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Biomedical subjects

S Murakami

Publications and source records attributed to S Murakami.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[A case report of acute pulmonary valve endocarditis caused by fungi].

A 42 years old female was admitted for evaluation of unrelenting fever and dyspnea on exertion in March, 1991. The patient had a VSD closure in 1968. After admission, serial blood cultures were found to be positive for Candida Parapsilosis and a massive vegetation on the pulmonary valve was demonstrated by echocardiography. Chest X-ray disclosed a wedge-shaped density in the right middle lung lobe that was a compatible finding with pulmonary infarction. At surgery, performed 3 days later the admission, pulmonary valve was entirely resected without replacing it with prosthesis. Antifungal treatment was intensively given afterwards. Her postoperative course was without event and she was sent home on the 51st postoperative day. Right heart catheterization done two years surgery, revealed the pulmonary vascular resistance was 216 dynes sec cm-5. We anticipate that this degree of pulmonary vascular resistance will allow the patient enough to do well without needing valve prosthesis in the near future.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

[Two cases of chondrosacoma of rib].

Chondrosarcoma of rib origin is rare in Japan. We treated two cases of chondrosarcoma of rib origin. Case 1: A 68-year-old man with anterior chest wall mass and chest pain was underwent aspiration biopsy in Inami General Hospital. The histological examination showed Class V. Operation was done in our department and the histological diagnosis was chondrosarcoma. The tumor was 30 x 20 x 20 mm in size arising from the left fourth rib. The defect of bony chest wall was repaired with a double layer of Marlex mesh. His postoperative course was uneventful. Case 2: 66-year-old man noticed a tumor in left anterior part of the chest 7 months ago. He was underwent incisional biopsy and the histological diagnosis was chondrosarcoma. Radical resection was performed. The tumor was 70 x 50 x 50 mm in size arising from the left rib. His postoperative course was uneventful.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

[Laboratory systematization].

We have built a clinical laboratory system incorporating automatic analyzers (chemistry, immunology and hematology) and automatic sample dispensers. This laboratory system is linked with a main computer through communication lines. Patient's serum specimens are first treated with an automatic sample dispenser and then analyzed at random with automatic analyzers. Specimens which need to be analyzed in commercial laboratories can be dispensed with another automatic sample dispenser. Consequently, cost of reagents and overtime payment can be reduced. Security for avoiding infectious diseases is provided for laboratory technicians. Our clinical laboratory system can reduce the turnaround time for reporting diagnostic data to 30 to 40 minutes. Also, this system can reduce personnel expenses. However, the profits are still not satisfactory compared with those of commercial laboratories. Therefore, we will continue to make every effort to cut down the expenses for the future.

Automation↗
PubMed1995

[Improvement of pulmonary eosinophilic granuloma after smoking cessation in two patients].

We encountered two cases in which pulmonary eosinophilic granuloma improved after cessation of smoking. The patient in case 1 was a 39-year-old woman. She smoked 10-15 cigarettes a day for 20 years. The patient in case 2 was a 19-year-old man. He smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for 5 years. CT revealed cystic lesions and small nodular lesions predominantly in the upper and middle lung fields. Diagnosis was made by thoracoscopic lung biopsy in case 1 and by transbronchial lung biopsy in case 2. After smoking cessation, symptoms, CT findings, and vital capacity of both patients improved remarkably. Smoking cessation may have been related to the improvement in these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Human T-cell leukemia virus type I tax transactivates the interleukin-6 gene in human rheumatoid synovial cells.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of the human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) tax gene on interleukin-6 (IL-6) production and gene transcription in synovial cells, we established the synovial cell line, E-11, from a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: E-11 cells were transfected with tax expression vector using the calcium phosphate coprecipitation method. IL-6 production and gene expression were investigated by ELISA and Northern blot analysis, respectively. To clarify how tax induces IL-6 gene expression, we used deletion analysis and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) assay, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). RESULTS: Transfection of the tax gene induced markedly high levels of IL-6 mRNA. Furthermore, the tax gene strongly transactivated IL-6 gene promoter activity assayed by CAT assay. By using deletion and site specific mutations, we have identified a nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B sequence (positions -73 to -63) which is essential for tax transaction. EMSA demonstrated the induction of specific binding of nuclear extracts to the NF-kappa B sequence by HTLV-I tax. CONCLUSION: The HTLV-1 tax gene may transactivate IL-6 gene in the synovial cells through NF-kappa B and may contribute in the pathophysiology of HTLV-I associated arthritis.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1995

Biological effects of diesel exhaust particles (DEP) on tissues and cells isolated from respiratory tracts of guinea pigs.

