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Biomedical subjects

A Nagano

Publications and source records attributed to A Nagano.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The relationship between pre-operative symptoms, operative findings and postoperative complications in schwannomas.

This study presents a retrospective review of the management of schwannomas in the limbs and examines the relationship between pre-operative clinical examination, operative findings and postoperative neurological complications. Eighteen tumours with a histological diagnosis of schwannoma in 17 patients who underwent surgery between 1998 and 2004 were the basis of this study. Enucleation of the tumour was possible in 14 cases. None of these patients had neurological complications pre-operatively but eight had mild neurological complications postoperatively. The complications consisted of sensory deficit in five cases, motor weakness in one and both in two. Enucleation of the tumours was impossible in four cases. These schwannomas originated in the brachial plexus in three cases and the ulnar nerve in the proximal arm in one case. Tumours with pre-operative symptoms and masses located at a proximal site in the limb were more likely to be impossible to enucleate completely.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

The effect of infliximab on bone metabolism markers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate urinary excretion of N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX) and deoxypyridinoline (DPD), markers of bone resorption, and serum bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) level, a marker of bone formation and an early marker of osteoblast differentiation, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with infliximab. METHODS: Seventeen male and female patients (age 60.7+/-2.53 yr; mean disease duration 12.9+/-3.01 yr; Steinbrocker's class II-IV) with RA, diagnosed according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), took part in the study between March 2003 and January 2005. None of the patients had a history of oestrogen replacement therapy. All patients were treated with infliximab combined with methotrexate. Infliximab was infused intravenously at 3 mg/kg at baseline, 2 and 6 weeks, then every 8 weeks. To evaluate disease activity, ESR, CRP, the numbers of swollen and tender joints, modified Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (mHAQ) score and ACR score were measured. Levels of NTX and DPD in urine and BAP in serum were measured in all patients. RESULTS: ESR, CRP, the number of swollen joints and tender joints, and mHAQ score had decreased significantly 6 weeks after initial treatment and were still low 6 months after initial treatment. NTX levels had decreased significantly 6 weeks after the initial treatment and were still low 6 months after initial treatment. DPD levels had decreased 6 months after initial infusion. Mean serum BAP level did not differ significantly among the three time points. NTX levels were statistically corresponding with the number of swollen joints and mHAQ scores. DPD levels were statistically lower corresponding with ESR. CONCLUSION: Infliximab therapy may inhibit generalized bone loss in patients with RA. NTX is a more sensitive marker than DPD.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed2006

Real-time PCR quantification of nitrite reductase (nirS) genes in a nitrogen removing fluidized bed reactor.

Molecular approaches were applied to identify and enumerate denitrifying bacteria subsisting in a fluidized bed reactor (FBR). The FBR was continuously operated as a unit for the removal of nitrogen from the effluents of domestic sewage treatment plant, with an additional supply of methanol as a carbon source. By denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and sequence analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA genes, Thauera group was found to be dominant among the denitrifying bacteria in the FBR sludge. Oligonucleotide probe THA155 for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was newly designed for specifically targeting the Thauera group. However, the THA155 signal obtained from the sludge was only 0.9-5.7% of the DAPI-stained total cells. The real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the sequences of nitrite reductase (NIR) gene, a key enzyme of denitrification processes, was performed to quantify the cells of denitrifying bacteria cells including the Thauera group in FBR sludge. An excellent correlation was obtained between the numbers of nirS genes and the activity of denitrifiers in the FBR sludge.

Bacteria↗
PubMed2006

Low strength wastewater treatment under low temperature conditions by a novel sulfur redox action process.

The objective of this research is to make a novel wastewater treatment process activated by a sulfur-redox cycle action of microbes in low temperature conditions. This action is carried out by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB). The process was comprised of a UASB reactor as pre-treatment and an aerobic downflow hanging sponge (DHS) reactor as post-treatment. As the results of reactor operation, the whole process achieved that over 90% of CODcr removal efficiency, less than 30 mgCODcr/L (less than 15 mgBOD/L) of final effluent, at 12 h of HRT and at 8 degrees C of UASB reactor temperature. Acetobacterium sp. was detected as the predominant species by PCR-DGGE method targeting 16SrDNA with band excision and sequence analysis. In the UASB reactor, various species of sulfate-reducing bacterium, Desulfobulbus sp., Desulfovibrio sp., and Desulfomicrobium sp., were found by cloning analysis. In the DHS reactor, Tetracoccus sp. presented as dominant. The proposed sulfur-redox action process was considered as an applicable process for low strength wastewater treatment in low temperature conditions.

