Biomedical subjects

J Soh

Publications and source records attributed to J Soh.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Do motorcyclists have erectile dysfunction? A preliminary study.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between motorcycling and erectile dysfunction (ED). We investigated the relationship between motorcycling and erectile function using the 5-items version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF5) in 234 motorcyclists (response rate 75%) and 752 healthy controls (response rate 66%). In all, 161 (69%) of 234 motorcyclists were diagnosed as ED based on IIEF5. The prevalence of ED in the motorcycle group increased by age as: 58, 63, 76 and 93%, for motorcyclists in 20-29, 30-39, 40-49 and 50-59 years, respectively. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of ED between the motorcycle group and the control group in all age groups. On stepwise logistic regression analysis, motorcycling was the strongest risk factor for ED. Although the severity of ED in motorcyclists was not so severe, motorcycling may be one of risk factors for ED.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Significant decrease of the International Index of Erectile Function in male renal failure patients treated with hemodialysis.

In order to evaluate the erectile function in male renal failure patients treated with hemodialysis (HD), we investigated the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) in patients and healthy controls. The subjects were 174 male patients treated with HD, of whom 43 had diabetes mellitus (DM) and the remaining 131 patients did not have DM. The controls were 1133 healthy males. We evaluated the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) using the erectile function (EF) score, which is one of the five domains of the IIEF, in each age group (upto 39 y old, 40-49 y old, 50-59 y old, 60-69 y old). The severity of ED was classified into five categories using EF in each age group. The univariate logistic regression analysis and multiple variate analysis of IIEF in HD patients were performed. The prevalence of ED in HD patients was significantly higher than that in the controls in each age group. The severity of ED in HD patients was also significantly higher than that in the controls in each age group. In the logistic regression analysis and multiple variate analysis of IIEF in HD patients, DM and age were significant risk factors on sexual dysfunction. ED was more prevalent in male renal failure patients treated with HD than in the controls. In the patient group, ED was more prevalent in older DM patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Erythrocyte aldose reductase correlates with erectile dysfunction in diabetic patients.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus. Erythrocyte aldose reductase (AR) has been implicated in a variety of diabetic complications. The subjects were 62 diabetic patients, of whom 25 were treated with hemodialysis (chronic renal failure CRF group) and the remaining 37 did not have chronic renal failure (DM group). The controls were 20 healthy volunteers age-matched to the patients. The level of AR was measured by the quantitative determination kit for AR in all patients and controls. In this study, ED was diagnosed by 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). The average level of AR in the CRF group was significantly higher than that in the DM group and controls (P<0.001). The average level of AR in the DM group without ED was significantly lower than that in the DM group with ED and controls (P<0.005). These results suggest that the level of AR may be a useful modality for prediction of ED in diabetic patients.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Evaluation of reflux kidney using renal resistive index.

PURPOSE: We clarified the relationships of the renal resistive index, reflux and renal scarring. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The resistive index in the interlobar artery was measured using power Doppler ultrasonography in 22 patients with reflux (reflux group), 13 with postoperative or resolved reflux (previous reflux group) and 20 who served as controls. RESULTS: Resistive index values in 11 kidneys with mid or high grade reflux were significantly higher than in 22 with low grade reflux and in the 40 normal kidneys. The resistive index in the 11 kidneys with reflux and scarring was significantly higher than in the 22 with reflux and without scarring, and in the 40 normal kidneys. The resistive index in the 14 kidneys with previous reflux and scarring was significantly higher than in 12 with previous reflux and without scarring, and in the 40 normal kidneys. Receiver operating characteristics curve analysis in 25 kidneys with and 34 without scarring revealed that a discriminatory resistive index value of 0.71 was optimal for detecting renal scarring. When the resistive index cutoff value was 0.71, there was 76% sensitivity for diagnosing renal scarring, 91% specificity and 85% overall accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show the possibility that an increased resistive index in kidneys with reflux predicts renal scarring. The resistive index measured with power Doppler ultrasonography may be a noninvasive and useful alternative for screening and following renal scarring.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

LH induces orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 gene expression in testicular Leydig cells.

The orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 (NR4A1) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily and plays an important role in the regulation of genes involved in steroidogenesis and cell death. Northern blot analysis revealed that the expression of Nur77 mRNA was increased after puberty in mouse testis, and hCG treatment of peripubertal animals induced this gene expression in the testis. Moreover, LH treatment induced a transient increase in Nur77 mRNA, and this induction was LH dose dependent in mouse Leydig tumor cell line, K28. Western blot analysis showed that LH transiently induced Nur77 protein. The protein kinase inhibitor H-89, bisindolymaleimide I, and wortmannin strongly inhibited this inductive effect of LH on Nur77 gene expression. Transient transfection assay demonstrated that LH significantly increased the Nur77 promoter-driven luciferase reporter activity in a dose-dependent manner, and LH also increased the activity of a luciferase reporter gene driven by a promoter containing multi copies of a Nur77-responsive element. Moreover, EMSA showed that Nur77 DNA-binding activity was increased in response to LH. Finally, overexpression of dominant negative Nur77 reduced LH-mediated progesterone biosynthesis. Taken together, these results demonstrate that LH induces Nur77 gene expression, and Nur77 may play an important role in the LH-mediated steroidogenesis in Leydig cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Heat shock interferes with steroidogenesis by reducing transcription of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein gene.

A key regulatory point in fine tuning of steroidogenesis is the synthesis of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, which transfers cholesterol into mitochondria. Heat shock and toxic insults reduce steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, severely compromising steroid synthesis. As the molecular mechanisms for this reduction remain elusive, we tested the hypothesis that heat shock directly interferes with transcription of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein gene. We show that, in mouse MA-10 Leydig tumor cells, heat shock caused drastic declines in (Bu)(2)cAMP-induced progesterone accumulation and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein transcript abundance. A proximal steroidogenic acute regulatory protein promoter fragment (-85 to +39) is sufficient to direct both cAMP inducibility and heat shock inhibition. Nuclear extracts from MA-10 cells displayed binding to this proximal promoter fragment as a low mobility complex in gel shift experiments. This complex disappeared in nuclear extracts taken at 5 and 10 min after initiation of heat shock and reappeared in extracts taken at 2 and 8 h. Similar low- mobility complexes formed on oligonucleotides representing the overlapping subfragments of the minimal steroidogenic acute regulatory protein promoter fragment sensitive to the heat shock effect. Extracts from heat-shocked MA-10 cells displayed reduced complex formation to each of the subfragments. We conclude that heat shock reduces progesterone synthesis, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein mRNA abundance, and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein promoter activity and disrupts binding of nuclear proteins to the proximal region of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein promoter. Together these observations provide strong evidence for a mechanism of transcriptional inhibition in the down-regulation of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein expression by heat shock.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Causes of nocturnal urinary frequency and reasons for its increase with age in healthy older men.

PURPOSE: We investigate the causes of nocturnal urinary frequency and reasons for its increase with age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All voided volumes and times were recorded for 3 days in 188 healthy older men without prostatic diseases during a mass screening program for prostatic diseases in Japan. Nocturnal urinary frequency for each night was defined as the frequency during sleep not counting the morning void. Relationships between nocturnal urinary frequency and functional bladder capacity, nocturnal bladder capacity, nocturnal urinary volume and sleep time were analyzed. Age related changes in functional and nocturnal bladder capacity, and nocturnal and diurnal urinary volume were evaluated. RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis demonstrated nocturnal bladder capacity and urinary volume to be significant independent determinants of nocturnal frequency. In age related analysis nocturnal bladder capacity and diurnal urinary volume decreased with age, while nocturnal urinary volume did not change. CONCLUSIONS: Nocturnal urinary volume and nocturnal bladder capacity were the significant determinants of nocturnal urinary frequency in healthy older men. The increase of nocturnal frequency with age was thought to be due to a decrease in nocturnal bladder capacity, since urinary volume did not change. In older men a decrease in water intake might influence age related changes in urinary volume.

Age Distribution↗

PubMed1999

Identification of a zeta-crystallin (quinone reductase)-like 1 gene (CRYZL1) mapped to human chromosome 21q22.1.

