Biomedical subjects

K Uchida

Publications and source records attributed to K Uchida.

At least 955 records · Page 53Linked to original sources

PubMed1992

Qualitative and quantitative changes in islet cells of autotransplanted pancreas in dogs in relation to glucose metabolism.

This study was conducted to clarify the quantitative and qualitative changes in the cells of the islets of Langerhans in the autotransplanted pancreas in dogs and to correlate these changes with alterations of glucose tolerance. The left lobe of a canine pancreas was transplanted into the left iliac fossa. The splenic vessels were anastomosed to the left iliac vessels. The pancreatic duct was left open to the peritoneal cavity. Open biopsies of the autotransplanted pancreas were performed 3, 7, 11, and 14 weeks after transplantation. The islets in the transplanted pancreas were examined ultrastructurally; B-cells, A-cells, and D-cells were identified immunohistochemically and their percentages were determined. Intravenous glucose tolerance tests were performed 3, 5, 7, 11, and 14 weeks after operation, and several indexes (K values and integrated response and increased values for baseline serum and immunoreactive insulin) were calculated. Fibrosis of the transplanted pancreas progressed after transplantation. The percentage of B-cells fell significantly (p < 0.01), whereas that of A- and D-cells did not have significant changes. The ultrastructural study revealed an increase in collagen bundles, degranulation of B-cells, and marked preservation of A-cell granules 3 weeks after transplantation. B-Cells with dark cytoplasm were found 7 weeks after operation. In contrast, clusters of immature B-cells were seen in some sections of the pancreas 14 weeks after autotransplantation. The integrated response in baseline serum was increased significantly (p < 0.01), and the K value was decreased significantly (p < 0.01) 11 weeks after autotransplantation when compared with the initial posttransplant period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1992

The significance of HLA-DRB1 matching in clinical renal transplantation.

We analyzed the genotype for HLA-DRB1 alleles by digestion of polymerase chain reaction-amplified genes with the restriction endonucleases (PCR-RFLP) method to investigate the influence of HLA-DR antigen "splits" at the DRB1 gene level on the incidence of acute graft rejection in the renal transplant. For all patients, the incidence of acute rejection was proportional to the number of the serological HLA mismatch (0% in patients with two-haplotype match; 18% with HLA-A, -B, and -DR zero mismatch; 33% with HLA-DR zero mismatch; and 48% with HLA-DR one mismatch). For the patients with serological HLA-DR zero mismatch, the incidence of acute rejection in patients with HLA-DRB1 one mismatch (10/13: 77%) was significantly higher than that in those with zero mismatch (2/27: 7%). It was concluded that genotyping for HLA-DRB1 alleles would be beneficial in predicting acute rejection in patients with serological HLA-DR zero mismatch, although no difference was noted in the graft survivals.

Alleles↗

PubMed1992

Purification and characterization of secretory proteinase of Candida albicans.

Proteolytic activity of medically important yeasts was tested in both YCB-BSA agar and medium. All of 134 strains of Candida albicans, 13 of 18 strains of Candida tropicalis and 11 of 18 strains of Candida parapsilosis had this activity, while none of 52 Candida glabrata strains or of 11 Cryptococcus neoformans strains tested had proteolytic activity. Strains of C. albicans fell into five groups based on the level and time-course of in vitro proteinase productivity. Five strains randomly selected from each group were tested for pathogenicity in mice. The strain possessing the strongest pathogenicity was used to purify proteinase. The molecular weight of the proteinase was approximately 44,000 daltons and its isoelectric point was pH 4.2. Optimal pH of the proteinase was 3.2 and the enzyme was stable below pH 7.0 and lost its activity above pH 8.0 at 37 C in a 60-min incubation. The 23 amino acid sequence of the proteinase N-terminus was determined.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Comparison of secretory acid proteinases from Candida tropicalis, C. parapsilosis and C. albicans.

Acid proteinases secreted by Candida tropicalis and C. parapsilosis were newly isolated. Their physico-chemical and enzymatic properties of molecular weight, pH stability, isoelectric points, specific activity, and N-terminal amino acid sequences were determined and compared with those of a C. albicans acid proteinase. The two acid proteinases secreted by C. parapsilosis were found to be new enzymes in their molecular weights. The acid proteinases from C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis showed lower activity at neutral pH, less resistance to neutral and alkaline pH than that from C. albicans, and a half or a third of the specific activity of the C. albicans enzyme. These differences seemed to be associated with the difference of pathogenesis between Candida species. Of the 31 N-terminal amino acids, the enzymes of these three Candida species revealed 12 homologous amino acids.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Delayed DNA synthesis induced by 3-aminobenzamide in partially hepatectomized liver of rats.

