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Biomedical subjects

T Takagi

Publications and source records attributed to T Takagi.

At least 649 records · Page 36Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Acquirement of protective immunity in mice through infection with an attenuated isolate and its failure in parent virulent Plasmodium berghei.

In virulent Plasmodium berghei infection, mice showed suppressive responses to sheep red blood cells SRBC (PFC) as well as the parasite antigen (DTH) and developed autoantibodies against homologous lymphocytes. On the other hand, mice infected with an attenuated variant derived from P. berghei did not show these responses but developed solid protective immunity against parent parasite infection accompanied by high antibody titre. When such an immune serum was transferred into mice, attenuated parasite infection was completely eliminated. These results show that an attenuated variant stimulates antibody production, which contributes to protection against the parasites. In contrast, in virulent P. berghei infections harmful immunopathological responses against the host are more prominent than protective immune responses against the parasites.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Vasorelaxing action of melatonin in rabbit basilar artery.

1. In rabbit basilar arteries, melatonin (10(-5)-10(-3) M) and nifedipine (10(-10)-10(-8) M) inhibited the responses to KCl and 5-hydroxytryptamine. 2. Melatonin or nifedipine inhibited the Ca2+-responses in a Ca2+-free medium containing KCl (40 mM) or 5-HT (10(-5) M). 3. A combined treatment with nifedipine and melatonin caused no further inhibition of the Ca2+ response in the presence of K+ as compared to a single treatment with melatonin. 4. However, the combined treatment caused a greater inhibition of the Ca2+-response in the presence of 5-HT than the single treatment with either agent. 5. These results suggest that melatonin and nifedipine inhibit the same Ca2+ channels activated by KCl. Further, 5-HT-activated Ca2+ channels which are inhibited by melatonin may be different from nifedipine-sensitive Ca2+ channels activated by 5-HT.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Immunoreactive corticotropin-releasing hormone, adrenocorticotropin and cortisol in human plasma during pregnancy and delivery and postpartum.

The activity of the hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axis was examined, by measuring the levels of immunoreactive (IR) corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and cortisol (F) in human plasma during normal pregnancy and after delivery with or without complications and during normal postpartum using a specific RIA. The level of IR-CRH in maternal plasma increased progressively during pregnancy, increased further at delivery and declined rapidly to the non-pregnant level on the 1st day postpartum. The level of IR-F in maternal plasma also increased progressively during pregnancy, increased further at delivery, but decreased slowly postpartum, not returning to the non-pregnant level within 5 days. Significant correlations were found between the level of IR-CRH and IR-ACTH, IR-CRH and IR-F, and IR-ACTH and IRF in maternal plasma both during pregnancy and after delivery. It is noteworthy that the concentration of IR-CRH in the maternal plasma at delivery was higher in multiple pregnancy than in normal pregnancy, and that the level of IR-CRH in the umbilical cord in uncomplicated cases was much lower than that in the maternal plasma, and was significantly lower than those in the umbilical cord plasma in cases of asphyxia, IUGR or premature delivery. The level of IR-F, not IR-CRH and IR-ACTH, at normal vaginal delivery was significantly higher than that at elective cesarean section. On these results, we investigated the feto-maternal-hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axis during pregnancy and delivery, in which CRH plays an important role.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1989

Amino acid sequence of horseshoe crab, Tachypleus tridentatus, striated muscle troponin C.

The amino acid sequence of troponin C obtained from horseshoe crab, Tachypleus tridentatus, striated muscle was determined by sequence analysis and alignments of chemically and enzymatically cleaved peptides. Troponin C is composed of 153 amino acid residues with a blocked N-terminus and contains no tryptophan or cysteine residue. The site I, one of the four Ca2+-binding sites, is considered to have lost its ability to bind Ca2+ owing to the replacements of certain amino acid residues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Amino acid sequence of porcine cardiac muscle troponin C.

Troponin C is the Ca2+-receptive protein located on the thin filament of striated and cardiac muscle. We have determined the amino acid sequence of troponin C obtained from porcine cardiac muscle by sequencing and aligning the lysyl endopeptidase and Staphylococcus aureus V-8 protease peptides. It was composed of 161 amino acid residues with a blocked N-terminus. The sequence of porcine cardiac troponin C was identical with that of bovine cardiac troponin C.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Reassessment of the viscosity behavior of sodium dodecyl sulfate-protein polypeptide complexes.

A reassessment study was made on the viscosity behavior of SDS-protein polypeptide complexes, since information about the nature of the complexes is important in establishing the principles of SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Measurements were made under two conditions, i.e., in a buffer of low concentration, and in a buffer of high concentration (usually used in standard SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). Results in the former case were not consistent with viscometric data previously reported and widely accepted [Reynolds, J.A. and Tanford, C. (1970) J. Biol. Chem. 245, 5161-5165], and indicated that the complexes did not behave as a series of pseudo-homopolymers under the former conditions. Results in the latter case indicated that the complexes behaved much more like homologous polymers, but their viscosity behavior can only be interpreted in terms of flexible chains rather than a series of rigid rods with a constant diameter and variable lengths depending on their molecular weights.

