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Biomedical subjects

S Seo

Publications and source records attributed to S Seo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Identity of hemolysins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus cereus.

A hemolysin (Bt-hemolysin) produced by Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki HD-1 producing crystalline toxin(s) was purified by successive treatments of ammonium sulfate (45-65%) and column chromatography using DEAE-cellulose, Sephadex G-75 and KB-002 (a hydroxyapatite column for fast protein liquid chromatography). A hemolysin (Bc-hemolysin) produced by B. cereus HG-6A was also purified by the same procedure. The purified Bt-hemolysin and Bc-hemolysin, both of which are thiol-activated hemolysins, were biologically, physicochemically and immunologically identical. These findings provide further evidence of the similarity of B. thuringiensis, which is being used as a biological insecticide, to B. cereus, a toxigenic organism of food poisoning.

Bacillus cereus

Absorbed dose estimates in positron emission tomography studies based on the administration of 18F-labeled radiopharmaceuticals.

Absorbed doses were estimated after intravenous administration of 18F-labeled radiopharmaceuticals in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) studies. These radiopharmaceuticals, [18F]-2-Fluoro-2-Deoxy-D-Glucose (FDG), 6-[18F]Fluoro-L-Dopa (FDOPA) and 18F-5-Fluorodeoxyuridine (FdUR), are used in clinical research at the Cyclotron and Radioisotope Center of Tohoku University. Radiopharmaceutical biokinetic values were measured in humans or extrapolated from animal experiments. Selective organ uptake and rapid clearance of activity from the blood were observed. High activity in the bladder contents of humans was found. Calculations were made by the MIRD method, modified to account for the differences in physique and organ mass between the Caucasian Reference Man and the Japanese one. The bladder wall receives the highest dose (more than 1.23 x 10(-1) mGy/MBq) when any of these compounds are administered. Other organs receiving high doses are the heart, brain and kidneys from FDG; the kidneys and pancreas from FDOPA, and the kidneys and small intestine from FdUR. These organs received absorbed doses of more than 2.7 x 10(-2) mGy/MBq. Effective dose equivalents of 2.4 x 10(-2), 2.6 x 10(-2) and 3.3 x 10(-2) mSv/MBq were estimated in the intravenous administration of 18F-FDG, 18F-FDOPA and 18F-FdUR, respectively.

Adult

Measurement of D2 dopamine receptor-specific carbon-11-YM-09151-2 binding in the canine brain by PET: importance of partial volume correction.

Carbon-11-YM-09151-2 binds highly selectively to D2 dopamine receptors in the brain. Using this ligand, D2 dopamine receptor density (Bmax) and affinity (Kd) in canine striatum were measured. After administering various doses of the ligand in nine experiments, regional uptake was followed by repeated PET scanning for up to 80 min. D2 dopamine receptor specific binding at equilibrium was defined as striatal minus occipital activity after partial volume correction. Bmax and Kd were estimated by Scatchard analysis to be 40.3 pmole/ml of tissue and 22.9 nM, respectively. When a low mass dose of the ligand was administered, the bound-to-free ligand ratio in the striatum at equilibrium was consistent with the Bmax/Kd value obtained from the Scatchard analysis. The present study demonstrates the importance of partial volume correction and the Bmax/Kd measurement in a single PET study with carbon-11-YM-09151-2.

Animals

Effect of vitamin C depletion on serum cholesterol and lipoprotein levels in ODS (od/od) rats unable to synthesize ascorbic acid.

