Images of interest. Hepatobiliary and pancreatic: cholangiocarcinoma with chylous ascites.
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Bile Duct Neoplasms↗
Biomedical subjects
K Murata
Publications and source records attributed to K Murata.
The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in wild and captive cetaceans from Japan.
The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii was investigated in wild and captive cetaceans from Japan. Antibodies against T. gondii were examined by both latex agglutination test (LAT) and indirect hemagglutination test (IHAT) for 77 serum or plasma samples obtained from 59 individuals of 6 species, including 2 hybrids. Antibody titers greater than 1:64 in LAT and greater than 1:640 in IHAT, indicative of the presence of T. gondii, were found in 11.9% of 59 individuals. In 7 samples that showed a positive reaction by IHAT, T. gondii titers were examined for each immunoglobulin (Ig) fraction separated by sucrose gradient centrifugation. The antibody peaks in each fraction were divided into 3 types, thought to be a reaction of IgM (type 1), IgG (type 2), and IgM with IgG (type 3). Type 1 was found in serum from a bottle-nosed dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and a killer whale (Orcinus orca) sampled soon after capture off the Japanese coast in 1988; it was concluded that infection in the wild had occurred less than 15 yr before the study was performed. The prevalence of putative IgM and IgG antibodies from a captive-bred T. truncatus suggested that T. gondii infection also occurred in the aquarium.
Animals↗
Lingual squamous cell carcinoma in an ocelot (Felix pardalis).
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Animals↗
Eosinophilic major basic protein and interleukin-5 in eosinophilic myositis.
To determine whether eosinophils play a critical role in muscle fiber damage in patients with eosinophilic myositis (EM). We investigated expression of eosinophilic major basic protein (MBP) and interleukin (IL)-5 at the protein and mRNA levels in muscle biopsies from three patients with idiopathic EM. MBP deposits were found on the surface of eosinophils and muscle fibers surrounded by the eosinophils. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis showed increased IL-5 expression in EM muscle but not in control muscle. These results suggest that IL-5 induces local accumulation of eosinophils and their release of MBP. The secreted proteins adhere to the muscle fiber membrane, resulting in muscle damage.
Adult↗
A "natural experiment" in cardiovascular epidemiology in the early 21st century.
Despite similar traditional risk factors, morbidity and mortality rates from coronary heart disease in western and non-western cohorts remain substantially different. Careful study of such cohorts may help identify novel risk factors for CHD, and contribute to the formulation of new preventive strategies
Cohort Studies↗
Carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum alters acute-phase response induced by lipopolysaccharide.
BACKGROUND: As laparoscopic surgery continues to expand in scope, septic patients will be exposed to carbon dioxide (CO2) pneumoperitoneum in increasing numbers. The biologic advantages or disadvantages of laparoscopic surgery in the setting of sepsis/inflammation are not known. In a rat model, we investigated whether CO2 pneumoperitoneum alters the inflammatory response induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). METHODS: Male rats were injected via the penile vein with LPS (1 mg/kg). Five hours later, the animals (n = 5) were subjected to CO2 pneumoperitoneum (group I) for 1h; the animals of group II (n = 5) served as controls (no pneumoperitoneum). At 6 h, all animals were killed and the liver harvested for analysis of hepatic acute-phase gene expression. Total RNA was isolated and analyzed by Northern blot hybridization with probes for alpha-2 macroglobulin (A2M) and detected by autoradiography. The film in the linear range of exposure was quantitated using an imaging system. The signal intensity corresponding to A2M mRNA was normalized by the signal corresponding to 28S rRNA detected by staining with methylene blue. RESULTS: The mRNA levels in group II was 6.5 +/- 0.9 vs 2.8 +/- 0.4 in group I. As compared with rats that received LPS only, those that received a combination of LPS and CO2 showed a reduction in A2M mRNA levels (57.4%, p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that the presence of CO2 pneumoperitoneum reduces the inflammatory response established by LPS. This finding challenges the generally accepted notion that smaller incisions alone account for the observed benefits of laparoscopic surgery. It further suggests that CO2 pneumoperitoneum - aided laparoscopic surgery impedes the inflammatory response and may therefore offer specific benefits over conventional surgery.
