Expression of cytokeratin 19 in cytologic specimens of thyroid.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to A Inagaki.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The successive activation of alkane C-H bonds on a trinuclear ruthenium cluster enables cleavage of six C-H bonds and the formation of a closo-ruthenacyclopentadiene complex (the structure of the complex obtained with hexane is shown).
To establish an efficient screening system for differentially expressed genes of a phytopathogenic fungus Colletotrichum lagenarium, we constructed an equalized (normalized) cDNA library from C. lagenarium and used this library for differential screening. For the isolation of genes involved in infection-related developments of conidia, conidia undergoing appressorium differentiation were selected as the source of materials for construction of the cDNA library. The equalization of cDNA was performed twice using a kinetic method, and the products were cloned into a plasmid vector. Colony hybridization with nine probes of different abundance showed a reduction in abundance variation from at least 276-fold in the original library to 10-fold in the equalized cDNA library, which demonstrated that the cDNA was successfully equalized. By differential hybridization of 1900 cDNA clones in the equalized cDNA library and RNA blot analysis of candidate clones, we identified 11 independent cDNA clones, designated CAD1 through CAD11, that were expressed in appressorium-differentiating conidia, but not in vegetative mycelia. The transcripts of CAD1 and CAD2 hardly accumulated in preincubated conidia, whereas those of CAD3 and CAD4 accumulated highly and slightly, respectively. The amount of the four CAD transcripts increased at the early stage of the appressorium formation process. Sequence analysis of CAD1 revealed that CAD1 would encode for 101 amino acid polypeptides, which showed homology to metallothioneins. Deduced amino acid sequence of CAD2 would encode 278 amino acid polypeptides, and showed high homology to genes in aflatoxin, and sterigmatocystin gene clusters of Aspergillus parasiticus and A. nidulans, respectively.
T4-binding globulin (TBG) is the major thyroid hormone transport protein in human serum. Inherited TBG abnormalities do not usually alter the metabolic status and are transmitted in X-linked inheritance. A high prevalence of complete TBG deficiency (TBG-CD) has been reported among the Bedouin population in the Negev (southern Israel). In this study we report a novel single mutation causing complete TBG deficiency due to a deletion of the last base of codon 38 (exon 1), which led to a frame shift resulting in a premature stop at codon 51 and a presumed truncated peptide of 50 residues. This new variant of TBG (TBG-CD-Negev) was found among all of the patients studied. We conclude that a single mutation may account for TBG deficiency among the Bedouins in the Negev. This report is the first to describe a mutation in a population with an unusually high prevalence of TBG-CD.
Probiotics are used for various intestinal diseases. However, their effects on gut epithelial cell proliferation have not been investigated. We administered 10(7) colony-forming units of Lactobacillus casei or Clostridium butyricum, or no probiotics (control) by gastric intubation once a day for seven days to rats fed an elemental diet. We estimated the crypt cell production rate of the jejunum, ileum, cecum, and distal colon. We also quantified cecal bacteria. Both probiotics increased the crypt cell production rate of the jejunum and ileum by 25-40%, of the cecum by 70%, and of the distal colon by more than 200% compared with control. Only minor variance in the cecal bacterial composition existed among the three groups. Probiotics enhanced gut epithelial cell proliferation in rats fed an elemental diet.
It is well known that urine-concentrating ability decreases with aging and that this decreasing ability results from a reduced sensitivity of the renal collecting duct to arginine vasopressin (AVP). AVP regulates the water channel (aquaporin-2:AQP2) through V2 receptors and increases the water permeability of the collecting duct. To elucidate the mechanism of change with aging in urine-concentrating ability, we investigated the change of V2 receptor and AQP2 mRNA expression in young (8-week-old) and older (7-month-old) rats after dehydration for 2 days. After dehydration, plasma AVP levels in older rats were higher than young rats, and urinary osmolality in older rats was lower than young rats. By Northern blot analysis, there was no significant difference between young and older rats in both V2 receptor and AQP2 mRNA expression before dehydration. After dehydration, V2 receptor mRNA expression in young and older rats decreased in the same degree, suggesting the downregulation of V2 receptors may occur in the mRNA level. Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization histochemistry showed that AQP2 mRNA expression increased and the increased expression in older rats was less than in young rats. The present study suggests the reduced response of AQP2 mRNA expression to dehydration, observed in 7-month-old rats, might be partially responsible for the decreasing urine-concentrating ability with aging.