Diesel engine-powered vehicles emit some 30 to 100 times more particles than do gasoline engine cars. We previously reported that diesel exhaust particles (DEP) instilled intratracheally into mouse caused lung edema accompanying endothelial cell damage. In order to clarify further the biological effects of DEP on the respiratory system, the primary target of DEP instillation, we examined the direct action of DEP on isolated tissues and the cytotoxicity of DEP on cultured cells of respiratory tracts in guinea pigs. DEP were collected on glass fiber filters from a light-duty (2730 cc), four cylinder diesel engine. DEP induced a dose-dependent relaxation in tracheal smooth muscle and lung parenchymal preparations from guinea pigs. Neither propranolol nor ranitidine inhibited the relaxing effect of DEP on tracheal preparations. DEP also exhibited concentration- and time-dependent cytotoxicity on cultured tracheal smooth muscle cells and lung fibroblasts from guinea pigs, as assessed by specific [51Cr] release. These cytotoxicities induced by DEP were significantly inhibited by catalase, deferoxamine and MK-447, whereas SOD and mannitol had little effect. These inhibitory effects were blunted by the higher concentration of DEP. These results suggest that the cytotoxicity of DEP may cause dysfunction of respiratory tissues, which are mediated via oxygen radicals, probably hydroxyl radicals or hydrogen peroxides.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Successful repair of distal type of aortopulmonary window by deep hypothermia with circulatory arrest].

A one year old boy with the distal type of aortopulmonary window was successfully repaired by the transaortic approach and discharged two weeks after operation. Exposure of the defect was enhanced by using deep hypothermia with circulatory arrest so that aortic cannula and cross-clamp could be removed. 2 months before the operation, he needed the respiratory support during a month because of respiratory syncytial viral infection, cardiac failure and equivalent pulmonary hypertension. Postoperative cardiac catheterization after 4 months revealed that PA pressure decreased to 25/5 mmHg without any medication. Aortogram showed the left single coronary artery.

Aortopulmonary Septal Defect↗
PubMed1995

Cytochemical localization of photosystem I in relation to differentiation of the thylakoid membranes during greening of barley leaves.

Changes in distribution of photosystem I (PS I) in the developing thylakoid membranes of greening barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Amagi-Nijo) chloroplasts were studied by a cytochemical method using 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB). The activity was detected on the thylakoid of etiochloroplasts after 1 h of greening. Stacks of a few thylakoids (thought to be an initiation of grana) appeared at about 2-3 h of greening. Until 4 h, the DAB reaction was observed uniformly throughout the whole thylakoid system (stroma and grana thylakoids). After 6 h of greening, The DAB reaction was detected heterogeneously in the etiochloroplasts; more intense on the stroma thylakoid and peripheral grana thylakoid. Further illumination led to more distinct heterogeneity of the DAB reaction. Thus, redistribution of PS I proceeded differentially after onset of grana formation in the developing etiochloroplasts. Measurements of chlorophyll content, light saturation of PS I activity and fluorescence emission spectra of greening barley leaves suggest that redistribution of PS I may reflect developmental changes in assembly of the PS I complex with light-harvesting chlorophyll-protein complex.

Chloroplasts↗
PubMed1994

Serum-soluble interleukin-2 receptor concentrations in patients with gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Serum concentrations of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) were found to be high in patients with autoimmune diseases, lung cancer, malignant lymphoma, tuberculosis, and other diseases. Serum-soluble IL-2R was evaluated as a tumor maker in patients with gastric cancer. METHODS: Preoperative concentrations of serum-soluble IL-2R were examined in 40 patients with gastric cancer. The authors investigated the correlations of serum-soluble IL-2R concentrations with various characteristics of this cancer (disease stage, gross appearance, depth of the tumor, lymph node metastasis, liver metastasis, peritoneal metastasis, histopathologic grade, serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), alpha-fetoprotein (alpha-FTP), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), and immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP). Serum soluble IL-2R concentrations were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Levels of serum-soluble IL-2R in patients with gastric cancer were significantly higher than those of normal control subjects. Serum concentrations of IL-2R in patients with lymph node metastasis were also significantly higher than those of patients without lymph node metastasis. There were no significant differences in histopathologic findings (grade, lymphatic invasion, venous invasion). Moreover, serum concentrations of soluble IL-2R in patients who were IAP positive were significantly higher than those who were IAP negative. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative serum-soluble IL-2R concentrations in patients with gastric cancer reflect the occurrence of regional lymph node metastases. Preoperative evaluation of serum soluble IL-2R concentrations may be a valuable parameter of indicating the probability of lymph node metastasis preoperatively.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Transcriptional regulation of the human interleukin-6 gene promoter in human T-cell leukemia virus type I-infected T-cell lines: evidence for the involvement of NF-kappa B.

