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Biomedical subjects

A Iwasawa

Publications and source records attributed to A Iwasawa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Novel approach on the risk assessment of oxidized fats and oils for perspectives of food safety and quality. I. Oxidized fats and oils induces neurotoxicity relating pica behavior and hypoactivity.

Food poisoning caused by deteriorated fat and oil in instant noodles was first reported in Japan approximately 40 years ago. In these cases, many people developed neurotoxic symptoms such as emesis and discomfort. The degree of oxidation of the fat and oil in the instant noodles that induced food poisoning was at least 100 meq/kg in peroxide value (PV). No general toxicity studies with animals, however, have examined the toxicity of fat and oil oxidized to that extent. In this study, pica behavior, a behavior characterized by eating a nonfood material such as kaolin and that relates to the degree of discomfort in animals, and alterations of locomotor activity of rats eating deteriorated fat and oil were measured. The groups fed fat and oil with at least 138.5 meq/kg PV consumed significantly more kaolin compared to the control group. Furthermore, rats that ate deteriorated fat and oil with at least 107.2 meq/kg PV had significantly decreased locomotor activity compared to control rats. These phenomena suggest that oxidized fat and oil with at least 100 meq/kg PV induce neurotoxicity. The toxicity of oxidized fat and oil has only been addressed using general toxicity tests, but the present results reveal the importance of evaluating toxicity by using other measures.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Involvement of thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptor, somatostatin receptor subtype 2 and corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor type 1 in the control of chicken thyrotropin secretion.

Thyrotropin or thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) secretion in the chicken is controlled by several hypothalamic hormones. It is stimulated by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), whereas somatostatin (SRIH) exerts an inhibitory effect. In order to determine the mechanism by which these hypothalamic hormones modulate chicken TSH release, we examined the cellular localization of TRH receptors (TRH-R), CRH receptors type 1 (CRH-R1) and somatostatin subtype 2 receptors (SSTR2) in the chicken pars distalis by in situ hybridization (ISH), combined with immunological staining of thyrotropes. We show that thyrotropes express TRH-Rs and SSTR2s, allowing a direct action of TRH and SRIH at the level of the thyrotropes. CRH-R1 expression is virtually confined to corticotropes, suggesting that CRH-induced adrenocorticotropin release is the result of a direct stimulation of corticotropes, whereas CRH-stimulated TSH release is not directly mediated by the known chicken CRH-R1. Possibly CRH-induced TSH secretion is mediated by a yet unknown type of CRH-R in the chicken. Alternatively, a pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptide, secreted by the corticotropes following CRH stimulation, could act as an activator of TSH secretion in a paracrine way.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Disinfection potential of electrolyzed solutions containing sodium chloride at low concentrations.

Electrolyzed products of sodium chloride solution were examined for their disinfection potential against hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in vitro. Electrolysis of 0.05% NaCl in tap water was carried out for 45 min at room temperature using a 3 A electric current in separate wells installed with positive and negative electrodes. The electrolyzed products were obtained from the positive well. The oxidation reduction potential (ORP), pH and free chlorine content of the product were 1053 mV, pH 2.34 and 4.20 ppm, respectively. The products modified the antigenicity of the surface protein of HBV as well as the infectivity of HIV in time- and concentration-dependent manner. Although the inactivating potential was decreased by the addition of contaminating protein, recycling of the product or continuous addition of fresh product may restore the complete disinfection against bloodborne pathogens.

Acids↗
PubMed2000

Development of squamous cell carcinoma by two high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs), a novel HPV-67 and HPV-31 from bowenoid papulosis.

We report a patient with bowenoid papulosis (BP) involving two high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) and the development of invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Our patient showed verrucous lesions on the penis, perianal area and groin that had been noted over the previous 8 years and had recurred after all therapeutic approaches. The perianal and left inguinal lesions revealed invasive SCC on histology. HPV-31 and HPV-67 sequences were detected by polymerase chain reaction from BP lesions of the perianal area and the shaft of the penis. HPV-31 has already been reported in BP as a high-risk HPV for the development of SCC, but HPV-67 is a novel one that has never been reported in BP. As HPV-67 has sequence homology to HPV-52 and HPV-58, it belongs to the family of HPV-16, a high-risk HPV group. Thus our patient showed two high-risk HPVs, i.e. HPV-31 and the novel HPV-67, which may be directly involved in the development of SCC.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Rapid detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae-specific IgM].

