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Biomedical subjects

T Fukuda

Publications and source records attributed to T Fukuda.

At least 505 records · Page 28Linked to original sources

[A case of lupus cystitis successfully treated with corticosteroid accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms].

A 34-years-old woman was admitted to our department in February, 1992, because of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. She had been diagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in 1988 and treated with prednisolone at the dose of 5 mg a day. In December, 1991, gastrointestinal symptoms developed followed by anuria on March 3, 1992. The laboratory findings revealed no activities in SLE. Computed tomography (CT) showed bilateral hydroureteronephrosis, swelling of bladder and gastrointestinal wall, and ascites. Under the diagnosis of lupus cystitis, corticosteroid therapy was started with 125 mg of methylprednisolone. Her symptoms improved immediately. Abnormal findings shown in the previous CT disappeared concomitantly. Lupus cystitis was reported by Orth et al. 1983 as severe fetal syndrome. However, because early corticosteroid therapy appears to reverse acute manifestation of lupus cystitis without complications, attention should be paid on lupus cystitis in patients with SLE with gastrointestinal symptoms of unknown etiology and decreasing urinary volume.

Adult↗

Role of extracellular matrix in attachment, migration, and repair of wounded rabbit cultured gastric cells.

The aim of this study was to determine whether extracellular matrix components affect attachment, proliferation, migration, and repair of wounded rabbit gastric cells in primary culture. Gastric cells were inoculated on culture plates coated without or with collagen type I, type IV, laminin, or fibronectin. The number of attached cells was counted at 3, 5, 24, 48, and 72 h after inoculation. Cell proliferation was assessed with [3H]thymidine incorporation. To assess cell migration and repair after wounding, a confluent monolayer was cut in a standardized manner and the size of the wound area was measured with a computerized analysis system. The number of attached cells increased significantly in plates coated with the extracellular matrix components within 3 h after inoculation. Collagen type I was the most potent stimulator of attachment. Extracellular matrix components did not affect thymidine incorporation. Wound healing was significantly accelerated in the plates coated with collagen type I, type IV, and laminin (70.2 +/- 1.0%, 68.0 +/- 1.0%, and 69.2 +/- 0.9% of initial wound area, respectively, vs. 74.0 +/- 0.6% of initial wound area in controls). Extracellular matrix components play an important role in attachment, migration, and repair of wounded cultured gastric epithelial cells.

Animals↗

[Measurement of serum and sputum eosinophil cationic protein concentrations in asthma].

Concentrations of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) were measured in serum from patients with asthma, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and healthy subjects. The relationships between serum ECP concentration and percent of predicted FEV1 (%FEV1), and between serum and sputum ECP concentrations were also examined in patients with asthma. Serum ECP concentration in asthma was significantly higher than those in COPD patients and healthy subjects. There was a significant inverse correlation between serum ECP concentration and %FEV1 when analysis was restricted to data from asthma patients less than 60 years old. ECP concentration in serum and in sputum were significantly correlated. These results suggest that in asthma patients, eosinophils are activated in serum, and that the degree of eosinophil activation in the airway can be estimated by measuring serum ECP to some extent. Because it does not require bronchial biopsy or bronchoalveolar lavage, measurement of serum ECP may be useful as a minimally invasive monitoring of asthma.

Adult↗

In vivo isomerization of retinoic acids. Rapid isomer exchange and gene expression.

The in vivo isomerization of all-trans- and 9-cis-retinoic acids (RAs) was evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography after oral administration to rats. All-trans (2 ng/ml)- and 13-cis (1.8 ng/ml)-RAs, but not 9-cis-RA, were detected in the serum of normal rats. When an excess of either all-trans-RA or 9-cis-RA (100 micrograms/rat) was intragastrically administered to the retinoid-depleted rats, a rapid isomer exchange between 9-cis- and all-trans-RAs along with appearance of the administered RA occurred shortly after the dose (30 min). RA rapidly isomerized when an excess of either all-trans- or 9-cis-RA (1 mg/rat) was administered to normal rats. To examine whether the isomerized RAs elicit biological actions in vivo, the induction of target genes-[cellular retinol-binding protein type II (CRBP II) for 9-cis-RA and all-trans-retinoic acid receptor beta (RAR beta) for 9-cis- and all-trans-RAs] was determined. The degree of induction of the two genes did not differ 4 h after administration of either 9-cis-RA or all-trans-RA. However, unlike all-trans-RA, the RAR-specific synthetic retinoids did not induce the CRBP II gene. These results suggested that the apparent actions of 9-cis- and all-trans-RAs on gene expression in vivo may be mediated to some extent by the converted stereoisomer.

