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Biomedical subjects

K Endo

Publications and source records attributed to K Endo.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Suppressive effect of tetraprenylacetone on gastric atrophy induced by short-term administration of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in rats.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have been reported on the effects of various therapeutic agents in enhancing or suppressing the carcinogenic activity of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). However, it is still unknown whether a mucosal protective agent could suppress its carcinogenic activity. METHODS: Twenty-five Wistar male rats were divided into four groups: group 1, MNNG alone; group 2, MNNG + tetraprenylacetone; group 3, control; group 4, tetraprenlacetone alone. MNNG 100 mg/mL, was freely given to groups 1 and 2, and tetraprenylacetone (200 mg/kg intraperitoneal) was additionally administered every other day to the rats in groups 2 and 4. The animals were sacrificed at 10 weeks and the gastric mucosa examined. RESULTS: Atrophic changes were observed in the antrum after 8 weeks of oral administration of MNNG. Furthermore, using immunohistological analysis with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), the proliferative zone was found to be enlarged and shifted upward, although the BrdU labelling index of the proliferative zone was unaltered. Intraperitoneal administration of tetraprenylacetone every other day suppressed the MNNG-induced atrophic change and the alterations proliferative markers. Tetraprenylacetone alone did not have an effect either on morphological or proliferative markers. CONCLUSION: These observations suggest that gastric mucosal defensive factors may play critical roles in suppressing atrophic change inducing carcinogenesis by an exogenic carcinogen.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Mdes, a mouse homolog of the Drosophila degenerative spermatocyte gene is expressed during mouse spermatogenesis.

A new mouse gene Mdes has been identified, which has a significant sequence homology with a Drosophila gene degenerative spermatocyte (des) that is required for the initiation of meiosis in spermatogenesis. The expression pattern of the Mdes transcript during mouse spermatogenesis is similar to that of the des transcript curing Drosophila spermatogenesis. Based on these results, it is proposed that the products of Mdes and des have a phylogenetically conserved role in vertebrate and invertebrate spermatogenesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

An in vitro 1H-MRS model of oncogene transfection. The spectral feature of c-erbB-2 and c-Ha-ras transfected NIH3T3 fibroblast cells.

PURPOSE: Malignancy is an abnormality of cell division and differentiation based on abnormal expression of oncogenes. This note describes the in vitro 1H-NMR spectral features of oncogene-transfected NIH3T3 fibroblast cells compared to non-transfected cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 1H-NMR spectra of cultured NIH3T3 cells and c-erbB-2 or c-Ha-ras gene-transfected cells were obtained by 400 MHz high resolution NMR. The peaks were assigned by 2D HOHAHA spectra of the cell suspension and the spectral changes were evaluated in 1D and 1D differential spectra. RESULTS: The 1H spectra obtained from both transfected cell lines were broadened over all peaks, suggesting reduced mobility in plasma membrane lipid molecules. No other differential spectra for characterizing metabolic change was detected. CONCLUSION: Broadened 1H spectra observed after c-erbB-2 or c-Ha-ras transfection suggest changes of plasma membrane viscosity, which may be related to the oncogene expression.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1997

5-Aminolevulinate synthase expression and hemoglobin synthesis in a human myelogenous leukemia cell line.

We examined the effect of hemin, TGF-beta1 and cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) on the levels of mRNAs for the erythroid-specific 5-aminolevulinate synthase (ALAS-E) and gamma-globin in various human myelogenous leukemia cell lines. Detailed analyses were also made using one of them, YN-1, which was isolated and established in culture from a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia. Our results demonstrate that gamma-globin protein level and the percentage of benzidine-positive cells in the cell line increased markedly (10- to 30-fold) upon treatment with hemin, TGF-beta1, or Ara-C. In contrast, gamma-globin mRNA was already markedly expressed prior to treatment in 4 out of 9 cell lines examined, including YN-1, and the level increased only marginally after treatment with hemin. ALAS-E mRNA levels were increased in YN-1 cells after treatment with TGF-beta1 and Ara-C, while hemin treatment had little effect. These results indicate that heme supply is insufficient in YN-1 cells and suggest that hemin increases hemoglobin synthesis principally at the post-transcriptional level, whereas TGF-beta1 and Ara-C stimulate hemoglobin synthesis by activating efficient endogenous heme supply in the cells.

5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase↗
PubMed1997

Cloning and expression of the glutamate racemase gene of Bacillus pumilus.

A glutamate racemase gene (murI) was found in Bacillus pumilus cells and cloned into Escherichia coli WM335, a D-glutamate auxotroph, by means of a genetic complement method. MurI of B. pumilus encodes a 272-amino acid protein with an unusual initiation codon, TTG. The deduced amino acid sequence shows significant similarity with those of glutamate racemases from E. coli (ratio of identical residues, 28%), Pediococcus pentosaceus (44%), and Staphylococcus haemolyticus (49%). B. pumilus MurI was expressed as a fusion protein connected to the N-terminal 12 residues of beta-galactosidase; the fusion protein showed glutamate racemase activity, and resembled the enzyme of P. pentosaceus in physicochemical and enzymological properties.