Freshly isolated leukemic cells from patients with adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) and human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I)-infected T-cell lines constitutively produce high levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) protein and mRNA. To clarify the mechanisms that lead to the activation of IL-6 gene in HTLV-I-infected cells, we first studied the regulatory regions in the IL-6 gene transcription by transfection of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter plasmids containing the IL-6 promoter. When transfected into HTLV-I-infected T-cell lines MT-2 and HUT-102, IL-6 promoter/CAT plasmids were strongly activated without any stimulation. By deletion analysis of 5' upstream region of IL-6 promoter, the DNA region between -73 and -59 bp from the transcription start site of IL-6 gene was important in the expression of IL-6/CAT activities in HTLV-I-infected cells. This region contains nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B binding site. The site-directed mutation of the kappa B motif in IL-6/CAT plasmid resulted in the complete abrogation of IL-6 promoter activity in these cells. Furthermore, when IL-6 promoter/CAT plasmid was introduced into an HTLV-I-uninfected T-cell line, Jurkat, IL-6 promoter activity was silent in the basal level, but strongly increased by the cotransfection with an HTLV-I tax expression plasmid. However, tax expression plasmid showed no transactivation activity, when kappa B site was mutated in IL-6 promoter/CAT plasmid. We found that the IL-6 kappa B site specifically formed a complex with NF-kappa B-containing nuclear extracts from MT-2 and HUT-102 cells. Finally, transfection of HTLV-I tax into Jurkat cells resulted in induction of specific binding of nuclear extracts to the NF-kappa B sequence. These results strongly suggest that HTLV-I tax gene may transactivate IL-6 gene through kappa B site in HTLV-I-positive T-cell lines and activation of NF-kappa B may be crucial in HTLV-I-induced IL-6 gene activation in ATL.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Transient expression of somatostatin immunoreactivity in the olfactory-forebrain region in the chick embryo.

The tissue distribution of somatostatin (SST) immunoreactivity was studied in the nasal and forebrain region in the chick embryo. On embryonic day (ED) 3, SST-immunoreactive (ir) cells were first detected in the cells migrating from the olfactory placode. Then, at ED3.5, SST-ir cells and -ir fibers appeared in the olfactory epithelium and olfactory nerve bundles. At ED6-8, one component of the SST-ir fibers was found to separate from the olfactory nerve and it entered the parenchyma of the medial forebrain surface. These SST-ir fibers extended dorsocaudally toward the preseptal area. During this same period, a few SST-ir cells were observed in the medial forebrain adjacent to the SST-ir fibers. SST immunoreactivity in the nasal and forebrain areas was most striking at ED5-8 but a reduction of SST immunoreactivity in the nasal and forebrain areas occurred at ED11 and it virtually disappeared by the day of hatching. These results indicate that the expression of SST in the nasal and forebrain regions is transient in the chick embryo. Since the SST-ir cells did not co-express luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), it, thus, appears that these SST-r cells belong to a different cell population from LHRH neurons that are also found in the olfactory-forebrain axis during embryonic development [23]. However, a close relationship exists between SST-ir cells and -ir neuronal fibers and LHRH neurons. This may play a role in development of LHRH neurons.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Elucidation of the thermal stability of the neutral proteinase II from Aspergillus oryzae.

The neutral proteinase II from Aspergillus oryzae (NpII) is a zinc proteinase with three intramolecular disulfide bonds. NpII is most unstable after 10 min at about 75 degrees C, but regains stability beyond this temperature and is relatively stable at 100 degrees C. We analyzed the thermal stability of wild-type NpII and apo NpII. The results suggested that NpII unfolds reversibly upon incubation up to 100 degrees C, and that the irreversible inactivation observed is mainly due to autoproteolysis. To further understand the stability, a mutant NpII (Cys78-->Ala) lacking one of the disulfide bonds, was produced in a heterologous yeast expression system. The mutant NpII showed a similar stability profile, but the most unstable temperature and the most catalytically active temperature decreased to the same extent (around 10 degrees C), confirming that autoproteolysis is the main cause of the irreversible inactivation. Several lines of evidence presented in this study demonstrated that the thermal stability of o++NpII is attributed to reversible thermal unfolding and autoproteolysis.

Aspergillus oryzae↗
PubMed1994

Results of combined external irradiation and chemotherapy of bleomycin or peplomycin for squamous cell carcinomas of the lower gingiva.

