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Biomedical subjects

T Hosokawa

Publications and source records attributed to T Hosokawa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

A novel biomarker for hyperglycemia, MRX isolated from hydrolysate of glycated proteins.

Long-lived proteins can undergo non-enzymatic glycation to form highly crosslinked structures with characteristic fluorescence during aging and diabetes processes. In this paper, a typical fluorophore, named Maillard reaction product X (MRX), was isolated from the hydrolysate of glycated proteins. MRX could be formed by incubation of bovine serum albumin with glucose, followed by acid hydrolysis. The structure of MRX was determined to be 8-hydroxy-5-methyldihydrothiazolo[3,2-alpha] pyridinium-3-carboxylate. MRX was also found to be formed by the incubation of cysteine and arginine with glucose, followed by hydrolysis. We found the formation of MRX in the recently developed genetically diabetic Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats and compared them with that in the control Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats. Significantly higher levels of MRX were observed from the serum (p < 0.005) and urinary protein (p < 0.001) of OLETF rats in comparison with those of LETO rats. MRX must be a potential candidate as a biomarker for hyperglycemia.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

A new pharyngitis model using capsaicin in rats.

1. Application of capsaicin solution onto the rat pharyngeal mucosa caused a well-reproducible increase in vascular permeability in the pharynx. 2. Capsaicin-induced pharyngeal inflammation was unaffected by a histamine H1 blocker and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, whereas dexamethasone was effective in its inhibition. 3. FK224, a dual antagonist of tachykinin NK1 and NK2 receptors, and FK888, a selective antagonist of NK1 receptor, significantly inhibited capsaicin-induced plasma exudation in the pharynx. 4. In capsaicinized animals, the application of capsaicin solution in the pharyngeal mucosa did not induce pharyngitis. 5. These results suggest that the mechanism of the capsaicin-induced pharyngitis primarily involves tachykinins.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Detection of regional lymph node metastases in colon cancer by using RT-PCR for matrix metalloproteinase 7, matrilysin.

Lymph node metastasis is the most important prognostic factor in colon cancer. However, more accurate screening for metastasis than that afforded by conventional pathology remains elusive. We have employed a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), 'matrilysin', because this gene is epithelial-specific and consistently expressed in colorectal cancer cells. The sensitivity of this assay was examined with the matrilysin-producing rectal cancer cell line 'CaR-1'. Matrilysin mRNA was detected in this system when more than 10(4) matrilysin-positive cells existed in a lymph node of ordinary size. Fourteen of 15 (93%) primary colon cancers and none of the surrounding normal tissues expressed matrilysin. All 10 histologically-positive lymph nodes were positive for matrilysin, while of 60 histologically-negative lymph nodes, eight were positive for matrilysin. When the additional sequential sectioning and histological re-examination was performed on five of these eight 'matrilysin-positive, but histologically-negative' lymph nodes, micrometastases were detected in three. Only one of the lymph nodes that were histologically-positive, but negative by matrilysin assay was from a patient with colon cancer in which matrilysin was not detected. In conclusion, RT-PCR assay for matrilysin is a sensitive method for detecting occult metastases in patients with colon cancer, and may complement histologic examination.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Heart rate variability during chemical thoracic sympathectomy.

BACKGROUND: Chemical thoracic sympathectomy (CTS) resulted in profound bradycardia in a patient with severe post-therapeutic neuralgia. To clarify the cause of this bradycardia, the authors evaluated heart rate variability using a Poincaré plot, which is a scatter diagram of the current R-R interval plotted against the R-R interval immediately preceding it, in this patient and in others scheduled for CTS or mandibular block (MB). METHODS: Twenty-three patients were scheduled for CTS (n = 13, CTS group) and for MB (n = 10, MB group). Heart rate and the SD of the R-R interval variabilities spreading along the x axis (SDRR) and perpendicularly along the diagonal line of the Poincaré plot (SDdeltaRR) were evaluated before, just after, and 1 h after the block. RESULTS: Neither group had significant changes in heart rate. The MB group showed no significant change in the SD(RR):SDdeltaRR ratio. In the CTS group, however, the SD(RR):SDdeltaRR ratio decreased significantly from 1.72+/-0.20 to 1.23+/-0.11 just after CTS. The previous patient, who had a high SD(RR):SDdeltaRR ratio of 3.45 before CTS, exhibited severe bradycardia (22 beats/min). CONCLUSIONS: The SD(RR):SDdeltaRR ratio decreased after CTS without any significant concomitant change in heart rate. The decrease in the SD(RR):SDdeltaRR. ratio indicates a reduction of cardiac sympathetic activity. However, CTS in patients having high SD(RR):SDdeltaRR ratios can result in profound bradycardia.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Involvement of kinin and tachykinin in airway hyperreactivity].

