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Biomedical subjects

M Nonaka

Publications and source records attributed to M Nonaka.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

[Incomplete resection for primary non-small cell lung cancer].

A superior outcome is observed for cases of complete resection compared with that of incomplete resection. The reason and the countermeasure of the incomplete resection for lung cancer were analyzed. During 12 years, 274 patients with primary non-small cell lung cancer were surgically treated. Two hundred and forty-eight patients underwent complete resection and 26 incomplete resection. Three-year survival was 62% for patients with complete resection and 17% for patients with incomplete resection. Survival rates were not different between the paroative reduction surgery and the exploratory thoracotomy. Tiny but multiple pleural dissemination or small amount of the malignant pleurfal effusion was not able to detect preoperatively. In these cases, preoperative thoracoscopic observation may useful for avoiding the meaningless thoracotomy. Postoperative radiochemotherapy may improve the prognosis if the therapy is effective. Chemotherapy on the basis of the sensitivity assay is warranted.

Aged↗

[A surgically treated case of capsulated thymoma with thymic cyst].

A 56-year-old woman was pointed out an abnormal shadow on chest roentgenogram. Chest CT and MRI showed a solid mass with a cyst at right anterior mediastinum. Clinical diagnosis was thymoma with cyst, and surgical excision was performed. The histopathological examination of the resected specimen demonstrated that the epithelia of the cyst wall was single cuboidal or squamous cells and contained some foci of thymic tissue. The solid mass was capsulated and predominantly composed of lymphocytes. The pathological diagnosis was a thymoma (predominantly lymphocytic type) with thymic cyst. She is doing well for 10 years postoperatively.

Female↗

[A case of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral floor showing a complete response to oral administration of UFT].

A 73-year-old male with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral floor (T1N0M0), who had not consented to radical treatment was treated with UFT by oral administration alone. After commencement of the administration, tumor remission was observed at 2 weeks and disappeared clinically at 8 weeks. The total period of oral administration of UFT was twenty-three months, and the total dose was 186.5 g as tegafur. Major adverse effects were pigmentation of hands and liver dysfunction. He remains under observation, and there is no evidence of tumor recurrence.

Administration, Oral↗

Post radiation inflammatory malignant fibrous histiocytoma arising from the chest wall.

A 59-year-old man who underwent radiation therapy (41 Gy) to the mediastinum through the anterior chest for Hodgkin's disease presented with a painful anterior chest wall tumor 18 years later. The tumor originated from the left parasternal region and was excised with the sternum. Chest wall reconstruction was performed. The tumor measured 45 x 45 mm and invaded the sternum. The pathologic diagnosis was malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Early and complete excision of the tumor is indicated.

Biopsy↗

Cloning and characterization of the Caenorhabditis elegans CeCRMP/DHP-1 and -2; common ancestors of CRMP and dihydropyrimidinase?

The vertebrate CRMP (collapsin-response-mediator protein) gene family comprises at least four members. These CRMPs exhibit about 60% amino acid identity with vertebrate dihydropyrimidinase (DHP), an amidohydrolase involved in the pyrimidine degradation pathway. CRMP is also referred to as DRP (DHP-related protein), TOAD-64 (turned on after division, 64 kDa) and Ulip (Unc-33-like phosphoprotein). These vertebrate CRMPs are expressed mainly in early neuronal differentiation, which suggests that they play a role in neuronal development. In this study we isolated two cDNA clones from nematode C. elegans based on their sequence homology to vertebrate CRMPs and DHP. These two molecules, termed CeCRMP/DHP-1 and -2, turned out to be Ulip-B and -A, respectively, which were previously identified in the C. elegans genomic database by Byk et al. (1998). These newly isolated molecules were believed to represent a common ancestral state before the gene duplication between CRMPs and DHP. CeCRMP/DHP-1 and -2 protein retained all putative zinc-binding residues thought to be essential for the amidohydrolase activity of DHP and exhibited a weak amidohydrolase activity when 5-bromo-dihydrouracil was used as a substrate. Whole-mount in situ hybridization and expression analysis using GFP fusions revealed that CeCRMP/DHP-1 was transiently expressed in the hypodermis of C. elegans during the early larva stage. CeCRMP/DHP-1 was also expressed in a single nerve cell between the pharynx and ring neuropil. On the other hand, expression of CeCRMP/DHP-2 was observed in the body wall muscle throughout the lifespan of C. elegans. These results indicate that a major site of CeCRMP/DHP-1 and -2 expression is non-neuronal. Targeted gene disruption of CeCRMP/DHP-2 caused no particular difference in appearance or movement phenotype.

