Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H Endo

Publications and source records attributed to H Endo.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources

Change in electrocardiogram T-wave amplitude during umbilical cord compression is predictive of fetal condition in sheep.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to assess the usefulness of the dynamic change in T/QRS ratio in fetal electrocardiograms in predicting the fetal condition when repetitive variable decelerations are seen in intrapartum cardiotocograms. STUDY DESIGN: We investigated the relationship, using linear regression and Wilcoxon's test, between T/QRS and blood gas values, catecholamine concentrations, and blood pressure during repetitive cord compression in five chronically instrumented lamb fetuses. RESULTS: T/QRS during cord compression correlated significantly (p less than 0.01) with fetal arterial pH (r = -0.7711), norepinephrine concentration (r = 0.7551), and duration of elevated blood pressure during compression (r = -0.8619). Fetal arterial pH and base excess were lower, the duration of elevated blood pressure during compression was shorter, and carbon dioxide partial pressure and catecholamine concentrations were higher in the stage with higher (greater than 0.50) T/QRS during compression (p less than 0.005). CONCLUSION: We can estimate the severity of fetal distress by measuring T/QRS near the bottom of the decelerations.

Animals↗

Changes in expression of the endogenous beta-galactoside-binding 14-kDa lectin of chick embryonic skin during epidermal differentiation.

Changes in the expression pattern of the gene for the endogenous beta-galactoside-binding 14-kDa lectin of chick embryo were examined immunohistochemically during epidermal differentiation in vivo and in vitro with special reference to detailed localization of the 14-kDa lectin. The gene expression was visualized by the HRP-staining method following in situ hybridization, in which sulfonated cDNA was employed as a probe. The 14-kDa lectin gene expression (mRNA) was detected mainly in the intermediate layer of the epidermis: it was faint in 13-day-old embryos, gradually increased in intensity during epidermal differentiation, and became intensely positive in 17-day-old embryo. The expression of the gene in skin explants was suppressed by vitamin A, which induces mucous metaplasia of the epidermis in vitro. The anti-14-kDa lectin reaction was positive mainly in the intermediate layer of the differentiating epidermis, coinciding chronologically with expression of the gene at the light microscopic level. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed that the positive reaction was primarily localized in desmosomes, in tonofilament bundles anchored to the desmosomes, along the outer surface of the plasma membrane, and in the intercellular space. Essentially the same staining pattern was observed in differentiating epidermis in vitro. The positive reaction was markedly reduced in the epidermis in which differentiation had been suppressed in vitro by the addition of vitamin A.

Animals↗

Alzheimer disease brain extract stimulates branching of laminin-mediated neuronal processes.

Patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) suffer mental deterioration associated with neurofibrillary tangle and senile plaque formation in the brain. Here we have determined the effects of brain extracts from normal and from AD patients on neuronal process formation by a pheochromocytoma (PC-12) and a neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cell line (NG108-15). PC12 cells show a dose-related stimulation of branching of neuronal processes by AD brain extracts with cells cultured on a laminin substrate. The neurotrophic effects of extracts of AD brains may be related to the abnormal sprouting and neurofibrillary tangle formation observed in the brain in this disorder.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Negative regulation of catalase gene expression in hepatoma cells.

For an understanding of the molecular basis of the marked decrease in catalase activity of various tumor cells, expression of the catalase gene was studied in rat and human hepatoma cell lines and in rat liver, which was used as a control with high activity. RNA blot hybridization profiles and run-on assays indicated that the decrease in catalase activity was due to depression of catalase gene transcription. Chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) assays for the fragments with various lengths of the 5'-flanking region (up to -4.5 kb from the ATG codon) of the catalase gene revealed the presence of several cis-acting elements involved in the negative regulation of transcription. The most-upstream element with the strongest activity (-3504 to -3364 bp), when linked to the catalase promoter region (-126 bp) of the CAT construct and subjected to an in vitro transcription assay, did not yield transcripts in experiments with the hepatoma nuclear extract, whereas the unlinked template did yield transcripts. A gel shift competition assay using hepatoma nuclear extract showed the core sequence of the silencer element to be 5'-TGGGGGGAG-3'. A homology search found that the same core sequence was also present in 5'-flanking regions of the albumin gene and of some other liver enzyme genes, the expression of which has been reported to be down regulated in some hepatoma cells. Southwestern (DNA-protein) analysis demonstrated that an approximately 35-kDa nuclear protein bound to the silencer element was present in hepatoma cells but not in rat liver cells.

