Marked uptake of TI-201 in intracranial extracerebral cavernous hemangioma.
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Aged↗
Biomedical subjects
K Higashi
Publications and source records attributed to K Higashi.
Stage- and tissue-specific expression of ethylene receptor homolog genes during fruit development in muskmelon.
We isolated two muskmelon (Cucumis melo) cDNA homologs of the Arabidopsis ethylene receptor genes ETR1 and ERS1 and designated them Cm-ETR1 (C. melo ETR1; accession no. AF054806) and Cm-ERS1 (C. melo ERS1; accession no. AF037368), respectively. Northern analysis revealed that the level of Cm-ERS1 mRNA in the pericarp increased in parallel with the increase in fruit size and then markedly decreased at the end of enlargement. In fully enlarged fruit the level of Cm-ERS1 mRNA was low in all tissues, whereas that of Cm-ETR1 mRNA was very high in the seeds and placenta. During ripening Cm-ERS1 mRNA increased slightly in the pericarp of fruit before the marked increase of Cm-ETR1 mRNA paralleled climacteric ethylene production. These results indicate that both Cm-ETR1 and Cm-ERS1 play specific roles not only in ripening but also in the early development of melon fruit and that they have distinct roles in particular fruit tissues at particular developmental stages.
Arabidopsis↗
Reduced T cell response in carcinogen-sensitive Donryu rats compared with carcinogen-resistant DRH rats.
Carcinogen-resistant DRH rats were developed from carcinogen-sensitive Donryu rats, which showed a high incidence of hepatic tumors when they were exposed to 3'-methyl-4-dimethyl-amino-azobenzene (3'-MeDAB4) or other aminoazo hepatocarcinogens. In order to study the mechanism of the difference of carcinogenesis, we studied the immunological competence of Donryu rats compared with that of DRH rats. Anti-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) antibody and KLH-specific delayed hypersensitivity (DTH) responses after immunization with KLH were reduced in Donryu rats compared with DRH rats. Proliferative responses of spleen cells to KLH and nonspecific mitogens such as conconavalin A (Con A) and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were significantly lower in Donryu rats than in DRH rats. Upon the cross-linking of T cell receptor (TCR) complex using anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (Mab), spleen cells from Donryu rats proliferated poorly. Two other strains of rats, SD and Wistar, exhibited high responsiveness, comparable to that of DRH rats, indicating that the responsiveness of Donryu rats was impaired. The production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) upon stimulation with Con A and the responsiveness of Con A blasts to exogenous IL-2 were also attenuated in Donryu rats. In contrast to T cell responsiveness, natural killer (NK) cell activity of spleen was increased in Donryu rats. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the expression of CD4 and CD8 on T cells was decreased in Donryu rats, though the expression of other T cell markers such as CD2, CD3 and CD5 was not different. These results indicate that Donryu rats, which have been used in many years for cancer research in Japan, have impaired immunological surveillance mechanisms. This is likely to be one of the factors accounting for the high sensitivity to chemical carcinogens and the high susceptibility to transplanted tumor cells of Donryu rats.
Animals↗
Syntheses and evaluation of biantennary oligosaccharide ligands mimicking sialyl Lewis X.
Sialyl Lewis X (1) is known to be a ligand of the cell adhesion molecule E-selectin. We have synthesized several biantennary glycoside-terminated ligands mimicking sialyl Lewis X (1), and evaluated their binding activity to E-selectin using HL-60 cells expressing sialyl Lewis X epitope and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). These compounds were found to possess moderate binding activities to E-selectin. Among them, di-fucoside analog (8) which has no sialic acid carboxylate group was more active than 2, which had both the sialyl-galactose residue and the fucose residue (IC50, 8: 4.7 mM, 2: 11.7 mM). Furthermore, in the rat pleuritic model in vivo induced by carrageenin, 8 was found to reduce neutrophil infiltration at inflammatory lesions.
Animals↗
MR imaging of subchondral osteonecrosis of the vertebral body after percutaneous laser diskectomy.
OBJECTIVE: We describe four cases of subchondral osteonecrosis of the vertebral body that occurred after percutaneous laser diskectomy. Follow-up MR imaging after laser intervention showed abnormal findings in the vertebral body immediately adjacent to the site of diskectomy that are consistent with subchondral osteonecrosis. CONCLUSION: MR imaging features of this complication include a wedge-shaped low signal intensity on T1-weighted images, high and low signal intensities on T2-weighted images, and a contrast-enhanced area corresponding to high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Possible causative mechanisms include thermal injury and photoacoustic shock.
