Case of pulmonary embolism
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Journal Article↗
Biomedical subjects
Y Doi
Publications and source records attributed to Y Doi.
Normal development of mice and unimpaired cell adhesion/cell motility/actin-based cytoskeleton without compensatory up-regulation of ezrin or radixin in moesin gene knockout.
Ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM) proteins are general cross-linkers between the plasma membrane and actin filaments. Because their expression is regulated in a tissue-specific manner, each ERM protein has been proposed to have unique functions. On the other hand, experiments at the cellular level and in vitro have suggested their functional redundancy. To assess the possible unique functions of ERM proteins in vivo, the moesin gene located on the X chromosome was disrupted by gene targeting in embryonic stem cells. Male mice hemizygous for the mutation as well as homozygous females were completely devoid of moesin but developed normally and were fertile, with no obvious histological abnormalities in any of the tissues examined. In the tissues of the mutant mice, moesin completely disappeared without affecting the expression levels or subcellular distribution of ezrin and radixin. Also, in platelets, fibroblasts, and mast cells isolated from moesin-deficient mice, targeted disruption of the moesin gene did not affect their ERM-dependent functions, i.e. platelet aggregation, stress fiber/focal contact formation of fibroblasts, and microvillar formation of mast cells, without compensatory up-regulation of ezrin or radixin. These findings favor the notion that ERM proteins are functionally redundant at the cellular as well as the whole body level.
Actins↗
Co-expression of polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase and (R)-enoyl-CoA hydratase genes of Aeromonas caviae establishes copolyester biosynthesis pathway in Escherichia coli.
Polyhydroxyalkanoate biosynthesis genes of Aeromonas caviae were expressed in Escherichia coli LS5218 (fadR atoC(Con)), and the polyhydroxyalkanoate-producing ability of the recombinants was investigated. A LS5218 strain harboring only phaCAc (polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase gene) did not accumulate any polyhydroxyalkanoate from dodecanoate in spite of the existence of translated polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase protein, whereas co-expression phaCAc and phaJAc ((R)-specific enoyl-CoA hydratase gene) resulted in the accumulation of P(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) copolymer up to 7-11 wt% of dry cell weight from octanoate and dodecanoate. These results indicated that both phaCAc and phaJAc are essential for E. coli LS5218 to establish the polyhydroxyalkanoate biosynthesis pathway from alkanoic acids. The copolyester content in the strain expressing both the genes under the lac promoter control reached to 38 wt% from dodecanoate. Enzyme assays suggest that efficient monomer formation via beta-oxidation by a high level expression of phaJAc was important to achieve a high polyhydroxyalkanoate content in the recombinant E. coli.
Acyltransferases↗
Detection of mutants in polio vaccine viruses using pooled antipoliovirus monoclonal antibodies.
We prepared six monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for type 1 polioviruses, and analysed their neutralizing specificities for use in safety tests in oral poliomyelitis vaccine (OPV) production. Pools of two or more individual mAbs showed high neutralizing activity against high-titre (approximately 10(7) CCID (50)/25 microl) of Sabin type 1 virus. It was demonstrated that the pooled mAbs can be utilized effectively in detection tests of adventitious viruses, which are among the safety tests in OPV production. Moreover, some pooled mAbs were shown to be capable of detecting very small amounts of type 1 virulent viruses and mutants in high-titre Sabin type 1 virus suspensions. Neutralizing antibody titres of these pooled mAbs decreased with increasing numbers of mutants containing neurovirulent activity in high-titre Sabin type 1 viruses which were repeatedly passaged in culture. It is expected that these pooled mAbs will contribute greatly to safety tests for OPV production.
Animals↗
Chronological study of the appearance of adenohypophysial cells in the ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis).