Animals↗

Effect of duodenal mucosal blood flow on duodenal alkaline secretion in rats.

To investigate the role of duodenal mucosal blood flow (DMBF) in the regulation of duodenal alkaline secretion (DAS), both parameters were measured before and after the administration of various drugs in rats. The DMBF was determined using an electrolytically generated hydrogen gas clearance technique, and the DAS was measured by the perfusion method. The administration of dulcerozine, a potent duodenal ulcerogenic agent, at a dose of 250 mg/kg and serotonin at a dose of 20 mg/kg, which produces duodenal ulcerations with an acid load, decreased both DMBF and DAS. On the other hand, the administration of secretin at a dose of 10 U/kg increased both parameters. There were parallel changes in DMBF and DAS. It is concluded, therefore, that DAS may be regulated by DMBF and that both parameters may be involved in the defense mechanism of duodenal mucosa.

Alkalies↗

A probable case of superfecundation.

Discordant twins are of obstetrical concern because of high morbidity and mortality of either the smaller or the larger twin, or both. The discordance becomes apparent usually in the second trimester. We report a case of discordant twins diagnosed in the 10th week of gestation, which was concluded to be a case of superfecundation. The discordancy was persistent up to the 35th week of gestation, when 2 baby boys were born by cesarean section because of preeclampsia. The postnatal courses of the babies were uneventful.

Adult↗

Immunohistochemical study of basement membrane reconstruction by an epidermis-dermis recombination experiment using cultured chick embryonic skin: induction of tenascin.

The production of extracellular matrix components such as laminin, Type IV collagen, fibronectin, and tenascin during the formation of basement membrane in cultured epidermis-dermis recombinant skin of 13-day-old chick embryo was analyzed immunohistochemically. The epidermis and dermis were separated from each other by treatment with EDTA and/or dispase. The basal lamina of the basement membrane was thus removed from both epidermis and dermis. The isolated epidermis was overlaid onto the isolated dermis, i.e., recombined, and then cultured for 1-7 days in a chemically defined medium (BGJb) on a Millipore filter. Immunofluorescence labeling was used for light microscopy and HRP or colloidal gold labeling for electron microscopy. In specimens from 2-day cultures, positive sites of anti-laminin and anti-fibronectin reaction were observed light microscopically as patches which, at the electron microscopic level, corresponded to fragments of the basal lamina located immediately beneath and in the vicinity of the attachment plaques of the hemidesmosomes. The staining pattern became continuous 7 days after recombination. Fluorescence labeling of laminin and fibronectin appeared somewhat earlier than that of Type IV collagen and tenascin. All of the four components were found localized primarily in the basal lamina. Furthermore, fibronectin and tenascin were also distributed in the extracellular matrix of the dermis. The expression of tenascin, which does not exist in the basement membrane of 13-day-old intact embryonic skin, was induced in vitro. These results suggest that hemidesmosomes may play an important role in the reconstruction of the basement membrane and that various components of the basement membrane appeared at different times during the reconstruction.

Animals↗

Modulation of mouse placental lactogen-I secretion in vitro: effects of progesterone and mouse placental lactogen-II.