Airway hyperreactivity (AHR) is an important characteristic feature of asthma. Recently, it has been recognized that airway inflammation underlies the phenomenon of AHR. Kinins such as bradykinin (BK) and kallidin (KD) have been implicated as mediators of airway inflammatory diseases. Tachykinins such as substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA) produce a variety of effects on the airways. These effects include changes in bronchomotor tone, vasodilatation, increase in vascular permeability and facilitation of the release of other transmitters. Non-cholinergic responses are due to release of neuropeptides such as tachykinins from sensory nerve endings. Kinins and tachykinins have been implicated in neurogenic inflammation. The O3 exposure (3 ppm, 30 min) induced AHR to ACh in guinea pigs. The O3-induced AHR was significantly enhanced by pretreatment with captopril, a kininase II inhibitor. Infusion of subthreshold dose of BK and KD developed AHR to ACh. The O3-induced AHR was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with capsaicin. Infusion of the subthreshold dose of SP and NKA developed an AHR to ACh. The KD-induced AHR was inhibited by pretreatment with capsaicin. Kinins and tachykinins may be therefore involved in the O3-induced AHR, and kinins may act through tachykinin intervention on the O3-induced AHR.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Cloning and characterization of a new swine MHC (SLA) class II DQB allele.

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of pigs is known as swine leukocyte antigen (SLA). The cDNA encoding a new allele of SLA class II DQ beta-chain was successfully isolated from a CSK miniature pig (derived from Göttingen strain) and characterized by sequence analyses. SLA-DQB cDNA fragment encoding beta 2-domain was amplified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction using the sequences preserved in a various vertebrates as primers. Using non-radioisotope technique with the PCR product as a probe, cDNA clone G01 was isolated from a spleen cDNA library, and nucleotide sequence of this clone was determined. This clone encompassed a whole SLA-DQ beta-chain coding region, containing a total length of 1161 nucleotides with an open reading frame (ORF) of 786 nucleotides, 5' untranslated region of 15 nucleotides, and 3' untranslated region of 360 nucleotides ending with a canonical polyadenylation signal, followed by a poly A tail. Sequence comparisons of the ORF of this clone with those of known SLA-DQB genes confirmed that this clone is a new allele (SLA-DQB*G01). Phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences of swine, human, and murine MHC class II genes indicated that SLA-DQB was more similar to HLA-DQB1 than H-2A beta. Comparison of the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences among SLA-DQB alleles showed that the SLA-DQ beta-chain polymorphism was found almost in beta 1-domain which contains the antigenic peptide binding sites.

Alleles↗
PubMed1998

Sex differences in facial skin temperature when exposed to darkness with and without warning.

The changes in skin temperature under anxiety were investigated by noninvasive measurements. The nasal skin temperature of 20 subjects was assessed by thermography. The measurement of the skin temperature by thermistor causes stress in subjects. The primary advantages of a thermography over use of a thermistor are noninvasive and accurate. Each subject was made anxious under the 2 conditions of sudden darkness (Sudden darkness condition) or experienced darkness (Experienced darkness condition). Under former, after a baseline facial skin temperature was established, the room light was suddenly turned off. The subject remained seated in darkness for 2 min. The time-series changes were significant for women, but not for men. For women, skin temperature significantly declined in sudden darkness. Experiments on experienced darkness were performed a week later. After a baseline facial skin temperature was established, the subject was told; "The room light would be turned off from now on, but please remain seated without moving". After the instruction, the room light was turned off. The subject remained seated in darkness for 2 min. The resultant time-series changes in skin temperatures were significant in neither men nor women.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Short report: An imported case of cystic echinococcosis in Japan diagnosed by imaging and serology with confirmation of Echinococcus granulosus-specific DNA sequences.

We report one case of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in Japan in a native of Nepal. Ultrasonography and computed tomography scan of the liver revealed unique cystic lesions with or without daughter cysts of Echinococcus granulosus. Immunoblot analysis using crude antigens of E. multilocularis and cyst fluid of E. granulosus, without reference to these image analyses, strongly suggested this was a case of CE. We found protoscoleces in surgically removed hepatic lesions and analyzed the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene by the polymerase chain reaction. Based on the similarity in DNA sequences of the COI gene of this Echinococcus spp. with that of previously reported sheep-dog strain (GI), the parasite was considered to be the so-called common sheep strain of E. granulosus.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[The effect of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor on pseudomonal proteinases].

