Ten minute 13C-urea breath test for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.

We investigated the utility of a 10-min 13C-urea breath test (13C-UBT) using 100mg of 13C-urea; this is a simple and rapid method for the detection of Helicobacter pylori infection. One hundred and fifty-one patients in whom the identification of H. pylori was established by rapid urease test, culture, and histology of six biopsy specimens underwent 254 13C-UBT examinations before and/or after eradication treatment.

The metabolic pathway of visual pigment chromophore formation in Drosophila melanogaster--all-trans (3S)-3-hydroxyretinal is formed from all-trans retinal via (3R)-3-hydroxyretinal in the dark.

Carotenoid-depleted fruit flies, Drosophila melanogaster, were reared on yeast/glucose medium containing lipid-depleted white corn grits and cholesterol. After rearing for more than a year, the yield of flies remained constant and the content of 3-hydroxyretinal in a head was three logarithmic units less than that of normal flies reared on medium containing yellow corn grits. When all-trans retinal was supplied as the sole source of retinoids, the flies formed and accumulated all-trans 3-hydroxyretinal in the dark.

[The regulation of steroidogenesis by 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (P450c17)].

Cytochrome P450c17 (P450c17) catalyzes 17 alpha-hydroxylation and 17, 20-lyase reactions. This enzyme plays a key role in determination of the balance between glucocorticoids and steroid sex hormones. In this review we discuss recent progress in the studies of both transcriptional regulation of CYP17 encoding P450c17 and enzymatic regulation of P450c17.

Effects of rebamipide in combination with lansoprazole and amoxicillin on Helicobacter pylori-infected gastric ulcer patients.

The aim of this study was to compare the additive effect of rebamipide with that of teprenone in combination with dual therapy on H. pylori eradication. A total of 102 H.

[Requirement of class II and membrane proximal region of mouse mammary tumor virus superantigen (Mtv SAG) in Mtv7 SAG presentation].

Although in some cases superantigens (SAGs) have been shown to bind directly to T cell receptor (TCR) in the absence of MHC molecules, the precise role of MHC class II in SAG presentation to T cells is not thoroughly understood. In particular, it is still not known whether MHC class II is a mere transporter of mouse mammary tumor virus (Mtv) SAG to the cell surface or an essential component complexed with SAGs for TCR triggering. In this study, we found that MHC class II negative B cell line transfected with CD72/Mtv7 sag chimeric gene could express the Mtv7 SAG on the cell surface.

Contribution of human hepatic cytochrome P450 isoforms to regioselective hydroxylation of steroid hormones.

1. Hydroxylation activities toward steroid hormones were determined for eleven forms of human hepatic cytochrome P450s expressed in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. Microsomes were prepared from the yeast cells and assayed for their regioselectivity of hydroxylation toward progesterone, pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and oestrone.

[Effects of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty on patients with obstructive sleep apnea--the severity of preoperative tonsillar hypertrophy].

Predicting outcome following uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) in obstructive sleep apnea is difficult. We hypothesized that UPPP is effective in obstructive sleep apnea patients with severe tonsillar hypertrophy. We examined the relationship between the severity of pre-operative tonsillar hypertrophy and the effect of UPPP in 38 patients with obstructive sleep apnea (oxygen desaturation index (ODI) > or = 20).

Evidence that immature rat liver is capable of participating in steroidogenesis by expressing 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase P450c17.

Steroid hydroxylase cytochrome P450c17 has been previously purified from microsomal fractions of immature rat livers. In this study, we investigated the expression of P450c17 in rat livers to understand a role of steroidogenesis in the extrasteroidogenic tissue. Upon immunoblot analysis utilizing liver microsomes from rats, P450c17 was detected in 1 and 3 week old rats but not in adult rats.

Diaphragm function during sighs in awake dogs after laparotomy.