The primary objective of this study was to develop a cell culture system for assessing effects of putative secretagogues on mouse PL-I (mPL-I) secretion. Trophoblast from days 7 to 11 of pregnancy was dispersed in collagenase, and the cells were fractionated on a Percoll gradient and plated on collagen gels in serum-free medium. Cells from days 7-9 of pregnancy yielded five bands on Percoll gradients and those from days 10 and 11 yielded six. mPL-I was present in four of the bands of cells from each day of pregnancy. Cells from day 7 of pregnancy that banded at a density of 1.044 g/ml secreted the largest amount of mPL-I during 5 days of culture. The mPL-I concentration of the medium of these cells increased for the first 3 or 4 days of culture and then declined on the fifth day. mPL-II could not be detected in the medium until the third or fourth day of culture, and its concentration increased thereafter. Cell viability was about 90% at the time of plating, remained at about 80% between days 1 and 4, and then declined on day 5. The cell type that produced mPL-I was identified with the reverse hemolytic plaque assay and by staining with anti-mPL-I antiserum. Both methods indicated that mPL-I was produced by giant cells. The ability of the cells to respond to putative secretagogues was examined using mPL-II and progesterone. mPL-II, at concentrations ranging between 10 ng/ml and 10 micrograms/ml, had no effect on the mPL-I concentration of the medium when it was present for up to 3 days of culture, which suggests that mPL-II does not inhibit mPL-I secretion in vitro. Incubation of the cells in the presence of 100-1000 ng/ml progesterone caused a dose- and time-dependent reduction in the mPL-I concentration of the medium and a decrease in the number of cells that stained with anti-mPL-I antiserum. The effect of progesterone on both endpoints was not apparent until the second day of treatment. These data suggest that progesterone inhibits mPL-I secretion at least in part by inhibiting the differentiation of mPL-I-producing giant cells. The fact that the mPL-I-producing cells responded to progesterone indicates that this culture system will be useful in assessing effects of putative secretagogues on mPL-I secretion.

Animals↗

Production of mouse placental lactogen-I and placental lactogen-II by the same giant cell.

In previous studies, mouse placental lactogen I (mPL-I) and mPL-II were localized to trophoblast giant cells in the placenta at midpregnancy. The present study was undertaken to determine whether mPL-I and mPL-II are produced by two distinct populations of giant cells or by the same cells. A heterogeneous population of cells that included trophoblast giant cells was obtained by enzymatic dispersion and Percoll gradient centrifugation of placentas from days 7 and 9 of pregnancy. Cells from day 7 of pregnancy were cultured in serum-free medium for 5 days, and cells that contained mPL-I, mPL-II, or both mPL-I and mPL-II were identified by double-staining immunocytochemistry. The percentage of PL cells that contained both mPL-I and mPL-II increased from about 30% on the first day of culture to about 90% on the third, and then declined to zero by day 5. Between 50% and 60% of the PL cells contained only mPL-I on the first 2 days of culture, and then the percentage of PL cells containing only mPL-I declined. The percentage of cells that contained only mPL-II was low for 3 days (<10%) and then increased to about 80% of the PL-containing cells by day 5. Cells from day 9 of pregnancy were analyzed for the release of mPL-I and/or mPL-II by sequential reverse hemolytic plaque assay. Cells that released only one of the PLs, as well as those that released both PLs, were identified. A shift was present in the type of PL released by the cells when they were followed for two consecutive days of culture. On day 1, most of the plaque-forming cells released only mPL-I, but by day 2, the fraction of plaque-forming cells that released only mPL-I declined whereas the fraction that released only mPL-II increased. Cells that released only mPL-I on the first day of culture and both mPL-I and mPL-II or only mPL-II on the second day of culture were observed. These data suggest that under these culture conditions, PL cells follow a pathway in which they initially produce only mPL-I, then both mPL-I and mPL-II, and finally only mPL-II. In vivo, there is a shift at midpregnancy in the type of PL that is produced by the mouse placenta, and these data suggest that this shift results, at least partly, from a change in gene expression in one population of giant cells.

Animals↗

Homeostasis as regulated by activated macrophage. VIII. LPSw (a lipopolysaccharide from wheat flour) can regulate bone resorption of chick embryo.