To identify a new gene(s) located on the yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) clone D142H8 that was mapped to human chromosome 21q22.1, purified YAC DNA from the clone was utilized directly as a probe to screen a human brain cDNA library after the suppression of human repetitive DNA. One cDNA clone hybridizing specifically to the YAC D142H8 DNA was identified. The clone has an insert of 1341 bp and the longest open reading frame of 349 amino acids. A search of GenBank revealed that the clone has a high degree of homology to zeta-crystallin (quinone reductase) at the amino acid level, and its nucleotide sequence represents the expressed sequence from the 50-kb segment of the human chromosome 21q11.1. Thus a new gene was named CRYZL1 (zeta-crystalline-like 1). Genomic Southern blot with total human and yeast DNAs suggests that CRYZL1 might be a single-copy gene. The fluorescence in situ hybridization procedure was applied, and the results showed that the gene mapped to the human chromosome 21q22.1 subband. The CRYZL1 mRNA was expressed in heart, brain, skeletal muscle, kidney, pancreas, liver, and lungs but at different levels in different tissues.

Blotting, Northern↗

PubMed1999

Retinoic acids up-regulate steroidogenic acute regulatory protein gene.

The steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein plays essential roles in the delivery of cytosolic cholesterol into the mitochondrial inner membrane, which is an acute regulated and rate-limiting step for the steroid hormone synthesis. Since retinoic acids (RAs) are known to induce the synthesis of steroid hormones in mouse Leydig cells in vitro, mouse Leydig tumour cells, K28, were used to determine the effect of RAs on the level of StAR mRNA by Northern blot analysis. The level of StAR mRNA reached the maximum in a 4-8 h treatment with all-trans-RA (atRA) or 9-cis-RA (9cRA), and the effects were dose-dependent. The effect of 9cRA on the levels of StAR mRNA was blocked by actinomycin D, which indicates that 9cRA might exert a direct effect on the transcription of the gene. Promoter/reporter constructs containing a 5'-flanking region of the mouse or rat StAR gene were prepared, and luciferase activity was assayed following transient transfection into K28 or adrenal tumour cells, Y1. The result revealed that the luciferase activity was increased by 4-5-fold in response to the treatment of 9cRA, which indicated that 9cRA participates transcriptional activation of the StAR protein gene.

Alitretinoin↗

PubMed1998

Structure and expression of the orphan nuclear receptor SHP gene.

To determine the organization of the orphan nuclear receptor SHP gene (Seol, W., Choi, H.-S., and Moore, D.D. (1996) Science 272, 1336-1339), genomic clones were isolated from human and mouse genomic libraries. The SHP gene was composed of two exons interrupted by a single intron spanning approximately 1.8 kilobases in human and 1.2 kilobases in mouse. Genomic Southern blot analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization of human metaphase chromosomes indicated that the SHP gene is located at the human chromosome 1p36.1 subband. The 5'-flanking regions of human and mouse SHP genes were highly conserved, showing 77% homology in the region of approximately 600 nucleotides upstream from the transcription start site. Primer extension analysis was carried out to determine the transcription start site of human SHP to 32 nucleotides downstream of a potential TATA box. The human SHP gene was specifically expressed in fetal liver, fetal adrenal gland, adult spleen, and adult small intestine. As expected from this expression pattern, the activity of the mouse SHP promoter measured by transient transfection was significantly higher in the adrenal-derived Y1 cells than HeLa cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Identification of critical residues for heterodimerization within the ligand-binding domain of retinoid X receptor.

Nuclear receptors regulate transcription by binding to specific DNA response elements as homodimers or heterodimers with the retinoid X receptors (RXRs). The identity box (I-box), a 40-amino acid region within the ligand-binding domains of RXRs and other nuclear receptors, was recently shown to determine identity in the heterodimeric interactions. Here, we dissected this region in the yeast two-hybrid system by analyzing a series of chimeric receptors between human RXRalpha and rat hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 (HNF4), a distinct member of the nuclear receptor superfamily that prefers homodimerization. We found that the C-terminal 11-amino acid region of the RXR I-box was sufficient to direct chimeric receptors based on the HNF4 ligand-binding domain to heterodimerize with retinoic acid receptors or thyroid hormone receptors. Furthermore, we identified the hRXRalpha amino acids A416 and R421 of the 11-amino acid subregion as most critical determinants of heterodimeric interactions; i.e. mutant HNF4s incorporating only the hRXRalpha A416 or R421 heterodimerized with retinoic acid receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1998

[The maximum volume of urinary calculi to be disintegrated by ESWL].