Adolescent↗
[Appropriate duration of postoperative pain relief by continuous epidural infusion in patients receiving hysterectomy or ovarian tumor resection: comparison of three methods].
We evaluated effects of continuous epidural infusion on postoperative pain, and frequency of its side effects. Patients who had undergone elective gynecological operations were randomly allocated into three groups by difference in duration of indwelling of epidural catheters: patients receiving epidural block only during operations (group M); patients receiving continuous epidural infusion for 2 postoperative days (group B 2); patients receiving continuous epidural infusion for 4 postoperative days (group B 4). In group M, morphine 3 mg and 1 or 2% lidocaine 5-7 ml were given before the start of operation, and epidural catheter was removed after the end of operations. In group B 2 and B 4, morphine 2 mg and 1 or 2% lidocaine 5-7 ml were given before the start of operation, and morphine 8 mg in 50 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine was continuously infused at a rate of 0.5-1 ml.hr-1. We evaluated visual analogue scale (VAS) at rest and moving, and verbal descriptor pain score. Frequencies of supplementary analgesics, vomiting and nausea, residual urine volume after removal of bladder catheter, and timing to initiation of bowel movement after operation were also recorded. VAS at rest was significantly higher in group M than in groups B 2 and B 4 for 2 postoperative days, but no significant difference was seen between the three groups for three postoperative days. VAS at moving did not differ between the 3 groups. Verbal descriptor pain score was significantly higher in group M than in groups B 2 and B 4 for 3 postoperative days, but it was not different between groups B 2 and B 4. In group B 2, patients complained increased abdominal pain after removing catheters. Frequencies of supplementary analgesics were 3.7, 0.6 and 0.4 times in group M, B 2, B 4, respectively. Times to initiation of bowel movement after operation were 39.8, 46.5 and 61.7 hrs in group M, B 2, and B 4, respectively, and most patients in group B 4 felt uncomfortable. These results suggest that continuous epidural analgesia for 2 postoperative days is appropriate, but the duration should be determined according to patient's conditions and complications.
Adult↗
[Recurrent transient increases in liver enzymes specifically after isoflurane anesthesia].
A 69 y-old female underwent orthopedic surgery 12 times in our hospital. A variety of agents were used for anesthesia. She developed episodes of transient increase in liver enzymes only after each of three isoflurane anesthesia (GOT : 311, 292, 328 IU.l-1, GPT: 341, 264, 274 IU.l-1). We suspected drug-induced liver dysfunction, but results of a lymphocyte stimulation test were negative. We conclude that her liver dysfunction was not severe enough to cause clinical symptoms. In such susceptible patients we should be careful of our choice of anesthetic drugs.
Aged↗
Remarkable difference in the incidence of liver tumors by N-nitrosodimethylamine in carcinogen-resistant DRH rat and its parental strain Donryu rat.
The carcinogen-resistant inbred DRH rat strain was developed from the carcinogen-sensitive Donryu rat and showed a remarkably lower incidence of liver tumors than the latter after administration of either 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene (3'-Me-DAB) or 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF). In the present study, we examined the tolerance of DRH rat to another type of hepatocarcinogen, that is, N-nitrosodimethylamine (DMN). Male DRH and Donryu rats, 3 weeks of age, were given a single i.p. injection of 10 mg/kg body weight DMN and were sacrificed 1 year later. Five of 11 Donryu rats (45%) had macroscopically detectable tumors: 9 liver tumors in 4 rats and 1 urinary bladder tumor in the other rat. On the contrary, no tumors were detectable in the livers or other organs of 10 DRH rats under the same conditions. These results and other circumstantial evidence indicate that the different susceptibility of chemical carcinogenesis between DRH and Donryu rats is independent of individual pathways of metabolic activation of carcinogens.
Animals↗
A chromo box gene from carrot (Daucus carota l.): its cDNA structure and expression during somatic and zygotic embryogenesis.
A cDNA clone, designated DcDB1, was isolated from a cDNA library prepared from embryogenic cell clusters of carrot (Daucus carota L.) and characterized. The cDNA (1416 bp) encoded for a protein of 392 amino acid residues that contained a conserved chromo domain. The chromo domain is a 37 aa region found in both the Polycomo gene product, which is a repressor of homeotic genes, and a heterochromatin protein 1 of Drosophila. This domain is postulated to function in the binding of proteins to chromatin. Genomic blot hybridization experiments suggested that the number of DcCB1 genes in the carrot genome is low. The level of DcCB1 mRNAs was high in somatic embryos at globular and heart-shaped stages but low in torpedo-shaped somatic embryos. The level of DcCB1 transcripts decreased during the formation of seeds. The existence of both homeo and chromo box genes in plants suggests that regulatory mechanisms of developmental genes in plants may resemble those in Drosophila.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Zinc suppresses apoptosis of U937 cells induced by hydrogen peroxide through an increase of the Bcl-2/Bax ratio.
