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Biomedical subjects

A Ando

Publications and source records attributed to A Ando.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Relationship between the biodistributions of radioactive metal nuclides in tumor tissue and the physicochemical properties of these metal ions.

This study was undertaken to elucidate the relationship between the biodistribution of radioactive metal nuclides in tumor tissue and its physicochemical properties. Potassium analogs (86Rb, 134Cs, 201Tl) were taken up into viable tumor tissue, although 22Na concentrated in necrotic tumor tissue. 67Ga and 111In were more predominant in inflammatory tissue than in the viable and necrotic tumor tissue. 169Yb and 167Tm accumulated in viable tumor tissue and tissue containing viable and necrotic tumor tissue. 67Ga, 111In, 169Yb and 167Tm were bound to the acid mucopolysaccharide with a mol. wt. of about 10,000 daltons in the tumor tissue. 46Sc, 51Cr, 95Zr, 181Hf, 95Nb, 182Ta, and 103Ru were highly concentrated in inflammatory tissue and were bound to the acid mucopolysaccharides with a mol. wt. exceeding 40,000 daltons. 65Zn and 103Pd concentrated in viable tumor tissue and were bound to the protein in the tissue. The results suggest that the difference in intra-tumor distribution of these elements is caused by a difference in the binding substances (or status) of these elements in the tissues, and the binding substance is determined by physicochemical properties of the elements. We therefore conclude that the biodistribution of radioactive metal ions in tumor tissue is determined by its own physicochemical properties.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Transfection of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) gene or bFGF antisense fene into human retinal pigment epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Transplantation of RPE cells offers a potential of restoring retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) function and has been shown to be effective in the dystrophic RCS rat model. Recently, RPE transplantation was attempted in patients with age-related macular degeneration. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) plays important roles in maintaining normal retinal function. The purpose of this study was to introduce bFGF sense or antisense cDNA into human RPE cells to alter the expression of bFGF. METHODS: Human bFGF sense cDNA or antisense cDNA was inserted into the pBK-CMV vector. For stable gene expression, we introduced the plasmids into RPE cells using the electroporation method. Following electroporation, transfected RPE cells were cultured and resistant cells were selected in the presence of antibiotic G418. We analyzed the expression of the transfected genes in the cloned RPE cells by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. RESULTS: Cloned RPE cells in which the bFGF sense or antisense cDNA had been efficiently transfected were established. PCR and RT-PCR analysis demonstrated not only the presence but also the expression of bFGF sense or antisense cDNA in the transfected RPE cells. CONCLUSIONS: Human bFGF sense cDNA or antisense cDNA can be efficiently introduced into cultured RPE cells by the electroporation method. The successful expression of the genes into RPE cells demonstrated that this technique can be used to regulate bFGF expression and thus increase the scope of RPE transplantation for the treatment of retinal diseases.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1999

HLA-A33 and -B44 and susceptibility to postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

HLA class I and class II alleles of 32 Japanese patients with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and 136 healthy controls were analyzed by serological (class I) and DNA (class II) typing for any significance in the susceptibility to varicella-zoster virus (VZV). We recognized positive associations of the development of PHN with the HLA class I antigens HLA-A33 and -B44, and the HLA-A33-B44 haplotype. This haplotype is tightly linked to DRB1*1302 in a Japanese healthy population. However, no significant association between PHN and HLA class II alleles was observed with no linkage of the HLA haplotype HLA-A33-B44 to HLA-DRB1*1302 in the patients with PHN. These findings suggest that HLA class I gene may genetically control the immune response against VZV in the pathogenesis of PHN.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Role of intron 1 in smooth muscle alpha-actin transcriptional regulation in activated mesangial cells in vivo.

BACKGROUND: The activation of glomerular mesangial cells is one of the early, important features of progressive glomerular disease. Smooth muscle alpha-actin (SMalphaA) is an excellent marker of activated mesangial cells. However, the mechanisms of SMalphaA regulation are only available from in vitro investigation. METHODS: We examined in vivo promoter analysis of the SMalphaA gene-utilizing transgenic mice harboring different promoter regions of the SMalphaA gene fused to chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT). CAT activities were tested in primary cultured mesangial cells and in glomerular legions of Habu venom glomerulonephritis. RESULTS: The DNA sequence -891 to +3828, which contains exon 1, intron 1, and the first 14 bp of exon 2 in addition to the 5'-flanking sequence of the SMalphaA gene, induced high levels of transcription in activated mesangial cells in in vivo habu venom glomerulonephritis and in cultured mesangial cells derived from transgenic mice. The DNA region -891 to -124 was a positive element in mesangial cells derived from transgenic mice. Deletions (3316 or 137 bp) in intron 1 reduced transcription to undetectable levels. The 137 bp sequence is highly conserved among several species, containing one CArG box element, which is one of the key motifs for transcriptional activation of contractile-related proteins. In vitro transfection analysis failed to demonstrate these positive effects of intron 1 and region -891 to -124. Conclusions. In vivo promoter analysis of the SMalphaA gene provided new information about the transcriptional regulation of SMalphaA in activated mesangial cells. The DNA region -891 to -124 has a positive effect on SMalphaA transcription in cultured mesangial cells. The intron 1 region (+1088 to +1224) plays a pivotal role in SMalphaA transcription in activated mesangial cells in vivo. Further analysis of this conserved region in intron 1, including the CArG motif, will be of great value in understanding the molecular mechanisms of mesangial activation.

