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T Harada

Publications and source records attributed to T Harada.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

A novel locus for clubroot resistance in Brassica rapa and its linkage markers.

An inbred turnip ( Brassica rapa syn. campestris) line, N-WMR-3, which carries the trait of clubroot resistance (CR) from a European turnip, Milan White, was crossed with a clubroot-susceptible doubled haploid line, A9709. A segregating F(3) population was obtained by single-seed descent of F(2) plants and used for a genetic analysis. Segregation of CR in the F(3) population suggested that CR is controlled by a major gene. Two RAPD markers, OPC11-1 and OPC11-2, were obtained as candidates of linkage markers by bulked segregant analysis. These were converted to sequence-tagged site markers, by cloning and sequencing of the polymorphic bands, and named OPC11-1S and OPC11-2S, respectively. The specific primer pairs for OPC11-1S amplified a clear dominant band, while the primer pairs for OPC11-2S resulted in co-dominant bands. Frequency distributions and statistical analyses indicate the presence of a major dominant CR gene linked to these two markers. The present marker for CR was independent of the previously found CR loci, Crr1 and Crr2. Genotypic distribution and statistical analyses did not show any evidence of CR alleles on Crr1 and Crr2 loci in N-WMR-3. The present study clearly demonstrates that B. rapa has at least three CR loci. Therefore, the new CR locus was named Crr3. The present locus may be useful in breeding CR Chinese cabbage cultivars to overcome the decay of present CR cultivars.

Brassica rapa↗
PubMed2003

Cell cycle perturbation in a human hepatoblastoma cell line constitutively expressing Hepatitis C virus core protein.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the major causes of chronic liver disease with the potential for development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The core protein of HCV has been shown to modulate expression of various cellular genes and to influence a number of cellular functions. We investigated the effect of constitutively expressed HCV core protein on cell cycle progression in HepG2 cell line, which is derived from a differentiated human hepatoblastoma and shows biosynthetic features similar to human hepatocytes. The results indicated that stable expression of the core protein in unsynchronized HepG2 cells induced a perturbation of the cell cycle with reduced cell doubling meantime and increased S phase fraction. Increase of c-myc protein above the basal expression level was demonstrated with a significant increase of c-myc stability, as revealed by its prolonged intracellular half-life, in HepG2 expressing HCV core protein. In contrast, p53 and p21 levels were unchanged. These results suggest that HCV core protein may promote cell cycle progression in HepG2 cells possibly through increasing stability of c-myc oncoprotein. These results are in support of important role played by HCV core protein in virus-mediated pathogenesis in persistently infected hosts and in hepatocarcinogenesis.

Cell Cycle↗
PubMed2003

NF-kappaB in epiretinal membranes after human diabetic retinopathy.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Formation of epiretinal membranes (ERMs) in the posterior fundus results in progressive deterioration of vision. ERMs have been associated with numerous clinical conditions including proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), but its pathogenic mechanisms are still unknown. This study was conducted to examine whether or not nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB), a transcription factor that can be activated by various pathological conditions, is involved in the formation of ERMs after PDR. METHODS: ERM samples were obtained by vitrectomy from 22 cases with PDR aged 56+/-11 years with 18+/-10 years of diabetes and 15 cases with idiopathic ERM. They were processed for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. In addition, 5 ERM samples from PDR patients aged 51+/-16 years with 15+/-6 years of diabetes were processed for immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: NF-kappaB mRNA expression levels were higher (20 out of 22 cases vs. 9 out of 15 subjects in idiopathic ERM, p<0.05) in PDR subjects. Immunohistochemical analysis showed NF-kappaB protein expression in all the 5 ERMs derived from PDR patients, and that region was partially double-labelled with interleukin-8 (IL-8) and von Willebrand factor (vWF). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: These results suggest a possibility that NF-kappaB is involved in the formation of ERMs after PDR, especially for the development of vascular endothelial cell component.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Infiltration of tissue plasminogen activator through cerebral vessels: evaluation using a rat thromboembolic stroke model.

