PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H Unno

Publications and source records attributed to H Unno.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Recognition of target DNA and transcription activation by the CO-sensing transcriptional activator CooA.

CooA from Rhodospirillum rubrum is a heme-based CO-sensing transcriptional activator, in which CO acts as a physiological effector. In this study, we examined the mechanism of site-specific recognition and transcriptional activation by CooA by elucidating the transcriptional activator activity of the mutant CooA proteins and the chimeric proteins derived from CRP and CooA and the promoter activity of the mutant promoters. Site-directed mutagenesis has revealed that Arg(177), Gln(178), and Ser(181) on the recognition helix of the helix-turn-helix motif in CooA are responsible for the site-specific recognition. The side chains of these amino acid residues at positions 177, 178, and 181 are believed to be hydrogen bonding to the G:A, T:A, and C:G pairs at positions 2/15, 3/14, and 4/13 in the CooA-dependent promoters to recognize the DNA site for CooA. The properties of the CRP/CooA chimeric proteins constructed in this work suggest that CooA activates transcription by a similar mechanism to that of CRP at Class II CRP-dependent promoters.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Structural analysis of a biofilm which enhances carbon steel corrosion in nutritionally poor aquatic environments.

Carbon steel coupons were exposed to nutritionally-poor synthetic wastewater inoculated with activated sludge from a municipal waste water plant. Biofilm formation was observed after one day incubation, and the thickness of the film increased proportionally with the incubation period. Mass loss of the coupons was also proportional to the incubation time, and reached 70.4 (mg/cm2) after incubation for 140 d. The observed mass loss was 5 times as much as that under sterile conditions. To characterize the microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of carbon steel, structural analysis of the biofilm was performed. Rapid decrease in the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration in the zone near the surface of the biofilm was observed by a microelectrode mounted on a micromanipulator. Heterogeneous distribution of the DO concentration on the surface of the steel plate was observed after multiple analyses. The heterogeneous structure of the biofilm composed of viable cells, inanimate objects, voids and pores was elucidated by confocal scanning laser microscopy. Concentrations of both aerobic bacteria and sulphur-reducing bacteria in the biofilm decreased with the incubation time, indicating that the increase in the biofilm thickness reflected an increase in the density of dead microbial cells or in extracellular polymer accumulation by the microbes. The average roughness of the metal surface observed after 112 d of incubation was +/-7.14 microm, which was 14.1% of the average thickness of the coupons. These observations indicated that uneven distribution of the DO profile and the cell concentration were critical for MIC of the carbon steel.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Enhanced microbial adaptation to p-nitrophenol using activated sludge retained in porous carrier particles and simultaneous removal of nitrite released from degradation of p-nitrophenol.

In order to examine the microbial degradation of p-nitrophenol (PNP) by a mixed culture system and simultaneous removal of nitrite released via the degradation, an activated sludge retained in porous carrier particles and a suspension culture as a control were acclimated to artificial sewage containing PNP as the sole carbon source. The adaptation of microbes retained in porous carrier particles to PNP was faster than that of suspended microbes by more than 20 d. After microbial adaptation to PNP, it was degraded completely without significant accumulation of intermediate metabolites. The PNP degradation activity of the retained microbes was more than 2 times higher than that of the suspended microbes. By increasing the retained microbial concentration, nitrite released from the degraded PNP was removed by denitrification. This research demonstrates that using microbes retained in porous carrier particles is not only effective for reduction of acclimation time but also enables simultaneous removal of the nitrogen compounds resulting from the degradation of nitroaromatics.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Cloning and expression of a gene encoding the lytic functions of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens phage: Evidence of an auxiliary lysis system.