We previously reported the chronological appearance of adenohypophysial cells in freshwater teleosts using an immunocytochemical technique. The present study investigated the chronological appearance of adenohypophysial cells in the ayu, which is spawned and has its early development in brackish water, and the results were compared with those obtained in freshwater and seawater teleosts, as well as in other vertebrates. In the adult teleostean adenohypophysis, seven or eight types of secretory cells have been distinguished, each of which produce different hormones: prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (GH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), gonadotropic hormones (GTH I and GTH II), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), melanophore stimulating hormone (MSH) and somatolactin (SL). In the pituitary of adult ayu, seven distinct types of glandular cells (PRL, GH, TSH, GTH, ACTH, MSH and SL cells) were identified. Chronologically, a few immunoreactive (ir)-PRL and ir-GH cells appeared in the ventral side of the pituitary one day before hatching. Then, just after hatching, ir-GTH cells were observed in the central to dorsal portion; ir-ACTH cells were found distributed in the anterior portion and some ir-MSH and a few ir-SL cells were seen in the posterior portion of the pituitary. Finally, a small number of ir-TSH cells were identified 50 days after hatching. These results differed from those obtained in other fishes previously reported with regard to the times of appearance of the PRL and GH cells. PRL cells appeared first, followed by GH cells in the freshwater teleosts, PRL and GH cells appeared at the same time in the brackishwater teleosts, while GH cells appeared first and PRL cells appeared last in the seawater teleosts. These results reflect the fact that PRL plays a major role in osmoregulation among freshwater teleosts, as compared with GH, which plays a similar role in seawater teleosts. It seems that both PRL and GH may play important roles in osmoregulation in brackishwater fish.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
Substrate and binding specificities of bacterial polyhydroxybutyrate depolymerases.
The substrate specificities of three extracellular polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) depolymerases from Alcaligenes faecalis (PhaZ Afa), Pseudomonas stutzeri (PhaZ Pst), and Comamonas acidovorans (PhaZ Cac), which are grouped into types A and B based on the position of a lipase box sequence in the catalytic domain, were examined for films of 12 different aliphatic polyesters. Each of these PHB depolymerases used was capable of hydrolyzing poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB)), poly(3-hydroxypropionate) (P(3HP)), poly(4-hydroxybutyrate) (P(4HB)), poly(ethylene succinate) (PESU), and poly(ethylene adipate) (PEA) but could not hydrolyze another seven polyesters. In addition, the binding characteristics of substrate binding domains from PhaZ Afa, PhaZ Cac, and PHB depolymerase from Comamonas testosteroni (PhaZ Cte) were studied by using fusions with glutathione S-transferase (GST). All of fusion proteins adsorbed strongly on the surfaces of polyester granules of P(3HB), P(3HP), and poly(2-hydroxypropionate) (P(2HP)) which was not hydrolyzed by the PHB depolymerases used in this study, while they did not bind on Avicel and chitin granules. The adsorption kinetics of the fusion proteins to the surface of P(3HB) and P(2HP) granules were found to obey the Langmuir isotherm. The cross-area per molecule of fusion protein bound to P(3HB) granules was estimated to be 12+/-4 nm2/molecule. It has been suggested that the active sites in catalytic domains of PHB depolymerases have a similar conformational structure, and that several amino acids in substrate-binding domains of PHB depolymerases interact specifically with the surface of polyesters.
Adsorption↗
Renal complications in patients with diabetes mellitus associated with an A to G mutation of mitochondrial DNA at the 3243 position of leucine tRNA.
The substitution of guanine for adenine at position 3243 of the leucine tRNA gene of mitochondrial DNA was originally described in association with MELAS (mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes). Diabetes mellitus associated with the mutation (mitochondrial diabetes) is a different phenotype from MELAS. We identified 11 patients with the mutation among 385 Japanese diabetic patients: two had MELAS and nine had mitochondrial diabetes. We present data on a male patient with mitochondrial diabetes who developed the nephrotic syndrome at the age of 23. Light microscopy revealed mesangial expansion, PAS-positive deposits and segmental sclerosis in the glomeruli. Scattered mesangial electron-dense deposits and thickening of the basement membrane were found on electron microscopy, suggesting that diabetic glomerulosclerosis accompanied by focal glomerulosclerosis (FGS). Mitochondrial diabetes may pre-dispose patients to renal complications, including forms of glomerulonephritis, such as FGS.
