Search PubMedSearch

Biomedical subjects

S Inoue

Publications and source records attributed to S Inoue.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

A small glucagonoma of the pancreas with evident ductular and tubular structures.

A 54-year-old woman was admitted to our department for assessment of a tumor of the pancreas found incidentally on abdominal ultrasonography. Examination revealed a hypovascular 1-cm sized tumor in the body of the pancreas. Surgical examination revealed that the tumor was solitary and located in the pancreas body, with no invasion to the adjacent organs iof lymph node involvement. Distal pancreatectomy, preserving the spleen, was performed. Histologically, the tumor was a glucagonoma with evident ductular and tubular structures, suggesting that its site of origin was ductal epithelia.

Female

Estrogen inhibits cuff-induced intimal thickening of rat femoral artery: effects on migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells.

The present study was performed to elucidate the mechanism underlying the anti-atherogenic action of estrogen. We investigated the effect of estrogen on intimal thickening of the rat femoral artery induced by cuff placement and further examined the effect of estrogen on migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in culture. Intimal thickening was significantly greater in males than in control females. Intimal thickening in females was increased to the level in males by ovariectomy. Estrogen replacement to ovariectomized rats reversed this effect. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunohistochemistry showed that in vivo proliferation of VSMCs contributed to the difference in intimal thickening. There was no difference in blood pressure and serum lipids, suggesting that estrogen directly acted on artery and inhibited intimal thickening. 17 beta-Estradiol (E2, 1-100 nmol/l) inhibited migration of cultured rat VSMCs, assayed using a microchemotaxis chamber, in a concentration-dependent manner. E2 (0.01-100 nmol/l), but not progesterone or testosterone, also inhibited [3H]thymidine incorporation in rat VSMCs in a concentration-dependent manner. Indomethacin, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine and methylene blue did not influence the inhibitory action of E2 on [3H]thymidine incorporation, suggesting that prostanoids and nitric oxide are not involved in the action of E2. E2 did not provoke VSMC injury, as measured by the release of incorporated [3H]2-deoxy-D-glucose. These results suggest that the inhibition of migration and proliferation of VSMCs contributes to the inhibitory effect of estrogen on intimal thickening.

Animals

In vitro confirmation of newly established lung cancer cell lines using flow cytometry and multicellular tumor spheroids.

We report on a simplified method of cytomorphological in vitro confirmation of newly established lung cancer cell lines by using multicellular tumor spheroids (MTS) and flow cytometry (FCM). Eleven cell lines were established from 11 patients with lung cancer. The MTS were produced by culturing cells in agar-coated dish. Cytomorphological studies were made using smears of crushed MTS and frozen sections of MTS. The MTS were fixed doubly with paraformaldehyde and osmic acid for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Bivariate fluorescence of fluorescein isothyocyanate (FITC, tumor associated antigen, TAA) and propidium iodide (DNA) were measured by FCM. The MTS grew anchorage-independently. Cytopathological and electron microscopic findings of MTS were similar to those of the original clinical specimens. The DNA index and TAA were useful in evaluating the presence or absence of contamination by cells of non-tumor origin. The new cell lines satisfied a minimum of four conditions to confirm their establishment: (a) they originated from humans, (b) they were cytomorphologically identified with specimens from primary lesions, (c) they showed tumorigenicity, and (d) they were free from contamination by cells of different origin. From these findings, the establishment of new cell lines can be confirmed in vitro by using MTS and FCM.

Antigens, Neoplasm

Plasma angiotensinogen concentrations in obese patients.

A close relationship between obesity and hypertension has been recognized, and plasma angiotensinogen concentrations (p-AGT) have been reported to correlate with blood pressure (BP). However, little is known about AGT in obese patients with hypertension. To define the role of AGT in obese hypertension, we measured p-AGT in obese patients. The subjects were 42 obese patients diagnosed on the basis of a body mass index (BMI) of more than 25 kg/m2, and 21 sex- and age-matched nonobese patients, whose BMI was less than 25 kg/m2. The hypertensive patients had not previously received antihypertensive drugs. P-AGT (P < .05) and mean BP (P < .0001) was increased in the obese patients as compared with the nonobese patients. Positive correlations were observed between BMI and p-AGT, mean BP and p-AGT, and BMI and mean BP (all P < .05). However, after adjustment for blood pressure, p-AGT was not different between groups, and after adjustment a positive correlation remained only between BMI and mean BP. These results suggested the possible involvement of increased p-AGT in hypertension in obese patients, although this may be a secondary change to hypertension or obesity.

