Influence of cryopreservation on human vascular endothelial cell immunogenicity.
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Cells, Cultured↗
Biomedical subjects
J Kobayashi
Publications and source records attributed to J Kobayashi.
Modulation of Th1- and Th2-like cytokine production from mitogen-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells by phosphodiesterase inhibitors.
1. Effects of phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors on the production of IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-5 by phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were investigated. In addition, we investigated the effects of dibutyrylcyclic AMP (dbcAMP) and a beta-adrenoceptor agonist on production of these cytokines. 2. Type IV, type III and nonselective PDE inhibitors were effective at inhibiting the production of IFN-gamma and IL-2 production in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, IL-4 and IL-5 production was inhibited by only the highest concentration of type IV inhibitor, and other agents had no effect on the production. 3. Similarly, dbcAMP inhibited the production of IFN-gamma and IL-2 more potently than IL-4 and IL-5. 4. The addition of a beta-adrenoceptor agonist increased the inhibitory effect of PDE inhibitors tested on the production of IFN-gamma and IL-2. 5. These results indicate that PDE inhibitors or cAMP-elevating agents modulate Th1 cytokine more effectively than Th2 cytokine production.
Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
Improved success rate of the maze procedure in mitral valve disease by new criteria for patients' selection.
OBJECTIVE: We have carried out the maze procedure for atrial fibrillation (AF) as a combined operation with mitral valve surgery in a consecutive fashion until December 1994 (period 1). Therefore, the success rate in sinus rhythm conversion remained unsatisfactory. We have selected the patients according to arbitrarily decided new criteria since January 1995 (period 2), and examined the results prospectively. METHODS: Between May 1992 and February 1997, we carried out the maze procedure in 220 patients as a combined operation with mitral valve surgery. During period 2, we carried out the maze procedure in 63 cases who satisfied all the new criteria (voltage of f-wave in V1 lead > 0.1 mV, cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) < 70%, LA dimension < 70 mm), and 37 patients out of these criteria. Success was defined as sinus rhythm restoration without sick sinus syndrome. RESULTS: There were 4 hospital deaths (1.8%) and 4 late deaths (1.8%). Success rate was significantly (P = 0.0089) higher in period 2 (82%) than in period 1 (65%). Success rate was significantly higher in patients within criteria than out of criteria both in period 1, period 2, and total (77 versus 48%, P = 0.018; 90 versus 66%, P = 0.004, and 83 versus 55%, P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The maze procedure is highly reliable when combined with mitral valve surgery if patients are selected properly.
Adult↗
Neuronal activity related to spontaneous and capsaicin-induced rhythmical jaw movements in the rat.
Intraoral capsaicin induced rhythmical jaw movements (RJM) in anesthetized rats. Neurons in the trigeminal spinal nucleus caudalis or the cortico-peduncular (CP) axons were extracellularly recorded. Capsaicin excited dose-dependently most caudalis neurons, which were activated by stimulation of the oral cavity and/or the tooth pulp and activated during spontaneous or induced RJM. Ten of 55 CP axons were antidromically activated by stimulation of the contralateral trigeminal motor nucleus. All antidromic and 29 other CP axons discharged prior to the spontaneous RJM, but most of them did not during capsaicin-induced RJM. These neuronal activities possibly initiate spontaneous RJM although the activities of caudalis neurons are necessary for capsicin-induced RJM.
Animals↗
Three new manzamine congeners from amphimedon sponge
Three new manzamine congeners (1-3) have been isolated from the Okinawan marine sponge Amphimedon sp., and the structures, including relative stereochemistries, were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. Absolute configuration at C-16 of 1 was determined by modified Mosher's method.
Journal Article↗
Spongiacidins A-D, new bromopyrrole alkaloids from hymeniacidon sponge
Four new bromopyrrole alkaloids, spongiacidins A-D (1-4), have been isolated from an Okinawan marine sponge Hymeniacidon sp. and the structures elucidated on the basis of spectral data and chemical means.
Journal Article↗
Three new metabolites from the marine yeast aureobasidium pullulans
Two new diketopiperazines (1 and 2) with a d-cis-4-hydroxyproline residue, and orcinotriol (3), a new 1,3-dihydroxyphenol derivative, were isolated from cultured broth of the yeast Aureobasidium pullulans, which was isolated from an Okinawan marine sponge. The structures of the compounds, including their absolute stereochemistries, were determined by spectroscopic data and chemical means.
