Biomedical subjects

K Ochi

Publications and source records attributed to K Ochi.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMed1995

Pancreatic stone protein and lactoferrin in human pancreatic juice in chronic pancreatitis.

Lactoferrin and pancreatic stone protein (PSP) are thought to be closely related to pancreatic stone formation in chronic pancreatitis. However, the results reported so far have not been conclusive. To reevaluate the pathological importance of PSP in chronic pancreatitis, compared to lactoferrin, levels of PSP were determined by applying an immunoassay specific to PSP to pure pancreatic juice taken from a total of 52 patients. The patients consisted of 16 controls, 19 chronic pancreatitis patients (13 noncalcified and 6 calcified), and 17 probable cases of pancreatitis. The monoclonal antibody PSP antagonist used in the study recognizes both forms of the protein, PSP S1 and S2-5, with equal effectiveness. No significant reduction of PSP was observed in either calcified (mean +/- SEM, 111 +/- 30 micrograms/mg and 24 +/- 3 micrograms/mg protein) or noncalcified (305 +/- 133 and 97 +/- 47) chronic pancreatitis patients compared with controls (85 +/- 23 and 34 +/- 16). PSP levels did not decrease, at least not in the complete forms of the protein found in chronic pancreatitis. PSP antibody and assay results indicated that a reduction of PSP S2-5 alone could not be ruled out in chronic pancreatitis either.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Amino acid sequence analysis of ribosomal protein AT-L30 from members of the family Pseudonocardiaceae.

The phylogenetic relationships of the genera belonging to the family Pseudonocardiaceae were examined by a novel approach, amino acid sequencing of ribosomal AT-L30 proteins. The results of partial amino acid sequencing of AT-L30 preparations revealed that the members of the family Pseudonocardiaceae are divided into four clusters; the first cluster contains the genus Actinopolyspora, the second cluster contains the genus Saccharopolyspora, the third cluster contains the genus Amycolatopsis, and the fourth cluster contains the genera Amycolata, Pseudonocardia, Saccharomonospora, and Kibdelosporangium, indicating a close phylogenetic relationship between the genera Amycolata and Pseudonocardia. The genus Actinokineospora is closely related to the genus Saccharothrix, and these two genera formed a cluster separate from the clusters for the genera of the Pseudonocardiaceae. These results agree in almost all respects with previous 16S rRNA sequencing work by Embley et al. (T. M. Embely, J. Smida, and E. Stackebrandt, Syst. Appl. Microbiol. 11:44-52, 1988) and Warwick et al. (S. Warwick, T. Bowen, H. McVeigh, and T. M. Embley, Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 44:293-299, 1994), thus supporting the proposal of Warwick et al. that the genera Amycolata and Pseudonocardia should be combined in an emended genus, Pseudonocardia. However, a discrepancy was found between the present study and that of Warwick et al. In the present study, the Nocardia-Rhodococcus group and the Saccharothrix-Actinokineospora group were both recovered within the clade for the family Pseudonocardiaceae.

Actinomycetales↗

PubMed1995

Comparative ribosomal protein sequence analyses of a phylogenetically defined genus, Pseudomonas, and its relatives.

I analyzed various families of ribosomal proteins obtained from selected species belonging to the genus Pseudomonas sensu stricto and allied organisms which were previously classified in the genus Pseudomonas. Partial amino acid sequencing of L30 preparations revealed that the strains which I examined could be divided into three clusters. The first cluster, which was assigned to the genus Pseudomonas sensu stricto, included Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas mendocina, and Pseudomonas fluorescens. The second cluster included Burkholderia pickettii and Burkholderia plantarii. The third cluster, which was a deeply branching cluster in the stem of gram-negative bacteria, included Brevundimonas diminuta and Brevundimonas vesicularis. Despite the different levels of conservation of the N-terminal sequences of ribosomal protein families (the highest level of similarity was 74% for L27 proteins and the lowest level of similarity was 42% for L30 proteins), similar phylogenetic trees were constructed by using data obtained from sequence analyses of various ribosomal protein families, including the S20, S21, L27, L29, L31, L32, and L33 protein families. Thus, I demonstrated the efficacy of ribosomal protein analysis in bacterial taxonomy.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1995

A taxonomic study of the genus Streptomyces by analysis of ribosomal protein AT-L30.

