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Biomedical subjects

Y Hashimoto

Publications and source records attributed to Y Hashimoto.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Aortic regurgitation in patients with Takayasu arteritis: assessment by color Doppler echocardiography.

To characterize aortic regurgitation in patients with Takayasu arteritis, we studied 48 females with arteritis (mean age 47 +/- 12 years) by means of color Doppler echocardiography. Aortic regurgitation was confirmed in 32 out of 48 patients (67%) by color-flow mapping. Twenty-four patients had mild or no aortic regurgitation (group A), 9 had moderate (group B), and 15 had severe (group C) aortic regurgitation. We compared the echocardiographic data obtained from patients with Takayasu arteritis with those of 14 normal controls and 9 patients with severe aortic regurgitation of valvular origins (group V). The aortic root diameter (AOD) in group B (23 +/- 4 mm/M2) and group C (22 +/- 3 mm/M2) revealed a statistically significant large value as compared with that in group A (18 +/- 2 mm/M2) and normal controls (17 +/- 3 mm/M2). However, the differences, between groups B and C and groups C and V, were not significant. The AOD was not obviously dilated in a considerable number of group C patients. Aortic valve involvement was seen in several group C patients and moderate concentric left ventricular hypertrophy was present in all group C patients. Group C patients therefore, have concentric left ventricular hypertrophy but may or may not have dilatation of the aortic root which can be detected on echocardiography. We conclude that aortic valve involvement may cause aortic regurgitation in some patients with Takayasu arteritis and that aortic regurgitation is more common than previously believed.

Adult

Left ventricular dysfunction and HLA Bw52 antigen in Takayasu arteritis.

Heart disease is the main cause of death in patients with Takayasu arteritis. It has been reported that this disease is closely related to the presence of HLA Bw52 antigen. To assess the correlation between this antigen and left ventricular involvement, we studied 40 patients with Takayasu arteritis, 21 with and 19 without Bw52, using Tl-201 stress myocardial scintigraphy and echocardiography. Those with Bw52 had a significantly higher incidence of abnormal electrocardiographic findings (67% vs 26%; P < 0.05) and of aortic regurgitation (52% vs 11%; P < 0.05). The echocardiographically determined interventricular septal wall thickness plus left ventricular posterior wall thickness (25 +/- 8 vs 17 +/- 3 mm; P < 0.01) and the left ventricular mass (257 +/- 132 vs 142 +/- 51 g; P < 0.01) were significantly increased in the patients with Bw52. Scintigraphically determined perfusion abnormalities were significantly more frequent in those with Bw52 (76% vs 32%; P < 0.05). These observations indicate that patients with Takayasu arteritis and Bw52 antigen have a more severe left ventricular involvement than the patients without that antigen. The left ventricular impairment may account for the poor prognosis of Takayasu patients with Bw52.

Adult

Selective inhibition of T-cell-dependent immune responses by bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids in vivo.

The bisbenzylisoquinoline (BBI) alkaloids, chondocurine, tetrandrine, isotetrandrine and cepharanthine, were tested for immunosuppressive activity in mice. A plaque-forming cell (PFC) response to a T-cell-dependent antigen, sheep red blood cell, was significantly suppressed by a 7 day treatment of chondocurine or tetrandrine at 1 mg/kg/day and of isotetrandrine at 50 mg/kg/day, but not suppressed by cepharanthine treatment. The suppressive effect of chondocurine was greater when it was given after immunization rather than before or concurrently. However, it did not affect the PFC response to a T-cell-independent antigen, lipopolysaccharide. A delayed-type hypersensitivity was also suppressed by chondocurine treatment. There was no significant change in lymphocyte number and proportion of T-cell subsets in the BBI alkaloid-treated mice. These data suggest that there is selective inhibition by chondocurine and tetrandrine of the T-cell-dependent immune reactions.

Alkaloids

Differences in DNA damage induced by mutagenic and nonmutagenic 4-aminoazobenzene derivatives in Escherichia coli.

DNA lesions produced in Escherichia coli AB2500 (uvrA) exposed to the carcinogen N-hydroxy-3-methoxy-4-aminoazobenzene (N-OH-3-MeO-AAB) or the noncarcinogen N-hydroxy-2-methoxy-4-aminoazobenzene (N-OH-2-MeO-AAB) were investigated by alkaline sucrose gradient sedimentation and 32P-postlabeling analysis. Alkali-labile sites appeared to be formed equally in cells treated with both aminoazobenzene derivatives. 32P-Postlabeling analysis revealed that the 3-MeO-AAB-DNA adduct level was 25-fold higher than that for 2-MeO-AAB-DNA adducts. In addition to major adducts, 4 minor spots were detected in N-OH-3-MeO-AAB-treated cells, while only one major adduct was found in N-OH-2-MeO-AAB-treated cells. The mutagenicities and cytotoxicities were also determined with E. coli with different repair capacities; we found that repair of 3-MeO-AAB damages is strongly dependent on the UVR repair system. Moreover, N-OH-3-MeO-AAB, but not N-OH-2-MeO-AAB, could induce recA and umuC gene expression, which was higher in uvrA strains than in the wild type.

