Prevalence of seasonal mood changes in low latitude area: Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire score of Quezon City workers.
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Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
T Ohta
Publications and source records attributed to T Ohta.
The inhibitory action of cyclic AMP on responses to carbachol dependent on calcium stores in rat gastric smooth muscle.
1. The effects of cyclic AMP on contraction and Ca(2+)-activated K+ currents induced by carbachol (CCh), caffeine and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) were examined in intact and skinned smooth muscle fibres and in whole-cell voltage-clamped smooth muscle cells of the rat stomach. Intracellular Ca2+ level, [Ca2+]i, was monitored in intact muscle fibres loaded with Fura-2. 2. In intact muscle fibres, dibutyryl cyclic AMP, 8-bromo-cyclic AMP and forskolin inhibited a phasic contraction induced by CCh (100 microM) much more extensively than that induced by caffeine (30 mM) in Ca(2+)-free solution containing 2 mM-EGTA. A rise in [Ca2+]i evoked by CCh was also reduced by dibutyryl cyclic AMP. 3. In skinned muscle fibres, InsP3 (40 microM) produced a contraction of amplitude similar to that evoked by caffeine (30 mM) in Ca(2+)-free solution containing 0.05 mM-EGTA. Cyclic AMP suppressed the InsP3-induced contraction to a much greater extent than that induced by caffeine. 4. In cells voltage-clamped at 0 mV, CCh (100 microM) evoked a transient Ca(2+)-activated outward K+ current in 61% of cells tested. After wash-out of CCh, caffeine (10 mM) evoked a similar K+ current in all cells. In cells loaded with cyclic AMP (100 microM), the percentage of cells responding to CCh was reduced to 26% and the magnitude of current response tended to decrease. Cyclic AMP caused a small increase in the caffeine-induced K+ current. 5. An outward current was elicited immediately after the patch membrane was ruptured at a holding potential of 0 mV, using a patch pipette containing InsP3 (40 microM), in 76% of cells tested. In cells treated with dibutyryl cyclic AMP, the percentage of cells responding to InsP3 was reduced to 50% and the magnitude of current response tended to decrease. 6. In intact muscle fibres loaded with Fura-2, the relationship between [Ca2+]i and tension development shifted to the right in the presence of dibutyryl cyclic AMP. In skinned muscle fibres, cyclic AMP shifted the pCa-tension relation to the right, suggesting that cyclic AMP inhibits the contractile machinery directly. 7. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of cyclic AMP on muscarinic receptors mediating both the contraction and the Ca(2+)-activated K+ current, is partly due to the inhibition of InsP3-induced Ca2+ release from intracellular stores in rat gastric smooth muscle cells.
Animals↗
Cloning, expression, and characterization of the Micromonospora viridifaciens neuraminidase gene in Streptomyces lividans.
We have cloned the Micromonospora viridifaciens neuraminidase (EC 3.2.1.18) gene (nedA) in Streptomyces lividans. This was accomplished by using the vector pIJ702 and BglII-BclI libraries of M. viridifaciens chromosomal inserts created in S. lividans. The libraries were screened for the expression of neuraminidase by monitoring the cleavage of the fluorogenic neuraminidase substrate 2'-(4-methylumbelliferyl)-alpha-D-N-acetyl-neuraminic acid. Positive clones (BG6, BG7, BC4, and BC8) contained the identical 2-kb BclI-BglII fragment and expressed neuraminidase efficiently and constitutively using its own promoter in the heterologous host. From the nucleotide sequence analysis, an open reading frame of 1,941 bp which encodes a polypeptide with an M(r) of 68,840 was detected. The deduced amino acid sequence has five Asp boxes, -Ser-X-Asp-X-Gly-X-Thr-Trp, showing great similarity to other bacterial and viral neuraminidases. We have also identified the catalytic domain by using truncated proteins produced in S. lividans.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Design of temperature-sensitive penicillinase repressors by replacement of Pro in predicted beta-turn structures.
Pro residues in predicted beta-turn structures were substituted with other amino acids to obtain temperature-sensitive penicillinase repressors (PenI). A mutant repressor (P70L; Pro-70 is substituted with Leu) was inactive at 48 degrees C and penP gene expression was derepressed (1,200 U/OD660 [optical density at 660 nm] ), although the mutant was still active at 30 degrees C (27 U). The heat induction ratio (penicillinase activity at 48 degrees C compared with that at 30 degrees C) of the mutant was 98 times higher than that of the wild type (i.e., 44 versus 0.45). This result indicated that the side chain of the Leu residue in P70L destroyed the proper folding of the repressor protein at the elevated temperature, whereas the Pro residue of the wild-type repressor stabilized this predicted beta-turn structure even at 48 degrees C. When the Pro residue was replaced by amino acid residues with smaller side chains (i.e., Gly and Ala), these mutant repressors were less temperature sensitive than P70L. These data suggest that the presence of the Pro residue in the beta-turn structure could be one of the key factors in stabilizing protein structure at elevated temperatures.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Immunohistochemical study of carcinoembryonic antigen in mucinous cystic neoplasm of the pancreas.