The effect of LPSw (a lipopolysaccharide from wheat flour) on the bone resorption of 18-d chick embryonic calvaria was examined in an organ culture following the method of Raisz. Bone was prelabeled in culture medium containing 45Ca and chased in a cold medium. On addition of test samples, labeled calcium was released indicating the grade of bone resorption. LPSw (10-100 ng/ml) stimulated bone resorption, showing an effect comparable to parathyroid hormone (PTH) (1 U/ml). PTH at 1 U/ml decreased the total amount of calcium and phosphorus, while LPSw did not. LPSw is thus assumed to stimulate bone resorption more actively than PTH.

Animals↗

Cardiac musculature of the intrapulmonary vein in the musk shrew.

The cardiac musculature of intrapulmonary veins was examined to elucidate its distribution pattern in the musk shrew, the primitive mammalian type, using by both light and electron microscopies. The musculature was distributed extensively from the hilum to the small veins less than 50 microns in diameter, suggesting that the phylogenic origin of this musculature may be traceable to the primitive mammalian types. Ultrastructure of cardiac myocyte in the intrapulmonary venous walls was essentially similar to that of left atrial myocyte. This suggests that the cardiac musculature may contribute to the regulation of pulmonary blood circulation. The abundance of large lipid droplets in both atrial and pulmonary myocytes was also observed and seemed to be the characteristic ultrastructure related to the physiological condition in this animal.

Animals↗

Cardiac musculature of the cranial and caudal venae cavae and the pulmonary vein in the fowl.

The cardiac musculature of cranial and caudal venae cavae and pulmonary vein was examined to clarify its distribution pattern in the fowl using both light and electron microscopies. The musculature was distributed from the heart to the root of subclavian vein in the cranial vena cava, to the cranial margin of the liver in the caudal vena cava, and to the left and right distal pulmonary veins in the pulmonary vein, respectively. Judging from the morphology and distribution pattern in the venous wall, the cardiac musculature in the fowl is thought to share the same phylogenic origin with that in mammals. The ultrastructure of cardiac myocytes including transitional cells in the cranial vena cava and the pulmonary vein resembled that of atrial myocytes. While, the typical specialized myocytes such as Purkinje fiber were found in the caudal vena cava of the fowl.

Animals↗

Detection of aortopulmonary window with ventricular septal defect by Doppler color flow imaging.

Aortopulmonary window is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly. When it coexists with a ventricular septal defect, the accurate diagnosis of aortopulmonary window on the basis of clinical examination is difficult. We report the case of an infant who had an aortopulmonary window together with a ventricular septal defect. An accurate diagnosis could be attained by visualization of the defect using two-dimensional echocardiography and detection of the flow through it by Doppler color flow imaging.

Aortopulmonary Septal Defect↗

Inhibition by epidermal growth factor (EGF) of epidermal DNA synthesis in cultured chick embryonic skin pretreated with retinol and/or hydrocortisone: specific increment in EGF binding activity in both retinol- and hydrocortisone-pretreated epidermis without correlation to EGF-mediated inhibition of cell growth.

When tarsometatarsal skin of 13-day-old chick embryos that had been cultured in medium containing 5% delipidized FCS with or without retinol (20 microM) and/or hydrocortisone (20 nM) for 1 day was cultured in a chemically defined medium without either the hormone or retinol for 1 day, epidermal DNA synthesis of hydrocortisone- and/or retinol-pretreated skin was inhibited when compared to that of control skin. The addition of epidermal growth factor (EGF, 10 ng/ml) to retinol- or hydrocortisone-pretreated skin further inhibited the epidermal DNA synthesis. Epidermal DNA synthesis in retinol- and hydrocortisone-pretreated skin was more strongly inhibited than in retinol- or hydrocortisone-pretreated skin, but was not further inhibited by EGF. In epidermis which was induced to differentiation toward keratinization by hydrocortisone or mucous metaplasia by retinol, EGF inhibited DNA synthesis. The extent of [125I]-EGF binding to the epidermis of retinol- and hydrocortisone-pretreated skin was 160-180% that in control skin, with no change in affinity. Hence there is no correlation between EGF-binding and the mitogenic activity of EGF.

