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Biomedical subjects

K Ando

Publications and source records attributed to K Ando.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

Significance of aminopyrine breath test as a parameter of hepatic functional reserve in 40% partial hepatectomy of rats with CCl4-induced liver injury.

Rats with CCl4-induced liver injury underwent partial (40%) hepatectomy. The [14C]aminopyrine breath test (ABT) values in rats with CCl4-induced liver injury were reduced by 34% compared with those in rats with normal liver. Preoperative ABT values clearly discriminated between survivors and those that died following 40% partial hepatectomy in rats CCl4-induced liver injury (P < 0.05). Hepatic protein synthesis was remarkably enhanced in CCl4-induced liver injury compared with normal liver (P < 0.001), and this was inversely correlated with ABT values (P < 0.001). These data show that the enhanced hepatic protein synthesis could induce a decrease of hepatic functional reserve. ABT seems to be a useful preoperative test for predicting surgical mortality following hepatectomy.

Alanine Transaminase↗

HF acid ionization in water: the first step.

The results of a theoretical study of the first acid-ionization step to produce a contact-ion pair are presented for HF in water. The reaction is found to be an adiabatic quantum proton transfer, and has an activation barrier in a collective solvent reaction coordinate of ca. 3 kcal mol-1.

Calorimetry↗

Radiosensitivity and cell cycle redistribution of cultured human tumour cells during fractionated daily 2-Gy irradiations.

Exponentially growing SQ-5 human lung squamous cell carcinoma cells were irradiated in vitro at 2-Gy per fraction per day continuously for 14 days. The number of total cells continued to increase exponentially till day 5, and reached a plateau level thereafter. The cell cycle distribution changed marginally for the first 5 days, and showed a prominent G2/M accumulation at day 7. Plating efficiencies decreased exponentially with increasing fractionation while the total clonogenic cell number remained constant until day 4. Radiosensitivity at each fraction was stable until day 9, but significantly increased at day 11. A comparison of plating efficiencies between the immediate and 24-h delayed assays revealed that the capacity of cells to spare 2-Gy damage increased with the number of 2-Gy fractions. These results suggest that sublethal damage could accumulate during multifraction daily irradiations, while repair of potentially lethal damage and/or proliferation could rather increase.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Immunoglobulins specific to mosquito salivary gland proteins in the sera of persons with common or hypersensitive reactions to mosquito bites.

Using the immunoblot technique, we analyzed the quality and quantity of IgG, IgG4, and IgE specific to mosquito salivary gland (hereafter abbreviate as SG) components of Aedes albopictus in the sera of volunteers with common reactions and of 3 patients with severe reactions. In the volunteers with delayed reactions only or with both delayed and immediate reactions, IgG against SG components of A. albopictus formed several faint or moderately stained bands. Those with immediate reactions showed several intense bands and many other weak bands. In volunteers, who had been bitten by Aedes sp. frequently but had no skin reaction, and in severe cases, many intense IgG bands were observed. IgG4 bound to SG components were found in the sera of the common reaction group at the levels of 24 and 48 kD, but, in one severe case, no bands were observed, although the total IgG was very high. IgE levels specific to SG components were much higher in severe cases than in the volunteers. These results indicate that high titers of specific IgG and IgE and lack of IgG4 for particular components of SG may lead to severe allergic reactions in severe cases. Immunoblotting analysis of the antibodies also verified the possibility of developing in vitro tests to identify causative species of the mosquito for severe cases.

Adult↗

Cutaneous cartilaginous tumor.

BACKGROUND: Only seven cases of cartilaginous tumors of the skin have been described in the dermatologic literature. OBJECTIVE: We studied the nature of cutaneous cartilaginous tumors and their clinical spectrum. METHODS: We describe a 56-year-old woman with a superficial cartilaginous tumor of the sole of the foot. The tumor appeared to be a cutaneous mass and was resected. RESULTS: Histologically, the tumor extended from the dermis to the subcutaneous tissue. Despite the presence of foci of nuclear changes that suggested a malignancy, there has been no recurrence in the 3 years since its removal. Our review of previous reports indicated that this case may have been a soft tissue chondroma. And it confirmed that cutaneous cartilaginous tumors comprise a superficial soft tissue chondroma and a true cutaneous chondroma primarily located in the dermis. CONCLUSION: Our case appeared to be a cutaneous cartilaginous tumor. A complete local removal is the treatment of choice.