PURPOSE: In Japan, the role of radiotherapy for gingival carcinomas has not been considered as a radical treatment, but only a pre and/or postoperative treatment. This study was aimed to discuss a possibility of radiotherapy for a radical treatment. In this study, radiotherapy was given as an initial treatment for squamous cell carcinomas of the lower gingiva in simultaneous combination with chemotherapy of bleomycin or peplomycin (Tokyo, Japan). METHODS AND MATERIALS: When complete regression of the tumor was obtained, subsequent surgery was postponed with or without a booster of radiotherapy of about 30 Gy until a recurrent lesion was confirmed. RESULTS: Sixty-seven percent of 100 patients with T1 or T2 had complete regression, while only 22 (35.5%) of 62 patients with T3 or T4 had complete regression. The 5-year local control rate by T classification, including the results of secondary treatments (surgery and/or radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy) for recurrent lesions, was 91% for T1, 89% for T2, 76% for T3 and 61% for T4. The 5-year local control rate according to treatment methods was 95% in the group without surgery and 86% in the group with surgery for T1 and T2 patients. The rates were 54% and 71%, respectively for T3 and T4 patients. The cause specific 5-year survival rate by stage was 75% for Stage I, 87% for Stage II, 71% for Stage III, 51% for Stage IV and 70% overall. CONCLUSION: The combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy could be a conservative radical treatment for T1 and T2 patients with lower gingival carcinoma.

Bleomycin↗
PubMed1994

Human hepatitis virus X gene encodes a regulatory domain that represses transactivation of X protein.

The human hepatitis B virus (HBV) X gene seems to be essential for establishment of viral infection, and the X gene product, HBx, transactivates virus and host genes through a wide variety of cis-elements, whereas regulation of HBx has not been fully understood. We found that transactivation-negative HBx mutants truncated at the C-terminal portion specifically repressed the HBx transactivation in trans. The ability to trans-repress the HBx transactivation is confined to the N-terminal third of HBx. Transactivation-positive constructs of HBx were divided into two groups by their sensitivity to trans-repression due to the presence of the N-terminal third. Thus the regulatory domain, the N-terminal third, is separated from the transacting domain and responsible for the negative regulations, the trans-repression and sensitivity to X trans-repression. A possible direct association between the HBx regulatory domains was tested by far-Western blotting using purified fused forms of HBx proteins. The regulatory domain was found to associate preferentially with the full HBx or the regulatory domain, but not with the transacting domain. Taken together, it is possible that HBx has a self-regulatory mechanism that avoids excessive HBx transactivation and is important for regulation of X gene expression.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1994

Cloning of a cDNA encoding a mouse homolog of the interleukin-8 receptor.

A mouse cDNA library was screened using a DNA fragment generated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with oligodeoxyribonucleotide primers which were derived from the conserved sequences in cDNAs encoding the human and rabbit interleukin-8 receptors (hIL-8R and rIL-8R). A novel cDNA was obtained encoding 359 amino acids (aa) with seven putative transmembrane portions similar to hIL-8R and rIL-8R. Its aa sequence shows 64 and 69% homology to those of type-1 and type-2 hIL-8R, respectively. COS-7 cells transfected with the isolated cDNA in a mammalian expression vector bind IL-8, but do not bind a related protein, monocyte chemotactic and activating factor, suggesting that the isolated cDNA encodes the mouse homolog of IL-8R. Northern blot analysis showed that mRNA of this clone was highly expressed in mouse peritoneal neutrophils, and the single band was observed in Southern blotting analysis on mouse genomic DNA digested with HindIII or KpnI, suggesting that this is a single-copy gene.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

The interleukin-8 AP-1 and kappa B-like sites are genetic end targets of FK506-sensitive pathway accompanied by calcium mobilization.

FK506, an immunosuppressant, inhibits the production of several cytokines in T lymphocytes. We observed that FK506 suppressed the transcription of a chemotactic cytokine, interleukin-8 (IL-8) in a human T cell line, Jurkat cells, activated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and calcium (Ca2+) ionophore (ionomycin). By deleted and mutated analysis of the IL-8 promoters, the AP-1 and kappa B-like sites were identified as the responsive elements for PMA and ionomycin. FK506 suppressed the transcriptions through the AP-1 or kappa B-like sites induced by PMA plus Ca(2+)-mobilizing agents, but not those induced by Ca(2+)-independent stimuli. In gel retardation analysis, FK506 had little effect on the binding to the AP-1 site of PMA/ionomycin-induced nuclear factors, which were recognized with anti-JunD or c-Fos antibody. In contrast, FK506 or EGTA (Ca2+ chelator) similarly affected the formation of kappa B-like site binding complexes, which were not recognized by any antibodies against the human Rel family proteins (c-Rel, p65, p50, and p49). Furthermore, we confirmed the previous report that FK506 suppressed the PMA/ionomycin-induced activation through authentic kappa B site of immunoglobulin (Ig) gene, to which NF-kappa B binding was also decreased by FK506, indicating that both IL-8 kappa B-like site and Ig kappa B site are FK506-sensitive in spite of the difference of binding factors. Our results indicate that not only the reported IL-2 NF-AT and NFIL-2A sites and Ig kappa B site, but also the IL-8 AP-1 and kappa B-like sites are terminals of FK506-sensitive pathway involving Ca2+ mobilization.

Base Sequence↗