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Biomedical subjects

E Isogai

Publications and source records attributed to E Isogai.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Evaluation of chewing activity in the elderly person.

In the present study, we examined the chewing performance of 70 elderly persons. Self-assessment of chewing problems and clinical classification using the modified Eichner index showed little correlation (Kappa value = 0.28; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.05-0.51). The sensitivity and specificity were 0.52 and 0.76, respectively. On the other hand, the mastication score determined by evaluation of a questionnaire on food intake and classification using the modified Eichner index showed high agreement (Kappa value = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.50-0.96). The sensitivity and specificity were 0.76 and 0.95, respectively. The mastication score showed significant correlation with other masticatory functions such as maximum biting force, occlusal contact area and the number of missing teeth (P < 0.01). These results suggest that the use of a questionnaire on food intake would be informative for epidemiological surveys of chewing activity in the elderly.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Protective effect of Japanese green tea extract on gnotobiotic mice infected with an Escherichia coli O157:H7 strain.

We examined the effect of Japanese green tea extract (JGTE) on enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 infection in a gnotobiotic mouse model. Gnotobiotic mice inoculated with an EHEC strain developed neurologic and systemic symptoms, usually culminating in death. In contrast, none of mice receiving dietary JGTE showed clinical signs or death. This report describes the effect of JGTE, which includes the inhibition of bacterial growth in vivo. The Shiga-like toxin (SLT) level in the feces of the JGTE diet group was significantly lower than that of the control group.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Infectivity and arthritis induction of Borrelia japonica on SCID mice and immune competent mice: possible role of galactosylceramide binding activity on initiation of infection.

We investigated the relationship between the binding activity to galactosylceramide (GalCer) and the arthritis induction activity of Borrelia japonica. The B. japonica strains maintained the ability to induce arthritis in inbred C3H/HeN and immunodeficient SCID mice, but the ability was lower than that of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto virulent strain 297. Histopathological changes were restricted to the joints, and a marked effusion of polymorphonuclear neutrophils into the joint space was found. The binding activity of B. japonica strains to GalCer was lower than that of the virulent strain 297 but higher than that of the high-passage strain 297. The lower infectivity and virulence of B. japonica may explain its lower binding ability to GalCer.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Apoptosis of lymphocytes in mice administered lipopolysaccharide from Leptospira interrogans.

We report that administration of leptospiral lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice results in massive surface marker changes in the lymphocytes of the spleen. It appears that many of these changes relate to the large number of cells undergoing apoptosis. It is also shown that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) induces similar effects and is produced in large quantities after injection of leptospiral LPS. It is likely that cytokines such as TNF-alpha are involved in apoptosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Effect of rebamipide, a novel antiulcer agent, on Helicobacter pylori adhesion to gastric epithelial cells.

Helicobacter pylori is a major etiological agent in gastroduodenal disorders. The adhesion of H. pylori to human gastric epithelial cells is the initial step of H. pylori infection. Inhibition of H. pylori adhesion is thus a therapeutic target in the prevention of H. pylori infection. Experiments were performed to evaluate the effect of rebamipide, a novel antiulcer agent, on H. pylori adhesion to gastric epithelial cells. MKN-28 and MKN-45 cells, derived from human gastric carcinomas, were used as target cells. Ten H. pylori strains isolated from patients with chronic gastritis and gastric ulcer were used in the study. We evaluated the effect of rebamipide on H. pylori adhesion to MKN-28 and MKN-45 cells quantitatively using our previously established enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The adhesion of H. pylori to MKN-28 and MKN-45 cells was significantly inhibited by pretreatment of these cells with 100 microg of rebamipide per ml. However, the adhesion was not affected by the pretreatment of H. pylori with rebamipide. On the other hand, the viabilities of H. pylori, MKN-28 cells, and MKN-45 cells were not affected by rebamipide. Our studies suggest that rebamipide inhibits the adhesion of H. pylori to gastric epithelial cells.

