Ongoing somatic mutations of the immunoglobulin gene in MALT lymphoma with widespread MLP-type polypoid lesions.
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Aged↗
Biomedical subjects
T Endo
Publications and source records attributed to T Endo.
Effect of probucol on serum lipoprotein and apoprotein profiles in renal transplant patients.
The therapeutic effect of probucol on hypercholesterolemia in cyclosporine A (CyA)-treated renal transplant patients was prospectively studied. Twelve posttransplantation patients aged 34.2+/-2.5 years with serum total cholesterol (t-CHL) of 250 mg/dL or greater, whose serum creatinine was 2.9 mg/dL or less, and who had no diabetes mellitus or hypoproteinemia, were treated with probucol, 250 mg twice daily for 3 months. Seventeen age-matched (36.8+/-1.6 years) normal volunteers served as control. Blood was drawn after at least a 12-hour fast to measure lipids in serum and lipoprotein fractions, apoproteins (apo), lipoprotein fractions, lethicin cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT), free fatty acids (FFA), and CHL-ester. Serum t-CHL, triglycerides (TG), and phospholipids (PL) in posttransplantation patients before treatment were significantly higher compared with normal control subjects. Very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) fractions in these patients were significantly expanded. The pretreatment levels of serum apo AII, B, CII, and CIII were significantly increased compared with those of normal controls. After treatment with probucol, serum t-CHL, LDL-CHL, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-CHL, PL, LDL-PL, and apo AI were significantly decreased, and CHL-ester significantly increased compared with the pretreatment levels. These data suggest that although probucol causes a decrease in HDL-CHL, it may act anti-atherogenically by modulating HDL metabolism and stimulating reverse transfer of CHL from peripheral tissue.
Adult↗
Pharmacokinetic properties and oral bioavailabilities of difloxacin in pig and chicken.
1. Pharmacokinetic properties of difloxacin have been studied in pig and chicken after intravenous and oral administration. 2. The serum concentrations of difloxacin in pig and chicken after intravenous administration were best described by a two-compartment open model, giving distribution half-lives of 0.50 and 0.66 h and elimination half-lives of 7.92 and 4.10 h for pig and chicken respectively. The steady-state distribution volumes were 1.70 and 3.06 l/kg for pig and chicken respectively. 3. After oral administration of 5 mg/kg to pig and chicken, the serum concentrations reached maximal levels of 3.61 and 0.96 microg/ml respectively at 1.25 and 1.40 h. The elimination half-lives were 11.8 and 7.35 h for pig and chicken respectively. 4. The bioavailabilities of difloxacin were calculated as 93.7 (pig) and 86.9% (chicken).
Administration, Oral↗
Expression of thyrotropin receptor on clonal osteoblast-like rat osteosarcoma cells.
The expression of thyrotropin receptor (TSH-R) on various cells derived from bone, including osteoblast-like rat osteosarcoma cells (UMR106 cells), was investigated. TSH receptor mRNA was detected in UMR106 cells by Northern blot analysis. 125I-labeled TSH binding analysis revealed specific high- and low-affinity binding sites (association constants of 5.6 x 10(9) M(-1) and 3.0 x 10(7) M(-1), respectively) on UMR106 cells. Recombinant TSH, but not recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin, increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production in a concentration-dependent manner in these cells. Furthermore, immunoglobulin Gs from patients with Graves' disease induced cAMP response in UMR106 cells, and the cAMP response index in this cell line correlated with thyroid-stimulating antibody (TSAb) activity detected by Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells transfected with rat TSH-R. We have also demonstrated that recombinant TSH increased cAMP production in human osteoblast-like osteosarcoma (MG63) cells and mouse primary osteoblastic cells. These results suggest that osteoblasts possess functional TSH-R and that abnormal bone metabolism in Graves' disease may be partly explained by the interaction of TSAb with TSH-R in osteoblasts in some patients.
Animals↗
Effects of cytokines on expression of thyrotropin receptor mRNA in rat preadipocytes.