Actins↗
PubMed1999

Increased oxidative stress in mouse kidneys with unilateral ureteral obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) is a well-established experimental model of renal injury leading to interstitial fibrosis. The molecular and cellular mechanism(s) of interstitial fibrosis in UUO kidney is beginning to be elucidated. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various forms of renal injury; however, little is known about its involvement in the setting of ureteral obstruction. METHODS: To investigate the possible involvement of oxidative stress in the obstructive nephropathy, we studied the occurrence and distribution of Nepsilon-carboxymethyl-lysine (CML) in the kidneys after ureteral obstruction. CML is an integrative biomarker of the cumulative protein damage induced by glycoxidation. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) mRNA and protein expression, which is a sensitive and reliable indicator of oxidative stress, were also examined. RESULTS: CML immunoreactivity was found in the interstitium of UUO kidneys 10 days after the onset ureteral obstruction. HO-1 mRNA was up-regulated as early as 12 hours after ureteral obstruction. HO-1 immunoreactivity was observed in the periglomerular and peritubular interstitium two days after ureteral obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: These results strongly suggested the presence of increased oxidative stress in the interstitium of UUO kidneys. The oxidative stress and the formation of various kind of biological active oxidative products in the interstitium are supposed to play significant roles in UUO kidney.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Identification and characterization of a new intermediate in the ribosylative inactivation pathway of rifampin by Mycobacterium smegmatis.

Mycobacterium smegmatis DSM 43756 inactivates rifampin by ribosylation. To study this process of rifampicin, all possible inactivated forms of the antibiotic were extracted and purified. Structural studies showed the presence of a new inactivation product, designated RIP-TAp(23-phosphoribosyl-rifampin). Formation of 23-(O-ADP-ribosyl)rifampin (RIP-TAs) is the first step, followed by removal of AMP to give rise to the newly identified compound. Lastly, dephosphorylation leads to formation of 23-ribosyl-rifampin (RIP-Mb). Feeding experiments with the ADP-ribosylated antibiotic obtained from the cell homogenates of an Escherichia coli strain carrying the cloned M. smegmatis gene confirmed this rifampin inactivation process.

Antibiotics, Antitubercular↗
PubMed1999

Response to hypertonicity in mesothelial cells: role of Na+/myo-inositol co-transporter.

BACKGROUND: During peritoneal dialysis, the peritoneal mesothelium is exposed continually to hypertonic dialysates. The purpose of this study is to see if rat mesothelial cells have an osmoregulatory mechanism to adapt to hypertonic environment. METHODS: The intracellular content of organic osmolytes was measured by HPLC methods. Myo-inositol transport activity was measured by Na+-dependent uptake of [3H]myo-inositol. mRNA abundance for the Na+/myo-inositol co-transporter (SMIT) was examined by Northern and slot-blot analyses. RESULTS: In isotonic mesothelial cells, only myo-inositol could be detected. After switching to hypertonic medium made by addition of NaCl, myo-inositol content gradually increased and peaked at 48 h after the switch. The myo-inositol content in hypertonic cells increased > 7-fold over the value in isotonic cells. The contents of betaine and glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC) also increased but were less than that of myo-inositol. Sorbitol was not accumulated in this condition. When glucose was used to increase medium osmolality, all of the four osmolytes were increased by hypertonicity (myo-inositol > sorbitol > GPC > betaine). Thus, myo-inositol is the most abundant osmolyte in the mesothelial cells. Na+-dependent myo-inositol uptake in hypertonic cells was approximately 7-fold the uptake in isotonic cells, reaching a maximum 16 h after switching to a hypertonic medium. The uptake rate increased as medium osmolality increased from 300 to 500 mosm/kg. SMIT mRNA rapidly increased after increasing medium osmolality, reaching a maximum 8 h after the switch. The relative increase in the mRNA abundance was approximately 11 times isotonic levels. CONCLUSIONS: Mesothelial cells respond to extracellular hypertonicity by increasing SMIT mRNA abundance, myo-inositol transport activity and accumulating myo-inositol into the cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Enhanced interstitial expression of caldesmon in IgA nephropathy and its suppression by glucocorticoid-heparin therapy.

