PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Yoshihara

Publications and source records attributed to S Yoshihara.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Biological and mechanical properties of PMMA-based bioactive bone cements.

We reported previously that a bioactive PMMA-based cement was obtained by using a dry method of silanation of apatite-wollastonite glass ceramic (AW-GC) particles, and using high molecular weight PMMA particles. But handling and mechanical properties of the cement were poor (Mousa et al., J Biomed Mater Res 1999;47:336-44). In the present study, we investigated the effect of the characteristics of PMMA powder on the cement. Different cements containing different PMMA powders (CMW1, Surgical Simplex, Palacos-R and other two types of PMMA powders with Mw 270,000 and 1,200,000) and AW-GC filler in 70 wt% ratio except Palacos-R (abbreviated as B-CMW1 and B-Surg Simp, B-Palacos 50 [50 wt% AW-GC filler] and B-Palacos 70 [70 wt% AW-GC filler], B-270 and B-1200) were made. Dough and setting times of B-CMW1, B-Surg Simp B-270 and B-1200 were similar to the commercial CMW1 cement which did not contain bioactive powder (C-CMW1), but B-palacos which contained large PMMA beads with high Mw had delayed setting time. B-270 had the highest bending strength among the tested cements. After 4 and 8 weeks of implantation in the medullary canals of rat tibiae, the bone-cement interface was examined using SEM. The affinity index of B-1200 was significantly higher than the other types of cements. B-270 showed good combination of handling properties, high mechanical properties and showed higher bioactivity with minimal soft tissue interposition between bone and cement compared with commercial PMMA bone cement. This may increase the strength of the bone-cement interface and increase the longevity of cemented arthroplasties.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Cyclosporin A, but not bursectomy, abolishes the protective immunity of chickens against Leucocytozoon caulleryi.

Chickens that survive primary infection with Leucocytozoon caulleryi show strong resistance to reinfection. Using bursectomized (BX) or cyclosporin A (CsA)-treated chickens, we performed experiments to determine which type of immunity, humoral or cellular immunity, plays an important role in the resistance of chickens against reinfection with L. caulleryi. BX chickens were inoculated with 2, 20 or 200 sporozoites of L. caulleryi intravenously at 3 weeks of age. Some BX chickens which were inoculated with 2 or 20 sporozoites survived the primary infection. These birds had no parasites in their peripheral blood after challenge infection with 5 x 10(3) sporozoites, even though they had no antibody to L. caulleryi. In contrast, CsA-treated chickens had parasitemia, serum-soluble antigen and antibodies, as did untreated chickens during primary infection. After secondary infection, CsA-treated chickens had parasitemia and serum-soluble antigen, even though they had specific antibodies to L. caulleryi whereas untreated chickens showed no parasitemia. The number of CD4(+), CD8(+), T cell receptor (TCR) alpha ss-bearing cells and TCRgamma delta-bearing cells decreased markedly in the peripheral blood of CsA-treated chickens compared to those of untreated chickens. Lymphocyte proliferation in response to concanavalin A, and T cell growth factor production, were also markedly suppressed in CsA-treated chickens. These results suggest that cell-mediated immunity plays an important role in the development of resistance of chickens against reinfection with L. caulleryi.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

A comparison and conversion table of 'the House-Brackmann facial nerve grading system' and 'the Yanagihara grading system'.

A comparison between the House-Brackmann facial nerve grading system (the HB-system) and the Yanagihara grading system (the Y-system) was studied with 199 evaluations of 62 cases of postoperative unilateral acoustic neuroma. In the beginning, an original draft of the conversion table was formulated according to the 199 evaluations, in which, 0-6, 8-14, 16-20, 22-28, 30-38, and 40 points in the Y-system were matched with grade VI, V, IV, III, II, and I in the HB-system respectively. The result of the present study for prediction of sequelae showed that it was not necessary to consider the sequelae in a conversion table. And more, the study of an inter-observer variation showed that the lower and upper limits of the scores in the Y-system may shift within about a 2-point range in the draft table. From these aspects, a newly revised conversion table was proposed as a revised conversion table, in which, 0-6, 8-14, 16-22, 24-30, 32-38, and 40 points in the Y-system were matched with grade VI, V, IV, III, II, and I in the HB-system. This revised conversion table is much easier to remember for clinical use, because the score of the lower limit of each grade is simply in multiples of 8, that is, 0, 8, 16, 24, 32 and 40.

