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Biomedical subjects

M Harada

Publications and source records attributed to M Harada.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The alpha 3 beta 3 and alpha 1 beta 1 complexes of ATP synthase.

Two catalytic structures of H(+)-motive ATP synthase (Fig. 1), the alpha 3 beta 3 oligomer (M(r) = 319,581) and alpha 1 beta 1 promoter (M(r) = 106,527) (Fig. 2), were isolated using high pressure liquid chromatography (Fig. 3) and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (Figs. 4 and 5). These were reconstituted from the alpha and beta subunits of thermophilic F1 (TF1), and the alpha 3 beta 3 oligomer was also crystallized. Common to both F1 and the alpha 3 beta 3 oligomer were the nucleotide specificity, the two Km values, the presence of protomer-oligomer activities, and the one-hit--one-kill phenomenon. A synchrotron experiment on the ATP hydrolysis cycle revealed the dynamic shrinkage and expansion of F1(44) that correspond, respectively, to the ATP-induced association and ADP-induced dissociation of the alpha 3 beta 3 oligomer. The oligomer, like mitochondrial F1 and TF1, exhibited two kinds of ATPase activity: one was cooperative and was inhibited by only one inhibitor per hexamer, and the other was inhibited by three inhibitors per hexamer.

Adenosine Triphosphate

[A case of panhypopituitarism with normal height manifesting the transection of the pituitary stalk and the formation of the ectopic and eutopic posterior lobes].

A 33-year-old man with hypopituitarism is documented. He was born at breech presentation without asphyxia. He was the shortest in his class throughout his school days. He kept slowly growing and reached 172.8 cm at the age of 33. He was devoid of secondary sexual characteristics. Endocrinological studies showed panhypopituitarism with elevated levels of plasma TSH (15.0 microU/ml). TRH administration resulted in a marked increase in plasma TSH. Posterior pituitary function was normal. MR imaging showed transection of the pituitary stalk and the presence of ectopic and eutopic posterior lobes. The replacement of corticosteroid was initiated, and exaggerated response of TSH to TRH disappeared. Delayed bone maturation due to hypogonadism and hypothyroidism was one of the reasons why he had normal height without GH therapy. The significance of his peculiar MRI findings remains to be determined.

Adult

Prognostic significance of the expression of ras oncogene product in non-small cell lung cancer.

The clinical significance of ras oncogene expression in non-small cell lung cancer was evaluated in 116 surgically treated patients. Archival paraffin sections of the tumors were analyzed immunohistochemically using anti-ras p21 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) rp-35, and p21 staining was correlated with clinicopathologic parameters and survival. Positive reactions (+ and ++) were observed in 72.5% of the adenocarcinomas and 55.6% of the squamous cell carcinomas studied. The T1 tumors showed a ++ reaction less frequently than T2 and T3 tumors (P less than 0.05). Stage I tumors also were less reactive with MoAb rp-35 than tumors in more advanced stages (P less than 0.05). Survival analysis showed that patients with p21-negative tumors had significantly longer survival times (a 5-year survival rate of 64.1%) than those with p21 + tumors (38.0%, P less than 0.05) or those with p21 ++ tumors (11.5%, P less than 0.005). The significant correlation between p21 staining and patient survival was independent of histologic type, stage of disease, tumor or node status, and the resectability of tumors. On Cox's multivariate analysis, p21 staining was a major and independent prognostic determinant of survival. These results suggest that enhanced ras p21 expression may be one of the important biologic and clinical markers indicating the malignant potential of non-small cell lung cancer.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung

Analysis of the roles of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in autoimmune diabetes of NOD mice using transfer to NOD athymic nude mice.

The NOD mouse, which spontaneously develops insulitis and overt diabetes, is a model of autoimmune type I diabetes mellitus. For the precise analysis of the roles of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the pathogenesis of this mouse, these subsets must be transferred into recipients that are completely free of T cells and pathological changes. We used athymic NOD nude mice, which congenitally lack mature T cells and are free of insulitis and hyperglycemia up to the age of 60 weeks, as recipients for this purpose. To the nude recipients we transferred either one of a highly purified CD4+ or CD8+ T cell subset derived from non-diabetic female NOD mice; any in vivo increase in the contaminating T cell subsets was prevented by injecting the antibody homologous to it. Most of the T cell-reconstituted recipients were treated with cyclophosphamide to promote the onset of overt diabetes. Transfer of the CD8+ T cell subset alone did not induce insulitis or hyperglycemia. In contrast, transfer of the CD4+ T cell subset alone produced insulitis, but not hyperglycemia, in all the recipients. However, the subsequent transfer of CD8+ T cells into CD4+ T cell-reconstituted recipients induced severe insulitis and hyperglycemia in almost all the recipients. In these diabetic recipients, we observed severe damage of the pancreatic islets and the infiltration of a large number of CD8+ T cells into the remaining islets; insulin-secreting beta cells were no longer detected. These results suggest that CD4+ T cells play a predominant role in the development of insulitis and that CD8+ T cells migrate into the islets and are subsequently, with the aid of CD4+ T cells, differentiated into killer cells which act against beta cells.