The ribosomal AT-L30 proteins from 81 species of the genus Streptomyces as listed by Williams et al. in Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology were analyzed. My results provided further evidence that the genus Streptomyces is well circumscribed. On the basis of levels of AT-L30 N-terminal amino acid sequence homology, the strains were classified into four groups (groups I to IV) and a nongrouped category, whose members contained amino acid sequences characteristic of each species. A phylogenetic tree constructed on the basis of the levels of similarity of the amino acid sequences revealed the existence of six clusters within the genus. The first cluster contains the members of groups I and II together with several other species; the second cluster contains the members of groups III and IV and several other species; the third cluster contains Streptomyces ramulosus and Streptomyces ochraceiscleroticus; the fourth cluster contains only Streptomyces rimosus; the fifth cluster contains Streptomyces aurantiacus and Streptomyces tubercidicus; and the sixth cluster contains Streptomyces albus and Streptomyces sulphureus. Considerable agreement between the results of the AT-L30 analyses and the results of numerical phenetic classification was found, although there were numerous disagreements in details. For example, four groups (groups I to IV) defined by the AT-L30 analysis data did not correlate with the aggregate groups defined by numerical classification. In general, but not always, the species classified in a particular cluster in the numerical classification system had the same or similar AT-L30 terminal amino acid sequences.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1995

Phylogenetic analysis of mycolic acid-containing wall-chemotype IV actinomycetes and allied taxa by partial sequencing of ribosomal protein AT-L30.

The phylogenetic relationships among 30 mycolic acid-containing wall chemotype IV actinomycete strains and 12 strains belonging to allied taxa were examined by determining the amino acid sequences of the ribosomal AT-L30 proteins of these organisms. Sequencing 20 N-terminal amino acids of AT-L30 preparations revealed that the members of the genera containing mycolic acid-containing actinomycetes form two clusters; the first cluster contains the genera Nocardia, Rhodococcus, Gordona, and Tsukamurella, and the second cluster contains the genera Corynebacterium and Mycobacterium. The genus Nocardia was placed in a clade containing the genus Rhodococcus. The data showed that Tsukamurella paurometabolum is closely related phylogenetically to the genus Gordona. The phylogenetic clusters identified were entirely consistent with the proposal of Goodfellow that the family Nocardiaceae should encompass the mycolate-containing, cell wall type IV actinomycete genera Nocardia, Rhodococcus, Gordona, and Tsukamurella. The genera Actinomyces and Micrococcus exhibited AT-L30 amino acid sequence characteristics intermediate between those of actinomycetes and those of typical eubacteria. The genera Nocardia, Gordona, Mycobacterium, Actinoplanes, and Micromonospora were each a taxon that consisted of phylogenetically coherent species. In contrast, the genera Rhodococcus and Corynebacterium are taxa that consist of phylogenetically distantly related species. In general, my results are consistent with previous 16S rRNA sequencing results, but significant differences were also found. My data, together with previous AT-L30 sequencing data, show that phylogenetic relationships among taxa can be determined by using markers other than the ribosomal gene sequences.

Actinomycetales↗

PubMed1995

[Electrocochleographic changes in guinea pigs immunized with type II collagen].

Electrocochleograms (ECoGs) were assessed in guinea pigs with cochlear impairment induced by immunization with type II collagen. Action potential (AP) tuning curves (TCs) were studied using a forward masking technique. Not only AP TCs, but the intensity function of APs and summating potentials (SPs) were assessed. The results were as follows: 1) The TCs displayed the normal pattern in all animals, and the Q10dB values of the curves were within the normal range. 2) Abnormal changes in AP, such as threshold elevation, decrease in amplitude and prolongation of latency were observed. 3) Decreases in +SP were observed in eight of ten animals, but no negative SPs were observed. 4) All animals exhibited degeneration of spiral ganglion cells on light microscopy, despite the preservation of normal hair cells. 5) Levels of antibody against type II collagen were much higher than in controls. This suggests that the normal pattern of TCs may have been the result of only minor hair cell damage. The cause of the decrease in +SP, however, is unknown. Further investigation should be performed to resolve this question. In addition, there may be differences in immune reaction from animal to animal.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Serum levels of six pancreatic enzymes as related to the degree of renal dysfunction.