Chondroma↗

Nucleic acid vaccination primes hepatitis B virus surface antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in nonresponder mice.

The efficiency of different vaccination techniques to prime in vivo major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted murine cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) precursors to hepatitis B virus small surface antigen (HBsAg) was investigated. Mice were immunized either by injection of a low dose of recombinant HBsAg protein preparations (native HBsAg particles or denatured HBsAg monomers) without adjuvants, by infection with recombinant vaccinia virus carrying an HBsAg-encoding gene, or by intramuscular transfer of plasmid DNA encoding HBsAg under appropriate promoter control. In H-2d mice, an Ld-restricted, S28-39-specific CTL response was efficiently primed by all alternative vaccination techniques tested, but the most potent priming of class I-restricted CTL to HBsAg in vivo was observed with DNA immunization. Priming of anti-HBsAg CTL in H-2b mice was not detectable after infection with a recombinant vaccinia virus or after injection with exogenous recombinant HBsAg preparations. After DNA immunization, however, both Kb- and Db-restricted CTL reactivity to HBsAg emerged in H-2b mice. Hence, nucleic acid immunization revealed class I-restricted CTL responsiveness to HBsAg in a mouse strain previously considered to be a nonresponder at the CTL level. These results demonstrate that the simple technique of nucleic acid immunization not only is extremely efficient but also reveals an extended spectrum of potentially immunogenic epitopes of protein antigens.

Animals↗

Proadrenomedullin NH(2)-terminal 20 peptide, a new product of the adrenomedullin gene, inhibits norepinephrine overflow from nerve endings.

Proadrenomedullin NH(2)-terminal 20 peptide (PAMP) and adrenomedullin, which are derived from proadrenomedullin, exhibit remarkable hypotensive action. We investigated the effect of PAMP and adrenomedullin on peripheral sympathetic neutral transmission. Using perfused rat mesenteric arteries, PAMP (0, 1, 5, and 10 pmol/ml) decreased norepinephrine overflow by periarterial electrical nerve stimulation in a dose-dependent fashion (0.244 +/- 0.043, 0.231 +/- 0.048, 0.195 +/- 0.061 and 0.168 +/- 0.051 ng/gram tissue weigh: NS, P < 0.05, and P < 0.02, respectively). In contrast to PAMP, adrenomedullin (1, 5, and 10 pmol/ml) did not change it. In contrast, vasoconstrictive response of mesenteric arteries to exogenous norepinephrine was significantly attenuated by 10 pmol/ml of adrenomedullin but not by the same dose of PAMP. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (8-37) [CGRP(8-37)], a CGRP receptor antagonist, inhibited the vasodilatory effect of adrenomedullin but could not suppress the sympathoinhibitory effect of PAMP. Neither a nicotinic antagonist, hexamethonium, nor a presynaptic alfa2 antagonist, yohimbine, blocked the sympathoinhibitory effect of PAMP. Thus, it suggests that PAMP and adrenomedullin, which are derived from the same gene, exhibit different hypotensive mechanisms: PAMP inhibits neural transmission at peripheral sympathetic nerve ending, although adrenomedullin directly dilates vascular smooth muscle, possibly through CGRP-like receptor.

Adrenomedullin↗

Evidence for accumulation of lipid hydroperoxides during the aging of human red blood cells in the circulation.

Young and old human red blood cells (RBC) were separated from freshly collected human blood by Percoll density gradient centrifugation. The amounts of lipid peroxidation products in the lipid fractions of these RBC were determined by high performance liquid chromatography-chemiluminescence, thiobarbituric acid and LPO-586 methods. The levels of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine hydroperoxides in old RBC were higher than in young RBC. The products reflecting the advanced stage of lipid peroxidation, malonaldehyde (free and bound forms), 4-hydroxyalkenals (free and bound forms) and other aldehydes, were also higher in old RBC than in young RBC. The levels of these lipid peroxidation products increased when whole RBC were mildly oxidized with ferric ion. These results indicate that oxidative damage of RBC in the circulation takes place during the aging process, and lipid hydroperoxides and other lipid peroxidation products accumulate in old RBC.

