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Biomedical subjects

H Kodama

Publications and source records attributed to H Kodama.

At least 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources

Properties of hammerhead-type RNA enzyme derivatives which contain a G-to-I replacement in the loop region.

Three hammerhead-type ribozyme derivatives containing a G-to-I replacement in the loop regions were chemically synthesized and their properties were examined. All three complexes showed a markedly reduced RNA-cleaving activity. NMR studies suggested that the complex with mutation at the third guanosine of the longer internal loop region has the greatest influence on the conformation of the loop regions.

Base Sequence↗

Survey of conformational role of ester bonds in a cyclic depsipeptide. Study on cyclo(-L-Ala-L-Hmb-)2 by energy calculation and NMR spectroscopy.

The effect of ester bond on the conformation of peptide molecule was studied by designing and synthesizing a model tetradepsipeptide cyclo(-L-Ala-L-Hmb-)2 and by analyzing the conformation both theoretically and experimentally. Theoretical analysis showed that both ester and peptide bonds in the calculated low-energy conformations within 3 kcal/mol of the global minimum take a trans but distorted configuration. The distortion is larger in ester bonds than in peptide bonds. Further, the four carbonyls project from one side of the plane of the cyclic backbone, whereas the side chains project from the other side. These results are consistent with the experimental results obtained by NMR measurement; first, the coupling constant deduced from 1H-NMR species in DMSO-d6 is consistent with the dihedral angles of the calculated low-energy conformations; second, results of NOE measurement can reproduce the calculated configuration of the carbonyls and side chains. From the consistency between theoretical and experimental results, it is concluded that this model tetradepsipeptide takes an all-trans backbone conformation in solution and this backbone conformation is stabilized by large distortion in the ester bond, which compensates the strain resulted from the 12-membered cyclic backbone structure consisting only of L-residues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[A role of interpectoral (Rotter's) lymph node dissection in modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer].

To study the influence of interpectoral lymph node (IPN) dissection on the prognosis of patients who underwent modified radical mastectomy, IPN was carefully dissected and studied pathologically on 168 cases of our breast cancer patients operated with modified radical mastectomy. There were 1.2 lymph nodes on an average in the interpectoral region, and they were almost 1-2mm in diameter. IPN metastases were found in 10 cases. (Tis: 0%, Stage I: 4.9%, Stage II: 5.7%, Stage III: 13%). Tumors located in outer quadrant in almost all these cases. Positive IPN were found in 6 (16%) of n1 alpha group, 1 (10%) of n1 beta group, and in 3 (50%) of n2 group. All these 3 cases of n2 died of distant metastasis and local recurrence. Two (1.7%) of axillary node (1a, 1b) negative patients had microinvolvement of cancer only in IPN, and are currently disease-free. These data suggest that IPN metastasis may occur even in the early breast cancer patients, and that may be controllable by lymph node excision. Therefore, routine and careful dissection of IPN through wide opening of sulcus interpectoralis is necessary for modified radical mastectomy and even for breast preserving operation.

Adult↗

[Augmentation of therapeutic effect of adoptive immunotherapy through a synergy between transferred killer cells and host's fresh lymphocytes].

Among several approaches to augment the therapeutic effect of adoptive immunotherapy, we focused the antitumor synergy between transferred killer cells and host's fresh lymphocytes. Immunotherapy models using murine tumors or clinical experiments revealed that preadministration of immunostimulator such as OK-432, followed by chemotherapeutic agents such as cyclophosphamide, can induce host's non-cytotoxic fresh lymphocytes that act synergistically with cultured killer cells against autologous tumor cells. Immuno-chemo-lymphocytotherapy (a sequential treatment with OK-432, chemotherapy and adoptive immunotherapy) is useful to treat the patients with advanced cancer even if the number of transferred lymphocytes is limited.

Animals↗

Possible involvement of hyperinsulinemia and adrenergic activation in the pathogenesis of indomethacin-induced antral ulcers in nonfasted hamsters and refed rats.

