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Biomedical subjects

K Endo

Publications and source records attributed to K Endo.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

A novel alkaline endoglucanase from an alkaliphilic Bacillus isolate: enzymatic properties, and nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences.

A highly alkaline endo-1,4-beta-glucanase (Egl) was purified to homogeneity from a culture broth of alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. strain KSM-N252. The optimal pH for activity was as high as 10, and the optimal temperature was 55 degrees C. The molecular mass and isoelectric point were around 50 kDa and pH 4.2, respectively. The enzyme hydrolyzed carboxymethyl cellulose in a random fashion. Unlike previously reported Egls, the enzyme was highly active on p-nitrophenyl cello-oligosaccharides and acid-swollen cellulose, and its activity was stimulated by cellobiose at high concentrations. The entire gene for the enzyme contained a 1,476-bp single open reading frame encoding 492 amino acids, including a 29-amino-acid signal peptide. The mature enzyme (463 amino acids: 51,174 Da) exhibited moderate homology to other family 5 alkaline Egls. In the C-terminal region, a carbohydrate-binding module that belongs to family XII was repeated. Furthermore, four and six repeats of Pro-Pro-Ser/Thr-Glu/Asp-Pro-(Glu) were found immediately before the first and second carbohydrate-binding modules, respectively.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Malignant pheochromocytoma with hepatic metastasis diagnosed 10 years after a resection of the primary incidentaloma adrenal lesion: report of a case.

A 40-year-old woman developed hepatic tumors 10 years after a resection of pheochromocytoma of the left adrenal gland. Computed tomography showed a round tumor measuring about 35mm in diameter at segment V of the liver (Couinaud's classification), and magnetic resonance imaging showed another tumor measuring about 5mm at segment V-VIII of the liver. The results of the endoscopic examination of her upper gastrointestinal tract and barium enema were normal. Owing to a suspected hepatic metastasis of malignant pheochromocytoma, a right lobectomy of the liver was performed. Postoperatively, [131I]metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigram and computed tomography showed no other residual tumors nor metastasis. The present case suggests that a long-term follow-up only by endocrinological examinations is insufficient to find newly developed metastatic foci, while routine diagnostic imaging at frequent intervals is necessary in cases of pheochromocytoma.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed2001

Radiographic assessment of scapular rotational tilt in chronic shoulder impingement syndrome.

This study presents an objective evaluation of both scapular upward and axial rotational tilts in shoulder impingement syndrome, using a scapular spine line defined on antero-posterior (AP) radiographs of the shoulder as the referential line. Twenty-seven patients with unilateral shoulder motion pain, who were diagnosed as having chronic shoulder impingement syndrome, were enrolled in the study. Scapular upward and axial rotational tilts were compared between the affected and contralateral shoulders. AP radiographs were obtained at shoulder abduction angles of 0 degrees, 45 degrees, and 90 degrees, and the X-ray films were digitized by computer. The upward and axial rotational tilts of the scapula were then evaluated on the digital images. In shoulder impingement syndrome, both upward and axial external rotations of the scapula were impaired at the painful arc angle of abduction. This tended to be more apparent for the axial rotation of the scapula than for the upward rotation. These reductions in scapular rotations reduce available clearance for the rotator cuff and humeral greater tuberosity as the shoulder is abducted.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Homozygosity and linkage disequilibrium mapping of autosomal recessive distal myopathy (Nonaka distal myopathy).

Autosomal recessive distal myopathy or Nonaka distal myopathy (NM) is characterized by its unique distribution of muscular weakness and wasting. The patients present with spared quadriceps muscles even in a late stage of the disease. The hamstring and tibialis anterior muscles are affected severely in early adulthood. We have localized the NM gene to the region between markers D9S319 and D9S276 on chromosome 9 by linkage analysis. To further refine the localization of the NM gene, we conducted homozygosity and linkage disequilibrium analysis for 14 patients from 11 NM families using 18 polymorphic markers. All of the patients from consanguineous NM families were found to be homozygous for six markers located within the region between markers D9S2178 and D9S1859. We also provided evidence for significant allelic associations between the NM region and five marker loci. Examination of the haplotype analysis identified a predominant ancestral haplotype comprising the associated alleles 199-160-154-109 (marker order: D9S2179-D9S2180-D9S2181-D9S1804), present in 60% of NM chromosomes and in 0% of parent chromosomes. On the basis of the data obtained in this study, the majority of NM chromosomes were derived from a single ancestral founder, and the NM gene is probably located within the 1.5-Mb region between markers D9S2178 and D9S1791.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

The complete primary structure of molluscan shell protein 1 (MSP-1), an acidic glycoprotein in the shell matrix of the scallop Patinopecten yessoensis.

