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Biomedical subjects

T Tsuchiya

Publications and source records attributed to T Tsuchiya.

At least 577 records · Page 32Linked to original sources

Purification and analysis of the structure of alpha-galactosidase from Escherichia coli.

Alpha-Galactosidase, the product of the melA gene, was purified from a strain of Escherichia coli harboring a plasmid carrying melA, which over-produced the alpha-galactosidase. An apparent molecular weight was determined to be 50 kDa. The amino acid composition of this enzyme was determined. The result indicates that this enzyme is a hydrophilic and acidic protein. We have subjected the purified enzyme to 20 cycles of N-terminal sequence analysis. This verified the translation start site of the melA gene and the predicted N-terminal sequence.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Human embryonic cell growth assay for teratogens with or without metabolic activation system using microplate.

In vitro microassay for the screening of teratogens was investigated on cancer chemotherapeutic agents sterigmatocystins and benzimidazoles using human embryonic palatal mesenchymal (HEPM) cells. Five thousand cells were inoculated into each well of 96-well microtiter plates, and cultivated for 24 hr, after which the media were changed with new ones that contained various amounts of chemicals; after cultivation for an additional 72 hr, the media were discarded, and cells attached to the tissue plate were fixed and stained with Giemsa's solution; the cell number then was counted by colony counter with three readings for each well. For the metabolic activation, the liver S9 obtained from rats pretreated with phenobarbital and 5,6-benzoflavone and cofactors (S9 mix) were added directly to the HEPM cell cultures along with chemicals. After 6 hr, the cultures were exchanged with a fresh medium and incubated for a further 72 hr. The final IC50 (the concentration that inhibits growth 50%) concentration-finding run had 7 to 11 concentration points (mean, three to four wells). Concentrations of the cancer chemotherapeutic agents that inhibited growth by 50% ranged from 0.001 to 10 micrograms/ml. Sterigmatocystins indicated strong inhibition; among three derivatives, O-acetyl sterigmatocystin was the most potent inhibitor. Benzimidazoles also exhibited an inhibitory action on HEPM cell growth; nitro and chloro groups at the 5 position in 2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole were found to be potent substituents. As for the activation of cyclophosphamide in the HEPM cell culture, IC50 was decreased to 1.0 ug/ml by the incubation with S9 mix for 6 hr under our experimental conditions, and sterigmatocystin was found to be activated by S9 mix.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Benzimidazoles↗

Intraoperative colonoscopy in the detection of nonpalpable colonic lesions--how to identify the affected bowel segment.

The development and widespread use of the colonic fiberscope has led to the identification of early colonic cancers which, being small and flat, are not palpable by intraoperative examination of the exterior of the intestine. Standard operation for cancer is required when snare polypectomy is insufficient, or when it is considered that the lesions would be resected incompletely by electrocautery. We report on the use of intraoperative colonoscopy in 11 patients to identify small lesions and to maintain an adequate distance from the lesions. Intraoperative colonoscopy allows lesions to be detected rapidly, safe operations, and a decrease in operation time.

Adenoma↗

Passive interaction between sliding filaments in the osmotically compressed skinned muscle fibers of the frog.

Shortening and lengthening velocities, instantaneous stiffness, and tension transients after stretch were measured in compressed muscle fibers from the frog in the presence or absence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP K30) or Dextran T70. Both shortening and lengthening velocities clearly decreased with the concentration of polymer. In the presence of polymer, "passive" stiffness was observed in relaxing solution depending on fiber diameter, and stiffness increased further by activation. This increase by activation above "passive" stiffness was nearly constant in the wide range of polymer concentrations. These active and "passive" stiffnesses were found to be dependent on sarcomere length. The stiffness of a compressed rigor fiber was indicated to be composed of constant rigor stiffness and a variable "passive" one. The tension transient after stretch in a compressed active or rigor fiber was also indicated to be composed of two kinds of transients. The above results suggest that (a) there exist two kinds of interactions in parallel in a compressed active or rigor fiber: one active or rigor and another "passive" between sliding filaments, and (b) the decrease in shortening velocity in a compressed fiber may be brought about by this "passive" interaction.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Movement of water in conjunction with plant movement visualized by NMR imaging.

The water distribution in the pulvinus of Mimosa can be visualized by an NMR imaging technique. After stimulation of a Mimosa plant, water in the lower half of the main pulvinus disappeared, the water previously contained in this area seeming to be transferred to the upper half of the main pulvinus. Movement of the water in conjunction with Mimosa movement was visualized sequentially by a non-invasive NMR imaging procedure.

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy↗

Quantitation of specific mRNA by RNA-RNA hybridization kinetics with single-stranded riboprobes.

