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Biomedical subjects

K Matsubara

Publications and source records attributed to K Matsubara.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Coexistence of pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid.

Widespread tense blisters developed on a 60-year-old Japanese man who had been diagnosed with pemphigus 11 years earlier, because of a history of pruritic erythema and erosions on his face, chest, and back, mild supra-basal layer blister formation found in a biopsy specimen, and a positive direct immunofluorescence test showing IgG deposition in the intercellular space. The histological findings showed subepidermal blister, and the immunoblot study detected 180kD bullous pemphigoid antigen. Direct immunofluorescence test revealed intercellular staining for IgG, and indirect immunofluorescence tests repeatedly demonstrated the presence of circulating antibodies to the intercellular space. From these observations, this case suggests the coexistence of pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid.

Autoantibodies↗
PubMed1995

The effects of non-interval PUVA therapy on the plaque stage of mycosis fungoides.

The effectiveness of non-interval topical PUVA treatment was studied in four patients with mycosis fungoides at the plaque stage. Five regions of each patient were exposed to UVA immediately, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, and 120 minutes, after topical application of 8-methoxypsoralen, respectively. The effects of these treatments were evaluated by clinical appearance and histological findings after the 20th treatment. All five regions were more improved clinically and histologically than the control region, which was not given PUVA therapy. There were no clear differences clinically among these five regions. Biopsy specimens from each region revealed the disappearance of epidermotropism and a marked decrease in atypical mononuclear cell infiltrations in the dermis. From these data, we concluded that there were no clear differences between these five treatments clinically or histologically and that non-interval PUVA therapy is useful for the early stages of mycosis fungoides. To our knowledge, this is the first report of non-interval PUVA therapy for mycosis fungoides.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Herpes zoster in a normal child after varicella vaccination.

A healthy 5 year old girl developed herpes zoster in the dermatome supplied by the ophthalmic branch of the fifth cranial nerve 40 months after varicella vaccination. She was admitted to our hospital because of high fever and painful vesicular lesions over the left side of her forehead. She was treated successfully with systemic and topical acyclovir without developing herpetic keratoconjunctivitis. Our acute and convalescent phase evaluations showed that non-specific cellular and humoral immunity was normal. This is the fourth case of herpes zoster developing in an immunocompetent child following vaccination. Unlike the previously reported cases, our patient required hospitalization mainly to prevent ocular involvement. The issue concerning whether the universal introduction of varicella vaccination of normal children will reduce the incidence of the subsequent occurrence of herpes zoster must await further studies involving longer follow-up periods.

Chickenpox Vaccine↗
PubMed1995

beta-Carbolinium cations, endogenous MPP+ analogs, in the lumbar cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Parkinson's disease.

We measured beta-carbolinium cations (BC+s) endogenous analogs of the N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+), in the lumbar CSF of 22 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) and 11 age-matched controls without any symptoms of parkinsonism. Among the BC+s, 2,9-diemethylnorharmanium cation (2,9-Me2NH+), the most potent neurotoxicant that mirrors MPP+ in mitochondria toxicity, was present in 12 patients with PD but not in controls. Although the 2-monomethylated beta-carbolinium cations (2-MeBC+s), which were present in almost all subjects, registered a slightly higher level in PD patients than in controls, the difference was not significant. The total BC+ content, sum of 2-MeBC+ and 2,9-Me2NH+ levels, was significantly higher in PD patients than in controls. The 2-MeBC+ contents significantly increased with the progression of the PD, but 2,9-Me2NH+ decreased as the disease exacerbated, although levels varied within a wide range. The present results strongly support the hypothesis that "bioactivated" BC+s, especially 2,9-Me2NH+s, may be the endogenous causative factors underlying PD.

1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium↗
PubMed1995

Comparison of dopamine contents in lung vasculature of several species.

