Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H Okabe

Publications and source records attributed to H Okabe.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Estimation of silver-binding nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) in lymphoproliferative disorders of gastrointestinal tract.

We quantified nucleolar organizer regions demonstrable by silver staining technique (AgNORs) in six cases of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (RLH), and in 14 low-grade B-cell lymphomas (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) 5, centrocytic 3, centroblastic-centrocytic 6) and 49 high-grade B-cell lymphomas (centroblastic 44, immunoblastic 3, Burkitt's one, large cell anaplastic one). The pooled mean AgNOR number in low-grade B-cell lymphomas was significantly higher than that in RLH, and significantly lower than that in high-grade B-cell lymphomas. There was a statistically significant difference between RLH versus centroblastic-centrocytic lymphoma in pooled mean AgNOR number and in RLH versus centrocytic lymphoma but not in RLH versus MALT lymphoma. The AgNOR numbers in the cellular components of RLH were also analyzed. The follicle center centroblasts of RLH exhibited a significantly higher pooled mean AgNOR number than other kinds of lymphoid cells in RLH. Furthermore, AgNOR numbers of gastrointestinal lymphomas were compared with those of cellular elements in RLH. There was a statistically significant increased AgNOR number of centroblastic lymphoma when compared with neoplastic centroblasts in centroblastic-centrocytic lymphoma and follicular centroblasts in RLH. By contrast, there was no significant difference in AgNOR numbers between MALT lymphomas and interfollicular lymphocytes, mantle zone lymphocytes or follicular centrocytes in RLH, respectively. This study demonstrated a similar increase when non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphomas in gastrointestinal tract were compared with histogenetically related cellular elements of RLH. AgNOR counting might be useful adjunct in the classification and grading of lymphoproliferative disorders in gastrointestinal tract.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1994

A simple and rapid fluorometric determination method of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein in serum using quinaldine red.

We examined different fluorescent probes suitable for fluorometric determination of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) in serum. Quinaldine red (QR) was shown to bind strongly and selectively to AGP. Taking advantage of the enhanced fluorescence of QR in the presence of AGP, we developed a direct method for the determination of serum AGP without removal of other serum proteins such as albumin. AGP concentrations in serum of healthy volunteers and patients correlated well with results from the conventional single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) method (r = 0.93, slope = 1). The newly developed method is faster and has a larger analytical concentration range than the SRID method. This method can also be used to determine AGP in serum of experimental animals, and it can serve to monitor AGP serum concentrations for pharmacokinetic evaluation of basic drugs.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Production of thyroid stimulation blocking antibody without TSH receptor binding activity in rabbits with experimental autoimmune thyroiditis.

When rabbits were immunized with porcine thyroid plasma membrane, some cases of produced antibodies showed the blocking activity for TSH stimulated cAMP production in cultured porcine thyroid cells in spite of negative TSH binding inhibitory immunoglobulin (TBII) activity. The inhibitory effect of these thyroid stimulation blocking antibodies (TSBAbs) on cAMP increase by forskolin and GTP gamma S in porcine thyroid cells was observed in 1 and 3 rabbits, respectively. When the blocking activity of these antibodies for stimulated cAMP production by forskolin, GTP gamma S and NaF was examined in the isolated porcine thyroid membrane, no blocking activity for these 3 stimulators except in 1 case was found. The blocking activity of these antibodies could be absorbed significantly by incubation with porcine thyroid plasma membrane as antigen. The blocking activity was not observed in rabbits immunized with porcine thyroglobulin. The present experiment demonstrated that the produced antibody in rabbits against porcine thyroid membrane had the blocking activity for TSH stimulation to thyroid cells without affecting TSH binding to its receptor. These facts suggest that this type of blocking antibody may be produced against any antigen of thyroid membrane origin except the TSH receptor.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1994

Steroidal constituents from the roots and stems of Aclepias fruticosa.

