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Biomedical subjects

J Nozaki

Publications and source records attributed to J Nozaki.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Biological treatment of wastewater from the cassava meal industry.

Biological treatments of cassava meal processing wastewaters were investigated by aerobic and combined anaerobic/aerobic reactors. As a pretreatment, flocculation and sedimentation with aluminum salts and natural polyelectrolytes were employed, in order to change the effluent concentration of organics from 14,000 to 2000 mg/L in the bench scale reactor, with a hydraulic retention time of 37 min and an influent rate of 0.56 L/cm. Biological degradation by an activated sludge process was carried out using a reactor volume of 20 L. The observed organic matter removal rates were 89 to 93%, the cyanide removal was 95 to 99%, and the food to microorganisms ratio was found to be in the range of 0.166 to 0.242/day, with a hydraulic residence time of 1.4 to 4.2 days. As a posttreatment, flocculation and coagulation were employed, resulting in an effluent of good quality, as shown by turbidity measurements and negative tests for fecal and total coliforms.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗
PubMed2000

A cluster of lysinuric protein intolerance (LPI) patients in a northern part of Iwate, Japan due to a founder effect. The Mass Screening Group.

Lysinuric protein intolerance is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by defective transport of the dibasic aminoacids. Mutational analysis of LPI patients in the northern part of Japan revealed that six were homozygous for the R410X mutation and two others were compound heterozygotes of R410X and other unknown mutations. In the population epidemiology study in a local cluster in the northern part of Iwate, ten heterozygotes were found in 1190 newborn babies leading to an estimated LPI incidence of 1/57,000. Polymorphism analysis revealed two major alleles, A and B, in intron 8. While the population frequency of allele A was 0.9 and that of allele B was 0.1 in the northern part of Japan the R410X mutations were exclusively on allele B in 31 chromosomes suggesting a founder effect. Genetic analysis in patients revealed strong linkage disequilibrium with D14S283 and TCRA indicating that the R410X mutation occurred before at least 130 generations ago (about 2600 years). The R410X mutation was shown to be useful as a molecular marker for screening LPI patients in the northern part of Japan.

Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors↗
PubMed2000

Effects of dietary cadmium and its bioconcentration in tilapia Oreochromis niloticus.

The administration of cadmium, as food supplement, its bioaccumulation, and the effects on the development of tilapia Oreochromis niloticus were investigated. The average size and weight and its behavior compared with controls were investigated during the period January 31, 1997, until March 31, 1999. At intervals of 60 days the measurements of size and weight were performed, and the concentration of cadmium in feces, water, muscular tissue, and viscera were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The initial average cadmium concentration in food was 5 mg small middle dotkg(-1) and only after 6 months a small effect on size and weight could be observed. With increases in cadmium concentration to 50 mg small middle dotkg(-1), beginning after the 7th month, and 100 mg small middle dotkg(-1) after the 16th month, a clear difference in size and weight and also in behavior could be observed. An LC(50) value of 40 mg small middle dotkg(-1) was observed after the 23rd month.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2000

Probable involvement of a germ-line mutation of an unknown mismatch repair gene in a Japanese Muir-Torre syndrome phenotype.