Catecholamine contents of human, rabbit and rat pulmonary vasculature were surveyed. Human pulmonary vasculature was obtained from lobectomized specimens of lung tumors. Catecholamines were measured by high performance liquid chromatography after aluminum extraction. High dopamine (DA) content (1.4 nmol/g wet weight) and high DA/noradrenaline (NA) ratio (17.9%) were observed in rabbit pulmonary arterial trunks. In rabbit pulmonary arterial branches, DA content was 0.26 nmol/g wet weight and DA/NA ratio was 4.2%. In rat, NA contents were less in intra- and extra-pulmonary arteries (1.5 and 4.0 nmol/g wet weight, respectively) compared with pulmonary vasculature of rabbit or with the other vasculatures of the same animals. DA contents were 1.9 and 1.8 nmol/g wet weight in intra- and extra-pulmonary arteries, respectively, and DA/NA ratios were markedly high (218 and 48%, respectively). On the other hand, DA/NA ratios were around 1% in human intrapulmonary arteries and that for large-sized (more than 2 mm in diameter) intrapulmonary vein was 8.5%. Species difference and regional difference among pulmonary vascular beds are evident and at least in human pulmonary artery, DA/NA ratio is not as high as rabbit and rat pulmonary arteries.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[The evaluation of systolic right ventricular pressure and right ventricular hypertrophy using body surface mapping (isointegral map, isochrone map)].

We studied QRS and QRST isointegral maps, and isochrone map for the diagnosis of right ventricular hypertrophy and its severity in atrial septal defects and primary pulmonary hypertensions. The discriminant analysis in QRS isointegral map showed better results for differential diagnosis between atrial septal defects and both normal subjects and incomplete right bundle branch block patients than these in QRST isointegral map and isochrone map. Three parameters (Qp/Qs, systolic right ventricular pressure, right ventricular ejection fraction) for right ventricular overload showed significant correlation with QRS isointegral map and QRS isopotential map. Thus body surface map was an useful method for the evaluation of right ventricular hypertrophy.

Body Surface Potential Mapping↗
PubMed1994

Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, a potent inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) activation, prevents apoptosis in human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells and thymocytes.

We examined the effect of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), which potently blocks the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B), on the induction of apoptosis by a variety of agents. Treatment of a human promyelocytic leukemia cell line, HL-60, with 10 micrograms/mL etoposide or 2 microM 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine induced NF-kappa B activation within 1 hr and subsequently caused apoptosis within 3-4 hr. The simultaneous addition of 50-500 microM PDTC with these agents blocked NF-kappa B activation and completely abrogated both morphologically apoptotic changes and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation for up to 6 hr. However, PDTC failed to inhibit the endonuclease activity contained in the whole cell lysates. The inhibitory effect of PDTC was also observed in etoposide- and dexamethasone-induced apoptosis in human thymocytes at a concentration of 1-10 microM. Since PDTC has both antioxidant and metal-ion chelating activities, we tested the effects of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) (antioxidant) or o-phenanthroline (OP) (metal-ion chelator) on the induction of apoptosis. Pretreatment of HL-60 cells or thymocytes with 100-500 microM OP for 2 hr, but not 10-60 mM NAC, suppressed subsequent occurrence of apoptosis induced by etoposide. These results suggest that the activation of NF-kappa B plays an important role in the apoptotic process of human hematopoietic cells.

Acetylcysteine↗
PubMed1994

Chromosomal assignments of 3'-directed partial cDNA sequences representing novel genes expressed in granulocytoid cells.

Large scale cDNA sequencing of 3'-directed cDNA libraries allows the collection of hundreds of novel sequences (gene signatures) and understanding of their expression levels in various tissues. Granulocytoid cells were induced from the human promyelocytic leukemia cell line 60 (HL60) with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and more than 1000 gene signatures were collected from a 3'-directed cDNA library of the granulocytoid cells. By selecting appropriate sequences for primer design, we systematically assigned chromosomes of these novel gene signatures by means of the polymerase chain reaction. We used a monochromosomal hybrid cell panel DNA as the template and localized 155 gene signatures to individual chromosomes. The results showed that 125 of them were assigned to single chromosomes and 30 to more than one. Genes assigned to more than one chromosome tend to be expressed ubiquitously, and their sequences are often conserved among humans and rodents. A highly sensitive laser fluorescent analyzer and ethidium staining were used for simple and large-scale PCR mapping.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

The addition of 5'-coding information to a 3'-directed cDNA library improves analysis of gene expression.