OBJECTIVES: Currently, serum total amylase, pancreatic isoamylase (P-amylase), lipase, trypsin(ogen), phospholipase A2 (PLA2), and elastase I are advocated to be useful in diagnosing pancreatic diseases. However, the most useful among the above six enzymes in patients with impaired renal function has not been fully clarified. We, therefore, studied the relation of the serum levels of the above enzymes and creatinine clearance (CrCl) in normal controls and patients with chronic renal insufficiency or failure. METHODS: PLA2 and elastase I were assayed by RIA, trypsin(ogen) by EIA and others by activity. Subjects were 24 healthy controls and 47 patients with impaired renal function and no apparent pancreatic diseases. RESULTS: 1) Elastase I was significantly elevated only in patients with a CrCl of 10 ml/min or less, whereas others were elevated already in patients with a CrCl below 40 ml/min; 2) in 12 patients with a CrCl between 13 and 39 ml/min, lipase tended to be less frequently raised than others, except elastase I, although the difference was statistically insignificant; 3) in 28 patients with a CrCl between 40 and 74 ml/min, lipase was less frequently elevated than others, except elastase I and PLA2; 4) in seven patients with a CrCl of 10 ml/min or below, elastase I tended to be less frequently elevated than others, although the difference was statistically insignificant; and 5) the degree of elevation was within 2.5 times the upper limits of reference values in all enzymes, except trypsin(ogen) (within 4.8 times). CONCLUSIONS: Elastase I was least vulnerable to impaired renal function followed by lipase. We, therefore, recommend combined assays of elastase I and lipase for detecting pancreatic diseases in patients with renal insufficiency. When cut-off levels are set at 2.5 times the upper limit of reference values, P-amylase or PLA2 can replace lipase.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

[Transformation into chronic myelomonocytic leukemia in a patient with primary myelofibrosis associated with severe hypoplasia: report of an autopsy case].

A 70-year-old male was admitted because of anemia in September 1989, and primary myelofibrosis was diagnosed based on the presence of leukoerythroblastosis, a normal chromosomal analysis and pathological findings of fibrosis in bone marrow. Although he was anemic, he did not require any treatment for two years. Then his hematological status deteriorated to severe pancytopenia, and the marrow biopsy revealed marked hypoplasia with fatty replacement and scattered fibrosis. He was treated with metenolon without success and frequent transfusion of packed red cell was required. This hypoplastic status continued for seven months. In May 1992 his WBC count increased gradually with monocytosis. The marrow was filled with various stages of monocytes, with almost no fibrosis remaining. The chromosomal analysis was repeated but disclosed no abnormalities, consistent with the negative result of BCR-ABL rearrangement investigated by the RT-PCR method. One month later, when the patient died of multiple cerebral bleeding and infection, the leukocyte count exceed 90,000/microliters. It is known that major causes of death for patients with primary myelofibrosis are infection, bleeding, cardiac trouble and transformation to leukemia. We describe a case of myelofibrosis who developed to chronic myelomonocytic leukemia following severe aplastic phase.

Aged↗

PubMed1994

Changes of cell cycle-regulating genes in interferon-treated Daudi cells.

Interferon (IFN) modulates the expression of several genes and some of them are considered to be responsible for the inhibition of cellular growth. However, the alterations of cell cycle-regulating genes produced by IFN still remain unclear. Accordingly, we studied the expression of cell cycle-regulating genes during IFN-induced growth arrest. Cell cycle synchronized and unsynchronized Daudi Burkitt lymphoma cells were treated with IFN. Both the cell cycle distribution and the expression of cell cycle-regulating genes (cdk2, cdc2, cyclins A, B, C, D3, cdc25, and wee 1) were studied by flow cytometry and by Northern blot hybridization or the reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Treated cells passed through the first G1 phase and gradually accumulated in the following G1 phase. Expression of cyclins A, B, and D3 oscillated along with the cell cycle progression in control cells, and the alterations of cyclin B expression were especially prominent. Both cdc2 and cdk2 also showed changes, but these were not so distinct as observed with cyclin B. Expression of cdc25 and wee1 was little affected by cell cycle progression. In IFN-treated cells, expression of cyclins A and B were down-regulated, while that of cyclin C was not. Cyclin D3 expression was also down-regulated at 48 h, followed by an increase at 72 h. Expression of both cdc2 and cdk2 was down-regulated, especially that of the later. Wee1 expression was down-regulated by IFN but, the expression of cdc25 remained stable. These findings suggest that the modulation of cell cycle-regulating genes, particular by cyclin A and cdk2, plays an important role in IFN-induced cellular growth arrest.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Changes of G1 cyclins, cdk2, and cyclin A during the differentiation of HL60 cells induced by TPA.