The rapid diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is important in carrying out chemotherapy in appropriate manner. It is also essential to detect the specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) in order to diagnose infectious diseases. The ImmunoCard Mycoplasma kit (TFB. Inc./Meridian Diagnostics, Inc.) is a 10-min-card-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of IgM antibodies to M. pneumoniae. The ImmunoCard was compared with high density particle agglutination (HDPA) and cold hemagglutinin (CHA). The ImmunoCard test had 98.3% sensitivity, 51.4% specificity, and 72.5% agreement with HDPA (>or =320), but it had 94.3% sensitivity, 87.5% specificity, and 92.2% agreement with clinical diagnosis. Our results indicate that the ImmunoCard Mycoplasma IgM assay is a rapid, simple and valuable procedure which can be analyze small numbers of specimens using a less complicated technique and with no other equipment required. This means that the ImmunoCard is a cost-effective, energy saving and rapid procedure for the detection of M. pneumoniae-specific IgM.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1998

Chicken lutropin acts like follitropin in rat ovarian follitropin receptor: an isoelectric focusing study.

This study investigates whether chicken lutropin (LH) specifically binds to rat ovarian follitropin (FSH) receptor and exerts FSH-like bioactivity. Glycoprotein fraction, prepared from the chicken anterior pituitary gland, was fractionated using isoelectric focusing within a pH range of 3.5-11. Analysis of the focused fractions, by a radioreceptor assay (RRA) specific for FSH in rats using rat ovarian homogenate as receptor source, and 125I-labeled rat FSH as radioligand, detected a large component having an isoelectric point of 10.25. This focusing profile obtained by RRA was quite similar to that obtained by a specific radioimmunoassay (RIA) for chicken LH, but clearly different from that obtained by a specific RIA for chicken FSH, indicating this RRA specifically recognizes chicken LH. Chicken LH fraction prepared from the electrofocused material was used for further studies. The chicken LH preparation was three times more potent than rat FSH in the RRA in displacing the radioligand bound to rat ovarian receptor, while chicken LH facilitated an 8-fold less production of estradiol in dispersed rat granulosa cells than rat FSH. These results suggest that chicken LH acts like rat FSH in rat ovarian FSH receptor, but receptor-binding activity is much higher than biological activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Evaluation of a sensitive, in vitro bioassay for chicken thyroid stimulating hormone using FRTL-5 cells, a rat thyroid cell line.

An in vitro bioassay for mammalian thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) based on TSH-induced cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) production in FRTL-5 cells, a rat thyroid cell line, was used to measure chicken TSH. The addition of chicken pituitary homogenate equivalent to > or = 25% of a chicken pituitary gland to cultured FRTL-5 cells increased cAMP within these cells in a dose-dependent manner. The glycoprotein fraction derived from the pituitary homogenate was further fractionated by isoelectric focusing within a pH range of 5 to 11. Analysis of the focused fractions by the bioassay detected three major components with isoelectric points of 9.30, 7.12, and 3.82, in addition to several minor ones distributed over a wide range of pH, from alkaline to acidic. The isoelectric focusing profile obtained by the bioassay was clearly different from those obtained by radioimmunoassay for chicken LH and radioreceptor assay for chicken FSH, indicating that fractions contained chicken TSH. The homogenate of the cephalic portion of the chicken anterior pituitary gland was 4.46 times more active than that of the caudal portion in the bioassay, which is consistent with previous findings on localization of TSH in the chicken pituitary. We conclude that the bioassay using FRTL-5 rat thyroid cells is a sensitive, specific, and time-saving method of measuring chicken TSH.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1998

Metastatic cervical carcinoma mimicking kidney abscess.

A 26-year-old female, who had been treated for cervical carcinoma, presented with high fever and right flank pain. A right renal abscess was initially suspected from the clinical symptoms and diagnostic imaging. However, pathologic findings for the right kidney revealed squamous cell carcinoma, which was consistent in type with the original cervical carcinoma. Demonstration of human papillomavirus 16 in tissues from both the renal tumor and the cervical carcinoma confirmed that the right kidney carcinoma was a metastasis from the cervical carcinoma. The role of interleukin-6 in occurrence of the unexplained fever is discussed.

Abscess↗
PubMed1998

Clinical study of the effectiveness of a dual amplified immunoassay (IDEIA PCE Chlamydia) for the diagnosis of male urethritis.

A clinical study of patients with male urethritis (n=316) was undertaken to determine the sensitivity potential for a new dual amplified immunoassay (IDEIA PCE Chlamydia). Increased sensitivity (98.8%, 84/85) was obtained for IDEIA PCE Chlamydia compared to a conventional antigen detection test (IDEIA Chlamydia, 81.2%, 69/85) when testing urine samples. In a smaller patient population (n=104) the positivity rate for the first-void urine tested with IDEIA PCE Chlamydia of 30.8% (32/104) was similar to the 27.9% (29/104) obtained from urethral swabs tested with a DNA probe assay (PACE 2). The increased sensitivity of the test was confirmed with a commercial PCR kit (Amplicor) and nested PCR. The IDEIA PCE Chlamydia kit has the sensitivity potential to be a clinically reliable alternative for detecting Chlamydia trachomatis.