The complete primary structure of MSP-1, a major water-soluble glycoprotein in the foliated calcite shell layer of the scallop Patinopecten yessoensis, is reported. The full-length complementary DNA for MSP-1 isolated by polymerase chain reaction contained a sequence for a signal peptide of 20 amino acids followed by a polypeptide of 820 amino acids with calculated molecular mass of 74.5 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence of MSP-1 includes a high proportion of Ser (32%), Gly (25%), and Asp (20%), and the predicted isoelectric point is 3.2; in these respects, MSP-1 is a typical acidic glycoprotein of mineralized tissues. A repeated modular structure characterizes MSP-1, with a sequence unit between 158 and 177 amino acids in length being repeated 4 times in tandem in the middle part of the protein. The repeated unit comprises 3 modules (SG, D, and K domains), each having a distinct amino acid composition and sequence. The SG domain is almost exclusively composed of Ser and Gly residues. The D domain is rich in Asp residues, potential N-glycosylation and phosphorylation sites. The K domain is rich in Gly residues and has a core of basic residues. The Asp residues are arranged more or less regularly in the D domains, exhibiting some repeated motifs such as Asp-Gly-Ser-Asp and Asp-Ser-Asp. Further, the 4 D domains indicate remarkable overall sequence similarities to each other. These observations suggest that the regular arrangements of COO(-) groups in the D domain side chains may be important for specific control of crystal growth.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Pure anarthria with predominantly sequencing errors in phoneme articulation: a case report.

A 77-year-old left-handed man presented with pure anarthria following cerebral infarction. The lesion was restricted to the right precentral gyrus extending to the immediately underlying subcortical white matter and the frontal part of the insular cortex. Qualitative analysis of anarthria revealed that half of the phonemic-articulatory errors in spontaneous speech were sequencing ones. Sequential errors were detected at the phoneme level in both consonants and vowels, and at the syllable level. Most of the sequential errors were pre-positioning. Sequential errors were observed both within and across words. In clear contrast with anarthria, writing and comprehension was preserved, which suggested the problem was limited to oral expression. Our findings provide further support that the precentral gyrus and/or the insular cortex of the language dominant hemisphere is responsible for the temporal sequencing of the articulatory programming.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Neuronal ectopic expression of tyrosine hydroxylase in the mouse striatum by combined administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine and 3-nitropropionic acid.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is a dopaminergic neurotoxin which inhibits mitochondrial complex I. 3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NPA) inhibits mitochondrial complex II and produces specific striatal lesions. In order to produce a combined striatal neuronal and dopaminergic afferent lesion, we administered both toxins simultaneously to the mouse. The combination brought about a lesion in the striatum that was not simply additive of the two combined toxins. Intriguingly, a group of striatal neurons became immunoreactive to tyrosine hydroxylase after day 1. Some of them were clearly visible up to the dendritic details. Immuno-electron microscopy indicated that the tyrosine hydroxylase-positive striatal neurons contained densely immunoreactive polyribosomes. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated the up-regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA in the treated striatum. These neurons were also immunoreactive to aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase.We conclude that the combined administration of MPTP and 3-NPA caused a more profound damage to the nigro-striatal dopaminergic system, and thus some striatal neurons capable of up-regulating tyrosine hydroxylase were induced to produce dopamine, probably to compensate for the dopamine depletion.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗
PubMed2001

Does the presence of distant and local malignancy alter parenchymal perfusion in apparently disease-free areas of the liver?

