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Biomedical subjects

H Fujii

Publications and source records attributed to H Fujii.

At least 1,369 records · Page 76Linked to original sources

Expression and localization of intestinal 15 kDa protein in the rat.

Rat intestinal 15 kDa protein (I-15P) is highly homologous to porcine gastrotropin. We studied the occurrence, distribution and subcellular localization of I-15P in the entire rat body, using the immunocytochemistry to localize protein and in situ hybridization to localize mRNA. Both techniques demonstrated the expression of I-15P in the enterocytes of ileum, luteal cells of ovary and a subpopulation of steroid-endocrine cells of adrenal gland. Immuno-electron microscopy further demonstrated that I-15P is localized in both the cytoplasmic and nuclear matrix regions of these cells. The present results suggest roles of I-15P not only in the transport of bile salts but also in the metabolisms of certain steroid hormones.

Adrenal Glands↗

Comparative studies on expression of tumor-associated antigens in human and induced pancreatic cancer in Syrian hamsters.

The expression of blood-group-related antigens (BGRAs) in experimental primary pancreatic cancer induced by N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP) treatment of Syrian hamsters and homologous subcutaneous transplants of this primary cancer in the cell line, PC-1, established from the primary cancer and intrapancreatic transplanted PC-1 cells were studied by histochemical and biochemical methods. Human primary pancreatic cancer; the human pancreatic cancer cell line, HPAF; and its subclones, CD11 and CD18, also were studied on a comparative basis. Histochemical analysis of BGRAs demonstrated that A, B, H, Leb, Lex, Ley, and T antigen were expressed both in vivo and in vitro in hamster and human materials in similar patterns. However, Lea, CA 19-9 and sialylated Tn antigens were not found in hamster-derived tissues. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting procedures using anti-A antigen revealed similar major bands in the membrane fractions of both human and hamster pancreatic cells between 97 and 200 kdalton. Among other human pancreatic cancer-associated antigens, TAG-72, CA 125, and 17-1A were detected immuno-histochemically in the hamster tumors both in vivo and in vitro, in a pattern similar to that seen in human pancreatic cancer. Tumor antigen DU-PAN-2, associated with human pancreatic cancer, was found infrequently in hamster pancreatic cancer specimens. These results indicate that the experimental hamster pancreatic cancer model provides a unique tool for investigating antigenicity of pancreatic cancer, particularly in relation to diagnosis and therapy.

Animals↗

Real-time measurement of human optic nerve head and choroid circulation, using the laser speckle phenomenon.

A modification of a previously described instrument that used the laser speckle phenomenon for noncontact two-dimensional analysis of the fundus tissue circulation was devised so that tissue circulation in the optic nerve head (ONH) or choroid of the human eye could be measured on a real-time basis. The fundus was illuminated by a diode laser spot and the image speckle was recognized by an area sensor. A quantitative index of blood velocity, normalized blur (NB), was calculated by a logistic board every 0.125 seconds for 7 seconds. Using this modified device, the average NB of the measurement field in the temporal ONH, free of visible surface vessels (NBONH), and that in the posterior choroid (NBch) of normal human eyes were measured. The coefficients of reproducibility of 1-minute interval measurements were 11.7% for the NBONH) and 8.7% for the NBch (each, an average of 5 pulses), and those of 24-hour interval measurements were 13.0% (NBONH) and 9.7% (NBch). The pulsatile component average of NBONH was 38.4% of mean NBONH; of NBch, 26.6% of the mean NBch.

Adult↗

Real-time blood velocity measurements in human retinal vein using the laser speckle phenomenon.

PURPOSE: To measure the in vivo blood velocity in human retinal veins using a laser speckle system. METHODS: The system consists of a fundus camera, a diode laser, an image sensor, and a personal computer system. The fundus area, including a target retinal vein, is illuminated with a diode laser through a fundus camera and the laser speckle pattern is imaged onto the area sensor. From the time change of the contrast of the speckle pattern, the normalized blur (NB) value, a quantitative index of blood velocity, was calculated using a logic board. RESULTS: In an in vitro experiment, the NB obtained from blood flow in 50-300 microm internal diameter glass capillary tubes, used as an analogue of a retinal vein, correlated with the diameter of the tube, the actual blood flow rate, and the background NB value, which was used as an analogue of choroidal circulation. In the in vivo experiment, the blood velocity in human retinal veins of approximately 50 microm in diameter was estimated in 16 normal human eyes using nomograms based on the result of the in vitro experiment. Velocity averaged 11.1+/-0.6 mm/s (mean +/- SD, n = 16) in retinal veins 53+/-6 microm in diameter. The coefficient of reproducibility of 5-minute interval measurements was 2.5+/-0.9%, and it took 63+/-15 seconds for one measurement. CONCLUSIONS: The present methodology is clinically valid for measuring blood velocity in retinal veins.

Adult↗

Catalytic peptide synthesis by trypsin modified with polystyrene in chloroform.