Acute-Phase Reaction↗
Fatal infection with human pinworm, Enterobius vermicularis, in a captive chimpanzee.
A fatal infection with human pinworms, Enterobius vermicularis, was found in a 26-year-old chimpanzee kept in a zoo. Grossly, the animal was highly emaciated, and had severe enteritis with cecal multifocal nodules and severe cholelithiasis. Histopathologically, a large number of human pinworms were observed in the nodular lesions in the cecum and intestinal wall. These migrating worms were surrounded by an inflammatory cell infiltration which lacked eosinophils. There were areas of multifocal hyperemia and/or hemorrhages in various organs including the entire gastrointestinal tract. Pinworms were also observed in the portal venule and parenchyma of the liver. A light infection with Strongyloides cf. stercoralis was also observed.
Age Factors↗
Correlation between facial morphology, mouth opening ability, and condylar movement during opening-closing jaw movements in female adults with normal occlusion.
The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between parameters of facial morphology, maximal voluntary mouth opening ability, and condylar movements in 21 adult females, aged between 20 and 24 years. The subjects had a normal occlusion without sign or symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. Mandibular movements were recorded using an opto-electric jaw movement recording system with six degrees of freedom under a series of maximal mouth opening-closing movements. Maximal jaw opening and coincident condylar movement were measured three-dimensionally. The mean values of the incisor and condylar path were 41.1 +/- 3.5 mm (range 35.6-50.9 mm) and 12.8 +/- 2.8 mm (range 8.1-19.2 mm), respectively. Although the positive correlation between maximal jaw opening and facial morphology was significant, none of the variables significantly differed between the value of the condylar path and facial morphology. The length of the path of maximum incisor movement and the condylar path during mandibular movement also did not correlate. Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated a positive association between the maximal length of the incisor path and the cephalometric value of mandibular ramus inclination (R2 value was 0.369). The results of this study suggest that facial morphology size has a limited effect on maximal voluntary mandibular opening and condylar movements in normal adult female subjects.
Adult↗
Super-channel in bacteria: function and structure of the macromolecule import system mediated by a pit-dependent ABC transporter.
In a soil isolate, Sphingomonas sp. A1, the transport of a macromolecule (alginate: 27 kDa) is mediated by a pit-dependent ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter. The transporter is different from other ABC transporters so far analyzed in that its function is dependent on a pit, a mouth-like organ formed on the cell surface only when cells are compelled to assimilate macromolecules, and in that it allows direct import of macromolecules into cells. The ABC transporter coupled with the pit, which functions as a funnel and/or concentrator of macromolecules to be imported, was designated the 'super-channel', and in this review, we discuss the three-dimensional structure and specific function of the 'super-channel' for macromolecule import found for the first time in a bacterium.
ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗
Production of ultra highly pure H2 and higher hydrocarbons from methane in one step at mild temperatures and development of the catalyst under non-equilibrium reaction conditions.
Ultra highly pure hydrogen and more valuable hydrocarbons are produced directly from methane in one step beyond the thermodynamic equilibrium conversion by integration of the dehydrogenation reaction and hydrogen separation with a Pd-Ag based membrane reactor at mild temperatures, and a highly active catalyst is developed under the non-equilibrium reaction conditions.
Journal Article↗
STAT5 induces macrophage differentiation of M1 leukemia cells through activation of IL-6 production mediated by NF-kappaB p65.
