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Biomedical subjects

M Shintani

Publications and source records attributed to M Shintani.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Epidemiological study of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in japan based on PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism of the P1 cytadhesin gene.

Two hundred fifty strains of Mycoplasma pneumoniae isolated during the past 20 years in Japan were classified into two groups (I and II) based upon different PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns of their P1 cytadhesin genes. Clear shifts between the M. pneumoniae groups were observed but did not appear to be correlated with M. pneumoniae epidemic cycles. Patients' sera showed relatively higher levels of antiadhesin antibodies to M. pneumoniae strains homologous with the infecting strain.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗

[Nocturnal hypoxia index: a new pulse oxymetry index of nocturnal hypoventilation in neuromuscular disorders].

Respiratory insufficiency due to progressive muscle wasting is a major cause of death in various neuromuscular disorders. Morning headache and anorexia leading to slowly progressive body weight loss are frequently observed as initial symptoms of insufficient ventilation. From our experience nocturnal pulse oxymetry is a valuable study to detect early respiratory insufficiency and helpful to evaluate the effectiveness of ventilatory assistance, since ventilation is more impaired during sleep in early stage of respiratory insufficiency. Percent desaturation time (total desaturation time (SaO2 < or = 90%)/total sleep time) has been used as the most reasonable index of nocturnal hypoventilation. The criteria for introduction of nocturnal mechanical ventilation is 20% or more in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Unfortunately, the earliest stage of hypoventilation cannot be detected by this index and it is of no use in advanced respiratory failure, because this index never exceeds 100% by definition. Here we propose a new index for nocturnal hypoventilation, which is defined as follows: nocturnal hypoxia index (NHI) = (% time of 95% > or = SaO2 > 90%) + (% time of 90% > or = SaO2 > 85%) x 2 + (% time of 85% > or = SaO2 > 80%) x 3 + (% time of 80% > or = SaO2 > 75%) x 4 + (% time of 75% > or = SaO2 > 70%) x 5.... This index is good for any stage of respiratory failure, and applicable to nocturnal hypoxia of other causes. The criteria for initiating mechanical ventilation in DMD can be substituted by "NHI is above 130."

Adult↗

Genetic polymorphisms of the CST2 locus coding for cystatin SA.

A new genetic polymorphism of cystatin SA has been identified in human submandibular-sublingual saliva by means of basic gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting with anti-cystatin S. Two proteins, SA1 and SA2, are given by two alleles of CST2, viz., CST2*1 and CST*2. Inheritance is controlled by two codominant alleles at an autosomal locus. This hypothesis is supported by studies of 16 families 32 children. Gene frequencies for CST2*1 and CST2*2 are 0.935 and 0.065, respectively (n = 341). Eighteen amino acids determined among 20 N-terminal residues of cystatin SA2 are identical with the sequence encoded by CST2. Three forms of cystatin S (mono-phosphorylated cystatin S, di-phosphorylated cystatin S, and non-phosphorylated cystatin S) are present in the 341 saliva samples tested.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Complications associated with CDDP intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

As CDDP-ip is known to affect intraperitoneal tumors directly, and reduce CDDP associated adverse reactions, it has been used not only for ovarian cancer but other intraperitoneal tumors. However ip chemotherapy requires catheter placement at the time of laparotomy. We investigated the complications of catheters as an intraperitoneal administration route. The subjects were 84 patients, 39 with temporary catheters and 45 with an implantable port and catheter system. Twenty-seven percent of the temporary catheter patients experienced complications--infection 8%, inflow obstruction 3%, leakage 5%, extrusion 8%, and severe pain 3%. Furthermore, a total of 22% of patients with an implantable port and catheter system experienced complications--inflow obstruction 9%, infection 2%, leakage 4%, and extrusion 7%. Fortunately, no serious complications were observed at our institutions, and the complication incidence seemed lower compared to that of other institutions.

Adolescent↗

[Two cases of Werner's syndrome treated with penetrating keratoplasty].

Cataract is one of the typical ocular manifestations of Werner's syndrome. In contrast to cataract in normal elderly persons, cataract in patients with Werner's syndrome is known to be associated with degenerative corneal changes after cataract surgery. Among the corneal changes bullous keratopathy occurs in almost 100% of patients with Werner's syndrome after cataract surgery. Although penetrating keratoplasty appears to be the best treatment for bullous keratopathy, there have been few reports on bullous keratopathy in patients with Werner's syndrome. Here we report two patients with Werner's syndrome who underwent penetrating keratoplasty for the treatment of bullous keratopathy. In both cases, visual acuity was improved, suggesting that penetrating keratoplasty is a recommendable treatment for bullous keratopathy in patients with Werner's syndrome.

Cataract Extraction↗

[Etoposide/cis-platinum (CDDP) combined chemotherapy for ovarian cancer: evaluation of optimum schedule for CDDP administration in chronic continuous exposure of ovarian cancer cells to low-dose etoposide in vitro].

