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Biomedical subjects

Y Matsui

Publications and source records attributed to Y Matsui.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources

Study of virus isolation from pharyngeal swabs in children with varicella.

We performed virus isolations from the pharyngeal swabs in 117 children with varicella who were aged from 22 days to 15 years and 70 healthy children who were aged from 3 months to 15 years, by using human embryonic lung cell cultures. Viral isolates were confirmed by an indirect immunofluorescence method or by neutralization with well-characterized antibodies. Five varicella-zoster virus isolates (4.3%), 23 cytomegalovirus isolates (19.7%), five herpes simplex virus isolates (4.3%), and one respiratory syncytial virus isolate (0.9%) were found in the patients with varicella. Ten cytomegalovirus isolates (14.3%), two herpes simplex virus isolates (2.9%), one respiratory syncytial virus isolate (1.4%), and one poliovirus isolate (1.4%) were found in the swabs of the healthy control children. The varicella-zoster virus isolation rate from the pharyngeal swabs in children with varicella was low as compared with the rate from those pharyngeal swabs in the children with cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus. No varicella-zoster virus isolates could be found in the swabbed materials after filtration (0.45 microns). On the other hand, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus could be isolated from the filtrated swabs, as well as from the unfiltrated swabs. The method of testing by filtration could have affected the results.

Adolescent↗

Interleukin-1-inhibitory IgG in sera from some patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Inhibition of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) activity was detected in 7 of 41 serum samples from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). These 7 sera inhibited not only IL-1 alpha-induced endothelial cell adherence to neutrophils, but also IL-1 beta-induced endothelial cell adherence, although to a lesser extent. These sera showed no influence on tumor necrosis factor-induced endothelial cell adherence. No inhibitory activity was found in 40 sera from normal control subjects. Studies to further examine these effects included gel filtration analysis of 2 of the RA sera. The inhibitory activity was eluted near Mr 158 kd and above Mr 250 kd. Analysis by protein A affinity chromatography showed that IL-1-inhibitory activity was present in protein A-binding fractions. Purified IgG (by DE-52 column chromatography) from RA patients was found to be as potent an inhibitor as the protein A-binding fractions, which suggests that the major inhibitory activity in RA sera is attributable to IgG molecules. These purified IgG molecules also inhibited IL-1-induced proliferation of mouse thymocytes but did not influence IL-2-dependent proliferation of the CTLL-2 murine T cell line. The 7 patients whose sera showed IL-1-inhibitory activity had mild RA and low titers of rheumatoid factor. The findings, taken together, suggest a possible regulatory role of IL-1-inhibitory IgG in RA disease activity.

Adult↗

Cartilage macromolecules and the calcification of cartilage matrix.

The calcification of cartilage matrix in endochondral bone formation occurs in an extracellular matrix composed of fibrils of type II collagen with which type X collagen is closely associated. Also present within this matrix are the large proteoglycans containing chondroitin sulfate which aggregate with hyaluronic acid. In addition, the matrix contains matrix vesicles containing alkaline phosphatase. There is probably a concentration of calcium as a result of its binding to the many chondroitin sulfate chains. At the time of calcification, these proteoglycans become focally concentrated in sites where mineral is deposited. This would result in an even greater focal concentration of calcium. Release of inorganic phosphate, as a result of the activity of alkaline phosphatase, can lead to the displacement of proteoglycan bound calcium and its precipitation. The C-propeptide of type II collagen becomes concentrated in the mineralizing sites, prior to which it is mainly associated with type II collagen fibrils and is present in dilated cisternae of the enlarged hypertrophic chondrocytes. The synthesis of type II collagen and the C-propeptide, together with alkaline phosphatase, are regulated by the vitamin D metabolites 24,25(OH)2 cholecalciferol and 1,25 (OH)2 cholecalciferol. At the time of calcification, type X collagen remains associated with type II collagen fibrils. It may play a role in preventing the initial calcification of these fibrils focusing mineral formation in focal interfibrillar sites. This process of calcification is clearly very complex, and involves different interacting matrix molecules and is carefully regulated at the cellular level.

