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Biomedical subjects

Y Kuwahara

Publications and source records attributed to Y Kuwahara.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Cytochemical localization of glycoconjugates in the secretory epithelial cells lining the prostate gland of the miniature pig.

The aim of the study was to emphasize several specific functional aspects of the mammalian prostate gland. In this connection, the subcellular localization and characterization of glycoconjugates in the secretory epithelial cells were examined that line the prostate gland of the miniature pig, using cytochemistry, including lectin-gold methods. The results verified a diversified pattern of glycoconjugates in the structures of the secretory cells. The secretory granules and the free surface coat of the plasma membrane contained several sugar moieties such as alpha-D-Man, alpha-D-Glc, alpha-L-Fuc, beta-D-Gal, GalNAc, GlcNAc and NeuAc (sialic acid), whereas the Golgi apparatus exhibited GlcNAc and sialic acid residues. In addition, the cisterns of the endoplasmic reticulum showed alpha-D-Man and alpha-D-Glc moieties. It seems likely that the secretory glycoconjugates demonstrated contribute to favourable conditions for fertilization.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Association of laboratory data and death within one month in cats with chronic renal failure.

OBJECTIVES: To retrospectively compare the data taken at the first visit of 34 cats with chronic renal failure surviving more than one month (surviving group) and 16 cats dying within one month (non-surviving group). METHODS: Records were collected on cats with chronic renal failure presented to a private veterinary practice in Nagoya, Japan, from March 1996 to March 2005. All cats with chronic renal failure diagnosed on the basis of case histories, clinical signs (such as, lethargy, anorexia, loss of bodyweight and vomiting) and a high plasma creatinine (>180 micromol/l) were included in the study. RESULTS: Plasma creatinine, urea nitrogen, inorganic phosphate, packed cell volume and urine protein/creatinine ratio were significantly different between cats of the surviving and non-surviving groups. In the surviving group, survival statuses were recorded, and laboratory data was obtained within one month before death in 13 cats. In the 13 cats, plasma creatinine, packed cell volume and urine protein/creatinine ratio showed significant differences between the data taken within one month before death and that taken at first visit, and only urine protein/creatinine ratio exhibited a consistent alteration (increase) in relation to first visit data. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: These results indicated that plasma creatinine, urea nitrogen, inorganic phosphate, packed cell volume and urine protein/creatinine ratio were associated with death within one month and urine protein/creatinine ratio was most likely to be associated with mortality in cats with chronic renal failure.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Neuroradiologic and clinicopathologic features of oculoleptomeningeal type amyloidosis.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the pathogenesis of leptomeningeal amyloidosis in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy amyloidogenic transthyretin Y114C (FAP ATTR Y114C). METHODS: The authors analyzed eight FAP ATTR Y114C patients. Six patients showed CNS symptoms associated with leptomeningeal amyloidosis. To examine the function of the blood-CSF barrier and blood-brain barrier (BBB), the authors performed CSF and MRI studies. The authors also performed a histopathologic study of autopsy specimens to examine the distribution of amyloid deposition in the CNS. RESULTS: CSF study showed high total protein concentrations and increased albumin CSF/serum concentration quotients (Qalb; an indication of blood-CSF barrier function). MRI with gadolinium (Gd) revealed enhancement from brainstem to spinal cord. Serial brain MRI studies with FLAIR images after Gd administration showed Gd leakage into the subarachnoid space (two patients). These findings suggested the blood-CSF barrier and BBB dysfunctions. Constructive interference in steady state (CISS) three-dimensional Fourier transformation (CISS-3DFT) sequence analysis demonstrated amyloid-induced funiculus structures joining the spinal cord and dura mater (one patient). Histopathologic study revealed intense amyloid deposition in leptomeninges, vessel walls, and parenchyma in spinal cord and the brain. These distributions of amyloid deposition are unique compared to other TTR related leptomeningeal amyloidosis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy amyloidogenic transthyretin Y114C had CNS disorders related to amyloid deposition in leptomeninges, vessel walls, and parenchyma in spinal cord and the brain. The pathogenesis of CNS disorders may reflect disruption of the blood-CSF barrier and blood-brain barrier by amyloid deposition.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Electronic structure of a polydiacetylene nanowire fabricated on highly ordered pyrolytic graphite.

