Backbone NMR assignment and secondary structure of ribosome recycling factor (RRF) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
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Cloning, Molecular↗
Biomedical subjects
H Nakano
Publications and source records attributed to H Nakano.
Prognostic significance of angiogenesis in human pancreatic cancer.
To evaluate whether angiogenic factors are of clinical relevance to actual human pancreatic cancers, we studied the intratumoral microvessel density (IMD), and PD-ECGF, VEGF protein expression in 40 pancreatic cancers using immunohistochemistry. We also investigated PD-ECGF and VEGF gene expression using reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR). Of the 40 pancreatic cancers studied, 30 carcinomas (75.0%) were evaluated to be PD-ECGF-positive and 10 carcinomas (25.0%) were determined to be PD-ECGF-negative. In contrast, 27 carcinomas (67.5%) were evaluated to be VEGF-positive, whereas 13 carcinomas (32.5%) were VEGF-negative. VEGF gene expression was moderately associated with an increase in the IMD (r2 = 0.181, P = 0.006), but no significant relationship was found between PD-ECGF gene expression and the IMD (r2 = 0.093, P = 0.059). However, tumours with positive expression for both PD-ECGF and VEGF had a higher IMD (P = 0.027). The results of the immunohistochemistry agreed well with the results of the quantitative RT-PCR. The median survival time of the hypervascular group was significantly shorter than that of the hypovascular group (P < 0.0001). In comparing the survival according to PD-ECGF and VEGF gene expression, the median survival time of the patients with positive PD-ECGF expression was significantly shorter than those with negative PD-ECGF expression (P = 0.040). Furthermore, the median survival time of the patients with positive VEGF expression was significantly shorter than those with negative VEGF expression (P = 0.048). However, the Cox multivariate analysis indicated that the IMD and VEGF expression were independent prognostic factors of the various clinicopathologic variables in pancreatic cancer patients (P = 0.0021 and P = 0.0443, respectively).
Aged↗
Psoriasiform drug eruption induced by fluorescein sodium used for fluorescein angiography.
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Adult↗
Enhancement of B7-1 (CD80) expression on B-lymphoma cells by irradiation.
Irradiation of A20.2J mouse B-lymphoma cells enhanced their antigen-presenting ability to induce interleukin-2 (IL-2) production by 42-6A T cells specific for ovalbumin (OVA)323-339/I-Ad. Irradiated and fixed A20.2J cells were more efficient antigen-presenting cells (APC) to present OVA323-339 peptide than the unirradiated and fixed cells. Irradiation selectively increased the expression of B7-1 molecules, but not of the major histocompatibility complex class II molecules, B7-2, lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1, or intracellular adhesion molecule-1. Irradiation of A20.2J cells with 100 Gy followed by overnight incubation was optimal for the enhancement of B7-1 expression. Anti-B7-1 monoclonal antibody inhibited the irradiation-induced enhancement of APC function. Irradiation of A20.2J cells induced the accumulation of B7-1 mRNA. Thus, it was concluded that the enhancement of APC function by irradiation was due to the up-regulation of B7-1 molecules through the accumulation of its mRNA. Although partial inhibition of protein synthesis has been shown to enhance the accumulation of B7-1 mRNA and its expression, irradiation did not decrease the protein synthesis in A20.2J cells. The incubation with irradiated A20.2J cells stimulated unirradiated A20.2J cells to increase B7-1 expression, suggesting that irradiation of A20.2J cells induced expression or secretion of some molecule(s) to enhance B7-1 expression.
Animals↗
Purification, characterization and gene cloning of 6-hydroxynicotinate 3-monooxygenase from Pseudomonas fluorescens TN5.
6-Hydroxynicotinate 3-monooxygenase, a membrane-bound, 42-kDa monomeric enzyme from Pseudomonas fluorescens TN5 was purified and characterized. The enzyme catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of 6-hydroxynicotinate and depends on O2, NADH and FAD with the holoenzyme containing 1 M of FAD per 1 M of enzyme. The isolated enzyme was used for the synthesis of 2,5-dihydroxypyridine, a precursor for the chemical synthesis of 5-aminolevulinic acid, which is applied as a plant growth hormone, a herbicide and in cancer therapy. A 1.8-kbp DNA fragment, which contains the ORF encoding 6-hydroxynicotinic acid 3-monooxygenase, was cloned, sequenced and expressed in Escherichia coli. The deduced 385 amino acid sequence of the cloned ORF is in agreement with the enzyme molecular mass, amino acid sequence of an internal peptide, contains a putative FAD-binding site and is homologous to similar flavoproteins such as salicylate 1-monoxygenase.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Breast cancer with choriocarcinomatous features: A case report with cytopathologic details.
