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C Watanabe

Publications and source records attributed to C Watanabe.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Identifying proteins from two-dimensional gels by molecular mass searching of peptide fragments in protein sequence databases.

A rapid method for the identification of known proteins separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis is described in which molecular masses of peptide fragments are used to search a protein sequence database. The peptides are generated by in situ reduction, alkylation, and tryptic digestion of proteins electroblotted from two-dimensional gels. Masses are determined at the subpicomole level by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry of the unfractionated digest. A computer program has been developed that searches the protein sequence database for multiple peptides of individual proteins that match the measured masses. To ensure that the most recent database updates are included, a theoretical digest of the entire database is generated each time the program is executed. This method facilitates simultaneous processing of a large number of two-dimensional gel spots. The method was applied to a two-dimensional gel of a crude Escherichia coli extract that was electroblotted onto poly(vinylidene difluoride) membrane. Ten randomly chosen spots were analyzed. With as few as three peptide masses, each protein was uniquely identified from over 91,000 protein sequences. All identifications were verified by concurrent N-terminal sequencing of identical spots from a second blot. One of the spots contained an N-terminally blocked protein that required enzymatic cleavage, peptide separation, and Edman degradation for confirmation of its identity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Mercury and selenium contents in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan.

We evaluated the pathogenicity of mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) which are supposed to be one of the risk factors in the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Hg and Se contents were measured in plasma, blood cells, scalp hair samples of 21 sporadic ALS patients and 36 controls, who included 19 patients with other neurological diseases, in Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan. Hg and Se levels in plasma and blood cells of ALS patients were significantly lower in advanced staged ALS patients than controls. Low Hg and Se contents in ALS, being correlated with their disabilities and nutritional conditions, would rather reflect the disease contracted states than the pathogenic roles in ALS.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Role of extracellular and intracellular sources of Ca2+ in sarafotoxin S6b-induced contraction of strips of the rat aorta.

1. The effect of sarafotoxin S6b (sarafotoxin), a vasoconstrictor peptide, on cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and force in rat aortic strips loaded with fura-2 was determined by front-surface fluorometry. The objective was to elucidate the role of extracellular and intracellular Ca2+ in the mechanism of action of this peptide. 2. In the presence of extracellular 1.25 mM Ca2+, sarafotoxin induced a biphasic response consisting of an initial rapid increase in [Ca2+]i followed by a secondary sustained increase. Tension developed slowly but was sustained during the application of sarafotoxin. Diltiazem (10 nM-0.1 mM) partially inhibited both the increases in [Ca2+]i and tension. 3. In the presence of extracellular Ca2+, the force developed in relation to the increase in [Ca2+]i ([Ca2+]i-force relationship) observed with sarafotoxin was much greater than that observed upon K+ depolarization. In the presence of diltiazem the sarafotoxin-induced [Ca2+]i-force relationship was shifted even further to the left. 4. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, sarafotoxin induced a transient increase in [Ca2+]i and a sustained contraction. Extending the incubation time in Ca(2+)-free physiological solution, resulted in smaller responses. However, after 60 min in Ca(2+)-free solution, sarafotoxin induced a sustained contraction but no change in [Ca2+]i. This residual contraction was inhibited by H-7, which is known to inhibit protein kinase C. 5. After treatment with caffeine to reduce intracellular stored Ca2+, sarafotoxin could still elicit increases in [Ca2+]i and in tension, showing that the caffeine-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ store partially overlaps with the sarafotoxin-sensitive store. 6. We conclude that, in addition to those components of contraction dependent on extracellular- and on intracellularly stored Ca2 , sarafotoxin can also induce contraction without increasing [Ca2+],. This component may be partially linked to the activation of protein kinase C and may contribute, in part, to the leftward shift of the [Ca2+]i-force relationship in the presence of sarafotoxin.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗
PubMed1993

Extracellular Ca(2+)-dependent potentiation by cocaine of serotonin- and norepinephrine-induced contractions in rat vascular smooth muscle.

