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Biomedical subjects

T Fujimoto

Publications and source records attributed to T Fujimoto.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources

[Treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adults by the modified protocol of L-10M (Sloan-Kettering): long-term outcome].

From January 1984 to April 1988, we treated 20 patients with adult lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 2 patients with lymphoblastic lymphoma with a protocol which we modified L-10M of Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Since the median follow up time is now over 5 years, we report the most recent outcome. Thirteen patients were male and 9 were female. The median age was 31, ranging from 15 to 71 years of age, and there were no Ph1 positive patients. The complete remission (CR) rate was 81.8%. Median CR duration was 32 months and the 5-year continuous CR rate was 33.3%. No significant prognostic factor for CR rate was found. Age at achievement CR and duration were significant prognostic factors. The 5-year continuous CR rate of patients below 35 years old was 54.5%. In this group the leukocyte count was a significant prognostic factor. All patients with a leukocyte count above 1 x 10(4)/microliters relapsed. However, in patients with a WBC below 1 x 10(4)/microliters, the 5-year continuous CR rate was 75%. Based on these results, it seems reasonable to treat patients with ALL by different therapeutic strategies according to the risk factors.

Adolescent↗

Mitochondrial induction of adult T cell leukemia derived factor (ADF/hTx) after oxidative stresses in retinal pigment epithelial cells.

PURPOSE: Adult T cell leukemia derived factor (ADF) is a human homologue of thioredoxin (hTx), which exhibits scavenging activity with reactive oxygen intermediates. In their previous study, the authors found that after transient retinal ischemia, the expression of thioredoxin in rat retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) layer increased markedly. The present investigation is to determine intracellular ADF localization in RPE after transient ischemia and in cultured human RPE cells after oxidative insult by H2O2. METHODS: The authors employed immunoelectron microscopy to examine ADF localization in RPE. Labeling density analysis was performed to supplement the main observation in the experiment of transient retinal ischemia. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2-5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was performed to verify the protective role of recombinant ADF (rADF) against H2O2. RESULTS: In immunogold electron microscopy, sparse ADF-positive labeling was seen in the cytosol and mitochondria in normal rat RPE and in untreated cultured RPE cells. After oxidative stress, it was concentrated in mitochondria in both groups. MTT assay proved that rADF protected cultured RPE from the toxicity of H2O2. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the induction of ADF/hTx in mitochondria of RPE after oxidative stresses and its protective effect on cultured RPE exposed to H2O2. The data indicate the possibly important role of ADF/hTx in the protection of retinal cells from the oxidative stresses associated with retinal ischemic disease and probably with regular visual activity.

Adult↗

[Comparative trial of granisetron versus granisetron plus methylprednisolone for the prevention of nausea and vomiting induced by cancer chemotherapy].

Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of granisetron in preventing emesis induced by antineoplastic chemotherapy. This comparative study was undertaken to investigate the efficacy and safety of granisetron (40 micrograms/kg) and granisetron plus methylprednisolone (MPL; 10 mg/kg). Sixty-eight patients were given granisetron 170 times and thirty-nine patients were given a combination of granisetron and MPL 81 times. Sixty-one patients received the treatment in crossover fashion during the same chemotherapy regimens. The emetic and nausea episodes were counted during the 24 hours following each chemotherapy treatment. Complete response, no emesis or less than two episodes, were obtained in 75.3% (128/170 times) of patients receiving granisetron alone compared to 85.2% (69/81 times) of patients receiving the combination of granisetron plus MPL. There were no significant differences in complete responses between the two groups, male and female, and each age group. However, 11 of eighteen patients receiving granisetron alone who responded mildly, if at all, with respect to nausea and vomiting, showed a complete or major response when MPL was added to granisetron. There were two patients who developed temporal paresthesia of the both hands as an adverse effect, but there was spontaneous recovery after 3 hours. Our data suggested that granisetron plus MPL was slightly more effective than granisetron alone and a safe antiemetic drug.

Adolescent↗

Neurosteroids in cerebrospinal fluid in neurologic disorders.