Pathologic and immunohistochemical studies of 13 patients with mucinous cystic neoplasm of the pancreas were performed in order to determine whether these lesions represent overt or latent malignancy. In 9 patients with mucinous cystadenoma, the foci of mucus-rich columnar epithelia formed the usual pattern of stratifications and papillary projections with a benign appearance and did not stain with mouse monoclonal antibody to CEA (CM-010, Mochida, Japan). In contrast, the foci of mucus-poor columnar epithelia which were in a focal distribution showed moderate to severe atypical hyperplasia and reacted strongly with anti-CEA in 6 of the 9 patients. In addition, areas of both noninvasive and invasive mucinous cystadenocarcinomas in 4 patients, which were composed primarily of mucus-poor columnar epithelia, showed diffuse cytoplasmic and/or apical reactivity with anti-CEA. Based on these results, we conclude that severe atypical epithelial hyperplasia composed primarily of mucus-poor columnar epithelia represents a precursor to mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, and, therefore, mucus-poor atypical epithelia may undergo malignant transformation.
Adult↗
The permeability change of major cerebral arteries in experimental vasospasm.
The influence of vasospasm on the permeability of the major cerebral arteries was studied using horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Experimental vasospasm was produced in canine basilar arteries by successive injections, 2 days apart, of autologous blood into the cisterna magna. HRP was injected intravenously or intracisternally 48 hours after the second injection of autologous blood, and all animals were killed by perfusion fixation 60 minutes after the injection of HRP. The distribution of HRP was observed by transmission electron microscopy. In 10 dogs injected intracisternally with HRP, 5 control dogs demonstrated a moderate amount of HRP in the intermuscular space through the adventitia. Five dogs with subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAHs) showed a moderate amount of HRP in the intermuscular space. In 11 dogs injected intravenously with HRP, 5 control dogs showed no leakage of HRP into vessel walls. Six dogs with SAHs showed HRP in the interendothelial space. These findings suggest that, despite SAHs, HRP seems to be able to circulate in the cerebrospinal fluid and makes contact with the cerebral vessels. This study suggests the possibility that spasmogenic substances may penetrate the vessel wall from the extraluminal side more easily than from the intraluminal side.
Animals↗
Selective cooling of brain using profound hemodilution in dogs.
A new method of selective cooling of the brain was studied under profound hemodilution in 17 dogs. The carotid and vertebral arteries were bilaterally exposed, and the right vertebral artery was destroyed to provide an infusion route for cold solution for brain cooling. After the other three cerebral arteries were clamped simultaneously in the neck under low-dose heparinization, cold Ringer's lactate solution was immediately perfused into the right vertebral artery. Brain temperatures fell gradually in two dogs, and the experiments were terminated. In 10 dogs, the brain temperature fell to 28 degrees C within 4.4 +/- 1.5 minutes and was maintained at 27.0 +/- 1.0 degrees C for 60 minutes. During this interval, the body temperature was 33.9 +/- 1.6 degrees C, the stump pressure of the vertebral artery was 58 +/- 15 mm Hg, and the hematocrit value of cerebral venous blood was 7.2 +/- 4.2%. Inspection of the brain during infusion revealed paleness of the cortical vessels and no evidence of swelling. All animals survived in good condition until the time of death at 10 weeks. Histological examination of the brain revealed no evidence of ischemic injury. In a control study of five dogs, Ringer's solution at 38 degrees C was infused in the same manner as the cold solution. None of these dogs recovered from anesthesia. It is concluded that selective cooling of the brain under profound hemodilution has a protective effect on cerebral ischemia and provides a relatively bloodless operative field.
Animals↗
Russuphelin A, a new cytotoxic substance from the mushroom Russula subnigricans Hongo.
A new cytotoxic substance, designated russuphelin A (1), has been isolated from the mushroom Russula subnigricans Hongo (Basidiomycetes). The structure was elucidated as 2,6-bis(2,6-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyloxy)-1,4-dimethoxy-benzene on the basis of spectroscopic data and confirmed by total synthesis.
Animals↗
Hyperexpression and analysis of choB encoding cholesterol oxidase of Brevibacterium sterolicum in Escherichia coli and Streptomyces lividans.
