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Biomedical subjects

T Tsuji

Publications and source records attributed to T Tsuji.

At least 523 records · Page 29Linked to original sources

Flow cytometric analysis of the DNA content in colorectal adenomas with focal cancers.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Variable results have been reported on the nuclear DNA content of colorectal polyps. The significance of DNA aneuploidy in the malignant transformation of colorectal polyps was evaluated. METHODS: We analyzed by flow cytometry the nuclear DNA content of freshly frozen samples of 50 colorectal adenomas with or without focal cancers, analyzing separately the adenomatous and cancerous regions of the polyps. RESULTS: In the adenomatous regions of the 50 polyps, the DNA was diploid in 43 and aneuploid in 7; the adenomas with DNA aneuploidy in the adenomatous regions were more frequently accompanied by focal cancers than were the DNA-diploid adenomas (P < 0.01). In 60% of the polyps with DNA aneuploidy in the cancerous regions, the DNA was also aneuploid in the adenomatous region and had similar DNA indices; this result suggests that the DNA aneuploidy had already occurred during the adenomatous stage, which lends support to the concept of the adenoma-carcinoma sequence. DNA aneuploidy in the adenomatous region was significantly correlated with the size of colorectal polyps (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: DNA aneuploidy may be an important indicator for the early diagnosis of malignant transformation of colorectal polyps.

Adenoma↗

Virion-like structures in HeLa G cells transfected with the full-length sequence of the hepatitis C virus genome.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The process and the site of hepatitis C virus (HCV) particle formation in cells after infection remain unknown. The aim of this study was to create an in vitro model for the study of HCV particle formation. METHODS: HeLa G cells were transfected with the full-length sequence of the HCV genome. Viral protein expression was analyzed using immunoblotting. The cells were examined using immunoelectron and conventional electron microscopy. RESULTS: Core, E2, NS3, NS5a, and NS5b proteins were identified using immunoblotting. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that the core antigen was located along the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and occasionally in its cisternae. Core antigen-positive particles of 30 nm in diameter were found in the cytosol and in the cisternae of the ER. The particles in the cisternae were coated with an outer membrane that was connected to the ER membrane. Conventional electron microscopy revealed particles of 45 nm in diameter with electron-dense cores in the cisternae of the ER. The outer membrane of the particles was occasionally connected to the ER membrane. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that HCV core proteins are synthesized and assembled into particles in the cytosol and that they bud into the cisternae of the ER to form coated particles.

Base Sequence↗

Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor: report of three cases.

BACKGROUND: Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNT) is one of the mixed neuronal-glial tumors that should be differentiated from low-grade gliomas. The recognition and correct diagnosis of DNT is important because this tumor is curable by excision. METHODS: We report three cases of histologically proven DNTs with various image studies performed preoperatively and describe characteristic findings of them, as well as those of previous reports. RESULTS: In our three cases, computed tomography (CT) showed a well-defined, nonenhancing hypodense area. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a cortical mass of hypointensity on T1- and of marked hyperintensity on T2-weighted images. I-123-IMP or Tc-99m-HMPAO single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images showed marked hypoperfusion of the lesion. Thallium-SPECT showed no uptake. CONCLUSIONS: I-123-IMP, Tc-99m-HMPAO, and Thallium-SPECT images, as well as CT and MRI, may be helpful in distinguishing DNT from low-grade gliomas.

Adult↗

Short-term increase in prostaglandin I2 synthesis caused by cicletanine in patients with essential hypertension.

Cicletanine is a new antihypertensive drug that stimulates renal and vascular synthesis of prostaglandin (PG) I2 in experimental animals. However, there is little evidence that cicletanine increases the level of PGI2 in systemic blood of human subjects. To investigate the short-term antihypertensive mechanism of cicletanine, we measured serially the systemic blood pressure, the levels of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (a stable metabolite of PGI2) and PGE2, and renin activity in plasma after administration of the drug. Nine patients with essential hypertension on a diet without severe sodium restriction took 100 mg of the drug by mouth. Systemic blood pressure was measured hourly for 24 h before and after cicletanine administration. The two PGs of interest were extracted, purified by high pressure liquid chromatography, and measured by radioimmunoassay. Cicletanine decreased blood pressure 3 and 6 h after administration and increased the plasma level of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha. The increase in 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was small but significant (mean +/- SD, from 3.21 +/- 1.26 to 3.88 +/- 1.44 and later 4.15 +/- 1.08 pg/mL by 3 and 6 h after administration; P < .05 and .01, respectively). The level of PGE2 had increased at 3 h after administration but returned to baseline by 6 h. Plasma renin activity was increased only at 24 h after administration. Cicletanine increased systemic PGI2 levels short-term, producing an antihypertensive effect in patients with essential hypertension.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

The significance of PCNA and p53 protein in some oral tumors.