Adult

Estrogen receptor gene polymorphism and bone mineral density at the lumbar spine of pre- and postmenopausal women.

In order to analyze the role of the estrogen receptor (ER) gene allelic polymorphisms on bone mineral density (BMD), 173 pre- and postmenopausal women were divided into four groups according to their menstrual status (group A: premenopausal women; group B: late premenopausal women; group C: postmenopausal women who had menopause for 5 years or less; and group D: postmenopausal women who had menopause for more than 5 years), and the relationship between ER gene polymorphism and lumbar spine BMD, the percent annual change in BMD and biochemical markers were studied. The restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLPs) were represented as Xx (XbaI) and Pp (PvuII), with upper case and lower case letters signifying the absence or presence of restriction sites, respectively. In group A, the Xx genotype had significantly higher BMD (p < 0.01) than the xx genotype, but the difference was lost in groups B, C, and D. Because the percent annual change in BMD of group A was 0.052% and was not statistically different among genotypes, it is suggested that RFLP by Xba I is closely linked with peak bone mass that was attained during the subject's late thirties. In group B, serum N-region osteocalcin (N-OC) levels and the percent annual change in BMD showed a significantly larger increase than that of group A, indicating postmenopausal bone loss had commenced. Because the N-OC level of the Xx genotype was significantly higher than that of the xx genotype (p < 0.05), and the percent annual change in BMD of the Xx genotype showed a tendency to increase (p = 0.072), it is suggested that the high BMD of the Xx genotype is rapidly lost during menopausal transition. There were no significant relationships between RFLP and BMD in groups C and D, and between RFLP and BMD in groups C and D, and between RFLP by PvuII and BMD. The present study suggests that the Xx genotype is involved in accretion of BMD during young adulthood, but the effect was lost during menstrual transition.

Adult

Ultrastructural organization of hemodialysis-associated beta 2-microglobulin amyloid fibrils.

Fibrils of hemodialysis-associated beta 2-microglobulin amyloid were examined by high resolution electron microscopy and immunohistochemical labeling. The amyloid containing tissues obtained through autopsy were prepared for thin section observations. In contrast to other forms of amyloid, the most conspicuous feature of these fibrils were their curved conformations. The fibril core showed ultrastructural and immunohistochemical features in common with the core of connective tissue microfibrils and of previously observed fibrils of experimental murine AA amyloidosis and familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP). The core was wrapped in a layer of 3 nm wide ribbon-like "double tracked" structures identified as chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) with immunogold labeling as well as from the results of previous in vitro experiments. Finally, the outer surface of the fibril was associated with a loose assembly of 1 nm wide filaments immunohistochemically identified as beta 2-microglobulin. This is similar to the manner in which AA protein and transthyretin filaments are associated with their respective fibrils. The results of this study provide an additional example for the concept that amyloid fibrils in general are microfibril-like structures externally associated with amyloid protein filaments. An unusual feature of the fibrils of hemodialysis-associated amyloid, however, is the presence of a peripheral layer composed of CSPG rather than of heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) as in the case of the other two amyloids above. These chondroitin sulfate chains in the outer CSPG layer may be less effective in providing rigidity to the fibril core, thus allowing for the curved conformations of beta 2-microglobulin amyloid fibrils.

Aged

Specificity of two types of phospholipase A2 inhibitors from the plasma of venomous snakes.

Specificity of two different types of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitory proteins from the blood plasma of venomous snakes was investigated. Two Crotalidae inhibitors, having a carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) in their sequences, inhibited specifically the group-II acidic PLA2s of their own snake venom. On the other hand, Elapidae inhibitor, having two tandem patterns of cysteine residues found in proteins of the Ly-6 superfamily, inhibited not only the group-I PLA2 from its own snake venom but also the group-I, -II, and -III PLA2s from other snake venom. Amino acid sequences of PLA2s that were specifically inhibited by the inhibitors were compared with those of the other PLA2s. A unique aromatic patch structure appeared on the group-II acidic PLA2s was suggested to be involved in the binding to the Crotalidae inhibitors; and residues located in or close to the Ca2+ binding loop of PLA2, in the binding to the Elapidae inhibitor.

Agkistrodon

Effects of magnesium sulphate on the cardiovascular system, coronary circulation and myocardial metabolism in anaesthetized dogs.

