PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H Yoshizawa

Publications and source records attributed to H Yoshizawa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Commensurate-incommensurate crossover of charge stripe in La2-xSrxNiO4 (x approximately 1/3).

The temperature (T) dependence of the charge-stripe order in La2-xSrxNiO4 has been investigated in the vicinity of x approximately 1/3 by synchrotron radiation x-ray diffraction measurements. With decreasing T, a prominent commensurate-incommensurate (C-IC) crossover is observed in the x<1/3 region, while for the x>1/3 region the IC order is dominant over the whole T range. Such a C-IC crossover is interpreted as the entropy-driven self-doping of the charge stripes, and its x dependence indicates the clear electron-hole asymmetry with the x=1/3 compound as the Mott insulator.

Journal Article↗

Membrane formation mechanism of cross-linked polyurea microcapsules by phase separation method.

This research was conducted to clarify the membrane formation mechanism of cross-linked polyurea microcapsules by phase separation method, especially the role of polymeric surfactant, such as poly(ethylene-alt-maleic anhydride) (poly(E-MA)) at the interface of O/W emulsion. It was found that poly(E-MA) was necessary for the formation of cross-linked polyurea membrane. The addition of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) prohibited the membrane formation reaction at the interface, even in the case of poly(E-MA) concentration enough for polymeric microcapsule formation. From the results in this study, poly(E-MA) was found to be adsorbed on the O/W emulsion and provide the reaction site for the membrane formation of polymeric microcapsules.

Capsules↗

Phase I/II study of daily carboplatin, 5-fluorouracil and concurrent radiation therapy for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

A study was undertaken to determine the maximum tolerated dose, the dose-limiting toxicities and the response rate of carboplatin and 5-fluorouracil administered daily with concurrent thoracic radiation therapy in patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. In a phase I/II clinical trial, patients with histologically documented, unresectable stage IIIA or IIIB non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were enrolled. Carboplatin (20-40 mg m(-2) 2-h infusion, daily) and 5-fluorouracil (200 mg m(-2) 24-h continuous infusion, daily) were administered concurrently with radiotherapy on days 1-33. Radiotherapy, with a total dose of 60 Gy, was delivered in 30 fractions on days 1-40. In the phase I portion, the daily dose of carboplatin was escalated from 20 to 40 mg m(-2). Once the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended dose (RD) of carboplatin was determined, the study entered the phase II portion. In the phase I portion, the daily MTD and RD of carboplatin were 40 and 35 mg m(-2), respectively. The dose-limiting toxicity was neutropenia. In the following phase II study, 30 patients were entered and the objective response rate was 76.7% (95% CI, 62-92%) and the local control rate was 85.7%. The median survival time was 19.8 months, with a survival rate of 70% at 1 year, 36.7% at 2 years. The major toxicities of treatment were neutropenia (>or=grade 3, 87.9%) and thrombocytopenia (>or=grade 3, 23.3%). This combined therapy for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer is promising and shows acceptable toxicity.

Adult↗

Highly degenerate canted spin structure in bilayer manganite La1.1Sr1.9Mn2O7.

We have observed magnetic diffuse signals of the bilayer manganite La1.1Sr1.9Mn2O7 by neutron scattering. Even at the low temperature, 20 K, there is a diffuse signal, which is much stronger than that observed in the high temperatures, 144 and 288 K. This signal cannot be characterized by a bilayer structure as observed at 144 K nor by a monolayer structure as at 288 K, but by a high degeneracy of a canted spin structure. Thus, an observation of this diffuse signal is the direct evidence for the establishment of the canted spin structure in La1.1Sr1.9Mn2O7.

Journal Article↗

Comparison of ability of apoptosis induction by lipopolysaccharide of Porphyromonas gingivalis with Escherichia coli.

We compared effects of Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS with Escherichia coli LPS to the murine peritoneal macrophage. E. coli LPS possessed a threshold dose between 100 micro g and 10 micro g, the higher dose induced apoptosis at the murine peritoneal macrophage while the lower dose did not. The ability of apoptosis induction at the murine peritoneal macrophage of P. gingivalis LPS was weaker than E. coli LPS. P. gingivalis LPS did not induce significant apoptosis in all tested dose. However, the morphology of the peritoneal macrophage treated by P. gingivalis LPS was obviously different from that of the unstimulated cells.

