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Biomedical subjects

M Mori

Publications and source records attributed to M Mori.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

Determination of topotecan by ELISA.

A highly sensitive ELISA for the determination of (s)-9-dimethylaminomethyl-10-hydroxy-camptothecin (topotecan) capable of measuring as low as 80 pg/ml was developed. Anti-topotecan antibody was obtained by immunizing rabbits with topotecan conjugated with bovine serum albumin using diazotized m-aminobenzoic acid as a cross-linker. Enzyme labeling of topotecan with beta-D-galactosidase was performed by utilizing another cross-linker, N-(4-diazophenyl)maleimide. The specificity of this ELISA appears to be primarily toward the lactone moiety of topotecan, showing a very slight cross-reactivity with the lactone opened-ring of topotecan. The values for the topotecan concentrations detected using this assay were comparable with those detected using HPLC. There was a good correlation between the values determined by the two methods. These findings suggest that this ELISA can detect the natural amounts of the lactone form. Using this assay, drug levels were easily determined in the blood and urine of rats for 5 h after i.v. administration of topotecan at a single dose of 1 mg/kg. The sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA should provide a useful tool for developing pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies of topotecan.

Animals↗

Synthesis and in vitro antifungal activities of novel triazole antifungal agent CS-758.

Synthesis and in vitro antifungal activities of a novel triazole antifungal agent CS-758 (former name, R-120758) are described. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of a series of dioxane-triazole compounds related to R-102557 were examined. Variation of the length of the chain between the dioxane ring and the phenyl ring revealed that the linkage with two double bonds is the most preferable. When a cyano group was introduced to the C4 position on the benzene ring, MICs improved further. A fluorine atom was introduced to obtain CS-758. The MICs of CS-758 surpassed those of fluconazole and itraconazole against Candida, Aspergillus and Cryptococcus species. The precursor (E,E)-aldehyde was synthesized stereoselectively from 3-fluoro-4-methylbenzonitrile using the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction.

Antifungal Agents↗

Natto mucilage containing poly-gamma-glutamic acid increases soluble calcium in the rat small intestine.

We prepared natto (fermented soybeans) mucilage containing poly-gamma-glutamic acid (gamma-PGA) from commercial natto. The effect of natto mucilage on calcium (Ca) solubility in vitro and in vivo was investigated. Ca solubility in vitro increased with an increase in the amount of natto mucilage, due to inhibition of the formation of an insoluble complex of Ca with phosphate by natto mucilage. Rats were fed with 5 g of soybean protein isolate, natto, mucilage-free natto, or natto mucilage diet for 1.5 h. Small intestinal contents were collected 2.5 h after ingestion. In the lower half of the small intestine, both the amount and the percentage of soluble Ca of intestinal contents were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in rats fed with natto mucilage diet than in those fed with the other diets. Natto mucilage also increased Ca solubility in vivo. These results suggested that gamma-PGA is responsible for the increasing effect of natto mucilage on Ca solubility.

Animals↗

Passive protection against porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus in piglets by colostrum from immunized cows.

The effects of hyperimmune cow colostrum (HCC) on experimentally induced porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) were investigated in piglets. In experiment 1, four 2-day-old piglets fed HCC containing an antibody titer of 1:512 and another four piglets fed unimmune cow colostrum (UCC) were orally inoculated with 10LD50 of PED virus. The piglets were given colostrum three times a day at 4 hr intervals. Half of the piglets fed HCC showed diarrhea and recovered, and all piglets survived. In contrast, all piglets fed UCC developed diarrhea and three of them died. In experiment 2, 2-day-old piglets fed HCC containing antibody titers of 1:512, 1:128 and 1:32, and UCC were inoculated with PED virus, and survival rates after challenge were 100, 75, 50 and 0 %, respectively. In experiment 3, 1-day-old piglets fed HCC with 1:512 antibody titer or UCC were inoculated and necropsied at 24, 48 and 72 hr after the inoculation for pathological examination. Piglets fed HCC remained healthy and PED virus antigen was not detected in the epithelial cells of the small intestine, and the length of the villi in small intestine was normal. On the other hand, in piglets fed UCC, villous atrophy and PED virus antigen were observed in epithelial cells of the jejunum and ileum from 24 hr. It was concluded that oral administration of HCC to piglets was effective in preventing PED virus infection and reduced their mortality.