A molecular wire candidate, the polydiacetylene chain, fabricated in a substantial support layer of monomers self-assembled on a highly ordered pyrolytic graphite surface, was studied using scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. The density of states of individual polymers and constituent monomers were observed on the same surface, and then compared with the calculated results. The spectrum delineating the density of states of the polydiacetylene wire clearly reveals the theoretically predicted pi-band and band edge singularities of the one-dimensional polymer.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Correlation between facial morphology, mouth opening ability, and condylar movement during opening-closing jaw movements in female adults with normal occlusion.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between parameters of facial morphology, maximal voluntary mouth opening ability, and condylar movements in 21 adult females, aged between 20 and 24 years. The subjects had a normal occlusion without sign or symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. Mandibular movements were recorded using an opto-electric jaw movement recording system with six degrees of freedom under a series of maximal mouth opening-closing movements. Maximal jaw opening and coincident condylar movement were measured three-dimensionally. The mean values of the incisor and condylar path were 41.1 +/- 3.5 mm (range 35.6-50.9 mm) and 12.8 +/- 2.8 mm (range 8.1-19.2 mm), respectively. Although the positive correlation between maximal jaw opening and facial morphology was significant, none of the variables significantly differed between the value of the condylar path and facial morphology. The length of the path of maximum incisor movement and the condylar path during mandibular movement also did not correlate. Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated a positive association between the maximal length of the incisor path and the cephalometric value of mandibular ramus inclination (R2 value was 0.369). The results of this study suggest that facial morphology size has a limited effect on maximal voluntary mandibular opening and condylar movements in normal adult female subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

The medaka rs-3 locus required for scale development encodes ectodysplasin-A receptor.

The bodies of most teleost fish species are covered with specialized subepithelial structures known as scales. The scale is an epithelial appendage that differentiates from the dermal mesenchyme. Mammals, on the other hand, have no scales, but instead their bodies are covered with hair. Although their appearances are quite different, scales and hair can be considered structurally similar in that both of them are epithelial appendages distributed over the body surface in an orderly pattern. This analogy suggests that they may have the same evolutionary origin. But, to date, no molecular evidence has been presented that links scales and hair. A mutation at the rs-3 locus of medaka (Oryzias latipes) leads to almost complete loss of scales. We demonstrated that the rs-3 locus encodes ectodysplasin-A receptor (EDAR), which is required for the initiation of hair development in mammals. We identified a novel transposon inserted in the first intron of EDAR, which causes aberrant splicing. This work shows that EDAR is required for scale development in fish and suggests that it is an evolutionarily conserved molecule that is required for the development of epithelial appendages in vertebrates.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Enantiomer separation by capillary electrophoresis utilizing noncyclic mono-, oligo- and polysaccharides as chiral selectors.

Various noncyclic mono-, oligo- and polysaccharides have been successfully used for enantiomer separation in the analytical sciences such as HPLC and capillary electrophoresis (CE). This review presents enantiomer separation by CE utilizing mainly polysaccharides as chiral additives. The operation conditions that affect the enantioselectivity are briefly discussed.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Catalytic Activity of Hexokinase in Reversed Micelles.

Reversed micelles can control the size of water pools and the physical property of water by changing W(0)(=[water]/[surfactant]). Hexokinase (HK) activity seems to be easily affected by the microenvironment in the neighborhood of the enzyme because it is assumed that HK binds to the outer mitochondrial membrane by insertion of its hydrophobic NH(2) tail. The catalytic activity of HK was examined in reversed micelles in order to study the effect of the microenvironment in the neighborhood of HK on the activity. Sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT), hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (HTAC), and octaoxyethylene dodecyl ether (C(12)E(8)) were used as anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactants, respectively. HK activity was obtained by measuring ATP and ADP amounts with HPLC. The high electrostatic inner surfaces of AOT and HTAC reversed micelles were not favorable for HK to exhibit the catalytic activity, but the activity in HTAC reversed micelles was 2-3 times higher than that in AOT reversed micelles and the activities in both reversed micelles revealed an optimum at W(0)=10. The phenomenon was discussed in connection with the location of HK, nonuniform distribution of substrates, and the size and physical properties of the water pools. On the other hand, HK activity was much higher in C(12)E(8) reversed micelles than in AOT and HTAC reversed micelles and increased with the concentration of C(12)E(8). This suggests that HK activity is easily revealed in hydrated ethylene oxide chains. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that HK activity depends on the microenvironment such as the electrostatic field, the physical properties of water, and the hydrophobicity. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Involvement of urban living environments in atopy and enhanced eosinophil activity: potential risk factors of airway allergic symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Airway allergic diseases, such as bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis, have increased, especially in urban areas. These diseases are characterized by airway inflammation with enhanced eosinophil activity, and the risk of disease development has been shown to increase with the prevalence of atopy. METHODS: Questionnaires were administered to 426 healthy adult women aged 30-74 years, living in an urban area of Osaka, Japan, to survey individual living environments and airway allergic symptoms such as cough, sputum, and wheezing. Moreover, serum house-dust-mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, [Der p])-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) and serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) were examined by radioimmunoassay, and the atopic status (atopic sensitization) and enhanced eosinophil activity were assessed as Der p-specific IgE RAST scores of 2-6 and ECP levels of more than 10 ng/ml, respectively. RESULTS: Intensive use of electric air conditioners in hot weather (odds ratio: 2.07 [95% CI: 1.11-3.87]) and mold proliferation in the kitchen (2.77 [1.34-5.73]) significantly increased the risk of atopic sensitization. Poor home ventilation and family smoking appeared to be positively but not significantly associated with atopic sensitization. Personal smoking and intensive use of the air conditioner appeared to be positively related to enhanced eosinophil activity. Atopic status showed significant involvement in the development of wheezing, and the development of cough was significantly associated with enhanced eosinophil activity. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that some urban styles of living are involved in atopic sensitization and enhanced eosinophil activity in the Japanese urban population, probably due to living conditions, such as indoor dampness and poor home ventilation, caused by tight insulation, which increase exposure to indoor air pollutants, such as respirable mite allergens and tobacco smoke.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Structural elucidation and synthesis of 3-hydroxybenzene-1,2-dicarbaldehyde from astigmatid mites.

