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Biomedical subjects

K Fujiwara

Publications and source records attributed to K Fujiwara.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

[Phase I study of TAT-59 (a new antiestrogen) in breast cancer. TAT-59 Study Group].

Phase I study of TAT-59 (Miproxifen), an antiestrogen developed in Japan for breast cancer, was conducted with the collaboration of 12 hospitals. A single dose of 1.25, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 mg, or 5 consecutive daily doses of 1.25, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/day, were given orally. After single dosing, no clinical adverse effects were found. Decrease of serum Na, Cl, Ca level and increase of serum LDH level were observed in one patient after a single dose of 5 mg of TAT. An increase in the serum LDH level was also observed in one patient after a single dose in the of 10 mg of TAT. An increase in the serum LDH level and total bilirubin, increase of eosinophil, K and milky serum were also observed in one patient after a single dose of 40 mg of TAT, respectively. All of these abnormal values returned to the normal level within 26 days after final administration of TAT. No adverse clinical findings nor abnormal laboratory findings were observed after consecutive administration of TAT. After postprandial single dosing, the time to reach the maximum serum concentration (Tmax) of DP-TAT, dephosphorylated metabolite of TAT, and its demethylated metabolite, DMDP, ranged from 5.0 to 7.3 hr and from 17.0 to 42.8 hr, respectively. The maximum serum concentration (Cmax) and AUC of DP and DMDP elevated in a dose-dependent manner. T1/2 of DP and DMDP ranged from 24.2 to 41.5, and from 91.9 to 214.7 hr, respectively. There were no significant differences between pharmacokinetics of TAT before and after food intake. Based on the above results, we concluded that a Phase II study should be conducted to evaluate the efficacy, safety and optimal dose of TAT.

Administration, Oral↗

[The long-term result of an adult case of transposition of the great arteries corrected with Rastelli operation at the age of thirty-two years].

A 32-year-old woman with transposition of the great arteries was referred to us for corrective surgery. She had severe cyanosis, dyspnea, and hemoptysis. The cardiac catheter study and echocardiography revealed that she had transposition of the great arteries, associated with atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, and pulmonary stenosis. Rastelli operation was performed using equine pericardial roll with three valves made from autologous pericardium. After the operation she gave birth to two children without any symptom. Ventricular tachycardia occurred several times but was controlled by the drug. Eight years after the operation she underwent catheter study. Although the right ventricular pressure was 80 mmHg and the pressure gradient through the conduit was 38 mmHg, her general clinical condition was fairly good. We think the late postoperative result of this patient is satisfactory as an adult case of transposition of the great arteries.

Adult↗

[Combined coronary artery bypass with right nephrectomy in a patient with left main lesion, calcified ascending aorta, pelvic carcinoma and liver cirrhosis].

A 66-year-old female had ischemic heart disease due to left main lesion complicated with calcified ascending aorta, right pelvic carcinoma and liver cirrhosis. The combined operations with coronary artery bypass by left internal thoracic artery under the hypothermic ventricular fibrillation with cardiopulmonary bypass and right nephrectomy were performed successfully. Postoperatively Treadmill exercise test and scintigram revealed no ischemihc change. She is doing well. The aortocoronary bypass to left anterior descending artery using a left internal thoracic artery under hypothermic ventricular fibrillation with cardiopulmonary bypass might be one of surgical options for high risk patient.

Aged↗

[Primary intracerebral malignant fibrous histiocytoma with adhesion to a dura: a case report].

A case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) in a 29-year-old man was reported. CT scans revealed an iso density mass which was homogeneously enhanced by contrast medium. MRI demonstrated that the right frontal tumor showed slight low signal intensity in T1-weighted image, and iso signal intensity in T2-weighted image. Gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted image showed a homogeneously enhanced multinodular tumor. Right carotid angiogram revealed a tumor stain fed by the precentral artery. On operation, en-bloc resection was performed successfully. Postoperatively, local irradiation of 60Gy was performed. Microscopically, fibroblast-like cells arranged in storiform pattern were observed, and bizarre multinucleated giant cells were also observed. Ki-67 labelling index was 54%. We considered the tumor was a MFH and arose from an intracerebral mesenchymal tissue. We reviewed some literature and briefly discussed clinicopathological features and therapy of intracranial MFH.

