Biomedical subjects

M Morishita

Publications and source records attributed to M Morishita.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1998

The effects of oestrogen on osteocalcin production by human periodontal ligament cells.

The purpose was to investigate the effects of oestradiol on the function of periodontal ligament (PDL) cells by measuring the production of osteocalcin in vitro. Cells were obtained from the healthy periodontal ligament of teeth extracted from two males and two females for orthodontic reasons. Serum-free medium was used when testing the effects of oestradiol on PDL cells. The amount of osteocalcin in the culture medium was analysed by two-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay in the presence or absence of oestradiol. It was shown that oestradiol enhanced the production of osteocalcin by PDL cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. PDL cells obtained from both male and female donors were affected by oestradiol. It thus appears that oestradiol is one of the factors important for PDL cells to express their function.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Enhanced colonic and rectal absorption of insulin using a multiple emulsion containing eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid.

The aim of this study was to test the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on insulin absorption from rat intestinal loops in situ, using a water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) multiple emulsion. The enhancement effect of these long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids was compared with that of free fatty acids having a C18 alkyl chain. The emulsion (insulin dose, 50 units/kg) was administered directly into the colonic and rectal loops. Both EPA and DHA strongly enhanced insulin absorption and induced hypoglycemia after colonic and rectal dosing. Comparing the pharmacological availability, the order of effectiveness with respect to the enhanced absorption of insulin was DHA >/= EPA > C18 unsaturated fatty acids >> C18 saturated fatty acid at both sites. DHA showed greater effects upon rectal dosing than upon colonic dosing. Histological studies revealed that the emulsion incorporating DHA did not induce gross morphological changes in the structure of the intestinal mucosa. Our results indicate that a W/O/W multiple emulsion incorporating DHA is a possible means of facilitating the intestinal absorption of insulin without inducing any serious damage to the epithelial cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

M protein correlates with the receptor-binding specificity of haemagglutinin protein of reassortant influenza A (H1N1) virus.

From the reassortment experiments between A/Aichi/4/92 and A/WSN/33 (WSN) (H1N1) viruses, two different phenotype viruses which contained the haemagglutinin (HA) gene from A/Aichi/4/92 virus and the neuraminidase (NA) gene from WSN virus were obtained. PW13 and PW15 viruses agglutinated chicken red blood cells (CRBC), while PW10 and PW70 viruses did not. However, the expressed HA proteins of these viruses did not adsorb CRBC. The difference in gene constellation between PW13, PW15 and PW10, PW70 viruses was the membrane protein (M) gene. The former two had the M gene from A/Aichi/4/92 virus and the latter two had that from WSN virus. In PW15-infected cells, haemadsorption of CRBC was observed 30 min later than that of goose red blood cells and the M1 protein migrated from the nucleus to the cytoplasm 30 min earlier than adsorption of CRBC was observed. On the other hand, in PW10-infected cells, haemadsorption of CRBC was not observed through the virus replication and the M1 protein stayed in the nucleus after HA and NA activities reached maximum levels. Co-expression of the M and the HA proteins of A/Aichi/4/92 virus did not help the HA protein gain the ability to adsorb CRBC. However, neuraminidase treatment of COS cells expressing the HA protein of A/Aichi/4/92 virus or MDCK cells infected by PW10 virus restored the ability to adsorb CRBC. We discussed the possibility that the M1 protein helped the NA protein in its role to modify the HA protein on the cell surface.

Agglutination↗

PubMed1998

Novel chromosomal abberation in a patient with a unique sleep disorder.

A 45 year old woman presenting with periodic hypersomnia for 17 years is reported on. She would sleep for three weeks followed by the same period awake. Polysomnography in the somnolent period disclosed an excess of total sleeping time with remarkably increased stage 1, 3/4, and REM sleep, without cataplexy or sleep paralysis. HLA typing was incompatible with narcolepsy or REM sleep behavioural disorder. Her chromosomes showed premature centromere division with chromatid puffing in areas of constitutive heterochromatin, which is exclusively found in the syndrome of infants termed Roberts' syndrome/SC phocomelia. Other laboratory findings were not normal. It is suggested that the present case is a novel sleep disorder related to a unique chromosomal aberration.