Cultured rat preadipocytes express thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) during their differentiation. To evaluate the effects of inflammatory cytokines on the expression of TSHR in cultured rat preadipocytes, we cultured those cells in the presence of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (rhTNF)-alpha, recombinant human interferon (rhIFN)-gamma, and human transforming growth factor (hTGF)-beta1. The effects on the level of TSHR mRNA and signal transduction were evaluated. Addition to the medium of 1 ng/mL TNF-alpha, 1 ng/mL rhIFN-gamma, and 1 ng/mL hTGF-beta1 during the differentiation of rat preadipocytes inhibited the expression of TSHR mRNA. The decrease in TSHR mRNA was accompanied by a decrease in TSH-stimulated cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production. Histochemical analysis showed that these cytokines inhibited the morphological differentiation of the cells. These cytokines also decreased the expression of mRNA for such fat-specific proteins as lipoprotein lipase and aP2. Results indicate that the loss of expression and function of the TSHR is closely related to the inhibition of differentiation. This confirms the close relation between the expression of the TSHR and the differentiation of the rat preadipocytes.
Adaptor Protein Complex 2↗
Results of a qualitative and field study using the WHOQOL instrument for cancer patients.
The main purpose of the study was to evaluate quality of life (QOL) among cancer patients using the WHOQOL-100 instrument and to see if any significant differences were seen in cancer stages, treatment status and prognosis. This study consisted of two parts; qualitative and quantitative. For the qualitative study, two focus groups were conducted by medical professionals to establish the applicability of the WHOQOL instrument in evaluating the QOL of cancer patients, but most participants were negative about using a generic instrument such as WHOQOL. For the quantitative study, 197 cancer patients (average age 55.86) from eight medical centers using the WHOQOL instrument, in addition to each patient's information sheet filled in by their own physicians, were analyzed. The average overall QOL score was 3.39. There was high reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.9685) and a high correlation between the psychological and the environmental domains (r = 0.7021), the physical domain and the level of independence (r = 0.6031) and social relations and the environment (r = 0.6856) and between health conditions perceived by patients and QOL scores. In addition, differences by gender, treatments and cancer sites were also found to be significantly different at the 5% significance level. The results indicated that the WHOQOL core instrument was sensitive enough to evaluate the QOL of cancer patients.
Adult↗
Properties of the respiratory NAD(P)H dehydrogenase isolated from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC6803.
Activity staining with NADPH-nitroblue tetrazolium after native-PAGE of membrane proteins of Synechocystis PCC6803, solubilized with 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS), revealed four NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (NDH) activities; an NDH complex of the respiratory chain, a ferredoxin NADP+ reductase (FNR), a drgA product which oxidized both NADH and NADPH, and an uncharacterized NADH-specific enzyme. The NDH complex was purified with anion exchange and gel filtration chromatographies. The purified complex had a molecular mass of 376 kDa and was composed of 9 subunits. Western analysis showed that the complex contained the NDH-H subunit, but not NDH-A or B. The enzyme reduced ferricyanide much faster than plastoquinone and used NADPH as its preferred electron donor rather than NADH. The enzymatic activity was inhibited by diphenyleneiodonium chloride and salicylhydroxamic acid, but not by rotenone, p-chloromercuribenzoate, N-ethylmaleimide, flavon, dicumarol, or antimycin A. These results suggest that the purified complex is a hydrophilic subcomplex which contains an NADPH binding site and flavin, and is dissociated from a hydrophobic subcomplex, which contains quinone binding site.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Isolation of a novel NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC6803.
A novel NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase (NQR) was isolated from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC6803 by ion-exchange, affinity and gel-filtration chromatographies. Isolated NQR was found to be a drgA gene product that was a homodimer composed of 23-kDa subunits. It showed NAD(P)H-plastoquinone oxidoreductase activity with Km values for NADPH and NADH of 12 and 48 microM, respectively. The activity was inhibited by thiolmodifying reagents, but not by rotenone, amobarbital, salicylhydroxamic acid, dicumarol, flavone, or diphenyleneiodonium chloride. Therefore, the Cys-147 residue is probably involved in the catalytic reaction. The amino acid sequence of the purified NQR had some homology with those of NADH oxidase, NAD(P)H-flavin oxidoreductase, and nitroreductase but did not contain either an adenine-binding motif or a phosphate-binding motif, thus, it is a new type of NQR.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Isolation, identification and increasing importance of 'free-living' amoebae causing human disease.
