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Biomedical subjects

K Adachi

Publications and source records attributed to K Adachi.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources

Growth requirements of hyperthermophilic sulfur-dependent heterotrophic archaea isolated from a shallow submarine geothermal system with reference to their essential amino acids.

Three hyperthermophilic sulfur-dependent heterotrophs were isolated from a shallow submarine hydrothermal system at an inlet of Kodakara-jima island, Kagoshima, Japan. The isolates grew at 60 to 97 degrees C, with the optimum temperatures at 85 to 90 degrees C. Sensitivity to rifampin and the existence of ether lipids indicated that the isolates are hyperthermophilic archaea. Partial sequencing of the genes coding for 16S rRNA showed that the three isolates are closely related to the genus Thermococcus. They grew on proteinaceous mixtures, such as yeast extract, Casamino Acids, and purified proteins (e.g., casein and gelatin), but not on carbohydrates or organic acids as sole carbon and energy sources. Nine amino acids were essential for growth of isolate KS-1 (Thr, Leu, Ile, Val, Met, Phe, His, Tyr, and Arg). Isolate KS-2 required Lys in addition to the nine amino acids, and KS-8 required Lys instead of Tyr. In comparative studies, it was shown that Thermococcus celer DSM 2476 required 10 amino acids (Thr, Leu, Ile, Val, Met, Phe, Tyr, Trp, Lys, and Arg) while Pyrococcus furiosus DSM 3638 required only Ile and Val. The hyperthermophilic fermentative eubacterium Thermotoga neapolitana DSM 4359 did not require any amino acids for growth.

Amino Acids, Essential↗

Increases in local cerebral blood flow associated with somatosensory activation are not mediated by NO.

Effects of inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthase by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on the increases in local cerebral blood flow (LCBF) produced in the whisker-to-barrel sensory pathway by vibrissal stimulation were studied in conscious rats with the autoradiographic iodo[14C]antipyrine method. Unilateral whisker stroking increased LCBF in the ipsilateral trigeminal spinal and principal sensory nuclei, contralateral ventral posteromedial thalamic nucleus, and contralateral somatosensory barrel cortex. Intravenous L-NAME (30 mg/kg) lowered baseline LCBF without altering the percent increases due to stimulation. Intracisternal infusions of L-NAME in doses about 10 times the molar content of free arginine in brain inhibited brain NO synthesis activity by 88%, but the percent augmentations of LCBF by stimulation remained unchanged. Chronic treatment with L-NAME (50 mg/kg ip twice daily for 4 days) inhibited NO synthase activity in brain by 84% but also failed to reduce the percent increases in LCBF due to stimulation. These results indicate that NO does not mediate the increases in LCBF associated with functional activation.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗

Epidermal growth factor promotes adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cell in vitro.

We have reported the importance of epidermal growth factor (EGF) for the induction of obesity in mice. In this study, we studied the effects of EGF on the induction of lipogenic enzymes and on the accumulation of triglyceride in a differentiated mouse adipocyte cell in vitro. Mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytic cells differentiated into mature adipocytes after the differentiation procedure by insulin, dexamethasone, and methyl-isobutyl-xanthine. 125I-EGF binding studies in the differentiated 3T3-L1 cells showed specific 125I-EGF bindings, and they expressed gene transcripts for EGF receptors by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction at all differentiative stages examined. Although EGF showed inhibitory effects on the triglyceride accumulation when administered to the preadipocytic 3T3-L1 cells, EGF enhanced the adipogenesis in the differentiated cells in dose- and time-dependent manners. Administration of EGF at 0.1-1 nM from 4 days after the differentiation procedure for 10 days, significantly enhanced the acyl-Co A synthetase and lipoprotein lipase messenger RNA levels, both of which are rate-limiting enzymes to synthesize triglyceride in adipocytes. Moreover, 0.1-1 nM EGF increased the amounts of triglyceride accumulated in the cells, in proportion to the acyl-Co A synthetase and lipoprotein lipase messenger RNA levels. EGF rather failed the adipogenesis at 10 nM. Time course studies revealed that 1 nM EGF significantly increased the intracellular triglyceride levels from 4 through 16 days administration. These results suggest that EGF shows biphasic effects on adipocytes: although EGF inhibits preadipocytes differentiation into mature adipocytes, it promotes adipogenesis in the differentiated adipocytes.

3T3 Cells↗

Diuretic and natriuretic effect of ebelactone B in anesthetized rats by inhibition of a urinary carboxypeptidase Y-like kininase.