Subcutaneous doses of indomethacin (IND) produced mainly antral ulcers in refed rats, almost exclusively corpus erosions in fasted rats, but no antral or corpus mucosal insult in nonfasted rats. In contrast, IND-treatment in nonfasted hamsters caused antral ulcers but minimal corpus erosions. Mild and severe hyperinsulinemia were observed in refed rats and nonfasted hamsters, respectively. The hyperinsulinemia and antral ulcers in the animals were significantly attenuated by a pretreatment (80 mg/kg, i.v., in rats, 60 mg/kg, i.p., in hamsters) of streptozotocin. Furthermore, the antral ulcers were dose-dependently attenuated by prazosin, an adrenergic alpha-1 antagonist, and yohimbine, an adrenergic alpha-2 antagonist, but not by propranolol, an adrenergic beta antagonist. The large doses of atropine (3.2-10 mg/kg, p.o.) also attenuated the ulcers. The histamine H2 receptor antagonist, famotidine (1-10 mg/kg, p.o.), significantly attenuated the antral ulcers in nonfasted hamsters, but not in refed rats. The latter two drugs exhibited greater inhibition of the corpus erosions in fasted rats compared with the antral ulcers in refed rats and nonfasted hamsters. The corpus erosions were more extensive after streptozotocin treatment (80 mg/kg, i.v.) and were aggravated significantly by yohimbine, whereas they were hardly affected by prazosin or propranolol. It is thus concluded that hyperinsulinemia and adrenergic activation are commonly involved in the etiology of the IND-induced antral ulcers in refed rats and nonfasted hamsters. Vagal activity, which plays a crucial role in the etiology of the corpus erosions in fasted rats, may play a part in the antral ulcer formation in nonfasted hamsters, but not in refed rats.

Animals↗

[Intrapleural treatment of breast cancer patients with pleural effusions: an analysis of 13 institutes in Kyoto and Shiga Prefectures. Kyoto and Shiga Breast Cancer Study Group].

Sixty-seven breast cancer patients with malignant pleural effusions underwent their first thoracentesis between 1980 and 1990 at 13 institutes in Kyoto and Shiga Prefectures. They received various intracavitary treatments including OK-432 and cultured effusion lymphocytes (n = 29, group A), OK-432 alone (n = 12), chemotherapeutic agents alone (n = 9), OK-432 and chemotherapy (n = 16) or other (n = 1, lentinan and tetracycline) therapy. Response rate and median survival time were 90%, 12 months for group A, respectively and 40% and 3 months for other treatments (group B, n = 38), resulting in significant differences. Multivariate analysis using Cox's proportional hazard model showed that the immunotherapy using cultured lymphocytes was the most important factor prolonging survival among several significant prognostic factors such as concomitant liver metastasis, disease-free period and laterality of effusion.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

[Effects of dobutamine and isoproterenol on systemic hemodynamics and myocardial metabolism in children after open heart surgery].

The purpose of this study is to know the effects of Dobutamine (DOB) and Isoproterenol (ISP) on the systemic hemodynamics and myocardial metabolism in the acute phase after open heart surgery in children. Twelve patients with congenital heart disease were administered 5 and 10 micrograms/kg/min (gamma) of DOB, then 0.005 and 0.01 gamma of ISP, and the systemic hemodynamic and metabolic data were taken before and after the administration of the drugs. DOB: DOB increased HR and SVI, so CI rose up markedly. The systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure also rose up after both doses. CVP and PCWP were depressed at both dosage levels. SVRI and PVRI did not show an appreciable change. ISP: ISP increased HR, CI and systolic blood pressures significantly. On the other hand, SVRI, PVRI and PCWP were decreased at both dosage levels. Myocardial metabolism: The two drugs tested did not exhibit any effect on the progress of anaerobic myocardial metabolism. The myocardial oxygen uptake rate was decreased with DOB and ISP. These phenomena probably suggest that DOB and ISP dilate the coronary vascular bed. From the above data, the following effects can be expected by the use of each drug after open heart surgery in children; 1) powerful inotropic and chronotropic action by DOB, and 2) chronotropic action and after-load reduction by ISP.

