Sequence of a cDNA encoding rice (Oryza sativa L.) leaf ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase.
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Base Sequence↗
Biomedical subjects
H Aoki
Publications and source records attributed to H Aoki.
Isolation and classification of temperature-sensitive mutants of influenza B virus.
We isolated 25 temperature-sensitive mutants of B/Kanagawa/73 strain generated by mutagenesis with 5-fluorouracil and classified them into seven recombination groups by pair-wise crosses. All mutants showed a ratio of plaquing efficiency at the nonpermissive temperature (37.5 C) to the permissive temperature (32 C) of 10(-4) or less. At 37.5 C most of group I, II, and III mutants did not produce appreciable amounts of protein, but all other group mutants were protein synthesis-positive. A group VII mutant produced active hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) at the nonpermissive temperature, but Group V mutants produced only active NA and were defective in the HA molecule. The other group mutants, including group IV mutants with mutation only in the NA gene (8, 10), lacked both activities at the nonpermissive temperature. One of nine influenza B virus isolates in 1989 had EOP 37.5/32 of 1/3 x 10(-2) and belonged to recombination group VII.
Animals↗
Relationship between cytosolic calcium concentration and force in the papaverine-induced relaxation of medial strips of pig coronary artery.
1. The mechanisms of vasorelaxation induced by papaverine were investigated using front-surface fluorometry and fura-2-loaded medial strips of the pig coronary artery. 2. In the presence of extracellular Ca2+ (1.25 x 10(-3) M), histamine (10(-4) M) induced abrupt elevations of cytosolic calcium concentration, [Ca2+]i reaching a peak within 12 s (the first phase); after making a slight shoulder, [Ca2+]i declined gradually to reach sustained levels (the second phase). Force rapidly rose to reach maximum levels in 3 min, then gradually declined. Papaverine (10(-7)-10(-5) M) inhibited both the first and the second phases of [Ca2+]i elevation and the development of force induced by histamine, in a concentration-dependent manner. 3. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, histamine (10(-4) M) induced a transient increase in [Ca2+]i and force, both of which were inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by papaverine (10(-7)-10(-5) M). When papaverine was washed out, a second application of 10(-4) M histamine also induced transient increases in [Ca2+]i and force. The smaller the first response, the greater was the second response. The total amount of [Ca2+]i released from intracellular stores by the first and second application of histamine in the presence of papaverine was smaller than in its absence, thereby indicating a reduction of Ca2+ in the histamine-sensitive store. However, while papaverine (10(-5) M) did not affect the transient increase in [Ca2+]i induced by 2 x 10(-2) M caffeine, contractions were inhibited. 4. For a given level of [Ca2+]i, the force developed with the cumulative application of histamine(10-7 M-10-1 M) was greater than that observed with the cumulative application of extracellular Ca2+(0-7.5 x 10-3 M) during high K+ depolarization. Papaverine (10-7 M-10-5M) suppressed, in a concentration-dependent manner, the increase in [Ca2+]i and the force induced by cumulative applications of both histamine and extracellular Ca2+ during high K+ depolarization. The [Ca2+]i-force curve obtained by depolarization with K+, but not that obtained during histamine application, was shifted to the right by papaverine. Diltiazem, 10-7 M, a concentration causing a similar degree of relaxation to 10-5 M papaverine, did not shift the [Ca2+]i-force curve obtained with high K+. Nitroglycerin (10-6 M)and isoprenaline (10-6 M) shifted the [Ca2+]i-force curve to the right to a greater extent than did 10-5 M papaverine.5. These findings suggest that papaverine relaxes medial strips of the porcine coronary artery by two mechanisms. The first is mainly due to a decrease in [Ca2+]i, not only through inhibiting Ca2+ influx through either voltage-dependent or receptor-operated Ca2+ channels, but also by inhibiting agonist induced intracellular Ca2+ release. This occurs presumably by interference with the signal transduction pathway for histamine and by a depletion of Ca2+ in histamine-sensitive stores. Secondly, the [Ca2+]i-sensitivity of certain contractile mechanisms may be minimally decreased.
Animals↗
Sensitivity of G-protein involved in endothelin-1-induced Ca2+ influx to pertussis toxin in porcine endothelial cells in situ.
