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Biomedical subjects

Y Morikawa

Publications and source records attributed to Y Morikawa.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

ADP-ribosylation of nonmuscle actin by component I of botulinum C2 toxin inactivates the ability to interact with unmodified actin.

Botulinum C2 toxin, elaborated by Clostridium botulinum types C and D, is composed of two dissimilar unassociated proteins, designated components I and II. Component I catalyzes ADP-ribosylation of nonmuscle beta- and gamma-actins but not of muscle alpha-actin. The maximal levels of ADP-ribosylation of the actin were about 1.0 mol of ADP-ribose/mol of actin. Sedimentation velocity analysis showed that ADP-ribosylated actin remained in a monomeric state even under polymerization conditions. In addition to the inactivation of self-polymerization ability, the ADP-ribosylated actin affected neither the initial rate nor the final extent of polymerization of unmodified actin as monitored by the increase in fluorescence intensity of N-pyrenyliodoacetamide-labeled actin. Electron microscopy revealed that no filaments or particles were formed from ADP-ribosylated actin in the conditions favorable for polymerization of unmodified actin; moreover, actin filaments produced from unmodified actin in the presence of ADP-ribosylated actin were not distinguishable from those from unmodified actin alone. These results indicate that the introduction of one ADP-ribose residue into the beta/gamma-actin molecule by component I inactivated the actin, preventing not only the self-assembly of the modified actins but also the interaction with unmodified actin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Actins↗

Characterization of antibody and cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses to human influenza virus H3 haemagglutinin expressed from the haemagglutinin locus of vaccinia virus.

Antibody and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses to the haemagglutinin (HA) of human H3N2 influenza virus were analysed, using recombinant vaccinia viruses containing the influenza HA gene inserted into the HA gene locus of vaccinia virus. The recombinant vaccinia viruses elicited a high haemagglutination inhibiting (HI) antibody response to the homologous influenza virus in mice. In addition, HI antibody generated by the recombinant vaccinia virus reacted with antigenic variants of human H3N2 influenza virus in a manner similar to that elicited by the HA vaccine. Mice with a high response to influenza virus HA vaccine were highly responsive to the HA expressed from the recombinant vaccinia virus, as measured by HI antibody production. The immunogenicity of the influenza virus HA expressed by the recombinant seems to be attributable to the intrinsic immunogenicity of the HA molecule. The recombinants primed mice for an influenza virus H3-specific CTL response and primed CTLs recognized the target cells in a subtype-specific manner. The results indicate that a recombinant vaccinia virus derived by the insertion of a foreign gene into its HA gene locus is a potent live vaccine not only for eliciting a high antibody response but also for priming a specific CTL response.

Animals↗

Biological and immunological characterization of influenza virus haemagglutinin expressed from the haemagglutinin locus of vaccinia virus.

Plasmid vectors were constructed to facilitate the insertion and expression of a foreign gene in the haemagglutinin (HA) gene locus of vaccinia virus. Five unique cloning sites adjacent to the P7.5 promoter of vaccinia virus permit the rapid insertion of a foreign sequence coding for a protein into these plasmids. This vector system provides a simple procedure to select recombinant viruses because they can be readily identified on the basis of their HA-defective phenotype. Recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing influenza virus HA were constructed to characterize the possible use of this system. The recombinant viruses did express the influenza HA through the authentic pathway of biosynthesis. In addition to having immunological characteristics similar to the authentic influenza HA, the expressed HA was found to possess haemagglutinating, haemadsorption and acid-inducible fusion activities. These findings demonstrate the usefulness of this eukaryotic vector system.

Animals↗

Defective interleukin-1 production of monocytes in patients with bladder cancer.

Patients with advanced malignant neoplasms have a variety of abnormal lymphocyte and monocyte functions. We examined the PHA (phytohaemagglutinin) blastogenic response of lymphocytes and interleukin-1 (IL-1) production of monocytes in 40 bladder cancer patients and 16 control subjects. The correlation between the 2 parameters was also studied. The PHA blastogenic response was measured by the incorporation of 3H-thymidine into lymphocytes. IL-1 production was assayed by the murine thymocyte 3H-thymidine incorporation assay. As a result, the PHA blastogenic response and IL-1 production were significantly lower in the high stage bladder cancer patients compared to the control subjects and low stage patients. However, there was no significant correlation between the 2 parameters. Furthermore, with the addition of indomethacin, IL-1 production in the control subjects and low stage patients improved to the same degree, but it did not reach the control level in the high stage patients.

Carcinoma, Transitional Cell↗

Morphometrical studies on perinatal development of glomerular components in rat.

Perinatal development of rat glomerulus was studied morphometrically. The percentage volumes of the five glomerular components (epithelial cells, capillary, mesangium, glomerular basement membrane, and Bowman's space) were determined by point counting and the surface area of glomerular basement membrane per unit volume of glomerulus was done by intercept counting. Percentage volume of Bowman's space was significantly decreased between days 20 and 21 of gestation, indicating the rapid growth of glomerular tuft during the prenatal period. Though both the length of glomerular capillary per unit volume of glomerulus (Lv) and surface area of glomerular basement membrane per unit volume of glomerulus were gradually increased from fetal day 20 to neonatal day 3, remarkable increase in Lv was observed between fetal day 22 and neonatal day 1. This indicates that the rat glomerulus develops rapidly during this period to adapt to extrauterine environment after birth.