A combination of haplotype analysis and direct sequencing were conducted on Japanese Muir-Torre syndrome kindred. In the kindred, two females revealed a hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) phenotype and one male had a sebaceous tumor in addition to a HNPCC phenotype. Haplotype analysis and direct sequencing failed to show involvement of the known mismatch repair genes, with the exception of MSH5, in this kindred. Analysis of large fragments (from 3.9 to 6. 2 kb) covering the entire 25 kb MSH5 gene in the proband revealed the absence of gross changes in the promoter region and exons. The direct sequencing of the promoter region and all 25 exons failed to demonstrate any mutations in the coding regions except for a CA repeat polymorphism in intron 3 and a C/A polymorphism in intron 15. Taken together present results indicate that a novel and yet unknown mismatch repair gene is likely involved in the HNPCC in this kindred.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Transesophageal echocardiographic assessment of pulmonary arterial and venous flow during high-frequency jet ventilation.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) effects on pulmonary arterial and venous flow compared to those of intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (IPPV) by using pulsed Doppler transesophageal echocardiography. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: University-affiliated hospital operating room. PATIENTS: 13 ASA physical status I and II patients undergoing lower abdominal or lower extremity surgery. INTERVENTIONS: PATIENTS had total IV anesthesia with propofol and fentanyl. After anesthesia induction, a transesophageal echocardiography probe was inserted into the esophagus. IPPV (TV, 8-10 mL/kg; respiratory rate, 10-12 cycles/min; I/E ratio, 1:2; FIO(2), 1.0) and HFJV (driving pressure, 0.5-0.6 kgf/cm(2); frequency,3 Hz; I/E ratio, 1:1; FIO(2), 1.0) were performed under hemodynamically stable conditions. MEASUREMENTS: Pulmonary-arterial-flow velocity, pulmonary-venous-flow velocity, left ventricular short-axis view, and airway-pressure curve were recorded simultaneously. Parameters measured were: hemodynamic variables, arterial blood gases, inspiratory airway pressure; [from pulmonary-arterial-flow velocity] pre-ejection period (PEP), acceleration time (AT), right ventricular ejection time (RVET), and their ratios (PEP/AT, AT/RVET); [from pulmonary-venous-flow velocity] time-velocity integral of the first systolic wave (S1), second systolic wave (S2), and diastolic wave (D), and systolic fraction (integral S1 + S2/S1+ S2 + D); [from M-mode] left-ventricular-end systolic volume, left-ventricular-end diastolic volume (LVEDV), stroke volume, cardiac output, and ejection fraction, using Teichholz's method. MAIN RESULTS: Peak inspiratory airway pressure during HFJV was significantly lower than that during IPPV. HFJV significantly decreased PEP/AT, correlating positively with pulmonary arterial pressure, and significantly increased AT and AT/RVET, correlating negatively with pulmonary arterial pressure. Systolic fraction, correlating negatively with left atrial pressure, increased significantly during HFJV, as did LVEDV, stroke volume, cardiac output, and ejection fraction. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that, in comparison to IPPV, HFJV significantly decreases pulmonary arterial pressure and left atrial pressure, resulting in significant increases in cardiac output and ejection fraction in healthy anesthetized adults.

Abdomen↗
PubMed2000

A case of atypical granular cell tumor of the neurohypophysis.

A case of granular cell tumor (GCT) arising in the neurohypophysis of a 63-year-old woman is reported. The tumor consisted of ovoid, polygonal or spindle-shaped cells in a sheet-like or fascicular arrangement. Its abundant cytoplasm contained granules positive for diastase-resistant periodic acid-Schiff reaction. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells contained numerous polymorphic lysosomes of various densities. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for S-100 protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein and Leu7, suggesting that the tumor originated from pituicytes that were thought to be modified astrocytes in the neurohypophysis and its stalk. The granular cells showed nuclear atypia, pleomorphism and increased mitotic activity. Therefore, the present tumor was considered as a histologically atypical GCT. Interestingly, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, Ki-67 and p53 were stained in a few tumor cells of this case. These findings indicate that the present tumor had a malignant potential.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed2000

Intraoperative evaluation of pulmonary artery flow during the Fontan procedure by transesophageal Doppler echocardiography.

After the Fontan procedure, pulmonary artery (PA) flow is maintained without right ventricular pump function. We evaluated intraoperative PA flow velocity patterns using transesophageal Doppler echocardiography (TEE) immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in patients during Fontan or hemi-Fontan procedures. We studied 10 patients with single-ventricle physiology (age range, 5 mo to 3 yr 1 mo). Anesthesia was induced and maintained with fentanyl. After induction of anesthesia, a pediatric TEE probe was inserted into the esophagus. All patients had surgical repair involving direct anastomosis of the right atrium to the PA. Immediately after completion of CPB, adequacy of the atriopulmonary anastomosis was assessed and PA flow velocity was recorded. In all patients, the atriopulmonary anastomosis was clearly defined using a single-plane TEE probe, and PA flow recording was completed successfully. Intraoperative PA flow velocities showed two distinct patterns. Biphasic forward flows with peak velocities during systole and diastole were observed in six patients. The remaining four patients showed forward flows with flow reversals. The four patients demonstrating flow reversals showed significantly reduced fractional shortening (26.5+/-2.1% vs. 35.5+/-6.3%) and larger pressure gradient between the right atrium and left atrium (10.8+/-1.3 mm Hg vs 8.0+/-0.9 mm Hg) when compared to those without reverse flow. Two patients with reverse flow required reoperation because of hypotension. Because PA flow is influenced by pulmonary vascular resistance and left ventricular function, TEE assessed intraoperative PA flow should be further evaluated as a useful predictor of surgical outcome after a Fontan procedure.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed2000

