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Biomedical subjects

S Takami

Publications and source records attributed to S Takami.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Vomeronasal epithelial cells of the adult human express neuron-specific molecules.

Immunohistochemical localization of three molecular markers, neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 for neurons and neuroendocrine cells, and olfactory marker protein (OMP) for olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) was investigated in the vomeronasal epithelium (VNE) of adult humans. NSE- and PGP 9.5-immunoreactive cells were identified in the VNE. ORNs in the olfactory epithelium of approximately age-matched controls were immunoreactive for the three markers. Most NSE-immunoreactive cells in the VNE were bipolar and similar in shape to the NSE- and PGP 9.5-immunoreactive ORNs. The results indicate that the adult human VNE contains cells expressing two molecular markers characteristic of neurons and that these cells bear a striking morphological similarity to ORNs.

Adult↗

Chromosomal heterogeneity of Helicobacter pylori isolates by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

The genome of 24 Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) isolates was analyzed by restriction endonuclease digestion and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). On PFGE profiles of NotI, 12 isolates among 24 yielded four to nine fragments which differed among them. The other 12 isolates could not be digested with NotI. The total genome size calculated from individual fragments ranged from 1.04 x 10(3) to 1.80 x 10(3) kb. This remarkable uneveness in the total genome size among isolates is unusual if H. pylori is considered a single species. Therefore, the extreme diversity in PFGE profiles and genome size among H. pylori strains, which had been considered as homogeneous according to conventional biochemical criteria, led us to reexamine the H. pylori species for their genomic homology. Furthermore, we used the genetic heterogeneity as a marker to identify specified strains among clinical isolates.

Base Composition↗

The differential staining patterns of two lectins in the accessory olfactory bulb of the rat.

We examined the binding sites of Bandeiraea simplicifolia lectin I (BSL-I) and Vicia villosa agglutinin (VVA) which bind to the vomeronasal nerve of the rat. BSL-I stained the whole vomeronasal nerve and glomerular layers. VVA strongly stained the posterior 2/3, but weakly stained the anterior 1/3 of the glomerular layer. These results indicate that the glomeruli of the rat AOB have two subdivisions revealed by lectin histochemistry using BSL-I and VVA.

Animals↗

The morphology of GABA-immunoreactive neurons in the accessory olfactory bulb of rats.

GABA-immunoreactive (IR) neurons were observed in the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) of adult female rats. Many somata and dendritic trees of periglomerular-located cells were GABA-IR and the size of their somata was variable. Numerous somata and dendrites in the granule cell layer were IR. These results suggest that a large number of the interneurons in the AOB are GABA-IR.

Animals↗

[Importance of lipoprotein(a) in patients with ischemic heart disease].

Elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] have been associated with an increased risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD), and higher levels of Lp(a) are associated with lesions of significantly greater severity. We have examined Lp(a), total cholesterol (TC) and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in patients with IHD including those with normal coronary arteries with vasospastic angina. The study population consisted of 206 patients (166 males and 40 females) who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography for known IHD. Twenty-eight patients had effort angina, 36 rest angina, 8 unstable angina and 134 old myocardial infarction. IHD patients were categorized as zero vessel disease (0VD), single vessel disease (SVD) and multi-vessel disease (MVD). To investigate the relationship between atherosclerosis and IHD, these patients were further divided into 3 groups based on angiographic findings. Eighteen patients had entirely normal coronary arteries (normal group), 24 discretely diseased coronary arteries (discrete group) and 80 diffusely diseased coronaries (diffuse group). The results were compared with those obtained from 50 healthy individuals. Lp(a) levels for IHD patients (12.4 mg/dl) were significantly higher than those of controls (7.1 mg/dl, p < 0.05). However, there were no statistical differences between 0VD (13.1 mg/dl) and MVD (12.8 mg/dl). Similarly, no statistical differences of Lp(a) values were found among the normal group (13.3 mg/dl), discrete group (12.0 mg/dl) and diffuse group (12.9 mg/dl). Mean levels of HDL-C in 0VD (51.3 +/- 13.5 mg/dl) were significantly higher than those of SVD (42.9 +/- 11.5 mg/dl, p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between controls (59.5 +/- 15.3 mg/dl) and 0VD (51.3 +/- 13.5 mg/dl).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗

Light microscopic Golgi study of mitral/tufted cells in the accessory olfactory bulb of the adult rat.