In recent years, evidence has been accumulating that tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) possesses neurotoxic effects. However, such deleterious effects have been attributed to endogenously generated tPA. In the present study, focusing on exogenously administered tPA for the purpose of fibrinolysis, we evaluated the extent and the degree of extravasated tPA in a rat model of thromboembolic stroke. Even after early recanalization of occluded cerebral vessels, significant infiltration of tPA occurred through the cerebral vessels. It is assumed that exogenous tPA also exerts neurotoxic effects in the ischemic brain tissue.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Soft palate movement during sucking behavior.

To clarify the aspects and role of oropharyngeal closure, soft palate movements during sucking were observed and then assessed by electromyographic and fluoroscopic analyses. Three patterns of sucking movements by the palatoglossus and levator veli palatini muscles were analyzed with electromyographic means in seven healthy adults. Furthermore, a forced sucking maneuver, which required special effort to produce a strong sucking pressure by opening the jaw, was analyzed using lateral fluoroscopy in three of the subjects. During all tested sucking movements, the palatoglossus muscle showed continuous activity. The levator veli palatini muscle did not show remarkable activity during regular air sucking or water sucking when water was held in the oral cavity. However, its participation increased when intraoral sucking pressure was increased by opening the jaw, and lateral fluoroscopic examinations revealed that the soft palate was pulled toward the oral cavity to form a tight contact between the rostral portion of the soft palate and the retrotongue, causing the soft palate to make an "L" shape. The palatoglossus muscle plays a major role in palatal movement during sucking. Furthermore, the levator veli palatini muscle, whose activity was observed only during high-pressure sucking with an open jaw, may act to maintain tension in the soft palate against strong negative pressure in the oral cavity.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Potential role of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor receptors in Müller glial cells during light-induced retinal degeneration.

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), neurturin (NTN) and their receptors (GFRalpha1, GFRalpha2 and Ret) play an important role in the survival of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous system. For example, GDNF as well as other trophic factors promotes photoreceptor survival during retinal degeneration. Recent studies have proposed that part of neurotophic rescue of photoreceptors may be indirect, mediated by interaction of the neurotrophic factors with other cell types, that in turn release secondary factors that act directly on photoreceptors. In the present study, we examined the GDNF receptor expression in control and light-damaged retina, and found that GFRalpha2 protein is upregulated in retina-specific Müller glial cells during photoreceptor degeneration. We also examined the effect of GDNF or NTN on cultured Müller cells. Exogenous GDNF increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor, basic fibroblast growth factor and GDNF, but not NTN mRNA production. On the other hand, NTN increased NTN, but not GDNF mRNA production in cultured Müller cells. These observations suggest that GDNF, NTN and their receptors are involved in the regulation of trophic factor production in retinal glial cells, and that functional glia-neuron network may utilize GDNF family for the protection of neural cells during retinal degeneration.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Use of a telemetry system to examine recovery of the cardiovascular system after excitement induced by handling stress in a conscious cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis).

The aim of this study was to determine the time required for the cardiovascular system of a conscious cynomolgus monkey, in which a telemetry had been implanted, to recover from excitement induced by handling stress. With enforcement of guidelines regarding safety pharmacological studies, cardiovascular studies in primates have become more important. However, as macaque monkeys are promptly excited under experimental procedures, it is often difficult to evaluate the drug effects on the cardiovascular system. Therefore, we tested monkey chair restraint and intravenous injection of saline. After monkey chair restraint and intravenous injection, approximately 30 minutes were required for recovery of both heart rate and blood pressure to their pre-treatment level; however, ECG parameters such as PR, QRS interval, and QTc did not drastically change. Based on our current results and with sufficient consideration of autonomic nervous effects, accurate evaluation of drug effects on the cardiovascular system should now be possible.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Three-dimensional volumetric visualization of arteriovenous malformation of the maxilla.

The appearance of an arteriovenous malformation is described from images derived from spiral CT and reconstructed in three dimensions using computer graphics. The existence and shape of a vascular malformation is demonstrated using a vascular protocol. This three-dimensional CT technique is an important adjunct to diagnosis using CT, MRI and conventional radiography.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Surgical treatment for chronic hemorrhagic pyothorax].