Chlamydia Infections↗
PubMed1998

Complementary DNA sequence of chicken thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) beta subunit.

Chicken TSH beta subunit cDNA was cloned and sequenced. The cDNA encodes a putative signal peptide and a mature protein consisting of 20 and 114 amino acids, respectively. The amino acid sequence of chicken TSH beta subunit is highly conserved (98.5%) between chicken and Japanese quail, whereas it has a low homology between chicken and mammals (67-69%), an amphibian (58%) and fish (40-49%). Structural characteristics of TSH beta subunits of avian species are discussed in comparison with those of non-avian vertebrates.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Human papillomavirus in squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva by polymerase chain reaction.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). METHODS: Archival diagnostic phase biopsies from 74 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva were investigated for HPV DNA by PCR. We used both consensus primers located in the open reading frame L1 and type-specific primers for HPV 6 (open reading frame E5), HPV 11 (open reading frame L1), HPV 16, HPV 18, and HPV 33 (open reading frame E6). RESULTS: HPV DNA was detected in 27 (36%) of the 74 patients, of whom 19 had HPV 16, nine had HPV 18, one had HPV 33, and one had unclassified HPV DNA. No case of HPV type 6 or 11 was detected. Two squamous cell carcinomas were positive for both HPV 16 and 18, and one was positive for both HPV types 16 and 33. Three squamous cell carcinomas positive for E6 gene using type-specific primers were negative using L1 consensus primers. CONCLUSION: Our PCR methods using both consensus open reading frame L1-derived primers and type-specific open reading frame E6-derived primers of HPV types 16, 18, and 33 seemed to be an appropriate combination for the detection of HPV DNA in archival tissues of vulvar carcinoma. Both HPV types 16 and 18 were associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva, although the prevalence of HPV 16 was considerably lower than in cervical carcinoma. It appears that vulvar and cervical carcinomas are not identical etiologically and that factors other than HPV are important in vulvar carcinogenesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Human papillomavirus DNA in urine specimens of men with condyloma acuminatum.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Because warts are often found in the male urethra, human papillomavirus (HPV) may well be present in urine of patients with urethral condylomata. GOAL: To detect HPV DNA in urine specimens of men with condylomata acuminata using polymerase chain reaction. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-seven urine specimens and 25 paraffin-embedded tissues of condylomata acuminata were obtained from men. Of the 47 urine specimens, 29 were from patients with urethral condylomata, 3 from patients with penile condylomata only, and 15 from control subjects without condylomata. Both L1 consensus primers and type-specific primers for-HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, and 33 were used. RESULTS: HPV DNA was detected in 22 of the 29 (76%) urine specimens from patients with urethral condylomata, in none of the 3 urine specimens from patients with penile condylomata, and in none of the 15 controls. Paraffin-embedded tissues of all 25 condylomas were positive for HPV DNA. The HPV types detected in urine were identical to those detected in urethral condylomas. CONCLUSIONS: HPV DNA is present in urine of patients with urethral condylomata. Urine may be used for noninvasive screening of asymptomatic HPV infections of the male genital tract. Detection of HPV DNA in urine may be useful for monitoring the response to treatment of urethral condylomata.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Molecular cloning of quail thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) beta subunit.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) beta subunit cDNA was obtained from Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) by PCR and its nucleotide sequence was determined. The cDNA encodes a putative signal peptide and a mature protein consisting of 20 and 114 amino acids, respectively. The amino acid sequence of quail TSHbeta subunit shows homologies of 67-69% in mammalian species, 58% in amphibian and 43-49% in teleost fish. Comparison of the amino acid sequence with TSHbeta subunits of other species reveals some differences in several regions responsible for its biological functions and characteristic features of the avian TSHbeta subunit, suggesting that the functional domains have diverged cooperatively between the hormone and its receptor during evolution.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Human papillomavirus DNA in uterine cervix squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma detected by polymerase chain reaction.

