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Biomedical subjects

N Kitamura

Publications and source records attributed to N Kitamura.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources

Primary structure of rat hepatocyte growth factor and induction of its mRNA during liver regeneration following hepatic injury.

Overlapping cDNA clones for rat hepatocyte growth factor (rHGF) were isolated by cross-hybridization with the cloned cDNA for human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF) and the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA was determined. The entire primary structure of rHGF was deduced from the sequence. Comparison of the amino acid sequences between rat and human HGFs revealed that the two sequences are highly conserved throughout the protein structures, suggesting that rat and human HGFs may be functionally similar. Responses of the rHGF mRNA during liver regeneration in rats were examined by Northern blot hybridization analysis with the aid of the cDNA probe for rHGF. The mRNA levels increased in the liver and spleen but not in the kidney after administration of carbon tetrachloride. At the maximum level of induction, the rHGF mRNA increased in the liver about 4.5-fold over its normal level. The mRNA levels also increased in the liver and spleen after administration of D-galactosamine. On the other hand, no obvious increase of the mRNA was observed in the liver and spleen after partial hepatectomy. These observations suggest that HGF may function as a regulator of liver regeneration following hepatic injury caused by hepatotoxins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Establishment of a human undifferentiated thyroid cancer cell line producing several growth factors and cytokines.

A cell line was established from undifferentiated giant cell carcinoma of the thyroid. The authors obtained cells from a 44-year-old patient admitted because of a rapidly growing anterior neck mass. The patient had significant leukocytosis and hypercalcemia shortly before her death. An autopsy revealed epidermoid metaplasia of the tumor cells. The cells (HTC/C3) had lost most of their differentiated functions. However, their thyroid nature was shown by peroxidase staining and by enzyme-linked immunostaining with Hashimoto patients' sera. The tumor extract was found to contain parathyroid (PTH)-like activity. Significant amounts of colony stimulating factor (CSF), which was further defined to be GM-CSF, and interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) were detected in the conditioned media. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) binding to the HTC/C3 showed rich EGF receptors. Furthermore, the conditioned medium inhibited the binding of 125I-mEGF to HeLa cells, and transforming growth factor (TGF) was found repeatedly in the media.

Adult↗

Cloning, sequencing and expression in Escherichia coli of cDNA for a non-A, non-B hepatitis-associated microtubular aggregates protein.

A 1.7 kb cDNA encoding a novel antigen (p44; apparent Mr 44K) associated with non-A, non-B (NANB) hepatitis, was isolated from the hepatic cDNA library of a chimpanzee infected with NANB hepatitis. The library was screened with a monoclonal antibody against this antigen. The cDNA cloned contained an open reading frame encoding a 444 amino acid protein with an Mr calculated to be 50,468. The cDNA hybridized to a 1.9 kb mRNA obtained from chimpanzee hepatocytes infected with either the NANB or hepatitis delta viruses. It hybridized weakly to mRNA from hepatitis B virus-infected hepatocytes, and not at all to mRNA from normal chimpanzee hepatocytes. Southern blot analysis revealed that p44 is a host protein in chimpanzees, and that an identical gene exists in the human genome.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Immunohistochemical study of peptide-containing nerves in the gastrointestinal tract of the Japanese field vole, Microtus montebelli.

The distribution and relative frequency of nerves containing immunoreactivity for substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), gastrin-releasing polypeptide (GRP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and menthionine-enkephalin (MENK) were studied by immunohistochemistry in the gastrointestinal tract of the herbivorous Japanese field vole, Microtus montebelli.

Animals↗

Episodic fluctuation in serum intact parathyroid hormone concentration in men.