The effect of ascorbic acid deficiency on serum and liver cholesterol, phospholipid and triglyceride levels, serum lipoprotein levels and serum lipoprotein cholesterol levels were examined in male rats with a hereditary defect in ascorbic acid synthesis (ODS rats). Male homozygotes (od/od) and male rats of their parent strain (+/+) were each divided into four treatment groups and were fed vitamin C-deficient or vitamin C-replete diets containing either 0 or 0.5% cholesterol. During the 3-wk feeding-period the ODS (od/od) rats fed the vitamin C-deficient diet gradually decreased food intake, resulting in a lower body weight than that of od/od rats given ascorbic acid. The serum cholesterol level was significantly higher in the vitamin C-deficient od/od rats fed the cholesterol diet, and it tended to be higher in those fed the control (0% cholesterol) diet, whereas the liver lipid levels remained unchanged relative to those in od/od rats fed the vitamin C-replete diet. The serum very low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were lower in od/od rats fed the vitamin C-deficient diet without cholesterol, but intermediate density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were markedly higher in the vitamin C-deficient od/od rats than in od/od rats given ascorbic acid, regardless of dietary cholesterol level. The ratio of HDL2 cholesterol to HDL3 cholesterol was also higher in the vitamin C-deficient od/od rats. The parent strain of the od/od rats (+/+) showed no change due to vitamin C deficiency. These results suggest that vitamin C deficiency delays low density lipoprotein metabolism and produces hypercholesterolemia in male od/od rats.

Animals

Quantitative evaluation of L-[methyl-C-11] methionine uptake in tumor using positron emission tomography.

Tumor uptake of L-[methyl-11C]methionine ([11C]Met) was assessed in six patients with brain tumors and three patients with lung cancer using positron emission tomography (PET). In arterial plasma samples taken at 5, 15, 30, and 60 min after injection, a fraction of [11C]Met was measured using high performance liquid chromatography in individual patients. Employing curve fitting, a history of [11C]Met activity was obtained as an input function. By means of sequential PET scannings and graphic analysis, uptake rate and distribution volume of [11C]Met in tumor tissue were calculated. In two studies irreversible uptake into the tumors was not seen when total plasma 11C activity was used as the input; however when [11C]Met plasma activity was used, definite irreversible uptake was seen, indicating tumor viability. In other studies, up to 24% underestimation of uptake rate was found. The present results demonstrated the importance of measuring [11C]Met in plasma for quantitative assessment of in vivo amino acid metabolism in tumors.

Adolescent

Amylase secretion induced by histamine from guinea-pig parotid gland.

The mode of action of histamine and its analogues on the secretion of amylase from guinea-pig parotid gland was studied in vitro using chopped parotid tissue. Histamine, 4-methylhistamine and 2-(2-pyridyl)ethylamine dose-dependently stimulated the secretion of amylase in the presence of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. The effect of histamine was blocked by mepyramine but not by metiamide. Propranolol inhibited the effect of higher concentrations of histamine and 2-(2-pyridyl)ethylamine. A combination of mepyramine and propranolol markedly suppressed the effect of histamine and 2-(2-pyridyl)ethylamine. Atropine, phentolamine and tetrodotoxin had no influence on the histamine-induced secretion of amylase.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine

Effect of histamine on cyclic AMP levels in the submandibular gland.

Histamine and 4-methylhistamine increased on cyclic AMP level in chopped guinea-pig submandibular glands. 4-Methylhistamine was more active than histamine. 2-(2-Pyridyl)ethylamine was less active than histamine or almost inactive. Metiamide markedly antagonized the histamine-induced cyclic AMP increase but mepyramine had no inhibitory effect on this increase. These results suggest that there are H2-receptors which mediate the cyclic AMP response to histamine in the guinea-pig submandibular gland.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine

Cyclic AMP increase by histamine and its analogues in guinea-pig submandibular gland.

The effect of histamine and its analogues on the cyclic AMP level in chopped guinea-pig submandibular glands was investigated. These agonists increased the cyclic AMP level dose-dependently. The ED50 values for histamine and 4-methylhistamine were approximately 1.3 x 10(-5) M and 2.2 x 10(-5) M, respectively. The efficacy of 4-methylhistamine was higher than that of histamine. 2-(2-Pyridyl)-ethylamine was far less effective compared with histamine or 4-methylhistamine. Metiamide markedly antagonized the cyclic AMP response to histamine and 4-methylhistamine, but mepyramine was ineffective. A combination of aminoguanidine and quinacrine had no influence on the effect of histamine on the cyclic AMP level. These results indicate the H2-type histamine receptors which mediate the cyclic AMP increase are present in the guinea-pig submandibular gland.

