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Biomedical subjects

S Ueda

Publications and source records attributed to S Ueda.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Potential confounding effect of hand-warming on the measurement of insulin sensitivity.

1. Hand-warming is employed during metabolic studies to "arterialize' venous blood, but also has systemic haemodynamic effects. Study 1 aimed to determine if hand-warming affects the value for whole-body insulin sensitivity derived from the hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp technique. Study 2 was designed to assess the effect of hand-warming on contralateral forearm blood flow. 2. In study 1, eight healthy male subjects attended for four modified euglycaemic clamp studies, during which the right hand was placed in a heated-air hand box (55 degrees C), and the glucose infusion rate was adjusted according to blood samples from a cannula in either an ipsilateral dorsal hand vein or a contralateral antecubital vein with the box switched either on or off. In study 2, five healthy subjects attended two study days when the effect of 2 h of hand-warming (or control) on contralateral forewarm blood flow was measured. 3. Study 1; when clamps were performed according to samples taken from the contralateral antecubital vein, insulin sensitivity values were significantly lower during box-on versus box-off clamps (mean +/- SD 10.2 +/- 3.0 versus 13.0 +/- 3.8 mg min-1 kg-1, P < 0.05, 95% confidence interval -0.2, -5.3). When clamps were performed according to samples taken from the ipsilateral hand, there was no difference in insulin sensitivity during box-on versus box-off clamps (9.2 +/- 2.1 versus 9.0 +/- 1.7 mg min-1 kg-1, P not significant, 95% confidence interval -0.5, +0.9). There was a mean increase in heart rate of 6 beats/min in the box-on conditions (P < 0.05, analysis of variance). Study 2; forearm blood flow in the contralateral arm during hand-warming was significantly higher than in the control condition (P < 0.05, analysis of variance), although heart rate was similar on both study days. 4. Hand-warming had a detectable effect on insulin sensitivity when clamps were performed according to samples withdrawn from the contralateral arm, but no measurable effect when clamps were performed in the conventional manner. In addition, hand-warming increased heart rate during hyperinsulinaemia and contralateral FBF under basal conditions. These findings raise concern about unwanted (potentially confounding) systemic haemodynamic effects of hand-warming on the measurement of insulin sensitivity and insulin-mediated vasodilation.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed1996

Microwave coagulation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Surgical resection is not always feasible in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Microwave coagulation therapy has been used as an alternative to resection, and its efficacy has been evaluated. METHODS: Nineteen patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma underwent microwave coagulation therapy through laparotomy (n = 12), laparoscopy (n = 5), or thoracotomy (n = 2) because of advanced liver cirrhosis and/or intrahepatic metastases. One nodule was treated in 13 patients, tumor size ranged from 5 to 90 mm. Patient outcomes were studied. RESULTS: Microwave coagulation therapy created a reproducible regional necrosis. Fourteen patients underwent potentially curative treatment; the remaining 5 patients underwent palliative treatment (n = 4) or incomplete tumor coagulation (n = 1). Of the 31 nodules treated, 28 underwent complete tumor ablation. Only 2 patients undergoing laparoscopic microwave coagulation therapy developed local recurrence. The coagulated area subsequently shrank. Patients showed rapid recovery without hepatic dysfunction. Thirteen patients, including 2 long-term survivors, are alive either without tumor (n = 10; 14-64 months) or with tumor (n = 3; 17-22 months). Six patients died of hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 4) or liver insufficiency (n = 2). CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study suggests the efficacy of microwave coagulation therapy, including safety and potential curability, in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma with advanced liver cirrhosis and multifocal or central tumors.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Cloning and expression of the canine interferon-beta gene.

We isolated the canine interferon-beta (IFN-beta) gene from dog liver chromosomal DNA by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The coding region encodes a predicted protein of 197 amino acids, consisting of a signal sequence of 32 amino acids and a mature IFN-beta of 165 amino acids. In the IFN-beta sequence, there are five potential N-glycosylation sites and four cysteine residues. Canine IFN-beta has 44% and 60% amino acid sequence homology with murine and human IFN-beta, respectively, whereas it has only 28% homology with canine IFN-alpha. The canine IFN-beta gene was expressed in insect cells under the control of the polyhedrin promoter in a recombinant baculovirus. After infecting Sf21 cells with the recombinant baculovirus, IFN activity was detected in the culture medium, indicating that it is secreted from the cells. This activity was stable from pH 2 to 12 for 18 h at 4 degrees C. Southern blot analysis indicated that the gene for canine IFN-beta is a single gene in the dog haploid chromosome.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Differences in response of thyrotropin to 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine and 3,5,3'-triiodothyroacetic acid in patients with resistance to thyroid hormone.

