A small epidemic of enterically transmitted non-A, non-B acute hepatitis.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to T Uchida.
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We have developed animal models of viral hepatitis E using cynomolgus and rhesus monkeys. They developed acute biochemical and histological hepatitis after the inoculation of virus particles with identical kinetics and magnitude for the sixth subpassage. Virus particles multiplied in hepatocytes and were excreted into feces via bile. Additionally, a transient viremia was recognized. Molecular cloning of virus gene cDNA was successfully accomplished from two separate libraries (HT3 and NE). These clones were expressed into polypeptides having immunological epitopes, which were used for antibody assay of sera of monkeys and patients with positive results.
To assess the usefulness of intraaortic balloon pumping (IABP) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 114 patients with anterior AMI undergoing emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for total occlusion of the left anterior descending artery were studied. After successful PTCA 66 patients were treated with conventional therapy (group I), and 48 patients were treated with IABP for 25 +/- 8 hours (group II). The reocclusion rate was significantly lower in group II (2.4% vs 17.7% p less than 0.05). An increase in ejection fraction in group II compared with group I was marginally significant (4.5 +/- 12.2% vs 9.2 +/- 13.0%, p = 0.08). Vascular complications occurred in two patients, but there were no deaths from IABP. These results suggest that after successful PTCA for acute myocardial infarction, IABP prevents reocclusion and may add strength to reperfusion in the improvement of left ventricular function.
There is increasing evidence that the conversion of big endothelin-1 (big ET-1) to endothelin-1 (ET-1) is specifically inhibited by the metalloproteinase inhibitor phosphoramidon. We investigated the effect of phosphoramidon on delayed cerebral vasospasm from subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) using a two-hemorrhage canine model. The magnitude of the vasospasm and the drug effect were determined angiographically. On SAH Day 7, diameter of the basilar artery decreased to about 55% of the control value obtained before SAH (on Day 0). Immunoreactive ET (IR-ET) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) significantly increased after SAH (on Day 7). The intracisternal pretreatment of phosphoramidon potently suppressed the decrease in diameter of the basilar artery after SAH, i.e., observed decrease was only about 20%, compared with the value before SAH. In the phosphoramidon group, IR-ET in CSF markedly increased (on SAH Day 2), but the increased levels of IR-ET significantly declined on SAH Day 7. These results clearly indicate that phosphoramidon effectively prevents delayed cerebral vasospasm. Whether the prevention is due to the inhibition of conversion of big ET-1 to ET-1 is now under study.
The expression of mdr1 gene was measured to determine whether it plays a role in clinical resistance to chemotherapy of human malignant lymphomas. mdr1 expression was found in 4 of 9 cases resistant to chemotherapy. Expression of mdr1 was not detectable in any of 7 chemotherapy-sensitive tumors. The 2 cases of reactive lymphadenitis and the 3 samples of normal mononuclear cells did not show any expression of mdr1 gene, either. These results indicate that expression of the mdr1 gene is not always detectable in cases of malignant lymphoma resistant to chemotherapy, but the detectable expression of mdr1 gene may predict clinical resistance to chemotherapy.
A protein factor which corrects the defect in xeroderma pigmentosum cells belonging to complementation group A (XP-A cells) was detected in a cell extract prepared from calf thymus. The activity of this factor was measured as the amount of unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) reappearing in UV-irradiated XP-A cells after microinjection of the extract. The native molecular mass of this factor was estimated to be 80 kDa by gel-filtration and 25 kDa by glycerol gradient centrifugation. The activity was, however, recovered at a position corresponding to 43 kDa after renaturation on an SDS-PAGE gel. The isoelectric point was determined to be approximately 7.5 by measuring the activity after renaturation on an IEF gel. These values were obtained with a partially purified sample. A spot corresponding to these values was detected on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis with a highly purified sample recovered from an SDS-PAGE gel. The purified protein stimulated UDS specifically in the XP-A cells and endowed the cells with a normal level of UV-resistance. The XP-A cells injected with the factor also showed a normal level of UDS after treatment with either 4HAQO or psoralen plus UV-A. This factor (XP-A complementing factor; XP-ACF) may be involved in the repair of DNA damage induced by various agents.