In order to investigate the role of "neurosteroids" in the central nervous system (CNS), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) were determined by radioimmunoassay in 57 patients with various neurologic disorders and 26 patients with non-neurologic disorders. The content of CSF DHEA and DHEAS in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), and the content of CSF DHEAS in patients with carcinomatous meningitis were significantly higher as compared to non-neurological control patients. These changes may be explained by the breakdown of blood-nerve barrier in these disorders. A significant positive correlation was observed between DHEAS and total protein in CSF. In males but not females, a negative correlation was observed between CSF DHEAS and aging. The level of CSF DHEAS, but not DHEA, was significantly higher in males than in females.

Adult↗

The cytoplasmic domain of P-selectin is phosphorylated on serine and threonine residues.

P-selectin is an adhesion receptor for leukocytes that is redistributed from secretory granule membranes to the surfaces of activated platelets and endothelial cells. The cytoplasmic domain of P-selectin contains two serines, two threonines, and one tyrosine that could potentially be phosphorylated. We found that P-selectin was phosphorylated in both platelets and endothelial cells and that phosphorylation rapidly increased after cell activation. Approximately 0.02, 0.05, and 0.08 mol of phosphate/mol of P-selectin were incorporated, respectively, into resting, thrombin-activated, and phorbol ester-activated platelets. Phosphorylation was completely inhibited by the protein kinase C inhibitors, staurosporine, H-7, and chelerythrine, and was enhanced by the phosphatase inhibitors, okadaic acid and calyculin-A. Phosphoamino acid analysis of 32P-labeled P-selectin showed that phosphorylation occurred predominantly on serine with lesser amounts on threonine. When expressed in transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells, P-selectin was also phosphorylated. Mutagenesis studies showed that Ser788 was the principal site of phosphorylation, with minor sites on the other serine and threonine residues of the cytoplasmic domain. Phosphorylation may regulate membrane trafficking or other functions of P-selectin.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

[CT findings of invaginated mesentery in adult intussusception].

The CT findings of invaginated mesentery in adult intussusception were analyzed in 12 patients (three patients with four small bowel intussusceptions and nine patients with nine large bowel intussusceptions). In all small bowel intussusceptions, the neck was located near the superior mesenteric artery and vein (SMA & SMV) and showed a medial opening, and the vessels in the neck showed a continuity to the left side of SMA & SMV. In most of the large bowel intussusceptions, the neck was located distant from SMA & SMV, and the vessels in the neck did not show continuity to SMA & SMV. The difference in CT findings between small and large bowel intussusception is attributed to the difference in mesenteric anatomy; the small bowel and its mesentery move freely in the peritoneal cavity, whereas the large bowel is partially fixed to the retroperitoneum.

Adult↗

P-selectin is acylated with palmitic acid and stearic acid at cysteine 766 through a thioester linkage.

We report that the adhesion receptor P-selectin can be metabolically labeled with [3H]palmitic acid in human platelets. Analysis of alkaline methanolysis products from labeled protein demonstrated that the radioactivity associated with P-selectin was covalently bound palmitic acid. [3H]Palmitic acid was cleaved by hydroxylamine treatment at neutral pH and by reducing agents, indicating that acylation occurred through a thioester linkage. Both stearic acid and palmitic acid were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of alkaline hydrolysates of purified P-selectin. Deletion or mutation of Cys766 eliminated [3H] palmitic acid labeling of P-selectin in transfected COS-7 cells. We conclude that the cytoplasmic domain of P-selectin is acylated at Cys766 through a thioester bond. Fatty acid acylation may regulate intracellular trafficking or other functions of P-selectin.

Acylation↗

Cathodoluminescence-emitting lipid droplets in rat testis: a study by analytical color fluorescence electron microscopy.

Cathodoluminescence (CL) from lipid droplets (LDs) in the rat testis was examined by analytical color fluorescence electron microscopy. The results show that: (1) the CL at wavelengths of 320 nm (CL320) and 450 nm (CL450) is derived from cholesterol esters and a mixture of lipids including vitamin A esters, respectively; (2) CL320 in the LDs of Leydig cells sharply decreases on postnatal day 21, while CL320 and CL450 in the LDs of Sertoli cells begin to be detectable; (3) the CL450-emitting LDs in seminiferous tubules, whose distributional patterns display cyclic changes during the spermatogenic cycle, are involved in spermatogenesis; and (4) the intensity of CL as well as the distributional patterns of CL-emitting LDs in testicular cells change after hypophysectomy, vitamin-A deficiency, and treatment with ethylene dimethane sulfonate and testosterone propionate. This study demonstrates that analytical color fluorescence electron microscopy is a useful tool for in-vivo observation of some specific compounds which cannot be visualized by other methods.

