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Biomedical subjects

S Imai

Publications and source records attributed to S Imai.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources

[Right ventricular function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy: assessment using krypton-81 m blood pool scintigraphy].

The characteristics and pathogenesis of right ventricular dysfunction in 14 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) were investigated by equilibrium right ventricular blood pool scintigraphy using ultrashort-lifetime 81mKr. Thirteen patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction due to old anterior myocardial infarction (OMI) and nine normal subjects were used as controls. The right ventricular end-diastolic pressure and volume index, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, and total pulmonary vascular resistance index were almost the same in the DCM and OMI patients. The right ventricular ejection fraction was 44.2 +/- 6.0% (mean +/- SD) in DCM patients and 47.1 +/- 7.9% in OMI patients, both significantly lower than those in the normal subjects (54.5 +/- 5.3%), but with no difference between the two case groups. The right ventricular peak filling rate was significantly reduced in both case groups as compared with the normal subjects (2.46 +/- 0.81 EDV/sec). The reduction was significantly greater (p < 0.05) in the DCM group (0.97 +/- 0.47 EDV/sec) than in the OMI group (1.61 +/- 0.46 EDV/sec). Cineangiography showed that the wall motion abnormality of the interventricular septum was remarkable in OMI patients, but was relatively mild in DCM patients. Lesions of the interventricular septum may be of major importance in right ventricular dysfunction in OMI, while extensive severe damage to the right ventricular free wall may be important in DCM. 81mKr blood pool scintigraphy is useful in the study of the right ventricular systolic and diastolic function. The diastolic parameters are more sensitive indicators for evaluation of right ventricular function in DCM than the systolic parameters.

Cardiomyopathy, Dilated↗

[AIDS and opportunistic virus infections].

The opportunistic herpesvirus infections in AIDS are often life-threatening and the patients have lowered Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific T cell cytotoxicity. On the other hand, the asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) carriers have potentially lowered EBV-specific cytotoxic T cell function, which is shown by exposure of the lymphocytes to an immunosuppressive substance. The EBV-specific T cell cytotoxicity may therefore tell the timing to cope with such opportunistic viral infections.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Epstein-Barr virus in adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma.

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a well-known human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-1-related disease. We studied Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the tumor cells of ATLL, to investigate the etiological significance of double infection with these viruses. We used polymerase chain reaction and EBV-encoded small RNA-1 in situ hybridization to investigate the presence of EBV and immunohistochemistry to detect EBV-related oncoproteins, such as EBV-determined nuclear antigen-2 and latent membrane protein. Polymerase chain reaction performed on DNA of frozen specimens from 96 cases of ATLL revealed that the tumor tissue from 21 cases contained EBV DNA. EBV-encoded small RNA-1 in situ hybridization performed on the paraffin sections of the polymerase chain reaction-positive cases indicated EBV in the nuclei of ATLL tumor cells in 16 cases, nine of which were in the pleomorphic nuclei. Latent membrane protein was also detected in the cytoplasm of ATLL tumor cells in 15 cases, and EBV nuclear antigen-2 was observed in the nuclei of ATLL tumor cells in 11 cases. We conclude that EBV was present within tumor cells in about 17% of cases with ATLL and expressed EBV oncoprotein in the tumor cells. It is hypothesized that EBV and human T-cell lymphotropic virus-1 may infect the same T cells in early life and may play a role in the oncogenesis of ATLL.

Antigens, CD↗

[A case of so-called benign metastasizing leiomyoma responsive to progesterone].

A 47-year-old female, who had undergone hysterectomy and unilateral oophorectomy in 1975, was admitted to our hospital in 1989 because chest X-ray films revealed an increase in size and number of pulmonary nodules for two years. On admission, a left inguinal tumor was found and histologically it consisted of smooth muscle cells with nuclear atypia arranged in interlacing fascicles. An open-lung biopsy was performed. Pulmonary tumors revealed similar histology to the inguinal tumor. They were diagnosed as metastatic low-grade leiomyosarcoma, so-called benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML), on the basis of location and history, reinforced by mild histologic atypia. The tumor contained a high progesterone receptor level (400 fmol/mg). Therefore, medroxyprogesterone acetate, 600 mg daily, was administered orally. At two years the pulmonary lesions had regressed. BML is a rare condition, considered to be pulmonary metastasis from low-grade leiomyosarcoma of the uterus. Measuring estrogen and progesterone receptors in lung biopy material may help determine the most appropriate therapy.

