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Biomedical subjects

H Takechi

Publications and source records attributed to H Takechi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Alternative 5' splice site selection induced by heat shock.

The mouse HSP47 gene consists of six exons separated by five introns. Three HSP47 cDNAs differing only in their 5' noncoding regions have been reported. One of these alternatively spliced mRNAs was detected only after heat shock, which caused an alternative 5' splice donor site selection. Other stress inducers, including an amino acid analog and sodium arsenite, had no effect on the alternative splicing. The alternatively spliced mRNA, which was 169 nucleotides longer in the 5' noncoding region compared to mRNA transcribed in non-heat shock conditions, was efficiently translated under heat shock conditions. This novel finding that alternative splicing is caused by artificial treatment like heat shock will provide a useful in vivo model for understanding the exon-intron recognition mechanism as well as heat shock-induced alterations in gene expression.

3T3 Cells↗

Spinal cord injuries in Okayama Prefecture: an epidemiological study '88-'89.

An epidemiological survey of spinal cord injury in Okayama Prefecture was carried out by reviewing the registration lists contained in the Law for the Welfare of the Physically Disabled. The authors computed the annual incidence of spinal cord injuries (SCI) in Okayama Prefecture (April 1988-March 1989) to be 49.0 (28.6 for traumatic cases) per one million inhabitants from a population of 1,920,000. In addition, distribution by age, aetiology, paralysis level and residential area were investigated.

Adolescent↗

Structure of the gene encoding the mouse 47-kDa heat-shock protein (HSP47).

HSP47, a 47-kDa heat-shock protein (HSP), is a member of a group of HSPs with the unique characteristics of collagen binding as well as transformation sensitivity. The protein belongs to the serpin (serine protease inhibitor) superfamily as determined from its amino acid sequence homology. We have isolated and characterized the mouse HSP47 including about 1 kb of the 5'-flanking region. This gene spans about 7.8 kb, consisting of six exons separated by five introns. This exon-intron structure is different from other serpin family proteins. Southern blot analysis revealed the existence of a single copy of HSP47. The promoter region contains a TATA box, four Sp1-binding sites and one AP-1-binding site. A complete heat-shock element (HSE) was found between nucleotides (nt) -61 and -79. Furthermore, the heat inducibility was reproduced by transfecting mouse BALB/3T3 cells with a plasmid carrying cat under the control of the HSE-containing fragment (nt -197 and +38) of HSP47. Computer analysis of the promoter region did not show marked homology to other vertebrate promoters.

3T3 Cells↗

Stump problems in traumatic amputation.

Stump problems in amputations resulting from employment related injuries were investigated in 397 cases in the Chugoku and Shikoku districts of Japan between 1987 and 1991. Ninety-seven patients (24%) had stump problems which interfered the prosthetic fitting. Stump problems of the upper extremity were seen in about 9% (17 amputees), two thirds of which were skin troubles. Stump problems of the lower extremity were seen in about 37% (80 amputees). Certain complaints were associated with specific methods of amputation; abnormal keratosis in Syme's amputation, equinus deformity in Chopart's amputation, reduced muscle power in above the knee (A/K) amputation and joint dysfunction in below the knee (B/K) amputation. Adequate prosthetic fitting was achieved by the modification of the socket and alignment in almost all amputees with stump problems. In only two cases, Chopart's amputation required subsequent Syme's amputation due to equinus deformity with abnormal keratosis. In almost every case, stump problems are avoidable by means of surgeons' deliberate evaluation of the affected limb and adequate choice of the amputation level.

Accidents, Occupational↗

Incidence and prognosis of dysvascular amputations in Okayama Prefecture (Japan).

