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Biomedical subjects

M Torii

Publications and source records attributed to M Torii.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Identification and localization of a soluble antigen, Ag2, of 136 kDa from Plasmodium falciparum in vitro cultures.

The soluble antigens, antigen 2 (Ag2) and antigen 6 (Ag6), were copurified from supernatants of P. falciparum in vitro cultures by affinity chromatography and Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography. Rabbit antibodies to Ag2 were raised and characterized by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. Ag2 appeared as a duplet with molecular masses of 136 and 120 kDa when tested by immunoblotting. Immunoprecipitation experiments on Triton X-100 extracted antigens from synchronized cultures showed that the antigen was synthesized in the schizont stage. Ag2 was located near the surface of schizonts in the parasitophorous vacuole and in clefts in the infected erythrocyte cytoplasma as shown by immunogold electron microscopy.

Adult↗

The Duffy receptor family of Plasmodium knowlesi is located within the micronemes of invasive malaria merozoites.

Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium knowlesi merozoites invade human erythrocytes that express Duffy blood group surface determinants. A soluble parasite protein of 135 kd binds specifically to a human Duffy antigen. Using antisera affinity purified on the 135 kd protein, we cloned a gene that encodes a member of a P. knowlesi family of erythrocyte binding proteins. The gene is a member of a family that includes three homologous genes located on separate chromosomes. Two genes are expressed as major membrane-bound products that give rise to soluble erythrocyte binding proteins: the 135 kd Duffy binding protein and a 138 kd protein that binds only rhesus erythrocytes. These different erythrocyte binding specificities may result from sequence divergence of the homologous genes. The Duffy receptor family is localized in micronemes, an organelle found in all organisms of the phylum Apicomplexa.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Pf155/RESA antigen is localized in dense granules of Plasmodium falciparum merozoites.

Immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated the presence of Pf155/RESA in dense granules of Plasmodium falciparum merozoites rather than in micronemes as previously suggested. Since the dense granules are released after the merozoite enters the parasitophorous vacuole, the role of Pf155/RESA in invasion and subsequent steps of parasite development may differ from that of a molecule located in the micronemes.

Animals↗

Cell surface of a tetrads-forming mutant of Micrococcus luteus: chemical treatment of the cells and teichuronic acids on the surface.

Tetrads-forming mutant MT cells of Micrococcus luteus, both treated with chemical reagents and non-treated, were observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The agglutinability of the cells with antiserum containing anti-teichuronic acid antibody was examined. The binding of protein A-gold particles to the cells, mediated with the antiserum, was also observed with SEM. A tetrad surface, not surface of each of four "unit monococci" constituting a tetrad, consisted of two or three smooth areas with borders. The difference in the surface features between M. luteus wild-type IFO 3333 (Monodane et al, Microbiol. Immunol. 33: 165-174, 1989) and the mutant MT cells is discussed.

Cell Wall↗

Unrestricted growth of Plasmodium falciparum in microcytic erythrocytes in iron deficiency and thalassaemia.

The mechanism(s) underlying the apparent resistance to malaria in certain inherited red cell disorders and iron deficiency anaemia remain poorly understood. The possibility that microcytic erythrocytes might inhibit parasite development, by physical restriction or reduced supply of nutrients, has been considered for many years, and never formally investigated. We sought to determine whether in vitro growth studies of P. falciparum could provide evidence to suggest that small red cell size contributes to malaria resistance in those red cell disorders in which microcytosis is a characteristic feature. Invasion and development of P. falciparum in iron deficient red cells (mean values for mean cell volume [MCV] 66 fl, mean cell haemoglobin [MCH] 19 pg) and in the red cells of two gene deletion forms of alpha-thalassaemia (mean MCV 71 fl, MCH 22 pg) were normal, assessed both morphologically, and by 3H-hypoxanthine incorporation. Although parasite appearances were normal in all cell types, morphological abnormalities were noted in iron deficient and thalassaemic cells parasitized by mature stages of P. falciparum, notably cellular ballooning and extreme hypochromia of the red cell cytoplasm. Using electron microscopy, the red cell cytoplasm in parasitized thalassaemic cells showed reduced electron density and abnormal reticulation. Normal invasion rates were observed following schizogony in microcytic cells of both types. Our findings indicate that whilst minor morphological abnormalities may be detected in parasitized iron deficiency and thalassaemic erythrocytes, development of P. falciparum in these conditions is not limited by small erythrocyte size.

Anemia, Hypochromic↗

Some enzyme characteristics of spontaneously hypertensive rats myocardium.