Animals↗

Femoral artery blood flow monitoring has distinct advantages for examining redistribution of blood flow in fetal acidosis.

Changes of blood flow in umbilical artery, carotid artery and femoral artery were examined during the progression of acidemia in fetal sheep by means of indwelling transit-time ultrasonic blood flow meters. Moreover, catecholamines in fetal blood were measured and its interrelation to the alteration in blood flow was examined. Gradually progressing fetal acidemia was induced by repeated cord compression. Umbilical blood flow showed a initial increase thereafter maintaining a plateau through the experiment, which seemed to be dependent on fetal arterial pressure. Carotid artery flow gradually increased until the arterial pH in fetal blood declined to 7.20 and remained at this level even though the acidemia further progressed. Femoral artery flow markedly decreased around fetal arterial blood pH 7.20 and its change correlated well with the plasma level of catecholamines. This change of femoral artery flow may be evaluated by examination of the flow index as well as flow volume. Redistribution of blood flow in the progression of fetal acidemia may be initiated at around fetal arterial pH 7.20 and can be detected by studying femoral artery flow.

Acidosis↗

Hepatitis C virus antibody titration in patients with chronic hepatitis C, before and after interferon treatment.

We measured hepatitis C virus antibody titers in 13 patients with chronic hepatitis C to determine whether titration of hepatitis C virus antibody was useful or not, to predict and evaluate the efficacy of interferon (IFN) treatment. During administration of IFN, hepatitis C virus titers declined in all patients. Antibody titers performed before treatment as well as just at the end of treatment did not correlate with change of the alanine aminotransferase levels during administration of IFN. Antibody titers declined continuously after treatment in 5 patients with normal alanine amino-transferase levels for over 6 months after discontinuation of IFN. Antibody titers rose again in 6 patients whose alanine aminotransferase levels fluctuated after treatment. An exceptional pattern of change occurred in 2 patients whose antibody titers declined continuously although their alanine aminotransferase levels fluctuated after treatment. Repeated titration of hepatitis C virus antibody appears to be useful for evaluating the long-term efficacy of IFN treatment.

Adult↗

Localization of hepatitis C virus RNA in human liver biopsies by in situ hybridization using thymine-thymine dimerized oligo DNA probes: improved method.

To establish the most proper method of in situ hybridization in detection of HCV-RNA in the liver, various detailed procedures were examined using frozen as well as paraffin-embedded sections of tissue derived from patients. In frozen sections of the liver from hepatitis C patients obtained at autopsy or surgery, HCV-RNA was detectable by in situ hybridization using thymine-thymine dimerized oligonucleotide DNA probes when the sections were treated with ethanol-acetic acid at first, then 0.2 N hydrochloric acid, proteinase K (0.02 u/ml) and DNase. When the paraffin-embedded liver sections were used, more intense proteinase K treatment (0.2-2 u/ml) was required to expose viral RNA and even after that, the positive HCV-RNA signals were less than those in frozen sections, because the cytoplasmic RNA in the routine paraffin-embedded sections was preserved unevenly and less than in frozen sections. These findings indicate that in situ hybridization of HCV-RNA is useful for diagnosing HCV infection and should be a potent tool for monitoring the state of virus activities during therapy. However, the liver biopsy method should be modified so that RNA is retained properly to utilize biopsies more effectively for the routine diagnosis of HCV infection.

Base Sequence↗

Four cases with intrafamilial clustering of hepatitis C virus infection.

Four hepatitis C patients with intrafamilial clustering of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are reported. Antibodies to C100-3 antigen, capsid protein of HCV and GOR epitope were tested to detect histories of HCV infection. Transmission of HCV from mother to children, from father to children, and from wife to husband was implicated. Of all family members studied, three were positive for all antibodies, one for only antibody to capsid protein, two for antibodies to capsid protein and GOR epitope but negative for antibody to C100-3 antigen and one vice versa.

Adult↗