An ancestral sequence of twin microsatellites of rice was found in a wild species. Twin microsatellite loci, RM20A and RM20B, were located on separate regions of chromosomes 11 and 12, which had been duplicated during rice evolution. These twin microsatellites showed different allele diversities in A genome species of the genus Oryza. This difference was caused by repetition of a simple sequence consisting of (TAA)n. Oryza longistaminata contains a short poly(A) sequence in this region instead of the poly(TAA) found in other species. A sequence comparison of RM20-related amplicons suggested that the poly(A)-containing sequence is the ancestral sequence of the RM20A and RM20B microsatellites. A simple base substitution in the poly(A) sequence may have produced the longer microsatellite motif (TAA). This mutation may have occurred on one of the chromosomes of a hypothetical ancestor of the A genome species before duplication of the chromosome segments.
The localization of Cu/Zn- and Mn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) in breast cancer tissue (12 papillotubular carcinomas, 21 solid-tubular carcinomas, 16 scirrhous carcinomas, 1 medullary carcinoma, 1 secreting carcinoma, 1 lobular carcinoma, 1 Paget's disease) was investigated via an immunohistochemical technique using antihuman Cu/Zn- and Mn-SOD antibodies in 10%formalin fixed-paraffin embedded thin sections. Both SODs stained strongly in the normal breast gland, but not clearly in many cancer tissues. Furthermore, Cu/Zn-SOD stained more strongly in well differentiated tubular carcinomas than in poorly differentiated tubular carcinomas. It tended to stain less in tumors which recurred or had a poor outcome, and in tumors with a diploid pattern on DNA flow cytometry. Mn-SOD staining was similar to that of Cu/Zn-SOD, but no significant differences among subgroups was found, since the incidence of positively staining tumors was too small in all groups. The intensity of SOD staining seems to change in relation to cell proliferation and differentiation in breast carcinoma, and may be a prognostic indicator, since SOD decreased in poorly differentiated carcinoma and in tumors which developed distant metastasis. Thus, the localization of SOD in breast cancer tissue can provide useful information for cancer treatment.
The characteristics of body type, serum lipids and blood pressure in male blue workers were evaluated. The subjects were 1,705 healthy men aged 40.3 +/- 4.33 years, and were classified into 4 groups according to body mass index: BMI; lean (group L: BMI < 20), normal (group N: 20 < or = BMI < 24), mildly obese (group MO: BMI 24 to 26.5) and obese group (group O: BMI > 26.5). The physical characteristics, blood pressure and 14 blood constituent items were measured. Groups L, N, MO and O accounted for 8.5, 53.4, 28.6, and 9.4% of all subjects, that is the obese body type (MO and O groups) occupied 38%. Rest systolic and diastolic blood pressure were positively related to BMI. Most blood constituent items biochemically analyzed increased in proportion to BMI values. The Trigriceride level was 88.5, 112.2, 152.8 and 171.9 mg/dl in groups L, N, MO and O, respectively. The Trigriceride level in groups MO and O were about the upper limit of the normal range. The total cholesterol level was in the normal range in 4 groups, but was higher in the MO and O groups than in groups L and N. The HDL-cholesterol level was low in inverse proportion to BMI, that is 58.2, 51.3, 47.6, and 42.6 mg/dl in groups L, N, MO, and O, respectively. Especially the values in group O were similar to the values in the aged and adult disease patients. A greater percentage of Japanese male workers were obese men and they risked developing atherosclerosis and adult diseases. the present study suggests that health education regarding exercise prescription and nutrition intake in daily life should be provided.
To investigate the possible role of the dopamine transporter (DAT) gene in determining the phenotype in human subjects, allele frequencies for the 40-bp variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism at this site were compared between 117 Japanese normal controls and 118 schizophrenic patients, including six subgroups: early-onset, those with a family history, and those suffering from one of the following psychiatric symptoms at their first episode: delusion and hallucination; disorganization; bizarre behavior; and negative symptoms. No significant differences were observed between the group as a whole or any subgroup of schizophrenic patients and controls. The results indicate that VNTR polymorphism in the DAT gene is unlikely to be a major contributor to any of the psychiatric parameters examined in the present population of schizophrenic subjects.