BACKGROUND: In our investigations to develop microexplosion lithotripsy (MEL), the detonation theory, which was proposed in industrial blasting, was proved to be tenable also in MEL with tiny explosives of a few mg. According to the theory, the peak pressure of shock wave generated by blasting was analyzed relating to the volume of calculi. METHODS: 472 cases of renal urinary calculi to be disintegrated by ESWL were examined. RESULTS: For the successful disintegration, the maximum length of calculi, which was employed conventionally, was a good predictor as for those less than 15 mm (disintegrated in 95%) and those more than 25 mm (disintegrated in 8%). However, the maximum length could not predict the successful result in calculi with intermediate maximum length between 15 and 25 mm. For this intermediate range of the maximum length, the volume of calculi was a very good indicator to show whether the integration was possible or not, because the large majority (90%) of calculi less than 6 cm3 was treated successfully, while none of calculi more than 6 cm3 was disintegrated. According to the theory, the peak pressure of shock wave generated by blasting, which was required to disintegrate a calculated of 6 cm3, was calculated as 80 MPa. CONCLUSION: Since it is believed that the peak pressure generated by usual ESWL machines is between 80 and 120 MPa at the focussing point, the conclusion in this report that the maximum volume of calculi disintegrated by ESWL might be 6 cm3 was thought to be fairly reasonable.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Characterization of four yeast artificial chromosome clones mapped to human chromosome 21q22.1 with eight markers.

Yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) clones have been successfully utilized to generate a YAC contig map of the long arm of human chromosome 21 (Hu21q). The chromosome subband of 21q22.1 where five genetic loci (IFNAR1, IFNAR2, CRFB4, AF-1, and GART) are mapped is a gene-rich region and needs to be characterized in further detail. YAC D142H8 and YAC F136C5, which were characterized previously by a functional YAC expression procedure, and two new YAC clones, YAC 872B5 and YAC 876D4 located at 21q22.1 whose YAC sizes are 800 kb and 1,500 kb, respectively, were used in this study. To obtain more markers useful for making a detailed physical map of the region, a purified yeast artificial chromosome (YAC D142H8) was used to screen the 3 x 1 S cDNA library. As a result three anonymous cDNA clones (Kmy1, Kmy2, and Qorf4) were obtained, and the nucleotide sequences of Kmy1 and Kmy2 were determined. In an attempt to make a detailed physical map of the region, the locations of five known genes as well as the three new markers were determined on the four YACs by Southern blot analysis. YAC 872B5 contained all markers except GART while YAC F136C5, YAC D142H8, and YAC 876D4 contained three markers (CRFB4, IFNAR1, and IFNAR2), four markers (Kmy1, Kmy2, Qorf4 and AF-1), and four markers (Kmy1, Kmy2, Qorf4 and GART), respectively. YAC 872B5 may represent 1,500 kb of the 21q22.1 subband and half of the 3 x 1 S region, so it should be very useful for studying the relevent region of the human chromosome functionally and physically.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Nucleotide sequence of rat steroidogenic acute regulatory protein complementary DNA.

The steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein is a key regulator for the steroidogenesis in acute response to trophic hormone. A rat complementary DNA of the StAR protein was cloned and its complete nucleotide sequence was determined. The deduced amino acid sequence of the clone has an additional 86 amino acid stretch at amino terminus when it was compared with those sequences in other species. The other part of the amino acid sequence has 94% identity to mouse StAR protein sequence. Three transcripts (1.3 kb, 1.6 kb, and 3.5 kb) which are hybridizing to the clone were detected in testis, ovary and adrenal gland. When the cDNA was expressed in COS1 cells, 30 kDa and 47 kDa proteins specific to the anti-StAR antibody were detected.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

[A case of Sparganosis mansoni with a painless mass in the inguinal region and the scrotum].

