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Biomedical subjects

K Matsuo

Publications and source records attributed to K Matsuo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Long-term exposure to particulate matter and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in an analysis of multiple Asian cohorts.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to ambient air pollution is associated with a significant number of deaths. Much of the evidence associating air pollution with adverse effects is from North American and Europe, partially due to incomplete data in other regions limiting location specific examinations. The aim of the current paper is to leverage satellite derived air quality data to examine the relationship between ambient particulate matter and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in Asia. METHODS: Six cohorts from the Asia Cohort Consortium provided residential information for participants, recruited between 1991 and 2008, across six countries (Bangladesh, India, Iran, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan). Ambient particulate material (PM2·5) levels for the year of enrolment (or 1998 if enrolled earlier) were assigned utilizing satellite and sensor-based maps. Cox proportional models were used to examine the association between ambient air pollution and all-cause and cause-specific mortality (all cancer, lung cancer, cardiovascular and lung disease). Models were additionally adjusted for urbanicity (representing urban and built characteristics) and stratified by smoking status in secondary analyses. Country-specific findings were pooled via random-effects meta-analysis. FINDINGS: More than 300,000 participants across six cohorts were included, representing more than 4-million-person years. A positive relationship was observed between a 5 µg/m (Dockery et al., 1993) increase in PM2·5 and cardiovascular mortality (HR: 1·06, 95 % CI: 0.99, 1·13). The additional adjustment for urbanicity resulted in increased associations between PM2.5 and mortality outcomes, including all-cause mortality (1·04, 95 % CI: 0·97, 1·11). Results were generally similar regardless of whether one was a current, never, or ex-smoker. INTERPRETATION: Using satellite and remote sensing technology we showed that associations between PM2.5 and all-cause and cause-specific Hazard Ratios estimated are similar to those reported for U.S. and European cohorts. FUNDING: This project was supported by the Health Effects Institute. Grant number #4963-RFA/18-5. Specific funding support for individual cohorts is described in the Acknowledgements.

Humans

Four synonymous genes encode calmodulin in the teleost fish, medaka (Oryzias latipes): conservation of the multigene one-protein principle.

We cloned four distinct calmodulin (CaM)-encoding cDNAs from a small teleost fish, medaka (Oryzias latipes). The deduced amino acid (aa) sequences were exactly the same in these four genes and identical to the aa sequence of mammalian CaM, because of synonymous codon usages. The four cDNAs from medaka, termed CaM-A, -B, -C and -D, corresponded to mRNAs of 1.8, 1.4, 2.5 and 1.8 kb, respectively, in Northern blot analysis. Our results demonstrated that the 'multigene one-protein' principle of CaM synthesis is applicable to medaka, as well as to mammals whose CaM is encoded by at least three different genes.

Amino Acid Sequence

Activation of human multidrug resistance-1 gene promoter in response to heat shock stress.

The multidrug resistance (MDR1) gene encodes a P-glycoprotein, which catalyzes the energy-dependent efflux of anticancer agents. Various environmental stresses including heat shock can induce the expression of endogenous MDR1 genes. In order to study the regulatory mechanisms of MDR1 gene expression, we have established human cancer KB cell lines which could stably integrate bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene driven by various lengths of the MDR1 promoter. Kst-6 has an integrated plasmid, pMDRCAT1, containing the human MDR1 promoter of -2 kilobases. The MDR1 gene promoter contains a typical heat shock element (HSE) motif located -152 bp to -178 bp from the initiation site. Heat shock at 45 degrees C for 90 min significantly induced CAT activity in Kst-6 cells. Northern blot analysis showed a 4-5 fold increase in CAT mRNA levels in Kst-6 cells. Deletion analysis of the MDR1 promoter demonstrated that the induction of CAT activity was observed in Kxh-14 cells containing a HSE-deleted MDR1 promoter construct, pMDRCAT7. However, further deletion analysis showed that heat shock could not induce CAT activity in Khp-1 cells containing -76 approximately +121 base sequence of the promoter, suggesting that a new heat shock responsible element was located at between -136 and -76. Gel shift assay showed that the heat shock factor (HSF) could bind to the HSE motif located at -152 bp to -178 bp in the MDR1 promoter. We also found that one distinct DNA-protein complex formed specifically within the MDR1 promoter region -99 to -66 was not significantly increased, but relatively more stabilized under mild denaturing condition in the nuclear extract of heat-shocked cells. In our present assay system, activation of the MDR1 promoter in response to heat shock appears to be mediated through both a new heat shock responsive element and MDR1 specific transcription factor.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem

Ca(2+)-dependent inhibition of Ca(2+)-independent contraction in uterine smooth muscle.