To evaluate the temporal features of physiological fluctuation in serum PTH concentration, we sampled peripheral blood at 4-min intervals for 24 h from five normal men (32.8 yr; range, 26-40 yr) and measured serum PTH levels using a two-site immunoradiometric assay with the exquisite sensitivity and specificity for human PTH-(1-84) (intact PTH). The resultant 24-h time series of serum intact PTH levels were assessed by contemporary techniques in chronophysiology for rhythmic and episodic peak detection. Cosinor analysis disclosed a significant circadian rhythm in serum intact PTH concentrations in all five men, with the mean circadian amplitude and acrophase of 7.2 +/- 4.4 ng/L and 2305 +/- 401 h, respectively (mean +/- SD; n = 5). No apparent fixed ultradian periodicity was found by autocorrelation and spectral analyses. Evaluation of episodic intact PTH pulsatility by Cluster analysis revealed 23.0 +/- 4.4 discrete PTH pulses/24 h (P less than 0.01 vs. signal-free noise), which occurred at an interpulse interval of 61.6 +/- 11.1 min. The average duration of a serum intact PTH peak was 42.8 +/- 7.3 min, and its mean incremental amplitude was 12.6 +/- 1.3 ng/L, which corresponded to a 31.8 +/- 5.2% increase above the preceding nadir. Discrete PTH peaks were separated by nonpulsatile valleys which lasted for 17.9 +/- 4.4 min. Cross-correlation between the time series of serum intact PTH and whole blood ionized calcium (Ca2+) was at its maximum (-0.5) at concurrent time points in three subjects, while significant positive correlation between serum intact PTH and simultaneous serum inorganic phosphorus concentrations was observed in four of five subjects. There was no apparent correlation between the levels of serum intact PTH and serum magnesium. Our data show that serum levels of intact PTH, the only biologically active form of PTH in the blood, is characterized by a significant circadian periodicity, spontaneous episodic pulsatility with distinct peak properties, and a significant temporal coupling with Ca2+ and inorganic phosphorus concentrations. We conclude that PTH secretion, as judged by the temporal pattern of serum intact PTH levels, is pulsatile in normal men.

Adult↗

An immunohistochemical study on the distribution of endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract of the musk shrew, Suncus murinus.

The endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract of the musk shrew were studied immunohistochemically. Eleven kinds of endocrine cells, immunoreactive for serotonin, somatostatin, gastrin, cholecistokinin, gastric inhibitory polypeptide, motilin, secretin, neurotensin, pancreatic glucagon, enteroglucagon and bovine pancreatic polypeptide, were revealed. In the stomach, serotonin-, somatostatin-, gastrin-, pancreatic glucagon- and enteroglucagon-immunoreactive cells were detected. The first three types of cells predominated and were more abundant in the pyloric glands than in the other stomach regions. In the small intestine, all types of endocrine cells were found, each having different distributions and relative frequencies. In the large intestine, 10 types of endocrine cells except cholecystokinin-immunoreactive cells were detected. Serotonin- and bovine pancreatic polypeptide-immunoreactive cells were more numerous in the large intestine than in the small intestine.

Animals↗

An immunohistochemical study of endocrine cells in the proximal duodenum of eight marsupial species.

The proximal duodenum of eight marsupial species, (koala, common brushtail possum, ring-tailed possum, common wombat, great grey kangaroo, parma wallaby, short-nosed bandicoot and tiger cat) were investigated immunohistochemically using 12 specific antisera for gut hormones. Several types of immunoreactive cells were seen on the intestinal villi and in crypts of these species: 9 types in the koala; 8 types in the common brushtail possum; 7 types in the common wombat; 6 types in the short-nosed bandicoot and 5 types in the ringtailed possum, great grey kangaroo, parma wallaby and tiger cat. Gastrin-, somatostatin-, motilin- and serotonin-immunoreactive cells were seen in all species examined. A few BPP-, enteroglucagon-, CCK-, secretin-, GIP- and neurotensin-immunoreactive cells were seen but only in few species. A few substance P-immunoreactive cells were detected only in the koala. Immunoreactive cells were also seen in Brunner's glands: 5 types in the parma wallaby; 3 types in the great grey kangaroo and tiger cat; 2 types in the koala and common wombat; 1 type in the short-nosed bandicoot. No immunoreactive cells were found in Brunner's glands of the common brushtail possum.

