Biomedical subjects

H Uchida

Publications and source records attributed to H Uchida.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

[Primary tubular impairment by verocytotoxin in hemolytic uremic syndrome].

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in childhood is recognized as the most frequent cause of acute renal failure and is greatly associated with verotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC) infection. Most of the prodromal feature in HUS associated with VTEC infection is hemorrhagic colitis (HC). HC progresses to HUS in several days. So it is important to detect whether the patient with bloody diarrhea is associated with VTEC infection or not. From 1992 to 1996 we analyzed clinical findings of 80 HUS and 29 HC patients. High level of beta 2-microglobulin (BMG) and N-acetyl-D-beta-glucosaminidase (NAG) in the urine were observed in the early stage of the disease. We went on to examine verotoxin (VT2)-binding in mouse (ICR) renal sections by enzyme immunoassay. Specific binding of VT2 to tubules was seen in mouse kidney, and intravenous injection of VT2 to mice caused acute tubular necrosis in 15 h whereas glomeruli were intact. These data suggest that the primary target cell of VT2 was tubules in the kidney of the HUS patients with VTEC infection.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

PubMed1997

Optimal lipiodol volume in transcatheter arterial chemoembolotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: study based on lipiodol accumulation patterns and histopathologic findings.

To clarify the optimal dose of Lipiodol (Andre Guerbet, Aulnay-sous-Bois, France) during Lipiodol-transcatheter arterial embolization (L-TAE) and segmental L-TAE used to treat hepatocellular carcinoma, we studied the relationship between the volume of Lipiodol used during these procedures and the necrosis rates in resected specimens, as well as the correlation with the Lipiodol accumulation pattern based on the computed tomography findings (L-CT) and the volume of Lipiodol in resected and nonresected cases after L-TAE or segmental L-TAE. The L-CT and the dose of Lipiodol injected (mL) were studied correlatively in 198 cases (28 resected cases and 170 nonresected cases; tumor size < or = 5 cm in 52 cases and > 5 cm in 118 cases) that underwent L-TAE and in 80 cases (14 resected cases and 66 nonresected cases, tumor size < or = 5 cm in 52 cases and > 5 cm in 14 cases) that underwent segmental L-TAE. The L-CT was classified into four types: type I, homogeneous accumulation (type Ia, accumulation around the tumor; type Ib, no accumulation around the tumor); type II, partial defect; type III, sporadic accumulation; and type IV, punctate or no accumulation. In the 42 resected cases (L-TAE, 28 cases; segmental L-TAE, 14 cases), type I was seen in 68% (Ib, 100%) of the L-TAE cases and 93% (Ia, 79%; Ib, 14%) of the segmental L-TAE cases. The necrosis rate of the cases with type Ib L-CT was 90% to 100%, and all type Ia cases showed complete necrosis. In the 236 nonresected cases (L-TAE, 170 cases; segmental L-TAE, 66 cases), the volume of Lipiodol injected correlated with the L-CT type. In the L-TAE cases with a tumor size < or =5 cm, the frequency of the injected Lipiodol volume (D) being greater than the tumor diameter (d) (D > or = d) was 90%, and 87% of the cases with D > or = d showed type Ib L-CT. In the group whose tumor diameter (d) was more than 5 cm, the frequency of D > or = d was 25%, and 70% of the cases of D > or = d were type Ib. The frequency of D < d was 75%, and in 13% of these cases the L-CT was type Ib and the maximum dose was approximately 10 mL. In segmental L-TAE using the same dose of Lipiodol as in L-TAE, the frequency of D > or = d was 83%, and 93% of those cases showed type I, including 85% of type Ia. There was a correlation between the L-CT type and the necrosis rate, and type I, especially Ia in segmental L-TAE, showed complete necrosis in almost all cases. In L-TAE, standards for the optimal dose of Lipiodol are thought to be as follows: D > or = d in cases with d < or = 5, and slightly D < d and 10 mL maximally in cases with d > 5. In segmental L-TAE using the same dose of Lipiodol as in L-TAE, enhancement of the therapeutic effect was seen compared with L-TAE. This is surmised to have been because of the higher Lipiodol volume with anticancer agents per unit volume of the tumor in segmental L-TAE.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

PubMed1997

[Comparative studies on activities of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (1995). III. Differences in susceptibilities from previous years].

