurrently into each animal. Although the retrovirally marked lymphocytes could be detected for much longer after infusion, AAV transduction resulted in higher short-term in vivo marking efficiency compared with retroviral vectors, suggesting possible clinical applications of AAV vectors in lymphocyte gene therapy when long-term vector persistence is not required or desired.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Functional improvements in dried egg white through the Maillard reaction.

The effects of the Maillard reaction on the functional properties of dried egg white (DEW) were investigated. Maillard-reacted DEW (M-DEW) was prepared by storing sugar-preserved DEW (SP-DEW) at 55 degrees C and 35% relative humidity for 0-12 days. The M-DEW developed an excellent gelling property, and hydrogen sulfide production from heat-induced M-DEW gels decreased. Surface sulfhydryl (SH) group content of M-DEW increased while total SH group and alpha-helix contents decreased with increasing heating time in the dry state. Breaking strength, breaking strain, water-holding capacity, and hydrogen sulfide of heat-induced M-DEW gels significantly correlated with surface and total SH group contents in M-DEW. SDS-PAGE revealed that M-DEW proteins were polymerized in which covalent bonds were involved. The present study demonstrated that the Maillard reaction partially unfolds and polymerizes proteins of SP-DEW and, consequently, improved gelling property of SP-DEW under certain controlled conditions.

Cooking↗
PubMed1999

Vascular surgical society of great britain and ireland: thrombelastography can differentiate ischaemic from haemorrhagic stroke

BACKGROUND: Thrombolysis could be a major step forward in the treatment of acute ischaemic stroke. Early treatment is essential to maximize therapeutic benefit. Imaging by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging is mandatory to exclude haemorrhagic stroke before initiation of therapy. Thrombelastography (TEG), a test of global haemostasis, produces a characteristic tracing over 15-30 min. The potential of TEG to differentiate patients with ischaemic from haemorrhagic stroke was investigated. METHODS: Fifteen patients with a clinical diagnosis of acute stroke were studied. Fibrinogen levels and lipid profiles were measured, and CT of the brain, coagulation screens and TEG were performed. The CT scans were interpreted by a single radiologist. TEG data were classified as normal (index less than 2), hypercoagulable (index 2-3) or profoundly hypercoagulable (index greater than 3). RESULTS: There was no correlation between any of the parameters studied other than TEG with CT findings. Both patients with a haemorrhagic stroke showed normal findings on TEG. Eleven of the 12 patients with ischaemic stroke were hypercoagulable or profoundly hypercoagulable. CONCLUSION: TEG is capable of differentiating haemorrhagic from ischaemic stroke. It has the potential to target thrombolytic therapy for those patients most likely to benefit.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Vascular surgical society of great britain and ireland: caval filters are an underexploited therapy for acute pulmonary embolism

BACKGROUND: Inferior vena caval filters are a recognized intervention for recurrent pulmonary embolism (PE). Filter utilization in the UK is considerably less than in Europe; this may partly be due to omission of referral of appropriate patients. METHODS: A cohort with the prospect of benefit from caval filter insertion was identified by retrospective study of inpatients who died within 30 days of a positive ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan over 2 years. The number of actively managed patients in this group who fulfilled the recognized criteria for caval filter insertion was determined. RESULTS: Fifty-two of 606 patients died within 30 days of scanning. Information was available on 38 (73 per cent) of 52 who had 39 scans (14 positive, 22 negative, three indeterminate). Six of 14 patients (two men and four women, aged 46-84 years) with a positive scan had strong indications for caval filter deployment including contraindication to anticoagulation (three), recurrent PE despite adequate anticoagulation (two) and complications arising from anticoagulation (one). All six died following continuing embolism or complications from anticoagulation. CONCLUSION: Six of 14 patients who died following acute PE required caval filtration but were not offered this intervention. Failure to refer patients who would benefit from filtration may partially account for the disparity in utilization of caval filters between the UK and Europe. Furthermore, because of the choice of death as outcome marker, this study underestimated the value of caval filter utilization.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

[Congenital arteriovenous malformation of the scalp with a drainage to the transverse sinus: a case report].

Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) of the scalp is uncommon, and a subtype which has connection with the intracranial dural sinus is extremely rare. Only 3 cases have been reported. We present a case of congenital AVM of the scalp which was connected with the intracranial venous sinus. A 27-year-old woman had been noted as having a pulsatile soft mass in the midline of the occipital region since her birth. She visited our hospital because of pain and enlargement of the mass. The patient had had no history of trauma. Physical examination revealed a pulsatile scalp mass in the midline of the occipital region, measuring 3.5 x 3.5 x 1 cm. A loud bruit was ausculated. Tenderness was noted. The skin over the mass was slightly reddish. No focal neurological deficits were noted. Plain skull films demonstrated a round defect in the midline of the occipital bone. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a subcutaneous mass with low signal intensity and an infratentorial mass with flow void. 3D CT angiograms demonstrated a subcutaneous vascular mass with a single large vein draining into the right transverse sinus. External carotid angiograms revealed a vascular lesion within the scalp with supply from the branches of the bilateral occipital arteries and the meningeal arteries. The nidus penetrated the skull and connected to a dilated varix, which had a draining vein shunting into the right transverse sinus. After embolization of the right meningeal feeding arteries, surgery was performed. The vascular lesion penetrated the skull and the dura. The infratentorial mass was in the epiarachnoid space and was fed by a small pial artery. The mass was excised completely after interruption of the pial artery and the draining vein. Postoperative course was uneventful. Histologically, the subcutaneous mass and infratentorial vascular mass were shown to be AVM and varix, respectively.

Adult↗