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Biomedical subjects

T Nakano

Publications and source records attributed to T Nakano.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Mouse dopamine beta-hydroxylase: primary structure deduced from the cDNA sequence and exon/intron organization of the gene.

Genomic clones for mouse dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) were isolated from two genomic libraries derived from DBA/2J and 129/SV mouse strains, by plaque hybridization with the human DBH cDNA probe. Subsequently, cDNA encoding mouse DBH was amplified with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method using primers corresponding to 5'- and 3'-portions of the mouse DBH mRNA, subcloned into a plasmid vector, and subjected to nucleotide sequence analysis. The clone encoded a protein of 621 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 70,186 daltons. The predicted amino acid sequence of mouse DBH showed 87%, 80% and 79% identities with the rat, bovine and human enzymes, respectively. Several potential amino acid sequences that are involved in the posttranslational modification and catalytic function of DBH were identified in mouse DBH protein. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the overlapping genomic clones showed that the mouse DBH gene was composed of 12 exons about 17 kb in length. Typical TATA and CCAAT boxes were observed in the 5'-upstream region of the gene. Northern blot analysis of adrenal gland RNA detected a single size species of the mouse DBH mRNA.

Adrenal Glands

Serum laminin P1 in small cell lung cancer: a valuable indicator of distant metastasis?

Serum laminin P1 was studied in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), respiratory infections, pulmonary fibrosis, and in normal subjects. The level of serum laminin P1 was elevated (greater than 1.27 U ml-1) in 58.9% of SCLC and in 11.5% of NSCLC patients. Median value in SCLC was significantly higher than that in NSCLC (P less than 0.01), respiratory infection (P less than 0.01), and in normal subjects (P less than 0.01), but not statistically different from that in pulmonary fibrosis. The levels of serum laminin P1 in SCLC were related to therapeutic response. However, no certain correlation was established between the level of laminin P1 and the clinical stage of SCLC.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols

Activation of lymphocytes by varicella-zoster virus (VZV): expression of interleukin-2 receptors on lymphocytes cultured with VZV antigen.

The expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA-DR) and interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R; alpha and beta subunits) was significantly increased in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from varicella-zoster virus (VZV)-seropositive donors when PBMC were cultured with VZV antigen for 6 days. The increased expression of HLA-DR and IL-2R was observed in both CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes, which suggests that both types of lymphocytes from VZV-seropositive donors were activated when PBMC were cultured with VZV antigen. Adding anti-IL-2R alpha did not inhibit lymphocyte proliferation in response to VZV antigen, although marked inhibition was obtained by adding anti-IL-2R beta. No IL-2 was detected in the supernatant of PBMC cultured with VZV antigen; however, antibody to IL-2 inhibited lymphocyte proliferation on exposure to VZV antigen. These results indicate that IL-2 and expression of IL-2R beta are essential to lymphocyte activation by VZV antigen.

Adult

Mass cultivation of human retinal pigment epithelial cells with microcarrier.

Microcarrier cell culture permits mass cultivation of anchorage-dependent cells. In this study, mass cultivation of human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells was studied using Cytodex 3 (Pharmacia) as a microcarrier. Human RPE cells were established from aborted fetuses and cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM). After the 3rd-5th passages, RPE cells were suspended in 50 ml of DMEM in a spinner flask at a density of 2 x 10(5)/ml, and Cytodex 3 was added to the spinner flask at a bead density of 10 mg/ml. Cultures were maintained at 20-50 rpm (final speed) on a magnetic stirrer, and DMEM was added up to 100 ml. Fifty milliliters of DMEM were decanted and replaced with fresh DMEM every 2 days. After 1 week, a cell density of 10(6)/ml DMEM was obtained. Phase contrast microscopy showed bridging formation between microcarriers, which suggests tight cell adhesion. Microcarrier cell culture has a variety of advantages which include greater cell production, use of less medium and less risk of contamination compared to the conventional monolayer culture technique, and it also allows passaging without using proteases. Using this culture system, greater possibilities for wider application of new cell cultures can be expected.

Cell Count

The corrosion behavior of Nd2Fe14B and SmCo5 magnets.