This survey analysed the clinical characteristics of subjects who first underwent major amputation of lower limbs necessitated by dysvascular disease during the 5 year period from 1984 to 1988. All were residents of Okayama Prefecture, Japan, and have been issued with a Physically Disabled Person's Certificate. In total, 114 dysvascular amputees, representing 58.2% of all lower limb amputations performed in the resident population during the study period, were surveyed. The underlying diagnosis was arteriosclerotic obstruction in 64.9% of the subjects, diabetic gangrene in 22.8%, acute embolism in 7.0% and Buerger's disease in 5.3%. The yearly incidence of new dysvascular amputees per 100,000 people was estimated to be 1.2 among the general population and 5.7 among those aged over 65 years. At three years after primary amputation, the survival rate was 52.3% in arteriosclerotic obstruction, and 66.7% in diabetic gangrene. Secondary amputation was performed in 17.0% of the entire group. The concurrent incidence of hemiplegic stroke was 19.8%. Among 36 amputees due to arteriosclerotic obstruction, who survived 3 years postoperatively, 10 (27.8%) were fitted with prosthetic limbs.

Adult↗

Molecular cloning of a mouse 47-kDa heat-shock protein (HSP47), a collagen-binding stress protein, and its expression during the differentiation of F9 teratocarcinoma cells.

A 47-kDa heat-shock protein (HSP47) is a major collagen-binding stress protein residing in the endoplasmic reticulum, and is assumed to be a molecular chaperone specific to collagen. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and immunoprecipitation studies showed that the expression of HSP47 was significantly induced during the differentiation of mouse teratocarcinoma F9 cells by treatment with retinoic acid alone or with retinoic acid and dibutyryladenosine 3',5'-phosphate. The induction of type-IV collagen was also observed during F9-cell differentiation. For further analysis, we cloned cDNA encoding mouse HSP47 from a cDNA library of BALB/c 3T3 cells and performed Northern-blot analysis. The cDNA contained a signal sequence at the N-terminus and an endoplasmic-reticulum-retention signal, RDEL, at the C-terminus. An homology search revealed that mouse HSP47, as well as chick HSP47, belonged to the serine protease inhibitor superfamily. While chick HSP47 mRNA was 4.5 kb with a long (2-kb) 3' untranslated region, mouse and human HSP47 mRNA were 2.5 kb, with a 0.8-kb 3' untranslated region. Northern-blot analysis revealed that the concurrent induction of HSP47 and type-IV collagen during F9-cell differentiation, and the transient induction of HSP47 after heat shock was regulated at the level of mRNA accumulation. These results suggested that HSP47 was closely related to collagens in terms of its expression as well as in its functional relevance.

3T3 Cells↗

Inhibition of the activation of heat shock factor in vivo and in vitro by flavonoids.

Transcriptional activation of human heat shock protein (HSP) genes by heat shock or other stresses is regulated by the activation of a heat shock factor (HSF). Activated HSF posttranslationally acquires DNA-binding ability. We previously reported that quercetin and some other flavonoids inhibited the induction of HSPs in HeLa and COLO 320DM cells, derived from a human colon cancer, at the level of mRNA accumulation. In this study, we examined the effects of quercetin on the induction of HSP70 promoter-regulated chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) activity and on the binding of HSF to the heat shock element (HSE) by a gel mobility shift assay with extracts of COLO 320DM cells. Quercetin inhibited heat-induced CAT activity in COS-7 and COLO 320DM cells which were transfected with plasmids bearing the CAT gene under the control of the promoter region of the human HSP70 gene. Treatment with quercetin inhibited the binding of HSF to the HSE in whole-cell extracts activated in vivo by heat shock and in cytoplasmic extracts activated in vitro by elevated temperature or by urea. The binding of HSF activated in vitro by Nonidet P-40 was not suppressed by the addition of quercetin. The formation of the HSF-HSE complex was not inhibited when quercetin was added only during the binding reaction of HSF to the HSE after in vitro heat activation. Quercetin thus interacts with HSF and inhibits the induction of HSPs after heat shock through inhibition of HSF activation.

Animals↗

History of prostheses and orthoses in Japan.