Animals↗

[A study on the survival rates for patients and suspected patients with Itai-itai disease].

A follow-up study was carried out from January 1967 to December 1986 on 148 patients with Itai-itai disease, 130 suspected patients (persons requiring observation), and 212 controls who were living in the same community as patients with Itai-itai disease. The relative survival rates for the three groups were calculated from a life expectancy table. Except for 1973 data, comparison of the annual data from 1968 to 1986 showed that the relative survival rates in the patient group were significantly lower than those in the control group. The relative survival rates in the suspected patient group were significantly lower than those in the control group between 1981 and 1986. Recently the differences of the relative survival rates between the patient group and the suspected patient group have become smaller and are not significant. These results show the long-lasting influence of Itai-itai disease on the prognoses of patients and suspected patients.

Adult↗

[Intraurethral condyloma acuminatum: report of a case].

A 24-year-old male appeared with complaint of tumors at the urethral meatus. Cystourethroscopy showed multiple papillary lesions along the anterior urethra until 2 cm distance from the urethral meatus. Electrofulguration was performed on these tumors and condyloma acuminatum was verified by histopathological examination.

Administration, Topical↗

Effects of complete separation of condyle on the facial growth of growing rats.

Normal mastication needs condylar support. Mandibular condyle is thought to be one of the factors which control facial growth. To determine which parts of the face are affected by unilateral complete condylotomy including surrounding connected soft tissues, thirty-nine male Wistar rats, 5 weeks of age, were divided into control, sham treated and experimental groups. The control animals received no treatment, where as the left mandibular condyles of the experimental animals were condylotomized. Soft X-rays of the animals of both groups were taken every two weeks, and all were killed six weeks after treatment. Roentgenografically, it was observed in the experimental animals that a functional condyle-like process generated to fill the condylar space of glenoid fossa. This process was smaller than normal condyle of the control anomals. Furthermore, ANOVA revealed significant differences (P less than 0.01) in some facial structures including facial height as well as mandibular length, which were still affected at six weeks after the surgery. The result of the present investigation suggests that unilateral condylotomy induced the production of a functional condyle-like process and caused some facial deformities.

Analysis of Variance↗

[A case of cystitis glandularis suspected of malignant tumor of urinary bladder].

A case of cystitis glandularis is reported. A 70-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with the complaint of urinary frequency and gross hematuria. A bladder tumor was suspected by ultrasonography. Cystoscopy revealed multiple cystic lesions arising from the bladder neck and trigone. Transurethral biopsy of the bladder wall lesion revealed cystitis glandularis. Transurethral resection was performed. His postoperative course was uneventful.

Aged↗

[The effect of ganglioside on diabetic neurogenic bladder].

The effect of ganglioside was studied in 6 diabetic patients with neurogenic bladder. Ganglioside is glycosphingolipids which seems to be involved in the processes of nerve growth, regeneration and tissue reinnervation. The treatment consisted in the daily intramuscular administration of 20 mg ganglioside. Clinical symptoms, vibration sensation and urodynamic studies were recorded at the beginning and 4 weeks later. The clinical responses assessed by subjective complaints and vibration sensation were effective, but no statistically significant difference in urodynamic studies was obtained. Side effects were not observed. In conclusion, ganglioside treatment seems to have a positive effect on diabetic neurogenic bladder.

Aged↗

[Clinical study of estramustine phosphate disodium (Estracyt) on prostatic cancer--results of long-term therapy for 38 patients with prostatic cancer].

Estramustine phosphate disodium (Estracyt) was used in the treatment of 38 patients with prostatic carcinoma for at least 1 year. Of these patients 37 patients were treated with Estracyt as primary treatment and 1 patient had been treated with another antiandrogenic therapy before the Estracyt treatment. Estracyt was given orally in a dose of 560 mg/day in divided oral doses. The clinical evaluation was done for the change of PAP, the relapse rate, the survival rate and the side effect. Among 22 cases which had shown abnormally high PAP values before the treatment started, the values decreased or normalized in 21 cases (95.5%) in the first year of administration of Estracyt. In 6 cases, however, the values increased again in the second year or later. Relapse was observed in 10 (26.3%) out of 38 cases. Relapse rate was 2.6%, 51.7%, and 51.7%, at the first, third, and fifth year, respectively. Survival rate was 97.4% at the first year, 88.5% at the third year, and 68.8% at the fifth year for the follow-up study. Side effects were observed in 14 (36.8%) out of 38 cases. The main side effect was gynecomastia. Gastro-intestinal disturbance and edema were also observed. However, there were only 2 cases (5.2%) in which administration of Estracyt had to be discontinued.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[A trial of the bladder assist device (BLADMAN) on Kock continent ileal urinary reservoir].