Steroidal constituents from the roots and stems of Asclepias fruticosa L. were investigated separately. From the roots, twelve pregnane pentaosides and uzarigenin beta-sophoroside were isolated together with three known coroglaucigenin and corotoxigenin glycosides. Pregnane glycosides were composed of ikemagenin or kidjolanin as an aglycone, and D-digitoxose, D-cymarose, D-oleandrose and terminal D-glucose as component sugars. Among the constituents from the stems, cardenolides show a similar pattern to those from leaves. 17 alpha-Hydroxycalactin and 17 alpha-hydroxyafroside were newly obtained along with known doubly linked and normally linked glycosides. Two pregnane glycosides and uzarigenin beta-sophoroside obtained from the roots were also isolated.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Isolation and characterization of a serine proteinase, inactivating m-subunit of lactate dehydrogenase, from Penicillium citrinum KE-1.

A selective inactivating enzyme for the m-subunit of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was found in the culture filtrate of Penicillium citrinum KE-1, newly isolated from soil. The enzyme was purified from the culture filtrate by ammonium sulfate fractionation, column chromatography on CM-Sepharose CL-6B, and gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. The purification was 124-fold with an activity yield of 81%. The purified enzyme gave a single band, corresponding to a molecular weight of 32,000, on SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and the isoelectric point was 9.5. The enzyme specifically inactivated the m-subunit of LDH but showed no activity on the h-subunit of LDH. The enzyme, named KE-1 proteinase, proved to be a serine-type proteinase. Limited proteolysis of native m-subunit of LDH was assumed to result in a loss of enzyme activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Biotransformation of a new synthetic retinoid, 4-[(5,6,7, 8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthyl)carbamoyl] benzoic acid (Am-80), in the rat. Structure elucidation of the metabolites by mass and nmr spectrometry.

1. The major metabolites of Am-80 in rat bile were examined by tlc-radiochromatography and hplc-radiochromatography after the intravenous administration of 14C-Am-80, and > 15 metabolites were detected. 2. Intact and Glusulase-treated bile were analysed by both tlc-radiochromatography and hplc-radiochromatography. As both samples gave similar patterns in both chromatography systems, we have concluded that neither glucuronide nor sulphate conjugates were present. 3. 2H3-Am-80 and 2H6-Am-80 were administered to rats, and the major metabolites in bile were detected and their structures elucidated by GC-MS. 4. The chemical structures of seven major biliary metabolites, including unchanged Am-80, were identified by mass and two-dimensional nmr spectrometry, and included 6-hydroxy-Am-80 (M-3), 7-hydroxy-Am-80 (M-4), 6-oxo-Am-80 (M-5), unchanged Am-80 (M-0) and the taurine conjugates of M-3 (M-1), M-4 (M-2) and M-0 (M-6).

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Periosteal osteosarcoma and parosteal chondrosarcoma evaluated by double immunohistochemical staining. Report of 2 cases.

Differentiation of periosteal osteosarcoma and parosteal (periosteal) chondrosarcoma by conventional histology may be difficult. One case each of clinically and histologically proven periosteal osteosarcoma and parosteal chondrosarcoma were evaluated by a double-immunohistochemical staining method using proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and S-100 protein (S-100). Conventional histology showed proliferation of both osteoblastic and chondroblastic cells in the periosteal osteosarcoma, while there was a growth of only chondroblastic tumor cells in the parosteal chondrosarcoma. Immunohistochemical studies indicated that the nuclei of chondroblastic cells recognized by S-100 were PCNA-negative, while osteoblastic stromal cells were PCNA-positive in the periosteal osteosarcoma. In contrast, chondroblastic cells in the parosteal chondrosarcoma were both S-100- and PCNA-positive. Our findings suggest that periosteal osteosarcoma is characterized by the proliferation of osteoblastic stromal cells, whereas parosteal chondrosarcoma is characterized by the proliferation of chondroblastic cells. This method of double immunohistochemical staining, using PCNA and S-100, may be useful in differentiating these chondroblastic tumors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Clinical study of serum ErbB-2 protein using sandwich radioimmunometric assay (ErbB-2 IRMA 'Eiken')].