Animals↗

Disappearance and appearance of isoenzymes of creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase in the myocardium undergoing infarction.

Recent investigations have shown that cardiac isoenzymes change with mechanical overload and possibly with myocardial ischaemia. This complicates the interpretation of serum enzyme changes in acute myocardial infarction. We have therefore investigated the rate of release of isoenzymes from necrosing myocardium and the effect of ischaemia per se. Discrete myocardial infarction was produced in 35 male Wistar rats by ligation of left coronary artery. Six (n = 7), 12 (n = 6), 24 (n = 9), 72 (n = 7) h and 3 weeks (n = 6) after surgery, total and isoenzyme activities of creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LD) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured in the infarcted myocardium. Untreated rats (n = 12) were used as the control (time 0). Sham operation was performed in 36 rats. During the early period (0 to 12 or 24 h) of infarction, each (iso)enzyme disappeared monoexponentially from the myocardium (mean r = 0.88) with different disappearance rates. Cytosolic isoenzyme fractions decreased more rapidly than mitochondrial fractions. CK MB and the LD-H subunit decreased faster than CK MM and the LD-M subunit. Such differences in the disappearance rate may be related to subcellular localisation of each isoenzyme. In the late period (72 h and 3 weeks), CK BB and the LD-M subunit showed significant reaccumulation in the infarcted myocardium. Although inflammatory cells can be responsible for the reaccumulation of LD-M subunit, the origin of CK BB is unknown.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Production and characterization of recombinant human neutrophil chemotactic factor.

A putative mature human neutrophil chemotactic factor (NCF) corresponding to the C-terminal 72 amino acids of its precursor was directly produced in Escherichia coli by recombinant DNA technology. Human NCF was present in both the soluble and insoluble protein fractions of the homogenate of host cells, and it was partially purified as a water-soluble polypeptide from both fractions, separately. The partially purified NCF preparation was highly purified to an endotoxin-free homogeneous polypeptide by means of CM-Sepharose CL-6B column chromatography and gel filtration on Toyopearl HW-55. No difference between the human NCF preparations purified from both starting materials could be found concerning purity, primary structure, solubility, molecular weight, and chemotactic activity for human neutrophils. The amino acid sequence of recombinant human NCF was identical to the sequence deduced from the cDNA sequence. A methionine residue due to the translation initiation codon was removed. Recombinant human NCF was found to be biologically active and to exhibit chemotactic activity for human neutrophils in vitro and cause a neutrophil infiltration in vivo in mice.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Altered synthesis of collagen types in cultured arterial smooth muscle cells during phenotypic modulation by dimethyl sulfoxide.

Synthetic activity of collagen types was examined in cultured arterial smooth muscle cells during modulation from synthetic to contractile phenotype by treatment with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Smooth muscle cells of rabbit thoracic aorta cultured with a 1% supplement of DMSO for 8 days (DMSO group) predominantly exhibited cellular features of the contractile type with abundant microfilaments and a distinct basement membrane. Cultured cells in the DMSO group or in controls during stationary or subconfluent phase were labeled with [3H]proline for 24 h, and the samples including the cell layer and medium were analyzed. The incorporation of proline into bacterial collagenase-digestible fractions was increased slightly in the DMSO group. Type analysis of the collagenous protein by SDS-PAGE and subsequent fluorography disclosed a markedly increased ratio of type IV/I collagen and a slightly increased type V/I collagen ratio, as compared with those of controls. A decrease of type III collagen production in DMSO-treated cells probably due to their lower cell density was also recognized. From these biochemical and morphological observations, it is suggested that increased synthesis of minor collagen types, particularly type IV collagen, is closely associated with smooth muscle phenotypic expression following DMSO treatment. Similar cellular events may occur in smooth muscle cells migrating into the intima during the process of arteriosclerosis in vivo.

Animals↗

Henoch-Schönlein purpura after measles immunization.