Adult↗

The mechanisms of hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cell regeneration: a possible communication system associated with vascular endothelial growth factor in liver cells.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been shown to induce proliferation of sinusoidal endothelial cells in primary culture. To elucidate the mechanisms of sinusoidal endothelial cell regeneration in vivo, mRNA expression of VEGF and its receptors, flt-1 and KDR/flk-1, were studied in rat livers. Northern blot analysis revealed that VEGF-mRNA was expressed in hepatocytes immediately after isolation from normal rats. In contrast, non-parenchymal cells, including sinusoidal endothelial cells, expressed VEGF receptor-mRNA. Vascular endothelial growth factor-mRNA expression in hepatocytes was decreased during primary culture, but increased following a peak of DNA synthesis, induced by addition of epidermal growth factor or hepatocyte growth factor to the culture medium at 24 h of plating. In a 70% resected rat liver, VEGF-mRNA expression increased with a peak at 72 h after the operation, and mRNA expression of VEGF receptors between 72 and 168 h. In such a liver, mitosis was maximal in hepatocytes at 36 h and in sinusoidal endothelial cells at 96 h. Also, mRNA expression of both VEGF and its receptors was significantly increased in carbon tetrachloride-intoxicated rat liver compared with normal rat liver. Vascular endothelial growth factor expression was minimal in Kupffer cells isolated from normal rats, but marked in activated Kupffer cells and hepatic macrophages from the intoxicated rats. Vascular endothelial growth factor-mRNA expression was also increased in activated stellate cells from these rats and in the cells activated during primary culture compared with quiescent cells. We conclude that increased levels of VEGF expression in regenerating hepatocytes may contribute to the proliferation of sinusoidal endothelial cells in partially resected rat liver, probably through VEGF receptors up-regulated on the cells. Also, VEGF derived from activated Kupffer cells, hepatic macrophages and stellate cells may be involved in this proliferation in injured rat liver.

Animals↗

Effect of FK506 on the activation state of hepatic macrophages in Propionibacterium acnes-treated rats.

Activated hepatic macrophages can provoke massive liver necrosis following endotoxin stimulation through microcirculatory disturbances due to sinusoidal fibrin deposition in rats pretreated with heat-killed Propionibacterium acnes. In these rats, FK506 (tachlorinus) administered 24 h before and at the time of endotoxin injection, significantly attenuated liver injury compared with the rats given no FK506. The effect of FK506 on hepatic macrophage activation and its action sites were studied in Propionibacterium acnes-treated rats. When rats received Propionibacterium acnes intravenously, hepatic-mRNA expression of interferon-gamma-inducing factor and interleukin-2 and splenic-mRNA expression of interferon-gamma were significantly increased compared with normal rats. Hepatic-mRNA expression of CD14, a receptor for lipopolysaccharide and its binding protein complex, was also increased preceding the expressions of the three cytokines in the liver and spleen. FK506 administration attenuated hepatic-mRNA expression of interleukin-2 and both superoxide anions as well as tumour necrosis factor-alpha production by hepatic macrophages, but did not change CD14-mRNA expression in Propionibacterium acnes-treated rats. It is suggested that a cytokine network through interferon-gamma-inducing factor, interferon-gamma and interleukin-2 may operate during activation of hepatic macrophages in rats treated with heat-killed Propionibacterium acnes, while CD14 expression on the cells may increase independently of this network. FK506 seems to attenuate such activation by suppressing hepatic interleukin-2 expression, without affecting CD14 expression on the cells.

Animals↗

Smooth muscle myosin. Amino acid residues responsible for the hydrolysis of ATP.

From their crystallographic comparisons, Fisher et al. (Biochemistry 34, 8960-8972, 1995) have proposed that in an important transition of myosin heads (M), M.ATP-->M.ADP.Pi, an interdomain rotation occurs in Gly468 (of chicken smooth muscle myosin) and that the rotated state is stabilized by newly-formed interdomain contacts including the salt link between Glu470 and Arg247 (of chicken smooth muscle myosin). Here, we have studied the effects of Gly468, Glu470, and Arg247 mutations on the hydrolysis of ATP. The G468A HMM did not show a significant ATPase activity, a stoichiometric initial phosphate burst, and tryptophan fluorescence enhancement attributed to bound ADP.Pi. The E470A HMM also did not show a significant ATPase activity and the phosphate burst, but the mutant gave tryptophan response attributed to bound ATP. The E470R/R247E HMM exhibited an ATPase activity and the phosphate burst which were comparable to those of the wild-type HMM, whereas neither the E470R HMM nor the R247E HMM showed such a significant ATPase activity and burst. We thus propose that both an unhindered rotation and a salt link that stabilizes the rotated state are necessary for ATP hydrolysis.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Cloning and expression of a cDNA encoding bovine lipoyltransferase.