Sandwich radioimmunometric assay (ErbB-2 IRMA 'Eiken') was developed to determine the levels of c-erbB-2 oncogene product (ErbB-2 protein) in human sera, and a clinical investigation was carried out to evaluate this novel oncogene product. The mean serum concentration of the ErbB-2 protein determined from 364 donors was 4.0 +/- 0.69 ng/ml (mean +/- SD) for females and 4.5 +/- 0.96 ng/ml for males. Cut-off values were set at 5.4 ng/ml for females and 6.5 ng/ml for males. The positivities of serum ErbB-2 protein in patients with breast carcinoma were 13.0% for primary cases and 47.9% for recurrent cases. Patients with hepatic disorders also had positive serum ErbB-2 protein levels, ie, 43.8% (7/16) for hepatocellular carcinoma and 28.9% (11/38) for hepatitis and liver cirrhosis, although the increase was slight and barely exceeded 10 ng/ml. In comparison with the levels of other tumor markers, such as CEA, CA 15-3 and NCC-ST 439, the serum ErbB-2 level was shown to have poor correlations, and was thus assumed to be useful for combination with those tumor markers. In serial determinations of serum ErbB-2 protein in two patients with recurrent breast carcinoma, the antigen increased preceding the increases in the other tumor markers, thereby also showing usefulness as a monitoring marker for breast carcinoma. In conclusion, these results indicated that ErbB-2 measurement improves the assessment of breast cancer in combination with other tumor markers and is useful as a tool for monitoring the clinical condition and the response for treatment in breast cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

[Clinical evaluation of serum ErbB-2 protein using enzyme immuno assay (ErbB-2 EIA [Nichirei])].

The levels of ErbB-2 protein in serum samples from patients with breast cancer, other various malignant tumors, and benign diseases were determined using the sandwich EIA for clinical evaluation. In 364 healthy blood donors, cut-off values were set at 5.4 ng/ml for females and 6.5 ng/ml for males. The positive rate of primary breast cancer was 13.0% (24/185) and that of recurrent breast cancer was 51.2% (62/121). No significant correlation was found between serum levels of ErbB-2 protein and other tumor markers, such as CEA, CA 15-3, and ST 439. Measurement of ErbB-2 protein in combination with these tumor markers showed increased sensitivities. The positive rates and levels of ErbB-2 protein in sera of patients with metastasis to multiple organs were significantly higher than those in patients with metastasis to only a single organ. In postoperative follow-up of two patients with recurrent breast cancer, the levels of ErbB-2 exceeded its cut-off value a few months earlier than did the other tumor markers. These results indicate that the measurement of the ErbB-2 protein in serum is useful for the diagnosis and a monitoring the relapse of breast carcinoma.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1994

[Experimental research on choroidal circulation. 2. Choroidal blood flow increase elicited by electrical stimulation of parasympathetic nerve behind the eyeball in the cat].

The present studies were performed to examine whether the nerves behind the eye ball contain parasympathetic fibers which dilate the choroidal blood vessels. Choroidal blood flow in the cat (20 animals) was measured trans-sclerally with a laser Doppler flowmeter. Cats were anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium (30 mg/kg, i.v.) and artificially respirated after injection of pancuronium bromide (0.2 mg/kg/hr, i.v.). Electrical stimulation of the short ciliary nerve as well as of the nerve between the ciliary ganglion and accessory ciliary ganglion, where the sensory nerve is absent, elicited an increase choroidal blood flow in an intensity-dependent manner. Application of capsaicin, which is known to desensitize the polymodal nociceptive C-fibers, to these nerves did not abolish the increase in blood flow in response to electrical stimulation of the short ciliary nerve. Atropine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist, and phentolamine, an alpha-adrenoceptor blocking agent, had no effect on these responses. The results suggest that the blood flow increase elicited by stimulation of these nerves is mediated via activation of the atropine-resistant parasympathetic vasodilator fibers supplying the choroid in the cat.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Increased sinusoidal efflux of reduced and oxidized glutathione in rats with endotoxin/D-galactosamine hepatitis.