A patient, who underwent total cystectomy and urinary diversion with the Kock pouch, was trained to use the Bladder Assist Device (BLADMAN) to augment the Kock continent ileal urinary reservoir. BLADMAN is a device to provide an intermittent drainage system, which simulates the normal periodic filling and emptying of the bladder of a patient with indwelling catheter. On the 16th day after starting the pouch augmentation with BLADMAN, the pouchgram of the patient revealed a pouch capacity of 450 ml. BLADMAN is considered to be a useful device for the augmentation of Kock continent ileal reservoir.

Cystectomy↗

Motility of the anorectum after the Soave-Denda operation.

A total of 82 patients were assessed by rectal manometry after operation for Hirschsprung's disease according to the Soave-Denda technique. A positive rectoanal reflex was obtained in 32 cases (39%), whereas the remaining 50 cases (61%) did not exhibit a rectoanal reflex. Among the children examined, 72% showed normal rhythmic activity of the anorectum. Anorectal function tended to increase over the years, 90% having good continence 10 years or more after operation. Patients who encountered postoperative complications had poor continence since such complications may have damaged the levator and sphincter muscles.

Anal Canal↗

Induction of nonspecific killer cells by delayed-type hypersensitivity against soluble protein antigens in murine peritoneal cavities.

We induced nonspecific killer cells in the local site of delayed-type hypersensitivity against keyhole limpet hemocyanin or ovalbumin. Delayed-type hypersensitivity was induced in the peritoneal cavities of mice, and peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) were collected. These PEC were found to have killer activity toward SP2 and YAC-1 cells (target cells susceptible to natural killer cells) by 4-h 51Cr-release assays. The induction of killer activity in PEC was observed in parallel with the eliciting of delayed-type hypersensitivity in the peritoneal cavity, in which the killer activity was maximum 24-48 h after the antigen challenge, but was not induced in nu/nu mice and was induced in an antigen-specific way. These killer cells did not adhere to nylon wool and had Thy1 and asialo-GM1 antigens on their surfaces. Their precursor cells were also asialo-GM1-positive. These findings indicate that the killer cells probably belong to the NK cell lineage. Results of tumor challenge experiments showed that these killer cells had an antitumor effect in vivo as well as in vitro.

Animals↗

Immunoregulatory effect of antibody on delayed-type hypersensitivity in mice.

We analyzed the conditions for in vivo toleration of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH). The intravenous injection of a high dose of keyhole-limpet hemocyanin (KLH) into BALB/c mice did not induce DTH in vivo, but the serum titers of the anti-KLH antibody were significantly elevated. This lack of DTH response was antigen-specific, and the intravenous injection of the antigen induced effector-phase suppressor T cells. The findings suggested that the lack of a DTH response brought about by the intravenous injection of a high dose of antigen was not immunological tolerance. Treatment with a high dose (250 mg/kg) of cyclophosphamide - but not a low dose (50 mg/kg) - enhanced the DTH, but suppressed antibody production. These results indicate that humoral immune response participate in the regulation of DTH. In addition, the transfer of serum or immunoglobulin from mice that were injected intravenously with a high dose of the antigen suppressed the DTH. We concluded that the antibodies regulate DTH in the antigen-specific manner.

Animals↗

[Effects of levocarnitine chloride (LC-80) on the cardiovascular system].

The cardiovascular effects of levocarnitine chloride (LC-80) were investigated in in vitro and in vivo experiments, and the following results were obtained: (1) In isolated rabbit cardiac muscle preparations, LC-80 at the high concentration of 10(-2) M had little influence on the atrial rate of spontaneously beating right atria, while it caused a gradual increase in the contractile tension of both spontaneously beating right atria and electrically driven papillary muscle that reached a maximum level after 10 min of administration and lasted for 20-30 min. However, the LC-80-induced positive inotropic effect may be negligible in whole animal experiments or clinical trials, since it was elicited only after the administration of LC-80 in an extremely large dose. Furthermore, LC-80 in a high concentration (10(-2) M) had no influence on the isoproterenol-induced positive inotropic effect in electrically driven papillary muscles. (2) LC-80 in high concentrations of 10(-3)-10(-2) M did not affect the high K+-induced contraction in isolated canine left circumflex coronary artery and saphenous vein. (3) In anesthetized dogs, intraarterial injection of LC-80 in high doses of up to 10 mg did not change the blood flow of coronary, femoral, renal, mesenteric or vertebral arteries and on the adenosine-induced vasodilator action. (4) In anesthetized dogs, intravenous injection of LC-80 in doses of 100-300 mg/kg did not modify the blood pressure responses induced by norepinephrine, acetylcholine, carotid occlusion and vagal stimulation. These results suggest that the cardiovascular effects of LC-80 are extremely mild or negligible. Therefore, LC-80 may be a drug having a new pharmacological feature in its mechanism which enables it to exert a beneficial effect in the treatment of ischemic heart disease, being different from the commonly used antianginal drugs.

Animals↗