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Biomedical subjects

T Horiuchi

Publications and source records attributed to T Horiuchi.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources

Clinical application of an active electrode using an operational amplifier.

An active electrode (d10 mm, t6 mm) is presented, that functions as an impedance transformer (an input impedance > 10 G omega, an output impedance < 1 omega) by means of which we can derive surface EMG without any skin preparation and paste. This electrode was compared with a conventional one, and it was ascertained that the electrode could be replaced with the conventional one, and, moreover, it was preferable because it required less preparation time, and was less affected by environmental noise.

Amplifiers, Electronic↗

Biological aspects of pituitary tumors induced by synthetic salmon calcitonin (TZ-CT) in Sprague-Dawley rats. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies.

Rat pituitary tumors induced by synthetic salmon calcitonin (TZ-CT) were studied by the indirect peroxidase-labeled antibody method, together with ultrastructure and serum hormone measurement. Immunohistochemically, TZ-CT-induced pituitary tumors showed staining for only rLH alpha subunit, and were negative for other peptide hormones including GH, PRL, alpha MSH and ACTH, and the beta subunit of glycoprotein hormones. Electron microscopic examination showed that the majority of tumor cells possessed numerous small secretory granules, 100 to 200 nm in diameter. The serum PRL concentrations of rats with TZ-CT-induced pituitary tumors were markedly elevated, but not beyond 130 ng/ml. From our data, TZ-CT-induced pituitary tumors are considered to be endocrinologically inactive and to produce alpha subunit. Furthermore, these tumors are thought to be potentially useful models of alpha subunit-producing pituitary tumors in humans. This is the first report to document the tumorigenesis of alpha subunit-producing pituitary tumors in rats after long-term treatment with calcitonin.

Animals↗

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and high prevalence of serum antibodies to hepatitis C virus.

The prevalence of serum antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV) was assessed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 66 patients (46 male and 20 female; mean age +/- SEM, 61.5 +/- 10.1 yr) with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Nineteen (28.8%) were positive for this test. The frequency of HCV positiveness was significantly higher in the patients with IPF than in the 9,464 control subjects, whose ages were comparable with those of the patients (3.66%, p less than 0.05). Importantly, 12 of the 19 patients with IPF and positive ELISA results (63.2%) had positive results on the Chiron recombinant immunoblotting assay (RIBA), which is known to be more specific for HCV. We judged the 12 perceptible reactions as eight reactive and four indeterminate. When we examined liver function retrospectively, only two of eight patients who tested positive for the HCV had liver dysfunction, suggesting that anti-HCV positivity in IPF was not observed as a result of liver disease. These results lead us to speculate that HCV infection may play an important role in the pathogenesis of IPF, or that the sera of patients with IPF may contain some antibody against an unknown epitope and cross-react with the anti-HCV assay.

Aged↗

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis in athymic nude mice. Additional evidence of T cell dependency.

We previously demonstrated that C57 Black/6 mice develop lung lesions similar to human hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) by repeated transnasal administration of Thermoactinomyces vulgaris (Tv) antigen. To elucidate the role of T cells in the development of this disease, Tv antigen (90 micrograms/day) was transnasally administered to athymic nude C57 Black/nu/nu (nu) mice and their littermates (+/nu) three times a week for 3 wk. The nude mice developed minimal lung lesions, whereas their thymus-intact littermates (+/nu) showed changes equivalent to those in C57 Black/6. Changes in local inflammatory cell responses were evaluated by bronchoalveolar lavage, and increases in the numbers of lymphocytes and macrophages were significantly less severe in the nude mice than in the +/nu mice. Interestingly, the increase in polymorphonuclear leukocytes 6 h after the last antigen inoculation was equivalently seen in both groups. When spleen-derived T cells (more than 95% Thy-1.2+) from the sensitized +/nu mice were adoptively transferred to nude mice, the HP-like lesions in the recipients were found after Tv antigen challenge. These results suggest that Thy-1.2+ T cell-mediated immunity was necessary for the development of HP in this murine model.

Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic↗

Machine perfusion of isolated kidney at 37 degrees C using pyridoxalated hemoglobin-polyoxyethylene (PHP) solution, UW solution and its combination.