BACKGROUND: Substantial clinical, epidemiologic, and experimental evidence has reinforced the role of high risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types in the development of cervical carcinoma. The authors investigated HPV in the uterine cervix squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas of Finnish patients. METHODS: Specimens from 352 patients with uterine cervix squamous cell carcinomas and 108 with adenocarcinoma were examined for HPV DNA by polymerase chain reaction. The authors used consensus primers located in the L1 region, as well as HPV16, 18, and 33 type-specific primers located in the E6 region. RESULTS: HPV DNA was detected in 324 of 352 squamous cell carcinomas (92%), and 81 of 108 adenocarcinomas (75%). Two-hundred seventy-four of 352 squamous cell carcinomas (78%) and 18 of 108 adenocarcinomas (17%) contained HPV16 DNA, whereas 55 of 352 squamous cell carcinomas (16%) and 60 of 108 adenocarcinomas (56%) contained HPV18 DNA. Eight squamous cell carcinomas and 4 adenocarcinomas were positive for HPV33. Twenty-eight squamous cell carcinomas and 5 adenocarcinomas were positive for either HPV16 and HPV18 or HPV16 and HPV33. Unclassified HPV DNA was detected in 17 squamous cell carcinomas and 4 adenocarcinomas. Twenty-eight squamous cell carcinomas and 9 adenocarcinomas, which were positive for E6 DNA using type-specific primers, were negative for the L1 gene. All 460 cervical specimens were tested twice with identical results. CONCLUSIONS: HPV DNA was highly prevalent in both uterine cervix squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. HPV16 was detected more often in squamous cell carcinoma and HPV18 was detected more often in adenocarcinoma. Both consensus structural L1 gene-derived primers and type-specific viral E6 oncogene-derived primers were necessary to detect HPV DNA in cervical carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1996

[Bactericidal effect of acidic electrolyzed water--comparison of chemical acidic sodium hydrochloride (NaOCl) solution].

Acidic electrolyzed water is made recently by various kinds of machines and is widely utilized. In this study, we intended to clarify the relationship between the concentration of chloride and pH in the bactericidal effects with acidic electrolyzed water. The effects of weak or strong acidic electrolyzed water were compared with a pseudo-acidic water of pH adjusted by diluted hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide, on Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomononas aeruginosa. At pH 5.0 approximately 6.0, 3 bacterial strains were killed soon after being exposed to the acidic water containing chloride 50 mg/liter, and the amount of chloride did not change after allowing to stand open for 6 hours. At pH 2.67 approximately 2.80, the bactericidal effects was observed at the concentration of chloride 5 mg/liter, and 80% of chloride remained after allowing to stand for 6 hours. These results indicated that newly made strong acidic water is more effective under a smaller amount of chloride at pH 2.7, and that weak acidic electrolyzed water should be used, if stable bactericidal effect is expected in cleaning the surroundings.

Acids↗
PubMed1996

Cellular uptake and biological effects of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide analogs targeted to herpes simplex virus.

In this study, we synthesized antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) with phosphodiester, phosphorothioate (S-ODNs), or methylphosphonate linkages complementary to the splicing acceptor site of immediate-early pre-mRNA 5 of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). The antiviral activity of each analog on cytopathic effect in cells infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2 was assessed and compared with the cellular uptake of the analog. We found that antisense S-ODNs showed the most potent antiherpetic activity, with 50% inhibitory concentrations of 5 microM for HSV-1 and 0.25 microM for HSV-2. The antiviral effect of antisense S-ODNs was stronger and longer acting than that of acyclovir. Cell association of S-ODNs was the highest and paralleled antiviral activity. Furthermore, some fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled S-ODNs were recognized in the nuclei in HSV-1 infected cells by confocal laser scanning microscopy. S-ODNs located in the nucleus could access the targeted mRNA, which might be responsible for the antiviral activities. Although our study also showed non-sequence-specific activity, which implies that multiple mechanisms are involved, S-ODNs are a promising novel anti-herpetic agent.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Monoclonal antibodies as probes to detect conformational changes in the rat cysteine proteinase inhibitor cystatin A.

Five monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), 77, 114, 138, 175 and 187, were established for rat cystatin A. MAbs 77, 114, 138 and 175 were shown to belong to the IgG1 subclass, whereas MAb 187 was an IgM. These MAbs partially suppressed inhibitory activity of rat cystatin A to papain. Their epitopes were mapped in detail on the molecule by examining the reactivities of the MAbs with NH2-terminally truncated forms and fragments of rat cystatin A by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and by reactivity with the inhibitor on immunoblotting. In competitive binding assays the MAbs did not compete with each other, indicating that the epitopes recognized by these MAbs were substantially different. The conformational epitope recognized by the three MAbs 114, 138 and 175 belonged to one group that was highly sensitive to denaturation, but those epitopes were unchanged by NH2-terminal truncation. MAb 187 was able to recognize a linear epitope present in amino acid residues 15-50 in the NH2-terminal region. MAbs 77 and 114 reacted weakly with mouse cystatin A but not at all with human cystatin A, whereas MAb 187 reacted similarly with mouse cystatin A but at about half that level with human. The MAbs produced in this study should be useful tools for detecting conformational changes in the rat cystatin A molecule.

Amino Acid Sequence↗