A three-year-old boy developed Henoch-Schönlein purpura after measles immunization. To our knowledge Henoch-Schönlein purpura in this setting has not been previously reported. This case illustrates that measles vaccine can act as an inducing factor Henoch-Schönlein purpura.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Complementary DNA cloning of the murine transforming growth factor-beta 3 (TGF beta 3) precursor and the comparative expression of TGF beta 3 and TGF beta 1 messenger RNA in murine embryos and adult tissues.

Murine transforming growth factor-beta 3 (TGF beta 3) cDNAs were isolated from a TGF beta 2-induced AKR-2B cDNA library. The composite cDNA sequence is 2894 nucleotides long, including 610-nucleotide and 1054-nucleotide 5' and 3' untranslated sequences, respectively. The murine TGF beta 3-coding region is 1230 nucleotides in length and encodes a precursor protein of 410 amino acids, with a 96% peptide sequence identity with the human TGF beta 3 precursor. Examination of TGF beta 1 and TGF beta 3 mRNA levels in adult murine tissues showed that TGF beta 1 mRNA expression is predominant in spleen, lung, and placenta. In contrast, TGF beta 3 RNA was present in substantial amounts in brain, heart, adipose tissue, and testis. TGF beta 3 mRNA is also observed in adult mouse lung and placenta. Both TGF beta 1 and TGF beta 3 RNAs were present in all stages of mouse fetal development studied from 10.5-17.5 days postcoitum, with higher levels observed in the latter stages. The differential expression of these TGF beta genes suggests that the various TGF beta species may have distinct physiological roles in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mechanism of erythropoietin action on the erythroid progenitor cells induced from murine erythroleukemia cells (TSA8).

Erythropoietin is a well-known erythroid differentiation and growth factor, but the mechanism of its action is not well understood. In this work, we have examined its mechanism of action on the erythropoietin-responsive murine erythroleukemia cells (TSA8). TSA8 cells become responsive to erythropoietin after induction with DMSO. Stimulatory effects on erythropoietin response are observed with the addition of compounds affecting the cAMP level such as forskolin, phosphodiesterase inhibitor and cholera toxin only in the presence of erythropoietin. cAMP analogues themselves show no stimulatory effect on TSA8 cells, nor does erythropoietin increase cAMP level in the cells. Thus, it is suggested that cAMP does not act as a direct second messenger for signal transduction through erythropoietin receptors, but as a stimulator of the erythropoietin receptor pathway and/or as a second messenger in combination with the receptor pathway. The mechanism for acquisition of responsiveness to growth and differentiation factors of progenitor cells is discussed.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Different signalling pathways are used in the commitment of murine erythroleukemia cells (TSA8) to differentiate, and in the erythropoietin action on progenitor cells.

The murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cell line, TSA8, becomes responsive to erythropoietin after induction with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). We examined the signalling pathways involved in the commitment of TSA8 cells to become the erythroid progenitor cells responsive to erythropoietin, comparing them with the pathway used in an erythropoietin-induced change of the progenitor cells. Amiloride, an inhibitor of the Na+/H+ antiporter, completely blocked the commitment of TSA8 cells to become responsive to erythropoietin at a concentration that did not affect cell proliferation, while it showed no effect on the differentiation or proliferation of the erythroid progenitor cells derived from TSA8 cells by erythropoietin. Ethyleneglycol-bis (beta-aminoethyl ether) N,N,N',N'-tetra acetic acid (EGTA) inhibited the commitment of TSA8 cells to CFU-E-like cells without affecting colony formation. In contrast, EGTA did not inhibit erythropoietin-induced differentiation of the progenitor cells, but did inhibit their proliferation. These results indicate that erythropoietin uses different signalling pathways from those used in the induction of the commitment of TSA8 cells.

Amiloride↗

S-adenosyl-L-methionine improves the changes of calcium content and glucose metabolism after transient ischemia in the rat.

