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Biomedical subjects

T Uchida

Publications and source records attributed to T Uchida.

At least 667 records · Page 37Linked to original sources

High-performance affinity chromatography system for the rapid, efficient assay of glycated albumin.

A high-performance affinity chromatographic system was constructed and shown to permit highly reproducible, rapid, automatic assays of serum glycated albumin (GA) by separation of albumin (Alb) on an anion-exchange column (Asahipak ES-502N) packed with a vinyl alcohol copolymer bearing diethylamino groups and consecutive separation of GA on a column packed with a vinyl alcohol copolymer bearing boronate groups. The first column selectively retained Alb free of other serum proteins and permitted at least a 95% recovery of sample Alb. The purity of the Alb peak was confirmed by two-dimensional electrophoresis. Chromatographic analyses of human serum Alb incubated with glucose on the second column showed that the peak area for GA increased in accordance with the incubation time and suggested selective adsorption of GA on the second column. Optimization of the conditions for the two-column system reduced the analysis time to 10 min. Analyses of human sera with the present system showed GA to be 16.1 +/- 1.1% (mean +/- S.D.) of total Alb in non-diabetic children and 39.9 +/- 9.1% (mean +/- S.D.) in diabetic children (0-17 years old).

Adolescent↗

Missense mutations and a deletion of the p53 gene in human gastric cancer.

To investigate the molecular pathogenesis of human gastric cancers the p53 gene, a suppressor oncogene, was analyzed in 12 human gastric cell lines. Southern blot and Northern blot analysis revealed a total deletion of p53 gene in KATO-III cells but no major abnormality of p53 gene in other cell lines. By the use of the reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing 7 cell lines showed point mutations of p53 gene resulting in amino-acid substitutions. Most of them were rare mutations which had not been observed in other types of cancers. One of these mutations was also detected through the use of PCR and oligomer-specific hybridization. Six out of 7 cell lines with mutations of p53 gene also lost one allele of chromosome 17p. Immunoblotting of cell lysates with an antibody specific to p53 demonstrated the absence of p53 protein in KATO-III cell. By contrast, the high levels of the p53 protein were observed in 5 cell lines all of which contained mutations of p53 gene. These results further suggest that the inactivation of p53 gene may play an important role in the transformation of gastric cells to the malignant phenotype. KATO-III cells might be a good model for studying the significance of the loss of p53 gene in cellular transformation.

Alleles↗

Zinc iodide-osmium tetroxide impregnation of the "tubulo-vesicular system" in Tomes' process of the rat incisor ameloblast.

Zinc iodide-osmium tetroxide (ZIO) is a nonspecific but selective impregnation method that visualizes a tubulo-vesicular system in cells. The detailed structure and three-dimensional distribution of this ZIO-impregnated system was studied in the Tomes' process of secretory ameloblasts in the rat incisor. The ZIO-impregnated system consisted of an extensive array of smooth membrane-bound thick and thin tubules and vesicles. The interconnected thick and thin tubules formed a complex "core network" in the central cytoplasm of Tomes' process that enmeshed and often surrounded individual secretory granules. From the core network, radial branches extended toward the smooth cell membrane of the interdigitating portion of Tomes' process. Although the core network and branches frequently appeared connected to the secretory granules and the cell membrane, stereo-pair electron microscopy failed to show conclusive evidence of such continuity. However, many coated vesiclelike structures were attached to the core network and its branches. No special relationship was found between interrod and rod secretory sites and the tubulo-vesicular network. In thick sections, the ZIO-impregnated tubulo-vesicular network occupied a considerable volume of cytoplasm. The vinblastine-labile nature of this network as demonstrated previously (Nanci et al., 1987) indicated that the system undergoes rapid and extensive turnover. Considering the dynamic nature and sheer volume of the tubulo-vesicular system, we propose that it be regarded as a major cell organelle.

Ameloblasts↗

Preparation and evaluation of Eudragit gels. III: Rectal gel preparations for sustained release of pentoxifylline.

