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Biomedical subjects

K Fukui

Publications and source records attributed to K Fukui.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

[Primary malignant lymphoma of the skull presenting as a growing mass in the forehead; a case report].

A rare case of primary malignant lymphoma of the skull was reported. A 74-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital complaining of a growing mass in her forehead where she had had minor trauma one month previously. On admission, neurological findings were normal and an elastic hard tumor (6 x 6 x 2 cm) was found in the right frontal region. Computed tomography (CT) showed a large soft tissue mass in the subcutaneous tissue and a small mass in the ethmoid sinus, with erosion at the inner and outer tables of the frontal bone. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a low intensity area in the bone marrow beneath the tumor. Right carotid angiography showed that the tumor was fed by branches of the ophthalmic artery in the arterial phase and stained in the capillary phase. Partial excision of the tumor was performed, but the affected bone was left because of her advanced age, even though thinning and spicular formation of the frontal bone were observed beneath the tumor in places. Pathological examination showed the tumor to be a malignant lymphoma of non-Hodgkin and diffuse mixed type. Postoperatively, systemic examinations were performed by 99mTechnetium-MDP bone scanning, 67Gallium citrate scanning, bone marrow puncture, and CT scanning, without any evidence of systemic lymphoma. The patient received postoperative chemotherapy with Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin HCl, Vindesine Sulfate, Prednisolone, and complete remission has been achieved for the 8 months since the operation.

Aged↗

Effects of cromakalim, a potassium channel opener, on regional blood flow in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats.

We studied the effects of cromakalim, a potassium channel opener, on regional blood flow in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats using microspheres. Cromakalim produced significant hypotension and increased blood flow in the stomach, skeletal muscle and skin. Calculated vascular resistances decreased in many organ vascular beds. Although nifedipine also showed a similar hemodynamic profile, differences were observed in the brain, gastrointestinal tract and skin.

Animals↗

Cloning and expression of a cDNA encoding mouse kidney D-amino acid oxidase.

A cDNA encoding D-amino acid oxidase (DAO;EC1.4.3.3) has been isolated from a BALB/c mouse kidney cDNA library by hybridization with the cDNA for the porcine enzyme. Analysis of the nucleotide (nt) sequence of the clone revealed that it has a 1647-nt sequence with a 5'-terminal untranslated region of 68 nt, an open reading frame of 1035 nt that encodes 345 amino acids (aa), and a 3'-terminal untranslated region of 544 nt that contains the polyadenylation signal sequence, ATTAAA. The deduced aa sequence showed 77 and 78% aa identity with the porcine and human enzymes, respectively. Two catalytically important aa residues, Tyr228 and His307, of the porcine enzyme, were both conserved in these three species. RNA blot hybridization analysis indicated that a DAO mRNA, of 2 kb, exists in mouse kidney and brain, but not liver. Synthesis of a functional mouse enzyme in Escherichia coli was achieved through the use of a vector constructed to insert the coding sequence of the mouse DAO cDNA downstream from the tac promoter of plasmid pKK223-3, which was designed so as to contain the lac repressor gene inducible by isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside. Immunoblot analysis confirmed the synthesis and induction of the mouse DAO protein, and the molecular size of the recombinant mouse DAO was found to be identical to that of the mouse kidney enzyme. Moreover, the maximum activity of the mouse recombinant DAO was estimated to be comparable with that of the porcine DAO synthesized in E. coli cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of a cDNA encoding a porcine kidney renin-binding protein.