Animals↗

A patient with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent resection of the primary lesion 10 years ago and resection of a giant adrenal metastasis 8 and a half years later.

A 56-year-old male consulted us because of a palpable mass and pain of the left flank 8 and a half years after resection of hepatocellular carcinoma of the left lobe about 3 cm in diameter. Ultrasound examination of the abdomen demonstrated a tumor about 10 cm in diameter showing a mosaic of hyperechoic and hypoechoic areas on the upper pole of the left kidney. By angiography, the tumor was found to be supplied mainly by the inferior adrenal artery. PIVKA-II was increased. Adrenal metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma was suspected, and adrenalectomy was carried out. No intrahepatic metastasis was noted. The tumor was histopathologically identified as a pseudo-glandular type of moderately differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma with a trabecular pattern similar to the primary lesion. In this patient, a resectable giant metastasis was observed only in the left adrenal gland and no intrahepatic metastasis was demonstrated 8 and a half years after resection of hepatocellular carcinoma. The patient has survived 10 years after the first operation. This case is considered to be important for evaluation of the treatment for distant metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Actin and myosin deposition around bile canaliculi: a predictor of clinical outcome in biliary atresia.

The role of pathological changes of the intrahepatic bile canaliculi in determining postportoenterostomy bile drainage in biliary atresia (BA) patients remains unestablished. It is known that canalicular contraction contributes an active force for bile flow in normal ductal systems. This motility is controlled by the bile canalicular membrane-associated filaments (BCMF), particularly actin and myosin. Wedge resected specimens of liver from 13 patients with BA were studied using histopathological markers of BCMF in order to clarify the morphological and functional changes of bile canaliculi. Histopathological data were also compared with clinical outcomes after portoenterostomy. Patients who showed sufficient bile flow after the operation showed an almost normal shape and level of BCMF accumulation around bile canaliculi, whereas there was markedly increased BCMF volume in patients who did not exhibit bile flow after surgery. The clinical staining patterns of BCMF in BA patients appears closely related to clinical outcome. These findings suggest that BCMF plays an important role in determining the rate of postoperative bile flow in BA patients.

Actins↗

Muscle contractile properties by surface electrodes compared with those by needle electrodes.

We measured the contractile properties of the first dorsal interosseous muscle by surface electrodes and needle electrodes during submaximal voluntary contraction. Twenty-seven single motor units were recorded from 5 volunteers by surface electrodes, which were confirmed by subsequent needle electrode recordings. Twitch tension ranged from 0.6 to 10.0 g with a mean of 3.7 g based on an averaging method triggered by surface myoelectric signals, and the tension calculated from the needle myoelectric signals ranged from 0.8 to 11.7 g with a mean of 3.6 g. Rise time ranged from 33.9 to 81.6 msec with a mean of 49.4 msec for the surface electrode recordings, and from 33.0 to 73.2 msec with a mean of 50.8 msec for the needle electrode recordings. The obtained data of surface electrode recordings indicated a high correlation with that of the needle electrode recordings, r = 0.92 (P < 0.001) for twitch tension and r = 0.91 (P < 0.001) for rise time. We also found a positive correlation between threshold force and twitch tension (by surface electrodes: r = 0.71, P < 0.05; by needle electrodes: r = 0.77, P < 0.05). Our studies indicate that it is possible to record single motor units by non-invasive surface electrodes provided that the unit has a threshold force of less than 2 kg.

Adult↗

Fodrin is a constituent of the cortical lattice in outer hair cells of the guinea pig cochlea: immunocytochemical evidence.

Localization of fodrin, a membrane skeletal protein, in the outer hair cell of the guinea pig cochlea was examined by immunocytochemical techniques. By immunofluorescence microscopy, fodrin was observed in the cuticular plate, in the infracuticular network and along the lateral wall. By immunoelectron microscopy of ultrathin cryosections, labeling for fodrin along the lateral wall was localized between the cell membrane and the outermost layer of the subsurface cisternae. Furthermore, pre-embedding immunoelectron microscopy of permeabilized specimens showed that most immunogolds for fodrin were on the thin cross-linking component of the cortical lattice. The results indicate that fodrin is a constituent of the cortical lattice which is thought to play an important role in outer hair cell motility.

