[Reply to "anal prolapse of a sigmoid lipoma"].
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Colon, Sigmoid↗
Biomedical subjects
S Tojo
Publications and source records attributed to S Tojo.
Preventive effect of sulphated colominic acid on P-selectin-dependent infiltration of macrophages in experimentally induced crescentic glomerulonephritis.
Leucocytes infiltrate into renal tissue and are involved in the pathogenesis of crescentic glomerulonephritis. The initial event in the process of leucocyte infiltration is characterized by selectin-mediated leucocyte rolling on endothelial surface. Role of selectins in pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis has still been controversial. Sulphated glycolipids and sulphated polysaccharides interfere with the binding of P- and L-selectin with carbohydrate ligands on endothelial cells or on leucocytes. Here we evaluated the role of selectins and the preventive effects of sulphated colominic acid (SCA), a synthetic sulphated polysaccharide, on experimental crescentic glomerulonephritis in Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Crescentic glomerulonephritis was induced by injection of nephrotoxic serum (NTS) in WKY rats. Rats subsequently received intraperitoneal injection of saline, neutralizing or non-neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) to rat P-selectin and L-selectin, SCA (5 or 10mg/kg/day) or nonsulphated colominic acid (CA) (10mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks. Localization of P-, E-selectin, ligands for L-selectin and intraglomerular leucocytes was examined by immunohistochemistry. Gene expression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) B chain in glomeruli was quantified using real-time RT-PCR. P-selectin was highly expressed on glomerular endothelial cells after injection of NTS, whereas E-selectin and L-selectin ligands were not detected. Anti-P-selectin mAb, but not anti-L-selectin mAb, significantly reduced glomerular infiltration of macrophages, crescent formation, and proteinuria. SCA also reduced proteinuria, macrophage infiltration, and crescent formation in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, SCA suppressed gene expression of PDGF B chain in glomeruli. Our results indicate that P-selectin partially mediates glomerular infiltration of macrophage in experimental crescentic glomerulonephritis. Moreover, SCA may inhibit intraglomerular infiltration of macrophages by interfering with P-selectin-dependent adhesion pathway, and progression of experimental crescentic glomerulonephritis.
Animals↗
Observation of hole transfer through DNA by monitoring the transient absorption of pyrene radical cation.
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Absorption↗
Combined transcriptome and proteome analysis as a powerful approach to study genes under glucose repression in Bacillus subtilis.
We used 2D protein gel electrophoresis and DNA microarray technologies to systematically analyze genes under glucose repression in B:acillus subtilis. In particular, we focused on genes expressed after the shift from glycolytic to gluconeogenic at the middle logarithmic phase of growth in a nutrient sporulation medium, which remained repressed by the addition of glucose. We also examined whether or not glucose repression of these genes was mediated by CcpA, the catabolite control protein of this bacterium. The wild-type and ccpA1 cells were grown with and without glucose, and their proteomes and transcriptomes were compared. 2D gel electrophoresis allowed us to identify 11 proteins, the synthesis of which was under glucose repression. Of these proteins, the synthesis of four (IolA, I, S and PckA) was under CcpA-independent control. Microarray analysis enabled us to detect 66 glucose-repressive genes, 22 of which (glmS, acoA, C, yisS, speD, gapB, pckA, yvdR, yxeF, iolA, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, R, S and yxbF ) were at least partially under CcpA-independent control. Furthermore, we found that CcpA and IolR, a repressor of the iol divergon, were involved in the glucose repression of the synthesis of inositol dehydrogenase encoded by iolG included in the above list. The CcpA-independent glucose repression of the iol genes appeared to be explained by inducer exclusion.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Calcium ions stabilize a protein structure of hemolytic lectin CEL-III from marine invertebrate Cucumaria echinata.