Facial Nerve↗
PubMed2000

Identification of surface proteins and antigens from larval stages of Ascaris suum by two-dimensional electrophoresis.

An understanding of the biology of the cuticle in the larval stages of Ascariodea is of importance since the cuticle molecules not only possess a variety of functions related to survival but also have a potential role as a target for immunoprophylaxis. Thus, we made a preliminary characterization of surface proteins and antigens from 3rd-stage larvae (L3) and lung-stage larvae of Ascaris suum using two biotin-derivatives and two-dimen sional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE). The proteins labelled with biotin comprised a total of 37 and 32 spots, with molecular weights (Air) ranging from 15 to 101 kDa and isoelectric points (pI) from 3.8 to 7.6, in L3 and lung-stage larvae, respectively. The profiles revealed that the individual spots bound to one or both biotin derivatives. In addition, stage-common and stage-specific spots were found in L3 and lung-stage larvae. 2D-PAGE/immunoblotting analysis was performed with antisera from rabbits repeatedly inoculated with A. suum L3. Nineteen spots were recognized as surface antigens, with Mr ranging from 32 to 66 kDa and pI from 4.9 to 7.6, from L3 and lung-stage larvae after alignment of the immunoblots with the profile of the surface proteins. These spots were found to include stage-common and stage-specific antigens. Identification of surface proteins by biotin labelling combined with 2D-PAGE allows a substantial shortening of sample preparation time for the target proteins, and will be a viable method for protein analysis of surface proteins and antigens of A. suum L3 and lung-stage larvae.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Cross-reconstitution of various extrinsic proteins and photosystem II complexes from cyanobacteria, red algae and higher plants.

Photosystem II (PSII) contains different extrinsic proteins required for oxygen evolution among different organisms. Cyanobacterial PSII contains the 33 kDa, 12 kDa proteins and cytochrome (cyt) c-550; red algal PSII contains a 20 kDa protein in addition to the three homologous cyanobacterial proteins; whereas higher plant PSII contains the 33 kDa, 23 kDa and 17 kDa proteins. In order to understand the binding and functional properties of these proteins, we performed cross-reconstitution experiments with combinations of PSII and extrinsic proteins from three different sources: higher plant (spinach), red alga (Cyanidium caldarium) and cyanobacterium (Synechococcus vulcanus). Among all of the extrinsic proteins, the 33 kDa protein is common to all of the organisms and is totally exchangeable in binding to PSII from any of the three organisms. Oxygen evolution of higher plant and red algal PSII was restored to a more or less similar level by binding of any one of the three 33 kDa proteins, whereas oxygen evolution of cyanobacterial PSII was restored to a larger extent with its own 33 kDa protein than with the 33 kDa protein from other sources. In addition to the 33 kDa protein, the red algal 20 kDa, 12 kDa proteins and cyt c-550 were able to bind to cyanobacterial and higher plant PSII, leading to a partial restoration of oxygen evolution in both organisms. The cyanobacterial 12 kDa protein and cyt c-550 partially bound to the red algal PSII, but this binding did not restore oxygen evolution. The higher plant 23 kDa and 17 kDa proteins bound to the cyanobacterial and red algal PSII only through non-specific interactions. Thus, only the red algal extrinsic proteins are partially functional in both the cyanobacterial and higher plant PSII, which implies a possible intermediate position of the red algal PSII during its evolution from cyanobacteria to higher plants.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed2000

Novel putative photoreceptor and regulatory genes Required for the positive phototactic movement of the unicellular motile cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.

Synechocystis: sp. PCC 6803 is a unicellular motile cyanobacterium, which shows positive or negative phototaxis on agar plates under lateral illumination. By gene disruption in a substrain showing of positive phototaxis, it was demonstrated that mutants defective in sll0038, sll0039, sll0041, sll0042 or sll0043 lost positive phototaxis but showed negative phototaxis away from the light source. Mutants of sll0040, which is located within the cluster of these genes, retained the capacity of positive phototaxis but to a lesser extent than the parent cells. These genes are homologous to che genes, which are involved in flagellar switching for bacterial chemotaxis. Interestingly, sll0041 (designated pisJ1) is predicted to have a chromophore-binding motif of phytochrome-like proteins and a signaling motif of chemoreceptors for bacterial chemotaxis. It is strongly suggested that the positive phototactic response was mediated by a phytochrome-like photoreceptor and CheA/CheY-type signal transduction system.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

The blood supply of the lateral epiphyseal arteries in Perthes' disease.

