Biomedical subjects

H Matsui

Publications and source records attributed to H Matsui.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Identification and partial characterization of a metallopeptidase from porcine ovaries.

The follicular fluid of porcine ovaries contains an EDTA-sensitive enzyme activity for the synthetic substrate benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Lys-Met-4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide. To investigate its characteristics and its identification, the enzyme was partially purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation followed by column chromatographies on DEAE-Cellulose and chelating Cellulofine columns. The enzyme activity was strongly inhibited by typical chelators, such as EDTA and o-phenanthroline, but after inhibition by EDTA the activity was completely restored with an appropriate amount of Zn2+ and Co2+ ions. It showed enzyme activity solely for benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Lys-Met-4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide among the substrates tested. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 400,000 by gel filtration. The enzyme activity in the fluid obtained from large follicles of porcine ovaries was significantly higher than that from smaller follicles. It appeared that the granulosa cell extract did not contain the metalloenzyme activity. Similar enzyme activities were detected in follicular fluids from bovine and human ovaries. These results suggest that the present enzyme is distinct from any other metalloendopeptidases thus far reported.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Osteoblastic differentiation is enhanced by rapamycin in rat osteoblast-like osteosarcoma (ROS 17/2.8) cells.

The effects of three immunosuppressants (rapamycin, FK506 and cyclosporin A) on the proliferation and differentiation of rat osteoblasts-like osteosarcoma cell line, ROS 17/2.8 (ROS) cells were examined in vitro. All immunosuppressants showed a direct inhibition on the proliferation of ROS cells with different potencies. Growth inhibition by rapamycin was stronger than that by FK506 or cyclosporin A. Rapamycin caused a significant increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and in the expression of osteopontin and osteocalcin mRNAs. FK506 caused a moderate increase in ALP activity and a decreased expression of osteopontin mRNA. Cyclosporin A caused a decrease in ALP activity and in the expression of type 1 alpha 1 collagen mRNA. Our study indicates that rapamycin directly acts on ROS cells and induces osteoblastic differentiation, however, the effect of FK506 and cyclosporin A is weak. Rapamycin significantly enhances the differentiation induced by 1,25(OH)2-vitaminD3.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Collision-induced dissociation spectra obtained by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry using a 13C,15N-doubly depleted protein.

Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectra of 13C,15N-doubly depleted cystatin A M65L, produced by Escherichia coli grown on 99.9% [12C]glucose and 99.99% [14N]ammonium sulfate, showed salient monoisotopic peaks composed of 12C and 14N. Collision-induced dissociation spectra were obtained by increasing the capillary-skimmer potential for the electrospray ionization and by extending the trapping time in a radio frequency-only hexapole ion guide. Fragment ions in the spectra could be readily assigned to the amino acid sequence, owing to their markedly improved resolution and sensitivity as compared to those with the natural isotopic composition. Detailed analyses of the fragmentation patterns, facilitated by the use of 13C,15N-doubly depleted proteins, enabled the assignment of approximately 180 fragment ions to the sequence, while natural isotopic cystatin A allowed the assignment of approximately 110 fragment ions. Interestingly, no fragmentation was detected between residues 50-61 and 62-67, which are stretches known to be involved in the antiparallel beta-sheet at the center of the protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1998

Activation of gp130 transduces hypertrophic signals via STAT3 in cardiac myocytes.

BACKGROUND: gp130, a signal transducer of the IL-6-related cytokines, is expressed ubiquitously, including in the heart. The activation of gp130 in cardiac myocytes was reported to induce myocardial hypertrophy. The downstream side of gp130 consists of two distinct pathways in cardiac myocytes, one a Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway, the other a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. In the present study, we examined whether the JAK/STAT pathway, especially the STAT3-mediated pathway, plays a critical role in gp130-dependent myocardial hypertrophy by transfecting wild-type and mutated-type STAT3 cDNA to cardiac myocytes. METHODS AND RESULTS: We constructed three kinds of replication-defective adenovirus vectors carrying wild-type (AD/WT) or mutated-type (AD/DN) STAT3 cDNA or adenovirus vector itself (AD). Cultured murine cardiac myocytes infected with adenovirus were stimulated with leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and the expression of c-fos and atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) mRNAs and [3H]leucine incorporation were examined. There were no significant differences in MAPK activity among the three groups. Compared with AD-transfected cardiac myocytes, induction of c-fos and ANF mRNAs and protein synthesis after LIF stimulation were significantly augmented in AD/WT-transfected cells. In contrast, induction of c-fos and ANF mRNA expression and protein synthesis were attenuated after LIF stimulation in cardiac myocytes transfected with AD/DN. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the STAT3-dependent signaling pathway downstream of gp 130 promotes cardiac myocyte hypertrophy under stimulation with LIF.

