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Biomedical subjects

K Oda

Publications and source records attributed to K Oda.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

Nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding pepstatin-insensitive acid protease B, scytalidopepsin B, of Scytalidium lignicolum.

A chromosomal DNA fragment of Scytalidium lignicolum that encodes the mature enzyme region of acid protease B (Scytalidopepsin B), was cloned and its nucleotides sequenced. The fragment contained a 76-bp intron at the middle of the mature enzyme-coding region. The mature enzyme was composed of 206 amino acid residues with a molecular weight of 21,550. There were some discrepancies between the amino acid sequence deduced from these results and that previously established by protein sequencing.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A novel proteinaceous Kex 2 proteinase inhibitor, kexstatin, from Streptomyces platensis Q268.

We found a novel proteinaceous Kex 2 proteinase inhibitor, named kexstatin, in the culture supernatant of Streptomyces platensis Q268. The purified kexstatin was homogeneous by SDS-PAGE and the molecular weight was estimated to be 13,000. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of kexstatin has high similarity to Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor (SSI), suggesting that kexstatin belongs to the SSI family. Kexstatin was a strong inhibitor of Kex 2 proteinase and subtilisin but not thermolysin, trypsin, or chymotrypsin. The IC50 value of kexstatin against 1 microgram of Kex 2 proteinase was 1.4 micrograms.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Substrate specificity of a novel alcohol resistant metalloproteinase, vimelysin, from Vibrio sp. T1800.

Vimelysin is a novel alcohol resistant metalloproteinase from Vibrio sp. T1800. The substrate specificity of vimelysin was studied by using natural and furylacryloyl dipeptide substrates. Vimelysin cleaved mainly Pro7-Phe8 bond and slightly Tyr4-Ile5 bond in human angiotensin I. Vimelysin also cleaved mainly Phe24-Phe25 and Tyr16-Leu17 bonds, and slightly His5-Leu6, His10-Leu11, Ala14-Leu15, and Gly23-Phe24 bonds in oxidized insulin B-chain. The substrate specificity of vimelysin, by using furylacryloyl (Fua) dipeptides were also studied. The ratio of kcat/Km for Fua-Gly-Phe-NH2/Fua-Gly-Leu-NH2, Fua-Phe-Leu-NH2/Fua-Gly-Leu-NH2, and Fua-Phe-Phe-NH2/Fua-Gly-Leu-NH2 were 15.9, 27.8, and 59.0, respectively. These results indicate that vimelysin easily recognizes phenylalanine in P1' positions, which is different from thermolysin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A novel alcohol resistant metalloproteinase, vimelysin, from vibrio sp. T1800: purification and characterization.

We found a novel metalloproteinase, which has high activity at low temperatures and in the presence of organic solvents, in the culture supernatant of a marine bacterium, Vibrio sp. T1800. The metalloproteinase, named vimelysin, was purified from the culture supernatant by three column chromatographies. About 150 mg of purified vimelysin was obtained from 3.3 liters of the culture supernatant with a high yield of 57%. The purified vimelysin showed a single protein band on SDS-PAGE with molecular weight of 38,000. The isoelectric point of vimelysin was 4.3 by isoelectric focusing. The optimum pH of vimelysin was pH 8.0 or pH 6.5 using casein or furylacryloyl-glycyl-leucine amide (FAGLA) as substrates, respectively. The optimum temperature of vimelysin was 50 degrees C when casein was used as a substrate, but it was 15 degrees C when FAGLA was used as a substrate. Interestingly, vimelysin activity was completely retained after 48 h of incubation at 25 degrees C in the presence of 50% ethanol. Moreover, vimelysin showed 40% activity of the control even in the presence of 10% ethanol, while thermolysin showed only 5% activity under the same conditions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The effect of reflex closure of the esophageal groove on bioavailability of oral sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim in ruminating calves.

