[Regulation of murine primordial germ cell (PGC) growth by peptide growth factors].
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Publications and source records attributed to Y Matsui.
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Chronic cough may be the sole presenting manifestation of bronchial asthma (reference 3; Corrao et al, 1979), and "cough variant asthma (CVA)" has been used to categorize such patients. In order to clarify the clinical picture of CVA, we evaluated the clinical history, laboratory data, sputum cytology and pulmonary function in 14 subjects (5 males and 9 females, aged 14 to 65 years) compatible with the following diagnostic criteria: (1) chronic cough persistent for more than 8 weeks, (2) no wheeze nor dyspnea, (3) no rales, (4) no past history of asthma, (5) bronchial hyperreactivity to methacholine proven by Takishima's method (reference 13), (6) effectiveness of bronchodilators against cough, (7) normal chest X-ray film, (8) afebrile and negative CRP, (9) absence of sinusitis and postnasal drip, or if present, they are proved not to be responsible for the cough, and (10) no other causes of cough such as heart disease, prescription of ACE inhibitors, current smoking. The results were as follows. 1) Many of the subjects were atopic, with positive skin tests to one or more common allergens in 10 subjects, elevated serum IgE in 4 subjects, and past history and family history of atopy in 4 and 7 subjects, respectively. 2) Respiratory infection preceded the onset of CVA in 3 subjects. 3) Cough was generally nocturnal, but 2 subjects coughed only in the daytime. 4) FEV1.0% was decreased (less than 70%) in only 2 subjects, whereas V25 was decreased (less than 80% of predicted value) in 11 out of 12 evaluable subjects, which suggested peripheral airway obstruction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Holter ECG recordings obtained form 11 hyperthyroid patients (mean age 29.2 +/- 11.4 years) before and after surgical treatment were analyzed regarding heart rate (HR) and arrhythmias. The mean 24-hour HR significantly decreased form 104 +/- 8.8 bpm before to 76.8 +/- 8.9 bpm after the treatment (p less than 0.001), with the most pronounced reduction while asleep form 0:00 AM to 6:00 AM. HR variability also significantly decreased (p less than 0.02), but the circadian rhythm of HR did not change before and after the treatment. Serum T3 level correlated with the mean HR (r = 0.63, p less than 0.05) in hyperthyroid state. The percent changes in T3 (% delta T3) best correlated with the percent changes in the mean HR (% delta mean HR) (r = 0.84, p less than 0.01). The frequencies of supraventricular and ventricular premature contractions significantly decreased after the surgical treatment (p less than 0.01). Normal circadian pattern of hourly HR before the treatment highly suggests that normal adrenergic responsiveness is maintained in hyperthyroidism.
Two cases of partial anomalous pulmonary venous return were reported in whom right pulmonary veins were totally drained to the coronary sinus and to the right atrium respectively. Re-routing of pulmonary veins was done by dilated atrial septal defect and making intra-atrial tunnel using equine pericardial patch. Postoperative courses were uneventful. MRI was useful to identify the pathway from right pulmonary veins to the left atrium.
Echocardiographic and hemodynamic studies were obtained in 16 consecutive adult patients who underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) with St. Jude Medical valve for aortic stenosis (AS). Three cases of congenital AS was included and two of them had undergone aortic valvotomy in childhood. One of 16 patients died due to late cardiac tamponade six weeks after AVR. Postoperative studies showed improved left ventricular (LV) functions. LV end diastolic and end systolic diameter (LVDs and LVDs) fell from 50.3 and 38.2 to 44.6 and 31.6 mm respectively (p less than 0.05). Fractional shortening (%FS) rose from 26.5 to 32.2% (p less than 0.05). End systolic wall stress (ESWS) fell from 126.2 to 69.6 k dynes/cm2 (p less than 0.01). Cardiac index and pulmonary arterial wedge pressure improved from 3.4 and 14.4 to 3.6 l/min/m2 and 10.5 mmHg respectively (ns). Preoperatively, six were functional class II, eight were class III and one was class IV (New York Heart Association classification). Postoperative improvement was as follows, eight: class I, seven: class II. In four cases, preoperative echocardiography revealed most depressed LV function in %FS (smaller than 21%) and ESWS (greater than 140). Postoperatively they improved from 18.3 and 164 to 26.0% and 72.8 k dynes/cm2 respectively. These results suggested that depressed LV function in the patients with longstanding AS was largely related to limited preload reserve due to LV enlargement and mechanical unloading of LV (correction of afterload mismatch) resulted in improvement of LV function. In conclusion, LV dysfunction owing to AS alone is reversible and AVR results in great clinical improvement.