To preserve isolated kidney normothermically, PHP containing UW components were evaluated as perfusates. Kidneys were flushed out by Lactate Ringer solution immediately after isolation from mongrel dogs, and then connected to the perfusion circuit which consists of a preservation box, a reservoir of perfusate, a membrane oxygenator and a drive unit. PHP containing 140 mEq/l of Na+ and 4 mEq/l of K+ (PHP(E)), UW solution (UW) and UW components added PHP(E) were prepared and adjusted at pH 7.4 prior to use. Temperature and perfusion pressure were controlled at 37 degrees C and 100 mmHg, respectively. During 12 hour perfusion, remarkable changes in pH were seen in UW group and PHP group while higher oxygen consumption was noted in PHP(E)+UW group than that in PHP(E) group. The histological findings showed moderate damages of tubular epithelial cells and maintaining normal glomerular structure in PHP(E)+UW while severe damage of both tubulus in UW group were seen. There was no edematous degeneration in both UW and PHP(E)+UW groups, however, it was seen in PHP(E) alone. It was suggested that components of UW solution have positive effect on normothermic machine perfusion with PHP(E) solution.

Adenosine↗

Effect of short-term fasting treatment on liver and renal function.

Five healthy male adults were deprived of food for a short period (40 hr) and biochemical studies and urinalyses were done before and after fasting to determine the effects on liver and renal functions. Acceleration in lipid metabolism was seen with an increase of about 90% in NEFA and about 20% in TG. GOT, GPT and LDH showed elevations of about 40 to 100% indicating a slight effect of 40 hr fasting on liver functions. BUN, HDL-C and ALP showed increases of about 30% while, CPK and TC showed decreases of about 20%. In the other parameters changes of about 10% were seen. After a fasting with water intake of about 1,000 ml/day, a body weight loss of 1.2 kg was observed at 40 hr. During the short-term fasting (40 hr) as done in our study, changes were seen in glucose and lipid metabolism. However, since no abnormalities were seen in general biochemical parameters, we consider that a fasting of this duration is valuable for use as one of the fastings.

Adult↗

Establishment and characterization of a new human leukemia cell line derived from M4E0.

A new human leukemia cell line, designated as ME-1, was established from the peripheral blood leukemia cells of a patient with acute myelomonocytic leukemia with eosinophilia (M4E0). This cell line has the characteristic chromosome abnormality of M4E0, inv(16) (p13q22). When cultured in RPMI 1640 medium containing 10% fetal calf serum, ME-1 cells were monoblastoid, but with the addition of cytokines such as interleukin-3 (IL-3), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), IL-4, or medium conditioned by phytohemagglutinin-stimulated human peripheral leukocytes (PHA-LCM), the cells exhibited differentiation to macrophage-like cells. PHA-LCM also promoted eosinophilic-lineage differentiation of this cell line, although IL-5 did not do so. To elucidate the mechanism of proliferation and differentiation of ME-1 cells, we studied the effect of a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C, 1-(5-isoquinolinyl-sulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7), on colony formation of ME-1 cells. H-7 inhibited colony formation of ME-1 cells by IL-3 or GM-CSF dose dependently, but had little inhibitory effect on colony formation by IL-4. These results indicate that the proliferation and differentiation of ME-1 cells by IL-3 or GM-CSF were related to the activation of protein kinase C, while those by IL-4 involved other regulatory systems. ME-1 cells should be useful for studying the pathogenesis of M4E0 and the mechanisms of proliferation and differentiation of leukemic and normal progenitors by cytokines.

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

Site-directed mutagenesis of the region around Cys-241 of complement component C2. Evidence for a C4b binding site.

We probed the functional significance of the region around Cys-241 in human C2 by testing the hemolytic activity of a series of mutant rC2. Mutant C2 cDNA were constructed by oligonucleotide-directed site-specific mutagenesis and expressed transiently in COS cells. Wild-type rC2 had threefold higher specific hemolytic activity than native serum C2. Substitution of Gly, Ala, or Ser for Cys-241 resulted in a slightly, but significantly, increased activity. In addition, I2 had no effect on the activity of these mutant C2. Substitution of Lys for Gln-243 increased the hemolytic activity by more than two-fold. Increased activity in all cases was due to slower decay rates of the C3 convertase. Finally, substitution of Leu or Ala for Asp-240 or Ser-244, respectively, resulted in more than 100-fold decrease of hemolytic activity. The results suggest that residues 240 to 244 of human C2 represent an important structural determinant of the C4b binding site of C2a. They also confirm that Cys-241 is the residue responsible for the increased activity of C2 reacted with I2.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Expression of adenylate cyclase-coupled osseous parathyroid hormone and parathyroid hormone-like peptide receptors in Xenopus oocytes.

