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Biomedical subjects

H Fujii

Publications and source records attributed to H Fujii.

At least 793 records · Page 44Linked to original sources

Isolation and characterization of cDNA clones derived from the divergently transcribed gene in the region upstream from the human dihydrofolate reductase gene.

Transcripts initiated in the region immediately upstream from the human dihydrofolate reductase gene but transcribed from the opposite strand have been identified in human cells. These divergent upstream transcripts are polyadenylated, start at 89 base pairs upstream from the dihydrofolate reductase major initiation site, and are composed of two species of 5.0 and 3.8 kilobases in length. We have isolated complementary DNA clones derived from the divergent transcripts and identified a 3.5-kilobase open reading frame in one of these clones. Computer-assisted sequence analyses have shown that there is no significant sequence homology between the putative amino acid sequence and known protein sequences. This arrangement of two divergent transcriptional units suggests that the expression of these two genes may be regulated by a bidirectional promoter with common sequence elements.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Properties of glucocorticoid receptors in Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphocytes from patients with familial cortisol resistance.

In a previous report of two patients with familial glucocorticoid resistance due to reduced numbers of glucocorticoid receptors (GR), we have shown decreased numbers of GR in peripheral mononuclear cells and cultured fibroblasts but normal affinity of GR in both patients. In this study, peripheral lymphocytes from these patients, one patient's son and daughter, and normal subjects were transformed with Epstein-Barr virus. Reduced numbers and normal affinity of GR were found in the Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphocytes from both patients while the son and daughter had normal numbers and affinity of GR. The thermal stability of GR and thermal activation of cytosolic receptors in both patients were found to be normal. Although the percentages of nuclear bound GR were similar in both patients and normal controls, the absolute amounts of nuclear bound GR of the patients were about one-half that of normal controls. These abnormal properties of GR (reduced numbers of GR) were preserved in the transformed cells from the patients.

Cell Transformation, Viral↗

[Feasibility of CHOP chemotherapy--with special reference to age, diabetes mellitus, liver cirrhosis and obesity].

Since 1982, we have performed 384 courses of CHOP chemotherapy for 89 patients with malignancy including 70 with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, adhering to the original regimen as strictly as possible. As severe acute reactions, myelosuppression, fever, arrhythmia, hemorrhagic cystitis, and perforation of duodenal ulcer were seen. Rates of fever had no tendency to increase with advancing age. Three patients only with diabetes mellitus had no severe side effects. Three patients with liver cirrhosis showed severe myelosuppression and fever. One patient both with liver cirrhosis and diabetes mellitus died from the infection due to CHOP chemotherapy, however the other febrile patients did not have life threatening infection. Thirty three percent (11/33 courses) of the patients with obesity experienced severe myelosuppression (WBC less than 1,000), while 55% (33/60 courses) of the patients without obesity. However satisfactory treatment results were not obtained in the patients with obesity. We consider that CHOP chemotherapy is excellent in feasibility even for the aged patients or the patients with diabetes mellitus. However, we suggest that the dose of CHOP chemotherapy should be reduced for the patients with liver cirrhosis.

Aged↗

Erythrocyte enzyme activities in myelodysplastic syndromes: elevated pyruvate kinase activity.

The erythrocyte enzyme activities in twenty-six cases of myelodysplastic syndromes were determined. There were remarkably abnormal levels in seven cases; namely, four cases showed increased hexokinase activity, three cases showed increased pyruvate kinase activity, and two cases showed increased adenosine deaminase activity. Among these, one case with elevated pyruvate kinase activity showed the novel expression of M2-type pyruvate kinase activity, in addition to the R-type pyruvate kinase activity normally found in erythrocytes. Southern blotting of peripheral leucocyte DNA revealed only an amplified PK-LR genome, which derived from the chromosomal abnormality of a 1;7 translocation. The mechanism responsible for switching M2-type to R-type during erythroid maturation was considered to be partially disrupted in this case.

Blotting, Southern↗

Usefulness of pinhole collimator in differential diagnosis of metastatic disease and degenerative joint disease in the vertebrae; evaluation by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis.

In order to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of pinhole collimator (PHC) imaging combined with an X-ray for vertebral metastasis, our prospective study has employed receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis in 21 patients, 11 with osseous metastasis and 15 with degenerative joint disease in the lumbar vertebrae. PHC imaging provided better anatomic information on the extent of 99mTc-MDP accumulation. PHC vertebral scintigraphy had a considerable impact on the decision-making process, although with variations and not very satisfactory results among the physicians with little experience. Our study suggests that PHC imaging and X-ray film are useful in differentiating between osseous metastasis and degenerative joint disease in the vertebra.