Effects of S-adenosyl-L-methionine on Ca accumulation as well as the changes of electrolytes contents and glucose metabolism after transient ischemia were investigated. In the 4-vessel occlusion model of rats, brain Ca content increased to 200-250% of that in sham operated rats 1 day after 60 min transient ischemia. The change in the striatum was more severe than that in the cortex or hippocampus. Na content increased and K content decreased, and glucose, pyruvate and lactate contents increased significantly in the striatum 1 day after transient ischemia. SAM (100 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected at the end of occlusion and every hour for 5 hr thereafter. Treatment with SAM reduced Ca accumulation, decrease of K, and increase of lactate and pyruvate in the striatum significantly. The present results suggest that the inhibition of Ca accumulation might partly explain the beneficial effects of SAM on the cerebral dysfunction following ischemia.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Ethanol inhibits vestibular and caloric nystagmus without affecting optokinetic nystagmus in rabbits.

Effects of ethanol on optokinetic, vestibular and caloric nystagmus were investigated in pigmented rabbits to determine whether or not it affects a specific site involved in the induction of various nystagmus. Optokinetic nystagmus was produced by rotation of the drum with vertical stripes at an angular velocity of 0.85 degrees/sec. Vestibular nystagmus was induced by horizontal rotation at an angular velocity of 30 degrees/sec and caloric nystagmus by infusion of cold water into the external meatus. Cumulative injection of ethanol into the auricular vein to doses of 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 g/kg inhibited both vestibular and caloric nystagmus dose-dependently, but did not affect the optokinetic nystagmus. These results suggest that relatively low doses of ethanol mainly act on the peripheral vestibular organ and impair the vestibular function without affecting the optokinetic system.

Animals↗

Induced ovulation in cats using porcine pituitary gland preparation during the non-breeding season.

An attempt was made to induce ovulation in 19 cats during the non-breeding season by the administration of a porcine pituitary gland preparation. The dosage was 2 mg for the first day and then 1 mg for each day until estrus was induced. Studies were made to determine whether fertilization and pregnancy were possible by mating at the time of induced estrus. Estrus was induced in 89.5% (17/19) of the cats, 3-8 days after the first administration. The average number of ovulations induced by mating was 7.3 +/- 1.3 (mean +/- SE) for 16 cats (excluding one cat that failed to ovulate). The uterine horn was flushed 6-8 days after mating in 9 of the 16 ovulated cats to determine the fertilization rate. An average of 3.6 ova were recovered from 8 out of the 9 cats (including one cat from which no ovum was recovered) which gave an average recovery rate of 38.6%. Expanded blastocysts were recovered from 5 cats, while from the other 3 cats, only unfertilized ova were recovered. Pregnancy was confirmed in the other 7 cats 15-20 days after mating. In two of the 7 cats implantation was observed, but abortion occurred at 24 and 27 days of pregnancy. Plasma progesterone concentrations were lower in the estrus-induced and bred cats as compared to these in the controls, with progesterone values approaching base concentrations, approximately by day 20 in 2 cats and by day 30 in 3 cats. It was concluded that estrus could be induced in cats during the non-breeding season by administration of porcine pituitary gland preparation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Latency from the onset of myocardial ischemia to the rise of serum creatine kinase activity is correlated inversely with infarct size in dogs.

Sixteen dogs were subjected to acute, permanent coronary occlusion to assess the relationship between latency for the rise of serum creatine kinase (CK) activity and infarct size. Serum CK activity was measured every 30 min from 0 h to 6 h and serially afterwards until 72 h after coronary occlusion. The serum CK activity immediately before coronary occlusion (0 h) was 61 +/- 18 (SD, n = 16) (range 37-95) IU/l. It exceeded the normal threshold value (100 IU/l) at 3.7 +/- 1.4 (range 1.5-6) h, increased at a maximal rate at 7.0 +/- 1.2 h and reached a peak value of 1700 +/- 1308 (range 304-5109) IU/l at 11.0 +/- 1.8 h after coronary occlusion. The cumulative CK release (CKr) was 6556 +/- 5984 (range 454-21580) IU/l, indicating that various sizes of infarction were produced. In 7 dogs, the infarct size was determined anatomically with an enzyme staining technique. The latency of the CK rise was significantly (p less than 0.01, n = 16) and inversely correlated with the max dE/dt (r = -0.692), peak CK (r = -0.716) and CKr (r = -0.691). The CKr was correlated well (p less than 0.001, n = 16) with max dE/dt (r = 0.946), peak CK (r = 0.984) and the infarct size (r = 0.912, p less than 0.005, n = 7). Thus, the latency of the rise of serum CK activity was inversely correlated with myocardial infarct size.