Pulmonary complications after upper abdominal surgery are usually ascribed to temporary postoperative impairment of diaphragm function, which may not originate from intrinsic, structural injury but from reflex inhibition of diaphragm contractility. Spontaneous breathing is interrupted periodically by sighs, even after upper abdominal surgery. If postoperative dysfunction of the diaphragm arises from a reflexic inhibition, then the sigh should temporarily override the inhibition and restore normal diaphragm function.

Tyrosinase epitope recognized by an HLA-DR-restricted T-cell line from a Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease patient.

Human T-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases are often genetically linked to particular alleles of HLA class II genes. Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada's (VKH) disease, which is regarded as an autoimmune disorder in multiple organs containing melanocytes, has been found to be associated with HLA-DR4 (DRB1(*)0405) and HLA-DR53 (DRB4(*)0101). Tyrosinase is a melanoma antigen (Ag) expressed by normal melanocytes as well as melanoma cells against which responses by autologous T cells have been detected.

A study of sternocleidomastoid muscular atrophy after modified neck dissection.

To elucidate the conditions of atrophy in the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) after modified neck dissection (MND), we tried to scrutinize the atrophic regions in the SCM and determine the cause of atrophy, by electromyography in 40 patients with SCM atrophy following MND. We also examined the detailed anatomy of the SCM in 40 cadavers. Atrophy was observed in the caudal portion in the SCM in 90% of the patients.

CD4+ T cells from peripheral blood of a melanoma patient recognize peptides derived from nonmutated tyrosinase.

Tyrosinase is an antigen that is expressed by normal melanocytes as well as melanoma cells, against which responses by autologous T cells have been detected. Although CD4+ T cells play an important role in tumor immunity in animal tumor models, little information about CD4+ T-cell immunity against human tumors exists. Here, we report that CD4+ T cells from the peripheral blood of a patient with melanoma respond to synthetic peptides derived from nonmutated tyrosinase.

Epitope analysis of birch pollen allergen in Japanese subjects.

Birch pollen is a very common cause of nasal allergy (pollinosis) not only in Scandinavia, Europe, Canada, and the northern part of the United States but also in Hokkaido, Japan. We have previously reported a positive association between the HLA-DR9 phenotype and the development of birch pollen allergy in Japanese subjects. However, there is little information about T cell epitopes of birch pollen which are presented by HLA class II molecules other than HLA-DR9.

Durable remission after splenectomy for Waldenström's macroglobulinemia with massive splenomegaly in leukemic phase.

A patient with M-proteinemia (IgM, kappa type), lymphocytosis, anemia, and massive splenomegaly, was diagnosed as having Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM). Since this case was refractory to chemotherapy, splenic irradiation was performed, which effectively reduced the serum IgM level, spleen size, and lymphocyte counts; however, its effect was transient. Splenectomy was then carried out.

Biological activity of purpurogallin.

Purpurogallin showed antibacterial activity toward gram-positive bacteria. Strong activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) against methicillin of 1600 micrograms/ml] was found, with MIC of 11.0 micrograms/ml.

Increased cytokine production by gastric mucosa in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection.

To determine the mechanisms of gastric mucosal injury associated with Helicobacter pylori infection, we investigated the contents of cytokines and inflammatory cell infiltration in the gastric mucosa. Ninety-six patients with dyspepsia were studied (58 gastric ulcer, 38 nonulcer dyspepsia). Of the 96 patients, 63 were infected with H.

Studies on gastric mucosal cell injury induced by Helicobacter pylori.

The cause of gastric cell injury induced by Helicobacter pylori was investigated in vitro using gastric mucosal cells derived from male Japanese white rabbits. To evaluate the contribution of the potent urease activity of H. pylori to gastric mucosal cell injury, the supernatant of the H.

[Analysis of T cell epitopes on birch pollen allergen].