Our objective was to investigate if hepatic arterial (HAP) and portal venous perfusion (PVP) in apparently normal areas of liver, as measured by functional CT, are affected by the presence of extra- and intrahepatic malignancy Three patient groups were compared: A, controls with no malignancy (N = 10); B, extrahepatic malignancy without liver involvement (N = 12); and C, subjects with metastases elsewhere in the liver (N = 13). HAP, PVP, and a CT hepatic perfusion index (CT-HPI) calculated as HAP/(HAP + PVP) were calculated on a section free of metastatic disease, using a previously published method. Figures for PVP were (median and interquartile range) in group A were 1.06 (0.9-1.30), in B 1.03 (0.81-1.09), and in C 0.75 (0.54-1.02) ml/min/ml; for HAP group A values were 0.07 (0.052-0.078), in B 0.07 (0.053-0.147), and in C 0.12 (0.091-0.146) ml/min/ml and for CT-HPI Group A values were 4.9% (4.8-6.6%), in B 5.6% (3.8-13.6%), and in C 14.3% (10.4-15.4%). Significant differences in all indices were seen between groups A and C. A significant difference (P = 0.017) was seen between groups B and C in the CT-HPI values. In conclusion, patients with liver metastases show abnormal blood flow in apparently normal liver compared to controls. This difference was not seen in subjects with malignancy without liver metastases. Possible explanations would be either the unmasking of occult metastatic disease or vasoactive or mechanical effects due to liver malignancy.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Deduced amino-acid sequence of a calcium-free alpha-amylase from a strain of Bacillus: implications from molecular modeling of high oxidation stability and chelator resistance of the enzyme.

Alkaline alpha-amylase (AmyK38) from the alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. strain KSM-K38 is a unique enzyme in that it is highly chelator-resistant and oxidatively stable [Hagihara, H., Igarashi, K., Hayashi, Y., Endo, K., Ikawa-Kitayama, K., Ozaki, K., Kawai, S. & Ito, S. (2001) Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 67, 1744-1750]. This enzyme was found to contain no Ca and require Na (or monovalent cations) for manifestation of activity. The nucleotide sequence of the gene for the novel enzyme was determined, and it harbored an ORF of 1503 bp encoding the enzyme of 501 amino acids, including a 21-amino-acid signal peptide. The deduced amino-acid sequence of the mature enzyme (55 097 Da) showed moderate homology to those of alpha-amylases from Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus stearothermophilus and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, with approximately 63% identity. A methionine residue, which is conserved and susceptible to chemical oxidation, was replaced with leucine in AmyK38. Moreover, many conserved residues that are crucial ligands for Ca were replaced with other amino acids, thereby leading to loss of the Ca coordination geometries. By building a molecular model, we showed the calcium-independent, oxidatively stable active-site topology and structural integrity of AmyK38.

Alkalies↗
PubMed2001

Overexpression of p53 protein and MDM2 in papillary carcinomas of the thyroid: Correlations with clinicopathologic features.

Expression of p53 protein and MDM2 was evaluated in paraffin-embedded tissue from 78 patients with papillary carcinomas of the thyroid (PCT), in order to elucidate the relationship between them and their correlations with some clinicopathologic features implicated in tumor progression. These proteins were expressed in nuclei of tumor cells, but not in non-tumor cells. Staining was defined as positive when 10% or more of tumor cells expressed these proteins. The number of cases positive for p53 protein was 21/78 (27%), and that positive for MDM2 was 26/78 (33%). Co-overexpression of p53 protein and MDM2 was observed in 12/78 cases (15%). A significant positive relationship was found between them (P < 0.01); p53-positive cases tended to be also positive for MDM2 and vice versa. Statistical analysis revealed that overexpression of p53 protein significantly correlated with large tumor size (P = 0.0271) and the presence of capsular invasion (P = 0.04). There were significant positive correlations between tumor size and intrathyroidal invasion and between tumor size and capsular invasion in PCT, suggesting that p53 protein overexpression is associated only with tumor progression (tumor size). However, we could not find any significant correlations between MDM2 expression and clinicopathologic features. Our findings suggest that overexpression of p53 protein and MDM2 in papillary carcinoma of the thyroid is associated with the progression of the tumors, and that p53 may be a marker of the progression of PCT.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Adult T-cell leukemia.

Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) is endemic in southwestern Japan, in the Caribbean islands, and in central Africa. Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) is the etiologic agent of ATL. The clinical characteristics are (1) onset in adulthood, (2) subacute or chronic leukemia with rapidly progressive terminal course, (3) frequent skin lesions, (4) lymphadenopathy that characteristically spares the mediastinum, (5) hepatosplenomegaly, (6) hypercalcemia, and (7) a tendency toward geographical clustering. Although hypercalcemia and osteoclastic activity due to parathyroid hormone-related peptide are frequently reported histologically, radiographic abnormalities of bone are not common. Two major patterns of osteolytic lesions observed in ATL are "punched-out" lesions resembling multiple myeloma and osteolytic metastasis and subperiosteal bone resorptions similar to those in hyperparathyroidism.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Nuclear imaging of bone tumors: FDG-PET.