Functional parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH-like peptide receptors were expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes after injection of poly(A)+ RNA isolated from the rat osteogenic sarcoma cell line, UMR 106. Increases in cAMP were seen in individual oocytes in response to added bovine (b) PTH-(1-34) (10(-6) M), human (h) PLP-(1-34) (hPLP-(1-34), 10(-6) M), isoproterenol (10(-4) M), and forskolin (10(-4) M). Although both intracellular and extracellular cAMP levels were stimulated approximately 1.5-2-fold by these agonists, intracellular concentrations of cAMP were substantially higher than extracellular concentrations. Peak increases with bPTH-(1-34) occurred after a 30-min incubation with the hormone 48 h after oocyte injection. bPTH-(1-34) caused a concentration-dependent augmentation of cAMP in injected oocytes, and the in vitro antagonist hPLP-(3-34) produced dose-dependent inhibition of both bPTH-(1-34)- and hPLP-(1-34)-stimulated cAMP accumulation. Specific binding of PTH to oocyte membranes was also demonstrated 48 h after oocyte injection with UMR 106 cell mRNA. Following size fractionation of isolated UMR 106 poly(A)+ RNA by sucrose density gradients, mRNA directing the expression of both PTH- and PLP-stimulated cAMP in oocytes appeared in the 3.5-4.9-kilobase fraction. These results demonstrate that adenylate cyclase-coupled osseous PTH and PLP receptors can be expressed after injection of naturally occurring mRNA into Xenopus oocytes, that PTH- and PLP-stimulated increases in cAMP concentrations can be detected in individual oocytes injected with bone cell-derived mRNA, that PTH and PLP appear to cross-react at a common receptor after injection of UMR 106 cell mRNA into oocytes, and that size selection of mRNA encoding the PTH and PLP receptors can be achieved by density gradient centrifugation. These studies, therefore, indicate the potential usefulness of the Xenopus oocyte system in expression cloning of PTH and PLP receptor cDNAs and illustrate the feasibility of employing this system to examine the biology of PTH and PLP receptors.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Functional heterogeneity among herpes simplex virus-specific human CD4+ T cells.

One hundred thirteen HSV-specific CD4+ T cell clones were established from the PBL of a healthy person and their functional heterogeneity was investigated. All clones proliferated in response to stimulation with HSV in the presence of autologous APC. Among those, 48 clones showed cytotoxic activity to HSV-infected autologous EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell line, but not to HSV-infected autologous fibroblasts, HSV-infected allogeneic cells, or K562 cells (group 1). Five clones showed cytotoxicity against HSV-infected autologous cells as well as HSV-infected allogeneic cells and K562 cells (group 2). The cytotoxicity of these clones was found to be mediated by the direct killing but not by the "innocent bystander" killing of target cells. Sixty clones showed no cytotoxic activity, however, among these, 23 revealed HLA-unrestricted and nonspecific cytotoxicity in the presence of PHA in culture (group 3), and the remaining 37 did not show any cytotoxic activity even in the presence of PHA (group 4). The cytotoxic patterns of these clones did not change in activated and resting phases, suggesting that the difference in cytotoxic ability does not depend on cell cycles. The cytotoxic activity of group 1 was inhibited by addition of anti-HLA-DR or anti-CD3 mAb to the culture, whereas these mAb had no effect on the cytotoxicity of group 2. All four groups of clones had helper activity for anti-HSV antibody production by autologous B cells. Moreover it was found that all groups of clones simultaneously produced IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-gamma after culture with APC followed by HSV Ag stimulation. The surface phenotype of all clones was uniformly CD2+, CD3+, CD4+, CD8-, CD29+, CD45RA-, but expression of Leu 8 was varied. These data therefore indicate that HSV-specific human CD4+ T cells are classified into at least four groups according to the presence and specificity of cytotoxicity, i.e., Th cells with HSV-specific and HLA-class II-restricted cytotoxicity, Th cells with HLA-unrestricted and nonspecific cytotoxicity, Th cells with lectin-dependent cytotoxicity, and Th cells without cytotoxic activity. The present finding of functional heterogeneity among virus-specific human CD4+ T cells might shed light on the pathogenesis of CD4+ T cell immunodeficiency, such as human retrovirus infections.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Projection of Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics trajectories onto the normal mode axes: human lysozyme.