Female↗

Putative, selective inhibitors of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca+(+)-pump ATPase inhibit relaxation by nitroglycerin and atrial natriuretic factor of the rabbit aorta contracted by phenylephrine.

Using three putative, selective inhibitors of the Ca+(+)-pump ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), cyclopiazonic acid, thapsigargin and 2,5-di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-benzohydroquinone, the mechanisms of relaxation of the arterial smooth muscle by cyclic GMP-generating vasodilators were studied in the ring preparations of the rabbit aorta. Nitroglycerin (NTG) and atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) were used as representative cyclic GMP-generating vasodilators. When the above three inhibitors of SR Ca+(+)-pump ATPase were present during the period of reloading of intracellular store sites with Ca++, the phasic contractions induced by phenylephrine or caffeine in the succeeding period in Ca+(+)-free media containing 2 mM EGTA were inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner. With 3 x 10(-5) M of cyclopiazonic acid the inhibition was almost complete for both agonists. NTG and ANF relaxed the aorta contracted by phenylephrine (10(-6) M) and produced an increase in cyclic GMP content. All the three SR Ca+(+)-pump ATPase inhibitors produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of the relaxation by NTG and ANF without affecting the increment of cyclic GMP content. These results indicate that the proper functioning of SR Ca+(+)-pump ATPase is necessary for elicitation of relaxation by NTG and ANF. Enhanced sequestration of Ca++ by SR may be an important mechanism by which these compounds induce relaxation in this type of smooth muscle.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Purification and properties of phosphatidic acid phosphatase from porcine thymus membranes.

We purified phosphatidic acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.4) 2300-fold from porcine thymus membranes. The enzyme was solubilized with beta-octyl glucoside and Triton X-100 and fractionated with ammonium sulfate. The purification was then achieved by chromatography in the presence of Triton X-100 with Sephacryl S-300, hydroxylapatite, heparin-Sepharose, and Affi-Gel Blue. The final enzyme preparation gave a single band of M(r) = 83,000 on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing and nonreducing conditions. The native enzyme, on the other hand, was eluted at M(r) = 218,000 in gel filtration chromatography with Superose 12 in the presence of Triton X-100. The enzyme was judged to be specific to phosphatidic acid, since excess amounts of dicetylphosphate or lysophosphatidic acid did not inhibit the enzyme activity. In this respect, the enzyme was inhibited by 1,2-diacylglycerol but not by 1- or 2-monoacylglycerol and triacylglycerol. The enzyme required Triton X-100 or deoxycholate for its activity. Although the enzyme appeared to be an integral membrane protein, we could not detect its phospholipid dependencies. The activity was independent of Mg2+, and other cations were strongly inhibitory. The specific enzyme activity was 15 mumol/min/mg of protein when assayed using phosphatidic acid as Triton X-100 mixed micelles. The Km for the surface concentration of phosphatidic acid was 0.30 mol%. The enzyme was inhibited by sphingosine and chloropromazine, and less potently, by propranolol and NaF. The enzyme was insensitive to thio-reactive reagents like N-ethylmaleimide.

Animals↗

Loss of collagenase gene expression in immortalized clones of SV40 T antigen-transformed human diploid fibroblasts.

We isolated a cDNA clone whose expression was lost during immortalization. The subtractive hybridization was performed between a genetically matched pair of mortal and immortal lines of SV40 T antigen-transformed MRC-5. The clone was found to code human interstitial collagenase. The expression of collagenase gene was almost completely shut off in seven out of eight independent immortalized clones. In addition, the levels of collagenase expression were dramatically increased toward crisis in the T antigen-transformed but mortal cells. These findings suggest the possibility that the regulatory mechanism of collagenase expression is related to both processes of in vitro aging and immortalization.

Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming↗

Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies monospecific to MMTV LTR orf protein produced in E. coli.

Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies specific to an open reading frame of the mouse mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat were generated using an open reading frame-beta-galactosidase fusion protein produced in E. coli. Both antibodies reacted with the open reading frame-beta-galactosidase fusion protein but not with beta-galactosidase alone using an immunoblotting technique. It is concluded that these antibodies were specific for the protein encoded by the open reading frame of the mouse mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Expression of myeloid cell phenotypes by a novel adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma cell line.