Lipoyltransferase catalyzes the transfer of the lipoyl group from lipoyl-AMP to the specific lysine residue of the lipoate-dependent enzymes. We have isolated lipoyltransferase I (LipTI) and II (LipTII) from bovine liver (Fujiwara, K., Okamura-Ikeda, K., and Motokawa, Y. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 16605-16609). N-terminal amino acid sequences of LipTI and LipTII were identical except that LipTI had an additional Asn residue on the N terminus. We cloned LipTII cDNA from a bovine liver cDNA library. The cDNA insert contained a 1119-base pair open reading frame encoding a precursor peptide of 373 amino acids including a mitochondrial targeting signal of 26 amino acids. The calculated molecular mass of the mature protein is 39,137 Da. The predicted amino acid sequence showed 35% identity with that of Escherichia coli lipoate-protein ligase A. Northern and Southern blot analyses showed a single band, and a single species of mRNA for lipoyltransferase was found by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Recombinant LipTII was expressed in E. coli and purified to apparent homogeneity. The Kmapp values of the recombinant enzyme for lipoyl-AMP and apoH-protein were comparable with those of native LipTII. An antibody raised against recombinant enzyme cross-reacted with LipTI and LipTII in a similar manner. The results suggest that LipTI and LipTII are derived from the same translated product but processed differently.

Acyltransferases↗

Cellular mechanisms mediating rat renal microvascular constriction by angiotensin II.

To assess cellular mechanisms mediating afferent (AA) and efferent arteriolar (EA) constriction by angiotensin II (AngII), experiments were performed using isolated perfused hydronephrotic kidneys. In the first series of studies, AngII (0.3 nM) constricted AAs and EAs by 29+/-3 (n = 8, P < 0.01) and 27+/-3% (n = 8, P < 0.01), respectively. Subsequent addition of nifedipine restored AA but not EA diameter. Manganese (8 mM) reversed EA constriction by 65+/-9% (P < 0.01). In the second group, the addition of N-ethylmaleimide (10 microM), a Gi/Go protein antagonist, abolished AngII- induced EA (n = 6) but not AA constriction (n = 6). In the third series of experiments, treatment with 2-nitro-4-carboxyphenyl-N, N-diphenyl-carbamate (200 microM), a phospholipase C inhibitor, blocked both AA and EA constriction by AngII (n = 6 for each). In the fourth group, thapsigargin (1 microM) prevented AngII-induced AA constriction (n = 8) and attenuated EA constriction (8+/-2% decrease in EA diameter at 0.3 nM AngII, n = 8, P < 0.05). Subsequent addition of manganese (8 mM) reversed EA constriction. Our data provide evidence that in AAs, AngII stimulates phospholipase C with subsequent calcium mobilization that is required to activate voltage-dependent calcium channels. Our results suggest that AngII constricts EAs by activating phospholipase C via the Gi protein family, thereby eliciting both calcium mobilization and calcium entry.

Angiotensin II↗

Polyamine-like immunoreactivity in rat neurons.

The localization of polyamine (PA) pools in motor, sensory, and autonomic neurons and in the nerve cells of the hypothalamo-hypophysial system of rats was examined by immunocytochemical method using the monoclonal antibody ASPM-29 specific to spermine (Spm) and spermidine (Spd) fixed in situ. Strong PA immunoreactivity was found in the cytoplasm and dendrites of the large perikaryon of motor neurons in the anterior spinal column, in the Purkinje cells of the cerebellum, in the pyramidal cells of the cerebrum, in the nerve cells of the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei in the hypothalamus, and in the nerve cells of the spinal and autonomic ganglions. No PA immunoreactivity was seen in the nucleus and nerve terminals of the neurons. The PA immunoreactivities in the motor and sensory neurons were characterized by clustered masses and blocks of immunoreactive cells. Irrespective of location, small and medium-sized neurons were weakly PA-positive. The glia cells, some stellite cells, and Schwann cells were almost completely PA-negative. These results may suggest that in neurons PAs are not transported axonally, but are located in conjunction with Nissl bodies (the rough endoplasmic reticulum), specified as sites for protein synthesis within cells.

Animals↗

Synthesis and characterization of selenolipoylated H-protein of the glycine cleavage system.