A new molecular marker (OSRRf) closely linked to the nuclear restorer gene (Rf-1) for fertility in rice has been found. The Rf-1 gene is essential for hybrid rice seed production. A PCR-fingerprinting technique using simple sequence repeats (SSRs) was applied to compare two near-isogenic lines with (MTC-10R) or without (MTC-10A) the Rf-1 gene. Of 76 inter-SSR primers tested, only one primer, (AG)8YC, generated polymorphisms. The tetranucleotide repeats generating polymorphisms were found within each amplicon. the genetic distance between OSRRf and Rf-1 was 3.7 +/- 1.1 cM. As in the case of a codominant marker, this marker will be applied not only to breeding both restorer lines and maintainer lines, but also to the purity management of hybrid rice seeds.
T4-binding globulin (TBG) is the principal transport protein for thyroid hormone in the circulation. Twelve mutations in the human TBG gene have been reported, and the inheritance of those variant TBGs was shown to be X-chromosome linked. We previously reported a nucleotide deletion at the codon 352 (TBG-CDJ) and a nucleotide substitution at the codon 362 (TBG-PDJ) of the TBG gene in a Japanese male manifesting TBG complete deficiency and partial TBG deficiency, respectively. In this communication we investigate the prevalence of both mutations among 50 unrelated Japanese subjects manifesting complete or partial TBG deficiency from various areas of the Japanese Archipelago. Mutant alleles were identified by amplification of their genomic DNAs by PCR with allele-specific primers. In addition, the presence of a polymorphic mutation in codon 283 (TBG-Poly) in these variants was investigated. All male subjects manifesting complete TBG deficiency (n = 30) and all female subjects manifesting partial TBG deficiency (n = 4) were demonstrated to be hemizygotes and heterozygotes for the mutation of TBG-CDJ, respectively. All male subjects manifesting partial TBG deficiency (n = 16) were shown to have the mutation of TBG-PDJ as hemizygotes. TBG-Poly was consistently absent from these variants. We conclude that only TBG-CDJ and TBG-PDJ may account for complete and partial TBG deficiencies in the Japanese.
The characteristics of multiple spongy necrosis of the basis pontis (MSN), central pontine myelinolysis (CPM), and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) of the pons developing in the elderly have not been fully clarified. We therefore studied 305 patients (aged 60-107, mean: 83.9) autopsied in Nagoya City Kohseiin Geriatric Hospital. MSN was found in four patients (1.3%). The major histologic finding was multiple necrosis of the basis pontis, characterized by loss of myelin and axons, no reactive astrocytes or inflammatory cells were found. Small foci of spongy necrosis appeared to unite with each other to form larger lesions. The central basis pontis was weakly stained by Klüver-Barrera stain in 15 patients, which suggested the presence of CPM. However, the diagnosis was only confirmed in one patient, (by the myelinolysis, loss of oligodendroglia, infiltration of macrophages, and reactive astrocytosis). With regard to CVD, none of the 305 patients had macroscopic pontine hemorrhage, but histologically small and old hemorrhagic lesions were found in 15. These lesions were associated with hypertensive or arteriosclerotic changes in the pontine vessels. Pontine infarction was evident in 77 patients (25.2%). In most lesions (74%) the area of infarction was smaller than 1 mm2. In 27 of the 74 patients with lacunar or microscopic infarcts, the pontine infarcts were found in areas where the blood was supplied through the short circumferential branch.
