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Biomedical subjects

M Maki

Publications and source records attributed to M Maki.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Transforming activity and the level of Tax protein: effect of one point mutation in HTLV-I tax gene.

The transcriptional trans-activator molecule of HTLV-I, Tax, is known to transform rodent fibroblasts. A revertant clone expressing Tax was obtained by treating transformed Rat-I cells harboring a single copy of the tax gene with a mutagen. Sequence analysis of the tax gene of the revertant clone revealed that it had one point mutation at codon 12(CTT----TTT), resulting in a change from Leu to Phe. The colony-forming efficiencies of the cells transfected with the mutant tax gene (mu71 tax) were significantly lower than those transfected with the wild-type by the soft-agar method. This difference was shown to be due to the instability of mu71 Tax.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular diversity in amino-terminal domains of human calpastatin by exon skipping.

Calpastatin, a specific inhibitor of calpain, consists of a unique N-terminal domain (domain L) and four repetitive calpain-inhibition domains (domains 1-4). Calpastatin cDNA of human was reported to have two deletions in domains L and 1, as compared with that of pig and rabbit. We isolated human calpastatin genomic DNA clones, and the sequence analysis revealed seven exons for domain L and five exons for domain 1. Those deletions in the human cDNA were retained in its genomic DNA as exons 3 and 11. By the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction method, three calpastatin cDNAs, full-length domains L and 1, and two natural mutants with deletions in either exon 3 or in both exons 3 and 5, were cloned from human fibroblast WI-38 cell line mRNA. Domain L was found to be rich in basic amino acid residues, especially for exon 3, and its N-terminal half was highly conserved among species. The isoelectric points (pI) of domain L and domains 1-4 were calculated to be 10.27 and 4.26-4.90, respectively. Moreover, human tissues and cell lines displayed different patterns of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction products in agarose gel electrophoresis. Therefore, alternative splicing is most likely the cause for the molecular diversity, and the multiple isoforms are implicated for specific physiological roles.

Base Sequence↗

Multiple forms of rat calpastatin cDNA in the coding region of functionally unknown amino-terminal domain.

Partial mouse and rat calpastatin cDNAs containing functionally unknown amino-terminal regions were cloned by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Two types of clones were obtained for the rat calpastatin; one had a sequence similar to mouse and human calpastatins, while the other had a deletion of 38 amino acid residues in this region. Both types of the rat sequence differed from the previously reported rat calpastatin which had additional deletions. The occurrence of multiple forms of calpastatin suggests alternative splicing in the functionally unknown domain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The relation between amniotic fluid surfactant concentration in preterm labour and histological evidence of chorioamnionitis.

Concentration of amniotic fluid disaturated phosphatidylcholine (DSPC), factors related to cervical ripening, and histopathological evidence of chorioamnionitis were studied in 38 patients in preterm labour with intact membranes; all of them delivered spontaneously before 37 weeks. There was no correlation between the amniotic fluid DSPC level and gestational age at the time of amniocentesis. However, a significant inverse correlation was found between the amniotic fluid DSPC level and the interval between the onset of labour and delivery. The amniotic fluid DSPC level in cases with onset-delivery interval of less than 48 h was significantly higher than that in cases with an onset-delivery interval of 48 h or more. The gestational age in the former group was significantly lower than in the latter (28.6 vs 32.0 weeks). The amniotic fluid DSPC level in the patients with chorioamnionitis was significantly higher than that in the patients without chorioamnionitis, although the gestational age did not differ between the two groups. All 3 infants with RDS were associated with cervical incompetence. Patients in preterm labour with chorioamnionitis may be refractory to tocolysis and have higher amniotic fluid surfactant levels.

Adult↗

Effects of danazol at the immunologic level in patients with adenomyosis, with special reference to autoantibodies: a multi-center cooperative study.

