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Biomedical subjects

T Fujiwara

Publications and source records attributed to T Fujiwara.

At least 847 records · Page 47Linked to original sources

Multiple nuclear factors interact with upstream sequences of differentially regulated beta-conglycinin genes.

The expression of the alpha' and beta subunit genes of beta-conglycinin is differentially regulated during soybean embryo development. Although both are expressed solely in developing seeds during mid to late stages of embryo development, the alpha' subunit is expressed more highly on a per gene basis, and alpha' subunit mRNA begins to accumulate three to five days earlier than beta subunit mRNA. In cultured cotyledons, beta subunit gene(s) respond to changes in methionine or abscisic acid levels, whereas expression of the alpha' subunit gene(s) is unaffected by these changes. To investigate the mechanisms by which these genes are transcriptionally regulated, we examined the interactions of nuclear proteins with upstream sequences from the alpha' and beta subunit genes. Four distinct DNA binding factors were identified in nuclear extracts from developing soybean seeds. These factors are termed Soybean Embryo Factors (SEF) 1 through 4. SEF binding sites are distributed non-uniformly between the alpha' and beta subunit genes, and the amount of protein binding is modulated over the course of embryo development. DNA footprinting revealed the sequences recognized by three of these factors. Factors which behave in a manner similar to that of SEF3 were also identified in nuclear extracts from developing tobacco and sunflower seeds.

Antigens, Plant↗

Augmentation of antitumor effect on syngeneic murine solid tumors by an interleukin 2 slow delivery system, the IL-2 mini-pellet.

We evaluated the antitumor effect of an interleukin 2 (IL-2) slow delivery system, the IL-2 mini-pellet, in two murine solid tumor models, and also investigated the enhancement of its therapeutic effect by serial administration. The IL-2 mini-pellet contains 1 x 10(6) units of IL-2 and releases it slowly in vivo. In our experiment, the IL-2 mini-pellet was administered subcutaneously near the tumor site in combination with the intravenous injection of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells. When this regimen was given on days 8 and 11 after the subcutaneous inoculation of Meth A fibrosarcoma into BALB/c mice, tumor growth was significantly inhibited (p less than 0.05) compared to tumor growth in untreated controls. Moreover, the IL-2 mini-pellet alone was also effective in inhibiting tumor growth. In another experiment, MH134 hepatoma was inoculated into C3H/He mice. Both administration of the IL-2 mini-pellet alone and in combination with LAK cells resulted in complete tumor regression in four of five mice. In a third experiment, serial administration of the IL-2 mini-pellet at 3- or 5-day intervals prolonged the suppression of Meth A fibrosarcoma growth in BALB/c mice. These results suggested that the IL-2 mini-pellet could be applied to cancer immunotherapy and that its antitumor effect could be prolonged by serial administration.

Animals↗

Increased density of fluorescent adrenergic fibers around the middle cerebral arteries of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The distribution of fluorescent adrenergic nerve fibers in the proximal portion (horizontal segment, Hs) and the three distal portions (major branches) of the middle cerebral arteries (MCA) was examined in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) aged 10, 30, 60, 90, and 180 days, by the glyoxylic acid method. The results were compared with those in age-matched normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. While the distribution pattern of fluorescent nerve fibers in the proximal portion of WKY rats changed from a straight linear arrangement at 10 and 30 days of age to a network-like arrangement after 60 days, those from SHRSP showed a constant meshwork pattern throughout the entire examination period. In the distal portions of the MCA of both SHRSP and WKY rats at all ages examined, fluorescent nerve fibers formed a coarse network. The distribution densities of adrenergic nerve fibers in the proximal and distal portions of the MCA of SHRSP were significantly higher (P less than 0.01 and 0.05) than those of WKY rats at all ages examined, except in the proximal portion at 90 and 180 days of age. The difference in nerve fiber density between SHRSP and WKY rats reached a peak at 30 days of age in both proximal and distal portions, and then gradually decreased with age. The present study suggests that sympathetic hyperinnervation is an important factor in the development of hypertension, and is involved in its maintenance in SHRSP.

Adrenergic Fibers↗

Palliative repair of aortic atresia associated with tricuspid atresia and transposition of the great arteries.

