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Biomedical subjects

S Endo

Publications and source records attributed to S Endo.

At least 523 records · Page 29Linked to original sources

[Electrophysiological studies on hydranencephaly].

Electrophysiological studies were performed on two children with hydranencephaly that was diagnosed by CT and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Case 1 was a 4-months-old boy who had no rostral tissue above the midbrain. Case 2 was a 5-years-old boy in whom CT showed the presence of the thalamus. Short latency somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) in both cases exhibited the absence of cortical activity (N1 and P4) with the preservation of waves of brainstem origin. However, in case 1, the wave component N0 was not observed, while N0 was seen in case 2. Thus, the N0 was component of SSEP on median nerve stimulation in children, which corresponds to N16 in adults, may originate in the thalamus.

Child, Preschool↗

[An elderly case of recurrent craniopharyngioma suffering from hemorrhage].

A case of a 63-year-old female with craniopharyngioma is reported. She first suffered from occult pituitary apoplexy and had recurrent enlargement and characteristic changes of a tumor during short periods. This patient was hospitalized after suddenly developing bitemporal hemianopsia. An intra-and suprasellar hematoma was revealed on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). At the first operation, the hematoma was removed totally by the transsphenoidal approach, but tumor tissues were not identified. During the following 12 months, operations were repeated three times due to the recurrence and/or enlargement of a tumor associated with visual symptoms. Pathological diagnosis was squamous-type craniopharyngioma without any malignancy. Microscopic appearance of the tumor apparently changed during the clinical course. The characteristic findings were revealed respectively on MRI and CT. On the first preoperative MRI, a lesion of diffuse high signal intensity was observed on both T1 and T2 weighted images. At the second operation, the lesion was also revealed as having high signal intensity on T1 and T2 weighted images but the tumor had a large cyst with serous-yellowish fluid contents. A differential diagnosis was made on CT. At the third and fourth operations, the tumor was solid and had atheromatous contents. The lesion was revealed as having low signal intensity on T1 image and high on T2 respectively. Occult pituitary apoplexy with intra and suprasellar hemorrhage is very rare in cases of craniopharyngioma and only nine cases have been reported until now. It is also interesting with this high-aged patient that repeated recurrence and/or enlargement of a tumor with different microscopic appearances occurred during such short periods.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Craniopharyngioma↗

[Bronchopleural fistula after pulmonary resection of lung cancer].

From 1977 to 1988, 390 cases of lung cancer were resected in our hospital. In 12 patients (3.1%) a postoperative bronchopleural fistula developed. This complication occurred more commonly after right pulmonary resection than left and most common after right pneumonectomy. Moreover, that had occurred following right pneumonectomy was most fatal. After right middle and lower lobectomy, this complication occurred at the same rate as after pneumonectomy and also caused a fatal result. On the other hand, after the resection of single lobe, the rate of the occurrence of a bronchopleural fistula was lower. And, even if it had developed, the fistula sometimes could be healed by a conservative treatment only. In one of our cases the fistula was successfully treated by intra-bronchial gluing through a bronchofiberscope.

Aged↗

[Experimental studies on drug concentrations in the liver using intra-hepatic injection of anticancer drug in combination with temporary halting of abdominal blood flow].

In a case of CDDP of 5 mg/kg injection for 5 min via the hepatic artery of non-tumor bearing rat, we assessed the influence of concomitant aortic clamping for 5 min at the intraphrenic level, which resulted in a decrease in the portal blood flow. CDDP-Platinum concentrations in the liver of rats given CDDP injection plus aortic clamping were 20.7 +/- 1.6 micrograms/g, which was two times higher than that (10.1 +/- 1.7 micrograms/g) of rat given CDDP injection alone. This enhanced CDDP-platinum concentration remained 15, 30, and 60 min after injection, respectively 1.4, 1.4 and 2.1 times higher. On the other hand, CDDP-platinum concentrations in the kidney of rats given CDDP injection plus aortic clamping were 4.5 +/- 0.8 micrograms/g, only one tenth of that (49.7 +/- 3.4 micrograms/g) of rats given CDDP injection alone. At 15 and 30 min after injection, there was no significant difference in CDDP-platinum concentrations in the kidney between these two groups. Renal toxicity observed in the group given CDDP injection plus aortic clamping was significantly less than in the group given CDDP injection alone, while hepatic toxicity seen in the former group was the same as that in the latter one.