We found that chondroitin 6-sulfotransferase and chondroitin 4-sulfotransferase were released into the culture medium from the cultured chick embryo chondrocytes. Since the release of the sulfotransferases was observed not only in serum-supplemented medium but also in serum-free medium, the released sulfotransferases were unlikely to be derived from serum. Addition of ascorbate to the serum-free medium supported the continuous release of the sulfotransferases. Monensin, which is known to cause dilatation of the Golgi apparatus and to inhibit sulfation of proteoglycan, was found to affect the release of the sulfotransferases. In the presence of 10(-6) M monensin, chondroitin 6-sulfotransferase activity in the cell layer was decreased to less than one tenth of the control, and the rate of the release of the activity became much smaller than the control after the initial rapid release. The activity of chondroitin 4-sulfotransferase was also affected by monensin, but the reduction of the chondroitin 4-sulfotransferase activity in the cell layer was not so great as the reduction of chondroitin 6-sulfotransferase activity. Unlike to the microsomal sulfotransferases, both chondroitin 6-sulfotransferase and chondroitin 4-sulfotransferase released into the culture medium were retained in the soluble fraction after centrifugation at 100,000 x g for 60 min, and were not activated by detergent. pH optimum and requirements for sulfhydryl compounds of the released sulfotransferases were similar to those observed previously in the chondroitin sulfotransferases from chick embryo cartilage and from cultured chick embryo chondrocytes. These results suggest that chondroitin sulfotransferases, which are localized in the Golgi apparatus, may be secreted to the extracellular space in a soluble form under the culture conditions.
Wilms' tumor, a pediatric nephroblastoma, has been associated with genetic alterations of the 11p13 and 11p15 regions. The introduction of a der(11) chromosome into the G401 Wilms' tumor cell line has been shown previously to revert the tumorigenic phenotype. A subtractive cDNA/RNA hybridization performed between the tumorigenic parent (G401) and a nontumorigenic microcell hybrid of G401 (110.1/G401.1) containing the der(11) chromosome resulted in the identification of a single novel cDNA clone, designated QM. The cDNA is 745 nucleotides in length and encodes a predicted hydrophilic 25 kd basic protein, primarily consisting of alpha helices. The QM transcript is expressed in a wide variety of embryonic and adult tissues and demonstrates a down regulation of expression in adult kidney and heart. QM is also a member of a multigene family members of which map to chromosomes 6 and 14. The QM mRNA level is modulated between the tumorigenic and nontumorigenic cell lines and therefore may be involved in the maintenance of the nontumorigenic phenotype.
Despite the importance of germ cells to the survival of species, surprisingly little is known about their embryological origin, proliferation, migration and entry into mitotic arrest or meiosis. Mutations in the murine Dominant White Spotting (W) and Steel genes, which respectively encode the c-kit tyrosine kinase receptor and the c-kit ligand (or Steel factor), impair the development of primordial germ cells (PGCs) in vivo, as well as haematopoietic stem cells and neural crest-derived melanoblasts. Here we use a monoclonal antibody against c-kit tyrosine kinase receptor and recombinant Steel factor to study the c-kit receptor-ligand system in cultured PGCs. In addition, we show that leukaemia inhibitory factor (also known as differentiation inhibitory activity), a factor secreted by STO fibroblasts, can stimulate proliferation of primordial germ cells in vitro.
Seven days after 30 min of ischemia, neuronal necrosis was observed in the striatum. Pretreatment with type A monoamine oxidase (MAO-A) inhibitors, clorgyline and RS-8359 ((+)-4-(4-cyanoanilino)-7-hydroxycyclopenta (3,2-e) pyrimidine) decreased significantly the number of necrotic neurons and inhibited changes in the dopamine metabolite contents during and after transient ischemia. An MAO-B inhibitor, deprenyl also decreased the neuronal necrosis, but it inhibited only the changes in 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) content after reperfusion. The results suggest that the activation of dopamine metabolism after transient ischemia was mainly mediated by MAO-A and partly by MAO-B and suggest a possible role of dopamine deamination by MAO in the development of ischemic neuronal necrosis.
We prepared monoclonal antibodies specific for smg p21A, one of the low molecular weight GTP-binding proteins and possibly a suppressor molecule for ras p21. Two monoclonal antibodies (T22 and T212) reacted with smg p21A but not with Ki-ras p21, both of which were produced by Escherichia coli. These two clones detected an Mr 21,000 band in one-dimensional immunoblotting of extracts of a human pancreatic cancer cell line which was indistinguishable from a band detected by RASK-3, a monoclonal antibody specific for ras p21. However, T22 and T212 detected a single spot in two-dimensional immunoblotting that was clearly different from the three spots detected in the same cellular extracts by RASK-3. A series of normal and malignant human tissues were examined for the expression of smg p21A and ras p21 by immunohistochemical methods utilizing T22 and RASK-3. In essentially all tissues examined, both normal and malignant, smg p21A and ras p21 were expressed with great similarity. Expression of both molecules in all malignant tissues examined was coincident with that in normal tissues except that gastric cancer showed increased expression of the two molecules in comparison with normal gastric tissue.
Suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) obtained from neonatal or embryonic 19 or 20 day rats, were grafted into the third ventricle of SCN-lesioned arrhythmic siberian chipmunks. Four out of 37 chipmunks showed reappearance of circadian rhythmicity in wheel running activity. In all 4 cases, at least one surviving graft was confirmed in the host brain. Also, vasopressin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-like immunoreactive substances were found in the graft, suggesting the existence of live SCN neurons. Although the number of successful cases and the intensity of the restored rhythm was limited compared to the intra-species grafting in rats, a possibility that cross-species transplantation of SCN can restore circadian rhythmicity was shown.