Centromere↗

PubMed1998

[Preventive measures against hepatitis B virus infection in nursing schools in Japan].

To clarify the use of preventive measures against Hepatitis B Virus infection among nursing students, questionnaires were mailed to 488 nursing schools throughout Japan (including colleges and junior colleges). Two hundred and sixty-eight nursing schools answered our questionnaire. The results are summarized as follows: 1. Eighty percent of the nursing schools that responded, regularly perform the HBs antigen test, and 70% conduct the HBs antibody test. However, only 29% carry out HB vaccinations. 2. Of the 172 schools (71%) that do not actually perform HB vaccinations, only 4% have a HB vaccination plan for the future. 3. The main reasons why the schools do not carry out HB vaccinations are: 1) high cost (48%), 2) low risk of HBV infection among students (34%), 3) the students are thought to be themselves capable of preventing HBV infection (31%). 4. Eighty percent of the nursing schools conduct an orientation program for their nursing students on how to prevent infection before their practical training at school as well as during their practical training at the hospital. 5. Thirty-five percent of the nursing schools have their own "Prevention of HBV Infection Manual", while some of the others use a manual provided by their training hospital. 6. In answer to the question "Do the instructors ask the students to report any potential risk of infection they encounter during their training in the hospital?", 88 approximately 89% of the schools said that they instruct their students to report all injuries involving a needle stick. Other questions relative to various circumstances were also asked. To the question of whether the school requires the students to report any wounds to their fingers or hands, the rate of "yes" answers was only 33%, although this information is essential to prevent avoidable risk. Conclusion In our investigation we found that the HBs antigen and the HBs antibody tests are both performed in a high proportion in nursing schools. Orientation concerning students' training at the hospital to prevent infection is also provided at a high rate. On the other hand, HB vaccinations are not widely performed. Manuals on the prevention of HBV infection are not used at a high proportion either. Also, the reporting system for students encountering any potential risks of infection is insufficient. We think that a more active prevention system for HBV infection should be organized in every nursing school.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

[Pulmonary thromboembolism that developed during an airplane flight "economy-class syndrome"].

The occurrence of thromboembolic phenomena during long-duration airplane flights is called "economy-class syndrome". Recently it has become more popular for Japanese to go abroad by airplane, and an increase in the prevalence of pulmonary thromboembolism should be expected. However, there are few reports of the economy-class syndrome in Japan. A 52-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of chest discomfort and dyspnea that developed during an airplane flight. We suspected pulmonary thromboembolism, on the basis of a chest X-ray film and on electrocardiogram. A ventilation-perfusion lung scan disclosed mismatching between ventilation and perfusion in the right upper lung field. Pulmonary thromboembolism was confirmed by pulmonary arteriography. The patient was treated with heparin and urokinase. A phlebogram of the legs showed no significant findings. There was no history of thromboembolic disease or of consumption of oral contraceptives. We conclude that the pulmonary thromboembolism might have been caused by stasis of blood in the lower limb veins during the airplane flight. We emphasize the importance of including pulmonary thromboembolism in the differential diagnosis of patients with chest discomfort and dyspnea that develop during airplane flights. No noninvasive test can lead to a definitive diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism. Early pulmonary angiography should be recommended when pulmonary thromboembolism is suspected.

Dehydration↗

PubMed1998

[New predictive formulas of pulmonary function in Japanese children].

Socioeconomic conditions, including nutrition, have improved dramatically over the past four decades in Japan. Those improvements have elicited significant changes in the developmental growth and average size of Japanese children. These trends suggest that predictive formulas of pulmonary function need to be revised. Our study enrolled 446 children (222 boys and 224 girls ranging in age from 5 to 16 years) who had no history of respiratory disease. The subjects were examined by spirometry. We formulated regression equations for several measures of ventilatory function by age, weight, and height, including vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1.0), using data randomly selected from 70% of the children. Optimum parameters for the equations were selected by calculating Akaike information criteria (AIC) and Mallow's index C (p). The optimum regression equations were tested for their predictive value as acceptable predictive formulas by evaluating data randomly selected from 30% of the children. These new formulas are considered to be better suited for modern-day evaluations of pulmonary function in Japanese children.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

[Differential diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis].