Amino Acid Isomerases↗
PubMed1997

Cellular proliferation and differentiation in rat atrophic gastric mucosa induced by N'-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine.

It has been demonstrated that mucosal cell proliferation in atrophic gastritis is significantly accelerated, although the dynamics of the cell proliferation and differentiation have not been well characterized. We sequentially analyzed the markers of proliferation and differentiation of rat atrophic gastritis induced by MNNG. Immunohistochemical staining by anti-BrdU, anti-PCNA, and anti-PDGF-BB antibodies demonstrated that cell proliferation in atrophic gastritis was accelerated not only in the parenchymal tissue but also in the mesenchymal tissue. Expression of a gap junction protein (connexin 32), which is a marker for differentiation of epithelial cells, was reduced during the progression of atrophy. Some apoptotic cells were observed in the lower to middle third of the atrophic mucosa, whereas apoptotic cells were rarely seen in normal mucosa, which suggests that apoptosis in these parts of the mucosa may be related to the occurrence of mucosal atrophy.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Synthesis of isomers of 18F-labelled amino acid radiopharmaceutical: position 2- and 3-L-18F-alpha-methyltyrosine using a separation and purification system.

To diagnose cancers with radiolabelled amino acid using positron emission tomography, we have constructed a separation and purification system for the production of L-18F-alpha-methyltyrosine (L-18FAmT). This system could provide radioprotection and consistent production of L-18FAmT. L-18FAmT was synthesized and purified and the efficiency of the system was examined. The radiochemical yield of L-18FAmT was 20.3 +/- 5.1% (n = 5) based on the radioactivity trapped in the reaction vessel. The radiochemical purity was greater than 99.4 +/- 0.3% (n = 5). The radiochemical stability in phosphate-buffered saline and human plasma was examined and little decomposition was observed by HPLC analysis. Our results indicate that the separation and purification system gave simple and quick synthesis of L-18FAmT with a large reduction in radiation exposure and consistent production of L-18FAmT.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1997

Depressed contractile response to exercise in diabetic patients in the absence of cardiovascular disease: relationship to adrenergic cardiac dysinnervation.

We investigated the presence of subclinical left ventricular dysfunction by determining left ventricular diastolic filling at rest and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) response to exercise with radionuclide angiography. The subjects were 40 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes who showed no evidence of cardiovascular disease based on clinical findings, electrocardiography and 201T1 perfusion scintigraphy. We also used 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG) scintigraphy to investigate whether subclinical left ventricular abnormalities were related to adrenergic cardiac dysinnervation. The change on LVEF in response to exercise (delta LVEF) was < 5% in 1 of 20 normal controls and in 22 of 40 diabetic patients (P < 0.01). The peak filling rate was within normal limits in all controls but was abnormal (< 2.3 EDV s-1) in 5 of 40 patients (P = N.S.). Of the clinical and scintigraphic variables that correlated significantly with delta LVEF, the heart-to-mediastinum 123I-MIBG uptake ratio on the late planar images was the most important and independent predictor. Nearly half of the patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes without apparent cardiovascular disease exhibited a depressed LVEF response to exercise. This subnormal response was significantly associated with diminished myocardial 123I-MIBG uptake, suggesting a causal relationship.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗
PubMed1997

Anti-murine antibody response to mouse monoclonal antibodies in cancer patients.

Although development of human anti-murine immunoglobulin antibody (HAMA) is often seen in patients receiving murine antibodies, the variety of methods used for detecting HAMA makes it difficult to compare directly the HAMA responses measured by different assays. In the present study, several parameters of the HAMA response to two murine monoclonal antibodies were evaluated. The anti-sialosyl Tn antibody MLS102 and anti-CA125 antibody 145-9, which were labeled with 111In, were injected intravenously into 17 colorectal cancer patients and 11 ovarian cancer patients for immunoscintigraphy, respectively. HAMA was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. There was no difference in baseline HAMA levels before antibody injection between the two groups. HAMA developed more frequently in ovarian cancer patients receiving the 145-9 antibody than in colorectal cancer patients receiving the MLS102 antibody (9/11 vs. 6/17, P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in maximal HAMA levels between the two groups of patients. However, time to reach the maximal levels was delayed and the duration of the response seemed longer in ovarian cancer patients. Among 11 patients receiving the 145-9 antibody three patients became positive for HAMA more than 2 months after antibody injection and the other two had HAMA activity in their sera for more than 17 months. HAMA response was different between the two antibodies, and late onset or long duration of HAMA response against the 145-9 antibody suggests the importance of HAMA measurement in patients who receive a second injection of murine antibodies even after a long interval.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Intramural sarcoma of the carotid artery with adventitial inflammation and fibrosis resembling 'inflammatory aneurysm'.