We recently demonstrated that STAT5 can induce a variety of biological functions in mouse IL-3-dependent Ba/F3 cells; STAT5-induced expression of pim-1, p21(WAF/Cip1), and suppressor of cytokine signaling-1/STAT-induced STAT inhibitor-1/Janus kinase binding protein is responsible for induction of proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, respectively. In the present study, using a constitutively active STAT5A (STAT5A1*6), we show that STAT5 induces macrophage differentiation of mouse leukemic M1 cells through a distinct mechanism, autocrine production of IL-6. The supernatant of STAT5A1*6-transduced cells contained sufficient concentrations of IL-6 to induce macrophage differentiation of parental M1 cells, and STAT3 was phosphorylated on their tyrosine residues in these cells. Treatment of the cells with anti-IL-6 blocking Abs profoundly inhibited the differentiation. We also found that the STAT5A1*6 transactivated the IL-6 promoter, which was mediated by the enhanced binding of NF-kappaB p65 (RelA) to the promoter region of IL-6. These findings indicate that STAT5A cooperates with Rel/NF-kappaB to induce production of IL-6, thereby inducing macrophage differentiation of M1 cells in an autocrine manner. In summary, we have shown a novel mechanism by which STAT5 induces its pleiotropic functions. Cytokines
Animals↗
Critical involvement of OX40 ligand signals in the T cell priming events during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
OX40 ligand (OX40L) expressed on APCs, and its receptor, OX40 present on activated T cells, are members of the TNF/TNFR family, respectively, and have been located at the sites of inflammatory conditions. We have observed in OX40L-deficient mice (OX40L(-/-)) an impaired APC capacity and in our recently constructed transgenic mice expressing OX40L (OX40L-Tg), a markedly enhanced T cell response to protein Ags. Using these mice, we demonstrate here the critical involvement of the OX40L-OX40 interaction during the T cell priming events in the occurrence of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). In OX40L(-/-) mice, abortive T cell priming greatly reduced the clinical manifestations of actively induced EAE, coupled with a reduction in IFN-gamma, IL-2, and IL-6 production in vitro. Adoptive transfer experiments however revealed an efficient transfer of disease to OX40L(-/-) mice using wild-type donor T cells, indicating an intact capacity of OX40L(-/-) mice to initiate effector responses. On the other hand, OX40L(-/-) donor T cells failed to transfer disease to wild-type recipient mice. Furthermore, OX40L-Tg mice developed a greater severity of EAE despite a delayed onset, while both OX40L-Tg/CD28(-/-) and OX40L-Tg/CD40(-/-) mice failed to develop EAE demonstrating a requisite for these molecules. These findings indicate a pivotal role played by OX40L in the pathogenesis of EAE.
Adoptive Transfer↗
Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of NAD kinase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv.
NAD kinase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv utilizes ATP or inorganic polyphosphate [poly(P)] as a phosphoryl donor for the phosphorylation of NAD. The enzyme overexpressed in Escherichia coli was purified and crystallized by means of the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method with polyethylene glycol 4000 as the precipitant. Preliminary X-ray analysis of the resultant crystals revealed they belonged to the monoclinic space group C2 and had unit-cell parameters a = 140.0, b = 69.3, c = 106.3 A, beta = 130.1 degrees. The molecular weight of the NAD kinase is 35 kDa; assuming that a crystal contains two subunits of the NAD kinase in an asymmetric unit, the solvent content V(sol) is 0.62. X-ray diffraction data to 2.99 A have been collected from the native crystal.
Crystallization↗
Id-1, ITF-2, and Id-2 comprise a network of helix-loop-helix proteins that regulate mammary epithelial cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis.