Journal Article↗
New cyclic polyketide peroxides from okinawan marine sponge plakortis sp
Three new cyclic peroxides (2-4) have been isolated from the Okinawan marine sponge Plakortis sp., and the structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses. The absolute stereochemistries of 2 and 3 were determined by chemical conversion, whereas that of the dioxane ring of 4 was assigned by the modified Mosher's method.
Journal Article↗
Lipoprotein lipase mass and activity in post-heparin plasma from subjects with intra-abdominal visceral fat accumulation.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of impaired lipolysis of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in patients with abdominal visceral fat accumulation by assessing two major lipolytic enzymes in the plasma, lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL). DESIGN AND PATIENTS: A total of 31 patients [20 men, 11 women, age 50 +/- 7 years old, body mass index (BMI) 26 +/- 2 kg/m2 (mean +/- sd)] were analyzed. Visceral fat and subcutaneous fat areas were evaluated using a computerized tomographic (CT) method at the level of the umbilicus. Total lipolytic activity in the postheparin plasma (PHP) was measured using Triton X-100-emulsified triolein and LPL activity was calculated as the activity in whole plasma inhibited by the 5D2 monoclonal antibody for LPL. LPL enzyme mass was determined by a sandwich enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: The visceral fat area was found to be negatively correlated with LPL mass (V vs LPL mass, r = -0.37, P = 0.04) in PHP and had a tendency toward negative correlation with the LPL activity in the PHP (V vs LPL activity, r = -0.29, P = 0.12). Subcutaneous fat area, on the other hand, did not show any correlation with LPL activity (r = 0.13, P = 0.49) or mass (r = 0.22, P = 0.25) in the PHP. The visceral fat area was found to be positively correlated with fasting serum insulin levels (r = 0.67, P < 0.01). Body mass index (BMI) was not correlated with LPL mass or activity in the PHP. Multi-regressional analysis showed that abdominal visceral fat could be correlated with LPL mass in the PHP, independently of fasting serum insulin. The HL activity from PHP of the patients did not show significant correlation with visceral fat area, subcutaneous fat area or body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: Fat distribution affects LPL mass and activity, either directly or via another metabolic abnormality such as insulin resistance, leading to impaired hydrolysis of triglycerides in chylomicrons and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) in these subjects.
Abdomen↗
Administration of a small amount of lard enhances intimal thickening in the balloon catheter injury model without affecting serum lipids.
Effects of fatty acids on intimal thickening induced by a balloon catheter injury model were investigated by feeding rabbits a small amount of either lard [L] or fish oil [F]. Serum lipids of these groups were not different from those of basal diet-fed rabbits [controls] after 4 weeks of feeding. Serum saturated fatty acids such as 14:0, 16:0, and 18.0 were significantly greater in the L-fed rabbits compared with controls, but those of the aorta were not significantly different. Fatty acid composition of the F-fed rabbits was only different from that of the controls in that n-3 fatty acids slightly increased. The mean and maximum intimal thickening 2 weeks after ballooning, carried out 2 weeks after feeding, were significantly higher in the carotid arteries of the L-fed rabbits than in the controls. The intimal thickening of the F-fed rabbits did not significantly differ from that of the controls. These results suggest that lard promotes the formation of the smooth muscle cell dominant type of arteriosclerosis without affecting serum lipid levels.
Animal Feed↗
Repair of septal and posterior tricuspid leaflets in Ebstein's anomaly.
BACKGROUND AND AIM: In Ebstein's anomaly, the septal and posterior tricuspid leaflets are plastered to the endocardium. We postulated that tricuspid valve function could be corrected by restoring mobility of these leaflets. (Feasibility of such repair was explored by anatomical and clinical studies.) METHODS: Ten heart specimens with Ebstein's anomaly were examined to investigate the size of the tricuspid leaflets. We operated on four patients with Ebstein's anomaly: the plastered septal and posterior leaflets were mobilized from the endocardium, the atrialized right ventricle was longitudinally plicated, and the basal attachment of the mobilized leaflets was sutured (reattached) to the valve annulus. RESULTS: In heart specimens, approximately 40% of the total surface of the tricuspid leaflets was comprised of the septal and posterior leaflets. Clinically, all patients operated on returned to normal functional status after surgery. The mean cardiothoracic ratio on chest X-rays decreased from 0.70 to 0.55 (after surgery). Echocardiographic tricuspid regurgitation, graded from 0 to 4, decreased from 3.5 to 1.0, and tricuspid annular diameter ratio to the normal value reduced from 1.88 to 0.66. Angiographic right ventricular ejection fraction increased from 0.36 to 0.50, and end-diastolic volume ratio to the normal value decreased from 3.65 to 1.19. CONCLUSIONS: Repair of the septal and posterior tricuspid leaflets was found to be feasible and effective as tricuspid valvuloplasty for Ebstein's anomaly.