We examined the effect of CS-610, a newly developed matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor, on pseudomonal proteinase in vitro. Alkaline proteinase (1143-4977 unit/ml Type I collagenase equivalent) and elastase (13.6-22.6 unit/ml Type I collagenase equivalent) were obtained from strains of P. aeruginosa of IID-1117, IID-1030 and IID-1130. Zymographic analysis of cultured broth of P. aeruginosa demonstrated that CS-610 inhibited alkaline proteinase with an IC50 (50% inhibition concentration) of 1.06-29.0 (x 10(-8)M) and elastase with an IC50 of 1.0-33.3 (x 10(-8)M). CS-610 is a potent inhibitor of pseudomonal proteinases.

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug↗
PubMed1998

Optical monitoring of living brain tissue.

Optical methods can usefully augment classical techniques such as electrical recording for investigating cellular and network physiology. Here, recent developments in optical methods--including confocal and nonlinear fluorescence imaging, semiconductor array imaging, and improved fluorescent indicators of ion concentration and transmembrane electrical potential--are briefly reviewed, and examples are offered that may suggest potential applications to experimental studies in alcoholism research.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1998

Exogenous thrombospondin stimulates the proliferation of non-thrombospondin-producing cells.

The effects of thrombospondin (TSP) on the proliferation of two different human carcinoma cell lines (KIM-1 and CW-2) were investigated. The characterization of these two carcinoma cells by immunohistochemistry using anti-TSP antibody and anti-TSP-receptor antibody showed that the KIM-1 had TSP-receptors and TSP, while the CW-2 had only TSP-receptors. The addition of exogenous TSP (10 or 20 microg/ml) to culture medium stimulated the cell proliferation of CW-2 but not that of KIM-1. The cell count for CW-2 was increased dosage-dependently from 10.3 0.6x104/ml at zero TSP concentration to 12.9 0.6x104/ml at 10 microg/ml TSP concentration and to 14.7 0. 4x104/ml at 20 microg/ml TSP (each p<0.0001). In conclusion, though TSP promoted the proliferation of non-TSP-producing cells, it did not promote proliferation of TSP-producing cells. Therefore, it is predicted that TSP was already at saturated activity concentration in the TSP-producing cell line (KIM-1).

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed1997

Age-related decline in humoral immunity caused by the selective loss of TH cells and decline in cellular immunity caused by the impaired migration of inflammatory cells without a loss of TDTH cells in SAMP1 mice.

We investigated the cellular basis of the age-related decline in antibody (Ab) and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) in vivo in short-lived senescence-accelerated mouse (SAM) P1. In SAMP1 mice, age-related decreases in CD4+ T cells in the peripheral blood occurred earlier than in control mice and occurred in parallel with the age-related decline in Ab and DTH responses. In addition, the involution of the thymus was faster. The injection of thymic T cells from young mice before sensitization completely restored the Ab responses in aged SAMP1 mice. These data suggest that the age-related decline in Ab response is due to the age-related early loss of helper-T (TH) cells. On the other hand, the local transfer of spleen cells from sensitized aged donors into the footpads of naive syngeneic recipients evoked strong DTH responses, demonstrating the existence of DTH-mediating T (TDTH) cells in the spleens of aged SAMP1 mice. Moreover, the local injection of naive spleen cells from young donors, together with the antigen, into the footpads caused DTH responses in sensitized aged recipients. These findings indicate that TDTH cells were induced and were able to migrate and function as effector cells in aged mice. When naive spleen cells from aged donors were injected locally into the footpad, they restored the DTH response in aged mice, but this effect did not work if the cells were injected intravenously. This demonstrates that the inflammatory cells of the aged mice were able to work at the local site, but could not migrate there. The intravenous injection of naive spleen cells from young donors restored the DTH response in aged mice, suggesting that the endothelial cells of aged mice were not impaired and permitted the inflammatory cells to migrate into the extravascular tissues. Thus, although the age-related decline of the Ab and DTH responses occur in parallel, we found different effects of aging on TH and TDTH cells in SAMP1 mice. Furthermore, our data suggest that the reason for the low DTH response in aged SAMP1 mice is not the loss of TDTH cells, but rather the impaired migration of inflammatory cells into the local site.

Aging↗
PubMed1997

Basic study of the portable fatigue meter: effects of illumination, distance from eyes and age.

Several aspects of a new, small and inexpensive fatigue assessment tool, the Portable Fatigue Meter (PFM), were studied. In the first experiment the effects of room illumination and distance between the PFM and the eyes on critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF) values were examined. The results revealed that the PFM CFF value varied significantly as a function of the distance between the indicator and the eyes, but it was not affected by room illumination. The effect of ageing on the PFM CFF value was assessed in a second experiment. The results suggested that PFM CFF values are significantly smaller in middle-aged females than in younger females.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Extradural buprenorphine suppresses breast feeding after caesarean section.

