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K Kino

Publications and source records attributed to K Kino.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Purification, identification, and cDNA cloning of Cha o 2, the second major allergen of Japanese cypress pollen.

The second major allergen of Chamaecyparis obtusa (Japanese cypress) pollen, Cha o 2, has been purified and its cDNA cloned. Of patients with pollinosis caused by C. obtusa, 82.5% produce IgE antibodies which react with purified Cha o 2. The purified protein has a molecular mass of 46 kDa and its 12 N-terminal amino acid sequence displays a high homology with that of Cry j 2, the second major allergen of Cryptomeria japonica pollen. cDNA clones coding for Cha o 2 have been isolated using Cry j 2 cDNA as a probe. Cha o 2 cDNA clones were sequenced and found to code a putative 50-residue signal sequence and a 464-residue mature protein with a molecular weight of 50 kDa. Two possible N-linked glycosylation sites were found in the sequence. The deduced amino acid sequence of Cha o 2 shows 74.3% identity with that of Cry j 2. In its primary structure, Cha o 2 shows significant identity with those of the polygalacturonases of avocado, tomato, and maize as well as Cry j 2.

Allergens↗

Metallic residues as a source of artifacts in magnetic resonance imaging of the temporomandibular joint.

OBJECTIVES: To establish the source of metallic artifacts on postoperative MRI of the temporomandibular joint after arthroplasty. METHODS: An experiment was carried out to evaluate MR artifacts which were thought to have been caused by minute metallic particles deposited at surgery. Four types of cutting instruments were used to cut an extracted tooth: a diamond bur attached to a dental air turbine handpiece, a steel bur and bone bur attached to a dental micromotor handpiece and a bone file. The tooth fragments were collected in plastic centrifuge tubes in water. These samples were evaluated with six MR sequences. RESULTS: MR artifacts were clearly demonstrated in samples using the bone bur and the bone file but not the diamond and steel burs. CONCLUSIONS: The artifacts seen on postoperative MRI were derived from minute metal particles from the bone bur or file used for condylar arthroplasty. Metal artifacts should be considered when interpreting postoperative MR images.

Adult↗

Replication in vitro and cleavage by restriction endonuclease of 5-formyluracil- and 5-hydroxymethyluracil-containing oligonucleotides.

PURPOSE: To investigate the biological consequences of 5-formyluracil (5-foU) and 5-hydroxymethyluracil (5-hmU). MATERIALS AND METHOD: The authors constructed 22-mer oligonucleotides containing a 5-foU or 5-hmU residue at the same sites. The effects of such modifications on the ability to serve as a template for DNA polymerase and on the cleavage by sequence-specific restriction endonuclease were examined. RESULTS: The Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I and Thermus thermophilus DNA polymerase read through the sites of 5-foU and 5-hmU in the templates. 5-FoU directed the incorporation of dCMP in addition to dAMP opposite the lesion during DNA synthesis. The DNA polymerases incorporated only dAMP opposite the 5-hmU. The substitution of thymine by 5-foU within the recognition site of the restriction endonucleases HincII and SalI inhibited or prevented the cleavage by the enzymes, whereas the enzymes cleaved the 5-hmU-containing oligonucleotides at the same rate as the T-containing oligonucleotides. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that the 5-foU-A base pair is less stable than the T-A base pair and that 5-foU can form a base pair with C in addition to A. It was also demonstrated that the oxidation of thymine to 5-hmU does not result in substantial deterioration.

Animals↗

Early carcinoma of the distal second part of the duodenum treated by wedge resection.

A case of early carcinoma of the distal second part of the duodenum, in a 74-year-old man, is presented. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was performed for diagnosis of a common bile duct stone. During this procedure, small elevated lesions were found incidentally in the distal second part of the duodenum, and the histologic examination of a biopsy specimen showed adenocarcinoma. The lesions were removed by wedge resection, and pathologic examination revealed duodenal carcinoma limited to the lamina propria. Although carcinoma of the duodenum, other than of the ampulla of Vater region, is very rare, it is sometimes possible to detect asymptomatic early tumors. However, this requires careful observation of the entire duodenal mucosa, including that of the distal duodenum, at duodenoscopy.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Peptide specificity, HLA class II restriction, and T-cell subsets of the T-cell clones specific to either Cry j 1 or Cry j 2, the major allergens of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen.