OBJECTIVE: We attempted to evaluate the effects of danazol on autoantibodies, in particular, to phospholipids, and on the immune system in patients with adenomyosis. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-two patients with adenomyosis who had high titers of autoantibodies were randomly chosen, and they received 400 mg/day of danazol for 4 months (n = 22) or underwent hysterectomy (n = 20). RESULTS: Among the six autoantibodies we investigated, the incidence of antiphosphatidylinositol immunoglobulin G was the highest (42.9%), followed by antiphosphatidylglycerol immunoglobulin G (38.1%). The autoantibody titers decreased with time and were comparable to the control values 16 weeks after treatment in both groups. Total serum levels of immunoglobulin G and M were high before treatment, but immunoglobulin M levels decreased significantly in week 8 during treatment with danazol, whereas C4 levels increased and C3 levels decreased with danazol. CONCLUSION: Danazol has an inhibitory effect on the autoimmunologic response associated with adenomyosis.

Autoantibodies↗

A comparison of observed and self-reported compliance with universal precautions among emergency department personnel at a Minnesota public teaching hospital: implications for assessing infection control programs.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine the level of universal precautions compliance in a hospital emergency department by two methods (direct observation of subjects versus self-reporting by questionnaire). SETTING: A Level II trauma center located within a university-affiliated medical center in Minneapolis/St Paul, Minnesota. Glove and needle disposal containers were available in each treatment room; gowns, masks, and goggles were readily available. PARTICIPANTS: ED physicians (12 staff plus rotating residents), medical students, nursing staff, and ancillary personnel. METHODS: Ten observers documented six specific behaviors among ED personnel: needle recap frequency, needle recap techniques, and use of gowns, gloves, masks, and goggles. After the observations, surveys were distributed to ED personnel by intrahospital mail in Fall 1989. RESULTS: During 270 observation hours, 1,018 patient-worker interactions were recorded. Gloves were the barrier worn most frequently when appropriate (74%), followed by goggles (13%), gowns (12%), and masks (1%). Needles were recapped 51% of the time, and most needles that were recapped (79%) were recapped by the two-hand technique; 5% of all needles used were left uncapped at bedside or in the trash. Physicians were observed to use gloves more frequently than registered nurses and nursing assistants; nurses were observed to recap more frequently than physicians. From the survey, the three most common reasons for noncompliance involved time (71%), dexterity (61%), and patient appearance (50%). CONCLUSION: Universal precautions are not consistently used by ED personnel, and ED personnel significantly overestimate their compliance with universal precautions.

Data Collection↗

Calphobindins (placental annexins) inhibit protein kinase C.

Calphobindins (CPBs, placental annexins) are intracellular Ca(2+)- and phospholipid-dependent proteins like protein kinase C [EC 2.7.1.37]. We investigated the inhibitory effects of calphobindins on the protein kinase C activity in vitro. CPB I inhibited the protein kinase C activity for both histone phosphorylation and lipocortin phosphorylation, but CPB II and CPB III inhibited only the protein kinase C activity for histone phosphorylation. In the case of histone phosphorylation, all CPBs inhibited the protein kinase C activity in a concentration-dependent manner, and the IC50 (concentration required for 50% inhibition) value of CPB I was 70 nM. The inhibition of protein kinase C by CPB I was Ca(2+)-dependent, and did not disappear upon increasing the concentration of phosphatidyl-serine. Kinetic analysis by double-reciprocal plots indicated that CPB I interacted not only with phosphatidylserine but also with protein kinase C. Although CPB I partially interacts with phospholipid, it is conceivable that the inhibitory action of CPB I on protein kinase C results from direct interaction of CPB I with protein kinase C. Since CPBs are mainly present under the plasma membrane, it is presumed that CPB I is an endogenous inhibitor of protein kinase C, and according to intracellular circumstances, CPB II and CPB III may also be endogenous inhibitors.

Animals↗

Inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Rev function by a Rev mutant which interferes with nuclear/nucleolar localization of Rev.

A nonfunctional mutant of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Rev was created by deleting seven amino acid residues within the nucleolar targeting signal. This mutant Rev remained in the cytoplasm in expressed cells and strongly inhibited the function of Rev by interfering with the nuclear/nucleolar localization of coexpressed Rev. These findings strongly suggest the multimerization of Rev in the cytoplasm before migration to the nucleus/nucleolus, where wild-type Rev functions as a trans-regulator.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effects of calphobindin II (annexin VI) on procoagulant and anticoagulant activities of cultured endothelial cells.