Amidohydrolases↗

Effects of dietary protein type on oxidized cholesterol-induced alteration in age-related modulation of lipid metabolism and indices of immune function in rats.

Exogenous oxidized cholesterol disturbs both lipid metabolism and immune functions. Therefore, it may perturb these modulations with ageing. Effects of the dietary protein type on oxidized cholesterol-induced modulations of age-related changes in lipid metabolism and immune function was examined using differently aged (4 weeks versus 8 months) male Sprague-Dawley rats when casein, soybean protein or milk whey protein isolate (WPI) was the dietary protein source, respectively. The rats were given one of the three proteins in diet containing 0.2% oxidized cholesterols mixture. Soybean protein, as compared with the other two proteins, significantly lowered both the serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances value and cholesterol, whereas it elevated the ratio of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol/cholesterol in young rats, but not in adult. Moreover, soybean protein, but not casein and WPI, suppressed the elevation of Delta6 desaturation indices of phospholipids in both liver and spleen, particularly in young. On the other hand, WPI, compared to the other two proteins, inhibited the leukotriene B4 production of spleen, irrespective of age. Soybean protein reduced the ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+) T-cells in splenic lymphocytes. Therefore, the levels of immunoglobulin (Ig)A, IgE and IgG in serum were lowered in rats given soybean protein in both age groups except for IgA in adult, although these observations were not shown in rats given other proteins. Thus, various perturbations of lipid metabolism and immune function caused by oxidized cholesterol were modified depending on the type of dietary protein. The moderation by soybean protein on the change of lipid metabolism seems to be susceptible in young rats whose homeostatic ability is immature. These observations may be exerted through both the promotion of oxidized cholesterol excretion to feces and the change of hormonal release, while WPI may suppress the disturbance of immune function by oxidized cholesterol in both ages. This alleviation may be associated with a large amount of lactoglobulin in WPI. These results thus showed a possibility that oxidized cholesterol-induced perturbations of age-related changes of lipid metabolism and immune function can be moderated by both the selection and combination of dietary protein.

Aging↗

Molecular cloning and protein analysis of divergent forms of the complement component C3 from a bony fish, the common carp (Cyprinus carpio): presence of variants lacking the catalytic histidine.

Unlike mammals, some bony fish species have been reported to possess multiple forms of the complement component C3. To explore the structural and functional diversity of bony fish C3, we have isolated eight distinct cDNA clones encoding C3 from a single carp (Cyprinus carpio). The eight sequences were grouped into five C3 types, designated C3-H1, C3-H2, C3-S, C3-Q1 and C3-Q2, each sharing 80-86 % amino acid sequence identity with the others. A striking amino acid substitution was noted at the position corresponding to the catalytic histidine, which is conserved in C3 from all the animals analyzed to date and provides the thioester with the ability to bind covalently to hydroxy groups on the target cells or to be hydrolyzed quickly; C3-S, C3-Q1 and C3-Q2 have serine, glutamine and glutamine residues, respectively, in place of the histidine which is conserved in C3-H1 and C3-H2. On the other hand, five distinct C3 forms, named C3-1 to C3-5, were purified from the serum of a single carp. N-terminal sequencing and covalent binding to [3H]glycine identified C3-1 as the translated product of C3-S, while C3-2 was that of C3-H1, and C3-5 that of C3-H2. C3-1 showed a hemolytic activity threefold higher than that of C3-2, whereas C3-5 was inactive, suggesting that the thioester catalytic mechanism is not a necessary determinant for C3 activity and that C3 lacking the catalytic histidine plays a significant role in the complement system of carp and probably other bony fish.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Complement system of bony and cartilaginous fish.

Accumulating evidence indicates that the complement system experienced a discontinuous development at an early stage of vertebrate evolution. Invertebrates such as echinoderms and ascidians, and the most primitive extant vertebrates, the cyclostomes, seem to have a primitive complement system equipped only with the alternative and lectin pathways. In contrast, cartilaginous fish and higher vertebrates seem to have a modern complement system which has two additional pathways, namely the classical and lytic pathways. Recent molecular analyses of the complement system of bony and cartilaginous fish have not only confirmed the above conclusion, but also revealed a unique characteristic of the complement system of fish, where certain key component genes are duplicated. The complement system seems to play a more pivotal role in body defence in fish, whose adaptive immunity is considered to be at a relatively undeveloped state.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Imaging of the (1)H NMR second moment with (13)C chemical-shift resolution