Successful palliative repair of aortic atresia and hypoplastic aortic arch associated with tricuspid atresia in a neonate is described. The repair consisted of reconstruction of the hypoplastic aortic arch with an equine pericardial patch, division of the patient ductus arteriosus, connection of the pulmonary artery to the aorta, implantation of the proximal part of the ascending aorta into the main pulmonary artery, and anastomosis of a polytetrafluoroethylene graft 5 mm in diameter between the right ventricular outflow tract and the central pulmonary artery, which was transferred anteriorly to the main pulmonary artery.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Failure to reduce infarct size by intracoronary infusion of recombinant human superoxide dismutase at reperfusion in the porcine heart: immunohistochemical and histological analysis.

Failure to Reduce Infarct Size by Intracoronary Infusion of Recombinant Human Superoxide Dismutase at Reperfusion in the Porcine Heart: Immunohistochemical and Histological Analysis. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology (1991) 23, 1287-1296. We quantitatively determined the extent of infarction and contraction band necrosis in porcine hearts, and analyzed the distribution of administered recombinant human superoxide dismutase (h-SOD) in the myocardium using a polyclonal antibody to h-SOD. After 1 hour of occlusion, h-SOD was infused for the first 30 min of reperfusion in SOD group, while pigs received only arterial blood in control group. The extent of infarction or contraction band necrosis was not significantly different between SOD group and control group. Positive staining by polyclonal antibody to h-SOD was detected only in the infarcted area in SOD group. Thus, h-SOD only entered irreversibly damaged myocytes and neither diminished reperfusion injury nor reduced infarct size in pigs.

Animals↗

Characterization of a novel aldose reductase inhibitor, FR74366, and its effects on diabetic cataract and neuropathy in the rat.

FR74366 (FK366) ([3-(4-bromo-2-fluorobenzyl)-7-chloro-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4- tetrahydroquinazolin-1-yl] acetic acid) is a chemically novel aldose reductase (AR) inhibitor. It exhibited a highly potent, reversible, and mixed type inhibition of partially purified AR from the rat sciatic nerve (IC50 = 3.6 nmol/L) and rat lens (IC50 = 4.4 nmol/L). FR74366 inhibited sorbitol accumulation in the isolated human erythrocyte (IC50 = 1.6 mumol/L), rat lens (IC50 = 39 mumol/L), and rat sciatic nerve (IC50 = 17 mumol/L) incubated with high glucose concentrations. The oral administration of FR74366 to streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats for 2 weeks decreased sorbitol levels (ED50 = 3.7 mg/kg for sciatic nerve, 23 mg/kg for lens, 52 mg/kg for retina, and 62 mg/kg for renal cortex). Administration of FR74366 to diabetic rats for 17 weeks delayed cataract formation and admixture of 0.028% FR74366 in the diet completely inhibited the cataract formation. Moreover, the recovery of reduced motor nerve conduction velocity by FR74366 in diabetic rats was demonstrated in prevention and reversal experiments. This recovery effect correlated well with reduction of accumulated sorbitol and fructose levels and normalization of decreased myoinositol levels. The duration and tissue specificity of inhibitory effects of FR74366 on sorbitol accumulation also correlated well with the levels of FR74366 in various tissues of diabetic rats. These data indicate that both decreases in tissue sorbitol levels and improvement of functional defects reflect FR74366 levels in tissue rather than plasma in diabetic rats. These results, taken together, suggest that FR74366, which is currently undergoing clinical trials in Japan and the United States, will be a useful therapeutic agent for diabetic complications.

Aldehyde Reductase↗

Characterization of CS-045, a new oral antidiabetic agent, II. Effects on glycemic control and pancreatic islet structure at a late stage of the diabetic syndrome in C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice.

Antidiabetic effects of CS-045 were evaluated in 5-month-old C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice (db/db). CS-045 administered for 3 weeks to diabetic db/db mice as a 0.2% food admixture improved hyperglycemia (855 +/- 25 v 298 +/- 62 mg/dL, P less than .01) and glucose intolerance, and lowered plasma triglyceride (299.6 +/- 28.7 v 76.3 +/- 20.7 mg/dL, P less than .01) and free fatty acid (FFA) levels (1.16 +/- 0.14 v 0.57 +/- 0.07 mEq/L, P less than .01). Food intake was not changed, while a small but significant increase in body weight was observed in CS-045-treated mice. Plasma insulin levels gradually increased after 5 days of CS-045 treatment, and a nonsignificant increase was observed in plasma insulin levels after 3 weeks (1.85 +/- 0.50 v 4.54 +/- 1.47 mg/mL). In contrast, the plasma glucagon levels decreased after 3 weeks of CS-045 treatment. Histological examination by aldehyde-fucshin staining demonstrated that pancreatic beta cells in CS-045-treated db/db mice were heavily regranulated, whereas most of the beta cells were extensively degranulated in nontreated db/db mice. The heavily regranulated state of beta cells was also compatible with an increase in pancreatic insulin content in CS-045-treated db/db mice. Electron microscopic analysis showed a well-developed endoplasmic reticulum and the accumulation of much amorphous structural material in the intracisternal space of beta cells from CS-045-treated db/db mice, which were suggestive of an increase in insulin synthesis. Moreover, CS-045 treatment decreased exocrine-containing islets, which was associated with the islets' degeneration process. Immunohistochemical staining of islets showed that CS-045 treatment normalized the distribution pattern of endocrine cells in the islets of db/db mice, reflected by a predominantly peripheral location of alpha and delta cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Oral↗