Chromatography, Gel↗
PubMed1989

Amino acid sequence studies on cyanogen bromide peptides of chicken caldesmon which bind to calmodulin.

Three major calmodulin-binding cyanogen bromide peptides (fragments A, B, and D) were isolated from chicken gizzard muscle caldesmon and their amino acid sequences were determined. The molecular masses of fragments A, B, and D were estimated to 16, 12, and 9 kDa, respectively, by SDS-urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Fragment A was composed of 102 amino acid residues and contained homoserine at the C terminus. The amino acid sequence from the 37th residue of fragment A corresponds to the N-terminal sequence of the 15 kDa peptide which was obtained by thrombin digestion [Mornet, D., Audemard, E., & Derancourt, J. (1988) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 154, 564-571]. Thrombin 15 kDa peptide binds to F-actin but does not bind to calmodulin. Thus the N-terminal 36 residues and the C-terminal part from the 37th residue of fragment A are supposed to bind to calmodulin and F-actin, respectively. The sequences of fragments B and D were identical, but fragment D was composed of 64 amino acid residues and ended with tryptophan, whereas fragment B was of 98 or 99 amino acid residues and ended with proline. Both fragments B and D are supposed to be the C-terminal peptides of chicken caldesmon. Fragment B had heterogeneous sequences at the C-terminal region. These results can explain the reported heterogeneity of chicken caldesmon in charge and molecular mass.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Plasma concentrations of human atrial natriuretic peptide at vaginal delivery and elective cesarean section.

The change in plasma concentration of atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP) at delivery was examined by measuring the concentrations of hANP in plasma samples from 21 subjects after 36 weeks of normal pregnancy, 22 subjects after normal spontaneous delivery and 20 subjects after elective cesarean section. The maternal plasma concentration of hANP after normal delivery (38.0 +/- 8.2 fmol/ml, mean +/- S.E.M.) was significantly higher than that after 36 weeks of normal pregnancy (16.8 +/- 2.3 fmol/ml), but its concentration after cesarean section was not different from that after 36 weeks of pregnancy. After normal delivery, the plasma concentration of hANP in the umbilical artery (66.9 +/- 11.8 fmol/ml) was also significantly higher than that in the umbilical vein (35.1 +/- 7.3 fmol/ml). In contrast, after elective cesarean section, the hANP levels in the umbilical artery and vein were not significantly different. These results suggest that hANP secretion into the maternal and fetal circulation may be stimulated by the dynamic movement of the mother in labour and the stress of the fetus at delivery, respectively.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Postprandial gastric blood flow in conscious dogs.

Left gastric arterial blood flow was measured with an electromagnetic flowmeter in conscious dogs. Immediately after the ingestion of 300 g of meat or milk, gastric blood flow increased to 250-270% of the control but declined to preprandial levels in 10 min despite the presence of milk in the stomach. Gastric distension with a 300-ml balloon evoked a response of approximately 50% of that of milk, but continuous distension failed to maintain gastric hyperemia. The initial peak response to milk and distension was reduced by hexamethonium (-58 and -62%, respectively) and oxethazaine (-43 and -29%, respectively) but not by phenoxybenzamine, propranolol, or atropine. Thus the initial response was induced by both the contact of food with the mucosa and the distension of the stomach partly via the activation of neural reflexes. Gastric blood flow after the peak was dependent on the type of food and its route of administration; it was elevated by 30% after a meat meal, remained close to fasting levels after oral administration of milk, and fell below fasting levels (-17%) after intragastric administration of milk. An intraduodenal infusion of milk, but not water, reduced gastric blood flow below the control (-26%). Pentagastrin, which caused approximately 50% of the maximal acid secretion, increased gastric blood flow by only 10%.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Ultrastructure of secretory ameloblasts in the house musk shrew, Suncus murinus, Insectivora.

Tooth germs from neonatal house musk shrews, Suncus murinus, were used for the study. The tooth morphogenesis was compared electron microscopically to that of Primates. In the tooth germ at the bell stage, the ameloblast was 3 x 50 microns in size, columnar in shape and had several tubular-type Golgi apparatus which were at the distal end of the cell. Most mitochondria were noted at the proximal end of ameloblasts. Tomes' processes were 1 micron in width, protruded 10 microns from the ameloblast and had many dense bodies and two kinds of vesicles. They were morphologically different from human ameloblasts and enamel rods.

Ameloblasts↗
PubMed1989

A case of metastatic optic nerve head and retinal carcinoma with vitreous seeds.

Metastasis directly to the optic nerve head without choroidal involvement is rare. We report a case of metastatic adenocarcinoma of the optic nerve head and retina with vitreous seeds which was observed in a 45-year-old Japanese male. The primary site of the lesion was clinically the upper lobe of the left lung. Tumor emboli were observed in the central retinal vein. Vitreous seeds appeared to have arisen from a necrotic area and papillary projections of the tumor.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1989

Differential effects of methylmercuric chloride and mercuric chloride on the histochemistry of rat thyroid peroxidase and the thyroid peroxidase activity of isolated pig thyroid cells.