Ebelactone B (EB) (10(-7)-10(-5) M) inhibited dose-dependently carboxypeptidase (CP) Y-like exopeptidase, one of the major kininases separated from rat urine, whereas it inhibited neither CPA, CPB or neutral endopeptidase (NEP). Degradation of bradykinin (BK) to BK-(1-8) in rat urine was completely inhibited by EB (10(-5) M) with the increased generation of BK-(1-7). Intraduodenal administration of EB (3 mg/kg) to anesthetized rats caused marked diuresis (by 110%) and natriuresis (130%), in parallel with the increase in urinary kinin levels (110%). Intravenous infusion of a BK antagonist, Hoe140 (3 mg/kg/hr), strongly blocked both EB-induced diuresis and natriuresis. EB may be a novel type of diuretic and natriuretic agent that acts by increasing urinary kinin levels.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Purification and properties of bile acid sulfate sulfatase from Pseudomonas testosteroni.

The bile acid sulfate sulfatase (BSS) produced by Pseudomonas testosteroni was purified and characterized. Chromatofocusing behavior and amino acid sequence over twelve amino acid residues from N-terminus of the enzyme indicated that BSS was composed of two isoforms of which molecular weights were 125,000 and 103,000. Each isoform was a homodimer of a subunit of which molecular weight was 53,000 or 51,000, respectively. The optimum pH was 8.5 and BSS was stable at pH 5.8-8.0. The thermostability above 32 degrees C was improved by the addition of polyols, such as sorbitol, sucrose, and glycerol. BSS was a Mn(2+)-dependent enzyme and contained 1-2 atoms of manganese in its own protein molecule. All 3 alpha-sulfate esters of the bile acids routinely appearing in human serum were hydrolyzed by BSS to 3 beta-hydroxyl iso-compounds corresponding to each bile acid and sulfuric acid. We tentatively named this novel enzyme BSS (bile acid 3 alpha-sulfate sulfohydrolase).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Quantitation of erythrocyte-bound IgG by competitive solid-phase enzyme immunoassay.

A competitive solid-phase enzyme immunoassay technique for the quantitation of erythrocyte (RBC)-bound IgG was devised. This method is highly sensitive, reproducible and can be performed more simply. Anemic dogs with a positive Coombs' test result were observed to have higher RBC-bound IgG values (IgG concentration, ng/ml) than healthy dogs.

Anemia↗

Elevated erythrocyte-bound IgG value in dogs with clinical Babesia gibsoni infection.

Erythrocyte (RBC)-bound IgG values (IgG concentration, ng/ml) were examined in 8 Babesia gibsoni-infected and 10 healthy dogs by a competitive enzyme immunoassay. Five dogs with clinical B. gibsoni infection, manifesting severe anemia, were observed to have increased RBC-bound IgG values compared to dogs with subclinical B. gibsoni infection and healthy controls, this suggesting that anemia in B. gibsoni infection may be explained in part on the basis of a humoral immunologic mechanism.

Anemia↗

Reactivity of serum anti-erythrocyte membrane antibody in Babesia gibsoni-infected dogs.

Reactivity of anti-erythrocyte membrane (RBCm) antibody in sera of B. gibosni-infected dogs on native RBCm and erythrocyte surface (RBCs) was examined using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Anti-RBCm antibody attached to native RBCm and the surface of erythrocytes (RBC) treated with phenylhydrazine or neuraminidase, but not to the surface of non-treated RBC. Based on these results, anti-cytoskeletal protein antibody in sera of B. gibsoni-infected dogs is considered to attach to native RBCm, and furthermore free radical-induced oxidative stress imposed on RBC and sialic acid removal from glycoproteins of RBC are considered necessary for anti-transmembrane protein antibody in sera of B. gibsoni-infected dogs to be bound to RBCs. These are important to elucidating the mechanism of the marked increase in RBCs-bound IgG value and anemia in B. gibsoni infection.

Animals↗

Involvement of epidermal growth factor (EGF)/EGF receptor autocrine and paracrine mechanism in human trophoblast cells: functional differentiation in vitro.