Bacterial Proteins

Identification of an equivalent to murine Thy-1+ dendritic epidermal cells in the rat epidermis.

In the murine epidermis, there exist Thy-1+ dendritic epidermal cells (Thy-1+DEC). These cells are Thy-1+, CD45+, CD3+ and asialo GM1+ but CD5-, CD4-, CD8-, or Ia-1-, and express T cell receptor (TCR) gamma delta. Recently, most of these TCR gamma delta of Thy-1 DEC are shown to consist of a V gamma 3-V delta 1 combination. There has been no evidence that the same type of cell population exists in other species except mice. In this study, we investigated the existence of a Thy-1+DEC equivalent in the rat epidermis. The epidermal sheets obtained from rats were stained with various monoclonal antibodies to rat lymphocytes. We developed a monoclonal antibody (1F4) to rat CD3 complex. 1F4 stained thymocytes and peripheral T cells and also immunoprecipitated T cell receptor with CD3 complex. Using 1F4 and a recently developed monoclonal antibody to rat TCR alpha beta, we could identify dendritic CD4-, CD8-, CD5-, CD3+, TCR alpha beta- cells in the rat epidermis. These CD3+, TCR alpha beta- cells are strong candidates as an equivalent to TCR gamma delta + murine Thy-1+ DEC.

Animals

Flow cytometric analysis of pig epidermal keratinocytes: effects of tape stripping.

Tape stripping is a dynamic in vivo model for the induction of synchronized keratinocyte proliferation. We investigated the cell kinetics of pig epidermis by DNA-flow cytometric analysis, which was compared with [3H]thymidine incorporation mitotic counts and 2-[3H]-deoxy-D-glucose uptake. The stripping was standardized and confirmed histologically by the observation of complete removal of horny layer. Following the stripping, the proportion of cells in S-phase showed no remarkable change until 12 h. This was followed by a spike-like increase in the S-phase cells, the peak of which was reached at 24 h. This gradually decreased and returned to basal levels by 48 h. The cells in G2/M fraction initially decreased; the lowest value was obtained at 12 h. This was followed by a marked increase in the G2/M fraction, the peak of which was at 36 h. The keratinocytes in G2/M fraction gradually returned to basal levels by 96 h. [3H]Thymidine uptake and mitotic counts were mostly parallel with the data of the flow cytometric analysis, suggesting the latter as being a reliable system for cell kinetic analysis. The glucose uptake initially decreased (at 6 h following the stripping) and then increased at 24 h. Histologically the stripped epidermis regained its horny layer almost completely by 72 h following the stripping; this was occasionally accompanied by a moderate acanthotic change thereafter.

Animals

Hyperpolarizing interplexiform cell of the dace retina identified physiologically and morphologically.

One type of interplexiform cell (IPC) in the dace retina was discriminated physiologically from other cell classes and identified morphologically with HRP staining. This type responded with slow hyperpolarizing potentials to white diffuse light, and in addition a slow hyperpolarization (after potential) was observed after the cessation of light with relatively high intensities. The latency of the ON phase of the response was always longer than that of the second-order neurons and the amacrine cells. Morphologically, this type of IPC was similar in appearance with the dopaminergic IPC. The conventional synaptic specialization between this type of IPC and horizontal cells was observed, and the IPC was presynaptic.

Animals

Comparison of the relaxant effects of diazepam, flunitrazepam and midazolam on airway smooth muscle.

The mechanisms by which benzodiazepines produce muscle relaxation and respiratory depression are not known, but they may include actions on peripheral benzodiazepine receptors or central GABA receptors, or a direct action on airway smooth muscle may also be involved. We have compared, therefore, the effects of diazepam, flunitrazepam and midazolam on airway tone by measuring isometric tension of guineapig trachealis muscle. Cumulative concentrations of diazepam, flunitrazepam and midazolam caused concentration-dependent relaxation of resting tone in the tracheal smooth muscle with no significant differences in pD2 values (-log EC50--an index of potency) or intrinsic activities (% of maximum response) for relaxations for the three compounds. Pretreatment with propranolol 10(-6) mol litre-1, flumazenil 10(-7) and 10(-6) mol litre-1 or PK11195 10(-6) mol litre-1 had no effect on diazepam- or midazolam-induced relaxation. Diazepam 3 x 10(-6) mol litre-1 pretreatment shifted the concentration-response curves for acetylcholine, histamine and serotonin (5-HT) to the right by a factor of approximately 2. Flunitrazepam 3 x 10(-6) mol litre-1 pretreatment also shifted the curves for histamine and 5-HT similarly to the right, whereas midazolam pretreatment did not inhibit any agonist-induced contractions. These results suggest that benzodiazepines relax airway smooth muscle, not via neural pathways or central and peripheral benzodiazepine receptors, but by a direct action on airway smooth muscle.

