Inhibition by cyclosporine of the production of superoxide radicals.
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Cells, Cultured↗
Biomedical subjects
K Uchida
Publications and source records attributed to K Uchida.
Formation of beta-galactosyl compounds of pyridoxine in growing culture of Sporobolomyces singularis.
Several pyridoxine compounds were found to be formed in a high yield in a growing culture of Sporobolomyces singularis containing lactose and pyridoxine. Three compounds, I, II and III, were isolated from cultured broth by Dowex 50W-X8 column chromatography, paper chromatography, lyophilization, and then obtained as needle crystals (m.p. (decomp.): I, 204-206 degrees C; II, 192-194 degrees C; III, 222-223 degrees C. [alpha]D16: I, -27.7 degrees (c = 3.82, H2O); II, -1.6 degrees (c = 2.52, H2O); III, +8.3 degrees (c = 3.98, H2O)). Compounds I, II and III were identified as 5'-O-(beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-pyridoxine, 4'-O-(beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-pyridoxine, and 4'-O-(beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1----4)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-pyrid oxi ne, respectively, on the basis of the various experimental results, viz., ultraviolet, infra-red, 1H-NMR, and 13C-NMR spectra, products by hydrolysis with acid and with alpha- and beta-galactosidases, migration on paper electrophoresis, and Gibbs reaction in the presence and absence of boric acid. Also, the yeast produced a remarkable amount of beta-glucosyl compounds of pyridoxine in cultured broth, when grown on cellobiose and pyridoxine.
Carbohydrate Sequence↗
Clinical significance of the vertebral vein in prostate cancer metastasis.
A total of 75 prostate cancer and 67 lung cancer patients with positive bone scintigrams were studied. The patterns of spread in the axial skeleton and pelvis were different between the groups. The differences in the distribution of bony metastases between prostate and lung are explained by the role of Batson's vertebral venous plexus. We developed an animal model of spinal bone metastasis to prove this route. As suspension of tumor cells was injected into the tail vein of mice with vena caval occlusion. This procedure reproducibly resulted in metastatic tumor growth in the lumbar region of the vertebral column. The prevalence of spinal bone metastasis is attributed to passage of tumor cells via the vertebral venous plexus.
Adenocarcinoma↗
Enhancement of host resistance to opportunistic infections by ubenimex (bestatin).
Ubenimex is a low molecular biological response modifier (BRM) which has been demonstrated to have antitumor and immunomodulatory activities. In this study, the effect of ubenimex on infection with Candida albicans was investigated in normal and immunosuppressed mice, and it showed a prophylactic effect. In normal mice, ubenimex prolonged survival time in a dose-dependent manner. In immunosuppressed mice treated with cyclophosphamide 4 days before infection, ubenimex at 5 mg/kg for 5 days significantly increased the number of survivors. Significant improvement in peritoneal leukocyte counts and in function of neutrophils including phagocytosis and release of activated oxygen was observed in ubenimex-treated mice. These results indicate that ubenimex is a potent BRM for prevention against opportunistic infections.
Animals↗
Immunomodulators and fungal infections: use of antifungal drugs in combination with G-CSF.
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Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
Helicobacter pylori infection induces a decrease in immunoreactive-somatostatin concentrations of human stomach.
Immunoreactive-somatostatin (ir-somatostatin) concentrations of the gastric mucosa and gastric juice with Helicobacter pylori infection were measured in the human stomach. One hundred seventy-one patients (106 males, 65 females; mean age, 52.0; range, 19-84 years) were registered. Gastric juice and mucosa were obtained with the usual endoscopy procedure. Somatostatin concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay. The ir-somatostatin concentrations in the H. pylori-negative group were significantly higher than in the positive group gastric mucosa, whereas its levels in gastric juice tended to decrease with H. pylori infection. There was an inverse correlation between luminal ammonia levels and ir-somatostatin concentrations of the gastric mucosa. On the other hand, ir-somatostatin concentrations of the gastric mucosa significantly decreased with chronic and active inflammatory change. This decrease was not correlated with the grade of active inflammation, which was in close relation to H. pylori infection, but with the grade of chronic inflammation. These results indicate that H. pylori may reduce ir-somatostatin concentrations of the human stomach and that its effect is partly mediated via luminal ammonia produced by H. pylori.
Adult↗
Three cell lines showing androgen-dependent, -independent, and -suppressed phenotypes, established from a single tumor of androgen-dependent Shionogi carcinoma 115.
We investigated the heterogeneity of cells in terms of androgen responsiveness within a single tumor mass of Shionogi carcinoma SC-115 showing androgen-dependent growth. After cloning of the tumor by the limiting dilution method in the presence of androgen, we isolated 40 clones at random. Twenty-two clones required androgen for growth (androgen-dependent phenotype), 16 did not (androgen-independent phenotype), and the remaining two clones showed growth inhibition when androgen was added (androgen-suppressed phenotype). In addition, 22 androgen-dependent clones showed heterogeneity in growth factor sensitivity in the absence of androgen. All clones were sensitive to both acidic and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF), 7 of 22 clones were sensitive to epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha, and 2 of 22 clones were sensitive to TGF-beta. This preexisting heterogeneity may be partly responsible for the growth of androgen-dependent tumor under hormone-deprived circumstances. Three typical clones, SC2G, SC1G, and SC4A, were selected from androgen-dependent, -independent, and -suppressed phenotypic groups, respectively. These clones, as well as original solid tumors, were found to produce heparin-binding growth factors of heterogeneous elution positions. The molecular nature of these growth factors is not yet known. Neither anti-basic FGF antibody nor anti-EGF antibody inhibited the cell growth when added in cell culture, suggesting the factors were distinct from basic-FGF and EGF.
