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Biomedical subjects

M Aoki

Publications and source records attributed to M Aoki.

At least 685 records · Page 38Linked to original sources

Naturally occurring cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursors with specificity for an Ig idiotype.

The humoral response to the p-azobenzenearsonate hapten in the A/J mouse includes the major cross-reactive idiotype associated with anti-p-azobenzenearsonate (CRIA) found in all immunized mice. Limiting dilution cultures of non-immunized spleen cells of A/J mice with irradiated B hybridoma cells bearing the Ig idiotype, CRIA, in the presence of T cell growth factors developed cytotoxic activity against the CRIA-bearing hybridoma; in some wells this activity was completely abrogated by an anti-idiotype mAb specific for CRIA or by a univalent hapten antigen, tyrosine-p-azobenzenearsonate, indicating the existence of cytotoxic T cell precursors (CTL-P) specific for one or more idiotopes of CRIA in normal spleen cells. The CTL clones lysed targets in a H-2D-restricted manner and were cytotoxic for CRIA-bearing hybridoma lines, but not for CRIA-non-bearing, IgG1k-bearing hybridoma lines. These CTL-P were detected at a high frequency (1/4,500 to 1/10,000) in a spleen cell population of non-immunized, relatively aged A/J mice (16 to 30 wk of age), and at a lower frequency in spleen cells of younger A/J mice (8 wk of age). However, they were not detected in normal spleen cells of B10.A (CRIA-non-producer) mice at any age (less than 1/6 x 10(5)). Normal Ighd-congenic C.AL-20 mice (16 wk of age), that are CRIA producers had as a high frequency of the CTL-P as did A/J mice, whereas normal Ighb-congenic C.B-20 mice (CRIA-non-producers) had none. In the spleen cells of the CRIA-producers, cytotoxicity of the CTL-P developed only in cultures with small numbers of seeding cells. They were completely absent in cultures with greater numbers of cells; this may be due to the presence of suppressor cells of lower frequency but greater potency. In lymph node cells or PBL of relatively aged A/J mice, the CTL-P were also detected, but only in cultures containing higher cell numbers, and at low frequency (between 1/5 x 10(5) to 1/2 x 10(6)). In thymocytes of 8-wk-old A/J mice, they were occasionally detected at very low frequency (less than or equal to 1/1 x 10(6)), but were not present in the bone marrow cells at any age. These results demonstrate the high incidence of the generation of CTL-P specific for an autologous Ag, and indicate that CRIA on B cells may induce CTL specific for CRIA. However, the development of CTL-P may be inhibited by co-existent suppressor cells under normal conditions.

Animals↗

Wakefulness during the induction with high-dose fentanyl and oxygen anesthesia.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the state of wakefulness during the induction of anesthesia with high-dose fentanyl using the isolated forearm technique. Ten patients scheduled for elective cardiovascular surgery were premedicated with morphine (0.15 mg/kg) and scoploamine (0.3-0.4 mg) intramuscularly one hour before induction. The induction of anesthesia was performed by intravenous administration of 100 micro g/kg of fentanyl in 15 min or over. The pneumatic tourniquet applied on the left upper arm was inflated to 220-240 mmHg after 10 micro g/kg of fentanyl was given and then pancuronium was administered. Verbal commands were given to the patient after 25, 50, 75 and 100 micro g/kg of fentanyl was administered. Eight patients out of 10 responded to the verbal commands after administration of 25 micro g/kg of fentanyl. Six patients also responded after administration of 100 micro g/kg of fentanyl and diazepam 5 mg was given to prevent tachycardia and rigidity during endotracheal intubation. Muscle rigidity and tachycardia were noticed in three and four patients respectively. These complications disappeared by diazepam administration. It was noted that wakefulness frequently occurred during the induction by high-dose fentanyl and oxygen anesthesia. To prevent such wakefulness therefore, it is necessary to use anesthetic supplements which do not cause cardiovascular depression.

Journal Article↗

Anatomical evidence for the re-crossing of lateral corticospinal fibers via the posterior gray commissure in the cat spinal cord.

This study demonstrated the projections of the corticospinal tract (CST) by using the anterograde transport of wheat germ agglutinin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP). Following injection of WGA-HRP into the pre- and post-cruciate cortices (somatosensory area) on one side, labeled fibers were found in the spinal cord both in the lateral and in the anterior CSTs; both crossed, and uncrossed. The most conspicuous labeling was found in the crossed lateral CST. In addition, labeled lateral CST fibers were seen to recross via the posterior gray commissure. These re-crossed lateral CST fibers were most frequently observed in the cervical spinal segments.