We performed superselective angiography in 28 hips in 25 patients with Perthes' disease in order to study the blood supply of the lateral epiphyseal arteries (LEAs). Interruption of the LEAs at their origin was observed in 19 hips (68%). Revascularisation in the form of numerous small arteries was seen in ten out of 11 hips in the initial stage of Perthes' disease, in seven of eight in the fragmentation stage and in five of nine in the healing stage. Penetration of mature arteries into the depths of the epiphysis was seen in four of nine hips in the healing stage. Vascular penetration was absent in the weight-bearing portion of the femoral head below the acetabular roof. Interruption of the posterior column artery was seen where it passed through the capsule in seven hips when they lay either in internal rotation or in abduction with internal rotation. We suggest that in Perthes' disease the blood supply of the LEAs is impaired at their origin and that revascularisation occurs from this site by ingrowth of small vessels into the femoral epiphysis. This process may be the result of recurrent ischaemic episodes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Metabolism of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in perfused rat liver: involvement of hepatic aldehyde oxidase as a detoxification enzyme.

To elucidate the toxicological relevance of hepatic aldehyde oxidase (AO) as a detoxification enzyme of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), we studied the metabolism and the hepatotoxicity of MPTP in intact rat livers exhibiting different AO activities by using a recirculating perfusion method. In the perfusate during a 90-min recirculation of 1 mM MPTP, the perfused liver from Jcl:Wistar rat, a strain showing high AO activity, generated almost equal amounts of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium species (MPP(+)) and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-5,6-dihydro-2-pyridone (MPTP lactam) as major metabolites, together with 4-phenyl-1,2,3, 6-tetrahydropyridine, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-2-pyridone (MP 2-pyridone) and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine N-oxide. However, a marked decrease of MPTP lactam as well as MP 2-pyridone and a concomitant increase of MPP(+) were caused by coinfusion of 2-hydroxypyrimidine (2-OH PM), a competitive inhibitor of AO, into Jcl:Wistar rat liver. A quite similar metabolic profile was obtained on perfusion of AO-deficient WKA/Sea rat liver. Rather large amounts of MPP(+) were retained in the liver in all cases, but especially in Jcl:Wistar rat in the presence of 2-OH PM. Lactate dehydrogenase leakage into the perfusate from rat liver perfused with 1 mM MPTP was greater in the strain with lower AO activity, WKA/Sea, than in that with higher AO activity, Jcl:Wistar. Furthermore, inhibition of AO in Jcl:Wistar rat in the presence of 2-OH PM caused an enhancement of lactate dehydrogenase leakage. These results suggest that hepatic AO is a key detoxification enzyme for MPTP.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗
PubMed2000

Laparoscopic treatment for biliary ascariasis.

Biliary ascariasis is one of the most common types of ascaris infections. The current treatments are helminthic drug therapy, endoscopic extraction, and surgical extraction. A case of biliary ascariasis and cholecystocholedocholithiasis was successfully treated by laparoscopic extraction of the living worm and biliary stones. This procedure was found to be very effective for biliary ascariasis with biliary stones, and it holds promise for similar cases in the future.

Ascariasis↗
PubMed2000

[A new spacer, Babyhaler, for BDP inhalation therapy in severe infantile asthma].

Recently, it has been recognized that airway inflammation is the most important pathogenesis of bronchial asthma, and inhaled corticosteroids therapy is effective for childhood asthma. However, using metered dose inhalers (MDI) of beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) is difficult for infants. In this study, we administered BDP inhalation therapy with a new spacer, Babyhaler, for five cases of early childhood with severe infantile asthma that we could not control even by combination of theophylline round the clock (RTC) therapy and disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) + beta 2 stimulant (beta 2) regular use. We compared symptom score of asthma attack between the pre-treatment period (prior 2 weeks) and post-treatment period (following 8 weeks) of BDP inhalation therapy with Babyhaler. As a result, symptom score decreased significantly within 4 weeks after treatment of BDP with Babyhaler as compared with the score before treatment of BDP. These findings suggest that Babyhaler is useful for BDP inhalation therapy in infantile asthma.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1999

Olfactory neurons expressing closely linked and homologous odorant receptor genes tend to project their axons to neighboring glomeruli on the olfactory bulb.