Adolescent↗
Determination of the nucleotide sequence of Bombyx mori cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus segment 9 and its expression in BmN4 cells.
Cloning and sequencing of segment 9 of Bombyx mori cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (BmCPV) strains H and I were performed. The segment consisted of 1,186 bp harboring 5' and 3' noncoding regions and an open reading frame from positions 75 to 1037, encoding a protein with 320 amino acids, termed NS5. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences of NS5 for the two strains indicated 37 point differences resulting in only six amino acid replacements. Homology search showed that NS5 has localized similarities to human poliovirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and human rotavirus NS26. By Western blot analysis, NS5 was found in BmCPV-infected midgut cells, but not in polyhedra or virus virions, and was mainly detectable in the nucleus in BmCPV-infected BmN4 cells. Immunoblot analysis with anti-NS5 and antipolyhedrin antibodies displayed marked differences in the period of expression of NS5 and polyhedrin: the polyhedrin molecule was first detected 2 or 3 days after infection with BmCPV, whereas the expression of NS5 was initiated within a few hours. In addition, the level of polyhedrin increased as the infection developed, whereas the amount of NS5 remained essentially constant. When segment 9 was expressed with a baculovirus expression system, the resulting NS5 protein possessed the ability to bind to the double-stranded RNA genome. These results suggest that NS5 is expressed in early stages of infection and contributes to regulation of genomic RNA function.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Effects of growth hormone, activin, and follistatin on the development of preantral follicle from immature female mice.
The aim of this study was to investigate whether GH and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) are involved in preantral folliculogenesis and, if so, to clarify the relationship between GH/IGF-I and activin/follistatin (FS) systems in immature female mice. Ovaries were obtained from 11-day-old mice, and preantral follicles, 100-105 microm in diameter, were mechanically isolated and selected for culture. Ten preantral follicles per well were cultured with different quantities and combinations of additives as follows: no additives (control), recombinant human FSH (rhFSH), IGF-I, recombinant human GH (rhGH), activin A, and recombinant human FS (rhFS). Mean diameters of the follicles were measured daily, and estradiol and immunoreactive inhibin levels in the cultured medium were assayed by RIA on day 4. rhGH showed stimulatory effects on the follicular diameter and the secretion of estradiol and immunoreactive inhibin. These effects were augmented by the presence of IGF-I and activin A. IGF-I alone did not show any stimulatory effect. The addition of rhFSH to activin A or to rhGH and activin A promoted preantral follicular growth and hormone production. On the other hand, GH- or activin-stimulated follicular growth was suppressed by rhFS in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that activin A and rhGH may play an important role in controlling earlier phases of follicular development during the infantile period, which is considered to be gonadotropin independent.
Activins↗
The powerful stimulatory action of 6-O-acetyl-9-methyl-7-bromoeudistomin D on the contractile protein system of rabbit skeletal muscle.
6-O-Acetyl-9-methyl-7-bromoeudistomin D (AMBED) (> 10[-6] M), a derivative of eudistomin D, markedly enhanced the superprecipitation and the ATPase activity of skeletal muscle myosin B. In both the superprecipitation and ATPase activity of myosin B, the concentration-response curve for Ca2+ was shifted upwards by AMBED. AMBED did not affect the Ca2+-, K+-EDTA- or Mg2+-ATPase of myosin or the ATPase of actomyosin reconstituted from actin and myosin. These results suggest that AMBED causes an increase in the actomyosin ATPase activity mediated through the elevation of the maximum response to Ca2+, resulting in enhancement of the superprecipitation of skeletal muscle myosin B.
12-Hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic Acid↗
[Indications for and limitations of minimally invasive cardiac surgery with the lower ministernotomy approach].