Until the first contact with European civilization in 1543, prostheses and orthoses were not seen in Japanese medical history. Some physicians and surgeons who studied medicine in the Dutch language understood about prostheses and orthoses before the opening of the country in 1868. From 1868 to the end of World War II (1945), prostheses and orthoses were influenced by German orthopaedic surgery. From the latter half of the 1960s the research and development of these have been advanced, because of the establishment of a domestic rehabilitation system, international cultural exchange and economic development.

History, 16th Century↗

HSP47: a tissue-specific, transformation-sensitive, collagen-binding heat shock protein of chicken embryo fibroblasts.

We report the isolation and characterization of a cDNA clone encoding HSP47, a transformation-sensitive heat shock protein that binds to collagen. A cDNA library was prepared from total RNA isolated from heat-shocked chicken embryo fibroblasts and screened by using oligonucleotide mixtures prepared on the basis of the N-terminal amino acid sequence of biochemically purified HSP47. The cDNA insert contained 3,278 bp, which encoded a 15-amino-acid signal peptide and a mature protein coding region consisting of 390 amino acid residues; it also included part of the 5' noncoding region and a long 3' noncoding region. The deduced amino acid sequence revealed an RDEL sequence at the C terminus, which is a variant of the KDEL retention signal for retention of proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum. Northern (RNA) blot analyses and nuclear run-on assays established that the induction of HSP47 by heat shock and its suppression after transformation of chicken embryo fibroblasts by Rous sarcoma virus are regulated at the transcriptional level. A homology search revealed that this protein belongs to the serpin family, the superfamily of plasma serine protease inhibitors. Although structurally homologous to the serpins, HSP47 lacks the active site thought to be essential for the inhibition of proteases and does not appear to bind to intracellular proteases. HSP47 is the first heat shock protein found to be a member of the serpin superfamily. Conversely, it is the first serpin family member that is not secreted from cells, which could be explained by acquisition of the RDEL retention signal during evolution.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Gait analysis of slope walking: a study on step length, stride width, time factors and deviation in the center of pressure.

Determination was made of step length, stride width, time factors and deviation in the center of pressure during up- and downslope walking in 17 healthy men between the ages of 19 and 34 using a force plate. Slope inclinations were set at 3, 6, 9 and 12 degrees. At 12 degrees, walking speed, the product of step length and cadence, decreased significantly (p less than 0.01) in both up- and downslope walking. The most conspicuous phenomenon in upslope walking was in cadence. The steeper the slope, the smaller was the cadence. The most conspicuous phenomenon in downslope walking was in step length. The steeper the slope, the shorter was the step length.

Adult↗

Amplification of both c-myc and c-raf-1 oncogenes in a human osteosarcoma.

Fourteen human bone and soft part tumor tissues were screened by Southern blot hybridization using five oncogene probes (c-myc, c-K-ras, c-fos, c-raf-1, and N-myc). Amplification of c-myc was found in two osteosarcomas and one malignant fibrous histiocytoma. One of these osteosarcomas had amplified c-raf-1 gene. Rearrangement of the amplified gene was not observed. This is the first report of c-raf-1 amplification in human cancer tissues.

Adolescent↗

Follow-up study of cartilaginous bone tumors.

A series of clinical and pathological studies were performed on 74 cartilaginous bone tumors including osteochondromas, multiple cartilaginous exostoses, chondromas, chondromatoses, benign chondroblastomas and chondrosarcomas. Resection was adequate for the osteochondromas, and no recurrence was observed. Out of 14 multiple cartilaginous exostoses, three, all in flat bones showed malignant change. The predominant sites of chondroma were the finger and toe bones, and curettage and bone graft was adequate treatment. Neither recurrence nor malignant change was observed. Two cases of chondromatosis, one of Ollier's disease and one of Maffucci's syndrome, were included in our series. Leg length discrepancy and pathologic fracture were common problems in chondromatosis. Moreover, malignant change was suspected in a hemangioma of the Maffucci's syndrome patient. Benign chondroblastoma was treated by curettage and bone graft, with no recurrence. In our series, 4 primary and 3 secondary chondrosarcomas were observed. Metastasis was seen in only one case. Because of the discrepancy between the biological behavior and histological findings of cartilaginous bone tumors, the malignancy of tumors should be evaluated by clinical signs and symptoms as well as by histological findings.