BACKGROUND: With progressive renal disease, structural derangement increasingly encompasses the tubulointerstitial compartment. Tubulointerstitial injury is a critical determinant of renal functional reserve and prognosis in renal disease. Interstitial cells acquiring characteristic of myofibroblasts are an important contributor to interstitial fibrosis. Caldesmon, a calmodulin or actin binding protein, is a molecular marker of differentiation in smooth muscle cells and has recently been shown by us to be a good marker of mesangial cell activation in IgA nephropathy patients. METHODS. We studied whether the expression of caldesmon in interstitium of the kidney was enhanced in the process of glomerular disease and whether it would be a marker of interstitial activation in specific disease states. We performed immunohistochemical staining with anti-caldesmon antibodies in 38 biopsy specimens from IgA nephropathy patients and analysed them quantitatively with a computer-aided manipulator. Interstitial caldesmon expression were compared with histological changes and clinical parameters. RESULTS: Caldesmon expression was enhanced where interstitial cell infiltration and fibrosis were found. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed that caldesmon staining in the renal interstitium was cytoplasmic, and in the processes of myofibroblast-like cells. Caldesmon expression was more prominent in the intense CD68 infiltrated group than in the low positive cells infiltrated group. Patients showing high intensity of interstitial caldesmon expression had significantly higher urinary protein excretion than those showing low intensity of caldesmon expression. Next, 15 patients were treated with glucocorticoid and heparin for 4-8 weeks and re-biopsies were performed. Caldesmon expression was reduced in concomitant with decreased interstitial cell infiltration. Follow-up of these patients (average 24 months) revealed a significant suppression of urinary protein excretion and significant improvement of creatinine clearance. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the interstitial caldesmon expression is associated with the progression of IgA nephropathy, and glucocorticoid--heparin therapy may reverse the phenotypic change of interstitial cells during the disease process of glomerulonephritis.

Actins↗
PubMed1999

An unusual regressive germinal center, the 'FDC-only lymphoid follicle,' in lymph nodes of organ transplant recipients.

Follicular lesions include germinal center (GC) hyperplasia, regressive transformation of GCs, and follicle lysis. The present histologic, electron microscopic, and immunohistochemical study of six autopsy cases after organ transplantation accompanied by the administration of immunosuppressive drugs revealed a peculiar regression of lymph node GCs in two cases, which has not been noted previously. The histologic findings of the regressive GCs were classified into three patterns. In pattern A, the GCs had few or no lymphocytes and were surrounded by a poorly developed mantle zone-like structure. Apoptotic cell death of GC lymphocytes was found in a few GCs, but most GCs lacked tingible body macrophages. In pattern B, the GC lymphocytes and tingible body macrophages were absent, showing crowded follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) in a corpuscular shape. In pattern C, the lymphocytic mantle was absent. The GCs were smaller than those in the other patterns, and the shape was irregular because of disintegration of FDCs. The immunostaining for FDC markers revealed dispersed growth of FDCs. On electron microscopy, the lesions were composed of a dense mass of elliptical and oval cells without prominent cytoplasmic processes, a labyrinthlike structure, and emperipolesis of lymphocytes. The distinct desmosomelike adhesive junctions, specific electron microscopic features of FDCs, were evident. We propose to call these follicular lesions "FDC-only lymphoid follicles." It is speculated that this follicle may be evoked after preceding follicular hyperplasia with a complicated mechanism including increased apoptosis of GC lymphocytes and decreased lymphocyte migration to lymph node GCs caused by immunosuppressive drugs.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Psychiatric disorders among Japanese children.

OBJECTIVE: To generate current data on the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among Japanese children, using DSM-III-R criteria. METHOD: As part of an ongoing longitudinal study in a Japanese community sample, 114 mother-child dyads were interviewed when the children were approximately 8 years old. DSM-III-R disorders of the children were diagnosed through the administration of a structured diagnostic instrument, the parent and child versions of the Child Assessment Schedule, to both the children and their mothers. RESULTS: The prevalence rate for any diagnosis was 49.1%, which is similar to that of U.S. children and adolescents. CONCLUSION: The Child Assessment Schedule is an appropriate scale for assessing the psychopathology of Japanese children, which is as prevalent as in a U.S. sample.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Synthesis of fluorine analogs of protoporphyrin potentially useful for diagnosis and therapy of cancer. IV. Synthesis of (trifluorovinyl)vinyl- and (1-chloro-2,2-difluorovinyl)vinyldeuteroporphyrins.