This study investigated the response of TSH secretion to 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) and 3,5,3'-triiodothyroacetic acid (Triac) in patients with resistance to thyroid hormone, and compared the responses with those in patients with TSH-secreting pituitary adenoma and normal subjects. A short-term administration of 75 microg of T3 daily for 7 days suppressed serum TSH concentrations almost completely in normal subjects, but suppressed TSH only partially in patients with resistance to thyroid hormone and TSH-secreting pituitary adenoma. A single-dose administration of 75 microg of T3 gave similar results in regard to TSH suppressibility in these three subjects groups. In contrast, a single-dose administration of 1.4 mg of Triac remarkably suppressed serum TSH concentrations after 2 hours in not only normal subjects (-34 +/- 11% [mean +/- SD] from the basal value) but also in patients with resistance to thyroid hormone (-31 +/- 9%), and this TSH suppression continued for 4 hours. After 24 hours, this TSH suppression persisted in normal subjects (-62 +/- 12%) but was relieved in patients with resistance to thyroid hormone (-23 +/- 14%). After the Triac administration, molar ratios of alpha-subunit to TSH in serum were decreased in patients with TSH-secreting pituitary adenoma but increased in patients with resistance to thyroid hormone. Because the Triac therapy for patients with resistance to thyroid hormone suppressed pituitary-TSH secretion during the early phase of drug ingestion, this drug should be given several times within a day to obtain continuous TSH-suppressive effects.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1996

Chronological positron emission tomographic study of severe diffuse brain injury in the chronic stage.

Cerebral blood flow and metabolism were investigated in five patients with severe diffuse brain injury in the chronic stage, using positron emission tomography (PET). Regional cerebral blood flow, regional oxygen extraction fraction, regional cerebral blood volume, regional cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen, and regional cerebral metabolic rate for glucose were measured bilaterally in the frontal, temporal, occipital, and parietal gray matter, as well as the white matter of the centrum semiovale. In 4 of 5 patients, a follow-up PET study was also performed. In three cases, below-normal regional cerebral blood flow and regional cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen values accompanied by above-normal regional oxygen extraction fraction values, as well as low metabolism, were demonstrated in the initial PET studies. In two of three cases, clinical improvements were observed, and follow-up PET data also improved. These findings suggest that chronological PET studies may be able to assess quantitatively clinical improvements in patients with diffuse brain injury.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Effect of cyclosporin A on isolated rabbit bladder and urethral smooth muscle.

BACKGROUND: The effects of Cyclosporin A (CsA) on vascular smooth muscle inducing hypertension have been established. However, there is no information available concerning the effects of CsA on urinary smooth muscle. Therefore, the effects of CsA were investigated on the bladder and urethral smooth muscle in rabbits. METHODS: CsA (10 mg/kg/day, intravenously) was given to rabbits for 14 days. Rabbit bladder and urethral smooth muscles were then isolated and evaluated using a muscle bath technique. RESULTS: 10(-10)-5 x 10(-6)M CsA alone had no direct effect on bladder or urethral smooth muscles. The Emax (maximum contractile response) and ED50 values for acetylcholine-induced contractions and the Emax (maximum relaxation response) for isoproterenol-induced relaxation in bladder smooth muscles were not significantly different between CsA-treated and control groups. The ED50 for isoproterenol-induced relaxation was significantly lower in the CsA group (P < 0.05). The Emax for phenylephrine- and clonidine-induced contractions in urethral smooth muscle was significantly higher in the CsA-treated group (P < 0.05). The ratio of the maximum response of the urethral smooth muscle to phenylephrine and clonidine in Ca+2-free solution to the normal solution in the CsA group (13.42% and 4.40%, respectively) was significantly higher than the maximal response ratios in the control group (6.34% and 3.00%, respectively; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CsA treatment augments the relaxation response of the bladder to isoproterenol and the contractile response of the urethra to phenylephrine and clonidine. In addition, CsA increases the filling of intracellular stores of releasable Ca+2, and also increases the permeability of Ca+2 in rabbit urethral smooth muscle. Thus, it is suggested that CsA may cause a urinary disturbance in patients treated with CsA via increased urethral resistance.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1996

Subcapsular hematoma and hypertension following percutaneous needle biopsy of a transplanted kidney.

Percutaneous needle biopsy of a transplanted kidney is indicated as a diagnostic procedure in the evaluation of unexplained deteriorated renal function after renal transplantation. This procedure is not always without complications. We report a case of a subcapsular hematoma and hypertension following a percutaneous needle biopsy of a transplanted kidney. The cause of hypertension in this patient and the management of the subcapsular hematoma are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Latex agglutination test for canine parvovirus.