Animals↗

Immunohistopathologic demonstration of pleuropneumonia associated with Morganella morganii in a piglet.

Serofibrinous pleuropneumonia in a piglet was examined microbiologically and immunohistopathologically. Large numbers of Morganella morganii were isolated from the pneumonic lesion, but no other pathogens were identified. A large amount of M. morganii antigen was demonstrated, and its distribution was closely associated with the histologic lesion. This finding suggests that pleuropneumonia in piglets might be caused by M. morganii.

Animals↗

Chromosome 13 locus, Pbd2, regulates bone density in mice.

Bone density is inherited as a complex polygenic trait. Previously, we identified two quantitative trait loci (QTLs) specifying the peak relative bone mass (bone mass corrected by bone size) on chromosomes (Chrs) 11 and 13 by interval mapping in two mouse strains: SAMP2 and SAMP6. The latter strain is an established murine model of senile osteoporosis and exhibits a significantly lower peak relative bone mass than SAMP2 mice. In this study, we report the effects of the Chr 13 QTL on peak bone density (Pbd2). First, we constructed a congenic strain P6.P2-Pbd2b, which carried a single genomic interval from the Chr 13 of SAMP2 on an SAMP6-derived osteoporotic background, to dissect this polygenic trait into single gene factors. This congenic strain had a higher bone density than the background strain using three measurement methods with different principles for bone density. Next, we measured the peak relative bone mass of the AKR/J strain and the 13 senescence-accelerated mouse (SAM) strains, which are considered to be a series of recombinant-like inbred (RI) strains derived from the AKR/J strain and other unspecified strains. We then determined the microsatellite marker haplotypes of these strains around the Pbd2 locus, in which three strains with a high relative bone mass shared the same haplotype over the 26-centimorgan (cM) region. In the Pbd2 locus, a high relative bone mass was associated with alleles of the unknown strain, whereas a low relative bone mass was associated with the alleles from the AKR/J strain. These results confirmed the existence of a Pbd2 locus regulating bone density in the SAM strains.

Alleles↗

Inhibited differentiation of Langerhans cells in the rat epidermis upon systemic treatment with cyclosporin A.

The immunosuppressant drug cyclosporin A (CsA) is known to cause reduction in number, DNA synthesis and function of Langerhans cells (LC). Since also the differentiation of LC is known to be hampered in conditions of acquired immunodeficiency not due to drugs, we investigated whether this occurs with CsA. Rats were injected subcutaneously with CsA (5, 10 and 50 mgxkg(-1) x d(-1)) for three weeks; the skin was analyzed by Ia immunohistochemistry and by electron microscopy. Epidermal immunolabeled cells were 15+/-3.5 (mean +/- SEM) per 100 basal keratinocytes in untreated controls and 8.75+/-1.3, 4.75+/-1.0 and 1.7+/-1.2 upon increasing doses of CsA (p<0.01). By electron microscopy, monocytoid cells with deep invaginations of the plasma membrane and roundish LC poor in Birbeck granules appeared in the epidermis upon treatment. The results suggest that CsA inhibits the differentiation of LC precursors in the epidermis and that this can in part explain the selective increase in the risk of skin viral disease and cancer in chronically treated patients.

Animals↗

Detection and identification of subcutaneous adipose tissue protein related to obesity in New Zealand obese mouse.

New Zealand obese (NZO) mouse, a genetic model of obesity, shows hyperphagia, hyperinsulinemia and leptin resistance. We analyzed subcutaneous adipose tissue proteins in NZO mice with a two-dimensional gel electrophoresis technique followed by protein sequence analysis. NZO mice showed hyperinsulinemia and hyperleptinemia. Abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue was inspected in NZO and C57BL/6J lean mice. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis detected 4 spots which were obviously reduced in NZO mice. Those spots were p26, p19, p18 and p15. Internal sequences of the p26 and p15 protein were homologous with those of carbonic anhydrase III, p19 was cytochrome b5, p18 was superoxide dismutase. Serum arachidonic acid level in NZO mice was lower by 80% of C57BL/6J mice. The present study demonstrated the reduction of several enzymes related to lipid metabolism in NZO mice. These data raises the hypothesis that the supposed changes of membrane fluidity caused by altered membrane lipid content may involve central leptin resistance of this model of obesity.