A quantitative procedure by a solution hybridization involving RNA-RNA hybridization kinetics was developed for measurement of specific mRNA accumulated in particular tissues and cells. For quantitating mouse beta-tubulin mRNA two types of riboprobes were prepared: one was a truncated RNA covering only the coding portion of beta-tubulin cDNA and the other was a non-truncated RNA covering the vector portion as well as the coding portion. These antisense RNAs were hybridized with mouse brain total cellular RNA, yielding heat-stable hybrids. Both the truncated and non-truncated antisense RNA probes showed similar hybridization kinetics. Hybridization of the sense RNA, consisting of the beta-tubulin coding portion, with the antisense RNA probe gave standards for determining the proportion of beta-tubulin mRNA in total brain RNA. By this method, the amounts of beta-tubulin mRNA included in the brains of 10- and 50-day-old mice were quantitated to be 0.0056 and 0.0011% of total RNA, respectively.

Animals↗

Plasma and urine concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide in patients with diabetes mellitus.

To examine whether plasma and urine concentrations of human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP) are altered in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), plasma and urine hANP concentrations were evaluated in 86 patients with diabetes mellitus using an extraction procedure. The mean recovery rate of extraction was 71.8 +/- 0.6% (mean +/- SEM). The major immunoreactive component of hANP in extracted plasma and urine appeared to be identical to synthetic alpha hANP as judged by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The patients were divided into three groups according to their renal complications. The patients in group 1 had no apparent abnormality in serum creatinine, serum or urine beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-MG), or urine N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG); those in group 2 showed either beta 2-MG or NAG abnormality but no creatinine abnormality. The patients in group 3 were though to have an established diabetic nephropathy and showed a serum creatinine increase. Plasma ANP concentrations in groups 1, 2, and 3 were 10.7 +/- 2.1, 19.9 +/- 5.6, and 39.2 +/- 9.9 fmol/ml, respectively. These values in groups 2 and 3 were significantly higher than the control values (p less than 0.05 or p less than 0.01 versus 6.2 +/- 0.7 fmol/ml). Urine ANP concentrations in group 1 were also within normal range, though those in groups 2 and 3 markedly increased in comparison with normal values.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Stiffness changes during enhancement and deficit of isometric force by slow length changes in frog skeletal muscle fibres.

1. The mechanism of the enhancement and the deficit of isometric force by slow length changes in frog fast muscle fibres was studied by recording muscle fibre stiffness changes as measured with sinusoidal vibrations (0.5-1.9 kHz, peak-to-peak amplitude 0.1% of slack length, L0). 2. When a tetanized fibre was slowly stretched by 5-9% from sarcomere lengths 2.4-2.6 microns, the force rose to a peak during the stretch and then decreased towards a steady level higher than that during the ordinary isometric tetanus at the same sarcomere length. 3. The stiffness of the fibre first rose abruptly in response to stretch and then started to decrease linearly while the stretch went on; after the completion of stretch the stiffness decreased towards a steady value which was equal to that during the isometric tetanus at the same sarcomere length, indicating that the enhancement of isometric force is associated with decreased stiffness. 4. If a tetanized fibre was slowly released by 4-12% from sarcomere lengths 2.55-2.7 microns, the steady force attained after the completion of release was lower than that during an isometric tetanus at the same sarcomere length. 5. The stiffness of the fibre changed in parallel with the force both during and after the applied release. 6. Recordings of the segmental length changes along the fibre with a high-speed video system (200 frames/s) indicated that all segments lengthened in response to the applied stretch. 7. The segmental length changes in response to the applied release were markedly non-uniform; the length of a segment located at the centre of the fibre did not change appreciably both during and after the release. 8. These results are discussed in terms of cross-bridge performance and structure of the myofilament lattice.

Animals↗

Characterization of a novel L-serine transport system in Escherichia coli.

A novel transport system for L-serine was found in Escherichia coli cells grown on medium containing amino acid mixture. This novel system is distinguishable from the known three transport systems for L-serine, namely, the serine-threonine system, one of the leucine-isoleucine-valine systems, and the glycine-alanine system. Uptake of L-serine via this novel system was inhibited by none of the amino acids tested, indicating that it is highly specific for L-serine. This system was induced by L-leucine, but not by L-serine. The Km for L-serine was 50 microM, and the Vmax was 23 nmol/min per mg of cell protein. Transport of L-serine via this system was strongly inhibited by KCN, an inhibitor of the respiratory chain, or by carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, an H+ conductor. Uptake of H+ was induced by L-serine influx. These results indicate that an H+-serine cotransport mechanism is operative in this novel L-serine transport system.

Alanine↗

Changes in the plasma and urine alpha human atrial natriuretic peptide (alpha hANP) concentration in patients with thyroid disorders.