Treatment of human premonocytic U937 cells with 500 microM H2O2 for 1h followed by 4h incubation in fresh medium to allow the cells to execute apoptotic processes caused DNA fragmentation. However, in the presence of 1mM ZnSO4 throughout the incubation, DNA ladder formation was markedly inhibited. Hydrogen peroxide treatment for 1h with or without zinc increased both Bcl-2 and Bax proteins. However, only Bax protein decreased to basal levels in the presence of zinc during the following 4h incubation, resulting in an increase of the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and prevention of apoptosis. Treatment of U937 cells with 1mM ZnSO4 alone also decreased the levels of Bax protein. Furthermore, we observed that zinc completely inhibited the activation of CPP32 by H2O2, while no significant changes of ICE activities occurred with either H2O2 and/or zinc. These results indicate that the suppression of H2O2-induced apoptosis by zinc is mediated through an increase of the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, which occurs upstream from the activation of CPP32.
Apoptosis↗
Prompt activation of telomerase by chemical carcinogens in rats detected with a modified TRAP assay.
The maintenance of telomere length is crucial for survival of cells. Telomerase is an RNA-containing reverse transcriptase, which is responsible for elongation of shortened telomeres. Telomerase reactivation has been suggested to be involved in malignant progressions. To study on the involvement of telomerase activation in in vivo carcinogenesis, we first modified the original TRAP assay by changing the primer designs and the labeling method of PCR products to an end-labeling method. Second, we investigated the activation of telomerase in different organs after treatments of rats with various chemical carcinogens. Very early after the beginning of the treatment, telomerase activity in the liver, kidney, and lung was increased. In most cases, telomerase activation occurred in the primary or favorite target organs. The present results suggest that telomerase activation occurs promptly when animals are exposed to chemical carcinogens, which may contribute to in vivo chemical carcinogenesis.
Animals↗
Concentration-dependent differential effects of N-acetyl-L-cysteine on the expression of HSP70 and metallothionein genes induced by cadmium in human amniotic cells.
Cadmium induces the expression of the 70 kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) and metallothionein (MT), both of which are considered to be associated with intracellular glutathione (GSH) metabolism in the cellular protection mechanism against cadmium-induced cellular injury. We determined the effects of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), which increases the intracellular GSH levels, on the induction of HSP70 and MT gene expression in a cultured cell line of human amniotic cells (WISH) exposed to CdCl2. The mRNA level of MT-II, a major isoform of MT genes, was more prominently increased than that of HSP70 when WISH cells were exposed to CdCl2 (5-15 microM, for 6 h). The treatment of WISH cells with 1.5 and 30 mM NAC for 2 h increased the intracellular GSH levels by 1.4- and 3.1-fold, respectively. Pretreatment of cells with 30 mM NAC significantly reduced both HSP70 and MT-II mRNA levels in the cells exposed to 50 microM CdCl2. This concentration of NAC also efficiently suppressed the cadmium-induced lethality. On the contrary, pretreatment with 1.5 mM NAC suppressed only the induction of HSP70 gene expression in the 50 microM CdCl2-treated cells, and did not inhibit the metal toxicity. However, this low concentration of NAC efficiently suppressed lipid peroxidation which was increased by 50 microM CdCl2. Furthermore, this low concentration of NAC also decreased the CdCl2-induced gene expression of HSP32 which represents a general response to oxidative stress. Taken together, NAC seems to have at least two concentration-dependent functions in WISH cells exposed to CdCl2; the low concentration of NAC can suppress the induction of HSP70 gene expression as well as the increase of lipid peroxidation via an antioxidant pathway, while the high concentration of NAC can suppress the induction of MT-II mRNA as well as cadmium-induced cell death. Our present data suggest that changes in intracellular redox status, as reflected by GSH concentration, have more important effects on the induction of HSP70 mRNA rather than that of MT-II mRNA in human amniotic cells exposed to cadmium.
Acetylcysteine↗
Single photon emission CT images in a case of intraventricular neurocytoma.
Although Tc-99m HMPAO uptakes in various brain tumors have been reported, SPECT images of neurocytoma have not been described. The authors report a patient with intraventricular neurocytoma (IN) who demonstrated significant uptake of Tc-99m HMPAO and Tl-201 Cl before brain biopsy. Residual tumor after biopsy showed significant uptake of I-123 IMP on early SPECT images, but this uptake was decreased on delayed images. The three radionuclides seem to have different uptake mechanisms.
