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Biomedical subjects

A Ueda

Publications and source records attributed to A Ueda.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Development of sucking behavior in infants who have not been fed for 2 months after birth.

BACKGROUND: Term infants are able to develop sucking behavior after birth. However, the requirements for this development have not yet been fully elucidated. In the present study, we investigated whether an oral-feed practice is necessary for the development of sucking behavior and whether non-nutritive sucking could support the development of this behavior while the infants cannot be fed. METHODS: Subjects of the present study were four term or near-term infants who had never been fed orally for approximately 2 months after birth because of gastrointestinal problems. Sucking pressure was measured with a silicone tube inserted into an artificial nipple and sucking efficiency was calculated during an entire feeding. RESULTS: Sucking pressure, frequency and duration at the first time oral feed corresponded to values obtained for normal-term infants at their first oral feed. Although infants who had not received oral feeding demonstrated poor sucking abilities initially, sucking performance improved with practice. Sucking parameters measured 1 month since oral feeding was initiated in these infants corresponded to values obtained for normal-term infants at 1 month of age. Although infants who had not received oral feeding had often sucked a pacifier for sedation, this non-nutritive sucking did not result in the development of sucking behavior. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that an oral feeding practice is necessary for the development of sucking behavior and that non-nutritive sucking does not affect the development of sucking.

Enteral Nutrition↗
PubMed2001

The phenobarbital response enhancer module in the human bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase UGT1A1 gene and regulation by the nuclear receptor CAR.

The UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, UGT1A1, is the critical enzyme responsible for detoxification of the potentially neurotoxic bilirubin by conjugating it with glucuronic acid. For decades, phenobarbital (PB) treatment for hyperbilirubinemia has been known to increase expression of the UGT1A1 gene in liver. We have now delineated the PB response activity to a 290-bp distal enhancer sequence (-3483/-3194) of the UGT1A1 gene. The enhancer contains 3 putative nuclear receptor motifs, and it was activated by the nuclear orphan receptor, human constitutive active receptor (hCAR), in cotransfected HepG2 cells. Bacterially expressed hCAR, acting as a heterodimer with in vitro-translated retinoid X receptor (RXRalpha), only bound to 1 of the 3 NR motifs, named gtNR1 in a gel-shift assay. Consistently, mutations of the gtNR1 site significantly decreased the activation by hCAR of the 290-bp DNA in transfection assays. Moreover, the 290-bp DNA was effectively activated in mouse primary hepatocytes in response to PB, offering an excellent clinical test for the examination of the responsiveness of the UGT1A1 to PB in the human population, particularly individuals with hyperbilirubinemia.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Development of sucking behavior in infants with Down's syndrome.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of the development of sucking behavior in infants with Down's syndrome. The sucking behavior of 14 infants with Down's syndrome was consecutively studied at 1, 4, 8 and 12 mo of age. They were free from complications that may cause sucking difficulty. The sucking pressure, expression pressure, frequency and duration were measured. In addition, an ultrasound study during sucking was performed in sagittal planes. Although levels of the sucking pressure and duration were in the normal range, significant development occurred with time. Ultrasonographic images showed deficiency in the smooth peristaltic tongue movement. CONCLUSION: The sucking deficiency in Down's syndrome may result from not only hypotonicity of the perioral muscles, lips and masticatory muscles, but also deficiency in the smooth tongue movement. This approach using the sucking pressure waveform and ultrasonography can help in the examination of the development of sucking behavior, intraoral movement and therapeutic effects.

Down Syndrome↗
PubMed2001

An isozyme of betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase in barley.

Betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH) is an important enzyme for Gly betaine synthesis. We isolated two types of BADH cDNAs (BBD1 and BBD2) from barley. As BBD1 contained the signal sequence (SKL) targeting to microbodies, BBD2 was more similar to previously reported genes coding for BADH in dicotyledons (chloroplast type) than those in monocotyledons (microbody type). The two barley BADH genes showed different expression patterns. The BBD1 transcript was more abundant in roots than leaves and was induced to higher levels by salt, drought and abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. BBD2 transcript was more abundant in leaves and induced by salt, drought, PEG and ABA treatment. To understand the processing of these BADH proteins, we partially purified both enzymes and determined their N-terminal sequences. Based on comparisons of the N-terminal sequences to their deduced amino acid sequence, neither BBD1 nor BBD2 is processed at the N-terminus. These results suggest that BBD2 codes for a new type of BADH, which is not localized in either chloroplasts or mitochondria.

Aldehyde Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed2001

Functional analysis of salt-inducible proline transporter of barley roots.