CEL-III, a galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine (Gal/GalNAc)-specific lectin purified from a marine invertebrate, Cucumaria echinata, has a strong hemolytic activity, especially toward human and rabbit erythrocytes in the presence of Ca2+. We evaluated the role of Ca2+ in hemagglutinating and hemolytic activities of CEL-III. We found that Ca2+ is closely associated with both activities of CEL-III. The fluorescence spectra of CEL-III upon binding to Ca2+ were measured. The result showed a structural change of CEL-III in the presence of Ca2+. The structural change of CEL-III upon Ca2+ binding was further demonstrated by stabilization against urea denaturation and by insusceptibility to protease digestions. CEL-III was completely unfolded at a low concentration of 2 M urea, while CEL-III complexed with Ca2+ was stable in 6 M urea. As for protease digestions, CEL-III monomer and oligomer were readily digested by trypsin, chymotrypsin, and papain in the absence of Ca2+, while they were insusceptible to the three proteases in the presence of Ca2+. The papain digestion of the decalcified oligomer produced a large C-terminal peptide, suggestting that the C-terminal region of CEL-III may participate in oligomerization of CEL-III as a core domain.
Animals↗
Involvement of both granular cells and plasmatocytes in phagocytic reactions in the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella.
Although it has been previously found by most authors that only plasmatocytes are involved in phagocytosis of non-self in the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella, in the present study we demonstrate that in vitro, both granular cells and plasmatocytes are involved in this reaction, using monolayers of these haemocytes prepared from larval haemolymph by a differential cell fractionation method. The adhesion of granular cells to glassware and phagocytosis by granular cells of FITC-labelled silica beads were both greatly reduced by the presence of p-NPGB, a serine proteinase inhibitor, which is known to inhibit the activation of the prophenoloxidase cascade, but the reactions were only partly influenced by PTU, an inhibitor of phenoloxidase. These results suggest that an enhancing factor for both reactions is phenoloxidase itself or a component induced during the course of activation of the prophenoloxidase cascade, but not the melanised substance produced by the action of this reaction. For plasmatocytes, attachment to non-self was totally blocked by the absence of CaCl(2) or by the presence of EDTA at concentrations greater than 20 mM, and phagocytosis was greatly enhanced by CaCl(2), but suppressed by EDTA. These results suggest that calcium is a factor required for adhesion of plasmatocytes, and that it also functions to enhance their phagocytic action.
Journal Article↗
Provisioned Parastrachia japonensis (Hemiptera: Cydnidae) nymphs gain access to food and protection from predators.
Females of the shield bug Parastrachia japonensis Scott progressively provision nymph-containing nests with drupes of the host tree, Schoepfia jasminodora (Olicaceae: Rosidae: Santales). The majority of nests are 5-15 m from the host tree, a distance thought to have been a major impetus for the occurrence of provisioning in this species. However, the function of provisioning is not well understood. We carried out two field experiments to determine whether provisioning is nutritionally important and whether it affords protection against predation. Development of nymphs was significantly delayed and their survival was low in the absence of provisioning, even when nests were within the area of ground on to which the drupes fell, apparently because of the poor quality of the majority of the drupes. Selective provisioning of good-quality drupes by female P. japonensis, a semelparous species, was thus necessary for young nymphs to obtain enough food for their development. Furthermore, even without a female in attendance, having drupes in the nest significantly reduced early mortality in the presence of a predator. Copyright 2000 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.
Journal Article↗
Lipid composition in long-day and short-day forms of the black bean aphid, Aphis fabae.
Long-day reared winged (alate) virginoparae from laboratory stock cultures which had been reared throughout larval development on bean stipules were significantly smaller (0.46+/-0.02 mg; mean+/-SEM) than short-day-reared gynoparae (0.69+/-0.04 mg; the winged autumn migrant) which completed development on intact beans. When winged virginoparae were raised from the third stadium on bean seedlings they grew larger (0.86+/-0.02 mg) but the gynoparae contained proportionally more total lipid (12.1+/-0.4%, gynoparae; 7.4+/-0.6%, stipule-reared virginoparae; 9.2+/-0.8%, seedling-reared virginoparae). Wingless aphids (apterae) were heavier, whether reared in short (0.99+/-0.03 mg) or long days (0.95+/-0.04 mg) but the lipid content was low (4.5+/-0.7% and 4.9+/-0.6%, respectively). The triacyl-, diacylglycerol and the phospholipid contents followed this trend but analysis of the fatty acid moieties of the triacylglycerides showed phenotypic differences. The ratios of myristic acid:palmitic acid were significantly higher in the winged forms than the wingless forms and were much higher in the gynoparae than the winged virginoparae. Short-day-reared wingless females also had a higher myristic acid:palmitic acid ratio than long-day-reared apterae, possibly reflecting the embryonic gynoparae maturing in their ovaries.