Adipose Tissue↗

Quantitative trait loci for body weight in the intercross between SM/J and A/J mice.

We performed a genome-wide quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of body weight at 10 weeks of age in a population of 321 intercross offspring from SM/J and A/J mice, progenitor strains of SMXA recombinant inbred strains. Interval mapping revealed two significant QTLs, Bwq3 (body weight QTL3) and Bwq4, on Chromosomes (Chrs) 8 and 18 respectively, and five suggestive QTLs on Chrs 2, 6, 7, 15 and 19. Bwq3 and Bwq4 explained 6% of the phenotypic variance. The SM/J alleles at both QTLs increased body weight, though the SM/J mouse was smaller than the A/J mouse. On the other hand, four of the five suggestive QTLs detected had male-specific effects on body weight and the remainder was female-specific. These suggestive QTLs explained 5-6% of the phenotypic variance and all the SM/J alleles decreased body weight.

Alleles↗

In vitro transformation of rat renal cells by treatment with ferric nitrilotriacetate.

Administration of ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) in vivo causes acute renal tubular injury and finally induces renal cell carcinoma. There is accumulating evidence that these processes involve free radicals generated by Fe-NTA. To study the mechanism of renal carcinogenesis by Fe-NTA, we attempted to induce malignant transformation of primary cultured renal cells by treatment with Fe-NTA. When primary cultured renal cells (PRC) were treated continuously with Fe-NTA, all of the PRC died without transformation. On the other hand, when PRC were treated intermittently with Fe-NTA, transformed epithelial colonies were observed at 3 weeks after the first treatment. The established transformed cell line (RK523) showed drastic morphological transformation, grew in soft agar, and formed tumors when transplanted into athymic nude mice. These results indicate that the balance between cytotoxicity and mutagenecity is important for Fe-NTA induced transformation. The RK523 cell line may be a useful model for studying renal carcinogenesis in vitro.

Animals↗

Migration behavior of alkylphenols, bisphenol A and bisphenol S studied by capillary electrophoresis using sulfated beta-cyclodextrin.

An application of capillary electrophoresis (CE) using sulfated beta-cyclodextrin (SCD) has been investigated for separating alkylphenols with different chain lengths, as well as bisphenol A and bisphenol S. In the absence of SCD in running buffer, all the phenols migrated at the same velocity as the electroosmotic flow (EOF), whereas the addition of SCD effectively led to the baseline separation of alkylphenols on the basis of the difference in the abilities to bind into the hydrophobic cavity of CD. The host-guest binding constants between analyte phenols and SCD were evaluated from Benesi-Hildebrand plots of the data obtained by two independent methods, CE and UV-visible measurements, demonstrating that the greater the hydrophobicity of the phenols, the larger the binding constants. The effects of organic solvents on the resolution for alkylphenols and bisphenols were also examined. This system using SCD was effective for the separation of 4-octylphenol and 4-nonylphenol isomers having longer alkyl chains.

Journal Article↗

Induction of unscheduled DNA synthesis in hairless mouse epidermis by 8-methoxypsoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA).