The possibility of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation playing a role during liver regeneration induced by partial hepatectomy (PH) in vivo was examined. When rats were given an i.p. injection of 3-aminobenzamide (ABA) at a dose of 600 mg/kg body weight 12 h after PH, the levels of DNA synthesis at 20 h after PH were significantly reduced. The time course of DNA synthesis in regenerating liver was significantly delayed in the ABA-treated group. Enzymatic assay revealed the activity of poly-(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PADPRP) in controls to be increased in parallel with the increase of DNA synthesis induced by PH. This increase in PADPRP activity was delayed and very much weaker after ABA treatment. The results thus suggested that poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation might play an important role in DNA synthesis during liver regeneration in vivo.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Maintenance of androgen-, glucocorticoid- or estrogen-responsive growth in shionogi carcinoma 115 subline sustained in castrated mice with high dose of estrogen for 30 generations (3 years).

Shionogi carcinoma 115 (SC115), an androgen-dependent mouse mammary tumor, rapidly loses its androgen responsiveness after androgen withdrawal. The growth of this tumor can also be stimulated by high doses of estrogen or glucocorticoid. In the present study, the maintenance of hormone-responsive growth of SC115 tumors with a high dose of estrogen was examined in castrated male mice using an SC115 subline obtained by serial transplantations of SC115 tumors in estrogen-treated castrated mice for 3 years (30 generations) (subline E2). Seed tumors from both SC115 and subline E2 could rapidly grow in castrated mice given daily injections of testosterone propionate (TP), 17 beta-estradiol (E2), or dexamethasone (Dex) (100 micrograms/mouse/day) but not in those given vehicle alone. Although SC115 and subline-E2 tumors grown with TP or Dex showed temporary regression after steroid withdrawal, the tumors grown with E2 did not show such temporary regression. The TP-, E2-, or Dex-induced growth of subline-E2 tumors was almost the same as that of the original SC115 tumors. However, responsiveness to androgen, estrogen or glucocorticoid of both tumors disappeared within one passage in steroid-depleted castrated mice. The present findings demonstrate that the loss of responsiveness to androgen as well as to high doses of estrogen or glucocorticoid of SC115 tumors can be prevented in castrated mice not only with androgen but also with high doses of estrogen.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Vertical transmission of HTLV-1 in HTLV-1 carrier rat.

A female F344 rat was injected with 2.4 x 10(6) MT-2 cells intravenously at 3 and 4 weeks old, and was mated with a non-infected male rat at the 17th week after injection, when the dam rat contained HTLV-1 provirus in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells as determined by polymerase chain reaction. HTLV-1 provirus was detected in at least 2 out of 9 offspring. This system should be useful for studies on the routes and prevention of vertical transmission and on elimination of once-transmitted HTLV-1.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

[Rapid and direct detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and mycobacteria in sputum by advanced method, PCR].

We developed two PCR methods, which amplify bovine tuberculous MPB70 gene and mycobacterial 16S rRNA gene, for detection of tubercle bacilli and mycobacteria in sputum, respectively. Among 27 Mycobacterium species and 57 species of 30 genuses other than Mycobacterium, only M. tuberculosis (TB) complex, i.e., M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. africanum, M. microti showed DNA amplification by PCR for MPB70, and amplification of 16S rRNA gene were observed specific in Mycobacterium species. A combination of these PCR abilities were available to differentiate the TB complex and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). We investigated the correlation between these methods and conventional methods with 311 sputa that were suspected mycobacteriosis. The PCR method could detect 12 cases of TB complex and 4 cases of NTM in 17 specimens, which were positive by conventional methods, but could not for one specimen. Among 294 specimens that were negative with conventional methods, the PCR method detected 13 and 8 cases of TB complex and NTM, respectively. These results were confirmed by commercial tuberculous specific DNA probe or investigation of the clinical background of the patients. On the other hand, 273 specimens showed negative result either PCR nor conventional methods. The PCR method did not detect tuberculous DNA in normal 197 sputa, which were not suspected mycobacteriosis. These results indicate that each one of these PCR methods is highly specific to TB complex or Mycobacterium species. We concluded that these PCR methods are useful and advanced methods for rapid and direct detection of tuberculosis and mycobacteriosis.

DNA, Bacterial↗

PubMed1992

Sustained activation of PGE2 synthesis in mesangial cells cocultured with glomerular endothelial cells.