1. We designed a new method to determine quantitatively the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in endothelial cells in situ, using front-surface fluorometry and fura-2-loaded porcine aortic valvular strips. Using this method, we investigated the characteristics of the G-protein involved in endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced changes in [Ca2+]i of endothelial cells in situ. 2. Endothelial cells were identified by specific uptake of acetylated-low density lipoprotein labelled with 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethyl-indocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI-Ac-LDL). Double staining with DiI-Ac-LDL and fura-2 showed that the valvular strip was covered with a monolayer of endothelial cells and that the cellular component which contributed to the fura-2 fluorescence, [Ca2+]i signal, was exclusively endothelial cells. 3. ET-1 (10(-7) M) induced an elevation of [Ca2+]i consisting of two components: the first was a rapid and transient elevation to reach a peak, followed by a second, sustained elevation (the second phase). The first phase was composed of extracellular Ca(2+)-independent and -dependent components, while the second phase was exclusively extracellular Ca(2+)-dependent. The extracellular Ca(2+)-independent component of the first phase was due to the release of Ca2+ from intracellular storage sites. The second phase and part of the first phase of [Ca2+]i elevation were attributed to the influx of extracellular Ca2+. The Ca2+ influx component was completely inhibited by 10(-3) M Ni2+ but was not affected by 10(-5) M diltiazem. 4. Pertussis toxin (IAP) markedly inhibited the extracellular Ca2+-dependent elevation of [Ca2+]j, but had no effect on the extracellular Ca2+-independent elevation of [Ca2+], caused by ET-1 (10-7M).5. Bradykinin (10-7 M) or ATP (10- 5M) elevated [Ca2+]i and these responses also consisted of extracellular Ca2+-independent and extracellular Ca2+-dependent components. IAP had no effect on either component of the [Ca2+]i elevation induced by bradykinin or ATP.6. From these findings we conclude that, in porcine endotheliel cells in situ, ET-1 elevates [Ca2+]i as are result of a Ca2+ influx component from the extracellular space and release of intracelluarly stored Ca2+ .The Ca2+ influx is regulated by an IAP-sensitive G-protein, while the release of Ca2+ from the intracellular store is not.
Animals↗
Relationship between plasma level of brain natriuretic peptide and myocardial infarct size.
To investigate the clinical significance of plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) measurement in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI), circulating levels of BNP, atrial natriuretic peptide, creatine kinase (CK), and hemodynamic parameters were serially determined in 24 patients with a first episode of acute MI. Plasma BNP (mean +/- SEM) gradually increased and peaked 21 h after the onset (from 13.7 +/- 2.2 to 23.0 +/- 3.3 fmol/ml; p < 0.001). A significant correlation was found between the increase in plasma BNP level and both the peak CK level (r = 0.83; p < 0.05) and the MI size (r = 0.74; p < 0.05). The increase in plasma BNP in the acute phase was found to be a significant predictor of left ventricular (LV) function evaluated in the convalescent phase (LV ejection fraction, r = -0.63; p < 0.05, LV end-diastolic pressure, r = 0.56; p < 0.05). In conclusion, in patients with acute MI, increases in plasma BNP concentration during the early phase reflect MI size, and thereby may predict later LV function.
Aged↗
Anatomic relationships between Ostmann's fatty tissue and eustachian tube.
To examine anatomic relationships between Ostmann's fatty tissue (OF) and the eustachian tube (ET), we evaluated serial histologic sections of 32 normal temporal bone-ET specimens and made a quantitative analysis of several measurements (height, width, and volume). We compared results in specimens from individuals in whom the ET was still developing (those 19 years and younger) to results in specimens from individuals with adult ETs (those older than 19). We found that 1) the main body of OF is located at the inferolateral aspect of the ET and 2) postnatally, OF grows in volume, mainly by an increase in height, so that OF maintains the same vertical relationship to the growing ET and does not increase in width. The former finding indicates that OF might exert static pressure on the ET not to open widely. The latter finding indicates that the relatively thicker mass of OF may narrow the ET in those with immature ETs. These results indicate a possible role for OF in ET function, which in turn has been implicated in otitis media with effusion.
Adipose Tissue↗
Low serum cholesterol and suicide attempts.
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Cholesterol↗
Anti-diabetic activity present in the fruit body of Grifola frondosa (Maitake). I.
