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Biomedical subjects

T Baba

Publications and source records attributed to T Baba.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of dextran carrying cis-dichloro(cyclohexane-trans-l-1,2-diamine)platinum(II) complex.

cis-Dichloro(cyclohexane-trans-l-1,2-diamine)platinum(II) (Dach-Pt(chlorato)), is a platinum complex which is expected to exhibit higher antitumor activity than, and show no cross resistance with, cisplatin. However, its strong side-effects and low water-solubility have also been cited. We report that polymer/antitumor drug conjugates shows reduced side-effects and high antitumor activity. In order to provide a macromolecular prodrug of Dach-Pt having reduced side-effects and high water-solubility, we synthesized polymer conjugates of Dach-Pt and dextran derivatives having carboxylic acid groups, oxidized-dextran (OX-Dex)/Dach-Pt conjugate, and carboxymethyl-dextran(CM-Dex)/Dach-Pt conjugate. The cytotoxic activities of the conjugates were investigated against p388D1 lymphocytic leukemia cells in vitro. The OX-Dex/Dach-Pt conjugate showed almost the same level of cytotoxic activity as free Dach-Pt(chlorato). Although the cytotoxic activity of free Dach-Pt(chlorato) was decreased by incubation in medium with serum, the OX-Dex/Dach-Pt conjugate kept its cytotoxic activity in higher level after 24 h incubation in medium with serum. These results suggested that the stability of Dach-Pt molecule in the medium was increased and cytotoxic activity of Dach-Pt was not decreased by fixing to OX-Dex.

Animals↗

Dipyridamole suppresses catecholamine- and Ca++ influx-sensitive ventricular arrhythmias.

To study the mechanism of ventricular arrhythmias, the effect of dipyridamole (DIP; 300 mg/day), an adenosine transport inhibitor, on ventricular premature contractions (VPCs) was assessed in 12 patients who showed VPCs (21312 +/- 12314/day) on Holter ECG in a controlled setting. The effects were compared with those of verapamil (240 mg/day) and bisoprolol (5 mg/day). DIP suppressed more than one-half the VPCs in 5 patients. The mean degree of reduction in these DIP-responders was 75 +/- 18%. Both verapamil and bisoprolol inhibited VPCs in all of the DIP-responders (verapamil: 71 +/- 15%, bisoprolol: 88 +/- 16%). Two of the 5 DIP-responders had sustained ventricular tachycardias (VT) that were terminated by intravenous DIP, ATP, acetylcholine, verapamil, and propranolol. In contrast, verapamil did not inhibit VPCs in any of the DIP-nonresponders. Bisoprolol also did not suppress VPCs in 3 of 6 DIP-non responders. heart rate was unaffected by DIP, but was suppressed by both verapamil and bisoprolol. In addition, DIP increased the serum concentration of adenosine (control 16.3 +/- 17.1 vs 22.3 +/- 19.0 pmol/ml after DIP, p < 0.05). The inhibitory effect of DIP may involve suppression of Ca+2 current through an extracellular increase in adenosine.

Adult↗

Selective slow pathway ablation in atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia--comparison of different methods and the site of slow pathway ablation.

The optimum potential of the slow pathway (SP) was investigated by determining the effectiveness and safety of high-radiofrequency catheter ablation to treat atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT). The subjects consisted of 29 patients with AVNRT (11 men, with a mean age of 54 +/- 15 years). Three ablation methods were used: a) Method A used the earliest atrial activation site, which is retrograde to the slow pathway, b) Method SP used the SP potential, and c) Method SW, in which ablation was performed stepwise starting from the coronary sinus and moving toward the recording site of the His bundle potential. Five, 20, and 4 patients underwent Methods A, SP, and SW, respectively. The fewest number of applications was needed with Method SP (11 +/- 9, 6 +/- 4, and 13 +/- 9), and the delivered energy was also lowest with Method SP (9151 +/- 6119, 3712 +/- 2168, and 12183 +/- 4090 J, with Methods A, SP, and SW, respectively). In Method SP, the interval between the atrium and SP was significantly longer at sites which cured tachycardia, than at sites at which ablation was ineffective (88 +/- 26 vs 66 +/- 22 msec, p < 0.05). The SP potential showed a humped shape in 18 of 20 patients. Method SP was the most efficient ablation method for treating AVNRT.