Animals↗

Successful liquid storage of peripheral blood stem cells at subzero non-freezing temperature.

Although non-frozen storage of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) has been extensively studied and utilized clinically, the optimal storage conditions have not been determined. In order to improve the maintenance of clonogenic capacity during storage, we evaluated the feasibility of subzero non-freezing preservation of PBSC and attempted to determine the optimal conditions. Human PBSC were stored in different non-cryopreserved conditions. University of Wisconsin (UW) solution was used as the storage medium for PBSC. The stem cell integrity was optimally maintained when PBSC were preserved in a supercooled state at -2 degrees C in UW solution without any cryoprotectants, and the highest values for nucleated cell survival (91.6%), CFU-GM survival (67.3%) and trypan blue viability (92%) were achieved at 72 h. CFU-GM survival in our storage conditions was significantly better than the survival achieved with hypothermic preservation in autologous serum and ACD-A solution at 4 degrees C (67.3 +/- 9.2% vs 42.9 +/- 15.3%; P < 0.01) or cryopreservation at -80 degrees C (67.3 +/- 9.2% vs 52.7 +/- 10.7%; P < 0.01). Thus, the combination of supercooling and UW solution was the optimal non-freezing method of preserving transplantable PBSC tested here. This method is of clinical utility in peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) for its simplicity and storage efficiency, and has value as a short-term storage method for PBSC to support dose-intensive multicyclic chemotherapy.

Blood Cells↗

Nephron structure and immunohistochemical localization of ion pumps and aquaporins in the kidney of frogs inhabiting different environments.

Amphibians inhabit areas ranging from completely aqueous to terrestrial environments and move between water and land. The kidneys of all anurans are similar at the gross morphological level: the structure of their nephrons is related to habitat. According to the observation by light and electron microscopy, the cells that make up the nephron differ among species. Immunohistochemical studies using antibodies to various ATPases showed a significant species difference depending on habitat. The immunoreactivity for Na+,K(+)-ATPase was low in the proximal tubules but high in the basolateral membranes of early distal tubules to collecting ducts in all species. In the proximal tubule, apical membranes of the cells were slightly immunoreactive to H(+)-ATPase antibody in aquatic species. In the connecting tubule and the collecting duct, the apical membrane of intercalated cells was immunoreactive in all species. In aquatic species, H+,K(+)-ATPase immunoreactivity was observed in cell along the proximal, distal tubule to the collecting duct. However, H+,K(+)-ATPase was present along the intercalated cells of the distal segments from early distal to collecting tubules in terrestrial and semi-aquatic species. In the renal corpuscle, the neck segment and the intermediate segment, immunoreactivities to ion pumps were not observed in any of the species examined. Taking together our observations, we conclude that in the aquatic species, a large volume of plasma must be filtered in a large glomerulus and the ultrafiltrate components are reabsorbed along a large and long proximal segment of the nephron. Control of tubular transport may be poorly developed when a small short distal segment of the nephron is observed. On the contrary, terrestrial species have a long and well-developed distal segment and regulation mechanisms of tubular transport may have evolved in these segments. Thus, the development of the late distal segments of the nephron is one of the important factors for the terrestrial adaptation.

Animals↗

CD40 ligand promotes priming of fully potent antitumor CD4(+) T cells in draining lymph nodes in the presence of apoptotic tumor cells.