A complementary DNA encoding a renin-binding protein (RnBP) has been isolated from a porcine kidney cDNA library by immunological screening of in vitro translation products from the cDNAs. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence of the clone revealed a 1,342-nucleotide sequence with a 5'-terminal untranslated region of 52 nucleotides, an open reading frame of 1,206 nucleotides that encodes 402 amino acids, and a 3'-terminal untranslated region of 84 nucleotides that contains the polyadenylation signal sequence, AATAAA. The predicted amino acid sequence contains no hydrophobic amino-terminal sequence and does not show significant homology to those of other identified proteins. The in vitro translated RnBP was found to have the same molecular weight, 42,000, as that of the purified RnBP from porcine kidney on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and it formed a complex with renin purified from porcine kidney, which indicates that the cDNA encodes a functional RnBP without a propeptide sequence. The RnBP cDNA probe hybridized to a 1.5-kilobase mRNA in kidney, liver, adrenal, and pituitary glands, the amount being much greater in kidney than in the other tissues. Southern blot analysis showed the presence of a unique gene for RnBP in the porcine genome.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Endogenous angiotensin II regulates hepatic angiotensinogen production.

We have investigated the effects of endogenous angiotensin II (ANG II) on hepatic angiotensinogen mRNA levels in rats. Changes in endogenous ANG II were induced by various sodium intakes (standard-, low-, and high-sodium) or by enalapril treatment. In a low sodium state for 2 weeks, angiotensinogen mRNA levels and plasma ANG II concentration increased 1.3-fold and 1.6-fold compared to those in standard sodium state, respectively. In a high sodium state, angiotensinogen mRNA levels and plasma ANG II concentration decreased by 42% and 56% compared to the standard sodierm state, respectively. Four hours after treatment with enalapril (3 mg/kg), angiotensinogen mRNA level and plasma ANG II concentration decreased by 25% and 12% compared to the standard sodium state, respectively. There was a close correlation between angiotensinogen mRNA level and plasma ANG II concentration (r = 0.79, P less than 0.01). These results suggest that endogenous ANG II may play an important role in the regulation of hepatic angiotensinogen synthesis.

Angiotensin II↗

Effect of angiotensin II on angiotensinogen production in adrenalectomized rats.

The present study was performed to examine the effect of angiotensin II on hepatic angiotensinogen production in adrenalectomized rats. The hepatic angiotensinogen mRNA levels in rats without adrenal glands increased 2.8-fold 4 h after the start of angiotensin II infusion. In intact rats with adrenal glands, the hepatic angiotensinogen mRNA levels increased 2.7-fold 4 h after the start. The angiotensin II infusions did not only increase angiotensinogen mRNA levels in intact rats but also increased those in adrenalectomized rats. The results suggest that the angiotensinogen response to ANG II was not dependent on adrenal glucocorticoid.

Adrenalectomy↗

Intracranial nonspecific inflammatory granuloma.

A case of nonspecific inflammatory granuloma arising from the dura mater near the hypoglossal canal is reported. A 38-year-old woman developed an isolated left hypoglossal nerve palsy. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an enhanced tumorous lesion at the inner orifice of the left hypoglossal canal. Skull x-ray was normal, and cerebral angiography showed no vascular abnormalities. Examination of the cerebrospinal fluid showed mild pleocytosis with a predominance of lymphocytes. Systemic examination revealed no abnormalities. The tumor was removed completely and pathologic investigation revealed that it was an inflammatory granuloma. The patient's history and laboratory data, however, failed to suggest the underlying disease, and histopathologic examination did not indicate any special type of granuloma. Therefore, the lesion was diagnosed as a nonspecific inflammatory granuloma.

Adult↗

Effect of haloperidol on immunoreactive neuropeptide Y in rat cerebral cortex and basal ganglia.

To clarify the dopaminergic regulation of neuropeptide Y (NPY) neurons, the effect of haloperidol on NPY in basal ganglia and the cerebral cortex of the rat brain was investigated by sensitive radioimmunoassay and immunocytochemistry using antiserum against rat NPY. After repeated intraperitoneal injections of haloperidol (5 mg/kg) for 6 days, the content of immunoreactive NPY was significantly decreased in the caudate-putamen, but significantly increased in the lateral prefrontal cortex. After treatment for 21 days, the content of immunoreactive NPY in the caudate-putamen remained significantly low, but the extent of change in the lateral prefrontal cortex diminished. In the medial prefrontal cortex, piriform cortex, parietal cortex and nucleus accumbens, no significant changes were found after treatment for either 6 or 21 days. These findings were compatible with those obtained by immunocytochemistry using the same antiserum: an increase of immunoreactive fibers and terminals in the lateral prefrontal cortex and their decrease in the caudate-putamen. However, in the nucleus accumbens the density of immunoreactive fibers and terminals was decreased in the rostral portion, but not in the caudal portion after haloperidol treatment for 6 and 21 days. These findings suggest that dopaminergic afferents region-specifically regulate dopamine-sensitive NPY neurons in the rat brain.