H-protein of the glycine cleavage system has a lipoic acid prosthetic group. Selenolipoic acid is a lipoic acid analog in which both sulfur atoms are replaced by selenium atoms. Two isoforms of bovine lipoyltransferase that are responsible for the attachment of lipoic acid to H-protein had an affinity for selenolipoyl-AMP and transferred the selenolipoyl moiety to bovine apoH-protein comparable to lipoyl-AMP. Selenolipoylated H-protein was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified. Selenolipoylated H-protein was 26% as effective as lipoylated H-protein in the glycine decarboxylation reaction, in which reduction of the diselenide bond of selenolipoylated H-protein is catalyzed by P-protein. The diselenide form of selenolipoylated H-protein was a poor substrate for L-protein, and the rate of reduction was 0.5% of that of lipoylated H-protein. The rate of the overall glycine cleavage reaction with selenolipoylated H-protein was <1% of that with lipoylated H-protein. These results are consistent with the difference in the redox potential between the diselenide and disulfide bonds. In contrast, selenolipoylated H-protein showed three times as high glycine-14CO2 exchange activity as lipoylated H-protein, presumably because the rate of reoxidation of reduced selenolipoylated H-protein is much higher than that of lipoylated H-protein.

Acyltransferases↗

Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 is a major SH-PTP2 binding protein in vascular endothelial cells.

Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1, CD31) is rapidly tyrosine phosphorylated in mechanically stimulated vascular endothelial cells (ECs). A 65-kDa protein from ECs specifically bound to the c-Src phosphorylated PECAM-1 cytoplasmic domain and was identified as a protein tyrosine phosphatase SH-PTP2 (SHP2, Syp). PECAM-1 was coimmunoprecipitated by anti-SH-PTP2 from EC extracts as a major binding protein, and the level of association increased when PECAM-1 was tyrosine phosphorylated. This association was mediated by SH2 domains of SH-PTP2. A rapid translocation of SH-PTP2 into cell-cell adhesion sites, where PECAM-1 was localized, occurred in mechanically stimulated cells. Our results suggest that PECAM-1 is a component of a mechanosensing machinery acting upstream of SH-PTP2.

Animals↗

Functional transitions in myosin: role of highly conserved Gly and Glu residues in the active site.

It has been proposed from crystallographic comparisons [Fisher, A. J., Smith, C. A., Thoden, J. B., Smith, R., Sutoh, K., Holden, H. M., & Rayment, I. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 8960-8972] that in one of the important transitions of myosin head (M), M x ATP --> M x ADP x Pi, a rotation occurs in Gly468 (of chicken smooth muscle myosin). We find that mutation of this Gly to Ala does block the transition. Searching for proton acceptors in ATPase catalysis, we also find that mutation of a candidate (Glu470 of chicken smooth muscle myosin) blocks the transition. Interpretations of both findings are examined.

Actins↗

A Case of Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans in the Skin over the Breast.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a slow-growing but locally aggressive, fibrous tumor that has a high rate of local recurrence after surgical resection. This tumor occurs most commonly in the trunk and proximal extremities. In this report we present a case of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in the skin over the breast which was re-excised after pathological diagnosis, considering cosmetic aspects. Only three other cases of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans of the anterior chest wall have been encountered in our hospital, and all of these cases were male. The presence of this tumor in the skin over the breast appears to be rare in females. Careful complete resection is recommended for this type of tumor.

Journal Article↗

Recombinant human tissue factor pathway inhibitor as a possible anticoagulant targeting hepatic sinusoidal walls.

The expression of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) was investigated in sinusoidal endothelial cells in the liver and endothelial cells in the lung. Northern blot analysis revealed that TFPI mRNA was expressed in the lung, but minimal in the liver. Also, immunohistochemical examination showed that TFPI was not expressed on the sinusoidal endothelial cells in contrast to marked expression on endothelial cells in the lung, suggesting that anticoagulant activity to inhibit blood coagulation induced by tissue factor is reduced in the hepatic sinusoids compared to the microvessels of other organs. When recombinant human TFPI was intravenously injected in rats, it disappeared rapidly from the circulation, but was detected by electron microscopy on the surface of sinusoidal endothelial cells and microvilli of hepatocytes in the space of Disse. In these rats, the TFPI reappeared in the circulation following an intravenous injection of heparin sodium with reduced immunohistochemical staining of the TFPI on hepatic sinusoidal walls. It is concluded that exogenous TFPI can increase anticoagulant activity on the hepatic sinusoidal walls by binding to heparinoids on the cell surface. It may act effectively even in the hepatic sinusoids with damaged endothelial cells.

Animals↗