Large-scale sequencing of a 3'-cDNA library permits one to analyse gene expression profiles in various tissues. However, many such sequences lack enough information about the encoded proteins. To overcome this problem, we tested a new library, consisting of a 3'-directed cDNA sequence fused to a to a 5' sequence of about 300 bp. Such 'joint molecules' of about 600 bp were amplified by PCR and directly sequenced. About 40% of these joint molecules included the 5' and 3' terminal portions of the mRNA, and most of the remaining clones contained the middle portion and 3' end of the mRNA. The upstream sequences contained sufficient information with which to search for similarity, ORFs, motifs and hydropathy, thus allowing the mRNAs to be categorized and their functions predicted. The rapid categorization of the cDNAs will help to sort those clones that merit further analysis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Structural studies of condensation products of biogenic amines as inhibitors of tryptophan hydroxylase.

The effects of condensation products of dopamine and indoleamines on the activity of tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) were evaluated to determine the structures associated with modulation of this enzyme activity. The compounds having a catechol structure, such as 1-methyl-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, markedly inhibited the activity of the enzyme prepared from the rat brain. The inhibition was non-competitive in terms of both the biopterin cofactor and the substrate L-tryptophan. Substitution on the one or two positions of catechol isoquinolines did not affect the inhibitory activity towards TPH. Among these compounds, a charged substance, 1,2[N]-dimethyl-6,7-dihydroxy-isoquinolinium ion, was an extremely potent inhibitor; the Ki values were 0.88 +/- 0.17 and 0.64 +/- 0.08 microM (mean +/- S.D.) in terms of the substrate and cofactor, respectively. By contrast, the condensation products of tryptophan and tryptamine with acetaldehyde scarcely affected TPH activities. 1-Methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+) were almost inactive. These results indicated that the catechol structure recognized and combined with TPH at a binding site different from that of the substrate or cofactor and the positive charge on the dopamine-derived substance enhanced the affinity to TPH. The selective inhibition of TPH by dopamine-derived catechol isoquinolines was discussed in relationship to the interactions between catecholamines, indoleamines and their metabolites in the brain under physiological and pathological conditions.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗
PubMed1994

A novel assay for typing Rh antigens in blood-stains using a lectin specific to the bisecting N-acetyl-D-glucosamine side chain of glycoprotein.

A unique sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the determination of Rh antigens in blood stains has been developed using Rh antisera and phaseolus vulgaris E4/peroxidase conjugate (PHAE4/PO). The appropriate antiserum for detecting Rh C, c, D, E or e was coated on the inner surface of microplate wells, and the sample antigens from blood stains, solubilized with n-octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, were then placed in the wells. After washing the wells repeatedly, PHAE4/PO was added. Bound PHAE4/PO was detected by the development of colors using o-phenylenediamine/H2O2. All Rh antigens corresponding to the antisera were clearly detected using this technique. The detection limit expressed by sample dilution was more than 2 x 10(5) times (volume/dried blood weight) for the various antigens from the fresh 5 x 5 mm2 blood stain. Even when the blood stain samples were left beside a sunny window at room temperature for 2 months, Rh antigens were still detected. When the ABH, MN, P1, Kidd, Duffy and Lewis blood grouping systems were tested with similar ELISA procedures PHAE4 did not recognize any antigen. Since PHAE4 specifically recognizes and combines with the bisecting N-acetyl-D-glucosamine side chain, it was concluded that the glycoprotein was a component of all Rh antigens immune complexes.

Acetylglucosamine↗
PubMed1994

Identification of cellular proteins that bind the central conserved region of p53.

The bacterial fusion protein between glutathione S-transferase and the central conserved region of human p53(GST-p53) was purified and fixed on the beads and then used in the binding assay with radiolabeled cell extract from human hepatocarcinoma cell line, Hep3B. The binding assay disclosed the presence of cellular proteins that interact with GST-p53 but not with GST. SV40 large T antigen abrogated the bindings of two cellular proteins with molecular weights of 50 kda and 40 kda. The binding of the proteins to p53 was observed in a cell cycle-dependent manner. These two proteins are candidate cellular proteins which regulate the function of p53.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Chromosomal assignment of HepG2 3'-directed partial cDNA sequences by Southern blot hybridization using monochromosomal hybrid cell panels.