Identification of two chromosomal loci determining glucose intolerance in a C57BL/6 mouse strain.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Our objective was to map the genes responsible for poor glucose tolerance in a C57BL/6 (B6) mouse model, which provides a human model of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Insulin secretion was found to be significantly lower in B6 than in C3H/He (C3H) mice (analysis of variance, P < 0.05) at 10, 20, and 30 minutes during the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT: 1.5 g glucose/kg of body weight). METHODS: Mean 30-minute blood glucose values during IPGTT at 8, 9, and 10 weeks of age were used as a surrogate for glucose tolerance. The primers of 87 genetic microsatellite markers (14.9 +/- 6.2 cM apart) genome-wide quantitative trait linkage (QTL) analysis in F2 and F3 mice with the highest and lowest (n = 15 for each extreme) 30-minute blood glucose values were used. RESULTS: Genome-wide QTL analysis confirmed the locus (D2Mit48) on chromosome 2, with a LOD score of 8.3, and the locus (D13Mit48) on chromosome 13, with a LOD score of 4.2 in F3. Direct sequencing of candidate genes, proprotein convertase-2 (PC2) on chromosome 2 and proprotein convertase-1/3 (PC1/PC3) on chromosome 13, failed to reveal a mutation or polymorphism specific to B6 mice. CONCLUSIONS: Use of QTL mapping revealed two loci associated with poor glucose tolerance of B6.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Genetic epidemiology of the carnitine transporter OCTN2 gene in a Japanese population and phenotypic characterization in Japanese pedigrees with primary systemic carnitine deficiency.

Serum free-carnitine levels were determined in 973 unrelated white collar workers in Akita, Japan. Fourteen of these participants consistently had serum free-carnitine levels below the fifth percentile (28 microM for females and 38 microM for males). The OCTN2 (organic cation transporter) gene was sequenced for these 14 subjects, for 22 subjects whose carnitine levels were below the fifth percentile in the first screening but were normal in the second measurement and in 69 individuals with normal carnitine levels for two separate measurements. Polymorphic sequences defined three major haplotypes with equal frequency. Mutations were identified in nine subjects with low carnitine levels: Trp132X (three individuals), Ser467Cys (four), Trp283Cys (one) and Met179Leu (one). In vitro expression studies in HEK cells indicated that Ser467Cys and Trp283Cys, but not Met179Leu, significantly reduced L-carnitine uptake relative to the normal control. Trp132X and Ser467Cys were associated with specific haplotypes, suggesting a founder effect. A conservative estimate of the overall prevalence of heterozygotes was 1.01% in the Akita prefecture, Japan, giving an estimated incidence of primary systemic carnitine deficiency (MIM 212140) as 1 in 40 000 births. An echocardiographic study of the families of patients with primary carnitine deficiency revealed that the heterozygotes for OCTN2 mutations were predisposed to late onset benign cardiac hypertrophy (odds ratio 15.1, 95% CI 1.39-164) compared with the wild-types. Sequencing of DNA isolated from three deceased siblings (1.5-8 years) in two families retrospectively confirmed that all three deceased subjects were homozygous for the OCTN2 mutations.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Effects of sevoflurane on regional myocardial blood flow distribution: quantification with myocardial contrast echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Using myocardial contrast echocardiography, the authors tried to determine whether sevoflurane causes myocardial blood maldistribution in humans and dogs. METHODS: In animal experiments, 15 mongrel dogs were organized into dipyridamole (n = 6) and sevoflurane (n = 9) groups. Sonicated albumin was infused into the left main coronary artery. The peak gray level corrected for background was analyzed at the following intervals: (1) at baseline, (2) after stenosis of the left circumflex coronary artery (blood flow reduced by 40%), (3) after administration of dipyridamole (1 mg/kg given intravenously) or sevoflurane (1 minimum alveolar concentration) during stenosis, and (4) after phenylephrine during stenosis and administration of dipyridamole or sevoflurane. In human studies, nine patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were studied. During partial extracorporeal circulation, the peak gray level was analyzed before and 20 min after sevoflurane (1 minimum alveolar concentration). RESULTS: In animal experiments, dipyridamole decreased significantly the inner:outer ratio of the peak gray level in the ischemic area and the ischemic:normal ratio of the peak gray level. After arterial pressure was restored with phenylephrine, neither the inner:outer ratio nor the ischemic:normal ratio improved. In contrast, after sevoflurane administration, the inner:outer ratio and the ischemic:normal ratio remained unchanged, but these increased with phenylephrine. In human studies, sevoflurane did not change the inner:outer ratio in the area supplied by the most stenotic coronary artery. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that dipyridamole, a potent coronary vasodilator, produces maldistribution of coronary blood flow in our dog models, whereas sevoflurane does not do this in animal or human studies.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Prediction of recurrence in histologically benign meningiomas: proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Ki-67 immunohistochemical study.