Alanine↗
PubMed1998

Analysis of immunoglobulin A antibodies to Helicobacter pylori in serum and gastric juice in relation to mucosal inflammation.

Helicobacter pylori is a major etiologic agent in gastroduodenal disorders. In this study, immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies to H. pylori antigens were evaluated in serum and gastric juice specimens obtained from patients with gastritis or peptic ulcers by utilizing antibody capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ACELISAs). Urease alpha subunit (UA), urease beta subunit (UB), the 66-kDa heat shock protein (HSP), and the 25-kDa protein (25K) were used as antigens for the ACELISAs. The antibody titers of the ACELISAs reflect the ratio of H. pylori-specific IgA to total IgA. The ratio is stable, although the antibody concentration fluctuates in gastric juice. By using ACELISAs it was possible to evaluate quantitatively not only serum IgA antibodies but also gastric juice secretory IgA (S-IgA) antibodies. In both serum IgA and gastric juice S-IgA ACELISAs, the titers of antibody to HSP and 25K were remarkably correlated with the histologic grade of gastritis, whereas those to UA and UB were not strongly correlated with histologic grade. Thus, it is useful for estimating the histologic grade of gastritis to quantify serum IgA and gastric juice S-IgA antibodies to HSP and 25K.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Role of tumor necrosis factor alpha in gnotobiotic mice infected with an Escherichia coli O157:H7 strain.

Gnotobiotic mice inoculated with an enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 strain developed a flaccid paresis, usually culminating in death. The bacteria colonized feces at 10(9) to 10(10) CFU per g (inoculum size: 2.0 x 10(9) CFU/mouse), and Shiga-like toxins (SLTs) were detected in the feces. A microscopic examination of colons showed mild inflammatory cell infiltration, thinning of the intestinal wall, or necrotic foci. Necrosis of tubular cells was noted in these symptomatic mice. Microhemorrhage, thrombosis, and edematous changes of the brain were also seen. Inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 1alpha (IL-1alpha), and IL-6, were detected in the kidney after EHEC infection, but not in the serum. In the brain, only TNF-alpha was detected. When 2.0 x 10(2) CFU of EHEC O157:H7 was fed to germ-free mice, the number of bacteria began to rise rapidly on day 1 and was maintained at 10(8)to 10(9) CFU/g of feces. SLTs were detected in the feces of the mice. However, the mice showed no histological changes and no cytokine responses, similar to what was found for controls. Treatment with TNF-alpha modified the clinical neural signs, histopathological changes, and cytokine responses; mice treated with TNF-alpha developed severe neurotoxic symptoms and had higher frequencies of systemic symptoms and glomerular pathology. Strong cytokine responses were seen in the kidney and brain. Serum cytokines were also detected in this group. In contrast, a TNF-alpha inhibitor (protease inhibitor) inhibited these responses, especially in the brain. However, local synthesis of the cytokines was observed in the kidney. Thus, TNF-alpha and the other proinflammatory cytokines could be important in modifying the disease caused by EHEC.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Subjective evaluation of chewing ability and self-rated general health status in elderly residents of Japan.

The purpose of the present study was to statistically analyse the relationship between subjective evaluation of chewing ability and self-rated general health status in elderly Japanese residents. Interviews were conducted with 1,544 respondents over 65 years of age in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. The interviews included questions concerning age, sex, health status, capacity to understand conversation, chewing ability, and ADL status. First, the age-adjusted odds ratio between subjective evaluation of chewing ability and self-rated health status was 2.242 (p < or = 0.01). Second, the age-adjusted odds ratio between respondentive evaluation of chewing ability and ADL status was 2.572 (p < or = 0.01). Third, the age-adjusted odds ratio between self-assessment of chewing ability and the degree of understanding conversations was 5.290 (p < or = 0.01). These results suggest that chewing ability is related to self-rated general health, ADL status, and the degree of understanding conversation among the elderly.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1998

Higher sensitivity in induction of apoptosis in fibroblast cell lines derived from LEC strain rats to UV-irradiation.