Animals

Folinic acid does not mobilize hemopoietic progenitors following repeated consolidation chemotherapy for acute leukemia.

Folinic acid (FA) has been reported to expand the pool of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) after chemotherapy. We evaluated the efficacy of FA for harvesting PBSC following cytotoxic chemotherapy in 4 patients with acute leukemia. After achieving a complete remission (CR), 3 courses of chemotherapy for a consolidation of the CR were administered to the patients. Two successive cycles of leukapheresis were performed during the recovery phase from consolidation chemotherapy, which consisted of an intermediate dose of cytosine arabinoside. For the second cycle of leukapheresis, FA was administered intravenously at a dose of 50 mg/day following consolidation. The yields of either mononuclear cells or burst-forming units-erythroid (BFU-E) were not affected by FA administration. In contrast, the yields of colony-forming units-granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-GM) were significantly decreased in all patients compared to the CFU-GM yields after the first cycle of leukapheresis (P = 0.032). Thus FA is considered not to be effective in expanding the peripheral blood progenitor pool when given in a fashion different from the original report.

Acute Disease

Analysis of bone metastasis of prostatic adenocarcinoma in 137 autopsy cases.

Metastatic frequency to various organ sites in 137 autopsy cases with histologically confirmed prostatic adenocarcinoma was examined retrospectively. Bone lymph node metastases were observed in 81% and 82.5% of the cases, respectively. Lung and liver metastases were noted in 46.7% and 30.7% of the cases respectively. Statistical analysis of the inter-relation among metastases to the bones, lymph nodes, lungs and liver revealed that 83.2% of cases with lymph node metastasis also had bone metastasis. Sixty out of 64 cases with lung metastasis also presented with bone metastasis. There was a significant correlation of metastases between bones and lymph nodes, bones and lungs, and lymph nodes and lungs. Although approximately 88% of cases with liver metastasis also had bone metastasis, this relationship was not statistically significant. there was a statistically significant relationship between lung metastasis and specific sites of bone metastases, i.e. vertebrae, ribs, and sternum. Using the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel statistical method, we found that the metastatic combination between lung and bone was significantly related in cases with or without lymph node metastasis. These observations suggest that the Batson's vertebral system might play an important role in the metastatic spread of prostatic adenocarcinoma either to the bones or lungs.

Adenocarcinoma

Clinical study of bone-related relapse in prostate carcinoma.

Prostate carcinoma is usually highly responsive to initial endocrine therapy. However, when relapse occurs, the subsequent clinical course is very poor. In this study, we tried to reveal the clinical aspects of bone-related relapse in 392 patients who received endocrine therapy for prostate carcinoma. In 17 stage B patients who had relapsed, 76% experienced relapse within 4 years following the start of treatment, 76% within 3 years in 27 stage C patients, and 71% within 2.5 years found in 45 stage D patients. Pre-treatment levels of serum enzymes and initial response of the primary lesion and of serum enzymes failed to predict relapse. The Gleason sum tended to be correlated with relapse. In particular, patients with a Gleason sum of 9-10 had a lower non-relapse rate during the follow-up period than patients with lower sums. With the recent use of more sophisticated measurements of PSA and/or PAP, the reduction rate or interval to normalization of the markers must be more relevant to predicting relapse.

Acid Phosphatase

Role of the vertebral venous system in metastatic spread of cancer cells to the bone.

Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeled human prostatic cancer cells, PC-3, and murine osteosarcoma cells, POS-1 were injected into the tail veins of male mice under concomitant temporal occlusion of inferior vena cava. Five minutes after release of the venous occlusion, animals were sacrificed and various tissues, organs and the vertebral bones were examined immunohistochemically using an application of BrdU-anti-BrdU methods. Obvious BrdU labeled tumor cells, isolated or clumped, were demonstrated within the venous channels along the vertebral column, the epidural venous channels around spinal nervous tissues, in the bone marrow of lumbo-sacral vertebrae and intra- and peri-prostatic venous channels. The results suggest that a blockade of short duration of venous flow at the inferior vena cava can result in the bypassing of tumor cells through the vena cava to the vertebral venous system, which has a close connection with the peri-prostatic venous plexus. Thus, the vertebral venous system may play an important role in the metastasis of prostatic carcinoma to bone. In addition this experimental procedure is a very valuable model for studying mechanisms and prevention of bone metastases from prostatic carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma

Calcium regulating activity of 26,27-dialkyl analogs of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

A series of analogs of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3[1,25(OH)2D3] with alkyl substitutions in 26- and 27-positions were tested for calcium (Ca) regulating activity. The potencies of dialkyl analogs in stimulating bone resorption in neonatal mouse calvaria cultures were the highest in 1 alpha,25-dihydroxy-26,27-dimethylvitamin D3[1,25(OH)2-(Me)2D3], followed by 1,25(OH)2D3, 1 alpha,25-dihydroxy-26,27-diethylvitamin D3[1,25(OH)2(Et)2D3], and 1 alpha,25-dihydroxy-26,27-dipropylvitamin D3[1,25(OH)2(Pr)2D3] in that order. A similar order of potential regarding formation of osteoclast-like cells in mouse bone marrow cell cultures and on bone Ca mobilization with long-term vitamin D-deficient rats was observed in the same series. The relative potencies of 1,25(OH)2D3, 1,25(OH)2(Me)2D3, 1,25(OH)2(Et)2D3, and 1,25(OH)2(Pr)2D3 in competing with 1,25(OH)2D3 for binding to chick intestinal cytosol receptors were 1:1:0.16:0.036. A similar order of potential in case of intestinal Ca transport in situ was observed in the same series. The potencies of dialkyl analogs in competing with 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 for binding to rat serum vitamin D binding protein were much lower than that of 1,25(OH)2D3. Effect of 1,25(OH)2(Me)2D3 on osteopenia in rats induced by ovariectomy and right sciatic neurotomy was higher than that of 1,25(OH)2D3. From these results, the lengthening by one carbon at 26- and 27-positions was shown to maintain the Ca regulatory activity of 1,25(OH)2D3.

Animals

The alpha beta complexes of ATP synthase: the alpha 3 beta 3 oligomer and alpha 1 beta 1 protomer.

The basic structures of the catalytic portion (F1, alpha 3 beta 3 gamma delta epsilon) of ATP synthase are the alpha 3 beta 3 hexamer (oligomer with cooperativity) and alpha 1 beta 1 heterodimer (protomer). These were reconstituted from the alpha and beta subunits of thermophilic F1 (TF1), and the alpha 3 beta 3 hexamer was crystallized. On electrophoresis, both the dimer and hexamer showed bands with ATPase activity. Using the dimer and hexamer, we studied the nucleotide-dependent rapid molecular dynamics. The formation of the hexamer required neither nucleotide nor Mg. The hexamer was dissociated into the dimer in the presence of MgADP, while the dimer was associated into the hexamer in the presence of MgATP. The hexamer, like mitochondrial F1 and TF1, showed two kinds of ATPase activity: one was cooperative and was inhibited by only one BzADP per hexamer, and the other was inhibited by three BzADP per hexamer.

Nucleotides

CD7-positive acute myeloid leukemia: further evidence of cellular immaturity.

Among 63 cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), 14 were found to express the CD7 antigen, a cell surface marker usually found at an early stage during T lineage differentiation. The CD7-positive AML cases consisted of 5 cases of M1, 3 cases of M2, 3 cases of M4, 1 case of M5, 1 case of M6 and 1 case of M7. Among these 63 cases, the proportion of blast cells expressing the CD34 antigen was examined. The proportion of CD34-stained cells among the CD7-positive AML cases, although varying, was significantly larger than that among the CD7-negative AML cases (P less than 0.05). As the CD34 antigen was expressed on hematopoietic progenitor cells and was considered to reflect an early hematopoietic stage, the high proportion of cells expressing CD34 among the CD7-positive AML cases may support the notion that CD7-positive AML cells are immature.

Adolescent

Use of a synthetic protease inhibitor for the treatment of L-asparaginase-induced acute pancreatitis complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation.

In two patients receiving L-asparaginase therapy, severe acute pancreatitis complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) developed. In both cases it was successfully treated with continuous infusion of a synthetic protease inhibitor, nafamostat mesilate. In this report, we briefly discuss the clinical efficacy of the synthetic protease inhibitor in treating such cases.