We have characterized two separate odorant receptor (OR) gene clusters to examine how olfactory neurons expressing closely linked and homologous OR genes project their axons to the olfactory bulb. Murine OR genes, MOR28, MOR10, and MOR83, share 75-95% similarities in the amino acid sequences and are tightly linked on chromosome 14. In situ hybridization has demonstrated that the three genes are expressed in the same zone, at the most dorsolateral and ventromedial portions of the olfactory epithelium, and are rarely expressed simultaneously in individual neurons. Furthermore, we have found that olfactory neurons expressing MOR28, MOR10, or MOR83 project their axons to very close but distinct subsets of glomeruli on the medial and lateral sides of the olfactory bulb. Similar results have been obtained with another murine OR gene cluster for A16 and MOR18 on chromosome 2, sharing 91% similarity in the amino acid sequences. These results may indicate an intriguing possibility that olfactory neurons expressing homologous OR genes within a cluster tend to converge their axons to proximal but distinct subsets of glomeruli. These lines of study will shed light on the molecular basis of topographical projection of olfactory neurons to the olfactory bulb.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Cloning, expression of the psbU gene, and functional studies of the recombinant 12-kDa protein of photosystem II from a red alga Cyanidium caldarium.

The encoding extrinsic 12-kDa protein of oxygen-evolving PS II complex from a red alga, Cyanidium caldarium, was cloned and sequenced by means of PCR and a rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) procedure. The gene encodes a putative polypeptide of 154 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 16,714 Da. The full sequence of the protein includes two characteristic transit peptides, one for transfer across the chloroplast envelope and another for targeting into the thylakoid lumen. This indicates that the protein is encoded in the nuclear genome. The mature protein consists of 93 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 10,513 Da. The cloned gene was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli and the resulting protein was purified, reconstituted to CaCl2-washed PS II complex together with the other extrinsic proteins of 33 and 20 kDa and cyt c-550. The recombinant 12-kDa protein bound completely with the PSII complex, which resulted in a restoration of oxygen evolution equal to the level achieved by binding of the native 12-kDa protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Biochemical characterization and functional analysis of two type II classic cadherins, cadherin-6 and -14, and comparison with E-cadherin.

Classic cadherins can be grouped based on their deduced primary structures. Among them the type I cadherins have been well characterized; however, little is known about non-type I cadherins. In this study we characterized two human type II cadherins, cadherin-6 and cadherin-14, using a cDNA transfection system. They were each detected as two bands electrophoretically, were expressed on the external cell surface at cell-cell contact sites, and were associated with caten- ins. Direct sequencing of the N-terminal amino acids showed that the two bands of cadherin-14 corresponded to precursor and mature forms, whereas the two bands of cadherin-6 both had the N-terminal sequence of the mature form. Unlike type I cadherins, both cadherin-6 and -14 were not protected from trypsin degradation by Ca2+. We evaluated their adhesive functions by a long term cell aggregation method. The results suggest that both cadherin-6 and -14 have cell-cell binding strengths virtually equivalent to that of E-cadherin and that their binding specificities are distinct from that of E-cadherin. Cadherin-6 and -14 interacted with each other in an incomplete manner. They have a QAI tripeptide in the first extracellular subdomain instead of the HAV motif that is characteristic of type I cadherins and is intimately involved in the adhesive function. The QAI tripeptide, however, appeared not to be involved in the adhesive functions of cadherin-6 and -14.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Effects of the orally active non-peptide bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist, FR173657, on plasma extravasation in guinea pig airways.

We investigated the effect of the orally active non-peptide bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist, FR173657 (E)-3-(6-acetamido-3-pyridyl)-N-[N-[2.4-di-chloro-3-[(2-methyl-8-quinoli nyl)oxymethyl]phenyl]-N-methy-laminocarbonylmethyl] acrylamide), on plasma extravasation mediated by activation of sensory nerves in guinea pig airways. Plasma extravasation was assessed by the photometric measurement of the extravasated Evans blue after formamide extraction. We found that the increase in Evans blue dye extravasation evoked by an aerosol of bradykinin (0.1 mM, 2 min) in the presence of phosphoramidon (2.5 mg/kg, i.v.) was abolished completely by FR173657 (20 mg/kg, p.o.) in the trachea and main bronchi. In sensitized guinea pigs pretreated with phosphoramidon, FR173657 (20 mg/kg, p.o.) inhibited plasma extravasation evoked by ovalbumin aerosol (5%, 2 min) by 77+/-14.2% in the trachea and 65+/-11.2% in the main bronchi. FR173657 (20 mg/kg, p.o.) did not affect the plasma extravasation caused by aerosolised capsaicin. These findings suggest that FR173657 is an orally active, promising anti-inflammatory agent for kinin-dependent inflammation following antigen challenge.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1999

Posterior rotational osteotomy for the treatment of femoral head osteonecrosis.