Animals↗

Mitogenic effects of platelet-derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta, and heparin-binding serum factor for adult mouse Schwann cells.

Mitogenic effects of fetal calf serum (FCS), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), and forskolin to adult mouse Schwann cells were examined by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation and double immunofluorescence for S100 and BrdU. PDGF-BB, basic FGF, and TGF-beta 1 and beta 2 were all mitogenic for Schwann cells in media containing FCS. Forskolin suppressed the mitogenic activity of these factors. In serum-free media, PDGF-BB and bFGF were also mitogenic, but TGF-beta 1 and beta 2 were not. Heparin-binding fractions of FCS obtained by heparin-Sepharose chromatography synergized with TGF-beta 1 and beta 2 to produce a mitogenic response. Since PDGF-BB, acidic FGF, and basic FGF were not detected in these fractions by immunoabsorption and immunoblot assays, the presence of unidentified heparin-binding molecules in FCS bioactive for adult mouse Schwann cells is suggested.

Animals↗

Antiparkinsonian activity of talipexole in MPTP-treated monkeys: in combination with L-dopa and as chronic treatment.

We examined whether or not the antiparkinsonian activity of talipexole (B-HT 920, 6-allyl-2-amino-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-thiazolo[4,5-d]-azepine) could be optimised by combination with L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa). Additionally, the effects of chronic treatment with talipexole on motor behavior were investigated using 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated and normal common marmosets. Administration of MPTP (0.5 mg/animal i.v. once or twice) to marmosets induced persistent parkinsonian motor deficits. The antiparkinsonian activity of talipexole (40 micrograms/kg s.c.) was significantly enhanced by its combination with L-dopa (30 mg/kg i.p.). This may further support the postulated postsynaptic dopamine D2 receptor agonist properties of talipexole. Chronic treatment with talipexole (a daily dose of 40 micrograms/kg s.c. for 21 days) did not lead to tolerance to the antiparkinsonian activity in MPTP-treated animals. No obvious dyskinesia was seen throughout the chronic treatment. In contrast, in normal marmosets, talipexole at a dose of 80 micrograms/kg which is a dose sufficient to induce hyperactivity did not increase motor activity during the treatment repeated for 21 days. These results suggest that talipexole is a selective dopamine D2 receptor agonist drug of potential use in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗

Recognition DNA sequence of a novel putative transcription factor, BCL6.

The BCL6 gene involved in the 3q27 translocation associated with B-cell lymphomas encodes a novel Cys2-His2 zinc finger protein. We generated a fusion protein of glutathione S-transferase and zinc finger domain of BCL6 to determine recognition sequences of BCL6 with polymerase chain reaction using random oligonucleotides of 26 bases as a ligand. A consensus of 14 nucleotides consisting of (T/A)NCTTTCNAGG(A/G)AT was identified in the recognition sequences. In a gel mobility shift assay, the probe containing the 14-nucleotide recognition sequence formed a complex with the fusion protein and nuclear proteins from Burkitt's cell lines overexpressing the BCL6 transcripts. The consensus sequence was protected from the digestion by nuclease in a DNase I footprinting assay. In conclusion, BCL6 may be involved in tumorigenesis by binding to the consensus sequences of the other genes.

Base Sequence↗

Effects of bifemelane on parkinsonism induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in the common marmoset.

The effects of bifemelane on parkinsonism were shown in MPTP-treated common marmosets. The administration of bifemelane increased locomotor activity in MPTP-treated marmosets but not in normal control marmosets. In a microdialysis study, extracellular levels of dopamine and its metabolites increased following the administration of bifemelane. These results indicate that it is worth studying the effects of bifemelane hydrochloride on patients with Parkinson's disease.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗

Comparison of heme environment at the putative distal region of P-450s utilizing their external and internal nitrogenous ligand bound forms.