Serial measures (range, two to eight) of preferential-looking grating acuities of 52 infants with retinopathy of prematurity were made. Group 1 patients (n = 11), who had little or no macular displacement, had normal preferential-looking acuity except for two who had mild acuity deficits. None of the group 2 patients (n = 12), who had dragged maculas, ever had normal acuity. On the average, their acuities, which ranged from 1 to 6 octaves less than normal, gradually increased at a rate not significantly different from normal. Group 3 patients (n = 29), who had undergone open-sky vitrectomy, had significantly lower acuity despite reattachment of the retina.
The effect of AS-4370 on gastric emptying was investigated in healthy adults using 99mTc-DTPA. Single doses of AS-4370 2.5, 5 or 10 mg or placebo were administered to 12 subjects in a controlled, double-blind, cross-over study. Tests were performed twice weekly in each subject. Thirty min after administration of test drug or placebo, each subject swallowed a bun and orange juice containing 200 microCi nuclide. The radioactivity of the gastric content was measured for 40 min and the activity of the residue was expressed as a percentage of count at the initiation of measurements. The percentage radioactivity, AUC and gastric emptying time fitted by a power exponential curve, were analyzed. No significant difference was observed between the three dose levels of AS-4370 and placebo in half emptying time. However, decreases in the percentage of radioactivity with time were noted; 5 mg at 10 to 16 min and 10 mg at 8 to 24 min after the start of recording. Lower AUCs after 5 mg and 10 mg compared to placebo were also found. The half emptying time was also shorter after 5 mg and 10 mg than placebo. There was no difference in these parameters between 2.5 mg and placebo. The results indicate that AS-4370 5 and 10 mg but not 2.5 mg accelerates gastric emptying in healthy adults.
The role of extraocular proprioception in optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) was examined, using adult pigmented rabbits following transection of the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve. OKN was induced by rotation of a drum at an angular velocity of 0.85 and 3.7 degrees/s. The eye on the operated side showed a delay in the transition from the OKN-induced quick phase to the slow phase regardless of closure of the eye on either the operated or unoperated side. In addition, the eye on the operated side showed an anticompensatory response in the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) with an unstable drift in the dark. The above abnormalities in OKN and VOR following rhizotomy disappeared after 1-1.5 months. These results suggest that proprioception in the extraocular muscle plays an important role in the fine regulations of eye position for gaze accuracy. The recovery demonstrated appears to be due to a compensatory mechanism in the central nervous system.
To evaluate the occurrence of granulomatous angiitis and microangiopathy in the lung with sarcoidosis, transbronchial lung biopsy specimens were examined from 174 cases with sarcoidosis. Granulomatous angiitis was seen in 72 cases, which corresponded to 53% of the cases with granulomata. Granulomatous angiitis showed venous involvement (65%), both venous and arterial involvement (24%) or arterial involvement only (11%). There was no significant difference in occurrence of granulomatous angiitis between upper and lower lobes. The cases with granulomatous angiitis in the lung had a higher frequency of ophthalmic symptoms and elevated serum angiotensin converting enzyme level. Basal lamina layering in the microvasculature was more often observed in the bronchial mucosa than in the alveolar walls and is not exclusively related to granulomata. Endothelial proliferation and basal lamina alterations in granulomatous angiitis may be closely associated with granulomas. The present study revealed coexistence of granulomatous angiitis and microangiopathy in the lung with sarcoidosis and suggests that both may participate in the development of pulmonary sarcoidosis.
Clinical, physiologic, and anatomic assessments were carried out in 22 female patients with symptomatic rectocele (Group A), 15 patients with asymptomatic rectocele (Group B), and 14 subjects having no rectocele (Group C). Resting and pressure, rectal pressure, rectal compliance, anorectal inhibitory reflex, and rectal sensation did not differ among the groups. Proctography revealed that the lengths of the rectocele during attempted defecation in groups A (1.6 [1.0-3.5] cm) (median and range) and B (1.6 [1.0-3.0] cm) were significantly greater than that in Group C (0.4 [0.1-0.9] cm) (P less than 0.001 in both groups). Median pelvic floor descent at rest in Groups A (4.3 [1.6-7.5] cm) (median and range) and B (4.3 [1.3-6.9] cm) were significantly greater than that in Group C (2.5 [1.2-5.0] cm) (P less than 0.001 and P less than 0.02, respectively). These results indicate that rectocele is not associated with any physiologic change apart from a significant increase of pelvic floor descent.
We report herein a case of a 46 year old man presenting with a gastric ulcer in whom an endoscopy happened to detect an elevated lesion in the lower esophagus. Endoscopic biopsy proved sufficient for determining the diagnosis of a granular cell tumor (GCT). Electron and microscopic studies suggest that GCT are derived from Schwann cells. Although commonly found in the tongue and skin, GCT are rarely seen in the gastrointestinal tract, especially in the esophagus. However, advances in endoscopic techniques will increase the opportunity of detecting GCT of the esophagus.