A case of breast cancer with choriocarcinomatous features (BCCF) is reported. The patient was a 38-year-old Japanese female with a long history of schizophrenia. Her nursing staff noticed a palpable mass in her right breast, which showed rapid growth. Following cytopathologic confirmation of a malignant breast tumor, she underwent mastectomy with ipsilateral axillary lymph node dissection. Histologic examination revealed BCCF, which was positive for placental alkaline phosphatase and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) by immunohistochemistry. The serum HCG level was high. She died 7 months postoperatively, with multiple metastases of BCCF to the chest wall, lung and liver.
Adult↗
Effect of the Chinese herbal medicine, Bakumondo-to, on airway hyperresponsiveness induced by ozone exposure in guinea-pigs.
OBJECTIVE: Bakumondo-to (Maimendong tang) is a Chinese herbal medicine that has been used as an anti-tussive agent. However, the effects of Bakumondo-to on airway hyperresponsiveness are unknown. We examine whether Bakumondo-to can inhibit airway hyperresponsiveness induced by ozone. METHODOLOGY: Measurements of airway responsiveness and plasma extravasation and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were performed before and after ozone exposure (3 p.p.m., 2 h). Guinea-pigs were anaesthetized with pentobarbital sodium and mechanically ventilated. Airway responsiveness was determined by an inhalation of doubling concentration of histamine, and the concentration of histamine required to produce a 200% increase in R(L) (PC200) was calculated by log-linear interpolation. Plasma extravasation was evaluated by measuring the extravasation of Evans blue dye in the airway. RESULTS: Ozone produced significant airway hyperresponsiveness and plasma extravasation, with an influx of neutrophils in BAL fluid. Bakumondo-to (400 mg/kg p.o.) significantly inhibited airway hyperresponsiveness, but had no effect on neutrophil influx or plasma extravasation. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that Bakumondo-to can attenuate airway hyperresponsiveness induced by ozone without affecting airway inflammation, which suggests that Bakumondo-to may act on the subsequent mechanisms after the induction of inflammation, such as mediator release.
Airway Resistance↗
Promoter/enhancer cassettes for keratinocyte gene therapy.
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Animals↗
Polymorphism of heat-shock protein gene HSP70-2 in Crohn disease: possible genetic marker for two forms of Crohn disease.
BACKGROUND: Previous reports have shown that heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) may be associated with Crohn disease. However, genetic analysis of the HSP70 gene in Crohn disease has not been done. The aim of this study is to investigate whether HSP70-2 gene polymorphism is involved in susceptibility to Crohn disease in the Japanese population and whether it correlates with clinical manifestation of the disease. METHODS: A total of 108 genetically unrelated patients with Crohn disease and 108 healthy controls were typed for HSP70-2 PstI polymorphism by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (alleles A and B). Patients with Crohn disease were classified into two types: either perforating or non-perforating. RESULTS: Genotype and allele frequency did not differ between patients and controls. In patients with Crohn disease, allele A frequency was significantly higher in the non-perforating than in the perforating type (P = 0.02). When patients with Crohn disease of more than 6.7 years' duration were assessed, the differences in genotype and allele frequency between the two groups became more significant (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that HSP70-2 gene polymorphic allele A is a possible genetic marker of less severe clinical phenotype in Japanese patients with Crohn disease.
Adolescent↗
Long-term outcome of 51 liveborn neonates with non-immune hydrops fetalis.
To search for an efficient method of management of non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF), the clinical outcome of 51 newborns with NIHF was retrospectively assessed in a single centre. As the short-term outcome, the mortality rate was mainly dependent on the causes of NIHF and the presence of pleural effusion. The survival rate of the patients with pleural effusion (7/28; 25%) was significantly lower than that of those without it (14/23; 61%) (p < 0.02). All 7 survivors with pleural effusion were diagnosed antenatally after 29 weeks of gestation and were delivered after 31 weeks of gestation. With respect to the long-term outcome, 13 (68.4%) of 19 patients who survived beyond 1 y of age showed normal development, 2 mild developmental delay at 1 y of age and 1 mental retardation at 8 y of age, while 3 (15.8%) had severe psychomotor retardation with marked growth failure. Two of these three patients were born as very-low-birthweight infants. The follow-up results indicate that pleural drainage in utero and prevention of premature delivery should be proposed to improve the outcome of NIHF patients.
Female↗
Synthesis and properties of oligonucleotides containing 2'-pyrenylalkyluridine.