Differentiation induction by 12-o-tetradecanoyl 13-acetate (TPA) results in the growth arrest of HL60 cells in the G1 phase. However, little is known about the changes of cell cycle-regulating genes during this differentiation process. We investigated the changes of mRNA for various cyclins (A, C, D1, D2, D3 and E) and cdk2. Synchronized HL60 cells began to proliferate immediately after release from cell cycle block and cell cycle synchrony was obvious until the second S phase. TPA-treated cells accumulated in G1 phase within 24 h and most of the cells were arrested in this phase at 36 h. The expression of cyclins and cdk2 was studied by Northern blot hybridization of the reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). TPA treatment altered the expression of all genes studied. The expression of cdk2 and cyclin A mRNA was markedly down-regulated. Cyclin E mRNA expression was also prominently down-regulated from 12 h to 36 h, at which time a second increase of its expression was observed in control cells. In contrast, the expression of cyclin D1 mRNA was induced by TPA, while its expression in control cells was undetectable by Northern blot hybridization throughout the cell cycle. Cyclin C expression was faint and fluctuated irrelevant of cell cycle, but its expression in both control and TPA-treated cells was higher than at baseline. Cyclin D2 expression remained stable in control cells and TPA treatment resulted in slight down-regulation at 12 h, but no difference was observed after 24 h.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Evaluation of cytology and tumor markers of pure pancreatic juice for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer at early stages.

To evaluate the value of cytology of pure pancreatic juice (PPJ) and tumor marker determination in PPJ and serum for the diagnosis of early pancreatic cancer (EPC), PPJ was obtained endoscopically from 16 patients with EPC (< 20 mm, confined to pancreas), 16 patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP), and 20 controls. Cutoff levels of CEA, CA19-9, and POA in PPJ were set from ROC curves at 40 ng/ml, 7,500 U/ml, and 1.5 U/ml, respectively. For the differentiation of EPC from CP, the sensitivity of CEA, CA19-9, and POA was 71.4, 42.9, and 50%, respectively; specificity was 93.3, 46.7, and 80%, respectively; and diagnostic accuracy was 82.8, 44.8, and 65.5%, respectively. Determination of serum tumor markers was useless. Sensitivity of cytology was 75%, specificity was 93.8%, and diagnostic accuracy was 84.4%. Combined cytology and CEA determination in PPJ increased the diagnostic accuracy to 93.1%. The combination was useful in supporting and supplementing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) findings for the correct diagnosis in 11 and 4 patients, respectively, with EPC; in one patient EPC was correctly diagnosed on ERCP findings alone. One of 16 patients with CP showed false-positive results. We conclude that cytology and CEA determination in PPJ with ERCP is a useful combination for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer even in early stages.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

PubMed1994

A taxonomic review of the genera Kitasatosporia and Streptoverticillium by analysis of ribosomal protein AT-L30.

An analysis of the ribosomal AT-L30 proteins from 42 strains of 35 species belonging to the genera Streptomyces, Streptoverticillium, and Kitasatosporia and related genera revealed that all of the members of the genera Streptoverticillium and Kitasatosporia examined had the same sequence as Streptomyces exfoliatus or a highly homologous sequence and exhibited high levels of relatedness to Streptomyces lavendulae. These results strongly support the previous suggestion of Witt and Stackebrandt (D. Witt and E. Stackebrandt, Syst. Appl. Microbiol. 13:361-371, 1990) and Wellington et al. (E. M. H. Wellington, E. Stackebrandt, D. Sanders, J. Wolstrup, and N. O. G. Jorgensen, Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 42:156-160, 1992) that the genera Streptoverticillium and Kitasatosporia should be united with the genus Streptomyces on the basis of 16S rRNA data.

Actinomycetales↗

PubMed1994

Phylogenetic diversity in the genus Bacillus and comparative ribosomal protein AT-L30 analyses of the genus Thermoactinomyces and relatives.

The ribosomal L30 proteins from strains of 27 species belonging to the genera Bacillus, Escherichia, Staphylococcus, Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc and Thermoactinomyces were analysed, together with AT-L30 proteins from selected actinomycetes. The results of partial amino acid sequencing of L30 preparations revealed that the members of the genera Escherichia, Staphylococcus and Thermoactinomyces were homogeneous within each genus. In contrast, phylogenetic diversity existed in the genus Bacillus, which contained at least four clusters. One cluster that contained Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus stearothermophilus was more closely related to the genus Staphylococcus than to members of the other three Bacillus clusters. Members of the genus Thermoactinomyces were most closely related to the 'Bacillus subtilis cluster', but less related to the other three Bacillus clusters. A distant phylogenetic relationship was detected between the genus Thermoactinomyces and its morphological relative, Thermomonospora.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1994

[CD7 positive undifferenciated leukemia/lymphoma associated with leukemic pericarditis].