Thr-303 to Lys-mutated P-450 2E1, as well as Thr-301 to Lys-mutated P-450 2C2, had absorption spectra characteristic of a nitrogenous ligand-bound form of P-450, such as the pyridine complex of P-450 2E1; (i) in the ferric state, the red-shifted Soret band, compared with the typical low-spin type spectrum of P-450, and the more intense beta band than the alpha band and (ii) in the ferrous state, two Soret peaks at around 447 and 422 nm, the relative intensities of which depended on pH, indicating the existence of two interconvertible states. The equilibrium between the two states of the mutated P-450 2E1 appeared to be shifted toward the 422 nm state, compared with the mutated P-450 2C2. The corresponding mutant of P-450 2C14 had similar spectral properties to those of both mutated P-450s except that the shorter of the two Soret bands of its ferrous form was relatively broad and appeared at 418 nm. These findings suggest that the epsilon-amino-nitrogen of the Lys of the mutated P-450s is located in the appropriate position to occupy the sixth coordination position with the heme iron and spatial differences exist in the essentially conserved structure of the distal heme domain among the three ferrous Lys-mutated P-450s.

Base Sequence↗

Production of human PTH(1-34) via a recombinant DNA technique.

The production of hPTH(1-34) by site specific chemical cleavage of [Cys35]hPTH(1-84) obtained by a biotechnology technique is described. The amino-peptide bond of S-cyanylated cysteine residues in peptides or proteins is specifically cleaved by exposure to an alkaline solution (Stark, G. R. (1977) Methods Enzymol, 47, 129-132). However, when applying this method to [Cys35]hPTH(1-84), we observed many by-products. Formation of these by-products was suppressed using a short reaction in 0.03N NaOH containing 6M urea at low temperature, and hPTH(1-34) was specifically produced. The product was indistinguishable from standard hPTH(1-34) with respect to chemical and biological characterization.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

2-Methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline does dependently reduce the number of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive cells in the substantia nigra and locus ceruleus of C57BL/6J mice.

2-Methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (2-MTIQ) was administered chronically to C57BL/6J mice. Light and electron microscopic examinations revealed atrophic neurons restricted to the central portion of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and pars lateralis as well as a reduction in tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity, which showed a significant inverse correlation with the dose administered in the SNc. 2-MTIQ may be a candidate endogenous or environmental factor that induces parkinsonism.

Animals↗

Preferential localization of c-kit product in tissue mast cells, basal cells of skin, epithelial cells of breast, small cell lung carcinoma and seminoma/dysgerminoma in human: immunohistochemical study on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues.

Eighteen hundred and eighty-four cases of human solid tumours and 833 samples of normal human tissues, formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded, were examined immunohistochemically for expression of c-kit oncogene product using polyclonal antibody against synthesized c-kit peptide. Seminoma/dysgerminoma and small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) show preferential c-kit expression at 92% and 36% frequency, respectively, whereas only sporadic cases of cervical carcinoma and non-SCLC lung carcinoma show c-kit positivity. A normal tissue counterpart positive for c-kit product is detected in the testis (spermatocyte) and ovary (oocyte) but not in the lung or the cervix. In contrast, normal epithelial cells of the breast, skin basal cells and tissue mast cells harbour c-kit product, but transformed cells of the former two are largely deficient in the c-kit protein. One hundred and thirty-nine neuroendocrine tumours and 39 non-pulmonary small cell carcinomas were all negative, except for two cases of neuroblastoma. This indicates a distinct character for SCLC in c-kit expression. The c-kit product may be a useful marker in diagnostic pathology of seminoma/dysgerminoma and SCLC among human solid tumours, and in distinction of SCLC from non-pulmonary small cell carcinoma.

Adult↗

Intradural chordoma: case report and review of the literature.

Chordomas are rare neoplasms arising from notochordal remnants found predominantly in the clivus and the sacrococcygeal regions. Most clivus chordomas show extradural extension and bone destruction. Such a tumour can rarely be intradural. This report is concerned with the radiological findings in prepontine intradural chordoma.

Brain Neoplasms↗