Mammary epithelial cells proliferate, invade the stroma, differentiate, and die in adult mammals by mechanisms that are poorly understood. We found that Id-1, an inhibitor of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors, regulates mammary epithelial cell growth, differentiation, and invasion in culture. Here, we show that Id-1 is expressed highly during mammary development in virgin mice and during early pregnancy, when proliferation and invasion are high. During mid-pregnancy, Id-1 expression declined to undetectable levels as the epithelium differentiated fully. Surprisingly, Id-1 increased during involution, when the epithelium undergoes extensive apoptosis. To determine whether Id-1 regulates both proliferation and apoptosis, we constitutively expressed Id-1 in mammary epithelial cell cultures. Id-1 stimulated proliferation in sparse cultures but induced apoptosis in dense cultures, which reflect epithelial cell density during early pregnancy and involution, respectively. To understand how Id-1 acts, we screened a yeast two-hybrid library from differentiating mammary epithelial cells and identified ITF-2, a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, as an Id-1-interacting protein. Overexpression of ITF-2 significantly reduced Id-1-stimulated proliferation and apoptosis. We show further that, in contrast to Id-1, Id-2 was expressed highly in differentiated mammary epithelial cells in vivo and in culture. In culture, Id-2 antisense transcripts blocked differentiation. Our results suggest that Id-1, ITF-2, and Id-2 comprise a network of interacting molecular switches that govern mammary epithelial cell phenotypes.
Animals↗
Molecular cloning and identification of UTR1 of a yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a gene encoding an NAD kinase.
UTR1 of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was cloned from the genomic DNA by polymerase chain reaction and expressed in Escherichia coli. Characterization of the purified UTR1p revealed that UTR1p is a NAD kinase consisting of six identical subunits with a molecular mass of 60 kDa. UTR1p specifically phosphorylated NAD in the presence of ATP, dATP, or CTP as phosphoryl donors, and was most active at pH 8.0, 30 degrees C. Km values of UTR1p for NAD and ATP were determined to be 0.50 mM and 0.60 mM, respectively.
Cloning, Molecular↗
De novo-designed peptide transforms Golgi-specific lipids into Golgi-like nanotubules.
Cellular organelles, such as the Golgi apparatus and the endoplasmic reticulum, adopt characteristic structures depending on their function. While the tubular shapes of these structures result from complex protein-lipid interactions that are not fully understood, some fundamental machinery must be required. We show here that a de novo-designed 18-mer amphipathic alpha-helical peptide, Hel 13-5, transforms spherical liposomes made from a Golgi-specific phospholipid mixture into nanotubules on the scale of and resembling the shape of the nanotubules that form the Golgi apparatus. Furthermore, we show that that the size and the shape of such nanotubules depend on lipid composition and peptide properties such as length and the ratio of hydrophobic to hydrophilic amino acids. Although the question of precisely how nature engineers organellar membranes remains unknown, our simple novel system provides a basic set of tools to begin addressing this question.
Circular Dichroism↗
Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of AlgS, a bacterial ATP-binding cassette (ABC) protein specific to macromolecule import.
Sphingomonas sp. A1 possesses a macromolecule (alginate; average molecular size 25 700 Da) uptake system mediated by a novel pit-dependent ABC transporter. In this system, AlgS (363 amino-acid residues; 40 kDa) functions as an ATPase and provides energy for the translocation of high molecular-weight alginate across the cytoplasmic membrane. Hexahistidine-tagged AlgS of Sphingomonas sp. A1 was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and crystallized by means of the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method with ammonium dihydrogen monophosphate as the precipitant. Preliminary X-ray analysis of the resultant crystals was performed; they belonged to the monoclinic space group P2(1) and had unit-cell parameters a = 57.4, b = 92.7, c = 65.8 A, beta = 102.3 degrees. X-ray diffraction data to 3.2 A have been collected from the native crystal.
ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗
Facile and efficient sulfenylation method using quinone mono-O,S-acetals under mild conditions.
A novel sulfenylation method induced by aromatization of quinone mono-O,S-acetals is described. These sulfenylation reagents readily react with silyl enolethers or electron rich aromatic compounds to give sulfenylation products under mild conditions. In particular, O,S-acetal 2j, which possesses a pentafluorophenylthio function, is the most effective reagent from the standpoint of the adaptability for various substrates.
Journal Article↗