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Biomedical subjects

K Tanimoto

Publications and source records attributed to K Tanimoto.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

Immunological aspects of Werner's syndrome: an analysis of 17 patients.

Several immunological assessments of the Werner syndrome are described, including detection of antibodies frequently found in autoimmune diseases and analysis of age-related changes of cell subpopulations. By using sensitive techniques such as fluorescence-activated cell sorting and solid-phase radioimmunoassay, anti-lymphocyte antibodies and anti-DNA antibodies were frequently detected in the sera from patients with the Werner syndrome. Anti-nuclear antibodies were also detected in a conventional manner; however, the titers of these antibodies were very low. Examination of cell populations revealed marked decreases in the T cell subsets reactive to both antilymphocytic antibodies and anti-brain associated T cell antigen antibodies.

Adolescent↗

Identification of a gene, tir of R100, functionally homologous to the F3 gene of F in the inhibition of RP4 transfer.

We detected a gene of R100 functionally homologous to the F3 gene of F in the inhibition of RP4 transfer. Using in vitro recombinant DNA techniques, we located the gene, designated tir, in a 0.9 kb region, 2,392-3,293 in the nucleotide sequence coordinate of R100. From the DNA sequence analysis of R100 (Ohtsubo unpublished results), a coding frame of polypeptides, whose molecular weight is estimated to be 24.1 kilodaltons (kd), was inferred to be the region tir. Furthermore, we showed that tir could not repress expression of the F3 gene.

Conjugation, Genetic↗

Additional genes essential for replication of the mini-F plasmid from origin I.

We isolated a series of Tn5-insertional mutants from the mini-F plasmid, which has a deletion in the origin II region and replicates exclusively from origin I, and found that the mutants that had Tn5 in either the F4 or the F5 gene were defective in their replication. It is concluded that, in addition to the F3 gene on which we have reported previously, both the F4 and the F5 genes are essential for the replication from origin I.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Decrease in the reaction of DNA repair synthesis in response to nicotinamide or 3-aminobenzamide in ultraviolet irradiated systemic lupus erythematosus lymphocytes.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) lymphocytes failed to accelerate ultraviolet (UV) induced DNA repair synthesis normally observed following inhibition of poly(adenosine diphosphoribose) polymerization. Without inhibitors of poly(adenosine diphosphoribose) polymerase such as nicotinamide or 3-aminobenzamide, DNA repair synthesis following UV irradiation was found to occur normally in the cells of patients. These data suggest that DNA repair is disturbed under special conditions in the lymphocytes of SLE patients.

Benzamides↗

Detection of antinuclear ribonucleoprotein (nRNP) antibody producing cells in peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with mixed connective tissue disease.

Antinuclear ribonucleoprotein (nRNP) antibody forming cells were detected in pokeweed mitogen activated peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from 5 of 6 patients with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) in the presence of rabbit antihuman IgG antiserum and guinea pig complement as hemolytic plaque forming cells (indirect PFC). In the absence of rabbit antihuman IgG antiserum, direct PFC were detected only in a case of PBL from the 6 patients. Although we have successfully detected mainly IgG anti-nRNP antibody forming cells in PBL from patients with MCTD, numbers of PFC did not correlate with the serum levels of IgG anti-nRNP determined by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗

Hereditary methemoglobinemia due to cytochrome b5 reductase deficiency in blood cells without associated neurologic and mental disorders.

Following the observation of two fraternal patients without neurologic symptoms, but with hereditary methemoglobinemia due to cytochrome b5 reductase deficiency in erythrocytic and nonerythrocytic cells, a familial study of their paternal and maternal relatives was undertaken. Ferrihemoglobin reductase activities in erythrocytes from the two patients were found to be impaired, and cytochrome b5 reductase activities in platelets and leukocytes were essentially absent. Any deficiencies of the enzyme activities seemed not to be found in nonhematopoietic cells. The enzyme activities in blood cells derived from the parents and some of their paternal and maternal family members showed levels intermediate between those of the patients and those of the normal control, which seemed to be heterozygous. The present cases did not belong to either the classic erythrocytic or the generalized type, and their enzyme deficiency was found rather to be restricted to their blood cells and not associated with neurologic and mental disorders. A necessity of diagnosis by tissues other than blood cells is discussed for a severe form of generalized-type hereditary methemoglobinemia with associated neurologic and mental disorders.

Adult↗

A simple and rapid microdiffusion method for blood ammonia using a reflectance meter and a reagent plate, and its clinical evaluation for liver diseases.