The expression of PCNA and p53 protein was evaluated in a total of 75 cases of benign and malignant lesions of the oral cavity, comprising 50 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), 14 leukoplakias, and 11 pleomorphic adenomas. The DNA histogram of 20 SCCs was measured by flow cytometry. p53-positive cells were frequently seen in SCCs, but were rare in leukoplakias and pleomorphic adenomas. The PCNA labeling index (LI) was higher in SCCs than in other benign lesions. The expression rate of p53 protein was markedly elevated in SCCs obtained from smoking patients, when compared to nonsmoking patients. DNA ploidy did not show a close relationship with PCNA and p53 expression. The mean value of PCNA LI for 22 cases carrying positive p53 protein was 52.3%, which was higher than that of p53 protein negative cases (35.7%). The Kaplan-Meier survival curve of the patients who were negative for p53 was significantly more favorable than for patients who were positive for p53 (P < 0.01, Cox-Mantel test). These results suggest that PCNA and p53 LI are markers for the malignant potential of the oral mucosa, and are a useful indicator suggesting a poor prognosis.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Vasoconstrictor mechanism of neuropeptides augmented after endothelial removal in isolated, perfused canine basilar arteries.

In order to investigate the functional role of endothelium and vasoeffector mechanism in cerebrovascular responses to neuropeptides, the stainless steel cannula inserting method was applied to examine the responses to intraluminally-applied bradykinin, substance P and vasopressin in isolated and perfused canine basilar arteries. In control vessels with intact endothelium, each neuropeptide induced a monophasic dilation at lower doses, and a biphasic response, i.e., an initial dilation followed by a secondary constriction, at higher doses. The dilation was significantly reduced and the constriction was significantly enhanced, while the dilation to papaverine was not modified by endothelial removal with intraluminal saponin. The same tendency was observed in the responses after extraluminal treatment with oxyhaemoglobin. The monophasic constrictions to prostaglandin F2 alpha and potassium chloride were significantly potentiated by the endothelial removal. The augmented constrictions to the neuropeptides were significantly diminished by indomethacin (a cyclooxygenase inhibitor), OKY-046 (a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor) and nimodipine (a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist), but not by AA-861 (a lipoxygenase inhibitor). These results suggest that the neuropeptide causes an endothelium-dependent dilation and a constriction of smooth muscles, and that the enhanced constriction might be relevant in part with thromboxane A2, linked with calcium influx into smooth muscle cells in cerebral arteries.

Animals↗

Transient expression of a brain/embryonic-type myosin heavy chain isoform (MIIB2) in regenerating rat liver.

The expressions of non-muscle-type (MIIA) and brain/embryonic-type (MIIB2) myosin heavy-chain isoforms in regenerating rat liver were examined. In regenerating liver after partial hepatectomy, the level of MIIA was nearly constant, while that of MIIB2 increased transiently. The level of MIIB2 was very low in normal livers, and increased gradually and then declined with a peak at the 4th day, when the regeneration was almost completed. The level of proliferating cell nuclear antigen was highest at the 2nd day. Serine dehydratase activity in the liver decreased on partial hepatectomy, began to increase at the 5th day, and reached 71% of the control at the 7th day. These results suggest that MIIB2 plays a role in reconstruction or differentiation of the regenerating tissues rather than in proliferation of hepatocytes.

Animals↗

Deleted in oral cancer-1 (doc-1), a novel oral tumor suppressor gene.

We have identified, isolated, and partially characterized doc-1, a novel cDNA sequence whose activity is consistent with a suppressor of hamster oral carcinogenesis. Doc-1 is an evolutionarily conserved gene exhibiting loss of heterozygosity and marked reduction in expression in malignant hamster oral keratinocytes. The full-length doc-1 cDNA encodes an 87 amino acid product that shows a significant homology to one of the seven novel genes induced in mouse fibroblasts by TNF-alpha. Transfection of the full-length doc-1 cDNA into malignant hamster oral keratinocytes alters the behavior of the recipients in terms of morphology, growth rate, and anchorage-independent growth, suggesting reversion of transformation phenotypes. We propose that doc-1 is a novel tumor suppressor gene in oral cancer development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mechanism of acetylcholine-induced constriction enhanced by endothelial removal in isolated, perfused canine basilar arteries.