Positron emission tomography (PET) has become a very useful adjunct to anatomic imaging techniques, because it can provide an in vivo method for quantifying functional metabolism in normal and diseased tissues. Clinical trials with [(18)F] 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-glucose (FDG), the most commonly used radiolabeled tracer for PET imaging, has demonstrated increased accumulation of FDG in cancer tissue. FDG-PET is now widely used for the detection, differentiation, grading, staging, and monitoring of various neoplasms. However, the significance of FDG-PET in such evaluations of primary bone tumors and tumor-like lesions has not been extensively elucidated. In this article, we present recent advances in FDG-PET studies for evaluating primary bone tumors and tumor-like lesions.

Bone Neoplasms↗
PubMed2001

The antioxidant effect of DL-alpha-lipoic acid on copper-induced acute hepatitis in Long-Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rats.

The Long-Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rats, due to a genetic defect, accumulate excess copper (Cu) in the liver in a manner similar to patients with Wilson's disease and spontaneously develop acute hepatitis with severe jaundice. In this study we examined the protective effect of DL-alpha-Lipoic acid (LA) against acute hepatitis in LEC rats. LA was administered to LEC rats by gavage in doses of 10, 30 and 100 mg/kg five times per week, starting at 8-weeks-old and continuing till 12-weeks-old. Although LA had little effect against the increases in serum transaminase activities, it suppressed the loss of body weight and prevented severe jaundice in a dose-dependent manner. Antioxidant system analyses in liver showed that LA treatment significantly suppressed the inactivations of catalase and glutathione peroxidase, and the induction of heme oxygenase-1, an enzyme which is inducible under oxidative stress. Furthermore, LA showed dose-dependent suppressive effect against increase in nonheme iron contents of both cytosolic and crude mitochondrial fractions in a dose-dependent manner. Although at the highest dose, LA slightly suppressed the accumulation of Cu in crude mitochondrial fraction, it had no effect on the accumulation of Cu in cytosolic fraction. While LA completely suppressed the increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the microsomal fraction at the highest dose, the suppressive effect against LPO in crude mitochondrial fractions was slight. From these results, it is concluded that LA has antioxidant effects at the molecular level against the development of Cu-induced hepatitis in LEC rats. Moreover, mitochondrial oxidative damage might be involved in the development of acute hepatitis in LEC rats.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

Sciatic nerve regeneration through alginate with tubulation or nontubulation repair in cat.

A novel material for nerve regeneration, alginate, was employed in both tubulation and nontubulation repair of a long peripheral nerve defect injury. Twelve cats underwent severing of the right sciatic nerve to generate a 50-mm gap, which was treated by tubulation repair (n = 6) or nontubulation repair (n = 6). In the tubulation group, a nerve conduit consisting of polyglycolic acid mesh tube filled with alginate sponge was implanted into the gap and the tube was sutured to both nerve stumps. In the nontubulation group, the nerve defect was repaired by a simple interpolation of two pieces of alginate sponge without any suture. The animals in both groups exhibited similar recovery of locomotor function. Three months postoperatively, successful axonal elongation and reinnervation in both the afferent and efferent systems were detected by electrophysiological examinations. Intracellular electrical activity was also recorded, which is directly indicative of continuity of the regenerated nerve and restoration of the spinal reflex circuit. Eight months after operation, many regenerated myelinated axons with fascicular organization by perineurial cells were observed within the gap, peroneal and tibial branches were found in both groups, while no alginate residue was found within the regenerated nerves. In morphometric analysis of the axon density and diameter, there were no significant differences between the two groups. These results suggest that alginate is a potent material for promoting peripheral nerve regeneration. It can also be concluded that the nontubulation method is a possible repair approach for peripheral nerve defect injury.

Alginates↗
PubMed2001

Role of Rab3 GDP/GTP exchange protein in synaptic vesicle trafficking at the mouse neuromuscular junction.