BACKGROUND: Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) can infect a number of cells of different lineages in vitro, yet the immunophenotypes of most adult T-cell leukemia/lymphomas (ATLs) are restricted to CD4+. The apparent discrepancy between these findings is still largely unknown. PURPOSE: We report on a unique case of ATL in which the leukemia cells were positive for both T-cell and myeloid cell antigens. To characterize these cells, we isolated cell lines from this patient with ATL. METHODS: The fresh leukemia cells were cultured without the addition of interleukin-2. Cell cloning was carried out by limiting dilution. RESULTS: A cell line (MU) and its clonal sublines were established. MU cells showed the same chromosomal abnormalities and T-cell receptor beta-chain gene rearrangement pattern as those of fresh leukemia cells. MU cells were exclusively positive for a myeloid cell marker (CD13) but not for T-cell markers, despite the presence of T-cell receptor gene rearrangement. CONCLUSION: The established ATL cell line showed both T-cell and myeloid cell characteristics, which seems to be the first evidence for the close association of ATL cells with both lymphoid and myeloid features. The cell line may provide a new insight for the targets of HTLV-1 infection and transformation in vivo.

Adult↗

Characterization and comparison of two newly established Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-negative and EBV-positive Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines. EBV-negative cell line with a low level of expression of ICAM-1 molecule and EBV-positive cell line with a high level of expression of ICAM-1 molecule.

Two human Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines (HBL-4 and HBL-5) were established individually from two patients with small noncleaved cell lymphoma (Burkitt's type). The HBL-4 cell line is Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-negative, and the HBL-5 cell line is EBV-positive. Cytogenetically, both cell lines had the same chromosomal translocation, t(8;14)(q24;q32) as those observed in the primary malignant cells from individual patients. Morphologic, immunophenotypic, cytogenetic, and molecular studies confirmed that both cell lines were derived from the primary lymphoma cells in vivo. HBL-4 cells lacked CD23(H107), CD11a(LFA-1), and latent membrane protein (LMP) but expressed CD54(ICAM-1) at low levels, whereas HBL-5 cells showed the high level of expression of CD54 and faint expression of LMP but lacked CD11a. In addition, the EBV-positive lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL) expressed CD11a, CD23, CD54, and LMP at high levels. Therefore, an HBL-5 phenotype with expression of CD54 and LMP tends toward an LCL phenotype, and the augmentation of CD54 on the HBL-5 cells in comparison with primary lymphoma cells is likely to be upregulated by LMP, probably resulting from the EBV infection. There was little difference in the BrdUrd uptake in vivo and in vitro, doubling time, tumorigenicity, and dynamics of tumor growth in athymic nude mice between both cell lines. These findings indicate that the potentiality of cell growth and tumorigenicity of these two cell lines are unlikely to be related with EBV.

Adult↗

Milk cream does not enhance 2,7-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced mammary tumorigenesis.

We have previously reported that a diet enriched with butter showed an inhibitory effect on the development of mammary tumors in mice and rats. To solve the problem of whether the inhibitory effect of butter was caused by lipids of cow's milk, we have studied the effects of dried milk (WM), skim milk (SM) and milk cream (CR) on mammary tumorigenesis in rats. The lowest incidence of mammary tumors was observed in the CR group, although the difference from other groups was statistically not significant. However, the number of papillary carcinomas in the CR group was significantly lower than the WM group. The result indicates that milk lipids have no enhancing effect on mammary tumorigenesis.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

Effects of sodium nitroprusside (MR7S1) and nitroglycerin on the systemic, renal, cerebral, and coronary circulation of dogs anesthetized with enflurane.

In beagle dogs anesthetized with enflurane-nitrous oxide, effects of sodium nitroprusside (SNP; MR7S1) and nitroglycerin (NTG) on hemodynamics and main organ circulation were studied to evaluate their effectiveness and safety as hypotensive agents during anesthesia. SNP (MR7S1) infusion (1-10 micrograms/kg/min) decreased arterial blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner. The hypotension was stable during the infusion. After discontinuation of infusion, the blood pressure rapidly returned to the initial level. The hypotension was associated with decreases in cardiac output and total peripheral resistance. NTG infusion (3-10 micrograms/kg/min) decreased arterial blood pressure, too, but the hypotension was less marked and not dose dependent, and the recovery was slower. Neither drug changed the heart rate. Infusion of SNP (MR7S1) and NTG did not change the hypotension induced by the injection of adenosine, SNP, and NTG. Furthermore, cerebral blood flow, cerebral oxygen consumption, and renal blood flow were unchanged during the hypotension produced by either drug. Coronary blood flow was decreased, but this was due to decreases in cardiac oxygen consumption. In conclusion, SNP (MR7S1) is superior to NTG as a hypotensive agent during anesthesia in efficacy, clear dose dependency, and rapid recovery. The hypotension induced by NTG as well as SNP (MR7S1) seems to have no undesirable effects on the circulation of important organs.

Anesthesia↗