Large-scale sequencing of a 3'-directed cDNA library from the human liver cell line HepG2 has generated several hundred species of cDNA gene signatures, about 85% of which identify novel genes. They are useful molecular landmarks for human genome mapping. We used 160 of these novel signatures as probes for Southern hybridization to human DNA. We then identified the copy number of the corresponding genes and assigned them to chromosomes, with reference to monochromosomal hybrid cell mapping panels. The distribution profile of the expressing genes among chromosomes suggested that the expressing gene density is not uniform.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Heterogeneities in ferritin dimers as characterized by gel filtration, nuclear magnetic resonance, electrophoresis, transmission electron microscopy, and gene engineering techniques.

To understand the mechanism underlying the preferential dimerization of ferritin shells, we studied monomers and dimers from both horse spleen and recombinant horse L-apoferritin by using gel filtration, nuclear magnetic resonance, electrophoresis, transmission electron microscopy, and gene engineering techniques. Our study of the kinetics of dimer-monomer dissociation that is produced by heating revealed the presence of at least two types of dimers, namely, weakly and strongly linked dimers with activation energies of 124 +/- 14 and 157 +/- 16 kJ/mol, respectively. Our study using thiol reagents indicated that the dimerization in horse spleen ferritin is partially mediated by disulfide bridges being formed between H-chains. Our analysis of the components that resulted from the dimer-monomer dissociation further clarified that these dimers form interdigitation structures. In summary, five types of dimers were identified in horse spleen apoferritin: reversible dimers with very weak interaction, non-sulfide dimers with weak interaction, non-sulfide dimers with strong interaction, disulfide dimers linked only by disulfide bridges, and disulfide dimers linked by disulfide bridges and having other interactions.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

A fatal disaster case based on exposure to hydrogen sulfide--an estimation of the hydrogen sulfide concentration at the scene.

Four adult men fell into an artificial lake which was being used to raise flatfish, after a water pipe had been connected to a tube allowing seawater to flow into the lake. Forensic autopsies were carried out on three of the four men, who died soon after the incident. From autopsy findings, the cause of death was diagnosed to be suffocation after aspirating seawater in the three victims. To clarify why the men fell into the lake, a chemical analysis for hydrogen sulfide was carried out using the extractive alkylation technique combined with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The sulfide was detected as its derivative, bis(pentafluorobenzyl)sulfide, in body tissues taken from all the victims, and the concentration of hydrogen sulfide gas at the scene was estimated as having been nearly fatal.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The use of overlapping and tailed short primers in the chromosomal assignment of short cDNAs by the polymerase chain reaction.

For the PCR-based chromosomal assignment of very short cDNA fragments specifically designed primers are required. We tested primers with very short core sequences that are identical or complementary to known cDNA sequences, with or without tails at the 5' ends. The lower limit of the core length for PCR using human chromosome templates was 14 nucleotides (nt) when they have tails. The minimal length of the tail was 2 nt when it was attached to the 5' end of a 14-nt core. In the absence of a tail, 15 nt are needed for the core to act properly. The overall size of the short cDNA fragments that could be assigned was further reduced by using a pair of primers that overlap at the 3' ends. The limits of the free energy of overlap were about -1.9 kcal/mol at 45 degrees C, -2.9 kcal/mol at 50 degrees C and -4.5 kcal/mol at 55 degrees C. A combination of these features in a primer pair allowed cDNA fragments as short as 30 nt to be assigned.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

A human cDNA sequence homologue of bovine phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein.

Sequencing of about 1000 3'-directed cDNA clones from the human HepG2 cell line revealed that about half of them represent transcripts of abundantly or moderately expressed genes, about 70% of which are novel. We identified one of these clones as encoding the human homologue of bovine phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