Induction of unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) by 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) plus ultraviolet A (UV-A) (PUVA) was investigated in the epidermis of female hairless mice by means of an in vivo--in vitro assay using a liquid scintillation counting method. Groups of three to five 8-week-old female hairless mice had 8-MOP applied once onto two areas of the back after stripping of the stratum corneum with adhesive tape to enhance skin penetration, and were irradiated with UV-A. Skin samples were taken and cultured in a medium containing [3H]thymidine with or without hydroxyurea (HU) for 2 hr. DNA of the epidermis was extracted, and the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA and the DNA content were determined with a liquid scintillation counter and a fluorescence spectrophotometer, respectively. Induction of UDS was judged in terms of the UDS index [(the ratio of DNA synthesis in the presence of HU to that in its absence) x 100]. In a time-course study, the UDS index was increased at 1, 2 and 24 hr after 1 x 10(5) J/m2 UV-A irradiation with 0.001% 8-MOP, reaching the maximum level at 24 hr. In a dose-response study, it was significantly increased at the dose of 1 x 10(5) J/m2 of UV-A at 24 hr with 0.001% 8-MOP, but showed no significant change at the doses of 0.5 x 10(5), 2 x 10(5) and 4 x 10(5) J/m2. In a further study on the effect of varying the dose of 8-MOP, the UDS index was significantly increased at 0.001 and 0.002% 8-MOP at 24 hr after 1 x 10(5) J/m2 UV-A irradiation, reaching the maximum level with 0.002% 8-MOP. The increase of the UDS index in these studies was less than 3-fold. These results show that PUVA causes a small induction of UDS, which might be due to slow DNA excision repair over a long period.

Animals↗

Acute gastric dilatation accompanied by diabetes mellitus.

A 72-year-old man with diabetic triopathy was hospitalized with methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus pneumonia. Six hours after the admission, his abdomen was fully expanded. An abdominal X-ray showed gastric dilatation. After insertion of a gastric tube to extract gastric air, his abdomen was flat and gastric dilatation improved. A positive Schellong test and decreased coefficient of RR interval in electrocardiogram variation indicated autonomic neuropathy, which may explain the reason for gastric hypomotility. Acute gastric dilatation in this patient may have occurred due to gastric hypomotility as a result of diabetic autonomic neuropathy in addition to gastric motility inhibition resulting from gastric autonomic nerve stimulation by bacterial toxin.

Acute Disease↗

Mixed connective tissue disease associated with von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis.

We report a 42-year-old Japanese woman with Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) who developed mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). Previously experiencing good health without an increase in subcutaneous nodules, she presented with Raynaud's phenomenon, swollen hands and polyarthralgia Clinical examination revealed a high titer of anti-RNP antibody, and she was thus diagnosed as having MCTD. She was treated with oral prednisolone (10 mg/day) and her symptoms improved rapidly. Since the association of MCTD and NF1 has not been reported previously, we concluded that this association is rare. We also discussed the association of NF1 and autoimmune diseases including MCTD.

Adult↗

Meta-analysis of multiple myeloma and benzene exposure.

Epidemiologic studies have suggested that benzene exposure may be a risk factor of multiple myeloma (MM). We performed meta-analyses of case-control studies to assess the association between occupational exposure to benzene and the risk of MM. We divided the occupational sources of benzene exposure into 4 categories, benzene and/or organic solvents, petroleum, petroleum products, and engine exhaust, for conducting the meta-analysis. As a result, a significant positive association was indicated between exposure to engine exhaust and MM (summary odds ratio or summary OR=1.34, 95% confidence interval or 95%CI=1.14-1.57). However, no significant associations were obtained for benzene and/or organic solvents (summary OR=0.74, 95%CI=0.60-0.90), petroleum (summary OR=1.11, 95%CI=0.96-1.28) and petroleum products (summary OR=1.08, 95%CI=0.89-1.33) with risk of MM. These results suggested that benzene exposure itself was not likely to be a risk factor of MM. It is thought that several harmful chemical agents in engine exhaust, other than benzene, could be etiologically related to the risk of MM. Further case-control studies on MM are needed to obtain more information about detailed occupational exposure to toxic substances.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

Systemic fusariosis after a preparative regimen including thiotepa, VP-16 and busulfan used for blood stem cell transplantation in Hodgkin's disease.

Fusarium infection is rare but important infection after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). A 27-year-old man developed systemic fusarial infection following severe skin damage probably caused by high-dose thiotepa administration. Systemic fusariosis rapidly progressed to a variety of organs despite antifungal treatment, and he finally died of this infection on day 75. Considering that this organism usually invades via damaged skin and that the penile lesion was the first manifestation of systemic fusariosis in this patient, careful examination of the skin might be helpful for early diagnosis of fusarial infection. His clinical course provided us with an important clue for diagnosis of fusarial infection.

Adult↗