In order to assess the possible involvement of thyroid hormone in alpha human atrial natriuretic peptide (alpha hANP), we investigated the plasma and urine ANP concentration in patients with primary hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Plasma and urine were extracted through Sep-Pak C18 cartridges and the urine ANP concentration was corrected by urine creatinine (cre. mg/dl) and expressed as fmol/mg.cre.. The plasma ANP concentration in patients with untreated hyperthyroidism (32.3 +/- 7.0 fmol/ml; n = 22) was higher than in normal subjects (p less than 0.01 vs control; 6.2 +/- 0.7 fmol/ml). After restoration to euthyroidism, the plasma ANP concentration (patients with treated hyperthyroidism) fell to normal (8.9 +/- 1.9 fmol/ml). The plasma ANP concentration in patients with untreated hypothyroidism (14.1 +/- 3.0 fmol/ml; n = 7) was higher than normal, but in two of them there was mild renal dysfunction and an incomplete right blundle branch block in the electrocardiogram. It was possible that these factors contributed to the observed increase in plasma ANP. However, a significant positive correlation was found between plasma ANP and free thyroxine (n = 40, r = 0.449; p less than 0.01) and free triiodothyronine (n = 40, r = 0.546; p less than 0.01). The urine ANP concentration in patients with untreated hyperthyroidism was markedly higher than in normal subjects (p less than 0.01), but in untreated hypothyroidism not significantly different from normal.

Adolescent↗

Economic force maintenance in a phasic smooth muscle of mollusca.

The time course of the ability of active shortening was compared to that of isometric contractile force during contraction-relaxation cycles of the pedal retractor muscle of Mytilus by measuring the maximal shortening velocity and the rate of force redevelopment after a quick release. The contractile force had its peak at 2 s after stimulus initiation and decayed with a half relaxation time of 8.3 s at 10 degrees C. At 6 s after stimulus initiation, both the maximal velocity of shortening and the rate of force redevelopment had decreased to 30% or less of the initial values, while 70% of peak force was retained. The results suggest a mechanism of economic force maintenance with a reduced rate of crossbridge cycling.

Animals↗

Disposition of 6-chloro-2-pyridylmethyl nitrate, a new anti-anginal compound, in rats and dogs.

1. The absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of 6-chloro-2- pyridylmethyl nitrate, a new anti-anginal compound, were investigated in rats and dogs after intravenous and peroral administration of the 14C-labelled or unlabelled drug. 2. The half-lives of plasma levels for the alpha and beta phase and systemic availability were 6 min, 42 min and 26-50% respectively in rats, and 8 min, 66 min and 5% respectively in dogs. 3. Radioactivity was rapidly distributed in the tissues of rats, and recovered mainly in the 0-24 h urine (95% of dose within 24 h) with no excretion in the expired air. 4. Several metabolites were detected on t.l.c. of rat and dog urine, and four were identified as N-(chloro-2-pyridylcarbonyl)-glycine (M1, 56%), N-acetyl-S-(6- chloro-2-pyridylmethyl)-L-cysteine (M2, 29%), 6-chloro-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid (M3, 5%) and 6-chloro-2-pyridylmethyl. beta-D-glucuronate (M4, 7%). No unchanged drug was excreted.

Angina Pectoris↗

Synthesis of 1-N-(D-threo- and racemic erythro-3-amino-2-hydroxybutanoyl)-2',3'-dideoxykanamycin A.

1-N-(D-Threo-3-amino-2-hydroxybutanoyl)-2',3'-dideoxykanamycin+ ++ A has been prepared by coupling of 3,6'-bis(N-benzyloxycarbonyl)-2',3'-dideoxy-3"-N-(trifluoroacetyl)kanamy cin A with D-threo-3-azido-2-hydroxybutanoic acid. A diastereomeric mixture of the erythro analog has also been prepared by use of racemic erythro-3-azido-2-hydroxybutanoic acid. Synthesis of the D-threo- and racemic erythro-3-amino-2-hydroxybutanoic acids has been described.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Construction of a vector for the study of regulatory mechanism of gene expression and its utilization in the melibiose operon of Escherichia coli.

We constructed a vector to evaluate terminator or attenuator of transcription quantitatively. This vector is a plasmid possessing lac promoter-polylinker-CAT(chloramphenicol acetyltransferase) gene. DNA fragment of interest can be inserted into the polylinker site, and the effect of the DNA fragment on the expression of the downstream gene is evaluated from the CAT activity. We analyzed gene expression of the melibiose operon of Escherichia coli using this plasmid, and found that a DNA fragment containing a large stem-loop structure with boxA sequence in it, which was present between melA and melB, caused strong reduction of gene expression. This DNA portion seems to be responsible for reduced expression of melB, the second gene of the melibiose operon.

Cloning, Molecular↗