A novel method was established for the preparation of Eudragit S, Eudragit L, and Eudispert high-viscosity (hv) hydrogel and xerogel preparations containing a medicinal component such as pentoxifylline (an agent that improves cerebral microcirculation). A significant correlation was found between the in vitro mean dissolution time and the in vivo mean residence time of pentoxifylline after rectal administration of these preparations in rabbits. Staying properties of the hydrogel and xerogel preparations in the lower part of the rectum were compared with those of polyethylene glycol 2000 and Witepsol S-55 suppositories in rats, with water-insoluble dye. Eudispert hv hydrogel and xerogel preparations have excellent staying properties in the rectum. The efficacy of Eudispert hv xerogel preparations may be reduced by first passage through the liver after oral administration.

Acrylic Resins↗

Preparation and evaluation of Eudragit gels. IV: Rectal gel preparations for sustained release and avoidance of first-pass metabolism of propentofylline.

Formulations of a high-viscosity acrylic resin gel (Eudispert hv) containing propentofylline, a new cerebral microcirculation-improving agent, were prepared and tested for avoidance of the first-pass metabolism of propentofylline through the liver and for sustained release of propentofylline. The absolute bioavailability of propentofylline after oral administration was only 4% in rabbits. The relative bioavailabilities of propentofylline from polyethylene glycol (M(r), 2000) and Witepsol H-15 suppositories were approximately 8- and 16-fold, respectively, compared with oral administration. Furthermore, the absolute bioavailability of propentofylline from Eudispert hv hydrogel and xerogel preparations was approximately 100%. The results indicate that, in principle, drug loss caused by first-pass metabolism may be avoided completely by placing Eudispert hv hydrogel and xerogel formulations in the lower part of the rectum for long periods.

Acrylic Resins↗

A case of multiple leiomyomatous lesions of the lung: an analysis of flow cytometry and hormone receptors.

A 36 year old woman was admitted to our department because of a chest X-ray which showed multiple developing shadows. She underwent bilateral exploratory thoracotomies and a total 5 tumors were resected and pathologically diagnosed as benign metastasizing leiomyoma, the largest of which was positive for the progesterone receptor and negative for the estrogen receptor. A histogram of this tumor using a flow cytometer showed a diploid pattern and 4.6 percent of the S phase which was not more than that of a leiomyoma of the uterus from another patient. Two months later, she underwent a hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for treatment of the positive progesterone receptor in the pulmonary lesions. The resected uterine myoma and normal myometrium showed positive estrogen and progesterone receptors. For the subsequent 28 months she has been free of any further symptoms. Benign metastasizing leiomyoma of the uterus is a rare disease and very interesting because of its histological benignity and hormonal dependency. However, according to the literature, it is often confused in entity due to the fact that normal lung tissue also possesses hormone receptors. Considering our data on hormone receptors, it is rational to think that multiple leiomyomatous lesions in the lung should only be diagnosed as benign metastasizing leiomyomas when they possess positive estrogen and progesterone receptors.

Adult↗

The localization and characterization of proteinases for the initial cleavage of porcine amelogenin.

In the outermost layer of porcine-developing enamel adjacent to the ameloblasts in the secretory stage, the activities of two proteinases having molecular masses of 76 and 78kDa were detected by enzymography using gelatin as a substrate. On the other hand, high activities of known 30 and 34kDa proteinases were localized in the inner layer of the enamel. The 76kDa proteinase cleaved the carboxyl-terminal peptide of porcine 25kDa amelogenin to convert it to 20kDa amelogenin. The 78kDa proteinase also acted on the 25kDa amelogenin similarly, but its activity was weak. The results indicate that the 25kDa amelogenin synthesized and secreted by ameloblasts is converted to 20kDa amelogenin by the action of proteinase localized in the outermost layer of the secretory enamel, and then further degraded by the proteinases in the inner layer of the enamel associated with the increase of mineralization.

Amelogenin↗

Neurotensin prevents intestinal mucosal hypoplasia in rats fed an elemental diet.