Possibility for tumor detection with fatty acid analogs.

Newly synthesized 17-[18F]fluoro-3-methylheptadecanoic acid ([18F]BMHDA), 16-[18F]fluoropalmitic acid ([18F]PA) and 15-(p-[125I]iodophenyl)-3-R,S-methylpentadecanoic acid ([125I]BMIPP), fatty acid tracers, were examined for the possibility of tumor imaging using 10 tumor models in rats and mice. The highest tumor/muscle ratios with [18F]BMHDA were 2.3 using rat tumor AH109A and 1.9 using mouse tumor B16F1 (tumor accumulation 0.41 +/- 0.05, 4.29 +/- 0.77% ID/g, respectively). Tumor/muscle ratios with [125I]BMIPP and [18F]PA were lower than those with [18F]BMHDA. Labeled fatty acids seem to have a lower potential for tumor detection.

Animals↗

Monitoring of cortical blood flow during temporary arterial occlusion in aneurysm surgery by the thermal diffusion method.

During aneurysm surgery, regional cortical blood flow (CoBF) was continuously monitored in 12 patients with a thermal diffusion flow probe in an attempt to assess the effects of temporary major arterial occlusion on blood flow and outcome. When the CoBF was above 30 ml/100 g/min, the safe period for temporary clipping applied distal to the perforators was 15 minutes. The occlusion time should be shortened when the CoBF is below 30 ml/100 g/min. Two patients suffered basal infarction, which was not detected by CoBF monitoring. Attention should be paid to the blood flow in the deep structures when a temporary clip is applied at a site proximal to the perforating branches. Direct measurement of CoBF may be of value in estimating the time that temporary occlusion of a major vessel can be tolerated.

Aged↗

Exposure of the intracavernous carotid artery in aneurysm surgery.

The pterional intradural approach was used in five cases of large and giant carotid-ophthalmic aneurysms and in two cases of intracavernous aneurysms that arose from the anterior siphon knee in the cavernous sinus (CS) and extended into the carotid cistern. In four cases of large carotid-ophthalmic aneurysms removal of the anterior clinoid process and the roof of the optic canal gave easy access to the pericarotid ring. The anteromedial part of the pericarotid ring was dissected to expose the extradural portion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) proximal to the neck and to make enough room between the wall of the CS and the extradural portion of the ICA, thus allowing easy clipping of the neck. In one case of a giant carotid-ophthalmic aneurysm extending into the CS with an extradural origin of the ophthalmic artery and in two cases of an intracavernous aneurysm arising from the siphon knee, neck clipping was performed by opening the lateral wall and roof of the CS after removal of the optic strut. The opening of the lateral wall anterior to the 3rd nerve facilitated wide exposure of the anterior siphon knee. The horizontal portion of the intracavernous ICA as well as the whole aspect of the aneurysm could be exposed as a result of the extended opening of the cavernous roof anterior to the posterior clinoid process. Successful operative results were obtained in all seven patients. A visual field detect as an operative complication was noted in one patient. No disturbance of ocular movements was noted.

Adult↗

Expression of the interleukin 2 receptor beta chain (p75) in renal transplantation--applicability of anti-interleukin-2 receptor beta chain monoclonal antibody.