Glomerular endothelial cells synthesize and release endothelin-1 (ET-1), and mesangial cells, normally closely apposed to endothelial cells in vivo, respond to ET-1 with contraction, proliferation, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release. This study sought to determine whether chronic coculture of mesangial cells with glomerular endothelial cells alters mesangial cell PGE2 synthesis. Mesangial cells cocultured with endothelial cells were found to release PGE2 at rates much greater than those observed in mesangial cells not cocultured with endothelial cells. This effect persisted for at least 24 h after the mesangial cells were removed from coculture with endothelial cells. The increase in basal mesangial cell PGE2 synthesis was dependent on endothelial cell-derived ET-1. Despite the increase in basal PGE2 synthesis after coculture with endothelial cells, acute ET-1-stimulated PGE2 release was markedly blunted in mesangial cells that had been cocultured with endothelial cells when compared with mesangial cells in solo-culture. This lack of responsiveness was specific for ET-1 and resulted from a profound downregulation of mesangial cell endothelin receptors. Thus coculture with endothelial cells produces two apparently opposing and ET-1-dependent effects in mesangial cells, namely a sustained increase in basal PGE2 synthesis by the cells and a loss of responsiveness to further stimulation with ET-1. It is postulated that the induction of sustained PGE2 synthesis may also occur in vivo if endothelin release from endothelial cells is stimulated and may explain, in part, the extraordinary sensitivity of some patients with glomerular disease to cyclooxygenase inhibitors.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Tetrahydrobiopterin-dependent functional recovery in 6-hydroxydopamine-treated rats by intracerebral grafting of fibroblasts transfected with tyrosine hydroxylase cDNA.

Fibroblasts (NRK-49F) were transfected with human type 2 tyrosine hydroxylase (TH; EC 1.14.16.29) cDNA, to clarify the mechanism involved in amelioration of parkinsonism by intracerebral grafting of catecholaminergic neurons and to investigate its possible use as a donor material. These genetically manipulated fibroblasts did not develop into a mass of tissue, and survived well in the host striatum. Expression of the TH minigene in the cells was successful even when they were transplanted into the host brain. Intracerebral microdialysis revealed that a measurable amount of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) was not spontaneously released from the implanted cells into the host striatum. However, release of a large amount of L-DOPA from the cells was observed when (6R)-L-erythro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) was perfused through a dialysis probe. Finally, we investigated whether these BH4-dependent L-DOPA-secreting fibroblasts are able to ameliorate the abnormal behavior of 6-hydroxydopamine-treated rats. Apomorphine-induced rotating behavior was not reversed by the grafting alone, whereas a marked reduction in drug-induced circling was observed temporarily after BH4 was perfused around the implanted cells. These findings indicate that TH cDNA-transfected non-neuronal cells might be able to be used as donor material for intracerebral grafting and ameliorate the abnormal behavior of rats with experimental Parkinson's disease.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Successful resection of pheochromocytoma in a hemodialysis patient.

A 45-year-old woman with a pheochromocytoma who had been on regular hemodialysis for 4 years and underwent successful surgery is described. Careful preoperative management, including the use of prazosin and weight control, was carried out to prevent severe intraoperative and postoperative cardiovascular complications. Prazosin was given at an initial dose of 0.5 mg/day, and the dosage was increased to 20 mg/day prior to surgery. The increase in intravascular volume led to a gain of 3 kg in body weight. No deterioration of the cardiovascular or respiratory function was caused by these maneuvers, and surgery was performed without significant complications except for a rapid rise of blood pressure during tumor resection. To our knowledge, only one similar case report could be found in the English literature.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

PubMed1992

Effect of serotonin on the immunoreactive thyrotropin-releasing hormone concentrations of the rat stomach.