Aged↗

Paraffin scintillator for radioassay of solid support samples.

A new paraffin scintillator used for solid support sample counting has been proposed, and its composition and various characteristics are described. The solid support sample treated with this scintillator can be easily handled because of rigid sample conditions. This technique provides great advantages such as the elimination of a large volume of scintillator and little radioactive waste material by using an economical polyethylene bag instead of the conventional counting vial.

Chromatography↗

Molecular cloning of cDNAs expressing SS-B/La protein.

Using serum from a patient with Sjögren's syndrome containing a high titer of anti-SS-B/La antibody, cDNA clones (a representative clone was called pA158) were isolated from a human fibroblast cDNA library in lambda gt11 expression vector. After subcloning of pA158 cDNA into an expression plasmid vector pEX-2, a large amount of the recombinant fusion protein with cro-beta-galactosidase (called pA158EX) was obtained in E. coli culture containing the recombinant pEX-2. Antibodies against pA158EX were purified from the patient serum by Sepharose 4B conjugated with the purified pA158EX protein. Immunofluorescent staining of HEp-2 cells with the anti-pA158EX antibodies showed a speckled nuclear staining. In immunoblot analysis, the anti-pA158EX antibodies reacted with 50 kDa protein that was compatible with SS-B/La protein. Immunoprecipitation of leukocyte lysate with the anti-pA158EX antibodies and the following RNA analysis showed that the antibody precipitated Y5 RNA. These findings indicate pA158 is a cDNA for SS-B/La protein. The purified fusion protein was used for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Optical density values of anti-SS-B positive sera were high, but those of anti-SS-B negative sera and healthy donor sera were low. In the Northern blot using human RNA and pA158 cDNA, a single band about 1.8 kb was recognized. A full-length cDNA was further obtained by screening of pcD library using pA158 cDNA as a probe.

Antibodies↗

Residual masses on follow-up computed tomography in patients with mediastinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

During the last 4 years we have treated four patients with extensive mediastinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). None had extrathoracic disease and they were clinically stage I-II. All received intensive combination chemotherapy and radiotherapy resulting in good response. Nevertheless, when treatment was completed, computed tomography (CT) showed a residual mediastinal mass in all four patients, who have remained alive and well for more than 19 to 45 months after completion of therapy and without any supplemental treatment. The residual masses gradually regressed or resolved on follow-up CT, suggesting that they did not contain malignant components.

Adolescent↗

Intraventricular neuroblastoma. A light and electron microscopic study and review of the literature.

The neuroblastoma can generally be diagnosed from the histologic findings, but electron microscopic evidence is often required. A neuroblastoma occurring in the lateral ventricle of a 17-year-old female is described in this report. The tumor cells, which were strongly stained with hematoxylin, contained a small round or oval nucleus with scant cytoplasm and an obscure cell border as observed by light microscopy. No calcification, mitoses and typical ganglion cells were detected. An electron microscopic examination disclosed dense-cored vesicles, cell processes, clear vesicles, dumbbell-shaped dense bodies, microtubules and zonulae adherentes in the tumor cells. These findings suggest differentiation of the tumor cells to neuronal cells.

Adolescent↗

Experimental intracranial hypertension following cisternal injection of various blood components.

Intracranial pressure (ICP) was recorded in 30 dogs which underwent cisternal injection of blood, serum, red blood cells (RBC). RBC ghosts, oxyhemoglobin or bilirubin. The amount of injection was 8-10 ml of blood or an equivalent volume of blood components. Blood or RBC showed a sustained ICP of 15 to 25 mmHg, and RBC ghosts caused a slight transient rise of ICP. In contrast, oxyhemoglobin or bilirubin induced marked intracranial hypertension up to 60-80 mmHg which was associated with frequent pressure waves. Histological examination disclosed aseptic meningitis at the base of the brain and inflammatory changes in the floor of the fourth ventricle after the injection of oxyhemoglobin or bilirubin. It is suggested that the breakdown products of RBC might be causative factors of the intracranial hypertension following subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Animals↗

Purification of a yeast TATA box-binding protein that exhibits human transcription factor IID activity.