Uterine smooth muscle of the rat shows Ca(2+)-independent contraction in response to oxytocin in Ca(2+)-free medium. Micromolar Ca2+ inhibits this contraction. We now tested whether Ca2+ itself is the cause of this inhibition. The ratio of fura-2 fluorescence, the indicator of the intracellular level of Ca2+, was increased in parallel with the degree of inhibition by Ca2+. When inhibition was elicited by Ca2+, EGTA released the inhibition. Comparison of the dose-response curve for oxytocin in Ca(2+)-free solution and that in the medium with 1 microM Ca2+ showed that the inhibition by Ca2+ is non-competitive. EGTA chelation of the intracellular Ca2+ by loading of EGTA as its acetoxymethylester resulted in diminution of inhibition by Ca2+. EGTA suppressed the Ca(2+)-induced contraction but did not affect Ca(2+)-independent contraction. It is concluded that the inhibition is induced by intracellular Ca2+ itself.

Animals

A fast Fourier transform analysis of coronary reperfusion-induced ventricular fibrillation and the modification by dibutyryl cyclic AMP in a cat model.

To investigate the effect of dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) on ventricular fibrillation after coronary reperfusion, the proximal portion of the anterior descending branch of left coronary artery was reperfused 20 min after ligation in 24 cats. McFee X Y Z electrocardiograms were recorded and ventricular fibrillation was analyzed using a fast Fourier transform analysis (FFT). Ventricular fibrillation occurred in 20 of 24 cases. Sixty seconds after the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation, an intracardiac infusion of dbcAMP was administered. Nine of the 20 were defibrillated and converted to sinus rhythm or junctional rhythm after the administration of dbcAMP. The amplitude and frequency of the main power spectrum of the ventricular fibrillation waves were analyzed by FFT before and after the infusion of saline or dbcAMP. In the saline group there was no significant change in FFT. However, in the dbcAMP group, the amplitude increased significantly from 0.036 +/- 0.015 (MV--2) to 0.054 +/- 0.013 (MV--2) (p < 0.01) and the frequency decreased significantly from 4.22 +/- 1.37 (Hz) to 1.33 +/- 0.91 (Hz) (p < 0.01). Those results indicate that dbcAMP increased the amplitude and decreased the frequency of the main power spectrum of ventricular fibrillation analyzed by FFT. These distinctive changes in FFT analysis were associated with defibrillation in 9 of 20 cases.

Animals

Interaction of DP-TAT-59, an active metabolite of new triphenylethylene-derivative (TAT-59), with estrogen receptors.

DP-TAT-59, (Z)-2-(4-(1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(4-isopropylphenyl)-1-butenyl) phenoxy)-N, N-dimethylethylamine, has been reported to inhibit estrogen-stimulated growth of MCF-7 cells as well as rat uterus at lower concentrations than the hydroxymetabolite of tamoxifen (4-OH-TAM). In the present study, the growth of mouse Leydig cell tumor, B-1F cells were also more effectively inhibited by DP-TAT-59 than 4-OH-TAM. Additionally, the expression of estrogen responsive element ligated CAT gene transfected into B-1F cells was also suppressed by DP-TAT-59. Thus, the interaction of DP-TAT-59 with estrogen receptor (ER) was characterized and compared with that of 4-OH-TAM using immature rat and bovine uteri. The dissociation constant of DP-TAT-59 to ER of immature rat uterus was 0.24 nM and was similar to that of 4-OH-TAM (Kd = 0.20 nM) and estradiol (Kd = 0.29 nM). Using sucrose density gradients, the sedimentation constant of DP-TAT-59 with bovine uterus was 4.9S, which was similar to that of estradiol (5.1S) and 4-OH-TAM (5.3S). However, the elution profile of the DP-TAT-59-ER complex from a DEAE-Sephadex column was different for both estradiol-and 4-OH-TAM-ER complexes. These results suggest that ER forms different complexes with DP-TAT-59 than estradiol or 4-OH-TAM, while the ER binding affinity of these compounds are similar to each other.

