Biomedical subjects

H Aoyama

Publications and source records attributed to H Aoyama.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1995

Structures of metal sites of oxidized bovine heart cytochrome c oxidase at 2.8 A.

The high resolution three-dimensional x-ray structure of the metal sites of bovine heart cytochrome c oxidase is reported. Cytochrome c oxidase is the largest membrane protein yet crystallized and analyzed at atomic resolution. Electron density distribution of the oxidized bovine cytochrome c oxidase at 2.8 A resolution indicates a dinuclear copper center with an unexpected structure similar to a [2Fe-2S]-type iron-sulfur center. Previously predicted zinc and magnesium sites have been located, the former bound by a nuclear encoded subunit on the matrix side of the membrane, and the latter situated between heme a3 and CuA, at the interface of subunits I and II. The O2 binding site contains heme a3 iron and copper atoms (CuB) with an interatomic distance of 4.5 A; there is no detectable bridging ligand between iron and copper atoms in spite of a strong antiferromagnetic coupling between them. A hydrogen bond is present between a hydroxyl group of the hydroxyfarnesylethyl side chain of heme a3 and an OH of a tyrosine. The tyrosine phenol plane is immediately adjacent and perpendicular to an imidazole group bonded to CuB, suggesting a possible role in intramolecular electron transfer or conformational control, the latter of which could induce the redox-coupled proton pumping. A phenyl group located halfway between a pyrrole plane of the heme a3 and an imidazole plane liganded to the other heme (heme a) could also influence electron transfer or conformational control.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Effects of ethyleneglycol chain length of dodecyl polyethyleneglycol monoether on the crystallization of bovine heart cytochrome c oxidase.

Tetragonal crystals that diffracted X-rays up to 5 A resolution were obtained from bovine heart cytochrome c oxidase isolated and solubilized with dodecyl octaethyleneglycol monoether, CH3(CH2)11O(CH2CH2O)8H. Comparison of observed structure factors between data sets each obtained from a different native crystal gave correlation coefficients of 0.92, 0.84 and 0.57 at 10 A, 7 A and 6 A resolution, respectively. The space group and the cell dimensions of the crystal are I4(1) or I4(3) and a = b = 253 A, c = 507 A, respectively. The perfection and stability of the tetragonal crystals are significantly higher than those of the hexagonal crystals of the protein stabilized with Brij-35, CH3(CH2)11O(CH2CH2O)23H (whose details are reported elsewhere). Examination of the effect of ethyleneglycol chain length on the crystallization revealed that only dodecyl polyethyleneglycol monoethers with eight and seven units were appropriate for producing this type of crystal, indicating an optimum size of the detergent for crystallization of the membrane protein.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Presence of free D-glutamate and D-aspartate in rat tissues.

The presence of free D-glutamate was demonstrated for the first time in rat liver, kidney and brain. This is based on the findings that the D-glutamate as well as D-aspartate in the tissue extracts co-chromatographed exactly with the authentic standards on HPLC, and that the treatment of the extracts with D-aspartate oxidase mostly abolished the HPLC peaks of these compounds. Contents of these acidic D-amino acids in the liver and kidney, as well as the percentages of D/(D + L), were lower in female than in male, while D-aspartate oxidase activities in the same tissues were inversely lower in male than in female, in agreement with a probable role of the enzyme. A significant correlation was observed between D-aspartate and D-glutamate contents in the liver, kidney and brain of individual animals, with the D-glutamate contents always higher than the D-aspartate contents.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗

PubMed1995

Ingested arsenic and internal cancer: a historical cohort study followed for 33 years.