A rare case is described of an intramural sarcoma of the right common carotid artery coexisting with adventitial inflammation and fibrosis, resembling 'inflammatory aneurysm', which was resected from a 33-year-old Japanese woman who had presented with a pulsatile mass on the right side of the anterior neck. Grossly, the wall of the carotid artery showed an intimal tear with dissection of the media filled with thrombus. A grayish area, abutting directly onto the dissected space and involving the media and inner adventitia, was composed of alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive and desmin-negative polygonal and spindle cells with large blunt-ended nuclei and coarse granular chromatin arranged into a well-organized interlacing bundle pattern. This portion was thus considered to represent leiomyosarcoma. White to yellow-tan fibrotic tissue present in the adventitial area consisted of extensive lamellar fibrosis with scattered foci of lymphoplasmacytic aggregates and obliterated arteries, and lacked atypical spindle and polygonal cells. These changes accorded with the histopathological findings hitherto described in cases of 'inflammatory aneurysm', which is known to almost exclusively involve the abdominal aorta. We consider this case unique in that the leiomyosarcoma involved an artery other than the aorta, with an 'inflammatory aneurysm'-like reaction in the same site. The possible relationship between these two conditions is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Experimental bystander encephalitis induced by immunization with HTLV-I-producing T cells in mice.

ICR mice were immunized with HTLV-I carrier T lymphocytes (MT-2 cell line) and then inoculated intracerebrally with these cells. After non-specific traumatic hemorrhage, perivascular cell infiltration was noted diffusely throughout the brain on day 2 and lasted for over 2 weeks. HTLV-I antigens were detected in both sides of the cerebral hemisphere by Western blotting analysis. Tissue damage consisting of demyelination, axonal degeneration, and astrogliosis was observed most heavily on days 10 and 14. Non-immunized mice inoculated with the cells showed only transient hemorrhage. In cases using the HTLV-I free T-cell line (MOLT-4) inflammatory cell infiltration and tissue damage was much less conspicuous and disappeared after day 10. These experiments support the hypothesis that HAM/TSP is a bystander disease initiated and progresses via HTLV-I-infected T-cell invasion into the spinal cord of a patient who has been infected and sensitized to the virus.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Machado-Joseph disease in four Chinese pedigrees: molecular analysis of 15 patients including two juvenile cases and clinical correlations.

Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder associated with the expansion of a (CAG)n array in the MJD1 gene. We analyzed the sizes of the (CAG)n array using DNA samples from 61 members of four Chinese MJD families and 18 Chinese normal control subjects and confirmed that the (CAG)n array in 15 MJD chromosomes was expanded to 72-86 repeat units. There were no subjects with (CAG)n array sizes intermediate between those of normal and MJD affected groups. Meanwhile, we found a significant negative correlation between the age of onset of symptoms and (CAG)n array size. The largest (CAG)n array of 86 repeat units was in the youngest patient, whose age of onset was 5 years. The intergenerational increase in number of CAG repeat units was associated with the clinical phenomenon of anticipation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Neuromuscular blocking actions of the aminoglycoside antibiotics sisomicin and micronomicin in the rabbit.

The neuromuscular blocking actions of sisomicin sulfate (SISO), micronomicin sulfate (MCR) and d-tubocurarine (dTc) were studied in 20 rabbits anesthetized with halothane. The i.v. administration of SISO 20-40 mg/kg, MCR 40-80 mg/kg or dTc 0.1-0.3 mg/kg resulted in dose-dependent decreases in twitch tension. The ED50s for SISO, MCR and dTc were 23.5, 58.2 and 0.2 mg/kg, respectively. SISO- and MCR-induced neuromuscular blockade was partially antagonized by neostigmine or by calcium.

Aminoglycosides↗
PubMed1997

Evaluation of scratch movements by a new scratch-monitor to analyze nocturnal itching in atopic dermatitis.

Itching is very important in atopic dermatitis, but the details of itching or scratch movements, especially during sleep at night, have not yet been fully comprehended. We designed a new, simple device, the Scratch-Monitor (SM), to evaluate scratch movements at night and assessed the usefulness of this device by a comparison involving 26 patients and 17 healthy controls. The SM, a box weighing only 25 g with a pressure sensor on the bottom, is attached to the back of each hand under a cotton glove and records the number as scratch movements per minute in the case of more than three successive changes of pressure. The SM indicated that patients with atopic dermatitis scratched more frequently and suffered more severe sleep disturbance than healthy controls. Although the SM had several problems related to specificity and sensitivity, we conclude that the SM is a useful tool for evaluating nocturnal itching.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Evaluation of the polymerase chain reaction method for identification of Vibrio vulnificus isolated from marine environments.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for identification of Vibrio vulnificus in the marine environment was evaluated by comparing it to both the conventional and DNA-DNA hybridization methods. Of 13,325 isolates obtained from seawater and sediment samples, and oyster and goby specimens collected from the coastal waters of Tokyo Bay, Japan, only 61 isolates were identified as V. vulnificus on the basis of phenotypic characteristics and the amplification of the cytotoxin-hemolysin gene by the PCR method. All 61 isolates were further confirmed to be V. vulnificus by a DNA-DNA hybridization method and the API 20E system although they were divided into 13 groups on the basis of their API 20E profiles. These results strongly suggest that the PCR method is useful for identification of this organism.

Animals↗