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Biomedical subjects

A Inagaki

Publications and source records attributed to A Inagaki.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Age of onset possibly associated with the degree of heteroplasmy in two male siblings with diabetes mellitus having an A to G transition at 3243 of mitochondrial DNA.

We describe two male siblings with diabetes mellitus caused by mitochondrial 3243 mutation. The level of heteroplasmy in peripheral blood leucocytes was determined by a last-cycle hot PCR method. The younger brother, who had 39% heteroplasmy, developed diabetes at age of 25, and demonstrated a lean body habitus and blunted insulin secretion. The elder brother, who had 22% heteroplasmy, was diagnosed at the age of 42. The younger brother showed a higher increment of serum lactate after exercise. In these siblings the level of heteroplasmy in their peripheral blood leucocytes appeared to be associated with age of onset of diabetes.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Micron, a microsatellite-targeting transposable element in the rice genome.

We have isolated a new family of mobile elements, Micron, which occur within microsatellites dispersed throughout the rice (Oryza sativa) genome. The first of these segments, Micron 001, was found in a microsatellite consisting of a (TA)n sequence upstream of the rice phytochrome A (phyA) gene. PCR analysis of related rice species suggests that Micron 001 integrated into this microsatellite locus prior to the divergence of the two wild species O. rufipogon and O. barthii from a common ancestor. Micron elements are short (393-bp), possess subterminal inverted repeats and the single strands have the potential to form stable secondary structures via several internal repeats. Aside from the absence of terminal inverted repeats, these characteristics resemble those of MITEs (Miniature Inverted-Repeat Transposable Elements). We estimate that 100-200 copies of Micron-related sequences are present in the rice nuclear genome, while the chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes lack this sequence. Nineteen homologs of Micron 001 exhibited extremely high nucleotide sequence conservation (greater than 90%), suggesting a recent spread of Micron elements within the genus Oryza. Surprisingly, nucleotide sequence alignments showed that all of the Micron elements are flanked on both sides by microsatellite sequence consisting mainly of (TA)n. Twenty-three elements were mapped to seven separate chromosomes. Therefore Micron elements form a family of dispersed, highly conserved repeats. This is the first report of a transposable element that targets microsatellite loci.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Clonality assay of hematopoietic disorders: significance of the buccal epithelium as non-hematopoietic control and of 95% rejection limit as a novel criterion for monoclonality.

In clonality assays using X chromosome inactivation patterns (XCIPs), several factors such as constitutive and acquired XCIP skewing, lack of appropriate controls for hematopoietic diseases including multilineage disorders, and ambiguous criteria for monoclonality, have complicated determination of clonality. To address these issues, we studied the significance of the buccal epithelium as a non-hematopoietic control and the usefulness of the 95% rejection limit as a criterion for monoclonality. Sixty-nine females informative for human androgen receptor gene (HUMARA) were divided into "young," "middle-aged" and "elderly" groups. When XCIP correlation between the buccal epithelium, peripheral granulocytes, and peripheral lymphocytes was analyzed, the buccal epithelium showed a good correlation with granulocytes and lymphocytes in "young" and "middle-aged" groups, whereas the correlation was poor for the "elderly" group. For all age groups, there was an excellent correlation between granulocytes and lymphocytes. When we performed clonality assay for seven "young" and "middle-aged" patients with various leukemic phases using buccal epithelium as a non-hematopoietic control, all cases were accurately evaluated with the aid of a novel criterion, the 95% rejection limit. Our findings suggest that the buccal epithelium may constitute an effective control, especially when a non-hematopoietic control is required, and that the 95% rejection limit may serve as a statistically-defined criterion for monoclonality.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Construction of an equalized cDNA library from Colletotrichum lagenarium and its application to the isolation of differentially expressed genes.

