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Biomedical subjects

M Minami

Publications and source records attributed to M Minami.

At least 505 records · Page 28Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Antinociceptive effect of intrathecally administered antiserum against calcitonin gene-related peptide on thermal and mechanical noxious stimuli in experimental hyperalgesic rats.

We compared the effects of intrathecal administration of antiserum against calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) between thermo- and mechano-nociceptive responses, using experimental hyperalgesic rats. An intrathecal administration of anti-CGRP antiserum, but not antiserum absorbed by synthetic CGRP, normalized either adjuvant- or carrageenin-induced hyperalgesia both in the paw radiant heat and the paw pressure tests, with little effect on non-hyperalgesic paws. These results suggest that endogenous CGRP, probably present in primary afferents, promotes both thermo- and mechano-nociceptive transmission in the spinal dorsal horn, at least in the hyperalgesic states with inflammations.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[MRI demonstration of pseudolobules of liver cirrhosis--particular reference to iron deposits on autopsy specimens].

MRI was performed on formalin-fixed autopsied liver specimens of nine patients with liver cirrhosis. Tiny low-intensity nodules were demonstrated in four specimens, in which microscopic examination revealed hemosiderin deposits in pseudolobules. In one specimen with mild hemosiderin deposits, low-intensity nodule was not seen on MRI. This result suggests that there is a close relationship between MRI demonstration of low-intensity nodules and iron deposits in pseudolobules of liver cirrhosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Requirements for suppressor cell activation. Role of accessory cells.

In the 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl acetyl (NP) suppressor system, third order suppressor cells (Ts3) subset of suppressor cells is generated after Ag priming, but, in order to express suppressor activity, these cells need to be further activated or triggered with a specific second order suppressor factor. By in vitro activation of Ts3-containing lymph node cells or a pTs3 hybridoma we now show that macrophages are also required for Ts3 activation. In addition, we demonstrate that IJ genetic restrictions control this activation process. Furthermore, we directly demonstrate Ts3 activation using cloned macrophage hybridoma cells. To further investigate the interactions between Ts3 cells and the accessory cells involved in their activation, we attempted to block the second order suppressor factor mediated activation of Ts3 cells with antibodies. The activation of Ts3 cells can be blocked by the addition of anti-IJ, anti-IJ idiotype or anti-NPb idiotype antibodies, but not by anti-CD8, anti-IA, or anti-IE antibodies. Anti-IJ mAb blocked Ts3 activation at the lymphocyte level whereas anti-IJ idiotype blocked activation at the accessory cell level. Finally we tested, whether these antibodies can also directly activate primed Ts3 cells. We demonstrate that cross-linked anti-IJ, anti-NPb and anti-CD3 antibodies can activate Ts3 cells. The results are discussed in terms of receptor-ligand structures on Ts and accessory cells which are required for the activation of Ts3 cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Enhancement of preprotachykinin A gene expression by adjuvant-induced inflammation in the rat spinal cord: possible involvement of substance P-containing spinal neurons in nociception.

Effects of adjuvant-induced inflammation on the biosynthesis of substance P in the rat nervous system were examined by measuring the levels of mRNA encoding preprotachykinin A (PPT-A, the precursor protein of substance P). Following injection of adjuvant into the bilateral hind paws, the levels of PPT-A mRNA were significantly increased in the dorsal root ganglia at L4-L6 levels and the lumbar spinal cord, but not in the striatum, midbrain and medulla oblongata. After the unilateral injection of adjuvant which produced inflammation only in the injected hind paw, increase in the mRNA level was observed only on the treated side of the spinal cord. These results suggest that biosynthesis of substance P in the spinal and primary sensory neurons was increased by adjuvant-induced inflammation with hyperalgesia. Substance P-containing spinal neurons may be involved in processes related to pain.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Allo-class I-reactive CD4-CD8- T cell hybridomas recognize the conformational change of class I molecule resulting from the exchange of the alpha 3 domain.