Animals↗

[A case report of the reinforcing technique with collared prosthesis for the prosthetic valve endocarditis in mitral position].

A 58-year-old female was admitted to our hospital because of the prosthetic valve endocarditis in mitral position. In the past, this patient was undertaken double valve replacement in mitral and aortic position. Nevertheless, postoperative course was not in stable condition, showing persistent sign of the infection. The appearance of mitral regurgitant murmur and regurgitant signal by colour Doppler cardiography could make sure of the diagnosis for prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) in mitral position. The operation for PVE in mitral prosthesis was undertaken as follows. As there was extensive annular infection around the mitral valve, the new mitral prosthesis (Duromedics valve) with the Gore-tex flange, so called collared prosthesis, was revised. The collared prosthesis was implanted in the mitral annulus by using the suture ring of the Duromedics valve as well as possible, furthermore, the Gore-tex flange were sutured in the left atrial wall 2 cm above the mitral ring. Postoperatively, the infection sign and congestive heart failure were completely subsided. This patient has been in very healthy condition these days and restored to the daily life.

Endocarditis, Bacterial↗

An ultrastructural study on gastric endocrine cells in the stomach gland patch of the koala Phascolarctos cinereus.

The endocrine cells in the stomach gland patch of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) were studied ultrastructurally. They were classified into 3 types based on the ultrastructural profiles of their endocrine granules and tentatively categorized as type I, II, and III endocrine cells. Type I cells contained round granules that were for the most part larger than those observed in the other 2 cell types. The granules ranged from moderate to relatively high in electron density. Type II cells were angular in shape and characterized by the presence of granules that were polymorphous in profile. Contents of the endocrine granules in type II cells also showed a range of high to moderate electron density. Type III cells were oval or pyramidal in shape. They contained highly polymorphous granules that were round, oval, dumbbell-like or comma in shape and characterized by the presence of a clear space or halo separating the high to low electron-dense core from the limiting membrane of granules. Type III cells were observed most often whereas type I and II cells were a less frequent observation.

Animals↗

[A case report of surgical treatment of prosthetic valve endocarditis in tricuspid position].

A case of right sided prosthetic valve endocarditis in tricuspid position was presented. This 38-year-old male underwent tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) with SJM (31 mm) prosthetic valve because of tricuspid valve endocarditis caused by staphylococcus epidermidis five years ago. At the beginning of this year, 1989, he was admitted with complain of high fever and bloody sputa. Doppler color imaging showed prosthetic valve was stenotic whose pressure gradient was 16 mmHg in peak pressure gradient, but vegetation was not identified. Following with gastrectomy perhaps due to AGML, re-TVR was done with Carpentier-Edwards vale (31 mm). He was discharged without any problems. It seems important to determine the timing of re-operation before leading any complications.

Adult↗

[Rapid measurement of human parathyroid hormone-(1-84) by immunoradiometric assay for use in intraoperative determination of hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands].

Rapid measurement of serum intact parathyroid hormone concentration was achieved by modification of an immunoradiometric assay for the hormone. Incubation of serum samples for 15 min at 37 degrees C under shaking gave optimal results in terms of assay variance and reproducibility: intra-assay CVs were less than 10% over the hormone concentrations of 11-1,600 pg/ml; intra- and inter-assay CVs for two control sera at different hormone levels were less than 12%. The minimal detectable hormone concentration was found at 27.8 pg/ml. The serum hormone levels of 43 subjects (31 health subjects, 9 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, and 3 patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism) determined by either rapid or regular assay well correlated with each other (r2 = 0.979, p less than 0.001). In two patients with parathyroid adenoma serum intact PTH levels fell rapidly to 12.1% of the preoperative values 20 min after ligation of the vascular pedicle to the hyperfunctioning glands. We conclude that the modified assay protocol allows rapid, accurate, and simple estimation of intact PTH concentrations, and can be used as an intraoperative measure to aid both diagnosis and surgical cure of hyperparathyroidism.