We examined the expression of choB, encoding cholesterol oxidase of Brevibacterium sterolicum ATCC 21387, in Escherichia coli JM105 and Streptomyces lividans TK23 using various deletion DNA fragments within the 5'-flanking region. The enzyme activity could be detected intracellularly in E. coli only when the 5'-flanking region was reduced to less than 256-bp and choB was transcribed by the lac promoter. A large amount of the enzyme were produced as inactive inclusion bodies when ChoB protein was fused with the NH2-terminal portion of LacZ protein. In contrast, choB with more than 256-bp of the 5'-flanking region was efficiently expressed in S. lividans TK23, and about 85 times as much of the active enzyme (170 U/ml) was secreted into the culture filtrate as with B. sterolicum in flask culture. These results suggest that the promoter of choB exist within 256-bp of the 5'-flanking region and can be efficiently recognized by the RNA polymerase of S. lividans. The characteristics of the enzyme purified from the culture filtrate of the S. lividans transformant and that of B. sterolicum were identical although the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of the enzyme from the S. lividans transformant was 6 amino acids shorter than that from B. sterolicum.
Biotechnology↗
Purification and characterization of a thermostable carboxypeptidase (carboxypeptidase Taq) from Thermus aquaticus YT-1.
A thermostable carboxypeptidase, which we named carboxypeptidase Taq, was purified from Thermus aquaticus YT-1 and characterized. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be about 56,000 and 58,000 on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and gel filtration, respectively, indicating that the enzyme has a monomeric structure. The optimum pH of the enzyme was 8.0, and the optimum temperature for the reaction was 80 degrees C. The enzyme activity was dependent on cobalt ion and was inhibited by metal-chelating reagents, indicating that the enzyme is a metalloenzyme. The enzyme had high thermostability independent of cobalt ion; about 90% of its activity remained even after treatment at 80 degrees C for 5 h. The enzyme showed broad substrate specificity, although proline at the C-terminus of peptides was not cleaved. The enzyme released amino acids sequentially from the C-terminus.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Proliferative activity of bile duct epithelium after bacterial infection in dogs.
To clarify the relationship between proliferative activity in bile duct epithelia and bacterial infection in the dog, we induced obstructive cholestasis with a bacterial infection in two lobes of the liver. The bile duct branch draining the left lateral lobes of the liver was cannulated in all mongrel dogs. The dogs were divided into three groups and treated as follows: in group 1 the cannula was clamped after the injection of 10(7) Escherichia coli (aerobic bacteria) and 10(7) Bacteroides fragilis (anaerobic bacteria) cells; in group 2 the cannula was clamped after the injection of 10(7) E. coli cells; and in group 3 the cannula was clamped without the injection of any bacteria. Three months and 9 months later dogs from each group were killed, and their livers were examined. In the group 1 dogs papillary hyperplasia and severe dysplasia were noted in association with chronic cholangitis at 3 months and 9 months, respectively, after operation. In the group 2 dogs periductal fibrosis was severe, but epithelial papillary hyperplasia was less pronounced than in the group 1 dogs at each period. In the group 3 dogs no periductal fibrosis or epithelial papillary hyperplasia was seen at either 3 or 9 months postoperatively. These findings suggest that papillary hyperplasia and/or severe dysplasia of the bile duct epithelium may be caused by aerobic and anaerobic bacterial infection of the biliary tract in combination with bile stasis.
Animals↗
Marine natural products against tumor development.
This review article deals with significant effects of marine natural products in carcinogenesis, namely as chemical probes to understand the process of carcinogenesis and as possible cancer preventive agents in humans.
Amphibian Proteins↗
Cloning and analysis of a gene (sms13) encoding sannamycin B-glycyltransferase from Streptomyces sannanensis and its distribution among actinomycetes.
A gene encoding sannamycin B-glycyltransferase (sms13) of Streptomyces sannanensis IFO 14239 was identified by cloning and complementation of S. sannanensis mutant SN13 which is blocked at the interconversion of sannamycins B and A. The cloned DNA fragment also permitted the conversion of fortimicin B to A both in S. sannanensis SN13 and Streptomyces lividans TK23. DNA sequences similar to sms13 were detected in all five producers of the fortimicin-group antibiotics, Micromonospora olivasterospora ATCC 21819 (fortimicin-producer), Micromonospora sp. strain SF-2098 ATCC 31580 (SF-2052), Dactylosporangium matsuzakiense ATCC 31570 (dactimicin), Streptomyces tenjimariensis ATCC 31603 (istamycin), and Saccharopolyspora hirsuta ATCC 20501 (sporaricin). This suggests that these genes of similar function from different genera were derived from a common ancestral gene.
Actinomycetales↗
Characterization of sannamycin A-nonproducing mutants of Streptomyces sannanensis.
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Aminoglycosides↗
[Irritable bowel syndrome in children].
The irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterized by alteration in bowel habits (i.e., constipation and/or diarrhea) and abdominal pain, and is most common gastrointestinal disorder in adults. The recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) in children is similar to IBS in adults except bowel habits, but there is no settled conception of IBS in children. In our department, diagnosis of pediatric IBS will be made if the child has; #1 functional gastrointestinal disorders without organic diseases, #2 abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal symptoms continuing more than 3 weeks, #3 psychogenic background factors. We experienced 63 cases of IBS (23.5% in all 268 cases) from April 1990 to March 1992 at our pediatric digestive outpatient clinic. They ranged from 4 to 15 years old and about 60% of them were elder than 13 years old. Psychogenic factors were usually related to environment of school life and home. Careful history taking and routine examination were most important for the diagnostic approach. Management of this disease included counseling and drug therapy. Almost all cases reached much better condition 1 to 6 weeks after the therapy started. The combination therapy with psychologist was required in a few cases.
Adolescent↗
[Preliminary clinical trial of intrathecal rt-PA (TD-2061) for the prevention of cerebral vasospasm in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage].
The results of preliminary clinical trial (a multicenter, open-label, dose escalation study) of intrathecal recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) for the prevention of cerebral vasospasm were reported. Seventeen patients admitted within 48 hours of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) were enrolled in this study. Patients ranged from 42 to 69 years of age. All cases enrolled were classified in clinical grade II, III or IV according to the classification of Hunt and Kosnik and in group 3 or 4 according to Fisher's CT grading scale. Surgery for clipping the aneurysms were performed and a small silicone catheter was left in the subarachnoid space. Twenty four hours after the surgery intrathecal bolus infusion of rt-PA was started through the silicone catheter at 6-hour intervals for 3 days. Patients were divided into 4 groups based on the dosage of rt-PA for each infusion. The dosage of rt-PA for each infusion and a number of cases in each group was as follows; 25 KIU in 4 cases, 75 KIU in 6 cases, 200 KIU in 4 cases and 600 KIU in 3 cases. There was no significant difference in the clearance of subarachnoid clots between four groups. However, the occurrence of both symptomatic and angiographic vasospasm was less in the 75 KIU group than in other three groups. Intracranial bleeding complications were noted in 4 patients (1/6 in the 75 KIU group, 2/4 in the 200 KIU group and 1/3 in the 600 KIU group). Serial coagulation studies demonstrated no evidence of systemic fibrinolysis. Disorientation was noted in 2 out of 3 patients of the 600 KIU group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Adult↗
Clinicopathological study on neural invasion to the extrapancreatic nerve plexus in pancreatic cancer.
Thirty-four cases that underwent resection of cancer of the pancreatic head were examined clinicopathologically to elucidate neural invasion of cancer of the pancreatic head into the extrapancreatic nerve plexus. Invasion of cancer into the retropancreatic tissue (rpe) was seen in 29 (86 per cent) of the 34 cases and neural invasion of the extra-pancreatic nerve plexus in 21 (72 per cent) of the 29 rpe cases. The incidence of invasion of the IInd portion of the nerve plexus of the pancreatic head was high (14 = 67 per cent). The degree of neural invasion tended to increase with the extent of lymph vessel invasion. Observation of serial sections revealed continuity of the neural invasion into the nerve plexus. From these findings we conclude that neural invasion of the extrapancreatic nerve plexus is mainly the result of continuous spread, and that en bloc resection of the retropancreatic tissue involving the nerve plexus and fat tissue is necessary in the surgical treatment of cancer of the pancreatic head.
Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating↗
Expression and assembly of Torpedo californica (Na,K)ATPase alpha-subunit truncated at N-terminal end in Xenopus oocytes.
cDNAs for mutant alpha-subunits of Torpedo californica (Na,K)ATPase variously truncated at the N-terminal end were constructed and transcribed in vitro. Each of the mRNAs thus synthesized was co-injected into Xenopus oocytes together with mRNA for wild-type beta-subunit. Truncation of the alpha-subunit at trypsin accessible site T2(removal of the N-terminal 36 residues, alpha delta K37) led to a decrease in ouabain-sensitive ATPase activity and ouabain-binding capacity, leaving the amount of immunoprecipitable alpha-subunit unchanged. The Km values for Na+ and K+ of alpha delta K37 were about 10mM and 2mM, respectively, and fall in the same range for the wild-type ATPase. Truncation of the alpha-subunit leaving lysine-54(alpha delta K54) or alanine-79(alpha delta A79) resulted in the loss of the ATPase activity as well as a substantial decrease in the amount of immunoprecipitable alpha-subunit. Since the beta-subunit assembles with and thereby stabilizes the alpha-subunit, which is otherwise degraded rapidly, these results suggest that the segment of the alpha-subunit between lysine-37 and lysine-54 is involved in the assembly with the beta-subunit leading to the formation of the stable and active alpha beta complex.
Animals↗