The presence or absence of CD4(+) T cell help can determine the direction of adaptive immune responses toward either cross-priming or cross-tolerance. It has been demonstrated that interactions of CD40-CD40 ligand can replace CD4(+) T cell help and enable dendritic cells to prime cytotoxic T cells. Here, we demonstrate that antitumor reactivity induced in regional lymph nodes (LNs) by s.c. injection of CD40 ligand (CD40L)-transduced tumor (MCA205 CD40L) showed far superior therapeutic efficacy against established brain tumors of a weakly immunogenic fibrosarcoma, MCA205, when adoptively transferred. Coinjection of apoptotic, but not necrotic parental tumor cells with CD40L-expressing tumor cells caused a strong synergistic induction of antitumor reactivity in tumor-draining LNs. Freshly isolated T cells from LNs immunized with apoptotic parental tumor cells and MCA205 CD40L were capable of mediating regression of the parental tumor in vivo. In contrast, T cells derived from LNs immunized without MCA205 CD40L required ex vivo anti-CD3/IL-2 activation to elicit therapeutic activity. On anti-CD3/IL-2 activation, cells from LNs immunized with MCA205 CD40L exhibited superior per cell antitumor reactivity. An in vitro depletion study revealed that either CD4(+) or CD8(+) T cells could mediate therapeutic efficacy but that the antitumor efficacy mediated by CD4(+) T cells was far superior. Cytosolic flow cytometric analyses indicated that priming of CD4(+) cells in LNs draining CD40L-expressing tumors was polarized to the Th1 type. This is the first report that fully potent antitumor CD4(+) T cell priming was promoted by s.c. injection of CD40L-transduced tumor in the presence of apoptotic tumor cells.

Animals↗

Spin chirality, Berry phase, and anomalous Hall effect in a frustrated ferromagnet.

An electron hopping on non-coplanar spin sites with spin chirality obtains a complex phase factor (Berry phase) in its quantum mechanical amplitude that acts as an internal magnetic field, and is predicted to manifest itself in the Hall effect when it is not cancelled. The present combined work of transport measurement, neutron scattering, and theoretical calculation provides evidence that the gigantic anomalous Hall effect observed in Nd2Mo2O7, a pyrochlore ferromagnet with geometrically frustrated lattice structure, is mostly due to the spin chirality and the associated Berry phase originating from the Mo spin tilting.

Journal Article↗

Genetic changes in colorectal carcinoma tumors with liver metastases analyzed by comparative genomic hybridization and DNA ploidy.

BACKGROUND: Liver metastases are found in 10% of primary colorectal malignancies, and they affects the prognosis of patients with colorectal carcinoma. The authors investigated DNA copy number aberrations by using comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) and DNA ploidy alterations by using flow cytometry (FCM) in patients with primary colorectal carcinoma (primary tumors). To determine whether there are characteristic DNA copy number alterations that contribute to liver metastasis, cytogenetic aberrations were examined by CGH and FCM. METHODS: The authors analyzed 35 primary tumors, including 16 primary tumors with liver metastasis, by using CGH and FCM. RESULTS: Increases in DNA copy numbers were detected in 6q (5 of 16 tumors), 7q (6 of 16 tumors), 8q (7 of 16 tumors), 9p (5 of 16 tumors), 13q (8 of 16 tumors), 20p (9 of 16 tumors), and 20q (15 of 16 tumors) in primary tumors with liver metastases. Decreases in DNA copy numbers were found in 17p (5 of 16 tumors), 18p (6 of 19 tumors), 18q (8 of 16 tumors), and 22q (5 of 16 tumors). In contrast, primary tumors without liver metastasis showed gains in chromosome arms 8q (2 of 19 tumors), 13q (2 of 19 tumors), 20p (6 of 19 tumors), and 20q (5 of 19 tumors); however, they showed no gains in 6q or 7q and showed losses in chromosome arms 17p (2 of 19 tumors), 18p (4 of 19 tumors), 18q (6 of 19 tumors), and 22q (5 of 19 tumors). There was a significant difference in the frequency of DNA copy number gains and losses in 6q (P < 0.05), 7q (P < 0.01), 8q (P < 0.05), 13q (P < 0.05), and 20q (P < 0.01), respectively, between primary tumors with and without liver metastases. The differences in the DNA index were not significant between the two groups of primary tumors. CONCLUSIONS: In liver metastases of primary tumors from patients with colorectal carcinoma, a correlation between DNA copy number aberrations and gains of chromosome arms 6q, 7q, 8q, 13q, and 20q is suggested.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

IgM-class antibodies to TT virus (TTV) in patients with acute TTV infection.