Liquid elemental diets are associated with mucosal hypoplasia of both the small intestine and colon. Neurotensin, a tridecapeptide widely distributed in the gut, is trophic for the small intestine of rats fed a normal chow diet. The purpose of this study was to determine whether neurotensin could reverse the hypoplasia of intestinal mucosa that is associated with feeding a liquid elemental diet. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into five groups. Four groups were fed (for seven days) a glutamine-free liquid elemental diet. Subcutaneous injection of saline (control) or neurotensin (33, 100 or 300 micrograms/kg) were given to the groups of rats every 8 hr for seven days. Group five (Chow) received rat chow ad libitum for seven days. Rats were killed on day 8, and the proximal jejunum, distal ileum, and proximal colon removed. Mucosal weight, DNA, RNA, and protein contents were determined. Neurotensin (300 micrograms/kg) increased the cellularity of the small intestinal mucosa and reversed mucosal hypoplasia due to an elemental diet; a more pronounced effect was noted in the jejunum compared to the ileum. Neurotensin (33 and 100 micrograms/kg) increased mucosal DNA content in the jejunum but was not effective in reversing the hypoplasia. Neurotensin had no effect on growth of colonic mucosa. These results suggest that neurotensin may be an important trophic hormone for the small intestine. Administration of neurotensin may alleviate hypoplasia of the small bowel mucosa and maintain functional integrity of the gut during prolonged feeding of an elemental diet.

Animals↗

Degradation of methyl and ethyl mercury into inorganic mercury by various phagocytic cells.

In connection with the dealkylation of methyl mercury (MeHg) and ethyl Hg (EtHg) with reactive oxygen-producing systems, we examined the ability of phagocytic cells to degrade MeHg or EtHg into inorganic mercury in vitro by collecting them from blood or peritoneal cavity of several species of animal. EtHg was readily degraded by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), rat PMN, guinea-pig PMN, rabbit PMN, guinea-pig macrophages (M phi), human monocytes and guinea-pig eosinophils. In contrast, rat hepatocytes and the M phi hybridoma clone 39 cells were weaker in their degrading ability. Degradation of MeHg by these cells was always much weaker than EtHg, under identical conditions; however, by increasing the cell numbers, MeHg was appreciably degraded by human PMN, rat PMN and rabbit PMN. The reactive oxygen species mainly responsible for alkyl Hg degradation seemed to be hydroxyl radicals produced by M phi, and hypochlorous acid produced by PMN, monocytes and eosinophils. It was also suggested that the degradation of alkyl Hg by these cells might be an intraphagosomal event.

Animals↗

Hepatitis E: review.

Hepatitis E is endemic, often provoking epidemics in many developing countries. It resembles hepatitis A clinically and epidemiologically but show a higher mortality rate and less infectiousness. Several lines of evidence strongly support the assumption that humans become immunized once they contract hepatitis E. Because of the low infectiousness, most of the adult population of endemic areas are susceptible to hepatitis E until an epidemic occurs, although they are almost always infected with hepatitis A during infancy. Epidemics are caused by accidental contamination by the hepatitis E virus (HEV) in feces of water provided to these people. The liver change reveals necroinflammation related to the immune-mediated mechanism. The HEV is molecularly cloned and sequenced and has a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome, 7,194 nucleotides followed by a poly (A) tail. There are three open reading frames. The non-structural gene, approximately 5 kb is located at the 5' end, while the structural gene, approximately 2 kb is located at the 3' end of the genome. There is a low level of nucleotide variations among HEV strains isolated from Myanmar and China and a single serotype appears to exist. The HEV may be a new RNA virus or belong to Caliciviridae family. Further investigation include in vitro propagation, elucidation of the gene replication, global seroepidemiology and vaccination of the HEV.

Animals↗

Escherichia coli RecA protein modified with a nuclear location signal binds to chromosomes in living mammalian cells.

We tried to make a well-characterized bacterial protein function in mammalian cell nuclei. For this purpose we chose Escherichia coli RecA protein and fused its carboxy terminus to the nuclear location signal of SV40 large T-antigen by oligonucleotide-dependent modification of the gene. When injected into the cytoplasm, the modified RecA protein (T-RecA for the T-antigen signal) accumulated efficiently in the nuclei, whereas the wild-type RecA protein remained in the cytoplasm. The T-RecA protein retained its original in vivo activity, judging from the finding that uv-sensitive bacteria (recA- E. coli) became uv-resistant on transformation with the T-recA plasmid as well as the recA plasmid. For expression of the T-recA gene in mammalian cells, the 5' region was replaced by the chicken beta-actin promoter and Kozak's initiation signal. A high level of expression was observed when Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells were transfected with this plasmid. Indirect immunofluorescence examination revealed that the T-RecA protein in nuclei of mammalian cells bound to chromatin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Inhibition of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell growth by lovastatin.