Animals↗

Genesis of the Austin Flint murmur: relation to mitral inflow and aortic regurgitant flow dynamics.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to elucidate the genesis of the Austin Flint murmur. BACKGROUND: The Austin Flint murmur is an apical diastolic rumble associated with significant aortic regurgitation. The precise mechanism of the murmur remains unclear. METHODS: The relation between the Austin Flint murmur and mitral inflow and aortic regurgitant flow dynamics was evaluated nonivasively in 13 patients with moderate to severe aortic regurgitation and 15 control subjects using phonocardiographic and pulsed and color-coded Doppler echocardiographic techniques. The severity of aortic regurgitation was determined by color-coded Doppler echocardiography on the basis of the maximal distance of the regurgitant signal. RESULTS: The direction of aortic regurgitant flow was unrelated to the presence of the Austin Flint murmur. The severity of aortic regurgitation was greater in patients with than in those without this murmur. The peak mitral inflow velocity during early diastole (E) was significantly increased, and both peak mitral inflow velocity at atrial contraction (A) and the A/E ratio were significantly decreased in patients with the Austin Flint murmur compared with values in those without this murmur or in control subjects. However, the maximal amplitude of the Austin Flint murmur did not coincide temporally with the peak mitral inflow velocity. The murmur continued both after rapid mitral inflow had ended and during diastolic mitral regurgitation. CONCLUSIONS: The increased velocity of early diastolic mitral inflow in patients with the Austin Flint murmur is due to aortic regurgitation, but rapid mitral inflow is not an essential requirement for production of the murmur. In some cases, the Austin Flint murmur may be generated by aortic regurgitant flow alone.

Adult↗

Structural transformation of lignan compounds in rat gastrointestinal tract; II. Serum concentration of lignans and their metabolites.

Serum concentrations of arctiin, tracheloside, and their metabolites formed in the gastrointestinal tract were investigated in the rat. Arctiin or tracheloside was not detected in the serum after oral administration (200 mg/kg). In regard to their metabolites, each metabolite 1 (AM1, TM1), their genuine genins, appeared in the serum, and the serum concentration of arctiin metabolite 1 (AM1) reached its peak at 4 h and that of tracheloside metabolite 1 (TM1) reached its peak at 8 h. On the other hand, both metabolites 2 (AM2, TM2), which each possess a catechol moiety as reported previously, were not found in the serum. Now, we have studied the detection of their metabolites in the rat large intestinal contents after oral administration. It was revealed that all metabolites reported previously were certainly formed in rat gastrointestinal tract in vivo. Thus, we presumed a possibility that metabolite 2 was converted into metabolite 1 through C-3" methylation by catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) in rat liver. Each metabolite 2 was incubated with rat liver cytosol in the presence of S-adenosyl-L-methionine. It was proved that metabolite 2 was rapidly converted into metabolite 1 within 3 min. We suggest that arctiin or tracheloside was transformed to at least two metabolites in the gastrointestinal tract, and after absorption from the intestine, metabolite 2 was converted into metabolite 1 through methylation by COMT in the liver, and arctiin and tracheloside existed as metabolite 1, the genuine genin, in the blood stream.

4-Butyrolactone↗

Calcium pump of the plasma membrane is localized in caveolae.

The Ca2+ pump in the plasma membrane plays a key role in the fine control of the cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration. In the present study, its subcellular localization was examined with immunocytochemical techniques using a specific antibody generated against the erythrocyte membrane Ca2+ pump ATPase. By immunofluorescence microscopy of cultured cells, the labeling with the antibody was seen as numerous small dots, often distributed in linear arrays or along cell edges. Immunogold EM of cryosections revealed that the dots correspond to caveolae, or smooth invaginations of the plasma membrane. The same technique applied to mouse tissues in vivo showed that the Ca2+ pump is similarly localized in caveolae of endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, cardiac muscle cells, epidermal keratinocytes and mesothelial cells. By quantitative analysis of the immunogold labeling, the Ca2+ pump in capillary endothelial cells and visceral smooth muscle cells was found to be concentrated 18-25-fold in the caveolar membrane compared with the noncaveolar portion of the plasma membrane. In renal tubular and small intestinal epithelial cells, which have been known to contain the Ca2+ pump but do not have many caveolae, most of the labeling was randomly distributed in the basolateral plasma membrane, although caveolae were also positively labeled. The results demonstrate that the caveolae in various cells has the plasmalemmal Ca2+ pump as a common constituent. In conjunction with our recent finding that an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor-like protein exists in the caveolae (Fujimoto, T., S. Nakade, A. Miyawaki, K. Mikoshiba, and K. Ogawa. 1992. J. Cell Biol. 119:1507-1513), it is inferred that the smooth plasmalemmal invagination is an apparatus specialized for Ca2+ intake and extrusion from the cytoplasm.