BACKGROUND: Cry j 1 and Cry j 2 are thought to be the major allergens of Japanese cedar pollen. HLA class II types capable of presenting T-cell epitopes in both allergens and their role in induction of T-cell subsets are not well known. METHODS: CD4+ T (Th)-cell clones (TCCs) specific to either Cry j 1 or Cry j 2 were generated. HLA class II restrictions were determined by their reactivity to the T-cell epitope in the presence of antigen presenting cells sharing matched types. Interleukin (IL)-2, interferon-gamma, IL-4, and IL-5 contents in the supernatants of TCCs were estimated using enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients induced proliferation with 100 microgram/ml Cry j 1 or 3-10 microgram/ml rCry j 2 stimulation. T-cell epitopes in Cry j 1 were presented to Th cells by the gene products of DRA1*01/DRB1*0901, DRA1*01/DRB5*0101, DQA1* 0102/DQB1*0602, and DPA1*01/DPB1*0501; those in Cry j 2 were restricted by DRA1*01/DRB1*0901, DRA1* 01/DRB1*1501, DRA1*01/DRB4*01, DRA1*01/DRB5* 0101, DQA1*0102/DQB1*0602, DPA1*01/DPB1*0201, and DPA1*01 and *0202/DPB1*0501. Type 2-like cells were preferentially induced in Cry j 1 stimulation, while an almost equal number of type 2- and type 1-like cells was induced in rCry j 2. CONCLUSIONS: No clear correlation existed between peptide specificity, HLA class II restriction and induction of Th-cell subsets, suggesting that the requirement of different dose of Cry j 1 or Cry j 2 to induce proliferation in PBMC may lead to distinguishable difference in induction of Th subsets between TCCs specific to Cry j 1 and Cry j 2.

Adult↗

[Large cell carcinoma of the lung with metastasis of the gastric submucosa].

A 66-year-old man was admitted with dyspnea on exertion and an abnormal shadow on chest roentgenogram. Transbronchial biopsy yielded a diagnosis of large cell carcinoma of the lung. His dyspnea improved following irradiation and corticosteroid treatment and one month later, he was admitted again for chemotherapy. Because occult blood in stool was detected, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed. Gastric submucosal large cell carcinoma was diagnosed, and this was considered to be metastatic from the lung. Such cases diagnosed prior to death are rare.

Aged↗

Non-equivalent cooperation between the two nucleotide-binding folds of P-glycoprotein.

To identify the roles of the two nucleotide-binding folds (NBFs) in the function of human P-glycoprotein, a multidrug transporter, we mutated the key lysine residues to methionines and the cysteine residues to alanines in the Walker A (WA) motifs (the core consensus sequence) in the NBFs. We examined the effects of these mutations on N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and ATP binding, as well as on the vanadate-induced nucleotide trapping with 8-azido-[alpha-32P]ATP. Mutation of the WA lysine or NEM binding cysteine in either of the NBFs blocked vanadate-induced nucleotide trapping of P-glycoprotein. These results suggest that if one NBF is non-functional, there is no ATP hydrolysis even if the other functional NBF contains a bound nucleotide, further indicating the strong cooperation between the two NBFs of P-glycoprotein. However, we found that the effect of NEM modification at one NBF on ATP binding at the other NBF was not equivalent, suggesting a non-equivalency of the role of the two NBFs in P-glycoprotein function.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

T cell epitopes in Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen allergens: choice of major T cell epitopes in Cry j 1 and Cry j 2 toward design of the peptide-based immunotherapeutics for the management of Japanese cedar pollinosis.

Japanese cedar pollinosis is caused by exposure to Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen, of which two components, Cry j 1 and Cry j 2, are believed to be the major allergens. T cell lines specific to either Cry j 1 or rCry j 2 were reactive to various portions of each panel of overlapping peptides derived from Cry j 1 or Cry j 2. Two peptides, p211-225 and p108-120, from among six major T cell epitopes identified in Cry j 1 sequence, and three peptides, p182-200, p344-355, and p66-80, from among five in Cry j 2, were chosen to design an artificial polypeptide (named Cry-consensus) based on a difference among the types of the restriction molecules capable of presenting these peptides. After construction of a DNA encoding these peptides in order, Cry-consensus was expressed in Escherichia coli. Five of six T cell epitopes, except for Cry j 2 p344-355, in Cry-consensus were recognized by the T cell clones specific to each peptide. PBMC from allergic patients induced higher proliferation under stimulation from Cry-consensus than individual peptides. Eighty-eight percent of the PBMC (15 of 17) showed proliferation under the Cry-consensus stimulation. Thus, several major T cell epitopes from Cry j 1 and Cry j 2 can be chosen in the design of peptide-based immunotherapeutics for the management of Japanese cedar pollinosis in subjects having various types of HLA class II molecules.