Animals

An apparatus for standardizing skull radiography.

A simple apparatus for standardizing skull radiography is described. It produces symmetrical and reproducible radiographs in the posteroanterior view, Waters's view, Towne's view, and projections.

Equipment Design

Continuous intraarterial infusion of prostaglandin E1 and heparin to extend and improve the survival of pedicled musculocutaneous flaps through unusual routes: a clinical preliminary report.

Sixteen pedicled musculocutaneous flaps (pectoralis major, 3; latissimus dorsi, 4; and transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous [TRAM], 9) received continuous intraarterial infusion of prostaglandin E1 (5 micrograms/k of flap per day) and heparin (100 to 200 U/cannula per day) for 14 days postoperatively to extend the flap or improve survival in a high-risk patient. Therapy was successful in 15 patients. To preserve the main arterial inflow to the flap, the infusion was administered via the lateral thoracic artery in the pectoralis major and a branch to the serratus anterior muscle in latissimus dorsi flaps in retrograde fashion, respectively, and was via both the ipsilateral deep epigastric artery and the contralateral superficial epigastric artery in TRAM flaps. This technique permits the use of a pedicled flap in some patients who would otherwise require a free flap.

Abdominal Muscles

DNA topoisomerase-targeting antitumor agents and drug resistance.

A review of the chemotherapeutic agents which have been developed by targeting DNA topoisomerase I and II is presented. Camptothecins as topoisomerase I-targeting agents and newly developed topoisomerase II-targeting agents with unique properties are expected to be promising anticancer agents in the near future. An important issue is how cellular sensitivity to these agents is controlled. One approach is to establish and characterize drug-resistant human cancer cell lines, which would provide powerful tools to understand their intracellular target sites and also the mechanisms for acquirement of drug resistance to topoisomerase inhibitors. Drug resistance to topoisomerase-targeting agents appears to be closely correlated with two events, namely decreased expression and point mutation of topoisomerase genes.

Antineoplastic Agents

Repair of scalp defects using a tissue expander and Marlex mesh.

A simple technique using Marlex mesh and a tissue expander to cover scalp defects is described and two patients are presented. This technique is suitable for medium-sized defects that cannot be closed primarily. Marlex mesh is sutured to the wound edges in lieu of a temporary skin graft and to prevent enlargement of the defect during tissue expansion. The tissue expander is placed under adjacent normal scalp in a subgaleal pocket developed through the scalp defect. The scalp defect is closed secondarily using the expanded scalp flap. This technique was performed in two patients with satisfactory results. Marlex mesh obviates the need for a temporary skin graft to cover the scalp defect.

Adult

Highly conserved epitope domain in major core protein p24 is structurally similar among human, simian and feline immunodeficiency viruses.

Linear B cell epitopes were mapped on the major core protein p24 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVAGM) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) using a fusion protein-based method and murine monoclonal antibodies reactive against the p24 antigens expressed on the surface of HIV-1- and FIV-infected cells. The results suggest that the sites identified here are encoded at similar positions in the three virus genomes and consist of highly conserved epitopes, which could exhibit immunodominance.

Amino Acid Sequence

[Studies on the giardiasis as the zoonosis. III. Prevalence of Giardia among the dogs and the owners in Japan].

To obtain the basic data on the route of Giardia infection as zoonosis, of many regions in Japan, the feces from 2218 dogs were examined for detection of Giardia cysts. Giardia cysts were detected in 239 of the 2218 dogs (10.9%), which was the same as previous reports from America. None were found from the owners of 51 dogs in which Giardia cysts were detected. The detection rates of each facilities were, 68 of 366 (18.6%) from the breeder's kennels, 169 of 1811 (9.3%) in individual houses, 2 of 42 (4.9%) from research institutes. The detection rate of the breeder's kennels was higher than the other two facilities (p less than 0.05, p less than 0.001). The detection rates of Kanagawa and Shizuoka prefectures among 17 regions in Japan were higher than the others (p less than 0.001, p less than 0.05). Especially in Shizuoka, the rate of the individual houses was higher than from breeder's kennels. In kanagawa the rates of the individual houses and the breeders kennels were higher than the mean in Japan (p less than 0.001). Therefore one must instruct the breeders when teaching health education to included zoonosis, and that the detection rate of the age groups of less than 3 years old was high-221 of 1276 (17.3%). Since the detection rates of Giardia cysts in the dogs were low, the possibility that human infection acquired from dogs was low. However, some of patients with giardiasis we encountered had never been abroad, and it is not yet clear whether Giardia is strictly host specific or not, so attention should be paid to the possibility of cross-infection between man and animals.