Adolescent↗

Electromyographic kinesiology of lower extremity muscles during slope walking.

To investigate the phasic activity of the lower extremity muscles during up- and downslope walking, five muscles of ten healthy men were examined by telemetered electromyography (EMG). The muscles were the tibialis anterior (TA), gastrocnemius (Gc), rectus femoris (RF), semitendinosus (St) and gluteus maximus (GM). The inclination of the slope was 3, 6, 9 and 12 degrees. EMG of the muscles and the time factors of a walking cycle were recorded by a 12-channel polygraph simultaneously. In upslope walking, the duration of TA, St and GM activity was longer and that of RF activity was shorter than in level walking. The phasic pattern of Gc in upslope walking was the same as in level walking. In downslope, the duration of Gc and RF activity was longer than on the level. St showed biphasic activities. The phasic pattern of TA and GM was nearly the same as in level walking. The phasic activity of the muscles altered with an inclination over 6 degrees in upslope, and over 3 degrees in downslope. The findings indicate that the muscles stabilize the knee and ankle joint much more in slope walking than in level walking, and in slope walking they also exert themselves to elevate or lower the body weight.

Adult↗

The osseous structure of the carpal groove.

Transverse osseous structure of the carpal groove was studied using serial sections and microradiography. The width and area of the carpal groove were measured in x-ray films of each section. The wrist and carpal region was divided into six levels: 1) radio-ulnar joint level, 2) proximal level of the carpal bones, 3) intermediate level of carpal bones, 4) distal level of carpal bones, 5) the first C-M joint level, and 6) bases of the metacarpal bone level. The width of the carpal groove averaged 32 mm at the inlet and became narrower toward the outlet. Both inlet and outlet areas were small, the largest area was observed at the middle part. Although the carpal bones did not support the body weight, a remnant of the trajectorial architecture of the trabeculae was observed.

Carpal Bones↗

Transfection with the proviral DNA of a type D retrovirus (Mason-Pfizer monkey virus).

Chromosomal DNA was isolated from CMMT cells which were producing Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV), a type D simian retrovirus. Human embryonic cells were transfected with the DNA. About 2 weeks after transfection, 3 of 7 culture dishes began to produce M-PMV which could be detected by virus-mediated cell fusion in RSb human cells dually transformed by Rous sarcoma virus and simian virus 40, reverse transcriptase assay, and electron microscopy. Mock-transfected cultures did not produce virus.

Animals↗

Intra-articular pressure of the hip joint outside and inside the limbus.

The intra-articular pressure of the hip joint of a hemipelvectomized limb was measured outside and inside the limbus. The negative pressure inside the limbus was not sufficient to hold the weight of a leg. The pressure inside the limbus changed chiefly in flexion, extension and internal rotation, however, the pressure outside the limbus changed primarily in abduction, adduction and external rotation. From these pressure changes, it was considered that the limbus was not an airtight valve. Moreover, there seemed to be an air leakage through valve of the limbus.

Extremities↗

Follow-up study of giant cell tumor of bone.

Forty-two patients with giant-cell tumor of bone were treated by various surgical procedures. Local recurrence and pulmonary metastasis were surveyed with respect to the operation performed. A high incidence of local recurrence was observed in the group who underwent curettage for the bone lesion. Four cases had pulmonary metastasis and three died of tumor. Adequate surgical treatment of giant-cell tumors of bone needs at least en bloc resection of the bone lesion with reconstruction. Although the microscopic findings in our malignant cases differed somewhat from benign ones, it was very difficult to predict later malignant change from the histological features of the initial stage.

Adult↗