By a series of conventional chromatographic procedures we have purified from whole-cell extracts of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast transcription factor IID (TFIID), which functionally substitutes for human TFIID in a complementation assay comprised of the adenovirus type 2 major late promoter and HeLa cell-derived RNA polymerase II, transcription factors IIA, IIB, and IIE. Similar to its human counterpart, yeast TFIID also exhibited specific binding to the adenovirus type 2 major late promoter TATA element, as shown by both DNase I footprinting and gel mobility shift assays. NaDodSO4/PAGE analyses showed that a 27-kDa polypeptide coeluted with TFIID complementing activity through each chromatographic step. In agreement with this result and also suggesting that the native protein is a monomer, gel-filtration experiments indicated a molecular mass of 28 kDa for TFIID under nondenaturing conditions. That the 27-kDa polypeptide represented TFIID was further demonstrated by the ability of an HPLC-purified protein to bind specifically after renaturation to the adenovirus type 2 major late promoter TATA sequence.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

Purification and characterization of cytochromes P-450 from liver microsomes of 3-methylcholanthrene-treated crab-eating monkeys.

Two forms of cytochrome P-450 (P-450MC1 and P-450MC2) were purified from liver microsomes of crab-eating monkeys (Macaca irus) treated with 3-methylcholanthrene (MC). Monkey P-450MC1 preparation had a specific content of 14.0 nmol/mg protein and showed a main protein band with a minimum molecular weight of 52,000 on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Monkey P-450MC2 preparation had a specific content of 12.1 nmol/mg protein and a minimum molecular weight of 54,000. The carbon monoxide-reduced difference spectral peaks of monkey P-450MC1 and P-450MC2 were at 448 and 447 nm, respectively. In the reconstituted system, monkey P-450MC2 had high activities for benzo[a]pyrene 3-hydroxylation and 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation. Monkey P-450MC1 had low activities toward these two substrates and a high activity for benzphetamine N-demethylation. Monkey P-450MC1 and P-450MC2 were detected by immunoblotting using an antibody prepared against rat cytochrome P-450c, which is a major form of cytochrome P-450 in liver microsomes of MC-treated rats. These results suggested that the molecular properties of cytochrome P-450 in liver microsomes of crab-eating monkeys treated with MC are similar to those in rats.

Animals↗

Luxury perfusion syndrome confirmed by sequential studies of regional cerebral blood flow and volume after extracranial to intracranial bypass surgery: case report.

We report a case of luxury perfusion syndrome with temporary neurological deterioration after extracranial to intracranial bypass surgery. A preoperative computed tomographic scan showed no detectable infarct, and the measurement of regional cerebral blood flow showed severe depression of ipsilateral hemispheric perfusion. The patient developed temporary neurological deterioration after bypass surgery, with no recognizable pathological signs on postoperative computed tomographic and angiographic studies. Regional cerebral blood flow and volume were more elevated during the period of neurological deterioration than after the subsequent recovery. This strongly suggests that excessive blood flow directed into chronically ischemic brain through a graft may induce a luxury perfusion syndrome resulting in neurological deterioration.

Brain Diseases↗

Inhibition of tumor cell invasion by ubenimex (bestatin) in vitro.

We have investigated the effect of the immunomodulator ubenimex (bestatin) on tumor cell invasion of reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel). The invasion of B16-BL6 melanoma cells and Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL) cells into Matrigel-coated filters was inhibited by the presence of bestatin in a concentration-dependent manner. The pretreatment of either tumor cells or Matrigel with bestatin, however, had little effect on the invasion of tumor cells. Since bestatin was found to inhibit amino-peptidase in addition to its immunomodulating activities, the inhibition of tumor invasion by bestatin is likely to be associated with the action as an enzyme inhibitor. Other aminopeptidase inhibitors, arphamenine B and amastatin A, could also inhibit tumor cell invasion into Matrigel. Bestatin inhibited hydrolyzing activities towards substrates of aminopeptidases in B16-BL6 melanoma cells. However, bestatin did not have any effect on the haptotactic migration and adhesion of tumor cells to the substrates. These results indicated that bestatin may inhibit tumor cell invasion through a mechanism involving its inhibitory action on aminopeptidases in tumor cells.

Aminopeptidases↗

New platelet antigen, Siba, involved in platelet transfusion refractoriness in a Japanese man.

Siba, a new platelet-specific alloantigen involved in a case of platelet transfusion refractoriness is reported. The IgG platelet alloantibody was detected in a multiply transfused patient of Japanese extraction (Sib), by the presence of HLA antibodies. After transfusion of HLA-compatible platelets, the patient suffered from refractoriness. Adsorption studies with pooled lymphocytes showed that the serum contained anti-platelet activity. Family studies indicate that Siba is inherited as an autosomal codominant trait and separate from HLA and Baka. As of this report, segregation from Zw(PlA) and Yuk (Pen) antigen systems have not yet been determined. The gene frequency of Siba in the Japanese population is estimated to be 0.136.

Antibody Specificity↗