The purpose of this study was to assess the background to the longevity of 36 centenarians in Nagoya city and to compare 14 institutionalized centenarians out of those 36 with 202 individuals in the 70-99 age group in our special nursing home, particularly with regard to blood chemistry and immunity tests. The reasons for their social longevity in terms of profile appeared to be attention to eating habits, abstention from smoking and drinking, occupations with adequate exercise. The incidence of dementia was 65.6% among them. We evaluated centenarians from the viewpoint of Hasegawa's Dementia Scale (HDS) and comprehensive functional assessment of the elderly consisted of the revised version of Hasegawa's Dementia Scale (HDSR), and examination of activity of daily living (ADL), physical perception, and social life. All were positively associated. Thus centenarians independent of physical assistance demonstrated significantly higher systolic blood pressure, and respective scores for HDS, HDSR, ADL, physical perception and social life than their dependent counterparts, were less likely to be institutionalized and suffered from fewer disorders. In particular none were diagnosed as positive for cerebral hemorrhage, infarction and dementia. Age demonstrated significant positive or negative correlation with the following values in blood chemistry and immunity tests: blood cell counts, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit value, albumin, total protein, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, creatinine, blood cell nitrogen, uric acid, helper T cell, and IgA immunoglobulin.
To investigate the possible effect of polymorphism at the BalI site of the dopamine D3 receptor gene (DRD3) on the phenotype in human subjects, allele and genotype frequencies for this polymorphic site were examined in 113 schizophrenic patients, including six subgroups, and 48 normal controls. The schizophrenic subgroups included patients with early onset, those with a family history, and those who suffered from one of the following psychiatric symptoms at their first episode: (1) delusion and hallucination; (2) disorganization; (3) bizarre behavior; and (4) negative symptoms. No significant differences were observed in genotype, allele and homozygosity frequencies between the whole group or any subgroup of schizophrenic patients and the controls. The present results indicate that polymorphism at the BalI site of the DRD3 is unlikely to be a major contributor to any of the psychiatric parameters examined in the present population of schizophrenic subjects.
The purpose of this study was to assess the background to the longevity of a 115-year-old woman who was the oldest individual in Japan as of September, 1994. The secrets of her social and medical profile appeared to be hereditary factors, well-balanced meals, no smoking or drinking, sufficient sleep and adequate exercise. From the viewpoints of psychological aspects and comprehensive functional assessment of the elderly, she clearly has a tenacious personality. Furthermore, she has maintained independence in her activities of daily living, and did not suffer from senile dementia until 107 years of age. From the medical standpoint, she has suffered from transient hypertension, but her left ventricle function has remained within the normal echocardiography range and no greatly abnormal values have been observed in blood chemistry tests. She has suffered from pneumonia and urinary tract infection many times since the age of 109, and on these occasions she was promptly admitted to our hospital and received appropriate medical treatment. We consider that this also played an important role in her longevity.
We report herein the case of a 40-year-old man with Cushing's syndrome, diagnosed by clinical manifestations and endocrinological studies, who was found to have bilateral adrenocortical adenomas, one of which hypersecreted cortisol. The Cushing's syndrome was therefore attributed to primary adrenocortical disease, and the right adrenal tumor was resected and histologically diagnosed as a so-called black adenoma. After resection of the right tumor, the left adrenal tumor showed no signs of cortisol hypersecretion for the 23 months of follow-up until the patient died of peritonitis subsequent to the rupture of a duodenal ulcer. The left adrenal tumor was examined at autopsy and found to be a cortical adenoma. These data imply that the adrenal adenomas developed primarily from the adrenal gland itself, and that one of the tumors was well differentiated and secreted excess hormones, while the other remained in cell proliferation without hypersecretion.
The intracellular localization of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), which is the rate limiting enzyme in catecholamine (CA) biosynthesis, and its activity in various adrenal and other neuroendocrine tumors was studied. TH was strongly localized in adrenal medulla, pheochromocytoma, and paraganglioma, but was scatteredly expressed in neuroblastoma. TH was not detected in adrenocortical tumors, ganglioneuroma, and other neuroendocrine tumors. Neuron specific enolase (NSE) was found in all neuroendocrine tumors, but Grimelius staining showed only the secreting granules of the tumor cells. TH activity was significantly high in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma as compared with that in normal adrenal gland, whereas TH activity was low in a neuroblastoma and was undetectable in other tumors. These findings indicate that TH correlates well with the biosynthetic function of CA in the tumor cell and, thus, both the immunostaining of TH and the measurement of its activity in adreno-medullary and related tumors may provide some information about the process of cell differentiation in these tumors.