The effect of reflex closure of the esophageal groove induced by the accustomed milking procedure on absorption of sulfamethoxazole (SMX)-trimethoprim (TMP) combination was examined, using calves trained to suck through a nipple-bucket. The experiment was carried out with a two-way cross-over design in which 2 groups of 5 calves of 6 weeks old were used. SMX-TMP combination was administered to the calves in each group through a nipple-bucket or an esophageal catheter. Tmax of SMX after nipple-bucket dosing was about 40 min shorter than that after catheter dosing. Cmax and AUC of SMX after the nipple-bucket dosing were 7.5 times greater and 6.9 times larger than those after the catheter dosing, respectively. Plasma TMP concentration was measurable only after the nipple-bucket dosing. These results suggest that a large portion of the drugs administered by the nipple-bucket dosing, which induces closure of the esophageal groove, were transferred directly into the abomasum resulting in higher bioavailabilities of the drugs.

Administration, Oral↗

A reference value for delta-aminolevulinic acid in plasma in the population occupationally unexposed to lead.

To obtain a reference value for delta-aminolevulinic acid in plasma (ALA-P), we determined ALA-P levels in 141 subjects (105 males and 36 females) without occupational exposure to lead. The distribution of ALA-P levels in males can be regarded to follow log-normal distribution and the geometric mean was 8.7 micrograms/l with 95% confidence interval of 6.0-12.5 micrograms/l. These data would be useful as a baseline for evaluating the relationship between ALA and its biological effects.

Adult↗

[Expression of CD44 variant isoforms in human primary colon carcinomas and metastasis].

The CD44 is a cell adhesion molecule that is present as numerous isoforms created by mRNA alternative splicing. A variety of human carcinomas display the overexpression of CD44 variant isoforms. To identify the relationship between the expression of CD44 variant isoforms and the metastatic potential of colon carcinomas, we performed a polymerase chain reaction analysis following reverse transcriptase treatment for CD44 expression in fresh surgical specimens obtained from 25 colon carcinomas and corresponding normal colonic mucosa. The CD44H, a common type of the CD44 isoform, was amplified from all carcinomas and normal tissues, whereas a splice variant form corresponding to CD44E was expressed in 19 out of 23 colon carcinomas (83%) and 7 out of 19 normal mucosa specimens (37%), suggesting that the CD44E expression was predominantly observed in colon carcinomas compared to normal tissues (p < 0.05). The multivariant form of CD44 was identified in 10 out of 23 carcinomas (44%) and 5 out of 19 normal samples (26%). The CD44E/CD44H (E/H) ratio was significantly higher in colon carcinomas than in normal mucosa (p < 0.01). However, neither the E/H ratio nor CD44 multivariant expression correlated with the clinicopathological features. These results suggest that CD44E expression and high E/H ratio are commonly observed in colon carcinomas and that the expression of the CD44 multivariants is not associated with clinicopathological parameters.

Aged↗

[A case report of surgical treatment for left ventricular papillary fibroelastoma].

A case of surgical treatment for left ventricular papillary fibroelastoma was reported. The patient was 75-year-old male who was admitted with complete A V block. Transesophageal echocardiogram revealed a mobile rounded mass (15 mm x 15 mm) in the LV attached to the IVS. On the basis of this echo finding, operation was performed. Under cardiopulmonary bypass, an incision was made in the ascending aorta and the tumor was successfully removed through the aortic valve. The postoperative course was uneventful. To our knowledge, our case is the 10th surgical case in the Japanese literatures.

Aged↗

[Evaluation of endoscopic pirarubicin-Lipiodol emulsion injection therapy for gastric cancer].

To investigate the effect on gastric cancer and metastatic lymph node, an emulsion made of pirarubicin and lipiodol mixture was injected around the lesion of the gastric cancer using gastrointestinal endoscopy. At the site of emulsion injection and lymph node, the concentration of the THP Lipiodol emulsion was enough despite injection more than 7 days before. This targeting therapy for metastatic lymph nodes was considered effective.

Adult↗

Assessment of antioxidative ability in brain: technetium-99m-meso-HMPAO as an imaging agent for glutathione localization.

UNLABELLED: To visualize the regional localization of glutathione (GSH) in the brain, the relationship between the concentrations of tissue GSH and uptake of [99mTc]meso-hexamethyl propyleneamine oxime ([99mTc] meso-HMPAO) or [99mTc]d,l-hexamethyl propyleneamine oxime ([99mTc]d,l-HMPAO) was studied in mice. METHODS: The uptake of [99mTc]meso-HMPAO in the mouse brain was decreased to 35% of control paralleling the decrease in GSH content by pre-loading of diethyl maleate (DEM), an agent to reduce GSH. In contrast, pre-treatment with DEM scarcely affected the 99mTc-d,l-HMPAO uptake in the brain. RESULTS: The DEM treatment decreased the GSH content in liver, kidney, spleen, fat and lung but did not affect the uptake of [99mTc]meso-HMPAO in those tissues except lung. The images of rat brain acquired with a gamma camera showed a significant reduction of [99mTc]meso-HMPAO uptake by DEM treatment. CONCLUSION: Technetium-99m-meso-HMPAO may be a potential tool to assess GSH content and to estimate antioxidative ability in the brain.