A simple and rapid procedure using 20 microliters of whole blood is described for estimating blood ammonia by means of a reflectance meter using a reagent plate, which operates by the principle of microdiffusion. The most suitable condition for microdiffusion was at 37 degrees C for 15 min, in which the standard curve was linear, and reproducibility and recovery were sastisfactory. Blood ammonia levels by this method correlate significantly with the values by an ion exchange method in 72 patients with liver disease (r = + 0.970, y = 1.13x - 11). The method has a distinct advantage in sensitivity, simplicity, and rapidity for blood ammonia determination.

Ammonia↗

Isolation of human erythrocyte membranes in glucose solution.

A method is described for the preparation or removal of erythrocyte membranes from hemolysates by a glucose solution. The procedure is simple and rapid, requiring centrifugation at 8000g for 2 min. The preparation has microscopic shape and two-dimensional peptide patterns similar to those of the membrane isolated by conventional procedures (10,000g for 20 min). The present procedure is suitable for dealing with a bulky preparation or for removal of erythrocyte membranes from large volumes of hemolysates to purify enzymes and proteins of soluble or membrane fractions.

Cell Fractionation↗

An essential gene for replication of the mini-F plasmid from origin I.

We constructed a series of defective mini-F plasmids, which have deletion(s) in the replication origin I and/or origin II, and their derivatives, which do not produce F3 protein, by insertion of the XhoI fragment of Tn5 into the XhoI site at 41.0 F (kilobases on the coordinate map of F-plasmid). Using these mutant mini-F plasmids, we found that F3 protein is essential for the replication of mini-F from origin I, but not from origin II.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Granulocyte collagenase and cathepsin B in patients with cancer of digestive organs.

Investigation of granulocyte collagenase and cathepsin B activities in 53 patients with cancer of various digestive organs revealed that total collagenase, active collagenase and cathepsin B activities were found to be higher than normal. The mean total collagenase activity in patients with cancer of the stomach, pancreas or liver was significantly higher than control values. The mean active collagenase activity in patients with cancer of the colon or liver was also significantly higher than control values. The mean cathepsin B activity in patients with cancer of the esophagus, colon or pancreas was significantly higher than control values. Active collagenase activity increased in advanced stage cases. Cathepsin B activity correlated significantly with active collagenase activity, but not with total collagenase activity, supporting the hypothesis that collagenases might be activated by cathepsin B. These results suggest that granulocyte collagenolytic enzymes, stimulated by some factors released from tumor cells, facilitate the invasion of tumor cells.

Cathepsin B↗

Circulating immune complexes in patients with bladder cancer and other malignancies of the urogenital tract.

Sera from 70 patients with bladder cancer, 26 patients with kidney cancer, and 20 patients with prostate cancer were studied for the presence of circulating immune complexes (CIC) utilizing the human red blood cell (HRBC) radioimmunoassay. Elevated CIC levels were found in 32% of patients with bladder cancer, 30% of patients with kidney cancer, and 20% of patients with prostate cancer. For comparison, CIC was also measured in 37 sera from patients with bladder cancer by the polyethylene glycol precipitation complement consumption (PEG-CC) test. 13 of them (35%) had elevated CIC levels. The correlation between the results of the two tests was significant. There were significant correlations between CIC levels and the extent of tumor invasion and the degree of malignancy in patients with bladder cancer. The elevation of CIC level was also significantly associated with poor prognosis of these bladder cancer patients. It is proposed that measurement of CIC in patients with bladder cancer by the HRBC radioimmunoassay may be useful to evaluate their stage, degree of malignancy, and prognosis.

Adult↗

Decreased serum levels of various hydrolytic enzymes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

It is known that the serum level of glycylproline aminopeptidase (Gly-Pro-AP) is decreased in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In the present study, the serum levels of various hydrolytic enzymes were tested in such patients. In comparison to the controls, many enzymes, including Ala-AP, Ser-AP, Phe-AP, Gly-Pro-AP, Gly-Pro-Leu-AP, dipeptidyl carboxypeptidase (angiotensin converting enzyme), and esterase, showed significantly decreased activities in the patients' sera. Only the activity of Trp-AP was significantly increased. Of these enzymatic activities in serum, several ones including those of Gly-Pro-AP, Ala-AP, Phe-AP, trypsin-like enzyme, and esterase, were significantly correlated with the severity of the disease. Although a part of these findings are compatible with previous observations, they suggest rather more extensive disorders of peptide metabolism in this immunological disease.

Acetylcholinesterase↗