Posterior rotational osteotomy in 46 hips of 39 patients with femoral head osteonecrosis was reviewed radiographically and clinically after 2-12 years of follow-up (mean 5 years). The age of the patients at the time of surgery ranged from 18 to 60 years, with a mean of 35 years. There were 18 women and 21 men. The cause of the osteonecrosis was steroid administration in 14, alcohol abuse in 5, trauma in 16, and no apparent risk factor in 4. According to the Ficat staging system, 2 hips were stage II, 30 hips III, and 14 hips stage IV. All hips had an extensive lesion. Forty-one hips showed less than 1/3 noncollapsed posterior living area, which was a contraindication for traditional anterior rotational osteotomy. The posterior rotational angle was 60-180 deg with an mean of 127 deg. Recollapse of the final follow-up anteroposterior radiograph was prevented in 36 hips (78%). Progressive joint space narrowing was found in 12 hips (26%). Of these hips, 9 suffered recollapse, while the remaining 3 hips did not. Clinically, 32 hips (70%) showed excellent or good results (both hips in stage II, 23 of 30 hips in stage III, 7 of 14 hips in stage IV. A fair or poor result was seen in 14 hips (30%)). These results suggest that posterior rotational osteotomy is effective in delaying the progression of degeneration for large necrotic lesions, especially in young patients. Extent of rotation is limited to 150 deg because of limitations of bone quality. The indications should be refined further, and longer term follow-up is necessary.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Bronchodilation by pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide and related peptides.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) is present in nerves in the vicinity of bronchial and vascular smooth muscle in the airways. At least one endogenous form of PACAP, PACAP 1-27, has high affinity binding sites in the lung, probably including cholinergic nerve terminals, bronchial smooth muscle, epithelial and mononuclear inflammatory cells. The mechanism of action for PACAP 1-27 and 1-38 in vivo involves endogenous catecholamines, peptidases and nitric oxide, depending on tissue type. Intracellularly, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) as well as calcium and sodium mobilization is probably involved. PACAP 1-27 and 1-38 inhibit airway smooth muscle tone in vitro and in vivo. The inhibitory effect of PACAP 1-38 is more sustained than that of PACAP 1-27, in vitro as well as in vivo. PACAP 1-38 also causes more sustained inhibition of bronchoconstriction after inhalation in vivo, than does vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). PACAP 1-27 given intravenously virtually abolishes allergen-induced bronchoconstriction in vivo. Novel synthetic analogues of PACAP 1-27 cause more sustained inhibition of airway smooth muscle tone in vitro and in vivo than do PACAP 1-27 or 1-38. Both PACAP 1-27 and 1-38 inhibit arterial smooth muscle tone but, administration of PACAP 1-27, 1-38 or a structural analogue of PACAP 1-27 in the airways, induces no cardiovascular side effects at doses inhibiting bronchoconstriction. PACAP 1-38 enhances phagocytosis in macrophages and inhibits the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-2 in lymphocytes, suggesting antiinflammatory effects. It is concluded that pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide 1-27 and 1-38, or structurally related molecules, may be useful as bronchodilators but their effect on human bronchial smooth muscle and on human inflammatory cells is in need of evaluation.

Airway Resistance↗
PubMed1999

[Cold-induced reversible brain ischemia in mixed connective tissue disease, a case report].

A 19-year-old woman with long-standing mixed connective tissue disease was admitted for dizziness. We examined cerebral blood flow quantitation using 99mTc-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (HMPAO) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) at rest and after cold pressor test. Mean cerebral blood flow reduced remarkably when she complained dizziness and showed peripheral Raynaud's phenomenon after cold exposure. We concluded cold-induced reversible brain ischemia was the reason of dizziness. Our finding suggests brain Raynaud's phenomenon. Further studies are necessary to clarify this phenomenon.

Adult↗