Development of effective treatment for patients with carcinoid tumors has been hampered by lack of an experimental model. The authors have established the only long-term cell line of a functioning human pancreatic carcinoid tumor (BON) that produces tumors in nude mice. In this study the authors examined the effect of three agents, alpha-interferon (IFN), a somatostatin analog, SMS 201-995 (SMS), and an inhibitor of polyamine biosynthesis, alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), on the growth of BON tumors. BON was implanted bilaterally as 3-mm2 pieces (subcutaneously [sc]) into male BALB/c nude mice. In the first study, 23 mice were randomized to four groups: control, IFN (1 x 10(6) units, sc, four times a day), IFN + SMS (300 micrograms/kg, intraperitoneally, three times a day), and IFN + 3% DFMO in drinking water. Treatments were initiated on day of tumor implantation. In the second study, mice were randomized to six groups: control, IFN, SMS, DFMO, IFN + SMS, IFN + DFMO, and IFN + SMS + DFMO. Treatments were started on day 15 after tumor implantation. Tumor area and body weights were measured weekly. In both studies mice were killed on day 28 after BON implantation and tumors removed, weighed, and analyzed for DNA and RNA content. In the first study, IFN either alone or in combination with SMS or DFMO suppressed BON tumor growth. When treatment was initiated after established tumor growth (study 2), however, the only effective treatments for suppression of growth of BON were IFN + DFMO and IFN + DFMO + SMS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of transanal (intracolonic) infusion of bile acid on release of peptide YY (PYY) and cholecystokinin (CCK)-stimulated pancreatic exocrine secretion in seven conscious dogs. CCK-8 (50 ng/kg/h) was given intravenously for 120 min and either taurocholic acid (TA, 1 or 2 mmol/h) or saline was infused transanally (150 ml/h) during the 0-60-min period of CCK infusion. Transanal infusion of TA (1 or 2 mmol/h) significantly inhibited output of CCK-8-stimulated pancreatic protein, compared to transanal infusion of saline during the first 60 min. On the average, the magnitude of inhibition was approximately 45%. Plasma concentrations of PYY increased significantly in response to intracolonic infusion of TA or saline. Transanal infusion of TA (1 or 2 mmol/h) significantly increased plasma levels of PYY when compared with transanal infusion of saline during the first 60 min. The magnitude of the increase of plasma PYY levels was approximately 50 pg/ml (p less than 0.05). Plasma levels of pancreatic polypeptide were not altered significantly by transanal infusion of TA. Our results suggest that release of endogenous PYY by TA in the colon plays a role in the inhibition of CCK-stimulated pancreatic exocrine secretion. Bile salts in the hindgut may participate in the physiologic regulation of pancreatic exocrine secretion by stimulation of release of ilealcolonic PYY.
The fragment gene of enterically-transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis virus (ET-NANBHV) was cloned as a cDNA and inserted into an expression vector pUEX2. The recombinant protein was expressed in Escherichia coli HB101 as a fusion protein with beta-galactosidase (beta-Gal). The fusion protein reacted with the sera of infected cynomolgus monkeys and of patients from Myanmar. This reaction was highly related with ET-NANBHV infection, and obviously demonstrates in that the recombinant protein can be used for the detection of ET-NANBHV infection.
A serosurvey for antibodies to Rickettsia japonica was conducted on Hainan Island of China. Serum specimens were collected from 1,030 outpatients at hospitals in different parts of the island regardless of their diagnosis. Only two among 538 serum specimens collected in Baoting and Tongshi counties, located in the southern part of the island, were demonstrated to contain antibodies reactive with R. japonica at a high dilution. The specimens also reacted with R. rickettsii at the same titer as with R. japonica. These two specimens reacted with other pathogenic spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae to a lesser extent. On the other hand, the specimens were shown to possess antibodies reactive with R. typhi at a significantly lower dilution or were not reactive at all. The findings suggested the occurrence of an SFG rickettsiosis on Hainan Island. More than half of the serum specimens collected from patients with suspected rickettsial infections in the southern area were found to contain IgM and IgG antibodies to R. typhi, indicating a high incidence of murine typhus.
In order to clarify the characterization of phenotypes of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) erythrocytes (E), we analysed the expression of decay accelerating factor (DAF) and CD59/membrane attack complex inhibition factor (MACIF) on the membrane surface of PNH-E by means of the flow cytometric method using anti-DAF and/or CD59/MACIF monoclonal antibodies in nine PNH-patients. In two-colour analysis, this expression of PNH-E was classified into three fractions; negative, intermediate and positive according to intensity. The negative fraction was classified into two groups; one group an exclusively negative population, and the other a negative population having slightly DAF-positive E. The intermediate fraction was recognized on PNH-E of cases with PNH II-E and extremely heterogenous. In the positive fraction, this expression was almost the same as on normal E except for case 8. In single-colour analysis for DAF or CD59/MACIF, three fractions were classified as well as the definition in two-colour analysis. In single-colour analysis, the expression on PNH-E was also heterogenous in each fraction and among PNH-patients. However, the intermediate fraction for CD59/MACIF was not found on PNH-E of cases without PNH II-E, although intermediate fraction for DAF was recognized on PNH-E of some cases with PNH III-E in addition to those with PNH II-E. The results suggest that expression of CD59/MACIF and DAF on the membrane surface of PNH-E phenotypes is heterogenous and varies among PNH patients.
1. We examined the effects of torasemide (0.3 and 1 mg/kg i.v.) on renal haemodynamics and function employing renal clearance and stop-flow techniques in anaesthetized dogs and compared these with furosemide (1 and 3 mg/kg i.v.). 2. Torasemide and furosemide did not influence renal haemodynamics, in the renal clearance study, but caused a dose-related and significant increase in urine flow and urinary excretion of sodium and potassium. Torasemide and furosemide increased fractional excretion of sodium in the distal tubules with a relatively small increase in the fractional excretion of lithium (index of sodium excretion at the proximal tubules, FELi). The diuretic profile of torasemide was of long duration, compared with that of furosemide. 3. Torasemide and furosemide inhibited sodium reabsorption at the distal portion of the tubules in the stop-flow study. 4. It is suggested from these results, that the main diuretic site of action of torasemide is the ascending limb of the loop of Henlé.