Animals↗

Colonial variation and fimbriation of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans.

Three colonial variants of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, which formed transparent rough (TR)-, transparent smooth (TS)-, and opaque smooth (OS)-surfaced colonies, were described in relation to their fimbriation. TR- and TS-cells were adhesive to agar and glass surfaces but not the OS-cells. The examination by electron microscopy revealed that TR-cells were highly fimbriated but not TS- and OS-cells. Thus, TS-cells seemed to be an intermediate type. The fimbriae were isolated from TR-cells by suspending in 0.15 M ethanolamine-HCl buffer (pH 10.5) and purified by dissolving non-fimbrial components in 0.5% deoxycholate and 0.7% n-octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside. The relative molecular mass of the fimbrial subunit protein was 54,000.

Actinobacillus↗

Cross-reactive polysaccharide antigens (types a, d, and h) of the mutans group of streptococci: different molecular forms of the type as distinguishable by monoclonal antibodies.

As compared to the previous precipitin inhibition tests differences were found in the reactivities of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), a-4 and a-84 with Streptococcus cricetus (serotype a) in an enzyme immunoassay using whole cells, purified cell wall antigen and haptenic sugars coated onto microtitre wells. Investigation into the differences led to the finding that the purified antigen from S. cricetus cells consisted mainly of three forms with different molecular weights and sugar contents. MAb a-4 reacted with a high molecular weight form (AgI, molecular weight of 46,000) and low molecular weight forms (AgII and AgIII, molecular weights of 9,800 and 20,000, respectively) whereas MAb a-84 reacted only with the high-molecular form. Gas chromatographic analysis revealed that all antigens contained rhamnose, galactose and glucose but in different ratios of the sugars. Although the binding site of AgII/AgIII with MAb a-4 seemed to be slightly different from that of AgI with MAb a-84, the predominant immunodeterminant of the antigens was considered to be the same. On the basis of these results, the chemical structures of the antigenic determinants are suggested. The nature of the antigen-antibody reactions is discussed.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Renal effects of atrial natriuretic peptide during dopamine infusion.

To study whether the renal effects of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) are different from those of dopamine, we compared the effects of dopamine and dopamine plus ANP on renal circulation. Dopamine was infused at 1 microgram/kg/min for 120 min into 7 patients with essential hypertension (EH) and 5 normotensive subjects (NT). After 40 min of dopamine infusion, ANP infusion at 25 ng/kg/min was added to dopamine for 40 min. Before, during and after the infusion, renal function and nephrogenous cGMP were determined. Dopamine did not influence blood pressure, but increased urinary Na excretion (UNaV) by 100% in EH and NT. Addition of ANP further increased UNaV by 90%, but increases in UNaV were greater in EH than in NT. Renal blood flow was increased only by dopamine, while glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was increased by both dopamine (+8%) and dopamine plus ANP (+7%) as a whole, resulting in a significant increase in filtration fraction by the addition of ANP. Plasma and urinary cGMP and nephrogenous cGMP were elevated only during ANP infusion. These results suggest that the effects of ANP and dopamine on both GFR and UNaV were additive. However, in contrast with dopamine, ANP increased efferent resistance and nephrogenous cGMP, suggesting that the renal effects of ANP are different from those of dopamine.

Adult↗

The extrarenal effects of atrial natriuretic peptide on body fluid distribution.