Using front-surface fluorometry, we determined the effects of cocaine on force and cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in the rat aorta. We also examined the effects of cocaine on 45Ca2+ influx. Cocaine (10(-7) to 10(-4) M) alone did not alter the resting level of [Ca2+]i and force. Cocaine (< 10(-4) M), in a concentration-dependent manner, potentiated the 10(-6) M serotonin (5-HT)-induced or 10(-8) M norepinephrine (NE)-induced sustained increase in [Ca2+]i and force in the presence of extracellular Ca2+, whereas it had no potentiating effects in Ca(2+)-free solution. Similar potentiating effects of cocaine were observed in pharmacologically denervated strips. Cocaine (10(-5) M) produced a leftward shift of concentration-response curves for both 5-HT- and NE-induced increases in [Ca2+]i and force with no effect on the maximal response or the relations between [Ca2+]i and force. Cocaine (10(-5) M also accelerated the 45Ca2+ influx during activation by 10(-6) M 5-HT or by 10(-8) M NE. Cocaine (> 10(-3) M) inhibited 5-HT-, NE-, and high-K+ depolarization-induced contractions accompanied by decreases in [Ca2+]i in normal physiological salt solution and 5-HT- or NE-induced transient increase in [Ca2+]i and force in Ca(2+)-free physiological salt solution. Thus, low concentrations of cocaine potentiate NE- or 5-HT-induced contraction by augmenting the increase in [Ca2+]i. These potentiating effects may derive from either an increase in the affinity of the receptors to agonists or an increase in the Ca2+ influx. On the other hand, high concentrations of cocaine (> 10(-3) M) have a relaxant effect on vascular smooth muscle, as a result of a decrease in [Ca2+]i.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Gastric acid secretion, serum pepsinogen I, and serum gastrin in Japanese with gastric hyperplastic polyps or polypoid-type early gastric carcinoma.

We determined the maximum secretion of gastric acid and the fasting serum levels of pepsinogen I and gastrin in Japanese patients with gastric hyperplastic polyps or polypoid-type early gastric carcinoma, comparing those findings with observations in control subjects. Both the maximum acid secretion and fasting levels of serum pepsinogen I were significantly lower in the patients with gastric hyperplastic polyps or polypoid-type early gastric carcinoma than in the controls. Fasting serum gastrin levels were significantly higher in the patients with gastric hyperplastic polyps than in the other two groups of subjects. These data demonstrated that the combination of hypochlorhydria, a low level of pepsinogen I, and hypergastrinemia (type-A gastritis) was common in the patients with gastric hyperplastic polyps, whereas hypochlorhydria and a low pepsinogen I without hypergastrinemia (type-B gastritis) were common in those with polypoid-type early gastric carcinoma.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

[An elderly case of supernormal conduction in the posterior division of the left bundle branch].

An electrophysiologic study was performed in a 95-year-old man with bifascicular block (right bundle branch block and left anterior hemiblock). During sinus rhythm (AA interval = 980 ms), every sinus beat was conducted to the ventricle. The AH interval was 130 ms and HV interval was 50 ms. A programmed premature atrial stimulation was performed after 8 paced beats at a slightly shorter cycle length than the sinus cycle length (900 ms). As the atrial coupling interval was shortened, the H1H2 interval also shortened. At an H1H2 interval of 680 ms the premature atrial beat was blocked distal to the recording site of the His potential. The block persisted up to an H1H2 interval of 560 ms. AV conduction resumed paradoxically when the H1H2 interval was further shortened to intervals lasting 540-490 ms. During this period the H2V2 interval was 50 ms. At still shorter H1H2 intervals, H2 was again blocked. The H2V2 intervals during this phase of improved conduction were unchanged compared with those of other conducted beats. Therefore normalization due to the gap phenomenon could be ruled out, and the improved conduction could be explained by a phenomenon of supernormal conduction in the posterior division of left bundle branch.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

[Long-term follow-up study after permanent pacemaker implantation in patients aged 60 years or over with sick sinus syndrome].