Journal Article↗
Enhancement of short wing formation and ovarian growth in the genetically defined macropterous strain of the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens.
When JH II, III or methoprene was applied in the nymphal stages to two different strains of the brown planthopper which were selected to produce long (macropterous) or short (brachypterous) wing forms, no effect was observed on the molting profile or metamorphosis. Brachypterization of a majority of the presumptive macropters was, however, observed by application of these chemicals, although there was no effect on wing form in the presumptive brachypters. The results show that the sensitive periods for the brachypterization of the presumptive macropters falls between early antepenultimate instar and within 1 or 2days of the penultimate instar, and that the chemicals were effective, in the following order of potency: methoprene>JH III>JH II. Ovarian growth was greatly enhanced in the presumptive macropters when JH III or methoprene was applied twice, within 12h of the 3rd or 4th nymphal instar and 6h before adult emergence. JH II on the other hand had no effect on ovarian growth when applied to the presumptive macropters at any of the nymphal stages. None of the chemicals had any effect on ovarian growth in the presumptive brachypters.
Journal Article↗
Relating X-ray absorption and some quality characteristics of mango fruit (Mangifera indica L.).
X-ray absorption was used as an index to detect the quality of mango based on its relationship with density, moisture content, soluble solids, titratable acidity, and pH. A regression equation was obtained between the computed tomography (CT) number and the physicochemical properties based on the principle of X-ray absorption capacities of the fruit. The CT numbers of intact mangoes were positively correlated with density, moisture content, and titratable acidity. The soluble solids and pH were inversely related with CT number. The results suggest that CT number measurements on intact fruit can be used as a nondestructive indicator of the quality of mango.
Fruit↗
A change of P-selectin immunoreactivity in rat brain after transient and permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion.
Although the role of an adhesion molecule such as P-selectin may be important in the pathogenesis of stroke, temporal, spatial, and cellular profiles of the expression of such a protein has not been fully studied in the case of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion and reperfusion in rat brain. Change in expression of immunoreactive P-selectin was examined in rat brain after transient MCA occlusion (MCAO) in comparison to that of permanent occlusion with an anti-P-selectin monoclonal antibody. Western blot analyses were performed to ensure the selective detection of immunoreactive P-selectin protein with the monoclonal antibody using brain homogenates before and after MCAO. Temporal, spacial, and cellular changes of P-selectin expressions were evaluated with rat brain sections at 2, 8h, 1 and 3 days of permanent MCAO, and at 2, 8h, 1, 3 and 7 days of reperfusion after 1 h of transient MCAO. Western blot showed a single band with a molecular weight of 140 kDa for both cases with permanent occlusion and reperfusion. P-selectin immunoreactivity was not normally present in rat brain sections. However, it was expressed mainly in the post-capillary venules of the cerebral cortex and caudate in the MCA territory with a peak at 2-8h after permanent occlusion and at 8h to 1 day after the reperfusion. The expression was diminished by 1 day of permanent occlusion and 3 days of reperfusion. The maximum staining in the case of permanent MCAO was stronger than the case with reperfusion. However, spacial distribution of the staining was similar in the cerebral cortex and caudate between the cases with permanent of transient MCAO. These results suggest a different temporal but similar spacial and cellular expression of P-selection immunoreactivity between permanent occlusion and reperfusion of MCA in rat brain.
Animals↗
Products of creatinine with hydroxyl radical as a useful marker of oxidative stress in vivo.