BACKGROUND: Recurrence in individual patients after complete surgical removal of meningiomas cannot be predicted by histology alone because recurrence occurs even in histologically benign meningiomas. METHODS: We investigated proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki-67 labeling indices of histologically benign meningiomas in 95 patients to assess their relationship to recurrence. The labeling index (LI) was expressed as the percentage of tumor cell nuclei immunoreactive for PCNA or Ki-67 to total tumor nuclei counted per section. The cases/specimens comprised the following two groups: (1) nonrecurrent group: 82 specimens from 82 patients without recurrence, (2) recurrent group: 28 specimens from 10 patients with recurrence. RESULTS: Proliferative activities or aggressiveness do not always develop with every recurrence in recurrent meningiomas. The PCNA LI was significantly higher in the recurrent group (3.98% +/- 0.37%) than in the nonrecurrent group (0.71 +/- 0.13%) (p < 0.0001). The Ki-67 LI also was significantly higher in the recurrent group (3.15 +/- 0.40%) than in the nonrecurrent group (0.39 +/- 0.07%) (p < 0.0001). There was a good correlation between the PCNA LI and the Ki-67 LI (coefficient of correlation r = 0.79, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study suggested that a PCNA or Ki-67 LI of more than 2% may represent an increased risk for recurrence; therefore, we suggest that radiotherapy or stereotactic radiosurgery should be considered, even for histologically benign meningiomas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

UVB irradiation induces changes in cellular localization and phosphorylation of mouse HSP27.

We investigated the induction, cellular localization and phosphorylation of a low-molecular weight stress protein (heat shock protein 27, HSP27) by UVB (290-320 nm, max. 312 nm) irradiation stress using immunoblot and indirect immunofluorescence analysis in in vivo and in vitro experiments. The HSP27 was constitutively expressed and distributed in the cytoplasmic fraction of Pam 212 cells (mouse keratinocyte line) or dorsal skin. The increase in the cytoplasm HSP27 level induced by UVB irradiation was less than two-fold that in nonirradiated controls. On the other hand, the translocation of HSP27 from cytoplasm to the nucleus or perinuclear area was time- and dose-dependently induced by UVB irradiation. After UVB irradiation, three isoforms having different isoelectric points were detected in nucleic HSP27 by two-dimensional immunoblotting. The most basic isoform was the unphosphorylated type and the two acidic isoforms were phosphorylated, suggesting that HSP27 is phosphorylated in response to UVB irradiation and accumulates in or around the nucleus as a phosphorylated isoform. These results suggest that the translocation and phosphorylation of HSP27 are induced in response to UVB-irradiation stress.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1997

[Effect of nitrous oxide at sub-MAC concentrations on sevoflurane MAC in adults].