The effect of interleukin-1 on iron metabolism in rats was evaluated. Plasma iron decreased from 184 +/- 16 micrograms/dl (mean +/- SE) to 24 +/- 12 at 6 hours after interleukin-1 intramuscular administration in non-fasting rats and 109 +/- 6 micrograms/dl to 12 +/- 1 micrograms/dl in fasting rats, which was significantly lower than in control rats. Ferrokinetic studies showed a more rapid disappearance rate and lower iron turnover in interleukin-1-injected rats. The release of iron from the mononuclear phagocyte system to plasma was studied at 3 h after interleukin-1 administration. Although the percent of radioactivity in plasma of the total injected dose was 3.2 +/- 0.6% in interleukin-1, which was significantly lower than in the control rats (5.4 +/- 0.6%) at 9 h after intravenous injection of 59Fe chondroitin ferrous sulfate, there was no difference between the amount of 59Fe released from the mononuclear phagocyte system over the first 9 h in interleukin-1 and control rats. These data appear to imply that iron release is unimpaired but that, for some reason, there is an enhanced rate of clearance of the 59Fe once it has been released from the mononuclear phagocyte system into the plasma.
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Seventy-six chronic alcoholics in Japan were evaluated for histological changes of liver needle biopsies, Chiron C100 antibody (C-100) for hepatitis C virus, as well as clinical and laboratory data. In biopsies, the presence of necroinflammations within the parenchyma, lymphocytic reaction in the portal tracts, or both, might indicate non-A, non-B (NANB) chronic hepatitis. Using these histological criteria, the patients were previously classified into two groups: alcoholic liver disease (ALD) alone and ALD complicating NANB chronic hepatitis. The C100-positive ratio was found to be 12% in the former group and 69% in the latter. Further clinical and laboratory comparison revealed that there were significant differences in gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, gamma-globulin, and adenosine deaminase levels in the sera between the ALD alone and the ALD complicating NANB chronic hepatitis groups. Since some chronic alcoholics are also affected by chronic type C hepatitis, detailed evaluations of the liver biopsy and C-100 assay are required for the differentiation of these hepatic disorders.
We have introduced a specific point mutation into the gene for chromosomal elongation factor 2 (EF-2) in Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1) by in vivo homologous recombination. To obtain a selectable construct for gene-targeting, we modified a diphtheria toxin-resistant mutant EF-2 gene (Gly717 to Arg) by deleting its promoter and first exon so that homologous recombinants could be distinguished from randomly integrated transformants, and also by inserting a second positive selection marker, the neomycin-resistance gene, into the 3'-flanking region to increase the selective accuracy. More than 80% of the clones surviving after selection for resistance to both the toxin and neomycin were the desired homologous recombinants in which the wild-type, toxin-sensitive EF-2 gene was replaced by the modified gene giving resistance to both the toxin and neomycin. This result shows that the specific point mutation was co-introduced with a second selective marker into an endogenous chromosomal gene and that the modified gene was expressed.
Optically active 2-[4-(4-benzhydryl-1-piperazinyl)phenyl]ethyl methyl 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate [(S)-(+)-1 and (R)-(-)-1] hydrochlorides were synthesized with high optical purities from (R)-(-)- and (S)-(+)-1,4-dihydro-5-methoxycarbonyl-2,6-dimethyl-4-(3-nitrophenyl)- 3-pyridinecarboxylic acids [(R)-(-)-6 and (S)-(+)-6], which are available from (+/-)-6 by optical resolution using quinidine and cinchonidine, respectively. From pharmacological investigations of (S)-(+)-1 and (R)-(-)-1 such as the antihypertensive effect on spontaneously hypertensive rats and inhibition of [3H]nimodipine binding to rat cardiac membrane homogenate, the active form of 1 was defined to be the (4S)-(+)-enantiomer of 1.
Novel 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives bearing 3-[4-(substituted amino)phenylalkyl]ester side chains were prepared and tested for their antihypertensive activity in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Most compounds showed a more potent antihypertensive effect and a longer duration of action than nicardipine. The derivatives with a benzhydrylpiperazinyl and a benzhydrylpiperidinyl group were distinctive. 2-[4-(4-Benzhydryl-1-piperazinyl)phenyl]ethyl methyl 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate (4e), its 4-(4-cyano-2-pyridyl) analogue (4f), its 3-[4-(4-benzhydryl-1-piperazinyl)phenyl]propyl ester analogue (4h), its 2-[4-(4-benzhydryl-1-piperidinyl)phenyl]ethyl ester analogue (4j), and its 2-[4-(1-benzhydryl-4-piperidinyl)phenyl]ethyl ester analogue (4k) were selected as candidates for further pharmacological investigations.