The interaction of interleukin 2 with specific cellular receptors plays an essential role in the allostimulated proliferation and differentiation of T cells. Recent chemical linking studies have demonstrated that the human high-affinity IL-2 receptor is a membrane complex composed of at least two distinct subunits, which are the p55 (alpha-chain) and p75 (beta-chain) subunits. The IL-2R beta chain is supposed to play a role in the signal transduction of IL-2, but the exact mechanism is still unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of a newly established anti-IL-2R beta chain monoclonal antibody (MoAb, TU-27) on the induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) using the cell-mediated lympholysis (CML) assay. TU-27 in combination with H-31, a MoAb directed against the IL-2R alpha chain, produced inhibition of cytotoxicity, while TU-27 alone could not inhibit cytotoxicity, while TU-27 alone could not inhibit cytotoxicity at any concentration. TU-27 plus H-31 prevented the expansion of CD4+ cells and CD8++ cells in mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC). Furthermore, we examined the serial changes in the expression of the IL-2R beta chain on peripheral blood lymphocytes from renal transplant recipients using two-color immunofluorescence flow cytometry, so as to investigate correlations between IL-2R beta chain expression and the occurrence of allograft rejection. Here, we report that the IL-2R beta chain is expressed on CD4-positive (CD4+) cells and strongly CD8-positive (CD8(+)+) cells in association with acute rejection, indicating that IL-2R beta chain expression appears to increase on alloreactive T cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Presence of human papillomavirus type 18 DNA in a pharyngeal and a laryngeal carcinoma.

We examined the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) genome in pharyngeal and laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas by employing the polymerase chain reaction. We detected HPV 16 DNA in one of 11 pharyngeal carcinomas and in 3 of 28 laryngeal carcinomas, and HPV 18 DNA in a pharyngeal and a laryngeal carcinoma. In one of the laryngeal carcinomas, DNA of both HPV types 16 and 18 were detected. To our knowledge, this is the first report of detection of HPV type 18 in head and neck carcinomas.

Adult↗

Multiple pulmonary hyalinizing granulomas associated with systemic idiopathic fibrosis.

A 41-year-old man with progressive nodular infiltration of the lung of about 2 years' duration died of cardiac and respiratory failure. Autopsy revealed bilateral multiple pulmonary hyalinizing granulomas (PHGs) diagnosed on the basis of the characteristic dense hyaline collagen bundles with nonspecific inflammatory infiltration. Constrictive pericarditis, retroperitoneal fibrosis, mediastinal fibrosis, fibrous thickening of the peritoneal and pleural surfaces, and fibrosis of soft tissue of the neck, flank, and hepatic hilar region were present, therefore, a diagnosis of systemic idiopathic fibrosis was made. The patient had anti-thyroglobulin and anti-thyroid microsomal antibodies and lymphocytic thyroiditis. The inflammatory process of PHG of the present case was active and the clinical course was progressive. PHG seems to be a lesion belonging to the systemic idiopathic fibrosis complex. Immunologic abnormalities may be related to PHG and systemic idiopathic fibrosis.

Adult↗

Precision and reliability of stable microbubble test as a predictor of respiratory distress syndrome.

The precision and reliability of the stable microbubble test as a predictor of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) were studied. In blind experiments, the stable microbubble test was performed by three analysts in quadruplicate on six different amniotic fluid samples obtained from pregnant women whose babies developed RDS and on three samples prepared from mature controls. Three-way analysis of variance revealed that there were statistically significant differential effects of the analyst, observer, and sampling on the stable microbubble values, and also that there were statistically significant interactions between the analyst and observer as well as between the analyst and sampling. However, the magnitude of these effects was not large enough to modify the interpretation of the test results. We conclude that the rapidity, simplicity and reliability of the stable microbubble test allow for its use as a bedside procedure in identifying infants who are likely to develop RDS.

Amniocentesis↗

Caries prevalence and salivary mutans streptococci in 0-2-year-old children of Japan.

The prevalence of caries and the number and species distribution of salivary mutans streptococci in 356 children (aged 0-2 yr old) in Japan were examined twice at an interval of 1 yr. No mutans streptococci were isolated from the predentate children. The detection rate of mutans streptococci and the prevalence of caries increased with age. Mutans streptococci were isolated from 39.9% of the subjects. The majority of isolates were identified as Streptococcus mutans. The concentration of mutans streptococci correlated with the number of erupted teeth (r = 0.339). In addition, the concentration of mutans streptococci was more closely correlated to the caries prevalence of the next year (r = 0.465) than that of the year when the salivary concentration of mutans streptococci was first evaluated (r = 0.368). The children who had no caries but harbored mutans streptococci in the first year showed significantly higher caries prevalence in the next year than did the children with neither caries nor mutans streptococci. These results indicate that the establishment of mutans streptococci is associated with caries initiation in early childhood.

Chi-Square Distribution↗