Mitral/tufted cells (MTCs) of the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) of adult rats were investigated light microscopically with the rapid Golgi method. The somata of the MTCs, appearing ovoid or triangular in shape, are distributed throughout the external plexiform layer. The soma size varies from small to large (12-26 microns). Apical dendrites originating from the soma enter the glomerular layer to provide branches that form the glomerular arbors. After making a glomerular arbor, some dendrites develop a second arbor (en passant and terminal arbors, respectively). The MTCs have a very diverse dendritic branching pattern and most have a variable number of glomerular arbors per cell (up to 6); we have tentatively classified the MTCs into simple, intermediate, and complex. Of the glomerular arbors, 80% have a diameter of less than 50 microns. The glomerular arbors have been classified as baskets (small spherical or ovoid) with short loopy processes; balls of yarn (large and nearly spherical) with loosely intermingled thick loops; and bushes (small to large and rather polymorphic) with irregular processes. The MTCs send dendritic arbors to terminate in one or more glomeruli where they are arranged in several different types of endings. Since it is generally believed that the dendrites of mitral and tufted cells of the main olfactory bulb terminate in only one glomerulus, the difference in the termination of the dendrites of the MTCs may represent a morphological characteristic that is relevant to the coding and/or integration of sensory information.

Animals↗

Molybdenum requirement for translocation of dimethyl sulfoxide reductase to the periplasmic space in a photodenitrifier, Rhodobacter sphaeroides f. sp. denitrificans.

Translocation of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) reductase to the periplasmic space was studied in vivo with a photodenitrifier, Rhodobacter sphaeroides f. sp. denitrificans, using immunoblotting analysis and radioactive labeling. A polypeptide with an apparent molecular mass about 2,000 Da higher than that of DMSO reductase accumulated during induction of the reductase with DMSO. An uncoupler, carbonyl cyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone, inhibited the processing of the polypeptide after cells had been radioactively pulse-labeled with [35S]methionine. These results indicated that the higher-molecular-mass polypeptide was the precursor form of DMSO reductase. The precursor form accumulated in either the cytoplasm or the membrane, whereas the mature form accumulated in the periplasmic space. The membrane-bound precursor was sensitive to proteinase K treatment from both the cytoplasmic and periplasmic sides of the membrane, indicating that the polypeptide binds to the membrane, exposing it to both the outer and inner surfaces of the cytoplasmic membrane. Processing of the precursor was hampered by removal of molybdate from the medium and was restored by its readdition. It was also inhibited by the addition of tungstate in the medium.

Biological Transport↗

Diagnostic value of Lipiodol injection in focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver.

We encountered a case of small focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) of the liver. It was difficult to distinguish FNH from hepatocellular carcinoma by means of sonography, computed tomography (CT), and angiography. After the injection of Lipiodol, it accumulated densely on FNH, but was washed away after a short time, as observed on the follow-up CT. This progress was different from that in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Adult↗

Somatostatin-28-like immunoreactivity in the rat olfactory bulb.

Using an immunoperoxidase technique, somatostatin-28-like immunoreactive (LIR) neurons were observed in the main and accessory olfactory bulb (MOB and AOB) of adult rats. In the MOB, a restricted population of periglomerular cells in the glomerular layer, some superficial short-axon cells in the juxtaglomerular layer, and some deep short-axon cells in the granule cell layer were IR. The periglomerular and the superficial short-axon cells were stained so well that they looked like Golgi-impregnated specimens. In the AOB, a very small population of small neurons in the glomerular layer, a very few medium-sized and large neurons in the external plexiform layer, and some neurons in the granule cell layer, which seem to be corresponding to the deep short-axon cells in the MOB, were IR. The present results have revealed that different morphological types of bulbar neurons are somatostatin-28-LIR; they also indicate neurochemical differences between the MOB and AOB.

Animals↗

Morphological complexity of the glomerulus in the rat accessory olfactory bulb--a Golgi study.

Using the rapid Golgi method, the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) of the adult rat was examined. The principal neurons of the AOB were very variable in terms of their dendritic branching pattern and morphology of the glomerular arbors. Some glomerular arbors occupied small portions, other large portions of a single glomerulus. These morphological patterns suggest that complex integrative events occur in the AOB.

Animals↗

[Changes in various serum protein levels between acute and convalescent phases in patients with respiratory infections].

We determined serum levels of alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, alpha 2-HS glycoprotein, C3 and fibronectin in 22 patients with acute pneumonia, 10 patients with mycoplasma pneumonia and 8 patients with exacerbation of chronic bronchitis at both acute and convalescent phases to clarify whether levels of these proteins change with inflammation. Serum levels of alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin and C3 in the patients in the acute phase were significantly higher than that in the patients in the convalescent phase. The serum level of fibronectin in the patients in the acute phase was significantly lower than that in the patients in convalescent phase. The serum level of alpha 2HS glycoprotein remained unchanged.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Heterogeneity in myasthenia gravis: HLA phenotypes and autoantibody responses in ocular and generalized types.