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Animals↗
[A case of glomerulonephritis with singular high titer of anticardiolipin antibody].
We report here a case of severe membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with a singular high titer of anticardiolipin antibody (aCL). A 19-year-old Japanese female was admitted to Tsukuba Gakuen Hospital after complaining of general edema for 5 months. She had no past history of thrombosis, thrombocytopenia, or spontaneous abortion. Laboratory findings revealed that she had nephrotic syndrome and moderate renal dysfunction. Immunological test showed a high titer of aCL with a high-normal limit of antinuclear antibody, negativity for anti-beta(2) glycoprotein I antibody and negativity for anti-DNA antibody. In the renal biopsy tissue, most glomeruli showed global sclerosis and the remaining glomeruli revealed membranoproliferative change with crescent formation. Steroid therapy with warfarin and dipyridamole was effective and her renal function improved gradually. This case lacked the typical symptoms of primary antiphospholipid syndrome and did not satisfy the criteria of SLE. In spite of these findings, the singular high titer of aCL with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis characterized this case.
Adult↗
Role of selectin-dependent adhesion in cardiac allograft rejection.
BACKGROUND: Selectins play important roles in the inflammatory responses by eliciting leukocyte rolling. The roles of E- and P-selectins in the acute rejection of cardiac allografts remain unclear. This study was designed to evaluate whether E- and P-selectins participate in the pathophysiology of heart rejection. METHODS: Heterotopic heart transplantation was performed in both mice and rats in full histoincompatibility combinations. Immunohistochemistry, flow-cytometry, and reverse transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction were performed to evaluate E-, P-selectin and sialyl Lewis X (SLeX) expression in rejecting cardiac allografts. The effects of short-term administration of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to E- and P-selectins on cardiac allograft survival were also evaluated. RESULTS: Significant prolongation of graft survival was observed in mice treated with either anti-E- or P-selectin mAbs, or both. The enhanced endothelial and mRNA expression of E- and P-selectins was observed in the rejecting cardiac allografts. Some graft- infiltrating mononuclear cells were double-stained with both anti-SLeX and anti-alphabetaT cell receptor mAbs. Flow-cytometric analysis of graft-infiltrating cells also showed enhanced SLeX expression. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that both P- and E-selectins are critically involved in the early development of acute heart rejection.
Animals↗
Expressions of P-selectin- and HSP72-like immunoreactivities in rat brain after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion.
The role of an adhesion molecule such as P-selectin may be important in the pathogenesis of stroke. However, temporal, spatial and cellular profiles of the expression of such a protein have not been fully studied. Change of immunoreactive P-selectin was examined in rat brain after transient middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion in comparison with that of 72 kDa heat shock protein (HSP72) which is a well known marker of cell injury. Western blot analyses were performed to ensure the selective detection of immunoreactive P-selectin and HSP72 proteins with each antibody using brain samples before and after ischemia. Temporal, spatial and cellular changes of immunohistochemical expressions of P-selectin and HSP72 were evaluated with rat brain sections at 2 and 8 h, and 1, 3 and 7 days of reperfusion after 1 h of MCA occlusion (MCAO). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to evaluate brain cell damage at 3 and 7 days of reperfusion. Western blot showed a single band at molecular weights of 140 and 72 kDa for P-selectin and HSP72, respectively, only after ischemia. No significant band was observed without primary antibody. P-selectin-like immunoreactivity was not normally present in rat brain sections. However, it was expressed mainly in the post-capillary venules of the cerebral cortex and caudate in the MCA territory with a peak at 8 h to 1 day. The expression was diminished by 3 days of reperfusion. An immunoreactive HSP72 was scarcely present in the cerebral cortex and caudate of the sham control brain. However, the protein was induced in neurons of the MCA territory. The HSP72 induction was gradually intensified from 8 h with peaks at 1 day in the cortex and at 3 days in the caudate. The immunoreactivity decreased by 7 days. Histopathological study with HE staining showed no evident cell damage at 3 and 7 days of reperfusion. The present results indicate that temporal, spatial and cellular differences were present in the expressions of immunoreactive P-selectin and HSP72 proteins. P-selectin was expressed from an earlier stage of reperfusion in post-capillary venules, and the expression became maximum at the same time both in the cerebral cortex and caudate. In contrast, HSP72 induction began later in neurons and reached maximum at a different time between the cortex and caudate.