We examined the responses to intraluminally applied acetylcholine (ACh) in isolated and perfused canine basilar arteries by the stainless-steel cannula-inserting method. In control vessels with intact endothelium, ACh produced a slight vasodilatation followed by a long-lasting vasoconstriction in the absence of induced tone. Propranolol, a beta-adrenoceptor blocker, had no effect on the response to ACh. After endothelial removal with intraluminal saponin, the constrictor component of the response to ACh was significantly enhanced, and the constrictions to prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) and potassium chloride (KCl) were significantly potentiated. After exposure to extraluminal oxyhemoglobin, the ACh-induced constriction was significantly augmented, whereas the dilator component of the response to calcium ionophore A23187 was significantly attenuated. The enhanced constriction to ACh after endothelial removal was significantly blocked by OKY-046 (a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor) and nimodipine (a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist), but was slightly though not significantly suppressed by AA-861 (a lipoxygenase inhibitor). The response to PGF2 alpha was not altered by OKY-046 or AA-861. These results suggest that the potentiation of ACh-induced constriction after endothelial removal may be mediated in part by thromboxane A2 (TXA2), linked with extracellular calcium entry in smooth muscle cells (SMC). This mechanism might be involved in the pathogenesis of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

Acetylcholine↗

Sequential changes in the distribution of type I and III collagens in the infarct zone: immunohistochemical study of experimental myocardial infarction in the rat.

AIM: Ventricular remodeling following acute myocardial infarction is an important factor in prognosis. The healing process, involving changes in type I and III collagens, is one of the major factors in remodelling. We therefore examined sequential changes in type I and III collagens after experimental myocardial infarction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hearts were excised from 1 day to 10 weeks after permanent left coronary ligation in rats. Immunohistochemical staining with a polyclonal antibody to each collagen was performed by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase method. RESULTS: Type I collagen initially appeared in the peripheral zone of the infarct from 3 days after ligation, the extent of staining gradually increasing until it reached a maximal level on days 21-28, after which the distribution remained unchanged. Type III collagen appeared in the peripheral zone of the infarct from 3 days after ligation; the extent of staining reached the maximal level after 11-28 days, after which a slight decrease in the distribution was observed, although the staining did not entirely disappear. CONCLUSIONS: Type I collagen was a major factor in collagen matrix formation, especially in the relatively late phase. Type III collagen, however, contributed particularly to collagen matrix formation in the relatively early phase. This study improves current understanding of the time-dependent alterations in type I and III collagens involved in the healing process after coronary artery occlusion.

Animals↗

A case of urticarial vasculitis associated with macroglobulinemia (Schnitzler's syndrome).

We report a case of urticarial vasculitis associated with macroglobulinemia in a 50-year-old woman. She suffered from intermittent fever with wheals persisting for more than 24 hours. Skin histology revealed perivascular neutrophilic infiltrates with nuclear dusts. Laboratory study demonstrated leucocytosis and a high serum IgM level (2350 mg/dl) with an M component. No overt lymphoid proliferative disease was found. As far as we know, this is the first report of such a case in Japan. Predonizolone and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have proved transiently effective for controlling the urticaria, but not for the IgM gammopathy.

Adult↗

Erythemas associated with essential thrombocythemia.

Two cases of erythemas associated with essential thrombocythemia (ET) are reported. Case 1: A 64-year-old woman, whose ET had been treated with myebronitol for about 10 years, developed erythematous plaques on her trunk after she stopped taking the medicine. Case 2: A 58-year-old man, who had had gallstones and ET, developed annular erythemas on his thighs, arms, and trunk. Operation for the gallstones had no effect on the eruption. In both cases, remission of thrombocythemia induced by myebronitol was associated with the disappearance of these erythemas.

Cholelithiasis↗

Comparison of a reversed passive latex agglutination and a polymerase chain reaction for identification of cholera toxin producing Vibrio cholerae O1.

Production of cholera toxin (CT) in AKI medium and conservation of CT gene (ctx) of 49 strains of Vibrio cholerae O1 were compared by reversed passive latex agglutination (RPLA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The production of CT agreed with conservation of the ctx in 48 out of the 49 strains. Ten strains were positive, and 38 strains were negative by both methods. Only one strain was negative in RPLA and positive in PCR. This suggested that the combination of AKI-SW and RPLA is comparable to PCR to identify CT-producing V. cholerae O1.