Adult↗

Detection of Salmonella DNA in chicken embryos and environmental samples by polymerase chain reaction.

By polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a pair of primers specific for Salmonella phoE gene a 365-bp specific gene fragment could be amplified from yolk of infertile eggs and dead-in-shell chicken embryos, and from environmental samples. Out of 45 dead-in-shell embryo samples, 20 (44.4%) were found positive for Salmonella DNA by PCR compared to 11 (24.4%) by bacteria isolation. Salmonella DNA could also be detected from infertile eggs, chicken faeces, floor litter and chick fluff, which incidence was higher than that by bacteria isolation.

Animals↗

Is ACE gene polymorphism a useful marker for diabetic albuminuria in Japanese NIDDM patients?

OBJECTIVE: We studied the relationship between an insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in the ACE gene and albuminuria/proteinuria in Japanese NIDDM patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 142 Japanese NIDDM patients (89 men, 53 women) with a known diabetes duration of 14 +/- 5 (mean +/- SD) years and an age of 56 +/- 6 years were divided into three groups according to the stage of nephropathy: 41 patients with normoalbuminuria, 47 patients with microalbuminuria, and 54 with overt proteinuria. The three groups were similar in age, diabetes duration, and recent HbAic level. RESULTS: The distribution of DD, ID, and II genotypes of the ACE gene did not differ among the three groups (10, 46, and 44% in the normoalbuminuric patients; 13, 53, and 34% in the microalbuminuric patients; and 15, 46, and 39% in the proteinuric patients, respectively). Meanwhile, the frequency of the D allele in the proteinuric male patients was slightly higher than in the normoalbuminuric male patients (45 vs. 27%, chi 2 = 3.9, P < 0.05), while the D allele frequency was nonsignificantly lower in the proteinuric female patients than in the normoalbuminuric female patients. CONCLUSION: These results did not support the hypothesis that the genotype of the ACE gene would be a clinically useful genetic marker for predicting the development of nephropathy in Japanese NIDDM patients. However, the role of D allele of ACE gene in the progression of nephropathy in male patients remains to be seen.

Albuminuria↗

Sex differences in the metabolism of (+)-S-145, a novel thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist in rat.

1. After the oral administration of 5 mg/kg S-1452 to rat, the plasma levels of (+)-S-145 were similar between the male and female, but there were sex differences in the profiles of its beta-oxidized and hydroxylated metabolites in plasma. 2. beta-Oxidation of (+)-S-145 determined in vitro was slightly higher in the female than in the male, and agreed with the plasma levels of the beta-oxidized metabolites. 3. 5-Hydroxylation activities of (+)-S-145 and beta-oxidized metabolites by rat liver microsomes were significantly higher in the male than in the female, but marked sex differences were not observed in 6-hydroxylation activities. These results revealed that differences in monooxygenase activities directly account for the sex differences in the plasma level of 5-hydroxylated metabolites, and that the peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzyme system also affected the plasma level of 6-hydroxylated metabolites. 4. Biliary excretion was higher in the male than in the female, and quantitative identification of metabolites in bile indicated that this was based on the prominent excretion of taurine conjugates in the male rat. This conclusion was supported by the fact that taurine conjugation activity was higher in male liver homogenates than in the female.