Effects of human placental calphobindin II (CPB-II) on the protein C activation and prothrombin activation on the cell surface of cultured calf pulmonary arterial endothelial cells have been investigated. CPB-II inhibited thrombin generation by factor Xa bound to the surface of the cultured endothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. The amount (IC50) of CPB-II causing the inhibition at 50% was estimated to be approximately 10 nM. CPB-II was found to be ineffective, however, in the protein C activation by thrombin-thrombomodulin (TM) complex on the cell surface. Assay using purified TM revealed that CPB-II was able to exhibit the inhibitory potency for the protein C activation exclusively in the reconstituted system with negatively charged phospholipids. These results suggest that the neutral phospholipids participate in the protein C activation through the thrombin-TM system on the endothelial cell surface. The ability of CPB-II to inhibit procoagulant activity without affecting anticoagulant activity on the cultured endothelial cells is probably related to its potential physiological function, while it is able to exert various degrees of influence upon these activities in blood coagulation by interacting with negatively charged phospholipids in vitro.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Spontaneous cleft palate in CF#1/Ohu mice].

We found a spontaneous cleft palate in a mouse of CF#1/Ohu (Ohu University, Japan). Further, the frequency of the spontaneous cleft palate in strains of CF#1/Jms (Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Japan) and CF#1/Jah (National Institute of Animal Health, Japan) were about 3%, respectively. The frequency and the types of spontaneous cleft palate in CF#1 were clearly different from those in A/J and CL/Fr strains which were used as model animals of lip and cleft palate. We think that CF#1 is the new animal models to analyze a cleft palate genetically and biochemically.

Animals↗

Calphobindin I (annexin V) inhibits protein kinase C.

We investigated the inhibitory effect of calphobindin I (CPB I) on protein kinase C activity. CPB I inhibited protein kinase C activity in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 70 nM. The inhibition of protein kinase C by CPB I was Ca(2+)-dependent, and was partially overcome by increasing the concentration of phosphatidylserine. Since CPB I is widely distributed in various organs and cells, it is presumed that CPB I is an endogenous inhibitor of protein kinase C.

Animals↗

Emergency cervical cerclage using a metreurynter in patients with bulging membranes.

Emergency cervical cerclage was performed in 26 women between 18 and 32 weeks of gestation who had fetal membranes bulging through a widely dilated cervix. A bulging bag was pushed into the uterine cavity by a new method, using a metreurynter. The average prolongation of pregnancy after the operation in the 26 women was 41 days (ranging from 2 to 115 days). All pregnancies resulted in the live birth of altogether 28 babies. The neonatal survival rates at gestational ages of less than or equal to 26 (including two sets of twins), 27-29, and greater than or equal to 30 weeks at the time of cervical cerclage were 80.0 (12/15), 85.7 (6/7), and 100% (6/6), respectively. Ten (83.3%) of the 12 infants who survived from patients receiving cerclage at a gestational age of less than or equal to 26 weeks are alive and well. The average duration of pregnancy after cerclage was 60 days when cervical dilation was less than or equal to 5 cm at operation, in contrast to 5.4 days in patients with cervical dilation of greater than or equal to 6 cm, suggesting that emergency cervical cerclage could be suitable in the presence of a cervical dilation of 5 cm or less.

Emergencies↗

Urinary coagulation-fibrinolysis, kallirein-kinin systems and kininase in cases of preclampsia.