We cloned a cDNA encoding Hordeum vulgare Proline Transporter (HvProT) from salt-stressed barley roots by differential display. HvProT was 2,161 bp long and had an open reading frame encoding 450 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence of HvProT was similar to those of proline transporter proteins of rice (65.7%), Arabidopsis (57.7%) and tomato (42.0%). Northern blot analysis showed that the transcript level of HvProT was induced in roots at 30 min after 200 mM NaCl treatment and its peak was observed at 3 h. However, the transcript level was very low in leaves and did not increase by salt stress. The expression level of Delta(1)-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (P5CS), encoding a key enzyme of proline synthesis, was induced later than HvProT by salt stress. A transport assay using a yeast with mutation in proline uptake revealed that HvProT was a transporter with high affinity for L-proline (K(m) = 25 microM). HvProT was found to be a unique transporter with high affinity for L-proline. Since its transport activity was dependent on the pH gradient, HvProT was suggested to be a H(+)/amino acid symporter. In situ hybridization analysis showed that the HvProT mRNA was strongly expressed in root cap cells under salt stress. HvProT might play an important role in the transport of proline to root tip region urgently upon salt stress.

1-Pyrroline-5-Carboxylate Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed2001

[Effectiveness of influenza vaccine in health-care workers].

We examined the effectiveness of trivalent influenza vaccine in reducing illness, absenteeism, and health care use among health-care workers (HCW) of Ishikawa Prefectural Central Hospital from December 1999 through March 2000. In recipients of vaccine (n = 132), the numbers of febrile illness, severe illness, febrile upper respiratory tract illness were significantly reduced compared with HCW without vaccination (n = 595). Use of prescription antibiotics and over-the-counter medications was also reduced. Influenza vaccine also reduced the reported days of work absence. These data support a policy of annual influenza vaccination of HCW.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Induction of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 by Helicobacter pylori involves NF-kappaB.

Helicobacter pylori stimulates secretion of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) from gastric epithelial cells. Secretion of this chemokine may be instrumental in monocyte infiltration of the gastric epithelium that characterizes H. pylori gastritis. The aim of this study was to identify the mechanism by which H. pylori induces MCP-1 production. Induction of MCP-1 mRNA was assessed by reverse transcription-PCR. We used luciferase reporter assays to monitor activation of the MCP-1 gene promoter and electrophoretic mobility shift assays to explore binding of transcription factors to this promoter. H. pylori infection increased MCP-1 mRNA expression from gastric epithelial cells. Induction of MCP-1 mRNA relies on an intact cag pathogenicity island. We identified two closely spaced NF-kappaB-binding sites within the MCP-1 distal enhancer as required for H. pylori-induced MCP-1 gene transcription. H. pylori infection led to the specific activation of NF-kappaB complexes containing p50 and p65. Kinase-deficient mutants of NF-kappaB-inducing kinase (NIK) and IkappaB kinases (IKK) caused suppression of MCP-1 distal enhancer-dependent reporter activity following H. pylori infection. H. pylori infection induces the activation of NF-kappaB via the NIK-IKK signaling complex, leading to MCP-1 gene transcription in gastric epithelial cells.

Chemokine CCL2↗
PubMed2001

Spontaneous neoplastic lesions in aged Sprague-Dawley rats.

Neoplastic lesions were observed in untreated aged Sprague Dawley (SD) rats throughout their lifespan starting at 5 weeks. Their mean survival times were 89 to 105 weeks of age. The total tumor incidences were 70 to 76.7% and 87 to 95.8% in males and females, respectively. The common neoplasmas were pituitary adenoma and adrenal pheochromocytoma in both sexes, testicular Leydig cell tumor in males and mammary gland tumors, thyroidal C-cell adenoma and uterine stromal polyp in females.

Adenoma↗
PubMed2001

[Cytomegalovirus antigenemia assay as a useful tool for early diagnosis and therapy for cytomegalovirus infections in three cases with collagen diseases].

We report here three cases of collagen diseases with cytomegalovirus infections. (1) A 21-year-old female, who had been diagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus, lupus nephritis and lupus peritonitis, had fever. Cytomegalovirus antigenemia (CMV-Ag) assay was 10/8 positive. (2) A 33-year-old female, who had been diagnosed as Wegener glanulomatosis, had fever and liver dysfunction. CMV-Ag assay was 933/896 positive. (3) A 64-year-old female, who had been diagnosed as microscopic polyangitis, had fever, liver dysfunction and pneumonia. CMV-Ag assay was 6/2 positive. They were considered to be complicated with CMV infections. We could make early diagnoses of CMV infection by using CMV-Ag assay and treat them with anti-CMV therapy effectively.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Localized activation of m-calpain in migrating human umbilical vein endothelial cells stimulated by shear stress.