We have studied the expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and EGF receptors (EGF-R) in isolated human trophoblast cells at various stages of differentiation and also the biological significance of the EGF/EGF-R autocrine and paracrine mechanism. Cytotrophoblast cells were isolated from human placental tissues of 6-9 weeks of gestation. Trophoblast cells underwent morphological and functional differentiation during in vitro culture. The expression of EGF and EGF-R protein and mRNA was studied in trophoblast cells cultured for 0-5 days, using immunocytochemical staining, and reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against EGF and EGF-R showed specific staining in trophoblast cells at all stages of differentiation. Both EGF and EGF-R gene transcripts were detected in RNA samples isolated from trophoblast cells at all stages. These data suggest the presence of an EGF/EGF-R autocrine and paracrine mechanism in human trophoblast cells. Next, we examined the biological significance of this mechanism on trophoblast cell differentiation in vitro. EGF added to the culture medium significantly increased human chorionic gonadotrophin-beta (hCG-beta) secretion and, more importantly, anti-EGF neutralizing mAbs significantly reduced both hCG-beta and human placental lactogen secretion from trophoblast cells in culture. All these results suggest that human trophoblast cells express both EGF and EGF-R, and that EGF may play an important role in the functional differentiation of human trophoblast cells.

Base Sequence↗

[A study on the visibility of different floor levels--experiments from a stumbling point of view].

Experiments were conducted to examine the visibility of different floor levels from a stumbling point of view. The test subjects were the elderly and the young, and we compared the difference between the two. We investigated eye movement while they were scanning the different floor levels. The results were as follows: 1) The height of different floor levels and illuminance had an influence on the visibility of different floor levels. Especially, the elderly were easily influenced by them. 2) The eye movements in scanning the different floor levels did not relate to the visibility of them, but were related to the personality of the test subjects. Eye movement patterns of the elderly differed from that of the young. The elderly were scanning mainly the lower part. The eye fixation time of the elderly was longer than that of the young. From the results, it was clarified that there were the difference between the elderly and the young. We could show it by the degree of influence. For example, the influence by the change of environmental condition.

Adult↗

Isolation and characterization of a cDNA clone coding for the calcium-binding subunit of calcineurin from bovine brain: an identical amino acid sequence to the human protein.

A cDNA clone encoding the calcium-binding subunit of calcineurin, calcineurin B, was isolated from a bovine brain library by immunoscreening. The 841 bp cDNA has a 56 bp 5'-noncoding region, an open reading frame of 510 bp, and a 275 bp 3'-noncoding sequence. The deduced amino acid sequence of bovine calcineurin B differs from the previously reported protein sequence (Aitken et al., 1984) by three residues. The sequence contained additional valine at the carboxyl terminus and substitutions of Met-11 and Ser-153 (the positions according to Aitken et al., 1984) by cysteine. The amino acid sequence of bovine calcineurin B was found to be identical to that of human calcineurin B sequence (Guerini et al., 1989). In fact, 97.1% homology was observed between the coding regions of human and bovine calcineurin B. In addition, a very high homology of 95.2% was observed for the 3'-noncoding region while the 5'-noncoding region showed 58.9% homology. The beta-galactosidase fusion protein, having the apparent molecular weight of 29 kDa, was detected on Western blots by subunit B-specific monoclonal antibody (Matsui et al., 1985). Northern analysis revealed that there is a single calcineurin B transcript in bovine brain which is 2.3 kb in length. This is in agreement with the observation of only one immunologically detectable subunit B protein in bovine brain (Matsui et al., 1985).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Clinical feature and quality of life of urinary diversion patients with bladder cancer].

A clinical survey was performed on 95 cases who were treated by total cystectomy with urinary diversion at our hospital between August 1971 and March 1992. Urinary diversions were classified by ureterocutaneostomy (Group I) in 27 patients, ileal or colon conduit (Group II) in 45 and continent urinary reservoir (Group III) in 23. The patients ranged in age from 29 to 76 with an average age of 60.6 year and the male to female ratio was 68 to 27. Histopathological typing of bladder cancers showed 82 cases of transitional cell carcinoma, 8 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 4 cases of adenocarcinoma, and 1 mixed carcinoma with transitional cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. At present, patients alive of Group I, II and III were 14, 27 and 16, respectively, totally 57 (60.0%) patients were alive. Five-year actuarial survival rates of Group I, II and III were 45.2%, 54.1%, and 56.8%, respectively. A questionnaire survey was carried out to assess the quality of life (QOL) of 57 alive patients. The analysis of replied questionnaire showed that even all patients of each groups adapted to the basic life activities after urinary diversion, though a step forward quality of life with hobby, travel and job were decreased postoperatively in 3 groups. We obtained results that the patients of Group III were more satisfactory with daily (bath) and social life (job) than the patients of Group I, II and preoperatively. We have a new comprehension of importance of enough informed consent and mental support to the urinary diversion patients preoperatively, and of a new operative procedure not to impair the QOL.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Hispidospermidin, a novel phospholipase C inhibitor produced by Chaetosphaeronema hispidulum (Cda) Moesz NR 7127. I. Screening, taxonomy, and fermentation.