A historical cohort study was conducted to investigate the long-term effect of exposure to ingested arsenic. The 454 residents who had been identified in a list made in 1959 were followed until 1992. They lived in an arsenic-polluted area, called Namiki-cho, Nakajo-machi, in Niigata Prefecture, Japan, and used well water containing inorganic arsenic. The exposure period was estimated to be about 5 years (1955-1959). Death certificates for the people who died between 1959 and 1992 were examined, and a total of 113 of the 454 residents were estimated to have drunk well water containing a high dose of arsenic (> or = 1 ppm). The standardized mortality rate ratios of these 113 residents were 15.69 for lung cancer (observed/expected = 8/0.51; 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.38-31.02) and 31.18 for urinary tract cancer (observed/expected = 3/0.10; 95% CI 8.62-91.75). Cox's proportional hazard analyses demonstrated that the hazard ratios of the highest exposure level group (> or = 1 ppm) versus the background exposure level group (0.001 ppm) were 1.74 (95% CI 1.10-2.74) for all deaths and 4.82 (95% CI 2.09-11.14) for all cancers. The analysis according to the skin signs of chronic arsenicism in 1959 showed that they were useful risk indicators for subsequent cancer development. In the development of lung cancer, there was evidence of synergism between arsenic intake and smoking habit.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Heritable oligodactyly occurring only in male rats.

Heritable oligodactylism in male rats was discovered in Wistar-derived rats. In this study, external and skeletal features of the limb anomalies were examined to clarify the type of oligodactyly. External observation revealed absence and hypoplasia (with respective percentage incidence) in digits II (100, 0), III (87, 13), and IV (23, 1) of the forefeet and in digits II (26, 34), III (34, 11), and V (0, 3) of the hindfeet. Fusion was also observed in digits IV and V in the forefeet (4%) and in digits I and II in the hindfeet (15%). Skeletal examination disclosed absence of all three (proximal, middle, and distal) phalanges in digits II (97%), III (93%), and IV (67%) and of the middle phalanx in digit V (12%) of the forefeet. In the hindfeet, the missing pattern of phalanges in digits II and III was similar to, but less severe than that in the forefeet; the incidence of absence of the three phalanges in digits II and III was 43% and 45%, respectively. Digit V was more affected than that in the forefeet; absence of the middle phalanx was found at 30%. Although no absence was found in the bones proximal to the phalanges, hypoplasia and/or fusion were detected with various degree and incidences among carpi/metacarpi and tarsi/metatarsi. Based on these observations, the types of limb anomalies in this mutant rat were classified as oligodactyly of digits II-V in the forefeet and II, III, and V in the hindfeet with hypoplasia and/or fusion of the carpi/metacarpi and tarsi/metatarsi.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Hydroa vacciniforme-like lymphomatoid papulosis in a Japanese child: a new subset.

An 8-year-old Japanese girl had a 9-month history of a self-healing papulovesicular eruption on her face, scalp, and neck that resembled hydroa vacciniforme (HV). Histologically, there was a dense infiltration of small lymphocytic cells and scattered large atypical cells expressing CD30. Study of gene rearrangement showed no monoclonality in the infiltrating cells. To our knowledge, this is the second case of lymphomatoid papulosis with clinical features resembling HV. However, we also found descriptions in the literature of two other Japanese children with malignant lymphoma who both initially had clinical features resembling HV. These findings suggest that these cases of HV-like disease constitute a subset of lymphomatoid papulosis that is highly likely to progress to malignant lymphoma.

Child↗

PubMed1995

Training in evaluation of expressed emotion using the Japanese version of the Camberwell Family Interview.

To evaluate the effect of training in rating expressed emotion (EE) using the Japanese version of the Camberwell Family Interview (CFI), interrater reliability between a certified rater and a trainee was examined. The material was 65 CFI interviews with the families of 46 schizophrenic patients. The two raters independently rated EE status, critical comments (CC), hostility (H), emotional overinvolvement (EOI), warmth (W) and positive remarks (PR). The interrater reliability was satisfactory with regard to EE status, CC, H, EOI and PR. In the category of W, however, the results were unsatisfactory, as there was no positive development of agreement over time. In fathers, the interrater reliability of W was lower than in other relationships. Use of interview transcripts could contribute to a more satisfactory interrater agreement in EOI, and this is recommended as a useful training tool in EE evaluation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Prurigo nodularis consists of two distinct forms: early-onset atopic and late-onset non-atopic.