Animals↗

[Subtotal cor triatrium with left partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection--successful correction in an infant].

This report concerns a 10-month-old infant with subtotal cor triatrium associated with left sided partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection to the innominate vein. In the operation, we found that the fossa ovalis existed between the right atrium and the accessory atrial chamber. We performed a radical operation which consisted of a resection of the intra-left-atrial diaphragma and a anastomosis of the vertical vein to the left atrium. His postoperative course was uneventful, and the result was satisfactory. We have presented and reviewed our case, and then discussed the embryogenesis and the hemodynamics. To our knowledge, our case represents the first successful surgical repair of this combination of defects in Japan.

Brachiocephalic Veins↗

Solution conformation of endothelin determined by nuclear magnetic resonance and distance geometry.

The solution conformation of endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor peptide, endothelin, has been determined by two-dimensional 1H-NMR spectroscopy and distance geometry. Conformation in the N-terminal core region (residues 1-15) is well-defined and a characteristic is the helix-like conformation in the segment from Lys9 to Cys15. Contrarily, the C-terminal tail region (residues 16-21) does not assume a defined conformation and there are no specific interactions between the core and the tail regions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Functional similarity of HIV-I rev and HTLV-I rex proteins: identification of a new nucleolar-targeting signal in rev protein.

We have tested the functional compatibility between rev protein of human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-I) and rex protein of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I). Each protein recognized the other's cis-acting sequence, albeit at reduced levels. Both proteins localize predominantly in the nucleolus. We have identified a new nucleolar-targeting signal in rev protein, which was homologous to that of rex protein. The sequence [35-RQARRNRRRRWRERQR-50] in rev protein, when fused to the amino-terminus of beta-galactosidase, directed the hybrid protein to the cell nucleolus. A deletion mutant which lacks several amino acid residues within the signal failed to function in the CAT assay system. These results demonstrate that the nucleolar targeting signals are essential for the functions of Rev and Rex.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Purification and characterization of a Ca2+-dependent actin filament severing protein from bovine adrenal medulla.

We describe the purification of an actin regulatory protein from bovine adrenal medulla. This protein caused a dose-dependent decrease of the specific viscosity of actin solution within 30 s of its addition in a Ca2+-sensitive way. Sedimentation assays and the observation by electron microscopy showed that this effect was ascribable to the fragmentation of actin filaments. This protein apparently promoted nucleation of actin polymerization and increased the critical concentration of actin for polymerization nearly 5-fold, suggesting its binding to the barbed end of actin filaments. The inhibitory effect of this protein on the elongation of actin from the barbed end of the myosin subfragment S1-labeled actin seeds confirmed this suggestion. These properties are similar to those of gelsolin. However, the physicochemical properties of this protein having a single polypeptide chain with a molecular weight of 74,000, a Stokes radius of 3.9 nm, a sedimentation coefficient (s0(20),w) of 4.5 S, and an immunological characterization showed that this protein is different from gelsolin.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Photo-CIDNP studies of Bence Jones proteins, immunoglobulins, and their proteolytic fragments.

The results of photo-CIDNP measurements of Bence Jones proteins, immunoglobulins, and their proteolytic fragments are reported. The CIDNP spectra of constant region CL fragments, which were derived from lambda-type Bence Jones proteins with three different isotypes, gave polarizations originating from two Tyr and one Trp residues. From comparisons of the results obtained by using lambda-type Bence Jones proteins that possess the known amino acid sequences with those for the CL fragments, it was concluded that the CIDNP signals observed in the case of Bence Jones proteins are all due to the hypervariable region. On the basis of the results obtained by using IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4 myeloma proteins along with their Fab, Fc, and pFc' fragments, it was concluded that CIDNP signals for the Fab region all originate from the variable region. The Fc region gives two Tyr polarizations, one of which has been assigned to Tyr-296. We have also shown that the second Tyr signal is due to Tyr-373. Interaction of Fc and staphylococcal protein A has also been examined by the CIDNP technique.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A region of basic amino-acid cluster in HIV-1 Tat protein is essential for trans-acting activity and nucleolar localization.