Using a parallel-plate flow-chamber and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), we studied the mode of cytoskeletal reorganization in migrating HUVECs stimulated by shear stress. Activation of m-calpain associated with a change in the spatial distribution of cytoplasmic ionized Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+](i)) was studied. Shear stress (10 dyne/cm(2)) caused migration and decrease in the F-actin content of HUVECs. Migrating individual HUVECs showed the lamellipodium formed in the direction of cell migration, in which [Ca2+](i) elevated to 148 +/- 12 nM in a localized fashion. We found the appearance of activated m-calpain in the local area of the migrating HUVECs, which was associated with a decrease in the amounts of pp125FAK and ezrin. The localized rise in [Ca2+](i) might be closely related to morphological change to regulate the direction of cell migration induced by shear stress through localized activation of m-calpain.

Aniline Compounds↗
PubMed2001

Effects of carbocysteine on antigen-induced increases in cough sensitivity and bronchial responsiveness in guinea pigs.

Carbocysteine is a mucoactive drug and is being used for both acute and chronic infectious airway diseases. Although carbocysteine can repair the damage of epithelial cells caused by exposure to various agents, the effects of this agent on allergic airway diseases such as asthma and eosinophilic bronchitis with an isolated chronic cough, in both of which epithelial damage may be characteristic, is not clear. We investigated the effects of carbocysteine on antigen-induced cough hypersensitivity to inhaled capsaicin at 48 h and bronchial hyperresponsiveness to inhaled methacholine at 72 h after challenge with an aerosolized antigen in actively sensitized guinea pigs. After measuring bronchial responsiveness, we examined neutral endopeptidase (NEP) activity in the tracheal tissue. Carbocysteine (10, 30, or 100 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally every 12 h for 3 days after antigen challenge. The number of coughs elicited by an aerosol of capsaicin (10(-4) M) was significantly (p < 0.01) decreased in carbocysteine groups (6.13 +/- 0.59 at 10 mg/kg, 4.88 +/- 0.67 at 30 mg/kg, and 4.50 +/- 0.33 at 100 mg/kg during 3 min measurement) compared with the control group (9.75 +/- 0.53). Furthermore, carbocysteine dose dependently repaired the antigen-induced decrease of NEP activity in the tracheal tissue, but it did not influence the bronchial hyperresponsiveness or bronchoalveolar lavage cell component. These findings suggest that carbocysteine promotes the repair of damaged epithelium by allergic reaction and may be useful in allergic airway diseases accompanied by isolated chronic coughing, especially eosinophilic bronchitis without asthma and tracheobronchitis with cough hypersensitivity.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2001

Screening for synaptic defects revealed a locus involved in presynaptic and postsynaptic functions in Drosophila embryos.

To identify genes involved in synaptic functions, we screened lethal enhancer trap lines by monitoring synaptic activities at the neuromuscular junction in Drosophila embryos. It was found that MY7919, thus isolated, has moderate defects in both pre- and postsynaptic functions. The mean amplitudes of spontaneous as well as evoked synaptic currents were smaller than those in wild-type. The failure rate was higher than normal at any given concentration of external Ca(2+), indicating that presynaptic functions were impaired. In addition, the mean amplitude of miniature synaptic currents was smaller, and the unitary current amplitudes of junctional glutamate receptor channels were slightly but significantly smaller. Thus, postsynaptic functions were also altered. The gene was cloned and found to be identical to the previously reported apontic (=tracheae defective) locus, which is believed to be a transcription factor expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) as well as in the head, tracheae, and heart. Immunohistochemical analysis using an antiapontic antibody revealed that the protein is localized to nuclei. Null alleles of the apontic locus were obtained by imprecise excision of the enhancer trap vector. Synaptic activities in null mutants were not different from those of the original allele, even though null homozygotes had uncontracted ventral nerve cords and more severe behavioral phenotypes. The morphology of the neuromuscular junction of the null mutant was qualitatively similar to that of wild-type, with the presence of typical pre- and postsynaptic specializations, but with some suggestions of quantitative differences. This strategy for screening mutants with synaptic defects will reveal more genes directly or indirectly affecting synaptic transmission.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Does cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor prevent renal tissue damage in unilateral ureteral obstruction?