HLA phenotypes and autoantibody responses were studied in 71 Japanese patients with myasthenia gravis. HLA-A2, Bw61, and DRw9 were associated with ocular myasthenia gravis (corrected p [CP] less than 0.05 relative risk [RR] = 2.88; CP less than 0.02, RR = 3.60; and CP less than 0.001, RR = 4.63, respectively) and HLA-DRw8 was associated with generalized myasthenia gravis (CP less than 0.001, RR = 5.40). Neither HLA-B8 nor DR3 was found in Japanese patients. The titer of antiacetylcholine receptor antibody (AChR Ab) and the incidence of autoantibodies other than AChR Ab were higher in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis than in those with the ocular type (2.77 +/- 0.62 versus 0.17 +/- 0.03 pmol/ml, p less than 0.001; and 60.6 versus 29.0%, p less than 0.02, respectively). Patients with a high titer of AChR Ab or with autoantibodies had an increased frequency of HLA-DRw8 (CP less than 0.02, RR = 4.61, and CP less than 0.005, RR = 4.53, respectively); whereas patients with a low titer of AChR Ab or without autoantibodies had an increased frequency of HLA-DRw9 (CP less than 0.001, RR = 8.26, and CP less than 0.005, RR = 4.08, respectively). These findings suggest that ocular and generalized myasthenia gravis might have different immunogenetic backgrounds.

Adolescent↗

Effects of castration on volumes of the preoptic nucleus and the amygdala and on immunoreactivity of LH-RH fibers in the brain of the toad, Bufo japonicus.

We examined the influence of castration on the volumes of sexually dimorphic nuclei, the amygdala pars medialis (Am) and lateralis (Al), and the anterior part of the preoptic nucleus, and on the immunoreactivity of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) in brains of Japanese toads captured in spring and autumn. Animals were castrated (GnX) and half were implanted with testosterone (T) (GnX + T) and then killed and dissected after 1 month. Compared with sham-operated (Sham) toads, plasma androgen levels in autumn toads were significantly decreased by the castration, and those in both spring and autumn GnX toads were significantly elevated by the T implantation. The volume of Am in autumn toads was significantly reduced by GnX. Although not significant, changes in the volumes of the other nuclei, except for Al in spring toads, showed the following tendency 30 days after the operation: GnX + T greater than Sham greater than GnX. GnX did not alter LH-RH immunoreactivity in the median eminence. However, dense immunoreactive LH-RH fibers were found in the mesencephalic tegmental region in spring GnX toads but not in the other operation groups in both spring and autumn. LH-RH immunoreactivity was not altered in autumn toads. In spring GnX toads, thumb pads degenerated and evoked release calling was infrequent. These results suggest that (i) the volumes of sexually dimorphic nuclei, especially Am in the autumn toad, are androgen-dependent, and (ii) castration can modulate activity of the extrahypothalamic LH-RH-ergic projection in toad brain.

Amygdala↗

Light microscopic observations of the vomeronasal organ of Habu, Trimeresurus flavoviridis.

Light microscopic observations of the vomeronasal organ (VNO) (Jacobson's organ) of Habu, Trimeresurus flavoviridis, revealed that the organ was encased in the os vomeris and the vomeronasal cartilage on either side of the nasal septum. Habu VNO was divided into a dome-shaped portion mainly composed of a sensory epithelium (SE) and a hemispherical mushroom body covered with a ciliated epithelium. A narrow lumen, leading to the oral cavity via the vomeronasal duct, was made between the mushroom body and the SE. The SE consisted of a supporting cell layer facing the lumen and the underlying sensory cell layer where a large number of cells piled up in columns. Vascular plexuses were found around the neck and bottom of the columns. Along the antero posterior axis of the VNO, the height of the columns reached its maximum in the middle of the dorsal and the median parts (over 300 micron), and gradually decreased toward lateral. Each column contained undifferentiated basal cells, sensory cells and satellite cells. Sensory cells had a round nucleus and prominent lipofuscin granules. The sensory cells were arrayed in a string-like arrangement. Cells situated in the neck region of columns contained a larger amount of lipofuscin granules. Distal processes of sensory cells passed through the cytoplasmic meshwork of supporting cells and terminated as small swellings. Aggregates of heterogeneous cell populations were observed in the antero lateral region of the dome. A number of pigment cells were seen in the epineurium and the perivascular regions of the dorsal and lateral VNOs. Goblet cells were present in the lateral boundary between the dome portion and the mushroom body. Present findings clarify the complex organization of the Habu VNO, and the occurrence of the sensory columns similar to those reported in other snakes.

Animals↗