Centrifugation, Density Gradient↗

PS-990, a novel microbial metabolite, reversibly induces neurite extension in neuroblastoma cells.

PS-990, which is a novel microbial metabolite, induced neurite formation in a murine neuroblastoma cell line, Neuro2A. In the presence of PS-990 at 30 micrograms/ml, significant neurite outgrowth was observed. Cultures maintained for 12 h in the presence of PS-990 resulted in the maximal number of neurite-bearing cells, and then the neurites formed were gradually retracted. The retracted cells again yielded the neurite formation when the cells were exposed again to PS-990. PS-990 inhibited both the cell growth and thymidine incorporation into the cells at the same concentration range. Although the type of neurite formation with PS-990 is similar to that with a cyclic AMP analog and indeed PS-990 has an inhibitory potency against calcium and calmodulin-dependent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, the intracellular cyclic AMP level was not elevated when treated with PS-990. These results suggest that PS-990 reversibly induces neurite formation with arrest of the cell growth through a mechanism distinct from an increase in the intracellular cyclic AMP concentration.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Isolation of myosin light chain kinase inhibitors from microorganisms: dehydroaltenusin, altenusin, atrovenetinone, and cyclooctasulfur.

Dehydroaltenusin, cyclooctasulfur, atrovenetinone, and altenusin were isolated from the culture broths of Penicillium verruculosum IAM-13756, Streptomyces verticillus subsp. tskushiensis ATCC-21633, Penicillium sp. SPC-16375, and Penicillium sp. SPC-16524, respectively, as new myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) inhibitors. These compounds inhibited the calmodulin-dependent activity of MLCK with IC50 values of 0.69, 0.86, 3.7, and 350 microM, respectively. Among them, dehydroaltenusin was the best MLCK inhibitor in terms of potency and selectivity examined in the purified enzyme systems.

Benzopyrans↗

Effect of a calcium antagonist on renal hemodynamics in salt-loaded spontaneously hypertensive rats.

In the present study, we investigated the change in renal hemodynamics induced by a calcium antagonist in young (6 week-old) spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), a salt-sensitive hypertensive model. In acute experiments, SHR were fed either a 0.66% or 8.0% NaCl diet for 4 weeks. In acute experiments, manidipine, a calcium antagonist, was administered in a bolus dose of 10 microg/kg. In chronic experiments, SHR were fed a 0.66% NaCl, 0.66% NaCl plus 0.05% manidipine, 8.0% NaCl or 8.0% NaCl plus 0.05% manidipine diet for 4 weeks. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and renal blood flow (RBF) were measured. Salt loading increased MAP in young SHR. Acute administration of manidipine decreased MAP more in salt-loaded SHR compared to non-salt-loaded SHR (-43.3 +/- 3.1 vs. -18.6 +/- 2.1 mmHg: p < 0.01). Moreover, chronic administration of manidipine attenuated the rise in MAP in salt-loaded SHR (155 +/- 3 mmHg vs. 196 +/- 5 mmHg; p < 0.01) and less so in non-salt-loaded SHR (150 +/-2 mmHg vs. 160 +/- 3 mmHg; p < 0.01). Salt loading elevated renal vascular resistance (RVR) but changed neither RBF nor GFR. The acute- and chronic-administration of manidipine increased RBF (Acute; +0.77 +/- 0.22 ml/min/g kidney: p < 0.05, Chronic; 4.32 +/- 0.29 vs. 5.50 +/- 0.90 ml/min/g kidney: p < 0.01) in non-salt-loaded SHR, which was greater in salt-loaded SHR (Acute; +2.19 +/- 0.52 ml/min/g kidney: p 0.05 vs. non-salt-loaded SHR, Chronic; 4.29 +/- 0.53 vs. 6.09 +/- 1.41 ml/min/g kidney: p < 0.01) Manidipine also decreased RVR (Acute; -10.2 +/- 2.2 mmHg/ml/min/g kidney: p < 0.01, Chronic; 35.3 +/- 1.6 vs. 27.3 +/- 4.1 mmHg/ml/min/g kidney: p < 0.01) in non-salt-loaded SHR, which was greater in salt-loaded SHR (Acute; -21.1 +/- 3.1 mmHg/ml/min/g kidney: p < 0.01 vs. non-salt-loaded SHR, Chronic; 44.9 +/- 2.6 vs. 27.6 +/- 4.1 mmHg/ml/min/g kidney: p < 0.01). GFR did not change significantly following manidipine. It is suggested that the antihypertensive effect of the calcium antagonist, manidipine, was greater in salt-loaded SHR and was accompanied by profound amelioration of the abnormal renal hemodynamics.

