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Biomedical subjects

H Fuse

Publications and source records attributed to H Fuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Genetic analysis of two female patients with incomplete Denys-Drash syndrome.

Denys-Drash syndrome (DDS) is characterized by genital anomaly, early onset nephropathy and high risk for developing Wilms' tumor (WT). Recently, mutations in exon 8 or 9 of the Wilms' tumor suppressor gene (WT1) have been found in the majority of DDS patients studied. We analyzed these two exons of the WT1 gene in genomic DNA from two female patients with DDS by using polymerase-chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing. The patients were accompanied with normal external genitalia, early onset renal failure between 6 and 12 months of age, and unilateral Wilms' tumor. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood leucocytes of the patients. Amplification of exons 8 and 9 of the WT1 gene by PCR was performed, and direct sequencing of the PCR product was performed using an automatic DNA sequencer. Two heterozygous missense mutations were found in these patients, including a missense mutation in exon 9 at codon 388 replacing the wild-type Cys with Phe, and a previously described mutation in exon 9 at codon 398 replacing the wild-type Leu with Pro. Cys388Phe is a novel mutation in the WT1 gene in the DDS. These cases are considered to be "incomplete DDS" with nephropathy and Wilms' tumor and without genital anomaly, the validity of which has been confirmed by mutation analysis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Cloning and characterization of the iutA gene which encodes ferric aerobactin receptor from marine Vibrio species.

The iutA gene from marine Vibrio species SD004, which encoded a ferric aerobactin receptor for the uptake of iron(III), was cloned onto a multicopy plasmid, pUC 18, in Escherichia coli. Identification of the positive clone was achieved on the basis of its deferrization activity and was detected as a halo formation on the chrome azurol S (CAS)-containing selective plate. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the cloned DNA fragment revealed an open reading frame (ORF) which encoded a polypeptide of 706 amino acid residues, and the deduced molecular mass of this polypeptide was 77.906 kD. The amino acid sequence showed a 41% homology with that of the lutA protein from E. coli. The cloned gene was iutA, which encoded the ferric aerobactin receptor. Another incomplete ORF was found 100 bp upstream of the iutA gene, which was homologous (31 out of 49 amino acids) with the C-terminal region of the luc D protein of E. coli. It is suggested that aerobactin biosynthesis and the transport genes are located tandemly on the Vibrio chromosome and may form an aerobactin operon.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

[Clinical evaluation of spontaneous peripelvic extravasation].

We herein report 10 patients with spontaneous peripelvic extravasation. They were 7 males and 3 females, ranging in age from 39 to 78 years old. The spontaneous peripelvic extravasation were caused by ureteral stones in 6 patients, and by invasion of malignant tumors in 4 patients (2 gastric cancer, 1 prostatic cancer, 1 uterine cancer). In all patients with ureteral stones, the extravasation disappeared following conservative therapy or double J stent placement. In the cases of malignant tumors, nephrostomy or double J stent placement were needed for treatment of the extravasation and their prognosis were very poor.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Torsion of the spermatic cord in undescended testis: report of two cases].

We report two cases of torsion of the spermatic cord in undescended testis. Case 1: A 23-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with the complaints of fever and left inguinal pain. He had cerebral palsy in his past history. Tentative diagnosis of acute epididymitis of left undescended testis was made, and antibacterial drugs were given. Response was poor, and torsion of the spermatic cord was suspected strongly. Torsion of the spermatic cord in undescended testis and severe testicular infarction were seen in surgery after 13-day conservative treatment. Orchiectomy was performed. Case 2: A 6-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital with the chief complaints of left inguinal mass and pain. He had felt abdominal pain for 3 days. Scrotal contents were impalpable and the diagnosis of torsion of the spermatic cord was made. Orchiectomy was performed due to severe testicular infarction.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Effect of chromogranin A (pancreastatin) fragment on invasion of prostate cancer cells.

We investigated the effect of chromogranin A (pancreastatin) fragment on the invasion of PC-3, DU-145 and LNCaP prostate cancer cells through a reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel) using a Transwell cell culture chamber assay. Chromogranin A fragment increased the invasive capacity of both PC-3 and DU- 145 cells, whereas it had no significant effect of LNCaP cells. Chromogranin A fragment also increased the haptotactic migration of both PC-3 and DU-145 cells to fibronectin. Furthermore chromogranin A fragment increased the fibrinolytic activities of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) in fibrin zymograms of both PC-3 and DU-145 cells and the expression of u-PA mRNA of PC-3 cells. However, the growth of these tumor cells was not affected by chromogranin A fragment at any concentrations used in this study. These results indicate that chromogranin A fragment increased the invasive potential of both PC-3 and DU-145 cells probably through enhancement of cell motility and the production of u-PA.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1999

Cloning and expression of a novel lysophospholipase which structurally resembles lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase.

Lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) is the key enzyme in the esterification of plasma cholesterol and in the reverse cholesterol transport on high-density lipoprotein (HDL). We have found a novel LCAT-related gene among differentially expressed cDNA fragments between two types of foam cells derived from THP-1 cells, which are different in cholesterol efflux ability, using a subtractive PCR technique. The deduced 412-amino-acid sequence has 49% amino acid sequence similarity with human LCAT. In contrast to the liver-specific expression of LCAT, mRNA expression of the gene was observed mainly in peripheral tissues including kidney, placenta, pancreas, testis, spleen, heart, and skeletal muscle. The protein exists in human plasma and is probably associated with HDL. Moreover, we discovered that the recombinant protein hydrolyzed lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC), a proatherogenic lipid, to glycerophosphorylcholine and a free fatty acid. We have therefore named this novel enzyme LCAT-like lysophospholipase (LLPL), through which a new catabolic pathway for lysoPC on lipoproteins could be elucidated.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Sequential scrotal scintigraphy for the study of varicocele.

Scrotal scintigraphy is a non-invasive procedure for evaluating spermatic vein reflux. This technique was used in 43 infertile patients with varicocele. None of them had infections, traumatic, or chromosomal abnormalities that could be associated with their infertility. Twelve patients showed type 1 time activity curve, including 3 with grade II, and 9 with grade III varicocele. A total of 12 patients showed a type 2 pattern and consisted of 2 patients with grade I, 6 with grade II, and 4 with grade III varicocele. Nineteen showed type 3 pattern consisting of 6 with grade I, 6 with grade II, and 7 with grade III. The patients with grade III varicocele showed type 1 pattern more frequently than those with grade I or II (p<0.05). Preoperative sperm concentration in patients with grade I varicocele was significantly lower than that in patients with grade II or III disease (p<0.05, each). Sperm motility of patients with grade I varicocele was also significantly lower than that of those with grade II or III varicocele (p<0.01, each). Patients with grade II or III varicocele showed an increase in sperm concentration postoperatively, and those with grade I varicocele showed a postoperative increase in sperm motility, but the differences between pre- and postoperative values were not significant. While seminal findings in patients with type 2 or 3 pattern did not change after surgery, patients with type 1 pattern showed significant improvement in sperm concentration postoperatively (p<0.05). It is concluded that preoperative sequential scrotal scintigraphy can be a more useful technique for assessing the prognosis for postoperative improvement of seminal findings than the grade decision of varicocele.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Relationship between zinc concentrations in seminal plasma and various sperm parameters.

The zinc concentration in seminal plasma from 98 infertile male patients and 8 fertile males was measured. The zinc concentration of the seminal plasma in azoospermic and oligoasthenozoospermic patients was significantly lower than that in the other groups (each, p<0.05 ). The seminal plasma zinc concentration in asthenozoospermic males was significantly higher than that in any other group (p<0.05). There was a positive correlation of zinc concentration with sperm concentration (r=0.33, p<0.05) and with sperm motility (r=0.22, p<0.05), while there was no correlation with sperm morphology. A correlation between zinc concentration and plasma testosterone concentration was observed (r=0.24, p<0.05). It is concluded that excessively high zinc concentration is apparently related to defective motility in asthenozoospermic patients, even though adequate seminal plasma content of the element is required for normal sperm function.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Selective interaction of vitamin D receptor with transcriptional coactivators by a vitamin D analog.

The nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a member of a nuclear receptor superfamily and acts as a ligand-dependent transcription factor. A family of cotranscriptional activators (SRC-1, TIF2, and AIB-1) interacts with and activates the transactivation function of nuclear receptors in a ligand-dependent way. We examined interaction of VDR with these coactivators that was induced by several vitamin D analogs, since they exert differential subsets of the biological action of vitamin D through unknown mechanisms. Unlike other vitamin D analogs tested, OCT (22-oxa-1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) induced interaction of VDR with TIF2 but not with SRC-1 or AIB-1. Consistent with these interactions, only TIF2 was able to potentiate the transactivation function of VDR bound to OCT. Thus, the present findings suggest that the structure of VDR is altered in a vitamin D analog-specific way, resulting in selective interactions of VDR with coactivators. Such selective interaction of coactivators with VDR may specify the array of biological actions of a vitamin D analog like OCT, possibly through activating a particular set of target gene promoters.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Sclerosing lipogranuloma of the scrotum: a case report].