Susceptibilities to various antimicrobial agents were examined for Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa that were isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) in 11 hospitals during June, 1995 through May, 1996, and the results were compared with those obtained during the same period in earlier years. 1. Macrolide resistant E. faecalis isolated from uncomplicated UTIs during the latest study period appeared to have increased compared to those in previous study periods. More than 50% of the isolated E. faecalis during the latest study period were resistant to macrolide antibiotics, for the first time in our history. 2. No obvious changes were observed through the years for susceptibilities of S. aureus to various antimicrobial agents. Vancomycin (VCM) showed the highest activity against S. aureus, with MICs below 2 micrograms/ml or below. 3. Among E. coli strains, those with low susceptibilities to quinolones appeared to have increased over the years with MIC90 changed from between 0.125 microgram/ml or below and 0.5 microgram/ml in the 1989-1990 period to between 8 micrograms/ml and 128 micrograms/ml in the latest study period. 4. Klebsiella spp. showed higher resistance to most antimicrobial agents during periods of 1993-1994 and 1994-1995, but somewhat lower resistance during period of 1995-1996. No resistant Klebsiella spp. were detected from uncomplicated UTIs during the latest study period. 5. Among P. aeruginosa isolates from complicated UTIs, resistance isolates to gentamicin appeared to be increasing over the years. Resistant strains to quinolones were isolated at lower frequencies during periods of 1991-1994, but higher frequency was observed in the latest period, and MIC50s were between 0.5 and 4 micrograms/ml during 1991-1994, but were 16-32 micrograms/ml during 1995-1996. These susceptibility changes should be utilized in determining clinical treatments.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed1997

[Postoperative brain infarction in a patient with the previous asymptomatic brain infarction].

We report a case of a postoperative brain infarction, in which an asymptomatic preoperative brain infarction was also revealed postoperatively. A 63-year-old man with bladder carcinoma was scheduled for the cystoplasty. The patient had no prominent preoperative abnormality. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in N2O/oxygen combined with a spinal block and a continuous epidural block. Anesthesia lasted uneventfully for 16.5 hours. However, emergence from anesthesia was delayed. On the first postoperative day, motor aphasia and right hemiparalysis was confirmed. The computed tomography (CT) of the brain demonstrated a low density area in the frontoparietal region. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indicated the corresponding lesion as the CT had demonstrated, and an old brain infarction in the parietal region. This meant that the patient had a history of asymptomatic brain infarction (ABI). Patients with ABI are considered to be a high-risk group for a brain infarction. It is important to evaluate the risk factors of brain infarction preoperatively and to minimize those risks during the operation. Maintenance of the cerebral perfusion pressure is imperative.

Anesthesia, Epidural↗

PubMed1997

[A patient with acromegalic heart disease--a case report].

A perioperative anesthetic management of a 69 year old woman with acromegaly whose clinical course was characterized by severe heart failure is described. The patient showed symptoms of massive cardiomegaly. Endocrine studies indicated that her pituitary tumor was active with hyperproduction of growth hormone. There was no demonstrable evidence for other known causes of heart disease. Following hormonal therapy using continuous subcutaneous infusion of somatostatin for about two months, there was improvement in daily activity and reduction in heart size. After the improvement of cardiac function, transsphenoidal hypophysectomy was performed under general anesthesia and its perioperative course was quite uneventful. We conclude that because cardiac involvement such as left ventricular dilatation in acromegaly might be reversible with proper treatment, any surgical procedure, as long as the case is elective, should be considered after hormone therapy.