Afferent Pathways↗

[Monolayer culture of pancreatic islet cells of the adult rat: effect of 2-deoxy-2-fluoroglucose].

In the present study, the culture system for preparing monolayer islet cells of the neonatal rat was applied and modified for use with the pancreas of the adult rat. In this procedure, whole pancreatic tissues were enzymatically dispersed and then cultured for 30 days in TCM 199 medium with either 5.5 mM glucose or 5.5 mM glucose plus 1 mM 2-deoxy-2-fluoroglucose. Under culture conditions without 2-deoxy-2-fluoroglucose, the responsiveness of B cells was totally abolished by day 20 of culture. The addition of 2-deoxy-2-fluoroglucose destroyed fibroblasts selectively in a period of 20 days, yielding the monolayers mostly consisting of islet cells, and the morphological characteristics were well preserved at the end of the culture study period. After culture for 20 days in medium with 2-deoxy-2-fluoroglucose, insulin secretion was raised in a dose-dependent fashion due to the increasing concentrations of glucose, leucine and 2-ketoisocaproate. The dose-response curve for insulin secretion evoked by glucose was sigmoid with a Km of 7 mM glucose, and the secretion threshold was observed at a concentration of between 2.8 and 5.5 mM glucose. The ratios of the maximum level to the basal were 6, 5 and 3 respectively for glucose, leucine and 2-ketoisocaproate. The secretory competence was preserved in the B cells on day 30 as well. Addition of epinephrine or clonidine inhibited the glucose-induced insulin secretion dose-dependently. At a concentration of 10(-7) M, both drugs produced an 80% drop in insulin secretion evoked by glucose. The inhibitory effect of epinephrine or clonidine was reversed by 3 X 10(-5) M yohimbine or 10(-5) M phentolamine, whereas 10(-5) M propranolol had little or no effect and alpha adrenergic blockade of prazosin (5 X 10(-5) M) was weak as compared to that of yohimbine. At a high concentration (10(-5) M) of phenylephrine, a marked drop of insulin secretion was observed. In summary, the present culture system facilitates the establishment of monolayers of adult rat pancreas that consist mostly of islet cells. In addition, it is certain that the response of the B cells in 2-deoxy-2-fluoroglucose to nutrient secretagogues and the adrenergic modulation of insulin secretion are well preserved for a long-term culture period of 30 days. These preparations may provide a useful tool not only for the in vitro study of the B-cell function, but also for use in implantation resource.

Animals↗

Medroxyprogesterone acetate enhances spontaneous mammary tumorigenesis and uterine adenomyosis in mice.

Based on our previous findings that medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) significantly suppressed the formation of preneoplastic mammary hyperplastic alveolar nodules in mice, and that this suppression persisted for some time, we studied the effects of different schedules of MPA treatment on spontaneous mammary tumorigenesis and uterine adenomyosis in SHN virgin mice. Mice received a subcutaneous pellet of MPA every 2 months: I) during the limited period of 1-3 months of age; II) throughout the experiment beginning at 6-8 months of age; and III) throughout the experiment beginning at 2-3 months of age. All treatments significantly enhanced mammary tumorigenesis with little difference in the effects among treatments. The progression of uterine adenomyosis was also stimulated in Experiments I and III, but not in Experiment II. These results are in good accord with our previous observations with progesterone, indicating that MPA has progesterone-like effects on mammary and uterine lesions of mice.

Animals↗

A comparative study on the structural differences of primate hemoglobins by spin labeling technique.

The hemoglobins of human and five non-human primates were spin-labeled with N-(1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl)iodoacetamide, and the ESR spectra of their deoxy, oxy, and carbonmonoxy forms were measured. The analyses of the spectra indicated that the local protein conformation in the vicinity of the spin-labeled cysteine residue at position 93(F9) in the beta-chain is slightly but significantly different among species, and that each hemoglobin shows a similar change in conformation upon conversion from the oxy form to the carbonmonoxy one except for human hemoglobin. Human hemoglobin was suggested to undergo a significantly different conformational change upon this conversion, indicating that it has unique characteristics among the primate hemoglobins.

Animals↗

Fentanyl suppression of nociceptive neurons in the superficial dorsal horn of the cat.