Animals

Elderly, conscious patients have an accentuated hypotensive response to nitroglycerin.

There is no adequate explanation for the highly variable response of systemic blood pressure to nitroglycerin (glyceryl trinitrate [GTN]). Aging produces cardiovascular changes that should alter the effects of GTN, but elderly patients usually have been excluded from studies of GTN. Accordingly, the authors compared the effects of GTN on systemic blood pressure in elderly and younger patients. Fifty-three patients, aged 49-87 (with 30 patients older than 70), were studied. Before elective vascular surgery, 14 patients received an infusion of placebo; 26, a constant infusion of GTN; and 13, a stepwise increasing infusion of GTN. After a standardized anesthetic induction and the start of surgery, the identical infusion protocols were repeated in each group. Data on GTN infusion rate, arterial blood pressure, and GTN concentrations versus time, age, and other potentially influencing variables were pooled for analysis. Before anesthesia and surgery, GTN more commonly caused excessive hypotension in patients older than 70 yr than in younger patients, but none of the patients had complications. A repeated-measures model analysis indicated that age significantly influenced the effects of GTN on blood pressure. That is, patients who are in their 70s who receive 0.5 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 of GTN are predicted to experience a twofold greater decrease in systolic arterial pressure (approximately 33 mmHg) than patients in their 50s. However, no apparent effect of age on intraoperative GTN responsiveness was discernible nor was a predictable relationship found between the preoperative and intraoperative responsiveness or between arterial concentrations of GTN and blood pressure or age. Therefore, the authors conclude that, in the absence of the effects of anesthesia and surgery, elderly patients have a more pronounced blood pressure response to GTN than younger patients. Furthermore, the authors conclude that preoperative blood pressure responsiveness to GTN is not a reliable predictor of intraoperative responsiveness.

Aged

Staphylococcus piscifermentans sp. nov., from fermented fish in Thailand.

New coagulase-negative staphylococci were isolated from fermented fish in Thailand. These organisms were differentiated from other Staphylococcus species on the basis of DNA relatedness and biochemical characteristics. Staphylococcus piscifermentans sp. nov. is described, and the type strain is strain SK03 (= NRIC 1817 = JCM 6057 = TISTR 824).

Animals

Three new species of the genus Peptostreptococcus isolated from humans: Peptostreptococcus vaginalis sp. nov., Peptostreptococcus lacrimalis sp. nov., and Peptostreptococcus lactolyticus sp. nov.

We describe three new species of the genus Peptostreptococcus which were isolated from human specimens and were tentatively identified as Peptostreptococcus prevotii. These three organisms were not homologous with previously described type strains of the genus Peptostreptococcus. A total of 12 strains that were identified biochemically as P. prevotii were divided into five independent DNA similarity groups; 10 of these strains were divided into three similarity groups which exhibited significant phenotypic differences from previously described species. Therefore, we propose the following new species: Peptostreptococcus vaginalis for group 1 strains, Peptostreptococcus lacrimalis for group 2 strains, and Peptostreptococcus lactolyticus for group 3 strains. The type strain of P. vaginalis is strain GIFU 12669 (= JCM 8138), the type strain of P. lacrimalis is strain GIFU 7667 (= JCM 8139), and the type strain of P. lactolyticus is strain GIFU 8586 (= JCM 8140).

Bacterial Typing Techniques

Isolation and characterization of Shewanella alga from human clinical specimens and emendation of the description of S. alga Simidu et al., 1990, 335.

Genetic and phenotypic studies on the strains biochemically identified as Shewanella putrefaciens, which had a G+C content ranging from 52 to 54 mol% were conducted. The moles percent G+C of the type strain of S. putrefaciens is 46. Surprisingly, DNA homology experiments revealed that all these strains are genetically related to Shewanella alga (which was reported to produce tetrodotoxin), not to the type strain of S. putrefaciens. In this study, we reidentified clinical strains of S. putrefaciens which have a high range of moles percent G+C, as does S. alga. We also characterized the reidentified strains and found that the original description of S. alga (U. Simidu, K. Kita-Tsukamoto, T. Yasumoto, and M. Yotsu, Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 40:331-336, 1990) is insufficient to identify this strain. An emended description of S. alga is given.