We report here a CD7 positive undifferenciated leukemia/lymphoma which showed a rapid clinical course. A 27-year-old female was complained of palpitation and edema. She had a mediastinal tumor and pericardial effusion. Lymphoblastic cells were found in the effusion, but in the peripheral blood initially. After admission the blast cells appeared in the peripheral blood, and they were revealed negative for peroxidase and had phenotype of CD7 and CD33 positive. The patient suffered from cardiac tamponade and died 15 days after admission. The Southern blotting of mediastinal tumor cells disclosed the germline configuration for TCR-beta a chain and the rearrangement of immunoglobulin heavy chain genes.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Secretory component and lactoferrin in pure pancreatic juice in chronic pancreatitis.

To evaluate pathophysiological roles of proteins in pancreatic secretion, immunoreactive lactoferrin (LF) and secretory component (SC) were measured in the first fraction of the pure pancreatic juice obtained endoscopically from 17 control, 21 suspected (SCP), 14 noncalcified (NCP), and 14 calcified chronic pancreatitis (CCP) subjects. The protein and amylase tended to decrease both in concentration and output from control to CCP. LF concentration was elevated in CCP (18.0 +/- 4.9 micrograms/ml) when compared with controls (2.3 +/- 0.2 micrograms/ml), and LF output in NCP (12.3 +/- 3.8 micrograms/min) was increased from controls (3.8 +/- 0.6 micrograms/min). The combination of high LF concentration with low protein output was observed in 10/14 in CCP but 0/14 in NCP and can be a biochemical discriminator of CCP from NCP. SC concentrations were also elevated in NCP (8.5 +/- 2.0 micrograms/ml) and CCP (5.6 +/- 1.6 micrograms/ml) from controls (1.2 +/- 0.2 micrograms/ml). SC outputs in SCP (9.8 +/- 3.1 micrograms/min) and NCP (21.1 +/- 4.8 micrograms/min) were increased from controls (1.7 +/- 0.3 micrograms/min), but there was no further increase in CCP. Hypersecretion of LF and SC in chronic pancreatitis is different, especially in CCP, although the mechanisms for hypersecretion are unknown.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Detection of c-Ki-ras point mutation from pancreatic juice. A useful diagnostic approach for pancreatic carcinoma.

Cytological diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma sometimes poses difficulties in distinguishing malignant from benign cells. Recent molecular study of pancreatic carcinoma has revealed a very high incidence of a point mutation of the c-Ki-ras oncogene at codon 12 in this neoplasm. To take advantage of this technique for the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma, we attempted to amplify the c-Ki-ras gene from endoscopically obtained pancreatic juice by isolation of DNA and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) coupled with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). PCR was possible in approx 70% of the cases. A point mutation was nonradioisotopically detected in 4 of 6 pancreatic carcinomas and in one intraductal papillary neoplasm, whereas no mutation was detected in other cases. Thus, this method was thought to be useful for the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma.

Codon↗

PubMed1993

A taxonomic review of the genus Microbispora by analysis of ribosomal protein AT-L30.

We analyzed the ribosomal AT-L30 proteins from 13 type strains of species belonging to the genera Microbispora and Actinomadura. The electrophoretic mobilities of the AT-L30 preparations from Microbispora strains, as determined by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, revealed that the members of the genus Microbispora are phylogenetically homogeneous. The results of partial amino acid sequencing of AT-L30 preparations from several representative Microbispora strains supported the separation of the genus Microbispora from other related genera. The amino acid sequences of the AT-L30 proteins from strains of species belonging to the genus Actinomadura sensu stricto displayed a diversity that exemplified the low levels of amino acid sequence homology within the genus. This diversity was considered to be a characteristic typical of the genus Actinomadura.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1993

Synthetic studies of vitamin D analogues. XIV. Synthesis and calcium regulating activity of vitamin D3 analogues bearing a hydroxyalkoxy group at the 2 beta-position.

Four vitamin D3 analogues (7a, 7b, 7c and 7d) bearing a hydroxyalkoxy group at the 2 beta-position were synthesized from the alpha-epoxide (5). The C-3 analogue (7b) showed the highest potency for elevating plasma calcium levels in rats. Furthermore, the 25-hydroxylated C-3 analogue (ED-71) (3), prepared from the 25-hydroxylated alpha-epoxide (9), significantly increased plasma calcium to levels much higher than those in rats administered 1 alpha,25-(OH)2-D3 (1).

Administration, Oral↗