Bioreactors↗
PubMed2004

Calcaneus bone mineral density in Japanese women with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships among bone mineral densities (BMD) in the calcaneus and leg activity of daily living (L-ADL) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS: We measured and compared calcaneus BMD using single X-ray absorptiometry and lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD using dual X-ray absorptiometry in 158 Japanese female outpatients with RA and 358 normal controls (NC). RESULTS: Regardless of whether the women were premenopausal or postmenopausal, calcaneus and femoral neck BMDs in the RA group were significantly lower than in the NC group. Calcaneus BMD correlated with the modified health assessment questionnaire, L-ADL score, and 10-m walking time, regardless of whether the patients were premenopausal or postmenopausal (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that calcaneus BMD reflects the L-ADL of RA patients very well and allows us to perform the same level of BMD evaluation as that with current BMD measurement methods.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2002

Effects of age and menopause on spinal bone mineral density in Japanese women: a ten-year prospective study.

In order to determine the age and menopause-related changes in spinal bone mineral density (BMD) in healthy Japanese women, the spinal BMD at L(2-4) was measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in 172 healthy Japanese women aged 31-69 years (mean age 53.1+/-6.7 years) in 1990 and 2000. This prospective study showed that there was no significant decrease of BMD in premenopausal women, but there was a significant decrease of BMD (-1.59%/year) in the early post menopausal women when compared with the premenopausal and late postmenopausal women (P <0.0001). The rate of decrease in BMD slowed down with the prolongation of the years since menopause (YSM). In postmenopausal women the annual rate of decrease in BMD for obese women was significantly lower than that for slim ones (P <0.01), suggesting that fat tissue may be effective for preventing bone loss. A multiple regression analysis of variables contributing to the annual rate of decrease in spinal BMD showed that YSM and physiological age were the most influential factors, considering other factors such as weight, height and bone mass index. In conclusion, an accelerated bone loss was seen in the early postmenopausal stage. The YSM and physiological age were the most important factors that affect the rate of bone loss in healthy postmenopausal Japanese women.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2002

Changes in the concentration of plasma matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) after total joint replacement in patients with arthritis.

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) have been reported to be associated with arthritis. Total joint replacement results in total resection of cartilage and synovium at the joint. We investigated longitudinal changes in plasma MMP and TIMP after total joint replacement. Eight patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and 15 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had total knee or total hip replacements. Plasma was collected from all patients before surgery and at 1 week and 6 weeks after surgery. In RA patients the plasma MMP-3 and the MMP-3/TIMP-1 ratio decreased after total joint replacement, whereas CRP and ESR did not change. Therefore, CRP and ESR reflect systemic inflammation; however, plasma MMP-3 and the MMP-3/TIMP-1 ratio may reflect inflammation and/or degeneration of the affected joint.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 accelerated collagen-induced arthritis in mice.

The aim of this study was to explore the roles of toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). DBA/1 mice were immunized with type II collagen (CII) and treated with TSST-1. Intraperitoneal and intravenous injections of TSST-1 aggravated CIA, enhancing its incidence and severity. CIA was accompanied by an increase in anti-CII IgG Ab levels. Intraperitoneal administration with TSST-1 enhanced IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and IL-4 production in DBA/1 mice. We discovered the mRNA expressions of IFN-gamma, IL-2, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and iNOS in spleen cells stimulated with TSST-1 in vitro. However, IL-12 and IL-4 mRNA expression were seen constitutively without stimulation. Only a little increase of IL-12 and IL-4 mRNA expression was seen at 2-3 h after treatment with TSST-1. Our experiments demonstrated that CIA was aggravated by the treatment with TSST-1, which may have induced various proinflammatory cytokines and the production of both Th1 and Th2 cytokines.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

A congenital dermal sinus presenting the muscle fasciculation and hypertrophy.