Trifluoro or chlorodifluoro analogs of protoporphyrin, the compounds in the title, were synthesized for use in the diagnosis and therapy of cancer. 3- Or 8-acetyldeuteroporphyrin dimethyl esters (2 and 3) were iodinated with iodine in the presence of potassium carbonate to the corresponding iodo compounds (5 and 6). The iodo compounds (5 and 6) were treated with bis(trifluorovinyl)zinc in the presence of tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)-palladium to give trifluorovinyl derivatives (7 and 8) in good yields. Reduction of the acetyl group of 7 and 8 with sodium borohydride afforded the corresponding hydroxyethyl derivatives (9 and 10). Compounds (9 and 10) were dehydrated with methanesulfonyl chloride and triethylamine to give (trifluorovinyl)vinyldeuteroporphyrin dimethyl esters (11 and 12). Treatment of 5 and 6 with bis(1-chloro-2,2-difluorovinyl)zinc in the presence of tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium, followed by similar reactions as above gave (1-chloro-2,2-difluorovinyl)-vinyldeuteroporphyrin dimethyl esters (17 and 18).

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1999

[Development of the Japanese version of the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BAQ)].

The Aggression Questionnaire (Buss & Perry, 1992) has been used to investigate links between personality factors and health outcomes. We developed the Japanese version of the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BAQ) and assessed validity and reliability of the scale. Study I (N = 1,125 college students) used a 45-item rating questionnaire measuring each of four components of aggression: Anger, Hostility, Physical Aggression, and Verbal Aggression. Four aggression subscales emerged clearly from exploratory factor analysis. Study II (N = 611 college students) used a 24-item questionnaire and replicated factor structure and factor loadings of Study I. The scales were shown to be highly internally consistent, and stable at appropriate levels over 4-month time period. Normative data, factorial validity, and external evidence of construct, convergent, and discriminant validity for the scales were also presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Brasilicardin A, a new terpenoid antibiotic from pathogenic Nocardia brasiliensis: fermentation, isolation and biological activity.

A novel tricyclic diterpenoid antibiotic, brasilicardin A, was isolated from the culture broth of Nocardia brasiliensis IFM 0406. The antibiotic exhibited immunosuppressive activity in a mouse mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) assay system and its IC50 value was 0.057 microg/ml. Although the inhibitory activity of cyclosporin A (CyA) against IL-2 production was confirmed in the MLR assay system, brasilicardin A did not have the activity. The results of in vitro toxicity testing of brasilicardin A against various human cell lines were compared with those of CyA.

Aminoglycosides↗
PubMed1999

[Thymic enlargement exhibiting remarkable respiration-induced changes in form].

The patient was a 30-year-old woman. During an examination for a painful bruise on her back, an anterior mediastinal mass lesion was detected by computed tomographic (CT) scan. A second CT scan 6 days later showed pronounced expansion of the anterior mediastinal mass shadow. A third CT scan performed 18 days later, however, disclosed that the mass had contracted back to the size observed with the initial CT scan. Respiration-induced changes in size were suspected, and breathing dynamic cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed. The MRI findings clearly demonstrated that the anterior mediastinal mass shadow contracted on inspiration and expanded on expiration. The patient was admitted for suspected thymoma, and hyperthyroidism was diagnosed. After her thyroid function normalized, a subtotal thyroidectomy and thymectomy were simultaneously performed. The pathologic diagnosis was thymus enlargement and hyperthyroidism, respectively. Breathing dynamic cine MRI provided extremely valuable films that demonstrated remarkable respiration-induced changes in the shape of the enlarged thymus.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Osmotic pressure].

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Blood Chemical Analysis↗
PubMed1998

Characterization of alkaline phosphatase genes expressed in seminoma by cDNA cloning.

Two members of a placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) family, PLAP and PLAP-like or germ cell alkaline phosphatase, are aberrantly expressed in tumors of ecotropic origin. To characterize alkaline phosphatase induced in seminoma, alkaline phosphatase cDNA clones were isolated from a cDNA library constructed from seminoma cells and characterized by nucleotide sequence determination. Thus, isolated cDNA clones were classified into two types, germ cell alkaline phosphatase (PLAP-like) and liver/bone/kidney-type alkaline phosphatase (L/B/K AP). These results suggest that other than the PLAP family members, the expression of L/B/K AP is enhanced in seminoma and can serve as a tumor marker in seminoma.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