Chi-Square Distribution↗

[A case of constrictive pericarditis due to traumatic pericardial hematoma].

Although the cause varies widely, we recently experienced a case of constrictive pericarditis of which cause seemed to be traumatic as described below. The patient was a 62-year-old man having a history of epigastric trauma about 20 years ago. Since then, palpitation appeared and he was recently hospitalized in our department for the purpose of receiving an operation under the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis. At operation, a hematoma was found in the pericardial region, which was considered to have been caused by trauma in the past. Less reports have so far been available concerning trauma-induced constrictive pericarditis and this case thus seemed to be of rarity as well.

Constriction, Pathologic↗

[Experimental evaluation for tricuspid annular constriction with the model of tricuspid annular dilatation].

We have obtained the good result about tricuspid annular constriction (TAC) for secondary tricuspid insufficiency. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of TAC for the experimental model of tricuspid annular dilatation. First of all, tricuspid annular dilatation was made surgically in 8 mongrel dogs by placing 8 incisions to tricuspid annulus except septal cusp under the condition of heart-lung preparation. On clinical evaluation, septal annulus was kept to be intact in many cases compared with the two other areas. This experimental model of tricuspid annular dilatation was considered to be substituted to the clinical model of tricuspid annular dilatation. TAC suture was surrounded circumferentially around the dilated tricuspid annulus. And then, TAC suture was pulled out from the right atrial wall, and the circumferential length of tricuspid annulus was completely accommodated by pulling the TAC suture. The hemodynamic status was observed by right atrial pressure (V wave and mean) and right ventricular end-diastolic pressure (RVEDP). After heart resuscitation and gradual increase of preload, right atrial pressure was significantly elevated especially right atrial pressure (V wave) compared with control values. When 2 cm of circumferential length of tricuspid annulus on an average was constricted by shortening of TAC suture, right atrial pressure was significantly decreased, and then RVEDP tended to decrease. It was shown that TAC was an effective operative technique for the secondary tricuspid annular dilatation and tricuspid insufficiency from the standpoint of experimental aspect as well as clinical results.

Animals↗

[A study of tricuspid-tailoring annular constriction in autopsy cases--cases which appear to embody limitation of tricuspid-tailoring annular constriction].

We our department have performed tricuspid-tailoring annular constriction (T-TAC) as salvage operation for secondary tricuspid regurgitation (TR) with gratifying results. Of those cases undergoing MVR and T-TAC for mitral valve regurgitation (MR) and secondary TR with an associated severe cardiac cachexia, 2 autopsy cases in which an associated severe cardiac cachexia, 2 autopsy cases in which residual tricuspid regurgitation culminated in patient's death long after operation were investigated. In Case 1, the patient was discharged asymptomatic 2 months after operation, but later developed severe left heart failure and marked tricuspid regurgitation as precipitated by upper respiratory tract infection and died from exacerbation of LOS before undergoing a scheduled reoperation. T-TAC was found successful on autopsy. In Case 2, the patient died of long-persisting left heart failure and severe residual tricuspid regurgitation after following a similar postoperative course to that in Case 1. On autopsy stitches made through the tricuspid anterior leaflet, septum and posterior leaflet were found untied and loosened and the tricuspid annulus diameter increased. In severe valvular heart disease, even if T-TAC has proven successful, aggravation of cardiac failure may lead to the development of TR. Because of the fragility of myocardial tissue due to severe myocardial damage in such compromised patients, sophisticated operative techniques need to be devised. Cases illustrative of a limited long-term success of T-TAC used alone are presented.

Constriction↗

Production of interleukin 1 beta, a potent bone resorbing cytokine, by cultured human myeloma cells.