H-2Kb-reactive, interleukin (IL) 2-producing T cell hybridomas possessing neither CD8 nor CD4 molecules were employed for the study of allorecognition on interspecies hybrid antigens by T cells in the absence of an influence of these accessory molecules. Both HTB176.10 and HTB177.2 T cell hybridomas reacted with KbKbB7 hybrid antigens as well as Kb antigens and they produced more IL2 in response to Kb antigens than KbKbB7 hybrid antigens. IL2 production of these T cell hybridomas was dependent on the surface expression level of Kb molecules on stimulators. Therefore, L cells expressing almost equivalent levels of Kb or hybrid antigens were selected for further functional studies by these T cell hybridomas. They apparently produced less IL2 in response not only to interspecies hybrid antigens but also to interspecies hybrid antigens in response to Kb antigens. These results indicated that T cell hybridomas recognized the conformational change of class I molecule resulting from the exchange of the alpha 3 domain via their T cell receptors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Well-defined, dense and continuously spreading enhancement on single level dynamic CT of the liver: a characteristic sign of hepatic cavernous haemangioma.

The findings of single-level dynamic CT were reviewed in 83 lesions of cavernous haemangioma, 90 lesions of hepatocellular carcinoma, 29 lesions of metastatic tumour and 10 lesions of other hepatic masses in order to see the validity of characteristic findings of hepatic cavernous haemangioma. Well-defined, dense and continuously spreading enhancement (WDCSE) being defined as follows: 1. well-defined contour of enhanced area, 2. the density of maximally enhanced area almost same as that of enhanced vessel and 3. continuously spreading enhancement continuing over 20 seconds, WDCSE was noted definitely in 47 lesions of cavernous haemangioma alone (57%; 77% over 3 cm, 64% between 2 and 3 cm, and 19% under 2 cm in diameter) and, suggestively in 16 lesions of cavernous haemangioma and 4 lesions of hepatocellular carcinoma, but in no lesions of other tumours. WDCSE did not show a high sensitivity for cavernous haemangioma but it had a 100% positive predictive value for the disease. If WDCSE is noticed even in oncology patients with hepatic mass, no further examination may be necessary.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗
PubMed1989

Leukotriene A4 hydrolase from guinea pig lung: the presence of two catalytically active forms.

Leukotriene A4 hydrolase was purified to apparent homogeneity from the guinea pig lung. The molecular weight was determined to be 70 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme exhibited two active forms with different pI values (5.7 and 5.4) depending on the presence or absence of SH-reducing reagents during purification procedures. No significant differences were observed between both forms of the enzyme as regards the catalytic properties. The N-terminal 20 amino acid sequence (PEVVDTXSLASPATVXRTKH) showed a 90% identity to the human enzyme with a constitutive substitution of Ile-3 and Ser-14 (human) by Val-3 and Thr-14 (guinea pig), respectively.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1989

Molecular analysis of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase mutations in five unrelated Japanese patients.

The isoenzyme of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT, E.C.2.4.2.8) functions in the metabolic salvage of purines. Partial HPRT deficiency is associated with gouty arthritis, while absence of activity results in Lesch-Nyhan (LN) syndrome. We characterized five unrelated patients with HPRT deficiency to understand the spectrum of molecular defects using Southern and Northern blot, polymerase chain amplification of HPRT mRNA and DNA sequencing, and oligonucleotide hybridization analysis of the HPRT gene. Southern blot analysis of DNA indicated that mutations leading to HPRT deficiency in our five patients were not the result of major chromosomal rearrangements or deletions. Sequencing analysis of the amplified DNA from three different patients with HPRT deficiency implied three unique molecular abnormalities: 1) one single-base substitution at codon 54 (from ATG to CTG) resulting in the replacement of methionine with leucine in an LN patient, 2) two single-base substitutions at codon 179 (from GTT to GGT) and at codon 180 (from GGA to AGA) resulting in the replacement of valine with glycine and glycine with arginine in a gouty patient, and 3) 51 nucleotide deletion between nucleotides 747 and 797 resulting in the formation of shorter sized HPRT mRNA and putative two amino-acid deleted HPRT protein in another gouty patient. These results are the direct molecular evidence of genetic heterogeneity in mutant HPRT.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Oxidation of N-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline into the N-methyl-isoquinolinium ion by monoamine oxidase.