Acromegaly↗

PubMed1997

[Intakes and health effects of aluminum. "Is aluminum a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease?"].

Alzheimer's disease will be one of the main health problems in Japan in the near future, where the proportion of elderly people is showing rapid increase. The causes of the disease have been obscure, but some reports in recent years indicate the intake of aluminum is a risk factor. The reported knowledge concerning the function aluminum, the intake of aluminum and the relationship of aluminum to Alzheimer's disease needs to be summarized. The intestinal absorption of aluminum differs according to its chemical structures, coexistent substances such as maltose, citric acid, silicon and hydrogen ion concentration exponent. Aluminum absorbed from the intestine may be possibly accumulated in the brain tissue. There are some reports which indicate that the aluminum in the brain are toxic to nerve cells and produce Alzheimer's disease-like pathological or biochemical changes in animal brain. While there are a number of epidemiological reports which show that the presence of aluminum in the water supply relates to the disease incidence, it is not well recognized that a large amount of aluminum is contained and can be consumed through commonly used confectioneries and medications. At the present time while the amount of information is not sufficient to make some proposals about the aluminum consumption through foods and medicines, it is sufficient to merit informing people of their intake of the metal so as to be able to make their own decision. For further recommendations, more studies on this problem are necessary.

Aluminum↗

PubMed1997

[Comparative studies on activities of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (1995). I. Susceptibility distribution].

The frequencies of isolation and susceptibilities to antimicrobial agents were investigated on 704 bacterial strains isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) in 11 hospitals during the period of June 1995 to May 1996. Of the above bacterial isolates, Gram-positive bacteria accounted for 29.8% and a majority of them were Enterococcus faecalis. Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 70.2% and most of them were Escherichia coli. Susceptibilities of several isolated bacteria to antimicrobial agents were as followed; 1. Enterococcus faecalis Ampicillin (ABPC) and imipenem (IPM) showed the highest activities against E. faecalis isolated from patients with UTIs. The MIC90S of them were 1 microgram/ml. Vancomycin (VCM) and piperacillin (PIPC) were also active with the MIC90S of 2 micrograms/ml and 4 micrograms/ml, respectively. The others had low activities with the MIC90S of 16 micrograms/ml or above. 2. Staphylococcus aureus including MRSA VCM showed the highest activities against S. aureus isolated from patients with UTIs. Its MIC90 was 1 microgram/ml against both S. aureus and MRSA. Arbekacin (ABK) was also active with the MIC90 of 2 micrograms/ml. The other except minocycline (MINO) had very low activities with the MIC90S of 64 micrograms/ml or above. 3. Staphylococcus epidermidis ABK and MINO showed the strongest activities against S. epidermidis isolated from patients with UTIs. The MIC90S of them were 0.25 microgram/ml. VCM was also active with the MIC90 of 1 microgram/ml. The MIC90S of cephems ranged from 2 micrograms/ml to 16 micrograms/ml in 1994, but they ranged from 8 micrograms/ml to 128 micrograms/ml in 1995. These results indicated that some resistances existed among S. epidermidis to cephems. 4. Streptococcus agalactiae All drugs except gentamicin (GM) were active against S. agalactiae. ABPC, cefmenoxime (CMX), IPM, erythromycin (EM), clindamycin (CLDM) and clarithromycin (CAM) showed the highest activities. The MICs for all strains were lower than 0.125 microgram/ml. The MIC90S of the others were 2 micrograms/ml or below. 5. Citrobacter freundii IPM showed the highest activity against C. freundii isolated from patients UTIs. Its MIC90 was 1 microgram/ml. GM was also active with the MIC90 of 2 micrograms/ml. Cefpirome (CPR), cefozopran (CZOP) and amikacin (AMK) were also active with the MIC90S of 4 micrograms/ml. Penicillins and cephems except CMX, CPR and CZOP showed low activities with MIC90S of 256 micrograms/ml or above. 6. Enterobacter cloacae IPM showed the highest activity against E. cloacae. The MICs for all strains were equal to or lower than 1 microgram/ml. MINO and tosufloxacin (TFLX) were also active with the MIC90S of 8 micrograms/ml. Penicillins and cephems except CPR and CZOP showed lower activities with the MIC90S of 256 micrograms/ml or above. 7. Escherichia coli. Most of the antimicrobial agents were active against E. coli. Particularly CPR, CZOP and IPM showed the highest activities against E. coli. The MICs for all strains were equal to or lower than 0.5 microgram/ml. CMX and TFLX were also active with the MIC90S of 0.125 microgram/ml or below. Penicillins were slightly active with MIC90S of 128 micrograms/ml or above. 8. Klebsiella pneumoniae K. pneumoniae was susceptible to all drugs except penicillins, with MIC90S of 2 micrograms/ml or below. Carumonam (CRMN) had the strongest activity against K. pneumoniae, the MICs for all strains were equal to or lower than 0.125 microgram/ml. Comparing with the result of 1994, the sensitivities of K. pneumoniae against all drugs had obviously changed into a better state. For example, the MIC90S of cephems ranged from 0.25 microgram/ml to 16 micrograms/ml in 1994, but they were all lower than 2 micrograms/ml in 1995. 9. Proteus mirabilis P. mirabilis was susceptible to a majority of drugs. CMX, ceftazidime (CAZ), cefixime (CFIX), and CRMN showed the highest activities against P. mirabilis isolated from patients with UTIs. MICs of CRMN for all