Adult↗

[Norwood procedure to hypoplastic left heart syndrome].

Since March 1992, 25 neonates and small infants with HLHS have undergone a modified Norwood procedure. The mean age and weight at operation were 17 days (2 days-2 months) and 2.7 kg (1.6-3.3 kg). Isolated cerebral and/or myocardial perfusion (ICMP) with direct anastomosis of aorta and pulmonary artery was utilized since January 1995 to 16 patients. Under median sternotomy, PTFE graft (usually 3.0-3.5 mm) was anastomosed to the brachiocephalic artery and the arterial cannula was inserted to this PTFE graft. The left carotid and the left subclavian arteries were snared and a clamp was placed on the aortic arch just distal to the brachiocephalic artery. This allowed blood to enter the brain and the coronary arteries, keeping the brain perfused and the heart-beating. After reconstruction of distal aortic arch, a single dose of crystalloid cardioplesia was infused and the rest of the arch was reconstructed. There were 14 early deaths (56%) and 4 late deaths (16%). Bidirectional Glenn procedure was performed to 5 patients with 1 death. Three patients underwent modified Fontan procedure without mortality. Mean aortic cross clamp time was 24 min. and mean ICMP time was 32 min. There was no neurologic complications. In conclusion, isolated cerebral and/or myocardial perfusion may offer an advantage of protecting the brain and myocardium during arch in Norwood procedure.

Aorta↗

Extreme right lobar atrophy of the liver: a rare complication of autoimmune hepatitis.

Lobar atrophy is a rare morphologic change of the liver. We describe a 73-year-old woman with mild liver dysfunction and history of Sjögren's syndrome who had right hepatic lobar atrophy. Serum biochemistry levels were as follows: albumin, 4.5 g/dl; total bilirubin, 1.0 mg/dl; alanine aminotransferase, 25 international units/l; aspartate aminotransferase, 27 international units/l; alkaline phosphatase, 333 international units/l; and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, 332 international units/l. Serological data were as follows: rheumatoid factor, 27.9; anti-nuclear antibody, 1:640; and antismooth muscle antibody, 1:80. Viral markers for hepatitis B were all negative. Anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-c-100) was negative. Portal hypertension developed thereafter, and the patient died of hepatic failure at age 76. Postmortem examination revealed autoimmune hepatitis with moderate fibrosis, portal vein thrombus, and complete obstruction of the right hepatic duct due to hepatolithiasis. Terminal hepatic failure resulted from combination of decreased hepatic volume due to the right lobar atrophy, exacerbation of autoimmune hepatitis in the remnant left hepatic lobe, decreased portal venous blood flow due to thrombosis, portal hypertension, and cholangitis with hepatolithiasis. This is the first reported case of hepatic lobar atrophy due to autoimmune hepatitis. From a clinical standpoint, patients with hepatic lobar atrophy, even if asymptomatic, should be followed up with careful attention to progression of liver diseases, portal hypertension, and biliary complications.

Aged↗

[Nerve paralysis after third molar extraction].

This paper described the incidence of inferior alveolar nerve paralysis following surgical removal of impacted third molars. The investigated cases were 789 patients with 1,299 teeth that were surgically extracted. Eight (0.6%) patients had the inferior alveolar nerve paralysis and one (0.08%) had lingual nerve paralysis. As for the patients with inferior alveolar nerve paralysis, the incidence was 0.4% in those aged 20 to 29 years, 0.6% in those aged 30 to 39 years, and 3.5% in those aged over 40 years. This study showed that the incidence of inferior alveolar nerve paralysis occurred more frequently in older age cases and in the cases in which the root splitting or the removing the surrounding bone was needed.

Adult↗

Molecular mechanism of GG-specific photooxidation of DNA.