This study was designed to examine the influence of spinally administered fentanyl on the spontaneous and noxiously evoked activity of high threshold (HT) and wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons in the superficial layers (lamina I and II) of the dorsal horn of cats made decerebrate and in which the spinal cord had been transected. Single unit activity was recorded using extracellular microelectrode recording techniques. Neuronal activity was evoked by the presentation of noxious radiant heat (51 degrees C) to the cells' receptive fields on the hind paws. Evoked activity of WDR neurons was monitored, both before and after the spinal administration of either 10 micrograms (n = 9) or 25 micrograms (n = 10) of fentanyl. HT neurons were examined before and after either 25 micrograms (n = 7) or 50 micrograms (n = 7) of spinally administered fentanyl. In all cases 31 min after fentanyl administration naloxone (0.1 mg) was administered intravenously (iv), and its antagonistic effect on the fentanyl suppression was determined. All doses of fentanyl tested suppressed both spontaneous and evoked activity of both types of neurons. Within 30 minutes 10 and 25 micrograms of fentanyl reduced the mean evoked activity of WDR neurons to 61% and 19% of control values, respectively, and 25 and 50 micrograms of fentanyl reduced the mean evoked activity of HT neurons to 70% and 47% of control values, respectively. Naloxone reversed the suppression seen in all cells studied. The results of the present study demonstrate that HT neurons are significantly less suppressed by the spinal administration of fentanyl than WDR neurons located in the same superficial layers of the dorsal horn.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Squamous cell carcinoma of bladder diverticulum with initial symptoms produced by metastasis to maxillary sinus.

A rare case of squamous cell carcinoma in the bladder diverticula of a 74-year-old man with initial clinical symptoms caused by metastasis to the maxillary sinus is reported. The histopathological examination at autopsy confirmed the metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in the maxillary sinus from the bladder diverticula. The vertebral vein plexus seems responsible for this type of metastasis.

Aged↗

Monolayer cultures of pancreatic islet cells from adult rats: effect of 2-deoxyglucose.

Techniques for the monolayer culture of pancreatic islet cells from adult rats and the responsiveness of B cells are described. Whole pancreatic tissue was enzymatically dispersed and then cultured for 30 days in tissue culture medium 199 containing 5.5 mmol glucose/l, with or without 1 mmol 2-deoxyglucose/l. In the absence of 2-deoxyglucose, the responsiveness of B cells diminished to almost zero by day 15 and islets degenerated. In contrast, addition of 2-deoxyglucose to the medium resulted in a selective degeneration of fibroblasts, yielding monolayers that consisted mostly of islet cells. In this stationary system in which monolayers of islet cells were maintained in medium with 2-deoxyglucose, insulin secretion from B cells on days 15 and 30 increased in a dose-dependent fashion in response to increasing concentrations of glucose, leucine and 2-ketoisocaproate. Similarly, when exposed to 16.7 mmol glucose/l, perifused B cells showed a biphasic pattern of insulin secretion on day 15. Addition of 10 mumol forskolin/l and 200 nmol 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate/l remarkably enhanced this response. Likewise, the response to 10 mmol leucine/l or 10 mmol 2-ketoisocaproate/l was biphasic. These results suggest that these monolayer cultures retain the functional properties of the adult rat pancreas, and may be useful not only as a model for the in-vitro study of B cell function, but also for implantation.

Amylases↗

[Comparison between nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) and artificial full erection].

Recording of nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) is useful for the objective diagnosis of impotence. However, criteria for evaluating obtained results have not been firmly established. Since the increase in the penile circumference varies among individuals, differential diagnosis based on only certain changes in the circumference during NPT is difficult. Therefore, we infused heparinized saline into the corpora cavernosa to induce artificial full erection (AFE), and the increase in the penile circumference was compared with that during NPT. In all controls with normal ability to attain erection, the percentage of the increase in the penile circumference during NPT to that with AFE (NPT/AFE) was 80% or more. In 27 patients with impotence, an NPT/AFE of 80% or more was observed in 14 patients, 11 of whom had no particular organic factors for impotence. Eleven patients had an NPT/AFE of less than 60%, 9 of them had apparent organic factors and the remaining 2 had abnormal PBPI. Patients showing less than a 10 mm increase in the penile circumference during NPT could be diagnosed with organic impotence. However, in those with an increase of 10 mm or more during NPT, a differential diagnosis was difficult to make, and the comparison with AFE seemed to be a useful method. Therefore, AFE which requires no special equipment and is a simple and safe procedure, can be a valuable adjunctive examination in assessing NPT.

Adult↗