The proportion of S-phase cells in a WKAH rat cell population decreased and that of G1-phase cells increased at 8 and 18 hr post-incubation following UV-irradiation, although no significant change was observed in the ratio of the proportion of S-phase to G1-phase cells in a LEC rat cell population. Thus, UV-radiation-induced delay in the progression from the G1 to S phase was observed in WKAH rat cells but was not apparent in LEC rat cells. The fraction of LEC rat cells containing a sub-G0 DNA content increased with post-incubation time after UV-irradiation, but not that of WKAH rat cells. The proportion of the sub-G0 fraction in LEC rat cells increased with increasing doses of UV-rays. Low molecular weight DNAs extracted from UV-irradiated LEC rat cells exhibited an intense DNA ladder pattern at 18 and 24 hr post-irradiation by electrophoretic analysis, but not those from UV-irradiated WKAH rat cells. These results showed a higher sensitivity of LEC rat cells in induction of apoptosis than that of WKAH rat cells to UV-irradiation, although there was no difference in the survival curves among the cell lines from LEC and WKAH rats after UV-irradiation.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Activation of MAP kinases by 5-fluorouracil in a 5-fluorouracil-resistant variant human cell line derived from a KT breast cancer cell line.

To investigate the mechanism of the acquired resistance of human cells to an anticancer drug, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a drug-resistant clone, KTFU-4, was isolated from a human KT breast carcinoma cell line, treated with ethylmethanesulfonate and then with 5-FU. The viability of the KT cells, analyzed using an MTT assay, was suppressed by 5-FU in a dose-dependent manner, while that of the KTFU-4 cells was enhanced by it at concentrations between 0.1 and 1.0 microgram/ml. Treatment of KTFU-4 cells with 5-FU resulted in increased amounts of activated phosphorylated ERK1/2 and p38 MAP kinases, but not in the parent KT cells. It is thus possible that 5-FU stimulated the proliferation of KTFU-4 cells by activating a signal transduction pathway leading to cell growth.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic↗
PubMed1997

Levels of Porphyromonas gingivalis Fimbriae and inflammatory cytokines in gingival crevicular fluid from adult human subjects.

The Porphyromonas gingivalis fimbriae level was examined in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from adult human subjects using an immunoblot assay with a monoclonal antibody. The cytokines, interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), IL-1 beta, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels in the GCF were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The reactivity of the GCF samples with the monoclonal antibody against P. gingivalis fimbriae was related to the IL-2 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels. Moreover, the fimbriae content was associated with the gingival index (GI). In contrast, no significant correlation was seen between the fimbriae content and IL-1 alpha level. These results suggest that there are possible associations between P. gingivalis fimbriae and IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in the gingival crevicular fluid.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Role of platelet-activating-factor (PAF) on cellular responses after stimulation with leptospire lipopolysaccharide.

Leptospire lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated the adherence of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Enhanced PMN adherence in response to leptospire LPS can be mediated by platelet-activator-factor (PAF), because a PAF antagonist reduced adherence. Leptospire LPS also induced the adherence platelets or U937. The second experiment involved leptospire LPS elicited platelet aggregation in a PMN-platelet mixture, because leptospire LPS stimulated human PMN but not the human platelets. The platelet response was observed only in the mixture system and was inhibited by a PAF antagonist. PAF could be an important pathogenic factor in human leptospirosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Experimental Helicobacter pylori infection in association with other bacteria.

We performed surgical treatment on normal ddY mice before Helicobacter pylori inoculation. The treatment was expected to obstruct bacterial flow out of the stomach and increase the chance of bacterial attachment to the gastric epithelium in mice. The bacterial challenge induced inflammation in the stomach. H. pylori was recovered from the stomach throughout the observation period. Lactobacilli and streptococci tended to relate to the increase in number of H. pylori recovered. Pretreatment with atropine was considered to confuse the gastric flora and affect the number of H. pylori recovered. These results suggested that a certain amount of time is necessary for H. pylori to contact with the gastric epithelium and that the composition of flora is important for the establishment of H. pylori infection.