Allergy to birch pollen is common in the Northern Europe, North America, and in Japan, mainly in Hokkaido Island. Previously, we have reported the positive association of birch pollen allergy in HLA-DR9 antigen. We also have identified the recognition sites in 17kDa protein (Bet v1), known as the major allergen of birch pollen, by using T cell proliferation assay against the trypsin digested materials of the 17kDa protein.

Effects of lansoprazole plus amoxycillin on the cure of Helicobacter pylori infection in Japanese peptic ulcer patients.

Aim: The effect of lansoprazole plus amoxycillin on curing Helicobacter pylori infection and peptic ulcer recurrence was evaluated.

Method: The study group was composed of 68 patients with gastric ulcers and 51 with duodenal ulcers, all were H. pylori-positive.

Prediction of bone mass in renal hyperparathyroidism by newly developed bone metabolic markers: evaluation of serum levels of carboxy-terminal pyridinoline cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen and carboxy-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen.

Serum levels of the carboxy-terminal pyridinoline cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) and the carboxy-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP) were measured in 95 patients with renal hyperparathyroidism who had undergone a total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation of a small portion of the resected gland. The results were compared with the serum levels of other bone metabolic markers and bone mineral densities in the distal radius (R-BMD) and lumbar vertebrae (L-BMD), which were measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and converted to the percentage of the mean value of sex- and age-matched healthy controls. The preoperative mean values of ICTP and PICP were 142.

Atrophic changes of gastric mucosa are caused by Helicobacter pylori infection rather than aging: studies in asymptomatic Japanese adults.

Background: The current study was designed to evaluate the effect of aging and Helicobacter pylori infection on the gastric mucosa in asymptomatic Japanese adults.

Materials And Methods: Eighty-five asymptomatic healthy adults were recruited from a health-screening center in Sapporo. All subjects underwent endoscopy and gastric biopsy, and serum was obtained for IgG antibodies to H.

Cytochrome P450s of isolated rat hepatocytes in spheroid and monolayer cultures.

The maintenance of cytochrome P450s (P450s) and NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (P450 reductase) in the monolayer and spheroid cultures of hepatocytes from male rats was examined. The content of total P450 in monolayer culture decreased to almost none after 144 hr, whereas the level in spheroid culture remained within 6-13% of initial values during an incubation period of 144-192 hr. P450 2C11, a major P450 in male rat, in monolayer cells rapidly decreased in 144 hr, while the level in spheroid cells after 144 hr and 192 hr maintained 25% and 15%, respectively, of initial level.

[Chronic recurrent pulmonary thromboembolism associated with sedentary work].

A 32-year-old woman was hospitalized with recurrent left-sided chest pain and dyspnea on exertion, which had progressed for approximately 10 years. Since age 18 she had been spending more than twelve hours per day in a predominantly seated position on a floor mat, engaged in Japanese dressmaking. A chest roentgenogram showed marked dilation of the main pulmonary arteries, bilateral oligemia in the upper lung fields and a peripheral infiltration in the middle field of the left lung.

[Measurement of adenosine deaminase activity in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids as a tool for diagnosing miliary tuberculosis].

Measurement of the activity of adenosine deaminase (ADA) in pleural effusions has been reported to be useful in the diagnosis of tuberculous pleuritis. To determine whether ADA activity can also be used to diagnose miliary tuberculosis, it was measured in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from 64 subjects: 6 patients with miliary tuberculosis, 21 patients with sarcoidosis, 15 patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, 15 patients with other diseases, and 7 healthy controls. Mean ADA activity was 5.

Localization of the human IL-2-inducible T-cell kinase gene (ITK) to chromosome band 5q34 and the mouse gene (Itk) to chromosome 15 by fluorescence in situ hybridization.

ITK, predominantly expressed on T cells and myeloid cells, is a member of the Tec nonreceptor tyrosine kinase family. Both human ITK and mouse Itk genomic clones were isolated to assign the chromosome location. The human ITK gene was mapped to chromosome band 5q34 and the mouse gene to chromosome 15 by fluorescence in situ hybridization.