A bacteriophage specific to Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, a gram-positive bacterium, was isolated from a local sewage treatment center. Using a lysis assay, a gene, lys1521, was isolated and its nucleotide sequence revealed one open reading frame of 375 bp. Homology studies showed amino acid alignment similarity with gene 5A of Bacillus subtilis phages PZA and phi29. Overexpression of the cloned gene yielded a 13 kDa protein corresponding to the predicted gene product. Despite the fact that no significant homology with known cell wall lytic enzymes was apparent, the lytic profile obtained in an in vivo expression assay showed that lys1521 had cell wall hydrolysis activity. This is a significant revelation since the function of the homologous gene 5A product of phage phi29 has been suggested to be required for the in vivo elongation of phage DNA replication. The lys1521 gene could be evidence of the presence in gram-positive bacteriophages of a third lysis gene in addition to the well characterized two-step lysis system.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

[Analysis of the cases in which Schizophyllum commune was isolated].

Infections caused by Schizophyllum commune have recently been on the increase. We analyzed cases in which this fungus was isolated from clinical samples from 1991 to 1995. Regular morphological methods were first employed in the identification of S. commune, and when necessary, mating was made with a known S. commune isolate. IgG antibodies against S. commune in the patients' serum were determined by the ELISA method. Profiles of the cases were analyzed and the English-language medical literature was reviewed. S. commune was isolated from 12 patients. Eighty three percent of the patients were female, most of which presented with allergy-related pulmonary diseases, i. e. allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis or mucoid impaction of bronchi. IgG antibodies were detectable in nine of eleven patients examined (82%). Fifty eight percent of the isolates were monokaryotic, and therefore, unidentifiable by regular morphological methods. In contrast, analysis of the English literature disclosed that sinusitis is the most common form of infection, and that hyphal invasion into the tissue was seen in 50% of reported cases. Our study shows that S. commune should be regarded as a pathogenic fungus, and is infecting humans much more frequently than previously assumed. Further investigation is warranted.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Strategies for preventing stroke after coronary artery bypass grafting].

UNLABELLED: To evaluate the usefulness of our strategy for preventing stroke after CABG, 343 consecutive patients were investigated retrospectively. Patient ages ranged from 32 to 31 years (mean; 63 +/- 9 years). There were 254 males and 59 females. Number of grafts per patient was 1 to 5 (mean 2.4 +/- 0.9 grafts). In 193 patients, internal carotid arteries (ICAs) were preoperatively evaluated by duplex scanning or cerebral angiogram. The degree of atherosclerosis in the ascending aorta was preoperatively examined by plain computed tomography in 181 patients, during surgery by ultrasonography in 75 patients and palpation in all patients. RESULTS: 1. On preoperative examination, there were 26 patients (15.1%) with ICA stenosis greater than 50% and 15 patients (7.8%) with stenosis greater than 75%. Six patients had bilateral ICA stenosis or occlusion greater than 75%. In 26 patients with ICA stenosis greater than 50%, history of stroke was significantly more prevalent than that in 167 patients without ICA stenosis (12 patients: 46.2% vs 22 patients: 13.1%, p < 0.001). In patients with ICA stenosis greater than 75%, 6 patients were symptomatic and 8 were asymptomatic. For these patients, concomitant carotid endarterectomy and CABG were performed in 5, two stage procedures in 7 reconstruction of cerebral perfusion followed by CABG;4, followed by CEA: 3), and CABG alone in 3. There was no stroke in any of these patients. 2. Atherosclerosis of the ascending aorta was found in 69 of 343 patients (20.1%). In these patients, single clamp technique was applied in 50 patients, aortic no touch technique in 12 and CABG without cardiopulmonary bypass in one. The arterial cannulation site was changed to femoral artery in 15 and to axillary artery in 6 patients. Statistical analysis indicated that age (older than 60 years) and history of stroke were significant risk factors for atherosclerotic ascending aorta. 3. There were 3 patients (0.9%) with perioperative stroke caused by embolism from the ascending aorta in one and hypoperfusion of the brain during cardiopulmonary bypass in two. CONCLUSION: Proper treatment of atherosclerotic ascending aorta and carotid occlusion may reduce the incidence of stroke in CABG patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Repeat coronary artery bypass in a patient with liver cirrhosis.

The case of a 69-year-old man with liver cirrhosis, thrombocytopenia, unstable angina, and a history of previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is presented. The patient under-went successful repeat CABG through lateral thoracotomy on the beating heart without extracorporeal circulatory support.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

[Duplex scanning of the internal thoracic artery for coronary artery surgery].