TT virus (TTV) is a human circovirus with a single-stranded, circular DNA genome of 3.8 kb. A method was developed to detect IgM antibodies to TTV as a serological marker for the diagnosis of acute TTV infection. IgM antibodies in test sera were captured by a monoclonal antibody against IgM/µ on a solid support followed by binding of IgM with TTV derived from fecal extract of a TTV carrier. The presence of IgM-specific TTV particles was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using nucleic acids extracted from the solid support. Anti-TTV IgM was detected in sera from two patients with non-A to G post-transfusion hepatitis, who were positive for TTV DNA during weeks 10-21 and 12-17, respectively, following transfusion. The anti-TTV IgM was detectable after alanine transaminase levels were elevated and TTV DNA was detectable in the patients. The duration of the anti-TTV IgM was short-lived compared with anti-TTV IgG. Anti-TTV IgM was not detected in sera from any of 36 healthy individuals, with no detectable anti-TTV IgG or TTV DNA in their serum. These results indicate that anti-TTV IgM antibodies would be a useful marker to detect acute TTV infection.

Journal Article↗

The effect of heat-treated human bone morphogenetic protein on clinical implantation.

For the clinical usage of human-derived bones, it is necessary to treat bones to reduce the risk of contamination by microorganisms. Bone morphogenetic protein is vulnerable to chemicals, but shows resistance to thermal heat to 70 degrees C in a short time. In this experiment, crude human bone morphogenetic protein was extracted from heat-treated bones at 60 degrees C for 10 hours and from nonheated bones. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for these specimens was done. Gelatin capsules containing 5 mg of crude human bone morphogenetic protein extracted from heated and nonheated bones were implanted into thigh muscle pouches of five mice. At 20 days after implantation, the heterotopic bone formation was compared by evaluating the radiographic and histologic analyses. The sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis pattern of the human bone morphogenetic proteins showed five main bands (16, 22, 28, 35, and 67 kDa) that were almost identical. Heterotopic bone formation observed on the radiograph was induced by crude human bone morphogenetic protein from heated bones in a manner similar to that used for nonheated bones. The results from this study show that heat-treated bone preserves osteoinduction.

Animals↗

Characteristic features of the acetabular labrum in healthy children.

Radial magnetic resonance images of the acetabular labrum were obtained on 40 hips of healthy children. There were no right-left or male-female differences. In children aged 11 years or younger, the labrum on the antero-superior weightbearing portion was triangular in shape, and there was an insular-shaped or linear high-intensity area inside; on the mid-superior portion, the labrum appeared as a regular triangular, low-intensity area; and on the postero-superior portion, it was flat. In children aged 12 and 13 years, the shape of the labrum in each portion was similar to that of the younger children, but the high signal intensity area on the antero-superior portion appeared less frequently. The size of the labrum relative to the femoral head was greater in younger children.

Acetabulum↗

[Past trends in hepatitis C virus infection and route of transmission in Japan].

In Japan, it is known that the prevalence of hepatitis C virus(HCV) is high among the older people over 60 years of age in sharp contrast to the low prevalence among those under 30. The annual incidence rate of HCV carriers in general population remains quite low to be 1.8-3.4 per 100,000 person-year. On the other hand, HCV prevalence among intravenous drug users(IVDU) is still greater than 60%. Taking into account this epidemiological pattern together with the historical fact that Japan experienced an explosion of drug abuse among young generation of 15 to 25 years old in the period of post World War II turmoil together with the poor sanitary and medical conditions, it is suggested that a great wave of HCV spread in Japan occurred most likely in 1960's to 1970's. The spread then may have gradually fallen to the range today.

Adolescent↗

Cancer immunogene therapy.