Adult↗
Reduced plasma transforming growth factor-beta1 levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C after interferon-alpha therapy: association with regression of hepatic fibrosis.
BACKGROUND/AIM: Transforming growth factor-beta1 is involved in liver fibrosis. Our aim was to examine the association of plasma transforming growth factor-beta1 levels with the degree of liver fibrosis. METHODS: We analyzed plasma transforming growth factor-beta1 levels in 43 patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon-alpha using a transforming growth factor-beta1 ELISA. The content of transforming growth factor-beta1 in liver tissue obtained by needle biopsy (n=13) was also analyzed. The degree of liver fibrosis was assessed histologically and morphometrically. RESULTS: Plasma transforming growth factor-beta1 levels were significantly correlated with transforming growth factor-beta1 content in liver tissue (r=0.83, p<0.001), indicating that plasma levels correspond with tissue cytokine. Plasma transforming growth factor-beta1 levels in patients (8.1+/-1.1 ng/ml) before interferon-a therapy were significantly higher than in controls (1.9+/-0.3 ng/ml) (p<0.01). Plasma levels were significantly correlated with the degree of fibrosis (p<0.01). Plasma transforming growth factor-beta1 levels were significantly decreased in sustained responders (from 5.2+/-1.0 ng/ml to 2.9+/-0.7 ng/ml), relapsed patients (from 9.8+/-2.0 ng/ml to 3.4+/-0.6 ng/ml), and nonresponders (from 9.3+/-2.1 ng/ml to 3.9+/-0.9 ng/ml) at the end of therapy (p<0.05 for all comparisons). Significant regression of liver fibrosis after therapy was observed in both sustained responders and nonresponders (p<0.05 for both). CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that plasma transforming growth factor-beta1 levels appear to be associated with the degree of liver fibrosis.
Aged↗
Immunoreactivity of endothelins and endothelin receptor in the stria vascularis of the mouse cochlea.
Immunoreactivities of endothelin-1, endothelin-3, endothelin receptor type A, and Na,K-ATPase were investigated in the stria vascularis of adult male WBB6F1 +/+ mice and in that of W/Wv mutants lacking strial intermediate cells. In the +/+ mice, electron microscopic immunoreactivity for the endothelins was seen on the rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, cytoplasmic vesicles and lysosomes exclusively in the strial intermediate cells by the postembedment method. Immunoreactive endothelin receptor A was localized along the plasma membrane of strial marginal cells of both wild and mutant types although the immunoreactivity of the latter was much less than that of the former by the preembedment method. These findings suggest that the endothelins, which are produced in the strial intermediate cells, may play a role in the maintenance of the stria vascularis function in the +/+ mice. Since the plasma membrane of the marginal cells of the W/Wv mice, which do not generate a high positive endocochlear potential, also showed immunoreactivity for Na,K-ATPase, it seems likely that the endothelins are involved in the activation of sodium pump of the strial marginal cells by mediation of endothelin receptor A. In addition, the role of lysosomes in the crinophagy of the endothelins in the strial intermediate cells is proposed in the +/+ mice.
Animals↗
Lifestyles and sleep disorders among the Japanese adult population.
To clarify the effects of daily stress, habitual exercise, drinking and smoking on the prevalence of sleep disorders, we selected 4000 residents (> or =20 years) in Japan by stratified random sampling and carried out structured interviews (response rate 75.8%). Frequencies of sleep disorders (difficulty initiating sleep: DIS; difficulty maintaining sleep: DMS; early morning awakening and hypnotic medication use) were treated as dependent variables. Significant effects of stress were prevalent in all sleep disorders. Habitual exercise had significant negative association with DIS and DMS. Drinking and smoking did not affect sleep disorders.