Combined chemotherapy with etoposide and cis-platinum (CDDP) is considered a second line regimen for refractory cases of ovarian cancer. In addition to the time-dependent cytocidal kinetic of etoposide, much attention has been paid to low-dose continuous administration of etoposide. In this study, ovarian cancer cells (SHIN-3) were continuously exposed to low-dose etoposide in vitro to determine the optimum schedule for CDDP administration. Etoposide concentrations of 1-3 micrograms/ml were used; per os administration of etoposide at 25 mg x 2/day has been shown to produce a continuous plasma concentration of etoposide of around 1 microgram/ml. The results were as follows: 1) The IC50 of CDDP after 72 hours of exposure was 8.0 micrograms/ml and that of etoposide after 114 hours was 3.0 micrograms/ml. 2) After 100 hours of exposure to 1 microgram/ml of etoposide, cell cyclic phase analysis showed cells predominantly in G2/M phase arrest. 3) After 24-hour administration of CDDP, it was more than 24 hours before a cytocidal effect was observed. 4) During continuous exposure of SHIN-3 to etoposide (1 microgram/ml) for 6 days, CDDP was added on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th days. The largest ratio of growth inhibition with combined treatment to that with CDDP alone was attained on the 5th day. We conclude that, in combination regimens using low-dose continuous etoposide, CDDP should be added after etoposide administration is begun.

Administration, Oral↗

Detection and discrimination of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Mycoplasma genitalium by the in vitro DNA amplification.

By using the primers designed on the bases of the sequences of the 16S rRNA genes of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Mycoplasma genitalium, respectively, specific and sensitive in vitro DNA amplification assay system for the detection and discrimination of these two mycoplasmas was established. The detection limit of the assay was 100 cells for M. pneumoniae and 1,000 cells for M. genitalium. Neither other human mycoplasmas nor oral bacteria existing in human saliva showed any cross-reactions with these primers.

Base Sequence↗

[A case of acid maltase deficiency (juvenile type)--immunohistochemical and biochemical study].

A 22-year-old housewife was referred to us for review of progressive proximal muscle weakness which started at 15 years of age. A biopsy of left rectus femoris muscle showed acid phosphatase positive vacuoles partly filled with PAS-positive material. Acid maltase activity of the cultured fibroblasts was pathologically low at 0.4 nmol/mg protein considering 161.0 +/- 32.4 nmol/mg protein as a normal range. A diagnosis was made of acid maltase deficiency (juvenile type). Western blot using anti-acid maltase polyclonal antibody revealed 115 and 70 kDa bands in control muscles, where as only the 115 kDa band, a presumable precursor of the enzyme, was visualized in the patient. By immunohistochemistry using the same antibody the epitope was localized to the acid phosphatase positive vacuoles and immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated the acid maltase immunoreactivity within lysosomes. We concluded that the protein precursor unable to proceed into mature enzyme can access to lysosomes from endoplasmic reticulum through Golgi complex in the present case.

Adult↗

Rational design and synthesis of a novel class of active site-targeted HIV protease inhibitors containing a hydroxymethylcarbonyl isostere. Use of phenylnorstatine or allophenylnorstatine as a transition-state mimic.

A novel class of HIV-1 protease inhibitors containing a hydroxymethylcarbonyl (HMC) isostere were designed from the substrate transition state and synthesized. Phenylnorstatine [Pns; (2R,3S)-3-amino-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid] and the 2S diastereomer, (2S,3S)-3-amino-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid, named allophenylnorstatine (Apns) were effective transition-state mimics, and incorporation of Pns-Pro or Apns-Pro at the P1-P1' site gave potent and specific HIV-1 protease inhibitors. In the inhibitory assays, the chemically synthesized [Ala67,95] HIV-1 protease was used.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Changes in interferon receptors on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with chronic hepatitis B being treated with interferon.

We studied the binding of 125I-labeled human interferon-alpha to peripheral blood mononuclear cells and the activity of 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase in peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from 21 patients with chronic hepatitis B who were treated with human interferon-alpha or interferon-beta. Fourteen patients were given interferon daily for 4 wk. Interferon receptors per cell decreased to about 50% of baseline but increased to baseline by 2 wk after therapy ended. The activity of 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase rose about fivefold during therapy, decreasing to baseline by 1 wk after the end of therapy. The seven other patients were given interferon daily for 2 wk, no interferon for 2 wk and then interferon daily for 2 wk more. During both periods of therapy on this schedule, interferon receptors decreased to about 50% but returned to baseline 1 wk after the interferon was stopped. The activity of 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase increased about fivefold during both the first and second periods of therapy and decreased to baseline 1 wk after interferon was stopped. Close negative correlation existed between the number of interferon receptors and the 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase activity. The results of interferon therapy could not be predicted by either the numbers of interferon receptors before therapy or by the decrease in this number during therapy.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗

Mechanism for the enhancement effect of fatty acids on the percutaneous absorption of propranolol.