Adenoviridae↗

PubMed1998

Inhibitory long-term potentiation underlies auditory conditioning of goldfish escape behaviour.

Long-term potentiation (LTP), the increase in synaptic strength evoked by high-frequency stimulation, is often considered to be a cellular model for learning and memory. The validity of this model depends on the assumptions that physiological stimuli can induce LTP in vivo and that the resulting synaptic modifications correlate with behavioural changes. However, modifiable synapses are generally embedded deep in complex circuits. In contrast, the goldfish Mauthner (M)-cell and its afferent synapses are easily accessible for electrophysiological studies, and firing of this neuron is sufficient to trigger fast escape behaviour in response to sudden stimuli. We have previously shown that tetanic stimulation can induce LTP of the feedforward inhibitory synapses that control the excitability of the M-cell. Here we report that natural sensory stimulation can induce potentiation of this inhibitory connection that resembles the LTP induced by afferent tetanization. Furthermore, comparable acoustic stimulation produced a parallel decrease in the probability of the sound-evoked escape reflex. Thus we demonstrate for the first time, to our knowledge, a behavioural role for the long-term synaptic strengthening of inhibitory synapses.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMed1998

Toxin gene-mediated growth inhibition of lung adenocarcinoma in an animal model of pleural malignancy.

Transduction of malignant cells with toxin genes provides a novel strategy by which to promote tumor cell destruction. Whereas the capacity of the toxin gene/prodrug combination cytosine deaminase/fluorocytosine to inhibit growth of human metastatic pulmonary adenocarcinoma cell lines in vitro is established, the in vivo efficacy of this binary system has not yet been determined. For the development of toxin gene therapy for the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma metastatic to the pleural space, a reliable, disease-specific model is required. The serosa of the rat small intestine resembles the basal lamina of the pleura and provides the basis for a more convenient model than direct injection of tumor into the pleural space. Adenocarcinoma cells are inoculated into everted denuded rat intestine configured as a sac. Immunocytochemical and histological analyses show rapid cell growth with characteristics that mimic nodular metastatic intrapleural disease. In the context of this model, systemically delivered fluorocytosine significantly inhibits the growth of cytosine deaminase-expressing human lung adenocarcinoma cells. The dosing schedule required 30 days; neither addition of an enzyme inhibitor that increases the half-life of fluorocytosine nor intralumenal drug delivery is effective in shortening (to 15 days) the protocol. We conclude that CD continues to hold promise as a toxin gene for lung adenocarcinoma gene therapy, and that prolonged prodrug administration may be required for maximum efficacy.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1998

Familial predisposition for lumbar degenerative disc disease. A case-control study.

STUDY DESIGN: A case-control study using magnetic resonance imaging and plain radiography to evaluate whether a family history of lumbar disc herniation is a risk factor for disc degeneration. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the significance of a family history of operated lumbar disc herniation in the development of lumbar disc degeneration and lumbar disc herniation. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There are only a few epidemiologic studies indicating that a family history of intervertebral disc herniation is a risk factor for juvenile disc herniation. Recently, similarities in degenerative findings of the lumbar spine between identical twins have been reported. METHODS: In the case group, 24 patients who were the immediate relatives of patients who had undergone surgery for disc herniation and who presented or had a history of low back pain and/or unilateral leg pain were included. Control individuals included 72 age- and gender-matched outpatients who reported low back pain and/or leg pain without a family history of operated disc herniation. The incidence, level, and topographic location of disc herniation/diffuse bulge; the incidence and grade of disc degeneration observed on magnetic resonance images; and degenerative changes suggesting disc degeneration observed on plain radiographs were compared between the relatives of patients with disc herniation (cases) and the controls. RESULTS: The incidence of disc degeneration at L4-L5 and L5-S1 in cases (L4-L5, 18/24; L5-S1, 18/24) and controls (L4-L5, 45/72; L5-S1, 43/72) was similarly high. However, the grade of disc degeneration according to magnetic resonance imaging signal intensity on the T2-weighted sagittal image using Schneiderman's four-grade classification was significantly more severe in cases (L4-L5: Grade 1, 6/24; Grade 2, 4/24; Grade 3, 13/ 24; Grade 4, 1/24; L5-S1: Grade 1, 6/24; Grade 2: 3/24, Grade 3: 12/24, Grade 4: 3/24) than in controls (L4-L5: Grade 1, 27/72; Grade 2, 24/72; Grade 3, 20/72; Grade 4, 1/72; P = 0.034; L5-S1: Grade 1, 29/72; Grade 2, 23/72; Grade 3, 13/72; Grade 4, 7/72; P = 0.023; Mann-Whitney U test). The incidence of disc herniation/diffuse bulge at L4-L5 (16/24) and L5-S1 (11/24) in cases was higher than that in controls (L4-L5, 33/72; P = 0.07; L5-S1, 17/ 72; P = 0.04; chi-square test). CONCLUSION: The current study provided evidence that a family history of operated lumbar disc herniation has a significant implication in lumbar degenerative disc disease. There may be a genetic factor in the development of lumbar disc herniation as an expression of disc degeneration.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase through glycoprotein 130 induces protein kinase B and p70 S6 kinase phosphorylation in cardiac myocytes.

Phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase is known to be activated by cytokine stimulation through different types of receptors to transduce intracellular responses. We have previously reported that leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) induces the activation of Janus kinase signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways through glycoprotein (gp) 130 in cardiac myocytes. However, whether PI 3-kinase is involved in regulation of gp130 signaling and the activation mechanisms by which it associates with other tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins remain unknown. We found that LIF induced the activation of PI 3-kinase in cardiac myocytes. Moreover, JAK1 binds to PI 3-kinase, and LIF stimulation increases the PI 3-kinase activity in JAK1 immunoprecipitates. Activation of MAP kinase and protein kinase B by LIF was attenuated by wortmannin. LIF-induced p70 S6 kinase activation, protein synthesis, and c-fos mRNA expression were inhibited by wortmannin and rapamycin. Both inhibitors failed to appreciably affect the phosphorylation of STAT3. In conclusion, PI 3-kinase is activated with LIF in cardiac myocytes, and JAK1 is found to associate with this enzyme. PI 3-kinase provides a crucial link between gp130, MAP kinase, protein kinase B, and p70 S6 kinase in cardiac myocytes.

Androstadienes↗

PubMed1998

Postlaminectomy adhesion of the cauda equina. Inhibitory effects of anti-inflammatory drugs on cauda equina adhesion in rats.

STUDY DESIGN: Effects of the systemic administration of anti-inflammatory drugs on cauda equina adhesion after lumbar laminectomy were evaluated in rats. OBJECTIVES: To obtain basic data on preventive measures for lumbar adhesive arachnoiditis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Laminectomy-induced cauda equina adhesion has been proved by rat experiments and postoperative serial magnetic resonance imaging tests in humans. In rats, laminectomy induces an increase in vascular permeability, resulting in cauda equina adhesion. METHODS: Wistar rats laminectomized from L5 to L6 were divided into three groups: the control group received only vehicle solutions, the indomethacin group received oral indomethacin for 7 days, and the steroid group was administered intraperitoneal methylprednisolone for 3 days. At 24 hours and 3 weeks and 6 weeks after laminectomy, cauda equina adhesion and leakage of a protein tracer from the nutrient vessels were histologically compared in the three groups. RESULTS: Both indomethacin and methylprednisolone significantly suppressed cauda equina adhesion and protein leakage from the nutrient vessels at 24 hours after laminectomy. Rats treated with the anti-inflammatory drugs showed diminution of cauda equina adhesion and the neural degeneration at 3 weeks and 6 weeks after laminectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-inflammatory drug administration before and after laminectomy suppressed cauda equina adhesion as well as facilitating recovery from cauda equina adhesion.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Significance of sciatic scoliotic list in operated patients with lumbar disc herniation.