The interaction of sevoflurane and nitrous oxide (N2O) on the MAC was studied in the four groups of patients between 30-60 years of age scheduled for laparotomies. Patients received one of four different concentrations of N2O [0% (n = 14), 25% (n = 16), 50% (n = 15), or 70% (n = 18)]. Anesthesia was induced with sevoflurane and N2O using a semiclosed circuit with a carbon dioxide absorber. After endotracheal intubation, sevoflurane and N2O end-tidal concentrations were adjusted to predetermined concentrations until the skin incision was made. The MAC values for sevoflurane in O2 and the presence of 25%, 50%, and 70% N2O were 1.68%, 1.33%, 0.82% and 0.55%, respectively. A regression analysis through all four data points yielded a linear relationship (r = -0.997). The requirement of sevoflurane decreased by approximately 1% for each 1% of N2O administered at three N2O concentrations. The extrapolated MAC value for N2O was 102%. The MAC values of sevoflurane in O2 and N2O were similar to the previously reported values. We conclude that in adults, N2O concentrations in the dose range 0-70% reduce sevoflurane MAC in a linearly additive manner.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Successful treatment with administration of systemic high dose methotrexate and intraarterial carboplatin for osteosarcoma of the skull: a case report].

An 11-year-old boy was admitted with a painless lump in the right frontal area as his chief complaint. On admission, physical and neurological examinations were normal except for the localized lump constituting the frontal lesion. Skull roentgenogram showed an osteoblastic and osteolytic mass with radiating bony spicules "sunray appearance" around the coronal suture. CT scans demonstrated it more clearly. The initial surgery was performed in July 1993. Pathological specimen showed osteosarcoma of the skull. The patient was transferred to our hospital for chemotherapy. The regimen consisted of intravenous high dose methotrexate 9,000 mg given for 6 hours with leucovorin rescue in a single course. Following 4 courses of high dose methotrexate, he underwent residual tumor resection. Two courses of intraarterial carboplatin 150 mg and methotrexate 200 mg were also given. Histologically, the lesion showed complete remission of the tumor, and no viable tumor cells were seen. Two additional courses of high dose methotrexate were given. The patient is doing well without evidence of recurrence. This case indicates that the chemotherapy with systemic high dose methotrexate and intraarterial carboplatin and methotrexate is effective for skull osteosarcoma.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1995

[The effect of clonidine on the duration of vecuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade in humans].

The clinical duration of a bolus of vecuronium 0.1 mg.kg-1 was measured in two groups of patients between 31-55 years of age undergoing elective general surgery. Eight patients received no premedication and eight others clondine 4.0-5.5 micrograms.kg-1 orally 90 minutes before arriving at the operating room. Neuromuscular blockade was continuously quantitated by recording the acceleration response to stimulation of the ulnar nerve train-of-four. Anesthesia was induced with thiamylal 5 mg.kg-1 and maintained with 50% nitrous oxide and isoflurane (Fet 0.5%) in oxygen. Supplementary doses of fentanyl (2 micrograms.kg-1 for the control group and 1 microgram.kg-1 for the clonidine group) were given before intubation and when anesthesia was considered to be insufficient. The clinical duration of vecuronium, defined as recovery to 25% of the control first twitch in the train-of-four sequence, was significantly longer in the clonidine group (51.2 +/- 7.5 minutes compared with 40.5 +/- 5.1 minutes in the control group, P < 0.01). In the duration of blockade there were no significant differences between groups for mean SBP, DBP and HR. Patients in the clonidine group required significantly less fentanyl to maintain hemodynamic stability. We conclude that clonidine prolongs the clinical duration of vecuronium by 26.4%, most probably by a pharmacokinetic interaction.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1991

SPECT evaluation of brain perfusion reserve by the acetazolamide test using Tc-99m HMPAO.

This report describes a new approach to the evaluation of brain perfusion reserve using Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT. Consecutive brain Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT studies before and after acetazolamide (Diamox) administration were performed within 30 minutes on 19 patients with significant vascular occlusive lesions. Thirteen patients showed decreased perfusion reserve and four patients maintained perfusion reserve in the affected vascular territories after Diamox administration, providing additional information to baseline Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT in 17 (89%) patients. Although flow augmentation post-Diamox was underestimated, possibly due to the nonproportionality of Tc-99m HMPAO activity to true blood flow, significant changes in the brain perfusion pattern were both visually and quantitatively determined using an image subtraction technique. This consecutive Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT technique seems to be of practical use for the evaluation of brain perfusion reserve and for the improvement of the sensitivity of detecting pathologic areas.

Acetazolamide↗