Urinary kallikrein and kallikrein activity significantly decreased in cases of preeclampsia (u-kall./CRE.index 42.39 +/- 9.66 ng/mg, u-kall. act./CRE.index 0.26 +/- 0.06 ng/min/mg), and urinary kininase II and kininase activity significantly increased (u-kininase/CRE.index 10.91 +/- 1.26 x 10(-3) IU/min/mg, u-kininase act./CRE.index 506.37 +/- 178.45 pg/min/mg) when compared with those of normal gravidas from 28 weeks to 42 weeks of gestation (u-kall./CRE.index 189.31 +/- 14.17 ng/mg, u-kall. act./CRE index 1.08 +/- 0.10 ng/min/mg, u-kininase/CRE.index 6.24 +/- 0.31 x 10(-3) IU/min/mg, u-kininase act./CRE.index 15.64 +/- 0.10 pg/min/mg). Urinary FPA, B beta 5-42, alpha 2-PI, and alpha 2PI-plasmin-complex (PIC) significantly increased in preeclampsia (u-FPA/CRE.index 23.59 +/- 8.47 ng/mg, u-B beta/CRE.index 105.26 +/- 29.30 ng/mg, u-alpha 2PI/CRE.index 121.53 +/- 43.57 ng/mg, u-PIC/CRE index 278.39 +/- 60.50 ng/mg) when compared with those of normal control group (u-FPA/CRE.index 0.92 +/- 0.04 ng/mg, u-B beta/CRE.index 12.15 +/- 0.44 ng/mg, u-alpha 2PI/CRE.index 4.18 +/- 0.33 ng/mg, u-PIC/CRE.index 5.98 +/- 1.15 ng/mg). Urinary urokinase markedly increased and urinary D-dimer was detected in severe cases of preeclampsia (u-UK/CRE.index 58.20 +/- 43.69 ng/mg, u-D-dimer 54.76 +/- 9.89 ng/ml) when compared with those of normal control group. These findings suggest that deficiency in urinary kinin excretion may induce hypertension in addition to the changes of urinary coagulation-fibrinolysis system that represents the occurrence of either the endothelial cell injury in the glomerulus or the renal tulbular damage in mild cases of preeclampsia, eventually resulting in the intra-renal vascular coagulation.

Female↗

The effect of manidipine on renal hemodynamics in essential hypertensive patients: responses to acute stress.

The effects of the calcium antagonist manidipine 20 mg/day on changes in blood pressure and renal hemodynamics in response to acute stress by the mental arithmetic test (MAT) and the cold pressor test (CPT) were investigated in 14 patients with essential hypertension (median age: 50 +/- 2, WHO stage I-II). During the drug-free period, acute stress by both MAT and CPT caused an increase in the renal vascular resistance index (RVRI) [% change in RVRI, 17% for MAT (p < 0.05) and 26% for CPT (p < 0.01)] and an increase in blood pressure [% change in mean blood pressure (MBP): 17% for MAT (p < 0.001) and 16% for CPT (p < 0.001)]. CPT stress resulted in a reduction in RAFV (% change in RAFV: -12%, p < 0.05). Oral administration of manidipine resulted in hypotensive effects at rest [MBP: from 116 to 99 mmHg, p < 0.001], no change in RAFV (31.3 to 32.9 cm/sec, p = ns), and reduced RVRI (from 3.9 to 3.2 mmHg.sec/cm, p < 0.02). Manidipine inhibited the hypertensive response to acute stress by both MAT and CPT [% change in MBP: from 17% to 11% for MAT (p < 0.02) and from 16% to 11% for CPT (p < 0.01)] and also inhibited the increase in RVRI [% change in RVRI: from 17% to -1% for MAT (p < 0.05) and from 26% to 8% for CPT (p < 0.01)]. Manidipine has beneficial effects on blood pressure and renal hemodynamics at rest in patients with essential hypertension.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute Disease↗

Studies on blood coagulation-fibrinolysis system regarding kallikrein-kinin system in the utero-placental circulation during normal pregnancy, labor and puerperium.