Differential diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis is discussed. Chest X-ray findings of pulmonary tuberculosis may be greatly varied, because tuberculosis may cause three different lesions: an exudative lesion, a proliferative lesion, and a fibrotic lesion, and because it may invade all the structure. Thus, the differential diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis includes very many diseases. The most important differential diagnosis of nodule is tuberculoma and lung cancer. The clue of the diagnosis is the feature of the nodule and surrounding structure, such as pleural indentation, or knotching. There is, however, the limitation of the diagnosis by imaging: some tuberculoma may show the identical feature with the pulmonary adenocarcinoma. It is important to gather the pathological or bacteriological evidences by means of suitable procedures.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

PubMed1997

Studies on dynamic behavior of the biosensor based on immobilized glucoamylase-glucose oxidase membrane.

Frequency response of the glucose/maltose biosensors based on immobilized glucoamylase and glucose oxidase membranes of different thickness were investigated with the sinusoidal signal generator of substrate concentration. The results were modeled by the serial combination of the dead time and the first order response blocks, and time constants and dead times were estimated. The estimated value of time constant ranged from 4.5 to 13.2 s and that of the dead time from 3.2 to 7.7 s with the tendency that both time constant and dead time increase as membrane thickness increases and number of enzymatic reaction steps increases.

Biosensing Techniques↗

PubMed1997

RKS-1778, a new mammalian cell-cycle inhibitor and a key intermediate of the [11]cytochalasin group.

In the course of screening for the mammalian cell-cycle inhibitors, we have isolated a new [11]cytochalasin, RKS-1778 (1), and epoxycytochalasin H (2) from a fungus, Phoma sp. SNF-1778. The structure of 1 was determined to be 21-acetoxy-18-hydroxy-10-phenyl-5,6,16,18- tetramethyl[11]cytochalasa-6,13,19-trien-1-one, one the basis of spectroscopic methods, including 1H- and 13C-2D NMR techniques, RKS-1778 (1) may be a precursor of 2 and the key direct product of a proposed biosynthetic intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction. Both 1 and 2 completely arrested the cell-cycle progression of tsFT210 cells in the M phase at concentrations of 2.1 and 2.0 microM, respectively.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Polymorphism in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene and sarcoidosis.

It has recently been shown that an insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphism exists in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene, and that this polymorphism affects the serum ACE level. There are three genotypes: DD, DI, and II, with the ACE level highest in DD, intermediate in DI, and lowest in II. In the present investigation of the possible significance of the polymorphism for sarcoidosis, a total of 207 patients and 314 normal control subjects were examined. There were no significant differences in the I/D ratio and the genotype distribution between the two groups, and no significant variation in organ involvement (i.e., eye, skin, and heart) was noted among the three genotypes. To determine any prognostic influence of the polymorphism, we examined the disappearance ratio of abnormal shadow on chest radiography over 3 and 5 yr. No significant difference among the three genotypes was observed. New normal ranges of serum ACE level were determined for each genotype, and found to be 22% more sensitive overall than the conventional normal range and 39% more so for II type, suggesting an advantage for diagnosis and assessment of the disease activity of sarcoidosis.

Case-Control Studies↗

PubMed1997

[Diffuse bronchiolo-alveolar cell carcinoma that produced both amylase and CA19-9].

A 68-year-old man who worked as an editor was admitted to Aichi Medical University Hospital due to dyspnea on exertion and emaciation. The patient had noticed rapid weight loss during diet therapy for diabetes mellitus that started in the beginning of July, 1993. Laboratory examinations revealed elevated levels of LDH and amylase in serum. Ultrasonography disclosed minimal ascites. Dyspnea on exertion developed in September, 1993. Chest roentgenography showed diffuse bilateral small nodular or reticular opacities. CT-guided percutaneous needle aspiration was done and cytologic examination of a specimen of lung tissue revealed papillary adenocarcinoma. The diagnosis was bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma. Serum levels of amylase were elevated. The amylase isozyme pattern was of the salivary type. Serum levels of CA19-9 and CEA were also elevated. The patient died of respiratory failure on December 4, 1993. Postmortem examination revealed diffuse small nodules in both lungs. Examination of the nodules showed bronchiolo-alveolar cell carcinoma. The tumor cells stained positively for amylase (salivary type, not pancreatic type) CA19-9, and CEA by the avidin biotin complex method, but they were immunohistologically negative for AFP. We conclude that this lung cancer produced amylase, CA19-9, and CEA. We know of only a few reports of cases in which lung cancer produced both amylase and CA19-9.

Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar↗

PubMed1997

Development of an oral health indicator in infants.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a simple predictive indicator for 1.5-year-old infants' oral health as an aid for maternal preventive efforts. DESIGN: The development of an indicator was based on the relationship between life style factors of the 1.5-year-old infants and the caries incidence of the same children at three years of age. Data gained at examination of the 3-year-old subjects were subjected to analysis with the caries-free information on the same subjects at 1.5 years. SETTING: A community health centre in Hiroshima Japan. SUBJECTS: 1575 children received an oral check-up at 3 years of age at a community health centre. OUTCOME MEASURES: The category scores of the six items which were extracted retrospectively from life style factors at 1.5 years affecting caries prevalence at 3 years of age were quantified and transformed into integral numbers so as to make up a total of 100. The sum of the six transformed scores was named an Infants Dental Index (IDI). RESULTS: The IDI score was associated significantly with the dmft score at 3 years of age (r = -0.18 P < 0.001). When the subjects were classified into four groups with respect to the IDI score these four groups were significantly related to the caries onset between 1.5 and 3 years of age (chi 2 = 36.74, P < 0.001 CONCLUSIONS: The IDI developed in this study appeared to be valid so that it could be applied in the field of the community dental health to identity higher risk infants and direct more effective health education to mothers.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1997

Amelioration of type II collagen induced arthritis in rats by treatment with thymulin.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of thymulin (serum thymic factor + Zn2+) in collagen induced arthritis (CIA) in rats. METHODS: SD rats were immunized with bovine type II collagen plus Freund's incomplete adjuvant, and thymulin was administered intraperitoneally on the first day of first immunization. We determined the level of serum thymulin by rosette inhibition assay. Effects of thymulin on CIA rats were estimated by measuring the extent of hind paw edema, the level of serum anti-type II collagen antibody, and changes in histopathological features of the affected joints. RESULTS: Serum thymulin levels in CIA rats were significantly lower than in untreated rats. Thymulin diminished hind paw swelling and onset of arthritis compared with control rats. The serum anti-type II collagen antibody level was also reduced by thymulin. Histopathological examination showed inhibition of granulation tissue and new bone formation after injection of thymulin. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest thymulin plays a significant role in the onset and development of CIA in rats. Our data indicate thymulin may be therapeutically effective in preventing the development of rheumatoid arthritis.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Role of tachykinin and bradykinin receptors and mast cells in gaseous formaldehyde-induced airway microvascular leakage in rats.

We have investigated the effects of CP-99,994 [(+)-(2s,3s)-3-(2-methoxybenzylamino)-2-phenylpiperidine], a tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonist, HOE 140 (D-Arg[Hyp3,Thi5,D-Tic7,Oic8]bradykinin), a bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist, and ketotifen (4-(1-methyl-4-piperidylidene)4 H-benzo[4,5]cycloheptal[1,2-b]thiophen-10(9H)-one hydrogen fumarate), a histamine H1 receptor antagonist with mast cell-stabilizing properties, on microvascular leakage induced by gaseous formaldehyde. Extravasation of Evans blue dye into airway tissues was used as an index of airway microvascular leakage. Leakage of dye in the trachea and main bronchi increased significantly in a concentration-dependent fashion after 10 min inhalation of formaldehyde (5-45 parts per million (ppm)). The airway response induced by 10 min inhalation of 15 ppm formaldehyde (trachea: 119.5 +/- 13.9 ng/mg, n = 7; main bronchi: 139.6 +/- 7.9 ng/mg, n = 7) was abolished by the administration of CP-99,994 (3 and 6 mg/kg i.v.), but not by the administration of HOE 140 (0.65 mg/kg i.v.) nor ketotifen (1 mg/kg i.v.). The increase in vascular permeability induced by formaldehyde in the rat airway was mediated predominantly by NK1 receptor stimulation. Activation of bradykinin receptors and mast cells did not appear to play an important role in this airway response.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Role of bradykinin B2 receptors and mast cells in the bradykinin-induced skin response in the rat.