The fruit body of Grifola frondosa (maitake), Basidiomycetes was confirmed to contain substances with anti-diabetic activity. When 1 g/d of powdered fruit body of maitake was given orally to a genetically diabetic mouse (KK-Ay), blood glucose reduction was observed, in contrast to the control group in which the blood glucose increased with ageing. Moreover, levels of insulin and triglyceride in plasma demonstrated a change similar to blood glucose with feeding of maitake. Ether-ethanol-soluble (ES) and hot water-soluble (WS) fractions were prepared from the fruit body and their hypoglycemic activity was examined. Blood glucose-lowering activity was found when ES-fraction or WS-50% ethanol float (X) fraction was administered orally, but other WS-fractions were inactive. These results suggest that the anti-diabetic activity was present not only in the ES-fraction consisting of lipid but also in the X-fraction of peptidoglycan (sugar:protein = 65:35).
Animals↗
[In vitro cell proliferation assay method using rat gastric cultured cells and effect of anti-ulcer drugs on the proliferation of cultured cells].
In order to establish a rapid and accurate in vitro drug assay method, we have applied the avidin D-biotin complex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU-ELISA) in the microplate cultures. To study the rat gastric cell proliferation, BrdU was treated with the cultured cells, and then, the rate of the uptake of BrdU into the cells was measured using an anti-BrdU antibody. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) (0.01, 0.1 and 1 microM), cimetidine (1, 3 and 10 microM) and omeprazole (3 and 10 microM) were shown to induce the significant proliferation of rat gastric cultured cells. Indomethacin (IND) (0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 mM) caused a dose-dependent inhibition of the proliferation of the cultured cells proliferation. The result obtained by the BrdU-ELISA method was more reproducible than that by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay method. PGE2 (0.01, 0.1 and 1 microM), cimetidine (1, 3 and 10 microM), omeprazole (1, 3 and 10 microM), cetraxate (3, 10 and 30 microM) and famotidine (30 microM), but not sofalcone and NC-1300-O-3, have been shown to protect significantly rat gastric cultured cells against IND-induced damage in vitro. From these results, it might be suggested that this BrdU-ELISA method is useful for investigating the effect of drugs on the proliferation of rat gastric cultured cells.
Animals↗
[A case of adrenal lipoma].
Lipoma of the adrenal gland is extremely rare. This condition was first described in 1988 and only seven cases have been reported to date. We have experienced a case of adrenal lipoma which was thought to be adrenal myelolipoma on computed tomography (CT). A 56-year-old man was admitted to our department with a complaint of left abdominal pain. Sonography revealed a hyperechoic mass above the left kidney, and a CT scan revealed the mass to be comprised sharply marginated and an inhomogeneous structure. The tumor was comprised of areas of different density including a fatty tissue portion. These findings were strongly suggestive of adrenal myelolipoma or liposarcoma, and a left adrenalectomy was performed. Macroscopically, the tumor was consisted of yellow fatty mass and necrotic areas, which were surrounded by thin fibrous capsule. The adrenal gland was compressed at the bottom of the tumor. The weight of tumor was 290 g. Microscopically, the tumor consisted of large fat cells in direct contact with adrenal cortical cells, and it was then diagnosed adrenal lipoma. Postoperatively, the patient no longer experienced left abdominal pain and there has been no recurrence in the 31 months since the operation.
Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
[Intensive care for acute myocardial infarction [coronary care unit (CCU)]].
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Coronary Care Units↗
[Study of clinical usefulness of an antiandrogen, TZP-4238, as a drug for treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy--its influence on sexual function].
Using chlormadinone acetate (CMA) as the control drug, a double-blind study was carried out to examine not only the effects of 17 alpha-acetoxy-6-chloro-2-oxa-4,6-pregnadiene-3,20-dione (TZP-4238;) on subjective urinary symptoms but also, especially, that on the sexual function in patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). The clinical efficacy rate in relation to the subjective urinary symptoms was about the same in the two treatment groups; 45.9% in the TZP-4238 group and 50.0% in the CMA group. However, the incidence of adverse effects on the sexual function showed a marked difference between the two groups. The TZP-4238 group revealed a lower suppressive effect on the function than the CMA group (45.1% vs. 71.4%). In relation to their causation of other adverse effects, there were no differences between the two drugs. Accordingly, in consideration of the facts that TZP-4238 with less influence on the sexual function affords a superior quality of life to elderly patients, while achieving effective treatment by means of a convenient single daily administration, TZP-4238 was surmised to be a more useful drug than CMA as an antiandrogen for the treatment of BPH.
Aged↗
[An approach to home therapy for cancer pain patients].