BACKGROUND: Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a characteristic chronic dermatosis of unknown etiology showing severely pruritic nodules mainly on the extremities. Atopic diathesis has been implicated as a contributing factor. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to analyze the role of environmental allergens from living organisms in the pathogenesis of PN, to report hypersensitivity against various environmental allergens and to relate this to atopic history in 31 PN patients. METHODS: Positive and negative controls were studied including 52 patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and 22 healthy controls. RAST, prick tests and scarification patch tests were performed on the patients and specimens from lesions of 8 patients were stained with anti-eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) antibody. RESULTS: The 31 PN patients were divided into two groups, those with a past or present history of AD (PN + AD patients) and those without (PN-only patients). Twenty patients (65%) had PN + AD (median age at onset 19 years) and 11 (35%) had PN only (median age at onset 48 years). Analyses of serum IgE levels. RAST scores, prick test and scarification patch test results revealed that the PN + AD patients showed hypersensitive reactions to the environmental allergens in a pattern almost identical to that noted in AD without PN. In contrast, most of those with PN only did not show any hypersensitivity reactions to the environmental allergens. Histologically, many activated eosinophils, identified by monoclonal antibody to ECP, were observed only in the dermis of the PN+AD patients, in contrast to few eosinophils in the lesion of PN-only patients. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that there are two forms of PN: an atopic and a non-atopic one. The PN+AD group is closely associated with AD, being accompanied by cutaneous hypersensitivity to various environmental allergens (a pattern similar to that displayed by AD patients) and has a younger age of onset, whereas the PN-only group, which showed a much older age of onset, does not show any such hypersensitive reactions against these allergens.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Absolute stereostructures of hovenidulciosides A1 and A2, bioactive novel triterpene glycosides from hoveniae semen seu fructus, the seeds and fruit of Hovenia dulcis Thunb.

Two bioactive novel triterpene glycosides named hovenidulciosides A1 and A2 have been isolated from a Chinese natural medicine, Hoveniae Semen Seu Fructus, the seeds and fruit of Hovenia dulcis Thunb. (Rhamnaceae). The absolute stereostructures of hovenidulciosides A1 and A2 with a migrated 16,17-seco-dammarane skeleton have been determined on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence which included the X-ray crystallographic analysis of the p-bromobenzoate of their common aglycone, hovenidulcigenin A. Hovenidulciosides A1 and A2 exhibited inhibitory activity on the histamine release from rat mast cells induced by compound 48/80 or calcium ionophore A-23187.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Ultrastructural and morphometrical analyses of Leydig and Sertoli cells in the testes of rats with hereditary polydactylism.

Rats of the polydactylous (PD) strain carry an autosomal recessive gene pd that causes polydactylism in homozygotes (pd/pd). Male homozygotes are sterile owing to an abnormality of spermatogenesis. In the present study, Leydig and Sertoli cells of 12-week-old pd/pd male rats were examined for ultrastructural alterations in an attempt to clarify the cause of the abnormal spermatogenesis. The relative volumes of the organelles were also determined with morphometry. Phenotypically normal pd/+ males served as controls. No morphological or morphometrical abnormalities were noted in the Leydig cells. However, two different types of Sertoli cell were evident: light cells and dark cells. The incidence of the dark Sertoli cells in pd/pd males was high (27%) compared with that in pd/+ males (6%). These dark cells contained quantities of lipid droplets in the cytoplasm and exhibited a significant increase in the relative volume of lipid droplets compared with the value for the light cells. The nuclei of the dark Sertoli cells were irregular in shape and were invaginated. These results suggest that dark Sertoli cells may have lower lipid metabolism, and in pd/pd males, the high number of these dark Sertoli cells may be related to abnormal spermatogenesis.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Training intensities for aerobic exercise determined on untrained healthy men.