Adult↗
Salmonid olfactory system-specific protein (N24) exhibits glutathione S-transferase class pi-like structure.
A salmonid olfactory system-specific protein (N24) that has been identified in lacustrine sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) was characterized by biochemical and molecular biological techniques. N24 is a homodimer, and the intact molecular mass is estimated as approximately 43.3 kDa by gel filtration. Furthermore, N24 was located only in the cytosolic fraction of the olfactory tissues as determined by subcellular fractionation. cDNA encoding the lacustrine sockeye salmon N24 was isolated and sequenced. This cDNA contained a coding region encoding 216 amino acid residues and the molecular mass of this protein is calculated to be 242,224.77. The protein and nucleotide sequencing demonstrates the existence of a remarkable homology between N24 and glutathione S-transferase (GST; EC 2.5.1.18) class pi enzymes. Northern analysis showed that N24 mRNA with a length of 950 bases is expressed in lacustrine sockeye salmon olfactory epithelium. Olfactory receptor cells showed strong hybridization signals for N24 mRNA in the olfactory epithelium. N24 demonstrated glutathione binding activity in affinity-purified GST column experiments. The present study describes for the first time cDNA cloning of GST in fish olfactory epithelium.
Animals↗
Evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on binding inhibition for type-specific quantification of poliovirus neutralization-relevant antibodies.
To detect neutralization-relevant antibodies against 3 types of poliovirus (PV) without using tissue cultures and live viruses, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on monoclonal antibody-binding inhibition was evaluated using sera from 80 vaccinated Japanese children and 60 Pakistani poliomyelitis patients. Compared with the neutralization test, the sensitivity of the inhibition ELISA was 100% (111/111) for detection of anti-PV1 antibody, 98.3% (118/120) for anti-PV2, and 96.5% (82/85) for anti-PV3, and the specificity was 93.1% (27/29), 100% (20/20), and 92.7% (51/55), respectively. Thus, the inhibition ELISA showed excellent potential as a seroepidemiologic tool in both vaccinated and naturally-infected populations.
Animals↗
A U-shaped association between home systolic blood pressure and four-year mortality in community-dwelling older men.
BACKGROUND: Several studies in older people have found a U-shaped or J-shaped association of blood pressure with mortality. The increased mortality associated with the lowest levels of blood pressure in older people have been explained by concurrent illnesses and frailty, but previous studies used blood pressure measured on a single occasion. Such a casual value is different from the long-term average of blood pressure. We investigated the relation between the average level of 5-day consecutive home blood pressure and mortality in older people while adjusting for potential confounding factors including morbidity and frailty at baseline. METHODS: In 1992, 1186 community residents of a rural Japanese town, Kahoku, aged 65 or older, measured their blood pressure in their homes 20 times (four times per day, 5 consecutive days). The mean value of the 20 measurements was used to examine the association between home BP and subsequent 4-year mortality. A proportional hazards model was fitted while adjusting for activities of daily living impairment, medical history, antihypertensive medication, smoking, use of alcohol, and depression. RESULTS: A total of 134 persons died during the four-year follow-up period. There was no significant evidence that frailty is more prevalent in the lowest or highest systolic BP group than in intermediate groups. A U-shaped association between the average level of home systolic blood pressure and mortality was found in men while adjusting for potential confounding factors, including morbidity and frailty. We also showed the U-shaped curve of the association of systolic BP with all cause and noncardiovascular mortality in the whole population and the linear association of systolic BP with cardiovascular mortality. CONCLUSIONS: We showed a U-shaped association between the average level of systolic blood pressure measured at home and mortality in older men while adjusting for potential confounding factors including morbidity and frailty. Not only high home systolic BP, but also low home systolic BP, is an independent risk factor for mortality in older men. The mechanisms underlying the association between BP and mortality differ by levels of systolic BP. Cardiovascular deaths tended to be higher in the highest SBP group, and only noncardiovascular deaths were increased in the lowest SBP group. The latter finding suggests that low SBP may be not only an independent risk of mortality but also an indicator of a subclinical noncardiovascular comorbid condition.