Amphizoic small amoebic protozoa are capable of existing both in 'free-living' and in 'parasitic' form depending on the actual conditions. Two genera (Naegleria and Acanthamoeba) have become recognised as opportunist human parasites. Since the first description in 1965 of a lethal case of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) caused by Naegleria, many more (mostly lethal) cases have been reported, while granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE), as well as eye (keratinitis, conjunctivitis, etc.), ear, nose, skin and internal organ infections caused by Acanthamoeba have also occurred in rapidly increasing numbers. Both pathogenic and non-pathogenic species of Naegleria and Acanthamoeba are found worldwide in water, soil and dust, where they provide a potential source of infection. Successful differential diagnosis and appropriate (specific) therapy depends on precise laboratory identification of the 'free-living' amoebae. In most cases, isolation from the environment can be achieved, but identification and differentiation of the pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains is not easy. The methods presently available do not fulfil completely the requirements for specificity, sensitivity and reliability. Morphological criteria are inadequate, while thermophilic character, pH dependency and even virulence in infected mice, are not unambiguous features of pathogenicity of the different strains. More promising are molecular methods, such as restriction endonuclease digestion of whole-cell DNA or mitochondrial DNA, as well as iso-enzyme profile analysis after iso-electric focusing and staining for acid phosphatase and propionyl esterase activity. Use of appropriate monoclonal antibodies has also yielded promising results in the differentiation of human pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains. However, quicker, simpler, more specific and reliable methods are still highly desirable. The significance of endosymbiosis (especially with Legionella strains) is not well understood. The results of a systematic survey in Hungary for the isolation and identification of 'free-living' amoebae, including an investigation of the Hungarian amoebic fauna, the isolation of possibly pathogenic Naegleria strains and of some Acanthamoeba strains from eye diseases, as well as the finding of a case of endosymbiosis, are also reported here.
Acanthamoeba↗
Effect of frequent brief awakenings from nonREM sleep on the nonREM-REM sleep cycle.
In the framework of a selective sleep deprivation study, eight young men were repeatedly awakened during 3 nights from nonREM sleep (nonREMS). The mean number of awakenings per night was 27.4, 29.5 and 32.8. In order to avoid excessive suppression of slow wave sleep, no awakening occurred in the first nonREMS episode. Compared to baseline, cycle 2 was significantly prolonged in all 3 nights, and cycle 3 in night 3 only. However, after subtracting the waking intervals, the differences from baseline was eliminated. The results show that the mechanisms underlying sleep cycle control keep track of sleep time and disregard epochs of waking.
Adult↗
Chronic ischemic colonic lesion caused by phlebosclerosis with calcification.
We report here two patients in both of whom ileus finally developed and chronic ischemic colonic lesion caused by phlebosclerosis with calcification was diagnosed. We believe that phlebosclerosis is an old-fashioned diagnostic term, but appropriate here because of the remarkable calcification of the sclerotic walls of the colic veins that seems to be one of the most important hallmarks of this previously unrecognized, "new" condition. Phlebosclerosis could be a novel type of ischemic colitis because of its unique clinical presentations, although the pathogenesis of this unusual venopathy remains unknown.
Adult↗
Cadmium uptake from apical membrane of LLC-PK1 cells via inorganic anion exchanger.
Effects of Na+, Cl-, OH- and HCO3-, and an inorganic anion exchange inhibitor (HCO3-/Cl-), 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid, on Cd uptake from the apical membrane of LLC-PK1 cells were investigated to elucidate the mechanism of Cd uptake by these cells. Furthermore, the initial uptake of Cd incubated at different temperatures was analyzed by using the Arrhenius plot to test if Cd is taken up by the cells via the carrier-mediated process. The cells were incubated with 1 microM CdCl2 for 30 min. at 37 degrees in phosphate buffer containing NaCl at pH 5.5 or 7.4. Cd accumulation by the cells at pH 7.4 was about 5 times higher than at pH 5.5. Replacement of NaCl in the phosphate buffer with KCl or mannitol decreased the Cd accumulation at pH 7.4 about 80%, but had no effect at pH 5.5. The addition of 2 mM NaHCO3 to the pH 7.4 buffer containing NaCl significantly increased the Cd accumulation, and pretreatment of the cells with the inorganic anion exchange inhibitor abolished this effect of NaHCO3 on Cd accumulation. The cells were incubated for 10 min. at different temperatures with 1 microM CdCl2 in the phosphate buffer containing NaCl at pH 7.4 in the presence or absence of 2 mM NaHCO3 or at pH 5.5 in the absence of NaHCO3. In all cases, the Arrhenius plots of Cd accumulation were nonlinear. The breakpoint was observed at about 30 degrees in the Cd accumulation at pH 7.4 in the presence of NaHCO3, suggesting the involvement of a carrier-mediated process. This breakpoint was not as clear in the Cd accumulation at pH 7.4 in the absence of NaHCO3 and not observed at all at pH 5.5. These findings suggested that Cd is partially taken up from the apical membrane of LLC-PK1 cells via the inorganic anion exchanger and the uptake of Cd is more efficient at alkaline pH and in the presence of Na+, Cl- and HCO3-.