N-Methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (NMTIQ) was found to be oxidized by monoamine oxidase (MAO) into N-methylisoquinolinium ion, which was proved to inhibit enzymes related to the metabolism of catecholamines, such as tyrosine hydroxylase, aromatic-L-amino acid decarboxylase, and MAO. NMTIQ was oxidized by both types A and B MAO in human brain synaptosomal mitochondria. Oxidation was dependent on the amount of MAO sample and the reaction time. Enzyme activity with respect to NMTIQ reached optimum at a pH of approximately 7.25, as was the case with other substrates. Type A MAO had higher activity for this substrate than type B. The Km and Vmax values of the oxidation by types A and B MAO were 571 +/- 25 microM and 0.29 +/- 0.06 pmol/min/mg protein, and 463 +/- 43 microM and 0.16 +/- 0.03 pmol/min/mg protein, respectively. The Vmax values of types A and B MAO for NMTIQ were much smaller than those for other substrates such as kynuramine. NMTIQ was the first tetrahydroisoquinoline shown to be oxidized into the isoquinolinium ion by MAO in the brain.

Brain↗
PubMed1989

Cystic neoplasms of the pancreas: comparison of MR imaging with CT.

Cystic neoplasms of the pancreas are divided into two major groups: microcystic adenomas and mucinous cystic neoplasms. Five microcystic adenomas and seven mucinous cystic neoplasms (three cystadenomas and four cystadenocarcinomas) were examined with both magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and computed tomography (CT). The cystic content was differentiated more easily with MR imaging than with CT. It was homogeneous in four of the five microcystic adenomas, all of which had lobulated borders best seen on T2-weighted images. The mucinous cystadenomas and cystadenocarcinomas were all composed of multiple compartments that varied in signal intensity. The septa, shape, and wall thickness were demonstrated on T1- and/or T2-weighted MR images almost as well as on CT scans. Overall, MR imaging was equal or slightly superior to CT in the diagnosis of pancreatic cystic neoplasms, except in its limited ability to demonstrate calcifications of the tumor wall and septa.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Small hepatocellular carcinoma and cavernous hemangioma: differentiation with dynamic FLASH MR imaging with Gd-DTPA.

Forty patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (n = 22) or cavernous hemangioma (diameter, 3 cm or less) (n = 18) were examined with serial magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at 1.5 T with the fast low-angle shot (FLASH) technique and an intravenously administered bolus injection of 0.05 mmol/kg Gd-DTPA. Two images per minute were obtained for 5 minutes, and one per minute thereafter until about 10 minutes. Dynamic MR studies revealed five criteria for differentiating these tumors. With HCC there was a hyperintense mass before contrast material enhancement (32%), peak contrast enhancement at about 10 seconds after injection (55%), slight to moderate peak contrast enhancement (73%), absent or minimal delayed enhancement (100%), and, at morphologic study, a capsule or nodules-in-nodule appearance (59%). With hemangioma there was a hypointense mass before contrast enhancement (72%), peak contrast enhancement more than 2 minutes after injection (72%), marked peak contrast enhancement (83%), moderate to marked delayed enhancement (100%), and, at morphologic study, spreading phenomenon (39%). Seventy-seven percent of HCCs and 83% of hemangiomas satisfied three or more criteria and thus could be differentiated from each other with certainty.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Siderotic nodules in the spleen: MR imaging of portal hypertension.