A method is presented to describe the internal motions of proteins obtained from molecular dynamics or Monte Carlo simulations as motions of normal mode variables. This method calculates normal mode variables by projecting trajectories of these simulations onto the axes of normal modes and expresses the trajectories as a linear combination of normal mode variables. This method is applied to the result of the molecular dynamics and the Monte Carlo simulations of human lysozyme. The motion of the lowest frequency mode extracted from the simulations represents the hinge bending motion very faithfully. Analysis of the obtained motions of the normal mode variables provides an explanation of the anharmonic aspects of protein dynamics as due first to the anharmonicity of the actual potential energy surface near a minimum and second to trans-minimum conformational changes.

Binding Sites↗

Cloning, sequencing, and expression of the N-acyl-D-mannosamine dehydrogenase gene from Flavobacterium sp. strain 141-8 in Escherichia coli.

The gene coding for N-acyl-D-mannosamine dehydrogenase (NAM-DH) from Flavobacterium sp. strain 141-8 was cloned and expressed under the control of a lac promoter in Escherichia coli JM109. The DNA sequence of the gene was determined, and an open reading frame encoding a polypeptide composed of 272 amino acid residues (Mr, 27,473) was identified. The E. coli transformants which showed over 200-fold higher NAM-DH activity than did the Flavobacterium strain produced the enzyme as a protein fused with beta-galactosidase. Despite being a fusion, NAM-DH produced by E. coli transformants appeared unchanged in pH optimum, Km, and substrate specificity from Flavobacterium sp. strain 141-8. This newly recombinant enzyme may be applicable to the quantitative determination of sialic acid in serum.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A newly identified DNA replication terminus site, TerE, on the Escherichia coli chromosome.

To search for heretofore unidentified DNA replication termination (Ter) sites on the Escherichia coli chromosome, we screened the entire Kohara lambda bacteriophage library using as probes the four known 22-bp Ter sequences. We found a Ter site, which we named TerE, located at 23.2 min on the linkage map. TerE inhibits only counterclockwise DNA replication. Macroscopically, five Ter sites are located in a periodic arrangement on the genome.

Bacteriophage lambda↗

[Studies on intraocular hydrogen ion concentration. The effect of diathermy coagulation for normal albino rabbits' eye].

The vitreous and intra-retinal pH of anesthetized albino rabbits were measured using an antimony pH microelectrode (Micro Antimon pH Electrode No. 801, Diamond Electro-Tech Co. Ltd). The effect for the retinal pH was observed after regional choroidal circulatory disturbance was synthesized by trans-scleral diathermy. The results showed that the arterial blood pH was 7.45 +/- 0.03 (n = 24). The average vitreous pH was 7.41 +/- 0.11 (n = 24), which was almost equal to or slightly lower than that of the arterial blood. There were no statistical significance between the two. The average retinal pH was 7.31 +/- 0.11 (n = 22), which was lower statistically than that of the vitreous (p less than 0.01). The retinal pH was measured in the same way 3 weeks after the trans-scleral diathermy. Those within the coagulation scar showed pH value of 6.87 +/- 0.39 (n = 10). This is lower than those in a normal retina (p less than 0.01). This instrument allows continuous pH measurements of the intraocular tissue and therefore it is thought to be useful for the studies of retinal circulatory disturbances.

Animals↗

[A case of total aortic replacement in a patient with Marfan's syndrome].

A 32-year-old male with Marfan's syndrome was admitted to our Department in June, 1989 due to severe back pain that was diagnosed as type III-b dissecting aneurysm. His infrarenal abdominal aorta and bilateral iliac arteries had been replaced in another clinic in 1984 due to true aortic aneurysm. Two years later, Carbrol's operation was performed in our Department for the late development of DeBakey type II dissecting aneurysm. DSA and CT studies indicated the need for total replacement of the entire remaining aorta, since diffuse and extensive dilatation of the false lumen and the presence of an intimal tear at the origin of the left carotid artery were demonstrated. The arch and upper descending thoracic aorta were replaced in June, 1989, and replacement of the total remaining thoracoabdominal aorta was carried out under left heart bypass on September 26, 1989. Abdominal branch arteries and intercostal arteries of the 9th to 11th levels were reattached to the graft as onlay patches. Hoarseness of voice was the only complication. The patient recovered uneventfully and returned to his job after discharge. Although the native aorta had been completely replaced, ambulatory monitoring of the patient's pressure and ECG, performed two months after the operation, showed the normal reflex.

Adult↗