The effects of a series of fatty acids on the percutaneous absorption of propranolol (PL) through rabbit skin and the mechanism by which fatty acids facilitate the skin penetration of PL were examined in vitro and in vivo using a gel base. Lauric and myristic acids, at the fatty acid:PL molar ratio of 1:1 were the most potent agents in increasing the skin penetration, giving the largest penetration rate (Js) and penetration coefficient (Kp) of PL. The molar ratio of 2:1 also exerted a large enhancing effect, comparable to that with a molar ratio of 1:1. When the enhancing effects of lauric acid, its amide, and its methyl ester were compared, the free acid gave the highest Js and Kp values. The plasma PL concentrations were significantly higher and more sustained after a single percutaneous application of the formulation with lauric acid than those after the formulation without the acid. The mechanism for the enhancing effect was examined by measuring IR and 13C NMR spectra, the solubility in buffer, and the apparent partition coefficient of PL. Additionally, the penetration of PL and lauric acid, as co-penetrants, through rabbit skin and shed snake skin were evaluated. The IR spectra of the mixture of PL with lauric acid (molar ratio, 1:1) was characterized by an extreme shift of the CO peak. Comparison of the NMR spectra of PL, lauric acid, and the mixture suggested that the carbonyl group of lauric acid interacted with the amino and hydroxyl groups of PL, probably by charge interaction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Allelic variants of acidic proline-rich proteins observed in Japanese, Chinese, and Malays.

Three new variants of acidic proline-rich proteins (At, Au, Aw) were found in human parotid saliva by isoelectric focusing and basic gel electrophoresis. Electrophoretic comparison of the purified proteins and their tryptic peptides suggested minor charge and size differences from other acidic PRPs. Genetic and biochemical studies indicate that the At and Aw proteins are allelic products of the PRH1 locus. Gene frequencies of the At productive allele (PRH1(6)) in Japanese, Chinese, and Malays were 0.008, 0.012, and 0.004, respectively. The Au protein was also found in Japanese (2 in 746 samples), Chinese (1 in 215 samples), and Malays (1 in 220 samples), however, the Aw protein was found only in one Japanese (n = 746). These three proteins were not found in 106 Indian subjects.

Alleles↗

Salivary proline-rich protein polymorphisms in Chinese, Malays and Indians in Singapore.

Salivary proline-rich protein (PRP) polymorphism, PRH1, PRH2, Ps, Pm (PmF), PmS and Gl, were investigated in three ethnic groups in Singapore: Chinese, Malays and Indians. The phenotype and gene frequencies were presented and comparison with other ethnic groups was made. The As protein, which was recently found in Japanese but not in Caucasians as a new allelic product of the PRH1 locus, was also observed in Chinese and Malays but not in Indians. Another allelic product (Ps4) of Ps protein polymorphism was found in Malays but not in Chinese and Indians. The results indicate the usefulness of salivary PRP polymorphism as markers in population genetic studies.

Alleles↗

New allelic product of the PRH1 locus coding for salivary acidic proline-rich proteins.

A new polymorphic acidic proline-rich protein (As) was found in human parotid saliva by SDS and basic polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The phenotypic relationships and family studies support the hypothesis that the As protein is another allelic product of the PRH1 locus. The As protein could not be discriminated from the parotid isoelectric focusing (PIf) protein by isoelectric focusing gel electrophoresis due to similar migration of the two proteins. In order to determine salivary PRH1 phenotypes it is necessary to use SDS or basic gel electrophoresis in addition to the isoelectric focusing gel electrophoresis. The As protein was not found in Caucasians. The allele frequencies of the PRH1 locus in Japanese were PRH1 (double-band protein) = 0.035, PRH1(2) (acidic protein) = 0.193, PRH1(4) (PIf) = 0.751, and PRH1(5) (As) = 0.021.

Alleles↗

[Interferon-alpha/beta receptors in patients with chronic HBV infection].

We analyzed the binding of 125I-labelled IFN-alpha to peripheral blood mononuclear cells in 19 healthy controls, 25 asymptomatic HBV carriers (AsC), and 69 patients with HBs antigen positive chronic liver disease (CLD). Histological examination showed that of the 69 patients with CLD, 14 had chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH), 46 had chronic active hepatitis (CAH), 9 had liver cirrhosis (LC). The mean number of IFN-alpha/beta receptor sites per cell totaled 1270 +/- 340 in the healthy controls, 1440 +/- 290 in AsC, and 1600 +/- 480 in CLD (with 1770 +/- 480 in CPH, 1580 +/- 490 in CAH, and 1420 +/- 410 in LC). HBV carriers had more IFN-alpha/beta receptor sites than the healthy controls (AsC: P less than 0.1, CLD: P less than 0.01). In CLD, patients with LC tended to have fewer IFN-alpha/beta receptor sites than those with CPH or CAH. The number of IFN-alpha/beta receptor sites in CLD was correlated with the HBe antigen titer (P less than 0.01), and activity of HBV-DNA polymerase (P less than 0.05). These results were suggested that IFN-alpha/beta receptor sites was higher at the HBV carrier state, and correlated with viral replication.

Carrier State↗