This study was designed to characterize the interaction of CH3HgCl or HgCl2 with thyroid peroxidase (TPO). Two types of experiments were performed. First, the thyroids from rats that were given 5.6 mg/kg/day of either CH3HgCl or HgCl2 for 2 weeks by intubation were subjected to histochemical treatment and then to electron microscopy. TPO activities in all cell compartments were inhibited by HgCl2 but not by CH3HgCl. Morphological observation showed that taller epithelia were induced by HgCl2, whereas flattened epithelia forming large follicles were induced by CH3HgCl. The serum thyrotropin level was substantially lowered by CH3HgCl but was unchanged by HgCl2. Second, the guaiacol oxidation by TPO in isolated and ruptured pig thyroid cells was spectrophotometrically monitored in the presence of either CH3HgCl or HgCl2. The TPO was not inhibited by CH3HgCl but was inhibited by HgCl2. These results indicated that CH3HgCl induced a hypothyroid state without affecting TPO, whereas HgCl2 inhibited TPO and induced a hypertropic state owing to compensation for loss of enzyme activity, and that the lack of inhibitory activity of CH3HgCl was not due to the inability to penetrate the cells. Therefore, there appeared to be a differential interaction of organic and inorganic forms of mercurials with the thyroid.

3,3'-Diaminobenzidine↗
PubMed1989

Enzyme immunoassay for oxytocin.

A competitive, double antibody enzyme immunoassay for oxytocin in a heterologous system was developed. Horseradish peroxidase was conjugated with oxytocin using N-succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio) propionate, and rabbit anti-oxytocin serum was produced by immunization of oxytocin-bovine serum albumin complex which was prepared by the carbodiimide method. The sensitivity of the assay was 4 microIU/tube, which corresponded to 10 microIU per ml using 400 microliters of the sample which was extracted from the same volume of plasma by means of SEP-PAK C18 cartridges. The coefficients of variation for different levels of oxytocin ranged from 6.8-15.9% and 8.5-16.7%, for intra- and inter-assay. Recovery of oxytocin added to plasma after extraction was 99-117%. No or little cross-reaction with arginine- and lysine-vasopressin was found. Plasma oxytocin concentrations determined by the proposed enzyme immunoassay were well correlated with those determined by radioimmunoassay (r = 0.90).

Immunoenzyme Techniques↗
PubMed1989

The response of normal and failing heart to externally applied vibration in the canine open chest preparation.

We examined the left ventricular functional response to externally applied vibration using four canine open chest preparations. A sinusoidal 30 Hz vibration (2.7 mm in amplitude) was applied to the ventricular epicardium at each level of propranolol-induced myocardial depression. External vibration in control conditions induced no significant change either in peak left ventricular pressure (LVP) or in stroke volume (SV). With propranolol, 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg, peak LVP and SV were depressed by the application of external vibration, even though there was no significant change of these values in the nonvibrating condition compared to control. We conclude that the ventricular response to vibration depends on the underlying myocardial viability.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Effect of left ventricular volume on the magnitude of functional depression by external minute vibration.

We examined the effect of the left ventricular (LV) volume on the magnitude of the vibration induced functional depression (VID) using four canine cross-circulated isovolumically beating LV preparations. A sinusoidal, 50 Hz vibration (1.5 mm in amplitude) was applied to the ventricular anterior epicardium at different values of LV volume which was stepwisely increased by 1-2 ml from 0 to 30 ml. VID was estimated as the difference of the peak LV pressure between control and during external vibration. VID increased as an increment in LV volume when the volume was below 7-8 ml and when peak LV pressure was less than 70 mmHg. However, VID remained constant when the volume increased further. We concluded that VID was independent of LV volume at physiological range.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

The improvement of systolic function of depressed left ventricle by external vibration at diastole.

The left ventricular (LV) incomplete relaxation (IR) has been reported to play an important role in the pathophysiology of the congestive heart failure such as causing higher diastolic pressure and/or impeding the coronary perfusion during diastole. Therefore, using open chest canine preparations (n = 4), we examined 1) whether the minute external vibration during diastole could release IR and 2) what occurred to LV systolic function in this perturbation. LV failure with IR was induced by propranolol administration and, if necessary, by rapid atrial pacing up to 180 beats/min. When we applied a 50 Hz, sinusoidal vibration of 2.1 mm magnitude during diastole to the epicardium of LV with complete relaxation, there was no significant change in the ventricular function. However, the systolic functional improvement (3.8 +/- 1.1 mmHg elevation in LV systolic pressure) was observed when the vibration was applied to LV with IR. We concluded that external vibration at diastole could release IR and would be useful to improve the systolic function of the depressed heart with IR.

Animals↗