Animals↗

Cross-sectional serosurvey for Japanese encephalitis specific antibody from animal sera in Malaysia 1993.

Serum specimens were collected from 6 species of animals living in 9 states of Malaysia including Sabah, North Borneo in 1993. Antibodies against Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus in these sera were detected by means of hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) and neutralization (NT) tests. By HI test, 702 of 2,152 (32.6%) sera showed positive results. Higher positive rates were obtained by the NT test, in which 1,787 of 1,927 (92.7%) sera had antibodies against JE virus. All serum specimens with positive HI were confirmed as positive by the NT. Swine sera showed especially higher rates of antibody positive and higher antibody titers compared with other animals. These results suggest that JE infections are widely distributed among many animals of Malaysia, and pig is the most susceptible amplifier host for JE virus.

Animal Diseases↗

Increase in expression levels of interferon-inducible genes in senescent human diploid fibroblasts and in SV40-transformed human fibroblasts with extended lifespan.

The normal human fibroblast line, TIG-3 which senesces at around 80 population doubling levels (PDLs), expressed interferon (IFN)-inducible genes such as 6-16, 2', 5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (2,5-A) and HLA B7 near the end of the proliferative lifespan. Other normal fibroblast line such as MRC-5 also expressed IFN-inducible genes when senesced. Clones transformed with SV40 T-antigen, which extended their proliferative lifespan by about 20-30 PDLs, also expressed IFN-inducible genes during their extended life. Anti-IFN-beta antibodies added in culture medium repressed the expression of IFN-inducible gene in both normal senescent and life-extended SV40-transformed cells. IFN-beta repressed DNA synthesis in normal TIG-3 and induced IFN-inducible genes in both normal and SV40-transformed TIG-3. Conditioned medium recovered from life-extended SV40-transformed cells contained IFN-beta, but not IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha and possessed an activity that inhibited DNA synthesis of young TIG-3. Addition of anti-IFN-beta antibodies into the medium enhanced the serum-induced DNA synthesis of near senescent (91% lifespan completed) TIG-3, while it neither induced DNA synthesis in fully senescent TIG-3 nor extended the proliferative lifespan of TIG-3. These results suggest that normal and SV40-transformed human fibroblasts increase expression of IFN-beta with increasing proliferative age especially near the end of their lifespan resulting in induction of IFN-inducible genes and possibly in growth repression.

Cell Line↗

Active transcription of the pseudogene for subunit 7 of the NADH dehydrogenase in Marchantia polymorpha mitochondria.

A pseudogene, psi nad7, which has significant sequence similarity (66.7% amino acid identity) with the bovine nuclear gene for a 49 kDa subunit of the NADH dehydrogenase (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase, EC 1.6.99.3), has been identified on the mitochondrial genome of the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha. The predicted coding region, which includes six termination codons, is actively transcribed into RNA molecules of 16 and 9.6 kb in length, but RNA splicing products were not detected in the liverwort mitochondria. Genomic DNA blot analysis and RNA blot analysis using poly(A)+ RNA suggest that a structurally related nuclear gene encodes the mitochondrial ND7 polypeptide. These results imply that this psi nad7 is a relic of a gene transfer event from the mitochondrial genome into the nuclear genome during mitochondrial evolution in M. polymorpha.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Adenovirus E1A-induced apoptosis elicits a steep decrease in the topoisomerase II alpha level during the latent phase.