OBJECTIVE: To report unique and unknown clinical features of muscle fasciculation and muscle hypertrophy in a case of congenital dermal sinus. PATIENTS: A 16-year-old girl presented with continuous fasciculation, often cramp, and hypertrophy of the left calf muscle. The radiography showed spina bifida of L4, L5 and S1. MRI revealed dermal sinus tract from the skin dimple of the back to the dura mater, and connected to the intradural inclusion tumor. At surgery the inclusion tumor contained many short hairs, and the cauda equina were severely adherent. Microdissection of the tumor and the adhesion was performed. At 2 years after surgery fasciculation decreased but continued; however, painful cramps of the calf muscle do not occur. CONCLUSIONS: Short hairs of dermoid and the adherence might be irritative to the cauda equina. The hyperactivity of the stimulated motor neuron may cause the muscle fasciculation leading to hypertrophy of the calf muscle.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Simultaneous anterior and posterior interosseous nerve paralysis with several hourglass-like fascicular constrictions in both nerves.

A patient with simultaneous anterior and posterior interosseous nerve paralysis was treated surgically with interfascicular neurolysis and found to have several hourglass-like fascicular constrictions in both nerves. Anterior and posterior interosseous nerve paralyses with hourglass-like fascicular constrictions have been described previously, but not the combination of the two.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Longitudinal study of age- and menopause-related metacarpal index changes in Japanese adult females.

To establish a comprehensive mode for cortical bone thinning rate, the metacarpal index (MCI) of the index finger of the nondominant hand was measured using computed X-ray microdensitometry. Statistical analysis was used to study the MCI data in relation to age and menopausal status. A total of 383 healthy Japanese women ranging in age from 30 to 79 yr were investigated in 1996 and 1999. The MCI was generally decreased by 1.11% per year. However, accelerative decreases of 1.78 and 2.05% per year were observed within both the age 50-59 yr group and the early postmenopausal period, respectively. In addition, analysis of age-based longitudinal data showed that the age-related loss of MCI in the age 50-59 yr category was significantly higher than that in the other age categories (p < 0.01), indicating that the changes in MCI were more dependent on menopausal status than on aging. Our study suggests that the cortical bone thinning rate is affected by both aging and menopausal status, but the latter may be a predominant factor.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2001

[Induction of apoptosis in breast cancer cells by preoperative oral administration of 5-fluorouracil].

We investigated whether 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) can induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Preoperatively, 23 breast cancer patients were divided into a group treated with 5-FU at 200 mg/day for 2 weeks (Group A) and a non-treatment group (Group B), and breast cancer tissues were taken postoperatively. DNA fragmentation by agarose electrophoresis and the TUNEL method were used to investigate the induction of apoptosis. The labeling rate with Ki-67 was measured to study the reproductive activity of tumor cells. The involvement of p53 in the apoptosis decision mechanism was also studied. DNA was more fragmented in Group A than in Group B. The apoptosis index by the TUNEL method was 1.88 +/- 1.03 in Group A, which was significantly higher than 0.36 +/- 0.86 in Group B. The labeling rate with Ki-67 was significantly higher in Group B(62.3 +/- 21.7) than in Group A (29.8 +/- 16.0). There was no difference in the protein expression of p53 regardless of the presence or absence of DNA fragmentation. These results indicate that 5-FU administration induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells and significantly inhibits their reproductive activity. Involvement of p53 in the apoptosis decision mechanism was not demonstrated.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2000

Synthesis and association behavior of butadiyne-bridged

Butadiyne-bridged [4(4)](2,6)pyridinophane and [4(6)](2, 6)pyridinophane derivatives were synthesized, and their heteroassociations with the corresponding metacyclophanes and complexations with organic cations were investigated.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Background levels of atmospheric mercury in Kagoshima City, and influence of mercury emission from Sakurajima Volcano, Southern Kyushu, Japan