The purpose of this study was to determine the aerobic training intensity from the maximal and submaximal running exercise in 21 untrained adult men. To accomplish this, we evaluated the relationship between physiological (oxygen intake and heart rate) and physical parameters (running speed) of training intensity, and determined the training intensity at the submaximal exercise. Oxygen intake and heart rate were measured by a treadmill test. The maximal oxygen intake (VO2 max), and the aerobic threshold (AerT) and anaerobic threshold (AT) were measured to determine respiratory gas exchange. Running capacity was measured by a 12-min running and treadmill test. For the maximal exercise, there was a significant correlation (r = 0.88, P < 0.01) between VO2 max and 12-min running distance (speed). In addition, the oxygen intake and heart rate at AerT and AT in the submaximal exercise were linearly correlated with running speed. Three levels of training intensity at the submaximal exercise were termed: light, moderate, and heavy. Since AerT was the lower limit intensity and AT was the upper limit, we took the middle of their values as the moderate intensity. The end point for the determination of the training intensity at the submaximal exercise was estimated to be 85% VO2 max and 180 beats.min-1.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

2'-Fluoropolynucleotide-directed reverse transcriptase reactions. Effect of homologous polynucleotides.

Several homologous polynucleotides have been tested as inhibitors on the reactions catalyzed by avian myeloblastosis virus (AMV) reverse transcriptase, in the presence of polyribonucleotides and 2'-fluorinated polynucleotides as templates. Polynucleotides differentially inhibited the reactions catalyzed by reverse transcriptase in the presence of these synthetic templates. Polyriboadenylic acid (poly(rA), poly(2'-O-methyladenylic acid) (poly(Am)), poly(2'-fluoro-2'-deoxyadenylic acid) (poly(dAfl), polyinosinic acid (poly(rI)) and polyuridylic acid poly(rU)) inhibited the polyribonucleotide-, but not the 2'-fluorinated polynucleotide-directed reverse transcriptase activity.

Avian Myeloblastosis Virus↗

PubMed1995

[Family intervention for schizophrenia based on expressed emotion (EE) research: a review of the technique and evaluation].

The present study reviews eight series of trials on psycho-social family intervention for schizophrenia based on Expressed Emotion (EE). All studies used randomized controlled trials (RCT) except one which was non-randomized controlled trial. The relapse risk ratios (intervention/control) for 9-12 months after discharge were 0 to .73 and for 24 months were .20 to .57. Taking into account the shortcomings of the studies, the authors conclude that psycho-social family intervention based on EE is effective in preventing schizophrenic relapse, and discuss four important issues: 1) For effective family intervention, methods for Japanese patients should be established from a trans-cultural view point; 2) The interaction of two or more therapeutic measures should be evaluated quantitatively; 3) The mechanisms of schizophrenic relapse prevention through family psycho-social intervention should be explored. A psycho-physiological study including skin conductance measurement is promising; 4) The authors point out the ethical aspect of family intervention, and discuss the importance of informed consent and the need to place emphasis on family's needs.

Emotions↗

PubMed1994

Pathogenetic changes in the lung bud of mutant rats with heritable pulmonary lobation anomalies.

The present study aimed at investigating pathogenesis of pulmonary lobation anomalies in fpl/fpl mutant rats. Day 12-15 embryos were first examined for pulmonary lobation. Lung serial sections were then made and examined for bronchial branching and distribution of extracellular matrices (ECMs). The lung buds of both fpl/fpl embryos and their phenotypically normal fpl/+ littermates were formed as bilateral protrusion of the foregut on gestation day 12. In fpl/+ embryos, three processes appeared on the right lung bud on day 13, and fissures were completely formed by day 14. In fpl/fpl embryos, the right lung bud had no clear process on gestation day 13, and fissures were not formed on day 14 and thereafter, with the exception of incomplete separation between the cranial and middle lobes. Histological observation revealed that the right main bronchial bud of fpl/+ embryos ramified all lobar bronchial buds by gestation day 13. ECMs, a borderline between endodermal bronchial buds and surrounding mesenchyme, disappeared at the distal end of each lobar bronchial bud. By contrast, in fpl/fpl embryos, the right main bronchial bud did not ramify the middle and intermediate lobar bronchial buds at its lateral and ventral portions, but swelled on gestation day 13. It was covered with ECMs at the lateral side but not at the ventral region, from which the middle and intermediate lobar bronchial buds arose on gestation day 14. These observations suggest that altered distribution of ECMs causes branching abnormalities of the lobar bronchial buds and subsequent lobation anomalies in fpl/fpl embryos.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Abdominal sonography for the diagnosis of large bowel obstruction.