Anaerobiosis↗

Prostaglandin F2 alpha stimulates proliferation of clonal osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells by up-regulation of insulin-like growth factor I receptors.

Prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) stimulates proliferation of clonal osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells mainly via the stimulation of phospholipase C. These cells constitutively produced and secreted insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). In addition, a neutralizing anti-IGF-I antibody completely abolished DNA synthesis stimulated by PGF2 alpha in MC3T3-E1 cells, suggesting that IGF-I indeed mediates the PGF2 alpha effect. However, PGF2 alpha decreased the expression of IGF-I mRNA and the secretion of immunoreactive IGF-I into the medium, whereas progression activity in the conditioned medium was not affected by PGF2 alpha. Although IGF-I alone did not stimulate DNA synthesis in MC3T3-E1 cells, when PGF2 alpha was added to the cultures, IGF-I stimulated their proliferation. Thus, PGF2 alpha may potentiate the action of IGF-I. At the same time, PGF2 alpha increased the number of high affinity binding sites (molecular mass of 130 kDa) for IGF-I in a dose-dependent manner. The increase in IGF-I-binding site number preceded the elevation of DNA synthesis by approximately 3 h. Furthermore, MC3T3-E1 cells secreted at least three species of IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) with molecular masses of 24, 30, and 34 kDa. In the early period of PGF2 alpha exposure, PGF2 alpha attenuated the secretion of all of these IGFBPs, whereas thereafter, it markedly increased their secretion, especially that of the 34-kDa IGFBP, suggesting a modulation of metabolism and action of IGF-I. These effects of PGF2 alpha on IGF-I receptor number and IGFBP secretion may play a role in the synergism between PGF2 alpha and IGF-I that results in the stimulation of DNA synthesis in MC3T3-E1 cells.

Amanitins↗

Synthesis of linkage-specific sialoside substrates for colorimetric assay of neuraminidases.

Neuraminidase substrates suitable for analysis of linkage specificity were enzymically synthesized in good yield by linking N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neup5Ac) to O-6 and O-3 of 4-nitrophenyl beta-D-galactopyranoside with beta-D-galactoside-alpha-(2----6)-sialyltransferase and beta-D-galactoside-alpha-(2----3)-sialyltransferase, respectively. By use of these substrates, a convenient colorimetric assay method was developed for the determination of linkage specificity of bacterial and viral neuraminidases. The substrates are incubated with viral or bacterial neuraminidase and subsequently treated with beta-D-galactosidase to convert the liberated 4-nitrophenyl beta-D-galactopyranoside to 4-nitrophenol. The amount of liberated 4-nitrophenol is equivalent to the amount of Neup5Ac released from the substrate, thus allowing measurement of neuraminidase activity. The results showed that bacterial and viral neuraminidases can discriminate between these two compounds, making them useful substrates for the rapid determination of neuraminidase linkage specificity.

Bacteria↗

Distribution of manganese in rat pancreas and identification of its primary binding protein as pro-carboxypeptidase B.