Animals

Cloning and expression of the gene for the Avi-3 antigen of Mycobacterium avium and mapping of its epitopes.

The Avi-3 antigen, which is found only in Mycobacterium avium culture sonic extracts, is species specific and results in strong skin test activity in guinea pigs sensitized with heat-killed M. avium. Its gene was cloned by using a previously developed single-probe method and was sequenced. The gene encoded a 194-amino-acid polypeptide with a molecular weight of 21,500. A recombinant Avi-3 antigen expressed in Escherichia coli reacted with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies raised against the native Avi-3 antigen. To identify epitopes on this protein for immunodiagnostic purposes, various parts of the Avi-3 antigen were expressed as beta-galactosidase fusion proteins, using pUR and pURS expression vectors. The clones screened by both antibody reactivity and T-cell proliferative activity defined fragments with coexisting B- and T-cell epitopes. A B-cell epitope (Asn-176 to Ala-186) and two T-cell epitopes (Glu-75 to Ile-86 and Arg-155 to Leu-164) were thus defined. The synthetic polymerized peptides of the T-cell epitopes were proven to elicit a delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction in guinea pigs. This mapping method would be useful in the development of a subunit vaccine consisting of an immunodominant B-cell epitope linked to a T-cell epitope in the vicinity.

Amino Acid Sequence

Role of adrenal androgens in the development of arteriosclerosis as judged by pulse wave velocity and calcification of the aorta.

To evaluate the role of adrenal androgens in the development of arteriosclerosis, serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), aortic calcification and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were measured in 69 males and 119 females without overt cardiovascular disease. The steroids decreased with age in both sexes, and the reduction was significantly steeper in younger (< or = 40 years) than in older (> 40 years) subjects only in females. When adjusted for age, the steroids were significantly lower in subjects with aortic calcification than in those without it, and the PWV was significantly slower in the latter. Adrenal androgens appear to retard the development and/or progression of arteriosclerosis.

Adolescent

Reinfusion of autogenous ascitic fluid concentrated by freezing in patients with intractable ascites.

Eleven patients with intractable ascites were treated by intravenous reinfusion of concentrated autogenous ascitic fluid. The ascitic fluid was drained and centrifuged for removal of cells by a cell separator. Cell-free ascitic fluid was frozen in a medical freezer at -15 degrees C and thawed at room temperature. The fraction at the initial stage of melting contains a high concentration of protein and was thus collected and reinfused to the patient. In this initial fraction, the recovery rate of albumin was 42.0 +/- 9.0% and the concentration of protein was 7.1 +/- 2.4 g/dl. This frozen method is inexpensive and time saving, because it does not use a filter. Ascites was ameliorated in all patients with 1 to 19 times of reinfusion. Therefore, when renal function is not disturbed, the frozen method may be indicated for management of intractable ascites.

Adult

[Expression of c-erbB-2 protein and vessel invasion in colorectal cancer].

Using sections of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from 64 colorectal cancer patients, the expression of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein was studied immunohistochemically. Twenty-seven percent of the cases with liver metastasis showed positive staining. On the other hand, only 3% of cases without liver metastasis were positive. Expression rates of c-erbB-2 protein in liver metastasis cases showed no significant difference between primary operation (26%) and recurrence (27%). Of all c-erbB-2 positive patients, 90% (9/10) had liver metastasis. Secondly, vessel invasions of 45 rectal cancer patients were studied using Victoria Blue (VB) elastic staining and endothelial staining by factor VIII-related antigen and Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA-I) lectin. VB-HE double stain was efficacious to detect vascular invasion, but endothelial staining was not. There were statistically more vascular invasions in 30 patients with liver or lymph node metastases than in those without metastasis. And in cases with metastasis, many vascular invasions into the extra-muscular layer were seen. Both vascular invasions and c-erbB-2 protein were valuable indicators of possible liver metastasis.

Biomarkers, Tumor