Rare earth magnets have corrosive problems associated with their use in prostheses in various fields including orthodontics. The purpose of this study is to investigate the corrosion behavior of an Nd2Fe14B magnet and a SmCo5 magnet in an oral environment. The relations among the attractive force changes, the released elements, the weight changes and the anodic polarization measurements of the magnets were examined under immersions in 1% NaCl, 1% lactic acid, 0.05% HCl, 0.1% Na2S and Greenwood's artificial saliva at 37 degrees C for forty-two days. The results showed that the rare earth magnets underwent high corrosive assaults and large attractive force reductions by the immersions in 1% lactic acid and 0.05% HCl. The problem of corrosion of the magnets could be overcome by sealing them within laser-welded stainless steel capsules.

Corrosion

Alteration of lens disulfide bonds in newly developed hereditary cataract rat.

A newly developed hereditary cataract rat named Shumiya Cataract Rat (SCR) is introduced. The lens opacity manifests spontaneously in the nuclear and perinuclear portions of the lens in this model at 11 weeks of age. Raman optical dissection studies reveal that lens protein disulfide bonds are considerably decreased in the SCR opaque lens nucleus. This tendency is also detected in the precataractous stage. The simultaneous increase of lens protein sulfhydryl groups is observed in the affected lens nucleus. The glutathione disulfide (oxidized glutathione) level, on the contrary, is elevated in the SCR opaque lens, whereas the glutathione sulfhydryl (reduced glutathione) level is decreased. It is suggested that the impaired formation of protein disulfide bonds is related to lens opacification in a hereditary manner.

Animals

[Pulmonary arteriography and bronchial arteriography in pulmonary embolism].

Pulmonary arteriography is the most reliable technique for evaluation of pulmonary embolism and other vascular abnormalities. A definitive diagnosis of pulmonary embolism is made on the basis of direct angiographic signs of emboli of intravascular filling defect and vessel cut-off sign. To obtain these findings, pulmonary arteriography needs to be performed as soon as possible, and in acutely ill patients who are in shock and under consideration for thrombolytic therapy or emergency embolectomy, the study should be performed on an emergency basis. Digital subtraction pulmonary angiography may be an useful technique for massive pulmonary embolism, but it cannot exclude clinically important peripheral pulmonary embolism. Wedged pulmonary arteriography can demonstrate the direct signs of distal emboli, which are difficult to obtain by main pulmonary artery injection angiogram. In the chronic stage of pulmonary embolism, bronchial arteriogram shows collaterals to pulmonary arteries. This study may be useful in patients with chronic pulmonary embolism, especially when thromboembolectomy is planned.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction

[Left ventricular diastolic function in apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy].

To investigate left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in patients with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (AHCM), we analyzed the LV cineangiograms (RAO 30 degrees) and pressures (tip manometer) in 11 patients with AHCM who had giant negative T waves on their electrocardiograms and "ace of spades" configurations on the LV angiograms. Ten patients with non-obstructive HCM (HNCM) and 10 normal subjects served as controls. LV volumes and instantaneous rates of LV volume changes were derived from frame-by-frame analyses of their LV angiograms. LV isovolumic relaxation was assessed according to the time constant (T) of LV pressure decay. LV diastolic distensibility was evaluated by plotting diastolic pressure-volume curves. There was no significant change in the LV systolic functions among these 3 groups. Compared with normals, LV end-diastolic pressure was equally elevated in AHCM and HNCM. The T of isovolumic pressure decay was significantly prolonged in AHCM and HNCM. LV early diastolic filling was maintained at the normal level in AHCM as assessed by the peak filling rate (PFR) during the rapid filling period and the time from end-systole to PFR. The LV diastolic pressure-volume relation shifted upwards in both AHCM and HNCM. In conclusion, impaired LV isovolumic relaxation and decreased diastolic distensibility, which are associated with HNCM, may also be present in AHCM.

Adult

[Immunohistochemical analysis of CA19-9, SLX, and CA125 in adenoid cystic carcinoma of trachea and bronchus].

We examined the usefulness of 3 carbohydrate antigens, CA19-9, CA125, and SLX, as tumor markers in adenoid cystic carcinoma of the trachea and bronchus, immunohistochemically and clinically. CA19-9 and SLX were detected immunohistochemically in normal tracheal and bronchial glands, but CA125 was not detected. Bronchial secretions obtained from 7 patients without cancer contained high levels of these 3 carbohydrate antigens. There was positive immunohistochemical staining for CA19-9, CA125, and SLX in 5 of 9, 1 of 9, and 3 of 8 patients with tracheal or bronchial adenoid cystic carcinoma, respectively. In a case of bronchial adenoid cystic carcinoma in whom pretreatment serum CA19-9 showed a very high level, this marker changed in parallel with the clinical course. These results suggest the possibility that CA19-9 and SLX could be used as useful markers in patients with tracheal and bronchial adenoid cystic carcinoma.

Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate

[The changes in molecular markers for hemostatic activation after t-PA therapy in case of pulmonary embolism].

We observed the changes of molecular markers for hemostatic activation in a patient with acute pulmonary embolism treated with 2 x 10(7) unit tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA). Blood samples were obtained before, just after, at 30 min, 1, 2, 6, and 24 hours after the infusion. Molecular markers included thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT), plasminogen-alpha 2 plasmin inhibitor complex (PIC), and thrombomodulin (TM). Marked elevation of TAT was observed from immediately after the t-PA infusion to 6 hours after, although it had been observed for only 1 hour in our previous report on the cases of acute myocardial infarction. PIC level was significantly increased during t-PA infusion but returned to almost baseline value 6 hours after the end of t-PA infusion. This finding was almost the same as the one previously reported concerning acute myocardial infarction cases. TM level increased throughout the evaluation, and remained so, even on the 7th day after t-PA infusion. Our present data revealed a clear difference between the reactive TAT increases after t-PA therapy in acute myocardial infarction cases and in acute pulmonary embolism cases. Our present data also revealed a prolonged elevation of TM during the acute period of pulmonary embolism. It is therefore necessary to keep an eye on the changes of molecular markers for hemostatic activation after t-PA therapy in acute pulmonary embolism.

Aged

Crystalloid inclusions reminiscent of Hirano bodies in autolyzed peripheral nerve of normal wistar rats.

In a study of experimental autolysis of peripheral nerves of normal Wistar rats, crystalloid inclusions similar to Hirano bodies were observed. They occurred in the nuclei and cytoplasms of Schwann cells and in myelinated axons. They first developed after a 12-h autolysis and increased in number and size with time. Their fine structure, localization, and morphogenesis are discussed in relation to the autolysis of the cellular organelles.

Animals

Ultrastructure of neurofibrillary tangles in progressive supranuclear palsy.

The fine structure of neurofibrillary tangles in the hippocampal gyrus, substantia nigra, pontine nuclei and locus coeruleus of the brain was postmortem studied in a case of progressive supranuclear palsy. Straight tubules and twisted tubules were observed in both the cortical and subcortical neurofibrillary tangles. Most tubules appeared separately in each neuron but a few straight tubules were mixed with the twisted tubules in the cortical tangles. The implication and possible significance of this findings are discussed.

Aged

The fine structure of blood cells in ceroid-lipofuscinosis (Spielmeyer-Vogt's disease).

Peripheral blood and bone marrow in a case of juvenile type of Spielmeyer-Vogt's disease were examined with the light and electron microscope for the occurrence of curvilinear profile (CLP), rectilinear profile (RLP), finger-print profile (FPP) and other inclusions. A large quantity of parallel tubular arrays (PTAs) and a few CLPs, RLPs and FPPs were present in the cytoplasm of the lymphocytes. In addition, many plasma cells in the bone marrow contained FPPs, RLPs and CLPs in the vacuoles of their cytoplasm. The other relevant inclusions were observed in the cytoplasm of the bone marrow cells. Moreover, amorphous or membranous inclusions with rectilinear or curvilinear profiles were seen in some vacuoles in the cytoplasm of many erythrocytes. The incidence of these characteristic inclusions in the plasma cells or the erythrocytes were not described nor the present. The correlation and the diagnostic significance of these characteristic inclusions were discussed.

Adolescent

Separation of mouse T cell subsets by a fluorescent activated cell sorter using fluorescence-labeled peanut agglutinin.

Nylon non-adherent spleen T cells obtained from concanavalin A-injected mice were labeled with fluorescein-labeled peanut agglutinin and separated into peanut agglutinin-positive (PNA+) cells and peanut agglutinin-negative (PNA-) cells by a fluorescent activated cell sorter. PNA+ cells were found to exert marked suppressive effect on primary anti-sheep red blood cells antibody response, but PNA- cells did not affect the antibody response. From these results and from the sugar-binding specificity of PNA, suppressor T cells are supposed to possess abundant galactosyl residues exposed on the cell surface, which are not masked by sialyl residues.

Animals