The synthesis, binding and fluorescence properties of oligonucleotides containing the uridine modified at the 2'-position by a pyrene group using different length of linker arm have been described. It is demonstrated that the oligonucleotides possessing a C3-amide group at the 2'-position display an enhanced signal of the pyrene monomer fluorescence upon binding to DNA segments.
Base Sequence↗
A simpler and more accurate equation to predict daily lithium dose.
Recently, the authors suggested that the lithium dose prediction equation created by Zetin and associates cannot always accurately predict a required lithium dose and that the inclusion of renal function data may improve the accuracy of the equation. The charts of 70 patients were reviewed to obtain data regarding factors thought to affect serum lithium concentrations, including renal function, and an equation to estimate the dose intended to achieve an expected concentration was derived by stepwise multiple linear regression. The equation was also applied to 30 other patients to evaluate its accuracy. The authors obtained the following equation: daily lithium carbonate dose (in milligrams) = 100.5 + 752.7 x (expected lithium concentration in millimoles per liter) - 3.6 x (age in years) + 7.2 x (weight in kilograms) - 13.7 x (blood urea nitrogen [BUN] in milligrams per deciliter). When the equation was applied to 30 patients, the mean +/- SD of deviations from the expected concentration was 0.15 +/- 0.30 mmol/L, and 19 patients (63%) had deviations of less than 0.20 mmol/L. On the other hand, when the equation set forth by Zetin and associates was applied to the same patients, the mean +/- SD of deviations from the expected concentration was 0.52 +/- 0.42 mmol/L, and only 6 patients (20%) had deviations of less than 0.20 mmol/L. Although it is necessary to measure BUN levels before starting lithium, this equation may be simpler and more accurate than that offered by Zetin and associates.
Adolescent↗
Efficacy of selective venous sampling to localize a small ovarian androgen-producing tumor.
Two cases of androgen-producing tumors, including a Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor in a woman of reproductive age and a Leydig cell tumor in a postmenopausal woman, are reported herein. In both cases, only selective venous sampling was able to detect the presence of the androgen-producing ovarian tumors.
Adult↗
Comparison of the anterior colporrhaphy procedure and the Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz operation in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence among women.
OBJECTIVE: To compare retrospectively the efficacy of the anterior colporrhaphy procedure (AC) and the Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz operation (MMK) in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: A retrospective analysis through a review of the medical records of Japanese women with stress urinary incontinence who were surgically treated at Kyushu University Hospital from 1980 through 1996. A questionnaire regarding the current status of urinary incontinence was sent to all patients. RESULTS: A total of 103 patients could be evaluated, 77 of whom had undergone an AC, and 26 of whom had undergone an MMK. Postoperative complications were more common in the AC group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of the duration of hospital stay or postoperative catheterization. The long-term subjective cure rates of the ACs and the MMKs were 55% and 58%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The AC and the MMK were equally effective in treating stress urinary incontinence, and both showed decreased long-term subjective cure rates. The recurrence rate did not differ between the AC and the MMK. The AC had more postoperative complications and shorter recurrence intervals.
Female↗
Analyses of a polyhydroxyalkanoic acid granule-associated 16-kilodalton protein and its putative regulator in the pha locus of Paracoccus denitrificans.
The polyhydroxyalkanoic acid (PHA) granule-associated 16-kDa protein (GA16 protein) of Paracoccus denitrificans was identified, and its corresponding gene was cloned and analyzed at the molecular level. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of GA16 protein revealed that its structural gene is located downstream from the PHA synthase gene (phaCPd) cloned recently (S. Ueda, T. Yabutani, A. Maehara, and T. Yamane, J. Bacteriol. 178:774-779, 1996). Gene walking around phaCPd revealed two new open reading frames (ORFs) possibly related to PHA synthesis, one of which was the phaPPd gene, encoding GA16 protein, and the other was the phaRPd gene, encoding a protein that is putatively involved in the regulation of the expression of phaPPd. Overproduction of PhaPPd was observed in Escherichia coli carrying phaPPd, but the overproduction was not observed in the presence of phaRPd. Coexpression of phaPPd and PHA biosynthesis genes in E. coli caused increases in both the number of poly-(3-hydroxybutyric acid) (PHB) granules and PHB content and caused decreases in both the size of the granules and the molecular weight of PHB. GA16 protein was considered a phasin protein. The phaRPd gene had significant similarities to stdC, a possible transcriptional factor of Comamonas testosteroni, as well as to other ORFs of unknown function previously found in other PHA-synthetic bacteria.
Acyltransferases↗
Age effect on expression of myosin heavy and light chain isoforms in suspended rat soleus muscle.