Satisfactory pain relief with postoperative extradural bupivacaine increases the amount of breast feeding after Caesarean section. To investigate the effect of extradural buprenorphine, we have evaluated the amount of breast feeding and the gain in infant weight for 11 days after Caesarean section in patients who received continuous extradural bupivacaine with or without buprenorphine. Extradural buprenorphine significantly decreased both measures although there was no significant difference in pain intensity. We suggest that extradural buprenorphine suppressed breast feeding after Caesarean section.

Analgesia, Epidural↗
PubMed1997

Reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Zarit Caregiver Burden interview.

Despite a rapid increase in disabled elderly in Japan, the burden of the caregiver has not been properly assessed due to a lack of objective measurements. Our study was aimed at adapting and validating the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (ZBI) in Japan, which is one of the most widely used measurements for caregivers' burden in the United States. Sixty-six caregivers answered the self-administered questionnaire, involving the Japanese version of the ZBI and questions regarding their caregiving situation. Our study demonstrated that the Japanese version of the ZBI had equally as high reliability and validity as the original version. The Japanese ZBI had a high test-retest reliability (r = 0.76) and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.93). The total score of the ZBI was highly correlated with the caregivers' score of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) score (r = 0.50), as well as a single global rating of burden (r = 0.71). It was also shown that demographic distribution of the score of the Japanese version had a similar trend to that of the original version. Caregivers who looked after patients with behavioral disturbances were found to have a significantly higher ZBI score than those who looked after patients without behavioral disturbances, which is consistent with previous findings. It is concluded that the Japanese version of the ZBI can be used to measure feelings of burden of caregivers in the Japanese population and can be used for cross-cultural comparison.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1997

[A case of Sjögren's syndrome associated with EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia].

A 69-year-old woman was admitted to Department of Orthopedic Surgery in our hospital because of lumbago on April 4, 1995. Since laboratory data showed thrombocytopenia (platelet count 2.1 x 10(4)/mm3) on admission, she was transferred to Department of Internal Medicine for further examination on April 11. She noticed abnormal taste and showed remarkable sicca symptoms. Schirmer test, gum test and electrogustometry were positive, and parotid sialogram findings and histology of minor salivary glands of the lip were compatible with those of typical Sjögren's syndrome. Thus, she was diagnosed as Sjögren's syndrome. Although the antibodies to SS-A/SS-B were negative in her serum, anti-nuclear and anti-centromere antibodies were strongly positive (x1280). Serum IgM level was increased. The decreased platelet count was observed when EDTA was used as anticoagulant. The binding activity of the anti-platelet antibody activated by EDTA was dependent on temperature. Its immunoglobulin class was shown to be IgM by enzyme-labelled antibody method. We here report a case of Sjögren's syndrome associated with EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[Characteristics of bedridden elderly people living at home and in a hospital].

We compared bedridden elderly people living at home to others who were hospital inpatients. Questionnaires regarding medical status and care were returned by 85 of 116 people caring for a bedridden elderly person at home in Obu city, Aichi prefecture and by 62 of 64 nurses and family members caring for bedridden inpatients at Chubu National hospital. All subjects were at least 65 years old. The median age in both groups was 81 years, neither age distribution nor female sex predominance differed between both groups. The percentage of subjects with only one underlying disease was 62.5% among those living at home and 64.4% among inpatients. In both groups the most common disease was cerebrovascular disease (42.5% among those at home and 39.0% among inpatients), followed by dementia (31.3%), infirmity of old age (17.5%) and bone fracture (13.8%) among those at home, and by bone fracture (27.1%), dementia (20.3%) and infirmity of old age (16.9%) among inpatients. The median durations of bedridden status were 2 years and 3 months among those at home and 3 months among inpatients. The proportion of subjects bedridden for less than 6 months was greater among inpatients (p < 0.0001). The percentage who needed medical treatment was 60.0% among those at home and 67.7% among inpatients. The most common conditions for which drugs were taken were hypertension, dementia, chronic cerebrovascular dysfunction, and osteoporosis. Among inpatients, 54.8% were ambulatory before admission, 24.2% were almost completely bedridden, and 17.7% were completely bedridden. The most common cause rending the patients bedridden was infection (usually pneumonia). The degree of disability did not differ between groups. Decubitus ulcers were present in 25.9% of those at home and 17.7% of inpatients.

Activities of Daily Living↗