Activities of Daily Living↗
The timed "Up & Go" test and manual button score are useful predictors of functional decline in basic and instrumental ADL in community-dwelling older people.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Activities of Daily Living↗
Cloning and characterization of the polyhydroxybutyrate depolymerase gene of Pseudomonas stutzeri and analysis of the function of substrate-binding domains.
The extracellular polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) depolymerase gene (phaZPst) of Pseudomonas stutzeri was cloned and sequenced. phaZPst was composed of 1,728 bp encoding a protein of 576 amino acids. Analyses of the N-terminal amino acid sequence and the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrum of the purified enzyme showed that the mature enzyme consisted of 538 amino acids with a deduced molecular mass of 57,506 Da. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence of the protein revealed a domain structure containing a catalytic domain, putative linker region, and two putative substrate-binding domains (SBDI and SBDII). The putative linker region was similar to the repeating units of the cadherin-like domain of chitinase A from Vibrio harveyi and chitinase B from Clostridium paraputrificum. The binding characteristics of SBDs to poly([R]-3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] and chitin granules were characterized by using fusion proteins of SBDs with glutathione S-transferase (GST). These GST fusion proteins with SBDII and SBDI showed binding activity toward P(3HB) granules but did not bind on chitin granules. It has been suggested that the SBDs of the depolymerase interact specifically with the surface of P(3HB). In addition, a kinetic analysis for the enzymatic hydrolysis of 3-hydroxybutyrate oligomers of various sizes has suggested that the catalytic domain of the enzyme recognizes at least two monomeric units as substrates.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Poly(aspartic acid) degradation by a Sphingomonas sp. isolated from freshwater.
A poly(aspartic acid) degrading bacterium (strain KT-1 [JCM10459]) was isolated from river water and identified as a member of the genus Sphingomonas. The isolate degraded only poly(aspartic acid)s of low molecular masses (<5 kDa), while the cell extract hydrolyzed high-molecular-mass poly(aspartic acid)s of 5 to 150 kDa to yield aspartic acid monomer.
Alphaproteobacteria↗
Minimal-change nephrotic syndrome and acute renal failure in a patient with aged onset insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and autoimmune thyroiditis.
A 61-year-old woman with a 2-year history of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) developed nephrotic syndrome. Renal biopsy showed minimal-change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS), and no evidence of diabetic glomerulosclerosis. Although steroid therapy was initiated, plasma urea and creatinine rose and hemodialysis was required. After 4 weeks, she responded to steroids and her renal function returned to normal. MCNS, which is not associated with diabetic glomerulosclerosis, has rarely been seen in IDDM patients with nephrotic syndrome. Her human leukocyte antigen typing was A24, BW52, BW61, DR2 and DR9. This typing has been reported to be associated with both IDDM and renal disease.
Acute Kidney Injury↗
Determinants of exercise-induced ST-segment displacement in the aVL lead in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease.
Although the aVL lead in exercise electrocardiography is reported to be helpful in identifying a significant narrowing of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), its role in exercise testing has not been fully evaluated. Accordingly, 821 patients who underwent both standard exercise testing and coronary angiography were evaluated. In patients with aVL lead ST elevation, the incidence of a significant narrowing of the LAD (124/165 vs 348/656; p<0.001) was higher than in those without. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the 2 most important variables that correlated with aVL lead ST elevation were a greater number of leads with ST depression in the inferior leads and a smaller amplitude of R wave in the aVL lead. In contrast, variables correlating with aVL lead ST depression in the majority of cases were a greater number of leads with ST depression in all leads and the presence of inferior lead ST elevation. The results of this study indicate that although aVL lead ST elevation could be a marker for LAD narrowing, more important factors such as inferior lead ST-segment depression and the R-wave amplitude of the aVL lead should be taken into consideration. In contrast, ST depression in the aVL lead mostly represents exercise-induced myocardial ischemia of greater extent and severity.
Adult↗