3T3 Cells↗

CD3 down-regulating factor in sera and culture supernatants of leukaemic cells from patients with adult T cell leukaemia.

Immunological abnormality of T lymphocytes in patients with adult T cell leukemia (ATL) is characterized by abnormal expression of the 55 kD chain of the receptor for interleukin 2 (IL-2R/p55) (Tac), and the down-regulation of CD3 expression. Using serum and culture supernatants of leukaemic cells from ATL patients (Group A) whose CD3 expression was down-regulated and those (Group B) whose CD3 was not low, the possible mechanism of CD3 down-regulation on ATL cells was discussed. When PBMC from normal individuals were cultured with sera from ATL patients for 24 h, CD3 expression revealed by mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) was down-regulated by sera from ATL patients in Group A (MFI: Pt 1 = 51.6 +/- 4.5, Pt 2 = 48.0 +/- 6.9, control = 96.5 +/- 6.6), not by sera from patients in Group B (MFI: Pt 3 = 105.5 +/- 7.9, Pt 4 = 102.5 +/- 8.3, control = 96.5 +/- 6.6). When normal PBMC were cultured with supernatants of leukaemic cells from ATL patients in Group A, this CD3 down-regulating activity was also detected (MFI: Pt 1 = 78.0 +/- 10.2, Pt 2 = 70.6 +/- 8.7, control = 94.0 +/- 6.6). By using gel-chromatography, the fractionated supernatants from ATL patients in Group A decreased CD3 expression of normal PBMC significantly (MFI: Pt = 22.9 +/- 5.8, Pt 2 = 28.8 +/- 7.4, control = 92.1 +/- 9.6). This CD3 down-regulating activity in fractionated supernatant was not inhibited by any lymphokine antibodies, anti-IL-1 alpha antibody (Ab), anti-IL-1B Ab, anti-IL-2 Ab, anti-IL-3 Ab, anti-IL-4 Ab, anti-IL-6 Ab, anti-TNF-alpha Ab and anti-IFN-gamma Ab. Any known cytokines (IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-6, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma) could not modulate CD3 expression of normal PBMC. These findings suggested that there are novel factor(s) with CD3 down-regulating activity in the serum and culture supernatant of ATL patient and those factor(s) are involved in progression of ATL.

Adult↗

Application of tryptic condensation strategy for the synthesis of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone.

The use of trypsin in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) paired with N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) has been proposed for the enzymatic condensation of peptides. The tryptic condensation strategy was applied to the synthesis of the 13-peptide, alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), which contains two susceptible points to trypsin, in a low-water-containing solvent system, 4% H2O in HFIP/DMF (1/1, v/v). The N-terminal 8-peptide segment (S1) ending with Arg and C-terminal 5-peptide with the side-chain protections at Lys and Trp (S2) were prepared by the stepwise coupling on p-nitrobenzophenone oxime resin and by a conventional method, respectively. Both segments were condensed by the aid of trypsin. The acid component was converted into the partially protected alpha-MSH at as high as 95% conversion determined by reversed-phase HPLC. When the side-chain of Lys at the 11-position was not protected, alpha-MSH was obtained only in 35% yield, and was contaminated with products of secondary hydrolysis. Although the Lys11-Pro12 sequence was very poorly susceptible to trypsin, the side-chain of Lys had to be protected in order to be inert to trypsin under the synthetic conditions. HFIP is demonstrated as a good solvent with DMF to allow the efficient tryptic condensation of peptides. The strategy increased the value of the enzymatic condensation as practical method by avoidance of secondary hydrolysis, high dissolution of peptides and retention of activity of enzyme.

1-Propanol↗