Animals

Development of a host-vector system in a Rhodococcus strain and its use for expression of the cloned nitrile hydratase gene cluster.

Two different types of plasmid were isolated from strains of Rhodococcus rhodochrous. Two plasmids, of the same type but from different strains, were combined with Escherichia coli plasmids carrying antibiotic resistance markers to develop E. coli-Rhodococcus shuttle vectors. The ampicillin and kanamycin resistance markers served for selection in Rhodococcus. Electroporation was used to introduce recombinant plasmid DNA into R. rhodochrous ATCC 12674 at a frequency of 5 x 10(7) transformants per microgram DNA. With these host-vector and transformation systems, the nitrile hydratase and amidase genes of a Rhodococcus strain were introduced into the host strain and were efficiently expressed.

Acrylamides

Comparison of Borrelia burgdorferi isolated from humans and ixodid ticks in Hokkaido, Japan.

Four spirochetal isolates (JEM1 to JEM4) were obtained from cutaneous lesions of patients manifesting erythema chronicum migrans in Hokkaido, Japan. In the protein profiles by SDS-PAGE and the reactivities with monoclonal antibodies (H5332 and H9724) by immunoblotting, all the human isolates were identical with the tick isolates from Ixodes persulcatus. These data indicate that I. persulcatus is an important vector of Lyme disease for humans in Japan.

Animals

Proposal of Burkholderia gen. nov. and transfer of seven species of the genus Pseudomonas homology group II to the new genus, with the type species Burkholderia cepacia (Palleroni and Holmes 1981) comb. nov.

Based on the 16S rRNA sequences, DNA-DNA homology values, cellular lipid and fatty acid composition, and phenotypic characteristics, a new genus Burkholderia is proposed for the RNA homology group II of genus Pseudomonas. Seven species in this group were transferred to the new genus. Thus seven new combinations, Burkholderia cepacia (Palleroni and Holmes 1981), Burkholderia mallei (Zopf 1885), Burkholderia pseudomallei (Whitmore 1913), Burkholderia caryophylli (Burkholder 1942), Burkholderia gladioli (Severini 1913), Burkholderia pickettii (Ralston et al 1973) and Burkholderia solanacearum (Smith 1896) were proposed.

Amino Acids

Species difference among experimental rodents in induction of P450IA family enzymes by 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine.

Rats, mice, hamsters and guinea pigs were given an i.p. injection of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenyl-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), a protein-derived pyrolysate component present in cooked foods, and inductions of cytochrome P450 (P450) in the liver and kidney of these animals were examined. The activity and amount of P450s corresponding to the rat P450IA1 and P450IA2 were assessed by means of a bacterial mutation test using 3 carcinogenic heterocyclic aromatic amines including PhIP as substrates and by Western blotting with a monoclonal antibody reactive with both P450IA1 and P450IA2. In rats, PhIP induced P450IA1, P450IA2 and a new but unspecified P450 isozyme in the liver, and induced P450IA1 in the kidney. However, PhIP induced none of these P450 isozymes in mice, hamsters and guinea pigs.

Amines

HLA-DP antigen and Takayasu arteritis.

Sixty-four patients with Takayasu arteritis and 317 healthy individuals in the Japanese population were examined for HLA-A, -B and -C alleles by serological typing and for HLA-DR, DQ and DP alleles by DNA typing using PCR/SSOP analysis. The frequencies of HLA-Bw52, DRB1*1502, DRB5*0102, DQA1*0103, DQB1*0601 and DPB1*0901 alleles were significantly increased and the frequencies of HLA-Bw54, DRB1*0405, DRB4*0101, DQA1*0301, DQB1*0401 alleles were significantly decreased. Strong linkage disequilibria among the increased alleles and among the decreased alleles were evident in the Japanese population. Therefore, the combination or haplotype of HLA-Bw52-DRB1*1502-DRB5*0102-DQA1*0103-DQB1*0601 -DPA1*02-DPB1*0901 may confer susceptibility to Takayasu arteritis while another combination or haplotype of HLA-Bw54-DRB1*0405-DRB4*0101-DQA1*0301-DQB1++ +*0401 may confer resistance to the disease. Because this is the first evidence for the association between an HLA-DP allele and Takayasu arteritis, we examined the nucleotide sequences of the DPB1*0901 allele from a patient and her healthy relatives and found no difference. The disease is therefore not caused by a mutated DPB1 gene.

Alleles