Agglutination Tests↗

Natural killer (NK)-like cytotoxicity of murine intraepithelial lymphocytes in the small intestine (iIEL) and the effect of the serine proteases.

The natural killer (NK)-like cytotoxicity of murine intraepithelial lymphocytes in the small intestine (iIEL) and the participation of serine proteases in it were investigated. We monitored the cytotoxicity of iIEL with a sensitive cytotoxic assay using laser flow cytometry. iIEL exhibited NK-like cytotoxicity on YAC-1 target cells. Benzamidine, a serine protease inhibitor, inhibited significantly both Na-CBZ-L-lysine thiobenzyl ester (BLT)-specific serine protease activity and iIEL-mediated NK-like cytotoxicity. These results suggest that BLT-specific serine proteases may participate in NK-like cytotoxicity of murine iIEL.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Antibody responses raised against a conformational V3 loop peptide of HIV-1.

The amino acid sequence of the principal neutralizing determinant (PND) of 224 cases of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) was determined and the most frequently occurring sequence was used as a peptide antigen for studying virus-specific antibody responses. In our present study, a linear peptide of the most frequent PND was first synthesized and then oxidized to create a disulfide-bridged loop conformation. Then, in order to construct a macromolecular structure for the purpose of increasing antigenicity, the synthetic peptide was conjugated to a core peptide. We compared the immunogenicity of the disulfide-bridged loop PND peptide antigen (AG4) and the linear PND peptide antigen (AG5). After immunizing rabbits 5 and 6 times with both peptides, the results obtained using ELISA revealed that AG4 (conformational-loop type) was more capable of inducing a high titer of antigen-specific antibodies than was AG5 (linear type). Despite an amino acid sequence homology of 72%, a 1:8 dilution of serum raised against AG4 inhibited 81.9% of HIV-1IIIB-mediated cell fusion, suggesting that conformational V3 loop peptide is able to elicit an antibody response which is strongly HIV-1-specific.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Monomer of the B subunit of heat-labile enterotoxin from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli has little ability to bind to GM1 ganglioside compared to its coligenoid.

Coligenoid, composed of the B subunit of heat-labile enterotoxin from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, was separated into monomers in the presence of 2% propionic acid containing 6 M urea (pH 3.8). Monomers equilibrated against 0.75% or 0.5% propionic acid containing 3 M urea (pH 3.8) did not reassemble into coligenoid. Complexes of GM1 ganglioside and coligenoid in these buffers were detected by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, but those of the GM1 ganglioside and monomers were not. The binding ability of monomer to GM1 ganglioside in these buffers was about 1% of that of normal coligenoid by GM1-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Moreover, monomers in these buffers reassembled into coligenoid by buffering against original TEAN buffer, and the binding ability of the resulting coligenoid to GM1 ganglioside was identical to that of native coligenoid. These data suggest that although coligenoid formation is important for the receptor binding of the B subunit, little binding ability to GM1 ganglioside remains in monomer of the B subunit.

Bacterial Toxins↗

Mammary and extramammary Paget's disease: expression of Ca 15-3, Ka-93, Ca 19-9 and CD44 in Paget cells and adjacent normal skin.

The histogenesis of mammary Paget's disease (MPD) and extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) cells remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate MPD and EMPD immunohistochemically with antibodies to some tumour markers (Ca 15-3, KA-93 and Ca 19-9), and a cell surface receptor for hyaluronate (CD44), as these have been shown to be expressed in normal eccrine or apocrine glands and/or the epidermis, as well as some tumours. Surgically excised, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues, or frozen tissues, from seven mammary, five vulvar, two scrotal and two axillary lesions were studied. Paget cells stained strongly with antibodies to Ca 15-3 and KA-93, but did not stain with those to Ca 19-9 and CD44. Staining with the antibody to Ca 15-3 was also observed in the ductal and secretory portions of the eccrine and apocrine glands, and in the sebaceous gland cells. Staining with the antibody to KA-93 was also seen in the apocrine secretory coils, lactiferous duct, epidermal dendritic cells, and cells in the dermal inflammatory infiltrate. Staining with the antibody to Ca 19-9 was observed only in the eccrine duct, and that to CD44 was seen in eccrine secretory cells and epidermal keratinocytes. These findings suggest that the origin of Paget cells may be the secretory cells of apocrine sweat glands (in EMPD) or the luminal lactiferous ducts (in MPD). We found that the antibodies to Ca 15-3 and CD44 were useful in differentiating Paget cells from surrounding keratinocytes, by showing positive and negative immunoreactivity, respectively.

Adenocarcinoma↗