The Rab3 small G protein family consists of four members, Rab3A, -3B, -3C, and -3D. Of these members, Rab3A regulates Ca(2+)-dependent neurotransmitter release. These small G proteins are activated by Rab3 GDP/GTP exchange protein (Rab3 GEP). To determine the function of Rab3 GEP during neurotransmitter release, we have knocked out Rab3 GEP in mice. Rab3 GEP-/- mice developed normally but died immediately after birth. Embryos at E18.5 showed no evoked action potentials of the diaphragm and gastrocnemius muscles in response to electrical stimulation of the phrenic and sciatic nerves, respectively. In contrast, axonal conduction of the spinal cord and the phrenic nerve was not impaired. Total numbers of synaptic vesicles, especially those docked at the presynaptic plasma membrane, were reduced at the neuromuscular junction approximately 10-fold compared with controls, whereas postsynaptic structures and functions appeared normal. Thus, Rab3 GEP is essential for neurotransmitter release and probably for formation and trafficking of the synaptic vesicles.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2001

Determination of glomerular filtration rate per unit renal volume using computerized tomography: correlation with conventional measures of total and divided renal function.

PURPOSE: Previous studies suggest that functional computerized tomography (CT) can measure glomerular filtration rate (GFR) per unit renal volume. We compared this index with conventionally determined GFR measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 16 men and 8 women 63.3 +/- 14.9 years old (range 31 to 88) were studied using with contrast enhanced CT. A single slice of kidney was scanned sequentially after bolus injection (0.5 to 1.0 ml. per second(-1)) of 20 ml. iopamidol (300 mg. iodine per ml.(-1)). GFR per volume of kidney was calculated using a Patlak graphical analysis, and this index was multiplied by renal volume on CT to yield global GFR (ml. per minute(-1)). Divided function was also calculated. GFR and divided renal function were calculated in all cases from radioisotope renography with 99m diethylenetetraminepentaacetic acid. In 12 subjects in whom 24-hour urine collection was possible GFR was also calculated from creatinine clearance. RESULTS: A strong correlation was observed between divided renal function, expressed with respect to the right kidney calculated from CT (52.7 +/- 14.8%, range 19.9% to 97.4%) and by radioisotope renography (51.7 +/- 14.6%, range 18.9% to 92.6%, r = 0.97, p <0.0001). A strong correlation (r = 0.92, p <0.0001) was also seen between global GFR determined by CT (80.1 +/- 43.9 ml. per minute(-1), range 38.2 to 197.9) and creatinine clearance (72.4 +/- 47.5, range 14.6 to 168.5), and was stronger than the correlation between the radioisotope and creatinine clearance method (r = 0.67, p = 0.02) in the same patients. CONCLUSION: Functional CT using nonionic contrast material can measure GFR normalized to renal volume and is an accurate alternative to conventional methods of renal function evaluation.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Tumour detectability in 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional positron emission tomography using the SET-2400W: a phantom study.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the detectability of small hot lesions in 2-dimensional transmission+emission (2D T/E), 2-dimensional simultaneous transmission+emission (2D simultaneous T/E) and 3-dimensional transmission+emission (3D T/E) acquisition modes in an 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) scan. The correlation between target detectability, target size, target to non-target uptake ratio (T/N ratio), and standardized uptake value (SUV) were studied. Small hot lesions ranging from 4.4 mm to 36.9 mm in diameter were set in a cylindrical phantom. The images of phantoms with T/N ratios of 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0, 9.6, 13.2, 17.5, 23.8 and 30.3 were obtained in 2D T/E, 2D simultaneous T/E and 3D T/E scans. Tumour uptake of 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) in a rabbit bearing VX-2 tumours was also studied in 2D T/E, 2D simultaneous T/E and 3D T/E scans. The target with a diameter > 10.6 mm and an actual T/N ratio from 6.0 to 30.3 could be identified on the images obtained with all the 2D T/E, 2D simultaneous T/E and 3D T/E acquisition modes. The detectability efficiency of a small hot target was found to be 77.8% in 2D T/E and 3D T/E, but 75.9% in 2D simultaneous T/E. The T/N ratio and recovery coefficient (RC) of the target from the 2D simultaneous T/E image was very similar to that from 2D T/E, and the SUV of the target from the 2D T/E image was almost the same as that from the 2D simultaneous T/E and 3D T/E images. This study indicated that 2D simultaneous T/E scanning and 3D T/E had similar abilities for detecting the tumour as did 2D T/E scanning. 2D T/E, 2D simultaneous T/E and 3D T/E scanning had the same feasibility for semi-quantitative analysis using SUV, as well as using the T/N ratios for 2D T/E and 2D simultaneous T/E. In contrast, the use of the T/N ratio in 3D T/E scanning gave an inferior result in semi-quantative analysis, although there might have been an improvement if a scatter correction had been performed.

Animals↗