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed1997

[Comparative studies on activities of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (1995). II. Background of patients].

Clinical background was investigated on patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) from whom 785 bacterial strains were isolated in 11 hospitals during the period from June, 1995 through May, 1996. 1. Distributions of age and sex of patients and type of infections. Among the patients examined, those with ages 50 years or older were the most frequent (males: 80.5%, females: 69.7%), and, among females, those with ages in the 20's were 12.6%. With regard to types of infections, more than a half of infections among males were of complicated types, but most of infections among females were of uncomplicated types, especially among females of ages less than 60 years. 2. Ages of patients and types of pathogens. The higher the ages of patients, the lesser became the isolation frequencies of Proteus spp. and Serratia spp., but the higher were those of Klebsiella spp. and Pseudomonas spp. 3. Effect of antibiotic use on isolation frequencies of pathogens. Use of antibiotics decreased pathogens isolated from patients with uncomplicated UTIs drastically (237 isolates before antibiotics compared to 33 after). Even isolated pathogens from patients with complicated UTIs decreased drastically with the use of antibiotics when indwelling catheters were not in use (200 isolates before antibiotics compared to 83 after), but when indwelling catheters were in use, antibiotics apparently failed to decrease the isolation frequency. 4. Surgical procedures and types of causative organisms for UTIs. Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated organism from uncomplicated cases of UTIs. From cases of complicated UTIs without indwelling catheters, Enterococcus faecalis was the most frequently isolated, followed by E. coli, P. aeruginosa and Klebsiella spp. When a surgical procedures were not done, E. coli was isolated most frequently. From cases of complicated UTIs with indwelling catheters, P. aeruginosa, E. faecalis and S. aureus were the organisms that were mainly isolated, with isolation frequencies of 23.9%, 17.3% and 12.7%, respectively. When no surgical procedures were used, isolation frequencies of P. aeruginosa, Klebsiella spp. and E. faecalis were 25.7%, 14.3% and 14.3%, respectively.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

The AML1/ETO fusion protein activates transcription of BCL-2.