Distribution of manganese (Mn) and its binding to specific proteins were examined in rat pancreas. A MnCl2 solution was injected subcutaneously into Wistar rats daily at a single dose of 15 mg of Mn/kg body weight for 10 days and the animals were killed 1 day after the last injection. The concentration of Mn in the pancreas increased considerably from 1.4 +/- 0.2 (control) to 13.3 +/- 3.7 micrograms/g wet tissue by the repeated injection of Mn. The distribution of Mn in the soluble fraction of the pancreas (170,000 g supernatant) was determined on a gel-filtration column (Asahipak GST-520) using an h.p.l.c.-inductively coupled argon plasma atomic-emission spectrometry (i.c.p.) technique. The metal was eluted as a single peak in the high-molecular-mass protein fraction, where Mn had been observed as a small peak in the control profile, suggesting that the administered Mn was bound to the same Mn-binding component as that in the control. On the basis of enzymic and chemical characterization of the protein, it was identified as a zymogen of carboxypeptidase B (pro-carboxypeptidase B, pro-CPB). The elution profiles of the protein by h.p.l.c.-i.c.p. indicated that Mn and zinc (Zn) were bound to the zymogen with a molar ratio of 1:4 in normal rat pancreas. Mn bound to the zymogen was easily replaced by Zn in vitro, suggesting that Mn was bound to the Zn-binding site and that the binding affinity to Zn was higher than that to Mn. The present results indicate that pro-CPB is the primary Mn-binding protein in the pancreas of control and also Mn-administered rats.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis for screening of patients with cystinuria, and identification of cystine stone.

Analyses of amino acids in the urine of a normal human and of patients with heterozygous and homozygous cystinuria have been carried out, using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with an atmospheric pressure ionization interface system. A kidney cystine stone was also analysed by this system. Very intense quasi-molecular ions ([M + H]+) of standard cystine, arginine, lysine and ornithine were observed on mass chromatograms as base peaks. Mass chromatograms of the urine samples from a normal human and from patients with heterozygous and homozygous cystinuria were easily distinguishable. The retention times in the mass chromatogram and mass spectrum of kidney stone cystine was almost the same as that of authentic cystine.

Arginine↗

Essential role of macrophage colony-stimulating factor in the osteoclast differentiation supported by stromal cells.

Severe deficiency of osteoclasts, monocytes, and peritoneal macrophages in osteopetrotic (op/op) mutant mice is caused by the absence of functional macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). To clarify the role of M-CSF in the osteoclast differentiation, we established a clonal stromal cell line OP6L7 capable of supporting hemopoiesis from newborn op/op mouse calvaria. Although very few macrophages appeared in the cocultures of bone marrow cells and OP6L7 cells, a 50-fold larger number of macrophages was detected in the day 7 cocultures when purified recombinant human M-CSF (rhM-CSF) was exogenously supplied. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP; a marker enzyme of osteoclasts)-positive cells appeared only when bone marrow cells were cultured in contact with OP6L7 cells and both rhM-CSF and 1 alpha, 25 (OH)2D3 were added. The TRACP-positive cells became multinucleated with increasing time in culture and expressed the c-fms/M-CSF receptor. These results indicate that both contact with stromal cells and M-CSF are requisite for osteoclast differentiation under physiological conditions.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Molecular cloning of the gene for plant proliferating-cell nuclear antigen and expression of this gene during the cell cycle in synchronized cultures of Catharanthus roseus cells.

A cDNA library was screened for plant proliferating-cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) from Catharanthus roseus (periwinkle). A lambda gt11 cDNA library was constructed using poly(A)-rich RNA isolated from the cells in the S phase. A cDNA clone for PCNA was isolated by using a rice genomic clone, pCJ-1, which contains PCNA-related gene sequences. The cDNA contains an open reading frame of 804 nucleotides, encoding a protein of 268 amino acids with a molecular mass of 29,765 Da. When conservative substitutions were included, a high degree of similarity (about 85%) was observed between the predicted amino acid sequence of periwinkle PCNA and that of human PCNA. Expression of mRNA for periwinkle PCNA was undetectable or very weak in quiescent cells, such as phosphate-starved cells, auxin-starved cells and cells in the stationary phase. In the synchronous progression of the cell cycle induced by the addition of phosphate or auxin, the active accumulation of periwinkle PCNA mRNA was observed preferentially in the S phase. When an inhibitor of DNA synthesis, aphidicolin, was added to the cells at the G1 phase, an increase in the level of PCNA mRNA was observed. The partial inhibition of protein synthesis at the G1 phase by a protein inhibitor, anisomycin, caused the arrest of cells in the G1 phase. No increase of the level of periwinkle PCNA mRNA was observed in cells arrested at the G1 phase by the inhibition of protein synthesis. These results indicate that the induction of mRNA for periwinkle PCNA occurred independently of the initiation of DNA replication, but that synthesis of certain proteins at the G1 phase was required for the induction of periwinkle PCNA mRNA at the S phase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for simultaneous analyses of iminodipeptides containing an N-terminal or a C-terminal proline.