Ninety-five patients aged 60 years or over with a permanent pacemaker implanted for sick sinus syndrome were divided into two groups: 32 patients with physiological pacing (group P) and 63 patients with ventricular pacing (group V). The mean follow-up period was 45.0 +/- 36.6 months in group P and 50.3 +/- 37.8 months in group V. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (Af) occurred in 28% of group P and 71% of group V (p < 0.05). The incidence of stable Af was also lower in group P than in group V (9% vs. 30%, p < 0.05). None of group P with only bradyarrhythmia had stable Af. However, 6 of 21 patients (29%) in group V with bradyarrhythmia showed stable Af. There was no significant difference in stable Af between group P with bradycardia-tachycardia syndrome (BTS) and group V with BTS (19% vs. 31%). A lower incidence of embolic events was also observed in group P (3% vs. 25%, p < 0.05). Nine of 16 patients with embolic events in group V died of complications following embolism (8 patients; cerebral embolism, one patients: renal and superior mesenteric arterial embolism). The survival rates at 5 and 10 years were 80% and 69%, respectively, for group P and 56% and 33% for group V (p < 0.01). Thus, with regard to permanent pacing for patients with sick sinus syndrome, physiological pacing should be selected for control of morbidity and total mortality.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Prevalence and clinical significance of anomalous muscular band in the left atrium.

The significance of left ventricular false tendon and right atrial anomalous muscular band has been previously reported. As well as in the right atrium, anomalous muscular band is sometimes observed in the left atrium. To evaluate the prevalence and clinical significance of the left atrial anomalous band, a clinico-pathologic study was performed among 1,100 autopsies over 60 years. The following results were obtained: (1) Pathologically, the incidence of the left atrial anomalous band was 2% (22 cases among 1,100 autopsies). The anomalous band connected the left atrial side of fossa ovalis with the other areas of left atrial endocardium in most of the cases (19 cases). The cases with the bands had Chiari's network and patent foramen ovale at the same time more frequently than those without the bands (Chiari's network: 27% vs 8%, p < 0.01, patent foramen ovale: 23% vs 8%, p < 0.05). Microscopically, the anomalous band was composed of fibrous and muscular tissues. (2) Clinically, premature atrial complex was more frequently observed among the cases with left atrial anomalous bands than those without the bands (41% vs 11%, p < 0.01). In conclusion, left atrial anomalous band seemed to be one of congenital abnormalities which was associated with Chiari's network and patent foramen ovale in origin, and might be one of the causes of supraventricular arrhythmias.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

[Pathology and histochemistry of mitral valve prolapse].

UNLABELLED: To analyze the myxomatous changes and the components of acidic glycosaminoglycans (GAG) of the mitral valve in aged patients with the mitral valve prolapse (MVP) syndrome, a pathological and histochemical study was performed on hearts of 18 autopsied cases with MVP. The histochemical study included toluidine blue Ohno's method, and 3 enzymatic digestion tests with streptomyces hyaluronidase, chondroitinase AC-II and chondroitinase ABC. The following results were obtained: 1. The incidence of MVP with mitral regurgitation among 2,060 elderly autopsy patients over 60 years of age was 0.87%. 2. PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: marked prolapse was detected in the anterior leaflet of 3 patients, moderate prolapse in the anterior leaflet of 6 and moderate prolapse in the posterior leaflet of 5. Most patients showed greater prolapse in the anterior than in the posterior leaflets. The MVP of 11 patients (61%) was associated with tricuspid valve prolapse. 3. Histological findings: All cases exhibited thickening at the rough zone; 17 patients showed enlargement of the spongiosa layer, and 15 showed a decrease or disappearance of the fibrosa layer. All cases showed various degrees of change in the atrialis layer. The main site of myxomatous change in the mitral valve of MVP was the spongiosa layer of the rough zone. 4. Histochemical findings: Results using 3 methods of enzymatic digestion tests were positive in 13 patients, which suggested that the major component of increased GAG at the myxomatous changes in the mitral valve of MVP was hyaluronic acid, as did the results with Ohno's toluidine blue method.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

[A clinical study of pepsinogen I and II producing gastric carcinomas].

Anti-human pepsinogen (PG) I and II monoclonal antibodies were used in an immunohistochemical study of 56 cases of gastric carcinoma (37 early stage and 19 advanced stage). We examined the relationship between positivity of the carcinoma for producing PG I and II and serum PG I and II levels. We found that in 2 cases (3.6%), the carcinoma produced PG I and in 11 cases (19.6%), it produced PG II. Early gastric carcinomas and differentiated-type carcinomas produced PG II more frequently than advanced and undifferentiated-type carcinomas. Also, type II c carcinomas and carcinomas located in the C area of the stomach produced PG II more frequently. But there was no significant difference between PG I and II-positive and negative cases in relation to both serum PG I and II levels. Moreover, the rate of positivity did not correlate with cases of abnormally high levels of serum PG I and II, (except in 1 case with abnormally high serum PG I in which PG II was produced.) These results suggest that there is no significant relationship between PG I or II-producing gastric carcinomas and serum PG levels. Furthermore, we examined PG II-producing and non-producing carcinomas in relation to the grade of inflammation, atrophy and intestinal metaplasia in gastric mucosa. However, there was no statistically significant difference among these factors. Only serum PG I and II levels were related to these parameters.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Screening of obese or lean schoolchildren; difficulty in applying "the Japanese weight and height standards for estimating over- and under-weight" to younger people].