The AML1 gene, located on chromosome 21, is involved in several distinct chromosomal translocations in human leukemia. In t(8;21) acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), the AML1 gene is juxtaposed to the ETO gene located on chromosome 8, generating an AML1/ETO fusion protein. Both AML1/ETO and the AML1 proteins recognize the same consensus DNA-binding motif (TGT/CGGT), which is found in the promoters of several genes involved in hematopoiesis. We found that two myeloid leukemia cell lines with the t(8;21) translocation, Kasumi and SKNO-1, have elevated levels of BCL-2 protein compared with other myeloid cell lines. In addition, we identified a consensus AML1 binding site in the BCL-2 promoter. Thus far, AML1/ETO has been shown to dominantly repress its target genes; however, we found that AML1/ETO activates transcription of the BCL-2 gene in U937 cells. This activation requires the presence of both the runt homology domain (rhd) and the C-terminal portion of AML1/ETO. We demonstrated sequence specific binding of both AML1A and AML1/ETO to the TGTGGT sequence in the BCL-2 promoter and showed that the AML1 binding site is required for responsiveness to AML1/ETO. Interestingly, AML1A and AML1B do not modulate the activity of the BCL-2 promoter. The elevated levels of BCL-2 in cells that express AML1/ETO may prolong their life span and contribute to the development of t(8;21) leukemia.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1996

MEF, a novel transcription factor with an Elf-1 like DNA binding domain but distinct transcriptional activating properties.

To isolate novel ETS genes expressed in hematopoietic cells we used a nested, degenerate oligonucleotide PCR based technique to obtain a cDNA fragment that encodes an ETS domain from a human megakaryocytic cell line. This fragment was used to isolate a full length, 4.2 kb cDNA that encodes a 663 amino acid protein which we call MEF (myeloid elf-1-like factor). MEF contains a central ETS domain and is expressed in a variety of myeloid leukemia cell lines and in normal adult hematopoietic tissue such as spleen, thymus and peripheral blood, as well as non-hematopoietic tissue such as ovary, placenta and colon. Using an oligonucleotide binding selection assay, and bacterially expressed MEF, we demonstrated that MEF recognizes a consensus DNA binding sequence nearly identical to elf-1 (..WGGA..) and then showed that MEF specifically bound to known elf-1 binding sites in the human GM-CSF and IL-3 promoters. To characterize the functional effect of MEF on transcription, we performed co-transfection experiments in myeloid cells, and T cells, and demonstrated transactivation of both promoters by MEF, but not by elf-1. MEF is a new member of the elf-1/E74 family of ETS proteins, that has DNA binding properties similar to elf-1 but distinct transcriptional activating effects in several hematopoietic cell lineages.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Splenic B-cell activation in lipopolysaccharide-non-responsive C3H/HeJ mice by lipopolysaccharide of Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Porphyromonas gingivalis 381 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) definitely exhibited mitogenic activity in purified B-cells, separated from spleens of LPS-responsive C3H/HeN mice and LPS-non-responsive C3H/HeJ mice by using a magnetic cell sorting system. The mitogenic activity induced by P. gingivalis LPS was incompletely inhibited by polymyxin B. P. gingivalis LPS also induced a higher production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in splenic B-cells of C3H/HeN mice as compared with Escherichia coli LPS. Furthermore, P. gingivalis LPS, but not E. coli LPS, induced definite IL-6 production in C3H/HeJ mice. P. gingivalis LPS increased tyrosine, serine/threonine phosphorylation of proteins with various major induced bands in splenic B-cells of both C3H/HeN and C3H/HeJ mice. Additionally, radioiodinated P. gingivalis LPS, similarly to E. coli LPS, bound to a 73-kDa protein on C3H/HeJ as well as C3H/HeN B-cells. Thus P. gingivalis LPS may activate B-cells of C3H/HeJ as well as C3H/HeN mice via the LPS-specific binding protein on the cells.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

PubMed1996

Trisomy 10 in acute myeloid leukemia.