Animals↗

Quantitation of cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP1A1/2, 2B11, 2C21 and 3A12) in dog liver microsomes by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

1. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using specific antisera has been developed to quantify individual cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes (1A1/2, 2B11, 2C21 and 3A12) in dog liver microsomes. 2. The specific contents of CYP1A1/2, 2B11, 2C21 and 3A12 in untreated male dog liver microsomes determined by the ELISA were 17, 48, 160 and 69 pmol/mg protein respectively, corresponding to 4, 10, 34 and 15% of total optically determined P450 respectively. These P450 enzymes in untreated female dog liver microsomes showed almost similar amounts and relative proportions to those observed in male dog liver microsomes. 3. The oral treatment of male dogs with phenobarbital (PB), rifampicin (Rif) or beta-naphthoflavone (beta-NF) induced significant increases in the contents of CYP1A1/2 (12-fold by beta-NF), 2B11 (16-fold by PB), 2C21 (2-fold by PB) and 3A12 (5-fold by PB and Rif), resulting in marked proportional alterations of the P450 enzymes in dog liver microsomes. 4. This ELISA method will be a useful tool for investigating possible influences (induct on/suppression) of xenobiotics on the expression of P450 enzymes in dog liver.

Animals↗

Identification and characterization of a novel protein kinase, TESK1, specifically expressed in testicular germ cells.

We have isolated cDNA clones encoding the rat and human forms of a novel protein kinase, termed TESK1 (testis-specific protein kinase 1). Sequence analysis indicates that rat TESK1 contains 628 amino acid residues, composed of an N-terminal protein kinase consensus sequence followed by a C-terminal proline-rich region. Human TESK1 contains 626 amino acids, sharing 92% amino acid identity with its rat counterpart. The protein kinase domain of TESK1 is structurally similar to those of LIMK (LIM motif-containing protein kinase)-1 and LIMK2, with 49-50% sequence identity. Phylogenetic analysis of the protein kinase domains revealed that TESK1 is most closely related to a LIMK subfamily. Chromosomal localization of human TESK1 gene was assigned to 9p13. Anti-TESK1 antibody raised against the C-terminal peptide of TESK1 recognized two polypeptides of 68 and 80 kDa in cell lysates of COS cells transfected with human TESK1 cDNA expression plasmid. TESK1 protein expressed in COS cells exhibited serine/threonine kinase activity, when myelin basic protein was used as a substrate. Northern blot analysis revealed that TESK1 mRNA was specifically expressed in rat and mouse testicular germ cells. The TESK1 mRNA in the testis was detectable only after the 18th day of postnatal development of mice and was mainly expressed in the round spermatids. These observations suggest that TESK1 has a specific function in spermatogenesis.

Alternative Splicing↗

Classic steroid 11 beta-hydroxylase deficiency caused by a C-->G transversion in exon 7 of CYP11B1.

Steroid 11 beta-hydroxylase deficiency (11 beta OHD) is derived from mutations in the P45011 beta gene (CYP11B1) and inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. In the present study, we have performed a molecular genetic analysis of CYP11B1 in a Japanese patient clinically diagnosed as classic 11 beta OHD. Nucleotide sequencing of the PCR-amplified exons from the patient's genomic DNA reveals a unique C-->G transversion that converts codon 384 CGA (arginine) to GGA (glycine) in exon 7. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) data demonstrate that the patient is homozygous for this mutation. When the full-length cDNA corresponding to CYP11B1 of the patient is transfected into COS-7 cells, no steroid 11 beta-hydroxylase activity is detectable in mitochondria of the cells. These results indicate that this point mutation completely abolishes P45011 beta activity and causes the classic 11 beta OHD.

Adolescent↗

A new cytochrome P450 form belonging to the CYP2D in dog liver microsomes: purification, cDNA cloning, and enzyme characterization.