We have studied the effects of i.v. bolus doses of magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) 60, 90 and 120 mg kg-1 on haemodynamic state, the coronary circulation and myocardial metabolism in nine dogs anaesthetized with pentobarbitone and fentanyl. MgSO4 produced dose-dependent decreases in arterial pressure, heart rate, left ventricular dP/dtmax and left ventricular minute work index (LVMWI) and an increase in the time constant of left ventricular isovolumic relaxation. Stroke volume increased, systemic vascular resistance decreased and cardiac output did not change significantly. MgSO4 produced decreases in coronary perfusion pressure, coronary vascular resistance and myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2). Coronary sinus blood flow, lactate extraction ratio and the ratio of LVMWI to myocardial MVO2, that is an index of cardiac efficiency, did not change significantly. This study indicated that the depressant effect of MgSO4 on cardiac function was offset by lowering of peripheral vascular resistance, so that cardiac pump function remained effective, and the almost constant coronary sinus blood flow resulted from the decrease in coronary vascular resistance even at higher doses.

Animals

Proton NMR study of triantennary complex type N-linked glycan chains: assignment of proton chemical shifts of the beta-Man residue in a basic unit of the triantennary glycan chain having a GlcNAc beta 1-->6 Man alpha 1-->6 Man beta-->sequence.

The chemical shifts of ring protons of the beta-Man residue in a triantennary complex type N-linked glycan chain having a GlcNAc beta 1-->6(GlcNAc beta 1-->2)Man alpha 1-->6 Man beta sequence were unambiguously determined by two-dimensional proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopic methods. The chemical shift of H4 (3.84 ppm) of the beta-Man residue was for the first time revealed to be different from those (approximately 3.77 ppm) of biantennary and alternative type of triantennary glycans having a GlcNAc beta 1-->2 Man alpha 1-->6 Man beta sequence, but quite close to that (3.86 ppm) of a pentaantennary glycan containing a GlcNAc beta 1-->6 residue on the Man alpha 1-->6 Man beta sequence. Thus, the addition of GlcNAc beta 1-->6 residue on the Man-4' residue, whose formation is catalyzed by GlcNAc transferase V, is considered to cause a down-field shift of beta-Man H4 in the complex-type N-glycan chains. One possible explanation of this phenomenon is that the conformation of Man alpha 1-->6 arm is folded back toward the proximal core region, as is the case with the complex-type N-glycan chains with the bisecting GlcNAc residue.

Acetylglucosamine

Occurrence of terminal alpha 2-->8-linked disialylated poly-N-acetyllactosamine chains with Le(X) and I antigenic glycotopes in tetraantennary arms of an N-linked glycoprotein isolated from rainbow trout ovarian fluid.

The Pronase digestion of a 54K glycoprotein present in ovarian fluid of rainbow trout yielded a major glycopeptide. Carbohydrate compositional analysis revealed that this glycopeptide was likely to possess a single large N-glycan chain having low molecular weight oligomers of N-acetylneuraminic acid (oligoNeu5Ac). Structural studies of this glycopeptide revealed novel alpha 2-->8-linked disialylated poly-N-acetyllactosamine chains with Le(X) and I antigenic determinants on the N-linked tetraantennary core glycan. In our recent studies (Kitazume,S., Kitajima,K., Inoue,S., Inoue,Y. and Troy,F.A. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 10330-10340) we presented evidence that synthesis of alpha 2-->8-linked polysialic acid (polySia) chains is a two-step process in which chain initiation is catalyzed by an alpha 2-->8-sialyltransferase (alpha 2-->8-ST; initiase) that catalyzes synthesis of the first Sia alpha 2-->8-linkage, forming the disialic acid (diSia) unit, Sia alpha 2-->8-Sia alpha 2-->6-Gal-. Chain polymerization is then postulated to be catalyzed by a second enzyme, an alpha 2-->8-polyST ("polymerase") that converts the diSia units to polySia chains. The present structural studies leading to the discovery of alpha 2-->8-linked disialylated units that terminate poly-N-acetyllactosamine chains in an N-linked glycoprotein is further evidence in support of our hypothesis that more than one sialyltransferase activity is required for polySia chain synthesis and polymerization.

Animals

Potentiation of chemotactic peptide-induced superoxide generation by CD38 ligation in human myeloid cell lines.