In order to ascertain the pathogenesis of myocardial cell vulnerability in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), several enzyme activities were examined by using subcellular fractions of myocardium and compared to those in Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). In the normotensive WKY heart, both 5'-nucleotidase and Na+/K(+)-ATPase, which are plasma membrane associated enzymes, increased with age. But in the SHR heart, both enzymes were lower at 16 weeks than they were at 10 weeks of age. Moreover, at 16 weeks of age they were lower in SHR than in WKY. On the other hand, NADP(+)-isocitrate dehydrogenase activity, a mitochondria associated enzyme, was higher in SHR than in WKY at 6 weeks, but lower at 10 and again at 16 weeks of age. The activities of both acid phosphatase and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, which are lysosomal enzymes, decreased with age in SHR but not in WKY. These results suggest that an enzymatic alteration in the plasma membrane and mitochondria may be one of important factors behind myocardial vulnerability in the SHR heart.

Animals↗

Factors affecting the amount of fluoride ion release from fluoride releasing resin.

The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of factors affecting fluoride-ion release from a newly developed fluoride releasing resin (F-resin) under various conditions. Both higher temperature and longer immersion times resulted in a greater amount of fluoride ion released from this material, whereas thermal cycling did not accelerate the fluoride release. It was also found that the amount of released fluoride ion increased with increase in pH. The experiments performed also demonstrated that the fluoride release rate was reduced by polishing or heating the test disc of F-resin. Although the amount of released fluoride ion varied with each experimental conditions employed, a fluoride ion release was always observed under all experimental conditions.

Fluorides↗

Bonding ability of light cured composite resin to enamel and dentin promoted by various bonding systems--microleakage and bond strength studies.

The purpose of this study was to estimate bond strength between light cured composite resin and enamel or dentin, and marginal sealing ability of composite resin promoted by five commercial bonding systems. At first, tensile bond strength between light cured composite resin and enamel or dentin promoted by these bonding systems were measured. Next, class V cavities were prepared at cementoenamel junction of extracted human molars and filled with light cured composite resin, using the same bonding systems. Microleakage around the restoration was estimated by dye penetration test. All bonding systems presented high bond strength and good marginal sealing between composite resin and enamel. The bonding systems which presented high bond strength between composite resin and enamel or dentin inhibited microleakage around restoration effectively. However, no bonding system could inhibit microleakage completely at the cementum/dentin-composite resin interface.

Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate↗

Chemical treatments of the cell packets induced from a Micrococcus luteus mutant and teichuronic acids on the packet surface.

Cell packets (MT packets) induced from a tetrads-forming mutant (strain MT) of Micrococcus luteus, both treated with chemical reagents and non-treated, were observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The agglutinability of MT packets with antiserum containing anti-teichuronic acid antibody was examined. The binding of protein A-gold particles to the MT packets, mediated with the antiserum, was also observed with SEM. Gold particles were observed uniformly on the whole packet surface and also on the bridging structure formed by the outermost layer of the cell wall. Mild acid treatment, NaIO4-NaBH4 treatment and mild Smith degradation of the MT packets extremely decreased the agglutinability and binding of protein A-gold particles. The treatments gave a little influence on the surface feature and appreciably destroyed the regular packet structure. It was supposed that teichuronic acids distributed uniformly on the whole packet surface, naturally on the surface of the bridging structure too, and appreciably participated in the maintenance of the regular packet structure.

Cell Membrane↗

Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes form spontaneous erythrocyte rosettes.

Erythrocytes infected with trophozoites or schizonts of Plasmodium falciparum bind uninfected erythrocytes, leading to rosette formation. Both established laboratory strains and fresh isolates from patients form such rosettes, but at widely different frequencies. IgG preparations from the serum of some P. falciparum-immune donors and heparin inhibited rosette formation. The results indicate that cytoadherence of infected erythrocytes to endothelial cells and rosetting represent distinct genetic traits.

Animals↗

Surface hydrophobicity of spores of Bacillus spp.

The surface hydrophobicity of 12 strains of Bacillus spp. was examined in a hexadecane-aqueous partition system. Mature and germinated spores of Bacillus megaterium QM B1551 transferred to the hexadecane layer, while vegetative and sporulating cells did not. Wild-type spores were more hydrophobic than spores of an exosporium-deficient mutant of B. megaterium QM B1551, although the mutant spores were shown to be hydrophobic to some extent by using increased volumes of hexadecane. This result suggests that the exosporium is more hydrophobic than the spore coat and that the surface hydrophobicity of spores depends mainly on components of the exosporium. The surface hydrophobicity of spores of nine other species of Bacillus was also examined, and spores having an exosporium were more hydrophobic than those lacking an exosporium. Thus measurement of the hydrophobicity of spores by the hexadecane partition method may provide a simple and rapid preliminary means of determining the presence or absence of an exosporium.

Alkanes↗

Cell surface of Micrococcus luteus: chemical treatment of the cells and teichuronic acids on the surface.