To establish an efficient screening system for differentially expressed genes of a phytopathogenic fungus Colletotrichum lagenarium, we constructed an equalized (normalized) cDNA library from C. lagenarium and used this library for differential screening. For the isolation of genes involved in infection-related developments of conidia, conidia undergoing appressorium differentiation were selected as the source of materials for construction of the cDNA library. The equalization of cDNA was performed twice using a kinetic method, and the products were cloned into a plasmid vector. Colony hybridization with nine probes of different abundance showed a reduction in abundance variation from at least 276-fold in the original library to 10-fold in the equalized cDNA library, which demonstrated that the cDNA was successfully equalized. By differential hybridization of 1900 cDNA clones in the equalized cDNA library and RNA blot analysis of candidate clones, we identified 11 independent cDNA clones, designated CAD1 through CAD11, that were expressed in appressorium-differentiating conidia, but not in vegetative mycelia. The transcripts of CAD1 and CAD2 hardly accumulated in preincubated conidia, whereas those of CAD3 and CAD4 accumulated highly and slightly, respectively. The amount of the four CAD transcripts increased at the early stage of the appressorium formation process. Sequence analysis of CAD1 revealed that CAD1 would encode for 101 amino acid polypeptides, which showed homology to metallothioneins. Deduced amino acid sequence of CAD2 would encode 278 amino acid polypeptides, and showed high homology to genes in aflatoxin, and sterigmatocystin gene clusters of Aspergillus parasiticus and A. nidulans, respectively.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

A novel mutation causing complete thyroxine-binding globulin deficiency (TBG-CD-Negev) among the Bedouins in southern Israel.

T4-binding globulin (TBG) is the major thyroid hormone transport protein in human serum. Inherited TBG abnormalities do not usually alter the metabolic status and are transmitted in X-linked inheritance. A high prevalence of complete TBG deficiency (TBG-CD) has been reported among the Bedouin population in the Negev (southern Israel). In this study we report a novel single mutation causing complete TBG deficiency due to a deletion of the last base of codon 38 (exon 1), which led to a frame shift resulting in a premature stop at codon 51 and a presumed truncated peptide of 50 residues. This new variant of TBG (TBG-CD-Negev) was found among all of the patients studied. We conclude that a single mutation may account for TBG deficiency among the Bedouins in the Negev. This report is the first to describe a mutation in a population with an unusually high prevalence of TBG-CD.

Arabs↗
PubMed1999

Probiotic bacteria stimulate gut epithelial cell proliferation in rat.

Probiotics are used for various intestinal diseases. However, their effects on gut epithelial cell proliferation have not been investigated. We administered 10(7) colony-forming units of Lactobacillus casei or Clostridium butyricum, or no probiotics (control) by gastric intubation once a day for seven days to rats fed an elemental diet. We estimated the crypt cell production rate of the jejunum, ileum, cecum, and distal colon. We also quantified cecal bacteria. Both probiotics increased the crypt cell production rate of the jejunum and ileum by 25-40%, of the cecum by 70%, and of the distal colon by more than 200% compared with control. Only minor variance in the cecal bacterial composition existed among the three groups. Probiotics enhanced gut epithelial cell proliferation in rats fed an elemental diet.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Age-associated decrease in response of rat aquaporin-2 gene expression to dehydration.

It is well known that urine-concentrating ability decreases with aging and that this decreasing ability results from a reduced sensitivity of the renal collecting duct to arginine vasopressin (AVP). AVP regulates the water channel (aquaporin-2:AQP2) through V2 receptors and increases the water permeability of the collecting duct. To elucidate the mechanism of change with aging in urine-concentrating ability, we investigated the change of V2 receptor and AQP2 mRNA expression in young (8-week-old) and older (7-month-old) rats after dehydration for 2 days. After dehydration, plasma AVP levels in older rats were higher than young rats, and urinary osmolality in older rats was lower than young rats. By Northern blot analysis, there was no significant difference between young and older rats in both V2 receptor and AQP2 mRNA expression before dehydration. After dehydration, V2 receptor mRNA expression in young and older rats decreased in the same degree, suggesting the downregulation of V2 receptors may occur in the mRNA level. Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization histochemistry showed that AQP2 mRNA expression increased and the increased expression in older rats was less than in young rats. The present study suggests the reduced response of AQP2 mRNA expression to dehydration, observed in 7-month-old rats, might be partially responsible for the decreasing urine-concentrating ability with aging.

Aging↗
PubMed1998

Origin and evolution of twin microsatellites in the genus Oryza.

An ancestral sequence of twin microsatellites of rice was found in a wild species. Twin microsatellite loci, RM20A and RM20B, were located on separate regions of chromosomes 11 and 12, which had been duplicated during rice evolution. These twin microsatellites showed different allele diversities in A genome species of the genus Oryza. This difference was caused by repetition of a simple sequence consisting of (TAA)n. Oryza longistaminata contains a short poly(A) sequence in this region instead of the poly(TAA) found in other species. A sequence comparison of RM20-related amplicons suggested that the poly(A)-containing sequence is the ancestral sequence of the RM20A and RM20B microsatellites. A simple base substitution in the poly(A) sequence may have produced the longer microsatellite motif (TAA). This mutation may have occurred on one of the chromosomes of a hypothetical ancestor of the A genome species before duplication of the chromosome segments.