CD38 is a type II transmembrane glycoprotein possessing an NAD+ glycohydrolase activity in its extracellular domain. We previously reported that the ligation of CD38 by a monoclonal antibody (mAb), HB-7, induces the tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins including p120(c-cbl) in differentiated human myeloid cell lines and that the phosphorylated p120(c-cbl) is capable of binding to phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase. In the present study, we found that the agonistic anti-CD38 mAb markedly potentiates superoxide generation stimulated by chemotactic formyl-Met-Leu-Phe receptors in the CD38-producing cells. HB-7 neither generated superoxide by itself nor enhanced the cell response induced by phorbol 12-myristate acetate, indicating that the potentiating action of the anti-CD38 mAb is specific for the stimulation by the GTP-binding protein (G1)-coupled membrane receptors. The potentiation by HB-7 was abolished by prior treatment of the cells with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, pertussis toxin, or a potent PI 3-kinase inhibitor, wortmannin. HB-7 also enhanced the product formation of PI 3-kinase in response to the chemotactic receptor stimulation, without significant changes in the receptor-stimulated accumulations of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate, arachidonate release, and intracellular Ca2+. These results indicate that the CD38-induced tyrosine phosphorylation has a cross-talk with the chemotactic receptor/G1-mediated signal transduction pathway resulting in the enhancement of superoxide generation, probably through the activation of PI 3-kinase.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase

Hilar and mediastinal invasion of bronchogenic carcinoma: evaluation by thin-section electron-beam computed tomography.

The diagnostic accuracy of thin-section incremental dynamic computed tomography (IDCT) using an electron-beam scanner in evaluating hilar or mediastinal invasion of bronchogenic carcinoma was assessed. Thirty-seven patients with proven bronchogenic carcinoma, contiguous with hilar or mediastinal structures, underwent IDCT. The area of contact was scanned using 19 contiguous 3-mm thick sections during injection of contrast material. The degree of contact between mass and pulmonary artery or vein and their distortion were recorded. Irregular thickening of the bronchial wall, soft tissue within the lumen, or distortion were used to determine airway involvement. Sixty-nine sites were assessed retrospectively and compared with pathology reports. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity in evaluating invasion of the pulmonary artery were 75.0%, 77.8%, and 71.4%, respectively. Limited reliability also was found for invasion of the main bronchus and "secondary" carina, with accuracies of 66.7% and 70.5%, sensitivities of 75.0% and 70.0%, and specificities of 57.1% and 71.4%, respectively. Thin-section IDCT with electron beam scanner is not accurate in the detection of hilar or mediastinal invasion by bronchogenic carcinoma.

Adult

Peritoneal washing cytology combined with immunocytochemical staining and detecting mutant K-ras in pancreatic cancer: comparison of the sensitivity and availability of various methods.

Peritoneal metastases are the second most common site of involvement, following the liver, in pancreatic cancer. Thus, we performed peritoneal washing cytology at laparotomy to diagnose accurately the intraperitoneal spread of carcinoma cells to determine the appropriate therapy. Peritoneal washings were collected at laparotomy from 20 Japanese pancreatic carcinoma patients at Nagoya University Hospital between April 1993 and December 1994. From centrifuged deposits, we examined the cytology by three methods as follows. The first method was conventional cytology, including May-Grünwald and Giemsa, Papanicolaou, periodic acid-Schiff, and Alcian blue. The second method was immunocytochemical staining, using antibodies to carbohydrate antigen (CA19-9) and carcinoembryonic antigen. After extracting DNA from the remaining pellet, we studied the last method, detecting K-ras point mutation, by two-step polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. In two cases, peritoneal metastases were macroscopically recognized, and the results of all three methods were positive. In the two other cases, where peritoneal dissemination was not macroscopically recognized, the judgments of conventional cytological study and detecting K-ras point mutation were negative. However, a few malignant cells were found by the immunocytochemical staining method. Judging from their clinical course, the positively stained cells were suggestive of malignancy. At present, the immunocytochemical staining method is the most sensitive of these three methods in peritoneal washing cytology. However, preserving DNA is suitable for repeated examination, and a modified method can be applied. If the sensitivity increases, the method of detecting K-ras has the potential to become the standard for peritoneal washing cytology in pancreatic cancer.

Adult

Our distal aortic perfusion system in descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repairs.