We observed two patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) exhibiting trisomy 10 as the sole chromosome abnormality at the time of diagnosis. One patient was diagnosed with AML-MO, and the other with AML-M2. Both cases were CD7-antigen positive. However, we could not find any distinct clinico-hematologic characteristics of AML with trisomy 10 in these two patients. Trisomy 10 might be a rare recurring numerical chromosome abnormality and the incidence may be about 0.5% in de novo AML.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Detection and identification of microcystins in the drinking water of Haimen City, China.

Cyanobacterial toxins, microcystins, have a potent tumor-promoting activity. We investigated the level of microcystins in drinking water collected from 1992 to 1994 in Haimen City, China, where people who drink pond ditch water usually incurred a high incidence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma compared with those who drink well water. High-performance liquid chromatography, liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS), and protein phosphatase inhibition assay (pp assay) were used to identify and quantify the microcystins. Microcystin LR and [D-Asp3]microcystin LR were detected in 2 of 50 samples at a concentration less than 100 ng/L by LC/MS in 1992. Although no microcystins were found by the chemical method in 1993, 6 of 7 samples except for 3 tap water samples showed an approximate amount of 100 ng/L by using the pp assay in 1994. The obtained results supported the epidemiological results reported by Yu.

Bacterial Toxins↗

PubMed1996

Management of malignant tracheobronchial stenosis with metal stents and Dumon stents.

BACKGROUND: Tracheobronchial stenosis caused by malignancy is a life- threatening problem. Stenting is one of the treatment modalities and recently has been used widely for the management of such stenosis, but we do not have a clear guide as to which stent should be selected. METHODS: We evaluated 25 patients (19 men, 6 women; mean age, 60.7 years; range, 34 to 77 years) received 24 metal stents (four covered with silicone rubber) and three Dumon stents. All 25 patients had severe dyspnea because of airway stenosis caused by malignant tumors. RESULTS: Among the 25 patients, airway obstruction due to extrinsic compression by tumor developed in 11 and was treated with a bare metal stent. The airway remained patent in 10 patients. In 16 patients with intraluminal tumor invasion, nine lesions were treated with a bare metal stent, four lesions with a covered metal stent, and the remaining three lesions with a Dumon stent. Recurrent stenosis did not occur in any patient with a covered metal stent or a Dumon stent. However, restenosis occurred in 4 patients with a bare metal stent, all of whom received laser therapy. In all patients, stenting immediately relieved dyspnea. Six patients lived for 32 days to 53 months after stenting, and 19 patients died of primary malignancies with a mean survival of 131.9 days. CONCLUSIONS: Metal stents are effective in treating malignant extrinsic tracheobronchial compression. The use of covered metal stents or Dumon stents is preferable for intraluminal stenosis due to malignant growth.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Behavioral effects of HT-90B, a putative novel anxiolytic agent with potent antidepressive activity.

1. HT-90B,((-)-N-[2-(8-methyl-1,4-benzodioxane-2-ylmethyl)am in o]ethyl]tricyclo[3,3,1,1(3,7)] decane-1-carboxamide), is a novel serotonin 5-HT(1A) full agonist with serotonin 5-HT(2) antagonistic action. 2. In a water licking conflict test, HT-90B (3-30 mg/kg, po) was more effective than buspirone in abolishing response suppression. 3. In a forced swim test, HT-90B (3-30 mg/kg, po) reduced the duration of immobility after a single oral dose, which contrasts with the requirement of multiple doses for desipramine (as a standard antidepressant) to produce the effect. 4. These two behavioral effects of HT-90B (20 mg/kg,po) were still evident even 4 hr after oral administration. And no tolerance was observed for these behavioral effects after repeated oral administration (10 mg/kg, b.i.d., 2 weeks). 5. HT-90B hardly produced any diazepam- or buspirone-like side effects. 6. In conclusion, it is suggested HT-90B is a potent anti-depressive anxiolytic with minimal side effects.

Adamantane↗

PubMed1996

Stimulation of splenocytes in C3H/HeJ mice with Porphyromonas gingivalis lipid A in comparison with enterobacterial lipid A.