Androgens↗
Effect of luminal administration of thyrotropin-releasing hormone or somatostatin on gastric pH and interaction of these peptides in rats.
The effect of intraluminal administration of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on gastric pH and release of luminal somatostatin, and a possible interrelationship between TRH and somatostatin in the rat stomach were studied. TRH was administered into the stomach via an intragastric tube at various doses (50 pg/kg-10 micrograms/kg) and gastric pH was measured after 15 min. The intraluminal administration of TRH significantly decreased gastric pH at doses over 1.0 ng/kg. Time-course studies at a dose of 100 ng/kg TRH exhibited a significant decrease in gastric pH at 15, 30 and 60 min. Furthermore, TRH administration caused a significant increase in immunoreactive-somatostatin (ir-somatostatin) concentrations in the gastric wall and a significant decrease in ir-somatostatin concentrations in the gastric juice. On the other hand, intraluminal administration of somatostatin caused a significant increase in ir-TRH concentrations in the gastric wall and a significant decrease in ir-TRH concentrations in the gastric juice, and significantly raised gastric pH at 5 min. These findings suggest that luminal TRH may exert a regulatory effect on gastric acid secretion, and that TRH may have a possible interaction with somatostatin in the modulation of gastric acid secretion.
Animals↗
Recombination and amplification of multiple portions of genomic DNA by a modified polymerase chain reaction.
A novel method, a modified polymerase chain reaction (mPCR), is reported for in vitro recombination and amplification of two or more regions of DNA located in distinct parts of a genome such as exons of a gene. The reaction consists of three stages. In the first stage, the portions are amplified individually with the aid of four or more primers. Of the primers, two (outside primers) are complementary to 3'-terminal parts of the objective, recombinant DNA, and the others (inside primers) are complementary to 3'-terminal parts of the other portions. Some of the inside primers have extra nucleotide sequences at their 5'-termini which are complementary to 5'-terminal parts of the portions to be recombined. In the second stage, the strands with complementary sequences in their 3'-terminal parts are annealed sequentially to one another and are converted to recombinant DNA with DNA polymerase. In the final stage, the objective DNA is amplified with the excess outside primers. The application of this method for in vitro recombination and amplification of three exons of the gene for human muscle-specific phosphoglycerate mutase is described.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Diffusion coefficient for O2 in plasma and mitochondrial membranes of rat cardiomyocytes.
Oxygen diffusion in plasma membranes and mitochondrial (Mt) membranes of ventricular myocytes isolated from adult rat hearts was measured using O2-induced fluorescence quenching of pyrene-butyric acid. The diffusion coefficient for oxygen (DO2 in 10(-6).cm2 x s-1) of the plasma membrane was 2.91 +/- 0.05 (37 degrees C) in the control group, which was significantly higher than that of Mt membrane (2.23 +/- 0.11) (P < 0.001). The DO2 of the plasma membrane was reduced to 2.50 +/- 0.08 (P < 0.001) in myocytes isolated from heart after 15 min reperfusion following no-flow ischemia for 30 min, while that of the Mt membrane remained almost unchanged. Administration of hydrogen peroxide and hypochlorous acid to the isolated myocytes also reduced the plasma membrane DO2. The decrease in the plasma membrane DO2 correlated with that in the fraction of rod-shaped myocytes. We conclude that the plasma membrane is more susceptible to reperfusion injury than the Mt membrane, but these membranes do not limit O2 uptake in the heart because of the high absolute values of DO2.
Animals↗
Chronic toxicity carcinogenicity studies of triethanolamine in B6C3F1 mice.
The chronic toxicity and carcinogenic potential of triethanolamine was examined in B6C3F1 mice. Triethanolamine, dissolved in distilled water at levels of 0 (control), 1, and 2%, was given to groups of 50 males and 50 females ad libitum in drinking water for 82 weeks. Neoplasms developed in all groups, including the control group, but no dose-related increase of the incidence of any tumor was observed in treated groups of both sexes. There were no adverse effects as regards survival of the mice, organ weights, and specific incidence of neoplasms in the treated, compared to the control group. This chronic toxicity test provides no evidence of carcinogenic potential of triethanolamine in B6C3F1 mice.
Animals↗
Signal transmission from pineal photoreceptors to luminosity-type ganglion cells in the lamprey, Lampetra japonica.