A new form of cytochrome P450 (P450 DUT2) was purified from untreated male dog liver microsomes. The final preparation (a specific content of 19.1 nmol P450/mg protein) showed a single band with an apparent monomeric molecular weight of 50,000 on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, but was further separated into two apoproteins (P450 DUT2a and P450 DUT2b) by reverse-phase HPLC. Both proteins had identical NH2-terminal amino acid sequences, but the first three amino acids of P450 DUT2b were truncated in P450 DUT2a. Purified P450 DUT2 showed 5 to 18 times higher catalytic activities than did hepatic microsomes toward desipramine, metoprolol, and dextromethorphan. These activities in dog liver microsomes were strongly inhibited by anti-P450 DUT2-IgG. A 1.7-kilobase pair cDNA (cDUT2) encoding a male dog liver P450 of 500 amino acid residues (molecular weight 56,400) was isolated and sequenced. The first 35 NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of P450 DUT2b coincided with the deduced amino acid sequence of cDUT2 at 2-36. The deduced total amino acid sequence of cDUT2 shared high similarity with the reported 2D forms (with 2D6, 74.6%; 2D14, 75.4%; 2D1, 65.4%; and 2D9, 63.6%). Moreover, the expressed P450 DUT2 in COS-7 cells had catalytic activities similar to those of purified P450 DUT2. Therefore, this paper is the first report about dog CYP2D. Furthermore, Northern and Western blot analyses indicated that the expressed levels of mRNA and protein were almost equal between male and female dogs. Western blot analysis suggested that P450 DUT2 is a constitutive and major (approximately 20% of the total P450) form, indicating that the 2D subfamily P450 in dog liver is quite unique from CYP2D members of other species.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Developmental studies of dystrophin and other cytoskeletal proteins in cultured muscle cells.

We studied the developmental changes of localization of dystrophin and other cytoskeletal proteins, especially actin, spectrin and dystrophin related protein (DRP) using immunocytochemistry and quick-freezing and deep-etching (QF-DE) method. In developmental studies of mouse and human muscle cultures, some myoblasts had positive-reactions to spectrin, DRP, and F-actin, but not dystrophin. In aneurally cultured myotubes, dystrophin, DRP, and spectrin were localized diffusely in the cytoplasm and later in discontinuous patterns on the plasma membrane, when myotubes became mature. Spectrin and DRP had more positive reactions in immature myotubes, compared with those of dystrophin. In some areas of myotubes, dystrophin/spectrin and spectrin/actin were localized reciprocally. In innervated cultured human muscle cells, dystrophin and DRP were localized in neuro-muscular junctions, which were co-localized with clusters of acetylcholine receptors. By using the QF-DE method, dystrophin was localized just underneath the plasma membrane, and closely linked to actin-like filaments (8-10 nm in diameter), most of which were decorated with myosin subfragment 1. In actin-poor regions, spectrin was detected as well-organized filamentous structures in highly interconnected networks with various diameters. DRP was distributed irregularly with granular appearance inside the cytoplasm and also under the plasma membrane in immature mouse myotubes. Our present studies show that dystrophin, spectrin, and DRP are localized differently at the developmental stages of myotubes. These results suggest that dystrophin, spectrin, and DRP are organized independently in developing myotubes and these cytoskeletal proteins might play different functions in the preservation of plasma membrane stability in developing myotubes.

Adult↗

Amino acid sequences of porcine Sp38 and proacrosin required for binding to the zona pellucida.

We previously purified a boar sperm protein, sp38, and demonstrated that this protein bound to the 90-kDa family of zona pellucida (ZP) glycoprotein in a calcium-dependent manner. Sp38 competed with proacrosin for the binding to the zona pellucida. Herein we have isolated cDNA clones encoding sp38 from a boar testis cDNA library in lambda gt11. The amino acid sequence deduced from the cDNA sequence indicated that sp38 is initially synthesized as a 350-residue precursor protein. The N-terminal 51-residue sequence preceded the N-terminus of the mature sp38. Thus, the sp38 precursor is post-translationally modified to produce the mature protein of 299 residues. Immunostaining of sperm cells using an antibody prepared against a fusion protein of sp38 with T7 gene 10 protein suggested that sp38 is localized at the intraacrosomal region and is released after the acrosome reaction. The 11-residue sequence, KRLSKAKNLIE, in sp38 shared a significant degree of similarity with the 8-residue sequence, KRLQQLIE, in the C-terminal region of porcine proacrosin. Both synthetic oligopeptides corresponding to these two sequences inhibited the binding of 125I-labeled sp38 to zona pellucida glycoprotein.

Acrosin↗

Cranial fasciitis with massive intracranial extension.