Obesity or leanness of an individual tends to continue from childhood to adult ages. It is therefore desirable to establish a single standard for obesity/leanness that is applicable throughout these stages of life. Trials were made in the present study to examine if 'the Japanese weight and height standards for estimating over- and under-weight' (established for adults by the Ministry of Health and Welfare of the Government of Japan) is applicable also to younger people. The standard is developed with two assumptions that both height and logarithm of weight distribute normally. The height and weight of about 83,000 6th-grade children in primary schools (12 years of age; with boys and girls of an equal number), and about 78,000 3rd-year-children in junior high schools (15 years of age) were available. The analyses of the data disclosed that, whereas height distributes normally, their weight does not fit with normal distribution when converted logarithmically or even when the conversion is made after subtraction of a constant value from the weight. The distribution pattern of weight of children was however essentially the same, independent of height. Thus, it was possible to classify the children into five categories of definitely obese (10%), tending toward obesity (15%), normal (50%), slim (15%) and thin (10%) groups with the same statistical parameters, regardless of their height excluding extremely tall or short cases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Mechanisms of caffeine-induced contraction and relaxation of rat aortic smooth muscle.

1. Using front-surface fluorimetry and Fura-2, we determined the effects of caffeine on cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and on tension of strips of the rat thoracic aorta. We also determined the effects of caffeine on 45Ca2+ influx into the strips. The objective was to elucidate the mechanism of contraction and relaxation in vascular smooth muscle, as induced by caffeine. 2. In normal physiological salt solution (PSS), caffeine induced a transient tension development, while it induced a biphasic change in [Ca2+]i. The initial transient peak in [Ca2+]i which coincided with tension development was followed by a sustained increase. Thus, changes in tension did not follow changes in [Ca2+]i. In Ca(2+)-free PSS, both the caffeine-induced contraction and the increase in [Ca2+]i were transient. It was suggested that in both the presence and absence of extracellular Ca2+, the transient increase in [Ca2+]i was due to the release of Ca2+ from the intracellular store. Although the sustained increase in [Ca2+]i depended on extracellular Ca2+, it was not affected by diltiazem, a Ca2+ antagonist. 3. Caffeine inhibited the increase in [Ca2+]i and tension development during 118 mM-K+ depolarization, in a concentration-dependent manner. The extent of reduction in tension (relaxation) was greater than that expected from the reduction in [Ca2+]i based on the [Ca2+]i-tension relationship observed with K+ depolarization. Pretreatment of the strips with ryanodine did not alter the inhibitory effects of caffeine. 4. Caffeine inhibited the increased [Ca2+]i and developed tension during stimulation by 10(-5) M-noradrenaline, in a concentration-dependent manner. 5. Dibutyryl cAMP (10(-4) M) inhibited both high K(+)-induced and noradrenaline-induced tension development. Inhibition of an increase in [Ca2+]i in relation to the inhibition of tension during noradrenaline stimulation was much greater than that in 118 mM-K+ depolarization. 6. Although caffeine per se had no effect on 45Ca2+ influx in the strips in normal PSS, caffeine did inhibit the increase in 45Ca2+ influx stimulated by 118 mM-K+ or by 10(-5) M-noradrenaline, to a similar extent and with similar IC50 values. 7. The characteristic features of the effects of caffeine on vascular smooth muscle, i.e. the transient nature of contraction and the relaxation of precontracted strips could be explained as follows: caffeine is able to reduce [Ca2+]i after releasing Ca2+ from intracellular stores; however, this may play a minor role. Independent of the [Ca2+]i reduction, the second messenger, cAMP, might directly influence the [Ca2+]i-tension relationship, and if so, would play a major role.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[A clinicopathologic study of atrial infarction complicating left ventricular posterior myocardial infarction].