The structure of a novel aromatic compound contained in the unidentified Rhizoglyhus mite (Acaridae: Astigmata) was elucidated, without its isolation, to be 3-hydroxybenzene-1,2-dicarbaldehyde (tentatively named gamma-acaridial) by a combination of GC/MS and GC/FT-IR together with knowledge of related mite compounds. The structure was confirmed by a 5-step synthesis, starting from methyl 3-hydroxybenzoate, in a 15% overall yield. The compound is widely distributed not only among Astigmata but also among Oribatida, although its biological function is obscure at present.

Aldehydes↗
PubMed2001

(4E)-dehydrocitrals [(2E,4E)- and (2Z,4E )-3,7-dimethyl-2,4,6-octatrienals] from acarid mite Histiogaster sp. A096 (Acari: Acaridae).

A mixture of two monoterpenes was obtained as the opisthonotal gland secretion from unidentified Histiogaster sp. A096 (Acari: Acaridae), and their structures were elucidated to be (4E)-dehydrocitrals [(2E,4E)- and (2Z,4E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,4,6-octatrienals] by GC/MS, GC/FT-IR, UV and 1H-NMR spectra. Both isomers of (4E)-dehydrocitral prepared by syntheses in 4 steps from 3-methyl-2-butenal with 34.2% yields (based on the ylide) were separated by column chromatography into the (2E,4E)- and (2Z,4E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,4,6-octatrienal. Mass spectra together with GC retention times of the purified natural (4E)-dehydrocitrals were identical with those of synthetic (2E,4E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,4,6-octatrienal and (2Z,4E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,4,6-octatrienal. The geometry at the 2-C position of both synthetic (4E)-dehydrocitrals was confirmed by NOESY analyses. This is the first identification of (4E)-dehydrocitrals from the animal kingdom.

Acari↗
PubMed2001

Structural elucidation of twelve novel esters composed of five fatty acids and three new branched alcohols together with four monoterpenoids from Sancassania shanghaiensis (Acari: Acaridae).

A total of 12 novel esters and four monoterpenoids (rosefuran, (2R,3R)-epoxyneral, and alpha- and beta-acaridials) were detected by GC/MS analyses as the opisthonotal gland components of Sancassania shanghaiensis. The acidic fraction after hydrolysis was composed of five common fatty acids (palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and arachidic acid), while the alcoholic fraction consisted of two major components (C6 and C8 alcohols with branched methyls), together with a trace amount of C9 alcohol. The two major alcohols were identified as new alcohols [(S)-2-methylpentanol and (2S,4S)-2,4-dimethylhexanol] by comparing the physico-chemical data of their 3,5-dinitrobenzoates with those of regio-selectively synthesized alcohols. The C9 alcohol was suggested as (2S,4S)-2,4-dimethylheptanol, based on a structural and biogenetic analogy to the C6 and C8 alcohols. Five of the compounds were each identified by GC to be (S)-2-methylpentyl esters from five fatty acids, and the other five components likewise as (2S,4S)-2,4-dimethylhexyl esters. The remaining two were suggested as (2S,4S)-2,4-dimethylheptyl stearate and linolate.