The authors retrospectively evaluated magnetic resonance (MR) images obtained at 1.5 T in 233 patients with portal hypertension and 91 subjects without it and pathologic findings in four resected spleens (one normal). Multiple, tiny (3-8 mm in diameter), low-intensity spots in the spleen were observed in 21 of 233 patients. Among the imaging studies performed in these 21 patients, the spots were seen on five of 14 T1-weighted images, 11 of 20 proton density images, and 12 of 20 T2-weighted images obtained with spin-echo techniques and on 14 of 14 fast-scan images obtained with gradient-echo rephasing. MR images in the 91 subjects did not show such lesions. MR images of the three spleens resected from patients with portal hypertension showed the low-intensity spots, which corresponded to siderotic nodules found at pathologic analysis. Despite limited pathologic confirmation, siderotic nodules (so-called Gamna-Gandy nodules) are considered the most likely cause of multiple low-intensity spots in the spleen.

Female↗
PubMed1989

Biliary malignancies occurring in choledochal cysts.

Eight cases of choledochal cyst associated with biliary malignancy (gallbladder carcinoma in three and bile duct carcinoma in five) were reviewed to evaluate the roles and limitations of computed tomography (CT) (n = 8), ultrasound (US) (n = 6), cholangiography (n = 8), and angiography (n = 6). In cases of gallbladder carcinoma, both CT and US revealed mass lesions in the gallbladder consistent with cancer. CT also depicted either a mass lesion or an irregular thickened wall in all cases of bile duct carcinoma; however, US failed to demonstrate a thickened wall in one of three cases in which CT findings were positive. Cholangiography universally revealed malunion of the pancreatico-biliary duct, and the findings were suggestive of malignancy in seven cases in which CT depicted abnormalities. Angiography showed tumor stain in three of six cases. Lymph node metastases were present in four cases but were detected preoperatively in only one. One case showing a thickened bile duct wall was erroneously diagnosed as malignancy among 27 cases of choledochal cyst unassociated with biliary malignancy.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Normoreninemic hypoaldosteronism in a case of isolated ACTH deficiency.

This paper documents the rare and hitherto unreported association between isolated ACTH deficiency and normoreninemic hypoaldosteronism in a 63-year-old woman. Baseline plasma aldosterone and 18-hydroxycorticosterone were extremely low. Both steroids did not respond to exogenous angiotensin II infusion, whereas they were increased in parallel to ACTH stimulation. Thus, acquired dysfunction or congenital dysgenesis of the zona glomerulosa was suspected. The upright posture-furosemide test showed a subnormal but definite plasma aldosterone response coupled with a normal increase in plasma renin activity, indicating that there may be a yet unidentified mechanism(s) underlying the postural increase of aldosterone.

17-Hydroxycorticosteroids↗
PubMed1989

Lipid alterations in renal membrane of stoke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Phospholipase A2 activity, phospholipids, and phospholipid fatty acids were investigated in renal membrane of male stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) and age-matched Wistar-Kyoto rats. Renal phospholipase A2 activity increased and membranous phospholipids especially phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, decreased with age in SHRSP. Arachidonate in phospholipid also decreased with age in SHRSP. To determine the effect of pressure load on the lipid alterations in renal membrane, SHRSP that received antihypertensive treatment with hydralazine, enalapril, or nicardipine for 5 weeks were compared with those without treatment. Antihypertensive treatments prevented phospholipid degradation and increased arachidonate in phospholipid relative to the control group. Phospholipase A2 activity in each group treated with antihypertensive drugs did not differ from that in the control group. These results suggest that the course of hypertension causes renal membranous phospholipid degradation and increases phospholipase A2 activity. Antihypertensive treatments may prevent these lipid alterations in SHRSP. These renal membranous structural changes may provide an explanation not only for functional abnormalities such as decreased membrane fluidity but also for the progress of hypertension.

Animals↗