In our previous study (Adv. Exp. Med & Biol., 247B. 569. 1989, 198B. 41. 1986, blood & vessel, 17: 51. 1986), we reported on the mechanism of coagulation-fibrinolysis system and kallikrein-kinin system in the utero-placental circulation during normal pregnancy, labor and puerperium. The samples were collected from the uterine artery (UA), uterine vein (UV) and peripheral vein (PV). In this study, we tried to elucidate the mechanism of coagulation-fibrinolysis with relation to kks by measuring of Thrombin/Antithrombin III complex (TAT), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI) complex (tPA.PAI.C), active plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (active PAI), alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor/plasmin complex (PIC). In 20 normal pregnant women, the levels of TAT, tPA.PAI.C and active PAI significantly increased the first trimester (TAT 4.31 +/- 2.05 ng/ml, tPA.PAI.C 39.52 +/- 17.34 ng/ml, active PAI 39.58 +/- 15.29 ng/ml, n = 20 M +/- SD P < 0.001) to the third trimester (TAT 6.39 +/- 1.93 ng/ml, tPA.PAI.C 57.94 +/- 30.80 ng/ml, active PAI 304.24 +/- 148.64 ng/ml, n = 20 M +/- SD P < 0.001) as compared with those of non-pregnant women (TAT 1.60 +/- 0.89 ng/mg, tPA.PAI.C 11.72 +/- 4.59 ng/ml, active PAI 11.53 +/- 7.48 ng/ml, n = 16 M +/- SD). In utero-placental circulation, the levels of TAT significantly increased (TAT 22.12 +/- 20.03 ng/ml n = 20 M +/- SD P < 0.001) in UV, and tPA.PAI.C and PIC. markedly increased (tPA.PAI.C 93.38 +/- 56.05 ng/ml, PIC 1.03 +/- 0.94 micrograms/ml n = 20 M +/- SD P < 0.02) in UV, but active PAI markedly decreased (active PAI 244.18 +/- 87.55 ng/ml n = 20 M +/- SD P < 0.02) as compared with those in PV (TAT 6.1 +/- 2.09 ng/ml, tPA.PAI.C 59.34 +/- 18.99 ng/ml, PIC 0.49 +/- 0.24 micrograms/ml, active PAI 349.14 +/- 157.34 ng/ml, n = 20 M +/- SD). These findings suggest that the significant increase in those complexes in UA has produced a deposition of fibrin clots in the area in contact with utero-placental blood vessel, although the marked increase in tPA.PAI.C and PIC incompletely inhibited the fibrinolytic activity of tPA by the active PAI. The kks shows a consumption of prekallikrein, LMW-kininogen and HMW-kininogen, and an overproduction of kinin in UV.

Antithrombin III↗

Studies of blood coagulation-fibrinolysis regarding kallikrein-kinin system in severe preeclampsia.

UNLABELLED: In our previous study 1), 2), 3) we reported the changes of coagulation-fibrinolysis, kallikrein-kinin system and kininase in preclampsis. In this study, we tried to obtain systemic information of chronic DIC status with regard to kallikrein-kinin system in severe preeclampsia. This systemic information was evaluated in 20 cases of normal gravidas from 28 to 42 weeks of gestation as a control by measuring plasma Thrombin/Antithrombin III complex (TAT), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) complex, active plasminogen inhibitor-1 (active PAI), 2PI plasmin complex (PIC). RESULTS: The levels of plasma TAT and tPA significantly increased (TAT = 10.9 +/- 8.3 ng/ml n = 24 M +/- SD P < 0.02, tPA = 6.1 +/- 3.2 ng/ml n = 10 M +/- SD P < 0.01), tPA PAI C and active PAI markedly increased (tPA PAI C = 85.07 +/- 50.01 ng/ml n = 24 P < 0.05, active PAI = 407.4 +/- 166.0 ng/ml n = 24 P < 0.205), and PIC and D-dimer = 435.1 +/- 145.2 ng/ml n = 8 M +/- SD P < 0.001) in severe preeclampsia as compared with those of normal values (TAT = 6.1 2.0 ng/ml, tPA = 3.6 +/- 1.5 ng/ml, tPA PAI C = 57.9 +/- 30.8 ng/ml, active PAI = 304.2 +/- 148.6 ng/ml, PIC = 0.49 +/- 0.24 mg/ml, D-dimer = 282.9 +/- 75.3 ng/ml).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antithrombin III↗