4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗
[Isolation of Legionella and free-living amoebae at hot spring spas in Kanagawa, Japan].
Microbiological contamination of hot spring bath water is a public health concern. A province-wide survey was carried out to determine the extent and distribution of both Legionella and free-living amoebae contamination. Among 30 samples of hot spring bath from 12 sites in Kanagawa, Japan, L. pneumophila was detected in 21 water samples from 11 sites, ranging from 10(1)-10(3) CFU/100 ml. Serogroups 3, 5 and 6 of L. pneumophila were predominantly isolated from the samples. Naegleria (46.7%), Platyamoeba (33.3%), Acanthamoeba (10.0%) and 2 other genera of free-living amoebae were detected in 22 samples from 11 sites. One or more genera of host amoebae of Legionella occurred in 17 samples (56.7%) from 9 sites. Another thing to be noted is that 13 water samples contained N. lovaniensis. Although N. lovaniensis is nonpathogenic, it is considered an indicator organism for places that are suitable for the growth of N. fowleri, a causative agent of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis in man.
Amoeba↗
[Occurrence of free-living amoebae and Legionella in whirlpool bathes].
Occurrence of both Legionella species and free-living amoebae were surveyed in whirlpool bathes installed in 11 private houses, 8 public bathes and 13 spas. Free-living amoebae that are known to be the hosts of Legionella were isolated from 24 out of 32 water samples (75%). Single Legionella species, L. pneumophila, with different serogroups (SG) predominantly SG3 (18.3%), SG5 (23.7%) and SG6 (15.8%), were isolated from 21 damples, ranging from 10(1) to 10(4) CFU/100 ml. Further studies were conducted for 10 consecutive weeks to monitor the occurrence of both free-living amoebae and Legionella in the whirlpool bathes of 4 private houses. Free-living amoebae, such as Hartmannella and Vexillifera, and L. pneumophila SG1, SG3, SG4, SG5 and SG6 were consistently isolated from all the water samples throughout the monitoring periods. Bath basins in which Hartmennella and Vannella were isolated tended to harbor large number of Legionella. Management practices such as frequent washing filter elements and/or frequent addition of tap water to bath basins is highly recommended to reduce microbial contaminants.
Amoeba↗
[Experimental infection of Naegleria fowleri in mice].
Ten SPF mice (ddY, 4w-old, female) were infected by nasal instillation with an isolate of Naegleria fowleri that was first isolated from a patient with primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) in Japan. Of these mice, 2 showed clinical signs typical for PAM on the 4th day. On the next day, 5 mice became very ill and remained immobile; their movement and response to painful stimuli diminished progressively. All the infected mice were then examined histopathologically on the same day regardless of their clinical signs. Pathological changes due to invasion and/or proliferation of amoebae were observed in 5 mice with clinical signs. Swelling of the nasal mucosa and ulcerated nasal epithelium with inflammatory cells were observed. Proliferation of amoebae was detected to a lesser extent in nasal cavity including mucous membrane and nasal epithelium. Olfactory lobes and arteriolar hemisphere were necrotic with haemorrhage and filled with amoebae. From these findings the pathogenicity of the isolate was confirmed to develop PAM in experimental animals. It was also observed that the olfactory neuroepithelium was the route of invasion in PAM due to N. fowleri and consequently migration occurred through olfactory lobes into the cerebrum.
Amebiasis↗
Selective REM sleep deprivation in humans: effects on sleep and sleep EEG.