Porphyromonas gingivalis 381 lipid A induced strong mitogenic response in splenic B cells separated from LPS-non-responsive C3H/HeJ mice as well as LPS-responsive C3H/HeN mice, by using a magnetic cell sorting system. The lipid A also exhibited mitogenic activity in splenic T cells. P. gingivalis lipid A induced lower production of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) in splenic macrophage cultures and exhibited a comparable IL-6 producing activity in splenic B cells of C3H/HeN mice as compared to Escherichia coli-type synthetic lipid A (compound 506) and monophosphoryl lipid A from Salmonella minnesota Re 595 (MLA). Furthermore, P. gingivalis lipid A, but not compound 506 nor MLA, induced low IL-1 beta and high IL-6 production in C3H/HeJ mice. C3H/HeJ T cells in response to P. gingivalis lipid A stimulation resulted in definite IL-2 mRNA and its production, whereas IL-4 response was scarcely active in both C3H/HeN and C3H/HeJ T cells. P. gingivalis lipid A increased tyrosine, serine/threonine phosphorylation of proteins with various major induced bands in splenic B cells of both C3H/HeN and C3H/HeJ mice. Thus, P. gingivalis lipid A stimulated the splenic immunocytes of C3H/HeJ as well as C3H/HeN mice.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed1996

Isolation and developmental expression of male reproductive organ-specific genes in a dioecious campion, Melandrium album (Silene latifolia).

The dioecious campion Melandrium album (Silene latifolia) has sex chromosomes, and male and female plants form different unisexual flowers. The very youngest buds have both sex organs but the development of either a gynoecium in the male bud or stamens in the female bud is arrested as the bud matures. To examine the molecular mechanism of male-specific differentiation, a cDNA library from male buds was differentially screened with cDNA from male and female buds. Four male reproductive organspecific cDNAs (corresponding to genes designated MROS1, MROS2, MROS3 and MROS4, respectively) were isolated. Northern blot analysis showed that the transcripts of MROS genes were expressed only in male reproductive organs. The transcripts of MROS3 and MROS4 accumulated in the early buds, while transcripts of MROS1 and MROS2 accumulated in the late buds and in the anthers of open flowers. The putative MROS2 protein has glycine-rich regions, while the putative MROS3 protein exhibits no similarity to known proteins. Genomic Southern blot analysis showed that male and female genomes included MROS2 and MROS3 genes. Non-radioactive in situ hybridization revealed the localization of the transcripts of MROS2 and MROS3 in male buds. MROS3 mRNA was distributed throughout the tapetum. After MROS2 mRNA had accumulated in the epidermis and the endothecium near the stomium, the accumulation of the mRNA increased significantly in the mature pollen. MROS2 seems to be a novel anther-specific gene that functions in dehiscence of anthers and the maturation of pollen.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Function of silica bodies in the epidermal system of rice (Oryza sativa L.): testing the window hypothesis.

Silicon has been considered to be important for normal growth and development of the rice plant (Oryza sativa L.). To investigate the physiological function of deposited silica in rice leaves, the hypothesis that silica bodies in the leaf epidermal system might act as a 'window' to facilitate the transmission of light to photosynthetic mesophyll tissue was tested. The silica content of leaves increased with supplied silicon and was closely correlated with the number of silica bodies per unit leaf area in the epidermal system. There was a significant difference in silica deposition and formation of silica bodies between Si-treated and non-treated leaves; silicon was polymerized inside the silica cells and bulliform cells of the epidermis, in Si-treated leaves. Although the 'windows' were only formed in leaves with applied silicon, optical properties of leaf transmittance, reflectance and absorptance spectra in Si-treated and non-treated leaves were almost equal. Furthermore, light energy use efficiency and quantum yield of Si-treated leaves were less than in leaves not containing silica bodies. Thus, silica bodies, at least based on the data, do not function as windows in rice leaves.

Carbon Dioxide↗