STUDY DESIGN: The authors retrospectively reviewed the relation between the location of disc herniation and pre- and postoperative changes in sciatic scoliotic list in 40 patients with surgically confirmed lumbar disc herniation who had sciatic scoliotic list with postoperative recovery. Clinical factors associated with scoliosis also were included. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the significance and pathomechanism of sciatic scoliotic list. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The proposed causes of lumbar sciatic scoliosis mainly imply an alleviation of nerve root irritation in relation to the anatomic location of disc herniation relative to the nerve root. METHODS: The pre- and postoperative serial Cobb angle between L1 and L5 in anteroposterior lumbar radiographs in the standing position were measured. The relation between the convex side of scoliosis and clinical parameters in terms of the side of symptoms, age, gender, duration of low back pain or leg pain, the angle of a positive straight leg raising test, and the time required for recovery of sciatic scoliosis were investigated. In addition, magnetic resonance imaging also was performed in five recent cases from 40 patients. RESULTS: The average Cobb angle decreased from 10.7 degrees to 2.7 degrees within an average of 7.5 months after surgery. The preoperative Cobb angle of patients with disc herniation medial to the nerve root was significantly higher than that just beneath or lateral to the nerve root. Thirty-two of 40 patients (80.0%) had a lumbar disc herniation at the convex side of scoliosis, irrespective of the transverse location of the herniation. The time required for scoliosis disappearance in disc herniation located lateral to the nerve root tended to be longer than that for other types of disc herniation. Magnetic resonance imaging through the paramedian planes showed enlargement of the intervertebral foramen at the convex side of scoliosis, compared with that at the concave side in five recent cases from the current study. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that sciatic scoliotic list is not a predictive factor of the anatomic location of disc herniation; rather, it is only suggestive of the side of disc herniation. The location of disc herniation may aide in the preoperative estimation of the recovery of the scoliosis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Primary transitional cell carcinoma of the fallopian tube: a case report and review of the literature.

Primary carcinoma of the fallopian tube is extremely rare and the preoperative diagnosis is often misdiagnosed as an ovarian carcinoma. We report a patient with primary carcinoma of the fallopian tube, strongly suspected preoperatively on the basis of characteristic clinical symptoms, elevated CA125 levels, and transvaginal sonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging findings. The histology of fallopian tube carcinoma was demonstrated as transitional cell carcinoma. Extensive review of the literature showed that our case seemed to be the 14th case of primary transitional cell carcinoma of the fallopian tube.

Carcinoma, Transitional Cell↗

PubMed1998

Cystic spinal cord tumors: magnetic resonance imaging correlated to histopathological findings.

We report the characteristics of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of cystic intradural extramedullary spinal cord tumors (cystic neurilemmoma, epidermoid cyst, and enterogenous cyst). T1-weighted MRI enhanced with gadolinium-DTPA clearly demonstrated the rim morphology of these tumors. The comparison between the rim enhancement pattern and histopathological findings offered possible qualitative diagnosis of these cystic spinal cord tumors by MRI.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Multifocal clear cell meningioma in the spine: a case report.

Clear cell meningioma is a rare morphologic form of meningioma. This case report describes a very rare case of multifocal clear cell meningioma in the thoracic and lumbar spine. A 9 year old patient presented with back pain and popliteal pain, which were aggravated by trunk motion and knocking. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suggested a meningioma at the L2 level. An intradural extramedural tumor attached to the cauda equina was surgically removed and pathological diagnosis was clear cell meningioma. The patient began to complain of back pain at the Th12 level 4 months postoperatively. Retrospective analysis of MRI before the first operation revealed the small tumors at Th12 and L5 levels; comparison with a new MRI showed the rapid growth in 4 months. Adjunctive surgical resection was carried out and the back pain disappeared. These tumors had the same pathological findings. In conclusion, in young patients with suggested meningioma in the lumar spine, clear cell meningioma should also be considered, and the possibility of multifocal occurrence and postoperative recurrence must be taken into account.

Age of Onset↗

PubMed1998

Hydrogen peroxide-induced cellular injury is associated with increase in endogenous fluorescence from rat gastric mucosal epithelial cell culture: A new method for detecting oxidative cellular injury by fluorescence measurement.