Alleles↗
PubMed1997

The Relation between Superoxide Dismutase in Cancer Tissue and Clinico-pathological Features in Breast Cancer.

The localization of Cu/Zn- and Mn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) in breast cancer tissue (12 papillotubular carcinomas, 21 solid-tubular carcinomas, 16 scirrhous carcinomas, 1 medullary carcinoma, 1 secreting carcinoma, 1 lobular carcinoma, 1 Paget's disease) was investigated via an immunohistochemical technique using antihuman Cu/Zn- and Mn-SOD antibodies in 10%formalin fixed-paraffin embedded thin sections. Both SODs stained strongly in the normal breast gland, but not clearly in many cancer tissues. Furthermore, Cu/Zn-SOD stained more strongly in well differentiated tubular carcinomas than in poorly differentiated tubular carcinomas. It tended to stain less in tumors which recurred or had a poor outcome, and in tumors with a diploid pattern on DNA flow cytometry. Mn-SOD staining was similar to that of Cu/Zn-SOD, but no significant differences among subgroups was found, since the incidence of positively staining tumors was too small in all groups. The intensity of SOD staining seems to change in relation to cell proliferation and differentiation in breast carcinoma, and may be a prognostic indicator, since SOD decreased in poorly differentiated carcinoma and in tumors which developed distant metastasis. Thus, the localization of SOD in breast cancer tissue can provide useful information for cancer treatment.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

[Blood biochemical properties in male workers analysed according to body type].

The characteristics of body type, serum lipids and blood pressure in male blue workers were evaluated. The subjects were 1,705 healthy men aged 40.3 +/- 4.33 years, and were classified into 4 groups according to body mass index: BMI; lean (group L: BMI < 20), normal (group N: 20 < or = BMI < 24), mildly obese (group MO: BMI 24 to 26.5) and obese group (group O: BMI > 26.5). The physical characteristics, blood pressure and 14 blood constituent items were measured. Groups L, N, MO and O accounted for 8.5, 53.4, 28.6, and 9.4% of all subjects, that is the obese body type (MO and O groups) occupied 38%. Rest systolic and diastolic blood pressure were positively related to BMI. Most blood constituent items biochemically analyzed increased in proportion to BMI values. The Trigriceride level was 88.5, 112.2, 152.8 and 171.9 mg/dl in groups L, N, MO and O, respectively. The Trigriceride level in groups MO and O were about the upper limit of the normal range. The total cholesterol level was in the normal range in 4 groups, but was higher in the MO and O groups than in groups L and N. The HDL-cholesterol level was low in inverse proportion to BMI, that is 58.2, 51.3, 47.6, and 42.6 mg/dl in groups L, N, MO, and O, respectively. Especially the values in group O were similar to the values in the aged and adult disease patients. A greater percentage of Japanese male workers were obese men and they risked developing atherosclerosis and adult diseases. the present study suggests that health education regarding exercise prescription and nutrition intake in daily life should be provided.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Dopamine transporter gene polymorphism and psychiatric symptoms seen in schizophrenic patients at their first episode.

To investigate the possible role of the dopamine transporter (DAT) gene in determining the phenotype in human subjects, allele frequencies for the 40-bp variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism at this site were compared between 117 Japanese normal controls and 118 schizophrenic patients, including six subgroups: early-onset, those with a family history, and those suffering from one of the following psychiatric symptoms at their first episode: delusion and hallucination; disorganization; bizarre behavior; and negative symptoms. No significant differences were observed between the group as a whole or any subgroup of schizophrenic patients and controls. The results indicate that VNTR polymorphism in the DAT gene is unlikely to be a major contributor to any of the psychiatric parameters examined in the present population of schizophrenic subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

A codominant DNA marker closely linked to the rice nuclear restorer gene, RF-1, identified with inter-SSR fingerprinting.

A new molecular marker (OSRRf) closely linked to the nuclear restorer gene (Rf-1) for fertility in rice has been found. The Rf-1 gene is essential for hybrid rice seed production. A PCR-fingerprinting technique using simple sequence repeats (SSRs) was applied to compare two near-isogenic lines with (MTC-10R) or without (MTC-10A) the Rf-1 gene. Of 76 inter-SSR primers tested, only one primer, (AG)8YC, generated polymorphisms. The tetranucleotide repeats generating polymorphisms were found within each amplicon. the genetic distance between OSRRf and Rf-1 was 3.7 +/- 1.1 cM. As in the case of a codominant marker, this marker will be applied not only to breeding both restorer lines and maintainer lines, but also to the purity management of hybrid rice seeds.