A method of (13)C chemical-shift-resolved (1)H second moment imaging is proposed for molecular mobility imaging of heterogeneous materials. For evaluating the (1)H second moment, the method relies on the curve fitting procedure using spin-echo shapes indirectly: The information of (1)H echo shapes is transferred to the (13)C signal amplitude through (1)H-(13)C cross polarization and then the curve fitting is made using the (13)C signal amplitude. The (13)C signal is detected under (1)H dipolar decoupling and magic angle spinning, resulting in the incorporation of (13)C chemical-shift resolution. Imaging information is included in the (13)C signal by application of phase-encoding gradients. The second moment images obtained can reflect the molecular mobility at every molecular site separated by (13)C chemical shifts, yielding detailed information on the molecular mobility. The method is demonstrated by spatially 1D experiments performed on a model sample. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗

Molecular cloning and linkage analysis of complement C3 and C4 genes of the Japanese medaka fish.

The thioester-containing complement components, C3 and C4, are believed to have arisen by gene duplication from a common ancestor, and the mammalian C4 gene resides in the vicinity of the C2 and B genes within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class III region. To analyze the evolution of both the complement system and the MHC, we determined the complete primary structures of two C3 genes, termed Orla C3-1 and Orla C3-2, and one C4 gene, termed Orla C4, of a teleost, Japanese medaka fish (Oryzias latipes), by analyzing cDNA clones isolated from a liver library constructed using the inbred AA2 strain. The deduced basic structures of Orla C3-1, C3-2, and C4, such as the subunit chain structure, the thioester site, and the proteolytic activation site, are similar to their mammalian counterparts. However, the catalytic His residue which greatly increases the rate of thioester reaction, is replaced by Ala in Orla C3-2, implying functional differentiation between two C3 molecules. Mapping analysis revealed a close linkage between the C3-1 and C3-2 genes, indicating that they arose by a local duplication rather than by a genome-wide tetraploidization. The C4 gene belongs to a different linkage group, and no linkage was observed among the C3, C4, Bf/C2, MHC class I, and MHC class II loci. These results suggest that the MHC class III complement region was established in the tetrapod lineage, or lost in the teleost lineage.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Trans-species polymorphism of the major histocompatibility complex-encoded proteasome subunit LMP7 in an amphibian genus, Xenopus.

LMP7 (PSMB8) is a major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-encoded catalytic subunit of 20S immunoproteasome, which is responsible for the production of antigenic peptide to be presented by the MHC class I molecules. Two highly diverged allelic lineages of LMP7, termed LMP7A and LMP7B, have been identified previously in an amphibian, Xenopus laevis. Fourteen Xenopus species were analyzed by genomic Southern hybridization using LMP7A- and LMP7B-specific probes. Ten had both LMP7A and LMP7B, and the other 4 had only LMP7A. Identification of LMP7A and LMP7B was confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction/sequencing analysis of LMP7 mRNA including eight diagnostic amino acid residues that discriminate the two allelic lineages. These data suggest that these two allelic lineages were established more than 80 million years ago, and were transmitted from species to species. Trans-species evolution has so far been reported for MHC class I and II molecules in mammals and teleost fish, and is believed to be a basis for the extraordinary polymorphism of these molecules. A similar mode of evolution of the LMP7 alleles in Xenopus provides a possible explanation for the linkage of the LMP7 gene with the MHC in all vertebrates analyzed to date.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Differential expression of dihydropyrimidinase-related protein genes in developing and adult enteric nervous system.

Dihydropyrimidinase-related proteins (DRPs) are involved in axonal outgrowth and pathfinding. However, little is known about their significance in the enteric nervous system (ENS), the largest and most complex division of the peripheral nervous system. Using in situ hybridization (ISH) and northern blotting, we examined mRNA expression of DRP-1-4 transcripts in the developing and adult mouse digestive tract and in the adult human colon. ISH detected the mouse DRP-3 transcript in the developing ENS on embryonic day (E)12 and at the later stages as well as in the adult intestine. Mouse DRP-1 and -2 transcripts appeared at E14. DRP-2 transcript was also detected in the adult intestine although DRP-1 expression was lower in the adult. DRP-4 gene was not expressed in the ENS during development or adulthood whereas the signal was apparent in the developing and adult central nervous system (CNS). The DRP expression pattern in the human colon was similar to that of the mouse large intestine. Northern blot analysis showed that DRPs were differentially expressed in the mouse and human intestines, supporting the results of ISH. These data suggest that DRPs play a role not only in the CNS but also in the ENS.

Adult↗

Analysis of the anatomic changes in the thoracic cage after a lung resection using magnetic resonance imaging.