Oxidative DNA damage has been implicated in a variety of pathophysiological processes especially cancer and aging. Therefore, considerable interest has recently been given to the chemical structure and repair mechanisms of the damaged sites. In examining types of novel oxidative DNA damage, our group recently found that 2-aminoimidazolone (Iz) is formed in amounts larger than that of 8-oxo-G during the photoreaction of DNA with riboflavin. Our group also pointed out the intriguing possibility that the Iz thus formed can produce a stable base pair with C, thereby giving rise to a G:C to C:G transversion mutation. In this short review, we focused on the new type of oxidative DNA damage, Iz.

Animals↗

Alteration of substrate specificity by mutations at the His61 position in predicted transmembrane domain 1 of human MDR1/P-glycoprotein.

In CFTR, a member of the ABC superfamily and a chloride channel, amino acid substitutions in its transmembrane domains 1 and 6 (TM1, TM6) have been reported to modulate the anion selectivity or ion conductance of the ion channel. In P-glycoprotein, no amino acid substitution in TM1, but some in TM6, have been reported to modify the substrate specificity of this protein. In this work, we demonstrated the involvement of His61, which is in the middle of the predicted TM1, in the function of P-glycoprotein. His61 was replaced by all other amino acid residues, and each of the mutant cDNAs was introduced into drug-sensitive human carcinoma cells, KB3-1. The drug-resistance profile of cells stably expressing each mutated P-glycoprotein was investigated by comparing their relative resistance to vinblastine, colchicine, VP16, and adriamycin. The resistance to vinblastine was increased by replacing His61 by amino acids with smaller side chains, while it was lowered by replacing by amino acids with bulkier side chains. The reverse effect was observed for resistance to colchicine and VP16. The resistance to adriamycin was increased by replacing by amino acids with bulkier side chains except Lys or Arg, which have a basic side chain. We also showed that the replacement of His61 by Phe and Lys greatly impaired the efflux of calcein AM, while the replacement had no effect on the efflux of rhodamine 123. These results suggest that an amino acid residue at position 61 in TM1 is important in deciding the substrate specificity of P-glycoprotein.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Immortalization of mutant p53-transfected human fibroblasts by treatment with either 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide or X-rays.

The study of in vitro cell transformation is valuable for understanding the multistep carcinogenesis of human cells. The difficulty in inducing neoplastic transformation of human cells by treatment with chemical or physical agents alone is due to the difficulty in immortalizing normal human cells. Thus, the immortalization step is critical for in vitro neoplastic transformation of human cells. We transfected a mutant p53 gene (mp53: codon 273Arg-His) into normal human fibroblasts and obtained two G418-resistant mp53-containing clones. These clones showed an extended life span but ultimately senesced. However, when they were treated with either 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide or X-rays, they were immortalized. The immortalized cells showed both numerical and structural chromosome abnormalities, but they were not tumorigenic. The expression of mutant but not wild type p53 was detected in the immortalized cells by RT-PCR. Expression of p21, which is located downstream of p53, was remarkably reduced in the immortalized cells, resulting in increased cdk2 and cdc2 kinase activity. However, there was no significant difference between the normal and immortalized human cells in expression of another tumor suppressor gene, p16. These findings indicate that the p53-p21 cascade may play an important role in the immortalization of human cells.

4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide↗

Simultaneous multilayer arthrotomography of the temporomandibular joint using photostimulable phosphor computed radiography.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the image quality of photostimulable phosphor computed radiography (CR) with that of a conventional screen-film system for simultaneous multilayer arthrotomography of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). METHODS: X-ray attenuation, resolution and granularity was compared. Simultaneous multilayer tomography of TMJ was performed using a skull phantom and diagnostic quality of bone structures estimated. The clinical outcome is demonstrated in two typical cases. RESULTS: X-ray attenuation was larger with CR. Granularity was more prominent in edge-enhanced CR images and was associated with inferior diagnostic quality. However, it was improved by using a higher tube voltage. Clinical CR without edge enhancement showed a similar resolution to the conventional system but this decreased with enhancement. In an enhanced arthrotomogram, the boundary between contrast medium, bone and soft tissue were clearly defined and a fibrous adhesion also easily seen. CONCLUSION: Photostimulable phosphor CR is an acceptable alternative for simultaneous multilayer arthrotomography of the TMJ.

Adult↗