RAS protein (p21 ras) requires farnesyl (an intermediate of cholesterol synthesis) for activation. Activating mutations of K-ras gene have been detected in most human pancreatic adenocarcinomas. In the present study, the effect of lovastatin, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A, the rate-limiting enzyme of cholesterol synthesis, on the growth of five pancreatic cancer cell lines (human-CAV, MIA Paca2, CAPAN2 and PANC1, and hamster-H2T) in vitro and of two cell lines (CAV and H2T) in vivo was examined. Inhibition of cell growth was observed with lovastatin doses at or above 2.5 micrograms/mL for H2T, CAV, MIA Paca2, and CAPAN2 or 10 micrograms/mL in PANC1. The H2T cell line was studied further to determine the reversibility of growth inhibition. Mevalonic acid (1 mmol/L) reversed lovastatin-induced inhibition of cell growth if it was added with lovastatin (2.5 micrograms/mL). Similarly, removal of lovastatin from the medium within 24 hours after treatment allowed recovery of cell growth. The effect of lovastatin on cell growth was irreversible after 48 hours of exposure. The survival fraction of H2T cells was markedly decreased by 1- or 24-hour exposure to 75 micrograms/mL but not to doses ranging from 0.5 to 60 micrograms/mL of lovastatin. Growth of pancreatic carcinoma xenografts (CAV and H2T) in nude mice was inhibited by a subcutaneous infusion of lovastatin (50 micrograms/h). These results indicate that mevalonic acid or a metabolite in the cholesterol synthesis pathway is necessary for growth of pancreatic cancer cells and suggest that lovastatin should be further examined as a potential therapeutic agent for pancreatic cancer.

Animals↗

Neurotensin stimulates growth of colonic mucosa in young and aged rats.

Neurotensin, a tridecapeptide widely distributed in the gut, stimulates growth of small bowel mucosa in young and aged rats. In the present study, the effect of long-term neurotensin administration on the growth of colonic mucosa was examined in young (2-month-old) and aged (24-month-old) rats. Subcutaneous injections of saline (control) or neurotensin (300 micrograms/kg) in gelatin were given to the groups of rats every 8 hours for 10 days. During treatment, all rats were maintained on a regular chow diet. Rats were killed on day 11; the entire colon was removed, mucosa was scraped and weighed, and DNA, RNA, and protein contents were determined. Neurotensin induced growth of colonic mucosa in both age groups. In young rats, neurotensin increased weight and DNA, RNA, and protein contents of colonic mucosa. The ratio of DNA content, an index of cellular hyperplasia, was increased significantly in the neurotensin-treated young rats compared with age-matched controls, indicating an overall increase in mucosal cellularity. In the aged rats, growth was characterized by an increase in weight and RNA and protein contents, but not DNA content, thus suggesting cellular hypertrophy. These results suggest that neurotensin has an important regulatory function in the growth of colonic mucosa; however, the mode of action, at the cellular level, appears to be different depending on age.

Aging↗

Toxicological significance of dog liver cytochrome P-450: examination with the enzyme expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using recombinant expression plasmid.

A complementary DNA (cDNA) coding for a form of beagle dog cytochrome P-450 (Dah1), which is the orthologue to the CYP1A1 cDNA of rat, mouse and human, was inserted between the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) promoter and terminator regions of the yeast expression vector pAAH5. On introduction of the resulting recombinant plasmid pDC-1, Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain AH22 cells synthesized up to 1.5 x 10(5) molecules per cell of cytochrome P-450 protein (P-450(Dah1)). The carbon monoxide-bound reduced form of P-450(Dah1) showed an absorption peak at 447 nm and specific content of P-450(Dah1) was about 0.1 nmole P-450 per mg of microsomal protein. P-450(Dah1) cross-reacted with antibodies to rat P-448-H (CYP1A2) and dog P-450-D2 (CYP1A2). P-450(Dah1) activated 2-amino-3-methyl-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) and 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ) most efficiently in the umu test and exhibited a high activity of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase toward benzo[a]pyrene.