The chief benefits of small skin incisions are reduced patient discomfort, accelerated recovery, and cosmetic satisfaction without compromising the quality of surgery. Since April 1997, the lower ministernotomy approach without femoral cannulation has been performed in 43 patients in the authors' institutions. The indications for this approach were initial single valve surgery and secundum-type atrial septal defect. Cases of aortic valve regurgitation that could be repaired, and aortic stenosis that necessitated annular enlargement were excluded. Among patients with mitral valve disease, those with chronic atrial fibrillation were excluded frpm undergoing the Maze procedure and those reguiring chordal reconstruction for anterior leaflet were also excluded. Mitral valve repair for mitral regurgitation was performed in 8 patients, and open mitral commissurotomy in 2. Mitral valve replacement was performed in 3 patients and aortic valve replacement in 13. Closure of an atrial septal defect was carried out in 18 cases. An approximately 10-cm median skin incision was made, and a ministernotomy with a lower semitransverse division (inverted L-shape) was carried out. Cardiopulmonary bypass was initiated with ascending aortic cannulation and right-angled venous cannulae in the superior and inferior vena cava for mitral valve disease. Single venous cannulae from the right atrial appendage was used for aortic valve disease. Surgery was performed with mild hypothermia and intermittent tepid blood cardioplegia with diltiazem. A rigid 30-degree angle scope held by a videoscope holder with a flexible arm was used for mitral valve surgery. There were one hospital death due to perioperative myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism. There was one reopening for bleeding which resulted in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus mediastinitis. However, the patients was discharged after rectal muscle flap repair. There was one reoperation for mitral valve repair due to hemolysis. The improvement of surgical instruments and materials will further facilitate this procedure.
Adult↗
An epidemiological survey on intestinal parasite infection in Khammouane Province, Lao PDR, with special reference to Strongyloides infection.
To estimate the current prevalence of intestinal helminth infection in Lao PDR, a parasitological survey was conducted in three villages in Khammouane Province in December 1996, with special reference to Strongyloides infection. A total of 669 fecal samples were collected in the villages and examined by agar-plate culture method and Kato-Katz thick smear method. Intestinal helminths were demonstrated in 82% of the samples as follows: Ascaris lumbricoides (30.5%), Trichuris trichiura (23.7%), hookworm (28.8%), Strongyloides stercoralis (19.0%), Enterobius vermicuralis (3.4%), Opisthorchis viverrini (56.7%) and Taenia sp (3.0%). The infection rates of S. stercoralis were 27.5% and 18.4% in two rural villages, but only 9.4% in an urban village. The highest prevalence rate of Strongyloides infection was obtained in the age group from 20 to 29 years old, although the infection rate already reached 10% in the age group under 10 years old. The prevalence was consistently higher in male subject than females in almost all age groups.
Adolescent↗
[A case report: right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction using homograft for RVOT restenosis after Jatene's procedure of transposition of the great arteries (TGA)].
A 7-year-old boy was admitted for RVOT restenosis. The patient was born following an unremarkable pregnancy and delivery. He was carried out Jatene's procedure for TGA at 23rd day after birth. At 19 month of age, he was removed pulmonary stenosis using patch angioplasty with mono cusp. When he was 6 year of age, the onset of edem, ascites and hepatomegaly were pointed out. At 7 year of age, he was admitted for edema, hypoproteinemia and protein loosing enteropatchy. After he was treated medical therapy, cardiac catheterization showed markedly right atrial and right ventricular hypertension and ventricular septal defect (VSD). Cine angiography suggested the right ventricular outflow tract stenosis, pulmonary valve and tricuspid valve insufficiency. On August 1, 1996, the patient underwent surgical repair: direct closure of VSD, aortic homograft (20mm) replacement for RVOT stenosis and tricuspid valve annuloplasty by DeVega's procedure. Postoperative course was uneventful. At 23rd postoperative day, cardiac catheterization and cine angiography showed no problems. He was not treated with anticoagulation.
Aorta↗
Potent stimulation of myofilament force and ATPase activity of skeletal muscle by eudistomin M, a novel Ca(++)-sensitizing agent from a Caribbean tunicate.
In the course of our survey of biologically active compounds from natural sources, eudistomins were isolated from a Caribbean tunicate Eudistoma olivaceum. In the present experiments, eudistomin M (Eud-M, > 10(-5) M) caused a concentration-dependent increase in the contractile response of skinned fibers from guinea pig skeletal psoas muscles to Ca++. The superprecipitation and ATPase activity of myosin B from fast skeletal muscles of rabbit back and leg were potentiated by this compound (> 10(-5) M) in a concentration-dependent manner. In skinned fibers, superprecipitation and the ATPase activity of myosin B, Eud-M shifted the concentration-response curve for Ca++ to the upper direction. Ca(++)-, K(+)-EDTA- or Mg(++)-ATPase was not affected by Eud-M. This compound had no effect on the ATPase activity of actomyosin reconstituted from actin and myosin in the presence or absence of troponin. However, the ATPase activity of actin-myosin-troponin-tropomyosin reconstituted system was increased significantly by Eud-M. These results suggest that Eud-M increases the Ca++ sensitivity of the contractile apparatus in skeletal muscles at least partially mediated through troponin-tropomyosin system and thus enhances the ATPase activity of myosin B and the contractile force of myofilament.
Actin Cytoskeleton↗