A case of pleuro-pneumonectomy following arterial embolization for chronic hemorrhagic pyothorax occurring 40 years after artificial pneumothorax treatment was investigated. The patient was an 80-year-old male diagnosed with chronic hemorrhagic pyothorax after complaining of bloody sputum and difficulty breathing during exertion. The pyothorax space was conspicuously extended, and the mediastinal space was compressed. Although this condition was treated periodically over time by thoracentesis, pleuro-pneumonectomy was selected as a radical treatment. Since a large amount of hemorrhaging was expected during surgery, preoperative transcatheter embolization of the left lateral thoracic artery, the bronchial arteries and the left internal thoracic artery was performed. The amount of hemorrhaging during surgery from the feeding artery from the thoracic wall was 5,700 ml. There was an abundance of dilated blood vessels within the thickened pleura, and angiomatous structures were observed. Although symptoms improved following surgery, sudden massive hemorrhage was observed from the thoracic drain on the morning of the 79th postoperative day, and the patient died from hemorrhagic shock. Emergency thoracotomy was performed, and aortic rupture was observed on the origin of the left subclavian artery. Chronic hemorrhagic pyothorax has a peculiar pathology even for chronic pyothorax, and a large amount of hemorrhaging can be expected during surgery. Precaution must be taken for postoperative arterial hemorrhage caused by delayed inflammation.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Tubal flushing for subfertility.

BACKGROUND: A possible therapeutic effect of diagnostic tubal patency testing has been debated in the literature for half a century. Further debate surrounds whether oil-soluble or water-soluble contrast media might have the bigger fertility-enhancing effect. Historically a variety of agents have been used to 'flush' the fallopian tubes, although tubal flushing does not currently form part of routine practice in the treatment of fertility delay. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of flushing a woman's fallopian tubes with oil- or water-soluble contrast media on subsequent pregnancy outcomes in couples with infertility. SEARCH STRATEGY: The search strategy of the Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group and a recent search of electronic databases completed in December 2001 was used for the identification of relevant randomised controlled trials. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised trials where tubal flushing with oil-soluble contrast media or tubal flushing with water-soluble media was compared with one another or with no treatment were considered for inclusion in the review. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Eight randomised controlled trials were identified and included in this review. A further one randomised controlled trial is ongoing. All trials were assessed for quality criteria. The studied outcomes were pregnancy, live birth (and ongoing pregnancy), miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, treatment complications including pain, intravasation of contrast medium, infection and haemorrhage, and image quality. MAIN RESULTS: Tubal flushing with oil-soluble media versus no intervention was associated with a significant increase in the odds of pregnancy (OR 3.57, 95%CI 1.76-7.23). There were no data from RCTs to assess tubal flushing with water-soluble media versus no intervention. Tubal flushing with oil-soluble media was associated with a significant increase in the odds of live birth versus tubal flushing with water-soluble media (OR 1.49, 95%CI 1.05-2.11) but the odds of pregnancy showed no significant difference (OR 1.23, 95%CI 0.95-1.60) and there was evidence of statistical heterogeneity for these two outcomes. The addition of oil-soluble media to flushing with water-soluble media (water-soluble plus oil-soluble media versus water-soluble media alone) showed no significant difference in the odds of pregnancy (OR 1.16, 95%CI 0.78-1.70) or live birth (OR 1.06, 95%CI 0.64-1.77). REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: There is some evidence of effectiveness of tubal flushing with oil-soluble contrast media in increasing the odds of pregnancy versus no intervention. The limited evidence of an increase in the odds of live birth from tubal flushing with oil-soluble contrast media versus water-soluble contrast media must be interpreted cautiously. Further robust randomised trials, comparing oil-soluble versus water-soluble media and comparing each versus no intervention, are required to provide convincing evidence as to whether the technique should be accepted into widespread clinical practice.

Contrast Media↗
PubMed2002

Effect of early induction of hypothermia on severe head injury.