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed1996

Gene screening of thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) deficiencies in the Japanese: only two mutations account for TBG deficiencies in the Japanese.

T4-binding globulin (TBG) is the principal transport protein for thyroid hormone in the circulation. Twelve mutations in the human TBG gene have been reported, and the inheritance of those variant TBGs was shown to be X-chromosome linked. We previously reported a nucleotide deletion at the codon 352 (TBG-CDJ) and a nucleotide substitution at the codon 362 (TBG-PDJ) of the TBG gene in a Japanese male manifesting TBG complete deficiency and partial TBG deficiency, respectively. In this communication we investigate the prevalence of both mutations among 50 unrelated Japanese subjects manifesting complete or partial TBG deficiency from various areas of the Japanese Archipelago. Mutant alleles were identified by amplification of their genomic DNAs by PCR with allele-specific primers. In addition, the presence of a polymorphic mutation in codon 283 (TBG-Poly) in these variants was investigated. All male subjects manifesting complete TBG deficiency (n = 30) and all female subjects manifesting partial TBG deficiency (n = 4) were demonstrated to be hemizygotes and heterozygotes for the mutation of TBG-CDJ, respectively. All male subjects manifesting partial TBG deficiency (n = 16) were shown to have the mutation of TBG-PDJ as hemizygotes. TBG-Poly was consistently absent from these variants. We conclude that only TBG-CDJ and TBG-PDJ may account for complete and partial TBG deficiencies in the Japanese.

Alleles↗
PubMed1996

[Autopsy findings of pontine lesions in the elderly].

The characteristics of multiple spongy necrosis of the basis pontis (MSN), central pontine myelinolysis (CPM), and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) of the pons developing in the elderly have not been fully clarified. We therefore studied 305 patients (aged 60-107, mean: 83.9) autopsied in Nagoya City Kohseiin Geriatric Hospital. MSN was found in four patients (1.3%). The major histologic finding was multiple necrosis of the basis pontis, characterized by loss of myelin and axons, no reactive astrocytes or inflammatory cells were found. Small foci of spongy necrosis appeared to unite with each other to form larger lesions. The central basis pontis was weakly stained by Klüver-Barrera stain in 15 patients, which suggested the presence of CPM. However, the diagnosis was only confirmed in one patient, (by the myelinolysis, loss of oligodendroglia, infiltration of macrophages, and reactive astrocytosis). With regard to CVD, none of the 305 patients had macroscopic pontine hemorrhage, but histologically small and old hemorrhagic lesions were found in 15. These lesions were associated with hypertensive or arteriosclerotic changes in the pontine vessels. Pontine infarction was evident in 77 patients (25.2%). In most lesions (74%) the area of infarction was smaller than 1 mm2. In 27 of the 74 patients with lacunar or microscopic infarcts, the pontine infarcts were found in areas where the blood was supplied through the short circumferential branch.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1996

[Sociomedical study of centenarians in Nagoya City].

The purpose of this study was to assess the background to the longevity of 36 centenarians in Nagoya city and to compare 14 institutionalized centenarians out of those 36 with 202 individuals in the 70-99 age group in our special nursing home, particularly with regard to blood chemistry and immunity tests. The reasons for their social longevity in terms of profile appeared to be attention to eating habits, abstention from smoking and drinking, occupations with adequate exercise. The incidence of dementia was 65.6% among them. We evaluated centenarians from the viewpoint of Hasegawa's Dementia Scale (HDS) and comprehensive functional assessment of the elderly consisted of the revised version of Hasegawa's Dementia Scale (HDSR), and examination of activity of daily living (ADL), physical perception, and social life. All were positively associated. Thus centenarians independent of physical assistance demonstrated significantly higher systolic blood pressure, and respective scores for HDS, HDSR, ADL, physical perception and social life than their dependent counterparts, were less likely to be institutionalized and suffered from fewer disorders. In particular none were diagnosed as positive for cerebral hemorrhage, infarction and dementia. Age demonstrated significant positive or negative correlation with the following values in blood chemistry and immunity tests: blood cell counts, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit value, albumin, total protein, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, creatinine, blood cell nitrogen, uric acid, helper T cell, and IgA immunoglobulin.

Activities of Daily Living↗