Animals↗

A novel loop diuretic, torasemide, inhibits thromboxane A2-induced contraction in the isolated canine coronary artery.

We examined the effect of a novel antihypertensive diuretic, torasemide, on the vasoconstriction induced by TXA2 in the isolated canine coronary artery. Carbocyclic thromboxane A2 (CTA2), a stable analogue of the potent coronary vasoconstrictor thromboxane A2, exhibited a slow onset and progressive contraction of isolated canine coronary arteries at 2 x 10(-8) M. Torasemide (10(-7) approximately 10(-4) M) elicited a dose-dependent vasodilating action in the isolated canine coronary arteries contracted by CTA2, whereas indapamide or furosemide had little effect on this preparation. The maximum vasodilating response to torasemide was 45 +/- 12% of vasodilating effect induced by 10(-4) M papaverine. These results suggest that torasemide is a promising antihypertensive agent with a coronary protective effect.

Animals↗

Neurotensin stimulates growth of colon cancer.

Neurotensin (NT), a peptide from the distal gut that is released by fat ingestion, stimulates the growth of normal small bowel and colonic mucosa. The purpose of this study was to determine whether chronic administration of NT would affect the growth of a mouse colon cancer (MC-26) and a human colon cancer (LoVo) in vivo. In experiment 1, male Balb/c mice were inoculated with MC-26 cells (5 x 10(4)) and then randomized to four treatment groups receiving either saline (control) or NT (150, 300 or 600 micrograms kg-1) administered subcutaneously (s.c.) every 8 h for 21 days. In experiment 2, 60 mice with MC-26 tumours were randomized to receive saline (control) or NT (300 or 600 micrograms kg-1) for 28 days, and survival was then assessed. In experiment 3, 16 athymic nude mice with LoVo tumour xenografts were randomized to receive either saline (control) or NT (600 micrograms kg-1). We found that administration of NT (300 and 600 micrograms kg-1) significantly stimulated mean tumour area, weight and DNA, RNA and protein content of MC-26 tumours. In addition, the survival rate of mice bearing MC-26 tumours and treated with either dose of NT was significantly decreased compared with the control group given saline injections. Similarly, NT (600 micrograms kg-1) stimulated growth (tumour area, weight and nucleic acid contents) of the human colon cancer, LoVo. We conclude that NT acts as a tropic factor for the colon cancer cell lines MC-26 and LoVo in vivo. NT may play an important role in growth regulation of certain colon cancers.

Analysis of Variance↗

Neurotensin augments intestinal regeneration after small bowel resection in rats.

Massive small bowel resection (SBR) is characterized by increased proliferation of residual gut mucosa and pancreas. Neurotensin (NT), a gut tridecapeptide, stimulates growth of normal gut mucosa and pancreas. This study examined whether NT affected growth of the small intestine and the pancreas after either distal or proximal SBR. Male Fischer 344 rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 underwent ileal transection with reanastomosis (SHAM) and group 2 underwent 70% distal SBR. Group 3 underwent SHAM operation (jejunal transection), and group 4 underwent 70% proximal SBR. After operation, each group was further subdivided to receive either saline (control) or NT (300 micrograms/kg) subcutaneously in gelatin every 8 hours for 7 days. At death, the pancreas and proximal jejunum (from groups 1 and 2) or distal ileum (from groups 3 and 4) were removed, weighed, and analyzed for DNA, RNA, and protein content. Both proximal and distal SBR significantly increased mucosal growth in the remnant intestine; a more pronounced effect was noted with proximal SBR. Administration of NT significantly augmented the adaptive changes in both groups of rats by mechanisms involving increases in both cell size (hypertrophy) and cell number (hyperplasia). Pancreatic growth was stimulated by distal (but not proximal) SBR; NT did not augment this response. The authors conclude that NT augments intestinal growth after SBR by mechanisms involving an increase in overall mucosal cellularity. Administration of NT may be therapeutically useful to enhance mucosal regeneration during the early period of adaptive hyperplasia after SBR.

Animals↗