Vapor phase mercury concentration was determined daily for 1 year (Jan. 1996-Jan. 1997) in order to present the levels of atmospheric mercury in Kagoshima City and to estimate the influence of mercury emission from Sakurajima Volcano, southern Kyushu, Japan. The atmospheric mercury was collected on a porous gold collector at Kagoshima University and was determined by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry; Kagoshima University of Kagoshima City is located approximately 11 km west of Sakurajima Volcano. The mercury concentration obtained was in the range 1.2-52.5 ng m(-3) (mean 10.8 ng m(-3), n = 169). The atmospheric concentration varied from season to season; the concentration was high in summer and lower in winter. A linear relation was obtained by plotting ln[Hg/ng m(-3)] vs. 1/T for the north, south and west winds with correlation coefficients of -0.76, -0.79 and -0.83, respectively, but no such dependency was found for the east wind (r = -0.035). When the wind is blowing from the east, Kagoshima City is on the leeward side of the volcano. The impact of the fumarolic activity of the volcano on ambient air in the city was evident in the disappearance of temperature dependency with the appearance of the east wind. Atmospheric mercury concentration except for the east wind was considered to be background levels of Kagoshima City. As background levels, 8.1 +/- 5.3 ng m(-3), 14.8 +/- 7.9 ng m(-3), 13.9 +/- 11.7 ng m(-3) and 4.4 +/- 1.6 ng m(-3) (mean +/- S.D.) were obtained for spring, summer, autumn and winter, respectively.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Mercury contamination in the Yatsushiro Sea, south-western Japan: spatial variations of mercury in sediment.

Mercury-contaminated effluent was discharged into Minamata Bay from a chemical plant over a 20-year period until 1965 (from 1958 to 1959, effluent was discharged into Minamata River), causing Minamata disease. In an effort to characterize the extent of the contamination in the Yatsushiro Sea, the vertical and horizontal distributions of mercury in sediment were investigated. Sediment was sampled at 62 locations in the southern part of the sea from 4 to 6 March 1996. In the lower layers of the long cores of sediment, the total amount of mercury was at a relatively uniform low concentration. We interpret these low values to represent the background concentration absent of anthropogenic influence. The background value thus estimated for the Yatsushiro Sea was 0.059 +/- 0.013 mg kg(-1) (mean +/- S.D., n = 51). The highest concentration in each sample ranged from 0.086 to 3.46 mg kg(-1) (mean, 0.57 mg kg(-1)). The higher values were obtained at stations near Minamata Bay and the Minamata River (the sources of the pollution). Concentrations decreased with distance from the source. An inspection of the vertical profiles of mercury concentration in cores suggested that the deposited mercury had not been fixed in sediment but had been transported, despite 30 years having past since the last discharge of contaminated effluent. At nine stations, extractable inorganic and organic mercury concentrations were determined differentially. Inorganic mercury is the predominant species in sediment and organic mercury comprising approximately 1% of the total.

Chemical Industry↗
PubMed2000

Direct detection of crosslinks of collagen and elastin in the hydrolysates of human yellow ligament using single-column high performance liquid chromatography.

Collagen and elastin are recognized as two major connective tissue proteins of human yellow ligament. In both collagen and elastin there are many kinds of intra- or intermolecular crosslinks. Pyridinoline (Pyr) and deoxypyridinoline (Dpyr) are mature crosslinks which maintain the structure of the collagen fibril. Desmosine (Des) and isodesmosine (Isodes) represent the major crosslinking components of elastin. Pentosidine (Pen), which is a senescent crosslink and one of the advanced glycation end products, accumulates with age in tissue proteins including collagen. We developed a direct and one-injection HPLC method to measure Pyr, Dpyr, Des, Isodes, and Pen in the hydrolysate of human yellow ligament. This method used one column and two detectors. Recovery rates of Pyr, Dpyr, Pen, Des, and Isodes were 86.4-98.3, 83.6-96.8, 78.7-95.6, 83.6-97.9, and 85.6-99.3%, respectively (n = 8). The intraassay coefficients of variation for Pyr, Dpyr, Pen, Des, and Isodes were 3.7, 4.1, 5.4, 4.5, and 4.7%, respectively (n = 8), and the interassay coefficients of variation for Pyr, Dpyr, Pen, Des, and Isodes were 4.4, 5.1, 4.9, 4.6 and 4.1%, respectively. Linear regression analysis showed the linearity (r = 0.99, P = 0.0001) of calibration line for each Pyr, Dpyr, Pen, Des, and Isodes. Using this method, we investigated age-related changes in the crosslinks of collagen and elastin in human yellow ligament. There was a significant correlation between Pen and age, but no correlations with Pyr, Dpyr, Des, and Isodes. We believe that this method is useful for investigating the content of these crosslinks in both collagen and elastin under various conditions.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