Simultaneous analyses of synthetic iminodipeptides containing an N-terminal proline or a C-terminal proline have been demonstrated using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with an atmospheric pressure ionization interface system. The separation of iminodipeptides was carried out on a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic column using 0.1% aqueous trifluoroacetic acid-methanol (75:25, v/v, pH 2.0) as mobile phase. Very intense protonated molecular ions [M + H]+ of various synthetic iminodipeptides, Pro-Gly, Gly-Pro, Pro-Ala, Ala-Pro, Pro-Val, Val-Pro, Pro-Leu and Leu-Pro, were observed. Pro-Gly (Pro-X) and Gly-Pro (X-Pro) have the same protonated molecular ion (m/z 173), but the peaks of these compounds on the mass chromatograms were clearly distinguished by the differences of the retention times and mass spectra. The synthetic iminodipeptides containing an N-terminal proline added to urine samples from a patient with prolidase deficiency were also distinguished from iminodipeptides containing a C-terminal proline in urine samples from a patient with prolidase deficiency by scanning the [M + H]+ ion of each iminodipeptide. We established the method to measure simultaneously the various iminodipeptides containing an N-terminal or a C-terminal proline in biological samples.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Murine recombinant leukemia inhibitory factor modulates inhibitory effect of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 on alkaline phosphatase activity in MC3T3-E1 cells.

We demonstrated murine leukemia inhibitory factor (mLIF) mRNA in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells, but not mLIF in their conditioned medium. Recombinant mLIF had an inhibitory effect on alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, but not on DNA synthesis, in these mLIF-free cells. This inhibitory effect was not prostaglandin E2 dependent. mLIF also modulated the inhibitory effect of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] on ALP activity, partly via down regulation of 1,25(OH)2D3 binding sites. These results suggest that LIF may play a role in regulating osteoblast differentiation.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Analysis of Marek's disease tumor-associated surface antigen on MDCC-MSB1-clo.18 cells.

The physico-chemical nature of Marek's disease tumor-associated surface antigen (MATSA) on Marek's disease (MD) lymphoblastoid tumor cell line (MDCC-MSB1-clo.18) was examined by the cellular enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CELISA) and the sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using an anti-MATSA immune serum or a monoclonal antibody (MAb) 2B9 developed against MATSA. Our results indicate that MATSA is a glycoprotein and 2B9 recognizes an antigenic site in the protein moiety of MATSA. MATSA was solubilized from MSB1-clo.18 cells by treatment with 0.5% Nonidet P-40, and purified by affinity chromatography coupling with 2B9 and further by ion exchange chromatography on diethylaminoethylcellulose (IECD). MATSA was eluted with 0.2 to 0.3 M KCl in IECD and the purity of MATSA was increased about 2,500-fold. The purified MATSA was shown to have a molecular weight (Mr) of 70,000 by SDS-PAGE. The reactivity of purified MATSA with anti-thymus cell serum was examined. MATSA was detectable by anti-thymus cell serum, although 2B9, which was used to purify MATSA from MSB1-clo.18 cells, was not reactive to cells prepared from the thymus. However, MATSA was no longer detectable after the absorption of anti-thymus cell serum by chicken bursa cells. The absorption of anti-thymus cell serum by chicken red blood cells (RBC) had no effect on the reactivity against MATSA. These results suggest that MATSA may be a lymphocyte-specific antigen modified during leukemogenesis by Marek's disease virus (MDV).

Animals↗