Alcohols↗
PubMed2001

7-Hydroxyphthalide: a new natural salicylaldehyde analog from Oulenzia sp. (Astigmata: Winterschmitiidae).

A new salicyl lactone was detected from the unidentified Oulenzia sp. and its chemical structure was elucidated as 7-hydroxyphthalide (7-hydroxy-3H-isobenzofuran-1-one), based on its GC/MS and GC/FT-IR data and SiO2 column behavior. The compound was synthesized by NaBH4 reduction of 3-hydroxyphthalic anhydride. The GC/MS and GC/FT-IR spectra of the natural compound were consistent with those of the synthetic product. Although the compound is known as a medical material, this is the first example of its presence in nature.

Aldehydes↗
PubMed2001

Effects of genotype matching of feline major histocompatibility complex (FLA) class II DRB on skin-allograft transplantation in cats.

In order to confirm the effects of matching of expressed feline major histocompatibility complex (FLA) class II DRB genotype on transplantation immunity in cats, skin-allogeneic transplantation was carried out between cats, in which DRB genes expressed were genotyped by the RT-PCR-RFLP method using group-specific primers. Duration until grafts were rejected was 14.63 +/- 1.69 days (mean +/- standard deviation) in the pairs that had the same type of subgroups, 7.25 +/- 0.71 days in the pairs that had one different type of subgroup and 6.88 +/- 0.35 days in the pairs that had two different types of subgroups. The duration of graft survival in the pairs with the same type of subgroups was significantly longer (P<0.01) than those in the pairs with different types. Although FLA components involved in transplantation immunity should not only be DRB genes, it was suggested that the expressed FLA-DRB genotype might associate with feline transplantation immunity, and that typing and matching of expressed FLA-DRB genes might be one of the important factors in the control of feline transplantation immunity.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Aggregation pheromone activity of the female sex pheromone, beta-acaridial, in Caloglyphus polyphyllae (Acari: Acaridae).

Caloglyphus (= Sancasania) polyphyllae discharges from a pair of opisthonotal glands a characteristic set of volatiles, i.e. three monoterpenes and seven hydrocarbons. Among them, beta-acaridial, which is known as the female sex pheromone of the species and has antifungal activity, was newly identified as the aggregation pheromone for unfeeding and unmating mites. Feeding mites, however, exhibited sexually aroused behavior instead of the tendency to cluster when exposed to beta-acaridial. This is the first example of the compound demonstrating two pheromone functions depending upon the circumstances faced by the mites.

Acari↗
PubMed2001

Burden among caregivers of frail elderly in Japan.

The present study was conducted in order to investigate the factors related to the feelings of psychological stress, called heavy burden, in caregivers who took care of frail elderly in the eastern part of Fukuoka Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan. Fifty-eight caregivers answered a self-administered questionnaire, involving the Japanese version of the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (ZBI) and thus described their own caregiving situation. Compared to caregivers with a light burden, heavily burdened caregivers were less likely to have time to go out without patients, but were more likely to consult physicians. Heavily burdened caregivers spent a longer time on looking after the elderly as well as on physical caregiving, and also used more social services than lightly burdened caregivers. However, the physical disabilities of the patients did not differ between the two groups. Even after controlling for confounding factors, the time spent on looking after frail elderly was found to be a significant factor related to the caregivers' heavy burden (10-24 hrs vs. 0-9 hrs; odds ratio: 5.35, 95% confidence interval: 1.17-25.58). These findings suggest that looking after frail elderly for a long time seems to be an important factor related to caregivers' developing psychological feelings of heavy burden.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Preparation of various silica-based columns for capillary electrochromatography by in-column derivatization.

Chemically bonded silica gels were prepared in a capillary by pumping an ethanolic solution of a silylating reagent, such as octadecyltrimethoxysilane, 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane and dimethyloctadecyltrimethoxysilylpropylammonium chloride into a heated capillary packed with bare silica particles. The silylation reactions were completed in a short time and thus-prepared columns showed high column efficiency and high reproducibility. Examples are shown for the separation of 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone (PMP) derivatives of aldopentoses on a 3-aminopropylated silica column and benzoate homologues as well as PMP derivatives of the component monosaccharides of glycoproteins on an octadecylammonium column. Since the presence of frit filters hampers high efficiency separation, an attempt was made to fix the bed of modified silica gel particles to the capillary inner wall by a cross-linking technique. The results indicated that this technique is promising.

Chromatography, Micellar Electrokinetic Capillary↗