To evaluate the clinical usefulness of abdominal sonography in the diagnosis of large bowel obstruction, the sonographic findings of 39 patients with a large bowel obstruction, in the form of a simple obstruction in 36 patients and a sigmoid volvulus in 3, were reviewed in comparison with their plain X-ray findings. Abdominal sonography showed a large bowel obstruction in 33 patients, and an obstructing lesion in 14 of these patients. However, in the other 6 patients, including the 3 with a sigmoid volvulus, the image was disturbed by extensive colonic gas. Although the plain abdominal X-ray films showed no gaseous colonic dilatation, isolated small bowel dilatation was seen in six patients with a large bowel obstruction proximal to the splenic flexure. In five of these six patients, abdominal sonography revealed a dilated colon filled with fluid and feculent contents which was difficult to evaluate on the plain X-ray films. Consequently, abdominal sonography was proven to be useful, especially for detecting X-ray-negative colonic dilatation.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Depressive disorders in Japanese primary care patients.

In a sample of 276 Japanese adult patient attenders at two primary care clinics affiliated with the Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine at the Okayama University Medical School major depression was diagnosed in 5.8% and minor depression in 7.2% of patients studied. Functional impairment was significantly more severe in patients with either major or minor depression than in those not affected. None of the 36 patients with major or minor depression had received a diagnosis of depression or had been given antidepressant therapy. Possible explanations for the marked underdiagnosis of depression and lack of specific antidepressant therapy in these patients include severe stigma associated with a diagnosis of mental disorders, focus of the mental health system on hospitalization with consequent trivialization of mental problems in ambulatory patients, and the extraordinarily high work load of primary care doctors.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1994

Composite gastric seromuscular and omental pedicle flap for urethral and scrotal reconstruction after Fournier's gangrene.

A new composite gastric seromuscular and omental pedicle flap is described that can provide immediate airtight or watertight closure in the repair of complex defects involving the urethra. This flap was used to repair defects of the urethra, scrotum, and abdominal wall in a patient with Fournier's gangrene. The seromuscular patch was sutured to the urethral defect, and the omentum was applied over the defects of the scrotum and abdominal wall. This new procedure made it possible to close the skin primarily without leakage or infection. The patient had an uncomplicated recovery. Postoperative urethrography demonstrated no leakage or stenosis.

Abdominal Muscles↗

PubMed1994

Intraductal carcinoma of the breast arising in sclerosing adenosis.

An unusual case of intraductal carcinoma of the breast arising in sclerosing adenosis is reported. A 49 year old Japanese woman noticed a lump in her right breast 3 years before she sought medical advice. Histologic examination of the lumpectomy specimen showed, adjacent to intraductal papilloma, sclerosing adenosis involved in a neoplastic cellular proliferation with cribriform pattern and comedo necrosis. Immunohistochemical study with anti-actin antibodies discriminated intraductal carcinoma from adjacent sclerosing adenosis by highlighting myoepithelial components in the latter. Extensive sampling revealed no carcinoma outside the sclerosing adenosis, implying that the intraductal carcinoma did originate in the tubules of sclerosing adenosis. A review of the literature indicated that the ductal to lobular ratio among carcinoma in situ concurring with sclerosing adenosis is about 1:2. The average age of patients with ductal and lobular carcinoma in situ in sclerosing adenosis is 39 and 43.7, respectively. It is suggested that carcinoma in situ arising in sclerosing adenosis and fibroadenoma have a similar biological basis.

Adenofibroma↗