To study the effects of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on body fluid volume regulation, we estimated the changes in intra- and extravascular fluid volume by measuring hematocrit (Hct), plasma protein concentration and water balance, and the changes in intra- and extracellular fluid volume by the electrical impedance method during intravenous infusion of ANP. We did two studies, as follows: ANP was infused into 18 patients with essential hypertension, 29 with renal parenchymal hypertension and 15 normotensives at 0.025 microgram/kg/min for 40 min. Both hypertensive groups showed greater natriuretic responses to ANP than normotensives. ANP infusion into essential hypertensive patients increased the urinary excretion of water by 125%, Na by 205%, Hct by 4.2% and plasma total protein (TP) by 5.2% (each P less than .001). In 9 patients (1 with renal hypertension and 8 normotensives) who did not show a natriuretic response (-2.1%), the infusion of ANP also significantly increased Hct (3.8%) and plasma TP (3.1%, each P less than .01). The electrical impedance method was applied to 12 subjects to simultaneously detect the intracellular (Ri) and extracellular resistivities (Re), of which reciprocals reflect the fluid volume in the extra- and intracellular spaces, respectively. ANP infusion increased Re in all subjects (3.96 +/- 0.16 [SE] v 4.03 +/- 0.16 omega.m, P less than .05), but decreased Ri in 7. Changes in urinary Na excretion correlated positively with those in both Re (r = 0.62, P less than .05) and Ri (r = 0.75, P less than .01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Gene expression of D-amino acid oxidase in rabbit kidney.

Although D-amino acid oxidase (DAO) [EC 1.4.3.3] activity in rabbit kidney extract was undetectable, protein immunoreactive toward rabbit anti-pig kidney DAO antiserum and RNAs that hybridized with fragments of human and pig DAO cDNAs were detected distinctly in the rabbit kidney. A cDNA clone, RD22, was isolated from the rabbit kidney cDNA library by hybridization with a fragment of human DAO cDNA. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence revealed a 2,018 nucleotide sequence encoding a protein consisted of 347 amino acids. The number of amino acid residues was identical with those of human and pig DAOs, and the amino acid sequence showed 80 and 83% identity with pig and human DAOs, respectively. RNAs that hybridized with RD22 DNA fragment also existed in rabbit kidney, and their sizes were the same as those of the RNAs detected with the human and pig DAO cDNA fragments. RD22-derived protein was hardly synthesized by an in vitro expression system. However, a cDNA fragment lacking most of the 5'-untranslated region and its mutants containing base changes around the initiation codon did direct protein synthesis. Moreover, the protein derived from the partial cDNA fragment containing a large part of the coding region sequence showed immunoreactivity toward anti-pig DAO antiserum. The results suggest that one of the causes of the very poor synthesis of DAO protein in rabbit kidney is translational suppression in the synthetic process.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Pathomechanism, pathogenesis, and results of treatment in cervical spondylotic myelopathy caused by dynamic canal stenosis.

In this study, the pathomechanism and pathogenesis of dynamic canal stenosis caused by cervical instability in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy and the validity of the concept of instability are clarified by analyzing the results of treatment in 53 cases. In cases of cervical spondylotic myelopathy caused by dynamic canal stenosis, the authors found that the posterior slide of the vertebral body occurs as a result of degeneration in the cervical spine due to aging changes, and that the dynamic sagittal diameter of the spinal canal decreases with an increase of the degree of posterior slide. This is followed by gradual aggravation of the clinical symptoms. Continuous cervical traction was found to be the first choice of treatment. Surgical treatment is indicated in cases in which the traction was ineffective, or even when it was effective, in cases in which the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score remained low or when there was a tendency toward rapid aggravation of symptoms. It was demonstrated that the shorter the duration of the myelopathy, the better the results of treatment obtained. A limit of the dynamic sagittal diameter of the spinal canal of 12 mm was considered as valid.

Cervical Vertebrae↗

Regulation of liver angiotensinogen and kidney renin mRNA levels by angiotensin II.