Micrococcus luteus IFO 3333 cells, both treated with chemical reagents and non-treated, were observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The agglutinability of the cells with antiserum containing anti-teichuronic acid antibody was examined. The binding of protein A-gold particles to the cells, mediated with the antiserum, was also observed with SEM. The surface of a M. luteus cell consisted of two or three areas with borders--the rough and the smooth areas, or the rough, the slightly rough, and the smooth areas; fluffy materials were clearly seen in the rough area. Gold particles were observed uniformly and densely on the whole cell surface. However, either mild acid treatment or mild Smith degradation of the cells altered the fluffy rough area to a rough one, and extremely decreased the agglutinability and the binding of protein A-gold particles. Teichuronic acids appeared to be distributed uniformly on the whole cell surface of M. luteus IFO 3333.

Agglutination Tests↗

Release of merozoite dense granules during erythrocyte invasion by Plasmodium knowlesi.

We used immunoelectron microscopy to study the fate of dense granules during the invasion of erythrocytes by Plasmodium knowlesi merozoites. When merozoites entered host cells, dense granules moved to the pellicle, released their contents into the parasitophorous vacuole space, and then moved into fingerlike channels of the vacuole membrane. This is the first report showing that the content of dense granules of P. knowlesi is different from the contents of rhoptries and micronemes and is associated with the formation of channels from the parasitophorous vacuole.

Animals↗

Association of microneme antigens of Plasmodium brasilianum merozoites with knobs and other parasite-induced structures in host erythrocytes.

The localization of Plasmodium brasilianum antigens, common to merozoite micronemes and parasite-induced structures in the host erythrocyte, was determined by means of immunogold electron microscopy and monoclonal antibodies directed against blood stages of this parasite. All monoclonal antibodies reacted with micronemes. In addition, some reacted with either knob protrusions or caveolae of the host erythrocyte membrane; one reacted with a parasite-derived antigen present in the erythrocyte cytoplasm. Gold particles appeared over the membranes of ring-infected cells before the appearance of knobs and caveolae. We hypothesize that at least some knob- and caveolae-associated antigens of P. brasilianum are inserted into the erythrocyte membrane at the time of merozoite invasion.

Animals↗

[Inhibition of water insoluble glucan formation by eluate from amalgams].

The effect of the eluate from amalgam on glucan synthesis was investigated in this study in order to elucidate the mechanisms by which plaque accumulation is inhibited on amalgam but not on enamel or composite. Glucosyltransferase (GTase) was prepared from a cultured supernatant of Streptococcus mutans B 13 by the ammonium sulfate precipitation method. Five commercial amalgams were tested. The eluate from amalgams was prepared by immersing the amalgam discs (10 mm dia. x2 mm thick.) into distilled water for 2 weeks. A glucan synthesizing system was compounded using GTase (50 microliters), [14C]-sucrose (100 microliters), distilled water, and the eluate (350 microliters). After 18 h incubation at 37 degrees C, the formed water insoluble glucan was collected on glass fiber filters and its radioactivity was counted. Moreover, concentrations of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in the eluates were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The eluates from Dispersalloy and Fluor alloy, which eluted Zn, were the most inhibitory for glucan synthesis. Sybraloy, which released Cu to a much greater degree than the other amalgams and its eluate showed intermediate antienzymatic activity. The other amalgams, Hi-atomic M and Spherical-D, did not effect GTase at all. The results indicated that various amalgams strongly impact inhibition rates of glucan formation.

Dental Amalgam↗

Effect of several resin monomers on water insoluble glucan formation by glucosyltransferase of Streptococcus sobrinus.

The cause or mechanism by which more plaque tend to accumulate on composite resins than on any other restorative materials has yet to be sufficiently explained. The purpose of this study was to investigate a possible mechanism by clarifying the effects of several monomers on the glucosyltransferase activity from Streptococcus sobrinus. The following results were obtained. In the individual resin monomers, di-, tri- and tetra-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (2G, 3G and 4G), Bis-GMA and UDMA showed a stimulatory tendency of water insoluble glucan (WIG) formation. However, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (IG), polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate (9G and 14G), and MMA diminished the synthesis of water soluble glucan as the concentration of monomers was increased. In addition, the eluate from experimental resin consisted of IG and Bis-GMA decreased the production of WIG when compared to that from 3G and Bis-GMA based resin. These results indicated that it was possible to develop a composite resin which inhibits plaque accumulation by using some antienzymatic monomers.

Composite Resins↗

Inhibition in vitro of caries around amalgam restorations by bonding amalgam to tooth structure.

Class 5 preparations in human molars were restored with amalgam. In half of the restorations, an experimental resin liner capable of bonding amalgam to tooth structure was used. The restored teeth were incubated in a bacterial medium containing sucrose and a culture of Streptococcus mutans. Artificial carious lesions were produced around all restorations. The experimental liner inhibited penetration of the lesions along the cavity wall. This inhibition was more effective at the occlusal side.

Dental Amalgam↗