We investigated the role of activation of bradykinin receptors and mast cells in the microvascular leakage of the vessels of the skin induced by the intracutaneous (i.c.) injection of bradykinin in the rat. We evaluated the effects of HOE140 (D-Arg-[Hyp3,Thi5,D-Tic7,Oic8]bradykinin), a bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist, and ketotifen (4-(1-methyl-4-piperidylidene)4H-benzo[4,5]cyclohepta[1, 2-b]thiophen-10(9H)-one hydrogen fumarate), a histamine H1 receptor antagonist with mast cell stabilizing properties, on the skin response. Evans blue dye extravasation served as an index of the increase in vascular permeability. Bradykinin (2-100 nmol/site i.c.) induced the extravasation of Evans blue dye in a dose-dependent manner. Ketotifen (20 mg/kg i.p.) significantly inhibited the leakage of dye induced by bradykinin (10 nmol/site i.c.) by 66.2%, while HOE140 (1 mg/kg i.v.) had no effect. The concomitant injection of HOE140 (0.2, 2 nmol/site) and bradykinin (10 nmol/site i.c.), also did not significantly reduce the extravasation of dye. We conclude that the extravasation of plasma induced by the i.c. injection of bradykinin is mediated mainly by stimulation of the skin mast cells, but not by bradykinin B2 receptors.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Modification of chemo-radiosensitivity of a human lung cancer cell line by introduction of the glutathione S-transferase pi gene.

Recent studies have suggested that glutathione S-transferase pi (GST-pi) may play a role in determining tumor sensitivities to cytotoxic drugs. In order to better understand the role of this enzyme in chemo- and/or radioresistance of lung cancer cells, we examined whether introduction of GST-pi cDNA into a chemo- and radiosensitive lung cancer cell line altered its sensitivities to various chemotherapeutic agents and/or ionizing radiation, which are often used in the management of lung cancers. Modestly increased resistance of the GST-pi transfectants preferentially to sublethal damage caused by ionizing radiation as well as to adriamycin (ADM) was observed. In contrast, resistances to cisplatin (CDDP), etoposide (VP-16), irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11) and paclitaxel were virtually unaltered. These results suggest that GST-pi may not play a major role in chemo- and radioresistance of lung cancers, although it could afford selective and limited protection against ADM- and ionizing radiation-induced damage.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed1996

Patients' expectations of information provided at cancer hospitals in Japan.

In order to survey patients' views on disease and treatment information that should be provided at hospitals, an anonymous self-administered questionnaire was distributed to patients at Aichi Cancer Center Hospital in 1995. All eligible first-visit outpatients (97 persons), randomly selected revisit outpatients (99 persons; about one in ten refused), and all except six eligible inpatients in good condition at discharge (97 persons) responded. Out of 293 patients (115 males, 174 females and 4 unspecified), 74% answered that they wanted to be informed of their diagnosis irrespective of circumstances, 20% answered that they would want to be informed only in certain circumstances, and 2% did not want to be informed at all. There were no significant differences in response among the three sources of patients. Inpatients wanted more (81%) to be explained about recommended therapy than either first-visit outpatients (67%) or revisit outpatients (67%). The majority considered that about a 30-minute explanation was needed using pamphlet-like written materials or video. When asked what information was needed when choosing a cancer hospital, 71% specified information on the specialty of the hospital, 57% the content of the care provided, 23% the name and specialty of the doctors, 20% the waiting period before scheduled admission, 13% the average admission period, 11% the number of patients with the same disease, 10% the waiting time at the outpatient clinic, 6% the meal menu, and 4% the number of private wards. Forty-three percent wanted an information service covering all hospitals in the region through an information center. The results revealed that patients at this cancer hospital required information on their disease, treatment, and hospital specialty.

Adult↗