Adult↗
Gallium-67-citrate scintigraphy of primary renal lymphoma.
We present a case of primary renal lymphoma, which is a rare entity and poses diagnostic challenge. Ultrasound and CT scan demonstrated a nonspecific solid tumor in the left kidney. 67Ga-citrate scintigraphy demonstrated an intense uptake in the tumor, which led to a correct diagnosis, so that we could spare unnecessary laparotomy and possible nephrectomy.
Aged↗
Evidence of an increased risk of hearing loss in heterozygous carriers in a Wolfram syndrome family.
Wolfram syndrome (MIM 222300) is characterized by juvenile-onset diabetes mellitus and optic atrophy. Previous linkage analyses in the United States and UK families have indicated that the gene for Wolfram syndrome (WFS) is localized on the short arm of chromosome 4. We herein confirm the linkage of the WFS locus to D4S3023 on 4p with a two-point LOD score of 3.42 in a large Japanese family with Wolfram syndrome. Multipoint linkage analysis revealed the maximum LOD score of 4.82 between D4S3023 and D4S394. We also evaluated putative health risks in carriers by multiple logistic analysis with independent variables, age, gender, and numbers of affected haplotypes and with dependent variables, such as hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, polyuria, incontinence, psychological illness, and visual acuity. The results showed that the putative disease haplotype increased a risk of hearing loss (odds ratio =35.68, 95% confidence interval =4.12-308.95) and diabetes mellitus (odds ratio =7.57, 95% confidence interval =2.03-28.23) independently. This is the first report of an increased health risk of illness in carriers, other than for psychiatric disease.
Adolescent↗
Vitamin E reduces cholesterol esterification and uptake of acetylated low density lipoprotein in macrophages.
The effects of vitamin E on cholesteryl ester (CE) metabolism in J774 cells were examined. Pretreatment of J774 cells with vitamin E at concentrations above 50 microM significantly decreased acetylated low density lipoprotein (LDL)-induced incorporation of [14C]oleate into CE in cells in a dose-dependent manner. This was partly due to vitamin E also significantly inhibiting the uptake of [3H]CE-labeled acetylated LDL by J774 cells. A trend existed toward suppression of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) activity in the cell lysate at high vitamin E concentration, but there was no effect on hydrolysis of CE. These data indicate that vitamin E reduces the uptake of modified LDL and suppresses ACAT activity, resulting in less cholesterol esterification in macrophages: a novel mechanism underlying the antiatherogenic properties of vitamin E.
Animals↗
A proximal element within the human alpha 2(I) collagen (COL1A2) promoter, distinct from the tumor necrosis factor-alpha response element, mediates transcriptional repression by interferon-gamma.
Previous studies have shown that interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) inhibits type I collagen gene expression through both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms (Kahäri et al., 1990). In the present study, using transient cell transfections of human dermal fibroblast cultures with a series of 5' deletion promoter/CAT reporter gene constructs, we have identified the IFN-gamma-response element of the human alpha 2(I) collagen gene (COL1A2) promoter. Specifically, we have identified a segment of the proximal promoter region, located between nucleotides -161 and -125 relative to the transcription start site, as critical for down-regulation of COL1A2 promoter activity by IFN-gamma. This IFN-gamma response element (IgRE) is clearly distinct from the previously described tumor necrosis factor-alpha response element (TaRE) located between nucleotides -265 and -241 of the COL1A2 promoter, a difference which is likely to explain the additive inhibitory effect of these two cytokines. The inhibitory effect of IFN-gamma was dose-dependent and rapidly induced, requiring less than 5 min exposure of fibroblast cultures. Gel mobility shift assays indicated that a highly specific nuclear protein complex bound to this 37-base pair region of promoter. Competition experiments with oligonucleotides spanning discrete segments of this promoter region mapped the binding element within a distinctive pyrimidine-rich sequence. Point mutations within the latter revealed that this element plays a crucial role not only in the IFN-gamma response, but also in the basal activity of the proximal promoter. Substitution mutations within the IgRE of the -161/CAT construct attenuated the promoter response to IFN-gamma, as measured in transient cell transfections, and eliminated specific DNA/protein complex formation, as measured by gel mobility shift assay. UV-crosslinking experiments indicated that two DNA/protein complexes were formed with the IgRE, with molecular weights around 55 kDa and 30 kDa, corresponding to proteins of approximately 30 kDa and approximately 6 kDa, respectively. Our results further clarify the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of type I collagen gene expression by IFN-gamma.
Binding, Competitive↗