Among a series of 400 consecutive autopsy cases we performed a clinicopathologic study of atrial infarction in 46 autopsy-proven cases, which had acute or old left ventricular (LV) myocardial infarction. We used blocks taken from both atrial appendages, the region of the sinus-node, the lateral wall of the right atrium, the posterior wall of the right atrium, and the posterolateral wall of the left atrium. Atrial infarction was identified in 13 (28%) of 46 cases with LV posterior infarction which was caused by lesions of the right coronary artery; 10 cases were right atrial infarction and 3 were both right and left atrial infarction. Among 13 cases in which the acute phase of ventricular infarction could be followed, 3 cases exhibited transient atrial fibrillation. Of these 3 cases, 2 had atrial infarction. The mean stenotic index of the proximal right coronary artery was 4.3/5 in the 13 cases of atrial infarction, 3.2/5 in 17 cases of acute necrosis or scar and 3.1/5 in 16 cases without ischemic atrial lesions. Most of the atrial infarction was found in the right atrium; 10 in the right atrial appendage, 8 in the right atrial lateral wall, 3 in the region of the sinus node and the left atrial posterolateral wall, 2 in the right atrial posterior wall, and one in the left atrial appendage. In conclusion, the incidence of atrial infarction was unexpectedly high (28%) in LV posterior infarction caused by lesions of the proximal right coronary artery, particularly in severe stenosis or obstruction.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

[A clinicopathologic study of morphologic tricuspid valve prolapse in the aged: comparison with color Doppler evaluation].

Similar morphologic abnormalities have often been observed in the leaflets of tricuspid valve in patients with mitral valve prolapse. In the present study, morphologic tricuspid valve prolapse was analyzed in 500 consecutive autopsies of the aged over 60 years (mean 78.5 yrs, 266 men, 234 women). Additionally, the sensitivity and specificity of the color Doppler technique applied before death were assessed in 61 autopsy cases. The results were as follows: 1. The incidence of morphologic tricuspid valve prolapse was 22.2% at autopsy in 500 cases of the aged, however, tricuspid regurgitation had not clinically been detected in any of them. 2. The prolapse of 2- or 3-leaflets was common (78.5%). Among the 3 leaflets, the prolapse was more frequently observed in the anterior or posterior leaflet than in the septal leaflet. Combined tricuspid and mitral valve prolapses were observed in 22 cases (19.8%). 3. Among 61 cases examined by color Doppler echocardiography, autopsy showed that 16 cases had tricuspid valve prolapse and 14 cases tricuspid regurgitant flow signals (87.5%). 4. Regurgitant flow signals were also detected in 4 of 12 morphologically normal cases (33.3%). 5. In autopsy cases of the aged, generally, the incidence of morphologic tricuspid valve prolapse and tricuspid regurgitant flow signal were high, however, hemodynamically significant regurgitation due to prolapse was very rare.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

[Ocular penetration of UF-021, a new prostaglandin related compound, in the rabbit eye].

The ocular penetration and pigment affinity of topically applied UF-021, a newly developed prostaglandin-related compound, were investigated in rabbit eyes using 3H-labeled UF-021. Ten minutes to 24 hours after instillation of 0.12% of 3H-UF-021 solution into New Zealand white or pigmented rabbit eyes, the rabbits were sacrificed and the eyes were immediately enucleated. The extraocular muscles, conjunctiva, aqueous humor, cornea, iris, anterior and posterior sclera, ciliary body, lens, vitreous, retino-choroid complex, optic nerve were separated and blood samples were taken. The concentration of 3H-UF-021 in each sample was determined with a liquid scintillation counter. The peak concentration of UF-021 was obtained at 40 minutes and 1 hour after instillation in the iris-ciliary body and aqueous humor of albino rabbit. According to the pharmacokinetic analysis of the data, UF-021 showed good ocular penetration into the rabbit eye, and the permeability of the epithelial barrier for UF-021 was calculated to be 2.9 x 10(-3) cm/hr. The apparent elimination rate constant and the apparent absorption rate constant were also calculated to be 0.21 hr-1 and 1.28hr-1, respectively. The time course for 3H-UF-021 concentration in the eye of pigmented rabbit was almost the same as that in the eye of non-pigmented rabbit, indicating that UF-021 did not bind to pigmented tissues.

Animals↗