Acute Disease

Circulating CD34+ hematopoietic progenitors in the harvesting peripheral blood stem cells; enhancement by recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

The number of circulating progenitor cells increases during the period of hematopoietic recovery following myeloablative therapy. These progenitor cells were used for autologous transplantation in order to reconstitute hematopoiesis. As an indicator of the circulating progenitor cells, the number of granulocyte-macrophage colony forming units (CFU-GM), which is measured by means of a long-term cell culture, has been widely used. Recently, a cell surface marker, CD34, which can easily be measured by means of flowcytometry, was found to represent immature hematopoietic progenitor cells, which are very close to stem cells. Therefore, the relationship between the number of CD34 positive cells (CD34+ cells) and the number of CFU-GM in the peripheral blood following chemotherapy was studied in 9 patients selected to undergo autotransplantation. The number of peripheral blood CD34+ cells was found to be significantly correlated with that of CFU-GM (r = 0.81). When four out of 9 patients received recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (rG-CSF) administration, a significant increase in the release of peripheral blood CD34+ cells as well as peripheral blood CFU-GM was observed (P less than 0.01). Thus, the measurement of CD34+ cells is useful for predicting the number of circulating CFU-GM.

Adolescent

Levels of human serum granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor under pathological conditions.

Levels of serum granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in patients with various leukocyte disorders were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Some cases of acute myelogenous leukemia and aplastic anemia showed elevated serum levels of G-CSF and/or GM-CSF, whereas almost all of 23 healthy controls showed G-CSF and GM-CSF levels lower than 100 pg/ml. High levels of both types of CSF were noted in patients with granulocytosis due to infection. These levels became lower after resolution of the infection. Daily changes in serum CSF levels were also examined in a patient with autoimmune neutropenia, and it was found that the peripheral neutrophilic granulocyte count changed almost in parallel with the serum G-CSF level but not with GM-CSF, following the pattern with a delay of about 4-5 h, suggesting the possibility that G-CSF mainly regulates peripheral neutrophil circulation.

Adult

Alloreactivity against IE-encoded antigens: evidence of the discrepancy between graft rejection and reactivity of IE-reactive T cells.

Participation of IE antigens (Ag) in immune response as the transplantation Ag was examined. IE- B10.A(4R)(4R; Kk, IAk, IE-, Db) mice could not reject skin graft from IE Ag alone-disparate B10.A(2R) (2R; Kk, IAk, IEk, Db) mice despite intravenous (iv) injection of 2R spleen cells (SC) before or after skin grafting, indicating that graft rejection could not be caused across IE Ag-barrier alone. Furthermore, 4R SC could not induce lethal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in supralethally (950 rad) irradiated 2R mice. On the other hand, infiltration of lymphoid cells was observed at the site of transplanted 2R skin in 4R mice. SC of 4R mice unprimed or primed with 2R skin or 2R SC showed the capability to proliferate in vitro in response to 2R Ag. In immunofluorescence analysis of lymph node cells (LNC) of 4R mice injected iv with 2R SC 7 days earlier, IE-reactive CD4+Vbeta 11+ T cells did not change in number, but slightly increased the expression of interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R). In 2R mice irradiated with 670 rad and injected iv with 4R SC 7 days earlier, 4R-derived CD4+V beta 11+ T cells proliferated, changed to blastoid form, and showed a markedly increased expression of IL-2R. To further investigate the influence of IE alloantigens on transplantation immunity, IL-2 production and anti-class I CTL activity were assayed. The 4R SC capable of recognizing IEk and Dk Ag of B10.BR (Kk, IAk, IEk, Dk) generated levels of both IL-2 and CTL activities higher than those of 2R SC capable of recognizing Dk Ag alone. These results strongly suggest that IE alloantigens indirectly act as the transplantation Ag by the stimulation of IE-reactive CD4+ helper T cells resulting in the differentiation of class I-restricted CD8+ T cells.

Animals

Development of hepatocellular carcinoma associated with increases in DNA synthesis in the surrounding cirrhosis.

The relationship between DNA synthesis activity in hepatocytes from cirrhotic tissue and development of hepatocellular carcinoma was studied in 33 posthepatitic patients with Child's grade A cirrhosis. DNA synthesis activity was measured by a bromodeoxyuridine (a thymidine analogue) labeling index, using the bromodeoxyuridine-antibromodeoxyuridine in vitro method, and the patients were followed up prospectively with frequent liver ultrasonography for 2 years. During the 2-year follow-up, 11 of the 33 cirrhotic patients developed hepatocellular carcinoma; they included 8 of the 15 patients (53%) in the high labeling index (greater than 1.5%) group compared with only 3 of the 18 patients (17%) in the low labeling index (less than 1.5) group (P less than 0.05). Five of the latter 18 subsequently had increased synthesis activity. Of these 20 patients who showed high synthesis activities either initially or subsequently, 10 (50%) developed hepatocellular carcinoma, in contrast to 1 of 13 (8%) with persistently low activities (P less than 0.05). Thus, hepatocellular carcinoma seems to develop or may become detectable when DNA synthesis in the background cirrhosis is increasing or remains high.

Adult