A novel phospholipase C inhibitor, hispidospermidin, was discovered from a fungal culture broth. The producing fungus, NR 7127, formed abundant pycnidia on banana leaf agar under near UV light. The ostiolate pycnidia were dark colored with a short beak possessing numerous protruding setae. The conidiogeneous cells were phialidic. The conidia were hyaline, 1 septate, smooth and spindle-shaped. From these distinctive characteristics, this strain was identified as Chaetosphaeronema hispidulum (Cda) Moesz of the Coelomycetes. Hispidospermidin was produced in a 50-liter jar fermentor containing 2% glucose, 2% potato starch, 2% Toast soya, 0.5% yeast extract, 0.25% NaCl, 0.0005% ZnSO4.7H2O, 0.0005% CuSO4.5H2O, 0.0005% MnSO4.4H2O, 0.32% CaCO3, and 0.3% Nissan disfoam CA-115. Fermentation was conducted at 27 degrees C at an aeration rate of 30 liters/minute and agitated at 500 rpm for 95 hours. Maximum production yield of hispidospermidin was observed after 72 hours. Hispidospermidin inhibited rat brain phospholipase C at 16 microM of IC50. This is the first recorded discovery of a secondary metabolite from the genus Chaetosphaeronema.

Animals↗

Hypothalamic dysfunction in Parkinson's disease patients.

Ten patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) (3 men and 7 women, group A) who had received no treatment for the disease; 102 patients with PD (36 men and 66 women, group B) who had undergone treatment and 45 healthy volunteers (15 men and 30 women, control group) were subject to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) tests and levodopa tests. In group A basal plasma prolactin (PRL) levels were significantly higher than in the controls both before and during treatment. Peak plasma PRL levels during TRH tests were significantly higher before treatment, but returned to the control levels during treatment. Nadir plasma PRL levels during levodopa tests were significantly increased before and during treatment. In group B basal plasma thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and PRL levels were significantly higher than in the control group. Peak plasma PRL levels during TRH tests and nadir plasma PRL levels during levodopa tests were also significantly increased. The results strongly suggest a disturbance of pituitary hormone secretion due to hypothalamic dysfunction in PD patients.

Administration, Oral↗

[Diagnosis of sinusitis in children with allergic diseases--comparison of waters projection radiographs and CT scans].

Sinusitis is common in children with allergic diseases, and the relationship between sinusitis and reactive airway diseases involving asthma has been reported. Most pediatricians and physicians base their diagnosis of sinusitis on findings from plain radiographs of the sinuses, especially Waters projection radiographs. We compared the diagnoses made by 11 pediatric allergists using 56 Waters projection radiographs with transverse CT findings. The ratio for the two diagnosis being consistent (normal plain radiographic findings and normal CT findings, or abnormal plain radiographic findings and abnormal CT findings) was approximately 60%. Sinusitis in children is often misdiagnosed on the basis of findings from Waters projection radiographs alone. Therefore, the use of CT findings for the diagnosis of sinusitis together with Waters projection radiographs is recommended.

Child↗

[A case of lung cancer avoidable right pneumonectomy due to external and intraluminal irradiation therapy].

A 54-year-old man with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung resected after external and high dose rate intraluminal irradiation (HDRII) therapy is reported. Cancer existed in right lower bronchus, extended to bifurcation of upper broncus and truncus intermedius. The patient received external irradiation of 40 Gy and HDRII of 18 Gy (Iridium192 was used) simultaneously. Effectiveness of irradiation was remarkable, tumor disappeared in chest CT and bronchoscopy. Middle and lower lobectomy and bronchial wedge resection was performed. Histologically, cancer was not existed in second carinal portion, so curative resection was done. The result suggests that HDRII is effective therapy as preoperative adjuvant irradiation.

Brachytherapy↗

[Serum IgD concentrations in normal individuals 20-39 years of age].

Immunoglobulin D(IgD) concentration in serum of normal individuals varies widely, and the reference interval for the concentrations remains to be defined. In the present study, IgD concentrations were determined in serum from 637 normal individuals 20-39 years of age by the latex nephelometric immunoassay. The IgD concentrations ranged from < 0.20 to 71.5mg per deciliter, and the median and the 95% range as reference intervals were 1.99 and < 0.20 to 17.3mg/dl, respectively. There was difference of serum IgD concentration between female 20-29 years of age and female 30-39 years of age (p < 0.05), but not on sex. The correlation between serum IgD concentration and serum IgA concentration was significant (p < 0.001).

Adult↗