Animals↗
Postischemic expression of P-selectin immunoreactivity in rat brain.
Change of immunoreactive P-selectin was examined in rat brain after transient middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion (O) with anti-P-selectin monoclonal antibody using brain samples of sham control and after ischemia. Temporal, spatial, and cellular changes of immunohistochemical expressions of P-selectin were evaluated with rat brain sections at 2 and 8 h, 1, 3, and 7 days of reperfusion after 1 h of MCAO. Western blot showed a single band at molecular weight of 140 kDa for P-selectin after ischemia. P-selectin immunoreactivity was not normally present in rat brain sections. However, it was expressed mainly in the post-capillary venules of the cerebral cortex and caudate in the MCA territory with a peak at 8 h-1 day. The expression was diminished by 3 days of reperfusion. The present results indicate that P-selectin was expressed from an earlier stage of reperfusion in post-capillary venules, and the expression became maximum at the same time both in the cerebral cortex and caudate.
Animals↗
Developmental changes of storage proteins and biliverdin-binding proteins in the haemolymph and fat body of the common cutworm, Spodoptera litura.
The concentrations of three storage proteins (SL-1,SL-2 and SL-3, hexamers of 70-80kDa subunits) and two biliverdin-binding proteins (BP-A and BP-B, dimers of 165kDa) in the haemolymph and fat body during larval and pupal development of Spodoptera litura were determined by immunodiffusion tests using polyclonal antisera. SL-1 and SL-2 (methionine-rich) first appeared in the haemolymph of one-day-old sixth (final) instar larvae, prominently increased in the haemolymph during the later feeding period and were almost totally sequestered by the fat body after gut purge. SL-3 (arylphorin) was first detected in the haemolymph during the molting period to the final larval ecdysis, increased in concentration throughout the entire feeding period of the final larval instar and was partly sequestered by the fat body several hours later than the other storage proteins. BP-A showed nearly the same pattern in the haemolymph as SL-3: BP-B increased during feeding period and decreased during molting period and attained a maximum level during the penultimate larval instar, however its concentration decreased considerably and remained low in the final larval instar. BP-A was partly and BP-B was almost totally sequestered by the fat body 8 h after sequestration of SL-1 and SL-2, rendering the fat body blue in colour. These facts suggest an additional function of biliverdin-binding proteins as amino acid storage proteins and the results show a differential uptake mechanism for these proteins by the fat body.
Journal Article↗
Mechanism of expression of the rat HCNP precursor protein gene.
The hippocampal cholinergic neurostimulating peptide (HCNP), isolated from hippocampal tissue of 10- to 12-day-old rats, enhances the in vitro synthesis of acetylcholine in medial septal tissue explants. The HCNP precursor is a 21 kDa protein that binds hydrophobic ligands and Mg-ATP, and is associated with the opioid-binding protein. We employed an HCNP-precursor cDNA as probe to clone the genomic DNA, used for mapping of the exon-intron structure of the gene. We also determined the nucleotide structure of the promoter region of the rat HCNP precursor protein gene. By using S1 mapping and CAT as a reporter, we found multiple promoters that were aligned in the 5' untranslated region. In addition, the presence of several putative enhancer binding sequences were tested by electrophoresis mobility shift assays. Northern blot analysis revealed that the gene is expressed in a variety of rat tissues and various subregions of the brain. These results suggest that HCNP-precursor gene expression is regulated by a general transactivation factor such as SP1, and that the specific presence of the bioactive HCNP in certain tissues results from post-translational events such as proteolytic processing of the precursor protein, which takes place predominantly in the hippocampus of young rats.
Animals↗