Ultrasonic duplex scanning was used to examine 77 internal thoracic arteries (ITA). The investigated vessels were classified as normal, stenosed (peak systolic velocity was faster than 150 cm/sec and doppler signals showed turbulent pattern), small (diameter measurements were smaller than 1.4 mm and mean flow velocities were slower than 20 cm/sec in distal part of the vessels), and occluded (no flow characteristics could be detected) by the doppler spectrum analysis and the two-dimensional B-mode images. The results of the duplex examination were compared with operative findings and angiograpic findings. Diameter measurements by duplex scanning compared with operative findings showed virtually no differences. One stenosed ITA, a 75% stenosis in the proximal part of the vessel, and two small ITAs were detected by duplex scanning. We performed coronary artery bypass grafting using distal part of the stenosed ITA as a free graft, and used small ITAs as individual bypass grafts. Two normal ITAs were misjudged as small, and one small ITA was misjudged as occluded. All normal ITAs of duplex examination showed normal findings of angiography. Duplex scanning is a reliable, sensitive, and noninvasive technique for the preoperative assessment of the ITA, and is a suitable screening for coronary artery surgery.

Coronary Artery Bypass↗
PubMed1998

[Simultaneous cholecystectomy and CABG for acute cholecystitis and post-infarction angina].

A 71-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with massive GI bleeding and followed by acute myocardial infarction. Severe three vessel coronary artery disease with poor left ventricular performance (EF: 40%) was demonstrated by coronary angiography. He was referred for CABG. He had also cholecystitis, which needed surgical treatment simultaneously. Combined CABG and cholecystectomy were performed without using gastroepiploic artery as a bypass graft, and through separate median sternotomy and through right upper transrectal laparotomy. Postoperative course was uneventful. This combined procedure is beneficial for the patients with acute cholecystitis and unstable angina.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

[Surgical outcomes of transverse aortic arch replacement].

The surgical outcomes of transverse aortic arch replacement were analyzed for the cases of 33 consecutive patients who underwent operations during the seven years between July 1989 and March 1996. Sixteen patients were atherosclerotic aneurysm (group T), 17 patients were acute or chronic aortic dissection involving aortic arch (group D). As for brain protection during aortic arch reconstruction, selective cerebral perfusion was employed in 16 patients of group T and 11 patients of group D. In 6 patients of group D with acute type A aortic dissection or chronic type B dissection, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest at 18 approximately 20 degrees C of rectal temperature was employed. In 14 patients of group T, selective cerebral perfusion was simultaneously started when we begun cardiopulmonary bypass. There were one operative death in group T patients (operative mortality 6.2%) and two in group D patients (operative mortality 11.8%). Perioperative stroke was occurred in two patients of group T with complete recovery in one and with partial recovery in the other. The latter patient died of medistinitis and graft infection. There was no hospital death nor stroke in group D patients. Duration of selective cerebral perfusion was 157.8 +/- 54.4 minutes in group T patients, 140.1 +/- 66.5 minutes in group D patients (n = 11), duration of circulatory arrest was 49.5 +/- 11.4 minutes in 6 patients of group D patients, respectively. In 27 patients who underwent operation with selective cerebral perfusion, morbidity of stroke was 7.4% (two patients). These were caused by technical failure during arch vessel reconstruction and seemed to be avoidable. In conclusion, it is reasonable to employ selective cerebral perfusion for aortic arch reconstruction in atherosclerotic aneurysm of transverse aortic arch. In aortic dissection, either selective cerebral perfusion or deep hypothermic circulatory arrest is justified as cerebral protection during operation.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Changes in aerobic capacity and coronary risk factors during long-term exercise training in women with ischemic heart disease: a 36-month follow-up.