The changes in the concentrations of reduced (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in the plasma as well as in the liver were investigated in rats with endotoxin hepatitis. Hepatitis was induced by intraperitoneal co-administration of small doses of Escherichia coli endotoxin and D-galactosamine. In the liver, the concentration of GSH decreased and that of GSSG increased 12 hr later. In the plasma taken from the right atrium, the concentration of both GSH and GSSG increased. The GSH/GSSG ratio in the plasma decreased, as it did in the liver. The net sinusoidal efflux of GSH and GSSG from the liver was calculated by subtracting their concentrations in plasma of the infrahepatic, suprarenal inferior vena cava from those of the suprahepatic inferior vena cava. The efflux started to increase as early as 2-4 hr after the injection of the toxins. In contrast, a leakage of alanine aminotransferase, an elongation of prothrombin time, an inhibition of starvation ketosis, and an increase in serum concentration of total bilirubin were detected as late as 6-8 hr after the injection. We conclude that endotoxin/D-galactosamine hepatitis induced an increase in plasma concentrations of GSH as well as GSSG by increasing the efflux of these peptides from the liver, and that changes in plasma glutathione status might be useful and sensitive markers for liver damage.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[A case report of left ventricular-right atrial communication with tricuspid regurgitation due to infective endocarditis].

A case of 58-year-old man with a left ventricular-right atrial communication with tricuspid regurgitation due to infective endocarditis was reported. Surgical treatment was performed following intensive chemotherapy. The communication was found in the center of a vegetation on the septal leaflet. Closure of the communication and replacement of the tricuspid valve were done successfully. His postoperative course was uneventful.

Endocarditis, Bacterial↗
PubMed1994

Nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) in lymphoproliferative disorders of the human salivary gland.

The relationship between the silver-stained proteins of the nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) and proliferative activity was studied in 30 patients with lymphoproliferative disorders of the major salivary gland. The salivary gland lesions were microscopically and immunohistochemically differentiated into myoepithelial sialadenitis (MESA, n = 6), low-grade B-cell lymphoma (n = 16), high-grade B-cell lymphoma (n = 5), and T-cell lymphoma (n = 3). The mean AgNOR count per nucleus for MESA was 2.48; for low-grade B-cell lymphoma, 2.19; for high-grade B-cell lymphoma, 6.37; and for T-cell lymphoma, 5.46. There was no significant difference in AgNOR counts per nucleus between the MESA and low-grade B-cell lymphoma, whereas the high-grade B-cell lymphomas exhibited significantly increased mean AgNOR number. Furthermore, the mean numbers of AgNOR were compared with cellular types of lymphoproliferative disorders. A statistically significant difference did exist among AgNOR counts of centroblasts, centrocytes and mantle zone lymphocytes or interfollicular lymphocytes in MESA. There was no significant difference in AgNOR counts per nucleus among the centroblasts of MESA, neoplastic centroblasts of centroblastic/centrocytic lymphoma, and centroblastic lymphoma. It was shown that AgNOR enumeration of tumor cells in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma was similar to those seen in mantle zone and interfollicular lymphocytes of MESA. Therefore, we propose that MALT lymphoma may represent a mucosal counterpart of mantle zone lymphocyte- or interfollicular lymphocyte-related low-grade B-cell lymphomas.

Humans↗
PubMed1994

Granulocyte proteases and hydrogen peroxide synergistically inactivate thrombomodulin of endothelial cells in vitro.

Leukocytes release lysosomal proteases and reactive oxygen species in response to various stimuli that damage the adjacent endothelial cells. We investigated the effects of granulocyte lysosomal proteases (granulocyte elastase [GE] and cathepsin G [CG] and/or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on thrombomodulin (TM) activity of endothelial cells. We wished to determine whether the activated leukocytes damage the nonthrombogenic systems of endothelial cells. When cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were incubated with GE, TM activity of the cells (as judged by the protein C activation capacity) decreased to about 10% of control with the concomitant increase of immunoreactive TM concentration in the conditioned media. CG also decreased TM activity to about 20% of control with the concomitant increase in immunoreactive TM concentration in the conditioned media. The GE- or CG-induced inactivation of TM was not observed in the presence of alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor. Immunoblot analysis showed that CG cleaved purified TM to yield one major fragment with an M(r) of 43,000; TM activity of this fragment was about 10% of the control activity. When purified TM was incubated with GE, TM activity decreased to 10% of control, and no detectable band was found on immunoblotting, suggesting that CG and GE cleave TM into inactive fragments and that GE degrades the epitope structure of TM. Although H2O2 (1.0 mmol/L) enhanced chromium 51 release from prelabeled HUVECs after 30 minutes of incubation, it decreased TM activity only slightly.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cathepsin G↗
PubMed1993