To develop a new method of detecting cellular injury caused by oxygen radicals, we studied endogenous fluorescence from the cultured cells of a rat gastric mucosal epithelial cell line. Measurement with an ultra-high sensitivity camera-image processor system under an inverted epifluorescence microscope showed that the fluorescence intensity of the cells increased time- and dose-dependently after the addition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), an oxygen radical precursor, to the medium. This increase was inhibited by the presence of catalase. Phase-contrast and fluorescence microscopy revealed that the fluorescence was emitted from granular substances in the cytoplasm of the injured cells. The spectral pattern of excitation and emission indicated that the fluorescent substances were flavins. In cell-free experiments, glutathione reductase which has flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) at the active site, increased in fluorescence after incubation with H2O2 in the presence of reduced glutathione and glutathione peroxidase. These findings indicate that FAD in the cytoplasm of cells injured by H2O2 increased in endogenous fluorescence according to the extent of injury, and suggest that fluorescence measurement may be a simple method in cellular toxicology to detect oxygen radical-induced injuries.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Vertebral osteomyelitis: an analysis of 38 surgically treated cases.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the characteristics of patients with vertebral osteomyelitis who were treated by anterior debridement and interbody fusion. Thirty-eight patients with vertebral osteomyelitis, who were treated between 1980 and 1993, were analyzed in terms of age at the occurrence of disease, duration of disease, type of onset symptoms, radiological type of vertebral destruction, species of pathogen, and surgical result. Thirty-one out of 38 patients (82%) were more than 40 years of age. The patients with severe vertebral destruction were significantly older than those with mild vertebral destruction. Vertebral destruction in the thoracic spine was significantly more severe than that in the lumbar spine. Staphylococcus aureus was identified in only six patients (32% of organism-determined cases). In the present patients who required anterior debridement and bone grafting for this disease, the prognosis was quite good after anterior interbody fusion in conjunction with antibiotics therapy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Significance of patient-controlled analgesia in combination with continuous epidural block for patients who underwent posterior lumbar surgery.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) combined with continuous epidural block in patients who underwent lumbar spine surgery. In group 1 (postoperative PCA group), 23 patients were administered postoperative continuous epidural block in combination with analgesics, which was self-regulated by the patient using a device. In contrast, the 22 patients in group 2 (control group) received suppositories or intramuscular injections of analgesics on request. The following factors were compared between the two groups: pain relief according to the visual analog scale for pain assessment, the frequency of administration of analgesics, and side effects of the postoperative analgesia. The patients in group 1 had more satisfactory relief of pain according to the visual analog scale for pain assessment and needed suppositories and intramuscular injection of analgesics less frequently on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd postoperative day. The time spent by nurses on pain management in group 1 was less than that in group 2. No patient had any serious complications in either group. In conclusion, the present patient-controlled method combined with postoperative continuous epidural block could decrease the intensity of postoperative pain and the amount of time spent by nurses on the administration of postoperative analgesics after lumbar spine surgery.

Analgesia, Patient-Controlled↗

PubMed1998

Simultaneous quantitation of ceramides and 1,2-diacylglycerol in tissues by Iatroscan thin-layer chromatography-flame-ionization detection.

Ceramides and 1,2-diacylglycerol have been demonstrated in intracellular signaling pathways. A method of simultaneous mass determination of ceramides and 1,2-diacylglycerol in tissues was developed using the latroscan which combines thin layer chromatography and flame ionization detection (TLC/FID) techniques. Because of relatively low amounts of these components in tissues, the fraction of nonpolar lipids, which included ceramides and glycerides, was eluted with chloroform/acetone mixture (3:1, vol/vol) through a silicic acid column to eliminate the polar phospholipids. Development of Chromarods was carried out using three solvent systems in a four-step development technique. The relationship of the peak area ratio to weight ratio compared with cholesteryl acetate added as an internal standard was linear. The amount of ceramides increased with incubation of rat heart homogenate and human erythrocyte membranes in the presence of sphingomyelinase (E.C. 3.1.4.12). The latroscan TLC/FID system provided a quick and reliable assessment of ceramides and 1,2-diacylglycerol.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Genetic differentiation of complete hydatidiform moles coexisting with normal fetuses by short tandem repeat-derived deoxyribonucleic acid polymorphism analysis.

OBJECTIVE: We applied deoxyribonucleic acid polymorphism analysis on the basis of differences in the number of short tandem repeat sequences to genetically differentiate dizygotic twins with complete hydatidiform moles and normal fetuses from partial moles presenting a similar appearance. STUDY DESIGN: Six pregnant women exhibiting apparent moles and coexisting fetuses were the subjects of this study. Eight polymorphic loci including short tandem repeat sequences were amplified by polymerase chain reaction from deoxyribonucleic acid of peripheral leukocytes of parents, umbilical cord, grossly normal placenta-villi, and molar tissue. The segregation of alleles among samples were determined by comparing band patterns on polyacrylamide gels. RESULTS: In all 6 cases amplifications of polymorphic loci provided sufficient information to determine the parental origin. At informative loci the alleles of cord and placenta-villi were transmitted from both patients and husbands whereas molar tissue had only paternal alleles. These allele segregations indicated 2 different genetic origins, namely, normal parental for a fetus and androgenetic for molar tissue, and thus the diagnosis of dizygotic twins with a complete hydatidiform mole and a normal fetus was made. Additionally, the molar component was defined as a heterozygous mole in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: Short tandem repeat-derived deoxyribonucleic acid polymorphism analysis was demonstrated to be a useful and precise procedure for the differential diagnosis of a complete hydatidiform coexisting with a normal fetus and the determination of its zygosity as well.

Adult↗