The trans-acting factor of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Tat, has a basic amino-acid cluster that is highly conserved among different HIV isolates. We have examined the effects of mutations in the basic region of Tat on its trans-acting activity and cellular localization. Introduction of a stop codon immediately preceding the basic region abolished the activity, while the truncated mutant with the basic region retained some activity. The basic region of Tat was replaceable with that of Rev (another trans-acting factor of HIV) but not with that of adenovirus Ela nor cellular enzyme. The result of immunofluorescence analysis revealed a correlation between the nuclear, especially nucleolar, accumulation and the activities of mutant Tat proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Role of the cysteine-rich region of HIV tat protein on its trans-activational ability.

The tat protein of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has a characteristic cysteine-rich region containing 7 cysteines within 16 residues. The role of this region was investigated by creation of several tat gene mutants. The activities of the novel tat gene translational products were assayed by measuring the co-transfected chloramphenicol acetyl-transferase (CAT) gene expression controlled by HIV long-terminal repeat (LTR) in the COS 7 cells. Substitution of either Cys22 with Gly, or Cys34-Gln-Val-Cys with His-Gln-Val-His, and deletion behind Lys50 of the tat protein caused a drastic loss in its activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Establishment of human osteoblastic cells derived from periosteum in culture.

We isolated osteoblastic cells derived from human periosteum and established them in culture. Their growth depended on the presence of ascorbic acid, and the doubling time was 40 to 60 h. The requirement for ascorbic acid was used to high production of collagen. These cells produced mainly type I collagen and only small amounts of type III collagen determined by reducing sodium dodecyl sulfate SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The total collagen yield was about 10 mg from 2 X 10(7) cells. The cells could be continuously cultured in alpha-minimum essential medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum for 18 to 40 population doubling levels, depending on the age of the donated periosteum. These cells have the ability to calcify when incubated with 2 mM alpha-glycerophosphate-Na2. Calcification as viewed by the naked eye appeared from Day 15 after treatment. Treatment with the active formed vitamin D3, 1, 25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 enhanced calcification significantly and stimulated osteocalcin production. By electron microscopy, cells with many projections on their surfaces showed well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum and actinlike fibers, and larger numbers of lysosomes, mitochondria, and secretion granules. Many matrix vesicles, in which minerals were initially localized, and well-banded collagen fibrils were seen in the intercellular spaces. These observations demonstrate typical osteoblastic morphology. The above results indicate that cultured cells from human periostem are osteoblastic cells that have the capacity to differentiate into osteocytes and to deposit calcified minerals in response to 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Activities of enzymes metabolizing phospholipids in rat cerebral ischemia.

Ischemic rat brains were prepared by decapitation followed by incubation in an artificial cerebrospinal fluid at various times at 37 degrees C, and the levels of phospholipids, free fatty acids, and enzymes involved in their metabolism were studied. Activities of phospholipase A, phospholipase C, and di- and monoglyceride lipase, assayed with optimal concentrations of Ca2+ and lysophospholipase, did not significantly change by 60 min of ischemia, whereas acylation enzymes of lysophospholipid decreased in activity to an extent of 70% of control at 15 min after the ischemic treatment. The maximal activities were found at 8 x 10(-3)M, 1 x 10(-3) M, and 2 x 10(-2) M Ca2+ for phospholipase A, phospholipase C, and di- and monoglyceride lipases, respectively in microsomal fractions of both control and ischemic brain. Furthermore, the sensitivity of microsomal enzymes to endogenous Ca2+ was estimated in control and ischemic brain. The sensitivity of phospholipase C was found to be increased after 1 min of ischemic treatment, but those of phospholipase A and di- and monoglyceride lipase were not increased.

Animals↗