Although therapeutic hypothermia for patients with head injury has improved the outcome, the results in the most severe cases (GCS 3-6) have not been satisfactory so far. We induced hypothermia in head injury patients within 3 hours after the trauma, and compared the outcome of the treatment without hypothermia. Fourteen patients with GCS less than 6 were entered into this study (age range 13 to 58, mean 27.0 years). Seven of them were treated by hypothermia and 6 by the conventional method. The patients undergoing hypothermia were cooled to 34 degrees C within 3 hours after injury, kept at 32-34 degrees C for 48 hours, and then rewarmed. The outcome was evaluated at 6 months post-trauma, and the results were compared in the two groups. Therapeutic hypothermia dramatically suppressed brain swelling on CT in 3 of 7 patients. Four patients including these 3 showed a favorable outcome (good or moderate disability) and 3 died in the hypothermia group. In the conventional treatment group, only 1 patient was moderately disabled and 6 exhibited an unfavorable outcome (severely disabled, vegetative, or death). Early induction of hypothermia can improve the outcome in patients with severe head injury by reducing the severe brain swelling.

Craniocerebral Trauma↗
PubMed2002

The usefulness of prevention consolidation therapy of esophageal varices using an argon plasma coagulation technique.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: esophageal variceal ligation (EVL) has been spread widely as a simple and effective method for treating esophageal varices. However, in view of the unacceptably high rate of recurrence associated with this technique, the availability of other supplemental consolidation therapies has been earnestly desired. Under these circumstances, attempts such as endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) have been made for this particular therapeutic purpose. In the current study, we tested the clinical usefulness and safety of the argon plasma coagulation technique (APC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 11 patients with imminent signs of esophageal varix rupture in our hospital were subjects in the present study. Before APC was performed, these patients underwent EVL with consequent improvement of esophageal varices from F3 (largest sized varices) to disappear or F1 (straight). RESULTS: the patients were followed up for a mean post-treatment period of 637.4 (SD +/-56.5) days, and no obvious recurrence of varices in the so-called critical area was noted. In addition, no serious complications were observed. CONCLUSION: our current clinical study has demonstrated that APC may be an effective prevention consolidation therapy after EVL without serious complications.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Solitary fibrous tumours of the lower gingiva: a case report.

Solitary fibrous tumours (SFTs) are rare lesions in the oral cavity. Typically they arise in the pleura. We report a lesion occurring in the lower anterior gingiva. In histochemical examination, the spindle-shaped, neoplastic cells stained strongly for CD34 antigen and vimentin, but did not stain for desmin, smooth-muscle actin, muscle actin and S-100 protein. The expression of CD34 antigen and vimentin were useful for the differential diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Increase of gamma-glutamyl-beta-alanyl-histidine isopeptide in the macromolecular fraction of model chicken extract during heating and distribution in commercial chicken extracts.

Changes in the amino acid composition and contents of gamma-glutamyl-beta-alanyl-histidine isopeptide in the macromolecular fraction were measured during heating of chicken extract. Increases of histidine, 1-methylhistidine, and beta-alanine were observed, suggesting that carnosine and anserine were incorporated into the macromolecular fraction. The increase of gamma-glutamyl-beta-alanylhistidine isopeptide in the macromolecular fraction of chicken extract was also observed during the heating process. Furthermore, measurement of gamma-glutamyl-beta-alanylhistidine isopeptide in commercial chicken extract showed that all kinds of chicken extract contained the above isopeptide (from 0.09 to 0.31 micromol/g DM in the macromolecular fraction). These results suggest that the formation of gamma-glutamyl-beta-alanyl-histidine and related isopeptides occur during heating of chicken extract.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Glomerulocystic kidney disease (GCKD) associated with Henoch-Schoenlein purpura: a case report and a review of adult cases of GCKD.

We report on a 71-year-old male with Henoch-Schoenlein purpura (HSP) who developed glomerulocystic kidney disease (GCKD) without congenital abnormality. He had mild renal dysfunction. Renal biopsy findings showed mild proliferation of mesangial cells and matrixes, and tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, cystic dilation of Bowman's capsule and atrophy of the glomerular tuft. The deposition of IgA and C3 in the mesangial area was observed with the fluorescent antibody technique. Therefore he was diagnosed with GCKD-associated HSP. This was the oldest patient among the previous case reports and the patient was the first case to be reported for concurrent GCKD and HSP. In this study, we also reviewed the patient to previously reported adult patients with GCKD.

Aged↗