The case of a 10-month-old boy with cranial fasciitis is described. The patient had a rapidly growing subcutaneous mass in the left frontotemporal region. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging clearly demonstrated a mass in the left temporoparietal bone extending both intra- and extracranially. The tumor seemed to originate from the calvarium, being located between the periosteum and the dura mater. Total resection of the tumor was performed, and the tumor was histologically identified as cranial fasciitis. A brief review of the literature is included that emphasizes the need for further investigation of this benign lesion that is frequently confused with a malignant neoplasm.

Brain Diseases↗

Effect of 4-hour hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia on plasma atrial natriuretic factor concentrations.

To elucidate the mechanism behind the increased plasma atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) reported in Type 1 diabetic patients with glomerular hyperfiltration and incipient nephropathy, we studied the effects of a short-term moderate hyperglycemia with concomitant hyperinsulinaemia on plasma ANF concentrations and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in healthy male volunteers. Following a 2-hour basal run-in period, blood glucose level was clamped at 12.2 mmol/l for 4 hours by infusing 20% glucose solution (hyperglycaemia study) or the level was kept normal by infusing isotonic saline over the 4 hours (saline control study). Plasma ANF increased slightly both in the hyperglycaemia phase (from 25.7 +/- 6.3 to 32.1 +/- 7.5 ng/l at 3 hours [p < 0.02] and 31.0 +/- 6.6 ng/l at 4 hours [p = 0.058, mean +/- SD]) and in the control phase (from 17.7 +/- 6.1 to 26.1 +/- 13.5 ng/l at 3 hours [p < 0.05] and 25.4 +/- 11.7 ng/l at 4 hours [p < 0.05]) as compared with the respective baseline values. GFR remained unchanged both in the hyperglycaemia (from 108 +/- 8 to 104 +/- 13 ml/min/1.73 m2) and the saline control phases (from 106 +/- 7 to 101 +/- 7 ml/min/1.73 m2), respectively. The results of this short-term study showed no association between the moderate hyperglycaemia with a concomitant hyperinsulinaemia and plasma ANF concentration in non-diabetic normotensive subjects.

Adult↗

Clathrin-independent pinocytosis is induced in cells overexpressing a temperature-sensitive mutant of dynamin.

A stable HeLa cell line expressing a dynamin mutant, dynts, exhibits a temperature-sensitive defect in endocytic clathrin-coated vesicle formation. Dynts carries a point mutation, G273D, corresponding to the Drosophila shibirets1 allele. The ts-defect in receptor-mediated endocytosis shows a rapid onset (< 5 min) and is readily reversible. At the nonpermissive temperature (38 degrees C) HRP uptake is only partially inhibited. Moreover, when cells are held at the nonpermissive temperature, fluid phase uptake fully recovers to wild-type levels within 30 min, while receptor-mediated endocytosis remains inhibited. The residual HRP uptake early after shift to the nonpermissive temperature and the induced HRP uptake that occurs after recovery are insensitive to cytosol acidification under conditions that potently inhibit receptor-mediated endocytosis of Tfn. Together, these results suggest that a dynamin- and clathrin-independent mechanism contributes to the total constitutive pinocytosis in HeLa cells and that dynts cells rapidly and completely compensate for the loss of clathrin-dependent endocytosis by inducing an alternate endocytic pathway.

Clathrin↗

Structure, organization, and chromosomal location of the gene encoding a form of rice soluble starch synthase.

A rice (Oryza sativa L.) genomic clone encoding the gene for a form of soluble starch synthase (SSS1) and its 5'- and 3'-flanking regions has been isolated and sequenced. The SSS1 gene contained 15 exons interrupted by 14 introns. The exon/intron organization of the SSS1 gene was divergent from that of the rice Waxy gene coding for granule-bound starch synthase, thus suggesting that the SSS1 and granule-bound starch synthase genes have evolved from an ancestral gene in a different way or that the two genes are products of different ancestral genes that have converged during evolution. However, these two genes were closely located to each other on rice chromosome 6 at an approximate map distance of 5 centimorgans. The nucleotide sequence of the 5'-end region of the gene is unique because of the presence of some repetitive sequences.

Alternative Splicing↗