Trypsin was modified with a hydrophobic synthetic polymer, polystyrene. The attachment was achieved by first coupling free amines in the trypsin with azo-bis(4-cyano-valeric acid) and then irradiating the product in the presence of styrene. Decomposition of the azo structure provided free radical initiation of styrene polymerization, with the trypsin thus becoming part of the end group for the polymer chain initiated. That the modified trypsin retained catalytic activity when dissolved in chloroform was demonstrated by using it to catalyze the formation of a peptide linkage between amino acids. The catalytic reaction was stereoselective.

Animals↗

Plasma exchange using dextran 40-electrolyte solution as the sole replacement fluid in malignant paraproteinemia.

The relative safety of 3 percent Dextran 40-electrolyte solution alone as replacement fluid during plasma exchange is described. Using an automated blood cell separator, the authors exchanged 3.21 of plasma 64 times in 11 patients with paraproteinemia secondary either to Waldenström's macroglobulinemia or multiple myeloma (malignant paraproteinemia). Then they replaced the plasma with an equal volume of 3 percent Dextran 40-electrolyte solution. They administered no protein-containing solutions during or after the plasma exchanges. Despite marked hypoalbuminemia immediately after plasma exchange, the plasma colloid osmotic pressure level fell only slightly because of the high concentration of plasma low-molecular dextran. The hemostatic abnormalities were similar to those seen in patients whose plasma was replaced with albumin solution. The exchanges were tolerated well clinically and no serious complications occurred during or after exchange. The authors believe that the 3 percent Dextran 40-electrolyte solution can be used safely as the sole replacement fluid in intensive plasma exchange programs for patients with malignant paraproteinemia.

Complement C3↗

Expression of PPAR and RXR isoforms in the developing rat and human term placentas.

Placental fatty acid transfer is critical to meet the foetal requirements necessary for the biosynthesis of biological membranes, myelin, and various signaling molecules. The primary objective of this research was to elucidate the placental expression patterns of genes that may potentially regulate placental fatty acid transfer and homeostasis. In this study, we have elucidated the temporal and spatial patterns of expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) and 9-cis retinoic acid receptor (RXR) isoforms in the junctional and labyrinth zones of the developing rat chorioallantoic placenta and in human term placenta. PPAR (alpha, beta, and gamma) and RXR (alpha, beta, and gamma) isoforms are nuclear hormone receptors that are known to regulate gene transcription and protein expression levels of fatty acid transport and metabolism mediating proteins through the formation of a DNA binding heterodimer complex. In the present study, the expression patterns of PPAR and RXR isoforms were determined in developing rat placenta and human term placenta using RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analyses. PPARalpha, beta, gamma, RXRalpha, beta and gamma were expressed in both junctional (invasive/endocrine function) and labyrinth (transport barrier) zones of the rat placenta, from day 13 to day 21 of gestation. In the human term placenta, PPARalpha, beta, gamma, RXRalpha and gamma were observed, while RXRbeta was not detected. Immunocytochemistry staining results determined the presence of PPARalpha, beta, gamma, RXRalpha and gamma to be specific to the syncytial trophoblast layer of the human chorionic villi. The presence of PPAR and RXR isoforms in both the rat and human placentas suggest that PPAR and RXR isoforms are potential regulators of placental lipid transfer and homeostasis. Our work provides a framework for the further investigation of PPAR and RXR isoform specific regulation of placental fatty acid uptake, transport and metabolism.

Adult↗

Multiple 'cysts' in the entire pancreas in a case of cystic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.

A case of multiple 'cysts' coexisting with cystic adenocarcinoma in the pancreas is presented. The cysts were lined by epithelium consisting of either cuboidal and flat cells or mucinous cells, which formed a papillary pattern; the former cells were more frequent and the latter were considered to be hyperplasia. The pathological findings for the diffuse multiple cysts suggested cystic disease caused by ductal stenosis, while the mucinous cells may have been related to the malignant tumour.

Aged↗

Ir gene for bovine insulin in the rat maps to RT1.B beta.

The genetic control of the immune response to bovine insulin (BI) in the rat was investigated. As a result of experiments utilizing two intra-MHC recombinant rats and of blocking experiments with monoclonal antibodies against MHC class II antigens, an immune response gene for BI in the rat could be mapped to the RT1.B beta locus.

Animals↗

Selective expression of Ser 199/202 phosphorylated tau in a case of frontotemporal dementia.

We examined a 65-year-old patient with clinicopathological features that met the criteria of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), particularly frontal lobe degeneration (FLD). He came from a family with concentrated occurrence of dementia symptoms in the presenium. Neuropathological examination disclosed brain atrophy locally pronounced on the frontotemporal lobes with characteristic neuronal loss, microvacuolation and astrocytic gliosis. There were no pathological hallmarks such as senile plaques, Pick bodies (PBs), achromatic cells and neurofibrillary tangles. Precise separation of FTD from Pick disease (PD) and motor neuron disease with dementia (MNDD) has not yet been established, and they are included in one spectrum. Antibodies against paired helical filament tau protein demonstrated immunopositive cytoskeletal structures within the neurons as well as the glial cells in the brain of the present case. They were selectively stained with tau 199/202 but not tau 396, which were provided newly to recognize phosphorylation at Ser 199/202 or Ser 396 in tau, respectively. We investigated tau pathology in the present case in comparison to 8 cases with PD that were clinicopathologically confirmed. Neither tau 199/202 nor tau 396 stained the CNS structures in PD cases with few PBs, while both stained evidently those as well as PBs in PD cases associated with many PBs; so that the present case could be distinguished from PD on the basis of the immunoreactivity to site-specific phosphorylated tau. Our result suggests that FTD, especially familial FLD type might involve unique tau pathology, no matter whether FLD is a distinct entity from PD, or a variant form in the wide FTD spectrum including PD and MNDD and other related disorders.