Supernatants of freshly isolated human myeloma cell cultures were examined both for bone-resorbing activity (BRA) in vitro using newborn mouse calvaria, and for identification of the causal substances of the BRA. Eight of 14 culture supernatants of myeloma cells had BRA. All of these BRA-positive supernatants were from patients with marked destructive bone lesions of multiple myeloma. The presence of interleukin 1 (IL-1), especially IL-1 beta, was demonstrated in seven of these BRA-positive supernatants but not in BRA-negative supernatants. The concentrations of IL-1 beta were high enough to induce bone resorption in the newborn mouse calvaria assay and the BRA was totally abolished by pretreatment of the supernatants with anti-IL-1 beta antibody but not with either anti-IL-1 alpha antibody or normal serum. Other bone resorbing cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor or lymphotoxin were not present in high enough concentrations to stimulate bone resorption and their levels did not correlate with the BRA. IL-1 beta mRNA was also identified in BRA-positive myeloma cells. These results demonstrate that IL-1 beta is the principal agent of BRA present in supernatants of myeloma cell cultures, and also identify a possible role of IL-1 beta in destructive bone lesions in patients with multiple myeloma.

Adult↗

Phorbol ester binding sites in human brain: characterization, regional distribution, age-correlation, and alterations in Parkinson's disease.

We have characterized and localized phorbol ester binding sites in human autopsied brains, using [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate ([3H]PDBu). When the tissue was homogenized in the absence of Ca2+ chelator (10 mM EGTA/2 mM EDTA), Scatchard analysis of the specific [3H]PDBu bindings to both particulate and soluble fractions yielded a single class of high-affinity binding site (Kd = 7.1 and 7.4 nM: Bmax = 45.4 and 3.1 pmol/mg protein, respectively). The particulate fraction retained the majority of [3H]PDBu binding (98% of total binding activity), while the soluble fraction was almost devoid of binding activity (2%). In the presence of Ca2+ chelator, more of the activity was found in the soluble fraction (30%). The binding of [3H]PDBu was potently inhibited by active phorbol esters and related diterpenes with Ki of nanomolar concentration but not by inactive ones. Diolein (OAG), a synthetic diacylglycerol, and polymixin B, an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), inhibited the binding moderately (Ki = 5.8 and 1.3 microM, respectively). H-7, an inhibitor of PKC and cyclic nucleotides-dependent kinase, did not compete with [3H]PDBu for the binding sites (Ki greater than 100,000 nM). The regional distribution of specific [3H]PDBu binding in the human brain was rather uneven and resembled that of [3H]PDBu autoradiograms and PKC-like immunoreactivities in the rat brain. The binding capacities were generally in the order: rhinencephalon greater than basal ganglia greater than cerebral cortex greater than diencephalon greater than cerebellum greater than mesencephalon. Age-related loss of binding sites was observed in the prefrontal cortex of the subjects 33-81 years of age. In Parkinson's disease, the phorbol ester binding showed a significant reduction in the substantia nigra, caudate putamen, and pallidum, whereas it was unchanged in the prefrontal cortex and caudate nucleus of schizophrenics, when compared with the relevant controls.

Adult↗

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate binding sites in the brain: regional distribution, characterization, and alterations in brains of patients with Parkinson's disease.

[3H]Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [( 3H]Ins-(1,4,5)P3) binding studies were done on the human brain obtained at autopsy. The specific [3H]Ins(1,3,4,5)P3 binding sites in the cerebral and cerebellar cortices consisted of a single component with a high affinity (Kd = 11.3 and 16.5 nM, Bmax = 0.8 and 6.4 pmol/mg protein, respectively). The binding of [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 was potently inhibited by Ins(1,4,5)P3, in a nanomolar concentration, while other inositol phosphates and inositol were either much less potent or did not inhibit binding. The binding sites for [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 were discretely localized and were in the order: cerebellum much greater than basal ganglia, cerebral cortex greater than rhinencephalon greater than diencephalon, mesencephalon. There was an age-related loss of [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 binding in the frontal cortex. In the brains of patients with Parkinson's disease, [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 binding sites were reduced by about 50% in the caudate nucleus, putamen, and pallidum, while there were no differences in the frontal cortex, as compared to findings in the age-matched controls. Our findings suggest that [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 binding sites are closely linked to neural elements in the human brain.

Binding, Competitive↗