We have used heparin-bonded partial cardiopulmonary bypass to support distal aortic circulation during aortic cross-clamping. However, there were no cardiotomy reservoirs with fully reliable thromboresistance. To resolve this problem, a short-acting anticoagulant (nafamostat mesilate) was added into a cardiotomy reservoir. The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of our distal perfusion system. From May 1995 through the end of May 1996, 27 patients underwent descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repairs with this adjunct, 4 being excluded from the experiment. Twenty patients who had undergone conventional partial cardiopulmonary bypass were defined as the control group. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in the morbidity, mortality, gas transfer, or transfusion requirements despite the fact that more complicated surgical procedures (shown by a two-fold increase in the prevalence of reoperation) were required in the group that had received the current distal perfusion adjunct the heparin-bonded group. In conclusion, our perfusion system is very effective for descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repairs.

Analysis of Variance

[A study for serodiagnosis of verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (enterohemorrhagic E. coli) O157 by the bacterial agglutination technique].

We evaluated the usefulness of bacterial agglutination antibodies for serodiagnosis of verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (enterohemorrhagic E. coli) O157 infections. We examined 50 serum samples from 50 control children (whiout diarrhea 31, with diarrhea 19), 24 samples from 8 diarrhea cases due to O157:H7, 37 samples from 14 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) for antibodies to heat-killed E. coli E32511 (O157:H.-) strain using the bacterial agglutination technique. Of the control sera all but one (x80) showed 20 > or = in the antibody. All the diarrhea patients due to O157:H7 showed a significant rise (x160-x5120) of the titers in the sera at 5-7 days on illness, after that the titers fell rapidly. Significant antibody rise (x160-x5120) was detected in twelve out of 14 HUS patients at the early stage of the illness which fell in the convalescent phase. The assay appeared to be a useful serodiagnostic technique because of its easiness and simplicity as well as because of its high sensitivity and specificity.

Agglutination Tests

Purification and molecular characterization of glycylglycine endopeptidase produced by Staphylococcus capitis EPK1.

A novel staphylolytic enzyme, ALE-1, acting on Staphylococcus aureus, was purified from a Staphylococcus capitis EPK1 culture supernatant. The optimal pH range for staphylolytic activity was 7 to 9. ALE-1 contains one Zn2+ atom per molecule. Analysis of peptidoglycan fragments released by ALE-1 indicated that the enzyme is a glycylglycine endopeptidase. The effects of various modulators were determined, and we found that o-phenanthroline, iodoacetic acid, diethylpyrocarbonate, and Cu2+ reduced the staphylolytic activity of ALE-1. beta-Casein, elastin, and pentaglycine were poor substrates for ALE-1. Molecular cloning data revealed that ALE-1 is composed of 362 amino acid residues and is synthesized as a precursor protein which is cleaved after Ala at position 35, thus producing a mature ALE-1 of 35.6 kDa. The primary structure of mature ALE-1 is very similar to the proenzyme form of lysostaphin. It has the modular design of an N-terminal domain of tandem repeats of a 13-amino-acid sequence fused to the active site containing C-terminal domain. Unlike lysostaphin, ALE-1 does not undergo processing of the N-terminal repeat domain in broth culture. ale-1 is encoded on the plasmid. Protein homology search suggested that ALE-1 and lysostaphin are members of the novel Zn2+ protease family with a homologous 38-amino-acid-long motif, Tyr-X-His-X(11)-Val-X(12/20)-Gly-X(5-6)-His.

Amino Acid Sequence

Normal distribution of collagen IV in renal basement membranes in Epstein's syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Epstein's syndrome is defined as a subtype of Alport's syndrome, and is distinguished from the other subtypes by accompanying macrothrombocytopenia. Mutations in collagen IV genes are known to be involved in the pathogenesis of typical Alport's syndrome. However, the presence of an underlying genetic defect has not been demonstrated in Epstein's syndrome. AIM: To clarify the involvement of collagen IV in Epstein's syndrome. METHODS: The distribution of the alpha(IV) chain was studied in renal specimens obtained from three patients with Epstein's syndrome using chain specific monoclonal antibodies and an antigen retrieval procedure. RESULTS: The patients showed a normal distribution of alpha(IV) chains: alpha 1(IV) and alpha 2(IV) were expressed ubiquitously, whereas expression of alpha 3(IV) through to alpha 6(IV) chains was limited to the glomerular basement membrane, Bowman's capsular basement membrane, and/or a portion of the tubular basement membrane. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that genes other than those encoding alpha(IV) chains are responsible for the pathogenesis of Epstein's syndrome.

Basement Membrane