Adult↗

Effects of EGF and TGF-alpha on invasion and proteinase expression of uterine cervical adenocarcinoma OMC-4 cells.

Uterine cervical adenocarcinoma typically is an aggressive neoplasm with a propensity for early invasion and dissemination; however, the regulatory mechanism of invasive activity of cervical adenocarcinoma cells has not been fully understood. In this study, biological effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha on invasion and proteinase expression of human cervical adenocarcinoma OMC-4 cells were investigated. Tumor cell migration along a gradient of substratum-bound fibronectin and invasion into the reconstituted basement membrane were stimulated by 0.1-10 nM EGF and TGF-alpha in a concentration-dependent manner. Their effects on tumor cell migration were also confirmed by wound assay. The zymography of tumor-conditioned medium showed that the treatment of OMC-4 cells with EGF and TGF-alpha resulted in the increase of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA). Matrilysin (MMP-7), also secreted by OMC-4 cells, was not affected by these growth factors. These results suggest that EGF and TGF-alpha act as positive regulators on the invasion of cervical adenocarcinoma cells, which may be associated with their stimulatory effects on tumor cell motility and the induction of type IV collagenase and uPA secreted by tumor cells.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Evaluation of apoptosis as a factor affecting the growth of non-polypoid colorectal adenomas.

Some colorectal adenomas show non-polypoid features endoscopically, e.g. nodule-aggregation or lateral spreading. To understand the developmental mechanism of non-polypoid adenomas better, we evaluated apoptosis indices in the upper and lower parts of 26 colorectal adenomas of non-polypoid appearance using TUNEL or single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) immunohistochemical staining. Regression analysis showed an extremely strong positive correlation between the apoptosis index (AI) values generated using each method. The AI of the lower section of lesion (4.54 +/- 1.86) was significantly higher than that of the upper part (1.21 +/- 1.47). In conclusion, ssDNA immunostaining is as useful as the TUNEL method in the evaluation of apoptosis in colorectal adenomas. It seems that vertical growth in non-polypoid adenomas is inhibited by apoptosis allowing horizontal growth to dominate and resulting in the characteristic, laterally spreading morphology.

Apoptosis↗

Clinicopathological characteristics in large, non-polypoid colorectal adenomas with granule-aggregating appearance.

Endoscopically, most large, non-polypoid colorectal adenomas have a granule-aggregating appearance, made up of elevations of small, flat lesions projecting above the surrounding mucosa. In this study we investigated the clinicopathological characteristics in 26 cases of such tumours and proposed the term 'granule-aggregating tumour' (GAT). Patients with GATs (16 men and 10 women) had a mean age of 64.3 years (range, 38-83 years). The mean diameter of the GATs was 28 mm (range, 12-62 mm). Histologically, GATs were diagnosed as tubular (15 cases) or tubulovillous (11 cases) adenomas without submucosal invasion. These tumours had a surface morphology comprised mainly of small, flat elevations or granular structures, measuring 1.2 +/- 0.3 mm in diameter. Of the 26 patients with GATs, 19 (73.1%) were asymptomatic and 11 of these 19 cases (57.9%) were detected by a faecal occult blood test. In nine of the 26 patients (34.6%) GATs were accompanied by colorectal cancers arising at other sites. GATs show typical endoscopic features, often lack symptoms and are frequently accompanied by other cancers in other organs. An awareness of the existence of GATs should assist in the screening, prevention and therapy of colorectal tumours.

Adenoma↗

Increased heme oxygenase-1 gene expression in the livers of patients with portal hypertension due to severe hepatic cirrhosis.

Surgical bleeding associated with splanchnic hyperaemia due to portal hypertension complicates the anaesthetic management of hepatic transplantation. Although the mechanism(s) of portal hypertension are not fully understood, carbon monoxide, a product of the heme oxygenase (HO) reaction, is thought to be one of the endogenous vasodilators in the liver. In this study, the expression of mRNA encoding inducible HO isozyme (HO-1) in the livers of patients with portal hypertension undergoing hepatic transplantation was determined in comparison with those without portal hypertension. HO-1 mRNA levels were significantly greater in the portal hypertension group than in the group without portal hypertension. In contrast with HO-1, the gene expression of non-specific delta-amino-levulinate synthase (ALAS-N), which is down-regulated by heme in the liver, was the same in both groups. These results suggest that HO-1 is up-regulated through heme-independent stimuli according to the development of portal hypertension, and that induced HO-1 plays a pathophysiological role in portal hypertension through carbon monoxide production.

Adult↗