Sparganosis mansoni rarely occurs in the inguinal and perineal regions in Japan. A case of Sparganosis mansoni with a painless mass in the left inguinal region is presented. A 67-year-old male visited our hospital with a complaint of a painless mass in the left inguinal region in May, 1995, and another mass appeared in the scrotum two days after the first visit. Ultrasonography revealed a solid subcutaneous mass 2 cm in diameter. These masses were surgically excised by an inguinal approach and a parasite, 10 cm in length, was found in the mass. The parasite was diagnosed histologically as Sparganosis mansoni, which is a larva of the genus Diphyllobothrium.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

[A case of renal cell carcinoma in a young adult].

Renal cell carcinoma in young adults under the age of forty is rare. A case of renal cell carcinoma in a 22-year-old female is presented. Microhematuria was pointed out in the patient by a health check up system and an ultrasonogram revealed a solid mass 5 cm in diameter in the lower pole of the right kidney. The patient was referred to our clinic in January, 1994. An abdominal CT showed a solid and well bordered mass in the right kidney. Renal tumor biopsy was revealed renal cell carcinoma. Right radical nephrectomy was performed on February 9, 1994. From 1986 to 1994, 4 cases of renal cell carcinoma in young adults, other than this case, have been treated in our clinic. All of them have been healthy for more than 6 years, suggesting a good prognosis.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Knockout and reconstitution of a functional human type I interferon receptor complex.

The functional subunits of the human Type I interferon (IFN) receptor complex have not been defined. Using site-specific recombination in a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC), we have produced a deletion within the human IFN-alpha receptor (Hu-IFN-alpha R1) gene which eliminates exon II of the gene. This deletion effectively eliminates the MHC Class I antigen induction and antiviral activity previously reported for this fully functional parental YAC clone (Soh, J., Mariano, T. M., Lim, J.-K., Izotova, L., Mirochnitchenko, O., Schwartz, B., Langer, J., and Pestka, S. (1994c) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 18102-18110). We have successfully reconstituted this activity by expression of the cDNA encoding the Hu-IFN-alpha R1 component (Uzé, G., Lutfalla, G., and Gresser, I. (1990) Cell 60, 225-234) in cells containing the YAC with this deletion. The Hu-IFN-alpha R1 subunit thus plays a critical role in the functional human Type I IFN receptor complex, whose components are encoded on this YAC. In addition, as binding of ligands is retained in the cells containing the YAC with the deletion, it is clear a second subunit encoded on the YAC is responsible for ligand binding activity. This system will now allow the identification of additional subunits involved in the response to the Type I IFNs and the functional significance of each.

Chromosomes, Artificial, Yeast↗

PubMed1994

Expression of a functional human type I interferon receptor in hamster cells: application of functional yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) screening.

The previously cloned human interferon alpha/beta (Hu-IFN-alpha/beta; Type I interferon) receptor cDNA appears to be only one component of a receptor complex since expression of the cDNA in mouse cells confers sensitivity only to Hu-IFN-alpha B2, but a monoclonal antibody against this cloned receptor subunit inhibits biological activities of Hu-IFN-alpha A, Hu-IFN-alpha B2, Hu-IFN-omega, and Hu-IFN-beta. Here we report that a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) containing a segment of human chromosome 21 introduced into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells confers upon these cells a greatly enhanced response to Hu-IFN-alpha A and Hu-IFN-alpha B2 as well as an increased response to Hu-IFN-omega, Hu-IFN-alpha A/D(Bgl), andd Hu-IFN-beta. These responses were measured by induction of class I MHC antigens and by protection against encephalomyocarditis virus and vesicular stomatitis virus. Furthermore, these cells exhibit specific high affinity binding of Hu-IFN-alpha A and Hu-IFN-alpha B2, Hu-IFN-beta, and Hu-IFN-omega. The results indicate that all the genes necessary to reconstitute a biologically active Type I human IFN receptor complex are located within the human DNA insert of this YAC clone.

Animals↗