The human KB derivative cell line MA1, established by introduction of the adenovirus E1A 12S cDNA linked to the hormone-inducible promoter, elicits apoptosis upon treatment with dexamethasone. The cell lines partially refractory to apoptosis were established by introducing the expression plasmid for the adenovirus E1B 19k protein to MA1 cells. After induction of E1A in MA1 cells by dexamethasone, the level of p53 increased to about 10-fold within 24 h, and morphological changes characteristics of apoptosis began to be observed within 48 h. Most of cells were killed at 72 h releasing apoptotic bodies. The level of topoisomerase II alpha began to decrease steeply within 36 h, preceding the onset of DNA degradation while its mRNA level unchanged throughout the apoptotic process. E1B 19k protected the decrease in topoisomerase II alpha as well as DNA fragmentation depending on its expression levels. Topoisomerase II alpha is induced specifically at G2/M, and computer search revealed the presence of cyclin B type destruction box in topoisomerase II alpha. These results strongly suggest that E1A or E1A stabilized p53 induces apoptosis by targeting topoisomerase II alpha to the ubiquitination pathway and E1B 19k alleviates its action.

Adenovirus E1A Proteins↗

Investigation of EB virus and cytomegalovirus in rapidly progressive interstitial pneumonitis in polymyositis/dermatomyositis by in situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction.

In polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM), a rapidly progressive interstitial pneumonitis (RPIP) which is a fatal complication of unknown etiology has received increasing attention. We have encountered 9 RPIP cases among 150 PM/DM cases in the past 10 years. To investigate the pathogenic role of viruses in RPIP, we examined lung specimens from patients with RPIP in PM/DM for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in situ hybridization (ISH). We analyzed 21 specimens from RPIP in PM/DM (n = 9), collagen diseases (n = 6; 4 had interstitial lung disease), and controls (n = 6). EBV was frequently detected in RPIP (7/9 by PCR 3/9 by ISH), but was also detected in other collagen diseases of the lungs. In lung specimens from both patients with RPIP in PM/DM and those with collagen diseases, EBV was significantly detected (13/15 by PCR, 5/15 by ISH, P < 0.005) compared to controls (1/6 by PCR, 0/6 by ISH). CMV was detected by ISH in 2 RPIP patients but in none of he others, though by PCR CMV was detected equally in the three groups studied. These findings indicate that a direct involvement of EBV or CMV in RPIP of PM/DM is unlikely, although it is possible that an immune response to latent viruses or viral products in PM/DM may have a role in the pathogenesis of the RPIP.

Adult↗

Down-regulation of the cyclin A promoter in differentiating human embryonal carcinoma cells is mediated by depletion of ATF-1 and ATF-2 in the complex at the ATF/CRE site.

The human embryonal carcinoma cell line NEC14 can be induced to differentiate by the addition of N,N'-hexamethylene-bis-acetamide (HMBA). After treatment with HMBA, the level of cyclin A transcript decreased steeply, reaching less than one-tenth of the original level by 48 h. The promoter elements concerned with this down-regulation were studied by using reporter genes and by analyzing DNA-protein complexes. The deletion of the sequence between -608 and -259 containing three GC boxes decreased the promoter activity to about a half, and further deletion up to -194, eliminating the ATF/CRE site, resulted in a decrease to about a tenth of the original level in undifferentiated NEC14 cells. These sequences were involved in down-regulation of the promoter activity in differentiation-induced NEC14 cells. DNA-protein complexes formed at the ATF/CRE site with extracts prepared from undifferentiated and differentiation-induced cells gave the same footprint, but showed different electrophoretic mobilities. The supershift assay with specific antibodies against ATF-1 and ATF-2 indicated that both factors were depleted in the complex after induction of NEC14 cell differentiation. Both the ATF/CRE site and GC boxes seemed to be also involved in up-regulation of the cyclin A promoter in growth-stimulated human fibroblasts at the G1/S boundary.

Acetamides↗

Frantz's tumor (solid and cystic tumor of the pancreas) with liver metastasis: successful treatment and long-term follow-up.

A rare case of Frantz's tumor with liver metastasis is reported. An 11-year-old girl had local resection of a Frantz's tumor in the head of the pancreas. Ten years later, she had a recurrence in the pancreatic head, and two liver metastases were also disclosed at reoperation. Pancreaticoduodenectomy and enucleation of metastatic lesions in the liver were performed. Six years after the second operation, she is well and free of disease. A review of 174 cases of Frantz's tumor disclosed that metastatic disease in the pediatric age group is extremely rare and yet the prognosis is favorable. On the other hand, the outcome in older patients, especially those over 40 years old, is very poor.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