Canine parvovirus (CPV) was detected in faeces from dogs with diarrhoea by a specific slide agglutination test using latex particles coated with anti-CPV monoclonal antibody (LA-anti-CPV). The agglutination of LA-anti-CPV with CPV on a glass slide was evident macroscopically within 2 min. The sensitivity of the latex agglutination (LA) test was similar to that of the hemagglutination test. The LA test is available for the rapid diagnosis of CPV infection at an animal hospital.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Growth-Associated Production of Poly(3-Hydroxyvalerate) from n-Pentanol by a Methylotrophic Bacterium, Paracoccus denitrificans.

Paracoccus denitrificans accumulated a polyester in its cells during growth on n-pentanol. The composition of the polyester varied during the cultivation: the level of the 3-hydroxyvalerate unit in the polyester increased, and eventually a homopolymeric poly(3-hydroxyvalerate) [P(3HV)] accumulated to an amount 22 to 24% of the cell dry weight. Growth-associated polyester synthesis was considerably affected by n-pentanol when its concentration was controlled at several levels. Maximum accumulation of the polyester was obtained at 0.02% (vol/vol). Physical and mechanical characteristics of the P(3HV) were determined and compared with those of other homo- and copolyesters. The P(3HV) was dextrorotatory and had number-averaged and weight-averaged molecular masses of 128,000 and 888,000 Da, respectively, with a rate of polydispersity of 6.93. The level of tensile strength of the P(3HV) was lower, and its extension to break was higher than that of the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) homopolyester.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

Regulation of RNA polymerase sigma subunit synthesis in Escherichia coli: intracellular levels of four species of sigma subunit under various growth conditions.

By a quantitative Western immunoblot analysis, the intracellular levels of two principal sigma subunits, sigma 70 (sigma D, the rpoD gene product) and sigma 38 (sigma S, the rpoS gene product), and of two minor sigma subunits, sigma 54 (sigma N, the rpoN gene product) and sigma 28 (sigma F, the rpoF gene product), were determined in two Escherichia coli strains, W3110 and MC4100. The results indicated that the levels of sigma 54 and sigma 28 are maintained at 10 and 50%, respectively, of the level of sigma 70 in both strains growing at both exponential and stationary phases, but in agreement with the previous measurement for strain MC4100 (M. Jishage and A. Ishihama, J. Bacteriol. 177:6832-6835, 1995), the level of sigma 38 was undetectable at the exponential growth phase but increased at 30% of the level of sigma 70 at the stationary phase. Stress-coupled change in the intracellular level was observed for two sigma subunits: (i) the increase in sigma 38 level and the decrease in sigma 28 level upon exposure to heat shock at the exponential phase and (ii) the increase in sigma 38 level under high-osmolality conditions at both the exponential and stationary phases.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1996

Molecular analysis of the poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) synthase gene from a methylotrophic bacterium, Paracoccus denitrificans.

A 3.6-kb EcoRI-SalI fragment of Paracoccus denitrificans DNA hybridized with a DNA probe carrying the poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) (PHA) synthase gene (phaC) of Alcaligenes eutrophus. Nucleotide sequence analysis of this region showed the presence of a 1,872-bp open reading frame (ORF), which corresponded to a polypeptide with a molecular weight of 69,537. Upstream of the ORF, a promoter-like sequence was found. Escherichia coli carrying the fusion gene between lacZ and the ORF accumulated a level of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) that was as much as 20 wt% of the cell dry weight in the presence of beta-ketothiolase and acetoacetylcoenzyme A reductase genes of A. eutrophus. The ORF was designated phaCPd. A plasmid vector carrying the phaCPd'-'lacZ fusion gene downstream of the promoter-like sequence expressed beta-galactosidase activity in P. denitrificans. When a multicopy and broad-host-range vector carrying the ORF along with the promoter-like sequence was introduced into P. denitrificans, the PHA content in the cells increased by twofold compared with cells carrying only a vector sequence.

Acyltransferases↗
PubMed1996

Sensitivity of volume-sensitive Cl- conductance in human epithelial cells to extracellular nucleotides.