The current study was designed to evaluate the role of angiotesin II (ANG II) in the regulation of renin mRNA and angiotensinogen mRNA levels. We investigated the changes in renin mRNA levels in the kidney and angiotensinogen mRNA levels in the liver induced by ANG II infusion and by inhibition of the endogenous renin-angiotensin system with enalapril or saralasin in rats. mRNAs for angiotensinogen and renin were measured by densitometric analysis of Northern blot hybridization. After a 4-h intravenous infusion of ANG II (0.2 micrograms.kg-1.min-1), angiotensinogen mRNA level in the liver increased 2.5-fold to the control level, and renin mRNA level in the kidney decreased by 45%. Four hours after treatment with a single dose of enalapril (3 mg/kg po), angiotensinogen mRNA level in the liver decreased by 50%, and renin mRNA level in the kidney increased 1.5-fold to the control level. These mRNA levels returned to control levels 8 h after treatment. After a 4-h infusion of saralasin (2.5 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) in the low-sodium state, angiotensinogen mRNA level in the liver decreased by 45%, and renin mRNA level in the kidney increased twofold to the control level. These findings suggest that ANG II is one of the factors that regulate angiotensinogen mRNA level in the liver and renin mRNA level in the kidney.

Angiotensin II↗

Elevated angiotensinogen mRNA levels in rat liver by nephrectomy.

The expression of the angiotensinogen gene was studied in nephrectomized rats with and without adrenal glands. Angiotensinogen mRNA was measured by a sensitive radiodensitometric hybridization assay. Angiotensinogen mRNA levels in the liver increased 5 times by nephrectomy alone and 2.6 times by nephrectomy with adrenalectomy in acute experiments. Brain mRNA levels remained the same in both groups. When nephrectomy was performed 7 days after adrenalectomy, mRNA level increased by 50%. Angiotensinogen mRNA increased 5 times in the liver and 2.3 times in the brain by the administration of dexamethasone. An additive effect on liver angiotensinogen mRNA level was observed in nephrectomy with dexamethasone treatment. These results suggest that in nephrectomy, a synergetic action of glucocorticoids and other unknown factors increase hepatic angiotensinogen mRNA levels.

Adrenalectomy↗

Effects of thyroid hormone on angiotensinogen and renin messenger RNA levels in rats.

We studied the expression of angiotensinogen and renin genes in rats treated with 3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) at doses of 0.1 and 1 mg/kg of body weight. Liver angiotensinogen mRNA increased by 2 to 3 times 8 to 12 hours after T3-treatment. This increase was dose-related. Plasma angiotensinogen concentration (PAC) increased 12 hours after T3-treatment. Brain and renal angiotensinogen mRNA levels and the renal renin mRNA level remained the same throughout the experimental periods. These results suggest that the thyroid hormone initially increases angiotensinogen mRNA and leads to an increase in the production of angiotensinogen in the liver followed by an elevation of PAC.

Angiotensinogen↗

Intrarenal vascular sites of action of adenosine and glucagon.

Our purpose was to localize the intrarenal vascular sites of action of adenosine and glucagon. Renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were measured in anesthetized dogs, and renal perfusion pressure (RPP) was varied by an adjustable aortic clamp. At normal RPP, RBF was increased by all agents. In contrast, GFR was increased by glucagon, decreased by adenosine and unchanged by acetylcholine (ACh) or adenosine plus glucagon. The increases in RBF by glucagon occurred only at RPPs within the autoregulatory pressure range, and renal autoregulatory capability was attenuated during the infusion of glucagon. In contrast, adenosine increased RBF at RPPs both within and below the autoregulatory pressure range, and the autoregulatory capability was not perceptibly impaired. Superimposition of glucagon to adenosine caused further vasodilation, and the autoregulatory efficiency was completely attenuated. There was no difference between the RPP-RBF or RPP-GFR relations obtained during infusion of adenosine plus glucagon and ACh, which dilates both the afferent and efferent arterioles. It is generally accepted that afferent arteriolar resistance attains a minimum value at RPP near the lower limit of the autoregulatory range. Thus, our data indicate that glucagon and adenosine preferentially dilate the afferent arteriole and the efferent arteriole, respectively.

Adenosine↗