Animals↗

[Osteoporosis and fractures in Parkinson's disease].

We investigated osteoporosis and fractures in Parkinson's disease in stage II to V according to Hoehn and Yahr's disability scale. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine was measured in 82 patients (24 males and 58 females) and in 99 age-matched controls (28 males and 71 females) using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and compression fractures of the vertebrae were assessed on X-ray films. BMD decreased with age in females and was lower in females 60 years of age or over than in males at the same age. BMD in the female patients was significantly lower than in the female controls. The female patients in stage III to V had lower BMD than those in stage II. Both male and female patients with a body mass index (BMI) below 21 showed a lower BMD than those with a BMI of 21 or more. Five male (20.8%) and 37 female (63.8%) patients were diagnosed as osteoporosis. In particular 77.8% of the females aged 60 years or older had osteoporosis. Thirty-three patients (7 males and 26 females) had experienced fractures or were found to have vertebral compression fractures on X-ray films. These results suggested that osteoporosis and fractures are common in female patients with Parkinson's disease and that prevention of fractures must be important especially for patients with osteoporosis.

Adult↗

RES-1214-1 and -2, novel non-peptidic endothelin type A receptor antagonists produced by Pestalotiopsis sp.

RES-1214-1 and -2, novel and non-peptidic endothelin antagonists, were isolated from the cultured broth of a fungus, Pestalotiopsis sp. RE-1214. RES-1214-1 and -2 selectivity inhibited the ET-1 binding to endothelin type A receptor (ETA receptor) with IC50 values of 1.5 microM and 10 microM, respectively. RES-1214-1 and -2 inhibited the increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration elicited by 1 nM ET-1 in A10 cells. Taxonomy of producing strains, fermentation, isolation, structural determination, and biochemical properties of RES-1214-1 and-2 are described.

Animals↗

Terpentecin and ECT4B, new family of topoisomerase II targeting antitumor antibiotics produced by Streptomyces: producing organism, fermentation and large scale purification.

Terpentecin and UCT4B are new family of antitumor antibiotics with topoisomerase II mediated DNA cleavage activity. Based on the taxonomic studies, the producing strain S-464 was identified as Streptomyces sp. This strain is different from Kitasatosporia griseola which had been identified as the terpentecin-producing strain in 1988. Fermentation studies showed that natural nitrogen sources supported higher titer of terpentecin, and the synthetic medium with inorganic nitrogen sources supported selective production of UCT4B. An improved isolation method was developed for the large scale purification of terpentecin.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic↗

Seasonal fluctuations of Dermatophagoides mite population in house dust.

To evaluate seasonal fluctuations of Dermatophagoides species (sp.) in residential houses in Mie Prefecture, Japan, we employed the ELISA inhibition method with rabbit polyclonal antibody to eggs and adult mites. House dust accumulated for seven days in vacuum cleaners was collected from 14 houses of atopic patients every month for one year. The one-week-dust samples weighed from 2.5 to 117 g (mean 35.9 g). The density of Dermatophagoides spp. in the dust samples were 5 to 755 mites per gram (mean 109). During one week, 100 to 20,400 (mean 4,200) mites of Dermatophagoides sp. were collected. Among 142 samples in one year, 50 (35.2%) contained more than 100 mites per gram, which is a critical number for atopic symptoms. From December to February, 12 (34.5%) out of 35 samples contained more than 100 mites per gram. These results suggest that Dermatophagoides sp. have become a year-round allergen in Japan.

Animals↗