The sensitivity to extracellular nucleotides of volume-sensitive Cl- channel activity was investigated by whole cell and single-channel patch-clamp recordings in a human small intestinal epithelial cell line (Intestine 407) during steady osmotic swelling. Adenine nucleotides added to the bathing solution suppressed whole cell volume-sensitive Cl- currents with the potency sequence of ATP > ADP > AMP. In contrast, extracellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) at over 0.1 mM increased volume-sensitive Cl- currents in the entire voltage range examined, whereas guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate was without effect. Neither the single-channel conductance nor the open probability was affected by extracellular cAMP. Extracellular ATP (at over 30 microM), in the Mg(2+)-free form, inhibited the whole cell volume-sensitive Cl- current, preferentially in the outward direction. By exposure to extracellular ATP, the single Cl- channel current became flickery at positive potentials. These results indicate that the volume-sensitive Cl- channel in the human epithelial cell is stimulated voltage independently by extracellular cAMP but blocked voltage dependently by the Mg(2+)-free form of extracellular ATP.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed1996

Irradiation effects on the metabolism of metastatic brain tumors: analysis by positron emission tomography and 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

To evaluate irradiation effects on the metabolism of metastatic brain tumors treated by Gamma Knife radiosurgery, positron emission tomography (PET) and 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) studies were performed on five patients. The tumor origins were lung cancer in three patients and breast cancer in two. Treatment volume was 0.4-10.1 cm3 (mean: 5.5 cm3). The marginal dose to the tumor was 24-30 Gy (mean: 26.2 Gy). The follow-up period was 5-19 months (mean: 13.4 months). No patients had conventional whole-brain radiation therapy. 18F-fluoroboronophenylalanine (18FBPA) or 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) were used as tracers for the PET study. Using 1H-MRS, several metabolites were simultaneously measured in metastatic brain tumor and adjacent brain. In the PET study of the representative case, the uptake rate of 18FBPA that is actively transported to the tumor decreased markedly 15 days after radiosurgery and continued to decrease thereafter. In the 1H-MRS study, choline, which is characteristically high in metastatic brain tumors, also decreased over time. In two cases with suspected radiation injury, the enhanced region, which was decreased in size in early follow-up, enlarged progressively and was accompanied by edema. However, 18FBPA and 18FDG were not transported to the enhanced region. The peak of free lipid, which might show destruction of the cell membrane, was recognized in the enhanced region and adjacent brain in these cases. This study revealed that radiation effects on the metabolism of metastatic brain tumors occur at an early stage after radiosurgery and continue over several months. In particular, in the case of radiation injury, PET and 1H-MRS studies made it possible to distinguish between regrowth of the tumor and radiation injury.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Molecular anatomy of human chromosome 9: comparative mapping of the immunoglobulin processed pseudogene C epsilon 3 (IGHEP2) in primates.

Karyotypic homology in relation to human chromosome 9 (HSA 9) was studied through comparative mapping of the immunoglobulin-processed pseudogene C epsilon 3 (IGHEP2) in primates. IGHEP2, which has been mapped to 9p24.2 --> p24.1 in the human genome, was assigned to PTR 11q34 (common chimpanzee), PPA 11q34 (pygmy chimpanzee), PPY 13q16 (orangutan), HLA 8qter (white-handed gibbon), HAG 8qter (agile gibbon), and MFU 14q22 (Japanese macaque) by fluorescence in situ hybridization. To verify the breakpoints of presumed pericentric inversions on the ancestral great ape chromosomes, three DNA markers on HSA 9, cCI9-37 (9q22.1 --> q22.2), cCI9-135 (9q22.32 --> q22.33), and cCI9-208 (9p13.3 --> p13.2), were also assigned to PTR/PPA 11p11 (cCI9-37 and 135), PTR/PPA 11q22 (cCI9-208), PPY 13q22 (cCI9-37 and 135), and PPY 13q12 (cCI9-208). These data more clearly define the position of the breakpoints of pericentric inversions that occurred in the human-chimp ancestral and chimpanzee ancestral chromosomes and support the hypothesis of HSA 9 genesis previously derived from banding analyses of HSA 9 and its homologs.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The role of genetic polymorphisms of angiotensin-converting enzyme in the progression of renal diseases.

The renin-angiotensin system is likely to be important in the progression of renal diseases because of its effect on tissue hemodynamics and glomerular cell function. Recent evidence from small studies has suggested a possible role for the genetic determinants of angiotensin converting enzyme activity in the rate of progression of renal failure. We studied the effect of the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene on the rate of renal function deterioration in 822 patients with a variety of renal diseases. We found that the slope of the reciprocal serum creatinine-versus-time plot was steeper in patients homozygous for the deletion allele (DD) compared with those homozygous for the insertion allele (II) (P = .015). When patients with similar renal function at presentation (creatinine < 200 mumol/L) were compared, II homozygotes had significantly improved renal survival (P = .039). Separate analyses of patients with glomerular diseases and tubulointerstitial diseases demonstrated an effect of this genotype in glomerular diseases only. These data provide further evidence of the possible role of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene in the rate of progression of renal failure, although further studies are required to evaluate the role of this and other proposed candidate genes in renal diseases.

Adolescent↗