The thoracic cage after a lung resection is filled by the remaining lobes, the elevated diaphragm, the diminished thoracic cage, and by mediastinal shifting. The changes in the thorax after a lung resection were quantified using magnetic resonance imaging. The study group consisted of 39 patients who had undergone a lobectomy, four who had undergone a pneumonectomy, and 14 controls. The left ventricular angle, ascending aortic angle, mediastinal shift, longitudinal length of the thoracic cage, the distance between the thoracic apex and the level of the aortic valve, and diaphragmatic elevation were all measured. After a right lower lobectomy, the mediastinum shifted more rightward than after a right upper lobectomy. The diaphragm became more greatly elevated after a right upper lobectomy than after a right lower lobectomy. When a chest wall resection was added to a right upper lobectomy, the mediastinal anatomical changes decreased. After a left upper lobectomy, the degree of mediastinal shifting was greater than after a left lower lobectomy. A left upper lobectomy shifted the mediastinum at the level of the right atrium. This method is easily reproducible and was found to be effective for quantifying the changes in the thorax after a lung resection.

Case-Control Studies↗

Expression of RANTES by IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha stimulated nasal polyp fibroblasts.

OBJECTIVE: Accumulation of eosinophils (Eo) is one of the most characteristic feature of nasal polyps. However, the question remains why eosinophils accumulate into the nasal polyp tissue. RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and presumably secreted) is a recently described chemokine that is said to play a role in the recruitment of eosinophils into inflammatory tissue sites. Fibroblasts are a rich source of cytokines and inflammatory mediators. The objective of this study was to demonstrated the expression of the chemokine RANTES in nasal polyp fibroblasts after stimulation with proinflammatory cytokines like TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta. METHODS: Fibroblast lines were established from human nasal polyp biopsy tissues taken from patients with chronic sinusitis who had no other associated diseases. Cultured nasal polyp fibroblasts were stimulated with TNF-alpha or IL-1 beta at various doses (0.1, 1.0, 1 ng/ml) or for various times (l, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 h). To detect the RANTES gene expression, RT-PCR was performed. The resulting supernatants were assayed with ELISA for the level of RANTES. RESULTS: We demonstrated that TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta induced the gene expression and protein production of RANTES in nasal polyp fibroblasts. This responsiveness to TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta was time and dose-dependent. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that nasal polypfibroblasts may also play an important role in the recruitment of Eo through the production of RANTES.

Cells, Cultured↗

Decay accelerating factor in guinea-pig reproductive organs.

Decay accelerating factor (DAF, CD55) expressed in human reproductive organs and gametes is thought to play a pivotal role in protection against autologous complement activation in the genital tract. To further investigate the role of DAF in reproduction, we analysed DAF distribution in reproductive organs using guinea-pigs that express multiple DAF isoforms. In males, significant staining was observed in testis on the elongated spermatids and spermatozoa. Levels of DAF mRNA with a shorter 3' untranslated region were significantly enhanced in testis from 9 weeks of age, indicating the presence of DAF mRNA and protein synthesis of spermatozoa DAF in late haploid germ cells. Epididymal spermatozoa appeared to express DAF on the inner acrosomal membrane as well as over their entire surface. Significant DAF expression was also observed on the epithelium of seminal vesicles from 4 weeks of age, with no increase thereafter in the mRNA. C3 mRNA was not detected in this tissue. In females, DAF was detected on the plasma membranes of oocytes through follicle development and on the apical region of uterine epithelium, although the levels of DAF mRNA in these tissues were low. In addition, DAF was selectively expressed on the apical region of ciliated oviductal epithelial cells. The apical region of the ciliated cells comprising the efferent ductule epithelium was also stained significantly, even at 12 days of age, while other epididymal epithelial cells were hardly stained at any age, suggesting that DAF is constitutively expressed on cilia.

Animals↗

A detailed linkage map of medaka, Oryzias latipes: comparative genomics and genome evolution.

We mapped 633 markers (488 AFLPs, 28 RAPDs, 34 IRSs, 75 ESTs, 4 STSs, and 4 phenotypic markers) for the Medaka Oryzias latipes, a teleost fish of the order Beloniformes. Linkage was determined using a reference typing DNA panel from 39 cell lines derived from backcross progeny. This panel provided unlimited DNA for the accumulation of mapping data. The total map length of Medaka was 1354.5 cM and 24 linkage groups were detected, corresponding to the haploid chromosome number of the organism. Thirteen to 49 markers for each linkage group were obtained. Conserved synteny between Medaka and zebrafish was observed for 2 independent linkage groups. Unlike zebrafish, however, the Medaka linkage map showed obvious restriction of recombination on the linkage group containing the male-determining region (Y) locus compared to the autosomal chromosomes.

Animals↗