The establishment of cancer in a host involves at least two major events: the escape of tumor cells from normal growth control and their escape from immunological recognition. Because of this nature of their development, cancer cells seem to be predominatly poorly immunogenic. In contrast to the previous idea that cancer cells express no recognizable antigens, recent progress in the identification and characterization of tumor antigens, as well as the expansion of knowledge on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of antigen recognition by the immune system, have raised the possibility of using immunotherapy to treat certain tumors. Information on these mechanisms has been obtained in three crucial areas: 1) the role of cytokines in the regulation of the immune response, 2) the molecular characterization of tumor antigens in both mouse and human tumors, and 3) the molecular mechanisms of T cell activation and antigen presentation. Such information has provided new insight into tumor immunology and immunotherapy. Furthermore, recombinant DNA technology allows for modification of the genome of mammalian cells for therapeutic purposes in several diseases. Several novel strategies have been developed to derive genetically modified tumor cells and use them as cellular vaccines to induce antitumor immunity in animal tumor models. This combined modality of genetically modified tumor cells and immunotherapy has been termed immunogene therapy of tumors. Crucial to this approach has been the ability to transfer into normal or neoplastic cells genes known to increase the immunogenicity of cells, which subsequently can be used to augment immune reactions in tumor-bearing mice or cancer patients. While there has been success in inducing antitumor immunity in some tumor models, there are difficulties and limitations in the application of these gene-modified tumor cells for the treatment of preexisting tumors. In this review, recent progress in cancer immunogene therapy is discussed.

Animals↗

Anorectal and bladder function after sacrifice of the sacral nerves.

STUDY DESIGN: The quantitative changes in anorectal and bladder functions after sacrifice of the sacral nerves were assessed. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the bladder and anorectal functions before and after sacral nerve division in patients with sacral bone tumors. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The quantitative changes in bladder and anorectal functions after sacrifice of the sacral nerves have not been intensively studied. The purpose of this investigation was to measure the bladder and anorectal function before and after sacral nerve division using manometry and cystometry. METHODS: Surgical resection of a sacral tumor was performed in five patients. The sacral nerves were sacrificed bilaterally in three patients and unilaterally in two patients. Anorectal function was evaluated on the basis of symptoms and physiologic tests. Micturition function was evaluated based on symptoms, and intravesical pressures were measured by cystometry. RESULTS: The two patients with unilateral sacral nerve loss did not experience subjective problems with defecation or micturition, although the residual volume of urine was increased after surgery. Two of the three patients with bilateral sacral nerve loss had no urge to defecate, were unable to differentiate between feces and flatus, and experienced no urgency. Fecal incontinence was uncommon because of firm feces. It was possible to control defecation using enemas on alternate days. The third patient underwent colostomy because the maximum resting pressure, which is controlled by the hypogastric nerves, was affected before surgery. CONCLUSION: Unilateral sacrifice of sacral nerves results in little bladder or anorectal dysfunction.

Adult↗

Experimental study on the dynamics of lumbosacral nerve root circulation.

STUDY DESIGN: Experimental investigation of the dynamics of nerve root circulation. OBJECTIVES: To study the dynamics of lumbosacral nerve root circulation by using seriography in dogs. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The vascular distribution to the nerve root has been discussed mainly from the morphologic aspects, and no adequate elucidation has been presented concerning the kinetics of the blood supply to the nerve root. METHODS: To investigate the direction of blood flow in the nerve roots, a series of photographs of the cauda equina were taken using a motor-driven camera immediately after 3 mL of india ink was injected through the aortic catheter manually. The changes in the blood flow direction caused by compression of the nerve root also were observed. After the dog was killed, the nerve roots were cleared by the Spalteholz technique to identify the vessels observed during the experiment. RESULTS: The blood flow in the radicular arteries was descending in the proximal part and ascending in the distal part of the nerve roots. This observation supports the suggestion that there is a so-called watershed of the blood flow in the radicular arteries themselves. However, when the ascending radicular artery of the nerve root was cramped, the radicular blood flow on the proximal side was downward. The microangiograms also showed that there were abundant anastomoses of intrinsic vessels in the nerve roots. CONCLUSIONS: There is no relatively hypovascular region in the nerve root that is vulnerable in the course of degenerative changes in the lumbosacral spine. Therefore, it is unlikely that the watershed represents a weak point of the blood flow in the nerve root.

Animals↗