This study was designed to test the hypothesis that myosin heavy (MHC) and light chain (MLC) plasticity resulting from hindlimb suspension (HS) is an age-dependent process. By using an electrophoretic technique, the distribution of MHC and MLC isoforms was quantitatively evaluated in the soleus muscles from 3- or 12-wk-old rats after 1-3 wk of HS treatment was maintained. In normal 12- and 15-wk-old rats, the soleus muscles contained a predominance of MHCI ( approximately 94%) with small amounts of MHCIIa, but not MHCIId or MHCIIb. The suspended muscles of adult rats were characterized by the appearance of MHCIIb and MHCIId, the latter reaching approximately 6% after 3 wk of HS treatment. In contrast to changes in MHC, HS did not induce a transition in the MLC pattern in the soleus muscles from adult rats. Compared with adult rats, in juveniles HS had a much more pronounced effect on the shift toward faster MHC and MLC isoform expression. The soleus muscles of 6-wk-old rats after 3 wk of HS were composed of 37.0% MHCI, 19.1% MHCIIa, 23.7% MHCIId, and 20.2% MHCIIb. Changes in MLC isoforms consisted of an increase in MLC1f and MLC2f concomitant with a decrease in MLC2s. These results indicate the existence of a differential effect of HS on MHC and MLC transitions that appears to be age dependent. They also suggest that the suspended soleus muscles from young rats may acquire the intrinsic contractile properties that are intermediate between those in the normal soleus and typical fast-twitch skeletal muscles.
Aging↗
Regulation of pulmonary circulation by alveolar oxygen tension via airway nitric oxide.
The effects of airway (AH) and vascular hypoxia (VH) on the production of nitric oxide (NO; VNO) were tested in isolated buffer-perfused (BFL) and blood-perfused rabbit lungs (BLL). To produce AH and/or VH, the lung was ventilated with 1% O(2) gas, and/or the perfusate was deoxygenated by a membrane oxygenator located on the inlet limb to the pulmonary artery. We measured exhaled NO (VNO), accumulation of perfusate NOx, and pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa) during AH (inspired O(2) fraction = 0.01) and/or VH (venous PO(2) = 26 Torr). In BFL, a pure AH without VH caused decreases in VNO and NOx accumulation with a rise in Ppa. However, neither VNO, NOx accumulation, nor Ppa changed during VH. Similarly, in BLL, only AH reduced VNO, although NOx accumulation was not measurable because of Hb. When alveolar PO(2) was gradually reduced from 152 to 0 Torr for 20 min, AH reduced VNO curvilinearly from 73.9 +/- 8 to 25.6 +/- 8 nl/min in BFL and from 26.0 +/- 2 to 5. 2 +/- 1 nl/min in BLL. This plot was analogous to that of a substrate-velocity curve for an enzyme obeying Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant for O(2) was calculated to be 23.2 microM for BLL and 24.1 microM for BFL. These results indicate that the VNO in the airway epithelia is dependent on the level of inspired O(2) fraction, leading to the tentative conclusion that epithelial NO synthase is O(2) sensitive over the physiological range of alveolar PO(2) and controls pulmonary circulation.
Animals↗
Atrial involvement in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis: relationship between ultrasonic tissue characterization of the atrium and interatrial conduction.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess atrial lesions using ultrasonic tissue characterization and to determine the contribution of atrial lesions to the interatrial electromechanical coupling conduction time in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS). METHODS: Twenty patients with PSS and 20 age-matched healthy controls were evaluated. The cyclic variation in integrated backscatter value (CV-IB) was measured at the interatrial septum (IAS) from apical four chamber view. M-modes of ventricular long axis motion along with phono- and electrocardiograms were recorded simultaneously at the right lateral (RT) and left lateral (LT) sites of the atrioventricular (AV) rings and central fibrous body (CFB) in the apical four-chamber view. Intervals from the P wave on ECG to the echocardiographic onset of atrial contraction as a point of inflection in long axis M-mode echocardiogram were measured at the RT and LT sites of AV rings and CFB (P-RT, P-LT, P-SEP, respectively). Interatrial electromechanical coupling conduction time was determined as [(P-LT) - (P-RT)]. RESULTS: In patients with PSS compared to normal controls, P-RT, P-SEP, P-LT, and interatrial conduction time were greater, while CV-IB in IAS decreased. Furthermore, CV-IB in IAS correlated well with interatrial conduction time (r = 0.7, p < 0.01) in patients with PSS. CONCLUSIONS: Interatrial electromechanical coupling times may be prolonged due to atrial tissue damage in patients with PSS.
Adult↗