Adjuvants, Anesthesia↗
PubMed1997

Levels of endogenous interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor in congenic mice infected with Borrelia garinii.

This study describes the levels of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the sera and parenchymal organs of various congenic mouse strains infected with Borrelia garinii. A significant elevation of inflammatory cytokine levels was found in the organs of C3H/HeN (H-2k) and B10.BR (H-2k) mice but not in those of BALB/c mice (H-2d). Focally produced cytokines can contribute to antimicrobial defense against these organisms. High levels of IL-1 alpha were observed in the sera of C3H/HeN, B10.BR and B10 (H-2b) mice infected with B. garinii and they were associated with the presence of spirochetes in the skin. Thus, susceptible mice demonstrated a stronger cytokine response than resistant mice. This study presents in vivo evidence that B. garinii infection affects the immunopathogenesis of Lyme disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Direct detection by PCR of Escherichia coli O157 and enteropathogens in patients with bloody diarrhea.

Direct detection of Escherichia coli O157 and foodborne pathogens associated with bloody diarrhea were achieved using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) after the preparation of DNA from stool specimens using the microspin technique. PCR was compared with cultivation and toxin production tests with respect to the efficiency of detection of each pathogen; E. coli O157, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Salmonella serovar Enteritidis and Campylobacter jejuni. Detection of some or all of the above pathogens in clinical stool specimens was achieved using PCR. The minimum number of cells required for the detection of the above pathogens by PCR was 10(1) CFUs/0.5 g of stool sample. PCR was completed within 6 hr. The above pathogens were also detected in cultivation and toxin production tests. Partial purification of the template DNA using the microspin technique was essential for the elimination of PCR inhibitors from the DNA samples. This PCR method is an accurate, easy-to-read screening method for the detection of Shiga-like toxin producing E. coli O157 and enteropathogens associated with bloody diarrhea in stool specimens.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1996

Mosaic type of the nontoxic-nonhemaggulutinin component gene in Clostridium botulinum type A strain isolated from infant botulism in Japan.

The gene encoding the nontoxic-nonhemaggulutinin (NTNH) component was amplified by the PCR technique using two primer sets and the DNA template from Clostridium botulinum type A strain 7I03-H isolated from infant botulism in Japan. The nucleotide sequence revealed that the NTNH gene was composed of 1,193 amino acids with a molecular weight of 130868.08. Furthermore, the N-terminal half side and C-terminal half side of the NTNH component were similar to the NTNH component of type C and type A, respectively. These results indicate that the NTNH component gene codes the mosaic NTNH component composed of type A and type C. The hemaggulutinin gene, aha, and ORF-22 gene, orf-22a, were undetectable in the region upstream of the NTNH component gene, ant. Therefore, orf-22a is not thought to play a key role in the expression of botulinum type A progenitor toxin gene.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Characterization of component-I gene of botulinum C2 toxin and PCR detection of its gene in clostridial species.

Botulinum C2 toxin is composed of two nonlinked protein components, component-I (light chain) and component-II (heavy chain). It is produced by Clostridium botulinum types C and D, and is thought to play a lethal pathogenic role. These biological activities of C2 toxin may be due to the ADP-ribosylation of non-muscle actin by component-I of the toxin. We were able to isolate two overlapping gene fragments encoding component-I from the chromosomal DNA of Clostridium botulinum type C strain (C)-203U28, and determine the complete nucleotide sequence of component-I gene. The gene for component-I, bc21, consists of one open reading frame (ORF) encoding 431 amino acid residues (1293 nucleotides) without signaling peptide sequence. The molecular mass calculated from the deduced amino acid sequence was 49400.37 Da. Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase activity was demonstrated in the lysate from E. coli transformed by the recombinant plasmid, pGEM-C2 encompassing whole component-I gene with its own promoter.

Amino Acid Sequence↗