We present a case of sclerosing lipogranuloma of the scrotum. A 42-year-old man who had complained of a painless intrascrotal mass of one week's duration visited our clinic. Physical examination revealed a symmetrical Y-shaped hard mass around the penile base in the scrotum. Laboratory examination showed no abnormal findings except for a 14.0% eosinophilia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a surface coil showed an atypical mass at the penile base. Percutaneous needle biopsy under ultrasound guidance was performed and histopathological findings revealed lipogranuloma accompanied by infiltrating multinuclear giant cells, eosinocytes and lymphocytes. The tumor gradually disappeared during a 4-week administration of antibiotics and antiphlogistics. We have also reviewed 95 cases of sclerosing lipogranuloma of the scrotum in the Japanese literature.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Effect of prostatic neuropeptides on invasion and migration of PC-3 prostate cancer cells.

We investigated the effect of various neuropeptides present in the prostate, including calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), substance P (SP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), calcitonin (CT), leucine-enkephalin (L-ENK), glucagon and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTH-rP), on the invasion of PC-3 prostate cancer cells through a reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel) using a Transwell cell culture chamber assay. Both CGRP and GRP increased the invasive capacity of tumor cells, whereas SP inhibited it. On the other hand, VIP, CT, L-ENK, NPY, glucagon and PTH-rP had no significant effect. Both CGRP and GRP also increased the haptotactic migration of tumor cells to fibronectin, but SP inhibited it. These three neuropeptides had no effect on either adhesion to fibronectin and laminin or on the gelatinolytic activities of MMP-9 in gelatin zymography, nor did they affect the growth of tumor cells at concentrations used in this study. These results indicate that both GRP and CGRP increased the invasive potential of PC-3 cells probably through enhancement of cell motility, while SP inhibited the invasiveness through suppression of motile response.

Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide↗
PubMed1998

Detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in archival specimens of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic cancer using a highly sensitive nested PCR method.

Human papillomavirus is thought to be an etiological factor for urological tumors such as penile cancer. However, there is much conflicting data surrounding prostatic cancer. We recently established a highly sensitive nested PCR method with consensus human papillomavirus (HPV) primers for the detection of many high-risk HPV types. HPV DNA from the long-control region (LCR) to E7 open reading frame was amplified with first primer pairs and subsequently amplified with second internal E6-E7 primers. Our nested PCR method could detect HPV16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 52, 58 and some undetermined HPV DNAs. Using this method, we investigated the existence of HPV DNA in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue of the prostate. We found HPV DNA in three of 71 specimens of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and in none of 38 prostatic carcinomas. These three samples were infected with HPV 16. These results suggest that HPV is not a causal factor for prostatic cancer and BPH.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Heat influences on plasma insulin and glucagon in response to secretogogues in non-lactating dairy cows.

Four non-lactating cows were offered a maintenance diet of hay wafer and a commercial concentrate. They were housed in a thermoneutral (TN; 20 degrees C) and then a hot (30 degrees C) environment in an artificial climate chamber. Glucose, arginine, butyrate, and insulin were administered through one jugular catheter, and from a catheter on the other side venous blood was collected. The peak increments in plasma insulin after the glucose and butyrate administrations were lower during heat exposure. The response of insulin after arginine injection was smaller in the hot compared with the thermoneutral environment; however, arginine injection resulted in a significantly higher secretion of glucagon in the hot environment. The response area of insulin after the insulin injection was smaller in the hot environment; however, insulin clearance rate was not changed. It is concluded that in non-lactating cows, insulin release is probably lower during heat exposure. With respect to plasma glucose during heat exposure, the lower basal values, lower concentrations after the end of the glucose infusion, and delayed recovery to basal values after the butyrate and insulin administrations observed, may indicate lower gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis in the hot environment.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Effects of heat exposure on plasma insulin, glucagon and metabolites in response to nutrient injection in heifers.

Effects of heat exposure on plasma insulin, glucagon, and metabolite responses following injection of various nutrients were investigated in heifers. Four heifers, fed hay wafer and a commercial concentrate, were exposed to thermoneutral (20 degrees C) and hot (30 degrees C) environments. Glucose, arginine and butyrate (each injection at 0.625 mmol/kg) and insulin (0.2 U/kg) were injected intravenously, and then blood samples were collected at regular intervals through jugular vein catheters. Insulin secretion in response to glucose and arginine injection was not affected by heat exposure. However, the insulin response following butyrate injection was inhibited in heifers exposed to heat. In the hot environment, glucagon responses following the arginine and butyrate injections were augmented significantly, however glucagon levels were inhibited following the glucose injection. It is concluded that heat stress causes an inhibition of the insulin response to butyrate injection, and an increase in the glucagon response following arginine and butyrate injection. Plasma metabolite concentrations altered in accordance with the changes in the concentration of pancreatic hormones.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