PURPOSE: We determined whether the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor etodolac affects renal tubular damage and interstitial fibrosis in unilateral ureteral obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Etodolac (10 mg./kg.) was administered to rats 1 day before unilateral ureteral obstruction and every day thereafter. Kidneys were harvested at day 14 after unilateral ureteral obstruction. Tissue transforming growth factor-beta and prostaglandin E2 were measured by bioassay using mink lung epithelial cells and enzyme linked immunosorbent-sandwich assay. Renal tubular proliferation and apoptosis were detected by immunostaining with proliferating cellular nuclear antigen and by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling, respectively. Cyclooxygenase-2 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. Fibrosis was assessed by measuring collagen deposition in trichrome stained slides. RESULTS: Bioassay showed that in the control group obstructed kidneys contained significantly higher mean transforming growth factor-beta1 than unobstructed kidneys (79.1 +/- 8.3 versus 33.6 +/- 4.2 ng./gm. tissue) and etodolac significantly decrease the mean value in obstructed kidneys (46.2 +/- 10.0 ng./gm. tissue). Assay demonstrated that obstructed control kidneys had significantly more mean tubular apoptosis than their unobstructed counterparts (26.6 +/- 5.4 versus 2.2 +/- 1.4 nuclei per high power field) and etodolac significantly decreased mean renal tubular apoptosis in the obstructed kidneys (16.2 +/- 1.9 nuclei per high power field). In addition, immunostaining with proliferating cellular nuclear antigen showed that obstructed kidneys in the control group had significantly more mean renal tubular proliferation than unobstructed kidneys (9.8 +/- 3.4 versus 3.9 +/- 0.1 per high power field) and etodolac significantly increased mean proliferating renal tubule in the obstructed kidneys (24.9 +/- 4.3 per high power field). Control obstructed kidneys had significantly more fibrosis and prostaglandin E2 production, which were also significantly blunted by etodolac. CONCLUSIONS: The cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor etodolac significantly reduces tissue transforming growth factor-beta, resulting in decreased tubular damage and interstitial fibrosis. This finding suggests that etodolac is a promising agent for preventing renal tissue damage in unilateral ureteral obstruction.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[A case of relapsing polychondritis monitored by daily peak flow measurement].

A 55-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with dyspnea and stridor. At presentation, he also had a low grade fever, arthralgia and nasal obstruction. His chest roentgenogram showed diffuse tracheal narrowing, and chest CT revealed a thickened tracheal wall and fractured cricoid and thyroid cartilages. A diagnosis of relapsing polychondritis was made on the basis of his symptoms and in accordance with Damiani's criteria and CT findings. Daily peak flow (PEF) monitoring was carried out to assess the disease condition of the trachea. Methylprednisolone pulse therapy was started, and was followed by oral prednisolone, which improved his condition immediately, but reduction of oral prednisolone led to recurrence. The clinical course was clearly evaluated by PEF monitoring, but the change was undetectable on chest CT. Dapson, cyclophosphamide, and inhaled steroid were administered with oral prednisolone and the patient's condition has since been fair and stable. PEF monitoring may be useful for the early detection of recurrence in cases of relapsing polychondritis.

Humans↗
PubMed2001

[Prevalence of asthma in adults in Menda town rural-mountain area in Japan].

Several reports have suggested that the prevalence of asthma in adults is currently increasing. However, recent prevalence of asthma has not reported in Japan, especially in rural-mountain areas. To investigate the prevalence of asthma in adults in Japan, we conducted clinical epidemiological research on 5066 inhabitants of Menda town, in a rural-mountain area of Japan. The study population comprised 98.7% of adults in the town, including senior high school students whose age were more than 15 years old. The prevalence of asthma among adults was 3.6%. The ratio of prevalence in males to prevalence in females was 1.44. Peaks prevalences were observed in the age ranges of 15-19 and > 70 years old in males, and 15-19, 40-49 and > 70 years old in females.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Case report of systemic lupus erythematosus patient with hemophagocytic syndrome, treated with plasma exchange, with specific reference to clinical profile and serum cytokine levels].

A 42-year-old woman was diagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), because of the findings of polyarthritis, leukopenia, positive antinuclear antibody, and positive anti DNA antibody. She was treated with predonisolone (PSL) at 10 mg per day. She was admitted to our hospital on October 2000 because of spiking high fever, skin eruption, and lymph node swelling. Since her illness of SLE was considered to be worsening, high dose of corticosteroids were given. However, high fever persisted and liver dysfunction was developed with increased serum ferritin. Her bone marrow smear showed hemophagocytosis. We made a diagnosis of hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). HPS was thought to be induced by viral infection, even though causative viral infection was not detected. Her general condition worsened with persistent high fever and liver dysfunction. Plasma exchange was carried for two consecutive days, followed by cyclosporine A and lipo-dexamethasone, which improved her fever rapidly. Her general condition gradually improved. Serum levels of ferritin, soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL 2-R), interferon-gamma and interleukin 6 decreased associated with improvements of her clinical condition. We thought plasma exchange could be effective to decrease serum levels of cytokine, which was suggested to be the pathogenic to HPS. However serum levels of IFN-gamma and IL 6 after plasma exchange did not change in this case. Further studies are required to confirm the effects of plasma exchange for HPS.

Adult↗