To investigate rapid eye movement (REM) sleep regulation, eight healthy young men were deprived of REM sleep for three consecutive nights. In a three-night control sleep deprivation (CD) session 2 wk later, the subjects were repeatedly awakened from non-REM sleep in an attempt to match the awakenings during the REM sleep deprivation (RD) nights. During the RD nights the number of sleep interruptions required to prevent REM sleep increased within and across consecutive nights. REM sleep was reduced to 9.2% of baseline (CD nights: 80.7%) and rose to 140.1% in the first recovery night. RD gave rise to changes in the EEG power spectra of REM sleep. Power in the 8.25- to 11-Hz range was reduced in the first recovery night, an effect that gradually subsided but was still present in the third recovery night. The rising REM sleep propensity, as reflected by the increase of interventions within and across RD nights, and the moderate REM sleep rebound during recovery can be accounted for by a compensatory response that serves REM sleep homeostasis. The changes in the electroencephalogram power spectra, which were observed during enhanced REM sleep propensity, may be a sign of an altered quality of REM sleep.
Adult↗
Comparison of the regulations by Th2-type cytokines of the arachidonic-acid metabolic pathway in human alveolar macrophages and monocytes.
The effects of a Th1-cell-associated cytokine (interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma]) and Th2-cell-associated cytokines (interleukin [IL]-4, IL-10, and IL-13) on prostaglandin (PG) production by human alveolar macrophages (AM) were examined in terms of four parameters: PGE2 synthesis, cyclooxygenase (COX) activity, and the protein and mRNA of two COX isozymes (COX-1 and COX-2). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated PGE2 synthesis and COX activity were suppressed significantly by IL-4, but were not affected significantly by IL-10, IL-13, or IFN-gamma. The LPS-dependent increase in COX activity in AM was attributable to COX-2 because it was inhibited by NS-398 (a COX-2-specific inhibitor). Western and Northern blot analyses revealed that the LPS-induced increases in COX-2 protein and mRNA were attenuated by IL-4 but hardly affected by IL-10, IL-13 or IFN-gamma. In contrast, COX-1 protein and mRNA were hardly detected in any of the AM preparations. In AM and monocytes from the same individuals, LPS induced the synthesis of large amounts of PGE2 and COX-2 mRNA in AM, and of lesser amounts in monocytes. IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13 significantly suppressed LPS-dependent PGE2 synthesis and COX-2 mRNA induction in monocytes, whereas only IL-4 significantly suppressed them in AM. Furthermore, 15-lipoxygenase mRNA was detectable only in monocytes incubated with LPS plus IL-4. These results suggest that IL-4 is a potent regulator of PG production in AM, and that regulation of the arachidonic-acid (AA) metabolic pathway in cells of monocyte-macrophage lineage by Th2-cell-associated cytokines depends on the stage of cell differentiation.
Adult↗
Analysis of differentiation-induced expression mechanisms of thyrotropin receptor gene in adipocytes.
Rat adipose tissue, as well as differentiated 3T3-L1 cells, has been shown to express TSH receptor (TSHR) mRNA in amounts approaching those in the thyroid. We investigated the molecular mechanisms of TSHR gene expression in adipose cells. Primer extension and cloned cDNA sequences showed that transcription of the TSHR gene in rat adipose tissue was from multiple start sites clustered between -89 to -68 bp and almost identical to those in FRTL-5 thyroid cells. By transient expression analysis, we localized, between -146 and -90 bp, a positive regulatory element, the activity of which was markedly increased after the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. Deoxyribonuclease I protection showed that nuclear extracts from differentiated 3T3-L1 cells strongly protected two sequences, from -146 to -127 bp, including a cAMP response element-like sequence and from -112 to -106 bp containing a putative Ets-binding sequence. In differentiated 3T3-L1 cells, disruption or deletion of either sequence was found to result in the loss of enhancer activity, suggesting both elements may synergistically activate the TSHR promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift analysis revealed the induction of new protein/DNA complexes formed either with the cAMP response element-like site or with putative Ets elements after the differentiation into adipocytes. In contrast, nuclear proteins, whose binding to DNA was diminished after the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells, were found to interact with the site contiguous to the 5'-end of the putative Ets-binding sequence. Mutations of this binding site, which reduced the protein/DNA complex formation, increased TSHR promoter activity in undifferentiated cells. These observations suggested that differentiation-induced diminution of suppressor interactions may allow the enhancers to synergistically activate the transcription of TSHR gene in adipocytes.
Adipocytes↗