We evaluated the time course of alteration in aerobic capacity and coronary risk factors associated with a 36-month exercise program in women with ischemic heart disease (IHD). Twenty-one patients participated in supervised exercise and home-based exercise programs for 36 months. However, of all patients, 11 patients completed the entire program. Oxygen uptake corresponding to lactate threshold (VO2LT), peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), percent of body fat (%BF), systolic (BPs) and diastolic (BPd) blood pressure, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and triglycerides (TG) were assessed before and 4, 8, 12, 24, and 36 months after exercise. The intensity of exercise was set at individually determined LT, i.e., 60 to 70% VO2peak. The daily amount of exercise during 36 months averaged 24.0 +/- 11.4 minutes per day. During the course of exercise program, VO2LT, VO2peak, BPs, BPd, and TG improved significantly at month 4. Although %BF decreased significantly at month 8 to 12, it tended to return to the initial level at month 36. On the other hand, a significant increase in HDLC was found at month 24 and improved state of HDLC remained unchanged thereafter. No changes were found in TC and LDLC. These results suggest that most of the beneficial effects of exercise on aerobic capacity and coronary risk factors in women with IHD are obtained within 4-8 months, with some further improvement seen with continued exercise up to 24 months.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1996

[Surgery for thoracic aortic aneurysm in the elderly patients with renal insufficiency and pulmonary disfunction].

Renal insufficiency and pulmonary disfunction are the major risk factors of surgical treatment for thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA). The 1st case was 79-year-old female with ruptured TAA. The 2nd case was 76-year-old female with thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm. Both patients successfully treated with graft replacement using temporally shunt (12 mm Gore-Tex graft), tracheostomy and epidural analgesia.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

[Application of large curved forceps for taping in cardiovascular surgery].

A new large curved forceps was manufactured for trial with the object of taping in cardiovascular surgery. Widely used and commercially available forceps could be utilized on the taping of large vessel less than 5 to 5.8 cm in diameter. With this new forceps, aneurysmally dilate great vessels (less than 8 cm in diameter) could be safely taped without compression of aortic wall. This forceps has already applied not only for the major vascular surgery, but also for the wearing of cardiac net in coronary artery bypass grafting.

Aortic Aneurysm↗
PubMed1994

Allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis caused by the basidiomycetous fungus Schizophyllum commune.

We describe, to our knowledge, the first case of allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM) caused by the basidiomycetous fungus Schizophyllum commune in an otherwise healthy woman. Bronchoscopic analysis repeatedly disclosed S. commune hyphae in the bronchi of the lingular lobe; these hyphae were originally misidentified as Aspergillus because the presence of clamp connections was overlooked. A lingular infiltrate with ectatic proximal bronchi, eosinophilia, an elevated serum level of IgE, and antibodies to S. commune supported the diagnosis. It is sometimes difficult to isolate and identify S. commune in clinical specimens, and hence only a limited number of cases of ABPM might have been correctly diagnosed in the past. We suspect, therefore, that some cases of ABPM caused by an allergic reaction to S. commune may be misdiagnosed as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis or eosinophilic pneumonia of unknown origin. The significance of S. commune in allergic bronchopulmonary diseases is discussed.

Antibodies, Fungal↗
PubMed1993

A new type porous carrier and its application to culture of suspension cells.

A new type porous carrier was fabricated from a mixture of sodium alginate, bovine serum albumin and sodium bicarbonate. The porous space of the carrier is an assembly of void spaces. The carrier was successfully applied to the cultivation of suspension animal cells. In the culture, while both cells and carriers were held in suspension, the cells were entrapped hydrodynamically into the void spaces in the carriers. A culture of hybridoma cells using this carrier resulted in a cell density up to 5.7 x 10(7) cells per ml-carrier.

Alginates↗
PubMed1992

[Biventricular heart assist using centrifugal pump and roller pump in profound ventricular failure after open heart surgery: a case report].

A forty-seven-year-old female with profound biventricular heart failure probably caused by coronary artery spasm after open mitral commissurotomy was successfully survived by mechanical circulatory support. Centrifugal and roller pumps were applied to left and right side circulatory assist respectively. Recovery of cardiac function was evaluated by transesophageal echocardiography and hemodynamic parameters during intentional low flow assist. Finally, she was weaned from assist after 136 hours. No systemic thromboembolism was recognized after pump removal. Combination of centrifugal and roller pumps could be applicable to biventricular heart assist without crucial complication.

Cardiac Output, Low↗