Animals↗

Interferon-gamma modulates messenger RNA levels of c-sis (PDGF-B chain), PDGF-A chain, and IL-1 beta genes in human vascular endothelial cells.

The authors have investigated the effects of cytokines and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on mRNA levels of c-sis (platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-B chain), PDGF-A chain, and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) genes in human vascular endothelial cells (EC). IL-1, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and LPS not only enhanced the accumulation of c-sis mRNA, but also induced IL-1 beta gene expression. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), in contrast, suppressed the accumulation of c-sis mRNA profoundly and PDGF-A chain mRNA to a lesser extent. The cytokine, in addition, suppressed the release of PDGF-like proteins by EC, while maintaining the growth of EC. IFN-gamma, however, augmented the levels of IL-1 beta mRNA in cultured EC in association with LPS or IL-1, suggesting that the suppression of c-sis expression was not mediated through modulation of IL-1 gene expression by IFN-gamma. These results raise the possibility that IFN-gamma may play a novel regulatory role in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and vasculitis.

Cells, Cultured↗

[Effects of anticonvulsants on cellular immunity].

The effects of anticonvulsants on cellular immunity were examined in murine models. Fresh splenocytes were obtained from mice which had been intraperitoneally given 1 mg of phenytoin, 2 mg of phenobarbital, or 20mg of valproate for 28 days. The serum concentration of phenytoin, phenobarbital and valproate in these animals were 10-20 micrograms/ml, 30-40 micrograms/ml and 50-70 micrograms/ml, respectively. The proliferative response of splenocytes to mitogens was assessed by 3H-thymidine incorporation. The cytotoxic activities of cells such as natural killer (NK) cells, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells were estimated by a 4 hr-51Cr release assay. Phenytoin suppressed lymphocyte proliferation, NK activity, and CTL activity, but never LAK activity. Phenobarbital suppressed proliferative response to rIL-2 and CTL activity, but did not suppress NK activity nor LAK activity. In turn sodium pyruvate never suppressed any activity on cellular immunity.

Animals↗

[A case of multiple plasmacytomas of the bone].

We recently experienced one case of multiple plasmacytomas of the bone (IgM-lambda type), a 70-year-old female who had five foci of bony destruction for a three-year follow-up period after surgery of solitary plasmacytoma of the rib. A diagnosis for plasma cell tumor was discussed in detail.

Aged↗

[Growth of endometrial cancer and hormone].

Proliferation and differentiation of the normal endometrium are orderly regulated by female sex steroid hormones. In this connection, development and growth of endometrial cancer have also thought to be controlled in part by sex steroid hormones. Furthermore, some of the sex steroid hormones, progesterone, for example, are used as therapeutic agents in the management of endometrial cancer. The role of estrogen as a promotion factor of endometrial cancer is understood by unopposed estrogen hypothesis, and relative excess of estrogen unopposed by gestagen is regarded as an important factor for the development of endometrial cancer. High dose administration of gestagen has been used as a therapeutic agent of endometrial cancer over these three decades, and now the oral administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) is mainstay, with response rate of approximately 30%. However, recently some cases with serious side effect, mainly thrombosis, have been reported. These cases should be regarded as a grave warning to easy usage of MPA. Therefore, the search for more effective and safe way for clinical application have to be requested; for example, clarification of the precise mechanism of anti-tumor effect of MPA on endometrial cancer or development of new hormonal therapeutic agents. Moreover, basic research in the field of cancer and hormone may create a new era in cancer therapy in the future.

Aged↗