Antithrombin III Nagasaki (Ser116-Pro): a heterozygous variant with defective heparin binding associated with thrombosis.

A novel variant of antithrombin III (AT III) that lacks affinity for heparin was found in a 33-year-old man who suffered from recurrent cerebral infarction. The propositus had a history of recurrent ischemic attacks from the age of 28. He was obese and had a smoking habit (30 to 40 cigarettes/day), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and a mild glucose intolerance as the possible risk factors for thrombosis. No family history of thromboembolic episodes was observed. Coagulation studies found low heparin cofactor activity (55%) of AT III, with a normal immunoreactive level (109.7%) and progressive antithrombin activity (117%). Other factors capable of predisposing him to hereditary thrombophilia were within normal ranges. Analysis by crossed immunoelectrophoresis in the presence of heparin and affinity chromatography on heparin-Sepharose demonstrated that the propositus' AT III was composed of two populations, one having no affinity for heparin and the other binding heparin normally. Nucleotide sequencing of 7 exons of the propositus' AT III gene using polymerase chain reaction and subcloning disclosed a transition of thymine to cytosine in exon 3a (codon 116) of the AT III gene leading to a Ser116-Pro conversion. Allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization procedures confirmed the presence of the mutation in the propositus' genomic DNA. Using the same technique, the mutation was also found in his father's genomic DNA, but not in that of his mother. These findings indicate that Ser116 is an important amino acid residue in heparin binding and that the propositus is heterozygous for the abnormality. Furthermore, the fact that the propositus suffered from recurrent cerebral infarction suggested that being heterozygous for a heparin-binding defect would lead to a predisposition to thrombosis when associated with various risk factors. The name AT III Nagasaki is proposed for this variant AT III containing a novel Ser116-Pro mutation.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Difference between human and guinea pig Hageman factors in activation by bacterial proteinases: cleavage site shift due to local amino acid substitutions may determine the activation efficiency of serine proteinase zymogens.

Human and guinea pig Hageman factors have been subjected to the action of pseudomonal elastase and serratial E15 proteinase. The pseudomonal elastase cleaved 22-24% of the human molecule at Arg353-Val354, and the remainder at Gly357-Leu358 resulting in the generation of about 20% of potential activity as activated Hageman factor, compared with trypsin activation, while it hydrolyzed Arg340-Ile341 bond in guinea pig molecule and generated about 75% of activity as activated Hageman factor. The serratial proteinase did not hydrolyze the essential cleavage site (Arg353-Val354) of the human zymogen but Gly356-Gly357 (30%) and Gly357-Leu358 (70%) bonds. Both products showed no activity. The guinea pig zymogen, in contrast, was cleaved mostly at Arg340-Ile341 (70%) and less abundantly at Gly344-Leu345 (30%), generating about 85% of the whole potential activity as activated Hageman factor. From the high correspondence between the proportions of activation and of hydrolysis at the essential cleavage site in activation, it was concluded that hydrolysis of the bonds different from the essential bond did not cause activation, even when the spatial separation was only 3 or 4 residues. Considering the amino acid differences between human and guinea pig Hageman factors, -Met351-Thr-Arg-Val-Val-Gly-Gly-Leu-Val-Ala360- and -Leu338-Ser-Arg-Ile-Val-Gly-Gly-Leu-Val-Ala347-, respectively, it was realized that even the minor amino acid substitutions caused the cleavage site shift which resulted in significant differences in activation efficiency of the proteinase zymogens.

Amino Acid Sequence↗