Animals

Inhibition of adjuvant arthritis by salbutamol and aminophylline.

Salbutamol (3 mg/kg) and aminophylline (75 mg/kg) were administered s.c. to rats separately or in combination after intradermal injection of adjuvant into the left hind paw. The paw volume was measured plethysmographically; tissue cyclic AMP content was determined by a protein binding assay following whole body microwave irradiation. The combination of salbutamol and aminophylline given daily significantly inhibited the swelling response in both the adjuvant-injected and the non-injected paws. This drug combination significantly increased the cyclic AMP levels in inflamed tissue of the adjuvant-injected hind paw and in lymphoid tissue such as the spleen and thymus. The combined treatment seems to have immunosuppressive as well as anti-inflammatory effects on adjuvant-induced arthritis.

Albuterol

Decrease in peritoneal mast cell count in rats with adjuvant arthritis. I. Time course and interstrain difference.

Adjuvant was injected into the left hind paw of Sprague-Dawley (SD) and Wistar rats. In SD rats a marked decrease in the mast-cell count and histamine content of the peritoneal fluid and a significant increase in the histamine content as well as the mast-cell count in the mesentery appeared between 1 and 2 weeks after adjuvant injection. This period approximately coincided with that of the development of secondary inflammatory lesions such as polyarthritis. The adjuvant-induced changes in the peritoneal fluid were more marked in SD than in Wistar rats, corresponding to more intense adjuvant arthritis in the SD strain. In Wistar rats a tendency towards an increase in the histamine content of the mesentery was observed from 2 weeks after adjuvant injection. Adjuvant injection did not have any significant effect on the histamine content of the caecum or the skin of either strain. These results show that adjuvant causes a redistribution of mast cells between the peritoneal fluid and the tissues surrounding the peritoneal cavity probably as a result of delayed hypersensitivity.

Animals

Decrease in peritoneal mast cell count in rats with adjuvant arthritis. II. Inhibition by anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs.

The following drugs were administered daily to adjuvant-injected rats: indomethacin, flufenamic acid, phenylbutazone, prednisolone, dexamethasone, methotrexate and 6-mercaptopurine. The effects on the decrease in the mast-cell count and histamine content of the peritoneal fluid were studied as well as the effect on the development of polyarthritis 14 days after adjuvant injection. At the doses tested, these drugs markedly inhibited changes in the parameters of peritoneal fluid. With the exception of flufenamic acid, the preventive effects on the decrease in the peritoneal mast-cell count paralleled the prevention of development of arthritic lesions. 6-Mercaptopurine administered daily for 5 consecutive days starting from day 0 was almost as effective as when it was given over the entire period (days 0 through 13). These results show that the decrease in the peritoneal mast-cell count is one of the symptoms of adjuvant disease in rats that can be used for the quantitative evaluation of antirheumatic drugs.

Animals

Handy type haemofiltration-plasma exchange apparatus.

A simple, compact and light weight design for a machine to perform plasma exchange or haemofiltration at a desired place is required. Based on these considerations, we have designed and fabricated a portable machine having a unique volume balancing mechanism and evaluated the in vitro and in vivo fluid balancing performances. We have obtained fully acceptable results during the evaluations and have performed clinical tests with favourable results.

Blood

Effects of BCG, levamisole and PS-K on the rejection of male skin grafts by female mice.

Rejection of male skin grafts by BALB/c female mice was accelerated by one s.c. injection of BCG (5 X 10(5) microorganisms/mouse) into recipients on the day of transplantation. Levamisole 20 mg/kg injected similarly was without any effect. Protein-bound polysaccharide Kureha (PS-K) injected 250 mg/kg s.c. or i.p. once every other day from the day of transplantation stimulated graft rejection. The s.c. route was more effective than the i.p. route. These results show that, in sex-linked graft rejection in mice, PS-K has an immunostimulant action similar to that of BCG. This property may be important to the antineoplastic activity of PS-K.

Animals