The effects of serotonin and its related compounds on immunoreactive thyrotropin-releasing hormone (ir-TRH) concentrations of the rat stomach wall and gastric juice were studied. Either serotonin, cyproheptadine or GR38032F was injected intraperitoneally, and the rats were decapitated at various times after the injection. ir-TRH concentrations of the stomach wall and gastric juice were measured by radioimmunoassay, and gastric serotonin concentrations were measured by HPLC. ir-TRH concentrations of the stomach wall decreased, and ir-TRH concentrations of gastric juice increased significantly after serotonin injection. On the other hand, both cyproheptadine and GR38032F did not affect ir-TRH concentrations of the stomach. The effects of serotonin on ir-TRH concentrations of the stomach were significantly blocked by the pretreatment of cyproheptadine and GR38032F. The reciprocal changes of gastric ir-TRH and serotonin concentrations were observed without changes in gastric juice pH. These findings suggest that serotonin stimulates ir-TRH release from the stomach wall into gastric juice, and the effects of serotonin on ir-TRH release may be partly mediated via 5-HT2- and 5-HT3-receptors.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Cerebral infarction associated with protein C deficiency.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A deficiency of plasma protein C, both the hereditary and acquired types, is one cause of thromboembolic disease. Several antineoplastic agents have been reported to decrease the production of protein C in the liver by impairing either the absorption or metabolism of vitamin K, leading to acquired protein C deficiency. CASE DESCRIPTION: We treated a young woman with protein C deficiency, who had developed a cerebral infarction of the right parietal cortex of sudden onset. On admission, the antigenic level of plasma protein C was 38%. Serial cerebral angiography revealed occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery, which subsequently recanalized completely. This patient had taken fluorouracil derivatives orally for as long as 3 years following a left mastectomy for stage II breast cancer. Tests revealed that the patient's mother had only one-half the normal activity of plasma protein C despite a normal antigenic level. CONCLUSIONS: We speculate that the etiology of the cerebral infarction in this patient might involve an embolic mechanism associated with protein C deficiency induced by an interaction between inherited and acquired factors.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Markers of a hypercoagulable state following acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The nature of hematologic disorders in different stroke subtypes remains uncertain. The purpose of this study was to clarify the differences in the coagulation and fibrinolytic activities among ischemic stroke subtypes. METHODS: We performed sequential measurements of hematologic parameters in 21 patients with acute cardioembolic stroke, 10 patients with atherothrombotic stroke, 23 patients with lacunar stroke, and 20 age-matched controls. RESULTS: A marked elevation of plasma concentrations of the thrombin-antithrombin III complex and crosslinked D-dimer was observed only in cardioembolic stroke within 48 hours of onset (p less than 0.01), persisting for one month with a gradual decline. In atherothrombotic stroke, however, the level of crosslinked D-dimer was not elevated at the onset, but increased seven days after onset (p less than 0.01). No significant changes in these marker levels were observed in lacunar stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the nature of altered coagulation and fibrinolysis are different in various subtypes of ischemic stroke, and that an assessment of these hematologic parameters may be useful for the early classification of these subtypes.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1992

Gene analysis of heterozygous protein C deficiency in a patient with pulmonary arterial thromboembolism.

A 16-yr-old male patient with heterozygous protein C deficiency developed acute pulmonary thromboembolism. The patient had low levels of plasma protein C antigen and activity (33 and 35% of normal, respectively). Analysis of the protein C gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing revealed a nucleotide substitution (Arg169CGG----Trp169 TGG) in exon VII. This mutation is identical with protein C Tochigi, and the substituted amino acid is located at the cleavage site of the activation peptide of protein C. The mutant sequence was also detected in the mRNA transcripts of protein C gene. These results suggest that the possible mechanism of plasma protein C reduction is impaired stability or susceptibility to protein degradation during intracellular processing or after secretion into plasma. As this is a third independent case of protein C Tochigi with thromboembolism, the mutation of Arg169 (CGG) to Trp169 (TGG) in the protein C gene may be a "hot spot" and a common type of genetic lesion in congenital protein C deficiency with thromboembolic complications.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Platelet aggregation inhibitors and inotropic constituents in Pyrolae herba.

The chloroform-soluble and n-butyl alcohol-soluble fractions of water extract of Pyrolae Herba inhibited platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid and showed a positive inotropic effect. A new naphthoquinone and a new tetralone derivative and known chimaphilin, acetovanillon, and toluhydroquinone were isolated as active constituents. Three new tetralone derivatives were also obtained from an active fraction. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Platelet aggregation inhibitors from Populus sieboldii Miquel.

The water extract of Populus sieboldii Miquel (Salicaceae) inhibited arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation. Pyrocatechol and salicyl alcohol were isolated as active constituents. Pyrocatechol showed an inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid with IC100 value of 4 microM, which was 25 times more potent than aspirin.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal↗

PubMed1992

A novel class of platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonists. I. Synthesis and structure-activity studies on PAF-sulfonamide isosteres.

New platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonists, 3 were synthesized by replacing the charged phosphate and trimethylammonium moieties with sulfonamide and heterocyclic quaternary ammonium functionalities, respectively (PAF-sulfonamide isosteres). Darmstoff phosphatidic acid analogues of this class (Darmstoff-sulfonamide isosteres), 6 were also synthesized. The activity of these compounds as PAF antagonists was evaluated from their in vitro inhibitory effect on PAF-induced platelet aggregation in rabbit platelet-rich plasma. Among the compounds tested, some of the 2-methoxypropane derivatives with an octadecylcarbamoyloxy or octadecylcarbamoylthio side chain at the 1-position and a propylsulfonamide function bearing a terminal polar substituent such as a quaternary quinolinium or substituted quinolinium group at the 3-position were found to be the most potent (IC50 = 0.3-0.6 microM).

Animals↗