Recently, in consideration of cost performance and improvement in quality of life (QOL) of the patient, the significance of home care and outpatient treatment has also been recognized in Japan. A terminal cancer patient who had local recurrence in the pelvic region after surgery for rectum carcinoma, was treated for cancer pain by us with a continuous epidural infusion of morphine by means of a prolonged operating continuous infusion device. The treatment made home therapy possible and allowed the patient to return to normal social activities. Based on this case, the significance of and issues regarding home therapy are discussed in this study.
Costs and Cost Analysis↗
Effects of Sr-hydroxyapatite microcrystal on cultured cell.
Strontium-hydroxyapatite microcrystals (Sr-HAp sol) were produced by a wet method at room temperature with ultrasonic irradiation and were applied to MC3T3-E1, ROS, and L cells for periods of 2, 4, and 6 days in vitro. The effect on cell growth, the variation of LDH and Ca contents in the media, and attachment between cell and microcrystal were investigated. Sintered Sr-HAp and HAp sol were used as controls. A slight inhibitory effect of Sr-HAp sol on cell growth was found. The degree of inhibition was nearly the same as HAp sol. However, it was stronger than sintered Sr-HAp. The contents of LDH in the media increased with the degree of cell inhibition, and the contents of Ca in the media decreased from the initial stage of cell-sol contact. A good attachment of Sr-HAp sol to cultured cells was seen by phase-contrast microscopy and SEM.
Animals↗
[The extracellular pH and membrane fluidity on intracellular retention of adriamycin].
Using flow cytometry, we evaluated the effect of extracellular pH on intracellular retention of adriamycin (ADR) in K562 cells. The intracellular retention of ADR at pH 7.60 increased markedly compared to the level at pH 7.30. The cell membrane fluidity was measured by spin labeled electron spin resonance techniques. The cell membrane fluidity at pH 7.60 decreased significantly in comparison with those at pH 7.45 and 7.30. The antiproliferative effect of ADR at pH 7.60 was significantly augmented compared to those at pH 7.45 and 7.30. These results suggested that the augmentation of ADR-induced antiproliferative effect by extracellular alkalic shift was caused by membrane rigidity of lipid bilayer, resulting in the decrease of ADR efflux due to less function of P-glycoprotein.
Doxorubicin↗
Application of hydroxyapatite-sol as drug carrier.
The application of hydroxyapatite-sol as a drug carrier is being developed. Hydroxyapatite-sol which is a suspension consisting of hydroxyapatite nano-crystals, was synthesized using an ultrasonic homogenizer. The size of the crystals was 40 x 15 x 10 mm3 on average and their specific surface area was 100 m2/g. An amount of a glycoside antibiotics adsorbed onto hydroxyapatite nano-crystals was measured. The drug adsorbed 0.2 mg per 1 mg of hydroxyapatite. The affect of the drug adsorbed onto the hydroxyapatite was investigated using cancer cells. The drug, adsorbed onto the hydroxyapatite nano-crystals, inhibited cancer cell growth.
Adsorption↗
A foreign body of the corpus cavernosum in a patient with cleft glans penis: a case report.
We had an opportunity to treat a rare case of foreign body in the corpus cavernosum in a patient with cleft glans penis. The foreign body was a 13 cm wire, which was inserted by the patient himself for masturbation, and was removed surgically. To our knowledge, such a case has never been reported in the literature.
Foreign Bodies↗
[Studies on aspoxicillin for its transfer to the skin].
To evaluate the usefulness of aspoxicillin (ASPC) in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery, we examined its transfer to the skin. 1. After intravenous drip infusion of ASPC for 1 hour at a dose of 2 g in 13 adults and at 1 g in 2 children, the mean serum ASPC concentration 1 hour after termination of the infusion was 70.46 +/- 28.05 micrograms/ml. The mean concentration in the skin tissue 1 hour after infusion in 15 patients was 32.45 +/- 18.47 micrograms/g. The rate of transfer to the skin 1 hour after infusion in the 15 patients was 52.9 +/- 29.7%. 2. The ASPC concentrations in skin tissues and the rates of its transfer to the skin did not differ significantly between 5 patients with facial surgery and 10 with surgery in the trunk or limbs. 3. To prevent postoperative infections, ASPC was intravenously drip infused twice daily for 2 approximately 3 days after operation at a dose of 2 g in adults and 1 g in children. No postoperative infection occurred in any patient, suggesting the effectiveness of this drug. In addition, no side effects or abnormalities in clinical examination values were observed.
Adolescent↗