In order to study the signal transmission from pineal photoreceptors to luminosity (achromatic)-type ganglion cells of the lamprey, Lampetra japonica, the electrical activity of these cell groups was investigated using intra- and extracellular electrodes. By intracellular recording, it was shown that the photoreceptor cells responded to flashes of light with hyperpolarizations, and the ganglion cells also hyperpolarized with concurrent suppression of spike discharges. Concerning the slow membrane potentials, the light intensity-response relationships of both cell groups followed the Naka-Rushton hyperbolic function. The intensity range over which the ganglion cells responded was broader than that of the photoreceptors. The spectral sensitivity curve of the luminosity-type ganglion cell coincided with that of the photoreceptor, showing a peak sensitivity at 525 nm. Membrane resistance of the ganglion cells increased during light stimulation. These results suggest that the luminosity-type ganglion cell receives and integrates signals from photoreceptors with various light sensitivities, having a peak spectral sensitivity at 525 nm. The synaptic mechanism from the photoreceptors to the ganglion cell is a type of disfacilitation.
Animals↗
Deoxyribonucleic acid study on 2 XX male patients.
Two XX male patients were examined for the presence of 25 Y-specific loci using Southern blot analysis and polymerase chain reaction techniques. They were phenotypically normal male patients, although 1 had bilateral undescended testes and 1 had hypoplastic testes. The former patient had 10 of 11 loci on the short arm, while the latter lacked any of the 25 Y-specific loci. These findings may suggest the existence of a non-Y gene that is controlled by the testis-determining factor on the short arm of the Y chromosome and has a role in the testis formation in man.
Adult↗
Color Doppler flow imaging of CSF flow in an infant with intraventricular hemorrhage.
Evaluation of CSF flow was performed by means of the color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) technique. The motion of CSF was examined in an infant with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). With the aid of CDFI, CSF flow in the aqueduct, 3rd ventricle and foramen of Monro could be demonstrated. CSF flow in both upward and downward directions was clearly visualized, primarily reflecting cardiac pulsation and respiration. When he was subjected with intermittent positive pressure ventilation, during inspiration there was upward flow in the aqueduct, while during expiration there was downward flow. Our experience indicates that CDFI is a useful technique for examining the CSF circulation in infants with IVH.
Cerebral Hemorrhage↗
The first example of the McLeod phenotype in a Japanese baby with chronic granulomatous disease.
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Granulomatous Disease, Chronic↗
Observations on Culex quinquefasciatus Say in relation to transmission of filariasis due to subperiodic Wuchereria bancrofti in Samoa.
Observations on Culex quinquefasciatus Say in Samoa during a study of the epidemiology and control of subperiodic bancroftian filariasis are reported. The man-biting rate of C. quinquefasciatus was comparable with that of Aedes (Finlaya) samoanus Gruenberg in one indicator village and lower in another. The house-frequenting behaviour of the two species was similar. Culex quinquefasciatus was active throughout the night with peak biting during midnight hours, and its survivorship, estimated by two methods, was higher than those of the main vectors, A. (Stegomyia) polynesiensis Marks and A. samoanus. Culex quinquefasciatus showed low susceptibility to subperiodic Wuchereria bancrofti, compared with the two main vectors, in laboratory feeding experiments on volunteers with three levels of microfilaraemia. This agrees with the observed very low natural infection rate, suggesting that C. quinquefasciatus is an inefficient vector of subperiodic W. bancrofti in Samoa.
Animals↗
Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor facilitates the restoration of resistance to opportunistic fungi in leukopenic mice.
Administration of recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), which induces hemopoietic precursor cells to proliferate and differentiate into neutrophils, protected leukopenic mice infected with opportunistic fungi. Mice were injected with cyclophosphamide and were then subcutaneously (s.c.) or intravenously (i.v.) administered 15-120 micrograms G-CSF kg-1 day-1 for 3 days. The number of peripheral blood neutrophils in the G-CSF treated mice was significantly increased 48 h after G-CSF administration. All leukopenic mice infected with either Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans or Aspergillus fumigatus were significantly protected by treatment with the G-CSF. Moreover, G-CSF treatment caused a decrease in the number of viable yeasts in kidneys of Candida infected mice. These data suggest that prophylactic therapy with G-CSF may be useful against fungal infections in an immunocompromised host.
Animals↗
Colonic absorption of menaquinone-4 and menaquinone-9 in rats.
The colonic absorption of menaquinones was examined in rats by the in situ loop method. The overall disappearance of [14C]menaquinone-4 from the colonal loop was approximately 6% at 3 h and much slower than that of menadione. After administration of [14C]menaquinone-4 into the jejunal loop with bile, approximately 17% of unchanged menaquinone-4 was recovered in the lymph after 6 h, but none was found when the administration had been into the colonal loop. Portal absorption of menaquinone-4 from the colon was detected and the unchanged form (approximately 23% of the absorbed radioactivity) was identified in the mesenteric venous blood. When menaquinone-9 was administered into the colon, almost all was recovered from the colonal loop. No transfer of menaquinone-9 from the colon into the lymph or blood was observed at 6 h after dosing. The present observations indicate that only a part of bacterially produced menaquinones is absorbed from the colon via the portal pathway, but the absorption rates of menaquinones decrease markedly with an increase in the number of isoprenoid units.
Animals↗